The Charlotte NewsVolume lVII Number 07 The VoIce of The TowN Thursday, NoVember 20, 2014

History

continued on page 5

CCS Gets Curb Appeal at Harvest Party

Mckinley Wade (left) and Emma Metzler display the leaves they picked out of the raised beds at the front of the school on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 8. After cleaning the beds, a group of about 10 volunteer parents and children from CCS’s PTO and its Green Team planted tulips and crocuses to brighten up the appearance of the school. Soon after, a group met at Stony Loam Farm to harvest carrots by digging them out of the ground. There was even a contest to find the longest carrot. The carrots—almost 200 pounds of them—were then washed and delivered to the CCS kitchen and the Charlotte Food Shelf. For more photos, turn to page 4.

Selectboard Gets Police Update, Talks Budgets

John HammerThe charloTTe News

It’s that time of year when the town’s committees, commissions and function-aries come before the Selectboard to present their initial budget requests for inclusion in the final budget. The budget will be decided and debated during meet-ings in December and January, culminat-ing in the warned budget in late January. Accordingly, the Selectboard meeting of Nov. 13 was dominated by presentations outlining a multitude of town programs and finances.

To begin, however, state troopers Ben Katz and Matt Daley gave a follow-up report on the first quarter of activity by the state police in providing police coverage to the town. This report was supplemental to that given at the previ-ous Selectboard meeting. Trooper Katz pointed out that the number of citations reported in the last issue of The News included only those issued under the contract and not others that might have been issued by state police on regular patrol or off duty, or by fish and game wardens or other law enforcement agen-cies. The reports for activities performed under the contract can be found at http://bit.ly/14r1Zny.

The troopers also reported that they have been concentrating on north-south roads, where the most speeding seems to be occurring. They have noticed and written citations for other traffic infrac-tions, including failing to fully stop at a stop sign, particularly at the Greenbush-Ferry intersection.

It is important to note that regular patrols continue and that the contract with the town provides for an average of 34 additional hours per month. These hours are noted at the top right of the reports under “OT Hours.” When there

is a trend in crimes such as burglaries, the state police will intensify the regular patrols, augmented by unmarked cars and advanced spotting technologies.

When questioned by the Selectboard about the return of fines to the town, troopers Katz and Daley responded that the town receives only about 30-40 per-cent of the value of traffic tickets written. The Vermont Judicial Bureau processes all tickets and apportions out payments to the town in accordance with an estab-lished schedule.

Budget talksDuring the budget presentations the

Charlotte Little League—citing the use of its field by 74 Little Leaguers, the CCS baseball team and adults on an American Legion team—flat-lined their budget request at $10,000. Similarly, the town constable requested no increase in his budget. Cali Griswold, the animal control officer, however, requested an additional $600 per year, raising her budget to $2,600. She handles an aver-age of six calls a month, and while she handles only infractions of the dog ordi-nance, she is available on call all day and night, every day. She can be reached at 373-3442.

The planning and zoning budget reflects a proposed increase in income coming from permits and fees. An over-all decrease would come from a predict-ed 2.56-percent reduction in expenses.

Meanwhile, the Trails Committee pro-posed a flat-line budget with $1,000 for operations and $5,000 in a reserve for matching grants. Next year’s project will be the trail along State Park Road. There is growing support for the Melissa and Trevor Mack Trail, and a new video

Catherine MetropouloscoNTrIbuTor

In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Operation Market Garden, I was invited to par-ticipate in a reenactment of the historic September 20, 1944, the crossing of the Waal River in Nijmegen, Holland. It was an experience I will never forget.

Four rubber rafts, each manned by eleven U.S. 82nd Airborne paratroopers, represented the 26 flimsy canvas boats used in the original river crossing. Each sol-dier was equipped with an oar in lieu of the unforgettable rifle butts. I was among the first of three groups to cross.

As vintage warplanes began circling overhead, we embarked on our mission, paddling fast to reach the opposite shore. Guns and tanks began firing all around us as we battled the river’s strong, relentless currents. I envisioned

in my mind bullets rapidly hitting the water next to my boat with every splash from the oars and spray from the waves upon my face. I closed my eyes tightly, transporting myself back in time to September 20, 1944. I took a deep breath, smelling the gun smoke in the air as I listened intently to the deafening sounds of the planes and explosions around

us. The trek across the mighty Waal is much longer and more difficult than it appears.

Finally reaching the shore, I jumped quickly out of the boat, my feet sinking into the wet sandy dirt. As I sprinted up the hill, I thought of my uncle in his wet,

In the Footsteps of HistoryIn honor of Veterans Day, a part-time Charlotter recounts her experience

reenacting the World War II battle that killed her uncle

Selectboard

continued on page 5

The author in front of the

Waal River Bridge Memorial

in Nijmegen, Holland.

Bryn Meadow Farm

Preps for Thanksgiving

Emma Slater

The charloTTe News

“I didn’t think turkeys had personality. Au contraire,” said Libby James, a Charlotter and owner of Bryn Meadow farm on Spear Street. James was referring to her flock of heritage breed turkeys whose curiosity and friendly nature set them apart from the average Butterball. This flock of tur-keys, raised by Libby and her husband, Chris, is part of their mission to provide customers with livestock that have been raised in an ethical and nurturing environment.

This endeavor began 16 years ago when Libby James went to the Killington Sheep and Wool Festival and ended up leaving with a ram, a wether and three ewes. A retired physician’s assistant and artist, James had no experience raising sheep and claimed that she “must have had beans for brains” in purchasing them.

The sheep that James purchased were Shetlands, bred as early as the 19th century and famous for having the fourth finest wool in a variety of colors. These include special pinto coloring and facial markings, referred to as “yuglet,” similar to those of panda bears. This breed is an example of the beauty of maintaining a diverse genetic pool of livestock, which is why the Livestock Conservancy designates it as a “heritage breed.”

Bryn Meadow continued on page 4

2 • November 20, 2014 • The Charlotte News

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On the coverA 40-POUND TURKEY AT BRYN MEADOW FARM IN CHARLOTTE. IT IS ONE OF SEVERAL TURKEYS RAISED BY CHRIS AND LIBBY JAMES, OWNERS OF THE FARM. PHOTO BY EMMA SLATER.

Next issue deadlines

NexT issue daTe: Thursday, deC. 4CoNTriBuTioNs: moNday, Nov. 24 By 5 p.m. leTTers: moNday, deC. 1, By 10 a.m.

Selectboard Regular Meetings are usually at 7

p.m. in the Town Hall on the second and fourth

Mondays of each month. Sometimes they begin

earlier; check online at charlottevt.org or with the

Town Clerk (425-3071). Chair: Lane Morrison (425-

2495), Matthew Krasnow (922-2153), Ellie Russell

(425-5276), Charles Russell (425-4757), Fritz

Tegatz (425-5564). CCS School Board Regular Meetings are usually at 6:30 p.m. at CVU on the

third Tuesday of each month. Chair Kristin Wright

(425-5105), Clyde Baldwin (425-3366), Susan

Nostrand (425-4999), Erik Beal (425-2140), Mark

McDermott (425-4860). Planning Commission Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the

Town Hall on the first and third Thursdays of

each month. Chair Jeffrey McDonald (425-4429),

Vice Chair Peter Joslin, Gerald Bouchard, Paul

Landler, Linda Radimer, Donna Stearns, Marty

Illick.

Committee meetings are listed on the town website.

Check times and agendas online or by phone; for the

town: charlottevt.org, Town Hall, 425-3071 or 425-

3533; for CCS: ccsvt.us, CSSU office, 383-1234.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Did  you  know  that  although  The  Charlotte  News  is  delivered  FREE  OF  CHARGE  to  1750  households  in  Charlotte,  it  costs  over  $100,000  to  produce  annually?  

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Did  you  know  that  only  14%  of  households  have  contributed  to  this  year’s  annual  appeal?  

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contribution  of  $20,  we  would  meet  our  annual  fundraising  goal  of  $30,000?  

Please  consider  making  a  tax-­‐deductible  donation  to  The  Charlotte  News  so  that  we  can  continue  to  produce  the  high  quality,  local  journalism  that  you  have  come  to  expect  from  us  over  the  past  56  years.    You  can  also  donate  online  at  http://www.thecharlottenews.org/donate.html.    Thank  you.  

 

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The Charlotte News • November 20, 2014 • 32 • November 20, 2014 • The Charlotte News

Got Something to Say?

The Charlotte News accepts all signed letters pertaining to issues of local and national interest. Letters must be 300 words or fewer, include your full name and town, and reach us by the appropri-ate deadline. Writers will only have letters published once every four weeks. The Charlotte News reserves the right to edit for style and length. Your submission options are news@charlottenewsvt.com or The Charlotte News, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445. All opinions expressed in Letters and Commentaries are those of the writers and not of The Charlotte News, which is published as an independent, nonprofit, unbiased community service and forum.

LettersSirotkin ‘humbled’ by vote

I wish to thank the voters of Charlotte and Chittenden County for electing me to serve in the Vermont Senate. As this was my very first run for elective office, I am humbled and honored by both the election and the privilege to serve. I fully realize that the amazing legacy of my late wife, Senator Sally Fox, had a lot to do with my success and am so thankful that I will have the opportunity to continue her good work. My long history of advocacy in the Legislature on behalf of Vermont’s work-ing families and consumers tells me that this will be an exceptionally challenging biennium with a multitude of complex and controversial issues. The results of Tuesday‘s elections clearly confirm that the voters expect change and results. I am anxious and ready to get going on your behalf.

Thank you very much again.

