The Charlotte News | October 8, 2015

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Volume lVIII Number 6 The VoIce of The TowN Thursday, ocTober 8, 2015

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Charlotte News Charlotte’s award-winning community newspaper

Brought to you free through the generous support of our Donors, Advertisers and Volunteers.

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Supermoon photos from Charlotter Roger Binkerd,

Page 11

“AUTUMN CARRIES MORE GOLD IN ITS POCKET THAN ALL OTHER SEASONS.”

—JIM BISHOP

Vol. 58, no. 6October 8, 2015 Charlotte News

The TheCharloTTeNews.org

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

see Selectboard, page 4

Francesca Blanchard treated a rapt crowd at Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center in Stowe to an October 3 concert celebrating of the release of her first album, deux visions. PHOTO: COURTESY

Isa, Thomas, Jack, and Bay (from left to right) hold the U.S.S. Triton. PHOTO: COURTESY

see blanchard, page 5

see MakerS, page 4

Former Charlotter Edmund Sullivan’s daughter Isabel gives her dad a gift subscription to The Charlotte News to spark fond memo-ries of his time in our green valley. A painter and retired schoolteacher now living in Massachusetts, Ed paints vibrant landscapes from the pictures he finds inside these pages. Visit his website at edsullivanart.com to see some of them.

Do you know someone who would love to keep the home fires burning? Give them a gift subscription to The Charlotte News! Email Shanley Hinge, our intrepid business manager, at [email protected].

Far flung, never far from home

Five questions for Charlotte’s musical wunderkind

Geeda SearfoorceTHE CHARLOTTE NEWS

This past year, Francesca Blanchard, Charlotte’s gifted, multilingual

singer-songwriter with a global upbring-ing, recorded her first album, “deux visions,” with the proceeds raised in a grassroots campaign through the website indiegogo.com. To celebrate the album’s North American release, she gave a concert at the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center in Stowe on October 3. Her band, comprised entirely of Vermont musicians, included backing vocals, cello, violin, electric guitar, trumpet, bass and drums. The Charlotte News caught up with Francesca to see how she is enjoying music and developing as a musician at this exciting time in her career.

The Charlotte News: How did the album release gig at Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center go?

Francesca Blanchard: It was amaz-ing. The space is truly one of the most beautiful I’ve ever had the privilege to

perform in. I had a wonderful turnout, some really special musicians played with me on stage...I feel truly lucky and grateful. I hope to perform at the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center again in the future!

TCN: Did the outpouring of support from the community via last year’s Indie Go-Go campaign affect your experience while recording the album?

FB: Absolutely. Every funder was right there with me in spirit in the studio last summer and throughout the year as the album was getting mixed and mastered. It’s amazing to have received all that support and to make a body of work from the ground up with help from people who believe in what I do. I met my original goal three days prior to the end of the campaign and surpassed it by a couple thousand dollars, making over $27,000 in the end. With the additional funds, I was able to afford some beautiful press photos and bought myself more time to sit with the album mixes until they were just right. It was incredibly humbling and encouraging.

TCN: What is the most surprising

Francesca Blanchard performs at Spruce Peak, releases ‘deux visions’

Vermont makers making good


Four Charlotte students showcased their innovative and collaborative

work at the Champlain Mini Maker Faire at Shelburne Farms on September 26 and 27. Jack Boynton, Bay Foley-Cox, Isa Kaplan and Thomas Wright all partic-ipated in the Adopt-a-Maker Program through the Charlotte Library and learned, through a hands-on process, just how transformative science and technol-ogy projects can be.

Working together for months on

their project, the students created the U.S.S. Triton, an autonomous watercraft designed to record water quality and improve data capture for environmental research. During the two days of the faire, CCS, CVU and Vermont Commons School students had the chance to display their watercraft and describe the evolution of their work—from idea to prototype—to thousands of attendees at the event, held in the Coach Barn overlooking the shores of Lake Champlain.

“I have been going to the Mini Maker Faire in Shelburne for a few years, but this year during the summer I joined the Charlotte Library program,” Boynton said. “This was my first year as a maker in the faire, and it was amazing.”

The Charlotte Library Adopt-a-Maker Program evolved out of the library’s Maker Club for 5th to 8th graders, which meets once a month to work on maker projects. The concentrated project work on the U.S.S. Triton was funded through an Adopt-a-Maker grant from Champlain

Alex BuntenTHE CHARLOTTE NEWS

The September 28 meeting began with an extensive review of all minutes

from the month of September. While discussing the September 10 minutes, Carrie Spear asked about any contact made with Lydia Clemmons concerning the Vermont State Rail Plan. Selectboard Member Matt Krasnow had seen her, and she said that Senator Tim Ashe had contacted Dean Bloch, the town administrator, to see if the town would be interested in having a meeting with VTrans and the representatives of trans-portation committees of both the Vermont Senate and House. The issue continues to develop.

door jaM

Twenty minutes were then allocated to the approval of the purchase of a new door handle. In the end, the Selectboard

authorized $738 to be used for a lock-and-key brushed-chrome push bar.

Police rePort

The Selectboard then called on the Vermont State Police officer, Matt Daley, to report on VSP activity in Charlotte. “Things have been going good from our end,” Daley said. “We haven’t had a rash of burglaries like we did a few years ago.”

While taking questions on their monthly reports (see “Charlotte Police beat” column, on page 5, for details), Chair Lane Morrison wondered if there was any trend in where tickets were issued in Charlotte. Trooper Daley wasn’t aware of any specific trend, but he did comment that troopers working in Charlotte were finding fewer speeding violations. “They aren’t seeing the amount of speed they once did,” he said.

In a further discussion regarding the

Selectboard hears from police, Town Party at a turning point

Holmes Bridge, Charlotte, VT 20x24 (oil) by Edmund Sullivan.

2 • OctOber 8, 2015 • the charlOtte News

The Charlotte NewsThe Charlotte News is a nonprofit commu-

nity-based newspaper dedicated to informing townspeople of current events and issues. It serves as a forum for the free exchange of views of town residents and celebrates the people, places and happenings that make the Town of Charlotte unique.

Contributions in the form of articles, press releases and photographs pertaining to Charlotte-related people and events are accepted and encouraged from all townspeople and interested individuals. For submission guidelines and dead-lines, please visit our website or contact the editor at [email protected].

The Charlotte News is published in Charlotte by The Charlotte News, Inc., a Vermont domestic 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation. Distribution is made every other Thursday to all households and businesses in Charlotte and to more than 50 out-lets in Shelburne, Hinesburg, North Ferrisburgh, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes and Burlington. It relies on the generous financial contributions of its readers, subscriptions and advertising revenue to sustain its operations.

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Editor in chief: Alex BuntenAssistant editor: Geeda SearfoorceContributing editors: Edd Merritt, Ruah SwennerfeltCopy editors: Beth Merritt, Leslie Botjer, Vince Crockenberg

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Co-president: Tom O’BrienCo-president: Vince CrockenbergSecretary: John HammerBoard members: Tim Halverson, Carol Hanley, Michael Haulenbeek, Patrice Machavern, Gay Regan, Louisa Schibli

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Bradley CarletonGeorgia EdwardsLarry HamiltonJames HydeJill LoweryHeather Manning

Mary RecchiaGay ReaganCharles RussellMargaret WoodruffMike Yantachka

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]on thE covEr

A collection of fall photos from around town. See more of Roger Binkerd’s super-moon photos on page 11 or online at our

new website, thecharlottenewsvt.wordpress.com.

Photos: Alex Bunten & RogeR BinkeRd

contriButorS

nExt iSSuE dEadlinESNext publication date: Thursday, October 22

Contributions deadline: Monday, October 12 by 5 p.m.Advertising deadline: Friday, October 16 by 5 p.m.

Letters due: Monday, October 19 by 10 a.m.

Voices

Alex BuntenEDITOR IN CHIEF

“Start spreading the news...”

Let’s be honest, you’re probably not leaving to New York anytime soon, so we’d love to have you help us spread the news. Every other Thursday, we need volunteers to take papers around to businesses in and around Charlotte. Frank would approve.

425-4949 | [email protected]

The Foorce is with us

We are delighted to announce that Geeda Searfoorce has joined The

News as our new assistant editor. Geeda hails from Philadelphia, but we won’t hold it against her. Having lived in Vermont for 10 years and Charlotte for two years now, she is relatively familiar with the area and excited to learn more and dive into community happenings.

“The natural beauty of Charlotte is fully matched by the gracious, giving, fascinating, and stalwart community members who call this place their home. I am thrilled to plant my roots here and feel grateful every day,” Geeda said. “The Charlotte News is a treasure trove for commu-nity members, offering rele-vant local information and perspective that connects us to one another and our town. In a time during which we are fortunate to have a window onto global news and events, local news publications—in print and online —are invaluable for keeping us grounded as we learn about and build the world around us.”

Having recently finished an MFA in writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, Geeda is a writer’s writer. When not at The News headquarters helping us “tell

the stories that matter” to Charlotters, Geeda writes fiction and plays, performs sketch comedy with the Burlington-based group Stealing From Work, and teaches throughout the state for the Vermont Young Playwrights program. She will be co-directing and acting in artist Seth Jarvis’ new Flynn Center-commissioned work, Transitions, this November and is serving as a community consultant to

two CVU students during their grad challenge year. Her work has appeared in Short Fiction in Theory and Practice and Numéro Cinq.

She is a busy woman with a wily smile and bundles of energy. We are tickled to have her on the team. You can contact her at [email protected].

Welcome!

Raising a rising star?

After Brett Sigurdson’s award at the Vermont Press Association earlier

this year, we didn’t think we’d be back on the map for at least another year or two. Well, it seems good things come to those who wait…and work a lot.

The Charlotte News is very proud to announce that our indefatigable editor in chief, Alex Bunten, has been selected

to receive a “Rising Star” award from Vermont Business Magazine. Award recipients were selected by a panel of judges for their commitment to business growth, professional excellence and involvement in their communities.

“I’m honored to be included in this list of people working closely with their communities—doing what they love, loving what they do,” Alex said. “For me, coming back to Charlotte after so many years abroad, working at The News has been a really special way to reconnect with the community. Vermont is such an amazing place, and I love to see how active everyone is and how much people care. You don’t get that everywhere in the world.”

According to the VBM website, out of the 100 nominations, 20 men and 20 women between the age of 22 and 39 were selected from all over the state, the largest portion of them from Chittenden County.

