The Charlotte News | Dec. 19, 2013

The Charlotte News Volume lVI Number 10

The VoIce of The TowN

Thursday, december 19, 2013

Bloch, McCrumb Appointed to Town Positions Selects hear budget requests, delay Safety Committee recommendations at December meetings John Hammer The charloTTe News

CVU senior Miranda Selinger is considering eschewing college books for a year while she takes a “gap” year before going on in her education.

Mind the Gap Year

The two Selectboard meetings of Dec. 9 and 16 were heavily taken up with budget working sessions. But, most importantly, two town appointments were made effective Dec. 16: Dean Bloch as town administrator and Jeannine McCrumb as zoning administrator, sewage control officer, town planner and deputy health administrator.

There are no term limits to these positions. Bloch was promoted from within in what is known as ‘growth in position’ and was, therefore, selected without outside advertisement.

The budget working sessions consisted of many organizations in the town presenting their budget requests. These initial requests have been collected by the Selectboard over the past weeks to use in their development of their final budget over coming weeks.

What has been obvious from the numerous presentations is that the Town of Charlotte is blessed with a large num-

ber of thoughtful and active people who are willing to work in the town’s interest. Their presentations of current programs and intentions for the coming year are inspiring. Among the organizations and offices with significant impact were: presented for consideration a request for additional pay to cover work done as town treasurer and assistant town treasurer. They noted that other towns have separate clerk and treasurer positions. Additionally the clerk included an increase in pay for her work as delinquent tax collector. tion complete with props. Their overall increase of nine percent is dominated by addition of a part-time youth librarian and a pay raise for the librarian. included a new position of volunteer coordinator. the addition of two cents on the tax rate to go into the Conservation Fund. This is to make up for two years of no addi-

Selectboard continued on page 12

As local high school students set their sights on college, some are looking beyond the classroom for higher learning Emma Slater THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

Like the bleaker months of Vermont winter, many high school seniors fearfully project that their academic futures may be just as dreary. Lost in flurries of paperwork and beginning to show symptoms of the highly infectious “senioritis,” some students start to wonder if college is really going to be the glowing emergence into adulthood that they’ve anticipated.

Increasingly, students less enamored with the concept of an immediate transition to college are looking to the gap year as an opportunity to find direction and to reinvigorate their academic ambitions.

A gap year is a purposeful break between high school and college taken with the intent to pursue academic and personally enriching experiences that complement and prepare for a college education.

According to Julia Rogers, the director of EnRoute Consulting, it is essentially an opportunity to “test drive your interests, and consider possibilities beyond the ‘conveyor belt’ from high school to college.” Examples include learning how to farm in New Zealand, speaking Spanish through an internship in Argentina, or some other intensive volunteer program.

She describes the profile of a gap-year

student as “an independent thinker who wants to take some time to explore his or her own interests” and who “realizes the value of self-discovery before college.”

Common reasons that students undertake a gap year are to gain maturity, restore academic interest, travel or gain experience working in a professional environment. Rogers also emphasizes the fact that a gap year can often reveal students’ strengths and character when encountering unfamiliar experiences.

Miranda Selinger is a senior at CVU from Hinesburg. Although she is applying to college, she plans to defer in order to take a gap year starting after graduation this summer. Selinger explains her desire to defer is a result of advice from parents and teachers, as well as a craving for new experiences.

“I feel the need to do something new and meaningful in my life,” she said.

“Right now, college seems like a continuation of what I have been doing for the past 12 years of my life—school.”

She also attributes her inspiration for adventure to a travel and documentary program called “Conversations from the Open Road,” which she was involved in this past August. Through this program she was able to visit regions of

Gap Year

continued on page 6

Christmas Comes to the Charlotte Museum Kathleen McKinley Harris (left) and Mary Lighthall pose for a picture among the holiday treats and historic relics at the Charlotte Museum’s 35th annual Christmas Party on Dec. 8. The party at the museum was just one of many holiday events in Charlotte that day. Santa Claus made a stop at Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue’s station earlier in the afternoon; the Quinlan Schoolhouse held a holiday open house, and the Charlotte Congregational Church held its annual Messiah sing-along that night. For more pictures of these events, turn to page 5.

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The Charlotte News

Commentary The Charlotte News

How America Learned to Stop Worrying About Israel’s Bomb Barrie Dunsmore

PublishEd by and for CharlottErs sinCE 1958

CoNTriBuTor

Why is the world seemingly willing to go to war to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon while it is perfectly happy to accept Israel’s nuclear weapons?

It is a relevant question posed in a thoughtful Washington Post op-ed this past

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week by Max Fisher.

Fisher writes, “Of course, many Westerners would likely argue that Israel’s weapons are morally and historically defensible … both because of Israel’s roots in the Holocaust and because it fought a series of defensive wars against its neighbors.” But as Fisher himself notes, Israel’s neighbors are not comforted by that rationale.

The new state of Israel came into being at the dawn of the nuclear age. And the Israeli nuclear program is a product of the fears of its founding prime minister, David Ben-Gurion. According to Avner Cohen’s authoritative book, Israel and the Bomb, Ben-Gurion decided after Israel’s War of Independence in 1948, in which it had to fight off both the Egyptian and Jordanian armies, that his country’s survival required a massive military deterrent—namely nuclear weapons. But at that moment in history Israel had neither the friends nor the wherewithal to make that happen.

Until Aug. 29, 1949, the United States was the world’s sole nuclear power. That was the date on which the Soviet Union joined the club, although President Harry Truman waited nearly a month to announce that fact, and when he did it was also to commit America to building a far more powerful thermonuclear device that would make the bomb dropped on Hiroshima seem like a firecracker. This was not a time in which the United States was eager to be sharing nuclear secrets—even with its friends.

The British, who had been partners in the Manhattan Project, didn’t get their first nuclear device until 1952. The French, only in 1960.

But in the 1950s, a very young protégé of BenGurion’s was already making a significant French connection. As the Deputy Director General of Defense, Shimon Peres was sent to Paris to join the planning for the joint French-British-Israeli invasion of Suez of October 1956. That turned out be a fiasco, and President Dwight Eisenhower was furious at all three for keeping this secret from him. Either in spite of or because of the “Suez crisis,” Peres was able to persuade the French to become Israel’s main weapons supplier—and eventually to help Israel create its own nuclear program.

As Princeton scholar Gary Bass wrote several years ago, “the relationship only grew warmer when Charles de Gaulle, the World War II hero, took over as French president in 1959. He recognized the historic justice of a Jewish ‘national homeland,’ which he saw, ‘as some compensation for suffering endured through the long ages,’ and he heaped praise on David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s founding prime Minister as one of the ‘greatest leaders of the West.’”

About the same time France began testing its own

nuclear device in 1960, an Israeli bomb was in its infancy in a secret plutonium nuclear reactor in the Israeli city of Dimona on the edge of the Negev desert, thanks to the French.

The Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson administrations all pressed Israel for information about its nuclear program. As Max Fisher describes it, even when U.S. intelligence did finally discover the Dimona plant, “Israeli leaders insisted this was for peaceful purposes only and that they were not interested in acquiring a nuclear weapon. Quite simply, they were lying, and for years resisted and stalled U.S.-backed nuclear inspectors sent to the facility.”

The end of the French connection with Israel and the beginning of the American one came quite dramatically as the result of the 1967 Middle East War. A few days before Israel’s pre-emptive strike, which was provoked by threatening moves by Egyptian President Gamal Nasser, de Gaulle publicly warned the Israelis to avoid hostilities, and he imposed a temporary arms embargo on the region.

As the Israelis were entirely armed by the French this might have hurt them, but the embargo did not involve spare parts and the war was over in six days —in large part because of the aerial victory won by the Israeli Air Force flying French-made Mirage and Mystere combat jets. Nevertheless, unlike de Gaulle, in this fight President Lyndon Johnson had provided Israel with both military and diplomatic support.

Six months later, President de Gaulle used his annual news conference to lecture the Israelis for their conduct in the newly occupied Arab territories and urged a speedy withdrawal. And then he dropped this bombshell when he referred to the Jewish people as “an elite, sure of themselves, and domineering.”

While de Gaulle could easily have been describing himself, his remarks were widely interpreted as antiSemitic.

Today’s American historians tend to see de Gaulle’s shift as grandstanding for the Arabs. Perhaps. But based in France at the time, and having covered the ‘67 war, I heard his words as those of a proud old man, angry that his warnings had been ignored by those he’d so generously befriended. I also felt he may have feared that Israel was now moving into Washington’s orbit and so into the camp of dreaded Anglo-Saxons. Remember, also at that time de Gaulle had expelled NATO’s military command from France, rejected British membership in the European Common Market—and had gone to Montreal to urge “liberty” and “freedom” for French Canadians. To understand de Gaulle one had to realize the AngloSaxons were forever France’s historical adversaries.

The CIA concluded in 1968 that Israel had the bomb. (It now may have as many as 400 warheads and the missiles, planes and submarines to deliver them.) And within a year then-Israeli Foreign Minister Golda Meir made a secret agreement with President Richard Nixon that Israel would neither openly test nor publicly speak of its nuclear capabilities, while the United States would implicitly accept Israel’s nukes with its silence.

That deal pretty much holds true to this day.

Barrie Dunsmore is a journalist who covered foreign affairs for ABC News for 30 years. This column was featured in the Dec. 8 edition of the Rutland Herald/ Montpelier Times Argus. His commentaries also air weekly on Vermont Public Radio. He lives in Charlotte.

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The Charlotte News

Commentary Looking Back, Giving Thanks

Like a lot of news organizations on the dawn of the new year, the Charlotte News is taking the opportunity to look back.

In this issue, we offer a glimpse of the stories and people making headlines in Charlotte over the past 365 days. And during this time of year when so many people reconnect with one another, we also reconnect with five 25and 30-somethings who were raised in Charlotte and later left. I think you’ll find their stories and experiences—as well as their thoughts about their hometown— fascinating and enlightening.

We’re also taking a few more opportunities to look back in this issue. One of the first things former editor Nancy Wood told me when I took this job is to always show thanks. I’ve held on to that.

So, on page 23 you’ll find a list of people and companies who have advertised with the News over the course of the past year. Make no mistake, the appreciation we offer them there is more than just a polite gesture. It’s the acknowledgement of a partnership, really—recognition that, without their underwriting, we couldn’t realize our nonprofit mission of providing coverage of the stories and people in this great town.

While we don’t have the circulation or

the publication schedule of our competitors, it’s clear that many of our advertisers support the paper, support our mission and contribute to it by purchasing ad space. For this I’m incredibly grateful. On behalf of the board and staff of the News, a heartfelt thanks to everyone on that list.

I’d also like to take a look back and thank the people who contributed to us, the donors small and big who contribute to the other part of our funding pie. Pictures of Lynne Bond and Gordon Brown (to the right) are the winners of an iPad and an antique quilt, respectively, for their donations to our Thrive @55 campaign this year. I’d like to take this space to again thank them and the hundreds of others who donated to our two-year campaign to raise $55,000 to support our mission.

The News has raised nearly $22,000 in the six months since we began the Thrive @55 campaign at the Town Party in July. That’s more money than we’ve raised in a single year ever. As the editor of this paper, I see this as the kind of outpouring of support that makes this often-difficult job all worth it.

So, I’d like to take this time to thank our donors once again. We’re halfway to our goal. By this time next year, I hope to

Lynne Bond-Watts (above) poses with the iPad she won in the Charlotte News’s Thrive @55 campaign drawing. Gordon Brown’s name was drawn for a handmade antique quilt donated by Hilary Maslow.

write a similar note of thanks, this time for reaching our goal.

