The Charlotte News | January 9, 2019

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Charlotte News Wednesday, January 9, 2019 | Volume lXI number 13

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Charlotte News

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Vol. 61, no.13 January 9, 2019

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

Library asks for bond support Chea Waters Evans The Charlotte Library is ready to grow, and after three years of planning, supporters are ready to shift their efforts into high gear. At the request of the Selectboard, the library’s Bond Committee presented a proposal to the board on Dec. 17 to secure support for a $700,000 municipal bond, which would be presented to voters on Town Meeting Day in March. The bond would cover half of a $1.4 million dollar building expansion, the other half of which would be covered by private donations.

The project was initiated in December of 2015 by the Charlotte Library Board

Photo contributed of Trustees; in the summer of 2016 an The latest presentation to the Selectboard, Expansion Committee was formed to steer which was the fourth time the library the efforts, and in December of that same has presented to the board, went over the year, the Friends of the Charlotte Library, bonding process and presented ideas for a nonprofit that was created to facilitate the securing funding in order to get the project original building’s construction, voted to started within the next year. The plan is to move ahead with the project. expand the building by approximately 2,200 Since then, the Friends of the Charlotte square feet, which includes a meeting space library has hired an architect from Black with a separate entrance for after-hours River Design to work on preliminary plans meetings. There will also be more room for for an expansion of the current building and children’s programs, a bigger kitchen space hired consultants from CPG Enterprises to and updated restrooms in a more convenient conduct a feasibility study in the summer of location.

2018. Both of these projects were financed through a private donation to the Friends. see

LIBRARY page 7

Fire and Rescue at forefront of budget discussions once again Chea Waters Evans Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue finances were once again under a microscope, this time at a Selectboard meeting budget review in anticipation of this year’s Town Meeting. The Dec. 17 meeting covered several topics, including a proposed library addition, playground improvements at the Charlotte Beach, a new roof for the Town Hall and the Fire and Rescue Department’s proposed budget.

Two hours into a meeting that clocked in at nearly six hours, Town Clerk and Treasurer Mary Mead presented the town’s 2019-20 budget. After reviewing items including charitable donations, the Parks and Recreation Department budget and Trails Committee funding requests, talk turned to the CVFRS budget—which quickly turned contentious.

The department presented two budget options, one that included funding for an ambulance purchase in 2019-20 and one that pushes that purchase to the following fiscal year. Selectboard member Matt Krasnow said that the two plans

“

I’d like to see my firefighters training, not flipping pancakes for diesel fuel. I’ve been in departments like that before and it doesn’t work.

”

– Chief Dick St. George

presented “both involve increasing annual appropriations over time” and noted that the goal set last year was for the department to maintain solvency. At the end of 2017, the department exceeded their budget by over $54,000, though under-runs from other departments made up for the overage.

Earlier in the meeting, the board heard a bond proposal from the Bond Committee of the Charlotte Library, a group that has been working on the early stages of a capital plan see

CVFRS page 8

Planning Commission continues discussion on Mason–Von Trapp sketch plan Charlotte Family Health Center considering move to West Village commercial district Juliann Phelps The Jan. 3 Planning Commission meeting focused primarily on the Mason–Von Trapp sketch plan agenda item, with Chair Peter Joslin opening with an explanation of the intent of the sketch plan discussion: to listen to the ideas put forth by the applicants with a resulting recommendation from the commission. After nearly two hours of discussion from various meeting attendees, the commission scheduled a follow-up site visit and will include the item on a future agenda in February.

The Mason–Von Trapp sketch plan discussion centered on the application landowner Benjamin Mason and his realtor Chris Von Trapp of Coldwell Banker have submitted to the commission. They are seeking to create a one-acre lot in the village commercial district, behind the Charlotte Children’s Center, by subdividing it from Mason’s 37.7-acre property. Mason’s property has 106.7 feet of road frontage on Ferry Road, located between the fire station and the Charlotte Children’s Center, and would include a right of way to the proposed one-acre lot. The interested purchasers in attendance were Charlotte Health Center physician Dr. Andrea Regan and Evergreen Family Health physician Dr. Paul Reiss. They are scoping plans to build a new health center on the potentially subdivided lot, as well as including additional parking for other town organizations. Approximately 10 people were in attendance, representing several interested parties, including the Charlotte Health Center, CVFRS and residents of Greenbush Road.

Von Trapp opened the discussion by going over the proposed map.

Mason continued, noting: “We would like to accommodate the doctor’s need to be in town.” Planning Commissioner Marty Illick was the first to recommend a follow-up site visit, saying, “This is a parcel to pay good attention to, and the town would want to participate.” The discussion continued, with several other designs presented, one with the health center behind the Charlotte Children’s Center and one with the proposed

health center on Ferry Road. Several commissioners asked about setbacks and the right of way currently deeded on the property. Commissioner Eastman raised a concern about how the health center would fit on the available road frontage.

Other issues raised during the sketch plan discussion were the proximity and shared access with the fire station as well as water and septic. CVFRS Board President Tom Cosinuke expressed concern about the right of way and its proximity to the fire department entrance. Fire Chief Dick St. George said, “Sharing the road with emergency vehicles and volunteers that come in quickly... would be an unusual marriage if you will.” The discussion moved on to wells and septic, with Regan saying the proposed lot would have its own drilled well and share septic with the Charlotte Children’s Center, which is putting in a new mound system. Greenbush Road resident Ronda Moore raised concern about the groundwater supply on the road, asking the Planning Commission to look at establishing a water district, saying “This is a real issue, we can’t keep kicking the can down the road.”

The common theme was the repeated concerns from both Mason and Regan that whatever design is agreed upon be amenable to all parties. “If I lose five patients over this, it’s a bad business deal,” said Regan. “It’s not my job to get into politics.” After discussion on senior housing, other potential access points to Mason’s property and parking, the Planning Commission decided on a follow-up site visit on Jan. 5 and motioned to continue the sketch plan review, moving it to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7.

In other business, the commission had a brief discussion on the proposed subdivision in the east village, with Commissioner Joslin recommending they consider seeking municipal planning grant money. He also asked Town Planner Daryl Benoit to put together a draft scope of work to potentially have an outside resource brought in to assist with master planning. The commission proposed two meeting dates for future discussion.

2 • January 9, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Selectboard News from The News Chair Morrison Vince Crockenberg won’t seek New Charlotte News third term board members

at the University of Vermont, St. Michael’s College and Dartmouth College—and has lived in Charlotte for 45 years and in the same house in West Charlotte for 40 years.

Melissa O’Brien

The chairman of the Charlotte Selectboard, Lane Morrison, will end his two terms of service in March with his decision not to seek re-election.

Morrison names a number things that have made the task a worthy endeavor, in particular the opportunity to contribute to the community. “In the six years I’ve served on the Selectboard, we’ve seen many challenging issues resolved, including protecting view easements, creating a Town Charter as an effort to increase voter participation, trails work, State Police support and support for budget issues presented at Town Meeting.”

The more challenging aspects of the position were what caused Morrison, who originally intended to run again, not to seek re-election: lengthy meetings and the difficulties in reaching acceptable conclusions. “You can’t satisfy everybody,” Morrison says, “You’re always going to have about 40 percent of the population not supporting what you’re doing.”

Not surprisingly, plans for Morrison’s future include “volunteering in other community activities.”

“There is a lot of diversity in our community,” he says. “It’s time for someone else to have the opportunity to serve and to address the challenges ahead.”

Correction:

In our coverage of Charlotte’s soft plastics upcycling program, we omitted mention of its initiator, Kim Findlay. Kim discovered the Trex challenge that urges institutions and communities to collect plastic films.

