The Charlotte News Volume lVI Number 16
The VoIce of The TowN
Thursday, march 27, 2014
2nd Graders Present Sustainability Ideas to Selectboard Presentation just one of many items before board in busy two weeks John Hammer The charloTTe News The Selectboard has been setting a blistering pace. Since its last regular meeting the board has met three times. The first special meeting on the afternoon of March 14 covered discussions on the need for hiring an administrative assistant to support the Planning Office and Town Administrator. The pros and cons of establishing the position engendered spirited debate from members of the public and were included in the considerations. On the following Monday the Selectboard met from 1–7:15 p.m. to interview a number of applicants for the administrative assistant position as well as interview two auditing firms seeking to perform the town’s fiscal year ‘14 municipal audit. Not stopping there, the board met further on March 18 to interview more applicants before its regular meeting on March 24. At the end of the March 17 meeting the Charlotte News and the Citizen were designated as newspapers of record for the purpose of warning town meetings and public notices. The Selectboard also approved the hiring of Vermont Water, Inc. to install water treatment systems at a cost not
Students from Kris Gerson’s second grade class at CCS (above) presented to the Selectboard Monday the story of how they drastically reduced waste in their classroom throughout the course of the year. Speaking as members of the community (they signed in, right), students implored the town to use three waste streams—compost, recycling and trash—at town events to achieve the same sustainable success.
Selectboard
continued on page 5
A Dream Made Real Through Fantasy Former Charlotter Emily Raabe is set to publish her first novel April 8 Brett Sigurdson The charloTTe News
The novel takes place in a world both real and fantastical. Living on the coast of Maine, twins Gus and Leo and their little sister Ila discover their mother is possessed of magical powers— powers they also hold. When they are all swept away to a secret island, the three siblings discover the depth of their powers—they can turn into animals—and encounter an ancient creature bent on stealing their strength for himself. Booklist gave Lost Children a glowing review, writing “Raabe’s debut novel is brimming with pleasing details. This pageturning fantasy adventure is tailor-made for marine-life fanatics.” For Raabe, Lost Children is the culmination of an
“Get up earlier.” If weren’t for these three words, Emily Raabe perhaps wouldn’t be on the cusp of being a first-time novelist. As she tells it, Raabe (pronounced “Rob”) was working for a theater in New York City writing poetry when she told her father she had an idea for a novel but didn’t have the time to write it. Raabe took her father’s advice to heart: she began to awake an hour earlier every day to write one scene from bed. A year later, she had finished a first draft. “If you write a scene every day it adds up,” said Raabe, who was born and raised in Charlotte. Indeed, all those early morning writing sessions have added up to Lost Children of the Far Islands, a middle-grade fantasy novel to be pubEmily Raabe lished by Random House on April 8.
Raabe
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Police Investigating 2nd Burglary on Mt. Philo Road in Two Weeks Police, alerted to a break-in the morning of March 12, are investigating the second burglary along Mt. Philo Road in less than two weeks. According to authorities, at approximately 10:38 a.m. Vermont State Police received a report of an alarm at a residence on Mt. Philo Road. Upon arriving on scene, officers from the Shelburne Police Department and the State Police Williston barracks were able to determine that a lone perpetrator had made forced entry into the residence through a front door. A number of items were taken from the residence. This follows a break-in that occurred on Feb. 26, on Mt. Philo Road. According to Vermont State Police, a burglar alarm tripped at the home of Stephen Edwards alerted authorities to a possible break-in around 3:30 p.m. Approximately five minutes after the alarm was set off, Edwards arrived home to discover the house had been forcibly entered. Upon inspection, he determined that several valuable pieces of jewelry were missing. Police estimate he missed the burglar or burglars by only a few minutes. Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity or vehicles in the area on either day is asked to contact the State Police at the Williston barracks at 802-878-7111.
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Commentary The Charlotte News PublishEd by and for CharlottErs sinCE 1958 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 from all townspeople and interested individuals. For submission guidelines and deadlines, please visit our website or contact the editor at news@charlottenewsvt.com. 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 selected outlets in Shelburne, Hinesburg, North Ferrisburgh, Ferrisburgh and Vergennes. It relies on the generous financial contributions of its readers, subscriptions and advertising revenue to sustain its operations. oN The weB aT:
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Finding a Middle Ground I recently heard a story that I find fascinating. Charlotte’s 1939 Town Hall, which now serves as CCS’s library, was built near the geographic center of the community, a symbolic location meant to serve as the meeting ground for East and West Charlotte in more than one sense. Is this true? I’m not sure, but it does align with so many things I’ve heard and read about divisions in town as I’ve been doing research on the town’s past, present and future for our Charlotte’s Web series on the Town Plan. For instance, in a VPR story on the 2010 census, State Archivist Gregory Sanford notes that, divided in a real way by Route 7, Charlotte has “two different sets of world views … based on what their economic base, population, density, etc., was.” This echoes W. S. Rann, who noted in his The History of Chittenden County that the mountains that run through the spine of the town separate the people who live in the east and the west. Not only has it led to the growth of separate villages, some feel it has demonstrated how “peoples separated by territorial barriers cannot always be at one in sentiment,” he wrote. As early as 1869, the Vermont Historical Gazetteer said “the effect has been a separation of interest, mutual jealousy, and want of harmony between the two sections.’” Certainly, painting Charlotte’s identity with such broad strokes does more harm than good—there is always more gray than black and white—but in terms of planning for Charlotte’s future it makes sense to look at the divisions within town, for these may reveal a middle ground where, like the 1939 Town Hall, Charlotters can reach some kind of mutual agreement. In this spirit, the News is looking at the different poles of Charlotte’s population—to the young and the old, the wealthy and underprivileged, the right and the left—in order to see where a meeting ground exists in Charlotte’s future. Our first article, which begins on page 8 and will be continued in a subsequent issue, looks at how two of Charlotte’s age demographics have changed, and what the young and old desire in Charlotte’s future. Since beginning research for this project, a lot of people have asked me why I’ve started this series. It’s personal, I tell them. This topic is close to my heart, for, as you’ll read in this week’s article, it’s difficult for 20- and 30-somethings like me to settle down here, mostly because of the cost of
buying into the community. To me, Charlotte’s affordability is one of the most significant issues facing the town. In fact, perhaps my wife Kate and I could stand as the faces of the issue. We are both young professionals who want to invest in Charlotte, to become part of the community, to get involved on committees, to raise our kids here. While we are both obviously taken by the rural nature and natural beauty of the town, we also see a situation in which we could settle in for the long term and become part of the town’s fabric. I see us as the kind of energetic, dedicated young people who can stand as the next generation of town leaders. However, the cost for us to invest in Charlotte is much too high, now and for the foreseeable future. Because of student loan debt and a modest—if not below-average—combined income, we simply can’t afford to buy land or a home in town. The fact that the median home price in Charlotte is $432,000 and the average is $537,000 (both nearly twice the county and state averages) makes the conversation a nonstarter, really. The best we can do right now is rent, but even that’s been tough for us. This means that, if and when I move on from the News, we’ll probably also give up on our desire to move to Charlotte. If a whole demographic of people like my wife and me can’t afford to even think about putting down roots in Charlotte, that doesn’t seem to bode well for the town’s future. It also calls into question the reality of achieving some of the most important objectives in the Town Plan—diversity, a sense of community, a volunteer spirit. So, how do we meet in the middle with this issue? That remains to be seen, but it’s a critical question for town leaders to answer. And, as you’ll see from the article, it’s one that the county and state are trying to address as well. –––– I’m excited to debut a new monthly article series in this issue. It’s called “Food & Farm,” and it centers on news and views on agriculture issues in Charlotte and Vermont written by Charlotters. Given Charlotte’s historical identity as a farming community and the fact there are a number of small and large agricultural operations here, I think it’s important to represent these voices in the pages of the News. The inaugural article, on page 12, was penned by Michael Haulenbeek, who, along with his partner Vera Simon-Nobes, is spearheading the series (thanks, Michael and Vera!). And, like me, they are Millenials eager to invest in Charlotte. Their story—our story—begins on page 8. Brett Sigurdson Editor
PUBLIC MEETINGS Selectboard Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Sometimes they begin earlier; check online at charlottevt.org or with the Town Clerk (425-3071). Chair: Lane Morrison (4252495), Matthew Krasnow (922-2153), Ellie Russell (425-5276), Charles Russell (425-4757), Fritz Tegatz (425-5564). CCS School Board Regular Meetings are usually at 6:30 p.m. at CVU on the third Tuesday of each month. Chair Kristin Wright (425-5105), Clyde Baldwin (425-3366), Susan
Nostrand (425-4999), Erik Beal (425-2140), Mark McDermott (425-4860). Planning Commission Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Chair Jeffrey McDonald (425-4429), Vice Chair Peter Joslin, Gerald Bouchard, Paul Landler, Linda Radimer, Donna Stearns, Marty Illick. Committee meetings are listed on the town website. Check times and agendas online or by phone; for the town: charlottevt.org, Town Hall, 425-3071 or 4253533; for CCS: ccsvt.us, CSSU office, 383-1234.
The Charlotte News
TownBites by Edd Merritt
Finette Treats Thousands in the Typhoon-Ravaged Philippines Barry Finette, M.D., is one of more than 70 medical volunteers who traveled to the remote Philippine islands of Panay and Camote as a member of a Project HOPE team. It is his third such mission with this global nongovernmental organization (NGO) to the area that was ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan five months ago. The volunteers have provided care to more than 6,100 patients, performing over 500 surgeries and giving education sessions to health workers in isolated villages throughout the region. According to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine in February, “typhoon-related medical problems were directly related to the loss of food, water, and livelihoods; people were spending time finding food rather than refilling their prescriptions.” Often, a humanitarian rather than medical response was needed on the part of the medical teams. Dr. Finette has worked with HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) for a number of years, going back to missions in Jamaica and Peru. He has studied tropical medicine hygiene in Great Britain and earned an International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance in Geneva, Switzerland. When he was asked what specific efforts he would support if he happened to win the lottery, Dr. Finette said he would fund a think tank that brought together brilliant people— engineers and economists as well as health care providers. He then said he would give the group “an unrestricted environment in which we could figure out how to really coordinate humanitarian efforts.” It would appear that he has had the opportunity to test that unrestricted domain in the Philippines. Charlotte Couple Head Up New Maker Space in Burlington “Maker space.” What is it? Basically it is building space that is usable as a studio, contains shared tools and may provide necessities for appropriate education, according to an article in the March 12 Seven Days. Products could range from jewelry to 3-D printing. The article’s author, Megan James, says that a “Maker” is “anyone who embraces new technology to create useful or whimsical objects, and maker spaces have popped up around the world in the past several years.”
The first maker space in Burlington, called Generator, will open this month in the Memorial Auditorium Annex. Charlotter Michael Metz planned it and heads the group in charge. A number of Burlington community organizations helped in the process: the Parks and Recreation Department, the Community Economic Development Office, Burlington City Arts (whose board Michael chaired at one time and on which he still sits), plus several local colleges and businesses. Metz’s son Luke, who entered engineering school in Massachusetts last year, mentioned to his father that a maker space called Artisan’s Asylum was doing very well in Somerville. Michael and others on the Generator board visited it and were impressed with what was happening there. Metz’s wife, author and attorney Denise Shekerjian, helped him form the board and is also a member. The board had hoped to open the space in February. However, the auditorium annex needed new electrical circuitry and plumbing, which called for zoning and building permits, so the opening was moved to March, at which time the city of Burlington will allow the group to use the space at no cost for at least the next six months. The inception of maker space goes back to the 1950s, when organizations opened similar spaces, called incubators, designed and staffed to help start-up companies focus on their products without being hindered by the administrative details needed to run a business. The Batavia Industrial Center in Batavia, N.Y., is considered the first business incubator, opening there in 1959. A notable venture in the mid 1980s, was William Norris’s City Venture Corporation, which turned vacant buildings into entrepreneurial office space with administrative services and education provided. He was criticized for keeping incubator spaces not for profit, as his own company, Control Data, was under financial pressure. A visit to one center in 1986 showed a small manufacturing company growing successfully to encompass an entire floor and looking to expand into its own space elsewhere. Metz is optimistic that a similar generation of entrepreneurs will buy into the community’s investment in Generator, making Burlington a potential “leader in the rapid-prototyping industry.” Seven Days quotes him further as saying, “We’re creating enough [momentum] around this concept that I think we could distinguish ourselves in the next five or ten years.”
Letters Policy All opinions expressed in Letters and Commentaries are those of the writers and not of The Charlotte News, which is published as an independent, nonprofit, non-biased community service and forum.
Next issue deadlines One sign Of spring: a squirrel play- COntributiOns: MOnday, MarCh 31 by 5 p.M. ing in the trees. phOtO by Karyn letters: MOnday, april 7, by 10 a.M. lunde. next publiCatiOn date: thursday, april 10.
