May - The North Star Monthly
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DANVILLE, VERMONT GOOD FOR THE WHOLE MONTH $1.50<br />
MAY 2010<br />
Volume 22, Number 12<br />
profile<br />
Who will take these wounded?<br />
This is not Iraq: A MEDEVAC team’s role in Afghanistan<br />
By Alexis D. Scott, Captain, U.S. Army<br />
Page<br />
14<br />
nature<br />
history<br />
Page<br />
21<br />
Spring<br />
Songs<br />
Page<br />
20<br />
BY NATHANIEL TRIPP<br />
It is finally warm<br />
enough to sleep with<br />
the bedroom window<br />
fully open, right by our<br />
heads. <strong>The</strong> sweet night air<br />
is reason enough, but the<br />
best part is the dawn concert<br />
of bird songs.<br />
In the cathedral of hills and<br />
valleys stroked by first light, this<br />
is the choir. <strong>The</strong> singing is more<br />
than what some scientists might<br />
explain as merely the staking out<br />
of nesting territory, more than a<br />
mating call. This is the celebration<br />
of life, resurrection and<br />
glory. Always in tune, and distinct<br />
to each species, the bird<br />
songs waft through the dawning<br />
light, bouncing back and forth<br />
from bushes and trees.<br />
Come evening the songs return,<br />
and songs of the meadows<br />
>> Page 30<br />
<strong>The</strong> sun rises high over Torkham Gate. To the south, the mighty Tora Bora Mountains stand against the<br />
horizon like some monolithic giants. To the west, Highway 1 makes its long, windy journey the 100<br />
miles to Kabul.<br />
<strong>The</strong> sun rises high over Torkham Gate. To the south, the<br />
mighty Tora Bora Mountains stand against the horizon like some<br />
monolithic giants. To the west, Highway 1 makes its long, windy<br />
journey the 100 miles to Kabul. To the north, the vast Kunar Valley<br />
divides the Hindu Kush mountain range on its path to the<br />
mountain K2. And smack in middle of this foreign landscape, Pirate<br />
Dustoff resides in the city of Jalalabad, saving lives in one of<br />
the most dangerous places in the world.<br />
>> Page 10<br />
P.O. Box 319 w Danville,VT 05828-0319<br />
INSIDE: KINGDOM GUIDE<br />
<strong>The</strong> 2nd annual community-oriented reference<br />
guide for those looking to visit or move to our<br />
little corner of the <strong>North</strong>east Kingdom.<br />
This publication is also available at many local<br />
real estate offices, chambers of commerce,<br />
lodging establishments and other<br />
places of business.<br />
Don’t forget to remember...<br />
Now open for the season!<br />
Please see our ad on page 15<br />
Farmers’ Market<br />
OPEN<br />
St. Johnsbury<br />
Farmers' Market<br />
Opens Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 15<br />
On Pearl Street behind<br />
Anthony's Diner<br />
Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.<br />
NEED COMPUTER HELP?<br />
Hardware or Software<br />
wyBatap.com<br />
(802) 633-4395<br />
perstech@wybatap.com<br />
If I’m not helpful there is no charge.<br />
See Business Directory on Page 30.<br />
Maple Center Motors, Inc.<br />
1128 Memorial Drive<br />
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819<br />
(802) 748-4527<br />
autotrader.com<br />
Gary Sanborn<br />
Kevin Sanborn<br />
David Greenwood<br />
Doug Stetson<br />
Sarah Corey<br />
Anne Baker
2 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
TableofContents<br />
4 opinions<br />
EDITORIAL OFFICES:<br />
P.O. Box 319 ~ 29 Hill Street<br />
Danville,VT 05828-0319<br />
(802) 684-1056<br />
PUBLISHERS/OWNERS:<br />
Justin Lavely<br />
Ginni Lavely<br />
EDITOR:<br />
Justin Lavely<br />
FROM THE EDITOR<br />
4 A thirst for green<br />
by Isobel P. Swartz<br />
5 A municipal gem in white<br />
by John Downs<br />
6 features<br />
6 Balls of Fire<br />
by Dorothy Larrabee and Sharon Lakey<br />
8 Pirates,War and Juramentado<br />
by Bill Amos<br />
16 profile<br />
12 Seed to flower<br />
by Donna M. Garfield<br />
14 Bentley’s Bakery & Cafe opens its doors<br />
by Sharon Lakey<br />
A thank you to MikeWelch<br />
St. Johnsbury has been<br />
fortunate...the town’s<br />
recent list of town<br />
managers is prominent<br />
and respected.<br />
During my brief stint as a beat<br />
reporter and editor, I had the<br />
opportunity to work with a<br />
handful of town managers and<br />
administrators. I took note of their managerial<br />
style and communication skills.<br />
Though the sample size was small, I witnessed<br />
both the good and the bad of what<br />
can be an arduous position. Some managers<br />
excelled behind the scenes, working<br />
with budgets, developing policies and making<br />
their offices run efficiently. Others were<br />
skilled communicators with a natural ability<br />
for explaining complex issues. One skill,<br />
often understated by those in government<br />
and overstated by the voting public, is community<br />
outreach, the ability to become a<br />
community ambassador. I’ve only known<br />
one that appeared to have all these skills<br />
and he just tendered his resignation in St.<br />
Johnsbury.<br />
I interviewed Mike Welch for the first<br />
time when I was a senior in high school. He<br />
had just been hired by the Board of Selectmen.<br />
Ten years later, this is only the second<br />
time I’ve written about him. During his 10<br />
years in St. Johnsbury, I don’t recall hearing<br />
any dissatisfaction with his job performance.<br />
Aside from his duties as town manager,<br />
his name appeared in various other<br />
places. Ribbon cuttings, town events, charity<br />
fundraisers, you name it, Mike was<br />
there. He was an ambassador, and a fine one<br />
at that. It can’t be easy, I would expect it’s<br />
like taking your work with you everywhere<br />
you go and Mike handled it flawlessly, in<br />
my opinion.<br />
<strong>The</strong> resignation of a town manager is far<br />
from uncommon. In fact, from what I’ve<br />
witnessed, Mike was the exception rather<br />
than the rule. Another town manager,<br />
shortly before exiting his own municipal<br />
position, told me five years was the norm.<br />
He said at that point, a shakeup is often<br />
needed so new ideas can be introduced.<br />
Hopefully, those new ideas will be positives<br />
for St. Johnsbury.<br />
I was glad to hear Mike would by staying<br />
in the area and I’m sure he’ll do well at<br />
his next endeavor.<br />
St. Johnsbury has been fortunate. Between<br />
not only Welch, but John Hall and the<br />
late Dave Clark, the town’s recent list of<br />
town managers is prominent and respected.<br />
Soon the town will be in the market for another<br />
and we can only hope the political atmosphere<br />
improves. We can be sure<br />
potential candidates will be paying close attention<br />
to the tenor of St. Johnsbury’s leaders<br />
and voters. You can bet it will be a<br />
major factor in who applies… and they have<br />
big shoes to fill.<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR:<br />
ADVERTISING /<br />
CIRCULATION:<br />
ART DIRECTOR/<br />
PRODUCTION:<br />
PROOFREADERS:<br />
SUBSCRIPTIONS:<br />
OFFICE MASCOT:<br />
ADVISORY BOARD:<br />
Lyn Bixby<br />
Vicki Moore<br />
Angie Knost<br />
Tina Keach<br />
Woody <strong>Star</strong>kweather<br />
Ginni Lavely<br />
Judy Lavely<br />
Vanessa Bean<br />
Lynsey Lavely<br />
John Hall<br />
Sharon Lakey<br />
Sue Coppenrath<br />
Alan Boye<br />
Jane Brown<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>Star</strong> <strong>Monthly</strong> is produced and published<br />
monthly by <strong>North</strong>star Publishing, LLC located at 29 Hill Street,<br />
Danville,VT. Subscription Rates are $16 per year. Printed in USA.<br />
Copyright 2008 by <strong>North</strong><strong>Star</strong> Publishing LLC.All rights reserved.<br />
No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced<br />
without expressed permission from <strong>North</strong><strong>Star</strong> Publishing<br />
LLC. Publisher is not responsible for errors resulting from typographical<br />
errors.Acceptance of advertising is subject to publisher’s<br />
approval and agreement by the advertiser to indemnify the publisher<br />
from loss or expense on claims based upon contents of the<br />
advertising. Publisher does not assume liability for errors in any advertising<br />
beyond the cost of the space occupied by the individual<br />
item in which the error appeared.<br />
Postmaster: Send address changes to <strong>The</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>Star</strong><br />
<strong>Monthly</strong>, P.O. Box 319, Danville,VT 05828-0319. Periodical postage<br />
paid at Danville,VT.<br />
ContributingWriters<br />
Isobel Swartz<br />
Lorna Quimby<br />
Nathaniel Tripp<br />
Rachel Siegel<br />
Lynn Bonfield<br />
Jeff Gold<br />
Ellen Gold<br />
Vanna Guldenschuh<br />
Bets Parker Albright<br />
John Downs<br />
Bill Amos<br />
Donna Garfield<br />
Marvin Minkler<br />
Bruce Hoyt<br />
e-mail: info@northstarmonthly.com<br />
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<strong>North</strong> <strong>Star</strong>.<br />
Dee Palmer<br />
Jim Ashley<br />
Dorothy Larrabee<br />
Capt.Alexis D. Scott<br />
Sharon Lakey<br />
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www.northstarmonthly.com MAY 2010 3<br />
Young man recovering after rogue fire ball strike, Concord teen<br />
returned to father after a brief stint as a fugitive<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>Star</strong><br />
“WHERE LIBERTY DWELLS THERE IS MY COUNTRY”<br />
1807-1889<br />
Est. by Ebenezer Eaton<br />
Danville, Vermont<br />
THE NORTH STAR<br />
<strong>May</strong> 9,1879<br />
Habits of the Honey Bee –<br />
<strong>The</strong> honey bee is a model of neatness<br />
as of industry. <strong>The</strong> infallible<br />
instinct of the insect allows it to<br />
select only the delicious nectar<br />
produced in the grand laboratory<br />
of nature. Bees are impatient of<br />
any disagreeable odor and are enraged<br />
if impure or decaying matter<br />
is brought in proximity of<br />
their hive. Bees sometimes go<br />
three miles from the apiary in<br />
search of honey. Whenever a bee<br />
secures a load of honey, it at once<br />
rises in the air to a certain altitude,<br />
apparently takes its bearings,<br />
and then starts in a<br />
perfectly straight direction toward<br />
its hive.<br />
A Bath in the Dead Sea – A<br />
correspondent of the Washington<br />
<strong>Star</strong>, who has had a bath in<br />
the Dead Sea, describes his experience<br />
as follows. <strong>The</strong> water,<br />
which is quite clear, and nearly<br />
the color of the Niagara River<br />
below the falls, seemed to be a little<br />
more bitter and salt, than that<br />
of the Great Salt Lake, as the difficulty<br />
of swimming was greater<br />
on account of the inability to<br />
keep one’s feet under water. So<br />
large a quantity of salt is held in<br />
solution that the water has what<br />
is called a “ropy” appearance,<br />
much like a plate of well-made<br />
tapioca soup. However, when<br />
you come out of the water there<br />
is not so large a deposit of salt<br />
crystals on the body as after a<br />
bath in the Great Salt Lake, and<br />
the feeling of the skin, instead of<br />
being dry and prickly, as expected,<br />
was oily and sticky.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 16, 1879<br />
What is in the bedroom – If<br />
two persons are to occupy a bedroom<br />
during a night, let them<br />
step on weighing scales as they<br />
retire and then again in the<br />
morning and they will find their<br />
actual weight is at least a pound<br />
less in the morning. Frequently<br />
there will be a loss of two or<br />
more pounds and the average<br />
loss during the year will be<br />
around one pound — that is, during<br />
the night a loss of one pound<br />
of matter from their bodies,<br />
partly through the lungs and the<br />
pores of the skin. <strong>The</strong> escaped<br />
material is carbonic acid and decayed<br />
animal matter or poisonous<br />
exhalations. This is diffused<br />
through the air, in part, and absorbed<br />
by the bed clothes.<br />
New Butter Market – Mr.<br />
George W. Spencer opens his<br />
butter market at St. Johnsbury<br />
this week. <strong>The</strong> price of butter at<br />
this time is quite low, and many<br />
farmers may feel inclined to pack<br />
their summers make and keep it<br />
until winter, hoping there will be<br />
a better price. <strong>The</strong> chances are<br />
that this action will yield no better<br />
a price than the one currently<br />
being offered. Spencer desires to<br />
bring Caledonia County as near<br />
as possible to the head of dairy<br />
manufacture in the state, and<br />
with the help of our farmers he<br />
could no doubt succeed. He will<br />
be pleased to see all the best<br />
dairymen in his shop on Eastern<br />
Avenue.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 23, 1879<br />
Ball of Fire – A boy, about 15<br />
years of age, named Edward<br />
Brain, living with his father, left<br />
to purchase some groceries at a<br />
store nearby. He was joined on<br />
the way by another boy, named<br />
Robert Duroe, about 12 years of<br />
age. It was raining hard. As they<br />
were going across a vacant lot on<br />
Pearl Street, at the end of Summit<br />
Street, in order to get to the<br />
store on Mechanic Street, Duroe<br />
said he looked up and saw coming<br />
toward them from above in<br />
an oblique line a small ball of<br />
fire, which in an instant struck<br />
Brain on the left breast, passed<br />
under his coat, and spread into a<br />
mass of flame all over the boy’s<br />
side. Brain was holding his left<br />
hand on his breast at the time<br />
and in it was a quarter of a dollar.<br />
Both boys were terribly frightened,<br />
and Brain said he was<br />
nearly knocked down. <strong>The</strong>y ran<br />
into the grocery store and the<br />
keeper quickly stripped off the<br />
boys flaming clothes. <strong>The</strong> boys<br />
coat was burned to a cinder on<br />
one side and so was his under<br />
clothing. His side was badly<br />
scorched and blistered and the<br />
end of his thumb, including the<br />
nail, was burned off. His left<br />
hand was also badly burned and<br />
the 25-cent piece in his hand was<br />
partly melted. <strong>The</strong> doctor says<br />
the boys injuries are not life<br />
threatening. <strong>The</strong> boy said he saw<br />
nothing but heard a loud hiss<br />
just above him before he was<br />
struck. Brain said he doesn’t remember<br />
feeling the shock of a<br />
solid object and his friend distinctly<br />
remembers the ball of fire<br />
coming down and hitting his<br />
companion. Both boys are truthful<br />
in their story.<br />
Smart Old Man – Mr.<br />
Nathaniel Foss, now living in<br />
Hardwick, but some years ago a<br />
resident of this town, is about the<br />
smartest man we know of, for a<br />
person of his age. He is now 88<br />
years old and was on a short visit<br />
here last week. He is tall, straight<br />
as an arrow, and steps off as<br />
sprightly as a boy. He stated he<br />
walked 15 miles without resting<br />
and with no apparent fatigue. He<br />
took the cars for home, and<br />
being fearful that he might miss<br />
the train, started for it with a<br />
double quick step. A smart man,<br />
surely.<br />
Rapid Growth – Mr. John<br />
Sias of this village has in his garden<br />
about one acre of corn,<br />
which is now some four or five<br />
inches high. He planted it a week<br />
ago. He also has potatoes that are<br />
up and will soon require hoeing.<br />
Vegetation of all kinds is doing<br />
quite well. In many fields, the<br />
wheat is up, and looking finely<br />
and the grass is settling well, and<br />
now promises a heavy yield.<br />
None of it was winter killed.<br />
West Concord – Chester Bailey,<br />
a 14-year-old son of R.S. Bailey,<br />
stole $40 from his father, a<br />
week ago last Friday, and started<br />
for Canada, with Edgar Blancher,<br />
a boy about his own age, now on<br />
furlough from a reform school.<br />
<strong>The</strong> telegraph headed them off at<br />
Sherbrooke and they were<br />
brought back Saturday morning,<br />
sadder and it is hoped, wiser<br />
boys.<br />
Timely Pension – Mrs. Isabella<br />
Brock of Barnet has lately<br />
received notice that her claim for<br />
a pension for her son has been<br />
granted, to the amount of $20 a<br />
month, the back pay amounting<br />
to $3,200. Her only son, Robert<br />
H. Brock, colonel of the 77th Illinois<br />
regiment, died of diseases<br />
contracted in the service, Mrs.<br />
Brock is 84 years old and her husband<br />
is about the same age. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
have been married nearly 60<br />
years.<br />
New <strong>North</strong> <strong>Star</strong> Subscribers and Renewals<br />
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4 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
A thirst for green<br />
BY ISOBEL P. SWARTZ<br />
No, I don’t mean green beer, money, environmental innovation or any other<br />
material forms of green of that type! I mean that unquenchable thirst for the<br />
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I wonder whether this passion is just a <strong>North</strong>ern<br />
phenomenon, or whether perhaps it also belongs<br />
to desert dwellers, but as soon as there is any<br />
bare earth exposed after the winter, my eyes are<br />
vigilant, searching for the first blades of new grass.<br />
When my husband and I used to take groups<br />
of Academy students on trips to foreign places<br />
during the spring vacation the delighted remarks<br />
came thick and fast after the plane landed in England,<br />
France, Italy or Spain, “Oh look how green it<br />
is!” No matter that the weather might be only marginally<br />
warmer than Vermont, it was the color that<br />
mattered. <strong>The</strong> same thing would happen on our<br />
infrequent trips south in March. By south I mean<br />
to Poughkeepsie, New York, where we had family<br />
in the balmy Hudson River Valley! On day trips<br />
from there to the City we would remark on greening<br />
grass, the yellow glow of the willow twigs and<br />
the almost imperceptible, except to us, swelling of<br />
buds on the trees.<br />
All this goes to show that you see what you<br />
want to see, but when it comes to spring in the<br />
north-country nowhere does “green” better, except<br />
perhaps the Yorkshire Dales. After the early<br />
