The Charlotte News | October 31, 2018

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Charlotte News Wednesday, OctOber 31, 2018 | VOlume lXI number 9

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Vol. 61, no.9

October 31, 2018

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

Selectboard hears request for school crosswalk; Furr announces retirement Gail Callahan A small group of Charlotte Central School students and their co-principal got a close-up look at the workings of town government when they attended the Oct. 22 Selectboard meeting.

The four students and administrator Jen Roth were given 20 minutes to outline their request for a safe pedestrian crossing from the school to Philo Ridge Farm. The farm store is growing in popularity as a meeting place for CCS middle school students, they said, noting that traffic congestion and the lack of a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Mount Philo and Hinesburg roads—which the students have to cross to get from the school to the farm—create significant safety concerns.

On a recent Tuesday, about 25 students went to the site, Roth said, adding she frequently will help students who are headed to the complex cross the intersection.

The Selectboard supported the push to install a crosswalk but called for additional planning. Town Administrator Dean Bloch noted the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission should be contacted to see where the installation of a crosswalk would fit into its schedule. Bobby Harvey, who attended the meeting and spoke on behalf of the farm, expressed interest in discussing the proposal with town officials.

Prue Stephens, a Central School student, told the board she goes to the farm weekly with her friends on Tuesday. She is drawn to the site because of its great food, its safety and its beauty, she said. “It’s just fun to go there,” she said.

Fellow student Abbey Pitcavage echoed

Stephens’ statement, pointing out that the atmosphere of the farm and the market is the perfect backdrop for socialization. Abbey’s father, Ed, is the farm manager.

The discussion kicked off with Selectboard Chairman Lane Morrison asking Roth what type of pedestrian passage she favored. Roth indicated she likes a painted crosswalk stretching from the school’s back parking lot, with two pedestrian crossing signs. Roth asked for help from the town to pinpoint the safest crossing spot and, once that was determined, the school would create the signs.

The board asked Roth about the need for the proposed crosswalk to meet the American with Disabilities Act. Harvey said the farm would support an ADA-compliant crosswalk.

Meanwhile, board member Carrie Spear suggested that students who planned to go to the farm after dismissal meet on the east side of the gym, wait 15 minutes until traffic at the school lessens and then cross the intersection. “You may have to go back to an old-fashion way for a bit,” said Spear, noting that this would be only a temporary solution until a permanent one is put into place. She noted that the proposal would also have to be approved by town road commissioner Jr Lewis.

No timeline was given at the meeting for the project to be completed.

In other news, long-time Selectboard minute taker Kathy Furr announced that she’s retiring at the end of December. The town has posted the position, with a Nov. 16 deadline for applications. See page 4 for the posting.

Missing man found dead in Town Farm Bay

Mooring field, Point Bay Marina.

(The following is taken from news releases provided by the Vermont State Police) On Sunday, Oct. 21, George Ruhe, 67, went missing from the Point Bay Marina on Thompson’s Point Road in Charlotte.

Late Thursday afternoon, Oct. 25, a dive team recovered Ruhe’s body from Town Farm Bay near the marina. Ruhe’s body was then transferred to the chief medical examiner’s office in Burlington, where the cause of his death was determined to be accidental drowning.

Mr. Ruhe, of Waitsfield, Connecticut, and Brattleboro, Vermont, had told a friend on Sunday that he was rowing his dingy out to his sailboat, which was moored a short distance from the marina and which he was winterizing over the weekend on the lake. On Wednesday he

Photo by Vince Crockenberg

was reported missing from his job, and his vehicle was discovered that same day parked at the marina.

His dingy, which had also been reported as missing, was sighted at about 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon in a swampy, shallow area in the south end of the bay near Thorp Brook. The Vermont State Police, with help from Point Bay Marina staff, recovered the dinghy about 20 minutes later and brought it to shore. Mr. Ruhe’s body was found shortly afterward, at about 4:30, in the marina’s mooring area.

The Vermont State Police and Point Bay Marina staff were assisted in the search by the U.S. Coast Guard and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations unit.

Charlotte students attend March for Our Lives event Caroline Swayze and Ella Beerworth

On Friday, Oct.19, Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivors Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg and Alex Wind visited Burlington as part of their March for Our Lives tour. They spoke at the First Unitarian Universalist Society, which was packed with people, sitting on the ground in the back and pulling chairs up as well.

The crowd created great energy with lots of excited chatter and people looking at the new book, A Glimmer of Hope, recently written by the March for Our Lives founders. Those who purchased a ticket for the event received a copy of the book.

The song “This Little Light of Mine” filled the church as people sang, waiting for the speakers to come out. Renee Reiner, co-owner of Phoenix Bookstore, which sponsored the event, talked about how happy she was to have March For Our

From left, Caroline Swayze, Julia Beerworth, David Hogg, Emma Gonzalez, Alex Wind and Ella Beerworth

Lives in Vermont.

Interviewer Kesha Ram, a former

member of the Vermont House of Representatives, asked many questions

about the book, and toward the end of the event people from the audience were given an opportunity to ask questions.

The three speakers talked about why they are so passionate and why we need to take action. At one point Ram asked if the students would run for political office, to which Wind responded, “I hope I don’t have to.” One student from the audience asked how we should talk with relatives about political topics during the holidays.

Instead of using phrases like, “anti guns” or pro guns,” the speakers used “anti people dying, or pro people dying.”

People left feeling inspired and hopeful, and it was an amazing opportunity to see how tragedy has sparked a movement.

Caroline Swayze and Ella Beerworth are both in 8th grade at Charlotte Central School. They are reporting for The Charlotte News as part of the News/CCS journalism club collaboration.

2 • October 31, 2018 • The Charlotte News

Opinions Vote next week for a healthy climate Gayle Finkelstein Many of you have read or heard about the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and its warning that action needs to be taken immediately. Given current fossil fuel consumption trajectories, climate change will become the major threat to human health in the 21st century.

Globally since 2010, we have seen the five warmest years on record. Right here at home, temperatures have been increasing in certain parts of Lake Champlain, and water sources have been contaminated. If we continue on our current path, changes in vector ecology will result in an increase in tick-born illnesses such as Lyme disease, hospitals will see an increase in emergency room visits for summer heat-related illness, and mental health issues and respiratory problems will increase.

It is imperative that you know what each candidate’s position is on climate change and what strategies they will implement, if elected, to protect the health and wellbeing of Vermonters. Let them know climate change needs to be a focus in the next legislative session.

To learn more about the impact of climate change on human health in Vermont and the United States, visit the Vermont Climate and Health Alliance website (vtcha.org). Then get out and vote!

Gayle Finkelstein is a registered nurse and a health educator. She lives in Charlotte.

Voting: Why and how Violet Bell It’s common knowledge that Nov. 6 is the day to vote for midterms. It’s not common knowledge, however, about who’s even running, what are they running for, and why we should even care. It’s always preached that yes, we should vote and that it’s important, but why is it so important?

The most important thing about voting is the fact that we can. Many countries in the world don’t have the privilege to vote, and thus the people, their voices taken away from them, can’t tell their country’s leaders what they want to change. We, however, have the power to vote, and we can use that to our advantage. Are taxes too high? Vote someone in who promises to lower them. Want a certain bill passed?

Vote for candidates who will support it.

Registering to vote is rather simple.

There’s TurboVote (turbovote.org) that is an application that makes signing up to vote easy. You just answer the questions, submit them, and the information gets sent to the city hall for it to get approved.

TurboVote also sends text and email reminders about registration deadlines, upcoming elections and where to vote.

It’s not too late to register in Vermont either. Voter registration ends on Election Day, Nov. 6. If TurboVote doesn’t work out, go to a polling area and register there.

Bring a copy of an approved ID (for example, a driver’s license, U.S. passport or a bank statement or utility bill).

For this midterm, there’s a lot to vote for:

For U.S. Senator Folasade Adeluola (Independent) Russel Beste (Independent) Bruce Busa (Independent) Edward S. Gilbert Jr. (Independent) Reid Kane (Liberty Union) Brad J. Peacock (Independent) Bernie Sanders (Independent) Jon Svitavsky (Independent) Lawrence Zupan (Republican) For U.S. House Representative Cris Ericson (Independent) Laura S. Potter (Liberty Union) Anya Tynio (Republican) Peter Welch (Democrat) For Vermont Governor Trevor Barlow (Independent) Cris Ericson (Independent) Christine Hallquist (Democrat) Charles Laramie (Independent) Emily “Em” Peyton (Liberty Union) Stephen Marx (Earth Rights) Phil Scott (Republican) There are also candidates on the ballot for lieutenant governor, state treasurer, secretary of state, auditor of accounts, attorney general, all 30 seats in the Vermont Senate, all 150 seats for the Vermont House of Representatives, probate judge, assistant judge, state’s attorney, sheriff, high bailiff. You can find a list of all the candidates, including their financial disclosures, at sec.state.vt.us/elections/ candidates.

Violet Bell is a sophomore at Champlain College and an intern with The Charlotte News.

Crosswalk would provide safe passage for all Prue Stephens Recently I attended a Town Hall meeting here in Charlotte. The meeting was about creating a crosswalk between Charlotte Central School and Philo Ridge Farm. From my perspective as a student at CCS, having this crosswalk is really important to me.

Every Tuesday my friends and I walk over after early release. Philo Ridge Farm creates an amazing and safe place for us to hang out and socialize. For young teens and ‘tweens it is really important for us to have freedom so we can learn what it means to be an adult and to make our own decisions. We can learn how to act and behave in a public setting. We also learn how to buy and pay for things, and we learn how commerce works. If we never get an experience like this then we don’t have these skills. We don’t learn them in school so when the time comes we won’t be prepared.

The amazing food is another reason we go. Philo Ridge Farm offers an incredible selection of farm-fresh organic food.

The Town Hall meeting was the first one I had ever been to, and, as a 12-year-old, I didn’t understand a lot of the discussion.

A lot of it was confusing to me, and I didn’t understand all of the regulations and laws the Selectboard talked about. But I did learn from the conversation that the crosswalk will take time. The crosswalk will need to be accessible to all people, and special engineers will be needed to make the crosswalk as safe as possible. The speed limit around that area might have to

change, and signs might have to be put up.

Even though the crosswalk will take time to create and many things might have to change in order for it to be put in place, it is still important to have.

It gives students access to a unique, enjoyable learning experience. Creating the crosswalk would provide safe passage for all students (and staff and faculty) at CCS so they can have the experience of Philo Ridge Farm.

Prue Stephens is in 7th grade at Charlotte Central School.

Let’s create a safer Vermont for all of us Kevin Goldenbogen As a child I spent many Saturday afternoons with my father, trudging through the woods with my rifle in hand.

When I was about 13, I got a job loading clay pigeons at my local gun club. As a father I take my children to our local range to practice gun safety and to have fun. My positive and relationship-building experiences with guns are not at odds with my support of the common-sense gun legislation passed by the Vermont Legislature and signed by Governor Scott this past April.

America is suffering from a gun violence epidemic. Sadly, Vermont has not escaped the gun violence that has plagued our nation for too long. Consider this: In July 2018, WCAX reported (using statistics from 1994–2015) that 50 percent of Vermont homicides were domestic violence related and 59 percent of those involved guns. In May 2018, Vermont Public Radio reported that in 2017, 66 Vermonters died from gunshot wounds: 60 suicides, five homicides, one accidental shooting. Enough.

Our new laws, providing for universal background checks, limiting magazine capacity, banning bump stocks and allowing for the temporary seizure of weapons in cases of domestic violence, are working to reduce violence involving guns.

Fewer guns will be in the hands of people who are at risk to themselves or others.

The guns we do have will be perfectly fine for utility, defense and recreation, while also being less-capable weapons of mass violence. A good and sensible balance. Not all agree, of course, and April’s landmark legislation is being challenged in this year’s election cycle.

As a gun owner, father, Vermonter, as someone who is weary of gun violence, and as a Christian pastor whose faith moves me to raise my voice with love for peace, I write to give thanks to our elected officials for the work they did last April.

I write to encourage them to continue that work even though it’s contentious. I write to encourage my fellow Vermonters in November to consider supporting the candidates who voted for our new gun laws. I write also to encourage us all to set aside our talking points, open our hearts, minds and ears, and come together to make a safer and more balanced Vermont for all.

How can we do anything less?

Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen is the senior pastor of Charlotte Congregational Church, United Church of Christ and a member of the UCC’s Vermont Conference Task Force on Reducing Gun Violence.

The Charlotte News Mission Statement The mission of The Charlotte News is to inform our readers about current events, issues and topics, and to serve as a forum for the free exchange of views of town residents and community volunteer organizations on matters related to Charlotte and the experiences of its residents.

