The Charlotte News | November 30, 2016

The

Charlotte News Charlotte’s award-winning community newspaper

Volume LIX Number 10

The Voice of the Town

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Vermont’s Runamok Maple

makes Oprah’s Favorite Things list Charlotter partners with popular new brand just in time for the shopping season, page 11

WhAt’s INsIDe:

As LIttLe GArDeN MArKet GroWs, the oyster BusINess Is A hoLIDAy hIt, pAGe 1 Be sure to CheCK your sMoKe DeteCtors BeFore the IN-LAWs ArrIVe, pAGe 8 DeCeMBer DIVer DuCK huNtING WIth sACreD huNter, pAGe 19

CharlotteNewsVT.org

Charlotte News

The

Vol. 59, no. 10

November 30, 2016

Little Garden Market expands

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

Lynn Monty

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Oyster stew, grilled oysters, chestnut oyster stuffing and oysters Rockefeller are apparently hot items on Charlotters’ holiday dinner tables thanks to Rick Benson at Little Garden Market.

He’s prepared to sell his usual 2,000-plus fresh oysters through New Year’s Eve. To keep up with local culinary demands, Chef Benson, 52, of Ferrisburgh is opening a second location two buildings south of Ferrisburgh Town Hall where the bake shop used to be. Food production operations will move to this new location, and a new beer and wine license will be added there for the first time. A late-winter grand opening of Gilfeathers is planned. The name is in honor of the state vegetable, the Gilfeather turnip.

Gilfeathers will have coffee, breakfast items and hopefully become known for stocking Vermont’s 20 best cheeses, Benson said. “I’m going to keep it real Vermont-centric, and we are right next to the post office so we will do shipping and gift baskets.”

Benson said he has four more years on his lease on Ferry Road and plans to stay put. He just signed a five-year lease for the Route 7 location.

The new space is about 1,800 square feet, a third larger than the Ferry Road location. An average of 14,000 cars a day go by there, Benson said. “It’s a huge increase in traffic over what I see here.”

Little Garden Market opened its doors in June 2008. “It was five months of work to open the doors,” Benson said. “About 175 people stopped

Rick Benson of Ferrisburgh sells a couple thousand oysters every holiday season. His business, Little Garden Market, on Ferry Road in Charlotte is adding a new location on Route 7 in Ferrisburgh to keep up with business. Photo by Lynn Monty by that first day.”

Prior to coming to Charlotte, Benson grew up in central New Hampshire and graduated from Purdue University where he studied computer science. “I always liked to cook, but I never knew anyone who did it for a living, so it never occurred to me that it could be a career.”

He successfully executed a McCall’s Cookbook recipe for cream puffs at the age of 12—and he was hooked. “I loved to eat and had a hankering for some foods that my family didn’t make,” he beamed.

From a short stint as assistant to the cold-appetizer chef in Fort Lauderdale right after college to opening up his own high-end restaurant, Taste, in Burlington, a little less than a decade ago, Benson has been elbows deep in the culinary arts his whole adult life. He operated a sidewalk café kiosk nestled between Giorgio Armani and

MY TURN: An argument against the Lime Kiln Road barn development

Alexandra Lazar CONTRIBUTOR

In mid-October, an application was filed to turn the old barn at 783 Lime Kiln Road into a wedding/event venue. This event barn would host up to 60 events a year—with two per week from May to October—each

attended by up to 150 people. Although the barn is in a rural area, a loophole allows it to be rezoned for commercial use in order to preserve it.

When the project was first presented to the Zoning Board, neighbors were unaware

Brooks Brothers for 12 years in Manchester, Vermont, prior to opening Taste.

“I took it on the chin when the economy tanked,” Benson said of Taste. “It was a nice highend, fine-dining place.”

He initially opened Little Garden Market to supplement the needs of Taste but was forced to close the Burlington restaurant after he was hit head-on by a truck in Shelburne. He shattered his wrist and broke his sternum in the crash and was unable to work. “I was a one-armed chef with a restaurant and this new business. I couldn’t work,” he said.

As he stirred a béchamel sauce last week for a customer’s request for macaroni and cheese at Little GardenMarket,BensonspokefondlyoftheCharlotte community, which has helped him remain resilient against steep odds.

This time of year business shifts to a dinner

of the plan. But after an anonymous good Samaritan informed them, the neighborhood banded together to intervene, unanimously agreeing that the event barn poses a threat to their way of life. Neighbors have attended meetings and sent letters to the Zoning Board, the Planning Commission and the Selectboard. A petition is being circulated, garnering 67 signatures within its first two days.

These neighbors are not adverse to the barn’s preservation and potential usage, nor do they harbor any personal resentment toward the owner, the project or the concept of development. Instead, they are concerned that this specific use—a busy, commercial entity that would inevitably result in increased noise, light and traffic, among other issues—would create significant problems for them and their quiet, rural lifestyles. Clark Hinsdale points out that the “undue adverse impacts” of the event barn include residential, agricultural and traffic impact, and that there are many other “adaptive reuses of this property that could [better] fit into the character of the area and provide new life for this barn.”

emphasis. “It gets dark early and it’s cold, people want something homemade,” Benson said.

Warmer months bring boaters and hikers in to pick up lunch.

His biggest seller is slow-roasted pulled pork.

“We sell more of that than turkey sandwiches,” he said with a laugh.

Twice-baked potatoes are popular right now, and appetizers are flying out the door. Barbecued meatballs, shrimp platters and other special items are sought after by those headed to potluck dinners through the holidays.

Fresh oysters are delivered twice a week this time of year. Benson buys them from John Brawley, an oyster farmer on Duxbury Bay in Massachusetts. He’s a marine biologist who raises his oysters to have five times the flavor as any other in the northeast, Benson said.

Besides two store locations, Benson offers full-service, on-site catering for events ranging from backyard barbecues to china and crystal weddings, complete with full bar services of beer, wine and cocktails.

And if that’s not enough to keep him busy, a new art studio and gallery is in the works to open next fall out of his Ferrisburgh home across from town hall. Benson is also a painter of awe-inspiring abstract art.

Fresh new bulbs

Photo: Ted and Beth Systma planting their 600 bulbs again in anticipation of spring. Photo by John Hammer

The event barn’s parking lot would hold 160 vehicles, although the owner does not expect more than 80 vehicles per event.

The resulting increase in traffic on Mt. Philo Road is problematic for many who live in the area. As Margaret Foster points out, party attendees are not the only people who will arrive: there will also be “Health Department inspections, trash storage and removal, food and beverage delivery by trucks, increased traffic and parking for food preparers, decorators, parking attendants, photographers, [and] musicians.”

Not only would neighbors have to endure additional light from headlights, increased traffic noises and congested roads, but there are also pressing concerns about safety.

As Jennifer Whalen said, “This stretch of road has already been identified as being one of the area’s most dangerous due to the fast average rate of speed by motorists, combined with the fact that there is no shoulder and the road is heavily utilized for recreation by pedestrians and bicyclists.” It seems fair to assume that the increase in traffic—particularly when attendees are

see Barn page 14

The Charlotte News • November 30, 2016 • 3

Editorial

Survival of the boldest

Chickadees flit from feeder to tree and back again. Their daily round consists of all things “survival.” They appear to be working in tandem with the occasional nuthatch, junco and hairy woodpecker. It’s a rhythm of sorts, and I meditate on their pace, tempo and varied features a day after the election.

I think about their winter havens in rotted trees. Chickadees pack crevasses with found fur and seeds for cold-weather comfort. Their wee black-capped bobble heads seem too adorable to be calculating, but they are, otherwise they would never make it through harsh Vermont winters.

They are bold little birds in large number who own the feeder but seem to be content to share intermittently.

These feathered friends of mine have saved me on so many occasions that I’ve lost count. In times of trouble, no matter the season, they are at my window. When I am too confused to make sense of the world,

I grab a cup of tea and observe. You could call it backyard birding, but it’s more like a window-side vigil that I hold until I can straighten out my own brunette bobble head.

I witness bold moves, resiliency, hard work and nature at its best until I am reminded of what I need to do.

The news of the day sometimes sits heavy with me. As an editor, I consume a lot of it—local, regional, national and global.

There are always opposing views. Finding facts and middle ground can be exhausting, heartbreaking and infuriating. It makes me think of William Wordsworth’s “The world is too much with us.” For this reason, I cling to community news in my daily round for my own survival. The bulk of it here in rural Vermont has powerful spirit-lifting potential.

When you think about it, community news is where it all begins, one person at a time, in one action. I get to write about healing gestures in a world of overwhelming problems. From covering a child’s entrepreneurial dreams to a lakeside community’s nationwide search for a proper rescue boat, I am encouraged. I find boldness and hard work in this community every single day.

That brings me joy. If there’s no joy in the writer, there’s no joy in the reader, they say.

Or is that tears? I need to brush up on my Robert Frost.

We can sing “Joy to the World” a thousand times this holiday season, but it’s not until we recognize it in the neighbors around us that we begin to live with hope and faith in our hearts and reject the fear of things out of our control right now. Keep in mind that with joy-seeking we are not forgetting our

task to find solutions to better civilization, we are simply remembering to observe the resiliency of nature at its best in our own backyards. Not only will we find encouragement there, we will be reminded to take our own next bold step.

Lynn Monty, editor in chief Follow Lynn on Twitter @VermontSongbird and email her at Lynn@TheCharlotteNews.org with your story ideas.

Upcoming Publication Deadlines Publication date: Dec. 14 Columns/features deadline: Dec. 5 Letters due: Dec. 9 Ads deadline: Dec. 9 Please note: The News will not be published on Dec. 28 and will resume on Jan. 11.

Whatever the name—global warming, climate change—it’s not a hoax, and excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) is a prime cause. In Vermont, transportation, predominantly from driving cars and trucks, is the largest human source of CO2 emissions, more than all electricity generation and residential, commercial and industrial fuel use combined.

Your driving habits are critical because each gallon of gas you burn creates 19 pounds of CO2, the primary greenhouse gas causing climate change. (Exploration, extraction, refining and transportation of oil and gas add another five pounds of CO2 per gallon.)

Your CO2 generation rate is the direct result of how you drive, what you drive and how much you drive. Perhaps you can’t easily change how far you drive to get to work, pick up the kids and get groceries, nor simply go out and buy a hybrid or electric car. But you can do something immediately about how you drive. Simply by slowing down your rate of acceleration and your cruising speed you will burn less gas and create less CO2.

The fuel efficiency of motor vehicles declines significantly at speeds over 55 mph.

Drive faster and your vehicle’s aerodynamic drag causes fuel consumption to go up dramatically, right along with your CO2 generation.

A Car and Driver magazine test found that driving at 65 mph consumes nearly 15 percent more fuel than at 55 mph and at 75 mph consumes 27 percent more fuel! Data from other sources show similar results. The takeaway? Slow down and you’ll create less CO2, helping to slow the rate of climate change.

Not only that, you’ll go farther on a gallon of gas, getting another gallon or two of gas for every 10 gallons you burn. The only “sacrifice” is that it may take you a few minutes longer to get where you’re going.