Since I took over as editor last year, I’ve grown fond of telling everyone I can about how the News is the ideal community newspaper—we’re written by Charlotters for Charlotters and supported financially by Charlotters. That’s a spe-

cial relationship, and I thank you, reader, for being a part of it.

And now, with our advertisers, donors and you, the reader, behind us, I’m looking toward the future and am confident that this paper is going to do some exciting things in 2014. We have some big things planned—some big stories, some exciting changes—and we can’t wait to begin rolling them out when we come back Jan. 16 from our annual publication break.

Until then, from all of us here to all of you, happy holidays and thanks for reading.

Brett Sigurdson Editor

In Charlotte, a Year to Remember (or Maybe Forget?)

Brett Sigurdson The CharloTTe News If one were to examine the year 2013 in Charlotte in some distant year, he or she would likely find a few consistent themes: money, discord in Town Hall and Charlotters doing impressive things. But here at the News, we’re not ones to wait.

As the year draws to a close, we offer a look back at the stories that made this a year worthy of remembering—and one that some would perhaps like to forget.

January The year began on a somber note, with a memorial honoring the life and spirit of Zach Wells, a 21-year-old Charlotter who went missing off the waters of Maine just before Christmas. Hundreds came out to attend the service on Jan. 5 at the Congregational Church, where family, friends and acquaintances celebrated the memory of Wells’s infectious personality and vibrant spirit.

Somberness could also be felt in talks surrounding town budgets, particularly those presented by Charlotte Volunteer Fire & Rescue (CVFRS) and CCS. CVFRS’s budget was 29 percent, or $139,544, higher than the previous fiscal year, mostly due to a need for increased staffing and equipment. However, this is only partially what angered some Char-

lotters, who claimed members of CVFRS, a nonprofit organization that receives the bulk of its funding from the town, were not being open about its accounting methods and the use of its special funds, which they claimed could be used to offset its budget.

For its part, CCS’s baseline budget rose 5.1 percent, or $355,000, over the previous year’s budget, mostly due to an increase in special education and employee benefit costs. Because of the rise in cost relative to inflation, this spurred a state mandate that required voting on the budget in two parts at Town Meeting in March.

Both of these issues would simmer throughout the early part of 2013, though turmoil surrounding the town’s relationship with CVFRS would be a constant theme at Town Hall for much of the year despite the Selectboard’s (mostly) successful efforts to work with CVFRS’s corporate board.

In other news, despite vocal opposition from a group of Charlotters, the state Public Service Board in late January approved a Certificate of Public Good paving the way for the installation of a 2.2-megawatt solar electric facility on a 36-acre spread in East Charlotte.

Finally, marking the close of a busy news month, a group of concerned Charlotters held a meeting to address a per-

(From left) Kathryn Blume, Rebecca Foster and Hart Burget-Foster pose with a community service award, one of several earned by Charlotters in this year’s Vermontivate competition, a state-wide sustainability game. Charlotte won the top school and town competition, earning it a town-wide ice cream party hosted

by Ben & Jerry’s on June 29.

ceived rise in area burglaries and speeding. According to state and local law enforcement officials present at the meeting, however, crime in Charlotte was statistically on the decline. Later in 2013, the Selectboard would create a committee to explore trends in criminal activity locally as well as the need for increased police services.

February When the Selectboard cemented its warning for Town Meeting in February, many Charlotters were appalled by some of the budget figures. On the whole, the town’s municipal budget of $3 million

Year in Review

continued on page 6

The Charlotte News

CCS Administration Recommends Staff Cuts, Technology Expenditures Several spending earmarks denied last year presented again Brett Sigurdson The CharloTTe News

New Planning/Zoning Administrator, Sewage Control Officer and Deputy Health Administrator Jeanine McCrumb stands with her predecessor, Tom Mansfield, in Charlotte’s Town Hall.

McCrumb Takes Over Planning/ Zoning as Mansfield Retires Charlotte’s new Planning/Zoning Administrator, Sewage Control Officer and Deputy Health Administrator Jeanine McCrumb officially began her new duties on Monday, Dec. 16. However, she and outgoing Planning/Zoning Administrator Tom Mansfield have been reviewing information and discussing her upcoming responsibilities for more than a week. M c C r u m b brings a wealth of experience to the job, having served for a number of years on the Richmond planning and zoning staff as well as with the state’s Agency of Natural Resources. She appreciates Charlotte’s diverse nature and the will-

ingness of many in town to devote time to planning for its growth and expansion, hoping to find ways to balance the breadth and diversity of natural resources with the use of land for other purposes.

Mansfield, on the other hand, looks forward to retirement, beginning with an opportunity this coming spring to travel south to visit his son who lives outside Raleigh, North Carolina. He says he has enjoyed his years with Charlotte’s zoning boards and the work he’s done for the town. He is confident that McCrumb will carry on capably.

The CCS School Board took another step on Dec. 3 toward seeing a clearer picture of next year’s budget with a budget forum centered on proposals from the school’s administration. Included in this are recommendations for staff reductions, full-day kindergarten and technology upgrades.

With the entire school board present— Edorah Frazer phoned in after the meeting began—and three audience members in attendance, CCS co-principals Greg Marino and Audrey Boutaugh presented a budget for FY2014-2015 that features more cuts to costs than expenditures.

Among the most significant contributors to cost savings in the principals’ budget proposals is a reduction in one primary teacher in grades one and two due to a decline in enrollment and the reduction of two full-time middle-level content teachers, which would also lead to a corresponding reduction in expressive arts and world language staff.

According to projected enrollment for 2014-2015, the number of students in second grade is expected to drop from 53 this year to 37 next year. Currently, there are three teachers for the 53 students, but next year, given the drop in enrollment, there isn’t a need for three teachers.

“That clearly points to an appropriate instruction team of four teachers instead of five,” Marino said about the combined teacher team for the first two grades.

The total cost savings for the elimination of this position is $77,082.

This means a corresponding reduction in expressive arts such as gym, art, music or language—an additional cost savings of $9,680, said Marino.

Marino added that this scenario is playing out as projected by the 2012–2013 K-8 Configuration Committee report, which was shared with the school board in March of this year. That report was spurred by enrollment projections from 2013 to 2018 that predict average grade sizes to diminish from 50 students to the low 40s and a desire to explore other class configuration models.

That report also found a need to reduce the equivalent of 2.0 full-time middleschool content teachers next year, a savings of $126,298. There will be a corresponding reduction in expressive art and world language staff, although this amount is yet to be determined, noted 6-8 Principal Audrey Boutaugh.

Despite the recommendations for staff reductions, Marino and Boutaugh’s budget recommends the addition of two fulltime classroom paraeducators for fifth grade classrooms to help with a projected enrollment increase. Currently, 50 students are split into two instructional groups that move between teachers.

Adding paraeducators rather than a third instructional group was seen as a move more in line with the current teachers’ needs, said Boutaugh.

The recommended reduction in fulltime equivalent staff for the next school year is part of a trend in budget reductions since 2006. A slide in the principals’ presentation illustrated the ways CCS has pared down its yearly budgets, including the elimination of six full-time classroom teachers, a middle-school literacy teacher, an enrichment coordinator, and less-thanfull-time positions in art, special education, technology education, world language and physical education.

Art teacher Alice Trageser, who was in the audience for the meeting, told the school board she wanted people to be aware that such budget cuts in art over the last three years have hampered her ability to teach effectively.

“It’s kind of a snipping away of all kinds of things I could do,” she said.

Decision packets Marino and Boutaugh presented 12

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The Charlotte News decision packets, or earmarks for items and services. Several of these requests were repeats of decision packets the principals recommended last year. All but one were removed before the final budget was presented to voters last year.

Chief among these are earmarks for technology totaling $50,400. Last year, the principals requested two computer carts—portable technology stations that feature laptops that can be transported between classrooms—but both expenditures were denied.

This year, Marino and Boutaugh are again asking for two computer carts. Upon having its decision packets for carts denied last year, the school compiled a cart for fourth-grade classrooms made up of donated obsolete laptops that were fixed, at a price of $200 each, to run reliably on the school’s system. However, this is merely patching the problem, said Marino.

Next year’s proposed budget calls for totally replacing this mobile lab with 20 new laptops, as well as a new cart that itself can cost upwards of $1,500, noted Marino.

The second cart is meant to replace a computer cart a year earlier than expected. Each computer cart is on a fouryear replacement schedule, said Marino, and the current computers, used by the

Omega team, “didn’t hold up the way they should,” said Marino.

A fully loaded computer cart is expected to cost $18,000.

In addition, the principals are asking for $14,400 to purchase 18 laptops for 5th through 8th grade classrooms.

The total technology budget for the year, minus the decision packets, is $74,475—$950 lower than last year’s budget. Another earmark denied last year and presented again for FY14-15 is a full-day kindergarten program. Currently, CCS offers a hybrid program. The cost of moving to a full day program is $32,495, which would cover the cost of moving the two part-time kindergarten teachers up to full time. Marino indicated this expenditure is high on his list.

“I feel strongly we should move to a full-day kindergarten model here in Charlotte,” he said.

Similarly, Marino and Boutaugh recommended a $7,759 earmark for making the school nurse 1.0 FTE. Because she is .9 FTE and not on campus the full day, clerical and administrative staff often have to take care of medical needs in her absence.

This request was also denied last year.

Other decision packets presented again this year include a .6 FTE licensed reading/language arts specialist who would

support students and teachers with tier II intervention—a cost of $51,082—and $2,000 for science supplies and materials.

Other budget items of note from the presentation include operations and maintenance budget, mostly due to savings from a staff retirement. Marino was quick to point out that this reduction stands apart from the roughly $6 million in repairs and rebuilding recommended by the school’s Facilities Committee, which is working in parallel on funding proposals to meet those needs. “The fact that there isn’t a decision packet for particular needs that are present isn’t meant to indicate a lack of need for addressing some of the capital enhancements and repairs needed,” said Marino, who added that maintenance supervisor Dave LeBlanc has a part-time employee who could be available if his current team cannot handle the school’s day-to-day maintenance problems. assistant cross-country coach to provide supervision because of increased participation in the sport. for athletic team uniforms.

stitute teachers when primary instructors are away for professional development. A decision packet for the exact same amount was the only earmark to be included in the final budget proposal last year.

In total, the decision packets equal expenditures of $219,415. In light of a total of $223,060 in cost reductions, this is a total savings of roughly $4,000.

As presented last month, the baseline budget of $7.6 million is 3.35 percent higher than last year’s approved budget, though unexpected decreases on health care and bus contract extensions will save roughly $84,000 from that amount, Marino announced at the meeting.

The next public budget forums are slated for Jan. 7 and for Jan. 14, when the board will approve the final budget proposal. For all the documents pertinent to this year’s budget discussions, visit CSSU.org.

Editor’s note: due to the Charlotte News’s annual publication break, our next issue will not be published until after the school board’s budget is finalized.

However, be sure to follow our coverage of the board’s remaining budget meetings on our website, thecharlottenews.org.

guided reading books.

Quinlan Schoolhouse Holds Holiday Open House

We're taking a break.

The News will be back Jan. 16, 2014

Photos by NaNcy Wood

It may not have looked like winter, but visitors to the Quinlan Schoolhouse Board’s open house Dec. 8 could still feel the holiday spirit. Sam and Charlie Moore pose in a sleigh in front of the Quinlan Schoolhouse, which was all decked out for visitors. Inside, board members Sue Horsford, Aileen Chutter and Betty Ann Lockhart greeted visitors to the open house.