“For these young professionals it’s not just about business. It’s about them making a difference in their communi-ties,” said John Boutin, the publisher of VBM.

Vermont Business Magazine will honor these accomplished young leaders at the Rising Stars dinner on November 5. The dinner will be held at the Hampton Inn Burlington Hotel in Colchester. The honorees will also be featured in the November issue of Vermont Business Magazine.

For more information or to see a list of all the recipients, go to the VBM website at goo.gl/EE7ke3.

Geeda Searfoorce

News from The News

Born again leaf peeperthis is all new to me. Autumn in

Vermont. What a way to see away the high season. In Russia, after a hot summer in the city (yes, it’s not cold there all the time), you would have some reds here and there, but it was a lot of yellow with all the birches and poplar trees. Here. Wow. Seeing anew sumac bushes flash crimson, silver maples glow orange against a fading flora and regal purples pop out of the high hills—it’s like a slow-motion kaleido-scope hypnotizing me into a born-again leaf peeper.

But really, autumn to me will always mean pumpkins.

Tucked up in the sandy soil of the New Hampshire Connecticut River basin stand about 200 acres of what used to be the family farm. My grandfather, Forrest Bunten, toiled the earth in Orford for many years, raising my father and his five siblings. He had a dairy operation for a while, but later he somehow made a modest living selling pumpkins.

When I was young, cars would be lined up outside the house every weekend, looking for those “world famous” Bunten pumpkins. He also grew wildly vibrant “Indian corn” and gourds of other-worldly shape. We used to lend a hand where we could, mainly out in the fields. We’d trundle through the sandy soil seated in the back of a high-sided hay wagon, jump-ing in and out, stacking the orange orbs,

trying not to break the stems. (Never pick up a pumpkin by the stem. Forrest would not approve.)

My grandfather was a cross-grained gentleman who seemed to wake up in his Red Wings and had a Pendleton for every occasion. He got through the day with a balance of Protestant work ethic and meat and potatoes. He certainly wasn’t a warm, cuddly cuss, but he had his softer moments. An example of such occasion was when he called a neighbor a “pecker-head” for some mild offense. We laughed and laughed. He didn’t usually swear.

Forest passed on back in 2005 and the farm was deeded to all the kids. My aunt and uncle took it over and managed it for years, diversifying the offerings to include cheese, ice cream and, later, a restaurant, but they ultimately had to sell. They only closed on it earlier this year. My father never saw it out of Bunten hands.

Autumn means pumpkins to me. But that translates into so much more than a Halloween decoration—it’s hands on the land, work ethic, prickly pumpkin stalks, toughening up, fathers and sons, where it was all begun. This year, indeed, it’s all new—I’m peeping with new eyes and making the best of it all. Like the seasons, life changes and makes a fool out of you for not appreciating moments when you had them.

Bunten pumpkins on display at the Bickford Farm in Orford, New Hampshire. PHOTO: COURTESY

The CharloTTe News • oCTober 8, 2015 • 3

All opinions expressed in the Voices section are those of the writers and not of The Charlotte News, which is published as an independent, nonprofit, non-biased communi-ty service and forum.

Voices

Letters PoLicy: The Charlotte News welcomes signed letters to the editor on any subject of interest to the community. To allow the publication of a diverse selection of views in each issue, please limit letters to a maximum of 300 words. Commentaries can be up to 600 words. The editors reserve the right to edit for clarity, English usage and length or to publish submissions in full. Send them to [email protected]

Commentary: Making Town Meeting work for everyone!Like so many who live in Vermont

today, I moved to this state because there is so much to like about it: beautiful mountains, the lake, recreational oppor-tunities in every season, good jobs (I’ve had several in the 37 years I’ve lived here), good schools for my kids, and people who care about each other. One of the most precious aspects of Vermont that I value is the openness that is at the core of govern-ment from the municipal to the state level. While citizens have direct access to their state legislators who act on their behalf, the real gem of our democracy is the direct ability of citizens at Town Meeting to make the decisions in making the decisions of local government at Town Meeting.

Since Town Meeting is held during the day, however, it is difficult for many people to attend. In a given year attendance for the meeting portion runs between 150 and 250 voters. Those in attendance get to discuss the town budget as presented by the Selectboard and can amend it from the floor. At the end of the budget consideration, they can vote it up or down. Unfortunately, this does not give a say to those voters who cannot attend the meeting because of work, travel or other reasons. At our last Town Meeting only about five percent of Charlotte’s regis-tered voters voted on the town budget. Democracy works best when everyone who is eligible to vote has an opportunity to do so.

So, a proposal was put together by an ad hoc committee of Charlotters to increase the ability of their fellow townspeople to participate in the budget process while preserving the role of the traditional Town Meeting. It is a two-step process, and here’s how it works.

At Town Meeting, those in attendance discuss the town budget presented by the Selectboard, amend it if necessary, and then vote the budget from the floor, just as we do now. This vote would be binding on the Selectboard.

The Selectboard then sets a date, three to four weeks after Town Meeting, for a vote by Australian ballot that gives all registered voters in Charlotte a chance to agree or disagree with the budget voted on at Town Meeting. If the budget is defeated, the Selectboard then makes changes, hopefully with public input, and schedules a second vote by Australian ballot.

However, to adopt this new process it will be necessary for Charlotte to adopt a Town Charter. Why? Because the Town Meeting process for all towns without a charter is laid out in Vermont’s state laws. Towns that want to do something different have to seek a change in the law to allow them to do so, and the vehicle for this is a Town Charter. Seventy-three municipali-ties in Vermont are chartered, giving them special authorities appropriate to their circumstances.

At its September 21 meeting the Selectboard agreed to present a charter proposal to be voted on by Charlotte voters at a special election by Australian ballot on November 3 for the purpose of adopt-ing this two-step process for voting our town budget. If the voters approve, I will submit a bill in January to the Legislature for approval of the charter. Quick action

by the Legislature will allow the process to take effect for Town Meeting in March 2016. As of this writing, however, the Selectboard decided to meet on October 7 to consider moving the Australian ballot vote on the charter proposal to Town Meeting Day in March 2016. Doing so would move the implementation date to Town Meeting of 2017.

I support this charter proposal because it will improve the Town Meeting process by enhancing our traditional model of direct democracy—a gem I do not want to lose—by expanding the vote on the town budget to all registered voters of Charlotte.

Mike YantachkaCharlotte

Cadillac copierEditor: I just wanted to make sure

Charlotters read the great article written by Rowan Beck in last week’s Charlotte News: “Board Report: CCS School Board back in session.” If you read about the copier bid section you will realize how the CSSU District does not care about saving us taxpayers money! It is VT state law to take one of the three lowest bids on anything over $15,000. Mr. Mason went with their current company which was the fourth bid and $8,482 more than the lowest bid. (That means they have been over spending the last three years). He then hires a lawyer at our expense ($200/hr) then puts it out for rebid that is due tomorrow with specs that only fit the Canon bid. Our school board works hard to look under every stone to save money and get a balanced budget. It is obvious that the district office does not work under the same standards of trying to get the best deal to save money and therefore not have to cut teachers and our kids’ programs! (This is just copiers... what about fuel, food, buses etc.) So next time you are in CCS or at the district office please ask them why they need a Cadillac copier when a Ford would do!

Jill LoweryCharlotte

Findingpeace on Thompson’s Point (continued)

Gay ReaganCONTRIBUTOR

Editor’s Note: This piece was incompletely published in our last issue, September 24. In the opening portion of her article, Gay describes her early life on Thompson’s Point, arriving with her fmaily as a youngster in 1955. In the following portion she picks up on her life from her teenage years. You can find the complete story on our website at thecharlottenewsvt.wordpress.com.

...Later in our teens we met neigh-boring boys and followed these paths to dance parties or to beaches in front of the cottages. Parents allowed us to have bonfires on the shore and provided beer and soda for us to drink. I look back on the freedom our parents gave us to wander on the paths, enjoy unstructured time and to drive—at sixteen—boats, tractors and cars. Several of the boys in our group of friends worked on neighboring farms and helped with the haying. My first boyfriend lived on a farm on Lake Road. Our social group kept expanding to include teenag-ers from Cedar Beach, Camp Kinlock and Southern Acres—then owned by the Bostwicks. I think many of us felt we were an integral part of the town of Charlotte, attending youth group meetings at the Charlotte Church, helping to produce the first Charlotte News, participating in swimming lessons at the Town Beach, or working at neighboring farms or at Point Bay Marina for Rhodes Bucklin.

Looking back now, it seems to me a simpler time to grow up. There were not the pressures of having meaningful jobs for college applications. Our parents did not appear to worry as much about our safety as we wandered the paths, roads, fields and waters that make up Charlotte. We learned from both the beauty of our surroundings and the supportive community of adults who taught us skills and values while allowing us a lot of independence.

Each summer I return to Thompson’s Point and settle more easily into the value of letting go. I watch the water and the light as it plays on the clouds and moun-tains and listen to the varied silences and noises of the lake. I listen to my neighbors and my own grandchildren playing in the water and watch them learn to swim, dive, paddleboard and fish. Many of them will grow roots on the shores of Lake Champlain that will support them through their lives. As I watch the children I think, “This porch, this place, still brings me a sense of peace.”

Commentary: Hooray for inclusive and participatory democracy!

On September 21, the Selectboard took an important step toward increasing

the participation by townspeople in one of the most important decisions made every year—approving a municipal budget. The Selectboard has scheduled a vote on a Municipal Charter that would call for two votes on the municipal budget: the first vote at Town Meeting following a discussion and any amendments; and a second vote at least 20 days after Town Meeting by Australian ballot. The big decisions made on the Town’s spending would thus follow these steps: In January of each year the five Selectboard members will approve an annual budget to put in front of the voters at Town Meeting; in March, at Town Meeting, 150-450 voters will discuss and vote on the budget, and; in early April, 600-2500 voters will vote the final approval—or disapproval.

What’s not to like?The main arguments I’ve heard have

been:Town Meeting, as we know it, will

be destroyed because of lower turnout because the voters there will not have the final say. (Not true based on my knowl-edge of those who show up. They are there for the discussions, the debate and the atmosphere.)

The voters at Town Meeting are better informed than those who vote by Australian ballot. (Really? I would hope that not many of the thoughtful citizens at Town Meeting would think that there is something wrong if their decision at Town Meeting were overturned by the vote of three times more voters 20 days later. I could be wrong.)

It’s a change from the way the town has operated for 253 years. (A lot has changed in town in 253 years.)

