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Preserving the history of Cabot, Vermont · Founded 1965

The Cabot Chronicle

January 2018 · 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 January 2018 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

Advantage Cabot: the next steps

Advantage Cabot made its media debut in the September issue of this paper. Much has transpired since then, and there is some exciting news and next steps to share! As a reminder, Advantage Cabot is “an independent boarding program targeting out-of-state students who will attend Cabot High School and be housed with local host families. Advantage Cabot will provide an enrichment program of academic and extra-curricular activities including new internship and work-study opportunities- that will be available to all students attending Cabot High School. Advantage Cabot will support and enhance Cabot School and bring significant new investment into the community at no cost to the taxpayer." For the last three months, the Advantage Cabot Board of Directors has been working with community partners, including the School Board, the Act 46 Working group, prospective donors and partners, as well as the general public to develop and share this exciting opportunity for our town. A centering principle for Advantage Cabot’s success is a close collaboration with the Cabot School and the support of the community. We know that the success of Advantage Cabot will benefit us all: providing an enormous financial boost to the Cabot School and creating economic opportunities for Cabot families. These relationships, which ‘lift all boats’ is what makes this program so promising. The Advantage Cabot Board and the Cabot School Board continue to meet to explore and define their respective roles and responsibilities. The Cabot School Board has passed a resolution of support for Advantage Cabot that reads: “Be it resolved that the Cabot School Board supports the concept of Advantage Cabot and their effort to develop an independent educational enrichment and boarding program, subject to full endorsement upon presentation of their financial plan to the Board.” Advantage Cabot will next meet with the School Board on December 18, 2017, to discuss our approved 2017- 2018 Budget. An exciting element in the growing recognition of the possibilities for increasing the student population of Cabot High School is the inclusion of the Advantage Cabot concept in the Alternative Governance Structure that the Cabot School Board will submit to the Agency of Education in late December. The Advantage Cabot Board has also twice presented to the CCIF (formerly UDAG) and discussed a request for modest start-up funding for the 2017-2018 school year. That request for a $25,000 grant will be brought to the voters at Town Meeting. These funds will be allocated to cover expenses associated with the launch of Advantage Cabot in spring 2018. So what’s next? Community information meetings will continue in January and February, but it is not necessary to wait for those meetings to learn more. Look for copies of the proposed budget and a one page information sheet at the library, town office, and Harry’s Hardware. It is our intention to be completely transparent about Advantage Cabot and the potential benefits that will accrue to the entire community. We remain very interested in hearing from residents any questions, clarifications or concerns about Advantage Cabot.

Karen Larsen, President (563-2294) Fran Voigt, Vice President (563-2707) Susan Alexander, Secretary (522-5898) Jack Daniels, Treasurer (563-3116)

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Cabot Mentoring Program

By Susie Socks Strengthening Cabot Connections

and Good for the Community January is National Mentoring Month, and this year Cabot Mentoring hopes to celebrate by connecting more Cabot-area youth and adults. Do you have a youth age 7-17 who would like a new friend in the community for hikes, crafts, cooking, gaming, projects, or just good conversation? Are you an adult age 21+ willing and able to meet two or three times per month with a young person in our community? Please contact Susie Socks, Cabot Mentoring program coordinator, at [email protected], or 802 563-2289 ext 227. Research shows that mentors play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible choices, engage in school, and avoid risky behavior like drug use. These young people are:

 55% more likely to be enrolled in college  81% more likely to report participating regularly in sports or extracurricular activities  78% more likely to volunteer regularly

in their communities  More than twice as likely to say they

held a leadership position in a club or sports team. Mentoring relationships are good for youth, and they are also good for adults. The intergenerational ties forged by mentoring make communities stronger. We hope you’ll join the Cabot Mentoring program! National Mentoring Month is led by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, with support from the Highland Street Foundation. To learn more about the role mentoring plays in our community and to find volunteer opportunities, contact [email protected] or 802 563- 2289 ext 227.

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Christmas Dinner Thank You

We also appreciate being granted use of the school and people helping with planning, funding, cooking, cleaning and creating and maintaining a delightful dining space. It’s a true community event, provided by community and enjoyed by community. Thank you for participating.

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From page 1

Thank you for the good company of the many residents who came and shared Christmas Dinner with us. It was a great day, and we really enjoyed sharing it with you. We are grateful to the many community members who made donations of every kind to make the day possible; the Creamery donated butter, the Bothfelds provided turkeys, the Village Store gave us milk and many people provided vegetables, more turkeys, desserts, punch, and the famous Cabot bakers who provided desserts.

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COUNTRY COMMENTARY

Well, our little lab is six months. We LIVED! YAY! The Holidays have been wonderful, quiet and full of love. I know, I am such a sap, ah well, that is me. It is resolution time again, but I think, if we just try to be the best people we can be, then that is just good enough, great in fact. I am loving the snow, but I have two labs to enjoy it with. We go hiking and snow shoeing, not to mention just play in it. I still and probably always will make snow angels. I am fifty-six, in case anyone was wondering, and, yes, I am just a big kid at heart. My poor partner, he has a difficult time keeping up with us, sometimes. We have had our chestnuts roasting on a wood stove, and we have had our feet up to warm our frozen toes after coming in from playing outside in snow. Hot cocoa is a perfect beverage, and we have plenty of that! A good stew that has been cooking on the woodstove all day is fantastic and really warms your insides up. We take long magical walks in the woods around our house and just enjoy the weather as best we can. Going to Dog Mountain around the holidays is great, they decorate some of the trees along the blue trail and then here and there. It is a real magical place. All the people are just marvelous and friendly, like their dogs. I wasn't a dog person, but I guess I would have to say I am one now; I guess I would have to be, with two of them at home. I was strictly a cat person, and though I still am a cat person, there is no doubt I am becoming ever more the dog person. Dogs seem to be eternally happy if treated right, and especially labs. I don't think I will hear any arguments there. Dogs smile and just are so filled with love, and they give it so unconditionally. They are amazing, and good therapy, too, on so many levels. I guess that is enough on the virtues of dogs. I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season and enjoyed some kind of pie (I am big on pie) YUM! If you are a cake person, then I hope you had cake! I love the Holidays to use as an excuse to go off diet for awhile. I gain about five pounds, but all the walking helps to take it back off. No worries. This new year, I am going to try and write even more, and I am going to get back to my art work. It has been a while, but I have been doing research, and that has been quite productive. Well, my dears, I am off to get going on a drawing that I have been working on, so until next time, do be blessed and enjoy life! Laura Lee Smith helping to support a great

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 2 onward.

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From page 2

Millions of dollars of unclaimed property is held by the Vermont State Treasurer, and this money should be returned to rightful owners. Last year, the Treasurer’s office paid a record 15,491 individual claims to Vermonters totaling $5.178 million. Unclaimed property includes uncashed checks, lost valuables, forgotten security deposits, misplaced insurance policies, investments or estates. The contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes are also collected. Currently, there are 420,000 individual properties waiting to be claimed, with a total value of more than $80 million. To learn if you have any unclaimed property, please visit MissingMoney.Vermont.gov or call 1-800 -642-3191.

