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The Cabot Chronicle

August 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 August 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

With the closing of four dairy processing facilities across the state this year, it’s time that our legislature and the relevant state agencies take action to support our farms, our busi-

Last month, when Dairy Farmers of America announced the idling of the Saint Albans plant, a meeting was arranged to hear from members of the board. Myself and about ten other legislators were there. Lieutenant Governor Rodgers, Secretary Tebbetts of the Agency of Agriculture, the Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, and roughly 100 farmers were in attendance. Two of the farmers spoke as members of the DFA board and explained the reasoning for halting operations at the plant. The scoop in a nutshell is that the plant is struggling to be profitable. Two hours were spent telling a similar story- Vermont farms and businesses are walking a knife edge to stay viable. Many businesses are moving out of state and while farms close their doors here, farms further west are expanding. Vermont can and must do better. Along with several others, I spoke about a path forward: The legislature, the Governor’s office, and state agencies, can leverage every angle possible to move the needle for our farms and businesses. We need to take a good look at what regulations are causing undue burden and amend or remove them.

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

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Cabot Community Theater The Worst Fairy Tale Ever

by Karen Mueller-Harder

On Friday, August 14, at 4:00 p.m., the actors in Cabot Community Theater's summer theater camp will perform a hilarious family-friendly short play in the Cabot School Performing Arts Center (25 Common Road in Cabot, behind the main school building). “The Worst Fairy Tale Ever” is a rollicking tale of a theater group attempting to stage a world premiere of a new play called “The Greatest Fairy Tale Ever,” but things...just don’t go well! Admission is free, and the building is cool and wheelchair accessible. The play is about 20 minutes long, and will be enjoyed by audience members of all ages, so bring your family and friends!

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Cabot Ambulance Report

by Ruth Goodrich, President

Our total calls for this year to date are 75. They are a mix of medical, trauma & motor vehicle accidents. Our crew has performed wonderfully well under some challenging circumstances. We are always looking for individuals who are willing to go above and beyond in the service to our community. Many of our members over the years have gone on to make a full-time career in EMS. Training is available and with a two-year commitment, Cabot Ambulance will pay for that training. If you are interested, call 800.639.1854 and Hope to see you at the show!

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

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Cabot Trails Kiosk is Installed and Stocked

by Jeanne Johnson The Cabot Trails Committee has completed installation of the Trails Kiosk and stocked it with maps of the individual trails. You can stop by whenever you find yourself at the Willey Building; it’s right next to the Lister door.

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Love is Born

Love is born in one heart It is neither validated by reciprocation nor invalidated by its absence; love that requires reciprocation plants the seeds of its own disappointment and dissolution.

Love is born from itself To encounter it, even as a witness, is to be changed forever.

We hold it within, fearful that it will tear us asunder; We refuse it, uncertain that once given it will be returned to us As if it arrived because of the presence of another, and will depart without their approval, leaving us forever shattered.

If only we understood that love is not something that arises between people but only something can be shared between those who have already dared it.

We mistake desire for love which it is not, but rather the yearning for it which indicates its absence.

Love cannot be found simply in the joining of two lives or two bodies, it is not directed by will but rather by willingness it arises, in the unrelenting determination to deny our fears, to examine ourselves and remove the lies from our hearts allowing us to embrace the beauty, power, and endless tenderness of our own spirits Leaving us living our lives in its endless deepening and touched by gratitude at the revelation of our own beauty.

Blessings, Alexander Anlyan which raises money to fund the youth mentoring program. The 13th annual Ride the Ridges fundraiser event will be held September 13, 2026. Each year cyclists flock to Cabot from around the country (and from Canada) to participate in this exciting bicycle gravel ride. Funds raised are also used for post high school educational scholarships for Cabot youth, a bicycle loan program and holiday food boxes donated to families of Cabot youth. If you would like to be involved with this effort to support local youth, Cabot Mentoring and Cabot Ride the Ridges welcomes volunteers. The RTR needs help with their fundraiser event and the mentoring program seeks adults to work with youth. So there are multiple ways to help out! Please contact us if you would like to learn more: Cabot Mentoring: Phone: 802-595-1130, Mark Christensen, Cabot Mentoring Coordinator Email: [email protected] Website: cabotmentoring.org

Cabot Ride the Ridges: https://www.ridetheridges.com/https://www.bikereg.com/cabot-ride-theridges

