The
VoluMe LX NuMBer6 | WeDnesDaY, SePt.20, 2017
Charlotte News Charlotte’s award-winning community newspaper
Summer’s
Last Hoorah Bright Stars enjoy final days of Vermont’s warmest season
page 5
CVRFS aids in hurricane End in sight for Route 7 construction woes search and rescue page 1 mission page 5 page 6
Gas station, snack bar slated to return to town
CharlotteNewsVT.org
Vol. 60, no. 6
September 20, 2017
Charlotte News
The
Vermont’s oldest nonprofit community newspaper, bringing you local news and views since 1958.
Maplefields sketch plans submitted for busy Charlotte intersection Keith Morrill STAFF WRITER
The lot at the corner of Route 7 and Church Hill Road, and the whitewashed buildings that stand there, are a bit of mystery for newcomers to town and for the countless commuters and tourists that drive past it daily. Seven Days even investigated the matter in its WTF column earlier this year. How can such a prime piece of real estate stand largely vacant and unused? For those waiting for something to happen with the space, their wait might soon be over. R.L. Vallee, the Vermont company behind the Maplefields chain, has submitted sketch plans to the town for the construction a 5,200-square-foot structure to support a gas station, a snack bar or restaurant, retail space, and administrative
offices. The plan also includes a visitor’s booth, parking for both trucks and commuters, and space for an outdoor farmer’s market. Over the years, the lot has played host to a number of businesses—Spears’ Garage, Uncle Sam’s Dairy Barn, and Steve’s Citgo to name a few. Now the garage stands empty and only a single business, Vermont Optechs, a seller of refurbished microscopes, occupies part of the old dairy barn building. The R.L. Vallee project, if approved, would represent the first serious attempt at using the entire space in five or six years. The property is owned by Helena and William Spear, the original owners and operators of the both Spears’ Garage and the Uncle Sam’s Dairy Bar. According to Helena, R.L. Vallee isn’t the only business eyeing the location. As she tells it, a number of other businesses have showed
Tractor fire on Thompson’s Point Road
R.L.Vallee, the Vermont company behind the Maplefields chain, has submitted sketch plans to the town for the construction a 5,200-square-foot structure to support a gas station, a snack bar or restaurant, retail space, and administrative offices. The plan also includes a visitor’s booth, parking for both trucks and commuters, and space for an outdoor farmer’s market. Photo contributed interest in developing the property, though she is not at liberty to discuss details.
see GAS STATION page 18
Library receives grant to host climate change series Lynn Monty EDITOR IN CHIEF
Laura Cahners-Ford took this photo of a burning tractor on Thompson’s Point Road in Charlotte on Sept. 11. “A farmer was haying his field, and his tractor caught on fire,” she said. “He is fine, his tractor is toast.” Charlotte Fire Department Assistant Chief Rob Mullin said the incident happened near Point Bay Marina.The fire was extinguished using less than 100 gallons of compressed air foam resulting in very little water damage to the tractor, he said. “The cab was destroyed by fire. There was very little, if any, damage to the engine,” Mullin said. Photo contributed
Farmers and farmland are an integral part of life in Charlotte. That’s why The Charlotte Library applied for, and received, a grant to research how our community will be affected by a changing climate. Through a three-part series, they hope to uncover how local farmers can adapt. The grant is from the Public Libraries Advancing Community Engagement (PLACE), a project funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), working in partnership with the National Weather Service, Califa Library Group, DawsonMedia Group and Goodman Research Group. Part of the grant was to be assigned a science partner. Charlotter Suzy Hodgson took on that task. She works for UVM Extension’s Center for Sustainable Agriculture. The “Climate Change and our Community” science café series she’s helped to create is designed to investigate and discuss the impact of climate change in our lives. The three sessions have been coordinated by Hodgson and Marty Illick, executive director of Lewis Creek Association. Along with myriad NOAA resources and $1,000 in cash for supplies, a climate tracking weather center will be installed at the library. As a result, Library Director Margaret Woodruff said she will work on building a narrative approach to understanding climate change rather than inundating people with scientific data. “This is a great opportunity for the
Trails Talk 9 • Education 13 • Sports 14 • Real Estate 19
UVM Extension’s Suzy Hodgson and Margaret Woodruff of The Charlotte Library talk about the upcoming “Climate Change and Our Community” series that will start at 7 p.m. at The Charlotte Library on Sept. 26. See the video on our Facebook page. Photo by Lynn Monty library to be a community resource and this is a topic a lot of us are concerned about, especially in the recent weather events in other places that have made us wonder what the heck is going to be happening here,” Woodruff said. “Irene is in everyone’s recent memory and many are wondering if flooding is going to keep happening here.” Hodgson said, “We know climate change is happening, but what is it going to cost us?” Part of her work at UVM Extension is to find community partnerships that support innovative research and practices to benefit Vermont
see CLIMATE GRANT page 18
2 • Septembere 20, 2017 • The Charlotte News
Weather
The last summer weekend, and Hurricane Jose Matt Sutkoski
CONTRIBUTOR`
The
Up here in Vermont, last weekend was the last of an astronomical summer. This is typical August, not September. Sunshine, haze, a fair amount of humidity, and temperatures in the 80s. This is quite a switch from the first 10 days or so of September, which was quite a bit cooler than normal. If you like summer weather, enjoy it. It’s probably the last time you’ll see such weather until next year. Having said that, part of this week will be warm, too, but maybe not quite as toasty as last weekend. I have to say, air quality isn’t great. You probably noticed the haze. A large part of it is the wildfires in the western United Satellite view of Hurricane Jose spinning northeast of the Bahamas on Friday. States and Canada, which produced Courtesy photo a large cloud of smoke that has been obscuring the skies over much of North Also, the stagnant ridge of high Hurricane Jose America for the past month. pressure will weaken with time during Of course, as I said, Hurricane Jose is Another reason why it’s kind of polluted the week, and the air will get stirred up creating the aforementioned east wind, out there is because the high pressure by Hurricane Jose. and the storm is definitely going to pose system causing our warm weather is also Don’t worry. I still don’t think Vermont some problems along the East Coast. stagnant. Just sitting there. With no good is going to get huge effects from Jose, but It’s northeast of the Bahamas, still, and winds to push pollutants away. So our coastal New England might. I’ll get to about to head north. It will slowly crawl cars and other stuff emit pollutants into that in a second. toward New England and will probably, the air and it doesn’t blow away. The weakening high pressure system but not definitely, remain offshore. The air will eventually, gradually get and the northern extent of Jose will create It’s not the most powerful hurricane better. A fair amount of snow fell on the an east wind over the North Country this ever. Maximum sustained winds are mountains of Montana and Alberta Friday, week. That means the air will come from around 80 mph, and Jose could weaken to which will go a long way to suppressing a less polluted source: The atmosphere a tropical storm once it’s off the Northeast some of the fires out there. That means over the Atlantic Ocean. Coast. less smoke and haze will work its way However, Jose is getting to be huge in eastward toward us. size and is moving slowly. That means that even if the center of Jose stays well offshore, coastal areas from North Carolina on up to the Northeast can expect nasty rip currents, beach erosion, some coastal flooding and other hazards like that. Tropical storm conditions could easily come up to Cape Cod and the islands by Wednesday, though that is not cast in stone yet. Many - but not all - computer models have Jose making a right turn away from the coast, but it’s unclear if that veer to the east would come before Jose gets to New England. It could come once Jose is in southern New England. Too soon to tell. At this point here in Vermont, Jose could drop some rain on us around Wednesday especially over the southeastern half of the state. But even that’s not sure because we don’t know the exact track of the storm. Matt Sutkoski is a Vermont-based journalist and weather reporter. His blog Matt’s Weather Rapport has a nationwide and worldwide focus, with particular interest in Vermont and the Northeast. Check for frequent quick weather updates on Twitter, @mattalltradesb.
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The Charlotte News is a nonprofit community-based newspaper dedicated to informing townspeople of current events and issues. It serves as a forum for the free exchange of views of town residents and celebrates the people, places and happenings that make the Town of Charlotte unique.
Contributions in the form of articles, press releases and photographs pertaining to Charlotte-related people and events are accepted and encouraged. For submission guidelines and deadlines, please visit our website or contact the editor at news@thecharlottenews.org. The Charlotte News is published in Charlotte by The Charlotte News, Inc., a Vermont domestic 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation. Distribution is made every other Thursday to all households and businesses in Charlotte and to more than 50 outlets in Shelburne, Hinesburg, North Ferrisburgh, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes and Burlington. The Charlotte News relies on the generous financial contributions of its readers, subscriptions and advertising revenue to sustain its operations. Editorial Staff news@thecharlottenews.org / 425-4949 Editor in chief: Lynn Monty Layout manager: Anna Cyr Staff writers: Keith Morrill, Heather McKim School board correspondent: Gail Callahan Outwater interns: Sarah Wolverton, Morgan Magoon Contributing editor: Edd Merritt Copy editors: Beth Merritt, Vince Crockenberg, Edd Merritt, Janet Yantachka Business Staff ads@thecharlottenews.org / 343-0279 Ad manager: Monica Marshall Business manager: Jessica Lucia Board Members President: Vince Crockenberg Secretaries: Rick Detwiler, Carol Hanley Treasurer: Patrice Machavern Board members: Rachel Allard, Bob Bloch, Rick Detwiler, Carol Hanley, Gay Regan, Louisa Schibli Contributors Elizabeth Bassett, Trina Bianchi, Meg Berlin, Tim Etchells, Jeffrey Fox, Heather Morse, Melissa O’Brien, Susan Ohanian, Alice Outwater, Deb Preston, Mary Recchia, Lindsey Smith, Laurie Thomas and Margaret Woodruff Subscription Information The Charlotte News is delivered at no cost to all Charlotte residences. Subscriptions are available for first-class delivery at $40 per calendar year. Want a subscription? Please send a check payable to The Charlotte News, PO Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445. Postmaster/Send address changes to: The Charlotte News P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 Telephone: 425-4949 Circulation: 3,000 copies per issue. Copyright © 2017 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.
The Charlotte News • September 20, 2017 • 3
Commentary
Renewable Energy in Our Working I was disappointed to read about the Public Utility C o m m i s s i o n ’s denial of a Certificate of Public Good Representative (CPG) for the Mike Yantachka proposed solar CONTRIBUTOR array off Route 7 near Mount Philo. Viewed from the eastern overlook of Mount Philo, the area covered by the solar array would look no larger than a postage stamp in the expanse. While I understand the desire to maintain the magnificent views of the Champlain Valley from the park’s overlooks, I question our inability to accept renewable energy infrastructure as part of Vermont’s working landscape. Why is it that we accept certain manmade structures such as barns, silos, inns, etc., as acceptable and others such as a solar array as blights on the landscape? If the landowner were to erect a number of hoop houses covering the same area for growing plants, the visual effect would be about the same but probably would not elicit a peep from the public. I think a lot of this attitude has to do with what we’re used to seeing. How
often do we notice the utility poles that line our roadways? We may not like how a gas station convenience store along Route 7 looks, but we are willing to accept it. These structures could be considered unsightly, but we don’t object to them because we see them as being necessary for providing the services we value. The two super-storms of Harvey and Irma, whose power was magnified by the warming oceans, are the most recent extreme effects of climate change. There is no denying that climate change is being caused by the exponential increase in our use of fossil fuels over the last 150 years. Many people choose to take actions to mitigate their own carbon footprint, such as improving the energy efficiency of their homes, installing solar panels or small wind turbines for household use, driving an electric vehicle (EV) or using alternative transportation. While these individual actions help they have a limited effect, even when taken cumulatively, because they are often unavailable to the majority of people due to factors such as income, availability, location or circumstance. For example, it doesn’t make sense for a renter to install solar panels or a heat pump in their unit. Likewise, landlords don’t have the
Notice of Vacancy For Moderator of Town Annual Meeting In accordance with 24 VSA §961, the Town of Charlotte Selectboard hereby provides a notice of vacancy for the position of Moderator of the Town’s annual meeting and any special town meetings. The primary duties of the Moderator are described in Title 17 Sections 2657-2659 V.S.A. The position has a one-year term that expires on March 7, 2018.
