The Charlotte News | July 25, 2019

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Charlotte News Thursday, July 25, 2019 | Volume LXII Number 02

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Charlotte News

The

Vol. 62, no.02 July 25, 2019

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

Hemp: Charlotte farmers’ open secret

Break-ins reported in East Charlotte Vermont State Police confirmed Tuesday night that several homes were broken into in Charlotte that morning. According to a press release from VSP, residential burglaries were reported on Roscoe Road, Prindle Road and Dorset Street.

The press release states, “The forced entry burglaries occurred between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon…residents were not home at the times of the incidents.”

Jewelry and other items were stolen from the homes, police said, and the investigation is currently active. Lieutenant Bob Lucas of the Williston barracks said, “It’s early in the investigation and we cannot disclose a lot.”

Police request that anyone who observed “suspicious persons or vehicles during the above time frame” should contact VSP Williston at 802-878-7111.

Selectboard discusses capital planning, wastewater and visit to Town Pound Juliann Phelps

Jesse Lukas, Sebastien Poutre, and three helpful friends are growing organic hemp in Charlotte.

They say that hemp is the future of farming in Vermont, and is an exciting option for small farmers.

They hope to grow other plants in their greenhouses, like flowers, greens, and saffron.

Photo by Chea Waters Evans

Chea Waters Evans CBD is all the rage these days—you can’t swing a hoe in the grocery store without hitting ice cream, pet treats or body lotion with cannabidiol oil in it. All that CDB has to come from somewhere, and those with the hoes are making it happen in Charlotte. A drive up Route 7 through town reveals acre after acre of hemp plants. A hike to the top of Mt. Philo reveals, in addition to lake views and mountain vistas, row after row of hemp crops, the plastic sheeting in which they are planted glistening in the sun. Greenhouses tucked behind fields are full of the fragrant plant.

Charlotte is leaning in to a booming new farming practice in Vermont, and hemp crops are changing the landscape of farms both literally and figuratively. In an effort to expand economic opportunities for farmers,

recent legislation has made permitting and regulation easy for hemp farmers; Act 143, which regulates accessory on-farm businesses and has been discussed at length at Selectboard meetings, contains laws that pertain specifically to hemp.

Hemp is identified in the Act 143 text as “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of the plant, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.” Tetrahyrocannabinol is shortened to THC, which is the compound in hemp and cannabis plants that causes an intoxicated feeling. Growing hemp requires a permit from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and costs $25. For those who want to process the plant but not grow it, a processor permit is also available.

Sebastien Poutre and Jesse Lukas are see HEMP page 17

The Monday, July 22 Selectboard

meeting began a bit later due to a site visit to the Town Pound, described by the Chair as “a little known town-owned property,” in between Route 7 and Church Hill Road.

The agenda started off with a discussion of capital budget planning and moved on to water-related infrastructure topics: the Thompson’s Point Association’s water system and the village wastewater system.

Capital budget planning Richard Brigham, CPA of Sullivan Powers & Company opened the capital budgeting discussion by providing feedback on the previous ‘97-’02 capital budget and recommending the Selectboard perform a needs assessment, determine timelines, and cost estimates on anticipated projects. “Bridges, culverts, roofs--the major things--those are the things I would focus on,” he said. Chair Matt Krasnow explained the previous capital budget included Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, who now have their own general capital fund. Brigham explained once the capital budget is established, it only has

to be looked at once or twice a year for reprioritizing, and “setting that plan into motion of what you are going to have in reserves, trying to keep those reserves flat, so the tax rate doesn’t get the big gyrations.”

Selectboard Member Louise McCarren suggested working with CFVRS and the road commissioner to “bring their expertise to the table” with regards to needs assessment and planning. No motion was made and the Selectboard agreed to continue the effort.

After an executive session on pending litigation, Nordic Holstein vs. Town of Charlotte, no action was taken. The Selectboard then motioned to approve the use of the Town Beach for two concerts featuring the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. The first concert is this Thursday, July 25, and the second will be held on August 1st.

Thompson’s Point Association’s water system The Selectboard heard from Dorothy Naylor and Lindsay Murray of the Thompson’s Point Association regarding see SELECTBOARD page 17

Planning Commission closes sketch plan review of the library addition Commission hears proposal for planned residential development in the East Charlotte Village, transfer of development rights Juliann Phelps The July 18 Planning Commission agenda featured several continuations and a sketch plan review of the Charlotte Library addition. Selectboard Member Fritz Tegatz, supported by Library Director Margaret Woodruff, presented the sketch plan (PC-19-97-SP Charlotte Library), which focused largely on parking and the mitigation of stormwater runoff.

Tegatz opened by discussing the parking lot, saying, “Since most attention was given to parking, this addresses the worst case scenario at eight spots.” He explained the removal of one parking space was to make room for the new entrance and sidewalk.

Seven new parking spaces are proposed along the southern sidewalk, facing the Quinlan Schoolhouse. Tegatz also noted that, regardless of the library addition, the ash trees are scheduled to be removed as part of the town’s emerald ash borer management program.

To address stormwater runoff, he said

they would remove the one-way driveway and incorporate a rain garden on the east side of the library. “We are going to add 2,000 square feet, so we will address 2,000 square feet for stormwater,” he said.

Tegatz then introduced his son, Charlie Tegatz, a sophomore majoring in landscape architecture.

Charlie Tegatz presented his proposed rain garden design, explaining the calculations he used to arrive at the recommended square footage. Tegatz explained, “You can separate with a buffer or have it contiguous. I recommend dividing it up. I added in rain barrels to feed the rain gardens.” Woodruff spoke in support of the proposed design, saying, “It’s a practical and attractive way to manage stormwater, and the library is a great way to showcase rain barrels and a rain garden.”

Discussion continued on the topic of wetlands, with Fritz Tegatz saying the town see PLANNING page 13

Charlie Tegatz explains the proposed rain gardens on the east side of the Charlotte Library to the Planning Commission.

Photo by Juliann Phelps

2 • July 25, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Town A new booze-ness venture for the Old Brick Store Chea Waters Evans There will be no more last-minute panic for Charlotters who get all the way home and realize they don’t have any vodka in the house—or is that just me? The Old Brick Store debuted a selection of spirits this week after it received final approval and inspection from the State of Vermont to operate as a licensed liquor outlet.

Old Brick Store owner Whitney Finley said that she didn’t initiate the process with the Department of Liquor Control.

Last year, when the department put out a call for applications from the Charlotte and Ferrisburgh area, officials said they were looking to fill a void. Finley said they eventually approached her and asked if she would be interested and that the final choices for the state came down to the Old Brick Store and Spear’s Corner Store.

With a shiny new cash register and independent point of sales software supplied by the state specifically for

liquor sales, the Old Brick keeps its regular hours. Finley said that though the profit margin on liquor sales isn’t huge, she hopes the financial benefit will be significant from increased foot traffic.

“I hope it’ll bring a lot more people in,” she said.

According to Finley, “carefully curated” selections in the liquor area include the usual suspects like gin, vodka and rum, including many local and specialty versions like Smuggler’s Notch Distillery and several maple-based spirits. She said she found out about the license approval about three months ago and that customers have had “a mixed reaction” to the possibility of mixed drink ingredients so close to home.

The Old Brick Store remains committed to its usual offerings, like pizza, sandwiches, grocery goods and coffee, and this is one more option for customers.

The Old Brick Store has a new liquor section “You don’t have to buy it, but it’s here,” that opened this week.

Finley said.

Photo by Chea Waters Evans

We can’t do this without you Vince Crockenberg PUBLISHER

"A new booze-ness venture for the Old Brick Store" "Break-ins reported in East Charlotte" "Charlotte farmers lean into hemp" In our readers survey last year, you asked for more coverage of local news in the paper. As the headlines above

show, we heard you. We’re continuing to enhance our coverage of our town, with increased reporting of local news and more feature stories about the people and businesses that make Charlotte a vibrant and beautiful place in which to live.

To pay for the high-quality resources needed to do that, however—for the writers and editors who put the stories together and who maintain our website, email lists and archives—we rely on your financial help. Seventy-five percent of the revenue we need to bring you the paper 25 times a year comes from our advertisers.

The other 25 percent comes from you, our readers. Your contributions are now more important than ever in helping us to carry “The Voice of the Town” into the 2020s.

We have just begun our summer fundraising drive.