Vermont’s three major funds – the General Fund, Education Fund and Transportation Fund - are all performing above estimates through the month of November. The General Fund - which includes the personal income tax, meals and rooms tax, and sales tax - is performing 1% over the fund’s estimates; however, the Corporate Tax is running below targets for the first five months of the fiscal year. The Transportation Fund is above targets by 1.3% and the Education Fund is approximately 1% above target. The next official revenue forecast will be presented to the state’s Emergency Board on January 18. Please contact me directly with your questions and concerns. As always, it is an honor to represent our communities at the State House. Wishing all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

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

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From page 2

As the 2018 Vermont Legislative Session commences, so does the scheduling of many public hearings and meetings. Below are important dates. Please be sure to check the legislative website at www.leg.state.vt.us or call the Sergeant At Arms office at 802-828-2228 for new additions and changes.  Wednesday, January 3: First day of the 2018 Session - 10:00 a.m.  Thursday, January 4: Governor’s State of the State Address - 1:00 p.m.  Tuesday, January 23: Governor’s Budget Address time TBA  Monday, January 22: Green Mountain Secure Retirement . . .Plan Public Hearing - Room 11 . @ State House in Montpelier - 2:00 p.m.  Monday, January 29: Green Mountain Secure Retirement . ...Plan Public Hearing - Franklin . . . Conference Center at the Howe Center in Rutland – 1:00 p.m. For information regarding bills or actions taken by the House or Senate or standing committees, please visit: www.leg.state.vt.us . These are live pages and are updated regularly.

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From page 2

Vermont’s State Treasurer Beth Pearce invites Vermonters to public hearings scheduled for January 22 and 29 to solicit input from employers and employees regarding implementation of the Green Mountain Secure Retirement Plan. A Public Retirement Study Committee, Chaired by the State Treasurer, was created to work toward the implementation of a “voluntary open multiple employer plan.” The goal of this plan is to increase retirement security for all Vermonters. Highlights of the plan as passed in 2017 can be found at: http://www.vermonttreasurer.gov/sites/treasurer/files/public-pension-studygroup/PRSC_GMSRP_Binder1.pdf

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 2 onward.

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Library Seeks Approval for Outdoor Play Structure

Have you heard the saying that goes, “Play is the work of children?” The Cabot Library certainly has, and will ask voters to approve installation of an outdoor play structure in the heart of the village at Town Meeting in March, 2018. The play structure will be an extension of the library's popular and growing Pre- School Story Hour that combines books read aloud, music, and crafts each week. Pre-school children who are not exposed to words, language, and books are often at a disadvantage when they start school, and may need remedial work. Libraries are uniquely positioned to help parents provide strong language development. However, little kids can only sit still so long, and need to burn off excess energy! The outdoor play structure has been carefully designed to allow for creative, imaginative, active, outdoor play. The combination of Story Hour and the play structure is part of the library's goal to attract more families with young children. The hope is to make the library a destination for families right in the center of Cabot. The play structure will be installed at no cost to taxpayers. Funding for the project has been provided by a grant from a generous anonymous donor, monies from the Cabot Community Investment Fund, and a gift from the Friends of the Cabot Library. The play structure will be located on the lawn at the southeast (rear) corner of the Wiley Building. There will be no impact on the parking lot. Care has been taken to choose an attractive structure that is made of natural materials. The goal is to create a play space that complements the outstanding work of the Willey Building Committee this past summer in restoring the exterior of the building. The play structure will be constructed of northern cedar logs, is of commercial grade, and complies with current safety standards. It meets the requirements of the town's insurance, which is maintained through the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. There will be active and imaginative fun for kids ages two to ten. The play structure will include an elevated platform with roof, a small rock climbing wall, a heavy-duty steering wheel, a fourfoot wave slide, an angled climber, a sixfoot torpedo slide, a ground-level ball drop, as well as a Tic-Tact-Toe panel. An ADA compliant transfer station will accommodate children with disabilities. The foot print of the structure will be approximately 28 feet by 41 feet. It will sit on a surface that includes a barrier fabric and certified wood mulch surrounded by double-high log borders. The play structure area will be surrounded by a dark green coated chain link fence for safety. The play structure will be designed, constructed, and installed by Bears Playgrounds, Inc., www.bearsplay grounds.com. The Trustees of the Cabot Library are currently circulating a petition that asks the Selectboard to add an article to the warning for the Town of Cabot Annual Meeting seeking voter approval of the proposed play structure. The annual meeting will be held on March 6, 2018. Petitions can be found on the circulation desk at the library or by contacting a trustee. They include Stephanie Burtt, Beth Wade, Jeanne McCallum, Linda Gabrielson, Billie O'Connor, and Susan Dineen.

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Appointed to VT Commission on Women

Governor Phil Scott has appointed Mary Daly of Peacham to serve on the Vermont Commission on Women (VCW), the state’s nonpartisan commission working to advance rights and opportunities for women and girls.

“Mary has a long history of public service, and has demonstrated a deep commitment to her community. She’s worked to make a difference in the lives of Vermonters, and shown leadership in protecting the vulnerable – a priority for my administration,” said Gov. Scott. “This commitment and experience will be valuable to the Commission and the critical role it plays for women and Vermont. I thank Mary for her willingness to serve once again.” Born in St. Johnsbury and raised on a dairy farm in Peacham, Ms. Daly is a graduate of Peacham Academy and the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. Ms. Daly began her career as Staff Nurse at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, moving on to similar roles at several Colorado medical centers. She then served in leadership role including Neuro Trauma Unit Supervisor, Assistant Director of Nurses, and Emergency Room Head Nurse in medical facilities in New Mexico and Colorado. As a Certified Disability Management Specialist, Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse, and Registered Nurse, she took on medical case management roles, including Rehabilitation Case Manager and Traumatic Brain Injury Coordinator for the Visiting Nurse Alliance of Vermont and New Hampshire. She was Executive Director of the High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program in Sharon, which provides individualized lessons addressing the physical, emotional, social and cognitive challenges of seniors, veterans, teens, adults and children with varying abilities. Ms. Daly retired from Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital as Occupational Health Nurse in 2013. Ms. Daly is a past Chair of the Orange County Republican Committee. Having just moved back to Peacham, she now serves as Secretary of the Caledonia County Republican Committee. In addition, Ms. Daly volunteers for the national Office of Emergency Management's Medical Reserve Corps, where individuals with medical and public health backgrounds strengthen public health, improve emergency response capabilities, and build community resiliency. Ms. Daly’s public service has included membership on the Governor’s Commission on Healthy Aging; the Fairlee town Selectboard and Board of Civil Authority; the Upper Valley River Subcommittee of the Connecticut River Joint Commission (representing Fairlee); the Board of Directors of the Fairlee Public Library; and as a Justice of the Peace.

