Addison County Fair & Field Days Official Program

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

A Special Publication of the Addison Independent

ADDISON COUNTY FAIR & FIELD DAYS TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 - SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2015

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

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WELCOME The Addison County Fair & Field Days Board extends a cordial invitation to you and your friends and family to attend this year’s Addison County Fair & Field Days on August 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8, 2015. It is our pleasure to showcase the quality products that area citizens have made and for the people of Addison County and beyond to see those products and meet the people who make them.

We welcome everyone to Field Days and hope you have a first-class time at this first-class fair.

Addison County Fair & Field Days, Inc. PO Box 745, Middlebury, Vermont 05753 802-545-2557 (Phone) 802-329-2113 (Fax)

Visit us on the web at www.addisoncountyfielddays.com

Inside: Admission ...............................................6 Blacksmithing tradition.........................22 Board of Directors.................................40 Chainsaw sculptor.................................37 Cotton Candy Man................................37 Dedication to Alan Clark.........................7 Demolition derby...................................26 Entertainment .......................................28 Free bus to the fair...................................6 Horse competition.................................35 Lucien Paquette ....................................32 Map of the grounds.................................8 Maple sugarhouse..................................19 New Safety Building.............................20 Schedule of events............................. 9-17 Showing sheep.......................................24 Snapshots from 2014.......................18, 36 Sponsors and supporters.................. 41-42 Note: The schedule of events is up to date as of July 21; late changes may not be included here.

Come see us at our booth near the sugarhouse for FIELD DAYS DEALS!

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130 Ethan Allen Highway, New Haven VT 388-0669 • www.cyclewisevt.com

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

About this Field Days Program Addison County Fair and Field Days draws folks from around the county and around the state to the fairgrounds in New Haven every August. The fair draws more people than any other event in Addison County. The best farmers, sugarmakers, cooks and bakers compete for bragging rights — as do those brave men and women who get behind the wheel in the demolition derby and the tractor pull (not to mention the folks who work with the powerful draft horses). More often than not, the winners turn out to be our neighbors, or the folks down the road whom we see at the grocery store and at our kids’ school concerts.

Kids with cows, calves, sheep, lambs — livestock of all kinds — work for weeks and months leading up to the fair, grooming their animals for show-ring competition. Adults compete for the coveted Leona Thompson Bowl. Younger crafters try to earn the Frances Monroe Youth Award.

Contestants young and old — and every age between — gather

fruits and vegetables from the garden and sugar and spices from the pantry; then whip them up into a smorgasbord of jams, pickles, cakes and cookies for competitions in the Food Department.

There are exhibits, pulls (tractor, truck, horse, oxen and pedaltractor), animal judging, horse shows, carnival food by the ton and plenty of midway rides.

This booklet, which is filled with photographs taken by Trent Campbell and others at last year’s fair, is designed to serve as a guide to Field Days. A complete schedule of events can be found as well as profiles of this year’s entertainers.

Entertainment at the fair comes not just in the form of bands, dancers and a popular magician, but also includes the ever-popular armwrestling. The popular karaoke contest returns, as does the Addison County Gospel Choir.

There is plenty to see and do over the five days of the fair — Aug. 4-8. Don’t miss any of it!

A Message to Superintendents

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

A Special Publication of the Addison Independent

The Addison Independent will publish the results of many Field Days competitions. Event superintendents should take their results to the Field Days office immediately after the events. Field Days staff will make copies and the Independent will publish the information as quickly as possible.

Thank you!

ON THE COVER The cover photo is of Haylie Raymond of Brandon, Vermont with her chicken, Emma.

Photo by Sandy Button

ADDISON COUNTY FAIR & FIELD DAYS TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 - SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2015

“The Taste of Vermont”

MONDAY EDITION

ADDISON COUNTY

INDEPENDENT

Vol. 26 No. 23

Middlebury, Vermont



Monday, August 11, 2014



36 Pages

75¢

Cars crash and smash

• Drivers at Field Days’ demolition derby say there’s nothing better than the sound of screaming engines and crunching metal. See Page 20.

Bristol writer has a hit for pre-teens • The first installment in a mystery series by Marcia Wells is garnering some national attention. See Page 14.

Vergennes police show off new HQ • Many in the community, including state law enforcement officials, take a look. See Page 6.

LUCIEN PAQUETTE, WHO turns 98 later this week, takes a turn last Thursday morning in the hand mowing competition at Addison County Fair and Field Days. Paquette founded the mowing event in 1978 and the fair in 1948.

Independent photos/Trent Campbell

Annual Field Days does not disappoint

By INDEPENDENT STAFF Editor’s note: Last week’s Addison County Fair and Field Days was filled with a thousand little stories — more than can be recounted in one newspaper. Lucien Paquette, the fair’s father figure, was there (see story, Page 2), as were thousands of vendors, competitors and families. We present here a few snapshots from the New Haven fairgrounds to give you a taste of the

Pianist hits jazzy New Age notes • Classically trained Dan Kennedy brings his introspective, acoustic music to Brandon Music. See Arts Beat on Page 10.

66th annual Field Days.

NEW HAVEN — Punctuating the murmur of shuffling hooves and bleating goats, a visitor to the Children’s Barnyard at the Addison County Fair and Field Days hears one plaintive phrase time and time again: “Mom, can we get one?”

The Children’s Barnyard has long enchanted children and adults alike (See Field Days, Page 7)

KRISTINA HOWLETT GIVES Cassidy a close shave before showing the cow in the conformation class event in the show arena at Field Days last week.

Solar array advances net metering

By EVAN JOHNSON MIDDLEBURY — Last Wednesday was a good day for sun. For the fourth stop of his annual Summer Solar Tour (which so far have all recorded sunny weather), Gov. Peter Shumlin cut the ribbon on a 500-kilowatt solar array — the first array of its size in the state dedicated to providing electricity through a net metering plan.

Located on 3.3 acres in Middlebury’s South Ridge neighborhood, just south of the Lodge at Otter Creek and bordered by farmland, the south-facing, crystalline panels received per-

mits and were installed last year. The project was developed by Charlie Kireker of Twin Birches Ltd. with financing from the National Bank of Middlebury. Encore Red2evelopment of Burlington helped manage the project. Construction was completed in December of 2013.

After cutting a ribbon with a pair of extra large scissors, Shumlin praised the project as an example of Vermont’s solar prowess.

“There is no more important obligation that we have to the future of this planet, to our kids and our grandkids, than showing the rest of (See Solar, Page 35)

Monkton residents welcome return of local rescue crew

By ZACH DESPART MONKTON — After more than two years on hiatus, Monkton First Response is back in business.

The organization, founded in 1976 to provide emergency medical care to the northern Addison County town, lost its certification in 2011 due to (See Monkton, Page 17)

Tickets Sell Out!

Served

by par ticipat ing v & the endors MUH S Fo otba ll Te am

at Addison County Fair & Field Days

Dining Hall • Tuesday, August 4th Sittings at 4:45, 5:30, 6:15 and 7:00

Adults: $10 Children 10 & under: $5 Tickets available now at: Middlebury Inn & Rouse Tire in Middlebury, Pratt’s Store in Bridport, Martin’s Hardware in Bristol or the Field Days office.

Beginning Aug. 1st, tickets will only be available at the Field Days office.

Call 545-2557

Maple C

Pratt’s Stor e

andy

Deb’s Bak

ed Beans

Clark Fa Sweet Cor

mily

n

Host Ven

dor

Supplies

Supplies Carrot Cak

e

Cheddar C

heese

Roast Por

k

Green Mountain Passport Day

Opening Day Parade 8:00PM

Gospel Singers 7:00PM

Supplies

Bracelet Nights – Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat. Rides and Midway by Dreamland Amusements

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

2015 ADMISSIONS Your ticket price includes parking, gate admission, re-admission, grandstands, all Field Days shows & exhibits.

ADULTS (ages 12 and over)

Tuesday-Friday Daily Admission ....................... $10.00 Saturday Only Admission ................................... $12.00 SEASON PASS .................................................. $40.00 SENIOR DISCOUNT.................Free on Tuesday Only ....................................... with Green Mountain Passport (Green Mtn Passports can be purchased at your local Town Clerk’s office)

CHILDREN (ages 6-11)

Daily Admission ................................................... $5.00 SEASON PASS................................................... $15.00

CHILDREN (5 years and under) FREE all days

RIDE BRACELET TIMES – Pay one price TUESDAY.........6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. — $15/bracelet WEDNESDAY........ Noon - 11:00 p.m. — $20/bracelet THURSDAY......6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. — $17/bracelet FRIDAY.....................Noon - 6:00 p.m. — $12/bracelet FRIDAY.............6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. — $17/bracelet SATURDAY......6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. — $17/bracelet

Bracelet Policy Addison County Fair and Field Days is quickly approaching with all the traditional agricultural exhibits and competitions. A change instituted last year will continue this year: Everyone will get a wristband (bracelet) upon entrance to the fairgrounds, and must wear a wristband while on the grounds.

The New Haven firemen will continue to manage the gates and administer the bracelets. Everyone will have a bracelet put on their wrist after paying the gate admission or surrendering their complimentary or purchased pass.

If you are a volunteer or participant, you must have a pass to receive a bracelet at no charge. If you are participating in the fair and have questions, please see your superintendent.

Seniors may purchase a Green Mountain Passport at their local town clerk’s office; it will allow free admission on Tuesday only.

Fairgoers will also want to note that the main admission gate is now off the middle of the main parking lot across from the Lucien D. Paquette Exhibit Building, and the upper gate by the midway rides is closed.

Many other new attractions are at Field Days this year. We hope you have a good time.

