The Charlotte News | April 21, 2016

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Charlotte News

The

Charlotte’s award-winning community newspaper

Volume lVIII Number 19

The VoIce of The TowN

Thursday, aprIl 21, 2016

Exploring

local stories

WHAT’S INSIDE

The hopes and dreams of Act 46, page 1 Strategic gardening, page 8

Patagonian adventures, page 10

Spring into the outdoors, page 14 Around town, page 19

PHOTO: ALEX BUNTEN

Evan Webster Ink, page 2



CharlottenewsVt.org

Vol. 58, no. 19 April 21, 2016

Charlotte News

The

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

Pickles and Speck

Vote local On June 7, Charlotters choose whether or not to move forward with school consolidation Geeda Searfoorce THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

W

Kristen and Tim Neilson and their daughters, Audrey, 7, and Livi, 6, welcomed the first wave of baby goats to their homestead at Yellowwood Farm on Bean Road. Pickles and Speck (named because of the tiny tuft of white hair on his underside on an otherwise tawny brown coat) cuddle up and get some much needed rest. Two of the Neilsons’ other goats, Licorice and Snickers, are due with their own kids any day. PHOTO: TIM NEILSON

The 2nd Annual

Charlotte News Writers’ Workshop

MIKE DONOGHUE

Join us for the 2nd Annual Charlotte News Writers’ Workshop, April 27, 6–8 p.m. at the Mt. Philo Inn. This is a chance to meet with other volunteer writers, talk about the craft of writing, meet TCN staff (not just communicate through email) and reflect on what it means to be part of the Charlotte community. We’ll have informal presentations from the staff, updating you on our latest projects and initiatives and veteran journalist Mike Donoghue will be our keynote speaker. Mike served 47 years

as an award-winning writer with the Burlington Free Press. He has covered every kind of news story from general assignment, to local, state and federal issues, features and sports. Mike will talk about the importance of community newspapers serving as the watchdog of the three branches of government and for informing citizens about the important issues in their community, state and country. He will also provide some tips that helped him to uncover stories or conduct interviews that provide information needed to write full stories. Visit the The Charlotte News’s Facebook page (goo.gl/cF9BV7) and RSVP to help us plan for numbers. This event is free. We had a great turnout last year—let’s make it an annual tradition. Look forward to seeing you!

ith the presidential primary in full swing, Vermonters are already thinking about who they’ll choose as our nation’s chief executive in November. But another vote, tentatively scheduled for June 7, has implications for changes to local governance that should bring our focus closer to home. A “yes” vote on Act 46 by the Chittenden South Supervisory Union (CSSU), Champlain Valley Union School District and school districts for five towns—Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George and Williston—will form a new consolidated supervisory district, fully operational by July 1, 2017. In a consolidated district, a single board would replace the current seven school boards. Each town’s voters would elect their board members with proportional

CCS compost sale On May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon, community-loving gardeners can buy bulk compost at the 5th annual CCS compost sale in the CCS west Quonset parking lot. Bring your own cans for pick-up and volunteer shovel labor will be provided. Prices: $3 per 5-gallon can, $12 per 20-gallon can, and $18 per 33-gallon can. Cash and checks accepted. CCS students will lead drop-in compost shed tours from 9-10 a.m., teaching visitors about thermophilic and backyard composting techniques. Compost for the sale is being generously donated by Steven Wisbaum, Champlain Valley Compost Co., a local producer. New this year, there will also be a tree and shrub sale: apple, plum, pear, shipova, currants, gooseberries, quince, elderberry and honeyberry. Offered by Vermont Edible Landscapes, a land-planning business focused on the development of agro-ecosystems. Ten percent of proceeds will benefit CCS gardens.

representation based on population, which is how CVU board members are currently elected. Proponents of a yes vote on Act 46 believe in its potential to reduce bureaucracy and cut costs. In fact, they are quick to point out that streamlining efforts have been under way since well before Act 46 was passed. “Formal consolidation would not be a huge change,” said Mark McDermott, CCS board president. “Seventy percent of CSSU dollars is spent through consolidated efforts already. This unification would maximize what we have already been implementing.” That shift has been well documented. “Over the last decade,” an FAQ published by the Act 46 Study Committee reads, “CSSU boards have collaborated to centralize shared services where possible. Examples are in financial services, human resources, professional development, special education, IT support, and transportation. A single district would build on these efficiencies and help direct resources towards activities that support classroom teachers in their work with kids.” According to McDermott, member of the Act 46 Study Committee, “Beyond tax incentives, there are many areas in which we can all benefit, which would translate to more educational opportunities for the children.” An initial review by the Act 46 Advisory Committee concludes that a savings of approximately $1.5M could be see act 46, page 6

Oscar Williams outgrows his role on Broadway Charlotte actor Oscar Williams, 12 years old, isn’t shaving yet, but after becoming 3 inches taller, was asked to leave the Broadway play, Fun Home, because he was as tall as his stage mother. His final performance was March 27. Oscar has been in the cast since it opened last spring. Fun Home won the Tony Award for best musical. According to an article in the April 18 Free Press, the Williams family plans to come back to their home in Charlotte. Oscar, meanwhile, has auditions for other shows.

From big city to small town: Evan Webster Ink Madison Hakey THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

“Everything you do gets you to where you are, so I can’t complain. I’d do it all again,” muses Evan Webster, owner of Evan Webster Ink, a creative screen-printing company in Shelburne that produces wholesale for groups and businesses. Webster, a Charlotte resident, moved here from Boston with his wife in 2012. After living in cities his entire life, he thought it would be an interesting change. It turns out Webster loves Chittenden County, especially the views on his bike to work. Nothing can beat Charlotte’s scenic views of the lake. Plus, Webster says the

Charlotte-Shelburne area is perfect for owning a business. “I don’t have to drive up to Burlington, but those folks are close enough.” Webster started out in his mother’s basement, just wanting to learn. “I grew up in a white collar town where people didn’t really make stuff for themselves and no one was very handy, so I thought it would be interesting to learn how to do something.” After learning the basics, he opened his business in Boston. When his wife said she was considering moving back here, where she grew up, he thought why not. “With the magic of UPS, I figured I could keep doing my thing.” Upon moving up here, Webster

was pleasantly surprised to find that Vermonters were excited to work with him. In comparison to Boston, people in Vermont are more excited to work—and work closely—with locals. City folk are always rushing, Webster thinks, but Vermonters love to get to know people. “Before I moved here I thought that unless you’ve lived here for four generations and knew someone’s grandfather, they wouldn’t even talk to you.” Another surprise was “who knows who” in Vermont. Small towns make for a big community. This idea helps Webster to develop stronger relationships with his see Evan WEbstEr, page 4

Evan Webster (pictured) brought his business to Vermont in 2012. PHOTO: MADISON HAKEY


2 •April 21, 2016 • The ChArloTTe News

Fool me once...

It’s hard to know what or who to believe these days. Photo manipulation technology can make a landing on Jupiter look real. Three-dimensional printers can zap together a pistol or a stiletto with equal ease. And phone scammers will make you believe that beach-front property in Arizona is a good investment. About a week ago, I got a call from Brent Dorval, a fast-talking man in Massachusetts with a wicked accent. He said he was a WWII collector and researcher and that he was looking for contact details of Catherine Metropolous, a Charlotte resident. He had found an article in our archives that Metropoulos had written in November 2014 (goo.gl/yqLVAp) about participating in a reenactment of Operation Market Garden in Nijmegen, Holland, a battle in which her uncle, Pfc. John Rigapoulos, was killed. This gentlemen claimed to own a military jacket that once belonged to Rigapoulos and was interested in “returning” it to the family. A noble deed, I thought. To boot, he seemed to know everything about the jacket and Rigapoulos—what the battle

flag meant on the shoulder of the jacket, the plane Rigapoulos jumped from on D-Day, what time he jumped, who jumped with him, what he was doing on the beaches of Normandy once he landed, and how he was later killed in Operation Market Garden. At first, I was overcome with excitement that this man had used our archives for something of import. (As you’ve probably read, building our archive has been an on-going project in my tenure as editor.) Then after I looked up the article and saw how much it might mean to Metropoulos, I was doubly excited. The subheader of Catherine’s article said she was “part-time resident of Charlotte” so I wasn’t sure if she still lived here (this is, in fact, not correct—she’s lived here since 1984). All my internet searches turned up dead ends, so I asked on Front Porch Forum. And as serendipity would have it, the very FPF post in which I asked the community if they knew her, she joined FPF. The stars seemed to be aligning to return a piece of history to a small family in Charlotte. Catherine, however, thought those stars looked more like strobe lights. She had spoken to Dorval and after seeing the photos of the jacket, was convinced it was a scam. He wanted $550 for the jacket because that’s what he paid for it. However, he claimed that he was offered “thousands” because it was a rare specimen. In an email exchange after, Catherine wrote to me, “Shame on this man for using the name of deceased servicemen to try and scam those who have lost loved ones in the

war.” Disappointed that I was just one in a line of this fakery, I wrote a follow-up post to thank those who helped me find her and let them know the case was cold. But not so fast…the plot thickened this morning (Tuesday, April 19) when Dorval emailed me all the details I’d asked for about the jacket. In a subsequent conversation, I explained Catherine’s position as expressed in the email and in a mildly indignant tone, he said, “is there a chance it’s a fake? I’d be lying if I said no, but this is definitely not one of them.” (For more on the topic, see the level of detail referenced on page 5.) To his credit, he had told Catherine that “if she couldn’t afford it, he’d happily donate it.” I muse on all this not to spread an increasing sense of suspicion about what is real and what is not, but to remind readers that there are always two sides of a story— and sometimes one appears more true than another. Journalism aims to look beyond appearances. Do I fully believe this jacket is for real? Further research would be needed. Do I know either of these people from Adam? No. But, as Mike Donoghue, the keynote speaker at our upcoming Charlotte News Writers’ Workshop, says, “Your mother tells you she loves you…check it out.” Come see Mike expound on what journalism’s all about and see how you can hone your skills and meet others with similar interests at The Charlotte News Writers’ Workshop at the Mt. Philo Inn, April 27 at 6 p.m.

Alex Bunten Editor in chief

Are you passionate about learning? Do you enjoy writing? Are you interested in journalism? If you answered YES to any (or all) of these questions, The Charlotte News wants YOU to be the next Outwater Intern. Be inspired to...

The Charlotte News The Charlotte News is a nonprofit communitybased newspaper dedicated to informing townspeople of current events and issues. It serves as a forum for the free exchange of views of town residents and celebrates the people, places and happenings that make the Town of Charlotte unique. Contributions in the form of articles, press releases and photographs pertaining to Charlotte-related people and events are accepted and encouraged. For submission guidelines and deadlines, please visit our website or contact the editor at news@thecharlottenews.org. The Charlotte News is published in Charlotte by The Charlotte News, Inc., a Vermont domestic 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation. Distribution is made every other Thursday to all households and businesses in Charlotte and to more than 50 outlets in Shelburne, Hinesburg, North Ferrisburgh, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes and Burlington. The Charlotte News relies on the generous financial contributions of its readers, subscriptions and advertising revenue to sustain its operations.

Editorial Staff news@thecharlottenews.org / 425-4949 Editor in chief: Alex Bunten Assistant editor: Geeda Searfoorce Contributing editors: Edd Merritt, Ruah Swennerfelt, Jorden Blucher, John Hammer Copy editors: Beth Merritt, Leslie Botjer, Vince Crockenberg, Carol Hanley Outwater interns: Kali Adams, Madison Hakey

Business Staff ads@thecharlottenews.org / 802-343-0279 Business manager: Shanley Hinge Ad manager: Monica Marshall Circulation group: Valerie Lebensohn

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EXPLORE local history

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

Contributors Jeff Albertson, Elizabeth Bassett, Jorden Blucher, Nicole Conley, Brent Dorval, Ph.D., Larry Hamilton, Jane McCullough, Janet Morrison, Kerrie Pughe, Mary Recchia, Margaret Woodruff, Mike Yantachka

On the Cover

Making a newspaper never looked so fun! CCS students Ethan Lisle, Courtney McDermott and Elyse Martin-Smith were three of 11 students that participated in a newspaper exploratory with Charlotte news staffers Alex Bunten and Geeda Searfoorce. CCS Principal Barbara Anne Komons-Montroll was on hand to guide the process, which will culminate in a four-page insert in the May 19th issue of TCN.