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Planning Notes

By Karen Deasy Zoning Administrator and Town Planner

Zoning and Access Modifications

The Planning Commission is sending to the Selectboard language for an amendment to the town’s zoning ordinance. The Town has seen a variety of applications for access improvements and modifications that, in some instances, require a variance if installed in the owners first choice of location. To permit some of these projects quickly landowners have adjusted locations to meet current setback requirements. In many instances, getting these projects approved quickly is the difference in a resident coming home from a care facility in a timely fashion or waiting until mobility improves. This also can affect an existing business when the owner, who needs to make code improvements for access to their facility, has to apply for a variance or conditional use application for what could be a . Recognizing that this is not currently addressed in zoning, the Planning Commission is sending the following language to the Selectboard and Town for authorization to allow applications that meet specific requirements to be approved with just a zoning permit. Ramps, stairs, landings and vestibules (not including porches or decks) for both residential and commercial structures, required for accessibility (permanent or temporary) require a permit. For those existing residential and commercial structures which currently do not meet the setback requirements, a variance or conditional use application is not required for such accessibility structures, as long as the following criteria is met: The structure does not extend beyond the existing front or side line of construction; or The structure does not reduce the setback by more than 50%; and The structure shall not be constructed in the road right of way If the criteria cannot be meet, then the application would require a variance from the Development Review Board.

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OBITUARIES & MEMORIALS

Ronald M. Ferry, Jr.

On November 11, 2017, Ronald Mansfield Ferry Jr. departed the bluegreen hills of Earth and ventured forth to rejoin his beloved wife, Sylvia, and walk among the stars.

Born on April 26, 1921, to Ronald and Virginia Townsend Ferry, Ron grew up in Concord, Massachusetts, the hometown of Henry David Thoreau, whose minimalist Yankee ethic influenced Ron for 96-and-1/2 years. Ron was graduated from The Fenn School, '34, The Phillips Exeter Academy, '39, Harvard College, '43 and Harvard Medical School, '48. These schools shaped his self-disciplined and ethical character and his thoughtful, measured personality. Ron's life changed forever on Dec. 22, 1944, when he married Sylvia Thayer at her family church, The First Church of Christ, Unitarian, Lancaster, Massachusetts. Sylvia's warm and loving manner, brilliant mind and visionary spirit complemented Ron's serious, shy nature. After graduation from medical school, Ron and Sylvia moved to Minneapolis where Ron taught anatomy at Northwestern Medical School. Ron enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a medical doctor on the Korean Peninsula. The carnage of war and separation from Sylvia and their two infant children, Charles and Sylvia, was traumatic. His dedication to his family, medical practice and the natural world veiled his wartime experience. After his honorable discharge, Ron and his family moved to Hanover, New Hampshire, where they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth. Ron completed his surgical training at the Veterans Hospital in White River Junction, Vermont, and Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, New Hampshire. Ron and Sylvia chose Montpelier, Vermont, as their new home. Montpelier had an excellent public school system and Heaton Hospital, now Heaton House, was small, well-staffed and managed. They purchased the Jensen Farm on the edge of town. Ron became Montpelier's first board-certified general surgeon. Ron said, "One of life's greatest pleasures is seeing the patient get well." He made house calls, often accompanied by his children. He was paid by insurance checks, fresh lake trout, venison, moose hides and heavy, coin-filled Mason jars. He treated all of his patients with skill and compassion. He and Sylvia lived the Vermont ethic, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." In 1984, Ron retired and he and Sylvia turned their attention to Vermont agriculture, the arts and the peace movement. They raised turkeys, organic vegetables and tapped 100 sugar maple trees. They were active in the Vermont Turkey Growers Association, the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association and the Northeast Organic Farmers Association. They won ribbons at the Tunbridge World's Fair and The Vermont Farm Show. They were founding supporters of The Food Works at Two Rivers Food Center. Ron learned to play the clarinet and Sylvia, the timpani, and they performed in the Montpelier Community Band and Orchestra. They organized and sponsored the Gatherings on Behalf of Life concerts and lectures that featured The Paul Winter Consort and pediatrician Benjamin Spock. They were patrons of The Lost Nation Theater. They attended The New York Metropolitan Opera and loved the romance and beauty of horse racing in Saratoga. They were lifelong leaders and members of the Unitarian Church of Montpelier. They enjoyed outings with their children and grandchildren. Ron wrote and illustrated poetry and short stories. He carved wood figures of his favorite characters. He carefully studied the works of Henry David Thoreau, Robert Frost, Joseph Conrad, Loren Eiseley, Wendell Berry, Brian Friel and David Budbill. Life took an unhappy turn when Sylvia died suddenly on March 9, 2009, at the age of 89. Despite the unflagging best efforts of his family, friends, colleagues and Cap, the Border Collie, Ron was haunted by Sylvia's absence. In 2017, Ron moved from his beloved hillside farm to The Gary Residence in Montpelier. The kind and compassionate staff, residents, therapy dogs and Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice nurses brought moments of joy and peace to Ron's last months. He died there peacefully in his sleep, secure and without pain, in the company of his family, friends and staff. He left a legacy of a life well-lived; our beautiful world is populated with two- and four-footed creatures who benefitted from his thoughtful love, educated mind and skillful medical care. In the words of Quaker Stephen Grellet, "I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." Ron is survived by his three children: Charles M. Ferry, of Montpelier, Sylvia (and Edward) F. Smith, of Cabot, and Elizabeth W. Ferry, of South Royalton; and grandchildren Katherine Lindsey Swope (and John), of Powell, Wyoming, and Nathaniel (and Elizabeth Bean) Smith, of Cabot, Vermont. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to either of these Montpelier nonprofit organizations: The Gary Residence (note Endowment Fund on the memo line) or The Bridge newspaper. A celebration of Ron Ferry's life was held Thursday, December 7, 2017, at The Unitarian Church of Montpelier.

Blanche Orrilla Lamore Blanche Orrilla Lamore, age 105, formerly of Cabot, passed away at the Derby Green Nursing home in Derby, VT, on Sunday, December 17, 2017. She was born in Cabot, VT, on May 26, 1912, to Elmer LaBree and Belle (Foster) LaBree. She attended school in Lower Cabot through sixth grade, and then graduated from Cabot School in 1930. On November 3, 1931, Blanche married Wilfred Willard Lamore. Upon graduation, she performed housework at Woodbury Lake and Joe’s Pond. During the Depression, employment opportunities in Cabot were scarce, so she used her resources and became a trapper, an occupation she would continue for two decades. For a brief period during World War II, she left Cabot to work at the armory in Springfield, MA, reaming gun barrels. Later, she worked cleaning houses and continued this occupation until she was 87. Blanche valued her independence and always preferred to keep busy; she never wanted to just sit around. In 1965, she won the election as a justice of the peace, (an office she held for 47 years), and was honored at the State of Vermont in 2012 for her service. She was chairman of the Cabot Fall Foliage Festival for more than 50 years, treasurer of the Cabot United Church for 43 years, and president of the Cabot PTA. She was also an active member of the following organizations: Cabot Historical Society, Cabot Alumni Association, Cabot Village Homemakers and an active fundraiser for many more organizations around town. In 1991, she was presented the Cabot School/Community Service award and was a WCAX Super Senior in 2012. She was quoted as saying, “You make yourself happy by helping out where you can.” When younger, she enjoyed hunting, trapping, ice fishing, snowmobiling, cribbage (and was a Central Vermont Cribbage champion), quilting, and knitting. She was a fan of the Cabot Huskies and could often be seen on the sidelines. Blanche is survived by her son Morris W. Lamore and his wife Rosemarie Lamore of Derby, two granddaughters Renee Berthiaume and her husband Robert Berthiaume of Newport, VT, Liza Lamore and her fiance Chad Cushman of Irasburg, VT, and two greatgrandchildren, Kaeleb and Ella Berthiaume. She is also survived by her close friends and neighbors, Francis and Ellen Voigt of Cabot, VT, William Voigt of Boise, Idaho, and Dudley Voigt, of St. Paul, Minnesota, along with nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Elmer and Belle LaBree; husband, Wilfred Lamore; brother, Walter LaBree; and sister, Marion Hopkins. There were no calling hours. Funeral services were Friday, December 22, at Cabot United Church. Graveside services will be for the family in the spring of 2018 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Cabot United Church ℅ Memorial Fund, PO Box 127, Cabot, VT 05647 Funeral arrangements and services are in the care of des Groseilliers Funeral Home Church St. Hardwick.

