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The Cabot Chronicle

November 2016 · Issue Record

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

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In This Issue

By Representative Catherine

It is an honor to serve the residents of Cabot, Danville and Peacham in the Vermont House of Representatives. As a local representative in Montpelier, it is my priority to listen to the thoughts and concerns of my constituents and to be responsive to those issues. Over the past several months, I have stopped at over 1500 homes and spoken with hundreds of residents to provide an update on Legislative activities and to have the opportunity to hear directly from individuals. Frustration and concern over the Presidential election, the impact of ACT 46 on small schools, increasing property taxes and the proposed “carbon” tax are the topics that have been most notably voiced. My experience with the legislative process, my ability to work across party lines and my reputation of being fair and informed enables me to be a strong voice for our area. Last year, I worked diligently to ensure modifications were made to ACT 46 that led to reducing penalties on towns and to shortening the period of time that these penalties were to be applied. I will continue to be a strong advocate for additional changes to this legislation that will provide more flexibility and options to our small, rural schools. The impact of declining school enrollment is particularly acute in the rural areas of Vermont, which makes it even more important to recognize that a “one size fits all” approach does not make sense in all regions of the state. Declining enrollment is a trend that can be expected to continue; in 2015 the number of births statewide was 5,903, the lowest in over a century, compared to the 1970s, when births averaged approximately 7,000 per year. Property taxes, which provide the majority of funding for public education, continue to be a major concern for many Vermonters. These concerns persist in spite of Vermont being one of a few states that provides property tax relief to thousands of households with annual incomes below $137,500 by basing property tax payments on income rather than the value of the homestead. ACT 46 was an effort to constrain the growth in school spending and to reduce pressure on the property tax. However, to

DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior

Coordinator: Jeannie Johnson

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♦ PEACHHAM

(Kitty) Toll

date the evidence of cost containment is not convincing in the towns I represent. The property tax is only one of several sources of revenue supporting our education system. Vermont schools also receive about 25% of all state revenues, including all Lottery profits, 35% of sales tax and 33.3% of the purchase and use tax. Unlike any other area of spending in the State Budget, school spending is the decision of local towns and not the Legislature. Local control over school budgets is very important to the majority of Vermonters. I often hear that property taxes should be lowered. To do this would either require substantially reducing existing school budgets or increasing other revenues paid for by Vermonters to support our schools – neither is particularly attractive to most voters. The challenge before us is to continue to thoughtfully adapt our education system to meet the demands of the 21 st century, while achieving excellent educational outcomes at a cost that is affordable. I anticipate that a bill will be introduced in the upcoming Legislative Session to revise our tax base to replace some existing taxes with a carbon tax. Many proponents of this legislation acknowledge that for a single state to undertake such a tax would be extremely difficult to implement without significant economic impact. In our area of the state, it could move more business to New Hampshire and compound an already challenging economic environment. The tax impacts would be disproportionately felt by elderly and lowerincome Vermonters. Global warming is a critical issue that must be addressed not only by Vermont, but regionally and nationally, in order to make a significant impact. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, comprised of both Democrats and Republicans, I am fully committed to continuing our committee’s work on sustainable budgeting and making decisions based on results. The budget bill is a “must pass bill” and encompasses all state spending. Vermont maintains a long history of passing a balanced budget and making the needed adjustments to keep the budget bal-

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anced without a Constitutional requirement to do so, unlike other states. The committee has been solid in its commitment to asking, “How much are we spending?” “Are Vermonters better off?” and “Is there a better way?” The Committee has also started the process of moving toward a two-year budgeting cycle that would provide for better planning and would create savings in both time and money. The state budget is a thoughtful document balancing the needs of the state with available revenue. Many legislators protest that the budget does not provide enough investments, while others claim it provides too much. Creating a balance is difficult work, and there will never be consensus on every line item, which makes the budget a perpetual target for great criticism. Legislators must be committed to working together, regardless of party, to get things done. A willingness to listen to others, to openly discuss ideas and concerns and to be prepared to compromise will create a faster and smoother path to solutions. I look forward to this work. kittytoll@live.com ktoll@leg.state.vt.us

www.kittytoll.com

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The Chronicle welcomes letters written with length is recommended to be no longer than clarity and length or returned to the author letters and commentary published in The the authors and not necessarily the opinions The Cabot Chronicle reserves the right unsuitable material for our readers. Letters unless signed and accompanied by a phone and photographs for publication. The Cabot Chronicle is not responsible for The Cabot Chronicle assume responsibility products or services advertised on these pages. If you have editorial questions or would

the first day of the month and is

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05647 2016 by The Cabot Chronicle 1942-0943 without express written permission from Cabot is contingent upon publisher’s approval on claims based upon contents of advertising. Publisher cost of space occupied by individual item in which per year ~ Half year subscriptions

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OMMENTARY

Old Hallow's eve has passed and the goblins are ready to gobble Thanks Giving dinner. Families get together and enjoy each other’s company and good food. Well, not all families. I think that whether or not it is our blood relations or chosen families that we spend time with, the main thing is that we do, indeed, spend the time together, really appreciating the time well spent. None of us knows when death will come a knockin', so to live in the moment means more if each of us realizes this. We don't celebrate holidays like others do because every day is a holy day. We live in peace and love and appreciate every moment we are together. Our family consists of the four legged variety, and we love them as if they were our own kids, if we had any. Be thankful and grateful for what you have, because there, for the grace of God, might we be in a situation far worse. The more appreciative we are of what we have, the more that comes to us. One of those universal laws. It happens to me all the time. I wish for something, and whether or not I have to save for it or someone gives it to me, I almost always get what I want, and most importantly, what I need. Life is full of magic and surprises, we just have to be looking for them. It can be anything from saving a kitten from certain death to an unexpected cup of tea with and old friend. Connecting and reconnecting is so important. To be able to share your life enriching others and being enriched by those who are lucky enough to be in your life and you are lucky to have them is one of the most remarkable things in life. Sharing is a gift. To share your heart is (See “Country Commentary, page 4)

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an economy of words. The maximum 400 words. Letters may be edited for with suggestions for re-submittal. All Cabot Chronicle represent the opinions of of staff. to reject letters that may contain will not be considered for publication number. We will gladly consider articles

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Dear Editor,

This election season, Kitty Toll is running for re-election as representative for Danville, Peacham and Cabot. Kitty has been committed to helping the community and doing what’s right for Vermont and Vermonters alike. She has played an active role during town and school board meetings. As a student at Cabot School, I

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Asking for Your Support

My name is Walter Bothfeld, Jr., and I am a dairy farmer and also the fire chief in the town of Cabot. I am writing to you to ask for your support for Catherine (Kitty) Toll for our Representative to the state legislature. As a dairy farmer, it is very important to have Kitty as our Representative. She grew up on a family farm in Danville, and she understands what it takes to be in Agriculture. She has been very helpful in drafting some of the new rules that are facing farmers today.

