Views of Dummerston - 2021#3 - Summer

Art by Gary Blomgren

Volume 31 Issue 3

Summer~ 2021

Free • Since 1990

Green Mountain Conservancy Adds 626 acres to Nature Preserve

By Daniel N. Dubie

Naturalist and Ecological Counselor

Welcome to a rich and intriguing world, a place were two forest worlds find themselves in a unique relationship, a place of southern forests born of heat and dryness and of northern temperate forests that revel in their moisture and cold. This 626-acre addition to the current Deer Run Nature Preserve, managed and owned by the Green Mountain Conservancy and conserved with easements from the Vermont Land Trust and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, protects a unique matrix of forest types, natural communities, and habitats. It is here that Appalachian oak, hickory, and hemlock forests of the mid-Appalachian Mountains blend with maple and birch forests of the continued on page 2

Students celebrate moving up to the next grade level by crossing the covered bridge during Dummerston School’s Move Up ceremony in June.

Many Activities Mark the Last Days of School Year See more photos on pages 10, 12, 13.

photo by Julianne Egan

Due to a tremendous outpouring of support from the community, the Deer Run Nature Preserve now encompasses 913 acres in the towns of Dummerston, Newfane, and Brookline at the terminus of the Putney Mountain ridgeline. It is the viewscape to your right as you travel up Route 30 to Newfane. I hope you will get a chance to hike there soon and experience this natural treasure.

The trailhead is located on Camp Arden Road, about two miles from the covered bridge. The following article, written by Dan Dubie, a forest ecologist and member of the Green Mountain Conservancy Board of Directors, will give you a taste of what you will find there.

Mary Ellen Copeland, President, Green Mountain Conservancy

photo by Julianne Egan

Green Mountain Conservancy Board of Directors

Dummerston School PreK and first-grade students explore vernal pools as part of their ecology studies.

2 • Summer, 2021 • Views of Dummerston The Views of Dummerston is a quarterly newsletter published by a group of citizen volunteers since 1990, and has non-profit status through the Dummerston Community Center. Mary Lou McBean had the original vision for and was first editor of the Views, and Gary Blomgren created the original masthead art.

The current steering committee includes Roger Turner (editor), Michelle Cherrier (co-articles coordinator and calendar), Fred Lee (layout), Sara Ryan (ad coordinator), Linda Rood (co-articles coordinator), and Lee Ives Tice (mailing). We always welcome new interest in joining the committee.

SUBSCRIPTIONS:

The Views is mailed free of charge to all residents of the town of Dummerston. It is also available online at viewsofdummerston.org. We encourage people to help us save printing and mailing expenses by cancelling their print subscription and accessing the Views online at viewsofdummerston.org; to do so please email Sara Ryan at: subscribe online@viewsofdummerston.org.

If you are not a resident of Dummerston and would prefer to receive a paper copy of the Views, you may subscribe for an annual cost of $5. Mail a check made payable to Views of Dummerston, with your name and mailing address to Lee Tice, 230 School House Rd., East Dummerston, VT 05346.

ARTICLES:

We welcome all articles related in any way to the town of Dummerston, including news of town organizations, personalities, history, or activities. Email Microsoft Word documents (preferred) to: articles@viewsof dummerston.org. Typed or hand-written articles can also be sent to: Michelle Cherrier, 72 Miller Rd., East Dummerston, VT 05346.

CALENDAR:

Any (non-commercial) event you would like listed on our Calendar of Events should be emailed to: calendar@ viewsofdummerston.org, or mailed to Michelle Cherrier at the above address.

NEXT ISSUE:

Submissions due: September 14

Views will be mailed on: October 27 ADVERTISING:

Rates: All rates are for four issues, however a large or small box ad can be placed for just one issue at an adjusted rate. Payment should be by a check made out to the Views of Dummerston, and mailed to: Sara Ryan, 53 Greenhoe Rd., East Dummerston, VT 05346

Small Box Ad $55

Large Box Ad $85 Information/Inquiries: Contact Sara Ryan at: ads@ viewsofdummerston.org, or at 387-0110.

SPONSORSHIPS:

Sponsorships of $25 for four issues augment our ad revenues to provide us with operating funds. You will be notified when your sponsorship is up and invited to renew. If you wish to become a sponsor or have questions, contact Sara Ryan as above.

Digital Views Available Featuring easy navigation, clickable links, and full color, we’re sure you’ll love it! viewsofdummerston.org

Dummerston Selectboard Meetings Recorded and televised by BCTV and online at www.brattleborotv.org. (Select “Watch”, select “Watch On Demand”, select “Playlist”, scroll to “Dummerston”, select meeting.)

Conservancy Adds 626 acres to Nature Preserve continued from page 1 northern forest region. This blending is primarily due to two factors, the topographic diversity of this land that rises around 1000 feet from the shores of the West River to the north and west, and the diversity of dry and moist forest environments found throughout the Preserve.

Wandering the high points in the Preserve you may find yourself in dry, warm, open forests filled with oaks and hickories, or in dry, dark, hot hemlock forests that tell of older times.

These places are dependent on lack of moisture and high heat found on well-drained ridge tops throughout the central Appalachian Mountains and may seem unfamiliar, for they are at the northern extent of their ranges here. Then as you drop down into one of the Preserve’s many small moist ravines or swales, leaving the dry Appalachian forests and entering the moist northern hardwood forests, there will be moisture in the soil and amazing plant diversity. These northern hardwood temperate forests of the northern forest region, which reaches from the Great Lakes east to Nova Scotia, are cold in nature, water loving, and dominated by

maples, birches, white pine, and beeches.

These forests abound here on the Preserve due to its geography and geology. They are

rich in nutrients, leading to their abundant diversity of wildflowers, ferns, and other herbaceous plants, as well as the animals that thrive in these moist environments, rich in food and breeding habitat.

These additions to the existing Deer Run Nature Preserve provide a unique example of the larger picture that is found throughout the natural history of New England, a world where the great cold forests of the circumpolar north mix with the great broad leaf deciduous forest of eastern North America.

As you wander this Preserve and explore the nooks and crannies that make it special, enjoy being part of these two forest worlds that show themselves here. For they and their inhabitants have a unique story to tell, one that will continue to surprise you when you take the time to listen.

Town Reappraisal Is Now Complete

By The Listers We have now completed the town wide reappraisal. The New England Municipal Resource Center (NEMRC) conducted the field reviews and assembled the data. Pregrievance meetings were held to address questions. Formal grievances were then held to address townspeople’s further concerns. At this writing, July 8, we are awaiting the registration period for appeals to the Board of Civil Authority (BCA).

We want to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation in completing this process during the pandemic. It has been a difficult process for everyone.

Ed Clodfelter, NEMRC’s senior appraiser, observed that 6% of the reappraisals resulted in requests for reviews through pre-hearings, and a total of 27 grievances were filed. “It went pretty well,” he concluded. In addition, John Tiffany of the NEMRC observed that the appraisers assigned to Dummerston, “bent over backwards in accommodating property owners and did the best job possible explaining the reappraisal process and why changes were made to those who were totally, or nearly-totally ignorant of what a reappraisal is, a difficult task.” Additionally, “The listers were probably the most engaged listers I’ve experienced for post-reappraisal grievances.

Great job by all!”

The Views of Dummerston Mission Statement

Providing reports of town organizations, and stories of townspeople and their good deeds, in promoting cooperation and understanding toward creating a more “ideal” Dummerston.

