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The Cabot Chronicle

February/March 2019 · Issue Record

← From the Cabot Chronicle

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

Original issue: Download the February/March 2019 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

Fire Department/Ambulance Working Group

by The Fire Station Committee

The Fire/Ambulance Working Group has been meeting monthly since April 2018 to plan for a new facility to house the Cabot Fire Department and Ambulance Service. Various news articles on a proposed new facility have been published in Front Porch Forum, the Cabot Chronicle and the Hardwick Gazette detailing issues with the current location and plans for a new facility. The Selectboard, at its regular meeting on March 19, 2018, established a Fire Department/Ambulance Working Group to plan for a new facility to house these critically important life safety services. The Working Group is comprised of two Selectboard members, three members from the Fire Department, one member representing the Ambulance Service, the Zoning Administrator, and two representatives from the Town. Meetings are open to the public and warned under the Open Meeting Law. The following were excerpted from a Front Porch Forum article detailing the critical need for a new Fire/Ambulance facility:  The existing facility has multiple serious deficiencies, to include lack of space to back trucks in safely, limited space to gain access to the equipment, and lack of space to service the equipment. This can result in damage to expensive and critically needed equipment. This also results in a “confined space” issue which is dangerous, illegal and which must be corrected.  The facility lacks a “decontamination” area required to prevent the spread of contaminants and blood-borne viruses (hepatitis A, B, and C, and HIV, etc.). Additionally, the facility lacks adequate training and meeting space and is not ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. The washroom does not contain a required shower nor is it code compliant. There is also an absence of adequate storage space for record keeping as stipulated un- der HIPPA codes. The overhead bay doors need to be wider and higher, as new fire equipment vehicles will not fit in the existing bay doors.  Hose storage cleaning and drying areas do not meet current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. The existing facility is not NFPA compliant nor does the facility contain a sprinkler system necessary to protect critical Town assets.  The facility is not energy efficient and there is no room for further expansion due to its proximity to the river bank in the rear and the highway in front. The original facility, constructed in 1966, has been modified and expanded over the decades, but further modification will not be allowed due to zoning and other regulations.  Facility location is critically important, requiring that it be placed as close to the center of Town as possible, minimizing response times to all locations throughout Cabot as well as response times by the responders as they report for duty.

Fire and Ambulance Service personnel have been identifying the need for a new facility for at least fifteen years. The

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Cabot Ambulance Service

On January 15, 2019, the Selectboard established an Ambulance Service Working Group after being notified that the Cabot Ambulance Service will cease to exist as an ambulance service on June 30, 2019. The members of the Cabot Ambulance Service plan to continue after June 30 as a FAST SQUAD, which means they will continue to respond to emergency calls in Cabot as the need arises. However---and this is the critical difference---the FAST SQUAD is not authorized to transport individuals. In a nut-shell, the Cabot FAST SQUAD will provide a rapid response to emergency calls and help prepare the patient for transport to a medical facility, but not be allowed to transport the patient to a medical facility. That must be done by a fully certified ambulance service organization. The Ambulance Service Working Group held its first meeting on Tuesday, January 22,, at 7:00 p.m. in the Willey Building. All meetings are open to the public, and future meetings will be announced. One of the first orders of business is to assess the situation and immediately explore options, such as possibly contracting out this service with either the East Montpelier Ambulance Service, the Barre Town Ambulance Service or the Calex Ambulance Service. Everything will be on the table, and we commit to keeping our community fully informed as work progresses on this critically important work. Lastly, we would be remiss if we did not recognize and thank all members of the Cabot Ambulance Service, both past and present, for their extraordinary commitment and service to our wonderful community. We can never thank them enough for all they have contributed, the hours they have put in, and the sacrifices they have made in service to Cabot residents. A mere thank you cannot begin

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 1 onward.

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Notice to Voters of Cabot

Your Elected Town Auditors would like to remind you of changes that will impact the content and distribution of the 2018 Annual Town Report. These changes were voted on by the Voters of Cabot at Town Meeting in 2017 and 2018. As you will recall, the Voters of Cabot voted to move from a calendar year budget period to a fiscal year budget period. As a result, a six month transitional budget was approved for the period of January 1, 2018 – June 30, 2018 (FY ’18). The impact of this transition on the 2018 Annual Report means the financial and narrative reports included in the FY 2018 Annual report will be for the period of January 1, 2018 - June 30, 2018. The 2019 Annual Report generated for the 2020 Town Meeting will be reporting on FY’19, July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019. The benefit of moving to the fiscal year is the voters are approving budgets yet to begin, whereas in the past, the voters were voting on budgets that were already in effect for two months without official voter approval. This means the numbers will be more accurate and we will not be spending money not yet officially allocated. Second, as part of the transition to the fiscal year, property owners in Cabot paid a transitional municipal property tax in March 2018 to cover the period of January 1, 2018 – June 30, 2018. Property owners paid municipal and school taxes in two payments in August and November 2018 for the FY ’19 budget period of July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019. This does mean property owners did pay a slightly higher total municipal tax in 2018. Education taxes were not impacted by the transition to a fiscal budget. A third change was made at the 2018 Town Meeting; voters decided to change the way the annual Town Report is to be distributed. Instead of mailing the report to all voter households, your elected auditors will mail postcards to all voters, noting the availability of reports at: the Town Clerk’s Office, the Town Library and the Cabot School, and on the town website, www.cabotvt.us. Please be advised that the School Report will be mailed separately, due to their statutory requirement to distribute the school report by mail unless voted otherwise. The article voted on for change in distribution of the Town of Cabot Annual report was not inclusive of the school report. Finally, we are seeking individuals interested in filling the role of Elected Town Auditor. We have two confirmed openings and a third possible opening. Elected Town Auditors have staggered terms of one, two and three years. Known vacancies are for one and three year terms. If you are interested, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office for more information. Respectfully, Elected Town Auditors: Bruce Westcott, Cecilia Gulka, Lynn Jones

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CABOT ♦ DANVILLE ♦ PEACHHAM

by Representative Catherine “Kitty” Toll to four years; adding language to ensure equal treatment of citizens; and eliminating references to “slavery.” The process of amending a state constitution varies by state, and Vermont has a lengthy and complex process. The window for considering an amendment begins in four-year intervals. The 2019- 2020 biennium is the start of one of these consideration periods. The process starts with the State Senate. A senator may introduce a proposed amendment to the Constitution. A proposal must be adopted by both chambers during the biennial legislative session in which it is introduced, and then again in the next biennial session - a process that spans 2019-2020 and 2021-2022. Were members of the Senate to adopt a proposed amendment in 2019 or 2020, members of the House would also need to act in the affirmative for it to proceed for future consideration. Both chambers would need to act to adopt the same proposal in the subsequent 2021-2022 biennium. The vote threshold to adopt a proposed constitutional amendment is different in each of the biennial sessions.

2019-2020: At least 20 Senators must approve the proposal; At least 76 Representatives must concur with the Senate proposal – no amendments can be considered. 2021-2022: At least 16 Senators must approve the proposal; At least a majority of the House members present and constituting a quorum must approve the proposal. Election Day 2022: The proposal is then submitted to the voters of the State and the voters must approve the measure by majority vote on Election Day.

The 2019 Legislative session is well underway, and as always, it is an honor and a pleasure to serve the towns of Cabot, Danville and Peacham as your Representative in Montpelier. On the opening day, Representative Mitzi Johnson was re-elected to the post of Speaker of the House and promptly announced committee assignments for the 150member body. This biennium, I will again serve as the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. We began our work making adjustments to the current fiscal year budget that runs from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019. Vermont has a strong history of passing balanced budgets and making the needed midyear adjustments to keep the budget in balance. Please see my Town Meeting Day Report for an update on bills that have been passed or are being considered. This report will be available at your Town Meeting location or online at www.kittytoll.com. For additional information on any bill or action taken by the House or Senate or standing committee, please visit: www.leg.state.vt.us. These are live pages and are updated regularly. Please contact me directly with your questions and concerns.

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

Proposals to Amend the Vermont State Constitution:

Three proposals have been brought before the legislature that would require a change to the Vermont Constitution: increasing the Governor’s term from two

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

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Meet the Candidates Before You Vote

There are two Selectboard positions and one School Board

position open for election on Town Meeting Day Come talk to the candidates, ask them questions, find out why they are running.

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Cabot Board of Listers - New Lister Needed

Lister Vacancy:

The Cabot Board of Listers has two positions open for election at Town Meeting: Jeanne Johnson’s current term is complete in 2019, and Shirley Ducharme has resigned her appointment, and the position is vacant. Jacqueline Lumbra’s term continues to 2020.

This summer will be especially hectic with townwide reappraisal, in addition to regular responsibilities, making it critical these paid part-time positions are filled. Individuals with interest in mathematics, construction, computer-aided design or just working with community members to share information they need to know, and don’t mind juggling a variety of responsibilities, are encouraged to talk to a Lister and run for one of the open positions. Training opportunities abound for skills needed. Two current members of the Board of Listers (Jeanne Johnson and Jacqueline Lumbra) have achieved qualification for Level 1 of Vermont Property Assessor Certification, and both are one course away from Level 2.

Lister Responsibilities

 Recording homestead declarations weekly (March-December) Processing Current Use Program value changes generated by property owner actions (150 Current Use parcels in Cabot, comprising about 60% of Cabot land) (March-December) Recording property transfers (60-70) (April through March) Updating property records through    Town can no longer continue to ignore NFPA, ADA, HIPPA, VOSHA, zoning and other legal requirements. And, most importantly, we owe it to our volunteers to provide them safe, adequate, and functional work areas. Only by creating a new Fire/Ambulance facility can this be accomplished. This requires the support of all Cabot residents to make this happen. The Fire/Ambulance Working Group meets on the last Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Willey Building. Questions or suggestions on this project should initially be addressed to Skip Bothfeld, Fire Chief, at [email protected] or Michael Hogan, Chair of the Fire Department/Ambulance Working Group at hogan547@ya hoo.com.

