The Charlotte News | February 11, 2016

Charlotte News

The

Charlotte’s award-winning community newspaper

Volume lVIII Number 14

The VoIce of The TowN

Thursday, february 11, 2016

CVU’s Penguin Plunge breaks records, page 4

Tactical Teams on Ferry Road, page 5

Heritage Breeds coming back?, page 1

Meet the Candidates night Charlotte Senior Center, Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m.

Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by The Charlotte Grange and The Charlotte News.

All are welcome! Come meet the Town Meeting Day candidates.

Charlotte News

The CharlottenewsVt.org

Vol. 58, no. 14 February 11, 2016

Vermont’s oldest nonprofit community newspaper, bringing you local news and views since 1958

Respect my authority?

Shelburne’s struggle with Vermont Rail begs an unanswered question posed

by Charlotte’s Fire Chief and EMD Chris Davis Geeda Searfoorce THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

Residents of Shelburne understand the need for the arresting red ink and exclamatory message on a flyer about Vermont Railway’s proposal to build a large salt and fuel storage and distribution facility bordering the LaPlatte River. Announcing the special Selectboard meeting on Feb. 9, the flyer decries the facility’s potential to wreak havoc. “If built,” it reads, the facility “may forever change our town.”

Citing environmental implications— including damage to delicate wetlands and threats to the water quality of Lake Champlain—and unanticipated planning nightmares like increased large truck traffic and noise along a stretch of Route 7 that is already informally known as “the bottleneck,” the coalition of citizens rallying to block Vermont Railway’s plan

A warm heart and an open home The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program seeks new hosts in Charlotte Abby, of Charlotte, first heard of The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program through her neighbor, who happened to be the local volunteer coordinator for her area. After thoughtful consideration, Abby and her husband, Colin, decided they would like to open up their home to a New York City child for a week to experience the Vermont summer sun.

is growing. “This is an emergency development for our town,” the flyer reminds residents. “Let your voice be heard!”

Charlotters will understand that this issue facing our neighbors to the north is reflective of broader implications about the railroad’s “federal preemption” claim, which enables zoning permits to be bypassed. Vermont Railway has already started clear cutting trees on the site’s 32 acres just behind Harbour Industries, a fact that has alarmed those questioning how this plan was developed and who has the authority to green light it.

The Charlotte News published an article on Dec. 10, 2015, that outlined Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Chris Davis’ letter questioning Vermont Rail System’s storage of propane tank cars on the former passenger rail passing siding near 735 Ferry Road in Charlotte.

In his letter, Davis highlighted the substantial discrepancies between claims that Vermont Rail System made in its Oct. 28 Risk Management Program (RMP) document and tangible evidence found at the storage site. The 17 issues that arose from Vermont Rail’s inaccurate description, in the RMP, included miscounting and mislabeling potentially hazardous materials.

A key question arising from Davis’ October letter to Vermont Rail System see Vermont r ail, page 8

“We decided to do this after seeing our neighbor have such success with the program—it ended up working out extremely well,” Abby said. For the past four years, the Rehkugler family has welcomed 14-year-old Olivia, of Brooklyn, to their home.

Abby described Olivia as being the quintessential shy, sweet girl who is warm and inviting once you get to know her. Some of the different activities the Rehkugler family enjoys doing with Olivia are baking, walking the dogs, swimming and hiking.

“We really do try to incorporate her into the family as much as possible, that’s why we like doing ordinary things with her,” Abby said. Staying with the Rehkuglers, Olivia has had many firsts that include learning how to swim and horseback see fresh air fund, page 7

Crash north of BarBer Cemetery

On Feb. 6 at 2:30 p.m., teams from CVFRS and Shelburne Police Dept. responded when the driver of a car fell asleep, lost control and hit a tree on Greenbush Rd. “There were no other indicators—no alcohol or drugs,” said Scott Waterman of Vermont State Police. Authorities had to remove the doors and roof of the vehicle and both occupants were transported to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Photo: Courtesy of CVFRS

Ewe are so beautiful Lydia Smith CONTRIBUTOR

As Charlotters, we take great pride in our legacy, striving to leave behind a world better than we found. Some select a “greener” car or use only reusable shopping bags; that is their contribution.

Me? I raise sheep—heritage sheep, to be exact. Heritage breeds are breeds that retain the majority of their traditional characteristics. They are the sheep you find in paintings of English hillsides.

The genetic diversity contained in the dwindling numbers of these breeds is astounding. They are amazing sheep, known for their hardiness and beauty.

I have the pleasure of working with two heritage breeds—Border Leicesters and Lincoln Longwools. Together, they see heritage sheep, page 9

Life lessons in CCS band class Educator Andy Smith helps students make music and memories Madison Hakey THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

CCS Music Teacher Andy Smith.

Photo: Madison Hakey

CVU’s The Symphonic Winds Band treated 7th and 8th graders of the CCS band to a special hour-long concert on Jan. 2, featuring pieces like “The Emblem of Unity March,” a favorite of band teacher Andrew Miskavage, a collection from Pirates of the Caribbean, and music from Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back, which is a piece on which the CCS band is currently working. The students in the audience displayed an impressive level of musical understanding, evidenced by their comments about dynamics and

instrumentation. As the CVU students got ready to leave, they spoke some words of wisdom to the incoming students, encouraging them to continue playing their instruments. Cole Marino, a senior from Williston, said, “Keep doing music,” and encouraged students to join band as freshmen. Sabrina Davis, senior from Charlotte, agreed that band is a fun elective she has enjoyed all four years.

As the CVU students packed up and left, CCS middle school band teacher Andy Smith, gave his old students hugs and highfives. Smith has taught 10 of the 18 CVU band members at CCS or Williston Central, and he proudly pointed them out to me as they left: his son Hunter Smith on the tuba, Cole Marino and Devin Lucier on the baritone saxophone, Nate Bamberger on the French horn, Jayce Slesar on the tenor saxophone, Jake Kahn and Leo Garbose on the trumpet, Sabrina

Charlotte’s Bill Tilley plays in the UVM Faculty Scholarship Concert Kali Adams THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

On Sunday, Feb. 21, the UVM Music Building Recital Hall will host the sixth annual Faculty Scholarship Concert.

This concert, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Music Building and its iconic Fisk Organ, will highlight the musical talent of UVM’s Department of Music and Dance faculty. Money raised from this event will contribute to the music lesson scholarship fund, benefiting outstanding music students by subsidizing the cost of private instruction.

Faculty members performing at this see Bill tilley, page 8

Davis, Mishka Rehak and Abigail Weimer on the clarinet. His pride in his students was evident in his beaming smile.

Halfway through his eighth year teaching at CCS, Smith has a multitude of students who come to spend their spare time with him. With an open-door policy, Smith welcomes all students to feel comfortable in the band room regardless of their differences.

“You can see an eighth grader helping a fifth grader,” Smith says. “It’s a great way to build community and encourage students to continue playing an instrument. This year at CCS, 100% of 5th graders, all but three 6th graders, and close to 75% of 7th and 8th graders are in band.

That is an extremely high percentage.”

Participation is high in no small part because of Smith’s popularity, which could be attributed to the philosophies that help him create a positive learning environment for all students and be the best see mr. smith, page 6

2 • February 11, 2016 • The CharloTTe News

Voices

Alex Bunten EDITOR IN CHIEF

As we send 24 pages of hyper-local Charlotte-tasiticness over the Connecticut River to Upper Valley Press in New Hampshire, it’s hard not to think of the presidential primary that’s kicking off.

The process of democracy is just starting to agitate the masses. Bernie looks to have taken it for the Democrats. Trump for the Reuplicans. More so than ever, we seem to live in a world of extremes— terrorism, weather, hops—and this election brings political views to the fore. With a pile of uncontested seats in Charlotte’s local government, it’s hard to say if the local electorate is tired or amped up. We’ll have to wait for Town Meeting to be sure...

CorreCtion: In our Jan. 28 issue, Carrie Fenn’s article “Socks designed to inspire a revolution” was printed with formatting errors and an incomplete sentence which should read, “A portion of the proceeds from the sale of O’Sox will go toward educational programs that focus on ‘real sex education,’ as she calls it, with an emphasis on consent.” We encourage you to read the entire article on our website, charlottenewsvt.org.

Dear Courage

Grandmother, retired nurse, and unshakable champion of the human spirit, Courage Turner Jones.

“Be brave, Beloveds, and somehow we’ll all make it!”

double the cost, and double the effort. My heart wants to say yes, because I know how My husband and I are deciding whether much joy dogs bring to our lives, but my or not to get a second dog. Our first— head keeps coming up with reasons to say Maisie—is almost nine and doing well no. Can you help? (knock wood!), though she now and again Signed, shows her age. Walking with her, snugDouble Dog Dare gling her, and playing catch with her (when she deigns to bring back her ball instead Dear Double Dog Dare, of engaging in her own mischievous brand When my daughter and her husband of keep away) are absolute pleasures and I can’t imagine our life without her. We were expecting their second child, who don’t have any children—we agreed early is now three and a half, they asked me to on in our relationship that we wanted to visit while they prepared the nursery, spent build a life without children, even though time alone with one another and with their we are devoted aunt and uncle to our nieces first born—a delightfully precocious and and nephews, both actual and honorary. sensitive child of six at the time—and But Maisie is our baby, of that we have tried to “batten down the hatches” in no doubt. My husband feels sure that it advance of a major shift that was certain would be mutually beneficial for Maisie to usher in unanticipated changes to their and New Dog, and put a renewed spring growing family. I hopped at the chance in Maisie’s step while offering guidance to to support them, as they had moved away the whippersnapper as he or she tumbles from Vermont for employment prospects around during the first years of life. I, and my chances to be with them were few however, am not so sure. What if Maisie and far between. But I know I provoked responds to the new pooch with growing discomfort when I swooped in with my stress and the addition to our family grandmotherly kisses and quickly adminexacerbates age-related aggression rather istered a Cassandra-like warning: Make than encouraging playfulness? What if we a plan in writing lest ye be upended by a can’t handle the added work of raising a torrent of responsibilities. Write it down, new dog? Two dogs are double the work, I told them, even if you don’t think you

Dear Courage,

The Charlotte News Upcoming Publication Deadlines Publication date: Feb. 25 Columns/Features deadline: Feb. 15 Letters due: Feb. 22 Ads deAdline: Feb. 19 Publication date: March 10 Columns/Features deadline: Feb. 29 Letters due: Feb. 22 Ads deAdline: MArCh 4 Publication date: March 24 Columns/features deadline: March 14 Letters due: Feb. 22 Ads deAdline: MArCh 18

need to. Make a list of duties and draw up a calendar that clearly defines what each partner is charged with on a day-to-day basis. I highly suggest you do the same. Vis: “X walks the dogs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; Y takes them on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. On Sundays, we always make time for an extended play session together and then make dinner before curling up by the fire. X takes them to the vet in the spring; Y does it in the fall.

When emergencies arise, X and Y promise not to blame each other but instead work to resolve the problem with the greater good in mind.” Negotiate. Evaluate your time and be honest with one another about what you can each do in service of your family.

So often in this modern life do we assume that the tremendous amount of time and energy required to sustain and support our families will evolve organically. Cooking, cleaning, working, taxiing, finding childcare, etc.—these are the tasks that are specific to families with children, but they repeat themselves, with variations, in families of all different configurations. You, your husband and Maisie are a family, with all the rights and responsibilities of such an august entity, and you are not immune from the vagaries wrought by diminishing resources.

Prepare for a new family member with a pragmatic assessment of your capabilities.

Know that a considered approach to family job descriptions does not threaten the unmitigated bliss of nuzzling a newborn’s neck any more than it can erase the sheer joy of scratching a grateful puppy behind its ears or watching it tumble joyfully with its older, wiser sibling pup. Dogs are our babies—here’s mine right now, looking for a nighttime constitutional and a bit of love—and we must make sure we prepare as much as we can to preserve and protect their physical, emotional and mental well being in concert with our own. The only way we can do that is by knowing ourselves—and ourselves in relation to others. There is no better time to start then now, before you get a good look at those puppy eyes and that sweet, wet snout.

Something tells me you’re about to sign on for double the work, but with proper planning, you’ll be able to enjoy double the love. Good luck!

Signed, Courage Need Courage?

People ages five to 500 are encouraged to send their questions via email to dearcourage@thecharlottenews.org or via good old fashioned post to: Dear Courage c/o The Charlotte News, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445.

The Charlotte News The Charlotte News is a nonprofit communitybased 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. For submission guidelines and deadlines, please visit our website or contact the editor at news@thecharlottenews.org.

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 more than 50 outlets in Shelburne, Hinesburg, North Ferrisburgh, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes and Burlington.

The Charlotte News relies on the generous financial contributions of its readers, subscriptions and advertising revenue to sustain its operations.

Editorial Staff news@thecharlottenews.org / 425-4949 Editor in chief: Alex Bunten Assistant editor: Geeda Searfoorce Contributing editors: Edd Merritt, Ruah Swennerfelt, Carrie Fenn, Jorden Blucher, John Hammer Copy editors: Beth Merritt, Leslie Botjer, Vince Crockenberg, Carol Hanley Outwater interns: Kali Adams, Madison Hakey

Business Staff ads@thecharlottenews.org / 802-343-0279 Business manager: Shanley Hinge Ad manager: Monica Marshall Circulation group: Valerie Lebensohn

Board Members President: Vince Crockenberg Secretary: John Hammer Treasurer: Patrice Machavern Board members: Bob Bloch, Carol Hanley, Michael Haulenbeek, Gay Regan, Louisa Schibli

Contributors Ed Amidon, Bradley Carleton, Larry Hamilton, Rhonda Moore, Mark Nash, Alice D. Outwater, Mary Recchia, Gay Regan, Lydia Smith, Margaret Woodruff, Mike Yantachka

On the Cover CVU celebrates breaking record at the Penguin Plunge, photo: courtesy of Carrie Drescher’s dad; Tactical Services Unit training on Ferry Rd., photo: Alex Bunten; Lydia Smith and her prize-winning heritage breed, Niki, photo: Lydia Smith

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The CharloTTe News • February 11, 2016 • 3

Voices Commentary: What is a ‘reasonable compromise’?