Trex then turns these into decking so the film doesn’t end up in landfills, streams and oceans. Kim enlisted Ken Spencer to help actualize the program. These two are also cocoordinators of our town’s Green Up Day. Thank you, Kim, for picking up the plastics and earning our town its first recycled bench. The new bench can be sat on at the Brick Store.

The

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January 23, 2019

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Dave Quickel In 2004, Dave founded Stony Loam Farm in East Charlotte.

On 32 acres of certified organic land, Dave raises a variety of vegetables that he sells throughout Chittenden County to supermarkets and restaurants, at his own CSA on the Hinesburg Road and at the Shelburne Farmers Market. Before settling in Charlotte, Dave graduated from the University of Vermont in 1991, with a degree in political science, followed by graduate work at the University of Montana in environmental studies. From 1997 to 2002, Dave was the farm manager at Bingham Brook Farm in Charlotte.

Louise McCarren Louise retired in 2010 after seven years as the CEO of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, a nonprofit company responsible for the reliability of the Bulk Transmission System in the Western Interconnection (14 western states, British Columbia, Alberta and Baja Mexico).

Before that she was, among other things, the managing director and then president of Verizon, Vermont; assistant to the president for Special Projects at the University of Vermont; Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Service; chair of the Vermont Public Service Board; and a partner in the Burlington law firm Sheehey Brue Gray and Furlong. She has also taught

Tom O’Brien

Tom died this past New Year’s Eve. On behalf of the board and staff of The News, I’d like to express our sadness at his death, our best wishes to his family and our great appreciation for all that he did for Charlotte and especially for this paper.

Tom served on the board of directors of The News from 2008 to 2016. He and Meg Smith were co-presidents of the board in 2012-2013.

“It was the only way,” Meg said, “I would agree to serve as chair, knowing that I needed Tom’s innate enthusiasm to keep me going, and only through Tom’s eyes did I catch the community spirit that the newspaper represented.”

When Meg left the board Tom and I shared the presidency from 2013 to 2016.

No matter what confronted us at the paper during that time—the unexpected resignation of an editor or an unexpected drop in advertising revenue—Tom just grinned that huge smile of his, and off we went in search of a solution, which we always seemed to find.

Working with Tom was always a joy.

We’ll miss him here at The News, but the joy he brought to all of us remains part of the institutional memory of the paper.

Cheers, Tom, and thanks.

Tom’s obituary appears on page 3.

Petitions for Town/School Officers March 5, 2019, Charlotte Town Meeting

Petitions for town offices (with the current incumbents listed) that will be up for election on Town Meeting Day on March 5, 2019, are now available at the Town Clerk’s office; the completed petitions are due back in the clerk’s office

by Monday, January 28, 2019.

The petitions must have at least 30 valid signatures of voters in town. A voter can sign only one petition for each office unless more than one nomination for that office is to be made, in which case the voter can sign as many petitions as there are nominations to be made.

The following offices will be voted on March 5, 2019: Auditor (3-year term) .............................................. Peter Trono (Incumbent) Cemetery commissioner (3-year term)........... Victoria Zulkoski (Incumbent) Cemetery commissioner (2 years remaining of 3 year-term)............... Vacant Charlotte library trustee (5-year term).........Jonathan Silverman (Incumbent) Delinquent tax collector (1-year term).................Mary A. Mead (Incumbent) Lister (3-year term)............................................. Bruno Murphy (Incumbent) Moderator - town (1-year term)......................... Charles Russell (Incumbent) Road commissioner (1-year term)......................Hugh Lewis Jr. (Incumbent) Selectboard (2-year term)..................................... Frank Tenney (Incumbent) Selectboard (3-year term)................................... Lane Morrison (Incumbent) Town agent (1-year term).................................... Bruno Murphy (Incumbent) Town grand juror (1-year term).................................. Allen Ash (Incumbent) Trustee of public funds (3-year term)................................................... Vacant

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 Contributing Photographers: Lee Krohn and Ramiro Garay Business Staff Ad manager: Elizabeth Langfeldt ads@thecharlottenews.org Bookkeeper: Jessica Lucia Board Members President: Vince Crockenberg (vince@thecharlottenews.org) Vice President: Rick Detwiler Treasurer: (treasurer@thecharlottenews.org) Board members: Bob Bloch, Gay Regan, Louisa Schibli, Tom Tiller, Dave Quickel, Louise McCarren 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.

Want a subscription? Please send a check payable to The Charlotte News, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445.

Postmaster/Send address changes to: The Charlotte News P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 Telephone: 425-4949 Circulation: 3,000 Copyright © 2019 The Charlotte News, Inc. Member of the New England Newspaper and Press Association and the Vermont Press Association.

ON THE COVER: PHILO SILHOUETTE Photo by Lee Krohn

The Charlotte News • January 9, 2019 • 3

Around Town Edd Merritt

Congratulations: to Kathryn Blume who shared her writing with patrons at the Old Meeting House in East Montpelier three days before Christmas. She was part of what Mark Nash, the former artistic director of Vermont Stage, began seven years ago and calls “Stories for a Winter’s Eve.” It features songs by local musicians as well as stories from local writers. to Zach Williamson who, as production manager of Burlington City Arts, directed the first-night event, Highlight, that replaced First Night in Burlington on New Year’s Eve. Zach worked in conjunction with Signal Kitchen to organize Highlight, and the turnout seemed to be worth their efforts. to Stephen Kiernan and the CVU Madrigal Singers who read stories and sang songs on the Polar Express train that boarded 3,600 passengers at Burlington’s Union Station. The riders contributed over $160,000 through the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation and National Life Group to support children’s programs throughout the state. This is the most raised from the 17-year event. to Susan Ohanian whose letter appeared in The New York Times Metropolitan Diary on Dec. 17. In it she describes her experiences in 1965 shortly after arriving in the city from her life on a small farm in northern California. She happened to be walking along 42nd Street when all city lights went out, including those in her apartment complex. Unable to get up to her floor because the elevator was juiceless as well, she had to wait in the lobby until it could be started. It eventually arrived but could not go back up. A tenant with a flashlight finally led them upstairs. He turned out to be Susan’s next-door neighbor, and they became “strangers no longer.”

Sympathy: is extended to family and friends of Jacquelyn Kennedy Baker of North Carolina who passed away Dec. 11 at the age of 82. Her second husband, Clement Baker, was a member of the Baker family who owned a farm near Mt. Philo in Charlotte. is extended to family and friends of Elsa Carpenter of Charlotte who passed away Dec. 17 at the age of 88. She and her family moved to Charlotte in 1985, and she had worked in the benefits office of the University of Vermont. Her husband, Robert, who still resides in Charlotte, survives her. The family asks that those

wishing to make memorial contributions do so to the Paul N. Carpenter ’33 Scholarship Fund at Bates College, Attn: Gift Processing, 2 Andrews Rd., Lewiston, ME 04240 or to the First United Methodist Church of Burlington. is extended to family and friends of R. Avery Hall who passed away at Burlington Health and Rehab Dec. 20 at the age of 86. Avery grew up in the manse of the Charlotte Congregational Church where his father was pastor. The family moved to Burlington later on, and Avery earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UVM. He worked for the state, then Northern Engineering and finally consulted privately. While in Burlington he was active in saving the Flynn Theatre and the Fletcher Free Library. He remained interested in preserving Lake Champlain’s water quality, and as part of this interest he developed a wastewater system for the 95 camps on Charlotte’s Thompson’s Point.