Michael Hogan for Cabot Fire/Ambulance Working Group to do it, as we will forever be in debt to everyone who has volunteered their time and talents to Cabot Ambulance since its inception. We do thank you most sincerely. And, we also thank you for continuing to volunteer your time and talents on the future Cabot FAST Squad.

Michael Hogan for Cabot Selectboard onsite inspections and phone calls (January-June) Working with homeowners to ensure accuracy of records (all year) Investing time in continuing education offered throughout the year Meeting legislated deadlines for many tasks

In 2019 and 2020, additional responsibilities include contacting property owners to arrange inspections by the reappraisal company contracted to assess Cabot properties, and accompany members of that firm on inspections so Cabot Listers understand the valuation process used and continue that work after the reappraisal is completed. That understanding will maximize the value of an expensive reappraisal process by maintaining the accuracy and consistency of the Grand List through the coming years. The last Cabot reappraisal was 2005/2006; it is unlikely we will have thirteen years between reappraisals in the future (the State recommends five), but the longer between reappraisals, the better value we receive from the investment. A knowledgeable Lister Board can maintain a fair and equitable Grand List longer, which benefits all taxpayers, as well as Town government.

Cabot Board of Listers Jeanne Johnson, Chair Jacqueline Lumbra Shirley Ducharme Phone: 802-563-3139 Email: [email protected]   

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Planning Notes

The Planning Commission has been working on revisions to the village district zoning. You will see three articles on the Town Meeting Day ballot for the proposed changes. Copies of the revisions are on the Town website: http://cabotvt.us/ with maps and comparison charts of the proposed changes. Copies are also available at the Town Clerk’s office. Article 16 modifies the existing Medium Density Village District and the Undeveloped Village District, replacing them with the new proposed draft language for the Village district and Lower Village district. This allows areas in the village with Town water and sewer to develop on smaller lots and provides regulations that match. Landowners affected by this change should have received a letter indicating which new zoning district they are in, with the setback requirements.

Article 17 revises the current signage requirements and parking, and replaces it with revisions that fit more with current development in our town. Additionally, lighting standards have been added to these requirements. Article 18 replaces our current section on penalties that refers to statutory sections that no longer exist. The change refers to the new statutory section and requirements. This includes language that provides notice requirements for landowners who are in violation of the zoning regulations. The planning commission will be meeting again February 7 at 5:00 p.m. There will also be a public hearing February 19 at 7:00 p.m., and an informational meeting February 26 at 7:00 p.m., where questions can be answered, or forward your questions to [email protected]. Please note all of these meetings will be held at the Willey Building in Cabot.

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Cabot Planning Commission Proposed Zoning Changes

We are currently operating with zoning regulations that were originally adopted in 1979, with an update in 1997. State laws, conditions, development issues and even the language used have changed over the past forty years, so these regulations are confusing and often difficult to apply. The Planning Commission plans to bring proposed changes to the voters in several sections, to make it easier for the public to study and discuss, and less overwhelming. We have started with the village districts in order to support efforts to increase commercial development in the village center. Our goals:

 To simplify zoning regulations and make them easier to understand and use.  To address real conditions, current issues, and the way we live in our community and use our property.  To have rules that make sense for a rural community like Cabot. For example: We propose to significantly reduce parking restrictions, particularly for businesses, because parking problems seem to be more anticipated than real. More restrictive parking rules can discourage the investment that we want to encourage. We propose replacing the current Medium Density Developed District and the Undeveloped Village District with a Village District and Lower Village District that encompass the areas that are, or can be, connected to municipal water or municipal water and sewer. We propose changing the lot size and setback requirements in these districts to more closely match the existing/historic patterns. These changes would mean that:

1. You can build on a smaller size lot. 2. Your lot can have a narrower frontage on the road. 3. You can build closer to your side property lines. 4. You can build closer to your rear property lines. 5. Lot coverage will not be used in the new rules. More detailed information is available at the town offices and town website on the proposed changes and articles to be voted on at town meeting. This includes maps, charts comparing the current and proposed rules, and the language for the new districts, parking, lighting and signage.

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School Board Update January 2019

In January, our middle school students presented the results of their research on threats to the world’s oceans, and Vermont’s Secretary of Education visited the school to learn from students and staff about project-based learning and other opportunities for students here. In addition, our board finished work on the 2019-20 proposed Cabot School budget, and we received word that Cabot will be one of seven schools statewide to receive a “Farm-to-School” grant to help in continuing our efforts to bring healthy, locally-grown food into the school cafeteria. On Friday evening, January 4, Cabot middle school students hosted a presentation of learning to share with their families and community members what they had discovered in their research this year about the current threats to the world’s oceans, with an emphasis on the steps that humans can take now to reduce those threats. One of the students’ findings: the oceans are accumulating huge amounts of our plastic trash, and it’s having a devastating effect on marine organisms. Secretary of Education Dan French saw part of the seventh and eighthgraders’ ocean research exhibition during his visit to the school campus in mid- January. He talked with middle school students about their “Cabot Leads” proskills through games, songs, field trips, exploration of the outdoors and earning badges. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. (Girl Scout Mission) Cabot’s three existing Girl Scout troops have been merged into one multiage group for grades 1-4, under the leadership of Becky Wigg (beckywigg @gmail.com )and Cecilia Gulka ([email protected] ). Please contact either of them if you have any questions.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cabot Mentoring

by Susan Socks What is Cabot Mentoring? Cabot Mentoring is a friendship-based mentoring program, matching youth age 7-17 with caring adults who share their interests.

Why does Cabot have a mentoring

program? Research shows that youth who have mentors also have a more positive attitude towards their education, a greater sense of belonging to their community, and better self-esteem. Mentors benefit by having a spirited young friend who shares their interests. Families appreciate having another person to support their child. Communities with intergenerational ties are stronger.

What do mentors and mentees do?

In the past few months, our mentee pairs have gone cross country skiing, snowshoeing, made Christmas presents, baked cookies, made dinner, read books, visited the library, made jewelry, watched documentaries, built a birdhouse, worked on driving skills, sledded, skated, gone for walks, created pottery, window shopped, shared stories, danced, and had good conversations. Each pair decides what they want to do, but here is the common thread: they enjoy each other’s company and have fun!

How often do pairs meet? Mentee/mentor pairs agree to meet 2-4 times a month for a total of 6 hours…though many choose to meet more often!

Who can be part of Cabot Mentoring? All youth 7-17 who are residents of Cabot, or attend Cabot school, are eligible. Prospective mentors 21 and older are interviewed, have background checks, and must be a good match (personality and interest) for a youth seeking a mentor.

Is Cabot Mentoring a public school

program? Cabot Mentoring is a community program, part of the Cabot Community Association. The school provides office space, and we offer in-school mentoring for those youth interesting in meeting with their mentors during school hours. Currently, most of our pairs choose to meet outside of school.

I still have questions…where can I get more information about Cabot Mentoring? Please check out our website, www.cabotmentoring.org. You can email the program coordinator at [email protected], or call 563-2289 ext 204.

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Girl Scout Registration

by Cecilia Gulka Cabot Girl Scout registration will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. in the Cabot School Library. The annual registration fee is $40. Financial assistance is available. “Cookie Dough” credits earned last year can be used to pay for registration. We have gotten off to a late start this school year, but hope to make up for it with fun filled activities this spring. When you join girl scouting, you’ll get together with friends to learn leadership gram (in which students spend an hour or two a week helping out in a specific school area of their choice) and had a lunchtime discussion with both high school students and faculty about the project-based learning curriculum they are using this year. We’re excited to have been awarded a $15,000 Farm-to-School grant to help support the ongoing efforts of chef Brock Miller and his staff. During a recent audit of our food-service program, one visiting official was so impressed with the quality of the food options available here that she asked permission to take a picture of one student’s lunch. If approved by Cabot voters in March, the proposed Cabot School budget for the 2019-20 school year will result in a decrease this year in Cabot’s Homestead property tax. Among the factors driving this change are decreases in both special education costs and salaries/benefits, and increases in our number of equalized pupils. The proposed budget includes an increase in funding for facilities and maintenance. We will be holding an informational meeting on the proposed budget on the evening of Monday, February 18, and a public hearing on the budget as part of the annual Cabot School District meeting on Monday, March 4. There’s also a good deal more detail on the proposed budget on the Cabot School website. We hope to see many of you at our School District Meeting on March 4.