“All who read may also contribute!”—Mary Lou McBean, founder, Views of Dummerston

Views of Dummerston • Summer, 2021• 3

town government

Selectboard Meetings Back to Face Time

By Rebecca Lotka It’s been great to sit at the same table with the board, welcome the public back to in-person meetings, and see people’s maskless faces. As a new selectboard member I’ve been learning a lot with the help of

the board and other town members. I look forward to continuing to meet many of you and serve the community. Our meetings are now being held in the Dummerston Community Center, every other Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The board is happy to welcome our new

Dummerston Planning Commission

Neighbor Comment Sought for Home Businesses

By Sam Farwell

come to a meeting or speak with one of us or the selectboard. Current planning commisThe planning commission continues to sioners are Annamarie Pluhar, Beverly Tier, move zoning bylaw amendments towards Bob Danzi, Maria Glabach, Regina Stefanelli, adoption. We have described these amend- Rick Contino, Sam Farwell, and Sarah Bergh. ments in previous articles, but the latest update is that we will hold an in-person public forum on September 7 to present the changes we’ve

By Charlotte Neer Annis, Treasurer made to home business permitting and to hear from Dummerston home business owners and Laurie and I would like to let everyone know residents. Announcements regarding the time and place will be forthcoming through email, that due to the recent reappraisal, the 2021 town website, Front Porch Forum, and our tax bills will be delayed. There are too many variables at this time to even make an educated wonderful local newspapers.

Our first public forum, held on Zoom, was guess about when you can expect them! Laurie sparsely attended, though we heard thoughtful will keep everyone posted through her weekly comments from those who showed up. We emails. You can contact Laurie at townclerk@ would like to get a sense of what more than dummerston.org if you would like to be added just a few Dummerston residents think about to her email list. The first tax payment will this issue. How much business activity should be due 30 days after the bills are mailed. The be allowed before its impact on the neigh- February due date will not change.

We hope you all have a wonderful summer. borhood is more than people should have to live with? How much say should neighbors have over the business activity someone may run out of their home? We look forward to hearing different perspectives on this before finalizing our amendments - and to seeing our neighbors in person!

To make a contribution to the COVID-19 Regular meetings of the planning commisResponse Fund, which will be used to sion are on the first Tuesday of each month support businesses and individuals in at 6:30 p.m. Usually we skip the August Windham County. please go to meeting. The agenda and minutes are posted www.unitedwaywindham.org/ on the commission’s page of the town website. Meetings are always open to the public. As long they are held via videoconference, the invitation will be included on the agenda so that anyone may attend. Written comments are welcome and can be emailed to planning@dummerston.org or mailed to the town office.

Planning commissioners are appointed by the selectboard. Currently there is one vacant seat so if you have an interest in working on the zoning bylaw and the town plan please

Tax Bills Will Be Delayed

selectboard assistant, Dena Marger. Dena is no stranger to Dummerston, as she also serves as the library director at Lydia Taft Pratt Library. We look forward to her assistance in many organizational capacities! Additionally, I’d like to extend a huge thank you to Maria Glabach who stepped in to fill a void for quite some time, volunteering to take on many tasks that Dena will now cover.

Recently added to the town website is our newly updated draft of our animal control ordinance. We have not revisited this document since 1995, so we look forward to public comments on this new draft.

As usual, we have a number of empty town positions which greatly need volunteers. If you’ve been considering getting more involved, now is the time! See below for details.

Stay cool, enjoy the beautiful summer, and be well.

The Selectboard is looking for volunteers to fill the following positions: Planning Commission (1) 4-year term DRB (1) 3-year term & (2) 1-year alternates Energy Committee (1) 3-year term Animal Control Officer (2) 1-year term Delinquent Tax Collector (1) 1-year term CT River Joint Commission (2) 1 year term If you are interested in serviing in one of these positions, please send a letter of interest to selectboard @ dummerston . org

Support United Way Response Fund

Sponsors Gordon & Linda Evans Heather & Gene Rostov Akara Draper & Linnie Jones Elizabeth Catlin & Jared Flynn Cliff Adler & Lynn Levine

4 • Summer, 2021 • Views of Dummerston

town government Dummerston Conservation Commission

First “Conservation Station” Ready for Use

By John Anderson Despite the frustrations of social distancing, zoom meetings and email-only attempts at addressing the environmental concerns of our fellow Dummerstonians, the conservation commission has managed to stay actively involved and to make progress on many on-going projects.

Rick Mills and Jesse Wampler have completed the first of our “conservation stations” and installed it for a trial run at the corner of Hague and Green Mountain Camp Roads, although it may eventually be moved to a higher-traffic location. This combination mini-library and information hub is stocked with nature-related literature, information about hikes and trails, and field guides such as Lynn Levine’s Identifying Ferns the Easy Way. Choices are wide-ranging. Instructions are as follows: “Please use to your heart’s content. Return or replace with other material when you are done.”

Lynn Levine has continued to create short YouTube videos on such subjects as fern fiddleheads and spring ephemerals. These videos are as close as you can get to an actual walk in the woods without the walk. And they are an on-going endeavor. There will be more to come. Levine finds endless inspirations in our local forests.

A group of dedicated volunteers have acquired swamp milkweed plants through Judy Fink’s monarch project and are monitoring them, hoping to see adult monarchs, larvae, or

nectar-rich eggs. The milkweeds also benefit an array of other native pollinators. Fink’s multiyear project should lead to a greater understanding of the monarch’s annual recolonization of New England, and it raises awareness of the problems facing all pollinators.

David Greenwalt has completed a map of environmentally-sensitive roadside areas and copies have been provided to the road crew and the selectboard.

Chairperson Christine Goepp and Lynn Levine attended a virtual meeting of regional conservation organizations where Goepp discussed the range of funding options that other local commissions pursue. There seem to be as many solutions to funding issues as there are local commissions.

Dan Kray reports that our revitalized e-newsletter is receiving positive feedback.

Hopefully, the relaxation of COVID restrictions will in future result in more newsworthy programs and meetings to report on, and more content. Kray is also reorganizing the commission website keeping it fresh and user-friendly.

The rain garden, which is badly in need of weeding, pruning, and the replanting of some perennials, has been much discussed. Christine Goepp has volunteered to help the master gardeners with some revitalization efforts.

Trail monitoring on Prospect Hill and Black Mountain and at Dutton Pines is ongoing.

And the search for safe solutions to the river access issues at the covered bridge seems both as important and as futile as ever. Our efforts will continue. Safely or unsafely people will go down that bank to reach the river.

And now, having to the best of my ability reported, I’m going to share a bit of an unusual interaction I once observed involving a hen turkey and a yearling white-tailed buck.

The hen turkey was leading ten or twelve fresh-from-the-egg poults across a recently mown hayfield where the yearling buck was feeding. The deer immediately took an interest in the turkeys and turned to face them. It then

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lowered its head, pawed the ground with one front hoof, and charged at the turkey family as aggressively as a bull might charge a capewaving matador.

In response, the hen drew herself up to full height, spread her wings and counterattacked.

The little buck immediately turned tail and ran, barely keeping ahead of the outraged turkey.

After closely pursuing the deer for 100 or 150 feet, the hen seemed to remember her maternal duties and rushed back to her poults.

The deer immediately circled back, lowered his head, pawed the ground and charged.

The hen once again drove him away.

Over and over again the deer circled back, threatened and then charged and the hen defended her downy offspring by driving him away. And every counterattack the hen mounted was limited by her reluctance to leave her poults unprotected.

This seemingly pointless little drama continued for perhaps five minutes until the deer finally drifted away - five minutes that I have contemplated for most of the two decades since that day. Just what, I wonder, was that foolish little deer doing? And why?

The actions of the turkey hen I understand. She was defending her poults against a perceived threat, and she was defending them well. She never let that deer get near them.

But how to explain the aggression of the deer? As far as I know deer and turkeys don’t compete for resources; there was no reason for the deer to want to drive the turkey out of that field. And, of course, deer are steadfastly herbivorous. They are no threat to turkey poults. Nothing that I’d ever heard or read or personally seen gave me any clue to the behavior of that deer. Nothing hinted at any competition between the two species.

