⚲  Open Saturdays 1–3 p.m. · 3216 Main Street, Cabot, Vermont Contact Us
Established for the People of Cabot

Cabot Historical Society

Preserving the history of Cabot, Vermont · Founded 1965

The Cabot Chronicle

December 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 December 2016 pages (PDF)

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

In This Issue

Cabot Christmas Dinner The Whole Community is Invited

By Amanda Legare Four years ago, a group of volunteers finished cleaning out the basement of the Masonic Hall, and their conversation turned to putting on some kind of free community meal. As a result, this year will mark the fourth annual Cabot Christmas Dinner to be held Christmas Day at noon in the school cafeteria. The mastermind behind the idea was one of Cabot’s biggest boosters, Fred Ducharme. “We can make a difference in the community,” he said recently. “This was one way to thank the seniors and show that we are a community that cares.” “I mentioned the idea to my wife, and she approved,” he remembered. “I also talked with Scott St. John (food director for Cabot School.) You have to have Scott there. From day one, he thought it was a great idea.” Fred’s wife, Shirley Ducharme, is in charge of decorations for the event, and she also spends one day just preparing squash for the meal. The morning of the event, meals are delivered to the homebound and people thought to be alone on Christmas Day. “Grammy Mo” (Marian Morrison) leads a squad of dishwashers. “It’s getting bigger and bigger every year,” Scott said. I’ve worked with Fred on so many things,” he added. “We have a lot of fun doing it.” “Basically, the meal is everything you would have with a turkey dinner,”

Fred said. “Everyone is invited. I look around that room and everyone is smiling. It’s great to have different groups in the community meeting together and having fun.” “In the past the Bothfelds have donated turkeys,” he added. “We would like to be in a position where we can pay them, as they are always so generous to the community.” Donations to support the event are always welcome. Cabot Community Association is handling the finances. If there is someone who cannot get out Christmas Day, but who would appreciate a meal, contact Tim Gochey and a meal will be delivered. Folks are encouraged to bring cookies or sweet bars early for the home deliveries. Fred would like to hear from anyone who could provide music. He is also always on the lookout for locally-grown potatoes, carrots, onions and squash. “What makes it feel good for Scott and me is that everyone comes and has a good time. Food and friends - this is what Christmas is all about for me,” Fred said. “This would never have happened without all the volunteers,” he added. “We live in the best place in the world. I love it here.” Volunteers and donations are always appreciated and anyone interested can contact Fred. He can be reached at 563- 2102, [email protected] or PO Box 21, Cabot, VT 05647

↑ contents

Cabot Girl Scouts

Cabot Girl Scouts are off to a great start, with 12 girls registered in grades K -5. The Daisy Troop (grades K-1) welcomed two new leaders, Tara Rogerson and Lydia Pitkin. They meet two Fridays a month at Cabot School. Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts (grades 2-5) continue under the leadership of Darci Herdling, with assistance from Donna Ferrario and several parents. They meet on Mondays. The Daisies started the year learning what Girl Scouts is all about. In October, they worked on the G.S. Promise: On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law and the first part of the Girl Scout Law: I will do my best to be honest and fair. Both groups decorated pumpkins in celebration of founder Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday, October 31. The Girl Scout mission states: Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. G.S. activities are girl-led, which gives girls the opportunity to learn by doing in a cooperative learning environment. The Daisies decided to make cat toys. They are planning a field trip to Kingdom Animal Shelter to donate them. The Brownies and Juniors have been brainstorming, discussing, voting, setting goals and making plans for the year. In November, they decided to make thank you cards for veterans, and are brainstorming ways to show the community their thanks. The older girls participated in the G.S. fall product sale, raising $281 to support their activities. The fall product sale, which includes magazine subscriptions and a candy/nut sale, provides troops with an early source of funds for their activities. The girls will begin taking cookies orders in January, but money from the cookie sale isn’t available until April. Both sales teach the girls to set goals and priorities and to budget their money. Girls are always welcome to join girl scouting. You can find more information at http://www.girlscoutsgwm.org or contact Cecilia Gulka at cgulka@fair point.net.

↑ contents

CABOT ♦ DANVILLE ♦ PEACHHAM

By Representative Catherine (Kitty) Toll with co-occurring disorders which include addiction. Measures have been taken in recent years to make adjustments in the budgeting process to ensure sustainability. It is critical to maintain this commitment as demands on the state continue to grow. School Boards and Superintendents have watched the impact of Act 46 work in some areas of the state, but at the same time others have experienced frustration and lack of flexibility, especially for many of our smaller school districts. I will work with the House Education Committee and members of the Legislature to address needed changes to Act 46 to help move all districts in a positive path forward. According to data from the New England Secondary School Consortium Vermont’s high school completion rate in 2013 was 86.6% which is similar to other New England States, however only 52% of Vermont students continued on to college. Higher education and job training is essential in preparing students for the 21st century job market. I look forward to returning to Montpelier and working on issues important to Vermonters. The session promises to be full of challenges and I am committed to working hard to find solutions. In order to follow actions of the legislature or research the status of a bill visit www.leg.state.vt.us. Please contact me for information, to share your thoughts and concerns or to attend a committee meeting.

[email protected] [email protected] PO Box 192 Danville, VT 05828 802.684.3671 – Home 802.828.2228 – State House I want to sincerely thank the voters in the towns of Cabot, Danville and Peacham for re-electing me as your State Representative. I am committed to continuing to work hard on important issues that face our state, listening and responding to your thoughts and concerns on important matters and providing guidance to constituents needing assistance navigating state government. My priorities for the upcoming session include creating a balanced state budget that addresses the needs of Vermonters but keeps sustainability in the forefront, addressing continued shortfalls in the Vermont Mental Health system, working to make changes to Act 46 that addresses the unique needs of our small communities, and supporting job training and business development. The State’s mental health system is of great concern to me. Following the destruction of the 50-bed State Hospital in Waterbury by Hurricane Irene, a decentralized system was created. This new model was designed to strategically provide more community support programs and facilities throughout Vermont for individuals needing critical services closer to home. A new 25-bed state of the art hospital opened in Berlin serving individuals requiring acute care. Additionally a 7-bed secure residential facility was opened in Waterbury to provide mental health services in a secured setting. Even with the changes made to our state’s mental health system of care, there are often patients waiting for appropriate placement in treatment facilities for long periods in our local emergency rooms. Also, the state must focus on effectively addressing incarcerated individuals who need mental health treatment as well as those Vermonters By Cecilia Gulka

↑ contents

Local Business Matters

By Ellen Cairns Green Mountain Eco Floors

This month, I sat around a fire pit on the evening of the Super Moon and chatted with Oliver Welters, co-owner of Green Mountain Eco Floors and Green Legacy Builders.

Tell me a bit about your businesseshow did you get started? My friend, Cyrus, started Green Mountain Eco Floors and brought me into it and taught me the trade. He had pitched a teepee in my parent's backyard years ago, and then left Vermont and did flooring work all over the country. He's a second-generation flooring guy. When he moved back to Vermont, I was building my house and didn't have a job, so we went into business together. We threw some ads up and were immediately busy

- the business has doubled in size every year. It's going really well, but it's intensely hard work- you're always bent over in an unnatural position. Green Legacy Builders is a collaboration with my friend Tom. He's 53 and has been in construction his entire life. He's an Abenaki medicine man. He's the foreman, and I'm more the one who likes talking to people and generating work. We started that business this past May. We're shooting to build about two houses a year - we don't want to get going too fast. It's a nice manageable thing. We also build porches, decks, do renovations, roofs- the whole gamut.

What is Eco Flooring?

We focus on using time tested natural and low/no VOC (volatile organic compound) finishes, including Vermont Natural Coatings Commercial 3500.

Where do you do most of your work?

Fortunately or unfortunately, about half of our business is in Stowe. There's a lot of construction there. We've been to Middlebury, Rutland, Milton-all over. I've put about 26,000 miles on my truck in the last year and a half. Traveling is part of the job, but it would be great to do more work closer to home.

Do you have any employees?