The history. In 2012—as the result of a petition by 5% of the voters—a floor vote was attempted at a special town meeting to go to an Australian ballot for the municipal budget. The vote was tabled before any vote took place—essentially killing the proposal. After that vote, a group of thoughtful and concerned citi-zens formed an informal Town Meeting Solutions Committee to explore a way to increase participation while preserving Town Meeting. The committee did research and developed what I will call a compromise, but in a sense not much of one. Usually a compromise requires

significant concessions by both sides. The committee’s solution—a two-step vote as described above—is the best of both worlds. The group’s proposal was first voted on at Town Meeting 2014 advising the Selectboard to explore a two-step voting method. The Selectboard explored the idea in late Fall of 2014 only to discover that Vermont Statute did not allow for this two step process without the creation of a charter. At Town Meeting 2015 the voters asked the Selectboard to pursue this type of charter. In June, the Selectboard finalized charter language and scheduled hearings and a vote. The first hearing was held on September 14. The second hearing will be on October 26 with the vote on November 3.

A petition to force a charter-based change in the way the Town votes its budget would be by Australian ballot and the voters who stayed home in 2012 would likely vote this time. This two-step method of voting is much better than going to a straight Australian ballot vote. It preserves the essence of Town Meeting while giving more voters—read taxpay-ers—a say in how their tax dollars are spent.

I will heartily vote for the charter on November 3. (Actually, I might vote earlier by absentee ballot.)

Charles RussellCharlotte

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Mini Maker Faire and UTC Aerospace Systems. Engineer Charlie Woodruff donated his time and expertise to mentor the makers. They met once or twice a week beginning in early spring to work on their project.

“I’ve been involved with science and technology education with my employ-ers, first at HP and now IBM, for over 20 years,” Woodruff said. “As an electronics engineer, I’ve always had a natural love of science and technology, and working with kids has always been a fun and educa-tional way—for me as much as them—to share this interest. Over the course of this program, we’ve worked on a variety of activities, such as ‘de-constructing’ elec-tronic toys, working with electronics and textiles, computer programming, small robots, and working with Arduino kits.”

The annual Champlain Mini Maker Faire brings together families and indi-viduals to celebrate the do-it-yourself mindset and showcase a variety of inventive projects. At the Maker Faire, attendees immerse themselves in arts and crafts, science and engineering, and food and music, but the remarkable benefit of the event is that so many smart, creative

people gather to see what they have been working on during the past year.

For these students, the experience provided an outlet for exploration of interests that extend beyond, but build upon, their school curricula. “I have been involved in maker activities since the beginning of last year,” Foley-Cox said. “I wanted to do it because I love science and math and computer programming, but I

wanted to look for learning opportunities outside of school.”

Kaplan has always been interested in understanding how things work and has played with robotics and circuitry for years. He was famous for taking everything apart and trying to reassemble things as a young child, later making small remote controlled toys and solar model cars, or exploring the bits and pieces that make up a laptop computer. His family realized his interest and has supplied him with circuit boards, broken cameras and phones and the like to keep him busy. In 6th and 7th grade he had a mentor at CCS who explored these interests with him, an experience that proved helpful and validating. Having the opportunity to be part of this watercraft project as an outgrowth of the Maker Club has been a fulfilling experience.

“What I liked most about our project,” Kaplan said, “was seeing what we made and worked on for so long actually work!”

Like many immersive projects, the experience of creating a tangible work, collaboratively, from the spark of an idea, has yielded far-reaching benefits in multi-ple areas of these DIYers’ lives.

“Certainly, the most surprising thing I learned,” Woodruff said of his work as mentor to these enterprising students, “was at the Maker Faire itself. Since our

display attracted quite a bit of attention, there were many questions from attendees of all ages and technical background—high school and college students, seniors, children, engineers and scientists. Each of the team members happily explained our project, answered difficult questions, and fielded suggestions and comments. I was really impressed to see how eager and capable the team was to step up and discuss the project on which they’d worked long and hard.”

Boynton agrees that the communica-tive muscles he and his cohorts developed by displaying their work are integral to the educational experience overall. “I learned that to be really successful when pitching an idea,” he said, “you really have to share it with people and get them inspired by it.” For emerging and seasoned makers throughout Vermont, the opportunity to share their work and connect with other enthusiasts allows them to see that though they are “doing it themselves,” they are never alone.

For more information about the Maker Club or other upcoming Maker events at the Charlotte Library, including Tinker Belles, a six-week series during which women working in science and technology give demonstrations and lead hands-on activities, contact the library at 425-3864 or [email protected].

Jack works the remote control while Bay (kneeling) and Thomas (with computer) make adjustments during a test trial in the field. PHOTO: COURTESY

Makercontinued from page 1

use of the speed cart on Greenbush Road, community member Karen Frost said, “I have noticed a remarkable difference in people slowing down on Greenbush as a result of the cart. I think it’s not people’s intention to speed. And when that number flashes up, you see people slowing down.” She continued, “On Ferry Road, where I sit at my desk, I’m absolutely appalled at the speed of people,” referring mainly to out-of-state ferry traffic. She suggested

the speed cart be placed on Ferry Road and the possibility of buying a second cart.

Moe Harvey, a member of the Safety Committee, said that they were already discussing other options but are as yet uncertain what their recommendations will be for the Selectboard. This is largely because the data from the speed cart is incompatible with the operating systems of the computers available at Town Hall.

Town ParTy aT a crossroad

Town Party started in 2000 as an

extension to the annual library book sale. In 2007 Fire and Rescue took over the food. According to Nan Mason and Beth Merritt, members of the Friends of the Charlotte Library board, the party was poorly attended this year. The reasons weren’t immediately clear, but nice weather and a second party at the beach later that same day were of concern.

“We need new blood in this thing,” Nan said. “Beth and I have been doing this for a very long time. Either we go back to a library party and have the book sale, and that’s it, or we need some new ideas to put some life into it.” She continued, saying, “Really it’s up to the Selectboard if the Town Party is something you want to have. It’s not our decision. We’re happy to help send it in a new direction. We could just have our library party.”

Requests for tables has been dwindling also, according to Assistant Town Clerk Christina Booher. The library and the Selectboard would like to gather input from the town about what Town Party should be. (See box.)

The next regular Selectboard meeting is scheduled for October 19 at 7 p.m.

selecTboardcontinued from page 1

Town ParTy’s hoPPin’ or sToPPin’?

Changes are afoot for Town Party in Charlotte and its future rests on you, dear citizen. Do you like Town Party? What would make you more likely to attend? Write us a letter to the editor to [email protected].


1 False – 2, non-registered alarms – 2 (no response)2 Suicide attempt. Trooper responded, performed CPR and was able to bring the person back.

Blanchardcontinued from page 1

The Charlotte beatSome numbers from the Vermont

State Police and its work around the town

Compiled by: Alex Bunten

thing that has happened to you, the most unexpected realization you’ve had during the recording and release process?FB: That I can do this. That I am doing

this. I’m still learning the ropes on so many things, and the music industry has many, many layers to it. I am a different person now than I was last summer when I started recording the album...a year goes by so quickly, and when you’re busy performing and releasing an album, time can fly. I am continually realizing that I’m

doing exactly what I want to be doing, and it is so gratifying.TCN: It’s wonderful that you’re playing

around Vermont and so many people are able to see you live. How does performing live affect the evolution of your music as you move into the recording studio?FB: I’ve been performing a lot more

since recording the album last summer. Before then, I was in school at Boston University and only performed over the summers when I’d come home. That’s what this past year has entailed...along with working a part-time job and making final touches on the songs, I’ve been

pretty consistently performing. I think this practice will influence my next album more. I’m already getting ideas...but I’m going to swim in deux visions for a little while before moving on to the next thing.TCN: What is on the horizon? How

can the people of Charlotte and Vermont support you as you continue to grow as an artist? FB: It always helps to “like” my

Facebook page and spread the word to as many friends and family as you think might enjoy my music. I’ll be going out west in November to perform as the opener for Malaysian R&B singer Yuna’s

U.S. tour, and because we need to cover all of our own expenses, I have been asking people to donate any extra air miles they may have to help us get the four plane tickets to the West Coast we will need for the tour. The band and I could not pass up the amazing opportunity, but touring is expensive (especially across the country!) so we’ll be sleeping on floors and eating scarcely! Any and all donated miles are greatly appreciated.

For more information about Blanchard and her music, visit francescablanchard.com.

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James HydeCONTRIBUTOR

Part 1: “You can observe a lot just by watching.”

Two weeks ago we lost Yogi Berra, a great ball player and a keen observer

of human behavior. One of Yogi’s heralded head-scratchers was his comment that “you can observe a lot just by watching.” In fact, however, this is an elegant descrip-tion of epidemiology, the basic science of public health. Epidemiology is the study of the patterns and distribution of disease and illness and their antecedents in human

populations. It is an observational science. By observing, for exam-ple, a dramatic decrease in dental cavities among people drinking water with naturally occurring fluoride, we discovered the impor-tance of fluoride in reducing dental disease.

People are often understand-ably frustrated by public health scientists’ failure to identify causal links between certain factors and illnesses in the face of seemingly overwhelming “circumstantial” evidence. To name just a few, think for a moment about ALS (Lou Gehrig disease) and military service in Iraq and Afghanistan, GMO’s and adverse health outcomes, EMF (electromagnetic field exposure) and cancer—all of which have been characterized as cause and effect in the popular media. And none of which is scientifically proven.

For us to be able to interpret and think critically about the deluge of health information we receive, we need to understand a bit about the strengths and weaknesses of modern epidemiologic methods. Much of this may sound like rocket science. It is not.

The word “epidemiology” comes from Greek. It literally means the study (ology) of events around (epi) people (demos). Its goal is to identify patterns of disease and illness in people who may share certain characteristics versus those who do not, for exam-ple, by looking for disease patterns in smokers versus non-smokers. The goal is to understand causes.

However, just because a certain factor may be present in a group with an illness and not present in those who are healthy

does not mean the factor is a “causal” one. For example, increasing age is associated with the risk of dying, but age is not a cause of death. Rather, age is associated with conditions—heart attack, stroke—that often do result in death. So the first thing to remember in reading about any study is that “associations” should not be assumed to be “causal.”

Good researchers and scientists are very careful about this distinction. Social media, TV and newspa-pers (The Charlotte News excepted) not so much.