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The Charlotte News is looking for a motivated, news-savvy summer intern with strong writing skills and a natural curiosity about the local area. Candidates should be creative, outgoing, dependable and comfortable in a fast-paced environment. A driver’s license and access to a car are highly desirable. This is a 15 hour per week position that will start at the end of May and run through the end of August. Interns who finish their working commitments will be paid a modest stipend on a per issue basis. The position can be extended for suitable candidates. The position will be open until filled. Stipends for this internship were made possible by a generous donation from Alice D. Outwater, and in memory of her husband, John Outwater.

Send address changes to: The Charlotte News P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 Telephone: 425-4949 Circulation: 3,000 copies per issue Copyright © 2016 The Charlotte News, Inc. Printed by Upper Valley Press Member of the New England Newspaper and Press Association and the Vermont Press Association.


The CharloTTe News • april 21, 2016 • 3

Voices Commentary: Town clerk/treasurer’s office—Is it time for a change?

I

n the February 25, 2016 issue of The Charlotte News, the town clerk/treasurer raised issues related to the proposed town charter and told us, “It’s important to listen to the majority – what does the Town want? […] Do you want one local election day in March to vote and decide all of our budgets or would you rather vote in March and April, splitting up the town and school budgets? This vote is important for everyone, think about what you want. I will be supporting the majority vote.” On March 1, we went to the polls. We re-elected her and told her—by a 3-to-1 majority—that we want to be governed by the charter. We expected her to keep her promise and help make it work. On April 3, Mike Yantachka advised Selectboard Chairman Lane Morrison, Lynne Jaunich (Town Charter Committee), and the clerk/treasurer that he had requested they be invited to testify on the charter before the House Government Operations Committee in Montpelier, but that they could decline. Because she could not attend the April 8 hearing, the clerk/treasurer—in her capacity as our elected official—emailed her remarks to the committee on April 7. Instead of supporting “the majority vote,” she criticized the charter for reasons she asked us to consider in February—things we decided were not a basis for rejecting it—i.e., multiple elections in March and April, the volume of absentee ballots, and

no set date for the second election—and she protested that it creates a “messy and cumbersome” election process. But she didn’t stop there. Expressing her personal opinions, she complained about its effect on voter turnout, its lack of clarity and the Selectboard’s difficulty interpreting it—subjects completely beyond the scope of her duty to administer our elections. She even went so far as to urge the committee to reject the charter, arguing that, “A simple vote by Australian Ballot for the town budget can be accomplished without a charter and it should happen on Town Meeting Day along with all of the other budgets, articles and officer voting.” She did not make one positive statement in support of the charter and conveniently failed to acknowledge that 1,148 of Charlotte’s 1,551 voters disagreed with this opinion (goo.gl/LYs18T). The April 11 Selectboard meeting confirmed that our clerk/treasurer did not share these remarks with any of our other elected officials. Thankfully, the committee’s assistant sent them to Mr. Yantachka, and our representatives were not caught unaware and off guard at the hearing. Due to this lucky happenstance, and despite the clerk/treasurer cloaking her conduct in secrecy, they successfully addressed her complaints and convinced all but one member to endorse the charter. For 12 years, I have watched divisions in this town deepen as our politics

turned decidedly more acrimonious. At every turn there has been one common lightening rod of dissension—the town clerk/treasurer—and her recent attempt to undermine the charter raises yet one more storm of controversy. Although her temperament and people-handling skills have been subjects of frequent criticism, and despite the fact that politeness is a political attribute, a good elected official does not have to be liked by everyone in the community. At the same time, it takes a lot more than simply performing the job well, which everyone agrees she has done, to be a responsible elected official. Good elected officials keep their pre-election promises. Even more important, a responsible elected official must respect and be loyal to their constituents’ mandate. It is an absolutely fundamental requirement that when an elected official’s personal opinion collides with the will of the people, we the people have the right to expect that the views we voice at the ballot box—here by an overwhelming 3-to-1 majority—will not be challenged much less undermined by that elected official. Chapter 1, Article 6 of the Vermont Constitution guarantees this by providing, “That all power being originally inherent in and consequently derived from the people, therefore, all officers of government, whether legislative or executive, are their trustees and servants; and at all times, in a legal way, accountable to

them.” After we voted for the charter, it was the clerk/treasurer’s duty and obligation—even without her pre-election promise—to support its passage in the Legislature and devote all her energies to making it successful despite her administrative concerns. For purposes of the legislative committee hearing, her “official” job was to convince committee members to endorse our charter, not give them reasons to veto it. If her personal opinions prevented her from testifying positively in support of the majority of us, she should have said nothing at all—and she was given that option. An elected clerk/treasurer who purposely seeks to thwart this town’s will does not merit the $9,000 raise she (already one of the highest paid clerk/ treasurers of any comparably sized town in Vermont) is demanding in lieu of resigning. This town would function much more harmoniously and the tensions and factions dividing us as neighbors would not be continually publicly fanned if the Selectboard would reject her pay request and simply accept her resignation. No one is in dispensable, and concern that our town would be unable to function without her is like Chicken Little’s fear of a falling sky.

Jane McCullough Pease Mountain Road Charlotte

Commentary: Clearing the air around the charter U nfortunately, I was not at the April 11 Selectboard meeting when the Charter was brought up under updates at the end of the meeting. If I had been, I would have been able to clear up a few questions. I received an e-mail from the House Government Operations Committee to let me know when the Charlotte Charter was going to come up for discussion in the legislature to give me the chance to provide testimony if I wanted. Lane Morrison, as Chair of the Selectboard and Lynne Jaunich, as one of the authors of the Charter, were copied in that same email. Neither Lane nor Lynne said anything to me about testifying or not, nor were they required to. They were invited to testify, just as I was. They chose to go to Montpelier and testify in person. There was no discussion between the Chair and the rest of the board—either that he was invited to go or that he was going or what he was going to say. That was clear from the April 11 Selectboard meeting discussion. Three of us were invited to testify and three of us did. I sent my testimony as an email, which was acceptable to the committee and they said they would post it to the website for

me. I fail to see why my testimony is now described as “cloaked in secrecy.” (See Jane McCullough’s commentary above.) In my position as election official I will carry out every part of the Charter to the best of my ability, which I have stated previously, “supporting the majority of the voters.” However, also as election official it is my responsibility to point out what may be flaws in this new election process. At the Selectboard meeting held the night before the vote to explain and answer questions about the Charter, where the voter turnout was maybe 30 people, the Selectboard was unable to answer several questions. In particular, the clause that discusses “budget related articles.” There was no clear interpretation by the board on the question, ‘If a budget related article is voted down on the floor of Town Meeting in March, is it then off the ballot for the April vote?’. We have decided in the Charter that money related items will be voted by Australian Ballot by everyone... but then, how is it that a question could be voted down by a few with a hand vote, never getting to the majority for Australian ballot vote? So, yes, I used the words “messy” and

“cumbersome” and from an elections perspective, I feel like that language needs to be clarified and not left up to the interpretation of the Selectboard. Not having a specific date for the Australian Ballot vote, having the ability to vote 20 days after the floor vote in March, is definitely a concern from the clerk’s office when it comes to getting the ballots printed, mailed out and received back in time for everyone’s vote to be counted. The number of people voting by absentee ballot increases every year and we are sending ballots out of the country as well. Twenty days is a very tight turn around for printing, mailing out and returning. Is it better to have the vote as quick as you can after Town Meeting or is it strategically better to hold off for another 40 days? That should not be a question. Not having a set date for the Australian Ballot vote is hard for people who are travelling, hard to get ballots out and back and easy for anyone to just forget that there is an election. So, yes, it is my opinion that voting by Australian Ballot increases voter turnout. And yes, it is my opinion that a Charter is not required for that process. And yes, I was asked to testify as the

person in charge of elections. I was not asked to “testify positively in support of the majority” of the people who voted the Charter in—I was asked to testify. It has been my experience that in most cases, the people who come up with new legislature have never been on the side of the person who has to put that legislation in action and make it work. Town Clerks across the state are frequently asked by the Secretary of State’s Office for our opinions on their new methods of voter registration, reporting, absentee voting, etc. and changes have been made to their newest voter system because of that feedback. That is because we are the ones who are having to make their legislative changes work in real time. So, I have no apologies, since I was asked to point out where the difficulties are with this new way of voting the town budget.

Mary Mead Town clerk/treasurer Charlotte Editor’s note: Mary’s testimony to the House Government Operations Committee can be found at goo.gl/LYs18T.


4 •April 21, 2016 • The ChArloTTe News

Evan WEbstEr

continued from page 1

to make a living, even in the dead of winter when Webster isn’t too busy all on his own. Employees are very helpful, however, especially if Webster needs some time off. On the positive side, Webster loves connecting with the community and meeting fellow business owners. He also enjoys the “boring parts of being a business owner,” such as balancing finances and keeping track of records, which have come as pleasant surprises to him. Finally he says, “It’s never too boring.” While the learning never stops, the fun never stops for Webster. Being able to continue learning has kept the work interesting for him through the years. In his time as a business owner, Webster has learned quite a bit. He says the key to learning is to allow enough time for it to happen—rushing doesn’t help anyone. Communication and follow-through are also vital to running a business and to everyday life. “It’s about thinking about the client as a neighbor and what you would do for a neighbor,” Webster says. Finally, allow for time away from work. “It allows you to give good, focused time at work if you have had that break at home.”

clients, which is something he has always striven for. The products Webster makes range from sweatpants to wedding invitations, and orders range from a couple dozen to several thousands. Paper printing happens less frequently at Evan Webster Ink, as apparel is the company’s focus. T-shirts are most popular because they have multi-season appeal. Sweatpants and sweatshirts are popular in winter, while tank tops and shorts are popular in the summer. Even though it may sound like it, Webster says, “It’s not all peaches and cream 24-7.” There are many positives and negatives to owning a business, whether it be in Vermont or somewhere else. Responsibility is a For more information visit Evan’s double-edged sword for Webster, as it is website at evanwebsterink.com. fulfilling but stressful. Having employees is also a two-way street. They need Contact: madison@thecharlottenews.org

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MURPHY SULLIVAN KRONK

ATTORNEYS WITH EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE REPRESENTING

Camp Hoopla! Let’s put on a Show!

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wo playful people in Charlotte share the belief that music is the universal language, while laughter is the shortest distance between two people. When these two get together, anything can (and usually does) happen, and creative sparks fly! Andy Smith, long-time music teacher at Charlotte Central School, and Woody Keppel, Charlotte resident of 21 years and internationally acclaimed physical comedian, are teaming up again from June 20 to June 24 for more fun at Camp Hoopla! with kids ages 8-14 looking to recharge their creative batteries.. Andy and Woody will be unleashing their creative clown and musical spirits for five days of Fun with a capital F, while practicing the fun-damentals of music, clowning, story telling, juggling and all around hoopla. At Camp Hoopla! campers will be immersed in opportunities to discover and build upon their tapped, and yet to be tapped, creative talents. The week at Camp Hoopla! will include opportunities to explore the fun of collaboration showmanship, culminating with a group performance (in the old vaudeville style)

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that features a mixture of specialty acts, comedy, song and dance. Andy Smith is eager to share that 8 to 14 year olds are some of his favorite people because, with them, there is always adventure and spontaneity! Andy is a “kid magnet.” The CCS music room overflows with students who want to hang out and jam with Mr. Smith, even during lunch and after school (see our article on Andy. Woody Keppel is a long-time mentor at CCS through the Connecting Youth mentoring program and is known for his award-winning video, Woodhead Saves the Farm. He is also known internationally as the co-founder and artistic producer of The Festival of Fools (vermontfestivaloffools.com), a performing arts festival presented by Burlington City Arts and comprised of musicians, comedians and vaudeville performers from around the world. To register please contact the Charlotte Recreation Department at recreation@ townofcharlotte.com. For questions about camp, contact Wendy Bratt at wbratt@ gmavt.net.