struggles of the new blades of grass to overcome<br />
the dingy brown of the old, there is that glorious<br />
time when the earth is an iridescent blue-green,<br />
never to be seen again until next year. Is that color<br />
a trick of the light, or is this green, in fact, different<br />
from that which follows? All I know is that it<br />
is food for the human soul.<br />
Spring flowers soon distract us from the total<br />
pleasure of green. <strong>May</strong>be this is why the intensity<br />
of the green itself seems to change, taking on a<br />
slightly yellowish hue. Meanwhile trees get into the<br />
act, sprouting forth in an array of greens and notso-<br />
greens as the new leaves throw off their scales<br />
of gold, red and brown.<br />
My mother always said that green is restful to<br />
the eye. And in fact studies do show that an environment<br />
containing a lot of green can reduce<br />
tiredness. This is supposedly why the interiors of<br />
British hospitals and schools used to be painted<br />
abundantly in green. This was not the green about<br />
which I feel so excited, but a nasty shade of pea<br />
soup green.<br />
This was also frequently the shade of green of<br />
a dessert called blancmange that I loathed as a<br />
child. It was a kind of milky, starchy gelatin tasting<br />
of very little, with a nasty texture and a disgusting<br />
thick skin on the top (later the base after<br />
un-molding). Its only redeeming feature as far as<br />
I could see was that it could be molded into fantastic<br />
shapes that no mere Jello could ever assume<br />
and firmly hold. It was a feature of many a birthday<br />
party that I attended as a small child. As I was<br />
a picky eater but a shy child, I was always afraid to<br />
say I didn’t want any, and so I suffered the torture<br />
of what was supposed to be a fun-filled party meal.<br />
After one battle with blancmange where the blancmange<br />
won and I was very sick, the hostess made<br />
such a fuss that I made some impolite remark that<br />
led me to have my mouth washed out with soap<br />
when I got home. I have never since seen that<br />
shade of green without tasting soap in my mouth!<br />
Two time-worn idioms come to mind regarding<br />
the joys of spring green. “Absence makes the<br />
heart grow fonder” is exemplified by that great delight<br />
in seeing the first blades of grass and the glow<br />
of the earliest dandelions near a warm stone wall.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n we all, like jaded lovers, move on to “familiarity<br />
breeds contempt”, as we tune up the lawnmower,<br />
pull up weeds in the garden plot and try<br />
vainly to eradicate the dandelions in the lawn. No<br />
matter how hard Nature tries to please us, we humans<br />
are never content! Despite my own fickleness<br />
I hope that I shall always have a springtime<br />
thirst for green. And have it satisfied!<br />
A glimpse of the stage<br />
BY BETS PARKER ALBRIGHT<br />
When I was about nine years old, my<br />
mother decided that I would benefit<br />
from joining a small dramatics class being<br />
held for children from five to thirteen years<br />
of age. She had met the two English women<br />
who had organized the group when they<br />
came to an art show she assembled to display<br />
her paintings. She told them I was interested<br />
in acting, and they said they were<br />
happy to have me join their class.<br />
This was the start of an exciting time for me. I<br />
looked forward to the two afternoons a week when<br />
I would attend the King-Coit School. It was held in<br />
a delightful Victorian house full of tricky old staircases<br />
and intriguing rooms in which stage sets<br />
could be set up and rearranged as needed.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two women had an interesting approach to<br />
teaching. <strong>The</strong>y would tell us stories and then allow<br />
us to decide how to bring them to life. We used our<br />
own words at first, then our teachers would suggest<br />
what they felt were more appropriate ones.<br />
Later, when we acquired more experience, we were<br />
read scenes from Shakespeare or from traditional<br />
fairy tales. We were encouraged to use our imagination,<br />
and to use words we encountered in stories<br />
in place of everyday words. We were taught to<br />
speak well, as though we were addressing an audience<br />
from the stage.<br />
I was an enthusiastic reader of stories, especially<br />
fairy stories. I worked my way through the<br />
Blue Fairy Book, the Red Fairy Book, etc., many<br />
Grimm’s fairy tales, and others. It was fun to re-do<br />
stories to my liking, avoiding “once upon a time”<br />
and “they lived happily ever after,” etc. It was fun<br />
to combine book stories with our own inventions.<br />
When a good plot worked out, we all got together<br />
to create a real play. This gave us a chance to act,<br />
create sets, and sometimes to sing and dance.<br />
As our unusual little school grew and attracted<br />
more children, our performances became of interest<br />
to people who liked to see children perform. A<br />
young man who specialized in doing stage sets became<br />
intrigued with what we were doing. He began<br />
to design sets that could be taken down and set up<br />
in regular theaters. This led to exciting adventures<br />
for us!<br />
I easily developed crushes on my favorite actors,<br />
who included Leslie Howard and Katharine<br />
Hepburn. I bore some physical resemblance to<br />
Hepburn, and I learned to imitate her manner of<br />
speaking. <strong>The</strong> resemblance faded with the years,<br />
but it was great fun while it lasted!<br />
My most challenging dramatic experience was<br />
when I was chosen to play the magician Prospero<br />
in “<strong>The</strong> Tempest.” At that time I was one of the<br />
older students and big enough to manage the role.<br />
I was thrilled at the chance, and I’m sure I drove my<br />
family crazy rehearsing Prospero’s stirring words,<br />
such as “I’ll break my staff, bury it certain fathoms<br />
in the earth” and “Deeper than did ever plummet<br />
sound, I’ll drown my book!”<br />
In time, of course, I outgrew the special school.<br />
This was sad for me, but the experience had taught<br />
me useful things, and instilled in me a lifelong love<br />
and attraction for the dramatic arts. It gave me the<br />
opportunity and confidence later on to act in plays<br />
with several of my children who were similarly inclined.<br />
That was deeply satisfying, even though I<br />
never achieved my desire to become a “real” actress<br />
and follow in the tracks of my girlhood idol<br />
Katharine Hepburn!
www.northstarmonthly.com MAY 2010 5<br />
A municipal gem in white<br />
BY JOHN DOWNS<br />
Let me urge you to visit the historic village of Dorset in southwestern Vermont,<br />
a few miles from Manchester. I had visited most of the towns in Vermont during<br />
an active legal career, but had never seen or visited a more beautiful and quietly<br />
picturesque village.<br />
Let me urge you to visit the historic village of<br />
Dorset in southwestern Vermont, a few miles<br />
from Manchester. I had visited most of the<br />
towns in Vermont during an active legal career,<br />
but had never seen or visited a more beautiful<br />
and quietly picturesque village. Route 30, as it<br />
meanders through the village, does not diminish<br />
its attractiveness because it is bordered by small<br />
inns, each painted white with carefully landscaped<br />
lawns.<br />
Our daughter Margaret, a proud native Vermonter,<br />
recently married Henry Zachary, an<br />
equally proud New Yorker. <strong>The</strong>y had planned a<br />
small wedding, and decided to hold the ceremony<br />
in a country inn in southwestern Vermont, not<br />
too far from New York City, where they both live<br />
and work.<br />
After Margaret’s diligent Internet search, they<br />
agreed to hold the wedding in Dorset village’s<br />
214-year-old Dorset Inn in front of a fireplace<br />
fire. <strong>The</strong> Inn had been the site of many happy<br />
marriages over the years, and its management was<br />
most helpful.<br />
Margaret’s niece, brother Peter’s seven-yearold<br />
daughter Ava, was the flower girl and preceded<br />
Margaret and Henry as they walked into<br />
the parlor. Ava’s ten-year-old brother Evan was<br />
the ring bearer. A local lady Justice of the Peace<br />
performed the ceremony with enthusiasm and<br />
thoughtfulness in the presence of 16 relatives<br />
and guests who stayed at the Inn and enjoyed its<br />
hospitality. I did not have to give the bride away;<br />
and Henry needed only the services of the ring<br />
bearer. Guitarist Jean Paul from Lyndonville entertained<br />
us before and after the ceremony when<br />
we toasted the lucky couple with champagne.<br />
One would have to visit this historic village<br />
to fully appreciate its beauty and uniqueness. Because<br />
of effective environmental regulations, the<br />
village’s forefathers decreed that every building<br />
in the district must be painted white. <strong>The</strong>y have<br />
been maintained with this color ever since, except<br />
for the granite and marble community<br />
church built in the 1880s. I was reminded of the<br />
gray color with which most of the homes in Nantucket<br />
are painted.<br />
Dorset has an area referred to as “Marble<br />
Mountain” from which marble was quarried<br />
years ago. One of the results is that every sidewalk<br />
and entrance to a residence was built with<br />
chunks of white marble. It was necessary to walk<br />
carefully to avoid tripping.<br />
Immaculate white houses – probably built no<br />
later than 1900 – lined both sides of a 300-yard<br />
lane that was divided in the middle by a 20-foot<br />
grass median. In addition to the church there was<br />
Because of effective environmental regulations, the village’s<br />
forefathers decreed that every building in the district<br />
must be painted white. <strong>The</strong>y have been maintained<br />
with this color ever since, except for the granite and<br />
marble community church built in the 1880s.<br />
a small bank building and the village’s general<br />
store named Dorset Union Store built in1816.<br />
Unlike the usual small village stores with their<br />
limited offerings, it sold just about everything<br />
that one would want to purchase, including an<br />
amazing assortment of fine wines.<br />
<strong>The</strong> only towns in Vermont that I have visited<br />
that might be compared with Dorset Village<br />
are Craftsbury Common and Woodstock village.<br />
Craftsbury has a large common area surrounded<br />
by a white fence, but it does not create<br />
the pleasant feeling that would come if the buildings<br />
all around it were similarly painted.<br />
Woodstock has a large central green surrounded<br />
by an iron fence shaped to resemble a<br />
Spanish-American battleship. <strong>The</strong> Woodstock<br />
Inn is a stylish, opulent hotel built by the Rockefeller<br />
family that has been the pride of the town<br />
for many years. Although the extensive shopping<br />
area is first class, in my judgment, it does not add<br />
to the scenic attractiveness of the town.<br />
Environmentally and scenically attractive features<br />
are to be treasured by any town. When I<br />
came to St. Johnsbury in 1947, Main Street north<br />
of its business district, had a two-lane highway<br />
with wide lawns studded with elm trees that extended<br />
back to the houses that are still there. Its<br />
beauty was admired far and wide. But after the<br />
elm tree blight struck the town, the trees were cut<br />
down and the highway was widened. Main Street<br />
lost much of its attractiveness and appeal.<br />
Our visit to the historic village of Dorset reminded<br />
us of how important it is for our well<br />
being to keep beautifying the towns in which we<br />
live. Many towns in the <strong>North</strong>east Kingdom have<br />
a long way to go.<br />
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6 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
Archi Blackadar took a brave stance starting cars at Thunder Road. Anyone could identify Archie by the way he stood on the track. In all the starts, he was only injured once.<br />
Balls of Fire!<br />
Archie Blackadar was an ambassador of racing<br />
By Dorothy Larrabee and Sharon Lakey<br />
Pete and Archie Blackadar<br />
were registering<br />
racers at a track when<br />
a sheepish-looking man approached<br />
the window. “I<br />
wonder,” he said, “if I might<br />
have two of those driver<br />
pins for my children who<br />
are with me.” Archie, field<br />
manager and nice guy,<br />
agreed and Pete handed him<br />
the two pins. <strong>The</strong> man<br />
started to turn away, but<br />
hesitantly turned back. “You<br />
wouldn’t be able to give me<br />
one for all my children,<br />
would you?”<br />
“Well, how many children do<br />
you have?” asked Archie.<br />
“Eight.”<br />
“Balls of fire!” exclaimed<br />
Archie. And everyone laughed.<br />
“Take all you want,” he said.<br />
“That was one of Archie’s expressions,”<br />
explained Pete. “He<br />
took his job seriously, but he never<br />
lost the joy of being part of the<br />
racing community.” Archie’s been<br />
gone now since 1993, but in 2010,<br />
he was inducted into New England<br />
Antique Racers Hall of Fame.<br />
Archie Blackadar grew up for<br />
most part in West Danville, graduating<br />
from Danville High School in<br />
1922. He went to the Boston area<br />
to work where he was bitten by the<br />
racing bug. He drove “midgets,” a<br />
small-sized, high-powered class of<br />
racing cars. “I didn’t win much,”<br />
said Archie in a newspaper interview.<br />
“I couldn’t afford to build my<br />
own, so I raced clunkers.” When<br />
WWII broke out, he enlisted in the<br />
Navy in 1942. In 1944, he became<br />
Chief Petty Officer on the USS Alhena,<br />
serving in the South Pacific.<br />
After eight years in the Navy, in<br />
1950, Archie returned to West<br />
Danville to care for his ailing<br />
mother and began work at Ralston<br />
Purina in St. Johnsbury, where he<br />
worked until he turned 65 in 1968.<br />
His job at Purina didn’t slow the<br />
racer in him, though, and he took a<br />
job as flagger at the Waterford, VT,<br />
racetrack. <strong>The</strong> racing community<br />
would soon enjoy the acrobatic<br />
starter that was his trademark. In<br />
1961, after attending the NASCAR<br />
Officials School in Daytona Beach,<br />
he became a licensed NASCAR<br />
chief steward. A chief steward has<br />
full charge of the officials, and the<br />
responsibility of the race rests on<br />
his shoulders.<br />
Three years later, he met a widowed<br />
waitress named Pete working<br />
at Brickett’s Diner in St. Johnsbury.<br />
What attracted Archie to her was<br />
her insistence on not having anything<br />
to do with racing. “I’d been<br />
to a race before and it just didn’t<br />
appeal to me,“ said Pete. “Women<br />
threw beer bottles around and were<br />
cursing and things like that,” she<br />
said with disgust. It really bothered<br />
Archie that someone didn’t like<br />
racing, and he just didn’t give up<br />
trying to change her mind.<br />
One day, when he had to flag a<br />
race in Groveton, he called her to<br />
ask her to accompany him. Since<br />
she was tired of him pestering her,<br />
she grudgingly said yes. That’s all it<br />
took. After that race, they were inseparable,<br />
although they didn’t<br />
marry for another 8 ½ years. “Just<br />
good friends, “said Pete. For nearly<br />
30 years, though, they worked<br />
“desk by desk,” as she puts it.<br />
Over that lengthy period of<br />
time, Archie moved from flagger<br />
to chief steward to track owner<br />
and partner, to field manager. <strong>The</strong><br />
track they owned was a partnership<br />
with broadcaster Ken Squier —<br />
Catamount Speedway in Milton,<br />
VT, from 1965 to 1977. When they<br />
sold that, Archie became the East<br />
Coast field manager for NASCAR.<br />
He worked 48 tracks in the U.S.<br />
and Canada. Pete worked 38 of<br />
them. Every February, the two of<br />
them found themselves at the Daytona<br />
racetrack where they worked<br />
in registration, which consisted of<br />
Archie with officials at Plattsburg racetrack in New York.<br />
This was where Achie grew up from seven years of age. <strong>The</strong> house is<br />
located on the corner of West Shore Road and Rt. 2 in West Danville.<br />
Archie graduated from Phillips Academy in Danville in 1922.<br />
selling NASCAR memberships<br />
and making sure all the drivers,<br />
owners, sponsors, and wives, etc.,<br />
had signed insurance releases for<br />
admittance to the pit area.<br />
“Every winter Archie would<br />
say he might like to stay in Florida,”<br />
said Pete. “I told him, ‘Anytime you<br />
want to do that, just put the sign<br />
out there in front of the house in<br />
West Danville.’” He never asked<br />
for the sign and when their big<br />
chance came for the couple to<br />
work the prestigious Winston Cup<br />
circuit registration, he listened to<br />
the pleas of Lin Kuhlor (Executive<br />
Vice President of NASCAR), who<br />
begged him to stay as chief steward<br />
in the north. “Archie was a man<br />
who felt a deep sense of duty,” said<br />
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Registering drivers at various courses all over the country was one of the jobs that Pete and Archie managed. <strong>The</strong>y registered at 15 of the 87 racetracks in the United States in 1988.<br />
By the time he finished at his death in 1993, he had worked 48 and she 38. Author Dot Larrabee and her good friend Pete (Dorothy) Blackadar.<br />
Pete.<br />
Pete tells us the life of a<br />
NASCAR official isn’t as glamorous<br />
as some might think. “It’s a<br />
lot of work,” she said. For example,<br />
the pickup truck they owned<br />
and drove to the races was loaded<br />
with Purple K (a special track fire<br />
extinguisher) for the entire season,<br />
along with the Jaws of Life apparatus<br />
and scales. “We parked that in<br />
the garage and let our cars sit out,”<br />
she said. <strong>The</strong>y would arrive at the<br />
tracks early before each race and<br />
set up registration. And as chief<br />
steward, Archie would walk and inspect<br />
the track before every race to<br />
check for debris. After the races,<br />
