The Charlotte News | Jan. 15, 2015

The Charlotte News

Volume lVII Number 11

The VoIce of The TowN

Children’s Center Heats Up with State Grant The Charlotte Children’s Center recently received a $3,000 grant from the Vermont Department of Building and General Services. Accepting the check from Governor Peter Shumlin on behalf of the center were Allyson Myers (left), a board member, and Abby Hill-Armell, a lead preschool teacher.

The grant, open to municipalities and nonprofits, funded an energy efficient gas heater for an outbuilding used by preschool students. The school raised matching funds for the grant to fund the heater, which replaces an outdated, inefficient one, said Nancy Elder, the center’s director. The new heating system has already been installed, Elder added, and she’s happy to report it’s keeping the building toasty warm and energy efficient. The Charlotte Children’s Center was one of only two children’s centers in the state to receive the grant.

Selectboard Approves Wage Plan John Hammer THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

An animated discussion over salaries at the 2014 Town Meeting precipitated a ten-month effort by the Selectboard to develop a Town Employee Wage Classification Plan and Policy. The effort has eaten up about fifty meetings with the ultimate goal of implementing the plan and having it in place for the first pay period of 2015. The agenda for the first meeting of 2015 on January 5 was to discuss the plan and policy with final public and staff comments and possible approval.

Members of the Selectboard

met with other town governments, town employees and a pay consultant in an effort to devise an equitable plan. Chairman Lane Morrison stated it was “a good document that we would like to proceed with. We consider it fair and equitable. We made a promise from day one that no one would lose pay.”

The basis of the plan was to build twenty job classification levels for the different positions in the town. Within each level are 15 annual step increases that raise an employee’s wage rate from a base level (considered the minimum for that classification) to one that is 1.5 times as great (the maximum) over 15 years. These

steps are intended to reflect added experience gained in the job. That amount will be added annually to a cost-of-living rate to determine the hourly rate for each position.

(The table may be found on the web at http://bit.ly/1tM2c0p.)

Easy passage was not to be at the January 5 meeting, where the review precipitated numerous comments from the audience in support of the town clerk, Mary Mead, who has served almost 21 years in the position. The table caps out at step 15. Comments generally centered on the fact that Mead had served more than the

Selectboard continued on page 3

Thursday, JaNuary 15, 2015

Boutaugh Announces Resignation from CCS Co-principal cites “future needs” of school Brett Sigurdson

The charloTTe News In an email to parents Sunday night, CCS grade 5-8 co-principal Audrey Boutaugh announced she will resign from the position at the end of the 2014-15 school year. She based the decision on the “future needs” of the school, she stated.

“As you well know, in light of declining enrollment, the co-principal model has been actively discussed during my tenure here,” she wrote. “As someone committed to the success of this school, it is important for me that the School Board understands all the variables as it moves forward to plan for the 2015-16 school year.

My decision will allow the board to consider the widest range of options going into the future.”

The move came prior to CCS’s final budget meeting on Tuesday, where the board discussed a $7.8 million budget proposal— about six percent higher than last year’s budget. The co-principal model has been discussed in part because of the salaries of the two principals as well as whether such a structure is necessary given CCS’s declining enrollment projections. According to the 2013 town report, Boutaugh was paid $104,817. PreK-4 principal Greg Marino received $116,921.

According to Chittenden South Supervisory Union Superintendent Elaine Pinckney, CCS’s co-principal model is in place because, despite declining enrollment, administrators still manage over 400 students. At the school’s first budget meeting last November, she said, “The size in itself would warrant two people. And the fact that it is pre-K through 8, even if it was smaller, would warrant two people. My recommendation will always be a school of this size needs two people.”

Pinckney added that the average cut-off point for choosing one principal or two in Vermont is 250 students. But student population isn’t the only metric she

Boutaugh continued on page 6

Fat Cow Farm: A Family Affair Emma Slater The charloTTe News Facing the newly built Fat Cow Farm Stand on Bingham Brook Road in Charlotte, a stand of sugar maples sits off to the right hand side, and to the left a motley herd of cows, sheep and chickens amicably huddles together to keep out the icy wind. This image illustrates the unique diversity of Fat Cow Farm, where owner Peter Trono works to make a variety of high quality products available to the local community.

Now in its fourth year, Fat Cow Farm was conceived with the interests of Trono’s youngest son, Zach, a senior at the Essex Technical Center, in mind.

While Trono’s two oldest sons run local oil and real estate businesses, “Zach was really passionate about farming,” Trono said. Zach is now learning how to run a business through hands-on experience, reading, talking to other farmers and getting advice from farm services as needed. He both manages the sugaring operation and harvests feed for about 90 cows, 35-40 sheep, 5-10 pigs and a lot of chickens.

According to Peter Trono, he and Zach “comple-

ment each other with the different things that [they] do,” as Peter plans to focus primarily on new initiatives at the farm stand. Although it won’t officially open for about another two weeks, Trono plans to use the stand as a platform for expanding his meat sales and possibly serving a few meals per week. He enjoys cooking and hopes to have several burger nights and breakfast sandwiches in the mornings. Trono sees this as an opportunity to support the local economy by partnering with Charlotte companies such as Adam’s Berry Farm and the Nitty Gritty Grain Company. In addition, he looks forward to creating more connections with his clientele, beyond a simple “wave from the tractor,” so that he can receive direct input. “It’s important for us to hear that kind of feedback and things that we can do differently because The storefront of Fat Cow Farm on Bingham Brook Road. we’re new at it, and we’re always trying different things,” he said.

One of these new experiments is a breed Japanese breed because of its unique marbling and of cow affectionately referred to as a “Wagford,” a high omega three and omega six content. Trono cross between Wagyu and Hereford breeds. Kobe- remarked that in Japan the Wagyu’s treatment is style meat of the Wagyu is “probably the best beef Fat Cow continued on page 19 you can buy,” said Trono, who chose this revered

2 • January 15, 2015 • The

Charlotte News

Editorial At the beginning The Charlotte News

Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.

PublishEd by And for ChArlottErs sinCE 1958 The CharloTTe News is a nonprofit community-based newspaper dedicated to informing townspeople of current events and issues. It serves as a forum for the free exchange of views of town residents and celebrates the people, places and happenings that make the Town of Charlotte unique.

Contributions in the form of articles, press releases and photographs pertaining to Charlotte-related people and events are accepted and encouraged from all townspeople and interested individuals. For submission guidelines and deadlines, please visit our website or contact the editor at news@charlottenewsvt.com.

The CharloTTe News is published in Charlotte by The Charlotte News, Inc., a Vermont domestic 501(c)4 nonprofit corporation. Distribution is made every other Thursday to all households and businesses in Charlotte and to selected outlets in Shelburne, Hinesburg, North Ferrisburgh, Ferrisburgh and Vergennes. It relies on the generous financial contributions of its readers, subscriptions and advertising revenue to sustain its operations. oN The weB aT:

TheCharloTTeNews.org

Editorial Staff

News@CharloTTeNewsvT.Com

802-425-4949 Editor in ChiEf…………………........alex BuNTeN AssistAnt Editor............................BreTT sigurdsoN Contributing Editor…………………edd merriTT ProduCtion & dEsign Editor….liNda williamsoN Contributing Editor………………..emma slaTer CoPy Editors………..BeTh merriTT, leslie BoTjer, viNCe CroCkeNBerg, edd merriTT

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–John Howard Payne

Greetings and Happy New Year!

Living in Russia, I got accused of being a spy a lot. I swear I’m not, but why would you believe me. Some of you don’t know me from Anatoly.

With this in mind, rather than waxing philosophic about the importance of local media and rumor development, I feel my first editorial should just give you the PG version of life outside my Charlotte upbringing and what brought me back.

Back up to 2003 when I first left America for the dour shores of Scotland. Tempted by the promise of a golf course on campus—even though I didn’t play at the time—St. Andrews was a welcome reprieve from two years at UNH. I met folk from the world over, saw my background in a global context, and learned just as much speaking to people on the ancient cobbled streets as I did in class.

At the end of the program, St. Andrews sent a transfer form. I filled it in, hemmed and hawed, and ultimately went back to finish my first degree there.

I thrive on challenge and that’s what I found abroad.

We’ll skip a few details of Scotland here and take you up to 2008. By this time, I’d mastered playing golf, eating haggis and sitting in a kilt without exposing myself (not all at the same time, of course).

Accordingly, I felt new pastures, new challenges, were in order. With a waning work visa, but having recently certified as an ESL teacher, I ran off to Russia on a nine-month teaching contract.

If Scotland was eye opening, Russia was Red Bull at grandma’s house—wild, but hospitable. Seemingly a contradiction, ol’ Mother Russia is full of them.

This is probably what gives her that magnetic charm.

For me, Moscow was historical fascination, constant frustration, language lurching, and tides of joy in a sea of humanity. I’ll have to trade stories with Chris Bohjalian about this one day. His recent piece in The Free Press summarized it well.

kerrie Pughe mary reCChia sue smiTh saNdra sTeiNgard margareT woodruff

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I ended up staying for 16 months to save money to do an Erasmus Mundus post-grad (Europe’s answer to the Fulbright Scholarship) in Sweden and Spain.

In Uppsala, I learned how to bike in winter without snow tires and honed an impersonation of Sesame Street’s Swedish chef—hurdy gurdy. In Bilbao, I ran my first marathon (of course, I filed an article here at The News) and perfected a Spanish lisp.

After finishing up the M.A. program, I was pulled back into Moscow’s orbit to work in corporate education management, later landing a job at a university of mild repute. This, in 500 words or less and a decadeplus, leads us to now…

In light of the current goings on in Moscow, my departure was well timed, but under duress. My father, Roger Bunten, passed away suddenly. It was a shock that I’m still dealing with, but being home has been the best place to remember him. More so than ever, the whole ordeal really brought to light the importance of family and community.

In Moscow, I was getting a handle on the Russian language and culture, had some great friends and engaging work, but it wasn’t my community. And only a lucky few got to meet my dear father when he came to visit last summer.

Throughout my travels, I came across a good few communities. This is where you might expect me to say something cliché about Charlotte being the only one for me. That wouldn’t be true. Each of them took a healthy chunk of my heart. But despite Tom Wolfe’s well-quipped quote that “you can never go home,” Charlotte always feels right and gets the biggest portion of the proverbial nostalgia pie.

Here, I remember when Spears was Marbles; when Cowboy Lewis kept the streets safe; when the Quinlan School House was down by Lewis Creek, dilapidated, covered in sumac; when you could pay to use binoculars on top of Mt. Philo; when they built the rock sundial at CCS; and when Black Willow Farm was a real farm.

Now that you know my sordid “spy” story, I look forward to hearing about all of yours. I’m honored to be at the helm of Charlotte’s hometown newspaper, to help preserve the town’s history and traditions, to have a position at the center of the community…my community. To all that have welcomed me, thank you.

To all I haven’t met yet, don’t be a stranger.