I read with interest Rep. Mike Yantachka’s Legislative Report on the topic of renewable siting (The Charlotte News, Jan. 28, 2016). As he concludes, finding the balance between the benefit of largescale wind and solar developments and the adverse impact on communities is a matter of finding a “reasonable compromise.”

A “reasonable compromise” would seemingly involve a balancing of benefits and injuries to communities, individuals, the state and the world. However, the problem is that what is “reasonable” depends upon what you believe with respect to the existence of benefits and injuries from large-scale development.

Most (not all) people would agree that there is a worldwide climate change problem due at least in part to greenhouse gas emissions and that Vermont should make an appropriate contribution to reducing the emissions. This is where the agreement

residential housing and conservation land (although happily the Ferry Road development is sited in a commercial/industrial zone). People move to Vermont and tourists come here to experience a relatively unspoiled and non-industrial landscape.

People buy houses feeling protected by local zoning and planning only to find that state law allows wind and solar developers to override the protections.

How do the benefits and injuries from large-scale development add up in trying to craft a “reasonable compromise”? On the benefit side, we are accepting some responsibility for the costs of pushing back on climate change. But the other supposed benefits are not there. Vermont’s power sources are not a significant source of carbon pollution (although the same cannot be said for our home heating and vehicle use). And the claimed economic advantage of renewables in Vermont disappears on

ends. Building large industrial wind and solar developments in Vermont will not affect the oil spills, tar sands mining and mountain top destruction mentioned by Mike. These environmental disasters have almost nothing to do with Vermont. This state uses virtually no coal-generated electricity and oil is used only to meet occasional very high summer demand.

Our electricity comes from hydro and relatively low-emission gas and, recently, a small amount of wind and solar when the wind blows and/or the sun shines.

We have for many years been the greenest state in the country, using generation that produces no or very low carbon emissions.

So, too, there is profound disagreement as to whether industrial wind and solar provide a net economic benefit to Vermont.

If you total up state and federal grant money and tax expenditures (credits), transfer of electric grid capacity costs from solar to non-solar users and inflated power purchase contracts given to developers that increase consumer rates, a strong argument can be made that industrial wind and solar are expensive luxuries in a poor state. Our electric rates may be relatively low in New England but not thanks to wind and solar.

State funds have been used that could have more wisely been used to reduce the state education tax or fund badly needed drug addiction treatment and other social needs.

On the other side of the scale, the injury to Vermont’s iconic landscape by the current “build everywhere” policy is plain, including our own industrial solar development on Hinesburg Road abutting

close examination. On the other hand, the injury to our landscape under the present law is enormous.

We are cutting off pieces of our mountains and ridges and erecting 500-foot-high turbines and trying to cover the state with large clumps of solar collectors. Weighing the benefits and injuries, a moderate and reasonably sized response to climate change would be more appropriate to our small population, tourist economy, prized landscape and, simply stated, our quality of life.

So, to some of us, a “reasonable compromise” would be to allow local planning and zoning and Act 250 to operate with respect to wind and solar development. What’s the rush? Congress has now renewed developer tax credits so the deadline for building has been extended. Development might be slowed by treating wind and solar like other industrial uses, but it will occur in a deliberate and not a “gold rush” fashion. And we can live without a medal for being the state to build the most per capita industrial wind and solar developments in the shortest time.

Ed Amidon Popple Dungeon Road Charlotte

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Legislative Report

by Representative Mike Yantachka

Of Elephants and Rhinos The Vermont Statehouse is called “The People’s House,” not just because it is the seat of the legislative branch of state government, but also because it functions as a living museum and is open to the public. Every day during the legislative session, groups representing one interest or another visit with displays and information and talk one-on-one to legislators as well as testify in committees. One such group that visited last week was Vermonters representing the Humane Society. They were there to support six bills regarding the humane treatment of animals. The bills introduced to the House and Senate include adequately sheltering dogs and cats kept outdoors (H.512), banning the use of lead ammunition when hunting (H.460), prohibiting the use of gestation crates for pregnant sows (H.374), prohibiting the possession, sale and distribution of shark fins (H.122), prohibiting the docking of the tail of a cow (S.22), and restricting the sale of ivory and rhino horn products (H.297). While most of these bills have had committee hearings, H.297, the ivory bill, seems to be generating the most interest and is likely to be voted out of the Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources Committee soon. There are a number of reasons why

criminal organizations. The only hope for saving the animal species is to try to shut down the market through legal efforts and education. The Endangered Species Act regulates the interstate trade of ivory in the U.S. and includes a proposal to allow only limited types of ivory products to be sold across state lines. It does not regulate sales of ivory or ivory products within a state.

H.297 would apply similar restrictions to sales of ivory within Vermont.

H.297 does not prohibit simple possession of ivory. However, it would prohibit the sale of ivory or ivory products with some exceptions. For example, the sale of antiques as defined by federal requirements and of items weighing less than 200 grams (roughly 7 ounces) would not be prohibited. These conditions would allow the sale of most musical instruments, including pianos with ivory keys.

Among the visitors at the Humane Society reception in the statehouse cafeteria last week was Charlotte student Taegen Yardley, who attends Vermont Commons School in South Burlington. Taegen and several classmates produced a film about the illegal ivory trade and spoke to the attendees at the reception. The film can be seen at goo.gl/PmCVXg. H.297 will have

Taegen Yardley, a middle school student at Vermont Commons School in South Burlington and a Charlotte resident, addressing the Humane Society and legislators at the VT Statehouse cafeteria on Wednesday, Feb. 3. Photo: Mike Yantachka this bill is moving forward—threat of species extinction, connection of trade to terrorism, and connecting interstate and intrastate requirements among others.

African elephants and rhinoceroses are in danger of being hunted to extinction solely for their tusks and horns. The number of African elephants has declined from around 4 million in the 1940s to about 350,000 today. While such hunting is illegal under the laws of African nations and while the ivory and rhino horn trade is prohibited at the international level as well as by U.S. law, there is a thriving black market that funds terrorist groups and other

my support when it comes to the floor.

Finally, Town Meeting Day is March 1 and includes the presidential primary in Vermont. I want to remind high school seniors that if they will turn 18 before the November election they are allowed to register and vote in the primary. Anyone who needs to register to vote can do so online at olvr.sec.state.vt.us/.

I welcome your thoughts and can be reached by phone (802-233-5238) or by email (myantachka.dfa@gmail.com). You can find this article and past articles at my website, MikeYantachka.com.

Letters PoLicy: The Charlotte News welcomes signed letters to the editor on any subject of interest to the community. To allow the publication of a diverse selection of views in each issue, please limit letters to a maximum of 300 words and include your full name, town of residence and phone number. The editors reserve the right to edit for clarity, English usage and length or to publish submissions in full. Send them to news@ thecharlottenews.org.

4 • February 11, 2016 • The CharloTTe News

CVU freezin’ for a reason

Madison Hakey THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

On Feb. 6, 167 CVU students dove, screaming, into the freezing waters of Lake Champlain. As the biggest fundraisers for the event, CVU’s team was the first to jump in. The other top fundraising schools were Browns River Middle School, Winooski High School, Edmunds Middle School, Burlington High School and Northfield High School, in order of amount fundraised. A total of 21 schools and 129 teams participated in the event..

Joining in the activity this year was first-time plunger Adam Bunting, CVU’s principal, who raised $150 for the cause. “While I knew the plunge would be cold, I underestimated how much fun it would be,� he said. “It felt like students, parents, administrators, teachers and community members were all on the same team, focused on the same goal.�

Students also seemed to enjoy

themselves.

Raising just under $300 was first-time plunger Michaela Flore, a senior from Charlotte. She said of the event, “The Penguin Plunge was the best thing I’ve done this year. I wish I had done it sooner!

It was exhilarating!�

CVU raised a total of $48,079 for Special Olympics Vermont—an impressive sum that broke last year’s record, and last year’s total broke the previous year’s record with $46,504. What will the next record be?

Wailing themselves into Lake Champlain for a good cause was only the start of the “fun� for CVU students. At CVU’s Annual Winter Carnival Adam Bunting will let students shave his head in a mohawk. He’s agreed to this even though the deal was originally only if 200 students and faculty plunged. They broke financial records and came so close to 200 participants that he thought it only right to follow through with his promise. Good man, Bunting.

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February 2016 yWP Writing Challenges

Find the full list of weekly challenges at youngwritersproject.org/ prompts15-16.

Week 22 School. What’s the best and the worst about your school? Suggest a practical solution to fix the negative. Be proactive. Alternate: Sound-Typewriter: Click the audio link on this challenge on youngwritersproject.org and write the story. Due Feb. 12.

about young Writers ProjeCt Young Writers Project is an independent nonprofit based in Burlington that engages students to write, helps them improve and connects them with authentic audiences through this newspaper; YWP’s web site, youngwritersproject.org, and digital magazine, The Voice; and other partners, including vpr.net and vtdigger.org.

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Week 23 Seuss. Write in rhyme! Create a cast of crazy characters! YWP honors the late Dr. Seuss who would have turned 112 on March 2. Alternate: Perspective: Tell a story from the perspective of something unconventional: a chocolate bar, a houseboat, a spider, etc. Due Feb. 19.

Week 24 Before: Think of one of your favorite places. Now imagine it 100 or 200 years ago. Tell the story. Alternate: Sound-Train: Click the audio link on youngwritersproject.org and write the story or use this sound and others to create a soundscape. Due Feb. 26.

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The CharloTTe News • February 11, 2016 • 5

Tactical police unit at old Waldorf School

Charlotte Tree Fund is alive and well Row of trees along Spear Street in East Charlotte on Steve Denton’s property, planted in 2008. Photo: Larry Hamilton

Alex Bunten THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

If you were driving down Ferry Road on Feb. 4, you wouldn’t have been blamed for thinking that a Waco-esque moment was happening in West Charlotte. Thirteen state police vehicles, a large van and a few unmarked cars were scattered on the lawn in front of the old Waldorf School. At one point about a dozen officers dressed in full camouflage, with equipment dangling across their chests and thighs, carrying what looked like full assault rifles, could be seen standing outside the building.

Thankfully, the students of the Waldorf School were safe in their new location in Shelburne, and the visit from the Vermont State Police Tactical Services Unit was only a training exercise. The officer on the scene said that “the entire tactical team” was there and that they had run trainings in that building previously.

Charlotte resident Gregg Beldock, whose company, Bullrock Corporation, recently purchased the old Waldorf School to build a large solar installation, confirmed that the FBI, DEA, and area police departments have all used the property for training exercises in recent months. “I’m happy to have them here,” he said. “They’re working to keep people safe.”

According to the Vermont State Police website, the Tactical Services Unit responds to situations such as “armed barricaded suspects, suicidal persons, hostage situations, high-risk warrant service, manhunt situations, active shooter situations and executive (VIP) security, as well as other incidents in which the lives and safety of the public are in danger.”

Scott Waterman of the VSP puts the need for TSU activities into perspective.

“Consistent training is an important part of ensuring that officers can do their jobs.

You never know when those skills will be needed.”

It’s trainings like these that make the TSU ready for most anything. Recently, their mettle was tested while chasing Richard Matt and David Sweat, two convicted killers who had escaped from a maximum security prison in New York.

The unit was deployed for a week, working 24-hours a day, hacking through the Adirondack forest and checking summer camps for signs of the escapees. Governor Shumlin later praised the unit for its role in Matt and Sweat’s eventual capture.

Will we see the TSU back in Charlotte soon? Hopefully, only for another training.

Larry Hamilton CONTRIBUTOR

I am very pleased to report that the Charlotte Roadside Tree Restoration project has just been presented with a new and very generous contribution that will allow it to shift from maintenance into a new phase of planting. Sincere thanks go to Dr. Alice Outwater for this unexpected gift. Alice is a former resident of Charlotte, now living in South Burlington but retaining a strong attachment to Charlotte. She is a regular contributor to The Charlotte News and a regular participant in Charlotte Senior Center programs, in addition to other public events.

Since 2006, the Tree Fund has received a steady flow of donations both large and small, and this has enabled us to plant 445

trees on public land (mostly along roadsides for shade and beauty). Much of this was due to a private donation from William Rutter, a summer resident at Thompsons Point, plus a multitude of small gifts from Charlotters in a fundraising campaign of 2007. Earlier this past year, another gift from Mr. Rutter and gifts made by friends at my 90th birthday celebration allowed us to plant several more trees in the autumn and replace a few.

Tree team volunteers Sue Smith, Mark Dillenbeck, Annemie Curlin, Vince Crockenberg and Roger Richmond have assisted the Tree Warden in monitoring all these trees and doing the needed regular maintenance of staking, removing competing vegetation, installing rodent guards and limb pruning. Before this recent donation, we had only limited funds for additional planting. Now, with this help from Alice, we can carry out two new programs: The establishment of a group of trees to provide much-needed shade around the playground equipment at the Town Beach.

Such planting would make this open area not only more pleasant in summer for both adults and children, but also more useful, since there are now times in summer when the metal equipment is too hot to touch. In this, we are working with the Recreation Committee, which is in charge of the area, and with Selectboard member Carrie Spear

Madison Hakey, one of The Charlotte News’ dynamic and intrepid interns, poses (far right) after her winning speech at the Charlotte Shelburne Rotary Speech Competition on Feb. 3. Her esteemed colleagues, who joined Madison in wowing the judges, are, from left, Alex Von Stange, Lily Oates, and Gabrielle Booth, all students at CVU. Congratulations!

who brought the problem to our attention.

With any remaining funds, to re-establish the program of encouraging private landowners to plant shade trees on their own land (just outside of the town rightof-way) along some of our roads. Through a contractual maintenance agreement with the town and payment of $75 toward the cost of each tree, a landowner can arrange for the planting of such trees through the Tree Warden and the Tree Fund (which will cover the remaining cost of planting stock and the cost of planting). The landowner formally assumes responsibility for on-going care and maintenance of the trees. A minimum row of five trees is required, with utility lines, scenic views and traffic safety issues to be avoided. We currently have 10 of these arrangements in effect in town, and they are much appreciated. A new round of this activity will be announced and geared up after the playground initiative is completed.

