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The Cabot Chronicle

June 2026 · 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 June 2026 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

LEGISLATIVE REPORT: Howdy Cabot

We’re in the last week of the biennium so things are quite hectic. The conference committee for S.325 met for the first time yesterday as one of the final steps in the legislature to wrap up the changes made to Act 181. It looks quite clear that the Road Rule and Tier 3 will be repealed. The Road Rule would have triggered Act 250 review for any driveway over 800 feet long and any areas mapped as Tier 3. Originally, about 25% of Cabot's developable land was mapped as Tier 3. It would have been a tremendous change to the process of trying to build rural housing, and many are grateful that the law is being repealed. I am also watching two floor amendments that I made, which passed in the House and are being debated in the conference committee. One amendment simply adds homesteading, small scale agriculture and forestry, and supporting housing to the definition of agriculture and forestry industries in the definition of smart growth principles used by our regional planners in decision making about development in regions around our state. The other broadens Act 250 exemptions for accessory on farm businesses to allow educational, recreational, and social events that feature products grown at the farm. Think on-farm, farm-to-table dinners, facilities to host educational tours of the farm, wine tastings, etc. AOFBs have been waiting in a twilight zone for over a decade with little headway being made in the legislature. How many years can our farms wait to open for business? It's time to do something and I'm hoping the conference committee understands that. We will hopefully see the Senate version of the education bill tomorrow. I will wait and see what additions or subtractions happen. The Senate version is now very similar to the version passed out of the House this session. It adopts cooperative educational service areas (CESAs), which pool resources by region across the state with the goal of reducing redundant or underutilized staffing and other resources within our school systems. I want to thank Chris Tormey, Cabot School Board Chair, for testifying in the Senate to advocate for the needs and desires of the Cabot community. His efforts made sure that Cabot was included with Danville and Peacham in the map of regional CESAs and voiced the need for mergers to be voluntary. Great work Chris! A bill on masking and identification of law enforcement, S.208, passed out of the House two days ago. The bill was originally intended to require both federal and state law enforcement to identify themselves and to not wear a mask with the exception of situations regarding health and safety measures. As many are aware, the masking of ICE officers has spread fear and further mistrust in this institution. I believe that all law enforcement, aside from health and safety reasons, should be unmasked and identified. However, based on a court ruling in California that attempted to enact similar legislation, it has become clear that the bill would be unconstitutional if passed. I learned of this shortly before the bill came to the floor on Tuesday. Coupled with speeches made by the House Majority Leader and the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, I decided to concur with their stance that our legislature remain within the confines of the constitution. I voted no on a floor amendment offered to reinstate the ban on federal law enforcement face covering for that reason. I further voted no on the underlying bill because at that point it was only giving directives to our state police force regarding masks and identification. Our state police force is doing excellent work to preserve and guard the rights of all people in our state and have been implementing policies regarding masks and identification on their own initiative. I saw no need for the legislature to step into the good work they are doing.

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Change of Appraisal Notices Mailed June 4

by Cabot Board of Listers

Change of Appraisal Notices will be mailed June 4 to Cabot property owners with a change since last year in the value of their parcel. That notice advises owners of their right to grieve their property value by a deadline of June 24. The right to grieve one’s property value is not limited to those whose value has changed. It is the right of every property owner. This prerogative is not for the purpose of reducing the property tax bill, but to correct errors in data used to determine the property value, based on Fair Market Value at the time of reappraisal (2024 for Cabot). The deadline for grieving that value has been set at June 24. The deadline is necessary only because the Town must meet subsequent statutory deadlines for filing the annual grand list, developing a tax rate to support the budget approved on Town Meeting Day, mailing property tax bills and closing out the current year Grand List. However, Cabot Listers want property owners to know they are welcome any time of year to visit, call or email to review their assessment values and ensure the data is up to date and correct. We encourage reviewing information at least every couple of years. Due to recent legislative changes, we will be moving to townwide reappraisals every six years; we suggest a review at least once half-way through that time period. You’d be surprised the changes people don’t think about that change their values. Knocking down a shed, aging structures, upgrading a porch, can create changes in value. Listers care about these things! We want your data to be correct – it’s only fair to you!

Mandatory Deadlines:

Listers file preliminary Grand List with Town Clerk June 4 Change of Appraisal Notices mailed Deadline to file grievance of assessed value Lister decision deadline on grievances June 4

June 24

July 9 Grievances to Board of Civil Authority due 14 days

after Lister decision Selectboard Sets Tax Rate based on Grand List July 7 Tax bills calculated and mailed NLT July 20 Listers lodge Final Grand List with Town Clerk July 27 Partial property tax payment due Final property tax payment due August 20

November 19

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NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS

Agreeable to the provisions of Title 32, Vermont Statutes Annotated, Section 4111, notice is hereby given that the undersigned Listers within and for the Town of Cabot will on June 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. complete the abstract of property owners as of the first day of April, 2026.

The Listers will this same day lodge the abstract in the office of the Clerk for the inspection of taxpayers.

On the 24th day of June, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., the undersigned listers will meet at the Listers’ office in the Willey Building (3084 Main Street, Cabot), to hear appeals of the taxpayers aggrieved by actions of the Listers from whom timely grievances have been received.

To be timely, such grievance must be in writing and received (postmarks not accepted) by 3:00 p.m. on the 24th day of June, 2026. A helpful form is available at www.Cabotvt.us and in the Town Clerk’s office.

At the close of grievance hearings, the Listers shall make such corrections in the abstract as were determined upon hearing or otherwise.

Unless cause to the contrary is shown, the contents of said abstract will, for the tax year 2026, become the grand list of the Town of Cabot of each taxpayer named therein.

Signed by Cabot Board of Listers:

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Corner Stop Inn Shop Whatever You Need - Diane’s Got It

by Amanda Legare There’s a small store at the corner of South Walden Road and Route 15 where the “Open” flag seems to always be flying. Diane Cochran, 78, has run that store in Walden for 34 years. The Corner Stop Inn Shop is open six days a week from 7 am to 5 pm. “I tried hiring in a teenager once, but it just didn’t work out and the workmen’s comp is so complex,” she said. Like so many older people who grew up in the area, Diane was raised on a dairy farm. Her parents were Francese and Wilfred Cochran and three brothers, Ron, Don, and Reg, are all still living in Walden. She graduated valedictorian from her class of 36 students at Danville High school. With the help of scholarships and grants, Diane attended Chapman College in California for two years. She studied sociology, which she believes has helped her work with customers over the years. “I seem to be a non-certified counselor for a lot of people,” she said with a smile. After college she had various jobs, including running a daycare in Plainfield, spending time in Alaska and closer to home, working for Mark Abbott at Walden Heights. In 1976, Frank Pinette, a Cabot plumber, hired her part-time to help with administrative work. They got along very well and she worked with him full time for 16 years. “When he retired, I couldn’t imagine working for anyone else,” she said. She had two uncles who had stores in Eden and Waterville, and she decided to open a store in Walden. The building on the corner was originally the Stagecoach Inn and Tavern built in 1799. It is owned by her nephew and he gave her a lenient rental situation where she could operate the store and live in the house. “Gary Larabee at Hastings Store in Danville is the person who really helped me get set up,” she remembered. The house has 14 rooms and Diane’s store is all in one compact room, but she manages to offer a full line of grocery items from meat and milk to beauty and health aids. She has a storage room in the back of her selling space. She likes to supply customers with local products, including syrup from Rowell’s Sugarhouse and baked goods and pickles from Top of the Mountain Bakery. Most of her other orders are through Hibbert and McGee in Barre. “At one point I sold cigarettes,” she remembered, “But it was too much of a problem checking ID’s.” The store acts as a community hub. “People leave off things here to be picked up by someone else and people call for road conditions,” she said. Often neighbors drop by for a cup of coffee and a chat. They appreciate her selection, which includes hard-to-find Stewarts shell beans, canned corn beef hash and Hershey ice cream. “Meeting and visiting with people is the best part of running the store,” Diane added. When things are quiet, she says she always has paperwork to tend to. Managing the store has not prevented her from getting involved in community activities. She has been president of the Home Dem for 14 years and is chair of the trustees of the Walden United Methodist Church. For 16 years she was active with restorative justice and for 12 years she worked as an advocate in Hardwick for AWARE. She is a notary and a justice of the peace, marrying more than 25 couples. Seven of those unions took place in the store. Right now she is working with the local planning committee for Walden’s celebration of our country’s 250th anniversary. Yard sales to benefit local churches are held in the store parking lot and planning is underway for the June sale. In 2025, Diane’s good works were recognized by the Hardwick Area Kiwanis Club, and she received the “Humanitarian Award.” In the presentation they concluded: “She is a trusted friend and neighbor to all who know and love her.”