Selectboard Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Sometimes they begin earlier; check online at charlottevt.org or with the Town Clerk (425-3071). Chair: Lane Morrison (4252495), Matthew Krasnow (922-2153), Ellie Russell (425-5276), Charles Russell (425-4757), Fritz Tegatz (425-5564). CCS School Board Regular Meetings are usually at 6:30 p.m. at CVU on the third Tuesday of each month. Chair Kristin Wright (425-5105), Clyde Baldwin (425-3366), Susan Nostrand (425-4999), Erik Beal (425-2140), Mark

McDermott (425-4860). Planning Commission Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Chair Jeffrey McDonald (425-4429), Vice Chair Peter Joslin, Gerald Bouchard, Paul Landler, Linda Radimer, Donna Stearns, Marty Illick.

Committee meetings are listed on the town website.

Check times and agendas online or by phone; for the town: charlottevt.org, Town Hall, 425-3071 or 4253533; for CCS: ccsvt.us, CSSU office, 383-1234.

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ROGER BUNTEN PHOTO: ALEX BUNTEN

BY HIS THREE SONS

Next issue deadlines NexT issue daTe: Thursday, jaN. 29 CoNTriBuTioNs: moNday, jaN. 19 By 5 P.m. leTTers: moNday, jaN. 26, By 10 a.m.

The Charlotte News • January 15, 2015 • 3

Town Meeting Likely to See Selectboard Races Brett Sigurdson THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

While there are still two weeks for Charlotters to declare their candidacies for town positions, a few races appear to be shaping up for Town Meeting Day in March.

According to the candidate petitions either submitted or partially filled out at Town Hall as of Monday, out of the 15 positions available, 12 are being sought by candidates.

Charlotte will see races for two Selectboard seats. Current Seletboard member Charles Russell is seeking another three-year term. Running against him is Ed Stone, who has submitted his completed petition. Two candidates are hoping to vie for a two-year seat currently filled by Ellie Russell.

Frank Tenney and Jacob M. Spell each have petitions circulating.

Other petitions in circulation—all for incumbents in the position—include: • town clerk (three years): Mary Mead • town treasurer (three years): Mary Mead • delinquent tax collector (three years): Mary Mead

Selectboard continued from page 1 15 year cap and was being discriminated against because the system did not allow recognition for her extended service.

Some comments went so far as to claim that she had been unfairly singled out and that it was an insult to her in spite of her long and dedicated service to the town. The response from the Selectboard was generally that all other governmental elements in the state cap out at 15 years.

To extend the table to a longer period would only reduce the annual growth rate from the minimum to maximum in order to fill the longer period.

Two subsequent meetings on the full Employee Wage Classification Plan and Policy were held with approval finally being given at the January 12 meeting.

The cost of implementation will be about $10,000 for the second half of this fiscal year while it will total about $24,000 next year. The cost of living determination to be published by the federal government on January 15 may change next year’s amount. It was noted that the town’s annual payroll is in the neighborhood of $500,000. The draft documents leading up to the final approval can be found in the meeting packet on the web at http://bit.ly/1I9tZuA. The Burns property At the Selectboard meeting on January 5, Kate Lampton presented a review of the Burns property notice of agreement (NOA) between the Town, the Vermont Land Trust (VLT) and the Preservation Trust of Vermont (PTV). This NOA has been proposed to replace a 14-year-old memorandum of agreement (MOA) covering the disposition of the Burns property. This property, totaling 124 acres, straddles South Greenbush Road and extends from the railroad tracks to Route 7 in the area north of the Mack farm. The lands west of Greenbush Road, including the Old Lantern and adjoining proper-

• • • • • • • •

lister (three years): Betsy Tegatz CCS school director (three years): Clyde Baldwin CCS school director (two years): Erik Beal cemetary commissioner (three years): Stephen Brooks road commissioner (one year): Jr Lewis library trustee (five years): Dani Menk town moderator (one year): Jerry Schwarz school moderator (one year): Jerry Schwartz

Legislative Report

by Representative Mike Yantachka

Peculiar Beginnings The 2015 legislative session began with a lot of drama. Since none of the gubernatorial candidates got at least 50 percent of the total votes cast, the Vermont Constitution required the Legislature to elect the governor by Australian ballot from the top three vote recipients, namely Peter Shumlin, Scott Milne and Dan Feliciano. TV ads ran for weeks before the session urging legislators to vote for Scott Milne, and I received about 20 emails and phone calls urging me to do so.

However, since Peter Shumlin received the most votes of the three, as well as a solid majority of the votes in my district, I cast my vote for him. I explained my decision at length in a post on my website, MikeYantachka.com. _________

Petitions have not yet been taken out for positions that include a three-year seat on the board of auditors (incumbent Nancy Wood has stated she will not seek another term) and a three-year term as trustee of public funds.

Candidates have until Monday, Jan. 26, at 5 p.m. to submit petitions with 30 valid signatures. Voters can sign only one petition for each office. Charlotters Governor Shumlin announced in interested in running for election should stop at the town clerk’s office for a peti- December that the financial analysis of tion to circulate and for more informa- the planned “single-payer” health care system would not be economically feation. sible. This caught its supporters, both in and outside the Legislature, by surprise.

The disappointment led to a very disruptive demonstration by an advocacy group ties, was sold to private owners in 2000. during the inauguration ceremony on the The 54 acres east of Greenbush Road second day of the session. As a supporter which included 23 acres of ecologically who voted for the universal health care important clay plain forest went to the plan, I have always felt that the analytown (map at http://bit.ly/1y7fLaC) with a sis had to be well founded and feasible loan from the VLT and the PTV. A small before we could proceed with it. While I portion of the land across from the Old am disappointed that the analysis did not Lantern was designated for affordable support the state’s ability to implement housing and was subsequently utilized by the plan as envisioned within the time Habitat for Humanity. frame we hoped, I was also disappointed In return for this loan the VLT and PTV at the lack of respect shown by the demwere given a lien on the land and some control over future use. This control has onstrators for the very people they want been problematic, and negotiations have to support their cause.

Health care is like a maze, and if taken place over the past four years to modify the MOA. The resultant NOA you’re familiar with mazes, there can be (found at http://bit.ly/1DSfvN5) changes dead ends sometimes. The trick is not to the future uses of the flea market area of give up but to backtrack and see what the property and proposes a conservation other paths might be available. I think easement on the clay plain forest area. In that, although the analysis took lonorder for this to happen, the Selectboard ger than expected, the Green Mountain needs to agree to a draft letter of agree- Care Board took the necessary time to ment and consider obligating $10,000 make sure it had the best data available. as the town’s share in the conservation easement process. The Selectboard has taken the matter under review.

Town budget meetings The Selectboard continued its review of the town budget during its four meetings on Jan. 5 and 8 and twice on Jan. 12.

The plan is to have it ready for approval at the Jan. 19 meeting. The Selectboard came under criticism from the audience for having held so many meetings during daytime hours. The latest draft budget figures may be found as attachments 5 and 6 to the meeting packet at http://bit. ly/1I9tZuA. The articles to be warned at this year’s Town Meeting were discussed at the Jan. 12 meeting, with few real changes from last year except for a proposed change to voting on the town budget beginning in 2016. The ad hoc Town Meeting Solutions Committee made the case for the following article to be voted on: Shall the voters of the Town of Charlotte adopt their town budget article or articles by Australian ballot not sooner than five weeks after the Selectboard has been advised by the voters at the Annual Meeting of any changes to the

board’s proposed budget?

The Selectboard will consult with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns to determine whether there are any statutory prohibitions to such a motion. This motion and one potentially establishing a highway reserve fund will be discussed at the next regular Selectboard meeting on Jan. 19.

Administrative actions The annual agreement with the Humane Society of Chittenden County for housing stray animals was approved in administrative actions taken during the January 12 meeting. Thompson’s Point leases for lots 170 and 171 at 650 North Shore Road were terminated and re-signed allowing new ownership arrangements between members of the same family.

Governor Shumlin has shown courage, in my opinion, to swallow his pride and admit that his premier program is not realistic in today’s economic climate with the data available. This does not mean that we are giving up on providing coverage to all Vermonters. We just have to figure out how to do it better. And that means doing better than our experience with Vermont Health Connect. _______ The new biennium is also a time when committee assignments are made.

This year, Speaker Shap Smith really shuffled the deck. A large percentage of returning members found themselves on new committees. While I was retained on the Natural Resources & Energy Committee, where I’ve served for the last four years, our 11-member committee has seven new members, including four freshman legislators. Since a large part of Governor Shumlin’s inaugural speech focused on renewable energy policy, we will be looking forward to some interesting and productive work again, which will be the focus of future articles. Our first couple of weeks will involve bringing new members up to speed on terminology, scope, process and relevant government agencies and non-government organizations.

Beside his focus on energy, green jobs and climate change, Governor Shumlin also announced in his inaugural speech major goals to improve the water quality of Lake Champlain, including assistance for farmers and municipalities to prevent runoff from fields and roadways. What he did not talk about was property taxes and health care. However, I expect him to include these issues when he delivers his budget address on January 15.

I look forward to providing you with my perspective from the Statehouse. I welcome your thoughts and questions and can be reached by phone (802233-5238) or by email (myantachka. dfa@gmail.com). You can find this article and past articles on my website, MikeYantachka.com.

Got Something to Say? The Charlotte News accepts all signed letters pertaining to issues of local and national interest. Letters must be 300 words or fewer, include your full name and town, and reach us by the appropriate deadline. Writers will only have letters published once every four weeks.

The Charlotte News reserves the right to edit for style and length. Your submission options are news@charlottenewsvt. com or The Charlotte News, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445. All opinions expressed in Letters and Commentaries are those of the writers and not of The Charlotte News, which is published as an independent, nonprofit, unbiased community service and forum.

4 • January 15, 2015 • The

Charlotte News

Bluemle Book Named to ‘100 Best’ List, Flying Pig Appears in WSJ December was full of gifts for the Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne.

One afternoon before Christmas, the phone rang at the store, which was filled with holiday shoppers. The caller was a Wall Street Journal editor wanting to set up a time for a photographer to shoot pictures of the store.

“We’re doing an article about great bookshops that speak to the greatness of the towns they are located in,” explained the editor. When Flying Pig co-owner and Charlotter Josie Leavitt hung up the phone and shared the news, the whole store erupted in a cheer.

“Our customers are so excited that our store will be recognized nationally,” said the Flying Pig’s other co-owner, Elizabeth Bluemle, also a Charlotter.

“We are honored to represent such a vibrant community.”

Even better, the article, which appeared in the Dec. 26 issue of the paper, was written by former Charlotter and Flying Pig employee, Emily Raabe.

The article centers on independent bookstores and their place in a community.

The Flying Pig was one of several bookstores Raabe visited this summer on a cross-country tour to promote her novel

Flying Pig co-owners Josie Leavitt (left) and Elizabeth Bluemle.

Lost Children of the Far Island—a trip she also wrote about in the Oct. 23, 2014, issue of The News.

“We love being an integral part of our region,” says Bluemle.

