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The Cabot Chronicle

April 2023 · 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 April 2023 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

Raymon Bothfeld

In 2017 the old tie-stall barn was retro-fitted into a free stall. And they put in a “robot” to milk the 57 cows. They’re still using part of the 1970 building and part of the late-1800 barn. Then, the evening of December 23, 2022, disaster struck. The tractor with a wagon full of mixed feed ran over him. “I tried to get up and I watched as the tractor and the mixer rolled into the manure pit.” Fortunately he had his cell phone with him. “I carry it all the time to keep in touch with the robot, he said. “It’s a miracle the cell phone actually worked after getting run over.” “After I called my Mom everything got kind of fuzzy,” he remembered. “I couldn’t move and then realized I was seriously hurt. The pain hit me all at once. I was thinking about my two kids (Chandler and Lexi Bothfeld) and that I was too young to die.” There was a bad snow storm that evening and it took the ambulance one hour to get from the farm to Central Vermont Hospital. Raymon found out later that the ambulance had been followed by Cabot firefighters with chainsaws, in case the road needed clearing. He spent a few hours in Berlin and then was transported to Burlington. His shoulder was dislocated and his spleen was ruptured. “I had broken ribs and a crushed bladder. My pelvic bone broke in four places and I had a gash in my ankle that needed ten stitches. From my armpit down to my knee on the right side, the skin tore away from the muscle. Right now the skin is still trying to heal itself.” Because of the impact, his lungs were collapsing and they put air tubes in both of his lungs. Two screws were eventually put in his pelvis. “After Christmas I heard that people were stepping up and helping one way or another. It was the Cabot community and folks from surrounding towns. Neighbors came down with an excavator and skidder and pulled the tractor and mixer out of the manure pit. They thawed out the mixer wagon and got it working again. The farm couldn’t have continued without that piece of equipment,” he said. “A ‘GoFundMe’ account was set up and the money is being used to cover medical expenses not covered by insurance. Neighbors quickly signed up for a “meal train”, bringing large meals to the Bothfelds every evening. People supplied firewood for the farm and Raymon’s house. A ramp for a wheelchair was built at the house and people helped out with the many chores,” he continued. “It meant so much to me and my family.” For years, both of his parents, Rose and Skip Bothfeld, have been leading volunteers in many of the town’s activities. “I’m uncomfortable naming names of the many people who have helped us, and continue to help, because someone will be left out,” he added. “But I am particularly grateful to Ty Perkins, a former employee, and our neighbors Christy Aucoin and Shane Smith. They show up every day to help with chores and my parents couldn’t do it without them.” “That’s why we moved here to Vermont,” Christy said in a phone interview. “We love the culture of neighbors helping each other.” “It was expensive to put the robot in and we had to stop having employees,” Raymon continued. “I have managed the robot for the last six years and nobody else knew how to do it. My mother has been amazing doing that work now.” The doctors tell Raymon that most people with his injuries would still be in the hospital or at best, in a rehab location. He came home in less than a month. He is diabetic and for several years has been careful not to eat sweets or drink alcohol. The farm work has kept him in good shape.

Raymon wants to keep farming. “There’s no boss over us telling us what we have to do day in and day out. I like that freedom,” he explained. “Each season brings a new job, maple sugaring, cropping, cutting firewood and logging. Of course, the cows are year-round and you are always managing that.” “What I don’t like is the price we are paid for our product, he added. “We get paid what they want to pay us. It’s like a roller coaster up and down. It’s really hard to budget and right now milk prices have dropped.” Recovery from all the injuries is slow. “I’m getting stronger but am not out of the woods yet. It’s going to get harder as the weather keeps changing,” he said. “I can see Chuck boiling and I can see Ian boiling and the hardest part is I can’t be outside doing the same thing. I definitely love being outdoors. He can get around the house slowly with a walker, but he still needs pain medication. “When my body heals enough, I still have four more operations to go through; two surgeries on the shoulder and two on the bladder,” he said. “But I can’t do those surgeries until I am walking normally without the help of any devices.” One of the bladder surgeries will take eight hours. “This time off recuperating has given me the time to look at options other than just milking cows. Much as I would hate to see the cows go, the direction this industry is going, it’s going to be harder and harder for small farmers to survive. Personally, I’d like to preserve every last bit of this land and keep it in agriculture.” “I am so grateful to all the people who have supported me and my family and am grateful for the people who have stopped and visited with me. It takes my mind off the pain and what happened to me.”

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Community Dancing in Cabot

by Karen Mueller-Harder

The Cabot Community Contra Dance, which has been hibernating for the past three years, will be returning this spring to the Willey Building! Since the Den has live music on Saturdays, we’re moving the dance to second Fridays, on April 14, May 12, and June 9, 7:30-10:00 p.m., with a short intro session for new folks at 7:15 p.m. Everyone is welcome, and anyone can dance with anyone, generally changing partners with each dance. You can come to the dance alone, with a friend or sweetheart, or your whole family! All dances are taught, but if you’ve never been to a dance, you are encouraged to arrive for the 7:15 session, when we will have time to practice a few basics, and then we’ll build upon what you learn throughout the evening. No special footwork is needed, and the dances are easy to learn, and are taught by the “caller” for the evening. (If you’ve ever done a square dance, that’s very similar, except in contra dances, you stand across from your partner, in a longways group.) Admission is on a sliding scale, $5-10, or you can bring some finger-food refreshments to share at the break! (Water and cups will be provided.) Masks are welcomed but not required, and we’ll be able to open the lovely large windows in the hall for good ventilation! The Cabot dance will feature a variety of callers and musicians, who will each bring something a bit different to the experience. We are still in the process of reinventing the dance, and we will strive to make it as inclusive and welcoming as possible, using input from the community survey we conducted in 2021. Email [email protected] if you’d like to help out! Hope to see you at the dance!

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New Playground Gains Momentum

by Rebecca Tatistcheff, Cabot School Principal We are deeply grateful for the support of our school community and playground on town meeting day. Cabot School is committed to our work as a community school. We operate on a lean budget and much of what we provide for students, including afterschool programming, internship experiences, and field trips, rely on grants and other fundraising efforts. The playground we are building is no exception. Thank you for approving an additional $20,000 to help create a playground that will, no doubt, be a great asset to the town. While the full budget for this project is $100,000, I hope donations of materials will reduce this cost. If you can provide any of the following materials, please reach out to let us know.

Materials donations we are seeking:

If you are still interested in donating, you can visit the GoFundMe page:

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Help Us Buy Our Building!

by Elizabeth Vitale For almost twenty years, Neighbors in Action has served the food insecure, elderly, and individuals with disabilities residing in Cabot and surrounding towns. Since 2009, we have rented the Masonic Hall from the Town of Cabot. As you may have heard, the Town of Cabot and Neighbors in Action were able to agree on a purchase price so we can own our building! This year we are looking to make the Masonic Hall at 3339 Main Street in Cabot our permanent home, from which all our programs and services can be coordinated and administered.