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OBITUARIES

Pauline Bolduc Obituary Pauline M. Bolduc, 98, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026, at St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Laconia. Pauline was born November 11, 1927, in Cabot. The daughter of Edmond James Dunn and Eva Elizabeth (Racine) Dunn. She moved to Canaan in 1938 and to Laconia in 1942. She was married 58 years to the love of her life, Omer Bolduc, who passed away in February 2012. She is survived by her son Glen Richard Bolduc and his wife, Marie, of Laconia; seven grandchil-

Arnold L. Martin

Arnold Lee Martin, 90, passed away at Central Vermont Medical Center on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Born during a snowstorm in Cabot on February 19, 1936, to Glenn Martin and Alice Goodell, Arnold was the youngest of six children, and the last surviving sibling. He spent his childhood living on family farms across Washington County. Arnold graduated from Northfield High School in 1953. After high school, he went into the Air Force, from 1954 to 1958. When he returned home, he enrolled in Champlain College. As a student, he met his future wife of 47 years – Mary Jane Martin (Bussiere) – while working as a “soda jerk” at Mary Fletcher Hospital. They married in 1961 and had two children, Chris and Robin. Arnold started working at Rock of Ages as a draftsman laying out monu- Scott R. Mears With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Scott R. Mears, 66, who passed away on July 17, 2026, surrounded by his five children and loved ones. Scott was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, partner, uncle, and friend whose larger-than-life personality, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering love for his family left an unforgettable mark on everyone who knew him. Born and raised in Vermont, Scott was the son of Richard and Barbara (Dudley) Mears. He attended Barre Town School and graduated from Spaulding High School with the Class of 1978. He was fortunate to have many lifelong friendships that meant the world to him, including Nelson Lyford, Tommy Stacy, Damian Renzillo, and Harold Putney. His loyalty to his friends was matched only by theirs to him. Scott was predeceased by his parents Richard and Barbara Mears, his brother Gary Mears, his grandparents, several beloved aunts and uncles, his longtime friend Albert St. Cyr, and other loved ones who welcomed him home. He is survived by his loving children, Ashley, Brittany, Dillon, Connor, and Carmen, his cherished grandchildren, Calvin, Sebastian. Gus, Valon, Simona, Roman, Royce, Onyx, Juniper and bedren, Rebecca Grant (Gregg), Benjamin Altmiller, Nathaniel Altmiller, Kara Martinez (Carlos), Brian Bolduc (Marti), Lindsey Holman (David) and Alyssa Connell (Nick); 12 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Nancy Bolduc; and nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and her parents; she is also predeceased by her son Allan John Bolduc and her nine siblings, Lorenzo, Francis, Margurite, Arnold, Clarence, Rudolph, Madeline, Calvin and Roland. Calling hours will not be held. A Graveside Service will be Monday, August 17, 2026 at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Cemetery. For those who wish, the family suggests memorial contributions in Pauline's name be made to the Activities Fund at St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 406 Court Street, Laconia, NH 03246.

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

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Cabot Receives Community Resilience Award

by Cabot Chronicle Staff Writer

The Cabot Community Association (CCA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Cabot Resilience Initiative - a network of local organizations and individuals working together to prepare for and respond to emergencies. This initiative will be funded by a $45,640 Community Resilience Award from the Land Access and Opportunity Board and its designee, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. The funding is slated for part-time staffing and activities associated with building resilience - a community’s ability to survive, respond, and recover from disasters and become stronger afterward. “We saw how our community responded and rallied during flooding in 2011, 2023 & 2024, and during the pandemic. Volunteers reached out to assist neighbors in so many important ways, but there was no manual for deployment. Next time we have a disruptive event in Cabot, we want to be prepared and not just hope those miraculous things that happened before happen again. This new initiative will help us learn from the past disruptive events and prepare for future events,” said CCA Executive Director, Lori Augustyniak. “Cabot’s Resilience Initiative invests in connecting what already exists. It strengthens food security, emergency preparedness, physical infrastructure, access to information, and community connections and care before, during, and after disruptions.” Proposed activities in the grant application include:  Review prior flooding events, pandemic response and lessons learned;  Identify priorities and required resources to support and rebuild Cabot’s physical infrastructure;  Create a town plan of action for when Fleckings in the trees disruptive events occur;  Expand resilience network and recruit

volunteers;  Create a database of community skills,

knowledge & resources;  Host regular gatherings - community

meals, skill-shares, & storytelling/art events to foster community connections;  Launch Neighbor‑to‑Neighbor (N2N)

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 5 onward.