His wife, Andrea Rogers Hall, survives him. Donations in his memory may be made to the College Street Church, 265 College Street, Burlington 05401, the Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts Scholarship Fund or to an organization of the donor’s choice. is extended to family and friends of Norman J. Marcotte of Shelburne who passed away Dec. 11 at the age of 87.

Norman was born to Edmund and Laura (Bedard) Marcotte in Charlotte where as a teenager he helped build a barn on the family’s property. He later headed the family business, Marcotte Appliance in Shelburne. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the VNA Hospice team at VNA Hospice, attention: Development Office, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446. is extended to family and friends of Tom O’Brien who passed away at home on December 31 surrounded by his loved ones.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Bethany Myrick, sons Brodie and Casey, their partners, and his dear extended family.

Tom came to Vermont to attend UVM in the 60s, where he fell in love with the mountains, the lake and the people. He was an accomplished woodworker, inventor and an entrepreneur. Tom gave generously of his time to serve on several boards and in his children’s classrooms. He was graceful skiing the mountains’ snow and skating the valleys’ frozen lakes, and loved sharing summer afternoons—and the occasional November gale—with friends and family on the sailboat Intuition.

Tom was a man full of warmth and heart, which he extended to his family and his many friends—an ever-expanding group, as he found connection wherever he went.

His warmth, generosity of spirit, creativity,

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Howling at the full moon Watching for the glimmer of spiders’ eyes at night Diving into the lake joyfully with Tom in our arms and our hearts Remembering to turn over the rake Watching over our children and grandchildren Watching for all the small miracles in the woods and hillsides Seeing Tom in the snow sparkles Feeling his love, light, and presence in us Sharing and remembering our stories.

Tom’s life will be celebrated by family and friends in a gathering planned for the spring.

Tom and Bethany.

Photo credit Casey O’Brien

and kindness will be remembered by those who knew him. May Tom’s life inspire us to live our days fully and with gratitude and kindness.

With joy, his family will continue to do the things Tom loved; they invite you to join them:

Tom served on the board of The Charlotte News from 2008-2016 and was co-president of the board from 2102 to 2016. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Steven Ades and the staff at the UVM Cancer Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to UVMMC Home Health & Hospice.

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4 • January 9, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Town Charlotte Selectboard draft agenda Monday, January 14, 2019 At the Charlotte Town Hall – 159 Ferry Road Agenda is subject to change—check agenda posted on charlottevt.org on the 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 7 p.m.

Adjustments to the agenda 7:01 Public Comment 7:05 Selectboard updates 7:15 Library addition

• Bond vote

• Authorization for Sketch Plan Review (by Planning Commission) 7:45 FY20 Budget 8:00 Warning for Town Meeting, 2019 8:20 Town Report, 2018—draft 8:40 Hire Teachers Tree Service to cut branches over Town Museum

and clean gutters for $350 8:45 Minutes: January 7 8:55 Approve warrants to pay bills 9:00 Adjournment

Happenings at the Grange The Charlotte Grange Hall was hopping on Tuesday, Dec. 18, as 13 local performers entertained a crowd that filled the main room of the hall. Singing and playing tunes, both original creations and old favorites, all the performers were warmly received and applauded.

Kristen Rose sang her own compositions, accompanying herself on the guitar.

Ben and Josie Fox, a brother/sister duo, also sang. Patcha Hennessey and Sam Messingschlager, local teens, played guitar and harmonica, while Eric Buttery performed original compositions. Matt Sargent, Dan Wyman, Patti Shannon, Joni Avrutick, Jason Baker and Tom McGrade rounded out the list of performers that evening.

Ted LeBlanc and Mike Walker, hosts for the open mic events, also performed, and several of the performers joined them for the closing number, “Good Night Irene,” which has become a signature closing number for the open mic nights at the Grange. A very appreciative audience rewarded the performers with loud

applause while also rewarding the Grange Hall with very generous donations for the use of the space.

The next open mic night at the Grange Hall will be Tuesday, Jan. 15, with signup starting at 6 p.m. and performances starting at 6:30. Contact Mike Walker at mjwalker@gmavt.net to sign up or for further information.

On Sunday, Jan. 20, from 4 to 6 p.m., there will be dancing at the Grange Hall with “A Winter Waltz.” All ages are welcome to come and dance or just to watch and enjoy! Light refreshments will be available. Suggested donation for “A Winter Waltz” is $5 per person or $10 per family to benefit the Charlotte Grange.

Donations are used to keep the Grange Hall open for use and to start to renovate the Hall so future generations can have this historic building to use for years to come.

Watch this column for future Happenings at the Grange! Open mic events are planned for each month with special events planned for February and March.

Members: Matthew Krasnow, Lane Morrison, Carrie Spear, Fritz Tegatz, Frank Tenney Town administrator: Dean Bloch.

Minute taker: ________________ Next meetings: January 28 @ 7 p.m. Regular meeting February 11 @ 7 p.m. Regular meeting

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The Charlotte News • January 9, 2019 • 5

Food Shelf News Susan Ohanian The December holidays already seem like a long time ago, but we want to send special thanks for the kindness that abounds in our community. As Food Shelf coordinator Karen Doris notes, we take pride in the fact that the Food Shelf has no need to spend money on fundraising.

First, thank you to the people who helped fill the special holiday boxes: Laura Iglehart, Stephanie Wells, Carol Chenevert, Sue Hall, Lynn Cluff, Nina Falsen, Holly Rochefort, Liz Anderson, Cindy and Toby Tyler, Alaina Murphy, Jon Davis, Garrett Sadler, Liz Foster, Karen and Bill Doris, Suzanne Ferland, John Lavigne, Pat Rodar, Nan Mason, Anne Carter Mahaffey, Ted LeBlanc, Kerrie Pughe, Cindi Robinson, Nanci Bloch and Peggy Sharpe.

Thank you to the Thompson’s Point Walkers for their donation of baked cookies; to the Hunger is Hard (Baking is Easy) group; to Wow Toyz for their most generous gift to each child, infant to 18 years old. Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Beck for their continued support over the years to all the children.

We send out a New Year’s thank you to people who offered special financial support: Toni and Robert Monsey, the Shelburne-Charlotte Garden Club, Rice Lumber, Jeannette Thibault, Jeffrey and Irene Horbar, Henri Proutt, Carleen Tufo, Anne Castle and Charlotte Organic COOP, American Endowment Foundation, Christopher and Susanne Davis, Barbara Lawrence, Janet Morrison, Trudy Gecewicz Jordan.

A special thanks to the good neighbors of Crosswind Road who got together to share a generous impulse with individual donations: Kathleen and William Posey, Myron and Leonore Sopher, Mark and Eleanor Capeless, Jen and Larry Sudbay, Karen and David Hurwitt, John and Carolyn Kovac, Heather and John Dwight and Lell Forehand.

I’d also like to acknowledge the people, who responded to my Front Porch Forum appeal for holiday box packers. They told me if more help was needed, they’d drop other plans and get there—even take time

There are three ways to ultimate success. The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.

—Fred Rogers.

Life Journey According to Mister Rogers: Things to Remember Along the Way off from work.

Stop a moment and think about our special community filled with people ever eager to reach out a helping hand. And then, take a close look at Fred Rogers. As one of America’s most beloved children’s show hosts, Mr. Rogers remains an iconic television figure for families worldwide. A documentary takes a close-up at the person behind the show, persona and personality that helped define what it meant to be a good person and be a part of a healthy community.

The film, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? is rated 98 percent at Rotten Tomatoes and is available at the Charlotte Library.

