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The Cabot Chronicle

October 2025 · 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 October 2025 pages (PDF)

Automated extraction, spot-checked. Advertisements, the business directory, and puzzles are omitted; obituaries appear as individual entries.

In This Issue

Ruth Goodrich

hunter. So, there were always rabbits and deer and everything in season, and if he had more than what we needed, he would always share. And if something needed doing, he was always there for them to do what it took to get the job done. And so I grew up with that. After I married Glenn, I left the Vermont State Hospital, moved to Montpelier and I went to work at Berlin Health and Rehab for a year and a half. worked with Rita Gamble and Linda Walbridge, so met a few Cabot people. We worked with patients in their final years, and I had some really good nursing training instructors there, and again the same policy - nobody dies alone. I sat with quite a few people as they were having their last moments and last hours, and there's a special spirit and a special feeling when someone is transitioning out of their mortal body and on to what's next. It can be very peaceful for them to know there's someone there to hold their hand or just talk to them as this is happening, because family didn’t always have the ability to be there or the desire. So I guess that prelude into EMS work really helped me out a lot, treating people in need with the utmost respect and dignity, care and kindness that is humanly possible. Cabot Chronicle: How did you get into EMS? Ruth: My oldest daughter, Michelle, was an EMT with Danville Rescue and was there for a number of years. One day she came to me about the same time that my youngest daughter went into the military and was being deployed to Iraq. The pressure was on. Being a military mom, your kid's going into a war zone, and boy, howdy. It was a very stressful time. Michelle said, “Mom, there's an EMT class coming up at Lyndon State College next month, you're going to take it.” And I looked at her and said, “And why do I need to, want to do this?” She said, “Well, number one, we need the help; number two, you need something to do while Sarah's in Iraq so you don't climb the walls.” I looked at her and said, “You're exactly right. Okay, game on!” So, I took the class. Cabot Chronicle: Does a nurse need to take an EMT class? Ruth: Yes. You have to take the state certified classes. It was a six or eight month class at that time; two nights a week and Saturdays. I was the oldest member in the class and that was some twenty-odd years ago. All the rest were college kids. But I passed with high scores, and then I joined Danville Rescue, which was really quite a good thing, because it was the perfect storm of peo-

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The Cabot Chronicle is a home-delivered

ple on Danville Rescue at that time. The president of the squad was one of the head ER nurses at NVRH in St. Johnsbury, Debbie Bach. And so my training took on a whole new face. The paramedic with them was fantastic. And all of the personnel were wonderful. And their training was this: Okay, we might not agree on certain subjects, but when you climb on that truck, you are the utmost professional and you will give that patient the best care anybody can give them. And you will be on your toes and you will do a good job. They were very supportive. They were excellent trainers and I was so thankful for that. I value that training so greatly because it set the stage for being able to see clearly, look at the whole picture, don't get tunnel vision, see what's really going on. Situational awareness is so important because sometimes you’re walking into a bee's nest, whether it's a domestic dispute or what we've been having lately with difficult calls. Very, very difficult situations that you really can't train for, some of these situations where you've got to keep your crew safe, you've got to keep yourself safe, you've got to advocate for your patient, you've got to figure out what's been going on, because sometimes and very often what comes out over the airwaves for the call, the tone, and the situation that they depict, is totally different from what you find when you arrive on the scene. You've got to be on your toes and really quickly assess what's going on. Sometimes you have seconds to make a decision what you're going to do next. Sometimes Vermont State Police will go in ahead of us and check it all out to make sure it's safe and we stage somewhere back away from the scene. Eventually I branched out. I joined Walden FAST Squad, and then Cabot as well. Then Danville Rescue was phased out to Lynden Rescue and then eventually Calex. So I fell back to Walden FAST Squad and then just Cabot, because there's only enough hours in the day to do so many things. I wanted to put my focus in our own community. Having an ambulance right here in town is very key to the health, welfare and sometimes the survival of our members of the town. We have a lot of aging people in the community. Sometimes it's just needing to help lift assist or a ride to the hospital because medications aren't doing something they should be doing or doing something they shouldn't be doing. And they're having a reaction to that, perhaps, or any number of other circumstances related to just aging and bodies that are just getting weaker and whatever. So we do a lot of emotional support on those particular cases - hey, it's okay, you just need help up, that's fine. Our squad members are in very close communication, so that seconds after a call comes out on E911 or over the

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newspaper devoted to telling the pagers, we are in contact with each other: Who’s available, who's going where, etc.. All within a matter of less than a minute after the call comes out. Then we let dispatch know we're headed, we're out of quarters. Cabot Chronicle: What’s it like responding to emergencies? Ruth: It can be very stressful, emotionally challenging work. There's a lot of stress-related things that can really overburden people over time, either at the moment or after the fact. And in the past, it was a case of toughen up, you better just suck it up and get over it. Nowadays, agencies and our district are very conscious of the stress levels within their first responders and their fire agencies. There is a lot of mental health and wellness support availability out there. We've had some pretty hard calls this year. These are our community members. These are people we know. They're not strangers, and that makes an extra level of tough. And to be able to lock all your emotions down on scene and do what needs to be done is stressful. And for me, it’s a delayed reaction. I can completely shut down every switch and do what needs to be done. But about three to five days later, those switches come off again. Some of the signs of stress might be irritation or you're just a little more emotional or temperamental than usual, just reacting to stress and not realizing it. We have critical incident stress debriefings that help. Nobody needs to feel like they're alone or that they can't talk to somebody. We've done two of those with our ambulance crew and Fire Department so far this year and it's been wonderful and very helpful. Cabot Chronicle: You’ve mentioned your family a few times. Are they involved, too? Ruth: Yes! My daughter Jean and granddaughter Victoria are both on the ambulance. We’ve got mother-daughter and mother-son teams. It’s a family affair. It’s rewarding to see younger people stepping up. Cabot Chronicle: What’s the hardest part of the job? Ruth: The sacrifice. You miss out on sleep, dinners, birthdays, holidays. You stay within 10 miles of home, just in case, so you can’t even go to the bank or the store without feeling a bit guilty if a call comes out, but we have lives, other obligations. What we do is all volunteer. It’s 24/7. And if you’re the only EMT available, the pressure can be enormous. We’ve had great success recruiting and we're finally getting to the point now where we have enough new people on board to be able to start doing shifts so that maybe you can have a little bit of a breather to have a family meal or a (see, ’Ruth Goodrich’, page 3)

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Ruth Goodrich

(continued from page 2) birthday dinner and have it not be interrupted. Cabot Chronicle: What do people not see? Ruth: If you have a chain, your chain is only as strong as your weakest link, and the others support like that. We all learn to compensate each other’s challenges and weaknesses and whatever else. And if we have someone in training, we mentor them and help them to learn what they need to know for the future. Those in leadership positions have a lot of extra things to do as well. Both EMS and Fire have the executive group to handle all the paperwork to run the agency. It's immense, often an additional twenty hours a week. Financials, training, scheduling, record keeping, billing, etc.. After every run, we come back and do an incident report online, uploading all the documents and information in minute detail. This can take up to 45 minutes or more and it has to be done within 24 hours. These reports are private and confidential and the state EMS Department. takes statistics from it to improve training. Then, the ambulance has to be completely cleaned and re-stocked before it can go out again. Really fun at 2 a.m. You've got to know exactly what's on board, what you need to order, what's expiring soon. So every so often, preferably weekly, you go through every item in the entire ambulance. There are a LOT of things on board. When we're on a run, we pay close attention when delivering care or when we're delivering medications, look at the clock and make a mental note or write it down. Sometimes we'll take a magic marker and write on the person's forehead or their arm for things like tourniquet application, etc., when and where it was applied, because that's crucial for the hospital to know, and if you're working with one or two paramedics on board and you've got a critical patient, your job is to make note of everything they do - when this IV went in and this medication was delivered and how much was the medication, etc.. The ER needs to have the right information about when medication is received as it can be critical in their treatment for the patient. We deliver the patients to the ER with a detailed patient report & then we follow up in a day or two with the patient or their family to see how they are doing. That extra step is very appreciated. Cabot Chronicle: What do you want people to understand? Ruth: That EMS and Fire Department volunteers are doing their very best but they are not superhuman. We have frailties, families, and full-time jobs. We have weaknesses, we have illnesses, we have to deal with the same things everybody else does, but for a moment in time we put that aside and we do what's needed. Do I know what causes that? Down deep in every single person it's a different thing. For me - we been on the receiving end and now we are giving back, it's rewarding to do it. It makes me feel better as a person to know I made a difference. Because without these services, our communities would be in real trouble. Cabot Chronicle: What's the plan for the ambulance and it's care, feeding and sheltering? Ruth: The ambulance is currently

location has power, water, security (see, ‘Ruth Goodrich’, page 7)

