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The Cabot Chronicle

July 2022 · 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 July 2022 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

What is it and What’s Going on with Cabot’s Village Center Designation

It’s getting confusing! There’s the:  Cabot Village, a “municipal body” created in 1866, with village trustees set up mostly to develop and maintain the village water system, which was actually dissolved and merged with the town in 2010.  Cabot’s Village zoning district, one of

the districts in Cabot’s zoning regulations, which includes most of what we think of as the village center  The Cabot Village Historic District, a

designation approved by the state Division for Historic Preservation, based on a survey of historic buildings and the village setting  And Cabot’s “Village Center Designation or VCD”, a designation approved by the Vermont Downtown Board to foster historic preservation and economic vitality. Cabot applied for and gained that Village Center Designation or VCD, which corresponds closely to our village zoning district, more than eight years ago. The designation provides a series of benefits to the town, such as priority status for various state grant programs and tax credits for commercial property owners. A state without a lot of financial resources but which recognizes the need to protect historic investments in civic buildings and infrastructure, Vermont created the designation programs (Downtowns, Village Centers, New Town Centers and Growth Centers) twenty years ago, to help keep Vermont’s downtowns and village centers thriving. Why do we want the VCD? The historic tax credits (which any structure other than a single-family residence is eligible for) help owners maintain the integrity of historic buildings. The credits can be used for anything from simple façade improvements to electrical and plumbing improvements and structural upgrades to meet ADA requirements. The town also gets added points in the competition for various state grants although, lacking the designation and given there’s 216 designated village centers now in Vermont, the designation has become a basic starting point in order to compete in those programs. Some programs, like the new Better Places grants to foster community-building, require that the designation is in place as a starting point. Consistent with a town priority to keep the village center healthy, Cabot applied for and gained the VCD in 2014. It has to be renewed every 8 years. Cabot’s original designation was set to expire at the beginning of 2022. The state offered us a grace period, keeping our village designation in effect until the end of July. There are particular steps, aimed at making sure the public is involved in the decision, that are required for a renewal, and an added requirement is that a map of the VCD needs to be included in the Town Plan. Cabot’s Town Plan, approved in 2017, did not include that map. Town Meeting 2022 overwhelmingly approved the addition of the map to the Town Plan, but, by an oversight, a required public hearing preceding the vote was never held. The result is that our Town Meeting vote didn’t count and our VCD will expire at the end of July. Cabot will have to start a new application to the Downtown Board. It’s not hard to regain. “We will be eager to welcome Cabot back in”, says Richard Amore who administers the Program And because this will be a new application, rather than a renewal, we need a map, but it doesn’t have to appear in the Town Plan. There are some opportunities in the delay. Since the town needs to start over on its application for VCD, the town could expand the VCD boundaries to include the Cabot Creamery’s main buildings. The Creamery could benefit, by gaining eligibility to compete for tax credits for façade or electrical and plumbing improvements. There is also another designation we can apply for, soon after or even at the same time as we apply for VCD, which would be a major support for the Cabot Creamery, as they actively work on developing housing to induce new employees: a Neighborhood Development Area or NDA. The state describes the NDA program as helping  “lower the cost to build housing in areas within easy walking distance of the core commercial centers. …  Within the designated areas, the program aims to help communities build and maintain walkable neighborhoods that are pedestrian-oriented, contain a mix of uses (both residential and nonresidential)… provide a variety of public spaces, have a sense of identity or place, and connect to adjacent neighborhoods and the downtown/village core“ (from https://outside.vermont.gov/agency/ACCD/ACCD_Web_Docs/CD/CPR/Planning -Your-Towns-Future/DHCD-Planning -Manual-Module2.pdf). The first phase of the Creamery housing project is likely to be built within Cabot’s VCD, close enough for residents to walk to the library, stores, the post office and the school. This is just the type of location the NDA program was designed for. What’s more, the Creamery is Expired Designated Village Center Map

considering a proposal that this first phase of the project include a day-care center, open to all Cabot families. Adding a NDA that includes their land in the Village Center, would drastically reduce the Creamery’s state permit fees. Legislation just enacted (S.226) will exempt a workforce housing project within an NDA from Act 250 review, even when an Act 250 permit is already in place for the employer, along with other financial inducements to get new housing built. The Creamery also hopes to design a larger housing project on their land farther uphill off Whittier Hill Road, outside the village zoning district and the VCD. Stay tuned for future articles describing proposed housing projects for their employees, and opportunities for public input, when they provide the town with draft proposals – maybe next year. In the meantime, the Planning Commission and Selectboard are helping “prepare the ground” via the town’s applications for a new VCD, and maybe an NDA, to the Vermont Downtown Board.

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What is the Cabot Arts and Music Festival?

by Dana Robinson On Saturday, July 30, the Cabot Arts and Music Festival will present a fullday, family-friendly celebration of music, food, crafts and creativity. Hosted on the Cabot village common, the festival will provide an opportunity to celebrate Vermont artists, and for visitors to discover a what wonderful place Cabot is! The musical lineup features the best of Vermont musicians as well as incredible talent from throughout New England. Genres will include folk, pop, jazz, rock, classical, African, Native American and swing. Featured will be: Chad Hollister with his 7-piece Band, Nulhegan Abenaki Drums, Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, Reggie Harris, Heather Pierson Trio, Mikahely, Matt Flinner Trio, Karen Kevra, Rik Palieri, and the slapstick comedy of Modern Times Theater. A vendors’ market of local artisans will be showcasing their wares. A sculpture exhibit, kids activities and food trucks will be set up on the common, as well. There will be a 40’ by 60’ tent, which will accommodate 200+ people. Folks are also encouraged to bring lawn chairs No alcohol will be allowed on the common, however Harry’s Hardware will be open all day, and music will be featured in the Beer Garden during the 5-7 pm dinner break. Advance tickets are $30. Day-of tickets are $40. Kids 16 and under will be admitted free-of-charge. Cash or credit will be accepted at the gate. No dogs will be allowed on-site. Parking will be encouraged in lots throughout the village (Willey Building, Cabot School, Masonic Building, and the rec. field). Please be mindful of the “No- Parking” signs in specific areas. The festival needs volunteers! Help needed includes: Gate/Ticketing, Parking, Festival Setup and Breakdown, and Hospitality. Free admission will be offered in exchange for a couple hours of time. Cabot Arts is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide educational and arts-based entertainment to the community at a reasonable price. We intend for the festival to be beneficial for all Cabot businesses and artisans and that it will generate good will, community spirit and cooperation amongst our citizens. For tickets, schedule, FAQ’s, site map and all festival details, visit: www.cabotarts.org or call: 802-793-3016.

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OBITUARIES & MEMORIALS

Michael Andrew Ducharme Obitu- Michael A. Ducharme ary Michael Andrew Ducharme, “Stonetree - Keeper of the Sacred Stones,” 77, passed away on Monday, May 23, 2022, in Newark, VT. Michael was born in Hardwick to Albert and Claire (LeBlanc) Ducharme on September 28, 1944, the third oldest of 16 children. Michael was known for his expertise on a wide range of topics and talents in many areas, and will be remembered as a “teacher.” His love of rocks turned into a talent for building beautiful and creative stone walls, walkways, and labyrinths. Michael was a logger, a landscaper, and his skill set also included electrical, plumbing, carpentry, mechanics, and just about anything that was needed. He was also an honorary member of the Dowsers Society of Danville and he enjoyed participating in the annual Dowsers Society gathering. Michael’s early career paths included working for Vermont Castings and General