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Contra Dance on June 12

by Karen Mueller-Harder

The final Cabot Community Contra Dance of the 2025-26 season will be on Friday, June 12, led by Kevin Donohue, a new caller to our roster! The dance takes place in the Willey Building (Cabot Town Hall, 3084 Main Street), from 7-9:30 pm. Live music is provided by a great group of local musicians--feel free to just come and listen if you like! See some old friends and meet some new ones! No partner is needed, and all ages and abilities are welcome. We use genderless terminology and all dances are taught, and easy to learn, but if you’ve never been to a contra, you are encouraged to arrive right at 7:00 p.m. to learn the basics, and then we’ll build upon what you learn throughout the evening. Admission is on a sliding scale, $5-10 suggested, but nobody is turned away for lack of funds. Come see what contra dancing is all about--you’ll only wish you’d discovered it sooner!

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OBITUARIES

Amy Bothfeld Celebration of Life Please join us in a celebration of life for Amy Bothfeld on Saturday June 13 at 12 PM, Danville Hill Road, in the field located across from Menard Road.

David O. Van Deusen David O. Van Deusen, 78, died peacefully in the early morning hours of April 17, 2026. David’s body failed, but the mischievous, twinkle in his eyes endures. It was his lungs that ultimately did David in; not his heart, never his heart. His heart was too big, too strong, to fail. ,,,,,When he left his home and family in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, he was no more than a boy. In ’69 he was 21 and called the road his own. He headed out for the East Coast, standing on the side of the road, rain falling on his shoes. It was a girl, my lord, in a VW Microbus slowing down to take a look at him. Thus began a love story for the ages. Dave and Cheryl, his soulmate of 52 years until her death in 2021. If the universe is righteous, they are now reunited in another adventure. Dave never doubted that righteousness. He faced death not so much with courage but with curiosity, looking forward to the next chapter. Whether it was instructing his 12 year old son the proper technique to land a double leg takedown or his landlubber friend how to tack into the wind, or CPR to an EMT recruit, Dave was a teacher at heart. His calling was on full display when he was a nursing instructor at Maria College. Talking to his students now, it isn’t anatomy or biology they recall. Invariably, they recount how Dave’s empathy and patience helped make them better nurses. Like many of his generation, David’s worldview was forged in the fire of the antiwar movement. He learned to constantly question a government that lied to him. David was always skeptical but never cynical. He hated hypocrisy and demanded truth. His passion for justice never waned. There he was into his 70’s standing in the Delmar deepfreeze singing songs and carrying signs with his neighbors for peace.

BYOB and chair. The family will be providing food and ask that, if you have a picture of Amy to share, please feel free to bring and add to their hanging photo collection.

Dave was a devoted participant in and fan of the ‘sweet science’. A crisply executed jab, cross never failed to bring him to his feet ringside. It was not the power or pageantry or even the passion that attracted Dave to boxing. It was courage that captivated him. Dave deeply respected anyone, of whatever skill level, who, like him, was willing to climb through the ropes. Dave has left us, but the fighter still remains. Lie-lalie. Dave marveled at the perfection of a spring daffodil; he lived for the warm sun on his face while enjoying a Margarita poolside; he craved Hormel chili right out of the can; and, of course, he loved Elvis. But, most of all, Dave cherished the young people in his life, especially his grandchildren and nieces. We will miss Dave’s silliness, his goofy humor, his warm embrace and most of all his love. Dave has gone home to Cheryl; the twinkle endures. Over his lifetime, David built community and friendships in Cabot, Vermont; New York’s Capital District and Rockland County and in his hometown, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. And, so very important to Dave, the generation of nurses he taught at Maria College, some of whom cared for him in his final days. David is survived by his son, David Jr.; his grandchildren, Freya and William, and their mother, Angela Ogle. He is also survived by his granddaughter Niamh and her mother, Rhiannon Maton. David will be sorely missed by his brother, Schaack and Schaack’s wife Beth; and his best friend and sister-inlaw, Mary, her husband Patrick and their children, Sarah, Savannah and Madison. A celebration of David's life will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 12-3 pm at Sorce Funeral Home in West Nyack, NY, with a gathering of friends and family to follow. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Grassroot Givers in David's name is requested (www.grassrootgiv ers.org).

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

The views, opinions and information expressed in the Community Commentary, Greg Burtt Reelection

Letter to the Editor I just wanted to let you know that I am running for reelection as your State Representative and ask for your vote in November. I look forward to serving our communities at the Statehouse again. As one of only a handful of farmers at the Capitol, I know I have accomplished and will continue to produce legislation and advocacy on behalf of our working lands and the working class. As a second generation farmer, business owner, dad to four daughters at Cabot school, husband (to a ninth generation Vermonter- I don't even come close), and supporting son to two forever young and semiretired parents who have a heck of a lot of projects I seem to be the ideal candidate to help them with, former chair of the Cabot Community Investment Fund, former member of the Cabot Planning Commission, former President of the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association, recipient of the Vermont Student Engineer of the Year (UVM 2008), and current board member of the Vermont Center for Innovation in Agriculture, I have a deep connection with our community with an ear to the ground of the needs of businesses, schools, trades, the working lands, retirees, and young families. My goal is to embrace the potential of what Vermont can become- a place where young families choose to stay because of great educational opportunities, wholesome communities, affordable housing, and a thriving economy. An economy strengthened by a legislature and government that finally understands the core values of our people- one rooted in the working lands and the working class. Healthcare that adapts to the giant demographic shift that our state has seen in the past two decades and provides competitive options for both private businesses and our public institutions. All of this needs to be coupled with a government that responds to the fiscal needs of our citizens. Affordability is priority one. To learn more, visit gregburtt.com or email me at [email protected]. Thank you for your consideration! Greg Burtt tion to the presiding Judge to assist the Court with the most informed decision and its ultimate Court ruling. I continue to expand my knowledge base of VT Law, Court Procedural and Evidentiary Rules. As a trained mediator, I have an understanding of underlying causes of conflict and needs assessment. As a GAL, this mediation experience also enabled the efficient disposition of cases with framing of issues and interests and assisting with negotiated agreements for the Court’s ultimate ruling. It will be a high honor and privilege to serve as an Assistant Judge in its Judicial role, as well as, serving in its County Executive management role. I have strong interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and perceptional skills. I have the energy, the temperament, a high bar of integrity and ethics, a deep understanding of, and involvement with, the community-at-large, and knowledge of Washington County operations. I will be a great asset to the VT Courts and to Washington County. I appreciate your vote on August 11. Thank you.

Letter to the editor, I have entered the 2026 Vermont Primary Election as a Candidate for Assistant Judge Washington County. The Assistant Judge position has a dual role: Judiciary and County Executive. I welcome the opportunity for this higher level of public service, whereby my broad experience will best serve as Assistant Judge in its Judicial role with the Courts; as Assistant Judge serve Washington County in its Executive management role, as well as, serve the best interests of the County’s Community-atlarge. For over 40 years, I have served the public at various levels. My extensive experience and knowledge of the legal system from 1987 to 2022 includes serving as a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) for each of the VT Courts in over 160 cases. For many of the cases, this GAL work primarily included assessing the overall best interests of the respondent through due diligence, fact finding and providing an oral and/or written full recommenda-

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

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Inter-School Board Discussion

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

Members of the Danville and Twinfield School Boards attended the April 27 Cabot School Board meeting. Chris Tormey started the conversation by telling all present that Erin Barry, chair of the Twinfield School Board, put this on “our radar” and he put it on the agenda to have a general discussion to learn what everyone was thinking on how to improve the educational opportunities of the students. He recalled all the uncertainties that are coming from state government and asked a general question of how things should change. Clayton Cargill, chair of the Danville School Board, spoke first, and told everyone that they should talk about how each of the schools are positioned. He said that Danville has 87 students enrolled, and many are tuitioned from school choice towns. Clayton added that many of the 8th graders leave Danville for private schools. He also reminded everyone that the town of Danville had a vote, and the voters chose to keep the high school. Clayton also said that he has spent a lot of time making sure that the legislature knows that, because of where Danville is located in the Northeast Kingdom, it is a necessity to keep the high school. Clayton pointed out that in both the Senate and House proposals, Ryegate and Oxbow are linked with Danville, adding that sometimes Cabot is also included. He added that the legislature does not appear to be using data to draw their maps. Clayton concluded his discussion by saying Danville was in a watch and wait mode. Erin then talked about Twinfield, and said they are in a great position. She mentioned that their board did a survey and got 100 responses, and 75% of those that responded indicated the desire to merge to the west. She indicated that U- 32 or Montpelier were options they were considering. Chris expressed his opinion that nothing will happen for at least two years. He then told the members from the other School Boards that Cabot’s situation is different. He mentioned, like all other schools in Vermont, the students have several different options, and Cabot will have 20 less students attending classes because of early college, tech center, or regional choice. Chris said they learned of the reduction in students attending classes after He added that when there isn’t an event, the tent could provide people a shady spot on the common. Brittany Butler, Town Clerk, expressed a few concerns and Dan and she decided to talk about the tent outside of the meeting.