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Publisher: Vince Crockenberg Editorial Staff Managing Editor: Anna Cyr (anna@thecharlottenews.org) News Editor: Chea Waters Evans (chea@thecharlottenews.org) Contributing Editor: Edd Merritt Copy editors: Beth Merritt, Vince Crockenberg Proofreaders: Edd Merritt, Mike & Janet Yantachka Contributing Photographers: Meliss O'Brien, Elizabeth Bassett, Bradley Carleton, John Hammer Business Staff Ad manager: Elizabeth Langfeldt (ads@thecharlottenews.org) Bookkeeper: Susan Jones (billing@thecharlottenews.org) Board Members President: Vince Crockenberg (vince@thecharlottenews.org) Treasurer: Ted leBlanc (treasurer@thecharlottenews.org) Board members: Bob Bloch, Gay Regan, Louisa Schibli, Tom Tiller, Dave Quickel, John Quinney, Lane Morrison, Jack Fairweather, Christina Asquith, John Hammer (emeritus) 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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ON THE COVER

Swimmers at the Charlotte Town Beach Party Photo by Juliann Phelps

The Charlotte News • July 25, 2019 • 3

Commentary

Dog days of summer

I have concluded President Donald Trump should be impeached Representative Peter Welch

I do not arrive at this conclusion lightly.

The power of impeachment granted to Congress by our Founding Fathers should not be casually employed. In our democracy, every deference should be given to the outcome of every election.

However, after 30 months in office, President Trump has established a clear pattern of willful disregard for our Constitution and its system of checks and balances. His presidency has wrought an unprecedented and unrelenting assault on the pillars and guardrails of our democracy, including the rule of law on which our country was founded.

Instead of embracing the fundamental responsibility of every American president to unite our country, this president has unleashed a torrent of attacks on fellow citizens based on their race, gender, religion and ethnic origin.

Instead of respecting the constitutional principle that no person, including the President of the United States, is above the law or beyond accountability, this president attacks our courts and judges and stonewalls Congress in the exercise of its Article 1 oversight responsibility.

Instead of strengthening the institutional pillars of our democracy, this president is methodically tearing them down. He fired

the FBI Director and made every effort to derail the Mueller investigation. He calls for the jailing of political opponents and pardons political allies. And at every turn, he demeans, attacks and discredits the free press, dangerously labeling it as the enemy of the people.

And instead of ensuring fair elections, this president and his administration have labored to limit the fundamental right of Americans to vote and welcomed the assistance of hostile foreign powers in his campaigns.

America’s democracy is resilient, but it is also fragile. Its stability and progress depend on the consent of the governed, a respect for the rule of law, and the capacity of our leaders to inspire trust and confidence in each other and in the federal government.

On January 20, 2017, President-elect Donald Trump stood on the West Front of the United States Capitol, placed his left hand on two Bibles, raised his right hand, and swore to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” I have concluded that he has failed to honor that solemn oath which, in my view, merits impeachment under our Constitution.

Peter Welch has represented Vermont’s at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2007

Benny at the Charlotte Ferry.

Correction

Photo by Jennifer Knowles

Our July 10 story about John Moses’ interview on NPR’s “Here and Now” program suggested that John decamped to southern California directly after graduating from the University of Vermont. Before moving west, however, John attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, graduating in 2014 with a master’s degree in global entertainment and music business.

4 • July 25, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Around Town Town Bite

survive and thrive in the years ahead.

Woman at War on view tonight

Sympathy

Transition Town Charlotte is sponsoring a showing of an Icelandic film by Benedikt Erlingsson tonight at 7 p.m. in the Charlotte Senior Center. A $5 donation from viewers would be appreciated.

For that, you will get the movie plus popcorn and drinks. A discussion of the film will follow. Woman at War was selected for showing at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.

The movie’s central character is a 50-year-old independent woman who acts as an environmental activist by waging a one-woman war against the local aluminum industry.

Following her adoption of a child in the Ukraine, she plans to wage one final battle, hoping to deal the aluminum industry a fatal blow.

The movie fits well with the mission of its sponsor. Transition Town Charlotte is a nonprofit agency that seeks to reduce our overall energy use while shifting from fossil fuel resources to renewable energy.

It also hopes to increase green-collar jobs in the Charlotte region and produce vital goods and services needed in order to

- is extended to family and firends of Betty Jean Dolliver of Charlotte who died June 5 at the age of 90. An active quilter and painter, she was also was a member of the Morningside Cemetery Association in East Charlotte. Her husband, Rodney, predeceased her after having been married to Betty for 72 years. Her surviving family includes her son, Richard, and his wife, Diane, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. The family asks that those wishing to make a contribution in Betty’s memory consider giving to the hospice of the Visiting Nurse Association, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Town Farewell, Quonset hut; hello, new stairs…and maybe more

Congratulations

- to Matthew Zahn and Angela Sako who were married on the Capitoline Hill above the Forum in Rome, Italy, on May 26.

Charlotte pastor Father David Cray, SSE, performed the ceremony. Matt and Angela met at George Washington University.

After both received their baccalaureate degrees, Angela earned a master’s degree in public policy, and Matt is pursuing his Ph.D. in economics at Johns Hopkins University. He is the son of John and Susan Zahn of Charlotte. Twelve guests from Charlotte attended the wedding.

Photo by Juliann Phelps

Chea Waters Evans While students are taking a break, Charlotte Central School is undergoing exterior improvements and removing an infamous town landmark. Plans are also taking shape for a major project in the future.

Schoolwork in the summer? Yes, but the fun kind—the kind that someone else is doing.

The exterior improvement most visible to the public for now is the removal of the outside stairs on the east side of the building. The cement staircase is currently in the process of being replaced with safer steps that are also compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Champlain Valley School District Chief Operations Officer Jeanne Jensen said the repairs were at the top of the school’s priority list. “This was a high priority project not only for our students but also for community members using the school for voting and Town Meeting. We are also replacing 540 feet of sidewalk along the front of the school, which is badly in need of repair and also needs to be rebuilt for improved accessibility.”

The next major project is removing the Quonset hut, which is in the parking lot west of the school and has been there for decades.

While the building poses no immediate health threat to the school or community, the building, which is currently used for storage space, contains asbestos and PCBs and is at the top of CVSD’s maintenance priority list. Jensen said, “The Quonset hut is being removed as part of the district’s aggressive effort to eliminate hazardous materials from our buildings and grounds.”

The school district held an event last year for community members to remove any items of interest from the years of flotsam and jetsam that accumulated in the space. Several truckloads of material were recycled, and Jensen said the remaining items are currently in two storage containers on school grounds.

Jensen said “a licensed remediation contractor has been engaged and will start work in late July. We expect the project to be completed before school starts in August.” She also said that, when she met with the Selectboard to discuss an unrelated matter two years ago, they asked when the

school district was going to get started on removing the hut.

With space freed up in the parking lot and school drop-off and pickup lines—a constant struggle for parents and teachers— Jensen said there will be a new storage space but it might not be in the same spot.

“Plans for a smaller maintenance shed/shop are being developed, along with a study of traffic patterns, which we hope will improve the flow for drop offs and pickups. The schools will notify parents before school starts if there are changes.”

The school district is also replacing a water line connecting the school’s well to the building and replacing an old fuel oil tank, which she said “is past its recommended age and does not meet the current underground storage tank standards.”

Jensen also teased some bigger plans for the future: “We are refreshing plans for a major building renovation for Charlotte Central School,” she said. “The plans will be based on the two or three different architectural proposals that were developed under the Charlotte School Board but never taken to the community for a bond vote. So the project has definitely not been given a go-ahead yet. We plan to bring the plans to the board in time for them to consider putting a vote on the ballot in March of 2020. Remember that all of the CVSD communities will be voting on that potential bond.”

Since consolidating two years ago, the CCS budget is now part of the budget for all CVSD schools, and funding for building projects must be on the ballot for all towns that have schools in the district. At a school board meeting last spring, Chair Lynne Jaunich casually mentioned her desire to one day combine Charlotte and Hinesburg school systems and have one town’s school function as an elementary school and the other town’s as a middle school.

Jensen said she has “heard that proposal mentioned several times, and I understand the educational leadership team is excited by the expanded opportunities for kids that a combined program would bring, but I do not believe the CVSD board has had that discussion yet. The first phase of the renovation will likely be infrastructure (HVAC, asbestos removal, roof repairs) and would not be dependent on this decision.”

The Charlotte News • July 25, 2019 • 5

Town

Celebrate the “Fool” Woody Keppel

Three current Charlotte residents, Woody Keppel, Alex Lalli and Doreen Kraft, and former neighbor and Charlotte-born Zach Williamson, all play a big role in bringing this family friendly event to Burlington.

Dating back to at least medieval times, the role of the “fool” in society was to entertain not only kings and high priests (often with an unabashed take on life in the kingdom) but also perform for gratuities in town centers, festivals and fairs. Every summer in August we celebrate the “fool” in downtown Burlington with three days of physical comedy, circus arts, music and, of course, foolery. Today’s “fools” (aka “buskers”) have a modern-day resemblance to their historical counterparts in that their performances are compensated with gratuities from the public.