“We watch children grow up, we recommend books to generations of family members. And in the bigger picture, local businesses really do keep towns thriving. They are anchors, gathering places, donation sponsors, local cause supporters and taxpayers. We definitely feel we’re fighting the good fight.”

This isn’t the first time the bookstore has received national attention.

In August of this year, Bluemle was interviewed on National Public Radio to talk about how to sell diverse books in a relatively racially homogenous environment. And both Leavitt and Bluemle have been blogging about bookselling for the publishing industry’s trade magazine, Publishers Weekly, since 2009.

Before she could finish that celebration, however, Bluemle and Leavitt were given another gift: Bluemle’s book, Tap Tap Boom Boom, made the New York Public Library’s 100 Best Children’s Books list. The book, illustrated by G. Brian Karas and published

by Candlewick Press, came out in March

L

Elizabeth Bluemle’s Tap Tap Boom Boom was named to the New York Public Library’s 2014 100 Best Children’s Books. of 2014 and celebrates the way a thunderstorm can gather together a community and make friends of strangers.

From the start, Tap Tap Boom Boom earned positive reviews, even appearing in the March 14 New York Times Book Review and earning a spot the following week on its prestigious Editor’s Choice list. “Being featured in The New York Times was a writer’s dream come true,” says Bluemle. “And now to be on the New York Public Library’s annual list?

I’m grinning ear to ear!”

Bluemle has four children’s books to date, all published by Candlewick Press: My Father the Dog, Dogs on the Bed, How Do You Wokka Wokka? and Tap Tap Boom Boom, two of which have won awards. My Father the Dog earned the 2007 Wanda Gág Read Aloud Book Award (for ages birth to age 8) and How Do You Wokka Wokka? won Philadelphia’s Please Touch Museum’s Kids’ Choice Award in 2010.

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The Charlotte News • January 15, 2015 • 5

CCS School Board Discusses Bond to Address Urgent Building Repairs Brett Sigurdson

the Charlotte news After a month off for the holidays, the CCS School Board met on Tuesday evening, Jan. 13, to finalize its roughly $7.8 million budget proposal in advance of Town Meeting in March.

One of the main issues on the table at Tuesday’s meeting, which took place after The News’s print deadline—we’ll have a full report on it in the coming days—was a $409,000 bond that was first discussed at the board’s final meeting before the holidays on Dec. 16. The funds would be used to repair portions of the school building deemed in urgent need of repair, specifically the roof and elevator.

There was very little back-and-forth about the bond or necessity of the repairs among the dozen or so people at the December meeting. Most of the discussion centered on specifics of the repairs needed.

Roughly $187,000 of the bond would be earmarked for repairs to the school roof. According to Co-Principal Greg Marino, portions over the art atrium and gymnasium have leaked for years despite yearly attempts to seal them.

“They’ve been patched a number of times, every year that I’ve been here,” he said, “but never repaired fully. We think we got it and then another leak happens.”

Repairs to the atrium and gymnasium would cost a total of $77,000. The roof over the wing of the building built in 1996 also needs replacement at a cost of $120,000. According to Marino, sections of the roof have also been patched up over the years, yet the problem persists.

Another expenditure covered by the potential bond is a new elevator and parts at a cost of $150,000. Board mem-

ber Mark McDermott said the elevator, which was installed during a renovation in 1996, has been at risk of failing for some time. The cost would also go toward fixing the hallway near the entrance to the elevator to comply with ADA requirements.

The elevator last broke down in August, noted Marino. At the time, the repair person said he wasn’t comfortable fixing it because it was becoming harder to find replacement parts.

“I guess we have to weigh if it does break down we’re in a real situation where we then have to scramble and get something,” said board president Kristin Wright. “And if we can’t get a part, what would we do?”

One of these times we’ll be out of luck,” said Bob Mason, chief financial officer of CSSU. Finally, the bond calls for a $62,000 lighting repair to the wing of the school built in 1969.

Each of the projects covered in the potential bond proposal were labeled “urgent” by Chittenden South Supervisory Union’s (CSSU) facilities committee, which last year noted the school needs $7 million in repairs. A major part of that cost is an almost topto-bottom overhaul of the 1939 wing of the school, which houses the library and cafeteria. Rather than seek the repairs, school officials may try to move the library and cafeteria to other areas of the building. The board is still awaiting a report from the school’s architect on the feasibility of this.

Mason noted the terms of the 15-year bond note would cost taxpayers who own a $400,000 home $26 a year.

Payback on the principal and interest would top out at $39,000 a year and gradually decrease from there.

The board gave the bond a lukewarm reception, its members noting, however,

that if it’s necessary for the health and safety of students they would support it.

If it received a cool reception from the voters and it didn’t pass, school administrators would have to continue their piecemeal approach to addressing the building’s issues.

Mason commented to the board, “We’ll do what we’ve done the last three of four years: hope the problem doesn’t get significantly worse and then let you know if it does get significantly worse such that we have to buy enough pails to take care of it.”

Budget: good news and bad Mason informed the board the budget picture was a little rosier than the state of the building. After budgeting for a ten-percent increase in health care premiums, CSSU’s health care provider set the rate at a 4.5-percent increase, a cost savings of about $35,000. CCS also has at least a $440,000 fund balance that it can use to offset the proposed budget, though no decision regarding this was made at the Dec. 16 meeting.

Much of the remainder of that meeting was devoted to discussing other areas where CCS could accrue some savings beyond the nearly $42,500 in cuts administrators have outlined in their proposal, though no decisions were made at the meeting.

Most board members seemed on board with a $46,700 proposal to add a 1.0 FTE behavior specialist to the staff. CCS is the only CSSU K-8 school without a social worker, and it has fewer staff people who deal with student misbehavior than any other school in the supervisory union.

The new position would allow the school to be more proactive in addressing student behavior problems.

School directors were a bit more tepid in their response to a $34,500 proposal

for technology related expenses, much of it for 50 Chromebooks ($18,250) and 20 iPads ($6,500). While Marino and Co-Principal Audrey Boutaugh spoke about the educational value of the technology and its increasing use in the classroom and for standardized testing, some in the audience and school board questioned the necessity of so many Chromebooks, especially given there is $16,000 in the baseline budget to purchase 60 Chromebooks as part of CSSU’s technology replacement plan.

Three other major expenditures that received lukewarm responses from the school board and some in the audience: a $9,000 bus-to-school communication system, a $10,000 outside security system, and a $25,000 initial investment in a capital improvement fund.

This is the first CCS budget to feature a new CSSU policy for special education funding, which will now be handled by the supervisory union rather than by local boards.

Each school will receive an assessment from CSSU for its special education expenditures. The move is meant to lessen the burden on schools that might have special education students arrive midway through the school year and have to scramble to find funds to pay for them. The downside of this model is that some schools may pay more in assessments than they have in special education needs.

The new special education funding model is one reason CCS’s budget is up 3.08 percent over last year. With a lower equalized pupil count than last year, that means the budget will also feel like a further four-percent tax increase, noted Mason. As of press time, however, the full implication of the school budget on the tax rate was not available.

For all of the school board’s budget documents, visit ccsvt.org.

lead the emergency responders to the location. We will respond quickly and have special rescue equipment designed for dogs. Please resist going after your pet as this usually results in both the pet and the owner needing to be rescued.

Please contact us if you have any questions or if you would like some additional information. The station number is 425-3111. For burn permits call 985-8051 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Chris Davis

Contributor

It is time to test your smoke detectors and change the battery if you have not done it yet this year. Have a wired-in alarm system tested and serviced by a professional at least once a year to prevent unnecessary false alarms. If your present detectors are older than seven years, replace them. New smoke detectors should be the photoelectric type, which have been shown to detect smoke from fires more quickly than ionization detectors. One detector for every level of your home is the recommended minimum; one for every bedroom is recommended for older homes and required by state law in new homes and rental units. For more information please go to the State Fire Marshal’s web site: dps. state.vt.us/fire/smoke/index.html.

Install at least one CO (carbon monoxide) detector in your home. The plug-in type with numeric readout and battery back-up is recommended. These devices have saved lives here in Charlotte. State law requires one in every residential unit. Please test it several times per year.

Ice safety basics for everyone There is no such thing as SAFE ice. Tragically the headlines this time of year include stories about people of all ages who get into trouble while on or near pond, stream or lake ice. If you, a friend or a loved one is going to venture onto any ice (other than an indoor or backyard skating rink) here are some basic safety reminders: • Do not go out on the ice alone. If a person or a pet goes through the ice, call 911 first before attempting any type of rescue.

• Stay calm and encourage the victim to remain calm. This conserves their body heat and keeps air trapped in their clothing which aids flotation. This increases their chances of a successful rescue.

• Do not become another victim. Assist by leading rescuers to the location.

Fire Department members are only minutes away from any location in this area, and we have the equipment and training. Immediate notification and leading rescuers to the victim are essential and the best way you can help the person in danger.

Animal rescues: Please call 911 if a pet falls through the ice. Do not try to rescue the pet yourself; instead

Fire & Ice Dinner Dance!

Fire & Rescue is having its Winter Fire & Ice Dinner and Dance on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 5 to 11 p.m. in Vergennes at the Opera House. Live music will be performed by the Hit Men. Dinner will be catered by Charlotte’s own Little Garden Market on Ferry Road.

Tickets will be sold at the door Cost: $20 each Cash bar Doors open at 5:00 p.m.

Dinner served at 6:30 p.m.

Dancing until 11:00 p.m.

Join us for an evening of food and fun!

6 • January 15, 2015 • The

Charlotte News

The Post-Irene Mental Health System of Care

Sandra Steingard, M.D. Contributor

Among the many profound impacts of Hurricane Irene was its dramatic impact on our state hospital; it was flooded and evacuated the day after the storm, never to be inhabited again.

The Vermont State Hospital (VSH) was opened in the late 1800s when many other such institutions were built in the U.S. Part alms house, part mental institution, these hospitals expanded in size through the 1960s and ‘70s. VSH reached its peak at around 1700 patients in the early 1970s.

For many years leading up to Irene, many voices in this state advocated for community-based treatment. When I arrived in here in the early 1990s, Vermont was widely regarded as having one of the best community programs in the country. I worked for two years at VSH; the rest of my career has been at Howard Center, one of the ten designated agencies that provide communitybased services. Efforts to close VSH— in progress long before Irene—seemed to hit a wall by 2002 when the state lost its Medicaid funding for the hospital.

Efforts to reduce the census below 50 beds were never successful, and some wondered if the state had gone too far.

After the storm, those pressing for improved community programs prevailed, and Governor Shumlin proposed that, rather than rebuild a 50-bed hospital, we build a 16-bed hospital. The reasons for this are complex but were based in part on ideology and in part on finances. A smaller hospital would have brought in a substantial sum of money to the community system. There was a

contentious debate on this proposal, and in the end the Legislature approved a 25-bed hospital, which opened in Berlin this past summer. At the same time, the federal money allowed us to build some creative and innovative communitybased programs.

Much of the attention in the media has been on the long wait times in the emergency rooms for people waiting to be admitted to psychiatric hospitals. While no one thinks this is a good thing, it should be kept in mind that developing new programs, as well as a new hospital, takes some time. It is only recently that all of the new programs became active and accepted patients.