Letters of interest should be submitted by September 29, 2017. The Selectboard intends to fill the vacancy by October 31, 2017. Letters of interest should be submitted to Charlotte Town Office, Attn: Town Administrator, P.O. Box 119, Charlotte, VT 05445. Or by e-mail to: dean@ townofcharlotte.com.
FOR
a small part of our energy mix, they are the fastest growing segment of our renewable energy economy. However, there seems to be a disconnect between our desire to achieve these goals and our acceptance of the necessary infrastructure. Just as we have become used to seeing a variety of alterations to our landscape from buildings, roads, and utility poles, we need to start seeing solar arrays and wind towers as part of our working landscape too. They don’t have to be everywhere, but they need to be somewhere. A harvest of solar energy is just as useful and valuable as a harvest of corn, barley, hay or grapes. A line of wind turbines on a ridge brings as much or more to our lifestyle as the ski trails cut into a mountainside. To meet our current and future energy needs, only a small fraction of our landscape is required for this infrastructure. Kingdom Community Wind in Lowell, the largest wind farm in the state, occupies only 4 of Vermont’s 400 miles of ridgelines. Over time, I expect that we will get used to seeing these elements as part of the Vermont character. This needs to happen sooner rather than later.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Charlotte Republican Committee Caucus
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incentive because renters are generally responsible for their own utility bills. As a result, to achieve the renewable energy goals we desire, there have to be societal efforts to provide opportunities for those who are otherwise shut out of the renewable energy economy. Climate change is a global problem with societywide consequences, and it will take society-wide efforts to address it. This is where large-scale solar and wind power can help. Currently 55 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources. About 25 percent of Vermont’s electrical energy comes from hydro power, 20 percent from biomass, eight percent from wind and about two percent from solar. Vermont has a statutory goal of reaching 75 percent renewable electric energy by 2032. Our utilities are required to reach this goal by the Renewable Energy Standard Act (Act 56) of 2015. Achieving these goals will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health, create more high paying jobs that already make up five percent our workforce, and improve the reliability of our electrical system through distributed generation. While solar net metering and wind are currently
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4 • September 20, 2017 • The Charlotte News
Around Town What is in Nordic Farms’ Future? As most of you know, the iconic landmark Nordic Farm on Route 7 in Charlotte lost its dairy owner through bankruptcy recently. Mike LeClair, who since 2014 when he bought and ran what was the state’s first robotic milking parlor, discovered that the price for his product had not produced the income over those years that he needed to pay his creditors, and he could no longer stay as the owner. While LeClair owned the herd and the dairy machinery, the property, main barn and subsidiary structures are still owned by Clark Hinsdale III. Speaking with him the other day, he said that because the majority of the property was conserved and, thus, available only for agricultural uses, he hopes to make it available to local businesses that deal in agricultural products. He is talking with individuals and the director of the Vermont Mediation Program to determine how Nordic will move into the future. Hinsdale said that he has a special interest in maintaining a strong agricultural presence in Charlotte and that Nordic Farm would remain
a visible element of that focus. The property is available for crops as well as cattle. Depending on the ability to find an interested buyer, it may or may not revert to robotic milking, however. Clark feels the low price of milk over an extended period of time makes dairy farming a difficult, if not impossible, business to maintain, even with advanced technology. By the way, according to an article in the last Seven Days, hemp may be the crop of the future – that is if you’re feeling groovy. Ever Green Capital Management partner Dan Chang and Gardner Supplies’ founder from Charlotte, Will Raap, have planted many acres of hemp in town for research purposes. And if growing hemp isn’t controversial enough, there are always hops.
Photo of the Week
Congratulations:
to Andrew and Briana Volk of Portland, Maine on the birth of their son Rockwell (Rocky) Volk who was born April 26. To compliment their new family arrival, the Volks also opened a new restaurant, Little Giant, in Portland. Andrew is the son of Tim and Mary Volk of Charlotte. to
Charlotte
Central
School,
its
A Mt. Philo Road sunrise over Camel’s Hump. “A chilly Monday morning from my backyard. It reminds me of why I live in Vermont and especially Charlotte.” Photo Mark Cole students, parents and Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) who sponsored an Open House for the new school year on
September 14. This annual event allows the students to show off their work, which they regularly do with enthusiasm.
Vermont State Police report on Charlotte crime Gail Callahan CORRESPONDENT
The Vermont State Police command-
er of the Williston barracks said Charlotte has a very low call volume in comparison to the other nearby towns. Lt. Garry Scott said troopers assigned to the Williston Barracks cover Eden, Elmore, Belvidere, Waterville, Cambridge Jericho, Westford, Underhill, Bolton, Huntington, St. George and Buels Gore. Scott said the state police have received 290 total calls to date for service, so far. Last year law enforcement re-
ceived 538 calls. Scott said five arrests have been made stemming from crimes in Charlotte; four driving while intoxicated and one theft/burglary. On August 31, troopers investigated a report of a larceny from an unlocked park car at a Mt. Philo Road residence. A purse, wallet, credit cards, driver’s license and cash were among the items stolen from the car parked in the person’s driveway. Later the same morning, police officials reported that a 2008 Subaru Legacy had been stolen from a residence overnight, directly across the street from the first complaint. Troopers obtained information where the stolen
credit cards were used. Troopers subsequently obtained video footage of a person of interest. Also, on July 31 the Vermont State Police received a report of a burglary from a vessel moored near Lane’s Lane. Jason Breault was identified as the person who entered the craft, removing items from the boat. Troopers later recovered property, identified as stolen, from Breault’s vehicle. Breault was arraigned in Chittenden County Superior Court, Criminal Division at an unrelated arraignment hearing on Aug. 31 on the charge of burglary and possession of stolen property. His next court date is slated for Oct. 23 in Criminal Court. Troopers also investigated a report of vandalism and burglary at the Charlotte Beach that occurred somewhere between 10 p.m. Sept. 3 and 10 a.m. Sept. 4. The beach sustained damage, and $50 in cash was taken, according to a press
release issued by troopers. Law enforcement officials haven’t release any other information regarding the matter. The beach house holds an office for staff, the public restrooms and changing space for patrons. The Vermont State Police have been the primary law enforcement agency for the town for over 40 years, Scott said. The town isn’t charged for police services, and the State Police are required to provide services to any town that does not have a local police department. Charlotte has an additional traffic enforcement contract with the State Police that provides eight-and-a-half hours per week of traffic enforcement, costing the town $29,711.24 for the year, Scott said.
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The Charlotte News • September 20, 2017 • 5
Town
The Nile Bright Stars take one last summertime plunge Staff report The Nile Bright Stars Academy, a mentoring and soccer program for Chittenden County’s Sudanese refugees, headed out on a field trip to the shores of Lake Champlain in Colchester last weekend, courtesy of Julie and Rich Elmore. There were 13 adults and 27 children who attended the event. Chol Dhoor, of Charlotte, began the Nile Bright Stars Academy last year through the Sudanese Foundation of Vermont, where he is director. He works with student mentors from Saint Michael’s College and volunteer soccer coaches to keep kids active and healthy as well as to learn leadership skills from each other. The event on Lake Champlain at the Elmore home was an exclusive invitation of the Nile Bright Stars Academy team to spend an afternoon of boating, tubing and canoeing. Right now the Charlotte-based Sudanese Foundation of Vermont is looking for a volunteer grant specialist to help with grant research and writing for the organization and for volunteer coaches (soccer and basketball) to help with summer and fall practices. So far they have four volunteer coaches; Peter Keny, Yuol Herjok, Ismael Mohamed and Lueth Ajok.
The academy is also looking for sponsors. “We hit a home run this summer with the Community Health Centers of Burlington, which generously sponsored our soccer program,” Dhoor said. “We are also grateful to Vermont Lake Monsters for their partnership this summer. Our plan is to partner with as many organizations in Vermont as possible to support our team moving forward.” “Julie and Rich Elmore have unshakable love for our community and its members,” Dhoor said. “Julie recently accepted to serve as the president of the Sudanese Foundation of Vermont and will help in recruiting more board members for the organization. She came to this role from unmatched years of service for the Sudan Development Foundation (SUDEF), a Burlington-based organization that helped in building the Medical Clinic, Maternal, Child Health and Training Unit at Kalthok village in Awerial County in South Sudan. She is currently the chief communications and administrator for SUDEF. In short, Julie is full of energy for the good, and I’m indebted and grateful for their love and friendship on behalf of the Sudanese Foundation of Vermont and community.” For more information about this email info@sudfundvt.org. Photos by Chol Dhoor
Check valves to be replaced at Charlotte wastewater pump station Heather McKim STAFF WRITER
Charlotte’s wastewater pump station at the Town Green is getting some work in the form of valve and check-valve replacement. The issue of replacing the valves was on the agenda at the Sept. 11 meeting of the Selectboard. The project would see replacements for the existing system. There had been a failure of a pump station earlier this year, and a temporary fix was put into place. A more permanent solution has been needed. The Selectboard considered two bids. One bid was high, the other reasonably priced, and there was not much luck finding anyone else who wanted to do the work, one Selectboard member noted
during the meeting. Ferguson Waterworks of Colchester will provide the parts for the project. Steve Williams, who has a longstanding relationship with the town, will provide the labor, with the job taking approximately one day. Check valves prevent sewage from running back into the tank, Selectboard member Fritz Tegatz explained at the meeting. These, he said, normally fail every so often. When they do fail, the result is that the pump runs continuously. This would lead to replacing the pump itself, which would be a much more costly undertaking. After several minutes of discussion regarding the matter, members voted unanimously to approve the replacements, with the cost for the project not to exceed $4,500.
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6 • September 20, 2017 • The Charlotte News
Town Charlotte US 7 reconstruction construction update
Early migration tracked at Charlotte Beach Lynn Monty
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Paving of the east side of US 7 between Wildwood West Development and the north end of the project. Courtesy photo Francine Perkins
VTRANS PROJECT OUTREACH COORDINATOR
The construction happening at US 7 from the Ferrisburgh/Charlotte Town line north for three miles to the Ferry Road intersection is scheduled for completion next year. Construction is underway on the last mile of the project. The contractor’s schedule indicates the full width roadway reconstruction of US 7, with two 12-foot travel lanes and 8-foot shoulders in each direction, will be completed by late November. Additionally, installation of new drainage pipes, guardrail and regulatory traffic signs are also expected to be completed this year, along with fall landscape plantings.
In 2018, work will include installation of the final course of pavement and associated line striping for the entire length of the project. Work will also include installation of spring landscape plantings and general clean-up throughout the project. Any work not completed by the end of the 2017 season will be included in the work plan for the 2018 season. It is illegal in VT to use any handheld portable electronic devices while driving. The law carries fines of up to $200 with points assessed if the violation occurs in a work zone. Contact Francine Perkins with any questions or concerns with regards to the project at 802-479-6994, or to view recent updates visit roadworkupdates.com.