— Field Days Board of Directors

ACTR takes people to Fair and Field Days for 12th year in a row

MIDDLEBURY — For the 12th year in a row, Addison County Transit Resources (ACTR) will provide free rides for visitors to Addison County Fair and Field Days. This year’s bus service is sponsored by Champlain Valley Equipment.

Fairgoers will have fare-free access to the fair via the TriTown Shuttle Bus route Tuesday through Saturday. Passengers can access this service in Middlebury, Bristol, New Haven and Vergennes.

From Tuesday, Aug. 4, through Friday, Aug. 7, ACTR’s Tri-town Vergennes Shuttle bus will be dropping fairgoers off mid-morning with return service in the early evening. On Saturday, Aug. 8, the Tri-Town Shuttle Bus will run every two hours between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The ACTR bus stop at the fairgrounds is located by the Route 17 ticket booth closest to the midway. For a detailed schedule, visit www.actr-vt.org or call 388-1946.

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

DEDICATION Alan Clark

Alan has been volunteering at Addison County Fair & Field Days for over twenty five years.

Whether in the Antique Equipment area, operating many of our yesteryear farming displays, working on and running his collection of single cylinder gas engines or pulling his Antique tractors.

His involvement does not stop there, just this past year in 2014 he helped with the construction of the Horse Area bathrooms and septic system, adding on to the culvert in the tractor pad, extending the drainage system and filling in the ditch behind the Antiques barns, digging trenches for the underground power and planting corn for one of the Antique areas display.

Addison County Fair & Field Days exists because of dedicated and talented people like Alan, who give their time to make this fair something special.

Thank you, Alan, for all that you do for the fair!

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Field Days Map Butterfield ArenaHorse, Pony & Ox Pulling

15

Barn

County Hosre Barn

4-H Horse Barn

Donald C. Hunt, DVM Horse Ring Roleau Family & Friends Horse Barn

Livestock Barn

1. “Kelly James” Natural Resourses Pavilion 2. Public Safety Building 3. Dusty Chuck 4-H Food Booth 4. 4-H Exhibit Building 23 5. Youth Food Booth 23 6. Field Days Main Office 7. Milking Parlor & Dairy Bar 8. Dairy Palace Arena 13 9. Bandstand 10. Twist-O-Wool Guild Tent 11. Solar Barn 12. Show Tent 13. Handmowing Area 14. Lucien D. Paquette Exhibit Bldg.

15. Horse Area Manager’s Booth 16. 4-H Dairy Barn 17. Open Dairy Show Barn 18. Beef Cattle Tent 19. Antique Equipment Building 20. Show Area 21. Frances Monroe Home & Garden Ctr. 22. Sara McCarty Children’s Barn 23. Sheep Tents 24. Pony Rides & Free Youth Activities Route 17 25. Infant Comfort Station 26. Field Days Little General Store 27. Addison County Toy Barn 28. Poultry Tent

Warm-up Ring

3

10 19 1

Tractor Pad/Demo Derby

2

Lions Club

Scales

Sugar House

Outdoor Exhibits

Dining Hall Arcade

21

Main Restrooms

20

25

14

11

9

22

24 28

Wash Rack

5

4 12

27

7

8 26 6

18 Games and Rides

16

17

Field Days Road

Restrooms Ticket Booths Phones Designated Smoking Areas

Proudly Serving Addison County Farmers for over 5 Decades!

“Family owned and operated”

Weekly Mon. - Thurs. Livestock Auctions Trucking rates available Specializing in dairy replacement & herd dispersals Addison County Commission Sales Sales Manager/Owner: T. G. Wisnowski & Son 802-388-2661, VT Toll Free 800-339-COWS or 802-989-1507 RT. 125, East Middlebury, VT 05740 www.accscattle.com

D eppman & F oley , p.C. attorney s at law

See you at Field Days!

7 Washington Street

|

Middlebury, VT 05753

802.388.7933 | bdeppman@middlaw.com www.middlaw.com

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

RILEY MARCHAND OF Charlotte keeps a firm grip on Skittles for a fellow 4-H competitor before moving into the show arena.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Schedule of Events DAILY ACTIVITIES 9:00-9:00 Maple Sugar House Open 10:00-10:00 Children’s Barnyard Open 10:00-10:00 4-H & Youth Building Open 10:00-10:00 Antique Equipment Building Open 10:00-6:00 Twist O’ Wool Guild Demos (Twist O’ Wool Guild tent) (Daily Events continued on Page 10)

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EXCAVATING Septic Systems Water lines Driveway construction Drainages Stump Removal

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Schedule of Events (Daily Events continued from Page 9)

10:00 Forest Festival Exhibits & Demonstrations (forestry building) 10:00-10:00 Antique Equipment Demos (Antique Equipment Area) 10:00-10:00 Home & Garden Building Open with continuous craft demos 10:00-10:00 Lucien Paquette Exhibit Building Open 10:00-5:00 Wood Carving (Antique Equipment Area) Daily Maple Products Demonstrations (maple sugar house) 12:00-12:00 Midway Open (approximately) 1:00-4:00 Milking Parlor Demonstrations 1:00-6:00 Cairo Northern Clowns (walk-around entertainment) Please Note: Most exhibits will be removed on Saturday night at 10:00.

TUESDAY, August 4 Addison County Day MORNING 8:30 Western Only 4-H and Open Youth Junior Horse Show (horse area) (Tuesday Morning continued on Page 12)

MIKE TETREAULT PUTS his all into the antique tractor pull competition sitting atop his Farmall H tractor.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

The helpful staff from Paris Farmers Union invites you to

Visit us at Field Days Hope you can make it to Field Days & our store for special storewide savings and to meet our team!

Stop in, visit our booth and say hello.

We’ll be located, as always, between the 4-H Food Booth and the Animal Show Arena.

“HOT SUMMMER DEALS” SALE

Will continue through the week of Field Days!

(Through Saturday, August 8th)

Wood and Pellet Stoves

Alan Bean, Manager

from Canada

Sarah Larocque, Asst. Manager

handling equipment for horse & cattle S

One of New England’s LARGEST Stocking Dealers of Steel and ADS Plastic CULVERTS!

Headquarters for feeds and supplies for all your pets and farm animals

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Special Pricing for EARLY ORDERS of WOOD PELLETS & GEO BRICKS Price increases are coming.

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Coupons $25 Off at our booth for early orders of pellets.

Sun-Mar Composting Toilets

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Schedule of Events (Tuesday Morning continued from Page 10)

9:00-5:00 4-H Dairy Conformation Classes (animal show arena) 10:00 Open Miniature Donkey Show (Butterfield Arena) 10:00-10:00 Bear Country (Midfield Show Area) 10:00-10:00 Antique Equipment Demos (antique equipment area) 11:00 Tom Joyce, The Magic Man (bandstand) 11:00-7:00 “Hoo Can Be Kind? You Can!” (Connor Home Stage in Paquette Bldg) AFTERNOON & EVENING 12:00 Midway Opens (approximately) 12:00 Dig For Treasure! (youth activity area) 12:00 Vermont Game Show: Buzz Wordz (show tent) 12:30 “Rosie’s Racing Pigs” (Dairy area) 1:00 VTPA-Garden Tractor & ATV Pulls & Antique (tractor pad) 1:30 4-H Hands on Workshop (4-H exhibit building) 2:00 Sheep Shearing/Handling Demonstration (sheep tent) 2:00-4:00 Children’s Activities (children’s barnyard area) 2:30 Vermont Game Show: Buzz Wordz (show tent) 3:00 “Rosie’s Racing Pigs” (Dairy Area) 3:30 4-H Hands on Workshop (4-H exhibit building) 4:30 Tom Joyce, The Magic Man (Bandstand)

FAIRGOERS TAKE A twilight spin on the Field Days midway in 2014.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

4:45 Vermont Products Dinner-1st Sitting (dining hall) 5:00 “Rosie’s Racing Pigs” (Dairy area) 5:00 Gymkhana (horse area) 5:30 Pet Show (animal show arena) 5:30 Vermont Products Dinner-2nd Sitting (dining hall) 6:00-11:00 BRACELET NIGHT for rides ($15 - rides unlimited) 6:00 Seth Warner Mount Independence Fife & Drum Corp (Bandstand) 6:15 Vermont Products Dinner-3rd Sitting (dining hall) 7:00 Addison County Gospel Choir (show tent) (Tuesday Afternoon & Evening continued on Page 13)

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

CASSANDRA MANNING OF Brandon sits atop Scotty before riding into the horse ring at Field Days last year.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Schedule of Events (Tuesday evening continued from Page 12)

7:00 Michael Blaine, Hypnotist (bandstand) 7:00 Miniature Horse Team Hitching Demonstration (children’s Barnyard area) 7:00 Vermont Products Dinner-4th Sitting (dining hall) 8:00 Field Days Opening Parade – “Honoring the Past” WEDNESDAY, August 5 #1 Auto Parts Day MORNING 9:00 English Only 4-H and Open Youth Jr. & Sr. Horse Show (horse area) 9:00 Open Dairy Show-Holsteins, Brown Swiss & Guernseys (animal show arena) 10:00-2:00 Children’s Activities (children’s barnyard area) 10:00-10:00 Bear Country (Midfield Show Area) 10:30 Ox Pulling, Under 2,400, Under 2,000 (Butterfield arena) 11:00- 7:00 “Hoo Can Be Kind? You Can!” (Connor Home Stage in Paquette Bldg) 11:00 Tom Joyce, The Magic Man (Bandstand) (Wednesday Afternoon & Evening continued on Page 14)

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Schedule of Events (Wednesday Afternoon & Evening continued from Page 13)