Will it make a difference? Absolutely!

According to the October 2015 Vermont Transportation Energy Profile report, vehicles registered in Vermont traveled more than 7 billion miles in 2013 (the latest year for which figures are available). Vehicles registered in

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Editorial Staff

news@thecharlottenews.org / 425-4949 Editor in chief: Lynn Monty Layout Manager: Jeff Giknis Contributing editors: John Hammer, Edd Merritt Copy editors: Beth Merritt, Leslie Botjer, Vince Crockenberg, Carol Hanley, Edd Merritt, Janet Yantachka

Business Staff

ads@thecharlottenews.org / 343-0279

Commentary “Slow down climate change”

The Charlotte News

Ad manager: Monica Marshall Business manager: Shanley Hinge

Board Members Reducing the CO2 emissions from one car is a drop in the bucket compared with what’s needed to slow climate change, but the cumulative impact of many drivers slowing down is both significant and essential. A modest 10 percent reduction of CO2 from motor vehicles would have kept more than 274,000 tons of it out of the atmosphere in 2013. Think of what slowing down can do as it spreads beyond Vermont.

We in Vermont may be spared the worst of what climate change will bring. More bluegreen algae, more deer ticks, less ice fishing and fewer skiing days pale by comparison with flooded island nations and coastal areas and increasingly extreme weather everywhere.

The tsunami of greenhouse gases is the result of countless miles driven, homes heated

“Reducing the CO2 emissions from one car is a drop in the bucket compared with what’s needed to slow climate change, but the cumulative impact of many drivers slowing down is both significant and essential.”

Vermont that year (averaging 24.8 miles per and lights lit by fossil fuels over decades. We gallon highway mileage) burned more than created it one pound at a time, and it needs to 285,000,000 gallons of gas driving those 7 be fought one pound at a time with daily acts of billion plus miles. At 19 pounds of CO2 per gallon, that’s more than 2,725,000 tons of CO2 Continued on neXt page generated from Vermont vehicles alone!

President: Vince Crockenberg Secretary: John Hammer Treasurer: Patrice Machavern Board members: Bob Bloch, Carol Hanley, Gay Regan, Louisa Schibli

Contributors

Wendy Bratt, Bradley Carleton, Nicole Conley, Lia Cravedi, Joe Lasek, Alexandra Lazar, Kerrie Pughe, Mary Recchia, Kim Schmitt, Margaret Woodruff and Mike Yantachka

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Copyright © 2016 The Charlotte News, Inc. Printed in Burlington, Vermont, by Gannet Publishing Services Member of the New England Newspaper and Press Association and the Vermont Press Association.

ON THE COVER:

Runamok Maple partner Curt Alpeter of Charlotte celebrates making Oprah’s Favorite Things 2016 at his home on Nov. 19. Photo

by Lynn Monty

2 • November 30, 2016 • The Charlotte News Continued from previous page charge at the federal level, it’s even more critical

that we do all we can to slow it down. Changing how you drive by slowing down begins with conservation, reducing the generation of CO2 your next car trip. and other greenhouse gas-es. Reversing or even Robert McKearin, Burlington slowing the pace of climate change requires a multi-pronged effort. Use of non-fossil fuels, technological advancements, legislative action and conservation are all essential components of the fight. We can’t afford to wait for technological silver bullets or for businesses, legislators and regulators to do what’s necessary. The conservation efforts, by everyone, are needed now.

Think about it next time you’re tempted to exceed the speed limit or to step on it as soon as the light turns green. We’re all causing climate change—and we all need to be part of the solution. With climate change deniers soon to be in

Rec News

WRITE TO US! Let us know what’s on your mind.

Letters Where have all of the writeins gone?

Disappointment, to put it mildly, describes how it felt to hear the presidential election results in the early hours of Nov.9. Because it’s so stressful to try and digest the national election results, I’ve turned my attention to the Charlotte vote. The picture of the Charlotte ballot reproduced on page 2 of the Nov.16 Charlotte News edition caught my attention for a couple of reasons.

First, vote totals for U.S. president are shown only for those candidates who appeared on the ballot. I was one of the dozens of Charlotters who turned up to serve as vote counters after the poll closed. Each table of counters was given a pile of ballots. Following the instructions we’d be given, those ballots that had no write-ins were put aside in a pile of other “clean” ballots from other tables. Those ballots had been instantly counted by the same machine that voters fed their completed ballot into as they checked out of the poll. Counters were then instructed to appoint someone at their table to use a prepared tally sheet (which incidentally omitted one of the state offices but I forget which one) and enter the sum of write-in votes for the various offices. Furthermore, we were instructed that if we encountered a ballot that contained an outrageous or silly name (i.e Mickey Mouse), we should consider that a “spoiled” ballot (spoiled=not counted, just for that particular office—the remaining ballot choices were counted).

I can speak only for myself and fellow counters at my table, but there were more than a few ballots with presidential write-ins for Bernie Sanders, Ted Cruz, John McCain, Mike Pence and some others. I believe that voters who thoughtfully wrote in their choices for president should see their (counted) vote on the official result sheet. Sitting at our counting table was an 18-year-old who had voted for her first time.

Although I have no idea for whom she voted, I just wonder how she would feel about our election process if she’d voted for a write-in candidate and then looked at the official Charlotte vote totals and not seen the name of her choice.

Peter Nobes, Charlotte Editor’s note: Updated ballot results receivedfromTownHalllastweekshowthe topthreewrite-incandidatesforpresident were Bernie Sanders who received 87 votes, Mitt Romney with 7 votes, and John Kasich with4votes.Therewere26spoiledvotesand 33blankvotes.Ofthe3,324registeredvoters intown,2,617(or78.7%ofalleligiblevoters) werecheckedoffontheentrancechecklist.

Wednesdays: Jan. 11–May 24 Time blocks: (1) 3–3:45, (2) 3:45–4:30, (3) 4:30–5:15, (4) 5:15–6 Fees: Group lessons $272; semiprivate lessons $416 There are 18 lessons scheduled, but you are charged for only 16.

Creative Dance Class

Nicole Conley RECREATION COORDINATOR

Afterschool Horseback Riding Lessons Tuesdays 2:15–5:30 p.m. and Thursdays 3:15–5:30 p.m.

My second issue with the 2016 election relates to the erroneous ballot we were required to use when selecting “not more than 12 candidates” for justice of the peace. Due to what has been reported as a clerical error, the name of Jerry Schwarz was not listed as one of our choices. Prior to the election, The Charlotte News, Front Porch Forum and other media alerted voters that the error had been made and that there was no opportunity to reprint corrected ballots. Voters who wanted Mr. Schwarz to continue in his position as one our town justices had to write in his name and then indicate on their ballot their choice for not more than 11 others. I could be completely off base, but the paltry sum of 475 votes for Mr. Schwarz looks very odd.

It seems grossly unfair to me that an individual who has given so much of his time for Charlotte would lose out to 11 other JOP candidates through no fault or action of his own. If such a thing was possible, I’d be in favor of the Grand Pooh-Bah(s) of Charlotte elections declaring that: “We messed up the ballot and to make things right we will award Jerry Schwarz the total number of votes he received in the 2012 election PLUS the 475 write-in votes he received in 2016, and furthermore we hereby promise to never circulate ballots that we know include an error such as occurred in the case of Mr. Schwarz in 2016.”

Afterschool Piano Lessons

Session 2: Nov. 29–Jan. 5 (No lessons 12/26-12/30) Fees: $500 ($100 per week) Location: Steeple Ridge Farm. Grades: 1–12

Art Class Tuesday after schooll at 2 p.m.

Session 1: Jan. 3–Feb. 7 Grades: 1–4 Cost: $110 for six sessions

Thursdays after school: Jan.5–Feb. 2 Fees: $55 ($11per class) Grades K–3: 3–4p.m.; Grades 4–8: 4–5 p.m.

Location: Charlotte Central School

Driver’s Education Tuesdays and Thursdays Dates: Jan. 31–Mar. 30 Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Registration Fee: $690 Location: Charlotte Central School

Indoor Pickle Ball Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

Location: Charlotte Central School Full and partial scholarships are available for all youth recreation activities.

You can find additional information on all of our programs as well as registration forms on our town website, charlottevt.org, under the “Recreation” tab, or contact Nicole Conley by email Recreation@townofcharlotte.com or by phone 425-6129 ext. 204.

The Charlotte News • November 30, 2016 • 5

Town Holiday gift program kicks off to make seniors’ spirits bright Staff Report The holidays are a time to celebrate the joy and warmth of the season with friends and family. The Home Instead Senior Care office serving Chittenden and surrounding counties is helping to facilitate Be a Santa to a Senior, a community program that provides gifts and companionship to seniors who may be isolated from friends or family during the holiday season. The program is made possible through the generous support of local businesses, nonprofit organizations, retailers, numerous volunteers and members of the community.

“The holidays can be a troubling time for seniors. They may feel the absence or the distance of loved ones,” said Tim Labeau, owner of the Shelburne Home Instead Senior Care office. “Be a Santa to a Senior provides a ray of hope for many seniors, and it means so much for them to know that people care and value them as members of our community.”

The local Home Instead Senior Care office has partnered with numerous area businesses and volunteer organizations to help with gift collection and distribution.

“We are excited to have so many other

Charlotte Congregational Church celebrates the 6th annual Handel’s Messiah singalong Staff Report The Charlotte Congregational Church invites the community to the sixth annual Sing Along performance of selections from Handel’s Messiah at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4.

This evening of music will feature musicians from the Vermont Symphony,

organizations in the community supporting Be a Santa to a Senior again this year,” said Labeau. “We are hoping to serve 1,200 seniors in need across four counties through this year’s program, and we know it will be a meaningful experience for all who are involved.”

Holiday shoppers are invited to participate in Be a Santa to a Senior by picking up a paper ornament at a participating Kinney Drugs location. From now to Dec. 13 participating locations will display Be a Santa to a Senior trees, which will be hung with ornaments featuring seniors’ first names and their desired gifts. Holiday shoppers can choose an ornament, buy the requested gift and return it to the store with the ornament attached. There’s no need to worry about wrapping—community volunteers and program partners will wrap and deliver the gifts to local seniors in time for the holidays.

“Be a Santa to a Senior provides a Home Instead Senior Care celebrates its 13th year of Be a Santa to a Senior, a program much-needed boost for seniors who may that provides companionship, gifts and holiday cheer to seniors who may otherwise not be isolated, and not just through gifts but have a gift under the tree this Christmas or someone to share the holiday. Courtesy photo through interaction and companionship,” said Labeau. “We’re so grateful to have a Send us your community that comes together to show our local seniors they are not alone during the holidays.”

For more information about the program, news@thecharlottenews.org visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call (802) 860-4663.

NEWS, PHOTOS,EVENTS

the Burlington Chamber Orchestra and four professional vocalists, accompanied by a chorus of audience and choir members.