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To the Editor,

As a first time candidate for State Senate from Washington County, perhaps your readers would like to know more about me. I am 68 years old and have lived 36 years in Central Vermont. During that time I have worked as a lawyer, insurance executive and farmer. I chaired the Kellogg Hubbard Library Board of Trustees when the library expanded. I'm on the vestry of Christ Church in Montpelier and have been a director of the Central Vermont Economic Development Corp. for 25 years. In the early nineties I was legal counsel to Governors Snelling and Dean. I am married to Wibs McLain, a top official in the Snelling, Dean and

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Dear Peacham, Barnet

and Cabot voters, I’m writing this letter to ask for your support in returning Kitty Beattie Toll to the Statehouse. In my yard, I currently have two political signs: one Phil Scott for Governor sign and one Kitty Toll for Statehouse sign. I try to listen carefully to candidates and make my voting decisions based on the person, not the initial (R or D) after their name. Kitty has done yeoman’s work as far as responding to constituents. As a member of the Cabot School Board, she was on the phone constantly as Act 46 was working its way through the Legislature. She kept all three school boards involved and updated through the process. Kitty’s position on the Appropriations Committee is even more important to me. She has overseen the Agency of Agriculture budget for several years. Funding for the Fairs and Field Days –which includes Caledonia Fair – as well as the 2+2 program (which pays tuition for students majoring in dairy to attend VTC and UVM) reside in that budget. Every year about this time, the Administration (Shumlin) requires all agencies and departments to find cuts to their budgets; every year, the Agency of Agriculture either deletes these two line items or lowers them to $1. And every year, Kitty Toll fights to put funding back in those

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OMMENTARY

can say that she has played an enormous role in school and town politics that have directly impacted me -and my peers - for the better. She is kind, honest, transparent, and always only a phone call or email away. So I urge you to vote Kitty Toll this November. Billie O’Connor

In the past, I have worked with Kitty on fire service bills, such as the dry hydrant program, that have been important to the fire departments across the state. Kitty is very supportive of the fire service and has worked hard to help us whenever a fire service bill comes up. In the past, I have found Kitty very easy to work with. She makes it a point to get back to you on issues that you bring before her. I hope that we can all support Kitty with our vote on election day November 8, 2016. Sincerely, Walter Bothfeld, Jr. Douglas administrations. I am a strong supporter of Phil Scott and believe our state government is trying to do too much, and many times not doing it well. The legislative activity in the State House is hurting, not helping, the creation of better paying jobs. We need steady and predictable regulatory and tax policies in this state to attract, maintain and grow our economy. More information about me and my campaign is available at my website, fitzhugh.com, and on my Facebook and Twitter pages under Fitzhugh for VT Senate. Sincerely, John "Josh" Fitzhugh, West Berlin VT

two lines. That does not sound like someone toeing the line – it makes her someone who listens to her community members and fights for us. There are two people running for this seat in the Legislature – two good, strong, well-known names in our communities. Debate is always good; choices are always great and a necessary thing for our democratic process. However, I’m very frustrated and disappointed that we are experiencing an influx of outside funds into this race when both candidates should be standing on their own abilities and beliefs. It’s bad enough to have this happen nationally and statewide. It’s absolutely unnecessary in our communities. I, for one, have never met her opponent – if he canvassed Cabot, he did not stop here nor did he leave anything to indicate what he stands for or what he will support. I don’t know what he will do for agriculture or schools – and both those issues influence my vote. I do, however, know where Kitty Beattie Toll stands – she stands for agriculture – she stands for helping her school communities – and she stands for fighting for her fellow community members. Please join me in supporting Kitty Toll in November!! Thank you – Jackie Folsom, Cabot VT 05647

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Dear Editor,

Since taking office in 2009, Rep. Kitty Toll has served the towns of Cabot, Danville and Peacham with energy, independence and integrity. Kitty has devoted herself to her legislative job and to the needs of her constituents with extraordinary commitment. In our local news media, she reports regularly and in detail about the work of the Vermont House. She is always accessible by phone or email and responds promptly, with unfailing courtesy and diligence, to all her constituents. Kitty’s charm and intelligence have earned the esteem of her colleagues from all parties in the legislature, and she now sits on the Appropriations Committee, the most important in the House. As a member of that committee, Kitty shares responsibility for putting together the annual state budget. No one understands better than Kitty how the nuts-

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How long have you been in busi-

ness? How did you learn construction skills and get started in your own business? We've had this business for - let's seemy son is 12, so 11 years. I've always worked in construction- I was an electrical apprentice at NASA for three years at Cape Canaveral. I should have stayed for the fourth year, but I got homesick for Vermont, so I came back and studied radiology at Champlain College. I worked as a radiographer for 15 years. I liked that work, but I started missing the outdoors. We had a baby and adopted two girls, so I decided to step back and start a business that would allow me to be home more. My wife, Brigitte’s, career was taking off, so I was able to be here for the kids when she was working longer hours. It was a good step for us.

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What kinds of property mainte-

nance do you do? Everything. Anything to do with home improvements. Right now, I'm insulating an attic, doing some caulking and painting. Small jobs up to building houses. I have a small tractor and do a lot with that, too. I also do roof repair, deck renovations - overall property caretaking.

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November 2016 ~ page 3

and-bolts of the state’s finances fit together, and no one is more mindful of how every budgeting decision will impact local taxpayers. Coming from a farming family, and having previously served on the Agriculture Committee, she is intimately familiar with the needs of local farmers and appreciates the importance of agriculture in Vermont’s economy. Her encyclopedic knowledge of state government enables her to navigate the ins and outs of every department to the great benefit of her constituents when they call with problems or complaints. Voters in Cabot, Danville and Peacham have an outstanding representative in Kitty Toll. Her proven record, attention to local concerns and high standing among her colleagues exemplify the ideals of public service. Her accomplishments should be rewarded with reelection on November 8. R.D. Eno

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Matters

people are kind of hoarders. It can be overwhelming, and the people wanted me to clean the home out but also didn't want to part with any of their things. The biggest job was building houses, but I don't do as much of that now. At one point, I had a crew of four to five guys, but now, if I do a big job, I work with people I know who can do the things I don't do, like plumbing. Do you still take care of the Cabot cemeteries? How many are there and how long does that usually take? No, I did it when I first started the business, for about six years. There are seven cemeteries in Cabot- I did the mowing, clearing and cutting back trees, maintained the driveways, washed the headstones. After a while, my business went in other directions.

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What's your least favorite thing

about it? Probably the times when there isn't as much work. It can be feast or famine. But we've gotten used to it. Brigitte works for the state, so it works for us. What do you do in your free time? Hunting. I just went out to Idaho for three weeks for my first elk hunt. I have family out there and it was something I'd always wanted to do. We bike and hike and ride motorcycles - a little bit of everything. And I like being home doing work around the property - cutting firewood, raising pigs in the summer….

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Did you get an elk?

I did. It's some of the best meat, and we'll be eating it this winter. Local Business Matters is brought to

Ellen will be contacting local business people over the next few months. If you have a business and are interested in being highlighted or have other ideas you’d like to propose, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at or email

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Brian J. Churchill

Brian Jeffrey Churchill, 60, of Highland Avenue, Barre, passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at the UVM Medical Center in Burlington. Brian was born in Barre on August 6, 1956. He was the son of Payson Erton and Dorothy Jean (Wellman) Churchill. He attended Cabot Elementary School and graduated from Cabot High School in 1975. On June 19, 1981, Brian married Sandra Marie Hale in Cabot. They made their home in Cabot before moving to Barre in 2003. She died November 11, 2012. He was employed as a heavy equipment mechanic with the Hill Martin Corporation and Tenco for 30 years. In early years, he worked for Lessard Brothers Concrete, Hutch Concrete, and Reynolds and Sons.