Letters and Commentaries Consistent with our mission The Charlotte News publishes letters to the editor and commentaries from our readers. All letters and commentaries are subject to review and approval by the news editor of the paper and to the following rules and standards: • Letters to the editor and commentaries should be emailed to news@thecharlottenews.org as attachments in .doc format. All letters and commentaries must contain the writer’s full name and town of residence and, for proofing purposes only, include the writer’s phone number.

• Letters should not exceed 300 words, commentaries 750 words.

• All published letters and commentaries will include the writer’s name and town of residence.

• All submissions are subject to editing for clarity, factual accuracy, tone and length.

• The news editor makes the final determination whether a letter or commentary will be published as submitted, returned for rewriting, or rejected.

Publisher: Vince Crockenberg Editorial Staff Managing Editor: Anna Cyr (anna@thecharlottenews.org) News Editor: Melissa O’Brien (melissa@thecharlottenews.org) Contributing Editor: Edd Merritt Copy editors: Beth Merritt, Vince Crockenberg Proofreaders: Edd Merritt, Mike & Janet Yantachka Archives: Liz Fotouhi Contributing Photographers: Lee Krohn and Ramiro Garay Business Staff Ad manager: Jennifer Bora ads@thecharlottenews.org Bookkeeper: Jessica Lucia Board Members President: Vince Crockenberg (vince@thecharlottenews.org) Vice President: Rick Detwiler Treasurer: Patrice Machavern (treasurer@thecharlottenews.org) Board members: Bob Bloch, Gay Regan, Louisa Schibli, Tom Tiller Website: thecharlottenews.org Subscription Information The Charlotte News is delivered at no cost to all Charlotte residences. Subscriptions are available for first-class delivery at $40 per calendar year.

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Copyright © 2018 The Charlotte News, Inc. Member of the New England Newspaper and Press Association and the Vermont Press Association.

ON THE COVER: The magic of fall in East Charlotte.

Photo by CCS student Catherine Manning.

The Charlotte News • October 31, 2018 • 3

Letter To The Editor As we approach Election Day, I hope that every registered voter who hasn’t voted early will take the time to go to the polls next Tuesday, Nov. 6. Your vote IS your voice, and this year is no time to come down with electoral laryngitis.

Across the nation this is an election that has historical implications. Will we continue on a course set by the Trump administration and its allies in Congress who insist on rolling back access to health care, reversing decades of environmental

protections and undermining our relationships with our European and Canadian allies? Or will we succeed in restoring the checks and balances inherent in the Constitution to reverse the backsliding of the last two years?

The races for statewide office in Vermont also have serious implications.

Several issues concern me, including lack of affordable housing and access to affordable child care, both of which are obstacles to young families moving

to Vermont. The threat posed by climate change is a very great concern to me because what we do about it or fail to do about it today has serious implications for generations to come. A more immediate threat to Vermont’s economy is the phosphorous pollution of Vermont’s lakes, which affects tourism and health and does not yet have a defined source of long-term funding for cleanup.

While the Legislature has taken some significant steps to address these problems

News from The News Here’s what we’ve learned from our readers survey Vince Crockenberg PUBLISHER

Two findings stand out: First, more of you read the print version of the paper than the online version. And second, we need to include more local news in each issue.

The current affinity for the print version over the digital version is apparent. Ninety-five percent of those who responded to the survey read the print version—but a significant 40 percent read the online version. The numbers suggest that quite a few people read both, and we know from other data that our digital readership is growing.

We received a wide range of responses to the question about how we could improve the paper, but what stood out was the recommendation that we provide more coverage of town news—everything from matters that come before the Selectboard and Planning Commission, to profiling Charlotte’s many farms, businesses and neighborhoods, to looking into why so few people run for office in town.

The challenge for the paper now is to respond to these and other suggestions.

We’ll certainly continue to bring the paper in its printed form to every mailbox in town, as well as to a variety of drop-off locations in town, up and down along Route 7 and in Hinesburg. We hope, however, that those of you who haven’t

yet done so will also take a look at our website, charlottenewsvt.org, which provides access not just to the current issue but to our complete searchable archives—every issue of The News since 1958 is, literally, at your fingertips.

And we hear you loud and clear that you want more local news to better complement the large variety of personal stories and opinion pieces we publish.

Currently we have one freelance writer who covers the Selectboard and the Champlain Valley School District board, and as a first step to wider town coverage we are expanding her current beat to include the Planning Commission.

You’ll also notice in this issue of The News that we have brought back the Fire and Rescue log and added, as a sidebar to the Selectboard report, notices of the meeting schedules of town boards and commissions, as well as preliminary agendas for the next Selectboard and Planning Commission meetings on page 4. We’re also carrying the first in a regular series of contributions from the CCS Journalism Club, which our news editor Melissa O’Brien recently formed in association with the paper; see the front page for the club’s debut story.

Your responses to the survey included many specific suggestions for topics that we might cover in the coming months, as well as suggestions for how we could enhance and diversify our fundraising. Be assured that we’re considering all of your

The Charlotte News welcomes our newest intern, Violet Bell.

The News is delighted to welcome intern, Champlain College student, Violet Bell..

Violet was born in Hartford, Connecticut, 19 years ago. She is in her second year at Champlain, in the professional writing program with a double specialization in journalism and creative writing. “I decided to be an intern at Charlotte News because I like to tell stories and tell people what’s going on in the world,” she says when asked about her interest in this small-town paper.

Violet has an interest in crafting and reading. “My favorite color is pink,” she says, “and I like including it in my crafts.”

Welcome aboard, Violet!

ideas carefully.

And speaking of fundraising: With the support of a group of generous friends of the paper, we’re entering the final two months of the year in good financial shape. We will still be coming to the broader community later in November, just as we do every year, to ask for your end-of-the-year contributions to help us pay our bills for the first half of 2019. If, however, you are moved to contribute right now, you can do so on our website, charlottenewsvt.org. Just click on the Donate button below the top stories or send your end-of-the-year contribution to The Friends of the Charlotte News, P.O. Box 215, Charlotte, VT 05445.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to participate in the survey. The Charlotte News is, after all, your paper. And as we move into our next 60 years, your suggestions, your writing contributions and your continued financial support will ensure we remain not just the oldest but the best nonprofit community newspaper in the state.

PLANTS RO CKS W AT E R

in the last session, more needs to be done.

It is no longer satisfactory to merely authorize more studies without taking action.

I will be voting for Christine Hallquist for governor and David Zuckerman for lieutenant governor because they are committed to addressing these problems not only with words but also with action in collaboration with the Legislature. I would encourage you to do the same.

Rep. Mike Yantachka

Town calendar Planning Commission: Thursday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m.

Energy Commission: Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.

Selectboard: Monday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m.

Trails Committee: Tuesday, Nov. 13, Public work session #2, Town Link Trail State Park Road layout, 6 p.m.; committee meeting at 7 p.m.

Planning Commission: Thursday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.

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4 • October 31, 2018 • The Charlotte News

Town

Dr. Tina D’Amato joins Charlotte Family Health Melissa O’Brien

The Charlotte Family Health Center has welcomed a new provider to the practice, Dr. Tina D’Amato joins Dr. Andrea Regan and Physician Assistant Patrick Kearney to provide primary health care to children and adults at the Health Center.

Dr. D’Amato grew up outside Boston and explains that she always had a desire to practice small-town medicine.

“I loved the idea of running into people at the farmers’ market, at the general store,” she says. “I first practiced in Burlington, which was certainly smaller than the greater Boston area, but coming to Charlotte really completes my vision of being a doctor in a small town. I have always wanted to treat the people right

where I live,” she says.

D’Amato replaces Dr. Gordon Gieg, who has bought the Shelburne practice of Dr. Theodore Fink, who recently retired.

Dr. Gieg will open his new practice in the Creamery Building on Nov. 1.

Dr. D’Amato is board certified in family medicine and has special interests and expertise in herbal and complementary medicine, women’s health (thyroid/ hormone imbalance), traumatic brain injuries, sports medicine and LGBTQ health. She received her undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University in the history of science, medicine and culture and graduated from University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine with a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree.

Charlotte Selectboard draft agenda Tuesday, November 13, 2018 Charlotte Town Hall - 159 Ferry Road Agenda is subject to change. Check charlottevt.Org on Friday prior to meeting for final agenda. Reasonable accommodation shall be provided upon request to ensure this meeting is accessible to all individuals regardless of disability.

TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE 6:00 PM Public Meeting for State Park Road Path 6:30 PM Review of FY2017 Audit Report 7:00 PM Adjustments to the agenda 7:01 PM Public Comment 7:05 PM Open bids for generators for Town Hall and Senior Center 7:15 PM Budget Review

Charlotte Park & Wildlife Refuge 7:15 pm—7:30 pm

Cemetery Commission 7:30 pm—8:00 pm

CVFRS-preliminary

8:00 pm—8:30 pm Charlotte Park & Wildlife Refuge 7:15 pm—7:30 pm

Cemetery Commission 7:30 pm—8:00 pm

CVFRS-preliminary 8:00 pm—8:30 pm 8:30 PM Reappointment of Ken Spencer and Kim Findlay as

Green-Up Day Co-Coordinators for 2019 8:35 PM Discussion of permit appeal process with Planning Commission 8:45 PM Selectboard updates 8:40 PM Minutes: October 22, 2018 8:55 PM Approve warrants to pay bills 9:00 PM Adjournment Members: Matthew Krasnow, Lane Morrison, Carrie Spear, Fritz Tegatz, Frank Tenney, Town administrator: Dean Bloch Minute taker: Kathy Furr Next scheduled meeting: November 26 @ 6 p.m.

In her practice Dr. D’Amato offers primary care medicine and osteopathic manipulation, with a focus on health and wellness. She has earned certificates in naturopathic, homeopathic, herbal and nutritional healing and incorporates her knowledge of traditional medical treatments along with her expertise in complementary modalities to create a patient-centered treatment plan.

In her spare time Dr. D’Amato is an avid New England sports fan. She loves to eat vegetarian/vegan food cooked by her husband and to spend time with her dogs Fenway, a Boston terrier, and Picholine, a pug. She is fascinated with ancient Egypt and dreams of seeing the pyramids one day.

Dr. Tina D’Amato

Charlotte Planning Commission Regular meeting agenda Thursday, November 1, 2018 Charlotte Town Hall - 159 Ferry Road 7 p.m. Public Meeting Call to Order Approval of Regular Agenda Public Comment Period Review of the previous Planning Commission meeting minutes Consent Agenda 7:05 p.m. PC-18-162-BA Barlow – Boundary Adjustment for the property located at 4190 Mt. Philo Road. Project information is available at https://is.gd/82Yu6o.

7:30 p.m. PC-18-167-SD Fishman-Kraft – Minor Subdivision & Boundary Adjustment for the property located at 197 Oak Hill Road. Project information is available at https://is.gd/p30n0V. 8:05 p.m. PC-18-160-SK Vadeboncoeur-Ballard—Continuation of Sketch Plan Review for possible subdivision for the property located at 1535 Lime Kiln Road.

Project information is available at https://is.gd/XzwmEO. 8:15 p.m. Next Steps: Land Use Regulations (LUR)—Review proposed changes, updates, and comments for the “Proposed Amendments to the Charlotte Land Use Regulations.” To review the current list of proposed changes, please visit: https:// is.gd/nmxdyd.

9 p.m. Other business

Upcoming agenda

Adjourn All times are approximate.

Notice: To appeal any decision of the Planning Commission, interested parties must participate in the regulatory proceeding (24 V.S.A. section 4471).

Reasonable accommodations shall be provided upon request to ensure this meeting is accessible to all individuals regardless of disability.

Planning Commissioners: Peter Joslin (chair); Charlie Pughe (vice chair), Marty Illick, Gerald Bouchard, Dick Eastman, David Kenyon and Shawn Coyle Staff: Daryl Benoit, town planner; Kathy Furr, recording secretary

Minutes-Taker/Recording Secretary The Town of Charlotte seeks a Minutes Taker/Recording Secretary for evening meetings held by the Selectboard, Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Selectboard usually meets twice per month (2nd & 4th Mondays); the Planning Commission also usually meets twice per month (1st & 3rd Thursdays); the Zoning Board meets as needed, but usually once per month (on Wednesdays).

The position is considered to be a contractor and is not an employee of the Town.

The position is paid hourly and does not include leave or health benefits.

Applications should include a description of relevant experience, a sample of minutes taken or other writing sample, and requested hourly pay-rate.

Please send inquiries and applications to dean@townofcharlotte.com. The deadline for submitting an application is November 16.