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The Phantom Tollbooth: Gateway to Adventure!

by Karen Mueller-Harder At the end of March, a delightful play you won’t want to miss will be performed in Cabot! The Phantom Tollbooth, adapted from the wonderful awardwinning book by Norton Juster, is full of charm, humor, imagination, memorable characters, and wordplay to beat the band. This amazing production features 35 community members, so you’re likely to know at least a few; please come and share in the joy of what your friends and neighbors are busy preparing for you this winter! For those unfamiliar with the book, it’s the story of Milo, who doesn’t see the point in anything, least of all learning things, until a mysterious tollbooth appears, leading to all sorts of peculiar places. Milo (the role shared by Edith Lane, Sawyer Estivill, and Ila Steinert) is soon joined by the watchdog Tock (Luca Socks) and the pompous Humbug (Jonah Socks). In Dictionopolis, ruled by King Azaz the Unabridged (Seth Vandenburg) and his advisors (Spencer Vitale, Ava Stratman, Sage King, Scarlett Wetmore, and Molly Paire), words are revered, and order is maintained by Officer Shrift (John Delgaudio Searles) and the Guard (Marc Cruz Ducharme). After meeting a Spelling Bee (Marcus Becherer) and various sellers and buyers of words (Linda Savoca, Marco Welters, Ella Lacelle, Lynn Marie Ducas, Dasha Becherer, Malia Burtt, and Tess Burtt), Milo and Tock find themselves in prison with a Which (Aimee Ducharme), and learn of the feud between Azaz and his brother, the Mathemagician (Bill Delgaudio). Their fighting led to the banishment of Rhyme and Reason (Beatrix Avery and Elizabeth Vitale), since which time nothing has been quite right. Can Milo rescue Rhyme and Reason and restore the land of Wisdom to its former harmony? Come and find out, and share in Milo’s marvelous journey! There is also a talented group of production staff working on this show. The play is directed and adapted by Karen Mueller-Harder, and the design staff includes sets by Danielle Reeves and Mekiah Smith, props by Barbara Halada, costumes by Elizabeth Vitale and Ewa Senkowska, sound by Koschei Searles, and lights by Billie O’Connor. Daria Babbitt is the stage manager, and technical assistance is provided by Astryd Whitehouse and Wyatt Searles. Cabot Community Theater will be performing this show for one weekend only, so be sure to mark it in your calendar now! There will be 7:00 shows on Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30, and 2:00 matinees on Saturday March 30 and Sunday, March 31. Performances will be at the Cabot School Performing Arts Center, and admission is a mere $5 for people of all ages. For more information, call 793-5617. See you at the show!

Performance March 29 &

30 at 7:00 March 30 &

31 at 2:00 at CSPAC admission

$5

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OBITUARIES & MEMORIALS

Jack Baker Pastor Jack D. Baker, age 83, of Cabot, passed away on Saturday morning, November 24, 2018, in St. Johnsbury, VT, following an extended illness after a fall. Jack was born in Neosho, MO, on January 29, 1935, son to the late John Wood and Lillian (Jennings) Baker. He grew up in Gorham and Lancaster, NH, graduating from Lancaster Academy in 1953. He went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Atlantic Union College in S. Lancaster, MA. On November 29, 1958, Jack married the former Betty Ann Lumenello. Jack’s teaching career ran from 1958-76, teaching in both public and private schools throughout Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New Jersey, before turning to his calling of preaching the gospel of Jesus. Jack’s life in Ministry first brought him to Vermont, where he was pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Barre, Randolph and S. Newbury for four years. He served throughout Northern New England in each state, but returned to his beloved Vermont to his final years in service until retirement in church districts encompassing St. Johnsbury, Newport and Morrisville, before going back to Barre. While in Barre, he

Frank Lawrence Thompson

Frank Lawrence Thompson (USN, CWO3, Ret.), 88, of Cabot, passed away in his home December 22, 2018. Born September 21, 1930, to Crow and Mable (Pierce) Thompson in Burlington, Larry, as he was known, graduated from Cabot High School in 1948. He attended UVM and enlisted in the US Navy in 1950. On October 23, 1954, he married Marie Juliette Sylvain in Skowhegan, Maine. In 1974, after 24 years in the Navy, he moved to Cabot and become a Master Plumber. Many in Cabot will remember him as the bus driver with the most orderly behaved students. While in the Navy, his first ship assignment was the USS Ware (DD-865), then he volunteered for submarine service. He served aboard the USS Sea Leopard (SS-483), USS Razorback (SS- 394), USS Sarda (SS-488), and the USS Nautilus (SSN-571), where he served as Chief-of-the-Boat (COB). He also served on the USS Chanticleer (ASR-7) in San Diego, CA, and was a Plankowner on the USS Downes (FF-1070) in Long Beach, CA. While serving, he received the Navy World War II European Occupation Medal and numerous other recognitions. After 50 years of being “qualified in submarines,” he was inducted into the Holland Club, named for the designer of the first US Navy submarine. During his life in Cabot, Larry was the director of the July 4th Color Guard and Memorial Day honor guard. He was part of the committee that created the Cabot monument honoring Cabot WWI and WWII veterans, and then later, he helped add names of veterans of Cabot that served in Korea and Vietnam. He served as an EMT for Cabot ambulance and volunteer fireman. He served as the was instrumental in getting a multimillion dollar donation for the construction of the Central Vermont Academy. During his last assignment, he also served as Pastor at the Cabot United Church for five years. Jack enjoyed reading and was musically talented, able to pick up and play any instrument, but his favorites were the autoharp and harmonica. His true loves on this earth were sharing his love for the Lord, his family, and making music. He had the ability to use humor to make any situation better, which is sorely needed in today’s society. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Betty, of Cabot, a daughter: Jacqueline Baker, also of Cabot, two sons: John Baker and wife, LeAnne, of Jackson, TN, James Baker and wife, Holly, of Tampa, FL, a brother: Gerry Baker of Shelburne, NH, a sister: Jean Rines of Ontario, OR, three grandchildren: Christopher Baker, Toni Baker- Stephens, Jesse Baker, two greatgrandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother: William Baker. A Memorial Service will take place in warmer weather at the Cabot United Church, with an outdoor luncheon to follow at the family home.

Cabot Town Service Officer and president of the PTA for Cabot School. In 1999 he was presented the Cabot School Alumni Association award and in 2000 he received the Cabot School/Community Service Award. He is predeceased by his siblings, Clifton, Marie (Gay), Kenneth, and Leonard (Jack); his paternal uncles, Dude, Harry, and his aunt Betty; his maternal aunts Peg Abbott, Hazel Carpenter; and uncles Clifton and Hilton Pierce. He is survived by his wife Marie of 64 years and their four children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Their children are Frank Larry Thompson and his wife Elaine Ibey of Barre, Valerie Gay Thompson of Lebanon, NH, Marla Ann Simerly of Montpelier, and Patrick Jon Thompson and his wife Lori of Mystic, CT. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Larry’s memory to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice at 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641- 5369. Arrangements are in care of the des Groseilliers Funeral Home. Please visit dgfunerals.com for detailed service information and to share online condolences with the family.

Doug Neveau Word has been received about the passing of Doug Neveau, 81, former resident of Cabot. Doug was born June 20, 1937 in East Montpelier and came to Cabot as a child. He graduated from the Cabot School in 1955. In 1961 he married Martha Wheeler (now living in Williamstown). The marriage ended in 1981. He is survived by six children, eight grandchildren and 17 greatgrandchildren. His last job living in Cabot was working at the Woodbury Quarries. He later married a woman from the Philippines, which is where he died.

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From page 5

Dr. Christopher Furey and his daughter Nora Mae visited his mother, Maria Acchione-Goodrich, recently in Cabot. Christopher graduated from Cabot School in 2000 and from the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in 2010. He is a family doctor (primary care) now practicing in Warwick, RI. He is also a teaching assistant at Brown University. His wife is Marissa (Kielbasinski). (Photo by Amanda Legare)

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CABOT COMMENTARY

Dear Editor In the eleven short years I’ve lived in Cabot, I’ve noticed a shift in the energy and vitality of the town. We really seem to be headed in a positive direction, unlike some villages in rural areas. Exhibitions of Learning and great concerts at the school, live music at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot Community Theater, the new artist’s gallery, the contradance series, library events, the Schoolhouse music series, youth sports and summer camps offerings of the Rec Committee, the Northeast Kingdom Warriors Soccer Club, the arts offerings of the Cabot Arts committee, the work on sustainable agriculture by the Cabot Working Landscapes group, the new young trees on the Common and at the Rec Field, the ice rink (had to mention it), Cabot Commons senior housing, renovations to the Willey Building, the new playground, strong existing businesses such as Rhapsody and the Cabot Village Store, and new businesses such as Green Mountain Drone and Hooker Mountain Farm Distillery. I could list many more great things that are happening, but you get the idea.

