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The Cabot Chronicle

March 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 March 2016 pages (PDF)

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

In This Issue

The Cabot Chronicle Submission Guidelines

The Chronicle welcomes letters written with an economy of words. The maximum length is recommended to be no longer than 400 words. Letters may be edited for clarity and length or returned to the author with suggestions for re-submittal. All letters and commentary published in The Cabot Chronicle represent the opinions of the authors and not necessarily the opinions of staff. The Cabot Chronicle reserves the right to reject letters that may contain unsuitable material for our readers. Letters will not be considered for publication unless signed and accompanied by a phone number. We will gladly consider articles and photographs for publication. The Cabot Chronicle is not responsible for errors in submitted material. Nor does The Cabot Chronicle assume responsibility for claims arising in connection with products or services advertised on these pages. If you have editorial questions or would like advertising information, call and getting ready for growing them in the south facing window is here. We start tomatoes by growing them in the window using last year’s seeds. Yes, we are seed savers. We save our bean seeds, squash, and tomato. We usually plant our tomatoes way too early, so they are tall and all gangly like teenagers waiting to become adult plants. We put them in the green house as soon as the threat of frost is gone, although being here in Vermont, no one can be entirely sure when that time is. It is fun to be planning the garden and ordering seeds. Sometimes we pick up some six packs or four packs of herbs and what not from Cate Farm. They are organic, and we have had good luck with the plants. I love thinking about spring, it makes for a lovely way to pass the time in the winter. Over a hot cup of chocolate browsing through a seed book is one of the most enjoyable pastimes for my partner and me. We discuss the value of one heritage tomato over another, each having different attributes. It may seem silly, but that’s one of the many things we do during the colder months of winter.

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By Paul Wade

Last summer, the Clock Tower of the United Church of Cabot underwent renovations with the help of a grant from the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation and many local contributions. During the renovations, it was found that the tower clock also needed work, although it still keeps good time. An appraisal (paid for by a CCA grant from the Cabot Community Fund) from a Maine firm that restores similar clocks estimated $17,000 for complete preservation work. However, a group of local residents (Jan Westervelt, Richard Ducharme, Ron Bussolotti, and myself) undertook interim clock repair. The clock, built in about 1888, is driven by weights consisting of rocks in wooden boxes hung on cables with pulleys. Apparently, the installation technique was to build wooden boxes from the clock shipping crate and fill them with local rocks. The cables had slipped off their pulleys and one of the boxes was jammed, so that the church bell would no longer strike. Boxes of rocks were winched up so that the cables could be restrung and the weights could hang properly. With the cables restrung, the bell still did not strike properly – a gear rack, called

The Cabot Chronicle is distributed the first day of the month and is ~ Mission Statement ~ The mission of The Cabot Chronicle is to regularly publish local news for the residents of the Cabot Area. Our purpose is to share information that will help readers become better involved in their Community.

DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior

Coordinator: Jeannie Johnson

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Advertising Manager: Ellen Cairns

Event Calendar: Mary Beth Churchill Proofreading: Stephany Searles & Lynn Jones Distribution: Lynn Maxfield & Betty Boisvert with help from Karen Mueller-Harder Printed in Vermont ~ Copyright 2015 by The Cabot Chronicle

No part of this paper may be reproduced without express written permission from Cabot Publisher is not responsible for typographical errors. Acceptance of advertising is contingent upon publisher’s approval indemnify publisher from loss or expense on claims based upon contents of advertising. Publisher for errors in any advertising beyond the cost of space occupied by individual item in which

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OMMENTARY

We bundle up in our wool and down and take walks that are often breathtaking, one, for the fact that there isn’t anything more beautiful than a snow globe day and, two, the deep cold oftentimes does take your breath away. Roof Raking keeps us in shape, and, boy, have my muscles had a work out. Thinking about spring gives us hope of longer days and more sunshine. How I long for those days of digging in the soil. I do like my winters, but spring is so new with the pale green of barely unfurled leaves on trees, and shoots poking their heads out from under a thin layer of earth. I love planting new veggies or berry bushes. We love our strawberries, and have a freezer full of fruit from this past year. Blueberries and raspberries make some mighty fine pancakes on those cold winter mornings. YUM! Muffins are fun, too. Baking is an ongoing thing at our house. Happy dreaming of warm spring days with the fragrant lilac gently aromatic on a warm breeze. In Peace and Love, Laura Lee Smith Fizgigdragon@aol.com

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Cabot Church Clock

the strike count rack, was worn and damaged. What do you expect after 128 years? An internet search found a source of replacement parts, but they wanted $675 for a reproduction part. Jan and Paul are members of a local Makerspace, The Foundry (TheFoundry VT.org), which meets at the Lyndon Institute Career Center and has access to a number of machine tools. Perhaps we could make a new part – with help from Tom Bishop, an expert machinist at the Makerspace. We measured the undamaged parts of the strike count rack, made a CAD (Computer Aided Design) drawing of a new rack, and used a laser cutter to make a copy in wood. The wooden one was used as a template to draw the pattern on steel. Then the steel was cut to the pattern using a milling machine – a large industrial tool. The new rack was installed and worked properly, so we took it back to harden it, since the original was hardened steel and we want this one to last another 100 years. It was finally installed in mid-February. Additional renovations to the Church are planned for this summer, so that the rest of the building lasts as long. Donations are needed and welcome.

provided locally free of charge.

Chronicle.

and agreement by advertiser to does not assume liability the error appeared. above for more information

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~ Annual Meeting

(CCA) is putting its mission into action, and we would love for you to learn more and join in the progress. The CCA Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 23, at 7:00 p.m. in the Willey Building. At this meeting, we will review the progress we have made over the past year and the plans for the coming year. We will also hold elections for the Board of Directors. Here is a preview of the activities we are currently working on and the initiatives we hope to address in 2016. The CCA staff and Board of Directors provide this review of the current activities of the group and the initiatives we hope to address in 2016. The CCA currently: • Provides accounting and administrative staff assistance to numerous Cabot community groups . • Continues to develop a town website to provide a portal to the community and businesses of Cabot. Check it out http://www.cabotvermont.org and let us know how you think this resource can best serve Cabot residents and businesses. • Administers the Cabot Community

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Fund, which provides small

grants up to $500 to community based projects and events that further the CCA mission. The Cabot Community Fund is generously supported by the Cabot Creamery and other contributors. Application materials and details are available on the website. • Manages community owned resources, such as the Bouncy House and Slide, sandwich board signs, and plastic fold-up tables. These resources are loaned to any Cabot event that benefits the community. • Is working to create a storage space for Cabot community organizations. Items like theater sets and the ice skating rink timbers are currently stored in private residences, and sorely need a convenient, easy to access and safe space to store large and difficult to transport items. • Is developing a strategy to assist local business owners succeed and thrive, which includes providing small businesses with an on-line presence through the CCA web site. In addition, the CCA continues to support the workgroups created during the community cil

all the Porch for CCA

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of residing business Cabot, who volved.

Cabot reached @gmail.com www.cabotvermont.org.