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Shirley A. Luce

Shirley Averill Luce, 84, died October 15, 2016, in her home, surrounded by her family. She was born June 2, 1932, in Marshfield, the daughter of Albert and Gladys (Gray) Johnson. She attended Marshfield public schools. In 1949, she married Roy Collins Luce in Marshfield. Together, they raised eight children. Mrs. Luce was employed by several area businesses, including the Tassie Nursing Home, Sprague Electric, Rowan Court and McFarland House. She also helped her husband deliver grain to area farmers. In 1984, she retired to provide care for her mother-in-law, Margaret Luce. She was a member of the Ladies Home Mission. She enjoyed cooking, riding her four-wheeler, doing crafts, quilting and gardening.

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Margaret H. Trautz

Margaret Howey Trautz passed away October 1, 2016, at home in Cabot, Vermont, surrounded by her family. Marge was born May 1, 1943, in New York City, and raised outside the City in Forest Hills Gardens. Her higher education was at Wells College and Boston University, punctuated by formative periods in Kythera, Greece, and Florence, Italy, where she studied art. Involvement in the 1960’s Great Society social programs in Boston and Cambridge, MA, preceded key positions in Vermont State government, when she and her husband, Otto, moved to this state in 1971, settling in Cabot on the Plains. Marge served as Director of Planning in the newly formed Agency of Human Services, and continued to influence social policy as a consultant, as an advisor to Governor Howard Dean, and then as Director of the Northeast Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC)

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EMORIALS

In his spare time, Brian liked being outdoors. He was an avid hunter and had a keen interest in guns. He enjoyed four-wheeling and snow machining, watching NASCAR, and in earlier years raced at Thunder Road, where he later became a pit crew mechanic. Most of all, Brian enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Survivors include his daughters, Amanda Churchill, and her husband, Brandon Kipp, of Barre, and Amy Churchill and her husband, Mathew Jacques, of Barre; his sister, Karen Churchill Dodge and her husband, Warren, of Hardwick; his brothers, Jayson Churchill and his wife, Stephanie, of St. Johnsbury, and James Churchill and his wife, Samantha, of Cabot; as well as nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by parents. Interment took place in the Durant Cemetery in Cabot on Monday, October 3, 2016.

Survivors include six children, Andrew Luce, of Cabot, Richard, Timothy and Peter Luce, all of East Calais, Dennis Sicely, of Plainfield, and Debi Sicely, of Montpelier; 19 grandchildren, 31 great -grandchildren and numerous greatgreat-grandchildren; a sister, Marjorie Cochran, of Shelburne; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Luce was predeceased by her husband of 57 years; a son, Michael Luce, and a daughter, Averil Dunham; a grandson, granddaughter and greatgreat-grandson; six siblings, Harold, Glen and Gerald Johnson, Beverly Peryer, Dorothy Debray and Kathleen McNanis. To honor her request, a memorial service will be private, at the convenience of her family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calais/ Woodbury United Church Roofing Fund,

Bible Baptist Church, 68 Vine St., Berlin, VT 05641.

until 2008. There is unanimous agreement that she was a wonderful person to work with. She especially enjoyed the company of friends and family, occasional adventurous travel, and her home and its natural environs. Her interests included her garden, literature, her finely rendered artwork, and making perfect arrangements for holiday festivities. She was always available to share moments of sorrow or joy. Her children and their families occupied a special and cherished place in her life. Their character and accomplishments made her so proud. Survivors include her stepmother Helen Howey, her husband Otto, their children Nicholas (Katya Kilian) and Katharine (Dan Wheeler), and granddaughter Magnolia Kilian Trautz. A graveside ceremony will be at the Cabot Plains Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are in the care of the des Groseilliers Funeral Homes, Church Street, Hardwick, Ver-

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Eleanor M. Blondin

Eleanor Mabel Blondin, 94, passed away at Rowan Court in Barre on Monday, October 10, 2016, with her daughter by her side. Eleanor was born May 4, 1922, in Atascadero, CA. She was the daughter of Fred and Thelma (Farrington) Walbridge, Maple Glen Farm on Cabot Plains. Eleanor attended elementary school in Cabot and was a graduate of Cabot High School. On January 15, 1944, she married Elwin Edward Blondin of Barre, and they built their new home in Cabot, where they lived for 62 years, raising three sons and two daughters. Eleanor had several hobbies throughout her life and some of them were sewing, making quilts, knitting and crocheting afghans, cooking, canning, picking berries, gardening, camping, bowling, snowmobiling, playing cards and she loved to go dancing. Eleanor is survived by four out of five children: Ronald Blondin and his fiancee, Janice Hall, of Fairfield, PA; Cheryl Semprebon and husband, Thomas, of Graniteville; Douglas Blondin and his partner, Sharon Graham, of Cabot; Gary Blondin and partner, Betty Lentell, of Marstons Mills, MA; and predeceased by Donna Salls/Wright, of Barre. Eleanor is survived by her sister, Barbara Kovarick and her late husband, Major General Joseph Kovarick, of Chevy Chase, MD; a predeceased brother, Elton Walbridge and, his wife, Alta, of Zephyrhills, FL; a predeceased sister, Beverly Walbridge, of Cabot; and a brother, Win-

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By Ben Davis

The Cabot Recycling Center is expanding hours of operation. The Center will now be open from 8:00 a.m. until 12 noon every Saturday. Please do not drop off items before or after hours of operation. Please continue to sort your plastic containers. We are not taking #5. A lot of plastics are not being recycled at present. Check the NEKWMD website (www.nekwmd.org) for a complete list of plastics which must be disposed of as trash. All containers should be rinsed to reduce hazardous food odors at the baler. The Center now recycles light bulbs of all kinds, batteries of all sizes, hardcover books, computers, peripherals, and other electronics, aerosol cans, and more. Stop by the Recycling Center for a complete list. Paper recycling markets are strong. Mixed paper (office paper, envelopes, newspapers, and magazines) and boxboard (brown paper bags, cardboard, boxboard) are regionally and globally sought

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Country Commentary

(continued from page 2) the greatest gift. It is difficult sometimes, but when you give a part of your heart away to the right people, the result is tenfold. Love with sheer abandon, live like there is no tomorrow. Dance with delight. Immerse yourself in the magic of life. It is all around you, and most importantly, it is in you. I could wallow in the fact that life didn't give me the hand I expected to be dealt, but instead, I relish each and every moment. I am rich in love and I am happy, and what