We hope to raise 100% of our fundraising goal of $150,000 by closing, which is set for December of this year. We have been diligently pursuing grant opportunities to help with this funding, and have already raised $21,325! But we need community support from you as well. Without a rent payment or mortgage to pay off, Neighbors in Action will be better positioned to meet the needs and demands of our community. Your support helps us spend more resources on:  Food shares which serve over 650 individuals every two weeks 

 Senior programs for the elderly to engage in our community Cabot’s online farmer’s market: the Cabot Harvest Hub Programs for all ages to teach selfsufficiency and food resiliency Community partner collaborations that focus on well-being, such as yoga classes and foot clinics To meet our fundraising goal, we have several fun community activities planned for this spring and summer,

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

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

Many thanks to R.D. Eno for updating the community on the progress CVFiber is making in getting high speed, affordable broadband service to our area. HOWEVER, landowners that have power lines on their properties – where these cables will be attached – should understand their rights! No one is allowed to access the rights-of-way under and along the power lines except from public roads where the right of way crosses the road, unless they have been given permission by the landowner. Companies hired to string cables cannot drive through private property to get to the poles. There will be some subcontracting of work on these projects, and not all the companies will be from Vermont and understand the laws. Just last year, we had workers from Tennessee drive four-wheelers off Route 2 and onto our first cut hay to get to the power lines. These folks were hired to check the poles – not even to string the cable. They made repeated drives through the hay, causing significant damage to our crop. They even drove through an electric fence and did not replace it. Luckily, we called the owner of the poles – Green Mountain Power – and they were immediate in their response and apologies. Landowners should also be aware of any work done by these companies in the rights of way, especially if you have animals grazing or take crops of hay near the poles. Twenty years ago, a company was stringing cable on the poles behind our barn and dropped a discarded roll of wire at the bottom of the pole. The worst case scenario was what happened to an organic dairy farm that rented land in Tunbridge, where stringers simply dropped a single strand of wire in the field instead of removing it; this was picked up and chopped into silage (undetected by the equipment because it is not magnetic) and unfortunately fed to their cows. They lost several cows and several years of feed and are still trying to get back on track. If you see anyone working in the rights of way on your property, please inspect your land immediately and make sure all discarded wire and other trash has been removed by the company doing the work. If it hasn’t been, you need to call the electric company that owns the poles and file a complaint. Vermont Farm Bureau tried to work with the Legislature last year to enact a law that would require insurance companies of the original contractor to take responsibility for damage to private property. Unfortunately, we were outlobbied by those same insurance companies. The most we got was a poster that was to go to all CUDs, reminding them of their responsibility of property owner rights. If you have any concerns about work on your land as this important infrastructure is developed, please contact the utility company owning the poles. They are all aware of the situation and can be of great help to you. Thanks – Jackie Folsom including Thursday Night Bingo in May, an outdoor cookout with live music in June, and a silent auction with some pretty awesome prizes to begin in July. However, we would love to accept donations at any time! If you think you can assist us, please go to our website at www.Neighborsin ActionVT.org and click on the ‘Donate’ button at the top of the page. You are also welcome to mail us a check to Neighbors in Action, PO Box 157, Cabot, Vermont 05647. Any amount is greatly appreciated and will make it possible for us to continue to support our Cabot community!

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Chitty Bang Flies to Cabot!

by Karen Mueller-Harder Join us for the Cabot Community Theater production of “Chitty Bang Bang” May 4-7, at the Cabot School Performing Arts Center. This show, featuring a huge multi-generational cast of community members, promises to be a delight for all! If you haven’t experienced a CCT show yet, prepare to be won over by the group’s engagement and joy in performing, as well as a wonderful array of familiar and new faces and amazing and talented voices. We’ve been waiting since 2020 to perform this show for you, and the time is finally here! This musical is a glorious romp, based on Ian Fleming’s book of the same name, in which a most unusual car transforms the lives of the quirky inventor Caractacus Potts (Jesse Clayton) and his unconventional children Jeremy (the role shared by Lucas Vitale, Dylan Meacham, Charlie Lander, and Mack Hofmann) and Jemima (played by Sycada Barnes, Cora McIntyre, Althaea Irwin, and Sage King), and yarn-spinning Grandpa (Russ Brown), along with the delightful Truly Scrumptious (Jessica Della Pepa). A perfectly ordinary picnic at the beach turns into an event of international intrigue, as Baron and Baroness Bomburst of Vulgaria (Thomas and Luna Dunbar) endeavor to steal the miraculous car with the aid of their bumbling spies (Victoria Mansuri and Becky Browning)! You will appreciate the kind Mr. Coggins (Darren Usinowicz) and castigate the nasty Junkman (Spencer Vitale), be delighted by Sid and Violet (David Irwin and Elizabeth Vitale) and the Turkey Farmer (Poppy Gletsos), and root for the Potts family as they try to win over the unyielding Lady Scrumptious (Erin Barry), and her stern assistant Miss Phillips (Mavis Hall). In Vulgaria, our heroes are pursued by an evil Childcatcher (Lynn-Maris Ducas) but befriended by the kind Toymaker (Melanie Crawford), and a team of imprisoned inventors (Iris Jacobs, Melissa Jacobs, Ben Vitale, and Clare Waterman)... but you’ll have to come see the show to find out what happens! Playing many ensemble roles are Alexander Clayton, Ariabella Clayton, Marlow Dunbar, Silas Irwin, Crosby Lynd, Kate McIntyre, Ellie Melen, Evan Thompson, Moirah Usinowicz, and Orion Vitale. The production is directed by Karen Mueller-Harder, with music direction and piano accompaniment by Mark Violette, and choreography by Daria Babbitt. The fantastic production team includes Barbara and Richard Halada, David Irwin, Ewa Jankowska, RJ Johnson, Jonah Meacham, Ama Peyman, Barclay Tucker, Elizabeth Vitale, and Paul Wade. 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 p.m. shows on Thursday through Saturday May 4-6, and 2:00 p.m. matinees on May 6 and 7. Performances will be at the Cabot School Performing Arts Center, and tickets are only $10 general admission, and $5 for students and seniors. For reservations or more information, call 802-279-4309. We hope to see you at the show!

See our performance poster, page 4.

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Local Content Creator Wins Vermont Public Award

Onel Salazar Umanzor of Cabot was selected for 2023 funding from Vermont Public’s Made Here Fund Project: $10,000 for a short video, 7 Years in Vermont, to be completed June 2024: Reflections on how the changing seasons impact people in Vermont from the perspective of an immigrant.

“I came to the US from Nicaragua as a young adult. Since moving here I have worked as a stone mason. I got interested in making videos for fun and created a YouTube channel. I've done some videography projects for friends as well as the Vermont River Conservancy. I'm also a sculpture artist and enjoy working with stone, copper wire and plants.”

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One Lister’s Opinion Legislators Are Off the Mark

by Jeanne Johnson, Cabot Lister

You’ve probably heard about the “reappraisal crisis.” In 2020 and 2021, people moved here to feel “safer” and purchased homes for prices far exceeding town Grand List values, sometimes more than asking price, often sightunseen. Reappraisals conducted before and during the pandemic did not reflect COVID-19 sales, and towns’ grand list values became out of date in 2020 and beyond. One result was an extreme increase in the number of reappraisal orders from the State - from fewer than 20 per year to 42 in 2021 and 165 in 2022. Yes, this is a problem. We don’t have enough reappraisal firms to handle that workload in a timely fashion. But the Vermont House Ways & Means Committee has responded in what I believe is an undesirable and inappropriate way. H.480 removes the $8.50 per parcel annual payment to towns that pays for reappraisals, as well as the *CLA trigger for a reappraisal, and orders the Tax Department to plan for taking over all reappraisals, creating a new State reappraisal office. Selectboards and listers would be removed from the appraisal and grievance process. There are numerous other ugly details in H.480 which add little value, but listers and assessors statewide do not believe this will solve the problems the legislature perceives. 1. If this bill had been enacted prior to the pandemic, it would NOT have prevented this “reappraisal crisis.” The change in fair market value created by the demand for Vermont homes after March 2020 would have skewed ANYBODY’S listed values from 2019 or before. 2. If the State is charged with all reappraisals instead of towns, the small Division of Property Valuation and Review will have to be enlarged exponentially. We will then have another growing State agency to support, as the Agency of Education grew with education tax administration. We will have a whole new State entity to support with tax dollars, and property owners will have to deal with a State agency rather than Town officials if they want to appeal their values. Lister’s support a few elements of the bill:- a regular reappraisal schedule to keep Grand List data fresh, and removing the CLA as a reappraisal trigger and relying on **CoD and more frequent reappraisals. Personally, I don’t care whether the State contracts for the reappraisal or the Town does, but I do care about moving relationships from the property-owner and town level to a State function and taking funds from the Town to support a growing State entity. But most of all, I find the plan to move all reappraisal responsibilities from the Town to the State misguided and misinformed because it won’t solve the problem they perceive, and it will cost taxpayers much more to have the State appraise every town than having the municipalities do it. I think the legislature bread to produce to specialty items such as seaberry nectar and lavender lemonade! Wellness products such as shampoo bars and body butter and handmade gifts, like cards and hand sewn items, make the market complete. While you shop you get to listen to live music played by local bands and solo artists and your kids can do a food- and naturebased craft at our kid’s activity table. So, I hope we will see you at our first Harvest Hub Market on April 29, between 10 am and 12 pm. You can find us at the Neighbors in Action building at 3339 Main Street. Harvest Hub Markets will take place rain or shine – depending on the weather, they might be relocated indoors. Happy spring!