Thank you again, Alice Outwater, for making these initiatives possible!

Larry Hamilton is the volunteer Charlotte tree warden. He is professor emeritus at Cornell University and a senior advisor to the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Commission on Protected Areas.

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6 • February 11, 2016 • The CharloTTe News

Mr. SMith

knowledgeable as they can be and, to make this possible, it is necessary to continue learning each day. “I think the year that I leave saying ‘that was the perfect year, I teacher that he can be. First, he believes did everything perfectly,’ that would be a that students must feel relaxed in order to learn. “If a student’s brain can be relaxed, it can operate fully,” he says. To help Smith limits himself students relax, Smith relaxes himself so that he doesn’t cause unnecessary stress for to 80 [gigs] a year, students, and he encourages meditation. In because, after years of addition to reducing students’ stress, Smith experience, this seems to emphasizes the importance of patience.

While it is important to be patient, it is be the perfect amount. also important to push students. He says, “As long as they are doing their best,” he is happy. Weimer, who had Smith as a fifth grader, expresses that he pushed her to do her best even when she was nervous about good year to retire,” he says. it. She says, “He really helped push me Smith also highlighted the fact that for out of my comfort zone during my early a teacher to be successful, he or she has musician years. For that, I am appreciative to love teaching. He loves the kids and the of his kind words and great enthusiasm music but, he explains, it is not all about the to push our personal music boundaries to music. “I teach kids through music instead the next level of playing.” Smith believes of teaching music,” he says. He teaches that it is important for teachers to be as valuable lessons in his class that will help his students throughout their lives, lessons such as how to work as a team, be patient, and be a good listener and communicator. “Band is about becoming something greater than ourselves.”

Band is also about building confidence in students. For one fifth grader this year, one of his first lessons brought him confidence that will hopefully last him a lifetime. He sat down with his trumpet and automatically made a beautiful sound. At the end of his lesson, he stopped Smith and said, “I feel really good about myself.”

Even though his work isn’t always about the music, Smith certainly loves the music. He fell in love with music in his childhood when he used to spend hours listening continued from page 1

CVU Symphonic Winds Band performing with band teacher Andrew Miskavage conducting.

Photo: Courtesy to his parents’ records. Since then, he has played many instruments, thanks to his middle school band teacher who was eager to teach him any instrument Smith wanted to learn. After falling in love with the bass, Smith has played with various bands, but is loyal to four—Prydein, which plays Celtic rock, Small Change, which is a Tom Waits tribute band, Bessette Quartet, which plays funk and jazz, and Levenson Trio, a rock band. With lots of gigs coming his way, Smith limits himself to 80 a year, because, after years of experience, this seems to be

the perfect amount. During his time as a performer, Smith has visited more than 15 states and 16 countries.

When he isn’t teaching or performing, Smith enjoys being outdoors at his small farm or property in the Adirondacks. He loves gardening, hiking, and riding his motorcycle. Even with these other hobbies, it is clear that Smith’s passion lies in the band room at CCS. Contact: Madison@thecharlottenews.org

Charlotte’s own Francesca Blanchard finishes up the North American tour of her debut album, deux visions, with a special Valentine’s Day concert at the Mt. Philo Inn on Feb. 13. See the Community Events section on pg. 22 for details.

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The CharloTTe News • February 11, 2016 • 7

fresh air fund

continued from page 1

riding.

Abby reflected on some of the best memories she had with Olivia, and one in particular came to mind, when she was teaching her how to swim. “Olivia had apparently decided that she was ready to swim on her own, so she took the life vest off and threw it to the side and jumped into the pool. We were so impressed,” Abby said. Although they did have many amazing adventures and experiences, Abby’s favorite things are the special moments they share. “The hugs are my absolute favorite, Olivia just

has this sense of true appreciation and watching her you really understand it.”

The Rehkugler family said that the experience they gained from participating in The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program was truly amazing. “The overall experience is extremely positive and wonderful.

I would recommend to anyone to give it a

shot,” Abby said. The Rehkugler family is looking forward to welcoming Olivia back for her fifth summer in Vermont.

Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free, enriching summer experiences and academic programs for more than 1.8 million New York City children

from low-income neighborhoods. Each summer, close to 4,000 Fresh Air children visit suburban, rural and small town communities across the East Coast and Ontario, Canada, through The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program.

The Fresh Air Fund is always seeking host families to enable as many New York City children as possible to benefit from a summer experience outside of the city. To learn more about how to become a host family in the Charlotte area please call Vicki Nelson at 802-355-8636 or visit freshair.org.

Notices NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL HEARING ON PROPOSED TOWN CHARTER TOWN OF CHARLOTTE The Selectboard of the Town of Charlotte hereby gives notice that a public informational hearing will be held on February 29, 2016 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Charlotte Central School Multi-Purpose Room, 408 Hinesburg Road, Charlotte, Vermont, in connection with a proposal to adopt a Charter for the Town of Charlotte. Said Charter contains the following sections:

(b) The inhabitants of the town of Charlotte, within the geographical limits as now established, shall continue to be a municipal corporation by the name of Charlotte, Vermont.

2. General provisions (a) General Law application: Except when changed, enlarged or modified by the provisions of this chapter, all provisions of the statutes of the state of Vermont relating to municipalities shall apply to the town of Charlotte.

Section 1: Corporate Existence

(b) Powers of the Town:

Section 2: General Provisions

(1) General: The town of Charlotte shall have all the powers granted to towns and municipal corporations by the constitution and laws of the state of Vermont and this chapter, together with all the implied powers necessary to carry into execution all the powers granted. The town of Charlotte may enact ordinances not inconsistent with the Constitution of the state of Vermont, laws of the state of Vermont, or this chapter, and impose penalties for violation thereof.

Section 3: Adoption of Annual Budget and Budget Related Articles Section 4: Separability Section 5: Amendment Section 6: Effective Date Section 7: Sunset The public informational hearing is being held as required by 17 V.S.A. §2680(g).

Town officials will be present during the public informational hearing to answer questions regarding the proposed Charter.

The Charter in its entirety is available for inspection at the Charlotte Town Office during regular office hours, MondayFriday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Charter is also available for review on the Town’s website at www.charlottevt.org.

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE MUNICIPAL CHARTER TO BE VOTED MARCH 1, 2016 1. Corporate existenCe (a) Pursuant to the authority granted by the general assembly of the state of Vermont, there is hereby enacted a charter to govern the organization and operation of local government in the town of Charlotte, Vermont.

(2) The powers and functions conferred upon the town by this charter shall be separate and be in addition to the powers and functions conferred upon the town by laws now in force or hereafter enacted.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as a limitation upon these previously specified powers and functions.

(3) Limitations: In this charter, any mention of a particular power shall not be construed to restrict the powers and functions conferred on the town of Charlotte, the selectboard of the town, or its elected or appointed officers by general or special enactment of state statutes or regulations in force or effect or hereafter enacted, and the powers and functions conferred by this chapter shall be cumulative and in addition to the provisions of the general or special enactment unless this chapter otherwise provides.

3. adoption of annual BudGet and BudGet-r elated a rtiCles

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(a) The town shall vote the budget amount for the town and budget-related articles at the floor meeting of the annual meeting, which vote(s) shall not become effective until the voters approve such budget and related articles by Australian ballot vote conducted in the manner set forth below. (b) The selectboard shall set a date for and warn a special meeting to vote on the budget and budget-related articles

by Australian ballot. The date of the vote shall be at least twenty (20) days following the posting of the warning. (c) If a budget voted on by Australian ballot is rejected, the selectboard shall prepare a revised budget. It shall establish a date for the vote on the revised budget, and shall take appropriate steps to warn a public informational meeting on the budget and the vote. The date of the public informational meeting shall be at least five days following the public notice. The date of the vote shall be at least seven days following the public notice. The vote on the revised budget shall be by Australian ballot and shall take place in the same locations that the first vote was taken. The budget shall be established if a majority of all votes cast are in favor.

If the revised budget is rejected, the selectboard shall repeat the procedure in this subsection until a budget is adopted. (d) If a budget-related article voted on

by Australian ballot is rejected, the selectboard may, but shall not be required to prepare a revised budget-related article and take appropriate steps to warn a public informational meeting on the budget-related article and the vote. If the selectboard does proceed with a vote on a revised budget-related article, the date of the public informational meeting shall be at least five days following the public notice.

The date of the vote shall be at least seven

days following the public notice. The vote on the revised budget-related article shall be by Australian ballot and shall take place in the same locations that the first vote was taken. The budget-related article shall be established if a majority of all votes cast are in favor. If the revised budget-related article is rejected, the selectboard may repeat the procedure in this subsection. (e) The term budget-related article shall mean an article that proposes to raise funds by imposing a tax on property in the town grand list but excludes an article that seeks approval to incur indebtedness to fund public improvements and acquisition of capital assets as such terms are defined in the Vermont general laws applicable to municipal corporations.

4. separaBility If any provision of this charter is held invalid, the other provisions of the charter shall not be affected thereby. If the application of the charter or any of its provisions to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the application of this charter and its provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

5. amendment Amendment of this charter shall be as provided by Vermont law.

6. effeCtive date This charter shall take effect on passage by the legislature.

7. sunset Absent action to repeal or modify this Section 7, this charter shall expire, terminate and have no further force and effect four years from the date of passage by the legislature.

8 • February 11, 2016 • The CharloTTe News

Bill tilley

continued from page 1

UVM Music Building Recital Hall and the iconic Fisk Organ. Photo: Courtesy

Vermont r ail

continued from page 1

has direct implications for the citizens of Shelburne as they grapple with the potential installation of a storage and distribution facility that could negatively impact their town and the natural environment.

Which state agency or official authorized the storage of these propane tankers and green lighted the Risk Management Plan with all of its discrepancies? The Town of Charlotte›s own local ordinances prohibit the storage, but the tankers remain.

The State of Vermont owns the tracks and leases them to Vermont Railway.

Page five of the lease states that Vermont Railway will comply with federal, state and local laws. But what the company invoked in Charlotte and is now invoking in Shelburne—the “federal preemption” claim—is a more nuanced modification to the law than first meets the eye. While

concert include Clare Byrne, David Feurzeig, Patricia Julien, D. Thomas Toner, Sylvia Parker, Anne Janson, Jeff Salisbury, Julie Peoples-Clark, Ray Vega, Paula Higa, Tom Cleary, Amber deLaurentis, David Neiweem, special guest Marsh Professor-at-Large Srinivas Krishnan and Charlotte’s own William Tilley.

Highlights of Tilley’s career include studying at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, touring with the Philadelphia Orchestra and working with many of the world’s leading conductors. He currently teaches double bass, both at UVM and with the Vermont Youth Orchestra. In addition, he plays with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and the Burlington Chamber Orchestra.

The Charlotte News was curious to hear what Tilley had planned for the Faculty Scholarship concert and to learn a bit

more about his musical career.

The Charlotte News: Have you participated in this concert before?

Bill Tilley: This is my first time participating in a faculty concert. I am playing the bass part in the French composer Claude Bolling’s “Suite for Jazz Flute, Piano, Bass and Drums.” It is a “cross-over” piece that has elements taken from the classical realm and jazz.

TCN: How many years have you been playing the bass?

BT: I have played the bass for 35 years.

In fact my first bass lesson in 1979 was in the Music Building at UVM, which is the building being recognized. It was a VERY big deal to have this building constructed, and to work in it was a real privilege.

TCN: Why does the faculty put this together? How did it get started?

BT: It is important that the music

faculty maintain their own performance skills in order to teach—not just the technique of their particular instruments, but be able to shepherd students in their own encounters with the stage.

Everyone is not cut out for being in front of an audience and baring their soul, and it’s helpful to have a teacher with a LOT of performance time under his or her belt. I played for nine years with the Philadelphia Orchestra as an alternate bassist, and all those high-pressure hours on stage working with the best players was tremendous experience I try to bring into my teaching studio.

If you are interested in attending this concert, head to the UVM Music Building on Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. Admission is by donation, with the money going to train the next generation of musicians.

federal railroad rules preempt many state and local laws, they govern transportation—and the Federal Railroad Administration’s Regional Hazmat Division has indicated that the propane tankers in Charlotte are considered “out of transportation” and “in storage”—therefore not under federal preemption rules.

Davis and three Charlotte Selectpersons, as well as town administrator Dean Bloch, were invited to a special meeting on Dec. 22 with the State of Vermont’s Chief of Fire Safety, Hazardous Materials division.

“We came away with a better understanding of some of the regulations,” Davis said.

“And it appears as though Vermont Rail is following the federal rules that apply.”

But what is not apparent is why those federal regulations are being invoked to subvert local ordinances and potentially threaten public safety. “We are trying to work collaboratively with the railroad and also be proactive,” Davis said. “Because, even though everyone is complying, it still

doesn’t make common sense that over a million pounds of hazardous material are stored at that site. Just because you can do something—that you’re allowed to do it— doesn’t mean that you should. We need to keep asking for answers.” In the meantime, Davis will be looking at the railroad’s original leases and permits. He will also draft, with the help of a forthcoming template from Vermont Rail Systems, an emergency response plan and renewing his request for special training for response teams.Even though Vermont Rail’s proposed Shelburne facility may fall under the transportation governance, a 2000 Vermont Supreme Court case between the City of Burlington and Vermont Railway found that federal preemption laws can’t override state and local laws governing public safety and fire codes. The citizens of Shelburne, incensed

by Vermont Rail System’s insufficient traffic and environmental studies, are demanding the company be tasked with producing a comprehensive reckoning of the facility’s impact on public safety and potential to delay emergency response.

In a post to Shelburne’s Front Porch Forum, resident Kevin Burget condemned the “unlawful clear-cutting of floodplain lands” and urged his fellow citizens to protest the facility’s development.