We work with family and friends a lot

– my brother and brother-in-law, and Tom's son. The standard you set for yourself is usually higher than what other people set for you, and when we work with family, we get that same level of caring about the work. When a client is in a rush to get into their new house, you end up working late on a Friday and then even over the week-end. You can't pay someone to care, but, when we work with our family and friends, they give that same effort. We enjoy and take pride in our work.

Is there a busy season for flooring, or is it pretty consistent year-round? It is year-round, but it's busier in the summer, since that's when a lot of construction happens. We do refinishing and installation all year, though. About 70% is refinishing older floors and 30% is installing new floors.

What's your favorite thing about having your own businesses? How dynamic it is. I'm a people person- I need to be able to talk to people. The excitement is in doing something new, and the new aspect is the people and the different houses all the time. It's a mind-blowing thing- there are so many handy people in Vermont- but all people really expect is that you just answer the phone, show up on time, stay on budget, and do what you say you would do. I answer my phone, or if I can't, I call people back right away. Calling people back promptly isn't as common as one would think. With flooring, it's pretty easy to schedule the jobs and estimate the cost it's easier to be predictable than with general construction.

What's your least favorite thing about it? My worst nightmare is that 10, 20, 30 years from now, I'll look back and feel like I didn't try as hard as I could. You can always do better, but you do the best you can. So, there's that stress and anxiety of having your own business. Also, it's typical in construction - all you want to do is make the clients happy, but sometimes it's not possible.

What do you do in your free time?

I like making stuff - doing the things you don't have to do. Like making stone walls, building archways, building furniture. I should probably be refinishing my floors - but I like building stuff with my boys (sons Luka and Marco). We've made dozens of forts - Marco made one epic structure, a three bedroom 'fort', when he was six.

Local Business Matters is brought to you by Cabot Community Association. 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 563-3338 or email [email protected].

↑ contents

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

Dear Editor, Now that the town budget will be voted on by Australian ballot, it is more important than ever to be involved with its development. Otherwise, we will be presented with a budget we don’t understand, and be unable to ask about it, or change any aspect of it. If we don’t agree with the budget as presented, our only option will be to vote “no.” Then the select board will present a second version with some changes. They will repeat the process until a budget is finally passed. Will the approved version reflect the common sense, or will it be the one that passed because folks got tired of voting? I have become involved in the process by joining the newly-formed Cabot Budget Committee. I am one of only a couple of community members on the team. I am trying to remind our representatives of how much their spending will cost average people, and to remind them that we are struggling. For example, the Willey Building committee is asking to take out a loan for almost $100,000 from Union Bank for repairs and upgrades to the Willey and Mason buildings. Their report summary states: “Considering the currently extraordinarily low cost of borrowing, we think a good case can be made… to spread the admittedly high cost over 10 years.” The committee is asking for a bank loan, yet the town voted to give the committee a 0% loan from the UDAG in 1994, which was then forgiven entirely in 2006. Why is our town rushing into bank loans so eagerly? Last year at town meeting, the voters approved a “Tax Reduction Loan” to correct a $300,000 deficit in the 2014 budget. The loan made sure we didn’t have to pay for the deficit this year, but To the Editor:

On Christmas Day, Central Vermont Council on Aging partners with dozens of community volunteers and local businesses to prepare and deliver hot, holiday meals and “shoebox” gifts to seniors. Many of these seniors live alone, without family or friends to share in the holiday. For many isolated elders, having a visitor bring them a holiday meal and gift is the highlight of their day. We are asking community members for help with the “shoebox” gifts. We need folks to fill a shoebox with small gift items such as slippers, socks, warm hats, and gloves; pretty soaps, lotions and grooming items; note pads, pens and stamps; nonperishable food items and small candies; grocery or drug store gift cards; flashlights and batteries; pot holders, kitchen towels, and mugs. You may deliver your shoebox gift to Central Vermont Council on Aging offices, located at 59 N. Main Street, 2nd Floor, Barre, VT 05641, from 8:30am-4:30pm, by December 22. We will gift wrap your donated shoeboxes, but if you choose to wrap yourself, please mark it “Male” or “Female” on the gift wrapping. Pickup can be arranged for groups with multiple boxes. If you are unable the town will need to pay it back in 2017 and 2018, instead. So, do we want to take out another loan at this time? Unfortunately, the fact that our budget will be voted on all at once by Australian ballot, without discussion, seems to have encouraged more town spending. The economy’s getting worse, and we are sinking ourselves. This doesn’t make sense to me. Don’t get me wrong- I value the Willey Building and I feel it is worth maintaining. However, with all the buildings, parking lots, and so forth our town has acquired recently, is it possible we are getting in over our heads? Maybe we could cut back somewhere else so we can afford to take good care of the Willey Building? It would be one thing if it was a matter of giving the work to local contractors. However, the bidding process our town follows, as I’ve seen it play out, gives the jobs to out of town contractors, mostly. Three bids are asked for, and the lowest one is awarded, even if it is an out of town, unknown company, if it comes in any lower than the local bidder. This blind bidding process is also unclear on specifics. The town has been left paying to complete unfinished projects, or to make repairs when they were completed improperly. If we were doing business with our neighbors, fellow tax payers, they would be motivated to do the job right. While the Budget Committee is an important step, folks will need to speak up now, so that their priorities will be reflected in the budget we are presented with in March. Otherwise, our right to vote may not matter, anyway.

Sincerely Amy Hornblas, Cabot, VT to fill a box but would like to donate individual items, we would be happy accept individual items to add to boxes we assemble. Central Vermont Council on Aging welcomes financial donations designated for this holiday project, or for our many services for seniors. Contributions can be mailed to the above address, or made online at www.cvcoa.org/donate. For further information or to arrange a pick-up of multiple gift boxes, please contact us at (802)479-0531. To volunteer, go to www.cvcoa.org/volunteer. Central Vermont Council on Aging thanks all of our individual and business partners who come together every year in support of this holiday giving event for seniors. Thank you for remembering the seniors in our community!

↑ contents

Conservation Committee Speaker Series Kickoff December 15

By Gary Gulka The Cabot Conservation Committee is kicking off a regular series of educational presentations on topics related to conservation and the natural world. The first presentation is entitled The Incredible Lives and Uncertain Fate of Seabirds. Ranging from the comical puffin to the majestic albatross, seabirds utilize all of the seas and oceans that cover 70 percent of the earth’s surface. They are poorly understood and many are threatened with extinction. Using examples from their own experiences around the world, Julia Gulka and Edward Jenkins, currently graduate students at the University of Manitoba, will provide an overview of these little known birds, their fascinating lives, and the work being done to safeguard their future. The presentation is on December 15, 7:00 p.m., at the Cabot Public Library.

↑ contents

Recycling in Cabot

By Ben Davis, NEKWMD Representative

The Cabot Recycling Center, located on Sawmill Road in Lower Cabot, is open every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until noon only. A wide variety of materials are now collected there for recycling. If you are new to recycling, plan a visit to the Center to check out the materials being collected. The center accepts the basic six materials now banned from Vermont landfills. These are: Magazines, paper, newspapers, mail and mixed papers and soft cover books, but not paper towels or soft tissues. Hardcover books are collected separately. Aluminum cans, foil, pie tins and trays, but not aluminum siding, scrap metal, pots or pans (these are collected separately in the metals trailer). Cardboard: dry and clean cardboard, cracker and cereal boxes, but not milk and juice cartons, frozen food containers, and greasy pizza boxes. Steel containers: “tin” cans and lids. Please note that appliances, scrap metal, aerosol cans, and butane cartridges are collected separately. Glass: Beer bottles, wine bottles, and mason jars, but not window glass and ceramic dishes. Light bulbs of all kinds are collected separately. Deposit bottles are also collected. Hard plastic containers less than 2 gallons labeled #1, #2, #3, and #4 only. Containers must be rinsed clean. Either leave caps on or dispose of caps in the trash. Many plastics are not accepted, so please double check your containers before putting them into the plastic collection.

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

↑ contents

OBITUARIES & MEMORIALS

Daniel C. Cookson Jr.