Donations We are a volunteer organization, so all donations you make to the Food Shelf go directly for food or assistance to our local neighbors in need. Should you wish to honor someone with a donation, a special acknowledgement will be sent to that person. Checks may be mailed to: Charlotte Food Shelf & Assistance, PO Box 83, Charlotte, Vermont 05445. Thank you.

Donated food drop-off locations All nonperishable food donations may be dropped off at the Charlotte Library, the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (main entrance) or at the Food Shelf during the distribution mornings.

Please check the expiration date. We request that all fresh foods be dropped off

at the Food Shelf before the Wednesday distribution hours or before 7:30 a.m. on the Thursday distribution mornings.

Baked goods for the Hunger is Hard (Baking is Easy) group can be dropped off on the Wednesday distribution dates by noon at the Congregational Church or at Holly Rochefort’s house at 86 Spear Street, where a bin sits on the porch.

The Charlotte Food Shelf is located on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Distribution days/times are posted on bulletin boards in the Charlotte Congregational Church Hall, at the Charlotte Library and at the Charlotte Senior Center. You may also call the Food Shelf number (425-3252) for a recording of the distribution times.

Important distribution dates at the Charlotte Congregational Church Wednesdays, Jan. 9, 23: 5–7 p.m.

Thursdays, Jan. 10, 24: 7:30–9 a.m.

Financial assistance As a reminder, the Food Shelf has some funds available for emergency assistance with fuel and electric bills. You may contact Cindi at 425-3234 if you need assistance.

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

For emergency food, call John 425-3130 For emergency assistance (electricity, fuel), call Cindi at 425-3234 For more information, call Karen at 4253252

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6 • January 9, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Charlotte Library News Margaret Woodruff DIRECTOR

Pick up a good book in January! We have book conversations abounding this month!

Thursdays, Jan. 10, 24 and Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. Surviving the Future. Join Transition Town Charlotte and the Charlotte Library for a look into the future where the arts and community engagement in fun becomes an essential element to a healthy community.

David Fleming’s engaging book shows that it is not only desirable but actually the only system with a realistic claim to longevity. With friendliness, humor and charm, Surviving the Future plucks this vision out of our daydreams and shows us how to make it real. Copies available at the Charlotte Library.

Tuesday, Jan. 15: Story time begins.

From toddlers to 1st graders, there’s a group for everyone!

• Baby Time: Tuesdays at 9 a.m. Join us at the Charlotte Library for songs and stories for babies and their caregivers.

• Preschool Story Time: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Learn about the world around through songs, stories, crafts and fun. A

drop-in session for ages 3-5.

• K-1 Story Time: Tuesdays at 2:15 p.m.

Hop off the bus and into an hour of stories, crafts and fun. Registration required for this session.

Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m.: Men’s book group debut. Library “gentlemen” friends: Do you enjoy reading? Historical novels? Biographies? Mystery? Nonfiction?

Would you enjoy sharing perspectives

and wonders with others about such books at our own Charlotte Library? If so consider joining a lively, informal oncea-month gathering, a book group for men, to address issues raised in books chosen by participants. The first book chosen by Jonathan Silverman will be The Contact Surgeon by Dan O’Brian. Copies of the book and a sign-up sheet are available at the library.

Monday, Jan. 21, at 10 a.m. Mystery book group: A Cure for All Diseases. Join us for coffee and discussion of Reginald Hill’s 23rd mystery featuring this unlikely police pair, as Dalziel and Pascoe return in this psychological thriller. He may have been in a coma, but it would take an act of God to put Andy Dalziel down for good.

The seaside resort he’s chosen to recuperate in becomes the scene of a gruesome murder, and DCI Peter Pascoe is called in to investigate. Copies of the book available at the circulation desk.

Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 5:30 p.m.: We Fed an Island community supper.

Inspired by Jose Argues’ work in Puerto Rico, we’re hosting a potluck supper with a Caribbean flair. Bring a dish to share inspired by the warm-weather flavors of Puerto Rico and her island neighbors. Jean Andersson-Swayze brings tales from her experience as a doctor in disaster zones across the globe to teach and encourage us to support those in need. We’ll also have copies of Argues’ book, based on his efforts, for review and discussion. Cosponsored by the Charlotte Library and the Charlotte Congregational Church, UCC, this program takes place in the vestry of

the Charlotte Congregational Church.

Library addition bond information sessions: You may have heard about our exciting plans for a possible addition to the library. If you’d like to learn more and share your thoughts, please join us on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Charlotte Senior Center or Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Charlotte Grange. Discussion and questions welcome over refreshments. Both presentations begin at 7 p.m.

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

Next Library Board meeting: Thursday, Jan. 10, at 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: facebook.com/charlottelibraryvt.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @CharlotteVTLib.

The Charlotte News • January 9, 2019 • 7

Town LIBRARY

continued from page 1

The Friends are working in what library trustee Nan Mason called the “quiet phase,” which entails securing private funding from individual donors before an official, widespread capital campaign is conducted. The organization has already secured financial commitments for approximately $350,000 of the $700,000 they plan to raise for the project. According to Margaret Woodruff, the director of the Charlotte Library, the tax cost for a Charlotte household would amount to $5 per year per $100,000 of a house’s value for a 20-year period.

Beth Merritt, who is on the Friends board, said that private fundraising efforts are a clear indication that there is muscle behind the community support. “We have skin in the game now,” she said. “The fact that we have raised this money shows that the community values the library.”

“We’re really pleased with the way this turned out, and we’re really excited about the possibility, Smith said at the Selectboard meeting. Board Chair Lane Morrison expressed reservations about the planning and financing costs, asking why the library committees are eager to begin securing a bond before they have raised their full portion of the library’s funds.

Mason said the fundraising process is a slow yet deliberate effort. “Everything takes so much time,” Mason said. “This is a step-by-step process, and I feel quite confident.”

Private money is not required to present a bond for a public project to the Selectboard and the town; if the board should not support it, a petition can be circulated.

The Selectboard was reluctant to commit to supporting the bond proposal at Town Meeting, and suggested that the library committees raise as much as they can and come back to the next Selectboard meeting to finalize their ask for support.

If the Selectboard does not vote to include the bond in the coming year’s budget, the library would need 10 percent of registered voters to sign a petition of support for the project before the end of January in order to secure a spot on the ballot in March.

Mason and Merritt both said they were confident that the signatures could be secured if that situation arises.

As the quiet phase is getting noisier, the Bond Committee is eager to share more information with the public. A January 8 informational event at the Senior Center was planned at press time, and another will take place at the Charlotte Grange on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m.

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As it turns out, my experience with nature isn’t anecdotal. Science is bearing witness to the incredible health benefits that nature, and specifically trees, provides to humans. Forests provide us with everything we need to survive as a species: oxygen, food, building material for shelter. Forests offer medicine and help to manage our water systems. We can build tools and furniture with bounty from forests. But the benefits trees provide to humans go well beyond the air we breathe, the shelter we build, the water

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Humans are becoming more urbanized.

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8 • January 9, 2019 • The Charlotte News

CVFRS

continued from page 1

to build a $1.4 million addition to the public library. The Fire and Rescue Department is also requesting a bond this year for a new ambulance; the vehicle would cost taxpayers $275,000.

Fire Chief Dick St. George said during the meeting that it would be prudent to purchase the ambulance this year instead of postponing it, citing increased steel costs and tariffs, rising interest rates and rising maintenance costs for the current 2004 vehicle. Those costs include retrofitting the current ambulance with a gurney safety apparatus and replacing both summer and winter tires. If the purchase is postponed, St. George said, the eventual cost of a new ambulance could increase to as much as $315,000.