In the search for causes of disease and illness we are often forced for ethical reasons to study “free range” human beings, which can lead to all sorts of false conclusions. To illustrate this, consider a hypothetical study examining the relationship between cell-phone use and head and neck cancer. Because people have wildly different patterns of cell-phone use in terms of minutes used per day, use of “hands-free” devices and type of phone, not everyone will have the same exposure intensity. Subjects may also be exposed to many things in the course of their day that are known risk factors for the development of head and neck cancers: smoking, work-place chemicals, x-rays, etc. Quantifying all of these factors and taking them into account in the design of studies and analysis of data is a daunting task. In addition, studies like this require that we rely on participants for information about their history of cell-phone use. Since most people cannot recall even what they ate for lunch two days ago, obtaining reliable information is extremely difficult.

A key component of observational studies is to include subjects who are as alike as possible in ways other than, for example, their exposure to cell-phone radiation. Where could you possibly find such a group in the U.S. today? Perhaps one could recruit subjects in a socially or culturally isolated community such as the Amish. In that case, however, our comparison group would hardly meet the standard of comparability in terms of other lifestyle behaviors.

A further complication is that many of the diseases and illnesses we may want to study—cancers, heart disease, diabetes, lower back pain—take a long time to develop. As a consequence, observational studies require years of follow-up before a sufficient number of cases of a disease occur and can be studied. The rarer the disease or outcome, the larger the study population must be and the longer the wait

for results. (Since time is money, this has a profound impact on cost.) This would certainly be a serious problem in our hypothetical cell-phone study.

There is also the issue of sample selec-tion. Since we cannot study everyone with a cell phone, we must choose a sample of people for study. Whom we choose and

how we choose them are critical. We can’t choose people who are too young or we will have to wait too long to observe cases of disease. We can’t choose people who are too old since many of them will have had a lifetime of exposures—even before cell phones were in use—that could explain the diseases we observe. But mainly we need to choose a sample that is large enough so we will be able to observe reasonably rare events, such as head and neck cancers, as they

occur over time. All other things being equal, we want the largest and most repre-sentative sample we can afford to recruit and follow.

Finally, it is not unusual for studies to be reported in which researchers fail to find an association between an exposure (cell phones) and an outcome (head and neck cancers). This may result from there being no association to find or from a defect in the design of the study itself. In my expe-rience, the failure to employ a sufficiently large sample size to find the proverbial “needle in the haystack” is almost always the dominant source of error.

Most of this discussion has focused on what can go wrong in searching for causes. However, in my lifetime many findings from observational studies have fundamentally changed medical and public health practice, for example in the treatment of blood pressure, the role of diet and exercise, and the treatment of gastric ulcer. The list goes on and on. But what this experience also teaches us is that we must think critically about new data and information and carefully consider possi-ble sources of error. A corollary to this is that we should never accept the results of a single study. Perhaps the researchers missed something or, alternatively, saw something that wasn’t there.

In the next installment, I will discuss experimental studies that offer a powerful method of avoiding some of the pitfalls just discussed.

James Hyde lives in Charlotte and is emeritus associate professor of public health at the Tufts University School of Medicine. This is the first in a series of three columns helping readers to think critically about health research studies.

The science of epidemiology

Jim Hyde

Lights Out Vermont: a celebration of family and a tribute to nature

October ushers in the season of busy days and shorter nights. On Saturday, October 17, the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum and Dorilee LeBlanc of Shelburne—Mrs. Vermont America 2015—will encourage everyone in the state to slow down a little and remember what’s important. Lights Out Vermont is an initiative to turn off the lights, tele-vision, video games and computers and return to a time before electricity.

Why?“Pausing in our immersion in tech-

nology is essential, nowadays especially. It’s healthy for us to spend less time in front of a screen or to take a break from artificial light to connect us in a different

way,” LeBlanc said.The initiative, LeBlanc says, has a

practical benefit too: saving money. Collectively, Vermonters can save thousands of dollars in electricity by unplugging for just one night. In lieu of 21st century watt-generating diversions, Lights Out Vermont families can enjoy a night of good, old-time family entertain-ment. They will gather in candlelight to play cards, dominoes, checkers, board games and charades, and to share stories and check out the night stars.

Ethan Allen Homestead Museum and Dorilee LeBlanc, Mrs. Vermont America, look forward to hearing all about the ways you connected without technology during the first annual Lights Out Vermont initiative. When you plug back in, drop them a line at [email protected].

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Changing colors, changing ribbonsAutumn’s focus on women’s health


As the calendar flipped from September to October, the large teal ribbons that draped utility poles throughout Charlotte and five other surrounding towns were packed away by Hinesburg’s Melody Danaher and her crew of dedicated volun-teers, as they wrapped up their annual campaign to raise awareness for ovarian cancer. Part of a national campaign, Turn The Towns Teal® promotes awareness of the disease and its often subtle symptoms, which can sometimes present as signs of menopause.

Danaher’s important work, begun in September 2013 during National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, has been inte-gral in bringing to light a cancer that is one of the most difficult to detect. In addi-tion to hanging the teal ribbons, Danaher and her team handed out symptom cards in town centers and encouraged regular checkups to ensure early diagnosis.

During October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the public has the opportunity to learn more about how early diagnosis is a key factor in surviving breast cancer as well as ovarian cancer. In fact, if breast cancer is detected early, there is a 98 percent chance for a cure.

Begun in 1985, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign orga-nized by major breast cancer charities to bolster

awareness of the disease and raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

Women older than 40 should discuss their risk factors for developing breast cancer with their primary care provider and tailor their screening according to their risk and personal preferences. Women who are younger than 40 and have risk factors for breast cancer should discuss these risk factors with their health care provider to determine whether screening mammograms are appropriate for them and how often to have them.

Through the campaign’s website, people can create an early detection plan and encourage others to do the same, pore through a trove of educational resources,

and find out ways to organize fundraisers to help provide mammograms for women in need.

For more information on Ovarian Cancer and its symp-toms, and to learn about efforts to educate the public, visit turnthetownsteal.org.

For more information about Breast Cancer and the national campaign to spread awareness, visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month.

Breast CanCer in Vermont

• Breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among women.

• In Vermont, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, averaging 473 new cases each year.

• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. Each year in Vermont, approximately 92 women die from breast cancer.

• In Vermont, 63% of breast cancers are diagnosed at the localized (early) stage.

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If you have seen the whereabouts of your locallyowned propane dealer, by all means let us know. Why, you might ask? Because so many in northern Vermont(except us!) have sold out to out-of-state corporations. The friendly local propane company you once knew is now controlled by out-of-state managers who probably know (or care) little about you or your heating and propane fuel needs.

Not so at Patterson Fuels! Our team of well trainedexperts are managed by folks who own the company and live right here in Charlotte. They know what yourneeds are and what it takes to ensure your complete satisfaction.

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Unter der/den Linden

Larry HamiltonTREE WARDEN | CONTRIBUTOR

This tree warden essay is motivated both by the amazingly large production of seeds this fall—dropped under the linden or basswood here in Charlotte—and by a September sojourn in Europe. In Western Europe in particular, I was impressed by the high regard and care for the wonderful linden shade trees, widely planted in both urban and rural areas. The German poem “Unter der Linden” speaks of this. Unter den Linden is the name of the most famous street in Berlin. These two species, American basswood and European linden, are members of the same genus, Tilia. Many people here do call our bass-wood American linden, an acceptable alternate name. Other names include wigebimez (Abenaki), lime (if you have English background) and whitewood.

In Europe the linden is a commonly

planted street tree and shade tree. Where new secondary roads are widened or constructed, great care is usually taken to preserve older specimens, such as dividing the road to leave them standing in the middle. Ancient lore in Estonia regards the linden as a sacred tree. In France, lindens often served as “trees of justice” under which magistrates gave rulings. Beneath linden trees, lovers met and elders rested in the shade.

Two species of European linden are widely planted as urban shade trees in the United States. You will see many in Burlington. Here in Vermont, basswood is a common forest tree and among the most easily identified by people. The large 4-5 inches wide, heart-shaped, toothed leaves in summer and the fat reddish lopsided, mucilaginous buds in fall are reliable indi-cators. And the seed is quite remarkable in that the nutlets hang down vertically on stalks in clusters of 3-5 inches from a blade-like modified leaf. (See photo below.) Commonly there are three of these round nutlets, resembling the three-ball traditional sign of a pawnbroker’s shop. The leaf-like attachment acts somewhat like a helicopter blade to aid in seed dispersal away from the parent tree. This year they were super-abundant beneath the linden.

The uses of basswood are many and rather unique. The creamy yellow flow-ers are extremely attractive to honey bees, and basswood honey is sometimes specially marketed for its full taste. The wood is light in weight and color, low in strength, easily worked and carved, and tasteless. This makes it valuable for wooden food containers, such as boxes for apples or butter, and for enclosing honey-comb. It was a favorite mask-carving wood for the Iroquois, who often carved it on the living trunk and then split it off. All eastern Native Americans used the inner bark for making rope and thongs, and strips for sewing birch bark for canoes or containers. A modern industrial use is as core stock for veneer. It is low quality firewood. The young small leaves in spring are a fine salad ingredient. Many forms of wildlife use it. Basswood buds

are highly selected by grouse. The nutlets are consumed by flying squirrels, chipmunks, deer mice and ground squirrels. The trees, with advancing age, often become hollow due to decay of the soft wood, and are often good dens for owls, raccoons, squir-rels, woodpeckers, wood ducks and, if large enough, even bears. It is a preferred browse for deer.

Yes, often under appreciated by many landowners, basswood or linden has a lot going for it.

Linda Hamilton and esteemed Swiss mountain scientist Dr. Bruno Messerli relaxing last month under a churchyard tree in the village of Ernen, Switzerland. PHOTO: LARRY HAMILTON

The basswood seed is quite remarkable in that the nutlets hang down vertically on stalks in clusters of 3-5 inches from a blade-like modified leaf.

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The Charlotte News Recipe Box

EditEd by Ruah SwEnnERfElt

Lakewood Commons • Shelburne RoadSo. Burlington, VT • 802.860.2802

M-W 10-6, Th-F 10-8, Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5www.sportstylevt.com • @sportstylevt

Ethel Atkins’ Zucchini or Squash or Pumpkin BreadFrom the recipe box of Betty Manning, submitted by Heather Manning.

Vegetable must be peeled, cubed, boiled then mashed.IngredIents:4 eggs1 cup oil (of your choosing)1 cup sugar1 cup zucchini, squash or pumpkin2 teaspoons vanilla¾ cup honey3 cups flour1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powder3 teaspoons cinnamon1½ cups nuts (optional)Mix all ingredients and bake in 325-degree oven for one hour.