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 6 onward.

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May Selectboard Meetings

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

The Selectboard board meetings during the month of May did not focus on any one topic and covered a variety of subjects.

Cabot Garage Relocation

Gary Gulka presented updates on the Cabot Garage relocation plan, and announced that a public meeting would be held on May 19 to cover details about the two proposed locations, the opposite side of the Willey Building and on Whittier Hill. He also presented the board with a request for proposal (RFP), that they approved, to solicit bids for the north tributary bridge project.

Road Foreman

Once a month Sid Griggs attends the board meeting to give an update on the town highways. Sid told the board that the cost of replacing the six-wheeler truck was only $10,000 less than the cost of a ten-wheeler truck. He suggested that they look into refurbishing the sixwheeler since it is only five years old and it mostly has surface rust from being used as the salt truck. Sid expressed that the cost of a six-wheeler is ridiculous when compared to a ten-wheeler. Sid also talked about the crosswalks being repainted at the end of May, or in early June. He added that they intend to rent a sweeper since the guy who did it last year is not doing it anymore. Sid said they needed to sweep the streets before they can be painted. He also talked about the Mack Mountain Road apron being paved, as well as the Danville Hill Road apron on Route 2. Sid also said they are going to pave 30foot aprons in front of the town garage doors to reduce the amount of dirt being dragged into the building. Sid then talked about the guardrails on Ducharme Road and his intent to have them moved back.

Fire Department Radios

The board discussed funding for the Fire Department radios, and how the procedure changes have made it impossible to get the funding through the Vermont Bond bank in the current cycle. Jenn Miner told the board that Chris Tormey was going to discuss the option of loading CCIF funds for the radios at the next committee meeting, with the goal of having an article on the ballot for the August 11 primary.

Town Policies/Ordinances

The Fire Department asked the board to amend the grant policy because the current process is too slow and making it difficult for them to apply for grants. Will Ameden proposed an amendment that stated the Fire Department would be exempt from the jurisdiction of the Planning Commission for any grant that does not apply to capital purchases. Mike Hogan said that he would prefer to rewrite the entire policy. He stated that grants are really outside of the Planning Commission's responsibility and that the Selectboard has the fiduciary responsibility for the town. He stated that he would support the Planning Commission being involved. The current grant policy was adopted in 2019 and Mike was one of the signatories. Brittany told the board that the reason the Planning Commission was added to the process was to ensure that grants agreed with the town plan. Brittany added that not one grant has gone through the Planning Commission since 2019. Mike said that may be true, but it's the policy. Jenn told Will that they were not dismissing his proposal, but that they needed to look at the entire plan. Mike emphasized that it was the Selectboard’s responsibility and he would rewrite the policy. The board also discussed a trash issue at the Malone residence on South Walden Road. Aside from the specifics of the situation, the board discussed the need for a trash ordinance. Jenn said that there were barriers to creating a trash ordinance, for instance, “who would enforce it.” She added that it would also need to be enforced standardly, regardless of whether the person was poor or rich, or where they lived. Mike agreed that they need someone to enforce it, and write the citation. He said the money would come back to the town. He emphasized that littering was one thing, and what people's property looks like is another issue. Fred reminded the board that they had intended to revisit the dog ordinance, too. He recalled how the town spent $2,000 on two dogs because the issue dragged on so long, and no one wanted to make a decision. Amy Monahan also presented the board with a proposed ethics policy from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT). She told the board that the draft contains the requirements set forth in state statute on municipalities. She said that there is some debate on whether it should be a policy or an ordinance, and that the VLCT attorney thought it should be an ordinance. Jenn proposed that they dedicate a future meeting to focus on the three ordinances that are on the table.

Tent on the Common

Dana Robinson talked to the board about putting a 20x20 foot tent on the common for six weeks this summer. He estimated it would be from June 30 to August 4, and it would be used for the summer music series. He added that it would be available for other events too.

Jenn told Dana that it was the Town Clerk who controls usage of the common. She then asked about how the tent would impact the CCA plans for July 4th. Dana told the board that he and Lori Augustyniak, executive director of the CCA, have been working together.

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Inter-School Board

(continued from page 6)

Chris told the other boards that with only 24 students attending classes at Cabot, it would be fiscally challenging to continue the high school. He prophesied that selling the budget to the voters would require cutting positions, and that a position that is part-time is “hard to teach”. Ellen also spoke to the issues with so few students, noting that things like prom or play are difficult. She said that more and more students are taking advantage of the lottery. Chris mentioned that at a previous meeting, someone from the public noted that the school is a victim of its own success, with students able to get into the technical center and early college. He added that almost half the high school students have chosen that route, or the lottery. Ellen said there were ten that chose the lottery, and they have designated slots for 12. Johanna Thibault spoke about how the writing is on the wall and Cabot will eventually lose the high school, but she worried about how the decision will upset the entire school. She added that the town doesn’t want to lose the entire school. Clayton agreed that no one wants to live in a town without a school. Jason talked about the town he grew up in, and how the town lost center when the high school closed. Alicia Heber said that Cabot is different in the sense that the community is centered about the elementary. She noted that the sports are in other towns, and emphasized that school choice is their best option. Clayton told everyone that they have experience with choice. He said that even though they announce a tuition rate based upon the state’s formula, it is often learning — an approach that challenges students to tackle genuine questions, develop real skills, and share what they've discovered with the world beyond the classroom. Done well, it produces the kind of thinking, communication, and persistence that serves students long after they leave school. Please join us June 9 — come with questions, and let Cabot students show you what they know and can do. A community barbeque begins serving at 5:30 on the CSPAC Lawn, and the High School Band concert is at 6pm. Specifics on the projects and timing of exhibits across all grade levels will be posted soon on the Cabot School newsletter, Cabot Connects, and Front Porch Forum. We hope to see you there!

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Cabot School Celebration of Learning: Come See What Our Students Have Been Building

by Chris Tormey, Cabot School Board

On Tuesday June 9, Cabot School invites our entire community to its annual Celebration of Learning — a schoolwide exhibition where students from K through 12th grade share their work with real audiences. This is not a science fair or a talent show. It is something harder and more meaningful: students explaining their own learning. Visitors will move through displays of student work — research, designs, models, writing, and more —and talk directly with the students who created them. Every piece on display represents months of investigation, revision, and reflection. This year's exhibition grows out of a school-wide commitment to project-based changed by the state after they do an audit. He said it usually ends up being about the same as private schools. He went on to talk about the possibility of mergers, and expressed that the state probably would not approve “minimergers.” Clayton expressed that the state wants big mergers that then can gobble up the small districts. He speculated that any merger would have to be 4000 students to get approved. There was some discussion about what mergers could look like, and then the options for Cabot were discussed. Matt Foster said that there are two options, open choice like Walden, Waterford and Barnet, and then there is high school designation that could possibly be up to three different high schools. Matt added that with a high school designation, there is a more symbiotic relationship with the receiving high school. Clayton described how the two options look from the point of view of a receiving school. He said that a student that comes under a high school designation is counted as a student, the same as resident students. Clayton said that when a student comes as a tuitioned student, then all the school gets is the tuition dollars. After more discussion regarding the options, Clayton told everyone that he had received an email from Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union (OSSU), which includes Hardwick and Craftsbury. He said they are interested in having the same type of conversation. Jason speculated that even if Cabot, Twinfield, and Danville merged, “it wouldn’t keep the wolves away.” Clayton said that doing that would require the high school and middle school be housed at different locations.

