The Nonprofit Community News Source Since 1958 Thecharlotte News Thursday, October 29, 2020 | Volume LXIII Number 09 the Charlottenewsvt.Org Vol

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The nonprofit community news source since 1958 TheCharlotte News Thursday, October 29, 2020 | Volume LXIII Number 09 The CharlotteNewsVT.org Vol. 63, no.09 October 29, 2020 Charlotte News Vermont’s oldest nonprofit community newspaper, bringing you local news and views since 1958 Conflict zone: ZA, SBA and General election and Selectboard intertwined internally absentee voting 101 Chea Waters Evans ZBA has authority to do, as it is under the Mary Mead a new ballot. NEWS EDITOR Selectboard’s purview. In this case, the CHARLOTTE TOWN CLERK/TREASURER YES – If you prefer to vote in person, on application had already been approved as Election Day, you certainly can. We ask that A conflict that crosses board boundaries complete by Zoning Administrator Daniel The Vermont Secretary of State’s Office was you bring the ballot you received in the mail to in town has ignited planning and zoning, Morgan. in charge of mailing out absentee ballots to use to vote on, as we have a limited quantity personnel, and public meeting conflicts. every active registered voter in the Town of of ballots. The issues center around an application Bennett said that in the past, the ZBA Charlotte. They started the mailing on Sept. 25 considered two weeks ago by the Zoning accepted applications like Spear’s, and that and finished up by Oct. 1. YES – If you show up at the polls wanting to Board of Adjustment. she happened to submit hers at the wrong vote in person with no ballot in hand, we will time. As far as voting by absentee ballot is certainly give you one. It starts with an application for a deli at concerned, this is the only thing that is Spear’s Store. Carrie Spear, the owner, “It’s coincidental that this hearing happens different. There is nothing different about the NO–We do not start counting ballots early. through Court Street Associates, applied to be the next hearing after we, as a board, way we handle absentee ballots, nothing When the polls open on Nov. 3, we will start for a conditional use permit to add a deli internally, were very, very frustrated different about the way you return the putting all the absentee ballots we have and apartment to her store. The application with incomplete applications coming to ballots to us, nothing different about received into the tabulator. We will was denied by the ZBA during a hearing us, and we tried to accommodate and the way those ballots are cast be casting those ballots at the same in which Spear or her representatives were accommodate and accommodate, and or counted. People also seem time as any in-person voting is not given an opportunity to present their frankly we just got tired of it…and so to be worked up about early going on. We check the mail application or answer questions from the you’re not being selected for special voting, like that is somehow throughout the day to make sure board. treatment here, it just happened to be the something different from casting we are counting every ballot that next one in line that came along, and we all an absentee ballot. In Charlotte, has been returned. Every ballot At the Oct. 14 meeting, Spear’s project pretty much said, ‘We’re tired of this, let’s early voting = absentee ballot that we have received before the was first on the agenda. ZBA Chair Frank get a zoning office, a staff, that can prepare voting; this is also the same as close of polls at 7 p.m. will be run Tenney recused himself from the discussion things for us and present it to us well.’” always. If you received a ballot, voted through the tabulator, even if that process due to his relationship with Spear and on it, and returned it to the Clerk’s Office, you takes us past 7 p.m. because his relatives are her neighbors and Bennett did not respond to repeated voted early by absentee ballot. own a store and snack bar next door. Vice We encourage you to return your absentee inquiries regarding the time and nature of Chair Stuart Bennett took the lead. So here we go, to be clear: ballots to us before Nov. 3, unless you are these internal communications and whether YES – You can return your ballot to us in voting in person, of course. There is a certain or not they were conducted in accordance Before the presentation began, he said, “As person, walk into the building (we are open, amount of data entry we need to do before the with Vermont Open Meeting Law, which I—and we—were reviewing the materials Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and hand it absentee ballot goes into the tabulator, so the requires any gathering of a quorum of any that were submitted with the application,” to us. If the office is closed or you don’t want more we can have done before Election Day, board to officially warn a meeting and he said, “it became apparent to me in to enter the building, you can put your ballot the faster it goes. The faster it goes for all of us make it open to the public. A public records my judgment that this hearing had been in the mail slot by the front door. It is locked, worker bees, the faster you all get the results. request made to the ZBA by The News prematurely warned, because we just don’t secure and checked frequently throughout the on Monday for communications relating have all the information we need based on day and on the weekend as well. If you choose to wait until Election Day to to Spear’s application was not fulfilled the ordinance.” appear on the scene, remember we will be at by press time at 1 p.m. on Wednesday; YES – Your ballot needs to be placed inside the Charlotte Town Hall, not Charlotte Central Town Administrator Dean Bloch said the He said the site plan submitted is the certificate envelope and you need to sign School. Please be prepared to practice social town legally has three days to respond to incomplete because it does not include and print your name—legibly—since that is distancing, wear your mask, don’t be in a rush, such requests and expected to respond by historical use, current use and proposed what we use to mark you off the checklist as and all will be well. Stay calm and carry on as Wednesday, Oct. 28. use, and the same information was “voted.” If you are a Jr., Sr., III please make they say. missing for floor plans inside the house. sure that’s how you sign. Otherwise, we have The staff of which Bennett was speaking He said that without this information, no idea who to check off the list. Nov. 4 is almost here—no, that is not a was Zoning Administrator Daniel Morgan; the ZBA could not make a decision, and typo, I live for the day after an election. in an email to The Charlotte News, Bennett suggested the hearing be re-warned. “Let’s YES – If you make a mistake, like using Feel free always to call us or email with wrote, “Until recently, there has been do it right, let’s do it once,” he said. He permanent magic marker to mark your ballot anything you want to ask—425-3071, suggested in his motion that the board and it bleeds through to the other side, you can [email protected] and Skoerner@ bring your ballot in to us and we will give you townofcharlotte.com. waive the fee, which is not something the see ZONING page 3 Put your pumpkins on parade Chea Waters Evans uncarved ones on the library porch are free and NEWS EDITOR available for the taking. Anyone who wants to donate a pumpkin is free to leave one on the Trick or treating won’t be the same this year, library porch for someone else to take. but some Halloween traditions can’t be taken down by the coronavirus—as long as you The library is doing a virtual pumpkin have a squash and a sharp knife, you can’t be parade—before you drop it off at the library, stopped. Jessica Scriver, a Charlotte resident email photos of your finished creation to info@ and artist, is coordinating an effort along with charlottepubliclibrary.org for recognition and the Charlotte Library to light up the Town to share your jack o’ lantern on the library Green next week with jack o’ lanterns. website.

