The Commons/issue of Jan. 5, 2011

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A new name, a new vision Area shelter looks to change its emphasis to the ultimate goal for women in crisis: freedom. n SECOND SECTION

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Brattleboro, Vermont Wednesday, January 5, 2011 • Vol. VI, No. 1 • Issue #82

WINDHAM COUNTY’S AWARD-WINNING, INDEPENDENT SOURCE FOR NEWS AND VIEWS

News GUILFORD

‘Show me your hands. Down on the ground.’

ALLISON TEAGUE/COMMONS FILE PHOTO

Anniversary celebration kicks off with sledding, dance

Long-time Bellows Falls state representative Michael Obuchowski, who will resign his post to lead the state Department of Buildings and General Services.

Dramatic arrest sends customers scurrying for cover at Brattleboro Amtrak depot

page 5

Voices JOYCE MARCEL

Sadly, hate has a home everywhere page 6 VIEWPOINT

Winter in Vermont is something to be endured page 6 LETTERS

Tea party politics, libraries, and voter arithmetic page 6

Sports BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Colonels, Rebels both get off to a good start

A

Full

By Olga Peters The Commons

PLATE

Obuchowski resigns House seat for post in Shumlin administration; scramble begins to succeed veteran BF lawmaker

By Allison Teague

compensation claims, and all of the state’s printing and postal services, to name just a few of the tasks that Obuchowski will oversee.

ELLOWS FALLS—Michael “It’s a big agency, and he’ll have his plate Obuchowski of Bellows Falls, who full,” Shumlin said. has represented the Windham 4 House district since 1973, was New responsibilities asked last month by incoming Gov. When Shumlin spoke with Obuchowski iniPeter Shumlin to take the position of commis- tially, he told Obuchowski that he planned to sioner of the state Department of Buildings and emphasize energy conservation and greater use General Services. of renewable energy resources.

Obuchowski resigned his House seat last week “I don’t think Vermonters really understand to take the post, touching off a scramble to suc- how much Vermont’s Legislature has accomceed the longtime lawmaker. plished in this regard,” Obuchowski said.

In a phone interview on Friday, Shumlin said “Vermont is the state that leads by example in of Obuchowski that “no one is smarter, works energy use and renewable resources,” Shumlin harder or has the tenacity of fighting for people said by phone. without a voice.”

Obuchowski said that part of Shumlin’s emShumlin added that “Obie was one of my po- phasis on efficiency and conservation includes litical mentors. Looking historically, he’s been making sure that space in state buildings is used a model legislator.” in the best way.

Obuchowski said he got a crash course on “There is a lot of vacant space that taxpaywhat the Department of Buildings and General ers are paying for,” Shumlin said, adding that Services does during a visit to Montpelier last he knew to expect “fiscal discipline on the job” week. from Obuchowski.

“I just dropped by and ended up staying all This may be one of the biggest reasons day,” said Obuchowski.

Shumlin tapped Obuchowski. Shumlin has The department manages many state prop- said he intends to make fiscal responsibility at erties, the state’s fleet of vehicles, workers’ n SEE OBUCHOWSKI, PAGE 3 The Commons

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according to Patton, who had seen him earlier. He said Doutre had a reservation for the Vermonter.

“Someone made a mistake, and called the police,” said Patton.

Police will not comment on who made the call, or where it originated.

It is unclear whether Patton knew whether Doutre had threatened to shoot anyone.

“It only takes one person to perceive it as a threat to make it criminal,” said Brattleboro Police officer Chad Emery, who responded to the scene along with officers David Godinho and David Cerreto, and two state troopers from the Brattleboro barracks.

Margaret Shipman, exhibits and events manager for the Brattleboro Museum and Arts Center, which is housed above the Amtrak waiting room, said that she watched the events unfold beneath her office window.

She said she heard yelling.

“Show me your hands! Down on the ground!” is what she said n SEE AMTRAK, PAGE 2

Three Brattleboro Selectboard seats open

By Olga Peters

P.O. Box 1212, Brattleboro, VT 05302 www.commonsnews.org

SUSAN ALPERT/COMMONS FILE PHOTO

Police Chief Eugene Wrinn.

Let the race begin

page 12

Vermont Independent Media

BRATTLEBORO—A routine afternoon train stop turned interesting for some, and terrifying for others, after Brattleboro and Vermont State Police arrested Donald Doutre for disorderly conduct.

Monday’s incident occurred around 5:30 p.m., while passengers waited for Amtrak’s northbound Vermonter to arrive.

According to Police Chief Eugene Wrinn, two Brattleboro police officers on patrol responded to a call at the Amtrak station of a man “threatening to shoot people.”

Wrinn said that a state trooper also responded to assist the officers.

Wrinn said Doutre, 44, of Brattleboro, appeared to be intoxicated. After his arrest, an officer took Doutre to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. The officer later called for assistance after Doutre became unruly in the emergency room, said Wrinn.

No weapons were found on him, said Wrinn. “[Doutre was] an alcoholic person who was getting unruly,” said Amtrak station manager Marshall Patton, who was there Monday afternoon.

Patton, who has worked at the Brattleboro station for three years, said Amtrak has a policy stating that drunken customers cannot board a train.

About once every five months, Patton turns an intoxicated passenger away.

Patton said he would have dealt with Doutre too, but was talking to other customers at the time.

Doutre did not appear drunk,

Stepping down from the Brattleboro Selectboard after their respective terms end this spring (clockwise from top): Jesse Corum IV, Martha O’Connor, and Darryl Pillsbury.

BRATTLEBORO—As the municipal election season begins, three Selectboard seats are open, and hopefuls are ready to toss their hats into the ring.

Selectboard members Jesse Corum, Martha O’Connor, and Daryl Pillsbury have decided not to run for re-election this year, freeing two one-year seats and a three-year seat.

“I got other things to do,” said Jesse Corum, of his decision to step down after serving three one-year terms.

Corum said he had a lot on

his plate. The practicing attorney with Corum, Mabie, Cook, Prodan, Angell & Secrest, PLC, called from his office Monday night and said he had about another hour’s worth of work.

Corum said he also planned to back off some of the volunteer positions that he holds in town.

He reported that his wife, Lynn Corum — who ran for state representative last year — is also stepping down from the Brattleboro Union High School District No. 6 board. According to Corum, the couple plans to sit back over the next year and decide what they want to do next.

Calls to O’Connor were not

returned by press time.

“I got burnt out,” said Daryl Pillsbury of his decision.

Pillsbury, who served eight years as a state representative and five years on the Brattleboro Selectboard, said he would probably run for the board again, but for now needed a break.

“It’s all good. I really do want to spend time with my wife (now that the kids are out of the house), and I really do want to watch my son play college lacrosse,” said Pillsbury.

Pillsbury also wants to devote more time working with Richard Davis for the Windham County n SEE SELECTBOARD, PAGE 2

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n Selectboard Heat Fund, a charity that helps people buy heating fuel. He will also continue work on a campaign to decriminalize marijuana in Vermont.

He said that rude and inconsiderate calls from the public were the root cause of the burnout.

Pillsbury said that, in general, he loves hearing from residents, and that he receives satisfaction from helping people, “especially those who don’t feel they have a voice.”

He also felt that listening to callers was a must, because if they took the time to call regarding town business, then it must

FROM PAGE 1

be important to them.

But, during a number of recent phone calls, some residents called Pillsbury names like “corrupt” and “racist.”

“It felt overwhelming for me,” said Pillsbury.

Pillsbury believes he should hold himself to a high standard of conduct because of his public position. Yet he was finding it harder and harder to hold his tongue during discourteous conversations.

A small group of very vocal people got to me, he said.

“Every decision you make pisses someone off,” Pillsbury joked.

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COURTESY PHOTO

John VanDyke Wilmerding Jr., a freelance German translator, will seek election to the one-year Selectboard term.

n Amtrak she heard.

From her window overlooking the train platform, she saw officers with rifles and people hiding between parked cars. She couldn’t see Doutre.

“Nobody knew anything,” she said.

Shipman went back to her desk. About 10 to 15 minutes later, she said she heard a man yell, “I need to go to rehab.”

She describes the situation as “fascinating.”

“I felt pretty safe up here,” she said.

Judy Berger Tharp of Putney witnessed the action unfold while she waited to pick up her 15-year-old son, who was riding the train back from visiting his father in New Jersey.

She described feeling “bewildered” and “in limbo” because officers left without telling witnesses what had happened or whether they were safe.

Tharp said that she arrived late to pick up her son. Moments before the police appeared, she said she asked Doutre whether

the train had arrived.

She said there seemed “nothing remarkable” about him. To Tharp, he seemed “friendly and smiling.”

When she heard an officer’s “booming voice” and saw the guns, which she’d never seen in public before, she said she hit the pavement.

“I’m not going to stand here being a gawker,” she thought.

“Criminals don’t care.”

Tharp felt bewildered and “stressed” because she feels that the officers didn’t take any measures to protect the public. She said no instructions were given to the crowd, and that the officers didn’t get witness statements or tell people it was safe to leave.

Luckily, she said, no one panicked, or people could have been hurt.

“It was a free-for-all. There was no beginning or end. It didn’t feel orchestrated. Nothing seemed official,” said Tharp, who wondered if she’d been caught in the middle of a film shoot.

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Pillsbury hopes residents give the upcoming board members the benefit of the doubt.

“Please give them space.

Those people are stepping up to the plate. None of us are knowit-alls,” he said.

Pillsbury cautions that serving in government is harder than most people realize. The first time he served in the Legislature, he went with an agenda. He soon discovered, however, that he represented a whole town and not just his personal to-do list.

Still, he feels good about public life and his fellow Selectboard members.

“This is a good Selectboard, and the people of Brattleboro COURTESY PHOTO have been pretty darn good to Ken Schneck, dean of students at Marlboro College, me. Thank you to everybody,” has thrown his hat in the ring for a Selectboard seat. he said. people would run for the open proposals and projects the Joining the fray seats because “two is not Selectboard has shot down over Town elections will be enough.” the past year.

Tuesday, March 1. To get their “It is with great pride and “I don’t want the town to sit names on the ballot, residents much excitement that I submit on a fence on an important projneed to file a petition, signed by my name as a candidate for the ect,” said Wilmerding, about 30 registered Brattleboro voters, three-year Selectboard position potential projects like refurbishwith the Town Clerk’s office no for which a vote will be held ing, or not, the Chestnut Hill later than 5 p.m. on Monday, on March 1, 2011,” Schneck Reservoir, or deciding on the Jan. 24. Residents can obtain wrote on his Facebook page Ken final location of the town skate blank petitions from the Town Schneck for Selectboard. park.

Clerk’s office in the Municipal “I spent the past decade emWilmerding, who has an Center. powering students to step up and MBA, wants to save the town At press time, two residents use their voice to create positive money and describes himself as had contacted Town Clerk community change, and now I “pro-business.” He said that he Annette Cappy for petitions. want to do the same on behalf would consider every reasonable Ken Schneck has put his name of the Brattleboro community,” effort to attract new business to in for the three-year term va- wrote Schneck.

Brattleboro, but is not sure he cated by O’Connor, while John Listeners of WVEW-LP, “wants to give away the store.”

Wilmerding looks to win a one- Brattleboro Community Radio, He wants to focus on loweryear term. might recognize Schneck as the ing expenses and improving how Cappy said she hoped more host of This Show is So Gay, a the town raises revenue. He also weekly, syndicated program listed “proactive planning” as an heard by over 20,000 listeners important issue. around the country.

To Wilmerding, proactive “I am fully prepared to ‘walk planning means “doing due dilFROM PAGE 1 the walk’ and use my own voice igence” when taking on projects in support of this community,” like the skate park, slotted for a Emery said that “if we leave, Schneck said about his role as a location near his home. things are probably over. Our Selectboard member.

Wilmerding, a former skatepriority was getting him away He wants to restore confi- boarder, said that large comfrom the scene.” dence in the municipal govern- munity projects such as the On a more sarcastic note, ment with a fresh perspective. skate park have ramifications for Tharp later wrote in an e-mail, Schneck is prepared to use all neighborhoods, such as changes “This being somewhat of a “free forms of new media, such as in noise level and changes in spirit” area of the country to live Facebook and podcasts, to keep traffic. in, perhaps law enforcement, not municipal communications Town departments and agenwanting to seem too “martial” transparent and to engage peo- cies must show that they’ve just gave a non-verbal communi- ple who can’t make it to Tuesday considered the consequences cation to the bystanders choosing Selectboard meetings. of these projects. He feels that to hide for their safety, that THE Schneck, Ph.D, is the dean of this is true even for projects that EVENT was over by signaling to students at Marlboro College. he thinks are necessary, like the the train engineer the train could He is passionate about students’ skate park is for area youth. resume it’s route and arrive at the health, specifically around subHe believes that the current station. It WORKED, everyone stance abuse, working with Selectboard often takes a “reseemed to assume IT was over lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans- active” approach to issues. He when the train arrived and pas- gender (LGBT) students, and hopes, if he is elected, to take sengers disembarked.” finding ways for students to ex- a more “proactive” approach, She said Patton handled the press themselves through either and to explore issues and projsituation better, and made her creating student radio stations ects even after someone from feel a little safer. or new media. the town presents them with She plans to call a friend who He has won awards for his the caveat of “this is what we’re works for the Bellows Falls dissertation which studied the locked into.”