Deer are, most would claim, not aggressive toward wild turkeys. Why would they be? But, that individual white-tail certainly was. Of course, he was young, male, and very possibly hormone addled. That might explain his aggression. But aggression toward a hen turkey and her poults? Why didn’t he take out his frustrations on a convenient sapling as other white-tailed bucks are known to? I guess he never read the literature. He didn’t know that his behavior should be 100% instinctual. He just wasn’t well versed in appropriate white-tail behavior.

But he sure was one entertaining individual.

For more information on the conservation commission go to http://www.dummerstonconservation.com

Views of Dummerston • Summer, 2021• 5

organizations Windham Solid Waste Management District

A Somewhat Comprehensive List of Recyclables

By Michelle Cherrier

Representative Supervisor for Dummerston,

This article was born on January 14, 2021 when I sent an email to John Fay, the WSWMD projects manager, asking what could be recycled from all the items I had collected in a ziplock bag for probably more than two years, with this purpose in mind. The task I (MC) quoted to John (JF) was: “Itemized below is a longstanding list of items that I would like to learn about their disposal.” His response from back then was rechecked for accuracy this past June. Here’s what I learned: Can these items be recycled?

MC: Caps and lids—on or off the container?

JF: Changed to loosely on.

MC: Plastic lids or lid parts too small to go through the MRF sorting lines (2” x 2”)?

JF: Yes, can be recycled only if on the bottle or container, not loose MC: Metal lids or wrappers—from bottles, from around bottle necks?

JF: Lids can be recycled. Wrappers are trash.

MC: Ribbons, including standard wrapping curling ribbon? Paper, organza, shiny plastic?

JF: Trash.

MC: Wrapping paper, metallicized paper, tissue?

JF: Trash.

MC: Tapes—clear shipping, standard ‘magic’ or cellophane, freezer, painters, duct, etc.?

JF: These are fine to leave on cardboard boxes, the rest goes into trash.

MC: Bandaids, paper first aid tape?

JF: Yuck, recycled stuff is handled by humans down the line—trash!

MC: Corks?

JF: Keep for making art, otherwise trash.

MC: Printer ink cartridges?

JF: Staples or other local stores, or trash.

Please see this link for details: https:// www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/ about_us/corporate-responsibility/ environment/recycling-solutions. Also, check at your local Staples, Office Depot, Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, or Target.

Most offer convenient drop off boxes at the front of their stores or in their electronics departments where you can simply drop off your used ink and toner cartridges.

MC: June: I know Staples will take almost any cartridges. I brought some there in May. Go to the checkout register by the exit door.

MC: Items with metallicized layers—tea bag wrappers, candy wrappers, etc.?

JF: Trash.

MC: Labels with adhesive, carrier (FedEx, UPS, etc.) strips?

JF: These are fine to leave on cardboard boxes; the rest goes into trash.

MC: Leather belt parts (not metal, man-made, etc.)?

JF: Compost at WSWMD in the commercial compost bin (COW).

MC: Sewing items—thread, fabric?

JF: Trash—most of it has synthetic ingredients.

MC: Wallpaper—pre-glued or no-glue?

JF: Trash.

MC: Aseptic packages?

JF: Trash—too many different materials.

[Ed note: There are recycling centers that will accept clean and dry cartons, including aseptic packages, which are mailed to them. See https://www.recyclecartons.com.]

MC: What can be included or excluded from recycling for (the Casella) single-stream MRF? JF: “Wish-cycling” is when people put stuff in the blue bins, or recycling containers at the WSWMD, hoping they can be recycled, when they can’t.

Basically, when in doubt, throw it out.

JF: If something is made of two or more different types of material, it is generally not recyclable (e.g., aseptic packaging).

And now for the questions everyone has: MC: Plastics #1-7 and filmy plastics?

JF: Rigid #1-7, recycle all: plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and lids from the kitchen and bath, regardless of the number on them.

This does not include pill or vitamin containers.

Clamshells: clear only, not black.

Wr i t e for the

Views

Our recyclables are trucked to the Casella Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Rutland where they accept all rigid plastic materials #1-7, then sort them. We pay for this recycling service through our town assessment (funded through taxes). In the past, Casella has only been able to sell rigid plastic types 1, 2 and 5.

That can change depending on whether their buyers are looking for a specific material. If they do not sell some materials, they will end up in a landfill. There are not very many uses for the other plastic resins (3,4,6,7). There are newer products being manufactured that may use these types of plastic, for example: some types of flooring, some types of lumber, insulation, types of decking, etc. However, these uses are still minimal. The choice is yours—the easiest solution is to recycle all your rigid plastics. You may voluntarily throw away 3,4,6,7; there’s a chance that the Casella MRF will, too.

Filmy plastics: do not recycle your filmy or soft plastics with # 1-7 plastics—they will be removed at Casella by the sorting machines or may tangle up in the sorting machines and cause stoppages to clear them. I suggest that you take these filmy plastics, if clean and dry to stores that collect plastic: Hannaford, Market32, Walmart. The goal had been to recycle the millions of shopping bags that have been used for decades.

Here in the Brattleboro area, and in many other locations in Vermont, plastic bags are banned.

The list of acceptable plastics includes: shopping bags, produce bags, food storage bags (Ziploc, Hefty, store brand, etc.), newspaper bags, bread bags. dry cleaner bags, air pillow and bubble wrap package fillers, mailers marked as recyclable plastic, and case and product overwrap, such as plastic wrap around six-packs of juice, etc., but NOT the rings which hold together liquid six packs.

In his 6/29/21 Front Porch Forum column Recycling Thoughts of the Day, John Fay coninued on page 6

The Views mission statement, written by our founder Mary Lou McBean, includes the phrase, “All who read may also contribute.” Since publishing our anniversary issue, we have gratefully received several unsolicited articles, including a poem! We appreciate people taking the time to write something about our beloved town, so please consider writing something yourself or suggesting an article idea and sending it to us.

6 • Summer, 2021 • Views of Dummerston

organizations Historical Society

Historical Society Acts to Make COVID Historical

By Muriel Taylor and Jody Normandeau Quarterly Meeting: Our July 15th quarterly meeting was an informal outdoor/indoor “Celebration of Being Able to Gather”. Held at the schoolhouse, we enjoyed pot-luck appetizers, ice cold tea and lemonade, and shared many stories of our COVID -19 experiences. It was with renewed appreciation that we exchanged smiles, handshakes, and even hugs as we reopened our doors to our membership and the public for the first time in many months.

Directors’ News: Our directors conducted their monthly board meeting in person on June 21. We have appreciated the technology of Zoom, but it was a wonderful experience to sit around an actual table together for the first time in well over a year. We are planning to return to a more normal schedule soon. Open hours, speakers, and exhibits are under discussion for the near future.

The board has accepted Cindy Wilcox’s recent resignation with enormous regret. We can’t pinpoint when Cindy first became a member of the historical society, but we do know it wasn’t long before she became totally involved. In 2002 she was our secretary, since 2004 she and her husband, John, have been our membership committee, and from 2008 to 2012 she was board president. Cindy has also served as museum committee member, grant writer, exhibit display guru, schoolhouse interior painter and more. In addition, our exhibits always had bouquets of beautiful flowers from her many gardens. The Dummerston Historical Society has benefitted greatly from her presence. As a token of appreciation for Cindy’s years of service, the board of directors presented her with a copy of Hands on the Land; A History of the Vermont Landscape by Jan Albers. Thank you so much Cindy. You will be missed.

Items for sale in support of our 2021 operating budget: Our signature black tee-

shirts ($20) with the covered bridge motif and the Dummerston History book ($35) are available at the town office (check or exact change, please), or by calling Jody Normandeau at 380-9027 or Gail Sorenson at 254-9311. Coming soon will be our “Scenes of Dummerston” 2022 calendar and seasonal note cards featuring the covered bridge.

Membership: The Dummerston Historical Society encourages you to join us in 2021 as a member or volunteer and to come to our exhibits and meetings We always welcome hearing your ideas for programming and events. Please note that you do not need to be a member of the historical society to attend any of our functions. Our schoolhouse is handicapped accessible.