Massive flocks of yellow-rumped warblers graced Charlotte Beach decades ago but you won’t see them now, birder Dwight Cargill of Essex Junction said. “There’s been a decline in species over time due to global warming,” he said. “Others we rarely see now are the olivesided flycatcher, the whip-poor-will and the common night hawk.” It’s a combination of the changing environment, climate, insect loss, and loss of habitat, Cargill said. He’s been birding in the area for more than 40 years. “What we do have is an influx of cardinals, red-bellied woodpeckers and tufted titmouse because it’s warmer here now.” Cargill was birding at Charlotte Beach with fellow hobbyist Jim Mead of Williston on Sept. 14. They peered through high-powered spotting scopes over at the New York shoreline where they spotted a rare jaeger. “They attack gulls so they will spit out their food and when they do, the jaeger goes down and eats it,” Mead said. “We are looking for early migration here today, particularly jaegers.” At that moment he witnessed a probing sanderling feeding on the shore, running along the edge of the water. “They are funny to watch,” he said. White-winged scoters and blackbellied plovers were also spotted. “Charlotte Beach has a wide expanse of water,” Cargill said. “There is no other place you can go on the lake and have this much viewing.” In a place like Charlotte Beach there is a lot more time to discern what is seen through the lens, Mead said. “The jaegers in particular will actually chase gulls and they will stop on a dime and
Jim Mead of Williston looks at a sanderling on the shores of Charlotte Beach on Sept. 14. Photo by Lynn Monty
“Charlotte Beach has a wide expanse of water. There is no other place you can go on the lake and have this much viewing.” Dwight Cargill of Essex Junction
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go another way so you get to look at them for a long time and from different perspectives.” Veteran and backyard birders alike report what they see to ebird. org, an online checklist program. It was launched in 2002 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society to innovate and easily consolidate the way the birding community reports and accesses information about birds. It’s amassing one of the largest and fastest growing biodiversity data resources in the world, Mead said. It was a bit early for a stationary lake watch at Charlotte Beach but Cargill and Mead said they were taking the day to familiarize themselves with the landscape, to scope out any new landmarks and prepare for the height of migration this fall. “Some might not call it a sport but you can get seriously injured walking through the woods,” Mead joked about birding. “It’s sort of a sport. Like hunting without the mess.”
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The Charlotte News • September 20, 2017 • 7
Town
CVFRS deploys to Texas with Vermont Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 1 Assistant Chief Rob Mullin
CHARLOTTE FIRE DEPARTMENT
On the afternoon of Aug. 31, 2017, a Swiftwater Rescue component of the Vermont Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1 was deployed to Texas to assist with Hurricane Harvey. The 16 deployed members are from various agencies throughout the State of Vermont, including Burlington Fire Department, Charlotte Fire & Rescue, Colchester Technical Rescue, Lyndonville Fire Department, City of Rutland Fire Department, Vermont Fire Prevention Division and the Williston Fire Department. The team left the Colchester Technical Rescue building on Thursday afternoon and drove straight through for 35 hours, arriving in College Station on Saturday morning at approximately 2 a.m. The trip was longer than normal due to roads being closed from the massive flooding. This is also the first out-of-state deployment for the team. The team was staged in College Station awaiting assignment. During this time the crews readied their equipment and trained with crews from Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina. From College Station they were re-deployed to Orange County, Texas, to assist with efforts in that area. It was during this drive to Orange County that the reality of this event really hit home. While driving there, we had to take some detours due to stillflooded roads, in some cases driving through 8–10 inches of water flowing over the roads and seeing people’s belongings and abandoned vehicles beside the road. When we arrived in Orange County, we were placed in a rotation waiting for assignment. Those assignments came and we went to work. We were sent to different areas, areas
Rusty red wagon By Jorden Blucher Courtesy photo that were believed not to have had a primary search yet completed. We were teamed up with the Texas National Guard, members of the Toledo Fire Department Swiftwater Task Force and Texas Law Enforcement agencies. We were sent to several neighborhoods to check in with the occupants and see if they were all right and if they needed anything; most of these residences had to be reached by boat or by walking. We were transported to these areas by the Texas National Guard members in their high-water vehicles; when the water got too high, the team would jump out, prepare and launch the boats. The residents we made contact with were very gracious and appreciative of all the help that was offered. At one point, the team assisted in an emergency shelter that was set up in one community, serving food, moving and helping to organize supplies. Overall it was a very successful deployment. A lot was learned by all members that will benefit us in the future.
Howl, painted crudely on an oak tag sign. Laid in a rusty red wagon, Being pulled and followed by people I know. But do not know. I awoke and it all seemed normal. It snowed into the night, leaving almost a foot. The early morning made eerie by low clouds reflecting city lights. Illuminating leafless branches sleeved with snow. Howling wind whips the snow into a frenzy. I think of the word in the wagon, keenly aware this sounds as crazy as Kerouac when he wakes on the grass at sundown.
Charlotte’s municipal roads to benefit from pilot project Heather McKim STAFF WRITER
The ditch on Lewis Creek Road will be getting rock-lined thanks to a $9,700 Municipal Roads Grant-in-Aid pilot project. The grant was accepted at the Charlotte Selectboard’s Sept. 11 meeting. The project will help the town comply with new state regulations relating to water quality. To that end, the state is currently offering money to assist municipalities. Town Administrator Dean Bloch said at the meeting that the state has indicated that $9,700 is available for Charlotte, with a requirement for a 25 percent match of $2,425 from the town.
Road Commissioner Jr Lewis had already been interested in conducting a project on Lewis Creek Road. This grant, Bloch said during the meeting, would provide some money toward that. The matching funds that the town will provide for the project will come from the highway budget. Lewis said that this project was something that he had already planned for within his department’s finances. During the meeting, Lewis said that the work on Lewis Creek Road would be conducted this fall for sure. Bloch noted that the state’s preference would be that the work be done by Oct. 31 of this year.
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8 • September 20, 2017 • The Charlotte News
Beach season in Northern Vermont comes to a close What Charlotte’s beach lacks in sand it makes up in charm and character and beauty. Lake Champlain has blessed us with a gem—a great place to enjoy nature as individuals or as part of a group. Visit the beach any time throughout the summer and you’ll find birdwatchers, swimmers and folks just relaxing. Our beach also is a great place to skip stones, have a picnic and watch the sunset. Beach season in Northern Vermont is short, however. Bring your swimsuit and a book to enjoy Charlotte’s favorite summer gathering spot. Photos by Chris Falk
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The Charlotte News • September 20, 2017 • 9
Messy is good Ethan Tapper CHITTENDEN COUNTY FORESTER
We humans have a very strange idea of what a well-tended woodlot should look like. To many people the epitome of good forest management is the image of towering overstory trees over a bare forest floor, their sightline dotted with massive, evenly-spaced identical trunks. Landowners show me the portions of their woodlots that look like this with pride. They tell me emphatically that they have cleared all the “brush” from the understory of their forest or that they have removed all dead and dying trees from their woods. To them, this looks “clean,” well managed, intentional. To me, while I can appreciate the aesthetic pleasure that this type of forest evokes, this type of forest looks one-dimensional, sterile. I have encountered this situation often and have struggled to communicate efficiently why this is the case to landowners, land managers and loggers. De-programming this idea is difficult, running against many deeply-ingrained aesthetic sensibilities. Which is why, when I heard one of the landowners in my county say, “Messy is good,” I committed it to memory. “Messy Is Good” (MIG) does not mean that we should approach forest management unintentionally. To the contrary, MIG is a management philosophy that requires us to be even more tuned in to the way that forests—not just trees—work. We must consider the forested ecosystem as a whole, including wildlife, insects, plants, soils, fungi and all the other factors that allow forests to actually function and grow trees. MIG is the recognition that in order to manage for holistically healthy forests we must re-program our sense of what a welltended woodlot looks like. Forestry as we know it was brought
Town
to our country around the turn of the 20th century by Americans who had studied in Germany, where intensive forest management had been practiced for centuries. They brought with them the concept of the “regulated forest,” areas where all factors are controlled to grow trees as efficiently as possible. This amounted essentially to the “taming” of our natural forested ecosystems, replacing them in many cases with intensively managed tree plantations whose sole purpose was the production of timber. We now know that this management philosophy, while it works to grow trees quickly and appeals to our sense of “neatness,” doesn’t necessarily grow healthy forests. In the name of “cleaning” the forest, landowners often remove dead trees, both standing and on the forest floor. While these trees may seem to be an eyesore, or make it difficult to walk through the woods, they are actually performing a variety of important functions for forest ecology and wildlife habitat. Standing dead trees are often called wildlife “hotels.” They host insects associated with wood decay, which provide forage for woodpeckers. In the course of their excavations, woodpeckers create cavities that are host to a variety of birds and mammals, from fishers to chickadees to flying squirrels. Fallen trees and branches on the forest floor provide cover for species, such as ruffed grouse and snowshoe hare, in addition to building soil and providing long-term sequestration of carbon. The other misconception about the “clean” forest is the idea that all forests must look like plantations. In Vermont, natural even-aged forest is exceeding rare and is almost entirely the result of pasture abandonment, tree plantations and intensive (human) management. Forests like this lack species diversity, with only a few tree species present, and also lack structural diversity, which can
Photos by be defined as the presence of an array of trees of different sizes, heights and arrangements. These failings mean that we are providing only a bare minimum of habitat conditions in our forest. It has taken a fair amount of reprogramming to shift my idea of what a well-managed forest looks like. Now I appreciate the beauty of areas with many different species of trees of different shapes and sizes, interspersed with periodic dead standing trees. I look for the trunks of trees decaying on the forest
floor and for patches of young, middleaged and old forest and for areas where all of these age classes are mixed together. This type of forest may seem “messy,” but it is actually the definition of health: a natural, healthy forest supporting all the parts a robust forest ecosystem. Messy is good! Ethan Tapper is the Chittenden County forester. He can be reached at (802)5859099, at ethan.tapper@vermont.gov, or at his office at 111 West Street, Essex Junction.
10 • September 20, 2017 • The Charlotte News
Town September is Nation Preparedness Month
A day in the fields
Chris Davis, Assistant Chief
CHARLOTTE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR
Photos by Lee Krohn
SAINT JAMES FOR FALL!
SHELBURN VILLAGE DENTISTR
Did you know that September is Nation Preparedness Month? With all the news lately the recent hurricane disaster in Texas and the south seems far away, but the video footage of total strangers and neighbors helping others in need is heartwarming and encouraging. Many of us will contribute to the response effort down south in some way, but there are some things we can do right here that might be very helpful should even a small extreme weather event hit our town. If we are not hit with extreme rain, it could easily be a microburst storm event as we had earlier this summer in the west part of Charlotte, or a snow or ice storm. Are you ready? Do you have what you need on hand to shelter in place for three or more days if the roads are blocked and the power is out? From past experience I can tell you that if all of us are able to remain self-sufficient and safe in our homes for at least three days during a severe weather event it can have a major impact on how quickly emergency services, municipal and private road crews, state agencies and the utility companies can restore essential services in our town. If those same response agencies are tasked with assisting citizens door-to-door or dealing with private vehicles and occupants that become stranded in water or snow, the work load can be overwhelming. Please take a moment to review your own personal/family emergency plan. For tips on what you should consider for your plan and preparedness supplies go to the
You and your family members and neighbors can really make a difference if and when the next severe weather event comes to Charlotte by being prepared to hold out in your home for at least three days.
A few of the most essential items on every list should be: Have a plan for what you will do if you have to remain in your home for up to three days while roads are made safe and power is being restored. Make sure your house and driveway are clearly marked if we need to reach you. You can order reflective address number signs at cvfrs.com/community-outreach. Have essential supplies on hand such as water, flashlights/headlamps and spare batteries, essential prescription medications, nonperishable foods and a method to safely heat water and food without electricity. A family contact/communication plan should cell phones become inoperable. You should also have a plan for how you will care for pets and livestock, how you will supply them with water and feed, if the power is out for 3 to 5 days. Now is a perfect time to get prepared, Charlotte! You can make a huge difference by being prepared before a major storm hits. If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact us at Charlotte Fire and Rescue, (802) 425-3111.