Police Department to get his connection between how adoWilmerding, an avid recypoint of view, hoping that it will lescents used “that’s so gay” and cler, takes advantage of the put her mind at ease. the safety of LGBT students in W S W M D ’ s C o m m e r c i a l “My thoughts and feelings school.

Organic Waste program (Project about the law enforcement conSchneck chairs the Town COW), and stood from the start cerning how they apparently had Arts Committee and produced against the town adopting a payno verbal command over the by- Notes for Life, a 2009 concert at as-you-throw trash system. He standers makes me feel less pro- the Latchis Theatre benefiting would like to see the town push tected. They should have given the AIDS Project of Southern recycling. He also thinks that the instruction and direction,” said Vermont and the San Francisco Vermont Yankee nuclear power Tharp.

AIDS Foundation. plant in Vernon should be shut Emery said that Doutre made He plans to host a number of down on schedule in March threats inside the station. “Just “meet Ken” events throughout 2012, if not sooner. because some people didn’t hear January and February.

In addition to running for something, others did,” he said.

Town Meeting Representative, After his trip to the emergency Third time lucky?

Wilmerding said that he origiroom, Doutre, who has had past T h i s y e a r w i l l m a r k nated Vermont’s Restorative court appearances, was held at Wilmerding’s third run for the Justice Centers, a concept he the Brattleboro police station Selectboard. proposed in a paper published until he was sober, police said.

“The community might need in a corrections industry journal He was charged with disor- me, what I have to say, and I re- in the late 1990s. derly conduct, resisting arrest, ally want to serve,” Wilmerding Wilmerding said he intends and violation of his pre-existing said. to run a “spirited” campaign conditions of release.

Wilmerding has been con- and feels reasonably hopeful the “Conditions of release” refers cerned with the number of Brattleboro voters will elect him. to a list of behaviors or conditions, like no drinking or maintaining a curfew, outlined by a to stay out of prison. respond with a variety of weapjudge that a person must meet According to Brattleboro ons or tactics, depending on Police, Doutre will answer the the incident, adding officers Jan. 3 charges at a later date. didn’t know what, if any, weapon Wrinn said that when the de- Doutre had, or where he would partment receives a shooting be by the time they arrived to threat, its standard procedure the station. is to arrive on the scene quickly, “We want a weapon for standassess the situation by gathering off distance,” said Chief Wrinn, information at the scene, and about the rifles and shotguns that then resolve the incident safely. some witnesses say they saw ofHe said that officers might ficers carrying.

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THE COMMONS

NEWS

• Wednesday, January 5, 2011

BELLOWS FALLS n Obuchowski all levels of state government a priority for his administration.

With nearly every state agency seeing cutbacks over the past couple of years, Shumlin said that finding more efficient ways of conducting state business will be one of Obuchowski’s prime goals.

“Mike has given 100 percent to every assignment he’s been given over the years,” said Administration SecretaryDesignee Jeb Spaulding. “His background in government, knowledge of finances, and unparalleled work ethic will be valuable in this position."

“We’re in the process of putting together the capital bill [of approximately $79 million] that authorizes bonding for projects for the Governor-elect,” Obuchowski said. He said he intends to have that on Shumlin’s desk soon after he officially takes office on Jan. 6.

“My job is going to be assuring that Vermonters get the biggest bang for their buck,” Obuchowski said.

Obuchowski said that in discussions with Shumlin, his immediate goals will be communication and management.

“I’ll be in a listening period [in the beginning]… trying not to interject my thoughts or preconceived notions without having a basis in fact,” Obuchowski said.

He noted that he intends to have an open door policy that is “…very hard to [actually] accomplish … listening to people and taking in what they have to say seriously and not just going through the motions. I hope to be transparent and inclusive in my management style.”

He said he intends to be clear about what he expects from employees “so they can be corrected

FROM PAGE 1

if they veer from course.”

A big transition

Obuchowski said that after Spaulding stepped down from his post as state treasurer to become Shumlin’s Secretary of Adminstration, he wanted to be Spaulding’s successor.

“I put my name in,” Obuchowski said, “but by then, it was a fait accomplit. I just told myself, ‘OK, just get on with your work, Obie.’”

Of Shumlin’s appointee to replace Spaulding, former Deputy Treasurer Beth Pearson, Obuchowski said, “She’s a crackerjack — an exceptionally bright, talented individual. Treasury issues can be pretty esoteric and dry, but Beth has one helluva personality. I think they’re going to really enjoy her.”

Shumlin’s offer to lead the Department of Buildings and General Services “came out of the blue,” according to Obuchowski. “I was frankly befuddled [at first] by the offer, but now I’m elated and overwhelmed, but mostly elated.”

Obuchowski said that, when he was asked to take the position, he asked Shumlin whether he could have a few days to decide. Because the discussion was highly confidential, Obuchowski was given a list of people he could talk to about the pros and cons of taking on the job.

“I talked to confidantes and people from his list,” he said. “I got their opinions.”

“I encouraged him, but I knew no one was going to tell him what to do,” Shumlin said.

“He thinks for himself. He has put heart and soul into working for the people of Rockingham, Athens, and Windham. It was a tough decision.”

But Shumlin also said that his being the first governor in 40 years from southern Vermont meant that he wanted as many people from the area around him as possible “so we don’t forget where we came from. Vermont doesn’t end south of Route 4,” he quipped.

Obuchowski said that he considers his Windham-4 constituents family.

“Over the years, you get to know people,” he said. “People trusted me with some pretty personal information, talking to me as if I were part of their family.”

That perspective will just broaden, he said, to include his new employees and the several hundred thousand Vermonters he is sure he will be hearing from in his new position.

He is clear that ties to his constituents will not be completely severed. He is confidant that his former district mate, Rep. Carolyn Partridge, D-Windham, is more than up to the job of covering any gaps he leaves behind.

“She is a competent legislator, and constituents should have no hesitation in relying on her for the same things they relied on me for,” Obuchowski said.

“I’m going to miss him very much,” said Partridge on Friday.

“He and I have worked together for 12 years. He has been a colleague, a mentor, and a very good friend, so I am definitely going to miss him as my district mate.”

“That being said,” Partridge continued, “I am really delighted for him and his own personal situation that this job sort of fell into his lap. He did not pursue it. Shumlin recognized what a great worker he is. He now has a wife [Clare Buckley, whom he married this

United Way of Windham County awards grants to local agencies BRATTLEBORO—The United Way of Windham County recently renewed its funding grants to 19 local agencies, for a six-month funding period.

As these grants were awarded, United Way of Windham County’s annual community campaign is currently underway. To date, United Way has raised more than 60 percent of its $560,000 campaign goal through employee campaigns at local businesses and through individual gifts.

“We are hopeful that we’ll reach our goal by the end of February,” said Derby as she noted the campaign had seen a lull in the past few weeks.

“As the days get colder and the snow starts to fall, a lot of people are reminded of folks in the

community who are struggling.

It’s a time when people are inspired to invest in the important work being done by United Way and our partners.”

The organizations funded

by United Way of Windham County have a variety of important focuses, ranging from food and shelter to health and education.

In addition to Vermont Adult Learning and Morningside Shelter, United Way also awarded grants to AIDS Project of Southern Vermont, Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro, Brattleboro Area Drop In Center, Brattleboro Area Hospice, Council on Aging for Southern Vermont, Inc., Families First, Health Care and Rehabilitation Services, Our Place Drop In Center, Parks

Place Community Resource Center, Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, Green Mountain RSVP, SEVCA, The Gathering Place, Vermont Adult Learning, Visiting Nurses Association & Hospice of Vermont & New Hampshire, Windham Housing Trust, and Youth Services.

To make a donation or pledge to United Way of Windham County contact the office at United Way, 28 Vernon St., Suite 312, Brattleboro, VT 05301, 802-257-4011, ext. 112, or e-mail info@unitedwaywindham.org.

Through its community grant awards and programs, United Way of Windham County currently serves 19,500 people in Windham County. Visit www. unitedwaywindham.org for more information.

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summer] and two-month-old twins [Nora and Jack, who were born in November] who live in Montpelier, so it fits beautifully.”

Partridge said that Obuchowski has offered to help with any constituent issues that he started and that she will have to take over.

“I suspect we will maintain our friendship,” Partridge said.

“We’ve talked about exercising in the morning and maybe having breakfast. He’ll be working just across the street.”

“Essentially, I would not have the opportunity I have chosen to take on without the support [of the voters]. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them,” Obuchowski said.

Shumlin said he understood moving to Montpelier for Obuchowski was a big decision but “working there 365 days a year” meant getting home to Bellows Falls on weekends would be tough.

Obuchowski said that “the ability to be together more as a family” had something to do with his decision.

“The money side of the ledger, honestly no,” he said, adding that “the responsibilities did,” referring to both his new post and his family.

Obuchowski said he will be “gradually” moving to

3 Montpelier over the next few months.

Asked if he shed any tears once he had made his decision, he said unabashedly, “Sure.”

Filling his seat

According to Obuchowski and Windham County Democratic Chairman Lamont Barnett of Rockingham, Shumlin asked for three names he can pick from to fill Obuchowski’s vacated seat. Obuchowski and Partridge easily won re-election last November to represent the district.

Barnett, owner of the Rock and Hammer Jewelry store in Bellows Falls, said that he is considering putting forward his own name.

Anne DiBernardo, who is currently serving on the Rockingham Selectboard, said that she was also considering putting her name forward.

Other names have been floated and all may be discussed in a meeting scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 8, in Rockingham.

Details are still being worked out, Barnett said. “Nothing is for sure yet.”

Barnett said that his years of public service and work in the community qualify him for the position. He said that his focus would be on jobs, taking a look

at more friendly tax codes for businesses, highway signage to promote the local businesses, and bolstering the infrastructure of the region. He specifically wants to see the Vilas Bridge project put on the fast track with “maybe some sort of cooperative Vermont-New Hampshire legislative committee, since [New Hampshire] owns the bridge.”

He also said he is a “huge single-payer health care supporter” and would be “excited to be involved in the process of helping to shepherd that into law.”

DiBernardo said that serving on the Selectboard qualified her for the position as well, but admitted that she thought that “Monty would be a good candidate for the seat.”

But her concerns and involvement in issues of homelessness and child care give her application legitimacy as well, she said.

“There’s just a difference between the sexes on what our focuses are,” she added.

Partridge, Obuchowski, and Reed Webster will chair the caucus of 30 to 40 members, discuss names put forward, vote on three, and send them on to the Shumlin administration following their Jan. 8 meeting at a time and place to be announced, Barnett said.

NEWS

4

THE COMMONS

• Wednesday, January 5, 2011

MILESTONES Births, deaths, and news of people from Windham County the Big Red Barn for many years. He was great for knowing “what’s this” when anyone asked. Was an avid gar Editor’s note: The Commons will dener and loved his flowers, and was publish brief biographical information for a member and faithful trustee of the citizens of Windham County and others, First Baptist Church in Bellows Falls on request, as community news, free of for more than 50 years. MEMORIAL INFORMATION : A funeral service charge.

• T h o m a s was held Dec. 23 at the First Baptist E d w a r d Church in Bellows Falls. Donations “ T o m m y ” to the First Baptist Church, 9 Church Finnell, 47, of Sr., Bellows Falls, VT 05101 or to a Putney. Died Dec. charity of choice.

21 at the home of • Nicholas Gladke, 85, of his sister, Kathleen Spofford, N.H. Died Dec. 23.

Babbitt, and her fi- Husband of Helen Chomitz for 51 ancé, Mike Lowe, years. Father of Nicholas Stephan with whom he resided with for the of Spofford; Darlene Bialowski past several years. Son of the late of Spofford; Helena Queenie of Michael and Theresa (LaValley) Wilmington and Mountain Village, Finnell. Brother of Brian Scott Finnell Ark.; and Nikola Gladke of Spofford. of Westminster West. Predeceased Born in Yonkers, N.Y., the son of by a brother, Roderick Finnell. Born Russian immigrant parents Stephan in Brattleboro and attended the for- and Eva (Tutko) Gladke. Attended mer Francis Hicks School and was Pace University before serving in the a graduate of Brattleboro Union Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945 as High School. While in high school, a B-29 tail gunner in the 881st Bomb Tommy served as an assistant man- Squadron during World War II. He ager for the boys’ varsity baseball, flew in many missions over Japan, football, and basketball teams, a po- receiving decorations and citations. sition that he continued for more He was lost at sea for four days in than 25 years. He also assisted the the Mariana Islands when his plane local American Legion baseball was shot down, but he and his crew teams during that time. In conjunc- all survived. Worked for Armour tion with his love for local sports, he Meat Packing Co. in New York was an avid Boston Red Sox, Boston and purchased the Hillside Tavern Celtics, and New England Patriots in Yonkers, N.Y., operating it until fan. Up until his illness prevented 1964. Later, he and his family moved him from working, he had been em- to Brattleboro, and they purchased ployed at Fleming Oil Company on and operated the former Alfredo’s Putney Road. MEMORIAL INFOR- Restaurant in Brattleboro, renaming MATION: A funeral Mass was held it the Lamplighter Inn. The restauon Dec. 27 at St. Michael’s Roman rant, which he operated until he reCatholic Church in Brattleboro, tired in 1989, received many awards, with burial in the Finnell family lot was featured in an issue of Ford in St. Michael’s Parish Cemetery. Times magazine, and was locally Donations to the BUHS Varsity known for its piano bar and weekend Sports Program, 131 Fairground player. He enjoyed gardening, keepRoad, Brattleboro, VT 05301, Attn: ing the grounds of the inn perfectly Chris Sawyer. Condolences may be manicured, oftentimes not letting sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at guests know that he was the owner www.atamaniuk.com. and not the gardener. He also enjoyed • M a r y C. Fo l s o m , 8 0 , of wine making and playing golf. He was West Townshend. Died Dec. 26 at a member of the VFW, American Thompson House in Brattleboro. Legion, Shriners, and Masons, as Wife of the late Hugh C. Folsom for well as various restaurant associanearly 47 years. Mother of Hubey tions. M E MOR I A L I N F OR M A Folsom of Brattleboro; Cathy Folsom TION: Burial in Freidsam Cemetery of Dayton, Ohio; and Elizabeth in Chesterfield, N.H., will take place Folsom of Newton, Kan. Sister of in the springtime. Condolences may William S.. Calkin of Golden, Colo.; be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home Hannah S. Parris, of Modesto, Calif.; at www.atamaniuk.com.