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BITUARIES

Walter Walter "Rusty" Churchill Churchill Obituary

Walter Churchill, a lifelong resident of Cabot, Vermont, passed away on August 25, 2025, at his family home in Cabot. Born on October 28, 1952, in Cabot, Rusty was the son of Pauline and Percy Churchill. Deeply rooted in his hometown, he dedicated his life to serving his community through hard work and quiet strength. Rusty spent much of his career working as a farmer and with the Cabot Highway Department. Whether tending to the land or maintaining the roads that connected neighbors and friends, he approached every task with diligence and humility. His work ethic reflected his character: honest, humble, and kind. He found great joy in helping on the family farm and cherished every moment spent with his wife, sons and grandchildren. These simple pleasures

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James L. Hamilton Obituary

James (Jim) Lyman Hamilton, a Cold War Naval aviator and photographer as well as a regarded architect, lighting designer, and lifelong inventor, died on Sunday, September 6, 2025, in Lexington, MA, surrounded by loving family and friends. Jim was born on November 30, 1928, in Meriden, CT, the younger son of Lorenzo and Ella (Stohr) Hamilton. Jim graduated from The Choate School in 1946 and then enrolled at the Rhode Island School of Design to study interior architecture. He graduated in 1953. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy’s Officer Candidate School, earning his Naval Aviator wings in 1955. From 1955 to 1957, Mr. Hamilton piloted aircraft that patrolled the North Atlantic, scanning for Soviet bombers and submarines during the Cold War. He continued in the reserves, retiring in 1962. Jim arrived in Cambridge, MA, in 1959 and joined The Architects Collaborative. Jim later joined Cambridge Seven Associates, where he captained the team that designed the innovative cabin interior for one of the first “widebody” passenger aircraft, the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. In the early 1970s, Jim partnered with Jay Kirsch to design the “Aurora” and “Prisma” clocks, selling tens of thousands and becoming collector’s items over the years. President Jimmy Carter had an Aurora at the White House, according to Mr. Kirsch. Separately, Jim designed a minimalist, geometric clock called “Time Square” featured in the permanent design collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Continuing with lighting design, Jim worked with Lam Lighting Associates in the 1990s, contributing to major projects including airports in Denver and Chicago and cultural landmarks like the Jim is survived by three sons: Eric and his wife Lynda Radosevich, and brought him deep fulfillment and were a their children Clay, Duncan, and Monte; testament to the values he held dear: Peter and his wife Audra Hamilton, and family, community, and service. their children Leah and Aaron; and Rusty was a steadfast presence in the Chris and his wife Traci Horie, and their lives of those around him—a rock for children Kaikea and Ailana. He is lovmany friends, family members, and ingly remembered by his Vermont famneighbors who relied on his quiet sup- ily - Judy Boucher, Jen Boucher, Mark port and unwavering dependability. and Blue Christensen and former wife He is survived by his wife of 48 years Carol Hamilton and her husband Peter of marriage Mary Lisabeth Churchill; Johnson; nieces, Shelley Hamilton sons Joseph Churchill, Vincent Churchill, and John Churchill; daughters-inlaw Carol Churchill and Emily ChurMack, Jean Hamilton Welch and Julie Gwinn-Bailey; nephews Mark Lorenzo Hamilton, Jr. and Steven Grammont and sister-in-law Diana Grammont. The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff of Youville Place in Lexington, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the employee appreciation fund at Youville Place. https://www.youvilleassistedliv ing.org/ways-to-give/donate-youvilleplace/.

chill; brothers Melvin Churchill, Fred Churchill, and Andy Churchill; and grandchildren Madison Churchill, Wesley Churchill, Asher Churchill, Jaxson Churchill, Jason O’Brien, Grace Valle, and Audrey Valle. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday September 28, 2025, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Cabot Town Hall, Main Street, Cabot, VT. Rusty's legacy of kindness and quiet strength will live on in all who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to those who loved him.

Guggenheim Museum. Jim and Jay maintained a close friendship through the years. Jim spent much time in Jay and his wife Tina’s company. In the mid 1990’s Jim partnered with Judy Boucher when she lived with Tina, her identical twin sister, and Jay, in Cambridge, MA. This foursome spent 20+ years traveling together to visit family in Alaska and Oregon, returning to the birthplace of the twin’s mother in Prince Edward Island, tending the land and second home on the island. They loved to birdwatch, beach nap, ski in the woods in Cabot and Cambridge, play music together, spend time together with their kids and grandchildren, and work - landscaping, painting, refinishing floors, etc. In 2000, he retired and moved to Cabot, Vermont, with his partner, Judy Boucher, where he designed and built their timber frame home and set up a shop and quickly became the neighbor everyone called when they needed a custom part or a practical solution. In Cabot, Jim particularly loved tending and sitting in front of the woodstove, splitting and stacking firewood and running the hay baler, designing and machining parts to make innovative solutions for problems around the homestead. He worked patiently with his grandson, Blue, and friends, teaching hands on physics, building design, and carpentry skills. That ingenuity and generosity de-

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The Cabot Chronicle Submission Guidelines

The Chronicle welcomes letters written with an economy of words. The maximum length is recommended to be no longer than 400 words. Letters may be edited for clarity and length or returned to the author with suggestions for re-submittal. All letters and commentary published in The Cabot Chronicle represent the fined him as much as his professional work. A lifelong inventor, he delighted in solving problems and bringing ideas to life—designing a model train table that lowered from the kitchen ceiling for his sons, crafting wooden toys and mechanical movements for his grandchildren, or sharing photographs that revealed beauty in the everyday. More than through words, he expressed himself through sharing knowledge: pointing out constellations in the night sky, explaining physics in simple terms or helping friends through his inventor’s group, where curiosity grew into lasting friendship. opinions of the authors and not necessarily the opinions of staff. The Cabot Chronicle reserves the right to reject letters that may contain unsuitable material for our readers. Letters will not be considered for publication unless signed and accompanied by a phone number. We will gladly consider articles and photographs for publication. The Cabot Chronicle is not responsible for errors in submitted material. Nor does The Cabot Chronicle assume responsibility for claims arising in connection with products or services advertised on these pages. If you have editorial

Cabot, VT 05647.

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Speeding and Parking

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

The September 9 Selectboard meeting opened with a moment of silence for Rusty Churchill, a former town crew member. During public comment, Lori Augustyniak provided an update on the closure of the Cabot Children's Center due to staffing issues and requested help in finding a lead teacher. Johanna Thibault expressed concern as a resident on town water and the ongoing drought. Betty Ritter had spoken to Alan from H2O and he had told her the water levels in the town wells are fine and one of the wells always overflows. Fred Ducharme brought up speeding in the village and said that some people are going 50 mph past the school. He exclaimed that it's a 30 mph zone. He expressed concern about the kids and suggested they lower the speed limit or find a way to enforce it. Fred said other towns have a speed limit of 25 mph, or even 15 mph. Mike Hogan said that it's an issue many towns are facing and stated that there aren't enough sheriffs to patrol all the areas. Later in the meeting Lori presented a draft parking policy for the board to review. She said that it was a general policy for everyday parking, as well as parking for events. Lori directed the board’s attention to the map, which she said was a great summary. She highlighted the existing municipal parking, and asked

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Flood Mitigation Updates

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

R.D. Eno told the board that he presented the wrong proposal for the debris catchers at the previous meeting. He said that he had received an update the day before the meeting but neglected to copy the changes. R.D. said the difference in the proposal was about $4,000, which still kept the total under the $20,000 limit at $19,865. He explained that the previous proposal had underestimated the amount of hours. Mike Hogan said he wasn’t at the last meeting, and doesn’t have a problem with the debris catchers. However, he had received a communication from Gleb Glinka and relayed that Gleb will not allow any intrusion on his property for any purpose. He went on to say that Gleb stated he was bound by a state forest plan. Mike said that Gleb has the final say because he owns the property. R.D. talked about an easement, but Mike said he would not go against the owner’s wishes. R.D. suggest the board try to persuade Gleb to confer with his forester, or give permission for the Selectboard to