Crises in Crimea Evokes Cold War Barrie Dunsmore COntributOr There is no way to sugar coat it. An angry Russian President Vladimir Putin has blatantly annexed Crimea, a portion of Ukraine, contrary to international law. The United States and the European Union condemned this action and imposed some punitive economic sanctions on a few Russian higher-ups. More serious ones are likely coming, especially if Russia moves against Ukraine’s predominantly ethnic Russian eastern region, which is quite possible. There are already troubling signs that this area is being caught up in a new Russian inspired nationalistic fervor—perhaps as a prelude to another Russian take-over. The situation is very serious—it’s the most significant breach in EastWest relations since the end of the Cold War and it could well become worse. Amidst this bleak picture, the blame game in this country is gaining momentum. Senator John McCain has been leading the charge for many Republican members of Congress, almost daily blaming the crisis on President Barack Obama and his “weak and feckless foreign policy.” Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has piled on, chiding the president for his lack of leadership. Such partisanship is not helpful but is to be expected. But there are other voices that deserve serious attention. As the National Security Council’s Russian specialist, Jack Matlock coached and helped guide President Ronald Reagan through his summits with Soviet Leader Mikael Gorbachev. Then, as U.S. ambassador to Moscow with unprecedented access to the Soviets, he helped Reagan and President George H.W.
Bush negotiate the end of the Cold War and the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union. He wrote the definitive book on the subject, Reagan and Gorbachev: How the Cold War Ended. Matlock’s credentials give high credibility to his op-ed on Ukraine in the Washington Post recently, a column that is key to a more complete understanding of the current crisis. These are some of Matlock’s central points. of the Cold War is our common victory.” Yet the United States insisted on treating Russia as the loser. ed bombing Russian ally Serbia and encouraged the expansion of NATO to include Warsaw Pact countries—contrary to American promises it would not take advantage of the Soviet retreat from Eastern Europe. to call the U.S. to offer support after 9/11. He helped when America invaded Afghanistan and closed Russian bases in Cuba and Vietnam. And what, Matlock asks, did he get in return from President George W. Bush? “The diplomatic equivalent of swift kicks to the groin: further expansion of NATO in the Baltics and the Balkans and plans for American bases there, withdrawal from the AntiBallistic Missile treaty, the invasion of Iraq … and talk of taking Georgia and Ukraine into NATO.” Matlock does not suggest that Putin is blameless in the current standoff. But his analysis of how this crisis evolved must be included in any discussions on how best to avoid a real Cold War II.
Letters It’s not always easy to speak out Speaking out at Town Meeting was for me okay, but not for others. Lots of “dirty looks,” as they say, came my way. A woman directly in front of me, a good friend, I thought, gave me a look that belied her disgust in my speaking out. Around me another friend (friend?) looked askance when I sat down from speaking. Another waved her hands in front of her in an “ah!-sit-down-andshut-up” gesture. All this was hard on me, but no pathos here. I guess that’s what they mean when they write about how you might feel if you dare to speak out. And now I read that my presence at Town Meeting produced some humor [Editors note: “Tying Together Town Meeting, Town Budget and Australia,” in the March 13, 2014, edition of the News]. I hope so. If we can get good work done while holding on to our
good humor, it’s a good thing. Humor puts things in perspective. Unfortunately at Town Meeting our humor might be at the expense of someone who meant to be serious. I was surprised and befuddled that no one had tended to find, ahead of time, a microphone runner at Town Meeting. When I asked (it felt like I was shouting) about it, out loud and out of place in the room full of people, someone was found. This too drew “dirty looks.” As time has passed since Town Meeting I begin to feel better about speaking out. It helped that three people emailed me to say thanks. Takes a thick skin and, in the end, faith in life and democracy to dare to speak out for what we believe in, be it a simple procedural issue or an issue of significance for the town. I guess I have lots of faith but not quite yet the prerequisite thick skin. I hope I never do. Martha Perkins Pinnacle Road
The Charlotte News
Raabe continued from page 1 obsession with reading and writing, a life-long interest in fantasy, and a childhood spent in the open spaces of Charlotte, places where she could combine all three into imaginative worlds she could write about. Raabe describes her childhood self as “a bookworm to a problematic degree,” something that also motivated her to write her own stories. She recalls writing a serialized novel about a mouse for teacher Tom Scatchard in middle school at CCS. As a high school junior, Raabe attended a Breadloaf School writing camp, where she encountered peers who were as fanatical about writing as she was. This led her to believe there were others interested in reading and writing what she enjoyed. Raabe would later enroll at Middlebury, where she worked with the writer Julia Alvarez on a fiction thesis. She would go on to travel the country and Europe for work, writing residencies and her education (she earned an MA and MFA and is currently working on a PhD). Through it all, she published a number of short Children’s nonfiction books through an education publisher and authored a book of poetry, Leave it Behind, which was a runner-up for the FutureCycle First Book Award. However, Raabe received a writers education of a different sort as the first employee at the Flying Pig Bookstore, which, at the time, was located in Charlotte. Along with co-owners Elizabeth
Bluemle and Josie Leavitt, Raabe found herself talking about books all the time, especially children’s books (also a children’s book author, Bluemle is publishing her fourth book Tap Tap Boom Boom March 25). “A lot of people think you have to leave these children’s stories behind,” Raabe said, “but hanging out at the store allowed me to revisit the books I loved as a kid. I realized this is the best stuff out there.” Children’s literature, with its tight plots, themes of friendship and coming of age, and creative story lines, is more challenging than people give it credit for, Raabe notes, and she began
to reconnect with the fantasy worlds and stories she grew up with. Out of this real world of working around books came a desire to write a children’s book of her own. Raabe had long been toying with an idea involving Selkies, mythological creatures believed to be both seal and human. At a book event at the Vermont College of Fine Arts four years ago, Bluemle told her to go for it. When she finally decided to write a scene a day, Raab entered a high-wire writing act. “I really invented this every morning,” she said. “Every day I’d think ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen.’ I don’t recommend writing a book that way.” In revising the book, Raabe cut 150 pages and a character (who is likely to appear in a sequel, she notes). In working with an editor, Raabe wrote more and cut another 250 pages. All of this was daunting, she noted, but the work made the book that much better. “I’m proud of it,” she said of the final product. “If I published it a year ago it wouldn’t have been as good.” It’s somewhat fitting that Raabe will do a reading hosted by the Flying Pig on April 13. After all, Bluemle and Leavitt were integral to Lost Children’s formation. They were among the first to read the manuscript and offered Raabe advice on publishing and finding an agent.
“They’re also amazing cheerleaders,” Raabe said. “They were hugely supportive of it, celebrating with me every step.” Raabe’s new writing projects are keeping her busy. She is currently at work on a sequel to Lost Children, which is set in Ireland. She’s also working on another novel set in Vermont. Both are being written with the benefit of an outline and out of bed, she said, laughing. Add to this a PhD dissertation on Transcendentalism and American Poetry and she’s starting to feel like one who has accomplished a lifelong dream of becoming a writer. “Everything I’m doing is in service to reading and writing,” she said. “I feel like its a career path and vocation now.” Lost Children of the Far Islands will be available locally at the Flying Pig, Crow Bookstore, Phoenix Books, Bear Pond Books and Barnes & Noble.
If You Go What: Emily Raabe reading for Lost Children of the Far Islands When: Sunday, April 13, 4 p.m. Where: Shelburne Town Hall Raabe will read selections from the book and host a Q & A. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. For more information or to RSVP for the event, call (802) 9853999 or by email FlyingPigEvents@ gmail.com. Prior to the reading, Raabe will also be visiting classrooms at CCS and in Shelburne to discuss the book.
Charlotte Senior Center Position Available The Friends of the Charlotte Senior Center seek an enthusiastic, understanding and patient person to recruit, train and support a corps of volunteer workers that functions as a critical element of the Senior Center’s success. The qualified candidate will work closely with volunteers responsible for meal preparation, hosting and special events, and will complement the responsibilities of our Activities Director. He or she will report directly to the Board of the Friends of the Charlotte Senior Center and will be an employee of the Town of Charlotte.
This position will require approximately 15 hours per week, year-round. Hours are weekdays only, within a 9-4 p.m. period. Send resume by April 11 to CSC, PO Box 207, Charlotte, VT 05445 or email to charlottesrctr@gmavt.net.
The Charlotte News
Selectboard
continued from page 1
to exceed $17,331. Ralph Brooker was approved to move, re-plumb and replace the hot water tank at the Town Hall at a cost not to exceed $1,000 with costs being paid from the Improvement and Repair Reserve Fund. In a last-minute action the Selectboard also approved the application for grants of $9,860 for culvert replacement and $154,000 for paving a portion of Greenbush Road. The parade of meetings came to an end with the regular meeting on March 24 when the Selectboard started early at 5:30 p.m. with the final auditing candidate interview. The tone turned much lighter—but no less important— with the appearance of Ms. Kris Gerson’s 2nd grade class from CCS. The class, accompanied by Abby Foulk, the Charlotte representative to the Chittenden Solid Waste Commission, made an energetic presentation and plea to start a three-stream waste separation program for the town. Because Vermont Act 148 will ban food scraps from all landfills in 2020, the 2nd grade students proposed that Charlotte try to advance this deadline through a more active program here. They proposed a series of actions in the near future to help this along. The Selectboard agreed and asked that they come up with an action plan with the help and support of Ms. Foulk. The town can expect to hear much more on the program as summer approaches. The on-going issue of hiring an administrative assistant was resolved with the approval of the part-time (35 hours) position and hiring of Ms. Kelly LeBlanc at a salary of $16.85 per hour. She comes with four years of experience in a Clermont, N.H., planning and zoning office. Similarly, this meeting brought closure to the auditing firm search with approval of Sullivan, Powers & Company to audit the town’s municipal finances for the next three years. The opening year’s cost will be $13,500. A request by the Green Mountain Bicycle Club to use South Greenbush Road for holding time trials on May 1, July 10, and Aug. 21 was approved. The trials will begin at 6:30 p.m. and run both ways from south Thompson’s Point Road to Route 7. The request sparked some discussion among the citizens present surrounding the increasing number of cycling and racing events now taking place on Charlotte’s roads. There was concern that the events, as well as the increased presence of bicycles on the town’s roads, were becoming burdensome to many people. There was no resolution to the debate other than to raise the concerns. A working group under the Conservation Commission entitled the Charlotte Invasive Collaborative (CHIC) presented an update on its proposed program for beginning control of invasive species in town. The FY15 budget includes $1,000 to begin a program to control the common reed (Phragmites australis) that is just getting a foothold in Charlotte. The intent of the CHIC is to control the plant before it gets a strong foothold. Members Marty Illick, Joanna Cummings and Sue Smith want to prevent a situation similar to that experienced with the wild parsnip blight. The Selectboard supported the work of the CHIC and requested updates and an augmented plan including potential further actions. Charlotters wishing to learn more should visit the town website (charlottevt.org) and click on the Conservation Commission in the left-hand drop-down menu. In a series of administrative actions at the March 24 meeting, the Selectboard approved hiring Dale Knowles’ Mow, Mow, Mow, LLC to perform town land maintenance for $14,500; W.R. Preston and Company for brush hogging at $2,100; and Zero by Degrees, LLC at a cost not to exceed $3,970 to conduct an energy audit of the library. The latter contract might be modified by the Energy Committee after subsequent negotiations are held in collaboration with GWR Engineering. In other administrative actions Ben Pualwan was reappointed to the Zoning Board for a three-year term to March 2017. The Vermont Tent Company was hired once again to provide a tent, tables and chairs for the Town Party on July 12. The company has given the town a deep discount and the cost will be $2,498. Staff performance reviews need to be more regularized; a simplified procedure was adopted with anticipated implementation in June. The next regular Selectboard meeting will be held on April 14. A special meeting will be held on April 21 in the Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue building, specifically to receive the quarterly financial report from CVFRS. Charlotters will be invited to view the new ambulance and ask questions.
Report from the Legislature by Representative Mike Yantachka
More on Education Financing A few days before Town Meeting, I wrote a post on Front Porch Forum explaining what factors go into how the statewide property tax that funds K-12 public education is calculated. In the post, I stated that school budgets, and therefore spending, are determined by local school districts, and the state’s role, determined by Acts 60 and 68, is to fund the budgets approved by the voters. The local school districts receive targeted revenues, which include Federal Title I money, donations, and some categorical state aid such as special education, transportation, technical education, adult education and Essential Early Education. The amount of the budget that remains comes from the state Education Fund. The Education Fund has several sources of revenue: a) about 35 percent of sales tax revenue, b) 100 percent of the lottery revenue, c) an amount transferred from the General Fund and other sources and d) the statewide property tax less the Homestead Property Tax Adjustment. The statewide property tax is calculated based on the projected value of all the property in the state (the Grand List), how the assessments in a town compare to fair market values (the CLA or Common Level of Appraisal), the per pupil spending in the school district and whether per pupil spending in the district exceeds the state average by more than 23 percent. There are two tax rates, the residential and the non-residential. Residential taxpayers may get a tax adjustment based on their household income and house site value. These tax rates have to be set to amounts that provide the revenues needed for the Education Fund disbursements. This year saw school budgets increase by only a few percent, while property tax rates in some towns went up by several more percent due to decreasing statewide property values, fewer students and reductions in federal education spending. Based on projected school budget increases, a decrease in federal special education funding, and $20 million less of one-time funds used last year, the Commissioner of Taxes projected an increase of seven cents in the statewide property tax rate this year.