Daniel Carlos "Bunchie" Cookson Jr., 83, of Cabot, passed away peacefully Friday, October 28, 2016, at Berlin Health and Rehabilitation Center in Berlin, VT. Born at his parents' home in Woodbury, on November 7, 1932, to Daniel Carlos Cookson, Sr.; and Mary Gertrude McGill, he lived most of his life in Woodbury and Cabot. Daniel grew up on a farm in Woodbury with his three brothers and five sisters. He attended school in Woodbury, and graduated from Spaulding High School in Barre in 1950. He was then employed by Vermont Textiles in North Montpelier. In August 1951, Daniel enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed on a three-year tour at Rhein Mein Air Base near Frankfurt, Germany, working as a wheel vehicle mechanic during the Korean War. In August 1955, with an honorary discharge from service, Daniel returned to Vermont, where he met the love of his life, Ramona Janet Copping, of East Montpelier. The two were married on July 28, 1956, and settled in Cabot. They had three children. Daniel partnered with his brother-in-law, Herndon Foster, in 1955 at Cabot Garage, which he soon took over and owned and operated until 1985. After retiring from Cabot Garage, he established and was self-employed by Lawn and Snow Plus, doing excavation, landscaping and snow removal. In his spare time, Daniel enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, hiking, classic cars, reading, traveling and spending time with his family. Daniel was a man of principle who loved his country, community and family dearly. Through the years, he served on the Cabot School Board, the PTA, as chief of the Cabot Volunteer Fire Depart-

Audra Katherine White Kitchen Kungel March 27, 1917- July 21, 2016

Audra passed away peacefully at Woodridge, (which had been her home for several years) at the age of 99. Audra married Clarence Kenneth Kitchen at the age of 21. "Kitch", as she called him, was a Navy pilot, which afforded them the opportunity to travel and live in many locations in the United States. She rode motorcycles and flew in fighter planes. She gave birth to a son, Raymond, who died at birth. Years later, she gave birth to her surviving son, Gary Kenneth Kitchen. In 1951, Audra tragically became a widow. In November of 1954, Audra married Karl Anthony Kungel, a widower, and became Mom to his daughter, Mary Kungel. In April of 1973, she again became a widow. Audra moved to the Acchione residence in Cabot, VT, in 2002, and became a companion to Maria's mom, Bert. Afment, and was a member of the Cabot United Church, the American Legion and the Free Masons. Those who knew and loved Daniel knew him to be a man who loved God, who was a selfless, caring individual with a quick wit, who was a loyal husband, father and friend, and who carried a strong work ethic. After 53 years of a sweet and loving marriage, Ramona passed away in January 2014. Daniel is survived by his three children, Michael Cookson and his wife, Ann, of Cabot, Becky Willenburg and her husband, Terry, of Barre, and Mark Cookson, of Hanover, NH. He is also survived by his brother, Chester Cookson and wife Judy, of Plainfield, and sisters Helen Fletcher, of Venice, FL, Marguerite Hill and companion T.C. Sundar, of Venice, FL, Louise (Sue) Foster, of Knoxville, TN, Martha Foster, of Cabot, and Ruth Rathburn and husband Cliff, of Woodbury; as well as his companion of recent years, Sandra Aronson, of Cabot. He was predeceased by his brothers, John Cookson and Lawrence (Broat) Cookson. His grandchildren, that he loved so dearly, are Cara Cookson, Brandy Goodrich, Sierra Willenburg, Daniel Willenburg, Jaime Willenburg and Heidi Cookson. His three precious greatgrandchildren, Addison, Ryan and Emma Goodrich, filled his heart with immense joy, as did his many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. The family received friends on November. 3 at Holcomb-des Groseilliers Funeral Home in Hardwick, and a memorial service was held on Friday, November 4, 2016, at the United Church of Cabot. Memorial donations may be made in Daniel's name to The United Church of Cabot, P.O. Box 127, Cabot, VT 05647; or any organization serving United States veterans.

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

↑ contents

Thanks for the Support!

Last year, we asked readers to consider making a tax-deductible year-end donation to support The Cabot Chronicle. The community response, combined with a town appropriation, advertising income, subscription fees and the Maple Fest fundraiser, enabled us to end the year “in the black”. Thank you very much to our generous readers. It costs about $15,000 to put out the Chronicle for a year. Almost one-third of that comes from our Maple Fest fundraiser in March; one-third from the town

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

↑ contents

Thank you

We would like to thank those in the community for their cards, calls, thoughts and prayers during the illness and death of our mother and gram, Shirley Luce. It was greatly appreciated. I would like to thank those that stepped forward on Apple Fest day to take our place when Jennifer and I had to leave in the middle of it.

Andy and Joanne Luce, Jennifer and Tim Gochey, Jeffrey and Inge Luce, Mark and Inge Luce Stephen and Tammi Luce

↑ contents

Planning Notes

By Karen Deasy, Zoning Administrator and Planner

SCHOOL SPEED ZONE The school speed zone on Main Street through the Village has been lowered from 30 mph to 25 mph from Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The zone runs from the Willey Building on Main Street to the Masonic hall in the village. Additional speed zones are under consideration by the Selectboard to lower the speed of vehicles entering into the village from the South Walden Road and the Danville Hill Road. As a reminder, all gravel surfaced roads within Cabot are posted with a maximum speed of 35 mph. Please respect this safe travel speed for yourself and others on the road. WINTER SAND There is a winter sand pile for Cabot residents to access outside the new town garage gate. This is for Cabot resident use only and not for business use. Please respect the privilege of being able to access sand at this location so we can continue to provide this service to Cabot residents. WINTER PARKING BAN As a reminder there is a winter parking ban in the Town of Cabot. Vehicles and equipment are not permitted to be left overnight on the road, within the road right of way, or in town parking areas, as this allows our road crew to safely remove snow. Vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. If you have a damaged or incapacitated vehicle, it must be towed or moved. Please locate such equipment as far out of the travel lane of the road as safely possible to allow for safe passage on the road, and notify the Town garage or office if it cannot be immediately moved. The Town’s newest plow truck is on the road and ready for service this winter; it replaces the 2010 International truck. Maintenance and repair costs for the 2010 International pushed the decision to replace the vehicle prior to the winter plowing season. The Town negotiated a lease agreement for this vehicle, which will save the town over $75,000 over the 5 year lease period for the vehicle. We will continue to look at cost saving measures for all major equipment needs to stretch our Town road budget as far as possible. PARK AND RIDE The Masonic Hall park and ride is open for community parking and car pooling. This improved space has been funded by the Vermont Department of Transportation and is provided as a community service. Questions or comments on Highway matters should be directed to Road Commissioner, Karen Deasy at 563-3139 or Road Foreman Aldo Nunn at 563-2040. Thank you.

↑ contents

Stories From The Cabot Historical Society A Brief History of Christmas Traditions

Christmas Cards from Cabot Historical Society Most of us think of Christmas as a tradition held dear to the hearts of every Christian man, woman and child for centuries. That isn’t quite the way it happened. Long before Jesus was born, Europeans celebrated during the winter solstice when the sun returned, in late December. That was a time for feasting and celebrating for days, roasting meat over a large log fire built by the men in a family. The celebration lasted as long as there was a spark of fire left in the log. The end of December was also when animals were slaughtered for meat to last the winter, the harvest was in, and wine had finished fermenting. Romans observed the winter solstice as well, celebrating the infant god, Mithra, and it was actually Pope Julius I, bishop of Rome from 337 until his death in 352, who chose December 25 as a religious holiday. When the Puritans came to America, they did not recognize Christmas; in fact, after the Revolution, all things English were banned in the American colonies. For a time in Boston, anyone caught observing Christmas was fined. December 25 was a day like any other. After the Revolutionary War, the new Congress held its first session on December 25, 1789. Americans eventually began softening towards English customs. It may have been the hard times and the need to have a time of fellowship among neighbors regardless of their station in life, or perhaps people missed the pageantry. Some people credit Washington Irving’s The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., a collection of short stories published in about 1819, with “reinventing” Christmas. However it happened, in 1870 the federal government declared December 25 a legal holiday. Christmas customs evolved over the years. The yule log was probably a carryover from the first solstice celebrations; eggnog likely an English custom perhaps too tasty to be rejected; the poinsettia plant with its red and green colors was introduced from Mexico in 1828 and fit the Christmas theme perfectly. Exchanging gifts was adopted from the early European custom of giving to children and the poor. Christmas cards were introduced to America from England in 1875. The most popular cards were imported from Germany and sold for a penny, but they were not popular after the start of WWI. Cabot was no different than any other early Vermont settlement. There is little mention of Christmas in the early history of our town. An announcement in a Cabot newspaper dated December 21, 1881, reads: Christmas evening is to be observed at the Congregational church, Saturday evening next. The exercises will consist of singing, recitations, etc., after which the presents will be distributed from the tree by Santa Claus. Oysters will be served in the vestry by the ladies after the close of the exercises. We wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year. The Cabot Historical Society Jane Brown ~ [email protected]