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Local Hazard Mitigation

Hazard Mitigation Planning identifies actions that a community can take to reduce or eliminate long term risk to people and property from natural and manmade hazards. The Town of Cabot will be working to develop long-term strategies to protect people and property from future hazard events. The Town, in conjunction with the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission, is undertaking the update of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan for 2017. The Town will be holding public meetings for anyone interested. Please contact Karen Deasy at zacabot@fair point.net drews@cvregion.com tion.

what or

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Chronicle

– your community’s monthly newspaper The CCA welcomes new volunteers for of our projects, including serving on Board of Directors. Watch Front Forum and The Cabot Chronicle meeting and event times, or call the office. There are also two brand new initiayou might like to contribute to: • — Planning for Cabot’s economic future . Cabot village, like many small rural villages saw its economic heyday in the early to mid 1800s. Improved transportation and a changing economy have eliminated the commercial value of places like our village, resulting in deterioration in the commercial buildings. Although there are challenges, the village has a vibrant community center with services, gathering places and traffic – local commuters as well as tourists. Please consider joining this conversation as we seek answers to questions like – o What kind of economy will work for Cabot village in the 21st century? and o What businesses can we develop here that will thrive in this place? • The community Durable Medical

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Equipment (DME) Registry is a list

of equipment available to borrow to help while rehabilitating from an injury or surgery. If you have DME that you are willing to post to the loan list, please email the CCA with a list of the items and your contact information. A list will be maintained on the CCA website. The CCA works to enhance the quality community life for those visiting or in Cabot and for those doing here. We invite anyone from and the greater Cabot community, endorses this mission to get in-

Lori Augustyniak, Director of the Community Association, can be at cabot.community.assoc

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By Gary Gulka

Last year, there were 31 zoning permits issued by the Town, mainly for residential projects and structures. I asked our Zoning Administrator, Karen Deasy, two questions: (1) Of the permits issued last year, how many permits would have been required under the proposed zoning regulations? and (2) What additional requirements would there have been under the proposed zoning. Karen’s response was that seven of the permits would not have been required under new zoning, two decks and five storage structures. The only new requirement: About a dozen of these permitted projects, which are new homes or principal buildings on a parcel, would require a certificate of zoning compliance prior to occupation or use. The property owner would be required to notify the Zoning Administrator when the development project is substantially complete, and the ZA has seven days to inspect the property, otherwise the certificate is issued. The certificate of zoning compliance is something that the Select Board strongly supported for principal structures, like new homes, as a result of more than one situation in the past where homes were occupied without a functional septic system. So, it was added and yes, is a new requirement.

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Ice Out

(continued from page 1) Pond was in “normal” depth range of about 14 inches at the end of January. Perhaps the most surprising of all was the number of Ice-Out tickets sold in spite of the crazy weather, and then a request by FOX 44 News in Burlington for an interview on January 18. We don’t usually do TV or radio interviews until late March or April, but the folks at FOX were wondering about the impact of the unusually warm weather, too. As luck would have it, the day Christy from FOX came, it was bitterly cold and snowing. There was no problem convincing her that winter had arrived at Joe’s Pond. The Ice-Out Contest was won last year by a lady in Connecticut. Her guess was right on at 6:14 p.m.. on April 29, and it earned her over $6,600. We expect this year the prize will be at least that much; every year the contest has grown. We hope to sell about 15,000 tickets at $1 each, and after expenses, we will split 50/50 between Joe’s Pond Association and the winner(s). Sometimes we’ve had more than one winner. JPA’s Ice-Out Contest sponsors the giant free Fourth of July Fireworks Display at the north end of the pond on July 3 – rain date July 5. Everyone is invited! You’ll find on our website, www.joespondvermont.com, a complete listing of outlets where you can buy tickets, or you can buy them on line. There are tickets locally at the Cabot Village Store and the Cabot Hardware Store, at the Corner Stop-Inn Shop in Walden and at Hastings Store in West Danville. You can also contact either Diane Rossi at 563

we’ll see that you get your tickets. Watch the website for updates on ice conditions, and get in the contest. Good luck!

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Thoughts

Reducing property line setbacks for structures in many of the proposed zoning districts and reducing lot sizes in the village and surrounding areas will give property owners more flexibility in siting structures. Expanded exemptions for small structures, as illustrated above, will lead to less regulation for residential projects. New exemptions specifically include one storage structure not more than 250 square feet, structures less than 100 square feet, patios and decks not more than 200 square feet and certain fences and walls - all of which would have previously required a permit. The Planning Commission put a great deal of thought into the zoning proposal, making numerous changes along the way, and feels it is reasonable, flexible, and much clearer than existing zoning. By re-writing, rather than patching up the existing regulations, it is very clear, both for residential and non-residential projects, which sections of zoning apply to a particular project and the process that is to be followed in reviews and approvals. This cannot be said about our current zoning. Should you have any questions prior to the March 1 vote on the content of the proposals, please contact Karen Deasy or me and we will be glad to discuss it with you.

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Recycling

(continued from page 1) In the meantime, keep doing a great job of sorting and cleaning your recyclables. Because the items we collect are sent on to regional markets, keeping contaminants to a minimum is a must. Please rinse all food residues from plastic containers. Note that only plastic food containers with the numbers 1, 2, 3, or 4 are being collected at this time. Leave the small lids right on the containers to keep them from jamming the baler at the NEKWMD’s Lyndonville facility. Unfortunately, many plastic items are not recyclable and must be disposed of in the trash. Plastic bags labeled with #2 and #4 are now being collected for recycling. Unlabeled bags should not be placed in the plastic bag collection bins. Office paper includes white paper, envelopes, newspaper, magazines, and paperback books. Steel (tin) cans are collected separately from aluminum. Please clean food residues from metal food containers. A large roll-off container is open every Saturday during Depot hours for collection of all metals other than steel and aluminum cans. More information is available at the Cabot Recycling Depot located on Sawmill Road in Lower Cabot. Hours are every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon only. Recycling is free, and trash is collected for a fee.

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Rod Clarke

—Award-winning nalist Rod whose passion jourClarke, for his craft was exceeded only by his love of family, died January 25, 2016, at Berlin Health and Rehab. He was 77. Born January 2, 1939, to Joseph and Sarah Clarke. Rod was raised and went to school in Freeport, NY, where he was a standout athlete in football, wrestling and lacrosse. In 1963, "Rock," as he was known then, met Loretta Carroll, and after a whirlwind two-month courtship, they were married and embarked on a journey of love, affection and adventure; a partnership that would last until her passing 44 years later. And now it begins anew. Soon after the wedding, Rod and Loretta moved to Montana, then back to Long Island, finally settling in Vermont in 1965 to raise their family. In 1997, they re-located to Florida, but always considered Vermont, where he had spent his childhood summers, their home. He returned home in January 2015. He worked in print, photographic and broadcast media and was bureau manager and Vermont state news editor for United Press International (UPI). He also was official photographer for the Boston Red Sox Fantasy Baseball Camp, served as a political consultant and campaign manager, produced and hosted radio talk shows in Vermont, wrote, produced and narrated documentaries for a regional PBS affiliate in Southwest Florida and eked out a living as a freelance writer. As manager of marketing and promotional campaigns in Florida and New York state for the Cabot Creamery

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Max U. Neumann

Max Udo Neumann passed away at his home in Cabot on January 31, 2016, surrounded by his family. He was born October 13, 1939, in Frankfurt Germany to Ilse Schacht and Max Johannes Neumann of Artern. Max came to San Francisco, CA, in 1959, the same year his sister, Heidi, came to Ithaca, NY. Max managed a parking garage, where he met many of the luminaries of the Haight-Ashbury era, including Jim Morrison and Georgio Armani. Max lived in Munich in the 1970s, and worked as a bartender for Trader Vic's Restaurant, where his passion for cooking and entertaining deepened. Max's father had been a purveyor of poultry and meat in France, Poland, Rumania and Germany, where Max learned to appreciate fine food and hospitality. As a child, Max traveled with his family to Morocco, Spain, Italy, London and Paris. He attended Dover College in the UK. As a young man, he traveled to Mexico, where he was a paid tour guide. Later, he spent some time in Chile.