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UPDATE UPDATES UPDATE SS S

the board to consider parking behind the temporary fire station, and about the status of the area of the old fire house site. Mike expressed concern that the hill behind the old firehouse site is fragile, and it is still collapsing. He wasn’t sure if they could use the site for parking, and how much reinforcement of the bank will be done with the rip-rap project. Dean Deasy agreed that the bank is constantly being undercut, and said the fence is already starting to lean. Lori then suggested the other parking locations on the map are for conversation. She highlighted the on-street parking, and where no parking should be allowed. Mike asked about the upcoming Cheese and Culture Festival, and Lori said that the parking is spread out. She said that last year the parking worked well with the shuttles. Lori concluded by telling the board that once she got feedback from the individual board members she will send the draft policy around. The Selectboard returned to the subject of speeding in the village during public comment. Peggy Miller suggested installing cameras to capture the license plates of speeding vehicles, as well as increasing the contract with the Sheriff. There was further discussion about using signs that display the drivers’ current speed. The board agreed additional money should be considered in the next budget to address speeding in the village.

confer with his forester. Mike felt they needed to wait until Gleb communicated with them. R.D. disagreed and felt the town should communicate first. Mike suggested the task force pursue the issue with Gleb. The board discussed that Steven Hogan and Betty Ritter were the only conduits through which Gleb was willing to communicate with the town. The discussion then turned to the relocation of Cabot Garage. Gary Gulka told the board that the debris racks were a backup if they couldn’t relocate the garage, or find funding to replace the culverts. He went on to discuss possible relocation sites, but stipulated the current owner of Cabot Garage has a say on which sites get selected. He said the preference was for a site in or around the village, as close as possible to the current location. Gary then listed off a number of potential properties. First, he said the town owns about 15 acres near the cemetery on Elm Street. Second was the recreation field where the temporary fire station is located. Thirdly, he talked about the land behind the Willey building but stated that it was only 0.2 acres. He then the quality of community life for those in the governance and management for the purpose of keeping community via Zoom for those who would like Forum, or you can call the Town Clerk's by clicking on "Selectboard Meetings.

mentioned the future site of the permanent public safety building, but Dean stated that there would be a problem with impervious surfaces if two buildings were located there. Lastly, Gary mentioned the Sawmill property, where the town owns 9.5 acres. Gary went on to say that they had talked to the Nunns, who own the property across from the temporary firehouse, and they were not interested in selling. He said another option might be the Di Stefano property beyond the Nunn’s property, but it contains wet land. The board and Gary talked about the property behind the Willey Building and

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Wastewater and Drought

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

At the Selectboard meeting on September 16, Skip Bothfeld opened public comment by talking about the Cabot Chronicle. He stated that at the fire department meeting there was a discussion, and said that the paper was funded by the people and hopefully is fair to all the people. He added that they are hoping to have one of the members volunteer to write a column each month on what the fire department is doing to better inform the people of Cabot. Kerri Moll then spoke to the board about the uptick in suicides in the town of Cabot, and said there have been five in the last year, which is a lot for a small town. She expressed that something should be done and presented a list of local resources in the area that people can access. She described several of the services and programs, and suggested that the list could be put on the website. Fred suggested Kerri put something together for the Chronicle. Later in the meeting, Fred discussed his observations about the effluents that have been infiltrating. He said that back in May there was a lot of water infiltrating the system, and the drought has virtually eliminated that. Fred said by comparing the amount of gallons the system is processing in a day, they figured that 12,000 gallons a day was infiltrating the system back in May. He explained that the current system is processing 12,000 gallons a day, and in May it was processing 24,000 gallons a day. Fred went on to say that to look at the pipe on Danville Hill would require closing the road. He explained that the manholes are buried under the middle of the road, and they have to access them to send a camera up the pipe. He also said there is a known problem on South Walden Road because they saw the gasket hanging down when they sent a camera up the pipe after the flood. Fred said that the location can be determined to within a couple feet, and the area can be dug up without closing the road. residing, doing business, and visiting of our town. members informed about issues to listen in person. Instructions for

Gary said there was no real way to locate the garage there unless the playground was moved. Mike stated that dealing with a potential flood was more important than the playground. Sid Griggs mentioned that Sawmill Road doesn’t break up in the spring and R.D. speculated that they could use the barn side of the recycling center. He added that the town isn’t using that part of the building anymore. Gary said he wanted to give the consultants a couple of the properties so they could do the feasibility study and determine which sites are suitable.

Mike Hogan suggested that Roger from H2O can put a plan together for Danville Hill Road. Fred said that it needs to be done in the spring so they can see where the water is infiltrating. He said that if they look now, it would be harder to tell where the leaks are located. Fred then brought up vacuuming the lines, and said Manosh charges $2600 a day. He did not recall if the town has ever had it done before, but felt they should do it. Though he expressed that it's an open ended cost because noone knows how long it will take. Mike agreed that H2O should contact Manosh about the vacuuming since they will be providing someone to fill the post of storm water manager required by the state. Betty then gave the board an update on the water situation, and said the village is doing excellent. She said that they have plenty of water, but stated that outside the village some people don’t. Betty expressed that the town should do something to help people running out of water. Fred talked about an outside hookup, and suggested people could come and get water. Betty suggested that the fire department could fill people’s tank from a hydrant. Skip would later say he wasn’t sure about that because one couldn’t be sure from where the tank was filled previously. Ruth Goodrich stated that their sugarhouse was out of water, and so were two houses near them. She stated that they have a lot of tanks in stock, and also have the ability to haul water in food grade tanks. Jenn Miner said that the state is asking people to register when they are out of water so the state can track the need for assistance. Betty said that the town of Peacham is limiting water usage.

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ACT 73 Discussion

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

Chris Tormey started the School Board discussion about the impending changes to the state education system at the August 25 meeting. He told the board that he did forward the letter to the state task force as they had agreed at their last meeting. Chris reminded the board that the task force will be putting together up to three statewide reconfiguration maps by mid-December. He added that none of the other reforms will go forward unless the legislature approves one of the maps. Chris told the board that Peacham, Cabot, and Caledonia Central School District (CCSD) stated they wanted to be part of a Supervisory Union (SU) school district. He added that Danville is taking a wait and see approach, while Twinfield’s letter to the task force states they want to be part of a SU district to the west. He told the board that they are currently in a holding pattern. Chris said one of the facets of Act 73 is the minimum class size over a three-year period. He said the first year is the upcoming year, FY26. Chris said that if Act 73 goes forward, the Agency of Education will be forced to close schools that don’t meet the minimum class size. He added that he didn’t think Cabot could meet the minimums. Jennifer Blake told the board that they had brought on 14 new students this year, but only three were for the high school. Alicia Heber spoke to the board about how she proposed school choice at the last meeting, and how there should be a transition plan. She said it is entirely possible for the high school to be closed down due to class minimums. Alicia said they put a cap on the lottery to maintain class minimums, and said that it sounds like there are a fair amount of spots open. But she added that the upcoming students might have a high school close on them and want to get ahead by using the lottery. Melissa Pratt asked if it was prudent to put together another cost analysis. Matt Foster responded, saying he could resurrect the research that was previously done. He then addressed the issue of lottery spots and said that he doesn’t think they can open the "flood gate” on the lottery. He expressed concern that they are pushing the limit with the current 12 lottery spots. Matt added that the number of lottery spots is a March decision.