they had to pay the boys and close<br />
up shop, sometimes getting out as<br />
late as midnight. If there was a<br />
post-race inspection, it might be 3<br />
or 5 a.m.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re was a little glamour,<br />
though. Pete remembers when she<br />
met Dale Earnhardt. “<strong>The</strong> first<br />
time he came to Daytona, he was<br />
driving just a little pickup truck<br />
pulling an open trailer with his race<br />
car on it.” <strong>The</strong> last time she saw<br />
him, he was late for a race in New<br />
Hampshire and came into the registration<br />
booth, put his arm around<br />
her and said, “Sign me in, Pete, will<br />
you?” <strong>The</strong> other racers didn’t seem<br />
to mind. “That’s as close as we’ll<br />
get to him today,” she remembers<br />
them saying.<br />
“We were privileged to have<br />
Marty Robbins and his band enter-<br />
tain us at two of our Daytona banquets;<br />
he also drove the Winston<br />
Cup.” Archie tried to get Paul<br />
Newman’s western style shirt from<br />
him when he was signing in. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
also signed in the Carradine brothers:<br />
David, Keith and Bobby.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were tragedies, too.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y were there when Richie<br />
Evans died at Martinsville, Va.,<br />
and Don McTavish in Daytona.<br />
She was in Egypt with a church<br />
group when she heard of the<br />
death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001.<br />
“That’s racing, though,” she said<br />
with a sigh.<br />
Archie was diagnosed with<br />
leukemia in 1991. Still, you couldn’t<br />
stop him from his duty. On<br />
August 22, 1993, they worked<br />
registration at Loudon Speedway<br />
in New Hampshire; he died Sept.<br />
6 at the age of 89. Pete created an<br />
award in his honor that was given<br />
every year at Thunder Road for<br />
the top rookie finisher—the Jiffy<br />
Lube 150 NASCAR Busch<br />
<strong>North</strong> Grand National Race.<br />
When asked if she misses racing,<br />
Pete shrugged and said, “I<br />
miss the people. Archie loved<br />
racing, and I loved Archie.”<br />
To see this article and photo<br />
album link, go to http://danvillehistorical.blogspot.com/<br />
<br />
Peter Hopkins<br />
13 Raymond Street<br />
Lyndonville, VT<br />
05851<br />
Phone (802) 626-5555<br />
Night (802) 626-8042<br />
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8 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
Pirates, War and Juramentado<br />
By Bill Amos<br />
In my early school days I thought a map of the Philippine Archipelago looked like a donkey facing east. <strong>The</strong> head, ears and muzzle were the<br />
large northern island of Luzon (where we lived in the late 1920s and early 1930s), while the neck and lower body consisted of islands extending<br />
southwest to Borneo.<br />
My own forays to these<br />
southern islands were brief and<br />
occasional, but my father Harold<br />
explored many of them and returned<br />
to fascinate me with tales<br />
of giant salt water crocodiles,<br />
fierce piratical Moros and Muslim<br />
fanatics whose one passion<br />
was to kill Christians. Who were<br />
these people?<br />
Filipinos are of racially identical<br />
stock with an ancient Malay<br />
origin, but northerners and<br />
southerners are culturally as different<br />
as two peoples can be.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y have never gotten along.<br />
<strong>The</strong> archipelago’s original inhabitants<br />
were animists worshipping<br />
a pantheon of gods.<br />
Changes came first to the southern<br />
islands. Inter-island travel<br />
was local and limited, and forays<br />
by one tribal settlement against<br />
another were regional conflicts<br />
not unlike those elsewhere in an<br />
emerging world. As early as the<br />
10th Century, fiercely competitive<br />
local states were already in<br />
place.<br />
In 1380 these established insular<br />
societies were confronted<br />
by an entirely new element when<br />
an Arab trader arrived and established<br />
the Sultanate of Sulu.<br />
Ruled by regional sultans, rajahs<br />
and datus (chiefs), a sophisticated<br />
way of life arose as a result<br />
of trade with India, Malaysia and<br />
China. <strong>The</strong> southerners developed<br />
a complex society and even<br />
their own written language derived<br />
from earlier Indo-Asian<br />
languages, including Sanskrit.<br />
One hundred years later an<br />
Islamic missionary brought that<br />
monotheistic religion to Mindanao.<br />
Taking root, Islam soon<br />
spread to neighboring islands.<br />
After another 130 years,<br />
Islam’s northward progress up<br />
the island chain was abruptly<br />
halted by a newly arrived presence—Christianity<br />
in the form<br />
of Spanish Catholicism. Immediate<br />
cultural and religious lines<br />
were drawn that to this day give<br />
rise to irreconcilable political<br />
differences. A persistent separatist<br />
movement wants to establish<br />
an independent Islamic state<br />
in the southern part of the archipelago.<br />
<strong>The</strong> on-going, age-old conflict<br />
between Muslim and Christian<br />
(and Judaism) now<br />
occupying our attention in the<br />
Near East has never been more<br />
challenging than in the 7,000 islands<br />
of Philippines, several<br />
hundred of which are populated.<br />
We seem to know little<br />
about this state of affairs despite<br />
the United States’ bitter involvement<br />
in a difficult jungle campaign<br />
in the southern islands<br />
that lasted until 1913. <strong>The</strong>se socalled<br />
Moro Wars were entirely<br />
separate from both the brief<br />
Spanish-American War and the<br />
following four-year Philippine<br />
War waged by “insurrectos” for<br />
political reasons against American<br />
troops.<br />
American history books pay<br />
scant attention to the draining,<br />
costly wars conducted on the<br />
other side of the world during<br />
what some have called our empire-building<br />
stage early in the<br />
20th Century.<br />
<strong>The</strong> story of cultural invasion<br />
and religious conversion in<br />
this complicated part of the far<br />
Pacific is unlike any other, for it<br />
involves two major belief systems<br />
confronting one another in<br />
an attempt to control and proselytize<br />
an already complex society.<br />
Ferdinand Magellan, the intrepid<br />
Portuguese explorer, arrived<br />
in the archipelago in 1521<br />
and claimed the islands for<br />
Spain, naming them in honor of<br />
King Philip II. His subsequent<br />
death occurred on the small island<br />
of Mactan at the hands of<br />
a Muslim datu, Lapu Lapu,<br />
whom he was attempting to convert<br />
to Christianity.<br />
It took only a few years before<br />
Catholic priests and monks<br />
arrived from Spain and Central<br />
America to begin conversion to<br />
the unsophisticated tribes of the<br />
north. <strong>The</strong>y had a relatively easy<br />
time taking over coastal Luzon<br />
and introducing Christianity to<br />
the fragmented tribal inhabitants.<br />
A similar ease of conversion—to<br />
Islam—must have prevailed<br />
a century earlier when<br />
Muslim missionaries began converting<br />
inhabitants of the southern<br />
islands. Islamic culture in<br />
Mindanao and neighboring islands<br />
achieved a much higher<br />
level of social organization than<br />
the small isolated communities<br />
of the central and northern islands<br />
where Catholic missionaries<br />
were at work.<br />
Islanders in the south lived in<br />
small kingdoms and sultanates.<br />
Firmly Muslim by the time Magellan<br />
arrived in 1521, they were<br />
quickly dubbed “Moros” by<br />
Spaniards who saw in them<br />
echoes of Islamic Moors who<br />
had long occupied their Iberian<br />
homeland.<br />
Moro society was primarily<br />
coastal and agrarian with extensive<br />
mining activity in the hills.<br />
<strong>The</strong> quality of their steel<br />
weapons approached that of the<br />
Spain’s famed Toledo steel<br />
blades. One of my antique Moro<br />
swords, a kris with razor-sharp<br />
edges capable of severing a single<br />
hair, seems to “sing” when it<br />
flexes.<br />
Manila, already established<br />
as a port city, was the Catholic<br />
base of operations and remained<br />
so for four centuries. Missionaries<br />
were able to eliminate the<br />
few Islamic inroads made in<br />
Luzon, and from there they carried<br />
Christianity into the central<br />
Visayan group of islands where<br />
they ran into established outposts<br />
of the Islamic world.<br />
With Mindanao and other<br />
southern islands Islamic strongholds,<br />
and islands to the north<br />
nominally Christian, seeds of<br />
distrust and animosity were<br />
sown on both sides. That is how<br />
it remains to this day, with ageold<br />
tensions, even hostilities flaring<br />
up from time to time.<br />
In the southern part of the<br />
archipelago Moros engaged in<br />
frequent internecine warfare<br />
with neighboring communities.<br />
This took the form of seafaring<br />
raids, because piracy, acquisition<br />
of property, and slavery were<br />
considered their natural right.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y became some of the most<br />
feared and successful pirates in<br />
history.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ships Moros used to harass<br />
northern Christian settle-<br />
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ments were among the fastest,<br />
most navigable in the world.<br />
Known as balangays, they were<br />
double-hulled vessels with fighting<br />
catwalks along the sides, propelled<br />
by twin squaresails and<br />
banks of slave-driven oars to increase<br />
speed and maneuverability.<br />
For many years I had a<br />
beautiful Moro-built model of<br />
such a ship, now unfortunately<br />
lost.<br />
Moros were passionate warriors<br />
and in the name of Islam<br />
went out of their way to subjugate<br />
those not of their faith.<br />
Spaniards coming up against this<br />
established insular theocracy<br />
never fully succeeded in controlling<br />
Muslim influence in the<br />
southern archipelago. <strong>The</strong> Spanish<br />
did, however, restrain Moro<br />
expansion sufficiently to cause<br />
their fanaticism to increase even<br />
more. For 400 years Christian<br />
enclaves were constantly on the<br />
defensive when Moro pirates<br />
raided the northern shores.<br />
Early in the 20th Century the<br />
Americans inherited this problem<br />
as the Spanish garrisons dispersed.<br />
Attempting to forestall<br />
conflict, an American general invoked<br />
a treaty with the Sultan of<br />
Sulu, but soon revoked it in<br />
order to conquer the Moros of<br />
Mindanao—and the southern<br />
wars began.<br />
I first became aware of serious<br />
cultural differences when<br />
traveling with my father along<br />
Luzon’s Lingayen Gulf coast. It<br />
was here on Bauang’s wide gray<br />
beaches that American troops<br />
would come ashore in WWII.<br />
Where I swam as a boy, General<br />
Douglas MacArthur staged for<br />
the world press his triumphant<br />
return to the Philippines—<br />
staged repeatedly, until he was<br />
certain news photographers got<br />
it right.<br />
As we traveled from one<br />
coastal village to the next we<br />
came across large stone<br />
churches. We stopped to examine<br />
one inside and out. Its low<br />
profile and massive block walls<br />
proved it was, in truth, a cathedral-fort.<br />
Against what danger, I<br />
wondered at the time? <strong>The</strong> huge<br />
stone building constructed by<br />
Spaniards had been the local<br />
populace’s protection against<br />
devastating Moro pirate raids<br />
from the south. <strong>The</strong>se cathedralforts<br />
were impregnable, so if<br />
residents had sufficient warning,<br />
they found protective shelter<br />
until the pirates went on.<br />
Many years later I studied<br />
maps showing dozens of favorite<br />
routes taken by those<br />
fierce Islamic warriors on their<br />
way to harass northern Christian<br />
communities. Despite continued<br />
attacks, however, the Moros<br />
never succeeded in major territorial<br />
acquisition or control of a<br />
local populace. And I’ve never<br />
found a record of a great cathedral-fort<br />
falling to the pirate<br />
enemy. Nevertheless the raids<br />
terrorized coastal inhabitants for<br />
centuries; people caught in the<br />
open were brutalized and enslaved<br />
if not killed outright.<br />
We did not see much evidence<br />
of friction between these<br />
disparate cultures in our northern<br />
Luzon home, although I got<br />
to know a reformed Moro pirate<br />
who had been converted to<br />
Christianity and taken refuge as<br />
gardener at a nearby monastery.<br />
He was not playing a role, yet<br />
with beard and bandana around<br />
his head he looked as though he<br />
had leapt out of a N.C. Wyeth<br />
painting. He told tales that may<br />
have been embellished to capture<br />
the attention of a young<br />
American boy, although in the<br />
long run they proved true to<br />
fact.<br />
Although the Spanish succeeded<br />
in preventing the spread<br />
of Islam into the central Visayan<br />
islands and Luzon, it took them<br />
several centuries before they<br />
were able to seal off certain<br />
Moro strongholds in the south<br />
by establishing armed garrisons<br />
in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.<br />
That was the situation<br />
when the Americans arrived in<br />
1899 to fight the short-lived<br />
Spanish-American War. Next the<br />
United States was tied down in<br />
the four-year Philippine War that<br />
centered in Luzon, Negros,<br />
Panay, Cebu and other northern<br />
and central islands. But as Americans<br />
took over Spanish garrisons<br />
in the south they<br />
immediately had to contend with<br />
serious unrest among independence-minded<br />
Muslim forces.<br />
One battle after the next was<br />
carried out under atrocious conditions<br />
of rain, mud, heat and<br />
disease. Known as the Moro<br />
Wars they are now almost completely<br />
neglected in American<br />
history.<br />
As a boy I was fascinated by<br />
news accounts of Moro pirates<br />
in the 1920s and 1930s. It may<br />
have come from reading too<br />
much Robert Lewis Stevenson,<br />
but the appeal was lost as I<br />
began hearing about juramentado.<br />
<strong>The</strong> horror hit home when<br />
my father returned from Zamboanga<br />
on the southern island<br />
of Mindanao and told of seeing<br />
a juramentado at close range. No<br />
photographic record of this exists<br />
because he wisely did not try<br />
to use his ever-present camera.<br />
In fact there may be no photograph<br />
anywhere of a living juramentado.<br />
We hear a great deal today<br />
about Muslim suicide bombers<br />
in the Near East. <strong>The</strong>ir motives<br />
and actions are primarily political<br />
with overtones of Islamic approval;<br />
they are not religiously<br />
initiated.<br />
On the other hand while a<br />
juramentado knows he will die,<br />
his cause is purely religious and<br />
his own death is a secondary<br />
matter. His incentive, his passion,<br />
his commitment is not to<br />
destroy property or others of<br />
Islamic faith, but only to kill as<br />
many Christians as possible. Juramentado<br />
begins with a religious<br />
figure, such as a imam, and<br />
an active participant, almost always<br />
a young, reverent idealist.<br />
That after his death the juramentado<br />
will be rewarded seven<br />
wives in Paradise is very nice indeed,<br />
but it is not his motivation.<br />
So an imam and a promising<br />
youth meet in prayer and determine<br />
a course of events. A purifying<br />
bath, shaving of head and<br />
eyebrows, and anointing with oil<br />
are preliminaries to the event.<br />
<strong>The</strong> young man is first girdled<br />
with a tight corset, then his entire<br />
body, arms and legs are securely<br />
wrapped in white linen<br />
cloth. A white turban encircles<br />
his head. <strong>The</strong> tight clothing does<br />
not limit movement, but prevents<br />
hemorrhaging as a result<br />
of wounds so he can carry out<br />
his inspired slaughter as long as<br />
his body will allow.<br />
<strong>The</strong> only weapon is his<br />
sword, a kris, one of the most<br />
deadly weapons in history. For a<br />
juramentado a sharp edge is the<br />
only means by which Christians<br />
may be slain.<br />
On the appointed day, after<br />
fasting and prayers, the juramentado<br />
emerges on the street<br />
shouting his belief in the greatness<br />
of Allah—and goes about<br />
cutting down as many Christians<br />
as he can before being killed<br />
himself.<br />
When American troops first<br />
came up against juramentado,<br />
they discovered their service revolvers<br />
were incapable of stopping<br />
an attack. <strong>The</strong> wounded<br />
man simply kept coming. That<br />
was the incentive for developing<br />
the Colt 45—it stopped a juramentado,<br />
every time. As one<br />
who has fired this formidable<br />
weapon, I can say it is impressive—if<br />
you can aim the thing<br />
properly. Its kick nearly tears<br />
your shoulder from its socket.<br />
My father was about to leave<br />
his second floor hotel room in<br />
Zamboanga when he heard<br />
shouts and doors slamming in<br />
the street below. He went to a<br />
balcony outside his room and<br />
saw a spirited figure in white<br />
running down the street whirling<br />
a kris, shouting his belief in<br />
Allah. Screaming people scattered<br />
in panic and my father was<br />
thankful he saw no one killed.<br />
He learned later some had been<br />
struck down further along the<br />
street before constabulary officers<br />
shot the impassioned fanatic.<br />
<strong>The</strong> most chilling remark my<br />
father made when recounting<br />
this was how the sword-brandishing<br />
juramentado looked up<br />
at the balcony and for a moment<br />
their eyes locked.<br />
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10 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
>> Page 1<br />
Afghanistan is one of the<br />
most diverse, eclectic, beautiful,<br />
and challenging places on Earth.<br />