Paul Robert Perry Paul R. Perry Paul Robert Perry, 65, of Allen Street, Barre, passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Born on February 17, 1957, in St. Johnsbury, he was the son of Robert “Gus” and Erma (Guy) Perry. He attended Cabot schools, graduating in 1975. Following high school, he was employed by Cabot Cheese, then he delivered milk for HP Hood and that’s how he became known as the “Milkman.” He also worked at Newton Construction, Sanel Auto Parts, and enjoyed a brief stint working at Fairmont Farms. On June 27, 1998, he married Susan Corey in Barre. In his spare time, he loved attending chicken pie suppers in the fall and going to the “Aud” for basketball games in the spring. He also loved tractor parades and westerns, especially Gunsmoke, and having a good conversation, striking up chats with anyone. He was an avid “rail fan,” as well as a Red Sox, Celtics and Gloria J. Watkins (Rozell)

Mrs. Gloria J. Watkins (Rozell), 75, of Cabot died peacefully, May 30, 2022, at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin. Born November 5, 1946, the daughter of Thomas and Doris Rozell of Odessa, NY. Raised on a rural hilltop, the only girl amongst three brothers. She graduated from Odessa- Montour Central High School in 1964. She met the love of her life, Dale Watkins, while working at Westinghouse in 1970. They married October 8, 1977, in Horseheads, NY, and moved their family to Cabot in 1988. She worked for 30 years in healthcare as a licensed nursing assistant, Electric. Michael was a member of the Clan of the Hawk tribe and lived for many years on the reservation in Evansville, VT. Michael is predeceased by his parents, Albert and Claire Ducharme, his brother Albert Ducharme, and partner Marion Peduzzi. He is survived by his five children; Peter and Tessa Ducharme of Walden, VT, Thomas and Kathy Ducharme of Monroe, NH, Patrick and Cheryl Ducharme of Hardwick, VT, Melissa and Alfred Anair of Walden, VT, Michelle and Dennis Rich of Hardwick, VT, as well as former spouse, Madeline Molleur of Greensboro Bend, VT. Michael also leaves 11 grandchildren, two greatgrandchildren, 14 brothers and sisters, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, cousins, and so many friends. The family will host a Celebration of Life on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at the Cabot Recreation Field at 12 p.m. If it is rainy, the location will be changed to the Willey Memorial Building (Cabot Town Hall). Share online condolences and memories with the family at dgfunerals.com.

Patriots fan. He knew history like the back of his hand, especially anything to do with the 1927 flood and the railroad industry. Paul lived life each day not knowing if tomorrow was a given. Survivors include his wife, Susan Perry, of Barre; his mother, Erma Perry, of Cabot; his children, Melissa (Sam) Jensen, of Barre Town, Lance (Christine) Perry, also of Barre Town; his grandchildren, who knew him as “Pop-P,” Mya Perry, Hayley Perry and Silas Paul Jensen; his brothers, Timothy (Sabine) Perry, of Woodbury, and Allan Perry, of Cabot; and his uncle, Walter Bothfeld, of Cabot, his sister-in-law Cheryl Corey Collins of Essex, VT; and his brothers-inlaw Steve Corey of Placerville, CA and Tom Corey (Sonny) of Kingwood, TX; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. The service to honor and celebrate his life was held on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in the Hooker Whitcomb Funeral Home. For a memorial guestbook, please visit www.hookerwhitcomb.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Green Mountain Audubon Center, 255 Sherman Hollow Road, Huntington, VT 05462.

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

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Cabot Creamery Co-operative The Little Creamery that Could

by Jane Brown

Continued from June Issue of The Cabot Chronicle, Page 11 ( )

Soon, farmers who had been reluctant to join the new enterprise were joining their neighbors and business was flourishing. At first, the creamery accepted whole milk and separated the cream in two large separators and discarded the skimmed milk. When small, reasonably priced mechanical separators became available, farmers were able to separate the cream at home, thereby reducing the volume that had to be transported to the creamery by about ninety percent and could then use the skim milk at home. After a few years, the original group that formed the Cabot Creamery Company dissolved and the facility was purchased by Ralph M. Hoyt. It was sold to F. A. Messer of Greensboro in 1911. These were difficult years. The nation was preparing for the possibility of war and farmers were asked to produce 1954 Creamery: The creamery as it looked in 1954, after numerous updates made by the new manager, Bob Davis. Photo from the Cabot Historical Society collection.

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

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Land, Phones and Heat Pumps

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

Land Donation from Cabot Commons

At the June 7th meeting, the Selectboard accepted a donation of land from Cabot Commons. The land is 0.71 acres and is a narrow strip situated directly behind the Willey Building. The topic of this land was previously discussed in detail at a Selectboard meeting earlier in the year, and a description of the discussion can be found in the March 2022 edition of the Cabot Chronicle.

Phone for Road Foreman

The Selectboard also discussed the topic of a phone for the road foreman. Betty Ritter said that Aldo Nunn was looking for a new phone. She said that currently they pay him $40 a month for using his phone. She had checked with the neighboring towns as to what they do and said Marshfield does not do anything and Plainfield does have a phone for the road foreman. She had priced out a phone for Aldo and said the total cost would be $69.26 a month with First Net. R.D. Eno pointed out that he has a Cellular One phone that only costs him $44 a month. Michelle Leclerc said that she gets $40 a month from the town for using her personal phone as the Assistant Town Clerk. During the discussion it was learned that the phone would be Aldo’s sole phone, and was not a second phone just for town usage. Jenn Miner said she does not get anything for using her phone in her various roles for the town. She added that the board should be cautious not to set a precedent, and that $40 a month seemed reasonable.

Mike Hogan ended the discussion about phones by stating they will leave it as it is for now.

Willey Building Heat Pump

Later in the meeting, the subject of heat pumps for the Willey Building was brought forth by Betty. She had reached out to various companies and said Bournes Energy came back with the best price, $33,193.37, requiring a 50% deposit. She noted that the price did not include electrical services and disconnects required for the installation, and that an electrician would be needed to add the wiring for the heat pumps. Betty said she needed to “get them ordered” because of how long it will take to get them, like everything else. There would be two for the downstairs offices, one for the library and one for the meeting room. Michelle noted that the lister’s office is terrible, it's either hot or cold, and they are not in there all the time. Fred added that the heating system in the Willey Building is inefficient when it needs to be turned on for a few cold days. He said when it gets turned on, it can take a day or two for the rooms to be heated. And added that the heat pumps would make it possible to turn off the heating system in the spring and the fall, and they could heat the offices for just the hours they are used. The Selectboard passed a motion to buy the heat pumps, but the motion did not reference the amount, nor if the electrical installation was included. The minutes do not reflect any amount or specifics regarding the motion either.