The defeat of 35 school budgets throughout the state drove home the contention that the formula for state aid to education is not only too complicated to understand but also has become unduly burdensome on property taxes. Since Town Meeting, serious efforts have been made to rebalance the funding methodology by the Ways and Means Committee, and last week it announced that the increase in the residential rate would be reduced from seven cents to four cents and the non-residential rate increase would go from seven cents to eight cents. This will also result in an equivalent decrease of three cents in the residential rate for the CCS District from that published in the Town Meeting school report. Other suggestions have been considered, including adjusting the Current Use formula and transferring additional money from the General Fund to the Education Fund. Since the Legislature always passes a balanced budget, if new revenues (taxes) cannot be found, then cuts have to be made somewhere else if more money is to be transferred. The Legislature has to address the education funding issue both immediately and strategically. The reduction of three cents is a start, but we have to find a way to depend less on the property tax in the long term. The Education Committee is also working on a plan to restructure the school system, but there are no guarantees that such a plan would save money. There are still several weeks before a final budget and tax package will be voted on. The committees are continuing to work to make the hard decisions that will be acceptable to both the House and Senate as well as to Governor Shumlin. They will eventually strike a balance, but I predict that no one will be totally satisfied. I continue to welcome your thoughts and questions and can be reached by phone (802-4253960) or by email (myantachka.dfa@gmail.com), and you can find my website at MikeYantachka. com.
The Charlotte News
Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast March 30 Charlotte’s Boy Scout Troop 615 is set to host its annual all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast and silent auction on Sunday, March 30, from 8–11 a.m. at the Old Lantern in Charlotte. The menu will include buttermilk pancakes, Dakin Farm bacon, Mackenzie breakfast sausages, KFC biscuits, syrup donated by Rick Dolliver and farm fresh eggs donated by Vicky Frost and Rise ’n Shine, which is also donating dairy products to the event. Green Mountain coffee will also be available. The always popular silent auction will feature many items, including a Weber grill donated by Aubuchon Hardware and two afternoon sailing cruises for four on a 35-foot sloop, donated by Charlotter Jim McCullough. Scoutmaster Seth Zimmerman expects upward of 600 people to attend
the event, which he sees as a chance to bring the community together. “This is where people come together and enjoy breaking bread with their neighbors,” he said. The event is also a chance to help the Boy Scouts raise money for special trips and outreach work. Proceeds from the event will help support Troop 615’s upcoming sailing trip from the Florida Keys to the Caribbean and a camping trip on Martha’s Vineyard in May. Some of the funds will also be donated to local causes, noted Zimmerman, who will step down from his post as scoutmaster this fall after eleven years. The cost for general admission to the event is $7. For more information, contact Zimmerman at (802) 4252595.
Grange Garage Sale April 10–12 Donate items to sell April 5, 7 and 10 The Charlotte Grange is gearing up for its spring rummage sale April 10–12. In advance of the annual event, members of the Grange are looking for donations of gently used items. They welcome clothes of all sizes in wearable condition, books, shoes, lamps, dishes, toys, housewares, jewelry and more. Please do not donate computers or televisions. Items can be dropped off at the Grange, 2858 Spear Street, on April 5 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m., April 7 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and April 10 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. The sale will take place on Thursday, April 10, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and Friday from noon–7 p.m. On Saturday, everything will be $2 a bag from 8 a.m.–noon. For more information about donations or the sale, contact Deb Stone at (802) 578-4237.
Little City Players to Present Much Ado about Nothing
The cast of the Little City Players during a recent rehearsal for Much Ado about Nothing. The play will take place at the historic Vergennes Opera House April 4-6. Little City Players, the community theatre group based at the historic Vergennes Opera House, will be presenting its first-ever production of a work by William Shakespeare, Much Ado about Nothing, April 4-6. Director Jeffrey Fox of Charlotte sets Much Ado in the Hamptons of today. Strains of jazz fill the air (provided by local musicians—and cast members—Mark and François Bouchett) as the fun-loving, confirmed bachelor Benedick (Glen Eastman) returns home from Wall Street to be met by the smart, headstrong Beatrice (Claire Lawson), who is always ready to do combat with a “merry war” of witty insults. Their love story is set against a darker one of
young love between Claudio (Christopher Castillo) and Hero (Sarah DeBouter), threatened by the machinations of the malicious Dawn Jon (Sue Fox). At once passionate, sexy and bitingly funny, Much Ado about Nothing is filled with some of the most brilliant comedic repartee ever written. See why many call the play the precursor to the screwball comedy. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 students and seniors. They can be purchased at the door or from Classic Stitching in Vergennes.
******************** CHARLOTTE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Pursuant to Title 24 and the Charlotte Land Use Regulations, the Board of Adjustment will meet at the Charlotte Town Hall, 159 Ferry Road, at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday April 16, 2014 to hear the following application: Request of Carol Conard, 260 North Shore Road, for Conditional Use approval for alterations to an existing accessory structure. Property is located in the Shoreland Seasonal Home Management District. Application materials are available for review during regular Planning and Zoning office hours, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participation in the hearing is a prerequisite to the right to appeal any decision related to an application. ********************
The Charlotte News
Vermontivate 2014 Comes Out Of The Gate Award-winning sustainability competition launches on VT Energy Independence Day Charlotte has a title to defend. Vermontivate, a nationaly awardwinning sustainability game, is launching its third round of community competition on Friday, March 21, at 11 a.m. with a press conference at the Statehouse in the Cedar Creek Room. This will be in celebration of Vermont Energy Independence Day. Last year Charlotte won both the school and the town divisions of the competition, earning an ice cream party from Ben & Jerry’s at CCS, not to mention other great awards. At the kick-off event, Charlotte Representative Mike Yantachka, a two-time Vermontivate veteran, will be one of the many speakers. The other speakers include climate champions from many of Vermontivate’s partner organizations, including Deb Sachs from VTrans, Johanna Miller from VNRC and Andi Colnes from Energy Action Network, as well as Senator Dave Zuckerman. Set to run until Green Up Day on May 3, this on-line/real-world hybrid event infuses joy and creativity into the serious and important work of tackling the global climate crisis. From curious beginners to folks looking to save a little money to green living mavens, people at all levels of awareness and engagement are invited to play. Players from towns and schools all over Vermont will spend five weeks racking up points for everything from changing light bulbs and starting compost piles to writing energy poetry, decorating bicycles and participating in the programs and events of Vermontivate’s three dozen partner organizations. “I’ve been working in conservation and efficiency for a decade,” says Vermontivate co-founder Nick Lange, “and Vermontivate is not only the most fun I’ve ever had, but it also has the greatest potential for powerful,
Early Spring Safety Tips Chris Davis Contributor
A young Charlotte participant displays a 2013 Vermontivate award. widespread impact.” Vermontivate! started in 2012 as a small trial and won the Best Energy Project Award from the Vermont Energy And Climate Action Network. Participation tripled in 2013 and garnered Vermontivate recognition from the American Council for an EnergyEfficient Economy for the effectiveness of the program. Just this week, Vermontivate was awarded third place in the national Health Care Without Harm Climate Change Contest, and South Burlington team captain Karen McKenny, a nurse at Fletcher Allen, will make a presentation about Vermontivate! at the CleanMed Conference in Cleveland this June. The winning community will receive an ice cream party from Ben & Jerry’s, and the winning school gets a six-foot teddy bear from Vermont Teddy Bear. If you are interested in being a potential player you can sign up at vermontivate.com or email info@vermontivate.com.
Even though the calendar says it’s officially spring, there’s still plenty of snow that can cause you problems. Follow these tips to stay safe now and into the future. Please check heating equipment vents. The latest snowfall and winds have created snowdrifts that can cover heating equipment vents. We are urging residents with heating equipment that vents through the wall of a home or business to clear the vents are clear of snow or ice build-up. Snow can be removed, but if a build-up of ice is found in the vent pipe, owners are requested to call a qualified technician immediately to have the unit checked. Check to be sure your carbon monoxide detector is working while waiting for the service visit. Check your carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Ice and snow can cause unsafe conditions with heating equipment to occur. Charlotte Fire and Rescue has responded to several calls for activated carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, and in one case the heating equipment was causing a life-threatening condition in the home. Please test your CO and smoke detectors, replace the batteries if you have not done so in the past six months, and install new detectors if the ones in your home are older than seven years.
Please keep address numbers visible, and clear snow from driveways and neighborhood dry hydrants. Clearing snow from driveways, address numbers and the nearest dry hydrant can make a huge difference in the outcome of a home or business emergency if one were to occur. Identifying where the help is needed and getting in and out safely are critical parts of every emergency response. Slow down on local roadways. Charlotte Fire & Rescue and other area emergency services have been responding to an increased number of calls for overturned or off-the-road vehicles. Local road crews have worked day and night trying to keep up with changing road conditions with the recent snow, ice, rain and drifting snow. Simply slowing down ten miles per hour can make a difference in how a vehicle behaves when unexpected road conditions are encountered. Please buckle up and slow down to help avoid the hassle of an unexpected off-road experience. Shovel snow with care. Please use caution when shoveling snow. Take frequent breaks, drink plenty of water, and stop if you become tired. If you feel any chest pain, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest or other unusual discomfort while shoveling, stop immediately and call your medical professional or 911 if you feel it is serious. Whenever possible, try to find a younger relative or friend to help you shovel.
Senior Center to Host Red Cross Blood Drive Spring is a time for new life. Help give someone else a chance at a new life through the American Red Cross blood drive at the Charlotte Senior Center on April 10 from 2–7 p.m. Donors can make appointments by either calling 1-800-RedCross or going to redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are always welcome, too.
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The Charlotte News
Charlotte’s Web The CharloTTe News
It’s a cold Thursday night in February, and a group of six Charlotte 20-somethings are gathered at the home of Michael Haulenbeek and Vera Simon-Nobes on Mt. Philo Road. It’s a potluck gathering, and the night’s meal consists mostly of locally sourced meat, vegetables and beer—a menu consistent with the localvore ethos of the group. As the wind blows swirls of snow in wisps across the road outside, there is a warmth to the proceedings inside. Everyone sits around Haulenbeek and Simon-Nobes’ spacious living room, catching up like old friends, which most of them are. Haulenbeek and Simon-Nobes grew up Charlotte—Vera for her entire life, Michael since the sixth grade. Tai Dinnan was also raised here. She recently returned to Charlotte with her partner, Evan Webster. They just bought land off of Spear Street Extension and hope to build a house there soon. Graham MacHarg grew up Hinesburg but now lives in Charlotte with his wife, Cayenne. Drew and Brittany Slabaugh, the only couple without a direct connection to the area—they moved to Charlotte two years ago and now run ShakeyGround Farm off Converse Bay Road—interact with ease as if they too were old friends. As everyone sits down to eat, Drew Slabaugh asks Dinnan how Charlotte has changed in the years since she was a child. She says the community used to be far away from Burlington, Shelburne, too. Now her hometown has new roads, new developments and new houses, something that came from a rural rush after 9/11, she says, where people wanted to get out of the city and into the country. Given her words, one could assume
Dichotomies
that Dinnan may see such people as population is heavily weighted toward nothing new for the area, or for Veroutsiders, as people who have changed school-aged children and middle-aged mont, and it has been discounted by Charlotte. But in the last 15 years, it adults and retirees. In the middle, as countless anecdotes of young Vermontseems those her age—20- and 30-some- if small buildings standing between ers returning home after spending time things—have become the outsiders in two looming skyscrapers, are the age away. Yet the numbers still paint a worCharlotte. 20-to-39 group—Millennials and Gen risome picture. –––– Xers—one of the smallest demographAccording to an article in Vermont According to census figures, in the ics in town. Life magazine, between 2000 and 2011, 15 years since the last rewrite of the What’s important about this is how the number of those 21 to 44 statewide Town Plan the Charlotte population as vital these generations are for a com- fell 11 percent. Statewide, the aging a whole has gotten older while losing a munity, writes Katherine Frase, who population, coupled with a modest sizable chunk of its young people. is involved with IBM’s Smarter Cities overall population growth, could mean As of 2010, the median age in Char- initiative. that as many as one in five Vermonters lotte is 44.8, up from 39.2 in 2000. “They generally pay a growing will be 65 and over by 2020, explained That puts Charlotte nearly nine years amount of taxes while imposing few Art Woolf, associate professor of ecoabove the median age in Chittenden demands on the city for services,” she nomics at UVM, in an op-ed published County (36.2) and three years above the writes in her article “Millennials Make last year in the Free Press. state average (41.5). The reason? Since Cities A Better Place To Live—For In interviews for this story, Woolf 2000, the town’s population of those Everyone.” “Many don’t have school- and others noted that Charlotte will ages 65 and over has risen from 275 to aged children yet. They generally have certainly not be immune to the issues 438, or 11 percent of the entire town’s few health care needs and they bring stemming from these demographics— population. enormous energy to a city, embracing in fact, the town is a microcosm of the Also, the number of Charlotters from new trends, enlightening others with issues facing the entire state: a graying 18 to 64 has remained relatively flat creative ideas, and boldly looking for population, a lack of local jobs and a since 2000, rising by 114 from 2235 ways to do things better.” high cost of living. These last two reato 2349. But of that age range, 66 perThe declining-youth narrative is sons are a large part of why many more cent—by far the biggest demographic—is from 45 to 64, nearly 44 percent of the total population . Bo iled down: over half of Charlotte’s population is 45 and older. In that same time, the population of Charlotters 19 and younger shrunk by about 26 percent. Despite this, the under-five to 19 age group still makes up a third of the town’s total population. When these numbers are plotted on a graph (see sidebar), an eerie visual story emerges: Charlotte’s This chart captures the age profile of Charlotters based on 2010 census figures. The all-important Millenial and Generation X demographics (roughly between the ages of 20 and 39) are a small portion of the town’s total population relative to other age demographics.