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The CharloTTe News • april 21, 2016 • 5

Voices and researcher of airborne uniforms, and the reason I called you was because I purchased the field jacket that once belonged to John, and when I was doing research, I found the article in The Charlotte News written by Catherine. The jacket is a very rare piece of history because it belonged to an identified Pathfinder who jumped on D-Day, June 6, 1944. This M-43 field jacket has the original Type I, gauze Invasion flag on the right shoulder that was typical of those worn by the 82nd airborne during Market Garden. In addition, there is an authentic 82nd airborne patch on the left shoulder and block-inked stamp with the name “John Rigapoulos” in the collar, again typical of a military stamp. Importantly, the patches and thread do not glow under UV light. Based on this, I thought Catherine may want this jacket, so I offered it to her for exactly what I paid for it and substantially less than what I was offered for the jacket. In addition, I told her that if she could not afford the jacket that I would give it to her. She declined, but I sent her photos for her records. Ultimately, I may donate this jacket to a museum. John Rigapoulos was a replacement in

PHOTO: MIKI BRATU

Happy mother’s day from the fresh air fund Editor: Mother’s Day is a special occasion to celebrate the women in our lives who take the time to care for us. Many women in the Champlain Valley take on the role of Fresh Air mom, as they open their hearts to New York City children through The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program. This Mother’s Day, consider sharing the pure joys of summer with a Fresh Air child.

Marion Sullivan Vergennes

John Rigapoulos’s jacket Editor: Thank you for having Catherine give me a call. Catherine wrote an article in The Charlotte News about her uncle, John Rigapoulos, who was killed during Operation Market Garden on September 20, 1944, after crossing the Maas-Waal River. I am a long time WWII collector

Anzio, Italy along with Albert Tarbell, also in the 82nd Airborne, 504th, Company H. John is also listed as a member of Tucker’s Troopers during the Italian campaigns. After this, John volunteered and was selected for the Pathfinders and jumped in Normandy on D-Day. He was in Serial 5, Plane (Chalk) #18 (504th, 3rd Bn., Co. H) and listed as a Pathfinder. The Pathfinders dropped after 0100 hours on D-Day. After landing, Chalk #18 set up a EUREKA beacon that marked the landing zones and drop zones for the planes carrying paratroopers or ferrying gliders that were to follow up a short time later. On D-Day, John jumped in the 1st or 2nd slot just before or after John Baldassar (504th, 3rd Bn., Co. H) and was responsible for “security” as a perimeter guard in Chalk #18 while the EUREKA beacon was being setup and activated. EUREKA beacons were used to guide the drop of the main force of paratroopers and gliders behind Utah and Omaha beaches. John received the Bronze Star for valor (General Order 39, HQ 82nd Airborne, A.P.O. 469, 21 Jul ‘44). Other awards include: Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, American Campaign Ribbon and European-AfricanMiddle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with Invasion Arrowhead. John was killed on September 20, 1944, during Operation

Market Garden by a sniper. John is buried in grave K1-9, Margraten, The Netherlands.

Brent Dorval, Ph.D. Douglas, Massachusetts

Response to Claudia Mucklow’s letter of April 7 Editor: Perhaps things are different for Ms. Mucklow, but in our home my husband and I think and speak independently and assume that neither of us would be found “guilty by association,” as Ms. Mucklow implied. In addition, if she had listened carefully to my comments at the end of the March 14 meeting, she would have heard me say “she (Mary) has to earn respect,” not “she hasn’t earned respect.”

Janet Morrison Charlotte

Burning something? Check the weather and get a permit. We all know what Smokey says...

Katie Manges


6 •April 21, 2016 • The ChArloTTe News

Legislative Report by Representative Mike Yantachka

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very session seems to have its own highly controversial issue—end of life, vaccines, gun control. This year it’s marijuana legalization. The Vermont Senate passed S.241 in March by a vote of 17-12. Under this measure the state would regulate cannabis from seed to sale and legalize its use by adults. The Health Department would establish prevention and education programs, and the Department of Public Safety would regulate licensed marijuana businesses. Retail sales would be taxed at 25 percent and proceeds would fund substance-abuse prevention, education, treatment and law enforcement. Selling or giving marijuana to and possession and use of marijuana by anyone under age 21 would be prohibited, as would driving under the influence of marijuana. Unlicensed growing, selling and possession of more than one ounce of marijuana would be prohibited, and current penalties would still apply. After leaving the Senate, S.241 was assigned to the House Judiciary

Act 46

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realized over five years. Areas identified for achieving savings could come from financial and clerical administration, auditing, food service, board costs, facilities management, contract management and sharing of resources. Additionally, local school leaders working together on a

Highs and lows of marijuana legislation

Committee. After four weeks of testimony and discussion, including joint hearings with the Government Operations Committee and the Human Services Committee and a two-hour public hearing in the well of the House, the Judiciary Committee voted out a rewritten S.241 on April 8. With this amendment, the Judiciary Committee recognizes that Vermont must address public health and safety issues from marijuana use that currently confront the state. The amended bill stops short of legalization but allows the state to prepare for the eventuality that legal marijuana use will come to our region, while also addressing current concerns. It retains certain provisions of the Senate bill, including an education and prevention program—including drugged driving prevention—creating a crime for certain dangerous chemical extraction processes, prohibiting the consumption or possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, requiring additional training for law enforcement, and establishing a workforce

study committee. Last week the House Ways and Means Committee took the Judiciary version and restored the legalization of up to two ounces of marijuana and the cultivation of up to two plants with a license from the Health Department. The committee also stripped appropriations for the Department of Public Safety for enforcement and lab testing while retaining those requirements. According to the Rand Corporation report commissioned by the Legislature, 80,000 Vermonters currently use marijuana. With the legalization issue gaining momentum throughout the country, it is likely that Vermont will also do so at some point. If we do, we must do it carefully and with our eyes wide open. Proponents point to increased revenue from taxation, displacing the current black market, and the benign effects of marijuana compared to alcohol consumption. However, data out of Colorado indicates that there was an 8% increase in the number of 12- to 17-year-olds using marijuana in the first year of legalization, and a 32% increase in marijuana-related traffic fatalities during

the first year. Moreover, the revenues from taxing marijuana sales will likely be significantly diminished by the costs of regulation and enforcement. If we are concerned with the safety and welfare of the general population, we need more time to assess the long-term effects of legalization. We should also have at least as much control over sales as we have over alcohol. Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and the District of Columbia are the laboratories of this experiment. Before potentially endangering our youth further by this addictive substance or experiencing increased road fatalities resulting from an influx of out-of-state drivers or Vermonters driving under the influence, waiting for a careful assessment of the results from those jurisdictions before we become a laboratory ourselves may be a more prudent path. I always welcome your thoughts and can be reached by phone (802-233-5238) or by email (myantachka.dfa@gmail.com). You can find this article and past articles at my website, MikeYantachka.com.

single budget could result in more opportunities for sharing both resources and best practices, which could lead to greater savings. Further, the implications for education tax rates seem to make consolidation an attractive move. Based on the state’s incentive program, school districts would move from individual education tax rates to one blended tax rate, adjusted locally for Common Level of Appraisal. Time is of the essence, though. According to the provisions of Act 46, if voters approve a merger by June 30, 2016, education tax rates would be adjusted for a credit of 10 cents the first year of a shared budget, starting July 1, 2017. In subsequent years, however, tax credits would be reduced, to 8 cents the second year, 6 cents in year three, 4 cents in year four and 2 cents in year five. A tax structure that incentivizes early adoption makes good sense for an implementation budget. Opponents of consolidation are concerned that the change in local school board structure would negatively affect

local control. But McDermott points out that a representational model of board service already exists on the CVU board, and families are still active in the school. “We still want parents to be fully involved, come to Principal Montroll with their wants, questions and concerns,” said McDermott. “Keeping that strong connection on the local level will be just as important after unification as it is now.” With the vote looming on June 7, harnessing the maximum amount allowed within the graduated tax incentive’s time restrictions seems promising. In coming issues, McDermott and the Act 46 Study Committee will publish more about the decision facing the voters of Charlotte and the surrounding towns. He will also make an informational presentation to the Selectboard on May 9. Attendees at CCS’s Hopes and Dreams meeting on April 14—and

anyone with an eye on how best to restructure our school district to ensure our hopes and dreams can be realized—will understand what bearing consolidation will have on the shared vision for students in the coming years. Given the significance that structural changes will have in the lives of taxpayers, whether or not they have children at CCS or CVU, an engaged electorate is as important in this local election as it is on the national level. For FAQs about Act 46, visit The Charlotte News’ website at goo.gl/N4Sn7u. Contact: geeda@thecharlottenews.org

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The CharloTTe News • april 21, 2016 • 7 AIDEN POWELL GIVES A TOUR OF HIS VERY MOBILE HOME

To build a (tiny) home

Madison Hakey THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

A

fter injuring his arm in 2012, Aidan Powell couldn’t play baseball and had his summers free. His parents thought the time could provide an opportunity to build something together. So the enterprising Charlotte resident and Lake Champlain

Waldorf School student enlisted the help of his amateurcarpenter dad and tiny-house enthusiast mom to begin a four-year adventure in home building. Begun as a social and architectural experiment in downsizing, the tiny-house movement has taken hold during the last decade, in part as a response to the fact that the average size of new single-family homes in the United States has increased disproportionately to the average size of the families inhabiting them. Advocates of the movement extol the virtues of small spaces for their small carbon footprints and ability to capitalize on design and natural resources. Any residential structure less than 500 square feet is generally considered a tiny house. By 2015, Powell and his dad had completed the outside of the house by working on it each summer. Then it was time to make the house a home. For his senioryear school project, Powell completed the interior with help from multiple mentors, books and online research. By this time, the tiny-house movement had increased in momentum, giving Powell tons of new resources to support him during his work. “Having such a big community online was really helpful,” he said. After 200 to 300 hours of work, Powell learned quite a few lessons that he’ll carry with him on his journeys after high school. Primarily he learned to appreciate living “a simple life and not have too many

distractions,” because of his belief that too to live in his tiny home, he hopes to travel often in this day and age distractions get in in it during his gap year before college. the way of valuing life. After putting down One of his dreams is to go to Montana and the cell phones and turning off the televi- spend the winter skiing. Once his gap year sion, life can truly begin, Powell thinks. has ended, the tiny house might become In addition, the new homeowner his dorm at Colorado College. learned the key to getting things done: For now, however, Powell can appreciperseverance. ate, along with his parents, the results of “You can make it happen if you put the his effort and ingenuity. His dad, remarkeffort in,” he said. “That was really grat- ing on his son’s unique brand of go-getting, ifying to figure that out.”The tiny house reflects that some children say they’re was completed with very few bumps in going to run away from home, but for the road. “I had the opportunity to take a Powell, the story is a little different. The lot of time on everything, so I was able to proud father said, “Of Aidan, we used to get a lot of it right the first time,” Powell say, ‘He won’t run away from home; he’ll says. One of the major challenges Powell run away with home.’” was faced with was maintaining a safe level of carbon where service and monoxide. The propane relationships matter heater he installed to keep the house warm let off quite a ■ Spring Service bit of exhaust, but with some ■ Parts, Sales and Service brainstorming and research for most brands of O/B, I/B, and I/O Powell was able to fix the ■ Indoor and Outdoor Summer Storage problem by installing a small available for most vehicles computer fan in the window. ■ Now Booking Summer Boat Rentals Now the house is plenty warm and fresh air can circu■ New and Used Boats late throughout. ■ Great Prices on new outboard motors With his propane heater, ■ New Trailers, Trailer Servicing, and solar panels on the roof, a State Trailer Inspections cooler and a stove, Powell can go completely off the grid if he wishes to. “It’s really easy when I’m in a big house to get caught up inside and not go outside at all, but this really makes you go outside, live life and interact with your community,” Powell says. For one short week, he tested this while snowMercury • Yamaha • Tohatsu boarding and volunteering Sales • Service • Rentals at Cochran’s Ski Area. After marineplusvt.com realizing how much fun it is 6720 Rt. 7, North Ferrisburg • 802-425-5551