This year’s festival lineup represents five countries and promises to be one of the strongest, most diverse yet, and features “The Flying Hawaiian,” Sara Kunz, an acrobat, daredevil and master of the hulahoop who’ll bring her Big Island coconuttree climbing skills and aloha spirit; “Nanda,” a martial arts comedy-show (that could be described as ninja theater) comprised of four childhood friends from Port Townshend, Wash.; “Sara Twister,” who was born in India, grew up on four continents and is one of the world’s most highly acclaimed contortionists, acrobats and archers; Boston’s “Red Trouser Show,” America’s foremost comedydaredevil team and repeat Festival favorite with circus skills through the roof, matched only by their own spot-on comic timing; “Tic & Tac,” a New York-based comedy, acrobatic and breakdance company who’ve performed numerous times at the Apollo Theater, with the N.Y. Yankees, NBA, the

Harlem Globetrotters, Alicia Keys and Michael Jackson; “Waterbombs,” a comic water balloon /gladiator show that features “Acrobuffos” founders Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone, who met at a circus in Afghanistan, became engaged while street performing in Scotland, married in China and occasionally go home to New York City; “Hilby,” aka “The Skinny German Juggle Boy,” who juggles both words and objects (e.g., bowling balls, a toilet plunger and a cordless hedge trimmer) while maintaining a fast-paced comic, “oldcountry” banter; Quebec’s “Flip Circus,” who perform on their 15-foot trampoline, blending the highest level of low-brow comedy with acrobatic prowess and impeccable physical timing; L.A.-based Kilted Colin, who pushes the boundaries of what you thought could be done in a kilt playing his bagpipes, all whilst clambering on top of his 10-foot unicycle.

The overall level of musical brilliance on this year’s “Fools” lineup is off the charts and features more than a handful of internationally renowned artists, including Grammy Award (Best World Music Album) nominee “Cimarrón,” a Colombian joropo band that blends Andalusian, Indigenous American and African roots with deep ethnic singing, amazing stomp dance and a fierce instrumental virtuosity of strings and percussion.

The 12th Annual Festival of Fools promises something for everyone and will be staged on five venues: Church Street Marketplace, Vermont Comedy Club, Club Metronome, Nectar’s and Red Square. The music and laughs begin at noon on Friday, Aug. 2, and run through the weekend.

Complete schedules and festival info can be found at Vermontfestivaloffools.com.

And don’t forget to tip the buskers!

Woody Keppel is the co-founder and artistic director of the Festival of Fools

Music for a cause

Whether it was the weather (gorgeous), the music (Jane Kittredge’s group, Playing for Good) or the cause (Malayaka House in Uganda), there was an amazing turnout and response for the concert on Sunday afternoon outside at the church. An estimated 110 people came to hear music and listen to Robert Fleming and Amy Carst speak about how the Charlotte Congregational Church’s support has helped Malayaka House’s educational opportunities flourish over the past year. Attendees were incredibly generous as the concert raised just over $3,900, all of which will be used to support Malayaka House and its mission.

Thanks to the entire Malayaka House Team for helping plan and promote the concert event. Special mention needs to go to Jane Kittredge, Ebeth Scatchard, Frances Foster, Glen Findholt, Jim Hyde, and Revs. Kevin Goldenbogen and Susan Kittredge.

Photo contributed

6 • July 25, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Local Events

Library News

We welcome appropriate community event listings with a maximum of 100 words. Print fees may apply to community events outside of Charlotte.

Email your events to ads@ thecharlottenews.org.

July - August

Charlotte Historical Society/ Charlotte Memorial Museum 215 Museum Road

The museum is in the center of the early town in the former town hall near the intersection of Church Hill and Hinesburg roads. View 18th- and 19thcentury household articles, a collection of Native American baskets made in Charlotte, and early tools. Open every Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., now through Labor Day weekend. Free. Accessible to the disabled.

ADVERTISE WITH US! Contact Ads

@TheCharlotteNews.org

Margaret Woodruff DIRECTOR Summer reading Here are a few of the gems chosen by The Washington Post as Best Books for Any Age: Age 1: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Age 4: Charlie Parker Played BeBop by Chris Raschka Age 7: The Complete Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson Age 10: Smile by Raina Telegemeier Age 15: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Age 21: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway Age 29: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Age 39: What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty For the full complement of Best Books for ages 1 to 100, visit washingtonpost.com/ graphics/2019/entertainment/books/100books-for-the-ages.

Pick up the Universe of Summer Fun program flyer at the library desk or online at charlottepubliclibrary.org.

Take a bag if you need it June 17 to Aug. 18 The Charlotte Library, Spear’s Corner Store and the Charlotte Congregational Church (403 Church Hill Road) are partnering again this year to provide lunch assistance for families with children and youth. Bags with lunch items will be available at the

library, store and church for families to take. Vouchers are also available upon request and good for a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread from Spear’s Store. Don’t forget to stop by the Little Free Library at the Grange this summer to pick up a free book or two!

fierce yet understated love emerges— one that encompasses not only the summer inhabitants but the island itself, with its mossy rocks, windswept firs and unpredictable seas.” Join us for a discussion of this book by the author of the beloved “Moomin” series.

Drop-in LEGO fun Thursdays at 10 a.m. through July 25.

Try a challenge or build your own creation with other LEGO fans.

Make-a-flashlight Thursday, Aug. 8, at 10 a.m.

Become a “tinnovator” by re-purposing an old Altoids tin into a flashlight.

Soldering, circuitry and switches are all part of the fun! For ages 10 and up.

Registration required: 425-3864 or info@ charlottepubliclibrary.org.

Story time at Adam’s Berry Farm Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. through July 30 Meet us at the farm for a summer of stories and busy activities.

Coming in August Out-of-this-world video creation Thursday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Create your own short video that is out of this world using iPads & the DoInk Green Screen and Animation apps! Participants will work in small groups to make fun, short videos of themselves using spacethemed graphics and video. Ages 10 and up. Registration required: 425-3864 or info@charlottepubliclibrary.org.

Library book discussion: The Summer Book by Tove Jansson Thursday, Aug. 1, 7:30 p.m.

“An elderly artist and her six-year-old granddaughter while away a summer together on a tiny island in the gulf of Finland. Gradually, the two learn to adjust to each other’s fears, whims and yearnings for independence, and a

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

Tuesdays, Thursdays & 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 facebook.com/charlottelibraryvt.

Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @CharlotteVTLib.

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Chris is an award-winning Realtor® and a proud member of the von Trapp family, depicted in the movie, The Sound of Music.

The Charlotte News • July 25, 2019 • 7

Sports Report

Celebrating Ireland’s 5-1 win over Franklin County last Saturday.

Edd Merritt

Twin-States Soccer goes both sides of the river Thanks in large measure to CVU goalkeeper Aiden Johnson’s first-half solidity in the net, the Vermont men held on to a 2-0 win behind a goal in the first half from Harwood’s Will Lapointe in the 45th Twin-State soccer contest for men.

In the afternoon match, the 37th between women’s teams, the Green Mountaineers were not so fortunate, losing to their Granite-state peers 3-1. The game was a scoreless tie for 51 minutes when New Hampshire went up by a goal. Vermont evened the score on a goal by Milton’s Tatum Shappy eight minutes later before falling behind for good in the second half.

Photo by Al Frey

In addition to Johnson, CVU placed Luke Morton on the men’s team and Sara Kelly and Sydney Jimmo on the women’s.

This year’s games bring Vermont men into a tie for wins with the Granite-Staters at 18 apiece and 9 ties. The Vermont women have won 13 Twin-State games to New Hampshire’s 19, with 5 ties.

Ireland on the win

Franklin County Post 1 was the victim of S.D. Ireland’s local American Legion baseball team on Saturday as the Irish won 5-1. Ireland and South Burlington are battling for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Northern Division of Vermont’s American Legion summer league. Ireland’s record for a playoff berth is 8 wins, 5 losses; South Burlington stands at 10-7.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS June 26 Eric Richter and Mary Michel to Jeremy and Jessica Rauch, 12.70 acres with dwelling, 2015 Dorset Street, $825,000.

June 28 Christopher D. Ekman and Ellen M. Coogan to Mark C. and Sheila M. Bisanzo, 10.10 acres with dwelling, 292 Clark Road, $572,000.

June 28 Robert J. and Suzan Fletcher Berthelette to Preston Alexander Graham revocable trust, ½ interest seasonal cottage, 810 Flat Rock Road, $183,000.