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EMORIALS

of Vermont, he made the Guinness Book of Records by cooking up the worlds largest grilled cheese sandwich. He travelled extensively, driving across the country three times and visiting all of the continental 48 states except Oregon. An avid biker, Rod and Loretta were often seen heading out on their vintage Harley Davidson. He was a longtime defender of motorcyclist’s rights, founding Freedom of the Road for Vermont in 1986 and serving as chairman of the board of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM). Rod's office wall was filled with awards and plaques for writing and journalism, including three regional Emmy nominations, four Telly Awards and a 1978 Pulitzer Prize nomination for national reporting when he was with UPI. Kids always took center stage in Rod's life. In addition to their own brood, he and Loretta helped raise various siblings, nieces and nephews and gave homes to dozens of foster children in crisis. Rod leaves six children: Don Clarke, Lorelei Lissor, Adam Clarke and his wife, Anne, Chris Clarke and his wife, Crystal, Kelly Deis and her husband, Mark, and Jennifer Miller and her husband, Chas; 15 grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, wife Loretta, son Tony McFarlin, and granddaughter Kerry Clarke. In typical fashion, the old newsman wrote his own obituary and had it "in the can" so it would be ready when needed. That time is now. In lieu of flowers, Rod asked his friends to support their local economy at their favorite pub by raising a Happy Hour toast to him and Loretta as they ride off together again on a new adventure. A celebration of life was held January 29 at Guare and Sons Funeral Home in Montpelier.

He then moved to Hartford, CT, where he did fine carpentry. Eventually, Max made his way to Vermont and fell in love with the landscape, which reminded him of Germany. He found a piece of land and built a cabin in the chalet style. Max was a founding member of the Gutenberg Group, which met to discuss world issues in German. The Gutenberg Group was also known by their love of salsa, meringue and cha-cha-cha dancing and self-catering. With a separate group of American friends who called themselves the Grumpy Old Men, Max and his cohorts occupied themselves doing garden design, home renovation and shared lunches. Max loved nature and animals, especially his cats and German shepherds. He was very charismatic and charming. Max and his partner of 22 years, Rita Mosbach, also resided in a finca in Mallorca, Spain, when they were not in Vermont. They were true soul mates. He and Rita own and operate All Around Vitamins, which specializes in healthy living supplements. In addition to his partner Rita, Max is survived by his sisters and an extended family. Family received visitors at his home on Bricketts Crossing Road in celebration of his life on Sunday, February 7. ALL

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Marion H. Heath

Marion Mabel Hatch Heath, 96, of Perry Street, Barre, went to her final rest in the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 26, 2016, at the Mayo Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Facility in Northfield. She had moved to Mayo Assisted Healthcare in October 2015. Born on October 31, 1919, in Peacham, VT, Marion was the third child of Lee Brewster Hatch II and Ethel Howe Hatch. At the age of two years, her family moved to Walden, VT. Marion grew up with her sister, Hazel, and brother, Lee, walking miles to their designated school at the Four Corners. On very cold days, neighbors invited them to stop in to warm up. Marion began her schooling at age four, as her brother was beginning school and she wished to go with her playmate. It was allowed and she spent most of her time on the teacher's lap. Marion graduated from Danville High School as salutatorian in 1935. On September 30, 1936, she and Herbert "Bernard" Heath of Cabot were married in Morrisville. Bernard was a farmer on the South Walden Road. Marion and Bernard had three children: Ida Marion married Mayo Sanborn of Barre; Bernardine Ethel, widow of Gordon Haslam, of Essex Junction; and Herbert Bernard Jr., married to Tina Heath of Barre and Naples, FL. Her children all attended the Cabot Village School, graduating from Cabot High. She was a past president of, and a very active member of, the Cabot PTA, and began a dental program for Cabot students and transported them to Dr. Romanos in Barre for their care. To fund the dental program, Marion was very instrumental in starting the Cabot 4th of July parade and celebration, still an annual event. She was the bookkeeper for the Cabot Creamery for 16 years, then went on to become the bookkeeper at the former Harry's Discount Store on the BarreMontpelier Road for 16 years. Marion retired in 1977 at the age of 62. She had belonged to the Cabot United Church, and after moving to Barre in 1994, had attended the Barre Congrega-

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Denise Mangan

Sr. Denise Mangan of Cabot was received into Heaven by our Lord Jesus on Saturday, February 6, 2016. fully, She passed peacesurrounded by her family, with God’s light shining upon her face. Sr. Denise, born on October 20, 1946, lived her life serving her Lord. As a child, she loved helping in the Sacristy, and as an adult, she was blessed with six children, whom she taught to know and love God. After she raised her children, she became a nun in the order of The Sisters of Christ the King –Anglican Catholic Church, Diocese of the Resurrection. She served here with her beloved friend and

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hronicle

tional Church and belonged to the Women's Fellowship there. Marion had served in many capacities on the Committee of the Cabot Fall Foliage Festival. She attended senior activities in Cabot and had belonged to the Montpelier Senior Center, where she enjoyed line dancing lessons and teaching. Currently, she belonged to the Barre Area Senior Center. Marion and her husband enjoyed being in Florida and, in 1988, bought their home in Naples. She spent 30 winters there, and took part in the Hitching Post Recreation Center activities. She square danced and line danced and took part in their annual talent night. Marion was an attentive, supportive and loving wife to Bernard and mother to her children, and enjoyed her family, which consists of many grandchildren: Jeffrey Sanborn, of Morrisville; Scott Sanborn and wife, Chong Kyu, of Gainesville, VA; the children of Bernardine and the late Jack Barnett: Rick Barnett and wife, Lynn, of St. Albans, Julie and husband, Todd Emmell, of Essex Junction, Pamela and husband, Steve Fontaine, of Williston, Jaci Barnett and partner, Lisa Bindas, of Wareham, MA, Theresa (Gokey) and husband, Mike Muir, of Colchester, Debra Lee Heath and husband, Rob Carr, of Northfield, Jessie Heath and husband, Rick Swan, of Fairfax, Laurie Haslam Brewer, of Grapevine, Texas, and Tracy Haslam and husband, Dan Reed, of Essex Junction. She leaves 19 greatgrandchildren and four great-greatgrandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Bernard, her siblings including an infant brother, Clarence, and three grandsons: Steve Barnett, Timothy Barnett and Scott Haslam and wife, Jane; also by her son-in-law Gordon Haslam and daughter-in-law Noreen Bashaw Heath. Marion's family thanks the staffs of the Mayo Assisted Healthcare, the Central Vermont Medical Center - 2 South Wing, the Rowan Court Nursing Home, and the Mayo Rehabilitation and Continuing Care for her care during her last few months. A funeral service was held January 30, 2016, at the Barre Congregational Church. Burial will take place in the spring at the Cabot Village Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Book of Remembrance, c/o Barre Congregational Church, 35 Church St., Barre, VT 05641.