“This recipe was among many in the recipe box of my husband Buddy’s grand-mother, Elizabeth (Betty) Wight Manning. “Granny” was a neighbor to Ethel Atkins on Greenbush Road from the mid-1970s until her passing in 2001. Ethel Atkins may have shared this recipe with Betty after one of the many “Summer Block Parties.”

Granny’s recipe box was passed on to me by my father-in-law, Wight Manning, when Betty’s estate was being settled. Just recently Buddy and I were going through the recipe box. He was pleased to recog-nize many names from Thompson’s Point where the Wight/Manning family owned a cottage and summered since the Point was established in the early 1900s. Buddy has many, many fond childhood memories at the Point and each name on a recipe card fostered a wonderful story of that person or family.”


Tom Baginski of Charlotte constructed a two-foot-tall by four-foot-wide hummingbird out of white packing foam, glue, Bondo, and paint for the 2015 South End Art Hop. “That foam comes with everything these days,” he said, “but you can’t recycle the stuff!” Baginski decided to make something out of it instead—something that can withstand the elements and turn heads. It was displayed at 4 Howard Street, where Baginski has taught art for the past five years, during Art Hop , but his creation is in search of a forever home. To catch a glimpse of it, contact Baginski at [email protected].

Puzzles

Across1. Young salmon

6. Kisser

10. Droops

14. Lowest point

15. ___ believer

16. Small gull

17. 1952 novel, with The

20. Split

21. Rowboat adjunct

22. Not too brainy

25. ___ Rebellion of 1857-59

26. Twisted

30. Hoodlum

32. Fuse

35. Sniff out

41. Author of 17 and 63 Across

43. Meager

44. Broad view

45. Square

47. Che or gen followers

48. Item with a ladder

53. Pastoral poems (var.)

56. Wheels for mom

58. Lest

63. 1929 novel

66. Cost of living?

67. Ashtabula’s lake

68. Exhaust

69. Deuce topper

70. Turned blue, maybe

71. Interesting

Down1. Prig

2. French Sudan, today

3. Betting data

4. Beer garnish

5. ___ housing

6. “Harper Valley ___”

7. Ashes holder

8. Logic game

9. “La Scala di ___” (Rossini

opera)

10. Inscribed stone

11. Greek moralist

12. Artist, with El

13. Sinuous

18. ___ degree

19. “48___”

23. Yen

24. Sang like a canary

26. Scores high

27. Do the trick

28. Doctor Who villainess, with

The

29. Big bang matter

31. Beam

33. Sixth sense

34. Peeper problem

36. “Walking on Thin Ice” singer

37. Shrek, e.g.

38. Holiday opener

39. Weak

40. Young falcon

42. Lots

46. Napa Valley area

48. Sting

49. Certain inmate

50. Empty

51. Kind of pool

52. “Give It To You” rapper

54. Illuminated

55. Muzzle

57. Blown away

59. Hombre’s home

60. “Iliad” warrior

61. Blue books?

62. See

64. Go horizontal

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

“The price one pays for pursuing any profession or calling is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side.”~ James Baldwin (1924–1987)

The supermoon, lunar eclipse started at roughly 8:30 p.m. (left) on September 27. The first shot in the sequence is to the left. Each shot is labeled with the time it was taken. PHOTOS: ROGER BINKERD

8:30 p.m.9:10 p.m.

9:30 p.m.

9:47 p.m.

10:13 p.m.


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In case you missed the outra-geous lunar event on September 27—a supermoon and full lunar eclipse—Charlotter Roger Binkerd was courteous enough to capture it all for you from Hills Point Road in Charlotte.

Binkerd wrote that “The ‘red moon’ was the hardest to ‘shoot,’ by far, due to the low energy long

wavelength: Hard to focus with the low visibility and required a much longer exposure time which introduced more distortion.”

Binkerd is an amateur photog-rapher and said of the event, “Last night was a gift from God. I just showed up.”

All photos copyright Roger Binkerd. To see more

photos, check out his website: goo.gl/9gXeVD.

The Charlotte News loves to feature local photographers both in the paper and on our new website. Send us your best shots, Charlotte! Email us at [email protected].

Roger Binkerd captures the supermoon in Charlotte

11:32 p.m. September 27, 2015. PHOTO: ROGER BINKERD

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SportsWood Trail Run highlights CVU cross-country teams

CVU men’s and women’s cross-coun-try teams were one of only three Vermont high school squads to finish in the top 10 in the recent Wood Trail Runs at Thetford Academy. Twenty other squads from Vermont finished behind the top 10 for both girls and boys. Charlotte’s Sophia Gorman led Redhawk girls with a fifth-place finish, just 24 seconds behind the winner from New Hampshire. Another Charlotte runner, Meara Heininger, placed 41st, still less than two minutes behind the winner.

Tyler Marshall’s seventh place for the boys brought CVU into fourth place. Calvin McClellan and Baxter Bishop also finished in the top 40, slightly over a minute and a half behind the Connecticut winner.

On September 24, the CVU women led a stream of red across the finish line as nine out of the top 10 individual finishers were Redhawks over a 2.3 mile course at Red Rocks Park, Burlington. The men were almost as successful individually as

they placed sixth among the top 10 and beat South Burlington as a team by 14 points.

St. Johnsbury Academy and Colchester tip their helmets to CVU

The Redhawk football team traveled to the “Kingdom” where they were unwelcome visitors, beating St. J. by 36 points, 49–13. Quarterback Andrew Bortnick’s passing proved to be a domi-nant factor as he hit Sam Mikell, Kyle Hinsdale and Charlotte’s Rich Lowrey with touchdown passes. Lowrey and Jacob Griggs also ran for TDs.

Braven Bose ran for 105 yards on 13 carries against Colchester, leading CVU to a hard-fought 19-14 win. He scored two touchdowns, and Nick Kinneston went over from a yard out to seal it. The

Redhawks now stand at 4-2 for the season with Mount Anthony at home coming up on Saturday, October 10, followed by Middlebury the following week.

Soccer soars as well

Two more shutouts for the women’s soccer team leave them at 7-1 for the season. It goes to show

what a loss several games prior will do to a championship bunch—make them hunger for victory. Defense! Defense! Defense!

Jackie Casson had two goals and Leah Gagliuso scored one in a 3-0 win over North Country. And, although standing scoreless through one half, the Redhawks came back with goals by Sierra Morton and Ali Bisaccia for a 2-0 victory over Mount Mansfield. Charlotte’s Catherine Cazayoux had a goal and an assist against BFA-St. Albans, whom CVU held score-less in a 3-0 shutout.

Three more victories keep the men’s soccer slate clean at 10-0 so far this season. North Country (6-0), St. Johnsbury (2-1) and BFA-St. Albans (3-0) were the latest victims. Midfielders Cooper O’Connell and Nate Coffin along with Joe Parento found the back of the net against St. Albans. O’Connell provided the go-ahead tally in the middle of the second half against St. J., and six separate Redhawks scored for the six-goal shutout of North Country.

Field hockey stays in the race

Two wins, one loss and a tie since our last publication, and the CVU field hockey team manages to maintain its position among the tougher teams in the state. Having Allie and Jamie Pashby-Rockwood up front and Tashia Pashby-Rockwood in the goal has helped the Redhawks sustain their spot. Tashia earned a 4-0 shutout of Burlington on October 2 with Allie and three others scoring goals. Jamie was the goal-scor-er in a 1-1 tie with Essex, and Kate Machavern scored within the first minute of the game, giving CVU an opportunity to hang on for the 1-0 victory over Mt. Mansfield. Losing 1-0 to Mt. Abraham, Tashia’s save numbers showed the close-ness of the game, as she was called upon for six stops to the Mt. Abe goalie’s five.

Rooney Castle runs and pedals the Austrian Alps

The end of August saw the world cham-pionships of the Ironman 70.3 triathlon at Zell am See-Kapun, Austria—not far from Salzburg. Charlotte’s Rooney Castle was in the top portion of the pack. Participants had to qualify for the event over the course of a year’s races. Five thousand did. Rooney finished 64th in his class and 367th overall, with the winner coming from Germany.

Edd MerrittSports Roundup

Mason Cohn of Charlotte fights for a pass against Colchester on October 10. PHOTO: VTSPORTSIMAGES.COM

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Bradley CarletonCONTRIBUTOR

Outside my den, I can hear the cold rain splintering like glass against the window on the north side of the house. Occasionally, even though it is late at night, car wheels slosh by on the paved road that extends from Burlington to our humble suburban cape, winding its way south and west to the lake.

A full moon two nights ago ushered in wave after wave of cackling migrators to the swamps now flush with decay-ing aquatic vegetation. The lake depths have begun to turn over, and from the surface now a thick fragrance of sweet gases are released, drifting inland on the northwest winds.

The old wooden boat, a Barnegat-style sneak craft, sits on the trailer in the driveway, already hooked up and ready to depart at a moment’s notice.

The weather radio is crackling on top of the old cherry roll-top desk and is looping the NOAA forecast for 10-15 knot winds with temperatures dipping by noon. This means a cold snap could bring in more birds from across the border.

I doze off on the couch under

the painting of Windswept Canvasbacks by Jim Killen, a prize won at a Ducks Unlimited banquet years ago. It seems like minutes, but when I look at the old wooden clock on the wall it’s 3:30 a.m. As I rise from my deep slumber, a pair of headlights sweeps across the driveway.

He’s half an hour early again. My hunting partner, John Lesher of Burlington, is the kind of guy you can trust with your life and is always at least half an hour early for anything to do with hunting or fishing.

I greet my old friend at the door, rain dripping off the eaves and bouncing off his signature waxed baseball cap.

“Forecast looks good,” he proclaims in his understated manner.

“Ahyut,” I answer in my best Vermont accent.

“Ya’ ready?”“You bat you!” I reply, stealing

a line from Gordon MacQuarrie, one of our favorite outdoor writers.

As we roll out of the driveway, I spot the first flicker of white slop as it smacks the windshield of my pickup. We will drive slowly to the access to avoid side-slipping the trailer like I did once many years ago.

We arrive unscathed at the access. Within minutes motors are choking to life and the smell of outboard exhaust is blown away in the blustery wind. Navigation lights give off a comforting yellow glow in the stern and a warm green/red on the bow.