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hronicle

ton Walbridge, of Barre, with predeceased wife, Pauline Hotte. Ten grandchildren, Dana Nichols, of Orange, Darin Nichols, and wife, Nancy-Lynn, of Cape Coral, FL, Christy Ross, and fiance, Raymond Wood, of Barre, Karen Salls/Swahn, and husband, John, of Barre, Kim Salls/Caldwell, of Morrisville, Edward Salls, and wife, Bobby Jo, of Williamstown, Matthew Blondin, and wife, Jessalyn, of Centerville, MA, Robert Blondin, and partner, Shelly Noury, of East Barre, Jamie Blondin, and wife, Heather, of Garner, NC, Casey Blondin, and wife, Julia, of Fairfield, PA. Nine great-grandchildren, Nicholas Ross, Cassandra Ross, Bailee Nichols, Stephanie Edwards, Lisa Nannery, Christina Collins, Brittany Salls, Brett Caldwell and Amber Elmquist. Sixteen great-great-grandchildren, Hailey Blondin, Jessica Blondin, Hazen Salls, Chandler Salls, Cooper Salls, Kyle Blondin, Madison Blondin, Zoe Blondin, Ryan Blondin, Emma Edwards, Kami Hood, Carter Hood, Alexxa Collins/ Madore, Elijah Collins/Madore, Joseph Elmquist and Jade Elmquist. Eleanor's family wants to thank the staff at Rowan Court and CVH for their part in Eleanor's care. We also want to thank des Groseilliers Funeral Home in Hardwick, who is in charge of the arrangements. A celebration of Eleanor's life and graveside service will take place on June 10, 2017, in the Durant Cemetery in Lower Cabot, at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in Eleanor's name may be made to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641.

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in Cabot

after commodities, and play a role in funding Cabot’s participation in the Northeast Kingdom Waste Management District’s recycling system. Sales of recycled metals remain low, and recycled plastics are up slightly. Expect plastic to stay limited to #1, #2, #3, and #4 until the global oil price rises. E-waste collection is free to residents, and is going strong. Tire recycling is up across the District. Speaking of which, tires can now be recycled any Saturday at the Recycling Center (for a small fee.) The NEKWMD, representing 49 towns and over 46,000 residents in northern Vermont, derives most of its revenues from a surcharge on trash. As recycling increases, trash tonnage declines. Lots of ideas for new revenue are on the table, including a stop fee to service the Center. (This is every week at Cabot.) Stop by the Cabot Recycling center on Sawmill Road in Lower Cabot. In addition to recycling services, trash collection is available at the Center (for a fee). more can anyone really want? It is the relationships we make, the ties that bind, that make life worth living, bringing joy and meaning. I am enjoying the season and living in the moment, appreciating even the small stuff. Oh, there will be times of sorrow and frustration, but those times won't last as long if I focus on what I do still have, and I have a lot, not in material things, but with the relationships. Enjoy your world, make every minute count, and above all, have fun and love as much as you can. Laura Lee Smith, fizgigdragon@aol.com

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By Jane Brown

We recently received three very special documents for our collection at the Cabot Historical Society. The first is Ray Blaney Bolton’s diploma from Michigan Agricultural College in 1917; second, a certificate from the State of Vermont in recognition of his military service in WWI; and third, his son Wesson Bolton’s diploma from Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in 1944. These were donated by Wesson’s son, Charles, who lives in Burlington. Most of you aren’t old enough to remember Ray Bolton, but I do. He was “Uncle Ray,” to me – my father’s halfbrother, son of Aaron Bolton and Mary Blodgett Bolton. Ray went to school in Cabot, then to Randolph College and graduated from veterinary college at Michigan State in June, 1917. He married a local girl, Maidene Walbridge, a month later. They rented a cottage, “Kilcare,” on the west shore of Joe’s Pond, for their honeymoon, and were at the cottage when the call came at his father’s farm on Cabot Plain, summoning him to report for duty with the U. S. Army. My grandfather went on horseback to deliver the news to his son. Ray spent the next two years in the military, first at the 201 st Auxiliary Remount Depot and Veterinary Hospital, then in the Chief Surgeon’s Office, Remount Depot #7. A year later, he was sent overseas, where he was in charge of the Green Mountain horses used by the cavalry. school in Cabot while Maidene taught she waited for him to return. Ray was promoted to 1 st Lieutenant in 1918, and made Captain a few

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By Roland (Slim) Payne

This year, the foliage color came on quick, was very good, but faded fast. The weather has been warm but dry – we need rain. I hope you took care of your honeysuckle. The time window is over, so, if you have not done it, wait until next year. Gardens did well this year in this area, as we had rain about once a week. But the ChamplainValley was very dry from the end of July until now, they predict rain now, but it doesn’t look like much. The trees in the village look to

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Veterinarians

Wesson and Barbara Bolton with sons, Raymond, Charles, Brian and John, 1960 months before being honorably discharged on July 9, 1919. Ray and Maidene lived briefly in Hardwick upon his return to civilian life. In 1922, they bought the Webster farm down the hill from “Maple Glen,” Maidene’s parents’ farm in Cabot. They raised four children in the big white house that later became home to Dr. Caffin. Ray was 53 years old when he died in 1947. Ray and Maidene’s second son, Wesson Bolton, followed in his father’s footsteps. After graduating from Cabot High School, he spent two years at pre-vet school at the University of Vermont and then went to Michigan State, graduating in 1944. Wesson also served a short time in the military before he returned to Cabot and established a large animal veterinary practice. His wife, Barbara, taught home economics at Cabot High School before they moved to the Burlington area, where Wesson became a professor of animal science at the University of Vermont College of Agriculture. Wesson retired in 1986 and passed away in 2007 at age 85.

Ray had a small herd of cattle and was a founder of Cabot Cooperative Creamery. He also worked for the State of Vermont, one of about five vets testing for tuberculosis in cattle throughout the state. Veterinary medicine was comparatively new in those days, and testing cows for diseases was in its infancy. Ray once said one of the hardest things he ever had to do was to tell his wife’s father the majority of his dairy cows had to be destroyed because of infection.

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T REE W ARDEN

have done quite well this year. I have to trim the elms as soon as the leaves drop. Elms have to be pruned in the fall to lower the risk of disease from an open cut. I have noticed cow parsnip where I had never seen The man went into the sketchy restaurant and said, “I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse!” “Well, replied the waitress, you have come to the right place.” Zeke: “Doctor, my arm got broken in two places.” Doctor: “Well, Zeke, I recommend not going back to either one of them.”

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VT Fish & Wildlife Seeks Bear Teeth from Hunters

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding successful bear hunters to make every effort to submit a bear tooth so wildlife managers can collect critical information on Vermont’s bear population. Teeth submitted by hunters are used to determine the ages of bears. Department staff use age and sex data to estimate the number of bears in Vermont and to determine the status and health of the bear population. Envelopes for submitting teeth are available at all big game check stations. “Successful bear hunters have a real opportunity to give back to our management of this magnificent big game animal,” said Forest Hammond, bear project leader for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. “The premolar tooth we’re asking hunters to extract is actually small and easy to loosen with a knife. Directions for removing the tooth are on the back of the envelope provided by the check station, and a short video showing tooth removal is linked on our website.” Vermont has two bear hunting seasons. The early bear hunting season, which requires a special bear tag, starts September 1 and continues through November 11. The late bear season begins November 12 and continues through November 20. The limit for bears remains one per calendar year. “Carefully regulated hunting plays a very important role in wildlife management by helping to control the growth of Vermont’s bear population now estimated at about 5,500 bears,” said Hammond. “Minor fluctuations in the bear population will always occur due to changes in food availability, winter severity and hunter success. Despite these fluctuations, we look at the long-term trends to manage for a healthy, robust population.”