↑ contents

ADVICE FROM THE TREE WARDEN

By Roland (Slim) Payne

November is Veterans Day. Thank them and respect them, and help them if you can. I am a vet, 1954 to 1956. But that is as far as I will go. Trees: If anyone wants to see an outstanding tree, there is one in East Montpelier. Going west on Route 2 at the red light, turn right onto Route 14, then between Washington Electric and East Montpelier Town office, turn left and go around the back of the town office. Go about one-half mile on that road, and the tree is on the left on a lawn right near the road. I wanted to measure the girth, but didn’t have a tape with me long enough to do it. I will have to do it some day when I am down there. It is an impressive tree; well-shaped and very large. I don’t remember the name of it. Hope you take a look.

I pruned the trees in the Village yesterday. The elms have to be done in the fall, but the rest can be pruned any time. I still have one more elm to prune. I am pretty well buttoned up for winter, so let it come. I am wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

↑ contents

From page 5

A man received a panicked cell phone call from his buddy: “I’m having a nightmare and it is awful!” The buddy frantically explained, “I am on a horse, galloping at a constant speed. To my right is a steep drop-off. To my left is an elephant, keeping up with us. Directly in front of me is another galloping horse, but I can’t catch it. Behind me is a lion running at the same speed as me and my horse. What do I do?!” “Calm down,” advised the buddy. “Now, put your beer down and get off that gol-darned merry-go-round!”

↑ contents

Positivity: Pass It On

By Lela Jones & Julia Hewitt

Negative thoughts are all too easy. So, as a way to change that and make a difference, students from Cabot High School, inspired by the work of students from Lapeer High School in Lapeer, Michigan, made a wall of positivity. The wall was a display of colorful post-it notes, each featuring a handwritten message of encouragement which could be passed around and shared. Taken, or given, to those who need a pick-me-up in their day. Cabot High School English teacher, Julia Hewitt, made this wall with the help of many students to create a wall of positive comments intended to improve student and teacher moral. Students from the 10th grade took time out of their study hall in order to work on creating this wall of positivity. Other students stopped and put comments up among the growing sea of support. This led other students to make an even bigger difference by putting a Post-It note on each locker in the entire high school, saying “you are loved,” and writing individual notes of encouragement to staff. What started out as an idea to help improve morale, became a school wide movement of support and caring. "The note of appreciation and love that was posted on my computer this afternoon brought tears of joy,” said Linda Savoca. “We are so blessed to share our time with these wonderful, bright, caring young adults.” Student Abby Searles, who was part of the initiative, said, "'Sometimes, all it takes to make someone's day better is a little thing... but for the people it actually helped, it could mean the world. Knowing you, yourself, could've helped someone in such a way is astonishing, and it makes you see that everyone around you has a life just as complex as your own.” It takes only a second to say something or write something positive and make someone smile. By providing positivity in the halls of Cabot High School, we are subtly enforcing others to be positive to one another, and in these times, that may be the most powerful change of all.

↑ contents

Four School Consolidation Scenarios

During the past month, the Act 46 committee researching the potential benefits of combining the Cabot, Twinfield and Danville school districts has met twice. At this stage, the group has focused much of their effort on discussing ways that high school students might benefit from a single, merged school district, and in looking at possible configurations of students that could potentially realize those benefits. Earlier this fall, the committee’s eleven members identified a number of goals for improvement of the educational program at their respective schools. Among those goals were increasing course/program opportunities for students, improving learning outcomes, and expanding the number of students and teachers available for their students to learn with and from. With those goals in mind, the committee has narrowed down to just four a list of more than a dozen potential configurations for educating high school students in a merged district. During December, the school boards will hold community discussions with students, parents, teachers, and community members to provide information and gather input on these four high school plans, as well as on the larger Act 46 process. The first community discussion in Cabot is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11. The four plans chosen for further study differ in overall school structure and in where the high school students in a merged district would be educated: Plan #1 would continue to operate Twinfield High School and Danville High School as separate high schools, but would close Cabot High School. High school students throughout the four towns in the new merged district could choose to attend either of the two remaining high schools, and busing would be provided as needed to support that choice. Plan #2 would bring together the high school students from all four towns into a single high school of approximately 300 students, and use the three existing campuses to house different parts of that high school’s curriculum. The courses in a given subject area would be concentrated at one school to allow teaching staff to be used more effectively and to develop the capacity to offer a broader program. In Plan #2, science and math would be concentrated at Cabot, the humanities based at Danville, and individualized and place-based learning at Twinfield. Many courses would be semester-based, and busing would be provided to transport students among the three campuses. Plan #3 would also unite all high school students into a single school, and would require all 9th/10th grade students to complete a foundational, core program at Twinfield, Danville or both. This plan would then offer a range of more focused “pathways” programs from which students could choose based on their individual interests during their 11th and 12th-grade years. These pathways programs could include Environmental Studies, Humanities/World Language, Arts/Creative Studies, International Baccalaureate, etc., and at least one of these pathways programs would be based at each of the three campuses. Busing would be provided as needed. Plan #4 would, like Plan #2, use the three existing campuses to offer different parts of a high school curriculum to 300 students, but would house the programs differently. In Plan #4, Twinfield would serve as the math/science hub, Danville would serve as the humanities hub, and Cabot would serve as the Project-based Learning hub. As in #2, concentrating the courses in a given subject area at one location would allow teaching staff to be used more effectively and would develop capacity to offer a broader program. The Project-based Learning hub at Cabot would be supported by dual-certified staff, would be semesterbased, and would provide a high-quality interdisciplinary program to students in grades 9-12 across the four towns. As with the other plans, busing would be provided to transport students among the campuses. We hope that students, teachers, parents, and community members will find a way to give us some feedback on these plans during the next month to 6 weeks. Based on the feedback that we get from our three school communities, we will get back together as a committee early in 2017 and look into one or more of them in greater depth, on the way to determining whether one of these current plans (or maybe some new combination) looks good enough to build into an eventual merger plan. If we do find enough benefit for our students and communities to develop a formal plan, that plan would have to be eventually voted on by voters in all four towns. Among the three schools looking at this potential merger, Cabot may well be affected most by consolidation. Please help our committee and our school board by finding a way to share your perspectives with us in the coming weeks. You can locate more information on the Act 46 process for Cabot, Danville, and Twinfield by clicking on a link (Act 46) on the Cabot School website. Minutes, general information on Act 46, as well as more specifics about the four high school plans outlined in this article, can be found there. Our next scheduled Act 46 Committee meeting is Monday, December 5, at 6:00 p.m. in the Cabot School Library, and the Cabot Community Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11. We hope to either see you there, or hear from you by phone, email, letter, or in person.