July 8 Rosine Scheiss-Kushnick separate trust to Karen Legere, Elise Legere and Joel Henderson, 7.50 acres with dwelling, 4003 Greenbush Road, $475,000.

July 11 Laura Lipton to Thomas Armstrong and Bethany N. Armstrong Breitland, 11.08 acres with dwelling, 236 Lucy’s Lane, $549,500.

July 18 Mark Delisle to Jason R. and Tiffany Lynne Hutchins, 8.30 acres with dwelling, 285 Riverview Drive, $295,000.

July 19 Estate of Louise M. Plant to Tyler P. and Amanda K. Hoffman, 5.06 acres with dwelling, 1801 Spear Street, $325,000.

July 22 P. Brian and Johanna B. Machanic to Donald M. Jr and Helen M. Garvey, 15.15 acres with dwelling, 4601 Mt. Philo Road, $780,000.

8 • July 25, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Food Shelf News A spider’s life can’t help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.

– Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White This month we give thanks to people who realize that in offering a little lift to others we also lift ourselves.

Take a lunch We encourage children and youth to pick up a tasty and healthy lunch bag, available at the Charlotte Congregational Church, Spear’s Corner Store and the Charlotte Library. Kudos to the people preparing these bags. Clearly, they put a lot of research into the contents, finding things that will keep without refrigeration, things that are healthful, and things that kids will like. Here’s what a sample lunch bag contains: organic juice drink, Goldfish, Cup Noodles, Vermont Beef & Pork stick, packaged pear bits with juice, granola bar.

So a hungry child can eat almost everything in the bag on the spot—and take the Cup Noodles home, add a cup of hot water and then slurp away.

No child in Charlotte should be hungry, and we thank Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen for spearheading the financial support for this effort.

Another thank you Kids Cook VT is a summer camp offering kids cooking experience in a social justice program. The Charlotte Food Shelf has been one of the beneficiaries of these kids’ talents. Children offered homemade granola in beautifully decorated sealed pouches and, besides that, served coffee and muffins on a Food Shelf morning.

In our age of rightful concern about kids spending too much time on their phones and other screens, it is good to see this small example of children learning to be active participants in an energetic model of people helping people in the community.

E N RI C H TH E LIFE YO U LIV E O UTD O O RS

Of interest, one Kids Cook VT creation is switchel, something people in the colonial days drank. It’s an old-fashioned Gatorade consisting of maple syrup, molasses, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and ginger. Refreshing and super healthy besides.

Go to their website to find out more: kidscookvt.org.

Thank you!

We are grateful for financial support from Margaret Berlin.

Important distribution dates at the Charlotte Congregational Church Wednesday, Aug. 14, 28: 5–7 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 15, 29: 7:30–9 a.m.

Financial assistance (Left) Emeline Cornelius and Isaac Rivers stir it up at the Kids Cook VT Camp. (Right) Charlotte Green and As a reminder, the Food Audrey Levin wash dishes after cooking.

Photos by Adele Holoch Shelf has some funds available for emergency assistance with fuel and are needed it’s better to give money. The electric bills. You may contact Pat Rodar at Food Shelf can buy diapers at a discount 425-3083 if you need assistance. and be sure to get the right sizes.

POP-UP CAFE We are available to all community Checks may be mailed to Charlotte Food residents. Privacy is very important and Shelf & Assistance, P.O. Box 83, Charlotte, On Friday, August 2, campers from respected in our mission of neighbor VT 05445. the second session of Kids Cook helping neighbor.

Thank you.

VT’s summer camp will host a For emergency food call John 425-3130.

For emergency assistance (electricity, pop-up cafe in the vestry of the Donated food drop-off locations fuel) call Pat at 425-3083.

All nonperishable food donations may Charlotte Congregational Church.

For more information call Karen at 425be dropped off at the Charlotte Library, The cafe will be held from 12-2 3252. the Charlotte Congregational Church and will feature sandwiches and vestry, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church some of the campers’ favorite Donations (main entrance) or at the Food Shelf meals they’ve cooked during the We are a volunteer organization, so all during the distribution mornings. Please donations you make to the Food Shelf go week. The cafe is “pay as you check expiration dates. We request that directly for food or assistance to our local all fresh foods be dropped off at the Food wish,” and funds raised will go neighbors in need. Should you wish to Shelf before the Wednesday distribution toward the costs of food for the honor someone with a donation, a special hours or before 7:30 a.m. on the Thursday camp. Kids Cook VT is designed acknowledgement will be sent to that distribution mornings. to raise awareness around issues person.

The Charlotte Food Shelf is located Please remember that although diapers of food insecurity in Vermont. on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Distribution Campers will be providing meals days/times are posted on bulletin boards in to new American families at the the Charlotte Congregational Church Hall, Janet S. Mundt Family Room in at the Charlotte Library and at the Charlotte Burlington, the Charlotte Food Senior Center. You may also call the Food Shelf, and Harbor Place.

Shelf number (425-3252) for a recording of the distribution times.

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The Charlotte News • July 25, 2019 • 9

Gardening Vera Maroney

East Charlotte is open for business

It’s a bird... It’s a plane. No, it’s Britsue’s Greenhouse/Tenney’s Snack Bar. A fantastic treasure in “East” Charlotte. You see the signs beginning on Route 7 and Ferry Road…so follow them.

Yes, it is a wonderful greenhouse but so much more. Creemies (vanilla, maple and pistachio), snack bar (pizza, burgers and dogs), gathering place (table, chairs), bottle redemption center and propane sales. How fortunate are we Charlotters to have this all under one roof!

A visit on a very hot and humid afternoon revealed the magic.

The greenhouse was started by Susie Mayo and Rick Tenney in about 2001. The goal was to help Brittany, their daughter, earn money for college. The greenhouse, packed with a boisterous array of plants, is open from Mother’s Day to July 4. However, even in the dog days of summer a riot of colorful plants and hanging baskets are for sale: begonias, petunias overflowing their pots. Worth a visit!

Britsue’s starts veggie and flower plants from seed or tubers in early spring. Rick reports that they buy seeds and tubers from many different sources, including High Mowing Organic Seeds.

The starting soil is from Gecewicz in Charlotte; it is composed of, among other ingredients, peat, vermiculite, bone meal and lime.

Rick said the mix does not include compost, which can compact and prevent germination. The recipe is probably secret, but it works!

Veggies starts that do not sell are planted out. That means pumpkin, cucumbers, corn and tomatoes galore are in their garden and will soon be available for sale. Check in to

see what they have. Yum. Available for sale at the snack bar are utterly delicious relishes, including green tomato. These are made by Brittany, who learned to can at the Charlotte Senior Center from Joan Weed. Joan, as you all know, is the premier Charlotte gardener.

Rick Tenney is old-time Charlotte. He grew up on the family farm on what is now Bean Road. At the store is a framed copy of the local paper article on the fire. The fire, started by a lightning strike, destroyed the family home in June 1965. The article stated, in part, “Charlotte firemen reportedly had the fire under control before running out of water.” A huge loss, but the Tennys are made of tough stuff.

We can continue to be grateful for our fire department.

On a hot and muggy day the creemie business was brisk, as was the snack business. Montgomery was there with his dad after a soccer practice. Here is a picture of a happy boy eating a creemie.

Creemies are just a part of Tenny

Photos by Vera Maroney

enterprises. They run one of the vanishing but essential bottle redemption centers. Mike is the “redeemed man.” He observed that folks have different attitudes toward refundable bottles and cans. Some just leave bags—glad to have them at a recycle place, others ask that the proceeds go a local charity, and others count every item. Mike is a hero to

those of us who struggle to find a place for the refundable cans and bottles.

But note the entire enterprise will be closed from August 1-10 for a very well deserved vacation.

As Rick said, “East Charlotte is open for business.” Have a great time on your visit.

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10 • July 25, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Sacred Hunter

Grateful for summer and dreaming of fall

Bradley Carleton For an outdoorsman, August can be a bit of a challenge. The lake is usually lower than the rest of the year, and the temperature of the water is only tolerable for warmwater fishing—largemouth and smallmouth bass, pike, panfish and the exotic dinosaurs, gar and bowfin. I’m not a snob but I prefer the cold clear water in the mountain streams fishing for my favorite salmonid, Salvelinus fontinalis, the brook trout.

The colloquial term” brookies” fits these beautiful fish well, as they are found in only the coldest clearest and cleanest waters. Interestingly, these jewels are really a remnant of the glacial period and are one of the char family, which is why the colors are so extraordinary. The red dots surrounded by blue halos, the bright orange fins tipped with white and the vermiculated markings on the greenish brown back provide this majestic little trout with the ability to hide in shady and rocky streams.