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Recycling Center Contract

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

Mike Hogan invited John Cookson to start the discussion of the Recycling Center Contract at the June 7th Selectboard meeting. John started by saying “it's that time of year again, that time to talk about my contract at the recycling center.” He went on to describe that he is proposing the same pricing at $75 a week. He stated the hours would continue to be 8 am to 12 noon on Saturdays, and that he puts in hours during the week to do sorting and other stuff. He estimates the contract works out to about $10 an hour. He added that he has kept the same bag pricing for the last eight years. John noted that he has “been doing this for 28 years, been doing it for 26 at the recycling center for the town.” He went on to note that one has to be licensed by the State, have a permit with the district, and insurance. He told the Selectboard that if they get into the bidding process, anyone would have to have those qualifications. He said “my contract runs out the 25th of this month.” He continued, “If it doesn’t get renewed tonight, I’ve got other locations that I’ve secured.” R.D. Eno spoke from the Selectboard and told John that he thought he has been a good steward and he has managed the center well. R.D. stated that this is the “busiest recycling center in the Northeast Waste Management District.” He added that it is “unique in that we do our own sorting” and as a result the district doesn’t have any tax impact on the town. “You've been invaluable in helping people do that sorting at the recycling depot… and I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t renew your contract, and I would like to move to renew John’s contract.” Mike interjected “before we go that way… the reason I asked to put it on the agenda for tonight, not only the two people you have mentioned to me, but I have had other people ask me about this contract coming up.” Mike continued by stating that he thinks the town needs to give people the opportunity to bid on things when they come up, “in all fairness”. John responded that his contract runs out on the 25th, and he will not continue without a contract. I will set up somewhere else and “if I have to, I will just set up and undercut whatever the pricing is at the recycling center.” He continued by describing additional activities he has been doing for the Town of Cabot, including helping on Green-Up Day, helping with bulk loads, and trucking more than a thousand tires over the years. He has also had to plow the parking lot at times and didn’t charge the town for it. Mike told John that “it's not that we don’t want you there, we have a democratic process in this country, and things are supposed to be transparent.” He added that the board has to give the opportunity to other people, and they have to do due diligence. R.D. said to Mike, “I appreciate the value you put on transparency, but I don't think there is anything opaque in the process of renewing a contract that we have with John.” He added “Everyone can see what we are doing.” Skip Bothfeld asked if the bids could be in before the 25th to which Mike responded we could get the bids in next week if we put a date on it. John asked why this is happening this year, it hasn’t come up before in the last 26 years. Mike responded that they hadn’t heard from anyone before. Fred Ducharme expressed concern about losing John. R.D. offered his motion again, and Fred seconded it. Skip asked “what's the fallout if we renew the contract and these other people come back to us?” Mike responded that he didn’t think they were under any obligations. There was some general discussion regarding the length of the contract, which is two years, and whether the bid could be put off for a year and renew John’s contract for a year. John stated he was only comfortable with a two year contract so he has some job security for his employees. Ian Ackermann described he used to mow lawns for the Town of Marshfield under a two year contract. He said that he got underbid and lost the contract. He added that he also had two people reach out to him about the recycling center contract. Mike called for the vote for the motion. R.D. and Fred voted for renewing John’s contract and Mike, Ian, and Skip voted against renewing the contract. Fred asked if it was possible that at the end of the month we don’t have anyone to run the recycling center. John stated that he will be done on the 25th. He said “you said no, so I heard ya. I’m going to take these other locations and I will undercut whoever is doing it, and I will do my best to put them out of business.” As John left the room, he told the board if they change their minds in the next couple days to let him know.

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The Town of Cabot has a Purchasing Policy published on the Town Website. The policy states

BID PROCESS. All purchases of $20,000.00 or more shall be subject to a bid process. The bid process shall be initiated by the issuance of a request for bids approved by the selectboard. Notice of the request for bids shall be made by letters to known providers soliciting bid responses, advertisements posted in three public locations within the Town, and advertisements placed in a newspaper of general circulation in the region.

The policy describes in detail the process and requirements for the bid process, including the submission process, the opening of bids in a public meeting, and the criteria for selecting the winning bid.

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Mural on the Pavillion

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

Amanda Otto, Cabot Youth Librarian, spoke about the painting of a mural on the pavilion located on the recreation field at the June 7 Selectboard meeting. Amanda said they had obtained grant funding and handed out to the board images from the artist of what the mural would look like on the back wall of the pavilion. She added that they would also like to include the bathroom doors. The doors have a lot of peeling paint, and they could be painted with images that tie into the mural on the back wall. Mike Hogan asked if there was a timeline. Amanda answered that the grant requires the money to be spent by the second week of August. She added that they have a session scheduled with the artist for June 28 through July 1. And then July 6 through 8 would be the first camp with kids ages 14 to 18. And another camp from August 3 to 5 for ages 11 through 13. Amanda said the proposal provides a brief description of what the artist is thinking, a combination of outside education, imagination, the Cabot landscape, flora and fauna. Ian Ackermann said “I like it.” R.D. Eno asked about the bathroom doors, and how they would tie into the mural, and added that he thinks it's a great project. Amanda also talked about the front of the pavilion and said they would like to add something to draw people in to see the back of the building. The board passed a motion to approve the mural project.

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Fire Department

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

At the April 5 meeting, after the discussion of ARPA funds for a gear dryer, hose washer and new hoses, Mike Hogan asked the Fire Chief, Dean Deasy, about fire department insurance coverage. He wanted to know what is covered through the town’s current insurance, and what other options exist. He asked Dean to come back with information at another meeting. The discussion then turned to Engine One, and Dean also talked about the repairs. He described that it had just left the paint shop, and they should be getting it back in about seven days. He explained that all the neighboring chiefs are aware of the current status, and that the damage had been done during an accident at night. Making a corner, the bumper caught a frozen bank. The board and Dean also discussed a grant for a new pumper truck. Dean had not heard anything yet, but said he heard through the grapevine they are getting ready to start notifying applicants on June 1. Dean explained the grant is for replacing the current tanker, and the total of the grant is $500,000.

He noted the current tanker is over 20 years old, and the fire department is looking at getting one that carries a larger volume of water. He expressed that Cabot has one of the smallest tankers in the area. The grant requires a 5% match, and Dean said he is hoping that the 5% can be obtained through the sale of the old tanker. Richie Hourihan asked a question by relating when he was at a meeting a few years ago, Chuck Marion was told the fire department would not go down class 4 roads. Richie said that there was supposed to be a policy put in place. Mike responded that they did talk about it, and related how the pumper could sit at the bottom, and run the hose up to the house. Dean chimed in and said “We will come down a class 4” road. He added that the fire department is very familiar with the class 4 roads, and that they also have mutual aid with departments with smaller apparatus. He added that at some point the fire department will eventually take the rescue truck and adapt it to use on smaller roads and driveways. He noted that some people can have an 1800 foot driveway.

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Journey Fellowship and Hooker Mountain Farm

Journey Fellowship is a small Baptist church located at 7868 US Route 2, right before the Marshfield/Plainfield line. The physical building has been an active church since the early 80’s, formerly the home of Macedonia Baptist. Four years ago, Enough ministries of Barre, VT, acquired the church and parsonage. Enough Ministries was founded by Dan and Cathy Molind, both long time Cabot residents, over eight years ago. They started Enough Ministries as a soup kitchen to meet the needs of unhoused people in the Barre area. During these meals, Dan would hold a short sermon and words of encouragement for all that attended. The meals and messages quickly grew and the soup kitchen transitioned to a full fledged church, spreading the gospel, baptizing hundreds of people and feeding them physically and spiritually. Enough currently resides at 24 Washington Street in Barre. They have an extremely active food redistribution ministry, providing meals and groceries to residents 24 hours a day, seven days of week. They also serve free meals to the public every Tuesday and Thursday at noon. With the help of dedicated volunteers they distribute over 700 pounds of food a day. In 2018 Enough decided to expand into the field of church planting in central Vermont. They acquired the former Macedonia Baptist church and renamed it as Journey Fellowship. While the church initially had success, its growth was stifled like many churches by the onset of COVID-19. During this time Kempton and Carrie Randolph, along with their children, attended Journey Fellowship and, under the former pastor’s discipleship, Kempton started to grow into church leadership. In the fall of 2021 when the bi-vocational Pastor position became available, Kempton felt called to apply and was voted in by the congregation. The Randolphs are long time residents of Cabot, and Carrie has lived in Vermont her entire life. The couple has run Hooker Mountain Farm and Distillery since 2010 and also have an active beef farm and large homestead operation where they strive to grow the majority of food that their family will eat. They have five young children all under the age of ten, who they homeschool. The family spends their days together on the farm growing food and growing in their love for the Lord. They feel it is an incredible blessing to be in a position where they can strive to serve the community “like Christ served everyone he ever met,” Carrie said. Since last fall, Journey has implemented many community and fellowship opportunities, recognizing a strong need for fellowship and companionship after the isolation of the past two years. “To see multi-generational families gathering together to love on one another, break bread together and worship God is an incredible gift” Kempton said. The Randolph family is often asked why they wanted to serve in church leadership when they already have so much on their plate with a young family, business and farm. “The answer is simple, The Randloph family. l to r - Mallow, Avi, Faye, Cricket, Kempton and Carrie Randolph. Just born after this photo Keziah.