From our archives: The following is a poem written by long-time West Dummerston resident, Dora Gray (1906 – 1994). Dora was postmistress of the West Dummerston Post Office from 1953 - 1974. Her house was attached to the post office/general store, making for a quick commute! Poetry was her specialty and she wrote many, especially for the Christmas season, attaching each to a photograph of her town or the covered bridge. This particular poem included a picture of her home on West Street, and feels especially timely as we move away from a difficult and isolating period.

In Dora’s exact words: I like to live in our little town, Where the trees meet across the street, Where you wave your hand and say “Hello”, To everyone you meet.

I like to pause for a moment Outside the grocery store, And listen to friendly gossip Of the folks who live next door.

For life is interwoven With the friends we learn to know, We share their joys and sorrows As we daily come and go.

Yes, I like to live in our little town, I do not care to roam, For every house in our little town, Is more than a house, it’s home!

A Somewhat Comprehensive List of Recyclables

continued from page 5 wrote: “Paper and metals are great recyclables; American industry relies on our recycled materials to make new goods. Be sure to recycle all your household papers and food and beverage cans with your normal recycling. Plastics recycling is more difficult . . . and confusing! In our region, we can recycle all plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and lids from the kitchen and bath, regardless of the number on them (no bags or wraps, though). They go to the Casella facility in Rutland where over 90% of material gets recovered to be used again. Way better than adding it to the landfill!”

Speaking of recycling: If you are interested, Subaru of America is in partnership with TerraCycle to help recycle some of the more difficult plastic items. To learn about this partnership, go to: https://www.terracycle. com/en-US/brigades/subaru#how-it-works. I have checked with our local Subaru dealer at 1234 Putney Road; they don’t currently have any collection boxes but they DO ACCEPT any brand of your coffee and creamer capsules (K-cup, etc.). I have already taken in my first bagful of used K-cups. Go to the service entrance on the side of the Subaru dealership.

The cashier’s window is on your right; they will take them there.

D u m m e r s t o n Scott Farm Orchard CSA: 13 W F F Congregational Church eeks of

s e rvic e s at 1 0 : 0 0

a.m.

Apple Pie Festival October 10

Fully Insured Dan Jenks Free Estimate 1412 Stickney Brook Road finishlinevtllc@aol.com Dummerston, VT 05301 www.finishlineconstructionvt.com 802-258-2855

Call 257-0544 for details

Rev. Shawn Bracebridge, pastor Office 257-0544 • Home 802-689-0753 www.facebook.com/DummerstonChurch

resh ruit

sign up asap—limited spaces

We will begin the season with peaches, followed by the freshest heirloom apples. As the season progresses, we’ll add plums, grapes, and pears to the mix.

2 pick up days : Monday and Thursday 3 pick up locations: mondays: scott farm; s thursdays: scott farm, the works café–brattleboro & the gleanery–putney S t a r ept t s Full Shares: 1/2 peck of fruit (5-6 lbs) at $145 .1 Half Shares: 1/4 peck of fruit (2.5-3 lbs) at $75

Sign up at ScottFarmVermont.com

707 Kipling Road•ScottFarmVermont.com

Views of Dummerston • Summer, 2021• 7

organizations Lydia Taft Pratt Library

Outdoor Programs Take Center Stage at Library

By Dena Marger LTP Librarian

Hello Dummerston! There is so much going on at your library this summer! The best way to not miss out is for you to follow us on Facebook, and also to sign up to receive our monthly email newsletter! Just send me your email address, and it’s done!

Important to know: For now, the Lydia Taft Pratt library is still requiring visitors to our library to wear a mask, out of concern for our youngest library users, and for those community members who are not vaccinated. As of this writing, only 41-50 percent of Dummerston residents have received a COVID vaccination. This means that one of every two people is still at risk of contracting this disease that has killed over half a million people in the U.S. So, we will continue wearing masks in the library to protect them.

That said, the name of the game for summer 2021 at Lydia Taft Pratt Library is Outdoor Programs!

Our summer reading program theme this year is Tails and Tales! So, you may notice an emphasis on animal themes throughout.

The summer reading program is intended to encourage a lifelong love of reading and literature, and to help kids, especially, keep reading throughout the summer. To that end, if you or your child would like to log your summer reading, come visit the library, and we’ll get you a reading log! (It involves stickers, if that’s an enticement!) Or, if you are the kind of person who likes to use online apps to log everything, you can try using Beanstack! (https://vermont.beanstack.org/reader365) Feel free to call the library with questions about using Beanstack.

Have you heard about the story time program? A group of parents and children of all ages (mostly littles) have been meeting at the library each Thursday at 1 p.m. to read stories, do song and movement activities, have a little snack, and go home with a take-andmake craft! We’d love to see you at story time!

Each week has a theme, and you may notice animals present throughout most stories!

We will begin to wind down our summer reading events with the tunes and tales event, scheduled for Saturday, August 14th, beginning at 4 in the afternoon. This event is designed just for Dummerstonian’s (and neighboring towns’) talented musicians, writers, slam

poets, and storytellers! Advanced sign-up to perform is strongly encouraged. Please contact David Schottland if you’d like to perform: david.schottland@gmail.com. It’s an all-ages event (i.e. not just the kids!), and guaranteed to be a great excuse to get out of the house on a summer evening. Folks with kids tracking their summer reading are especially encouraged to come on by, as this will be our final summer reading program event, and there may be giveaways and other program-related surprises!

Bring your reading log if you kept one!

Hey, did someone say dragon egg hunt?

Stay tuned for more information, because I hear that September is the time of year that dragon eggs are most commonly found, especially throughout the state of Vermont.

Lastly, you should know about our new adult fiction book group, which got off to a great start. The group met via Zoom in late June and read Jhumpa Lahiri’s Pulitzer Prize winning Interpreter of Maladies. In July, we will meet in person, and will read The Circle

by Dave Eggars. Be sure to contact the library if you’d like a copy of the book. We hope to see you at the next book group!

Many people have asked if we are planning our annual book sale and silent auction. You may know that we were unable to conduct the book sale last year, but we are happy to announce that we will be holding the sale over the Indigenous People’s Day weekend, October 9th and 10th, which, you may know, happens to be the same weekend as the Dummerston Apple Pie Festival. So, plan to make a day of it! Important information: We are not accepting book donations at this time.

We will be accepting book donations, starting in September. Pass it on.

We’d love to see your face at the library a whole lot more in the weeks and months and years to come! We’re still here to provide books and audiobooks by your favorite

authors, ebooks, dvds and whatever else we can squeeze into our tiny library. And, we’re happy to continue to provide curbside service if you are not feeling comfortable coming indoors yet. Just give us a call or contact about anything you’d like: 258-9878 or dummerstonvtlibrary@gmail.com

September

By Lisa Blake The summer is over Kids back in school Windows get closed now Heat must come on Cricket chirps soften darkness comes on September neither snowy or fresh A seasonal standstill mother nature at best Compliments of

Priscilla Svec, P.T.

Practicing Holistic Physical Therapy 126 Main Street, Putney

387-4799

8 • Summer, 2021 • Views of Dummerston

organizations Dummerston Cares

Dummerston Community Gets Its Party

by Catie G. Berg Drum roll, please! Set the date in your calendars for an End-of-Summer Party for Dummerston residents on Sunday, September 12, from 3:00–6:00 P.M. We can thank Bill Schmidt of Dummerston Cares for saying, “It’s long overdue for people of Dummerston to get together for a celebration!”

The party planners have been developing activities such as field games, music, storytelling, and a show-and-tell booth for town businesses, organizations, and committees.

Plus, grill-master, Wayne Emery, will prepare barbecued chicken for supper.

We’ll socialize with friends and neighbors as

we experience what’s special about Dummerston, and why we take such great pride in our community. Did you know that there’s only one Dummerston in the whole wide world? Don’t take it from me—check the atlas!