Dear Editor: Support All Our Kids, Who Need All the Choices The Town Meeting Day ballot contains a vote on Cabot high school choice. With our vote, we have a chance to choose opportunity, a chance to strengthen community and make a strong investment in our children’s future. Key to any community investment is value. Value is a subjective principle, but if we vote for school choice, we know that no matter how we define value, we will get the best value for our education dollars. According to the school superintendent, in FY’16 there were 48 kids participating in high school on campus; the year after, 43. Last year, there were 41 kids on campus, and this year, there are only 30. Cabot High School is shrinking, and it is already far too small to offer value for all the kids, who need all the choices. Think about our neighbors who have placed all their hope in the school lottery. Our neighbors who have moved from town, either temporarily or in a wholesale relocation, to attain the education they need for their children. Our neighbors who have spent their retirement in search of a high school with opportunity. Our neighbors who sent the school board back to the drawing board three times last year in order to present an attainable budget. Our neighbors who resoundingly declined to invest in a school marketing effort that was not even to be funded with taxpayer money. And think about the kids who need to be able to choose from our high school’s innovative project-based learning as well as a greater variety of classes to help prepare them for the lives they want to lead. Think about our young sci-fi movie makers and cooks, sound technicians and producers of the arts, as well as our budding researchers, writers and the scientists who need a true classic education – all the kids, who need all the I’d like to thank all the people who worked hard to lay the foundation for these things long before I arrived, and who continue to work hard to make Cabot a good place to live. I am excited to see what comes next. What do you think would benefit the town, and make it a better place to live? A walking trail along the river to link downtown and the Recreation field? A farmer’s market? Sidewalks along all of Main Street? A gazebo for summer concerts? An updated fire dept facility? An equipment co-op for homesteaders and small farmers? Co-working space? Commercial kitchen space for food based businesses? Investment in the Cabot Historical Society? Development of biking loops and a bike shop? Welcome basket program for new residents, and families with new babies? A directory of “local skills” for when you need a little advice or help? I hope that we continue to have these discussions, and keep the momentum going. Sincerely, Susan Socks choices. The kids who need more than one high school credit of science in one trimester and the kids who want to study classic literature; the kids who want not just to play high school sports but participate in the spirit and camaraderie of being part of a movement that they own. I am not seeking to spend more money or to take things that don’t belong to us. I am confident that our school board can- like the boards of almost every other faltering high school in Vermont- figure out how to take the same education dollars we are spending now and offer more choice. I am sure that the people in which we placed our confidence will use innovation and creativity and figure out how to offer the best opportunities, for all Cabot high school kids. So, when you close the curtain on the voting booth, or sit at your kitchen table with your absentee ballot unfolded, look inside and ask yourself what progress and community truly mean. When you cast your vote, do the right thing for your town and its networked, enthusiastic kids who are primed and ready to achieve their best. Vote for opportunity, for all the kids. Vote for value, for all the kids. Vote for school choice. Vicky Tebbetts Hello friends and neighbors, As you may be aware, Cabot Creamery is observing its 100th anniversary this year! There will be a number of events throughout the year that will help us to commemorate this milestone and give us an opportunity to celebrate all that Cabot has accomplished and the spirit of our farmer owners. Cabot Creamery has put together a 111-member team to take the Penguin Plunge on Saturday February 2. Our team is comprised of employees, farmers and friends. It is the largest corporate team to ever do the Plunge. This will be a great community focused way to kick off our centennial year. The Penguin Plunge is a critical fundraiser for Special Olympics, creating an inclusive athletic opportunity that allows children who have an intellectual disability to see themselves for their abilities. Special Olympics also develop leadership skills, independence, and community that are so important to the children they work with. I am very excited to be a part of this event, and nervous at the same time. I have never done anything like this before. Hopefully, it won't be a day like today. I think Cabot will make quite an impact, as our team will lead off the Penguin Plunge - imagine four waves of divers, wearing matching Cabot shirts, taking the plunge! I hope that you may be able to make a donation to my Penguin Plunge fundraising page. All proceeds go to Special Olympics. Here is the link to my page: https://give.specialolympicsvermont.org/fundraiser/1813720. Thank you for your support. Please feel free to forward this request to anyone you think may be interested in supporting my effort. Regards, Erica Burke Cabot

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~ MARCH ~

Friday 3/1 "Wonder- A Garden Adventure for All Ages" 9:00 a.m. Essex Junction. The three day event of The Vermont Flower Show hosted by Green Works Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association at Champlain Valley Exposition ends Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

Saturday 3/2 Frigid Infliction and Test Your Nettle 2019 5:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Bolton Valley. More information at gmara.org/frigid and gmara.org/nettle. Sign up for best pricing. Adventures on skis and snowshoes!

Monday, 3/4

School District Meeting and forum on school budget, 6:00 p.m. Cabot School Gymnasium. Australian ballot voting for two new School Directors and Articles 5, 6 and 7 on Tuesday, March 5, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. in Cabot School Gym.

Tuesday, 3/5

Cabot Annual Town Meeting, 10:00 a.m. Polls open for Australian ballot voting 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Cabot School Gym.

Saturday 3/9 Old Time Community Cabot Contra

and Square Dance 7:30 p.m. Cabot. Beginners welcome, family friendly, plenty of room for dancing at the Cabot Town Hall Auditorium with great live music.

Wednesday

Movie at Jaquith Public library 7:00 p.m. Marshfield. (2001) Songcatcher. A musicologist in the early 1900s stopped her career to go to Appalachia to document and collect folk music.

Wednesday

Showing Up For Racial Justice 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Marshfield. Living Room conversations at the Jaquith Public library about Racism and what YOU can do to be a part of ending racism in our communities. Call library for more information 802-426-3581.

Friday 3/29 The Phantom Tollbooth: Gateway to

Adventure! 7:00 p.m. Cabot. Cabot Community Theater will be performing this show in the Cabot School Performing Arts Center behind the high school building. $5 Admission at the door.

Saturday 3/30 The Phantom Tollbooth: Gateway to

Adventure! 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Cabot. Cabot Community Theater will be performing this show in the Cabot School Performing Arts Center behind the high school building. $5 Admission at the door.

Sunday 3/31 The Phantom Tollbooth: Gateway to

Adventure! 2:00 p.m. Cabot. Cabot Community Theater will be performing this show in the Cabot School Performing Arts Center behind the high school building $5 Admission at the door.

Fatorimata Diawara 3:00 p.m. Greensboro. Malian singer will perform at Highland Center for the Arts, 2875 Hardwick Street. Tickets call Catamount Arts, St. Johnsbury.

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~ FEBRUARY ~

Saturday 2/2 Orchard Valley Winter Faire 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. East Montpelier. Join in on the fun day on the Grace Farm campus of Orchard Valley Waldorf School with activities ranging from storytelling, felt with wool, origami, make Valentines and our ever popular cake game and bonfire! Fees for activities.

Jeanne and Jim 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Cabot. Come listen and enjoy beverages at the Den on Main Street of the NEK duo that plays old time, Americana and folksy tunes.

Sunday 2/3

Ice on Fire 2:00 -5:00 p.m. Montpelier. North Branch Nature Center at 713 Elm Street will have an opening parade 2:00 p.m., games and performances 2:15-4:30 p.m. and a bonfire. Dress warmly, bring your sleds, x-country skis and snowshoes and bring your spirits for the celebration.

Stellaria TRIO 4:00 -6:00 p.m. Plainfield. Hailed as "a force to be reckoned with" and an ensemble of depth and cohesiveness (Times Argus), selections by Haydn and Brahms. Tickets available at the door or online at catamountix.org. Plainfield Opera House.

Wednesday 2/6

Musical Storytelling for All Ages 6:45 -7:30 p.m. Marshfield. The award winning Aeolus Quartet joins Scrag's coartistic director Mary Bonhag, Evan Premo and Kim Bent in the Jaquith Public Library building for interactive program of fantastical music of childhood tales as Ugly Duckling, Three Billy Goats Gruff and B. Wolf. Come and enjoy an absolutely fun evening.

Saturday 2/9 Old Time Community Cabot Contra

and Square Dance 7:30 p.m. Cabot. Beginners welcome, family friendly, plenty of room for dancing at the Cabot Town Hall with great live music.

Winter Fest at Vermont Granite Museum 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Barre. Great free family fun event at 7 Jones Brothers Way. Bring your x-country skis, snowshoes and ice skates. Many activities such as skating and ice games, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, snow carving, snow painting and bonfire, too. The Stone Arts School will have open stations to do crafts. Call 802-476-4605 more information.

Bread and Bones 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Cabot. Threesome band will perform at The Den on Main Street. Imaginative vocals and harmonies. A member of the trio has received wide recognition as a songwriter.

Musical Storytelling for All Ages 4:00 p.m. Montpelier. Hosted by Scrag Mountain Music and Lost Nation Theatre. Audience of all ages are encouraged to join in on all the fun. Tickets app.artspeople.com Sunday 2/10

Pete's Posse in Concert 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Cabot. Cabot Arts presents Vermont's own traditional roots power trio! Cabot Town Hall Auditorium, Main Street across from Harry's Hardware. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Advance tickets $18, at the door $20. To reserve your seat visit http://www.cabotarts.org or call 802-793- 3016 for more information.

Dance, Sing and Jump Around 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Montpelier. NEW LOCA- TION!!! Capital City Grange on Route 12 (Northfield Street) just south of the I- 89 overpass, one mile from downtown Montpelier with lots of free safe parking. Circle and line dances, and singing games all taught and called by Liz Benjamin and Stan Carlson with live traditional music. Free for children. Suggested donation $5 per adult.

Introductory Wildlife Tracking 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Montpelier. Dave Muska will introduces you to the fundamentals of tracking and awareness at North Branch Nature Center on Elm Street. Bring your notebooks, cameras, dress warmly for great family outing. Tickets via Eventbrite.

Winterfest with Vermont Bicycle

Shop 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Barre. At Barre City Cow Pasture, family fun in the snow, there will be fat bike and snow racer demos, hot cocoa by Espresso Bueno, bring your sleds, all minors must be accompanied by adult. Please consider walking or biking, as there is very limited parking available.

Wednesday 2/13 Wild Cousins of our Best Friends:

Wolves, Coyotes and Foxes 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Plainfield. Sue Morse of KEEPING TRACK shares her amazing photos and personal whimsical adventures. Hosted by Cutler Memorial Library at the Plainfield Opera House.

Sunday 2/17 WOKO Gigantic Indoor Flea Market

with Lee Bodette 8:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m. Essex Junction at Champlain Valley Exposition building.

Central Vermont Wedding EXPO

11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Barre. Hosted by 105.7, The Beat, FROGGY 100.9, 107.1 Frankfm and Kiss 104.3 at the Barre Auditorium. No admission, free parking, giveaways, runway show and more.

Monday,

Informational Meeting on Proposed Cabot School Budget, 6:00 p.m., Cabot School Library.

Wednesday

Movie at Jaquith Public library 7:00 p.m. Marshfield. (2004) Story of the Weeping Camel. A Mongolian shepherding family has to recruit a musician to coax mother camel to accept colt.

Friday

Laughter at The Lodge Barre. A special night of comedy at the Barre Elks Lodge on Jefferson Street. Hors d'oeuvres 6:30 p.m., show 8:00 p.m. Comedians EJ Edmonds, Sarah Martin and AJ Hapenny will have you in stitches with laughter. $18 in advance. $20 at the door.

Saturday

The Hillside Rounders 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Cabot. Local talented band of the Sicely Boys and Luke Auriemmo playing at The Den on Main Street.