The Charlotte News

Gap Year continued from page 1 Appalachia to study the affects of coal mining via interactions with experts, activists, government employees and citizens. She was struck by the array of perspectives and fascinated with the process of documentation through filmmaking and photography.

After returning from West Virginia, the night before school started, she began to consider the impact of learning through participatory experiences versus a traditional classroom format.

“I feel like traditional education often lacks an element of the real world,” she explained. “There aren’t a lot of experiences to try things hands-on or gain a variety of perspectives on a subject. It’s also hard to learn about yourself as a person if you never do anything independent or unique.”

Although Selinger has not made concrete plans for what the next year will hold, she is looking into several possibilities right now, including participating in World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF).

Most students interested in taking a gap year have already been accepted to a college and, like Selinger, have decided to defer for a year. In fact colleges such as Harvard, Princeton and Middlebury often suggest gap years in their admission letters.

They believe that students who have taken a gap year generally return with greater maturity, a renewed desire to learn and a greater commitment to completing their degrees.

In the past few years, the concept of taking a gap year has grown in popularity, and Rogers believes that it is an opportunity that should be considered by more students. She is convinced that it has become more prevalent due to the growing intensity of the college admissions process and therefore a lack of time for young people

Year in Review continued from page 3 was seven percent—about $191,500— higher than the previous year’s budget.

Similarly, CCS’s school directors asked for $7.4 million—a budget 6.5 percent higher than the previous year, mostly due to higher special education and insurance costs.

to develop personal passions and interests that lend a sense of direction to their studies.

However, a gap year may not be necessary or helpful for students who are confident in the direction of their careers or not prepared to move out of their comfort zones.

Jonathan Bateman, a 2008 CVU graduate, adds that, “A gap year wouldn’t help everyone, but it’s a good thing to consider and a good thought process to go through. You have to be passionate about it.” `Bateman took nine months to travel the world, two of which he spent volunteering at an orphanage in Peru. He decided to take this time because, although he didn’t feel let down by his high school experience in any way, he felt the need to take a break Jonathan Bateman, a 2008 CVU grad, in Florence, Italy. It was just one of several stops Bateman made on a nine-month trip during a gap year. from school.

With pre-purchased plane tickets and a general idea of the of self-motivation. Bateman noted that, areas he intended to visit, Bateman allowed beyond high school and moving into adultConsidering a gap Year? the trip to evolve based on recommendahood, people aren’t monitored in the same tions from people he met and opportunities way, and intrinsic motivation becomes EnRoute Consulting, a firm that that arose. He was able to explore European essential. specializes in helping high school countries, areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, “I had to learn to be self-motivating,” students create a custom gap year Thailand, Cambodia, New Zealand, Peru he said. “At a certain point no one will itinerary, is offering a four-part Gap and sections of the West Coast. be looking over your shoulder any more.

Year Planning Workshop series in One of his most notable experiences was You have to decide to get out of bed in the Waterbury this winter.

This program volunteering with a friend at an orphanage morning.” includes personal consultations to recin Peru for two months. He spent six to Bateman continues to travel four days ommend programs that align with eight hours a day there mentoring, helping a week in the United States for work. He students’ interests.

The series, which the kids with homework and, most imporalso plans to go to Brazil in June for the costs $150, starts on January 15 and tant, showing them that they were valued World Cup but does not foresee having the runs from 6 to-7 p.m. in the library of and cared about. These children either had opportunity to travel for an extended time the Thatcher Brook Primary School, absent parents or were experiencing conlike that again.

47 Stowe Street, in Waterbury. For flict at home.

Just as varied as these individuals, the more information contact EnRoute Bateman explained that it was a powerpurpose and structure of a gap year is often Consulting at enrouteconsulting@ ful experience to be able to spend time in a just as unique as the student designing it. gmail.com or visit their web page at small community, building friendships that Whatever form it takes, a well-executed enroutegapyear.com. would become like family. plan builds a strong foundation for transiUltimately one of the most important tioning into college. concepts that he took away was the skill

The rise in budgets caused tensions between the Selectboard and some community members, already simmering, to boil over early in February. Citing a lack of transparency on the part of the board coupled with anger over significantly increased tax levy from the proposed budget and the handling of CVFRS’s budget, a group of concerned citizens at the Feb. 11 Selectboard meeting called for Chair Charles Russell to step down from his post until Town Meeting. The

measure failed on a vote by the board three votes to two.

MarCh As one would expect, Town Meeting day consisted of much back and forth, most of it centered on CVFRS. Two amendments were offered to reduce the town’s appropriation to the organization, both of which failed. Toward the end of the meeting, Heather Manning—who would be elected to the Selectboard in an unopposed race by the end of the day—offered a detailed advisory motion to dissolve CVFRS and transfer its assets to the town. The motion also failed.

Ultimately, the Selectboard’s budget passed with no reduction in funding.

CCS’s budget request wasn’t so lucky.

The first part of the budget passed, but the second—$272,768 in spending triggered by a budget that was above inflation plus one percent—failed by

25 votes. A pared-down version of the budget would pass on the second try in April.

Articles on funding repairs to local bridges and allowing mechanized vote tabulators, as well as advisory resolutions to move the town’s WWII monument and bar a tar sands pipeline from passing through Charlotte, also passed.

In addition to Manning, the Selectboard received a new member in Ellie Russell, who defeated incumbents Dennis Delaney and Ed Stone for a two-year seat on the Selectboard. Seventeen other town positions were up for election, all but one unopposed. Peter Carreiro ran a write-in campaign for a one-year auditor position against Robert Mack, but ultimately lost.

Year in Review

continued on page 19

The Charlotte News

CVU High School to ‘Celebrate the Arts’ Jan. 7

CVU Freshman Class Council Hosts Toys for Kids Drive Kaitlyn Kaplan and William Pasley Contributors

This piece, by CVU senior Miranda Selinger, is one of hundreds of examples of student art visitors can see at CVU’s Celebrate the Arts night.

This year CVU is hoping to create a joyful holiday season for all local families. Toys for Kids is a nonprofit organization that works to ensure that every child has a present to unwrap on his or her special holiday.

Toys for Kids receives many donations from CVU students, families and faculty members every year. However, this year the Freshman Class Council, which is hosting the drive, hopes to increase the donations. The toys donated to CVU stay in the area and go to local food shelves, where toys are first distributed to Hinesburg families and then spread out to other CVU families. In total, with all of the “red barrel” collection points throughout the state, Vermont usually gets enough donations for

at least 700 families.

Gifts for teens are especially desired.

Gift cards in any amount are valuable donations for this age group, though any donations made are greatly appreciated.

Help support other Vermonters in the spirit of this holiday season! Please drop off new and unwrapped gifts or gift cards in the main office of CVU. You can also give cash/checks (payable to Toys for Kids) to Chris Wetherhead in the main office.

We are accepting donations up until Friday, Dec. 20, at 1 p.m., which is when our collection will be picked up for distribution. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Fongemie, class of 2016 advisor, at 482-7133 or mfongemie@ cvuhs.org.

Kaitlyn and William are freshmen at CVU.

CVU will host its fifth annual Celebrate the Arts night on Tuesday, Jan. 7, from 6–7:30 p.m.

There, you can enjoy a visual arts show of over 450 pieces created by students currently enrolled in arts courses. All students from CVU’s introductory through advanced placement studio art classes will be showing pieces they feel best represent their work from the semester. Practical artwork made by technology education and fashion design students will also be on view.

At 6 p.m., there will be demonstrations in the technology education rooms. At 6:15 p.m., film and video production students will present a few short films in the CVU theater. Following this, at 6:30 p.m. in the café, there will be a musical performance by CVU’s fabulous jazz ensemble.

At 7:30 p.m. CVU’s madrigal singers, men’s chorus, women’s chorus, symphonic winds, jazz ensemble and acting students will perform in the theatre. Family and consumer science classes will provide refreshments, and there will be art activities for the whole family.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information contact art teacher Abbie Bowker at abowker@cvuhs.org.

CVU Looking for Debate Judges CVU will host the largest debate/speech tournament of the year in January, and the school is looking for citizen judges.

No experience is required to help with the event, which is expected to last from 8 a.m.– 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. Training and food will be provided.

To volunteer, or for more information, contact Chris O’Donnell at codonnell@cvuhs.org.

Kitchens Additions Restoration

In 2011, CVU students, families and faculty filled a table full of toys to donate to area families. This year, freshmen are hoping to donate more to Toys for Kids than ever before.

The Charlotte News

CCS Awarded $10K State Grant for Farm- To-Table Program School also receives Four Winds grant for outdoor classroom

Brett Sigurdson The CharloTTe News

Christmas came early to CCS this year in the form of two prestigious grants—one from the state and one from the Four Winds Nature Institute.

Ahead of the official announcement in January, the school has been named the recipient of a $10,000 Farm to School grant from the Agency of Agriculture, though little else can be said about it at this point, noted Deirdre Holmes, a member of CCS’s Food Squad, which applied for the grant.

According to the Agency of Agriculture’s website, Vermont has appropriated nearly $700,000 over the past six years to support Farm to School programming in Vermont schools.

Since its creation, the Vermont Farm to School grant program has awarded funds to 62 schools throughout the state to support the integration of local foods in school cafeterias, classrooms

and communities.

Holmes, Anne Bijur, who is the Vermont State lead for the National Farm to School Network, and others will travel to Montpelier to attend the state’s Farmto-School Day Jan. 16 to accept the award and participate in activities with other schools from around the state.

CCS also recently announced the receipt of a $340 Schoolyard Habitat grant from the Four Winds Nature Institute. The grant will fund an outdoor classroom area for the school’s Four Winds lessons and any groups working or learning in the school garden or compost area, said Holmes, who serves as the coordinator of the program locally.

According to the institute, the grants are meant to help schools enrolled in their programs improve their school grounds or surrounding areas for outdoor science and environmental education.

CCS’s project surely fits the description. The design of the classroom will be natural and flexible, able to expand with the gardening and composting

area, explained Holmes. It will consist of semi-circular “green” walls created by tall plants, while the interior will feature a collection of stumps and wooden benches that can be arranged to fit small groups or full classes. The area will also feature a work table to facilitate outdoor learning, Holmes said.

The grant application grew out of a desire among teachers to provide a place for learning among the school’s outdoor gardens and compost shed.

“Several teachers commented that it would be helpful to have a gathering place to focus a class and differentiate between outdoor learning time and outdoor recess time,” said Holmes. “That prompted the grant application to fund an outdoor classroom. We are very grateful to the Four Winds Nature Institute for funding our request.”

The school has already gotten a jump on creating the walls for the classroom, which will be situated adjacent to the wetlands on the west side of the school and near the entrance to the Pease Mountain trail. The walls will consist of native sunchokes, an edible plant that sprouts in the spring, grows up to ten feet tall and blooms like a sunflower. A group of second grade students planted them right before the frost this fall.

Said Holmes, “When students return in the fall, the ‘walls’ should be 6-10 feet, creating a special place to gather and study the garden, the compost production, the wetlands and before

and after enjoying the Pease Mountain trail.”

Moreover, the sunchoke plants can provide a snack for the CCS lunchroom. After the plants are cut down, their tubers can be removed from the ground and replanted or eaten. This fall, Holmes gave some to CCS Food Director Elizabeth Skypeck, who cooked sunchoke chips and offered them during school lunch.

It’s the kind of creative, educationbased, locally harvested meal offering CCS’s 4Rs Committee, Food Squad and Four Winds program have helped promote in CCS’s cafeteria. In fact, they’re each becoming interconnected and contributing to a strong educational experience at the school, noted Holmes.