• Byllee Kern Lloyd Gould, and Abigail B. Calkin, of Gustavus, Ark. She was born in Framingham, 94, of Newfane. Died Dec. 29 at Mass., graduated Walnut Hill School Westwood Care Center in Keene, in 1947, and graduated from Mount N.H. Wife of the late Aubrey H. Holyoke College in 1951. She, her Lloyd and the late Donald P. Gould. husband, and his parents started Mother of Alane Perkins of Newfane Windham Hill Inn in 1962, selling and Jean Casceillo and her husit in 1978. She oversaw a huge gar- band, David, of Fairfield, Conn. den and cooked gourmet meals for Stepmother of James Lloyd of her many guests. Having traveled all Plain City, Ohio; Donald Lloyd of over the nation, she favored protect- Dudley, N.C.; Barbara Foreit of ing our environment, national parks, Norwalk, Conn.; Patricia Brovender and open spaces and fostered a love of Stratford, Conn.; and Audrey for the outdoors and all of nature. Buchner of Riverside, Fla. Survived MEMORIAL INFORMATION: No by 22 grandchildren and 26 greatgrandchildren. Born in Silvermine, services are planned.

• Alber t E. French, 85, of Conn., daughter of Ernest and Grace Westminster. Died Dec. 20 at Dickens Kern, graduated from his home. Husband of Jane Burney Winnepauck High School in 1934 for 57 years. Father of Gail Davis and later went on to Merrill Business of Saxtons River; Laurie and David School. As a young woman, she Noyes of Bellows Falls; Cynthia and worked for Connecticut Hardware Ron Cole of Pocomoke City, Md.; for several years and especially enand Thom and Hyon Suk “An” joyed modeling for the Silvermine French of Bellows Falls. Brother of artist community. MEMORIAL INMadeline Kinney of Bellows Falls FORMATION: A private graveside and Beatrice Perry of Cambridgeport. service will take place at Riverside Predeceased by siblings Bertha, Cemetery in Norwalk, Conn.

• Roswell Gilderdale Hebard, Hattie, Robert, Clifford, and Richard.

Attended schools in Westminster 88, of South Royalton. Died Dec. West. Worked for Vermont Copper 20. Husband of Nancy (Donelson) Craft in Townshend and retired from Hebard for 55 years. Father of Bryant Grinder in 1985 after 36 years. Cristine Carabeau and her husHe was a dealer at Newfane Flea band, Larry, of Tinmouth; Mary Market, Stone House Antiques, and Fifield and her husband, Gary, of

Obituaries

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Predeceased by his sister, Claire Dill.

Born in Ashfield, Mass., educated in a one-room schoolhouse in Colrain, Mass., and graduated from the former Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls, Mass. Served in the Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Was self-employed all of his life, he dairy and tree farmed in Guilford from 1950-1956 and 1956 to 1968 in Whitingham. The family later moved to their farm to South Royalton, where he raised Herefords, strawberries, and vegetables, produced maple syrup, and ran a two-man sawmill for more than 35 years. He had a keen intellect and a quick, dry sense of humor. Gardening was his passion.

M EMOR I A L I N FOR M AT ION : A funeral service was held Dec. 27 at the Royalton Academy Building in Royalton. A private burial will be held at a later date at the request of the family. Donations to South Royalton Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 204, South Royalton, VT 05068.

in Springfield. She was a very successful coach and also officiated for many years in basketball, softball and field hockey. The “Dot Jones“ League for basketball was started in her honor with eight participating schools. She was inducted into the Bellows Falls Hall of Fame. After she retired from teaching, she served the town of Hartford for 17 years as lister and nine years as a Hartford Town Library trustee. Was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Eastern Star, the Upper Valley Community Grange, Vermont Retired Teacher’s Association, Hartford Women’s Club, and Hartford Historical Society, which she served as president for many years. MEMOR IAL INFORM AT ION : A funeral service was held Dec. 28 at the Greater Hartford United Church of Christ, with burial in Hartford Cemetery. Donations to the Hartford Women’s Club, Box 331, Hartford, VT. Condolences may be sent to Knight Funeral Home at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.

18 years of service. M EMOR I A L I N FOR M AT ION : At the request of the family, there are no formal funeral services. Donations to the Whitingham Rescue Squad or the Whitingham Free Public Library, in care of Covey & Allen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.

of these trips, he became enamored of the Connecticut River valley of Vermont and purchased a farm in Westminster in 1964, which became a second home for his family and, ultimately, his retirement home. While in Westminister, he participated in the First Congregational Church, Westminster Cares, New England • Anthony Joseph Roy Jr., Kurn Hattin Homes, Westminster 25, of Guilford. Died unexpectedly Center School, and the Westminster at his home. Son of Anthony J. Roy Historical Society. He painted, in waSr. and Cindy Butterfield Molitoris. tercolors, every week until recently.

Brother of Denise Roy and Steve MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A meMolitoris Jr., both of Guilford. Born morial service is planned for Jan. 15, in Holyoke, Mass., and attended at 11:30 a.m., at First Congregational school in Brattleboro, where he also Church in Westminster. Donations worked as a cook and in the con- to the Westminster Fire and Rescue struction industry. He was a mem- Squad and the First Congregational ber of the Boy Scouts in Guilford, Church. and enjoyed camping, drawing tat• Stephen S. Stockwell, 58, toos, fishing, and hanging out with his of West Brattleboro. Died Dec. friends and family. MEMORIAL IN- 19 while visiting his son’s home.

FORMATION: A funeral service was Son of the late Sherman and Violet held Dec. 30 at Fenton & Hennessey (Robinson) Stockwell. Husband of Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.

Kathy Stockwell for 36 years. Father • E l e a n o r of Nicholas and Krystal (Johnson) B . S c o t t , 7 9 , Stockwell, of Williamsville; and Katie • Pastor Leonard Nadeau, of Brattleboro. Stockwell of Brattleboro.Graduated 72, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 19.

D i e d D e c . 2 4 from Brattleboro Union High School Son of Yvonne Nadeau and the a t H a r b o r s i d e in 1971, where he received the Harold late Armand J. Nadeau. Husband A p p l e w o o d E. Wagner Award. After working • R i c h a r d of Dr. Janice Winchester Nadeau Edward “Dick” for 52 years. Father of Laurinda, H e a l t h c a r e i n various jobs in town, he retired a H o u l e , 8 0 , of Michael, and Mark Nadeau. Brother W i n c h e s t e r , few years ago due to failing health.

B r a t t l e b o r o . of Armand J. Nadeau II, Betty Lou N.H. Wife of the M EMOR I A L I N FOR M AT ION : A D i e d D e c . 2 9 Whipple, Sylvia Heath, Paul Nadeau, late Kenneth Howe. Mother of memorial service was held Dec. 23 at Pine Heights and David Nadeau. Predeceased by a Terry Howe, and his wife, Linda, of at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home Nursing Home daughter, Cindy Nadeau Wetherby, Brattleboro; and Patti French, and in Brattleboro. Donations to St. Jude in Brattleboro. and a brother, Gary Nadeau. Served husband, Lester, also of Brattleboro. Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Husband of Ella five years in the Air Force and taught Sister of Dorothy Russocki of Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Cartin Houle for 33 years. Former high school English in Rutland for 14 Dayton, Ohio. Predeceased by a • K a t h e r i n e “ K a y ” D. husband of Paula Haynes. Father years. He served as a Lutheran pas- grandson, Nathaniel French, and a Widness, 92, of Sun City Center, of Kelly Parker and husband Milo tor at several churches in Minnesota brother, Robert Brown. Graduate Fla. Died Dec. 26. Wife of the late of Peterborough, N.H.; James and Wisconsin. Loved dancing, cook- of Brattleboro High School, Class John E. Widness for 58 years. Mother Houle and wife, Valerie, of Augusta, ing, storytelling, art, books, movies, of 1949. Worked in the cafeteria at of John “Jack” Widness and his wife, Maine; Rick Houle and wife, Judy, games, playing piano, and writing po- Brattleboro Union High School, re- Michaelanne, of Iowa City, Iowa; and of Tyngsboro. Mass.; Kevin Houle etry. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: tiring in 2003. Previously worked Karen Birch and her husband, Tom, and wife, Tirzah, of Brattleboro; A memorial service in Brattleboro is as a lens inspector at American of Prescott, Ariz. Born in Wilmington, and David Houle and wife, Kathy, pending for this summer.

Optical for 20 years. Was a longtime where her family operated a farm, resof South Portland, Maine. Stepfather • Rebecca B. Ohni, 79, a.k.a., member of First United Methodist taurant, and grocery store. She was of Thomas Churchill of Brattleboro Joseph Moses. Died Dec. 19. Former Church, the United Methodist the first in her family to attend coland Debbie Saltonstall of Severeville, husband of Anita Krochmal. Father Women’s Group. and held mem- lege, graduating from the University Tenn. Predeceased by siblings of Elan and Marc Moses. Born in bership in the American Legion Post of Vermont in 1940 with a degree Leonard Houle, Jerome “Jerry” Springfield, Mass., at age 14, he was 5 Auxiliary. MEMOR IAL INFOR- in home economics. She went on to Houle, and Jeanette LaBrecque. sent to Yeshiva in Brooklyn, N.Y., MATION: A funeral service was held receive a Masters in human nutriBorn in Ashuelot, N.H., the son of to become a Rabbi. He left at age Dec. 29 at First United Methodist tion from Iowa State University. She Oliver and Ora (Roy) Houle, he was 17 and hitchhiked across the United Church in Brattleboro, with burial first performed food research for the raised and educated in Ashuelot States. Upon returning, he put his in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. federal government and, after raisand was a graduate of Thayer High love of language and puns to work Donations to First United Methodist ing her two children, she went on to School in Winchester, N.H., Class writing ad copy. Completed both his Church, 18 Town Crier Drive, teach home economics and nutrition of 1949. Served in the Air Force for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Brattleboro, VT 05301. Condolences at the secondary school and junior more than 20 years, including dur- the University of Chicago in under may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral college levels. MEMORIAL INFORing the Vietnam Conflict, and was four years. Became a professor of Home at www.atamaniuk.com.