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2019 WARNING 2019 TOWN OF CABOT

The Legal Voters of the Town of Cabot are hereby warned and notified to meet at the Cabot School Gymnasium in the Town of Cabot, Vermont, on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at ten o’clock in the forenoon [10:00 A.M.] to transact the following business from the floor. HAUR polls will be open from 7:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. in the Cabot School Gymnasium]

Art. 1. To elect a Moderator for the ensuing year.

Art. 2. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot hear the reports of the Town Officers?

Art. 3. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot authorize payment of real and personal property taxes on August 29, 2019 and November 21, 2019 by delivery to Cabot Town Hall postmarked on or before that date; and,

Establish that overdue taxes will bear interest at a rate of one percent per month or fraction thereof for the first three months and thereafter one and onehalf percent per month or fraction thereof from the due date of such tax pursuant to 32 V.S.A. §5136; and,

Establish the amount of the penalty charged by the collector of delinquent taxes for payments made after the due date for payment to 8 percent of the tax collected pursuant to 32 V.S.A. §1674(3) (A)?

Art. 4. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot elect all Town Officers required by law, according to law?

Art. 5. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve a Non-Binding Resolution declaring the Town of Cabot to be a Pollinator Friendly Community?

The following Articles will be voted on by Australian Ballot and may be discussed on the floor except for Articles 6 and 7.

Art. 6. To elect a Selectperson for a term of two years. [Australian Ballot]

Art. 7. To elect a Selectperson for a term of three years. [Australian Ballot]

Art. 8. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot appropriate the sum of $717,700 to defray the General Expenses of the Town, with an estimated $73,500 to come from income and $644,200 from local taxes? [Australian Ballot]

Art. 9. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot appropriate the sum of $1,086,700 to repair and maintain the Highways of the Town including summer, winter and special treatment, of which an estimated $511,300 is to come from income and $575,400 from local taxes? [Australian Ballot]

Art. 10. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot appropriate the sum of $299,000 of which an estimated $160,000 is to come from Grants and $139,000 from local taxes to pave:

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

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CABOT SCHOOL DISTRICT WARNING FOR ANNUAL MEETING

The legal voters of the Town School District of Cabot are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Cabot School Gymnasium, Cabot, Vermont on Monday, March 4, 2019 at six-thirty in the evening in the Cabot School Gymnasium to transact the following business not involving Australian ballot. Australian ballot voting will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 with the polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. A public hearing to discuss the school budget and the Australian ballot articles, Articles 5, 6 and 7 will be held on Monday, March 4, 2019 at six-thirty in the evening in the Cabot School Gymnasium.

Article 1. To elect a Moderator.

Article 2. To elect two school directors by Australian ballot, one for a two year term and one for a three year term.

Article 3. Shall the voters of the Town School District approve the minutes of March 5, 2018 Annual School District Meeting?

Article 4. To hear a report of the School Directors.

Article 5. Shall the voters of the school district approve the school board to expend $3,553,060 which is the amount the school board has determined to be necessary for the ensuing fiscal year? It is estimated that this proposed budget, if approved, will result in education spending of $18,259.71 per equalized pupil. This projected spending per equalized pupil is 2.55% higher than spending for the current year. (To be voted on by Australian ballot)

Article 6. Shall the Cabot School Board be directed to close the Cabot High School prior to July 1, 2019 and to provide for the high school education of the high school pupils (grades 9 through 12) residing in the District by paying tuition in accordance with law to one or more public high schools in one or more school districts, to an approved independent high school, or to an independent high school meeting school quality standards, to be selected by the parents or guardians of the pupil?

(To be voted on by Australian ballot)

Article 7. Shall the voters of the Town School District authorize the Cabot Board of School Directors to hold any audited fund balance as of June 30, 2020 in a reserve fund to be expended under the control and direction of the Board of School Directors for the purpose of operating the school? (To be voted on by Australian ballot)

Article 8. Shall the voters of the Town School District authorize the Cabot Board of School Directors to borrow money to pay its lawful debts and expenses for the fiscal year which ends June 30, 2020 in an amount not to exceed 90% of the anticipated collection of taxes and receipts of other funds to be used for those purposes?

Article 9. To transact any other business that may legally come before this meeting.

Article 10. To adjourn.

School Directors Chris Tormey, Lisa Olson, Sharon O’Connor, Rory Thibault, Jeremiah Breer Attest, Betty Ritter, Town Clerk. Recorded before posting. Dated: January 22, 2019

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Dog Registration

The Town Clerk’s Office will register dogs at Town Meeting. Bring your most recent rabies certification. The fee is: $9 for neutered or spayed; $13 for unneutered or un-spayed. Your dog must be registered by April 1 or the fee will increase.

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Allison Gulka for Greater Cabot Working Landscape Network

Dear friends and neighbors, We'd like to welcome you to the second event in our Pollinator Series, a presentation by Terry Bradshaw on Pollinator Protection in Vermont. Tree Fruit Specialist at UVM and Chair of the Vermont Pollinator Protection Committee, Terry brings a depth of experience on sustainable agriculture and the importance of pollinators on Vermont farms. He will discuss UVM's Integrated Pest Management Program and the work that is being done to protect pollinators in our state. Join us at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 24, at the Cabot Public Library. Questions and discussion will follow Terry's presentation. Light refreshments provided. In the case of adverse weather, the event will be postponed until the following Thursday (January 31). The event is free and open to the public. Please follow us on Facebook for updates andmoreinfo : htps : / /w . facebok . c o m /events/558091277991662/. Our flyer is attached below. Please share with anyone who might be interested! A special thanks to all of you who attended our film screening of Queen of the Sun! We hope it sparked some interesting ideas and conversations that we can bring to this next event on pollinator health!

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The Town of Cabot, Vermont Pollinator-Friendly Community Resolution.

The following Resolution, unanimously supported by the Greater Cabot Working Landscape Network, is presented for approval during Cabot Town Meeting, 2019 RESOLUTION DECLARING THE TOWN OF CABOT

TO BE A POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY To see if the Town of Cabot will vote to approve the following resolution:

WHEREAS, bees and other pollinators are a necessary component of a healthy ecosystem and food system, providing pollination of plants in order to grow vegetables, herbs and fruits; and WHEREAS, locally grown crops such as apples, blueberries, strawberries, squash and tomatoes depend on pollinators and thus are at risk; and WHEREAS, extensive research has documented that neonicotinoid and other systemic insecticides cause illness and death to bees and pollinators; and WHEREAS, alternative land management practices are available that dramatically increase pollinator forage while decreasing maintenance costs; and WHEREAS, the monetary and social costs of maintaining pollinatorfriendly landscapes can be less expensive than costs associated with maintaining chemically-treated monocrop landscapes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Meeting of the Town of Cabot, Vermont, that the Town of Cabot is hereby declared a Pollinator- Friendly Community, and that the Town encourages adoption of policies and practices that protect and support pollinator health by minimizing the sale and use of insecticides.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Cabot urges all Cabot property owners, residents, businesses, institutions and neighborhoods to become more pollinator-friendly by adopting practices including: Committing to avoiding use of insecticides, including systemic insecticides, on

their property; Avoiding the planting of flowering plants which are treated with systemic

insecticides; Planting more pollinator-supporting forage on their property, and adopting organic or chemical-free lawn and landscaping practices.

The Town Clerk is requested to send copies of this Resolution to Governor Phil Scott, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, State Senators, and State Representatives, or to take any other action relative thereto.

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Caring for the Community is a Year Round Endeavor at Faith in Action

During December, the Warm Clothes & Toys for Girls & Boys Giveaway in Cabot served 684 children, 172 of them being residents of Cabot. The program was generously supported by The Cabot Community Association, Toys-for-Tots, the Cabot Masonic Center, Turtle Fur, Woodbury Toys, and Cabot Hosiery. Many community members donated toys and knit hats and mittens. It is such a joy to watch the community supporting neighbors in need. As the memories of the recently passed Holidays still linger and the New Year begins to unfold, we begin to focus again on the added expenses of winter. Heating bills, taxes, and the rising cost of living are real challenges for many of us who reside in Northern Vermont. At Faith in Action, we know that our neighbors will need some extra support, reminding us all that caring for the community is a year-round endeavor. As the new executive director at Faith in Action, my eyes have been opened to the struggles of our neighbors. Hunger, food insecurities and isolation are realities in Vermont and are especially prevalent in the Northeast Kingdom and Washington County. I have also witnessed an engrained neighbor-helpingneighbor spirit at the heart of the work Faith in Action volunteers perform for community members in need. Faith in Action volunteers organize and prepare for the monthly food shares in Cabot and in Lyndonville to distribute food to others who are struggling. They also prepare monthly community dinners and volunteer at Senior Adventure Mornings and Tai Chi classes to meet the social needs of community members. Faith in Action volunteers truly make our services come alive with their helping hands and loving hearts. Their clear commitment to the community and the Faith in Action mission is apparent in all the ways they give-back to others. From community dinners and food shares to social activities and toy and warm clothing giveaways, Faith in Action supports and cares for the community all year long. In 2019, Faith in Action plans to expand programming to include financial literacy and technology offerings, in addition to Tai Chi classes. We are very proud to support the Cabot Community, and we very much look forward to partnering with other organizations to positively impact individuals and families in the year ahead. If you would like to volunteer at or donate to Faith in Action, we invite you to visit our Cabot office, checkout our website at www.faithinactionvt.org and follow us on Facebook. May 2019 be a year of health and joy for all!

by high school volunteers. Thank you to everyone who made this addition possible! We have an excellent collection of loaner skates, donated over the years by the community. All skates are in good condition and sharpened. If you have skates to donate, please let me know. We hope to soon house the skates on racks in storage sheds, but at the time of this article, we have yet to complete that project. Volunteers check the rink every day, keeping it shoveled and tidy. You can help out by shoveling when you skate, putting loaner skates away, and generally picking up after yourself and your guests. You can also help by volunteering! We’re always looking for more hands. I’m in my seventh season of lead volunteer for the Cabot rink. I love the rink, love skating, and love seeing people out there having a fun time. But, I would like to start transitioning the project to the next enthusiastic lead volunteer. You could be that person! Please let me know if you, or someone you know, might like to step into my shoes (skates, actually). For questions, comments, or to volunteer, contact Susie at [email protected] or 563-2073. Have a beautiful winter!