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ADVICE FROM THE TREE WARDEN

By Roland (Slim) Payne

It has finally gotten cold and some snow. Maybe this will wipe out some of the bugs we fight all year, if the cold holds for a while. I am glad the snow now covers the ground about a foot. I was not sure how my garlic would do with not much snow to blanket it, but if it stays like this, it will be ok. Christmas tree sales have been pretty good, but the cold and wind shut it down this week. Maybe this weekend will be good. The fir trees in the woods are still taking a beating from the wind. It twists them off about three or four feet from the ground. For the most part, they are not worth harvesting, as you would damage too many other trees. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and you have a happy New Year and all the way through 2018.

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Humor from the HELPER

Said one mechanic to another: “You know, I used to think I was addicted to brake fluid.” “But?” “But, now I realize I can stop any time I want.

What do you call a fish that’s not very smart? A dumb bass.

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Cabot Property Transfers

Special Circumstances Price Property Description

$100,100 3.41 acres & dwelling $110,000 2 acres & dwelling

$83,183 1.41 acres & easements government use $410,000 .62 acre & camp Joe's Pond

$0 2.2 acres & dwelling $0 2.2 acres & MH Seller Buyer

Bank of America, N.A. Tyler & Kimberly Mayo VT Agency of Transportation Jerome & Lauren Keating Address 2466 Main Street 6726 VT Route 215 North 2427 US Route 2 1539 West Shore Road 2501 US Route 2 grandparent/child 31-Jan Fredrick Pike & Michelle Goodrich divorce foreclosure 31-Jan Tausha & Michael Simmons Northcountry Federal Credit Union 133 Cathy Road 31-Jan University of Vermont Tony Tofany 4035 US Route 2 1243 Walbridge Road 0 5 acre lease lot & garage rights release lease land 7-Feb Kent Bouchard Revocable Trust Lee Blackwell Patricia Taggart & Steven $236,000 142.7 acres abutter 8-Feb Estate of Margaret Laflamme McGuinness Elizabeth Gaines, Lawrence, John, Dubray Road $35,000 10.5 acres estate 1-Mar Margaret Green Revocable Trust Jordan Green and 3 others

Stephen & Nancy Scribner Joint 620 Last Road $0 52.60 acres & camps trust $19,000 .96 acres and easements government use $111,000 5 acres & garage $0 .31 acre & camp $0 Dwelling $0 127 acres 18-Mar Trust 27-Mar Tony Tofani 28-Mar Barbara Callaway (Pollock) 30-Mar Judith Boucher

7-Apr Lee Blackwell Brian & Micheline Stone & Dana VT Agency of Transportation Booth Properties II LLC Barbara J. Callaway Trust Judith & Jennifer Boucher 1501 Last Road 4035 US Route 2 1499 West Shore Road 1706 Coits Pond Road trust parent/child trust Lee Blackwell Revocable Living Trust 1243 Walbridge Road 12-Apr Burkewitz 8-May Dennis & Evelyn Searles 1-Jun Douglas Blondin Benjy & Marcey Hodgdon Jody Searles Joshua & Rebekah BenCanaan 80 West Hill Pond Road 2243 South Walden Road 2506 Main Street 133 Cathy Road 1595 West Shore Road $50,000 34.5 acres

$0 40 acres & dwelling $175,000 4 acres & dwelling $60,300 2.2 acres & MH $179,000 1.1 acre & camp $13,000 2.5 acres $35,000 11.25 acres parent/child 8-Jun Northcountry Federal Credit Union Richard & Carlene Badeau 12-Jun Janice F. Morrill Trust 21-Jun Ann O'Shaughnessy 23-Jun Earnest & Marlene Sachs 26-Jun Bank of America Joanne Marcelle Dale, Joanne & David Manning Elm Street Lawrence & Kim Winslow Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Taylor Road 2466 Main Street 434 Houghton Road Danville Hill Road 2583 US Route 2 $0 3.41 acres & dwelling $0 2 acres & dwelling $500 construction easement $1,000 construction easement $51,000 5.51 acres $1,900,000 304.53 acres, 225 in Cabot $175,000 1.75 acres & dwelling $0 20 acres & dwelling foreclosure 28-Jun Betty Ritter & Laurie Roberts Betty Ritter 28-Jun Barbara & John Morse 28-Jun Roy & Jacklyn Folsom 29-Jun Roy & Jacklyn Folsom 30-Jun Mike & V.A.Birtwistle Fritz

5-Jul Gene Williams 8-Jul Jill McGann Town of Cabot VT Agency of Transportation government use Mark S. Ouweleen Revocable Trust 645 McCrillis Road J. Paul & Rhonda Coates Kita McGann Lantman Federal National Mortgage 332 Dubray Road 910 US Route 2 parent/child 13-Jul Idesz Carritica & Roberta Gallop Association

Federal National Mortgage 18-Jul Association 19-Jul Brian & Debbie LaCasse 20-Jul Theresa & Rolland Gerhart 25-Jul Betty & Dustin Gile 26-Jul Virginia Lehoe 14-Aug James Churchill 22-Aug Richard & Holly Newberry 31-Aug Nicole Keaty Thomas Considine Richard Lafayette, Jr. Ryan Bruleigh 3053 Main Street 820 Danville Hill Road 3851 VT Route 215 North $0 .25 acre & dwelling $152,250 $137,500 17.01 acres & MH in lieu of foreclosure 1807 Bricketts Crossing Road $175,000 4.12 acres & dwelling Stephen Klemchuk & Erica Fucello 158 Cross Road Marianne Robotham Cyrus Pond John Cisar John & Margaret Longo Duke Lawrence Winslow, Jr., Mark Vannoordt & 3 others Lawrence Winslow, Jr., & Mark 30-Aug Vannoordt 181 West Hill Pond Road 275 Urban Road 163 Taylor Road 1738 VT Route 215 South Off South Walden Road Cabot Plains Road 3286 Danville Hill Road 495 Lovely Road 5 Headwaters Lane $22,000 2.57 acres $293,000 105.6 acres & dwelling