sister in the Lord, Sr. Sandra Voight, and also with her sister, Sr. Michele LaGesse. Sister Denise enjoyed many things. She loved birds and flowers, singing with her beautiful voice, painting, reading and storytelling, bells and praying for others. She leaves behind her six children and their spouses: (Edward); Chuck Denessa Glassford Mangan (Sarah); Cassondra James (Thomas); Alissa Mulligan (Jason); Micah Mangan (Darcy); David Mangan (Amanda); Christine Brown; fifty -three grandchildren; seventeen greatgrandchildren; her sisters and many dear friends. She will be deeply missed, but we know that she is in her Heavenly home, where there is no pain and suffering. The funeral was on February 13, 2016, at Christ Church in Marshfield, VT. “The memory of the righteous is blessed.” O

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Cabot School Board Chair

During the past two months, Cabot School administrators and school board members have met several times with their counterparts from Twinfield School and Danville School. The purpose of these meetings has been to explore ways that our Cabot School students could potentially benefit were the Cabot School District to form a new, merged school district with one or the other of these neighboring districts. School districts across Vermont are having these kinds of discussions as a result of Act 46, a law enacted by the Vermont Legislature last spring. Among the stated objectives of Act 46 is to improve the educational opportunities available to Vermont’s students, and the law strongly supports the formation of new, consolidated school districts as a way to reach that goal. The law requires that all districts across Vermont submit to the Vermont State Board of Education a plan detailing how that district proposes to meet the objectives of Act 46. The meetings held thus far with Twinfield and Danville are a first step towards developing that plan for Cabot School. Our focus in these first discussions has centered on what benefits for our students may be provided by a larger district, as well as potential challenges. We have decided as a board to prioritize the welfare of Cabot’s students in the early stages of discussion, rather than jump into the numerous details and logistics of a merger. In our separate meetings with both Danville and Twinfield, we’ve started our discussions by identifying the challenges we face at our respective schools, and have then tried to look at how combining into one district might potentially allow us to better meet those challenges. We’ve also heard from our school administrators about the program strengths they see at

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By Karen Mueller-Harder

Cabot Community Theater proudly presents Oscar Wilde’s gem, “The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.” This delightful comedy will be performed in the Cabot School Performing Arts Center on Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19, at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, March 19 and 20, at 2:30 p.m. Admission price is once again only $5/person at the door, or three items for the Onion River Food Shelf. This production features a multigenerational cast of local actors committed to excellent, affordable, inclusive community theater: Todd Jones, Cameron and Karen Mueller-Harder, Maggie and Marion Palmiero, Dick Payne, Ethan Socks, Lila Stratton, and Abigail Walker. Direction is by Megan Walker, with technical and other support from David Moody, Ellen Cairns, Lori Stratton, Susie Socks, Daria Babbitt, Cynthia Challener, Erik Mueller-Harder, and the Burke family.

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Update

their schools; this has led into discussions about how the different strengths of each school might complement each other and benefit all students in a combined district. At this point in the process, we’d like to share with the Cabot community what we’ve found so far in these discussions about the potential benefits for Cabot students in a larger district with Twinfield or Danville. To that end, we have scheduled a community forum for Monday, March_ (confirm date?) at 7:00 PM in the CSPAC building. At that time, we’ll review what we’ve gathered so far, as well as answer questions and get input. We hope that all interested Cabot residents (students, parents, and community members in general) will be able to attend. We’ll also post a summary of the same information we’ll share at the forum on the Cabot School website for folks who’re unable to make the meeting itself. Looking ahead beyond March, if we find that there could be significant potential benefit for Cabot students by merging into a larger district, we’ll begin as a board to look at the logistics and ramifications of a merger. If we decide at that point that the potential benefits are large enough, we will form a larger study committee to look more carefully at forming a consolidated district. If formed, that committee would include community members, school board members and school staff, and its purpose would be to draft a specific proposal for a merged school district. According to the terms of Act 46, any proposal for a new, consolidated school district would have to gain the approval of the Vermont State Board of Education and would also have to be approved by the voters of Cabot and the other towns involved by July of 2017. Should both of those approvals be gained, the new consolidated district would begin operating during the 2019-20 school year.

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of Being Earnest

This production is being staged as a benefit, with all proceeds from the performances going directly to local organizations which help so many in the Cabot community: the Cabot Fire Department, Cabot Ambulance, The Cabot Chronicle , Twin Valley Senior Center, and the Onion River Food Shelf. Admission is priced at $5, to be accessible to all, but we encourage you to pay more if you can, to support these groups in their important work in our community!

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From the Cabot

In addition to the regular business that will be conducted at Town Meeting on Tuesday, March 1, Cabot voters are being asked to vote by Australian Ballot on several critically important Articles that will impact directly and significantly on the 2016 Property Tax Rate and on the future direction of Cabot. Your Selectboard asks that you vote yes on the following articles: Article 9 (Zoning Regulations) and Article 10. (Subdivision Regulations): The proposed regulations will replace regulations written almost fifty years ago and will significantly provide improved protections to Cabot residents 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 we need to keep pace with the changing times if we are to have a full voice at the table when our regulations are challenged. The proposed regulations are far superior to our existing out-dated regulations, and if adopted by Cabot voters, will significantly help to protect Cabot citizens and our community. Article 11 ($180,000 Tax Reduction Loan): Regrettably, the 2015 town operating budget ended with a deficit resulting from an out-of-balance budget approved at last year's Town Meeting and less carry-forward from 2014 than had been budgeted. At the time the 2015 budget was developed, the Selectboard believed a carry-forward existed in the amount of $326,436 which unfortunately was not the case as confirmed by the 2014 external Audit. The 2015 budget, which we believed was in balance at the time we presented it to the voters, was actually out of balance by ($303,199). As a result of this error, 2015 ended with a deficit of ($91,833). If the voters approve Article 11 and authorize the Selectboard to execute a $180,000 Tax Reduction loan, the budget shortfall will be spread over three years thus avoiding a large tax increase in 2016. The 2015 Property Tax Rate was $0.5108. The estimated 2016 Property Tax Rate with the $180,000 Tax Reduction Loan included will be $0.5943, representing an increase of around 0.08 cents per $100 dollars. However, should

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Selectboard

the voters not approve the $180,000 Tax Reduction Loan then the 2016 estimated Property Tax will be 0.7014 or 0.19 cents per $100 dollars more than the 2015 tax rate. Rather than covering the 2015 deficit and out-of-balance budget all in one year, we believe it prudent to spread this over three years and that's why we are asking you to vote Yes to Article 11. Article 12. (Lockable Storage Unit at new Town Garage): Because bids for the town garage project came in higher than anticipated, the storage unit included in the original design was removed from the project. However, there remains a need for secure storage space at the new facility to store town highway equipment not currently located at the town garage. If Article 12 is approved by the voters, construction cost will be spread over ten years. Only $3,000 has been included in the 2016 budget to cover initial interest costs. Once secure storage is available at the new garage, storage space at the recycling center will be freed up to expand recycling operations and provide storage space to community organizations. Unrelated to Town Meeting but critically important for our community, Cabot's Five-Year Hazard Mitigation Plan is up for renewal in 2017. Work has already begun to write a new Hazard Mitigation Plan that is required if the Town is to remain eligible to receive FEMA funds in the future. Cabot received $700,000 for the Town Garage project because we had a FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plan. It is critically important that Cabot renew its Plan and we need as much community input as possible to best accomplish this task. Please attend a Hazard Mitigation Plan Work Session on Thursday, March 10 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm in the Town Hall to help develop the new Plan. Your input and active participation is critically important to this effort.

