The Charlotte News Volume lVI Number 13
The VoIce of The TowN
Thursday, february 13, 2014
Emails Spark Discussion of Public Communication Lewis family thanked at Selectboard meeting Nancy Wood THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
Winter Awakening on the Water Peter Fenn took this picture of Carrie MacKillop as the sun rose behind her on a recent early morning adventure on frozen Lake Champlain. Have a great picture you’d like to see in print? Send it to news@charlottenewsvt.com.
Safety Committee Report Offers Path Forward on Crime, Speeding
Now that the dust has settled on budget preparations and finalizing the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Charlotte Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services (CVFRS), the Selectboard was faced with a lighter agenda Feb. 10. Less weighty issues, ranging from approval of summer races to discussion of a request for bids for brush hogging town lands, were handled with efficiency and good humor. A change in tone, more reminiscent of the rancor that has characterized many meetings over the last year, did not occur until the final item on the agenda: an innocent sounding discussion of “public communication procedures.” Ellie Russell presented the board with a packet of over 20 emails sent and received over the last month. Most are between her and Peter Trono, who was requesting detailed information and invoices about the new ambulance, particularly the tires, rims and striping, and the use of a $3,400 rebate and the handling of a $3,100 refund. Trono indicated that, as a taxpayer and a business owner who has purchased many vehicles on a tight budget, he considered the specialized equipment unnecessary and overly expensive. Russell sits on the board of CVFRS as the representative of the Selectboard and is the conduit for information between the two boards. Her responses to the emails indicated that not all the documents requested were available but that she understood that all the special equipment purchased was for safety reasons. Trono indicated frustration
Special Selectboard meeting on report Feb. 25
Selectboard
continued on page 7
Brett Sigurdson
The charloTTe News The Community Safety Committee (CSC) last week released its report to the Selectboard on how to address criminal activity and traffic enforcement in Charlotte. While the committee stopped short of making concrete recommendations to the town, the 36-page report nonetheless offers the board a range of options and cost estimates to combat what some in Charlotte see as growing issues of home invasions and speeding on town roads. The options reviewed by the committee include paying for increased police coverage, installing traffic-slowing measures and setting up a permanent safety committee. The committee was appointed by the Selectboard in July 2013, and its report is the product of over six months of research that included open meetings, a public hearing and an electronic survey undertaken by the committee.
As part of its research, the CSC looked at five years of police call data provided by the Vermont State Police (VSP) and the Shelburne Police Department (SPD), both of which provide law enforcement coverage to Charlotte. Between January 2008 and August 2013, the committee found an average of 44 calls per month in 80 different categories. The most common calls over the 68-month period were for alarms (427 calls), agency assist (361), suspicious activity (337) and motor vehicle complaints (227). In analyzing the call data, the CSC found no noticeable trends indicating an overall upward tick in crime in Charlotte. “Looking into each of the different categories of calls, none showed change that would be considered particularly noticeable, sizable, or worrisome given the type of calls and the number of calls involved,” stated the committee in its report. This sentiment runs counter to the feeling expressed by
many Charlotters in a threeweek survey the CSC conducted late last year. Of the 116 respondents in the poll, 41 percent indicated they believe there is a crime problem in Charlotte; 25 percent do not. Similarly, 38 percent of respondents feel speeding is a problem in Charlotte while 33 percent do not. However, a significant number of respondents indicated they were neutral on the questions, and many did not respond to either question. The CSC in its report pointed out that, “If nothing else [the responses] are useful to demonstrate the range of perspectives that exist on these topics.” A ChArlotte poliCe forCe? The CSC’s survey found most respondents—64 percent—believe the town’s current police service is adequate. Currently, the Shelburne police provide about eight hours of
Safety Committee
continued on page 12
A Day of Frosty Fun 2nd Annual Snodeo Comes to East Charlotte Feb. 15 While there wasn’t enough snow to make last year’s inaugural Snodeo in East Charlotte quite what it could have been, this year is a different story. And Carrie Spear is planning to make the second Snodeo on Feb. 15 as much fun as the snow is deep. Like last year, this year’s Snodeo will take place in and around Spear’s Corner Store and will feature both outdoor and indoor events, said Spear. Beginning at 3 p.m., attendees will find snow bowling, a snowbank treasure hunt and other games, not to mention sledding, on the green outside the store. Inside, Spear will host a beer and food tasting. At 6 p.m., a potluck will begin featuring “critter chili” and meat pies. Attendees are invited to bring a dish to share. The night will end with a fire and s’mores. Spear is still working out more ideas for the event and encourages visitors to bring skis and snowshoes and snowmobiles for more wintertime fun. She also encourages visitors to sport funky attire. A prize will be awarded for the best hat at the event. Those interested in helping with the event or in need of more information can call Spear at 425-4444.
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The Charlotte News
Legislative Report by Representative Mike Yantachka
The Charlotte News 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:
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Recycling Batteries When the Moretown landfill was closed by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources last year because of contamination and odor problems, Vermont was left with only one active landfill for the entire state. While some southern Vermont towns and solid waste districts ship their garbage across the borders to New York and New Hampshire, the rest of Vermont must rely on the Coventry landfill to meet its needs. This location is also finite and will someday have to close as well. To extend that day as far into the future as possible, we must learn to reduce the amount of waste we generate or else repurpose it and divert it from our remaining landfill. The Vermont Legislature has been addressing the problem of solid waste since 1987, when it passed Act 78 creating the first solid waste districts. More recently Act 148, addressing the diversion of yard waste and organic waste from landfills, was passed in 2012. And last year Vermont partnered with paint manufacturers to establish a paint stewardship program, which will allow unused paint to be returned for recycling at participating paint retailers. Other stewardship programs, in which manufacturers assume the cost of recycling, include electronic waste, mercury light bulbs and mercury thermostats, which have all been banned from Vermont landfills. There are other materials that we continue to dispose of in the trash because they are not currently recyclable by the methods available at Vermont recycling facilities. One of these materials is singleuse batteries, also known as primary batteries. There are more than 190 manufacturers of primary batteries sold in the U.S. According to an industry report, approximately 5.4 billion units of single-use batteries were shipped in the U.S. in 2010, including about 10 million in Vermont. Recoverable materials from primary batteries include zinc, manganese and steel. Offsetting the need for virgin materials is typically the best way to reduce a product’s overall lifecycle impact. Material
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In the previous issue of the News, we mistakenly printed that CVU’s FY2014-15 budget proposal is $36,400 higher than last year’s approved budget. The amount is actually $364,000. We apologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused.
recovery reduces the energy consumption needed to acquire virgin materials as well as other environmental impacts from mining. However, it is not economically feasible for our solid waste districts to pay for a primary battery recycling program. While there is an active rechargeable battery recycling program run by the industry, single-use batteries have not been included. This is now about to change. Like the paint manufacturers, the primary battery industry has become proactive in supporting a battery stewardship program. Energizer, Panasonic and Duracell, producers that account for more than half of the batteries sold in the U.S., are ready to partner with Vermont and other states to collect, ship and recycle primary batteries. House bill H.695, currently being developed by the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee, will update Vermont’s solid waste laws to require all solid waste districts and municipalities, as well as retailers on a voluntary basis, to act as collection points. It will also encourage other primary battery manufacturers to join an existing stewardship program or form one of their own. Only primary batteries made by participating manufacturers will be allowed to be sold in Vermont beginning in 2016. Finally, the bill will set up a process that will allow the industry-sponsored stewardship programs to recover recycling costs from each other and from nonparticipating manufacturers. While recycling and material diversion has come a long way in Vermont, we still have a long way to go. Only 35 percent of the waste stream in Vermont is recycled. In Chittenden County, it’s a little better at about 60 percent. But I have seen too many recyclable bottles and cans, paper and plastic routinely thrown into trash cans and barrels. It is incumbent on all of us to take personal responsibility for recycling our own waste and to remind others to do the same. I continue to welcome your thoughts and questions and can be reached by phone (425-3960) or by email (myantachka.dfa@gmail.com), and you can find my website at MikeYantachka.com.
PUBLIC NOTICE – AT&T – A.SSTA Colchester AT&T proposes a new wireless communications facility to be located at 2091 Main Street, in Colchester, Chittenden County, Vermont, and will entail the construction of a monopole along with ancillary equipment at ground level. Comments regarding the potential effects of the proposed facility on historic properties should be directed in writing or via email to: IVI Telecom Services, Inc., 55 West Red Oak Lane, White Plains, New York 10604 or CulturalResources@ivi-intl.com and received within 30 calendar days of the date of this notice.
PUBLIC MEETINGS 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: Charles Russell (4254757), Ellie Russell (425-5276), Winslow Ladue (425-2275), John Owen (425-4632), Lane Morrison (425-2495). CCS School Board Regular Meetings are usually at 6:30 p.m. in the CCS Library on the third Tuesday of each month. Clyde Baldwin (4253366), Edorah Frazer (425-4937), Kristin Wright
(425-5105). 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 Jim Donovan, Gerald Bouchard, Peter Joslin, Paul Landler, Linda Radimer, Ellie Russell. 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.
TelePhoNe: 425-4949 CirCulation: 2,700 CoPies Per issue. CoPyright © 2013 thE CharlottE nEws, inC. PrintEd by uPPEr vallEy PrEss
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The Charlotte News
Take the Charlotte News Town Plan Survey As the Planning Commission prepares a potentially wide-ranging revision to Charlotte’s Town Plan—the first major rewrite of the document in nearly 15 years—the Charlotte News is kicking off a series of articles that investigates how the town has changed in that time and what these changes could mean for Charlotte’s future. To coincide with this series, which we’ve called “Charlotte’s Web,” the News has created a survey that asks Charlotters what they envision for their town’s future. We’re hoping to get as many Charlotters as possible to take ten minutes to answer the questions, and we’ll share the results with readers in
a future issue and on the web. You can find the survey at surveymonkey.com/ s/9D7VWFS. It can also be accessed from our website, thecharlottenews.org. The survey will close March 7. Finally, we’ve created a web page devoted to the Town Plan, a place where Charlotters can read the current Town Plan, see drafts of the new plan and read the articles in the series. Check it out at charlottestownplan.wordpress. com. Be on the lookout for more articles in our “Charlotte’s Web” series in upcoming issues of the Charlotte News, your nonprofit, independent, local source for news.
Helen Toor recently submitted this photo of a frozen tree bud encased in ice.
Letters For two-year seat, Christie exceptional candidate We are fortunate to have Bonnie Christie running for the Selectboard. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bonnie on the Library Board of Trustees, where she has done an excellent job of chairing the board. She is knowledgeable, intelligent, hard working, responsible, open minded and willing to look “outside the box” for solutions. All this plus being a very pleasant person to work with! I know the two-year term she is seeking has three candidates running for it, so the vote will probably be split, making it harder for any of the three to win, but I’m hoping you’ll agree with me that Bonnie is the exceptional candidate we are looking for. Dorrice Hammer Charlotte
Christie committed to town I am writing in support of Bonnie Christie, who is running for the twoyear Selectboard seat. As the Selectboard liaison to the Library Board, where Bonnie is chair, and the Community Safety Committee, where Bonnie is a member, I have been in a position to see how she functions in these capacities. I have been very impressed by her dedication to the two groups, her ability to get information needed to make decisions on issues by doing the research, and her willingness to express her opinions. To her credit, she also reaches out to understand the positions of others who have different views. Bonnie is committed to the town. I believe she would be an excellent addition to the Selectboard. John Owen Selectboard member
In Support of Town Clerk Mead
Christie a thoughtful, inclusive candidate
Our Charlotte Town Clerk Mary Mead is an efficient and dependable individual. Her responsibilities require immense attention to detail and much tedious paperwork. I have observed her at work over the years—in the Town Hall, at meetings and elections—and she demonstrates consistent diligence to the job we have elected her to do. I would suggest that the explanatory letters she has submitted to the local papers represent her last straw of patience for our collective body of elected officials, the Selectboard. I have gleaned that members of the Selectboard have recently been pressuring the town clerk, perhaps to alleviate the perceived tensions with Charlotte Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services. CVFRS is, indeed, a private corporation that receives its operating funds from the town. This arrangement was not always clear to me, as I thought our town owned the facility and equipment of a volunteer-based organization. While it’s no easy task to run a fire and rescue service on volunteer steam, CVFRS is not the only civic organization facing a shrinking volunteer base. Many elected officials take their seats after running unopposed for office. Regardless, there is no need for Mary Mead to be the “fall guy” in the process of straightening up the financial operations of CVFRS. Mead has most certainly held true to her statutory obligations, and the lion’s share of those duties involve watching over our tax dollars. Divisiveness is typically unpleasant, but it often takes a division of the house to solve a problem. If you question the actions of our town clerk or other elected officials, why not go speak with them in person? We live in a small town where this is possible. One more thing, this letter was submitted to both local papers without scrutiny from anyone else. Sincerely in good faith,
I’ve worked closely with Bonnie Christie on the Charlotte Library Board of Trustees for the past two years and have thoroughly enjoyed our working relationship. As the current chair of the board, Bonnie is dedicated to the well-being of both the staff and the patrons of the library, she carefully prepares for and does her homework on the issues that come before the board—from building the annual budget to implementing the strategic plan the board adopted two years ago—and she reads widely about the present and future of public libraries to help inform her and the board’s thinking about how the library can most fully serve the largest number of people in Charlotte, from preschoolers to senior citizens. Speaking as the treasurer of the library board, I’ll miss Bonnie if she’s elected to the Selectboard. But the Selectboard and the town will greatly benefit from her thoughtful, inclusive approach to deciding the broad range of matters that concern us as a community. And that’s why I’m pleased to endorse her for the two-year Selectboard position.