$25,000 3.62 acres $286,500 22 acres & dwelling $136,000 .50 acre & dwelling $30,000 20 acres & MH $62,000 15.6 acres

$0 1.67 acres & dwelling $0 23.8 acres & dwelling $170,000 1.16 acres & dwelling abutter 1/2 undivided interest abutter child/parent wife/husband 31-Aug Edward Ferns Revocable Trust Gillian Impey

5-Sep Christopher & Jean Saari 15-Sep Christine Harris 22-Sep Stephen & Rachel Kellett Millington Family Trust & Lucy & 15-Sep Carl Billings Glenn & Ruth Goodrich Todd Krumperman Janelle Wilbur Ackermann Enterprises Cabot Plains Road 4216 Cabot Road Coits Pond Road 567 Coits Pond Road $162,500 69 acres 28-Sep Richard & Rebecca Anderson Charles & Samantha Buckley 13-Oct Becky Willenburg Estate 13-Oct Michael & Mark Cookson 13-Oct Micahel & Mark Cookson 20-Oct Lawrence & Carol Byrd 30-Oct Katharine Carle Revocable Trust 30-Oct Kenneth Mason 7-Nov 20-Nov Regina Quinn 30-Nov Robert Maier Estate

6-Dec William Wheeler Federal National Mortgage Michael & Mark Cookson Estate of Becky Willenburg Peter & Jessica Lloyd Lawrence, Carol & Daniel Byrd & Teresa Leboeuf Alexander Anlyan Irrevocable Family Kent & Cherese Mason Jason Monaco Josiah & Brooke Nunn 268 Sandy Beach Road 634 Tebbetts Road 1581 West Shore Drive 3314 Main Street 3690 VT Route 215 North $191,000 5 acres & dwelling $0 105.46 acres & dwellings estate $0 18.4 acres & camp $0 6.22 acres & dwelling estate $0 .26 acres & dwelling parent/child 0 2 acres & dwelling 175,000 .34 acre & dwelling trust parent/child 4,500 3 acres 72,100 6 acres & dwelling 170,000 7.7 acres & dwelling

0 5.99 acres & dwelling estate parent/child William Wheeler & Cheryl Baranow 393 Coits Pond Road 15-Dec Association 19-Dec Jan & Janet Westervelt Jan & Janet Westervelt 3053 Main Street 4 Whittier Hill Road 46,000 .25 acre & dwelling 1 acre & dwelling foreclosure trust

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 5 onward.

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FREE FOOD SHARE AND FOOD DROP DATES ~ FOR THE NEEDY ~

CABOT FOOD SHARE Wednesday, JANUARY 10 Noon-2:00 p.m. Wednesday, JANUARY 24 Noon-2:00 p.m. Cabot Masonic Hall 3339 Main Street FAITH IN ACTION NORTHERN COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP INC.

Available for Cabot Residents

MARSHFIELD FOOD DROP Second Saturday of every month.

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WINTER FISHING CLINICS

Check out these fishing clinics that are open to people of all ages and levels of experience, including those who are completely new to fishing.

Introduction to Walleye Fishing on

This hands-on clinic will focus on targeting walleye through the ice. Instructors will review specific equipment and techniques used to effectively catch walleye during the winter months while reviewing the basics of ice fishing. All participants will have an opportunity to practice the new techniques they have learned near the end of the clinic. Please dress appropriately for the conditions. Registration is required and can be completed by emailing [email protected] or calling 802-265-2279.

Date: Tuesday, January 16 Time: 10:00 am Location: Lake Carmi, Franklin, VT Lake Carmi Basic Ice Fishing Clinic on Shelburne Pond Interested in learning how to ice fish? This hands-on clinic will cover everything you need to know to go ice fishing. Topics will include: ice safety, hole drilling, equipment and techniques, regulations, and much more. Near the end of the program participants will have a chance to practice the skills they have learned. Please dress appropriately for the conditions. Registration is required and can be completed by emailing [email protected] or calling 802-265-2279.

Date: Thursday, February 1 Time: 10:00 am Location: Shelburne Pond, Shelburne, VT

Introduction to Walleye Fishing on Chittenden Reservoir This hands-on clinic will focus on targeting walleye through the ice. Instructors will review specific equipment and techniques used to effectively catch walleye during the winter months while reviewing the basics of ice fishing. All participants will have an opportunity to practice the new techniques they have learned near the end of the clinic. Please dress appropriately for the conditions. Registration is required and can be completed by emailing [email protected] or calling 802-265-2279.

Date: Saturday, February 3 Time: 10:00 am Location: Chittenden Reservoir, Chittenden, VT Basic Ice Fishing Clinic on Lake Bomoseen Interested in learning how to ice fish? This hands-on clinic will cover everything you need to know to go ice fishing. Topics will include: ice safety, hole drilling, equipment and techniques, regulations, and much more. Near the end of the program participants will have a chance to practice the skills they have learned. Please dress appropriately for the conditions. Registration is required and can be completed by emailing [email protected] or calling 802-265-2279.

Date: Thursday, February 8 Time: 2:00 pm Location: Lake Bomoseen, Castleton, VT Introduction to Smelting on Waterbury Reservoir This hands-on clinic will focus on targeting smelt through the ice. Instructors will review specific equipment and techniques used to effectively catch smelt during the winter months. All participants will have an opportunity to practice the new techniques they have learned near the end of the clinic. Please dress appropriately for the conditions and bring a head-lamp. Registration is required and can be completed by emailing [email protected] or calling 802-265-2279.

Date: Thursday, February 15 Time: 4:00 pm Location: Waterbury Reservoir, Waterbury, VT

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Cabot Recreation Committee Trails Planning Meeting Monday, January 8, 2017 5:30 p.m. at the Willey Building Auditorium

So many people have shown interest and attended previous meetings that we outgrew the school dining hall, so we changed the meeting place to the Willey Building. Please come help us plan next steps in making trails available for nonmotorized activities in Cabot.

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School Board Update

During November and December, our board has been finishing up the work involved in building our “Alternative Governance Structure” proposal for the Cabot School District. Under the terms of Vermont’s school merger law (Act 46), any school district with less than 900 students that has chosen not to merge must submit an “AGS” proposal to the Vermont State Board of Education and the Vermont Agency of Education by December 26. Within the AGS proposal, the submitting school district must make the case to these State authorities that it can meet the goals of Act 46 without merging. The goals of Act 46 include improving the quality of educational opportunities available to students, as well as improving the efficiency and sustainability of the school district. At our December 4 school board meeting, approximately two dozen community members came out to review and give feedback on a draft of Cabot’s AGS proposal, and since that time, the document has been posted on the Cabot School website. In addition to laying out its required evidence to the State, we believe that our AGS proposal does a thorough and detailed job of describing the value of Cabot School to both our students and to our community. After the proposal is finished and submitted later this month, the Agency of Education and the State Board of Education will have until November of 2018 to decide (based on our proposal) whether Cabot can remain an un-merged, independent school district.