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8 •April 21, 2016 • The ChArloTTe News

Health Matters: Strategic gardening Jeff Albertson

ApproAch gArdening As An

CONTRIBUTORS

Athletic event

ardening season is upon us. As I tear up my own plot, beginning the grueling process of breaking down rotted beds and tilling the dirt (a process made even more enjoyable by the Charlotte clay), I am reminded of how hard this process is on our backs. So, before you get your hands dirty…a word of advice to avid gardeners: Be smart and be careful! Here’s how. I often find myself telling my patients that many of our daily activities—such as gardening—should be approached as athletic events. In fact, because of the repetitive and prolonged forward bending required, gardening is in many ways far more strenuous on your lower back than, say, running a 10K. With each cycle of forward bending, or “flexion,” the tissues in your spine begin to fatigue. The amount of strain required to cause injury lowers, thinning the margin of safety, and eventually leading to injury. This effect is quicker with higher loads (that is, heavy lifting) but can accumulate with repeated lower loads or with sustained forward-bent postures. With this understanding, we can reduce the possibility of injury by utilizing two basic strategies: 1) Reduce the overall load to vulnerable structures; 2) Take rest breaks to interrupt the accumulation of tissue strain. Some specific recommendations:

Warm up. Do some gentle backward trunk bending and some leg stretches that do not include bending the trunk forward (e.g., touching your toes). Consider a brisk 5–10 minute walk. Assume an athletic posture. Picture Serena Williams ready to return a serve or a world-class power lifter pulling 900 pounds off of the floor. We don’t see shoulders hunched forward or stooped mid-backs. We do see a wide stance and a strong, straight spine. Your posture while gardening should be similar. Gardening should not be a marathon. It should be a series of relatively short bursts of activity with breaks. For those athletes out there, think about gardening as an interval workout. Every 15 to 20 minutes or so, take a break of at least 2 to 3 minutes (not 5 to ten seconds). Get your body upright and walk around a bit. This is not just to rest muscles. A prolonged bent position makes the spine less tolerant of strain. (See our blog for a short video on suggestions for effective gardening breaks.)

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consider, I’ll highlight two. First, when we bend forward from the spine, we observe what’s called the “flexion-relaxation phenomenon.” This is characterized by an initial activation of the low back muscles, which is both protective and beneficial. However, as we continue to bend, we predictably relax our back muscles, which redistributes strain to the discs and ligaments that stabilize the spinal column. At this point, you can correctly assume you’re entering the “danger zone.” Absolutely avoid spinal flexion and twisting. This is a killer combination for producing injury! Cadaver studies show that discs herniate much easier when forward bending under load is accompanied by even small amounts of rotation. Simply engaging, or tightening, your abdominal muscles will not protect your back if you are in a flexed position. While bracing with the abdominals can be helpful in a properly trained person, it will only help create stability if the spine is in a good upright, or neutral, posture. It will not help when the spine is flexed. In fact, some studies have shown increased strain to the discs when bracing hard with abdominal muscles. So, while bracing is good advice in certain situations (e.g., while standing upright and carrying a bag of dirt), it does not substitute for good form!

Consider this: Even in a good squat-lift position (perfect mechanics), a 50-pound bag of dirt will impose a compressive force on the lumbar spine of over 1,200 pounds! (Interesting side note: The spines of competitive power lifters have been shown to safely tolerate loads exceeding 4,480 pounds.)

other considerAtions

Avoid gardening first thing in the morning. The spine is particularly vulnerable to forward bending in the first 30 minutes of the day when spinal discs are swollen. Before you garden, have a cup of coffee and walk the dog. A back brace may not be helpful. Research into the protective ability of a back brace is mixed. What constitutes good advice will vary from individual to individual based on the chosen activity as well as the individual’s injury history and conditioning. Relying on a brace may be ill advised. Change activity frequently. Break up your to-do tasks in a way that promotes frequent changes of position, lessening back strain. Avoid reaching forward. Whenever possible, try to work under rather than out in front of your body. Finally, listen to your body. Your back might be “done” before your project is. lighten the loAd Leave the project for another day. I’ve got to go. I have eight raised beds to Minimize the “lever arm.” by carrying rebuild, and it’s time to get dirty! objects (e.g. bags of dirt) close to your body. Carrying weight away from your Jeff Albertson is a sports physical body exponentially increases the strain on therapist and the director of physical your low back. therapy at VASTA Performance Training Make use of a garden cart or wheel- and Physical Therapy. See VastaSports. barrow to move heavy materials or tools. com for information on services or for Carry more and smaller bags of dirt. Make more tips on remaining injury free. He more trips with smaller wheelbarrow loads. and his family live in Charlotte.

Use good mechAnics Bend at the hips not the back. Yes, we’ve all heard this before, but it bears repeating. Although there are many factors to

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The CharloTTe News • april 21, 2016 • 9

Quietly making noise

Jorden Blucher CONTRIBUTOR

W

ith the sporadic warm weather finally upon us, everyone in the house has begun to grow a bit antsy. We are ready to shed the heavy layers of winter clothing and play outside until the sun casts long shadows across the ground. We daydream about wringing as much adventure out of the following few precious months as we can. In past years, we’ve talked a good game about all of the things we are going to do over the summer. Then life grabs hold— we don’t write any of our ideas down or schedule them on my wife’s weeks off. We become comfortable in the rhythm we happen to fall into, and excuses come easier than the little extra effort it takes to make an adventurous memory with the boys. Then the summer is gone, and we are left wishing we had done more. This year we are determined not to let this happen. Alastair Humphreys has bicycled around the world, rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, run 150 miles across the Sahara and much more. Most of us don’t have the time, the finances or the gumption to take on challenges like this. Which is why Alastair came up with the term microadventure. At its heart, a microadventure is simply a way to get people out of their routines, out of their comfort zones and into a wild place. It does not matter what you do, as long as you’re out there.

From a parent’s point of view, I classify a microadventure as anything that is out of the house, out of the yard (unless you’re having a family slumber party there) and outside for an hour or more. Adventure is more attitude than anything else. It will take a little extra effort and some planning on your part. You’ll have to slow down, disconnect and focus on wherever you are at the moment. Let the kids lead the way, but most importantly stoop down, look closer and see the world through their eyes. By doing these things, a simple walk along the edge of a field can reveal an amazing world you never knew existed. Pack a simple dinner and head to your favorite trail for an evening hike. Pack a thermos of hot chocolate and watch the sunset from the water’s edge or the top of a cliff. Anything you can think of can be a microadventure. If you want to turn it up a notch, then I would encourage a mid-week campout at a designated campground or at a suitable spot a short hike from your house or car. After all, the hours between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. are easy pickings for an adventure. In next month’s column, I hope to share a longer list of microadventures for the upcoming summer, along with some other nuggets of information. I would love for you to share your ideas and suggestions with me by emailing jorden@thecharlottenews.org. The more ideas and information we have, the easier it will be to plan your next adventure.

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10 •April 21, 2016 • The ChArloTTe News

A Patagonian adventure

LARRY AND LINDA IN TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

Larry Hamilton CONTRIBUTOR

I make bold to take this opportunity to pen a short piece because a recent trip to mythic Patagonia was the dream of a lifetime—one in which I crossed off three items on my bucket list and one which I hope other Charlotters might experience. I developed my bucket list early on in my life, and fortunately my working

career allowed me to cross off many things on the list—Bhutan’s mountain forests, Australia’s Kakadu National Park, cloud forests of Venezuela, von Humboldt’s mountain pass on Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador and Abbruzzo National Park in Italy, for example. However, this experience in late October of 2015 was one of the most memorable. I can’t help but put pen to paper. With six naturalists, a historian and

an anthropologist on board, we embarked on a small National Geographic/Lindblad ship called Expedition, exploring coastal southern Chile and to and around Tierra del Fuego. This narrow archipelago and fjord-indented coast, bounded by the sea and the Andes Mountains, has the isolation to produce a high number of endemic species and the elevational gradient to have a number of vegetational habitat belts as one ascends— hence rich biodiversity. It is characterized by active and dormant volcanoes and huge glaciers, some of which come to the sea edge. One of these endemics, the endangered alerce tree (Fitroya cupressoides) has been on my bucket list for years. It is the largest and oldest tree species in South America (over 3600 years old, up to 5-foot diameter). It almost rivals redwoods in size and age. One of the largest and best groves has been bought through the private philanthropy of Conservacion Patagonica and the Conservation Land Trust (Doug and Kristin Tompkins). It is designated as Pumalin Park, the largest private protected area in South America. When suitable infrastructure and safeguards are in place, it will be given to the Chilean people. These organizations have also been assembling the future Patagonia National Park. They have bought and transferred to government as national heritage some 2.2 million acres!! (Sadly, Doug, this region’s knight in shining armor, died in a kayaking accident on a lake shortly after our trip.) As a trustee of the Vermont Nature Conservancy, I was much interested in what The Nature Conservancy was doing in this amazing part of the world. The Conservancy, recognizing the role that sustainable tourism can play, is working

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with the University Austral de Chile to also conserve this Valdivian temperate rainforest, and we visited the National Alerce Costera Park which it manages in order to conserve this rare species, while providing for modest economic development. We visited five other national parks, including two more given by the Tompkinses—Corcovado and Yendegaia, plus a new Wildlife Conservation Society preserve, Karukinka, where introduced mink are playing hob with native species. Another tick off the bucket list was the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park. This national (and global) treasure hit my bucket list when I first saw a photo in 1990 of the “Blue Towers” (peine means blue in the native tongue) on the cover of one of my favorite books, Sacred Mountains of the World by Edwin Bernbaum. We navigated the famous Beagle Channel and rounded (and landed on) Cape Horn. In doing so I knocked a third item off my bucket list, dating from early reading of Charles Darwin’s voyage aboard the Beagle. We were allowed to visit Argentina’s uninhabited, visitor-banned Staten Islands. On board were Argentinian wildlife and tourism officials studying how Lindblad’s nature-soft and -friendly guidelines and practices might be copied to open the wonderful unhabituated wildlife and scenery to visitation. The part of Patagonia we visited indeed is a magic region. Much of it is wild and harsh, but scenic as all get out. Wildlife abounds, and many types of vegetation that we Northern Hemisphere types find unusual. Aside from extensive salmon farming, this part of coastal Chile has little economic base other than a growing eco-tourism. And on the other side of the Andes, in Argentinian Patagonia, ranching (large estancias) provide the economic base. There is viticulture on eastern Andean slopes around Mendoza (think malbec wine), but again, eco-tourism is growing and is needed. The Nature Conservancy’s Argentinian five-year program rests strongly on developing sustainable tourism for its lands of concern. TNC sparked the first conservation easement, and the first local land trust in Argentina. The working-landscapes coordinator is Javier Beltran, a friend and colleague. Viva la TNC! And viva the National Geographic/ Lindblad Explorer, our trusty vessel, and its zodiacs that can enter the beautiful fjords and get you close to nature. There are other Patagonia adventures available with other travel organizations, and I suggest you take a peek and be tempted.


The CharloTTe News • april 21, 2016 • 11

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12 • April 21, 2016 • The ChArloTTe News

Sports

Edd Merritt Sports Roundup Lacrosse, tennis, baseball, softball, track and field have all hit the fields and runways with the advent of reasonable spring weather.

Game, set, spring matches The women’s tennis team, defending state champions led by senior Kathy Joseph, continued its unbeaten streak with a 6-1 match victory over Rice. The win puts the Redhawks at 3-0 so far this spring. Two Charlotters, Meara Heininger and Arielle DeSmet, have played winning roles. Arielle moved from a doubles victory against St. Johnsbury on April 14 to singles against Rice. CVU men also stand at 3-0 for the season, blanking Rice 7-0 last week. Ethan Leonard won a close number three singles match 6-3, 6-4. Two days before, the Redhawks topped St. Johnsbury 5-2 with Ben Hyams and his partner capturing a doubles victory in three sets.