Senator Michael Sirotkin

Chittenden County

Yantachka Looking Forward to Challenges in Montpelier

I am thankful to the voters of Charlotte and Hinesburg for your support of my re-election as your state representative. After knocking on hundreds of doors, I have had many good discussions on a lot of issues. It was valuable to hear what is on voters’ minds, and I welcome your continued input via email and personal contact.

I will be working hard with my col-leagues during the coming session to reduce the burden of education financing on local property taxes. As we receive the plans for the single payer health care system, Green Mountain Care, I and my colleagues will be paying close atten-tion to financing, provider reimburse-ment and cost containment with respect to the impact on Vermont’s economy as well as on the health of Vermonters. The upcoming session will be full of difficult challenges that will not lend themselves to easy solutions. The Legislature will undertake these challenges, and we will, we must, find solutions.

I will continue to keep you informed of what is going on in Montpelier through my newspaper articles and my website, and I look forward to hearing from you as we consider the many issues facing Vermont. Thank you again for your sup-port.

Rep. Mike Yantachka

Charlotte-Hinesburg (Chit 4-1)

New Moran Plant Diligence Report to City Finds Redevelopment Plan Feasible

Ben Cohen Hosts StampStampede at Mt. Philo Inn Nov. 21

The Mt. Philo Inn cordially invites you to a StampStampede party at Charlotte’s historic Mt. Philo Inn, Friday, Nov. 21, from 6:30-10 p.m.

The StampStampede is a grassroots party designed to help get money out of politics and overturn Citizens United, a Supreme Court ruling that protects political expenditures under the First Amendment and allows corporations to spend unlimited amounts on independent political activity.

Head stamper will be Ben Cohen, cofounder of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, along with musical guests the Hokum Bros. Also offered up will be food from the Starry Night Cafe, beverages from Fiddlehead and wine from Shelburne Vineyards. To top it off, there will be plenty of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream

To RSVP, visit mtphiloinn/concert-booking. For more information, call 425-3335.

Redevelopment of the Moran Plant reached a major milestone this week with the submission of a comprehen-sive Diligence Report to Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger’s office by New Moran Inc., the local nonprofit organiza-tion managing the project. New Moran Inc. also welcomed newly-appointed Founding Board members and advisors and launched a new website for the proj-ect at MoranPlant.org. The New Moran Founding Board includes co-founders Erick Crockenberg and Tad Cooke, both of Charlotte—and friends since they met in Sue Mahren’s after-school art class as fifth graders.

The report includes a plan for rental rates and revenue by tenant class for the event halls, market spaces and collabora-tive commercial spaces. “At this stage of the project, our priority is establishing a viable framework of what will occupy the Moran Plant rather than focusing on who. We have a strong set of partners advising us. There’s been no shortage of interest; however it’s our responsibility to make sure that we achieve the right mix of creativity and commerce that will best represent Vermont and generate the cultural energy we aim to see at Moran,” said Crockenberg.

“We’ve received extraordinary sup-port for the project from a number of business owners and community leaders, which prompted the assembly of a team of ambassadors and advisers that we call our Champions Council,” said the third New Moran co-founder, Charlie Tipper. The 23-member Champions Council includes Alec Webb of Shelburne Farms and Charlotter Meg Smith, director of the Vermont Women’s Fund.

The financial plan or New Moran includes $11M in philanthropy, $6.3M in tax increment financing, up to $2M in investment and approximately $14M in a combination of Federal New Market and Historic Preservation tax credits.

“A proper mix of funding sources, including philanthropy, tax credits, grants and slow money investments, is essential to minimize any amount of traditional debt. A key aspect of the plan is that once completed, the Moran Plant will be financially self-sustaining through revenue generated by tenant leases, special events and corporate part-nerships—we will NOT rely on annual support from donors to operate the build-ing,” said Cooke.

“The New Moran team has put for-ward the most compelling redevelop-ment concept for the Moran Plant since it was decommissioned nearly 30 years

ago. I am encouraged by the support-ers and enthusiasm that New Moran has secured to date and by the team’s opti-mism regarding a successful, large capi-tal campaign. The city will be reviewing and evaluating the New Moran feasibil-ity report carefully in the weeks ahead,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger.

The city and New Moran will submit a proposed Development Agreement to the Burlington City Council for its approval in March 2015. Beginning December 2014, Smith Buckley Architects of Burlington will resume schematic design for the building, working with Wagner Hodgson Landscape Architecture and Engineering Ventures to design the sur-rounding landscape.

Once completed, the Moran Plant will house a network of community busi-nesses and organizations that represent the culture of Vermont through food, energy, arts and recreation. Owned by the public of Burlington, it will feature:

• a 1200 to 1500 person capacity event space for performances, conferences, conventions, contemporary art and com-munity events;

• a market hall showcasing the diver-sity of Burlington’s local food, arts and recreation economy, such as an

educational brewery, local glass blow-ing classes, bike rentals and ethnic food entrepreneurs;

• collaborative work and meeting spaces for community businesses and organizations;

• a world-class recreational campus at the epicenter of the waterfront, support-ing partnerships with the Community Sailing Center, the bike path, an expand-ed marina and the Burlington Skatepark;

• an array of unique, indoor, outdoor and rooftop spaces for meetings, gather-ings and events

Bill Truex, co-founder of the Church Street Marketplace, also sits on the Champions Council. “The time is right,” he said. “The focus on Burlington’s waterfront has begun. The redevelop-ment of the Moran Plant is the next logical, major step. It will bring new energy to and throughout the waterfront. With this investment, the waterfront can become a vital, 24/7, all-season exten-sion of the heart of Burlington.”

Among supporters and community leaders gathered inside the Moran Plant on Friday, November 14, are, starting third from left, Meg Smith, Erick Crockenberg, Charlie Tipper, and Tad Cooke.

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4 • November 20, 2014 • The Charlotte News

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CCS Craft Fair Nov. 22

Join over 60 talented local Vermont vendors at the CCS Artisan and Craft Fair at CCS on Nov. 22 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. There will be something for everyone: jewelry, decor, holiday gifts, handmade accessories, clothes, toys, art, photography, woodwork, gourmet food and more. All vendors certify their items are handmade.

Proceeds from the craft fair will bene-fit CCS enrichment programs. For more information, visit ccsfairvt.com.

“The whole idea of the association is to maintain a diversified gene pool,” James said. “We’ve seen how things don’t go so well when you use GMOs, and you keep using the same genes over and over again. You can permanently lose something that would make a plant stronger or taste bet-ter, and that’s true with animals. You need to keep the diversity alive.”

However, as with many heritage breeds in the United States, large-scale agricul-ture and the introduction of GMOs have threatened their existence. Industrialized production of livestock generally discour-ages a variety of breeds. In fact, in 1963, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust listed the Shetland sheep as endangered.

Promoting these heritage breeds is a cornerstone of the farming model James began to build as she brought those first Shetland sheep home. Although she had never raised sheep before, James had to learn quickly as the flock grew and matured. “Lo and behold I had babies,” she said. “You can only have so many babies before you have to figure out what you want to do with them.”

This flock expanded to become Bryn Meadow Farm, where Libby and Chris raise sheep, turkeys, pigs, chickens and ducks that are free range, naturally fed and antibiotic and GMO free. All of the meat is harvested on the premise in the most stress-free manner possible.

The couple is now preparing for Thanksgiving, a particularly busy season for their turkey business. The James’s both remarked that their turkeys are big. While the hens grow up to about 30 pounds fully dressed, one tom weighed in at 48 pounds. Despite this larger size, they are tender and have a superior taste. “They taste phenomenal,” Libby James said. “I really mean that, they’re unbeliev-ably tasty.”

Bryn Meadow Farm still has hens avail-able for purchase. For more information, contact brynmeadow@gmavt.net.

Bryn Meadow continued from page 1

(Left) Sawyer Carr and Zane Kroll hold up carrots they dug up at Stony Loam Farm last Saturday while Mavis Carr poses with gourds from the farm.

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The Charlotte News • November 20, 2014 • 54 • November 20, 2014 • The Charlotte News

Charlotte’s Chick Wood (second row, far right), co-leader of the Wildberries, a women’s mission group at North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church, helped the group organize over 30 new towel sets for a special Christmas shop run once a year in Middlebury. The shop enables low-income Vermonters to pick out new clothing or other needed items for loved ones at Christmas time. Also pictured are (front row, from left) Nancy Gomez, Diane Theobald, Mary Jane Jenkins, Margo Emmell, Grace Edney, (back) Diane Shortsleeve, Linda Field, Sue Stoner, Karen Rose and Wood.

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Kate Lampton presented the potential project list for the Charlotte Land Trust (CLT), which contained six properties at all levels of negotiation. Of these, the 74-acre Bidinger property on the south-west corner of Bean and Hinesburg roads is near resolution and will require $60,000 from the Charlotte Conservation Fund in mid-January. This property includes high agricultural and scenic values. Also near-ing the application stage are two 100-acre properties, one for $150,000 and the other for $130,000. They are expected in the next six months and will require a total of $340,000 that will be paid out from the current fund balance of $523,000.

Lampton pointed out that the conser-vation fund enables Charlotte to hold a very positive position in the competition for funding from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. The above fig-ures will be key in determining what the Selectboard will tack on to the tax rate for the replenishment of the fund.

The Charlotte Land Trust is working with the Vermont Land Trust on a revi-sion of the memorandum of agreement covering the Burns property in the West Village. The focus will be on maintaining the clay plain forest located on the prop-erty behind the old flea market. The CLT proposed a budget of $7,500 to cover its operations.

Continuing with the conservation theme, Roelof Boumans presented a pro-posed $3,824 budget for the Charlotte Conservation Commission. He pointed out that the commission has been the recipient of many hours of volunteer effort.