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The Charlotte News • September 20, 2017 • 11
Town
Trails Talk: Part 2 Laurie Thompson
CHARLOTTE TRAILS COMMITTEE
Welcome to Trails Talk, Part 2. In this column we will continue to answer the questions on the website, orchardroadcomputers.com. The first five questions were answered in the Sept. 6 edition of The Charlotte News.
Q:
I understand the path will be made of gravel. If this is true, how many road bicyclists do you expect to use this trail system? Is this gravel user friendly to strollers and wheelchairs?
A:
We do not expect road bikes to use the Town Link Trail. We do expect to see families walking and riding on the trails and those with hybrid bikes as well. This gravel is user friendly to strollers and wheelchairs. We are striving to make as much of the Town Link Trail as ADA compliant as possible.
Q:
How much will the cost be for maintenance? Who will be in charge of maintaining it?
A:
Currently, other than mowing the edges of the trail, all the dayto-day maintenance is done by Trails Committee members. We do anticipate that there will be larger maintenance work that will need to be done every 1020 years on different sections. Currently the Trails Committee has $5,000 in its budget that can be used only as matching funds for grants. Once the trail is complete, we would request that the town keep that money in our budget to use for the larger maintenance work on the trail.
Q:
I understand our town has insurance if someone gets hurt. How much will the premiums go up each time if someone sues the town? How much money will be put aside for this in case this happens?
A:
Right now in Charlotte we have the Pease Mountain Trails, the Plouffe Lane Trails, Williams Woods Trails, Charlotte Wildlife Refuge Trails, the Cohousing Trail and the Melissa & Trevor Mack Trail. All these current trails, as well as the Charlotte Beach with its recreation fields, tennis courts, a Frisbee golf course and the ice rink, are town recreation areas. Charlotte and most
other towns are insured by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, which makes recommendations on appropriate levels of coverage for various town facilities, including the beach, tennis courts, ball fields, skating rink and the disc golf course, as well as the town’s trails. VLCT has not in the past raised premiums due to the development of new trails.
Q:
Will there be cellular service throughout the trails if someone gets hurt and needs to call Charlotte Fire & Rescue? And if someone does call Charlotte Fire & Rescue, are there plans/ access points for them to access the trail where the person needs help?
A:
Once the underpass is complete and the Cohousing and Melissa & Trevor Mack sections of the trail are connected, there will be more signs. We will be putting up mileage signs every 1⁄4 mile on the trail. If someone needs to call Fire & Rescue, they can refer to the mileage signs to note where they are on the Trail. For the section that will be complete this fall from Common Way to State Park Road, there is access for Fire & Rescue from State Park Road, Route 7, the ball fields, and Cohousing; that’s four entry points for a two-mile section of the trail. There is cellular service along the current sections of the trail.
Courtesy photo think are the most important. And there is also interest in planting trees along the State Park Road section if it is built. Option 2: The trail would go away from the road through the wetlands section of State Park Road and meander through the wetlands on a boardwalk. In this option, trees would be cut, but the trail could be built around any trees that the tree warden or Conservation Commission think need
to stay. In either case, a wetlands permit would be needed from the state prior to any construction. Thanks for all the questions! Stay tuned for the answers to the next group of questions when Trails Talk continues in the next Charlotte News.
Q:
I understand trees will be cut down to build the trails. Please tell us how many trees will be taken down. Where these trees will be taken down. Please tell us the opinion of the tree warden. Please tell us the opinion of the Conservation Committee as there are wetlands involved. What are the options to avoid not cutting down trees? Are you constructing trails in the wetlands?
A:
Please see the article in the July 26, 2017 edition of The Charlotte News to read the opinion of the tree warden. Currently there are two options for the Town Link Trail (TLT) section along State Park Road. Option 1: The trail would follow State Park Road along the north side from Mt. Philo Road to the beginning of the Melissa & Trevor Mack section of the TLT. With this option there would be some trees that would need to come down. However, there may be ways to go around the trees that the tree warden and Conservation Commission
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12 • September 20, 2017 • The Charlotte News
Education CVSD set to lose more than $778K in a two-year period Gail Callahan
CORRESPONDENT
The Champlain Valley School District is on the verge of losing $778,000 in the next two fiscal years to the State of Vermont as part of an agreement brokered between state officials. Vermont could receive nearly $13 million from school districts statewide after Gov. Scott, House Speaker Mitiz Johnson (D-Grand Isle-
Chittenden) and Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe of the Chittenden District formed an agreement nearly three months ago during a special legislative gathering. The Champlain Valley School District, which is made up of Charlotte, Shelburne, St. George, Williston and Hinesburg, is slated to see $505, 972 go to the state this year. Next year, the consolidated district will send $272,466 back to Vermont. CVSD Board Chairman Dave
Connery of Shelburne said school directors and the administration look ahead for possible “rainy days” when crafting a fiscal plan. “When we built our budget that passed during March Town Meeting, we didn’t know this would happen,” he said, adding that when the budgeting process starts for the next fiscal year the board will include funds that align with the state’s agreement. Also, the district is in the middle of negotiating teacher contracts.
Courtsey photo
New five-bus route Naomi Strada ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPALS
This color-coded map shows the newly created bus routes with five buses (instead of six) covering Charlotte. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Naomi Strada, assistant to the principals, at 425-6600.
Charlotte Central School and the Champlain Valley School District leadership and administrative assistants have been working with our contracted transportation provider, Betcha Transit, to resolve the issue created by a shortage of bus drivers, specifically the retirement of George Roberts from the pink bus route. Below is a list of the newly created bus routes with five buses (instead of six) covering the town of Charlotte. There is also a color-coded map to help you better understand the new routes. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Naomi Strada, assistant to the principals, at 425-6600. BLUE 7:00 North on Greenbush Road at Old Brick 7:15 West on Lake Street from Orchard Road 7:25 Hills Point Road, turn around 7:30 South on Greenbush Road from Lake Road 7:35 West on Ferry Road 7:38 North on Lake Road 7:40 West on Whaley Road 7:45 Converse Bay Road, turn around 7:50 East on Ferry Road (and back to school) GREEN 7:10 North on Upper Church Hill Road 7:15 South on Rte. 7, turn around 7:25 East on State Park Road 7:28 South on Mt. Philo Road 7:30 East on Spear Street, turn around at Guinea Road 7:35 North on Mt. Philo Road to State Park Road 7:40 North on Rte. 7 (and back to school) ORANGE 7:10 CCS – Pick up aide 7:10 South on Mt. Philo Road, cross over State Park Road to Rte. 7 7:20 West on E. Thompson’s Point Road 7:25 South on Greenbush Road, turn around 7:28 West on E. Thompson’s Point Road 7:33 North on Lake Street, turn around
7:38 Thorpe Cove Road, turn around 7:40 East on E. Thompson’s Point Road, turn around 7:45 North on Greenbush Road (and back to school) PURPLE 7:02 East on Hinesburg Road 7:06 Tenney’s Store 7:07 South on Spear Street 7:15 South on Monkton Road, turn around 7:19 East on Lewis Creek Road, turn around 7:25 West on Spear Street 7:28 North on Guinea Road 7:33 West on One Mile Road, turn around 7:37 East on Bingham Brook Road, turn around 7:42 North on Guinea Road 7:44 East on Hinesburg Road 7:46 Tenney’s Store 7:48 West on Hinesburg Road (back to school) RED 7:05 West on Lime Kiln Road 7:10 North on Mt. Philo Road, turn around 7:05 West on Lime Kiln Road 7:20 North on Spear Street, turn around 7:30 East on Hinesburg Road 7:32 South on Bean Road 7:35 North on Dorset Street 7:37 North Pasture Lane, turn around 7:37 East on Carpenter Road, turn around 7:38 West on Carpenter Road 7:40 South on Spear Street (and back to school) We would like to thank our CCS families living along the pink bus route for their patience and communication, as well as our drivers Deb Taylor and May Loyer for doing double routes. In addition, staff members Heidi Huestis, Linda Poirier, Michelle Filard, Marley Evans and Mike Hulvey have provided supervision and recreation for students in the afternoons as they have waited for the second run. A huge thanks to our administrative assistants Naomi Strada and Cindy LaWare for their excellent coordination and troubleshooting of the many moving pieces within the past two
The Charlotte News • September 20, 2017 • 13
Education Board committees meet to discuss array of topics CVSD Gail Callahan CORRESPONDENT
The Champlain Valley School Board met Sept. 5, breaking into three committees to outline how the groups will work as the academic year progresses. Meeting at CVU, the meeting featured the board’s Communications/Community Connections Committee, the Finance, Budget and Facilities group, and the Human Resources and Labor Relations panel. Along with school directors, Superintendent of Schools Elaine Pinckney and CVSD Director of Human Resources: Personnel, Policy and Legal Services Mark McDermott, and Director of Student Support Services Meagan Roy also attended the gathering. Just prior to board members breaking into the committees, school directors discussed that SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) scores are slated to be released by state education officials shortly. On the heels of that, the board noted the shortage of bus drivers impacting Charlotte and the effect of taking children to school and back home following the end of the day. Charlotte uses Bet-Cha Transit based in Middlebury. “Yes, there’s a shortage, but it’s not just with us, it’s across the United States,” said Bet-Cha Transit Operations Manager Don Kirby. “We offer a good rate of pay and a $1,500 sign-on bonus, and we also pay for services to upgrade licenses.” Kirby said a Charlotte bus driver retired, and in the wake of that company officials re-tooled a route. “It seems to be working well now,” he said. Communications/ Community Connections. As board members broke into
individual committees, Kelly Bowen, who was selected chairman of the panel, CVSD Chairman Dave Connery, Erin Brady and Kevin Mara met as the Communications/ Community Connections panel. The group discussed former CVU Principal Val Gardner’s presentation last year, which pointed out the need to engage the community. Also, the committee reviewed a draft work plan that included discussion of scheduled articles and topics, talk about a possible September Welcome event, and where and how to communicate with the public, noting that 72 percent of residents spread across the consolidated district’s five towns don’t have children enrolled in district schools. The discussion then turned toward some of the school year’s “first” events, including orientations and curriculum nights. Finance, Budget and Facilities. The committee, comprised of Lynne Jaunich and Erik Beal, who both represent Charlotte and are former Charlotte Central School Board members, along with Ray Mainer and Brendan McMahon also welcomed CVSD Administrator Jeanne Jensen to their meeting. The first job committee members tackled was to draw up a work plan that includes a long-range capital plan and tax recommendation to budget meetings. School directors also reviewed the budgeting process and went over the board’s role, expectations and responsibilities. School boards generally start the budgeting process in late fall, and the committee held early talks on fiscal models. Proposed financial plans must be warned no later than late January to be placed on Town Meeting ballots.
Who and what is CVSD?
Introducing the Champlain Valley School District CVSD Board of Directors Dear CVSD Community, We are thrilled to include you on this new journey. As part of our ongoing effort to stay connected to you, the board of the new Champlain Valley School District is crafting a series of articles on a variety of education related topics. These articles will follow a simple Q & A format. Our purpose is to keep voters better informed about your school district while opening a direct line of communication for you with your school system. We encourage comments and questions and welcome your willingness to share your ideas as we move forward as CVSD. Each article will contain a link to our Facebook page and website address. Simply click the link to contact us. What is CVSD? CVSD is the acronym for Champlain Valley School District. CVSD is your newly consolidated school district that includes students from the towns of St.