M AT ION : A graveside memorial • R o g e r service is planned for the summer in honorably discharged from active English at SUNY-Plattsburgh, and A . “ S p a r k y ” Riverview Cemetery in Wilmington. service in 1972. Worked as club man- later taught at Hunter and Baruch S p a r k s , S r . , Donations to CARE, The Salvation ager for American Legion Post 5 in College of CUNY. He was a writer in 72, of Newfane. Army, and United Community Brattleboro, and following his retire- many genres, including several chilDied Dec. 22 at Church in Sun City, in care of Covey ment, worked as a part-time cook at dren’s stories, one of which, The Great Samaritan Hospice and Allen Funeral Home, P.O. Box Hilltop House. Previously worked Rain Robbery, was published in 1975 at Virtua Memorial 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. as a cook at the former Lamplighter by Houghton Mifflin. During this Hospital in Mount Motel and Steakhouse, and at the time, he received his Ph.D for a thesis • Leona L. Holly, N.J. Former Wojtowitz, former Country Kitchen Restaurant, on George Meredith, later published 89, of East both in Brattleboro. Was a mem- as The Novelist as Comedian in 1983. husband of Mary Boyington and Dummerston. ber of American Legion Post 5 and His poem, Bar Ledge, was published Beverly LaVallee. Father of Deborah Died Dec. 26 VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post #1034. in The New Yorker in 1980. Upon Melendy and Donna Howland, both at DartmouthEnjoyed baseball and was an avid retiring from teaching, he rekindled of Winchester, N.H.; Roger Sparks, Hitchcock supporter of the Brattleboro Little his love of Judaism, received ordina- Jr., of Methuen, Mass., and Jonathan Medical Center in League program. MEMORIAL IN- tion as a Rabbi, and took leadership Sparks of Meriden, Conn. Stepfather Lebanon, N.H., FORMATION: A funeral Mass was of a congregation in New Castle, Pa., of Paula Ferguson of Jacksonville, held Jan. 3 at St. Michael’s Catholic where he served for three years. He Jerry O’Brien of East Dover, and two days prior to her 90th birthChurch in Brattleboro. Burial with then returned to a home he had pur- Joseph Sagendorf of Troy, N.Y. day. She was born in Brattleboro, full military honors in Mount Pleasant chased after retiring on the north- Brother of Harold “Sonny” Sparks of the daughter of Walter and Anna Cemetery in Putney will be held ern-most coast of Maine. In 2003, West Brattleboro and Harlan Sparks Zamrowski Woztowitz. At age 8, she in the springtime when the cem- he moved closer to his son Elan in of New Hartford, N.Y. Predeceased and her family she moved to Miller etery reopens. Donations to the southern Vermont. At 74, he made by a daughter, Amanda Rose. Born Road in East Dummerston. Graduate Brattleboro Little League program, a very courageous decision to let the at home on the family farm, Elm of Brattleboro High School, Class of in care of American Legion Post world know that he had always iden- Grove Farm, on Sept. 18, 1938, son 1937. She had been employed at the 5, Linden Street, Brattleboro, VT tified internally as a woman. For the of Harold and Hazel Perry Sparks. Windham District Court and pre05301. Condolences may be sent to last part of her life, she was known A lifelong resident of the area, he at- viously had worked as a secretary Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www. as Rebecca Ohni. She was greatly tended school in Newfane and was a for Dewitt Beverage in Brattleboro. atamaniuk.com. loved and respected by the mem- graduate of Brattleboro Union High She also assisted with the day to day • Dorothy Mock Jones, 89, bers of the Brattleboro Area Jewish School, Class of 1956. For many operation of her family’s farm on of Hartford, Vt. Died Dec. 21 at Community, who referred to her years, he served as lister for the town Miller Road. She was a member of her home in Hartford. Sister of the as Reb Rebecca, and were grate- of Newfane and also worked in nu- First Baptist Church in Brattleboro, late Col. Richard Mock. Graduated ful for her extensive knowledge of merous positions at Mount Snow in where she served as a trustee, and from Hartford High School, class of Torah and love of Jewish melodies. West Dover. He also operated the also served on the cemetery commis1939. She attended Posse School M EMOR I A L I N FOR M AT ION : A family farm, primarily raising beef sion for the town of Dummerston. on a basketball scholarship and memorial service was held Dec. 20 cattle. Also enjoyed haying for nu- For many years, she was a memearned a B.S. degree in Physical at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home merous clients in the Newfane/Dover ber of the Dummerston Historical Education at Temple University. in Brattleboro. Donations to any en- area. For many years, he wintered in Society. She loved music and was Coached and played semi-profes- vironmental cause one may support. Florida, owning homes in Titusville an accomplished vocalist. Enjoyed sional basketball for the Bellows Falls • B a r b a r a Po m o , 7 5 , of and Nims. MEMORIAL INFORMA- gardening, flowers, birds, especially Squaws. Taught physical education Whitingham. Died Dec. 18 at her TION : A funeral service was held cardinals, and her cats. She was preat Bellows Falls High School for 25 home. Wife of Jim Cormier of Dec. 28 at the East Dover Baptist deceased by four brothers: Walter, years and obtained a Master’s de- Whitingham. Mother of Michael Church, with burial in the family Jr., Albert, Theodore, and Daniel gree in guidance from Keene State Pomo of Preston, Conn.; Mitchell lot in South Newfane Cemetery. Wojtowitz. M EMOR I A L I N FORCollege. Was director of guidance Pomo of Jewett City, Conn.; Melissa Donations to Samaritan Hospice, 5 M AT ION : Funeral services were at Bellows Falls Elementary School Matylewicz of Montville, Conn. Born Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ held Dec. 31 at Atamaniuk Funeral for 14 years. An early equality advo- in Hartford, Conn., and attended lo- 08053. Condolences may be sent to Home in Brattleboro. Committal cate for women’s sports, she headed cal schools. Was the first female po- Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www. services and burial in the family lot the move for the first Vermont state lice officer for the Norwich, Conn., atamaniuk.com. in Dummerston Center Cemetery • Frank William Walter, 93, will take place in the springtime. girls’ basketball tournament, held Police Department, retiring after of Westminster. Died Dec. 22 at Donations may be made to a charity home. Husband of Muriel Holmes of one’s choice. and Karen Stookey-Witzig. Father of Amie, David, Leslie, and Roy Walter.

Southern Vermont Stepfather of Nancy Vezza and Births Gayle Cruces. Grew up in Queens, N.Y., and was a enthusiastic Eagle • In Brattleboro (Memorial Scout in his youth. Attended Pratt Hospital), Dec. 21, 2010, a son, Institute and Columbia Teachers Greyson Joseph Bellville , to College, earning a Masters in Art Lindsay (Sanford) and James Bellville Interior & Exterior Education. His first job in display of West Chesterfield, N.H.; grandarts was at Bliss Company, design- son to Allen Bellville, Susan Bellville, ing sets for Macy’s holiday windows. Loretta Sanford, and Theodore After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Sanford III. Army Air Corps and was a photo officer and navigator on B-17 and B-29s.

Following the war, he was a teacher School news in Roslyn, Long Island, N.Y., where he taught art and outdoor education • Ian Baker, son of Mr. and for 37 years. He made life his art, JOHN PENFIELD’S Mrs. James Francis Baker II of East and learning his pleasure. Sharing 558 Putney Road Brattleboro this was his mission. He loved to Dummerston, was named to the Fall 254-5411 travel and guided bicycle trips for Term 2010 Deans’ List at Choate Locally Owned For Over 35 Years!

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THE COMMONS

NEWS

• Wednesday, January 5, 2011

AROUND THE TOWNS Transition Putney opens Main Street office

Fireside evenings planned in Saxtons River

Compass School hosts information session on Jan. 11

PUTNEY — Transition Putney will open an office at 94 Main Street, starting Jan. 10.

The office will be open about 15 hours per week, and volunteers are sought to help run it.

Contact paull@sover.net or 802387-4102 for information.

Transition Putney is also seeking donations for an ongoing free magazine swap. If you have magazines like Yes, Ode, Community Living, Utne, Mother Earth News, Orion, etc. that you would like to donate, stop by the office.

They will also be selling books from Chelsea Green Publishing. Sample titles include The Transition Handbook

by Rob Hopkins, Radical Homemakers by Shannon Hayes, and Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability

by David Holmgren.

SAXTONS RIVER — Main Street Arts and the Saxtons River Historical Society are hosting a series of informal evenings at the Saxtons River Inn to share stories about the village’s past and present.

The public is invited to gather around a roaring fire in the inn’s parlor Mondays beginning Jan. 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., for the four-week series that will use maps, artifacts, photographs, and documents from the historical society’s collection to spark discussion. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own memorabilia to share.

The group will determine each week’s theme, with possible topics: • Main Street, Then and Now: What’s still here? What’s gone?

• Family Photos: What do they tell us about social order, clothing, history, architecture? Do you have one?

• We’ll Be Damned: Saxtons River as a mill town.

• What Is It?: Weird artifacts we have known.

• People Come and Go: How has the population of Saxtons River changed? What is your experience as a native, transplant?

• Entertainment: What’s new?

What’s old? Sports, theater, tire burning.

Meetings will also be held Jan. 17, 24 and 31, with participants welcome to come to all or any in the series. Appetizers and a cash bar will be available. Donations are welcome. Further information is available by contacting Main Street Arts at 802-8692960, MSA@sover.net, or www.

MainStreetArts.org.

WESTMINSTER — Compass School, fostering a love of learning for students in grades 7-12, is hosting an open house for interested students and their families on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m.

Compass School prides itself on developing “good students and good people,” with over 90 percent of its graduates going on to college. To learn more about the school, come to the Open House, visit www. compass-school.org, or call at 802-463-2525. Compass is located on Route 5, just south of Bellows Falls.

Give blood, and get free coffee BRATTLEBORO — To celebrate National Blood Donor Month and help increase awareness about the need for blood, Dunkin’ Donuts and the American Red Cross are teaming up for the fourth annual “Give a Pint, Get a Pound” campaign, which provides a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee to all presenting blood donors at Red Cross blood drives in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont during the month of January.

The monthly First Thursday blood drive in Brattleboro is Jan. 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Elk’s Home on Putney Road.

Healthy people 17 and older may donate. Positive ID is required.

To find other donation sites during the month of January, call 800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.

Classes show how to recycle, re-purpose plastic bags BRATTLEBORO — Learn to make a strong, colorful and multi-purpose carrier using everyday plastic bags and the simple technique of crochet. No experience is necessary.

The classes, taught by Jackie Abrams, will be held on Tuesdays — Jan. 11, 18, and 25 — from 6-8 p.m., at Knit or Dye at 41 Main St. The cost is $30 for all three classes, with proceeds benefiting the Brattleboro Food Shelf.

Space is limited. To register and receive further details, contact Abrams at 802-257-2688 or at jackieabramsvt@gmail.com.

The classes are co-sponsored by the Brattleboro Food Co-op and Knit or Dye. Abrams has also been developing plastic bag crochet projects in Ghana. You can read more about them it at kamiami. blogspot.com.

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Hello there! My name is Rosie and I’m just the most beautiful purebred Maine Coon Cat. I love taking naps on the couch and being pet real gently. I’m very social and love to be around people but I’m not one for being held too much. But I’ll try to have a conversation with just about anyone who stops by because I have alot to say! I’m afraid of dogs and am not a fan of cats either so I’ll need to be the only pet in my new home.

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My name is Doogal and I am one fine young hound boy! I was very scared when I first came to the shelter but I have been relaxing and now I am feeling much more comfortable with everything- its a lot to get used to let me tell you! Turns out I am a real love bug when I can relax- very loose, wiggly and silly!

I am housetrained and I also have some good basic manners under my belt. I do well with most other dogs but I get too excited about cats. Because I can be so shy I would do better in a home with adults who understand the nature of a shyer dog and can help me build up my confidence. Please come by for a visit- I would love to get to know you better!

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5

Community Conversation now meets twice a month BRATTLEBORO — Reflecting its growing popularity, the Post Oil Solutions-sponsored Community Conversation will be meeting twice a month beginning this month.

The Community Conversation is a faciliated discussion on how to make the greater Brattleboro area a healthier, more sustainable community. In addition its regular second Wednesday of

the month meeting on Jan. 12, POS tentatively plans a second meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month to accommodate others who haven’t been able to make the second Wednesday meetings.

Meetings start at 7 p.m., with social time and light refreshments at 6:30 p.m., at the Elliot Street Cafe, corner of Elm and Elliot streets.

Community Conversations are free, but donations are welcomed, and participants may bring a small refreshment item to share with others.

The Jan. 12 agenda will include a discussion of projects, as well as time for action groups and committees to meet. For further information, contact POS at info@postoilsolutions.org or 802-869-2141.

GUILFORD Guilford 250th anniversary celebration begins on Jan. 8 GUILFORD—The town of Guilford’s 250th anniversary celebration, a year-long series of events in 2011, kicks off with a day of free, family-oriented activities on Saturday, Jan. 8 from noon to 9:30 p.m. at two different venues in town.

From noon to 4 p.m., there will be a sledding party at Sportsmen’s, Inc. To reach the club, proceed about a mile on Guilford Center Road to the right turn onto Tater Lane, and very shortly take the right fork onto Creamery Road. The club is on the right at 2081 Creamery Road, just before the Brattleboro town line.

One of the goals of the celebration is to introduce people to neighborhoods and places which are not as familiar to many, and this will be one of two opportunities for townspeople to visit this club during the celebration year.

Compliments of club members, there will be hot chocolate, a bonfire, and the clubhouse will be open for bathrooms and warm-up. There is a pavilion from which the sledding slope starts, and they hope to have snowmobiles available to pull folks back up the hill, and keep the sliding compacted for ideal conditions. The club will also sell hot dogs and hamburgers throughout the afternoon.

The action then moves to Broad Brook Grange in Guilford Center for the evening. From 5 to 6:30 p.m., Grange members will host a chili supper for everyone. Chili con carne, turkey chili and vegetarian chili will be available, along with green salad, corn bread, beverages and other items.

From 6:30-9:30 p.m., there will be a family dance in the newly-heated big hall upstairs,

contras and squares with Andy Davis, caller and accordion; Laurie Indenbaum, fiddle; and Arthur Davis, piano. The Grange will offer baked goods for sale during the dance.

This dance is the first of a monthly series of dances in many genres that will be held at the Grange throughout this year. To reach the Grange, stay on Guilford Center Road, four miles from the Country Store.

The Grange is on the right as you enter the village of Guilford Center.

All events are admission-free on this day. At both venues, donations will be welcome for the Guilford 250th fund, and the Grange will as well have a donation box to help pay for the heat in the restrooms, vestibule and upstairs dance hall.

6

VOICES

THE COMMONS

• Wednesday, January 5, 2011

OPINION • COMMENTARY • LETTERS Join the discussion: voices@commonsnews.org EDITORIAL

Enter Shumlin

W

beginning of a new legislative biennium, and the inauguration of a new governor, this week is a festive one in Montpelier.