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 3 onward.

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2023 Cabot Town Officers

OFFICE

Moderator Town Clerk Assistant Town Clerk & Treasurer Town Treasurer Collector of Lease Land Rentals Selectpersons NAME

Jeanne Johnson Betty Ritter Michelle Leclerc TERM EXPIRES

2024 2026 Non-Term Planning Commission Development Review Board Amy Hornblas, Chair Betty Ritter 2026 Conservation Committee 2024 Fred Ducharme, Vice Chair 2026 R.D. Eno, Clerk Walter (Skip) Bothfeld, Jr. 2024 Karen Larsen Brittany Butler Jeanne Johnson Jacqueline Lumbra Michael Hogan, Chair 2025 Master of Colors Road Commissioner Town Attorney 2025 2026 2024 2025 2026 2025 Melvin Churchill, Chair 2024 Cedric Alexandar Chris Tormey, Vice Chair 2025 Rory Thibault, Chair Frank Kampf Ellen Cairns Jason Monaco Kurt Steinert, Chair Angela Olge Grace Hoffman Niall McCallum Erin Ruddell Marie Saggerson Cameron North, Vice Chair Non-Term Jessica North, Coordinator Non-Term Stefanie Burtt, Chair Brock Miller, Secretary Shannon Smith Gregg Burtt, Chair (Appointed by Selecboard) Chris Tormey, Vice Chair (Appointed by School Board) Melvin Churchill Jack Daniels (Appointed by Selecboard) Jason Monaco Alex Underwood Willey Building Committee Fred Ducharme Brad Alexander Paul Wade Dana Robinson (Appointed by Selecboard) Dan Dunham (Appointed by Library)

Lister District Representative Regional Planning Committee Representative Emergency Management Coordinator Newspaper Delinquent Tax Collector Susan Carpenter Grand Juror Cemetery Commissioners Deb Bothfeld Dave Pike Ruth Goodrich Angela Ward NEKWMC Representative Betty Ritter NEKWMD Rep. Alternate R. D. Eno School Directors Library Trustees Recreation Committee CCIF Committee Water/Wastewater Administrator

Pound Keeper 2025 2026 2024 2026 2025 Cheryl McQueeney David Pike 5-year. Term - 2027 3-year. Term - 2024 3-year. Term - 2025

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Appointed By the Selectboard

Cabot Town Clerk/Treasurer

Cheryl McQueeney Animal/Dog Control Officer Ruth Goodrich Fence Viewers

Inspector of Coal, Wood, Lumber, Shingles Tree Warden Fire Warden Health Officer

Town Energy Coordinator Michael Socks Zoning Administrator Glenn Goodrich Anson Tebbetts Roland Payne, Jr. Andrew Luce Jennifer Miner Brittany Butler

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Town Meeting

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

This year’s Town Meeting was held in the Willey Building, since attendance at Town Meeting has declined since the adoption of Australian Ballots for budget articles. Instead of a sparsely populated gym at Cabot School, the third floor auditorium in the Willey building was full with approximately 60 participants. The Selectboard and Town Clerk sat behind tables up on the stage, and the audience was arrayed in the wooden seats on the auditorium floor, with a microphone stand positioned between the audience and the stage. The microphone was positioned to face the audience. The moderator's position was to the front right of the audience, also on the auditorium level. This year’s Town Meeting did not see any controversy, and barely a hint of any negative comments. All the articles were discussed, with the majority of the discussion revolving around the youth librarian, school playground, and zoning articles. The biggest surprise of the meeting was the new moderator. In recent years, R.D. Eno had been the moderator, but since he was on the Selectboard, and with Ed Smith’s retirement from the position, a new moderator was elected, Jeanne Johnson. Jeanne did a tremendous job for being a first time moderator, and many were pleased with her performance. Since the results of Town Meeting far outweigh the scant debate that occurred on the floor, this correspondent felt an interview with the new moderator would be more informative for the readership.

What motivated you to be moderator? I was asked if I would do it. My first gut reaction was, "What, are you crazy? No!" But, as I get older, I am allowing myself to experience uncomfortable situations, thinking that stressing my brain and learning new things may help keep it from deteriorating. Standing up in front of Town Meeting is definitely uncomfortable.

How did you prepare for the role?

I attended a Moderator workshop sponsored by Vermont League of Cities and Towns. I got a copy of Robert's Rules of Order and read Ruling the Unruly, or How to Moderate a Vermont Town Meeting by Ed Chase, Moderator for the Town of Westford since 1988. I also read All Those in Favor - Rediscovering the Secrets of Town Meeting and Community by Susan Clark & Frank Bryan.

What was the easiest part of being

the moderator? In my reading, it became clear that the work and decisions of Town Meeting belong to "the body;" in other words, the registered voters of the town. I learned that voters can override Robert's Rules, as well as the moderator. The only thing they can't overrule is state law. That means it is not my job to limit anyone's right to speak or opine, as long as it is done in orderly and respectful fashion. What was the hardest part of being the moderator? I found it difficult to remember which Australian Ballot items can be discussed on the floor, even though no action can be taken, and I slipped up a few times, between the school and the town meetings. But I received some gentle coaching from more experienced town meeting denizens, and we got through it, although I realize after-the-fact I could have and should have allowed more discussion.

Were you worried about unruly

or impolite participants? Yes, I was worried. I called Ed Smith, 26-year Cabot Moderator, for reassurance (Town & School Meeting attendees have already heard this - please forgive me for the repetition, but I can't resist!). Ed told me about some difficulties in past meetings. When I told him I considered purchasing a leather vest to wear in his honor (I remember him always in a leather vest at the podium), he informed me: "What you don't know is that the vest is bullet-proof!" But I was fortunate, and everyone was respectful and wellbehaved at Town Meeting 2023. I think they were just so glad to come together in person again.

Did you enjoy it, and will you do it

again next year? Well, I lost some sleep the two nights before, but felt pretty good when it was over. I wish I hadn't made any slip-ups, but I was grateful for the coaching I received, and I got a few very supportive emails later that day, which I really enjoyed. It's not up to me whether I get elected again next year, but unless I'm on a warm, sunny beach next March, I would certainly consider doing it again.

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Trails Grant

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

At the February 22nd Selectboard meeting, Gary Gulka attended as the chair for the Trails Committee. Gary first talked about the expected grant from the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. He said they were still getting questions from the department, and the grant still needed legal and other review before the paperwork would come to the town for review. Gary said they were hoping to get the money by spring. Gary then talked about volunteers maintaining trails, such as clearing brush, etc. He spoke about a model agreement from the Vermont League of Cities and towns (VLCT) which explains liability issues. He relayed how the committee met with VLCT last fall and went over the model agreement. Gary said the committee made some modifications to the model agreement, which would be signed by committee members and community volunteers. Gary read parts of the agreement which included phrases like, “I assume full responsibility.” Ian Ackermann questioned some of the items in the agreement, and expressed concern about a volunteer possibly using a chainsaw when they were not trained to use a chainsaw. He wanted to make sure, if the volunteer was injured, that nothing would come back onto the town.