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ADVICE FROM THE TREE WARDEN

In July, I surveyed roadside ash trees around town to identify the next group for removal. Several ash trees in the roadside right-of-way—especially near Molly’s Pond and Molly’s Falls Pond south of Route 2—are dead and may have been killed by Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). I have also seen declining ash trees in other areas, with woodpecker flecking high in the crowns, which is often a strong sign of EAB. Unfortunately, these signs suggest EAB has spread throughout town, and infestation levels are likely to increase as the insect population grows. I am preparing this year’s ash tree removal list, but more trees need to be removed than the fiscal year 2027 budget can cover. I will therefore prioritize the largest ash trees, trees along the busiest roads, and trees that are already dead or dying. As these trees weaken, summer storms with high winds and heavy rain are likely to bring many of them down. If you own land with an EAB-affected tree on the roadside right-of-way, you will not be contacted before removal. When possible, infested trees will be fully chipped to help slow the spread. EAB typically spreads one to two miles per year on its own, but strong storms can move it much farther. One early sign of infestation is woodpecker flecking high in the tree, which may require binoculars to see. This fall, I will ask some landowners for permission to inspect their properties for EAB, especially where many dead ash trees are visible from the road. I will also try to speak with landowners about firewood. If I cannot reach a landowner, the firewood will be left on the property because it belongs to them; unwanted firewood can be removed later. In a few cases, healthy-looking ash trees may contain valuable saw logs in the main stem. If landowners can safely remove these trees before EAB infestation, I encourage them to do so. Tree service contractors hired by the town for this work will focus on public safety and efficient removal. As before, I will mark ash trees selected for removal with an orange dot. During my survey, I also noticed several ash trees with blue markings, which appear to be utility crew marks on trees missed by earlier utility removal crews. These trees are in the utility right-of-way, so the utility may need to be contacted for tree removal.

Stay rooted, Roland Payne Cabot Tree Warden

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Central Vermont Land Use Map

The Selectboard received a briefing on July 21 from Lorraine Banbury, Planner at Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission. She has summarized her presentation here: The Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission is updating the Regional Plan and Regional Land Use Map. Together, the Map and Plan help set priorities and guide across the 23town Central Vermont region. CVRPC is looking for public input. The Regional Plan Use Map uses standardized, statewide categories with consistent criteria for each property. The Regional Land Use Map does not override local planning priorities in the Town Plan or the Town’s own Future Land Use Map. It does not create new state permitting requirements. The Rural Conservation category on the Map is different from Tier 3 or the Road Rule parts of Act 181. Both of these have been repealed. Rural conservation applies to properties with an existing conservation easement; stateowned lands; wetlands; some bodies of water; special flood hazard areas; or river corridors. Paper copies of both documents are available at the Town Clerk’s Office and the Cabot Library. To see and comment on an interactive version of the Draft Regional Land Use Map, go to https://bit.ly/CVRPCFLUMAP. To learn more and see a draft of the Regional Plan, go to https://bit.ly/CVRPC2026PLAN.

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Cabot Selectboard July Advances in Road, Utility and Public Safety Projects