CVFRS President Tom Cosinuke supported St. George’s statement, saying that maintenance costs exceed $9,000 annually. He also pointed out that repairs have been made “a couple times” because of exhaust leaks into the ambulance, which is a safety issue for rescue personnel.

As CVFRS presented their case for requesting Selectboard support to present the bond to taxpayers at Town Meeting, Mead raised her hand to weigh in.

“We are asked to support so much money,” she said. She brought up the fact that Charlotte does not charge other towns for our fire and rescue services.

Referencing the earlier discussion about the library addition, she noted that the Selectboard asked the library committee to raise half of their project’s cost privately and said that the fire department should be required to do the same in the interest of fairness.

“I’d like to see my firefighters training,” St. George said, “not flipping pancakes for diesel fuel. I’ve been in departments like

“

I appreciate your comments,” he said, “We’re settled on the bookkeeping procedures that we have.

”

that before, and it doesn’t work.”

Patrice Machavern, CVFRS business operations manager, said that the department is part of a mutual aid agreement with surrounding municipalities, including Bristol, Monkton, Vergennes, Shelburne and Hinesburg. She said responding to calls in other towns generates revenue for the department because Charlotte is able to bill insurance companies for any ambulance calls to which they respond. St. George said it’s not realistic to charge other towns for first response. “We can’t add a contract price in when no one else does,” he said.

Moe Harvey, who was in the audience at the meeting, said that the department purchased an ambulance in 2014, and that two ambulances in five years for a town of 3,600 people seemed excessive. He pointed out that in a recent week of fire and rescue responses, there were nine calls, not one of which was in Charlotte. “It’s absolutely ridiculous,” he said.

As discussion continued, Mead said that she wanted to see details relating to the Fire and Rescue Department’s budget. In the past, the department’s finances have come under scrutiny, and in 2014 the town and CVFRS reached an agreement that an independent certified public accountant would perform an annual audit.

Cosinuke responded to Mead’s request for more detail by asking, “Are you saying the transparency has not improved in the

– Selectboard Chair Lane Morrison

last two years?”

“I am saying that. Exactly,” Mead answered.

The conversation grew more heated as Mead and Cosinuke spoke at the same time, prompting Mead to hold out a hand and tell him, “Hush!”

Selectboard member Fritz Tegatz, who also volunteers for the fire department, joined the fray, questioning why Mead should be involved in the CVFRS’s budget and accounting.

“Why are you qualified to make these decisions,” he said, and went on to ask why firefighters should participate in fundraising. “What effort have you put in to figure out what goes on? I listen to people tell that [firefighters] should be asking for donations. I spent probably 14 to 15 hours putting stuff in the truck last week and nobody gets billed for it, but I’m supposed to stand out there with a damn boot and say, ‘Please give me your pennies?’ You don’t have any idea how much time volunteers put into it, but you still want more…you want volunteers to pay for the privilege by going out there and collecting money.”

Mead said she was not speaking negatively about the volunteers or their efforts and that she was just asking to see how the money was being spent.

Selectboard Chair Lane Morrison redirected the conversation. “I appreciate your comments,” he said, “We’re settled on

the bookkeeping procedures that we have.”

Further discussion between Krasnow and Morrison brought the talk back to figures: the options were to keep the CVFRS budget at $100,000 for two years and bring it up to $140,000 in 2021-22, or increase it for two years to $120,000.

After further discussion, the board settled on removing a $35,000 stretcher purchase from the CVFRS budget and keeping the overall number at $100,000 for the next year, with the potential for raising that budget to $110,000 in 202021. This would allow them to bond for the ambulance at town meeting this year.

Morrison, Krasnow and Selectboard member Frank Tenney all supported this decision, and member Carrie Spear demurred. “I don’t have to give my answer right this minute, do I? You’ve already got three,” she said. Tegatz then voted in favor of supporting the CVFRS budget as well.

Krasnow noted that this year was unusual in that there were significant capital requests from two town departments.

The Parks and Recreation department also presented plans at the meeting for a new playground and enhanced Charlotte Beach area; further discussion of this matter is to continue at that department’s regular meetings. The Trails Committee also requested additional funds, and the Selectboard decided to keep their budget at $5,000 with no additional funds for the year.

Repairs to the Town Hall roof were also discussed, and the board decided to leave $2,500 in the account and see if there’s an overrun from elsewhere in the budget that would allow the repairs to be made this year.

“A tarp is 40 bucks,” Krasnow joked.

Tegatz chimed in, “A bucket is $1.50.”

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Rodney G. and Donna M. Stearns to Thomas T. Tintle and Katra Kindar, easement, Lot 9, Spear Street, $23,800.

Kristian Young to Nicolas Blumen, 1 acre with dwelling, 139 Wesley Drive, $320,000.

Nordic Holsteins LLC to PQM LLC, 583.26-acre farm, 1211 Ethan Allen Highway, $2,400,000.

Nov. 12 Randi McCuin, James Mansfield, Lance Mansfield, Lynn Mansfield and Lisa Gere to Louisa Selina Peyser, 44.6 acres with dwelling, 700 Mt. Philo Road, $475,000.

Nov. 13 West Living Trust to Charlotte Land Trust, 77 acres, land conservation, 292 Monkton Road, $110,000.

Nov. 13 West Living Trust to Henry Sauer and Teresa Mares, 90 acres with dwelling, 292 Monkton Road, $515,000.

Nov. 19

Harriet S. Patrick, trustee of the Harriet Stone Patrick Revocable Trust, to Charlotte Day Care Center, Inc., 11 acres, land only, 300 Ethan Allen Highway, $18,389.

Nov. 20

Peter Schneider and Jessica Donavan to Williams Hill Homeowners Association Ltd., 41.59 acres open space, Williams Hill Drive, $15,000.

Nov. 27

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Leandro Vazquez to Robert M. and Emily G. Caldwell, 31.9 acres with dwelling, 201 Dorset Street, $1,735,000.

Joseph A. and Moneer N. Greenbaum to Andrew Melvin, 2.06 acres with dwelling, 57 Split Rock Road, $625,000.

Kenneth and Miriam Lerner to Jeremy Smith and Allyson Spellacy, 2.02 acres with dwelling, 1415 Converse Bay Road, $350,000.

Dec. 11

Charlotte Land Trust, Inc. to Lynrick Acres Association, Inc, 2.0 acres, land only, Lynrick Acres Road, $9,400.

Dec. 13 Paul D. Eardensohn, Trustee of the Liddell L. Eardensohn Revocable Trust, to Corinna Thompson and Stephane Meloche, 3.18 acres with dwelling, 2127 Ferry Road, $366,000.

Dec. 14

David Garen et al. to Samuel and Lindsay Smith, 6.60 acres with dwelling, 662 Greenbush Road, $385,000.

Dec. 18 Remo and Donna Pizzagalli to Lindsey Farrar, 6.40 acres with dwelling, 1430 Ethan Allen Highway, $325,000.

Dec. 18 Lester and Carol Small to Janet Pye, 5.50 acres with dwelling, 426 Mutton Hill Road, $525,000.

Dec. 21

Peter Van Schaick to Sara J. Crow, .06 acre with dwelling, 11 Common Way, $294,000.

John W. Beal and Sharon W. Beal Joint Trust to John A. Beal and Alexa M. Beal, 5.25 acres with dwelling, 110 Thorp Cove Road, $440,000.

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Dec. 21

Melvin and Ynez Kaplan to Stryker Stables LLC, 56.30 acres with dwelling, 3022 Spear Street, $560,000.

Melissa McGinty to Stacey C. Sigmond Trust, .07 acre with dwelling, 5 Common Way, $300,000.