I enjoy nothing more in late July and August than finding the cold headwaters of the bigger rivers and ducking under a canopy of leaves and quietly stalking this lovely little fish. But when the water temperatures reach into the 60s and above,

I leave them alone, for although they are one of the most voracious fighters, their strength is significantly lessened by the warm temps. They thrive in water temps in the lower 50s but can die after a fight if water temps are in the high 60s or 70s.

Before I consider tossing my favorite rust-colored thorax elk hair caddis fly into the gurgling stream, I always take a temperature check. If it’s over 60 degrees, I will walk away and look for chanterelle mushrooms or the mighty boletes under the shade of pines.

But when there are no brookies to catch and release or mushrooms to harvest, I turn to cleaning out the trailer full of goose decoys and wash each one with Murphy’s oil soap, then rinse them off well to dry in the sun. I will repaint a few decoy heads and check all their foot stands, then organize the trailer for the upcoming goose season, which starts September first. Then I will sequester myself in the garage and work on the old Barnegat sneakboat for duck season. This year it needs a bit of hull work: sanding and painting the bottom, adding a new keel guard and sealing a small hole in the transom.

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such a vessel lest I be constantly frustrated with its upkeep. I embraced that ideology and have worked on repairing and improving it each year. This year I will be adding a new lower-profile grass blind to the cockpit, so that I will be laying down on the floor in a semi-reclining position with nothing peeking out but my head, covered with camo netting. I’ll be virtually invisible!

As I sit here in my den, drinking iced homemade strawberry sage kombucha and dreaming of fall, I am anticipating the new chapter of Delta Waterfowl’s “Delta Day” at North Country Sportsman’s Club in Williston on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Delta will be hosting the day of skeet and trap shooting with prizes, wood-duck nesting-box building and hen-nesting “rolls,” waterfowl-calling demonstrations and a grand BBQ. The event starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. If you’d like a little exposure to the wonderful world

Photo contributed

of waterfowling, swing by and join in the fun. It will be set up as a benefit for Delta Waterfowl’s conservation programs and research. For more information go to Facebook and search for “Delta Day.” As summer winds down and the kids are trying to squeeze out the last good juice of summer, the outdoorsmen and women are just getting geared up for their favorite time of the year. Lest we anticipate the future without being grateful for the present, we should do the same. If you have a chance to sneak up into the mountains and locate a cool pool of water, toss a line in and maybe feel that magical tug on the rod. Afterward, throw yourself into the clear cold water and soak in the last few days of summer’s bounty.

Bradley Carleton is executive director of Sacred Hunter.org, a nonprofit that seeks to educate the public on the spiritual connection of man to nature.

The Charlotte News • July 25, 2019 • 11

Out Takes

My own Front Porch Forum

Edd Merritt Took my dreams down by the sea Sailing yachts and lobster pots and sunshine Logs and sails and shell oil pails Down where the water skiers glide . . .

“Banquet” – Chris Thompson and the Manfred Mann Band Last week was our annual family gathering on Martha’s Vineyard—family being four generations between ages six and 92. My wife’s family has owned a cottage in Oak Bluffs for 50 years, and once my father-in-law gave up farming and work for the State of Connecticut, he and my motherin-law spent most summers there with visits from the rest of us and ultimately weeklong reunions of the clan. (My Scots relatives and Mel Gibson would have been proud.)

We have reached a family size that doesn’t allow us all to stay in one cottage, and we require a rental in addition to the owned stead. Our two sons, their wives and four grandkids share the rental with Beth and me. So far we have managed to leave the three family hounds on the mainland.

The rental is just a block from the original, called “Plum Blossom Place,” so we can traverse back and forth easily, food being the primary reason for the travel. Each group of the clan carries out at least one dinner duty, with the late-week lobster meal being the primary feast.

Having grown up in southern Minnesota As many of you may know, Martha’s farm country, I knew very little about Vineyard began as a Portuguese whaling seafood, but the Vineyard has changed that colony. It is comprised of a number of dramatically. My mother would roll over in villages, each with its own character. Ours, her grave if she heard that I actually enjoy Oak Bluffs, is known as a multicultural fish, lobster, clams, shrimp, mollusks—all hub, being one of the first vacation spots those delights from the ocean to which where blacks and whites mixed easily. It Mississippi River is interesting to sit Catfish and even on the porch and Lake Superior Lake watch the groups of Trout can’t hold a many generations candle. and mixed ethnic One of the real identities walk down benefits of the years the street chatting, a on the Vineyard was number heading to my father-in-law’s a beach at the end befriending the of the block named local fresh lobster the “Inkwell” for the storeowner who African Americans would each year save who frequented it. just the right sized Up-island to the marine crustaceans southwest end for the Skilton clan. are the towns of It was as much fun Tisbury, Menemsha going to his store— and Aquinnah or the Net Result—and Gay Head, (part of looking through his the Wampanoag basins of live lobsters reservation), again My son Ian and my daughter-in-law Nicole as it was eating each with its own what we got. I have a preparing to scarf lobster on Martha’s Vineyard. character. Aquinnah Photo by Chriss Merritt has become the picture of my younger son Ian holding up a financial center for 23-pounder that appears to be somewhat less the tribe and is governed by a tribal council than happy in his clutches. At 23 pounds, that plans to build a casino on its cliffs. The he probably could devour Ian as well as the character Tashtego in Herman Melville’s other way around.

Moby Dick is a Wampanoag harpooner from

there.

Menemsha is the one to which I have become attached, not only because of its great seafood deli on the lower end of its fishing pier but also because it is the site of a landmark that has personal relevance to me. While sailing with a friend at the other end of the island, he heard my grandsons refer to me as “Squid,” a nickname selected based on my reply to the question when they were born of what I wanted them to call me, and my reply, “I don’t know. They’ll figure something out. They can call me Squid for all I care.” Bingo! A picture arrived of newborn twins wearing onesies that said “I  Squid” on the front.

My sailor friend asked me if I was familiar with a planked resting place by Larsen’s Market at Menemsha that the commercial fishermen called “Squid Row” and on which they sat after emptying their catch. I had to admit that I was not.

However, the next time we headed upisland, I perched for a picture on the fourby-four.

I don’t want to bore you with tales of my vacation. However, for an island not far off Cape Cod, the Vineyard holds a diversity of culture from which our Congress and our president could stand to learn something.

And I assume many of the island’s “Squad” would likely join our Vermont Congressman Welch in seeking impeachment.

However, impeachment will have to wait because I am in the lobster bucket and can’t get out until I devour the last claw.

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12 • July 25, 2019 • The Charlotte News

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PLANNING continued from page 1 might have to obtain an amendment to the current permit, that expires in November. The wetlands general permit for the Town Hall and library is issued through the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Jim Donovan added, “Anything less than 3,000 square feet qualifies for a general permit. The delineation is still valid. It was done in July and remains valid for the life of the permit.

We are definitely talking back and forth with the wetland program.”

Tegatz then addressed additional questions from Joslin about lighting and two-way traffic. He said the three existing light bollards would be relocated along the sidewalk, and “the best way to slow down traffic is a dead end.” Commission Member Marty Illick asked if would patrons would be able turn around if no parking spots were available. Tegatz responded there would be enough room to turn around.

The sketch plan review was subsequently motioned and closed.

In other Planning Commission business, the commission closed sketch plan on PC-18-229-SK Locke, with chair Peter Joslin noting the Selectboard “took the necessary action to resolve the issue.”

Both the Planning Commission and the Selectboard took up this action item so the property owner could proceed with the sale of the property. The right of way, created as a condition of the 1978 subdivision of the property located at 95 Inn Road, was deemed by the town no longer necessary, as another road had been built since then.

The commission heard from property owner Linda Radimer and land surveyor Stuart Morrow regarding the minor twolot subdivision at her property located at 2012 Prindle Rd (PC-19-55-SD Radimer).

As Joslin walked through each item in the sketch plan review letter, Radimer and Morrow expressed frustration with the commission’s request to include a construction and repair easement which applied to her and an adjacent property.

Morrow objected saying, “To show something on another person’s property, we are opening a door there. For consistency when I meet with a client it would be nice to know I now have to go to the abutters, go get their easements and show them on the plat.” Illick concurred with Morrow’s objection and Joslin recommended

application was motioned and closed with conditional approval.

Development in East Charlotte village and commercial district The last agenda item was the continuation of sketch plan review for 1824 Hinesburg Road (PC-18-151SK Hinsdale) to determine potential development density and possible transfer of development rights. The commission heard from property owner Clark Hinsdale III, who submitted a sketch plan narrative as part of his presentation.

Hinsdale explained that, since the project of redefining the East Charlotte village and village commercial boundaries “process has dragged on, I will simply go with current zoning and do a project that is consistent with town regulations.”