AFTERNOON & EVENING 12:00 Midway Opens (approximately, All day/night bracelet-$20) 12:00 Dig For Treasure! (youth activity area) 12:00 Men’s Caber Toss (Tractor pad) 12:30 “Rosie’s Racing Pigs” (Dairy Area) 1:00 Ladies Cast Iron Skillet Toss (tractor pad) 1:00 Vermont Game Show: Buzz Wordz (show tent) 1:30 4-H Hands on Workshop (4-H exhibit building) 2:00 Tom Joyce, The Magic Man (Bandstand) 2:00 Sheep Shearing/Handling Demonstration (sheep show tent) 3:00 “Rosie’s Racing Pigs” (Dairy Area) 3:30 4-H Hands on Workshop (4-H exhibit building) 4:00 Vermont Game Show: Buzz Wordz (show tent) 5:00 “Rosie’s Racing Pigs” (Dairy Area) 5:00 Extreme Trail Riding (Horse Area) 5:30 Miniature Horse Team Hitching Demonstration (children’s barnyard area) 7:00 Karaoke Talent Night with DJ Tony Lamoureux (signup at 6:30) (show tent) 7:00 #1 Auto Parts Demolition Derby (tractor pad) 7:00 Michael Blaine, Hypnotist (bandstand)

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THURSDAY, August 6 Vermont Agricultural Day MORNING 8:00 Annual ACFFD Open Horse Show (horse area) 9:00 4-H Dairy Fitting & Showmanship Classes (animal show arena) 9:00 4-H & Other Youth Sheep Show (sheep show tent) 10:00 Hand Mowing Contest (antique equipment demo area) 10:00-10:00 Bear Country (Midfield Show Area) (Thursday Morning continued on Page 15)

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www.fujitsugeneral.com ISABELLA WILLIAMS TRIMS a cow before the 4-H dairy show conformation class competition in the show arena last year.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

A YOUNG COMPETITOR puts some elbow grease into the kids’ pedal tractor pull in 2014.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Schedule of Events (Thursday Morning continued from Page 14)

10:30 Pony Pulling (Butterfield arena) 11:00-7:00 “Hoo Can Be Kind? You Can!” (Connor Home Stage in Paquette Bldg) AFTERNOON & EVENING 12:00 Midway Opens (approximately) 12:00 Dig For Treasure! (youth activity area) 12:00-4:00 Children’s Activities (children’s barnyard area) 12:30 “Rosie’s Racing Pigs” (Dairy Area) 1:30 Vermont Game Show: Buzz Wordz (show tent) 1:30 4-H Hands on Workshop (4-H exhibit building) 3:00 Tom Joyce, The Magic Man (Bandstand) 3:00 Vermont Game Show: Buzz Wordz (show tent) 3:00 “Rosie’s Racing Pigs” (children’s barnyard area) 3:30 4-H Hands on Workshop (4-H exhibit building) 5:00 Tom Joyce, The Magic Man (Bandstand) 5:00 “Rosie’s Racing Pigs” (children’s barnyard area) 5:30 Miniature Horse Team Hitching Demonstration (children’s barnyard area) 6:00-11:00 BRACELET NIGHT for rides ($17 - rides unlimited) (Thursday Afternoon & Evening continued on Page 16)

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See you at Field Days!

Join us for tethered rides on Friday and Saturday evenings.

All ride donations benefit the Addison County Fair & Field Days.

Remax North Professionals 101 Court Street, Middlebury, VT

388-0505 • 800-545-8380

Outstanding Agents Outstanding Results®

www.homesvermont.com

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

RONALD LAROCK OF the Green Mountain Draft Horse Association is pulled through a fairground cornfield by Duke and Cindy in 2014.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Schedule of Events (Thursday Afternoon & Evening continued from Page 15)

:00 #1 Auto Parts Demolition Derby (tractor pad) 7:00 Michael Blaine, Hypnotist (show tent) 7:00 Vorsteveld Family Band (Bandstand) 7:30 Animal Costume Class (animal show arena) 8:00 Home and Garden Awards & Leona Thompson Bowl Presentation (home & garden bldg) FRIDAY, August 7 Youth Day MORNING 8:30 Exhibitors’ Breakfast (dining hall) 9:00 Draft Horse Show (horse area) 9:00 Open Sheep Show (sheep show tent) 10:00-2:00 Children’s Activities (children’s barnyard area) 10:00-10:00 Bear Country (Midfield Show Area) 10:00 Youth & Open Working Steer and Ox Show

(Beef/Working Steer Show Tent) 10:00 Horse Pulling (Butterfield arena) 11:00 Pedal Tractor Pull (Show tent) (sign-ups at 10:00) 11:00 Tom Joyce, The Magic Man (bandstand) 11:00- 7:00 “Hoo Can Be Kind? You Can!” (Connor Home Stage in Paquette Bldg) AFTERNOON & EVENING 12:00 Dig For Treasure! (youth activity area) 12:00-6:00 BRACELET TIME for rides ($12 - rides unlimited) 12:00 VTPA-Farmstock, NYPTA Super Farm (tractor pad) 12:00 “Rosie’s Racing Pigs” (Dairy Area) 12:30 PeeWee Dairy Showmanship (Animal Show Arena) 1:00 4 Abreast, Show Division (horse area)

1:30 4-H Hands on Workshop (4-H exhibit building) 3:00 Tom Joyce, The Magic Man (Bandstand) 3:00 Open and Youth Beef Show (animal show arena) 3:00 “Rosie’s Racing Pigs” (Dairy Area) 3:30 4-H Hands on Workshop (4-H exhibit building) 5:00 Armwrestling-Kids 16 & under (sign up at 4:00)(show tent) 5:00 “Rosie’s Racing Pigs” (Dairy Area) 5:30 Miniature Horse Team Hitching Demonstration (children’s barnyard area) 6:00-11:00 BRACELET NIGHT: for rides ($17-rides unlimited) 6:00 RE/MAX Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides (Parking Lot, weather permitting) 7:00 VTPA-Farmstock, NYPTA Super Farm, VT V8 Minis, Pure Stock, 2WD Minis (tractor pad) 7:00 Armwrestling-Adults (weigh-ins 5:00)(show tent) 7:00 Michael Blaine, Hypnotist (Bandstand) SATURDAY, August 8 Champlain Valley Equipment Day MORNING 9:00 Open Dairy Show-Ayrshires, Jerseys & Milking Shorthorns (animal show arena) 9:00 Draft Horse Show (horse area) 10:00 Poultry Breeders Show (Poultry Tent) 10:00-10:00 Bear Country (Midfield Show Area) 10:00-2:00 Children’s Activities (children’s barnyard area) 10:00 Baked Bean Bonanza Contest & Samples (solar barn) (Saturday Morning continued on Page 17)

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Schedule of Events (Saturday Morning continued from Page 16)

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BROOKE TUPPER COMPETES in the 15- and 16-year-old girls’ armwrestling competition at Field Days last year.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

5:30 Miniature Horse Team Hitching Demonstration (children’s barnyard area) 6:00-11:00 BRACELET NIGHT for rides ($17 - rides unlimited) 6:00 RE/MAX Tethered Hot Air Balloon Ride (Parking Lot, weather permitting) 7:00 VTPA-VT V8 Minis, 2WD Mini Truck, Altered Farm, Diesel, 2.5 Diesel Work Street Legal, 2.6 Pro, Street Legal Semis, S.S. 4x4 Pickups (tractor pad) 7:00 Michael Blaine, Hypnotist (Show Tent) 7:00 Steve Hartmann (Bandstand) Dusk Champlain Valley Equipment Closing Fireworks Display (set off east of horse area)

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Page 18

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

2014 Snapshots IN ADDITION TO fun and food, every Addison County Fair and Field Days features plenty of competitive action. Seen here are, clockwise from top, demolition derby competitors ready to rumble; Deb Banion armwrestles Jessalyn Carosella; Art Provencher chats with a fellow tractor pull contestant; and Addy Parsons waits outside the show arena with her calf Lily.

Independent file photos/Trent Campbell

Page 19

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

The aroma of maple will draw you to the sugarhouse

By MARY LANGWORTHY NEW HAVEN — For those with a sweet tooth, the sugarhouse at Addison County Fair and Field Days is an irresistible attraction.

A warm, maple aroma fills the building, where customers decide between maple candies, donuts, creemees, cotton candy, maple coffee and maple popsicles.

At the helm of this bustling attraction last year was Andrew Rainville, then 19, of Lincoln. After working here for the past seven or eight summers, he said, his aunt Barbara passed off the leadership position to him in 2014.

“I’ve been here every year since I was old enough to make a milkshake,” Rainville said with a laugh.

His experience with the maple industry also includes visiting his family’s sugarhouse as a child, an experience that he said heightened his interest in the longstanding Vermont tradition.

“It’s a lot more work than the five days that everyone sees,” said Rainville of his new leadership role at Field Days, adding, “It’s a lot of fun and allows you to meet a lot of great people.”

In addition to providing delicious sweets, Rainville noted that the maple sugar house on the New Haven fairgrounds also serves to educate visitors about the importance of maple sugaring to life in Addison County.

“Sugaring is ingrained in the culture of the county and

ANDREW RAINVILLE, SHOWN at the sugarhouse on the fairgrounds last August, seeks to educate fairgoers about Vermont’s maple sugar culture as well as feed their collective sweet tooth.

Independent file photo/Mary Langworthy

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

THE CREW RESPONSIBLE for the development and construction of the new safety barn at the Addison County Fair and Field Days grounds in New Haven took a break for a photo outside the structure during construction in May.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

New structure to house fire trucks, ambulance and personnel

By EVAN JOHNSON Roleau earlier this summer was planning to use them on the NEW HAVEN — Visitors to the Addison County Fair and tractor pad to hold a set of scales.