Home-school track proves friendly to CVU The Redhawk women’s track roster contains many Charlotte products who displayed their talents recently against Rice and Oxbow. Sadie Otley won both

hurdled, Kenneth knocking off Rutland 13-5 behind Lydia Mackillop long Maitland’s hat trick. jumped and Nathaniel Mick Softball puts its spikes pole vaulted to top-five finishes. to the ground So far it has been a spring of cancelled scrimmages. However, CVU and Rutland Men’s hit the field running on Saturday, piling up lacrosse is a total of 41 runs between the two teams. victorious Unfortunately, the Redhawks came out on both in and the bottom end of a 25-16 loss to the host Rutland’s 26 hits proved too much out of state Raiders. for CVU. Traveling to Hanover, New Coaches’ all-league Hampshire, the Redhawk men teams named in hockey began their With the top teams full of BFA names, season with a 14-7 CVU’s Joe Parento was the lone Redhawk victory. Powered to appear among the coaches’ selections by a hat trick from for all Metro League mention. A forward, Charlotte’s Kyle Parento made the third squad. Jaunich and a pair of goals by Will Forty-two years later, Braun, CVU built Sheila Burleigh of Charlotte coaching South Burlington women’s up a seven-goal Burleigh says it is time basketball. PHOTO: BRIAN JENKINS FROM THE BURLINGTON FREE PRESS first-half lead, to step down as coach never to lose it. The team came Charlotte resident Sheila Burleigh back several has been coaching women’s basketball the 100-meter dash and the 300-meter days later at home to defeat Rutland, 13-5. at South Burlington High School for the hurdles. Carly Alpert high-jumped over Again, Jaunich and two Brauns (Will and past 42 years. That is over 900 games, 4 feet; Michaela Flore won the pole vault, Walter) provided a scoring punch along including five divisional titles and 20 finalclearing 7 feet, before taking third in both with Griffin Diparlo. Matt Murikami four appearances in the state tournament. shot put and discus. Madison Randall sent proved strong in the goal, facing 14 shots She is quoted in the April 15 Burlington the javelin 80 feet. Tatum Braun, Sophia against Hanover and eight against Rutland. Free Press, saying that unlike Green Bay Gorman, Megan Mahoney and Carly Packer coach Vince Lombardi, she doesn’t Alpert all finished in second place in their believe winning is the only thing. “If I Women’s lacrosse finally races. coached for the wins, then I’m not in the meets its comeuppance The CVU men, who were challenged right business,� she said. “You want to by Oxbow, Rice and Rivendell, also It took Rice until the final minute and a teach the kids how to be successful, how had familiar rings to top-placer names. half of the game to put in the winning goal to follow through on their goals.� Burleigh Charlotte’s Declan Trus and Seamus against CVU, a goal that gave the Knights a plans to continue at the school as a physical Higgins won the 300- meter hurdles and 12-11 victory. The Redhawks had brought education teacher. the high jump, respectively. Zaq Urbaitel their record to 2-0 the previous Friday by

Do you have a child or relative that would appreciate getting The Charlotte News? q YES! Please send a subscription to The Charlotte News. First Class subscriptions are $40 and arrive most places within 2-3 days. Bulk Mail subscriptions are $20 and generally arrive with in 5-7 days. Full name: _____________________________________ Address: ______________________________________ E-mail: ______________________________________ Please make your check payable to The Charlotte News and mail it to us at: P.O. Box 251, Charlotte VT 05445. If you have questions about receiving The News out-of-town, send an email to: news@thecharlottenews.org

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Rec News by Nicole Conley Summer Job Opening Charlotte Beach Attendant A part-time, seasonal position that begins Memorial Day weekend. The beach attendant will be responsible for the maintenance of the beach area and the facilities located near the beach (e.g. tennis court, playground, volleyball court and picnic area). Dependent on the shift, the beach attendant will be responsible for set-up or cleanup of the beach. During their shift the beach attendant will supervise the parking area and manage the sale of all parking passes. There will be daily responsibilities to help maintain the cleanliness of the beach and its facilities. Visit the recreation webpage for the full job description. If interested, please submit a job application with three references to the Charlotte Town Offices. Applications can be found on our town website or you can

fill one out at the Town Offices. For more information contact the Rec Coordinator by email, Recreation@townofcharlotte. com, or by phone (802) 425-6129.

Youth Spring Programs Mini Lacrosse Mini lacrosse practices will be offered to 1st and 2nd graders on Saturday mornings at Charlotte Central School. Each participant will get a chance to learn more about the game while having fun, April 30 –May 28, 9-10 a.m. Registration fee: $35 by April 22. Equipment needed: lacrosse stick. Coaches needed! After-School Kindergarten Soccer It’s time to lace up those cleats and enjoy a fun afternoon of outdoor soccer. This program will take place after school on Mondays at Charlotte Central School. May 2–May 23, 3 to 4 p.m. Cost: $20. Spring Soccer (1st–2nd grade) On Thursdays right after school there will be soccer practices and games for 1st and 2nd graders. Come join the fun with all your friends! May 5–June 2, 3 to 4 p.m. Cost: $35 by May 2. After-School Tennis Lessons The tennis program is open to 1st–8th graders, and age groups will be split into different time slots listed below. Tennis lessons will be held at the tennis courts at the Charlotte town beach.

Tree migrants Larry Hamilton CHARLOTTE TREE WARDEN AND ASSISTANT MIGRATION OFFICER (CONTRIBUTOR)

The plight of migrants fleeing from their war-ravaged countries or from politically repressive regimes is much in the news. Immigration policies are much

debated by the current crop of candidates for the U.S. presidency. Moreover, the United States has frequently been characterized as a nation of people on the move. It is natural for humans to want to shift to more favorable environments, and many do so. Other animals are similarly gifted, from bobcats to warblers to insects. Individuals and whole populations of animals are

Student-to-instructor ratio will not exceed 6:1. Space is limited, and spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You may sign your child up for both sessions. Parent volunteers are welcome. Session 1: Mondays & Tuesdays, May 2–May 17. Cost: $70 (6 lessons), deadline April 27. Session 2: Mondays & Wednesdays, May 23–June 8. Cost: $70 (6 lessons), deadline: May 1. Make up/rain days the following Wednesday. Time slots: grades 1–5 at 3:30-4:30 p.m.; grades 4–8 at 4:30–5:30 p.m. After-School Horseback Riding Lessons Kim Johansen has been running horse camps and lessons for 22 years. Her philosophy while instructing youth is “learning by doing.” Participants are encouraged to do their very best while feeling comfortable in a safe and noncompetitive environment. You will learn the basics of horse care, including how to groom, feed and manage on foot as well as how to ride and show. All levels welcome. Grades K–8, Thursdays afternoons, May 5–June 9, 3:30–5 p.m., at , . Cost: $120 by May 2. Full and partial scholarships are available for all youth recreation activities.

Adult Spring Programs Fly Fishing Class able to seek shelter from storms, seek food or mates and migrate diurnally or seasonally to more favorable environments. Animal range shifts in response to changing climate are well documented. For instance, for the last four years we’ve seen red-bellied woodpeckers year around at our home feeders, indicating that they now inhabit woods in Charlotte, having moved north from their known range of all previous years. Another example is the recent northward spread of Lyme-diseasecarrying wood ticks. Trees and other plants lack this kind of mobility and so must remain fixed in

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Have you ever been interested in fly fishing but didn’t know where to start? In this 3-hour session we’ll cover equipment and how to use it, basic fly-casting techniques, why fish take a fly and several important knots. Equipment for the session will be supplied, although if you have a fly rod, please bring it. Sheila Reid is the VT/NH Program Coordinator for Casting for Recovery™ and Rhey Plumley is an International Federation of Fly Fishers certified casting instructor. Saturday, May 7 (rain date: May 8), 9 a.m.–12 noon at the Charlotte Beach. Cost: $70 by May 2. Boot Camp Get fit with boot camp instructor Kristin on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 6–7 a.m. at Charlotte Central School. We hope to see you there! Pickle Ball Adult pickle ball is held indoors until summer arrives. All levels are welcome on Wednesdays from 6–7:30 p.m. at Charlotte Central School. Pilates Come flow through a series of dynamic movements that restore balance to core muscles of the lower back and abdominals. Class is held every Friday at Charlotte Central School from 6–7 a.m. More info: charlottevt.org under the “Recreation” or contact Nicole Conley by email at recreation@townofcharlotte.com or by phone 425-6129 ext. 204. the place where they were born, facing all the stresses that nature and humans trigger. Their offspring are able to migrate away from adverse conditions through the dispersal of their seed or their root suckering alone, and that movement is a slow one. Nevertheless, plant population movement has been documented in the case of natural catastrophe (onto new lava flows, for instance), and the case of global warming, tree lines in the European Alps have been advancing to higher altitudes. It is slow, yes, but it is sure. Because of see Tree Warden, page 14


14 • April 21, 2016 • The ChArloTTe News

flooded almost exactly the same locations. In the aftermath of the 1927 flood a dam was constructed on the Little River, creating Waterbury Reservoir. Hill farms that clung to the steep contours of the land were either inundated by the reservoir or abandoned. Today it’s possible to see vestiges of those communities on the History Hike at Little River State Park or along the logging roads in the Cotton Brook basin. Stone foundations, dooryard lilacs and day lilies, apple and butternut trees, sawmills and cemeteries are among the treasures hidden among trees, shrubs and leaf litter. Before Little River State Park opens in late May it is a healthy walk from the dam to the beginning of the History Hike, which itself is a walk of several miles. From Moscow to the north, you can drive to a gate at the entrance to Mt. Mansfield State Forest and walk the logging roads near Cotton Brook. Don’t want muddy shoes? Waterbury Village offers an historic walking tour. Afterward reward yourself with a cone at nearby Ben & Jerry’s factory. History Hike map: vtstateparks.com/ pdfs/littleriver_area_history.pdf; Historic Waterbury map: central-vt.

com/visit/walktour/waterwlk/ Intervale Center/Ethan Allen Homestead. There’s ample parking along the dirt road in Burlington’s Intervale where you can take a short or long walk. The shorter Calkins Trail winds to the Winooski River through riparian (damp) woods. This land is periodically flooded with and nourished by soils from the river’s vast watershed. To the north, along dirt roads and trails, is the Ethan Allen Homestead within meanders of the Winooski River. The round trip is a walk of several miles. Winooski Valley Park District, wvpd. org. A collection of low-elevation walks and hikes that range from a few tenths of a mile to the 182-acre Colchester Pond with a 2.5- mile hike around its circumference. Waitsfield Village Historic District Walking Tour and Mad River Greenway, madriverpath.com. Hugging the west side of the Mad River, along fields and through riparian woods, this flat, two-mile trail ends at a hill-top gazebo and picnic table with views of the river. The clean-shoes option is to stroll through the historic village of Waitsfield. Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail—All aboard the milk train. A quarter-century ago, give or take, the abandoned rail line from St. Albans to Richford, at the Canadian border, was transformed into a 26-mile gravel, multi-use recreation trail. For nonmotorized modes of travel, with the exception of snowmobiles and motorized wheelchairs, the trail has a maximum

grade of 3 percent, which makes it easy to bike even for young children. The trail stretches through expansive dairy farms in the Northeast Kingdom with Jay Peak looming in the distance. A great outing for families. South Burlington and Burlington Bike Paths connect to Causeway in Colchester. It’s possible, and fun, to pedal from South Burlington, near the Cider Mill on Dorset Street or Overlook Park on Spear Street, to Burlington and beyond. With the construction of a pedestrian-only bridge over the Winooski River at the north end of Burlington, one can cycle from Burlington to the Causeway, the former rail bed of the Rutland Railroad that stretches three miles across Lake Champlain. Weekend service of the Bike Ferry across the “cut,� a 200-foot gap in the trail, begins May 27. On the other side of the cut, miles of riding stretch throughout the Champlain Islands. Daily ferry service runs from June 17 through September 5 before reverting to weekends through the end of the season. UVM Natural Areas, uvm.edu/ envprog/natural-areas. These treasures include Pease Mountain in Charlotte as well as Shelburne Pond, Redstone Quarry in Burlington and East Woods in South Burlington. Most of them are great places to find spring wildflowers, which should not be too long in appearing.