Chart by Sharon Murray, Front PorCh CoMMunity Planning & DeSign
Brett Sigurdson
Chapter two:
The Charlotte News 20- and 30-somethings don’t live here, said Dinnan. “Jobs and the cost of living—it’s really obvious for me why young people don’t live here,” she said. –––– Yet 20- and 30-somethings do live here—571 in total, according to census figures—for the same reason as so many others: Charlotte’s rural nature and spectacular views. But how long can they enjoy them? And what does the small size of this vital demographic mean as town officials plan for Charlotte’s future? For the six people gathered on this night, the future—especially a future in Charlotte—is a distant thing, for their livelihoods here are, for the most part, tenuous. Save for Dinnan and Webster, everyone gathered here on this night is part of a patronage system in which they are creating an existence in Charlotte through the help of someone wealthier or more established in the community. The Slaubaughs, for example, live rent free in exchange for work on the farm. The same goes for the MacHargs who are caretakers of a house in East Charlotte. Neither Dinnan and Webster nor Haulenbeek and Simon-Nobes pay market rates for their rentals. “If we had to pay market value for it we’d have to find some other place to live,” said Drew. Even friends and family are in similar positions, some in the group said—working the land or odd jobs in exchange for a living situation or just renting. Only a few could say they know people their age who actually own homes here. This illustrates the reality that, while Charlotte has the second highest percapita income in the state behind Norwich, a segment of the population here gets by through eking out an existence with the support of others. This also shows the interests their benefactors share with the younger people they support, namely agriculture and the arts. “While there are huge class differences between the different generations, there are a lot of similar values maybe,” says Simon-Nobes at the start of the conversation, “and that’s why we’re able to fuse these relationships and make it all work.”
“One of the advantages to living here Town Plan survey in February and is there’s a huge market for this kind March. While the sample size is not of thing,” Haulenbeek says about their large—only 15 people—the survey small farming operation. “People want respondents’ answers are startlingly to support young people who live on the similar. land and know a little bit about why it In describing the town at this moment costs more to buy an organically raised in time, most of the respondents called product that is raised on a small scale.” Charlotte an affluent, rural community “I’ve heard that from, like, half of my in transition, a beautiful town that lacks customers,” Drew adds. “They want to a community center, young professionsupport a young farmer.” als and polite politics. Coloring this Despite feeling a sense of belonging vision of Charlotte right now, most to the community as renters, employ- respondents noted the town faces sevees and small-time entrepreneurs, nearly everyone in the group felt their situations wouldn’t last forever. “I don’t think it’s the future,” said Dinnan. “I see it as a present situation that isn’t very sustainable. At some point, people will get tired of it and move on.” “Unless there was some other similar arrangements,” Brittany adds. This feeling that their time here could be ephemeral has given nearly everyone in the group a sense that they’re outsiders. “I feel like I’m part of the transient side of things,” said Drew, “I don’t have a connection to the place, Michael Haulenbeek and Vera Simon-Nobes the people, what goes on here. I go to Town Meeting and I just feel like a spectator.” eral key issues, including high property –––– taxes and a lack of local businesses, a Despite feeling that they are both need for more affordable housing, and a part of Charlotte and outside of it, all desire to have places to gather. six said they are aware of Charlotte’s Beyond these tangible things, a comcurrent issues. Throughout the con- mon sentiment among the survey’s versation they expressed an interest in respondents echoes Drew Slaubaugh’s: Charlotte’s land-use policies, commu- they don’t feel a sense of community nity safety (though most everyone said in Charlotte. “There is a lack of comthey weren’t concerned about break- munity in the town,” said one responins), taxes and affordable housing. dent. “It has become more a place of Indeed, their responses follow the individuals.” concerns of those ages 18 to 44 who To fix this sentiment, several survey responded to the Charlotte News’s takers expressed a desire to promote
more economic development in the village areas, in part so the town can have a “town center with commercial services to support the community, and gathering places for community members, especially young adults and new families,” said one respondent. Moreover, many would like to see bike lanes and recreation trails to connect them safely with other parts of town. While Katharine Frase’s article is ostensibly about what Millennials desire in cities, her findings are similar to those desired in Charlotte: affordable housing, accessibility and a feeling of engagement. And when they find it, they make a place better. “Creating cities in which Millennials can thrive and where they will want to spend the rest of their lives takes ingenuity, progressive city leadership and some flexibility. This diverse group of young people is creating real opportunity for growing cities, contributing to economic development and, in the process, making our cities better for everyone.” –––– Mandy Koskinen moved to Charlotte with her husband, Erik, who is a dentist in Middlebury, and their three children in August 2012. Only a few months after settling here, she became the co-chair of the CCS PTO, which had disbanded prior to the start of the school year. Since then, she has become a leader at the school and a presence at the last two Town Meetings and many other events, raising money for the organization, which supports educational initiatives at the school. Despite a desire to make a difference locally, she has felt her efforts rebuffed, leaving her frustrated. She cites feeling frustrated by her attempts to coordinate events like the Champ Run for the school community with the town, which have been met with condescension and road blocks. These experiences have illustrated an “us vs. them” mentality in town, she said, a split between new ideas and old. “It seems like whatever has been done in the past is how we continue
Sunday, March 30 from 8-11 am at the Old Lantern on Greenbush Rd $7 per person - all you an eat
Dichotomies
continued on page 10
The Charlotte News
Dichotomies continued from page 9 to operate,” she said. “People are shocked when ‘new-fangled’ ideas are brought forth, and those are squelched quicker than you can say ‘small town’ three times fast. It seems like no one wants to see Charlotte changed in any way, shape or form. We want it to continue to look like a Norman Rockwell painting, even if it means the town dies in the process.” Like others her age, Koskinen and her family feel the burden of living in such a high-cost community. “We have struggles,” she said. “Affordability is one, and my husband is a dentist.” Yet Koskinen sees a lot of value in the education her children, ages 8, 12 and 15, receive here. She sees the school as central to the viability and growth of a younger population in Charlotte, even if it means more spending. “The school is one of the biggest draws that we have,” she said. “Perhaps the only one for young families. If we start voting down budgets year after year and making more cuts to the programming, we are going to attract fewer and fewer families to Charlotte—someone needs to buy all these homes when our aging population is ready to downsize or ‘move’ to greener pastures.” Her family won’t be one of those to settle down in Charlotte, however. “I do not think we will be here in five years. It is too expensive to buy a home, and the prospects of resale seem to be slim when we need to downsize.” She laments the fact this may be true for other young families, for it means a new generation of potential town leaders will disappear, leaving the town with a split identity and the same divisions. “The town will become a place where there will be two kinds of
people—the uber rich and the poor,” she said. “Second homes on the lake and places where the owners cannot afford the upkeep if we don’t keep families moving in. No one will want to get involved with the town government when all you see in the paper is the vitriol that goes back and forth. Who needs that in their life?” –––– Back at Haulenbeek and SimonNobe’s home, everyone has finished dinner, and a similar question comes up: Will they be here in five years? Most of them aren’t sure. The MacHargs will live in Burlington, where they’re fixing up a house they purchased. Haulenbeek and Simon-Nobes would like to be, but they’re not sure. Neither are Drew or Brittany. The only couple that is certain to be around is Dinnan and Webster. Asked if they could afford to settle in Charlotte would they get involved in the community, nearly everyone said they would. “There more I stick around, the more I want to invest in the community,” said Drew, a sentiment Webster echoed. In discussing plans for the future, everyone is hopeful he can stay in Charlotte, but there is a sense of resignation that it might not come to pass. Dinnan thinks of her parents, who bought a house in East Charlotte in the 1970s. She wonders if they could make it here now. “They say, ‘Oh, we wouldn’t be able to move into Charlotte now if we were you,’” said Dinnan. “They see that a community can’t really continue if there aren’t really any working-class people.” For the second installment of this story, check out the next issue of the News, out April 10.
CCS Odyssey of the Mind Team Invited to World Finals Sage Bagnato, Julie Holmes, Sarah Scranton Contributors
A group of CCS students on the winning Odyssey of the Mind team are (from left) Aidan Devine, Emmett LaChapelle, Chloe Silverman, Riley fourth graders from Bagnato, Chris Haigney, Sam Holmes and Malinn Sigler. CCS took second at a statewide tournament of Odyssey dated tasks. They incorporated the vehicle of the Mind held at CVU this past weekend into an eight-minute presentation for which and have been invited to compete at the they developed the theme, wrote the script, World Finals. Members of the group were and designed the costumes. ecstatic when they heard they placed, as Saturday was an exciting day as the team they have been working since November moved from the spontaneous, short-term to solve a long-term problem without assis- problem competition to watching schools tance from anyone outside their team. from all over Vermont perform, to perThe team formed in the fall when the forming their own long-term solution. In Charlotte PTO was exploring ways to add their division, vehicles were made from enrichment to the school. CCS has had everything from plastic containers, to bicyOdyssey of the Mind teams in the past, and cle parts, chicken-wire and wagon wheels. a small group of parents wanted to learn (There is a cost limit, so the more material more about the program so they took on the made out of trash or recycled items, the coaching. Jen Leach, a third grade teacher better!) The enthusiasm and excitement for at CCS was also a strong supporter with a job well done, and done all on their own, experience as an Odyssey of the Mind stu- was worth all the time and effort. dent, coach and a current judge. This year Currently, the team is debating whether was a trial year, and it seems to have been it will attend the World Championship a huge success—not only for the outcome Competition at Iowa State University May but for the team-bonding, creative problem- 28-31. Attended by over 800 teams, this solving and self-sufficiency fostered. international competition would allow the Odyssey of the Mind is an internation- CCS team to showcase their creativity and al organization that celebrates creativity. interact with students from all over the Teams consist of five to seven students world. who cannot receive any help solving their Participating in the World Finals would problem outside the group, especially from certainly be a life-changing experience for adults. Coaches set-up practice sessions, these young students. For, in the words of help break-down the problem in smaller Oliver Wendell Holmes, “The human mind parts, ask open-ended questions, and help stretched to a new idea never goes back to lead brainstorming sessions. There are its original dimensions.” five long-term problems to choose from If you want to learn more about Odyssey and the Charlotte team chose the vehicle of the Mind, visit vt.odysseyofthemind.org. problem where they had to design, build and operate a vehicle with two propulsion systems that could complete several man-
The Charlotte News
Enrichment Program Rolls at CCS Tom Scatchard Contributor Twenty-four students are spending an hour a week after school challenging themselves with math problems, learning about the fish tank, writing articles for a school newspaper or carving vegetables into creative sculptures. Volunteer group leaders are offering these activities to CCS students as part of the PTO enrichment program. An enthusiastic group of kindergarten to 3rd graders are joining Dan Luce, the school fish tank guru, to meet the fish and learn about the operation of the large aquarium in the school lobby. They get to feed the snowflake moray eel, look closely at the spiny shrimp and watch the anemone’s mouth in action. Another group of K-3 students is challenging their math problem solving activities. Could you figure out how many eggs three chickens could lay in eight days, if one chicken lays three eggs in four days?
On Thursdays, Elizabeth Skypeck, CCS’s food director, will lead a group of students in taking radishes and other fruits and veggies and making them into whimsical sculptures through careful and imaginative carving. These creations will then become part of bento lunch boxes. Also on Thursday, a gang of 1st – 4th grade writers will be using computers to craft their own exciting news articles that will then become the Charlotte Central Gazette (or some other yetto-be-chosen name). By reading this newspaper you could learn about being part of the Penguin Plunge, taking a trip to Chicago to visit grandpa (and an arcade), vacationing at Jay Peak, helping the 8th grade bottle cap organization, and more. Excerpts from the articles may also appear in the CCS Newsletter and the Charlotte News. So, we may still be getting snow in Vermont (this being written on the enrichment program is helping young minds at CCS stay hot.
Charlotte Children’s Center Celebrates Week of the Young Children The Charlotte Children’s Center and the Charlotte Library will collaborate to host a story hour for preschool children on Thursday, April 10, at 10 a.m. at the Charlotte Library. Charlotte’s Fire Chief Chris Davis will be the special guest reader. The children from the center will also be baking a special treat to share with the community. All preschoolers in Charlotte are welcome to attend this special story hour. This event is just one of the ways the Charlotte Children’s Center will celebrate the Week of the Young Child (WYOC), which is April 6-12 this year. WYOC is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young children and is celebrated in many different ways by local communities
across the country. The purpose of WOYC is to focus attention on the needs of young children and their families. This year’s theme is “Investing in Young Children Benefits All.” In addition to this event, the Charlotte Children’s Center will also be hanging children’s art in various places in the community during the month of April. The Charlotte Children’s Center serving the needs of young children and their families for almost 30 years. The center offers programs for children ages three months to seven years old. For more information about the center, please visit the website at charlottechildrenctr.com or call Nancy Elder at 802-425-3328.