Field Days this year will probably something new — some“It was in tough shape,” Roleau said of the old building. thing big.

“It served for 25 years so as a reclaimed project It’s not a ride, exhibit or contest, but it serves a The space also it served its purpose. But it took nothing to tear it thoroughly practical purpose. down.” includes rooms in Visitors to this summer’s fair will find a new which emergency Builders from Avery Smith Construction of Linsafety building located near the fairgrounds’ front coln started framing the new building in mid-May. personnel can sleep It was due to be completely finished by start of the entrance.

The 40-by-56-square-foot building has three large and another where fair, which runs Aug. 4-8. bays to house two fire trucks and one ambulance. they can perform Partial funding for the $60,000 project came in The space also includes rooms in which emergency procedures and do the form of $10,000 donated by the Addison Counpersonnel can sleep and another where they can per- public education. ty Maple Sugarmakers Association. Moe Rheauform procedures and do public education. me, the association’s president, said his group tries You can be excused if you missed the new buildto make regular donations to Field Days for yearly ing at first; like the other buildings on the fairgrounds, the improvement projects. Last year the sugarmakers association safety building has red metal siding with white trim. donated $5,000 to build new bathrooms.

Bill Roleau, one of the fair’s directors, oversaw the build“If it wasn’t for the fair we wouldn’t have a money-making ing’s construction. It was the 19th building that he has helped operation so we have to support that,” he said. construct for Field Days.

Addison County’s annual fair hosts fire and emergency first He said the new building replaces a repurposed milk- responders 24 hours every day during its five-day run. Ken ing parlor dating back to 1988. The old building leaked and Button, another fair director, said the new building was really wasn’t large enough to fit all of the trucks. Emergency person- necessary to ensure public safety. nel refused to sleep in it because of mold, and first aid was “We need to be prepared for the unexpected,” he said. administered outdoors when needed.

“We’ve always been prepared before, but now the people that That structure was demolished. Its trusses were saved and are here are going to have a suitable place to work with.”

Page 21

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

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By MARY LANGWORTHY On the opening day of the 2014 Field Days, the blacksmithing barn at the Addison County Fairgrounds was dedicated to Roger Layn and his family in honor of Layn’s lifelong contribution to the fair.

The Monkton resident, then 94 years old, is a longtime dairy farmer and a collector of antique equipment.

“I really don’t think it was necessary,” said Layn, regarding the building’s dedication in his honor. “I appreciate it, however.”

Layn has been involved with Field Days since it moved to its current site in the 1960s, he said. He donated the forge for the blacksmith barn. The barn was erected in 2009 from the frame of an old New Haven barn. Now, after the dedication, it bears Layn’s name on a sign above the entrance.

Many of the engines on display under the antique equipment tent are also a part of Layn’s extensive collection.

(See Roger Layn, Page 23)

Page 23

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Roger Layn

(Continued from Page 22) “Field Days has something for everyone,” said Layn, adding that, “there seems to be a lot of interest in antiques.”

Layn also emphasized the importance of passing on agricultural traditions to younger generations.

“It’s up to your generation to keep these activities alive,” he said, citing examples of young people the fair who have taken up driving “Field Days has at horses or using old fashioned hand-mowsomething for ing techniques. everyone, there Layn has inspired others to join the Field Days tradition of educating others about agseems to be a lot of interest in riculture and history.

Steve Pecca of Waltham started helpantiques.” ing out with the blacksmithing exhibi— Roger Layn tion about 15 years ago, he said. He was spending his week at Field Days last year explaining the science and art of blacksmithing to visitors and helping to brand the Field Days seal onto shingles for souvenirs.

“I’m here because of Roger’s influence,” said Pecca, who said that he saw how much fun the people working at the forge were having, and decided to join.

“Roger enjoys making people happy and making them excited to learn new things,” Pecca said. “He’s just a really good, friendly guy who loves people and has given a lot to his community.”

ART PROVENCHER OF Bridport waits for his turn on the antique tractor pull pad in 2014.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

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Page 24

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

WHITING’S JARROD ASHLEY trims Clarice in preparation for showing her at last year’s Field Days.

Independent file photo/John S. McCright

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By JOHN S. McCRIGHT After the sheep judging was done for the day one evening at last year’s fair, and the sheep tents were relatively quiet, a big, white ewe bleated plaintively in one corner. A young man in a pink shirt and madras shorts was manhandling her into a frame that would hold her head erect and her body still so he could give her a trim.

Jarrod Ashley of Whiting was primping a female named Clarice to get her ready to compete in the natural color ewe judging the next morning.

After a few minutes Clarice stood quietly, yielding to the quick “snip, snip, snip” of Ashley’s hand clippers, little bits of fleece falling like clouds to the floor of the tent.

Ashley names his lambs with a theme each spring so he can easily remember which ones are the same age. The year Clarice was born he named the lambs after characters in the animated movie “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” (Clarice was Rudolph’s girlfriend).

Rudolph the sheep was not at Field Days last week; Ashley had sold him.

“He’s in Leicester,” Ashley said.

Ashley said he had had some success earlier in the fair.

Comet, a big white sheep with a black face who was born the same year as Clarice, of course, was a finalist for supreme champion.

“Comet’s twin brother (Cupid) got supreme champion ram last year,” he noted.

Ashley used to be more active in raising and showing sheep, but he brought only 12 sheep to the fair last year. Since he went to college a couple years ago he has had to scale back.

He started in the agriculture school at Cornell University, but switched to computer science. Heading into his senior year he was writing some software to help sheep breeders better keep track of their animals. The software would automate entry of data like vaccinations into health records.

(See Showing sheep, Page 25)

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Page 25

B UILT F OR A GRICULTURE

JIM DANYOW, LEFT, Alan Clark, Terry Evarts and Roger Layn visit near the antique equipment barn during last year’s fair.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Showing sheep (Continued from Page 24) “It’s a lot easier than typing all of it individually into a spreadsheet,” he said.

Ashley acknowledged that there already is some software available that does many of the same things, but creating the software gives him a real-world project to show instructors and future employers what he can do. Plus, he did add a unique feature just because it interested him. The software keeps track of the genealogy of each animal so that with a couple of keystrokes he can figure out what percentage of the bloodline of each animal in his herd comes from what farms in Vermont.

He didn’t know how Clarice would fare in the next day’s competition. He’d already had one minor setback. The parent of another sheep shower came over and chided him about how her daughter’s animal had beat his ram in an earlier competition.

“The judge said his sheep was obese,” she crowed.

Ashley smiled good-naturedly and pointed to a pen where Cy, the big — really big — black-faced sheep lay under a lightweight garment that looked a lot like a caftan. The 350-pound beast raised his head and seemed to smile at a visitor.

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Demo Derby: Crunching metal & smoking tires

By EVAN JOHNSON NEW HAVEN — As is the case with so many other events run at Field Days, the No. 1 Auto Parts Demolition Derby is not something you will see every day. Each year, huge crowds flock to the Tractor Pad on Wednesday and Thursday nights for what is arguably Addison County Fair and Field Days’ single biggest attraction.

The derby features the clash of metal on metal as “classic” — some might say clunkers — cars drive around the track clipping and broadsiding each other, trying to knock out the competition and be the last car moving. At stake — a little bit of cash and a lot of bragging rights.

The action begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, with a second day of activity in the event at the same time on Thursday. This year, organizers will have competitions both nights in four categories: large cars, small cars, minivans and pickup trucks.

On the first night of the Demo Derby at the 2014 fair, 64 vehicular hulks that would never be allowed on public streets each made a hard, metal-twisting drive for victory and a piece of a $1,400 cash purse in what is arguably the biggest night of Field Days. The lineup included 22 six-cylinder beaters, 22 four-cylinder rattletraps, 10 eight-cylinder jalopies, eight pasttheir-prime minivans and two pickup trucks that didn’t have a lot of pickup left in them.

The evening began well before the start time of the event, in the pit as cars rolled into the staging area on trailers two hours

PHIL STEARNS OF Addison rides up on the hood of the car driven by Rick Brisson of Shoreham in front of a large crowd in the first night of demolition derby action at last year’s Fair and Field Days.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

before the first heat.

Ashley Kennett of Glens Falls, N.Y., was annoyed; as she was driving her car to the pit, the gas pump gave out, leaving her without a ride on the first night’s race. This was her first year competing in the derby.

“It’s a lifetime experience,” she said. “I worked hard on my (See Demo Derby, Page 27)

See You at Field Days!

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Page 27

Demo Derby (Continued from Page 26) When he was 14, Moose Porter nearly died in a car accident car and now I don’t have one. I just want do it once and say I (on the road, not at the derby), breaking nearly every bone on the left side of his body. Nevertheless, the Ferrisburgh resident did it.”

For Kilie Martell of Starksboro, this was his 14th year com- has been competing over the past 10 years. Now, at the age of peting in the derby. He was driving the same car he’d driven 34, he was back to drive in a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier with the number 38 painted on the side. for the past three years: a 1991 Lincoln Town Car “I should be dead or in a wheelchair,” he said. complete with wood paneling.

“There’s nothing “I’m a long way from either.”

“There’s nothing better than the sound of the moAnd having competed for 10 years in the derby, tor and the crunch of metal,” he said. “It’s like noth- better than the sound ing you’ll ever feel anywhere else.” of the motor and the he said he’d picked up a few helpful tips — like using the rear end of the car more than the front.