Scriver said the idea was inspired by a parade The pumpkins will be lit up Thursday through of pumpkins she saw last year on the rotary in Saturday on Halloween weekend. “If people Winooski. “It was awesome,” she said, “and are going to make the effort to do pumpkins, really cool, and I wasn’t sure about what was we’re going to have them lit for more than one happening with Halloween here, and I thought night,” Scriver said. it was something that we could do no matter what was happening with trick or treating,” she On Halloween night, Scriver hinted that, while said. looking at the pumpkins on parade, there could be another treat in store. “Maybe you’ll find To participate, carvers of all ages and abilities some candy there…just maybe…” can just carve their pumpkins and leave them on the porch at the library any time through In addition to pumpkins, donations of votive Thursday, Oct. 29. Pumpkins are for sale candles, both regular and battery-powered, are locally at Tenney’s in East Charlotte, and any welcome on the front porch of the library. Carve your pumpkins and bring them to the library to be part of the pumpkin parade. Photo by Jessica Scriver The Charlotte News • October 29, 2020 • 3 News from The News Dear Reader, called NewsMatch that is doubling most of our I’m proud to announce donations during the months of November and You probably remember the kerfuffle in December. town a couple months back over some food “that The Charlotte News trucks that were abruptly absent. Much of has qualified for a prestigious We don’t receive the match unless we go get the the foofaraw played out over social media. donations, so it’s a great time for you to give But much of the information on social media national program called for the first time or to consider an additional turned out to be wrong. I’m proud to say NewsMatch that is doubling gift this year. The contribution you make now that The Charlotte News got it right, covered will be doubled, and if you make a monthly all sides of the story—and folks got a little most of our donations during contribution, that will be matched x12. That’s a perspective and calmed down. Social media pretty powerful impact. The Charlotte News certainly has its place, but social media is not the months of November and Mission Statement journalism. Sometimes you need the facts. NewsMatch and its partner program, the The mission of The Charlotte News is to inform our December. Institute for Nonprofit News, support a network readers about current events, issues and topics, and Why do I bring this up now? Because it ” of more than 250 nonprofit, nonpartisan news to serve as a forum for the free exchange of views of illustrates the importance of information that organizations like ours throughout the county, town residents and community volunteer organizations is trusted and reporting that is in the interest with financial support from, among others, the on matters related to Charlotte and the lives of its of the people. That’s what nonprofit news trusted, measured information about our John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. residents. provides. And that’s what we do. The Charlotte community and our neighbors. Editorial independence News is unafraid and unapologetic about telling When you send your check to support The The Board of Directors retains full authority over all the stories of our community, our issues and The Charlotte News comes to you for free editorial and advertising content in The Charlotte Charlotte News today, please date it for News. While we are funded by advertising revenue potential solutions—stories that might not get every other week, but producing the paper costs November or December, so your donation upwards of $4,500 each issue. Advertising and donor contributions, our news judgments are told otherwise. will be doubled. Here’s the address: Friends of made in accordance with our mission and independent covers most of that cost, but a growing portion the Charlotte News, P.O. Box 211, Charlotte, of all sources of financial support, including support The Charlotte News is a public service and is paid for by people like you—people who get VT 05445. Or make your contribution given through our affiliated 501(c)3 organization, The a community newspaper that’s worth your it about the public service the paper provides online in November or December at Friends of The Charlotte News. financial support.And when you donate now, and are willing to do their part to keep it FriendsoftheCharlotteNews.org. Letters, Commentaries and Obituaries you double the impact of your gift. coming. Consistent with our mission The Charlotte News Gratefully, That gift ensures that we will continue to publishes letters to the editor, commentaries and I’m proud to announce that The Charlotte News Claudia Marshall obituaries from our readers. All letters, commentaries provide a place for town residents to find has qualified for a prestigious, national program Publisher and obituaries are subject to review and approval by the news editor of the paper and to the following rules and standards: • Letters to the editor, commentaries and obituaries should be emailed to news@thecharlottenews. Stormwater improvements at CVU org as attachments in .doc format. All letters, commentaries and obituaries must contain the writer’s full name, town of residence and, for By Kate Kelly Resources Engineer at Milone & MacBroom, editing purposes only, phone number. LEWIS CREEK ASSOCIATION to develop project ideas for this swale • Letters may not exceed 300 words, obituaries 500 improvement. This type of fix helps improve words and commentaries 750 words. Champlain Valley Union High School partnered • The opinions expressed in commentaries and water quality in Patrick Brook and the LaPlatte letters to the editor belong solely to the author with Lewis Creek Association through its Ahead River by slowing water down, spreading it and are not to be understood as endorsed by of the Storm program to actively improve water out, and sinking it into the ground, as well as either the Board of Directors or the editorial staff quality of stormwater running off the school of the paper. carrying more water that is expected with larger • All published letters and commentaries will property and flowing to Lake Champlain. This rainstorms due to climate change. include the writer’s name and town of residence. marks the fifth year of a partnership between • Before publishing any obituary, we will need the Champlain Valley School District and LCA All of the stormwater runoff from the CVU proper verification of death. • All submissions are subject to editing for clarity, to prepare school campuses as LCA’s AOTS property flows into the LaPlatte River via factual accuracy, tone, length and consistency stormwater resilience demonstration sites. Completed Champlain Valley Union High one of two routes, then into Lake Champlain with our house publishing style. School swale. Courtesy photo at Shelburne Bay. The LaPlatte River is • Whenever editing is necessary we will make Just before school began this fall, the swale every effort to publish each submission in its flows under Route 116, between the Carpenter- impaired for bacteria (E. coli) from its mouth entirety and to preserve the original intent and off the north parking lot was improved. The Carse library and gas station, under the road and up to Hinesburg, and we hope to keep it from wording. We will confer with writers before publishing any submitted material that in our bioretention (“rain garden”) areas in this beside the Bissonette Fields, then into Patrick being classified as impaired for phosphorus. swale will help clean water running from 4.9 judgment requires significant editing before it can Brook, which then empties into the LaPlatte Nutrients like phosphorus can cause algal be published. acres of CVU’s campus, including 1.4 acres River. blooms (including harmful blue-green algae) in • The news editor makes the final determination of impervious surface. As water runs off the whether a letter to the editor, a commentary or an the lake and can lead to fish die-offs. Chloride obituary will be published as submitted, returned parking lot and from the track/hill area, it enters CVU students worked with the Lewis Creek (which is in road salt, sodium chloride) is also for rewriting or rejected. a sediment forebay area that helps remove Association, water resource engineers and bad for the environment and can kill off plants. Publisher: Claudia Marshall sediment. Then it flows down the swale, where school staff to help identify areas where At some campus locations, runoff from the ([email protected]) it is caught in bioretention areas, which include stormwater improvements could be made. The CVU roof, parking lots, driveways and playing Editorial Staff soil and a native grass and wildflower mix to Managing Editor: Anna Cyr eroding swale off the north parking lot was fields travels directly from an impervious ([email protected]) help remove phosphorus from the water, before identified as an important location to treat dirty surface to an aging pipe network with little News Editor: Chea Waters Evans it filters down into the underdrain pipe in the water running off of paved surfaces, as well to no treatment. Action on a community ([email protected]) ground under the swale, removing nutrients. An as to fix erosion that was taking place in the scale is critical to reduce the large amount of Contributing Editor: Edd Merritt overflow culvert was resized to meet resiliency Copy editor: Beth Merritt swale, carrying phosphorus with it. Several nutrient-rich stormwater directly entering the Proofreaders: Edd Merritt, goals for safe passage of large storms. Water students last year received a lesson on water LaPlatte River, then Lake Champlain. You Mike & Janet Yantachka then enters the stream, which flows into CVU’s quality through another LCA grant and met can learn more about the problem and what Business Staff fire/stormwater pond. This pond’s outlet then Ad manager: Elizabeth Langfeldt with LCA staff and Jessica Louisos, a Water landowners can do to improve water quality in ([email protected]) a presentation on LCA’s website at lewiscreek. Bookkeeper: Susan Jones org/water-quality-videos. ([email protected]) Board Members This project was funded by an agreement President: Claudia Marshall awarded by the Environmental Protection ([email protected]) Treasurer: Ted leBlanc Agency and by the Great Lakes Fishery ([email protected]) Commission to the New England Interstate Board members: Vince Crockenberg, Bob Water Pollution Control Commission in Bloch, Gay Regan, Tom Tiller, John Quinney, Jack Fairweather, Christina Asquith, Ben Miller, Bailey partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Grattelo, John Hammer (emeritus) Program. Technical advisor: Melissa Mendelsohn, Orchard Road Computers Website: thecharlottenews.org Subscription Information The Charlotte News is delivered at no cost to all Correction Charlotte residences. Subscriptions are available for first-class delivery at $60 per calendar year. In the Oct. 15 article “LUR amendment Want a subscription? Please send a check payable to discussion prompts conflict of interest The Charlotte News, P.O. Box 251, charge,” by Chea Waters Evans, the wrong Charlotte, VT 05445. Adsit was credited with speaking during the Postmaster/Send address changes to: The Charlotte News meeting. The speaker was Eric Adsit. P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 Telephone: 425-4949 The Oct. 15 cover featured a Lee Krohn photo Circulation: 2,000 of silos. The caption geographically placed Copyright © 2020 The Charlotte News, Inc. them incorrectly; the silos are on Greenbush Member of the New England Newspaper and Press Association, LION Publishers and the Road. Vermont Press Association. 4 • October 29, 2020 • The Charlotte News Town ZONING continued from page 1 Boo! It’s a book! quasi-judicial and therefore “it is best little or no attempt by the ZBA to address practice not to publicly comment on this issue of the ZA warning incomplete pending applications, the same way that applications. The warning of incomplete a court or judge would not comment on a applications has been a problem for the pending case.” ZBA for some time.” During the Selectboard meeting on Monday, Morgan, who has been in the ZA position Oct. 26, after an executive session in since the summer of 2019, was also the which the ZBA and the Selectboard held topic of conversation at Monday night’s a joint meeting with the town attorney, Selectboard meeting. The first item on the the board resumed the public session to agenda was “discussion of relationship discuss whether or not a clerk should be between Zoning Board and Zoning hired to assist Morgan with filing duties and Administrator.” Morgan had been issued discussed the fact that there have been three a performance reprimand this fall by zoning administrators plus an interim ZA in the Selectboard, though the contents of the past four years. that warning are not public; he did file a grievance against the Selectboard for Tenney said he had contacted Morgan that reprimand which was addressed in regarding his job performance earlier this executive session on Tuesday of this week. fall to let him know “things have been going on that haven’t been going perfect.” Bennett conceded during the ZBA meeting He said he offered to help look over items discussion that, though Morgan deemed the and oversee agendas and schedules to “help application complete, he thought “it’s not as things run more smoothly.” The ZBA is not, detailed as we asked for.” however, the direct supervisor of the ZA. The town administrator, in this case Bloch, Thanks to an anonymous donor, the Charlotte Food Shelf will offer kids some Spear responded, “In my mind, it’s a very directly supervises Morgan. Though the simple application. I showed you around, ZBA works closely with the ZA, they are Halloween food for the soul at the Oct. 29 Food Shelf distribution. you didn’t want to go inside on Sautrday not in a supervisory position over him in Photo by Cindi Robinson [during the site visit] and so I would have that role, even though he also serves as the liked to have done that.” She also said ZBA’s staff person as a separate role from that she hoped the ZBA would hear her his administrator duties. presentation, which would answer many of their questions. Bennett said during the Monday Selectboard meeting that he has also been “What more do you want, Stuart?” Spear involved with the zoning administrator’s asked. Bennett said he had sent a list of daily work and said he has been “feeding” what he wanted, and Spear responded that Morgan “massive recommendations” she was prepared to answer the questions about how he should be handling certain in a red-line document that she had already aspects of his job. Krasnow pointed out that submitted to the ZBA with responses. both the ZBA and the ZA have statutory obligations that are complicated by the fact “The fundamental issue is when you’re that Morgan “wears two hats” in his job. dealing with uses that are historical, current and proposed…we need a lot more Clark Hinsdale, a Charlotte landowner information because we need to know what who has been involved in zoning and we’re approving,” Bennett said. He said planning in town for almost three decades, the store’s location in a central part of the said during public comment, “We have East Village made it more important than a some senior expert members of the ZBA regular application. that are micromanaging staff…I think the micromanagement of zoning members Spear said she hoped to address any ZBA going in at every hour of the day, and concerns in a conversation at the meeting so standing over Daniel’s shoulder, and it was clear what the ZBA wanted. Daniel telling him what to do, is a statutory error Goltzman from Daniel Goltzman Design and I think [Town Attorney] David Rugh and Development, who is spearheading will underscore the fact that you, the the project, was present at the meeting to Selectboard, appoint a zoning administrator, make a presentation about the proposed and if people don’t like his decisions, they improvements and answer questions from appeal to the ZBA.” the ZBA. He said he was “quite surprised” to hear that the ZBA deemed the application “There’s a lot of Charlotters, particularly incomplete. ZBA member Lane Morrison in COVID, who have a lot of time to have said, in disagreement with Bennett, a lot of opinions about their neighbor’s “Complete is in the eye of the beholder,” application and are not shy about coming in and said he would support hearing from and lobbying the staff,” Hinsdale said. Spear and Goltzman during the meeting. He complimented Tenney on his ability to After 20 minutes of discussion of whether run a zoning meeting well. “Stuart Bennett, or not the ZBA should hear the presentation, apparently, does not,” he said, “I frankly ZBA member Matt Zucker, who was think his behavior is so egregious you participating remotely, reminded Bennett should remove him from the board.” He that the intent of the hearing “is about the said he thought Bennett filibustered for subject at hand, not about how the board the hour of discussion regarding the Spear executes its responsibilities.” application in order to keep any discussion of the application from happening. After 25 more minutes, for a total of 45 minutes discussing whether or not Monday’s Selectboard discussion ended in Goltzman and Spear should be able to the interest of time, with Krasnow saying make their presentation, Bennett made a he guessed they would schedule a special motion and the ZBA voted 3-1 to deny meeting to look at zoning and planning the application without hearing from office organization. Goltzman or Spear about the project itself. Zucker, Bennett and Jonathan Fisher voted Spear told The News she declined to affirmatively to deny it; Morrison was the comment on the matter, because she is lone vote to approve. currently in the process of resubmitting her application. Morgan did not respond to Bennett wrote in an email to The Charlotte several requests for comment. News that he could not comment on the application because the ZBA is considered The Charlotte News • October 29, 2020 • 5 Town Community center committee forming, LURs the same for now Chea Waters Evans “if possible.” She said, “If there’s no After Charlotte Central School FY 21-22, though the figures for payroll alternative, it’s allowed.” She argued consolidated with other area schools two were missing and will come out later this Here’s the quick takeaway from Monday that in the case of Charlotte Crossing, years ago to become the Champlain Valley week. The Charlotte Senior Center also night’s Selectboard meeting: there’s a because of building entrance locations and School District, the town lost its ability presented their budget spreadsheet, which problem with the relationship between accessibility requirements, they need to to use the school facility how it pleases. is similar to this year’s, with the caveat the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the put those spots at the front of the building. This means that CVSD has authority over that with COVID-19 still a factor, less Zoning Administrator (see article page how and when the building is used, which money might be spend in some areas. 1), Land Use Regulation amendments are She said she thinks the Selectboard is “not could be problematic when it comes to still up for discussion, there are a couple actually being open” to the idea that the town meeting and voting, which have After interviewing all candidates at new people on the Planning Commission, guidance is not a firm requirement and historically been held in the CCS multi- the previous meeting, the Selectboard and Charlotte town leaders are perking up said the current regulation “is really being purpose room. appointed Kelly Devine and Benjamin their ears regarding planning for a town pushed as a hard rule.” Pualwan to the Planning Commission. recreation center. Conley’s proposed building includes Devine’s term goes until April 30, 2023 Charlotte landowner and developer Clark a gym and pickleball courts that rec and Pualwan’s until April 30, 2022. Both Land Use Regulation amendment Hinsdale said that he thought changing the programs can use, a large storage space, were recommended for the position by Town Administrator Dean Bloch led the LUR in this case would be a “slap in the an indoor walking track, a conference the board because of their experience and discussion regarding a proposed LUR face” to the volunteers who he said put room that could be rented, and locker knowledge regarding planning and the amendment that was submitted to the PC in “thousands and thousands of hours” to rooms. town of Charlotte. through a petition submitted by Debra craft the current LURs to “make Charlotte Kassabian and Mike Dunbar, owners of special.” The center could potentially be located on The trails committee made a request to Gemini Properties, LLC, which owns the the former Burns property, which the town form a Trails Steering Committee to work Charlotte Crossings building. They want In the interest of time, the hearing was owns, off of Greenbush Road near the with Jim Donovan, a Charlotter who has to change the LUR so they can have a continued until the Monday, Nov. 9 West Village. agreed to donate his time as a planner parking area at the front of their building, Selectboard meeting. to the project, thus saving the Trails facing Route 7. Bloch said the Selectboard Conley is going to start a committee Committee almost $50,000, which will has three options: hold a hearing, which Recreation to research and plan and “see if the be redirected toward trail construction. they are currently doing, and then do Talk of a Charlotte community center has community wants it,” and Selectboard The committee will be made up of Jim nothing to follow up; send the petitioned been kicking around town for years, but Chair Matt Krasnow said he thought the Faulkner, Bill Fraser-Harris, Bill Stuono, amendment to the town for a vote on Recreation Director Nicole Conley took project could take some cues from the Marty Van Vleck, Bill Regan, Mark Town Meeting Day in March, or submit an the concept a little closer to reality after Friends of the Charlotte Library and make Dillenbeck, Laurie Thompson, and Jack amendment that they have changed to the the Recreation Department presented their an effort to secure private donations for Pella. town for a vote at town meeting. preliminary budget figures for the next some costs so the burden on the taxpayer fiscal year. Conley showed a possible floor is lessened. Kassabian spoke during the public plan and map that could be the possible comment portion of the hearing, noting site for a recreation and meeting spot for Other news that the regulation said that parking should Charlotters. Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue be excluded from the front of buildings presented their first-round budget for 6 • October 29, 2020 • The Charlotte News Just Asking Town If you could invite any three Gratitude in the time of guests from the past or present corona—a happy tale Nan Mason challenge of working in a construction zone to dinner, who would be sitting PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS and now of dealing with the pandemic. OF THE CHARLOTTE LIBRARY BOARD In addition to being patient and creative they have applied for and received several at your table? The Friends of the Charlotte Library grants. They were awarded a total of Photos and interviews by Jim Squires would like to thank all who donated to the $14,750, specifically for the addition, as recent capital campaign. The fantastic and well as another $26,510 for programs uplifting update is that we have reached and equipment for an impressive total of our goal of raising $600,000 to match the $41,260! Their dedication and skills are bond passed by a town-wide vote. Very exemplary. Augusta Joe Lasek fortunately, the new addition, which nearly Good Krahl doubles the size of the library, was 99% We also wish to thank Meaghan That’s a hard completed when the pandemic struck. We Brené Brown, McLaughlin, a vice president at the one. I think I’d are looking forward to the full reopening National Bank of Middlebury, who Glennon Doyle invite Siddhartha of the library so all in town can enjoy and facilitated a loan on a schedule that and Abby Gautama, marvel at the new spaces that are truly matched the incoming pledges. We are Wambach would Marcus Aurelius spectacular. incredibly grateful to all who sent in their be sitting at my and Mark Twain. pledges early, thereby decreasing our Meanwhile, the site work around the table. I imagine we’d interest payments. expanded building is well underway. have one interesting conversation. We wish to acknowledge, and to thank, Given the current difficult times, The Linda Hamilton, Karen Tuininga and Jim Friends of the Charlotte Library will forego Donovan for their ongoing contributions our annual town-wide membership mailing to the Library Landscape design project, that raises funds to augment the library’s Gloria for which they generously offered a free town budget. We will hope to resume the Ann landscape design course, eliciting ideas annual July book sale and related activities Slauterbeck from nearly a dozen participants. MacDonald when the world returns to some semblance I’d like to have of “normal”—whatever that may be! In We all owe a great deal of gratitude and Mel Brooks, Mel I’d pick Andy Warhol, lieu of the mailing, we will be underwriting appreciation to former Selectboard member what we are calling “The Get Cozy Raffle” Blanc and Stephen Mick Jagger and Fritz Tegatz who oversaw (and continues to to engender some much-needed excitement King. Probably Coco Chanel. That oversee) every aspect of this undertaking, and joy for the holiday season. Stay tuned!! wouldn’t do much eating, though. would make for an both on the inside and the outside. Fritz, interesting dinner. as clerk of the works, made certain that For the moment, we are incredibly grateful ReArch and their subcontractors did to Charlotters and other friends for their everything to the exact specifications continuing support of the Library, and we laid out in the design and in the contract. are looking forward to the opportunity to Fortunately, the ReArch crew members share what we were able to collectively Around Town were up to the task—they were diligent, achieve. accommodating and a pleasure to work Charlotter contributes to New York Rohrbaugh who had a poem in the with. Both the addition and the renovation Nan Mason is president of the Friends Times Sunday Review/Opinion Section Burlington Free Press Young Writers of the original building reflect their of the Charlotte Library board. Board In the Oct. 18 issue of the New York Times Project of Oct. 23—the third week in a precision and their attention to detail. members include Missy Adams, Carol Clay, newspaper, the editorial board members row for Ava. This week’s was her end-of- Shanley Hinge, Beth Merritt, Dana Murphy contributed opinion pieces directed at life care for a dying mouse, titled simply At every step, the Library staff rose to the and Maria Wicker. “How to End Our National Crisis.” Jesse “The Mouse.” Noticing that a mouse in Wegman who, while remaining on the her room was close to dying, she decided big-city paper board, recently moved to put it in a box with a burning flower to to Charlotte, is one of those members. give it a good smell in its last days. The His piece was titled “The Radicalizer in mouse curled around the flower as Ava Chief.” carried it to a burial spot. The author ends her poem by thinking of “the little creature Congratulations: wrapped around the flower that I hope once again to Charlotte 15-year-old Ava smelled nice.”