He proposed creating four 1.3-acre lots and one 148-acre lot. The large lot would combine 33.63 acres of land currently under an Open Space Agreement with 122.19 acres of conserved clayplain forest. He proposed also transferring the remaining development rights to 15 acres of property he owns on the southwest corner of Hinesburg Road and Spear Street.

In his narrative he states he, “would like to put the current project behind me and focus on developing a portion of the village which...seems to be a place most people find appropriate for elderly and affordable housing.”

Residents from Sheehan Green, including Allison Baginski, Leslie Carew, Bill Stuono and Dick Stowe, asked Hinsdale to consider existing water problems in the area of the proposed lots. Stowe said the current water system design “works very well” and asked Hinsdale to “please keep [water runoff] in front of your mind.”

Hinsdale III responded with options of installing drainage or moving the building envelopes further west.

Before the commission closed the sketch plan review, Joslin noted that what Hinsdale was proposing was a major PRD (planned residential development); he also asked Hinsdale to consider the irregularity of the proposed 148-acre lot and recommended a future site visit to the property.

The next meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for August 1, and the commission asked the town planner to invite the Selectboard to attend.

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14 • July 25, 2019 • The Charlotte News

CHARLOTTE The town beach party on Saturday July 13 drew a large crowd. Great food, great music and great people filled the town beach and enjoyed the day.

Photos by Juliann Phelps and Chea Waters Evans Dale and Vanessa Knowles, owners of Mow! Mow! Mow!, relax before manning the grill. They volunteer their services for the party every year

Selectboard Member Louise McCarren giving Recreation Commission Chair Bill Fraser-Harris cookies for the pot-luck dinner

The Charlotte News • July 25, 2019 • 15

Books, sun and energy-saving fun

The Charlotte Energy Committee held the first annual FossilFree Jamboree! along side the Friends of the Charlotte Library’s book sale on July 21st to celebrate living “green” on the Town Green.

Many organizations from Efficiency Vermont to Kick the Can (Mow Electric) made the day a success. The Weather pitched in, too!

(Captions by Rebecca Foster, co-chair of the Energy Committee, and photos by, Lee Krohn, and Deirdre Holmes.)

(Left) Perhaps the sweetest feature of the Jamboree!, all were welcome to use pedal power to blend an all-organic fruit smoothie on City Market’s awesome rig.

Charlotte’s energetic state representative Mike Yantachka takes raspberries, pineapples, and almond milk for a spin with an assist by Energy Committee member Matt Burke. Nate Carr parked his truck full of “greener lawn care” equipment beside the tent for people to check out.

The Charlotte Energy Committee held the first annual Fossil-Free Jamboree! alongside the Friends of the Charlotte Library’s book sale on July 21st to celebrate living “green” on the Town Green.

Many organizations from Efficiency Vermont to Kick the Can (Mow Electric) made the day a success. The weather pitched in, too!

Hart Burget-Foster (14), who is doing an internship with Tim this summer, does a safety check on Mani Burke’s (8) bike.

(Right) Electric bikes were featured on the grass between the library and the Jamboree! tents. Note the cargo bike on the left.

(Left) Steven Wisbaum of Eco Equipment Supply walks by one of the 8 electric and plug-in hybrid cars that were displayed on the Town Green.

16 • July 25, 2019 • The Charlotte News

On Books Part I: The delights, and dangers, of summer reading Katherine Arthaud For the past few weeks, having had (for too many of these beautiful days) a series of headaches, it occurred to me that I might try PT. I know a PT person who is very good—I’d been to her before for other issues—and someone had suggested to me that she might be able to help with my headaches, so I made an appointment and went. On the day, she got to work, massaging my head, neck and upper back.

About 20 minutes into the session, she asked me if I spend a lot of time with my head at a certain angle, which she then demonstrated, chin cocked slightly down. “Well, I drive a lot,” I said, which is certainly true. I paused, considering, then added, “…And I read a lot.” She then explained that it was possible that holding my head in that (chin cocked down) position for too long a time without a rest or a stretch might be contributing to my headaches. “Oh my God,” I said to her. “Are you telling me I have a reading injury?!”

And so, dear Reader, please beware.

Though you might assume that reading is one of the safest pastimes on planet Earth, indeed it is not. It may, as my case illustrates, cause injury. Then I got to thinking…am I being irresponsible in recommending book after book without warning of the possible negative consequences of prolonged reading? And are there other risks besides stiff necks and headaches that readers should know about?

After giving the matter some thought, I have come to the conclusion that there are.

Sunburn, for instance.

Have you ever laid out on a deck chair in the sun with a good book and totally lost track of the time and/or the awareness that you are burning slowly to a hot crisp in the sun’s luxuriant rays? Well, I have. And sunburn is painful. It is also, happily, with a little planning, a little tending, avoidable.

Sunscreen, a hat and, perhaps ideally, a nice hammock strung beneath two leafy maple trees are recommended.

Besides sunburn, there is yet another possible danger related to reading, and that is falling. “How could one possibly fall when reading?” you ask. Well, I would

urge you to please think about this for a moment. Have you ever been sitting in a chair reading a very engrossing book, and without your being aware, one of your legs has fallen asleep? And then, when you stand up to grab yourself another cookie, or an iced tea, or let the dog in, or out, or answer the door, or the phone, your leg, now utterly numb, gives out beneath you?

It can happen. It can. Consider yourself warned.

------------------------------------------ Moving on…I have been reading a lot these summer days, and I have lots of recommendations.

One blockbuster you have probably heard of by now is the Pulitzer Prizewinning “eco epic,” The Overstory, by Richard Powers. Its plot is complicated and braids a number of (at first seemingly disconnected) strands of lives, journeys and storylines into one.

Bill McKibben called the book “a kind of breakthrough in the ways we think about and understand the world around us, at a moment when that is desperately needed.” I agree and will tell you that, after you read this book, you may never see trees the same way again.

Did you know that trees that have fallen prey to insect invasion pump out insecticides to save their lives? And that trees growing “a little way off, untouched by the invading swarms, ramp up their own defenses when their neighbor is attacked”?

“Something alerts them,” explains one of the characters in Powers’ novel. “They get wind of the disaster, and they prepare…

The wounded trees send out alarms that other trees smell…They’re linked together in an airborne network, sharing an immune system across acres of woodland. These brainless, stationary trunks are protecting each other.”

Trees are important characters in this book: living, communicating, ancient,

“

Though you might assume that reading is one of the safest pastimes on planet Earth, indeed it is not.

It may, as my case illustrates, cause injury.

”

and wise, precious, resilient beings that may well outlive us in the end. Trees live in community, with each other, with us and with other species. As my friend’s car bumper sticker says, “We all breathe the same air.” Which might sound obvious, but we humans seem to lose sight of this simple, profound fact. And while it is magical and illuminating to see trees in a new light, and to become more conscious of what or who they are, there is, of course, the painful tragedy of what we humans are doing to them and to the planet. The clear-cutting. The deforestation. We are not respectful. We are not reverent. Not enough. Not yet. Not as a species.

This book is inspiring and horrifying, fascinating and transforming. It is a long story that helps bring into consciousness and vivid, sometimes hair-raising color the most important issues of our time: biodiversity collapse and climate change.

Really, really good. Don’t miss it.

------------------------------------ On a much, much lighter and less arboreal note, I have a couple of delightful summer reads to recommend: Mrs. Everything (Jennifer Weiner) and Summer of ’69 (Elin Hilderbrand). Mrs. Everything is actually the least “lite” of Weiner’s novels. It begins with a short scene that takes place in a movie theater in 2015 and then goes back in time to the 50s, from

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whence it walks us back up to the present, through the era of Vietnam and Woodstock, Jell-O and the Stonewall riots. The main characters are two sisters who grow up in 1950s Detroit. One is a tomboy, a rebel, a lover of books, a budding activist; the other is feminine, pretty, a dancer and more of a traditionalist. The way their lives turn out reminds me of the old Yiddish proverb, “We plan, God laughs.” I always enjoy Jennifer Weiner’s books, and I really liked this one. A good one to read by the pool, with a hat and sunscreen, of course, along with a tall glass of lemonade or water. (I forgot to mention the dangers of dehydration; please add that to the list.)

Summer of ’69 is another delightful, intoxicating romp

by Elin Hilderbrand that takes place on (you guessed it) Nantucket. Ideal, ideal beach read—I can’t think of a better. As Susannah Cahalan wrote in the New York Post: “Hilderbrand is the queen of the summer.