“It’s becoming hard to separate out the work into the various committees,” she said. “The compost shed was initiated by the 4Rs committee, the raised beds of the kitchen garden came out of the Food Squad, and the outdoor classroom emerged out of the Four Winds program. There are so many connections that can be made between these projects—they all offer real-world, hands-on learning opportunities on the school grounds.”

Holmes is looking for tree stumps suitable for seats for the outdoor classroom, as well as new or returning volunteers for the Four Winds program.

For more information on the program or to donate stumps, contact her at deirdre2holmes@gmail.com.

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The Charlotte News

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

by Michael Haulenbeek Name: LEATH TONINO age: 28 CurreNt loCatioN: San Francisco oCCupatioN: Freelance writer

It’s the time of year when Charlotte natives often return to town to visit family and catch up with old friends. In the spirit of keeping in touch this season, the Charlotte News reached out to several Charlotters in their twenties and early thirties. For people in this age group, growing up in Charlotte is not such a distant memory, but it is far enough away to gain some perspective on the experience. We were curious about how some of these Charlotters have been spending their time, what they remember most about growing up here and how their experiences in Charlotte have shaped who—and where—they are today.

of pine needles and bonfire smoke and mud and flowers and rain and the like, which is just a fancy way of saying that what I’ve always cherished about Charlotte is the same thing I cherish today: the land itself. And not just the land, but the feeling of freedom to explore that land, which has a lot to do with the people and overall mood of the place. Charlotte is safe, open and beautiful—it invites us to get out and stay out.

Growing up, I never thought of my family’s yard as separate from other properties. The whole place, the whole town, was for me a single vast backyard to explore and enjoy.

Do you think growing up in Charlotte has impacted what you are doing now? In what ways?

What’s you favorite thing about Charlotte in winter in one sentence or less?

Snow on the hills, ice on the creeks.

What did you like most about Charlotte when you were growing up?

Has that changed as you’ve gotten older?

When I was a child I’m not sure I really “liked” Charlotte. Charlotte was the air I inhaled and exhaled, the atmosphere I lived in, and I really didn’t have much of a perspective on it.

However, at some point I did begin to realize that the “air” I’d been breathing all those years was particularly nourishing stuff, heavy with the scents

Charlotte—and here I’m thinking about the people as well as the physical place, because in many ways the two are inseparable—has undoubtedly shaped my life and continues to do so up to this very moment.

I currently pay my rent, not to mention entertain myself, by writing essays about birds and mountains and my own personal experiences engaging these and other aspects of the natural world.

Where do you think that came from?

I’ll tell you: It came from a long childhood mucking about—a good ten consecutive years or more during which I spent every single afternoon playing alone and with friends in that vast backyard I mentioned earlier. And it also came from the teachers and mentors who taught me how to read and write and think.

So: the love of land came from the land and the skills to turn that love into something external, some sort of product—in my case writing—that

came from a community of supportive elders. Credit is due. I give it gladly.

What is the most exciting thing you have done in the last year or so?

Most of the exciting things I do are outside. Last New Year’s Day I went out with a gang of local kayakers called the Frostbiters who have loads of experience paddling Lake Champlain during its frostier months; the wind was blowing, it was about five degrees, and the waves were huge. I tell you: You’ve not really known Lake Champlain (not to mention true fear) until you’ve watched your neoprene sprayskirt freeze in place right before your eyes.

So, yeah, that outing was damn exciting, and it rhymed nicely with a bigger trip, a month later, during which I felt the elemental hand of winter grab me and squeeze even more intensely.

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A friend and I decided we wanted to ski across the Kaibab Plateau, a vast, forested, uninhabited highland separating the Utah desert from the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, then hike down to the Colorado River, then retrace our tracks and ski back out.

Okay—we packed two weeks worth of food into our bags and did it. While we were down inside the canyon a three-day blizzard set in. Picture being inside the most spectacular canyon on earth and simultaneously inside some fantasyland snowglobe. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever experienced. But then when we climbed back up to North Rim everything changed.

Skiing out of there through the thigh-deep powder, the raging blizzard all around us, was incredibly challenging, both physically and mentally. That trip, which lasted 14 days, was exciting in all possible ways.

Inside features a feeling you can’t get with modern construction— a time when buildings were made from the forest you walked in. This handmade gem would make a great special garage, an outbuilding for a gardener you love, a house, or even a barn. It has already outlived many lifetimes— add yours to its collection.

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The Charlotte News

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? continued Name: EMMA WEISMAN age: 32 CurreNt loCatioN: Charlotte oCCupatioN: Associate attorney at the Johnson Law Group, Intl, PLLC

What’s you favorite thing about Charlotte in winter in one sentence or less?

Walking in falling snow along Lewis Creek.

What did you like most about Charlotte when you were growing up?

Has that changed as you’ve gotten older?

The things I liked most about Charlotte growing up were the quiet and the space and the early spring. Today I still love those things the most, but I recognize them as peace and the slow cycle of renewal. In our fractious world it is a rare gift to hear only the slow drip of melting icicles, breathe

clean air, feel the warming sunshine and sip maple sap from a metal bucket.

Do you think growing up in Charlotte has impacted what you are doing now?

In what ways?

Growing up in Charlotte taught me how good life can be if you have security, peace and support. I try to bring those values to my work life by helping our local clients achieve those goals when there is a legal dimension to them, such as with estate planning, neighborly disputes, debt issues and other major stressors. In our international work we offer governance and rule-of-law consulting for international nonprofits where they are requested by countries to help bring some stability to their legal sector.

In my own time I am proud to have done some small work with the Vermont Foodbank, a truly admirable organization. I also continue my work in Haiti and now the Philippines to help empower communities impacted by disaster take control of their own rebuilding.

What is the most exciting thing you have done in the last year or so?

The last year has been very quiet, and excitement has come in small doses. No carnival in Port-au-Prince this year, no Semana Santa in Antigua, no spelunking with just a candle or helping erect fire art installations at Burning Man. This year’s excitement was all about the first scent of lilacs, finding red trilliums, reconnecting with old friends and celebrating their weddings, adopting a dog from the Humane Society and knitting while my mother weaves in my parents’ house by the lake. And getting really worked up over the weather.

Great Gifts!

Name: BRITTANY NUNNINK age: 27 CurreNt loCatioN: Winooski oCCupatioN: Account coordinator at Pale Morning Media

What’s your favorite thing about Charlotte in winter in one sentence or less?

Sledding on Mt. Philo.

What did you like most about Charlotte when you were growing up? Has that changed as you’ve gotten older?

Looking back now, I realize that my best childhood memories are associated with the lake. Charlotte’s expansive and dynamic shoreline, with all its coves, inlets and islands, is really what makes it its own wonderland.

Be it the recreation the lake provides year round or the gorgeous backdrop it serves from most any viewpoint in west Charlotte, growing up on the lake

was incredible.

One of my favorite memories were those summer evenings when, upon noticing Converse Bay was smooth as glass, my older sister and I would pause from setting the table just in time to sprint down to the water and go tubing literally moments before the sun set. Chilled but rejuvenated, we’d later dash back to the house through the pitch-black woods, blindly skipping between the loose rocks whose placement we’d memorized on the unwieldy path to our house, always arriving home just in time for another delicious summer BBQ dinner.

Nights like that never got old, and they still don’t. There’s nothing I’d rather do than repeat one of those summer evenings on the lake. As the years have passed, it seems my affinity to be on or near the lake has only grown stronger. Having lived other beautiful places, I appreciate the opportunity to experience something new, but it still never compares to that view of Converse Bay. There’s a reason I keep coming back.

Do you think growing up in Charlotte has impacted what you are doing now? In what ways?

With its easy access to the outdoors and its rural landscape, Charlotte really allows children to cultivate a deep relationship with the outside world. Once you’ve gotten a taste of that and a glimpse into the inner workings of life outdoors, you don’t forget it.

For my senior thesis in college, I researched experiential education and the practice of better incorporating systemic thought into our school systems.

There’s so much research to show that if kids cultivate that holistic understanding in their childhood years, then

The Charlotte News they’re much more apt to think that way as they get older. I believe that, and I see that in myself. A childhood outdoors has helped me to recognize how all things interconnect, and it has allowed me to be more present and make more conscientious decisions as I navigate my life. It seems too common that people get lost in their work or lose hold of a healthy balance in their life, thereby forgetting what really matters.

I’ve held on to that slogan Mr. Scatchard hung as a banner in our fourth/fifth grade classroom: “Work Hard, Play Hard,” a motto that was also exemplified strongly by my dad.

Luckily, between the place and the people, my childhood has allowed me to cultivate a balanced perspective as I’ve gotten older, which in turn has allowed me to live a pretty fun and fabulous life.

What is the most exciting thing you have done in the last year or so?

This past summer, I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). It’s pretty much the West Coast equivalent to the Appalachian Trail. The PCT extends from the border of Mexico—beginning in Campo, Calif., where border patrol helicopters buzz eagerly overhead—2,668 miles north to its terminus at the Canadian border in Manning Park, British Columbia (where you’re more likely to be hassled by a grouse than any border police).

I set off for the trail with no ulterior motive other than mainly, “why not?”

It sounded fun, it seemed the right/ only time in my life where it would be semi-reasonable to go for a fivemonth walk, and it would surely be a grand adventure—something I crave.

And so, on April 25, I set out with my best friend from college, Taylor Smiley, and for 147 days straight us ladies walked, ate (a lot) and slept side by side until we got our tired butts to Canada.

This “big walk,” as we called it, truly was the adventure of a lifetime, and will probably forever be one of my proudest accomplishments. It’s hard to sum up in words what it meant, but I’m figuring it out with each passing day.

But one thing I will note is that, similar to Charlotte’s lakeshore, the PCT provided my two favorite things: a phenomenal community (both on and off the trail) and a wonderful recreational space outdoors. Grueling though it often was, the simplicity of life on the trail was a truly wonderful thing. Void

of any excess material items, it’s just you, the world around you and the 20 or so essential items you’re carrying on your back.

As your mind is free to wander all day, it’s interesting to see what you find yourself thinking about and what you discover you miss the most.

For me, although I couldn’t have been happier to be out there hiking, I reflected on the wonderful community of family and friends I have in Vermont, and with each gulp of desert-dry air, I pined for the lake. And so it was inevitable that, the day after we got to Canada, I came home.

To read more about Brittany’s trip on the PCT, check out her blog at pctbolo.wordpress.com.

Name: NOAH BERNSTEIN-HANLEY age: 31 CurreNt loCatioN: Portland, Ore. oCCupatioN: Musician (saxophonist)

What’s you favorite thing about Charlotte in winter in one sentence or less?

Sledding down Mt. Philo.

What did you like most about Charlotte when you were growing up?

Has that changed as you’ve gotten older?

When I’m entirely honest with myself, I had somewhat of a love/ hate relationship with growing up in Charlotte. I found all the wilderness and space of the woods around my parents’ house in turn enchanting and mundane. Enchanting has certainly

won out as I’ve spent time away. It’s incredible to come back and visit, to enjoy the outdoor activities, but even more to just sit out and enjoy the silence, the breeze, the stars.

Do you think growing up in Charlotte has impacted what you are doing now? In what ways?

Charlotte has certainly continued to have an impact on me since leaving. The pace of it is still in me. I still know how to play outside. I search out the bucolic in urban environments. I don’t think there was a single weekend this past summer where I wasn’t out camping, hiking or jumping in a river.

And there probably weren’t many days that went by that I wasn’t on my bike.

The secret is maybe not to want for much. That sounds typical, maybe, but it’s also what Charlotte instilled in me. I have love and a saxophone and mountains. And a few other things.