Marty Illick, executive director of the Lewis Creek Association (LCA), pre-sented a proposed budget request for $600. This amount will be combined with that of neighboring watershed towns to leverage $70,000 in grants next year. She pointed out that $1,280 will come from the Conservation Commission for use in the community water sampling program,

while $1,850 will be used for managing frogbit invasives in Town Farm Bay. This past summer the program resulted in the removal of 90-95 percent of the cover, an estimated two tons of plants. Forty volunteers provided a total of 300 pick-ing hours, and numerous organizations donated time and support.

With respect to water quality, Illick went on to say that E. coli, nutrient and sediment problems continue to plague the town’s waterways, and the LCA will continue to monitor “hotspots.” The LCA will also ask the town again this year to provide $1,000 for phragmites (common reed) control.

Finally, Kristin Hartley, the town’s rec-reation director, briefed the Selectboard on next year’s proposed budget using figures from the current year’s activi-ties. The 25 programs offered this year have resulted in a net loss of $1,572, and Hartley pointed out that the fees charged for the programs are meant to support her salary. There is potential for making up the shortfall by raising fees or through fundraising and sponsorship, which this year was $2,200.

Other businessDuring the public comment period,

Dr. Kristen DeStiger spoke up for a Lake Road neighborhood group seeking help from the Selectboard in getting the zon-ing administrator to take action on a May 9, 2014, non-compliance ruling by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The ruling came as the result of a conditional use review for a construction yard at 2737 Lake Road. The neighbors claim that no action had yet been taken by the town.

The Selectboard quickly approved sub-mission of a letter of support in the applica-tion for inclusion of the Williams Woods Trail in the Vermont Trails System. The board went on to approve the name for County Crossing Drive. The drive starts from Stage Road in North Ferrisburgh and extends into Charlotte to the west of Ethan Allen Highway.

Finally, the Selectboard approved a bid of $7,500 for the purchase of a radar speed trailer. Approval had been held up pend-ing receipt of two other bids, which came in substantially higher.

The next regularly scheduled Selectboard meeting will be held on Nov. 24.

Selectboard continued from page 1

heavy battle gear running uphill in an open field, searching for cover while dodging enemy gunfire.

I imagined how it must have been for those courageous young soldiers barely out of their teens. Boys, all playing a war game, a real one, fearing for their lives yet willing fearlessly to fight for the freedom of others and for the good of our country. One could not help but also remember, too, our military today, both here and abroad, and their current sacrifices.

Known as one of the Liberators, my uncle, Pfc. John Rigapoulos, is honored and remembered along with 47 of his fellow 82nd Airborne com-rades from the 504 who lost their lives that day. A new bridge crossing the historic Waal River was dedicated last year in their memory. Forty-eight pairs of lights slowly illuminate the bridge at dusk every night.

I remain touched by my witnessing how the people of Holland continue to celebrate and honor our military and veterans—the Dutch promise never to forget. Neither will I.

The author’s uncle, Pfc. John Rigapoulos, in 1944. He was one of 47 82nd Airborne soldiers killed in Operation Market Garden in World War II.

History continued from page 1

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6 • November 20, 2014 • The Charlotte News

The folk tales and traditions of high altitude Andean villages of Peru will vividly come to life in this month’s pro-gram of the One World Library Project in Bristol when Elizabeth (Libby) VanBuskirk of Charlotte discusses and signs her new book, Beyond the Stones of Machu Picchu: Folk Tales and Stories of Inca Life. This free program will be presented on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Memorial Library in Bristol.

VanBuskirk’s book features richly imagined paintings by Inca artist Angel Callañaupa Alvarez. It vibrantly depicts Andean village life through folk tales, sto-ries and art, providing a rare glimpse into Inca people’s creative work, especially the famous Andean practice of weaving and other textile arts. The stories reveal Inca rituals and beliefs about the living earth they call Pacha Mama, the majestic mountains worshipped as Apus, the sky and its “black constellations,” the mean-ings attached to sacred water, the events of nature and ever-changing climate, the stages of life and growth, courage and transformation.

During the One World Library Project program, VanBuskirk will talk about her efforts in documenting the work and lives of Peruvian weavers in high alti-tude Andean villages. She will also show images of Alvarez’s paintings and read a story from Beyond the Stones, “The Old Man, the Llamas and Machu Picchu.” This story was recently reprinted in full in

the Sept./Oct. issue of Piecework, a maga-zine for textile enthusiasts. VanBuskirk will also have books available for signing at the evening program. Beyond the Stones is suitable for both adults and children, and it will be added to the One World Library Project’s kiosk for commu-nity members to check out.

The author hopes the book will intro-duce readers to this rich Peruvian cul-ture and provide new ways of look-ing at the world by vicariously placing them inside Inca villages to experi-ence life in the high elevations of the mountains.

“I have included authentic and little-known Inca tradi-tions and hope that readers will feel enlightened by the tales and stories and respond with delight in Angel’s stunning art,” VanBuskirk said.

VanBuskirk studied the art and archae-ology of Peru and Mesoamerica, as well as Native American textiles of North and South America, at the Radcliffe Institute and holds a degree from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. She has traveled fre-

quently to Peru, co-taught courses on Inca history and culture for educators at the University of Vermont College of Education and served as founding co-chair of the Board of Directors of the

Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. In her enthusiasm to share her experi-ences, she has given lectures locally and around the country.

The paintings of Angel Callañaupa Alvarez are inspired by Andean history, tradition, legends and superstitions, and the Andean vision of the cosmos. In all his work, he shows his respect for Mother Earth and the great mountain Apus. His paintings are distinguished by his expan-sive imagination, delightful humor, sense of space and composition, and story-

telling skills. His art shares a wide perspective, vividly illus-trating scenes from little-known but time-honored traditions that mark the life of Inca people in the past and today.

For more information on the program, contact the Lawrence Memorial Library at 453-2366 or go to OneWorldLibraryProject.org.

The One World Library Project is a local community nonprofit that “Brings the World

to our Community” through a collection of adult and children’s books and films about world cultures at the Lawrence Memorial Library in Bristol. The One World Library Project also presents regu-lar programs at the Bristol library on the fascinating cultures that fill our planet. More information can be found at one-worldlibraryproject.org and on the One World Library Project’s Facebook page.

VanBuskirk to Discuss Peru for One World

Library Project

Elizabeth VanBuskirk

An illustration from VanBuskirk’s book, Beyond the Stones of Machu Picchu: Folk Tales and Stories of Inca Life

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The Charlotte News • November 20, 2014 • 76 • November 20, 2014 • The Charlotte News

Beating the Winter Blues

Elizabeth AfanasyevContributor

As the days continue to darken and winter rapidly approaches, I thought it might be helpful to talk about staying mentally and physically healthy during the upcoming cold months. For most people, it is dif-ficult to stay motivated during the shortest days of the year, to continue healthy habits started when the weather was pleasant and garden fruits and veggies were abundant. We tend to eat more rich “winter foods” and, as we try to stay out of the cold, end up spending more time in front of screens watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, holiday shows and all the new movies that come out this time of year. Let’s discuss some of the things we can do at home to help “beat the winter blues.”

While many of us get “cabin fever” in the later winter months, some of us have what we call sea-sonal affective disorder. Seasonal affective disorder is depression that occurs during a certain time of year—in Vermont it is typically seen during winter months, fall to spring—presumably due to decreased exposure to sunlight in addition to other things. This is often more commonly diagnosed in women. Symptoms may include increased sleep, increased appetite, irritability and difficulties with relationships, to name a few. Treatment often includes light therapy, antidepressants and psychotherapy; your health care provider will have an idea of where to start if you think you may have seasonal affective disorder.

Whether you have “cabin fever” or seasonal affec-

tive disorder there are things you can do at home to stay emotionally and physically healthy this winter. First, though it can be more difficult in the winter, it is important to stay active—ideally at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. This can be as simple as a brisk walk before work, on your lunch break or after dinner. Seasonal affective disorder is often treated with light therapy, and generally people tend to be happier and healthier when they have more sun exposure. Midday walks or other activities outside when the sun is out are recommended for this reason.

Another thing to consider for a mood boost is engaging in activities that can be enjoyed during the winter. Typically, people enjoy many outdoor activities in the spring, summer and fall (gardening, swimming, boating, hiking, etc.), but these are more difficult to do in the winter, for obvious reasons. Winter possibilities, though, include snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and painting or photographing winter landscapes.

As many of us realize, the holidays are typically focused around food, particularly large meals and alcohol. It is difficult during this time of holiday cheer to monitor calories, but as a result we often see cho-lesterol, weight and blood pressure numbers increase. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is always impor-tant to feel your best and should include lots of fruits and veggies and plenty of water. Keeping moderation in mind during this time of year (as difficult as that may be with all the delicious treats around) is always key.

While it can be tricky during the winter to keep mentally and physically healthy, particularly in our lovely state known for its cold winters, a few simple, easy steps can make a large impact on your health this season. Consider a 30-minute daily walk or some sort of activity (ideally outside in the sunlight), find some enjoyable winter activities to involve yourself in, and be sure to keep moderation in mind when it comes to holiday feasts.

Best wishes to you and yours for a happy and healthy winter season!

Elizabeth Afanasyev a phy-

sician’s assistant at the

Charlotte Family Health

Center. Her special interests

include women’s health and

preventative medicine.

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The Charlotte News • November 20, 2014 • 98 • November 20, 2014 • The Charlotte News

Giving Thanks

Bradley CarletonContributor

It’s time to give thanks for all we have. For some this may mean turkey and stuff-ing and a colorful variety of vegetables on a big plate. For others it may mean watching football games with the family by a fireplace teeming with brightly danc-ing flames. And for even others it may mean the first runs on a ski slope. But for me it is a time of bonding to the man who introduced me to hunting 45 years ago in a small steel mill town.