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Continues

Matt also reminded the board that the timeline for teacher contracts also affects when decisions should be made. He suggested the board be prudent and look at options if the class sizes are too small, adding that it might be useful to know what school parents might choose. Ellen Cairns agreed and said that she likes the idea of a survey. Adding that it would also be good to have the costs too, so that they can look at the data. Alicia said they should survey high school families, and families that will have high school students in the next three years. Chris said the purpose of the survey would be to know what schools would be of interest if the high school was to close. Ellen said it might be out of our hands regarding what happens to the high school. She added that this is a whole town decision, not just the parents of high school children but the taxpayers too. The board then discussed the cost of private schools versus public schools, and Ellen noted that there is a public school cap on the tuition that can be charged. Chris said it is important to know if there would be a cap on private schools in Act 73. Ellen then suggested the survey include a question on whether school choice or joining another district was preferred should the high school have to close. Chris reminded the board that in order for Cabot to join a SU district, the total number of students needs to be at least 4000. He said there would be more schools than just Danville High School as part of a SU district. Alicia said the crux of this is not about school choice, but what we will do in the next three years. She expressed the desire to know how it will impact students, and whether they should transfer to another high school before it happens. Alicia also mentioned how teachers are feeling about job security. Matt said that they are in that time frame right now. He stated that the Middle and High Schools need to be looked at since they are not viable with the current numbers. Chris spoke about Twinfield and their interest to join a SU district with U32, Roxbury, and Montpelier. He said that they are in the same situation as Cabot with their high school class numbers. Chris stated that 18 students is a high number for small schools. Ellen said that it’s not 18 in a graduating class, but 18 in a core class like Chemistry.

Its a great way to reach up to 1900 households in Cabot, Marshfield, Plainfield, Hardwick, and Danville! Spread the word about your product or service while helping to support a great community resource. at

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Cabot Tree Warden

As fall settles in and the leaves begin to drop, now is an important time to check your yard for ash trees—especially since Emerald Ash Borer has recently been confirmed on several properties in Cabot. Identifying ash trees can be tricky if you’re not familiar with tree species. Typically, ash trees have compound leaves comprised of 5-9 smaller leaflets attached to a single leaf stem, and their bark often features a distinctive diamond -shaped pattern. If you’re unsure what to look for, local arborists and online resources with clear photos can help guide you. In our region, white ash and green ash are the most common, while black ash prefers wetter spots. Note: mountain ash, despite its name, isn’t a true ash tree and is not affected by Emerald Ash Borer. Once you’ve identified any ash trees on your property, consider which ones are worth saving through insecticide treatments. Trees that are healthy, provide valuable shade, or have personal significance are the best candidates for preservation, while those already unhealthy or infested may be better suited for removal. When making this choice, consider the tree’s overall health, size, location, and sentimental value. Several insecticides—including emamectin benzoate, imidacloprid, dinotefuran, and azadirachtin—are available to combat emerald ash borer. These are specialized products used by licensed professionals to protect ash trees from EAB, and their application should always follow expert guidance to ensure safety and effectiveness. With confirmed EAB cases in Cabot, residents need to act and consult credible experts or re-

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T REE W ARDEN

sources for advice on protecting our local tree canopy. A link to a fact sheet on insecticides and their application for EAB control. https://yardandgarden.extension. iastate.edu/files/inline-files/ Multistate_EAB_Insecticide_ Fact_Sheet_0.pdf If you decide to save an ash tree, hire a licensed arborist to apply insecticide; treatment typically costs several hundred dollars per tree. For removal, get quotes from a tree service company or plan accordingly if you are considering doing the tree removal yourself, though this option carries significant risks. Ash trees are particularly brittle and can split unexpectedly, posing unpredictable dangers. Improper removal can result in property damage or personal injury. For most homeowners, hiring a professional is the safest option, as experts are equipped to handle the challenges and hazards unique to ash trees. This article walks you through identifying ash trees, evaluating which ones to save, and weighing treatment or removal options in a clear, step-by-step manner. Hopefully it will allow you to take informed and confident action when caring for your ash trees. Stay rooted, Roland Payne, Jr., Cabot Tree Warden

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Build Skills and

by CFD Public Affairs

There is a saying in the firefighting community that “you can’t train too much for a job that can kill you.” Building the proficiencies and experience to handle calls ranging from car accidents to hazardous materials releases to structure fires is difficult in a volunteer department. It takes a substantial commitment of time to learn the basics, and even more time to gain the experience necessary to respond to these dynamic situations. All of our volunteer members contribute significant hours and energy to our regular meetings, maintenance nights and training – a minimum of 6-10 hours a month – before factoring in 911 emergency service requests. With that in mind, we want to recognize some of our members for going above and beyond with training this year.

First, we are excited to announce that Firefighters Ryan Dolbier, Kerri Moll, and Rory Thibault have all earned their Firefighter I certification from the State of Vermont Fire Academy (VFA). From August 2024 through April 2025, these members attended weekly classes and weekend trainings, completing the same curriculum required of full-time firefighters. Coursework covers topics such as fire behavior, wildland firefighting, search and rescue techniques, and hazardous material awareness. Practical training includes ladders, hose handling, ropes and knots, use of breathing apparatus, and live fire training at the VFA burn building in Pittsford, Vermont. In total, each of these volunteers committed over 250 unpaid hours to build these skills for the community. Second, Firefighters Eammon Carleton, Susan Socks, and Jacob Tidd completed the Basic Training course offered by Lamoille County Mutual Aid. Over several months, these members completed 45 hours of classes and practical exercises, covering fire dynamics, fire suppression, building construction, and vehicle extrication. All three are now working on additional certifications inhouse, including apparatus driving qualifications.

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Experience

Third, Junior Firefighter River Thibault attended the Vermont State Fire Association Cadet Academy in late June. This five-day course was held at the VFA training grounds, and provides young members the opportunity to engage in many of the same training activities as adults in the Firefighter I program. His strong performance earned him the honor of serving in the graduation ceremony color guard. Fourth, four Cabot Firefighters recently attended the Upper Valley Regional Fire School in Orford, New Hampshire, taking classes on rural water supply and advanced pumping, as well as initial response to structural fires. Finally, we want to recognize the achievements of Firefighters Neil Alexander and Nick Wood. Both have taken on professional firefighting positions after getting their start as volunteers with Cabot Fire Department. Neil is a fulltime member of the Westbrook (Maine) Fire Department. He recently earned a degree in Fire Sciences from Southern Maine Community College and is continuing his studies to earn paramedic certification. Nick has taken on a fulltime position with the Williston Fire Department, and earned certification as an emergency medical technician (EMT). We are incredibly proud of the commitment these members have made to the community and hope you will join us in commending their service to the town of Cabot. Cabot Firefighters will continue training and building skills to serve you, our friends and neighbors.

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Cabot Ambulance

(continued from page 3) cameras, and we have the necessary equipment to keep it plowed out in the wintertime. We have a permit to build a new garage and we are working with the fire marshal to make sure it meets all the requirements for an EMS vehicle. We hope it will be built in the next month or two. We believe that this temporary solution will meet all of our current needs until a solution of a more permanent nature can be created in the future. We have been experiencing a large volume of calls on the East Cabot side along the Route 2 corridor. Route 2 is a main thoroughfare for visitors passing through this area and experiences frequent motor vehicle accidents. We have multiple members on site and can respond directly to scene more rapidly than we have in the past. We also have members in Lower Cabot, Cabot Plains and other areas around town who can respond directly to scene and give aid until the ambulance arrives. We hope in the not too distant future to procure a new ambulance with an auto

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October 10 Contra

by Karen Mueller-Harder The next Cabot Community Contra Dance is happening on Friday, October 10, featuring the friendly calling of Don Stratton, and live music by Pam Bockes, Franklin Heyburn, Kenric Kite, and David Van Houten. The dance takes place at the Willey Building (Cabot Town Hall, 3084 Main Street), from 7-9:30 pm. Bess O’Brien, the renowned Vermont documentary filmmaker, will join us to capture some footage of our dance for her new film "Every Day: Big and Small" which will be a culmination of people and places across Vermont that are creating a sense of community, connection, and re-

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Milfoil Saga Continues

by Jeanne Johnson ProcellaCor herbicide treatment of the Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) infestation in Joe’s Pond was conducted on August 13. Arrowwood Environmental Services has completed a post treatment aquatic plant survey, but Barry Cahoon, Eurasian Watermilfoil Management Coordinator for the Joe’s Pond Association (JPA) said that JPA will not be able to comment on the results of the herbicide treatment until that report is provided to VT Agency of Natural Re-

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Professional collision repair, associated

we’ll handle your claim from start load feature so we don’t have to physically lift the stretcher into the ambulance, and many other upgrades. We welcome anyone who’s interested in joining the ambulance and serving the community. If you’d like to attend one of our meetings and think about a future in EMS, we’d love to have you on board. Our primary concern is service to the community, the health and well-being of our neighbors, citizens and visitors, and carrying on the tradition started by Virginia and Frank Caffin so many years ago. We have an aging population. Many of our citizens depend on being able to get to definitive medical care as quickly as possible. Having a well-staffed ambulance in the community is crucial, and we are striving for excellence in this endeavor. Because we are a volunteer service , it is challenging to juggle careers, families and serving our community. As we continue to work toward a brighter future, we hope that more people will find joy in serving their neighbors and consider volunteering with either Cabot Fire Department or Cabot Emergency Ambulance Services. We appreciate your continued support.