Performers include Anne Decker, conductor, Jane Kittredge and Brooke QuigginsSaulnier, violins, Sarah Cullins, soprano, Ana Ruesnik, viola, Linda Radtke, mezzo, Dieuwke Davydov, cello, Adam Hall, tenor, Bill Tilley, bass, Erik Kroncke, bass, Jason Whitcomb, trumpet, Annemieke MacLane, continuo and Nicola Cannizzaro timpani.

Tickets are $12 per adult, $40 for a group of 4, and may be purchased in advance at Charlotte Congregational Church’s website, charlotteucc.org. Tickets will also be available at the door.

For more information please contact the church office at 425-3176 or charlotteucc@gmavt.net. The church is located at 403 Church Hill Road in Charlotte.

4 • November 30, 2016 • The Charlotte News

Forum on refugee resettlement held in town Rep. Mike Yantachka, Charlotte

In the aftermath of a contentious national election that raised strong feelings regarding immigrants, minorities and religion, there continues to be significant opposition to the prospect of Rutland becoming a haven for Syrian refugee families. The images of people desperate to escape from the Syrian civil war and ISIL persecution landing on the shores of Greece in fragile boats, as well as the reports of the thousands that drown trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea, are part of the contemporary news cycle. Once they reach asylum in the first country of their destination, they are relegated to refugee camps where they wait with hope to be relocated to a more permanent location through the UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR).

As generally aware of this situation as we might be, we may not be familiar with the subsequent process that leads to resettlement.

A week after the election, on November 15, more than 60 people from Charlotte and surrounding communities gathered at the Charlotte Senior Center to hear a presentation by the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program (VRRP) and the accounts of refugees who are now new Vermonters. The idea behind the forum, that I organized with the help of VRRP, was to increase public knowledge of the refugee experience: what caused them to become refugees, what process did they have to go through to enter the U.S., what challenges they face when they arrive and what their obligations are now that they are here.

According to the UNHCR there are currently 65.3 million refugees worldwide.

A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. Between 2013 and 2015, according to the State Department, about 70,000 refugees per year were admitted to the United States. President Obama stated that 85,000 would be admitted in 2016 and another 100,000 in 2017. With the recent election, the latter number may change.

VRRP representatives Kristen Rengo and Sophia Kimball introduced the program at the Senior Center with two videos featuring first person accounts of refugees who resettled in Vermont from Somalia, Bhutan and Bosnia.

Before entering the U.S. refugees undergo an intensive screening process by multiple agencies, including the FBI, Department of Defense, National Counterterrorism Center, Homeland Security and the State Department. According to VRRP, this vetting process takes, on average, 1,000 days to complete. Prior to arrival, refugees also undergo medical screenings for both communicable diseases and mental disorders. Once they are accepted, they are assigned to one of nine resettlement agencies that are affiliated with 250 offices spread out over 49 states.

Vermont was designated a refugee resettlement center in 1980.

Refugees receive assistance, including housing, mentoring and a stipend for six months after they arrive in the U.S. The

Yvonne Nigena speaks at a presentation by the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program at the Charlotte Senior Center on Nov. 15.

Photo by Janet Yantachka housing is provided at market rates, and it is up to the refugees to support themselves after six months. This means that, to afford housing in Vermont, it is often necessary for large family groups to occupy rental housing. VRRP works with landlords to make these arrangements work and with employers who can provide jobs.

The Senior Center audience also heard from Yvonne Nigena from Burundi who currently lives in Burlington and from Puspa Luitel from Bhutan who is a Charlotte resident and serves on the town Planning Commission. Yvonne described her family’s flight from the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and their stay in Tanzanian refugee camps, where she was born, before being granted asylum in the U.S. She attended Burlington High School along with refugees from many other countries. She said that their different customs and clothing set them apart, sometimes uncomfortably, from the other kids.

One thing that Yvonne is really passionate about is dance, and she plays a strong leadership role in keeping the art of traditional dance alive. She also announced that her dance group would be performing at the Vermont International Festival December 2 through 4 in Essex Junction. After graduating from BHS she attended Community College of Vermont and will start at Castleton University in January.

Puspa Luitel spoke of the expulsion from Bhutan in the 1990s of ethnic Nepalis, who were stripped of their citizenship. After fleeing to Nepal, Puspa attended school in the refugee camp up to 10th grade and went to India for 11th and 12th grades. In India Puspa completed four years of a five-year law program. Then his family applied for resettlement in the U.S. and came to Vermont in 2008. He resumed his undergraduate studies at Champlain College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. Since becoming a U.S. citizen in 2014, he has graduated from Vermont Law School and is very interested in practicing law in Vermont. Through the affordable housing program he had the opportunity to purchase a home in Charlotte where he lives with his wife and daughter. He is active in advocating for the refugee community and received an appreciation award from the City of Winooski in recognition of his outstanding service to the community. Puspa serves on the Planning Commission as a way to give back to his Charlotte community.

More information about the Refugee Resettlement Program can be found at refugees.org/Vermont and at embracerefugees.org.

The Charlotte News • November 30, 2016 • 7

Click it or ticket

Buckle up!

Staff Report

Vermont businesses joined law enforcement, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, the AAA of New England and the Vermont Truck and Bus Association on Nov. 23 in promoting the importance of seat belt use.

Town

Police will be actively enforcing traffic laws this holiday season to make sure all travelers are wearing their seatbelts.

Vermont has already lost 57 lives on roads in 2016, police said.

With a greater number of vehicles on the road comes a potential for more crashes resulting in injury or death, police said. Many of these can be avoided by simply wearing a seatbelt.

Phoenix Feeds & Nutrition in New Haven and Mike’s Fuels in Bridport promoted occupant protection within their companies at the event. Both companies have placed “Click It or Ticket” decals on their vehicles to spread the message.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel welcomes Father Richard Berube for Advent lecture

Budgetary workshops monopolize Selectboard hearing

Colleen Armstrong

Selectboard pushed waste water down the pipe John Hammer CONTRIBUTOR

John Hammer

CONTRIBUTOR

Join us for an Advent lecture by Fr. Richard Berube, SSE, on Monday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Hall on 2894 Spear Street.

Titled “O Mary, God has chosen you from all women of the world,” this is a reflection for Advent-Christmas and on how Jesus and Mary both join and separate the world’s largest religions, Christianity and Islam.

There are many references to Jesus and to Maryam (Mary) in the Quran. In fact, Mary is the only woman named in the Quran, where she is honored for her spiritual perfection, her fidelity and obedience to the Word of God and her being chosen to be the virginal mother of the Messiah, making her a contact point for dialogue between Christians and Muslims.

Learn about your own faith while

Shelburne Police Sgt. Allen Fortin is spreading the word about the state’s Click It or Ticket seatbelt enforcement program on Nov. 23. Courtesy photo

CONTRIBUTOR

Photo: Courtesy photo exploring the faith of others. The evening’s lecture is an opportunity to discover connections between two faiths that are frequently misrepresented as polar opposites. Fr. Richard Berube, SSE, emeritus professor of religious studies at St. Michael’s College, received his doctorate in theology at Catholic University of America and studied at the MacDonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut.

Several years ago, the Selectboard decided to begin formal workshops during the fall to look at the initial budgetary requirements of town departments. This prepares the way for final hearing requests and the setting of the municipal budget, which will be published in late January.

For the most part, the budget requests presented at the November 14 meeting came in at or near the current levels. Cemetery Commission Chair Vick Zulkoski gave a persuasive and well-illustrated presentation on the very real and pressing need for repairs at the Barber Hill Cemetery (http:// bit.ly/2gcdLME). Mowers have damaged up to 60 percent of the stones, and the fence is in great need of repair or replacement.

Her request for $29,120 was cut in half to $15,000.

The meeting began with extensive discussions on a potential (West) Village wastewater system and a letter to VTrans regarding deep concerns over the railroad passage through town. These items are covered elsewhere in this paper.

Among the miscellaneous items covered was the renewal of a highway access permit for Michael and Barbara McGinnis for a driveway on Higbee Road.

Concerns by neighbors regarding water flows across property lines were found to be matters for separate action between the parties.

A discussion on changes to the hours for the town planner and zoning administrator led to the fact that the forthcoming Town Plan will not be presented to the Selectboard until February 17.

Therefore, it will not be available for a vote in the March 2017 election. Discussion on the hourly changes was deferred until the next meeting.

The Selectboard approved the

The potential wastewater system for the West Village was the subject of a workshop during the first hour of the Selectboard’s Nov. 14 meeting. Dave Marshall, the indomitable civil engineer and volunteer who chairs a committee on the subject, came to answer four major questions: capacity, eligibility for shared use, connection fees and operations. Of the four, only the first was resolved; the rest were put off for a later time.

The Selectboard quickly passed a motion that increased the permitted capacity of the West Village system from 4,999 gallons per day (gpd) to 6,499 gpd.

The increase is permitted by a change in state law and will cost the town only the application fee, which it will pay to itself.

The town currently uses a little over 3,000 gpd from its municipal buildings.

The Selectboard then considered the question of who should have access to the newly enlarged system, which is a capital asset owned by the whole town.

Dave Marshall was eventually asked to come up with questions that might be posed to the town’s citizens next March at Town Meeting about whether the citizens of Charlotte really want such a system at all and, if so and more important, who should be eligible to benefit from connection to it.

6 • November 30, 2016 • The Charlotte News

Charlotte Selectboard approves railroad letter John Hammer CONTRIBUTOR

The Charlotte Selectboard, at its marathon session of November 14, approved the signature on a letter to the Vermont Transportation Board outlining seven specific areas of grave concern to the Town of Charlotte and many others in Vermont. In his presentation to the Selectboard, former Charlotte Fire Chief Chris Davis stated that he had experienced less than cooperative attention to his concerns about the risks the railroad has posed to the town. Of particular concern has been the State’s 2015 revision to the State Rail Plan, which suggests doubling the volume of freight by 2035 and adding passenger service to Burlington in

Food Shelf News Kerrie Pughe CONTRIBUTOR

Volunteers needed for holiday baskets Please join us Friday, December 16, at 8 a.m. at the Charlotte Congregational Church to assemble the holiday baskets.

Everyone is welcome! Please plan on just about two hours.

the next few years.

Previous attempts to set forth the town’s concerns have been met with stonewalling behind EPA and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) protections. Both agencies are protected by overarching federal regulations that give them preemptive rights over local jurisdictions. The storage of up to 1.2 million gallons of propane in tank cars located on sidings alongside the now-deserted passenger station and extending north poses a serious threat to a large area of the West Village.

The seven areas of concern were: -The potential impact of a fire, leak or explosion of hazardous material (i.e., propane) on facilities and properties in the West Village. Furthermore, there is no coverage for wetlands and drainage to Lake Champlain. The letter asks for increased powers to identify the risks and to allow adequate input at a state level in current and future rail-related activities in Charlotte.