George, Williston, Charlotte, Hinesburg and Shelburne. Previously, each town managed its school district and were voluntary members of the Chittenden South Supervisory Union (CSSU). Fun Fact: As of July 1, 2017, CSSU no longer exists. Which schools are in the CVSD family? CVSD is home to: Williston Central School, Allen Brook School, Charlotte Central School, Hinesburg Community School, Shelburne Community School and Champlain Valley Union High School. Fun Fact: Two school buildings are undergoing impressive renovations. How many students & teachers does CVSD have? We serve 3,948 students! CVSD is one of the largest districts in Vermont with 1,322 students in grades 9-12 and 2,626
see CVSD page 14
Other discussion topics included review of health care recapture. The committee looked at state and local figures regarding health care. The current gap for the “Preferred” plan for FY 18 is $155,578. Then, the committee took a pre-audit look at CVSD’s fund balance after the fourth quarter. The current unaudited fund balance for the district is $2,126,429, according to unofficial minutes from the meeting. The last item on the agenda concerned a transportation analysis and how to move forward. The committee reviewed the data and recommendations. The group is poised to tell the full board that a study of all bus routes in the district be undertaken before the proposed budget in completed. Human Resources and Labor Relations Committee. Committee members Russ Caffry and Amanda Marvin, along with McDermott, Roy and Pinckney worked on issues related to human resources. Like the other groups, the panel also talked about a work plan for the year. The discussion then moved to the support staff’s contract. McDermott, who sat on the CCS board, and Caffry are slated to talk with the union. Also, Marvin volunteered to be board representative to the teacher health and safety committees, with Caffry working as CVSD board representative to the salary committee. McDermott is also poised to contact the Union and Cocurricular subcommittees and then inform the board about discussions. Those teacher groups were created by the new educator contract. The committee also discussed succession planning, noting that more research is needed concerning emergency succession, short- and long-term plans and training of current employees.
Champlain Valley School District: CHILD FIND Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George and Williston The Champlain Valley School District is interested in locating preschool age children (3 to 5 years) who live in the towns of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George and Williston, who show a developmental delay in the areas of speech/language, social adjustment, adaptive behavior, self-care, gross/ fine motor coordination and cognitive development. Charlotte Central School 425-2771 Hinesburg Community School 482-2106 Shelburne Community School 985-3331 St. George/Williston Allen Brook School – 878-2762 The Champlain Valley School District is interested in locating all children/adolescents ages 3–21 with disabilities living in the towns of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George and Williston, who are not currently attending school, are attending a private school by parent choice or are being home-schooled. If you know of such a child/adolescent, please call Meagan Roy, Director of Student Support Services at Chittenden South Supervisory Union at 383-1234.
14 • September 20, 2017 • The Charlotte News
Sports Bravo, runners!
Charlotte Covered Bridge 5K, 10K and Half Marathon
Edd’s Sports Report
I still remember my football blocking assignments better than I do my chemistry formulas. But, teachers, you should not be so quick to call off your classes but not your extra points. Balls fly in the goals, over the nets and between the uprights, but computers wait unattended in a closed room.
Edd Merritt
Redhawk women’s soccer remains undefeated after games Football over French. Soccer three Buoyed by a strong defense and a over Spanish at BHS midfield that has kept play out of its own CONTRIBUTOR
Racevermont.com hosted the Charlotte Covered Bridge 5K, 10K and Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 9. For race results of the 400 participants, visit racevermont. com/2017-race-results. Their next race, the Shelburne Farms 5K on Oct. 14, is fast approaching and always sells out. Please call Rayne at (802) 316-7142 or email rayne@racevermont.com with questions and comments or to volunteer.
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Here are some of my thoughts on the Burlington teachers’ strike and its relationship to extra curricular activities – particularly sports. Under the current regimen, if I were a teacher I would march on strike while my classroom is closed and my students get extra sleep each morning. History, science, social studies, English – they all are held in abeyance until the board gives me more money. But, wait a minute! While students can do without me, they can’t do without their sports? After all, games need to be played even though my teaching can wait, so we vote to keep fall sports on the calendar. I find it curious that school apparently begins and ends in the classroom. Other activities are outside education, and the teachers haven’t got the gumption to call them into play as part of their strike. What does that tell me about the state of modern education? I think it tells me that games overshadow learning. I know that my graduate school dean said learning came through a constellation of activities, of which schooling was just one part. And
attack zone, the CVU women’s soccer team built on its record by coming back from Burlington with a 2-0 win over the Seahorses Friday. The game remained scoreless through the first half before the Ali Bisaccia struck the net unassisted from just beyond the box line. Charlotte Hill scored the closing goal, and goalie Maryn Askew was called upon for four saves in comparison to her Burlington counterpart’s 13. Earlier in the week the Redhawk women had done the same thing to Colchester on CVU’s home field. Charlotte Hill again was one of the goal scorers as she broke free to get a through-ball from Jess Klein in the first half. Her effort was followed in the second half by Catherine Gilwee on a pass from Ali Bisaccia. Goal tender Maryn Askew was not called upon to make a save during the entire second half, following only three in the opening period. Coach Stan Williams complimented his team’s defensive efforts, saying they emphasized that aspect of the game from front line to back.
CVU football wins a nail biter over Essex
Overtime football games are not the usual. However, CVU and Essex went the distance and more Friday before the Redhawks won it in overtime on a halfback pass from 5 yards outside the end zone, Jack ZuWallack to Liam McCue. The touchdown followed an Essex field goal making the final score 6-3. The week before, CVU claimed another close victory, this time at home against Rutland. The Raiders had rallied in the second half after falling behind 14-0 until Charlotte’s Andrew Tieso ran for a oneyard TD with only 29 seconds remaining in the game to give CVU a 22-14 win.
CVU golf aims at the holes in the ground
The Cedar Knoll golf course was the site of a four-school win for CVU. Led by medallist Ben Gramling’s 39, the Redhawks topped second-place Colchester by over 40 strokes. Hank Caswell, Evan Forrest and Kyle Rexford all finished the nine holes in less than 50 strokes.
Volleyball doesn’t worry about the weather
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Nor did the CVU team worry about Lyndon Institute as it defeated the Vikings three matches to one for the Redhawk’s first victory of the season.
The Charlotte News • September 20, 2017 • 15
Sports Local climate riders to meet with senators in D.C. Staff report Charlotter Catherine Bock will be joining more than a hundred other cyclists to pedal 208 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains in beautiful rural Virginia to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The ride is a fundraiser organized by Climate Ride, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that organizes charitable events to raise awareness and support sustainability, active transportation, and environmental causes. The ride is Sept. 24 through 26 and has raised more than $4 million to date. Proceeds from the event benefit a number of nonprofits that are working on solutions to global warming. On this ride Catherine has chosen to support SolarFest an organization that connects people, the arts, ideas and technology,
fostering partnership and activism by producing the Northeast’s premier renewable energy arts festival. On her eight previous rides she has raised money for many other organizations including 350vt, NRDC, Interfaith Power and Light and Greenpeace. Each evening of the ride there are speakers who educate and inspire participants about sustainability, climate, the green economy and active transportation ,making the ride like an environmental conference on wheels. In Washington, D.C., Catherine will have a chance to meet with members of Congress. The Climate Ride staff has scheduled hundreds of appointments for riders to meet in person with their senators and representatives when riders arrive by bike.
Left: Charlotter Catherine Bock will be joining more than a hundred other cyclists to pedal 208 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains in beautiful rural Virginia to the U.S. Courtesy photo Capitol in Washington, D.C.
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16 • September 20, 2017 • The Charlotte News
Business Horsford’s introduces saffron
There’s a new pastry chef in town Lynn Monty EDITOR IN CHIEF
Learn more about saffron and keep up with Horsford’s project at horsfordnursery.com. Courtesy photo
Staff report Horsford Gardens and Nursery is introducing saffron, a variety of crocus, to local gardeners in Vermont and upstate New York. When planted in early fall, saffron will bloom into beautiful crocus flowers in October and November. For those interested in using this exotic spice in cooking, simply harvest and cure the orange-red stigmas from the center of the flower. Saffron grows best in fertile, welldrained soil and loves hot and dry conditions. Under the right conditions and hardiness (Zone 4) it will return year after year. This crocus variety is a corm and should be grown like bulbs such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. Research has shown saffron contains powerful antioxidants found to combat health problems, including stress,
infections, immune function and even cancer. Nutritionally, saffron is high in vitamins and minerals as well. “What can you add to your landscape that adds value to your life? “asks Steve Davidson of Horsford Gardens and Nursery. “To me, flowers and food are the answer, and saffron provides both!” Davidson is excited to be growing such an expensive and novel spice right here in Vermont. In addition to carrying saffron this fall, Horsford’s is researching saffron production in its antique glass greenhouses, using several recipes of organic materials in potting mixes. Tests also include growing the flowers in outdoor raised beds to measure the viability and productivity of saffron corms in Vermont’s winter climate. Learn more about saffron and keep up with Horsford’s project at horsfordnursery. com.
It might be her cupcakes with the blackberry compote, her vanilla meringue buttercream frosting or her white peach hand pies that have people flocking to Little Garden Market in Charlotte and Gilfeathers Fine Provisions in Ferrisburgh, but whatever the reason, owner Rick Benson is happy to invite in the new business. He actually chose newcomer Allison Clark Doe to be his new pastry chef from just plain old good business sense–it’s Doe’s positive attitude and commitment to wholesome local goodness that got her the job. Incidentally, Benson is looking for experienced help like Doe at both locations. Counter and prep help are needed full-time, year round. Doe, 29, is a native Vermonter who grew up in East Middlebury. Her father has been deputy sheriff of Addison County for more than 30 years, but it was her mother who gave her a jump start in the culinary arts. “I started by bussing tables at the age of 12 at the Waybury Inn,” Doe said. “My mom worked there, and as soon as I could carry a plate she started me bussing.” Soon thereafter she discovered the culinary arts and the joy it brings her. She takes pride in preparing foods from scratch and using local products. “The smells, the artistic part of it, and the creativity of it all makes me happy,” Doe said. “I have always wanted to be in the pastry world professionally and didn’t quite find my opportunity until I found Rick about a month ago.” After graduating from Middlebury High School in 2005 Doe backpacked in Thailand and drove across the United States a couple of times. Once settled back into the Green Mountains, it took her and her sister only 25 days to hike the entire Long Trail. While adventure may be at the core of this young woman’s mission in life, so is living mindfully. She’s a successful homesteader with her husband, Ryan Doe. They raise alpacas and other animals on their land in Ferrisburgh called “Three Dogs Farmstead.” Alpaca fiber is one of the warmest, softest and durable luxury fibers, Allison said. She spins stunning Peruvian alpaca fiber into yarn on a spinning wheel and sells it on the internet. But food is her main priority. “I try to eat local and healthy and try to help others to do that too,” she said. “Here we try to push quality over quantity. My main thing right now is the pies. When I am not baking cupcakes, I am baking pies. Apple, blueberry, peach, berry and, of course, hand pies that you can grab and go.” As for her next adventure, “We are planning a three week trip to Europe that includes Italy—and I plan to eat everything.” The new Gilfeathers Fine Provisions
Allison Clark Doe of Ferrisburgh makes delicious cupcakes and other pastries for Little Garden Market in Charlotte and Gilfeathers Fine Provisions, its new sister location in Ferrisburgh. Photo by Lynn Monty
My main thing right now is the pies. When I am not baking cupcakes, I am baking pies. Apple, blueberry, peach, berry and, of course, hand pies that you can grab and go.” is located at 3177 Route 7 in Ferrisburgh. The name of this new shop is in honor of the state vegetable, the Gilfeather turnip. Along with Doe’s stunning desserts, coffee, tea, breakfast and lunch items are on the menu as well as prepared grab-n-go family dinner meats and salads. Benson said he has a few more years on his lease on Ferry Road and plans to stay put at both locations. He just signed a fiveyear lease for Gilfeathers. 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.