My father, Arthur Spencer, who now resides in the Masonicare Home in Wallingford, Conn., even at 82 years old still man-ages to make it up here to Vermont for Thanksgiving with my wife and her family. And the next day, he and I head up to deer camp for three days of hunting and sitting in front of a Vermont Castings woodstove and reminiscing of days and hunts gone by.

My father was an investment banker and loved his work. He rarely found the time to leave his businesses and recreate. I struggled with not getting enough time with my dad. So when he took me deer hunting, where it was just the two of us, I realized that my biological father and Mother Nature were the two entities that truly nourished my spirit.

For a part of my adolescence I lived in Stowe, and one year he found the time to build a large tree stand on “Old Roundtop” behind our house. We both climbed up into the stand, 30 feet above a slash of downed pines, and waited while snowflakes gently fluttered past us. Leaning against the trunk of one of the pines, I fell asleep. My father nudged me,

and I awakened to a whisper. “Shoot that buck over there,” he said quietly. Why hadn’t he just shot it himself? He wanted me to take him. I did. It was my first deer, and I was 18 years old.

Now we sit by the fire in front of the woodstove, and for three glorious days I have my father to myself. Well, almost. I share him with the other men in the camp for meals, card games and adult bever-ages. But mostly it is just the two of us.

Last year, he said something profound to me that I never expected to hear. As a man full of 82 years’ worth of wisdom and expe-rience, he said he had but one regret.

With a compas-sionate ear I asked him what it was, expecting him to say that he wished he was leaving us a big pile of money when he passed. After all, that was what he spent most of his time pursuing. But in a cruel twist of irony, life brought him the lesson that happiness cannot be bought with

money; in fact, when there was no money left, he discovered that it was the time he missed spending with me and my siblings that he missed the most.

My reply was to tell him that I am extraordinarily grateful for the time he did spend with me and that, right now, sitting here in my deer camp deep in the Vermont woods, watching the snowflakes fall gently outside the window, I feel that I have more reason to give thanks than at any other time in my life.

Bradley Carleton is executive director of Sacred Hunter.org, a nonprofit that seeks to educate the public on the spiritual connection of man to nature and raises funds for Traditions Outdoor Mentoring.org, which mentors at-risk young men in outdoor pursuits.

Traditions deserve our respect. Living in Vermont we discover that not all of us have the same reverence for the same set of values. It is, however, important to at least understand the geographic traditions of our communities. This respect should go both ways when it comes to hunting and trapping.

Saturday, Nov. 15, marked the open-ing day of rifle season, and with this I am providing a short list of how we can all share the wonder and beauty of our state.

Wear fluorescent (hunter) orange when walking in the woods and meadows. It has been proven that wearing this color can greatly reduce your being mistaken for a target.

In Vermont, when pursuing legal game citizens may access all land that is not posted. This is a controversial topic. Many hunters don’t ask for permission to hunt on someone’s land; although they may be within their legal rights, it generally aggravates the landowner, who frequently responds by posting the land against hunt-ing in the future. So hunters: it would help all of us to always ask for permission. If you care about our right to hunt as is stated in the constitution of our great state, let’s use common sense and not jeopardize our fraternity’s privilege.

To all non-hunters and anti-hunters: it is illegal to harass a hunter who is legally pursuing game. This means that to honk your horn, shout at game or at individuals in order to scare off a potential target is against the law. The fine can be as much as $500. With most of us being wired with cell phones, it is very easy to call a game

warden and have him or her introduce the individual to the law.

Although it has been illegal to shoot from a vehicle for some time (unless the hunter possesses a disabled permit), it is now also illegal to shoot from within 20 feet of the traveled portion of a road. Ironically, this past year it was legal to shoot across a road. This has been changed, and now it is unlawful to do so if the road is maintained by the town, county or state. Class IV roads are an exception.

If you see someone doing something illegal, do not confront the individual. Just get a license plate number and note the location, then call a game warden.

If you own a pet, be extra vigilant to keep it under control and tie a bright red or orange bandana around its neck. Do not let your dog run free—particularly on state properties, where hunters may legally pursue game.

Hunters: let’s all think about how we are representing ourselves to the com-munity. I know it feels good to stand up for our rights, but let’s not incite the non-hunting public against us. Use common sense and understand that not everyone will agree with our choice to hunt. Think about the fraternity of hunters and be an ambassador. Remember that the non-hunting public may be swayed to become anti-hunters by any action that represents us poorly.

It all boils down to respect. Respect those who think differently than we do. If we want to protect our tradition, we must act with respect and honor.

A hunter’s cheer!

The stove at the author’s deer camp

Some Thoughts on Hunting Season Safety

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The Charlotte News • November 20, 2014 • 9

Burlington-based nonprofit Puppets in Education (PiE) brought a full day of bully prevention programs to CCS on Tuesday, Nov. 11. These programs complemented the anti-bullying curricu-lum at the school.

The students learned important tips and tools on how to stand up for them-selves and to be caring bystanders. The responses from the students gave helpful advice and shared admissions of bullying experiences. The puppets gave tips and tools in how to stop bullying behavior and to build empathy.

After the presentation Milissa O’Brien from Shearer Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, which funded the presentation, asked the students, “Please raise your hand if you can be brave and stand up for

someone else when you see bullying hap-pen?” This question was met with many raised hands.

In addition to supporting these pre-sentations, Shearer generously gifted ten 25-inch tall puppets to the school. The students cheered when they saw the pup-pets. These puppets will allow students to continue their creative education and role-play pro-social and problem-solving scenarios.

Puppets in Education is in its 33rd year and serves over 11,000 children and adults annually. PiE began as Kids on the Block-Vermont in 1982 with four puppets and has grown to deliver 23 programs address-ing many societal concerns, including bul-lying, abuse, childhood obesity, mental health, drug use and other topics.

Michelle M. HoughContributor

The CCS Parent Teacher Organization (CCS PTO) warmly welcomes its new officers: Julie Wade and Meghan Met-zler are our new co-presidents and Carol Blanshine will serve as treasurer.

Julie is a lawyer, and she moved to Charlotte from Dallas, Tex., with her family last year. She has children in kindergarten, first grade and third grade at CCS. Meghan is a director at PwC, where she is an accoun-tant. She also serves as treasurer and board member at Child Care R e s o u r c e in Williston. She and her family moved to Charlotte from Charlotte, N.C., two years ago. She has a first grader at CCS and a two-year-old at Char-lotte Children’s Center. Carol is an Army veteran and church administrator for the United Methodist Church in Shelburne. She has lived in Charlotte for eight years with her husband and daughter, who is a first grader.

These dedicated parents stepped into their new leadership roles in August. They have strong support from the school administration, as well as from last year’s officers and the many teacher and parent volunteers who are the CCS PTO. Please join us in thanking our new volunteer officers for donating the time and ener-gy needed to manage the many events and services supported by the PTO each school year. We are lucky to have such a strong and talented team!

Welcome Julie, Meghan and Carol!

AnnuAl cAmpAign kick-off

On Nov. 17, the PTO announced to all CCS households the kick-off of its Annual Fund Campaign. The financial goal this year is $7,500. These funds will be used by PTO volunteers to support a wide variety of projects that enhance our

learning community at CCS. There are 263 families in Charlotte that have chil-dren currently enrolled at CCS. If 250 of those families gave $30 each we would easily reach our goal of $7,500!

If you are part of a community group, faith-based group or local business, please consider lending your support as well. Parents or family members may work for a business that will match non-profit donations; this could help your contribution to stretch even further.

Each week new donors will be added to a poster in the school

lobby as well as in PTO news. Anonymous

donations will be respected. If you

donate $75 you will receive a CCS T-shirt, and for a donation of $125, a CCS sweatshir t . The class-

room raising the most funds

earns a $100 PTO Education

Grant to be used at the teacher’s discretion.

Families with multiple chil-dren will have donations count in full

toward each classroom. The CCS PTO is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), and all dona-tions are tax deductible.

Checks can be made out to the CCS PTO and sent in with students or mailed to Charlotte Central School, 408 Hines-burg Road, Charlotte, VT 05445; donors can also use our PayPal account on the CCS website.

Thank you for your investment in our students!

The CCS PTO mission is to support the school community by providing the means to enrich the learning experiences of all children at CCS. This is orches-trated through opportunities such as our amazing Four Winds nature program, supporting the Green Team and our outdoor garden classroom, as well as funding teacher grant requests that sup-port music, drama, library enrichment and more. PTO volunteers are a vital component of support for our children’s education at all levels. New volunteers are welcome.

Learn more at ccsvt.org.

CCS fourth grade teacher Katie Fraser’s class with members of Puppets in

Education and Milissa O’Brien, far right, from Shearer Chevrolet Buick GMC

Cadillac, which sponsored the event.

CCS PTO Introduces New OfficersOrganization also kicks off annual fund drive

Puppets in Education Helps CCS Learn About Bullying

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10 • November 20, 2014 • The Charlotte News

Food

&Field

More Than a Pretty

Picture: Life on Hall Farm

Michael Haulenbeek

The CharloTTe News

A Saturday doesn’t go by when we

don’t see drivers—locals and tourists

alike—pull over to photograph Jeff

and Tammy Hall’s farm tucked below

Camel’s Hump on Hinesburg Road in

East Charlotte. Living on the hill at the

old Foote Farm, I have had the pleasure

of watching their cattle graze, and on a

dusky evening last Thursday, I sat down

at their kitchen table to learn more about

what they do.