-There is insufficient insurance coverage in Vermont for collisions, spills and property destruction/damage resulting you to all the volunteers who helped put together over 25 beautiful Thanksgiving baskets: Diane Cote, Laura White, Peter Richardson, Bill and Karen Doris, Kerrie Pughe, Alaina Murphy, Susan and Jim Hyde, Liz Anderson, Nancy Bloch, Susan Ohanian, Polly Heininger, John Lavigne, Lynn Alpeter, Nancy Calcagni, Cindi Robinson, Suzanne Ferland and Cindy Tyler. Thank you for the fresh veggies from Stony Loam Farm. Thank you Josie Kaestner for organizing the mom and child baking supplies.

Wishing trees, toy boxes and gift card Thank you donations Look for our wishing trees at the Charlotte Congregational Church and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Pick a child’s gift wish to fulfill for the holidays. Also, you will see toy collection boxes around town (both churches, Little Garden Market, Senior Center and the Charlotte Library). We are looking for new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages. Please drop off toys

by December 16. If you would like to buy gifts cards to donate, all stores (gas, grocery, clothing, toys) are great ideas.

You may drop the cards at the Charlotte Congregational Church or mail them to the Food Shelf at the address below. We’ll need these by December 16 as well.

from a HAZMAT spill, fire, collision or environmental damage. Currently the contract between the State and the Vermont Rail Systems, which operates the line through Charlotte, is only one million dollars. Recent rail accidents in the U.S. and Canada have resulted in tens and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.

This leaves Vermont taxpayers and local property owners vulnerable.

-Some provisions should be considered to cover adjacent landowners from the potential negative impacts of increases -Appropriate crossing protections are inad- in rail traffic with its associated hazards, equate for any high-speed passenger service vibrations and noise. along the Western Vermont Rail Corridor.

Only one of Charlotte’s two principal level -Last, Vermont should consider what New crossings is protected by a gate. Further, York and California have done to increase there are at least six agricultural crossings, safety along rail corridors. only one of which has any signage or safety aids.

Chris Davis and Lydia Clemmons, of the Citizens for Responsible Railroads, have -Emergency responder training has been been closely following this important issue. undertaken by Charlotte Volunteer Fire and The draft text of the letter is available at: Rescue Services, but additional training http://bit.ly/2gc3Y9d. Only slight editorial is needed. Furthermore, the specialized changes were made before signature by equipment and tools identified in the train- Selectboard chair Lane Morrison. ing need to be made available for sharing among the towns along the West Vermont Rail Corridor.

-Charlotte does not maintain the water New Facebook page “Like” us at our new Facebook page, Charlotte Community Food Shelf and Assistance, to see photos and get updates on all the Food Shelf activities.

Donations

We are a volunteer organization, so all donations you make to the Food Shelf go directly for food and/or assistance to our local neighbors in need. Thank you so much for considering donating today.

Be sure to buy local at The Flying Pig, Checks may be mailed to Charlotte Food which will again support the children with Shelf & Assistance, P.O. Box 83, Charlotte, VT 05445. its Snowflake Give a Book Program.

Thanksgiving baskets

Donated food drop-off locations

A big thank you to Payton Shattie (grade 4), Whitley Pidgeon (grade 4), Libby Manning (grade 4), Dicey Manning (grade 6) and Katie Shattie (grade 5) from CCS for all your hard work to get us organized for the basket assembly. We appreciate the donations from the families and staff at Charlotte Central, especially the $6 cash donation found in one of the boxes! The pumpkin bread made by the CCS first graders was a wonderful treat. Thank

All nonperishable food donations may be dropped off at the Charlotte Library, the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (main entrance) or at the Food Shelf during the distribution mornings. We request that all fresh foods be dropped off at the Food Shelf before the Wednesday distribution hours or before 7:30 a.m. on the Thursday distribution mornings.

For emergency assistance (electricity, fuel) call Cindi at 425-3234.

For more information call Karen at 425-3252.

Important Upcoming 2016 and 2017 The Charlotte Food Shelf is located on the Charlotte Food Shelf Distribution Dates lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Distribution days/times are Wednesdays, Dec. 14, Jan. 4, posted on the bulletin board in the Charlotte Jan. 25 and Feb. 8, 5–7 p.m.

Congregational Church Hall. You may also call the Food Shelf number (425-3252) for a Thursdays, Dec. 15, Jan. 5, Jan. recording of the distribution times.

26 and Feb. 9, 7:30–9:30 a.m.

We are open to all community residents.

Privacy is very important and respected in Thank you to Whalen family for the big bag our mission of neighbor helping neighbor. of peppers. Thank you to Jeffrey and Irene For emergency food call John 425-3130.

Horbar, Charlotte Organic Food COOP and Anne Castle, Hank and Josie Kaestner, and Deborah Cook for their continued support.

Welcome to our newest Thursday morning volunteers Peter Richardson, Alaina Murphy and Garrett Sadler!

quantities necessary for the suppression of fires that could result from a large-scale HAZMAT spill. Similarly, the storage of sufficient quantities of foam is not closely available. Provisions should be made for adequate water and foam supplies to be available along the line.

Friday, Dec. 16, 8–10 a.m., holiday basket set-up Saturday, Dec. 17, 8:30–10:30 a.m., holiday basket pick-up

8 • November 30, 2016 • The Charlotte News

Education The Sustainability Hub at CVU— looking toward the future Kim Schmidtt & Lisa Cravedi CVU COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

In recent articles we have written about the goals of personalizing learning for our students and, related to that, providing opportunities for students to immerse themselves in real-world challenges.

At a recent CVU School Board meeting, we were introduced to the Sustainability Hub, an initiative being piloted by environmental science teacher Dave Trevithick. Along with three enthusiastic students, Dave talked with passion about the importance of using the natural environment to engage students in school, specifically in the sciences, to solve reallife problems.

What the research says: • 44 percent of students graduate from college in five years with $37,000 debt • 65 percent of jobs for middle schoolers are not invented yet • 96 percent of academic provosts believe students are prepared for life after college, whereas 11 percent of employers believe they are prepared.

Every smoke alarm has an expiration date Staff Report

Does your home have a smoke alarm? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) the answer is likely yes, that most American homes have at least one. But do you know how old your smoke alarms are or how often they need to be replaced? If you’re like most people, you’re probably not so sure. That lack of awareness is a concern for state fire safety officials and NFPA, along with fire departments throughout the country, because smoke alarms don’t last forever.

"Time and again, I’ve seen the life-saving impact smoke alarms can have in a home fire, but I’ve also seen the tragedy that can result when smoke alarms aren’t working properly," said Michael

as having an equal impact on a global What we can do to address these concerns? community.

Schools across the country are looking to the environment to engage their students. Some pathways to achieving this vision: As a graduation challenge: How Researchers have seen positive outcomes; do I create a disease-resistant tomato? Can here are just a few: 1.

In Portland, Oregon, 96 percent of you make a living as an organic farmer? students in schools with an environmental What does organic really mean? focus met or exceeded state standards, As a class: How does agriculture compared with 56 percent in a comparable school without that focus. In addition create place/culture? How does one market and profit from homegrown popcorn? students were found to be more creative.

2.

In Gallup, New Mexico, researchAs a personalized learning plan: ers found that college graduates who had opportunities to apply classroom learning How are drones used for agricultural to internships, jobs or ambitious projects purposes? How does a local forester deterwere twice as likely to be engaged in work mine healthy trees? later in life.

3.

At Hotchkiss (in Colorado) behav- Specific examples: As part of this fall’s Natural ioral referrals decreased from 540 down to Resources class, projects focused on the 50 AND math scores increased.

4.

There was a decrease in negative environment from a variety of perspectives. behavior discipline after initiating an These included creating a bike water pump, environmental focus. In Little Falls, New expanding CVU’s Farm to Table gardens, Mexico, students had 54 percent fewer stormwater design, permaculture design, an apple orchard, riparian buffer planting, negative behaviors. fire pond fish survey, wetlands designation CVU’s vision of equity includes the study, microinvertebrate survey, stormwater 3D model, wetland plants pressing and following: • That students live science through identification, and rain barrel installation.

And all of this was going on just next to the experiential learning on site at CVU • That students develop critical and CVU building!

Community partnerships are also creative thinking by asking and answering meaningful questions of their own, such a large part of these efforts. Students are as “How will climate change affect the learning to work with teams of professionvarieties of fruits and vegetables grown in als, creating bonds between the school, the students and the community, and exposing Vermont?”

• That all students interested in these the students to a new type of positive role topics have access to and the resources model. So far the program is working with needed to pursue sustainability education Shelburne Farms, the Lake Champlain • That all students have access to Maritime Museum, U.S. Fish and Wildlife internships, community connections and Services, Ahead of the Storm, Marone and McBroom, UVM’s Environmental working experiences • That all students see one another Problem Solving class, Resource, Horsford Desrochers, director of the Vermont Division of Fire Safety. "That’s why we’re making a concerted effort to educate our neighbors about the overall importance of smoke alarms and that they do have a life limit."

NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, requires smoke alarms be replaced at least every 10 years.

To find out how old your smoke alarm is and its expiration date, simply look on the back of the alarm where the date of manufacture is marked. The smoke alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date (not the date of purchase). State fire safety officials also say smoke alarms should be tested monthly and that batteries should be replaced once a year or when they begin to chirp, signaling they’re running low.

Send your news to: News@TheCharlotteNews.org

Gardens and Nursery, and local carpenter Jeff Abbey. The program is also taking advantage of local in-house talent.

What next?

The big challenge is designing a Sustainability Hub—a greenhouse to be a hub of infrastructure and equitable access that focuses on the environment. This will allow CVU to meet the goals of 1.

Engaging students using a cohort model to focus on a common goal through personalized pursuits, 2.

Having a physical place that will model sustainable practices and mindsets, 3.

Utilizing an interactive design process and 4.

Tackling real-world problems in collaboration with community partners.

We are very excited about the expanding opportunities at CVU that allow our students to develop their skills and passions while in high school. We feel confident that initiatives such as the Sustainability Hub will address some of the challenges noted at the beginning of this piece. We believe our students will have a better understanding of who they are as learners and what life after high school will look like for them.

The Communications Committee on behalf of the CVU School Board thanks the work of administrators, teachers such as Dave Trevithick, and the students who took on the challenge of piloting this new program. In future articles, we hope to share information about other ways in which the school community hopes to capitalize on the interests of all CVU learners.

UPDATE: Connecting Youth Mentoring Wendy Bratt CCS CONNECTING YOUTH COORDINATOR

Connecting Youth Mentoring is up and running. Mentors meet with middle school students for one hour each week at Charlotte Central School to enjoy each other’s company during the school year. This year we want to give a special thank you to Aubuchon Hardware for donating supplies to begin our small shop class. Mentor pairs now have the tools to begin building bird houses and other woodworking projects if they choose to spend their time together in this way. If you’d like to become a mentor, please contact Wendy Bratt, program coordinator, at wbratt@cssu.org.

Photo: Jason Aubin and Alan Bates meet for weekly outdoor chess and Frisbee.