The Charlotte News • September 20, 2017 • 17
Arts Celebrating past, present and future art at the Clemmons Family Farm
Middlebury College students helped with Jack and Lydia’s African arts and crafts souvenirs for a fundraiser. Photo submitted by Lydia Clemmons
Lydia Clemmons CLEMMONS FAMILY FARM
Many of you may remember the intriguing signs for Authentica African Art Imports located along Route 7, Ferry Road, and in front of the shop owned by Jack and Lydia Clemmons on Greenbush Road. Located in what was once an 18th century blacksmith shop, Authentica included an art gallery and an enthralling assortment of exotic treasures collected by the couple during their work and travels in Africa between the 1980s and early 2000s. For more than 30 years, Lydia also traveled across Vermont to bring some of her collection into classrooms and to talk about the art, people and cultures of Africa. Local schools organized class trips to visit Lydia’s art gallery too. The family plans to reinstate an educational enrichment program that integrates the work of visiting African diaspora artists and local residents. “Charlotte has a lot of talented artists. We want to provide
a space where they can meet, learn and create with artists of the African diaspora right here on the farm,” says Lydia and Jack’s eldest daughter (also named Lydia). The farm’s collaboration with schools resumed last weekend with 12 Middlebury College freshmen visiting the old Authentica shop as part of their orientation to local communities. Led by seniors Maddie Dickenson and Shane Healy, the students carefully wrapped arts and crafts items for an upcoming fundraiser. “Funds raised through the sale of beautiful soapstone statues and other art will be used to restore the old shop,” explains Charlotte resident Katharine Cohen, who volunteered to oversee the students’ work at the farm. “I am excited to help out because I think the farm is such an asset to our community. Not only is it beautiful to visit but it has so much potential as a gathering place to explore art and other
Rendering the Clemmons Family Farm vision Susan Crockenberg CONTRIBUTOR
A year ago at a breakfast Alice Outwater hosted at Shelburne Farms, Lydia Clemmons (the younger) alerted me to her family’s plans to transform their farm into an African American Heritage and Multicultural Center here in Charlotte. I was impressed with their undertaking and drawn in by Lydia’s enthusiastic rendering of the Clemmons Family Farm vision. But it was meeting Jackson and Lydia (the elder) Clemmons and listening to their inspiring and often poignant stories about their lives in Charlotte as well as their family history back to the time of slavery that fully engaged my heart. At each stage of their lives, this remarkable couple has embarked on a project of daunting proportions: medical and nursing school for Jackson and Lydia, purchase of the 148-acre farm in Charlotte that they ran in their “spare time” with the help of their five children, working as a pathologist in Tanzania at the start of the AIDS crisis (Jackson), starting the first mail-order African Art import business (Lydia), and creating the remarkable Barn House on the Clemmons property (Jackson) after they had retired and were already in their 70s. Now in their 90s, Jackson and Lydia are embarking on yet another venture, one that meets their personal wish to remain in the home they purchased in 1962 and have lived in ever since and their dream to bring together African Americans and other members of the African diaspora to share their stories and their artistic, musical and culinary accomplishments with the community near and far. Inspired, I wanted others to hear Jackson’s and Lydia’s voices and to meet this amazing couple. I would volunteer as a docent, I decided, a small but concrete act to counter the rising racism and mounting white supremacy currently infecting our
nation, guiding people through Jackson Clemmons’ marvelous Barn House, sharing information about its history and design and about Jack and Lydia and their lives through their recorded narratives, their many photographs, the incredible artifacts they collected during their travels in Africa and from Jackson’s forays into salvage yards in the Vermont hinterlands. Sometimes when I give tours Jackson and the Lydias (elder and younger) grace us with their presence, and we listen to their narratives from their own lips, often stories I’ve never heard before despite the time I’ve spent with them. How many historical places can you visit where the historical figures that inhabited them are alive, lucid and eager to share their tales with their visitors? Although the vignettes that make up Jack and Lydia’s narrative are too numerous and richly detailed to recount fully here (they are available on the Clemmons Farm website: clemmonsfamilyfarm.org), I offer a few sketches to illustrate their power to inform, sometimes to amaze or horrify, and always to warm our hearts. In her soft engaging voice, Lydia (senior) relates how her grandmother Margie escaped, some 40 years after slavery ended, from the Louisiana farm where she had grown up, how she was recaptured, but was finally successful in fleeing from the town of Couchetta, Louisiana, traveling at night, hiding during the day, ending up in Ringgold, Louisiana, where she married a well-to-do African American farmer. Accompanying her were her two young children, one of whom would become our Lydia’s mother and tell the tale of that escape. Jack speaks soberly of serving in the still-segregated U.S. Army during World War II, where in his own words “there were other battles to be fought.” Discrimination against African American soldiers was
see CLEMMONS FARM page 20
see CLEMMONS ART page 20
Katie Manges
Aug 25 • Sept 22 Friday Receptions 5-8pm Art on view and for sale throughout downtown Vergennes all summer long. August’s Arts Walk Sponsored by:
www.Vergennesdowntown.org
18 • September 20, 2017 • The Charlotte News
Town MAPLEFIELDS
continued from page 1
Check valves to be replaced at Charlotte wastewater pump Heather McKim STAFF WRITER
Rudolphe “Skip” Vallee, CEO and owner of R.L. Vallee, is optimistic that the project will be able to meet town sensibilities. “We believe that we’ve designed the project—and are going to include the town in a number of design issues—to mitigate any opposition.” But both Vallee and town officials say that the project is just in preliminary stages and there are a number of hurdles to clear before its gets a greenlight. The first of those hurdles is the Sept. 21 planning committee meeting, where the sketch plan is scheduled for review at 7:30 p.m. Vallee says the review “is sort of a broad brush look at the project, to receive … feedback as we go into the next iterations.” Based on that review, the committee will make recommendations for the project. All of this needs to happen before R.L. Vallee even applies for requisite town permits: a site plan review and a conditional use review. Vallee says his company has done enough of these projects around the state to know that, if even everything were to go smoothly, it would still be some time before the project could move forward. “A matter of some months for sure,” Vallee said. It remains to be seen what kind of support the town as a whole has for the project, but some residents have already expressed optimism. Charlotte resident Nancy Wood says she is “strongly in favor of developing that corner and bringing a gas station back to town,” though she does note that “there are some in town who fear the impact on the local stores.”
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Charlotte’s wastewater pump station at the Town Green is getting some work in the form of valve and check-valve replacement. The issue of replacing the valves was on the agenda at the Sept. 11 meeting of the Selectboard. The project would see replacements for the existing system. There had been a failure of a pump station earlier this year, and a temporary fix was put into place. A more permanent solution has been needed.
The Selectboard considered two bids. One bid was high, the other reasonably priced, and there was not much luck finding anyone else who wanted to do the work, one Selectboard member noted during the meeting. Ferguson Waterworks of Colchester will provide the parts for the project. Steve Williams, who has a longstanding relationship with the town, will provide the labor, with the job taking approximately one day. Check valves prevent sewage from
running back into the tank, Selectboard member Fritz Tegatz explained at the meeting. These, he said, normally fail every so often. When they do fail, the result is that the pumps runs continuously. This would lead to replacing the pump itself, which would be a much more costly undertaking. After several minutes of discussion regarding the matter, members voted unanimously to approve the replacements, with the cost for the project not to exceed $4,500.
last of the series is called “Strategies for a Resilient Community” will feature readings from Bringing it to the Table
by Wendell Berry and Food, Farms & Community by Lisa Chase on Oct. 24.
CLIMATE GRANT
continued from page 1 communities like this library series. “We need to manage our resources well and pay attention to how we use our land, build our houses, and how we use energy,” Hodgson said. “In the first session we will ask, what do we care about as a community?” Topics of conversation will be about protecting water quality by having cover crops so land isn’t easily eroded and the likelihood of more pests and ticks around because with warmer winters less are dying. “With more Co2 in the air we have more plants like poison ivy,” Hodgson said. “And we obviously have a problem with heavy rain events and floods.” Woodruff said, “It’s a great opportunity to have this chance to get together and talk about it.” The event is open to the public and the library is sharing resources with The Carpenter-Carse Library in Hinesburg as well as the Pierson Library in Shelburne. All three parts of this climate change series will be held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at The Charlotte Library. Reading packets are available. “Community and Climate” will be featured on Sept. 26 with readings from Wandering Home by Bill McKibben. “Our Changing Climate” is the title of the Oct. 10 discussion with selections from Loosed Upon the World: The Saga Anthology of Climate Fiction. And the
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The Charlotte News • September 20, 2017 • 19
Let ‘em flush when we stand up
Photo by shooting zones, a big greenhead mallard drifts into the spread and plops down in the center and begins quacking loudly as if to laugh at us. “Take ‘em!” I say to John. “No! You take ‘em!” “You’ve got the better shot,” I reply. Before he can shoulder his gun, the bird has flown out of range. Now, if you think that John and I are poor duck hunters, you haven’t seen the pictures in our scrapbooks or read our journals from past seasons. Maybe we’ve just gotten to point where respect for safety and being able to laugh at our follies are sufficient entertainment. 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
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The dawn is cloaked in the darkness of the wetland grasses. Oak trees and swamp maples can barely be made out against the faint moonlight of the horizon. Something splashes in the pool in front of the duck blind. A beaver slaps his tail on the surface, triggering an owl to hoot from its perch on a distant pine. My duck-hunting partner, John, hunkers down in the corner of the blind, savoring a cup of hot espresso from his aged thermos. I can smell the sweet smoky fragrance, and I pick up my own thermos to toast the season. Without speaking we clink cups. Mine is French roast with a spoonful of maple syrup. We grin like two 10-year-olds. As the eastern horizon begins to display a dark hue of purple filtering into a sage green, we hear the whispering of wing pinions in the black sky above us. I stand up abruptly in the blind and something hits me in the forehead, hitting the brim of my camo baseball hat and throwing it to the floor of the blind. The aerial projectile continues its trajectory and squeals a loud “peeeep!” “Did that just really happen?” I ask John. “I do believe that you have just been hit by a teal in fighter jet formation.” I reply “Well I’m glad he didn’t hit me square between the eyes! We’d have both been hurting!” More wing beats penetrate the sounds of dawn. Small difficult-to-see objects whip down the watery corridor in front of the blind. We peer out of the cattails that camouflage the platform. As the light begins to build behind the trees to our east, we can begin to identify the birds as teal. “In the decoys!” John whispers loudly. I take a deep breath and speak in a complementary whisper, “Ten more minutes!” The next ten minutes bring building anticipation, our hearts racing with excitement. More birds pile into the
decoy spread and start quacking and peeping. A wood duck’s “wooooeeek” squeals in the waning darkness above. We can now see the ripples in the water in front of the blind. “One more minute,” I say. “Remember, no shooting on the water. Let ‘em flush when we stand up.” John and I share a desire to respect our prey. Neither one of us enjoys seeing an animal suffer. It is paramount to us to make good, clean, quick kills. Shooting a bird on the water rarely results in a responsible kill. “Ready?” I ask. “On the count of three. One… Two… Three.” We stand up, shotguns shouldered, peering down our barrels at a couple dozen waterfowl targets—none of which seem to mind that we are standing there. “What the h***!” I shout. Still nothing. The greenwing teal, wood ducks and a sprinkling of immature mallards keep swimming around, dabbling in the weed beds and generally showing callous disregard for our presence. Gunfire from across the swamp finally rallies them to jump into the air, all at once, spinning in a dozen different directions at once. John swings his gun to the right and I to the left, trying to pick out one target at a time. But the swarm of confusion throws us both off. It’s just too much! Birds are flying every which direction and we are trying to be conscious of our own shooting lanes. After a long pause the birds are all gone. We look at each other and start to laugh. “Why didn’t you shoot?” we ask each other at the same time. “Too many birds.” “None of the birds I was leading went where they were supposed to go!” As we stand in amazement, embarrassed by our overly respectful concern for staying within our safe
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CONTRIBUTOR
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Bradley Carleton
20 • September 20, 2017 • The Charlotte News
CLEMMONS FARM
CLEMMONS ART
continued from page 17 rampant to the point that his company prepared to defend themselves from an attack by a nearby company of white soldiers and where, as an educated Black man, he endured an uneasy relationship with other less educated Black soldiers who viewed his education and vocabulary as evidence that he was “trying to be white.” Then there is Jackson and Lydia’s story of finding their Charlotte farm. Newly hired as a pathologist at the University of Vermont Medical College, Jackson (and Lydia) dreamed of raising their growing family in the country. From a local newspaper, Jackson learned of Charlotte and decided to check it out, taking a bus to Shelburne, walking the rest of the way. As he made his way down Greenbush Road, a dirt road at the time, he happened upon a Charlotte farmer, one Mr. Sautel, who was at that moment bidding his grown sons adieu. Jack asked the farmer whether he planned to remain alone on his farm, the two men discovered they had both graduated from the University of Wisconsin, and before long Mr. Sautel agreed to sell his farm to the Clemmons. Jack and Lydia’s decision to move to Charlotte shocked their extended family, who thought that as young up-and-coming African American professionals they should locate in a city and experience the good life there. Jack’s physician colleagues were similarly befuddled that he and Lydia would choose to live in rural Charlotte, which at that time lacked the cachet that has come to be associated with our town. It is fortunate for those of us who
continued from page 17
Susan Crockenberg with Jack and Lydia Clemmons on the farm. Courtesyphoto reside in Charlotte today that Jack and Lydia Clemmons chose this beautiful place to settle. They have been engaged citizens and kind neighbors over the years and now are in the process of transitioning their family farm into an African American Heritage and Multicultural Center, a resource for the entire community. They have applied for and received positive feedback on a grant from ArtPlace America’s National Creative Placemaking Fund that will allow them to realize this dream, providing funds for the development of a multitude of programs and for further renovation of the farm buildings. One plan is to provide African American artists and scholars a place to live and work through short-term residences on the lower level of the Barn House, where they would be readily available
to share their expertise with the community. Another is to create a system of interactive trails around the farm for visitors to explore when they come to the Clemmons Family Farm, now an official stop on the Vermont African American Heritage Trail. Until the end of October, the Barn House will be open for tours most weekends for those who sign up in advance. Information about times and directions for signing up for tours are available at this link: http://bit. ly/FarmExhibits. We would love to have you visit the Barn House and learn more about the remarkable Clemmons family—their past, their current activities and what they dream of for the future for themselves, Charlotte and all of us.