We crouch down inside our blinds to escape the breeze and the spray of foamy waves as we cross the bay to our hole in the woods at the confluence of two streams.

Arriving at the blind still in the dark, we are greeted by what seem to be hundreds of roosting birds, which flush up into the murky sky in waves of raucous quacks and squeals. We dismount from our boats, and, breaking the silence that now surrounds us, I grin and excitedly speak, “That was quite a show! Look at all the feathers on the water!”

“Ahyut,” John replies, making me feel kind of silly.

We climb into the blind and get his dog, Remi, onto the dog platform, surrounded by his own little canine blind of cattails. After some French-roast coffee with cardamom, pepper and cinnamon, we stand in the darkness listening to the sound of whistling wings all around us. We can hear teal ripping through the spread of decoys and mallards moaning a raspy “Jeeessh” overhead.

To our east, the light begins to painstakingly seep through the heavy steel clouds. “Three minutes to legal,” John says. It amazes me how every true

waterfowler can tell you the exact time of half an hour before sunrise on any given day during the season. John is no exception.

The three minutes pass slowly.“Birds in the decoys,” I

whisper, as three migrating greenwing teal swing in from the south.

“Ready? John asks. “Ahyut,” I reply with a grin on

my face. We rise in unison and thus

begins another day of revelry in the life of a waterfowler.

Bradley Carleton is the founder of and executive director of sacredhunter.org, a nonprofit organization devoted to exploring the spiritual connection of man to nature through hunting, fishing and foraging. Sacred Hunter is also the fund-raising arm of Traditions Outdoor Mentoring, traditionsoutdoormentoring.org, which teaches at-risk youth respect and empathy through bimonthly hunting and fishing expeditions.

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Charlotte Library news

Margaret Woodruff DIRECTOR | CONTRIBUTOR

Upcoming at the Charlotte Library

Saturday, October 3, 10:30 a.m. Seed Saving WorkShop. Master Gardener Joan Weed shares her techniques and tips for keeping seeds healthy and viable for next spring’s planting. Join us, with seeds or without.

Beginning October 6: It’s Time for Story Time!

preSchool lunch Bunch, Tuesdays 12:15–1:15 p.m. Join us for a fun-filled hour at the library with books, poems, songs and crafts. Please bring a packed lunch. (Preschool story hour is designed for children ages 3 to 5 who can quietly enjoy a story time setting with or without a guardian.)

early elementary Story time (kindergarten and 1st grade), Tuesdays 3:15–4:15 p.m. Extend the school day with an hour at the library enjoying books, songs, poems and crafts. Light snack provided. Students can ride the blue bus to the library.

Monday, October 12, 10 a.m. myStery Book group: an unkindneSS of ravenS. The 13th outing for Ruth Rendell’s Inspector Wexford, this novel is consid-ered one of the best in the series. Copies are available to check out at the circulation desk.

Tuesday, October 13, 7 p.m. Book making WorkShop. Book Arts Guild artist Marcia Vogler shares the steps for creating your own special journal. Using recycled and re-purposed materials, learn how to make a three-section book. You will walk away with a small completed book model and ideas for many more.

Wednesdays, October 14 to November 18, 3:15–4:15 p.m. tinker BelleS afterSchool program. See how women are putting S.T.E.A.M. into action on the job. Each week a guest mentor will

lead kids in a hands-on project related to their work. Topics include CSI with the FBI, extracting digestible DNA, and coding the digital world. For 3rd - 5th graders. Registration required. Call 425-3864 or email [email protected].

Wednesday, October 14 and alternate Wednesdays thereafter, 5 p.m. liBrary knitterS. Join us to knit, chat, and compare fiber notes. Bring a project or we can provide needles and wool to get you started.

Thursday, October 15, 7:30 p.m. Book group diScuSSion of the prime of miSS Jean Brodie. Copies of Muriel Spark’s novel are available at the circulation desk.

Wednesday, October 21, 7 p.m. Strategic planning for college. Dr. Roberta Tansman, former college admissions officer, presents the steps and strategies to get teens ready for applying to college. Recommended for teens 9th grade and up together with parents.

Thursday, October 22, 7–9:30 p.m. movie: the prime of miSS Jean Brodie. A follow-up from the book discussion. neW liBrary regiStration for Juve-nileS: In keeping with recommenda-tions from the Vermont Department of Libraries, the Charlotte Library will issue juvenile library cards beginning September 1, 2015. New patrons 15 years and under will fill out a special registra-tion card. Current library users, please look for communication from us regard-ing juvenile birth dates so we can update our records. If you have any questions,

please give us a call: 425-3864. log-in change for liBrary accountS:

Access your library account at our website charlottepubliclibrary.org. Under the “my account” tab select “renew or place a hold.”

uSername: your full library card number: ex: 2V65A0000000000.

paSSWord: your last name (first letter capital, then lower case): ex: Woodruff.

liBrary Board memBerS: Emily Ferris, Dorrice Hammer, Nan Mason, Danielle Menk, Jonathan Silverman.

Library Hours

Mon, Wed: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.Tues, Thurs, Fri: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sat: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Website charlottepubliclibrary.org

The Lewis Creek Association celebrates 25 years

The Lewis Creek Association will hold its annual party and celebrate its 25th birthday on October 17 from 3–6 p.m. at Last Resort Farm in Monkton. In light rain or shine, revelers will gather under a big tent to enjoy Monkton’s exquisite fall pastoral landscape and the Last Resort Farm’s fruit and veggie fields. Attendees are invited to bring a dish to share, enjoy delicious local foods, birthday cake, and celebrate with friends and neighbors.

For the past 25 years, the LCA has been carrying out its mission to protect, main-tain and restore ecological health while promoting social values that support sustainable community development in the Lewis Creek watershed region and Vermont. With a volunteer board and a part-time paid consultant, the LCA offers educational and monitoring programs involving hundreds of volunteers, facili-tates the conservation of riparian habitat, and re-vegetates the Lewis Creek stream bank.

During the event, LCA, special guests, and volunteers will provide some exciting updates and seek input from the public. A few highlights and plans for 2016 include: • Continuing to expand geographic

reach to LaPlatte and direct-to-lake tributaries

• Assessing how well the 2013-2014 Pond Brook water quality projects held up to the heavy June rains

• Installation of the Monkton wildlife underpasses is underway in time for the fall amphibian migration

• The three-town “Ahead of the Storm” Flood Resiliency Project has hit the ground running with big plans for 2016

For more information, contact Marty Illick at [email protected] or at (802) 425-2002 or by visiting www.lewiscreek.org.

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transforming into the unlikely Bette Davis from the play Me and Jezebel right before your very eyes. What was slated to be a two- or three-week gig ran off and on for three years in three different theaters and garnered Walton several award nominations and the SAMMY Award for best actor. Blake Walton, who comes to us by way of his family ties to Vermont, currently lives and works in New York City.

Oct. 21: Flu clinic with the VnAThe requirements for receiving a shot

at this clinic are being 18 years of age or older and having Medicare B, a Medicaid card, BC/BS, MVP or $41 in cash or check.

bird watching. Please register for this event; if we have to change the date due to bird migration or weather, we will call you. No fee.

Elizabeth Llewellyn returns this fall on Thursday mornings from 10–11:30 a.m. to lead a DrAwing with Pen AnD ink class. Dates: October 29, November 5, 12 and 19. Ink is a wonderfully flexible drawing medium that has been popular for centuries. In this beginner class we will practice the different types of marks that can be applied to paper using ink. Using different texturing techniques—contour lines, parallel lines, cross-hatching, stip-pling and scumbling—students will draw a variety of subjects. All skill levels are welcome. Please bring a sketchbook and ink pen to the first class. Registration necessary. Limit 10. Fee: $75.

hAVe Fun with PAstels! Let your creativity loose as you learn helpful tech-niques to make colorful paintings with Shirley Reid-Thompson on Thursdays from 1–3:30 p.m. Dates: October 29, November 5, 12 and 19. The workshop will help you organize the composition of your paintings and use color to enhance your work. All levels of skill are welcome. We will work from real life set-ups, except for one afternoon when we will use photo-graphs. Please call Shirley (860-0666) for a materials list. Registration necessary. Limit 10. Fee: $100.

A cOllectiOn OF lectures, PerFOrmAnces AnD sPeciAl eVents shOwcAsing the DiVerse interests OF Our cOmmunity

Wednesday afternoons beginning at 1 p.m. No registration or fee.

Oct. 14: he’s gOt Bette DAVis eyes, with BlAke wAltOn

Blake Walton, award-winning actor, playwright, director, teacher and coach, will revive his “Becoming Bette,”

The Café MenumOnDAy, OctOBer 12

Savory pumpkin soupGreen salad with roasted butternut squash and candied pecansHomemade pear dessert

weDnesDAy, OctOBer 14Mulligatawny stewHomemade dessert

mOnDAy, OctOBer 19 Moroccan lentil soup Green saladDessert surprise

weDnesDAy, OctOBer 21Spinach and mushroom lasagnaHomemade dessert

Senior luncheons are held every Wednesday at noon. Advance reservations are necessary and can be made by calling the Senior Center at 425-6345. Our Monday lunch is served beginning at 11:30 a.m.; reservations are not required. A $4 donation is requested.

Charlotte Senior Center

After a lovely lunch at the Red Mill, a happily stuffed boatload of folks departs Basin Harbor for the last trip of this season. A special thank you to Al and Nancy Martin from everyone at the Senior Center for 13 years of sharing their time and talents with us! PHOTO: COURTESY

Business Directory

See. Be seen. Be seen advertising with The Charlot te News. Ca l l or ema i l for a r at e she e t | 8 02 - 343 - 0279 | ad s @char lo t t enews v t . com

Mary RecchiaACTIVITIES DIRECTOR | CONTRIBUTOR

Join Jim Lovejoy on Monday, October 5, from 1–3 p.m. for another afternoon of POetry reADing. Building on the fun and excitement that has developed with the Poem in Your Pocket readings over the years, this after-lunch poetry bonanza allows everyone to listen, read, write and share a love of language. No fee.

The last FAll hike in the chAmPlAin VAlley with Marty Morrissey will be on Tuesday, October 13, when we will head to Blueberry Ridge in Essex Junction. Please bring water, food and good hiking or walking shoes for departure from the Senior Center at 9 a.m. Registration required. No fee.