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Tuesday, 3/1

Town Meeting , 10:00 a.m. Cabot School Gym. Polls open 7:00 a.m.—7:00 p.m. Meditation Group 6:00-7:30 p.m. Come and join Daria Babbitt to instruct you with different techniques to reduce stress. There will be time for discussion on various healing techniques and inner spiritual growth. Open to all. Donations accepted. Willey Building, Cabot.

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Wednesday, 3/2

Classic Film Night 7:00 p.m. This 1980 film takes place in a corrupt city, where a small town gangster and the estranged wife of a pot dealer find themselves thrown together in an escapade of love, money, drugs and danger. Stars: Burt Lancaster, Susan Sarandon, Kate Reid. Free admission. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield.

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Dance, Sing and Jump Around 3:00-

4:30 p.m. A family and friends fun afternoon event. Learn circle and line dancing, singing games all taught and called by Liz Benjamin, snacks, too. Live traditional music with Kenric Kite and Friends. Suggested donation $5/$10 per family. Plainfield Town Hall Opera House (accessible), Rt. 2, Plainfield.

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Friday, 3/11

Level UP!! 7:00 p.m. Live-action game show will premier in the Cabot School Performing Arts Center Tickets will cost $5. The creator of this game is Wyatt Ameden. Centered around the “Stairway of Greatness,” re-imagine the retro video gaming experience as a live-action game show filled with trivia, luck and challenge, with array of prizes for the winning contestant. Interested in being a contestant? If so, please email bboyes@cabotschool.org.

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Who's There Film Series 7:00 p.m.

Movies about identity. This film is about a guy who passed himself off as a real and well-known Iranian film director and befriended a family, offering to build a film around them. (1990) Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield. “Vermont's Own” 7:30 p.m. The 40 th Army Band Concert will perform at the Vermont State House, Montpelier, as a part of the “Farmers' Night” series. Come and enjoy traditional patriotic tunes as well as contemporary musical favorites. FREE and Open to the public.

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VAST at Vermont State House 8:00

a.m. We are looking for a few volunteers that would like to work along with the staff to talk with legislators and the public about all things VAST. Day begins 8:00 a.m., ends 3:00 p.m. If interested in joining us, please contact Cindy Locke cindy@vtvast.org.

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Saturday, 3/19

Cabot Maple Fest 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. REAL MAPLE SYRUP at 9:00 a.m. pancake breakfast, 9-2 silent auction, 9-3 crafters and vendors, 11:30-3:00 maple cotton candy, sugar on snow, signature cheese sandwiches and homemade soups. Music and a great family and friends fun day. Cabot School Gym. LEGO Exhibition 10:00 a.m. Attention LEGO builders young and old. Cabot Public Library will host a Lego exhibit in conjunction with Cabot Maple Fest. Come and create your work in an 18''x24'' and 4ft. high space, there will be a gallery walk to talk about your creation and learn from fellow builders their works. Contact Susie Socks for more details at or Cabotfarm@gmail.com.

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The Importance of Being Earnest.

2:30 and 7:00 p.m. Cabot Community Theater presents Oscar Wilde's gem, a trivial comedy for serious people. Directed by Megan Walker. In the Cabot School Performing Arts Center. Admission $5.00 at the door to benefit Cabot Chronicle and Cabot Fire Department, or three items for the Onion River Food Shelf.

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The Importance of Being Earnest .

2:00 p.m. Cabot Community Theater presents Oscar Wilde's gem, a trivial comedy for serious people. Directed by Megan Walker. In the Cabot School Performing Arts Center. Admission $5 at the door to benefit Twin Valley Senior Center, or three items for the Onion River Food Shelf.

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PSA: CCV Offering Free Career

Readiness courses at Capstone Community Action in Barre. 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, March 23 to May 18. Course will help build professional and career skills in preparation for a variety of entry-level positions in direct health care professions. Enrollment code is WFE-0603-VM40. At Capstone Community Action, 20 Gable Place, Barre. Contact Kelly Young 802-8280131 or Kelly.Young@ccv.edu about the course and how to sign up.

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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)

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

It's a great way to reach up to 1900 households in Cabot, Marshfield, Plainfield, Hardwick, and Danville! Spread the word about your product or service while helping to support a great community resource. Call or e-mail Ellen for more information:

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By Michelle Delaney,

mpsoccer2@aol.com, www.vermontsoccer.org/default.aspx Spring and the time to play soccer will be here before we know it. The Northeast Kingdom Warriors is a soccer club that plays in the spring Vermont Soccer League and is comprised of players from Cabot, Hardwick, Greensboro, and the surrounding area. You can find out more about the Vermont Soccer League at: http://www.vermontsoccer.org/ default.aspx. ‘We are a small club run by volunteers, playing at the recreational, D3 and D2 levels. Games are generally Sunday afternoons and practices are 2-3 times a week. Practice days are not set yet. Our focus is player development. This year, we plan to have U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U19 teams. (A U10 team includes players up to 10 years old, who do not turn 11 prior to August 1st.) If we have enough girls in those age groups, we will have girls teams, otherwise girls are welcome on our boys teams. U8 is a co-ed bracket for all teams. Team rosters are due by March 8. Our registration form needs to include a copy of your child's birth certificate. The Vermont Soccer Association uses this to verify age and then shreds the birth certificate. Spring soccer games are in May and the first two weeks of June. We will begin practices in the Cabot and Hazen school gyms as soon as basketball is done and gym time is available. The U8,U10, and U12 teams will play at Twinfield. . The U14, U16, and U18 teams will play at Hazen.