For this month’s article I’ve asked one of our volunteer mentors, Ellen Cairns, to share about her mentoring experience. Here is her submission:

“I have been a mentor on and off for about eight years. My first mentee was a girl who was being fostered here in Cabot, and we spent time together for about two years. We still got together after she moved away, and coincidentally one of her sisters was being fostered (and later adopted) by a woman who had been one of my students when I was a teacher in Huntington, VT. So that was also fun to connect with her again and get to know her a bit as an adult. After that mentee moved out of the area, I took a break from mentoring during COVID-19. A few years ago, I made a connection with my current mentee when she was the student assistant in an after-school club I led. We had a lot in common and I asked if she was interested in the mentoring program. She was, and we have been a mentor-mentee pair since then. One thing I thought was interestingwhen the then mentor-coordinator and I met with her mother, she said she thought that the mentor program was for kids who were facing challenges or needed extra help. So I just want to say, in case other people have that assumption, that it’s not the case - mentoring is for everyone! And mentoring can look different for different mentor pairs, too. It can be in-school only, or start in-school but move to doing things outside of school - it really depends on the participants and what everyone is comfortable with. That being said, there are also great guidelines and support within the mentoring program. For example, during the first six months, it is recommended that pairs not travel more than an hour from Cabot. As pairs develop trust, outings can branch out further if everyone is comfortable with that. My mentee and I even took a weekend trip to Montreal last year, which was a lot of fun. Fortunately, there are lots of fun activities right around here - my mentee and I enjoy pizza night at the Den, where we play games and catch up.

Mentor pair Ellen Cairns and Shianne Charrette

There are, of course, also great trails to explore, programs at the library to attend together, shooting hoops at the town court - it just really depends on the interests of the mentor and mentee. The mentor coordinator helps to find the right matches and ensure that the mentor and mentee have similar interests so it will be fun for everyone. Mark, the current mentor coordinator, is there to help support mentors, and there are also other resources to support mentors. You really don’t need any prior knowledge or experience, as the program is structured to help anyone be a successful mentor. I have really enjoyed being a part of the program and would recommend it to anyone - it truly is one of those things where you get as much, if not more, than you give! -Ellen Cairns”

The Cabot Mentoring Program has Cabot youth waiting to be matched with a volunteer adult. The initial commitment is for one year, meeting with the mentee two or three times a month for two or three hours, but can last for years. Please contact us if you would like to learn more about the program at: Phone: 802-595-1130, Mark Christensen, Cabot Mentoring Coordinator Email: [email protected] Website: cabotmentoring.org of previous awards include expenses of Cabot Arts-sponsored

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

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Why Do YOU Donate?

Jack Daniels: I made my first blood donation in 1964 and I have been donating regularly whenever I can. There were many years while I was serving overseas that I was prohibited from donating, but since returning home to Vermont in 1994 I have been a regular donor. WHY: Because I can, and at the age of 81, I continue to receive as much personal satisfaction by donating as I did multiple decades ago. We routinely hear that there is a serious blood shortage in our beautiful country. Hopefully more people will step up and start donating the precious gift of their blood. Our country needs it. It’s just that simple.

Nick Managan, Agri-Mark Chief of Staff: It doesn’t take much for me to donate, but it means everything when it’s needed—I do it to help make sure blood is there for my family, friends, and neighbors. Editor’s note: Cabot Creamery supplies the Red Cross with cheddar singles, a valuable source of calcium, which is depleted during platelet donations. A welcome post-donation snack. I discovered recently it tastes particularly good alongside chocolate Exploremores Girl Scout cookies! Who knew?

Karen Mueller-Harder: I’ve been donating blood for a number of years, as close to every 8 weeks as I can, and have now donated over 10 gallons! I actually have kind of a challenging time donating, due to having tricky veins, but I still do it, because the need is so compelling, and many people are unable to donate for one reason or another. Although many of us volunteer our time and energy to various good causes, donating blood is a unique situation: we have not yet invented a way to make artificial blood, so the only way people who need a transfusion can get this lifesaving treatment is by people voluntarily walking in and donating. And with current technology, your blood is separated into its components, and actually can save the lives of *3* different people! That’s a lot of good one hour of your time can do! If you’re healthy, your body replenishes your supply with no trouble--I generally feel a little tired and quite hungry the evening after I donate, but am back to full steam the next day, even as a 125lb 60-year-old!

Sid Griggs: I love to give blood. It does not take a lot of time and it helps to know what kind of good you are doing. It is especially cool to see where my blood donation goes with the blood donor app too!

Jeanne Johnson: I’ve donated all my adult life when a blood drive conveniently crossed my path. But I became a focused donor when my two-month-old son was diagnosed with cancer and, during the months of chemotherapy, required both whole blood and platelets. Being the same blood type, I wanted to donate everything he needed, but the Red Cross didn’t see it that way! One way or another, he always received the blood products he needed and grew to be a big, healthy, cancer-free adult. But, having experienced that concern and panic, I don’t want another cancer patient to go without the lifesaving elixir that can allow them to continue their fight against cancer or other disease, but which costs me nothing except time. It’s also interesting to see in the Red Cross app how far my donations travel, plus I get my readings in the app for blood pressure, hemoglobin, pulse and a few opportunities a year to learn my A1C level. I’ve donated over 200 units, 25 gallons according to my Red Cross data (which sounds ghoulish to me!). I take advantage of every whole blood draw at Neighbors in Action, and donate platelets when I have reason to visit Burlington, such as when I have an appointment at the Burlington VA CBOC, and while I’m at it, take advantage of the opportunity to have dinner with the aforementioned son, who lives in Essex Junction. Life is good.

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Cabot Tax Year 2026 Property Transfers

Not including zero dollar transfers to create trusts, life estates, or interfamily ownership changes. By statute, Grand List years run April 1-March 31 Grand

List Address Description Price

West Shore Road 386/398 Danville Hill Road

239 VT Route Single 215S Date Jamie Seller Buyer

Javier Berkhoff 4/18/2025 Satenstein Open Land $160,000 $82,300 Single Family $340,000 $270,200 Nicholas Melanie Pastula

David & Ana Mangan Andrew White & Mark Karalyn 4/25/2025 Phillips et al Terri Family $230,000 $205,800 5/8/2025 Shatney Hannah Wirth & Umanzor Onel Bobby & Stephany Searles 6/20/2025 BGolly Holdings LLC Alexander Landauer & Katarina Goodge

Ben Ackermann Jonathan Simmons & Rebecca Wells John Fealy & Courtney Forti

Jordan & Alisha Hale 3228 Main Street 3109 Main Street Single Family $260,000 $199,900 Commercial $450,000 $413,500 6/26/2025 Single Family $245,000 $170,400

Single Family Lucy 7/14/2025 Lehman Aldo & Terri 7/21/2025 Nunn Brittany Duchene & Jeremy Parnapy 590 Blodgett Road

769 Bayley Hazen Road $40,500 $68,900 Single Family $750,000 $562,100 7/31/2025 267 Thistle Hill Road Single Family $250,000 $341,100 1660 Coits Pond Road 8/1/2015 Jordan Kirsch 6139 VT Route Single 215N Robert 8/19/2025 Rathbone Family $273,000 $391,500 Kempton & Carrie Randolph Sevgi & Donald Boule 0 Lovely Road Open Land Simon Villa & Alexandria Kerrigan

Nathan Demers 8/25/2025 Jeffrey & 101 Jug Brook Road

714 Churchill Road Single Family

Single Family $79,000 $53,000 8/26/2025 Sherry Reck

Greg & Julie 8/29/2025 Mansius Estate of Suzanne Gilbert 9/16/2025 Dale Jessica Molleur Carlyle & Elizabeth Nunn

Nadine Michel 2697 Main Street 33 Ducharme Road

217 Bolton Road Mobile Home $120,000 $101,800 $475,000 $366,800 $92,500 $134,000 Open Land $40,000 $52,100

Single Family $316,000 $269,200 9/16/2025 Nutting Rebecca Wal- 9/19/2025 lick Steven & Sarah Somerville

David Talbot Single Family $425,000 $288,800

Single Family $630,000 $417,100 10/10/2025 10/8/2025 Trust Justin Gregoire

Peter & Keri Hess

Adam & Ana Hebert

Jamie Satenstein Corey & Kristi Pollard

Lashelle & Mark Easton Jonathan Bullard & Jordan Grout Shannon & Quinn Jenkins 1639 West Shore Road

1239 West Shore Road Richard 10/8/2025 Lafayette 3851 VT Route Mobile 215N

0 Sandy Beach Road Home $299,000 $216,000 Jules & Kath- 10/10/2025 leen Chatot Timothy & Kaigh Thompson

Constance Open Land $75,000 $44,800 Single Family

Single Family $462,500 $306,400 10/15/2025 10/30/2025 Hare Kempton & Carrie Randolph 303 Bolton Road

364 Coits Pond Road $383,500 $386,400 0 Lovely Road Open Land 12/2/2025 Frederick 12/5/2025 Jagels M, K & L Batten & Jennie Taylor 12/15/2025 Wilmington Savings Fund Society

Sara Shawn Michaud Community Venture Investments LLC

Barbara Jarvis 42 Elmridge Road 1231 Old Route 2 Single Family Open Land $77,000 $32,100 $142,000 $76,300 $40,000 $54,400 Single Family $177,449 $241,100