But the festivities will soon pass, and the reality of yet another difficult year for Vermont will soon become apparent to Gov. Peter Shumlin and the Legislature.

There’s still a projected deficit of about $150 million for fiscal year 2012, and tax revenues are still anemic. The federal stimulus money that propped up the last three state budgets will end.

While fewer people are out of work in Vermont than in other places around the nation, the state’s economy is still a long way from being healthy.

Any big plans by the Democratic majority in Montpelier will be tempered by these realities. Yet there is still pressure to undertake major reforms in health care, school financing, and taxation.

Dr. William Hsiao, who designed Taiwan’s health care system, among others, will soon present to the Legislature his report on what Vermont’s health care system should look like.

Three approaches to health care — single payer, public option, and a third option to be determined by Hsiao and his staff — will be considered by the Legislature in the upcoming session.

But Hsiao, a professor of economics at the Harvard University School of Public Health, made it clear to everyone that between trying to find a way to pay for it, and getting several waivers from the federal government. it might take at least a decade to achieve real change.

ITH THE

RANDOLPH T. HOLHUT/COMMONS FILE PHOTO

THE LEGISLATURE will also receive another report on a another major reform — changing Vermont’s tax system.

A three-member tax reform commission created in 2009 is expected to recommend changes, such as expanding the sales tax to include many consumer services, and finding a new way to assess the gasoline tax. Other proposed changes would eliminate deductions on mortgage interest, state and local taxes, and charitable contributions, in exchange for lower overall tax rates.

While the panel claims there will be no net increase in taxes from their proposed changes, it’s a safe bet that their proposals will come under immediate attack.

Education funding reform is a perennial issue at the Statehouse, and not much is likely to be done this session.

However, a proposal offered by Windham County Reps.

Ann Manwaring and John Moran would require legislators to vote on the statewide property tax rate as a standalone bill, rather than hiding inside the always-massive appropriations bill — a measure that represents some progress in the area of transparency in government.

Other big issues still looming include broadband expansion, a possible Senate re-vote on authorizing the Public Service Board to issue a Certificate of Public Good to Vermont Yankee, and fine-tuning the Challenges for Change blueprint for reorganizing state agencies and the delivery of services.

It’s going to be an incredibly challenging first year for Shumlin.

Fortunately, it looks like he has chosen a solid management team that can break away from the timidity and inertia of the past eight years and come up with new approaches to dealing with old problems.

Sadly, hate always has a home here

T

Dummerston

O ME, one of last

year’s more interesting news stories was about urine in a

library.

For those who don’t remember, in November, the Lamont Library at Harvard revealed that 36 books on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered issues (usually abbreviated as LGBT) were damaged by “what appeared to be urine,” according to The Harvard Crimson.

The predictable national uproar that followed — in newspapers, on talk shows, and all over the Internet — was over hate and hate crimes.

Obviously, some homophobic person had deliberately damaged the books. Obviously, that person or persons had to be caught, punished, held up as a bad example, and shunned.

Obviously, hate has no home here.

It was knee-jerk left against knee-jerk right, and gay rights against radical religion and God only knows what else.

That the incident happened during the debate over the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy might have triggered — on both sides — more than the usual fury.

After investigation by the Harvard University Police Department, it was revealed that a library employee had spilled a jar of urine, immediately cleaned it up, and later reported it. It was an accident.

The library announced that all 36 books would immediately be replaced.

Leaving aside the obvious questions of why this person (name withheld by the authorities) had a bottle of urine in the Lamont, how he or she managed to spill it, and why it happened in that particular section, the hate crime wasn’t even a prank, but an accident.

And the world continued on its merry way, jumping without apology from conclusion to conclusion, and mostly getting it wrong.

WHENEVER I see a sign or bumper sticker saying “Hate has no home here,” I sigh in frustration. Hate has a home everywhere.

Homosexuals are only the latest target for a free-floating kind of American anxiety.

The Obama presidency has brought out an ugly racism.

Anti-Muslim fervor is at an alltime high. Anti-immigrant hatred simmers. Anti-Semitism is again on the rise.

We appear to be living in

J OYC E MARCEL an era of knee-jerk hate. But hating the hater and feeling self-righteously good about yourself in the process is not the answer.

Hatred against a particular group — the “Other” — has been with us throughout all of recorded history. Only the victims change.

Whether you’re feeding Christians to lions, burning them at the stake, invading Muslim countries in the name of Christianity (a habit we Americans can’t seem to break), capturing and enslaving Africans, hanging their descendents from trees, using scimitars from horseback to attack Jews (the reason my grandparents fled to America), putting Jews in concentration camps and gas ovens, strapping bombs to the bodies of young women so they can blow up mosques, chopping people up with machetes, or beating up homosexual men and tying them to fences, the history of hate is long and terrifying.

Real hatred is always afoot, which is why we need to be careful about pointing our fingers.

Recently in Bellows Falls, for example, a barber refused to cut a black person’s hair because he was seemingly ashamed that he did not know how.

It was less a hate crime than a case of personal embarrassment. It was unfortunate and racial in nature, but not racist.

Picketing the barber shop with “Hate Has No Home Here” signs was at best unhelpful, and at worst overkill.

We need to separate human error from dangerous hatred.

We need a deeper understanding of human nature. We need nuance. We need to stop crying “Wolf!”

WHICH BRINGS ME to Brattleboro’s own Curtiss Reed Jr., a black man, an agent provocateur and the executive director of the Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity.

Reed recently stirred up a national-level storm when he suggested that the slogan of Republican Brian Dubie, one of the candidates in the recent Vermont gubernatorial

election, was at best tone deaf and at worst a hidden message of exclusion.

The slogan was “Pure Vermont.”

“For many Vermonters, the words denote racial, religious, and cultural oppression,” Reed said.

Dubie claimed he was only talking about maple syrup and cheese, but that just proved that he was fairly ignorant of Vermont history.

After all, he should have known that the state was a leader in eugenics back in the 1920s, advocating and carrying out sexual sterilization and internment for the poor, the Abenaki people, and the “feebleminded” who were the results of “bad heredity.”

Adolf Hitler was a follower of the movement and saw Vermont as an inspiration. The state’s nasty little social experiment continued for well over a decade.

Reed was doing his job when he called out Dubie on “Pure Vermont,” although I think that by personalizing the issue, he missed its deeper political meaning.

Dubie and many others of the state’s Republican elite have been furious for decades about another racial/religious minority that moved into Vermont in the 1960s, thrived here, and amassed a significant amount of influence, wealth, and power.

Although some of these newcomers have become international icons, like Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, one of them particularly enrages Republicans. That one — maybe you can guess? — is Bernie Sanders.

Not only is he a New Yorker and a Jew, but he’s a socialist who is beloved by most of Vermont and now represents the state in the U.S. Senate — a place that the wealthy elite believes is rightfully theirs. My guess is that even our outgoing governor, Jim Douglas, would run for the Senate if he weren’t certain that Bernie would wipe the floor with him.

Reed was right to call foul on “Pure Vermont.”

But then the Republicans — first on the local and then on the national level — called foul on Reed. It was about maple

syrup and cheese all along, they shouted.

Reed, who was also chair of the Vermont State Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, got bumped from the committee. Commissioner Gail Heriot actually had the nerve to say that she could not find in Reed “someone who actually has some expertise on civil rights.”

For a while, it looked as if Vermont — by raising a civil rights issue — would lose its voice with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Then the committee’s charter was renewed, but without Reed. Now there’s a write-in campaign to get Reed back on the committee.

WHETHER IT’S AfricanAmericans, Jews, Muslims, Native Americans, people with Down syndrome, gays, immigrants, or any other group that appears “different,” discrimination is always with us. Even in a place of such mixed heritage as America, there’s always another group to demonize.

As if on cue, last week I heard about a man from

Kentucky named Mark Cothren who shot a hairless animal because he “feared what it was, since he did not recognize it.” (On Gawker.com, some bright person left this comment: “Later, he shot a book.”)

It is part of human nature to fear the things we don’t recognize or understand, or that are different from us. Violence can be an extreme, but natural, result of that fear.

What can we do? We can thoroughly examine our own hearts and try to remove any traces of hatred and fear — people, glass houses, stones, and all that.

Then we must recognize the truth, which is that hate is as much a constant in our lives as love — perhaps more so.

Hate is easy; love is hard work.

Holding up a sign won’t help. n Joyce Marcel, a journalist and columnist, writes monthly for The Commons. You can reach her at joycemarcel@yahoo.com.

E S S AY

On winter in Vermont Townshend GARY GRINNELL contributes frequently to these pages. some people, it means skiing, sledding, and of extravagant despair. The long evenings in front of a cold and lack of light can trigwell-fed fire. ger a severe psychological reFor many working action in some.

Vermonters, winter is a test Others are undeterred by to be met with grim determiwinter. They take it as a chalnation. People who work out- lenge, a test of faith. For doors struggle through long a chosen few, winter only days loading lumber onto sharpens their determination. trucks or cutting firewood.

“Winter is the price you I LEARNED THIS many years pay for living here,” someone ago. It had to be one the coldonce told me. est days of the year — damp, Some places have riots, windy, and downright nasty. mudslides, or hurricanes.

The ground was covered with Vermont has winter. snow; the roads were a river For the back-road poor, of ice. winter is a nightmare. They I was surprised to hear a shiver under piles of old blan- knock at the door. It was a kets; pipes in shacks freeze, guy in a suit and tie. He wore then burst. Winter is where dress shoes and a thin topold cars go to die. There is coat. He was a Jehovah’s less work in winter and more Witness and he had driven expense. out on a subzero day to read For the homeless, winter is Bible passages to a total a disaster. The ragged armies stranger. of the night struggle in tents I watched him walk down or railroad cars. the driveway, and wondering For others, winter is a time at it all.

W

INTER. For

FLICKR USER PUTNEYPICS/CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE (BY)

He was driving a small, subcompact car with tires the size of dinner plates. The road he was headed down was nearly vertical and covered with ice as smooth as glass.

That is dedication, true commitment.

I doubt he knew how bad

the road was, and sometimes I wonder how he made it. It would have been easy to go off the road and finish upside down in the woods.

Who knows? Maybe he’s still here, spending another winter in Vermont. n

THE COMMONS

VOICES/ARTS

• Wednesday, January 5, 2011

ARTS CALENDAR

LETTERS FROM READERS

Mega-corporations, technology at the core of society’s woes

I

t’s interesting to me that the Tea Party types who are so agitated over governmental interference in their lives and constrictions of their freedom by unnecessary laws (and I heartily agree with that libertarian stand) show so little awareness of the much greater constriction of our freedoms under the ironfisted domination of the mega-corporations.

These mega-corporations rule that very government that the Tea Partiers conceive to be the problem.

Right in front of our faces and without any sleight of hand, the government took our money and gave it to the mega-corporations, without asking a thing in return.

So who ruled that transaction?

The mega-corporations, enormous institutions of banking and finance, with an accumulation of wealth greater than most nationstates, rule by using national governments as their hand puppets; by thrusting marketing in your face wherever you turn, filling every nook and cranny of our lives with demeaning slogans and jingles and robo phone calls designed to fire our imagination; by offering bad loans and seductive credit designed to build insurmountable personal debt, while withholding sensible loans that would assist small businesses to survive and grow; by outsourcing jobs and industry, while paying low wages, often without health benefits, to those dwindling employees (increasingly women who are compensated less than men) remaining stateside.

They rule. They win.

Yet the Tea Party faithful go on believing that “big government,” or the socalled “liberals” (a vague term defined by Fox News as a pantywaist elite who seek to sell out our hard-won freedoms by giving away the national treasury to insignificant foreign nations, useless science groups, NPR, and lazy welfare moms), or the Socialists (an even more hazy political entity that rules our Congress), or the United Nations (a sinister organization that seeks to establish a New World Order) — or all combined — are responsible for the diminishing quality of life (home, family, job), while the true perpetrators, the ruling class of the mega-corporations, skillfully direct our attention away from them by tossing us a hypnotic bouquet of cyber-goodies.

Yet, as Wendell Berry correctly observed, we can never make life better by technological means.

True, the techno-nonsense and nifty gadgets like cell phones that take pictures and play music and go bang in the night serve to foster in us a false impression that something is improving.

The only thing improving is the sale of Prozac and Wellbutrin.

When computer games and Facebook are substituted for lost jobs, we tend to “chill” even while those jobs disappear and the two-earner family is downsized to a oneearner family while our bills grow larger.

We pooh-pooh advertising, yet we are inundated by it.

We oppose war, yet we continue to pay war taxes and would jump for joy if only we could find a lucrative job in a war industry.

We ridiculed the nonsense of “weapons of mass destruction” and “axis of evil” and “mission accomplished,” yet we engaged with barely a protest in two huge, immoral wars of incalculable cost on the far side of the planet.

We make jokes about how everything is made in China, yet we buy everything that is made in China.

Hollywood directors and writers laugh at the crap they make, yet they continue to produce the same senseless, worthless shoot-’em-ups.

We called George Bush a buffoon even as he and his managers staged his re-election and proceeded to slash the taxes of the rich and the benefits of the poor and commence upon two loathsome wars while we guffawed at Saturday Night Live comic imitations of Bush malapropisms.