In one valley, a visitor will find<br />
himself standing in a parched<br />
desert. Just a short climb over a<br />
ridge and a lush forest fills the<br />
floor of its neighbor. <strong>The</strong> Kunar<br />
River valley itself is reminiscent<br />
of a prehistoric time, with its<br />
grand opaque blue river, steep<br />
rocky slopes, and pockets of<br />
dense vegetation scattered from<br />
place to place. Overlooking all of<br />
this magnificence is the mighty<br />
Kond Ghar, a mountain that<br />
reaches 14,265 feet into the sky,<br />
dominating the view in the<br />
<strong>North</strong>ern Nangarhar and Western<br />
Kunar provinces.<br />
Jalalabad itself possesses a<br />
charm that is all its own. Khalid<br />
Hosseini, the author of the book<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kite Runner, said it best<br />
when he called Jalalabad the<br />
“tourism capitol” of Afghanistan.<br />
Despite 30 years of nearly constant<br />
conflict and warfare, this<br />
city has maintained a unique level<br />
of dignity. At night, the city glows<br />
with bright lights of all types and<br />
colors resembling a modest<br />
American city in every way. By<br />
day a viewer will witness a true<br />
mélange of modern eastern and<br />
western designs via ornate decorations<br />
of public buildings, numerous<br />
shops and bakeries, and<br />
even a Victorian-themed dwelling<br />
or two. However, not to underestimate<br />
the truly eclectic Afghan<br />
style, less than a quarter-mile<br />
from Jalalabad’s periphery donkey<br />
carts clog the highways and farmers<br />
still thresh their fields by hand.<br />
<strong>The</strong> city’s inhabitants share<br />
this diverse blend of myriad cultures<br />
as well. Touches of Arab,<br />
Mediterranean, European, Slavic,<br />
Mongol, and Hindu traits abound<br />
here making the local Afghans appear<br />
nearly as diverse as the people<br />
one might find in Boston or<br />
New York City. In the remote and<br />
volatile Korengal Valley for example,<br />
the dominating trait is dark<br />
red hair among the majority of<br />
the locals who are so isolated that<br />
they speak a language distinctly<br />
different from every other tribe<br />
around them. As a result, Jalalabad’s<br />
residents rarely ever “meet<br />
a stranger.” <strong>The</strong>y are an incredibly<br />
warm people and, upon meeting<br />
one, he will try to establish a<br />
connection to you. It is not atypical<br />
to make a planned fiveminute<br />
stop at a shop and leave<br />
Upon arrival in Afghanistan, the first words spoken to me<br />
by my Task Force Commander were “Welcome to<br />
Afghanistan, this is not Iraq.”<br />
an hour later with no purchases<br />
but knowledge of the shopkeeper’s<br />
life, his friends’ exploits,<br />
and an invitation to come back<br />
anytime.<br />
Upon arrival in Afghanistan,<br />
the first words spoken to me by<br />
my Task Force Commander were<br />
“Welcome to Afghanistan, this is<br />
not Iraq.” At first, I was slightly<br />
insulted at such an obvious comment.<br />
However, I soon learned<br />
that this statement had much<br />
deeper meaning than originally<br />
presented. Although I served in<br />
Iraq wearing the American flag on<br />
my right shoulder and U.S. Army<br />
on the left side of my chest, that<br />
is about where the similarities<br />
ended between the two wars. Operations,<br />
living conditions, security,<br />
and the environment were<br />
completely new and different to<br />
me. Saying that my team and I<br />
had a lot to learn was an understatement.<br />
Unlike the war in Iraq, the war<br />
in Afghanistan is a truly international<br />
mission that seeks to empower<br />
the people. Here, we work<br />
for the <strong>North</strong> Atlantic Treaty Organization<br />
(NATO) and literally<br />
live and work alongside the<br />
Afghans. When we first got off<br />
the plane in Bagram, we all had<br />
the same view of the Afghans<br />
that we did of the Iraqis- a<br />
friendly/neutral relationship<br />
tainted with slight suspicion. Here<br />
though, just about all of us have<br />
made at least one local friend or<br />
acquaintance. My introduction to<br />
the population and the overall climate<br />
came not long after we assumed<br />
mission in Jalalabad. I<br />
landed my helicopter at a remote<br />
base one day and was immediately<br />
greeted by an Afghan Army commander<br />
who, in broken English,<br />
told me that he thought that it<br />
was amazing that we were willing<br />
to help take care of his troops.<br />
While I had no ready reply to the<br />
commander, this was my first<br />
brush with the kind of people<br />
that inhabit this country. Six<br />
months later, I am still beyond<br />
impressed with the general<br />
warmth, gratitude, and intellect<br />
of the Afghans.<br />
While the political-military climate<br />
is much different than my<br />
last combat tour, fortunately for<br />
us the MEDEVAC mission is relatively<br />
difficult to change. We<br />
don’t have nearly the volume of<br />
missions that we did in Iraq.<br />
However, the variety and complexity<br />
is definitely much greater.<br />
At any given time, my crews could<br />
launch on anything from a typical<br />
base-to-base patient pickup, a<br />
hoist rescue, a landing on only a<br />
single-wheel, a critical-care patient<br />
transfer between hospitals, or<br />
even a dust landing similar to missions<br />
in Iraq. As a result, we have<br />
all learned much and grown as<br />
aviators significantly.<br />
<strong>The</strong> life of a MEDEVAC<br />
crewmember is not always the<br />
most thrilling. <strong>The</strong> best phrase I<br />
was ever told was that MEDE-<br />
VAC is “hours of incessant boredom<br />
broken apart by minutes of<br />
sheer terror.” Fortunately, the Pirates<br />
are a lively group and we’ve<br />
developed numerous distractions<br />
to help pass the time. At any given<br />
point, you’ll find Josh playing<br />
drums in our band room, Mike<br />
and Tyler on the flight line playing<br />
“Corn hole” (aka sand bag<br />
toss but more organized), Carlos<br />
racing his RC car, and several of<br />
the other guys playing either<br />
poker or spades on the top of the<br />
storage containers nearly every<br />
night. Meanwhile others are busy<br />
taking online college classes or<br />
working on the aircraft, or the<br />
most dreaded thing of all to an<br />
Do you have<br />
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aviator — paperwork.<br />
“MEDEVAC, MEDEVAC,<br />
MEDEVAC. 1st Up report to the<br />
CP!” comes blaring over our radios.<br />
It’s 2:30 p.m. and everybody<br />
has just finished lunch, gym time,<br />
game play, or a combination<br />
thereof. <strong>The</strong> pilot and medic grab<br />
their rifles and sprint for the aircraft<br />
for start up. <strong>The</strong> pilot-incommand<br />
and medic rush to the<br />
operations center to receive the<br />
mission. An American patrol was<br />
ambushed in the volatile Korengal<br />
Valley and a soldier was shot<br />
in the chest. He is severely<br />
wounded and needs intensive care<br />
immediately. But due to the terrain,<br />
the patrol is pinned down. A<br />
MEDEVAC mission is born.<br />
“Tower, this is DUSTOFF 16,<br />
urgent MEDEVAC, ready for<br />
takeoff.” Moments later, the helicopter<br />
leaps into the sky, and is<br />
now pushing speeds in excess of<br />
180 miles per hour. Not far behind,<br />
an Apache attack weapons<br />
team or “AWT” chases the<br />
MEDEVAC aircraft like the<br />
guardian it is. <strong>The</strong>y fly north into<br />
the Kunar Valley and the surrounding<br />
mountains, weaving<br />
through them all in order to minimize<br />
time getting to the Landing<br />
Zone or “LZ.”<br />
As the aircraft travels farther<br />
into the Hindu Kush, the terrain<br />
becomes steeper, higher, and<br />
more intimidating. Finally the<br />
crew breaks out of the mountains<br />
and into the Korengal — a pine<br />
tree laden valley with steep escarpments<br />
and tiny villages scattered<br />
throughout. At first glance,<br />
a traveler would never realize that<br />
this is one of the most dangerous<br />
places in the world for outsiders.<br />
Less than a minute after entering<br />
the valley, the crew prepares<br />
for an immediate hoist<br />
extraction. “Bulldog 6, this is<br />
DUSTOFF 16. We are 1 minute<br />
inbound,” the pilot transmits over<br />
the radio. A mile away red smoke<br />
appears halfway up a steep ridge.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Apaches pass the MEDE-<br />
VAC helicopter and swarm above<br />
the LZ looking for enemy fighters.<br />
As the crew approaches, they<br />
see a small grouping of soldiers<br />
on a ledge in the middle of tall<br />
pine trees with a near vertical<br />
slope on all sides. No way to land<br />
the aircraft here. <strong>The</strong> crew readies<br />
for the hoist.<br />
As the pilots stop the aircraft<br />
100 feet overhead, the crew chief<br />
opens the cabin door, secures the<br />
flight medic to the hoist and<br />
booms him out of the aircraft.<br />
With careful and precise language,<br />
he guides the pilots over the spot<br />
he needs to drop the medic into<br />
and quickly lowers him down. In<br />
about a minute the medic is on<br />
the ground and secured by the<br />
soldiers.<br />
<strong>The</strong> medic touches down on<br />
the ground and finds a young sergeant<br />
with a gunshot wound to<br />
the chest. He has a weak pulse<br />
and collapsed lung, but he’s alive.<br />
He quickly checks over the<br />
wounds one more time, prepares<br />
the patient for the hoist in a<br />
SKED extraction device (a type<br />
of litter for hoisting people who<br />
cannot support their own weight).<br />
All while this is happening, hidden<br />
enemy shooters fire sporadically<br />
at the LZ (landing zone).<br />
Overhead, the MEDEVAC<br />
helo orbits awaiting the call from<br />
the medic. “DUSTOFF 16, medic<br />
and patient ready for hoist.” <strong>The</strong><br />
aircraft quickly returns to the LZ<br />
and the crew chief skillfully<br />
threads the hoist cable between<br />
the trees to the medic on the<br />
ground. <strong>The</strong> medic hooks the<br />
SKED to the hoist and guides the<br />
patient through 30-foot trees<br />
using a small rope for stability.<br />
Moments later the patient is<br />
aboard the aircraft and the medic<br />
rides up shortly thereafter.<br />
Back aboard the aircraft, the<br />
medic reassesses the patient only<br />
to find he is worsening. “LET’S<br />
BOOGIE!!!” <strong>The</strong> medic yells<br />
over the intercom. This is in no<br />
way an official term but it gets the<br />
message to the pilots to fly as fast<br />
as possible. With half their fuel<br />
spent, the aircraft is lighter and<br />
the pilots accelerate to nearly 200<br />
mph as they fly the helicopter<br />
back through the passes to Jalalabad.<br />
En route, the medic works<br />
incessantly, with the help of the<br />
crew chief, to stabilize the patient.<br />
He is responding favorably to<br />
their care, but it is too soon to tell<br />
if he will survive.<br />
Just 11 minutes later, the aircraft<br />
touches down next to an<br />
awaiting ambulance on the flight<br />
line. <strong>The</strong> medic jumps out and<br />
motions for several volunteers to<br />
come over and help move the patient.<br />
<strong>The</strong> patient is safely offloaded<br />
and taken to the hospital<br />
where a surgical team will continue<br />
to work on him until he is<br />
stable. One more mission complete<br />
with a successful ending despite<br />
overwhelming odds.<br />
As the crew parks the aircraft<br />
and shuts down, they turn to see<br />
their sister crew sprinting to their<br />
own aircraft. An Afghan child fell<br />
into a cooking fire in the village<br />
of Naray and suffered 3rd degree<br />
burns on half her body. It’s just<br />
another day in the life of a<br />
DUSTOFF Team in Afghanistan.<br />
We Will Take Your<br />
Wounded… Because We Can<br />
This article is written with the<br />
most sincere thanks and appreciation<br />
to the wonderful people,<br />
family, and friends in the <strong>North</strong>east<br />
Kingdom. We, the “Pirates”<br />
of Forward Support MEDEVAC<br />
Team 1, would like to thank you<br />
for all of your support during this<br />
deployment. Our team is by all<br />
means a family, and your generosity<br />
has made us feel like a part<br />
of an even larger community.<br />
DUSTOFF!!!<br />
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12 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
Seed to flower<br />
Taylors have grown a local institution<br />
By Donna M. Garfield<br />
Beautiful flowers commemorate the happiest times of our lives, as well as the saddest.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are flowers for every special event. <strong>The</strong> scent of a certain flower<br />
may bring back a moment in time and, for a few minutes, that memory comes<br />
alive again.<br />
With the arrival of spring,<br />
flowers and plants will be in<br />
abundance at Artistic Gardens in<br />
St. Johnsbury Center. Owned by<br />
husband and wife team, Paul and<br />
Suzanne Taylor, the thriving<br />
florist shop has been in business<br />
for 24 years. In 1985, they bought<br />
the former Greener Garden Center<br />
which had sat empty for years.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y made renovations and<br />
opened for business in February<br />
1986.<br />
Paul and Suzanne have known<br />
each other since graded school<br />
and were high school sweethearts<br />
in Mahwah, New Jersey. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
married in 1976. Suzanne grew up<br />
helping her father, Raymond<br />
Saufroy, in the business he started<br />
in 1954 called “Le Jardin du<br />
Gourmet.” It was a mail order<br />
seed and herb business along with<br />
some gourmet foods. Around<br />
1978, he and his wife moved to<br />
West Danville. He continued his<br />
seed business by operating out of<br />
a small building on their property.<br />
It was strictly mail order. At one<br />
point, he ran an ad in a national<br />
magazine advertising 20-cent<br />
sample seed packets. Suzanne<br />
says, “He had no idea what that<br />
would bring. <strong>The</strong>re were so many<br />
orders coming in.” Paul says,<br />
“Each mail tray had 2,000 letters<br />
in it and he had at least 20 of<br />
them sitting there waiting to be<br />
opened. He bought an electric letter<br />
opener and that was all I did.”<br />
Suzanne adds, “In our free time<br />
we helped so he could catch up.<br />
It took several months to get<br />
them all processed.”<br />
Paul and Suzanne moved to<br />
St. Johnsbury. Suzanne says,<br />
“When we first moved here and I<br />
needed a job, and I wasn’t working<br />
for my father, I was hired by<br />
Bob Sokol, who owned Greener<br />
Garden Center. He needed someone<br />
for his greenhouse. <strong>The</strong>n his<br />
designer quit and he needed<br />
someone in the shop, so he pulled<br />
me out of the greenhouse. He<br />
was the first one who showed me<br />
the basics. I learned a lot from<br />
him.” She really enjoyed working<br />
with flower arrangements.<br />
At one point when the economy<br />
was bad, Paul and Suzanne<br />
went to Colorado to work for<br />
Paul’s father in his liquor store.<br />
Suzanne did not like the desert<br />
and they moved back to New Jersey.<br />
Suzanne worked at a florist<br />
shop learning everything she<br />
could. <strong>The</strong> hours were long. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
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decided if they were going to put<br />
that much time and energy into<br />
working for others that they<br />
should work for themselves. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
wanted to be in Vermont so they<br />
moved back to St. Johnsbury.<br />
Eventually, Paul’s parents, Paul Sr.<br />
and Peggy Taylor, moved to St.<br />
Johnsbury Center.<br />
Paul and Suzanne work together<br />
every day. Suzanne is the<br />
creative side of the business; Paul<br />
is the accounting side. <strong>The</strong>ir children,<br />
Heather, Mathew, and<br />
Michael, all of whom are in college<br />
now, spent their early years<br />
going to work with Mom and<br />
Dad. <strong>The</strong>y had a crib and playpen<br />
there. <strong>The</strong>re are happy memories<br />
of the children with ducks in the<br />
greenhouse and running through<br />
the sprinklers. As they got older,<br />
Heather helped in the shop and<br />
with the paperwork. Mathew and<br />
Michael worked with the trucks<br />
and the tractors.<br />
Suzanne says, “People don’t<br />
realize that flower shops and<br />
greenhouses are extremely physical<br />
work. You are on your feet,<br />
lugging and carrying.” Everyone<br />
at the shop helps with planting<br />
and transplanting. <strong>The</strong>y start vegetable<br />
plants and flowers such as<br />
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marigolds, petunias, geraniums,<br />
perennials, and herbs. “<strong>The</strong><br />
mums will be coming in in a couple<br />
of weeks and we’ll have to<br />
start cuttings and potting them.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re will be around 400 mum<br />
plants.” <strong>The</strong>y have two full-time<br />
employees and three part-time<br />
employees.<br />
Weddings have changed over<br />
the years especially with the addition<br />
of the Internet. One wedding<br />
two years ago was done<br />
entirely over the Internet. <strong>The</strong><br />
wedding took place in the <strong>North</strong>east<br />
Kingdom in the fall. Suzanne<br />
e-mailed photos back and forth<br />
with the bride until the bride decided<br />
on the flowers she wanted.<br />
It was a large wedding, and the<br />
bride did not want traditional<br />
flowers. Suzanne says, “<strong>The</strong>y did<br />
18 centerpieces and they were all<br />
different. It was one of the most<br />
awesome and fun weddings I<br />
have ever done in my life. It was<br />
very unusual and it was a blast.”<br />
She felt she could be really creative<br />
and came up with some<br />
great arrangements. “I never met<br />
the bride, but she sent me a note<br />
after her honeymoon telling me<br />
how much she liked the flowers.”<br />
<strong>The</strong>y once had two weddings<br />