Chris Tormey Cabot School Board

↑ contents

Some Thoughts From Your School Nurse

By Aviva Carey, Cabot School Nurse

The holidays are here and it’s time to get together to share stories of the past and embrace the future with those who are dear to us. The memories of loved ones linger in our hearts and minds, pointing to our greatest gift as human beings- the ability to love. In this time of darkness, share your gift with those you think might benefit. Be creative, money is not the only thing of value we can share. A simple smile or genuine “catchup” with a friend can be more profound than any storebought item. While we are gathering indoors, it is important to be mindful of air quality, especially for the most vulnerable among us - children, elders, and those with compromised immune systems. There are many pollutants that exist that can cause either an immediate reaction, such as pet dander in an allergic person, or that can contribute to lifelong health problems, such as exposure to asbestos in old insulation or lead from lead paint. Because we spend the greatest amount of our time indoors, and in winter, often with sealed windows and doors, exposure to potentially toxic or carcinogenic chemicals or other pollutants must be controlled and reduced as much as possible. If you smoke, now is a great time to think about quitting. The American Cancer Society holds the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November that gives smokers a chance to make one day smoke-free, just to see if they are ready to quit. This also gives smokers an opportunity to spend life as a non-smoker for one day and see the many ways their smoking impacts their life and the lives of those around them. If you are a smoker who is interested in trying life smoke-free and missed the day, you can take a day and make it smoke-free for yourself and family. Be sure to speak with your loved ones and find out just how much your habit impacts them. There are many programs available to help you quit, and folks ready to support your decision. It is still early enough to make a smoke-free Christmas morning possible! Here are some tips on improving the air quality in your home during the winter months: 1) Vacuum, sweep and mop floors often. This greatly helps to reduce airborne pollution. 2) The right amount of moisture in the air. Water indoor plants but don’t overwater, fix leaky plumbing to minimize mold and put a pot of water on the woodstove to increase the humidity in your home if it seems too dry. 3) Make your home smoke-free! 4) Use natural air fresheners and cleaning products to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals or potentially allergy-causing chemicals. Remember, making small changes can have big impacts on your health and the health of those you care for. Hope this Holiday Season finds you merry and bright.

↑ contents

What are you up to? Denise Martine

By Sarah Spletzer Welters

After living in Montpelier, VT, for eighteen years, Denise Martine (59) spent a few years in Arizona. In June of this year she decided to come back to the Green Mountain State and moved to Cabot, where her sons and granddaughters live. With her, she brought her creative business Denise Martine Design, and over 30 years of experience in designing and making wedding dresses. For the interview, Denise and I met in my kitchen on a beautiful crisp fall day. The first thing she mentioned when she walked in was the smell.... “See?! This is what I missed! This is what Vermont smells like - good food on the stove, good living, warmth.”

So, on that note, what brought you back to Vermont? I just really love Vermont. I missed it, every day! I missed the green and the rivers, the people, the food. I was always part of a big network of people here in a way that I never found in Arizona. I've just always felt a sense of goodness and community here. For example: when I first came back this summer, my friend Shaline kindly offered the use of her shop [Shaline Bridal Boutique & Sewing Studio in East Montpelier] as a place to meet with brides for fittings until I could find my own space. Shaline and I have known each other for about 15 years and, even though she and I are in the same business, instead of being in competition, we each reached out over the years to become friends and collaborators. This is something quite unusual in the wedding business in general, but works for us, and also says something about the Vermont culture, I think, too.

How did you get involved in the sewing business? When I was seventeen, right out of high school, I started doing bridal alterations at a little family-owned shop in Indiana. I did many other things over the years, banking, administration, etc., but I always did sewing and design at least part-time. It has kind of woven its way all through my life. I never went to design school, instead, I learned from the older women I worked with. The women in that first shop were members of a large Greek family - they were great - the place was called Artemis Bridal. I just learned so much from them! During that time, I did costumemaking for the local community theater. I also worked with a couple of independent designers from Chicago, and learned a great deal from them as well.

What was the craziest or most outstanding moment in the wedding dress business for you so far? Oh, I know one: I was maybe twenty and had just learned enough to be able to make a simple dress well. A bride came to me with yards of handmade lace, imported from Italy, that she wanted her dress made from. I took on the job, but when she told me how much the lace cost, I realized, oh my gosh, this piece of fabric cost more than my car! I did make the gown and it turned out beautifully. But cutting into that lace for the first time was scary!

Say I am a bride with or without an existing wedding dress - what can you do for me? I do everything, from the original design to the finished dress. Making a dress from scratch is quite a process. Once I've created the base pattern, I make a test dress out of plain cotton, then we do all the fittings and markings right on that test dress, and then that test dress becomes the pattern that I will use to cut out the actual dress. But, mostly, I do alterations on readymade dresses. A woman will buy her dress from a wedding superstore, or online, and then bring it to me to make it fit, and sometimes, add to it or redesign parts of it. I also do restorations and redesigns on vintage dresses. I like working with brides. A lot of people say oh those bridezillas, they’re horrible and everyone gets crazy! But I haven’t had that experience much. For the most part, the brides I've worked with are very sweet people. Many of them have brought me thank you gifts, most of them share their wedding pictures with me… there is that warm, human exchange there because we've gotten to know each other a bit over the course of working together. Sometimes a bride brings her relatives and friends to her fittings, so I get to meet the family, as well. I have a couple of pictures with four generations of women in my studio, beaming with joy. That’s definitely one part of my work that I enjoy a lot.

And you make all kinds of dresses, use all kinds of fabrics? Yes, everything… in all sorts of fabrics! There is no dress I fear. Laughs. When I design a dress, my whole design concept is usually very simple. What I don’t like for my own designs is a lot of fou fou, a lot of decoration or trendy extras. And I don’t like making tulle skirts! It doesn’t mean I won’t work with it, but it’s an aggressive fabric, very scratchy. What many people don't know is that there is a silk version of tulle. It doesn't have as much volume, but it feels so luxurious… like nothing against your skin. For people that are very tactile, this is a great fabric!

Did you make your own wedding dress? Yes, for my second wedding, I made a very simple red velvet dress with a small train. And instead of a veil, I wore a gold organza shawl with it.

If you could choose any person, who would you like to make a dress for?

I'd love to make a gown for any bride who wants to create something outside of the standard white dress. I'm very interested in color as a design element in wedding gowns, as well as the emotional and spiritual/ritual aspects of color in general. And I'd love to be able to work more with brides who feel the same.

Are you focusing on wedding dresses only, or do you create more things with fabric? Yes, I make bridesmaid's dresses, mother-of-the-bride dresses, evening wear, prom dresses. I'm also getting into making historical costumes. I've always worked with a lot of women for whom it’s difficult to buy things from the rack, whether because of size or style. For many years, I did tailoring and general alterations, but now, I focus only on wedding and special occasion clothing.

You are making dolls as well, the way they make them in the Waldorf tradition. More work with hands and needles. What is different about making dolls from making wedding dresses? The more I learn about the whole meaning the dolls have in the Waldorf education, the more I enjoy making them. Such as the fact that they have little or no facial features so the children can project different expressions onto them… dolls are a mirror for the child. And I love the emphasis on all natural materials, wool, cotton - I love working with those fabrics! In the wedding dress business, it’s often synthetic materials, so that is a nice change. Making a wedding dress takes a great deal of room and time, but with the dolls, I can sit in a little space and make one in a day or so… it's very cozy. There is something that feels good and balanced about working with both the large dress projects and the small dolls. And because I tend to work on wedding gowns in the spring and summer, and dolls during fall and winter, the two kinds of work also balance out my year, seasonally.

To see some of Denise's bridal sewing and design work, visit: www.denisemar tine.design. And to learn more about her dolls, see: www.mountainpixie.word press.com.

What Are You Up To? Is brought to you by the Cabot Community Association. If you would like to suggest a Cabot resident to be highlighted in this monthly column, please email Lori@CabotVer mont.org or call 563-3338.

November marked the beginning of our annual donor drive. This year, our goal to raise $5,000 got off to an incredible start when we received $1,400 in early donations from Burtt’s Orchards; Fruitlands Bed and Breakfast; Goodrich Maple; Niels and Doris Larsen; Long Field Farm and Rhapsody. Thank you for giving us this solid foundation to kick start our fundraiser. And thank you to the donors who followed their lead. Our goal this school year is to increase our matched pairs by 30%. Future funding from grant resources depends on us meeting these numbers, and your generosity will ensure we are able to be successful. For ten years, it has been Cabot Connects’ mission to provide a mentor to any child in Cabot who wants one. Your support has been vital in that, so thank you. And here’s to a great 2017! Jennifer D'Agostino Program Coordinator, Cabot Connects 802.751.5584 cabotconnectsmentoring.org

↑ contents

Thank You, From Cabot Connects

As we are coming fresh off the heels of the month of Thanksgiving, it seems only fitting for Cabot Connects to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the many things we have to be thankful for. First and foremost, our mentors. Research has shown that children who have mentors are less likely to skip school, start using alcohol and drugs, or engage in violence. It’s not always an easy role and often times the rewards of being a positive influence in someone’s life come months –sometimes even years - down the road. But it is a role that is incredibly important. So, to those of you setting aside time in your hectic schedules to mentor a child, thank you. We’d also like to thank our financial supporters. Annually, over 33% of our income comes from individuals who believe in our mission. When you add that to the funds raised from Ride the Ridges, almost three quarters of our income comes directly from you, our community. Your support is not unforgotten and we truly appreciate it.