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By Karen Mueller-Harder

2. Second Best Adult ApplePie: Ashley Christman 3. Third Best Adult Apple Pie: Johnnye Burtt 4. Honorable Mention, Adult Apple Pie: Sister Laurie Roberts 5. Best Apple Pie, Under 10th Grade: Ty Perkins 6. Second Best Apple Pie, Under 10th Grade: Tyler Abbott 7. Third Best Apple Pie, Under 10th Grade: Ava Christman 8. Honorable Mention, Junior Apple Pie: Camryn Hoffman 9. The Pie Man Award, Junior Apple Pie: Adelie Tebbetts

< Kim Mayo, left, sits with her daughter Victoria Mayo and Mia Preston, Cabot School students, as they sell apples for the 8th grade trip to D.C. at the Apple Pie Festival.

Apple Pie Festival patrons eye the delicious apple pies for sale at the festival. >

< Larry Gochey standing with Apple Pie winners Grace Hoffman (right) and Camryn Hoffman (middle). Photos by Will Walters.

Heartfelt thanks for our wonderful and generous donors: Cabot Creamery Cabot Village Store King Arthur Flour McKenzie Country Classics Kingdom Creamery Cabot Cooks, Bakers and Volunteers

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VT Alert Can Keep You Informed

Stay informed of pending disasters, During life-threatening emergencies, traffic information, weather conditions, responders can use Vermont Alert to public health notifications, and countless send emergency notifications to landline other alerts that could affect you or your phones in specific areas – whether people loved ones. are signed up or not. However, the DiviVermont Alert (www.vtalert.gov) is a sion of Emergency Management and free service. It allows the public to sign Homeland Security encourages residents up and receive notifications through a to sign up so that they can get informanumber of delivery systems, including tion about non-life-threatening incidents, landline and mobile telephone, text mes- so they can get messages if they don’t sages, and e-mail. State and local re- have a landline, so they can get messages sponders can issue alerts that are local- if they’re away from home, and so they ized to affected areas. Users choose what can get information about relatives or types of alerts they wish to receive, which property in different parts of Vermont. delivery systems they prefer, and the Sign up for an account today by visitareas they are interested in – for exam- ing www.vtalert.gov. ple, their homes, their workplaces, and the homes of relatives. Cabot Community Theater is excited to announce our spring 2017 musical: Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka ! The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka follows enigmatic candy manufacturer, Willy Wonka, as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats: the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr.

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By Aviva Carey, Cabot School Nurse

With the arrival of fall and the inevitable arrival of winter here in Vermont, our thoughts and activities turn inward. The children have returned to school, and along with this increased time spent indoors, there is sharing- of stories from the summer or food grown in our backyards. This companionship helps us to endure until the sun turns back to bring us springtime. Increased contact also brings with it the sharing of colds and coughs and the start of the flu season. This is the time of year to get your flu shot, which is prepared each year to help to protect us from what may be the most prevalent viral types encountered. The flu is not a “bad cold”. It can last for many weeks or even months, while your body attempts to recover. Though it is rare, it can be debilitating for a healthy person and deadly for someone whose immune system is compromised. Healthy folks who choose to get the flu shot are protecting not only themselves, but those they come in contact with, especially children and elders, as it prevents them from being a carrier and potentially infecting those with weaker immune systems. To protect yourself and others in your household from illness, stick to the basics - wash your hands upon arriving home, after using the bathroom, after smoking a cigarette, after changing a diaper, before preparing a meal. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you don’t have access to a sink or when hands are not visibly soiled. Anti-bacterial hand soap is not necessary - the act of thoroughly lathering hands and rinsing is enough to displace most disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Remember, washing your hands regularly not only protects you, but those you care about. With the darkening days, there are many who find their thoughts and moods darkening as well. Seasonal affective disorder is thought to be caused by reduced sunlight, which causes reduced

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to Cabot!

Wonka's rules in the factory... or suffer the consequences. We hope to have performers of all ages involved in the show, and plan (as always) to have flexibility in our casting in terms of age and gender, to offer performing opportunities to as many participants as possible. In addition to large and small singing roles, there are some parts for non-singers as well! Auditions will be held in December, with rehearsals weekends January through early April. Audition and performance dates will be announced in the December Cabot Chronicle and on Front Porch Forum. We also welcome people to help with sets, props, costumes, and other production areas--we will need creative folks to help us mount this fantastical adventure! Contact us at karen@praxisworks.org or

join us on a journey to the land of pure imagination!

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Your School Nurse

serotonin levels and disruption of melatonin, two important hormones related to our mood and sleep patterns. In folks who are already operating at reduced levels, this change in sunlight can exacerbate this condition. If you find yourself having any of the following symptoms, get the help you need to improve your quality of life: overwhelming feelings of tiredness, craving foods made with sugar and white flour, or overeating, having negative thoughts, difficulty concentrating or difficulty in social situations. Don’t wait to talk to someone about how you are feeling. Here are some ideas for getting through this time of darkness: Make daily physical activity a part of your life even 20 minutes a day can boost your body’s “feel-good” hormones and bring about more restful sleep. Eat a rainbow of foods- it is what we are all meant to eat and it provides a balanced form of nutrition which can keep us strong against illness. Sit near a window when indoors, and schedule time outdoors while the sun is out. Learn relaxation techniques that are healthy for you. Drugs and alcohol are short term fixes that cause far greater problems. Find out what your strengths and interests are so that you can find fulfilling work that engages you. Talk to someone who is able to listen without judgment. Take time to enjoy the present moment exactly as it is, since it will be gone soon and we all have the ability to bring joy and humor to the next moment. The holidays will be here soon to shine a light in the midst of our dark nights. Enjoy the bounty of the harvest that surrounds us.

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Wednesday, 11/2

Classic Film Series 7:00 p.m. Marshfield. (2005) Broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow looks to bring down Senator Joseph McCarthy. Stars: David Strathaim, George Clooney, and Patricia Clarkson. Rick Winston will introduce the film and afterwards will lead a discussion. Old Schoolhouse Common, Jaquith Public Library.

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Orchard Valley Open House 4:30 p.m.

-8:00 p.m. East Montpelier campus 2290 VT Route 14 North. 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Early Childhood talk to faculty, visit classrooms and see the new Farm and Forest program. 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Windows on Waldorf, grades 1-8 explore curriculum and sample student works. Register and contact with questions 802-4567400.

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Annual

Christmas Show 10:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 5, 10:00 a.m.3:00 p.m. Peacham. Unique handcrafted gifts, small antiques, specialty foods, ornaments. Market Cafe and Catering open during the show at the Peacham Town Hall. Simply Crafts Fair 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 5, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m. Montpelier. National Life Building. Celebrating 37 years! Come join the fun, support your neighbors and buy Vermont made products from 60 local crafters. Free admission and parking. Door Prizes, handicapped accessible, food and beverages available in the Cafe. Lark Quartet 7:30 p.m. Randolph. Perform works by Debussy, Dvorak, Gershwin, Chinese folk songs. $33.00 Advance, $35.00 day of performance. Chandler Center of the Arts. 802-7486464.