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Go to FriendsOfTheCharlotteNews.org The Charlotte News Your nonprofit community news source since 1958 The Charlotte News • October 29, 2020 • 7 COVID-19 How resilient are we? Inquiring minds want to know As I write this update, we ready, in various areas, to handle a crisis in the Spear’s Store, the Food Shelf, from the call Scott Wagner at 802-871-6198. are close to finalizing the future. The assessment was read and studied, breezeway or at the Children’s Center of the details of the community then simplified, reworked, and tweaked to Congregational Church, and at the Children’s The Food Shelf itself continues to be open resilience survey. The make it painless to complete and easy to Center across from the library on Ferry Road. Wednesdays from 5–7 p.m. at the Charlotte unofficial COVID-19 understand. Congregational Church. Call 425-3252 to team, Charlotte You can drop off the completed assessment at register. Community Partners, The assessment looks at areas that are critical specially marked boxes at the Town Hall, the Emotional and mental health Trina Bianchi to each one of us: the availability of food library, in the library box at Spear’s Store, at is busy making final Vermont 211 from your phone—available for CONTRIBUTOR and housing; our environment; our roads and the breezeway of the Congregational Church tweaks to the community referrals and questions. resilience assessment and bridges and whether or not they are adequate, and at the Children’s Center at the church. figuring out how to make it as easy as possible maintained and/or safe; our natural resources Pathways Vermont, 883-888-2557, is free and whether or not we are protecting them; The goal is to have the assessment available for everyone to access, complete, and submit starting Nov. 9 and open until Dec. 11, giving and is available 24/7 to call or text. Talk with it. And, more importantly, how to make the availability of health services; use of a peer who has dealt with issues in the past. land; availability of emergency services everyone ample opportunity to complete it. sure everyone knows about it and why it’s All paper assessments will be co-mingled, This is an awesome resource available to all important to the future of Charlotte. and shelters; internet/broadband service; Vermonters. community connections and more. and there is zero identifying information on This assessment came to the attention of some the assessment, so responses remain totally NFI Vermont: access through nfivermont. very forward-thinking folks at the library All questions are important as are all answers, anonymous. org. Serves Vermont families whose children after it was used in the wake of Hurricane including “I don’t know,” which is critical as it are struggling with emotional, behavioral or may mean our town isn’t prepared in that area Our hope is that each of you will take the time Irene, when so many Vermont towns and to read and complete the assessment as this is mental health challenges. families sustained substantial damage from or it could also mean that what the town has done or has available hasn’t been effectively the first step in a Resilience Series, hosted by First Call, 802-488-7777, is for crisis the unexpected flooding around our state. It the Charlotte Library, Charlotte Community became apparent during the aftermath of the communicated to folks. In other words, if situations. Available 24/7. you have a lot of questions with the answer “I Partners and Community Resilience devastation that some towns rebounded easier Organizations. It is our hope that through this and quicker than others—in other words, more don’t know,” don’t feel that your assessment Financial assistance isn’t valuable. assessment we can get a clearer picture of Remember that emergency financial assistance resilient. To further study that, the Community public perception of our preparedness across Resilience Organization came into being. is available through the Food Shelf, Charlotte If this assessment is to have value to our the many sectors that make up our community. Congregational Church and Our Lady of Mt. To date, 10 towns in Vermont have taken the town, we need to hear from all Charlotte This is the starting point to future discussions Carmel. Requests can be made by calling assessment and used the results to bring about residents, and that means each one of you. on how to make Charlotte the best community 425-3252 or 425-3130. change and improvements in those towns for To that end, the assessment will be available we can be for everyone who chooses to call their citizens. In Charlotte, several months online and links will be in the The Charlotte our town their home. VT Department of Health News and The Citizen and on the library and Stay abreast of the ongoing news in Vermont ago, the CRO was contacted and the wheels to As for resources available now: do this in Charlotte began turning. town websites and in the CCS newsletter. If with respect to COVID-19. Check on what is you don’t have access to a computer, you can Food and meals opening, new regulations for traveling into our The COVID team/Charlotte Community access one at the library and complete the Available to Charlotte school age kids: the state, where to get a test if you need one, how Partners, consisting of folks coming from assessment there. school lunch program continues whether to remain safe and well: various organizations/walks of life in our students are in school or learning from home. healthvermont.gov/response/coronavirus- town decided to take up this mission as a way For folks who would rather read it on paper Access the website cvsdvt.org, click on covid-19. to learn whether or not our town was indeed and complete it, you will be able to pick up “District Resources,” click on “Menus,” or an assessment at the Town Hall, the Library, Re-Elect Mike Yantachka State Representative for Charlotte-Hinesburg