God asked us to serve, and you don’t say no to that. Well maybe you do a few times, but eventually if God wants you to do something you are going to do it.” Both Kempton and Carrie feel that God wasn’t going to take “no” for an answer, that he had a plan for these hill farmers and last August Kempton accepted the pastoral position at Journey. Having experienced his own intense awakening to God as an adult he knows just how powerful and life changing living in the love of Christ can be. Kempton is often asked how a farmer becomes a preacher. He acknowledges that while at first glance it seems like an odd leap, it actually makes a great deal of sense. “As a person who spends the majority of my time outside in creation, I’m in a place of constant witnessing in nature. The natural world is just so incredibly complex and amazing that faith in a higher being than just us humans eventually became undeniable” he said. Since September things have been incredibly busy with the church, but it is all worth it to see how God is at work here in central Vermont. Kempton’s wife often says that she loves to see when God “shows up and shows off” and that is exactly what is happening at Journey Fellowship. With a growing congregation, the church recently installed a playground for its littlest members and has programing three to four days a week. “It is such a blessing to have Journey be an active church again” she said. Currently, Journey Fellowship meets every Tuesday at 7 pm for bible study, Thursday at 6 pm for a free community meal and 7 pm worship service and Sunday mornings for 10 am service. They also hold a monthly meet-up for homeschooling families the first Friday of every month from 3-6 pm and have a selfserve food pantry that is restocked every Thursday and Sunday as well as a well stocked clothing closet that is open every Thursday and Sunday and by appointment. Journey Fellowship is open to everyone regardless of where you are on your walk with God and everyone is welcome regardless of beliefs. Please contact Pastor Kempton at 802-426-2052 or email at [email protected] for more information or ways to get involved in the food distribution ministry.

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Emergency First Responder Safety & the Facility

My name is Dean Deasy, Chief of Cabot Fire Department. I wish to have you learn more about the importance of safety to Cabot’s first responders and Cabot’s emergency service. Please… bear with me…. as we go back in time, and we hope you, too, will conclude we need a new emergency facility in Cabot. In 1867, the town of Cabot agreed to start a fire department and took on the responsibility and obligation of supplying fire protection for ALL residences of Cabot. At that time, Cabot became a leader… being one of the first in area towns to have fire protection. Since that date, many things have changed through the years. Cabot’s infrastructures have grown to match the changes from 1867 till today as the overall population continued to grow. More utility power was needed and run down the roads, water lines were increased from two inches to four inches to six inches, hydrants were installed, sewer plant was expanded, new roads were cut in and widened, parking lots were needed, and businesses were built for tourist attractions and some even encourage busses to show up. The senior citizen complex was built and now has a waiting list. The need for another senior center has been discussed. Our ancestors at the time never even thought how important an item called “fiberoptic” would be in the future as our town continued to grow. Like everything else, even the characteristics of fires changed. Plastic was invented in 1862 and is now found in over 85% of items. Asbestos was the main ingredient for building materials starting in 1866 and is still in many homes in Cabot today. In 1927, people started using propane in their homes for many applications. Use of aluminum siding began in 1940, lead paint was used up till 1978, and magnesium is used in cars’ gearboxes, front ends, and driver’s airbag housings. Even now, many homes have solar battery banks in basements that off-gas hydrogen. (The same gas used in the Hindenburg.) Vehicle accidents must be assessed before rescue operators can approach now because today’s electric cars have extremely large and hazardous high voltage battery banks riding quietly under the passenger compartment floorboards. With all this also followed statistics. Today’s reports of multiple carcinogens and health hazards in the modern environment, which is constantly developing and changing, continue to grow and threaten today’s emergency responders. Like the toxic burn pits our military has been exposed to overseas, where endless studies on long-term health hazards are recorded, we face the same demon here in Cabot. All are highly hazardous to one’s health whether involved in a fire or not. The days of the well-known picture in front of Harry’s Hardware Store of a horse and carriage making a delivery are no longer. Now you see tractor-trailers down the main street, offloading goods, tanker trucks delivering gasoline, heating fuel trucks backing into driveways, deliveries of 270 lbs. of sulfuric acid to the “bell house” or four million cubic feet of natural compressed gas being delivered to area businesses. Many of these hazards just “blend in”.... Emergency services are one of the main infrastructures of Cabot. Like many of the infrastructures I listed, we have done our best to keep up with the ever-increasing changing demand that the town has and continues to places upon us. In 1962 we moved from a barn near the church in the center of town to our present location just down the street. It was originally a two-bay building. At the time some thought that was overkill. In 1970 a lean-to was added to the structure because Cabot once again became a leader for the newly formed ambulance service that started in 1967. Then two more bays were added in 1992. And shortly thereafter the lean-to was converted to a meeting room with a bathroom. A new larger furnace was needed in 1998 due to the building’s expansion. As you can see, over the last several decades, we have added on to the original building over and over. All in an attempt to keep up with the growing demand that Cabot is placing upon the emergency infrastructure. We are now out of room at our current facility location. We are backed into a corner…. Literally. Provisions must continue to be in place in Cabot’s infrastructures to accept the ever-increasing changes in Cabot’s growth We have over one million dollars in equipment under my direction that has been invested by the town folks for fire suppression/protection and rescue operations. Without this equipment, our volunteers could not perform the tasks we must do. We are grateful for the town’s support. Our calls include structure fires, barn fires, car fires, brush fires, and alarm activations. Over the years they developed into additional non-fire-related calls like standing by with Vermont State Police for mentally altered status situations, removing victims from the woods, snowmobile accidents, CO2 alarms, lift assist, and, yes, cadaver removals. We also mentor the younger populations and encourage their academics. We guide them toward a career in the emergency field. Many past members have chosen this field for a career. We have a staff of nineteen volunteers that continuously donate their time and advance their training to better serve the critical needs of the town. Many of these expenses are absorbed by each individual and at no cost to the town. Each one is highly dedicated to helping the community regardless of the added burden of cost (financially or personal time) placed on them and their families. I am proud to be their chief. Over a decade ago our ancestors wrote a new firehouse into the town plan. It was recognized back then in 2012 that the future expansions of the facility that houses the emergency services here in Cabot were at their limits. It was again written into the town plan in March 2017 (five years later), with even more issues developing with the current location. Regardless, community assets continued to grow an estimated 1.6 million dollars each year from 2012 to today, assets we continue to protect and serve. Take a drive, and look at all the new roads, driveways, shops, and buildings that are going up. Whether you are for or against it, Cabot is growing. This growth involves ever-changing standard operational guidelines (SOGs) that emergency services must follow to keep our community volunteers safe at all costs for their invaluable donated time and service to the Cabot community. Safety procedures that were not even thought about five years ago now must be done and the responsibility for the safety of my members and the community now lays around me. The added space needed for proper decontamination of equipment, apparatus, and now even personnel has become extremely critical. The need for more training space to prepare for these high-tech emergency calls has surfaced. Space needed for meeting mental health needs has stepped up to the plate for appropriate debriefing space to help release a member’s feelings about dealing with a cadaver after an accident or knowing the empty car seat they just tossed in the back of the wrecker belongs to a child that will not see their parent again. Yes, emergency services have changed from 1867. What do we protect, you ask? The total grand list value in Cabot that we protect as of the last few weeks is $188,398,855.00 That consists of 1020 parcels We have 515 year-round homes, With additional 56 homes considered “seasonal”, with a total value of $20,983,000 alone 59 mobile homes 19 commercial structures 1 industrial parcel (creamery) 26 “farms” Add in all the values of the content within these structures and the numbers are unmanageable. And may I note these figures for when I received them just a few days ago have already continued to rise. This does not include the continuing increase in traffic accidents. As Chief of Cabot Fire Department, it is my job to ensure Cabot continues to receive professional emergency services for the entire community and guests, as was asked by our ancestors back in 1867 and fully expected by today’s community. Equally important is the responsibility to protect the safety of each volunteer within Cabot’s emergency service. I will not fool you, yes, there have been a few sleepless nights after I became Chief in January, due to late-night phone calls from our dispatch or Vermont State Police, informing me of developing issues that are happening in our quiet community, like a possible meth lab location, etc.... Much of this info will never go public. It is with this responsibility and service in mind, as well as our member’s safety and well-being, that I wish to bring forth the movement to a new public safety building. Unlike the first proposal back in May 2019, which was covered in a 78-page report of our current facility issues and is on the town web page, we did as asked. We removed many corners in the building footprint, used a metal building structure, and cut down the square footage from 15,000 to 9,500 square feet, yet still having room for a second independent entity (Cabot ambulance) to share the space and help them encourage membership growth. Knowing progress WILL continue in the growth of the town, future expansions are flexible down the road with this design, as in the open loft area, if added space is ever needed. Until then, it can remain untouched. We also researched the important question: Should Cabot have emergency services? A report was developed in April 2021 - Northeast Kingdom Consortium Regional Fire Services Feasibility Study Consolidated listing of Recommendations. Cabot, once again, is a leader with available equipment, workforce, and training that has been invested to date. Cabot fell under NOT recommended for consolidation with adjoining towns. Other ramifications would develop, like what is called the town’s ISO rating. Everyone’s fire insurance is based on this rating, whether you realize it or not. It is a number that is based on many variables, like the size of the department, type of equipment, response times, and location of apparatus to name just a few. Without an emergency service within the Cabot town lines OR, if we were located not in the center of the town lines, like for example to the Cabot Town garage location, would send community folks’ fire insurance rates for your home, cars, business, etc., to unmanageable increases, as well as doubling response time to the bulk of the Cabot community. That is a risk and unnecessary financial burden that, during my leadership, should not and will not be placed upon the Cabot community folks we protect and serve. As most of you know, the property at 2466 Main Street was bought for the site of a new firehouse. This location met the criteria needed for Cabot’s emergency service. City water, three-phase power, city sewer, good sight lines, and a level lot, as well as keeping Cabot’s infrastructure centrally found and supporting the current ISO and emergency response time standards. Many hours have been invested in being a “good neighbor” about the design, planning a far setback, heavy natural screening, and a child safety fence, even the way the building was redesigned, keeping 95% of the activities in clean up after a call in the rear of the building. The proposed drawing, donated by a community member, was presented to the Select Board on June 21 for review. It is designed with one hundred years of use, is flexible, and forward-thinking. We did include items town folks requested in the past, like making it a “green” building by using pellets to heat, considering solar energy to make it a netzero building, and using material that is maintenance-free to keep the future monthly upkeep to a minimum. Many conversations have taken place with the Vermont State Department of Public Safety to ensure that flexibility in this public safety building is achieved regarding codes for now and for future growth as Cabot’s demands change. In closing, I want to thank the people of Cabot again for their time reading and learning about your emergency services and the resolute emergency volunteers.