Rich people behaving badly—perfect poolside.” This book also takes us back to the Vietnam era, and in this case the Vietnam War plays a rather significant background role as beloved brother (and son, and grandson) Tiger is an infantry soldier there, and everyone is worried about him most of the time. Besides Tiger, we have Blair, his older sister, who is heavily and miserably pregnant with twins, living in Boston, married to Angus, an attractive nerd, whose brother Joey loved Blair first, which causes some not insignificant plot ripples….and then we have 13-year-old Jessie, who is spending the summer on the island, in an old house with lots of antiques, with her grandmother, Exalta (what a name, eh?) and her mother, both of whom are keeping different secrets from the world; and Jessie likes Luke, but that’s…well, complicated—and then there is Kirby, sister of Tiger and Jessie, the middle child, who is working on Martha’s Vineyard at a hotel where Ted Kennedy is residing the weekend he drives his car off the bridge at Chappaquiddick…and then Kirby gets involved with Darren, who is perfect, and also happens to be black, which (because it is ‘69) is problematic… oh, and a man lands and walks on the moon somewhere while all this other stuff is going on…and all in all, there is lots of drama and a luscious, beachy, islandy, romantic, breezy feeling running through everything that I just find so utterly and blissfully transporting. I can’t get enough of Hilderbrand’s Nantucket novels (of which there are almost two dozen, at this point. Maybe next summer I will reread them all…)

Part II of Katherine Arthaud’s summer reading review will publish August 7.

The Charlotte News • July 25, 2019 • 17

HEMP continued from page 1 partners in Vermont Glasshouse, LLC, and bought property on Greenbush Road in Charlotte this March from organic farmer David Miskell. They are growing around 1,000 hemp plants in greenhouses that were already on the property and primed with organic soil. The pair do not have a processor permit and plan to sell their mature plants to a local outfit that does. The plants went into the ground as seeds in April and will be harvested some time this fall.

Lukas said that they are focusing on “quality, not quantity” when it comes to their plants. “This is a very interesting, beautiful plant,” he said, “and a lot of uses have come out of it, and now that it’s legal, there’s a lot to learn.” He said they are working on a partnership with the University of Vermont, not only to help current agriculture students “but to learn how we can grow this in Vermont.”

Lukas and Poutre use the analogy that their hemp plants are more like craft beers— another popular Vermont product—and that the outdoor fields are more like the Busch beers in that they’re more mass-produced and get less individual attention.

Outdoor growing in Charlotte is a different story, one that is somewhat shrouded in mystery. Out of the four growers registered in Charlotte, Poutre was the only person who would speak on the record. He said there is nothing to hide, and that on the contrary, he and Lukas are anxious to spread the word about their plants and the possibilities.

The properties on Route 7 and East Thompson’s Point Road, the most visible of the hemp farms in town, are located on land owned by Charlotte residents Robert Mack and Peter Briggs, neither of whom has a grower or processor permit. Neither Mack nor Briggs responded to repeated requests for comment, and it is unclear who holds the grower permit for the Mack property.

Mack’s nephew, Christopher, and his wife, Lindsay Longe, who is also on the board of

SELECTBOARD continued from page 1 their request for the town to provide a formal easement for the replacement of their water system. Naylor said they worked with the state to secure a loan for the project and hired engineers to design the plan.

“We’ve been pumping water from lake at the end of point since 1921 and treating it.

We discovered our system is antique and out of date, and we can’t maintain it efficiently.

The state is helping us to get it right.” The Association privately manages the water systems for 34 camps. Murray said that 30 have opted in and one has opted out.

She said, “Like the easement situation, there has no formal legal structure for our association. It’s been purely voluntary membership, in order to do this project and finance it we have had to bind ourselves to the association so the state will lend us money.” Selectboard member Fritz Tegatz asked for more specific mapping of existing system and the engineering design as addendums, and requested the formal easement include language similar to what is in the Thompson’s Point wastewater disposal ordinance and leaseholder guidelines before the board motioned and approved the chair to sign the formal easement.

Village wastewater ordinances Several members of the West Charlotte Village Wastewater Planning Committee

the Charlotte Land Trust, are, Longe said, “part of Oak Ridge Farm LLC, which is registered to grow on the East Thompson’s Point Road land east of the driveway marked 515 on East Thompson’s Point Road. The land west of there belongs to the Mack Farm…which is a completely separate operation.”

According to a current list supplied by the Agency Agriculture, there is no grower permit issued to Longe or to Christopher Mack, though he does have a processor permit registered under Oak Ridge Farm.

One person who does have a grower permit is Julian Post from Champlain Valley Hops, whose location is listed as Starksboro. Post is familiar to many Charlotte residents, particularly ones in the East Thompson’s Point Rd. area, because of a failed attempt to grow hops on the same land. Briggs owned the property during that period of time, and still does. Neighbors publicly protested the hops fields because they were worried about the amount of pesticides those particular plants require and because of the impact the tall poles the plants grow on would have on their view.

When reached by telephone, Post would not answer any questions. When asked directly if he is growing hemp on Briggs’s land on East Thompsons Point Road, Post said, “I can’t talk right now, call me in the morning.” He did not respond to phone calls the following morning.

Longe and Mack are farming that property, and she did not respond to further questions regarding their involvement with Briggs or Post. She did write in an email, “We are working hard to make this a high quality and sustainable organic ag venture. We have a deep appreciation for the land, agriculture, and our local community and look forward to being part of a growing industry.”

On a drive down E. Thompson’s Point Rd. two generators and pumps are visible from the road. They are hooked up to hoses that seem to be part of an irrigation system. One goes into a farm pond that was created when the hops farm was still in progress; the other appears to be pumping directly from Thorpe

were present to discuss their draft ordinances and the committee’s progress. Committee Chair Dave Marshall spoke for the group and fielded questions from the Selectboard on current capacity and anticipated need.

Krasnow asked the committee to conduct another straw poll of potentially interested parties and requested the committee bring their draft ordinances to a special Selectboard meeting on August 5. Representatives from the Charlotte Health Center and Charlotte Children’s Center were present, as well as a Ferry Road resident, all expressing interest in connecting to the village wastewater system.

Other Business In other business the board motioned to select Wind River Environmental as the contractor for the town wastewater system maintenance and approved a request for proposal for engineering services for repairs to Monkton Road. Town Administrator Dean Bloch said VTrans indicated they will likely process the structures grant application.

The grant funds will cover 80% of the $50,000 engineering estimate. The Selectboard also approved Mow!, Mow! Mow! to assume the tree-mulching contract.

According to the Town Administrator’s report, Chris’s Mini Excavating and Lawn Care “indicated that he is willing to give up this contract; he has not been able to complete the work on a timely basis.” Due to the height of surrounding overgrowth, Dale and Vanessa Knowles of Mow! Mow! Mow! recommended only mulching 64 previously tended trees and said they were willing to

A pump attached to a generator appears to be drawing water for hemp irrigation from Thorpe Brook on East Thompson’s Point Road.

Photo by Chea Waters Evans

Brook, which runs through the property and underneath the road through a culvert.

The brook is part of a Class II Wetland, unique in its location so close to Lake Champlain. There has been no stream alteration permit applied for or approved for this location; wetlands are protected from this activity, though agricultural use often has allowances that supersede environmental laws.

Jaron Borg, a river management engineer with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, said, “While some water withdrawals require structures that reach jurisdictional levels for a Stream Alteration Authorization it is rare that an agricultural irrigation system is large enough to do so.”

Supervising River Ecologist Jeff Crocker, who works for the Watershed Management Division, said that in this case he’s not sure agricultural exemption applies. He said that a farm’s proposal would have to be reviewed to make sure it’s compliant with

DEC streamflow procedure. He added that the only way to truly know if the wetlands are being affected is to evaluate it. “My review of the irrigation system focuses on the amount of water to be taken from the river.

If the irrigation system has potential impacts to the wetlands, those would be reviewed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation – Wetland Program.”

Charlotte Selectboard Chair Matt Krasnow said that though the Selectboard has addressed Act 143 during its meetings, he was not aware that the bill included a hemp provision. He said that though there was public outcry relating to the hops farm, there hasn’t been one complaint to the Selectboard regarding the hemp farms.

The hemp law was intended to help Vermont farmers think in new ways about how their land and expertise can take them into the next decades in a way that’s financially viable. Though the law is on the side of the farmers, it is still an industry that the farmers aren’t quite ready to discuss.

Parcel boundaries of the Town Pound with contours and bedrock outcroppings. From Vermont Agency of Natural Resources website. (https://anrmaps.vermont.gov/websites/anra5/)

start the following day.

The Selectboard discussed the results of the earlier site visit to the Town Pound with McCarren describing it as a “land-locked, buggy, wet, poison ivy-infested piece of property,” adding that it did have a historic rock walls. Both Tegatz and Planning Commission Chair Peter Joslin asked about the history of the 33.2 acre property. Kate Lampton, member of the West Charlotte Village Wastewater Planning Committee said, “The first time in modern memory when people first realized we owned it was 1984.