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By April Frost

This year, our weather here in the North East has not been typical. Rivers and ponds are usually frozen over solid by now, some are and many are not. The fact that many are not creates dangers for our pets. If they were to try to cross a river or a pond that flows into a river now, chances are they would fall through the thin ice we have. This creates many problems, including being swept underneath the ice on rivers and streams with little or no chance of escape. Please, to prevent tragedies, keep your canine companions on leash, or, if they need to be able to run to get exercise, use a 30-foot nylon web training line. You can get them in a variety of sizes, from ones for toy dogs up to giant breeds. Be sure that you buy only the ones that have brass snaps not chrome. The long line should be made of flat nylon webbing with brass snaps. The reason I only use brass snaps is that they are stronger than the chrome ones, and they do not freeze up, which is why all the people with sled dogs only use the brass snaps. I never use a flexi lead, as they are very dangerous. I know many people who have had fingers seriously injured or amputated, as well as many dogs who

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Club

Fees for spring soccer this year will be $135 per player, $100 for the 2nd player, and $85 for the subsequent players in the same family. This does not include a uniform. Uniforms will be purchased directly by parents. We would like to have a futsal team in the Capital Soccer League for each of our outdoor teams. In futsal, there are no U8 teams and U10s are co-ed. Futsal is $95 per player. We will also be submitting a women's team if anyone is interested in that. General information on the futsal leagues and game times for each age group can be found at:http:// capitalsoccer.net/camps-clinicsprograms/indoor-leagues/league-info/. Please let me know right away if you are in for futsal, team registration is due in a week. League play begins February 27th, and practices will begin in the Cabot school gym as soon as basketball is over. To play this year, please drop a note to nekwarrior@gmail.com to request registration paperwork (or call Jodi Lew-

email). New player registrations (which need to include a copy of the player’s birth certificate) are due by March 8 and can be sent to Melissa Gardner at 972 West Hill Road, Hardwick, VT 05843, with checks written and sent to the CCA

BOX 245, Cabot, VT 05647, a non-profit that acts as our fiduciary financial agent. Please note on your check, or on a note attached to your check: the name of your child, or children.

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for our

have had toes amputated or small dogs’ paws amputated from using flexi leads. The use of salt on roadways and sidewalks is another danger to our pets. Not only can it irritate their feet, but if they are scratching near their head with salt granules on their feet, those granules can easily fall into their ear canal or eye. This is usually not noticeable until problems occur from irritation. Some pets will tolerate wearing dog boots, most will not. If you walk your pets through salted areas, rinse their feet off as soon as you get home. If you live in a rural rather than residential area, be aware that many animals did not go into the usual hibernation period this year. Also, it is rabbit hunting season, which means there will be both dogs and hunters in many areas. The season runs from last Saturday in September to the second Sunday in March. April Frost Animal Visions animalvisions.org

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FOR UP TO 48 HOURS POST WORKOUT

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning classes from 6:30 am to 7:30 am in the Cabot School Gym beginning March 7th and ending April 29th. Class costs: $144 for the 8 week session, or $21 per week, or $8 per session. Participants are welcome regardless of ability to pay . School staff is welcome for free. Child care can be provided for $5 per session. Also available from 6 am to 8 am Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, beginning March 7th and ending April 29th, open gym for the use of fitness equipment. We have available: a treadmill, stationary bikes, ellipticals, concept II rowers, kettle bells, free weights, weighted balls, balance balls, suspension training, modified pull up bars, a bowflex and an all in one weight station. Open gym users will need to schedule an orientation session prior to equipment use. Orientation is free. If you would like a program built specifically for you, individual sessions are $25 a session. Open Gym cost: $120 for the 8 week session, $18 per week, or $7 per session *School employees, members of the armed services, police, or fire departments are free.

to sign up for class, open gym, or individual sessions. *Need a minimum of 8 participants to run the class .

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By Cecilia Gulka

Cabot Girl Scouts surprised the Cabot School community with a Random Act of Kindness on February 12. Under the guidance of their leader, Darci Herdling, (and with the help of several parents) the girls decorated 700 home made sugar cookies at their meeting earlier in the week. Then, with Dave Schilling and Alexis Kramer, the girls distributed packets containing two cookies (one to eat and one to pass on to someone else) to each and every student and staff member at Cabot School, with additional baskets going to the office for visitors and the Cabot Village Store and the East Calais General Store for patrons. If anyone has old crayons, any brand, Each gift contained the note: broken or otherwise, that they could do“Here is a hug from the Cabot Girl nate to our spring project, please contact Scouts to you! We hope you enjoy it and can pass it on, too! A random act of kindThe girls will be making bunny crayons for ness can change a person’s day, week, children in the local hospitals. month, year, or life! Act kind every day Note: Girl Scout cookies should arrive and see how much you can do. Happy by March 1. If you did not get a chance Kindness Day from us to you!” to place an order, don’t worry. We will When the girls were asked about how once again have cookies for sale at Town they felt afterwards, one kindergartner Meeting and other locations around said: “I feel like we made so many people town. You can ask any girl scout you happy, and now they will make so many people happy today, and maybe more order some. days will be totally happy days, and it all started with us.” Well said!

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2016 Warning Town

The Legal Voters of the Town of Cabot are hereby warned and notified to meet at the Cabot School Gymnasium, Cabot, Vermont, on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at ten o'clock in the forenoon [10:00 A.M.] to transact the following business: [The polls will be open from 7:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M.] Art. 1. To elect a Moderator for the ensuing year. Art. 2. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot vote to approve the minutes of the previous Annual Town Meeting of March 3, 2015? Art. 3. To elect a Selectperson for a term of two years. [Australian Ballot] Art. 4. To elect a Selectperson for a term of three years. [Australian Ballot] Art. 5. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot hear and act upon the reports of the Town Officers? Art. 6. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot pay its Real and Personal Property taxes to the Town Treasurer on or before November 17, 2016, with delinquent taxes having interest charges of one percent per month for the first three months and one and one-half percent per month thereafter and an eight percent penalty charged from the due date? Art. 7. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot elect all Town Officers required by law, according to law? Art. 8. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot authorize the Library Trustees to apply for and receive grants and gifts and to spend any grants and gifts received? Art. 9. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the Zoning Regulations adopted by the Selectboard on January 19, 2016? [Australian Ballot] Art. 10. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the Subdivision Regulations adopted by the Selectboard on January 19, 2016? [Australian Ballot] Art. 11. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot issue bonds or authorize a Tax Reduction loan in an amount not to exceed one hundred eighty thousand dollars ($180,000) for the purpose of reducing the 2016 Property Taxes to be raised, with a bond or loan to be paid off in 2017 and 2018? [Australian Ballot] Art 12. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot issue bonds or authorize a loan in an amount not to exceed ninety thousand dollars ($90,000) for the purpose of constructing an enclosed and lockable storage unit at the new town garage? [Australian Ballot] Art. 13. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the sum of thirteen thousand dollars ($13,000) to support

(CCA) in 2016 for the purpose of supporting economic and community development efforts such as providing educational and marketing programs for local producers and crafters, and attracting consumers and visitors to patronize Cabot businesses, activities and attractions? [Australian Ballot] Art. 14. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the sum of nineteen hundred dollars ($1,900) from UDAG

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Of Cabot

tion (CCA) for the purpose of retiring part of the debt for the Cabot School Performing Arts Center (CSPAC)? [Australian Ballot] Art. 17. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the sum of $46,000 to support the Cabot Fire Department? Art. 18. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the sum of $74,000 to support the Cabot Library? Art. 19. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the sum of $20,000 to support the maintenance of the Cabot cemeteries? Art. 20. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the sum of $15,000 to support the Cabot Emergency Ambulance Service? Art. 21. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the sum of $500 to support the Cabot Senior Citizens group? Art. 22. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the sum of $8,000 to support The Cabot Chronicle? Art. 23. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the sum of $13,000 to support the Cabot Recreation Committee? Art. 24. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the sum of $350 to purchase flags for Memorial Day? Art. 25. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the sum of $1,000 to support the Cabot Conservation Fund? Art. 26. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot appropriate the following sums for the following purposes? A. American Red Cross $ 500.00 B. Aquatic Nuisance Control Project at Joe’s Pond