VOTE by November 3, 2020 Your vote counts! Ballots have been sent to all registered voters. If you haven’t received yours yet, call your Town Clerk. Thank you for the honor of serving as your State Representative for the past ten years. I am working for a Vermont that works for all of us. Vermont families deserve a healthy environment, an excellent public education system, safe communities, fair wages, and economic rejuvenation especially during this challenging time. I would appreciate your support for another term. www.MikeYantachka.com

Paid for by Mike Yantachka for State Representative 393 Natures Way, Charlotte, VT 05445, (802) 233-5238, e-mail: [email protected]

Know someone interesting in Charlotte? We want to interview them and share their story. Email [email protected] TheCharlotte News 8 • October 29, 2020 • The Charlotte News Hi, Neighbor! Steve Schubart: In partnership with his cows Steve Schubart grew up in Vermont, but in 2011, he traveled to California to pursue a degree in economics. While there, he decided to work on a ranch to get some Phyl Newbeck cattle experience. “I had CONTRIBUTOR worked on farms growing up,” he said “but I got this really great job at an organic beef operation, and it changed my education direction and life path.”

Returning to Vermont in 2013, Schubart enrolled at Vermont Technical College for a degree in diversified agriculture with a minor in dairy. “Before I graduated I drafted a business plan for Grass Cattle Company,” he said. Schubart took a job in bovine genetics for a farm that specialized in dairy. “It opened my eyes to the scale of our regional agriculture,” he said. With the help Left: Beyond the regular rewards of cattle farming, Schubart said he is interested in its of a federal micro loan, he leased 30 acres in potential to solve a nutrition issue. Right: Vermonter Steve Schubart said a job in California Shoreham and started his ranch. changed his life and led him to starting the Grass Cattle Company. Courtesy photos

Recognizing that he couldn’t sell all the beef about the cows. The house is a fixer-upper, but our area. He also sells to some wholesale live he raised, Schubart joined the Adirondack the fence and the pasture are in good shape.” cattle buyers. Grazers Cooperative. When their executive After buying the land, Schubart was asked to director stepped down, he left the genetics join the board of the Charlotte Land Trust. “I Schubart recognizes that the term “rancher” company and took that position, running an was honored that they asked me to join,” he is not often used in New England. “Ranchers 80-member grass-fed beef coop for almost said. “I hope I can provide a good, level- use livestock, usually cattle, to graze and two years. “I learned a lot about supply chain headed rancher/farmer viewpoint.” build topsoil and regenerate the land,” he said. management and herd management software,” “When you ranch, your income comes from he said, noting that the regional farms were Recently, Schubart received a grant from the the land and its ecosystem which you’re trying challenged to meet demand because they Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to to manage without tilling the soil. Progressive didn’t have one massive feedlot like the larger create a laneway for his cows in the pasture ranchers and even those who are conventional ranches. “We had the challenge of how to across the road. “It allows me to utilize that are learning the importance of soil health and prove that varying-sized, grass-fed beef farms field for rotational grazing and to break up the how it offers a greater return.” could provide consistency,” he said. “It was a field to make paddocks,” he said. “When I’m challenging job.” He said the board eventually rotating the cows, they just go down one area A proponent of whole animal utilization, closed the coop. where they compact the soil. It’s great for low- Schubart recommends that people try eating stress livestock handling.” Schubart has had offal. “It makes me happy when every part In 2017, Schubart began to search for land success using laneways in the past, including of the cow is used,” he said. Personally, further north for his Grass Cattle Company. the time he had to separate one cow so he he’s a big fan of flat iron and ribeye steaks. A year later, he signed a lease for his current could remove quills from her brisket after an Schubart’s enjoyment of his work extends acreage in Charlotte and began the process unfortunate encounter with a porcupine. well beyond its culinary rewards. “I really like of applying for a mortgage. “I’m a sole being outside and working with the land,” he LLC with no investors,” he said. “Getting a This summer, Schubart averaged 60 head of said. “Grass-fed beef has a real shot at being mortgage wasn’t a simple process, but I got cattle. The most he has ever had is 96, and a solution to feeding a growing population one in March of 2019.” at this point in the season, he is down to 16. that needs healthy, regenerative protein, rather He sells the beef through his website and to than growing monocrops and soy and wheat It helped that Schubart’s land is permanently local families. Other retail locations include to make fake meat. I see this as a solution to conserved. “That made it affordable for me,” the Intervale Food Hub, Full Belly Farm, Last feeding people in a regenerative way.” he said. “The fence is appraised at a higher Resort Farm and a few farm stands outside value than the house I’m living in. It’s all The Charlotte News • October 29, 2020 • 9 Town Inevitably, EAB arrives in Chittenden County Mark Dillenbeck America. Credit needs to be given to the TOWN TREE WARDEN Vermont Urban and Community Forestry