Yes, we fully realize that nothing is free. And some costs will be placed on the town for this project at some point. Please remember that emergency volunteers are taxpayers, too. To be clear, it is not to build it today, but define the scale of the cost of this building, which can be figured out by a qualified contractor’s estimate, and will give the town an idea of the project areas and offer suggestions on alternatives in design ideas for costsaving measures. We can collaborate with this company (whomever) to develop a cost-saving public safety building project budget for Selectboard and town review. Taking that estimate, whatever it might be, deducting available grant funding, compared to the hundreds of thousands of dedicated hours, energy, training, calculated risks, and funds personally donated by the present and all past members from 1867 to today, as well as the overwhelming support of the Cabot community regarding over one million dollars in invested apparatus and equipment purchased to date for suppression/protection and rescue operations is a cost well worth the continuing service. It is important to balance protecting our community and Cabot’s volunteer emergency service membership, as well as a continued upgrade to the infrastructure of emergency service support for the Cabot Community - an entity that was asked by the townspeople to be formed. We look forward to your continuing support of this project. Be Safe. Dean Deasy Cabot Fire Chief [email protected]

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ADVICE FROM THE TREE WARDEN

It has been twenty years since the first emerald ash borer (EAB) infestations were discovered in Michigan and Ontario. Since 2002, EAB has spread rapidly. Currently there are known infestations in thirty-five states and five provinces in Canada. Vermont’s first EAB infestation, discovered in early 2018, has spread rapidly, with infestations now covering more than one third of Vermont on the VT Invasives map tracking the spread of EAB. The three ash species in Vermont (Black, Green, and White Ash) have no natural resistance to EAB. It may take multiple generations for them to naturally develop resistance to EAB. Unfortunately, in the years to come, more ash trees will succumb to the devastating effects of EAB. In the long term, there is hope for some ash trees to survive the infestation as control methods for EAB evolve. Researchers are making rapid progress on control methods for EAB. Control methods currently being used or developed for EAB include targeted application of insecticides, releases of parasitoid wasps, and development of genetically resistant ash trees. Targeted application of insecticides typically is used in urban settings to save individual ash trees of significance from EAB infestation. The insecticide is injected directly into the ash tree’s vascular system and spreads throughout it, keeping EAB from infesting the tree. Releases of parasitoid wasps as a biocontrol method for EAB is now being used in Vermont. Releasing parasitic wasps is a landscape-level approach to control EAB but will not eliminate the regional EAB population. The Vermont League of Cities and Towns website as an article on the release of parasitoid wasps in the LR Jones State Forest in Plainfield. The URL for “Release the Wasps: Biocontrol of Emerald Ash Borer in Vermont’s Forests” is https://www.vlct.org/article/release -wasps-biocontrol-emerald-ash-borersvermont%E2%80%99s-forests. This article is an in-depth look into this method of EAB biocontrol. Another interesting article on the development of EAB resistant ash trees is “Rising From The Ashes” on the science website. The URL for “Rising From The Ashes” is https://www.science.org/content/article/can-ambitious-breeding-effort-save -north-america-s-ash-trees. Efforts to breed EAB resistant ash trees in North America could result in the accelerated return of ash trees to our forests. Ash trees in China have developed resistance to EAB over thousands of years of evolution, and hopefully the ash trees in North America will be able to develop some resistance much faster with the breeding of ash trees for resistance to EAB. The spread of EAB in Vermont’s forests will also leave some stands of ash trees called lingering ash or native ash trees that display resistance to EAB. Hopefully one or more of the forementioned EAB control methods will lead to the eventual return of this forest icon in Vermont’s forests after the EAB infestation has subsided.

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Update on Pupil Weights & Education Taxes

Over the past two years, the School Board has provided updates and materials concerning proposed changes to education finance law. With patience and persistence, the Governor signed S.287 into law as Act 127 of 2022. Beginning in FY25, Cabot will see the benefit of operating under a more equitable education finance system. To summarize the change, Act 127 updates how students are counted and what their assigned “pupil weights” are. Previously, a “one size fits all” model was used based on grade of enrollment, however, the new system takes into account the actual needs of students in a community – recognizing it costs more to educate some students (e.g. English language learners, children in poverty, etc.). The goals of Act 127 include (1) increasing educational equity by ensuring the financial resources available to school districts account for factors like poverty, English learners, and small schools or sparsely populated school districts, (2) improving educational outcomes by appropriate resource allocation, and (3) simplifying the school funding formula and tying expenditures to student needs. In simplistic terms, this addresses what the Cabot School Board has been saying for years: the existing funding system was unfair and artificial cutoffs like the “excess spending threshold” did not account for our student demographics or needs. Beginning in FY25, the Cabot School district will have substantially more flexibility to expand student opportunities without “having to rob Peter, to pay Paul,” or to raise taxes. In sum, the change in law is a huge win for school districts as different as Cabot and Winooski, or Peacham and Burlington. The diversity in districts that supported this change – geographically dispersed, some large, some small - demonstrates clearly that the existing system was no longer working for many communities. The enactment of Act 127 is a great way to conclude the school year – and while its impact will not be immediately felt, we will see greater stability (and less controversy?) in our school finance and budget processes moving forward. To conclude, I would like to thank Superintendent Mark Tucker for his work on behalf of the Cabot School District on this issue, as well as Board Member Chris Tormey and former Board Member Michael Taub for their testimony and advocacy before the legislature. It was a real team effort from education advocates across the State – and we can be proud that Cabot led the way in achieving a more equitable education finance system.