We will be showing the 2015 DOcumentAry FeAture OscAr nOminees on Tuesdays from 1–3 p.m. on October 13, 20 and 27 and November 3 and 10. From over 100 films, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences chose 15, and the red carpet was rolled out last February for the final five films. While the outcome is history, you can be the judge this fall as we show all five final nominees for your enjoyment. Will our Oscar vote go to Citizenfour, Finding Vivian Maier, Last Days in Vietnam, Virunga, or The Salt of the Earth? Registration required. No fee.

Join Hank Kaestner on Wednesday, October 14, for another BirDing exPeDitiOn as we close in on our goal to record 100 species of birds in one year. Meet at the Senior Center a little before 9 a.m. so we can carpool together to the location Hank has scouted for spectacular

Don’T forgeT ThaT The Senior CenTer will hoST a reD CroSS BlooD Drive on

oCToBer 8 froM 2–7 p.M.

Chris von Trapp, REALTOR®

[email protected]

(802) 343-4591

www.ChrisvonTrapp.com

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Book review: Poldark

Georgia EdwardsCONTRIBUTOR

Masterpiece Theater aired the series, “Poldark,” this past summer to critical acclaim and appreciative viewers. The BBC production is faithfully based upon Winston Graham’s 12 Novels of Cornwall family saga. Season one covers the first two books: Ross Poldark and Demelza.

Graham’s inspiring tale is set on the windswept Cornish coast in late 18th century England. Captain Ross Poldark returns to Cornwall after three years of fighting in the American Revolutionary War to find that his father is deceased, his home overrun by livestock and drunken servants, and the woman he loves engaged to his cousin. England is in a serious recession, but Ross is deter-mined to stay at Nampara, his family home, and bring its copper mine back into productivity.

Ross Poldark is an iconic hero who rivals Henry Darcy or Edward Rochester. He is handsome, rebellious and brooding. A man of contradictions, Ross is honest and loyal but not always diplomatic. He is part of the landed gentry but often thumbs his nose at the aristocracy. He is capable of great kindness, but his impulsiveness and proletariat views often land him in trouble. Sympathy for the destitute leads him to rescue 13-year-old Demelza Carne from her violent father and employ her as a serving maid. This act will alter the course of his life.

Demelza plays an equally important role in the novels. She is not a typical 18th century heroine. When rescued, she is a street urchin, dressed in boys clothing. Five years later, she evolves into a young woman who is a bit rough around the edges but whose liveliness, resourcefulness and caring win Ross’s love. Theirs is not a perfect marriage—his lost love, Elizabeth, will continue to haunt their relationship. Demelza retains an

enterprising spirit, generosity and disarm-ing spontaneity despite life’s challenges.

The 12 Poldark books were written between 1945 and 2002. Winston Graham died one year after the last novel was published. They have never gone out of print and remain timeless and memo-rable. The books’ greatest strengths are Graham’s characterizations, which are many and varied, and his dialogues. The writing is fast paced, engaging and descriptive. He frequently conveys the roughness and beauty of Cornwall:

“Looking east, upon Hendrawna Beach, the sea was very calm today: a smokey grey with here and there patches of violet and living, moving green.”

History buffs will appreciate Graham’s meticulous research. The Poldark novels are about money, or the lack of it, and the shifting fortunes and social standing of the ruling and lower classes. The books are suffused with plenty of swash and

buckle: adventure, humor, tragedy and passion. The unforgettable characters span loves, lives and generations. It is storytelling at its very best.

For those who have not heard about the Poldark saga or for those who would like to re-visit it, the Charlotte Library now has the first two books, as well as the season one DVD, in its collection.

Morse's

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Jim Morse is a former Vermont Supreme Court Justice living in Charlotte. Find more of his Doodles & Jots in his book, available at the Flying Pig Bookstore or online at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or Red Barn Books.


Come get your spooky on at The Old Lantern 3260 Greenbush Road, Charlotte

Mahana Magic Supports kids whose parent or adult care giver has cancer.For more information go to www.mahanamagic.org

Kid’s Haunted House EventFundraiser Hosted by the Mahana Magic Foundation

Wednesday, October 28th

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Community Events Public MeetingsSeptember 24-September October 8

Selectboard: Oct. 19, 7 p.m.Planning Commission: Oct. 15, 7 p.m.; Oct. 22, 7 p.m.CCS School Board: Oct. 20, 7 p.m.CVU School Board: Oct. 20, 7 p.m.Zoning Board: Oct. 14, 7 p.m.Conservation Commission: None

Meeting times are subject to change. Check the town website for more info: charlottevt.org

Have your say

| Selectboard MeMberS |

Chair, Lane Morrison, 425-2495 Matthew Krasnow, 922-2153Carrie Spear, 425-4444Jacob Spell, 425-6548Fritz Tegatz, 425-5564

Selectboard Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. If you would like to bring an issue to the attention of the Selectboard, contact the board chair or admin-istrator Dean Bloch at 425-3071, ext. 205.

| ccS School board |

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

| cVU School board-charlotte |

Lorna Jimerson, [email protected] Jaunich, [email protected]

| Planning coMMiSSion |

Administrator, Jeannine McCrumb,425-3071; [email protected], Jeffrey McDonald, 425-4429 Vice Chair, Peter JoslinMembers: Gerald Bouchard, Paul Landler, Charlie Pughe, Donna Stearns, Marty Illick

| Vt goVernMent |

vt senate (cHittenden district)Tim Ashe, D/P-Burlington, 318-0903, [email protected] Baruth, D-Burlington, 503-5266, [email protected] “Ginny” Lyons, D-Williston, 863-6129, [email protected] Sirotkin, D-South Burlington, 999-4360, [email protected] Snelling, R-Hinesburg, 482-4382, [email protected] Zuckerman, P/D/W-Hinesburg, 598-1986, [email protected]

verMont House

Mike Yantachka, D-Charlotte, 425-3960, [email protected]

| U.S. goVernMent |

u.s. senators

Patrick Leahy, 863-2525, leahy.senate.govBernie Sanders, 862-0697, sanders.senate.gov

us congressMan

Peter Welch, 652-2450, welch.house.gov

regular religious services

Monday through FridayverMont Zen center, Shelburne,

sittings 6 a.m. Info: 985-9746, vermontzen.org.Fridays

islaMic society oF verMont, Colchester, Jumu’ah prayer 1 p.m. Info: 655-6711, isvt.org.

oHavi Zedek synagogue (Conservative), Burlington, Kabbalat Shabbat services 6 p.m. Info: 864-0218, ohavizedek.org.

teMPle sinai synagogue (Reform), South Burlington, traditional worship 7:30 p.m. Info: 862-5125, templesinai.org.

SaturdaysHavuraH, tHe JewisH

congregation oF addison country, Middlebury, morning Shabbat services 10 a.m. Info: 388-8946, havurahaddisoncounty.org.

oHavi Zedek synagogue, Burlington, Shabbat morning services 9 a.m. Info: 864-0218, ohavizedek.org.

teMPle sinai synagogue (Reform), South Burlington, Shabbat morning services 10:00 a.m. Info: 862-5125, templesinai.org.

st. Jude catHolic cHurcH, Hinesburg, Mass 4:30 p.m. Info: 482-2290, stjudevt.org.

Sundaysall souls interFaitH gatHering,

Shelburne, morning meditation 9 a.m. Info: 985-3819, allsoulsinterfaith.org.

Ascension Lutheran Church, South Burlington, worship 10 a.m., Sunday school 9 a.m. Info: 862-8866, alcvt.org.

asseMbly oF god cHristian center, Ferrisburgh worship, 10 a.m. Info: 877-3903, agccvt.org.

burlington Friends Meeting (Quakers), Burlington, worship 11 a.m. Info: 660-9221, burlingtonquakers.org.

Charlotte Congregational Church, Charlotte, worship 10 a.m. Info: 425-3176, charlotteucc.org.

coMMunity alliance cHurcH, Hinesburg, worship 9:30 a.m. Info: 482-2132, hinesburgcma.org.

cross roads cHaPel, Ferrisburgh Center, worship 10 a.m. Info: 425-3625, facebook.com/CrossRoadsChapelVT.

nortH FerrisburgH united MetHodist cHurcH, North Ferrisburgh, worship 10 a.m. Info: 425-2770, nfumchurch.org.

our lady oF Mount carMel, Charlotte, Mass 8 a.m. Info: 425-2637, olmcvt.org.

st. Jude catHolic cHurcH, Hinesburg, Mass 9:30 a.m. Info: 482-2290, stjudevt.org.

tHe cHurcH oF Jesus cHrist oF latter day saints, South Burlington, sacrament worship service 10 a.m. Info: 860-2884, lds.org.

trinity ePiscoPal cHurcH, Shelburne, Holy Eucharist 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Info: 985-2269, trinityshelburne.org.

Charlotte Events (or featuring a Charlotter)

october 8 Thursday

autHor talk: The Flying Pig Bookstore welcomes Dav Pilkey with Captain Underpants. 4 p.m. Shelburne Town Hall. Info: [email protected] or 802-985-3999.

october 11 sunday

Parade: Charlotte Tractor Parade, corner of Hinesburg Rd. and Spear St., 11 a.m. Food, souvenirs and fun—84 tractor entries. Info: Facebook.com/tractorparade.

october 17 saTurday

event: Celebrate Lewis Creek Association’s 25th birthday at the Last Resort Farm, 2246 Tyler Bridge Rd. in Monkton—the heart of the Lewis Creek watershed. Info: 425-2002.

october 21 Wednesday

FilM: Maker: a documentary about the maker movement. Directed by Mu-Min Tsai, 2011, U.S.A., 65 minutes. Contois Auditorium, City Hall, Burlington. Doors open/reception begins at 6 p.m., film begins at 6:30. Charlotte sponsors include Vermont Eco-Floors and Artisan Engineering. Info: adfilmseries.org.