Preparing a vehicle for the derby is mostly strip- crunch of metal. It’s “It keeps your engine safe and cool,” he said. ping it down to its minimum. The vehicles were all After a drivers meeting, the V-4 cars maneuhardtops and were missing windows, door handles, like nothing you’ll vered inside the ring and delivered their share of wheel weights and trim (windshields were option- ever feel anywhere hits, including when Brian Blake nearly flipped al). Any four-wheel-drive vehicles had one drive else.” shaft removed to level the playing field. Tires were — driver Kilie Martell Ashley Moulton over the concrete barrier. When the dust settled, Moose Porter in car 38 suddenly stock size. Each car had a 15-inch-by-12-inch hole cut in its hood to afford easy access in case firefighters needed found himself the last man standing. When he came up to the announcer’s box to collect his winnings and trophy, he was visto quickly cool down an overheated engine.

And then there were the paint jobs. Spray paint of varying ibly shaking from the adrenaline pumping through his veins.

“I’m jacked up,” he nearly shouted. colors was the coating of choice with numbers, names, love Anyone who wishes to drive in the Demo Derby must prenotes and slogans matched to the brightly colored hubcaps and register by Aug. 2. For more information or to purchase entry hoods. Here is a selection (spelled verbatim): forms, please contact #1 Auto Parts, 3 Wilson Road (behind G. “Hit me or I’ll hit you” Stone Motors), Middlebury. Phone: 388-3143.

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Page 28

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

2015 Entertainment STEVE HARTMANN In some sense, the fair is nothing but entertaining. With engaging agricultural shows and displays, competitions and routine events that fairgoers look forward to and practice for all year, thrilling rides, people to meet, food to sample and animals to admire, Field Days offers amusement for almost everyone.

For those who want to be entertained from the stands rather than in the ring, this year’s fair will certainly not disappoint. The lineup is packed with classic favorites ranging from the annual opening parade to karaoke, clowns and magicians, Rosie’s racing pigs and closing fireworks. Musicians will perform gospel, square-dance and more.

There are several new acts sprinkled around the fairgrounds this year.

They include a hypnotist, a display of grizzly bears, a make-and-do crafts party, a fast-paced game show and a headlining acoustic singer/songwriter.

What follows is a review of some of these acts and short profiles of entertainers that you’ll want to check out at this year’s fair.

ROSIE’S RACING PIGS • The Addison County Gospel Choir will open the show on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the show tent. This local Christian gospel choir will help bring energy and life to the fair as things get under way with a show the group is lightheartedly calling its “Greatest Hits!” These are songs that choir members say they have enjoyed singing, and that audiences

ADDISON COUNTY GOSPEL CHOIR

have particularly responded to, over the past 10 years.

The choir features over 30 singers accompanied by a traditional gospel band of piano, guitar, drums and bass. Concertgoers can tap their toes to old favorites like “I’ll Fly Away” and “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” as well as lively contemporary worship songs such as “Days of Elijah” and “I’ve Got a Testimony.” Talented soloists backed by the full choir makes for a truly inspiring evening of good music for all ages.

• The Field Days Opening Parade will follow at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. This year’s theme will have a bit of nostalgia; it is “Honoring the Past.” The parade begins on the east side of the tractor pad. If you’re interested in participating in the parade, contact Diane Norris at 802-879-7014, Benj Deppman at 802-382-1690 or any of the directors.

• At 7 p.m. on Wednesday will be the ever-popular Karaoke Talent Night with local DJ Tony Lamoureux. Well known for his music repertoire ranging from classic to country and contemporary, Lamoureux is sure to have what it takes to host a fabulously entertaining evening. Karaoke sign-ups will be at 6:30 in the show tent, so if you’re in(See Entertainment, Page 30)

Page 29

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Entertainment (Continued from Page 28) terested get on that list and join the queue to impress. Who knows, perhaps a hidden gem exposed on karaoke night will wind up on the bandstand stage next year.

• If you plan to be at the fair on Thursday evening, you’ll want to reserve time to check out the Vorsteveld Family Band, featuring a grandfather and his grandkids playing the violins together on the stage. They will play at the Bandstand beginning at 7 p.m.

• For something that combines entertainment with Field Days’ agricultural roots, go to the Animal Show Arena at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday for the Animal Costume Class. It is open to all species except horses (for safety reasons). Young handlers will lead their four-footed (and -hoofed) entertainers, which will be dressed in a costume that depicts a scene or theme, including historical, culture, beauty or gag. This can be great fun!

• The Re/Max Hot Air Balloon will begin offering rides (for a fee) high above the fairgrounds at 6 p.m. on Friday evening, and will do so again at 6 p.m. on Saturday. You’ll see a more expansive view of Field Days than you can get even on the Ferris wheel.

• For those looking to get up and move, join the Cast Off

THE MAGIC MAN Eights and Lake Champlain Squares square dancing clubs for some Western style dancing on Saturday at 4 p.m. Veteran dancers will show off their moves, but novice dancers are welcome too.

• Across the grounds on the Bandstand at 7 p.m. on Saturday, singer/songwriter Steve Hartmann will bring the musical entertainment to a close for the 2015 fair with a collection of his own acoustic compositions.

Where it takes some musicians numerous types of tricks, bells and whistles in order to create their musical message, Hartmann needs nothing more than his voice and a guitar. After years as the front man for acoustic/rock group Simon, he (See Entertainment, Page 31)

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Page 31

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Entertainment (Continued from Page 30) has recently ventured forth as a solo artist. Hartmann — whose influences range from Dave Matthews and Counting Crows to Sarah McLachlan and Damien Rice — will play a dynamic blend of groove and grace that leaves you wanting more.

• The annual finale of Field Days is marked by a dazzling Fireworks display, sponGAME SHOWS VT’S sored by Champlain Valley BUZZWORDZ Equipment. Fireworks will be set off at dusk from the east side of the horse area, but are easily viewed from anywhere across the fairgrounds.

REGULARLY OCCURRING ENTERTAINMENT In addition to the single-time entertainment acts on the fair schedule this year are performances and entertainment that recur several times throughout the week’s activities.

This year there will be three new special acts that you can see at various times during the week. Hypnotist Michael Blaine performs comedy hypnosis shows throughout the country. Look for him at various times in the Show Tent and on the Bandstand.

Another new addition is Bear Country, which will have grizzly bears on display each day in the Midfield Show Area.

Hoo Can Be kind? You Can! is unique, interactive show described as a kids party where young members of the audience make crafts. It will be running daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the Connor Home Stage in the Paquette Building.

Game Shows VT’s BuzzWordz, also in its first run at Field Days, will provide shows twice an afternoon on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It’s described as a fast-paced, onyour-feet word game that’s fun for all ages. Players will work together in three teams racing against the clock to guess the correct Buzzwordz and earn points. Hear a “ding” and earn a point, hear a “BUZZ” and lose points.

Here are a few other performers to seek out: • Cairo Northern Clowns may find you walking the grounds and surprise you with a smile or a laugh when you least expect it.

• The Magic Man (Tom Joyce) can be found each day in the bandstand with a kid-friendly show that will wow both his young audience and perhaps their chaperones as well. He’s a fantastic performer and true entertainer.

• Rosie’s Racing Pigs will again woo Field Days crowds with their hilarious racing competition that takes place several times each day in the Dairy area of the fair. They’re not just cute, these pigs can really run, squeal, and amuse their audience.

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Page 32

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Lucien Paquette keeping his scythe and body sharp

By ZACH DESPART NEW HAVEN — A familiar sight roamed the grounds of the Addison County Fair and Field Days in New Haven during the first week of August, just like he has for nearly seven decades.

Lucien Paquette, who turned 98 the week after last year’s Field Days, helped found the event in the 1940s, and has since remained a part of Addison County’s annual agricultural celebration.

“I’ve been directly involved in something up until three years ago,” Paquette said during a break at the New Haven fairgrounds last year.

Paquette earlier that day had participated in the hand mowing contest, where competitors cut hay using a scythe. Paquette first organized the event in 1978 and his technique is still described as nearly flawless.

Paquette graduated from the University of Vermont in 1940 and began working for the institution’s extension program.

After organizing farm events in Grand Isle County, Paquette moved to Addison County in 1946 and created a field days event here.

“I was the only UVM Exten“One of the things we sion agent in Grand Isle County didn’t want to happen here for the first four years,” Paquette is the development of a big recalled. “I did youth work and midway. That has grown started a youth field days, so it quite a lot, but I think all was easy for me to start it when I came down here.” these other activities are There had been a fair in Addistrong — the farm, the son County, but it died out during home and the youth.” the Great Depression. Paquette — Lucien Paquette and others sought to create a new agricultural celebration. At first, the event, called Addison County Field Days, was held on a different farm each year.

“The biggest change, of course, going way back, was that we were a traveling fair; we went to a different farm every year,” Paquette said. “We had no permanent home.”

In 1951, Paquette became superintendent of UVM’s Morgan Horse Farm, and arranged to host the field days there for one year.

By the 1960s, Paquette said that organizers were looking for a permanent site for Field Days. Eventually, they found a suitable location in New Haven, off of Route 17.

“We purchased this land in 1967 and started putting up some buildings, and expanding the programs that we did,” Paquette said.

Paquette said since locating permanently in New Haven, Field Days has grown in size and scope.

“The number of volunteers to keep this thing going has just been skyrocketing,” Paquette said. “It’s still not a big fair, as far as Vermont is concerned, but it has grown tremendously.”

IN THE EARLY DAYS Harking back to the beginning of Field Days, Paquette recalled that at that time, rationing from World War II had just been lifted, meaning that products that had been restricted to consumers became available again. As manufac-

LUCIEN PAQUETTE HELPED found Addison County Fair and Field Days in the 1940s and is still, at age 98, a vibrant part of the annual event.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

turing shifted away from wartime production, factories began making new farm equipment. Paquette said field days events were important, because organizers could invite manufacturers to demonstrate their new equipment.