Robin Reid Greenbush Road
Vince Crockenberg Thompson’s Point Road
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.
CVFRS to Interview for Fulltime Firefighter Position Five applicants from around the state have been chosen for a round of interviews with Charlotte Volunteer Fire & Rescue (CVFRS) to provide full-time day coverage for operations at the fire station. As part of its budget appropriation from the town last year, CVFRS reserved $60,000 for the position to provide daytime coverage for fire calls due to a critical shortage of trained firefighters available to respond to calls. While some have questioned CVFRS’s slow movement toward making a hire, Fire Chief Chris Davis said the organization took its time to come up with a thorough job description for the position and to circulate it to all of the fire departments in Vermont. Aside from providing daytime coverage for calls, the firefighter will assist with station duties, paperwork, training, public education and building and equipment maintenance. “We consider the weekday daytime firefighter to be a fire response multiplying factor, augmenting our present available volunteers during a known period of the week when we are short staffed due to work, family or travel commitments,” said Davis of the role the new hire will play. On a typical weekday, Davis notes there are between one and seven officers or volunteer firefighters available to respond to fires or car accidents. With limited personnel to respond to reported structure fires, CVFRS often has to call neighboring towns for help on weekdays and vice versa. The five candidates will be interviewed in the coming weeks. CVFRS hopes to announce its selection of the full-time hire in early March. Despite the planned hire, CVFRS is always looking for volunteers who are interested in a challenge and making a positive impact on their community. The organization offers training within the department and the state level. Those who are interested are invited to check out CVFRS on Facebook, or to contact the organization by email or phone, or to just stop by the station when someone is there.
The Charlotte News
Larry Hamilton Contributor The difficult moments we have experienced several times this winter with driving on our roads has again led some residents to question the current policy on use of de-icing salt. They favor a substantial increase in salt, approaching a “bare roads” policy. I would be derelict in my duties as tree warden if I did not weigh in on this issue. I support the current policy, not long ago reaffirmed by public discussion and vote, of using minimal road salt as a de-icer and then only when and where the road commissioner feels he has no other adequate alternative for reducing extreme hazard. I advise against the mandatory increased use of salt for the following reasons: The general negative aspects of using road salt (especially sodium chloride). These include rusting vehicles, corroded bridges and metal culverts, groundwater contamination (including wells and springs), increased salt concentration in streams and serious adverse impact on roadside vegetation (including trees). Water issues. De-icing salt does not stay on the road surface. It runs off or is subsequently plowed off into ditches, which lead to streams and eventually to the lake. This is not a trivial matter, as seen in the White Mountains, for example, where some streams are now ten times saltier than they were in the 1970s due to road salt.
(See Northern Woodlands, Winter 2005, page 15.) Sand also moves off the road surface, but much sand is trapped/filtered by ditch vegetation, rather than creating sediment in streams. We know this because periodically our road commissioner has to clean deposited sediment out of ditches and culverts. Although a small amount of sodium chloride or other de-icing salts can be absorbed by roadside vegetation, most is not trapped or filtered out. Plowing and vehicle movement whip salts up into fine particles, which spray several yards onto adjacent land. Groundwater is contaminated by salt, and this can be of particular concern to residents with high blood pressure who need to keep their sodium intake low. The water supply supervisor for the Vermont Agency of Transportation reported in a January 8, 2002 Burlington Free Press article, that AoT investigates five to six complaints per year from property owners who believe their wells have been polluted by road salt. In the past 20 years AoT has had to replace 69 wells (both dug and drilled wells, and springs) and pay damages to residents for another 16 wells. Roadside vegetation issues. Sodium changes the way soil particles aggregate, leading to compaction. This action imitates drought and restricts plants’ access to water and oxygen. Salt gradually converts roadside vegetation to more salt-tolerant species, which include common buckthorn, staghorn sumac, Norway maple and honeysuckle—all of which are undesirable, aggressive aliens. Salt causes gradual decline and hastened death of older roadside trees, especially maples, beech, white pine and hemlock. Salt spray directly causes leaf damage on trees, shrubs and forbs, with resulting death of lower branches, or of entire trees and shrubs if they are small.
Salt in soil water is taken up by trees and shrubs. Chloride is toxic at certain levels, as are the sodium ions, in part because they restrict the uptake of magnesium and potassium ions needed for healthy growth. At a certain level they actually kill tissue. Charlotte is currently engaged in a major roadside tree restoration project funded by the Rutter Family Charlotte Beautification Fund and widely supported by residents. While the project committee has been careful to select the most salt-tolerant species in locations that are most susceptible to salt impact, it must be remembered that this is “tolerance” only and not immunity from damage. Effectiveness of salt. Salt loses its effectiveness when temperatures get down Greenbush Road after a recent snowstorm. to the levels we experienced in late January. Even Shelburne, with its bare greater tire traction. pavement policy, was unable Surely, in view of the adverse impacts, to keep Dorset Street ice-free. People isn’t a viable alternative slower, more caresimply have to drive with more care, not ful driving when serious icy conditions just throw more salt. Salt loses its potency exist and leaving home a few minutes earwhen temperatures are in single digits. The lier for work or other commitments? Saratoga Dept. of Public Works in New York has stated, “When you get down to the low 20s or teens, salt won’t do a thing.” Larry Hamilton is Charlotte’s volunteer They simply use more sand, which gives tree warden. Photo by Linda WiLLiamson
More Salt for Charlotte’s Roads?
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The Charlotte News
AllEarth Renewables was recently awarded two national top-product honors for its AllSun solar tracker design. The pallet system for the innovative AllSun Tracker won “Top Products of 2013” from Solar Power World and was also one of eight products to win “2013 Top Products” by Electrical Products and Solutions magazine. “We take a lot of pride in our company’s engineering and lean manufacturing,” said David Blittersdorf, president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables and a resident of Charlotte. “This product was designed with our growing network of nationwide solar installers in mind, allowing them to both get our tracker quickly and make their installation jobs easier.” Utilizing the rails of the solar tracker frame, the AllSun Tracker Pallet was designed to allow nationwide shipping to installers or directly to job sites. The completely pre-engineered system
simplifies supply chain management and installation by including the entire tracker and all materials needed for a solar installation. The dual-axis AllSun Tracker is designed for residential- and commercial-scale installations. By tracking the sun each day, the system boosts energy production by up to 45 percent over rooftop installations. “Each year we choose what we believe are top products in the electrical industry market,” wrote Electrical Products and Solutions. “The products and services chosen are each unique, beneficial and reliable in their own right.” In 2012, AllEarth Renewables was among the top 500 fastest-growing companies nationwide and has installed over 1,750 complete, grid-connected solar tracker systems. The dual axis tracker was previously named a “Top-10 Green Product” by BuildingGreen.com.
AllEarth Renewables pallet system for the innovative AllSun Tracker won “Top Products of 2013” from Solar Power World and was also one of eight products to win “2013 Top Products” by Electrical Products and Solutions.
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Fire Damages Lewis Garage
Photo by Chris Davis
AllEarth Renewables Wins Award for Solar Tracker System
(Left to right) Shelburne FD Lt. Pierre Grangien, Assistant Chief Jim Buell and Lt. John Goodrich assist Charlotte FD Captain Devin St. George with roof laddering, venting and fire suppression.
A fire broke out last Thursday at a garage on Church Hill Road that houses Lewis Excavating, causing minor damage to the roof. According to Charlotte Volunteer Fire Chief Chris Davis, a neighbor reported seeing flames shooting up from the top of the garage, which houses excavating and plowing vehicles used by Jr Lewis for his business and also in his capacity as town road commissioner. When crews responded, they found the fire was confined to the roof system in an area centered around a chimney flue. The fire was knocked down in about a minute, said Fire Warden Dick St. George. In total, firefighters were on the scene for over an hour. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. According to Davis, the fire started in the wood framing around the chimney, though the cause was not related to the operation of the garage stove. Damage to the building’s roof and the chimney was relatively minor, noted St. George. He estimates the cost of it at around $5,000. Davis credits Lewis and his crew with moving quickly to remove vehicles from the garage as CVFRS volunteers pulled into the scene. “The quick actions of Jr Lewis using
fire extinguishers on the blaze while his crew backed the plow trucks out of the building as Charlotte fire crews entered with hoses made all the difference in the outcome,” he said. Also helpful: the fact that many CVFRS volunteers were already together. “We were actually at the station for a meeting,” said Davis, “so we had a quick response. It worked out well.” In total, 19 CVFRS volunteers responded to the fire. About 20 other firefighters from Hinesburg, Shelburne, Vergennes and Ferrisburgh provided mutual aid. The year 2014 has already been a busy one for CVFRS, which has had 16 calls since Jan. 1, several of them for chimney fires. While the Lewis Excavating fire wasn’t technically a chimney fire, Davis noted it serves to remind residents with wood-burning stoves to get their chimneys cleaned once a year to avoid creosote buildup and the makings for a chimney fire. “Due to the continued cold weather, we urge all homeowners who heat with wood to please have their chimneys cleaned. It is time,” said Davis. “Cleaning now can prevent a chimney fire that can lead to a house fire.”
The Charlotte News
Andrus to Present on Vermont Sail Freight Project Feb. 16 in Ferrisburgh At the end of September, Erik Andrus took his handmade sailing barge, Ceres, on a 10-day journey down the Hudson River to deliver Vermont potatoes, apples, maple syrup and the like to hungry New Yorkers, an event remarkable only because this was 2013. Andrus will give a presentation on the Vermont Sail Freight Project on Sunday, Feb. 16, at the Ferrisburgh Community Center/Town Hall beginning at 2 p.m. Between the opening of the Champlain Canal in 1823 and the advent of the railroad in the late 1860s, sailing barges were a vital link between farmland up the Hudson Valley and the ever-growing population of New York City. Today, fleets of trucks, not boats, make the same journey in six hours or less. But Andus says speed isn’t everything. “Moving cargo along the highways is notorious for being one of the worst jobs, and it burns 60 gallons of diesel per
trip,” he said. “Being in communion with the working waterway and with natural forces looks a lot better to me. It’s kind of my belief that the future might look a lot like the past.” What became the Vermont Sail Freight Project was originally just Andrus’s “crazy idea,” born of his love for farming, water and building things out of wood. He’ll be the first to tell you that he’s a rice farmer, not a boat builder. But then again, five years ago he wasn’t a rice farmer either. He was a wheat and barley farmer whose fields wouldn’t stop flooding. Apparently for Andrus water equals opportunity of all kinds. The project got off the ground with a successful Kickstarter campaign and some additional fund-raising (including an unsolicited $10,000 gift from the band Phish). Andrus then teamed up with the Willowell Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental education, and sought out boat-building experts to make
sure the project wouldn’t sink. If all goes well, he hopes the venture will become selfsustaining— even profitable. The barge can take on 15 tons of cargo at a time— “ E v e r y t h i n g Ceres and her crew on Lake Champlain last year. The barge from maple made a trip to New York City last fall to deliver local food as syrup to Christ- part of the Vermont Sail Freight Project. mas trees, depending on the season,” Andrus said—and he expects an entrepreneuring young bargeman (or to make eight trips per year, selling woman) will step up to the plate. It isn’t mostly to individual customers who exactly a get-rich-quick scheme, but then will pre-order through his website. again, speed isn’t everything. Andrus doesn’t plan to abandon farming for a life on the river, so he’s hoping
Lewis Creek Association Gets State Funds to Address Stormwater Mitigation in Hinesburg
CVFRS Urges Charlotters to be Ice Aware
Charlotte’s Lewis Creek Association has been awarded $67,600 from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s Ecosystem Restoration Program to work with the Town of Hinesburg to design two village stormwater infiltration projects and to install one project by 2015. Both projects will serve the dual purpose of protecting the state’s water quality and supporting the Lewis Creek Association’s mission to protect, maintain and restore Lewis Creek and neighboring watersheds. For the first project, stormwaterremediation recommendations will be prepared for two village locations: the corner of Route 116 and Silver Street and the Patrick Brook watershed. The final design will reduce sediment and nutrient pollution in the LaPlatte River corridor and Lake
Because of the recent snow, Charlotte Volunteer Fire & Rescue is urging caution for anyone who wishes to venture out onto ponds or the lake. There were reports of thin ice before the snow fell, and these and other areas can become more dangerous with snow cover. CVFRS urges people to call 911 immediately if they are aware that someone has fallen through the ice. By doing so, help will be on the way in the event they are not able to get themselves out. Also, fire and rescue personnel urge people that do fall through the ice and get themselves out to contact 911 to report they are safe. This prevents others from calling 911 if they see the hole or see the person fall in but not safely get out. Fire Chief Chris Davis noted that last week in Addison County an individual fell through the ice on an ATV. He was able to get out, but others who saw the hole and the 4-wheeler on the bottom called 911, and it triggered a multi-agency response while the individual was safe and warming up in his home.