Report from CVU CVU Board Appreciates Budget Support Contributors As your CVU School Board representatives, we wish to extend our sincere appreciation for your support of the school budget this year. We understand how difficult it is to balance the needs of the community and local schools with those of your own families. Thanks in great part to your generosity CVU will continue to provide strong academic programs and a wide variety of co-curricular activities for our children. As well, CVU will remain a hub of activity for the community at large. Please continue to engage in the wide variety of courses offered through ACCESS and to attend theater, art and sports events as your interests and time allow. Finally, as we write, board representatives are compiling responses many of you provided in our annual CVU questionnaire. Thank you for taking the time to complete this form, which, among
other means, provides the board with valuable feedback from our communities. Again, thank you for investing in our children’s futures. We will continue to work diligently to carefully weigh the educational needs of our children with the fiscal concerns of our constituents. Good News The CVU Penguin Plunge team raised over $45,000 for the Vermont Special Olympics—the most ever raised by any team in Vermont! UpcomiNG eveNt 28, $15, information here: http://cvuweb.cvuhs.org/access/rootsmusic.html Lorna Jimerson and Marilyn Richardson are Charlotte’s representatives to the CVU School Board.
Cool Science Eighth-grader Sara Holm shares her project on making paper during the CCS Science Expo last Friday. Holm was one of many students who took part in the annual event in the school’s multipurpose room. Photo by Jeffrey Fox
CCS Kindergarten Registration Opens April 3 Children 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2014, are eligible to attend kindergarten at Charlotte Central School. Kindergarten registration for the 2014/2015 school year will take place April 3 and 4. Once you have called to make an appointment indicating your child will be coming to CCS, you will receive a registration packet. For more information, call Naomi Strada at (802) 425-6600.
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Hiring an itinerant butcher is generally less expensive than a fully inspected slaughter process. The cost of slaughter accounts for roughly 20 percent of the total cost of producing our lambs. In the past, on-farm slaughter in Vermont has been loosely regulated with minimal oversight from the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. However, it has recently been subject to scrutiny from state lawmakers who say that federal funding for state meat inspectors could be in jeopardy if the process is not more closely watched. H.515, which passed last year, lays out basic sanitation requirements for
Food &Field (Refining) Lambs to the Slaughter Michael Haulenbeek The CharloTTe News Vera and I have been raising sheep for about two years. We started with two lambs, rotating them around small paddocks in Vera’s parents’ backyard. Our interest in sheep grew, as well as our commitment to raising healthy, pasture-based meat for our friends and neighbors. Now we rent a house, barn and pasture space at the old Foote Farm in East Charlotte and are expecting more than 20 lambs from our flock of 15 ewes this spring. There are many challenges in raising pasture-based lamb, including predation, pasture rotation, lambing, parasite management and general animal health. One of the most interesting challenges is navigating the process of turning the animal from a living creature into meat for the table. There are several options for small producers when it comes to the slaughter process, such as sending animals to a licensed slaughterhouse or having the animals slaughtered on-farm by an itinerant butcher. There are pros and cons to each and many factors to consider, like the number of animals being slaughtered, the
level of stress on the animal, sanitation and food safety, cost, the market for the meat, as well as shifting and possibly confusing regulations. For the last two years, Vera and I have hired an itinerant butcher to slaughter our lambs on-farm in the fall. There are several reasons we have chosen this method over a fully state or USDA inspected process. For instance, in the last two years we have processed fewer than ten lambs per year, which is a feasible number for an itinerant butcher working alone to process in a day. There is also a state limit of 25 sheep slaughtered on-farm per year. We also feel that on-farm slaughter is the most peaceful method for the lambs, without the added stress of transportation and a new environment prior to slaughter. Many people, including state meat inspectors, are concerned with sanitation and food safety associated with on-farm slaughter. In our experience, the on-farm slaughter process can be very clean. Meat carcasses hang and never touch the ground after the skin is removed, and cleaned carcasses are wrapped in plastic for transport to a state inspected facility for hanging, cutting and packaging. Cost is another factor to consider.
brand and help to expand markets for small producers. These new rules were enacted between our first and second season raising lambs and have not proven to be too burdensome. Sanitation requirements are broad and are based on common sense, stating that slaughter may not pollute water sources and must occur in an environment that is “free of contaminants.” The limit of 25 sheep slaughtered on-farm has not been problematic for us, but could be if we decide to grow. In order to slaughter more animals onfarm than the state limit, producers must build an inspectable custom slaughter facility at a cost of $5,000 to $15,000. In all, new onfarm slaughter rules are a fair compromise between stringent federal regulations and the largely unregulated “black market” of on-farm slaughtered meat in Vermont prior to H.515. However, it turns out that our farm was one of only four in the state to declare animals slaughtered on-farm for sale in 2013. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the law in bringing more on-farm slaughters under state supervision, as well as how the law will be Sheep at the author's East Charlotte farm, called Fifth enforced. As rules Fence. continue to evolve, we hope that on-farm slaughter remains a safe, humane, legal on-farm slaughter, caps the number of and cost-effective option for providing animals that can be slaughtered on-farm meat to our friends and neighbors. and sold each year, stipulates that aniTo learn more about on-farm slaughmals slaughtered on-farm may be sold ter, visit the website for Rural Vermont, only to a single buyer as a whole ani- the small farm advocacy group, at ruralmal (as opposed to by individual cut or vermont.org and the Vermont Agency halves) and requires farmers to record of Agriculture, Food and Markets at and report all animals slaughtered on- agriculture.vermont.gov. farm to the state. Supporters of the bill To learn more about our sheep and say the law will help isolate cases of farm products visit fifthfence.com. foodborne illness, protect the Vermont
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Bitybean Wins Award for Baby Carrier
B Charlotte’s Bitybean recently won a coveted Cribsie Award for its UltraCompact Baby Carrier.
itybean, a Charlotte-based company, is thrilled to announce its receipt of the coveted Cribsie Award. The company’s UltraCompact Baby Carrier was awarded the Best New Arrival carrier. The award honors the best new brands and products of 2013 as judged by the Cribsie Academy. Ali Wing and Liz Gumbinner were two of the Academy’s prestigious judges who sang the praises of Bitybean’s UltraCompact Baby Carrier. “I love the functional practicality of this item!” said Wing, the founder and CEO of Giggle, author of the giggle guide to baby gear, and co-author of Lilaguide. Gumbinner, also an industry leader, is a regular on programs such as the TODAY Show, the Martha Stewart Show and the CBS Early Show, where she’s a top expert on parenting trends and gear. “[I] really like the idea of a nice looking baby carrier that isn’t a nightmare to cram into your suitcase,” she said. “Beats renting strollers at Disney World!” Doug Hartwell, Bitybean’s Founder, was flattered and exhilarated by the award. “It feels good to be recognized by industry leaders along with other leading brands like Zutano, Aden+Anais, SkipHop and Lucky Duck Organization.” The good news continues for Bitybean. Hartwell is expecting the biggest shipment to date in the coming weeks, with much of the order already spoken for.
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Fletcher Allen: A Great Hospital in Our Backyard How Fletcher Allen has improved s health care locally
Ruth Uphold Contributor Having access to an academic medical center for your hospital needs is a great asset. Having access to an outstanding one is even better. But how do you know if your hospital is exceptional or just average? The University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), a group of 119 nonprofit academic centers, ranks the top 100 hospitals in a number of categories, including mortality, effectiveness, safety, equity, patient centeredness and efficiency. After a gradual improvement over the past several years, Fletcher Allen Health Care (FAHC) ranked seventh overall in 2013—and in the area of “patient safety” FAHC ranked number one. This is a testament to the high quality of our hospital. Patient safety is based on the following metrics: central line infections, post-operative hemorrhage or hematoma (bruising), post-operative respiratory failures, post-operative blood clots and physician-induced lung collapse. Its extremely low central-line infection rate is what got FAHC its number one ranking. Recently FAHC made a commitment to become a high-reliability institution. This means that rather than merely
reducing infections the hospital is working to eliminate them altogether. Some amazing results have occurred. In the past three years there have been no central line blood-borne infections in the neonatal intensive care unit. There have been none for one year in the medical and pediatric intensive care units. For 400 knee and over 350 hip replacement surgeries performed in 2013, there were only two infections, for a 0.2-percent rate, well below the national average. FAHC is not resting on its laurels but continues to strive to improve the quality of patient care, especially through advances in technology. The reporting system, Safe Alerts for Events (SAFE), can be accessed by all employees. This electronic reporting system, implemented in 2001, gives all staff members the opportunity to report patient safety risks and allows everyone to participate in improving the care delivery systems. Staff members are specifically encouraged to report “near misses.” This is never a punitive tool. It is used instead to share with others possible hazards and ways for improvement. As evidence of its commitment, the hospital has a monthly contest where the best near miss, called a Good Catch, rewards the originator with $100. The hospital also anticipates human failure and fatigue and designs systems to reduce or eliminate these factors. Examples include pre-procedure time-outs for all involved to double check that they have the right patient, the right procedure, the right site and
the right equipment; patient-controlled analgesia with a lock-out timing feature so patients cannot inadvertently overdose; and checklists that are used when inserting central lines to help eliminate these infections. I especially like the “patient centeredness” category judged by UHC. For example, FAHC’s food service is a testimony to how meals are centered around the patients. Rather than serve all patients with the same meal at the same time, patients now select what they want from the menu and when they want it and phone in their orders to nutrition services. The amount of food waste has gone down so dramatically it nearly makes up for the extra expense of individual orders. This has a side effect of creating less garbage in Burlington and increased satisfaction of patients. FAHC has several specialty certifications that reflect a dedication to providing state-of-the-art care in these areas. A noninclusive list includes Level I Trauma Center, Stem Cell Transplant Program, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, and Stroke Center. The hospital is also recognized as a quality cardiovascular disease center. One of the working principles at FAHC is the motto “We Are One.” All health care workers are recognized as valuable members of the care delivery team. This leads to high staff morale and improved care of patients (see sidebar). We are truly fortunate to have such
a high-performing, high-quality institution in our backyard. Remember, FAHC is number one in patient safety. Good for them and good for us. Ruth Uphold, now retired, is the former medical director of the FAHC Emergency Department. She lives in Charlotte.
“They Saved Your Life” Although I had a professional relationship for over 30 years with UVM’s College of Medicine and its teaching hospital, now known as Fletcher Allen Health Care, it is as a patient that I owe my allegiance and gratitude. The friendliness and compassion of the staff have been constant, but it is competence that wins the battle. I have experienced that competence from FAHC physicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses, and it does not stop there. Two non-M.D. staff—a physician’s assistant and an echocardiogram technician—discovered my aortic aneurysm (a weakening of the wall of my aorta). Because of its size, eventual rupture would have been likely, perhaps sooner than later. My cardiologist said, “They saved your life.” Tom Bates Charlotte
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Charlotte Senior Center
The Café Menu
by Mary Recchia, Activities Coordinator
at the Center prior to the first class. Registration required. Fee: First four classes, $96; all six, $144. –––– In this “next step” beginning drawing class you will learn to “see like an artist” through a series of fun, easy exercises that will unlock your artist’s brain. This class is taught by Elizabeth Llewellyn and will be held Thursday mornings from 10–11:30 a.m. on April 3, 10, 17, 24 and May 1 and 8. Llewellyn will include discussion and uses of a variety of drawing materials: pencil, charcoal, ink, and the different supports available. Students will learn how to draw on toned paper with colored charcoal and explore the use of the blending stump and the kneaded eraser as drawing tools. Students will be amazed at their progress in this relaxed, supportive environment. Please pick up a materials list at the host desk. Registration required. Limit 10. Fee: $72. –––– A collection of lectures, performances and special events Please join us Wednesday afternoons beginning at 1 p.m. No registration or fee. April 2: Helping You Shine! with Mary Catherine Graziano. Out walking at night, even for a short period of time? Did you know that a thumbsized piece of reflectivity is much more visible than wearing all white? Local Motion’s outreach and training coordinator will join us to talk about strategies for being more visible to motorists at night and send you home with free reflective safety gear! April 9: Jazz It Up! with the CVU Singers. The CVU Men’s Chorus is part of a larger family of approximately 100 singers. It is comprised
of dedicated, committed sophomores, juniors and seniors who love nothing more than to perform throughout our community. They cheerfully bring their carefully prepared repertoire of oldies and goodies and hope everyone enjoys the concert. April 16: “This Book is for the Birds” with P. Brian Machanic. A native Vermonter and current Charlotter, Brian joins us to talk about the evolution of his new 88-page coffeetable book featuring photographs of 37 species of birds indigenous to the Eastern U.S., most found in Vermont. His photography has received regional and national awards. Brian’s presentation will include many of his book’s images, along with anecdotal commentary on bird watching, photographic techniques and, yes, even the perils of book publishing.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2: Almond turkey casserole, birthday cake and ice cream. MONDAY, APRIL 7: Avgolemono (chicken and rice) soup, Greek salad with feta, olives and cucumber, lemon poppyseed cake. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9: Catch of the day, homemade dessert.
Senior LunCheonS are held every Wednesday at noon. Reservations are necessary in advance and can be made by calling the Senior Center at 425-6345. A $4 donation is requested. Reservations are not required for the Monday Munch.
Waiting for Spring While the calendar officially marks this time of year Spring, the snow and deep cold of winter remain. Some may find themselves wishing this bench at Town Beach looked out upon blue waters from a snowless ground, the smell of blossoms somewhere in the air.