Courtesy photo

The Charlotte News • November 30, 2016 • 9

Education Vermont Day School to host Gingerbread Festival Staff Report As a celebration of the season and creativity, Vermont Day School will host its first annual Gingerbread Festival on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 2–4 p.m. This exciting event will include a gingerbread building competition open to individuals and businesses in the community. This year’s

theme is “Imaginary Places!” Entry details and registration forms can be found on the school’s website, vtdayschool.org. Entry forms are due November 28, and prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories, including “Most Creative Use of Materials” and “Most Unique Interpretation of the Theme.”

The afternoon’s events will also include festive food and fun activities for children of all ages. Admission is free and open to everyone in the community. There will also be a silent auction of goody-filled baskets, donated by parents at Vermont Day School.

The school is located at 6701 Shelburne Road in Shelburne.

ADULT PROGRAMS However you voted, you may be dismayed by the negative campaigns of this year. Join us at the library on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. for a showing of “Can America Heal?” This TED talk, featuring social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, highlights “the morals that form the basis of our political choice and provides a vision for how the country might move forward.”

St. Michael’s College professor Jonathan Silverman will facilitate discussion following the talk.

Margaret Woodruff CONTRIBUTOR

JOIN US AT THE LIBRARY! KIDS ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS Thursdays through Dec. 15, 3:15 p.m.: Coding Club. Animate and create as you hone your coding skills.

Grades 4 & up. Registration required.

Fridays through Dec. 18, 10:30 a.m.: Friday Free for All. From rocks, blocks & socks to babies, bugs & hairy bread, join us to investigate on Friday mornings. Ages 3 to 5. Registration required.

Tuesdays, Dec. 6 & 20, 9 a.m.: Baby Time @ the Library! Meet other caregivers and the littlest ones in our area.

We’ll chat, sing songs and read to Baby.

Older siblings welcome to come play with the toys. Sponsored by Building Bright Futures.

Wednesday, Dec. 7, 3:15 p.m.: Afterschool Crafternoon: Holiday Giftmaking. Create something special for a special someone. Grades 3 & up.

Registration required.

Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m.: Tea Tasting Journey. Learn about the origins, production methods, brewing techniques and history of some of the world’s finest teas. Little Tree Tea will take you on a guided tasting tour of green and oolong teas from China, Japan and Taiwan.

Monday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.: Mystery Book Group. Copies available at desk. Join us for coffee and discussion.

Tuesday, Dec. 27, 7 p.m.

GREAT DECISIONS: The Koreas.

Korea expert Will Edwards joins us for our last session in 2016, covering the ever-evolving situation in Korea.

Charlotte Library Board Of Trustees: Emily Ferris, Nan Mason, Danielle Conlon Menk, Jonathan Silverman and Robert Smith.

Charlotte Library 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: facebook.com/charlottelibraryvt.

Follow us on Twitter: @CharlotteVTLib.

10 • November 30, 2016 • The Charlotte News

Sports

Edd Merritt Sports Roundup

Annual high school football game ends on a thrilling note

It took a touchdown pass in the final 28 seconds of the first half and then tough defense on both teams’ parts in the second half to nail down a 14–13 win for the northerners in the 16th annual senior All-star Game at Castleton State University last Saturday. North Country quarterback Evan Sarault hit Rice’s Alex Bond from 26 yards out for the score. CVU and Charlotte’s Zach Toensing dropped the South quarterback for a sack on the downstaters’ final drive, maintaining the winning margin.

CVU runners perform well in the Nike Northeast Regional races Tyler Marshall earned a place in the Nike National Tournament by running unattached and finishing third in the regionals at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, NY. He bested over 226 other runners, earning the opportunity to learn how well his cross-country skills will stand up against the best of the nation in Oregon later this year.

The CVU women finished third as a team with 161 points. Their best individual effort came from Charlotte’s Sophia Gorman who placed 19th. Jennifer Ireland at 46th, Rosalie Lacroix (54th), Meira Heininger (55th) and Ella Whitman (61st) formed the top five CVU runners.

Machavern sits on the pole at Circuit of America Edd Merritt CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

It was a true race. Charlotte native Dillon Machavern, driving his Heritage Motorsports Ford Mustang in a Trans Am Series TA2, began on the pole by setting a new lap record qualifying time. A win at COTA would be Dillon’s third career win (not bad for a college student), following victories in Brainerd, Minnesota, last year and at Watkins Glen, New York, earlier this year.

At COTA in Austin, Texas, Dillon came in first in a 22-car field that covered 102.81 miles and saw four lead changes.

He and Gar Robinson battled back and forth until Dillon eventually took the lead for good on the 25th lap of the 30-lap race.

Each circuit of the track required 20 turns in a length of 3.5 miles. Taking the lead on the 25th lap, Dillon opened a gap between himself and Robinson that brought him the checkered flag for his third career TA2 win.

It had been a season of change for Machavern, starting it with four podium-visits in his first five runs, then missing out on the next five, primarily because of mechanical issues. Dillon said, “About

halfway through the season we really ran into some bad luck. We were struggling with mechanical issues but finally made our way back to the top.”

His statistics for the season include two wins (Watkins Glen and COTA), a second-place at New Jersey Motorsports Park, third place finishes at Road Atlanta, Brainerd International Raceway and last week at Daytona International Speedway.

These combine with top-five finishes at Homestead and Mid-Ohio.

Having ended the season with a third-place at Daytona, he compiled enough points to finish fourth overall in the 2016 chase for the TA2 Trigon Trophy—ready for a good beginning to next season.

photos: Courtesy photos

Deer season ends with a BANG for one Charlotte hunter

Photo: Charlotte residents Steve Winn, Jeff Giknis and 6 month old Delaware Donovan admire a 175lb. 8 point buck at Spear’s corner store. Steve Winn harvested the magnificent animal in Charlotte at the end of the 2016 rifle season. photo: ethAN BoND-WAtts

The Charlotte News • November 30, 2016 • 11

Business Sweet Runamok deal gets Oprah’s blessing just before the holidays

Curt Alpeter of Charlotte partnered with Runamok Maple founders Eric and Laura Sorkin of Cambridge as product is dubbed Oprah’s favorite. photo By LyNN MoNty wanted to add more to their wholesale operation by creating a superior retail line Lynn Monty of products that would drive their syrup into the epicenter of the culinary world.

EDITOR IN CHIEF Their line of infused, barrel-aged and It was initially a collaboration to keep smoked maple syrups are doing just that. sugarbush habitat sweet for songbirds that had Audubon Vermont Board Chair Ten different, exquisitely packaged varietCurt Alpeter and Eric and Laura Sorkin ies of Runamok Maple are in stores now. at Runamok Maple working together. And Oprah isn’t their only endorser. These Now they are partners in a profitable new products have also made the gift guides in endeavor.

Real Simple and Food and Wine magazines, Alpeter said.

After becoming bird certified with their biologically and structurally diverse Alongside the signature Sugarmaker’s Cut, sugarbushes, Runamok went on to become the brand’s collection includes bourbon Oprah certified just in time for the holiday barrel-aged, pecan wood-smoked, makrut shopping frenzy. lime-leaf infused and other unique flavors that are organic and all natural. These Alpeter, of Charlotte, said the partnership maple syrups are designed to be used was a perfect fit for him. He was welcomed differently—some in desserts, others in aboard about six months ago. After success- glazes for meats and some for jazzing up ful careers at IDX and MyWebGrocer, he cocktails. was looking for something “a little less corporate, very local and Vermonty,” he “Our goal is for people to think about maple said. when cooking,” Alpeter said. “It’s for more than pancakes and waffles.”

The Sorkins have been producing bulk maple syrup in the state for years and

Oprah’s team was introduced to Runamok at the Fancy Food Show in New York City a few months back. “We had a tiny little booth buried in the corner in the basement, but we had this beautiful display of all of our bottles and packaging, and it was what separated us,” Alpeter said.

Since Oprah’s Favorite Things 2016 was announced on Nov. 3, business has skyrocketed. “It’s taken us from 0 to 60 quick,” Alpeter said. “We are doing 20 times more on a weekly basis than prior to her endorsement.”

Alpeter said Runamok’s packaging is unique and designed to be merchandised in many different ways. “We are going after a premium market,” he said. “Here you have this product that is one of the last wild-harvested products. It’s incredibly timeless, yet we put it in brown jugs and don’t brand it or do anything with it. Part of what we wanted to do was put it in a package that mirrors how special it is.”

For more info visit runamokmaple.com.

12 • November 30, 2016 • The Charlotte News

Local Services and Providers

Advertise your local business here to get more exposure this holiday season!

Call 425-4949 for more information and rates.

Tell them you saw it in The Charlotte News!

The Charlotte News • November 30, 2016 • 13

Arts Shelburne Craft School Beautiful Things 2016

Awardwinning Vermont-made film “The Summer of Walter Hacks” Staff Report

Shelburne Craft School is prepared for the holidays and their annual wreath event.

Courtesy photo.

Submitted by the Shelburne Craft School The Shelburne Craft School’s gallery is gearing up for its seasonal show, Beautiful Things 2016. In preparation for the holidays and our sixth annual wreath event, we are thrilled to announce several new artists into our gallery. New pottery is rolling in, including work by Mary Sweeny from York, Maine, as well as by Carol Hanley and Julie Windsong. Rik Rolla, studio manager and clay instructor, introduces his “Maine Squeeze” ceramic juicers. Dr. Bunky Bernstein’s handmade ancient stone cutting boards are waiting to make their way to your counters. Wake Robin resident Patrick Kennedy has delivered original watercolors and raku pottery, both sculptural and functional.

in between. Colorfully painted carvedwood panels by Craft School instructor Brooke Monte adorn the walls. Other visual art includes oil paintings by Craft School student Kerstin Sonnerup, gouache and ink paintings by education director and local artist Wylie Garcia, along with new landscape paintings by Executive Director Sage Tucker-Ketcham. That’s not all! Come check out the rest of the beautiful work by local Vermont artisans.

The gallery is located at 64 Harbor Road in Shelburne.

HOLIDAY GALLERY HOURS:

Starting week of Nov. 28 till Dec. 23 Monday–Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jewelry by youth instructor and studio Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. assistant Mikayla Johnson fills the spaces

The Ferrisburgh Historical Society welcomes director/co-writer George Woodard and producer/co-writer (and Ferrisburgh resident) Gerianne Smart to show their award-winning film “The Summer of Walter Hacks.” Set in the 1950s in Vermont, the film tells the story of two brothers who try to make life work on the family farm in the midst of life’s trials and surprises.

Viewers from the area will recognize many familiar faces and locations throughout the film, including areas in Vergennes, Ferrisburgh, North Ferrisburgh and Charlotte.

“I’m thrilled the Ferrisburgh Historical Society is screening our film,” said Smart.

“The film is gritty and memorable and it hasn’t been shown in this area in quite a while. We’re looking forward to sharing this with friends and neighbors once again.”

The screening will take place on Sunday, December 11, at the new Ferrisburgh Grange/Town Hall on Route 7 starting at 2 p.m. with doors opening at 1:15 for general seating. The venue is ADA compliant. The film’s run time is approximately 125 minutes.