Our board would like to again extend our appreciation to the volunteer members of the “Act 46 Working Group” for tracking down and organizing a great deal of specific information that’s been incorporated into the proposal, and also to Rory Thibault for taking on the enormous challenge of writing and assembling this 95-page document. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to review the proposal, we’d encourage you to visit the Cabot School website to do so. (There are also a limited number of paper copies at the Cabot School office and at the Cabot Town Clerk’s office). Also this month, we are working on developing a budget proposal for Cabot School for the 2018-19 school year. We will be asking for community input on a rough draft of that budget proposal in early January, and we will get the word out on the date and time of that meeting several days in advance. We hold our regular Cabot School Board meetings at 6:00 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month. We’re fortunate to now have a third student member (Cal Burke), adding regularly to our board discussions, joining Taylor Abbott and Cameron Mueller-Harder in sharing their updates and perspectives with us. Please join us at one of our regular meetings if you have specific or general interests about the school (we reserve the first 10-15 minutes of each meeting for public comment) or contact a school board member directly. Chris Tormey

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How the Climate Crisis is Affecting Cabot Part I: Our Agriculture and Forestry

By Sjon Welters Vermont's climate is changing, slow and steady - basically, it's getting wetter and warmer. It is changing things around us. Some changes are obvious, some more subtle. Common sense dictates we anticipate, mitigate, and adapt to change. After all, forewarned is forearmed. In this three-part series we discuss some of the impacts and opportunities with Cabot in mind. We all know that maple syrup is a very important part of the Vermont economy, contributing over $300 million worth of business per year as an industry, this includes $50 million in syrup sales. This wholesome natural sweetener creates thousands of jobs, and impacts many of us directly or indirectly. Producers, packers and processors, equipment manufacturers, equipment dealers and installers, and retailers of all types and sizes, are all touched during maple sap's journey from tree to kitchen table. We rely on it to be there now and in the future. Slow changes are afoot that will drive us to alter our expectations and force us to consider reducing our reliance on all this income. Maple sugaring tapping start dates over the past 40 years have moved 8 days earlier and end 11 days earlier. A simple fact that can have enormous consequences on our way of life in Vermont, and Cabot, if this trend continues as it is projected to do. We have a strong maple syrup economy in Cabot. A decrease or its disappearance will definitely be felt. Cabot's Maple Fest could become Cabot's Acorn Fest, can you imagine? Our Vermont maple industry is not the only sector of our economy that has experienced change over the past decades. Field corn, wheat, and oats are typical Vermont cold-weather crops and yields go down as summer temperatures rise. At the opposite end, Vermont's warm-weather crops such as tomatoes and snap peas do not like it when the temperature rises about 90F at a certain critical stage of their development, causing reduced yield. Fruit crops such as apples, blueberries and cranberries need 1000 hours below 45F to produce profitable yields by harvest time. As yields drop income drops. Bringing in different fruit varieties and slowly changing over to other fruit species, and diversification in general, could be an answer. Cows reduce their milk production during heat stress, because they don't like to eat as much. Their optimum milk production temperatures hoover between 40F and 75F. As overall temperatures rise Vermont dairy farmers could suffer as much as a 5-20% reduction in yield, which would be catastrophic to the small farms operating on thin margins and hurt the $700 million dairy industry. Not to speak of its impact on Vermont's economy - 70% of the state's farm revenue comes from dairy. Cabot's dairy farms are dominant in our town's working landscape. What will this landscape look like 50 years from now? The forestry sector will have to come to terms with the fact that tree species like hickory, red maple, and oak like the warmer weather and will spread their range, while cold-tolerant species such as fir and spruce will lose ground. Sugar maple and red spruce don't like the wetter winters we've been experiencing, neither do they handle the dry spells of summer well. Pests and pathogens can also wreak havoc on tree species not used to early spring. The good news is that Nature adapts and we'll see a new type of forest evolve. We are fortunate to have people in leadership positions in Vermont who are taking a proactive role in dealing with climate change. Of the 50 states, 15 have completed an adaptation plan. Vermont is one of them. Read more: Climate Change Adaptation White Paper Series, http://climatechange.vermont.g ov, http://vtclimate.org, http ://www.climatecentral.org. Next installment: How Climate Change is Affecting Cabot Part II: Our Natural Environment

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2018 Girl Scout Cookies are Almost Here

By Cecilia Gulka The 2018 Girl Scout cookie sale begins January 1 and runs through January 28. This year, the following flavors will be available: Thin Mints, Trefoils (shortbread), Tagalongs (peanut butter patties), Do-si-dos (peanut butter sandwich), Samoas (carmel/chocolate/coconut), Savannah Smiles (lemon), Girl Scout S’mores and Toffee Tastic (gluten free). All Girl Scout cookies are made without high fructose corn syrup, trans fats or partially hydrogenated oils. All flavors are $5.00 a box. Contact a local girl scout to place your order. Cookies will be delivered the last week in February. We will also be selling additional cookies at Town Meeting, March 6. The GS cookie sale funds our local troop meetings, activities and trips, as well as council wide events and activities. Please buy a box or two to support the girls. Also consider buying a box to donate to the local food shelf. For more information, contact [email protected], beckyw i g @ gmail . c o m , o r [email protected].

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Tommy and Casper

Hello. Our names are Tommy (orange and white) and Casper (all white). We are ten years old and our human parents had to surrender us after having us for six years. We are back at the Shelter and enjoying it there. Everyone is so friendly and nice. We are big old teddy bears, with lots of love and cuddles to give. And we love each other, so we very much want to be in a new home together. Won't you consider giving us a nice, quiet, loving home in time for the Holidays? We will nuzzle each other, but we will also nuzzle you. Please come and All submissions would become property of the Cabot

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School Days on Cabot Plain

By Jane Brown The new school house built in 1929 on Cabot Plains was located on the far western end of the big field in back of our house, on land donated to the town by my grandfather, Aaron Bolton, Sr. It replaced a much smaller, very old building a few rods down the road. Both school buildings had one classroom, one teacher and eight grades, but the new building had a full basement that housed a smoke-belching wood furnace and a makeshift kitchen with a wood-fired cook stove, running water and toilets for both girls and boys, that was a huge improvement over the water bucket and outdoor privy at the old school. The new building also had a stage, an entry hall with storage, and five massive windows on the east side of the schoolroom. The windows were wonderful for light and air on warm days, but when the wind blew in the winter, they were so loose they rattled, and snow sifted down on us. We stuffed paper in the cracks, moved our desks away from the windows, and kept our jackets and mittens on. On really cold, blustery days, the furnace blew more smoke into the big room than warm air. Fred and Julia Maynard lived just down the road and took care of the building. It was up to them to get the furnace going each morning. They did their best, but some mornings, the place was blue with smoke when we arrived for school, and we had to open windows and doors. Still, the new building was considered state-of-the-art, and sported a state issued “Superior School” sign over the door. I started school there in 1936. My first grade teacher was Regis Woodcock. I knew every kid in school—the Barnett, Gamble, Maynard, Harrington and Desmarais kids—all fairly close neighbors. Others, like Irving Shatney from over by the cemetery where Dubray Road is now, and Esther Foster, who lived almost two miles away on a road that connected what is now Bolton Road to Danville Hill Road, had long, cold walks to school. Most of the families in those days were large, so brothers and sisters all went to school together. When recess came, we raced to be the first to grab one of the two big swings.