“Salt sheds and fuel storage inundated by storm surges, disposal of waste, mishaps in transfer from rail cars, fleets of trucks—any one of these spell death to this area’s quality of life and the whole

ecology of Shelburne Bay,” he writes.

Rallying townspeople, he compares the demand for activism that prevented Vermont Yankee from building a nuclear reactor in Charlotte 47 years ago, a development that, had it gone through, would have dramatically changed the area’s quality of life and threatened its natural resources.

Vermont Rail System President David Wulfson has made it clear that the company plans to expand and increase rail transportation in order to utilize existing infrastructure to meet the demands of shipping with more fuel-efficient means, an impetus that may, at first glance, seem to have potential financial and environmental benefits in the long run. But without sufficient planning and transparency, those potential benefits could disintegrate in the face of public safety issues and damage to natural resources, both of which carry long-term costs.

As Vermont’s cities and towns change and grow over the next 50 years, railroads will play a role in addressing increasing demands for more efficient transportation of goods and people. But, as the tracks on which the railroads run wind through our front and back yards, fields, forests and villages, and by our waterways, Vermonters will need to stay informed and demand answers to vital questions so we can see the forest through the trees.

More information can be found at citizensforresponsiblerailroads.wordpress. com and vermontrailway.com.

Contact: geeda@thecharlottenews.org

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The CharloTTe News • February 11, 2016 • 9 describing themselves and their interest in heritage sheep. Essays are due April 1.

This is an opportunity to honor the past while being in the present and protecting the future.

Contact Elaine Ashcraft for a list of this year’s breeds and more information about the program at tankewe_cr58@ yahoo.com.

Here’s looking at ewe—one of Lydia Smith’s heritage sheep. Photo: Courtesy

Heritage SHeep

continued from page 1

make up Echo Ridge Flock. I started Echo Ridge Flock in 2012 with two Border Leicester lambs. I exhibit my flock at several local fairs. Between showing sheep, shearing sheep, training sheep, and trimming sheep I am quite busy in the summers. It is worth every minute of it. The fairs are an opportunity to educate the public about sheep while having fun with a great group of kids.

My sheep have gained a reputation for being quite friendly, and they love all the attention at the fair. There is nothing better than watching a small child discover the wonder that is sheep kisses for the first time.

Like in many aspects of the farming industry, farmers are aging. Some breeders are looking to inspire the next generation of shepherds; many youth struggle as they attempt to build their own flock.

The Youth Sheep Conservationist Program is designed to connect the two. Youth walk from the program with not only a purebred yearling ewe, but a mentor to guide them.

The first weekend of May brings donors and recipients together at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. To apply, applicants must be between 9 and 18 years old and submit a short essay

little adventurers camp at mater christi school CAMPERS WILL LOVE THESE 8 WEEKLY THEMED SUMMER SESSIONS INCLUDING: WALK WITH DINOSAURS, ON THE FARM, AND MAD SCIENCE. AVAILABLE FOR TWO SEPARATE AGE GROUPS: 3-5 YEAR OLDS AND 6-7 YEAR OLDS. $225/WEEK (PART-TIME $112)

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10 • February 11, 2016 • The CharloTTe News

Notice WARNING

INFORMATION REGARDING REGISTRATION AND VOTING

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE

Register To Vote: Your application must be received by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday February 24, 2016 at the Town Clerk’s Office. If you never voted in Vermont before and you registered individually by mail, you must provide identification before you can vote a regular ballot: current valid photo I.D., or a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document showing your name and current address. If you do not provide I.D., you will be offered a provisional ballot.

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING 2016 The legal voters of the Town of Charlotte are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Charlotte Central School Multi-Purpose Room in said Town on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at nine o’clock in the forenoon to act upon any of the following articles not involving voting

by Australian Ballot, and to meet at the Charlotte Central School Multi-Purpose Room in said Town on the same date to vote by Australian Ballot to begin at seven o’clock in the forenoon and to close at seven o’clock in the afternoon.

Online Voter Registration Information: Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos has announced the roll-out of the new Elections Management Platform. This platform has three main parts:

Article 1:

To hear the reports of the Town officers and to act upon the same.

- Elections Management System (EMS) – includes a new statewide voter checklist and other resources and tools to be used by town and city clerks across Vermont to conduct all of their election related business – from registering voters, to processing absentee ballot requests, to entering election results;

Article 2:

Will the Town vote to have Property Taxes payable on or before November 15, 2016 and to have payments made to the Town Treasurer under 32 VSA § 4773?

- New Online Voter Registration Tool – allows all eligible Vermonters to submit their voter registration application online anytime and anywhere they can access the internet; and

Article 3:

Will the Town vote pursuant to 32 VSA §3840 to exempt property owned by the Charlotte Grange 398 located on Spear Street from education and municipal property taxes for a period of five years commencing with FY16-17?

- New “My Voter Page” – online resource that allows every registered voter to login and have access to a unique, voter-specific web page where they can request an absentee ballot, track its status, update their voter registration record, find their polling place, view a sample ballot, and much more.

Article 4:

Will the Town adopt the Selectboard’s budget of $3,013,563 for the fiscal year July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 of which an anticipated sum of $1,618,786 shall be raised by taxes and an anticipated sum of $1,394,777 will be raised by non-tax revenues?

- The online voter registration page can be found at http://olvr.sec.state.vt.us and the My Voter Page login can be found at http://mvp.sec.state.vt.us.

Article 5:

Will the Town authorize the Selectboard to allocate annually monies from the General Fund budget to the Conservation Fund in an amount not to exceed two cents on the tax rate?

Article 6:

Will the Town vote to authorize the Selectboard to borrow money by issuance of bonds or notes not in excess of anticipated revenues for the next fiscal year?

Article 7:

To transact any other business proper to come before said meeting.

BY AUSTRALIAN BALLOT

Article 8:

To elect Town Officers.

Article 9:

Shall the Town submit to the General Assembly of the State of Vermont a proposal to adopt a municipal charter which contains the following sections: Section 1: Corporate Existence Section 2: General Provisions Section 3: Adoption of Annual Budget and Budget Related Articles

Casting a provisional ballot: If you accept the offer to vote a provisional ballot, you must complete a sworn affidavit on the provisional ballot envelope swearing that you are qualified to vote in Vermont and in the polling place where you are, and that you submitted an application to register to vote before the deadline. You will be given a card explaining how you can find out if your ballot was counted one week after the special meeting by calling the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office at 1-800-439-8683.

If your name was dropped from the checklist in error, or has not been added even though you submitted an application before the deadline for applications: Explain the situation to your town clerk or presiding officer and ask that your name be added to the checklist.

The town clerk or presiding officer will investigate the situation and then either have you complete a sworn affidavit and then add your name to the checklist or explain why you cannot be added. If the town clerk or presiding officer cannot determine that you are entitled to be added to the checklist on the date of the special meeting, you may appeal to a superior court judge, who will give you a decision on the date of the special meeting OR you may vote a provisional ballot. It is your choice.

Absentee ballots and early voting: You can request early absentee ballots at any time during the election year. The latest you can request ballots for this meeting is the close of the town clerk’s office (4:00 p.m.) on February 29, 2016. You or a family member can request early ballots in person, in writing or by telephone. An authorized person can request ballots for you in writing.

Methods of voting early/absentee before the special meeting: 1.

Vote in town clerk’s office on or before February 29, 2016.

2.

Voter may take the ballots out of the clerk’s office for himself/herself and return in same manner as if the ballots were received by mail.

3.

Have ballot mailed to you and return it to clerk’s office before the day of the special meeting or to polling place before 7 p.m. on the date of the special meeting.

4.

If you are sick or disabled, you may ask the town clerk on or before February 29, 2016, to have two justices of the peace bring a ballot to you at your home.

Section 4: Separability Section 5: Amendment Section 6: Effective Date Section 7: Sunset

Article 10:

Article 11:

Article 12:

Article 14:

The Charter in its entirety is available for inspection at the Charlotte Town Office during regular office hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Charter is also available for review on the Town’s website at www. charlottevt.org.

Any voter who wants assistance for any reason may bring the person of his or her choice into the voting booth to help or may ask for assistance from two election officials. Voters who cannot get from the car into the polling place may have a ballot brought to a car outside the polls by the two election officials.

Shall the Town vote to amend the 2013 Charlotte Town Plan to add a statement supporting consideration of Village Center Designation (“Town Plan Amendment #1”), pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 4385, as approved by the Selectboard on January 11, 2016? (Copies of the proposed amendment to the Charlotte Town Plan are available for review at the Town offices and on the Town’s website at www.charlottevt.org.)

Any U.S. citizen and resident of a Vermont town or city who submitted an application to register to vote before the deadline is entitled to vote regardless of race or physical ability.

Shall the Town vote to amend the 2013 Charlotte Town Plan to amend and update the energy sections, Sections 4.8 and 5.10, in Charlotte Today and Charlotte Tomorrow (“Town Plan Amendment #2”), pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 4385, as approved by the Selectboard on January 11, 2016? (Copies of the proposed amendment to the Charlotte Town Plan are available for review at the Town offices and on the Town’s website at www.charlottevt.org.)

Shall the Town vote to amend the Town of Charlotte Land Use Regulations to add energy project siting standards in Section 4.20 (new) and Section 5.5 (“Bylaw #1”) pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 4442, as approved by the Selectboard on January 11, 2016? (Copies of the proposed amendment to the Land Use Regulations are available for review at the Town offices and on the Town’s website at www.charlottevt.org.)

Shall the Town vote to amend the Town of Charlotte Land Use Regulations to make technical clarifications and corrections (“Bylaw #2”) pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 4442, as approved by the Selectboard on January 11, 2016, but not including any amendments to Section 3.12(A)?

(Copies of the proposed amendment to the Land Use Regulations are available for review at the Town offices and on the Town’s website at www.charlottevt.org.)

Dated this 25th day of January, 2016 at Charlotte, Vermont.

Town of Charlotte Selectboard Lane Morrison, Chair, Fritz Tegatz, Matthew Krasnow, Carrie Spear, Jacob Spell

THE LAW PROHIBITS THE FOLLOWING—DO NOT: - Vote more than once per election, either in the same town or in different towns.

- Mislead the board of civil authority about your own or another person’s eligibility to vote.

- Socialize in a manner that will disturb other voters inside the polling place. Offer a bribe, threaten, or intimidate a person to vote in a particular manner.

- Hinder or interfere with the progress of a voter going into or from a polling place.

Vermont law provides that a person cannot campaign within a polling place, but does NOT specify any number of feet that campaigners need to be away from the polls outside. The presiding officer will set reasonable rules for where campaigners can stand.

The election officials at the polling place are there to serve you. If you have any questions or need assistance while voting, ask your town clerk or any election official for help. If you do not understand something, or you believe a mistake has been made that has not been corrected, or you have a question that cannot be answered to your satisfaction at the polling place, call the Elections Division, Office of the Secretary of State: 1-800-439-VOTE (439-8683) (Accessible by TDD).

If you believe that any of your voting rights have been violated, you may call the Elections Division at 800-439-8683 or (802) 828-2464. You may also file an Administrative Complaint with the Secretary of State’s Office, 128 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633-1101.

If you believe you have witnessed efforts to commit any kind of fraud or corruption in the voting process, you may report this to your local United States Attorney’s Office, the County State’s Attorney or the Vermont Attorney General.

If you have witnessed actual or attempted acts of discrimination or intimidation in the voting process, you may report this to the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice at (800) 253-3931.

The CharloTTe News • February 11, 2016 • 11

ARTICLE 9

The Charter Vote Making Town Meeting Work for Everyone PROBLEM: The traditional Town Meeting format preserves one of the last vestiges of “direct democracy,” a form of government in which every citizen present participates in deciding and voting on the town’s policies and the budgets that determine our taxes. However, due to myriad reasons, the current format of voting on town budget via a floor vote on Town Meeting Day limits the number of town residents who are able to participate.

GOAL: Increase voter participation on the Town budget while maintaining Town Meeting.

SOLUTION: Two-Part Voting Session 1: Town Meeting will continue to be held on its traditional date on the first Tuesday in March.

Those in attendance discuss the Town budget presented by the Selectboard, amend it if desired, and then vote the budget from the floor, just as we do now.

Session 2: The budget determined at Session 1 will be put to Australian ballot (voted in a booth or by absentee ballot) for Town approval 3-4 weeks later.

Why a charter?

State law requires that towns adopt their town budgets on Town Meeting Day unless the Legislature approves a town charter, approved by the town’s voters by Australian ballot, changing that date to another.

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12 • February 11, 2016 • The CharloTTe News

Reflecting on piles of perch

The author enjoying his time ice fishing.

Jon and Devyn with their jet sled full of perch.

Bradley Carleton CONTRIBUTOR

Once in awhile ice fishermen hit the jackpot.

I was recently witness to such an event and, after considerable soul searching, have accepted that it is all right once in awhile.

A few weeks ago, I decided to drive north to the St. Albans Bay area with my friend Ozzie. We’d heard word that the yellow perch were hitting hard. Now before all the hardcore ice fishermen condemn me for mentioning “their spot,� let me just say that by the time you read this column, the situation will have changed considerably and the perch will have moved on to other shallows.

Here’s the story. Ozzie and I got a late start and by 7:30 a.m. we were still unsure where to dip our lines. Pulling up to the Georgia Shore municipal playground, we saw about 30 trucks. “This is a good sign,�

I said. When we looked over the embankment, the ice was littered with people. And they were raising their rods what seemed like every five to ten seconds. “That looks promising,� Ozzie replied.

I had just acquired a new Vexilar FL8SE, an economy-grade fish finder, and I was eager to try it out, but maybe they weren’t hiding today.

We dragged our sleds out onto the ice and lined up parallel to the shoreline. We cut a hole with my hand auger and found about seven inches of good ice. Just to be sure, I dropped the business end of my Vexilar down the hole and it lit up like a Christmas tree with colors of red, orange and green. There were fish holding to the 12-foot bottom.

I dropped a brightly colored bibbit with three spikes on the hook down the hole. (“Spikes� are maggots for any uninitiated ice fisherfolk out there. The terminology keeps the squeamish amateurs grossed out and swearing that they will never ice fish.)