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Open Letter to Veterans

White River Junction VA Medical Ctr. 215 North Main Street White River Junction, VT 05009 866-687-8387 (Toll Free) 802-295-9363 (Commercial) November 29, 2018 Dear Veteran, The White River Junction VA Medical Center is attempting to contact all Veterans in our catchment area of Vermont and New Hampshire who are not enrolled or are enrolled and no longer utilizing our services. If you currently receive our services, please pass this note on to a Veteran who may benefit. We offer a wide variety of services including assistance to Veterans who are homeless or unemployed to providing primary and specialty care. We have a robust mental health department offering one-on-one counseling, peer support, group sessions, and more. There is a designated treatment area for our women Veterans at the Women’s Comprehensive Care Clinic; a safe space. The White River Junction VA Medical Center has seven community based outpatient clinics. They are located in Bennington, Rutland, Brattleboro, Newport Disabled American Veterans 802-296- 5167

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Cabot Community Christmas Dinner A Recap, Thanks and Planning for Next Year

By Fred Ducharme With a little help from his friends

At the Christmas Day Dinner at Cabot Dining Hall, we fed 70-plus folks onsite. In addition to that, when the Cabot meals were all served, the remaining food was enough to make 102 meals for Senior Meals at Twin Valley Senior Center in East Montpelier (which serves Cabot residents), as well as additional potatoes and stuffing for future meals. Everything donated or purchased was put to use, with absolutely no waste. Many thanks to Bothfelds for donating all the turkeys, Cabot Creamery for cheese and butter, Hourihans for the best-tasting squash ever, and Slim Payne for donating the Christmas tree for the dinning hall, Charlie Bothfeld donated vegetables from his garden, and all the other food and time donations made this event possible for another year. To the many people who volunteered their time to help get all that work done, thank you so much. It was a great day. We are grateful to Tim and Jen Gochey and Hilltop Auto Body for sponsoring the ads for the dinner in The Cabot Chronicle. And, especially, I want to thank my wife, Shirley Ducharme; because without her, this would never happen. For this free annual community event to continue, some help will be needed next year in three areas:

1. Deliveries: Deliveries this year were minimal because we didn’t have the people to do it. Some townfolk told us they would have loved to take a meal if it could be delivered, and would and Burlington, Vermont; in New Hampshire we offer services in Keene and Littleton. We are here to serve all Veterans, please do not hesitate to contact us, if for no other reason than to register/enroll with us in case of future need. Our eligibility office in White River Junction can be reached at 802-295-9363 extension 5118. A single form - VA form 10-10EZ – and a copy of the DD214 is all that is needed. The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars have full time service officers that are knowledgeable about our programs. These independent organizations serve all Veterans including nonmembers in processing disability and pension claims. They can be reached in White River Junction at:

American Legion 802-296- Thank you for your service to our nation. On behalf of the White River Junction VA Medical Center team, we look forward to serving you.

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

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Skating Rink Update

By Susan Socks After an unseasonably warm December, the Cabot rink opened on January 12. This is the latest date we’ve opened, breaking the previous record of January 8 in 2016. Freezing that much water takes sustained cold, and getting a good surface requires no snow…so to make a successful rink, we need three consecutive days of 20 degrees F or less, and no precipitation. This year, we’ve been very fortunate to add a snowblower and storage shed to the rink setup. Snowblower and snowblower servicing were donated. The shed foundation was built by the Cabot elementary/middle school industrial arts students, and the shed was put together

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

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Recent Wildlife Sightings in Cabot

The Cabot Conservation Committee thought it would be fun and informative to solicit bird feeder and other wildlife sightings from the backyards of Cabot residents, and share results with Chronicle readers. We were pleased to hear from many folks. A random drawing was held, and a subscription to Northern Woodlands magazine was awarded to Amanda Legare. We all will remember the bumper crop of nuts, cones and seeds from the summer of 2018. This fueled a population boom of seed-eaters such as squirrels and birds that feed heavily on cones and other seeds here and in the boreal forests of Canada. Consequently, Caboteers have reported many red squirrels and an increase of gray squirrels visiting their bird feeders this winter. Also notable is the return of many colorful evening grosbeaks, normally a common winter visitor, but a species that has been mostly absent in recent years. Their populations likely increased on their northern breeding grounds last spring, but with a poor seed crop this past summer, they have drifted south in search of winter food supplies. Also much more numerous this winter are their cousins, the beautiful Pine Grosbeaks, which occasionally visit bird feeders but more often will feast on crabapples and other shrubs which retain their berries throughout the winter. Both of these grosbeak species were reported often by Cabot residents who sent us their sightings lists and/or highlights. Blue Jays and chickadees were seen in their normal abundance, along with red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatches, and hairy and downy woodpeckers. Some folks have been enjoying the ground-feeding mourning doves at their feeders, including one report of around 50 doves! Other highlights include a goshawk, pileated woodpecker, and a male cardinal.

Notable is the number of folks who reported barred owls visiting their feeders this winter. These typically shy predators seem to become very bold in the wintertime, and will perch on or near feeders in broad daylight, waiting for rodents who scamper out from protective snow cover to grab seeds fallen to the ground from bird feeders. What a thrill it is to be able to observe one of Vermont’s largest owls at close range and in good light! Turkeys were seen by several folks, and sightings of live mammals or their tracks, in addition to red and gray squirrels, included deer, bobcat, coyote, fox, porcupine, snowshoe hare, and an ermine carrying a mouse! A big thank you to all who sent in their sightings … we encourage you and others to continue to send reports via email to [email protected]. We wonder if some of the northern finches such as redpolls, pine siskins, and snow buntings will be visiting us soon, adding more fun and beauty to backyards.

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An Excerpt from Will Ameden’s Flying Farmer Blog

Many years ago, at the Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad banquet, I was tossed a baited line. “Hey Will, I was deer hunting up on Mount Tabor and I found this.” My long time friend Pete Cobb handed me a photograph of the rusted remains of an aircraft in the middle of the woods. I rushed toward a nearby table lamp to confirm my disbelief. The wrecked aircraft appeared to be a WWII Taylorcraft L2-M, the same type of airplane I have spent years rebuilding….

That started me on a four year-long quest for answers. I needed to see the aircraft remains, and try to figure out how it ended up on top of a mountain in southern Vermont. I began hounding Pete to take me into the Green Mountain National Forest to the Mount Tabor site. I searched data bases for a record of any Taylorcraft L2 accidents in the state. I talked to folks who had stumbled across the wreck, and others who had looked for it. I talked to Brian Linder, a renowned Vermont wreck finder. Try as I might, I could find no answers.

This spring, at last, my friend came through! Pete and his wife Judy met me on a Forest Service road in the town of Peru. John Hammer, (a friend and history buff from Cabot), joined us for the hike. It was a good time to be in the woods. The leaves were not yet out, no bugs to annoy us, and the snow was gone. The wreck site sits on a small plateau, among widely spaced northern hardwoods. Large boulders, left by the receding glaciers, were scattered widely about. The terrain was fairly steep. We skirted a rather large swamp, and had to navigate a few streams. It had been years since Pete had been to the site, but with a little help from a map and compass, and a couple hours of walking, we made it to the wreck site. Pete has been asking questions around town about this wreck for years, and had received no concrete information. Scuttlebutt from a few old timers say that the plane went down in the late 40s-early 50s, and the man who was flying it walked out of the woods to Manchester. Looking at the remains of the plane, I’d say that could be possible. The cabin is intact and upright. It appears like one wing was folded underneath the fuselage, and the tail was ripped off. The terrain was most likely very different. According to Pete,the area has seen logging activity over the years, and may have been much more open 60+ years ago. The plane…It was an L2-M, the exact same model that I have. I studied the wreck closely. I found the rusted remains of the rear swivel seat. It had parts attached that are missing from the newly reconstructed swivel seat on my project. There was also a mechanism mounted on tubing just above the pilot’s head that I did not recognize, and a small funny shaped box made of wire, at the wing root area, were the fuel gauges were … more puzzles! My friends endured my numerous and exuberant outbursts, and my long winded descriptions of aircraft manufacture and production methods. We took many pictures, enjoyed granola bars, and had a great visit. A good ending to a four year quest. My next post will be solving these new puzzles!

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Feeding Birds in Winter

With winter weather now taking hold, here are a few tips from the VT Department of Fish & Wildlife to help birds out:  Make sure your feeders are free of potentially harmful germs by cleaning them with a very dilute (10%) chlorine solution and rinsing with water. A simple cleaning with soap and water is also helpful, along with scraping any crud off the feeder. This will greatly reduce the possibility of bacteria and viruses being harbored at the feeder.  Position feeders far enough from windows and other glass structures to reduce the likelihood of birds colliding into them. Collisions are a major source of bird mortality each year and feeders 4 to 10 feet away from windows cause the most problems, as birds flush off a feeder and hit windows with a lot of speed.  Keep cats inside, as domestic cats kill billions of birds worldwide each year and birdfeeders can make birds particularly easy prey for them.