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10 • January 9, 2019 • The Charlotte News

In The Garden

Your garden has a personality

Joan Weed

When you first enter a garden, whether that of a friend or stranger, do you notice something straight off that tells you something about its creator? I do, and feel like I have learned quickly something about the gardener who lives here.

Somehow you feel as if you are getting a peek into

someone’s soul.

If you are like me, you didn’t set out to give your garden a personality, but it’s inevitable. When we put our heart and mind into a plot of ground, we can’t help but leave a bit of ourselves there also.

I truly love the whole process of making a garden. Not everyone does. I recognize that I could never “buy” a garden. Oh, I buy plenty of plants and tools and amendments for my garden, but I am compelled to have my hands in the dirt and to personally care for each purchased growing thing. Nothing excites me more than doing “walkies” and seeing what is blooming today. After all these years, I instinctively know just about when to spot the first snowdrops emerging. And next come other bulbs and the bright red nubs of the peony plants. Notice the swelling of the magnolia buds. All of a sudden the maples take on some color that’s been missing for lo these many winter months. On the other hand, if

something goes missing, I notice that, too.

Some gardeners go for flashy and lots of color in plants and hardscape. Large plantings, such as trees and shrubs with big boulders, will tickle another’s fancy. I’ve gone through phases and have finally settled on a reliable, native if possible, filling and textured mix of plantings. If color happens to come with it, that is fine too but not the raison d’être. I can’t resist trying some tricky but interesting plants. I’ve been known to replant the same species over and over till it takes.

My one complete failure has been the blue poppy (meconopsis).

Challenging ourselves is part of this game, too.

The late British gardener Beth Chatto was famous for saying, “Right plant, right place.” So true. I will definitely be perusing the plant catalogues that have arrived on schedule. Some reliables will be replaced and occasionally a new-to-me will be added. Then the excitement of the delivery guy leaving a package, pronouncing “This side up,” takes place. Don’t forget our local nurseries. They will sell larger, more established plants, which promise a quick start.

What’s your garden’s personality? Do you specialize? Push the envelope? Is “KnockYour-Socks-Off” your game? Is it seasonal or do you have something going all months of the year? Perhaps a meditative space is more to your liking. Did you come by your theme deliberately or did it happen organically? You might not have even noticed that you had a personality out your back door.

Photo by Joan Weed

The Charlotte News • January 9, 2019 • 11

Honors earned by Redhawk athletes

Rather than report game by game since our last issue in midDecember, we will focus on the honors earned by CVU athletics in 2018 according to the Burlington Free Press in its January 3 issue.

The initial item, unfortunately, was the report of St. Johnsbury’s Edd Merritt defeat of the Redhawk women’s basketball team in the state finals last year, ending CVU’s five-year winning run coupled with a lengthy unbeaten streak. Not letting the loss phase them, the team is off to a 5 and 0 start to this season with all five games won by 20 or more points.

The second Free Press top story was less team and more individual. It was the battle CVU sophomore Storm Rushford fought with cancer, including treatments that “ravaged his body.” He came through these, however, to suit up with the baseball team and throw the first pitch in the team’s “Strike Out Cancer” game.

The women’s cross-country runners proved they were not only of championship character locally, but statewide, regionally and even nationally. The opening sentence in the Free Press article said, “Vermont’s finest running program found yet more ways to wow in 2018.” They began with their tenth state championship in October and moved on to the Northeast Regionals where they came in second and earned an invitation to the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon. They raised the money needed to make the cross-country trip and finished 19th in the country.

Finishing three times as an institution mentioned among the top ten stories, CVU also managed to place twice among “Other noteworthy stories of 2018.” Keeping its “dynasty intact,” the Redhawk men’s lacrosse team beat St. Albans for its sixth straight Division I state title, and “Soccer Central” swept both Division I state titles with the women taking their historic eighteenth and the men coming back to win for the first time since 2012. The list of Redhawks on the Free Press’ all-state soccer teams is particularly impressive for the women. Midfielder Sydney Jimmo and defender Jess Klein earned first-team honors.

Honorable mention went to forwards Sara Kelley and Josie Pecor, midfielders Catherine Gilwee and Olivia Morton, and goalie Maeryn Askew. Only Jimmo and Kelley have graduated.

In field hockey, senior Nora Weisman-Rowell was selected for the first team, and her classmate and goalie

Photo by Jennifer Olsen

Justin Bissonette, Hubie Wagner tournament winner.

Christie Carlson received honorable mention.

2019 is off to an impressive start for gymnasts CVU gymnasts traveled to Milton and won every event against the Yellow Jackets. Laurynn Bombardier took allaround honors, with Bridget Haggerty in second. Laurynn won bars and beam, placing second in the vault behind her teammate Logan Claffy. Logan also won the floor exercises.

Three tournaments bring wrestlers to the mat

The Londonderry, New Hampshire Holiday Tournament, the Hubie Wagner Invitational and the Saratoga Invitational brought CVU’s wrestlers to the mats and gave the team the opportunity to show its prowess. All three tournaments brought together schools from several states. At Londonderry, Redhawk Justin Bissonette in the 170-pound class and Jared Forsythe at 182 dominated their classes for the second week in a row.

In the 47th annual Hubie Wagner Tournament in Middlebury, five CVU wrestlers earned spots in the

Serving the Champlain Valley since 1945

Photo by Al Frey Quinn Boardmann hits for the three against Burlington. championship round. Justin Bisonette won his 170-pound class; Jared Forsythe at 182, Will Murphy at 195, Riley Brown at 120, and Luke Leonard at 113 were runners up.

Matt Trifaro took fourth. The team was the top Vermont school in the meet, placing third out of 11 behind Bow, New Hampshire, and Granville, New York. Bissonette was impressive enough, winning four of his matches by pins, to earn “Athlete of the Week” from the Free Press.

The New Year began Saturday in Saratoga Springs, New York. Again, Justin, Jared and Matt were the top finishers for CVU, and the Redhawks were the lone Vermont school among the 18 in the competition. Coach Gunnar Olson said he felt it was “important to test ourselves outside of our borders and comfort zone.”

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12 • January 9, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Outdoors

Carbon sequestration in Charlotte

Elizabeth Bassett There’s not a ton of good news in the climate change conversation these days, but Vermont pops up frequently in discussions of carbon sequestration. What, you might ask, is carbon sequestration? It is a process for removing carbon dioxide, CO2, from the air and capturing it within the earth, thus removing it from the atmosphere.

Recall from junior high science class that plants make energy via photosynthesis: solar energy (from the sun) plus CO2 (from the atmosphere) and water are converted, via photosynthesis, to sugars that feed plants and oxygen that is released into the atmosphere.

A recent study by The Nature Conservancy and 15 other institutions, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, concludes that natural solutions like carbon sequestration could prevent or capture more than one-fifth of annual U.S. greenhouse gas pollution—the equivalent of emissions from all U.S. cars and trucks! Likewise, by 2030, natural solutions could mitigate more than one-third of emissions worldwide, the reduction needed to keep global temperature increases under two degrees centigrade.

Where does Vermont fit into this puzzle? Recently the Vermont Chapter of

The Nature Conservancy designated two climate resilient preserves within the state that are well positioned to capture carbon: Raven Ridge in Charlotte, Hinesburg and Monkton and Burnt Mountain in the Northeast Kingdom. While ecosystems across Vermont—forests, wetlands, agricultural lands, and grasslands and shrub lands—can all capture carbon, the healthiest and most intact lands are best positioned for maximum sequestration.

The 365-acre Raven Ridge parcel was conserved in 2009. In 2018 The Nature Conservancy protected 5,408 acres of mostly forested land on Burnt Mountain.