One second later, I had a bite. On the second bite I lifted my 24-inch ultra lite ice rod quickly and the fish was hooked.

I reeled him up and, with a knowing wink at my partner in crime, sent the bibbit back down to the shallow bottom. Another second later, another fish was on. And on it went.

I began to put back any fish less than six inches, reasoning that my mother-in-law loved to eat “crispy tails� that are cleaned and fried so that there are two nice pieces of meat held together by a backbone and a tail—no ribs or other bones. They are eaten by peeling off the meat from either side of the backbone and devoured with the

“crispy tail� dipped in tartar sauce. Truly a Vermont tradition.

Lost in my reverie it began to snow, lightly. The fish just kept biting, not more than 10 seconds apart. The snow fell harder until I could no longer see the shoreline just 100 yards away.

My bucket was filling up and the fish just kept coming. Ozzie was 20 yards away from me doing the same. We were laughing like fools in a snowstorm.

Then suddenly at 11 a.m. it all stopped like someone had turned off the spigot.

We moved around looking for where the fish had gone. As we drilled holes moving south along a small pressure crack, closer then further from shore, we noticed two young guys who had never stopped pulling them in.

If I subscribe to the premise that Native Americans espouse—to take no more than what one needs—how do I feel about commercial fishing?

We walked over and introduced ourselves. They told us what they were using and offered us their holes. But what was more impressive than their generous behavior was a jet sled full of perch— probably over 1,000 yellowbellies in all.

It seemed our new friends Jon and Devyn had hit the jackpot.

“Hope you’re not planning on cleaning all this yourself,� I joked. “No way! We’re selling ‘em!� Jon proclaimed. “There’s probably about $100 worth of fish there.� He asked us if we wanted any. We declined, saying that we each had a half a bucket and we didn’t want to clean any more than what we had.

My efforts to comprehend the good fortune that these two young men had experienced posed a moral dilemma for me—what is too much?

If I subscribe to the premise that Native Americans espouse—to take no more than what one needs—how do I feel about commercial fishing? Secondly, were these two guys, who have never had this kind of luck, and were not commercial fishermen, damaging the resource? After considerable deliberation, I chose to accept that these two young men, with their generous offers of lures and bait and even sharing their “lucky holes,� were not commercial fishermen and may never experience another day like this one.

I was quite content with what, for me, turned out to be 114 yellow perch. That was all I needed that day to contribute something to the Friendship Lodge’s fish fry on Saturday.

Reflecting on the day’s events, I still do not support commercial fishing in our lakes and ponds, unless it is only for invasive species like the white perch. But I can share the exuberance of someone’s good luck on a day like this.

Everybody deserves at least one of these days when spending a lifetime on the lake.

Bradley Carleton is Executive Director of SacredHunter.org, a nonprofit that seeks to educate the public on the spiritual connection of man to nature and raises funds for TraditionsOutdoorMentoring. org, which mentors at-risk young men in outdoor pursuits.

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14 • February 11, 2016 • The CharloTTe News

OutTakes Commentary

by Edd Merritt

Journalism – connecting brains and fingers and eyes and ears Ban the bombers are afraid of a fight Peace hurts business and that ain’t right How do I know? I read it in the Daily News “Daily News” —Tom Paxton The New York Times carried a piece on its opinion page of Jan. 10 that addressed the issues facing journalism and, as it suggested, the “news business”is changing. The author of the piece, the Times Public Editor Margaret Sullivan, interviewed Dean Baquet, a Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist and Executive Editor.

She asked him to look ahead toward what to expect from journalism in the future and what challenges lay in the present.

These are questions and issues that most of us with some responsibility for what falls under the rubric of journalism ask not

My friend, the cistern Rhonda Moore CONTRIBUTOR

Sometime in the early 1950s, my parents decided to move from Manhattan back to the Burlington area where my father grew up and my mother attended college.

I remember the Manhattan apartment a little. There was a playground with lots of kids and pigeons to chase and an elevator—and running water that you could drink right out of the faucet.

Then there was Charlotte, Vermont, Greenbush Road, circa 1955. Water?

Not my worry. But where did the water from the faucets come from? Think rain.

Brilliant! Rain hits the slate roof, flows down to the gutters and into rain gutters.

only about content, but how the readership now expects to see it presented. Consider the quote above: “How do I know? I read it in the Daily News.” “Daily” and “news” now comes in many packages from papers to blogs to twits and tweets.

As one who believes in the efficacy of the newspaper format, I must defend it, even though we at The Charlotte News are neither daily nor strictly a news paper.

We call ourselves the “Voice of the Town,” and we try to reflect that by including as many voices from the community as possible—both in what we write about and who writes for us. The community’s voice is part of the fabric holding together the town, and we are the communication medium to broadcast it.

Perhaps it’s the English major in me that also believes the written word demands more of the presenter often than does the spoken word. I find that true for myself when I sit down at (nowadays) a computer creating a Word document from which others might gain some understanding.

What begins in the brain passes through fingers to the screen whereupon it is visually transcribed back to the brain. Many times this visual passage and its resulting incomprehension beg the question, “What in the hell is he talking about?” At that point, unfortunately, I have to flee back to my editor in order to find out what he thinks I’m talking about and then how much time I have to generate something reasonable and legible to others.

The medium may not be the message entirely, but it is playing an increasingly greater role. According to Mr. Baquet it is urgent that we find ways to get across our message without damaging our revenue sources. And Ms. Sullivan says that while we are looking at rapid-fire changes, we are, at the same time, trying not to harm “quality and credibility.” We cannot let speed due in part to “brutal competition” come at the “expense of accuracy.”

I must admit here a certain ambivalence, though. It is this cross draft between what we present and how it’s presented that makes working in journalism fun, even though the answer is truly blowing in the wind. I only hope the breeze of truth sweeps over my house periodically.

I found an interesting article in the Burlington Free Press on Tuesday by Emilie Stigliani titled “‘Stupid’ Iowans, ‘stupid’ Vermonters.” The headline caught my eye, and then I realized she was writing from Grundy Center, a small town in north central Iowa which I knew because a good friend lived there. He and I met as youngsters when he came north to Minnesota to play tennis. We had a tournament in town, and he stayed at our house between matches. An excellent player, he used his athletic prowess to escape Grundy Center, to go on to college at UCLA and play with Arthur Ashe, among others. He spent several Junes at Wimbledon.

From the Free Press article, it looks as though Grundy Center did not parallel the

progress of my friend Bob. Interviewing the gang in Scotty’s Saloon, Stigliani found that Democrats would be “persona non grata” there, and the last one around couldn’t stand up in the parking lot and had to be carted off to the hospital emergency room. This led to gales of laughter.

I don’t know the Grundy Center source of news, whether a well-sanctioned paper like the Des Moines Register can dispense believable data, or whether the comment more often is, “Oh well, that story was in the Register, and you know how left wing it is. Good for starting fires and not much else.”

But it is really more the medium that is changing as far as I can tell. Instant information or opinion rather than study and discussion seem to come to the fore these days. Social media gives more people a voice on just about any topic they choose.

I happen to be generally skeptical of what I read, and believe that skepticism is a valuable asset to a journalist. The first question I often ask of an article is, “Should I dig further?” The answer I most often pursue is, “Yes! Let’s see where it goes.” If it takes off for another galaxy, my skepticism has paid off, and space odyssey beats politics any day.

In any event, on to 2016. Keep those iPads ringing and the videos screening.

Although Yogi Berra has passed on, his words still hold true—“the future still ain’t what it used to be.”

All gutters emptied into a downspout that fed into a brick 10 by 6 by 6-foot cistern under the stairs of the dirt cellar of our “new” circa 1818 house on Greenbush Road. We couldn’t drink it but we could otherwise use it, but oh so sparingly! This was no Manhattan.

But the dimensions of the cistern were just not going to cut it for the water needs of a five-member modern family in the early ‘50s. So, my clever Dad hired the local engineering genius, Dick Frink, who lived on Ferry Road at the bottom of Depot Hill, for a solution.

Don’t ask me why we had an icehouse attached to the northwest corner of the main house, but we did and still do. Dick’s idea was to build a concrete cistern (everyone had a cistern on Greenbush Road), a swimming pool of sorts, inside the icehouse. The concrete walls were framed inside the icehouse and the concrete was poured. The downspout leading from the gutters was redirected from the dirt cellar

cistern to the icehouse. Voila! A cistern, a big cistern.

But having as much water as you want, or even drinking it, was not to be. New house rules were established. If the water was running it was for some purpose, and not a drop was to be wasted; gardens never saw the end of a hose, a swimming pool never kissed our backyard, and washing the car was a rare event. The water neither smelled nor tasted good so we didn’t drink it, but we brushed our teeth with the water coming out of the tap.

A family doctor friend who worked for the World Health Organization said that we should drink the tap water since we were brushing our teeth with it. Even as a kid I was not too sure about that idea.

We would watch our neighbor’s flock of homing pigeons circle our house seeking a landing spot. In variably these pigeons would choose our cistern roof to roost and socialize and, yes, relieve themselves. Of course, with the next rain the roof would

be cleansed—everything on it fed directly into the cistern. I’m sure I have been inoculated with every pigeon pathogen known to man.

Dad was hardly a biologist and his cure for this problem was pouring a gallon of bleach into the cistern from time to time.

Was the cistern water really a health risk? Our horses, our rabbits, the neighbor’s dog, the neighbor’s cat, my pet mice, and the gray squirrels, the red squirrels, the chipmunks and the birds managed to find a way into the icehouse and drink cistern water. As far as I know they all lived long lives. But my grandparents, would they drink it? Heck no. They were from Hartford, Connecticut, and when they visited, they brought Hartford water.

As the three of us kids grew into our teen years, the shower on the second floor was in great demand. My father plastered a sign above the shower door, “Shower with a friend!” We got his point, except my sister. She would sit on the shower floor over the drain and let the hot water run on her head while the basin filled up. This worked okay until she got careless one day and the water overflowed onto the ceiling of the living room. That was the end of that program.

Some years we didn’t get nearly enough rain or snow to keep the cistern filled up. So we had to call the guy with a water truck to fill it up through a huge flexible pipe that he would shove through the 12-foot-high, 10-inch-thick wooden door on the icehouse. The pipe is still there.

So you might think, especially if you’ve ever maintained a swimming pool in Vermont, how was the water in the cistern kept from freezing in the winter and cracking the concrete? Well, Dick Frink had an answer to that, too. Just drop a log in the water. So we did and still do. Sixty years later, the cistern is still holding water. Maybe it was My friend, the cistern, continued from pg. 15 something in the concrete.

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The CharloTTe News • February 11, 2016 • 15

Taking Care Paris 1947: Of cathedrals and brothels Alice D. Outwater CONTRIBUTOR

Aging is not restricted to our later years.

I recall a potent period when I was 17 years old. This first of two remembrances is in post-war Paris; the next, in the French Alps. I was unprepared for the physical and emotional challenges—somewhat like what I am coping with in this later period of my life.

It was June, three years after the end of World War II. I was the youngest of 300 college students brought together by the Experiment in International Living for a summer in France, some of us to be counselors in camps with war orphans. On the train from Le Havre to Paris the sight of gravestone after gravestone overwhelmed my senses, each one a quiet sentinel marking the resting place of a young soldier who had died defending France.

The checkerboard fields of brilliant red poppies accented by rows of white gravestones numbed my mind.

After such lighthearted preparation, I was now confronted with the unadorned reality of a France still recovering from German occupation. We brought K rations so as not to deplete the scarce food supplies. Each of us had also collected two large boxes of clothing to distribute. To be considerate of French sensitivities, none of us packed any new clothes that might mark us as Americans.

An air of desolation hung over Paris.

Although it had escaped bombing, retreating Germans had ravished the capital in 1944. We bicycled through grim neighborhoods of deserted houses. Almost all of them had shattered windows; some were

covered with cardboard, while others had gaping holes opening into empty interiors.

Many building exteriors bore the telltale pockmarks of random gunfire. The litterstrewn streets exposed a disheveled city, still traumatized by vast problems, with inadequate resources to tackle them.

During the 10-day Atlantic crossing on the Marine Tiger, a converted troop ship, the boys talked continually about Parisian nightclubs. Mike Baxter, my new beau from shipboard, was meeting his 26-year-old college instructor Jake Cole in the city. The latter was allegedly researching Paris nightlife for his dissertation.

They planned a thorough after-dark investigation. I admired their audacity. “We’ll go to all the most shocking spots in town: the gay bars, the transvestite hangouts, the striptease joints. Alice, we want you with us. You’ll just love it.� Perhaps my presence legitimized

the daring adventures. I was irresistibly intrigued.

It was the first time I remember trying to listen with my heart, to listen to my life— and I felt inadequate and self-conscious.

Flattered to be included in their mission, I did not understand the shows, but they seemed glitzy, naughty and quite forbidden. Seeing it all made me feel worldly. As gentlemen concerned for my welfare, they walked on either side of me as we strolled the streets. They continued to check on my well-being as the night wore on, and the acts grew more appalling.

In one club, men appeared on tiny stages with women’s wigs, lipstick smeared in exaggerated rosebud lines and long false eyelashes, which they fluttered. They stuffed the bodices of their gowns with padding to create breasts and danced close to each other while kissing. In another bar, ugly, aging women, sullied by years

Continued from page 15 the water off between every washed dish thing, the water is so very, very clear. I When I was in my early twenties and after I left that wonderful old house on Greenbush Road (except Christmas, always home for Christmas), a well was drilled nearly to China, and we got water, lots of it. It’s wonderful to have water we can drink—but without our purification system, it smells worse than cistern water.

I’ve taken my old water conservation habits everywhere I’ve lived. I still shut

and while brushing my teeth. And I’ve moved back into that old house where my family has lived for 60 years. I love having ample tap water. But I still have the old cistern, too, although the valve that we used to switch the water source from the cistern to the well and vice versa, is gone.

Now it’s well water or no water.