“Mammon” is a term from the New Testament, used to describe the brutal, mindless accumulation of material wealth, and the lusting after it, personified as a god or an idol. This false god, Mammon, piles up Everests of loot for the rulers of the mega-corporations and the parasitic so-called hedge funds that bet on their profits, leveraging we the people for a load of debt that we can never repay.

Hello, Tea Partiers.

Would you like to wake up and fight the real power? Or shall we continue along in drugged enchantment with our cyber-toys while awaiting someone else to make the revolution that will not be televised, but globally announced on Twitter?

Michael R. Marantz Jamaica

They don’t care, and we can’t add

F

I

f the article by Thelma O’Brien [“Newfane voters decide to keep zoning bylaws,” The Commons, Dec. 22] is correct, well over 100 of the “[m]ore than a third of the town’s 1,360 registered voters” that “drifted through the polling lines” must have done so without casting a vote!

It would take that many to make up for the 97 absentee voters not being there plus a few more to make more than a third of 1,360 (454).

More significant, I believe, is that the vast majority of the voters — two-thirds, in effect — voted “I don’t care.”

William J. Pearsall Richmond, N.H.

Music • Beaucoup Blue at Hooker-Dunham: Twilight

Music presents an evening of Americana and acoustic blues music with Beaucoup Blue, the Philadelphia-based father and son team of David and Adrian Mowry, at Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery on Saturday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m.

Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery is located at 139 Main St. in downtown Brattleboro.

Tickets for the show are $14, $12 for students and seniors.

For ticket reservations, and information, call 802-254-9276. For more information, visit www. beaucoupblue.com and www. hookerdunham.org.

• VOCO, House Blend come t o P u t n ey : The Grammar

School invites the community to a concert on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. with the world music quartet VOCO, featuring Vermont musician Moira Smiley, plus an opening set by the local singing group House Blend. Suggested donations at the door are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

The opening act, House Blend, is a community chorus based in Saxtons River that features a group of local musicians who are familiar to many of us in the area. Like VOCO, this chorus also travels the world of music, and celebrates cultural diversity through song.

Film • Winter foreign film series at MSA: Main Street Arts

will offer a winter foreign film series beginning Sunday, Jan. 9, at 7:15 p.m., with a showing of the French film Children of Paradise.

The films are designed to coincide with the community arts center’s foreign language potluck suppers, although nonpotluck attendees are welcome.

The series continues with the German film, Wings of Desire , on Jan. 16; Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams on Jan. 30; and the Mexican film The Exterminating Angel on Feb. 6.

French, German and Spanish potlucks precede their respective language’s films, but the Japanese showing features a one-time Japanese potluck beforehand at 6 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring a Japanese dish

to share and practice any knowledge they may have of Japanese.

Admission to any of the films is by donation. Each showing will feature a short pre-film commentary by John Wood, a Saxtons River poet and critic.

Children of Paradise (“Les Enfants du Paradis”), directed by Marcel Carné, was made during the Nazi occupation of France and released in 1945. It is the story of the beautiful courtesan Garance, a figure of the 1820’s Parisian theater scene, and the four men who love her: a mime, an actor, a criminal and an aristocrat. It has been described as the French answer to “Gone with the Wind” and was voted “Best French Film Ever” in a 1995 poll of 600 French critics and professionals.

Further information about the potlucks and the film series is available by contacting at Main Street Arts at 802-869-2960, MSA@sover.net, or visiting the Web site www.MainStreetArts. org.

inspire personal and community actions to increase the well being of people and the environment.

Each week, there will be two related events. A Wednesday lunch hour program will feature a short excerpt from a film and a conversation aimed at thinking together about steps we can take. This will be held at Brooks Memorial Library meeting room from noon to 1 p.m.

The Thursday evening program will include a viewing of the same film, but this time in its entirety, followed by a discussion.

This will be held at the Marlboro College Graduate Center, in Room 2 North, from 7-9 p.m.

The schedule of films are as follows: Peak Oil Imposed by Nature , Wednesday, Jan. 12 and Thursday, Jan. 13; Cuba’s

Accidental Revolution: Sustainable Agriculture , Wednesday, Jan. 19 and Thursday, Jan. 20; The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community, Wednesday, Jan. 26 and Thursday, Jan. 27; The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived • Documentary on justice Peak Oil, Wednesday, Feb. 2 and system: On Tuesday, Jan. 11, at Thursday, Feb. 3; The 11th Hour 7 p.m., in the Brooks Memorial – Solutions, Wednesday, Feb. 9 Library Meeting Room, the and Thursday, Feb. 10; and In Brattleboro Community Justice Transition 1.0, Wednesday, Feb. Center will show Road to Return, 16 and Thursday, Feb. 17.

a documentary to educate viewers on a national program which helps ex-prisoners return to society as productive citizens.

Road to Return documents the collaboration of a college professor and ex-con bank robber as they create the nation’s leading program for individuals leaving prison. Today, the program reduces likeliness of recidivism from 85 percent down to 5 percent among its participants, and proves that a compassion-driven response to justice is effective in reducing crime in the long term.

The independent film has won a number of awards, including Best Documentary at the 1999 Great Plains Film Festival.

Community members are invited to attend the showing at no charge and stay for a discussion afterward. Popcorn will be served. For more information, contact Erin Ruitenberg at erin@brattleborocjc.org or 802-251-8140.

• Po s t o i l f i l m s e r i e s :

Beginning on Jan. 12, Post Oil Solutions and the Marlboro Graduate Center MBA in Managing for Sustainability will co-sponsor Inspiring Actions, a six-week series of films and discussions whose purpose is to

The series is free, but donations will be accepted to help cover expenses. For information, call Laurel Green, 802-275-4646 or visit www.postoilsolutions. org.

Performing arts • Shakespeare Unrehearsed at NEYT: New

England Youth Theatre’s Alumni Association pays homage to its parent organization and explores new theatrical ground with the upcoming production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, an “unrehearsed” version of one of the Bard’s most fanciful and enchanting comedies (and also NEYT’s first-ever production).

This perennial favorite follows the antics of four young Athenian lovers as they stumble into the forest realm of two feuding fairfolk deities.

Shows will be at 7 p.m. on Jan. 8 and 9. All proceeds will be donated to NEYT’s “Angels in the Wings” scholarship fund.

Tickets will be sold only at the door, and will be by donation.

The suggested donation is $10 to help support NEYT’s current students.

Lectures • Native culture and contemporary art: Embodying Native

Culture: The Dance of Tradition and the Contemporary, a discussion with

Native Alaskan choreographer Emily Johnson,Vermont Abenaki master basket maker Judy Dow and cultural anthropologist and Marlboro College professor Carol Hendrickson, will be held Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m., at the Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro. The snow date is Jan. 13.

Johnson and Dow are participating in an artist-to-artist exchange hosted by Vermont Performance Lab. As part of this exchange, Johnson will offer a hands-on fish skin sewing workshop and community members are welcome to participate in a fish skin sewing circle hosted by VPL. For details visit http://vermontperformancelab.com or call VPL at 802-579-3766.

• The Town Photographer in Ver mont: On Saturday,

Jan. 15, at 3 p.m. at the Brooks Memorial Library Meeting Room, photographer and local historian Forrest Holzapfel discusses the role of the village photographer in 19th-century Vermont and demonstrates how his own work continues that tradition by creating a body of contemporary photographs depicting the people and landscapes of his hometown of Marlboro.

There will also be a short presentation by Jess Weitz of Brooks Memorial Library of the digitization of the library’s Porter Thayer Photograph Collection.

Thayer was a photographer, born in Williamsville, who took photographs around Windham County from 1903 to 1930. Thayer used a 5x7 and a 6.5 x 8.5 view camera and glass plate negatives to create his images. The detail available in his large format images creates an extraordinary glimpse into early 20th century life in Southeastern Vermont.

Holzapfel will exhibit his photographs of Marlboro, Vermont during the month of January, and will offer suggestions to those who would like to undertake similar documentation of their own towns.

The event is free and open to the public, and sponsored by a grant from the Vermont Humanities Council.

Access to libraries essential for democracy ree access to information is critical to a democracy. That’s why it is upsetting to see the hours of the Brooks Memorial Library, the public library in Brattleboro, reduced due to budget cuts, and why it’s a problem that residents of smaller towns like Guilford and Dummerston have free access only to tiny libraries with very limited hours.

Most U.S. states allow any resident to check out books from any library in their state. I encourage everyone to contact their state legislators and ask them to increase state funding for libraries, and to create a free, statewide library card for all Vermonters.

Your legislators’ names and contact info are available at www.vermont.gov and your local library.

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THE COMMONS

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Deliveries to those 60 and older who are “food insecure” and unable to attend community meals.

Weekdays: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Breakfast and lunch.

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SPECI A L FOCUS “Hope is what gets advocates out of bed in the morning.”

—DONNA MACOMBER, WOMEN’S CRISIS CENTER CO-DIRECTOR

DAVID SHAW/THE COMMONS

Advocates at the Women’s Crisis Center discuss the shelter’s shift in focus, direction, and name. Given the nature of their work, they guard their identities.

A new name, a new vision Area shelter looks to change its emphasis to the ultimate goal for women in crisis: freedom

Editor’s note: Because of the sensitivity of these issues, victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and sexual abuse spoke to us for these two stories on condition of anonymity. Names and identifying details have been changed accordingly.

By Olga Peters The Commons

B

RATTLEBORO—It’s late. Crossing the dark parking lot, you notice two of the streetlights have gone out. Another person walks toward a car at the other end of the deserted lot. The person pauses to look at you.

Do you confidently amble on your way?

Do you double-check that your car keys are at the ready and walk faster?

Most women do the latter. It’s one of the many habits acquired over the lifetime of a woman in American society.

Do X, and you’ll be safe. Do Y, and they won’t notice you. Dress like Z, and you won’t get raped.

“As long as women are less safe, they are less free,” says Shari, an advocate at the Women’s Crisis Center in Brattleboro, an organization that has aided women dealing with domestic violence for more than 35 years.

Advocates like Shari — who guard their last names because of the threat of violence surrounding their line of work — have offered counseling, accompanied women to court dates, drawn up safety plans, helped women relocate, and found them shelter in secure locations.

“We don’t have all the answers,” she says. “We don’t know what freedom will look like, but it’s what we want to work towards.”

It’s time for change, the advocates say — for women to define freedom for themselves and to be free from men’s violence. It’s time, they say, for the Women’s Crisis Center to expand its services and goals beyond triage and into improving society for all women.

“Until we’re all free, none of us are,” says Codirector Vickie Sterling.

This month, the Women’s Crisis Center will become the Women’s Freedom Center.

Donna Macomber, the center’s other co-director, says the issue of men’s violence toward women is not about crises, but about the culture’s acceptance of men’s violence as a natural and logical

0%

part of men’s behavior.

The advocates at the center hope that the name change will “restart the conversation” about men’s violence, women’s rights, and how to reorganize BRATTLEBORO—The Women’s Crisis the culture to support women’s freedom.

Center — soon to be the Women’s Freedom The word “crisis” implies unresolved violent Center — offers a shelter for women and chilsituations and desensitizes society to the issue, dren who have experienced domestic and/or the center’s staffers say. But the word “freedom” sexual violence. The center maintains a 24-hour is active and open, and nothing to cringe about, crisis hotline and will accept collect calls at says Shari.

802-254-6954. Residents of Windham County Focusing on freedom raises the bar to supcan call toll-free at 800-228-7395. porting women beyond the survival level, says Macomber.

“We want to ask for more sustainable kinds of She knew that she could go to the center or call support for women,” she adds.

24/7, and that she would be welcomed and not treated as a burden.

Listening to the experts She chose to divorce her husband, not report the “At its root, the Women’s Crisis Center be- rape, and deal directly with her stalker by writing lieves women are the experts on their own lives,” a letter telling him his behavior had to stop or she says Macomber. would report him to the police.

She describes the advocates’ goal as keeping Tracy says that she felt embarrassed about callwomen safe throughout a span of abuse. Advocates ing the Women’s Crisis Center. don’t have any agenda, she says, and they ask only “Here I was, an educated, bright woman, and what the woman is dealing with and how she wants I didn’t feel I fit that [abused woman] demoto manage her situation. graphic,” she says.

Women know whether it’s safe for them to leave But she says the advocates viewed her as a an abusive relationship or to report a rape. They whole person. She never felt victimized or pitknow best how to protect their children. ied. She walked into meetings with the advocates One client, Tracy, called the Crisis Center after “like the CEO of my own company” rather than a former partner threatened to kidnap their child. a “pathetic loser.”

Tracy had loaned him some money. “You’ll “It’s almost a blessing it [the abuse] happened,” never see a dime,” he said. “And someday, I’m Tracy says. She credits the center with helping going to take your child, and this is the only warn- her “reframe” and “refract” the situation to see ing you’ll get.” it in a new light.

The threat sat over her like a boulder on a string, With the help of the advocates, Tracy enrolled she says. Any second, the string could snap. in numerous social programs, like WIC, the U.S. She didn’t feel she could call the police because Department of Agriculture’s program that prothe man hadn’t broken the law. Yet. vides food and health care to women, infants, “It floored me,” said Tracy. and children.

The incident left her feeling “powerless, pissed, Tracy returned to school, opened her own busiterrified, and threatened,” she says. ness, and resolved anger with family members.