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on a Saturday. Suzanne says, “One<br />
of the weddings was all pink, and<br />
the bride was going to come in<br />
close to noon to pick up the flowers.<br />
<strong>The</strong> other wedding was all<br />
yellow, and the bride was coming<br />
in first thing in the morning. So I<br />
had all the yellow wedding flowers<br />
out. <strong>The</strong> bride for the pink<br />
wedding walked in and her mouth<br />
just dropped. She thought they<br />
were her flowers and they were<br />
the wrong color. She was speechless<br />
and I quickly said, ‘that’s not<br />
your wedding.’” <strong>The</strong> bride was so<br />
thankful. Her flowers were still in<br />
the cooler.<br />
Do women send flowers to<br />
men? Suzanne says, “Yes, they do<br />
and quite frequently. <strong>The</strong>y tend to<br />
try and be very conservative.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y do not want big flowery<br />
bouquets for men. Usually, the<br />
arrangements contain bolder<br />
flowers and less of them. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
have more line and style with<br />
flowers such as irises, sunflowers,<br />
and birds of paradise. Roses are<br />
popular.” What is the favorite<br />
color for roses? Unsurprisingly,<br />
red.<br />
Paul notes that the economy<br />
dictates trends in flowers. For example,<br />
when the economy is good<br />
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and everyone is working, people<br />
tend to buy poinsettias with unusual<br />
colors. When the economy<br />
is bad like it is now, people tend<br />
to go back to the traditional colors.<br />
People are more open to<br />
things when the economy is<br />
good.<br />
<strong>The</strong> biggest day for their shop<br />
is Valentine’s Day. Suzanne says,<br />
“It is extremely intense.” Paul remembers<br />
that “one time a young<br />
guy came in and bought a dozen<br />
roses, wrapped. <strong>The</strong>re was another<br />
guy in here. <strong>The</strong> first one<br />
walked out to his car and handed<br />
the roses to his girlfriend, and she<br />
put her arms around him and<br />
gave him the biggest kiss. <strong>The</strong><br />
second guy stood here in the<br />
store watching. When the salesclerk<br />
asked if she could help him,<br />
he said, ‘Yeah. I want what he<br />
got.’” Obviously, he was hoping<br />
for the same response.<br />
Overall, Christmas is the<br />
biggest holiday of the year. <strong>The</strong><br />
Christmas season is busy and orders<br />
stretch from Thanksgiving to<br />
Christmas. <strong>The</strong>y also sell wreaths.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first year they bought the<br />
building, Suzanne personally<br />
made 3,000 wreaths by hand.<br />
Suzanne’s favorite holiday is<br />
Mother’s Day. She says, “On<br />
Mother’s Day everyone is in a<br />
good mood. Moms are happy.<br />
Summer is coming. <strong>The</strong>y want<br />
plants. <strong>The</strong>y want flowers. It is the<br />
time of year when the sun is shining,<br />
people seem happier and<br />
things are starting to turn green.”<br />
Artistic Gardens buys from<br />
various wholesalers in Vermont<br />
and the one they use most frequently<br />
is in Middlesex. <strong>The</strong><br />
wholesalers buy the flowers from<br />
the growers. Suzanne explains<br />
that there is an entire process that<br />
takes place. “<strong>The</strong> grower cuts<br />
them. It can be in Holland, California,<br />
South America, Connecticut,<br />
or many other places. <strong>The</strong><br />
flowers are chilled immediately<br />
and shipped in a cold truck or<br />
cold container. <strong>The</strong>y go to the<br />
wholesaler and he does the same<br />
thing.” <strong>The</strong> flowers are delivered<br />
Dr. Richard Leven<br />
Dr. Stephen Feltus<br />
to Artistic Gardens where they<br />
are cut under water, put in a preservative<br />
solution, and placed in<br />
the cooler. Many years ago, flowers<br />
arrived on the bus from<br />
Boston. Suzanne says, “It was a<br />
nightmare. When I worked for<br />
Bob Sokol, we kept silk roses in<br />
stock. He would call Boston<br />
weeks before a wedding and say<br />
he needed pink roses, and sometimes<br />
they would come in on the<br />
bus and they were yellow.”<br />
What is it like working together<br />
as husband and wife?<br />
Suzanne says, “I love it.” Paul<br />
says, “It’s great.” <strong>The</strong>y have their<br />
specific areas. Paul says, “She runs<br />
the flower shop and the greenhouse.<br />
I do the business end of it<br />
and the mail order business. She<br />
grows plants and we kind of<br />
merge in the winter when the<br />
flower shop is not as busy. <strong>The</strong>n<br />
they help me with the seeds. We<br />
go home together every night and<br />
come in together every morning.”<br />
Suzanne says, “We like each other<br />
so it helps.” Suzanne is boss of<br />
the flower shop and makes most<br />
of the decisions, but she will confer<br />
with Paul if she wants to make<br />
a major decision because he is in<br />
charge of the finances. “I’ll tell<br />
him this is what I want to do and<br />
we talk about it.” Paul says,<br />
“When you are in a business like<br />
this and you are worried about the<br />
business end of it, you cannot be<br />
creative. As long as you have<br />
someone you can trust to do it, it<br />
works out well.” He adds, “We get<br />
along real well.” Suzanne agrees,<br />
“We always have.”<br />
In 1988, Suzanne and Paul<br />
bought “Le Jardin du Gourmet”<br />
from Raymond Saufroy. At that<br />
time, Paul modernized the mail<br />
orders with a computer. Sample<br />
seed packets can be ordered for<br />
35 cents each so that people can<br />
try them in their gardens. Paul<br />
buys the seeds from wholesalers<br />
all over the country. He says, “All<br />
seeds have to be tested and it is<br />
about $700-$800 to have a seed<br />
tested. For me to grow seed and<br />
test it, it would be too expensive.”<br />
He buys most seeds by the<br />
pound, divides them up, and puts<br />
them in the sample packets. Some<br />
of the more expensive seeds are<br />
bought by the ounce. Paul says,<br />
“We have over 90 different herbs<br />
that we sell.” <strong>The</strong> number of<br />
seeds in an envelope depends on<br />
the particular seed. A seed like<br />
Angelica is going to have three<br />
seeds in it. Chives and parsley will<br />
have 75-100 seeds. <strong>The</strong> sample<br />
packets are a special favorite of<br />
people who do container gardening<br />
because they do not have time<br />
to weed a garden or because they<br />
live in apartments and do not<br />
have a lot of space. People will<br />
order 70 to 80 different sample<br />
seed packets. Some order up to<br />
200. If they like them, they can<br />
buy large packets the next year<br />
that cost more. Artistic Gardens<br />
has customers in all 50 states and<br />
overseas as well as seed racks in<br />
stores in New York City. <strong>The</strong>y do<br />
not mail out many catalogs. One<br />
can browse and order through the<br />
catalog on-line at www.artisticgardens.com.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir wreaths were on the<br />
cover of Vermont Magazine in<br />
2007. About 10 years ago, they<br />
made kissing balls that were featured<br />
in Yankee Magazine.<br />
Suzanne has talked about garden<br />
mums for a Martha Stewart program<br />
on the radio. She has also<br />
done a how-to video for monkeysee.com<br />
on how to make Christmas<br />
wreaths.<br />
When they are not around<br />
plants and flowers, Paul and<br />
Suzanne like to hike, kayak, swim,<br />
and fish. Suzanne also likes to<br />
work in her huge vegetable garden<br />
at home in the evenings.<br />
Suzanne says, “We like working.<br />
It’s a fun business. <strong>The</strong> kids<br />
are very important to us. Every<br />
decision we made was with them<br />
in mind. Now we are looking forward<br />
to the next chapter. We still<br />
have to figure that one out.”<br />
Bob Amos Band <strong>May</strong> 14<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bob Amos Band, one<br />
of the most popular,<br />
high energy bands in all of<br />
Vermont, will welcome<br />
spring with a special benefit<br />
concert and CD release party<br />
at 7:30 pm Friday, <strong>May</strong> 14, at<br />
the <strong>North</strong> Congregational<br />
Church in St. Johnsbury.<br />
A benefit for Catamount Arts,<br />
the performance will feature<br />
songs from the band’s new CD<br />
“Wide Open Blue” which will officially<br />
go on sale that day.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bob Amos Band consists<br />
of nationally known singer/songwriter<br />
Bob Amos on guitar and<br />
lead vocals, Gary Darling, who<br />
also fronts his own band Gopher<br />
Broke, on mandolin, Amos’ son<br />
Nate, a 2009 graduate of St.<br />
Johnsbury Academy, on drums<br />
and vocals and Amos’ daughter<br />
Sarah, a junior at St. Johnsbury<br />
Academy, on percussion and vocals.<br />
In addition to songs from the<br />
new “Wide Open Blue” CD, the<br />
band will also perform a selection<br />
of other songs from Amos’ previous<br />
CD’s and a few high energy<br />
covers of some classic golden<br />
oldies.<br />
For 15 years, Amos toured as<br />
lead singer, guitarist and songwriter/arranger<br />
for the awardwinning<br />
bluegrass band Front<br />
Range, which toured throughout<br />
the USA and Europe, and<br />
recorded 8 CD’s, including 5 for<br />
Sugar Hill Records.<br />
<strong>The</strong> group features soaring<br />
harmony vocals and intricate guitar<br />
work set in a high energy folk<br />
framework.<strong>The</strong> songs from<br />
Amos’ new CD range in influence<br />
from folk to bluegrass and Celtic,<br />
and from country to rock-a-billy.<br />
Tickets for the event are<br />
available by calling the Catamount<br />
Arts Box Office at 1-802-748-<br />
2600 or by visiting the Box Office<br />
on Eastern Avenue in St. Johnsbury<br />
from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday<br />
through Saturday.<br />
GOODRIDGE LUMBER<br />
ALBANY, VERMONT • 755-6298<br />
12th Annual<br />
Log Home Seminar<br />
Co-hosted by Goodridge Lumber, Inc.<br />
and Perma-Chink Systems, Inc.<br />
<strong>The</strong> same workshop will continue to be<br />
held two different days:<br />
Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 15 OR Sunday, <strong>May</strong> 16<br />
9 a.m. - 12 noon (both days)<br />
25 %<br />
FOR: Builders, applicators, new and existing log home owners.<br />
WHERE: Goodridge Lumber Warehouse - Irasburg, Vermont<br />
OFF<br />
Transition Lenses<br />
Lenses darken in sunlight and return to normal under regular light conditions.<br />
Offer Expires <strong>May</strong> 31, 2010<br />
Attend the discussions and demonstrations with Goodridge<br />
Lumber and Perma-Chink Systems.<br />
Learn about log home construction and the products used in<br />
their construction, maintenance and restoration. Both new<br />
and existing logs benefit from the Perma-Chink family of<br />
products - cleaners, preservatives, sealants, stains, finishes,<br />
log home screw and more.<br />
See a demonstration of media blasting with Perma-Chink’s<br />
Blaster Buddy.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is no charge for this seminar. In order to reserve<br />
your space and workshop materials,<br />
call Goodridge Lumber at 755-6298<br />
or visit us at www.goodridgelumber.com<br />
<strong>The</strong> Log Home Care and Maintenance Authority
14 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
David Toll, M.D.<br />
Pediatrics<br />
1394 Main Street<br />
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819<br />
(802) 748-2348<br />
UP TO $ 1100<br />
INSTANT REBATE<br />
(Until 5/16/10)<br />
APPALACHIAN<br />
SUPPLY<br />
“ Home of the Bad Guys”<br />
Rt. 5 <strong>North</strong>, St. Johnsbury, Vt.<br />
802-748-4513<br />
Rt. 302, Littleton, N.H.<br />
603-444-6336<br />
Bentley’s Bakery and Café<br />
opens its doors on Hill St.<br />
CUSTOM BRASS &<br />
COPPER LIGHTING<br />
Lighting Showroom<br />
(802) 467-3943<br />
OPEN STUDIO<br />
Memorial Day Weekend<br />
<strong>May</strong> 29 & 30 / 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.<br />
SUNDAY BRUNCH<br />
Catered by Delise Robarts, Sweet Basil Café<br />
Call for information and reservations<br />
See us by appointment or by chance.<br />
2 miles north of West Burke off Route 5, Sutton, VT<br />
www.highbeams.com<br />
BY SHARON LAKEY<br />
Going out for “a little something”<br />
just got better in Danville. Bentley’s<br />
Bakery and Café (named for<br />
the owners’ first dog) has finally opened<br />
on Hill Street. Since 2008, when contractor<br />
Mark Greaves’ truck began appearing<br />
in front of the empty hardware<br />
store, word buzzed around town. A bakery<br />
and coffee shop sounded great, but<br />
until recently, when a white hand-lettered<br />
sign hung in the front window announcing<br />
“April 7” appeared, there was question<br />
about it becoming a reality.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> economy did delay the café for a year,”<br />
said Jeff Frampton, who owns Bentley’s with his<br />
wife Nancy. But the wait was worth it. In the first<br />
week of business, customers poured through the<br />
door and tasted the wares that proved to be eyecandy<br />
as well as tasty. Local pastry chef Tarah<br />
Faulkner presented some remarkable looking creations<br />
in the two glass cases from which customers<br />
peruse and order.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Framptons value Tarah’s expertise with<br />
pastry. She graduated from the New England Culinary<br />
Institute in 2008 with an Associate Degree in<br />
baking and pastry. Her internships helped hone her<br />
skills at the Woodstock Inn in Vermont and at the<br />
Biltmore Estate in Ashville, <strong>North</strong> Carolina. Now<br />
living in West Danville with her 19-month-old<br />
daughter, Aubrey, and fiancé, Brad Fontaine, she<br />
thankfully hasn’t far to go when she meets Nancy<br />
in the early morning hours to bake the pastry for<br />
the day.<br />
Besides the smell of good food, the space is<br />
filled with light from the large front windows, and<br />
morning sunshine pouring into the kitchen from<br />
the east. <strong>The</strong> Framptons’ design allows customers<br />
to see into the kitchen, making the connection between<br />
bakers and diners a communal event. <strong>The</strong>ir<br />
original hope was to receive a historical renovation<br />
grant for the building. Though the grant didn’t<br />
come through, by the time they had gone through<br />
the preliminaries, they felt a commitment to keep<br />
the historical feel of the building. “It was the first<br />
downtown building rebuilt after the 1895 fire,” said<br />
Jeff. This attention to historical detail has provided<br />
a theme for the interior that is homey and comforting.<br />
“It’s totally up to code, now,” said Jeff,<br />
“top to bottom.” It’s green, too, an energy efficient<br />
older building that proves it can be done. Jeff relied<br />
on the expertise of Efficiency Vermont and<br />
Mark Greaves to help in this area.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Frampton’s, who live on Maple Lane in<br />
Danville, originally came from Montreal, so the<br />
connection with French pastry is strong (croissant<br />
is a specialty item). After the first three days, Nancy<br />
reports the biggest lunch seller had been the<br />
quiche. “<strong>The</strong> pastries are fresh every day,” said<br />
Nancy, as she rolled croissant that would be baked<br />
the next morning. She explained how a croissant is<br />
made and to demonstrate turned on a mechanical<br />
wonder, called a “sheeter,” that sits in the kitchen.<br />
“This is really Tarah’s machine,” she explained. It<br />
is used to incorporate butter into the dough, a<br />
labor-saving device that is a critical time-saver for<br />
the chefs.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> menu will change to keep things new,”<br />
said Nancy. In the mornings, there are pastries and<br />
coffee from the espresso bar or tea. <strong>The</strong> lunch<br />
menu is light, featuring soup, salads, quiche, ham<br />
and cheese croissants, and Panini sandwiches.<br />
Local man, Tim Ide, tried out both ends of the day<br />
on Friday with a chocolate croissant in the morning<br />
and Panini at noon. He appeared quite happy<br />
with the results. Specialty pastry orders, including<br />
wedding cakes, can be taken as long as they are<br />
given in advance. “We use as many Vermont products<br />
as possible as well as local contractors,” said<br />
Jeff. “We realize the value of keeping Vermont viable.”<br />
In planning the menu, the couple wanted to fill<br />
a niche that they felt wasn’t being covered by other<br />
food establishments in town. “We talked with the<br />
other owners before we came up with our plans.<br />
We didn’t want to compete with their business; we<br />
wanted to work with them.” One of the things that<br />
they heard often was the need to be open on Sunday,<br />
and they have complied. Bentley’s hours are<br />
Wednesday through Friday, 6:30 to 1:30 and Saturdays<br />
and Sundays, 8 to 1.<br />
<strong>The</strong> only kitchen disaster on opening day was<br />
related to the new equipment. “In a panic, I called<br />
the man who had installed our coffee machine, explaining<br />
the coffee was cold,” said Jeff. “He calmly<br />
told me to flip two toggle switches in the back that<br />
allowed the water to heat.” <strong>The</strong>y had worked into<br />
the night the day before opening day. So busy was<br />
Jeff with last minute details, he didn’t have time to<br />
change into his Bentley’s shirt until the first customers<br />
had enjoyed a breakfast.<br />
<strong>The</strong> happiest surprise for the Frampton’s has<br />
been the overwhelming support they have felt<br />
from the village. For that, they are most thankful.<br />
<strong>The</strong> community is thankful, too, for another way<br />
to celebrate coming together over a delightful delicacy<br />
in a pleasant setting.<br />
To see this article and an album of photos related<br />
to it, go to http://danvillehistorical.blogspot.com/
www.northstarmonthly.com MAY 2010 15<br />
Letters from the Past<br />
When writing was a necessity and an art<br />