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Dance

silience. And she says “Dancing does that for sure!!” Everyone is welcome--you can come alone, or with your whole family! Contra dancing is an age-old Vermont tradition, and helps physical and mental health to boot! All dances are taught, but if you’ve never been to a dance, you are encouraged to arrive right at 7:00, as we will start with the simplest dances, and then we’ll build upon what you learn throughout the evening. No special footwork is needed, and the dances are easy to learn. Admission is on a sliding scale, $5-10 suggested, but nobody is turned away for lack of funds! Hope to see you at the dance!

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on Joe’s Pond

sources and JPA. It may be another couple of weeks before the Arrowhead Environmental report is issued. However, the JPA dive team is continuing to discover extensive new areas of Eurasian Watermilfoil proliferation in untreated areas of the lake, and they are working to the maximum extent of their resources to hand pull and harvest all that is found. This work will continue likely through September or until water temperatures preclude safe and effective in-water operations.

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Cabot Oral History Committee

Whittier Hill School students, 1904. This is the only known photo of the Whittier Hill School. We have no information about who these students are.

“Hookerville” was the common name for the South Cabot School District No. 12. The name originated from Parker Hooker, who built a sawmill on Molly’s Brook in Cabot in 1810. Hooker lived about four miles away in the town of Peacham. He used the mill to saw boards which he hauled with oxen through the woods to his home where he built a barn. Later, he cleared about two acres of land near the mill site and built a log house there. Hooker, eventually His son, Liberty lived there and ran the mill. Liberty rebuilt the sawmill in 1839.

Hookerville looking north from Hall’s Mill. The farm across the road was the Southwick’s place where the post office was for many years. Behind the shed in the foreground was a store. Molly’s Brook was out of the photo on the right and the road was where Route 2 was eventually, but is known as Old Route 2. In later years there was also a filling station in Hookerville.

Enoch Black was next to build in South Cabot, and soon it was a thriving community with “13 dwelling houses, one store, a post-office, saw-mill, gristmill, blacksmith shop and school-house,” according to John M. Fisher in Abby Maria Hemenway’s Vermont Historical Magazine, published between 18671891. Fisher noted that there was also a large manufacturing shop in south Cabot that produced wagons, and a second large shop where both wood and iron work was done. The wood and iron shop burned in 1876. The first school in South Cabot was built around 1870 at the intersection of what is now Last Road and U.S. Route 2. Several local young women such as Grace Bean, Esther Bolles, Grace Hollister, and Doris Linecott taught at this small one-room school over the years. Edith Keeler also taught there as a

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Hill

young woman. She later married Wilbur Farr of St. Johnsbury, and years later her granddaughter, Sally McCucheon, married Walter Goodrich of East Cabot. In the fall of 1919, an outbreak of whooping cough hit Cabot, closely followed by a flu epidemic, and by February 1920, whole families were quarantined by Cabot’s health officer L. C. Lance. The Houghton, Foster, Putnam, and O’Biren families were all restricted to their homes and the school was closed. The “Spanish Flu” epidemic was nationwide, and with no vaccines available at that time it went rampant, killing hundreds, including many people in Cabot. Quarantining did little to slow the spread of the disease as it swept through communities.

South Cabot School when Miss Adams taught there in the early 1900s had twelve students.

In 1930, Budd Bruce finished building a fine new school in South Cabot, and the little one-room school house was closed. Daisy Isham had 19 students in 1929, the last year the old South Cabot school was in service. By 1933, there were 25 students enrolled at South Cabot. The new school was still basically a one-room, one-teacher school, but it had a basement with a wood furnace for central heating, a stage, and a library, and was designated a “Superior School” by the Vermont Board of Education. Kitchen space allowed noontime meals to be prepared and hot lunches were also delivered to East Cabot students, about two miles away.

The former school in South Cabot, at the intersection of what is now Last Road and Route 2 operated until 1929 when the new school was built a few rods north.

South Cabot Parent Teachers Association (PRA) raised money for a small Delco power plant to provide electricity for their new school. No other schools had Delco plants. Other rural one-room schools in town were using oil lamps for lighting. When the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) reached the area in 1940, South Cabot, Merritt School, East Cabot, and the Plains schools were “electrified”, and oil lamps were only used during power outages.

The student body in 1921 had about 19 students. East Cabot was a flourishing little community during that time.

The Superintendent of Schools visited Cabot’s rural schools regularly. Superintendent Max Barrows visited South Cabot eleven times in 1933. School board members visited twice that year, and there were seventeen visits by students’ parents. These visitations were expected and encouraged. After closing, the old South Cabot school building was maintained by the town and the South Cabot PTA for several years and dances were held there to benefit the new school. It was a popular dance spot during the 1940s, but it was sold in 1959 for $260 to someone in Barre. There were other owners over the years who used it as a summer home. It still stands where it always has, but is now vacant and in disrepair. South Cabot was the last of Cabot’s one-room schools to finally close. Even after East Cabot school closed in 1948 and those students went to South Cabot, enrollment continued to decline and in 1954 the town voted to close it. The building was sold in 1958 to Helen Ennis Keene for $1300 and became her home. It is still a private dwelling. Life in the early 1800s was stressful enough on a daily basis without tempting the fates by attaching the number 13 to any school district. Therefore, along with having no number 9 district, none was burdened with the number 13. Another early settler in Cabot was Lt. John Whittier, who came here in 1780. He settled on what is now known as Whittier Hill, also sometimes called East Hill, and raised a large family there. Others settled nearby and by 1858 a oneroom school was built to accommodate all the youngsters. The school house was located on the west side of Whittier Hill Road, about midway between what is now Smith Road and McKinstry Road

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10/13/2025

and operated until about 1910 as District 14. There is no marker or other easily visible evidence of that school today, and we have no photographs of it, but it was no doubt the same general design as Cabot’s other early school houses. Residents in District 14 included Whittier, Corliss, Britt, Bickford, Osgood, Clark, Folsom, and Wilson families, and although at one time there was a well-traveled road leading from Marshfield north to the Center of Cabot, commerce gradually shifted over the years and new roads were built for easier access to business in the village. The population gradually shifted, beginning after the Civil War. Later, World War I took men away from the area again, leaving farms short of help. Farm properties were sold or abandoned, and by the 1920s keeping a school in that district was no longer viable. The school was officially closed in 1925. The late David Smith, who lived nearby, said the building was used by the town for storage for a number of years, fell into disrepair, and was eventually taken down. The District 14 area remained predominantly agricultural. Today there are few farms, but a number of lovely homes in this old district. The road that once continued through the woods to Lower Cabot, and another that traversed the eastern side of the hillside in a southeasterly direction from Whittier Hill to about where the Groton State Forest Road is today, no longer exist.

The old South Cabot schoolhouse at the corner of Last Road and U. S. Route 2.

For many years, Cabot was resolute in the early decision that schools should be placed so that no child had to walk more than two miles from their home to get to school. However, families became smaller and commerce shifted as travel became easier with better roads and motorized vehicles. Cabot’s outlying small communities diminished. Operating individual schools for a handful of students became fiscally unwise, so oneroom schools became as obsolete as kerosene lamps and buckboard wagons.