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CCA Report to the Community

The Cabot Community Association, Inc. (CCA) is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization working to enhance the quality of community life for those residing, doing business, and visiting Cabot, VT. The CCA partners with Cabot citizens, offering a forum for sharing resources, enhancing educational and recreational opportunities, and helping to develop a diversified Cabot economy. The CCA currently operates six active programs:

The Cabot Chronicle celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018 as a community newspaper serving the residents of Cabot. It is received for free in every Cabot household and mailed to friends of Cabot in distant places. Publication has been changed to bimonthly to make The Chronicle economically viable with available resources in a small town.

Cabot Arts has brought many concerts and art “show-and-tells” to the community and facilitated the opening of the Cabot Artisans Gallery. In 2018, Cabot Arts became a Vermont non-profit organization and will continue to receive federal tax-exemption under the CCA’s nonprofit umbrella.

Cabot Fall Foliage Festival has been celebrated in town for 57 years. The CCA began coordinating the event in 2017 to provide a diverse offering of art, music, nature, history and food to locals and visitors and to promote locally owned businesses. The CCA also assists with other Cabot annual events.

Cabot Community Fund provides grants of up to $500 to community-based projects and events that further the CCA mission. The Cabot Community Fund is generously supported by the Cabot Creamery and other contributors.

The Greater Cabot Working Landscape

Network works to promote a sustainable, working landscape in Cabot through education, networking, and asset sharing.

The Cabot Economic Development

Workgroup led efforts that resulted in the receipt of a Municipal Planning Grant for the Cabot and hiring a Consultant for the planning study. One of the findings was that several buildings along Main Street could become important sites of economic development that would attract visitors and new businesses to Cabot. When the brown building at 3065 Main Street became available at an affordable price, the CCA saw an opportunity, and acted quickly to purchase the brown house. The funding to complete the purchase was provided by a CCIF loan approved at the 2018 Town Meeting. The CCA is currently working on a proposal for new economic development at this location. The CCA provides a non-profit umbrella for the activities of Cabot based volunteer organizations, serving as a fiduciary agent for their funds. In addition to the programs mentioned above the CCA provides accounting and administrative staff assistance to several Cabot community groups including the Northeast Kingdom Warriors (soccer), Cabot Community Theater, Friends of the Cabot Public Library, Cabot Mentoring, Cabot Arts, Inc., and Cabot Community Christmas Dinner, allowing these groups to concentrate on their activities rather than administrative and governmental paperwork. The CCA operating budget for fiscal year 2019 is $66,792. Funds to support our work are provided by grants, charitable contributions and a $13,000 appropriation from the Town of Cabot and a CCIF loan approved in 2017. The CCA is made up of a board of directors, a small staff, and - most importantly community volunteers. The Executive Director is Lori Augustyniak, and Michelle Leclerc has volunteered as Bookkeeper. It's easy to get involved: Join a program committee, Volunteer to assist with special events, beautification, and communication efforts. Stay informed and be vocal! Read the Cabot Chronicle and subscribe to the online Front Porch Forum to keep up on news affecting the community. For more information on the CCA, or any of its activities or programs, visit us online at www.CabotVermont.org. We are actively working to improve the website and expand its usefulness, as well as provide a directory for community groups and local businesses. Respectfully submitted by the CCA Board of Directors: Paul Wade (President) Frank Kampf (Vice President) Jeannie Johnson (Secretary) Jan Westervelt (Treasurer) Sjon Welters R.D. Eno Roz Daniels Susan Robinson

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2018 Cabot Chronicle Report

The Cabot Chronicle is a local newspaper mailed free to all postal addresses in Cabot, Marshfield and West Danville, delivering information not found in other media outlets. The Cabot Chronicle publishes articles, photos, notices and announcements with updates on local people, businesses, arts, agriculture, municipality, organizations, events and information specifically for Cabot area residents. Two thousand copies of The Cabot Chronicle are printed and delivered to 1,500 households in Cabot, Marshfield, and West Danville; the remainder are distributed to pickup points in Cabot, Danville, West Danville, Marshfield, Walden, Hardwick, East Hardwick, Plainfield and Calais. In early 2018, The Cabot Chronicle staff worked with the Cabot Community Association to look at the future and ongoing financial survival of the paper. In the summer of 2018 it was decided that the paper would move from monthly publication to a bi-monthly distribution cycle. This change allowed The Chronicle to continue to provide the paper free of charge to Cabot residents, as well as stay within its current budget. During this time, it was decided to also update the look and content of the paper to reflect the interests and strengths of the community. We are also striving to increase our advertising revenue. Costs for production include: postage, printing, stipends for two part-time positions; one for planning, coordination, editing and mailing/distribution (Jeanne Johnson), the other for graphic design and layout/pagination (Todd Jones), and modest stipends for requested columnists and submissions. We are not currently paying for distribution, proof reading, orweb management. Advertising and announcements for local governmental, nonprofit and volunteer groups are provided for no cost or at a discounted rate. The annual operating budget for The Chronicle is $13,650. Last year The Chronicle received a $10,000 appropriation from the Town of Cabot to support publication and we have requested the same amount this year. We’d like to acknowledge all the people who volunteer to make this community newspaper possible. There would be no Event Calendar if not for the work of Mary Beth Churchill. Lynn Maxfield and Betty Boisvert get our papers organized for distribution. Stephany Searles assists with proofreading. Twin Valley Senior Center Meals on Wheels drivers drop The Cabot Chronicle at various locations in Marshfield, Plainfield, and Calais, and Karen Mueller-Harder distributes papers in Walden, Hardwick and East Hardwick. Seth O’Brien manages our email account. And very special thanks to the Advisory Board - Frank Kampf, Amanda Legare and Jon Vara. Please contact us or an Advisory Board member with your ideas. We really want to hear from you. The more people involved, the better the paper will reflect the interests, opinions and personality of our whole community. Respectfully submitted, Jeanne Johnson Todd Jones Frank Kampf Amanda Legare Jon Vara and the Cabot Community Association

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Cabot Trails Committee Grant

Cabot has received a $21,966 grant for planning and implementing trails in town. The grant was achieved through the efforts of a six-member “Cabot trails working group” (CTWG) created by the select board in 2018. The grant is from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development. State funding is $19,500, with the remaining matching funds provided by the Cabot Community Association. A community-wide survey in 2010 and a visit by the Vermont Council on Rural Development in 2012 both concluded that trails were the recreational feature in Cabot that residents in Cabot valued most. “Whether it’s for hiking, cross-country skiing, biking or simply walking, existing trails are mostly unmarked and some are in bad condition,” said Andy Gilbert, chair of the CTWG. The group hopes to create trails connecting to the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, the Cross-Vermont Trail in Marshfield and the Molly’s Falls Pond State Park (Marshfield Reservoir.). They also will concentrate on establishing trails that originate in the village.

Central VT Regional Planning Commission will be the contractor to accomplish the tasks under the grant. These include developing data and maps of existing and potential trails, engaging residents and landowners in public meetings, and developing two potential trail corridor alignment scenarios. “The grant is a great opportunity for kicking off this effort,” Gilbert said. “We will involve Cabot residents in meetings starting this spring to help us envision a public trail network that will benefit residents and visitors. In order to be really successful, we will need to engage with land owners.” The first public meeting of the trails planning group was attended by more than 40 interested residents. Gilbert said the committee would like to add a few more members. Anyone with questions or interested in helping, please contact him at [email protected].

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The Adventures of Woody Woodchuck

by Frank Kampf Episode 2 It has been several days since Woody walked towards the spinning blades of the bush plane’s propeller. Luckily, the pilot was getting out of his door and was there to stop Woody from making a fatal mistake. The entire event was a distant memory as Woody paddled down the river with the rest of the group. It was September and they were the last group permitted to travel on the river. Winter was fast approaching and autumn was evident everywhere on the hills surrounding the river valley. Woody was in awe of the beauty and the remoteness of the Nahanni River Valley. Just yesterday, a black bear had decided to swim across the river and had not noticed the five red canoes until it almost swam into Woody’s paddle. The bear did a quick about face in the water, swam to shore and ran as fast as a racehorse to the trees. Woody had never seen a black bear that big, it was almost as big as a grizzly. The bears back home in Vermont are small puppy dogs compared to the ones out there. Thus far, the paddling had been just like Molly Falls Pond on a windy day. The few small rapids they had passed through were rather tame. The canoes were heavily loaded with gear and food for two weeks on a remote wilderness river. But now the river began to flow swiftly. The guides, Kathy and George, had said during the morning briefing that the group was approaching Virginia Falls, and when everyone saw a dock on the right shore line, to paddle towards it. No one was to go past the dock, because the river would speed up and take the canoe over the falls. The dock would be hard to miss, since it was the first man made structure encountered since arriving on the river. When Woody saw the dock, he demonstrated the powerfulness of his paddling stroke, and his canoe was the first to reach the dock. All the others reached the safety of the dock shortly thereafter. Now came the laborious task of unloading the canoes. They were to camp at the falls tonight, then portage everything around the falls to reach the head of the canyon. The next morning, Woody hefted a canoe onto his shoulders and started the hour-long hike around the falls and down to the canyon bottom. At the bottom of the trail, Woody was met by a breathtaking view of the falls. At about twice the height of Niagara Falls, there is a permanent rainbow whenever the sun is shining, due to the northern latitude. After several more trips to get all the gear down to the river's edge, everyone packed the canoes. Except this time, the guides handed out spray skirts. Woody worked with Murray, his boat partner, to strap the spray skirt across the length and width of the canoe. Before Woody sat a red canoe with a blue cover and only two elastic banded holes through which each of them would sit. Murray was experienced with white water and would sit in the stern of the canoe, and Woody, being the powerful paddler, would sit in the bow. The canyons were numbered, not named, based upon the order they were discovered as miners paddled up the river in search of gold over a hundred years ago. Kathy gathered everyone around and began a lecture on how fourth canyon would be paddled, and proceeded to warn everyone that the water was high and the rapids in the canyon would be big class 4 waves. She told everyone that, with the loaded canoes, it would be easier to navigate, and the basic rule was to follow her and George in the lead canoe. If by happenstance anyone were to flip, she said to float down river with your legs in front of you for protection from rocks, and they would fish them out at the end of the rapids. The river took an “S” bend just below the falls, and Kathy insisted that everyone paddle their hardest to initially get across the river so they could enter the canyon on the left side. Woody was now nervous. He could see the entrance to the canyon, and Kathy was serious about the size of the standing waves. They all pushed off into the river and, facing the canoes upstream, paddled hard to reach the far side. Woody started to feel a little more confident as they rounded the final turn of the “S” curve and they headed into the standing waves. The first wave wasn’t so bad, the front of the canoe easily sliced up and over the wave, but the bow of the canoe slammed into the second wave and Woody, for a face full of water. Then the canoe shot straight into the third wave, which Woody could barely see over. The brunt of the wave hit Woody in the chest and whooshed up his front, taking his hat off. This was only the third wave, and Woody was now worried about how he was going to get through the next five miles, and if he would ever see his small Vermont farm again.