The Cabot Selectboard approved a series of infrastructure, public safety and administrative actions during its July 7 meeting, while also setting the stage for decisions made at a special meeting on July 14 regarding tax rates and fire department radio financing. Highway Foreman Sid Griggs reported that work on Lovely Road is due to start the week of August 3, while traffic counters were installed on Main Street, Danville Hill Road and West Hill Pond Road to collect traffic data. Board members also discussed traffic-calming measures, including reducing the village speed limit to 25 mph throughout the village and exploring electronic speed signs similar to those used in neighboring communities. The board unanimously agreed to participate in a Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission program that could fund replacement of streamcrossing culverts to reduce phosphorus entering the Winooski River watershed. The grant program requires no local cost share, and town officials will identify eligible culverts for future projects. Following a review of this year's Fourth of July celebration, board members described the event as a success while acknowledging opportunities for improvement. Organizers will review final financial results and consider recommendations for future celebrations, including greater Selectboard participation in planning meetings. Volunteers Doug Cooke and Shane Smith were recognized for assisting with traffic control. The board accepted a bid from Perreault Building Company for $113,189 to complete Municipal Energy Resilience Program improvements at the Willey Building and wastewater treatment plant after receiving favorable references for the company. Members also formally adopted the town's written grant policy after previously approving it in concept. Discussion continued on plans for a new fire station. Selectboard Chair Jenn Miner reported that the project remains in the federal historic preservation review process, delaying final approvals. Residents questioned the project's status and whether additional voter approval would be required. Officials said no additional town vote would be necessary unless local bonding or other upfront town funding becomes necessary. Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dean Deasy also updated the board on changes under Act 162, which transferred forest fire warden responsibilities to the fire chief. The chief is developing a new burn permit system, and the Selectboard discussed whether permit fees should be established to offset administrative costs while ensuring paper applications remain available for residents without internet access. The board approved spending $2,800 for annual storm drain cleaning and adopted a new five-year contract with H2O Innovation for wastewater operations. During that discussion, officials reviewed significant future infrastructure needs, including eventual replacement of the wastewater plant's ultraviolet disinfection and aeration systems. Fire department radio replacement generated lengthy discussion. Members learned that a previously approved March bond vote could not move forward because required legal steps had not been completed. Rather than take immediate action, the board discussed several financing options, including bonding, loans and equipment leasing, and scheduled further consideration, including leasing rather than purchasing. The board did award a low bid for a dry hydrant project, contingent upon an itemized breakdown from the winning bidder. Following executive session, the board approved a new three-year employment contract for Town Treasurer Amy Monahan, increased the assistant town clerk's hourly wage to $23 effective July 1, and recommended adjusting Town Clerk office hours to 32 hours per week. At a special meeting on July 14, the Selectboard changed course on financing fire department radios. Rather than pursuing a bond, members voted to seek bank financing for Kenwood radios, directing the treasurer to obtain interest rate proposals from three banks. Board members concluded that the purchase could be completed without voter approval under the proposed financing structure. The board also adopted the 2026 municipal tax rate at $.6211 per $100 of assessed value. The state education rate is $1.2327 for homestead taxpayers and $1.3016 for nonhomestead, for a total tax rate of $1.8538 for the Cabot homestead rate and $1.9227 for the nonhomestead rate. Members acknowledged receipt of the town's reappraisal letter from the state, authorized a legal review of the property housing the temporary fire station, and revisited staffing matters in executive session before adjourning. The board approved another three-year term for the Zoning Administrator. At a special meeting July 23, the board approved the cost for unbudgeted additional repairs required for Sid’s truck refurbishment, up to $15,000, initially discussed at the July 21 meeting, but not on the agenda for action.

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How Do You Know What or Who to Believe?

AT THE POYNTER INSTITUTE l WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE It’s hard to know what to believe when politicians on the national stage speak. I have found a website that investigates claims made by officials: Politifact.com. Politifact was awarded a Pullitzer Prize in 2009 for reporting on the 2008 presidential campaign. American Press Institute found PolitiFact was statistically more likely to be critical of Republicans, while Carnegie Mellon and University of Washington were not able to detect any systematic differences in the treatment of Democrats and Republicans in articles published by PolitiFact.

PolitiFact.com is a nonprofit project operated by the Poynter Institute (a well -respected professional media development organization), with offices in Washington, D.C. and St. Petersburg, Florida, funded by the Tampa Bay Times, ad sales and donations. The site monitors truth of political statements and progress on campaign promises. It’s usually interesting reading. Access is free, although the first thing you will see on the website is a Donate button. But it’s easy to ignore, and you can sign up for free emails delivering the latest statement analyses daily or weekly at: https://politifact.com/signup/. I recommend it.

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We're gearing up for the August 11 Primary Election!

Are you planning to vote by mail in the primary? Ballots are available now! Unlike the General Election in November, you won't be mailed a ballot automatically. You need to request one from your clerk! You can do this in a couple clicks on the Vermont Voter Portal: https://vote.vermont.gov. (*Or call the Cabot Town Clerk’s office at 802-563-2279). Due to postal service constraints, we recommend requesting a mailed absentee ballot as soon as possible, and ideally before July 31 to be safe. You can always pick one up in person at the town clerk's office! (*The office in Cabot at the Willey Building is open Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) *The statements within parentheses are added local information by the Cabot Chronicle editor.

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Keeping the Late Summer Garden Going

In August, it can start to feel like the gardens are winding down. Pots of annual plants that had so much color in June may be looking drab and tired. Perennial flowers that bloomed in spring might have yellowed or dried-out foliage. The tomatoes and cucumbers are going strong, but other areas are bare, or overgrown with weedy plants. But never fear, you can rejuvenate the gardens, and have beautiful, productive plants right through to the end of summer!