By Lynn A. Bonfield<br />
Peacham native, Martha Johnson, taught at a freedmen’s school at Port Royal on<br />
the Sea Islands of South Carolina from 1863 until her death in 1871. When<br />
President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and Union forces took<br />
over abandoned Confederate property, private freedmen organizations were formed to<br />
educate the former slaves.<br />
Peacham native, Martha Johnson,<br />
taught at a freedmen’s school at<br />
Port Royal on the Sea Islands of<br />
South Carolina from 1863 until her<br />
death in 1871. When President Lincoln<br />
issued the Emancipation<br />
Proclamation and Union forces<br />
took over abandoned Confederate<br />
property, private freedmen organizations<br />
were formed to educate the<br />
former slaves. <strong>The</strong> first teachers at<br />
Port Royal arrived in March 1862.<br />
Martha came a year later when approximately<br />
thirty schools had been<br />
established on the islands with<br />
about two thousand students.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se students attended school<br />
only part time as their labor was<br />
needed in the fields where they were<br />
paid wages, no longer slave labor.<br />
<strong>The</strong> curriculum began with the alphabet<br />
before going on to classes in<br />
reading, writing, and arithmetic. Of<br />
the 40,000 former slaves on Sea Islands,<br />
there were schools for only a<br />
fortunate few.<br />
<strong>The</strong> freedmen school teachers<br />
were mainly <strong>North</strong>ern Anglo-Saxon<br />
Protestant females; all younger than<br />
twenty-eight and mainly educated in<br />
the common schools. Martha had<br />
attended Peacham’s outstanding<br />
academy but then also went to New<br />
Hampshire in 1839 to attend the<br />
Franklin Academy. Every page of<br />
an autograph book (now in a private<br />
collection) the well-liked young<br />
woman kept is full of friendship<br />
poems and best wishes signed from<br />
1839 to 1848 by students and teachers<br />
from each academy.<br />
By 1855, Martha was working<br />
on Blackwell’s Island as a matron to<br />
the female inmates of the New<br />
York State Penitentiary. She returned<br />
to Peacham when her<br />
mother became ill and remained<br />
until 1863 when she received a<br />
commission from the National<br />
Freedman’s Relief Association of<br />
New York to teach newly freed<br />
slaves in the Union occupied areas.<br />
Applicants were reviewed for<br />
health, energy, morality, religious<br />
conviction, and experience.<br />
Martha’s poor health was apparently<br />
overlooked in respect for teaching<br />
experience and deep personal faith,<br />
well exhibited in the following letter<br />
Credit: Vermont Historical Society, MS. 185.<br />
Martha Johnson’s Certificate of Commission issued by the National<br />
Freedman’s Relief Associations.<br />
to her sister, Caroline, nicknamed<br />
Cassie, in Peacham.<br />
Martha was the oldest of nine<br />
children of Betsey Merrill Johnson<br />
(1800-55) and Leonard Johnson<br />
(1797-1890). Her father, an abolitionist,<br />
rang the church bell for an<br />
hour when John Brown was hanged<br />
in 1859. He was excommunicated<br />
from the Congregational church for<br />
using “unchurchly language against<br />
one of his fellow parishioners” in<br />
an argument over “the slavery question.”<br />
In 1867, when brought back<br />
into church membership, he wrote<br />
in his apology letter: “At least, time<br />
has shown that I was right on the<br />
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anti-slavery question.” Martha’s<br />
uncle, Oliver Johnson (1809-89),<br />
was a close associate of William<br />
Lloyd Garrison and served as an editor<br />
for several abolitionist newspapers.<br />
Cassie Johnson, also taught in a<br />
freedmen school spending two<br />
years in Hampton, Virginia. <strong>The</strong><br />
Johnson sisters traveled to the<br />
South from Vermont where the<br />
state’s first constitution in 1777 outlawed<br />
slavery; from Peacham, a<br />
town with an active Anti-Slavery Society<br />
organized in 1833 (the third in<br />
Vermont); and from the Johnson<br />
family with strong abolitionist leanings.<br />
After years of poor health during<br />
which time Martha continued to<br />
teach, she died and was buried in the<br />
cemetery of the Episcopal Church<br />
in Beaufort under a stone with the<br />
inscription: “To the Memory of<br />
Martha Johnson, Born at Caledonia<br />
County Peacham, Vermont September<br />
22ne 1822, Died in Beaufort,<br />
South Carolina, December<br />
24th 1871.”<br />
198 Route 2<br />
W. Danville, VT<br />
P.O. Box 196<br />
802-684-3411<br />
nwjinsurance.com<br />
A DIVISION OF NOYLE W. JOHNSON, INC.<br />
Perryclear Plantation<br />
[South Carolina]<br />
<strong>May</strong> 23rd 1863<br />
Dear Cassie:<br />
Jack Doctor went to Beaufort<br />
yesterday and brought me your letter<br />
. . . and a big bundle that Aunt<br />
Mary Ann sent me. I wrote to her<br />
for a musquito net, calico dress, and<br />
a hat. She sent them and another<br />
dress as a present, two pairs of Pillow<br />
cases, four knives and forks, two<br />
tea spoons, two large spoons, Bowl<br />
Pitcher and pail. . . . You may smile<br />
at my wearing a hat, but everybody<br />
wears them here. It is the best of<br />
anything for this climate as it shades<br />
the face and is cool for the head. . .<br />
. I have not been to church since I<br />
came here for we know no men to<br />
row the boat and is a very hard days<br />
work to go to Beaufort and back<br />
again. We have Sabbath school for<br />
the children and sometimes the men<br />
and women come in and we have a<br />
“prisne” meeting as they call it.<br />
With very few exceptions those that<br />
are Gospel men and women as they<br />
express it, meaning members of a<br />
church, are Baptist and they are not<br />
allowed by the ministers and elders<br />
to go to any other church. . . . I enjoy<br />
our Sabbath school very much for<br />
the children seem to love to come<br />
very much and I feel that with the<br />
blessing of my Heavenly Father I<br />
am sowing the good seed that may<br />
eventually bring forth fruit. . . . [I]<br />
have a school of my own two miles<br />
from here. Go every morning at<br />
half past seven o’clock and return at<br />
half past ten, and three days in the<br />
week I go again in the afternoon at<br />
five o’clock for the benefit of the<br />
men and women who cannot come<br />
in the morning. . . . I have a nice<br />
school of thirty children and twenty<br />
five men, soldiers of the first Colored<br />
S[outh] C[arolina] Regt. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
do Picket duty on this Island. <strong>The</strong><br />
headquarters are very near my<br />
school and the Capt. of the company<br />
asked permission for the boys<br />
to come to school. I very gladly<br />
gave them permission to come. It is<br />
uncertain how long I may have<br />
them, but I shall endeavor to do<br />
them all the good I can. <strong>The</strong>y are,<br />
some of them, very fine looking<br />
men. Very few can read anything<br />
more than the letters, but are improving<br />
fast. I have two or three<br />
only that can read in the testament.<br />
I wish you could look in upon me<br />
surrounded by the dark faces, but<br />
bright and pleasant. My school<br />
room [is located] in the Piazza of<br />
the old Plantation house. When I<br />
have all the children and a good<br />
many soldiers, I have to send a part<br />
of them out of doors. . . .<br />
I realize more and more every<br />
day the awful wickedness of Slavery<br />
Bruce and the Crew<br />
Don’t forget to remember... over 30,000 square feet<br />
of greenhouses and cold frames filled with...<br />
Annual Flowers Geraniums Perennials Herbs<br />
Vegetable Plants Hanging Baskets Memorial Pans<br />
Stop by for a glimpse<br />
of Spring!<br />
Saturday & Sunday<br />
<strong>May</strong> 1st & 2nd<br />
OPEN HOUSE<br />
Door Prizes & Refreshments<br />
10 a.m.-4 p.m.<br />
ALL PERENNIALS<br />
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All day long.<br />
BOTH DAYS!<br />
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK<br />
Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.<br />
Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.<br />
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Gift Certificates<br />
and wonder they are as good as they<br />
are. I have visited them in their<br />
homes as much as I could find time<br />
or strength. <strong>The</strong>y seemed a little<br />
suspicious at first but now they give<br />
me a pleasant greeting and seem<br />
pleased to see me and have me talk<br />
with them. <strong>The</strong>y all seem to have a<br />
strong religious element in their nature.<br />
Cut off from all earthly comfort,<br />
they have gone to God for<br />
consolation. <strong>The</strong>ir childlike faith<br />
and entire confidence in their Heavenly<br />
Father is often a reproof to me<br />
for I have so much more given to<br />
me than these poor degraded children<br />
of our common Father. I have<br />
not yet heard one man or woman<br />
speak unfriendly of their old Massa<br />
or Missus, say they worked them<br />
hard and did not give them enough<br />
to eat and don’t care to see them but<br />
never seem [to] cherish a revengeful<br />
feeling towards them. . . .<br />
<strong>The</strong> great fear that has prevailed<br />
in the north of the colored people<br />
all working north if they were free–<br />
nothing but Slavery will drive them<br />
from their homes. <strong>The</strong>y are so<br />
strongly attached to their old homes,<br />
they do not like to go to another<br />
Plantation to live and almost without<br />
exception reply when asked if<br />
they would like to go north “I had<br />
rather stay in my old home. I am<br />
used to this place and don’t know<br />
anything about the <strong>North</strong>.”<br />
[A few sentences urging her sister<br />
to join her as a teacher and reports<br />
that “a graduate of South<br />
Hadley” has come and will teach.] I<br />
do not think it wise for you to come<br />
at this season for it takes time to get<br />
an appointment and you could not<br />
get here before it would be very hot<br />
weather. Today it is as hot as any<br />
weather in Vermont. Sun is so hot<br />
that one can hardly stand it a moment.<br />
Not a breath of air stirring<br />
and summer has not yet come. . .<br />
Write soon to your sister,<br />
Martha<br />
This letter and others written by<br />
Martha Johnson are preserved at the Vermont<br />
Historical Society with parts having<br />
been published in Vermont History 67<br />
(Summer/Fall, 1999) 101-14. Letters in<br />
this series are transcribed as written with<br />
no changes to spelling, punctuation, or capitalization.<br />
Editor’s additions are in brackets;<br />
words missing are indicated by ellipses.<br />
Don’t forget<br />
to remember...<br />
your Mother<br />
on Mother’s Day,<br />
<strong>May</strong> 9 with a gift<br />
from Houghton’s<br />
Greenhouses.<br />
A free potted viola<br />
to every mother<br />
at the greenhouse on Saturday<br />
& Sunday,<br />
<strong>May</strong> 8 & 9
16 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
Early spring delights<br />
No Small Potatoes with Vanna Guldenschuh<br />
<strong>The</strong> mild weather this<br />
spring gave us an<br />
abundance of early<br />
culinary delights. From the<br />
first run of maple sap to<br />
the bounty of wild leeks<br />
(ramps), fiddlehead ferns<br />
and the perennial chives<br />
and mint growing around<br />
the house, Mother Nature<br />
yielded a cornucopia of<br />
gourmet edibles ahead of<br />
schedule. As a cook it is exciting<br />
to use these very local<br />
spring treats in the kitchen.<br />
Wild leeks are being touted<br />
in many television and<br />
magazine recipes lately and<br />
we are lucky to have an<br />
abundance of them in the<br />
<strong>North</strong>east Kingdom. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
are easy to gather this year<br />
in the well drained, snow<br />
free woods. <strong>The</strong> fiddlehead<br />
fern is also readily available<br />
for the picking in many<br />
areas – one needs only to<br />
know the spots. You might<br />
have to ask a few people for<br />
information on where to<br />
find fiddleheads – this<br />
knowledge is not readily<br />
given out by avid foragers.<br />
You can find chives and<br />
mint peeking up and catching<br />
hold in their usual spots<br />
and if you are really fortunate<br />
you will find the culinary<br />
treasure of all<br />
treasures – the morel mushroom.<br />
Very few folks give<br />
up their morel spots - you<br />
are on your own here. So,<br />
go forth and forage for<br />
these wonderful wild foods<br />
it is a wonderful outdoor<br />
enterprise for this time of<br />
year.<br />
<strong>The</strong> following recipes are classics.<br />
Potato and Wild Leek Soup<br />
<strong>May</strong>o’s Furniture<br />
& Floor Covering<br />
Savings you can<br />
sleep on.<br />
This simple soup will turn<br />
your fresh picked leeks into a<br />
gourmet treat. This soup provides<br />
a wonderful meal served with a<br />
good loaf of French bread and a<br />
salad. It also goes very well with a<br />
ham entrée.<br />
Rich in Vitamins A and C,<br />
wild leeks can be tossed into that<br />
chicken soup you made to cure<br />
your spring cold with great results.<br />
6 to 8 potatoes - peeled and<br />
cubed (about 4 cups)<br />
4 cups chopped wild leeks (bulbs<br />
and greens)<br />
6 cups chicken stock (boxed<br />
stock is fine)<br />
½ cup heavy cream<br />
4-6 tablespoons butter<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
Hot Sauce - optional<br />
Preparing Wild Leeks or<br />
Ramps. Find your spot – If you<br />
don’t know where to pick ask<br />
around – someone will know a<br />
place. <strong>The</strong> best way to pick ramps<br />
is to dig with your hands – you<br />
might want to use gardening<br />
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gloves. Dig down until you find<br />
the end of the bulb and pinch it<br />
off the root system right under<br />
the bottom of the bulb. When<br />
you get your precious bundle<br />
home take the dirt and any dried<br />
layers off the plant and lightly<br />
rinse. <strong>The</strong>y will store in the refrigerator<br />
for about 5 days. <strong>The</strong>y have<br />
a very pungent odor so keep them<br />
covered.<br />
For the following soup recipe<br />
I chop the bulb portion and the<br />
leaves separately and sauté the<br />
white part in butter until soft. I set<br />
that aside and sauté the greens the<br />
same way before I mix them together.<br />
<strong>The</strong> greens do not need to<br />
cook as long. You can do this a<br />
day ahead and make this soup an<br />
easy chore. If you have an over<br />
abundance of leeks you can freeze<br />
them at this point for use<br />
throughout the year.<br />
Make the Soup. Cover the<br />
potatoes with the chicken stock in<br />
a medium sized soup pot and<br />
bring to a boil. Turn the heat<br />
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toes are very soft. Let them cool a<br />
little and then puree the mix. I use<br />
my immersion mixer for this<br />
chore, but if you don’t have one<br />
you can put the potato and broth<br />
in a food processor or use an electric<br />
beater. If you want to take an<br />
easier route – Just mash the mix<br />
up with a kitchen tool that works<br />
for this. You might have a few<br />
lumps and you won’t get a smooth<br />
puree with this last method – but<br />
it will still taste good.<br />
While the potatoes are cooling,<br />
sauté the leeks as described<br />
above. Leeks have a wonderfully<br />
pungent aroma and flavor - so add<br />
more or less leeks according to<br />
your taste.<br />
Add the sautéed leeks to the<br />
pureed potatoes and stock. If the<br />
mix is very thick add a little water<br />
or stock. Cook on low heat for<br />
about 10 minutes and add the<br />
cream and salt and pepper to taste.<br />
If you like a little heat put a couple<br />
a dashes of hot sauce at this<br />
point. Let the soup come back to<br />
temperature and it is ready to<br />
serve.<br />
Fiddlehead Quiche<br />
You can use your prepared fiddleheads<br />
as a solo vegetable, in a<br />
salad or soup, over pasta or in the<br />
following recipe for quiche. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
are so green and striking in any<br />
dish that they are hard to resist.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y have been used for generations<br />
in Vermont and you can usually<br />
find jars of pickled<br />
fiddleheads at local farmers markets<br />
throughout the area.<br />
This is a classic recipe for this<br />
time of year. Great as a luncheon<br />
dish or served with a slice of<br />
sautéed ham for dinner. It also<br />
freezes well after cooking. <strong>The</strong> secret<br />
to a crispy crust under your<br />
quiche is to prebake the shell<br />
whether you use a store bought or<br />
homemade crust. This recipe<br />
makes one 9-inch quiche. It will<br />
easily double and triple.<br />
3 eggs<br />
1/2 cup cream<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
Pinch of nutmeg<br />
1 onion – chopped (can use wild<br />
leeks if you have them)<br />
3 scallions - chopped<br />
12 to 16 blanched fiddleheads<br />
2 tablespoons of parsley<br />
1/2 cup grated cheese (cheddar,<br />
swiss or your favorite)<br />
One precooked pie crust<br />
Preparing the Fiddlehead<br />
Fern. Fiddleheads, so named because<br />
they resemble the scroll of a<br />
fiddle, grow in abundance in the<br />
<strong>North</strong>east Kingdom. <strong>The</strong>y are the<br />
unfurled new growth fronds of<br />
the ostrich fern and need to be<br />
picked when they are still tightly<br />
coiled and bright green. A thin papery<br />
sheath will be clinging to the<br />
plant as it pushes up from the<br />
ground - this identifies the ostrich<br />
fern. Cut them off no more the<br />
two inches under the coil by bending<br />
the stalk until it snaps.<br />
You will need to remove as<br />
much of the paper sheath as you<br />
can by shaking or fanning them as<br />
soon as you get home with your<br />
yield. After this chaff is removed<br />
wash the fiddleheads in cold running<br />
water and strain them well.<br />