Got wheels? We’ll start the party at 3:00

Community Center

Quarry Wagon Project Moving Ahead

By Ann Davis Our ongoing project, the quarry wagon, is moving ahead. We have been before the selectboard; our application for a storage shed has been signed, and is now in the hands of the zoning administrator. We are looking for a starting date of August, and hope we will have completion in time for everyone to see our long-talked about WAGON during

Sponsors Bruce & Catie Berg Gail & Lew Sorenson Barry & Elsa Waxman David & Nina Hutchison Kevin & Sara Ryan

802-579-1474

our open house on Halloween. That should give us plenty of time, even allowing for a few setbacks. Alright already – it’s been four years!!! Please feel free to make a donation to this very historic event. Stone from one of our three local quarries has been used all over New England and beyond. This wagon was used to transport the stone to the railroad station here in the village and from there – who knows where ??!!

Thank you to all of you who have continued to support us during the past trying times. Call Jean at 802-254-9212 if you’d like to make a reservation for space for a special occasion.

Come and enjoy our facility, ball field, playground, picnic area…the whole nine yards!!

Remember the field is now a playground for local children, so be a responsible pet owner and clean up after your four-legged friend.

We look forward to seeing you all very soon. Stay healthy.

P.M. with a Bike-and-Wheels Parade. If you want, come at 2:30 to decorate your ride.

Think: bikes, trikes, scooters, strollers, wheelchairs, pull-toys, handcarts, and roller luggage.

Hmm—skateboards probably won’t work on the grass.

For supper at 5:00 P.M., Dummerston Cares will cover the cost of the barbecued chicken.

You should plan to bring enough side dishes to serve yourself and those with you. We’ll also supply iced-tea, lemonade and water. And what’s a summer party without watermelon for dessert?

What to bring? Lawn chairs, blanket, sunscreen, tick & insect repellent, coolers for your food, and whatever else you’ll need for an outdoor party.

Planners ask residents to RSVP. It’s very helpful but not mandatory.

• You may get multiple email offers to RSVP. Please respond for yourself/family only once.

• You can respond to a link in an email notice that you may receive from an in-town organization.

• Or, you can access the website, DummerstonCares.org.

• Or, you can respond to Dummerston Cares’ Message Line at (802) 257-5800.

WHO: Dummerston residents of all ages WHAT: End-of-Summer Party with complimentary chicken barbecue, drinks and watermelon WHEN: Sunday, September 12, from 3:00– 6:00 P.M. WHERE: Dummerston School HOW: It helps to RSVP to DummerstonCares. org (or through an email link that gets you there). Or call Dummerston Cares’ Message Line at (802) 257-5800.

BRING: Lawn chairs, blanket, sunscreen, insect repellent, food for self/family, cooler, etc.

QUESTIONS? Contact info@DummerstonCares.org.

Views of Dummerston • Summer, 2021• 9

organizations Dummerston Cares

Kitchen Crew Named “Volunteer of the Year”

photo by Kevin Ryan

By Bill Schmidt

Lynch. In addition to Larry, the crew includes Sallie May, Arlene Castine, Ellen Olmstead, Dummerston Cares’ volunteer of the season Richard Bryant, Ann Davis, and Carol Lynch. this summer is the Dummerston Center Some others help too, occasionally, but less Grange’s kitchen crew for the Senior Lunches so during COVID until a person has had both they prepare twice a month – and have done vaccine shots. so for the past 20+ years. This crew of seven The Grange Senior Lunches were the only regulars is headed up by Grange Master Larry such lunches served in the area during most of the past 15 months. Every other provider put their lunches on hold during this time.

The crew averages 125 meals on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month with special meals in November and December for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Meals during COVID time have all been take-outs. The largest meal served was last Thanksgiving with 210 plus the kitchen crew. The corn beef and cabbage meal this past March was a close second. People come from all over for these meals: Brattleboro, Putney, Westminster, Vernon, and as far away as Townshend, Jamaica, Marlboro, and Chesterfield. It’s interesting to note that Dummerston residents make up less than 10% of those who get the meals. Most of the meals go to people in the larger-area community.

The cost of the meals by donation is $3 for seniors and $4 for younger folks. Some meals are given at no charge to people who are experiencing a hard time.

Dummerston Cares thanks the Grange and its kitchen crew for the remarkable service it provides town and area residents and visitors.

The Dummerston Grange kitchen crew are Dummerston Cares’ volunteers of the month. Here they The kitchen crew without question is worthy prepare to box up a senior lunch. Front row: Arlene Castine, Richard Bryant, Carol Lynch, Sallie May, of recognition as the volunteers of the season!

Ann Davis, and Ellen Olmstead. Rear row: Larry Lynch, Ray Enello, and George Pond.

Naturally Grown Vegetables Free Choice CSA Raw Honey Primary Care  Emergency Care  PT/OT Just up the road in Townshend 365-7357 www.gracecottage.org

440 Miller Rd, E. Dummerston VT www.fullplatefarmers.com

FRENCH & FRENCH ATTORNEYS AT LAW 802 • 254 • 9000

A GENERAL PRACTICE OF LAW W ALTER G. FRENCH JODI P. FRENCH POST OFFICE BOX 2, W. DUMMERSTON, VT 05357

Office in Brattleboro

Sponsors Alvino & Bea Fantini Paul & Jody Normandeau Cindy and John Wilcox Michelle Cherrier & Philip Goepp Eleanora Patterson & Gordon Faison

10 • Summer, 2021 • Views of Dummerston

organizations Windham & Windsor Housing Trust

Housing Retention Specialist Working to Help Tenants

By Marion Major As Vermont emerges from the pandemic, the corresponding safety nets are being lifted, like the eviction moratorium.

Windham & Windsor Housing Trust has brought on a housing retention specialist who works with community members as they navigate financial hardship due to COVID. The councilor supports those continuing to struggle to make ends meet and walks clients through applications to access rental relief assistance or mortgage relief assistance along with available utility relief assistance. WWHT also has limited funds to fill gaps with these programs. In addition, the councilor provides coaching, support, and specific knowledge of eviction or foreclosure processes.

“It’s a raw time,” shares Marie Van Drunen, housing retention specialist. “The state’s opening back up, which is hopeful but

at the same time, the effects of the pandemic haven’t vanished. I’ve spent three hours working with one client walking through the application process. It’s really challenging.”

Windham & Windsor Housing Trust, a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, designed the housing retention program with fellow housing organizations across the state. The program links clients with their specialist to walk through the options available with the end goal of keeping their home. Together, they set up loan repayments and budgets, and work through accessing the funds necessary to meet missed payments and future payments.

The program aims at stabilizing the client’s finances and ultimately avoiding experiencing homelessness.

“We knew the public health emergency would end and, at some point, the extra supports would also end. It was important to set up this resource that anyone could

Sponsors

• •

Meg Murtha Jack & Judy Davidson Tom Zopf Winifred Vogt Joe & Anne Little

•

Onsite Septic Design, LLC Alan J. McBean

943 Park Laughton Rd. East Dummerston, VT 05346

• •

Inground Mounds New Construction/ Replacement Water Supply Geologic Consulting VT Lic #536 Cell 802-258-0971 Home 802-254-6975

access who’s facing financial distress,” says Bruce Whitney, WWHT’s director of homeownership. “It’s critical to point out that the pandemic impacted minority populations, the BIPOC community, and low-income populations disproportionately.

We want to ensure that these programs are accessible to these groups. We also know language is often a barrier. Marie is fluent in Spanish so is a helpful resource for people in our community to access these supports.”

The CDC has extended the eviction moratorium to the end of July but Vermont’s moratorium, which has more protections, is due to expire on July 15th. To access support as a renter or homeowner through the housing retention program, visit HomeMattersHere. org/keepyourhome or call (802)246-2116.