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Vets Town Hall

by Johanna Thibault

Dear friends, Impactful experiences can be traumatic or life-affirming, positive or negative or both. Some we've gone through as a community, and have a mutual understanding of. But in other cases we can spend years living alongside neighbors, colleagues, friends, or even family members without realizing the experiences that have shaped them. Vets Town Halls are an invitation for veterans - or, at a Family Vets Town Hall, family members of veterans - to share their stories and experiences. These events are also an opportunity for all of us, non-veterans included, to show up to listen - and to learn more about how we can be better friends and neighbors to the veterans and family members of veterans in our community. You can find this fall's full calendar below. We're starting the year with two important and somewhat unusual events for us:

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Organization Purchases

The Civic Standard, Hardwick’s cultural community center, has purchased the building at 39 South Main Street in Hardwick. The organization will move their headquarters to the new space, which is directly across the street from their original headquarters, aiming to complete the move by late November. The closing took place on September 4, 2025, and renovations have begun on what most recently served as the Flower Basket’s retail shop. This move allows the Civic Standard to focus its programming to further serve the citizens of Hardwick and neighboring communities. The Civic Standard plans to continue its most impactful programming. “I imagine family-style meals at long dining tables, more space for audiences at our living room concerts, and rehearsals for our original productions. These are some of our most beloved programs and I am excited to use the new space to make them more accessible,” shared Executive Director Rose Friedman. “But we will also be able to launch new programs thanks to the facilities in our new headquarters, like an upstairs café run by local teenagers after school, a year-round costume library, and so much more.” To achieve all this, the Civic Standard will undertake renovations including painting, improved ventilation, and a general gussying-up of the historic building. In the next few weeks, watch for community members caravaning supplies and furniture across the street, landscaping, painting, and more during open work days. To support renovation and programming efforts, the Civic has launched its first-ever capital campaign with a goal of $400,000. As of September 10, the New Home Fund has already received over $210,000 in pledges and gifts. Contributions to the New Home Fund will  A Family Vets Town Hall - our second ever - in just two weeks on 9/25. This is an initiative we're looking to expand in future years.  Our first ever Vets Town Hall of this kind at the State House in Montpelier . Like all Vets Town Halls, this one will be non-political. We're honored to be working with this venue, and hope that you will join us in bringing veterans' stories to our state's capital. Warmly, Kristen Eaton Deputy Director, Vets Town Hall These events are free and open to all . While only veterans will speak (or, at the Family Vets Town Hall, family members of veterans will speak), nonveterans also have a crucial role to play. Listening without judgment or interruption is one of the most powerful and supportive acts a person can offer, and that is what is expected of veterans and non-veterans alike. For more information and to register, go to https://www.vtvetstownhall.org/.

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a New Building

cover the costs that come with an epic move like this one, whether hardware supplies or monthly payments made toward the Civic’s Vermont Community Loan Fund mortgage. Gifts to the New Home Fund may be made at thecivicstandard.org/a-newhome. In addition to financial gifts, The Civic Standard welcomes in-kind donations of items on their wishlist, volunteer efforts at one of their workdays this fall, and other contributions of time or expertise. Learn more at thecivicstandard.org. About The Civic Standard The Civic Standard is a free supper club, a public living room, and a collaborative art project. The organization is deeply rooted in the town of Hardwick, Vermont, and programs reflect the needs and desires of the community. This project is run by a small staff, supported by a board of directors, and sustained by a volunteer base of hundreds of members of our greater community. Learn more at thecivicstandard.org.

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ARE YOU WILLING TO

In the November 2023 and 2024 recollections of fourteen Cabot veterans of our neighbors will share their stories ber 2025 edition. It doesn’t matter where vice you joined, what type of mission experience is of great value. Please consider sharing your story by October 15 for publication in the Chronicle. There is no military experience, to hear about! If you don’t like to write, interview you. And special thanks to previous contributors.

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SHARE YOUR STORY?

editions of the Cabot Chronicle, were featured. We hope more with the community for the Novemyou lived at the time, what seror kind of duty – the very variety of

November 1 edition of the Cabot past or present, we don’t want

You can still read their tales

beginning on page 10: David Lynn Rory Thibault Chris Porter Mark Tucker beginning on page 10: Richard Ducharme Kris Schmitt

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Protect the environment by reduc-

ing the flushing of household medicines, which prevents their release into ground water and surface water. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Five Options for Household Medicine Takebacks: 1. Drug Enforcement Administration take-back days. 2. Kiosks at pharmacies. 3. Kiosks at law enforcement agencies. 4. Mail-back envelopes. 5. Community take-backs. DO NOT : Flush expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs down the toilet or drain (unless no drug take-back option is available and the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs you to do so). Kinney Drug, 967 Memorial Drive, St. Johnsbury Kinney Drug 800 US Route 302, Berlin Walgreen 355 N. Main Street, Barre CVS Pharmacy, 1634 US Route 302, Berlin Central Vermont Medical Center, 130 Fisher Road, Berlin Walmart Pharmacy, 282 Berlin Mall Road, Berlin Shaws Supermarkets, 160 Paine Turnpike, Berlin Kinney Drug, 69 Main Street, Montpelier Kinney Drug, 407 Broad Street, Lyndonville Walgreen, 412 Broad Street, Lyndonville Copley Hospital, 528 Washington Highway, Morrisville Kinney Drug, 97 Morrisville plaza, Morrisville CVS Pharmacy, 13 VT Route 15E, Morrisville

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New Girl Scout Cookie

Meet Exploremores™, decadent rocky road ice-cream inspired cookies brought to you by Girl Scouts. Filled with yummy chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond crème flavors, these sandwich cookies are sure to land a spot in your heart (and in your freezer next to those Thin Mints!). While Exploremores won’t be available until Girl Scout Cookie Season is underway in January, we wanted you to be among the first to get the scoop! Look for these new favorites from Girl Scouts you know this coming season! Exploremores cookies will make their debut during the 2026 Girl Scout Cookie season online and in person at cookie booths across the country. Typically, cookie season runs between January and April each year, but exact timing can vary by location. Cookie lovers can stay up to

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Spending Time

I should worry, but don’t, spending time without thought, raising flowers, mending the net, over our few strawberry plants writing, holding, the words I’ve neglected, arranging them in lines, until, they sing, and watching clouds, to find good mowing times. Cooking, eating, (from antique crockery), silent mealtime companions, they and I, we dance steps of simpler, more generous times. I take them from the table to the sink, to be washed like children before bedtime My old hands ride the sponge, across each dish, playful as otters, in the warm water.

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Wins Awards at Big

Agri-Mark, the dairy cooperative that owns the Cabot Creamery brand, received 12 awards for its products at The Big E Gold Medal Cheese Competition in West Springfield, Massachusetts. “These awards are a direct reflection of the people behind the products,” said Corey Desranleau, VP of Manufacturing at Agri-Mark. “From the farm families to the dedicated employees in our manufacturing facilities, their hard work and expertise turn great ingredients into awardwinning dairy products. We’re thrilled to see their efforts recognized and celebrated at the fair.” The Big E Gold Medal Cheese Competition, held in West Springfield, Massachusetts, received entries from cheesemakers throughout New England. A team of judges evaluates the entries based on aesthetic and technical qualities.

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Flavor

date on upcoming seasons by visiting the Girl Scouts website and signing up for alerts. They can also text “Cookies” to 59618 to stay in the know about cookie news. In January 2025, GSUSA revealed that two cookie flavors — S’mores and Toast-Yay! — would be retired at the end of 2025.

I watch, the changing sun, crossing the sky, through the small window, over the sink, dusk, falling too quickly, even at solstice; day seeming, almost unnoticed, to leave, Iris and Lilac, bent, toward the places, where sun still appears, reach for the last rays, before twilight. At night I touch the darkness: Celebrating absent street lights, remembering how to breathe light, feeling my gratitude coat the aging frames, wood and bone, of my habitations, listening to my heart, sing, farewell, it’s parting words to yet another day.

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Gold Medal Cheese Competition

Gold: Cabot Private Stock Cheddar Silver: Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar Cabot 3 Year Cheddar Cabot Vintage Choice Cheddar Cabot Habanero Cheddar Cabot Monterey Jack Cabot Extra Creamy Premium Salted Butter Cabot Extra Creamy Premium Unsalted Butter Cabot Salted Butter Bronze: Cabot Sharp Cheddar Cabot 10% Plain Greek Yogurt Cabot Unsalted Butter “We’re honored to receive these recognitions, especially in the vibrant setting of our state fairs — where tradition, community and agriculture come together,” said Jason Martin, SVP, Operations at Agri-Mark. “We’re proud to be part of competitions that showcase and celebrate the best of our region and the people who contribute to its success.”