The Charlotte News • October 31, 2018 • 5

Around Town Edd Merritt

Congratulations: to the following students from Charlotte Central School who were selected to represent CCS in the District III Jazz Festival: Taylor Marchand, Marlie Cartwright, Jadin Brown, Hadley Stockwell, Owen Deale, Charlie Taylor, Estelle Emmons, Kate Kogut, Gretchen Kramer, Ella Lisle, Cessie Forero, Morgan Keach, Claire Sigmon. They will perform Friday, Nov. 9, at Brown’s River Middle School in Jericho at 7 p.m. along with students from nine other schools and a guest conductor. to CCS student Nina Cusick who plays Mary, one of the orphans in the Lyric Theatre Company presentation of Annie, the Musical at the Flynn Theatre’s Main Stage on Nov. 8–11. It begins at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with 1 p.m. performances on Saturday and Sunday plus a 6 p.m. show on Sunday. Annie and her lovable dog, Sandy, find a “forever home” in the course of the show. to Annika Gruber whose poem titled “Onward” was featured in the Burlington Free Press “Young Writers Project” on Oct. 19. Annika responded to the challenge of “transition,” be it fall foliage or human nature. She chose the latter, writing about

where one stands now can make you “stronger than you think” compared to the person you’re trying to forget. She urges the reader not to look back. to the cast of the CVU production of the musical Legally Blonde. The play was featured in the Vermont Section of the Burlington Free Press on Oct. 17.

Charlotte’s Schuyler Edgar-Holmes is one of the featured law students in the play. The show was performed Oct. 26, 27 and 28. to Joseph Lasek, M.D. of Charlotte who was recently appointed co-president of the Vermont Psychiatric Association. He is also the Howard Center’s medical director of adult services and a clinical assistant professor at the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry as well as Southern New Hampshire University’s graduate program in clinical mental health counseling. His career has extended to work in many mental-health settings, including corrections facilities and inpatient psychiatric units.

Sympathy: is extended to family and friends of Craig Stephen Sim of Charlotte who passed away Oct. 25 at the age of 76. Sim served in the Marine Corps active reserves in the mid 1960s and was wounded in Vietnam.

He received the Bronze Star and Purple

Heart. After his discharge he established a successful career in investment banking on New York’s Wall Street, during which time he and his wife, Susan, purchased a house on Wings Point, Charlotte, where both became active in the community. Craig served as a trustee of the Vermont Historical Society, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and the Shelburne Museum. His surviving family includes his wife, Susan, son, Brandon, and daughter, Stephanie, plus their spouses and his grandchildren. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, consider making contributions in his memory to the Semper Fi Fund, the Shelburne Museum or the University of Vermont Medical Center. A service of memorial will be held on Sat., Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. at the Charlotte Congregational Church. is extended to family and friends of Lynne Carston Matthews who passed away Oct. 17 at the age of 64. Her surviving family includes her sister Barbara Lawrence and Barbara’s husband, Bud, plus her niece Tessa Lawrence and Tessa’s husband, Tim Boesenberg, all of Charlotte. Remembrances may be sent to the Binter Center for Movement Disorders at the University of Vermont Medical Center. is extended to family and friends of William H. Pelkey of Charlotte, who passed away Oct. 15 at the age of 44. He owned and operated Pelkey’s Blueberry Farm and was

Regional Bite:

Milk Money acquired by Vermont Innovation Commons Charlotte News board member Louisa Schibli was the co-founder of Milk Money, a two-year old online portal that has helped small Vermont firms invest their money in local startups.

Louisa says that Vermont Commons’ mission is in line with that of Milk Money insofar as it is designed to “help entrepreneurs throughout the entire state.” She said the need for change came as a result of a need to “be housed with somebody else and/ or change the business model.” She believes this has done both.

a partner in the Charlotte Village Winery.

His surviving family includes his parents, William and Colleen Pelkey, and sister, Colleen Myers. A memorial service will be held Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. in the St. John Vianney Catholic Church, South Burlington.

Charlotte Fire and Rescue reminder for burn permits and heating safety Rob Mullin DEPUTY CHIEF CHARLOTTE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES

Before burning any brush or yard waste, please remember to call Shelburne Dispatch at 985-8051 (7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for a burn permit. The dispatcher on duty will ask what you plan to burn, your name and phone number and the location where the burning is planned. The dispatcher will tell you the rules and recommended safety precautions, and, if the weather conditions are favorable, a burn permit will be issued and the burn location logged. Then if a neighbor or passing motorist spots smoke or flames and calls 911 to report a fire, the dispatcher will see that a burn permit has been issued for the area in question and will not dispatch the fire department.

A reminder about the state rules regarding burn permits • Burn only untreated and unpainted wood, brush, leaves, yard debris.

• You must call for a permit whenever you wish to burn these materials in Charlotte.

• The burn pile must be attended at all

times.

• Have plenty of water at the fire site before igniting the fire and do not leave the fire unattended for even a short time. Always extinguish the fire with water and stir the ashes to be sure it is completely out before leaving the fire site.

• Permits are not issued during periods of rain, low clouds or high winds.

• Fines can be imposed for burning without a permit, and the fire department can be reimbursed for costs to extinguish a burn pile that gets out of control.

Campfires or other recreational open fires Please call for a burn permit prior to having any sort of recreational or open cooking fire, so that the fire department is not called to respond. And be sure to fully extinguish the fire (see above) before leaving the site.

Heating season is upon us!

• Please ensure that your heating device and/or chimney have been properly cleaned prior to your first lighting.

• We recommend that you have your chimney cleaned at least twice a year (spring and fall) or more depending upon your wood consumption.

• Burn only clean and dry wood in your fireplace or stove.

• Make sure fireplaces have screens on them and preferably no carpets in front

Re-Elect

Mike Yantachka

State Representative

for Charlotte-Hinesburg

of them.

• Make sure you have working smoke detectors at least on every level of your home (in every bedroom is preferred) • Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector (CO) on every level of your home

VOTE November 6, 2018

This is an important election.

Your vote counts!

Early ballots are available.

Call or visit your Town Clerk.

***

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Representative for the past eight years.

Paid for by Mike Yantachka for State Representative 393 Natures Way, Charlotte, VT 05445 (802) 233-5238

e-mail: myantachka.dfa@gmail.com

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I am working for a Vermont that works for all of us.

Vermont families deserve a healthy environment, an excellent public education system, safe communities, and economic opportunity.

I would appreciate your support for another term.

6 • October 31, 2018 • The Charlotte News

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Town

Happenings at the Grange

The Charlotte Grange hosted two more successful events this month: a showing of Rooted: Cultivating Community in the Vermont Grange and a second open mic evening.

Charlotte Barrett of History New England and the Vermont Folklife Center in collaboration, with Ned Castle, a Charlotte native and filmmaker, created Rooted, a documentary exploring the Grange’s living connection to the past through ritual, work and community. A small, but very interested group took the opportunity to view the movie and talk about it with both Charlotte and Ned on Thursday, Oct. 11. The movie featured two very active Vermont Granges, Riverside Grange in West Topsham and Middle Branch Grange in East Bethel.

The membership of the Middle Branch Grange is still primarily farming families and has the only active Junior Grange in the State of Vermont.

Riverside Grange is a more diversified

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Grange, with members coming from various occupations in the community.

The film showed both the history of the Grange from its inception, including the significance of the various implements and rituals, and its current functions, stressing the importance of community and family.

Rooted was shown at the Vermont International Film Festival on Oct. 19, and the next day, Oct. 20, it received the Hotel Vermont award for “a film with the best sense of place.” Rooted will be broadcast on Vermont PBS on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. as part of its Made Here series. The Charlotte Grange wishes Charlotte and Ned continuing success with their film.

The second open mic evening was again well attended with several performers, both local and from away, being appreciated and supported by an enthusiastic audience. Mike Walker and Ted Leblanc, as organizers and performers, were joined by Ann Metcalf, Benjamin Fox, Matt Sargent and Wayne Lauden performing individually. The audience was entertained both with music and storytelling…..a very interesting story about Resurrection City in D.C. after Martin Luther King’s assassination.

The evening closed with the majority

Ben Fox performed at the second open mic night.

Photo by Cindi Robinson

of the performers joining Mike and Ted with a group sing along of “Goodnight Irene.”

The next open mic night at the Grange Hall is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 13, with a 6 p.m. sign up and performances starting at 6:30. For further information contact Mike Walker at mjwalker@gmavt.net.

The Charlotte Grange is delighted to host these events and see this historic hall being used and appreciated by our community.

The Grange’s first annual Farm and Craft Fair The first annual Farm and Craft Fair held at the Charlotte Grange Hall on Saturday, October 27, saw several local artists and crafts people fill the first floor of the historic Grange Hall, while the second floor was transformed into a Halloween fun area for Kids. Jenny Cole, Cindi Robinson and Dorothy Hill did a great job of organizing this event, inviting vendors to display their creations and designing a fun Halloween area for kids. From beautiful hand-crafted jewelry to every imaginable small knitted creation to wear or to use in the home to beautiful pottery, cards and prints, it was a warm, and more importantly, dry area to spend some time browsing and doing some early Christmas shopping.

And you could eat lunch, enjoying various delicious Thai creations. The fabulously decorated children’s area

Photo by Cindi Robinson

included bobbing for apples, a craft table suitable for young ones, and various other games to entertain all ages.

While only a small group of folks ventured out to take advantage of this local event, the planning has already begun for Harvest Fest 2019!

We have candy & The Charlotte News • October 31, 2018 • 7 Non-Food treats!

Town

Trick-or-Treat at the Charlotte Fire Department on Oct. 31 at 5 p.m.

Westarting have candy &

We have candy & Non-Food treats!

Non-Food treats!

Charlotte Fire and Rescue crew receives training on new fire truck

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Firefighters attended class and hands-on instruction for the compressed air foam system (CAFS) featured on the station’s new fire truck. That system injects air into the foam and water, allowing for a longer water supply and water delivery rate. Lou DeRosa of Waterous Pumps led the class on Oct. 20 along with 12 of CVFRS crew.

We support kids with food allergies. Our teal pumpkin means we have non-food treats available!

We support kids with food allergies. Our teal pumpkin means we have non-food treats available!

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8 • October 31, 2018 • The Charlotte News

Hinesburg Artist Series Fall Concert The Hinesburg Artist Series is pleased to announce the start of its 2018/2019 performances with its first concert on Sunday, Nov. 4, 4:30 p.m. at Champlain Valley Union High School. The concert will feature the Hinesburg Community Band and South County Chorus under the direction of Rufus Patrick.

The band will perform Cantus Jubilante, Ulterior Overture, Bonnie Blue March, Sawdust City Celebration and the fast and raucous composition by Robert

Photo of the week

Buckley, LOL (Laugh Out Loud).

The chorus will sing Jubilate Deo, Like a River In My Soul, Thula Klizeo (Be Still My Heart), You’ve Got A Friend In Me, Sisi Ni Moja, (We Are One), and Choral Highlights from La La Land arranged by Mark Brymer.

Please come support our great musicians as we kick off the new concert season. This event is free, with donations gratefully accepted.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS Oct. 1

Paul H. Ode Jr., trustee, Columbus Nominee Realty Trust to Jonathan and Erika Bearman, 7.81 acres with dwelling, 1576 Lake Road, $2,000,000.

Oct. 1

Bank of America NA to Robert and Devon Lamere, 5.1 acres with dwelling, 1015 Carpenter Road, $162,000.

Oct. 1

Sarah Scranton to James and Lynn Williams, 12.32 acres with dwelling, 710 Hinesburg Road, $735,000.

Oct. 4

Christopher and Emily Vatis to Dean Lawson and Bridget Ryan, 1.58 acres with dwelling, 6369 Mount Philo Road, $515,000.

Oct. 4

John D. and Sue Ann Patnaude to Andrew Rickard, 5.02 acres with dwelling, 33 Eastry Court, $550,000.

Oct. 15 Thomas Powell and Wendy Bratt to Benjamin A. and Sarah J. Crockett, 31.4 acres with dwelling, 6659 Spear Street, $850,000.

Oct. 22 Davis and Elizabeth Cable to Lila Webb, 17.26 acres with dwelling, 151 Prindle Road, $$440,000.

Oct. 25 Leslie L. Tucker Trust to Jessica LaCroix, 10.42 acres with dwelling, 3282 Mount Philo Road, $725,000.

Photo by Catherine Manning

Charlotte News

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The Charlotte News • October 31, 2018 • 9

Charlotte Library News grade need to register.

Monday, Nov. 5, 5 to 7 p.m.: Heart Gallery Reception. Join library friends as well as Lund Family Center members for a closer look at this remarkable collection of photographs.

Margaret Woodruff DIRECTOR

Our calendar kicks off November with a special partnership at Charlotte Central School on Nov. 1, when author/illustrators Liza Woodruff and Sarah Dillard share their love of books and art.

Throughout the month, the library features the Heart Gallery Exhibit from the Lund Family Center. We are honored to be part of the effort to share this beautiful gallery of information about children who are legally free for adoption. We hope to see you at the reception on Monday, Nov. 5.