Champlain. The second project, a large stormwater rain garden, will be installed at the Silver Street and 116 location. These natural landscape improvements will, at less cost than more traditional approaches, help to infiltrate runoff from impervious surfaces, which are major contributors of sediment and nutrients and which would otherwise reduce stream stability and degrade the aquatic habitat in Hinesburg’s streams and rivers. “This installation can serve as a demonstration site to showcase how to locate and design beautiful green infrastructure in a village setting, and how to design and maintain roadside drainage that reduces the impacts of stormwater runoff,” said Jim Pease, an environmental scientist with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
Ecosystem restoration grants are made available to Vermont municipalities, local or regional governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations and citizens groups as part of the Ecosystem Restoration Program’s ongoing efforts to reduce surface water pollution from phosphorus and sediment. Funded projects typically involve efforts to improve stream stability, protect against flood hazards, improve in-stream and riparian habitat, lessen the effects of stormwater runoff, protect and restore riparian wetlands, re-establish lake shoreline native vegetation, and enhance the environmental and economic sustainability of agricultural lands.
The Charlotte News
Selectboard continued from page 1 that the answers he received were not adequate and criticized Russell for not answering quickly enough. She told the Selectboard that the public has a right to know and to ask questions, and that she had tried to answer all the questions “as appropriate under the MOA with CVFRS.” Board member Lane Morrison said there had been 25 e-mails since Jan. 16 about the ambulance, and “enough is enough.” He said that decisions about the details of the ambulance are the type of decisions delegated to CVFRS in their professional status and that “micromanagement is not what the Selectboard wants to do.” Ladue said to Russell, “As you have, give honest answers to all questions.” He suggested sometimes it is necessary to have a meeting to resolve issues. Fritz Tegatz questioned, “What is micromanaging—making the decisions or reporting?” Ladue responded that the ambulance is a big purchase by the taxpayers, who should feel proud of it, and CVFRS should be proud about sharing information about the purchase. CVFRS has offered to come quarterly to the Selectboard to answer questions that the public may have. Ed Sulva, CVFRS treasurer, said about the ambulance purchase, “We will report every detail when final.” He had just received the final invoice that day. A note to all: As a general rule, all written communications with an elected official that are about town business, including e-mails, are considered public documents.
Lewis FamiLy TradiTion ConTinues For many years, Town Constable Cowboy Lewis was in charge of opening and closing the gates at Demeter Park, now called the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge. Arline Lewis, Cowboy’s wife, went with him most of the time. After his death five years ago, Arline continued to do the gates for a small stipend from the town, and recently her family, including her son Jr Lewis and daughter Mary Boyd, has filled in for her. The Selectboard formalized this arrangement Monday night by hiring Boyd to open and close the gates. Boyd will start officially this week and said she
would be assisted by her husband, Chris, and her brother. Boyd asked the Selectboard to give her guidance on how to deal with cars that are still in the parking lots at the time the gate is supposed to be closed, which is a half hour after dusk. She said this is the biggest problem that occurs frequently. Several suggestions were made, including closing the gate and leaving a note on the car indicating that the owner can call her to have the gate reopened for a fee of $25. The Parks Committee, represented at the meeting by Jenny Cole and Sue Smith, was asked to propose a policy. Cole thanked the Lewis family for their many years performing this service.
monumenT move by Town ParTy Board member Winslow Ladue reported that plans for moving the World War II monument from near CCS to the Town Green are close to final. Bids will be sought, preferably from local contractors, for the heavy lifting and transporting, and a request for proposals is being prepared with the help of Dave Marshall for the curtain drain needed to keep the area dry.
Proposed House Move Would Impact View, Town Easement Ellie Russell reported that the new owners of the Varney Farm on Route 7, adjacent to the Park, are proposing to move the farmhouse. The issue is currently before the Planning Commission, which has recommended a change in location that would have less impact on the view but that would affect the Town’s easement, which includes a parking lot for vehicles and horse trailers.
Poison ParsniP and PaymenT Each year the town seeks bids for mowing and land maintenance and brushhogging for town-owned lands. In order to avoid the spread of invasive plants such as poison parsnip, the Park Oversight Committee has requested that the mowers be washed before being brought into the park. This led to a broader discussion about how the town can encourage landowners to help eradicate the poison parsnip that has become ever-present along the roads in Charlotte, outside of the town right-of-way. The right-of-way is mowed on a schedule designed to discourage the plants. A section in the proposal about payment on a per-mowing basis was removed after it was clarified that payment is for
the contract amount for work expected for the season.
ChamP run aPProved The CCS PTO is organizing the 12th annual Champ “Fun” Run, a fundraiser for CCS that includes 5K and10K runs. In the past it has taken place on a Sunday afternoon. This year the request is for closing Hinesburg Road between Church Hill Road and Mt. Philo Road from 8:15– 10:15 a.m. Concerns about police presence, signage and the impact on church services were debated, assurances were received that all would be dealt with, and approval was granted. Approval was also given for the Green Mountain Getaway MS Bike Ride on Aug. 2 and 3, 2014. In other actions, the board discussed and approved the grant proposal by
the Charlotte Trails Committee for the first section of a trail along State Park Road near Mt. Philo; an agreement with Vermont Department of Corrections for community service work by small groups of nonviolent women offenders in the park this summer; extension of last year’s bridge engineering grant to Dec. 31, 2015; and the certificate of highway mileage sent annually to the state. The board also approved a job description for administrative assistant and advertising the position. This is the job currently held by longtime town employee Gloria Warden. Warden is running as a write-in candidate for town clerk and treasurer in Ferrisburgh, and if she wins, the position would be open right after Town Meeting. Candidates for the job would be considered only if that occurs.
This Valentine’s Day Open Your Heart to a Fresh Air Child Make this Valentine’s Day extra special for your family and give them the gift of friendship with a Fresh Air child. This summer join volunteer host families in the Charlotte area who open their hearts and homes to New York City children. Each summer, over 4,000 inner-city children visit suburban, rural and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada through the Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program. “We love sharing the wonders of lightning bugs, playing in the backyard, and swimming with our Fresh Air friend!” said Liz, a Fresh Air host. Fresh Air children are boys and girls from six to 18 years old who live in New York City. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for one or two weeks. Children who are reinvited by host families may continue with the Fresh Air Fund through age 18 and can enjoy extended trips. Families find hosting so rewarding that more than 65 percent of all Fresh Air children are invited to visit the same host families year after year. Through the eyes of Fresh Air children, families often rediscover the beauty of their own communities.
The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. For more information on hosting a Fresh Air child this summer, please contact Deb Olsen at 425-2957 or visit The Fresh Air Fund online at freshair.org.
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The Charlotte News
YWP Announces Vermont Writes Day Feb. 13
The Dance of Death
Dark Corner I wonder what loneliness is a bird left from the flock a runaway with no home to return to a shoe with no counterpart a book unread an unnoticed treasure a joke not said so what is it like, loneliness Antonio Pugliese Grade 8
A boy who dreams to be a soldier And fight the evil men He thinks he will be so much bolder Than his mother hen When war rolls through the land He thinks his dream’s come true He gets up and quits his band And leaves them all so blue He then enrolls into the army He thinks he’s become a man He did not expect remarks so smarmy Or the filthy bath pan With gun in hand, he marches out Without a hint of fear He then realizes with a pout Gunshots are a sound he cannot hear He steps out onto the battlefield Side by side with friends
Students, teachers, principals, school staff members and guests will write together in the annual stateGrant Wood’s American Gothic (1930) wide Vermont Writes Day presented by the Young ing as much detail as possible in setting, Writers Project (YWP) on Feb. 13. YWP’s goal for this day is to character, etc. help people understand the importance Spider: You are about to crush a of writing for learning, work and life. spider when something stops you. Last year about 90 schools participated. Describe what happens. On Feb. 13, writers around the state Valentine: I love you because… are encouraged to post their work on Prize: You have received the best youngwritersproject.org, share their prize you can imagine. What is it and writing in the classroom and provide why is it so valuable to you? What is the each other feedback. Writing will also story behind the prize? be published in YWP’s Newspaper Alive: Describe a place where you Series, in an e-book, on vtdigger.org and on Vermont Public Radio’s web- feel most alive. site, vpr.net. Six words: Create as many six-word Participants are asked to write poetry stories as you can in seven minutes. or prose for seven minutes on one of the General writing: Write about anyfollowing prompts: thing in any genre you like, poetry or Gothic: Today is the birthday of prose. Grant Wood (Feb. 13, 1891–Feb. 12, Please browse youngwritersproject. 1942), artist of the iconic painting org or contact YWP for more informaAmerican Gothic (1930). The artist uses great detail in this tion. Schools may choose any seven painting—his models are his sister, his minutes during the day on Feb. 13, dentist and a house in his native Iowa. so times will vary. Check with local Write a story, based either on this paint- schools about the timing of their events. ing or on a topic of your choice, providWhen the enemy does not yield Almost all would meet their ends Only the boy would make it home With a heavy heart As he sat beneath the dome He knew he hadn’t played his part But forever would the piper pipe And lead boys out to war Of these boys there is no “type”
They all will crave the roar Yet they all would give their lives And take their final breath They all will lose their lives In this endless dance of death
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The Charlotte News
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Talent N i g h t The alwayspopular CCS Variety Show last week displayed the many talents of Charlotte students who did everything from act to sing to dance. At left, Olivia Santos wows the crowd with her hula hooping skills while (right) Rory McDermott sings “Castle on a Cloud” from Les Miserables.
Far left: Fifth grader Oscar Williams sings “Quiet” from the Broadway musical Matilda. Fourth graders (from left) Evelyn Emmons, Sophie Pidgeon and Maddie Donaldson entertain the audience with a comical skit called “The House is on Fire.”
Photos by Karyn Lunde Sixth grader Sam Zinner, a crowd favorite, plays piano and sings “Trojans” by Atlas Genius.
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The Charlotte News
Invasion of the Habitat Snatchers
Burrill and Van Waganen Conserve 24 Acres off Higbee Road Kate Lampton Contributor
The Burrill–Van Wagenen property is also a notable addition to Charlotte’s network of conserved lands for its importance as wildlife habitat. The property’s forests, streams and ponds provide a rich mix of natural features that support a wide array of wildlife. On site visits to the property, signs of coyote, fox, weasel, mink, deer, turkey, bobcat and barred owl were all spotted. Mohr described the property as “part of a loosely connected network of forested and aquatic habitats that extends between Pease Mountain and Mount Philo, two of Charlotte’s premier natural areas.” The Charlotte Land Trust works with local landowners to conserve the appropriate agricultural, natural and scenic resources in town. Easements are crafted to suit the features of the land and landowners’ current and future plans. Speaking of his project, Burrill said, “I appreciate the (CLT) board’s interest and think this would be a great addition for a conservation easement.” CLT feels Charlotte is fortunate to have landowners such as Burrill and Van Wagenen who choose to donate their conservation easement as a particularly generous way of preserving the future of Charlotte’s special landscape.