Single Family 1/23/2026 2/7/2026 Takacs 943 West Shore Road

1097 West Hill Pond Road $97,143 $77,800

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Security at Selectboard Meetings We Might Not Let You In!

by Jeanne Johnson Inviting at-home online participation in public meetings along with those present at the in-person gathering is a great convenience and contribution to public participation. But it does have a downside. Have you heard of “Zoom-bombing”? It’s happened to us. Several times. Here in Cabot, at 2025 Town Meeting, a regular selectboard meeting and a Planning Commission meeting, an unwelcome Xrated “bot” invaded the Zoom screen and took over the meeting with unpleasant graphics. We learned (the hard way) that slamming down the computer lid - a natural knee-jerk reaction by the person running the Zoom computer – does not stop the bot from running on the screen of those who have joined the meeting from home! So sorry! Here’s what we are doing about it. It’s a systemic problem, not local, so the Town of Cabot felt compelled to improve the security protocol for our Zoom meetings to prevent this disturbance at future events. Besides refreshing our Zoom link on the town website, we have initiated a policy of admitting only meeting attendees we recognize. So, when you click on “join”, however you identified yourself on your device pops up on the Zoom computer. At the meeting, we just click “admit”, and you’re in. But – if we don’t recognize that you are a Cabot resident or property owner, we may not click on “admit”, and you won’t be able to participate. We are aware we don’t know every person in town, and might fail to admit someone who has every right to participate, and that is not our intention. To avoid this, we’ve provided a failsafe. If you click “join” and nobody lets you into the meeting within a few minutes, you can text the Town Clerk at 802-498- 7988. Let her know who you are and that you’re waiting to be admitted to the meeting. And that’ll do it.

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From page 9

Go to Town website: CabotVT.us, Tap the green “Selectboard” box , Click on the “Zoom Meeting Link” That should take you to the meeting. If you have the opportunity to identify yourself while signing in, please type in your name. If you don’t have that opportunity, whatever you have named your device is probably what will pop up on the Zoom computer. We might message you back through Zoom messaging to ask you to identify yourself. If you don’t respond we may not admit you to the meeting. If you are having trouble gaining access to the meeting, text Brittany Butler, Town Clerk, at 802-498-7988. Give her your name and that you want to join the meeting. We’ll let you in. Nobody wants to make it harder for the community to participate in public discussion. We just want to avoid graphics you wouldn’t want on your home computer. If this procedure fails to safeguard our meeting participants, the next step is to require registration of remote attendees in advance of being admitted. We would only do that if we couldn’t find a better way. NOTE: The Zoom Meeting Link may change from time to time for security reasons, so always go to the town website for the link to a selectboard meeting.

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What is Wrong With the Cabot Church Clock?

by Paul Wade The clock in the Cabot Church tower stopped working a couple of years ago. It had been running fine since 2016, when a team led by Jan Westervelt took the clock apart, cleaned and repaired it in Richard Ducharme’s barn, and put it back in place. The clock was made in about 1860 and has been in the tower ever since, providing time for the residents of Cabot. It is driven by weights, a box of rocks, and requires winding weekly. The recent problem was that the clock would stop at the same time every day and needed to be restarted. Tinkering with the mechanism didn’t fix it; there didn’t seem to be any obvious problem, so it just sat still. Recently, some Cabot folks expressed an interest in getting it running again. Aldo Nunn, Tim Perry, Seth Kelly, and Paul Wade climbed up in the tower to see if we could figure it out. We found that the hands had been disconnected from the clock mechanism. We started the clock and it seemed to run without the hands after a small adjustment. Then we tried moving the disconnected hands – the hands on all four faces turn in unison. (Some residents have never Photo by Aldo Nunn (left) and Paul Wade

noticed that the clock has four faces, one on each side of the tower.) At some point, we heard a sound and the hands stopped suddenly. Aldo stuck his head out the trapdoor and saw that one hand was caught on a loose numeral – see picture. We disconnected the hands on that clock face, and then connected the rest to the clock mechanism. The clock was now telling time. After making sure it ran for a few days, we set it to the correct time and wound it. Only three of the clock faces are currently working. The south one, facing the common, needs repair. A couple of hours with a lift would do it, if we can locate a lift.

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A Voice from Vermont’s Working Lands

Those who make a living off the land found their voice in Montpelier this year — and lawmakers listened. Vermont’s sugar makers, fruit and vegetable growers, loggers, and dairy farmers made their way to the State House this winter to speak out about Act 181 and its impact on rural Vermont. Their grassroots effort reminded legislators that policies crafted in Montpelier reach deep into the hills, valleys, farms, and forests that define our state. Act 181 expanded state authority over land use regulation. But after strong public pushback from working Vermonters across the state, portions of the law were stripped back — something that rarely happens once legislation is already enacted. Representative Greg Burtt of Cabot, Peacham, and Danville uniquely impacted those discussions. He introduced an amendment aimed at giving agritourism businesses more flexibility by eliminating the need for Act 250 permits for certain accessory on-farm business activities. For small farms, the Act 250 process can mean significant time, expense, and uncertainty, and it may prevent them from diversifying. Rep. Burtt’s amendment recognizes that many farms today should be allowed to bring more people to their farms to share their products and practices without excessive or duplicative regulations. Whether it is hosting educational events, farm dinners, maple open houses, or seasonal gatherings, agritourism has become an important tool to help farms stay financially viable and to continue growing our food. The amendment would allow farms to make improvements for educational, recreational, or social events that feature Vermont farm products or agricultural practices without requiring a State Act 250 permit process. Towns may already choose to regulate these activities, so no additional State permit (or the related potential litigation) is necessary. The margins in agriculture are tight. Farmers are constantly balancing weather, markets, labor shortages, and Greg Burtt working in the House Chamber .

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

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Chair Yoga Leader Sought

by Jeanne Johnson A year or two ago, a group of about a dozen of us met Wednesday after work at Neighbors in Action for an hour of chair yoga. While gentle and non-stressful, it still raised one’s body temperature and loosened a few muscles, and I, for one, miss it. It would really be nice to have a weekly class (or two) to shake off the winter blahs. Is there anyone out there looking for an excuse to exercise their yoga chops and expand their community connections? We’d really welcome your leadership. If interested, please touch base with Neighbors in Action at 802-563-3322.

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How Useful is the EV Charger at Town Hall?

I read VTrans is looking for host sites for public-use electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and Vermont League of Cities and Towns provides information about incentives for locating chargers in public areas. The device approved by Cabot voters in March 2021 and located in the Willey Building parking lot was paid for by Green Mountain Power, a Cabot Community Association grant and private donations, in an initiative lead by then-Cabot resident James Wolynetz. The power provided so far has cost the town just over $4,000 since then, and consumers are asked to pay 25 cents per KWh used, on the honor system. Assistant Town Clerk Shirley Ducharme checks the cash box every week, and has found as little as 25 cents and as much as $28. She’s pretty sure some people disregard the honor system and don’t pay at all. I asked Shirley if there was anything she’d like people to know; she asked users to be courteous and safe by rolling up the power supply cable and hanging it on its holder. This will keep it clean and dry and avoid tripping hazards, while keeping the connector safe. The town’s bucket loader caught on the cable once when it was left loose on the ground, and almost pulled the whole thing down. I asked EV drivers if they use the Willey Building charger, and if so, how often, is it convenient, is it available when you need it? Here’s what they had to say:

Peg Elmer Hough:

“ I already owned my little Chevy Bolt EV, and had installed solar panels and a charger at the house, when the Town Hall charger was proposed. As I remember it, the Selectboard was hesitant to fund the charger at taxpayer expense. A call went out for donations to support its installation and I was glad to help pay for it. I use it whenever it's available and I'm going to be in the village for an hour or so. It was great when I was at Planning Commission meetings, and I still use it when I go down to the village for events. With two connections, it's been available probably 80% of the time. I know I don't particularly need it, due to having the charger at our house, but I know how critical it is to find chargers when I'm traveling outside Washington County. I wanted to support its location in our village mostly to support visitors coming to Cabot with EVs. Anyone using it is likely to spend some time in Cabot village, and spend some money on food or entertainment there. So, it's a village asset. I wish there were chargers like we have at the Willey Building in every town I visit! Most EV chargers now require payment via an app or credit card, and probably are maintained via some charging network. Cabot's has been unique in simply asking users to put some payment of their choice into the donation box. That's made it very easy to use, but that trust could be abused. It would be good to know whether the Town Treasurer believes those donations are covering its cost and maintenance.”