That same day, join Susanna at Tech Time to learn all about podcasts, just one of many digital offerings available through the library. As Oleg Kagan notes in his article “5 Ways Libraries Became Better Because of the Internet,” “libraries have been extending their collections beyond their physical shelves by purchasing licenses to online books, audiobooks, music, and films. What that means is, thanks to the internet, the library is able to have ‘more stuff for you!’ and you don’t even have to leave the house to get it!”

Stop by and check it out. Susanna is our tech librarian, but any of us can help you get started.

Adults and Families Wednesday, Oct. 31, 5 to 7 p.m.

Halloween! Trick-or-treating on the Library Porch. Stop by to visit our friendly Halloween hosts and pick up a treat or two. Please note the library will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31, to accommodate trick-or-treating.

Thursday, Nov. 1—Friday, Nov. 16: Lund Family Center Heart Gallery Exhibit. It is displayed at libraries, community events, transit hubs, workplaces, any place that people might gather or pass through in order to put real names and faces to the children in need of homes. Not only does it introduce the particular children to the public, it also raises awareness of the need for more foster and adoptive families in the state.

Thursday, Nov. 1: Stop in the Charlotte Central School Library for a fun-filled morning with Sarah Dillard and Liza Woodruff. Sarah has authored the popular

Tuesdays, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13, 9 a.m.: Baby Time. A special hour for the youngest among us and their caregivers.

Tuesday, Nov. 6, and Tuesday, Nov. 13, 10:30 a.m.: Preschool Story Time. Join us for stories, songs, crafts and fun. For ages 3 to 5.

“Mouse Scouts” series among others, and Liza published her debut picture book last year with two more on the way. Both author/illustrators bring their creative spirit and whimsical style to these two sessions: 8:45–9:45 a.m. for 2nd graders and 10:15–11:15 a.m. for kindergarten and 1st graders. If you’ll be joining us from outside, be sure to stop by the CCS office to sign in. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Charlotte Library and Charlotte Central School PTO. Monday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. Tech Time: Everything You Need to Know About Podcasts. What is a podcast? How do I get started listening? Get the answers with podcast fan and tech librarian Susanna Kahn in this hands-on workshop. Please bring your smartphone or mobile device that you like to listen on. Have other tech questions? We’ll tackle those, too.

Registration requested.

Monday, Nov. 5, 12 and 19, 1 p.m.: Senior Center Book Group: America Is Not the Heart. How many lives fit in a lifetime? Join us for three-part discussion of this illuminating and compelling novel about Philippine-American life. Copies available at the library circulation desk.

Monday, Nov. 5, and Monday, Nov. 12, 3:15 p.m.: Drop-in Chess Club.

Drop-in Chess for 4th graders and up.

Younger students may attend with prior authorization from Cheryl Sloan or Ajat Taryal. Adults are welcome. Students to 8th

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m. Great Decisions: South Africa. The African National Congress (ANC) party has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994.

But the party today suffers from popular frustration over official corruption and economic stagnation. It faces growing threats from both left and right opposition parties, even as intraparty divisions surface.

Given America’s history of opportunistic engagement with Africa, there are few prospects for a closer relationship between the two countries. Join us to discuss how the U.S. can create a more meaningful and mutually rewarding relationship with this fragile government. Reading materials available at the circulation desk.

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. Water Series #3: Your Water, Your Lake. Marty Illick, head of Lewis Creek Association and director of Ahead of the Storm Project, shares the latest word in sustainable and safe practices for runoff around your home and property. Learn what you can do to keep the lake healthy and your garden green, no matter where you live.

Sunday, Nov. 11, 2 p.m.: Wildcrafting and Foraging with Elliot Cluba. Learn basic plant identification in the field, then discuss the history and importance of the many native and non-native plants all around us. Wear warm clothes and shoes.

Wednesdays, Oct. 31 to Nov. 14, 3:15 p.m.: Science Wednesdays. Discover everything you didn’t know about the five senses with Jan Schwarz of Project Micro and Cheryl Sloan of the Charlotte Library.

For 3rd grade and up. Please register.

Monday, Nov. 12–Saturday, Nov. 17: Agricultural Literacy Week. Join us for

displays and programming to highlight the history, traditional practices and contributions of native agriculture in Vermont.

Monday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. Mystery Book Group: The Raphael Affair. English art scholar Jonathan Argyll was amazed to find himself arrested for vagrancy while searching for a long-lost Raphael in a tiny Roman church. First vandalism, then murder, surround the painting. And as new facts about its true nature emerge, Bottando sends Flavia and Jonathan to investigate— little knowing that the pair will be on the run for the truth... and for their very lives, in this first book by Iain Pears. Copies are available at the circulation desk.

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m. Great Decisions: Global Health Progress and Challenges. The collective action of countries, communities and organizations over the last 30 years has literally saved millions of lives around the world. Yet terrible inequalities in health and wellbeing persist. Join us for a discussion of this worldwide concern that hits close to home. Reading packet available at the circulation desk.

Charlotte Library Board of Trustees: Katharine Cohen, Nan Mason, Danielle Conlon Menk, Jonathan Silverman and Robert Smith.

Next Library board meeting: Thursday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m.

Charlotte Library information Margaret Woodruff, director Cheryl Sloan, youth services librarian Susanna Kahn, tech services librarian Hours Mondays and Wednesdays: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Reach us on the web at charlottepubliclibrary.org.

Like us on Facebook at f acebook.com/charlottelibraryvt.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @CharlotteVTLib.

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10 • October 31, 2018 • The Charlotte News

Farm and Garden

Everything in its right place

Dave Quickel On a dreary Sunday afternoon it’s time to confront the inevitable here on the farm: the gig is up! This past week we took a thorough gut punch that marks the end of the growing season. Thursday night our temperature dropped into the mid 20s, and sweet peace came to pretty much all crops. We’ve had a few light frosts that winged the tenderest veggies, but this shot of cold finished off everything both inside and out of the greenhouses. The long rows of tomatoes and peppers are burnt black from the frost, and now it’s time to turn the page and get on with the next part of the season. Cleanup.

You might think that I’d be sad about this, but truth is that it’s a welcome change. We had one heck of a good growing season. Our California-style weather with lots of heat and sun and virtually no rain made for excellent yields.

It took a lot of work to keep the irrigation flowing to make sure we took full advantage, but we definitely succeeded.

And now it’s time to start getting ready for next season.

The first part of this process is cover cropping. When we’re finished with a given portion of the field we mow down the crop residue and seed winter rye.

“

So much of the year is just putting out fires, chasing after an endless list of jobs and never really completing anything.

”

Rye serves several purposes. It keeps the soil surface covered and protected from the compaction of winter’s wind, rains and snow. It also helps take up leftover fertility and utilizes it to keep the field and all its microorganisms alive and active throughout the long winter. And finally it helps to minimize runoff, both of fertilizer and soil. This is critical given the heavily impaired state of our watershed. Keeping nutrients from running off into the lake is one of the most important things that

CSWD invites public input on Hinesburg Drop-Off Center Date: Tuesday, November 13 Time: 7pm - 9pm Location: Hinesburg Town Hall This interactive discussion session is an opportunity to share your own preferences for potential services at the Drop-Off Center in Hinesburg, and to learn more about the planning process, budget considerations, and site requirements that go into building a new facility. CSWD’s Executive Director and District Engineer will share photographs, aerial maps, and other media to aid the discussion.

LEARN MORE:

(802) 872-8111 www.cswd.net/hinesburg

I can do as a farmer to ensure I’m not negatively impacting our lake, and I take this seriously. I can’t stand the current state of our lake and want to be absolutely sure that I am doing all I can to help protect our water quality.

Next on the agenda is cleaning up.

All those neatly staked rows of tomatoes need to be deconstructed. The stakes get pulled, the trellising strings that are woven through the now-dead tomatoes need to be removed from the field. The rows of peppers and squash are easier to deal with. They simply get mowed down and then the plastic mulch that was

underneath gets lifted. And then we spread compost and seed it down with rye.

Bit by bit we work our way through the fields as crops are done and repeat this process. At the same time we’re still harvesting and delivering whatever crops are still going. Carrots, Brussels sprouts, kale, potatoes have to be plied from the cold, wet ground, then washed, bagged, bunched and into the van to restaurants and grocery stores.

The last and only crop left to plant is garlic. I’d prefer that it was already planted by now, but with the cold and wet weather we’ve had it slipped from my mind. Hopefully by mid-week this will be done. The beds were prepped prior to the recent rain, and now we just need to separate the heads into individual cloves and poke them in one by one. It’s a bit of a task splitting up 120 pounds of garlic, but it’s got to happen in order to maintain our supply for next season. In total we will plant a row of garlic about a half mile long; hopefully my knees can handle one more squat and crawl before a long overdue break from that motion.

And then finally we get to putting the supplies away and winterizing all the equipment. Irrigation pipes that are laid out throughout the fields need to be gathered and stacked, and the myriad small engines that power everything need to be serviced and put under cover.

Stabilize the fuel, change the plugs and filters, grease and oil. It always feels good to complete this because we push these machines hard all summer and don’t have time for breakdowns. But of course there always are plenty of those with our rickety fleet of antique machines no matter what we do now. The least we can do is put them to bed in the best order possible.

There’s a Radiohead song called “Everything In Its Right Place” that runs through my head as we work through shutting the farm down for the season.

So much of the year is just putting out fires, chasing after an endless list of jobs and never really completing anything.

Now, finally, we get to set it all straight.

Everything in its right place.

The Charlotte News • October 31, 2018 • 11

Farm and Garden

You said you wouldn’t, but you did

Vera Moroney Maybe it’s the memory of last spring when the earth exploded with color or the prospect of five months with little or no outdoor gardening that renders us helpless in the face of buying bulbs. Whether from catalogues or the local nursery.

So let’s get to it!

Where to plant the five gazillion bulbs?

Every gardener has an idea. Some like to tuck them in here and there. Others like large and grand displays. Still others like singles. Whatever your taste or preference, here are some basics.

Inspect the bulbs to make sure they are solid and free from mold. Sort them by how you want to plant them. Prepare the locations by cleaning up any weeds or debris, digging the location to about one-and-a-half to two times the depth of the bulb. Dig in some compost and mix well, and add a sprinkling of balanced fertilizer. Place the bulbs and then decide (see below) whether to put anything as a varmint deterrent with the bulbs. Cover them and put some more compost on top.

Votive candles and praying can also help.

Generally narcissus, lilies and daffodils are not subject to the fall critters. Tulips are another issue entirely. A yummy feast on the all-you-can-eat garden buffet.

The enemies of bulbs when planted, particularly tulips, are moles, mice and squirrels, then the deer and bunnies in the spring when the first growth appears.

What to do?

Every gardener has a method or idea on what to do to protect tulips. The most elaborate are mesh cages made from chicken wire in the ground that prevents the critters access to the bulbs. Cats, particularly hungry barn cats, can do a great job as well. Another idea is hot pepper flakes spread in the hole, on top of the bulbs and on the ground. Some gardeners like moth balls … probably you

do not want to plant veggies in those spots next year. Also a favorite is fritillaria, a lily-like plant that smells like skunk. Plant these near or on top of the tulips. There are also guns (most too big for moles), dogs (or just dog hair) and incantations.

Also consider avoiding attractants such as bone meal, fish oil or the bird feeder if it is close to the garden.

The reality is that tulips have to be treated as annuals and are not good neutralizers (and that is being kind). Their stunning colors and shapes make the effort worth it.

Now that the rant about tulips is over do consider some alternatives, such as colchicum, hyacinths or hymenocallis.

Daffodils and narcissi come in an evergrowing array of colors and bloom times to keep your garden show going.

You can plant bulbs as long as you can easily work the soil, but they do like some

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time to set roots.

The picture here is of colchicum, a very bright spot in the end-of-season garden. These are several years old and naturalizing well.

So, put on the sweater and hat and dig.

And next year remember the words of Ian Tyson from “Summer Wages”: “… so I will work on the tow boat with my slippery city shoes, which I swore I would never do again…” But he did, and you will.

Vera has lived in Charlotte for 45 years and in the same house in West Charlotte for 40 years—plenty of time to make every gardening mistake multiple times. She cherishes the local nurseries, the UVM Extension Master Gardener Program and the uncertainty of gardening. And she’s an avid reader of The Charlotte News.

Email your news and photos to

news@ thecharlottenews.org

12 • October 31, 2018 • The Charlotte News

Conservation Currents

Eastern wild turkeys in Vermont

Erika MacPherson Autumn has arrived and so begins the holiday season and thoughts of friendly gatherings, food, food and more food.

Thanksgiving is coming up, and just the thought makes my mind wander to the wild turkey population in Vermont. I am a lover of animals and enjoy seeing the wild populations roaming around from time to time. I thought this would be a great opportunity to learn more about the Eastern wild turkey and provide some information that may not be widely known.