program, our County Foresters and other On the morning of Oct. 21, I got the call I officials who have been working actively have been expecting and dreading. Emerald to educate people about the threat posed by Ash Borer (EAB) has been detected for the this insect. We also need to acknowledge the first time in Chittenden County. State forestry foresters, loggers, firewood processors, mill officials positively identified characteristic operators and individuals who have been serpentine EAB larval galleries below the cooperating with the state’s Slow the Spread bark of infested trees on private property guidelines. in Richmond. To reach this stage, it must have been present for at least two years. The Continued vigilance, particularly with regard recently identified outbreak puts the northeast to the movement of firewood, will buy us corner of Charlotte within the state-defined more time to plan and prepare. Woodlot High-Risk Area (see yellow area of the map). owners may extract value from their forests by harvesting ash before it succumbs to While EAB may well be in Charlotte, we have EAB. Homeowners may opt to chemically not detected it yet. Many people have been treat ash trees that are important elements of keeping their eyes out for signs and symptoms their landscaping. With part of our town now of EAB, such as extensive woodpecker within the high-risk zone, it is advisable to do flecking of the bark and epicormic branching that now. For trees that threaten homes and Emerald Ash Borer has been detected in Chittenden County. Though it hasn’t hit Charlotte yet, (small branches that sprout from the trunks infrastructure there is still time to plan and infestation is inevitable. This map shows high-risk areas near Richmond, where it was recently of weakened trees). This summer Tree Tribe budget for tree removal. found. Courtesy photos member Alexa Lewis and I installed six green places where EAB has run its course, near Charlotte landowners, but especially people in EAB traps set up in key locations throughout Regarding ash tree removals, it is better to fell 100% ash tree mortality has occurred in a very these areas, to consider chemical treatments town. We checked these traps at the end of ash trees while they are still alive and intact. short time frame—two or three years. The of exemplary ash trees now and to plan for June and in September and did not find any of Because of the particular characteristics of town’s plan is to spread this cost over a five tree replacements where natural regeneration the beetles. ash wood, it tends to crumble and collapse or six year period. The plan may be viewed in or residual non-ash trees are sparse. If catastrophically when it is dead. This is the Tree Warden section of the town website. landowners opt to treat trees in the public EAB has been in North America since especially true for EAB-infested ash. It can An additional consideration is that we expect rights of way (generally 25 feet from the road 2002. Since then entomologists, foresters be dangerous for chainsaw operators to fell the cost of tree removals to increase due to center line), I request that they inform me so and others who have studied this pest have dead ash trees from stump cuts because of demand for tree service companies when we that I can note these on our map and exclude gained a better understanding of the trajectory the likelihood of falling branches and the reach the peak mortality period. these from future cutting programs. of the infestation cycle. It typically takes unpredictability of crumbling trees as they approximately eight to nine years from initial come down. As a rule of thumb, it can cost Some parts of Charlotte are going to be The loss of ash trees is tragic, but the Town infestation for EAB to reach peak population 50% more to remove a dead ash tree than a affected more than others. Thanks to a grant of Charlotte has a plan, and individual levels and 10 years for the peak of ash live one. from the Urban and Community Forestry landowners are informed and many are mortality. Because EAB has already been in Program and the help of two University of taking action. Our roads and infrastructure Richmond for two years, that means the insect This calculus is part of the logic of the town’s Vermont student interns, we now have a map will be kept safe and specimen trees will be populations there will reach peak levels in six plan to preemptively remove potential ash of all the ash trees greater than six inches preserved. to seven years and tree mortality will peak in hazard trees from the town’s rights of way. in diameter within the town’s rights of way. about eight years. In addition to avoiding the higher cost of These maps may be viewed in the Tree Preemptive removals suspended: At the start removing dead trees we hope to spread the Warden section of the town website of the COVID-19 lockdown, in anticipation of In Vermont we have been lucky. EAB costs out over a longer period of time than anticipated revenue shortfall, the Selectboard infestation has happened later and has spread would be the case if we operated in a reactive West Charlotte has more ash than East asked us to determine if budgets could be more slowly here than elsewhere in North mode and just removed trees as they die. In Charlotte. Roads that are going to be severely reduced or eliminated. Because no EAB has impacted by the loss of ash trees include been detected and given current understanding Thompson’s Point Road, Converse Bay of the infestation cycle, I told the Selectboard Road, Cedar Beach Road, Whalley Road, that we could forgo one year of preemptive Wings Point, Lake Road and Ferry Road. ash tree removals if tax receipts are Preemptive removals have been completed significantly lower than initially projected. on sections of the latter two. I encourage all 10 • October 29, 2020 • The Charlotte News Sacred Hunter Wood Duck Heaven might be the fountain of youth Twenty years ago, quacking, and peeping, each with their I was 41 years old. own distinct call. Most of them were wood My experience as a ducks. professional waterfowl guide was at its zenith. When legal shooting time arrived, we I had wealthy clients were able to take our two specimens from big cities and rather quickly as they pitched in to our Bradley Carleton fancy gun clubs that spread with utter disregard for the plastic CONTRIBUTOR never seemed to have deceivers. The daily bag limit then the time to scout and was two woodies per person. After we practice calling ducks. My body was still admired the stunning green crowns with quite strong, and I had an ego to match. I the white racing stripes and the blood red thrived on taking chances, navigating my eyes, we sat and watched the hundreds duck boat in 20 knot winds with three-foot of others flapping in the water, calling swells, marching through floating bogs to one another and generally celebrating where the matted vegetation was covering the crisp autumn morning. We dubbed it three feet of mud and two feet of water. Wood Duck Heaven, for never had we When an errant step meant that I was in up witnessed anything like this in our decades to my neck with 30 pounds of decoys in of waterfowling. a sack strapped to my back. It was during those years that my hunting partner John Fast forward twenty years. I am now 61 and I discovered a place we called Wood years old and life is different now. I can’t Duck Heaven. depend on my right hip to sustain my balance. My lower back is not what it used We found it on a Northern Cartographic to be. My knees wiggle from side to side map of central Vermont. It was nothing and I’ve put on some of that extra padding but a piddly little horseshoe-shaped slough that often comes with age. But last week, from a larger heavily hunted swamp. Using my partner John and I had been discussing our map scale, we estimated it to be about how to hunt in a drought year, where most ½ mile from a fourth-class dirt road. We of the boat accesses were not usable due both agreed, “How bad can it be? Maybe to low water. We talked for a long time a few tangles, a little bushwhacking, about where to hunt for the upcoming maybe some mud?” We jointly accepted weekend. I suggested “Why don’t we make the challenge to discover this new spot. a pilgrimage back to Wood Duck Heaven?” The next morning, we were at a small pull John answered, “If we’re going to do that, off on a muddy clay road. We slid into the we better do so before we get any older.” I small ditch. The tires had accumulated agreed. enough clay to render the treads useless. But we agreed that we would deal with that As we slid into the ditch of the old dirt problem later – right now we were hell- road, we sensed that maybe we could bent on pursuing our adventure. both handle this challenge just one more time. Walking through the brush was a Headlamps mounted on our foreheads, a little different at this juncture. The uneven bag of decoys on our backs, guns, calls, footing was downright painful to an aging and backpacks, we ventured into the lower back. The whips stung a little worse woods where no path had been. We pushed and the buckbrush at times appeared to be through sapling whips with abandon. The impassable. When we got to the gully, it occasional poke in the face be damned! We was apparent that Hurricane Irene had had slugged through buckbrush and scrambled her way, carving out considerably deeper up gullies. When we got to the pool of chasms. We literally slid down the bank water, still in the dark, it erupted in raucous on one side and climbed on our hands and whistles and quacks. This was our reward! knees on the opposing loose dirt on the The El Dorado of waterfowling. uphill side. I had to stop numerous times to stretch. It was a small pool – maybe 15 by 30 feet. We slid down the steep clay bank in When we got to the honey hole the bank our waders into bourbon-stained water seemed steeper and when we slid into the assuming at some point that our feet would mud on the bottom, somehow it was more touch bottom. It wasn’t really a touch. It ominous than before. I was thinking, “What was more like being slowly consumed by if...what if …there is no bottom?” We a quagmire of rotting aquatic vegetation. slogged through, placing one foot at a time Now when you’re young like we were, two steps in front of the other and rocking this was exciting. We had no concerns our back foot out of the unreasonably about swimming our way out of impending stubborn mud. We set out our decoys in the quicksand. We were bold. Foolish even. dark in this nightmarish subsurface. And full of optimism. After wallowing around in the mud and laughing at the We climbed up on the bank and took our difficulty we had walking one leg at a time positions on the same old blowdown and in knee-deep primordial ooze. We set out shared a cup of French roast coffee in the our wood duck decoys on the east side dark. The smell of the coffee, mixed with of the pool and mallards and greenwing the aroma of decaying vegetation in the teal on the west side. We crawled back water and the cool autumn air with just a up the shoreline to take a seat on an old hint of woodsmoke from a distant camp, blowdown. As dawn slowly crept in over surrounded us. the pines and the mountain to our west began to take shape in the deep purple sky, As dawn crept up the side of the mountain, the show began. we heard the first “whooo-eeeek!” of a drake wood duck. Within minutes the sky Hundreds of ducks began circling above exploded with wings. Wings whistling in the tree line to our north. They flew in every direction, squealing and whistling, see HUNTER page 16 The Charlotte News • October 29, 2020 • 11 On Books Pondering reading and three good books on a rainy day It’s a cold, rainy the happiest years of his life was the one in so unusual, so well written, so compelling. suffering, without redemption.” Monday, and I am which some non-serious illness kept him in And I love the fact that no one is entirely thinking about reading. bed for the better part of a year, and he read sure who Elena Ferrante is. Italian journalist Breathtaking, right? The narrator, Gianni, I have always been a and read and read. The entire Wizard of Oz Claudio Gatti thinks he has it figured out and is determined to lose her virginity, to find reader. I remember so series, Lang’s Fairy Books, the work of E. claims that she is the translator Anita Raja, and bond with the aunt whom Gianni has many of the books and Nesbit. who lives in Rome with her husband, the been said to be as ugly as, and to get her authors I read when Neapolitan writer Domenico Starnone. hands on an heirloom bracelet that seems Katherine Arthaud I was young. Pat the It’s interesting, though, to have a life of its own and that gets CONTRIBUTOR Bunny, Dr. Seuss, that my children are Gatti has gone so far as to suggest that passed from woman Uncle Wiggly, Pippi not big readers, at least Ferrante may not have written her novels on to woman in strange, Longstocking, Robert Louis Stevenson, not now, not yet, even her own, but rather, in collaboration with her irrational, inexplicable, Mary Kinman Rawlings, Black Beauty, though they have been husband. Gatti’s theory is rather annoying and suspicious ways. Black Hearts in Battersea—I could go on. exposed all their lives and by no means watertight. And really, I Brillante! Superba! If And on. And on. to a mother who reads don’t give a fig who Elena Ferrante is in real you haven’t yet read a ton. I don’t think my life. I only care that she keeps writing. It is Ferrante, you are in for So many worlds that I have passed over into, sons would ever have hard to describe the style of her prose. Here a trattare. just by turning pages one by one, allowing learned to read at all is the opening of her most recent novel: my eyes to pass over page upon page of if it hadn’t been for “Two years before leaving home my father Two other books I black typeface on white paper, traversing Pokemon; they just had to find out what said to my mother that I was very ugly. The highly recommend are left to right, mind, cognition, imagination was written on the backs of those crazily sentence was uttered under his breath, in the Transcendent Kingdom absorbing ideas, events and images, painting addictive little trading cards. In her early apartment that my parents, newly married, by Yaa Gyasi and All pictures, having pictures painted upon years, my daughter was obsessed with books had bought at the top of Via San Giacomo the Devils are Here me, feeling feelings, resonating, relating, and was often found reading them aloud dei Capri, in Rione Alto. Everything—the by Louise Penny. envisioning visions, entering into and to her button-eyed stuffed animals and/or spaces of Naples, the blue light of a frigid The latter is the most exiting relationships with characters, layered our long-suffering boxer, Bambi. But not February, those words—remained fixed. recent of the bestselling in time, some short-lived and fleeting, some anymore. But I slipped away, and am still slipping series and takes place lifelong and eternal as human memory and away, within these lines that are intended to in Paris. I am a huge imagination can allow. This month I read a book for which I have give me a story, while in fact I am nothing, fan of Penny, who is been waiting with much anticipation: Elena nothing of my own, nothing that has really Canadian, and I am one It seems to me that reading is art more than Ferrante’s The Lying Life of Adults. Likely, a begun or really been brought to completion: of the many who long anything. Yes, it is passive—that is one thing number of you are Ferrante fans. She wrote only a tangled know, and nobody, not even always to return to the cozy village of Three to love about it—but it is also creative. My the Neapolitan Quartet, beginning with the the one who at this moment is writing, Pines, where the books usually take place, father, a writer, was also a voracious reader unforgettable, darkly sumptuous, coming- knows if it contains the right thread for a who would frequently recount that one of of-age My Brilliant Friend. Her books are story or is merely a snarled confusion of see ON BOOKS page 11 12 • October 29, 2020 • The Charlotte News Books ON BOOKS in Alabama, which gives her a really continued from page 10 interesting lens and sensibility as a writer. and reconnect with my old friends there, but This book is un-put-downable. It focuses I have to say, this recent novel is one of my on Gifty, a sixth-year Ph.D. candidate in favorites. neuroscience struggling to come to terms with the death by heroin overdose of her Penny is a master of character development, beloved brother, Nana, while wrestling with to the point that one feels that her regulars the un-wrestleable-with, incapacitating are old, dear friends. Armand, Reine-Marie, depression of her mother, and the absence their children Annie and Daniel, Annie’s of her father, referred to as the Chin Chin husband, Jean-Guy Beauvoir—my heart man, who went to Ghana one day and never warms to meet them once again and join returned. with them on another adventure. Always, there is darkness and intrigue in Penny’s The Chin Chin man becomes a lost cause, books (I mean, how can you have a mystery and nothing can bring the once stellar without darkness and intrigue?), but she has Nana back, and her mother won’t get out an unusual and impactful way of describing, of bed. Meanwhile, there are the Herculean evoking, and emphasizing love, connection, challenges of caring for a bunch of white loyalty and the deep comfort that can be lab rats and figuring out what makes their found in family and true friendship. Where neural circuits of depression and addiction are the devils? Read and find out. But along tick. Gifty looks to science and also to her the way of finding the devils, you will also childhood faith to help her navigate her feel the angelic touch of love, warmth and world. I really loved this book. I liked the kinship, along with the deep appreciation first half better than the second. See what Penny has for her characters. I highly you think. recommend all of Penny’s books. This one is particularly good. Arrivederci amici miei! Stai al caldo! Buona lettura! And apologies for any butchering I Transcendent Kingdom is Gyasi’s second might have inadvertently done (and si, have novel. Gyasi was born in Ghana and raised most likely done) to the beautiful Italian language. New memoir by Norm Riggs