Ian proposed changing the language to “hold harmless.” He felt the town should not be insuring a volunteer. Gary responded by saying an untrained volunteer would not be going out and using a chainsaw. The discussion ensued with speculation about someone being injured and suing the town. R.D. Eno spoke up and said the discussion was somewhat pointless because if someone gets hurt they can still file a claim, even with the agreement in place. Mike Hogan queried Gary about what part of the agreement was from VLCT and what part was from the Conservation Committee, and Gary said only bullet 4 was from the committee. Mike asked if the board wanted to remove the fourth bullet. R.D. responded that he preferred to leave it up to Gary. Gary proposed having the town attorney review the agreement. Mike and Skip Bothfeld agreed with Gary, with Mike saying the attorney may propose some new language. The next item discussed was the proposed job description for a part time administrative assistant for managing the grant. Mike said it was well written and suggested to Gary that the committee not hold off on getting someone lined up for the job. The board unanimously approved the job description and for it to be advertised.

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ARPA Funds Oversight

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

Gary Gulka came to the select board as chair of the Conservation Committee to express concern about ARPA funds allocated to the committee for completion of the natural communities study. Gary said the committee didn’t know the status of allocated funds, since they did not appear in the Chronicle’s February article about allocated ARPA funds. Mike Hogan recalled the Selectboard had, indeed, allocated $20,000 of ARPA funds to the Conservation Committee, and noted it was an oversight. Mike said he looked at the past meeting minutes and saw where the money was allocated. The Chronicle found the board allocation of $20,000 to the “natural community study” in the May 3, 2022, minutes posted on the town website. Mike then pointed out that all ARPA funds had already been allocated and apologized for the oversight. He said somehow they missed this one, and suggested the new Selectboard could try to find some money after Town Meeting. R.D. Eno asked if it was ever included in the spreadsheets and Betty Ritter, the Town Clerk, replied that, “we all missed it”.

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ADVICE FROM THE TREE WARDEN

Spring is here along with warming temperatures, melting snow, and sugaring season. If you haven’t had time yet, there are still a few weeks to do chores like pruning apple trees and blueberry bushes. Another chore that should be done soon, if not taken care of already, is cleaning bluebird boxes. Bird feeders are best taken down by the end of March, as the bears come out of hibernation, and they will be looking for food. Another yard improvement to consider, and probably not on your spring chores “to do” list, is creating some pollinator habitat in the yard. Pollinator habitat is beneficial for the environment, reduces mowing area, and adds beautiful native wildflowers to your yard. Pollinator populations are in decline due to many factors, and the pollinators need our help. Creating a pollinator habitat is a multi-year endeavor that requires some forethought and planning, but you will be rewarded with the beautiful results of your efforts for many years. Many resources are available online to assist with planning and native plant selection. Pollinators habitat seed mixes can be found through many sources (both locally and online); please buy only seed mixes with plant seeds native to the Northeast region. Pollinators need native plants, some of which may not be present in your yard but are important for supplying nectar to the pollinators. Some research will be required to find out what plants the pollinators require to attract them. A good source for researching plants is https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/. To learn more about creating a pollinator habitat in your yard, visit the pollinator partnership website at https://pollinator.org/. Other websites with great pollinator resources to get started include the Bee Conservancy, Wild Pollinator Partners, and the Vermont Wildflower Farm. When downloading resources from these websites, such as plant selection guides, make sure to select the Northeast region for plant information most relevant to our geographical region. Start by downloading a pollinator planting and information guide today; every journey starts with a first step. Another suggested online resource for pollinator habitat research is the Doug Tallamy videos on YouTube. Doug Tallamy is a professor at the University of Delaware in the Department of Entomology And Wildlife Ecology and has posted many excellent videos on the subject. A pollinator habitat can be created over many years to spread out the workload, as well as spread out the cost of the pollinator habitat supplies over several summers. Start your pollinator habitat this summer.

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April 18 Deadline for Filing Income Taxes No Extension for Homestead Declaration

Forms & Instructions: https://tax.vermont.gov/document/2022instructions-hs-122-hi-144

The 2023 filing deadline for personal and corporate income tax returns, Homestead Declarations and Property Tax Credit claims, and fiduciary income taxes is April 18.

The Vermont Department of Taxes offers the following tips to make filing and getting your refund easier and faster:  File electronically through a commercial software vendor. Filing electronically reduces the risk of errors and significantly speeds up refund processing time. Last year, taxpayers who efiled their returns saw their refunds on average in less than three weeks, while the average refund time for paper filers was over eight weeks.  Many Vermonters are eligible for free

online tax preparation software through the Free File Alliance but don’t know it. Visit the list of provider links on the Department’s website at tax.vermont.gov/free-file to see if you qualify.  After you have filed, you can check

online at myvtax.vermont.gov for the status of your tax refund, Homestead Declaration, Property Tax Credit, and Renter Credit.

This year there are new and expanded tax credits available to a wide variety of Vermont filers including:  A new Vermont Child Tax Credit offers filers with children aged five or younger a $1,000 per child refundable tax credit. Filers with less than $125,000 of income are eligible for the full credit, and filers with income up to $175,000 are eligible for a partial credit.  The Vermont Child and Dependent

Care Credit has increased to 72 percent of the federal credit and is fully refundable for all qualifying Vermont filers.  The Vermont percentage of the

Earned Income Tax Credit has increased to 38 percent of the federal credit.

Even Vermonters who are not required to file a tax return because their income is below the filing requirement may want to consider filing if they qualify for these credits. There are also new and expanded deductions and exemptions available for those paying student loan interest and for a variety of retirees. Visit tax.vermont.gov to learn more about the details and eligibility requirements of these credits and deductions.

Homestead Declaration

By Vermont law, property owners whose homes meet the definition of a Vermont homestead must file a Homestead Declaration annually by the April filing deadline. If eligible, it is important that you file so you are correctly assessed the homestead tax rate on your property. Here is the information you as the property owner need to know about the Vermont Homestead Declaration. In Vermont, all property is subject to education property tax to pay for the state’s schools. For this purpose, property is categorized as either nonhomestead or homestead. A homestead is the principal dwelling and parcel of land surrounding the dwelling, owned and occupied by the resident as the person’s domicile. All property is considered nonhomestead, unless it is declared as a homestead. The education property tax rate levied on nonhomestead property differs from the rate levied on homestead property. It is your responsibility as the property owner to claim the property as a homestead if you meet, or expect to meet, the following requirements:  You are a Vermont resident  You own and occupy a homestead as

your domicile as of April 1, 2023.

Nonhomestead Property

Property is considered nonhomestead if one of the following applies:  Your property is leased for more

than 182 days out of the calendar year.  The property is used exclusively for

a commercial, including rental, purpose.  The property is used for a second

home, camp, vacation, or summer cottage.

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How to File

Online

Taxpayers may file returns using myVTax, our free, secure, online filing site.

Paper Returns

If you cannot file and pay through myVTax, you may still use the paper forms. The Homestead Declaration is filed using Form HS-122, the Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Credit Claim. Use our filing checklist that follows to help you get started. Many people file their Homestead Declarations at the same time they file their Vermont income tax returns. However, if you apply to extend the time to file your income tax return, the Homestead Declaration must still be filed by the April filing deadline. Even if a person is not required to file a Vermont Income Tax Return, the declaration must be filed by the deadline.

Tip: If you file a paper form, it is important to remember to sign the form at the bottom of the reverse side (below the Property Tax Credit). The mailing address is Vermont Department of Taxes, P.O. Box 1645, Montpelier, VT 05601- 1645.

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Family Members of Veterans Invited to Share Stories

Everyone invited to attend and listen at first Family Vets Town Hall All are invited to attend the first Family Vets Town Hall, on Sunday, April 2 at 1:00 pm at the McCarthy Arts Center on Saint Michael's College campus in Colchester. Immediate family members of veterans are invited to stand before their community and speak for up to ten minutes about their experiences. Everyone is encouraged to attend and listen. The event is free and non-political, and all perspectives are valued. Snacks will be provided. The event is organized by Vets Town Hall, a Vermont-based national nonprofit that facilitates annual events where veterans are invited to speak about what their service means to them. This is the first event where family members are invited to speak. "Military families have a different relationship with service, and I have often felt they absorb a majority of the burden from our being away, deployments, recoveries,

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 7 onward.