Cabot Plains 1938 Cabot Plains VT We learned about taking turns and sharing, and settled disputes without much fuss. We played games, had relay races, or played softball, but a favorite recess pastime for some of us was walking the white two-by-six inch rail fence that defined the schoolyard. It followed along a small brook on the east side of the playground, and sloped downhill. We had to be extra careful there or risk getting wet. Occasionally someone fell off, but nobody got seriously hurt. I suppose an activity like that would horrify teachers today Our families came to watch us perform on special holidays or at the end of a term. We learned songs, recited poems, and put on plays or minstrel shows. Cloakrooms on either side of the stage served as dressing rooms during performances. Mr. York was our itinerant music teacher for several years, making the rounds to Cabot, Marshfield and Plainfield schools. The school was a community center where the women put on box suppers to earn money to help support the school. Parents, friends and relatives turned out faithfully for whatever was going on. When World War II came, students and families pitched in to support the war effort. We collected scrap metal, bought savings stamps, and picked milkweed pods—the silky fibers were used to stuff life preservers. Some of the boys who had been eighth graders when I started first grade went into the service. Sgt. Ernest Maynard, USAF, Fred and Julia’s oldest son, was killed in the spring of 1944—the first Cabot soldier killed in the war. His brother, Martin, was a marine. The Cabot Plain community was tight knit, and the news of Ernest’s death hit hard. World War II took away most of the young men who might have stayed to farm and raise families. Over time, priorities changed and one-room rural schools became obsolete. The Plains School closed in 1948, the nine or ten youngsters bused to the village. The building sold to a former Cabot minister, Bedros Baharian, who painted it red. Recent owners have kept it red, but I will always remember it as white, with a challenging rail fence, big swings, and a wide range of close friends.

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TWIN VALLEY SENIOR CENTER

4583 U.S. Route 2 P.O. Box 152 East Montpelier, VT 05651 Tax Time:

Twin Valley Seniors is working with AARP to set up schedules for the upcoming tax season. By the end of January, we will be ready to start scheduling appointments. This is a free service for all low income and senior residents. So call 223- 3322 to schedule or email [email protected]. Scheduled days will be Fridays with some Mondays from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Art Class January 12:

“Unusual landscapes from Around the World,” starting on January 12 through February 16, 2018, with instructor Jan Danziger. All levels welcome to join the class Fridays 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This makes a nice way to spend the winter time cabin fever and socialize. For more information or to register, contact Susan Crampton @ 223-6954.

Blood Drive January 16:

At Twin Valley Senior Center, US Route 2 in East Montpelier, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Giving blood is a simple thing to do, but it can make a big difference in the lives of others. So, please, stop by the center and donate. Get a $5.00 Dunkin Donuts card when you do. Schedule your appointment today by calling 802.223.3322 or email [email protected], or call the Red Cross @ 1.800.733.2767.

Fundraising Dinner January 20

Come join us for our Fundraising Dinner. Fill you plate with just one dish or try multiple scoops of the many dishes offered. There will be many choices of main courses and sides, along with homemade pies for dessert, along with coffee and tea. If you have a large group coming, please let us know by calling Twin Valley Senior Center at 802-223-3322 or email [email protected]. Date: Saturday, January 20, 2018 Time: 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Price: $10 per person

Country Chorus January 21:

Instructor John Harrison is seeking new members to join the Chorus. Classes will be on Sundays starting January 21, 2018, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Twin Valley Senior Center, US Route 2 in East Montpelier. Ten weeks of fun, learning and singing. All levels of experience welcome. For more information or to register contact Susan Crampton @ 223-6954.

Foot Clinics:

Message from Central VT Home Heath Hospice; effective January 1, 2018, the cost to attend a public foot clinic at Twin Valley Senior Center will be $20 (increased from $15). This increase will help CVHHH cover staffing and travel costs associated with the clinics, and provide over 2,200 foot care appointments every year at 17 locations in central Vermont. For more information, call Twin Valley Senior Center at 802-223-3322 or e-mail twinvalleyseniors@myfair point.net.

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FROM THE CABOT PUBLIC LIBRARY

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had safe and happy holidays! Is reading more books one of your New Year’s resolutions? We can help! Did you know that Listen Up Vermont offers thousands of free audio and e-books for downloading? All you need is your patron number – call, email or come in to find out more. We have lots of new books at the library for all ages – come in and see! We have new board and picture books for the youngsters. Some of the exciting new titles for youth:

The Book of Dust – Philip Pullman The Caldera – John Flanagan The Portal and the Veil – Ted Sanders The Ship of the Dead – Rick Riordan Turtles All the Way Down – John Green For Adults: A Column of Fire – Ken Follett End Game – David Baldacci The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye - David Lagercrantz Grant – Ron Chernow Hank and Jim: The Fifty Year Friendship of Henry Fonda and James Stewart – Scott Eyman A Legacy of Spies – John Le Carre Little Fires Everywhere – Celeste Ng Manhattan Beach – Jennifer Egan Origin – Dan Brown A Year in the Wilderness: Bearing Witness in the Boundary Waters – Amy Freeman

Please read the article in this edition of the Chronicle regarding the proposed play structure outside the Willey Building – it provides lots of information to help you make the decision at Town Meeting Day. Please also feel free to stop in the library and ask questions.

Story Hour – Tuesdays – 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Preschool story hour – stories, songs and crafts – all are welcome!

NEW – Pokemon Club – Tuesdays – 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Bring your own cards if you have them – cards will be provided if you don’t have any. Pokemon Club is student led and will follow the Cabot School schedule. All are welcome!

Meditation Group – First and Third Wednesdays, January 3 and 17 – 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. 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, January 13 – 7:30 p.m. This dance series consists of monthly dances on the second Saturday of the month September through May. All are invited. Music will be provided by David Carpenter and 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].

Community Book Group – Wednesday, January 17th – 10:30 – 11:30am Cabot Community Book group generally meets the third Wednesday of the month. This month’s selection will be announced early January. All are welcome to join in! Copies of books will be available in the library.

Thank you!

Thanks so much to the many folks who pitched in to make the Holiday Baking/Craft Workshop a success: Stef Burtt, Susan Dineen, Linda Gabrielson, Michelle LeClerc, Jeannie and Lucia McCallum, Billie O’Connor, and Beth Wade. Thanks to Billie O’Connor for many hours putting together a more workable website for the library. Special thanks to Lorelai Bastress for helping with the annual library statistics. Thanks so much to all the folks who come in regularly to help out - Lorelai Bastress, Mary Lou DeLacy, Susan Dineen, Mekiah Smith and Beth Wade.