↑ contents

Sanders Announces Annual Student Essay Contest

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) launched his seventh annual State of the Union essay contest Tuesday, calling on Vermont’s high school students to address what they view as the major issues facing the United States. Last year, nearly 800 students from 39 Vermont high schools wrote essays detailing their own view of the “state of the union. The U.S. Constitution calls for the president to “give to the Congress information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” Sanders is again asking Vermont’s high school students to consider writing an essay of 250 to 500 words detailing their own view of the state of the union. Sanders’ annual essay contest is an opportunity for Vermont high school students to articulate what issues they would prioritize if they were president. A panel of Vermont teachers will judge the essays and select a winner. The finalists will have their essays entered into the Congressional Record -- the official archive of the United States Senate and House of Representatives. Sanders will also hold a roundtable discussion with the finalists. “Our students are the future of our country -- and they must be involved in the discussion about where our country needs to go. This is a great opportunity for students to articulate their views and concerns,” said Sanders, who serves on the Senate education committee. “We need our students to be engaged, to help find solutions for the problems that face our country. That’s what democracy is all about,” Sanders said. Since Sanders’ State of the Union essay contest was first held, roughly 2,400 students from schools throughout Vermont have written essays on topics such as the declining middle class, climate change, health care reform, the rising cost of a college education, and many other issues. The deadline for student essay submissions is Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. More information can be found on the senator’s webpage at http://www.sanders.sen ate.gov/stateoftheunion/ or by calling (800) 339-9834.

↑ contents

Will Voigt - Huskies to Moose to Dragons

Will at His Team's Pan-African Victory Game.

By Amanda Legare

As a child growing up in Cabot, “Willy” Voigt enjoyed sports, soccer. This summer, the 40-year-old Cabot native went to the Olympics as the coach for the Nigerian men’s basketball team, one of 12 basketball teams competing in Rio. How he went from being a Cabot school senior to being a coach for an Olympic basketball team is a complicated story. “The best part of growing up in Cabot for me was the ability to try so many different things,” he said recently. “Because it is a small school, you need everyone's participation to make things work. Nobody can just do music, or drama or sports. These experiences gave me a better appreciation for various subjects and people.” Will thought of himself as a soccer player first and a basketball player second, until he worked with Steve Pratt. “Coach Steve Pratt had the biggest influence on me, based on where I am today,” he said. After graduating Valedictorian from a class of 18 students in 1994, Will attended Pomona College in California, where he played on their soccer team. He eventually decided he wanted to be a basketball coach. This caught his parents, Ellen Voigt, award winning poet, and Fran Voigt, founder of the New England Culinary Institute, by surprise. “No one in his immediate family was an athlete, but both Fran and I were teachers, and we did encourage him to get a good education first,” Ellen Voigt explained. “Will had loved all sports since he was a very little boy, playing youth soccer and T-ball and Little League. He especially loved the strategic parts of the game, just as he was drawn to chess and to cribbage, which he learned from Blanche Lamore.” During his senior year at college, he received an unpaid internship with the Los Angeles Clippers, and from there his career took a circuitous route, including visiting and working in four different continents. His climb up the coaching ladder included a stay on a commune in San Antonio, where he worked for the Spurs as a video coordinator; working as a personal trainer in LA; working as one of five assistant coaches at the University of Texas; and serving as a head coach, at age 26, with a professional basketball team in Bergen, Norway (the Ulriken Eagles). He is well-known in Vermont as the 2007 and 2008 coach of the Vermont Frost Heaves team, which he took to an American Basketball Championship (ABA) both years. Will was named ABA coach of the year. In 2009, he married Jessica Bennett, who grew up in Brattleboro. (They met in a gym.) They have two children, a son, Colby (b. June 30 2012), and a daughter, Nala (b. October 19, 2016). His wife is now a certified mid-wife and does home deliveries, with a practice in Boise, Idaho. They moved there in May from Bakersfield, CA, where Will was head coach for five years with the Bakersfield Jam, an NBA D-League ("Development League") team, before the franchise was sold to the Phoenix Suns. While coaching in the NBA development league, he worked with two players on the Nigerian team. These men brought his name to the Nigerian Basketball Federation. “I had worked camps in Nigeria about ten years ago. I had spent a fair amount of time in Nigeria doing some basketball there, so there was a little bit of familiarity with the country and the culture,” he said. “But certainly, (the Nigerian Basketball Federation) rolled the dice with hiring a Vermont kid.” He coached the Nigerian team to victory in the Pan-African tournament for the first time in its history, beating out 15 other nations and making the team eligible to play in the Olympics. The team placed ninth out of the 12 teams in Rio. This winter, Will is located in Taiyuan, China, with a population of more than 2.5 million. It is in North China, and one of the country’s main manufacturing bases. He is the Associate Head Coach for the Shanxi Dragons in Taiyuan. The basketball season is underway in China and 22 teams play in the league. Will is currently traveling all over the country. “I’ve been fortunate to have had these opportunities,” Voigt said. “I didn’t set out with a blueprint of how do I get to China? How do I get to Norway? How do I get to Nigeria? It just presented itself. I certainly wasn’t afraid of going somewhere different. The way it’s played out, I don’t think I could have ever predicted.”

↑ contents

Choosing Safe Holiday Dog Toys & Treats

By April Frost Animalvisions.org With the approach of the holidays, most people consider their pets members of the family. It is important to understand how to choose gifts for your pet wisely. Not all dog/cat treats and toys may be safe for them to have and consume. Be sure to read labels carefully before purchasing. Toys for dogs and cats may contain toxic chemicals that could cause cancer and the fiber wearing down the teeth. These toys could also cause choking hazards and digestive obstructions. Many people do not realize the dangers of these toys to your pets. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate pet toys, even those that seem harmless. The seemingly harmless tennis ball is made of the same material as the green scrubby we use to wash our dishes. Meaning, the fiber from the tennis ball is dangerous for our animal’s digestive system. Also, when they chew on these, their teeth are being ground down little by little. We have also heard of large breed dogs choking on tennis balls. The pet owner may not realize the amount of dyes, chemicals and preservatives that are in pet toys, especially those imported from China. Toys are frequently tainted with toxic chemicals, including Cadmium, lead and chromium. Many also contain latex, which contains phthalatesBPA, which are hormone disruptors. Just because they may be made in the USA does not mean they are safe. Pet food recalls have also caused death in our dogs and cats. Several years ago, there was a massive recall on dog treats from China. I strongly suggest that you purchase only treats and toys made in the USA made from organic sources. They may be more expensive than imports but are safer than items that could poison or kill your pet. Please keep track of your pets’ toys, and never allow toddlers to play with them or put them in their mouth.