What is the most exciting thing you have done in the last year or so?

I had the insane opportunity of traveling around the world playing with tUnE-yArDs for much of last year. We went to 20-some countries in five continents, took in the sights, enjoyed our hosts’ generous hospitality, ate some amazing meals and swam a lot. It’s hard to look back and distill a single exciting moment out of the experience.

Istanbul was incredible though. It’s a completely different landscape, completely different in look and feel from anywhere I’d ever been.

I bought a zurna, which is a really loud, distinct (maybe a little obnoxious) double-reeded Turkish folk instrument.

There was a guy below my hotel room playing one at two o’clock in the morning. It’s a culture very in touch with its music. There’s a long street that’s just instrument shops one after another after another. It’s everywhere.

When have you felt something powerful playing music?

It really depends on the setting.

I’ll often times have very cathartic moments playing improvised music that are deeply personal. Many times, I don’t really remember what I played specifically, just that I was able to

express myself with this second language that my first language doesn’t have the capacity to convey or really understand. I hope that the listener feels it as well, but that’s really just ancillary.

On the flip side, in playing with a band like tUnE-yArDsTune-Yards, the catharsis came from without. There would be 1,000 people cheering after a solo or singing along to the horn lines, and I could feel that release for them.

It really elevated the music to that profound level.

Name: ETHAN BOND-WATTS age: 30 CurreNt loCatioN: Charlotte oCCupatioN: Professional sculptor and glass artist

What’s you favorite thing about Charlotte in winter in one sentence or less?

Training on Mt. Philo for the JackJumping World Championship.

What did you like most about Charlotte when you were growing up?

Has that changed as you’ve gotten older?

Before we could drive, David Richardson and I would ride our bikes

Where Are They

continued on page 21

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tional funds and to anticipate conservation actions in the near future. The organization presented a list of six properties, four of which stand a good chance of coming through in the next year. The amount of two cents was understood to be a likely target should the overall town budget rise too much. for funds to build a model of energy use in the library. This model will be used to implement net-zero energy usage in other town buildings. Additionally the group proposed a program to be imple-

Safety Committee ReCommendationS on hold

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ing from a review by the state of current use allowances for four properties and an error in land surveying in another.

The current use program provides state support for land that is in agricultural, forestry or conservation use.

year. They have caused no reported or significant disruption in the past. The

to request an extension in submitting

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a desire that the committee take its time because of the complexity and importance of the issue. The report, which will be submitted on Jan. 10, will address what police services are needed to counter perceived or real problems concerning burglary and speeding. It will then present options for providing these services and other programs and methods to help ameliorate the safety issues of concern.

racer.

singled out for their very fine leadership in this annual affair. The party celebrated the work and accomplishments of the board meeting on Jan. 6 and the next full meeting will be held on Jan. 13.

A number of Charlotters took advantage of the season’s first snow on Dec. 11 by sledding down the hill at CCS.

The Charlotte News Resistance training in mature adults, however, has a positive effect on these changes.

One of my favorite studies was done on people over the age of 70 who steadily increased resistance as they performed a simple squatting maneuver (sitting into a chair) over a 12-week period. These subjects reported greater endurance for daily physical tasks, a more optimistic outlook on their life and fewer visits to the doctor; they also reported they were more social and felt they had greater mental function.

Resistance Training Is for Every Body Mike Dee Contributor Helen is 80 years old and wants to climb stairs easily, Ben is a 40-year-old playing recreational hockey, and Sarah is a 13-year-old cross-country runner. They will all benefit from resistance training.

Resistance training is lifting weights to stimulate skeletal muscle. The two other muscle types—cardiac and smooth (internal organs)— function without our conscious control. Skeletalmuscle training benefits the body in many ways.

The short- and long-term positive effects include an increase in muscle fiber used for daily activities, an increase in healthy hormones, a decrease in body fat, an increase in bone density, healthier connective tissue and a more efficient heart. And you sleep better!

Skeletal muScle Essentially, we have three types of skeletal muscle fiber. Type I (slow twitch) is for endurance, type IIA is a mix of high force, slow and fast energy burn, and type IIB is for high energy and great force. Both type II fibers are considered fast twitch. Everyone comes into the world with a different mix of fibers. However, the general distribution in women, men and children is about 45 to 55 percent type I in their limbs. Skeletalmuscle type makes up about 35-45 percent of our total body weight, and with some 600 different muscles it is the most plentiful tissue type in the human body.

World-class runners demonstrate an interesting pattern. Marathoners have more type I in their legs, sprinters more type IIB, and middle distance runners equal amounts of type I and II. One can see that marathoners, sprinters and middle-distance runners are very different athletes and most likely developed their expertise and passion based on their skeletal muscle makeup.

We start to lose fast-twitch fiber starting after the age of 30, due to normal age-related changes, and at older ages because of inactivity as well.

How it all workS When we think of lifting a weight, our brain sends the message to a motor nerve, one that controls skeletal muscle. The motor nerve stimulates the muscle fiber, and through a complex chemical reaction the smallest proteins of muscle fibers attach to and slide over each other, pulling their ends closer and shortening the muscle.

An opposite chemical reaction happens as we lower the weight: the proteins release their attachments, and their ends move further away from each other. The greater the rate of the motor nerve impulse, the greater the force produced.

Think about it: “Try hard, harder!” “Give me everything you’ve got!” are encouraging words from a coach—and for a reason. More effort equals greater force.

Helen, Ben and SaraH For Helen’s goals, stair climbing and the squat would be good exercises. If she performs a regular routine of resistance training two to three times a week, increasing the resistance every few weeks over a 12-week period, she will meet her goal. She should combine this with some type of regular walking program. This combination would stimulate mostly type I fibers and some of her type IIA fibers.

Ben needs to hit the gym and progress to a combination of medium and heavy-resistance exercises with well-coached explosive maneuvers, called plyometrics. In addition to a few slow endurance runs he needs to run a faster mile. This program will stimulate his type IIA and IIB fibers, while giving him the ability to recover more quickly between his skating shifts.

Sarah needs to continue with her running and two to three times a week add a simple lowweight resistance program that emphasizes her trunk and leg muscles. She too will benefit from some well-coached plyometric exercises. This will develop her type I and type II fibers as she becomes faster.

Each of them can also take an occasional break and have a week of long walks with a good friend. Muscles like vacations, too.

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Instant heirlooms and pre-loved goods make great HOLIDAY GIFTS! From home decor and household goods to artwork, books and furniture, Sweet Charity has it all!

Make Vergennes your destination this holiday season.

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Quality donations are always welcomed!

Mike Dee, with his wife, Justine, owns Dee Physical Therapy, with offices in Shelburne and South Burlington. He lives in Charlotte.

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BREAKING NEWS! www.thecharlottenews.org

Charlotte Senior Center

The Café Menu

by Mary Recchia, Activities Coordinator

CLOSED: DEC. 23–JAN. 3

Over the holidays the Senior Center will be closed from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3. We wish you all a very happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

–––– Snow days. If there is ever a question whether the Senior Center is closed due to weather, know that we will follow the CSSU school closings, which are posted on local TV and radio stations as well as at cssu.org.

–––– Poetry readings continue with Jim Lovejoy on Jan. 6 from 1–3 p.m. B u i l d i n g on the fun and excitement Several Charlotters pose for a picture after decorating the Great Room tree with handmade that has developed with our ornaments on Dec. 4. During the festive event, Carlanne Herzog played carols and led a “Poem in Your Pocket” sing-along. readings over the years, this after-lunch poetry reading ings from 10–11 a.m. on Jan. 9, 16, 23 color premier colored pencils and an 8 x will provide a regular time for listening, and 30 and Feb. 6 and 13.

8 pad of Stonehenge paper. Registration reading, writing and discussing this wonYes, you can learn the true Yang required. Limit 10. Fee: $48. derful form of literary expression. family style of tai chi, famous for its –––– Whether a favorite poem you have myriad benefits to health and wellbeing.

How to look at and understand great written, a book of poetry you enjoy, a The flowing movements and postures art, from the Great Courses Collection, literary journal or a poem from Poets.org, increase flexibility, improve balance and will take place on Tuesdays from 1:45– pack a poem in your pocket and join Jim strengthen core muscles. Practitioners 3:15 p.m. on Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28 and as he guides a wonderful afternoon of will cultivate a deeper sense of relaxation, Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25. poetry reading. No fee. increased energy level and a real sense What does it take to truly know what –––– of confidence and presence. John Creech you’re seeing when you look at art?

A new session of Living Strong in has been studying and practicing tai chi What technical skills and knowledge are Vermont with Margery Rutherford and for ten years and invites you to come needed to comprehend the full richness Dorrice Hammer will begin on Tuesday, learn and practice together. Registration of artworks and to unpack the hidden sigJan. 7, from 11 a.m.–noon. necessary. Fee: $42 per session. nificance of master paintings, sculptures, This program helps maintain inde–––– prints and more? pendence by increasing strength, muscle Join Elizabeth Llewellyn for Colored Award-winning Professor Sharon mass and bone density using hand and Pencil FUNdamentals Thursday morn- Latchaw Hirsh of Rosemont College ankle weights. Balance exercises enhance ings from 10–11:30 a.m. on Jan. 9, 16, speaks to these and other compelling agility and decrease the likelihood of 23 and 30. questions in these richly illustrated lecfalls, while flexibility exercises increase Colored pencils aren’t just for children. tures that take you on an in-depth explojoint mobility and reduce the risk of Artists worldwide are discovering the joys ration of the practical skill of viewing art. injury. The weight-bearing exercises are of working in colored pencil. Learn the Using timeless masterpieces of Westdone seated and standing behind the back basics of creating beautiful colored pencil ern painting, sculpture and graphic art, of a chair. These are particularly effective paintings in a fun, supportive environ- Professor Hirsh gives you the specific for osteoarthritis sufferers, who benefit ment. This class will include advice and visual and interpretive knowledge you from increased pain-free range of motion. discussion of the materials used, demon- need to approach great artworks, find New participants can stop by the center strations of several popular colored pencil their deeper meanings and reach startling to pick up a doctor’s consent form. Reg- techniques and an introduction to color new levels of appreciation. Details of istration required. One-time suggested theory, making your color wheel. Ample each lecture are available at the host desk. donation for new participants: $48. time will be provided for students to work Registration required. No Fee. –––– in this slow medium, with instructor guidJoin John Creech for Yang t’ai chi ance. All levels of skill are welcome.

Events following the Wednesday ch’uan for beginners on Thursday morn- Please bring to class a 24-pack of Prisma- luncheon. For those who do not share

MONDAY, JANUARY 6: Hearty beef barley soup, spinach citrus salad and gingerbread with lemon sauce.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8: Beef burgundy, tossed salad, birthday cake and ice cream MONDAY, JANUARY 13: Festive Italian sausage soup, salad and brownie delight.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15: Oven-fried chicken, squaw corn, baked potatoes, homemade dessert

Senior LunCheonS are held every Wednesday at noon. Reservations are necessary in advance and can be made by calling the Senior Center at 425-6345. A $4 donation is requested. Reservations are not required for the Monday Munch. lunch with us, feel free to drop in around 1 p.m. to enjoy the after lunch offerings: Jan. 8: Discover Turkey: Istanbul, Western Turkey and Cappadocia with the Larsens. In the fall of 2012, Sheri and Rich Larsen traveled in Turkey with an Oversea Adventure Travel tour group and then spent additional time on their own in Istanbul.

During their three weeks in Turkey, they visited historic cities, toured archaeological sites, spent four days cruising on a sailboat off the Turquoise Coast and hiked around the incredible landscape of Cappadocia. This slideshow includes photos of the magical places they visited as well as photos of the daily life of Turkish people.