So what are some of these new programs? There are now several intensive recovery programs that allow people who are not yet able to return to their home communities to live in homes that are intensively staffed. The hope is that these settings are more conducive to recovery than a hospital. Anyone who has spent some time in a hospital might understand this. People recovering from severe psychiatric states often need months, which these programs can provide, rather than the days or weeks that a hospital setting is typically available.

The Howard Center, where I work, has developed some wonderful new programs. One is called the Stabilization and Recovery Team, or START. It is made up primarily of people who have themselves experienced psychiatric crises. They meet with people who are experiencing a psychiatric crisis in their homes or in the community. This program has been enormously valued by a varied group of clients and their families.

I have learned that there is something that a person who has survived a psychiatric crisis can give to another person who is in extreme distress that I as a psychiatrist cannot offer. I can say in words, “You will get through this,”

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but my colleagues in START can say, “I understand what you are experiencing, I was there once too. I got through it and so can you.” This is a powerful message.

In addition, the members of the START team are role models for our clients and staff. The work itself seems to be beneficial for the individuals; members of the team have gone on to enroll in graduate school, publish articles in journals and speak at conferences.

Another innovative program is MyPad. Typical housing for people coming out of the state hospital has been in residential group homes, which are designed as a transitional step. In contrast, MyPad is a house that has six apartments. An additional apartment is a staff office. People can live there as long as they want. The people who live at MyPad are individuals who have spent a considerable amount of time in the hospital. Although there is extensive supervision, people live independently and are fully integrated into community activities. Some take classes, some volunteer, some participate in local sports leagues. Our rate of re-hospitalization is extremely low. This is remarkable given people’s histories prior to coming into the program.

Although people are still waiting for beds in emergency rooms, these programs appear to be effective. What we have learned, however, is that recovery can be a slow process and that the route varies tremendously from person to person.

Sandra Steingard is the medical director of Howard Center and clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. She was named an Exemplary Psychiatrist by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Vermont in 1996 and has been listed in the Best Doctors in America since 2003. She blogs at madinamerica.com and lives in Charlotte.

Boutaugh continued from page 1

uses to judge the co-principal model.

“I just look at the work that they do, the complexity of that work, the expectations we have for instructional leadership—we want them working with teachers around data-driven instruction, support in math—they support that,” she said at the meeting. “We want those instructional leaders. I don’t think you can expect one person to do that.”

She did say, however, that the school could propose a different administrative model. Instead of a co-principal system the school could try a principal and administrator structure, though that would have to be discussed.

On Monday, School Board Chair Kristin Wright said it was unlikely Boutaugh’s resignation would have a direct impact on this year’s proposed budget. She also predicted the school board would pursue a co-principal model into the future.

“We should hear soon from the superintendent regarding the timeline going forward,” Wright said. “I imagine the position will be posted soon to ensure we attract the most qualified candidates.”

However, the board will hold a special meeting to discuss the administrative structure in February. That date has not been announced.

Boutaugh has been co-principal at CCS for five years. Wright noted she has made a big impact in her time at the school.

“Audrey was instrumental in implementing many changes at CCS over the past five years,” she said. “Her hard work has helped the transformation to data-driven decision making, cemented the work being done to provide best first instruction and differentiation for every student, and provided the board with strong recommendations for the ongoing alignment of staffing in light of declining enrollment. We wish her the best in her next endeavor.”

Boutaugh’s last day will be June 30.

The Charlotte News • January 15, 2015 • 7

Housing Development at the Wildlife Refuge The foundation of the new housing proposal.

Sue Smith

Contributor

There are some new residents in Charlotte. They don’t actually have a satellite dish, but they have built a lodge and a dam. Lately signs of beaver activity have been increasing around the second bridge on the hiking trail at the Charlotte Park and Wildlife refuge.

It has been at least seven years since beaver were in residence in the park, but it appears that at least one has made a new home in the Holmes Brook. Jessie Bradley, while walking the Robert’s Trail with her husband Jeffrey, noticed cut trees by the second bridge. Yes, definitely beaver work. Beaver cut trees to make dams and lodges, and the bark is a food source. Twigs are cached underwater for a food supply in the winter.

The area by the stream is thick with buckthorn and honeysuckle. Jessie was able to find the lodge and dam a short distance downstream from the bridge.

This is probably the work of a single, juvenile (two year old) beaver that has left home to make his way in the world. He will hope to be secure for his first winter and then will be looking for a mate to join him. If all goes well, we may see more dams and a beaver family in the park in a few years.

Beaver do a lot of good for the environment. They pond up water to make a safe place for their lodge and food supply. This pond then provides An island along the river. habitat for birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles. It also provides a source of water during dry spells. Having beaver in a stream is a great way of improving water quality. The pond prevents eroded soils from going directly into the lake.

The dam slows the water and creates a sediment collection basin.

It is park policy to protect wildlife and provide wildlife habitat. We have been hoping that beaver would return, and we will do all we can to provide for and protect them.

The park is open in the winter, but trails may be icy. When we have snow again, we may find beaver tracks. It is going to be very interesting to watch this develop. Please email sightings of beaver activity to ssmith@gmavt.net or speak with any of the park committee members: Jenny Cole, Bob Hyams, Larry Hamilton, Mark Dillenbeck, Jessie Bradley and Dorothy Hill.

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Where the beavers watch TV?

8 • January 15, 2015 • The

Charlotte News

Young Writers Project Young Writers Project is an independent nonprofit that engages students to write, helps them improve and connects them with authentic audiences through this newspaper; YWP’s web site, youngwritersproject.org and monthly digital magazine, The Voice; and partner web sites, vpr.net, vtdigger.org and cowbird.com.

Teachers and students in grades 3-12 are encouraged to participate in Young Writers Project by submitting best student work done in class or outside of school and by responding to weekly prompts. A team of YWP staff and mentors help writers revise their work for publication.

Week 19. Time. You have somehow been transported back in time and are inhabiting the mind of someone else.

Write about the internal conversation.

Alternates: Queasy. Put your character in a situation that makes her/him queasy. What is the situation and how can the character get away from it?

Button. Pressing buttons (in elevators, hotel rooms, airplanes) can be irresistible and usually harmless—but this time when you press a button, something very strange happens. Tell the story.

Due Jan. 23 Week 20. Detective. Write a detective story about a librarian who finds a mysterious package at her front door.

How to post on youngwritSnow drifts in Burlington. Photo: Kevin Huang, ersproject.org: Start an account, log in, click Burlington High School.

“Write” to create a blog, fill in the title and body of the work and give it a genre tag. For publica- Alternate: Penny. Tell the life story of tion, click “Submitting for Publication?” a penny since it was minted to the time and complete the information boxes. you received it as change. Or Photo 6.

Due Jan. 30 Finally, click “Save.”

Support: YWP is supported by this Week 21. Change. Write a story or newspaper and foundations, businesses and individuals who recognize the poem that includes the sentence, “That’s power and value of writing. If you when everything changed.” Alternates: would like to contribute, please go to Limerick. Write a limerick: a poem youngwritersproject.org/support or mail of five lines, the first, second and fifth your donation to YWP, 12 North St., lines rhyming, and the third and fourth lines rhyming—and use humor. Child.

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Write a story from the perspective of a Prompts: January–February 2015 small child who is left alone and could be either frightened and confused by the Week 18. Love. Write the sappiest, situation or very resourceful and detersweetest love story you can think of. mined. Due Feb. 6 Go overboard. Exaggerate and inflate!

Week 22. Stardust. You’re explorAlternates: Philosopher. Take a fleeting thought and wax philosophic about ing intergalactic space and come across it (e.g., what if we’re really controlled a voyager selling stardust. Write your by the tides?); Headlines. Read today’s conversation. Alternate: Regret. Is headlines from your favorite news there something you wish you had done, source. Which one catches your eye but now it’s too late? What is it and how – the most uplifting one or the most do you deal with it? Due Feb. 13 disturbing? Read the story and write a Week 23. Listen. Click on the audio short opinion piece or letter to the editor for this prompt on youngwritersproject. about it. Due Jan. 16

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org. What do the sounds evoke? If a setting comes to mind, write about that; if it’s a character, describe the character. If you’re inspired to write a complete story or poem, go for it!

Alternates: You. Someone wants to tell you something “because you’re the only one who will understand.” What is the story? Who is telling you? How does it affect you? Or General writing. Due Feb. 20 Week 24. Tunnel. You find a tunnel in the ground. How did you stumble upon it and where does it lead?

Experiment with character, point of view and setting. Alternates: Law. Change one fundamental law of physics (how our world works) and describe what would happen without that law in place, e.g., funky gravity, spontaneous reordering of broken objects, solid objects becoming gaseous / gaseous objects becoming solid, or make up a new law. Or Photo 7. Due Feb. 27

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Charlotte Central School Essential Early Education Peer Program Application The Charlotte Central School Essential Early Education Program is now accepting applications for a random drawing for community peers for the 2015-16 school year. Our preschool is a 5 STAR accredited licensed early education program that provides a play-based, developmentally appropriate environment for all children. Our curriculum is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS) and Teaching Strategies Gold.

We believe that a diverse classroom offers opportunities for adults and children to practice acceptance and compassion and also provides a broad range of learning experiences.

Our program is designed for preschool age children with developmental delays and community peers who reside in Charlotte. This program follows the Charlotte Central School calendar. Transportation for EEE is currently under review and may change for school year 2015-2016.

Peers who will be age 3 or older by September 1, 2015, but not yet 5 years old, are eligible for a four-day-a-week program that will run from 8:05-12:00 each day.

If you are interested in your child being considered, please fill out the form below and mail it to: Kathie Wagner Charlotte Central School 408 Hinesburg Road Charlotte, VT 05445 Applications must be received by February 13, 2015. Students will be selected via a lottery and parents will be notified by February 25, 2015.

Applications are also available on the Charlotte Central School website, under Teams, Early Education Program.

For more information, please contact Kathie Wagner at 425-6656.

The Charlotte News • January 15, 2015 • 9

News From CVU

by Susan Grasso

Update on StandardsBased Learning at CVU What should our students know after four years of high school? What should they be able to do? How do we know when students have achieved these goals? What does a grade or report card tell us about what a student knows, understands and is able to do? Can grading be made less subjective and more objective? Can our educational system honor students as individuals, characterized by unique background knowledge, learning styles and personal goals?

These are some of the very challenging questions that have long engaged CVU educators. The educational shifts that are currently ramping up at CVU are driven by this inquiry and intended to improve learning, increase rigor and keep CVU at the front of education in Vermont and the U.S. Referred to as standards-based learning (SBL), this clearer articulation of public education is based on the most current research we have on the brain and learning. We hope this Q&A from the CVU school administration will help our community better understand the work CVU is undertaking to help all our students achieve.

What is standards-based learning?

One way to think about SBL is through the metaphor of a global positioning system (GPS). Our goal as educators is to help students reach their destinations—the standards. In a standards-based system, education focuses on three areas: Articulate: Educators design learning targets for their classes aligned with national, state and local standards.