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Show

10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Barre. Hosted by the Northwestern Vermont Model Railroad Association will take place at the Barre Auditorium, Auditorium Hill. Cost $5.00 Adults, Children 612 $1.00, Free under 6. Show features multiple operation HO, N, M and O-scale layouts, 75 tables of exhibits and vendors. Hands-on train activities for children. Food stand open during the show.

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Caledonia Spirits Tastings and Tour.

10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Hardwick. Opportunity to learn about unique distilling practices and how products are developed. Tastings of craft spirits of gin and vodka available. Must be 21+. 46 Log Yard Drive. Winter Clothing Drive 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Marshfield. Free good quality clothing available at the Old Schoolhouse Common gym. Co-sponsored by the On-

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Friday, 11/18

”Crostic” Talk and Community Puzzle Construction with Rick Winston 7:00 p.m. Marshfield. Anyone interested in words, games, puzzles will have a treat of the “double acrostic” puzzle in Times Argus. Rick will talk about the history of the puzzle with tips on how to solve, you will construct one from scratch to be published in the Times Argus in December. Admission is FREE. Jaquith Public Library.

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Chandler Film Society presents BIG

NIGHT 6:30 p.m. Randolph. $9.00 walk ins. Old World idealism clashes with American pop culture in this bittersweet comedy. A story about two brothers Italian Restaurant is on the brink of bankruptcy. Starring Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini Tony Shalhoub and Stanley Tucci. Chandler Center of

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No Strings Marionette Group pre-

sents Jack and the Beanstalk 11:00 a.m. Randolph. You will be thrilled to the unexpected twists in this exciting production, tremendously suitable for people of all ages. After event join a free workshop with the Art Bus in the Upper Gallery. All seats $6.00. Chandler Center of

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Wednesday, 11/30

Song Circle and circle-songs with Heidi Wilson. 6:45 p.m-8:15 p.m. Marshfield. First Community Sing-a-long of the Season!! Evening of folk songs, explore circle singing: Sing renditions of both traditional and new fresh brand songs. Heidi is a singer songwriter, leading cappella singing groups for ten years. She leads the Plainfield Community Sing, teaches courses at Summit School of Traditional Music, and is an instructor for Village Harmony. Jaquith Public Library.

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NOTICE OF ORDINANCE ADOPTION

In accordance with 23 V.S.A. §§1007 and 1008, and 24 V.S.A. §§1971 and 2291(1), (4), and (5), (19) V.S.A. §304 (a)(6) Vermont Rule of Civil Procedure 80.9, and such other enactments as the Cabot Selectboard amended the Town of Cabot Traffic and Parking Ordinance. A vote on whether to disapprove the amendments may be called by pre-

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‘We need a change in the State House’

Paid for by Fitzhugh for VT Senate, 206 Pine Hill Drive, Berlin 05663, Judi Wernecke, Treasurer senting a petition signed by not less than five percent of the qualified voters of Cabot. Such petition must be submitted to the Town Clerk or the Selectboard no later than November 20, 2016. If no such petition is received, the amendments will take effect November 20, 2016. 24 V.S.A. §1972, 1973 The full text of the amended ordinance may be seen at the Cabot Town Clerk’s Office, 3084 Main Street, Cabot, VT 05647, or on the Town’s website

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Saturday, November

Suggested Donation - $15 Doors open at 6:00pm | Potluck snacks and BYOB Seating is limited. Advance reservations are recommended.

email robinsongs@frontier.com. More info at: http://www.robinsongs.com/ concerts-at-the-schoolhouse.html

Dana and Susan Robinson welcome Vermont’s own Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen to the historic, landmark schoolhouse in Lower Cabot, Vermont, for an evening of humorous songs, rich harmonies, and compelling ballads. Steve and Cindy have been performing together for 25 years, bringing together their love of traditional music and their wealth of original songs. Accompanying themselves with guitars and concertinas, their live performances are known for rich harmony, compelling songs and a good dose of humor. Their six duet albums have appeared on many folk Top Ten lists, from the WFMT Midnight Special (Chicago) to The Boston Globe. Steve Gillette has been writing songs since the 1960's. Since Ian and Sylvia first recorded "Darcy Farrow" in 1965, Steve's songs have been covered by John Denver, Garth Brooks, Linda Ronstadt, Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings,

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5th at 7 p.m.

Josh Ritter, and many others. But Steve's own versions are some of the best, with his warm baritone voice and his unique finger-picking guitar style (using a flat-pick and two fingers). Steve has many solo and duo (with Cindy Mangsen) recordings available. His solo album, Texas and Tennessee, was named one of the Top Ten Folk Albums of the Year by Tower Records. Steve has conducted songwriting workshops all over the US and Canada, and has been a long-time participant in The Kerrville Folk Festival. He is author of the book Songwriting and the Creative Process, a standard text in songwriting groups. Cindy Mangsen is "one of the finest singers in American folk music" (Come for to Sing). Accompanying herself on guitar, banjo, concertina, or mountain dulcimer, Cindy is known for her compelling interpretations of traditional ballads, as well as for her own writing and her wonderful ear for harmony. She has recorded several solo albums (Songs of Experience received the Editor's Choice Award from Crossroads), as well as collaborations with Steve Gillette, Priscilla Herdman, Anne Hills, and Michael Smith. Her latest solo album, Cat Tales, is devoted to "songs of the feline persuasion." Cindy has led singing and ballad workshops at the Augusta Heritage Center in West Virginia and The Woods in Ontario, Canada.

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Refreshments to follow at the Cabot United Church

For several years the people of Cabot have purchased bulbs in memory of or in honor of loved ones. Bulbs are $3.00 for each name listed. Please fill out the names you wish to be read at the lighting ceremony. All are welcome to participate. Please return your request by Nov 22 to:

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By April Frost

animalvisions.org The loss of an animal companion is a traumatic experience to go through. I have spent my life working with people and animals, and fully understand the emotions that are felt with the loss of a beloved animal. As an animal communicator, I can connect with the animal’s energy that has transitioned back to Spirit. Reinforcing that only the physical body has departed but the Spirit force is still alive. As a Reiki Master, and Spiritual Empowerment Instructor, I have helped many people through this difficult time of grief. Sometimes guilt and even anger at the loss of an animal companion are felt by the person. Once these emotions have been dealt with and released, people are then able Aaron Fuller to refocus their emotions on the unconditional love they experienced with their pet, as well as the lessons and gifts the animal brought into the person’s life. I find this writing from an anonymous author to be very appropriate:

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It’s Just a Dog

From time to time people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "That's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for "just a dog." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my Cabot Varsity Boys Seniors_ Frank Schumacher, Jeremy Maxfield, Coach Peter Stratman, Henry Burke and Jordan Hale

Cabot Varsity Girls Senior Alisha Celley with family

Cabot Varsity Girls Senior Isabella McCallum with family only company was "just a dog,"

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Counseling

but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and, in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me, and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human." So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile.... because they "just don't understand." - Anonymous

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By Sarah Spletzer Welters

You probably all know Kathleen from the Cabot Public Library. Well, it’s clear that Kathleen is not the type of person who enjoys being in the spotlight. So, I call myself lucky that I got the chance to interview her and hear a little bit about her life and her love for books. Kathleen Hoyne (57) grew up in Montreal, Canada. She has a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. In 1987, she moved to Cabot, where she now lives with her husband. She has two grown up sons. Kathleen has worked as a coordinator for the Cabot Connects Mentoring Program . About seven years ago she started to work as a librarian for Cabot’s public library. For hours and information on Cabot’s public library, go to www.cabotvt.us/ library.php.