Jessica, another survivor of abuse, agrees.

Gradually, she shed the social programs and now It’s not a “them or us” situation. Violence can supports herself and her children as a professor. happen to any woman, she says.

She also reports being in a long-term, healthy, Jessica went to the center for support three times and loving relationship with a kind, caring man. over 10 years — once after a situation of domestic During the stalking episode three years ago, abuse, another time after a rape by a stranger, and Jessica also experienced embarrassment. She then after an ex-boyfriend stalked her. asked herself how she could get into such a situShe says that she never felt the advocates told ation. Wasn’t she smart enough? What did she do to her what to do. Instead they gave her the right to her ex-boyfriend that he would do this? make her own choices, without judgment.

Society thinks that abused women are a separate

If you need help

Other free and confidential resources include emotional support, safety planning, advocacy, information and referral, and individual and group support.

The center’s non-emergency telephone number is 802-257-7364, and its website is www.womenscc.org.

demographic, and that it’s the woman’s job to fix an abusive situation, says Jessica. But she knows that his stalking resulted from his issues, not her actions.

She says that she has learned to trust herself and mine the positive from the bad situations rather than stagnate in the feelings of “this was done to me.”

Jessica now works as an advocate at the Women’s Crisis Center.

A matter of men’s violence

Macomber says that she understands that focusing on men’s violence can give the impression that the center only considers heterosexual relationships dangerous and believes that women are never violent toward same-gender partners.

It’s true that abuse can happen in homosexual relationships and that women can be violent, she says, adding that the center also supports lesbian and bisexual women in abusive situations.

But “we’re just trying to keep focus on a gendered phenomenon, because men commit most of the violence,” she says.

When men fear or experience violence, it’s from other men rather than women, Macomber points out.

Also, advocates say, focusing on women’s violence in a gender-neutral manner gives a free pass to the men responsible by allowing society to focus anywhere but on the root problem of male violence.

For generations, society has operated as a patriarchy, the advocates say, placing men in general — white men, specifically — as kings of the mountain. As a result, men have inherited most of the power, entitling them to roles like the head of n SEE FREEDOM, PAGE 10

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SPECIAL FOCUS

10

DAVID SHAW/THE COMMONS

The agency’s new name adorns its wall.

n Freedom household, the decision-makers, or the wage earners.

Many of society’s rules also reinforce men’s position of being in charge, say advocates.

Macomber says that even though most men did not ask for the status awarded by patriarchy, they still benefit from it.

However, Sterling says, no one at the soon-to-be Women’s Freedom Center spends her day bashing men. She says that the advocates believe men can be allies and that by supporting women’s equality, they also support their own.

“On some level, we’ve all been touched by it [domestic violence],” Shari says.

One out of three women have experienced domestic abuse.

Or, to flip it around, one out of three men abuse women.

In its last fiscal year, from July 2009 to this past June, the center responded to 1,147 phone calls to its hotline, and offered counseling and other services to 356 women and their 311 children.

The agency provided shelter to 47 women and their 51 children.

Sterling says that domestic abuse is a reason that men can be great allies in changing society’s view toward violence against women.

Many men grew up in violent homes, yet they have made the choice not to batter women.

The advocates are calling on men to step up and hold themselves and other men accountable for sexist or violent behavior.

FROM PAGE 1

Why doesn’t she just leave?

If it happened to me, I’d leave.

This attitude presumes that women have the choice to avoid a man’s violent behavior, Shari says.

For most women, it’s more dangerous to leave, especially from the first seven hours through the first few months after an incident.

But “the burden [to change the situation] is always on the person experiencing the violence,” Sterling says.

Advocates point out that society doesn’t expect the batterer to change, or leave, or stop the abuse.

For example, another advocate says, after responding to a 911 call, state authorities might ask a mother why she didn’t do a better job protecting her children from a raging father, rather than asking the father, “Why did you think this was okay?”

There’s an unspoken assumption that a man’s violent behavior results from a woman’s actions, they say.

Donna says she has problems with the words “prevention” and “sexual assault” in the same sentence.

She says rape victims are asked, “What were you wearing? Did you lead him on?”

What if the burden were placed on men? What if the male abuser were asked, “You know rape is wrong, so what made you think you had the right?”

Jessica chose not to report her rape. She went through the tests

for HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. At the center, she worked through her feelings of embarrassment and shame.

But, like many other victims, she chose not to file a report because she didn’t want to be asked, “what were you wearing?” or relive the experience multiple times in police interviews or a court case.

Advocates also point out society’s impulse to excuse an abusive man’s behavior, saying that he was “just” angry or tired, or that things aren’t going well for him at work.

If that’s the case, they say, why does he abuse his female partner rather than take out his anger or whatever else he is feeling on his boss, neighbor, friends, parents, or the other man ordering a coffee at Starbucks?

THE COMMONS

Or it can be, “Baby, you shouldn’t hang out with those friends, because they’re a bad influence.”

Or, “Of course, you burned the toast again. You can’t do anything right.”

Abuse generally starts small and escalates over time, the advocates say. If a man punched you on the first date, there wouldn’t be a second one.

But abusers carefully test the waters, seeking out soft spots and looking for where they can take control, they say. The goal of abuse is control.

Often an abuser will isolate a woman from outside support systems and erode her self-esteem.

She will believe that she can’t live without him, or that she’s stupid, or dirty, or that it’s all her fault.

Thus, she will think she doesn’t deserve respect, compassion, or love, or that she doesn’t deserve to live free of abuse.

Jessica says her therapist had to point out her husband’s behavior. In her marriage, he had isolated her from her friendships.

She says that she entered the Women’s Crisis Center in a cloud, but eventually felt that she could drop the “everything’s OK” mask.

Women leaving abusive situations also face hurdles like a three-year waiting list for housing, entering the job force without adequate skills, and finding child care or legal aid. Sometimes these obstacles can loom larger than the abuse.

• Wednesday, January 5, 2011

From Crisis to Freedom

The Women’s Crisis Center began in the 1970s as a necessary response to violence toward women in the community, Macomber says. At the time, few took domestic abuse seriously. The foremothers had to shelter women and educate the community.

Women and their male allies have made many strides in women’s rights since the early 1970s, says Shari, but adds that these rights haven’t gone far enough, despite people’s impression the work has been completed.

The center’s domestic abuse hotline still rings, 24 hours a day.

Macomber hopes that the community will participate.

“We want our community’s best thinking and how to step up and help,” she says. “We have [the community’s] support, but we want active support.”

The name change, she says, is laced with the possibility of women thriving and expanding in society.

She hopes that local organizations and community members will participate in the conversation, and find ways to increase women’s access to support and resources. She challenges people to imagine lasting benefits and change.

“It’s humbling and staggering, but it keeps the work alive.

Hope is what gets advocates out of bed in the morning,” Macomber says.

Jessica calls the elimination of the word “crisis” from the

center’s name “incredible.” The word “crisis” makes everything feel huge, and may turn some women away, she says; she remembers asking herself before calling the center the first time, “Is this [situation] bad enough to call?”

To her, the word “freedom” gives women permission to realize what they want their emancipation to look like and what they want to do in their lives.

Tracy says that the name change reflects work the center is already doing: helping women gain confidence and supporting them through their hard times.

She says that she feels freer after walking through the center’s doors, and that the women there helped her realize her right to listen to herself and to choose her life’s path.

After working with the center, drama is unattractive, Tracy says.

“My mistakes are my mistakes. I’m the chess board, not the chess pieces, and freedom is ownership of myself,” she says.

The advocates at the center say the change may affect their funding, because most funding organizations focus on the “crisis” part of what the center does, such as providing emergency shelter, rather than on long-term change, such as funding a college degree.

Macomber feels, however, that the name change represents a leap of faith worth taking.

“How can we ask for anything less than freedom?” she asks.

Anatomy of an abusive relationship

“Battering tends to be serial behavior. It’s never over,” Shari says.

A batterer will often abuse his current partner. And the next.

And the next.

Sometimes, batterers will attack their victims years after the women have left the relationship.

Abuse takes many forms. It can be hitting, manipulating, terrorizing, or even simply hiding the car keys.

Verbal abuse can take the form of “Oh, honey, don’t wear that dress — all the men will be looking at you.”

SIGNS THAT YOU’RE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP Your Inner Thoughts and Feelings Do you: • feel afraid of your partner much of the time?

• avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner?

• feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?

• believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?

• wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?

• feel emotionally numb or helpless?

Your Partner’s Belittling Behavior Does your partner: • humiliate or yell at you?

• criticize you and put you down?

• treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?

• ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?

• blame you for his own abusive behavior?

• see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?

WWW.THEDULUTHMODEL.ORG

The Power and Control Wheel “was developed from the experience of battered women in Duluth who had been abused by their male partners,” according to the website of Domestic Abuse Prevention Programs in Minnesota, which conceived the model. The wheel has been translated into more than 40 languages worldwide.

Violent and abusive behavior: the abuser’s choice

D

espite what many people believe, Your Partner’s Your Partner’s domestic violence Violent Behavior or Threats Controlling Behavior and abuse are not due to the abuser’s Does your partner: Does your partner: loss of control over his or her be• have a bad and unpredictable temper?

• act excessively jealous and possessive? havior. In fact, abusive behavior • hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill • control where you go or what you do? and violence are deliberate choices you?

• keep you from seeing your friends or made by the abuser in order to control the abused.

• threaten to take your children away or family?

Abusers use a variety of tacharm them?

• limit your access to money, the phone, tics to manipulate their targets • threaten to commit suicide if you or the car? and exert their power: leave?

• constantly check up on you?

• Dominance – Abusive indi• force you to have sex? viduals need to feel in charge of the relationship. They will make • destroy your belongings? decisions for you and the family, HELPGUIDE.ORG tell you what to do, and expect Warning signs for people in abusive relationships, according to the nonprofit you to obey without question.

Helpline.org.

Your abuser may treat you like

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a servant, a child, or even as his or her possession.

• Humiliation – An abuser will do everything he or she can to make you feel bad about yourself or defective in some way.

After all, if you believe you’re worthless and that no one else will want you, you’re less likely to leave. Insults, name-calling, shaming, and public put-downs are all weapons of abuse designed to erode your self-esteem and make you feel powerless.

• Isolation – In order to increase your dependence on him or her, an abusive partner will cut you off from the outside world. He or she may keep you from seeing family or friends, or even prevent you from going to work or school. You may have to ask permission to do anything, go anywhere, or see anyone.

• Threats – Abusers commonly use threats to keep their partners from leaving or to scare them into dropping charges. Your abuser may threaten to hurt or kill you, your children, other family members, or even pets.

He or she may also threaten to commit suicide, file false charges

against you, or report you to child services.

• Intimidation – Your abuser may use a variety of intimidation tactics designed to scare you into submission. Such tactics include making threatening looks or gestures, smashing things in front of you, destroying property, hurting your pets, or putting weapons on display. The clear message is that if you don’t obey, there will be violent consequences.

• Denial and blame – Abusers are very good at making excuses for the inexcusable. They will blame their abusive and violent behavior on a bad childhood, a bad day, and even on the victims of their abuse. Your abusive partner may minimize the abuse or deny that it occurred. He or she will commonly shift the responsibility on to you: Somehow, his or her violent and abusive behavior is your fault.

From the nonprofit helpguide.org.

Visit helpguide.org/mental/domestic_ violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_ effects.htm for more information

about the cycle of abuse.

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THE COMMONS

• Wednesday, January 5, 2011

SPECIAL FOCUS

11

Men step up efforts to get tough on tough guys

By Olga Peters The Commons

B

RATTLEBORO—“If I couldn’t get something from you, I didn’t want to know you,” says James, who describes himself as a much different person six years ago.

He also says that this way of thinking let him justify his abusive treatment of his wife and children.

“I used to think, ‘Well, at least I didn’t hit you,’” he says.

Resolving violence against women — from domestic abuse to rape, to muggings, to women afraid to walk home alone at night — is generally perceived to be a women’s issue.

Not so, say domestic abuse advocates. Because men perpetuate most of the violence, men need to “man up” and confront their behavior and attitudes toward women.

Men are not biologically destined to inflict harm on women, says author, educator, and filmmaker Jackson Katz.

Katz says that when a man perpetuates violence, he is acting out the assumptions of society, which assume that a man’s needs are met first, that women must cater to men’s needs, and that women must be submissive to them.

Using this line of thinking, if a man’s needs aren’t met, he has the right to use force, explains Katz, who is considered one of America’s leading anti-sexist male activists.

“There must be some ownership taken [of men’s behavior],” says Bill Pelz-Walsh, a counselor with Men’s Counseling Services in Brattleboro.

Pelz-Walsh says that although many attitudes around gender are changing, many men still rank themselves above women.

James sees his violent behavior differently six years after courtordered participation in “Taking Responsibility,” Pelz-Walsh’s 30-week intervention program for batterers.

In the program, he learned that his behavior — like slamming his fist into the wall by his wife’s head and yelling in a drunken stupor — created an unsafe household just as much as if he had beaten her.

‘He must be sick’

An arrest for domestic assault landed James in Pelz-Walsh’s men’s group. James describes the incident as a “one-time event” inflicted during an alcohol-induced stupor.