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Welcomes New Coordinator

by Mary Ann Tormey Karen Hatcher, of Plainfield, VT, is excited to be joining the Cabot Mentoring Program as its coordinator. In her own words about the importance of connections made through mentoring, “Community mentorship is a simple yet extremely powerful way to support children as they navigate the challenges of growing up in an increasingly unpredictable world.” The Cabot Mentoring board is delighted to bring Karen’s extensive experience to our community. A lot of her work over the years has been focused on building community and exploring creative ways to bring generations together - not only to promote fun but also to work on important initiatives that benefit youth, adults, and the community. She is eager to meet both youth and adults who want to learn more about participating in the Cabot Mentoring Program. Summer is a great time for this to happen, so that mentors and mentees are ready to start meeting at the beginning of the school year. Karen will have an office at the Cabot School and plans to align her work with the community school efforts. Cabot Mentoring offers both community mentoring and school-based mentoring programs, and we are excited to be re -energizing a program that has been such an important part of the Cabot community for many years . If you are interested in learning more about the program, becoming a mentor yourself, or have a child who would like a mentor, Karen can be reached at: [email protected].

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June 28-30: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. July 1-3: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Appointments for drop off at other times are available - please message me directly to set something up.

All proceeds from the Rummage Sale will be donated to the Cabot School Activities Fund. Thank you SO MUCH for considering us while doing your spring cleaning! We accept donations of clothing of all sizes and types, toys, baby gear, small kitchen appliances (in working order), kitchen items, dish ware, home improvement items, chairs, linens, movies, housewares, shoes and more. Books should be donated to the Cabot Library book sale.

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Ruth Kaldor Among the Exhibitors at Cabot Art Barn

Beloved local painter Ruth Kaldor, who was the art teacher at Cabot School for many decades, will be exhibiting her paintings at the Cabot Art Barn on Main Street from June 25- July 4. The gallery will be open from 10-4 every day until July 4 in the barn of the Wiswell House. Follow the signs and don't miss this very special experience! Right - Barnyard Chickens, 12x12" watercolor by Ruth Kaldor while helping to support a great

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

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“So, What Exactly Have You Accomplished So Far This Season?”

I expect that is the question you would like to ask if you were to run into me somewhere. If you have visited the boat launch yet, you’ve noticed we’ve been slow to get the season’s first mowing and weed whacking done. Much of the launch area is still waiting for its first haircut. The first time I put the mower to the lawn, a shield broke off the back of the machine, making it unsafe to use. We found a spare mower in the barn, so we took it to the park. I started it up and did a bit of mowing, and when I let go of the handle to shut it off, it didn’t shut off, making it unsafe to use. The third mower seems to be working okay, but the grass is long and thick in places now, and I am twenty years older than I was last year and wondering if I'm pushing the mower or if it is pushing me. This year I am not in any hurry to get the first mowing all done. There are spring wildflowers – fleabane, hawkweed, invasive buttercup - that have had an opportunity to bloom in the lawn at the entrance. We usually leave an area of the central lawn unmowed for a few weeks so the orange hawkweed can bloom there. This year, the lawn looks a bit like a maze - amazing, that is - as I try to avoid mowing the areas of densest blooms. And, who needs lawns, anyway? What’s our excuse for neglecting the weed whacking chores? We couldn’t get the trimmer started the first time we brought it to the park. We thought perhaps we’d flooded it, and we let it rest awhile. Like, for a week it rested. When we tried it again, we discovered that it wants to be started with the choke closed and run with the choke open. That’s not how it was for the first six years that we used it. I’d say it got put back together backwards after being serviced over the winter. Is that even possible? My mechanically-challenged mind can imagine it. Who is this “we” to whom I have been referring? This year, our wee staff consists of Alex and Myself. Alex worked for many seasons with the State Trail Crew. The Trail Crew is tasked with maintaining trails all over the state. They clear obstacles, construct bridges and staircases, perform heroic feats requiring super-powers and come-alongs. I have the utmost awe and admiration for those rugged men and women. Imagine hiking up a mountain trail with chainsaws, gas cans, rock bars, and many strange tools I’d never imagined until Alex started telling me his stories. Then they hike back down to fetch lumber and other materials needed for the current project. And perhaps they plan to camp at the worksite, so they’ll also need their tents, sleeping bags, food and water, and all the gear typically carried by a hiker. I hope you get to meet Alex when you come to the Park this summer. You may have already noticed some of his rock work around the park. When I ask him what he will do on his day off, he tells me of a trail somewhere that needs a bit of work done. This summer, the Park will play host to the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. They will begin work to develop some new campsites along the shores of the reservoir. Each site will have a composting toilet and a tent platform. Alex and I will be helping by clearing brush at the sites before construction begins, and also by ferrying people and materials in our boat. For their convenience, the VYCC will be camping at one of the park's day-use sites along Old Route 2 for several weeks. During that time, the site will be closed to visitors for the privacy of the workers. We apologize for the inconvenience and ask that these young folks are made to feel welcome. They do great work. Camping at MFP is still first-come, first-serve. Camping is not permitted anywhere except on designated campsites. Each site has a stone fire ring. Please do not build additional fire rings. Although we do not yet collect fees for camping, we do like to register campers. However, we are not always available at the launch when folks arrive, nor do we always find them at their sites. We have set up an ad-hoc registration station (regi -station?) on the back wall of the contact station for campers to self-register. We would like to be able to return any valuables that get left behind - just one of many reasons to register. Site availability is not a certainty. If anyone would like to volunteer a bit of time and effort at the park, please come find us at the boat launch and we will talk about upcoming projects. Messages may also be left for us at the registation.

Kate Abrams arrived in Vermont in 1984, and doesn’t ever want to.

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Cabot Trails - Connecting the Rail Trails

by Gary Gulka The Cabot Trails Committee efforts to find an off-road (mostly) link between the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) and Cross Vermont Trail (CVT) has been getting regional attention. With the LVRT nearing completion this year and the new bridge crossing on the CVT in Montpelier, there is growing interest in recreation and its contribution to the local economy. Our committee chair, Dana Glazier, recently attended a meeting of LVRT towns, including St. Johnsbury, Danville, Cabot, and Hardwick, to begin discussing a sustainable tourism model – recognizing that the LVRT will bring more visitors to our area, looking for things to do, other connecting trails, places to visit, and places to stay. Although Cabot’s section of the LVRT (about one mile in length) is quite a distance from the village center, unlike other towns, we hope to soon have a very scenic and enjoyable trail route to Cabot Village and ultimately Marshfield Village and the CVT. This will consist of mainly individual trails linked via short distances of Class 3 roads and paved roads. Currently, the CVT in Marshfield follows some of the old Wells River rail bed, especially heading east through Groton State Forest and beyond on a very pleasant grade for bike riders. Unfortunately, heading west from Marshfield , the CVT follows Route 2 to Plainfield, not a very safe or pleasant ride at this time.

Trails Committee members, Kris Schmitt and Paul Wade, checking out possible trail routes in the field.