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Kathleen, what brought you to Cabot

in the late eighties? Kathleen: I first moved to Montpelier, lived there for about a year, and went searching for a place out of town. I always wanted to live in a beautiful place with a view and all that. So, I was travelling all these little towns, and then one day saw this little index card at the Cabot General store of the Trautz’s place. They had a cabin that they were advertising, and so I met them and started to live there. Over the years, they’ve become family to us.

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What was your favorite book as a

child? Kathleen: One of my favorites was A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. I liked it because it opened a whole new world for me. It is about a little girl who is trying to find her father, who has gone to another existing timeframe or world…it was really amazing. I never thought like that before. My twin brother found it first, he was really excited about it and he said to me: “You really have to read this book!” It was like this major discovery to us. We thought at that time that nobody knew about this book but us!

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Did you always want to become a

librarian? Kathleen: No, not really. But I remember going to story hour with the kids and admiring the librarian. I had a favorite librarian over in Marshfield, Vicky Palmer. It was always special going in there, because she and I had a similar taste in books. So she would always tell me about new discoveries. Yes, I guess I did always like libraries. And now, if you could live in a book and share a day with one of its characters, which story would that be and with whom would you like to spent your day? Kathleen: Oh wow, let me give that some thought! Oh… maybe that would be in The Lord of the Rings , spending a day with Frodo or Bilbo Baggins. Those are books that I love so much! Yes, in the Shire [where the Hobbits live in The Lord of the Rings ], that would be fun.

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The library offers all sorts of pro-

grams besides reading - like Yoga, meditation, the Pokémon club… As far as I know you are very supportive in that, helping people get things of the ground and let them use the space at the library and the Willey building. Kathleen: Yes, that’s been really fun. When I was first hired, the trustees said they would like this place to be a community center as well as a library, and so they encouraged me to be open to it. And it has worked out great! People love using the library space and the Town hall, it’s a beautiful old space, it’s been kept up and taken care of. The former librarian wrote a grant and that’s how we got this beautiful shelving in here.

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You’ve worked for the library for a

while. With e-books on the market, do you see a change in what people borrow from the library? Kathleen: People are definitely taking advantage of the e-books and the audio books. But it seems that people are just as interested in borrowing as many actual paper books as they have ever been. And I hear the same things from other librarians, as well. People still love the print, holding a book, flipping the pages…

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I once compared you to “the bar-

tender of the town”. You see people come in on a regular basis. You see kids grow up and turning into adults. You talk to people and hear their personal stories. What can you tell us about the people in Cabot, what kind of folks live here? Kathleen: That’s actually the real fun part about this job, getting to know the people that come in, adults and kids! I always felt Cabot is a special place. We are just a bit further off the beaten path. That makes us much more interdependent with each other. It feels like a real community to me. Do you have any wishes or visions for the future of the Cabot Public Library? Kathleen: Yes, I would like to encourage the kids to come in and read more. Not just in the summer - a lot of kids join the reading program during the summer vacation - but also during the school year. I thought of something like “Lunch with the Librarian” , where we can meet at the library, talk about and discuss books that the children read at home or in school. What Are You Up To? Is brought to you

you would like to suggest a Cabot resident to be highlighted in this monthly column, please email Lori@CabotVer

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Helen

Helen is a one-to-two-year old beauty, just like her namesake, Helen of Troy. Her beauty could probably stop hearts and sink ships. She is a medium long hair girl, with a very fluffy and long tail. She is one of the old fashioned tabbies, with the wide dark stripes, and the circular pattern on both sides...a mackeral tabby. Helen would probably do best as an only kitty. She is friendly and likes to be petted. If you would like to meet Helen or any of the other wonderful cats that we have, come to Kingdom Animal Shelter at 1664 Memorial Drive, St. Johnsbury. Or call us

site: kingdomanimalshelter.com or email us at info@kingdomanimalshelter.com.

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Kingdom Animal Shelter

Take a minute and put yourself back in ancient Egypt in the early beginnings of that civilization. The mice and rats have been attacking and eating your grain that you worked so hard to harvest. Cats have migrated up from what is now Ethiopia and have been hanging around the outskirts of the community. At first you think they might be another pest to deal with. Then you notice that they are catching and killing those pesky mice that are destroying your grain storage. Wow...what a great solution to this terrible problem! Little by little, the cats become more used to humans and come closer and closer. One day, you put down a saucer of milk to try and entice a couple of friendly ones to come inside. After a few weeks, they can't resist the treat anymore. Slowly you gain their trust and are able to pat them. What? What is that strange sound coming from the cat?? It's mysterious and yet very soothing at the same time. The sound later is referred to as purring. This pleasant and relaxing sound must have helped endear the cats to the early Egyptians, a bonus to their catching mice and rats. As time went by into later periods of Egyptian history, the cat was eventually elevated to the status of a god. The god's name was Bast. The cats caught and purred their way into a strong position in human civilization. We have been forever side by side with the cats purring away ever since. From ancient Egypt, the cats spread out across the globe and humans traded with each other and new lands were discovered. Imagine all the situations since that the cat's purr has soothed or comforted a human or another cat that was in distress. The cats quickly spread up to Rome and the Roman Empire, and its vast reaches helped the cat to quickly conquer new territory with its wondrous purring and mousing abilities. Imagine you are a young lady in Caesar's Rome. Your handsome young legion soldier has just been sent off to war in a far away land.

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Time

You are in your room feeling very sad for yourself and very frightened about what will happen to him. Suddenly the family cat jumps up on your bed and curls up next to you. You begin to pat her, and her soft purring makes you feel so much better. Just for a few minutes, your fears are softened. Fast forward to the Blitz of London during WI. You are an elderly man living in a small flat in the heart of London. Bombs have been falling all around your building night after night for weeks now. You don't feel comfortable going to the bomb shelter; your legs just don't work as well as they used to on stairs. The wild look of fear is in your eyes. While you are there sipping a cup of tea, suddenly you feel something against your leg. You reach down, and there is Oscar, your cat, purring and rubbing your leg. He jumps up and sits on your lap and purrs away. You don't know what tonight will bring when the German bombs begin raining down again, but, for this moment, Oscar's purring is like a soothing tonic for your soul. Move forward in time to 1979 New York City. You are a ten-year old boy living in the Bronx and your family has just been evicted; your dad lost his job and the family is homeless. Everybody huddles in a back alley for warmth during the cold nights until, hopefully, dad can find work again and get another apartment. While you are lying there on the pavement, a friendly alley cat comes up, and after a few dubious moments, decides that the warmth of your blanket helps to overcome the fear she has of you. You are hungry and worried what is going to happen with your family, but still welcome this equally homeless cat to lay with you. She curls up and begins to purr. What a wonderful comforting sound comes out of her, the only pleasant thing that has happened to you in weeks! It is absolutely free and one of the best sounds in the world to hear during difficult times. If you need to get yourself a new feline friend to purr for you and continue this ageless bond we have with cats, please stop by Kingdom Animal Shelter and check out some of the purrs waiting for you there!