Photo by Karyn Lunde
Our April art exhibit will feature works by Elizabeth Llewellyn, artist and art educator. She has been making art ever since she could hold a crayon and believes that everyone can benefit from art, even those who believe they “can’t draw.” This eclectic show will include paintings and drawings by Elizabeth and her students of all ages. –––– Do you love theatre? Do you appreciate the spoken word? All The World’s a Stage is our play reading group that meets once a month and is for people who enjoy—or suspect they might enjoy—reading plays aloud with others. Parts have been assigned for our reading on March 28 from 1–3 p.m., when we will hear The Odd Couple by Neil Simon. As a participant or a listener, all are welcome to join as we continue to broaden our exposure to this rich and poignant form of literature. There is a sign-up sheet in the registration book at the host desk where you can let us know if you would like to be given a part for our next reading on Thursday, April 24. –––– Spring Splash, a watercolor class with Lynn Cummings, will be held Tuesday mornings from 9:15 a.m.– 12:15 p.m. on April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and May 6. Brilliant spring flowers and the greening, blooming landscapes of Vermont will be the subjects for this watercolor class. From beginning watercolor painters to those with some experience, all participants will enjoy exploring fun and interesting ways of painting colorful spring subjects in this supportive class environment. You will be encouraged to loosen up and use this wonderful and sometimes unpredictable medium to its advantage! Please pick up a materials list
MONDAY, MARCH 31: Chili, salad and brownie sundaes.
Five Charlotters Represent CVU on the Slopes at States Five Charlotters competed for CVU at the state Alpine ski championships on March 3 at Middlebury College Snow Bowl and March 5 at Burke Mountain. They are (from left) Sydney McGlaflin, Natalie Franklin, Boomer Vazquez, Cassidy McGlaflin, Noelle DesLauriers. At the giant slalom event at Middlebury, Sydney finished 29th, followed by Natalie (46th) and Noelle (50th). Out of the 75 girls competing in the slalom event at Burke, Cassidy finished highest at 45th. In the men’s slalom race, Boomer finished 12th out of 85 skiers.
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ummmer camps
The Charlotte News
SPORTS Stratton Mountain’s Weidman snowboards in Vermont Open Charlotte’s Kurt Weidman, a junior at the Stratton Mountain School, placed second in the rail-jam for men at the second annual Vermont Open Snow Board Championships held at Stratton March 7-9. Boarders from throughout the northeast competed in age classes. Kurt’s men’s category was for 14-17 year olds with 13 racers competing. CVU’s Kinneston named Player of the Year by two groups Gatorade named Redhawk basketball star Emily Kinneston its “Player of the Year” for the second straight time. Selected in conjunction with USA Today, the award recognizes the recipient’s “athleticism, high academic achievement and exemplary character.” A 5’8” guard, Emily averaged 11.8 points per game, just over three steals and 2.9 assists. She was also named the state player of the year by the Vermont Basketball Coaches Association and was last year’s Free Press “Ms. Basketball.” The coaches honored their colleague, Ute Otley, head coach at CVU, as “Coach of the Year” in Division I. CVU is represented on both men’s and women’s all-star teams The Vermont Basketball Coaches Association Division I-II north allstar rosters contained names familiar
Rec News by Kristin Hartley
Spring is not in the air but it will be soon! I hope you have had a chance to get out on the slopes and enjoy this awesome snow. Current aCtivities The town ice rink is still in full swing. If you haven’t been out yet there is still time—grab a friend and hit the rink. Adult boot camp is still going strong. The March session has begun, but it is not too late to join. Come join your neighbors 6 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. spring programs Our upcoming spring programs are now posted on our town website. Here is a quick rundown of outdoor spring programming. Lacrosse registration for first and second graders is due by April 11. We have some awesome coaches this year, and it should be an exciting season. Check the chart for the practice schedule to date. Practices will begin when the fields are playable, usually near spring break. You will be hearing from your coaches soon. Afterschool tennis takes place Mondays and Fridays at the Town Beach
by Edd Merritt
to CVU basketball fans. Charlotte’s Lucas Aube played on the men’s squad, while Amanda Beatty and Emily Kinneston played under the coaching reins of Ute Otley for the women. The north teams won both games, the men in a scoring frenzy 128-114, the women also breaking three figures with a 105-56 victory. Hockey Classics go to Harris The Essex Rotary Hockey doubleheader went to the Harris Conference by scores of 3-2 for the men and 4-1 for the women. The state champion Redhawks placed four seniors on the Harris roster: forwards Will Bernicke, The CVU men's hockey team celebrates its 4-2 state championship win over Essex Brendan Gannon and Patrick Pattison on March 7 with its fans. The team ended the season 20-1-2, good enough for numand defenseman Alex Bulla. Pattison ber one on the Free Press's high school hockey power rankings. scored a goal and Bernicke gained an assist in the game. The Rebel/Hawk women shifted to March Madness on the car racing seconds behind the winner. the Austin Conference with Molly track The week before, Dillon was at Dunphy playing forward. Dillon Machavern, driving his Sebring for Round 2 of the Continental CVU helps Vermont capture New Heritage/Panic/T-Speed Mazda at Tire Sports Car Challenge. Qualifying Road Atlanta, was one of five cars in position number 5 before being England Eastern Nordic title Redhawk Nordic skiers helped to look like jets in formation coming sent down to position 33 due to a Vermont win the Eastern Nordic title around the track in Round Five of the post-qualification technical inspection, over Massachusetts by nearly 2,000 Eastern Conference Majors Tour. In Dillon methodically passed 23 cars, points. On the men’s side, Charlie the course of the race, he and the leader gaining position 10. Unfortunately, Maitland finished ninth in the 5K teamed up to turn in the fastest laps. at that point his car developed an freestyle, and on the women’s, Autumn Several drivers grabbed the lead over electrical problem, and he was forced Eastman finished third in the 5K race, the course of the race, and turning into to the sideline where he was towed to leading a pack of five Vermonters in the final lap, five cars began in a row. the paddock and could not complete the top ten. She placed seventh in the Driving down a hill and into the final the race. turn, Dillon arrived second, only 0.120 7.5K classic race as well. beginning May 5. We are lucky to have Kylie deGroot running our program again this year. Kylie is a very knowledgeable instructor and has a great staff to work with. The afterschool golf program is now full—sorry! We have a few indoor spring programs as well. Come join Heather Morris for our third session of Celtic dance, which begins March 14. The program is for children in kindergarten through 8th grade and is a great place for your child to learn to love dance. Afterschool percussion classes with Andrew Gagnon will continue at CCS on Friday afternoons. Andrew works with children from 1st to 8th grades and provides private and semi-private lessons for children interested in learning to play the drums or fine-tuning the skills they already have. Kindergarten soccer is now being offered afterschool on Wednesdays from 3-4:15 p.m. Have your kindergartener come join friends for some fun on the field. summer programs All of our summer camp information available to date is now posted on the town website, but keep checking for new additions. Our summer begins with a week of free one-hour tennis instruction at the annual Tim Serrell tennis clinic for Charlotte residents. This clinic is led by Amy deGroot, a PTR professional instructor with a huge tennis resume. I hope you are able to take advantage of this opportunity! The next week, June 23-27, Amy will be offering a tennis camp in Charlotte for 10 to 14 year olds, a great way to continue working on your tennis. Amy
Charlotte Lacrosse PRACTICE Schedules: Age Group
Coaches
Boys 1-2
Jim McEnaney Rick Byrne Dave Richardson Ray Gilliam Pete Van Vranken Ray Gilliam Pete Cahn Sam Crawford Lars Cartwright Rich Sturim Tim Flanagan Jeff Nolan Chris Kogut Laurie Brooks Rowan Beck Rowan Beck Hoyt Barringer Sarah Minkler
Boys 3-4
Boys 5-6
Boys 7-8
Girls 1-2 Girls 3-4 Girls 5-6 Girls 7-8
Time
Days
5-6:00
Tuesday
5-6:30pm
Monday
Wednesday
5:30-7pm
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
6-7:30pm
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
5-6 pm 4:30-6:00
Tuesday Monday
Friday Wednesday
3-4:30
Monday
Wednesday
4:30-6pm
Monday
Tuesday
will also be holding camp for 6-7 year olds and 8-11 year olds July 7-11 at the Davis Park courts in Shelburne. Registration for this week needs to be completed through Shelburne Recreation. We are very excited about our new offering: a Green Thumbs Gardening Camp to be run by Tai Dinnan and Stacy Carter. This camp is for grades 1-5. These two young women are amazing at what they do. This camp is a keeper! This summer we are hosting three soccer camps: the British Challenger Camp, TetraBrazil Challenger Camp, and the Voltage Soccer Camp. All three will be run at CCS—no commute! The Recreation Department is in the process of adding a summer golf camp at Cedar Knoll to be taught by Barry Churchill, a master of the game. Please check the website for updates. Track and field is one of our most popular summer sports. We join with our sister towns Hinesburg and Williston on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:15-7:45 p.m. June 16 through July 24. Great coaches, great experience.
Thursday
Last but not least we are adding a new beginner adult biking series run by Karyn Lewis. Get that old bike out of storage aand join your neighbors to enjoy one of the best places in Vermont to bike. There will be a Thursday evening session at 6 p.m. beginning May 9 and a Saturday session at 9 a.m. beginning May 11. The town is now accepting applications for the beach attendant positions needed to staff our Town Beach. Applications and a job description are available at the Town Hall as well as on the town website. Registration forms for all programs and more information can be found on our town website (charlottevt.org) or here at the Charlotte Town Offices. As always, there are full and partial scholarships available for all recreation programs. If you have any questions about any of our programs contact me at recreation@townofcharlotte.com or 425-6129, ext. 204.
Whale tales. Adults and children can join the “Six for Six” book program, and preschoolers can enjoy the “Week of the Young Child” story time sponsored with the Charlotte Children’s Center. In a more literal sense, we’ll keep the books with our first “Money Smart Week” offerings on identity theft and financial housekeeping. We hope that you find something here to pique your interest and keep you betting on the book. Upcoming at the liBrary
by Margaret Woodruff Betting on the Book “Get over it. The library is about books. Celebrate it.” —Steve Coffman, Post-Print Futures? Books do remain a principle source of information, ideas and entertainment; libraries remain the principle source of books. While our mandate has expanded beyond books to include audio and visual collections as well as informational and entertaining programs, the library looks to books for identity and a symbol of open access, freedom of information and shared knowledge. We hope to make your search for good books of any kind an easy and enjoyable task, and we love to advise and share our opinions about books we’ve read and heard about. Beginning in April, we’ll offer a new “Reader’s Advisory” service through the Charlotte Library website (charlottepubliclibrary.org)—don’t forget to check out the latest titles available at the library while you’re here. You can fill out the form and stop in for a selection of materials to choose from, complete with conversation, of course! Please visit our site, test it out and let us know if the results are favorable. Also in April, we will be “keeping the books,” as we invite authors with local connections to share their works, from noir fiction to Charlotte
Lunchbox Story Time for Preschoolers, April 2, 12:15 p.m. Full STEAM ahead as we explore everything from tornadoes to toads during this discovery time just for 3-5 year olds. Pack your lunch and join us for a library adventure every Wednesday. Registration required. Please call or email the library to sign up: 425-3864 or charlottelibraryvt@gmail.com. Money Smart Week—Secure Your ID: Identity Theft Protection, April 2, 7 p.m. Learn how to prevent and protect your personal information against identity theft and the costly toll of identity theft on your finances and credit. Amy Schram of the Better Business Bureau presents this Money Smart Week event. April Author Event: Publishing a Dystopian World, April 7, 7 p.m. Novelist Toby Ball discusses his wideranging experiences in the publishing world and what he’s learned about the publishing industry. He also shares his critically acclaimed novels, The Vaults and Scorch City, as well as a glimpse of his upcoming book, Invisible Streets. Lunchbox Story Time for Preschoolers, April 9, 12:15 p.m. Registration required. Please call or email the library to sign up: 425-3864 or charlottelibraryvt@gmail.com. Afterschool Program: Marvelous Marble Runs, Wednesday, April 9, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Using recycled materi-
als, engineer your own individual marble runs that guarantee hours of fun even after you leave the library. Grades 1–4. Registration required. Please call or email the library to sign up: 4253864 or charlottelibraryvt@gmail.com. Money Smart Week: Keeping Your Financial House in Order, April 9, 7 p.m. Amy Thompson, certified trust and financial advisor at People’s Bank, brings her financial acumen to the library for Money Smart Week. Amy will discuss the different areas of one’s financial life and help attendees zero in on what they should be paying attention to—from retirement planning, to budgeting, to estate planning and more. She will cover basic concepts and share tips and strategies to empower attendees with the knowledge they need to keep their financial life on track. Suitable for teens on up. Week of the Young Child Story Time, April 10, 10:30 a.m. The Charlotte Children’s Center and the Charlotte Library collaborate to host a story hour for preschool children on Thursday, April 10, at 10 a.m. Chris Davis, Charlotte Fire Chief, is the special guest reader, and children from the center will be baking a special treat to share with the community. All preschoolers in the community are welcome to attend this special story hour. Resources and information about the library’s Early Literacy Initiative will also be available. National Library Week, April 13-19. Celebrate all the library has to offer as we showcase our various programs and collections. We’ll launch our “Six for Six” reading challenge, map out local authors and illustrators, embark on a new Maker exploit and learn about the discovery of the Charlotte Whale. How Do You Get a Whale in Vermont?: The Unlikely Story of Vermont’s Official State Fossil, April 13, 2–4 p.m. Author and archaeologist Jeff Howe tells the story of the Charlotte Whale and the successful effort to have the whale designated the Vermont State
Fossil. This event is co-sponsored by the Charlotte Library and the Charlotte Historical Society. It takes place at the Senior Center. Mystery Book Group: Back to the Golden Age, April 14, 10 a.m. We return to the “Golden Age of Mystery” this month, reading Margery Allingham’s Affair at Black Dudley, the first story featuring her hero Albert Campion. Coffee, muffins, and conversation. Afterschool Arduino Club, April 14, 3:15-5 p.m. Looking to expand your Arduino aptitude? To get things started, IBM engineer Charlie Woodruff throws down a Maker challenge and then we’ll meet monthly to see what is new in the Arduino world. All materials provided as needed. Grades 6–8. Registration required. Please call or email the library to sign up: 4253864 or charlottelibraryvt@gmail.com. liBrary Board meeting Thursday, April 17, at 5:30 p.m. Board members: Bonnie Christie, Chair; Vince Crockenberg, Treasurer; Emily Ferris, Vice-Chair; Dorrice Hammer, Secretary; Jonathan Silverman, Member-at-Large.