Karen Mueller-Harder:

“I don’t use the charger a ton, as I can charge at home, but sometimes it’s very handy, and it’s great when we have visitors! It didn’t affect our choice to get a plug -in hybrid.

Usually a slot is available, but not always (e.g. pizza night at the Den!). Everyone is considerate, I think! Location is great! Having one at NIA would be nice, though there are a LOT of spots of higher need (where the nearest one is miles away), like Marshfield, Barton, most spots in the NEK. Price seems fine, though one has to guess how much to pay if two cars are charging at the same time, as there’s only one meter. I LOVE having no machine and just on the honor system, as there are SO many different companies that I don’t have accounts with them all, and I sometimes find I have forgotten my wallet, so I’ll just pay more the next time I come.”

Seth O’Brien:

“The EV charger is a great resource for the town! I use it at least once a week and often more if I have several longer distance service calls I need to do for my business. It is very convenient having it right in the village to be able to charge while I am at my shop, playing a game at the Den, or attending an event at the Willey Building. Having the charger in town made the decision to get an EV much easier. I have a 7.2KW charger at home and plenty of spare solar power most of the year, but being able to also charge my car while I am at work has been a lifesaver for days when I didn’t have time to charge the car at home fully before I had to head to town. The price of 25c/KWh donation is very reasonable considering electric rates in VT. At home, if I wasn’t using solar power, the electricity cost would be almost 21c/KWh. I greatly appreciate that it is a donation box rather than needing an app or account to use it. Even though I am a techy person, I hate needing to download apps, store payment info, etc., just to use a service. I had to download an app to park in a city once. After several minutes of hassle, I got my parking paid for…then a few months later get a notice that my financial info stored in their system was breached. This could all have been avoided with good old fashioned meters that take quarters! These kind of chargers also would limit people who didn’t have good cell service from potentially using a charger. I do wonder if the sign asking people to donate 25c/KWh should be more prominent. I have heard at least a few people who were traveling through Cabot comment how it was so cool that we have a “free” EV charger in town. The charger has almost always been available when I needed it, but I do wonder if more capacity will be needed as more people start driving EVs. The only time both ports were occupied was during large town events, and living locally, I wouldn’t have even felt right about occupying the charger if there were folks from farther away who may need to charge to get home. I have found people to be respectful of the charger, except for one time when someone did unplug my car to plug theirs in. My car shows a visible charge indicator from outside the car, so they may have just seen that I was fairly charged and needed to charge to get home

- no grudges held :-) I have also been guilty of bogarting the charger if I have a busy day of meetings and forget to get over to move it once I get the fully charged notification, but with current demand, I hope I didn’t inconvenience anyone, as most week days there seems to always be at least one open port.” It seems the Town Hall EV charger is appreciated by electric vehicle drivers, and meets the needs most of the time. If the purchase of EVs continues to grow, we may need another charger to meet future demand, but apparently we are better-positioned than many other rural locations. I suspect any future devices would not be on the honor system! According to an article published by MIT News in September 2024, business increases in the vicinity of EV charging stations, which may explain why Marty’s First Stop has two.

 When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way -with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.  When the U.S. flag is displayed on a car, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.  When the U.S. flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The U.S. flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.  All persons present in uniform (military, police, fire, etc.) should render the military salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute.  All other persons present should face the U.S. flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.  Fold in the traditional triangle for stowage, never wadded up. The U.S. flag should be folded in its customary manner.  When disposing of a U.S. flag by burning, it is important that the fire be fairly large and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag.   Place the U.S. flag on the fire. The individual(s) can come to attention, salute the U.S. flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection.  After the U.S. flag is completely consumed, the fire should then be safely extinguished and the ashes buried.  Please make sure you are conforming to local/state fire codes or ordinances.  Don’t dip the U.S. flag for any person, flag, or vessel.   Don’t let the U.S. flag touch the ground. Don’t fly the flag upside down unless there is an emergency.  Don’t carry the U.S. flag flat, or carry things in it.   dirty.   Don’t use the U.S. flag as clothing. Don’t store the U.S. flag where it can get Don’t use it as a cover.

Don’t fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free.  flag.  Don’t draw on or otherwise mark the U.S.

Don’t use the U.S. flag for decoration. Use bunting with the blue on top, then white, then red.

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Flag Etiquette and the US Flag Code

by Military.com The U.S. Flag Code is not legally enforceable, but adherence to it is considered a sign of patriotism and respect. The code formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the U.S. flag, and also gives specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used.

Do’s and Don’ts for the American Flag

To summarize, the following is a list of do’s and don’ts associated with Old Glory, the U.S. Flag.  Display the U.S. flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open. When a patriotic effect is desired the U.S. flag may be displayed 24-hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.  When placed on a single staff or lanyard, place the U.S. flag above all other flags.  When flags are displayed in a row, the U.S. flag goes to the observer’s left. Flags of other nations are flown at the same height. State and local flags are traditionally flown lower.  When used during a marching ceremony or parade with other flags, the U.S. flag will be to the observer’s left.  On special days, the U.S. flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day it is flown at half-staff until noon and then raised.  When flown at half-staff, it should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The U.S. flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. By "half-staff" is meant lowering the U.S. flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff.  When the U.S. flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union (blue field of stars) to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.  When placed on a podium the U.S. flag should be placed on the speaker’s right or the staging area. Other flags should be placed to the left.  When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall (or other flat surface), the union (blue field of stars) should be uppermost and to the U.S. flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left.

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Star-Spangled Red, White, and Blue

by Jane Brown The American flag’s long and varied history began before Betsy Ross was said to have stitched the first flag in 1777. There were several versions of the American flag. One of the first had 13 red and white stripes to symbolize the 13 colonies and the British Union Jack in its canton, acknowledging Britain. That was abandoned during the colonies’ quest for independence.

The 1775 Gadsden Flag (from the internet)

A flag designed by Christopher Gadsden in 1775 had an image of a coiled snake on a mustard-yellow background with the inscription, “Don’t Tread on Me,” and was used by the Continental Marines in the early years of the war. Another version has the snake angled full length on a background of red and white stripes. “Don’t Tread on Me” flags remain a symbol of American patriotism.

The Continental Colors flag with Union Jack canton, used until 1777. (from the internet)

The Continental Union flag was flown by John Paul Jones on his ship Bonhomme Richard in 1775. Four years later Jones captured a British frigate, Serapis, but the Bonhomme sank in the skirmish. Jones took over the Serapis and raised a new flag with red, white, and blue stripes, and stars on a blue background.

The Serapis Flag flown by John Paul Jones. This flag had red, white, and blue stripes and was not used very long. (from the internet)

The legend about Betsy Ross sewing the first American flag is well known but may not be true. One version is that George Washington went to her with a design that included six-pointed stars and stripes, while another version has Ben Franklin commissioning the flag. There is no historical evidence that Betsy was approached by either Washington or Franklin. There are, however, documents showing that in May of 1777 Betsy was paid by the State of Pennsylvania for making naval flags. Regardless of who was responsible for the new design, it featured 13 alternating red and white stripes and stars arranged in a circle on a blue canton. The first of these flags had six-point stars, but eventually the five-point stars were adopted. The symbolism was intentional, carefully thought out by leaders of our young, struggling Union: 13 stars and 13 stripes in honor of the 13 colonies; white stripes signified purity and innocence, and red stripes stood for hardiness and valor; the blue field in the upper left corner signified vigilance, perseverance, and justice When Kentucky and Vermont joined the Union in 1794, two stripes and two stars were added to the flag, but when more states were formed, adding stripes was abandoned and the design retained the 13 stripes for the original 13 colonies and more stars were added as new states joined the Union. The last change was in 1959 with the addition of Hawaii and Alaska. There are rules about displaying our national flag. It should only be flown from dawn to sundown unless it is illuminated at night. It should not be flown in bad weather and should never touch the ground or anything beneath it. It should be raised “smartly” but lowered “with reverence” and properly folded into a triangle for storage. It is flown at full mast above any other banners except on occasions of national sorrow when it is ceremoniously lowered to half-mast. The flag should not be used as clothing or draped as decoration. It is never flown upside down except as a signal of extreme distress. When a flag becomes worn, faded, or soiled, it should be removed and disposed of respectfully, generally by burning. Wearing a flag pin or other jewelry is generally considered patriotic. President Nixon was the first president to wear one of the popular little metal flag lapel pins. That started a trend that ended abruptly when he resigned in disgrace. The pin was mostly forgotten until 9/11, when many showed their patriotism by wearing the pins. President Obama was sharply criticized when he didn’t wear a flag pin for a short time after 9/11. Today the flag pins seem to be a favorite accessory for politicians. When a flag passes by in a parade, it is saluted by military personnel and civilians stand and place their hand over their heart. Honoring the flag by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at civic meetings or in public schools is required by law in many states: Only Arizona, Hawaii, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Vermont do not require it in public schools, although some still say the Pledge. Students have the option to remain seated and not participate without repercussion.