Annuals

Annual plants such as petunia, zinnia, marigold, impatiens, and begonia are grown for their continuous blooming of showy flowers. When you buy annuals at a nursery, they have been given fertilizer, and a steady level of watering. Depending on the type of annual, they may also have been deadheaded (the removal of old spent flowers, to encourage new blooms). Once you take them home, all this care falls to you. If your plants are looking poorly in August, they are missing out on something. Check for soil moisture with the high tech device known as fingers; stick one in the soil an inch or so, and make sure the watering you are doing is actually soaking into the root zone of the plants. Make sure to either use potting soil enriched with slowrelease fertilizer, or apply soluble fertilizer weekly. If your annuals have large blossoms (think marigold, petunia, zinnia), pinch off spent flowers. Some plants with smaller flowers (alyssum, calibrachoa, and verbena for example) don’t need this deadheading.

Perennials

By August, perennials that bloomed in the spring may have yellowed or brown foliage. For iris, allium, daffodil, bleeding heart, oriental poppy, and many others, this is a normal part of their life cycle. However, it may not look good in your garden space. Once these plants start to let their foliage go, it’s fine to cut it to the ground.

Vegetables

While some veggies need a full season to develop (tomatoes, sweet corn, winter squash), others have a much shorter maturity time. Lettuce, spinach, mustard greens, radish, and snow and snap peas can be planted multiple times in a single season. When plants are two-tofour weeks old, start the next batch, and you’ll have a continuous supply of these veggies all season. If you have weedy areas that you aren’t using, consider covering them in cardboard or plastic to prevent weedy plants from flowering and dropping seeds in the garden. Keeping up with late summer weeding will reduce the weed seed load for next season, and also improves airflow around your veggie plants.

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 [email protected], or visit www.SocksFamilyFarm.weebly.com

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A Historic Return: Covenant Hills Land Restoration to the Nulhegan Abenaki

A service was held at Covenant Hills’ lakeside chapel, June 27.

The buildings and 270.5 acres of land of Covenant Hills Christian Camp in Cabot and Peacham were officially deeded to Abenaki Helping Abenaki (AHA) on Friday, June 26. Those who gathered on Saturday, June 27, came to celebrate the restitution of the camp property to the descendants of the original inhabitants of the land, the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation. It was the culmination of a process that began in the spring of 2023 when the New England Conference formally put the consideration of land restitution into the process whenever the dispersal of UMC property is considered. This is the first land restitution the conference has undertaken. In his remarks, Bishop Bickerton talked about the importance of land: “May this transfer stand as a sign of the church’s ongoing work of reconciliation and as a testament to our belief that faithful discipleship should always lead us down the road of justice, humility and peace.” “While we celebrate with the Abenaki in joy of their experience of returning home, our work here as a ministry is now done,” Schuyler said. “While I sincerely rejoice in the fact of transferring the land back, I also clearly recognize the grief that comes to those who now leave this place.” Those he described as “having carried their love for this land as a blessing from God.” “We give thanks for all who have loved this place. We give thanks for the individuals, families, local congregations, neighbors, community groups and mission teams that have given so much volunteer service and support to make this place what it is.” “I hope you can rejoice in this day and wipe away any sadness you may feel, because this is not an ending, it’s a transition,” said Chief Don Stevens, who leads the Nulhegan Band of Abenaki and serves as executive director of AHA. Covenant Hills will continue to be a place of transformation and love, he said. “In our culture we honor everything that shares the space – the animals, the trees, the people – this has been a beautiful place of spirituality, and it will continue to be that way. It will be a healing place where people can come and feel welcome and reconnect with the land and all of those things that we hold dear,” the chief said.

Chief Don Stevens and Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton

Specifically, AHA plans to host cultural education programs for children and adults to learn the Abenaki language and traditions such as drum making. They also hope to move their food distribution operation to the site. AHA currently feeds about 700 people a month, Chief Stevens said, and someday they want to see it return to being a camp for children. “Your hearts and generosity have opened the door to future generations of Abenaki children to occupy this special place,” Chief Stevens said. “A place for our children to laugh and play while learning their culture. A place to carry on the traditions of those who came before us. A place of teaching and sanctuary from their troubles — at least for a little while.” Chief Stevens presented the bishop with a tribal nation flag and a Nulheganmade tobacco pouch decorated with porcupine quills – a form of decoration that preceded beading. The flower design represents, in part, spring, rebirth and renewal. The partnership with The United Methodist Church is one of longstanding, the chief said, and one he hopes will continue. He read from a May 17, 2006, letter written by First UMC in Burlington that affirmed and celebrated the state of Vermont’s recognition of the Abenaki community as a Native American tribe earlier that month. The Nulhegan Band is extending its hand in partnership, the chief said, and we hope you will take it.