Our conceptual trail route from Cabot Village to the LVRT would start behind the Willey Building to the Old Center of Town to Menard Road to Langone Road, to Dubray Road, to Cabot Plains Road, to the McQueeney Trails, and then a short distance down Bricketts Crossing to its intersection with the LVRT across the border in Walden. We still have some sections to complete this summer. In the meantime, please get out and enjoy some of our existing trails, including the McQueeney Trails, Talbert Farm Trails, and the Town Forest. You can find trail maps at trailhead information kiosks, on our Facebook page, on cabotvermont.org, and soon on TrailFinder and the town web site. We will be placing trail use logs on some of these trailheads and ask that you fill out the log sheets so that we can track trail usage and read your comments.

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Birdwatching 101: A Novice’s Perspective

by Gary Gulka I consider myself a novice bird watcher and improving every year. Aside from hanging around experienced birdwatchers or taking an ornithology field course, there are a few tips that I will pass along that may help others getting started. First, acquire decent birding binoculars – without these, frustration can easily set in. The Audubon Guide to Binoculars (Audubon.org) is a wonderful review of what’s out there with ratings on high end binoculars to the budget conscious models, that can be a steal compared to those costing over $1000. Learn about power. For looking at birds flitting around in trees or shrubs, seven or eight power is recommended. Higher power binoculars are harder to hold steady and thus are more suitable for viewing larger and more sedate birds (such as ducks resting on the water or loafing on shore). Objective lens width (important for viewing in low light), field of view width, and weight are other important factors to consider. Purchasing sight unseen may be risky, but fortunately many local outdoor sporting goods stores carry them. Another tip: Download birding apps to your smart phone. Merlin is a free app from Cornell Ornithology Lab that “hears” birds songs and calls when you turn it on – and identifies the bird on your screen – maintaining a list of all the birds heard – and highlighting that bird name in real time as it hears it. Another useful tool you can download to your phone is the Audubon Guide to Birds – great photos of birds - male, female, breeding and non-breeding, and juvenile, as well as keys to bird identification, all at your fingertips. Consider signing up for Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s biweekly bird report to help you keep up on bird activity in our area (https://vtfishandwildlife.com/watchwildlife/bird-watching/vermont-birdreports). The Conservation Committee is likely to schedule a bird walk every spring in Cabot which is a great learning opportunity.

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Cabot Community Service Award 2022

Amanda Legare is this year’s recipient of the Cabot Community Service Award. For almost two decades, the award has recognized individuals whose diverse contributions to our community have benefitted Cabot and its residents. Previous recipients have included coaches, mentors, emergency responders and Cabot’s tree warden. Since she moved to Cabot almost four decades ago, Ms. Legare has been keenly interested in the history of Cabot and in the lives and varied contributions of its residents. When her son Palmer was in school, she helped Cabot School students produce a student newspaper focused on learning more about the people and small businesses in Cabot. Along with Barbara Carpenter and Jane Brown, she played a large part in the research needed to write and publish “Cabot, Vermont: A Collection of Memories from the Century Past,” published by the Cabot Oral History Committee in 1999. She has interviewed many of Cabot’s oldest residents and has used her considerable writing talents to share their stories with the community and continues to make time to regularly visit with several of them that have become close friends. For many years Amanda was an enthusiastic member of the Cabot Community Choir. She’s also been a strong and supportive member of the Cabot United Church community, publicizing the Church’s activities and helping out with innumerable community meals hosted by the Church: Fall Foliage, Harvest Suppers, etc.

Amanda has also grown over the past three decades a strong and successful greenhouse business. In addition to using her skills and experience with flowering plants to beautify public places in Cabot, Amanda has over those years employed and mentored a large number of young people, many of whom continue to carry lessons learned there growing plants and working hard into their adult lives. Amanda’s longstanding interest in this small town and her contributions to it have made Cabot a better place to live. When accepting with surprise the Community Service Award during the Cabot High School graduation ceremony in June, she responded, “I love Cabot!” Cabot School Board Cabot Selectboard

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The Cabot Harvest Hub is Celebrating its one year Anniversary!

by Sarah Spletzer-Welters

This year in June we marked the one year Anniversary of the Cabot Harvest Hub! The Harvest Hub started as a project in collaboration with the Cabot Community Association, with two main intentions: supporting local farmers, food businesses and artists and making local food and other products more accessible to residents of the wider Cabot area. After its successful three-month trial period, the Hub secured additional funding to let the project continue throughout the winter and again throughout this year. The non- profit organization Neighbors in Action (formerly Faith in Action) became the new overhead nonprofit organization that now hosts the Cabot Harvest Hub at 3339 Main Street. The Cabot Harvest Hub has served over 150 members so far! Currently members can shop goods from over 30 different local producers from frozen meat and fresh eggs to handmade soaps and gifts. Members can place their weekly order between Monday at noon until Thursday at 5:00 pm at http://cabotharvesthub.org. Throughout July new members can still use promo code HAPPYBIRTHDAY for a free sixweek membership when they sign up. Since the beginning of June this year the Harvest Hub has expanded! Members who shop online can now pick up their ordered goods in two locations: In Cabot on Saturday mornings between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. and on Fridays at the NEK Harvest Hub table at the Lyndon Farmer’s Market between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Through this new expansion, the Harvest Hub has gained new vendors in both the beauty and wellness as well as in the prepared foods and produce departments. For the 4th of July celebrations, the Cabot Harvest Hub will host a Farmer's Market on the rec field. The market will start right after the parade around 11:00 am and will continue until about 2:00 pm. It’s a great opportunity to meet some of our vendors in person and sample their products - from locally picked medicinal tea blends to fresh farm-made goat milk caramels! You might even be able to catch a few of the Harvest Hub’s products during the parade! In the last Cabot Chronicle, we mentioned that Elizabeth Vitale, who managed the Cabot Harvest Hub since its beginning in 2021, stepped back from her manager position. We are glad to announce that she will still be around she is training as the new executive director of Neighbors in Action! In her place, the Harvest Hub hired Sarah Spletzer-Welters as the new manager . Sarah loves to eat and grow good food, she lives on her homestead in Cabot, together with her husband, Quint Welters, owner of Quintessential LLC (a certified organic hemp farm business), and their two children. The Cabot Harvest Hub would like to hear from you Cabot Chronicle readers in which ways could we serve our community even better?! Are there certain products you would like to see added through our website? Are there any additional services that would make the Harvest Hub more attractive or accessible to other Cabot residents? Please email Sarah your suggestions: [email protected].

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Plan Ahead for Good Gardening

When those glossy seed and plant catalogs show up during the long winter, or you drive past a nursery bursting with shrubs, trees, and flowers, it is very tempting to buy. You find yourself with packets of seeds, or a carload of plants, and no clear plan for what to do next. They get planted “where there is space” and the gardening headaches begin. Consider doing some planning instead. Armed with a plan, your garden will be easy to maintain, and look great. Here are the main points to consider when starting a new garden, or renovating an existing space.

Soil: What type of soil do you have? Soil can be clay, loam, sand, or stony. It can be wet, moderately moist, or barren & dry. For every type of soil, there are plants that love those conditions and will thrive. If growing edible plants (which I highly recommend!), it’s worth doing a soil test to check for nutrient deficiencies and heavy metal contamination.

Sun: How many hours of sun do you have each day? A space that feels very sunny when you visit in the afternoon may be in deep shade all morning. Check a full day’s worth of sun to figure out if your site is shady, part shade, morning sun with afternoon shade, morning shade with afternoon sun, or full sun. As with soil type, for every amount of sun, there is a plant that will thrive.

Access: How will you get into your garden to tend it? You’ll want to avoid wading into your garden spaces; it compacts the soil, plus it’s just not that pleasant to push through overgrown plants. Think about stepping stones or a mulch walkway, to create easy access to all sections of the garden. Most of us can only comfortably reach in about 2’. Any part of the garden further than 2’ from an edge or a pathway will tend to end up neglected.