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cultures. For me it’s a perfect fit—I love people and art from all over the world, especially Africa. Lucky me it’s right up the road!” Renting the gallery and art studio space to local and visiting artists will generate revenue to help keep the farm available to the community. Already a finalist in the national ArtsPlace America grants competition, The Clemmons Family Farm will apply for more grants to help fund its programs. Other upcoming activities include creating a directory of local Charlotte artists and identifying African diaspora artists for future residencies on the farm. “We will be holding a community meeting this fall to involve Charlotte artists in planning an exciting arts and culture program here. Creating opportunities like this, that build a loving multicultural community, is part of what our parents’ legacy is all about,” says daughter Lydia. Plans are also underway to remodel Jack and Lydia’s residence on the farm so that it remains safe and comfortable for them as they age. Upgrades will include a spacious downstairs bedroom with windows overlooking the Adirondacks and ground-level access to enable them to enter the house without having to use stairs. “Our dream is to remain in the home and community we love for the rest of our lives,” says Lydia Senior. “We want to be close by so that we can guide the farm’s transition… and, of course, so that we can also be part of all the fun!” For more information about the farm visit the website at clemmonsfamilyfarm. org or email clemmonsfamilyfarm@ gmail.com to volunteer.
The Charlotte News • September 20, 2017 • 21
Alexa – A Voice in the Can OutTake I say, Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Don’t hang around ‘cause two’s a crowd “Get Out of My Cloud,” the Rolling Stones HAL (the Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic Computer), that eye in space in Stanley Kubrick’s late 1960s film 2001: A Space Odyssey introduced many of us to the robotic realm of the future, in which mechanically developed devices took on human traits and, for some of us, suggested that there was more to our universe than mankind and Earth. Well, those thoughts came home to me again this last weekend when I visited my twin grandsons for their 11th birthday. My thoughts were driven by presents from their other grandparents, who presented each with “Alexa.” For those of you who have not met her yet, Alexa talks like a human, sounds like someone on the phone, understands questions and accesses a trove of information about a wide variety of subjects from music to politics to places to be and to eat. I was shocked at how she answered our questions on virtually every topic we asked her. If she herself did not know the answer, she knew where to send
CVSD
continued from page 13 students in grades K-8. CVSD employs 369 licensed and skilled teachers who share a collective commitment to meet the needs of every student. Fun fact: We have 39 new teachers this year. What’s happening on the CVSD Board? The 12-director CVSD Board consists of volunteers from each member town. Currently, the board chair is Dave Connery (Shelburne), and the vice chair is Colleen Mackinnon (Hinesburg). (For a full member listing check out: cvsdvt.org) The board meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. in Room 160 at Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU). The 1st Tuesday meeting agenda is committee work: community connections, finances and human resources. The 3rd Tuesday, a regular board meeting, includes a presentation and discussion of timely educational topics. The topics
us for it. She did not look human (more like a Christmas candle), but she certainly talked it. So, what does Alexa have to do with the future of humanity? An article in the September 10 New York Times says, “These Are Not the Robots We Were Promised.” Those expected were more mechanical than intellectual. These, on the other hand, bring brains, not brawn, to the world. According to Nicholas Carr, author of the article, Alexa’s cones will soon be scattered around our houses, and we will be able to converse with “solicitous A.I. assistants wherever and whenever we like.” I saw the ease with which the young generation deals with mechanic-speak. For them, Alexa was just another voice of nature. For me, she was a “thing” outside of the natural world in which I had grown up. She was placing me in a virtual world that re-distributed humanity among the other objects of the universe. For millennia, human beings felt that we had been centerpieces of a universal order designed by a god who, in point of fact, we designed ourselves to make other things, other animals and beings secondary to humanity. Human cultures, regardless of their beliefs, were what guided politics, development, physical layout of lands. Could we, the immigrants to this country, have learned more from the “Native Americans,” some of the most interactive
people in mankind? The Indians practiced cooperation. They paired with the buffalo and other animals to share properties of earth that benefited each species. Chief Luther Standing Bear of the Oglala Sioux said, “Only to the white man was nature a wilderness.” To the Sioux it was bountiful, and they were surrounded by the blessings of “The Great Mystery.” Some of my favorite authors recognized this, I believe, as well. Annie Dillard wrote of her strong interactions with her immediate world in Pilgrim on Tinker Creek. Norman MacLean explored the relationship between religion and flyfishing, particularly in his short story, “A River Runs Through It.” In its final lines he says he is “haunted by waters.” The world around him merges into one existence and “a river runs through it.” But now the question becomes, where will Alexa take us? Yes, there still will be Tinker Creeks, and, yes, fly-fishing in America will still cause what some feel is an interpersonal interaction between fish and the person designing the bait and holding the rod. Alexa, however, brings an entirely new element into human nature’s way of being in this world. We have added a thing that causes us to respond more virtually than we ever have before. What Alexa does is what our nervous system alone (we thought) did. Our physical parts caused us to respond
“fluidly to an ever-changing environment,” according to author Carr. Now we have added an electronic or at least an otherthan-physical gadget to our repertoire. These gadgets are designed to help us interface with the world. Maybe they do that. However, they also add elements of technology that expand humanity beyond ourselves and take away much of our human interaction. In previous OutTakes I have mentioned my observations of people walking together and not interacting because each is on a cellphone to someone elsewhere. Well, that someone else has been replaced by an AI-bred voice coming through a cone sounding as human as possible so that we will be misled into thinking there is an actual voice box speaking. Unfortunately, I believe it is helping us become more selfabsorbed. It is not yet replacing our president’s inclination to communicate largely through tweets, but if we become accustomed enough to talking through Alexa, we may elect the first cone to the White House. It may not be, however, any worse than our current attempted-oligarch who wishes he still had blond hair and could salute as he walks across the White House lawn with any meaning to the gesture for him. Imagine flying off to Mar-a-Lago leaving Alexa in Washington to “Trumpticate” Congress.
for the 2017-2018 school year focus on the social, emotional learning of our students. All board meetings are open to the public, and we encourage you to visit. Board meetings are a great way to learn firsthand the workings of your school district. You can always view the recorded version of the regular board meeting on RETN (Regional Educational Television Network). Fun fact: CSSU had seven boards and 34 directors.
We have created a new website, which will not only be easier to use but packed with updated information and timely tidbits about our schools. Please be patient with us while the site is still being finetuned. You will find our new website at cvsdvt.org.
Fun fact: Our new website will be responsive and can be viewed on laptops, tablets and smartphones.
Look for us! As we move forward, the board will be out and about in the community: information tables, articles, updates in local newspapers and online forums. You can expect a consistent effort from us to engage you, the community, our partners in progress.
Kind regards, The CVSD Board of Directors
Who’s new in and around CVSD? We welcome three new principals: Jennifer Roth at Charlotte Central School, and Scott Sivo and Alison Celmer at Shelburne Community School, as well as two special education administrators, Cassandra Townshend and Peggy Sue Van Nostrand. CVSD is excited to have such talented folks join our team. Fun fact: The collective number of years our new administrators have worked in education is 73. What communications changes can I expect now that CVSD is one district?
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Next month’s article will explore the operational changes of becoming one district. Stay tuned.