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OBITUARIES & MEMORIALS

Claire M. Benoit Claire Marie Benoit of Williamstown, Vermont passed away on January 26, 2023, surrounded by her family. Claire was born December 26, 1943, to Nora and Edward O’Connor in Waterbury, CT. She lived in Connecticut with her parents and sisters, Loretta and Joanne. The sisters were the best of friends!

Paul Gordon Andrews Paul Gordon Andrews, age 71, of Kingsland, GA, died on March 1, 2023. He was born to the late Alfred and Leona Andrews on November 3, 1951, in Rutland. He graduated from Hardwick Academy in 1969 and earned his Aviation Mechanic’s license in Clearwater, FL, in 1973. He served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1972, serving two tours in Vietnam. He was a member of the Hardwick American Legion Post #7 in Hardwick, as well as the VFW in Hyde Park, and was also a member of the Freemasons, Caspian Lake Lodge # 87. In addition, Paul was a member of the Williamstown Lutheran Church in Vermont and a member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Kingsland, GA. Paul worked at Carol Concrete for 24 years as a truck driver and office manager before retiring due to ill health. He married the love of his life, Gail Compo, on April 27, 2007, and they made their home in both Cabot and Kingsland, GA. Paul loved ice fishing, hunting, being in the woods, walking, and any gathering of friends and family. Paul was a In 1964 she met and fell madly in love with Bernard Victor Benoit of Cabot, Vermont. They married on September 4, 1965. They began their married life in Waterbury, eventually moving to Orange, Vermont. They had four children: Bernard (BJ)Jr, Edward, Lisa, and Leonel (Lee). More information may be found at: https://www.timesargus.com/obituaries/claire-m-benoit/article_3f4847c5-3e2b- 53eb-b05a-a68c172b0bf5.html.

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

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Cabot Harvest Hub The First Signs of Spring

Dale plays pop up market music.

First of all: Thank you to everyone who donated money to our March Harvest Hub fundraiser – your contribution makes a positive impact in our program and community! I know it’s hard to believe that spring is right around the corner when we still see snow fall in April, but it’s true: Warmer days are coming soon and with that the gardening and farming season begins again! Personally, I feel the first notion of spring inside myself when I plant our onion, leek, and tomato seeds in trays of soil on a warm afternoon in April. A lot of Harvest Hub producers are busy planting their crops as well this month: greens and carrots, potatoes and flowers, and herbs for teas and wellness products. Spring also makes outdoor events possible again! And what events could be more connected to the planting and harvesting season than an outdoor farmer’s market?! I am excited to tell you that the Harvest Hub is going to host a series of in-person markets again this year! Starting in April, our markets are going to take place every last Saturday of each month, all the way through October. We invite you to stroll the market and shop locally crafted products from our local vendors: From fresh Carol Broadfork.

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Notes from Cabot Trails User Logs

by Dana Glazier At each kiosk along Cabot Trails are user log sheets. Simple questions are requested of trail users, such as date, number in the party, their home location, and to solicit other comments. These log sheets provide valuable feedback to the Trails Committee of the trail system here in Cabot. It is always enjoyable and rewarding to collect and read the feedback from users of Cabot Trails. We have found hikers, snowshoers, skiers, and mountain bikers in parties of all sizes have used the trails - from a single user to a party of five. And, many dogs (well managed by their owners) have also enjoyed the trails. We have had trail users from as far away as New Jersey and South Carolina, but the vast majority are from right here in Cabot. Comments from trail users have been quite rewarding and supportive of the Trails Committee’s efforts. From the Talbert Farm Trails one user wrote, “lovely trail”. Other users from those same trails have drawn small hearts of appreciation. Numerous times, “thank you” is written. From up off Cabot Plains, users of McQueeney’s Trail have also expressed their gratitude and thanks. One Trails Committee Kiosk.

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

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My Old Flying Helmet

Reprinted from his blog: https://catamountaviation.wordpress.com

In the mid 1980’s, before earning my flying license, I (with an LVRS (Londonderry Volunteer Resque Squad) friend Chris) owned an Eipper Quicksilver ultralight, affectionately known as The Flying Lawn Chair, or ‘FLC’. Chris and I taught ourselves how to take off and land the FLC in southern Vermont, and lived to tell about it. This ultralight had no cabin and was open to the elements. Flying it was similar to riding my ’69 Triumph motorbike, loud, windblown, cold, and exhilarating. We wore parkas, gloves, Carhartt overalls in an effort to keep warm, and a helmet of some kind. Motorbike helmets were the most common for us, although I did wear a hockey helmet on one flight and ended up half deaf with cold ears.

My ’69 Tryumph Tiger.

Andy Hopping, a friend (and fellow Rescue Squad member) was our mentor. A former Naval Aviator and current ultralight flyer, his excitement and passion for flying was infectious. We trained at the now closed Red Fox, and Tater Hill airstrips, practicing flying until we had built up enough courage to land on the home farm hayfields. These farm fields seemed a lot smaller, landing on them, then they did while haying them.

Departure from Red Fox Airstrip in Bondville, VT (1982?)

Another LVRS friend, John Nolan, asked me to come meet his father, Tom, who had been a Marine aviator in the second world war and the Korean conflict. I enjoyed visiting with him and hearing his stories. He assured me that on his next trip north he would like to meet up with me and see the FLC. He did a few months later. After a Quicksilver inspection, he shared a story with me. These are his words as I remember them.

“I was flying F4U Corsairs in the Pacific during the last months of World War 2. What turned out to be the last day of fighting (Japan actually surrendered during our flight), we were on a routine patrol, seeking targets opportunity that included low level strafing. At some point I received a shell round into F4U’s engine. There was oil seeping out through the cowl flaps at the base of the engine. With the oil pressure falling and the oil temperature rising, I climbed to gain altitude and headed back toward our base airfield. It became clear that I was not going to make it. I had radioed ahead and knew that there was a rescue ship headed toward me, but I was going to have to bail out, something I had not done. I went over the checklists, and tried to recall what I had learned in flight training. I had two choices; turn the plane inverted and kick straight out and down from the cockpit, or trim for level flight, climb out on the wing and jump, trying not to hit the horizontal stabilizer. I chose the latter. I knew I had to open the canopy, jump clear, count to 10 before pulling the ripcord”. “When the time came, I cranked open the canopy. I was not prepared for how loud the airstream was! I trimmed the plane for level flight, unbuckled my safety harness, tightened my parachute straps and jumped. I have never counted to ten so fast in my life. I pulled the ripcord. Things got very quiet. What a beautiful day it was…sunny… you could see forever! When I hit the water, I got my Mae-west inflated. Then the life-raft. I put together the oars, and started rowing toward a small island I had observed on my descent. I noticed little flashes coming from shore and realized whoever was on the island was shooting at me! The war was over! I paddled the opposite direction as fast as I could. I was far out of range”. “When I was shot down, and recovered, the Navy issued me all new equipment, even a footlocker! I sent my parachute silk home, and my ‘wife-to-be’ made a wedding dress out of it. And…(a pause as he reaches inside a bag) they issued me a new helmet. Here is my old one, and you should wear it when you fly your FLC.” Thomas J Nolan was called up to serve again in Korea. He told me that the first thee F4Us that he flew had some major maintenance issue. He got fed up flying them and transitioned to helicopters. I never met John’s dad again. John took his own life a few years later. I wore that helmet for as long as I flew the ultralight. It now sits in my office, and reminds me of great stories, and old friends.