Photo by Edd MErritt
The Charlotte Land Trust (CLT) is pleased to announce that at the end of 2013 George Burrill and Lola Van Wagenen donated a conservation easement on approximately 24 acres of their land on Higbee Road. The property is important as a clayplain forest ecosystem and is also part of a larger network of wildlife corridors associated with Pease Mountain and Thorp Brook. Clayplain forests were once a predominant feature of the Champlain Valley, but much forest land was lost from conversion to farmland. In recent years the importance of this ecosystem has been recognized, and conservation of remaining sections has become a priority. The Burrill–Van Wagenen property contains not only a good example of clayplain forest but also a rarer variant of sand over clay. Jesse Mohr, the consulting ecologist used by the Charlotte Land Trust to assess the property, noted, “While we do not know too much about it, the sandover clay variant of valley clayplain forest is thought to be relatively rare. The sand-over-clay forest on George’s property is of better condition than most I have seen in Charlotte.”
Committee forms to manage invasive species on town lands
A look at land recently conserved by George Burrill and Lola Van Wagenen.
Joanna Cummings Contributor What are invasive plants and why are they such a big problem? Nonnative invasive species are plants, animals and other organisms either accidentally or intentionally introduced from other places. Once invasive species are established, fishing, hunting, forestry, tourism and agriculture can be affected. In order to control the spread of invasive species, the Charlotte Invasives Committee (CHIC) formed to develop a management plan for town-owned lands. One thousand dollars has been allocated in the town budget to identify and assess affected areas and create detailed treatment and monitoring plans. Members of CHIC include the Charlotte Conservation Commission, Charlotte Wildlife Common reed is an invasive species that Refuge Oversight Committee and the grows in wetlands, marshes and along Lewis Creek Association. river and lake shores. Due to the lack of natural controls lake shores is common reed. It is a tall and their high reproductive ability, invasive species can quickly become grass topped with a large tassel or plume widespread. Invasive plants, in particu- of tiny flowers that, if left unchecked, lar, tend to grow faster, taller or broader, will replace native grasses, provide poor robbing space, light and nutrients from quality habitat for insects, birds and native flora. They change not only the amphibians, and reduce fish populaway an area looks but also the way it tions due to high egg and fry mortality. It grows in many areas of town, and a functions ecologically. Infestations can disrupt water absorp- notable patch of this grass can be found tion as well as circulation, nutrient along the town office driveway. There are numerous invasive species cycling and even create a toxic environon our town lands and on private properment. They also degrade habitat qualty too. However, they can be controlled ity, which can reduce the number and if the infestation is relatively new, as is variety of fish and wildlife. Invasive the case with common reed, or if manspecies also pose risks to human health agement is consistent over several years. and safety by exacerbating allergies and potentially introducing new dis- Although common reed is growing at several locations, the areas are small, eases. Familiar invasive plants include and control is feasible and economical Japanese honeysuckle, garlic mustard, if action is taken early. The allocation of funds for invasive Norway maple, purple loosestrife species control is setting an excellent and common buckthorn. Frogbit, an precedent for long-term stewardship of invader in Charlotte’s Town Farm Bay town lands. We hope that citizens of wetland, has been the focus of an ongoing removal project to prevent wetland Charlotte feel the same and will support functions from being adversely affect- the committee’s efforts this year and for ed. The Charlotte Wildlife Refuge’s years to come. For more information about the CHIC Oversight Committee developed a plan committee please contact us at charlotto manage several invasive species in tevtcc@gmail.com. the park, to restore wildlife habitat and to enhance scenic and recreation opporJoanna Cummings is the co-chair of the tunities. Another invasive plant that grows in Charlotte Conservation Commission. wetlands, marshes and along river and
The Charlotte News
Charlotte Conservation Currents Joanna Cummings Contributor The mission of the Charlotte Conservation Commission is to support the Town Plan by promoting land and other resource use decisions that protect and enhance Charlotte’s natural and cultural resources. During the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the commission accomplished several projects that strengthened citizen connections to our natural resources and met many goals of the Town Plan. Within the commission, leadership changed hands from Robert Hyams, who chaired the commission for four years, to a shared role with the appointment of Roel Boumans and myself as co-chairs. We bring a wealth of knowledge and breadth of experience in the conservation field, such as conservation planning, project management and administration, outreach and education program development, natural history interpretation and GIS mapping expertise. The Conservation Commission plays a key role in subdivision review for our town as an advisor to the Planning Commission on the impact of development on natural resources of high public value. Helping permit applicants plan and develop with natural resources in mind will save landowners a lot of upfront expense and benefit the town with more sustainable and environmentally conscious development practices. We are preparing several publications for distribution at the town office and on the town website, with information on topics such as low-impact develop-
A Year in Review and the Year Ahead ment, minimizing soil compaction, pro- funding and participated as coordinatecting natural water flows and reduc- tors and frogbit “pickers.” The commising stormwater runoff. sion will continue to support this project The Town Farm Bay and wetland in the coming year and will reach out to complexes at the mouths of Thorp and fellow Charlotters for help as well. Kimball brooks constitute one of CharPartnerships and collaboration lotte’s premier ecological assets. Con- are very important to the success of servation Commission member Mari- the commission’s work in our comana De Brul spearheaded a project that munity. An outreach program about explored the feasibility and benefits watersheds and water quality, called of petitioning the state to change the Charlotte WatershED, was created by designation of the wetlands from Class forming partnerships with the Charlotte II to Class I. The area has been called “one of the finest wetland complexes on the shores of Lake Champlain” and “a rare, intact cross-section of landscape from open water to bottomland forest.” A survey at the 2011 Town Party revealed that town wetlands were the second most commonly cited “most important” natural resource. Another important project that focuses on the Town Farm Bay wetlands is control of frogbit, an invasive plant species. It has been a coordinated effort with the Lewis Creek Association, Charlotte residents and invasive species experts Sue Marty Illick points out local watersheds at a Smith and Jenny Cole, and WatershED event last year. citizens in Shelburne. Frogbit is not native to Vermont, and, like water chestnut, it has no natural predators. If left uncon- Library, Transition Town Charlotte, the trolled frogbit will invade wetlands, Lewis Creek Association, the Vermont eventually out-competing native plant Department of Environmental Conserand animal species, which can alter the vation and Shelburne Farms. Charlotte important ecological functions of this WatershED’s purpose, as a community wetland complex. education initiative and call-to-action, Funding is minimal, and the work of is to help citizens think regionally about removing frogbit is intensive, but the the health of our water resources and effort has been successful in reducing to act locally to protect and improve its presence in the wetland. The Con- them. Five community workshops were servation Commission has contributed hosted at the Charlotte Senior Center
and the library during 2013, funded by a small grant and generous contributions by the partners. This year grants are being sought to fund “citizen science” activities, workshops and educational materials. Another aspect of our community outreach effort is this monthly column in the Charlotte News, coordinated by commission member Holly Sullivan. Her work has enabled us to have a continuous presence in the town newspaper with articles that educate, inform and tell stories about the richness of our natural resources. Article topics in the last year covered subjects such as butterflies in Charlotte, protecting grassland bird habitat, how to use iNaturalist, and a journey to the “dark side” of herbicides. The Charlotte Town Plan is scheduled for a five-year review and rewrite. Over the past year the Conservation Commission has devoted many hours to preparing a draft of the natural resources section for the Planning Commission. There are several key considerations for natural resource conservation in Charlotte, such as habitat fragmentation, water quality of streams, wetlands and Lake Champlain, invasive species control and the effects of changing weather patterns. The updated Town Plan will address these issues and impacts and include effective goals and strategies we can all take. Looking ahead to the next fiscal year, the commission considers the revision of the Town Plan an opportunity to renew our commitments and forge ahead with new strategies that balance natural resource conservation with our rural, small village character. Let us know what you think about natural resource conservation by contacting the commission at charlottevtcc@gmail. com.
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Safety Committee
continued from page 1
service to the town per week for an annual cost of $25,000, while the state police (VSP) provides coverage at no cost to the town. However, the Town of Shelburne is currently re-evaluating its contract for coverage in Charlotte, the report stated, and the cost of the contract is likely to increase. The SPD was one of four outside agencies the CSC contacted for cost estimates for providing police services ingat 40, 20 and 10 hours a week. Of the four, only VSP and Shelburne were interested in providing the services. According to a quote from VSP, the department could provide a state trooper to the town, for patrol above and beyond what the agency already provides, at a cost of $49,175 per year for up to 15 hours of service per week. The SPD did not have a cost estimate available at the time of the report, though the Shelburne police chief has been working with the Shelburne Selectboard and town manager to determine the costs of the services requested. Another option the CSC explored is a Charlotte-centered police force. It offered four options to the Selectboard,
ranging in cost from $82,000 for a parttime police officer who would work three shifts per week to $387,000 for a five-member, full-time police force. A one- or a two-officer, full-time police service, the other two options, would cost between $131,000 and $206,000, according to the report. These estimates include start-up costs for leasing a police vehicle, purchasing dispatch and other equipment and costs for office space. The committee pointed out that this doesn’t include all of the possible budgetary expenses, specifically overtime, which is not easily predicted given unknowns such as case work and court time. The report also noted that a Charlotte police force would likely necessitate a change in management to the town “in order to achieve a buffer between the [Selectboard] and the Police Officers.” “Sleeping policemen” The CSC explored a number of nonpolice options that would address speeding issues along Ferry Road, Greenbush Road, Spear Street Extension and Mt. Philo Road. Chief among them is installing speed tables, which are built to a height of about four inches and feature an overall crossing distance of 22 feet, requiring
vehicles to reduce speeds to between 25 and 27 mph to cross. When used in a series, they effectively discourage drivers from speeding in between. The CSC preferred speed tables to speed bumps and speed humps, as research indicates that, generally, emergency responders prefer speed tables— they delay a vehicle by less than three seconds per hump—and tables do not and not odamage snow plows. Another benefit to these “sleeping policemen”—so called because they are always working and low-cost relative to police services—is they require little maintenance or attention and can be tested on a road and evaluated for use elsewhere. However, implementing them would require engineering studies and would cost upward of $5,000 each to install. Other non-police options to reduce speed suggested by the CSC include posting suitable speed limits, incorporating multi-way stops at some intersections,, and painting shoulder striping to create the appearance of decreased road width, which tends to slow down drivers. Because each of the problem traffic areas poses different issues, the CSC recommended creating a multiyear, community-led plan for address-
ing them over time. “For example, some areas may require more police presence, while others might benefit from simple signage upgrades. The biggest problem areas could be identified and prioritized, leaving the less travelled or less dangerous roads for a second tier of plans.” These speed-mitigation recommendations carry an extra bit of weight, noted the committee in its report, given the likely increase of traffic on Charlotte’s thoroughfares when construction begins on Route 7 in 2015. Finally, the CSC report recommended thats the town undertake a campaign to educate and address perceived crime and speeding issues in town. A major part of this education and outreach would come from a permanent Community Safety Committee, which the report stateds would facilitate communication between Charlotters and the Selectboard, as well as monitor local crime, advise the Selectboard on issues of police enforcement and evaluate broader issues of road safety. Charlotters will have more time to provide input regarding the report at a special Selectboard meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25, beginning at 7:30 p.m. To read the report beforehand, visit the town website at charlottevt.org.
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The Charlotte News
Police call Data for charlotte, Vt, Jan 08–aug 13
A Look at the History of Police in Charlotte According to a brief history in the Community Safety Committee’s report provided by Ed Cafferty and Dan Cole, Charlotte had a police department from 1970 to 1990. Here’s how it began: Back in 1970, the Charlotte Police Department was organized with Select Board approval. Each member attended the next Law Enforcement Training School held in Chittenden Counry. The 30-hour training course covered 24 hours of scene control, law and legal responsibilities, legal liabilities, and 6 hours of firearm law, training, and qualification, certifying the graduates as Special Officers. The volunteer Police Service was organized to provide emergency assistance and routine police patrol to our area on a volunteer basis. Cases involving extensive investigation were referred to the State Police. The police members devoted their spare time and were not paid. The original members were Chief Samuel W. Spear and Assistant Chief William C. Horsford; with officers Rodney Bora, Earl Burns, James Barnes, Frank Johnson, George Roscoe. Each member supplied his own uniform and vehicle. Patrols began in August 1970, and the department handled 69 complaints by the end of the year. A used police cruiser and an emergency telephone system were purchased for $1800 from the Harry Webb fund. The department also received individual donations, and donations from the Cedar Beach Association. They began without a police radio, with no office supplies, and had to buy their own ammunition. The Town budget request for 1971 was $1500 to equip and operate the cruiser. The remainder of the budget was funded by the Police Department Project, which was funded primarily from receipts from Bingo, and cash donations.