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Old Glory

Cabot Plains School with flag at left of entrance, 1938. --Jane Brown collection.

When I was in school at the one-room Cabot Plain school, every day someone was responsible for putting up the flag outside in the morning and retrieving it when classes were over. This was an honor reserved for an upper-grade student. Somet schools had a tall pole, but the Plains school had a flag holder attached to the front of the building. When the bell rang signaling the start of classes, we took our seats and waited for our teacher’s “All rise,” before standing beside our desks to face the classroom flag. We placed our right hand over our heart and recited the Pledge of Allegiance in unison. Some teachers had us also sit with hands clasped on our desk and heads bowed as we recited the Lord’s Prayer. We weren’t particularly aware of denominations, and nobody ever objected although some students may have remained silent. It was a calming ritual that put order in our day.

The Pledge of Allegiance was originally written by Captain George Thatcher Batch in 1885. Batch served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and in 1892 Francis Belamy, who worked for a publishing house, revised the poem and published it in The Youth’s Companion magazine. The pledge was formally adopted by Congress in 1942. On Flag Day in 1954 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law changing the wording to “. . . one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Our flag has various names: “The Red, White and Blue,” and the “Star Spangled Banner,” both came about from songs, while “The Stars and Stripes” was from the Flag Act passed on June 14, 1777. A sea captain, William Driver, owned a 10 by 17-foot flag during the Civil War. He proudly referred to it as “Old Glory.” Driver had it sewn into a quilt to prevent it from being captured and destroyed during the Civil War. “Old Glory” is preserved at the Smithsonian Institute. Our American flag represents 250 years of freedom and democracy, uniting us through celebrations, changing times, hardships, and wars. We honor it and those who defend it.

The Cabot Village school room showing two flags. The one on the right seems to be very large and may have been from an outside flagpole. This photo is dated 1908 and was probably taken at the “new” school built in 1883. --Photo from the Cabot Oral History Committee.

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Upcoming June Events at the Jaquith

Upcoming June Events at the

Jaquith Public Library

(unless noted otherwise)

All events are free and held at the library

For more info: 802-426-3581 or email:

[email protected] OR www.jaquithpubliclibrary.org All Hands Together!, Community Crafting Group, NEW TIME: Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 pm Bring your knitting, crocheting or whatever craft you are working on or start a new project. All ages welcome if they are old enough to sit and work on a craft. Knitting and spinning maven, Donna Hison from Marshfield, is the host of the group.

Drum Circle with Jean Jacques Maury, Friday evenings from 6 to 7 pm Interested in a drumming circle? Come enjoy this free series for all ages and abilities. We will explore technique, patterns, and a common vocabulary to describe rhythm. No prior experience is needed or expected but you do need a drum - specifically a frame drum preferred. The purpose is to have fun playing as a group and learn a few things along the way based on a structured, coherent and practical approach. It will also be a practice - of connecting with an ancient, universal, and beautiful instrument which has been shared by all cultures over millennia - and of connecting body and mind into rhythm. For more information email: [email protected].

The Marshfield Resilience Hub Farmers Market starts on June 6 Join us each Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm at the Old Schoolhouse Common for local food and craft vendors, live music, and free community led Skill Shares. Vending space is free, so let us know if you are interested in applying as a vendor, leading a class (we provide a small stipend), or playing on the gazebo stage. To reach out send us an email: [email protected] or call the library at: 802-426-3581.

Sunday Afternoon Poetry at the Jaquith with Dede Avery and Cindy Hill June 21 from 2 pm to 4 pm

D. Slayton Avery was raised on pondwater and blackflies in the wilds of Woodbury. She enjoys playing with words, which is sometimes work. But sometimes her work is taken seriously, with publications in a growing number of online and print journals and anthologies. She is the author of two books of poetry and one of flash fiction. D. is the 2024 Vermont Writers poetry prize winner, and PSOV’s 2025 Arthur Wallace Peach Award winner. She founded VerseVillage to celebrate local poets and poetry in her hometown of Hardwick.

Cindy Ellen Hill has penned four poetry collections, Wild Earth (Antrim Press 2021), Elegy for the Trees (Kelsay Books 2022), Mosaic: Poems from Travels in Italy (Wild Dog Press 2024), and Love in a Time of Climate Change (Finishing Line Press 2025). Her novel in sonnet verse, Leeds Point, will be released by Selkie Songs Press in summer 2026. Her poetry has been included in Flint Hills Review, Anacapa Review, Measure, and on National Public Radio. She has won the Vermont Writer’s Prize for poetry and fiction, and received NENPA awards in journalism. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing.

Sunday Afternoon Poetry at the

Jaquith monthly poetry readings are free and open to the public. Refreshments, featuring Jasper Hill cheese, will be served Summer Story Time and Playgroup Morning Program with Nicky Auerbach for Kids Birth to Age Seven Six weeks of Fridays from June 26 to July 31 Story time and snack at 10:30 am followed by activities until 12 pm Join Nicky for fun activities based on the theme, “Unearth a Story”. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet and messy! Nicky has a Master Degree in education and loves to create fun learning opportunities for children. Older siblings welcome to tagalong.

Join us for Summer Fun Nights For people of all ages on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm, Starting on June 24 through August 5 We have great presenters to amaze and amuse us all! Our first one is: June 24 – The Sport of Kings: Falconry with VINS Have you ever seen a hawk soar through the air, only to land on a person’s fist? We’ll explore a sport that has fostered relationships between humans, animals, and the environment for 3,000 years. Learn how falconers train their birds of prey, handle the equipment that keeps falconers and birds safe while they’re working together, and meet live raptors up close!

Summer Reading Challenge and win prizes and a book, Starting on June 15

Here’s how: Come to the library and sign up to read! We will give you a reading log and stickers so you can keep track of your own progress. For every 15 minutes you read, or you are read to, put a sticker on your reading log. Jot down the title of your book. Earn 50 stickers—win a prize and book of your choice.

The Marshfield Community Garden Needs You!!

The Marshfield Community Garden is seeking committed volunteers to help weed and harvest the garden. If you are interested, please contact the Jaquith Public Library at 802-426-3581 and we will add you to our garden email list.

Did you know you can visit a museum, go for a swim or hike at the Vermont State Parks, and visit a historical site, all for free? The Jaquith has free Vermont State Park and museum passes for one- and three-day loans. You can use the Vermont State Park Day Pass in any of the state parks. The museums you can visit include: ECHO ($7 charge per person up to 4 people), Vermont Historical Museum, Shelburne Farms Museum, Fairbanks Museum, Birds of Vermont Museum, Vermont Granite Museum, and the Vermont State Historic Sites. We also have $1 discount coupons for the Montshire Museum. The Montshire Museum has a “Warm Welcome” program with $3 admission for VT and NH residents with an EBT card, adult Medicaid card, or a free/reduced price school meals letter with a limit of six visitors. You can call ahead to reserve any of our museum and state park passes.

There is so much more to borrow at the Jaquith Public Library! We just added a Tool Lending Library! In addition to tools, we loan computers, DVD players, makerspace kits, games, puzzles, wood moisture meter, air tester, all are available for checkout!

P.O. Box 152 East Montpelier, VT 05651 802-223-3322 [email protected]

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Learn & Play Canasta!

Looking for a fun way to stay sharp and be social? Join us at the Twin Valley Senior Center at 10:15 a.m. on the second and fourth Monday of the month starting June 8. This classic card game combines skill, strategy, memory, and teamwork. Whether you’re brand new or already know the basics, Canasta is a great way to keep your brain active while enjoying friendly competition and laughter. Come learn the game and play with others in a welcoming atmosphere! No experience needed.

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CABOT PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS

LIBRARY HOURS: Monday noon - 6 pm, Tuesday 10 am - 6 pm, Wednesday 11 - 6 pm, Thursday noon - 6 pm, and Saturday 9 am noon. Curbside library service is still available during regular library hours.

All programs are free and all are

welcome! For added programs and updates, check cabotlibrary.com & FPF. If you have a program suggestion, question or would like to volunteer, please email [email protected] Dungeons and Dragons (ages 11+) - Ongoing, Tuesdays through June 16 - 3:30 - 5 pm - Join Losada Stoddard as DM. Learn how to build a Dungeons and Dragons character and then set out on your Adventures. Come for the mysteries and magic, tails and talons, puzzles and prophecies! Reading with Rudy! (ages 5+) - Wednesday, June 3 - 2:30 - 3:30 pm - Discover the joy of reading to furry friends through a Read to a Therapy Dog program. Rudy and Tilly are specially trained therapy dogs. Bring a book or borrow one from the library! Participants are invited to collaborate on bookmaking activities while they wait for their turn. Snacks provided.