C. A.W.A.R.E. 1000.00

750.00 D. Capstone Community Action Council 300.00 E. Central Vermont Adult Basic Education 1,200.00 F. Central Vermont Council on Aging 1,600.00 G. Central Vermont Economic Development Corp 300.00 H. Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice I. CIRCLE 2,900.00 600.00 J. Family Center of Washington County 500.00 K. Friends of the Winooski River 300.00 L. Good Beginnings of Central Vermont M. Green Up Vermont 300.00 100.00

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March 2016 ~ page 9

N. Home Share Now 150.00 O. Kingdom Animal Shelter 500.00 P. Onion River Food Shelf 1,000.00 Q. Peoples Health and Wellness Clinic 100.00 R. Sexual Assault Crisis Team 350.00 S. Twin Valley Senior Center 2,000.00 T. Vermont Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired 300.00 U. Vermont Center for Independent Living 165.00 V. Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task Force 100.00 W. Washington County Youth Service Bureau X. Washington County Health 250.00 Mental 1,600.00 Y. West Danville Community Club 500.00 Z. Woodbury-Calais Food Shelf 235.00

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TOTAL

$ 17,600.00 Art. 27. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot appropriate the sum of $1,133,300.00 to repair and maintain the highways of the Town including summer, winter and special treatment, of which an estimated $564,000.00 is to come from income and $569,300.00 from local taxes? Art. 28. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot appropriate the sum of $594,800.00 to defray the general expenses of the Town, with an estimated $263,400.00 to come from income and $331,400.00 from local taxes? Art. 29. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot authorize the Northeast Kingdom Waste Management District to appropriate and expend a budget of $716,673.00, at no expense to the Town of Cabot? [Australian Ballot] Art. 30. To transact any other business that may legally come before said meeting. Art. 31. To adjourn this meeting. Dated this 2 nd day of February A.D. 2016 Attest: Betty Ritter, Town Clerk Jack Daniels, Chair Ted Domey Fred Ducharme Jeff Gabrielson Bernie Shatney Board of Selectpersons This Warning was recorded before posting, Attest, Betty Ritter, Cabot Town Clerk

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Cabot are further notified that voter

qualification, registration and absentee voting relative to said special meeting shall be as provided in 17 V.S.A., Chapters 43, 51 and 55. The deadline for applying for addition to the checklist is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2016. The Town Clerk’s Office will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on that day to receive applications for additions to the checklist. The deadline for authorized persons to request absentee ballots on behalf of absent voters is 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 29, 2016. You may contact the Town Clerk in person, by mail or by phone.

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By Rita Copeland, Executive Director

From the Community Harvest of Vermont Gleaning program: Twin Valley Senior Center received in 2015 a total of 844 lbs. of fresh local produce and vegetables delivered right to the door. Along with this great program, which is done by volunteers going into the field and picking the items farmers do not want, we were privileged to serve fresh locally-grown food. We also have local friends and neighbors throughout the area who bring TVSC fresh fruit and vegetables. everyone congregate We truly are grateful to who helps us feed our and Meals on Wheels clients the best local grown vegetables and fruits. Remember, AARP is preparing taxes twice a week at Twin Valley. You must

This service is to anyone that needs ordinary returns processed. There is no charge for the service, but Twin Valley is grateful for donations. If you have income from rental property, a business with employees, inventory, depreciable assets or expenses in excess of $10,000], those schedules cannot be done by the AARP tax preparers. They can handle capital gains or losses from the sale of securities or your primary residence if you have the cost or basic information. If you have questions about whether or not the tax preparers can prepare your returns, call the Twin Valley Senior Center office (2233322) and the preparers will return a call to you. Alert: There will be an American Red Cross Blood drive at Twin Valley Senior Center on March 12, 2016, drawing from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Supplies are very low and the American Red Cross needs your help. Twin Valley is hosting the Blood Drive on a Saturday to give each of you the opportunity to come and donate.

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Taxpayers

Twin Valley Senior Center is asking taxpayers of the six towns we serve to please support us at your local Town Meetings. We are asking taxpayers to make an investment in your local Senior Center. Seniors play a very important role in your town. Very little of Town Budgets are spent on our Seniors, yet they are a big part of your town today and even more in the very near future. During these difficult financial times, there is no doubt all nonprofits need help. TVSC is a nonprofit and we are no exception. Remember on Town Meeting Day your town's senior citizens who worked hard to make your town what it is need your support to have a place they can combat isolation, enjoy good nutritional meals, reconnect with friends and enjoy programs such as Bone Builders, while our home bound Senior Citizens can remain in their homes by having the same nutritional meals delivered to their door plus, someone doing a check on them. We at TVSC know that we fill the needs of these senior citizens in many ways. The center has a $132,000 budget with the paid staff being the Cook and Executive Director, consisting of 65 hours per week between them. A contract with the Central Vermont Council on Aging (State & Federal) money is 42%. This money is for transportation and for serving meals to the elderly which is just a fraction of the cost of the prepared and delivered meal. The rest of the budget is covered by 4% of your tax payer dollars from the six towns and many, many fundraising events. You are encouraged to purchase local foods, and TVSC is encouraging you to support your local Senior Center.

Thank you in advance Rita Copeland, Executive Director

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Meditation Group – First and Third

Tuesdays, March 1 and 15 – 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Meeting on the first and third Tuesdays 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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Dance – Saturday, March 12 – 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. 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

email samlyman@sover.net.

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Community Book Group – Wednes-

day, March 16 – 10:30 a.m. Cabot Community Book group generally meets the third Wednesday of the month. This month’s selection is The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition by Caroline Alexander. All are welcome to join in! Copies of the book will be available in the Cabot Public Library.

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Lego Exhibition – Saturday, March

19 – 10:00 a.m. Attention Lego builders, engineers, and artists! The Cabot Public Library will host a Lego exhibit, in conjunction with Cabot Maple Fest (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at Cabot High School). Bring your creation, and have some snacks while we set up the exhibition. Stay for the “gallery walk,” where you’ll have the opportunity to talk about your creation,. This is an allages event. All builders are encouraged. Teams work well too. Build an original creation using Legos, Duplos, or Bionicles. It is okay to use non-Lego things to enhance your creation…paper, fabric, etc.

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P UBLIC L IBRARY

Please make sure your work can fit in a space 18” x 24”, and 4 feet high. Or animate your Legos! If you’d like to share your cool stop-motion creation during the party, bring your laptop with RGB port for connection to the library projector, or bring your own device. Be creative! What can YOU build that no one has thought of before? Pieces will be on display for two weeks. Please plan to pick up your work Saturday April 2 (you may pick them up sooner). Questions? Contact Susie Socks,

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Ernest Shackleton’s Legendary Ant-

arctic Expedition – Film and Discussion - Wednesday, March 30 – 6:30 p.m. With his expedition stranded for approximately 15 months and his ship crushed by Antarctic pack ice, Sir Ernest Shackleton and five of his crew embarked on a harrowing venture over unforgiving seas and glaciers to get help for the men that remained behind. 100 years later, using a replica boat and the same equipment and clothing as would have been used by the crew in 1916, explorer Tim Jarvis and his team attempt to follow in Shackleton's wake to unlock the secrets of his survival in the film Chasing Shackleton . We will view excerpts of this film and discuss the national best-selling book, The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition by Caroline Alexander as part of the Vermont Humanities Council’s Vermont Reads Program. Although it is not necessary to read the book in advance of the program, we have ten copies available to borrow. Wine, cheese and light refreshments will be served.