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Montpelier Alive

Montpelier Alive announced Katie Trautz as new executive director. Born and raised in Cabot, she is a musician, mother, teacher, and arts advocate, and the co-founder of the nonprofit folk music school Summit School of Traditional Music and Culture based in Montpelier. Following her eight-year directorship at the Summit School, she became the executive director of the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. Over time, Trautz has cultivated a deep interest in helping her community thrive and has developed the skills and passion that brought her to Montpelier Alive. She joined the organization first as the event and communications coordinator, and then as the interim executive director, and as of February 6, became Montpelier Alive’s next official executive director. Trautz lives in Montpelier with her family and has two busy young children. She loves to ski, hike, mountain bike, and play music. “We are honored to have Katie as our new executive director,” said Scott A. Van Beck, chair of the Montpelier Alive board of directors. “From the moment she filled the interim position, we knew we had a special leader in our midst. Katie brings unique qualities and skills to the position. She is very aware of the special nature of Montpelier’s diverse community. She relates well with the Montpelier business community, and she is very familiar with Montpelier Alive as an organization.” Trautz says she is “excited to deepen her roots in Montpelier, and work with the organization to help the city continue to be a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.” She has enjoyed her time with Montpelier Alive, and “can’t wait to dig into their many community oriented projects.”

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Pruning Fruit Trees and Bushes

If you have fruit trees or bushes, pruning is an important yearly maintenance task. This month’s article will cover the basics of why, when, and how to prune fruit trees and bushes. There is a lot to know, much more than I can reasonably include here, so be sure to check out other books and online sources before you get started. If you decide to hire a professional, it’s still good to understand the basics.

Why? Fruit trees and bushes will produce more if pruned regularly. Trees make blossom buds where they receive good sun. If a tree or bush gets very dense, blossoms tend to only form on the outside of the plant, rather than throughout the plant. Pruning supports tree health by removing diseased, damaged, and dead wood. Removal helps limit the spread of disease and reduces entry points for harmful insects and fungi to invade. Dead and damaged branches can also pose a hazard due to their inflexibility. The next ice storm or heavy wind event can break the dead wood and pull down good healthy wood with it. For trees with a tendency to grow tall, pruning helps keep the fruiting branches within easy reach for harvest.

When? Fruit trees and bushes are best pruned in late winter, when dormant, and just before sap begins to flow. Pruning in spring can be difficult, with cutting tools getting bound up with sticky sap. Summer and fall pruning can weaken trees, as well as making them vulnerable to fungal infections in the pruning wounds. Pruning in midwinter can result in loss of hardiness, and injuries from cold temperatures.

How? ALWAYS take safety precautions, and use good pruning techniques. Collect tools: 

   a good sharp pruning saw (I like Silky brand) bypass pruners sled or tarp for branches I recommend against ladders; it’s safest to make cuts while standing on solid ground. If you can’t reach, consider if a cut lower down will accomplish the same goal. If you are bound and determined to reach that high spot, use a pole saw. Observe the space:   Check for overhead utility wires. Look for tripping hazards (very easy to trip when walking while looking up into a tree!). Select a spot to collect branches (see tripping hazard, previous bullet point). Think about where large branches will drop, and position yourself out of harm’s way. Keep children and pets out of the immediate pruning area. Even smaller branches can really hurt when they drop.

Never take out more than 25% of the crown in a season. Use as few cuts as possible to achieve your pruning goals: much    Prune: 

 better to make 2-3 large cuts than a hundred little ones. Always make a safety cut on larger branches, to avoid peeling bark when the branch falls. Make about ¼ of the cut from the underside first. Make cuts through the collar of the branch (the swelling where it connects to trunk or larger branch). Never leave stubs of branches sticking out. Bring down large branches in manageable sections, rather than the whole thing at once. Avoid “topping” trees (shearing off all the highest points). Trees need a leader branch to be the high point, and if you cut them all, the tree will respond with a zillion little suckers. Leave one or two branches to be the new leader. Remove wood in order. First, prune dead, damaged, and diseased wood. For bushes, remove old overgrown branches right at the ground. Second, remove branches that are crossed, or repetitive (two branches vying for the same space). Third, think about the future growth and shape of the tree or bush, and remove branches with this desired future shape in mind. Clean up: 

      Wash blades with soapy water before moving on to the next plant. Take branches to where you’ll burn, chip, or compost them (all diseased wood should be burned). Avoid the temptation to just leave branches under the tree; it’s easy to leave it “for tomorrow,” but the pruned wood can be an attractant for unwanted fungi and insects. Plus, you’ll be cursing those piles when you need to mow or harvest. Clean tools at the end of the whole project and let them dry before storing. Wishing you a fruitful season! This garden article is brought to you by Susan Socks, aka the Garden Goddess. Stay tuned for upcoming articles on green lawn care, pruning, garden tools, edible landscapes, and more. For gardening help, visit www.SocksFamilyFarm.weebly.com or call 802.498.7785.

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Vermont Plants Sunflowers for Ukraine

VPSU has its roots here in Cabot. In early March of 2022 in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Dale and Janet Newton of Fruitlands B&B and Berry Farm on Thistle Hill developed the simple idea of sharing hundreds of thousands of seeds in all over Vermont out of a deep desire to take positive action and stand in

solidarity with the people of Ukraine. This action has gained support of hundreds of people, businesses, schools, libraries, state agencies and media . This year the goal is to share a million sunflower seeds.

Vermont Plants Sunflowers for Ukraine is a Vermont-based community action group. Our mission is to inspire countless acts of solidarity with the people of Ukraine by sharing thousands of free seed packets and inspiring the planting of hundreds of thousands of sunflowers in every corner of Vermont. Come late summer and fall, our message of multi-colored sunflowers splashed against our blue Vermont sky will give us all hope and inspiration for positive action. Every seed planted will be a statement of solidarity.

Our Action Plan:

In our second year, 2023, we ask every town and city in Vermont as well as the appropriate branches of Vermont government, churches, schools, organizations, businesses and individual Vermonters to join in this act of solidarity by planting sunflowers. As our sunflowers grow and blossom, our collective attention to the needs in Ukraine will grow. Our sunflowers will inspire Vermonters and others to support organizations working to meet the health and safety needs of the Ukrainian people during this humanitarian crisis. VPSU asks Vermonters to share our Autumn Beauty sunflower seeds. Begin to plan now for where you will plant sunflowers this spring and summer. If you wish to plant other varieties, plan now for how you will acquire seeds, what types of sunflowers will have the greatest and longest impact, and who will help you in your acts of solidarity. Advice for sourcing, selecting, planting and caring for sunflowers can be found on the VPSU website. Invite others in your community to join us: friends and neighbors, local officials, schools, churches, organizations and businesses. Let VPSU know if there are locations in your community that are willing to distribute our free weed packets.

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Green Up Day is May 6

The Sun and Warmer Weather - That is what gets the sap running, the Spring skiers out, mud forming into ruts, and everyone excited about Green Up Day! January and February are very busy months in the Green Up office as we assess how to make Green Up Day more effective, reach more people, gain more momentum, clean up more roads AND how we combat the litter in the first place. Here are some "litter" statistics: 

 Litter clean-up costs the US more than 11.5 billion each year. 55% of Realtors believe litter reduces property values by 9%.

 Plastics in the litter stream have increased by more than 165% over the past 40 years. Tobacco products comprise about 38% of all roadway litter followed by paper (22%) and plastic (19%). 85% of littering is the result of individual attitudes. A strong contributor to littering is the prevalence of existing litter. Communities that have ongoing clean-up efforts have lower rates of littering behavior. Changing a few simple habits can reduce our waste and our carbon footprint. For all of you who participate in Green Up Day and who live the Green Up way every day, the impact you are making for Vermont and our planet is great. Your influence on changing the mindsets of others is so important to our next generation. If you have never joined in on Green Up Day, please grab a green bag and participate - it's easy and extremely fulfilling. We need you. Kate Alberghini, Executive Director  

 

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Education Grants Available from the Cabot Community Investment Fund

by Chris Tormey, CCIF Committee

The CCIF Education Fund was established in the 1990’s to promote lifelong learning for all Cabot residents. There are two types of grants available: Post- Secondary Degree Program grants which are awarded annually to individuals pursuing a degree, and Professional Development grants which are awarded quarterly to individuals for continuing education. Cabot youth and adults who have been Cabot residents for at least a year are eligible grant recipients. Learning opportunities eligible for grants include post-secondary technical and college education; educational institutes, courses and workshops; trade apprenticeships and skills training, and continuing education in a chosen career. Grant funds may be used to buy books and equipment, tuition and/or fees for degree programs, courses, seminars and workshops. More specifics on the application process may be found in the Cabot Community Investment Fund Plan located on the Town of Cabot website (https://cabotvt.us) or by contacting the Cabot Town Clerk at 802-563-2279. Grant amounts can range up to $500 depending on the funds available in a given year. The deadline for the annual Post- Secondary Degree Program grants is May 1, while the deadlines for the Professional Development grants (awarded quarterly) are January 1, April 1, July 1, and September 1.