These targets clearly articulate what students should know, understand and be able to do for each unit of study. The targets are like the “destinations” in a GPS. We decide where we want to go, and we enter the location—we need to be specific about our destinations in order to get the best directions. Teachers, students and parents are aware of the destinations, so there is no mystery about where we are headed.

Differentiate: Educators examine the strengths and needs of each student and determine strategies to help all students meet or exceed the articulated standards.

Think of this as the actual map to the destination. Not all students are starting from the same location, so the routes they take may differ. It is the teacher’s job to know the map (and students) well enough to anticipate roadblocks, determine alternate routes or suggest scenic opportunities. In most cases, the students have the same destinations, but how and when they get there may vary.

Communicate: Educators report student progress and achievement at the end of each unit of study. These reports are aligned with the articulated learning targets. Think of these reports as the “blue dot” on a GPS. At any given time, we know our exact location toward the destination. The blue dot tells us where we are and how far we are from where

we want to be. This is what the standards reports do as well: they let teachers, students and parents know where the learners are in relation to specific destinations.

How are grades assigned in an SBL system?

Standards-based grading (SBG) is a necessary component of standardsbased learning. When we instruct and assess based on standards, our grades need to communicate student achievement of these standards.

At the beginning of each unit, teachers will clearly articulate the required standards (or targets) for that unit.

At any time, students and parents may contact the teachers to request these targets. Throughout the unit, students are assessed in a variety of ways (everything from homework to classwork to quizzes to discussions to projects to essays…all of the ways teachers have always assessed understanding) to see where they are in relation to the targets. Students receive feedback on these assessments, and the teacher uses the data to design learning experiences and differentiate instruction as necessary.

At the end of the unit, the teacher determines where the student is in relation to the target using evidence of learning gathered throughout the unit.

The teacher’s goal is to provide as accurate a picture as possible of the student’s learning on each target. Students and parents will receive reports at the end of the unit that break down achievement of each target; this level of detail helps encourage conversations about learning and helps all parties understand areas of success and challenge.

Because we still need to provide a single letter grade at the end of each unit, final scores from each target are combined into a composite score that is then converted into a letter grade using a traditional GPA conversion chart.

This year we saw a broad roll out of SBL and SBG. Can you tell us about it?

It’s important to understand that, historically, all CVU teachers had the autonomy to develop their own systems for determining one of 13 grades (A+, A, A-, etc.) to assign at the end of a course. That is still the case. What is different from the past is that teachers who choose to determine those grades using SBG are applying a set of common agreements about grading.

Currently, about 40 percent of the CVU faculty are fully standards-based, including all ninth-grade (core) teachers.

An additional 40 percent of faculty are standards-based in at least one course.

Many of these teachers took a course last summer to help prepare for the year, and there is ongoing professional development to support their learning.

We have learned a lot this year about the importance of clarity, information and transparency, and these lessons will continue to help us as we move forward.

CVU Exchange Students Celebrate Home Holidays EF (Education First) High School exchange students attending CVU gathered in December at the home of Susan and Domenico Grasso in Shelburne to share their holiday traditions. Among them were (from left) Anne-Sofie and Oscar of Norway, Geraldine from Italy, Johan from Sweden and Filippo of Italy.

Geraldine commented that, “It was a great moment for me to share with the other exchange students and families about our traditions for Christmas and to hear about American traditions. It was also an opportunity for everyone to thank our families for everything they do for us, which is not always possible in the everyday life. These four months here were the best I could ask for. It’s just great to feel a part of the community and have the possibility of sharing my culture and to learn so much about this new one.”

For information on hosting, please contact Jan Bedard at 482-3494, at gbedard920@gmail.com, or go to efexchangeyear.org.

Why are we adopting a standardsbased learning system?

Though this all may seem new, we have been moving towards SBL at CVU for over 20 years, beginning with the creation of our school Expectations for Student Learning. We have always been a community that prides itself on doing what’s best for all students and staying at the forefront of educational and brain research. With the adoption of Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, national testing, and state requirements to shift to proficiency-based graduation, our work with SBL positions us to improve upon an already exceptional educational experience for all CVU students.

In addition to being based on what we know about learning and the brain, using standards to determine student progress is soon going to be mandatory. A recent Vermont law requires that all schools shift to proficiency (standards)-based graduation requirements. According to the Vermont Agency of Education, “This establishes the expectation that the transition to a proficiency-based system for determining progress and graduation will begin with the incoming 7th grade students of 2014 and be phased

in over the following years.” Because of our work over the past few years, CVU is well positioned to meet this requirement and continue to develop and implement SBL strategies that improve learning for all students.

What has been the reaction from students, parents and faculty?

Overall, the reaction from the whole community has been positive. Parents and students who had experienced SBL and SBG in the core program had fewer questions and a greater understanding of the philosophy and the practices that support learning. Due to the large number of faculty who chose to implement SBL in their classes this year, there were many parents and students who were new to SBL. There was certainly a steeper learning curve in these cases, but when we were able to provide resources and answer questions, the response became more positive. After the initial concerns were addressed, our teachers, students and parents seem to have settled into the new ways of learning and talking about learning.

News from CVU continued on page 19

12 • January 15, 2015 • The Charlotte News

Food Shelf News Kerrie Pughe CONTRIBUTOR

Happy New Year from the Charlotte Food Shelf!

We provided over 30 holiday baskets this season to our neighbors in need. This included food for a wonderful holiday meal, plus some extras, and gifts for all the children.

We appreciate how our generous community came together to make this possible. Here goes our big thank-you list! For all their support, a big thank you goes out to: the Ruth and Peter Metz family; Aileen Kraus; Nancy and John Calcagni; Anne Castle and the Charlotte Organic Coop; Rex and Lell Forehand; Kevin Clayton and The Village Wine and Coffee; Charlotte Central School PTO; The Bunbury

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Company Inc. (Denise Cavalier and Karen and William Bruett); Katherine Arthaud; Luella Aube and Jeanette Myers-Whitney; James and Kathleen Manchester; Deborah Ramsdell; Titus Insurance Agency; Evan and Catherine Metropoulos; and Lynn Cluff’s cookieparty participants: Elizabeth Bassett, John Pane, Frances Foster, and Hugh and Chris McBride.

(Deep breath…) Thank you to Tudy Gecewicz Jordan for the donation in honor of the food shelf volunteers; Donna and Remo Pizzagalli in honor of Roberta Wood; Peter and Stephanie Pizzagalli in honor of Donna and Remo Pizzagalli; Emile and Diane Cote in celebration of their three grandchildren, Meera, Veer and Neel; MariePierre Jackson in honor of her good neighbors, the Findlay/Davis family; Elizabeth Vigil in honor of her mother.

Thank you to Bill and Valerie Graham; Greg and Janet Landregan; Robert and Toni Monsey; the Lehmann family, My Farm Stand, the Hobar family and Marilyn Richardson; the Perring family; the Laura CahnersFord family; Eileen Shilling; the Chris Davis family; Anne Hanson; the Hagios family; William and Jerri Leckerling; the Tom and Betsi Oliver family; Joseph and Jennifer Dickerman; Karol Josselyn; Henry and Carleen Tufo; The Shelburne-Charlotte Garden Club; Paula and Peter Joslin (and thank you for adding the Charlotte Food Shelf to the Meredith Corp. Foundation Employee Contribution Program Matching Gifts Program); and a special thank you to Alyssana Lasek for the cash and food donations from her birthday party.

Thank you to Andrew Prescott and Henri Proutt for the gas and grocery gift cards; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Beck and WowToyz for the wonderful toys; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and Charlotte Congregational Church members for the amazing wish gifts from the Giving Trees; Charlotte Central School students, parents and teachers for the overflowing holidays boxes; and the Charlotte/Shelburne Rotary for the generous donation of turkeys for the Thanksgiving and holiday baskets. Thanks to all who dropped gifts at the Little Garden Market, CCS, Charlotte Library and Charlotte Senior

Center in the Food Shelf collection boxes. A BIG thank you goes to Tracy Beaudin for the 108 homemade decorated cookies. Thank you to Jason and Andrea Harvey and family for the deer meat. Thank you to our Secret Santa for the 50 movie tickets. We also appreciate all the potatoes from Claudia and Nigel Mucklow and all the hats and mittens from our knitters.

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped to assemble and distribute the holiday baskets: Boy Scout Troop 615 leaders Seth Zimmerman and Mike and Cindi Robinson, and Scouts Sam Zimmerman, Andrew Gay, Stuart Robinson and Thomas Robinson. Thank you to volunteers Lynn Alpeter, Peggy Sharpe, Louise McCarren, Nancy Bloch, Kerrie Pughe, Pat and Neil Rodar, Laura Iglehart, Jon and Wolfie Davis, Andrew and Ellie and Chris Haigney, Ken Oboz, Gayle Gardner, Lisa Sturtevant, Betsi and Tom Oliver, Liz and Noelle Deslauriers, Cindy and Toby Tyler, Hank and Josi Kaestner, Kit Perkins, Carol Chenevert, Anne Hanson, Sarah Scranton, Bill and Karen Doris and Evan Metropoulos.

A special thanks for all the help and the last-minute shopping by Louise McCarren, Marilyn Holmberg, Sharon Richards, Janet and Jerry Schwarz, Rosemary Raszka and our long-time student shopper, Connor Gorman.

Thank you to the Shelburne Supermarket for the steadfast support from the coffee bar throughout the year.

The Charlotte Food Shelf is run entirely by volunteers so all donations are used to buy food or provide assistance to our neighbors in need. If you are a customer of yourfarmstand.com, you may make a donation to the Food Shelf as part of your online order, otherwise checks may be mailed to: Charlotte Food Shelf & Assistance 403 Church Hill Road P.O. Box 83 Charlotte, VT 05445 Donated food drop-off locations: All nonperishable food donations may be dropped off at the Charlotte Library, the Charlotte Congregational Church

Upcoming 2015 charlotte Food ShelF diStribUtion dateS Wednesday, Jan. 21 Thursday, Jan. 22 Wednesday, Feb. 4 Thursday, Feb. 5 Wednesday, Feb. 18 Thursday, Feb. 19 Wednesday, Mar. 4 Thursday, Mar. 5 Wednesday, Mar. 18 Thursday, Mar. 19

5–7 p.m.

7:30–9:30 a.m.

5–7 p.m.

7:30–9:30 a.m.

5–7 p.m.

7:30–9:30 a.m.

5–7 p.m.

7:30–9:30 a.m.

5–7 p.m.

7:30–9:30 a.m.

The Charlotte Food Shelf is located on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry.

vestry, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (main entrance) or at the Food Shelf during our distribution mornings. We request that all fresh foods be dropped off at the Food Shelf by 7:30 a.m. on distribution mornings or before the Wednesday distribution hours (see ongoing events calendar).

The Charlotte Food Shelf is located on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry.

Distribution days and times are posted in this newspaper and on the bulletin board in the Charlotte Congregational Church hall. You may also call the Food Shelf at 425-3252 to get a recording of the distribution times.