I have known that cistern my whole life. When I look into the belly of that old

see my reflection. My cistern, like an old friend, is likely to stay for a bit longer. You see, I’m uncertain about the availability of ample groundwater from wells in the West Village. You just never know when you’ll need an old friend again.

in brothels, did striptease routines to the accompaniment of noisy music, banging drums and heckling customers.

Cigarette butts overflowed ashtrays.

With stench of smoke and stale liquor, I could hardly breathe. A dismal tackiness and forced gaiety pervaded those places, but such distractions seemed to help patrons in their desperate attempt to deal with the aftermath of four years of brutal occupation.

We drank only a glass of wine here and there. Mike and Jake concentrated intensely on the acts. They elbowed each other or exchanged winks as each act became more outrageous. I surmised they found them as unfamiliar as I did and were also in uncharted territory.

The shattered city and the intensity of the nights made me long for a quiet place to regain my equilibrium. I was desperate to clarify these new experiences and recover a frame of reference. I found a quiet haven in the churches; they fascinated me and I made many trips to them, usually alone.

Notre Dame was my favorite with its soaring, gothic interior, galleries and flying buttresses. The gray stone floors were uneven underfoot, worn by years of worshippers coming down the aisles to pray. Sitting by the altar in a front pew, I watched as knots of women dressed in black, with shawls covering their heads, murmured as they lit votive candles.

Kneeling in the pews, some wept quietly in depths of misery as they said their rosaries over and over. Were their tears for husbands? Or sons killed during the war?

Had some once lived in those pillaged houses we passed? I connected to them as we sat searching for the Holy Spirit. The church with its vaulted ceilings was both solemn and keenly comforting.

It was the first time I remember trying to listen with my heart, to listen to my life— and I felt inadequate and self-conscious. I wanted to pray but realized I didn’t know how, even after years of Sunday school. I could repeat my prayers at night—“Now I lay me down to sleep‌,â€? I could ask God for favors when in difficulty, but now I needed something far more complex and elusive.

The church seemed to embody a deep and mysterious soul. I felt if I tried hard enough I might catch a fleeting glimpse of God or some signal of his presence. Those afternoons in Notre Dame marked the beginning of a lifelong search for spirituality and meaning.

After a week in Paris with little sleep, I repacked my knapsack, joined my group, and pedaled toward the chateau country in the Loire Valley. I never again longed to go into another nightclub. Stale liquor and smoke nauseate me to this day. I sometimes think back on my crash course in post-war Parisian nightlife—how thorough it was and how well the two boys looked after me. I wonder if we missed anything‌

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16 • February 11, 2016 • The CharloTTe News $35; all proceeds to go the Friends of the Charlotte Library.

upcoming At the librArY

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CONTRIBUTOR

don’t Forget Your VAlentine!

Just in time for Library Lovers Month, the Friends of the Charlotte Library are selling “Book Lover” Valentine bags: Lake Champlain chocolates and cocoa mix, a festive mug, a reader’s journal, a library T-shirt and a “blind-date” book ready to bring anywhere in a Charlotte Library tote bag. Stop by the library to see our sample or call 425-3864 to reserve one for your Valentine. Valentine bags are

Monday, February 15, the library will be closed for Presidents Day. Wednesday, February 17, 5:30 p.m.

Library Knitters. Join us to knit, chat and compare fiber notes; bring a project or we can provide needles and wool to get you started. Meets every other Wednesday at the Charlotte Library unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday, February 17, 7 p.m.

Getting to Net Zero Energy in Old Houses and New. Vermont has a goal of getting to 90% renewable energy use by 2050. Unrealistic? Not at all. We now have a range of tools to make our homes “net zero,” which means the building creates as much energy as it uses. Come hear a presentation about how new construction can be built to net zero and how old housing stock can be transformed from inefficient and leaky to practically fossil fuel-free.

Join us for presentations from Bill Kallock of the Charlotte Energy Committee and Chuck Reiss of the Hinesburg Energy Committee. Discussion to follow, with refreshments provided.

Thursday, February 18, 7:30 p.m.

Library Book Discussion: The Maltese Falcon. The classic thriller by Dashiell Hammett features Sam Spade, the original “hard-boiled detective.” Copies available at the circulation desk.

Adult Monday, February 22, 10:30 Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend a.m. Vacation Program: Potholder Production. In celebration of Engineers by Katarina Bivald (fiction) Warriors of the Storm by Bernard Week, we’re practicing practicality. Since everyone needs potholders, make a pretty Cornwell (fiction) Dark Money: The Hidden History and useful gift for the cookie bakers you of the Billionaires Behind the Rise know. Registration required.

Tuesday, February 23, 7 p.m. Book of the Radical Right by Jane Mayer Talk: “The Life of Truman Naramore, (non-fiction) When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Civil War Veteran and Entrepreneur.” A book-signing with local historian Richard Kalanithi (memoir) Youth Allen, featuring his book published in Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys November 2015. Co-sponsored with the (young adult fiction) Charlotte Historical Society.

This Book is Gay by James Dawson Thursday, February 25, 7 p.m. Film follow-up to the previous week’s book (young adult non-fiction) discussion, this classic features Humphrey Bogart.

Wednesdays, beginning March 2, 3:15 p.m.: TinkerBelles, Season 2: Our STEAM gals (and guys) will work wind engineer and cryptologist during with a doctor, river scientist, electrician, the six-week program that introduces the working world of women in STEM careers. For 3-5th gr=aders. Registration required—call 425-3864 or email charlottelibraryvt@gmail.com.

Saturday, March 5: World Read Aloud Day: Join us for a day to celebrate the written word, loud and clear. Sign up on our website to read from your favorite book or stop in to listen throughout our reading party.

Monday, March 7, 10 a.m.: Mystery Book Group. Stay tuned for details about our next mystery.

Wednesday, March 16, at 7 p.m.: The iConnected Parent: Staying Close to Your Kids in College (and Beyond) While Letting Them Grow Up. Looking for guidance about communicating with children in this world of instant interactions? Barbara Hofer, Professor of Psychology at Middlebury College, shares insight from her book and work with adolescents and families. Copies of the book will be available at the circulation desk for checkout.

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The CharloTTe News • February 11, 2016 • 17

Wintering over in Vermont Gay Reagan CONTRIBUTOR

Summer on Thompson’s Point always seems a long way away in early January.

Today, January 4, 2016, Charlotte has had its first real snow and cold. I know lots of retired Vermonters go south for the winter, but I have liked to test my interior spaces by wintering over in January and February.

I confess in the winter I am creaky in the morning. I don’t pop out of bed. I lay there and contemplate, sometimes for twenty minutes. I use mindfulness, a scanning technique taught by Jean White in my Charlotte yoga class, to assess how my body is doing. Where did that sore neck come from? Well, at least the knees seem

to be better. But OW! What’s that grab of pain on the left side of my back? Shoveling snow off my driveway? The thought of a hot shower with water pounding on my stiff neck and back gets me out of bed. A quick mental search reminds me that it’s Monday and I have yoga and lunch at the Charlotte Senior Center followed by a meeting of my writing group. The day will be fine whether the sun appears or not.

I remember back to an email from my son Ken Miller who wrote on February 23, 2015, from his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Speaking of spring, we are in the midst of a classic Southern Spring.

This week has been sunny and in the seventies. The daffodils are up. The cherry trees are blooming. The grass has begun to green, and chirping birds and frogs are everywhere. Having checked the weather forecast in VT, where it is still mid-winter and sub-zero, I ask that you accept this not as a gloat, but rather information about the alternative life some of us are living.”

If this was not a gloat, it was at least a suggestion that I was crazy to spend all

winter in Vermont.

This email got me thinking about why I don’t mind wintering over in spite of moments of longing for summer. For one thing, I like the physical space of the Shelburne town house that I moved into several years ago. I left a farmhouse on a rural Hinesburg road and moved into bright, airy space in a village setting. On those gray days when I feel the darkness compressing the air and dissolving away the light, I now turn on my lamps and gas fireplace and feel cozy and warm.

No more hauling firewood and regularly losing electricity, because all of the wires are buried here. In this cheery space I have more time to read, write and cook for friends. Winter is the time I do my indoor projects. I get pictures out of dusty boxes and put them in an album. Then I write stories about my family for my children and grandchildren. Every few days I get cabin fever and call a friend to see a movie, have a bite to eat, listen to a lecture or see a play or concert. I rarely feel bored, partly because, intellectually, Burlington is a rich place to live.

I find that I need exercise to hold off the winter blahs. I no longer ski, but if there is decent snow I will put on my snowshoes and walk in the nearby woods in Shelburne or on the unplowed roads on Thompson’s Point. I also travel down to Middlebury to play indoor tennis with my buddies, all of us in our seventies. Some of us still run and some do short sprints reaching the ball about half the time. My tennis friends are not competitive, and

we are quick to praise any good shot that we are lucky enough to pull off. We laugh a lot. The combination of exercise and laughter clears out my brain, even when my body hurts.

I have to confess that my computer gets used more in the winter. It is a major way that I communicate with my children and grandchildren. I catch up with their busy lives more often through emails and pictures rather than phone calls. I also write and edit my stories on my computer.

I have a love-hate relationship with my aging Dell. I have no intuitive sense of how computer programs work, so when something goes wrong, I panic. Eventually some friend rescues me unless I have really messed up and then it gets trotted off to a professional to sort it out. I have more exasperating moments fussing over my computer than I do dealing with the aftermath of a snowstorm.

When March comes I know that I will start missing spring. Sometimes I escape in March or April to find spring somewhere else. Our Vermont summer, however, is closer. In May I start opening our summer camp on Thompson’s Point—that is, if all the sewage connections have not frozen up like last year after our bitterly cold winter. Meanwhile, I hope to winter over quite comfortably again this year with the help of friends, family and community. I am grateful to be where I am, even in the winter.

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18 • February 11, 2016 • The CharloTTe News

Sports

Edd Merritt Sports Roundup CVU women hoopsters don’t know how to lose It was nearly 90 games ago that the Champlain Valley Union High School women’s basketball team sustained a loss. They stand at 17 straight wins this year, the recent ones, over St. Johnsbury, BFA-St. Albans, and Rice. In a rematch of last year’s state championship, CVU also topped Essex 63-28 with Charlotte’s Laurel Jaunich hitting her 1,000th point in the first quarter. She has been joined in her hot-handed shooting by fellow Charlotters Sadie Otley and Annabelle Pugliese.

Defense did it against perennially strong rival Rice Memorial as the Redhawks held the Knights to only one point in the second half and won 32-17. Otley scored half of the Hawks’ points followed by Jaunich with nine. It was CVU’s 88th straight win.

CVU men’s basketball remains competitive With Walker Storey as its big gun and Josh Bliss chipping in, CVU men’s basketball has managed to build a 13-5 record.

It topped South Burlington last week 60-49 with Storey hitting for 19 points and collecting 12 rebounds. Bliss added nine hoops. Three days prior the Redhawk scorers were reversed as Bliss scored 14 points and Storey 12. A solid defense has helped the team’s cause.

Alpine skiing brings a “Smug smile” Smuggler’s Notch provided a good course for CVU’s Alpine ski racers as they finished second among the top ten schools in the Essex Invitational Meet. On the women’s side, Emma Owens placed fifth individually, followed by Sydney

Laurel Jaunich hits a free throw against Rice in a previous game, one of 1,000 in her career. She’s unstoppable. PHOTO: COURTESY McGlaflin, her teammate from Charlotte, minutes of hockey. Despite the loss, CVU in sixth. Trent Smith was the top Redhawk outshot Essex 21-15. man finishing sixth.

Traditional hockey power BFA-St. Albans made CVU its latest victim, defeating the Redhawks 4-1 on Feb. 6.

CSB Cup goes to

the Rebels

As seems to be its history, no matter what the records of either team are, the CSB Cup brings out the best in high school hockey from South Burlington and CVU. The Cup underlines the fact that most of the players on both squads grew up playing hockey in the Chittenden/South Burlington youth program and until high school have been teammates rather than opponents. Therefore, the Cup is a grudge match, and this year was no exception. The Rebels snapped a five-game losing streak by edging CVU 3-2. Charlotte’s Tyler Bodette evened the game at 1 before South Burlington came back with two goals before the second period ended. Collin Vincent cut the Rebel lead to a goal on a breakaway with just over four minutes left in the game, but that was as close as the Redhawks could come.

The week before the Cup the Redhawks came back against Spaulding with a pair of scores by Bodette plus one each by Joe Parento and Tyler Brooks to top the Crimson Tide 4-2. Blaine Moore was called upon for 21 saves, and the Redhawks outshot their rivals by 13. Three days earlier CVU had gone down to defeat by Essex 1-0. The Hornet goal in the middle of the second period was the first score between these two teams in more than 70

Cougar/Hawks hockey takes its last two games Early February has been good to the combined CVU/Mount Mansfield Union women’s hockey team. Traveling from CVU to the Essex rink for practices and games, the Redhawks have seven players on the squad. In the recent 5-1 win over Missisquoi, CVU sophomore Jackie Ryan had a goal and an assist and her classmate Lydia Maitland contributed two assists.

The Cougar/Hawk record stands at 12-4-1 for the year.

A couple of Redhawks take indoor track honors The state indoor track championships at Norwich University saw two CVU athletes place well in their events. Elliot Eastman won the pole vault with an 11-foot clear of the bar, and Braven Bose placed second in the long jump.

Gymnasts win last two meets CVU gymnasts won their last two dual meets over St. Johnsbury and Randolph.

With the parallel bars being her strong

event, senior captain Jackie Casson led the team in both matches. The Guibardo twins chipped in strong performances as well in beam, floor and vault.

Rich Lowrey one of Devil’s Bowl Rookies of the Year On Jan. 30 in Rutland, Vermont Motorsport Magazine named its top racecar drivers for 2015. Charlotte resident and CVU student Richard Lowrey was one of four drivers at the Devil’s Bowl to collect Rookie of the Year honors, he for his late-model racing in the asphalt division.

Nineteen thousand fans voted for drivers in 11 categories.

Give Charlotte a Shot!

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Send us your shots of Charlotters in action and you could have your work seen across Chittenden Country. You’d be well on your way to being famous. You heard it first here. Get shooting!