↑ contents

COUNTRY COMMENTARY

The days of summer are long gone and the Holidays are here. There is no getting away from the Holidays. They mean different things to different people, but, as long as it is a celebration, then hey, whatever works, I say. The wind blows cold and the longest night approaches. The coming of the new light will be here soon. The promise of spring and puppies that are older and easier to deal with. I thought that my puppy, who was Norkatah until we found out it was a genetically modified potato, and she is now Espresso, didn’t like me, but I was just being ridiculous. She loves me and shows me every day, but I knew for sure when I left and my partner stayed behind to hear her piteous crying at the door because I was gone. Ok, I need a little work on selfesteem, but life is really good all around. The new puppy is Bodhi Satva, which is a being on the path to enlightenment for the help of all sentient beings. Pretty cool name. He is a little black lab, where Espresso is a chocolate, of course. Our family is complete for now, though we did lose our favorite rooster recently. He was just old and on his way out. He was one smart rooster, and he always knew what we wanted from him, and he always helped gather in the hens with us at any given time we picked. We are excited to have fresh blueberry muffins with blueberries from our own bushes, and raspberry ones, too. YUM! Can’t beat fresh from the freezer fruit and veggies, we have frozen asparagus, too, this year. YAY! We love asparagus; I also like the plant that it is, with its feathery leaves and red berries. Potatoes with breakfast for most mornings with fresh eggs and sometimes, as evil as it is, we have bacon. I know, but it is the only pork we will eat. It is funny how we all look so differently at food due to religion, upbringing, social norms. I mean, they eat guinea pigs in Peru. I don’t think I would try it, but, then again, when in Peru…It is good to keep an open mind about these things. Well, I think I have covered the gambit. I certainly wish everyone being safe and happy. Enjoying whatever Holidays you wish and just enjoy the heck out of life while we have it. A friend of mine committed suicide and appreciating each other is so important because you just don’t know, you just don’t. I didn’t see that coming. LIVE LOVE LAUGH

Laura Lee Smith Fizgigdragon @aol.com

↑ contents

3-State Reciprocal Snowmobiling Weekend January 27, 28 & 29

Once again, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine will host a reciprocal weekend. This means, if your snowmobile is registered in one of these three states, you can ride in any one of the states without buying a trail pass for that state. All state laws must be followed, though, when riding in Vermont; like, you must have liability insurance for each snowmobile. For information regarding what you need to know to ride in Vermont, go to www.vtvast.org and click on the tab called: Ride in Vermont. Reciprocal weekend is January 27, 28 and 29, 2017.

↑ contents

Bothfeld Turkeys Being Processed

Charley Bothfeld, 97, and Deb Bothfeld (above) were part of a crew removing pin feathers from turkeys before Thanksgiving at the Bothfeld Farm. The Bothfeld farm family in Cabot has raised turkeys for more than 60 years. Photo by Amanda Legare.

↑ contents

Selectboard Preparations - Budget 2017

The Selectboard established a budget committee this past spring and has been meeting throughout the summer and fall in preparation for the town’s 2017 budget submission to the voters on Town Meeting Day. Both the General & Highway Funds along with Special Appropriations will be voted by Australian Ballot. We are now in the process of having budget meetings held prior to our regularly scheduled Selectboard meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month. At these meetings, various functions of the town that comprise both the General and Highway Funds are presenting their budget requests for 2017. This is consistent with what happens on the state level and in many other towns and municipalities across the state. Attention to the town budget is a major part of the Selectboard’s job throughout the year. Simply put, the budget is a plan of what the town expects to do in the upcoming year and how much it will cost the tax payers to do it. We regularly review revenues to make sure the town is staying within budgeted figures as the year progresses. Finally, we have established a tentative schedule of budget meetings that you can come and listen and participate for greater understanding. This is your town and your money and we want to be fiscally responsible for managing its uses. The next budget meetings are as follows:

November 15, 5:30 p.m. November 29, 5:30 p.m. December 6, 5:30 p.m. December 13, 5:30 p.m. We look forward to your participation. If you have any questions, pl ea se ema i l me a t : [email protected]. We appreciate your helping Cabot be good stewards of its Town Budget! Michael J. Hogan Cabot Selectboard

↑ contents

Party Town of Residence Votes Cast LIBERTY UNION CHARLSTON

REPUBLICAN

DEM/PROG 49

256

406

0 ESSEX

BURLINGTON 0 1

88

800 ATTORNEY GENERAL Vote for not more than ONE

DEBORAH “DEB” BUCKNAM REPUBLICAN WALDEN

T. J. DONOVAN

ROSEMARIE JACKOWSKI LIBERTY UNION BENNINGTON

TOTAL WRITE IN COUNTS 258

DEMOCRATIC S BURLINGTON 460

24

0 OTHER WRITE IN COUNTS 0 TOTAL SPOILED 1

57

800 BLANK VOTES

TOTAL VOTES STATE SENATOR Vote for not more than THREE

FRANCIS K. BROOKS DEMOCRATIC

ANN CUMMINGS

MICHAEL “MIKE” DOYLE REPUBLICAN

WILLIAM “BILL” DOYLE REPUBLICAN

JOHN “JOSH” FITZHUGH REPUBLICAN

ANTHONY POLLINA

TOTAL WRITE IN COUNTS MONTPELIER

MONTPELIER

MONTPELIER

MONTPELIER

BERLIN

MIDDLESEX 258

336

221

383

207

367

4 DEMOCRATIC PROG/DEM OTHER WRITE IN COUNTS 4 TOTAL SPOILED 1

623

2400 BLANK VOTES

TOTAL VOTES STATE REPRESENTATIVE Vote for not more than ONE

KITTY BEATTIE TOLL DEMOCRATIC DANVILLE

CRAIG R. VANCE

TOTAL WRITE IN COUNTS 518

259

1 REPUBLICAN DANVILLE OTHER WRITE IN COUNTS 1 TOTAL SPOILED 1

21

800 BLANK VOTES

TOTAL VOTES HIGH BALIFF Vote for not more than ONE

MARC POULIN

TOTAL WRITE IN COUNTS REP/DEM BARRE TOWN 547

6 OTHER WRITE IN COUNTS 6 TOTAL SPOILED 1

246

800 BLANK VOTES

TOTAL VOTES

↑ contents

Creation of Two Selectboard Working Groups (Safety & Security)

The Selectboard, at its regularly scheduled November 1, 2016, meeting, approved the creation of two working groups to address and improve Public Safety and Public Security in Cabot. This action by the Selectboard resulted from concerns expressed on the part of several Cabot residents. These two groups will work with State and County officials and others interested in addressing their concerns. The Mission of the two Working Groups is as follows:

PUBLIC SECURITY (Law Enforcement) 1. Review the Role, Duties, and Responsibilities of Constables; 2. Coordinate closely with appropriate

agencies (Vermont State Police, County Sheriff’s Office, and Other Agencies); 3. Explore coordinating Public Security

arrangements with neighboring communities; 4. Research Best Practices and Best Models for coordinating and managing Public Security in small communities.

PUBLIC SAFETY

1. Establish a fully functioning Neighborhood Watch throughout Cabot; 2. Review existing ordinances and identify areas that require enforcement; 3. Explore creating new ordinances that will strengthen and improve Public Safety in Cabot; 4. Research Best Practices and Best Models for coordinating and managing Public Safety in small communities.

LEADERSHIP Selectboard member Mike Hogan will Chair the Public Security Working Group and Selectboard member Ted Domey will Chair the Public Safety Working Group. Appointments to these two Working Groups will be approved by the full Selectboard, based upon the recommendations of the two Working Group Chairs. Your Selectboard commits to keeping the community advised on all developments in these two critical areas, and seeks comments from the Cabot community. Community members may contact either of the two Chairs directly (Mike Hogan at [email protected] or Ted Domey at [email protected]), or the Town Clerk, Betty Ritter, at TCO- [email protected] or at 563-2279. More information will follow in the months ahead so that we all can work together to make Cabot an even better community than it already is.