The film, which premiered in 2010 to much acclaim and regional awards, is not yet available on DVD, so audiences are able to see it only during a screening such as this.

Tickets are at the door only. A suggested donation of $5 is appreciated. Refreshments will be served.

Both the director and producer will be on hand for a Q&A after the screening. For more information please call 587-6321.

14 • November 30, 2016 • The Charlotte News Barn Continued From Page 1 the area and may have imbibed alcohol at the events—might be accompanied by an increase in accidents.

Neighbors have expressed concerns about a variety of other issues related to the event barn. Many are concerned especially about light pollution. The lights from the event barn—the first commercial or industrial lights in the neighborhood—would impair people’s ability to see the stars and spoil the peaceful darkness of the night.

Others are troubled about increased litter and pollution—especially run-off from the parking lot that might penetrate the soil, damaging farmland and the groundwater that feeds many residents’ wells. The fact that increased water consumption by the event barn could strain the aquifer that supplies these wells is also problematic.

Many neighbors are also worried about drops in housing values. Indeed, Zeke Davisson and Kelly Brush Davisson—who are currently building a house in the area— admit that the event barn “would have diminished [their] opinion of [the] solitude [of the area] and . . . made this neighborhood less desirable.” In addition, a wedding venue in this location seems unnecessary: there are multiple similar venues in the region, with the newest one located just one mile away.

While the event barn would create issues for all neighbors in the vicinity, it would be especially problematic for those who live immediately next to it. Cedar Springs Farm—a facility that trains, breeds, boards, and shows Morgan horses—directly abuts the property. Owner Bonnie Sogoloff worries about the well-being of her “expensive and sensitive show horses,” noting that “their health and welfare will be certainly compromised by the noise and disruption.”

Lilah Sunderland and Chance CardamoneKnewstub live 200 feet away from the event barn. During the sound test, they “were startled by the volume and the vibrations of the bass felt throughout their house.”

They worry that the late-night sounds of partying—even if events end by 9:30, as is mentioned in the application—will keep their children awake past their bedtimes.

They moved away from Burlington in 2014, seeking “a quieter and more peaceful environment for their family” and fear that the event barn would compel them to move once again.

These reasons have motivated many locals to oppose the event barn in order to protect the undisturbed, rural nature of the neighborhood that they love. To voice your opinion email a letter to Town Administrator Dean Bloch. And if you have additional questions about this effort, email Michael Lazar at michaellazar@myfairpoint.net.

The Charlotte News • November 30, 2016 • 15

SHOP LOCAL This holiday season!

16 • November 30, 2016 • The Charlotte News

HEALTH MATTERS: When it comes to trying to get to sleep, what you don’t know might kill you Joe Lasek, M.D.

problem may underlie their sleep difficulties. Because some sleep disorders, CONTRIBUTOR especially sleep apnea and other forms

of sleep-disordered breathing, may have This is the second of a series of articles on seriously detrimental effects on health, it’s the basics of sleep, including remedying extremely important not to miss these. sleep problems when they arise. The first article appeared in the October 19 issue of You have no primary disorder but still can’t The News. sleep. Now what?

When last we met, I discussed some of the basics surrounding what we know about sleep. In this column, I’d like to talk about some of the common ways in which sleep can go awry and, when sleep is troubled, whether you really should ask your doctor if “fill in the blank” is right for you?

As with most health-related issues, the most important step is to correctly identify the underlying problem. This brings us to the storied art of medical diagnosis and all the challenges and rewards of that art.

When it comes to our sleep, good diagnosis starts with a complete medical history and exam, including the specifics around falling asleep, staying asleep and awakening.

In the initial evaluation, a physician will try to figure out whether a primary condition (such as untreated pain, a psychiatric condition or a problem behavior) affects sleep or whether you may suffer with a primary sleep disorder (e.g. obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy).

Only after ruling out these conditions can we safely assume that poor sleep may be due to a relatively more benign condition, such as primary insomnia, and then treat it accordingly.

In my practice I routinely encounter people who report long-term insomnia but who have never had a thorough evaluation or considered that a potentially serious

going with this one.)

While sleep problems represent one of the most common health problems in our society and while sleep medication is one of the most common types of medication we use, surprisingly little evidence shows that they are either safe or effective. Over the past two decades, dozens of studies have looked at the use of sleep medication What if you are having sleep problems and and their health effects. And it is striking after careful evaluation by a physician, how uniformly bad sleep medications are there is no clear indication that you are for one’s health. suffering with a primary sleep disorder like sleep-disordered breathing or a When looking at mortality, the big daddy secondary sleep problem due to a medical health indicator of them all, 40 studies have shown that sleep medications cause anywhere from a two-fold to an 11-fold “There is no way that increased risk of death. And no studies of which I am aware have ever shown that a multibillion dollar sleep medication increases longevity. Some industry that promises causes of death from sleep medications restful, blissful and include increased risk for motor vehicle accidents, falls, and intentional as well as glorious sleep in a unintentional overdoses. Others may be bottle could be a giant more surprising to you, such as increased scam perpetrated on risk of serious infections because of direct suppression of the immune system, the American people by risk of cancer because of direct money-hungry, corporate increased damage to DNA and increased risk of pill-pushers, right?” aspirating stomach contents while sleeping. or psychiatric condition. You have a run-ofthe-mill, uncomplicated but persistent (and potentially infuriating) sleep problem with no clear underlying cause. In that case, you may decide to reach for an over-the-counter or prescription sleep medication because they’re quick, effective and safe, right?

There is no way that a multibillion dollar industry that promises restful, blissful and glorious sleep in a bottle could be a giant scam perpetrated on the American people by money-hungry, corporate pill-pushers, right? (You may be guessin’ where I’m

At best, marginal benefits; at worst, death Considering the overwhelming evidence that sleeping pills kill people, a reasonable person may wonder why doctors would prescribe them in the first place. Perhaps it’s that they work so well and that the perceived improvement in sleep and quality of life are such that people are willing to incur the risks of dying in order to achieve the fantastic benefits of these pills. But things get stranger still when one looks at the literature on effectiveness of these medications. An exhaustive study published in the

Journal of General Internal Medicine in 2006 compiled the highest-quality research on sleep medications and gave estimates as to how well these medications actually work. Their conclusion: the most common sleep medications helped people fall asleep about 10 minutes faster and helped people sleep about 30 more minutes per night.

And no studies have ever shown that sleeping pills help next-day functioning (In fact, the only research done on nextday functioning has shown that sleeping pills impede it.). So, hardly worth taking even if they were not going to kill you, but especially underwhelming considering the demonstrable potential for harm.

Taking all of this into consideration, then, what is one to do without a sleeping pill?

Must one endure endless nights of restless and tortured wakefulness and stumble through dreary days in a mindless torpor?

Oh no, my friends. There are very effective ways to sleep better. While they don’t come in a bottle and do require a little mental muscle to put into practice, the potential rewards of these remedies are great. And they won’t kill you. More about those in the next issue of The News. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, however, please do not stop any medication prescribed to you without first consulting with your prescriber. Doing so may be medically dangerous, even life threatening, and changing treatment should be done only in close consultation with your prescriber.

Joe Lasek, M.D., is the associate medical director and staff psychiatrist at HowardCenter in Burlington as well as a clinical assistant professor in the Psychiatry Department in the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He lives in Charlotte.

The Charlotte News • November 30, 2016 • 17

Charlotte Public Safety Log As submitted by the Shelburne Police Department Saturday, Nov. 5–Friday, Nov. 18 Saturday, Nov. 5 07:14 Medical Call Upper Old Town Trail, Charlotte. 911 caller reported an untimely death. Charlotte Rescue was dispatched and Vermont State Police was notified. The patient was not transported to the hospital and the call was turned over to Vermont State Police.

Monday, Nov. 7 10:06 Medical Assist Satterly Road, Ferrisburgh.

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

10:41 Medical Call Ethan Allen Highway and State Park Road, Charlotte. 911 caller reported a medical emergency. Charlotte Rescue and Shelburne Rescue were dispatched. The patient refused transport to the hospital.

Tuesday, Nov. 8 01:20 Medical Assist Jockey Lane, Monkton. Charlotte Rescue assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient refused transport to the hospital.

Wednesday, Nov. 9 16:56 Agency Assist Partridge Lane and Spear Street, Charlotte. Shelburne Police assisted Vermont State Police with MV complaint.

The vehicle was located and the operator was identified. The operator was transported to the police station for processing. Following processing the operator was issued a citation for driving under the influence and released.

23:31 Traffic Offense Ethan Allen Highway and Church Hill Road, Charlotte. Traffic stop. The

operator was identified and found to be under criminal suspension. Operator was transported to the police station for processing. Following processing the operator was issued a citation for driving with license suspended and released.

Thursday, Nov. 10 06:19 Medical Call Spear Street, Charlotte.

911 caller reported a medical emergency.

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

09:26 Medical Call Rotax Road, Monkton.

911 caller reported a medical emergency.

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

Friday, Nov. 11 03:46 Robbery Ferry Road, Charlotte. 911 caller reported a robbery. Charlotte Rescue, Shelburne Police were dispatched and Vermont State Police were notified. The scene was secured by Shelburne Police. The patient refused transport to the hospital.

Saturday, Nov. 12 02:40 Medical Call Stone Wall Lane, Shelburne.

911 caller reported a medical emergency.

Charlotte Rescue was dispatched. The patient refused transport to the hospital.

Sunday, Nov. 13 15:29 Fire Call Spear Street, Charlotte. 911 caller reported a brush fire out of control. Charlotte Fire, Rescue and Ferrisburgh Fire were dispatched.

The fire was extinguished, no reported injuries.

17:46 Medical Call Upper Meadow Lane, Charlotte. 911 caller reported a medical emergency. Charlotte Rescue was dispatched.

The patient refused transport to the hospital.

Tuesday, Nov. 15 16:33 Fire Call Church Hill Road, Charlotte.

911 caller reported an unknown fire in the area. Charlotte Fire and Rescue was dispatched. The fire was located and determined to be a permitted burn.

16:43 Accident PI Mount Philo Road, Charlotte.

911 caller reported a 2-car motor vehicle collision with injuries. Charlotte Fire and Rescue was dispatched and Vermont State Police were notified. The patient was transported to the Hospital.

Wednesday, Nov. 16 07:43 Accident PI Covered Bridge Road and Hollow Road, Monkton. 911 caller reported a 2-car motor vehicle collision with injuries.

Charlotte Rescue and Monkton Fire were dispatched and Vermont State Police were notified. The patient was transported to the hospital.

08:04 Medical Assist Panton Road, Vergennes.

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

09:49 Medical Call Greenbush Road, Charlotte.

911 caller reported a medical emergency.

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

Friday, Nov. 18 12:26 Medical Assist Kimball Point Lane, Ferrisburgh. Charlotte Rescue assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue.

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18 • November 30, 2016 • The Charlotte News

Senior Center News Unleash that creative spirit! Come join us for this new monthly “craft” offering.