Jan. 15: Technology petting zoo with Susanna Kahn, tech librarian. Kindles and iPads and Nooks, oh my! Are you curious about e-readers and iPads? Have a question about your own device? Did you know you could download ebooks and audiobooks to your own device for free with your library card? Wondering where you can read today’s New York Times? Charlotte Library’s tech librarian will explain how it all works and answer questions while you explore the library’s tech devices.

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The Charlotte News diversion every Friday morning.

Suitable for ages three to five who are comfortable in a story time setting without parent or caregiver (parent/caregiver must remain in library).

Please call 425-3864 or email youthservices@charlottepubliclibrary.org to sign up.

by Margaret Woodruff

Charlotte library best books of 2013 There is still time to send us your choices. If you’ve read a terrific book in 2013, we want to know about it.

Dispatch your favorite titles through our website (charlottepubliclibrary.org), email (charlottelibraryvt@gmail.com) or drop in to let us know your top choices and recommendations. The compilation will appear on our website and here in the Charlotte News.

UpComing at the library Mitten tree, season three. Help us fill our “tree” with mittens, hats, scarves and other warm accessories for the winter months to come. We donate the items to help our neighbors in need around the community.

If you’d like to knit mittens or a hat, drop by the library for a look at our knitting how-to books and magazines. Winter accessories can be dropped off at the library during open hours through Dec. 31.

Wednesday night knitters, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 5:30 p.m. Join us to compare notes, knits and share good company.

Friday free for all story time for preschoolers, Friday, Jan. 10, 10:30–11:30 a.m. From rocks, blocks and socks to babies, bugs and hairy bread, we’ll investigate it all. Join us for discovery and

SHARE YOUR MILESTONES Births Awards Recognitions Marriages Engagements Anniversaries Retirements Deaths

email: edd@charlotte newsvt.com

Dan Falby, the Charlotte Library’s featured artist for January and February, captures beautiful scenes like this with his digital photography.

Winter tea journals with Elizabeth Bunsen, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2 p.m. We’ve enjoyed Elizabeth’s art through November and December. Now, join us for a chance to create your own art with her guidance and inspiration.

After we enjoy afternoon tea together, Elizabeth will share the crafting of personal journals using art paper and tea. Space is limited, so please call or email today to reserve your space.

Technology petting zoo with Susanna Kahn, Wednesday., Jan. 15, 1 p.m. Nooks, Kindles, iPads, oh my! Are you curious about e-readers and iPads? Have a question about your own device? Did you know you can download ebooks and audiobooks to your own device for free with your library card? Wondering where you can read today’s New York Times? Charlotte Library’s tech librarian will explain how it all works and answer questions while you explore the library’s tech devices.

Sacred Hunter presentation, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m. Bradley Carleton brings the outdoors inside as he speaks about the Sacred Hunter group, which is “dedicated to exploring and interpreting the spiritual essence of the outdoors through traditional methods of hunting and gathering.”

on exhibit at the library In January and February 2014, the library will feature photographs from Dan Falby. Dan primarily does landscape photography as he hikes the beautiful Vermont terrain. From originally taking shots with his iPhone and posting them on Facebook, he has evolved into the artistic

side of creating pictures. He loves to use technology for editing, which allows him to put his own touch on things, so viewers of his work will see many different shades, colors and contrasts that accent the original scenes.

Winter holiday schedule. The library will be closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

Library Board meeting, Thursday, Dec. 19, at 5:30 p.m. Board members are Bonnie Ayer (member-at-large), Bonnie Christie (chair), Vince Crockenberg (treasurer), Emily Ferris (vice-chair) and Dorrice Hammer (secretary).

Library Hours Mon, Wed: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

Tues, Thurs, Fri: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sat: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Phone 425-3864 *** The Charlotte Library will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 and Dec. 31.

First Ice Bradley Carleton Contributor “When one door closes another opens.”

“At the end of everything is a new beginning.”

People use these clichés in an attempt to soften the blow of a loss or find hope when things are difficult.

Yet, these sayings don’t adequately describe the mixture of sadness and elation that lie between the end of duck season and the beginning of ice fishing.

This weekend, I have had to accept the end of my favorite season, duck hunting, and with that I am a bit sullen and morose. That is, until I see on the weather channels that an Arctic Clipper is due to send temperatures plummeting below zero.

My beloved bays will lock up solid. The lake will begin its noisy process of making ice, with its gurgling and popping sounds as oxygen is released and a layer of skim ice forms in the night. When the wind dies and

the cold Arctic air lies still in the valley, the ice forms quickly, changing the season from one of migratory bliss to hard-water playground.

At a time when most of the outdoor crowd is venturing off to the mountains in fancy outerwear and the latest ski or boarding equipment, a much smaller—and, I proffer, equally passionate—crowd are walking out on the ice in search of piscatorial pleasures from beneath the crystalline surface.

My crew of avid devotees has assembled a veritable vortex of inexpensive devices with which we pursue yellowbellied perch, smelt, salmon, trout and the voracious toothy denizen of the shallows, the northern pike.

We step off the shoreline tentatively, making sure that others with greater body mass have traveled before us.

Generally, I refuse to walk on anything less than three inches of clear black ice, and then only over depths up to my waist.

Using the ice spud (a six-foot long steel bar with a chisel on the end), we check the ice as we go. When we arrive at “the spot,” usually determined by one of the crew saying something like “this feels like a good spot” or “I’m not walking any further,” we drill a series of five-inch holes with our hand auger and sit down on our pickle buckets with our backs to the wind.

Then things get decidedly quiet as each of us focuses on being the first one to land a fish.

I load my lure, known as a “bibbit,” which has a weighted, teardrop shape with a hook running through the middle, with a few “spikes” (known to the gentrified world as maggots). I release the bail of my reel on my ultra-light rod, a miniature version of a full-size rod, whose total length is only 28 inches with a very sensitive tip.

I let it drop to the bottom—approximately 12 feet. Then I reel up one and a half turns and begin a gentle up-and-down motion with the rod tip, called “jigging.”

Within minutes, we are all getting bites.

You can feel the collective anticipation of being the first to proudly proclaim victory.

Everyone is focused intensely on their rods as we take turns saying, “Oooh! That was a great bite!” I am absorbed in my mission. “C’mon now, there’s the bite again! Just take it all the way, my friend.” Again, the perch spits out the bait before I can hook him.

Zach Gregory waits patiently for another fish to bite on an icefishing excursion to Carry Bay.

I reel up my line and change bibbits to a more colorful chartreuse and pink with a red feather on top. It seems almost too flamboyant to represent anything that resembles food. I re-bait my lure, this time with three spikes, and send it back down to the underwater world below me. Instantly I get a strong bite. The lure hasn’t even touched bottom yet! He hit it on the way down!

I raise my arm quickly to set the hook, and the rod bends down toward the hole as if bowing to the prey. I reel quickly and with a gloating grin on my face call out to my peers, “One!” We all laugh—and reluctant congratulations make the rounds.

All at once, everyone gets a hit. Fish are flying out of the half dozen holes as if they’d been invited to dinner.

“Fish fry at my house tonight!” I shout out. Laughter and chortles of joy abound.

Welcome winter! Welcome!

Bradley Carleton is executive director of Sacred Hunter.org, a non-profit that seeks to educate the public on the spiritual connection of man to nature and raises funds for Traditions Outdoor Mentoring.org, which mentors at-risk young men in outdoor pursuits.

The Charlotte News

SPORTS A Look Back at the CCS Boys’ Soccer Season

(Left) Pictured are members of the CCS Soccer A team. They are (front, from left) Feston Achinda, Mason Otley, Evan Beal, Max Gorman, Jennings Lobel, Sam Comai, Fanuel Achinda, Harrison Falk, Cole Otley, (back) Trevor McGlaflin, Nathan Hodgson-Walker, Isaac Cleveland, Jonah Breen, Briggs Boardman, Tyler Bodette, Seamus Higgins, Jack Boynton, Ryan Trus and Coach Mike Dinicola .

Tom Giroux Contributor The 2013 boys’ soccer season was a record-setting one.

Both the A and B teams won their end-of-season championships with wins over Williston and cross-town rivals Shelburne. The A team finished up the season with an 8-1-2 record, while the B team had a program-best-ever 8-2-1.

The B team allowed only 13 goals all season, while scoring 32; the A team let only 14 go in but shot 33 past their opponents. These stats illustrate how similar the squads were in their success.

Briggs Boardman played up to his “high” standards (pun intended). The tall frontrunner found the back of the net 15 times and dished out five assists. His name was on the score sheet in ten of 11 matches, and he had a role in 20 of the team’s 33 goals.

Jennings Lobel gave CCS all-around, solid, intelligent play and was the master of set pieces, with three of his four goals coming on free kicks, and was on the highlight reel with a blast from outside the 18 in a 6-1 win. Sam Comai and Evan Beal gave their team additional firepower with four tallies and an assist each. Isaac Cleveland played very unselfishly and passed his way to four assists.

Coach Mike Dinicola, in his 11th season at CCS, said, “It was one of the most productive years I’ve ever had here. We just kept getting better and better with every practice and game, which made for a successful and rewarding season.”

What helped to make this a winning team was the strong defensive backfield made up of Jonah Breen, Seamus Higgins, Ryan Trus, Jack Boynton, and anchored by the always-dependable Trevor McGlaflin. When the visitors got the ball anywhere near the goal mouth, keeper Tyler Bodette was there to gobble it up, which led to the team’s allowing only 1.4 goals per match.

(Below) Members of the CCS Soccer B team pose for a picture. They are (on ground) Aydan Forando, Peter Hyams, (front) Aaron McNally, Isa Kaplan, Reed Dousevicz, Ben Leonard, Nani Clemmons, Aiden Randall, Stewart Robinson (back) Coach Tom Giroux, Ethan Naylor, Gus Lunde, Nikolia Pughe, Ben Vincent, Felix Blanchard and Coach John Gallagher.

CCS was able to get the Otley twins, Cole and Mason, off the hard courts, and they brought the competitive nature that every soccer team needs. Mason scored a goal and had two assists, while Cole had one of each. Max Gorman got one by the goalie and assisted on another.

Fanuel Achinda, who gave a nice serve on one of Briggs’ finishes, along with Harrison Falk and Feston Archinda, played valuable key supporting roles in the success of the team.

The boys B team was made up some seasoned players and others still new to the game, but they looked after each other on the pitch, which led to a real “team” framework. Ben Vincent, who blasted home 14 of the team’s 32 goals, led CCS. Ben was a dominating presence on the field, while dictating play for his teammates and causing the opponents to take notice. He was also one of the hardest workers on the team, both in practice and during the matches, which earned him the team’s MVP award.

Gus Lunde, a highly skilled tactical player, was next on the high-scoring list, finding the back of the net seven times and helping his teammates to four other goals. Peter Hyams became a force as an outside back as the season progressed and was named the team’s most improved player.

While playing mainly in the sweeper spot on the team, Ben Leonard was the reliable last leg of the defense and always played both smart and tough, require-

ments for this position. Felix Blanchard and Aaron McNally each recorded goals while playing outside middle, and along with Isa Kaplan, Stewart Robinson, Ethan Taylor and Nikolai Pughe, got more familiar with the game of soccer as the season went along, through their hard work and willingness to learn. Reed Dousevicz played both outside middle and attacking forward for the benefit of the team; he scored a goal and had an assist.

For his versatility and a sacrifice to play a half a game in the goal mouth, where he made some spectacular, acrobatic saves that had everyone in attendance talking, Nani Clemmons earne-

daithe coach’s award.