Jeff’s parents came to their dairy farm

in 1956. Jeff started working on the farm

when he was in high school, and he and

his wife Tammy took over the farm in

1994.

“I came in 1985, when it was truly a

farm community,” Tammy said. At the

time, they milked 45 cows, grew feed

crops and had more hay customers than

there were cows to feed on the farm.

It took Jeff and Tammy 17 years

to pay off the farm after taking over

the business. When the farm was paid

for, Tammy said she never wanted to

milk cows again. So they stopped milk-

ing cows, kept their calves and heifers,

raised beef cows and started boarding,

breeding and raising heifers for other

farmers, keeping them until one month

before they calve. They also sell hay to

about 25 customers in the area.

“I like all the interactions I have with

different hay customers,” Jeff said, “They

all have different personalities. You deal

with them and have to remember what

they like—what their animals like.”

The farming community in Charlotte

has changed significantly since Jeff

and Tammy took over their farm. Most

important, there isn’t a support infra-

structure in place to get supplies or to fix

equipment when needed.

“You have to travel so far to get a

part now, and mostly they don’t have it

in stock, so you have to wait,” Jeff said.

“Before, if you had an issue, you could

go to your neighbor and, you know, bor-

row things.” Jeff also said it is a chal-

lenge to drive on the roads with farm

equipment. “Getting across the road with

increased traffic is really hard. People

are not respectful of farm equipment on

the roads.”

Tammy and Jeff said they still enjoy

farming and prefer it to any alternative.

“We could sell it off and be a million-

aire in a condo,” Tammy said, “but that

would be boring at this point.” They

like the independence that farming and

running their own business provides.

“We’re our own bosses. You want to be

outdoors, you go outside—you want to

be indoors, you find an indoor project,”

she said.

Jeff and Tammy’s kids aren’t inter-

ested in farming, and what will happen

to the land when they are finished with

it is “a crapshoot.” For now, they are

striving to work with more efficiency as

they age—to “work smarter, not harder,”

Jeff said.

When they do find some free time,

you won’t find them sitting still. Tammy

operates a dog rescue organization and

routinely places groups of dogs into local

foster homes. She also works part-time

taking X-rays at Fletcher Allen. Jeff has

an appreciation for antique furniture and

might be found caning an old chair. He

is also always willing to lend a hand to a

neighboring farmer.

A view of Jeff and Tammy Hall’s farm with Camel’s Hump in the distance

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12 • November 20, 2014 • The Charlotte News

Sera AndersonContributor

I love Vermont. I love the seasons and the transitions from one to another. But as we all know, the winters are lengthy (though lovely!), and finding things to do with our children can be trying. While it is frigid and sometimes snowy, it doesn’t mean we have to be held captive in our own homes.

So I have come up with a few ideas that might help get us through. It’s kind of like a bucket list for the winter. If you don’t like some of these, it’s OK— they might help spark other ideas for you and your family. So embrace life and this winter wonderland that we live in and get outside. Let’s go!

1. Cochran’s Ski Area. Nonprofit providing youth and families with afford-

able skiing and snowboarding, $20 adult full day, $14 junior full day. Night skiing $5 Fridays!

2. Burlington International Airport. Yes—go to the airport and watch the planes come and go! One plane, two plane, three plane, four.

3. Take a cooking class. Whether it’s at CVU, Healthy Living, South End Kitchen or King Arthur Flour, a great way to add a new dish to your recipe book and get your child to appreciate cooking.

4. Volunteer. (As time allows, of course. Yes, I am aware that we are parents.) Show your child and be a good example. Choose an organization or activ-ity that you are passionate about this holi-day season. Enjoy giving without receiv-ing, the best gift you can give yourself and your family. What you get in return is priceless and will lift any mood.

5. Montreal Biodome or IMAX. A little bit of a drive, but we forget how close Montreal is: 90 minutes. Explore the four ecosystems found in the Americas. Could be a day trip, a very long one, but totally doable. They can nap in the car!

6. Go on a train ride via the Vermont Rail System or Green Mountain Flyer. This is mostly a summer thing, I think, but check the website (rails-vt.com) for updated schedules or special upcoming events. Bring snacks or purchase from the cart, enjoy the scenic ride and have a glass of wine or beer if available.

7. Winter festivals. Check out the local calendars for winter festivals. Burlington, Ben & Jerry’s, Montpelier’s Frostival, Great Ice Event in Grand Isle, Hinesburg, Stowe, you name it! They are all around Vermont and offer great activi-

ties, snow carvings and tons of things to do. Get outside!

8. Sledding!9. Take up a new winter sport. That

sport you have always wanted to try. Now or never. Rent. Give it a try. You just might find a new hobby.

10. Ice skating. Find a friend with a pond or check out the schedules and costs at Leddy Park, Essex Skating Facility, etc. Rentals available and low cost for winter fun!

11. Pump House indoor waterpark at Jay Peak. You have to go every winter just because it feels good and is so much fun. Need I say more?

12. Charlotte and Shelburne play-groups. Exercise and socialize. Charlotte playgroup on Mondays from 9:30–11 a.m. at CCS multi-purpose room. Plenty of room to play and romp! Shelburne playgroup on Wednesdays from 9:30–11 a.m. at Shelburne Trinity Church. Snacks, playtime, story time and sometimes you can win gift cards just for coming. Free.

13. Gym Time. Take up an exercise class or go swimming indoors with the kids. Sports & Fitness Edge, Shelburne Health and Fitness, Body Resolution. Try a new class or take an old one. Sign your child up or just go yourself. There are some great winter class punch cards and deals out there. Get back on the band-wagon! Body Pump or Zumba or yoga. Get that heart rate up. It is by far the best medicine you could give to your body and mind this winter. It is one of the very few things, perhaps the only thing, that promises, proves and delivers you more energy. (Bring on those addicting endor-phins.) For anybody of any age. Day care available some places. (This is more for mommy or daddy, but sssshhhhhhh.)

Who says there is nothing to do in the winter time? Happy doing!

Sera Anderson is a former business owner and currently a stay-at-home mom. She is the current Mrs. Vermont America. She lives in Charlotte.

It's Winter–Get Outside!

The Humbled Parent

Playgroup at the Charlotte Central School MPR Gym

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The Charlotte News • November 20, 2014 • 13

The Café Menu

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24: Chef’s choice soup and salad, homemade dessert

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26: Chiles rellenos casserole, home-made dessert

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1: Spin-ach tortellini soup, white bean sal-ad with sundried tomatoes, Bert's krispy bars

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3: Old-fashioned meatloaf, sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, birthday cake and ice cream

Senior LunCheonS are held every

Wednesday at noon. Reservations

are necessary in advance and can

be made by calling the Senior

Center at 425-6345. A $4 donation

is requested. Reservations are not

required for the Monday Munch.

by Mary Recchia, Activities Coordinator

Charlotte Senior Center

A Happy Thanksgiving to all! A reminder that the Senior Center

will be closed for the Thanksgiv-

ing holiday on Nov. 27 and 28.

Please look for the new win-ter program of activities as an insert in this issue of The Char-lotte News. Here are a few high-

lights for the first weeks of De-

cember to get you going.

––––

New sessions of our old favor-

ites chair yoga, gentle yoga, Pi-lates and tai chi begin the week

of Dec. 1. Please call the Center for more information or to regis-

ter. Not sure which class is right

for you? Feel free to give one a

try.

––––

Jim Lovejoy will lead another poetry reading on Monday, Dec. 1, from 1–3 p.m. Building on the fun and excitement that has developed with our Poem in Your Pocket readings

over the years, this after-lunch poetry bo-

nanza provides a regular time for listen-

ing, reading, writing and sharing a love

of language. Whether it’s a poem you’ve

written or one you’ve found in a book or

on Poets.org, pack a poem in your pocket and join Jim as he guides us through a

wonderful afternoon. No fee.

––––

All the world’s a stage and it’s here at

the Center! Do you love theater? Do you appreciate the spoken word? Our play-reading group will gather on Thursday

afternoon, Dec. 4, from 1–3:30 p.m. While parts have been assigned for this reading, please let us know if you would like to be given a part for our next read-

ing on Friday, Jan. 23. All are welcome

to come listen, and Sean promises a good time for all! No fee.

––––

Join Elizabeth Llewellyn for a holiday block printing workshop on Tuesday,

Dec. 9, from 10 a.m.–noon. Block print-ing is one of the oldest types of printmak-

ing, having been around for thousands

of years. In this workshop, you will be using Speedball Speedy Carve blocks, which are a soft, rubber-like material,

to carve your design. Then the real fun

begins as you experiment with color ink to print super-special, handmade holiday cards! Registration required. Limit 10. Fee: $45 includes materials.

––––

The Center is pleased to host the American Red Cross blood drive for

this much-needed community event on

Thursday, Dec. 11, from 2–7 p.m. The comfortable atmosphere and great snacks make giving the “Gift of Life” at this site

most pleasurable.––––

Join Hank Kaestner for another bird-ing expedition on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 9 a.m., when good views are guaran-

teed through Hank’s “Oh-my-God” tele-

scope. Please meet at the Center so we can carpool together to the location Hank has scouted for spectacular bird watch-

ing. Please register for this event, and if

we have to change the date due to bird

migration or weather, we will call you.

No fee.

––––

Please join us Wednesday afternoons beginning at 1 p.m. for a collection of lectures, performances and special events that showcase the diverse interests of our

community. No registration or fee.

Dec. 3: Annual tree decorating. Bal-sam scents, seasonal desserts and songs

in the air will be the backdrop for you to catch some holiday spirit. All hands will be needed to steady the ladders and

help fill the large tree with our handmade ornaments while Carlanne Herzog en-

courages a sing-a-long as she tinkles the

ivories.