We are open to all community residents. Privacy is very important to us and respected in our mission of neighbor helping neighbor.

For emergency food call John at 425-3130.

For emergency assistance (electricity, fuel) call the Food Shelf at 4253252.

For more information call Karen at 425-3252 or visit our website at sites. google.com/site/charlottefoodshelfvt/.

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The Charlotte News • January 15, 2015 • 13

OutTakes Commentary

by Edd Merritt

War, a Different Sort of Crimson Tide A sad old soldier, once told me a story About a battlefield that he was on

He said, a man should never fight for glory He must know what is right and what is wrong.

–Flying Burrito Brothers (Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman),“My Uncle” Why do we go to war, lose it, and keep going back again? Because winning is the end game. We know it’s true because Vince Lombardi told us so.

All you have to do is look at the overemphasis on sports in this country.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the world were one big Rose Bowl? Once again this year we had nearly 40 bowl games for college football teams. And yes, once again they showed the power of the pocketbook. Many were named after corporate gonzos such as “Chic-fil-A,” “New Era Pinstripe,” “Buffalo Wild Wings,” “Sheraton Hawaii,” “Good Year Cotton,” with, of course, the old standbys, Rose, Orange and Sugar.

Going through the sports section of the paper, I couldn’t help but notice the columns of bowl results. What questions does this plethora of games raise in my mind?

Do we wish war were more like football? Should the season culminate in the “Terrorism Bowl”? If so, what color uniforms would each side wear? Would one team plant IEDs at the 50-yard line?

Would the fans in the stands be glad their kids were not draft bait and saved from the carnage on the field? What would the mix of races in the Special Forces indicate? (It took Alabama foot-

ball coach Bear Bryant decades to discover that, if he was to keep his job, he better get some color in his lineup.)

And would we want our taxes and donations to support the new University of Michigan coach at the rate of $5 million a year? The coach at the University of Hawaii is the highest paid state official, according to The New York Times.

These are the games people play.

But can you explain what is game-like about a bunch of soldiers marching on to the field, rifles in hand, to the tune of “God Bless America” introducing the coin toss? (Now the Dropkick Murphys singing “Go! Go! Black and Gold, old time hockey bar the door” as the Bruins take the ice…that’s different.)

It’s the sort of world we wish we were in—opponents clearly identified by the design of their uniforms, always winners and losers, and whatever strength the team has one year may not hold the following. The squad may have to be redefined to carry successfully into the future. It may need to buy new running backs as well as an F-35 here and there.

Neutral referees keep things going according to the rules of the game.

Players follow the orders of their generals. Generals (coaches) keep their constituents happy by posting winning records—or they get replaced. The battlefields are all the same size; only the numbers of citizens in the stands change. And the game clocks tell us how long this war will last. Budweiser Light has replaced Lucky Strike Green as the taste of the crowd.

The more we wish this sort of staged battle would replace the increasingly un-staged wars around the world, the less likely it becomes.

What rules, if any, do apply to war these days?

To begin matters, nearly every fighter is offside; he is in the other team’s backfield before anyone knows it. And the line of scrimmage, often lost in the mountains or the desert (or downtown Boston for that matter), moves with the terrain. Face masks cover but don’t protect. It is difficult to tell the teams apart simply by looking at them. Head butts turn into rifle butts, and concussions are relatively minor among the scope of war injuries.

In a recent piece from this month’s

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Flinn Comes Alive at Mt. Philo Inn Charlotter, Aaron Flinn, put on a lively set last Saturday in the Ball Room of the Mt. Philo Inn. He was followed by Justin Levinson, a past America's Got Talent contender from Vergennes. With some nice beverages on offer and food from Starry Night Cafe, we look forward to seeing this social event develop.

Atlantic Magazine, James Fallows says that the “most biting satirical novel to come from the Iraq-Afghanistan era, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain, is a takedown of our empty modern ‘thank you for your service’ rituals.” A poignant section occurs during halftime at a Dallas Cowboys football game, where Billy Lynn and his Army squad are “slapped on the back and toasted by owners-box moguls and flirted with by cheerleaders, ‘passed around like everyone’s favorite bong,’” before being shipped back to the front.

We’ve become a “chickenhawk nation” in which hawks want war, but war waged by someone else. One only has to look at our Congress, our corporate executives or nearly any member of the elite class to know that, if their kids had to put on uniforms, the U.S. probably wouldn’t have been in Iraq in the first place. G.W. dodged the draft in the 1960s, but 35 years later, when he stood on the carrier deck in a flight jacket, taking credit for sending troops to Iraq, he wanted us to think of him as a real

warrior. Those of us who patrolled flight decks during Vietnam would have given our souls had we been able to join the Air National Guard. And we were, in fact, some of the luckier warriors of that period—off the coast, with planes on board to protect us. Our worst enemies may have been the poisonous snakes cruising through the Gulf of Tonkin.

Fallows says that he notices a willingness for war on the part of many Americans. I think it’s more than that.

Those of us glued to our TVs and those of us willing to shell out absurd sums of money for seats near the 50-yard line demonstrate an unconscious desire for the military to work like the Seattle Seahawks, not like the District of Columbia chickenhawks. We want to wear our jerseys with pride. We want to deck the streets with winners’ confetti.

We want the games never to end.

14 • January 15, 2015 • The Charlotte News

Charlotte Conservation Currents

Lake Champlain Phosphorus Reduction and Regulation – Coming to a Town Near You? town started accounting for the reduced infiltration capacity of new and existing developments and acknowledged its intact forests as a very important stormwater asset.

Not sure what our stormwater looks like?

Check out the vast network of roadside ditches after the next significant rain or snowmelt. These ditches are responsible for moving the vast majority of stormwater away from roads as fast as possible.

Bob Hyams CONTRIBUTOR

Legislators and regulators have been hashing and rehashing the dynamics of Lake Champlain TMDL (shorthand for phosphorus regulation, or Total Maximum Daily Load) for almost 50 years. Are things really different this time around? My guess is that they are. And as a result, no entity will be exempt from regulation. As a town, I believe we should be proactive in addressing our phosphorus burden and remain ahead of the TMDL curve.

Phosphorus is an element that occurs naturally throughout our biosphere and is essential to all life forms. It has become ubiquitous to all aspects of modern living—from the food we eat to the products we buy, even the fuel for our cars. We are importing phosphorus to our Lake Champlain watershed by the tons.

We do export some phosphorus in the form of dairy and wood products, but imports far exceed exports, and therein lies the problem. As long as we remain net importers, phosphorus will accumulate in the lake.

Phosphorus flows downhill, and Lake Champlain is as down hill as it gets around here. Stemming phosphorus imports is key for long-term success. In the meantime, slowing its release to the lake is the foundation of the TMDL strategy.

The (un)holy trinity of phosphorus Phosphorus burdens on the Vermont landscape are attributed to three sources: agriculture, wastewater treatment facilities and stormwater. Their absolute contributions are hotly debated, but it is generally accepted that agriculture is the largest contributor, accounting for around 40 percent. How these sources relate to Charlotte provides for interesting discussion.

Agriculture is an integral part of the Charlotte landscape. However, the town has very little say in the way it is practiced—all agriculture regulation is under the purview of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture.

We certainly generate wastewater, but the vast

Holmes Creek flowing into Lake Champlain at the town beach (above). Typical water discoloration after rain (right). majority is managed through individual septic systems. Though not highlighted by the TMDL, septic systems do play a large role, and we should ensure that they are managed responsibly.

Stormwater represents the third source and should garner most of our attention. According to the EPA, stormwater is “runoff generated when precipitation from rain or snowmelt events flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not percolate into the ground.” An impervious surface is an important concept in considering stormwater. It is best appreciated by envisioning a typical urban landscape of paved roads and parking lots, sidewalks and rooftops, where water has no place to infiltrate and can only flow across the surface.

Charlotte has relatively little impervious surface by this definition. Yet our vast areas of unpaved land still display degrees of “perviousness,” or infiltration capacity. Forested lands and associated soils typically provide the highest infiltration capacity. To varying degrees, our house sites, lawns, dirt roads and farm fields all lead to reductions (some drastic) in infiltration capacity.

So what?

Putting all this into context, it would be wise if the

They worked so well that, over time, perimeter drains from houses and drain tiles from farm fields have been connected to the ditches network. With these additions, the stormwater burden often exceeds ditch capacities, creating erosion problems and maintenance headaches. The ditch water, for a multitude of reasons, often carries a high concentration of phosphorus. To compound matters further, many ditches are connected directly to streams and, in some instances, to the lake itself.

Another thing the town could do is to manage the ditch system: map flows, monitor source connections and disconnect from surface waters.

Step up Phosphorus policy affords unique challenges. The most visible ramifications of phosphorus pollution often manifest miles from the source—and then only when conditions are right (those that promote algae blooms). Yet managing our stormwater can yield water quality benefits beyond phosphorus reduction.

Envision a Vermont where rivers don’t run like chocolate milk every time it rains*, that support a diversity of life forms and add to the beauty of our landscape. The state and its town can realize this potential by stepping up and taking responsibility for their water resources. * I understand that clay soils will naturally cloud or discolor the water; there’s discoloration, and then there’s chocolate milk, they’re not the same.

The town party.

Local government.

Community events.

The county fair.

No one covers the news that matters to you like your community newspaper.

your community. your newspaper.

The Charlotte News We’re your newspaper.

The Charlotte News • January 15, 2015 • 15

Charlotte Senior Center

by Mary Recchia, Activities Coordinator

Snow days! If there is ever a question whether the Senior Center is closed due to weather, know that we will follow the CSSU school closings that are posted on local TV and radio stations as well as at cssu.org. Our January/February art exhibit will be works from Nini Crane. Nini began teaching second grade at CCS in 1968 and continued teaching in CSSD for 33 years. She started painting after she retired from teaching and appreciates the opportunity to share her mixed media artwork with you at the Center.

All the World’s a Stage and it’s here at the Center! Do you love theatre? Do you appreciate the spoken word? Our play-reading group will gather on Friday afternoon January 23 from 1 to 3:30, and while parts have been assigned for this reading, all are welcome to come listen. Sean promises a good time for all. No fee.

A Healthy Diet—Where Do I Begin? with Shekhinah Cluba will run Tuesday mornings from 9:30– 10:30. Dates: 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10.

Week 1 – Where do I begin?

Week 2 – Whole foods (with recipe demonstration) Week 3 – Meal preparation for one or two people (with recipe demonstration) Week 4 – Foods to eliminate and why Week 5 – Foods to integrate and why (with recipe demonstration) Week 6 – Cleansing (with recipe demonstration) Each one-hour session will include basic foundational information with

a recipe demonstration where indicated. Registration required. No Fee. Shirley Reid-Thompson returns for a pastel painting class Tuesday afternoons from 1–3:30. Dates: 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24. The emphasis will be on pastel painting techniques. Color theory will be explained and used in your paintings. We will work from real-life setups except for one afternoon when we will use photographs.