much interest in “assisted plant migration.� The official map of frost hardiness zones for Vermont plants was revised a few years ago to recognize this environmental change. This indicates that plants that formerly would not thrive here might do so now or in the future. With continual global warming and changes in precipitation, tree species whose previous natural range did

not include Charlotte, but were close to it, might well be assisted in their migration into this area. This is the reasoning behind the use of some “new native� species in our roadside tree restoration project. Here are some of our “assisted migrants�: Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). This fine tree with the tulip-shaped leaves, showy flowers and fragrant twigs (when crushed) grows to be one of the tallest of our hardwood, deciduous trees. Its natural range has been as far north as the lower

Hudson River Valley, and a few are known south of Bennington, Vermont. We have planted specimens along Lake Road on Jim Donovan and Patricia O’Donnell’s property and on Ferry Road west of the railway station entrance road. Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). Most Charlotters are familiar with the absolutely grand, large sycamore on the edge of Shelburne Village by the Falls Road bridge over the La Platte River. This species is native to Vermont, “creeping� up the Connecticut Valley as far as the Hanover area and with a few specimens along the La Platte River in Shelburne. A good Charlotte specimen is the tree planted in honor of former Town Constable “Cowboy� Lewis that stands at the Town Beach next to a bench overlooking the lake. Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis). This member of the elm family is not susceptible to Dutch elm disease and occurs naturally in the very south of New Hampshire and in parts of central New York State. The cherry-like fruits are a good wildlife food, and its wood has little commercial importance. Whoever heard of hackberry lumber? It can withstand dry periods and is adapted to our lake plain soils. We have planted it on Ferry Road at Jr and Leslie Lewis’s property and a specimen near the picnic table at Town Hall. Blackgum or black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) does occur sparsely to our south, in the swampy lands of Addison County. Its dwarf branchlets bear fruit much valued by birds. In autumn the wine-red leaves make this tree stand out ablaze. Two trial specimens were planted in 2014 behind Town Hall. We will monitor performance, though one has been slightly injured by lawn maintenance equipment. In addition, as you know, we are assisting new “migrants� in the form the Dutch elm disease-resistant American elm hybrids, hoping to get a population of these again gracing our roadsides and wet areas. Our major planting to date has been on Greenbush Road in front of the Old Lantern. Three of the 13 we planted did succumb to the disease, indicting we may have found “resistance� but not “immunity.� A good specimen is located just south of the Charlotte Library.

Out-Doors Spring Ideas Elizabeth Bassett CONTRIBUTOR

Mud season came—just barely—and left. The Green Mountain Club’s website announced its arrival on March 16, about a month earlier than usual. “It’s been an odd winter, and we need exercise,� says Dave Hardy, GMC’s director of trail programs. “If a trail is so muddy that you need to walk around it, please turn around and seek an alternate hike or another outdoor activity, like biking or road walking.� As it does every year, the Green Mountain Club asks that hikers stay off of high elevation trails until Memorial Day. That’s a long wait. In the meantime what to do? Some ideas from my files: Cotton Brook, Moscow, Little River State Park History Hike, and Waterbury Historical Walking Tour. In 1927 Vermont experienced a flood from which, it seems, little was learned. Eighty-four years later Hurricane Irene

Continued from page 13 this inherent slow response to changes in temperature and precipitation regimes, which even reluctant politicians are now recognizing as our future scenario, there is

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The CharloTTe News • april 21, 2016 • 15

From the Archives

Puzzles Puzzles in 2016 have been underwritten by

Homeport Vermont

PO Box 101, Charlotte, VT, 802-870-3481

Cover page illustration by: Charlie lotz

History in the making We are happy to report that The Charlotte News Archive Project is moving right along. Between production cycles, Kali and I have done our best to organize and document every hard-copy issue of The Charlotte News from 1958 to present. With the help of the Charlotte Library and Edd Merritt, according to our records, WE HAVE EVERY ISSUE OF OUR HISTORY IN HARD COPY. Pretty amazing to see such a vault of Charlotte’s history in one place. Our next steps are to store them properly, get the website working better, and then get all back issues digitized and searchable. We hope to have some classic editions in display form by the summer. We’ll bring you more on this as it develops. Reprinted archive complied by: Kali Adams, Madison Hakey and Alex Bunten

Volume XI, Number 18 May 1, 1969 PASTOR’S PARAGRAPH “Let’s go and a fly a kite” is the theme song for some boys and girls these days. It seems to be enjoyed by some of the kite-eating trees that are around also. Kites have a fascination for the young and old. As one harnesses the power of the wind to set a kite aloft, it gives a sense of working with the great forces of the universe. And as the kite soars into the blue, the spirits of the string-holder seem to be lifted above the houses and the trees and trivia. The kite, soaring one moment, then caught in the tree or smashed to the ground the next, has its parallel in life. We wipe out because of miscalculation or failure or because we get caught in forces that are not of our own making. While the broken sticks and torn paper can be

left fluttering from the telephone wires or thrown into the rubbish, our broken plans and frayed hopes have to be picked up again, then relaunched into the breezes of life. R.S.B.

“withWesuspicion can choose either to approach our fellow human beings or approach them with an open mind, a great dash of optimism and a great deal of candor. —Tom Hanks (1956–)

863-2294 and asking for the DUO office. Admission for senior citizens and children under 5 is free.

THE CHARLOTTE LAND TRUST The first public meet-

Volume XXX, Number 16 ing of the Charlotte Land Trust was held Monday, April 7, 1988 “DRACULA: THE MUSICAL?” is CVU Drama Department’s spring production. It is a melodrama with great characters, songs and lots of special effects which are sure to please children of all ages. Charlotters Susannah Harris, Mathilde Tissot, Eva Lawrence and Holland exchange student Yvet Tyssen are members of the cast. Backstage are Charlotters David Cohen, stage manager, and Julianne Yantachka and Santha Dahlin who will do makeup. Performances are Friday and Saturday, April 8 & 9, at 8 p.m. and a matinee Saturday, April 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $3.50 for community members, $2.50 for students and can be reserved by calling

March 28, and attendance was excellent. Monday evening’s agenda began with a general overview of the goals of the Land Trust: to help preserve and enhance the agricultural, natural and scenic character of life in Charlotte. Discussion of the progress of the most recent acquisition, the Pizzagalli property on Greenbush and Lake Roads, followed, and the meeting concluded with discussion of future sites to be considered. The next public meeting will be held at the Town Hall on Monday, April 18, at 7 p.m. Any and all are encouraged to attend. Anyone with questions may call Todd Hardie, 435-3001.

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1. Occurred 4. Acropolis figure 10. Cancels 14. Cast 15. Longs for 16. Barbershop call 17. Mine find 18. Cautionary item 19. Passionate about 20. Redo happily? 23. Pinnacle opposite 24. With a steady hand 25. Moose or mice, e.g. 28. Unconscious 30. Broadcasted 31. Hindu garment 32. “Not to mention ...” 36. Improve a server? 39. Pendulum paths 40. Alternative to acrylics 41. Chip away at 42. Additions 43. Talking points? 44. Rounded style of writing 48. Fall mo. 49. Disloyal cover-up? 55. Arduous journey 56. Soft palate tissues 57. Dissenting vote 58. Latin 101 verb 59. “What fools these mortals be” writer 60. ___ cry 61. Abbr. after many a general’s name 62. Desk item 63. “Cut Piece” artist

1. Pronoun in a Hemingway title 2. Halo, e.g. 3. Hunt for 4. Award 5. Go places 6. Any port in a storm 7. By any chance 8. “Cool!” 9. Weakness 10. Cartoon art 11. Arc lamp gas 12. Glorify 13. Expressionless 21. Exit 22. Actress Plumb 25. Medic or normal? 26. Pinocchio, at times 27. ___ acid 28. Highlanders, e.g. 29. Eyes, poetically 31. Level 32. Religious nectar 33. Golden Triangle country 34. Fries, maybe 35. Horace volume 37. City on the River Garonne 38. Turn up again 42. Amniotic ___ 43. Scratch up 44. Absolute 45. Care for 46. Colgate rival 47. Signed 48. Undersides 50. Maintain 51. Charlie, for one 52. Data 53. Indian bread 54. Apprentice

Crossword and sudoku by Myles Mellor. answers to our puzzles Can be found near the Classifieds.


16 • April 21, 2016 • The ChArloTTe News

Senior Center News

can help. Our team will empower you with a toolkit of tips and strategies to help you or a loved one remain safe in your home, identify signs indicating you may need help and highlight strategies to consider when there is resistance. Forest Service road that climbs steadily into the Ricker Basin above the Waterbury Reservoir. We can hike up about 1.5 miles and return on a loop trail or retrace our steps. Hike 2: Tuesday, May 3 To cHiTTenden

U.S.F.S. road 45 and the Chittenden Brook Trail, located just east of Brandon Gap, is a lovely spring hike of about 3 to 4 miles, slightly uphill to the campground. We can stop in Brandon on the way home for a 31 CVU student singers returned to the Senior Center for the 12th year for a lighthearted snack if it suits our fancy. repertoire to remind us that spring is on its way. PHOTO: MONICA MARSHALL

5/4: Hear sMarTer. live BeTTer, Julie Bier, aud.

wiTH

Hearing affects everything! Come enjoy a presentation and Q&A on hearing health and how your brain is involved in the hearing process. Learn about recent research linking hearing loss to various health problems, including dementia, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Dr. Julie Bier of Better Living Audiology will follow her presentation with a complimentary on-site hearing screening or a hearing aid check of your existing equipment. Registration required.

Hike 3: Tuesday, May 10 To lincoln

Mary Recchia CONTRIBUTOR

Monique M. Dewyea will display her fine art work in watercolor and colored pencil in the Great Room for April and May. Retired from her professional years of nursing, Monique spends a lot of time tending to her gardens and photographing the blooms that she then uses as subjects for her art. Her work includes old barns of Vermont, landscapes in seasons, and florals of her gardens and elsewhere. We have just added a spring Pastel Painting Class with Shirley Reid-Thompson on Tuesday afternoons from 1–3:30. Dates: May 3, 10, 17 and 24. The emphasis will be on pastel painting techniques. Color theory will be explained and used in your paintings. We will work from real-life setups, except for one afternoon when we will use photographs. We can do mixed media, watercolor and pastel if you want. If requested, we can do individual contrast composition with color layering. Special help for beginners is available. All levels of skill are welcome. Call Shirley (860-0666) for a materials list. Registration required. Limit 10. Fee: $100.

and a series of stations, this class will incorporate body weight, light weights and other cardio/strength building tools to boost strength, cardiovascular fitness, agility and flexibility. Some active games will be included to make this a fun and interesting workout. Joint and ligament issues will be taken into account. Every exercise can be modified for any ability or level of fitness. If you have been looking for a class that challenges you but doesn’t leave you in the dust, then this is for you. Registration required. Limit 10. Fee: $10 per class. Let’s Just Sing! with Carlanne Herzog and Orchard Corl on Thursdays from 1–2 p.m. Dates: April 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19. Whether you have sung for years or quietly sing to yourself in the shower, choose whatever excuse you need to come join the fun. We will choose familiar tunes to lift your spirits, song sheets will be provided, and we hope to impart the simple joy of singing. Come when you can and sing yourself happy! Registration required. No fee.

Marty Morrissey returns to take us on Spring Road Hikes in the Champlain Valley. Please meet at the Center 10 minutes prior to our 9 a.m. departure with Get Ready for an Active Summer, with water, good hiking or walking shoes, and a Ginger Lambert on Friday mornings from snack or lunch. Registration required. No 9:15–10. Dates: April 22, 29, May 6, 13 and fee. 20. We all have different body types and fitness experience but know that being Hike 1: Tuesday, april 26 To Moscow strong and fit helps us to live our lives to their full potential. Using timed intervals Hike on the Cotton Brook Road, a U.S.