The Eastern wild turkey did not always enjoy healthy populations within Vermont.

In fact, during the 19th century, they had disappeared from the region. This was caused by habitat loss and farming practices that had clear-cut forests from most of the state. There was hope for the future of the wild turkey, however.

According to an article in the Burlington Free Press, “The revival of the birds in Vermont grew from the release of turkeys in Rutland County during the winters of 1969-70 and 1970-71. A total of 31 were released during that time. The state now has a population estimated at 45,000 to 50,000 birds from one end of the state to the other.”

Relatively mature forests now dominate 80 percent of the state, with only about 15 percent in an open, non-forested condition, such as croplands, hay fields

and pastures. Although the wild turkey is primarily regarded as a forest dwelling bird, ideal habitat conditions include a mix of forest and agricultural land, which provides the greatest opportunities for feeding, nesting and brooding. “Keeping active working dairy farms in Vermont will help maintain excellent wild turkey habitat,” according the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Fish and Wildlife also describes the birds as “social birds who prefer to live and travel together in groups called flocks. From year to year the number of

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wild turkeys in Vermont will fluctuate because of a combination of random environmental factors, such as weather changes that affect nesting success, or severity of the winter that affects survival.

Long-term population trends, however, are most influenced by changes in habitat and the overall landscape.” The wild turkey survives on a diet that consists of a variety of insects, plants, fruits, nuts and seeds.

And they are surprisingly fast: they can run at a speed of 25 miles per hour and fly at a speed of 30 to 35 miles per hour.

Not everyone is a fan of the wild turkey, however. They can be known to disturb properties, eat feed meant for other birds and occasionally become aggressive towards humans.

Currently, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department heads management plans for the wild turkey and has strict guidelines for hunting the bird. If wild turkeys have become a nuisance, Fish and Wildlife has a “turkey damage control regulation that has been promulgated as another method to help address the nuisance issue. Under the ‘turkey damage rule’ a landowner under game warden supervision may take a pre-approved

number of offending turkeys that have been determined to have caused repeated or substantial damage to cultivated crops.”

Local National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) members can also assist in quelling wild turkey/human conflicts. If all else fails, Fish and Wildlife devotes a page on various non-violent resources that can be used if a wildlife species becomes a nuisance.

Whether a fan of the wild turkey or not, the revival of the bird is one of Vermont’s wildlife restoration success stories. Vermont has even moved forward with helping other states restore their wild turkey populations. The wild turkey has long served as a major icon of the American culture. As such, I hope that now when you sit down to enjoy your turkey meal, there will be a newfound love and respect for the bird that is such an American icon.

Erika MacPherson is a board member of the Charlotte Conservation Commission. The commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month. All are welcome.

The Charlotte News • October 31, 2018 • 13

Lewis Creek Association Big Oak Lane neighborhood in Charlotte is staying ahead of the storm

By Krista Hoffsis and Marty Illick (LCA), Stacy Grayczk and Linda Samter (Big Oak Lane neighborhood)

neighbors, completed the construction.

This project was designed to improve water quality entering Thorp Brook and will act as a site for public view and education. The project included the installation of a correctly sized 21-inch metal culvert (previously 15 inches) that passes underneath Big Oak Lane and four nature-based log check dams to stabilize a heavily eroding gully entering a Thorp Brook tributary. These green stormwater infrastructure practices allow water to “slow down, sink in, and spread out” to reduce erosion, nutrient loading and flood risk.

The purpose of Ahead of the Storm is to showcase a range of landscapes and land uses and how they can best mitigate stormwater flows and be more flood resilient in an effort to improve water quality in an ever-changing climate. Crucial to the success of LCA’s AOTS program are willing and interested property owners who are prepared to invest in not only the future of their property but the future of the community and the Lake Champlain Basin. Nice work, Big Oak Lane!

For more information on the Ahead of the Storm Program, visit lewiscreek.org/ahead-ofthe-storm.

The Big Oak Lane (BOL) neighborhood is located in Charlotte off of East Thompson’s Point Road within the Thorp Brook watershed. It is a residential development with six homes and an active agricultural enterprise that drain 16.9 acres into a headwater tributary of Thorp Brook and Lake Champlain about a mile downstream. The neighborhood has been working with Lewis Creek Association for the last three years to improve stormwater management practices and the health of Thorp Brook. Thorp Brook enters Lake Champlain at a significant and ecologically diverse wetland complex in Town Farm Bay. The bay is also an active recreation site that hosts Point Bay Marina and two large summer communities (Thompson’s Point and Long Point).

Lewis Creek Association’s stream sampling program, performed by South Chittenden River Watch community volunteers, notes this catchment of Thorp Brook has high phosphorus and sediment loading during high flows that is accelerating the rate of eutrophication (i.e., an excessive nutrient load, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, that drains into bodies of water, often resulting in an overgrowth of algae) of the widely valued wetland complex at Town Farm Bay. The BOL neighborhood area is part of LCA’s “Ahead of the Storm” (AOTS) water quality improvement and education program. Thanks to the interested residents at Big Oak Lane and funding from a Vermont Watershed Grant, LCA’s AOTS optimal conservation practices were installed in August to improve stormwater management, enhance habitat, and increase flood resilience to accommodate more extreme weather events.

The Big Oak Lane Ahead of the Storm site was identified several years ago by LCA, its consulting engineers at Milone & MacBroom, Inc. and the State of Vermont. With 2016 state funding support, the engineers completed a site assessment and prepared engineered designs that were recently finalized with input from neighborhood residents.

LCA’s recent Watershed Grant award, along with a landowner contribution, allowed for the final completion of the demonstration site installation. Lewis Excavating and Junior Lewis, along with his crew and help Water will collect in this stone-lined swale before entering the upgraded culvert. from some volunteer

Jr Lewis (Lewis Excavating) and Jessica Louisos (Milone & MacBroom, Inc.) discuss culvert placement to avoid underground utilities.

Logs are installed perpendicular to the eroding gully, then filled with brush to trap sediment and naturally fill in over time.

14 • October 31, 2018 • The Charlotte News

Fit At Any Age The after-burn effect of intense exercise Good things happen to you after your exercise. You already know that, but did you know that your metabolism gets a boost Ginger Lambert thanks to EPOC? That stands for “excess post-exercise oxygen consumption.” A mouthful, right?

EPOC is the scientific term for the after-burn effect of prolonged intense exercise. When you work out for a long period of time, the muscles begin to burn, and you feel out of breath. Why? The muscles fill up with lactic acid (the burning feeling), and the body’s oxygen stores become depleted.

To replenish the oxygen that is used during exercise the body must work very hard. This process burns calories long after the workout has ended. Highintensity training sessions, like cross fit or boot camp classes, force the body to work harder to build its oxygen stores back up. This can take as much as 16 to 24 hours post workout.

What is the result, and what does it mean? The lactate you built up during intense exercise is used in the resynthesis of muscle glycogen. Oxygen works with protein for the repair of muscle tissue damaged during a hard

workout.

Steady-state endurance exercise sessions may burn the same calories, but working at a harder intensity requires more time to replenish the oxygen stores. EPOC is influenced by the intensity not the duration of the exercise.

Strength training, running sprints and speed work all work the body for short intervals, leading to the after burn that will build your muscles back up and kick your metabolism into high gear— which can even result in weight loss.

If you have any fitness or nutrition questions you can find Ginger each Tuesday teaching “Fitness at Any Age” from 9:15-10 a.m. at the Charlotte Senior Center. She can also be contacted via her website at gingerlambert.com.

Our Land Investment in land conservation yields strong returns to the economy

Photo by Ian MacLellan

Frances Foster Not only does conserved land nourish the soul and critically sustain the beauty of our Vermont landscape, we now have specific information on the benefits to our economy. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) along with members of the Vermont Forest Partnership released a groundbreaking study earlier this fall that quantitatively established that land conservation generates impressive economic returns.

The report states that every $1 invested in Vermont land conservation returns $9 in natural goods and services. “Vermonters treasure their natural heritage and working lands. But until now, there was little sense of the economic return we get when we protect forested and natural landscapes.

The Trust for Public Land’s study shows that conservation efforts support local jobs and result in a high return on investment,” said Joe Roman, a technical reviewer of the report and Gund fellow and associate professor at UVM’s Gund Institute for Environment and Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources.

Investments in land conservation across the state have proven to provide thousands of jobs that range from farming and forestry to employees at small businesses that rely on outdoor recreation

and tourism. A summary of the report on the TPL website offers two examples of economic benefits to the state: “the forest products industry supports 10,600 jobs and generates $1.48 billion in economic output.

The outdoor recreation industry generates 51,000 jobs and $5.5 billion in consumer spending in the state each year.”

The results of this study demonstrate that conservation supports many of our state’s important industries, such as recreation, tourism, forestry and farming, which depend on protected farmland, healthy forests and clean water. We are very fortunate in Charlotte through the work of the Charlotte Land Trust, the Vermont Land Trust and other organizations to have conserved many of our important farms, forested lands and scenic areas. We always knew it would be a good idea to protect these critical parts of our town’s resources, but it is exciting to read the study and learn more about the full benefits of conservation.

The full economic study can be accessed on the TPL website at tpl.org/vermont-roi.

The executive summary of the study makes particularly fascinating reading.

Frances Foster is a member of the board of the Charlotte Land Trust. She lives in Charlotte.

The Charlotte News • October 31, 2018 • 15

On Books The magic of Uncle Wiggily and other wonderful stories When I was little, my father (a big reader) had a collection of Uncle Wiggily books. They were books he’d owned as a child.

Katherine Arthaud We probably had 20 of these books, each containing three stories and amazing drawings.

The author, Howard R. Garis, began writing the Uncle Wiggily stories for the Newark News in 1910 and then wrote one every day (except Sundays) for more than three decades after that, publishing 79 books in his lifetime.

The main character of these tales is Uncle Wiggily, an older male rabbit, somewhat but not altogether impeded by rheumatism, who carries around a peppermint-stick striped crutch and has many adventures, aided by friends— Sammie and Susie Littletail, Jimmie Wibblewobble (a duck), Petie BowWow, Munchie Trot (a pony), etc.—and thwarted by bullies and pranksters (the Pipsisewah, the Skeezicks, the Bazumpus, Skillery Skallery Alligator and a number of others), whom Uncle Wiggily manages to dispense with, often with his candy-striped crutch or by the use of some “thing-a-ma-bob” he just happens to have in his satchel.

We had the whole collection. My Uncle Jamie (my father’s younger brother) often (laughingly) accused my father of stealing the Uncle Wiggily books from him as a child. But whoever owned the Uncle Wiggily books, my sisters and I didn’t care. We had access to them. That was what counted. And they were magical.

But here is the strange thing: for the longest time, we only read one Uncle Wiggily story. Just one. The story we read over and over and over (or more accurately, had read to us) was: “Uncle Wiggily’s Water Spout.” Just that. No other. But OMG, that story was incredible! So exciting, just the right amount of scary. Why, you might ask, would we only read that one story when there were so many others to be had? I think one reason is because “Uncle Wiggily’s Water Spout” was so extraordinarily satisfying we had no need for another. But I think another reason, possibly the main one, is that we wanted to keep all those other stories saved and unread for the future. Like

Christmas presents you can’t bear to unwrap, because once you have, well, there will then be no more Christmas presents to unwrap, shimmering with mystery and untapped magic.

Why on earth am I talking about this?

Well, it’s a good question. The answer is, because I just passed by my upstairs hall bookshelf, where I caught sight of Sue Grafton’s Y is for Yesterday. As I have mentioned before, I have read all the other books in this excellent series.

And I only have one left. One. And I just can’t quite bring myself to read it. Because once I do, I will be done. There is no Z is for…, and there never will be. So there Y is for Yesterday lies, rather like the 78 unread Uncle Wiggily stories… which we did, by the way, eventually read. But it took a long time before we were ready. And so Y is for Yesterday lies unread, like an unwrapped present, an uneaten peach.

And by the way, I just spotted an ad for an early printing, 1927, cloth hardback with pastedown, Uncle Wiggily’s Water Spout, illustrated by Lang Campbell, $249 on Amazon, not counting shipping.

Wow. Maybe I’ll take a trip home and see if those Uncle Wiggily books are still there (Don’t tell my sisters.). _______ On a heavier note, last month I listened to Fear, which wasn’t fun but which taught me a lot of things I now kind of wish I didn’t know. The author, Bob Woodward (veteran reporter and now associate editor of The Washington Post, author/coauthor of 18 books, and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner), draws from hours and hours of interviews with firsthand sources, personal journals and diaries, notes from meetings, etc., for this unbelievably detailed behind-thescenes book about the 45th president of the United States and the people who surround him. This book is not for the faint of heart.