We can do mixed media, watercolor and pastel if you want. If requested, we can do individual contrast composition with color layering. Special help for beginners is available. All levels of skill are welcome. Call Shirley (860-0666) for a materials list. Registration required. Limit 10.

Fee: $100.

New to the center this winter is a step aerobics class offered by Pam Lord on Friday mornings from 9:15– 10. Dates: 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10.

Step aerobics was created in 1989 as a way to get a high-intensity yet low-impact workout. With a portable platform (provided), you will do choreographed exercise routines up, onto, down and around the step for great cardio fitness, as well as exceptional training to shape the lower body, strengthen and tone muscle groups and improve coordination. Set to music, this low-impact class uses cardio work to produce an easy-tolearn and effective workout. Pam was previously certified with the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and will show you how to perform the moves safely with the correct technique and will have you stepping like a pro in no time! Registration required. Fee: $7/class.

Lectures, performances and special events showcasing the diverse interests of our community continue on Wednesday afternoons beginning at 1 p.m.

Jan. 21: Kazakhstan: A Birding Frontier, with Hank Kaestner Join Hank and his brother, Peter, as they tour Kazakhstan looking for birds and a new experience. Hank’s photos will take you from the snowcovered Himalayas in the south to the dry central Asian steppes in the north of the country. Did you know that Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth largest country, larger than all of Western Europe? And it’s the largest landlocked country in the world? Do you even know its capital? Or what common everyday fruit was first cultivated there? Or what common farm animal was first domesticated there?

Hank will answer these questions and many more.

The Café Menu MONDAY, JAN. 19: Spicy sweet potato, turkey and black bean enchiladas; bacon, ranch pea salad; roasted apple with maple ice cream sundae WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21: Catch of the day, rice pilaf, homemade dessert MONDAY, JAN. 26: Homemade soup, salad, dessert WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28: Turkey almond casserole, steamed broccoli, homemade dessert

Senior LunCheonS are held every Wednesday at noon. Reservations are necessary in advance and can be made by calling the Senior Center at 425-6345. A $4 donation is requested. Reservations are not required for the Monday Munch.

Jan. 28: The Tale of Three Cities, with John Hammer Russians like to say that the heart of Russia lies in Moscow and the head resides in St. Petersburg. In a trip to Russia in 2012 John found this to be true. His travels also took him to Yaroslavl, just across the Volga River from the taiga that forms much of the Russian interior. This talk will present a brief overview of this trip with lots of photos.

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16 • January 15, 2015 • The Charlotte News

Upcoming at the library for kids Tuesdays, Jan. 13 to Feb. 17, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. – Preschool Lunch Bunch.

Join us for a fun-filled hour at the library with books, poems, songs and crafts. Please bring a packed lunch.

(Preschool story hour is designed for children ages 3 to 5 who can quietly

Hammer, secretary; Jonathan Silverman, member at large.

Please note that all programs require registration.

For adults Friday, Jan. 9, 10:30 a.m. – Scrabble at the Library. Start from scratch or reacquaint yourself with this favorite word game with tournament player Susanna Kahn. Game boards, refreshments and good company provided!

Monday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. – Mystery Book Group. This month we’re reading Duty to the Dead, the first in Charles Todd’s Bess Crawford series. Pick up a copy at the circulation desk beforehand and join us for coffee and conversation.

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 5:30 p.m. – Wednesday Night Knitters. Join us to knit, chat and compare fiber notes.

Bring a project or we can provide needles and wool to get you started. Meets every other Wednesday at the Charlotte Library unless otherwise noted.

You may call 425-3864 or email youth.charlottelibraryvt@gmail.com to sign your child up for any program.

All programs are free and open to the public.

Library Board Meeting Jan. 15, 5:30 p.m.

Board members: Bonnie Christie, chair; Emily Ferris, vice chair; Vince Crockenberg, treasurer; Dorrice

charlottelibraryvt@gmail.com

enjoy a story time setting with or without a guardian.)

Tuesdays, Jan. 13 to Feb. 17, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. – Early Elementary Story Time. Extend the school day with an hour at the library enjoying books, songs, poems and crafts. Light snack provided. (For kindergarten and first grade students. Take the bus from CCS with a parent note.)

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. – Afterschool Workshop: Feed the (Winter) Birds. Brrrrrr! It’s cold outside! Help us fill the library trees with yummy treats for the hungry birds.

Peanut butter will be used! (Open to all students, grades 2 to 6.)

Library Contact Information Director

Margaret Woodruff

Youth Services Librarian Cheryl Sloan Hours Mon, Wed: 10 a.m.-–7 p.m.

Tues, Thurs, Fri: 10 a.m.-–5 p.m.

Sat: 9 a.m.-–2 p.m.

Phone

425-3864

Email

Website

charlottepubliclibrary.org

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The Charlotte News • January 15, 2015 • 17

The Humbled Parent The Four Taboos of Parenting – Part I may feel or have felt inadequate or uneasy with their new parental normality. And if you are contemplating becoming a parent, this may be of interest to you as well.

Sera Andrerson CONTRIBUTOR

I stumbled upon a TED talk last month by Babble cofounders Rufus Griscom and Alisa Volkman. This husband and wife team presented a talk called “The Four Taboos of Parenting” at a TEDWomen conference in Washington, D.C. I found it noteworthy, controversial (what isn’t?) and appropriate for this two-part series, and also for the new year.

I really wanted to spend some time reflecting on these four taboos. So, in this month’s column I will introduce their first two taboos. If you are going to be a first-time parent in this new year, here is a little bit of information that may help prepare you for the foreign land you are about to enter.

I mean, why would you want to go into the battle of Gettysburg without a defensive formation, loaded, and somewhat prepared?

If this is your second or third time around, maybe this wasn’t your experience at all. This is just for those who

Taboo #1: You can’t say you didn’t fall in love with your baby in the very first minute.

Someone once said, you think of love as binary—on or off—but love can be a process. Some people feel as though their first emotional response is inadequate, inadequate especially if it didn’t live up to your expectations or because someone told you it should be or feel a certain way. Maybe you were told that you should have felt this lightning bolt when you first caught sight of your newborn, a moment of intense love, beyond all measure?

Hmmm. OK. Well, what if you didn’t? Is there something wrong with you?

I recall Caden’s birth. There was no such lightning. I thought there might have been something amiss. I was really sick when he was born, so maybe I

was just so out of myself. Or maybe I wasn’t supposed to be a parent. I thought, “Do I not love this child?” Of course I did.

There was this teeny, knobby, wrinkly little stranger that had been plunked down on my chest. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely felt something loving and warm, but it wasn’t what I had been told and nothing I had anticipated.

I was a little spooked by the lack of lightning and a bit overwrought.

It wasn’t until later that I understood and accepted my process. I realized that my deep love and admiration for Caden would require time to build and grow. It was a process that I had to trust. I look at him now… and wow.

Lightning. I finally get it.

Taboo #2: You can’t talk about how lonely having a baby can be.

This isn’t something you want to say to a mother who has just had her first baby. But Griscom and Volkman believe this is precisely what you should be saying. We have these perceptions and visions of starting a family for the first time and everything that encompasses it. Even though millions of people on this planet have children, we still feel the effects of isolation and feel like we are in this alone for some reason.

In a 2009 survey of 1,321 mothers, researchers found that 58 percent of mothers feel loneliness regularly. Of

those, about 60 percent said the loneliness was most pronounced when their kids were between the ages of zero and five.

Seth and I had many sleepless, lonely nights where we felt as though we were the only ones that were up at 3:30 a.m., reeling with the effects of sleeplessness and anxiety. I now know that you can never be prepared for parenthood, but if someone had just mentioned to me that some of these feelings are relatively typical and that many new parents experience these... it might have been easier. If someone had just readied my mind to the perils of parenthood, it might have made those never-ending nights and days a little more bearable, even just a little bit.

So, as we welcome 2015, I think it’s going to be a good year to challenge new concepts and prepare ourselves for all the great things to come, maybe parenthood. We must be open to the wonderful experiences that lay ahead as parents. Parenthood is one of the most magnificent experiences, and I believe parenting is one of the most essential tasks of humanity. The romanticism of parenthood is dazzling, but it’s not inclusive of all the realities of it. To be honest, if we are even the tiniest bit more equipped for the rawness of parenthood, then some may benefit from it. So, good luck! Enjoy the ride and happy New Year.

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18 • January 15, 2015 • The Charlotte News

Places To Go & Things To Do THURSDAY, JANUARY15 Planning Commission meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall.

Meeting agenda at charlottevt.org.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16 Performance: Mogani, 8–11 p.m., 51 Main Street, Middlebury. Mogani returns from sabbatical for a rousing evening of music lead by Charlotter Coby Gatos on the keys. More info: moganimusic.com.

VCGE Connections networking event, 6 p.m., New Moon Café, Burlington. The Vermont Council for Gifted Education (VCGE) will be holding an informal networking opportunity for parents, professionals and/or educators that would like to make connections with the local gifted community, share resources and information on subjects related to giftedness, and offer community support and advice. Please contact vcgesec@gmail.com or call Margaret at 9224873 for more information and RSVP so we can be sure to reserve enough space.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17 CVFRS Fire & Ice Ball, 5–11 p.m., Vergennes Opera House. For full story, turn to page 5.

Musical Reflections on Henri Matisse’s Jazz Series, 7:30 p.m., WalkOver Concerts, Bristol.

Two extraordinary musicians, Chris Bakriges, the composer and pianist on the Baldwin grand, and Stanley Chepaitis on jazz violin, present an evening of original jazz compositions. “You feel as if you are in a New York City jazz club, and can’t believe you are right here in Bristol,” one concert goer quipped.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of performance. For reservations and information call 453-3188 x 2 or email walkover@mac.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 Talk: Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program: “Muskets, Maneuvers, and Misconceptions,” by Jerry Mullin, 2 p.m., Ethan Allen Homestead, Colchester. Gun collector and enthusiast Jerry Mullen will discuss Revolutionary War weapons and tactics employed in the New Hampshire Grants (early Vermont) and Northern Army Districts. Free. More info: devino13@comcast. net.

Fred Child and the Johannes String Quartet, 7 p.m., FlynnSpace, Burlington. A joint presentation of the Flynn Center and the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival. Performances include Bartok, String Quartet No. 6, Sz. 114 and Beethoven, String Quartet No. 16 in F, Op. 135.

More info: flynncenter.org.

MONDAY, JANUARY 19 No school, CCS and CVU. Martin Luther King Day

ONGOING EVENTS MONDAYS Senior Center Café, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Featuring soup, salads, bread and dessert. No reservations necessary.

Charlotte Multi-Age Coed Pickup Basketball Open Gym, 7–9 p.m. at the CCS gym. High school students welcome. 425-3997 for info.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall. Meeting agenda at charlottevt.org.

WEDNESDAYS Charlotte/Shelburne Rotary Club, 7:30–8:30 a.m., Parish Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, Shelburne.

Newcomers Club of Charlotte, Shelburne and surrounding area meets once a month on the third Wednesday from September to June.

Variety of programs, day trips and locations.