“And that was the last time I drank. That was my rock bottom,” he says.

Through the program, James learned that he needed to respect other people’s boundaries and that he had anger issues.

He calls the men’s group “incredible,” especially when he and his peers dropped the “tough guy act,” and instead chose to be open and honest with each other.

“Of course, I only raged when I was drunk,” James says. “Of course, I was drunk every day.”

For the first time, he also had to confront his emotions. He says that Pelz-Walsh got into the “nitty-gritty anger issues” with him.

The process was new and uncomfortable.

“And respect,” he says.

“I don’t think I ever learned the meaning of the word beforehand.”

He likens his old behavior to a caveman’s. He thought he respected women, yet he’d been raised in an environment in which, as they had behaved in the Bible, women were expected to act submissively.

“I always thought I was superior. I grew up watching Leave it to Beaver, for crying out loud,” he says.

his rotten childhood.

But that’s no excuse.

Looking too hard for the root causes of men’s violence can “give men too much of a rationalization,” says Pelz-Walsh, who believes that abusive men need to be held accountable for their actions.

Katz agrees, saying that letting men off the hook with statements like “boys will be boys” robs men of their responsibility and chances to be sovereign human beings.

James says that hearing the other men in his group talk about their violence set off “huge lights” for him.

He saw how his behavior affected those around him.

Although he says he didn’t exhibit all the types of abusive behavior that he heard from his peers in Pelz-Walsh’s course, James includes himself among the “worst-case scenario” abusers.

“I knew I was just as bad as the guy who beat the crap out of ‘his’ woman,” he says.

Katz says a big part of domestic violence work is convincing the public to see it as a men’s issue, not merely a women’s issue that “good” men help with.

“Unless we make that shift, all the rest is cleaning up after the fact,” Katz says.

He adds that placing the responsibility for change on the less dominant group can keep systems of oppression in place, as the people with less power in society try to do all the heavy lifting.

Redefining normalcy

Katz says that he realized in college how differently violence affected women’s lives. Unlike his female friends, he thought nothing of walking home alone at 2 a.m.

“Every woman I knew ordered their life around the threat of violence from men,” he notes.

Katz says that society likes to describe a man who beats his wife because she burned dinner, or murders his girlfriend for cheating on him, as “sick.”

It’s comforting to perceive the abuser as someone from outside the community.

But really, Katz says, such a person is acting out societal norms.

In this society, he asserts, it’s normal for men to be forceful and for women to be submissive.

It’s normal, he says, for a man to dehumanize a woman walking past him by saying to his friend, “Look at that!”

It’s normal for a man to take something he wants through DAVID SHAW/THE COMMONS brute force.

Bill Pelz-Walsh, a counselor with Men’s Counseling From abuse Katz says that rather than call- Services in Brattleboro, says that although many to tears ing an abuser “sick,” we should attitudes around gender are changing, many men James now walks away from call him “hyper-normal.” still rank themselves above women — a dynamic that the arguments that he would have had in the past. He decan fuel cycles of abuse.

‘Real men scribes his current relationships don’t cry’ If a man steps out of the little abuse in the relationship will as “honest.”

“If men don’t get help, it machismo-box, his peers are on continue to escalate,” Pelz“I cry now. A lot.” [abusive behavior] gets worse,” him like flies.

Walsh says.

He adds that he still has emosays Pelz-Walsh, who has He’s called derogatory names About 50 percent of rela- tions that he doesn’t understand worked with more than 2,000 for groups lower on the food tionships contain some form of because he never fully developed men through Men’s Counseling chain, like “sissy,” “queer,” or abuse, says Pelz-Walsh. that part of himself. He keeps in Services since 1992. “retard.” Sometimes his peers’ But if you flip the statistic, contact will Pelz-Walsh and conMost men enroll in his groups harassment turns physical.

Pelz-Walsh says, 50 percent of tinues Alcoholics Anonymous. after a court order or partner say In the end, many men feel it’s relationships are healthy. “I beHe wants to introduce an inthey have to. easier to stay silent and think lieve [men’s violence is] chang- terventionist program into the For a man to participate in “I’m not abusive, so it’s not my ing, and I’m excited by it.” schools. He sees teenage boys’ one of the programs at Men’s problem,” Katz says, adding He said for him to be success- behavior toward girls their age Counseling Services, he must ac- that men can help shift society’s ful in his work, he must accept — touching them and “talkknowledge that he has a problem norms by making violent behav- where each man is and believe ing trash” — as harassing and and be willing to take responsibil- ior unacceptable. him capable of change. unacceptable. ity. Otherwise, Pelz-Walsh won’t “Our silence is a form of con“If I can’t model, then I can’t “These little boys in this work with him. sent,” he says. preach,” he says with a smile. school… in this land… are abusMen in denial usually land Pelz-Walsh says that many ing girls at an unbelievable rate,” in the criminal justice system, men enter relationships with- It’s a men’s issue James says. he says. out knowing who they are, and Katz co-founded Mentors In the meantime, James tries to In Katz’s opinion, even in expect to mature emotionally in Violence Prevention, a group teach his son to respect women, 2011, society’s restrictive view through another person. that targets gender violence and and tries to model respectable, of what constitutes a “real man” Early in a relationship, “we bullying in schools that helps non-tough-guy behavior. is at the root of much of men’s love being loved,” he says. “bystanders” safely speak to their And in doing so, he serves violence.

But after a few months, if a peers and helps defuse bully- as a model for other men who “Men should help change the man isn’t emotionally secure, ing, harassment, or threatening “can take responsibility for their climate in the male culture,” he can begin to feel threatened. behavior. roles of partner and father, and says Katz.

That’s when the controlling Pelz-Walsh said that it’s easy for being a good man,” PelzReal men are strong. Real men behavior can begin. to blame a man’s behavior on Walsh says. don’t cry. Real men are com“If men don’t seek help, the peer pressure, or his anger, or “Then change can happen.” petitive. Real men are rational, calm, and the polar opposites of women, who are irrational BRATTLEBORO PASTORAL and weak.

COUNSELING CENTER Society reinforces these expectations through obvious inA non-sectarian, non-profit organization dedicated to making fluences like films — think of therapeutic services available & affordable for all.

John Wayne about to ride out We accept most insurance plans including Medicaid and Medicare. and shoot someone, or Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, in which No one is turned away for lack of insurance coverage or due to a limited ability to pay a private fee.

Belle loves the Beast despite his gruff and antisocial behavior.

But, says Katz, society also FOR AN APPOINTMENT CONTACT US AT: marshals the troops through peer 802-254-9071 or bpccvt@gmail.com pressure.

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12

THE COMMONS

• Wednesday, January 5, 2011

SPORTS & RECREATION Rebel boys win GM tourney; Colonel boys keep rolling

T

points and Sam Bernard had 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 steals.

The Wildcats followed up that effort with a 47-17 thrashing of the Bellows Falls Terriers in Wilmington on RANDOLPH T. Dec. 23. Great pressure deHOLHUT fense by Twin Valley virtually Sports Roundup shut down the Terriers in the first half as TV led 31-4 at the Johnsbury, 57-24, at the BUHS break. gym on Dec. 20. BeemanBryer-lyn Crawford and Nesbitt led the way with 14 Savannah Nesbitt led the points.

Wildcats with 11 points each.

• Drew Guild buried a three- Bernard had 6 points and 12 pointer with 10 seconds left in rebounds while Abbi Molner the game to give the Bellows had 7 rebounds. Bellows Falls, Falls Terriers a 46-44 victory which had lost at Springfield, over Leland & Gray at Holland 52-24, on Dec. 20, was led Gymnasium on Dec. 20. Chris by Megan LaBeau and Sarah Goldschmidt led BF with 14 Dumont, who each had 4 points. Bizon led the Rebels points. with 17.

The Wildcats then played in the Green Mountain Holiday Girls basketball Tournament in Chester. Host • Brattleboro lost at home team Green Mountain won the to Wahconah, 58-53, on Dec. opening game, 55-47, on Dec. 21. Mariah Lesure was the 28. Kylie-blu Crawford led Colonels’ high scorer with nine the Wildcats with 14 points. points.

The following night, TV lost The Colonels then got their in the consolation game, 47first win of the season on Dec. 21, to Mount Everett. Bernard 23 with a 47-42 home vicled the way with 12 points and tory over Windsor. Mary nine rebounds. • Bellows Falls Boys basketball Richardson and Erin LeBlanc struggled as the host team in • Brattleboro ended each scored 12 points; LeBlanc the Terriers Booster Club Girls December with three straight also had 10 rebounds and 9 Holiday Tournament. BF lost wins to improve to 5-1. On steals. Point guard Taylor the opener to Arlington, 54-23, Dec. 28, the Colonels rolled to Kerylow contributed 7 points, on Dec. 28, and lost the consoa 45-25 victory over Hartford. 5 assists and 4 steals. lation game to Stevens, 55-30, Nate Forrett had 16 points Brattleboro’s second straight the following evening to end and 10 rebounds to lead win came on Dec. 30, as the first month of the season Brattleboro, while Tommy the Colonels avenged a seawith a 0-5 record. • Defensive Heydinger added 10 points and son-opening road loss to St. pressure by Green Mountain 10 rebounds.

Johnsbury with a 25-17 home forced 26 turnovers as the The Colonels pulled out a win over the Hilltoppers. The Chieftains defeated the Leland 67-66 win over the Conant Colonels played excellent de& Gray Rebels in Townshend, Orioles in Jaffrey, N.H., on fense in shutting down the de- 51-38, on Dec. 22. Bethany Dec. 23. Travis Elliott-Knaggs fending state champs.

Robinson scored 14 points and led the Colonels with 17 • Twin Valley got its first win Ashley Goddard had 9 points points, while Heydinger scored on the season on Dec. 20 with and 13 rebounds to lead the 16 and Travis Beeman-Nesbitt a 50-28 road win over West Rebels. Alex Morrow finished tallied 14.

Rutland. Kylie-blu Crawford with 10 rebounds and a couple RANDOLPH T. HOLHUT/THE COMMONS Brattleboro also crushed St. led the Wildcats with 14 of blocked shots.

Twin Valley’s Lexi Robinson pulls down a rebound as teammate Sam Bernard he Leland & Gray Rebels hammered the Twin Valley Wildcats, 77-20, to win the championship game in the Green Mountain Holiday Tournament on Dec. 30 in Chester.

Matt Bizon led a balanced attack with 10 points, 6 assists and 7 steals. Drew Barnum and Noah Chapin each scored 9 points and Josh Fontaine pulled down 12 rebounds and made 5 blocks.

In the opening games of the GM tourney on Dec. 29, the Rebels beat Mount Everett of Sheffield, Mass., 59-38, while Twin Valley beat Green Mountain, 45-39. Chapin was the top scorer for the Rebels with 15 points, while Fontaine had 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 blocks. Ian Murdock led the Wildcats with 16 points while Troy Birch had 12 points and 17 rebounds.

The 4-1 Rebels are off until their home opener on Tuesday, Jan. 11, against Proctor. The 1-3 Wildcats travel to Bellows Falls on Jan. 6.

(15) blocks out Bellows Falls’ forward Eni Mustapha and guard Kammie Crawford (10). Twin Valley rolled to a 47-17 victory over BF in Wilmington on Dec. 23.

Robinson got the winning basket for Leland & Gray in a 26-25 win over Fair Haven on Dec. 20. Aly Marcucci was the top scorer with 14 points, and Morrow and Goddard each had 10 rebounds.

Girls hockey

• Maddie Rollins scored four goals as the Brattleboro Colonels completed the season sweep of Woodstock in a 7-0 rout of the Wasps on Dec. 22 at Nelson Withington Rink. Emily Wilson added two goals and Logan Robinson also scored.

The Colonels’ game on Dec. 27 against Harwood got snowed out and will be made up at a later date. Brattleboro will be back in action on Jan. 5 against Burr & Burton at

Withington Rink.

they had to travel north to Mountain Top Resort when Boys’ hockey the event was truncated to a • The Brattleboro Colonels team sprint relay. were winless in the Middlebury The Colonel girls entered Tournament last week, but three relay teams, and the A finally got their first win, in team that featured Linnea Springfield, Mass., on Dec. Jahn and Halie Lange took 30 with a 7-2 victory over second place. The B team of Springfield Central. Andy Leah Silverman and Emma Harris had two goals, and Straus came in sixth, and the C Logan George, Joey Maillett, team of Helen Manning, Katie Jamie Martell, Nik Rancourt Grasso, and Kara Piergentilli and Adam Griffin each added a finished 14th. goal. Griffin and Philip Perkins The Colonel boys fielded each had two assists. two relay teams. Graham Now 1-4, the Colonels travel Glennon and Jacob Ellis skied to Hartford on Jan. 5. on the BUHS A team and finished eighth out of 18 teams.

Nordic skiing The B team of Anthony Burdo, • It took until Dec. 23 for Noah Borochoff-Porte, and the Brattleboro Colonels to Sam Green came in 12th. get their first Marble Valley League race in, and even then,

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Leland & Gray’s Matt Bizon (20) drives to the basket past Bellows Falls’ defenders Chris Goldschmidt (11) and Drew Guild (5) during first half action on Dec. 20 in Westminster. BF ultimately won the game, 46-44.

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