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Withstand 24/7 Tractor/Trailer

That’s a question the Selectboard has been asking for years and trying to come up with a solution. The annual highway budget is a little over 1$million each fiscal year. Included in those monies are salaries and benefits for the road crew, sand, salt, gravel, truck maintenance and other items. A very small portion is focused on paving or fixing bad spots on main arteries such as Route 215. Roads with higher traffic volumes such as Route 215 between Marshfield, Cabot and Walden cost a lot of money to maintain. Depending on whether it’s simple surfacing or full reconstruction, a mile of asphalt could cost up to $500,000 -$1,000,000. Most towns cannot afford this kind of expense to be handled through their annual budget cycles. The alternative is to bond paving projects and spread the cost out over multiple years to reduce the overall impact on The Woolly Bears say it's going to be a rough winter for Cabot. Rollin Tebbetts photo. the taxpayers.

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No Burning Permits Shall Be Issued

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) has issued an order for all Town Forest Fire Wardens mits from noon on September 22, 2025, until this order is revoked. This order may be revoked on a statewide basis depending upon the fire danger and weather conditions. Abnormally dry summer conditions have persisted throughout Vermont and the Northeast. The US Drought experiencing severe drought. Neighboring states are also in similar drought conditions, with 73% of New Hampshire which is in extreme drought. “Persistent dry conditions coupled with dry falling leaves create a high risk for rapid fire spread,” said Dan Dillner, ground water deficits, fires will burn into the soil, consuming dried organic matter as fuel. These fires require considerable extinguish.” “Falling leaves are providing abundant dried fuels,” said FPR Commissioner Danielle Fitzko. “Many towns restrictions, and we are working with our local and regional partners to raise awareness and increase preparedness.” The current fire danger forecast and further information on fire safety and prevention are available

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Traffic?

An approach we are considering is to ask the State to take over the paving portion of RT215 and the town will continue winter maintenance such as plowing and sanding of roads. Board member Fred Ducharme and I are asking State Representative Greg Burtt from Cabot to work with the Transportation Agency to help us with the possibility of the state taking over this function. The Town will work with both Marshfield and Walden to accomplish this task. We would also like to ask Cabot Creamery to be part of this process, as most of the truck traffic is connected to the local creamery operation. If you have any questions or ideas on this subject, please reach out to the Selectboard or come to one of our meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 pm. Thank you, Mike Hogan and Fred Ducharme – Cabot Selectboard.

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Art and Author Event

Sunday, October 12 from 2 to 4 pm 2 pm Art Opening: Artist Joyce Kahn is a Montpelier pastel painter, whose plein air landscapes, still lifes and portraits all manifest her great joy in the use of rich color. 3 pm Poetry Reading: Montpelier poet daithi (nom de plume) has been developing his craft for over thirty years. He lives with his wife on unceded land of the Abenaki people. Some poems of his have found their way into Tendril , Refocus , and local anthologies of PoemCity .

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Elizabeth R. McCarthy lives with her

husband and cat in an old farmhouse in Walden, Vermont. Retired from teaching, she turned to poetry in 2020 when the world closed down and time became a windfall. Elizabeth’s first manuscript Digging Potatoes was shortlisted in the Hunger Mountain: VCFA May Day Mountain Chapbook Series Contest 2021, followed by the publication of her chapbooks; Winter Vole (Finishing Line Press 2022,) Hard Feelings (Finishing Line Press 2024) and Wild Silence (Kelsay Books, 2024).

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Saturday, October 18th

from 10:30 am to 1 pm We have 5 identical puzzles. Sign up your team to compete! Team size maximum is 5 people. Registration required. Call or email to sign-up. The team that finished first wins a $ 50 gift certificate to a local restaurant.

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Saturday, October 18

from 2 to 3:30 pm at the Twinfield School Library This presentation by Jane Williamson traces Jesse’s life from enslavement in North Carolina to freedom in Vermont. His story is told through letters in the collection at Rokeby Museum and documents at the North Carolina State Archives. The illustrated talk brings the narrative of one slave out of anonymity and explores his life and pursuit of freedom. This program is part of the Vermont Humanities Speakers Bureau and is co-hosted by the Marshfield Historical Society and the Jaquith Public Library.

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Every Saturday through October 11

from 10 am to 1 pm Join us each Saturday at the Old Schoolhouse Common for local vendors, live music, and free community led Skill Shares. Vending space is free, so if you are interested in applying as a vendor, leading a class (we provide a small stipend), or playing on the gazebo stage, please email marshfieldrh@gmail.com or

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Resilience Hub?

Curious about the organization behind the Marshfield Farmers Market, Skill Shares, Resource Swaps, and Community Garden? The Marshfield Resilience Hub was founded in response to the historical flooding in 2023 as a community project to help our neighbors and ourselves dynamically navigate weather adversity, strengthen food security, and build relationships with our fellow residents. We meet monthly and encourage new members and ideas.

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to Willey Building, Garage

A report in the June edition announced the $500,000 Energy Resiliency Grant awarded to the town of Cabot, with no match. If you attended Selectboard meetings, you would have heard regular updates on progress. Planning began prior to the 2023 flood, and results are now being seen in town. Willey Building  Insulating Curtains are on-site, installed in meeting room, planned for auditorium  New lighting for meeting room and auditorium to be installed by end of year  Lift renovations to modern standards

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Do I buy plants or seeds?

Nope, usually garlic is grown from a head of garlic, split into its cloves. This is known as “seed garlic”. Seed garlic” is just regular garlic, but of very good quality. You can get seed garlic from a farmer, online supplier, garden store, or an especially nice neighbor.

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How much will I need?

It depends. How much garlic do you use in your cooking? Are you growing enough for a whole year? Or just a few weeks worth? Our family has an 8’x3’ raised bed, and we plant around 70 cloves, which takes about a dozen heads of garlic. That provides us with enough for the year.

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Are there different kinds of garlic?

Yes. The main types are hardneck and softneck. When cured, hardneck garlic has a stiff stem, and softeneck garlic has a soft stem. Hardneck garlic does not store as long as softneck, so eat those first. There are many varieties of hardneck and softneck garlic; mild, strong, sweet, earthy, or pungent.

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Where do I plant it?

Garlic loves sun, and well-drained soil with lots of compost. If you have a successful vegetable or flower garden, you can probably plant garlic there. If you have heavy clay soil (like me), consider a raised bed filled with good quality soil. I’ve had very good results with a 6” tall raised bed.

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How do I plant it?

When you are ready to plant, break the heads into cloves. Each clove will become a new plant. Separated, unplanted cloves are only viable for a few days, so wait to break apart the cloves till you’re in the garden, and ready to plant. Cloves have a pointy end, where the spring shoot will emerge, and a flattened end, where the roots will grow. Although sometimes cloves can grow if just tossed down the hole, they appreciate being properly oriented. Flat side down, pointy side up. Space cloves about 4-6” apart, with the top about 2” below the soil surface. Put a light layer on mulch (straw or wood chips) over the bed, about an inch deep.

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and Wastewater Plant

are contracted (lift remains in service meanwhile)  Defibrillator received, installation and training planned  Heat pumps for auditorium will be installed in October Wastewater Plant  Energy efficiency improvements ongoing at wastewater plant Town Garage  Ventilating system improvements are being planned Town contractors have participated and advised in planning and executing improvements to Town facilities. Betty Ritter, Town Clerk

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How do I take care of it?

After planting, you don’t need to do anything till spring. Once the garlic sprouts emerge in April, keep the area weeded. In June, hardneck type garlic will make scapes. Scapes are thick shoots which curl around, and eventually open into flowers. When you see scapes starting to form, snap them off so the garlic puts its energy into making a big head, not into flowers. The scapes are edible, and taste of garlic. We like ours panseared or broiled.

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When and how do I harvest?

Garlic is ready sometime in July. Wait until the lowest three or four leaves have turned brown and shriveled up. These leaves form the “wrapper” that allows the garlic to be stored for months. The rest of the leaves will still mostly be green, just beginning to yellow. Use a shovel or garden fork to loosen the soil, and pull them out gently. If you harvest too early, the heads will be small. Too long and the heads will begin to fall apart into cloves, and they won’t store very well. If you not sure, pull one garlic plant and look at it.

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How do I store it?