We will hike on one of two available U.S.F.S. roads just below Lincoln Gap. Distance of about 2–3 miles on easy grades.

a collecTion of lecTures, perforMances and special evenTs sHowcasing THe diverse inTeresTs of our coMMuniTy Wednesday afternoon beginning at 1 p.m. No registration or fee. 4/27: ToolkiT for care sTraTegies, wiTH a nneMarie planT and diane way froM a rMisTead senior care Whether you’re concerned about the safety and wellbeing of a parent, spouse or loved one or are looking for ways to remain independent while living in your own home, we

One of the fiber artists, Betty Ann Lockhart, demonstrated her rug hooking to Wally and Joan Gates after the luncheon on March 30. Photo: Mary Recchia


The CharloTTe News • april 21, 2016 • 17

Margaret Woodruff CONTRIBUTOR

UPCOMING AT THE CHARLOTTE LIBRARY April is National Poetry Month! Stop in and share a haiku on our bonsai poem tree. Tags and pens available, poetry up to you! SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 9 a.m.: Pea planting and garden clean up. Help us ready the garden for our spring and plant some early peas to launch the Library Pantry Garden for 2016. Coordinated and co-sponsored with Transition Town Charlotte. MONEY SMART WEEK: April 25–April 30. Money Smart Week was created in 2002 to raise awareness about personal finance issues, empower citizens with much-needed financial education, and dispel myths around money issues. Check the partner programs at the Pierson Library—call the Pierson Library for details, 985-5124. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 6:30 p.m.: “Why Insurance Matters,” with Annette Hannah and Daren Solomon from Titus Insurance. Annette and Daren will explore a range of personal insurance topics, including the importance of personal liability insurance, homeowners insurance and renters insurance; things to consider when buying a home; how pets affect home insurance, and more. THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 11 a.m.: Secrets of college funding for parents of preschoolers. Financial engineer Erik Kolomaznik leads a discussion geared toward parents of young children on “myth busting” the world of saving for college.

Other PrOgrams MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1:30 p.m.: iPhone tips & tricks reprise. A repeat session of our popular workshop. Tech Librarian Susanna Kahn discusses helpful apps, wi-fi connection tips, and camera and photo pointers. Please bring your iPhone and your Apple ID information. Registration required.

school. Learn about the abundance of activities children with special needs can access in our community. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 3:15 p.m.: Coding Club—Social media magic with Scratch. Building a profile page, creating a quiz and more in this 6-week session featuring hands-on experience and one-on-one instruction. Fourth grade and up. Registration required. Call 425-3864 or email charlottelibraryvt@gmail.com to sign up. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 7 p.m.: Therapy dogs of Vermont. Meet the dogs and the people behind this program that “bring[s] joy and comfort to people in a host of Vermont hospitals and other health-related venues, nursing and retirement homes, child and adult day care centers, and correctional facilities.” WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 7 p.m.: The Woodchuck Returns to Gardening. Vermont author and native gardener Ron Krupp shares the latest words of wisdom and inspiration from his years of gardening in the Green Mountain State. Co-sponsored with the Charlotte Grange. SATURDAY, MAY 7, 9 a.m.: Seed Library table at Green Up Day. Drop off your trash and pick up some seeds for your garden at the same time! LIBRARY BOARD: Emily Ferris, Nan Mason, Danielle Menk, Jonathan Silverman, Robert Smith. Next meeting: May 12, 6 p.m.

If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking. –Haruki Murakami

Adult Books Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World’s Most Precious Manuscripts, by Joshua Hammer. To save precious, centuries-old Arabic texts from Al Qaeda, a band of librarians in Timbuktu pulls off a brazen heist worthy of Ocean’s Eleven. Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice, by Curtis Sittenfeld. This version of the Bennet family—and Mr. Darcy—is one that you have and haven’t met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late 30s who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help—and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray. Noonday by Pat Barker. London, the Blitz, autumn 1940. As the bombs fall on the blacked-out city, ambulance driver Elinor Brooke races from bomb sites to hospitals, trying to save the lives of injured survivors, working alongside former friend Kit Neville, while her husband, Paul, works as an air-raid warden. Once fellow students at the Slade School of Fine Art before the First World War destroyed the hopes of their generation, they now find themselves caught in another war, this time at home.

Youth Books The Great American Whatever, by Tim Federle (young adult). Quinn Roberts is a 16-year-old smart aleck and Hollywood hopeful whose only worry used to be writing convincing dialogue for the movies he made with his sister Annabeth. Of course, that was all before … before Annabeth was killed in a car accident. Enter Geoff, Quinn’s best friend, who insists it’s time that Quinn came out—at least from hibernation. What follows is an upside-down week in which Quinn begins imagining his future as a screenplay that might actually have a happily-ever-after ending. A Tangle of Gold, by Jaclyn Moriarty (juvenile fiction).Worlds apart and with time running out, Madeleine and Elliot find themselves on a collision course to save the kingdom they love and maybe even save each other. The War That Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (juvenile fiction). Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother, Jamie, is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.

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MONDAY, APRIL 25, 3:15 p.m.: Afterschool Art—Altoid tin creations. Make your own curio box using these familiar breath-mint tins. Registration required. Please call the library to sign up. TUESDAY, APRIL 26, at 7 p.m.: Information and opportunities for children with special needs. Come and gather information/resources in our community to help children with special needs, with Sara Kruk, creator of “Kayla’s Directory,” and special educators with experience in elementary, middle school and high

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18 • April 21, 2016 • The ChArloTTe News

Community Events GOT YOUR FINGER ON THE PULSE? The Charlotte News is looking for an Events Calendar Editor. This person would work directly with the Editor in Chief, helping to collate and format all events submitted to The News. Must have word processing software and a computer or be able to come to the office to work. The role would require about two hours every other week. It’s good to have a pulse on the town’s activities. Send inquiries to Alex Bunten at news@thecharlottenews.org.

Upcoming Charlotte Food Shelf Distribution Dates Wednesday, April 27, 5–7 p.m. Thursday, April 28, 7:30–9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 11, 5–7 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 7:30–9:30 a.m.

Upcoming pUblic meetings Selectboard: April 25 & May 9, 7 p.m. Planning Comm.: April 21 & May 5, 7 p.m. CSSU Board: April 26, 5 p.m. CCS Board: April 26, 7 p.m. CVU Board: April 26, 7 p.m. Conservation Commission: April 26, 7 p.m. Zoning Board: May 4, 7 p.m. Cemetery Com.: April 21, May 5 & 19, 11:30 a.m. Meeting times are subject to change. Check the town website for more info: charlottevt.org

Have yoUr say | Selectboard MeMberS |

Do you have a Charlotte event or an event close by that features a Charlotter? Send description, date, time and cost to Ruah Swennerfelt at calendar@thecharlottenews.org. If it’s a public event, share what’s happening with your neighbors!

Events in Charlotte or involving a Charlotter MONDAY, APRIL 25 CRAFT: Altoid Tin Art: There are thousands of ways to make use of an Altoid Tin, from travel games to art kits to miniature playhouses. 3:15–4:30 p.m. Charlotte Public Library. Info: 4253864, charlottepubliclibraryvt.org

starting at 6:15 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. Adults $5, students $2, performers and children under 5 free. CCS. Info: Katie Taylor, katietaylore@gmail.com.

on artist, philosopher, theorist and architect Paolo Soleri. 6 p.m. Free. Contois Auditorium, 149 Church St. Burlington. Info: ADfilmseries.org

SATURDAY, APRIL 30 CHARITY: Habitat for Humanity— Stuff the Truck. The CVU Habitat for Humanity Club is hosting a Stuff the Truck event in the CVU parking lot from 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. We’re accepting gently used furniture and household materials to be donated to the Habitat Re-Store. No clothing, televisions, damaged items, computers, etc. Info: Morgan Schnell, morganschnell@cssu.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 28 RUMMAGE SALE: Methodist Church Rummage Sale. Annual sale. Proceeds benefit children attending camps as well as those going on mission trips. Methodist church, 227 Old Hollow Road, N. Ferrisburgh. Thursday 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and Saturday 8–11 a.m. Free. Saturday is bag day; take as much as possible for a nominal fee. Info: nfumc@madriver. com or nfumchurch.org, 425-2770.

TUESDAY, MAY 3 DANCE: Creative Dance. This Charlotte Enrichment Program focuses on playful beats and coordination for grades K–3. May 3–June 7. 4–5 p.m. CCS Choir Music Room. $66. Info: Katelyn Irwin, 652-8153.

TUESDAY, APRIL 26 INFORMATION: Information and Opportunities for Children of Special Needs. A panel discussion with Sara Kruk, founder of Kayla’s Directory, and special educators from local schools. THURSDAY, APRIL 21 7 p.m. Charlotte Public Library. Info: THEATER: Larry Shue’s The 425-3864, charlottepubliclibraryvt.org Foreigner. Don’t miss the final three performances of The Foreigner presented WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 by Shelburne Players. Shelburne Town CLUB: Coding Club. Learn how social Center, 5420 Shelburne Rd. 7:30 p.m. media sites are created utilizing Scratch. $15. Info: shelburneplayers.com. Students will not be on actual social media sites. Grades 4 and up. April FRIDAY, APRIL 22 27–June 1. 3:15–4:30 p.m. Charlotte EVENT: Earth Day of Action: The Public Library. Info: 425-3864, People’s Lobby Day. Featuring business charlottepubliclibraryvt.org. leaders and employees from the state’s socially responsible companies, this THURSDAY, APRIL 28 event is an opportunity for the public to RUMMAGE SALE: Spring Rummage address climate change. Participants will Sale. Gently used clothing, shoes, boots, receive advocacy training and briefings children’s toys and games, books (no text from State House lobbyists working books or encyclopedias), kitchenware, in the field. 9:30 a.m.–noon. Free. small household items and gardening Vermont State House, Montpelier. Info: and yard tools. Donations accepted ashley@seventhgeneration.com, bit.ly/ at Grange Hall (Spear St. Charlotte) earthdaylobby. on Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, April 25 and 26, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Sale held on Thursday 9 EVENT: Small Farm Action Day. a.m.–7 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.–noon. Rural Vermont will host the final Small Info: Dorothy Hill, 425-4140. Farm Action Day of the year at the State House in Montpelier. This is an INFORMATIONAL EVENT: opportunity for farmers and customers Imagine After-School Program to educate lawmakers about the unique Information Night and the CCS challenges that small farms face and to Maker Space Open House. CCS after- urge them to support common-sense, school programing will be provided scale-appropriate legislation in these by Imagine next year. CCS will be final weeks of the 2016 session. Farmer hosting Imagine Director Jeff O’Hara stipend applications available. Vermont to talk with families. Families will then State House. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free. Info: have the opportunity to explore the new shelby@ruralveront.org, RSVP at Maker Space. 5:30 p.m. CCS Library. ruralvermont.org or (802) 223-7772. Info: Stephanie Sumner, 425-6662. FILM: Paolo Soleri: Beyond Form. FRIDAY, APRIL 29 This is the final film of UVM’s EVENT: The Variety Show. Don’t Architecture and Design Film Series. miss the CCS PTO performance with Beyond Form, directed by Aimee pizza and bake sale hosted by 7th graders Madsen, is a documentary that focuses

In the area

SATURDAY, APRIL 30 CRAFT FAIR: Access Craft Fair. Come one, come all to the CVU Access Craft Fair. 7 a.m.–5 p.m. CVU gymnasium and café. Info: sjipner@ cssu.org, cvuhs.org SUNDAY, MAY 1 EVENT: Stop Reckless Rail in Vermont. A rally for citizens of all ages to speak out and raise awareness about the need for more safety and state environmental oversight of increasing hazardous material freight rail in Vermont. Bring pots or pans to bang on. Speakers, food from Cucina Antica and music by the Meatpackers. Shelburne Community School, with march to town green or gym. 2–3 p.m. (2 p.m. meet at school for march, 2:30 p.m. rally starts on town green or in town gym) Free. Info: roberta@vermontunited.org.