Questions/comments? news@thecharlottenews.org

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The CharloTTe News • February 11, 2016 • 19

From the Archives

Puzzle “have“Only kings, presidents, editors, and people with tapeworms the right to use the editorial ‘we’.

—Mark Twain (1935-1910)

Cover page illustration by: Charlie lotz

Welcome to tHe cHarlotte neWs’s arcHiVes! We’Ve started to Work on making our History accessible to all cHarlotters. sloWly, We’re deVeloping a pdF arcHiVe tHat Will eVentually be searcHable and We Hope to sHare tHat WitH you soon. We’re lucky enougH to HaVe nearly 60 years oF publications to Work WitH, but tHat does leaVe mucH to be cataloged. many oF our publications HaVe no digital presence WHatsoeVer, so We’re HaVing to Find Ways to make tHem tecHnologically aVailable. tHougH tHis project Has barely begun and We HaVe a long Way to go, We’ll be giVing you a taste oF WHat’s to come rigHt Here in print as regularly as possible.

Puzzles have been underwritten by

reprinted arcHiVe compiled by: kali adams & madison Hakey

PO Box 101, Charlotte, VT | 870-3481

Volume 14, No. 11 January 30, 1975

CCS Country Fair Planning for the Charlotte Central School’s First Annual Country Fair is getting under way. The Fair will be held on Saturday, June 7 (with Sunday, June 8 as a rain day) from Noon until 7:00PM. Supper will be served at 5:00 and there will be booths featuring a variety of locally made items and Game Booths.

There will also be many Special Events scheduled throughout the afternoon.

The Fair promises to be great fun for everyone, old or young, and is to take the place of the Annual PTO Auction. It will be the PTO’s major fundraising effort for 1975, so mark your calendars.

We have received a very generous offer of free or discount yarn to be worked up for sale at the Fair. However we need to know how much we can count on using in order to take advantage of this offer.

So this is a plea-if you are will and able to knit, crochet or weave for the Fair, please let us know right away. If you decide to make something later

on it will be much appreciated, but we may not be able to provide the yarn.

So plan ahead-how much can you make by Juneand call Valerie Graham, 425-3124 or Liesel Purdom, 425-2672 P.S. Sewers – There are materials available for you too. Call Carol Smith- 425-3074

Volume 19, No. 11 January 27, 1977

Charlotte Homemakers Charlotte Homemakers met at the Congregational Church Vestry on January 20 at 10:30AM. Louellen Wasson, Home Economics Agent, was present and spoke to the group on Parenthood. Five films were shown; 1. “Family Today; 2. “Women’s Place; 3. “Man’s World” 4. “Modern Parent; and 5. “Looking Toward Tomorrow” A delicious dinner was served by Mary Burns, Catherine Peterson and Connie Barnes.

After dinner the business meeting was held. Some Thank You Notes were read from those that received Christmas Baskets, Membership renewal was made to the Vermont Old Cemetery

Association. Joan Cawley won the mystery package.

The next meeting will be held on February 17 at the Church Vestry at 10:30AM. Alma St. George and Joan Cawley will be the hostesses.

Volume 19, No. 10 January 13, 1977

Dog Sled Races Postponed The Dog Sled Races to be held at Black Willow Farm on Thompson’s Point Road on Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th were postponed due to lack of snow. They will be held on Saturday January 29th and Sunday, January 30th at the same time (from 9:30 AM on). Sandwiches and drinks will be sponsored by the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department.

(Untitled) The VALLEY SNO-RIDERS are sponsoring a “Greaser Nite” DANCE at the Town Hall on Sat., Jan.22, 9 to 1. Music from the fifties on up will be by the “Good Times”. BYOB, $5 @ couple.

Come dressed as you were in the 50’s. For advance tickets, contact Rose Ann Lombard, 425-2824.

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1. Cores 6. Tacky chic 10. Enhances 14. Courtyards 15. Sea position 16. Hawaiian tuber 17. Mags 20. Increase, with “up” 21. Poetic palindrome 22. WWII battle site 23. Crackers 26. Mandela’s org.

27. Stimulant ingredients 29. Kuwaiti, e.g.

31. Land of leprechauns 35. Profits 37. Indonesian roamer 39. Australian runner 40. Rags?

43. Addition 44. Affectation 45. Cow fuel 46. Some beans 48. Campaigns 50. Some bays 51. Family dog, for short 53. Psychoanalyzed?

55. Cooling-off periods?

59. Bit in a horse’s mouth 60. Ripen 63. Mags 66. Algonquian Indian 67. Brown shade 68. Fat units?

69. Frau’s partner 70. Blabs 71. Nobel, for one

1. Perry Como’s “___ Loves Mambo” 2. Any thing 3. In Aruban fashion?

4. Cool 5. Vendor’s mistake?

6. Linked series of writings 7. “Aladdin” prince 8. Exec’s note 9. Gotcha moments 10. Immediately 11. “Two Years Before the Mast” writer 12. Attracted 13. Bean used to make miso 18. Time piece?

19. Time div.

24. Catch 25. Alain Robbe-Grillet novel, with “The” 27. “Who ___?”

28. Kind of molding 30. Aardvark’s tidbit 32. Worthy of comment 33. Candidate’s concern 34. Certain posers 36. Quail food 38. Disney workers 41. Fed. construction overseer 42. Brio 47. Sirhan Sirhan, e.g.

49. Fuse mishaps 52. Back when 54. Churchill’s “so few,” (abbr.)

55. Creep 56. Bird beak part 57. The America’s Cup trophy, e.g.

58. Gull-like bird 61. Neuter 62. To be, to Tiberius 64. Paranormal ability 65. Line

Crossword and sudoku by Myles Mellor. answers to our puzzles Can be found near the Classifieds.

20 • February 11, 2016 • The CharloTTe News

Senior Center News

Mary Recchia CONTRIBUTOR

Please look for our new Spring Program of activities in the next issue of The Charlotte News.

The February/March Art exhibit includes works from several area fiber artists. Decorating the Charlotte Senior Center great room are hooked rugs, fiber sculpture, weaving, quilting and needle felting. At its close in March, all will gather together to demonstrate how they accomplish their art.

A new session of Pilates with Phyllis Bartling will run on Thursday mornings from 8:g Pilates class! This mat Pilates class is designed for folks 55 years and older to be challenging and safe. Pilates specifically targets the core muscle groups, including the lower abdominals, lower back and gluteals, to improve balance, strength and posture. Exercises are done on the floor on mats (a small rolled-up towel to put under your head is a good idea). Registration required. Fee: $42 per session.

Let’s Just Sing! with Carlanne Herzog and Orchard Corl on Thursdays from 1–2 p.m. Session I: February 18, 25, March 3, 10, 17. Session II: April 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19. Whether you have sung for years or quietly sing to yourself in the shower, choose whatever excuse you need to come join the fun. We will choose familiar tunes to lift your spirits, song sheets will be provided, and we hope to impart the simple joy of singing. Come when you can and sing yourself happy! Registration required. No fee.

Vivid Birds and Flowers in Colored Pencil with Elizabeth Llewellyn starts Thursday mornings from 10–11:30. Dates: February 18, 25, March 3, 10, 17, 24. Get in the mood for spring! Learn how to use colored pencils to render beautiful birds and flowers in all of their rich hues.

Students will work from photos provided by the instructor as they learn about layering, burnishing and stumbling techniques.

While geared for beginners, all levels of skill are welcome in this supportive class.

Registration required. Fee: $100 per person.

And The Oscar Goes To . . . with Sean Moran and The Play Reading Group.

Walk the red carpet on Friday afternoon, February 26, into a vintage movie theater for a special screening of one of the 2016 Oscar nominated films. Veteran actor Sean Moran will assume the role of MC ,and the “stage” will be set as an old-fashioned Hollywood movie theater brimming with snacks and libations of days gone by.

With the Oscar ceremony only two days away, all are welcome to our Hollywood event hosted by the Play Reading group beginning at 1 p.m. While black tie is optional, we hope you will come and “dress to impress.” After all, it is the Oscars! Registration required. Suggested donation: $5 for refreshments.

Monday Munch cook teams enjoying their meal after serving over 60 folks. From right—Robin Coburn, Judy Rowe, Don Moore and Roberta Whitmore. Photo: Mary Recchia Having visited China over 200 times, Jeanne brings beautiful photos and extensive knowledge of the Chinese people and their culture. There are 55 nationalities within this one country, each speaking different dialects and having different customs, creating a rich ethnic diversity.

The Chinese New Year’s celebration is countrywide with all having a week off from work and everyone going back to their villages for a family gathering time.

2/24: islAnd hopping Around the mediterrAneAn with John hAmmer

This presentation covers a trip with visits to nine islands in the Mediterranean, many of which were visited during a A collection of lectures, performAnces voyage aboard a private yacht between And speciAl events showcAsing the Malta and Naples with almost nightly diverse interests of our community stops. The yachting trip began with five Wednesday afternoon beginning at 1 days in eastern Sicily and ended with three p.m. No registration or fee. in Corsica. Many of the places visited had a tenuous history of being involved with 2/17: A chinese new yeAr the voyages of Odysseus. Some of the other celeBrAtion with JeAnne wisner islands visited were Crete, Malta, Siracusa, Volcano, Lipari, Capri and Ischia.

Business Directory

Changing media The January Champlain Business Journal carried a lead article on Vermont Public Radio’s expansion plans to its facilities at Fort Ethan Allen in Colchester. VPR President and CEO Robin Turnau of Charlotte was quoted at length about the need and desirability for the expansion.

First and foremost, the project creates a VPR news center that will house three teams of news, digital and programming workers in one place, enhancing collaboration. The project also creates Studio One where “VPR can host performances, events and meetings,” opening up the radio home to have a “live performance space.”

Working with Efficiency Vermont’s Net Zero pilot project, the work is expected to be completed this fall.

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The CharloTTe News • February 11, 2016 • 21 ever-present breath—can help us find a moment of calm in the middle of our thought storm. Just watching it can do that; or, if we like, we can regulate it a bit.

When we slow it down and make it deeper we bring more oxygen to our brain, and we stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is our body’s natural stress reducer.

But the most important aspect of connecting to our breath is that is increases our physical awareness of the present moment in a very tangible, concrete way. Once we become aware of what is

Take a breath Mark Nash CONTRIBUTOR

Mindfulness is entering the mainstream. Right now, our awareness of mindfulness—what it is, how to do it, what benefits it holds—is probably where yoga was about 20 years ago. And like our early encounters with yoga, we’re just starting to fully understand what mindfulness is and what it can do for us.

Let’s start with a definition. At its most basic, mindfulness simply means paying attention, but in a particular way.

More specifically it means being present to what’s happening in the moment and, in particular, noticing what you’re experiencing both internally and externally. It also means staying in the here and now as opposed to living in the past or trying to predict the future. And finally it means doing all of this without judgment.

take a Breath How, then, do we find this sweet spot?

What with thoughts, feelings and sensory

Mark Nash lives in Charlotte and has a psychotherapy practice in Burlington. For questions or comments about this article, you can contact him at marknashvt.com.

This is the first of a three-part series that will appear over the next two months.

input, how do we pay attention to what matters without getting overwhelmed?

What’s the app for that?

Fortunately we carry it with us all the time, and it’s completely hands free, so you can access it even while you’re driving (or cooking or eating or showering).

It’s our breath.

Breath is great for helping you to pay attention because it’s always right there, waiting for you. And while the rest of you is there too, the breath is especially useful because it has all kinds of components that you can focus on: the different stages of breath (inhale, pause, exhale, pause); the sensation of the air moving in and out of your nose or mouth; the movement of different parts of your torso; the sound your breath makes (which you can increase or decrease if you like); heck, if you’re doing this in a really cold environment, you can even see your breath. So much to pay attention to! Which means that when we start drifting away, we only need to remind ourselves of our breath, and we’re right back in the awareness groove.

There’s also the added benefit of breath being a natural mellowing agent. Often, our runaway thoughts, including the ones that are giving us a hard time about our circumstances or feelings, can really ratchet up the tension. Coming back to our breath—good old, slow and steady,

Bristol, VT Homeowner Recommends Bristol Electronics

Being present Think about when you’re driving home from work. Have you ever had the experience of all of a sudden looking at your surroundings and having no idea where the last two miles went? That’s because your attention was…well, elsewhere. And not only weren’t you aware of the scenery going by, you probably weren’t aware of what you were thinking about or feeling emotionally or experiencing physically.

To be clear, you certainly were thinking and feeling, and your senses were all working just fine; you just weren’t conscious of any of these things in a particularly attentive way. And to some extent, that’s how it should be. If we were always taking note of everything we think and feel and experience, we couldn’t function. Our natural filters keep us (relatively) sane.

That sweet spot, in between zoning out and sensory overload, is an important aspect of mindfulness. We become aware of what we’re thinking, we can identify our emotional state, and we’re paying attention to the information we’re getting through our senses. Not every moment of every day but enough to be able to monitor what we’re experiencing, and that is the first step toward being able to affect our experience. In other words, the more we know what’s going on, the greater the likelihood of our being to make the changes we want to make in our thoughts, our feelings and our experience of our world.

happening in our body, we can connect more easily to our thoughts and feelings.

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We enjoy the idea of being a part of protecting the environment so when it came time to deciding on what type of solar panels to install for electricity, we contacted Bristol Electronics first, while also considering other companies and products as well. There’s a big world out there with a variety of choices and it was hard to know whose product was actually best for our needs. Finally in the end, we decided on choosing Bristol Electronics because of their reliability, best price, the best installment time frame and most efficient system using micro-inverters instead of the conventional less expensive string inverters.

The team provided very professional and pleasant service all the way from the planning stages to final clean-up.

When we finally made the decision to “break ground”, they were exceptionally fast, professional and easy to work with. From start to finish, we were making electricity in about 2 weeks. Indeed, our yard looks better now than before they started! In the end, we are saving a lot of money on both our solar hot water and solar electric systems.

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22 • February 11, 2016 • The CharloTTe News

Community Events School Break

Now let’s hope there’s some snow to enjoy!