The Windham and Windsor Housing Trust, with offices in Brattleboro and Bellows Falls, offers a full spectrum of renter- and owner-occupied housing opportunities that serve the residents of Windham and Windsor Counties who are least served by the prevailing market. Learn more at HomeMattersHere.org.

Robert E. Dunklee & Sons 72 Flat Street Brattleboro, VT 05301

254-5663

Computer questions?

Tired of feeling out of control?

Patient, Sympathetic Coaching Macs • Windows • iPads • Tablets

Annamarie 802-451-1941 www.PatientSympatheticCoaching.com

Sponsors Debbie & Dennis Baker Eleanor & Charles Fish Jan & Todd Brown Teri Robinson Marguerite Demotte Sallie May

Old Favorites, New Hybrids, Rare Beauties Annuals, Perennials, Hanging Baskets Herbs and Vegetable Plants Route 5, Dummerston 254-2051

Views of Dummerston • Summer, 2021• 11

school news

Dummerston School Edges Back to Normalcy

By Julianne Eagan

learned and played in the fields and forests of Dummerston School, exploring vernal pools with Bonnyvale Environmental Education On March 5, 2020, I sent my first update to Center’s environmental educator Joan Carey, the Dummerston School community regarding challenging each other to kickball and basketball COVID-19 and our efforts to monitor and games, gathering for morning circle in the soccer control its spread. Ten days later, our school field, and creating sculptures on the blacktop. doors closed for the remainder of the school Middle school baseball at Dummerston School year, and we embarked upon an unprecedented made a comeback, too, with enthusiastic players journey with an uncertain future. Fifteen from Dummerston School, Putney Central months later, we sat together (together!) on School, and Hilltop Montessori. Thanks to our school campus under the Dummerston coach Michael Alexander, parent volunteer Pete Congregational Church tent to celebrate the Richards, and BUHS student volunteer Sam graduation of our 8th graders and reflect upon Hall for instructing and supporting Dummerston their achievements and accomplishments. athletes throughout the season.

It is impossible to overstate the significance In May, we gathered for the first time of this moment and the sense of hope and outside as a school community to particigratitude that filled the tent on that beautiful pate in Dummerston School’s first ever art night in June. walk. Conceived and organized by art teacher Graduation evening was a fitting ending to Ben Ferguson, band teacher Mary Harveya spring filled with many such experiences. Bandish, music teacher Rita Corey, and parent Leaving behind their snow pants, students Jessica Nelson, Dummerston School’s art walk featured a gallery of student sculptures from students in grades PreK-8 as well as live music and dance performances.

While our students blossomed, our garden did, too.

Teachers Molly Stoner and Keith Marshall worked with students and staff to prepare and plant the Dummerston School garden beds which began bursting with food right in front of our students’ eyes.

Thanks to a donation from Scott Farm, we were able to plant ten apple trees on our campus and look forward to watching these grow right along with our students.

During our last full week together in June, students Students celebrate moving up to the next grade level by crossing the covered gathered for our bridge during Dummerston School’s Move Up ceremony in June. first in-person all-

photo by Julianne Egan

photo by Julianne Egan

Principal

Dummerston School PreK and first-grade students explore vernal pools as part of their ecology studies.

school meeting outside under the tent. Each class presented a reflection on the year in the form of a poem, story, dance, or speech. Later in the week, students had an opportunity to “step up” to their next grade level by walking across the covered bridge to meet their new teacher and then spent the morning playing outdoor field games with their classmates. In short, the spring was filled with what felt like “normal” experiences that filled our hearts with joy. Processing the events of these last fifteen months will take time, but, without a doubt, our students, staff, and families have taken their place in history, demonstrating perseverance, adaptability, compassion, hope, and optimism every day as they continued to learn together under the most challenging of circumstances.

This past June we said goodbye to speechlanguage pathologist Fran Swanson and paraeducators Joan Momaney and Liz Wheeler who are retiring after many years of dedicated service to Dummerston School. We also bid farewell to Erica Garnett who is moving back to Connecticut to be closer to family, and to kindergarten teacher Allie Gregory who will be taking a teaching position in South Hero, VT. A huge thanks goes out to a number of staff members who joined us for the 20202021 school year to fill COVID-related continued on page 13

12 • Summer, 2021 • Views of Dummerston

school news

Leadership Council Begins Fundraising for New Playground

By Jessica Nelson

Dummerston School Leadership Council

As the Leadership Council moves forward with dreaming about what is possible, and deciding what can be feasibly implemented, we will be entering the fundraising phase of this massive undertaking. You should be receiving an appeal letter towards the end of summer with greater details about the project, and how you can be a part of providing Dummerston’s children with greater outdoor opportunities. If you want to get involved, there will also be opportunities to volunteer your time and efforts, so keep an eye out for additional information as we head into fall.

If you have questions about the playground project, please reach out to Lance Neeper, parent member of the Dummerston Leadership Council at Lance.Neeper@gmail.com.

photo by Julianne Egan

photo by Julianne Egan

Dummerston School’s outdoor spaces have always been an asset to the community, and we have been fortunate to have a school culture that embraces nature-based play and learning.

Over the past two years, parents and teachers have created an “outdoor classroom” for our youngest students, cleared a bike/hiking trail for outdoor adventures, constructed a temporary outdoor ice rink, and the PTCO has been fundraising for playground improvements.

School administration has had an eye towards

renovating our playground and outdoor space for the past few years, and this need came into distinct focus during the pandemic as our educators moved many activities outside in order to keep our children safe. In 2019, the Dummerston School Leadership Council formed a playground committee to look at the outdoor needs of our students and community, and to start to plan how we can maximize our playground’s full potential. The committee has been working with Adam Hubbard of Hubbard Land Design in Putney to consider the needs of all students, Pre-K through 8th grade, and they are considering exciting features such as a pavilion, webbed climbing structure, outdoor amphitheater, improved accessibility, and natural play structures throughout.

Dummerston School PreK and first-grade students explore vernal pools as part of their ecology studies.

Sponsors Allan & Sally Seymour Milt & Barbara Gilmore Rip Lhamon & Fita Ferguson Jo-Ann Tier Tim Knapp & John Bouffard

Students celebrate moving up to the next grade level by crossing the covered bridge during Dummerston School’s Move Up ceremony in June.

Passings Ronald Tier

10-31-2020

Patricia Bacon

2-26-2021

Arthur Sykes Ellor

5-9-2021

Howard Short

7-1-2021

Sponsors Carolyn Mayo Brown & Gregory Brown Len Oppenheim Tonia & Whit Wheeler Cheryl Wilfong & Bill McKim Mary Lou & Bill Schmidt

Births Rosalina Sundiang Berta 4-6-2021 Monica Noelle Simpson 4-24-2021 Montgomery Van Levinson Palonen 4-28-2021 Avery Aaron-Scott Drake 4-29-2021

Views of Dummerston • Summer, 2021• 13

school news

Dummerston School Edges Back to Normalcy Collaboration Teacher Award: Lexi Short and Emma Lafayette-Havens Sweetser Award: Rowan Scott and Zach DiZoglio Achievement Jenny Rubinstein English Award: Jayden Holden Irsch Certificates of Participation: Emma Lafayette-Havens and Dillon Jenks Teacher Award: Gavin Albright Women’s Association Award: Rowan Scott and Rachael White Physical Education/Athletics Awards Physical Education Award: Jacob Ziegner and Lily McGillion Coaches’ Award: Sophie Albright and Levi Tabachnick Music and Art Awards Achievement in Art Award: Rachael White Engagement in Art Award: Ella Kennedy and Dillon Jenks Music Award: Lexi Short Summer Garden Program: Come explore the Dummerston School garden this summer every Wednesday from 9-11 a.m.! Help garden coordinator Tara Gordon tend to the beds, learn about new plants, and harvest some veggies to bring home. The Dummerston School garden Music teacher Rita Corey directs a xylophone performance by 5th-grade students during Dummerston is a prize center for RiseVT’s Come Alive School's Art Walk in May. Outside Passport which helps families find Dummerston School and in wishing them well small gestures added up to so much, and we fun adventures throughout Windham County. in their future endeavors.