Around the Area Eventsoctober 8

Thursday

writing contest: Submissions are now being accepted for the Vermont Writers’ Prize. The deadline is November 1. Send entries to Vermont Writers’ Prize, c/o Green Mountain Power, 163 Acorn Lane, Colchester, VT 05446 or [email protected]. Submissions should be essays, short stories or poems on the theme of “Vermont—Its People, the Place, Its History or Its Values.” Entries must be unpublished and fewer than 1,500 words in length. More detailed submission instructions are available at greenmountainpower.com and at vermontmagazine.com.event: Shelburne Orchards Vermonter Day. Grab a Vermonter who has a Vermont driver’s license and bring him or her to the orchard to get the special “Vermonter price” of $1/pound for pick-your-own apples. 9 a.m.to 6 p.m.conFerence: “Leading the Energy REVolution.” Two days beginning Thursday. Hosted by Renewable Energy Vermont at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington. Info: revconference.org.

october 9 Friday

contra dance: Queen City Contras, 8 p.m. at the Shelburne Town Hall. All are welcome, all dances taught, no partner or experience necessary. Beginners’ session at 7:45 p.m. $9 adults, under 12 free. Bring clean, soft-soled shoes for dancing. Info: 802-371-9492 or queencitycontras.org.

artist talk: The Vermont Folklife Center will host an opening reception and artist talk for its new exhibit, “Portrait of a Forest: Men and Machine,” 5 - 7 p.m. The exhibit, which combines contemporary photographs by Weybridge photojournalist George Bellerose with historical photographs and commentary by the logging and forest products community, will run through January 9. Info: (802) 388-4964 or vermontfolklifecenter.org.

october 10saTurday

conFerence: Vermont Tree Stewards Conference. Holley Hall, downtown Bristol. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Theme: Healthy Trees, Healthy Communities. Register at vermontcommunityforestry.org.

october 11 sunday

event: Mission Possible, in support of the United Way of Chittenden County. Burlington Waterfront. Fun-filled event with thrills and enjoyment for both participants and onlookers. Info: missionpossiblevt.com.

october 13 Tuesday

Panel discussion: “Renewable Energy and the Aesthetics of Vermont” artists panel, Shelburne Farms Coach Barn. 6:30 p.m. Registration required. Free. Info and registration: burlingtoncityarts.org.


talk: “Going to Bat for Bats: Ten Questions” with Barry Genzlinger. 6:30 p.m. Carpenter-Carse Library, Ballards Corner, Hinesburg. Free. Info: [email protected].

october 15 Thursday

event: Shelburne Orchards Senior Citizens Days (also Friday, October 16). If you’re old enough, you pay only $10 a bushel for pick-your-own “drops” (apples from the ground). 9 a.m.to 6 p.m.

october 17 saTurday

event: Shelburne Orchards Truckload & Hard Cider. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fill your car trunk or pickup truck with apples from the ground for a great deal...or fill a carboy for the long, cold winter with a special blend. Citizen Cider will be here, too, with samples and hard cider.conFerence: The Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society (the parent organization for the Vermont Genealogy Library) fall conference, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. St. John Vianney parish hall on Hinesburg Rd., South Burlington. Registration required. $30. Info: vt-fcgs.org, vtgenlib.or or 802-238-5934.


newcoMers club: Welcomes people new to the Burlington area. 10 a.m. Visit the gallery and studio of a noted local artist who creates fabric landscapes, sculptures and colored pencil drawings. Then out to lunch. Info: Dana Engel 864-0766 or Orchard Corl 985-3870. Or check OuT Our mOsT recenT back issues aT

issuu.cOm/charlOTTeneWs


to Viki Zulkoski of Charlotte, who was recognized by United Way of Chittenden County for her volunteer work with Spectrum Youth and Family Services. She was one of 48 local volunteers honored during the fifth annual Building Block Awards on September 28 at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. According to Amy Carmola, director of community impact for United Way, “This event is our opportunity to recognize the precious time and caring that advocates and volunteers offer our community.” The honorees received certificates and gifts from Lake Champlain Chocolates and the Flynn.

to Ted Castle whose company, Rhino Foods, was pointed out as a firm that hired a diverse workforce in an article in the September 17 Burlington Free Press. Ted said he made a conscious effort to do so 20 years ago and began to tap into Burlington’s immigrant community. Castle, who began selling cookies from a cart on Church Street, now believes unequivocally that as the company formed and expanded, it has benefited from hiring refugees. The article points to cousins Netra and Lalit Adhikari from Bhutan, who were deported to Nepal from their home country because of their religion and who eventually ended up in Burlington. They worked their way up from Rhino’s production line to jobs in its quality assurance laboratory.

to Steve Colangeli, who was featured in an article in the September 23 Seven Days for growing figs in his Charlotte greenhouse. Steve, “defying conventional wisdom that figs are a warm-weather crop,” is helping local chefs discover the fruit in its freshest form. Colangeli’s greenhouse at Paradiso Farm has 35 ripening fig trees as well as turmeric and ginger. He hopes to expand his crop to 50 trees, selling to other growers. Noting that in Turkey figs are marketed as a natural

Reach your friends and neighbors for only $7 per issue. (Payment must be sent before issue date.) Please limit your ad to 35 words or fewer and send it to The Charlotte News Classifieds, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 or email [email protected].

Mt. Philo inn—A unique hotel situ-ated at the base of Mt. Philo State Park with stunning panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. Spacious 3 bedroom suites with 2 bathrooms and a complete kitchen. Thoughtfully designed for casual ele-gance. Privacy, space, tranquility. Bigger on the inside. MtPhiloInn.com, 425-3335. [58-11]

A fresh coat of paint can transform a room instantly. So this fall, call the professionals at lafayette Painting to give your home or office a new look. Call 863-5397 and visit us at LafayettePaintingInc.com. [58-7]

Redstone Affordable small office spaces available on Ferry Rd. Starting at $250.00 including all utilities. For more information or to schedule a tour call 802-658-7400.

Ma x i M ou t dooR Wood Pellet fuRnace by Central Boiler adapts to existing heating systems & heats with renewable wood pellets. Boivin Farm Supply 802-475-4007. [58-11]

ClassifiedsCongratulations

Around Town

Viagra, Colangeli figures he can, perhaps, raise his price. Another Charlotter, Adam Spell, who makes Gusto Gelato and owns La Villa restaurant, has used some of Steve’s figs in a limited-edition gelato.

is extended to family and friends of Margaret “Peggy” Ann (Durfee) West of Charlotte, who passed away September 13 at the age of 92. After moving between North Carolina and Quebec, the Wests settled back home in Vermont. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Champlain Valley Agency on Aging, 76 Pearl Street, Suite 201, Essex Junction, VT 05452, or to a charity of one’s choice.

is extended to family and friends of

Helen F. Spears of Enosburg Falls, who passed away September 28 at the age of 93. Her surviving family includes her daughter, Pamela Dodge, and Pamela’s husband, Clark, of Charlotte. The family asks that those who wish to make contri-butions in Helen’s memory consider doing so to St. John the Baptist Cemetery Association, c/o Donna Magnant, P.O. Box 575, Enosburg Falls, VT 05450.

is extended to family and friends of Ruth Jerger Bull of Ferrisburgh, who passed away September 30. Born in Ferrisburgh, she was the eldest of six children of Berta and August Jerger. Her surviving family includes her daughter Kristine and Kristene’s husband, Tom Larson, of Charlotte. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in her memory consider doing so to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753 or to North Ferrisburgh Sunday School, 227 Old Hollow Road, North Ferrisburgh, VT 05473.

is extended to family and friends of Joan Büttner of McNeal, Arizona, who passed away September 19 at the age of 94. Her surviving family includes her son, Nathaniel Carr, his wife, Stacy Fraser, and their two children, Sawyer and Mavis, all Charlotte residents. Stacy worked at Eating Well in Charlotte for a number of years and was often visited here by her mother-in-law Joan.

is extended to family and friends of Charlotte M. (Sheehan) Dolliver of Port Orange, Florida, who passed away September 29 at the age of 90. Born in East Charlotte to Clayton and Mae Sheehan, she grew up on her family’s farm in East Charlotte and attended grade school, adjacent to their farm, in the current Grange Hall, one of 14 elemen-tary schools in Charlotte at that time. Her surviving family includes her sister, Shirley Marshall, and her brother, John Sheehan, of Charlotte.

What’s the scooP? What’s the skinny? What’s the latest?

Send uS your newS. we’ll make you famouS

(Sort of)[email protected]

Sympathy

Congratulations to Peter Unger, a CVU senior, who completed the VT50 50-kilome-ter ultra marathon this past Sunday at Mt. Ascutney in 6 hours 14 minutes, winning the 18 and under category.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO AMEND THE CHARLOTTE LAND USE REGULATIONS Pursuant to 24 V.S.A. Section 4444, the Charlotte Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at the Charlotte Town Hall on Thursday, October 22, 2015, at 7:00 PM for the purpose of receiving public comment on proposed amendments to the Town of Charlotte Land Use Regulations. The proposed amendments are as follows: 1. Addition of energy project siting standards 2. Technical clarifications or corrections to various provisions in the Regulations 3. Conditional uses – consideration for changing uses in Village Commercial and Commercial / Light Industrial dist r icts f rom condit ional use to permitted; also involves changes to dimensional standards 4. Two-family dwellings and density – consideration to allow two-family dwellings in village districts and / or as adaptive reuse of existing structures in all districts. Density requirements for single-family and two-family dwellings would be the same and would be per underlying district. Numbers 1, 2 and 4 will affect all lands within the Town of Charlotte. Item 3 will affect lands within the Village Commercial and Commercial / Light Industrial districts.

The full text of the amendments is available for review at the Charlotte Town Office and on the Town’s website, charlottevt.org.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO AMEND THE CHARLOTTE TOWN PLAN Pursuant to 24 VSA Section 4384, the Charlotte Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, October 22, 2015, at 7:00 PM at the Town Hall, 159 Ferry Road, to amend the Charlotte Town Plan. The Town Plan provides development policies for the Town, and also provides a basis for bylaws and other mechanisms which implement the policies. The proposed amendments affect all land within the Town. The proposed amendments are as follows: 1. Add statement to Land Use Section supporting consideration of Village Center Designation. 2. Amend / Update Energy Section (Today and Tomorrow)

NOTICEMt. Philo State Park is closed to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct 17 and 18 for the historic Sports Car Club of Vermont hill climb.

Notices Volunteer

Spotlight

Bake, sell, oR deliveR Pies at the chaRlotte congRegational chuRch

Bake

Wednesdays: October 14, 21, 2810 a.m. – 1 p.m.

sell

Wednesdays and Fridays: October 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30

Arrive at 3:40 p.m. and be ready to sell from 4 – 6 p.m.

Deliver pies to a designated non-profit at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays for the Buy One/Give One Project, through which customers can buy one pie for $16 and another for $14, to give to a non-profit. It’s very rewarding–the recipients love the pies!

Sign up in advance by emailing Jennifer Zubarik at [email protected] or Martha Perkins at [email protected] or stop-ping by the vestry. Or simply show up—all are welcome! Call 802-324-3700 for more information.

Documents

The Charlotte News | October 8, 2015