Space is limited. To sign up, please email amandaotto.cabotlibrary @gmail.com.

Summer Programming - This

year’s theme is Unearth a Story. We’re excited to dig into great books, uncover hidden histories, and explore the past through fun programs and activities.

Summer Reading Program (ages birth - 18) - June 18 - August 13 - Visit the library to choose a reading challenge for a chance to earn prizes it's easy! Get ready to read!

Unearth a Story Reading Challenge - Pick up your reading chart and stickers. Read or be read to for at least 15 minutes a day for 15 days. Earn a Tshirt, book and an additional prize.

1000 Page Club - Pick up your reading chart. Earn a book and an icecream voucher for the Cabot Village Store.

Story & Activity Time (ages birth - 5+) - Wednesdays, June 17- July 29 - 10:30 am - Noon at the Cabot Rec Field Pavilion - Join Amanda Otto and special guests for stories, songs, crafts and activities! Stay after for snacks and more active play on the slip n’ slide, swing sets, sand box and fields. Stay tuned for added descriptions!

6/17 - Fun with Fossils Story & Activity Time 6/24 - Stone Soup Story & Activity Time with Reeve Basom from the Center for Agricultural Economy Stay tuned for July programs Free Popsicles - Thursday, June 17

- Celebrate the end of the school year by visiting the library on Thursday, June 17 for a popsicle! Stay to sign up for the SRP and visit with our canine friends, Rudy and Tilly Cabot Book Group - Thursday, June 25 - 2 - 3 pm - June’s book selection is Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of WWII by Deckle Edge. The riveting, untold story of the scholars, librarians, and university professors who were recruited as spies during WWII and helped turn the tide of the war. At the start of WWII, the US found itself in desperate need of an intelligence agency. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a precursor to today’s CIA, was quickly formed—and, in an effort to fill its ranks with experts, the OSS turned to academia for recruits. In Book and Dagger, Elyse Graham draws on personal histories, diaries, and declassified OSS files to tell the story of a small but connected group of humanities scholars turned unlikely spies. Email [email protected] for more info and to be added to the book group email list.

Clay Tablets with Emma Podolin - Thursday, June 25 - 6 pm - The permanent qualities of fired clay have been able to hold information and stories for thousands of years, allowing humans of today a peek into early human civilization. Dating back to 5,500 years ago, tablets have been discovered to reveal the earliest form of written record, called cuneiform, documenting trade records, administrative lists, and even early literature. Join us to learn about this ancient technique of mark making into clay. We will make our own tablets telling our own stories. And who knows, maybe they will be unearthed to share a narrative in 7500!

Space is limited - please email to register for this program VINS - Birds are Dinosaurs - Thursday, July 2 - 6 pm - Find out what 65 million years of evolution turned the dinosaurs into–birds! Celebrating “Unearth a Story” with Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS), you'll meet live birds of prey and learn all about their dinosaur ancestry. We’ll explore the ways modern birds became masters of the air and understand the immense timescale over which these dinosaur-descendants adapted!

Book Sale - July 4- 9 am - Noon - Browse through hundreds of used books at the annual Fourth of July book sale. This event is organized by the Friends of Cabot Library and is held annually outdoors in front of the Willey Building. Proceeds support library programs and other library needs. Book donations are being accepted during regular library hours starting June 1, with a limit of two boxes per patron. All items must be clean, in good condition, and free from mold, mildew, or damage (no ripped pages, torn covers, or odors). Please call the library if you need assistance bringing books indoors.

Vermont State Parks and other centers are open for your summer enjoyment! Call or email to borrow these passes: Vermont State Park Pass - Free entry up to 8 people in one vehicle to a Vermont State Park - day area; Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium - Free Family Admission; Historic Sites pass - Free entry up to 8 people in one vehicle for Vermont State Historic Sites; The Old Stone House Museum and Historic Village - Free access to campus, buildings and museum tours; ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center - $7 admission per person valid up to 4 guests; Vermont History Museum/Vermont Heritage Galleries - Free museum admission for one family; Craftsbury Chamber Players - Free tickets for Summer Concert Series. Thanks so much to our library volunteers Vicky Palmer and Beth Wade, and wakesports, and they are now excluded on Joe’s Pond. While previously about 30 water bodies allowed wakeboats, that number is now down to 18. As of this writing, the Agency of Natural Resources website has not yet been updated to reflect this change.

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No Wake Boats

by Jeanne Johnson New rules have been approved by the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules to restrict wakeboating and to our program volunteers and collaborators Losada Stoddard, Ama & Nate Payman, Kerri Moll and K9 Member Rudy! Additional thanks to the Wiswell Foundation for sponsoring our Teen Employee Program. We are so grateful to our Library Trustees who provide support and direction: Angela Ogle, Leah Sare, Kurt Steinert, Erin Ruddell, and Taeryn Robbins. See you at the library! Kathleen Hoyne - Library Co-Director Amanda Otto - Library Co-Director Christina Sacalis – Assistant Librarian

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Milfoil Management

by Barry Cahoon The membership of the Joe's Pond Association met for its annual Spring Meeting on May, 23, 2026. Along with the regular business meeting, JPA Eurasian Watermilfoil Management Coordinator Barry Cahoon facilitated a discussion in which members were asked to express their opinions and wishes with regard to the continued application of the herbicide Porcella- COR as one of the suite of management practices utilized to contain and control the infestation. A robust sharing of perspectives ensued kicked off by JPA EWM Management Committee (EWMMC) member Rob Stewart relating a case history of Upper Saranac Lake in New York, which has successfully managed an EWM infestation since 2014 without any herbicide treatment but by hand pulling alone. While interesting, encouraging and intriguing, there being potentially significant morphological and cultural differences between Upper Saranac Lake and Joe's Pond, the JPA EWMMC plans to proceed cautiously in its management approach to both minimize the use of herbicides yet ensure that EWM containment gains achieved in 2025 are not lost in 2026 because we tied one hand behind our own back. While interesting, encouraging and intriguing, there being potentially significant morphological and cultural differences between Upper Saranac Lake and Joe's Pond, the JPA EWMMC plans to proceed cautiously in its man- Additional Information Available from National Flag Foundation:

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June 14 is Flag Day

Popular history holds that Flag Day became a nationally recognized holiday in 1916. However, the story of Flag Day started much earlier and includes one of the most unlikely cast of characters to step onto the national stage. According to tradition, the city of Hartford, Conn., began the custom on June 14, 1861, after Victor Morris urged his community to celebrate the 84th anniversary of the adoption of the American flag with a special day of remembrance. Public support for Flag Day picked up steam in 1885, when B.J. Cigrand, a schoolteacher from Fredonia, Wis., mobilized his students to celebrate “Flag Birthday” on June 14. Cigrand, later championed for establishing a national flag holiday, became editor-in-chief of American Standard magazine. George Balch, a kindergarten teacher from New York City, brought Flag Day to the children of his school in 1889. Interest in this event became so popular that the State Board of Education of New York soon adopted its variation of Flag Day. Across the state border, Colonel J. Granville Leach, a noted historian for the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution, worked diligently to establish a similar Flag Day event in Philadelphia. On June 14, 1893, school children assembled at Independence Square, where they honored the Stars and Stripes by waving small flags and singing patriotic songs. Not to be outdone, the American Flag Day Association organized the first general public school celebration of Flag Day in Chicago, Ill. More than 300,000 students participated on June 14, 1894. It was when Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane delivered a stirring Flag Day speech in 1914 that the nation began to recognize the significance of this event. “I am what you make me; nothing more,” said Lane. “I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself.” All these efforts finally paid off in 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation establishing June 14 as Flag Day. In 1937, Pennsylvania became the first state to make Flag Day a legal holiday. President Donald Trump, who was born on Flag Day (June 14, 1946), expanded the celebration in 2017 by proclaiming Flag Day and Flag Week. Across the country, numerous cities and towns have made Flag Day an annual patriotic celebration, replete with parades, picnics, essay contests and fireworks. Fairfield, Wash., Appleton, Wis. and Quincy, Mass. each lay claim for the nation’s longest-running Flag Day parade while Three Oaks, Mich. maintains that it has the largest Flag Day parade. With a surge of patriotism and a steady increase in flag sales, Flag Day should continue to be a highly revered American holiday for a long time to come.

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