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Meet the Mentors

If you are someone who may be considering becoming a Cabot Mentor, you may find it helpful to hear from those who have experience mentoring youth in our community. The first in our series of “Meet the Mentors” is an interview with Chris Tormey.

What made you decide to become a mentor? From my experiences as a teacher and coach and from my own kids’ experiences with adults here in Cabot, I understood the value of mentors.

Did you have mentors in your life as a young person? If so, who were they and how did they affect your life? Yes - mainly teachers and relatives. In general, they exposed me to different experiences and perspectives, and challenged me in many ways.

How long have you been part of the Cabot Mentoring program?

Altogether, a couple of decades.

How many young people have you mentored? Are you still in touch? Two young people. In addition to my current mentee I mentored a middle-school student almost twenty years ago, and we are still occasionally in touch. He is married now and has a family.

What kinds of experiences have you shared with your mentees? Both of my mentees have enjoyed being outside, so we have cross-country skied, I was born to ride wild, untamed, and unruly, winds caress cools me to wash my heart clean. It all feels so simple and so free between worries the choice to live safely or stay forever free.

An open heart blends in the collage of amber that glows in my memory from year unto year, the sunflower fields and the mums brighten dooryards, these familiar companions are forever dear.

Someone in passing will stop for a while, their wind burnished faces reflect sweet October light, lifetime companions I'll forever treasure who stopped in for the sharing of a tear and a smile..

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

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Life on Tebbetts Road

by Alexander Anlyan The late summer days are the color of honey. The touch of their light always stops me in time. Like sepia pictures of the heart of forever, The amber touched memories of my moments in time.

Walking this dirt road that’s hardened by travel where wagons with horses and tractors have run, the few cars I see have no patience to linger, and leave me in silence with the late summer hum.

Here in my home entwined within silence, A melody to which I sleep and I wake Where all of my moments are as short as a lifetime, And light full of Amber until winter breaks.

The days that move by me so quickly grow weeks as I stroll through the silence picking bouquets of weeds the blossoms of wildflowers that bloom only in silence, away from the barren black ribbons of streets.

At night I read stories finding worlds I can wander too long reluctant to put them away I rise for espresso that I make in the machine I bought for five dollars on a rummage sale day.

It may sound kind of quiet to those that don't know me Never seeing me walk by with the light in my eye A soldier, a pirate, a prophet, a peasant, riding tall waves of feeling in golden fall light.

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Maple Pudding Cake

Agency of Agriculture and Food Markets Agriview March 2023 Edition Reprinted with permission from Anson Tebbetts Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour ¾ cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ¾ cup milk ½ cup chopped nuts (your choice, walnuts, pecans or skip entirely) 1 ½ cup maple syrup ¾ cup water 2 tablespoons butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Mix flour, sugar, backing powder salt and milk. Stir in nuts (or not) and pout into a grease 8” square pan. Combine the water, syrup and butte in a saucepan. Heat until the butter melts. Pour the warm sauce over the cake batter. DO NOT STIR! Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Cake should be dark golden brown in color (think crust of bread). Serve warm with whipped or ice cream.

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Upcoming Events at the Jaquith Public Libary

Old Schoolhouse Common, 122 School St. RM 2 Marshfield, VT 05658 For info: [email protected] 802-426-3581 www.jaquithpubliclibrary.org Free Weekly NatureCamp Afterschool with Ange Gibbons April 11- June 8 (no program April 25-27) 3:00 -5:30 pm - Tuesdays OR Thursdays: kids ages 7-9, Wednesdays: kids ages 10-12 Discover the magic of the Spring season outside learning with the land. Join us exploring the fields and forests, and along the Winooski River. Play games, share gratitude, nature stories & songs. Make crafts, listen to the birds, discover wild edible and medicinal plants. Build a shelter, learn to make and cook over a fire and follow tracks. Make new friends and amazing discoveries and have lots of fun! Let’s celebrate and learn together what the land can teach us. This Afterschool Program is funded through the Vermont Afterschool & Summer Expanding Access grant. Seeking Teen MIT(s) (Mentor-In-Training) for

NatureCamp Afterschool Program. The Jaquith Public Library seeks responsible, caring and fun-loving teens (15-19 years old); who are willing to learn, grow as a mentor, and share their skills and passions with kids during our NatureCamp Afterschool Program. Experience is helpful but not required, though teens should definitely enjoy nature and being with children. Volunteer and stipend positions available: Weekly Tues, Wed, or Thurs 3-5:30pm, April 4-7 training; April 11-June 8 with kids ages 7-12. If this opportunity interests you, write a brief paragraph why you want to be an MIT for NatureCamp Afterschool, and include weekly afternoon(s) you are available. Email Susan Green at [email protected]. MIT positions open until filled. ‘ NEW!! Spring Gardening Workshops! Second Thursdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. Kick off a great gardening season with these workshops.

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Another Reappraisal?!! Really? Why?

We’ve seen properties in town sell for prices way outside our Grand List values due to the COVID-19 phenomenon. True for most communities, it is still not a reason not to reappraise, according to Property Valuation and Review (PVR) Division of the Department of Taxes. Cabot has not yet received a reappraisal order, but we know our data qualifies for one, and we expect a notice later in the year. We (Listers) will be working with PVR to craft our next step; we expect to do a “statistical reappraisal” (test a sample of physical data for accuracy, and if viable, simply adjust the background tables for today’s values) to avoid the cost April 13 VEGETABLES & HERBS

How to grow common and uncommon vegetables and herbs, from starting seeds, preparing garden beds, transplanting and caring for plants all the way to a great harvest. With Donna Hisson of Crabapple Hill Homestead May 11 FLOWERS Everything about growing flowers & flower & herb seeds with avid perennial flower gardener Lani Seifert, and flower and herb seed grower Sarah Graves of the Magic Bean Farm.

Movies at the Jaquith Library on the Big Screen Second Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

April 12 An amiable comedy about how a previously unimportant out-of-the-way satellite dish in Australia is suddenly crucial to the first humanmission to the moon.

May 10 A scarier film about eerie things in the sky in the southern California desert. Monday Book Group: Fourth Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m.

For copies of the book, please stop by the library. New members are always welcome.

April 24 The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson May 22 The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles Chapters in History Book Group: Second Saturdays of the month at 2 p.m. A free public reading-discussion series co -sponsored by the Marshfield Historical Society and the Jaquith Library. Books are available for loan at the library.

April/May Democracy in America (Volumes I April, Volume II May) Alexis de Tocqueville (1835, 1840)

Story Time and Playgroup: Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for Kids Birth to Age 5 Get ready for some fun with Sasha during story and activity time. This science, art, and nature- based program will encourage creativity, exploration and time for parents and caregivers to share child rearing practices and challenges. We will be outside if the weather permits, moving inside when there is inclement weather.

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

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CABOT PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS

Thank you so much for your support and your vote on Town Meeting Day! It’s official – we have a Youth Librarian at the Cabot Public Library and programming for youth can continue!

Breaking News: We are thrilled to announce Beth Wade has been chosen by the Vermont Library Association to be this year’s recipient of the Trustee of the Year Award! In the words of Pamela Cartier of the VLA: “There is no doubt that she deserves to be recognized for her contributions to your library and community.” Beth will receive this award at the VLA conference in South Burlington on Monday, April 3. Congratulations, Beth – a well-deserved award!