This latter preserve is contiguous to state land as well as more to than 25,000 acres of the Atlas Timberlands. Within this vast expanse lie 11,000 acres of unfragmented forest. Wildlands such as these make up only 3.2 percent of all of Vermont’s forests.

Intact or uninterrupted forests have huge potential to sequester carbon. In addition, these wildlands preserve biodiversity and wildlife habitat, remove pollutants from the air and improve water quality.

The Nature Conservancy expects that Burnt Mountain will become Vermont’s largest carbon project. It estimates that within a decade Burnt Mountain will yield more than 236,772 carbon credits, one carbon credit equating to the removal of a metric ton of carbon or the elimination of 38,000 cars from the road. Estimated revenue of about $2 million from carbon sequestration will be invested in additional conservation projects.

Vermont producers of industrial-scale renewable energy—those who own large solar or wind-turbine installations—sell Renewable Energy Credits, or RECs, to out-of-state utilities to offset their use of fossil fuels. Similarly, owners of large tracts of forest, mostly in the Northeast Kingdom, are poised to sell carbon offsets to entities across the nation.

Vermont is not unique in its ability to sequester carbon. Across the United States, where ecosystems other than forests predominate, tactics for carbon capture vary. In grasslands, which include agricultural land, actions include crop nutrient management, improving soil health, avoiding grassland conversion to

other uses, interplanting trees in cropland, and optimal crop mixture and intensity for animal grazing. In wetlands, restoration and avoidance of damage to coastal regions and peatlands are central. Where forests dominate, strategies include reforestation, avoiding forest conversion to agriculture or other uses, and fire management.

Significant numbers of trees in urban areas can also capture and store carbon.

Growth of market payments for carbon offsets has the potential to offer income to land owners who adopt climate-friendly management techniques. A pilot project in Louisiana is paying landowners in the Tensas River Basin to reforest their land.

Locally in Charlotte, a number of farmers are grazing animals strategically and improving soil health to maximize plant and animal health, with the additional benefit of capturing increased amounts of carbon from the atmosphere.

Joe Fargione, lead author of the above-mentioned study by The Nature Conservancy, concludes, “One of America’s greatest assets is its land. We demonstrated that we could reduce carbon pollution and filter water, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, and have better soil health to grow our food—all at the same time.”

This is a good moment to embrace natural solutions for global warming that are right beneath our feet.

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The Charlotte News • January 9, 2019 • 13

On Books Several good reads (and a television series) to start a new year On Christmas Eve, 1932, in South Detroit, “Saverio Armandonada warmed his hands underneath the tin lunch pail on his lap as he rode Katherine Arthaud the trolley from the Chester Street stop to the River Rouge plant.” So begins Adriana Trigiani’s new novel, Tony’s Wife, which I just, this first day of the new year, finished. It’s a straightforward and quite engrossing tale, spanning several decades and following the lives of crooner Tony Roma and his true love (or one of many loves, depending on how you look at it), Chiara “Chi-Chi” Donatelli.

It’s enjoyable, and happily (and also sadly, for some characters) doesn’t follow

the well-worn path of many a romantic novel but rather tracks and expounds upon the love that undergirds and outlives romance. It has been a good companion for the 2018-2019 transition and has swept this holiday-bedraggled reader, page by page, through the swing band era and the heartwarming and heart-breaking dramas of two Italian families…engagements, siblings, weddings, marriages, divorces, a war, great home-cooked meals, births, deaths…all interwoven against a handmade soundtrack largely cooked up by Chi-Chi Donatelli and sung by Tony, née Saverio Armandonada.

I always enjoy Trigiani’s books and recently learned that she has written 17.

She is also the cofounder of an in-school writing program in Appalachia that serves over 1,000 students. Clearly, she has heart, just as do her novels and characters. I recommend this book, especially if in these largely sunless days of winter you yearn to be transported elsewhere—to another

era, to another place—to ride along on the coattails of two young people who meet on a beach, fall in love, and…well, that’s all I’m going to say. Try it. Provalo. Godere.

How was your New Year’s? Mine was rather quiet, which was just fine with me: dinner…the new Harry Potter trivia game with some good friends (we got owned by the 12-year-old)…and (to get us to midnight) the final episode of Escape from Dannemora. Have you seen this series?

It’s excellent and particularly compelling, as the whole drama transpired not all that far away from here. I can still remember when, taking a walk on the point near our house in the summer of 2015, it wasn’t out of the realm of the impossible that my dogs and I might run into the two escapees hiding out in the woods. Yikes. I know it’s not a book, but if you haven’t yet seen this, I recommend it. Great acting, fascinating story—disconcerting and compelling.

Produced by Ben Stiller, who I still swear

I saw in the Healthy Living parking lot a year or two ago—my kids don’t believe me. But anyway, put this one on your watch list for 2019.

In another time and another place, we find a very different situation, a very different character, a very different drama in Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. The novel opens in a marsh on the coast of North Carolina in the year 1969.

“Marsh is not swamp. Marsh is a space of light, where grass grows in water, and water flows into the sky. Slow-moving creeks wander, carrying the orb of the sun with them to the sea, and long-legged birds lift with unexpected grace—as though not built to fly—against the roar of a thousand snow geese.” Two boys come upon a body in the marsh, and the story takes off from there, segueing back in time to the 50s and forward again to the late 60s and 70s. see

BOOKS page 15

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14 • January 9, 2019 • The Charlotte News

The re-forming monthly Writers Group, scheduled for second Fridays, 1–3 p.m., is looking for writers of stories, autobiographical pieces and poetry. Please register to indicate your interest. This is intended to be a gathering for mutual support and encouragement—not a course.

(But a writing course is being planned for the spring.)

Carolyn Kulik SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR

“There are two ways of spreading light: Be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it.”

– Edith Warton, 1909 Winter in Vermont: Snowy. Cold. Dark.

Umm, how about two out of three? For me, the snow (the more the better) and the cold (okay to -20F) present both a challenge and an adventure. The dark, however, is just dark. My offset is keeping multicolored lights around my kitchen window long after the holidays—until the light comes in at breakfast. The good news is that we are now past the winter solstice and slowly moving into less and less darkness. In the meanwhile, think of how you can keep your own light burning bright.

What’s new?

Introduction to Mindfulness will be held on 1/22 at 2:30. The regular, weekly mindfulness class that meets Wednesdays at 9 a.m. is postponed until 1/23. (Please note that the Intro to Mindfulness scheduled for 1/10 at 2:30 has been canceled.) Find out what this is all about and stop in. No registration is necessary, and there is no charge for any of these mindfulness classes with Jill Abilock.

Likewise, check out Intro to Feldenkrais on 1/22 at 1 p.m. with Mischul Brownstone. Discover how this approach of minimal movement combined with awareness can improve your functioning— and even reduce pain. Registration is requested for the free introduction.

Up for walking in the winter? Try Strolling in Charlotte on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., which is restarting on 1/9. Explore the new Charlotte Town Link Trail—and keep a leisurely pace on this level path. This season it will be self-guided with the town map and no official leader. This means there will be no minimum number for participation —and no weather cancellation decision. Meet up at the Senior Center at 10 a.m. to carpool and see who else shows up. It is a chance to get out and meet other like-minded walkers. (It’s a good idea to sign up for a particular date just to know how many might be coming.)

Since “approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 have

hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.”

(NIH), consider attending one or both of the Senior Center’s two Hearing Workshops. They will be presented by Dr. Elizbeth Adams, a Vermont-licensed audiologist and clinical professor at UVM’s Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Hearing Workshop, Part 1, on Wednesday, 1/9, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., is for those who are concerned about their hearing or that of a family member or friend. Hearing Workshop, Part 2, on Wednesday, 1/16, from 10:30–11:30 a.m., looks at how you find a provider, the questions to ask, treatment options and device choices. Both workshops are free, and no registration is required.