On Wednesday morning, December 14, from 9 to 11:30, Janice Bauch will show you how to create your own Hand Stamped Greeting Cards. In this small, hands-on class you will create one holiday card and a second all-occasion card. This is like scrapbooking (same materials used) but, of course, much smaller. You do not already have to be an artist, but this could open that part of you! A sample of the craft will be available in the foyer at the Center prior to class so you can see what we will be making. All materials will be supplied for these classes. Registration required. Max. 8. No fee.

A Collection of Lectures, Performances and Special Events Showcasing the Diverse Interests of Our Community Wednesday afternoons beginning at 1 o’clock. No registration or fee.

Dec. 7: A Cello Quartet for the Holidays, with Judy Chaves You will delight in the three- and four-part harmonies of this small cello choir as members play traditional holiday carols from England, France, Spain and the United States. Some will be familiar (and you can sing along), some not so familiar, but all are guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit!

Mary Recchia CONTRIBUTOR

Please look for the new Winter Program of activities as an insert in this issue of The Charlotte News. Below you will find a few highlights to help catch the holiday spirit!

Early December begins new sessions of some of our ongoing class favorites: Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Pilates and Fitness at Any Age. Needing a different kind of gift for that special someone on your list? Thinking about getting in shape for the holidays? You are welcome to come try a class to see if it might be right for you.

Details of each offering can be found in the

printed program, on the website or simply by calling the Center.

Enjoy a one-day Holiday Block Printing class with Elizabeth Llewellyn on Thursday morning, December 1, from 9:30 to noon. Block printing is one of the oldest types of printmaking and has been around for thousands of years. In this workshop, you will be using Speedball Speedy Carve blocks made from a soft, rubber-like material to carve your design. Then the real fun begins as you experiment with various colored inks to print your very own one-ofa-kind holiday cards! All necessary tools, blocks, note cards and printing ink will be provided. Registration necessary. Limit 10.

Dec. 14: Sharing Your Holiday Craft So many wonderful hand-made items appear this time of year. If you would like to share how you have made a special item, tables will be set up in the Great Room Fee: $48 includes materials. to display your craft, and we can spend A Special Holiday Craft Workshop with the afternoon in awe of the creative spirit Lynn Cummings will be on Tuesday among us. morning, December 6, from 9:15 to 12:15.

Learn to create unique paper that can be Dec. 21: CVU Madrigal Singers used as gift wrap, for greeting cards, as The CVU Madrigal Singers bring a reperdecorative borders and many other items toire filled with the joys of the season to for special occasions. This will be as easy one of their favorite venues and welcome as scrapbooking, yet your projects will the opportunity to be among friends, have your own one-of-a-kind design. A sharing the gift of song. They have been fun class, even for those who think they working throughout the fall to prepare a are “creatively challenged.” All supplies repertoire that will be inspiring, uplifting included. Bring your own scissors and and joyful. Please join us for this special X-Acto knife. Registration required. Fee: afternoon of music! $40.

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The Charlotte News • November 30, 2016 • 19 flotation cushions. I run a checklist of all things and load them in to the boat the night before because I don’t trust my memory when I first wake up.

Diver hunting in December

begins swaying from left to right, pitching into the wind, then back out again, looking for the right spot to land. Heads are craning.

The lead bird suddenly slams his powerful white chest into the frigid water. The rest of That done, I feel that if I am cautious, the flock prepares to follow. reasonable and prepared, the greatest prize I can think of is to return home safely after I pick out a nice drake with its bulbous black spending a glorious morning on our lake and white head and swing in front of the as the late whistlers and bluebills strafe bird by four feet, never stopping my barrel the inner bays in search of wild celery and or taking my eye off the dark black/green edible forage. head. Another drake is one foot behind him.

The starkness and solemnity of a late-season morning on the lake brings a great deal of gratitude to my spirit. I don’t see it as “man against nature” but rather “man as a part of nature.”

The gun barks twice and two birds fall into the spread.

As I set up in the bay, my decoy spread hovers over water that is beginning to look more like slush. The icy wavelets beat gently against the shore, making a sound like the tinkling of thousands of glass shards against a rocky shoreline. I have parked my boat and waded into the shallow hard bottom. My hands are stinging from the wet decoy lines and cold lead anchors.

I toss them in a pattern resembling a fishhook with a long shank extending out into the deeper water.

To hold such a beautiful being in my hands and know that he has lived a life wilder than any I have known is truly a privilege. I honor and respect this bird and will plan on preparing him with the most love and care an epicurean palate can bestow.

With the spread assembled, I crawl back into my boat blind, which is covered in woven palm grass, light the propane heater under the spray curtain, then plop myself down on the floor and pour a cup of French roast coffee. In the dark purple and helio light to the east, I hear wings whistling a high pitched “weee weee weee weee” as Arctic air flows over the strong wing pinions of a flock of goldeneyes, colloquially known as “whistlers.” Over the distant bay, I can make out a flock of bluebills as they slip across the open water in a twisting murmuration, not unlike starlings.

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 and raises funds for Traditions Outdoor Mentoring.org, which mentors at-risk young men in outdoor pursuits.

I load my trusty semi-automatic shotgun with a load of chilled 3-inch #4 steel shot and get ready for the whistlers to finish their turn around the bay to the southwest.

Photo: “To hold such a beautiful being in my hands and know that he has lived a life wilder than any I have known is truly a privilege. I honor and respect this bird and will The light is gathering and legal shooting plan on preparing him with the most love and care an epicurean palate can bestow.” time is upon me.

Bradley Carleton I wait with my gun cradled in the crook of axe, hatchet, spotlight, EPIRB for locating my arm, finger poised outside the trigger Bradley Carleton the boat and/or me, heater, propane, change guard to the front of the safety.

CONTRIBUTOR of dry clothes, wader belt always on, flare Late season diver duck hunting is not gun, engine-starter pull rope, spare spark Here they come! for the faint of heart. It is wrought with plugs, gas can full of non-ethanol gas, danger, and a calculating mind will be well working navigation lights, bowline and Wings cup, feet drop down, and the flock prepared for the multitude of things that can go wrong. Personally, I know of eight men in my 36 years of duck hunting that have succumbed to the perils of our lake’s depths. Names like Donny Lumbra, Mark DeSimone and Roger Pepin, who in their own right were talented outdoorsmen and just happened to meet an untimely demise by missing one small detail.

When I prepare to go diver hunting in December it is always as with a wealth of precautions. First off, I rarely go alone.

Second, I always let my float plan be known to my closest of kin. Then there’s the checklist. PFDs on the body, space blanket, first aid kit, boo-boo kit, GPS, compass, waterproof matches, off-shore radio or cell phone in a waterproof case, starter fluid,

I breathe a sigh of relief and out loud say, “Thank you.”

To all the wild men and women out there who feel the tug of their primitive spirits to seek a connection to our planet and the animals that inhabit it, I toast you and pray that you too can find the sacred in our everyday life.

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20 • November 30, 2016 • The Charlotte News

Community Events Holiday fair: Bring your family to this festive holiday fair Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, at the Lake Champlain Waldorf School. Find all your gifts from over 50 local and talented artisans, and enjoy a great variety of holiday games and activities for children. For more information call Lisa Espenshade at 985-2827 or email lespenshade@lakechamplainwaldorfschool.org.

Gingerbread festival: Vermont Day School will host a Gingerbread Festival from 2 to 4 p.m. in Shelburne on Saturday, Dec. 3. The event is open to everyone. For more information visit vtdayschool.org or call 495-5150.

Candlelight yoga: Candlelight Restorative Yoga class from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Charlotte’s own Pamela Burton-Macauley on Dec. 4 at Yoga Roots in Shelburne.

Give yourself the healing gift of conscious relaxation with this deeply therapeutic style of Restorative Yoga. For more information visit www.yogarootvt.com or call 985-0090.

Holiday open house: The Quinlan Schoolhouse Holiday Open House will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on the Charlotte Town Green on Sunday, Dec. 4. Come and enjoy treats and learn about Charlotte’s one-room schools. Make an old fashioned holiday craft item.

at the intersection of Church Hill Road and Museum Road on Sunday, Dec. 4. Celebrate the holiday season in Charlotte’s earliest town hall. There will be refreshments and a lovely Christmas tree. All are welcome.

Sing along: The Charlotte Congregational Church invites the community to its sixth annual sing along performance of selections from Handel’s Messiah at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4. This special evening of music will feature musicians from the Vermont Symphony, the Burlington Chamber Orchestra and four professional vocalists, accompanied by a chorus of audience and choir members. Tickets are $12 per adult, $40 for a group of 4, and may be purchased in advance at Charlotte Congregational Church’s website, charlotteucc.org. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Advent lecture: Father Richard Berube will give an advent lecture at 7 p.m. in the Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Hall on Dec. 5. Lecture will be on Advent-ChristmasChristianity and Islam faiths. Located at 2894 Spear Street. For more information call 425-2637.

Winter grounding yoga: Winter Grounding Yoga and Herbs with Donna Anfuso and Kate Elmer from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 11 at Yoga Roots in Shelburne. Donna will begin with a guided meditation, then work into a gentle and grounding vinyasa flow followed by Kate Open house: The Charlotte Historical who will talk about the benefits of those Society will host an open house from 1 to herbs that keep you grounded and focused 4 p.m. at the Charlotte Memorial Museum during the cold winter months. For more information visit www.yogarootvt.com or

call 985-0090.

Annual holiday gathering: The Shelburne Charlotte Garden Club will meet for its annual holiday gathering at 10 a.m. at the Shelburne Methodist Church on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Barbara Smith, a floral designer, will make a holiday wreath. A pot luck brunch/lunch follows the program.

Everyone is encouraged to bring a dish to pass, an item for the food shelf and a Toys for Tots contribution. All are welcome.

For more information call Ann Mead at 985-2657.

Basketball: Multi-age pick-up basketball on Mondays at 7 p.m. at Charlotte Central School. For more information contact Nicole Conley at 425-6129, ext. 204, or email recreation@townofcharlotte.com.

Playgroup: The Charlotte Playgroup meets each Monday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the multipurpose room at Charlotte Central School. Follows the school calendar. No playgroup when school is not in session. For more information visit buildingbrightfutures.org or contact Colleen at bbfcharlotteplaygroup@gmail.com.

Winter coat collection: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church is collecting used children and adult winter coats, jackets, boots and snow pants. Please place donations is the bin in the vestibule. Located at 2894 Spear Street. For more information call 425-2637.

Yoga: Mom and baby yoga on Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m. at Charlotte Central School. For more information contact Nicole Conley at 425-6129, ext. 204, or email recreation@ townofcharlotte.com.

Craft show: Beautiful Things 2016!’s gallery is gearing up a seasonal show. In preparation for the holidays and its sixth annual wreath event, the Shelburne Craft School is announcing new local artists into the gallery. Holiday gallery hours through Dec. 23 are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Riding lessons: Steeple Ridge Farm will be hosting weekly horseback riding lessons afterschool. Students will learn the basic care of the horse, including grooming, bathing, feeding and upkeep.