In our July 11 and And it’s getting some traction back in Iowa. 28, 2018 issues, Word of its publication is spreading among The Charlotte News Norm’s friends, and Iowa State University experimented with mentioned it in its Extension retiree publishing two long- newsletter last week. form installments of what eventually became After finishing the book, Norm sent it, with Vince Crockenberg a book-length memoir some trepidation, to Laurence Paul, who CONTRIBUTOR by Norm Riggs about retired in 2009 as the executive editor of how, in the summer the New York Times News Service and of 1964, he and a friend, Dave Dyer, two Syndicate. Forty years ago, Paul, who at college guys in Des Moines—unable to face the time was working for the Des Moines another three months of typical, tedious, Register, rejected several press releases that low-paying summer jobs—decided to take Norm had written while he was working for a big chance. They would hop from suburb the Iowa Governor’s Office for Planning to suburb across the country, painting house and Programming. After reading Norm’s numbers on curbs and asking homeowners to book, however, Paul wrote back: “I can say donate for the service. as an editor that it is a wonderful yarn. Your skill at building each little vignette to a As Norm describes his and Dave’s thinking climax is artful. Your digressions into nature at the time, “Seeing new places, meeting and scenery are evocative. Your musings new people, fascinating the neighborhood about how American society has changed kids, and earning spending money for are poignant. Alas, our kids and theirs will the fall. Perfect. It wasn’t illegal (was probably never know that sweet, innocent, it?). Nobody else had thought of this so they secure world. What a shame.” had no competition (did they?). Americans were friendly, trustin, and generous (weren’t For Boomers in Vermont who were coming they?). What could go wrong?” of age in the mid-60s, the book should evoke memories of the halcyon summer of ’64 Curbing Across America in the Age of when the Beatles were coming to the fore— Innocence, Norm’s self-published book, and just before everything was about to answers those questions and many more as change. America has not been the same since. it chronicles the unpredictable adventures and encounters that he and Dave had that Curbing Across America can be ordered, in summer. hardback ($29.99) or paperback ($8.99) at Norm’s website, NormRiggs.com. Be sure “By the time we had returned to Des to include the capitalized N and R in the Moines,” Norm writes, “we had full pockets address. and a lifetime of memories—many hilarious, some scary, a few dangerous, and one … Norm retired in 2006 from Iowa State well, almost triple-X, as we said back in University, where he worked as a rural those days. But you have to read the book to community development specialist. He and hear more about that. For more than a half- his wife, Sandy, then moved to Ferrisburgh, century, when I have recounted tales from where they still live. that summer to friends, neighbors and co- workers, they have often told me the stories should be in a book. So now it is.” The Charlotte News • October 29, 2020 • 13 Outdoors Pandemic goings-on Stalking the Wild Mushroom With most of our foliage walk two or three abreast and be distanced. Lee Weisman roadsides. As they age the lower edges turn a now decomposing on Seek out dirt roads with little traffic; the CONTRIBUTOR black mess and the whole cap just melts (auto digests). Nice light flavor picked young. The the forest floor—or your History Hike at Little River State Park is After a dry summer/fall, recent rains and warm appearance (look it up), location, and the black lawn—we’re entering on ancient roads, wide enough for safe spells have brought on a widespread mush- autodigestion are key to positive ID. what is euphemistically conversation. Cotton Brook, accessible from room fruiting here in the Champlain Valley. called Stick Season or the Moscow, offers miles of old logging roads on For those interested in gathering and eating The ‘Meadow mushroom’ (Agaricus camp- Quiet Season. There are hilly terrain. We are blessed with proximity to wild shrooms it’s a great time of year. For estris) is the first cousin to the store bought Elizabeth Bassett still ample opportunities Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge, Mt. Philo beginners there are two tasty ones currently kind and somewhat similar. Smooth buff dry CONTRIBUTOR for outdoor expeditions State Park and Shelburne Farms. Charlotte’s fruiting that are particularly easy to identify, white cap, low in the grass. The gills at first are and plenty to observe in Town Link Trail offers two loops on the town- quite distinctive in appearance, and safe/good covered by a thin veil, then are pinkish color the animal kingdom. While many pleasures owned Burns property, one in the woods and to eat, as well as many others. They’re likely but become brown and leave a brown spore are risky or off limits (indoor dining, contact one in fields, in addition to two point-to-point growing right now on local lawns and pastures print The key is the appearance, location in sports, movie theaters and ski gondolas), segments, Co-Housing and the Trevor and in your neighborhood. grass/pasture, brown spore print (see below) there are many outdoor activities that, with Melissa Mack trail. In Burlington, wide trails and gills as described, and me finding them Most folks know about the risks of eating currently in many locations. Look up photos adaptation, will serve us well in the coming at the Ethan Allen Homestead connect to the poisonous mushrooms, any- for comparison. Send me a cold, dark months. Intervale; and miles of recreation trails stretch where from gastric upset to photo if unsure or ask your through South Burlington and Burlington. certain death (Amanita poi- local forager. There are Skiing soning is a killer). I suspect several edible first cousins Both cross-country Winter preparation this fear might inhibit some out there too with similar and Alpine skiing It’s a busy time of year in the animal kingdom. folks from learning how to characteristics, especially present lower risks With a bit of luck we can witness some of this gather edible mushrooms the gill color and spore than indoor sports. It winter preparation. safely. The key early on is print. (Cut off the stem is estimated that for going after varieties that are and lay the cap on white downhill skiing and Many birds flock or gather before migration, especially easy to identify paper for a while to get a boarding, 80% are which is why you may see dozens or hundreds such as Shaggy Manes spore print.) and Meadow Mushrooms visitors from out of of similar birds at one time. With their loud Shaggy parasols and meadow state, a concern for honking, geese in V-formation are easy to (which I describe below, A mushroom is the fruiting currently widespread), with mushrooms make a great vegetarian body of a higher class of Vermonters who have maintained a relatively hear and spot overhead. Loons gather on no poisonous look alikes. addition to any recipe. fungi, akin to the flower of low incidence of COVID-19. Resorts are bodies of waters close to where they nest and There are many other simi- Photo by Lee Wiesman a plant, it does no harm at preparing for a season like no other: lodges, spend the summer. Because Vermont loons larly safe ones easy to learn all to harvest them. The restaurants, restrooms and ski schools are recovering from such as springtime Morels, actual ‘plant’ is a vast will operate with limitations and will look very low numbers, puffballs large and small, orange Chanterelles network of filaments in the ground (or rotting different. Customers are encouraged to arrive researchers have in summer, many others. Once you learn them wood) called ‘mycelium’. Fungi are the dressed and shod in order to avoid indoor banded many, making and know where they grow, you can come ubiquitous original composters, converting spaces. Much ticketing will be online with it possible to follow back regularly. It’s good to go out with an dead leaves, dead trees, dead dogs, anything some resorts requiring reservations. Others their movements. experienced forager when possible. Look at organic (even motor oil) into a usable elemen- encourage family groups or pods to share photos online and in guide books. Never eat a tal form. (See Paul Stamets’ great TED talk chairlifts and gondolas. Now, as you are Unlike populations in mushroom you’re not 100% sure of. Always on YouTube: “Six ways mushrooms can save thinking of equipment or tickets you might other parts of the country, local loons depart save one or two uncooked just in case. the world” Fungi are a unique life form having branched off from the plant and animal king- want, do research on specific restrictions at for nearby ocean waters in the Northeast, The beautiful Shaggy Mane (Coprinus coma- doms very early on in the evolutionary tree your favorite winter destinations. Think Snow! a flight of just one to two days for adults. tus) has a white distinctly conical shape with of life; they combine cellular features of both Take a stroll Departures from Vermont bodies of water a shaggy/scaly surface, usually in clusters/ There are many venues where it’s possible to groups, in a lawn or mowed pasture, also along see OUTDOORS page 16 see MUSHROOMS page 15 Business Directory To advertise your business contact [email protected]