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Thank You!

Thanks so much to Irene Harvey for her program on Garden Design, and to Casey Clifford for starting a playgroup. Many thanks to Carrie Anne Randolph for help with Story Hour, Susan Dineen, Linda Gabrielson, Beth Wade, Lorelai Bastress, Rose Houston, Mekiah Smith and Blue Christensen for their invaluable volunteer work.

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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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David Schilling, Principal

“We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.” -Dorothy Day For the shortest month of the year, February can certainly feel like a long, cold push. The warmth of spring is not yet in sight, and the winter rambles on. This particular winter, devoid of opportunities to get out and play in the snow, seems even longer than most. At Cabot School, however, we are fortunate to have experienced several recent events that show the love, care and safety that our community can create. On Tuesday, February 9, our elementary school was joined by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra's "Fanfare" brass trio. These three amazing musicians demonstrated true love for their instruments, and explained the history and science behind each instrument while playing beautiful music together. Our community was amazed by the big sound that could come from just three instruments. Two days later, grades 7-12 were visited by Detective Kevin Lehoe of the Hardwick Police Department and Matt Renaud from AWARE, who brought a powerful message on internet safety. This is a different, yet equally important, way of showing community love - empowering our youth with knowledge of the legal and social consequences of risky

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ABIES

The Hardwick -in Rabies Clinic the month of March, are located at 64 8400. The fee is The Danville -in Rabies Clinic from 9:00 a.m. 2 East, Danville, asking that, if you are bringing a dog or another clinic, to bring in the previous certificate. You will still need to license your dog in need to bring in the Certificate of Rabies. through Thursday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

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By Roland (Slim) Payne

It is Valentine’s Day, and as I write this, the thermometer outside reads -35 degrees at 7:00 a.m. Br! Oh, well, the forecast is for rain Tuesday. The weather has sure been different this winter. Not much snow and only a handful of cold days. As I look in the woods, I see very little storm damage. That is a good thing, but it is not too late for it to happen. This is a good time to get tools ready for pruning fruit trees – should be able to start in about a month. We have trees already bought for the village, red oak and red

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Update

online behavior, as well as tools for helping friends out of potentially dangerous situations. At the end of the week, our community was given two more opportunities to show love and care for each other. Thursday, February 11, was our first Big/Little Husky buddy day of the year, in which students in grades 6-12 paired up with younger counterparts and spent the first hour of the day getting to know each other through various activities. This is one of the most powerful strengths of a multi-age population - an opportunity for our older students to be role models, and for our younger students to feel a true connection to the "big kids". EVERY student at Cabot rose to the occasion, and a great time was had by all. Our week ended with an exciting random act of kindness by Cabot's Girl Scout troop. These dedicated individuals baked and decorated over 600 cookies, and handed two to every student and adult on campus. One was to eat, and one was to pass on the kindness to another person. This gesture of warmth brought a smile to everyone's face. After spending a great Saturday with many of you, including grades 3-6 basketball, a spirited 8th grade fundraiser, and an impromptu karaoke party in the cafeteria, I remain energized and refreshed by spending time with your kids, and look forward to continued community love at the Cabot School. Thank you for your support.

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LINICS

Veterinary Clinic will be running a walk for dogs and cats every Saturday during 2016, from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. They North Main Street, $15.00. Hardwick, 472-

Veterinary Clinic will be running a walk for dogs and cats on March 26, 2016, – 11:30 a.m. They are located at 549 Route

cat that has been previously vaccinated at

the town where the dog resides. You will Cabot Town Offices are open Monday

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T REE W ARDEN

leaf maple. I also took two maples out of the parking lot at the Willey Building and put them in my garden for the winter, so they can go back to the parking lot in June. Maple sugar people are busy tapping and repairing lines and getting evaporators ready. Some have had a run already, but some think it may not be a good season because of no snow or cold weather; time will tell. I ask everyone to go vote at Town Meeting – it is only two weeks away as I write this (you could make a difference).

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Chair, Cabot School Board

On Town Meeting Day on March 1, Cabot residents will cast votes on two ballot items requesting grants from the dollars accumulated in interest during the past year by the UDAG Fund. One of those requests is for $10,000 to pay off one-half of the remaining cost of construction of the Cabot School Performing Arts Center. The paragraphs that follow will hopefully serve to explain to Cabot residents the reason for that request. At Town Meeting of 2008, Cabot voters approved a one-time contribution of $75,000 towards the construction of a new performing arts building for the Cabot School and community, but only if an equal amount of $75,000 could be raised through independent efforts by August of that year. As a result of a variety of successful fundraising activities ranging from local concerts, silent auctions and fundraising dinners to direct contributions, that matching goal was reached. Over the course of the following 2008-2009 school year, students in a high school building class working under the direction of a number of local building contractors who donated their time, together with the efforts of over 40 community volunteers, managed to raise the roof and complete the CSPAC in time for a June 2009 grand opening. Since then, the CSPAC has served a wide range of functions for Cabot School and the larger community. In addition to providing practice, storage and performance space for the school’s dynamic music program, the building has hosted school-wide assemblies and graduations, community theatre productions, and evening performances by a wide range of visiting musicians. Had the CSPAC been built conventionally by going out to bid to construc-

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CSPAC

tion firms, the price tag for the 2,800 square foot building would likely have run over $450,000, given the $170/SF rate that was typical for school building construction at the time. Instead, the large contributions of volunteer labor and discounted building materials held the eventual cost to $268,000. To allow the building to be finished on schedule, the Cabot School District covered the costs of construction. Since 2009, the debt has gradually been reduced by a combination of grants, fundraising, and the $15,000/year over 5 years’ contribution from Cabot taxpayers. To date, more than two-thirds of the funds needed for the CSPAC’s construction have come from sources other than Cabot property taxes: this includes $78,706 from grants and $85,896 from fundraising events and individual cash contributions. Efforts to secure grant dollars to pay off the CSPAC balance have continued over the past several years, but it’s been difficult because many prospective grantors will not support capital campaigns after the building’s been completed. We’ll continue working to retire this balance (which now stands at $20,812) in the months ahead, and have applied for a Town Meeting UDAG Grant this year as part of those efforts. Among the stated goals of the UDAG fund are to enhance recreational opportunities, provide community activities, and support the programs and activities of the Cabot School. We believe that the CSPAC has helped to meet those goals, and will continue to do so for many years to come. We hope that Cabot voters will vote this Town Meeting Day to use $10,000 of the interest gained from the UDAG Fund to help retire the remaining debt on this significant asset to our school and community.

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← From the Cabot Chronicle