Information: Orchard Corl, president, 985-3870.

AA Meeting, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 7 p.m.

Senior Luncheon, Senior Center, noon. For reservations, call 425-6345 before 2 p.m. on previous Monday.

Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., 7:30 p.m., Fire Station.

Charlotte Multi-Age Coed Pickup Basketball Open Gym, 7-9 p.m. at the CCS gym. High school students welcome. Call 425-3997 for information.

Food Shelf, open from 5–7 p.m. June 11 and 25. Lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Information: Karen at 425-3252; for emergency food call John at 425-3130.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 CCS 5/6 Winter Concert, 7 p.m., MPR. The musicians have been working very hard and are really excited for their first performance of the year! The concert is free and open to the public.

Film: Trashed, 7 p.m., Deborah Rawson Memorial Library, Jericho. The Jericho Energy Task Force will start its free winter movie series with Trashed: No Place for Waste narrated by Jeremy Irons. The movie follows Irons as he documents huge piles of accumulating garbage on land and in the water across the planet and ends with a look at potential solutions. More info: lblamb@hotmail.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 Meet & Greet Play Day: Birth–Age 5, 9:30–11 a.m., Hinesburg Community School. For residents of CSSU districts. Looking for something to do with your family, indoors, on a winter morning? Want to connect with other families in the community and meet friendly early- childhood educators in the school district? Join others for early-childhood games and activities, a free snack and book to take home. Activities/games include gym play, play dough, an art project, puzzles and blocks. Early educators will be available for information on child development and resources for families. RSVP encouraged: Kristin Eisensmith, kiesensmith@cssu.org.

“Unexpected Journeys: Life, Illness, and Loss,” reception, 3–5 p.m., Vermont Folklife Center, Middlebury. With advances in medical techniques and increased life expectancies, many people are living longer with progressively degenerative diseases, while others are taking on the role of giving endof-life care to someone they love. What does it mean to live with a terminal illness or to become a caregiver for a family member? “Unexpected Journeys,” by Susan Alancraig, offers a thoughtful contemplation of these questions, pairing stunning view camera portraits with written interview excerpts and audio from women with metastatic cancer and family caregivers, who have lived these journeys firsthand. More info: vermontfolklifecenter.org.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 Winter Wildlife Tracking: Bobcats to Birds, 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Audubon Vermont, Huntington.

Winter snow offers an unequalled opportunity to trace the travels of wildlife. Join Sue Morse of Keeping Track and Sophie Mazowita of Audubon Vermont for a full day of reading the winter woods at Wolfrun in Jericho.

THURSDAYS Food Shelf, open from 7:30-9:30 a.m. June 12 and 26. Lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Information: Karen at 425-3252; for emergency food call John at 425-3130.

FRIDAYS AA Meeting, Congregational Church Vestry, 8 p.m.

Charlotte Playgroup, 9:30–11 a.m., CCS MPR. Free, ages 0-5.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 Talk: “Lyme Disease: An Occupational Hazard for Birders,” by Bruce MacPherson, 6:30 p.m., Dorothy Alling Library, Williston. In 2013 Vermont had the highest incidence of Lyme disease in the U.S. This talk will focus on the ecology of the ticks that transmit the organism that causes Lyme disease, with an emphasis on prevention of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases that lurk on the horizon. This program is free and open to the public.

The Dorothy Alling Library is located on Route 2 in Williston Village. Free parking is available on site.

Regular Church Services SATURDAYS

St. Jude, Mass, Hinesburg, 4:30 p.m.

SUNDAYS

Community Alliance Church, Hinesburg, Gathering Place, 9 a.m., Sunday School, 9 a.m., Worship, 10:15 a.m. Information: 482-2132.

Charlotte Congregational Church, Worship, 10 a.m., Sunday School, 10 a.m.

Information: 425-3176.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mass, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Information: 425-2637.

St. Jude, Mass, Hinesburg, 9:30 a.m. Information: 482-2290.

North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church, Hollow Road, Worship, 10 a.m., Sunday School, 9:45 a.m. Information: 425-2770.

Cross Roads Chapel, Ferrisburgh Ctr. Rt. 7, Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Information: 4253625.

Assembly of God Christian Center, Rtes. 7 and 22A, Ferrisburgh, Sunday worship, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday School, 9 a.m. Information: 877-3903.

All Souls Interfaith Gathering, 291 Bostwick Farm Road, Shelburne. Sunday Service 9 a.m., Evensong Service 5 p.m. 985-3819 Trinity Episcopal Church, 5171 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. “Space for Grace” (educational hour), 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist (with child care and Sunday School). 985-2269.

The Charlotte News • January 15, 2015 • 19

Around Town Congratulations

to Chennah Sharpe, class of 2017, who made the dean’s list at Providence College for the fall 2014 semester.

to Marty Illick, Lewis Creek Association, for her recognition and appreciation by Governor Shumlin in his inauguration speech on January 6. to Francesca Blanchard who was praised for her musical talents in a letter from Vermont Public Radio musical host Joel Najman that appeared in the December 24 Seven Days. Najman agreed that he felt her to be a “very special talent” in the “early stages of a career that will earn her international celebrity.” to Tad Cooke and Erick Crockenberg who were nominated by Paul Bruhn, executive director of the Preservation Trust of Vermont, to be named “Vermonter of the Year” by The Burlington Free Press. Bruhn desired to see Eric and Tad recognized for their work re-designing the Moran Power Plant on Burlington’s waterfront into a “viable community asset” for the city and the state. Although, Erick and Tad ultimately did not receive the award, they were part of a relatively small and well-known group of citizens nominated. to Christine Whiteside from Charlotte who made the dean’s list this past fall at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (aka Virginia Tech). She is an electrical engineering major.

News From CVU continued from page 9

There have been some concerns from parents, faculty and students about transitioning to a fully implemented SBL system.

Can you describe some of them?

There was some concern that the transition to standards-based learning would result in lower grades for students. Analysis of our first quarter data showed that there was little difference in the grade distribution this year when compared to last year. We will continue analyzing this data throughout the year.

What about applying to college?

There were concerns raised that the move to SBL would impact students’ getting into college.

Colleges will receive the same information about students from CVU as they always have. All students will have a grade on their transcript for every course that they have taken and a GPA calculated from those grades. From our school profile, colleges may learn that many of our courses are standards-based. Our research indicates that colleges value grades

Sympathy is extended to family and friends of Kathleen Ondis Eardensohn of Marshfield who passed away December 19 at the age of 62. She was the daughter of Albert and Lidell Eardensohn who lived on Ferry Road in Charlotte.

Albert passed away this June. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in her memory consider doing so to Kindred Connections (make notation on check) online at vscn.net/donate.html, or to the Vermont Cancer Survivors Network, P.O. Box 42, Montpelier, VT 05601, or to Michael’s Fund (make notation on check) online at cvhhh.org/donate, or to Central VT Home, Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Rd., Barre, VT 05641. is extended to family and friends of Louise Aimee Lynch of Burlington who passed away in the UVM Medical Center at the age of 87. Her surviving family includes her daughter Susan McDonald and Susan’s husband, Jeffrey, of Charlotte, plus her grandsons Tyler and Ethan. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in her memory consider doing so to the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle

that are based solely on evidence of student achievement.

What steps have you taken to address these concerns?

The approach with the majority of the concerns has been further education and communication. We have found that the vast majority of issues have been a result of misunderstandings and that with clearer information we have been able to ease the fears some people were bringing to the table.

Here are some of the concrete steps we have taken to improve clarity and to further educate the public: All teachers have posted clearly articulated grading policies on their Moodle pages or websites; this allows students and parents to understand how teachers will be determining grades.

We held a parent evening to address initial questions and concerns and then created an SBL FAQ to address the most common of these. All teachers who are standards-based have posted this FAQ on their Moodle pages or websites.

We held lunchtime student question and answer tables to address concerns from our student body; these sessions have led to further professional development to

Classifieds The Charlotte News Classifieds: Reach your friends and neighbors for only $7 per issue (payment must be sent before issue date). Please limit your ad to 35 words or fewer and send it to The Charlotte News Classifieds, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 or email us ads@charlottenewsvt.com.

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improve communication between faculty and students.

Our Direction Center has been working closely with college admissions officers in order to ensure that CVU’s transition to SBL and SBG is smooth and easily understood.

How does SBL/SBG fit into our K-12 district educational plan?

A district team comprised of representatives from all CSSU schools is developing a K-12 implementation plan for SBL. This team will soon be communicating next steps with all stakeholders in the district. This team is working with representatives from the VT AOE, Great Schools Partnership and districts across Vermont to establish graduation standards aligned with the state’s Education Quality Standards, systems to support proficiency-based graduation requirements, and professional development strategies.

For more information, please visit cvulearns.weebly.com.

Charlotte SChool Board repreSentativeS: Lorna Jimerson, ljimerso@wcvt. com and Marilyn Richardson, mkrichardson1520@gmail.com

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Counties, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446 or to the Sara Holbrook Community Center, 66 North Ave., Burlington, VT 05401. is extended to family and friends of John Clark of Burlington who passed away January 10 at the age of 65.

His surviving relatives include Linda and Walter Gundel, former long-time residents of Hills Point in Charlotte.

The family asks that those wishing to make donations in his memory consider doing so to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. is extended to family and friends of Shirley Whitney of South Burlington who passed away January 5 at the age of 88. Among the many places she lived over the years— from Alaska to Rhode Island—Charlotte was one. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in her memory consider doing so to the Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, VT 05495. is extended to family and friends of Harold Nickelsberg of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., who passed away December 25 at the age of 98. Harold and his family were part-time residents of Charlotte from 1976 to 1996. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in his memory consider doing so to the Vermont Land Trust Champlain Valley Region, 13 Jolina Ct., Richmond, VT.

Fat Cow continued from page 1

“ridiculous—they feed them beer and massage them.” And while he claims they don’t treat them to the same degree of luxury at Fat Cow Farm, the “Wagford’s” grassbased diet in the summer and local, non-genetically modified corn silage in winter is special in its own right.

Providing the cattle a healthy diet of high quality feed is an integral part of Trono’s desire to farm with integrity. His personal standards involve avoiding chemicals and tending to the livestock with a focus made possible by the farm's smaller size. Although the herd is constrained by the size of the grazing area available, Trono sees this as a benefit. He said, “Because our numbers are small, here we have a lot of control over how we do things.” For example, he mentioned that on colder

nights they will be sure to provide the herd with extra corn to compensate for the added caloric demand.

With this in mind, Trono feels that becoming certified organic is not essential, especially for a smaller farm without the desire to spend resources on wading through certification paperwork. His commitment to high quality is a personal goal that applies to every aspect of the business. He said, “As long as you know in your heart that you’re doing that, it’s not really important to have some certificate on the wall.”

With big plans on the horizon for Fat Cow Farm, Peter and Zach Trono are committed to producing superior quality products that nourish both consumers and the community they belong to. “I’d be the first person to tell anyone you shouldn’t eat beef every day,” said Peter. “But when you eat it, it should be good, and it should be special.”

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