Solution for Cabot HoDoKu - Feb/Mar 2019 solution is upside down

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 13 onward.

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CABOT PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS

by Kathleen Hoyne, Librarian

We’ve got a lot going on at the Cabot Library this winter! First of all, there are a lot of new books/audiobooks in the library for children and adults, so come in and check them out! If you’re looking for something in particular, we can almost always get it for you if we don’t have it here. Our end of the year numbers show an increase in use of the library; patron visits are up 10%. Patrons are enjoying the ease of our new interlibrary loan system, CLOVER, and ILL’s are up by 40%. Patrons are also loving the free audio/e books through Listen Up! Vermont and some have downloaded the new app Libby – come in and ask if you need help. Many thanks to outgoing Trustees, Susan Dineen and Grace Breer, for their many hours of voluntary service and good cheer throughout.

Ongoing programs include:

Story Hour with Beth Wade – Tuesdays 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Kundalini Yoga with Nikki Krysak – Sundays – 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Meditation with Daria Babbitt – first and third Wednesday of the month – 6- 7:30 p.m. – beginning in April Community Book Group – third Monday of the month – 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Contra Dances with David Carpenter – second Saturday of the month – 7:30 pm

– Feb 9th, March 9th Programs this February and March: Monday, February 4 – 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. – Cabot School Library – Student Led Panel Discussion based on the book March by John Lewis. This year’s Vermont READS program sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council will feature Roy Hill, Penny Patch and Lynn Rockwell as panel members. Community members are welcome! Tuesday, February 5 – 7:00 p.m. - (Snow Date February 7) – John Hayden: Farming and Gardening on the Wild Side. The Greater Cabot Working Landscape Network and Cabot Public Library are hosting the third program in this series on pollinators. Owners of The Farm Between in Jeffersonville, John and Nancy work closely with nature by using ecological principles to grow cold hardy plants and maintain a 14-acre pollinator sanctuary, emphasizing the benefits of biodiversity. Tuesday, February 12 –6:30 p.m. Dinner/7:00 p.m. Discussion – based on the book March by John Lewis - This year’s Vermont READS program, sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council. Books are available at the Cabot Public Library. RSVP for dinner is helpful. Monday, February 18 & March 18 – 10:30 a.m. - International Migrations – A Reading & Discussion Series sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council, with discussions led by Francette Cerulli. February’s book will be Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt. March’s book will be Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. Tuesday, February 19 – 7:00 p.m. – Award winning film - The Story of Vermont’s Quiet Digital Revolution. Vermont is one of America’s most rural states, contributing to a high “social capital” within its mostly small-town communities. But as modern life and technology transform the way we live and work, the community-oriented lifestyle in many Vermont town’s is under stress. In response, Michael Wood-Lewis created a new social media network within and exclusively for residents of Vermont, called Front Porch Forum,that focused on hyper-local communication. Although largely unknown outside of Vermont’s borders, within them, a quiet digital revolution is underway. Entire towns have signed up, sometimes exceeding even the number of households. This is the story of three people from different walks of life in Vermont who each rally between traditionalism and progressivism, each of their lives caught in the middle of the digital economy that is transforming communities across America and the world. The ways these people live, their values and their online habits inform a larger community who is wondering if, perhaps, there is a different way to do things. Wednesday, February 27 – 7:00 p.m. – Democracy and Civil Discourse – A discussion based on the book, On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth, by Timothy Snyder. Many feel that today's divisive politics and disruption of our institutions threaten our democracy and could lead to civil unrest or authoritarian government. Dawn Andrews will lead the discussion to explore what these challenges mean and what we, as citizens, can do to keep our democracy healthy. Snyder's provocative book is brief (126 pages) and available at the library. Tuesday, March 12 – 7:00 p.m. – Traces of the Trade

– A Story from the Deep North. The Emmynominated film for historical research concisely uncovers and communicates a side of U.S. history previously untold. “Traces” is a transparent and vulnerable view into the story of the DeWolfe family as they research and explore the unsettling truth of their ancestors being the foremost slave traders in U.S. history. Sponsored by UCM’s Lifespan Spiritual Exploration program. Hope to see you at the library! Kathleen Hoyne Library Director

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TWIN VALLEY SENIOR CENTER

4583 U.S. Route 2 P.O. Box 152 East Montpelier, VT 05651 Looking ahead to the 2019 Town Meeting Day in Vermont, Twin Valley Seniors once again are asking taxpayers for their continued support for your local Senior Center. The center is not only a gathering place for food and socialization, but a lot more. The center hosts five days a week healthy exercise programs such as Bone Builders, Tai Chi, Yoga, Meditation and the hope of bringing in more new programs. Ongoing are art classes, foot clinics, blood pressure clinics, and yes, free tax service to all low income people. The center can be rented to host many activities, such as baby and wedding showers, small receptions, office parties and after funeral receptions. These events can also be catered by the center or someone of your choice. We are always in need of volunteers, as the center operates mostly on these dedicated, caring people. Any spare time you may have, we ask you to consider helping us, as we only want to grow and make a very lively and vibrant intergenerational center for everyone to enjoy close to home. The time you volunteer depends on you, as we will work with and make use of any time you have to spare. Some of the volunteering can be a handy man, kitchen, meals on wheels, dining room, board of directors, or all around volunteer. Interested in becoming an exercise leader? We would be happy to assist you to get certified to lead classes at the center. So, once again, we thank you and ask that you support us at your Town Meeting and also consider volunteering. You may contact me at 223-3322 or email [email protected]. Warm Wishes Rita Copeland, Executive Director

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Advice from the Tree Warden Helper

By Roland Payne, Sr.

The Emerald Ash Borer infection is presently south of Cabot by three or four miles. If anyone would like to see the infested areas on a map, the vtinvasives map can be viewed at the following URL: http://www.vtinvasives.org/land/emerald-ashborer-vermont . In preparation for the infestation of roadside trees, we have been working on an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) management plan. The first part of the management plan requires a survey of public Ash trees. During the past month, I have been surveying the roadside Ash trees to determine the quantity, size, and distribution on the town roads and right of ways. One purpose of the inventory of Ash trees is to aid in calculating cost for removal, but also, while doing the inventory, I am looking for signs of the Emerald Ash Borer. So far, I have seen nothing obvious. The Emerald Ash Borer is beneath the bark in a larval stage in the Cambium layer at this time of year. What I am looking for are signs Woodpeckers are working on a tree for insects just under the bark. The flight season for EAB begins in early May and continues through September 30. After the start of flight season, more surveying of Ash trees will need to be done, looking for the D-shape exit holes the EAB makes if EAB are present in our Ash trees at this time. Also, if anyone is willing to create and monitor a sentinel tree on their property, it would be very helpful. This can be done by girdling an Ash tree with two cuts around with a chainsaw a couple inches apart. The EAB goes after trees that are stressed first, and the sentinel tree will give early indication that EAB has infested an area. The purple triangular traps VT Forest, Parks, and Recreation maintains along our roadways will also monitor the progression of the infestation as EAB spreads from the confirmed infestation area. Without traps and sentinel trees, it will likely take two years for obvious signs EAB is present after it has infested an area. Early detection of EAB is important to slow the spread to other areas. We will need all the time we can get to deal with Ash tree removal. So please be observant and report any Ash trees to the Town if you think EAB may be present.

Cabot

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From page 16

The "Cabot Farmers Cooperative Creamery" was officially formed a century ago on April 1, 1919. Ninety-four members subscribed 863 cows. Only two members, Angus Smith and H.L. Nelson, had 30 cows or more. Celebrations of the Creamery’s centennial will take place throughout this year, with more details in the next issue of the Cabot Chronicle. Above is a photo from the 50th anniversary, taken in 1969. Front row, from left, Maidene (Mrs. Ray) Bolton, Abbie (Mrs. Tom) Orne, Leon Haines, Herbert Tebbetts, Wendell Goodrich and John Welch. Back Row, (from left) Max Gray, Bob Davis, Charles Carpenter, Lloyd Patterson, Everett Walbridge and Edwin Smith.

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Where in the World is the Cabot Chronicle?

Paul and Beth Wade at Bondi Beach in Australia. “Our son is working in Sydney for two years, so we are visiting. Our daughter came from Germany, as well. They never seem to want to come to Cabot for Christmas!” Photo provided by Paul Wade.

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