Aiden Randall also played keeper, and his favorite match was when he scored two goals in the first half and held Tuttle scoreless in the second for a 3-0 shutout.

He also scored three other times and passed for one another.

Aydan Forando won the team player prize for always playing 100 percent wherever he was on the pitch, and doing it with a no-questions-asked attitude and a smile.

So it was a great season to be in the CCS soccer world. Congrats to all the players.

Rec News

by Kristin Hartley

Think Snow for Rec Program Activities ‘Tis the holiday season! I hope you can get outdoors on your own or with your family and enjoy some winter fun. If not, we have plenty of indoor recreation programs as well.

If you like to skate, the Charlotte town skating rink should be open any day.

The rink is located right next to CCS. For fun evenings on the ice we have lights and a warming hut. Rink opening and ice conditions will be posted on the town website under the recreation tab and “ice rink.”

Let me know if you are interested in setting up specific hockey nights and we can publicize a hockey pick-up game night. Rink rules are posted at the warming hut as well as on the website.

This year we will once again be sharing a reduced ski and ride ticket program at Smuggler’s Notch with the Hinesburg Recreation Department. This program allows families and individuals to enjoy skiing and riding, rentals and lessons at affordable prices.

This program consists of five Sundays in 2014: Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and 9, and March 2 and 9. By committing early and filling out forms, then paying by check the Wednesday before (payable to Hinesburg

Rec) and dropping your check off at the Charlotte town offices, you can ski and ride for $25 for adults and $20 for children. Find out more on the town website.

Think snow!

Our recreation basketball program has begun. Practice is in full swing, and games begin in January. The practice schedule as well as the game schedule can be found online at the town’s website.

Once again Charlotte is lucky to have Heather Morris teaching Celtic dance.

Give your child the opportunity to move and enjoy the lilt of Scottish highland and Irish jig music.

We are now taking registration for our second session. Classes take place Fridays after school in the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Classes begin Jan. 3 and include separate groups for kindergarteners, age eight and above and age ten and above. Placement depends on age and experience.

If your child is interested in playing the drums, we now have the gifted Andrew Gagnon teaching afterschool percussion on Fridays. Session two begins Jan. 10.

There still are a few openings if your child is interested.

With the New Year we will be offering an early morning boot camp at CCS for adults. Class begins at 6 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is a ten-person minimum. You will be finished with your workout before the sun rises. Come work on your New Year’s resolution with a group of friends. This class is a great workout. Modifications will be addressed for all fitness levels.

Recreation registration forms can be found online at charlottevt.org under the recreation tab. You can also find forms at our town offices.

As always full and partial scholarships are available for all recreation programs.

If you have any questions, contact me at recreation@townofcharlotte.com or by phone at 425-6129, ext. 204.

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SPORTS

by Edd Merritt

Winter sports step into the spotlight Basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling and indoor track all began their seasons since the last issue of the News appeared, and all made impressive starts.

Six Redhawk wrestlers placed in the top three positions within their weight classes in the Sandy Murray Earlybird Tournament at St. Johnsbury Academy. Alex Legg, Grant Poston and Troy Bergeron were all champions. Sarah Fisher scores one of her four goals in the CVU Charlotte’s Kienan Kittredge girl's hockey team's recent win over Spaulding. took second while Connor goalies stopped 24 shots.

Gobeille and Jarett Legg garnered third CVU’s indoor track team placed places. several in the winner's circle at UVM on Women’s hockey put together December 14, led by Charlotte’s Haliana Redhawks and Rebels to form a potent Burhans who won the 55-meter dash and CVU/SB team whose record stands at two Emily Geske whose 8 foot 7 inch pole vault wins and a close loss. Looking at reverse took honors for the women, followed by a numbers 21 (Courtney Barrett) and 12 victory run for the men’s 4x200 relay team.

(Sarah Fisher) it is often hard to distinguish Two CVU gymnasts captured events who has the puck. The two move it sharply at the South Burlington Rebel Holiday until one or the other finds an open net. In Invitational meet. Sophomore Jackie the team’s 7-3 win over Rice each scored Casson was a bars winner in her class, and two goals and added two assists. Sarah senior Sarah Kinsley won the upperclass followed with four goals in a 7-3 defeat floor exercises. of Spaulding. CVU’s Molly Dunphy and Basketball teams split their opening Rachel Pitcher have contributed offensive games this year. The women’s five had strength to the Rebel Hawks as well. The defeated Colchester in the opening game of lone loss came at the hands of Burr and the Spaulding Holiday Tournament 57-33, Burton Academy, a 3-1 defeat that saw the thanks in large measure to Charlotte’s Academy come back after falling behind Laurel Jaunich who pumped in 13 points 1-0 in the first period. and added 8 rebounds. The Free Press Men’s hockey remains spotless at thought highly enough of this year’s squad 4-0. Taking on Lower Canada College to feature them and coach Ute Otley in a in the first two games of the season, lead article on December 15. the Redhawks netted wins over the The men’s team pressed Essex, but even neighbors from the north. CVU headed Charlotte’s Lucas Aube, who contributed to Burlington last weekend for the annual a double-double with 13 points and 13 Beech Tournament at Leddy Park Arena. rebounds, could not hold back the Hornets’ The championship game turned out to be a Enid Camdzic whose 24 points led them to version of the CSB Cup as the Redhawks a 53-41 win over CVU in men’s basketball. faced off against South Burlington after each won its opening contest. The Rebels Kingston, Pfaff and Burhans win sochad knocked off Rice and CVU, behind cer honors goals from Cam Rivard and Ryan Keelan, Charlotte women soccer players at and had edged Colchester 2-1. In the the college level, Lindsey Kingston and tournament final, the Redhawks reversed Brittany Pfaff, and at the high school level, last year’s state championship loss to Haliana Burhans, were named to regional South Burlington on a late third-period all-star teams by the National Soccer goal from Thomas Samuelson with only Coaches of America (NSCAA). Kingston, two minutes left in regulation time. Both a senior defensive back at Middlebury College was cited on the Division III All-New England squad, while Siena College’s Pfaff earned a place on the Continental Tire NCAA Division I All-Northeast third team.

Burhans earned one of 43 places on the New England high school region I team.

Katie Mack takes over CVU men’s soccer next year Having joined the faculty at CVU as a social studies teacher last year, former BFA Fairfax soccer coach Katie Mack felt a void in her fall days and wanted to return to the soccer pitch. That void will be filled next year as she takes over the Redhawk men’s program from T.J. Mead, who was at the helm for eight seasons, winning 115 games and four Division I titles. Mack coached Fairfax from 2007 through 2012.

She was named coach of the year in the Mountain Division in 2010 and 2011 and coached the Twin-State Soccer Club this past summer. A three-year starter at Drew University in New Jersey, she came to Vermont as an assistant women’s coach at St. Michael’s College.

The Charlotte News

Year in Review continued from page 6

April The Quinlan Covered Bridge off Spear Street in East Charlotte closed in early April for structural rehab. While work on the historic structure was expected to finish in July, due to unforeseen issues encountered in the repair process the bridge didn’t open for traffic until November.

The CVU girls’ basketball team won the Division 1 state championship. Led by Charlotter and “Coach of the Year” Ute Otley, the team posted an undefeated season. Several CVU athletic teams would win—or come close to winning—state crowns in 2013. Integral to their success: several Charlotte athletes.

With relations settling down, the Selectboard began to work out an official Memorandum of Agreement with CVFRS. Work would continue on it throughout the year. Members of CVFRS certainly didn’t spend all of their time this year discussing its working relationship with the town, however. It responded to many calls this year, including a threeacre grass fire on Bingham Brook Road in East Charlotte on April 3. The cause was listed as discarded smoking material.

MAy Two months after being elected to the Selectboard for a three-year post, Heather Manning resigned from her position, citing “personal reasons.” Her position was later filled on an interim basis by Lane Morrison.

Working from hours of interviews with 29 Charlotters, local filmmakers Don and Betty Ann Lockhart debuted a five-part film about Charlotte titled Charlotte 250: That’s How the Story Goes, which coincided with the celebration of Charlotte’s sestercentennial anniversary in 2012.

Charlotters Erick Crockenberg and Tad Cooke, both seniors at UVM, submitted one of the 50 concept plans considered for Burlington’s derelict Moran Plant on the city’s waterfront. Crockenberg and Cooke’s ambitious design—which calls for a creative, ecologically sound community hub—has vaulted to the front of the pack. City officials will make their final design choice early next year.

Emma Nilan, daughter of CCS teacher Kathy Lara, discussed her wait for a heart transplant with the News in May. Confined to a 12-by-12 foot room at Massachusetts General Hospital in Bos-

ton for six months, Nilan spent her days painting the faces of friends and family who kept her company. On July 31, Nilan announced on her blog that she had accepted a heart transplant.

June Summer in Charlotte kicked off with a few hundred people gathering for live music and food from local vendors at the Charlotte Senior Center for “Charlotte Unplugged,” an event hosted by Charlotte Community Transition, a group that hopes to bring a pub/coffee shop to town.

The group is currently in the process of exploring possible locations for the project.

A group of Charlotters called the Town Meeting Solutions Committee released the results of a survey to gauge how participation can be improved and expanded for Charlotte’s town meetings. A total of 373 people responded to the survey, and the group’s work on recommendations continues. Charlotters were also asked to contribute to the future of Mt. Philo at an “open house public hearing.” Over 40 people attended and shared their views on what the future of the park should look like.

At the end of June, the Selectboard held a special Town Meeting authorizing the purchase of a $185,000 ambulance for CVFRS, a cost that had been earmarked in the organization’s capital reserve fund.

About 90 Charlotters attended the event and approved the expenditure on a voice vote.

July A few hundred revelers turned out for Charlotte’s first annual community beach party on July 21. The event, hosted by the Charlotte Recreation Commission, featured music, games, and a pig roast and potluck.

Work on a timber-frame, thermophylic composting system on the grounds of CCS also got under way. The school’s 4Rs Committee received a $2,500 grant from the Chittenden Solid Waste District to help fund the building, which was finished in time for the start of the school year.

Charlotter Eunice Froeliger represented the United States in an international dragon boat competition in Hungary. Her team came away with a bronze medal.

August A dispute over nearly $3,000 in purchases charged to a town account by a contractor compelled the Selectboard to approve the creation of a new bid policy for future maintenance projects. Because some of the charges for tools made by

Richard St. George on the town’s taxexempt account were indeed taxable, he was asked to pay the town’s tax liability, roughly $88. However, town auditors Peter Trono and Robert Mack did not feel the Selectboard went far enough in exploring the charges and submitted a letter in September requesting the board revisit the issue. The Selectboard acknowledged the letter but, hearing no new information on the matter, did not pursue it further.

Citing a toxic Town Hall environment, Cemetery Commissioner Andrew Haigney resigned from his post.

Long-time Charlotte physician Bunky Bernstein retired from the Charlotte Family Health Center, where he had practiced for almost 40 years. A few months later, he and his wife, Carol Hanley, set off to sail to the Bahamas via the Intercoastal Waterway on their 35-foot sloop, Luna. septeMber This past fall, Charlotte earned accolades for its association with its popular state park and a talented resident. In September, Mt. Philo was given Vermont State Parks Southwest Region prestigious Park of the Year award. Just a few weeks later, Greg Manning was elected as a member of the Vermont Snow Posse to the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.

Also in talented Charlotter news, Kestrel Grevatt celebrated the completion of a 300-mile bike ride from New York City to Washington, D.C. with a visit to Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy. The CVU student raised $2,800 through the Climate Ride, an event that aims to raise money and awareness of climate change.