As I listened to accounts of actual conversations between Trump and his people, I almost had to pinch myself.

THIS is a president?! Our president?!

The president of the United States?!

Am I dreaming? Is this a nightmare?!

The amount of arguing, expletives, backbiting, confusion, subterfuge and staff turnover is dizzying. It almost reads as comedy at times, but it’s not funny, because it isn’t fiction. God help us.

“

We wanted to keep all those other stories saved and unread for the future.

Like Christmas presents you can’t bear to unwrap, because once you have, well, there will then be no more Christmas presents to unwrap, shimmering with mystery and untapped magic.

”

Seriously. I now understand better some of what has been transpiring behind the sacrosanct walls of the Oval Office, the Situation Room, Air Force One and the presidential living quarters. I found particularly chilling the parts about the tweet-storm with Kim Jong-un and Trump’s clueless, bullish impulsivity

vis-a-vis South Korea outposts. Read it if you dare. And vote.

On a lighter note, Elin Hilderbrand has a new book out, and it doesn’t take place on Nantucket. At first, I couldn’t quite stomach this. How dare she write a book that doesn’t take place on Nantucket? Nantucket is her thing! That is what her fans expect! It is what we depend upon and look forward to! But no, Winter in Paradise takes place on (pre-hurricane-ravaged) St. John. I have to say, once I got over the location issue, I really enjoyed this book. Someone’s husband dies in a mysterious private plane crash in the Caribbean, and that’s all I’m going to tell you, except that this really is fun to read. Intrigue, drama, and romance, not in a New England island paradise, but a tropical, island one. It’s really fun. And hey, as the Vermont weather gets wetter and colder by the minute, and the leaves disappear off the branches, and snow seems to be appearing on the mountains and spitting occasionally from the heavens above, this book might be just the thing.

I also really enjoyed Amy Bloom’s White Houses, a novel about the relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and her longtime companion, Lorena Hickok. I am a big fan of Amy Bloom.

A long time ago, a friend turned me on to Bloom’s novel, Away, and I loved it, so I make sure to read everything she turns out. White Houses is narrated by Lorena Hickok (“Hick,” as her friends called her) who grew up in a poor family in South Dakota and rose to become a prominent American reporter.

She and Eleanor Roosevelt met in 1932 while Hickok was reporting on Franklin Roosevelt’s first presidential campaign, see

BOOKS page 23

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16 • October 31, 2018 • The Charlotte News

Sports Lilly Cazayoux, Catherine Gilwee, Sara Kelly and Madi Hubbard also scored.

Sydney Jimmo assisted twice, and Maryn Askew made four saves.

Edd Merritt

Redhawk runners hit the trail at Thetford Academy The oldest independent school in the

state, just over the Connecticut River from New Hampshire, was the site of this year’s Vermont State cross-country championship.

As expected, the CVU women hit the slopes of the Academy’s 5-kilometer trail in top stride, with the top three individual finishers being sophomore Alice Larson, followed by senior Ella Whitman and freshman Chloe Silverman, leading the Hawk pack to its 10th Division I title in a row and its 15th in the last 16 years.

All seven CVU runners finished among the top 10 with Sadie Holmes sixth, Cate Noel seventh, Alicia Veronneau ninth and Jasmine Nails 10th. Their team score of 19 was the lowest ever. (In cross-country lower is better.) Coach Scott Bliss, who has led the team through all 15 titles, was quoted in the Free Press, “For them to perform at their best today—this is what we have practiced for all season. It’s a pretty good feeling.”

The Redhawk men placed fifth among 11 schools, with Essex winning the team title and a Hornet runner the top individual finisher.

By the way, both of CVU’s top two women runners have been voted “Athletes of the Week” in the Burlington Free Press, Alice Larson for the week of August 30 through September 8, and now Ella Whitman for the week of October 14 through 20. She was noted for winning the Northern Vermont Athletic Conference (NVAC) title in Swanton on that Saturday.

Field hockey falls from the race

CVU field hockey dropped a quarterfinal match to Bellows Falls by a score of 3-1 last Friday. Ranked first in the state, this was the 51st straight win for the Terriers.

Caroline Reynolds scored the 8th-ranked Redhawks lone goal with an assist from Hailey Chase, while goalie Kristy Carlson was called upon for 13 saves.

The Hawks reached the quarterfinals by winning a playdown over number nine Mount Mansfield 2-1 on Oct. 23.

Football season ends Soccer is all in your head.

Men’s and women’s soccer move on to semis

Although CVU waited to score until

midway through the second period, it was enough for the top-seeded men to hold off 8th-ranked Mount Mansfield, 1-0. Jack Sinopoli gathered in a high boot in the MMU box and hit a rushing Jami Lashua who placed his kick in the far corner.

Again, the Hawks kept the majority of play in midfield, as goalie Aidan Johnson was called on for only two saves.

The defending state titlelist women topped their 8th-ranked quarterfinal opponent from Burlington High, 5-0.

Leading 2-0 at halftime, the Hawks

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moved on in the second stanza to ensure the shutout. As they have all season, the scoring was spread among forwards and midfielders: this time, five of them. Josie Pecor led matters with a goal and an assist.

October 19 saw Redhawk football end its season with a 27-7 loss to Middlebury on the Tigers’ home field. Quentin Hopwood led the Hawks offense with 10 carries for a total gain of 84 yards, including a 49-yard run for CVU’s lone TD.

State champion Redhawk girls cross country runners huddle with coach Scott Bliss.

Photos by Al Frey

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The Charlotte News • October 31, 2018 • 17

Charlotte Public Safety Log

Lake Iroquois.

As submitted by the Shelburne Police Department

Tuesday, October 16

October 1 thru October 26

20:58 Medical Call, SPEAR ST, Charlotte.

911 Caller reported a medical emergency.

Charlotte Rescue was dispatched. The patient was transported to the hospital.

Monday, October 1 11:33 Mutual Aid, MAPLE LEAF LN, Shelburne. Charlotte Fire assisted Shelburne Fire at a structure fire.

Tuesday, October 2 07:28 Mutual Aid, WALKER AVE, Vergennes. Charlotte Rescue assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue.

09:43 Fire Call, FERRY RD; TOWN OFFICE, Charlotte. Caller reported an electrical problem with light fixture.

Charlotte Fire and Rescue were dispatched.

The problem was located and the hazard was removed.

Wednesday, October 3 19:23 Fire Call, MOUNT PHILO RD; STATE PARK, Charlotte. Caller reported unattended fire in the area. Charlotte Fire and Rescue were dispatched. The fire was located and extinguished.

Thursday, October 4 07:44 Fire Call, CHURCH HILL RD, Charlotte. Caller reported a tree on power lines. Charlotte Fire and Rescue were dispatched. GMP was notified and the hazard was removed.

15:07 Medical Assist, CROWN POINT RD & SHORT ST, Bridport. Charlotte Rescue Paramedic assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Vergennes Rescue.

Friday, October 5 08:29 Mutual Aid, TERRACES, Shelburne, Charlotte Rescue assisted Shelburne Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue.

16:07 Mutual Aid, ASPEN CIR, Shelburne.

Charlotte Rescue assisted Shelburne Rescue at a medical call. The patient refused transport to the hospital.

21:24 Mutual Aid, LAKE CHAMPLAIN, Ferrisburgh. Charlotte Fire assisted Vergennes and Ferrisburgh Fire at a boating incident.

The alarm was determined to be a false alarm.

12:08 Mutual Aid, RIDGELINE RD, Panton. Charlotte Rescue assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue.

17:37 Mutual Aid, N MAPLE ST, Vergennes, Charlotte Rescue assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue.

Monday, October 8 18:28 Fire Alarm, HIGBEE RD, Charlotte.

Caller reported fire alarm activation.

Charlotte Fire and Rescue were dispatched.

The alarm was determined to be a false alarm.

Tuesday, October 9 16:46 Mutual Aid, MAIN ST, Vergennes.

Charlotte Rescue assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue.

18:34 Medical Assist, LITTLE CHICAGO RD, Ferrisburgh. Charlotte Rescue Paramedic assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Vergennes Rescue.

Wednesday, October 10

Thursday, October 18 04:49 Mutual Aid, WAKE ROBIN DR; WAKE ROBIN, Shelburne. Charlotte Rescue assisted Shelburne Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue.

07:55 Mutual Aid, WAKE ROBIN DR; WAKE ROBIN, Shelburne. Charlotte Rescue assisted Shelburne Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue.

09:06 Mutual Aid, MAPLEWOOD DR, Shelburne, Charlotte Fire assisted Shelburne Fire with smoke in residence.

Friday, October 19 08:40, Mutual Aid, TERRACES, Shelburne. Charlotte Rescue assisted Shelburne Rescue at a medical alarm. The patient refused transport to the hospital.

Saturday, October 20 04:00 Mutual Aid, W MAIN ST, Vergennes. Charlotte Rescue assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patients were transported to the Hospital by Charlotte Rescue and Vergennes Rescue.

08:29 Mutual Aid BEACH RD; SHELBURNE BEACH, Shelburne.

Charlotte Fire and Rescue assisted Shelburne Fire and Rescue for a boat run aground.

08:29 Fire Alarm, GREENBUSH RD, Charlotte. Caller reported fire alarm activation. Charlotte Fire and Rescue were dispatched. The alarm was determined to be a false alarm.

14:44 Mutual Aid, HAYSTACK RD, Hinesburg. Charlotte Rescue assisted Hinesburg 1st Response at a medical call.

The patient was transported to the hospital

by Charlotte Rescue.

Sunday, October 21

Friday, October 12

Monday, October 22

13:40 Mutual Aid, US ROUTE 7, Ferrisburgh. Charlotte Rescue assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue.

09:39 Medical Call, HIGBEE RD, Charlotte. 911 Caller reported a medical emergency. Charlotte Rescue and Fire were dispatched. The patient was transported to the hospital.

14:19 Medical Call, SPEAR ST, Charlotte.

911 Caller reported a medical emergency.

Charlotte Rescue and Fire was dispatched.

The patient was transported to the hospital.

17:49 Medical Call, MOUNT PHILO RD; STATE PARK, Charlotte. 911 Caller reported a medical emergency. Charlotte Rescue and Fire were dispatched. The patient refused transport to the Hospital.

Saturday, October 6

Sunday, October 14

11:03 Fire Alarm, HINESBURG RD, Charlotte. Caller reported fire alarm activation. Charlotte Fire and Rescue were dispatched. The alarm was determined to be a false alarm.

13:35 Medical Call, THORPE COVE RD, Charlotte. 911 Caller reported a medical emergency. Charlotte Rescue was dispatched. The patient was transported to the Hospital.

Sunday, October 7

Monday, October 15

09:13 Fire Alarm, BEAN RD, Charlotte.

Caller reported fire alarm activation.

Charlotte Fire and Rescue were dispatched.

19:49 Mutual Aid, DIMICK RD, Hinesburg. Charlotte Fire assisted Hinesburg Fire at a water rescue call on

05:33 Medical Call, PRINDLE RD, Charlotte. 911 Caller reported a medical emergency. Charlotte Rescue was dispatched. The patient was transported to the Hospital.

12:22. Accident PI, SHELBURNE RD & WEBSTER RD, Shelburne. Charlotte Fire assisted Shelburne Fire at a motor vehicle crash.

Tuesday, October 23 03:21 Medical Call, CHURCH HILL RD, Charlotte. 911 Caller reported a

medical emergency. Charlotte Rescue was dispatched. The patient was transported to the hospital.

07:15 Medical Assist, SAND RD, Ferrisburgh. Charlotte Rescue Paramedic assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient was not transport to the hospital.

11:57 Medical Call, CHURCH HILL RD, Charlotte, 911 Caller reported a medical emergency. Charlotte Rescue was dispatched. The patient was transported to the hospital.

Wednesday, October 24 14:39 Medical Call, FERRY RD, Charlotte.

911 Caller reported a medical emergency.

Charlotte Rescue was dispatched. The patient was transported to the Hospital.

Thursday, October 25 10:25 Mutual Aid, SHELBURNE RD; COUNTRYSIDE MOTEL, Shelburne.

Charlotte Rescue assisted Shelburne Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue.

Friday, October 26 16:37 Mutual Aid, MAIN ST, Vergennes.

Charlotte Rescue assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue.

Local Church Services Charlotte Congregational Church, UCC 403 Church Hill Road 425-3176 Regular Sunday service: 10 a.m.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church Spear Street, 425-2637 Sister parish: St. Jude’s Regular schedule of masses: Saturday, 4:30 p.m., at St. Jude’s Sunday, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Sunday, 9:30 a.m., at St. Jude’s

18 • October 31, 2018 • The Charlotte News

Out Takes

Is there ice on the lake and snow on the trail?