The Community Safety Committee provided a categorized list of calls to police made by Charlotters over a five-year period for its report to the Selectboard. This chart shows the top 23 types of calls and their frequency. In total, the CSC outlined 80 call types in the report.
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Cafferty and Cole noted the police force continued until 1989, when a substantial amount of cash transactions caused some to question the volunteer police department’s finances. There were no police services contracted between 1990 and 2005. In 2006, Charlotte contracted with the Chittenden County Sherriff’s Office for services. In 2008, the town began its current contract with the Shelburne Police Department.
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OutTakes Commentary by Edd Merritt
I’m just wandering around Dinkytown It’s where I want to be… Dinkytown – Cokempg3.org It was the summer of ’65. I had a fresh baccalaureate, and my dad told me he’d help pay for graduate school if I went then, not later. What did I know about life outside of school? I was always warned that if you don’t go straight through to your life’s work, you were a failure. And as we all know, parents don’t pay for failures. In 1965 what were my choices? The Mekong Delta was one. Law or medical schools were what my father had in mind. So, naturally, I chose journalism. Thirty-five years later I finally got around to practicing it, thanks to the Charlotte News. Back in the sixties, though, I was a fan of Eric Severeid, a fellow Minnesotan who had attended the University of Minnesota and worked for the Minneapolis Star and Tribune while an undergraduate. Maybe I could follow in his footsteps. And where else could a starving young student live in Minneapolis but in Dinkytown? A few years earlier there had been a young musician named Robert Zimmerman (aka Bob Dylan) who also lived in Dinkytown and managed to get thrown out of the Ten O’Clock Scholar, a coffee house down the block, because they thought his singing sounded like a muskellunge in heat at the bottom of Lake Millacs.
Do We Want to Keep the “Dinky” in Dinkytown? Dinkytown Minneapolis was actual- not me? Six months of living on my ly a hub of activity when I lived there. severance pay, though, convinced me It was not far from the West Bank of that I ought to get a job. Since the New York Times felt I the Mississippi’s Triangle Bar, where my favorite musicians of the time, was a bit raw and untested for their Dave “Snaker” Ray, “Spider” John news staff, they suggested I look into Koerner and Tony “Little Sun” Glover, advertising, and it was not until about performed on the bumper pool table five years ago that I realized I folwhile we sat around and snapped our lowed the Mad Men down Wall Street. fingers. I loved listening to three white I wrote ads for “ethical” pharmaceuguys from the far North singing black ticals, mainly prescription drugs. (So, blues from the Deep South. At least what makes aspirin unethical? I don’t know.) for a sumW h a t mer, Dinkybegan in one town was a hip place to Raw language doesn’t help Dinkytown got me to the be. matters. Calling people Big Apple, Gradufrom which ate school, bullies or “spineless serfs” I gradually on the other headed north hand, wasn’t, leads to the kind of nonto what I’ve and I decided discovered that, despite constructive environment is another what I knew Dinkytown, of draft that doesn’t help residents but not quite boards and of the same military life of a “dinky town” live well variety as (which was my Twin practically collectively. Cities neighnothing), I borhood. would defy A f t e r my father’s hanging in wishes, avoid the draft and join the Navy. I Charlotte for nearly 30 years, the term arrived longhaired and ready for Offi- “dinky” can sometimes carry a less cer Candidate School and the Newport than noble connotation. Recently, I think, we’re seeing some of that play jazz festival. A bad eye sent me to enlisted boot out in our town governance. A lot of camp, and after three years of service finger pointing without the willingmostly spent in the Gulf of Tonkin, I ness to step back from our individual landed with the Grateful Dead in San animosities and ask what we can do to Francisco and drove east, stopping at promote a) more effective governance home to wash clothes before heading and b) a more humane atmosphere in on to New York City’s Greenwich Vil- our east and west villages. After all, we lage. Hey, it worked for Dylan—why do see each other often about the town,
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and it’s nice to hold a conversation every now and then that doesn’t have to do with the Grinch down the street who murdered the reasonable tax rate. Raw language doesn’t help matters. Calling people bullies or “spineless serfs” leads to the kind of non-constructive environment that doesn’t help residents of a “dinky town” live well collectively. In a letter that appeared in the Jan. 30 Charlotte News, Ruth Uphold said succinctly that “something must be done to reverse the present hostilities” in town, and she suggested mediation. A neighbor at our camp in Eden is a trained mediator who has operated effectively to turn landowner association meetings from potential finger-pointing exercises into productive sessions. Mediation is a learned and practiced skill. It is not simply a matter of being Mr. or Ms. Nice Person. I would agree with Dr. Uphold that we should prepare ourselves to conduct an insightful and courteous Town Meeting. Otherwise we are likely to continue on the path that seems to turn more and more Charlotters away from maintaining what could be a friendlier burgh. I’ll call the question. Can we leave our clubs at the door and enter into a sane discussion on March 4? Can we help make our dinky town a bit better place to live, so that if “you’re travelin’ in the north country fair, where the winds hit heavy on the borderline,” you’ll find a town culture that tastes good and sticks to your ribs?
The Charlotte News
Charlotte Senior Center The Café Menu
by Mary Recchia, Activities Coordinator
Please look for our new Spring Program as an insert in your next issue of the Charlotte News. –––– 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 television and radio stations as well at cssu.org. –––– The February Art Exhibit will be works by Elizabeth Bunsen. Be... Dream... Play... sums up Elizabeth’s essence as a creative free spirit. She seems to carry with her a never-ending curiosity and sense of wonder, and the resulting art that she creates is infused with color, spirit and a feeling of joy. This show depicts her love and collaboration with nature: silk, wool and paper imprinted with leaves. –––– Cheer up the winter, chase the blues away and come get lost in our presentation of Verdi’s opera, Un Ballo in Maschera, live on the big screen Thursday, Feb. 20, from 1–3 p.m. This DVD recording is on loan from the Academy of Vocal Arts of Philadelphia, which has a mission to be the world’s premier institution for training young artists as international opera soloists. Distinguished by its reputation for high-quality performances, many renowned Metropolitan Opera singers began their careers at the AVA; graduates include James Morris and, more recently, Angela Meade. Registration required. No fee. –––– Do you love theater? Do you appreciate the spoken word? Our play reading group will meet on Friday, Feb. 28, from 1–3:30 p.m. and is for people who
enjoy—or suspect they might enjoy — reading plays aloud with others. As a participant or a listener, no experience is necessary; scripts are provided, and all are welcome to join us as we continue to broaden our exposure to this rich and poignant form of literature. Parts have been assigned for this reading, but please let us know if you would like to be given a part for our next reading on March 28. –––– We have added an additional Yang tai chi chuan beginner class with John Creech on Fridays from 9–10 a.m. Yes, you can learn the true Yang family style of tai chi famous for its myriad benefits to health and wellbeing. The flowing movements and postures will increase flexibility, improve balance and strengthen core muscles. Practitioners will cultivate a deeper sense of relaxation, increased energy level and a real sense of confidence and presence. John Creech has been studying and practicing tai chi for 10 years and invites you to come learn and practice together. Registration necessary. Fee: $42 for 6 classes. –––– How to Look at and Understand Great Art, from the Great Courses Collection continues on Tuesdays from 1:45–3:15 p.m. What does it take to truly know what you’re seeing when you look at art? What technical skills and knowledge are needed to comprehend the full richness of art works, to unpack the hidden significance of master paintings, sculptures, prints and more? Award-winning Professor Sharon Latchaw Hirsh of Rosemont College speaks to these and other compelling questions in richly
MONDAY, FEB. 17: hearty vegetable soup, Caesar salad, divine lemon cake illustrated lectures that take you on an in-depth exploration of the practical skill of viewing art. Using timeless masterpieces of Western painting, sculpture and graphic art, Professor Hirsh gives you the specific visual and interpretive knowledge you need to approach great artworks, find their deeper meanings and reach startling new levels of appreciation. Details of each lecture available at host desk. No Fee. Events following the Wednesday luncheon. Those who do not share lunch with us are welcome to drop in around 1 p.m. to enjoy the after lunch offerings: Feb. 19: The Exuma Islands, Bahamas, with Judy Tuttle. Through her photographs of the Exuma Islands in the Bahamas, Judy will try to convey the incredible color and beauty along the shore or as viewed from the deck of the Escapaid, which was home while she visited. Come and be nourished by this water world, with its rollers on bare empty beaches, gulls calling and salt spray sweetening the air. Feb. 26: Journey into the Great Unknown with Norman and Betsy Silcox. Norman and Betsy bring to life the expedition of Major John Wesley Powell, which took place in 1869 into the last blank spot on the map of the U.S. Follow in the wake of Powell down the Green and Colorado Rivers into the great unknown.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19: Tibetan chicken curry, basmati rice, homemade dessert MONDAY, FEB. 24: cheddar cheese soup, kale salad, bread, dessert WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26: shepherd’s pie, 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
Red Cross Blood Drive Feb. 13 Give a special Valentine’s Day gift this year—the gift of life—at the American Red Cross blood drive at the Charlotte Senior Center Feb. 13 from 2–7 p.m. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.
SPORTS Dedicated to Their Dreams In light of the Winter Olympics, the mother of a local student athlete looks at what it takes to compete at a high level—and maintain a high GPA.
Michelle Jordan Contributor
What kind of kid at age 17 finds himself careening down the slopes doing 70 mph in a Super G race or flying off jumps sailing through the air landing 55-60 feet from takeoff going high enough to do various double backflips? Good question. For three Charlotte boys this is their dream and their reality. Three short years ago, CCS graduated Colby Jordan, Scott Schibli and Kurt Weidman. All three were friends because they shared a love of soccer and also had a growing passion for their alpine winter sport. Now juniors, the three friends have parted ways to compete at a higher level. Kurt launched off to Stratton Mountain School, Scott to Green Mountain Valley School, and Colby to Mount Mansfield Winter Academy from November through April. Colby and Scott are alpine ski racers competing in four events: slalom, giant slalom, super G and downhill. Kurt is
a snowboarder who competes in slopestyle and boardercross, along with rail jams. Both skiing and snowboarding have much in common. Training, racing and competitions must take place during the day, since most mountain’ slopes are not outfitted with lights from top to bottom. And because of this Colby, Scott and Kurt decided to attend academies to help them balance their academics with their passion. When not on the road, all three have something in common: the home-hill training/ academic schedule. The boys rise at 6 a.m., eat breakfast and catch a van to the mountain to arrive by 7:15. They fit in some dry-land training, perhaps review some training or racing film and then hit the lifts. They train until noon, catch the van back to school, grab a quick lunch and head to class. Classes are scheduled until 5 p.m. After that, they may head back to the gym for some more dry-land training. This is followed by dinner, study- hall until 9:30 p.m., and then they need to prep their skis or board for the following day, which can take upward of an hour each night. Ideally lights are out by 10:30 p.m., but only if they don’t have more studying to do. Of course, race days are totally dif-
Colby Jordan competes in a race for Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy.
ferent. For Colby and Scott, many races are part of a two- to fiveday series. Most races take place throughout New England during the week and can be hours away,
Scott Schibli races giant slalom.
requiring travel to the respective mountain the night before. Sleeping in strange hotel rooms Kurt Weidman packed with fellow racers, trying to find a quiet corner to catch up on your studies is tricky. Keep in mind, maintaining a strong GPA is imperative, and preparing for ACT/SAT exams at the same time is nearly impossible. Alpine racing occurs on many levels. Scott and Colby are considered U18s. They race mainly at an International Ski Federation, or FIS, level of skiing. Recently both boys competed against a handful of U18s, U21s and SRs (over 22 years old). There were several members of the U.S. ski and other national ski teams in addition to skiers from Division I colleges. Some competitors were a hair away from being picked to go to the Olympics. Most races that Colby and Scott attend have 120-150 racers. Many names are the same from race to race, but many are new. A “points” system ranks racers worldwide, from World Cup skiers on down. So, essentially, at each race they are competing against every other racer in the world. The bottom line: at each race Colby and Scott have to finish two runs.