Finally, Freedom & Unity: The Vermont Movie, was released in theaters. The movie is an ambitious six-hour, multipart film, featuring a short film by Charlotter Kenneth Peck in part about Charlotter Yvan Plouffe, OctOber The Champlain Valley Superintendents Association (CVSA) held a series of community forums on a proposed change to the school year called “Calendar 2.0.”

While the revamped calendar, which would have built intercessions into the school year and shortened summer break, was billed as more efficient and effective, many parents and students spoke out against the proposal. By the time the final public forum was held at CVU on Oct. 10, the CVSA had already decided to table the idea.

A startling report by CSSU’s Facilities Committee found CCS’s building in need of major repairs. It recommended

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two plans, both of which would cost over $6 million and call for the demolition of the oldest part of the school, a portion built in 1939 that once served as Charlotte’s Town Hall. In early November, the school board held a tour of the facility that focused on a number of serious issues, including poor insulation, a leaky roof and other costly maintenance issues.

The Facilities Committee is currently exploring ways to approach and fund the necessary repairs.

On the town level, a draft audit of the town’s books by Batchelder Associates of Barre found a need for better internal controls on town charge accounts and cash disbursements.

Finally, “13” was a lucky number for the East Charlotte Tractor Parade, as blue skies and balmy temperatures greeted thousands of revelers at the annual event.

DeceMber Voters were asked to approve a $1.5 million bond to fund a $2.6 million upgrade to athletic fields at CVU, which supporters of the measure said are in poor condition. It ultimately failed by a vote of 1,969 opposed to 1,856 in favor.

Completing a circle of sorts, at an open forum hosted by the Community Safety Committee, members shared some their findings, which showed that crime in Charlotte has been on the decrease. If the Selectboard chose to pursue burglary and speed issues, the town would have to invest heavily in a police force. Some community members expressed support of such a move, while others found it unnecessary. The committee’s findings and recommendations are expected in early January.

All of us at the Charlotte News wish all of you a very safe and joy-filled holiday

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Food Shelf News

Charlotte Food Shelf & Assistance 403 Church Hill Road P. O. Box 83 Charlotte, VT 05445

THank you

by Kerrie Pughe Holiday giving What do you get that person who has everything? What about a donation in their name to the Charlotte Food Shelf?

Your local food shelf is run entirely by volunteers, so all donations go directly for food or assistance to our neighbors in need. If you are a customer of yourfarmstand.com, you may make a donation to the food shelf as part of your online order; otherwise checks may be mailed to:

A big thank you to the community for the toys, gifts, gift cards and food for the holiday baskets. A special thank you to teachers, students and parents of CCS for collecting many of the food items for the baskets. We appreciate the toy shoppers who dropped loads of toys in the boxes located at the Congregational Church, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the Charlotte Library, CCS, the Senior Center and the Little Garden Market. And thank you to our Secret Santa for the purchase of Palace Nine movie tickets to include in the baskets.

Also, thanks to all those who shopped for a Snowflake Book at the Flying Pig Book Store. Thanks to Terry Lysogorski and her teammates at EatingWell magazine for making up three of the baskets, and thanks to Tracey Beaudin for the beautiful homemade sugar cook-

ies for all the baskets.

We appreciate the lovely Charlotte calendars from Bob and Aileen Chutter, and we thank the Charlotte Boy Scouts for the handmade wreaths and for getting up early on a Saturday morning to help out with basket loading.

Thank you to the Front Porch Readers who helped out with last minute gift shopping for kids in our community. And finally, thank you to Ark Veterinary for remembering our furry friends this season—the pet food drive is always greatly appreciated! O v e r 30 holiday baskets were prepared and distributed to our neighbors in need this season.

Thank you to Alyssana Lasek for the donation checks and bags of canned goods and boxed pasta she collected at her tenth birthday party. How generous!

We appreciate the support from Luella Aube, Robbie Stanley, Jeffrey and Irene Horbar , Douglas and Pamela Ford, Kay Greene, Jennie Wright, Marie-Pierre and Tom Jackson in honor of Kim Henley Davis, the Pughe fam-

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ily in honor of the teachers and staff at CCS, Suzanne Ferland, Wendy Roth, Diane and Emile Cote in honor of their family members Scott, Raashi, Meera, Jenn and Tyler, Roberta Wood in honor of Remo and Donna Pizzagalli, Anne Castle and the Charlotte Organic COOP, Jack and Nancy Barnes, R.E. Uphold and M.M. Provencher.

Thank you to Linda Hamilton for the large donation of potatoes and Wendy Roth for the donated items.

WisH lisT We need healthy snack items for the kids during school vacation.

Donated food drop-off locations: all nonperishable food donations may be dropped off at the Charlotte Library, the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (main entrance) or at the Food Shelf during the distribution mornings. We request that all fresh foods be dropped off at the Food Shelf by 7:30 a.m. on the distribution mornings (see “Ongoing Events” calendar).

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

We are open for food distribution from 7:30–9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, Jan. 9 and Jan. 23, as well as from 5–7 p.m. on the Wednesday before each Thursday distribution morning.

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

For emergency food call John at 425-3130. For emergency assistance (electricity, fuel) call Karen at 425-3252. For more information call Karen 425-3252 or visit our website at https://sites.google.com/ site/charlottefoodshelfvt/.

Where Are They continued from page 11

down to Converse Bay to go for a cruise on his banged-out old Boston Whaler. We had a sense of freedom and adventure, of agency.

And it was sketchy enough to be really fun. That kind of adventure is still easy to be had in Charlotte if you know where to look.

Do you think growing up in Charlotte has impacted what you are doing now? In what ways?

Charlotters love their young people. The help I got as a young artist, through expert consultation, networking and direct patronage, allowed my fledgling art career to build momentum.

Without that help, I would probably now be in prison for smuggling wolves into the Green Mountain National Forest (which makes a lot of sense for a lot of reasons (just kidding [mostly]).

Bob Chutter puts together a holiday basket at the Congregational Church. The baskets filled with goodies were donated to over 30 families in need.

What is the most exciting thing you have done in the last year or so?

In October I won a big sculpture commission for Fletcher Allen Health Care. My brother Tucker and I are preparing to hang 100 colorful, blown-glass swooshes in a grand atrium at the hospital. That is my full-time obsession right now.

For more on Ethan’s sculpture and glass art, visit his website, ethanbondwatts.com.

We're taking a break.

The News will be back Jan. 16, 2014

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Around Town Congratulations to Andrea Dion and Caleb Longe of Charlotte on the birth of their son Dawson Longe on Nov. 22 at Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington. to Nick Dubuc and Tessa Austin of Charlotte on the birth of their daughter Sophia Dubuc on Nov. 23 at Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington. to Mallory and Steve Shepard of Charlotte on the birth of their daughter Ayla on Nov. 18 at Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington. to Lindsay Brush and Thomas Getz, who were married July 5 at the Ferry Watch Inn in Grand Isle. Lindsay is the oldest daughter of Mary and Charlie Brush of Charlotte.

A graduate of CCS, Green Mountain Valley School and Middlebury College, she is employed by Summit Property Management of South Burlington.

Tom is a graduate of the University of Vermont and the University of Virginia Law School. He currently works with Green Mountain Development Group of South Burlington.

Season’s Greetings Linda H. Sparks GRI, CRS

The Voice of Experience

802-846-7860 802-734-2930

to Sandra Steingard, M.D. of Charlotte, whose article titled “A psychiatrist thinks some patients are better off without antipsychotic drugs,” appeared in the Washington Post newspaper recently. Referring to the man who killed 12 people in the Washington, D.C., Naval Yard, claiming he had heard voices urging him to do so, Dr. Steingard said her opinion of the drugs commonly used to deal with schizophrenia, which were discovered 60 years ago and said to lessen the patient’s “preoccupation with delusion beliefs,” had changed somewhat following further studies.

Early research suggested that patients stay on the dugs indefinitely. Recently, Robert Whitaker’s book, Anatomy of an Epidemic, led her to begin thinking otherwise and encouraged her to bring patients into the discussion of the selection of medicine and dosage levels. Of the 64 people she has tracked, 40 decided to try a dose reduction, 22 chose to remain on their current doses, and the others stopped altogether. Dr. Steingard concluded at the end of the article that the choice of what to do should not be the physician’s alone, since the goal is not simply to eradicate the symptoms of schizophrenia but also to improve the person’s quality of life. to Tom O’Brien of Charlotte whose company, Wallet Pen, was featured on WCAX TV news December 2. Reporter Gina Bullard interviewed Tom and discovered his interest in making a pen that would fit snugly inside a wallet to be used whenever needed.

Tom said, “You’ve always got a pen if you remember it. You’ve got a pen in your pocket.” Each pen takes 32 steps to build, and each one carries a lifetime guarantee. The reporters confronted a colleague of Tom’s coming into his office who, when asked whether he carried one, opened his wallet and said, “Yes, right here” and showed them.

Sympathy is extended to family and friends of David Thompson of Middlebury who passed away Nov. 30 at the age of 88. His surviving family includes his daughter Laurie Thompson and her husband, John Limanek, of Charlotte. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations in David’s memory be made to Addison Home Health Care and Hospice, 254 Ethan Allen Highway, Middlebury, VT 05453 or to the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad, 106 Panton Road, Vergennes, VT 05491. is extended to family and friends of Hazel Ruby Webster Prindle of Morrisville who passed away Dec. 3 at the age of 89. Hazel and Mark Dean Prindle of Charlotte were married in 1948 and together operated the Prindle family farm in Charlotte until 1968. Hazel served as town clerk from 1974 until 1988 and was appointed as the Charlotte representative to the Vermont Legislature following her husband’s death in 1987. She was a member of the Charlotte Congregational Church and of the Chittenden and Lamoille county farm bureaus as well as the state farm bureau. She was also a member of the Charlotte Grange and Historical Society. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in her name consider Women in Military Service to America (WIMSA), Dept. 560, Washington, D.C., 20042-0560, the Charlotte Congregational Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 12, Charlotte, VT 05445 or the Lund Family Center, P.O. Box 4009, Burlington, VT 05406-4009.

to James Murdoch and to his firm, Murdoch Hughes & Twarog Attorneys at Law, for recent recognition. Jim has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 20th edition of the Best Lawyers in America (2014) for his practice in the areas of criminal defense and family law. His firm also received tier 1 ranking in the area of criminal defense in the 2014 edition of Best Law Firms, a publication put out jointly by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers.

A recent winter storm that brought snow to much of Vermont left these two sledders at CCS smiling.

Linda.Sparks@lmsre.com www.lmsre.com 550 Hinesburg Road, South Burlington

Morse’s Doodles & Jots Emotions are reactions in the brain caused by proteins stubbing their toes.

Jim Morse is a former Vermont Supreme Court Justice living in Charlotte. Find more of his Doodles & Jots in his book, available at the Flying Pig Bookstore or online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Red Barn Books.

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

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The Charlotte News

to our wonderful advertisers, we pass along our sincere thanks for your continued support

k n a h T

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

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

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

Information: 425-3176.

Lighthouse Baptist Church, 90 Mechanicsville Rd., Hinesburg, 10:30 a.m., Evening Service, 6 p.m. Information: 482-2588.

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

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

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

Cross Roads Chapel, Relocated to the Brown Church on Route 7, Ferrisburgh.

Worship, 11 a.m. Information: 425-3625.

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

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

United Church of Hinesburg, 10570 Route 116. Sunday service 10 a.m.

September through June; 9 a.m. July through August. Sunday School during services. 482-3352