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Bartering with Cabot Chronicle

Twin Valley Senior Center wants you to know how much we appreciate Jeanne Johnson and the Cabot Chronicle . If you did not know, the Chronicle and Twin Valley Senior Center barter: The Chronicle allows us to post information about the Center in exchange for Twin Valley delivering their papers in the areas this side of Cabot and beyond. The information we post in the monthly paper allows us more accessibility to folks in the six towns we serve. This helps us tremendously, as we do not have the resources to pay for copy space. Jeanne and the staff are wonderful to work with and we just love the idea of bartering.

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Friday Writing Class

Twin Valley has a writing class that we think you might enjoy very much if you like to write. The class is held weekly on Fridays from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. We would like you to join us, and you can make contact with Johnathan Black at jonblack@myfairpoint.net or call 4791023. You can also contact the Senior

seniors@myfairpoint.net.

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Blood Drive November 5

November 5 is the Blood Drive at Twin Valley from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. You may sign up by calling the American

crossblood.org. If saving time is important for you, then you should sign up for the Rapid Pass, a new tool that allows blood donors to complete their prereading and donation questions on line from the comfort of their own home or office, reducing the time spent at the blood drive. You can do this by visiting

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Honoring Veterans November 11

November 11 is Twin Valley Seniors opportunity to honor our Veterans. We are inviting all Veterans to come to Twin Valley Senior Center and have lunch on us. Each year, we truly enjoy the opportunity to spend time with each of you (and your guest). This year I am happy to say that we will have Paul Perreault, Veteran Service Officer with the State Disability Claims and Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Barre. I am pleased that Paul accepted my invitation and look forward to his presentation. Edward Jones of Berlin, VT (Morgan Adams) will be sponsoring the Boneless Pork Roast luncheon. So, please call 232 or email twinvalleyseniors@myfairpoint.net by Monday, November 7, to make your reservation for the luncheon.

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Eat Breakfast November 12

To all the Hunter’s out there!!! To All Community Members!!! Please help us spread the word! Saturday, November 12, from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., we will be busy getting the coffee on and cooking at TVSC for our annual All You Can Eat Hunter & Community Breakfast Buffet. There will be Eggs, Toast & English Muffins, Bacon, Sausage, Ham, Home Fries, Pancakes w/ Maple Syrup, SOS & Biscuits (know what SOS stands for?) OJ, Hot Chocolate, & Coffee. Adults $8.00 and children under 10 $5.00. Our own Joyce Fowler’s delicious homemade donuts for sale! I promise no one will go away hungry. Look for our flyers!

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Tuesday Night Bingo

Starting on November 1, 2016, and every Tuesday night thereafter, Twin Valley Senior Center will be hosting BINGO NIGHTS at the center. We are ready to go with a large lite up Bingo Board and all. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m., at 6:45 p.m. Mini Bingo Game, at 7:00 p.m. Regular Bingo games will start. Light refreshments will be available. Children must be 12 years old to attend. For more information, please call 802-223 -3322 or email twinvalleyseniors@myfairpoint. net.

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F ROM T HE C ABOT

We are so grateful to be one of six Vermont libraries chosen to receive the Children’s Literacy Foundation’s (CLiF) Rural Libraries grant. This allows us to choose over $2,000 worth of high-quality children’s books for the public library – come see some of the new books!

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Wednesdays, November 2 and 16 –

6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Meeting on the first and third Wednesdays 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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Thursday, November 3 - 5:00- 6:00

p.m. This Tai Chi session concludes the 8week program offered by Marsha Kameron – please look for another Tai Chi program to start up in the springtime.

shakameron@gmail.com Tai Chi has been widely documented to offer enormous benefits for both physical and mental health. Tai Chi helps with your balance and concentration and is often considered moving meditation.

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P UBLIC L IBRARY

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 friends. The dances are taught and are easily learned by young and old. The contra and square dances are traditional Vermont and New England social dances that have been danced for many generations in the town halls, barns, and kitchens around Vermont. The music is provided by piano and an assortment of fiddles, mandolins, guitars, and the occasional surprise instrument. Musicians are always invited to sit in and join with the fun of playing traditional dance tunes. There is a small suggested donation to help cover the cost of the caller. For more info, please call David Carpenter at 802-

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Community Game Night – Thurs-

day, November 17 – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome! Get practiced up for the holidays – we’ll have some of the old time favorites such as Scrabble, Chess/Checkers, Battleship, Monopoly, Blokus, and Othello. Bring your own game if you would like. Cookies and refreshments will be served. In honor of Bob Dylan winning the 2016 Nobel Prize for literature, we will play some of his music.

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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, into ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington.

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CABOT ARTS PRESENTS:

Four of Vermont’s finest Celtic artists will bring the riches of Ireland and Scotland to the Cabot Town Hall (Willey Building) in a harvest of music and song on Sunday, November 13 at 3:00 PM. Admission is by donation at the door.

Norman Kennedy, a National Endownment for the Arts 2003 National Heritage Fellow, reknowned as the founder of the Marshfield School of Weaving, is familiar to folk and festival audiences everywhere as a superb raconteur and peerless singer of Scottish songs and ballads. Born in Aberdeen to a family of shipbuilders and merchant seamen, Norman lived “across the way” from the great singer Jeannie Robertson in a neighborhood teeming with musicians. He picked up a little Gaelic as a youth from “the old folks” and occasional radio broadcasts and a lot more when he began traveling to the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides) to study weaving. There he learned ancient ballads and folk songs that he now carries forward as a rare link in a centuries-old chain of tradition-bearers. Benedict Koehler grew up in Boston listening to recordings sent over from Dublin by his mother’s family. He took up the Irish uillean pipes in his twenties, focusing chiefly on the East Galway repertoire and the styles of Liam O’Flynn and Seamus Ennis. Not content to be a mere performer, Benedict learned the art of pipe-making and is today esteemed both as a musician and a craftsman. He teaches and plays in tandem with his wife, Hilari Farrington , an accomplished harper and button accordionist. Benedict and Hilari lead regular Irish jam sessions, but this concert will be among their infrequent stage appearances. Dominique Dodge is a harper and singer who lives in Vermont and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She is deeply grounded in the music and song traditions of Cape Breton, Ireland, and Scotland. She is a former Fulbright Scholar and graduate of the University of Limerick, from which she earned an MA in Irish Music Performance in 2012. She holds a BA Honors in Scottish Music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. She has been performing, recording and teaching traditional music on both sides of the Atlantic for over ten years.

A Celtic Harvest takes place at the Cabot Town Hall (Willey Building), 3084 Main Street, on Sunday, November 13 at 3:00 PM. Presented by

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← From the Cabot Chronicle