This program will be offered to all grades on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information contact Nicole Conley at 425-6129, ext. 204, or email recreation@ townofcharlotte.com.

Ongoing Events Dynamic Qigong: Stretching and meditative movements to enhance health and well-being, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Congregational Church on Sundays through Dec. 18. For more information call 425-3176 or visit charlottecongregationalchurch.org.

Dance: After-school dance at 3 p.m. on Thursdays at Charlotte Central School. For more information contact Nicole Conley at 425-6129, ext. 204, or email recreation@ townofcharlotte.com.

Baby playgroup: Building Bright Futures Baby Playgroup, Wednesdays from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Charlotte Library. Ages 0 to 2. For more information email bbfcharlotteplaygroup@gmail.com.

Local Business Directory

Vermont Walkways and Stone Preservation Ltd. Dry stone walls | Patios | Walkways Foundations | Buildings | Stone Art Condition Analysis | Restoration and repairs Peter Demick 802-425-6488

The Charlotte News • November 30, 2016 • 21

This new post and beam barn located at the base of Mt. Philo was built by Evan Taubes, Owner of Scratch Builders located here in Charlotte. Evan builds beautiful custom post and beam structures of all kinds and sizes. You’ll see more of them popping up around Charlotte in the coming months. Photo by Jeff Giknis

Puzzles Across 1. Spring flowers 6. Holder for 1-Across 10. Luxury home features 14. Ready for battle again 15. Regrettably 16. Broke down 17. Available 18. Barber’s supply 19. Part of WATS 20. Liposuction, e.g.

23. Encirclement 24. Maximum 27. James, for one 32. Clavell’s “___-Pan” 33. Decorative pitcher 37. Emmy-winning Lewis 38. Hit TV show 42. Turbine part 43. Decorative inlay 44. Corroded 45. Supplement 47. Waders 50. ___ sin 54. Updating a kitchen, e.g.

(Brit.)

61. Start of something big?

62. Stake driver 63. Like some calendars 64. Make waves?

65. Bugbear 66. Computer acronym 67. Deep black 68. Engine parts 69. Gave out

Down 1. Video game 2. City near Sparks 3. These may be sowed 4. Doggerel 5. Drives 6. Oracular 7. “Wellaway!”

8. Hot stuff 9. 100 centavos 10. Booty 11. Title for some priests 12. Monkey 13. Corset part 21. ___ pole 22. Apply anew 24. Female organs 25. Phylum, for one 26. Paws 28. Howe’er 29. They go with the flow 30. Mountain ridge 31. Some messages

34. It’s catching 35. Down Under bird 36. Noise from a fan 39. Lobster eggs 40. Overthrow, e.g.

41. “In & Out” star, 1997 46. Aftershock 48. “Johnny Armstrong,” for one 49. Maltreat 51. Insect stage 52. Noggin 53. Wastes time 54. Arizona Native American 55. Dutch ___ 56. Gloom 57. Prize since 1949 58. Machu Picchu builder 59. Hit hard 60. Pluck

22 • November 30, 2016 • The Charlotte News

OutTakes Commentary

by Edd Merritt

Immigrants at the bottom Livin’ in a city of immigrants I don’t need to go travelin’ Open my door and the world walks in Livin’ in a city of immigrants “City of Immigrants” – Steve Earle Calling it “the bottom,” I am talking about what is now the lower section of the island of Manhattan. If you’re familiar with the blocks, they run in a fairly small area that is densely populated. Author Pete Hamill, a longtime resident of that section of the borough, has written a book titled Downtown: My Manhattan that looks carefully and historically at lower Manhattan.

It focuses on the immigrant groups that moved into the area and changed its culture with each invasion. Noting that “immigration” is a frequently used term these days, I thought I’d see what someone else has to say about the phenomenon.

Having spent my early years in the city living in the area, Hamill’s book carries a personal view for me as well. Many

parks and pubs from the Battery up to The original hamlet of immigrant-formed Times Square are still part of my memory. lower Manhattan was built “out of a memory However, many of them, too, are now names of Amsterdam,” houses of yellow bricks without pictures. with peaked, gabled roofs. The streets were mud, and pigs roamed freely. A few When our new president talks about windmills dotted the area. New York was doing away with immigrants, I feel he New Amsterdam. The Dutch dug a canal should look at this country’s history first. to the sea, which British immigrants filled America was formed by immigrants who in when they took over. The one excepcame here to escape tyranny, bringing their tion to the erasure of Dutch culture is still cultures to America, taking over from the at the bottom of Manhattan, a park called native groups that had been here for eons Bowling Green. It originally was, in fact, (The trespassing, by the way, is still happen- a “bowling green,” where both Dutch and ing in the shape of gas pipelines passing English rolled their pin balls. The rental to through sacred lands of the Dakotas.). play, according to Hamill, was one peppercorn per year.

Do you know how reservations began?

They were formed as a collection of Indian Our region of Vermont to this day also tribes that had been moving throughout the feels the impact of immigration on the native area as herders, and when the immigrants population. Native American Abenaki from Europe arrived, the tribes were pulled history draws tribes together after they together, often through battle (Think of had faced decimation by colonists. They the Sioux uprising and the battle of Little referred to their land as Ndakinna, and it Bighorn.), and then restricted to reserva- covered most of northern New England and tions where they were forced to remain for southern Quebec. The Missisquoi Abenaki generations. We tend to think of reserva- are native to our Charlotte area, although tions as basins of common culture, serving they live among us without reservations. education and basic health needs and formed by the natives themselves. They were, in As our new president warns us of the fact, formed by the white guys who wanted dangers of immigration, my mind can’t to take away what the Indians hunted, grasp it. I am in this country because of making money through its sale. Our ances- immigrants. Most of you are as well. The tors were immigrants, no question about it. Abenaki are one of relatively few groups They were what Trump wants to do away who can claim native-hood. with today. For example, had my grandfather not emigrated to southern Minnesota So, what holds our current culture from Germany, I wouldn’t be here. together now? Leaning on his own Sometimes, as in lower Manhattan, the changes were physically protected. In the early 1700s, Hamill notes, the Dutch built a wall across the top of their settlement that they had expanded from what had initially been only a trading post surrounded by a couple of houses. Sound familiar? The wall was there to keep out the “unfriendly natives.” These natives were the previous inhabitants of what they termed Mannahata. Eventually, the wall was torn down and replaced by a street called “Wall Street.”

Changed from defense to money-making in the blink of an eye or the wink of an immigrant.

profession, Hamill says collective communication helps—and with that comes newspapers. He uses as an example Joseph Medill Patterson, who started the New York Daily News in 1919. Ten years later it had grown into the largest circulating newspaper in the country and moved its headquarters to a new skyscraper near 42nd Street. Patterson had once been a prominent socialist. After that movement faded for him as a “personal passion,” he still wanted to serve the “common man,” and his newspaper was often directed toward immigrants and their children in this country. Hamill says his father became an American through the Daily News’ sports pages and that he never did read The Federalist Papers.

Hamill concludes his book by giving falcons nesting in tall downtown towers (south of the Trump columns) a look at “the magic city.” He says heading home each night they fly “over places where the Dutch once lived and the British watched plays in powdered wigs and Africans insisted upon their humanity on streets where they were owned by others.”

Through immigration these visions have all changed over the centuries. If we become like-minded to Trump, does it mean returning to the native culture?

Do you think he can hit falcons for dinner with a bow and arrow from his tower?

Pigs in the Bowery sounds a bit more his speed.

Photo of the week

The Milky Way is seen from the Hills Point Road in Charlotte. Photo by Jeff Giknis

The Charlotte News • November 30, 2016 • 23

Around Town Congratulations to Dylan Preston and the Charlotte Land Trust who have entered into an agreement to conserve and farm 101 acres off the northwest corner of Guinea and One-Mile Roads. The conservation will preserve one of the prime sections of open land in town.

The Charlotte Land Trust (CLT) says that it has made great progress in securing funding for the project through grants from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) and the Charlotte Conservation Fund, plus a generous 20 percent bargain sale from the property owner, Clark Hinsdale (worth $115,200). CLT is committed to providing the remaining needed funding ($35,000) and is asking donors to help it meet that goal. Preston will establish his first farm on the parcel, using the land primarily to grow hay and graze beef cattle. to Brooke Scatchard who was featured in an article in the November 16 Seven Days for his development of a fat-bike ski that is ridden on mountain-bike trails in the wintertime. A Charlotte native, CVU and UVM graduate, Brooke has been biking in the woods of Vermont and elsewhere since he was 11. Starting to race at age 14 and a member of CVU’s Nordic ski team to keep himself in shape for biking when the snow melted, Brooke started his design as his Graduation Challenge project and since has taken his invention of a combined bike and ski through 13 iterations. He and Mariah Keagy opened a trail-design company called Sinuosity and through it have built nearly 40 trail projects throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. He was filmed riding his bike by renowned outdoor sport moviemaker Warren Miller, and Brooke appears on film in Warren Miller’s Here, There & ANSWERS TO THIS ISSUE’S PUZZLES:

Everywhere. Brooke now lives and works out of Morristown, although his parents Tom and Ebeth still live in Charlotte. to Charlotte Central School students Grace, Ella, Joe and Harry who were recognized by the Charlotte Senior Center for their good work in helping out with the Center’s Monday lunch. They greeted diners, cleaned tables, served soup and did whatever was needed. In a note praising them, educational writer Susan Ohanian said, “Our school has a wonderful outreach program that gives students an ongoing experience of helping others around town.”

Sympathy

is extended to family and friends of Julia Boettcher of Shelburne who passed away November 8 at the age of 102.

She was an active member of the Charlotte Congregational Church and a PEO member (Philanthropic Educational Organization).

Those who wish to make memorial gifts in her name are encouraged to do so to the Wake Robin Aquatic Center.

is extended to family and friends of Lada Maple of Colchester who passed away November 17 at the age of 96. Her surviving family includes her daughter Flo Moran and Flo’s husband, Harold, of Charlotte. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be considered to the McClure/Miller Respite Home or to the Heineberg Community Senior Living Center in memory of Lada Marie Maple.

Classifieds

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CUT YOUR OWN X-MAS TREE trees $30 Wreaths $25 Closed December 24th Ron and Nancy Menard 438 Dorset St, one mile north of carpenter Rd intersection 802-425-2334 A burst of color can do wonders for your space this winter.TheprofessionalsatLafayette Painting have been transforming the homes of Chittenden County since 1977. Call 863-5397 and check us out at LafayettePaintingInc.com

Mt Philo Inn—A unique hotel situated at the base of Mt. Philo State Park with stunning panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. Spacious 3 bedroom suites with 2 bathrooms and a complete kitchen. Privacy, space, tranquility. Bigger on the inside.

MtPhiloInn.com, 425-3335 Lupine Painting—We can help you brighten any area with a fresh coat of paint or a beautiful new color. Trusted and professional for 20+ years. Call for a free consultation. 802-598-9940

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