“I thought this would lend itself well for demonstration, for providers of this type of equipment, and that’s how we started,” he said.

In fact, Paquette envisioned the event as an agricultural celebration and workshop — the notion of a fair did not come about until years later.

“I didn’t even have it in mind that this was going to be a fair,” Paquette said. “We went several years calling it ‘Field Days’ and finally put the word ‘fair’ in there.”

Paquette said organizers wanted Field Days to stick to its agricultural roots, instead of becoming too commercialized.

“One of the things we didn’t want to happen here is the development of a big midway,” Paquette said. “That has (See Paquette, Page 34)

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

LUCIEN PAQUETTE

grown quite a lot, but I think all these other activities are strong — the farm, the home and the youth.”

The proud UVM alumnus said he’s glad that UVM Extension still plays a large role in Field Days.

“The Extension work, the off-campus educational part of the university, that was our basic interest, to continue that,” he said.

And though Paquette may not care for the amusement park aspect of Field Days, he does not shun his role as a grandfather and great-grandfather.

“I would go on (the rides) with my grandchildren once or twice,” he acknowledged.

He said the fair remains a great family event for both urban dwellers and country folk.

“I probably carry a little prejudice for this, because I’ve been involved with it for so long, but I’m just plain pleased it operates the way it does, because so much of what I was interested in when I started continues today,” Paquette said.

“This isn’t one of the larger fairs in Vermont, but I think it’s an awfully nice family-type event.”

Paquette wasn’t hard to spot at Field Days last year in his yellow cap, emblazoned with the words “Wirthmore Feeds,” a company that went out of business in the 1960s.

He laughed at the symbolism.

“I’m kind of an antique, so I thought we’d both go together today,” he said.

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Page 35

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

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ADAM BARUP SWEPT the 199-220 and 221-and-up weight class categories at last year’s armwrestling competition at Field Days.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Horse riders compete at the fair

By WEYLAND JOYNER Brief, heavy rain doesn’t dampen spirits at Addison County Fair and Field Days. After such a shower last year, the Gymkhana horse competition got under way after a brief delay as a rainbow showed itself over the horse ring.

Among the approximately 50 entries in last year’s Gymkhana were local riders of all ages and experience levels, from pre-adolescents to people of middle age and older.

“I’ve been riding since I was five,” said MaKaila Cota, 15, of Bristol. Cota and her friend 12-year-old Madison Cummings of Brandon, both veterans of Gymkhana at Field Days, competed in the Junior division of the games on their horses Little Bit and Disco, respectively.

The evening started off with keyhole racing, an event in which riders canter up to a keyhole-shaped set of cones, navigate the sharp turn required, and then sprint back to the gates in as short a time as possible.

Next up was barrel racing, a classic Western riding competition. Like keyhole, barrel racing requires nimbleness and poise on the part of both rider and horse, but barrel racing involves three tight turns around oil drum-size barrels, arranged in a large triangle.

Though it is exciting to see who scores highest in the different events, the real joy of watching Gymkhana is simply watching the horses and riders work together, demonstrating the time and effort put into training and practice over the past year in preparation for Fair and Field Days.

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Page 36

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

2014 Snapshots

ADDISON COUNTY FAIR and Field Days has maintained its focus on agriculture since it was established in 1948, but throws in plenty of fun and entertainment for the whole family. Pictured here, clockwise from top, Ronald LaRock from the Green Mountain Draft Horse Association plows with the help of Duke and Cindy; Jaden Harrington of Shrewsbury goes for a twirl; 4-H competitor Addy Parsons and judge Marjorie Hardy try to get some movement from Lily; and Dacey Anechiarico waits with her Ayrshire Sicily.

Independent file photos/Trent Campbell

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Page 37

SISTERS BRITTNEY, LEFT, Courtney and Ashley, visiting Addison County from Dallas, Texas, enjoy a ride on the midway.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

The ‘Cotton Candy Man’ enjoys watching kids, fairs grow

By MARY LANGWORTHY In terms of food options, Addison County Fair and Field Days is a moveable feast.

Each year, fairgoers flock to the trailers and tents that dot the New Haven fairgrounds to get their annual dose of caramel apples and cotton candy.

Many different roads have brought the vendors to the fair. John Meigs, who is happy to be known as “the cotton candy guy,” was born into it. Colored in iconic pastel pink and green and heavily laden with sugary treats, his trailer is a classic landmark at Field Days, located across from Rainbow Ice.

His father began working as a vendor in 1938, Meigs said. His dad in 1968 bought the trailer that Meigs still uses.

One day at the fair last year, Meigs was keeping shop with his mother-in-law, Dot Knight of Lisbon, N.Y. Meigs estimated that he spends about eight months of the year on the road with his trailer working at fairs up and down the East coast.

He has been working at Field Days since it has been at this location, almost five decades ago, Meigs reported.

The fair has “grown tremendously,” he said, adding that the best part of his job is “traveling and seeing all the kids grow up year to year. It’s wonderful.”

A few exhibits away from Meigs Cotton Candy last year, the Skinny Pancake had a tent.

The Burlington-based eatery, which specializes in crepes, is a somewhat newer addition at the fairgrounds. Field Days is actually one of the smaller of the Vermont fairs and festivals they work, said manager Hayes Dunlap of Burlington.

“We’re pretty unique,” said employee Milo Golub of Burlington. “We serve local, wholesome food.”

Regardless of fare, fair vendors are in consensus about the experience.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Golub said.

Lincoln man puts on a show by carving sculptures with a chainsaw

By WEYLAND JOYNER While Field Days is built on tradition, there are often new things and new people just around the corner.

A walk through the eastern part of the

Addison County Fair and Field Days grounds in 2014 revealed a diverse range of attractions and competitions.

Chris Nelson, a chainsaw carver from Lincoln, shared his thoughts on his trade

and life.

“I started doing this in May 2013,” Nelson said, “so about 14 months now.”

Nelson, a former road foreman, taught (See Nelson, Page 40)

Page 38

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

Community.

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

Addison County

Fair & Field Days Tuesday, T d August A 5 - Saturday, S d August A 9, 2014

We work every day to keep Addison County strong.

Triple Eagle

State champs

Firefighters

is following in A Panton Scout and grandthe steps of his father 3A. father. See Page

Vergennes and Swimmers from first place in events Middlebury took See Page 1B. at the state meet.

from all 20 See photos and rosters s plus stories local fire department firefighters. in our salute to

UNTY ADDISON CO

Vol. 68 No. 32

T

INDEPENDEN Middlebury, Vermont



Thursday, August

75¢

Pages 7, 2014  56

next UVM is training ers of farm generation basics of business Ag youth learn

the

thrive in Vermont,” in Vermont and the program coorBy ZACH DESPART — It’s no said Ali Zipparo, dinator.

ADDISON COUNTY saves money farmers are agEach student farmer secret that Vermont’srun by the UniThe program matches ing, but a program Extension aims along the way. of 2:1, savings at a rate versity of Vermont into the state’s the students’ for the purchase of a up to $1,000, to inject new blood backbone industry. students from farm asset. from VerGevry, 18, graduated Next week, 15 graduate in the High will gennes Union June. state the across of the School this past to inaugural class Sus- “Anyone can He’s no stranger UVM Center for in farming — his family animals Agriculture’s put tainable selling Indiran a dairy until 2002.

Youth Agricultural Ac- their backyard in its milking herd it a own vidual Development known and call The Gevrys still out. program, count it That farm, but once the land, and rent owns as Youth Ag IDA. Adtwo you can market Gevry currently group includes grows beef cows, and he residents and County dison of Ad- yourself hay with his father.

— Ethan Gevry Gevry make money, The younger about dison and Siri Swanson you’re golden.” first saw a posting of Orwell.

Ag IDA prois for — Siri Swanson the Youth The program said demoages • Drivers at Field Days’ gram online, and of young Vermonters, in- lition derby say there’s nothare with Future Farmers 14 to 21, who enroll. ag- his advisers a career ing in better than theencouraged sound of him to America terested in pursuing one-year program, Gevry said he and the other students screaming crunch- like any riculture. In the and engines and literacy how to run a farm learned students learn financialskills. ing metal. See Page 20. business management financial liter- other business. to make a business “We learned “Starting early with that Field County Fair and background in business plan with the help of webinars strong Addison a the acy, at state’s ring well as financial to our Campbell to the competition see Page 13A. we watched, as your management, access before heading Independent photo/Trent service providers planning and how to budget up atop Scotty in New Haven. For more photos network of farm 12A) Aug. 9, of Brandon saddles generations of (See Farmers, Page MANNING, 14, Days runs through Saturday, ensure our next will stay CASSANDRA in Vermont, afternoon. Field farmers will start Days Tuesday

MONDAY EDITION

ADDISON COUNTY

INDEPENDENT

Vol. 26 No. 23

Middlebury, Vermont



Monday, August 11, 2014



36 Pages

75¢

Cars crash and smash

!