Some History

In 1987, the former Troy Conference of The UMC purchased 139 acres in Cabot to develop Covenant Hills Christian Camp. The camp opened with a dedication in August 1989. The camp was as a joint ministry of The UMC and the UCC. In 2015, the Covenant Hills camping ministry was discontinued. The property was used for private rentals, retreats, and special events. During this time, the property was managed by the New England Conference Board of Trustees and a volunteer Board of Managers. In the aftermath of widespread flooding in 2023 and 2024, the camp provided housing for mission teams of volunteers and NOMADS (Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service) helping with recovery efforts – particularly in the Northeast Kingdom. Covenant Hills became the central hub for the NEK (Northeast Kingdom) Vermont Recovery Ministry supported by a grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

An act of repentance, restitution, and love In 2023, a Visioning Team made up of clergy and laity and including representation from the UCC and the Covenant Hills Board of Managers undertook a year-long visioning process to discern the property’s future. In its report, the Visioning Team wrote that members “felt God strongly calling all of the New England Annual Conference to a vision of ‘restored and reimagined healthy relationships between spirit, earth, and people.’” “We believe in the spiritual and moral imperative to engage in repentance, reconciliation, and returning sacred land that never belonged to us,” the report said. The resolution to return the Covenant Hills land to the Nulhegan Band of the Abenaki people was approved by the 2024 Annual Conference. After it was approved, the New England Conference Trustees partnered with the Conference Committee on Native American Ministries to facilitate the return of land to the Tribe. The Trustees exercised the authority necessary to complete the transaction, while CONAM helped guide the process through ongoing engagement with tribal leadership, advocacy, and coordination throughout the transfer.

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From Abenaki Helping Abenaki website (abenakihelpingabenaki.com/news) A 230-Year-Old Covenant Fulfilled

The return of Covenant Hills carries a profound historical resonance for the Nulhegan Coosuk Abenaki, directly echoing a 230-year-old promise rooted in the immediate landscape. On June 30, 1796, Coosuk Chief Philip signed a historic deed to Thomas Eames, John Bradley, Jonathan Eastman, and Nathan Holt. Though the deed sparked decades of political fury alongside competing colonial claims, the human bonds it forged endured right on the land. By the early 1800s, Jonathan's nephew, Thomas Eastman, was sent to Peacham to secure his family's stake in the hotly contested land. Alongside him was fellow early town settler Abial Blanchard, whose military ties ran deep —having served during the Revolutionary War under Col. Timothy Bedel, the very commander Chief Philip fought beside. During that same era, Chief Philip's grandson, Chief Peter Phillips, came to reside in Dewey's Gore — a section of Peacham. Though Chief Peter's Family Band held no legal deed and was living in their traditional territory, the town founders — bound by memory, wartime alliances, and an intimate knowledge of the original transaction — consciously welcomed his presence. Rather than enforcing strict colonial boundaries, Eastman, Blanchard, and the community allowed Peter's Family Band to take up quiet, unchallenged residence on the land. For roughly fifty years, these families lived as neighbors, a living embodiment of mutual recognition. Both Thomas Eastman and Peter Phillips lived out their days and were laid to rest in the soil of Peacham. Today, that lineage remains unbroken: Chief Don Stevens is a direct descendant of Chief Philip through Chief Peter Phillips, bringing their ancestral vision full circle two centuries later.

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CABOT PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS

LIBRARY HOURS: Monday noon - 6 pm, Tuesday 10 am - 6 pm, Wednesday 11 am - 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 amandaotto.cabotlibrary @gmail.com

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to the annual July 4 Library Book Sale put on by the Friends of the Cabot Library - together $1,661 was raised! Thanks especially to Sandy Atkins, Maria Acchione-Goodrich, Janet Westervelt, Amanda Legare, Jess Maple, Christy Aucoin, Shane Smith, Dana Glazier, Leah Sare, John Grosvenor, and Kurt and Emmett Steinert.