BIKE RIDE: GMBC Day Touring Rides: Covered Bridges of Chittenden County. A 30- or 36-mile ride through the hills of Shelburne, Charlotte and Ferrisburgh. Food stops including the Old Brick Store in Charlotte or a convenience store in Ferrisburgh. See up to four of the five covered bridges in Chittenden County. South Burlington High School. 9:45 a.m. Info: Kerry Crosby 578-3249, crosbykn@comcast. net

Chair, Lane Morrison, 425-2495 Matthew Krasnow, 922-2153 Carrie Spear, 425-4444 Jacob Spell, 425-6548 Fritz Tegatz, 425-5564 Selectboard Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. If you would like to bring an issue to the attention of the Selectboard, contact the board chair or administrator Dean Bloch at 425-3071, ext. 205.

| ccS School board | Chair, Mark McDermott, 425-4860 Vice Chair Erik Beal, 425-2140 Kristin Wright, 425-5105 Clyde Baldwin, 425-3366 Susan Nostrand, 425-4999

| cVU School board-charlotte | Lorna Jimerson, ljimerso@wcvt.com Lynne Jaunich, lmjau@gmavt.net

| Planning coMMiSSion | Administrator, Jeannine McCrumb, 425-3071; jeannine@townofcharlotte.com Chair, Jeffrey McDonald, 425-4429 Vice Chair, Peter Joslin Members: Gerald Bouchard, Paul Landler, Charlie Pughe, Donna Stearns, Marty Illick

| Vt goVernMent | vt senate (cHittenden district) Tim Ashe, D/P-Burlington, 318-0903, tashe@leg.state.vt Philip Baruth, D-Burlington, 503-5266, pbaruth@leg.state.vt.us Virginia “Ginny” Lyons, D-Williston, 863-6129, vvlyons@leg.state.vt.us Diane Snelling, R-Hinesburg, 482-4382, dsnelling@leg.state.vt.us Michael Sirotkin, D-South Burlington, 999-4360, msirotkin@leg.state.vt.us David Zuckerman, P/D/W-Hinesburg, 598-1986, dzuckerman@leg.state.vt.us vermont HoUse Mike Yantachka, D-Charlotte, 425-3960, myantachka.dfa@gmail.com

| U.S. goVernMent | U.s. senators

MONDAY, MAY 2 Patrick Leahy, 863-2525, leahy.senate.gov VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION: Bernie Sanders, 862-0697, Adirondack Art Association. Those sanders.senate.gov interested in volunteer opportunities this summer are encouraged to attend the Us congressman volunteer orientation at the AAA to Peter Welch, 652-2450, welch.house.gov learn about multiple volunteer positions available in the gallery. 1–3 p.m. 2754 Essex Rd, Essex NY. Info: Christina LICSW, that focuses on the adolescent Elliot, info@adirondackartassociation. brain, risk taking and privatization com of adolescence. 6:30–8:30 p.m. CVU auditorium. Fee: donations of $5 or $10 WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 towards CVU scholarships. Info: http:// EVENT: The Enigma of Adolescence: ccsvt.org Decoding our 21st Century Youth. An informational talk for caregivers and professionals put on by Dave Melnick,


The CharloTTe News • april 21, 2016 • 19

Classifieds

Around Town Development. She has extensive experience in the development field having served nine years at Champlain College, first as major gift officer, then as leadership giving director. Prior to her fundraising career, she spent 20 years at US Airways, a Fortune 500 company. to Charlotte attorney and Vermont-National Education Association (NEA) Director Joel Cook who is retiring after nearly a quarter of a century of service to the state’s largest union— 12,000 members. Joel began his career as an attorney with Vermont Legal Aid in 1975 after earning a law degree from the University of Oregon. In 1985 he joined the administration of Governor Madeline Kunin as director of the Vermont Office on Aging and as the first commissioner of what is now the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living. He joined Vermont NEA in 1992.

Congratulations to long time Charlotte residents, Peter and Meg Walker (above), who will celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary (50 years) on April 30, 2016. Party on! to Chea Evans and Ben Recchia of Charlotte who were recognized as community volunteers working through Chittenden South Supervisory Union’s “Connecting Youth” program. Chea is an “Aw Shucks Honoree,” and Ben received the CY Youth Award. to Moneer Greenbaum of Charlotte who was named director of development at the Stern Center for Language and

Food Shelf News Kerrie Pughe CONTRIBUTOR

Thank you to the Charlotte Congregational Church Sunday School children for the “Happy Spring” cards in bright spring colors! We appreciate the support from James and Kathleen Manchester, Janet Morrison, Bob and Denise Danyow, Norman and Dorothy Pellett, and June Bean and family. Thank you to the parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Congregational Church for the support during the month of March. A special thank you to CCS 5th graders Duncan Baker, Jacob Russell, Will Patton, Jason Aubin, Scott Duda Wallace and Jameson McEnaney for their ongoing help. These generous boys have helped load our shelves and are currently

to Erin Kern of Charlotte and Terra Page of Windsor, Ontario, on the birth of their twin sons, Joseph Hurley Kern-Page and Grady George Kern-Page (above), on September 13, 2015. Erin is the daughter of Valerie Hurley and John Kern of Charlotte. The boys and their moms live in Toronto along with two cats and a watchful dog, Lila.

running a food drive for kids snacks. Please consider donating. You may drop off snacks at Charlotte Central School in designated boxes at the east wing and flag pole entrances. A big thank you for the $1,000 donation from an anonymous donor. We were able to fill our freezer with a large meat purchase from the Foodbank. Also, thank you to the Diane and Emile Cote family for the gift given in memory of Andrew Thayer. Andrew was a wonderful person who will be missed by many in our community. Our sympathy goes out to Chris, Leslie, Kristen and Jamie Thayer. Please keep the Food Shelf in mind as you begin planting your gardens this spring. The Plant a Row program brings in much appreciated fresh veggies all summer. donationS We need your help. Compared to last year at this time, our cash donations are down $3,546—and last year was down 20 percent from the year before. We are a volunteer organization so all donations you make to the Food Shelf go directly for food or assistance to our local neighbors in need. Thank you so much for considering donating today. 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

to Ted Castle and his company, Rhino Foods, which was named one of top 20 small- and medium-sized companies in the state by Vermont Business Magazine this month. Rhino, founded on a “climate of trust and respect,” is known for its principles as they apply to employees, According to the company’s employee principle, “We provide a vehicle for our people to develop and achieve their personal and professional aspirations.” to Heather Morse of Charlotte who recently became the seventh licensed real estate agent on the staff of Greentree Real Estate of Monkton. Heather has a degree in architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology and feels that real estate sales is a “perfect combination” for her two interests of architecture and helping others. She will be serving buyers and sellers primarily in Addison and Chittenden counties.

Sympathy is extended to family and friends of Priscilla Throop who passed away March 8 at the age of 70. A highly recognized medieval Latin and Greek scholar, she translated and published 22 books. is extended to family and friends of Frederic Allen of Shelburne who passed away April 9 at the age of 89. An early partner in the Burlington law firm now known as Dinse, Knapp and McAndrew, his surviving family in Charlotte includes his daughter, Martha Wool, and her husband, Mike. The family asks that those wishing to make contributions in his memory do so to the United Way of Chittenden County or to the Burlington Boys and Girls Club. is extended to family and friends of Alice Jean Craig of Shelburne who passed away April 7 at the age of 97. Her surviving family in Charlotte includes her daughter, Barbara Craig.

P. O. Box 83 Charlotte, VT 05445 new Facebook Page “Like” us at our new Facebook page, Charlotte Community Food Shelf and Assistance to see photos and get updates on all the Food Shelf activities. wiSh liSt We need kids healthy after-school snacks—granola bars, raisins, dried fruit, crackers, peanut butter and cereal. As the warmer weather approaches, we’ll need sunscreen and children’s insect repellent. Thank you for considering these. Donated food drop-off locations: All nonperishable food donations may be dropped off at the Charlotte Library, the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (main entrance) or at the Food Shelf during the distribution mornings. We request that all fresh foods be dropped off at the Food Shelf by 7:30 a.m. on the Thursday distribution mornings or before the Wednesday distribution hours. The Charlotte Food Shelf is located on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Distribution days/times are posted in this newspaper and on the bulletin board in the Charlotte Congregational Church Hall. You may also call the Food Shelf number (425-3252) for a recording of the distribution times.

Reach your friends and neighbors for only $7 per issue. (Payment must be sent before issue date.) Please limit your ad to 35 words or fewer and send it to The Charlotte News Classifieds, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 or email ads@thecharlottenews.org. For Sale: 4 snow tires - moving south, barely used. $40 for all 4 Nokian 18 inch 235/50R18 used on Volvo CX70. Call Stella 425 4265, text 373 7943. lawn mowing Service—Working my way through college. Ten years experience. Professional equipment.Insured. Residential, business, church, municipal, etc. Call Anthony Burds 777-9131 [5823] mt. Philo inn—A unique hotel situated at the base of Mt. Philo State Park with stunning panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. Spacious 3 bedroom suites with 2 bathrooms and a complete kitchen. Thoughtfully designed for casual elegance. Privacy, space, tranquility. Bigger on the inside. MtPhiloInn.com, 425-3335. Don’t put off that painting project any longer. Call the professionals at laFayette Painting. We have been painting the homes and businesses of Chittenden County for over 39 years! Visit LafayettePaintingInc.com or call 863-5397. [58-20] maxim outdoor wood Pellet Furnace by Central Boiler adapts to existing heating systems & heats with renewable wood pellets. Boivin Farm Supply 802-475-4007 interior and exterior Painting: If you’re looking for quality painting with regular or low VOC paints and very reasonable rates, call John McCaffrey at 802-999-0963 or 802-338-1331 or 802877-2172. [58-24] redStone: Affordable small office spaces available on Ferry Rd. Starting at $250.00 including all utilities. For more information or to schedule a tour call 802-6587400. SchiP reSale ShoP Part time helP Local non-profit resale shop seeks parttime help for Saturdays and occasionally during the week. Retail experience preferred with an interest in people a plus. Great boutique style shop with lots of friendly customers. Send resume to SCHIP’S Treasure, 5404 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, Vermont 05482 or email schipstore@myfairpoint.net. [58-19]


William Shakespeare. Ever heard of him? Us neither. Something about him writing 37 of the most produced plays in the English language and poetry that could stun a cat like a Taser in the hands of a militant dog lover. Lived a long time ago, like 400 years to be exact. Born April 23, 1564, died

stitched brocades from a loom. Criticizing the monarchy while the Queen enjoys the festivities from a balcony at The Globe. Introduced an estimated 1700 new words into the English language. “Moonbeam,” “swagger” and “uncomfortable”? He made those up, among many, many more. You’re welcome. A writer of his time, for all time. The Vermont Shakespeare Festival is producing up Julius Caesar from July 28 to Aug. 7 and on April 24 is hosting a salon at Bistro de Margot in Burlington,

featuring a reading and discussion of Antony and Cleopatra (vermontshakespeare.org). Participants can read or just listen. Maybe we should pick up Charles and Mary Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare now so we prep our children (and ourselves) to enjoy a lifetime of this artist’s work in every form it is produced from now on. Because Shakespeare’s not going anywhere, and neither are the people who read, see and interpret his work. Light the candles. Happy birthday, Shakespeare!

T he C harloTTe N ews

Geeda Searfoorce THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

April 23, 1616. Speculation remains about the veracity of his birth date, based on the fact that humans were not as scrupulous with records back then as they are now. The Bard mashed up historical sources with current events and revolutionized the way humans witness drama and comedy, the most human of the art forms. He was modern before Charles Darwin was the sparkle in a monkey’s eye or Ezra Pound fell hard on his own petard. Stock characters, women who think, plots that roll out like finely

Voice of the town since 1958

Shake ’n bake (a cake)

deliver To: loCal Boxholder U.S. POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM ZIP CODE 05482 PERMIT NO. 9

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