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Their combined two-run time in part determines a point value for that race. The other part is determined by who is at the race and how they raced against them. Kurt’s snowboarding competitions take him a bit farther, to Colorado, Pennsylvania and California. Soon he’ll find himself in Sun Valley, Idaho. Snowboarding is also grouped by age. Kurt is in the junior men’s division for ages 16-17. He competes at United States of America Snowboarding Association (USASA) events throughout New England against ten to 20 other riders. However, at the USASA Nationals, he is one of 65 competitors. Kurt also competes on the Revolution Tour, where there are 110 competitors in his age group. Slopestyle competitions are judged on rail techniques and jumps. Boardercross, however, is a timed event and simply a free-for-all to get to the finish line. Colby and Scott are seeing how far their skiing might take them, always with college in mind. Both would like to ski Division I in college, and there are only slightly more than a handful of schools to choose from. For Kurt, snowboarding isn’t really established as a collegiate sport yet, but it is close. Despite this, Kurt will continue to work hard at his sport. The training, competition and academics demand a physical, psychological and emotional toughness from dedicated student athletes like Colby, Scott and Kurt. Their heads must stay in the game because injuries are all too common in these winter sports and the conditions of the course change every day, every minute. But all three are dedicated to their sport. They’re the kind of kids who are willing to leave the warmth of their beds to ride a chairlift to the top of a mountain at sunrise with a wind chill of 30 below to risk injury time and time again. They are the kind of kids who are driven, goal oriented, organized, committed, willing to forgo sleep and hanging with friends to make the daily sacrifices to live their dreams.
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The Charlotte News
SPORTS
by Edd Merritt
Women’s basketball remains the lone unbeaten team this winter With its latest win, a 71-33 defeat of Mount Anthony, the CVU women’s basketball team remains unbeaten this season. Showing a sharp-shooting offense coupled with a tight defense and solid positioning under the boards leading to numerous fast breaks, the Redhawks continue to rack up win after win. Emily Kinneston and Kaelyn Kolasch, along with Charlotte’s Laurel Jaunich and Sadie Otley, have been offensive stalwarts all year. Against Mount Anthony, Kinneston and Amanda Beatty each pumped in 14 points, while Jaunich followed close behind with 13, adding 11 rebounds. Jaunich and Kinneston led CVU to a 48-point win over archrival Essex earlier in the week, following a 54-18 defeat of North Country that saw the Redhawks’ first-quarter total just two points shy of North Country’s total for the entire game.
to its winning ways six days later with a 6-3 defeat of North Country in the Jay Peak Ice Haus.
Redhawk men’s hockey bounces back from CSB Cup loss Much like a number of Olympic athletes who go from teammates to enemies during the international games, so too do the high school hockey players from CVU and South Burlington. That is why the CSB Cup between the two schools takes on added meaning, regardless of earlier records. Prior to this year’s game at Cairns Arena, CVU was unbeaten, with a lone tie to blemish its record. Once the game started, however, the Rebels wasted no time in scoring three goals in an 80-second span, leading to a 5-3 win. To be fair, the Redhawks played without several upperclassmen who were serving a four-game suspension for violating school policy. However, to indicate the importance of the cup to both teams, a Rebel player was quoted in the Free Press saying, “This (game) is the state championship of the regular season.” CVU returned
After starting 2014 on the winning track, CVU men’s basketball switches lanes. Essex was the last victim of the Redhawk men’s basketball team which squeaked out a victory over the Hornets 57-54. Charlotte’s Lucas Aube was the leading scorer with 18 points. In its next game, however,Colchester held on for a 48-46 win, Annabella Pugliese hits for two against Spaulding. scoring the winning basket just as time expired. And in the following three games, despite Aube’s at the beginning of February before losing twice efforts, the men lost to Rice 56-31 and to Burlington 67-51. The Burlington game saw Aube lead CVU with since then. Front-running Middlebury shut out the 14 points, followed by nine in a losing effort against Rebel/Hawks 4-0, and North Country evened CVU’s wins and losses with a 5-1 defeat on February 8. A Spaulding. The Redhawks stand at 5 wins, 12 losses. week earlier Sarah Fisher’s four-goal effort, aided by Rachel Pitcher’s two goals, Courtney Barrett’s Rebel/Hawks go two and two since the end of goal and three assists, Molly Dunphy’s goal and two January CVU and South Burlington’s combined women’s assists plus Casey Johnson’s goal gave CVU a much hockey team brought its record up to 8 wins, 6 losses needed 9-4 home victory over Missisquoi.
Several Redhawks compete in state indoor track championships Indoor track held its state championship at Norwich University on Saturday, Feb. 8. Although CVU did not send a full contingent, Redhawk runners finished among the top three in several races. Charlotte’s Haliana Burhans was third in the 55-meter dash, part of a cluster of racers who crossed the line within a second of each other. Sierra Morton was third in the 300-meter run, and the women’s 4x200 relay team also finished third. On the men’s side, Tawn Tomasi took third at 55 meters, and following in their sisters’ footsteps, the men’s 4x200 relay team came in a close second to South Burlington.
U8 Girls Hockey Jamboree at Cairns Arena Feb. 16 Participants in the U8 Girls Hockey Program pause for a quick picture after a recent jamboree at Gutterson Arena. Now in its second year, the U8 program, through the Chittenden South Burlington Hockey Association, draws players from Charlotte, Shelburne, Williston, Hinesburg, South Burlington and St. George. The popularity of the program continues to rise, and the all-girl format saw almost 30 hockey players this year. To cap the end of a successful year that began in October, the program will hold a U8 girls jamboree on Feb. 16 at Cairns Arena’s rink two from 7 to 9 a.m. Girls ages 8 to 12 who want to try hockey for the first time are invited to attend. For more information on this event and the U8 program, visit csbhockey.com.
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adult and family programs
CCS Essential Early Education Peer Program Accepting Applications The CCS Essential Early Education Program is now accepting applications for a random drawing for community peers for the 2014-15 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 Creative Curriculum/ TSGold. 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. The program is designed for preschool age children with developmental delays and community peers who reside in Charlotte. The program follows the Charlotte Central School calendar and students are able to utilize the Charlotte Central School buses for transportation in the morning. Peers who will be age 3 or older by
September 1, 2014, but not yet 5 years old, are eligible for a four day a week program that will run from 8:05 a.m.noon 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 Feb. 17. Students will be selected via a lottery and parents will be notified by Feb. 24. Applications are also available on the CCS website, under "Teams" and "Early Education Program." For more information, please contact Kathie Wagner at 425-6656
Please note: the Charlotte Library will be closed Monday, Feb. 17, for the President’s Day holiday.
Upcoming at the Library Kids programs and activities
Public Input Sought for Mt. Philo Long-Range Plan The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is seeking public input for the update of the long-range management plan for Mt. Philo State Park in Charlotte. Mt. Philo, Vermont’s oldest state park, is dominated by the 968-foot Mount Philo with spectacular views of the Champlain Valley and the Adirondack Mountains of New York. The park is popular for camping, hiking, dog walking, sledding and snowmobiling. The 2010 gift of the Allmon parcel brings the total acreage of Mt. Philo State Park to 232 acres. The planning process began in 2012 with resource inventories that identified natural communities, rare, threat-
by Margaret Woodruff
ened and endangered species, forest cover types, unique wildlife habitats, rare plant communities and other ecologically sensitive areas. Recreational, cultural and historic land uses were also mapped. An online survey has been developed to offer an opportunity for input into this process. To complete the survey go to surveymonkey. com/s/MtPhiloSP. The deadline for submission of the survey is April 6, 2014. To learn about the planning project timeline and other public input opportunities go to vtfpr.org/lands/ Mt.PhiloStatePark.cfm.
Full STEAM Ahead: Friday Free For All for Preschoolers, Fridays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. From rocks, blocks and socks to babies, bugs and hairy bread, we’ll investigate it all using our science, technology, engineering, arts and math skills. Join us for discovery and diversion every Friday morning through Feb. 14. Suitable for ages 3 to 5 who are comfortable in a story time setting without parent or caregiver; parent/caregiver must remain in library. Please call 425-3864 or email charlottelibraryvt@gmail to sign up. Winter Kinder Afterschool, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. You’re not the only critter outside on these frosty days. Come to the library and discover all the wonderful things happening outside our windows and under the snow. How are the birds and animals keeping warm? How do frogs and turtles survive? Where do all those tracks go? Ride the bus from CCS with a parent note. Please call 425-3864 or email charlottelibraryvt@ gmail.com to sign up. vacation programs
Vacation Maker Craft–Duct Tape, Monday, Feb. 24, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Let your personality shine through as we design wearable art with duct tape. Grades 3 and up. Vacation Movie: Turbo, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1:00 p.m. Popcorn and a movie at the library. Rated PG.
Wool Night @ the Library, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 5:30 p.m. Get your woolies on and join us for an evening presentation by Bay Hammond and Drew and Brittany Slabaugh. Hammond, recently appointed as farm manager at Green Mountain College, has over 20 years of experience raising sheep for wool and for meat. The Slabaughs raise and tend registered Icelandic sheep and more right here at Shakey Ground Farm in Charlotte. Enjoy samples of Nor’Easter chili and Nitty Gritty cornbread courtesy of yourfarmstand.com. Learn how to knit a hat in under two hours, how to needle felt, crochet and more. Mystery Book Club. Thursday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m. History mystery? Hard-boiled whodunit? Cloak-and-dagger caper? True-to-life thriller? Mysteries remain the most popular genre at the Charlotte Library. We welcome the chance to share new and old favorites. So if you have a passion for mysteries of any kind, we hope you’ll join us on Thursday as we kick off our Mystery Book Club. Bring some favorite titles to share as we delve into the detective domain. We’ll provide the coffee and muffins to keep us going. Stay tuned for…Seed Starting Workshops, 6 Book Challenge Charlotte Style, Zooniverse and more! Did you know? You can access online information from the Charlotte Library on everything from auto repair to newspaper archives through the Vermont Online Library. Check the tab on our website and log in to a world of knowledge. library board meeting Thursday, Feb. 20, at 5:30 p.m. Board members: Bonnie Ayer, member-atlarge; Bonnie Christie, chair; Vince Crockenberg, treasurer; Emily Ferris, vice chair; Dorrice Hammer, secretary.