Field Days is here and fun

food usual Kids, animals, Tuesday morning with the annervous

and mix of excitement

By PHOEBE LEWIS ven— For Alexis from the organizers, NEW HAVEN the Ad- ticipation youngsters like Ouellette dors and Ouellette of Weybridge, preparations and Field Days doing last-minute dison County Fair The maple donuts and before showing their animals. means more than Saturday evethe Ferris wheel. with throngs of fair runs throughwill be fireworks ning, when there Ouellette, along from age three midway will close children and teens the 4-H Dairy at dusk and the in around 11 p.m. to 18, participates change that form an One of the first Cattle competitionsagricultural this fairgoers will notice integral part of the year is the introducfair experience. (or Oueltion of wristbands beThis summer bracelets) that are lette had a particularly gates of ing issued at the successful series to stamps. hand of up instead showings leading have a Everyone will Field Days culminating wrist yearling bracelet put on their with her winter gate admiswinning after paying the Holstein, Twirley, Wednestheir compliFirst in Class during her four-year- sion or surrendering pass. and mentary or purchased day’s showings, same structures the hay six winning In addition, old Jersey, Luna, are located class. been created and title for another next to the was pleased have alongside the fence And while Ouellette Class, she was ticket booths. The main admission of to win First in later won Renow be off the middle thrilled when Luna and was gate will lot, across from served Senior Champion, for the the main parkingPaquette Exhibit the Lucien D. named Grand Champion gate by the Building. The upper Jersey breed. she said. “I hon- midway rides is closed this year.

“It feels great,” it because changes, the Other than thosePage 16A) estly wasn’t expecting cow.” mature (See The fair, (Luna) is a pretty fair opened The 66th annual

Bristol writer has a hit for pre-teens

• Thercycl first es installment Investors on moto in a mystery ess busin by look to spur localseries Marcia Wells

netto bring advice, trip was a way potential JOYNER opportunities and underis garnering working

By WEYLAND — A group of entrepreneurs in MIDDLEBURY town on their investors someto national into parts of Vermont. served bikers rumbled attention. smaller commumorning with “In See motorcycles Monday to entrepreneurs — nities, Page 14. a unique goal number ensmaller have a smaller hear pitches fromown- “In to. The of people to talk is to communities, trepreneurs and startups entrepreneurs thought process ers of business and help those entrepreneurs looking for advice that have a smaller connections,” make of capital. The group Middle- number Cross explained. gathered at the up people to talk At the stop in Middlebury Inn was made • Many thethought community, venture bury four entrepreneurs The to.in of of about a dozen gave short pitches adincluding state(for law enforceprocess capitalists and entreprewith ment officials, take a look.10-15 See minutes, quesneurs with experience the venture ditional time for business at the in early-stage Page 6.capitalist motions and advice,LUCIEN PAQUETTE, WHO turns 98 later this week, takes a turn last Thursday morning in the hand mowing competition at Addison County Fair investment in Vermont. stop torcycle tour) Middlebury Inn. op- Days. Paquette founded the mowing event in 1978 and the fair in 1948.

This was the first the and Field The business on is to help those Independent photos/Trent Campbell on “FreshTracks tour entrepreneurs portunities represented Road,” a four-day which were Ekopolimer, in which 32 business- make connecwould plans to manufacture from men and women tions.” pallets towns — investor shipping plastic; Wavisit seven small 41 Cairn Cross recycleda company with in Vermont, hearing riders terotor, pitches. Twelve design for an undercame to Middlebury. of Shel- an innovativethat generates energy water rotor Cairn Cross, co-founder water; capital firm Fresh- in extremely slow-moving cows at burne venture this of 18A) has been showing Page who organizer Champion (See Riders, OF Weybridge, Tracks Capital and ride, said the named Grand ALEXIS OUELLETTE holds Luna, who was Lewis photo/Phoebe

By INDEPENDENT STAFF 66th annual Field Days. week’s motorcycle for a decade,

Vergennes police show off new HQ

Annual Field Days does not disappoint

Field Days Jersey Wednesday.

Independent

big plans for its huck has Woodccider maker sees growth

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By ANGELO LYNN — U.S. Sen. Pat- at the center of Woodchuck’s vision.”

MIDDLEBURY of r of Ecostories to a group Vermont Commissione rick Leahy told and friends gathered nomic Development Lisa Gosselin Ver50 invited media 100,000-square-foot congratulated the 23-year-old outside the new for not just pulling and bottling faWoodchuck cidery on Wednesday mont company the edge of bankbegun on the from Construction has the Bristol cility in MiddleburyHard Cider was itself back but for creating on ruptcy back in 2003, how Woodchuck new playground ground July of of the “holy water” he keeps in a thriving business in Middlebury part green. Crews broke in the and “leadDirector office employees with 100 local stock at his prestigious a new 30, and Bristol Recreation 7A) Page the nation in developing halls of Congress. show(See By the way, Democrat ing nationwide and in Further, the Vermont to folks in niche market done right here boast ing that it can be said he likes to and elsewhere Vermont.”

Washington, D.C., Cider Presicider in the counAnd Vermont HardRowell shared that the best hard its herald to Dan first CEO try — and the in dent and .......... 6A Woodchuck fans national drink Obituaries ...................... . 6B-10B stories of die-hard to comeback as a is from his home driving 500 miles out of their way Classifieds ...................... 7B-9B the mid-1990s — .............. known for its high see the cidery, or even incorporating Service Directory .. 15A state, which is tour into their honeymoon.

Entertainment ...................... quality craft beverages. ........ 8A-9A is rep- a factory three spoke briefly, RowCommunity Calendar.......... 1B-3B After the “The story of Woodchuck officialethos, of a ribbon, ......................

Vermont’s obligatory of the Sports ell cut on resentative craft and quality,” ly opening the $34 million facility place known for that from its built over the past Leahy said, adding its Exchange Street Page 2A) Proctorsville to (See Woodchuck, humble start in in Middlebury, “remarkable growth

By the way

Index

Pianist hits jazzy New Age notes

Editor’s note: Last week’s Addison County Fair and Field Days was filled with a thousand little stories — more than can be recounted in one newspaper. Lucien Paquette, the fair’s father figure, was there (see story, Page 2), as were thousands of vendors, competitors and families. We present here a few snapshots from the New Haven fairgrounds to give you a taste of the

NEW HAVEN — Punctuating the murmur of shuffling hooves and bleating goats, a visitor to the Children’s Barnyard at the Addison County Fair and Field Days hears one plaintive phrase time and time again: “Mom, can we get one?”

The Children’s Barnyard has long enchanted children and adults alike (See Field Days, Page 7)

KRISTINA HOWLETT GIVES Cassidy a close shave before showing the cow in the conformation class event in the show arena at Field Days last week.

Solar array advances net metering Monkton residents

By EVAN JOHNSON MIDDLEBURY — Last Wednesday was a good day for sun. For the fourth stop of his annual Summer Solar Tour (which so far have all recorded sunny weather), Gov. Peter Shumlin cut the ribbon on a 500-kilowatt solar array — the first array of its size in the state dedicated to providing electricity through a net metering g certhe ribbon-cuttin during story a on Wednesday. plan. as he relates Street in Middlebury and Vermont crowd in stitches Located onLynn 3.3 acres in Middlebury’s South Lisa Gosselin Leahy has the Woodchuck cidery off Exchange Development re-foot U.S. SEN. PATRICK photo/Angelo er of Economic Independent new 100,000-squa Ridge neighborhood, just south of the Lodge Commission Vermont emony at the him are at Otter Creek and bordered by farmland, the Laughing alongside and CEO Dan Rowell.

Hard Cider President south-facing, crystalline panels received per-

• Classically trained Dan Kennedy brings his introspective, acoustic music to Brandon Music. See Arts Beat on Page 10.

mits and were installed last year. The project was developed by Charlie Kireker of Twin Birches Ltd. with financing from the National Bank of Middlebury. Encore Red2evelopment of Burlington helped manage the project. Construction was completed in December of 2013.

After cutting a ribbon with a pair of extra large scissors, Shumlin praised the project as an example of Vermont’s solar prowess.

“There is no more important obligation that we have to the future of this planet, to our kids and our grandkids, than showing the rest of (See Solar, Page 35)

welcome return of local rescue crew

By ZACH DESPART MONKTON — After more than two years on hiatus, Monkton First Response is back in business.

The organization, founded in 1976 to provide emergency medical care to the northern Addison County town, lost its certification in 2011 due to (See Monkton, Page 17)

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INDEPENDENT Serving Addison County, Vt., Since 1946 Serving Addison County since 1946 www.addisonindependent.com • 388-4944

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

In 2000, we instituted a sponsorship program with different dollar levels and rewards at each level for becoming a sponsor. The following businesses are this year’s sponsors; a HUGE thank you goes out to them for their continued support of the fair. (This listing is as of July 20, 2015.)

GOLD Sponsors-$2,500 & Up #1 Auto Parts The Addison Independent Champlain Valley Equipment Hall Communications (KOOL 105, WJOY AM 1230 & 98.9 WOKO) Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. Radio Vermont Group (WDEV FM 96.1, AM 550 & WVAA AM 1390) Eagle Country 97.5

Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom Woody Jackson Addison County Sugarmakers Association Middlebury Lions Club Blue Spruce Farm Harrison’s Concrete JP Carrara & Sons Chris Acker Construction

SILVER Sponsors-$1,000-2,499 VT Natural Ag Products Co-operative Insurance Companies Addison County Solid Waste Management District Garden Time

Briggs Trucking Ernest J. Brod North Middlebury Sand & Gravel Railview Dairy

BRONZE Sponsors-$500-999 Loewer & Associates WhistlePig TJ’s BBQ

Alyson Eastman Griffith Energy DC Fabricators

Friends of Field Days-$250-499 Bourdon Insurance Casella Waste Systems Isham Brook Farm-Roleau Family RE-MAX/Champlain Valley Properties Yankee Farm Credit County Ag Holden Insurance National Bank of Middlebury

Omya Inc. Boivin Farm Supply Brandon Auto Sales Vermont Hard Cider Orwell Gas-N-Go Little Pressroom Spencer Family R&R Specialities

2015-2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT: James Foster Jr., 388-9764 VICE PRESIDENT: Diane Norris, 897-7014 SECRETARY: Kathy Nisun, 352-6630 TREASURER: Brenda Deering, 545-2279 MEMBER AT LARGE: William Roleau, 453-3713 MEMBER AT LARGE: Kenneth Button, 989-7055 Mike Reed, 759-2054 Gilbert Goodyear, 453-2111 Neil Allen, 989-5167 James Weening, 453-3483 Benj Deppman, 462-2122 Cheryl Morrison, 247-3610 BUSINESS MANAGER: Cara Mullin, 545-2557 GROUNDS MANAGER: Leonard Barrett, 349-4179 ELECTRICIAN: Herb Fisher, 247-6390 or 247-6596

Nelson

(Continued from Page 37) himself to carve with a chainsaw when he got tired of his old job.