Students must be accompanied by a parent thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

The end of such an unforgettable school Dummerston School, we will see you next or guardian during open garden hours; adults year has provided an opportunity for us all year--and this time we mean that literally! are welcome to join in the fun as well! Open to reflect on the magnitude of the experience garden hours will follow the most recent CDC 8th-Grade Awards: we endured together. Inside the building guidance around gathering outdoors. and in remote classroom settings, staff and Citizenship students showed up for each other, working R u t h E . K n a p p Memorial Fund through complex schedules and protocols Award: Logan to maintain a focus on relationships and Lewis and Case learning. And, without a doubt, each small Siegel act by every member of our community

Art Avery Award: added up to something massive, inspiring, Leah Lane and historic that brought us together in the service of educating the children of our Melinda Bussino Award: Sophie school. Thank you for cheering us on at Albright car parades, for digging trails for exploration, for building an ice rink, for honoring Engagement teachers on teacher appreciation day, for Arlene G. Forrett Award: Kylee gathering on a hot June afternoon to erect Mager the Dummerston Congregational Church’s tent, for donating money and services to Jean Shaw Award: Bryson Miner families in need, for taking temperatures and washing hands, for sewing us masks, Timothy Garland Award: Dillon for your kind e-mails and words of support, Jenks Students play field games to celebrate the last week of the school year. for helping to deliver meals to families, for decorating the graduation tent and baking cupcakes, for laughing during parent Zoom meetings, for helping to troubleshoot tech issues, for turning your homes into miniclassrooms and letting us teach your children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors in new and unprecedented ways. All of these

photo by Julianne Egan

photo by Julianne Egan

continued from page 11 staffing positions, including Beth Wells who taught grades 5-8, Marie Wright, and Cristina Shay-Onye who served as our special educators, and Andrea Burniske who joined our facilities team. Please join me in thanking all of these staff members for their service to

14 • Summer, 2021 • Views of Dummerston Good Books

Bring on Lighter Fare to See Out Summer

By Linda Rood Summer’s almost over, but there’s still time for some good summer reading. This spring, after a couple of hefty reads (Caste by Isabelle Wilkerson and The Great Influenza by John Barry), I decided I needed some lighter fare, sort of like a sweet dessert after a serious meal.

If you’re looking for something to while away the last summer hours, I have some suggestions for you.

The Grammarians by Cathleen Schine (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2019) is a clever story of identical twin sisters, Daphne and Laurel, and their bewildered parents. They have their own language as toddlers, pull off pranks by switching places to trick people, even going to each other’s jobs as adults, and their favorite pastime as children is the study of the gigantic dictionary on a stand in their father’s study.

They are in love with the rules of language and the fun of wordplay, and the novel abounds with their discoveries and wordly delights. The author clearly revels in the richness of language, and her wit is a large part of the charm of this book. The story follows the sisters from childhood to their adult lives: Laurel is a kindergarten teacher, then a stay-at-home parent, and finally, a poet. Daphne becomes a minor celebrity for her New York Times language column, “The People’s Pedant,” writing snarky columns that comment on contemporary culture through her observations of current grammar and usage.

Of course this funny book appeals to a former English teacher like me, but it also has a lot to say about sisterhood, sibling rivalry, and the struggle to achieve individuality.

A year ago, I didn’t want to read Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (Vintage Books, 2014) because I knew it was a pandemic story, but by this spring, when it seemed that the world was opening up again and we had come through the worst of our own pandemic, I was curious. Station Eleven is a dystopian road novel, set twenty years after a flu pandemic has destroyed 99 per cent of the world’s popula-

Sponsors John & Karen Abel Arnold & Roberta Garland Orly Munzing & Bob Dunbar Mark and Lee Tice Fred Lee Bill & Kathleen Fleischmann

tion. The main characters are the members of The Traveling Symphony, artists who wander between widely distanced towns of survivors, offering performances of classical music and Shakespeare, because “people want what is best about the world.” The opening chapters which describe the beginnings of the pandemic are eerily and chillingly familiar, as the air-borne and highly contagious flu spreads through Toronto and New York, planes stop flying, electricity fails, and society crumbles within weeks. The non-linear plot jumps between the present of twenty years post-pandemic and flashbacks that fill in the back stories of the survivor characters, who all have a connection to a once-famous actor, Arthur Leander, who dies onstage of a heart attack in the gripping opening scene of the novel.

Of course there are dangers for the travelers in this world. There are “ferals” who lurk in the unsettled areas and prey on strangers. There are no anti-biotics, pain killers, or anesthetics to help with illness or injury. One town has been taken over by the cult of a religious fanatic called “the prophet,” and as a result of this encounter, the members of the Symphony come under serious danger which follows them to the end of the story. As with most dystopian fantasy, the details of the imagined world, the inventive survival strategies of the protagonists, and the contrast with our own comfortable existence are fascinating. I found myself comparing Station Eleven with Cormac McCarthy’s brutal book, The Road, and wondering why I wasn’t experiencing the same horror that I felt in response to McCarthy’s book. Partly it was that Mandel’s book is set twenty years later, and the horrific

Calendar Photographs Needed Looking for photos for the 2022 Dummerston Historical Society’s Calendar. Photos must be horizontal, and of and around Dummerston with no identifiable people.

Please send photos to Jody Normandeau at: jodydvt@ gmail.com. If your photo is selected, you will receive a free calendar.

chaos of the disaster is long past. The world is no longer on fire, and the survivors have mostly settled into a new way of life, primitive and bleak as it is. They are the resilient survivors, and mostly, they are good at heart. In their new world, they want to preserve what was best about the old world. I couldn’t put this book down. The writing is good; it is filled with memorable moments and images; and there’s enough suspense to keep you curious.

And for sheer fun, I read Ruth Reichl’s newest memoir, Save Me the Plums (Random House, 2019). Reichl, former food critic for the New York Times, and most recently, editor of Gourmet Magazine, has chronicled her life in a series of food-centered memoirs starting with her childhood on the Lower East Side of Manhattan (Tender at the Bone). I have read all four of them, always with pleasure. This new one is the story of her time as the editor of Gourmet and its sad demise. It’s a fascinating look at the glamourous world of Conde Nast publishing, and its personalities, along with the stresses, challenges, as well as the delights of creating a popular and sophisticated magazine, Reichl is chatty, funny, and charming as a raconteur, and this book is good entertainment.

If you are interested in the whole series, the first three are, in order: Tender at the Bone; Comfort Me With Apples, about working as a food writer for the Los Angeles Times; and Garlic and Sapphires, about being the food critic for The New York Times.

These were all satisfying treats for the times when you just want a good story, with some substance but not too much weight. Enjoy the rest of our waning summer days.

Views of Dummerston • Summer, 2021• 15

DV Fiber to Bring Fiber to Southern Vermont

By Eric Lineback Expanding high-speed broadband Internet service to all of rural Vermont will be one of the biggest drivers of an improved economy for our state. The Deerfield Valley Communications Union District (DVCUD), doing business as DVFiber, is a non-profit municipal entity formed in 2020 with the goal of bringing affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband to every household and business in our region. Our primary operating principles include: equity, performance, affordability, reliability, and privacy. For-profit Internet service providers (ISPs), like Consolidated Communications or Comcast, have not built out broadband service to sparsely populated areas because it is not profitable for them. It is uncertain if this will change in the future, leaving a gap in service for many here in Dummerston and across our region. The Vermont legislature created the communications union district (CUD) model in 2015 to close this gap.

DVFiber has been working hard towards accomplishing its goal. It cannot happen soon enough, but keep in mind that this is a longterm, very expensive project. We recently welcomed three new member towns (Searsburg, Townshend, and Brookline) and are now 24 towns strong!