Dec. 10: A cello choir for the holidays with Judy Chaves. You will delight in

the three-part harmonies of this small cello choir as members play an assort-ment of traditional holiday carols, some

dating back to early England, as well as

carols from France, Catalonia and south-

ern Appalachia. And there will definitely be a sing-along, so be sure to practice your “fa-la-las”!

About 100 diners partake in the traditional Thanksgiving dinner at the Senior Center, which took place on Nov. 19 this year.

Celebrating

New Years Eve!

Featuring Sounds by

Top Hat Entertainment! Sweet & Savory, Favors & a Bubbly Toast

$35 Tickets on line at FlynnTix.com

(or save applicable fees by calling)

802-425-2120

14 • November 20, 2014 • The Charlotte News

SPORTS

Amira Silverman Named to

All-League Volleyball Team

Charlotter Amira Silverman was recently named to the Vermont Youth Volleyball Association’s state-wide All-League team for the 2014 season. Amira, a libero on the Vermont Commons School (VCS) team, was one of three other students from the South Burl-ington school named to the team. Vermont Commons School has a girls volleyball team and a boys vol-leyball team. Led by coaches Peter Goff, Ben Patrick and Bill Orleans, the VCS girls volleyball team won the Vermont State volleyball championships in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012.

Two Years, No losses: CVU Volleyball Takes

Second State Title

It wasn’t easy, but the CVU girls volleyball team finished a perfect 13-0 season last Saturday. To get there, though, the team had to get past Essex at the packed Carter Gymnasium at Johnson State College, winning a five-set, more than two-hour long semi-final match that head coach Gino Johnson called “crazy.” The girls team, which includes Tori Bergstein and Hadley Menk of Charlotte, then went on to beat Vermont Commons 3-0 in the championship match to defend its state championship.

Amira Silverman (middle), a libero on the Vermont Commons School team, hits the ball during a vol-leyball match this year.

Members of the 2014 state championship CVU girls volleyball team are (front row, from left) Brigitte Durieux, Katja Walter, Lisa Schold, Hadley Erdman, Gabby Booth, (middle) Lauren Johnson, Cassandra Stearns, Jessie Johnson, Chiara Antonolli, Anna Johnson, Olivia Brissette, (back) coach Gino Johnson, Tori Bergstein, Shannon Loiseau, Alexis Meyer, Emilie Bernier, Aliza Anderson, Elise Osbahr, Meghan Eustace, Zoe Louchheim, Hadley Menk.

The CVU girls volleyball team celebrates its win over the Vermont Commons School for its second-straight state championship.

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The clocks have changed and so has the season. The nets are still up for the brave pickle ball player, but now it is time to sharpen your skates and skis and practice your foul shots.

Currently

We are so lucky to have such a gener-ous, involved community! We now offi-cially have a volleyball court at the town beach as well as an outdoor Frisbee golf course (a great winter sport as well). We also will have new hockey goals on our town rink this winter. These are all made possible by the effort and donations of our community. Thank you!

Fall programming

Looking for things for your children to do after school? Would you like them to try something new, build self-confidence, run and play, as well as build teamwork skills? Try some of our after-school activities.

Fall indoor and outdoor programming is still posted on the Charlotte town website (charlottevt.org). If your child is interested in music, we still have a few openings in our after-school piano

class, which takes place Wednesdays and Thursdays after school. There is also space in our after-school percus-

sion class taught by the talented Andrew Gagnon. You may still join our after-

school horseback riding program this semester. Lessons are taught at Cedar Springs Farm, which has a beautiful heated indoor arena and a great staff. The second session of Celtic dance class begins Dec. 6 at CCS. Heather Morris is an experienced instructor and very good at what she does. Registration is required for these programs.

It’s time to register for basketball.

The Charlotte recreation basketball pro-gram provides a venue for athletes to learn and master basketball skills in a fun, positive environment. Winning is not the primary objective but rather developing sportsmanship, teamwork, respect for others and discipline are all part of the program. If we have enough kindergarteners they will play Saturdays from 8–9 a.m. First and second graders will have training practices one to two times a week (depending on coaches and gym space) throughout the season. Third and sixth grade teams will practice twice weekly with games mostly on Saturday mornings between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Their games will be against other town teams. Any sixth through eighth grader who attends CCS try-outs and does not make a team may sign up for recre-ation basketball. Please register by Nov. 18; after that registration fees increase. We’re looking for grades 3-4 and 5-6 girls coaches, too.

adult programming

Adult early-morning boot camp is the place to be 6 a.m. Tuesdays and

Thursdays outdoors at CCS. It is so much fun! We have such a great com-munity, come out and join us and make a commitment to fitness. There are eight class sessions but you can join at any point. Registration required.

Mat Pilates has now been added to our adult programming. Classes are held Mondays from 6-7 a.m. in the MPR room at CCS. Come flow through a series of dynamic movements that restore balance to core muscles of the lower back and abdominals. There are four class ses-sions, but you can join the class at any time. Registration required.

Coming soon: Wednesday early-morning workouts (a low-key workout and a great way to get started).

Registration forms for all programs and more information can be found on our town website or here at the Charlotte Town Offices. As always there are full and partial scholarships available for all Recreation programs.

If you have any questions about any of our programs contact me at recreation@townofcharlotte.com or 425-6129, ext. 204.

Rec News

by Kristin

Hartley

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding anglers of the new year-round fishing opportunities now available to anglers on various waterways throughout the state. Among them is Lewis Creek from the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to the State Prison Hollow Road bridge in Starksboro.

In effect since the beginning of this year, revised state regulations have opened up 11 new river sections to catch-and-release trout fishing with artificial flies or lures outside of the normal trout season.

The change in regulation has resulted in over 70 additional miles of river now being open to year-round trout fishing.

“The regulations were intended to provide expanded fishing opportunities for trout while limiting the potential impact to populations,” said Rich Kirn, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “The changes will give interested anglers the opportunity to take advantage of any mild days in late fall and early spring.”

In addition the state’s bass catch-and-release, open-water angling opportunities (not ice fish-ing)—also with artificial flies and lures only—

have been expanded to include all lakes, ponds and reservoirs not listed as “seasonally closed waters.”

The sections of streams are open to year-round trout fishing according to the following rules:

• use artificial flies or lures only, except during the open season for trout (sec-ond Saturday in April through Oct. 31); • catch and release only (trout must be imme-diately released where caught), except during the open season for trout when normal size restrictions, daily limits and posses-sion limits apply.

Other local waterways opened include the Winooski River from the Lake Champlain bound-ary upstream to the VT Route 2/100 in Duxbury and Waterbury, and the Lamoille River from the Lake Champlain boundary (top of Peterson Dam in Milton) upstream to the top of the Cady’s Falls Dam in Morristown.

A complete list of seasonally closed waters is available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife web-site, vtfishandwildlife.com. Under the “Fishing” tab, click on “Law Digest and Guide” for more information.

Vermont Anglers Enjoy Year-round

Fishing Opportunities

Lewis Creek one of several waterways opened by state

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16 • November 20, 2014 • The Charlotte News

by Margaret Woodruff

Thank you from the Charlotte Library! In the spirit of the season, we at the library extend our gratitude to the Charlotte com-munity. We enjoy so much of our days here, books and reading to be sure, but also the shared love of a good story, the excitement of a new title, the thrill of reading on one’s own for the very first time. How fortunate we are to witness and participate in these moments. Over the past year, we have many specific gifts to be thankful for:

• East Charlotte drop box: Thank you to Stephen Brooks for his design and construction; to Carrie Spear for sup-port and implementation; to the Charlotte Friendship Lodge #24, the Charlotte-Shelburne Rotary and the Charlotte Grange for generous donations toward the project.

• Charlotte Children’s Center: Thank you for the smiling faces and eager readers who visit each week, ready to share their latest news and discover new things, too.

• Friends of the Charlotte Library: Thank you for providing additional sup-port to the library for special programs and materials to make this place a better one.

• Charlotte Library volunteers: Thank you for the time and energy you bring and all the tasks you take on. We could not run this library without you!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Thanksgiving hours: Please note the Charlotte Library will close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, and remain closed Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28. The library will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, for normal hours.

Upcoming at the Library

Maker Monday: Arduino Adventures, Monday, Dec. 1, 3:15–4:45 p.m. Whether you’re just opening this digital box of tricks for the first time or are an old hand at interactive projects, this is for you. Plan your project and jump in or acquaint yourself with the boards and software that lead to some amazing results.

Scrabble at the Library, Friday, Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Join our own Scrabble maven, Susanna Kahn, for an engaging, relaxed morning. Start from scratch or reacquaint yourself with this favorite word game. Refreshments served and game boards provided.

Mystery Book Group: Maisie Dobbs, Monday, Dec. 8, 10–11 a.m. Set in the “golden age” era, this modern mystery offers a more introspective approach to the traditional whodunit. Join us for cof-fee and conversation about this intriguing book, set just after the close of World War I. Copies of the book available at the circulation desk.

Holiday Book Buzz! Monday, Dec. 8, 5:30–7 p.m. Planning on book-based gifts for those on your lists this year? Stop in and get the lowdown on our favorite titles

from 2014 for all ages. The Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne offers a special incentive for the Book Buzz gifts pur-chased through the store or online.

Gallery Talk with Liza Woodruff, Monday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. Get further inspi-ration for winter gifts as Liza Woodruff, children’s book illustrator and current library artist, walks us through her exhibit and the illustration process. Her charm-ing picture books, including Ten on the Sled and If It’s Snowy and You Know It, will be available for sale, too.