Water: How will you water your plants? You may be able to carry enough in a watering can, or you might be better served by a hose, or drip irrigation. Minimize watering needs by choosing plants that will do well in the existing soil moisture; for example, wetland plants for soggy areas, and droughttolerant plants in hot dry spaces. Remember that all new plants (especially shrubs and trees) need plenty of water when first settling in.

Competing plants: How will you keep weeds (though there is no official definition of “weed”), under control? Mulch, sheet mulch, landscape fabric, avoiding soil disturbance, and frequent cultivation are potential strategies. Some plants are a huge gardening headache; if you have bishop’s weed, Japanese knotweed, loosestrife, bindweed, or horsetail, you’ll want to get it under control before installing any new plants, or possibly choose another place for a garden.

Traffic flow: Will traffic flow smoothly around your garden? Consider the path of foot traffic and lawnmowers. If you (or your family, or your pets) regularly take certain paths through your property, add your gardens to the side of these paths, not in the middle of them. Also consider access for mowing. If you have a 42” wide mower, don’t create gardens that leave a strip of grass 40” wide. If you (or your mowing service)

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CABOT PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS

The Cabot Public Library is open! Come visit in person Monday 3 – 6 pm, Tuesday noon – 6 pm, Wednesday 2-6 pm, Thursday 9 am-6 pm and Saturday 9 am-noon. Curbside library service is still available during regular library hours. We are especially excited to announce that, for the first time in Cabot’s history, we have a Youth Librarian! Welcome to Amanda Otto and many thanks to the Cabot Select Board for accepting the library’s proposal to use ARPA funds for this new position.

Summer Programming - Join us for another fun summer full of special programming, performers, take-home kits, and, of course, reading! Be sure to visit our website: cabotlibrary.com and Front Porch Forum for updates, registration information and added programming.

All programs are free! Outdoor Story and Activity Time - Tuesdays 10:30 am - noon July 5 - August 9. Join youth librarian Amanda Otto for ocean-themed stories, songs, crafts and activities this summer! Stay after for snacks and more active play on the swing sets, sand box and fields for hiking and birdwatching.

Summer Reading Program - June

15 - August 13 (all ages). The summer reading program is based on the national theme developed by Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), and this year’s theme is Oceans of Possibilities! Registration for our Summer Library Program will be available June 15. Stop by the library to register. Who can sign up for the Youth Summer Library Program? Kids of any age may sign up in person and pick up an Oceans of Possibilities tally sheet, stickers to record their reading, and a bookmark.

How does it work? We challenge you to read 15-20 minutes a day for 15 days. Log the days you read on our tally sheet. When you are done, come to the library to pick out a free book, tshirt and an additional prize! Join the Thousand Page Club - Read 1,000 pages and receive a voucher for a free pint of ice cream at the Cabot Village Store!

Mural Art Camp - Youth will be able to help design and paint murals with professional artist Tara Goreau at the Cabot Rec Field Pavilion. You can find Tara’s vivid and detailed work throughout the Northeast Kingdom. All skill levels are welcome. Space is limited - email [email protected] to reserve your spot today! Session 1: June 28 - July 1 & July 6 - 8th, 2 - 5 pm (ages 14-18) Session 2: August 3 - 5t, 2 - 5 pm (ages 11-13) Fun for the Family – All are Welcome!

Monday, July 4th Friends of the Cabot Library Book Sale – 9 am - Join the Friends of the Cabot Library and peruse hundreds of books for sale by donation, before and after the July 4th Cabot Parade. Books will be on the front lawn of the library all morning. Many thanks to the Friends of the Library for their hours sorting and organizing books for you to look through.

Thursday, July 7 – 6:30 -7:30 pm –

Organic Fruits/Vegetables - HeyDay Farm’s Brad Woelfle will present some tips on growing practices that help produce great tasting fruits and vegetables.

Cabot Rec Field Pavilion. Thursday, July 14 – 6:30 – 7:30 pm–

LIVE MUSIC! Traditional country music with Ian Burton, Robin Fletcher, and Geordie Lynd. Guitars, fiddles, harmonies, and heartaches by three local musicians. Cabot Rec Field Pavilion Thursday, July 21 – 6:30 – 7:30 pm –

Kites and Cream! We will have everything you need to design your own kite to take home and ice cream for all! Cabot Rec Field Pavilion. Wednesday, July 27 at 10 am - Cabot Rec Field Pavilion: VINS - Watershed Wildlife. Where does a drop of water falling in your backyard come from? Where does it go? And who does it meet along the way? Join a VINS Environmental Educator in exploring ways in which our green mountain landscape and the oceans of the world are intimately connected. We’ll trace the raindrop’s journey with a watershed model and meet two live animal ambassadors who depend on this cycle, while learning ways we can help our land and oceans stay healthy.

Thursday, July 28 – 6:30-7:30 pm – Join Henna Tattoo artist, Ila Steinert, who will demonstrate how to draw mandala designs using henna. Cabot Rec Field Pavilion. The Night Sky – the week of August 8-12t – 8 pm – Cabot Rec Field Pavilion. Join Mazie O’Connor and Amanda Otto as we look through the library’s new telescope at the night sky. We’ll pick the best weather day and announce it on our website and Front Porch Forum. The Perseids Meteor Shower is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. The shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24. It peaks this year on the night of August 12 and the morning of August 13. Unfortunately, the nearly full moon this year will block out all but the brightest meteors, but the Perseids are so bright and numerous that it could still be a decent show. Thanks so much to the Library Trustees for their dedication to the library: Grace Hoffman, Niall McCallum, Angela Ogle, Kurt Steinert and Beth Wade, and our student representative, Ila Steinert. Thanks especially to the Friends of the Cabot Library: Maria Acchione- Goodrich, Sandy Atkins, Mary Lou DeLacy, Beth Wade and Janet Westervelt for organizing and sorting through boxes and boxes of books! See you at the library! Kathleen Hoyne – Library Director Amanda Otto – Youth Librarian

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From page 14

Twin Valley is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p. m. Lunch is served at noon. Come in for a tasty meal and some social fun. The suggested meal donation is $6.00. Meals on Wheels are available for those who can’t come in or prepare meals at home. If you need a ride to come in, contact Gene or Bethany, and we will arrange for GMT to pick you up. In July we have a free Blood Pressure Clinic on Wednesday, July 13, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Our registered nurse will take your pressure and review advice for staying healthy through proper nutrition. BINGO: Monday, July 18, at 1:00 p.m.

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Neighbors in Action Welcomes Elizabeth Vitale as Incoming Executive Director

by Cynthia Stuart, Executive Director Elizabeth Vitale joined Neighbors in Action in the fall of 2021 when the Cabot Harvest Hub was moved under the Neighbors in Acton umbrella. Elizabeth has enjoyed working on the Hub project over the past year, including expanding it to the Lyndonville area with the NEK Harvest Hub. She is thrilled to be moving up in the organization to oversee the food share program and other community outreach programs as Executive Director. "Food is central to our lives, families and communities. I love being able to use my background as a homesteader to bring more food resiliency to my community. I look forward to expanding the Neighbors in Action programming to share food and food experiences with our neighbors, support our food producers and families, and bring more economic sustainability to both Cabot and Lyndonville." “With an in-depth knowledge of the community, Elizabeth brings a talent for planning and executing enriching programs that will serve the Neighbors in Action community well. We are thrilled to have her lead the organization into the future, and I am excited to shift into a development director role for Neighbors in Action. The transition allows both Elizabeth and me to expand our support of the community, our employees, and the organization,” shared current executive director Cynthia Stuart. Elizabeth's background in business as well as running a farm and managing food distribution for friends and family give her a unique skill set that will make her an excellent addition to the Neighbors in Action leadership. Look for new and exciting opportunities from Neighbors in Action throughout the coming year! Neighbors in Action is a Vermont Foodbank network partner that distributes food and provides socially enriching community programming, including healthy living and eating programs. For further information, please visit the Neighbors in Action website at www.faithinactionvt.org.

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