Edd Merritt

As I went walking that ribbon of highway I saw above me the endless skyway And saw below me that golden valley This land was made for you and me “This Land is Your Land” – Woody Guthrie Charlotte-raised author Leath Tonino published a book this year through the Trinity University Press, San Antonio, Texas, titled The Animal One Thousand Miles Long: Seven Lengths of Vermont and Other Adventures.

The book is composed of a series of his essays that have appeared in various publications over the last seven years. In these essays he looks at nature through a description of the natural world’s basic elements, through descriptions of the interface between his own and the natural world’s biography and how the two mix in the places in which he finds himself at various times of his life. He precedes the book with a quote from beat poet and environmental activist Gary Snyder who says that “to know the spirit of a place is to realize that you are a part of a part and that the whole is made of parts . . .”

Leath soon discovers that, in fact, Snyder has captured a truth about the areas of Vermont and the Champlain basin that

he has ventured through looking for and discovering some of the novel nature of the area.

Tonino borrowed the poetphilosopher Aristotle’s way of describing a piece of land as “an animal a thousand miles long.”

Leath feels he has done this, at least in his seven trips covering the length of Vermont by various means— hiking, hitching, biking, paddling, peddling, swimming and flying.

You’ll find a good deal of local flavor in his book. In an early chapter he titles “Bumping into Life,” he talks about sitting down with CVU teacher Chris O’Donnell in her classroom, the Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer on the table in front of them with Chris describing her desire to “do something outdoorsy” in each of Vermont’s 251 towns. Tonino picks up on her enthusiasm.

In a later chapter, “Frostbiting with Frostbiters,” Tonino gets together with Charlotte’s David Miskell, who, while known mostly for his organic greenhouse vegetable gardens, is also a kayaker who does an annual New Year’s Day paddle across Lake Champlain. Naturally, in his traversing of the region, Leath joins David and crew as they head west out of Kingsland Bay into the open lake with miles of whitecaps coming from the northwest, blown to crests by a “Miskell

Wind.” Tonino says conversation stops at this point and he adopts a focus on the far shore that requires the discipline of an “almost-enlightenment monk.” (Such a statement lets the reader know that it’s not just the landscape. It is also the psychic flavor that landscape enhances.)

Whimsical reflections aside, Leath says he will “ponder the art of finding polarstyle adventure in cozy, cute Vermont.”

Leath’s book is in many respects a lens on the land insofar as he tries to help the reader gain an appreciation for what nature and humanity share. He was hooked on this interaction at an early age, primarily through his family, friends, education—all these factors helped create his inquisitiveness. In the book he helps

us gain an understanding of what the interaction means to him and how he tests his own knowledge. Leath’s self consciousness about what he sees around him makes this book an interesting delving into the nature of nature.

The final chapter—and the one that gave it its title—takes Leath by seven different means of transportation, from back-packed hiking to airplane, up and down the length of Vermont, from Quebec to Massachusetts and back via seven different routes. His goal, he says, is that by the end of the year and a “few thousand miles back and forth through human and more-thanhuman communities,” he’d be able to “draw together in consciousness all those disparate lengths, seeing them—feeling them, if only for an instant—as grand parts of a unified whole.”

Having myself traveled around not only this region, but also others throughout this country and the world, I think I can appreciate his curiosity, even though the reason for my travel was not always of my own doing.

Let’s start here in Vermont, however.

Since it is our whole as well as his that he describes, I encourage readers of this piece to pick up Leath’s book and see how well it meets your expectations and your own experiences.

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The Charlotte News • October 31, 2018 • 19

Accidental Pastor I really don’t remember when I met him, when I met them. I think it might have been at a party thrown by my neighbors at the time, because they Melissa O’Brien were all close NEWS EDITOR friends and I think he and his wife had just moved to Charlotte. I think that’s probably how we first connected.

They were curious to me, this lovely couple, settled here on the shores of the lake in their retirement, although that seems an inappropriate word, “retirement,” because I don’t think they ever sat still. They integrated their lives with this place in ways that were generous and meaningful. She and I served together on the Flynn board for a while, and the best meetings were when she sat beside me because she had a terrific and biting sense of humor.

The two of them were the most elegant couple I’ve ever seen. It was unusual to see one without the other, and so I often enjoyed the impact of seeing them, so handsome, he, so beautiful, she wellgroomed and well-dressed, together. They set a standard in comportment that has fallen by the wayside in a world in which every day has become “Casual Friday”, and I loved it.

“

A True Gentleman

Men like him are a rapidly disappearing breed; it’s nearly impossible for me to conjure another example of such decent and honest humanity

”

They were always put together, and they were always together.

I remember a day, fourteen years ago, when I ran into them at a local dress shop. She was trying on outfits for some special event and he was sitting on the couch in the small waiting area outside the dressing rooms, reading something, peacefully, quietly. No sign that he was in a hurry or bothered by his circumstances.

He clearly enjoyed being with his wife, even in a dress shop in the middle of the week.

They were kind and funny. It was treasure they gave to the world, most likely without even knowing it, the ways they treated each other, their togetherness.

How else would I remember a random dress shop encounter fourteen years later?

I knew he was sick; I had run into her at an event a few weeks ago and she conveyed as much. I knew it was somewhat dire, still I was shocked to hear of his death while I was sitting in the pew at church this past Sunday.

I experience death all the time. I have been to three funerals in the past two weeks, two of which I presided over. I have seen death from every imaginable angle, and yet, there are some deaths I’m just not ready for, and it often takes me by surprise, my sorrow and the dawning awareness of the impact someone had on my life once they are gone.

This man, this tall and handsome, dapper and charming person, lived a very important life. He did incredible things in the name of military service to this country and in business. He was, by all of societal standards, incredibly successful.

He clearly had strong connections with his family and friends. To him, I was no one, just another person living in the same town.

And yet he never, ever treated me that way, as a no one. Whenever I ran into him, usually at the Brick, he took the time to speak with me, to ask me questions about my life and to share with me something of his. Our encounters were

meaningful, however brief, always. Also, he had a terrific smile, the kind that lit up the space around him. He was the kind of person who brightened a day.

I think sometimes we wander through our days, and then suddenly our days have become years and then our time is almost up; 50 years or more have passed in the blink of an eye and we wonder where it all went. This gentleman taught me, by virtue of his existence, that every day matters, that you should leave the house looking great, that you should serve the community in which you live, that you should enjoy your days, that you should adore and respect your partner always, and that you should take the time to speak with your neighbors.

In other words, he modeled what it means to be a respectful, dignified, caring human being. And I suspect the reason why I am feeling so much sorrow at his dying is because men like him are a rapidly disappearing breed; it’s nearly impossible for me to conjure another example of such decent and honest humanity.

There is today an enormous hole here in Charlotte where he once stood as one of the most delightful, kind-hearted and honorable people I have had the good fortune to know. Thank you for this gift, Captain Craig Sim.

Yantachka named a Renewable Energy Legislative Champion in our region and across the country, must act now, in the next session, to take steps to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels, especially in the transportation and heating sectors of energy consumption.

We will get a bill to the Governor’s desk by the end of the next session.”

Staff report At Renewable Energy Vermont’s 18th annual Conference and Exposition, held October 18 and 19 in Burlington, the organization conferred on Charlotte Representative Mike Yantachka its Renewable Energy Legislative Champion award for his contributions to advancing renewable energy in Vermont as a member of the House Energy & Technology Committee, the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) and the climate caucus.

The theme of the conference was REVitalize: Transforming Energy Further, Faster, Together, and in recognizing Yantachka, REV specifically cited his work with his legislative colleagues to ensure that the money the state received from the federal government from its settlement with Volkswagon was used to support the increased use of electricity as a source of power for vehicles and other mobile sources of air pollution and greenhouse gases. REV also cited legislation Yantachka sponsored to reduce the cost of renewable generation and to expand it to developed areas like parking lots and rooftops.

Left to right: Jeff Forward, Mike Yantachka and Olivia Campbell-Anderson “The latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presents a dire outlook for our planet if we fail to step up to the task of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels in the next 12 years. This problem

has to be tackled today. We can’t wait for a year, and we can’t wait for the federal government to take action under the current administration. We will not wish this problem away,” said Rep. Mike Yantachka. “Vermont, with other states

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20 • October 31, 2018 • The Charlotte News

Writer’s Corner Fall’s here

“

Susan Crockenberg I know it’s truly fall when an email pops up in my mailbox with the heading: “Lamb with a Plan.” It’s John O’Brien, the Tunbridge sheep farmer inquiring if we wish to buy lamb again this year. If so, we should meet him in Montpelier next week; he’s running for State Rep and doesn’t want to relinquish an entire day of campaigning to deliver lamb.

A decade or so ago, John directed the hilarious and heart-warming movie A Man with a Plan about a Vermont farmer who runs for senator to obtain insurance that will pay his father’s medical bills.

Hence, “Lamb with a Plan.” John signs his emails “Baa.” I’d been thinking about John and his lamb, his email a delight for its predictability, a signal that a new season has begun, one in which the purchasing of lamb chops, legs and shanks arrives as we settle into the making of hearty soups, thick stews and roasts, our favorite foods as the days grow shorter and colder and we yearn for meals that warm and comfort us.

Soon it will snow and before that the days grow colder and grayer, but this afternoon is bright and breezy.

The partially leafless birch trees and carnelian-coned sumac ripple in the wind, their shadows playing on the barn roof…a step left then swing back as the branches stretch out and upward with a growing gust. I watch them across the now green again lawn, mown last week for the last time this season.

Beyond is the multi-hued hillside, the trees at peak, all shades of red, orange and a particularly intense gold, not yet beginning to brown. From my perch on the decaying red Adirondack chair atop my deck, I scan the lake, Long Point across the bay, Snake Mountain blue in the distance. For a moment I think, “I should be climbing that mountain, not

Dying leaves dance wildly, rip from their branches and drift crazily downward, opening gaps in the foliage where our neighbors, who just a week ago were merely distant voices, emerge again in human form

”

sitting and admiring it,” but it is perfect right where I am.

Yesterday, my husband clambered up the extension ladder to remove the accumulating leaves from their pockets in the rain gutters in preparation for the window washing that will take place tomorrow, another fall ritual. I grip the ladder tightly to assure he doesn’t topple down along with the composting leaves.

Energized, he removes all the window screens and pats himself on the back for completing the task rather than putting it on his long “to-do” list, regretting today that he’d been so prompt when we want the windows open to allow the last of the sun’s warmth to fill the house.

Our winter wood will arrive in the next few days, to be dumped unceremoniously

in the driveway from whence my husband and son will stack it tightly against the weathered fence that divides our property from our neighbors’. Dying leaves dance wildly, rip from their branches and drift crazily downward, opening gaps in the foliage where our neighbors, who just a week ago were merely distant voices, emerge again in human form. We wave and call out, “What a glorious day!” We look out for each other, our neighbors and ourselves, on alert for a white panel van pulled up to one of our doors in our absence, a sign something’s amiss.

Other than the wind in the leaves, it’s quiet here in the late afternoon, a train whistle breaking the silence briefly, a motorcycle accelerating up the slight slope that separates our house from the

marina, the distant hum of a motorboat returning to dock after what might be a last outing for the season. Or maybe not.

It’s just possible we’ll be graced with another brilliant day before fall edges into winter.

I inhale deeply and let my breath out slowly, savoring the season, this day, this moment of peace. I am alone, though kitty eyes me from her haunt beneath the deck, a silent companion to my contemplation.

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Sunny Side Up The brighter side of our climate fiasco

“

Carrie Fenn Writing a column for one’s local paper is a challenge. As a volunteer who writes only to provide our community with something other than the news to ponder, I suffer from inspiration blocks for a variety of reasons: my full-time job, three grandkids, five kids, a house that always needs painting or cleaning or repairing, a lawn that needs to be mowed, dishes, laundry and cooking that must be done. And sometimes, the inspiration doesn’t come because it’s so darn hard to be positive when it feels as though there’s nothing to be positive about. With the recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we know our climate is changing much more rapidly than was previously thought, and things don’t look good. For those that want to argue this report is “fake news,” save your breath. Please.

There is good news, though, amidst the bad. And that’s what this column is about.

Walmart has just signed a massive deal with SunPower, a U.S.-based manufacturer of photovoltaics, to install 23 megawatts of solar panels on Walmart facilities in Illinois. I predict this is the start of beautiful partnership that will have national repercussions. Walmart alluded to Illinois’ recent pro-solar net metering policies as reason for their decision to go solar.

Walmart is a heavy hitter in the world of

In case you missed it, Vermont saved $9 million in energy costs thanks to photovoltaics in the month of July alone.

”

political contributions, and when Walmart sees solar is good for their bottom line, I expect they will put pressure on other states to adopt favorable net metering policies.