Afterschool Program: Gift-Making Workshop, Wednesday, Dec. 10. Check a few names off of your gift list with items made at the Charlotte Library’s gift-making workshop. We will have plenty of great ideas for you to pick and choose from and holiday snacks to munch on. Grades 2 and up. Registration required.

Movie Showing: Disruption, Monday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m. The story of our unique moment in history, this documentary takes the issue of social and planetary change beyond climate impacts and makes a compelling case for bold action that is strong enough to tip the balance to build a clean energy future. Co-sponsored with Transition Town Charlotte. Refreshments served.

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The Charlotte News • November 20, 2014 • 17

Outdoors in World War I

CountryElizabeth Bassett

Contributor

On a recent trip to eastern France, my mother—whose father fought in the Battle of the Somme—my brother and I traipsed over muddy ridges of 100-year-old trenches. We gazed across a val-ley toward Saint-Mihiel, a village that endured four years of bombing while cut off from French supply lines. Shells rained down on Saint-Mihiel from both sides during “the Great War”—Germans held bluffs to the east while the French stood on high ground to the west. In a war where troops in trenches spent months battling for a hundred yards of ground, abandoning Saint-Mihiel was never con-sidered.

We prowled underground cement bun-kers of a German hospital, transit point for battlefield casualties before they were transferred, on a purpose-built, narrow-

gauge railroad, to better medical care behind the front. We followed signs to a German cemetery. Beneath gray crosses and a few Stars of David, 4,600 soldiers make their final rest. Despite a trio of oak trees recently planted by Germany, France and the United States to com-memorate friendship, the stench of an adjacent slaughterhouse conveyed a dif-ferent message. The foul air cut short our visit, and we departed with windows open to rid the car of flies.

We followed a well-signed tourist route for the Salient of Saint-Mihiel. (If you don’t know, as I did not, a salient is a projecting part of a defensive line.) France encourages tourism with hundreds or perhaps thousands of driving itinerar-ies for everything you can imagine and some you might not: three Champagne routes, one for each grape varietal; itin-eraries for hundreds of different cheeses; and those that follow painters, poets and the Maginot Line. For most of a day we followed the trail of misery, evidence of the four-year siege of Saint-Mihiel.

We wound over narrow roads through vineyards in autumn colors, past herds of cream-colored cattle and into gerani-um-filled villages snuggled beneath slate steeples. We skirted a redoubt overgrown with trees at the edge of a bluff. A sign warned us to stay on the trail, as unex-ploded ordinance still lurks in the woods. We walked along the Trench of Thirst where French troops spent four days with neither food nor drink, just meters from their German foes. Sign panels in three languages, French, English and German, with photos and maps, interpret the centu-ry-old sites and enumerate grim statistics:

in one day 27,000 British troops perished; a three-month battle netted a gain of 100 yards; a half a million American troops, the American Expeditionary Force, turned the tide only after more than three years of war.

World War I casualty figures are numbing. Combat-related deaths were estimated at 6.8 million. Another three million prisoners of war died from dis-ease and privation. War mobilization took millions away from field and farm, cut-ting food production; civilian deaths from malnutrition and disease tallied an addi-tional 6.5 million. In France, Germany and the Russian Empire, total military and civilian casualties totaled more than four percent of the population. In the United States today, with a population of 317 million, an equivalent number would be 12.7 million deaths.

At Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery, 4,153 white marble crosses and Stars of David march across 40 verdant acres. Across the rows and rows of markers at Saint-Mihiel a stark fact emerges: while the armistice was signed on Nov. 11, 1918, deaths from injuries continued into the spring and summer of 1919.

As we ambled among the graves we did not spot any Vermonters. We did find one New Hampshire cross. A mar-ble memorial overlooks the countryside where these Americans gave their lives. It was dedicated in 1937 to victims of “The World War.”

We stopped in the village of Bellau, where the 26th “Yankee” Division recon-structed a church destroyed by its own shells. Flags of the six New England states hang from its arches. We stumbled

upon a French military cemetery not even noted on our detailed map. Spilling down a hillside, shaded by towering trees, 13,900 remains are buried in groupings from both world wars, colonial wars in North Africa, prisoners of war and those disinterred from elsewhere. While the American cemetery identifies one soldier per grave, it is widely accepted that many World War I remains were poorly or incorrectly identified. Both the German and French cemeteries acknowledged this with markers claiming multiple names. Several German graves listed as many as 100 names.

Another French town that paid a dis-proportionate price during World War I is Reims, in Champagne. The Germans held the city for only eight days, but when French troops routed them a German commander declared, “If we cannot have Reims we will destroy its cathe-dral.” They nearly did. For 1,051 days the Germans rained bombs on Reims, destroying 80 percent of the city’s build-ings and reducing the cathedral to a skel-eton. The pre-war population of France’s tenth largest city, 110,000, was reduced to 1,500 by war’s end, and the cathedral was in ruins. But the world rallied and by sub-scription, including a lead gift from John D. Rockefeller, rebuilt the cathedral. In 1937, on the eve of another world war, the Cathedral of Reims was reconsecrated.

Even 100 years later, World War I has not lost its power to shock and horrify.

Elizabeth Bassett is the author of Nature Walks in Northwest Vermont and the Champlain Valley, available at area busi-nesses and bookstores.

Out-Doors

by Elizabeth Bassett

18 • November 20, 2014 • The Charlotte News

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20

Selectboard meeting, 9 a.m., Town Hall. Agenda and more information at charlottevt.org.

Planning Commission meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda and more information at charlottevt.org.

Shelburne Players present Wait Until Dark, 7:30 p.m., Shelburne Town Hall. The Shelburne Players’ Wait Until Dark enters its second week with final performances on Nov. 20, 21 and 22. Susy, a blind woman played by Amy Riley, tries to out-wit conman Mike Talman, played by Roy Cutler, while two other conmen , Carlino (played by Dan Cimaglio, left) and Harry Roat (G. Richard Ames, on threshold) look on. A Broadway hit, the masterfully constructed Frederick Knott thriller moves from one moment of suspense to another as it builds toward an electrifying, breath-stopping final scene. Tickets: $15/$12. More info: shelburnetownplayers.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21

StampStampede with Ben Cohen, 6:30 p.m., Mt. Philo Inn. The stamp party will include tasty food by the Starry Night Café, quality local adult beverages, music to listen and dance to by the Hokum Bros, and plenty of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Suggested donation, $20. More info: stampstampede.org or Mtphiloinn.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22

CCS PTO Artisan & Craft Fair, Multipurpose Room, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. For more info, turn to page 4.

The Barber of Seville, 1 p.m., Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. Bartlett Sher’s effervescent produc-tion of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), broadcast from the Met at Town Hall Theater, starring Isabel Leonard as the beautiful and feisty Rosina, Lawrence Brownlee as her conspiring flame, Almaviva, and Christopher Maltman as the wild and conniving barber, Figaro. Tickets: $24/$10. More info: townhalltheater.org.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23

Concert: Music of J.S. Bach, 3 p.m., Saint Paul’s Cathedral. The all-star lineup of soloists and pro-fessional chamber orchestra for this Capital City Concerts performance includes soprano Hyunah Yu, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra guest princi-pal trumpeter Sycil Mathai (who will be featured in Brandenburg Concerto #2) as well as violinist Theodore Arm, NYC Ballet principal oboist Randall Wolfgang and Montpelier flutist Karen Kevra. The program also includes Concerto for Violin and Oboe, Cantata 82a “Ich habe genug” and arias including “Sheep May Safely Graze.” The same concert will take in Montpelier on Saturday, Nov. 22. Tickets: $25/$15. More info: capitalcityconcerts.org.

Wild & Precious, 7 p.m., Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. Boston-based Vermont native, Steve Cadwell presents his one-man multimedia theatrical memoir, including song, dance, poetry and storytell-ing. The play makes its way through the Stonewall riots, the AIDS crisis and the legalization of gay

marriage in Massachusetts, encompassing the last 50 years of the gay rights movement. Tickets: $12. More info: townhalltheater.org.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Selectboard meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda and more information at charlottevt.org.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Town Hall closed for Thanksgiving Holiday. Also closed Friday, Nov. 28.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28

Chocolate bar making @ South End Kitchen, 3–4 p.m., Burlington. Tie on your apron and learn more about actual chocolate making—from tempering to molding. A great class for first-time confectioners. You’ll start with a brief lesson on chocolate types, then dive right into creating your very own bars. Choose your chocolate and an array of inclusions, wait for the bars to set, then wrap your masterpiece to take home. Cost: $25. More info: http://southend-kitchenvt.com/classes/.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29

The Nutcracker presented by the Albany Berkshire Ballet, 3 p.m., Flynn Theater. The Albany Berkshire Ballet and dance students from area schools perform one of the world’s best-loved Christmas ballets, with Tchaikovsky’s soaring music. A holiday favorite, the Nutcracker tells the story of a young girl, Clara, and the magical dream she has one Christmas Eve. Tickets: $41/$38/$25.50. More info: flynntix.org.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Meet the Grinch @ Phoenix Books Burlington, 2–3 p.m. Children and kids-at-heart will get to meet Dr. Seuss’s meanest and greenest creation when the Grinch himself visits Phoenix Books. All ages are welcome to bring a camera and get a photo taken with the Grinch. Free.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1

Itty Bitty Public Skating @ Leddy Park Arena, 10–11:30 a.m., Burlington. Itty Bitty Public Skating provides an introduction to skating for young chil-dren and their parents/caregivers. An instructor is on the ice to offer support and to lead games and activities. During this program, younger siblings may be pulled in a plastic sled or parked in a stroller on the ice. Program is Mondays and Thursdays. No registration required.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2

CCS School Board meeting, 6 p.m., CCS Library. Meeting will be first of several budget meetings.