Library information Director Margaret Woodruff
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 charlottelibraryvt@gmail. com
Website charlottepubliclibrary.org
George & Pam Darling P.O. Box 32 Ferry Road, Charlotte, VT gdarling@gmavt.net
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The Charlotte News
Now is the Time Luke Adler and his band Eight 02 are getting the chance of a lifetime. Brett Sigurdson The CharloTTe News
though, lump the band’s style in with “smooth jazz”—think elevator or onhold music—which relies on overly polished horns, synthesizers and drum machines. Ultimately for Adler and the other three members of the band, the chance to work with a leader in the genre they play is an opportunity to make a name for themselves nationally and locally, for they are in the odd position of having a large following in England, Switzerland and Russia, as well as in California, Alabama and North
When Luke Adler was young he had a poster of legendary skiers Phil and Steve Mahre on his bedroom wall. Adler had dreams of joining them on the U.S. ski team. In 1980, a far-off dream intersected with reality, and Adler, who would spend much of his youth as a professional skier, found himself on a ski lift with Phil Mahre, riding to the top of a mountain as teammates competing for the same cause: some kind of individual and team triumph. Over 30 years later Adler moves just as purposefully and gracefully around his home on Greenbush Road as he did on the mountain then. Maybe Luke Adler at the drums in a promo pic for his band Eight 02. that’s because there’s a certain excitement to his mien lately, no doubt because he will soon get a chance to meet another child- Carolina, while being almost unknown hood hero, musician Jeff Lorber, when locally, especially among younger Adler’s jazz-fusion band Eight 02 trav- music fans. Adler himself was a young fan of els to Los Angeles next week to record jazz-fusion, though it wasn’t always that with the legendary artist, one of the way. He grew up listening to rock n’ masters of the genre. roll bands like local boys Aerosmith in To understand the enormity of this his Concord, Mass. bedroom. As Adler opportunity for the band and for Adler, describes it, he liked the drums, the raw consider that he has been a die-hard rock sound. But when he was 12 a friend Lober fan since the 1970s, that Adler of his brother brought him a Chick knows the man’s music so well that Corea record. he can replicate drum parts from Lorb“I heard that music and it changed my er’s entire catalog upon request, that life,” said Adler. “The drumming was Adler was once so focused on a Lorber live show that he ignored a woman he difficult, hard to do. I couldn’t believe it. I said ‘I don’t know how you play like thought was hitting on him. That the woman turned out to know that but I want to know how.’” just as much Lorber music as he—she was Lorber’s sister after all—embodies in some way Adler’s feeling that he and ASK US HOW the band were destined to work with Lorber. That’s why when he received a call from Lorber last year regarding a few Eight 02 tracks that he heard, Adler took it mostly in stride. CAN AFFECT THE LONG TERM “It was shocking,” said Adler of the HEALTH OF YOUR CAT. call, “but in a way I almost expected it because I’ve been chasing him for so long.” The opportunity to record with Lorber is both a dream come true and a test for Adler and Eight 02—an opportunity to take their band to the next level and perhaps convert those who are too quick to write off their brand of music, which they call “accessible jazz fusion.” Adler describes Eight 02’s sound Affectionately Cats as a combination of straight-ahead Feline Veterinary Hospital and Boarding Suites jazz combined with funk and R&B, a groove-centric genre that maintains the 860-CATS (2287) improvisational musicianship that jazz is celebrated for. Critics of the music, w w w.affec tionatelyc ats.com
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Adler’s interest in drumming, however which began when his parents bought him a drum kit at 14, clashed with his desire to be a competitive ski racer. Despite studying with Boston Pops tympanist Fred Buda, Adler gave up drumming to dedicate himself to making the U.S. ski team, on which he competed from 1980 to 1984. After committing to UVM on a ski
received EP called Drive, which would climb to number five on the Billboard smooth jazz charts. After the album, Eight 02 wrote a couple of songs that they thought Lorber might like—one was called PLT, or “Pete’s Lorber Tune.” Through a number of channels, Lorber received the tracks and liked what he heard. In November Adler received the call. Lorber wanted to work with the band and would recruit bass player Jimmy Haslip— one of the best in the world— to produce a few Eight 02 songs over a four-day period in February. “There couldn’t be two better people who we could work with,” said Adler. Yet the band quickly learned how hard it is to work with musicians the caliber of Lorber and Haslip. Adler and the band have been sending them musical ideas and recordings since last year, many of which have been rejected, meaning Eight 02 Members of jazz-fusion group Eight 02 are (from has to come up with another left) Luke Adler, Chris Peterman, Peter Engisch and new groove or melody. Jerome Monachino. Adler remains undaunted. At a recent rehearsal, he told the rest of the band he knew scholarship, Adler backed out and began at least 100 people who would love the working his way back into drumming. opportunity the band has been given. He In 1990, at the age of 29, Adler made skied with some of the best when he was the commitment to being a full-time competing, and he knows what it takes drummer and, while living in Randolph, to succeed. began to drive the four hours to and “These guys work consistently with from Boston each week to study with the best players in the world—literally, renowned percussionist Gary Chaffee. they’re the best players out there,” Adler He played in a number of bands said. “It’s just like going to jazz school locally, including Burlington’s Big Joe for a week—it just doesn’t get any better Burrell and the Unknown Blues Band, than that. You couldn’t pay enough for from 1992 to 1999, and Kilimanjaro, it. It’s as lucky as it gets.” which features Charlotter Charles Eller. In this chance to record with his hero, But in 2000 Adler gave it all up and Adler sees another dream intersecting moved to Santa Monica to work con- with reality. Meeting a hero again, just struction. He didn’t play for seven years like meeting Phil Mahre on the ski lift, until Paul Asbell, guitarist for Kili- isn’t something that Adler is shrugging manjaro, called and asked him to come off. It’s another chance for an individual back; his return culminated in a 2011 and shared triumph. performance at the Java Jazz Festival in “That’s a rare opportunity,” said Jakarta, Indonesia. Adler. “It’s not lost on me. I think it will In July 2011, Adler sat in with key- be that for me again, for everyone in the board player Peter Engisch and guitar- band.” ist Jerome Monachino of Picture This Eight 02 will play the Brick Church for a Burlington gig. It went so well Music series in Williston on Feb. 14 the three began talking about forming before traveling to California to record a group. Later they’d add saxophonist with Lorber. To find out more about the Chris Peterman. They christened the band and its upcoming performances, project Eight 02 and began playing local visit eight02jazz.com. gigs, securing a regular spot at the Marriott in Burlington and recording a well-
gift of pancake mix and maple syrup from Joe, Anne Kelton for the Omaha steaks, the knitters from the Charlotte Grange and the mitten tree at the Charlotte Library for the beautiful gifts of hats, mittens and scarves, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Charlotte Congregational Church and Charlotte Organic Coop. A special thank you to Diane Cote for sending out 140 thank you notes and notices of gifts for the Food Shelf! Thanks to all our community members who have generously supported and made the mission of the Charlotte Food Shelf possible throughout the year.
Food Shelf News by Kerrie Pughe
Thank You Thank you to the following for support and help this season. Tim and Mary Volk, Karol Josselyn, Kosi Thurber, Bill and Gerry Leckerling, Lilyanna Menk and family in honor of CCS teacher Maureen Little, Horsfords, Dakin Farms and employees for jellies and jams sent from Fran and a
Wish list Hot cereal mixes, crackers, soup, deodorant and shampoo. Donations We welcome donations any time of the year. Your local Food Shelf is run entirely by volunteers, so all donations go directly for food or 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 vestry, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (main entrance) or at the Food Shelf during the distribution mornings. We request that all fresh foods be dropped off at the Food Shelf by 7:30 a.m. on the distribution mornings (see Ongoing Events calendar on page 22). The Charlotte Food Shelf is located on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. We are open
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from 7:30–9:30 a.m. on the following Thursdays for food distribution: Feb. 20, March 13 and 27, April 10 and 17. We are also open from 5–7 p.m. on the Wednesday before each Thursday distribution morning. We are open to all community residents. Privacy is very important and respected in our mission of neighbor helping neighbor. For emergency food call John 4253130. For emergency assistance (electricity, fuel) call Karen 425-3252. For more information call Karen 4253252 or visit our website at https://sites. google.com/site/charlottefoodshelfvt/.
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The Charlotte News
A Mindful Winter Walk Bradley Carleton Contributor The mind of a true hunter is one of connection. Connection to all the surroundings, even to those unseen by the common senses. In some African tribes, hunters have learned to read the “energy paths” of light, similar to auras seen by some people. They follow these bluish-white streams of light to “see” where the animal they are pursuing has traveled. For the rest of us, we learn to read tracks. On a bright February day after a snowstorm, I venture up the southwest side of Pease Mountain. My father-in-law, Brian Hoyt, and I start out from his house. We notice the small trails where field mice have burrowed under the snow. We come upon a stand of locusts with their deeply indented bark and sage-green moss covering the jagged edges. I ask him if he thinks it's true that moss only grows on the north side of trees. He shrugs and says, “That’s what they say, but I think it’s an old wives’ tale.” Further up the hill we meander through some pines, when a partridge explodes from under a pinecone-laden tree. The bird takes to the air in a burst of snow, brown wings thundering together, to fly an escape route that not even a jet fighter could navigate. “Partridge!” I shout. Technically they are called ruffed grouse, but I like to call them by their colloquial moniker just to tick off the gentry. If you really want to be snobby about it, call them Bonasa umbellus, which means “good to roast” or “valued as a game bird.” Partridge medicine (what this bird represents in Native American ideology) is community, fertility, mobility and invisibility. There is much to learn from Bonasa umbellus. As we summit the cliffs we begin to see a story played out in the snow. It takes some time to reveal itself. First we see the tracks of a large, catlike being with its belly dragging on the top of the snow. It's crouching and trying to sneak up to the edge of the cliff. Why? We surmise it’s a fisher cat, judging by the claws and conical-shaped footprint. Then the tracks disappear off the edge of the cliff. We look over the 10-foot drop to the next plateau and see where he enters the snow in a deep hole. Is he under the snow even now? Where did he go? We climb down around the boulders and, at the edge of a little flat spot, discover another hole with paw prints and the outline of primary feathers from a large wing. They are scratched in the snow in a perfectly symmetrical pattern as if beating against the surface in an attempt
to take flight. It is then we discover blood where the feet of a turkey had been. “I’ll bet the rest of the story is below this dropoff,” I tell Brian. We climb down the slippery rocks to the next flat spot, and, sure enough, there are the remains of a turkey splayed between two sharp rocks, with only its head eaten off. Fisher cats are notorious for doing this. The carnage reminds me that Nature can be as violent as she is beautiful. The fisher cat will have lived through another harsh winter because he was courageous enough to dive off of a cliff, burrow under the snow and still hit his target, coming up to ambush the bird from underneath the wintry forest floor. Nature has all the drama of an Academy Award—winning movie, but when you have discovered it for yourself—and borne witness to the mystery—you are not just a viewer. You are a participant. On the walk home we pass a yellow birch with a chaga mushroom growing out of its side. I cut off a chunk of it and put it in my jacket pocket. Chaga, or Inonotus obliquus, is revered by Native healers for its medicinal qualities. Laboratory studies have indicated possible future potential in cancer therapy as an antioxidant, in immunotherapy, and as an anti-inflammatory. Whether you choose to believe this or not, it makes a wonderful tea. Back at the house we have quite a story to share with everyone. We brew the chaga and sit down in front of the woodstove to replay the story of our winter walk. At the core of the storytelling, I realize that the root of all happiness is wonder. And there is no place to find such wonder as in the winter woods.
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Bradley Carleton is executive director of Sacred Hunter.org, a nonprofit that seeks to educate the public on the spiritual connection of man to nature and raises funds for Traditions Outdoor Mentoring.org, which mentors at-risk young men in outdoor pursuits.