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- 14 • October 29, 2020 • The Charlotte News Town Library news Jack o’ Lantern Parade: fee from Paradiso, cocoa and chocolates from mont Department of Libraries and the Vermont copies available at the library circulation desk. Light up the town with a Lake Champlain Chocolates, tea, beeswax can- Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. For Please email info@charlottepubliclibrary. pumpkin parade. Carvers dles, and an assortment of great books. Tick- details, visit the NOFA-VT website: https://no- org for a Zoom invite. of all ages, sharpen your ets will sell for $5 each, or 5 for $20. Raffle favt.org/events/agricultural-literacy-week-2020 knives and get going! dates: November 13 through December 15. Library Book Discussion: Drop off as many jack Stay tuned for details about our own virtual The Library Book o’ lanterns as you can on Book Art for November: Make a seasonal cooking demo for ALW! Thursday, November 19 @ 7:30 pm the porch at the Charlotte wreath for your home! Simple instructions and Weaving her lifelong love of books and reading Margaret Woodruff Mystery Book Group: Library until October all the supplies you need available for pick into an investigation of the fire, award-win- DIRECTOR Outsider in Amsterdam 29. Jack o’ lanterns up at the library porch. Email us at info@ ning New Yorker reporter and New York Monday, November 16 @ 10 am will be lit each night, October 29 to 31. Take a charlottepubliclibrary.org so we can aside a kit Times bestselling author Susan Orlean delivers This now-classic novel, first published in picture and email it to the library to participate for you! Kits available November 2 through a mesmerizing and uniquely compelling 1975, introduces Janwillem van de Wetering’s in the virtual pumpkin parade: info@charlotte- November 23. book that manages to tell the broader story of lovable Amsterdam cop duo of portly, world- publiclibrary.org. For more information or to libraries and librarians in a way that has never DIY Recipe Packets: Pick up a bag from our ly-wise Gripstra and handsome, contemplative volunteer to help, check Front Porch Forum or been done before. Copies to be available at Charlie Cart and get started! The herbal tea de Gier who are sent to investigate what looks email Jessica Scriver ([email protected]) the library circulation desk. kit, hot cocoa kit, favorite oatmeal kit and best like a simple suicide, but they are immediately or Stacy Fraser ([email protected]). baking mix kit will have you sharing hygge in suspicious of the circumstances. Print copies For the latest information about programs, Library Rain Garden: If you’ve driven by the no time. are available at the circulation desk and online books and activity kits, sign up for our monthly library lately, you’ve probably noticed the dis- versions available through Hoopla. newsletter. Upcoming at the Library: Once you’ve got appearance of the east side driveway. Thanks your tea and scones at the ready, join us for How to Hoopla: read, watch and listen on Library Hours: (Mon. - Thurs. closed noon to to the collective knowledge and energy of our some lively and entertaining programs online. your devices 1 pm for cleaning) volunteer garden corps, this space is transform- To sign up for a library program, email us at Tuesday, November 17 @ 2 pm Monday: 10 am to 3 pm, Tuesday: 10 am to ing into a Rain Garden. As part of the library [email protected] for a Zoom Learn how to use Hoopla to read books, listen 3 pm, Wednesday: 10 am to 3 pm, Thurs- expansion project, the garden will offset the invite. to books & music and watch tv shows & day: 10 am to 3 pm, Friday: CLOSED to permeable surface of our new addition. With movies at home for free with your library card. the public, open for porch pickup, Saturday: nearly all of the 1200 plants in the ground, the Using the Libby App to Borrow eBooks Our tech librarian, Susanna, will walk you CLOSED to the public, open for porch pickup garden is coming together beautifully. Our & Audiobooks for Beginners through how to get started with Hoopla on your Porch Pickup Hours: appreciation and hats off to Jim Donovan and Tuesday, November 10 @ 2 pm device. Mon: 10 am to 4 pm, Tue: 10 am to 4 pm, Karen Tuininga, who led the library landscape Learn how to use your library card to read and Wed.: 10 am to 4 pm, Thur.: 10 am to 4 pm course as well as the volunteer gardeners, Jo- listen to books on your computer or device Men’s Book Group: Friday: 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday: 10 am to anna Cummings, Abby Foulk, Deirdre Holmes, with the Libby app in a live Zoom session with The Soul of an Octopus noon Marianne Kuitert, Patricia O’Donnell, and tech librarian Susanna. Wednesday, November 18 @ 7:30 pm From Monday to Thursday, the library will be Toni Sunderland. A special thanks to Linda In pursuit of the wild, solitary, predatory open to groups by appointment from 3 to 4 pm. Hamilton for keeping everything together! COVID-19: Winter Preparations octopus, popular naturalist Sy Montgomery Each appointment slot is 30 minutes and allows Wednesday, November 11 @ 10:30 am Community Resilience Assessment: Since has practiced true immersion journalism. From for up to 8 people in a pod/family group to en- The news about pandemic preparations for the April, an informal group, assembled from a New England aquarium tanks to the reefs of ter together. Please contact the library at info@ winter can be overwhelming and frightening. broad cross-section of Charlotters, has met French Polynesia and the Gulf of Mexico, she charlottepubliclibrary.org for details. Join Jim Hyde, Associate Professor Emeritus every two weeks in response to the COVID has befriended octopuses with strikingly dif- for Public Health at Tufts University, for a crisis. It was a natural evolution for this group ferent personalities—gentle Athena, assertive realistic and practical overview of our current to begin working with Vermont’s Community Octavia, curious Kali, and joyful Karma. Print situation. He’ll share his advice for the coming Resilience Organization to develop a tool to winter season and answer questions as well. assess Charlotte’s resilience. This brief and confidential assessment is ready to go and we Connecting with Friends & warmly invite you to participate, beginning No- Family Near & Far vember 9. For more details, please see Trina Thursday, November 12 @ 3:30 pm Bianchi’s article in this issue of the paper. While we may long for the cozy gatherings that holidays bring, this year our get-togethers Hygge Season: Get out your slippers and a may be distanced and our reunions online. Join cozy throw…we are embracing hygge for Susanna and Margaret for a brainstorm session November! For those of you who need a to share how to make the most of these unusual refresher: hygge is “a quality of cosiness and holiday times. We’ll share some of our ideas comfortable conviviality that engenders a feel- and inspirations and invite you to bring yours ing of contentment or well-being.” We’ll be as well. featuring some favorite cozy books for all ages as well as warming recipes, a session of Laugh- 11th Annual Agricultural Literacy Week: No- ter Yoga and hints for virtual family connection vember 16 through November 19. Tune in for to create some DIY hygge! this weeklong (virtual) celebration to inform, educate and create community around the topic This all leads up to the ultimate in hygge: the of resiliency in all of its forms. Each night will Friends of the Library “Get Cozy Raffle.” The feature a webinar bringing together the voices centerpiece is a beautiful and comfy quilt made of our community. All events are free and open by Amanda Herzberger. It is surrounded by cof- to the public. Sponsored by NOFA-VT, Ver- The Charlotte News • October 29, 2020 • 15 Town Charlotte Senior Center news been able to fit in? You are in luck!

Many of the courses with limited meeting dates are likely to repeat in the winter: Italian Intro, Italian Refresher, French Coffee Club, Mindfulness for Life Intro, Writing Your Life Story, probably another Carolyn Kulik SENIOR CENTER version of Script Writing—and possibly DIRECTOR also Civil Discourse. There will be other new ones as well. Be sure to check the “You gain strength, courage and Winter Schedule online 12/1 or as an insert confidence by every experience in which in this paper on 12/3. you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived Although it is late in the season, you can through this horror. I can take the next still join any of the ongoing courses— thing that comes along.’ ” which basically never end. This wide array (previously Footnoters) are not going to be the nature of turbulent change and steps ~ Eleanor Roosevelt, You Learn by Living of exercise/health courses will continue offered during the pandemic. According to you can take to respond effectively to it. ______to help keep folks in shape while we the email from UVM Health, “We knew Steven Jay Gross is Professor Emeritus at that the program would not be able to Temple University. Last Outdoor Activity are hunkered down for the winter. With different levels of challenge, you can continue in its current form, but hoped we 11/3 – Fall Road Hikes in the Champlain choose from (in alphabetical order): Chair could build on existing programs… After 11/18 – Is America’s Oldest Asian Valley with Joan Mollica continue one Yoga (W/F), Gentle Yoga (M), Essentrics many conversations with clinical leaders Security Alliance Ending? with David more Tuesday to make up a previous (W/F), Mindfulness (W), Pilates (Th), at various organizations, we have made Rosenberg cancellation for rain. There is some space, Pilates Plus (Tu), Tai Chi for Beginners the difficult decision to discontinue our A crisis is brewing between the U.S. and so if you are interested, please contact Joan (Tu/Th). If you have questions about any program.” the Philippines. President Duterte sees directly at: [email protected] or call of these courses, email CSCZoom@gmavt. that U.S. influence in the region is her at 985-2951 and leave a message. Be net and you will be put in touch with the “Home Health and Hospice offers afoot waning, while China is becoming more sure to include your name, phone number relevant instructor. Probably the better idea care clinic at their South Burlington Adult aggressive. He is concerned that the U.S. and email address for the contact tracing is not to “hunker down” but, rather, “move Day Center and is available to all former is not living up to its end of the Mutual log. The 11/3 hike is to Rock Point Trails, around.” UVMMC participants for a charge of Defense Treaty between the two countries Burlington. Word is that this is probably $50. To schedule with this clinic, you can and is charting a slow, but steady, the most beautiful of the walks. There are call (802)860-4442. We recognize that course away from the U.S.—and toward stone steps and fenced-off overlooks for How to Register for a Course All courses are online—and all require this is not ideal for some, but it is the only China. Are there any options for averting viewing the lake from various cliff spots. registration. safe and available option at this time (in the end of America’s oldest strategic No fee. addition to PCP and Podiatry office foot alliance in Asia? David Rosenberg is To register, send your name and care services).” Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Starting soon mailing address to CSCZoom@ Middlebury College and an international 11/6 – Yes, it’s lovely here in Vermont gmavt.net. Be sure to note the name There used to be a rather festive specialist in this area. but are you still feeling stuck? This is of the course in the memo line. You atmosphere on Foot Clinic days here at your last chance this season to “take a will receive confirmation that you are the Senior Center. Lots of people coming Art exhibit trip”—through language learning. You will registered. and going—and lots of happy feet bringing The Senior Center’s monthly art exhibits have another chance to dive into Italian smiles to faces. Everyone was friendly and are continuing, and visitors are most If there is a fee, kindly pay language and culture in case your schedule Payment: chatty. Folks were well attended to—Julia welcome. To see an art exhibit, please by check (made out to CSC) and send has been too busy in the past. On Friday, Jacques, LPN, started volunteering with schedule an appointment at least 24 hours to P.O. Box 207, Charlotte, VT 05445. 11/6, Italian Intro–B (1:30 p.m.) and the Foot Clinic way back in 2002, and in advance. Viewing days are Tuesday Be sure to note the name of the course Italian Refresher–B (3 p.m.) both will run Martha McAuliffe, RN, began with the and Thursday between 1 and 3 p.m. Leave in the memo line. Those in ongoing for 6 sessions into Dec. – with a break for Blood Pressure Clinic in 2013 and started a message anytime at 425-6345 and exercise courses pay that the end of the Thanksgiving. The suggested fee is $30, supervising the Foot Clinic in 2015. They include your name and phone number for a month for the classes they attended. For but donations of any amount are accepted. were a great team—along with the other confirmation of your appointment. courses with limited dates, kindly pay volunteers who came to lend a hand. Life is prior to the start of the course. The November Art Exhibit extends the Never too late about change, but sometimes it is hard. Did you manage to find so much to do Photography by James Regan and adds a whimsical display titled, “And Your while the weather was nice that your days Talks on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Foot clinics Little Dog, too.” These are paintings by were just completely filled? Did you miss These free events are via Zoom. After months of uncertainty, the notice has Vivian Jordan, inspired by animals and out on some classes that you wish you’d Please note that they do not require finally come this week that the Foot Clinics nature. Vivian says, “Many are detailed registration. You will find the Zoom and realistic, others express feelings, and invitation/link to the talks posted some have a surprising twist. All have a on the website the day before: signature touch of sparkle…but you won’t CharlotteSeniorCenterVT.org. see that until the light hits it just right.” 11/4 – Long Ago in Charlotte: Train Depot & West Charlotte Village with Remember, there is a lot of space in the Jenny Cole Great Room to walk around in and relax. Take a photo tour Charlotte’s West Take a break for art. Village and train depot in the early 1900s. Be careful. Keep your spirits up. We are all Adding a few more details and stories of in this together. longtime Charlotte residents will bring this enterprising village to life. People in ______the audience are invited to share their own memories. Co-sponsored by the Charlotte The Senior Center’s mission is to serve Library, Charlotte Historical Society and those 50 and up; if a course is not full, local historians. pre-seniors may also enroll. Feel free to leave a message anytime at 425-6345; 11/11 – Turbulence: What Can We Do voicemail is checked frequently. About It? with Steve Gross ______To say the least, we live in turbulent times. Charlotte Senior Center Covid-19, the struggle for racial equity, 802-425-6345 and a volatile political environment are just CharlotteSeniorCenterVT.org some of the forces we are dealing with as a society, as individuals, and in our families. This talk will help you better understand 16 • October 29, 2020 • The Charlotte News Sports CVU Soccer takes selected male “Athlete of the Week” of Oct. it on the chin by the 12–18 by online voters to the Free Press. Caleb Free Press 20 years led all runners in this month’s CVU 3-mile race, 18 seconds over the second-place runner. Doing after it happened so, he paced the team to a 32-point victory over I suppose when you are Burlington. He also led a group of runners (sev- looking for news that will eral Redhawks) to a team title in the Northern elicit readership, papers Vermont Metro Championships at Swanton. Ca- Edd Merritt turn to unusual sources. CONTRIBUTOR leb headed the group, followed by CVU’s Kai The Free Press seems to Hillier in second, Matthew Ireland in fourth and have done just that in last Saturday’s issue with Matthew Servin in eighth. its front-page column headed, “Reliving VT’s Major Upset.” The column (that goes on for The CVU women also won the large-school another full page) details Lyndon Institute’s team title in the NVAC Metro Championships. upset of CVU men’s soccer in the year 2000. Alicia Veronneau finished first, Jasmine Nails, Yes, it was a play-off game, and yes, CVU had second, and Alice Larson, fifth. been dubbed “Soccer Central” for number of years. So, it was a memorable event, and its “Soccer Central” may become anniversary probably did deserve mention—but “Golfers Paradise” front-page news? CVU men golfers won their third straight Division I title on the Quechee course earlier CVU did, in turn, remedy its record after an- this month. A team effort in which the four Red- other nail-biting loss to Colchester in 2002, as hawks shot in the 70s and low 80s with seven They’re off and running. Photo by Al Frey it went on to take four straight Division I titles birdies among the group. Evan Forrest and Alex beginning in 2003. Leonard both struck the ball 78 times. sparked CVU’s attack. Goalie Marina Schmidt to Burlington/South Burlington 38–35 for their was not called upon for saves during the entire first defeat this season. Max and Jake Bowen This year it was Essex that halted CVU’s 37- The Redhawk women came very close in their game. came back to throw for 157 and 104 yards re- game win streak, taking a heart-stopping match state effort, losing to Burr and Burton after spectively to lead the Redhawks to a 35–20 win 2-1 on Oct. 3. With that hurdle under its belt, CVU had been ten strokes up in the club-house Football finally loses its grip, then over Mount Mansfield on Saturday. the Redhawks came back with a 3-0 shutout going into the final round. Lindsey Beer’s 96 regains it of Rutland on Oct. 22. Charlotters Holden and Clare Stackpole-McGrath’s 97 were the Despite Max Desito’s throwing arm, which The one bonus of the new high school sev- Batchelder (2 goals) and Henry Bijur (1 goal) low Redhawk scores. earned him “Athlete of the Week” the week en-on-seven play is that they draw the same led the way. before, throwing nine touchdowns over three number—if not more fans in the stands—than Field hockey earns quarterfinal win games, the Redhawks finally lost in overtime the Patriots. CVU runner Caleb Nye named Ranked third in Division I, the Redhawk field “Athlete of the week” by Free Press hockey team moved along to a quarterfinal win Redhawk cross-country runner Caleb Nye was over Colchester 4–0. Sydney Peet’s two goals