Power of Play! 6–7:30 p.m., Evergreen Preschool, Vergennes. A community workshop to enhance the

understanding of early childhood development and a young child’s thirst to play. Join Dr. Robin Ploof of Champlain College and local teacher Josh Brooks to discuss and learn why play is so important for young children. Participants will learn about new play research, best practices and how play positively affects children’s physical, socio-emotional and cog-nitive development and prepares them for kindergar-ten and beyond. Free. More info: 877-6702.

The Green Mountain Playboys, 8–10 p.m., Skinny Pancake, Burlington. The Green Mountain Playboys play rocking Cajun music made for dancing! This Vermont-based band includes Alec Ellsworth (fiddle, vocals), Jay Ekis (vocals, guitar), Noah Hahn (bass), and Lee Blackwell (guitar, drums). All five members are well-versed Cajun musicians, having traveled to Louisiana a number of times to learn and share this style of music. They are a recently formed ensem-ble, playing at venues all over Vermont, gaining a quick reputation and following. Free.

Places To Go & Things To Do

MONDAYSSenior Center Café, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Featuring

soup, salads, bread and dessert. No reservations necessary.

Charlotte Multi-Age Coed Pickup Basketball Open Gym, 7–9 p.m. at the CCS gym. High school students welcome. 425-3997 for info.

WEDNESDAYSCharlotte/Shelburne Rotary Club, 7:30–8:30 a.m.,

Parish Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, Shelburne.Newcomers Club of Charlotte, Shelburne and

surrounding area meets once a month on the third Wednesday from September to June. Variety of programs, day trips and locations. Information: Orchard Corl, president, 985-3870.

AA Meeting, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 7 p.m.Senior Luncheon, Senior Center, noon. For res-

ervations, call 425-6345 before 2 p.m. on previous Monday.

Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., 7:30 p.m., Fire Station.Charlotte Multi-Age Coed Pickup Basketball

Open Gym, 7-9 p.m. at the CCS gym. High school students welcome. Call 425-3997 for information.

Food Shelf, open from 5–7 p.m. June 11 and 25. Lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Information: Karen at 425-3252; for emer-gency food call John at 425-3130.

THURSDAYSFood Shelf, open from 7:30-9:30 a.m. June 12 and

26. Lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Information: Karen at 425-3252; for emergency food call John at 425-3130.

FRIDAYSAA Meeting, Congregational Church Vestry, 8 p.m.Charlotte Playgroup, 9:30–11 a.m., CCS MPR.

Free, ages 0-5.

ONGOING EVENTS

Regular Church Services

SATURDAYSSt. Jude, Mass, Hinesburg, 4:30 p.m.

SUNDAYSCommunity Alliance Church, Hinesburg,

Gathering Place, 9 a.m., Sunday School, 9 a.m., Worship, 10:15 a.m. Information: 482-2132.

Charlotte Congregational Church, Worship, 10 a.m., Sunday School, 10 a.m. Information: 425-3176.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mass, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Information: 425-2637.

St. Jude, Mass, Hinesburg, 9:30 a.m. Information: 482-2290.

North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church, Hollow Road, Worship, 10 a.m., Sunday School, 9:45 a.m. Information: 425-2770.

Cross Roads Chapel, Relocated to the Brown Church on Route 7, Ferrisburgh. Worship, 11 a.m. Information: 425-3625.

Assembly of God Christian Center, Rtes. 7 and 22A, Ferrisburgh, Sunday worship, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday School, 9 a.m. Information: 877-3903.

All Souls Interfaith Gathering, 291 Bostwick Farm Road, Shelburne. Sunday Service 9 a.m., Evensong Service 5 p.m. 985-3819

Trinity Episcopal Church, 5171 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. “Space for Grace” (educational hour), 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist (with child care and Sunday School). 985-2269.

NEW AT THE MT. PHILO INN: Overnight accom-modations, spacious 2-3 bedroom suites available by the day, week or month. Adjacent to Mt. Philo State Park, with panoramic views of Lake Champlain. Each "wing" in the historic inn has a private entrance, full kitchen, laundry and porch. MtPhiloInn.com 425-3335.

A burst of color can do wonders for your home this winter. The professionals at LAFAYETTE PAINTING have been transforming the interiors of Chittenden County since 1977. Call 863-5397 and check us out at LafayettePaintingInc.com (-08)

APARTMENT FOR RENT: Ferrisburgh - beautiful, peaceful, country setting. One bedroom with walk-in closet. Open living, dining, kitchen. Dish washer, self-clean oven, washer, dryer. Utilities included. $925/mo. Call 802-877-1529. (-11)

MATTRESS SETS/FURNITURE/KITCHEN CABINETS: All New! Wholesale prices. Delivery avail-able. Beth 802-735-3431. wwwbnbfurniture.com. (-11)

MAXIM OUTDOOR WOOD PELLET FURNACE by Central Boiler. Clean, safe, and thermostatically controlled. Boivin Farm Supply 802-475-4007.

The Charlotte News Classifieds: Reach your friends and neighbors for only $7 per issue (payment must be sent before issue date). Please limit your ad to 35 words or fewer. Send to The Charlotte News Classifieds, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 or email your ad to ads@charlottenewsvt.com.

Classifieds

Charlotte Central School is seeking a

part time energetic candidate for a Non-

Intensive Needs Special Education para edu-

cator for one-year, for the 2014-2015 school

year. This position will provide individual and

small group instruction to students throughout

the school day in a variety of school settings

under the direct supervision of a Special Ed-

ucator. Candidates must be able to work as

part of a team. Applicant should have strong

collaboration and communication skills, enjoy

working with diverse learners and have cre-

ative thinking/problem solving skills. This posi-

tion is part-time, Monday through Friday.

Gain valuable experience in a supportive

environment with competitive pay.

Interested candidates should apply with

a letter of interest and resume via email to

kwagner@cssu.org or mail to Charlotte Central

School, Attn: Kathie Wagner, 408 Hinesburg

Road, Charlotte VT 05445. No telephone in-

quiries please.

Employment Opportunity

The Charlotte News • November 20, 2014 • 19

Around TownCongratulations

Sympathy

to Sarah Monteith, one of 37 Worcester Polytechnic Institute student-athletes to receive New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference Academic All-Conference recognition for the fall season. Nine Engineers earned the award all three years of eligibility, 10 more received their second citation, and three teams boasted eight honorees.

to Ann Calcagni and David Benzon, who were mar-ried in Vermont in June. Ann works in operations for a confectionery company, and Dave works in finance for a law firm. They live in Chicago. Ann is the daughter of John and Nancy Calcagni of Charlotte.

to Susan Rand, who received the Outstanding Alumni Award for her personal and career success and service to Johnson State College as part of Alumni and Family Reunion Weekend festivities on Sept. 20. Ten years ago,

Rand founded Charlotte-based Sojourn Bicycling and Active Vacations, organizing and hosting luxury trips for individuals and groups. She also conducts charity and corporate events, recently completing a trip with Virgin Atlantic Airlines to fund-raise for Free the Children. Under Rand’s leadership, Sojourn is a major spon-sor of Local Motion, Race to the Top of Vermont, the Catamount Trail and Middlebury High School’s Project Graduation. Rand graduated with a bachelor’s degree in allied health from JSC in 1980 and pursued a graduate degree in exercise science from Northeastern University.

to the family and friends of Eloise “Jessy” Prokop

of Charlotte, who passed away Oct. 29, 2014. She is survived by her sister, Leota (Jerome) Gajda of Darien, Ill.; she was the fond aunt of Michael (Shannon) Gajda, and great-aunt to Eli and Owen. Interment will be at

Windridge Memorial Park in Cary, Ill. Arrangements are in the care of the Cremation Society of Chittenden County, a division of the Ready Family, Burlington.

to the family and friends of Steve Clayton, 56, of Shelburne, who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Nov. 8. While Steve wasn’t technically a Charlotter, he was a member of the community through his support of numerous community events as a business sponsor via the Shelburne Supermarket, which he co-owned with his wife, Sara. (He was also a big supporter of The Charlotte News.) He was very proud of and is survived by his three children, Mallory, Mandy and Michael. He is also sur-vived by his wife and best friend, Sara (Devost) Clayton, as well as by his parents and siblings. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kathy Devost Scholarship Fund, c/o CVU High School, 369 CVU Road, Hinesburg, VT 05461; or to the Cancer Patient Support Program of Vermont, PO Box 64700, Burlington, VT 05406.

Around a small fire and a table of refreshments, about 50 people, including donors, members of the trail-building team and residents of Co-Housing, celebrated the recently completed Co-Housing section of the Town Link Trail on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Margaret Russell, co-chair of the Trails Committee, which has spearheaded the trail construction, expressed satisfaction with the new section of trail, saying in an email message it is “beautifully done.” The Town Link Trail now stops at Route 7, where it will connect with the Melissa and Trevor Mack Trail once an underpass is built during the state highway’s reconstruction next year. Until then, Russell noted, “We are not encouraging people to make the mad dash across Route 7.”

For more information about the Charlotte Town Link Trail visit: charlottetrailsvt.org/townlink/

New Co-Housing Section of Town

Link Trail Unveiled

Supporters, trail workers and Co-Housing residents celebrate the opening of

the Co-Housing section of the Town Link Trail.

A map of the recently completed Co-Housing section of the Town Link Trail.

Natalie Franklin sent us this picture of a barred owl

perched in a tree. Have a picture you'd like to see in

print? Send it to us at news@charlottenewsvt.com.