Jack Daniels, Chair, Cabot Selectboard

↑ contents

TWIN VALLEY SENIOR CENTER

4583 U.S. Route 2 P.O. Box 152 East Montpelier, VT 05651 By Rita Copeland, Executive Director

VEGGIE THANKS The biggest heartfelt thank you to all friends and neighbors who donated fresh garden vegetables to Twin Valley Senior Center this past season. It was a terrific year with your donations and the Community Harvest program, allowing the cook and volunteers the opportunity to process some great vegetables for the freezer. HOLIDAY SCHEDULE We remember our seniors at home and at the center with a traditional Holiday luncheon. We will be having such a day on December 21 with a turkey luncheon and all the fixings. You are most welcome to join us at the center. After the luncheon, we will have a sing-a-long with Pat Mayhew. I am sure it will consist of Christmas music. December 23, the Meals on Wheels will be delivered to the homebound, along with regular meals to cover Monday, December 26, at which time the center will be closed. We will be remembering our home bound seniors with a small Christmas Gift, as we do each year. We welcome small donations such as Word Search books, toilet articles, warm scarfs, socks, etc., that will help us make their Christmas a little brighter. We will be accepting these items now through December 16. We can wrap the items and have them ready for delivery on December 23. There are men and women on our home delivery routes and at the center. On December 23, we will have presents under the Christmas tree for a Yankee Swap with the seniors at the center. Again, items you would like to donate would be most graciously accepted to help us make the day special for them. The luncheon will be at 12:15 p.m., followed by the Yankee Swap. Please feel free to join us for this special time with the seniors. TVSC wants to wish each and everyone one of you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Please do not forget to check on your elderly neighbors and friends. TVSC’s Rita and Shirley will be at Cabot on Christmas Day to help deliver the wonderful meal prepared by volunteers at the Cabot school for the homebound and residents that attend the meal at the school. The annual Cabot Christmas dinner put on by volunteers from Cabot shows what caring thoughtful folks they truly are and what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. Way to go Cabot and our hats are off to each and every one of you involved for thinking of others less fortunate this time of year. GROUND BEEF Twin Valley Senior Center owes a ton of gratitude to the Maple Hill Farm & Community School. During this past year, they raised beef on their farm and donated to Twin Valley Seniors one half of a beef ground and packaged to the center. We had been in need of hamburg for a short while, and if you know the price of hamburg, you would understand why we were unable to purchase at market price. At the center, it takes between 30-35 pounds of meat to prepare the 75 meals daily for in-house and Meals on Wheels recipients. There are not words to express how grateful we are for their generous offer. We do research to find ground beef at a price we can afford, with no success. We would like to purchase local grown hamburg in a large quantity at an affordable price for the center. Hamburg is a meat that can be used in many, many different recipes that we use at the center. If you have contacts or know of someone that may have some at an affordable price, we would appreciate hearing from you. The phone number is 223-3322 and email is [email protected]. BINGO Don’t forget to come and have fun at our weekly Bingo nights on Tuesdays. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and games start at 6:00 p.m. We offer a snack bar and also have Rip Off tickets available. We use the paper game sheets, for which we have the daubers available. Children over 12 are welcome to attend.

↑ contents

FROM THE CABOT PUBLIC LIBRARY

Programs Story Hour – Tuesdays – 10:30–11:30 a.m. – Special Holiday Story Hour December 20

Preschool story hour – stories, songs and crafts – all are welcome!

Pokemon Club – Tuesdays, 3:00–4:00 p.m. All are welcome – bring your own cards if you have them, but not necessary. Call Ethan Socks for more info at 563- 2073. Computers will be turned off during this time.

Yoga with Alicia Feltus – Tuesdays, 6:00–7:15 p.m. and Fridays, 9:00-10:15 a.m. Alicia’s training is Integral Hatha Yoga. She blends yoga, breath, relaxation, aromatherapy, affirmation & reflexology! All ages and levels welcome – contact Alicia for more info 802-563-3220 or [email protected]. Suggested donation $10.

Pathfinders – Thursdays – 3:00-6:00 p.m. The Pathfinder roleplaying game puts you in the role of a brave adventurer fighting to survive in a world beset by magic and evil! Join the group - all are welcome.

Meditation Group – First and Third Wednesdays, Dec 7 and 21 – 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.

Cabot Old Time Contra and Square

Dance – Saturday, December 10 – 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 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- 426-3225 or email [email protected].

Holiday Baking/Craft Making Workshop – Tuesday, December 13 – 3:00– 5:00 p.m. Make holiday cookies, gingerbread houses, ornaments, candle holders and cards - All are welcome!

The Incredible Lives and Uncertain Fate of Seabirds – Thursday, December 15 – 7:00 p.m. This is the first program in the Cabot Conservation Committee Speaker Series. Ranging from the comical puffin to the majestic albatross, seabirds utilize all of the seas and oceans that cover 70% of the earth’s surface. However, they are often poorly understood, and many are threatened with extinction. Using examples from their own experiences around the world, Julia Gulka and Edward Jenkins present an overview of these littleknown birds, their fascinating lives, and the work being done to safeguard their future.

Community Book Group – Wednesday, December 21 – 10:30–11:30 a.m. Cabot Community Book group generally meets the third Wednesday of the month. This month’s selection has yet to be determined. All are welcome to join in! Copies of books will be available in the library. Thank You! Thanks so much to Lorelai Bastress, Mary Lou DeLacy, Susan Dineen, Linda Gabrielson, Vicki Palmer and Beth Wade for their continued help with shelving, weeding, story hour and many other projects. Much gratitude to all the folks who help with regular programming: Daria Babbitt, David Carpenter, Alicia Feltus, Marsha Kameron, Leo Parlo, Jonah and Ethan Socks.

See you at the Library!

Kathleen Hoyne

↑ contents

Sunday, December 18 at 3:00 p.m. Willey Building

The December meeting of Cabot Arts Show & Tell will be Sunday, December 18, at 3:00 p.m. at the Willey Building, as usual. It's a busy time of year, so I particularly appreciate a chance to sit quietly with other artists at this time. Hope some of you will, too. Roz Daniels

↑ contents

Cabot Community Theater Auditions for Willy Wonka!

By Karen Mueller-Harder

Cabot Community Theater is seeking enthusiastic performers for our spring 2017 musical: Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka! We need kids, teens, and adults for parts both large and small: solo singers, chorus members, and a few non-singing roles as well! 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. Everyone is welcome to audition, whether you’re from Cabot or a nearby town. Make it a family activity! Get your best friend to do it with you! Auditions will be held in the Cabot School Performing Arts Center (CSPAC) on Sunday, December 4, from 1-4:00 p.m., and Saturday, December 10, from 2-5:00 p.m. Please prepare a song you feel comfortable singing--if you’re not an experienced performer, a song your family likes to sing in the car, or your favorite silly song makes a great choice! We’ll also have you read a bit from the script, and see how you move. No appointment needed, unless you wish accompaniment: contact us at [email protected] or 793-5617 if you do. 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 [email protected] or 793-5617, and let us know if you’d like to join us on a journey to the land of pure imagination! Rehearsals will be held mostly on weekends January through March, with performances March 31-April 2.

↑ contents

with Isaac James, Lynn McKinney & Diane Huling

The team of Isaac James, Lynn McKinney and Diane Huling will bring some musical Christmas spirit to the Cabot Community. Come join them for an oldfashioned Christmas gathering at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, December 9, at the United Church at 2 Common Way. Also participating will be tenor Skip Potter and soprano Erin McIntyre—listen and participate as these four professional musicians stand around the piano and sing carols, as well as other Christmas and classical favorites. “We’ll have some sacred music and some secular,” James says, “I’d like to think of it as Irving Berlin White Christmas style…White Christmas by the fireside…” There are four part harmonies, as well as duet, solo and a cappella works planned, plus some opportunity to sing along. A suggested donation of $20 is asked, to benefit the church’s heating fund. Pianist/baritone Isaac James’ first public performance of classical music was when he was fifteen years old; he has since accompanied a number of wellknown opera singers and violinists at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. He made his own Carnegie Hall debut in 2012. Alto Lynn McKinney is no stranger to the area’s choral music scene, having been director of the Cabot Chorus and the Northeast Kingdom Chorus. Together, James and McKinney have raised over $7,000 in the past several years for the church’s repairs and preservation, which is ongoing.

Suggested donation of $20 to benefit church’s heating

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 16 onward.

↑ contents

Along with warm hats, scarves, mittens and socks

We are accepting unwrapped new and/or good condition used toys, books, dolls, backpacks, board games, personal care items and new stuffed animals, hats, gloves, mittens and other gifts suitable for Cabot children of all ages. Want to sponsor a child’s Holiday wish as a “Secret Santa”? Call to find out how!! It’s easy and keeps your donation LOCAL! Donations can be left at the Faith in Action Office in the Masonic Hall, Main Street, Cabot on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm, starting November 14 or left at the front door if we are not open. Let’s make this a special Christmas for Cabot’s children.

↑ contents