DVFiber’s new partner: Our governing board met nearly every week in June to examine and compare the proposals received from prospective private partners. On July 2, DVFiber consummated a public/private partnership with Great Works Internet (GWI), based in Biddeford, ME, to design, construct and operate a fiber network that will provide high-speed Internet access to all premises in our district. GWI is a certified B-corporation with experience in providing broadband Internet for towns across rural Maine. The B-corporation designation signifies that profit creation is not the single most important driver for decision-making and policy development. GWI is the first broadband carrier nationwide to receive certification as a B-corporation.

In our deliberations, DVFiber sought a partner that shares our values — and GWI’s stated values include supporting open access, net neutrality, and data privacy. All indications are that GWI will be a strong partner.

GWI is also bringing ValleyNet to the partnership for network construction and operations.

ValleyNet has a nearly twenty-year history with ECFiber, the first and oldest CUD in Vermont, which now comprises thirty towns in the Upper Valley around White River Junction.

In our final agreements with GWI, DVFiber

seeks to structure the partnership so that we will ultimately own the network’s physical elements, while GWI (with ValleyNet) will construct, maintain, and operate the system.

And although timelines are being determined as of this writing — and are dependent upon many factors — we can confidently predict that broadband service will be available for all well before the original business plan forecast of 2027.

So what happens now? This milestone action set the stage for what will develop over time.

There is a lot of ground to cover, and different business cultures to blend. In the end, DVFiber and GWI will agree on network construction timelines and costs, as well as on customer relationship management strategies.

Our vision is that DVFiber will transition from an energetic start-up operation to a wise network overseer and owner.

A lot of intense work has been done already — quickly and with expert care. Our goal to serve the district with affordable, high-speed Internet seems set to go. There are so many people to thank, as we also acknowledge that a different level of work is just now beginning.

What does this mean for you? You will benefit from this endeavor, whether you ultimately subscribe to DVFiber or not, in various ways: With fiber, your Internet connection speeds will support multiple computers and other digital devices streaming media or video chatting all at the same time—no garbled speech or frozen faces; Fiber is symmetrical, meaning it works just as fast uploading as downloading, which will

make remote medical appointments and interactive online learning, for example, dependable and smooth from any location in our member towns; You will enjoy Vermont’s new standard for high-speed Internet service: at least 100/100 megabits per second (Mbps), which means 100 down and 100 up. In Dummerston, about 33% of residents do not currently have broadband service, defined as at least 25/3 Mbps, and many of those folks are actually limited to much less; The value of your home will increase, even if you don’t use the Internet.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made abundantly clear that broadband Internet access is essential to our safety and resiliency – and to our future. DVFiber, and other CUDs around the state, will benefit greatly from the pandemic-related funding that is coming our way through the state. It is a game-changer and will greatly accelerate the timeframe for accomplishing our goals.

Learn more and get involved: Intrigued? To learn more, visit our website at DVFiber.net and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.

Want to get involved? We are always looking for people to contribute and serve on the district’s three committees (vendor, finance and audit, and communications). There is an enormous amount of work ahead to secure broadband for the region and win customers to DVFiber. If you have specific skills you think would be helpful and would like to get involved, contact Eric Lineback at eric. dvfiber@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Mushrooms Are Good Hunting But Be Sure of Your Source

By Rebecca Lotka Wild mushroom foraging is one of my favorite Vermont activities. Side effects of being extremely into mushroom foraging include: pulling your car over to investigate what you may have spotted at 40 mph, your hiking speed slowing to a crawl as you scour the leaf duff on all walks, or circulating photos to your favorite fungi friends to share your latest haul. Hours outdoors combing the forest floor gives me a happy buzz, quite similar to the feeling after a meditation—there’s really no difference. I often lose track of time and leave feeling calm with a quiet mind. There’s total unbridled joy when you find what you’ve been looking for. Among my favorites are Hypomyces lactifluorum (lobster mushroom), several species of Hericium (lion’s mane), Hydnum umbilicatum (hedgehog mushroom), Grifola frondosa (hen of the woods), Laeti-

porus sulphureus (chicken of the woods), and the many types of Chanterelles in the area. I’ve reliably found at least three species in the Cantharellus genus in Dummerston their season’s spanning from early summer into late fall. Many people who don’t mushroom forage are often wary of the idea of eating wild mushrooms or concerned about safety. Some caution is warranted. My rule, like many others, is unless I’m 110% sure what it is I don’t eat it. I check for clues in 6-7 mushroom identification books and also check with internet sources before adding a new genus or species into my edible repertoire. It certainly helps to be good with tree identification as well, since many mushroom varieties are found in concert with specific tree species. Don’t like mushrooms? Try finding and identifying the culinary beauties on the list above; they’re nothing like anything you’ve eaten before!

16 • Summer, 2021 • Views of Dummerston PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Mailed From Zip Code 05346 Permit No. 61

change Service REquested

August 2021

Dummerston Calendar of Events

14 Peach Shortcake Supper

Evening Star Grange, In-house or Takeout. Reservations, please.

September 2021 11 Chicken Pie Supper

Evening Star Grange, In-house or takeout. Reservations, please

12 Dummerston Community Party Dummerston School, 3–6 PM

11,12 Lydia Taft Pratt Library Book Sale and Auction Lydia Taft Pratt Library, 10 AM to 4 PM

Community Center Jean Momaney 254-9212 Conservation Commission Web site: www.dummerstonconservation.com Dummerston Cares Message line & Fuel Assistance 258-5800, email: info@dummerstoncares.org,, web site: wwwdummerstoncares.org Dummerston School 254-2733 Web site www.dummerston.wsesu.org Evening Star Grange Carol Lynch 254-2517 or mrgjb@sover.net Fire Chief Rick Looman 258-1731 Fire Warden Ted Glabach 384-6994 Deputy Fire Warden Allen Pike 258-0100 ydia Taft Pratt Library L

258-9878 Hours: Tue. 2-6; Wed. 1-5; Thu. 1-5; Sat. 10–1 Web site: library.dummerston.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/dummerstonlibrary email: dummerstonvtlibrary@gmail.com Meals on Wheels Cynthia Fisher 257-1236 Selectboard selectboard@dummerston.org

Senior Solutions Carol Lynch 254-2517 Springfield Office 800-642-5119 Town Garage Lee Chamberlin 254-2411 Town Office Laurie Frechette 257-1496 email: townclerk@dummerston.org Veterans Assistance Contact Dummerston Cares message line or email.

Vermont Theatre Company 258-1344 Views of Dummerston views@viewsofdummerston.org WSESU 254-3730 Websites: Official Town www.dummerston.org Municipal Calendar http://calendar.dummerston.org Local Interest www.dummerston.com Senior Lunches Evening Star Grange, 2nd and 4th Wednesday; Reservations for in-house or take-out meals Call 254-1138 by 6 PM Tuesday, leave message

The Front Porch Forum

online at www.frontporchforum.com

NAMES & TIMES & NUMBERS Dummerston Meetings

Please note that these meetings will not be taking place at their usual locations. Please refer to the town web site, www.Dummerston.org, for updated information.

Town Meetings Selectboard

Every other Wednesday

Planning Commission 1st Tuesday

6:00 pm 6:30 pm

Conservation Commission 6:00 pm 2nd Thursday

Energy Committee 1st Monday

6:00 pm

Development Review Board 7:00 pm 3rd Tuesday at the town office

Community Center

7:00 pm

PTFO

6:00 pm

WSESD

6:00 pm

1st Monday at the Community Center

3rd Thurs. at the Dummerston School Library 1st & 3rd Wed., revolving locations

Dummerston School Leadership Council 1st Thursday

Historical Society

7:30 pm

3rd Thursday of Jan./April/July/Oct. at the Dummerston Historical Society

Senior Congregate Meal

Information/reservations:Grange 254-1138