You can store them for a few days<br />
in the refrigerator but they are not<br />
good keepers. You are better off<br />
processing and using them immediately<br />
or freezing them for later<br />
use.<br />
To prepare for the quiche<br />
recipe I would just cook the fiddleheads<br />
in salted boiling water<br />
for about 5 to 7 minutes or until<br />
they are half tender. You can also<br />
freeze them at this point. If you<br />
are just going to dress them with a<br />
little olive oil and salt to use as a<br />
solo vegetable, cook them until<br />
they fully tender but still a little<br />
snappy. It is like asparagus in the<br />
sense that it is easy to overcook<br />
and can go from a delicious treat<br />
to a mushy vegetable in a matter<br />
of minutes. Sauté blanched fiddleheads<br />
with butter, salt and pepper<br />
to use over pasta with fresh<br />
shaved parmesan cheese.<br />
Prebake your piecrust. Use<br />
you own favorite recipe or a store<br />
bought variety. When you prebake<br />
a piecrust you will need to brace<br />
the sides. Do this by lining a forkpricked<br />
crust with aluminum foil<br />
and filling it with rice beans or pellets<br />
made for this purpose. Cook<br />
at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes.<br />
Take out and remove the lining.<br />
Bake another 5 minutes<br />
without the lining. Let cool. You<br />
may freeze piecrust at this stage to<br />
keep it ready for a delicious easy<br />
meal at a moment's notice.<br />
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.<br />
Softly beat eggs, cream, salt,<br />
pepper and nutmeg together –<br />
you don’t want to froth this mix<br />
up too much. Set aside. Sauté the<br />
onions and scallions together till<br />
just wilted and set aside. Mix the<br />
blanched fiddleheads with the<br />
scallions and onions (reserve a few<br />
for the top). Lay this vegetable<br />
mix in the bottom of the precooked<br />
crust. Mix the parsley into<br />
the egg mixture and stir vigorously<br />
to combine completely. Pour<br />
into the crust on top of the vegetables.<br />
Sprinkle the grated cheese<br />
on top and place a few fiddleheads<br />
on top of the quiche. Place in the<br />
oven and cook for 30 minutes or<br />
until set. Let stand about 10 minutes<br />
and then cut and serve.<br />
Have fun foraging and cooking<br />
your wild catch. <strong>The</strong> <strong>North</strong>east<br />
Kingdom yields an array of<br />
wild treats that are really fun to<br />
prepare in the kitchen. From Lake<br />
Willoughby salmon and smelt to<br />
wild leeks, fiddleheads and the<br />
prized morel mushroom there is a<br />
treasure trove of local wild foods<br />
there for the taking. Really, what<br />
else is there to do in the spring? <br />
<strong>The</strong> Basin<br />
BY BRUCE HOYT<br />
<strong>The</strong> concept of “vacation”<br />
has changed over the years. Those<br />
book-length chronicles of balmy<br />
summer weeks with the whole<br />
family on “<strong>The</strong> Cape” seem entirely<br />
fictional to the modern family<br />
that feels lucky to grab a week<br />
without feeling guilty over the<br />
peeling paint on the south side of<br />
the house or some equally compelling<br />
household demand.<br />
For people with busy lives, the<br />
concept of a “three-hour vacation”<br />
has become attractive. In<br />
fact, the Washington Post runs a<br />
column which weekly calls attention<br />
to one of the cultural and historical<br />
sites in easy range of all the<br />
metropolitan D.C. area. It’s called<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Three Hour Weekend.” For<br />
many <strong>North</strong> <strong>Star</strong> readers such<br />
places also lie close at hand. <strong>The</strong><br />
“Vermont Atlas and<br />
Gazetteer”and the “New Hampshire<br />
Atlas and Gazetteer” list<br />
dozens of gardens, natural areas,<br />
scenic drives, cultural sites and<br />
other attractions in our area. <strong>The</strong><br />
rest and renewal provided by a<br />
“three-hour vacation” should not<br />
be overlooked because of a heavy<br />
schedule or tight budget.<br />
One easily reached place is<br />
<strong>The</strong> Basin, just a few miles below<br />
the Cannon Mountain ski area in<br />
Franconia Notch and about an<br />
hour from St. Johnsbury.<br />
Here, the water coming down<br />
from Profile Lake, slides over a<br />
long granite pavement, breaks into<br />
rivulets and clear pools, then gathers<br />
again to plunge spectacularly<br />
into a stone basin, 30 feet wide<br />
and 15 feet deep, carved by eons<br />
of whirling torrents. Everywhere<br />
the water is so clear that the pebbles<br />
and boulders appear almost<br />
as if no medium attenuates the<br />
sight. Quieted by the large volume<br />
of the basin the waters slip out to<br />
become headwaters of the<br />
Pemigiwasset River. Soon joined<br />
by Cascade Brook out of Lonesome<br />
Lake and similar mountain<br />
tributaries, the river gathers<br />
strength until it flows into the<br />
Merrimac, the storied waterpower<br />
of early New England mills.<br />
Stones swirling and grinding<br />
in glacial melt water did most of<br />
the carving of basins and pot<br />
holes. Often these features can be<br />
found high and dry, far above the<br />
now entrenched and subdued<br />
river that formed them. Because<br />
the gradual shifting of the bottom<br />
material moves like the sand in a<br />
“forty-niner’s” pan, I once speculated<br />
that there must be heavy<br />
gold flecks in the bottom of every<br />
pothole. A geologist friend dismissed<br />
my theory because of the<br />
scarcity of gold veins in the White<br />
Mountains. Like the reputed<br />
wealth at the end of the rainbow,<br />
the value is just in the beauty.<br />
One summer morning, a West<br />
Barnet friend called to ask a favor.<br />
An ever-generous person, she had<br />
invited an Iranian student to stay<br />
at their farm. However, as an oil<br />
rich, pampered youth he never adjusted<br />
his hours and wants to farm<br />
life. She just wanted me to take<br />
him away for a day so she could<br />
regain her balance and catch up<br />
with her work. My schedule was<br />
flexible and I was glad to help. I<br />
took him to <strong>The</strong> Basin and had<br />
plans to take him to other White<br />
Mountain sites. However, he spent<br />
hours walking around to the<br />
nearby falls and letting the cool,<br />
clear water flow through his<br />
hands. Though his country sits on<br />
millions of barrels of oil, he<br />
seemed to covet this flowing<br />
mountain water. We ourselves can<br />
appreciate this natural wonder by<br />
taking a three-hour vacation into<br />
the White Mountains.<br />
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www.northstarmonthly.com APRIL 2010 19<br />
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20 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
Walden Hill Journal with Jeff & Ellen Gold<br />
<strong>May</strong> 2, 2009<br />
This is by far the greenest Green Up Day<br />
I can remember. Not only are the usual coltsfoot<br />
in bloom, but so are trillium, myrtle and<br />
marsh marigolds. Fiddleheads are well<br />
sprouted, poplars in early leaf, and red maple<br />
blossoms color the road. It was a very comfortable<br />
50° with enough of a breeze to dry<br />
up the ground and keep the bugs at bay. We<br />
managed three large garbage bags and a box<br />
of recyclables on about two miles of road.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 3, 2009<br />
A day of “firsts” today. We stacked our<br />
first load of wood, planted the first seeds<br />
(peas, lettuce, spinach and cilantro), noticed<br />
the first asparagus poking through and<br />
picked our first fiddleheads. We got the rinsing,<br />
double boiling and steaming instructions<br />
for preparing the fiddleheads and will enjoy<br />
a first sampling of them with supper tonight.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 8, 2009<br />
<strong>The</strong> sun finally made an appearance<br />
today after leaving us literally in the cold for<br />
several days. It was just enough afternoon<br />
sun to warm up the house. Shad blossoms<br />
are beginning to open and marsh marigolds<br />
are in their prime. It was good weather for<br />
an afternoon stroll down Walden Hill. Three<br />
deer had been out in the red barn field earlier<br />
today but had left by the time we walked<br />
down. Neighbors suggested a side road<br />
which we took down to the beaver marsh.<br />
<strong>The</strong> old pond looks abandoned but recently<br />
gnawed trees indicate that they may have set<br />
up further downstream. We’ll be sure to go<br />
exploring there in the future. Meanwhile the<br />
black flies are out. Fortunately the swallows<br />
are back to help keep the pesky population<br />
down. It’s time for me to get out the bug baffler<br />
shirt and some bug salve. <strong>The</strong> first two<br />
asparagus are in the fridge awaiting a few<br />
more to make a meal. Saw our first bluebird<br />
this evening. He’s checking out the houses by<br />
the cherry tree and will hopefully find one to<br />
his liking. Swallows haven’t started nesting<br />
there yet so he has first pick. A quick visit<br />
from a wild turkey strutting up the road adds<br />
to our evening’s entertainment.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 9, 2009<br />
Enjoyed our first garden asparagus.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were just enough to steam and add to<br />
our broiled ham and cheese sandwiches. Had<br />
a late afternoon thunderstorm punctuated<br />
first by a double and then single rainbow in<br />
various degrees of intensity. Rising mist<br />
added more drama to the already very turbulent<br />
sky. <strong>The</strong> rain subsided long enough<br />
for an evening walk down the road. Four<br />
deer were grazing at the far end of the field,<br />
and peepers were singing their nightly chorus.<br />
Coolish temperature kept the bugs at<br />
bay.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 15, 2009<br />
After several calm, sunny days of strenuous<br />
work outdoors, we took a breather with<br />
rain and very strong winds yesterday. We had<br />
done a first pass with the lawn mower, continued<br />
edging and weeding in the perennial<br />
beds and set up the cold frame for the<br />
kohlrabi, tomato and bok choy plants. I had<br />
to close the top with only a sliver open yesterday<br />
to keep the wind from doing major<br />
damage. Shads are in peak bloom and offered<br />
profuse but delicate blossoms to highlight<br />
a leisurely drive along the river between<br />
Whitefield and Bethlehem. Azaleas and<br />
flowering crabs added much bolder color<br />
among the spring green. Two loads of wood<br />
are stacked with two more to be delivered<br />
this weekend. Black flies are starting up<br />
again. I needed my bug shirt for more stationary<br />
weeding at ground level but was fine<br />
without it while I kept moving behind the<br />
lawn mower. Windy days have been helpful<br />
too, to keep the flies in motion.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 19, 2009<br />
<strong>The</strong> thermometer showed a low of 34°<br />
early this morning and at ground level we<br />
had patches of frost. All of the plants that<br />
had been acclimating outside have spent the<br />
last two nights in the garage. On the plus side<br />
of the lingering cold front is that shad blossoms<br />
are hanging on even with wind and<br />
rain. It’s quite a beautiful sight of dainty<br />
white blossoms and russet leaves out our<br />
bow window. We’ve been able to finish stacking<br />
wood in the colder, bug-free air. <strong>The</strong><br />
downside though is that the kohlrabi, bok<br />
choy and potatoes are ready for planting but<br />
it’s still too risky weather-wise. Hopefully it’ll<br />
begin to warm up again and less frost sensitive<br />
plants can go into the ground.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 23, 2009<br />
Shads are done flowering, leaving center<br />
stage to the apple blossoms. Warmer days<br />
encourage blooming while intermittent cold<br />
spells allow the blossoms to linger. This seesaw<br />
weather makes for a beautiful, drawnout<br />
and profuse spring. Lilacs have opened at<br />
lower elevations, smelled long before they are<br />
seen. Hummingbirds have found the feeder.<br />
Some new bird has taken up residence by the<br />
cherry tree. It enters and leaves too quickly to<br />
identify but seems fairly small with a russet<br />
tinge. Spuds are planted, and bok choy transplants<br />
are in the ground. Asparagus is beginning<br />
to pick up growth as the soil warms. I<br />
did one more thorough weeding before the<br />
spears became too numerous. 32° is predicted<br />
for Monday night so I’ll hold off on<br />
additional planting.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 26, 2009<br />
Another frost last night. At least it’s late<br />
enough in the season to actually warrant a<br />
national weather advisory. Our thermometer<br />
showed 32° at 4:16 but by then the sun<br />
was starting to lighten up the sky and move<br />
the temperature upwards. We covered what<br />
we could and brought in all the potted plants.<br />
It looks like we’re okay. With apple blossoms<br />
full and lilacs just beginning to open, there<br />
could have been major damage. Island Pond<br />
saw 24° and I’m sure they didn’t fare as well.<br />
Memorial Day has come and gone but planting<br />
is still on hold. I’ll need to get the<br />
kohlrabi in soon or find some bigger pots.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 28, 2009<br />
June is just around the corner, and we’ve<br />
got the wood stove going after several weeks<br />
without it. We’re in the second day of continuous<br />
rain with a third predicted for tomorrow.<br />
Peas, kohlrabi, bok choy and<br />
asparagus are all getting a good soaking but<br />
not much warmth. Temps have not climbed<br />
above 40°. Geraniums and tuberous begonias<br />
are back inside, but I’ve left the basil and<br />
tomatoes in the slightly vented cold frame.<br />
It’s supposed to stay in the 40’s tonight. <strong>The</strong><br />
rain barrel is almost full, which will make watering<br />
(once it’s needed again) easier to do.<br />
<strong>The</strong> little oak seedling which survived its<br />
third winter, lost all of it leaves to the frost a<br />
couple of days ago. I guess it was just too<br />
close to the ground. My neighbor suggested<br />
that lots of water might encourage a second<br />
leafing and fortunately Mother Nature is seeing<br />
to that. A few of the smaller lupine leaves<br />
got nipped as well but the basic plants look<br />
healthy enough.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 31, 2009<br />
<strong>May</strong> is ending on a very volatile note.<br />
Strong winds all day brought alternating periods<br />
of sunshine, rain, and hail. We even lost<br />
power for a couple of hours in the afternoon.<br />
We’re under a frost alert again tonight<br />
and have brought pots in and covered the asparagus<br />
with boxes weighted down by pieces<br />
of wood. <strong>The</strong> rest of the garden is uncovered<br />
but will hopefully withstand a light frost.<br />
We did manage a bit of outside work today<br />
before the hail sent us running for cover. I<br />
startled a mamma grouse in the woods who<br />
set up a major commotion, feigning a broken<br />
wing while she squawked back to her<br />
chicks to stay hidden. I quickly moved on so<br />
that she could return to tending her family.<br />
Once again the cooler weather and strong<br />
winds helped deter the black flies as long as<br />
I kept moving.<br />
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www.northstarmonthly.com MAY 2010 21<br />
It takes a heap o’ livin’ in a house t’ make it home<br />
BY SHARON LAKEY<br />
In forays into the depths of<br />
the Danville Historical Society’s<br />
collection, Edgar Guest’s<br />
poem Home has surfaced several<br />
times. I’ve seen the first<br />
half of the line written in Margaret<br />
Springer’s hand at the<br />
end of her yellowed “Collection<br />
Policy” instructions. And<br />
just yesterday, it surfaced as a<br />
picture that hung on someone’s<br />
wall years ago. <strong>The</strong> line<br />
has meaning to us at Historical<br />
House as we try to organize<br />
the bits and pieces of “a heap<br />
o’ livin’” done in Danville since<br />
its settlement in 1786.<br />
When the house opened last<br />
<strong>May</strong>, its collection of nearly 50<br />
years finally had a home. While<br />
many of us may be in the mood to<br />
get rid of stuff during spring cleaning,<br />
the staff at Historical House is<br />
busy trying to pull stuff together,<br />
dust it off and make sense of it.<br />
Our job is to put the house in<br />
order, making the collection both<br />
safe and accessible for those inside<br />
and outside of the community<br />
who value the past and are curious<br />
about the people who lived here.<br />
In our ad in this issue, you will<br />
see we are looking right now for<br />
specific photos that will help in the<br />
display at the Greenbank’s Hollow<br />
historical site. Under Dave Houston’s<br />
guidance, Danville High<br />
School students are currently building<br />
the frame for an informational<br />
kiosk that will be the center of a<br />
self-guided tour. He is asking for<br />
help in photos for the display. In<br />
Mother’s Day<br />
<strong>May</strong> 9<br />
particular, we have no photo of the<br />
South Danville School when it was<br />
handsome and operable.<br />
<strong>The</strong> wonderful thing about<br />
present technology is that if someone<br />
has a historical photo they are<br />
willing to share, it can easily be reproduced<br />
right here at the Historical<br />
House in a matter of minutes.<br />
This scan or photograph can be<br />
entered into the collection in the<br />
same way the original photo would<br />
be entered; but the original is still<br />
in your hands. (Of course, if one<br />
would want the Danville Historical<br />
Society to keep it for preservation<br />
purposes, we are glad to do so.)<br />
<strong>The</strong> duties of an archivist did<br />
get a whole lot easier with the advent<br />
of the computer. We are able<br />
to number and describe each piece<br />
of the collection by inputting them<br />
into a museum software program<br />