On the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, from 7:30-9 a.m., the Gents Breakfast with Bob Chutter and Friends meets in the café. Dates in January are 1/10 and 1/24. The men gather for breakfast and wide-ranging conversation. All pitch in to prepare the meal, set tables or clean up. On 1/10, the presentation (using our new 55inch monitor) will be slides and a video on “Tales from the Oil Patch: Constructing the Stratfjord Oil Platform in the Norwegian North Sea.” Please register by the Tuesday before the breakfast. Suggested donation is $5.

A new course, Musical Immigrations to America with Benjamin Klemme, will be held on Friday afternoons, 12:30-2, on 1/18, 1/25 and 2/8. Experience the music of Dvorák, Mahler and Stravinsky and discuss the circumstances that inspired their immigration to the United States. Explore musical influence and identity in the masterpieces written during their American residencies. Dr. Klemme is the music director of the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association. Registration required. No fee.

(Make a note of his upcoming presentation on 1/30. See below.)

Shape-Note Singing resumes on 1/20 from 1–3 p.m. and is usually held on every third Sunday. This traditional a cappella, four-part harmony is also known as Sacred Harp. The “full-body, shout-it-out singing” does not require a “good” voice.

Songbooks are provided. Stop by to listen or sing—and leave whenever you wish. No fee.

Free Wednesday Afternoon Events at 1 p.m.

Today, 1/09, Vince Crockenberg will present a slideshow history and discussion of Cuba After Fidel looking at CubanAmerican relations—including the numerous American attempts to destroy popular support for the Castro regime. It will start with 1959 and cover the first year of Miguel Diaz-Canel’s presidency.

On 1/16, enjoy A Comedy Connection with Carrie Rae Shamel and Friends. Local comedians perform at the Senior Center for an afternoon of fun. They believe laughter is the best medicine!

Searching for your ancestors? On 1/23, an Ancestry Workshop with Dan Cole, Jenny Cole and Mary Cheney will provide you with advice and information about useful online resources, such as Ancestry and Heritage Quest, as well as local history information from the Charlotte Library collection. Bring your research questions.

Mark your calendar for a unique insight into The Making of a Conductor on 1/30 with Benjamin Klemme. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the training and apprenticeship that prepare an individual to become an orchestral conductor. Klemme is the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association’s music director and will share illustrations from his and others’ life-long endeavor to master the craft of conducting.

Art News

January is the last month of the colorful quilt show with both large and small pieces by members of the Champlain Valley Quilters Guild. It has been warmly received by visitors to the Center. Don’t miss it!

(Note the best times to visit below.)

You’ve probably waited at least 50 years to take part in a senior center—and now’s the time. Don’t wait a minute longer! (You’re not too young!) We’d love to show you around. Visitors are often surprised because we are not what you expect. ~ See you soon. ~ So, are you a candle? Or a mirror? Or both?

Viewing Art Shows in January: Since the Center is utilized for many classes and events, the best times to see art shows this month are Tuesdays after 2:30, Thursdays after 12:30, Wednesdays and Fridays after 3. Please call the Center during the week to check on Sunday availability.

SENIOR CENTER MENUS Suggested donation for all meals: $5

Monday Munch

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

No reservations required.

January 14

Festive torellini w/sausage soup Green salad Homemade dessert

January 21

Moroccan lentil soup Salad Pumpkin chocolate chip bars

Wednesday Lunch All diners eat at noon.

Reservations required.

January 16

Oven-fried chicken Cauliflower gratin Greens Homemade dessert

January 23

Meatloaf Baked potatoes Greens Homemade dessert

Thursday Gents Breakfast

7:30–9 a.m.

Reservations required.

January 10

Menu and Topic – TBA (Keep up to date on Menus with Front Porch Forum, as they sometimes change.)

_____________________ Charlotte Center (802)425-6345 CharlotteSeniorCenterVT.org

“There is a crack in everything.

That’s how the light gets in.”

– Leonard Cohen “How far that little candle throws [its] beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

– William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice “We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on.

That’s who we really are.”

– J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The Charlotte News • January 9, 2019 • 15

BOOKS

continued from page 13

But I wouldn’t call this book a mystery, really. It begins with a mystery, but it is more the story of Kya, the “Marsh Girl,” who was born in the marsh and ends up living alone there in a small cabin, abandoned by family, growing from childhood to womanhood out where the crawdads sing. Besides Kya herself, nature plays the starring role in this book, because nature is the one constant in this Marsh Girl’s life: the trees, the gulls, the herons, the sand, the mud, the fading moon, the wind, the sky, meandering estuaries. I loved this book. Interesting characters, a love story, a mystery…and lush, beautiful descriptions of the natural world.

Delia Owens has won the John Burroughs Award for Nature Writing, something I didn’t learn until after I finished this novel. Makes sense, though. I actually learned some very interesting facts about insects. Did you know that the penis of the male damselfly is equipped with a small scoop, which removes sperm ejected by a previous opponent before he supplies his own? I didn’t. Did you know that smaller, weaker bullfrogs “hunker down in the grass to hide near an alpha male who is croaking with great gusto to call in mates,” and when several females are attracted to the alpha male’s strong vocals, and the alpha frog is busy mating with one of the females, the pint-sized male bullfrog jumps in and mates with one of the others? No, me neither.

Great book, check it out.

A series I have not mentioned and one that I have followed with great love and affection for many years is the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books by Alexander McCall Smith. Comforting, charming, wise and witty, these stories take place in Gabarone, Botswana, and star Mma Ramotswe, a traditionally built lady detective who—with Mma Makutsi (graduate of the Botswana Secretarial College) and Charlie (who also works next door as a mechanic for Mr. J.L.B. Maketoni, owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors and Mma Ramotswe’s husband)—runs the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, which helps people with problems, questions and mysteries, big and small.

These books are slow-moving and sun-

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drenched, simple, gentle, compassionate and quietly profound. In this one, The Colors of All the Cattle, developers plan to build a flashy hotel next to a graveyard, and in order to put a stop to this travesty, it is suggested that Mma Ramotswe run for a seat on the Gaborone City Council. She is reluctant, and there ensue some wise and funny conversations and ideas about politics. There is also a parallel plot, which involves a hitand-run accident and the question of who is responsible. These books are peculiarly healing. If you don’t understand what I could possibly mean by that, try reading one. If nothing else, they are wonderful antidotes to the cold winter months in New England. My father, who is in his 90s, can’t concentrate on reading much anymore, but he loves these books. They are filled with love, sunshine and characters one looks forward to meeting again and again. They realign the spirit.

Speaking of characters, Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers is chock full of them.

I enjoyed this book but didn’t like it nearly as much as Truly Madly Guilty and some of Moriarty’s others. The setting is a luxury health resort where a cast of nine come to heal, rejuvenate, lose weight, get pampered, heal relationships, process grief….

Basically, each person has their own reason to be there. Ten days, and a lot of things happen. I won’t go into details. Again, not Moriarty’s best, but entertaining.

It just occurred to me, this book might make a good play. If you have never read Liane Moriarty, she is usually wonderful. I would recommend starting with one of her other books: Big Little Lies or the abovementioned Truly Madly Guilty (my favorite).

Well, that should do it for now. I hope you survived the holidays intact and that 2019 brings you much joy, happiness, inner peace and some good books to read. Very best wishes. Till next time… Cheers!

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