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 eight people in one vehicle to a Vermont State Park day area; Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium - Free Family Admission; Historic Sites pass - Free entry up to eight 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 four guests; Vermont History Museum/Vermont Heritage Galleries - Free museum admission for one family; Craftsbury Chamber Players - Free tickets for Summer Concert Series.

There’s still time to sign up for the Summer Reading Program! 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!

Unearth a Story Reading Challenge

- Pick up your reading chart and stickers. Read or be read to for 15 minutes a day for 15 days. Earn a T-shirt, book and an additional prize.

1000 Page Club - Pick up your reading chart. Read 1000 pages to earn a book and an ice-cream voucher for the Cabot Village Store.

Circus Smirkus Road Show - Wednesday, August 5 - 10:30 am noon - Cabot Rec Field Pavilion - Join us to watch the Circus Smirkus' Road Show performers bring the joy of youth circus out into the community through a series of free performances for audiences of all ages. This high-energy, interactive, and family-friendly performance is written by teens in the troupe, who work as an ensemble to highlight the incredible acrobatics, clowning, juggling, and contortion skills of their peers. It's a fun, silly, and spectacular hour of seeing what "kids these days" are truly capable of!

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu for Young Kids (ages 5+) - Wednesday, August 12, 19 and 26 - 10:30 am - 1 pm - Willey Building 3rd FL - Join Yeshua Boyer for a fun, beginner-friendly introduction to Gracie Jiu- Jitsu for young kids. Classes will focus on the "Gracie Games" and are inspired by the Gracie Bullyproof program for kids. Jiu-jitsu is the "gentle art", and Gracie Jiu -Jitsu focuses on empowering smaller individuals to use leverage to restrain larger, faster, stronger opponents. We will provide a safe, supportive environment for students to practice specific drills and games focused on body safety, listening to instructions, staying calm, and showing respect for each other. You are welcome to join any one of the classes, or all of them. No special gear or clothing is required, though we recommend comfortable, athletic or fitness wear. A $5-10/class donation is not required, but is appreciated to help us cover the costs of insurance and the mats. All are welcome! Classes will be taught by Yeshua Boyer, who has studied and taught kids and adults Gracie Jiu- Jitsu over the last 13 years. Parents and caregivers are welcome to join and learn how to play these games with their kids. See https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=NCvZpU4JvvM for more info about the Gracie kids' program.

Bike Clinic - Tuesday, August 25 - 10

am - In preparation for Ride the Ridges on Sunday, September 13, stop by the library to get hands-on assistance checking your tire-pressure, testing and adjusting your brakes, and properly cleaning or lubricating your chain. If you have a bike pump or chain lubricant you can bring them to the workshop. No sign-up is necessary.

Cabot Book Group - August 27 - 2 - 3

pm - For August’s gathering, please bring a book that you have enjoyed recently (any genre/published from any year) that you want to share with the group. We will continue with our regular format in September. Email [email protected] for more info and to be added to the book group email list.

StoryWalk (all ages) - July - August - Bring the kids and head to the Cabot Rec Field Pavilion to enjoy a stroll and a story. Begin at the woods edge near the sandbox and follow around the perimeter of the field. Please pack it in, pack it out.

Thanks so much to our library subs Marianne Robotham, Grace Hoffman. Vicki Palmer, and Billie O’Connor and to our program volunteers and collaborators Losada Stoddard, Kerri & Ben Moll, Cabot Community Theater, VINS, Hard- Pressed Community Print Shop, Cabot Trails Committee, Emma Podolin, Four Winds Nature Institute, Center for an Agricultural Economy, and to our teen employees Tom Brink, Freya Van Duesen and Amyra Simmons. 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 of previous awards include expenses of Cabot Arts-sponsored

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CVFiber Equity Connect Reduces Internet Cost

Communications, CVFiber, Central Vermont Do you know someone who can't afford or is struggling to pay current monthly internet charges? CV Fiber’s Equity Connect Program offers a $30 per month discount to our qualified customers.

HOW TO APPLY Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) is our partner. Their staff works with applicants, guiding them step-by-step to confirm whether they qualify for the discount. Whether you have already registered with CVFiber, will be signing up as a new customer or are already one, start the application process for Equity Connect by going to http://cvfiber.net/equityconnect/ or contact Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) at 802-323 -8999. Find out if our service is available to you at http://get.cvfiber.net If you haven't registered on that website yet, now is the time! Registration is not a commitment to take service. CVFiber (dba NEKCV) is committed to investing any profits into affordability, improving technology as advances develop, and reaching every unserved or underserved household with electric utility service in our six-county Communications Union District.