Garlic is one of the easiest crops to store. First, cure the garlic by placing the plants in a shady space with good ventilation. You can hang them, or spread them in a single layer on wire mesh. Once the tops have dried (about two-to-three weeks), softneck garlic can be braided, and hardneck garlic can be trimmed and hung in a mesh bag. Put the braid or bag in the kitchen, at regular room temperature and humidity. Let the garlic sit for about four-to-six weeks to allow it to fully dry and cure. It should last several months. Can I save seed garlic to plant next year? Absolutely! Keep your best few garlic heads in a place where you won’t accidentally eat them, and when October 2026 rolls around, you’ll be ready to plant. Have a happy autumn, and I hope you’ll give garlic a try! 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, email gardengoddess802@

www.SocksFamilyFarm.weebly.com.

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Wednesday 11 - 6 pm, Thursday

noon - 6 pm, and Saturday 9 amnoon. Curbside library service is still available during regular library hours. Upcoming Programs - All programs are free and happen at the Cabot Public Library unless otherwise noted -all are welcome! Visit our website - cabotlibrary.com or check FPF for added programs. If you have a program suggestion or question, please email amandaotto.cabotlibrary@gmail.com.

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Mah Jongg – Tuesdays in October -

10am - Noon - Learn the ancient tile game, meet new friends and neighbors and maybe competitors. Kathleen Chatot will be offering introductory lessons for all levels with regular games taking place each Tuesday. Both fun and challenging, the game of Mah Jongg is said to improve memory, decision-making skills and patience.

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Field Pavilion

Join us on October 1 for a performance of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by local artist and mother, Sarah Spletzer. Join us at Burtt’s Apple Orchard on October 8 for a special apple themed Story & Activity Time including printmaking activities and apple cider donuts. Join us at the pavilion on 10/15, 10/22 and 10/29 for fun fall themed stories, songs and crafts. LEGO Club (ages 6+) - October 15 & November 19 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm - This club offers a fun, hands-on environment where kids can develop their problem-solving skills, foster their creativity, and collaborate with their peers through engaging Lego-based activities. LEGO’s and snacks provided.

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Pumpkin Book Character Contest

(ages 12-17) - Wednesday, October 22 - 2:30 - 4:30 pm & Thursday, October 23 - 3:30 - 5:50 pm - Decorate a pumpkin to look like one of your favorite book characters to be part of our “Book Character Pumpkin Patch” and a chance to win a prize. Registration is required. Outside entries will be accepted - please visit our website for more details. This program is made possible in part by Cabot Smith Farm.

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Rubio at Burtt’s Apple Orchard -

Friday, October 17 at 6:30 pm - As October’s leaves fall and cold breezes shake the cobwebs and chill our bones, it is time to look up and see what awaits us in the darkness of night. The stars of this time of year offer us many myths and spooky stories. Did you know that the evil eye of Medusa has its own star named Algol? That name means "the

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IBRARY EWS

ghoul" in Arabic! Did we just discover life on Mars? Is it true that there’s a distant planet that smells like rotting cabbage? Come and learn about the wonders in the night sky, hear some of humanity’s most ancient stories, and get a chance to learn how to use the Cabot Library’s telescope too! Bobby will lead us in an enchanting tour of the night sky, and he will strive to answer all of your questions.

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Cabot Book Group – Thursday, Oc-

tober 23 - 2- 3 pm - All are welcome! – October’s book selection is There, There by Tommy Orange. Tommy Orange's wondrous and shattering novel follows twelve characters from Native communities: all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to one another in ways they may not yet realize. Hailed as an instant classic, There There is at once poignant and unflinching, utterly contemporary and truly unforgettable. Copies of this book will be available in the library for you to borrow. Email cabotlibrary@yahoo.com for more info and to be added to the book group email list.

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Storywalk - October 15 - November

30 - Cabot Rec Field Pavilion - Enjoy The Little Old Woman Who Wasn’t Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams and Illustrated by Megan Lloyd while you take a stroll around the pavilion grounds. Begin at the woods edge near the sandbox and follow around the perimeter of the field. Thanks so much to our Saturday volunteers: Vicky Palmer, Elizabeth Vitale, Marianne Robotham and Beth Wade. Many thanks to Kathleen Chatot for providing weekly Mah Jongg lessons and to Losada Stoddard for running our D&D program on Tuesday afternoons! Additional thanks to the Cabot Village Store for being a sponsor of our 10 Page Club - we had over 30 youth read and earn a pint of ice cream! We are so grateful to our Library Trustees who provide support and direction: Angela Ogle, Leah Sare, Kurt Steinert, Erin Ruddell, and Taeryn Robbins. Thanks to Cabot Library patrons for their patience during the week of August 18 as we painted the cloakroom, scrubbed both entranceways and painted the front steps to the building. Special thanks to Fred Ducharme for power washing the entranceways. Kathleen Hoyne - Library Co-Director Amanda Otto - Library Co-Director Christina Sacalis - Assistant Librarian

Reach up to 20 households by the first of each month in Cabot, Marshfield and West Danville Plus households in Hardwick, Plainfield, Danville and beyond! Full year for one low price! E-mail for more information:

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Drought Status in Vermont

All of Vermont is currently in at least moderate drought with a small pocket of extreme drought along the Connecticut River in Orange and Windsor counties. As of September 18, 2025, the U.S. Drought Monitor reports that 78% of the state is in severe drought, with 1% of Vermont in extreme drought. Without any tropical rain on the horizon, an occasional rain shower or thunderstorm won't be enough to reverse current conditions. The Drought Task Force, comprised of state, federal and other institutional partners, is meeting regularly to monitor the situation, promote public awareness of the severity of these dry conditions, and develop recommendations for any state response.

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Low or Dry Drinking Water Sources

If your private well or spring is low or dry, submit a drought report to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) using the online Drought Reporter. Drought information, reporting and resources are available at https:// anr.vermont.gov/disaster/drought. The Cabot Fire Department has reported a capability of providing water to resi-

The Town Clerk advises there are no issues with the municipal water system.

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FUND

Funds Available for Comunity Organizations

The Cabot Community Fund (CCF) allows the CCA to support community-based projects and events that further the mission of the CCA. The CCF is funded by the generous support of the Cabot Creamery and other donors. Funds are awarded to non-governmental organizations. Examples of previous awards include expenses of Cabot Arts-sponsored community performances, Cabot Night at Mountaineers games and Little League uniforms. Guidelines and application form is available at …. htps:/w.cabotvermont.org/comunity-grant-fund.html

4583 U.S. Route 2

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on Glinka Road ofers:

· Eight apartments: seven affordable, one market rate. · Full kitchen, living room, bath, dining area, one or two bedrooms, deck or porch. by Jeanne Johnson

The Cabot Ride the Ridges bicycle event a great success and for the many fundraiser was held on Sunday, Septem- sponsors who donated their wonderful ber 14, and it was a huge success! 220 local products. Most of all, we thank the riders navigated their bikes up and riders, without whom there would be no down the scenic hills of Cabot and adja- ride. See ya next year!!! cent towns for four different distances: For more information about the Cabot 100, 60, 30 and 10 kilometers. Riders Mentoring Program:

North Carolina, Maryland and Washing- Cabot Mentoring Coordinator ton states. Many local kids and families Email: cabotmentoring@gmail.com completed the 10k ride which climbed Website: cabotmentoring.org Houston Hill Road, looped around on Churchill Road and descended Bothfeld Hill back to the Cabot Green, and this year we had our first Ride around The Green for youngsters. The ride was fully supported by volunteer-staffed aid stations with gourmet local cheeses, apples, maple syrup and other snacks and beverages. Wood-fired pizza was served on the Cabot Green after the rides. The accountants are still busy tallying the numbers, but we believe to have raised somewhere in the neighborhood of $15,000 for the Cabot Mentoring Program, for the Ride the Ridges Scholarship Fund, and for the (in partnership with the Vermont Bicycle Shop in Barre) Cabot Bikes-for-Kids program. We thank our many volunteers that put in countless hours to make this · Solarium, large common area & deck,

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AVAILABLE NOW

laundry, bathroom, kitchen, function area. · Mail delivery and trash and recycling pickup. ONE-BEDROM APARTMENT AT · Free parking, garden plot and storage unit. CABOT COMNITY SENIOR HOUSING

Unit #8 with porch, small on-site storage, maintain independent living. and one allocated parking space. Cabot Commons is managed by the Down All utilities included except cable and teleStreet Housing & Community Development. phone. Cabot Commons Senior Housing Applications are available at offers affordable, income-based senior

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← From the Cabot Chronicle