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Places To Go & Things To Do THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13 CCS PTO meeting, 6 p.m., library. Agenda will focus on the 2014-15 budget with School Board members and CCS administration. Simplicity Parenting Series, 7–9 p.m., Lake Champlain Waldorf School, Shelburne. Join the slow parenting movement and learn ways to simplify your home life, slow down your family’s schedule, and deepen your relationship with your children. Designed for parents with children ages 3-12. Introductory session is free. More info: lakechamplainwaldorfschool.org.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Aaron Flinn in Concert, 8 p.m., North Ferrisburgh. Join Charlotte-based musician for intimate Valentine’s Day house concert in beautiful old barn that once housed Philo Records. $20 suggested donation. Parking limited, so carpooling encouraged. Address: 126 Covered Bridge Road, North Ferrisburgh. More info: aaron@aaronflinn.com. La Musique and Du Chocolat, 5–7:30 p.m., Shelburne Museum. Celebrate your sweetheart and sweet tooth with la musique from Jean-Jacques Psaute and Deja-Nous and du chocolat with artisan chocolate courtesy of local chocolatiers. Deja- Nous brings the romance of Paris to the Pizzagalli Center with lively French Cabaret music. The group’s repertoire highlights various periods and styles of popular and jazz songs featuring Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Claude Nougaro, Charles Aznavour, Yves Montand, Charles Trenet and others. Admission: $15. Museum members receive a $3 discount. Cash bar and complimentary chocolates from local artisan makers including, Blackflower Chocolate, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Laughing Moon Chocolates and Vermont Nut Free Chocolates. More info: shelburnemuseum.org. Valentines’s Day with the Gryphon Trio and Patricia O’Callaghan, 7:30 p.m., UVM Recital Hall. The University of Vermont Lane Series is thrilled to present the Gryphon Trio with Patricia O’Callaghan for its annual Valentine’s Day concert. The concert will include arrangements of songs by Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake and Laurie Anderson, as well as traditional melodies from Mexico, Argentina and Chile. Tickets are $30 adults/$15 students. More info: uvm.edu.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 2nd Annual Snodeo, 3 p.m., East Charlotte. Celebrate the snow in and around Spear’s Corner Store. For information, see story on front page. Wood Duck Carving Class with David Tuttle, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington. Come to a one-day carving class with
St. Jude, Mass, Hinesburg, 4:30 p.m. 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: 4253176. Lighthouse Baptist Church, 90 Mechanicsville Rd., Hinesburg, 10:30 a.m., Evening Service, 6 p.m. Information: 482-2588. 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, Relocated to the Brown Church on Route 7, Ferrisburgh. Worship, 11 a.m. Information: 425-3625. 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: 8773903. 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. United Church of Hinesburg, 10570 Route 116. Sunday service 10 a.m. September through June; 9 a.m. July through August. Sunday School during services. 482-3352
David Tuttle of the Green Mountain Woodcarvers. We will carve and paint a wood duck. Wood blank, eyes, snacks, and coffee provided. No carving experience required. Beginners are as welcome as experts. Do bring your tools and gloves if you have them; if you don’t, let us know. Dave often brings some knives, gloves, etc. to sell. Please bring your lunch. Cost: $25/members, $35/non-members. More info: 434-2167. Hockey Fights Cancer Night, Cairns Arena, South Burlington. Rice Memorial High School Boys’ and girls’ hockey teams will be hosting its 2nd annual Hockey Fights Cancer “HFC” Night! The proceeds will go to The American Cancer Society in the name of Emily Lyman, Class of 2016, who lost her young life to cancer last December 2012. Three games will take place beginning at 4:20 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Dollars will be raised through basket raffles, prizes, 50/50 Raffle. Information from the American Cancer society on early detection will be on-site. Jeff Bryant in Concert, 7 p.m., All Souls Interfaith Gathering, Shelburne. Jeff Bryant’s songwriting draws from his years of experience playing many styles of music from country to rock, R&B to soul. His pop/soul sensibility combined with lyrical simplicity creates seductive and captivating melodies. Tickets: $15. More info: flynntix.com or 985-3819.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Healthy Fats with Doug Flacks, 7–9 p.m., Lake Champlain Waldorf School, Shelburne. Low-fat, no-fat, whole fat? Having trouble understanding what is a “healthy fat” and what is not? Biodynamic farmer, scholar and food activist Doug Flack will lead a free workshop that will explore the history of fats in the American diet and offer practical ways to identify and include healthy fats in our everyday eating. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to sample nutrient-dense foods, learn about local sources of healthy fats for the whole family and take home recipes. Flack, who has been farming since 1976 and runs the Flack Family Farm in Enosburg Falls will focus on fats from pastured animals but will also delve into the importance of plant- and fruit-based fats. More info: JoAnne Dennee, jdennee@lakechamplainwaldorfschool.org.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 EvenSong Service: Karen Kevra and Rebecca Kauffman, 5 p.m., All Souls Interfaith Gathering, Shelburne. Karen Kevra has won attention as one of the country’s outstanding flutists through her distinctive warm and extroverted performances and was recently praised by the New York Times for her “freshness and drive”. Rebecca Kauffman a Pennsylvaniaborn and Vermont-based harpist, has been the principal harpist of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra (HSO) in Harrisburg, Penn., since 1979, and has performed with various orchestras throughout the northeast, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Reading Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra in Ithaca NY, and the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. More info: 985-3819. Vermont Sail Freight Project Presentation, 2 p.m., Ferrisburgh Community Center/Town Hall. At the end of September 2013, Erik Andrus took his handmade sailing barge, Ceres, on a 10-day journey down the Hudson River to deliver Vermont potatoes, apples, maple syrup and the like to hungry New Yorkers. Andrus will discuss the trip and how it came about. Free. For more info, see article on page 6.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Zoning Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Planning Commission Meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall. On the agenda: Charlotte’s Town Plan FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 No School, CCS. Parent-teacher conferences Reading: Jennifer McMahon, 7 p.m., Phoenix Books, Burlington. Join Jennifer McMahon for a reading, discussion, and book signing of her new novel The Winter People. McMahon is the author of six novels, including the New York Times bestsellers Island of Lost Girls and Promise Not to Tell. She graduated from Goddard College and studied poetry in the MFA Writing Program at Vermont College. She currently lives with her partner and daughter in Montpelier, Vermont. Free. More info: phoenixbooks.biz. “Mir Zaynen Do (We are here!)”: Jewish Song from the Shtetl to the Promised Land, 7:30 p.m., McCarthy Arts Center at Saint Michael’s College. Join Counterpoint Vocal Ensemble for this free concert. More info: counterpointchorus.org.
Pete Seeger Remembrance, 4 p.m., Charlotte Congregational Church Fellowship Hall. Come together to honor Pete Seeger—singer, songwriter, activist, teacher and visionary. Bring your voices, your favorite Seeger songs, your banjos, guitars, etc., and your memories. Bear witness to his legacy by singing, sharing stories, and listening to select recordings. All are welcome! Genetic Genealogy - Part 1, 10:30 a.m.–noon, Vermont Genealogy Library, Fort Ethan Allen, Colchester. DNA tests can be used to confirm or refute genealogical relationships and save researchers enormous time chasing false leads. Join us for this talk and learn how to test your matrilineal and patrilineal lines, as well as choosing the right company to use and analyze the data. Cost: $5. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Selectboard Meeting, 7 p.m. No School, CCS. Break through Feb. 28. No School, CVU. Break through Feb. 28 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Selectboard Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Agenda will focus on Community Safety Committee report.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22
ONGOING EVENTS MONDAYS Senior Center Café, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Featuring soup, salads, homemade 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. Call 425-3997. WEDNESDAYS Charlotte/Shelburne Rotary Club, 7:30–8:30 a.m., Parish Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, Shelburne. Newcomers Club of Charlotte, Shelburne and sur-
rounding 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.
THURSDAYS Food Shelf, open from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Feb.20, March 13 and 27. 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.
The Charlotte News
Around Town Congratulations to Arles Netherwood-Schwesig and David Schmidt who earned placement on the Champlain College dean’s list for the fall semester 2013. to Chase Weaver, a freshman at Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y., majoring in civil engineering, who earned placement on the dean’s list for the fall semester 2013. to Elise Sherman, a student at Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y., who earned placement on the dean’s list for the fall semester 2013. to the following students at the University of Vermont who earned placement on UVM’s dean’s list for the fall semester 2013: Zoe Adams, community and international development major; Benjamin Comai, environmental studies major; Carter Curran, psychology major; Laura Gagnon, anthropology major; Daniel Hebert, biology major; Laura Jackson, environmental studies major; Ezra MountFinette, undeclared major; Samuel Raszka, biology major; Elizabeth Richards, mechanical engineering major; Sienna Searles, neuroscience major; Donna Waterman, undeclared major; Kyla Williamson, mathematics major. to Ian Sloan, a student at the Community College of Vermont who earned placement on the dean’s list for the fall term 2013. to the following students at Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., who earned placement on the college’s dean’s list for the fall semester 2013: Andrew Blake, a senior, the son of Tony and Sara Blake, and Laura Shapiro, a junior, the daughter of Sharon Morrison and Robert Shapiro. to Andrew Murray, a student at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., who earned placement on the dean’s list for the fall semester 2013. to Christine Whiteside, a freshman at Virginia Technical College, Blacksburg, Va., majoring in general engineering who earned placement on the dean’s list for the fall semester 2013. to Yvonne Janssen-Heininger, Ph.D., a professor of pathology at the University of Vermont who was named chair of the Lung Injury, Repair and Remodeling study section for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) beginning July 1. Dr. Janssen-Heininger joined the UVM faculty in 1996 after earning her Ph.D. from Maastricht University in the Netherlands and
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. Send to The Charlotte News Classifieds, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 or email your ad to ads@charlottenewsvt.com.
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completing a postdoctoral fellowship at UVM from 1993-1996. Her research focuses on inflammatory lung diseases and ways to better understand chronic inflammation remodeling and lung cancer. to Kristen L’Esperance of CULTivation Design of Charlotte who received “Best of Houzz 2014 Award” by Houzz, a leading platform for home modeling and design. L’Esperance was named a winner in the “customer satisfaction” category, and she said she appreciates the opportunity to send potential customers to Houzz in order to “find pictures of materials or architectural styles they appreciate.” CULTivation Design offers a multi-disciplinary studio that combines art, design, architecture and construction. to Clark Hinsdale, owner of Nordic Dairy Farm in Charlotte and president of the Vermont Farm Bureau who was featured in an article in the Jan. 31 Burlington Free Press describing the 80th Vermont Farm Show at the Champlain Valley Exposition on Jan. 30. The article mentions Clark’s long involvement with the bureau, dating back to the early 1970s. It is a period that has seen the growth of organic dairy farms throughout Vermont. to Tom Gardner, who has been appointed cheese operations manager at Shelburne Farms. He came to the farm in 2010 as a cheesemaker after having worked in that capacity at Spring Brook Farm in Redding, Vt. In his new role he will work with Head Cheesemaker Kate Turcotte and will be responsible for managing production, inventory, processing and shipping.
Tom Gardner
to Narayan Plasha, the weekend supervisor of the produce department of Healthy Living Market in South Burlington who was featured in an article in the Jan. 29 Seven Days. In it, Plasha talks about the increase in local farms committing to growing and selling their fresh produce year round. He says that as a result they sell four or five varieties of turnips as well as roots that store well. As a purchaser for the store, he is able to discuss what comes into the market and the pleasure he gets in tasting it. to the CVU Team for the Penguin Plunge that hit the frigid waters of Lake Champlain and brought in over $40,000 for the Special Olympics. Math teacher Peter Booth called himself the CVU Penguin Plunge
SCHIPs in Need of Donations, Volunteers SCHIP’s Treasure Resale Shop, located on Route 7 in the heart of Shelburne Village, is in need of two things: donations of jewelry to replenish its stock after the holidays and volunteers to help fill spots left open by loyal volunteers who have left temporarily for warmer temperatures. Through the efforts of volunteers and shop staff, SCHIP (Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg Interfaith Project) is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and has granted more than $450,000 to other nonprofits in the three communities it serves. If you can give just a couple of hours a week to help at the shop, please call 985-3595 as soon as possible. Training is provided.
Super Overlord in a Burlington Free Press article appearing on Feb. 9. As an incentive to CVU students, for every $10,000 raised, a teacher gets a head shave. Booth, Mark Pogacht, Mike Burris and Rahn Fleming will be shaved at the school’s annual winter carnival.
Sympathy is extended to family and friends of John Morris Sr. of Grand Isle who passed away Jan. 24 at the age of 75. His surviving family includes his daughter Laura Blood and Laura’s husband, Neal, along with their children, Andrea and Michael, of Charlotte. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in his name consider doing so to the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, 110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446 or to the Grand Isle Sheriff’s Department, P.O. Box 168, North Hero, VT 05474. is extended to family and friends of Roberta E. Evans of Charlotte who passed away Feb. 6 at the age of 83. Her surviving family includes her husband, John, of Charlotte and her daughter, Carol Small, and Carol’s husband, Lester, also of Charlotte. The family asks that those wishing to make contributions in her name consider doing so to the American Cancer Society, donate.cancer.org, or to the National Kidney Foundation, kidney.org. is extended to family and friends of Frederick Anderson Jr. of Shelburne who passed away Feb. 6 at the age of 87. Fred served Charlotte as an auditor for many years, was a member of the CVU School Board, moderated many town meetings and was a justice of the peace. He served on the Prudential Committee of the Charlotte Congregational Church and chaired the Wing Fund. He and his wife, Barbara, who survives him, grew and sold Christmas trees in Charlotte for 35 years. They were married for 62 years. The family asks that those wishing to make contributions in his name consider doing so to the Howard Center, 208 Flynn Avenue, Ste. 31, Burlington, VT 05401.
Simplicity Parenting Course Offered in Shelburne Waldorf workshop series explores the slow parenting movement Life is so demanding that it can be hard for parents to realize their dreams of deeply connecting to their families. The Simplicity Parenting Series is an opportunity for parents of children ages 3-12 to explore ways to simplify their home life, deepen their relationships with their children and create the family life they really want. Anne Shapiro, a Waldorf teacher with 20 years of teaching experience, a mother of three grown children and trained facilitator in Simplicity Parenting, will lead five workshops that will help parents learn how to slow down and experience how truly joyful a simplified life with children can be. These classes are an effective blend of warm support, learning and discussion and are based on the work of Kim John Payne, an internationally renowned family consultant, educator, researcher and author of Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids. The first workshop, “What Is Simplicity Parenting?” takes place Feb. 13 from 7–9 p.m. at the Lake Champlain Waldorf School and is free. The series continues with “Soul Fever” on Feb. 20, “Rhythm and Schedules” on March 6, “Filtering Out the Adult World” on March 13 and “Simplicity Parenting to Go” on March 20. The four additional workshops run from 7–9 p.m.; each costs $20 per person or $30 per couple. Classes can be taken individually or as a series. Preregistration is required as space is limited. Please call 802-9852827, ext. 12.