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. Book delivery available upon request for those unable to get to the library. Ask us how to access thousands of free online e/audiobooks through Libby/Overdrive.

Story Hour - Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:30 am, 3rd Floor of the Willey Building. Join youth librarian Amanda Otto for stories, songs, snacks, crafts, and open play. Ages Birth – 5, but all are welcome!

Dungeons and Dragons - Tuesdays - 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Come play D&D after school with friends - Snacks are provided

- All are welcome!

Community Service Program for H.S. Students - 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month - through Wednesday, May 17 - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Are you interested in volunteering at the library to earn community service hours? Do you want to help plan youth programs and events for the summer? Come work with your peers to help youth librarian Amanda Otto get ready for our Summer Reading Program. Snacks are provided!

Book Club and Outdoor Exploration Program (ages 7-11), Thursdays through May 18, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Join Amanda Otto for fun outdoor adventures. We'll bring a good book and hit the Cabot trails. Participants will make crafts and structures using natural materials and learn how to identify local flora and fauna. Snacks are provided! Please email amandaotto.cabotlib [email protected] with questions or to express interest.

Cabot Book/Discussion – Thursday, April 27 - 2pm. Based on a Real Life. Please join in for this new Book Discussion series co-sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council and facilitated by VHC scholar Mary Hays. The first book in this four-part series is March by Geraldine Brooks. Books can be picked up in advance at the Cabot Library. All are welcome to join in lively conversation with your neighbors!

Branching Out: Author Talks at Cabot Library – Spring 2023 Series – Tuesday, April 11 and 18– 7pm.

Tuesday, April 11, 7 pm: The second in an eight-part series - Brett Ann Stanciu was a director at a one-room rural Vermont library when a stranger began breaking in after hours. The man was rumored to be an opioid user. After his tragic death, Stanciu began asking questions about addiction. Who struggles with addiction? Why? And what’s the path forward for individuals and communities? Stanciu tells this story in Unstitched: My Journey to Understand Opioid Addiction and How People and Communities Can Heal (Steerforth Press, 2021). The book explores addiction in Vermont through the community’s eyes — health care professionals, a local police chief, the former US attorney Christina Nolan, families, and people in recovery — and Stanciu’s own struggle with addiction. “Unstitched is both a page-turner and a primer in understanding the complex dimensions of the opioid crisis in a rural state. It is through reading Stanciu’s skillful, compassionate, and thoughtful rendering of personal stories that we can all gain valuable insight, diminish harmful stigma, and foster true healing.” ~ Dr. Mark A. Levine, MD, MACP, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Health

Tuesday, April 18 – 7 pm: The third in an eight-part series – Sean Prentiss will read from Crosscut: Poems about his work as a trailbuilder in the Pacific Northwest. Prentiss is the awardwinning author of Finding Abbey: the Search for Edward Abbey and His Hidden Desert Grave, which won the National Outdoor Book Award, Utah Book Award, and the New Mexico-Arizona Book Award, and the author of Crosscut: Poems about his work as a trail builder in the Pacific Northwest. He has also written two creative writing textbooks, Environmental and Nature Writing and Advanced Creative Nonfiction, and two creative nonfiction anthologies, The Far Edges of the Fourth Genre: Explorations in Creative Nonfiction and The Science of Story: The Brain Behind Creative Nonfiction. He and his family live just on the other side of the mountain from Cabot, and he is an associate professor at Norwich University.

Yoga for Everybody - Sunday mornings - 10:30-11:45 am: Join Christyn King at the Willey Building for an accessible, playful, skillful invitation to land in your body, just as you are right now. Stressed out? Not flexible? Too old, too young? Skeptical of new adventures? These are great reasons to come try it anyway. As a community we will expand our sense of aliveness, strengthen, stretch, breathe, and have fun doing it! Yoga for Everybody is open to all, suggested donation $10/person. Some mats and props will be available, but bring your own mat, cushion, and blanket if you are able.

Thanks so much to the Library Trustees for their hard work and support to the library: Grace Hoffman, Niall McCallum, Angela Ogle, Kurt Steinert and Erin Ruddell and our student representative, Ila Steinert.

See you at the library! Kathleen Hoyne – Library Director Amanda Otto – Youth Librarian

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SENIORS NEWS UPDATE

It’s April in Vermont - The days are getting both longer and warmer, and in our rural areas, a bit muddier! Come gather with us and brighten up not just your day but the day of a local senior. We love having visitors! We are a group of individuals dedicated to providing nutritious meals and activities that are entertaining and accommodating to all ages and abilities. Call ahead to register for Lunch served at Noon every Mon/Wed/Fri. We’d love to have more hungry folks come and join us! Need a ride to and from the Center? We can arrange for transportation, even in mud season, from your house to the center and back again. Give us a call at 802-223-3322. We also offer Meals to Go and Meals on Wheels for those needing either. These services are vital to keeping seniors in their own homes and only happen because of the team of volunteers we have and the donations we receive. Thank you for your contributions to our community! Upcoming classes and Events at Twin Valley:  Friday Sing Along; in person with Pat

Mayhew held the 1st Friday of each month at 1 p.m.  Bone Builders with Cort Richardson;

via Zoom on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30-8:30 a.m.

 Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program with Sue Carey; via Zoom on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00- 10:00 a.m.  Chair Yoga with Karen Kennedy; in

person on Mondays at 1 p.m.  Tai Chi with Pat Boyle; in person on

Tuesdays from 10:00-11:00 a.m.  SASH sponsored Bingo with prizes; in

person on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 1 p.m.  Blood Pressure Clinics are on the 2nd

Wednesday of the month from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  Mystery Book Club is held in person on

the first Thursday of each month  The Center provides Foot Clinics on a

monthly basis, call ahead to schedule  In-person Art Classes are advertised

periodically, as well

Mud season is here... Homebound? Call us. The process to start Meals on Wheels only takes a few minutes to complete. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you soon! Gene Troia Twin Valley Senior Center P.O. Box 152 East Montpelier, VT 05651 [email protected] 802-223-3322

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Burtts Grow More Than Apples

Editor note: I stumbled upon this scene driving past Burtt’s Orchard. I took several photos, but only in this one can all faces of four active kids be seen. I asked Stef Burtt what was going on:

“Greg and I are celebrating 15 years of marriage this May. My mom is Austrian, and on our wedding day, we were planning an Austrian spin-off of tradition. Normally, we would saw a tree together, but we decided to plant a tree. It rained that day, so we put off planting it for a few weeks. We dug one up by hand and planted it, but it died. We did it again and it died. I think our neighbors were beginning to think it was a bad omen about our marriage;). On our one-year anniversary, we didn’t mess around - we dug one up with the big root ball with the tractor, planted it, and pulled out the thorns and weeds by hand after it was in the ground. I like to think that’s more symbolic of what marriage is like! Pulling out thorns and weeds together and leaving a nice, solid maple tree with strong roots left. It’s the first year we tapped it, so we all did it together:)”

Stef

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Director and Lead Teacher

The Cabot Community Association in partnership with ABC & LOL Child Care Center & Preschool is looking for a dynamic, energetic, dedicated leader to join our program while creating an engaging and warm environment. Ideally, this candidate will serve a dual role position of Director and Lead Teacher.

Our team is looking for someone who possesses:

* Strong communication and organizational skills, including managing paperwork and reporting

* Dedication to exploring nature and the natural environment

* Knowledge in developing and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children

* Time management skills and can manage multiple tasks

* Demonstrated ability to communicate positively with young children and team members Requirements:

* Associates degree in Early Childhood Education or Human Services preferred or

* Child Care Certificate (Career Ladder level III for Northern Lights) or

* 21 credits in Early Childhood Education

* Minimum 2 years experience in an early childhood setting

* Understanding of the Vermont Early Learning Standards and the Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations This is a full-time, year-round position, Monday through Friday. We offer a competitive salary, full benefit package and ongoing professional development. Please contact Heather Smires, [email protected] , 802.473.2772 for more information or to apply.

by Jeanne Johnson

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