Library information Director Margaret Woodruff
Hours Mon, Wed: 10 a.m.-–7 p.m. Tues, Thurs, Fri: 10 a.m.-–5 p.m. Sat: 9 a.m.-–2 p.m.
Phone 425-3864 Email charlottelibraryvt@gmail. com
Website charlottepubliclibrary.org
The Charlotte News
Food Shelf News by Kerrie Pughe Feinstein Challenge March and April are great months to donate to the Food Shelf. For the 17th consecutive year, Alan Shawn Feinstein will divide $1 million proportionately among hunger-fighting agencies nationwide in an effort to enhance our own fundraising. Founded in 1991 by Alan Shawn Feinstein, the Feinstein Foundation is dedicated to the alleviation of hunger, the importance of community service in education, and the values of caring, compassion and brotherhood. Feinstein’s past annual spring $1 million challenges to fight hunger have raised over $1.25 billion for over 2,000 agencies and houses of worship helping the needy nationwide. Financial donations are welcome; food items will be counted and valued at $1 per item or per pound. thank you Thank you to Gary and Janet Landrigan for the gift in memory of Reyker Reynolds, son of Kristine and Nicholas Reynolds, grandson of John and Susan Lavigne. All of us at the Food Shelf have the Lavigne and Reynolds families in our hearts and prayers. Thank you to the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel confirmation class for its successful and much appreciated Souper Bowl Fund Drive for the Food Shelf. Also, thank you to the anonymous donor for the $52, and thank you to Deborah Cook for her continued support. Thank you to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parishioners for the Lenten gift of
a day’s worth of food to a family in need and to Charlotte-Shelburne Rotary Club, Inc., for its generous donation to be used for food and assistance in the coming months. The Food Shelf served 16 households on Feb. 5 and Feb. 6 and has had an increase in requests for assistance with fuel. Donations We welcome donations any time of the year. Your local Food Shelf is run entirely by volunteers so all donations go directly for food or assistance to our neighbors in need. If you are a customer of yourfarmstand.com, you may make a donation to the Food Shelf as part of your online order. Otherwise checks may be mailed to: Charlotte Food Shelf & Assistance 403 Church Hill Road P. O. Box 83 Charlotte, VT 05445 Donated food drop-off locations: All non-perishable food donations may be dropped off at the Charlotte Library, the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (main entrance) or at the Food Shelf during the distribution mornings. We request that all fresh foods be dropped off at the Food Shelf by 7:30 a.m. on the distribution mornings (see Ongoing Events calendar). The Charlotte Food Shelf is located on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. We are open from 7:30–9:30 a.m. on the following Thursdays for food distribution: April 10 and 17. We are also open on the Wednesday before each Thursday distribution morning from 5–7 p.m. We are open to all community residents. Privacy is very important and respected in our mission of neighbor helping neighbor. For emergency food, call John at 425-3130. For emergency assistance (electricity, fuel), call Karen at 4253252. For more information, call Karen at 425-3252 or visit our website at https://sites.google.com/site/charlottefoodshelfvt/.
Bob Carmody (left) and Mary Scripps (right), both of Charlotte, rehearse with Sue Martin of Shelburne.
'Twelfth Night' Opens April 4 in Shelburne Local residents are completing rehearsals in preparation for Shelburne Players’ spring play “Twelfth Night,” opening April 4 at Shelburne Town Center. David Harcourt, Bob Carmody and Mary Scripps of Charlotte are part of a cast of 15 that has been rehearsing, blocking and memorizing their lines under the direction of Donald Rowe since early January. Critics have called “Twelfth Night” the “most nearly perfect happy comedy ever written... one of Shakespeare’s finest and most inventive works, filled with music, mistakes, love, disguises and practical jokes throughout.” In the play, a shipwrecked woman, Viola, disguises herself as a young man under the name “Cesario,” and enters the service of Orsino, who has
convinced himself that he is in love with Olivia, whose father and brother have recently died, and who refuses to see any suitor until seven years have passed, Orsino included. Orsino then uses “Cesario” as an intermediary to profess his passionate love for Olivia, who falls in love with “Cesario”, not realizing “he” is Viola in disguise. In the meantime, Viola has fallen in love with Orsino. Performance dates at the town center are April 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and April 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 general audience and $12 for seniors and students, and can be purchased in advance at Shelburne Supermarket. Call 343-2602 for more information and to reserve tickets, or go to ShelburnePlayers.com.
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OutDoors by Elizabeth Bassett
Is April the cruelest month? Betwixt mud, rain showers and snow squalls, we take hope from longer days, stronger sunshine and thawing ground. WildfloWers Any time now we can expect to find early wildflowers, particularly snowdrops and hepatica. Hepatica are evergreen. While most spring ephemerals use stored energy in their roots to produce leaves and flowers, hepatica can photosynthesize by sunning themselves on any sunny day. I have seen hepatica flowers in March on the dry summits of both Pease Mountain and Allen Hill in Shelburne Bay Park. Its flowers can be white, pink, blue or purple—keep your eyes open and tread carefully. Skunk cabbage is an early spring
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wonder. During two weeks of pollination, a large maroon leaf-like structure envelops the male and female flowers. The flowers produce so much heat that the plant can melt surrounding snow. Skunk cabbage grows in rich moist soil. One of the easiest places to see a group of plants, without having to wade through the muck, is from a boardwalk on the Wetlands Walk at the Ethan Allen Homestead in northern Burlington. These colorful heat factories attract bees, moths and other insects and remind us that spring is indeed coming. Garden seeds For a host of reasons there is renewed enthusiasm for gardening: eat fresh produce, return to basics, localvore interest, food safety, transportation concerns and support of local agriculture and land use. Even if you join a CSA (community supported agriculture), you may want to sow a small patch of greens or herbs. access cVU: sUbUrban Home101 and VeGetable Gardens A series of four Access classes (each can be taken separately) offers information to go along with your spring enthusiasms: homestead planning, vegetable gardens, preserving and storing, and steadinG
Business Directory
www.c21jack.com
backyard chickens and bees. Information is at cvuhs.org/access. bike sWaps Spring swaps roll around in about a month. On some warm day evaluate your wheels. Can the old mountain bike be salvaged? Do these tires have any miles left on them? Would I really rather have a road bike than a hybrid? When the time comes for local swaps you will have a plan and bikes that you can offer for sale. Earl’s Cyclery in South Burlington hosts “Vermont’s Largest Bike Swap” on May 3 and 4. Bring bikes to sell by May 1 or 2. Check the website (earlsbikes.com) for a list of acceptable bicycles. Vermontreal 2014 Speaking of bikes, Local Motion sponsors a four-day cycling adventure along Vermont’s Island Line Trail, through the Lake Champlain Islands and over Quebec’s Route Verte network to Montreal. On the final day of the tour riders can participate in Montreal’s Tour de l’Ile celebration. This year Charlottebased Sojourn is organizing the trip, May 29-June 1, to benefit Local Motion. More information at gosojourn.com.
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Vermont Walk/bike sUmmit and Vermont bike expo On March 29 and 30, find two days of speakers, workshops, activities and recognition of the ongoing work to make walking and bicycling more visible, safe, respected and fun. Details and registration are at Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition (vtbikeped.org). Even in Vermont, one of the healthiest states in the nation, nearly 60 percent of adults are over-weight or obese.
Julie Elitzer
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Direct:
nordic season pass opportUnity I know the sap is still flowing, but indulge me briefly (you’ll thank me in December). Bolton Valley (boltonvalley.com) is offering a 2014-15 Nordic ski pass for $110 until April 1. With the highest base lodge in the East (elevation 2,100 feet), Bolton has a long season of reliable snow. Bolton also has a history of poor drainage on many of its cross-country trails. With conservation of the land and its transfer to the State of Vermont, serious work has improved drainage and thus the ability to groom the trails. A Nordic season pass also includes access to the pool, sauna and hot tub in the Sports Center, and you can ski free for the rest of this season with the purchase of your 2014-15 pass.
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The Charlotte News
Related medical expenses are equal to the state’s transportation budget. People who live in communities with safe bicycle and pedestrian networks exercise more. Although not yet used in Vermont, some states are using a health impact assessment (HIA), similar to an environmental impact assessment, to evaluate new projects. As communities consider whether to permit a shopping center at the edge of sprawl, a new road or recreation path, or expanded bus service, health of the general population becomes one of the criteria. Trail Finder Local Motion’s Trail Finder (trailfinder.info) is an exhaustive compilation of recreational assets in our region. A nonprofit, Local Motion works to promote safe, accessible routes for pedestrians and bikers, reduce obstacles for the elderly or disabled, and increase opportunities to be active and healthy. imagining spring hiking Once the snow is gone thoughts will turn to hiking. The state closes trails on state land from mid-April until Memorial Day, including Mt. Mansfield and Camel’s Hump. Some lower-elevation options include Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, logging roads at Cotton Brook (accessed from Moscow), Winooski Valley Park District Six Easy Walks (wvpd.org), Niquette Bay State Park (an excellent spot for wildflowers) and Burlington Bike Path connecting across the Winooski River to Causeway Park in Colchester. For more ideas check Nature Walks in Northwest Vermont and the Champlain Valley, by this writer, and Green Mountain Club’s The Walker’s Guide to Vermont. summer advenTures on The lT At present the Green Mountain Club (greenmountainclub. org) is offering a discount on three publications necessary to plan an end-to-end hike on the Long Trail, the Long Trail Guidebook, Long Trail Map, and End-to-Ender Guidebook, for $30, a savings of more than $11.
on
Charlotte land trust
Lens the
Land
This photo comes from Tim King and shows the ruins of the Palmer sugarhouse in the woods off the Shelburne Hinesburg Road in Charlotte. The Palmers have proposed conserving this and surrounding land through the Land Trust. It incorporates sugaring operations and forestland with trails that would remain accessible to the public. Lens on the Land is a monthly feature that appears in the Charlotte News. Sponsored by the Charlotte Land Trust, it showcases the beauty of Charlotte as seasons change throughout the year.
Given the nature of the current winter and early spring, maple sugaring season has been an onagain, off-again proposition, and the CLT hopes that printing this picture may encourage nature to help tap one of Charlotte’s and Vermont’s natural features, its “yumaliscious” maple syrup. The Land Trust encourages anyone to submit one or more pictures for inclusion in the paper. So far, the CLT board has been faced with a matter of selection rather than being without pictures from which to choose. It hopes this pleasant problem continues. The next Lens on the Land will appear in the April 24 issue. Email your photos at least one week prior to info@charlotte landtrust.org.