Uber is working toward a fully electric driving fleet in London by 2025. The popular disrupter car service will add a small fee to every ride booked in London to create a fund to help its drivers switch to electric cars.

Despite dire reports that the Trump administration is anti-solar, the Department of Energy recently funded solar industry growth to the tune of $53 million, and $12 million of those funds are going directly to solar training programs for veterans. In addition, DOE Secretary Rick Perry has earmarked about $40 million for advanced research and development for emerging solar technology. Yes, $40 billion would be better, but this is the right direction.

Furthermore, the focus of study is on concentrated solar power, which uses solar energy to create a utility-scale, 24/7 power source via heated liquid.

In case you missed it, Vermont saved

$9 million in energy costs thanks to photovoltaics in the month of July alone.

Our little state had so much solar cranking out power during the hottest-on-record month, the energy duck curve looked more like the last big drop on Le Ronde’s roller coaster.

The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysts recently reported that the fossil fuel industry is weaker than it has been in decades.

Cleaner technologies will prevail, and the reason is simply economics. Using renewable resources to generate power is better than using expensive, antiquated systems. We are seeing utilities across the world move away from expensive, coalfired plants to renewable plants because it saves lots and lots of money.

Wondering where you fit in to all this?

Check out drawdown.org for ways you can make a difference.

When I woke up this morning, I was hit with a boatload of despair. I took a deep breath, shook myself, and decided I would commit to doing five things every day to make the world, and my community, a

better place. This column was today’s third thing.

We’re a long way from saving our planet. But there is good news. And I say to the “fake news” folks: What if climate change isn’t caused by human factors and we clean our planet up just for the heck of it? Would that really be so bad?

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22 • October 31, 2018 • The Charlotte News

Carolyn Kulik SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR

"Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.”

– Stephen Hawking

People become bored when they stop being curious. Once you think you know what you need to know, there is a certain aliveness that drains away. How easy it can be to put the spark back in! Consider learning something new or doing something that you have never done. (Be brave.) Or, observe children and practice seeing the world with the eyes of a child.

It will keep you young.

If it doesn’t rain today, the last Out for a Stroll on the Town Link Trail will begin at 10 a.m. (Call 425-6345 if you have doubts about the weather. It is iffy as of this writing.) Meet at the Senior Center to carpool. Since this idea of Ajat Tariyal’s seems to be catching on, it will be incorporated into the Spring Schedule and will probably resume in April or May, renamed as Strolling in Charlotte.

Today is Halloween – in case you forgot. If you read this in time, come on over for the Annual Fudge Fest at 1 p.m.

Join the friendly crew making popcorn balls and assembling trick-or-treat minibags along with fudge for the little ones who will be visiting the Senior Center later this afternoon.

As of Thursday, Nov. 1, you are invited to call (or to stop in) to make your reservations for the Senior Center’s Annual Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. It will be held at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Mark your calendars for this memorable (and satisfying) community event! Please note that reservations are not taken by email, and the very best time to reach someone is from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 425-6345.

On Wednesday, Nov. 7, our recurring Foot Clinic starts at 9:15 with the kind assistance of Martha McAuliffe, R.N.; Julia Jacques; and Samantha Wendell.

This clinic does require pre-registration, but the Blood Pressure Clinic at 11:30 welcomes walk-ins.

New courses in November Beginning Nov. 1 is Origami for the Holidays—where you can have a good time, stimulate your brain, and also make holiday ornaments from decorative folded papers. Instructor Gail Martin is an artist and educator who has made a goal of teaching origami at every one of the 180+ libraries in the state. (Be sure to ask her how many she has been to so far.)

There are three relaxing, fun Thursday afternoons, Nov.1, 8 & 15, 12:30-2 p.m. The fee is $30 for the course and includes materials. Please call or stop in to register.

Starting on Monday, Nov. 5 at 1 p.m., the November Book Group will discuss America Is Not the Heart by Elaine Castillo. This is a fictional look at an immigrant family and the history they bring with them as they try to build new lives in America. The group meets at the Senior Center with Library Director Margaret Woodruff. Books are available at the library. Please register. No fee.

Also starting on Monday, Nov. 5, for three sessions, from 1:30-3 p.m., is Altered Books with artist and educator Linda Finkelstein. “What is that?” you ask. It is a mixed media art form that uses a discarded hardcover book as a sort of canvas on which to paint, stitch, collage, carve and add writings to create a personal visual story. Since this artform might be hard to imagine, google “altered books” and then, click on the “images” word at the top of the page. Voila! You will see many pictures of altered books.

Some course materials are supplied, but pre-registration is necessary for the supply list. Fee is $45 for the three-part series.

If you are not a French speaker yet—or want to learn the basics for a trip—there will be a three-part series of Beginning French, on Tuesdays, Nov. 6, 13 & 27, from 1–2 p.m. This is not in the Fall Schedule, and please call to register if you are interested. Cost will be $12 per class.

French Conversation Circle continues on Tuesdays at 2:15 through November for those who are reasonably fluent.

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon, Watercolors–Part 2 with Lynn Cummings is replacing Acrylics & Mixed

Media. These four, three-hour sessions will be held at the same time (9 a.m. to noon) and on same dates: Nov. 13, 20, 27 and Dec. 11. Lynn’s approach is relaxed, inspiring and supportive. Pre-registration is required for the supply list. Fee is $135.

Event After Wednesday lunch, on Nov. 7, is the Senior Center’s Annual Meeting at 1 p.m. Please come to learn about how the Center operates and meet the hardworking board members who volunteer many, many hours in a wide variety of areas to help keep the Center viable.

Art News The November Art Exhibit is Native American Artifacts and Photography. Don Stevens, chief of the Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe, will be displaying artifacts, both from the tribe and his own collection, that include ceremonial dance staffs, bone needles, breast plates, gourds, contemporary saw paintings, jewelry, fur bags and more. Award-winning photographs by Don’s wife, Diane, will enhance the exhibit. In addition, on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 3 p.m., Don will give a talk on the teachings of the Native American Circle of Life. (Note: On that Sunday only, Shape-Note Singing will be held from 12:30-2:30.)

Viewing Art Shows: Since the Center’s Great Room is utilized for many classes and events, the best times to see art shows in November are Tuesdays & Wednesdays after 3 p.m. and Thursdays & Fridays after 12:30. Call the Center to check on Sunday availability.

Considering a class but want to know more? You are invited to come by to sit in on a class (at no charge) to see if you might like to join it. This is a good chance to meet the instructor, the other participants and ask questions.

There is still more to come at the end of the month, along with the ongoing programs and courses. You can always visit the town website at CharlotteVT. org. and click on the Senior Center tab for descriptions of all the course listings in the Fall Schedule, as well as the threemonth daily calendar.

Coming soon is our new website with information about the Senior Center, as well as answers to frequently asked questions, some history, a great section on food and nutrition by Susan Ohanian and more. _____________________ Charlotte Center (802)425-6345 Visit us at CHARLOTTEVT.org

SENIOR CENTER MENUS Suggested donation for all meals: $5

Monday Munch

11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

No reservations required.

November 5

Chili verde on rice Fall salad with seasonal fruits Chocolate cheesecake bars

November 12

Chicken mulligatawny soup Green salad Pumpkin spice cupcakes with maple frosting

Wednesday Lunch All diners eat at noon.

Reservations required.

October 31

Ricotta stuffed shells Italian salad Homemade dessert

November 7

Stuffed cabbage Birthday cake & ice cream

November 14

Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

Thursday Gents Breakfast

7:30–9 a.m.

Reservations required.

November 8

Mexican chilaquiles, fruit, juice Topic – TBA (Keep up to date on Menus with Front Porch Forum, as they sometimes change.)

“Enjoy every step you take. If you’re curious, there is always something new to be discovered in the backdrop of your daily life.” ~ Roy T. Bennett The Light in the Heart

The Charlotte News • October 31, 2018 • 23

BOOKS

continued from page 15

and their connection evolved into a friendship and then into a passionate, secret love affair that turned into—… well, that turned into what it had to turn into over the course of time in a culture that had a hard time handling relationships outside the bounds of heterosexual marital ones. This is a really good book. Highly recommend.

I loved Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, by Trevor Noah. Noah was an only child, born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother, whose union was illegal, punishable by five years in jail. Hence, he was “born a crime.” Things weren’t easy for him growing up. He spent much of his early childhood indoors while his cousins frolicked outside, as his mother wanted to protect him from a government that could steal him away from her for good. And then later, once apartheid was over, half white and half black, he didn’t really fit in anywhere— not with the blacks, not with the whites, not with the colored, as Noah tells it.

But difficult as such a life sounds, these stories are really funny, witty, high-energy and filled with joy, humor, resilience and great affection. Through Noah’s eyes, one gets a firsthand look at apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa: the violence, the prejudice, challenges, absurdities and pitfalls. But young Trevor is irrepressible, full of mischief, curiosity and a rambunctious natural intelligence—an inspired hustler and a challenging but fiercely devoted son. In the end what I will remember most is the relationship between Noah and his brave, rebellious, faithful,

miraculous mother. This book is moving, funny and beautifully written. I recommend listening to it. Read by the author. It’s perfect. Don’t miss it.

Another nonfiction book I read this month is In Pieces, the autobiography of Sally Fields. Very compelling, very honest, I couldn’t put this one down either. Reading about Fields’ life, I realize how much I take for granted the immense amount of work, both emotional and physical, that goes into acting. Who knew what Mrs. Doubfire’s, what Norma Rae’s, what Gidget’s, what the Flying Nun’s, what Mary Todd Lincoln’s portrayer was actually going through, behind the character, behind the scene, behind the screen and the fiction? Now I know more. It is so easy to idealize the lives of others, especially the lives of celebrities and movie stars and those who are, in worldly terms, successful. But wow, it is sad and shocking to learn what Fields endured as a child. And inspiring and impressive to read of her passion, her dawning insights into herself and the people around her, and the amount of focus and courage that it took for her to survive, and eventually thrive, as a child, a woman, and an artist.

I saw Sally Fields a couple of years ago in A Glass Menagerie on Broadway.

I wish I had read this book first. Now I want to go back and watch all her movies. I guess the more you learn about a life, the more you appreciate that life. I guess so much is about stories, and listening to others’ stories.

I’ve been pondering this idea lately, as I think about how angry and divisive this country has become as of late. Because every one of us has a story. (Good

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about their lives…honoring one’s own story…I think it is so important. It is hard to hate when you hear the story. So here’s to stories…all stories…all of our stories…told and untold, remembered and forgotten. Till next time…

THEME: TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY ACROSS 1. “An American in Paris” song “________-la” 6. Fitness venue 9. Five-star review 13. Desert wanderer’s hope 14. Debtor’s letters 15. Sweet potato, e.g.

16. Annoying tiny biters 17. Greyhound, e.g.

18. Lazybones 19. *It runs on iOS 21. *Swipe right, swipe left app 23. *21st century of Common ____ 24. *Update an iPod 25. Public health org.

28. Diplomat’s forte 30. V.I.P. in Hawaii 35. *Hit TV show about plane crash survivors 37. Apple leftover 39. The N of U.S.N.A. 40. Egyptian hieroglyph for “life” 41. *Demoted planet 43. Mandolin’s cousin 44. Curl one’s lip 46. Sandler or Arkin 47. Seedy source of Omega-3s

48. *Kilauea Volcano location 50. River in Bohemia 52. In the manner of, French 53. Popular pickling herb 55. Sashimi-style 57. *Not Jong-un 60. *Duchess of Sussex 63. Wintour’s favorite publication?

64. Form of “to be” 66. *Friends’ approvals 68. Not odds 69. Cambridge university 70. High society 71. “Bee ____” 72. Bartender’s concern 73. Past or present DOWN 1. Clothe 2. Raja’s wife 3. “Hurry!” acronym 4. Like a ballerina 5. Hang out with 6. Wisecrack 7. *____Tube 8. Moldy-smelling 9. “Ant-Man” leading actor 10. Having the knowhow

11. Swerve 12. Go wrong 15. Diced tomatoes packaging 20. African American civil rights org.

22. Octopus’ defense 24. Layered pastry of European descent 25. *Like modern mob 26. Fashion designer Karan 27. Off kilter 29. Float soda 31. 50 percent 32. Palate lobe 33. Birth-related 34. *Inanimate conversation partner 36. Short for Dorothea 38. Et alibi 42. Spaniard without “h” 45. Ruffles has them 49. Roman three 51. Aerie baby 54. South American domesticated animal 56. “____ You Were Sleeping” 57. “By ____, I think she’s got it!”

58. S-shaped molding 59. Women in habits 60. Boundary line

61. Related 62. *This team moved to Brooklyn in 2012 63. Relax, with “out” 65. *Deepwater Horizon, e.g.

67. Get the picture

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