See you at the Library!

Kathleen Hoyne

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Funds Available for Community Organizations

The Cabot Community Fund (CCF) allows the CCA to support community-based projects and events that further the mission of the CCA. The CCF is funded by the generous support of the Cabot Creamery and other donors. Funds are awarded to non-governmental organizations. Examples

community performances, Cabot Night at Mountaineers games and Little League uniforms. Guidelines and application form is available at ………………..

http://www.cabotvermont.org/cabot-community community-fund fund-ccf/

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

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Cabot Holiday Market & Weihnactsmarkt

December 16 Cabot Holiday Market and Weihnactsmarkt were a huge success, with residents enjoying music, crafts and revelry. Parking lots were full, the air rang with music and good cheer, and last-minute shopping opportunities were everywhere.

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Bird Feeding Basics From Vermont Fish & Wildlife

With winter weather now taking hold, Vermonters are readying their bird feeders. But before residents put up their avian offerings, Vermont Fish & Wildlife recommends a review of the bird feeding basics. “Birds of all species have very interesting behaviors, shapes, and plumage, and observing them up close is a great source of enjoyment throughout the winter months,” said John Buck, Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s migratory bird biologist. Buck recommends that people only feed birds during the winter months to avoid attracting bears. Bears are very fond of suet and bird seed, especially black oil sunflower seed. Bringing feeders in at night doesn’t work, because bears will still feed on seed that is spilled on the ground, and bears can also be active during the daylight hours. Bears that are lured by birdfeeders can become unafraid of people, which can result in the bear needing to be put down. While the Department suggests a general feeding window of December 1- March 31, bears will continue to be present when the ground is snowless and abundant fall foods are available. Buck recommends waiting to put feeders out until 4-6 inches of snow cover occurs to be reasonably assured bears have denned for the winter. According to Buck, birds don’t generally need food from backyard feeders to survive, but the activity is a great way for people to interact with nature, and if done properly, won’t harm bird populations. Many local hardware stores sell  Many ice drownings involve children.

When your child is near ice, you should be near your child.  Avoid alcoholic beverages when you're

on the ice. They can make you feel colder and slow down your reaction time in case of an ice emergency.  Carry two large nails to use as ice

picks to pull yourself out if you fall through thin ice.  Never drive on the ice at night.  Avoid pressure ridges and areas with

current if you do choose to drive on the ice.  Drive with your windows down and

doors partially open to avoid becoming trapped if your car breaks through.

Ice Safety

When is ice safe? There really is no sure answer. You can’t judge the strength of ice just by its appearance, age, thickness, temperature, or whether or not the ice is covered with snow. Strength is based on all these factors -plus the depth of water under the ice, size of the water body, water chemistry and currents, the distribution of the load on the ice, and local climatic conditions. There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice!

Some cold facts about ice!!!!!

 New ice is usually stronger than old

ice. Four inches of clear, newly formed ice may support one person on foot, bird feeders and a variety of seed mixes that will appeal to different types of birds. For an all-purpose food, black oil sunflower seeds will attract many native bird species. Buck also urges people to clean birdfeeders at least once a month to prevent a buildup of harmful pathogens. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can be spread through dirty feeders and make birds ill; particularly vulnerable species are common redpolls, pine siskins, sparrows, finches, and cardinals. Buck recommends using a solution of one-part bleach to nine parts hot water to kill bacteria. Hot water with unscented dish detergent also does an excellent job. Bottle brushes work well in tube feeders. He recommends thorough rinsing and drying before refilling feeders, and cleaning up seeds and droppings below the feeder. Buck also recommends checking feed after rain or wet snow to look for clumping or rotting seeds. And feeders are best placed away from larger windows that birds can sometimes crash into. With some forethought and precautions, bird feeding can be a really rewarding activity on a dark winter’s day. Vermonters who feed birds will have plenty of company. Nearly half of households in Vermont feed birds each winter, contributing an estimated $65 million to Vermont’s economy. People can help birds and other wildlife by making a taxdeductible donation to the Nongame Wildlife Fund on line 29 of the state tax returns or by purchasing an annual Vermont Habitat Stamp, available at www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 12 onward.

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Skating Time At The Cabot Rink

The rink is either ready for skaters, or about to be. The frame was built in early December, and flooding generally happens around New Year’s. In order to freeze a three to six-inch slab of nice smooth ice, we need multiple days of cold, calm, snowless weather. Snow, warm temperatures, and wind can ruin the initial ice foundation. So, if the rink isn’t up yet, please be patient while we wait for the right conditions. We are fortunate to have one of the best & biggest outdoor rinks in the area. The skating season is short, January to mid-March, so don’t delay, skate today! No skates? No problem! We keep loaner skates at the rink in sizes from preschool-men’s 10. If you borrow skates, please keep the bin lids closed, and wipe the snow off the skates before returning them. This helps keep equipment dry and comfortable for the next user.

We welcome all skaters, and ask everyone to be considerate of other users. If you want to play hockey, set aside half the rink for non-game skaters. If you are advanced, please skate at a controlled speed and give new skaters plenty of room. The rink, including equipment, is managed and maintained by a 100% volunteer crew. Our greatest need for help is with daily maintenance. Every day, the rink needs to be shoveled, and equipment areas checked for tidiness. If you can help with shoveling, snowblowing, or general monitoring, let me know! We would love to add your name to the rink crew roster. If you would like to volunteer, or have rink/equipment/skating questions, contact Susie Socks, [email protected], 563-2073.

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How Do I Become A Candidate For Local Office?

Candidates for local office must submit a petition containing thirty (30) signatures or one percent of registered voters, whichever is less. 17 V.S.A. §2681(b). The Cabot Town Clerk recommends sixty (60) signatures, to ensure you have enough even if some signers are not registered voters. The petition shall contain the name of the candidate as it appears on the checklist, the name of the office, and the term of the office sought. Along with their petition, candidates must file a consent of candidate form with the municipal clerk. Petitions must be turned in to the municipal clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on the sixth Monday preceding the election (January 29 for March Town Meeting Day). Positions due for election in Cabot at Town Meeting 2018 are:

Moderator Selectman Lister Auditor Delinquent Tax Collector Grand Juror Law Agent Cemetery Commissioner Two School Directors Library Trustee UDAG (Cabot Investment Fund) Committee

Three Willey Building Committee Members For information about incumbents in these positions, as well as a full list of elected offices, consult the Cabot town website, www.Cabotvt.us/officials.php. Additional information about town offices can be found by Googling websites of the Vermont Secretary of State and Vermont League of Cities and Towns. In addition to elections from the floor and by Australian ballot, many town government positions are filled by the selectboard. If you have an interest, Selectboard members would like to know. To indicate your interest or for more information, contact the Cabot Town Clerk, Betty Ritter, at 802-563-2279, or email [email protected]. Or stop in at the office located in the Willey Building at 3084 Main Street, Cabot. Office Hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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