Feature

Art Exhibit: In a Field With No Bounds. Catherine Hall, Corin Hewitt, Julia Kunin, Meg Lipke, Charlotter Meg Walker and Barbara Zucker. The exhibition includes sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, and paintings. The subjects and mediums are wide-ranging, but all the work comes together with a similar force and energy. Runs through April 26. New City Galerie, 132 Church Street, Burlington. Info: joseph@ newcitygalerie.org.

Events in Charlotte or including a Charlotter SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Family event: CCS library. All Charlotte families welcome. Feel free to wear your pajamas! Story time, music time and craft time. Parents can take home local resources while kids bring home a free book. Snacks included! Book donations accepted at main lobby of CCS or Charlotte Library. Free. 10–11:30 a.m.

Info: bbfcharlotteplaygroup@gmail.com.

Event: A Romantic Valentine’s Evening with Francesca Blanchard. As part of the Mt. Philo Inn Artist Series, Francesca Blanchard performs the final show in her American tour. The Little Garden Market will be providing appetizers. Tickets: $30+$4.50 processing fee, includes music and food. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Info: garbose@ mtphiloinn.com or 802-425-3335.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Event: Meet The Candidates Night, sponsored by The Charlotte Grange.

Come meet the Town Meeting Day candidates. Refreshments will be served.

All are welcome! The Charlotte Senior Center. 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Presentation: Getting to Net Zero Energy in Old Houses and New. How new construction can be built net zero, and old housing stock can be transformed from inefficient and leaky to practically fossil fuel-free. Charlotte Library. 7–8:30 p.m. Info: charlottepubliclibrary.org SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Concert: Faculty Scholarship Concert. A showcase of music and dance, classical and jazz, old and new for the benefit of student scholarships. Performers include UVM faculty Clare Byrne, David

Feurzeig, Patricia Julien, D. Thomas Toner, Sylvia Parker, Anne Janson, Jeff Salisbury, Charlotter William Tilley, Julie Peoples-Clark, Ray Vega, Paula Higa, Tom Cleary, Amber deLaurentis, David Neiweem, with special guest Marsh Professor-at-Large Srinivas Krishnan. Admission by donation. UVM Music Building Recital Hall. 384 South Prospect St., Burlington. 3:00–4:00 p.m.

Info: 802-656-7776 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Film: Gray Matters. Directed by Marco Antonio Orsini. 2014. 72 Minutes.

Contois Auditorium, City Hall, Burlington. Doors open/reception begins at 6 p.m, film at 6:30. Charlotte sponsors include Vermont Eco-Floors and Artisan Engineering. Info: adfilmseries.org.

Around the region THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Blood drive: The Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at the Charlotte Senior Center. 2–7 p.m. Please make an appointment: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org.

Theater: Two short comedies: Black Comedy and The Real Inspector Hound.

Tickets are $12. 8 p.m. Info: 802-3829222, townhalltheater.org. Middlebury.

Have yoUr say Town Hall/Community Center. 2 p.m.

Info: Silas at 425-3380.

Theater: Two sort comedies. (See Feb. 11) 2 p.m. $17 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Talk: Shelburne Democratic Committee invites Vermont Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Matt Dunne, to speak.

The event is being cosponsored by the Charlotte and South Burlington Democratic Committees. Shelburne Town Offices. 7 p.m. Save the Date: Gubernatorial candidate, Sue Minter, will be speaking to us on March 21.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Workshop: Nonviolence Activism 101 presented by the Peace & Justice Center.

Feb. 18 & 25. O’Brien Community Center, 32 Malletts Bay Ave., Winooski.

5:30–8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Workshop: “Good Forestry is Good for Wildlife: Focus on Black Bear” with Sue Morse of Keeping Track. Sponsored

by Vermont Woodlands Association.

Jericho, VT. Pre-reg. by Feb. 15 is required. Registration: $25 per person at vermontwoodlands.org/walk.asp. 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. Info: VWA office at 802-747-7900 or email info@vermontwoodlands.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Theater: Two short comedies. (See Feb. 11) $17. 8 p.m.

Children’s Crafts: Shelburne Craft School hour-long project making session.

Make a hot chocolate mug. For ages 5 to 15. Cost $10. 10–11 a.m. Info: info@ theshelburnecraftschool.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Conference: Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA Vermont) presents 34th Annual Winter Conference: “Our Soil, Our Health.” Davis Center, UVM, Burlington. Saturday through Monday, Feb. 13–15.

Talk: Shakespeare’s Leading Lady: A Conversation and book signing of Tina Packer’s newest work Women of Will: Following the Feminine in Shakespeare’s Plays. Tickets: $10. 1 p.m. Free Workshop following at 2:30 p.m. Info: 802-382-9222, townhalltheater.org

Children’s Crafts: Shelburne Craft School hour-long project making session.

Make a handprint cut-out dish. For ages 5 to 15. Cost $10. 10–11 a.m. Info: info@ theshelburnecraftschool.org

Workshop: Brook trout carving class with David Tuttle. Wood blank, eyes, snacks, and coffee provided. All levels welcome. Bring your tools/gloves if you have them; if you don’t, let us know.

Bring lunch. $30 for Museum and GMWC members, $40 for everyone else.

9 a.m.–3 p.m. Pre-register: 802-434-2167 or museum@birdsofvermont.org.

Theater: Two short comedies. (See Feb. 11) $17. 8 p.m.

Birding info: Birds of Vermont Museum.

Huntington: Open museum to find out about the Great Backyard Bird Count. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Info: gbbc.birdcount.org/.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Activity: The FUN Group: Social Activity Group for Kids with Intellectual/ Developmental Delays. Gymnastics Party! RSVP, as there IS a participation limit! GymStar Gymnastics, 3762 Shelburne Road, Shelburne. 1:30-3 p.m.

Presentation: Ferrisburgh Historical Society. Green Mountain Boy “Mad Matt the Democrat” presented by UVM historian Vince Feeney. Free. Ferrisburgh

Feb. 11 - 24, 2016

Selectboard: Feb. 16, 4 p.m.; Feb. 22, 7 p.m.

Planning Commission: Feb. 18, 7 p.m.

CCS School Board: Feb. 16, 7p.m.

CVU School Board: Feb. 16, 7p.m.

CSSU Board: Feb. 16, 5 p.m.

Zoning Board: None Conservation Commission: Feb. 23, 7 p.m.

Meeting times are subject to change. Check the town website for more info: charlottevt.org

CVU and CCS will be on break Feb. 22-29.

Do you have a Charlotte event or an event close by that features a Charlotter?

Send description, date, time and cost to Ruah Swennerfelt at calendar@ thecharlottenews.org. If it’s a public event, share what’s happening with your neighbors.

Upcoming pUblic meetings

Dance: VPR A Go-GO’s Cabin Fever Dance Party with Joel Najman. 60’s era costumes encouraged but not required.

Town Hall Theater, 68 South Pleasant St. Middlebury. Tickets: $15. 8 p.m. Info: 802-382-9222 or townhalltheater.org TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Children’s Camp: Common Ground Center in Starksboro Wilderness Winter Vacation Camp. Grades 3-6. 8:30am-4:30pm. $90 per person.

Tues & Wed, Feb. 23 & 24 (reg. deadline: Tuesday, Feb. 16). Info: 802453-2592.

| Selectboard MeMberS | Chair, Lane Morrison, 425-2495 Matthew Krasnow, 922-2153 Carrie Spear, 425-4444 Jacob Spell, 425-6548 Fritz Tegatz, 425-5564 Selectboard Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. If you would like to bring an issue to the attention of the Selectboard, contact the board chair or administrator Dean Bloch at 425-3071, ext. 205.

| ccS School board | Chair, Mark McDermott, 425-4860 Vice Chair Erik Beal, 425-2140 Kristin Wright, 425-5105 Clyde Baldwin, 425-3366 Susan Nostrand, 425-4999

| cVU School board-charlotte | Lorna Jimerson, ljimerso@wcvt.com Lynne Jaunich, lmjau@gmavt.net

| Planning coMMiSSion | Administrator, Jeannine McCrumb, 425-3071; jeannine@townofcharlotte.com Chair, Jeffrey McDonald, 425-4429 Vice Chair, Peter Joslin Members: Gerald Bouchard, Paul Landler, Charlie Pughe, Donna Stearns, Marty Illick

| Vt goVernMent | vt senate (cHittenden district) Tim Ashe, D/P-Burlington, 318-0903, tashe@leg.state.vt Philip Baruth, D-Burlington, 503-5266, pbaruth@leg.state.vt.us Virginia “Ginny” Lyons, D-Williston, 863-6129, vvlyons@leg.state.vt.us Michael Sirotkin, D-South Burlington, 999-4360, msirotkin@leg.state.vt.us David Zuckerman, P/D/W-Hinesburg, 598-1986, dzuckerman@leg.state.vt.us vermont HoUse Mike Yantachka, D-Charlotte, 425-3960, myantachka.dfa@gmail.com

| U.S. goVernMent | U.s. senators Patrick Leahy, 863-2525, leahy.senate.gov Bernie Sanders, 862-0697, sanders.senate.gov Us congressman Peter Welch, 652-2450, welch.house.gov

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Workshop: Rural Vermont hosts the first of three Small Farm Action Days with a special focus on water quality. Small farmers and customers learn practical skills and take action to influence pending water quality rules. Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 9 a.m. Info and RSVP: ruralvermont.org or 802-2237222.

The CharloTTe News • February 11, 2016 • 23

Classifieds

Around Town

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Congratulations to Isabel Cohen, age 13, from Charlotte whose piece titled “Lioness” appeared in the February 5 Burlington Free Press’ “Young Writers Project.” Isabel responded to a challenge to write something about “eyes,” and she chose to address those of a lioness, “chocolate brown and always searching,” that warned the writer to “stop, to listen to my instincts and think about what I was doing.” The lioness stared at the writer, “and her soft gaze was like a knife to my heart.” to the following Charlotte Central School musicians who participated in the District III Music Festival at Essex Middle School recently: Aidan Trus, Gus Lunde, Maryn Askew, Sadie Holmes, Courtney McDermott, Sam Zinner, Schuyler Edgar Holmes, Jake Holm and Catherine Young. Over 750 people attended the concert.

Shelburne Nursery School celebrates 60 years Jorden Blucher CONTRIBUTOR

Across from the Shelburne Parade Grounds, tucked into the lower level of the old stone church, are five classrooms that make up the Shelburne Nursery School (SNS), a parent cooperative that has been preparing children for kindergarten for the last 60 years. It is 8 a.m. and amid the morning scene of productive chaos Sheri Hill, an assistant teacher since 2008, and head teacher Joanne Buermann stand in the main hallway greeting students and chatting with parents who are attempting to herd their children in the proper direction.

Julie Holmes, one of those parents, wrote in an email, “Story [who started kindergarten at CCS this past fall] actually started out at a different preschool which had more hours and flexibility, but I never saw any of the parents. I didn’t know any of the kids that Story was playing with, and I didn’t feel much of a connection.”

She added, “I love how you get to know the other families at SNS. My older kids are in junior high now, and their closest buddies are still the kids they went to

to Brandon Tieso, a member of the class of 2019 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., who earned placement on the Dean’s List for the 2015 fall semester. Brandon is the son of Andrea and John Tieso of Charlotte.

SEND US YOUR NEWS SHARE YOUR TOWN VIEWS News@thecharlotteNews.org

to Beatrice Woodruff, a member of the class of 2019 at Colby College in Waterville, Me., who earned placement on the Dean’s List for the fall semester of the 2015-2016 school year. Beatrice attended CVU High School and is the daughter of Charles and Margaret Woodruff of Charlotte.

nursery school with!”

Soon the hallway is nearly empty as children having made their way to one of classrooms for some free-play time.

Two children are steering a pint-size ship, made of wood, cardboard and other odds and ends, created and built by assistant teacher Diane Marcotte, the school’s artist and creator in residence. Others explore the sand table, while three boys play on the loft structure. The school serves children ages 3 to 5. The three-year-olds attend class Tuesday and Thursday mornings and the four-year-olds Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings with an option to enroll in a more academically focused Tuesday and Thursday afternoon session.

Each academic portion of the day starts with an all-school circle time before the children move to smaller groups. During this time younger children will dress Willa the weather bear, work on shape recognition or do a color scavenger hunt.

The older children talk about the calendar and the weather graph as well as say the Pledge of Allegiance.

“I really liked the small ratio of teacher to students.” Jenna Mazur, a parent of two SNS graduates said. “They provide the perfect balance of nurturing, social time and academics and provide a schedule that prepares them for kindergarten.”

The small class size, sense of community and the teachers’ clear love for their jobs and the children they teach are major draws for many families. It certainly was for ours. Our youngest, Luke, has grown

Sympathy is extended to family and friends of Nicolette (Fisher) St. Hilaire of Shelburne who passed away Jan. 27 at the age of 79. Her surviving family includes her son Mike St. Hilaire of Charlotte.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory be made to the American Cancer Society, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495 or to the Visiting Nurses Association, 1110 Prim Road, Suite 1, Colchester, VT 05446. is extended to family and friends of Rosemarie Provette of Ferrisburgh who passed away Feb. 6 at the age of 90. Rosie was an active member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Charlotte for a number of years before attaining her current membership in St. Peter’s Parish in Vergennes. The family asks that those wishing to make a donation in her memory, consider doing so to St. Peter’s Church, P.O. Box 324, Vergennes, VT 05491.

exponentially since starting this past fall, and Noah, our oldest, walks into CCS with an air of confidence and love for learning that was greatly influenced by his time at the Shelburne Nursery School.

SNS is currently open for fall enrollment and is hosting a birthday party/ fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 3 p.m. at the Shelburne Town Hall. Magician Tom Joyce will be there to entertain. There will be a raffle for a hot air balloon ride, and snacks and drinks will be available at a concession stand. $10/child, adults are free, visit the SNS Facebook page for more details.

HEY YOU! HAVE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE? If will be 18 years old before the November election you are eligible to vote in the upcoming primary.

Get involved.

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