One committee was doing a lot of research into town properties (for the town plan) and discovered the town owned it … it was where loose cattle and livestock would be herded.”

McCarren asked, “Is there any value of buying the adjacent property and using that for wastewater?” Joslin supported the idea of investigating further. Tegatz asked the board if the town could task the planning engineer to research and provide some preliminary information on potential viability of the town-owned land.

Lastly, the Selectboard approved an offer of employment to Daniel Morgan for the zoning administrator position and authorized the town attorney to enter an appearance in the Vermont Superior Court, Environmental Division regarding the appeal by Andrew Zins of a Planning Commission decision (Docket Number 85-7-19-Vtec).

18 • July 25, 2019 • The Charlotte News

SENIOR CENTER MENUS 10:45 on 8/13, 8/20 & 8/27. Engage with a variety of materials to create a unique composition. Each week, a theme will provide a framework to kick off this fun process. Registration required. Fee: $45 for the series.

Carolyn Kulik

SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR

“The table is a meeting place, a gathering ground, the source of sustenance and nourishment, festivity, safety, and satisfaction. A person cooking is a person giving: Even the simplest food is a gift.”

– Laurie Colwin Mondays and Wednesdays are my favorite days of the week at the Senior Center. The mornings start out with the aroma of things cooking and the purposeful bustle in the kitchen. Soon, there is the sound of the cooks laughing and having a good time while they prepare the meal.

These volunteer cook teams decide on the menus, buy the food, and then come in to put it all together that morning. It is amazing to see five or more men and women performing a veritable ballet in a relatively small space ─ chopping, tossing salad, dicing, mashing, braising, boiling, and baking whatever will be served for that day’s lunch.

It is hard to imagine that cooking for 40-60 people can be so much fun, but perhaps it comes from the joy of giving.

The work is shared, great food is served, and everyone leaves happy. What could be better?

If you’d like to find out more about volunteering for a cook team (or anything else), please get in touch with Peggy Sharpe, Volunteer Coordinator, at 4256345.

Courses Tomorrow, 7/26, is another Kayaking for Women trip on the Lamoille river.

On 8/9, the destination is Waterbury Reservoir. If you are interested, contact Susan Hyde directly at susanfosterhyde@ gmail.com for details right away.

Remaining trips are on 8/23, 9/13 & 9/27.

There is no fee for these trips, but you must bring your own kayak.

The monthly Writers Group is waiting for you to bring your writing to share in a supportive atmosphere. The plan is to meet 8/8 and every second Friday, from 1-3 p.m. Please register to indicate your interest while this group is getting ready to fly. No fee.

For structured guidance, you could sign up for Write Now! with Laurie McMillan, which will be meeting on Monday mornings, 10:00-12:00, on 8/5, 8/12, 8/19 & 8/26. Exercises will be varied with time for in-class writing, sharing and discussion. Registration required. Fee: $68 for the 4-week series.

In August, have some fun with Collage Experiences taught by with Linda Finkelstein on Tuesdays mornings, 9:15-

Health notes The free Foot Clinic on Wed., 7/31, staffed by Martha McAuliffe RN, Julia Jacques LPN, and Samantha Wendell, is full with a waiting list, but feel free to add your name in case of cancellations. The Blood Pressure Clinic at 11:30 is also free on that day, and welcomes walk-ins.

On Thurs., 8/8, the Blood Drive is offered in conjunction with The American Red Cross. It is staffed by friendly volunteers, and the Senior Center is a comfortable place to give – with great snacks. The hours are 2-7pm and walk-ins are welcome.

Wednesday - Free Events at 1pm 7/31: Fun with Donkeys - Invite a young friend – or come on your own, and meet two mini-donkeys named Chester and Ernie pettable, huggable buddies for the afternoon. Hear about the history of donkeys and carting and take a ride in their custom cart. Seniors are encouraged to sign up and bring your young friend to lunch before this event. (Please see the menu above.)

8/7: Stop the Bleed, UVM Medical Center - Learn what you can do in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.

8/14: Downsizing - Even if a move isn’t imminent, simplifying your surroundings while keeping what you need or cherish most will allow you to live more comfortably in your home.

8/21: My Affairs in Order - If something should happen to you, would anyone know how to step in and manage your affairs? Organizing is essential, and you will learn how to record crucial information.

8/28: Rokeby Museum Tour, Ferrisburgh – “The Museum brings the Underground Railroad vividly to life.” Meet to carpool. Please register in advance; cost is $9.

August trip 8/9, Friiday: Middlebury College Art & Lunch with Linda Jackson Please meet at the Center by 9:30 to carpool; return at approximately 3:30.

This day trip to Middlebury College’s Museum of Art will view the show “Fifty Years of Collecting Art for Middlebury.”

After the museum, have lunch at the Middlebury Inn which will be your only expense. Pre-registration required; minimum of 10.

8/17, Saturday: Lemon Fair Sculpture Park with Frank and Elaine Ittleman Please meet at the Center by 9:30 to carpool. With Frank as our guide, the 1.5mile loop passes about a dozen large-scale outdoor artworks at their private residence in Shoreham. Head home around noon, or stop in nearby Middlebury for a leisurely lunch. Registration necessary. No fee.

Maximum is 20.

Suggested donation for all meals: $5

Monday Munch

Wednesday Lunch

July 29

July 31

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

No reservations required.

All diners eat at noon.

Reservations required.

Parmesan Chicken Breast Greens Fruit Salad

Hot Dogs Three-Bean Salad Ice Cream Sandwiches

August 5

August 7

Spaghetti and Meatballs Marinated Vegetable Salad w/ Herb Dressing Blueberry Squares (courtesy of Philo Ridge)

Pesto Torellini w/Artichokes & Chicken Chocolate Cake w/ Whipped Cream & Strawberries

Thursday Gents Breakfast

7:00–9:00 a.m. Reservations required.

July 25 and August 8 Menu: TBA | Topic: TBA

(Keep up to date on Menus at our website, CharlotteSeniorCenterVT.org, and on Front Porch Forum, as they sometimes change.)

One of our Monday Lunch Cook Teams at the Charlotte Senior Center: (L to R) Ellen Evans, Susan Ohanian, Linda Finkelstein, Michelle Tiller and Linda Reynolds.

Photo by Peggy Sharpe

Art news The July Art Exhibit, showcasing the varied work of three artists: Emma Farrington, Jill Thompson and Nancy Wood, will come down on 7/31. The August Art Exhibit will be delayed a few days for the painting of the Great Room.

The opening date for the new exhibit will be announced. ~ The best times to see Art Exhibits ~ Tues. after 12:30, Wed. 9:30-11:00, Thurs. after 12:30 (except 8/8), Fri. after 12:30.

Take a quick peek at noon on Mon. and Wed. Please call the Center during the week to check on Sunday availability.

Do visit our website for more details and menus. If you have questions or would like to register, please call 4256345, M-F from 9-4. We are at 212 Ferry Road, Charlotte, right across from the post office. The Senior Center’s mission is to serve those 50 and up. Residents from other communities are also welcome.

See you soon! ________________ Charlotte Senior Center (802) 425-6345 CharlotteSeniorCenterVT.org

The Charlotte News • July 25, 2019 • 19

Author Liza Woodruff reads her book at Adam’s Berry Farm

Classifieds Reach your friends and neighbors for only $12 per issue. (Payment must be sent before issue date.) Please limit your ad to 35 words or fewer and send it to The Charlotte News Classifieds, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 or email ads@thecharlottenews.org.

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The Charlotte Library welcomed local author and illustrator Liza Woodruff to Story Time at Adam’s Berry Farm, Tuesday, July 16. Woodruff debuted her new children’s book “A Quieter Story”. She is also the author of “Emerson Barks” and illustrator of “Ten on the Sled.” Story Time is at 9:30 on Tuesdays and runs through the end of July. Adam’s Berry Farm is currently open daily for raspberry picking with blueberry picking starting this Saturday.

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PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Charlotte Central School intends to destroy the special education records of all students who exited from any special education program during the 2013-2014 school year.

A permanent record of the student’s name, address, phone number, grades, attendance record, and year completed is maintained without time limitation.

Any former student, who has reached 18 years of age, may review and/or receive these records upon request. Also, any parent of a student who is 18 years of age or older, who has retained parental rights, may obtain these records.

Please contact the Charlotte Central School Special Services Office at (802) 425-6677 by August 15, 2019. If no student, parent, or guardian responds to this public notice prior to or by August 15, 2019, the school district will assume consent to destroy the entire record specific to the student.

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