Follow us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/Champlain-Valley-SchoolDistrict-591740224367762/ Website at cvsdvt.org
FLU
vaccine is here now. charlotte Family health center A part of the Charlotte community since 1975. Andrea Regan, MD – Family Practice • Gordon Gieg, MD – Family Practice Elizabeth Afanasyev, PA-C – Physician Assistant 527 Ferry Road, Charlotte / 802-425-2781
22 • September 20, 2017 • The Charlotte News
Senior Center News Mary Recchia CONTRIBUTOR
Angela Manno, internationally acclaimed artist, returns for An Artist’s Plein Air Series titled Capturing Radiant Color and Light in Your Art. The class will run Thursday and Friday afternoons from 1–4 on Sept. 28 and 29 and Oct. 5, 6, 12 and 13. Capture the brilliant colors of autumn in Vermont with landscape artist Angela Manno. Angela’s teaching method stems from the French Impressionists and will enliven your art no matter what your level of experience. Students will learn the secret to working outdoors in changing light, how to simplify complex shapes into basic masses and establish the all-important Light Key that allows a painting to really “sing.” Beginners through advanced students are welcome. Beginners will work in soft pastel. All mediums are welcome. Please pick up a materials list prior to the first class. Registration required. Fee: $150. Fall Hikes in the Champlain Valley with Marty Morrissey continue on Tuesday, Sept. 26, with a destination of Owl Head, Elizabethtown, New York, 8:30 a.m. departure, and Tuesday, Oct. 3, with a destination of Mobbs Farm, Jericho, 9 a.m. departure. A full description and details of each hike are available at the host desk. Please bring water, food and good hiking or walking shoes. Registration necessary. No fee. Susanna Kahn, Charlotte Library tech librarian, joins us this fall with a refresher workshop, iPhone Tips and Tricks, on Monday afternoon, Oct. 2, from 1:30–3:00. Get the most out of your iPhone in this hands-on workshop. Susanna will show you helpful apps, search and organization techniques, quick ways to connect to Wi-Fi, camera
and photo tips, battery-saving tricks and more! Please bring your iPhone and your Apple ID information for class at the Senior Center. Registration required. No fee. Jill Kleinman is offering a Ceramics Class Tuesday afternoons from 12:30–3, running from Oct. 17 to Dec. 12. If you enjoy working with your hands, this class is for you. In each class we will create one or two different forms in clay. These will be a mix of functional pieces you can use at home and decorative work. All your work will be fired and glazed in Jill’s home studio and returned to you. Roll up your sleeves and join in the most therapeutic material on earth! You will find a calm and supportive learning environment and a teacher with loads of experience. No prior knowledge needed. All materials provided. Registration necessary. Maximum 12. Fee: $120. Professor Michael Strauss invites you to A Different Kind of Workshop— Drawing for the Terrified on Thursday mornings from 9:30–noon. Session dates: Oct. 19, 26, Nov. 2 and 9. These workshops are for beginners as well as those with some drawing experience who think they might benefit from more instruction. They are based on the premise that drawing can be an acquired skill, not just a talent, and that most can learn how to draw if they spend the time and energy needed. Since drawing is foundational for representational painting, artists who paint in watercolor and oil could benefit from these workshops. They are a collaborative learning experience, including much discussion as well as individual assistance from the instructor and class critiques. Come prepared to draw, share your work with other beginning students and have a good time. All materials will be provided. Email michael.strauss@uvm.edu if you
This dance performance, “Imagine,” took place after the luncheon on Sept. 6. Local dancersandchoreographers,includingSaraMcMahonandMovementforParkinson’s Dancers, Hanna Satterlee, director of Vermont Dance Alliance, Laurael Jenkins, Middlebury Dance Professor and Liesje Smith, choreographer and Rolfer, created an inspiring hour of movement that involved the whole audience. Come join us as the fun continues every Friday from 9:30–10:30 a.m. with Liesje Smith. wish more information. Registration necessary. Maximum enrollment: 10. Fee: $80. Our after-lunch offering on Sept. 27 will be a Celebration of Art. Please join the participating artists of the 11th Annual Senior Center Art Show for a gala reception to view and discuss their work beginning at 1 p.m. No registration or fee. Then, on Oct. 4, the Ittlemans invite you to enjoy a magnificent rural setting dedicated to outdoor art, The Lemon Fair Sculpture Park, at their private residence in Shoreham. With Frank as our guide, we will meander the one-and-a-half mile loop, passing about a dozen large-scale outdoor artworks, sharing in the beauty of the land and the sculpture park that has gone from a vision to reality. Enjoy the colors, geometry, spatial relations, movement and energy emitted from these works of art. Unique and different, these sculptures are certainly something to behold. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes as the terrain does have a small hill and some undulations. Please register for
this special after-luncheon offering and meet at the Center by 12:30 so we can carpool to the park for a 1:30 tour.
Monday Menus 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (no reservations required, ongoing) Sept. 25 Chef’s choice Salad Dessert Wednesday Menus Noon (reservations required, call 425-6345, not ongoing) Sept. 20 Taco salad Homemade dessert Sept. 27 Italian sausage with peppers and onions, Homemade dessert
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The Charlotte News • September 20ww, 2017 • 23
Community Calendar Pie season: Apple pies will be on sale at the Charlotte Congregational Church on Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m. Homemade with Vermont apples, flaky crust with just the right dash of cinnamon, they are $16 per pie. Freeze one for Thanksgiving dinner and enjoy one for dessert Friday night! At the top of the hill on the Charlotte Hinesburg Road. You can call and reserve one as well at 425-3264. Teen Yoga: Yoga to Prevent Sports Injury for Teens/Tweens by Rowan Beck will be held on Mondays at 6:15 p.m. at Honest Yoga in the Blue Mall at 150 Dorset Street in South Burlington. Participating athletes will increase their endurance, speed and focus, allowing them to feel relaxed during competition. Farm Yoga: Yoga Roots is continuing to offer Vinyasa Yoga Monday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 at Adam’s Berry Farm through the fall. Ten percent of all proceeds will be donated to the Charlotte Land Trust. Sign up online yogarootsvt.com or call 985-0090 for more information. Democratic Caucus: The Town Democrats are going to meet on Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at Charlotte Town Hall to elect the town Democratic Committee, officers and county committee members. They will also be talking about state issues coming before the Legislature. State Representative Mike Yantachka will be present to respond to your comments and ideas.
Concert on the Green: BYO picnic and family folk music on the green at Champlain Valley Cohousing, 27 Common Way in Charlotte on Sept. 23. Music and picnic starts at 5:30 p.m. Guitarist and harmonica player Paul Sprawl will perform. Bring a folding chair, sit at picnic tables, or spread a blanket while kiddos play on the green and pirate ship. Enjoy the bonfire and a crisp Vermont fall evening. This is a carry-in, carry-out event. Plenty of free parking. Boot camp: Boot camp is back! After a month off, everyone should be ready to get their booty to Kristin Hartley’s boot camp at CCS. This early morning wakeup call is fun and will leave you energized and smiling. For more information email Kristin at kristinmhartley@gmail.com. Tractor Parade: The 17th Annual East Charlotte Tractor Parade will be held at Spear Street and Jackson Hill Road in East Charlotte on Oct. 8. Food vendors, a petting zoo and more will be set up by 11 a.m. and the parade will begin at 1 p.m. Bake-off: A maple-themed bake-off is scheduled to happen at the East Charlotte Tractor Parade on Oct. 8, hosted by Spear’s Corner Store. Bakers are urged to sign up now. Visitors are the judges who will vote on their favorite baked goods from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Maple syrup (or flavor) must be an ingredient in the
Charlotte Public Safety Log
As submitted by the Shelburne Police Department
Wednesday , August 20 - September
Sunday, August 20 07:04 Medical Assist FARMALL DR, Hinesburg. Charlotte Rescue assisted Hinesburg 1st Response at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue. 15:55 Medical Assist SHELBURNE RD; SHELBURNE MUSEUM, Shelburne. Charlotte Rescue assisted Shelburne Rescue at a medical call. The patient refused transport to the hospital. Tuesday, August 22 13:59 Medical Assist LAKE RD, Panton. Charlotte Rescue assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue. 15:34 Medical Assist VT ROUTE 116, Hinesburg. Charlotte Rescue assisted Hinesburg 1st Response at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue and St Michael’s Rescue.
Friday, August 25 09:39 Medical Assist MACDONOUGH DR, Vergennes. Charlotte Rescue Paramedic assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Vergennes Rescue. 11:52 Medical Call FLAT ROCK RD, Charlotte. 911 caller reported a medical emergency. Charlotte Rescue was dispatched. The patient was transported to the hospital. Saturday, September 2 09:53 Accident PI SPEAR ST & ASHE RD, Charlotte. 911 caller reported a 1-car motor vehicle collision with injuries. Charlotte Fire and Rescue were dispatched and Vermont State Police was notified. All patients refused transported to the hospital. 11:37 Medical Assist KELLEYS FIELD RD, Hinesburg. Charlotte Rescue Paramedic assisted Hinesburg 1st Response at a medical call. The patient refused transport to the hospital. 23:54 Medical Call COMMON WAY,
baked good. Please register with Emily at ejadsit@gmail.com. Deadline is Oct. 1. Painting: Painting in Light, Color and Darkness watercolor veil painting workshop Oct. 13, 14 & 15 at Charlotte Congregational Church. The autumnal season brings equal day and night and the opportunity to find balance. Painting with Color out of the Laws of Light (Sacred Male principle) and Darkness (Divine Feminine principle) is a meditative process to balance inner soul and outer life. The foundation of L&D and basic veil painting techniques will be taught using charcoal, watercolor, and meditation. Color harmony theme is Orange: courage to face challenges, and Turquoise: bringing clarity to our thinking. Beginners are welcome. For more information call (802) 877-2031. Open House: Vermont Commons School is holding its fall open house at 1 p.m. on Oct. 15. Meet the faculty, students and families and learn what makes a Vermont Commons School education so compelling. Vermont Commons School is located at 75 Green Mountain Drive in South Burlington Visit vermontcommons. org for more information and please RSVP with Jill Strawbridge at (802) 865-8084 x 190 or jstrawbridge@ vermontcommons.org. Please email Lynn@TheCharlotteNews. org to list your community event.
Charlotte. 911 caller reported a medical emergency. Charlotte Rescue was dispatched. The patient was transported to the hospital.
Classifieds Reach your friends and neighbors for only $7 per issue. (Payment must be sent before issue date.) Please limit your ad to 35 words or fewer and send it to The Charlotte News Classifieds, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 or email ads@ thecharlottenews.org. Since 1977, Lafayette Painting has been providing top quality interior painting services. Our experts will complete your job quickly and the finished project is guaranteed to look great. Call 863-5397 or visit LafayettePaintingInc.com Interior and Exterior Painting If you’re looking for quality painting with regular or low voc paints and reasonable rates with 35 years of experience call John McCaffrey at 802-999-0963, 802338-1331 or 802-877-2172. 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. Thoughtfully designed for casual elegance. Privacy, space and tranquility. Bigger on the inside. MtPhiloInn.com 802425-3335 Does your home need a fresh coat of paint or brand new color? Lupine Painting can help with any of your painting needs. 20+ years of stressfree painting. Call for a free consultation (802)598-9940. Tree Service. Lot clearing. Tree and brush removal. Local and fully insured. Call Bud 802-734-4503.
Sunday, September 3 17:06 Medical Call GREENBUSH RD; OLD LANTERN, Charlotte. Caller reported a medical emergency. Charlotte Rescue was dispatched. The patient refused transport to the hospital.
O ffices For Rent in West Charlotte village, SW corner of Greenbush and Ferry. Lake views, basic Internet included, common kitchen, deck and showers, $300-$525/month, contact 802-318-6228 or 2848.Greenbush@gmail.com.
Monday, September 4 15:45 Medical Call N SHORE RD, Charlotte. 911 caller reported a medical emergency. Charlotte Rescue was dispatched and Vermont State Police was notified. The patient was not transported and the untimely death is being investigated by Vermont State Police.
Services: GARDENING. Could you use some help with your garden? Sunnyside Gardener is now open for the season. We can assist you with planting, weeding, edging, mulching, vacation watering and care. Now in our ninth year of operation. Master Gardener trained. Call 864-3268.
Thursday, September 7 10:41 Medical Assist ALDEN PLACE, Vergennes. Charlotte Rescue assisted Vergennes Rescue at a medical call. The patient was transported to the hospital by Charlotte Rescue. 15:08 Medical Call MORNINGSIDE DR, Charlotte. 911 caller reported a medical emergency. Charlotte Rescue was dispatched. The patient was transported to the hospital. Friday, September 8 08:07 Medical Assist KIMBALL DOCK RD, Ferrisburgh. Charlotte Rescue
The News is look ing for wr iters, photographers and drivers to join the communit y of Char lotters. I f you’re interested in supplying news stories or photography, please email editor in chief, Lynn Monty, at lynn@ t h e c h a r l o t t e n e w s . o r g . Fo r p a p e r distribution contact Vince Crockenberg at vince.crockenberg@gmail.com. Summer house cleaning available Honest, dependable, and reasonable rates. Call or text 802-349-9775. Please call me at the number listed with any questions.
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