MUSHROOMS even coffee grounds, in a closed bucket in your Classifieds continued from page 12 back closet. Or one can buy ready to grow kits that just need watering, (especially Oyster Reach your friends and neighbors for only $12 per issue. animal and plants. In fact, systemic fungal mushroom varieties and Shiitake). The com- infections in humans are very difficult to treat pany, Fungi Perfecti is one good resource for (Payment must be sent before issue date.) Please limit your ad to because of their similarity to human cells, yet everything mushroom. I know that some folks 35 words or fewer and send it to The Charlotte News Classifieds, they grow just like plants. Fungi were the first absolutely hate mushrooms, that’s too bad. I P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 organisms that emerged from the sea to live on understand childhood culinary trauma but who land, paving the way for all that followed. didn’t love Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom or email [email protected]. soup? Since 1977, LAFAYETTE PAINTING has about wanting paint work done, call us For more advance foragers, I picked a bunch of beautiful ‘Shaggy Parasol’ mushrooms this It always surprises me that despite years of provided top quality painting services. for an estimate. 802-877-2172 morning (Lepiota rachodes) a great edible, foraging and a small library of field guides, I Our experts will complete your job very different shape from the Shaggy Mane. still come upon distinctive looking mushrooms quickly and the finished work is GUITAR LESSON IN CHARLOTTE Look up photos and if you have a similar one every season that I just can’t identify. It’s an guaranteed to look great. Learn more -Student-centered learning, all ages/ send me a photo and I can review the important extremely complicated field and frustrating at about us at LafayettePaintingInc.com levels. Technique, theory, composition, ID details. This gem has a white spore print times. A good field guide is essential (I like (as does the Amanita family) so not one for the Audubon guide in general but use several or call 863-5397 improvisation. Jazz, rock, funk, beginners, but distinctive (and delicious) once others to cross reference.) Online resources Western classical and Indian classical. you know what to look for and where it has are widespread. There’s a delightful movie MCCAFFREY’S SHAMROCK PAINTING I aim to foster my students’ skills to previously grown. called “Fantastic Fungi” that came out last Interior and exterior work, lift certified, explore all that is possible. 802-318- year, beautiful, very informative that can be clean, neat work, decent rates, 35+ 5365 / [email protected] / Incidentally mushrooms can be grown at home, found on YouTube. indoors and out. Oyster mushrooms are espe- years experience. If you are serious xandernaylor.com cially easy, can be grown on straw, sawdust, Happy foraging, Heated Winter Storage 1741 Rt. 7 So., Middlebury, Vt 05753 This 100,000 SF, heated, warehouse on 1741 Route 7 South in Middlebury will be accepting boats, motor homes, trailers, motorcycles, cars, and pickups for storage this season. Storage runs from October thru April. Rates are listed below. Reserve your heated Providing Repair, Refinishing, indoor space now! Cars & Pickups $250 each for indoor storage Restoration and Transport ATV & Motorcycles $115.00 each for indoor storage Boats (ball hitch to propeller) $22.00 per foot Campers (bumper to bumper) $22.00 per foot George & Pam Darling Travel Trailers (hitch to bumper) $22.00 per foot P.O. Box 32 Rates payable by cash or check Ferry Road, Charlotte, VT at the time of storage. No exceptions. Contact Nikki 802-651-6888 ext. 2 [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Lee coyotes expanded east, they intermixed coyotes expanded east,theyintermixed Vermont Family Forestsexplains, “As the MississippiRiver. The nonprofit moved in,migratingeast fromwestof our ecosystemcenturies ago,coyotes lions andwolveseliminated from penetrate mysleep. With bothmountain Nearly everynighthowlingcoyotes Coyotes branches intheirwake. leaving atangleofbentandbroken They clamberuptowheretheyfeast, as theybulkupforalongwintersleep. climb insearchoffat-richbeechnuts American beechtrees.Blackbears Be onthelookoutforclawmarks Earth’s magneticfield. be imprintedwitharecognitionofthe navigate usingthestars. All seemto currents toconserveenergy; nightflyers Daylight migratorsusethermalair try togainweightforadditionalfuel. feathers beforethelongflight.Others species moltingandgrowingnew days triggermigrationwithsome predators andlocatefood.Shortening are betterablethanindividualstofight Flocks thatmigrateinlarge numbers blackbirds filledourcottonwoodtree. In recentweekshundredsofscreeching lakes intheregionoftheirbirth. years ontheoceanbeforereturningto water. The youngwillspendseveral these youngmuchlongertoreachsalt average ageof17weeks;itwilltake November, withchicksmigratingatan range fromearlySeptembertolate continued OUTDOORS thousand times. the triggerasthoughI’ddoneita I swungthroughthetarget andpulled calculation forthespeedofbird, It wasinstinctive. Without thoughtor intent onstrafingourdecoyspread. passing lefttorightshotonadrake shotgun andquicklyswungonafast youth hadreturned.Ishoulderedmy suddenly camealive.Itwasasifmy As westoodtoshoot,mybody it hadtwentyyearsago. slough. The showhadbegun.Justas and whistlesechoedthroughthe pre-dawn. Squeaks,peeps,quacks, continued HUNTER

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12 9 Get outdoorsandbesafe! us atnight. predators, coyotesmaynotbewaking and wolvesreturnto Vermont astop If thedaycomeswhenmountainlions coyotes youkill,thefeweryou’llhave.” new territory. Inmost cases,thefewer more pups,andoftenspreadinginto breeding atyoungerages,birthingmany coyotes inthepackviefordominance, one orbothalphasarekilled,other female inacoyotepackbreed. When only thedominant(alpha)maleand explains, “undernormalconditions, the morepupsarebornnext. VFF more coyotesthatarekilledeachyear reproduction respondstothisstress;the But coyotesarewilyandtheir 400,000 eachyearacrossthecountry. to livestock,hunterskillmorethan Because coyotesareseenasathreat reptiles, birdsandmore.” woodchucks, insects,amphibians, deer, snowshoehare,cottontailrabbits, consume smallrodents,plants,fruit, dog. 13% easternwolfand10%domestic makeup as64%coyote,13%graywolf, shows theeasterncoyote’s genetic with canidcousins.DNA analysis man tonature. public onthespiritualconnectionof non-profit thatseekstoeducatethe director ofSacred Hunter.org, a Bradley Carletonisexecutive got here.” mud seemedalotdeeperwhenwe said toJohn.“Funnything. That it. When Ireturnedtomypost, and Isliddownthebanktoretrieve The birddroppedintothedecoys Heaven withBradley Carleton. Finbar, madethetrekto Wood Duck Right: JohnLesherandhispuppy, These adaptable omnivores These adaptableomnivores

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The nonprofit community news source since 1958 TheCharlotte News Thursday, October 29, 2020 | Volume LXIII Number 09