By last August he was carving more or less full-time, and said that his business had started to pay off.

“It’s been getting a lot more notoriety,” Nelson said. His carvings are on display at the Jerusalem Corners Country Store in Starksboro year-round.

Part artist, part craftsman, Nelson is also a natural entertainer.

Then 39, he said he often travels to fairs to do quick carvings — sculptures that take about half an hour — for audiences of fairgoers. He also clearly enjoys talking to passersby about his craft.

“I put on a show, and entertain people,” Nelson said.

For Nelson it’s also important that he gives back to the community through his work. He tries to keep in the habit of donating carvings to charitable causes.

“I think it’s important to stay in the habit and remember where you came from. Pay it forward,” he said of raising money for charity, admitting, “I’m a bit of an idealist that way.”

Though he admits it was tough breaking into the understandably niche market of chainsaw carving, Nelson believes that his business really came into its own last summer, as he traveled to more fairs, perfected his craft, and spread his enthusiasm.

“This is the first real line of work I’ve been in where I’m doing what I love and getting paid for it,” he said with a big smile.

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

N COUNTY FAIR & FIELD DAY O S I D S AD

“GALA”

The Addison County Field Days Gala is held each year in March.

The Gala is a $125 raffle, dinner and dance to help raise money for capital improvements to the grounds at Field Days. The Field Days Directors are determined to continually upgrade the Field Days grounds to make Addison County Field Days something that all the residents here can be proud of.

We certainly appreciate all the support we have received from individuals and businesses that help make the gala such a success. A very special Thank You to all who have supported us in our efforts.

Lucien Paquette Bob & Kathy Destefano Terry Straight Steve & Ellen Jackson Anthony Mastergeorge Pat Brennan Jim Bushey Middlebury Agway Woodware Rouse Tire G. Stone Motors Champlain Valley Motorsports Robert & Jeanette Cyr Weybridge Garage Joe Degray American Legion Watson Scott Matt Broughton Bill Sinks Greg Wry Skip Cry Bill Heffernan Clarence & Karen Deering Don & Kathleen Keeler Paul & Brenda Deering Harvey & Donna Smith George Deblon/Kerry Gilbert Bernard & Louis Quesnel MacIntrye Services, LLC Eileen Bearor Michael & Amy McLaughlin Ken Button Fraga & Lilja Alan Curler Eastern Electrical Herb & Nancy Fisher

2015 GALA SUPPORTERS

Feed Commodities Monument Farms National Bank of Middlebury Art & Joan Huestis Broughton Farms Valleywide Vet Services VTPA David & Kathleen Briggs Briggs Trucking Briggs Enterprises 4-Hills Farm Big Barn Darwin Pratt Corey Pratt Paul & Deb Zeno Steve & Sherry Ouellette Seth & Stephanie Pope Wayne & Diane Smith Dubois Farm Tom & Charlene Broughton Huestis Farm Supply Middlebury Inn Phil & Diane Livingston Mark & Dana Livingston Alan & Jean Clark Zak Parks & Sarah Briggs Andrew Daly Joe & Trudy Fedora Village Green Market Greg Markowski David Markowski Taylor Bessette Alan & Debra Bessette Edward & Melanie Bessette Earl & Raymonde Bessette Matt & Pam Gevry Marty Markowski William & Bonnie Roleau

Paul Fuller John & Margo Roleau County Tire Martin’s Hardware Sam Markowski Peter Markowski Paul Audy Lionel Fisher Russ Carpenter Glenn Ash Addison County Commission Sales Doc Hunt Isham Brook Farm Mary Clark Laura Flint Gilbert Goodyear Courtyard by Marriott Yankee Farm Credit Rack N Reel Reed’s Equipment Bourdeau & Bushey Peter Burrows Mike & Joanna Barrett Richard & Joanne Reynolds Steve & Missy Giard Larry & Joyce Sunderland Brian & Linda Forbes Steve & Jessy Norris Bob & Nancy Sunderland Harold & Margaret Sunderland Leonard & Linda Barrett Co-operative Insurance Jake Cunavelis Mt Mansfield Media David Kayhart Jim & Keeley Weening Charlie Roy

Barbara & John Johnston Denecker Chevrolet Mike & Liana Capra Brad & Cara Mullin Pat Lathrop Addison Independent Joy Pouliot Tony Lamoureux Amey Ryan Michael Paquette Irene Denis Middlebury Fence John Zecher Kittel, Branangan & Sargent, CPAs Bruce & Hillary Hallock Addison County 4-H Foundation Satch & Kathy Nisun R & L Rubbish Devon Karpak Rob & Suzie Hunt Raymond Dykema Jack & BilliJo Forgues Effie Cole Randy Provencher West Addison General Store Steve & Patricia Torrey Cheryl Morrison Leonard Bull Addison Eagle Pratt’s Store Appalachian Gap D&F Paving Robert & Nancy Foster Steve Ouellette Shawn & Angela Ouellette Eric & Milicha Lynds (Continued on Page 42)

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(Continued from Page 41) Foster Motors Jim & Tricia Foster Harold & Pat Eastwood Robin & David Cole Jerry & Cheryl Connor Leo & Sara Audet Blue Spruce Farm Pepsi Bottling Co. Billy & Jennie Sheldrick Terry & Diane Norris Steve & Cady White Jeremy & Kylie Chittenden Mark & Christine Sickles Deb & Pete Karpak Heather & Larry Provencher Mike & Alyson Eastman Stephanie & Jim Foley Benj Deppman Lesley Deppman Deppman & Foley Gerry & Cheryl Audet Phoenix Feeds & Nutrition Cleon & Helen Bigelow Bourdon Insurance Laberge Insurance Sensible Office Solutions

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

2015 GALA SUPPORTERS

Correia Family Coles Flowers Garland Goat Soap Neil Allen & Jenn Baker Port Henry Service Center Nor Dic Farm Richard Thurber Dorchester Lodge #1 Champlain Bridge Marina Mike Moore Plumbing & Heating Gordon Haldeman Mike’s Fuels Bruce Barnes Distinctive Paint & Interiors Patrick and Melanie Harrison Matt & Missy Deblois Glenn & Lynn Peck Ray & Bonnie Clark Donald Clark, Jr Ledge Haven Farm Mark & Susan Young Susan James Karen & Kerry Bushey Doug & Vicki Smith Paul & Sue Gingras

Nancy Palermo-Lee Reed’s Sales & Service Middlebury Fitness Nino’s Middlebury Discount Beverage Vermont Hard Cider Ginger Snaps Subway Grant Haven Farm Maple Landmark Lake Champlain Chocolates Soul Soothing Massage Jiffy Mart Lake Champlain Maritime Museum r.k. Miles Joy’s Lakeview Hair Design Agway Antidote Carol’s Hungry Mind Danforth Pewters Green Mountain Shoe & Apparel Pete’s Tire Barn Beau Ties

Champlain Valley Equipment Rosie’s Goodro Lumber Aubuchon Hardware Dakin Farm Homestead Candle & Wreath Marble Works Pharmacy Jackman’s Inc. Auto Paint Plus Countryside Carpet & Paint Classic Stitching The Diner Green Peppers 3 Squares Shoreham Inn Field of Painted Dreams Sanel Alysia Duncanson-31 Bags Fire & Ice Restaurant Carol Murphy Pampered Chef Bruce Zeman Middlebury Bagel & Deli Wag On Inn

Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

ITE FREE ON-S ONS EVALUATI

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Chris Goodrich – Bridport, VT “The Bristol Electronics people are very pleasant to work with. We looked at rental vs. ownership and it became clear that ownership was a better deal in the long run. The installation time was very quick. We expect to pay off our loan in 10 years and then we’ll have free electricity for the rest of our lives. Bristol Electronics is very professional. The process was easy and we are very happy.”

Gerry & Claire Tetrault – Bristol, VT “We looked into installing a solar system ten to twelve years ago. I wish we had done it back then.

The payback has been amazing. Bristol Electronics is such a friendly company. The guys are great, everyone is easy to work with and so professional. When I build a new home in the future, I will definitely plan on incorporating solar and using Bristol Electronics.”

Karen – New Haven, VT “Recently, we had a small solar array installed on our garage by Bristol Electronics. They were very helpful through all the phases of the installation process. It took us quite some time to decide that solar energy was the way to go. They were very patient with us as we asked lots of questions! Bristol Electronics always responded promptly and with all the information we needed. Once we made the decision to go solar, they made the process really easy and helped us choose an array that fit both our electric and financial needs with the option to expand in the future. The physical installation didn’t even take an entire day and we immediately had online access to actually see our solar production! I couldn’t ask for an easier process. And we know that our local installer is available any time we have further questions! Thank you, Bristol Electronics!

Michelle Lass – Bristol, VT

Visit Us At Field Days!

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Field Days • Official Program • The Addison Independent • July 30, 2015

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