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Know Before You Go Out

With wildfires raging in Canada and the US northwest, dangerous air quality has reached New York state and could become a problem in Vermont and New Hampshire. You can monitor air quality in Cabot at AirNow.gov and seek guidance for steps to protect your health at https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/climate-health/air-qualityalerts-wildfires-your-health.

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Cabot Appointments by the Governor

Governor Phil Scott’s office in July announced a range of appointments made in the second quarter of 2026. Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website at https://governor.vermont.gov/boards-commissions to apply. Appointments of Cabot residents announced in the second quarter of 2026 are: Fire Service Training Council Walter Bothfeld, Jr. (Skip), representing Vermont Chiefs Association Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs Linda Savoca

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Free Wellness Workshops

Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Department of Health, State of Vermont

My Healthy Vermont offers free, statewide programs to people across Vermont looking to build skills to manage their health and feel better day-today. Programs are available for people managing ongoing health conditions like diabetes, chronic pain, or high blood pressure, and those looking to be more active, reduce stress, eat well, prevent diabetes and heart disease, or quit using tobacco. Workshops are held in-person or online using zoom and led by trained coaches. They are designed to be friendly, supportive, and judgment-free. You'll learn practical strategies, connect with others, and get encouragement every step of the way. Let's focus on health together! If you know someone who might benefit, please share.

Upcoming workshops:

High Blood Pressure Management Starting 8/4/26 and 9/3/2026 Diabetes Self-Management Starting 9/24/2026

Diabetes Prevention Starting 8/19/2026

Quit Smoking Starting 8/1/2026, 8/11/2026 and 9/18/2026

To learn more or register: Visit: https://www.myhealthyvt.org/workshop_dates/Call: (802) 859-5913

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Upcoming Events at the Jaquith Public Library

All events are free and held at the library

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

[email protected] or www.jaquithpubliclibrary.org

Summer Reading Challenge Win prizes and a book Starting on June 15

Here’s how:

1. 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. 2. For every 15 minutes you read, or are read to, put a sticker on your reading log. Earn 50 stickers—win a voucher for a free creemee, a prize, a hat or t-shirt and a book of your choice.

Summer Concert Series on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM Come on down and hear some music, visit with neighbors, dance, try your luck at a 50/50 raffle, buy some baked goods and books and join the fun. If you don’t have time to pack a picnic, you can buy your dinner from a local vendor. August 6 - Michael Arnowitt Jazz Band: Pianist Michael Arnowitt’s ImproVisions Jazz Quartet brings together outstanding creative musicians to perform acoustic jazz full of improvisational interplay and musical conversation.

August 13 - A2VT: Representing Somalia, Congo, Tanzania and Burundi and currently living in Burlington, Vermont, A2VT synthesizes their native African musical and dance roots with Western pop and Hip-Hop sensibilities.

\ Art Show: ANIMALS Through October 3, 2026 The current show in the gallery is ANIMALS, with small sculptures, drawings, and paintings of our fellow creatures on planet earth. This exhibit is not to be missed!

Artists: Linda Mirabile, Emilia Olson, Anne Taylor Davis, Delia Robinson, Georgia Landau, Susan Bull Riley, Helen Rabin, Janet Van Fleet, Cynthia Ross, David Klein, and Juliana Fechter, Maggie Neale.

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 are 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.

The Marshfield Resilience Hub Farmers Market Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM

Join us every Saturday 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 music on the gazebo stage. To reach out send us an email: [email protected] or call the library at: 802-426-3581.

(unless noted otherwise)

We have a Tool Lending Library!

The Marshfield Resilience Hub, Cooperation Vermont and the Jaquith Public Library have established a Tool Lending Library. We are accepting donations of good condition tools, kitchen equipment and gardening tools. In addition to tools, we loan computers, DVD players, makerspace kits, games, puzzles, wood moisture meter, air tester, all are available for checkout!

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.

Just Food Hub Fundraiser

The Jaquith Library is raising money by collaborating with Just Food Hub, a profit-free, volunteer-run Coop in Marshfield that helps raise funds for organizations and groups. To order items such as coffees, teas, chocolate, hot sauces, Palestinian olive oil, nuts and dates etc. go to:

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