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Places To Go & Things To Do THURSDAY, MARCH 27 CCS Presents HONK!, 7 p.m., school multipurpose room. CCS’s drama program presents a whimsical retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s tale, The Ugly Duckling. Also 3/28 at 7 p.m. and 3/29 at 2 p.m. FRIDAY, MARCH 28 Green Mountain Upset Movie Premiere, 7 p.m., Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. Sports writers have called Middlebury Union High School Tigers’ 1983 championship win “the greatest upset in Vermont High School sports history.” The extraordinary journey has been chronicled in a film, which includes archival footage and present-day interviews. Includes a reception with the champions, food and drink. The film will also be shown on Saturday, March 29. Tickets: $30 on 3/28, $10 on 3/29. More info: 802-382-9222 or townhalltheater.org. SATURDAY, MARCH 29 Presentation: “Major Improvements to AmericanAncestors.org,” 10:30 a.m.–noon, Vermont Genealogy Library, Colchester. The New England Historic Genealogical Society’s website, AmericanAncestors.org, has long had the best online resources for early New England. It has just acquired a much broader collection of records. Learn why this subscription site, available at our library, is critical for anyone with early New England roots. Cost: $5. More info: vtgenlib.org/ or 802-3109285. Vermont Walk/Bike Summit, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Burlington. The summit is designed to help transform Vermont into a safer and friendlier place for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages. There will be many opportunities to learn and network. Registration includes a light breakfast, a hot, plated lunch, a range of workshops on relevant topics in both morning and afternoon, a keynote speaker from NYC’s Transportation Alternatives, a panel session with Vermont leaders, and a chance to participate in a mobile bicycling or walking workshop on the streets of Burlington in the afternoon. Cost: $20 in advance, $30 at door. Cost includes meals. More info, or to register: vtbikeped.org. SUNDAY, MARCH 30 Charlotte Boy Scout Troop 615 Pancake Breakfast, 8–11 a.m., The Old Lantern. Support Charlotte’s local Boy Scouts with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast fundraiser and silent auction. Cost: $7. For more info, see story on page 6. Social Band Spring Choral Concert, 3 p.m., Charlotte Congregational Church. Join Social Band for a program of poetry and choral music with songs celebrating a world that, whether we like it or not, just won’t stand still. The performance is titled “The World will ever Dance and Sing!: Songs of Succession and Permanence.” Admission is by suggested donation of $15. Tickets are available at the door. For more information, visit socialband.org, find us on Facebook, or call (802) 355-4216. Mike Sommers in Hick in the ‘Hood, 2 p.m., Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. A rosy-cheeked Middlebury, Vermonter bumbles into a notorious West Coast neighborHOOD… and buys a house. Mike Sommers plays all 30 characters in this uniquely funny, autobiographical one-man play, from his father and grandfather to the great-grandmother with Parkinson’s and her saintly (if criminal) son. Tickets: $10. More info: 802-382-9222 or townhalltheater.org.
FRIDAY, APRIL 4 Much Ado About Nothing presented by Little City Players, 7:30 p.m., Vergennes Opera House. See the LCP’s first ever production of a Shakespeare play, directed by Charlotter Jeffrey Fox. See story on page 6. Twelfth Night presented by Shelburne Players, 7:30 p.m., Shelburne Town Center. Come see why critics have called it “the most nearly perfect happy comedy ever written” and “one of Shakespeare’s finest and most inventive works, filled with music, mistakes, love, disguises and practical jokes throughout.” Charlotters David Harcourt, Bob Carmody and Mary Scripps are part of a cast of 15. Other performance dates are April 5, 10, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and April 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $15/general audience, $12/seniors and students. More info: 343-2602 or ShelburnePlayers.com. Les Misérables, 7:30 p.m., Flynn Main Stage, Burlington. Lyric Theatre Company, one of New England’s largest volunteer community theatre organizations, opens an ambitious nine-performance run of Les Misérables on the MainStage of Burlington’s Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. Lyric’s production features an exuberant 53-member cast supported by a 20-piece orchestra, promising a memorable evening of musical theatre entertainment. Enjoy matinees at 1 p.m. on April 5, 6, 12 and 13, and evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on April 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12. The Sunday, April 13, matinee will be audio-described for patrons who are blind or visually impaired. The show features mature themes. Tickets: $21-$35 with student/senior discounts. More info: 802/86FLYNN or flynncenter.org. SATURDAY, APRIL 5 Saturday Story Time at Phoenix Books, 11 a.m., Burlington. Listen to and enjoy stories with your little ones. Curious about what title(s) will be read? Keep an eye out on the bookstore's website or Facebook page for details. Also April 12, 19 and 26. More info: phoenixbooks.biz. SUNDAY, APRIL 6 Bristol Bollywood Bash, 1–3:30 p.m., Bristol. Henna, film clips, music, food, Indian chai tea and the lively and complex choreography of Bollywood dance will combine to make this an entertaining afternoon for individuals and families alike. Addison County’s Hadippa Dancers will begin performing Bollywood dance at 1:30. Cost: free. More info: 802453-4147. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 PTO Meeting, Library/Café, 6:00 p.m. Silas Towler Talk, 7 p.m., Ferrisburgh Town Hall/ Community Center. Silas will follow threads of local history that lead from an 1842 account book from Kimball Cushman Store. This store was formerly the Rogers Barnum Store and stood on the green in Ferrisburgh. Destroyed by fire in the 1920s, the store was originally started by Henry Rodgers, a central figure in Ferrisburgh history; 1842 was before the railroad arrived in this area so all the goods and products not produced locally arrived by canal boat. All are welcome. Free. THURSDAY, APRIL 10 Grange Rummage Sale, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Charlotte Grange. Find clothes of all sizes in wearable condition, books, shoes, lamps, dishes, toys, housewares, jewelry and more at annual sale to benefit Charlotte organization. Also 4/11 from noon–7 p.m. and 4/12 from 8 a.m.–noon. More info: contact Deb Stone at 578-4237.
ONGOING EVENTS MONDAYS Senior Center Café, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Featuring soup, salads, bread and dessert. No reservations necessary. Charlotte Multi-Age Coed Pickup Basketball Open Gym, 7–9 p.m. at the CCS gym. High school students welcome. Call 425-3997. WEDNESDAYS Charlotte/Shelburne Rotary Club, 7:30–8:30 a.m., Parish Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, Shelburne. Newcomers Club of Charlotte, Shelburne and sur-
rounding area meets once a month on the third Wednesday from September to June. Variety of programs, day trips and locations. Information: Orchard Corl, president, 985-3870. AA Meeting, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 7 p.m. Senior Luncheon, Senior Center, noon. For reservations, call 425-6345 before 2 p.m. on previous Monday. Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., 7:30 p.m., Fire Station. Charlotte Multi-Age Coed Pickup Basketball Open Gym, 7-9 p.m. at the CCS gym. High school students welcome. Call 425-3997 for information.
St. Jude, Mass, Hinesburg, 4:30 p.m. Community Alliance Church, Hinesburg, Gathering Place, 9 a.m., Sunday School, 9 a.m., Worship, 10:15 a.m. Information: 482-2132. Charlotte Congregational Church, Worship, 10 a.m., Sunday School, 10 a.m. Information: 4253176. Lighthouse Baptist Church, 90 Mechanicsville Rd., Hinesburg, 10:30 a.m., Evening Service, 6 p.m. Information: 482-2588. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mass, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Information: 425-2637. St. Jude, Mass, Hinesburg, 9:30 a.m. Information: 482-2290. North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church, Hollow Road, Worship, 10 a.m., Sunday School, 9:45 a.m. Information: 425-2770. Cross Roads Chapel, Relocated to the Brown Church on Route 7, Ferrisburgh. Worship, 11 a.m. Information: 425-3625. Assembly of God Christian Center, Rtes. 7 and 22A, Ferrisburgh, Sunday worship, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday School, 9 a.m. Information: 8773903. All Souls Interfaith Gathering, 291 Bostwick Farm Road, Shelburne. Sunday Service 9 a.m., Evensong Service 5 p.m. 985-3819 Trinity Episcopal Church, 5171 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, 9:15 10:15 a.m. “Space for Grace” (educational hour), 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist (with child care and Sunday School). 985-2269. United Church of Hinesburg, 10570 Route 116. Sunday service 10 a.m. September through June; 9 a.m. July through August. Sunday School during services. 482-3352
Red Cross Blood Drive, 2–7 p.m., Charlotte Senior Center. For more info, see page 23. Reading and Performance, Edwin Torres and T. Urayoán Noel, 8:30 p.m., St. Micheal’s College, Colchester. Edwin Torres’ acclaimed performances and live shows combine vocal and physical improvisation and theater. Torres the author of many books of poetry, has performed in spaces as diverse as the Guggenheim Museum, MOMA, MTV and the Nuyorican Poets Café. T. Urayoán Noel is a poet, performer, scholar and translator. He is the author of seven collections of poetry in English, Spanish and/or combinations. Reading will take place in recital hall. Cost: free. Poetry Fest, 7 p.m., Phoenix Books, Burlington. Celebrate National Poetry Month at Poetry Fest! The program will include readings by Vermont poets Leland Kinsey (Winter Ready, The Immigrant’s Contract), Daniel Lusk (Kin, Lake Studies: Meditations on Lake Champlain), Kerrin McCadden (Landscape with Plywood Silhouettes), and Angela Patten (High Tea at a Low Table, Reliquaries). National Poetry Month is a national celebration of poetry established by the Academy of American Poets.
Have an event you'd like to share? Send it to the News at news@charlottenewsvt.com. THURSDAYS Food Shelf, open from 7:30-9:30 a.m. March 27 and April 10 and 17. Lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Information: Karen at 425-3252; for emergency food call John at 425-3130. FRIDAYS AA Meeting, Congregational Church Vestry, 8 p.m. Charlotte Playgroup, 9:30–11 a.m., CCS MPR. Free, ages 0-5.
The Charlotte News
Around Town Congratulations to David Pill, a Charlotte architect whose firm, PillMaharam Architects, won two awards at Efficiency Vermont’s “Better Building by Design Conference” in February. The first was the Honor Award in Residential Construction for a house in Norwich, which achieved the “Passive House Standard.” The second was a Merit Award for Pill and Maharam’s design work on the “High Performance Mobile Home Project.” to Michaela Kiley, a student at the University of Montana who earned placement on the Dean’s List for the autumn semester 2013 by achieving a grade point average higher than 3.5. to Richard Flood of Charlotte and Flood Financial Services, Inc., who earned the designation of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) from the College for Financial Planning. The CPRC designation indicates that the counselor has expertise in areas such as retirement planning to meet financial objectives; sources of retirement income and legal entities; planning for incapacity, disability and longterm care; estate planning; retirement cash-flow and related topics.
to Josie Leavitt, co-owner of the Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne and well-known comedienne who keynoted a luncheon at the recent Small BIZ VT Summit held at the Sheraton Hotel. Her talk was designed to help small-business owners look at some of the issues they face with humor as a way of connecting with colleagues, surviving hardships and helping the business stand out among its competitors. to James Vogler, artist and pizza chef supreme at Pizza on Earth in Charlotte, whose paintings are on display at Left Bank Home & Garden, 127 Bank Street, Burlington, through April 29. His abstract paintings have been called “striking and sophisticated with a humorous ambiguity.” to Annamie Curlin whose painting in the Rutland County District Courthouse was shown in the March 19 Seven Days as an example of the Vermont Arts Council’s selection of local artists’ work appearing in various state spaces as a result of the Vermont Art in State Buildings Act of 1988. According to the piece, lawmakers guaranteed that “up to $50,000 of taxpayers’ money would be devoted annually to the creation of art for the public spaces of new state buildings.” to Jenny Steele Cole whose art exhibit continues to hang on the walls of the Charlotte Senior Center. Jenny has chosen to display not only her finished work, but also sketches and designs that have led up to a completed piece. She built three-dimensional barn boxes of buildings in Charlotte as well as a bird design that incorporates the flying creatures in an airplane inspired by a family photo of a bi-plane that crossed the English Channel in 1924.
Root to Host Edward Jones Coffee Club Charlotter Bill Root, a local Edward Jones financial advisor, will host a coffee club at 10 a.m. on March 25, the first in a series that will take place every fourth Tuesday of the month in Shelburne. The coffee clubs, held at the Edward Jones office at 3762 Shelburne Road, Suite 4, allow investors to receive market updates as well as opportunities to talk about the market and the economy. For more information, contact Root at 802-985-9965.
Sympathy is extended to family and friends of James D. Wygmans of Essex Jct., Vt. who passed away March 9 at the age of 70. His surviving family includes his son Justin and Justin’s wife, Maura, of Charlotte. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to the American Heart Association of Vermont.
Morse's Doodles & Jots
A tongue unleashed is a terrible thing.
Celebrate Bean’s 90th Party April 6 The Bean family would like to invite all to celebrate Shirley Bean’s 90th birthday party at the Charlotte Senior Center on April 6 from 2–5 p.m. The event will include cake, punch and stories galore. Congratulations to Charlotte CVU students Chloe Hotaling, Fiona Higgins and Nina Mollo whose photographic work has been selected for display at the fourth annual Vermont High School Student Photography Exhibit. Sponsored by Fotovisura, Inc. and Rovers North, this year’s exhibition, titled “Into Focus: VT High School Photography Student Exhibit,” is on display at the Darkroom Gallery, 12 Main Street, Essex Junction. Chloe had two of her photos selected. Her black-and-white picture titled “Nora” won the Jurors’ Choice Award. The exhibit runs April 3 through April 20.
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Ferry Rates Set to Increase in April Lake Champlain Transportation announced recently that it would raise its rates for passage for two of its three Lake Champlain crossings, including its route from Charlotte to Essex, N.Y. Effective April 3, the cost for a regular-sized vehicle and driver to travel from one side of the lake to the other will rise to $10, a 50-cent increase over the current cost. The cost for an adult passenger will also rise 50 cents to four dollars. Rates for children ages six to 12 and passengers 65 and older will rise 25 cents. The company has also changed its rate structure for vehicles over 19 feet, ranging from $14 for vehicles between 19 and 23 feet to $49.50 for those between 63 and 72 feet. Rates for a motorcycle and driver will increase 50 cents, from $6 to $6.50, and 25 cents for adult bicyclists, who will now pay $5. The new rates do not include a fuel surcharge. This is the first rate increase Lake Champlain Transportation has made since 2008. The company’s Grand Isle to Plattsburh, N.Y., route will see the same increases. Its Burlington to Port Kent, N.Y., rates will stay the same.