called Past Perfect. It allows us the<br />
flexibility needed for collections<br />
like ours with pre-set categories of<br />
objects, photos, archives, and library.<br />
As much detail as is known<br />
about the item can be entered with<br />
the number. With a digital camera<br />
or scanner, we take a photo of the<br />
item for the catalog as well as make<br />
it possible for it to become part of<br />
an online exhibit.<br />
All this will take serious time<br />
and effort, of course, but we are on<br />
the way. We are lucky to have some<br />
consistent help in this task from<br />
two very nice people. One of them<br />
is Terri Graves from Danville, who<br />
volunteers twice a week, Tuesdays<br />
REID & BALIVET<br />
ATTORNEYS AT LAW<br />
ERNEST TOBIAS BALIVET<br />
JUDITH A. SALAMANDRA CORSO<br />
and Thursdays. <strong>The</strong> other is<br />
Dwight Keafer, also of Danville,<br />
who comes to us through the Vermont<br />
Associates program. Both<br />
Terri and Dwight are well-educated<br />
in the ways of computers. When<br />
you come visit us, I hope you’ll take<br />
the time to meet and thank them<br />
for their work.<br />
You can learn a lot from a photograph.<br />
Just for fun, here is a post<br />
card that Beth Williams brought in<br />
recently of the Diamond Hill Cabins.<br />
If you study both the message<br />
on the back and the front, you get<br />
a lot of information. It isn’t earth<br />
shattering, but it is descriptive of a<br />
“heap o’ living” that was going on<br />
back in 1941.<br />
After studying this photo, it<br />
Above, the Diamond Hill<br />
Cabins as they were in<br />
1941. <strong>The</strong> Danville Historical<br />
Society is looking for<br />
stories of the Tea House<br />
that is located above the<br />
cabins? Left, Dwight Keafer<br />
learning the program Past-<br />
Perfect<br />
might jog your memory and a story<br />
will surface. If it does, tell us the<br />
story. <strong>The</strong>y are just as valuable as<br />
photos, and, if you don’t tell it, will<br />
it be lost? Visit us on Tuesdays and<br />
Thursdays. We’d love to hear from<br />
you.<br />
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Joe’s Pond Craft Shop<br />
Rt. 2 & 15, West Danville, VT • 684-2192 • www.joespondcrafts.com<br />
Tues - Sat: 9:30 - 6:00 • Sun. 9:30 - 1 • Closed Mondays<br />
DANVILLE GREEN DANVILLE, VT (802) 684-3666<br />
Help her remember<br />
the smiles, the tears<br />
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Many choices to<br />
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Gold Chains<br />
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<strong>The</strong> List goes on!<br />
1214 Main Street, “On the Hill”<br />
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819<br />
748-GEMS (4367)<br />
IN THE HEART OF KINGDOM TRAILS<br />
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Brammer Creek Seafoods<br />
Locally Grown Vegetables<br />
Thick, Juicy Steaks & Ground Beef (Fresh Cut)<br />
Fresh Sandwiches, Burgers, McKenzie Hot Dogs<br />
“Extensive Wine Selection”<br />
Propane - Camping & Picnic Supplies<br />
Hollyberry’s Famous Bakery Products (Fresh Daily)<br />
Slick’s Homemade/ Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream<br />
Movies • ATM • TMA’s • VAST Maps<br />
24-HOUR PAY AT THE PUMP
22 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
‘A <strong>North</strong> Country sampler’<br />
Area music lovers will be<br />
delighted by “A <strong>North</strong><br />
Country Sampler” – a joint<br />
concert featuring favorite<br />
local musicians. Choral<br />
groups Windrose and<br />
Pumpkin Hill Singers will be<br />
joined by harpist, Bill Tobin,<br />
and <strong>The</strong> Bob Amos Band.<br />
This year’s presentation is an<br />
outgrowth of last year’s<br />
well-received presentation<br />
which included the three ensemble<br />
groups. This year<br />
those musicians have invited<br />
Bill Tobin to join by sharing<br />
some of his favorite harp<br />
solos including his own<br />
compositions.<br />
<strong>The</strong> joint concert began last<br />
year when the Pumpkin Hill<br />
Singers invited the other groups<br />
to join in their regular spring<br />
concert. “We were overjoyed at<br />
the response that we got from<br />
our audiences,” says Pumpkin<br />
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Hill bass Toby Balivet, “they<br />
loved the variety.”<br />
Windrose is a popular close<br />
harmony group which is well<br />
known for its animated presentations<br />
and quirky sense of<br />
humor. <strong>The</strong>ir eclectic repertoire<br />
includes jazz, popular, and traditional<br />
songs. <strong>The</strong> Bob Amos<br />
Band is a rousing combination<br />
of instrumentalists and vocalists<br />
with a distinctive and uplifting<br />
sound. <strong>The</strong> group features the<br />
guitarist and singer Bob Amos<br />
as well as members of his family<br />
and other area instrumentalists.<br />
In ”A <strong>North</strong>east Sampler”,<br />
the Pumpkin Hill Singers will<br />
present a new song with lyrics by<br />
tenor Steve Parker and arrangement<br />
by Susan Terry. “I heard<br />
this melody, which was written<br />
by an Irish musician, Daithe<br />
Sproule,” says Steve Parker, “and<br />
loved it so much I had to put<br />
words to it”. Parker has written<br />
lyrics which sound Irish in origin<br />
and tell the story of a magical<br />
musical event in a young<br />
man’s life. Also included in their<br />
portion of the concert will be<br />
another new song, “Blessing”.<br />
“This song is by one of our favorite<br />
musicians, Donna Hebert,<br />
a French Canadian fiddler and<br />
singer from Amherst, MA.<br />
Steve and I have been singing<br />
this song for a number of<br />
years”, says group director Susan<br />
Terry, “and all along I’ve known<br />
I had to arrange it for four-part<br />
chorus. I’m really excited to be<br />
sharing this with our audiences<br />
this year”.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Danville concert will be<br />
Sunday, <strong>May</strong> 23rd at the <strong>North</strong><br />
Congregational Church at 7pm.<br />
<strong>The</strong> concert will be in two sets<br />
separated by a brief intermission.<br />
A concert will also be held<br />
the preceding night Saturday,<br />
<strong>May</strong>22nd at the <strong>North</strong> Congregational<br />
Church in St. Johnsbury.<br />
Saturday night’s concert<br />
will benefit Habitat for Humanity.<br />
NEK Habitat announces new goals<br />
<strong>North</strong>east Habitat for<br />
Humanity will offer a<br />
new program for small exterior<br />
repairs and improvements,<br />
and hopes to break<br />
ground on its first house during<br />
2010. <strong>The</strong>se are the two<br />
main goals set by its Steering<br />
Committee at its February<br />
meeting. In addition, the twoyear<br />
old organization plans to<br />
reach out to more families in<br />
need and more communities<br />
during the year.<br />
Called A Brush with Kindness<br />
by the parent organization Habitat<br />
for Humanity International,<br />
the small projects program offers<br />
help to homeowners with painting,<br />
repairs, weatherization, landscaping,<br />
clean-up, and small property<br />
improvements such as stairs,<br />
ramps, or porches. <strong>The</strong>se projects<br />
are funded with a no-interest,<br />
non-profit loan, often using donated<br />
materials, and completed by<br />
local volunteers. Project partners<br />
are chosen on the basis of need,<br />
ability to provide “sweat equity,”<br />
and ability to repay the small loan,<br />
usually less than $200. Application<br />
forms will be available<br />
through local churches and agencies,<br />
or by contacting <strong>North</strong>east<br />
Kingdom Habitat for Humanity;<br />
P.O. Box 1421; Lyndonville, VT<br />
05851, or calling 748-6239.<br />
<strong>North</strong>east Kingdom Habitat<br />
for Humanity is a local project<br />
committee guided by the Upper<br />
Valley affiliate in White River<br />
Junction. <strong>Star</strong>ting its third year,<br />
NEK Habitat is restoring services<br />
provided by an affiliate which operated<br />
here from 1988-2002. In<br />
its two years of existence, the new<br />
organization has worked on two<br />
single family homes, and seven<br />
smaller projects in six towns.<br />
NEK Habitat for Humanity is<br />
governed by a 12-person Steering<br />
Committee whose members are<br />
Susan Aiken, St. Johnsbury; Francis<br />
Carlet, Peacham; Bob Gondar,<br />
West Burke; Sara Heft, Danville;<br />
Cyndy Nye, St. Johnsbury; Jody<br />
Paine, Danville; Rev. Alan Parker,<br />
Danville; Marte Rhodes, Newport;<br />
Bruce <strong>Star</strong>buck, Lyndonville;<br />
Dan Swainbank,<br />
Danville; Jesse Tatum, Derby; and<br />
Beth Williams, Danville.<br />
African safari helps<br />
support NEK youth<br />
<strong>The</strong> two African Safari<br />
Packages from the famous<br />
Zulu Nyala Compound<br />
in South Africa are just a part<br />
of the exciting live and silent<br />
auctions at <strong>North</strong>east Kingdom<br />
Youth Services’ JUMP<br />
Jazz Jubilee (JJJ). <strong>The</strong> JJJ will<br />
be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday<br />
<strong>May</strong> 1 at the St. Johnsbury<br />
Country Club and all proceeds<br />
support NEKYS’ Jump<br />
and Everybody Wins! mentoring<br />
programs.<br />
Jim and Sally Newell successfully<br />
bid the two Safari packages<br />
at the JJJ auction and went to<br />
South Africa with another couple.<br />
In an update of their amazing experience,<br />
Sally said “the accommodations<br />
were very<br />
comfortable, the food was fantastic<br />
and the wildlife tours were remarkable.<br />
It was all we expected<br />
and more – just a wonderful trip.”<br />
But if you are not looking for<br />
foreign travel, there is gift certificate<br />
for a night at the new Common<br />
Man Inn in Claremont, N.H.<br />
or an overnight at the famed Rabbit<br />
Hill Inn in Waterford complete<br />
with afternoon tea and<br />
hearty breakfast. From autographed<br />
books, rounds of golf at<br />
area courses and beautiful local<br />
art to cords of firewood and topsoil<br />
there is something for everyone<br />
at the auction.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is the crowd, the entertaining<br />
games, the silent and live<br />
auction items and a beautiful<br />
gourmet spread of hearty appetizers<br />
and dessert trays. Bring<br />
your appetite for an amazing selection<br />
of gourmet hors d’oeuvres<br />
and desserts from area chefs.<br />
From smoked salmon and jumbo<br />
shrimp to sliced tenderloin and<br />
amazing pastries and desserts the<br />
JJJ buffet is a tantalizing array of<br />
incredible edibles.<br />
When you put all this together<br />
and factor in the dynamic Mike<br />
Welch as emcee and the congenial<br />
ambiance of the St. Johnsbury<br />
Country Club, you have yourself<br />
quite a party. It is easy to forget<br />
that this fun-filled night is actually<br />
a fundraiser.<br />
You will want to put Saturday,<br />
<strong>May</strong> 1 on your calendar to attend<br />
this gala event and support our<br />
young people. <strong>The</strong> vital one-onone<br />
attention that mentors provide<br />
promotes healthy<br />
development and protects kids<br />
from risky behavior at a critical<br />
age. You can help make a difference<br />
in a child’s life in many ways.<br />
Donate an auction item, attend<br />
the JJJ or become a mentor yourself.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is nothing more rewarding<br />
than helping young<br />
people along the way.<br />
Contact the NEKYS office at<br />
802-748-8732 for more information<br />
on the JJJ or the mentoring<br />
programs.<br />
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Barnet, VT • (802)633-3637<br />
sdaviscab@gmail.com<br />
www.ScottDavisCabinetmakers.com
www.northstarmonthly.com MAY 2010 23<br />
Up on the Farm Early<br />
HISTORY IN A CUP<br />
BY LORNA QUIMBY<br />
Aline Faris, in a recent letter, asked, “Do you remember<br />
when oatmeal boxes (maybe Mother’s<br />
Oats) brought china buried in the cereal?” “Aha!”<br />
I thought. “That’s where that cup came from.”<br />
For years—I’m not going to<br />
say how many—I’ve washed an<br />
odd cup when I cleaned the<br />
dish cupboards. It’s not especially<br />
attractive, plain white with<br />
a narrow green band around the<br />
edge. Its shape is nothing out<br />
of the ordinary. It doesn’t appear<br />
to be china, more like milk<br />
glass. <strong>The</strong>re is no matching<br />
saucer. Where I got it was lost<br />
in the fogs of the past. But<br />
when Aline mentioned oatmeal<br />
I suddenly remembered Maw<br />
pulling the cup out of an oatmeal<br />
box.<br />
Dad picked up our groceries<br />
at Bert’s store in South<br />
Peacham. One staple we always<br />
had on hand was oatmeal.<br />
When you had as many mouths<br />
to feed as Dad and Maw had,<br />
cheap and filling was what you<br />
bought. So most of the time<br />
we ate oatmeal for breakfast.<br />
Brand names meant little, for<br />
the massive surge in advertising<br />
was only beginning. Still, a<br />
small gimmick added to a product<br />
could make the difference<br />
between staying on the shelf or<br />
going home with a customer.<br />
During the 20s and 30s giveaway<br />
dishes were the gimmicks<br />
that sold soap powders, brought<br />
people to the movies—a chance<br />
for a set of dishes influenced<br />
the choice of which film to go<br />
to—and, of course, oatmeal.<br />
Our daily lives went along<br />
on an even path. Not much<br />
happened on the farm except<br />
for the everlasting chores.<br />
Chores changed with the seasons,<br />
but even that change was<br />
predictable. So the possibility<br />
of a new dish or cup broke up<br />
the monotony. When Maw<br />
opened the new box, we stood<br />
around waiting to see what she<br />
unearthed from the rolled oats.<br />
When the plain white cup appeared,<br />
Maw was disappointed.<br />
It didn’t match anything she<br />
had.<br />
By that time Maw’s dishes<br />
had suffered from the ministrations<br />
of four girls who wanted<br />
to get the chore of dishwashing<br />
over as quickly as possible.<br />
Handles on cups were especially<br />
vulnerable. And there were at<br />
least two cups and saucers used<br />
at every meal, more if there<br />
were a hired man or visitors.<br />
Maw and Dad drank coffee<br />
at breakfast, tea for dinner and<br />
supper. It was a sign you were<br />
really grown up when you were<br />
allowed to have a cup of either<br />
beverage. When you were little,<br />
you could soak your toast crusts<br />
in Dad’s cup of well-sweetened<br />
coffee but you never had tea.<br />
Maw made drip coffee in an<br />
aluminum pot. She made tea in<br />
a china tea pot. And she used<br />
loose tea, spooning the leaves in<br />
to the heated pot and using a<br />
tea strainer to prevent tea leaves<br />
in her cup. Maw wasn’t fussy<br />
which tea she used, but Gar,<br />
who had learned to brew tea to<br />
suit Alvin’s taste, always used<br />
Salada. At that time Salada tea<br />
came in a foil package and was<br />
supposed to be superior to any<br />
other (advertising again).<br />
Maw’s tea pots were always<br />
dark brown pottery with<br />
brightly colored lines and dots<br />
for flowers around the top.<br />
Gar’s, as I remember, had a design<br />
of embossed latticework<br />
of white porcelain with painted<br />
leaves and flowers. It’s hard to<br />
describe the bumpy design a little<br />
girl noticed. Tea pots were<br />
vulnerable to knocks, especially<br />
the spouts. A small nick in the<br />
spout meant some of the tea<br />
dribbled down the pot and left<br />
drips on the oil cloth. <strong>The</strong> covers<br />
with their knobs or delicate<br />
china handles were also easily<br />
broken. (Aline broke the cover<br />
on her mother’s heavy crockery<br />
pot and still feels bad at the<br />
memory.) You still used the<br />
pot, though. An odd sauce dish<br />
(and where would that come<br />
from?) sat in the hole and kept<br />
in the heat. You just had to be<br />
sure to hold the saucer so it<br />
wouldn’t fall into the cup.<br />
What puzzles me is how I<br />
came to have the cup. When<br />
you are fourth in line, your<br />
chances of getting a prize are<br />
slim at best. Probably I got it<br />
because the cup is not all that<br />
pretty. Or maybe it was my<br />
turn. I’m sure I was loud in my<br />
assertion if that was the case.<br />
Anyway, the cup went into my<br />
treasure box along with the<br />
Shirley Temple dish and the little<br />
vase from Richter’s store.<br />
I still have the vase, white<br />
china, about five inches tall,<br />
with an idealized girl’s face in a<br />
bunch of purple violets. <strong>The</strong><br />
edge has chipped but otherwise<br />
it is whole as is my prize cup.<br />
Thank you, Aline, for reminding<br />
me.<br />
Building & Remodeling<br />
Painting & Wallpapering<br />
JAMES F. EMMONS<br />
CONSTRUCTION<br />
Jim (802) 684-3856 1154 Bruce Badger Memorial Hwy.<br />
Danville, VT 05828<br />
David Matte<br />
FIC<br />
P.O. Box 88<br />
Danville, VT 05828<br />
802.684.3371<br />
Deb Wallens-Matte<br />
FIC, LUTCF<br />
P.O. Box 88<br />
Danville, VT 05828<br />
802.684.3371
24 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
Market Musings<br />
<strong>The</strong> market opens for the 2010 season<br />
BY JANE WOODHOUSE<br />
<strong>The</strong> sacrifice of last<br />
year’s farming season<br />
fades as growers move forward<br />
into what might be a<br />
banner year in the garden.<br />
Early warm temperatures<br />
contrast last year’s season<br />
that simply wouldn’t start.<br />
Work is made easy in a year<br />
blessed with cooperation<br />
not conflict. It is a rare year<br />
when northeast Vermont<br />
does not see heavy snow<br />
fall.<br />
<strong>The</strong> warmth of this March<br />
has been welcomed by all farmers<br />
who have waited patiently<br />
for the season to begin. Of<br />
course for most, the season has<br />
started and is in full swing as<br />
the opening day of market season<br />
approaches. <strong>The</strong> Caledonia<br />
Farmers Market will move to its<br />
outdoor spot in St. Johnsbury<br />
on Pearl Street behind Anthony’s<br />
Diner. Festivities begin<br />
on <strong>May</strong> 15 at 9 a.m. Old friends<br />
will reappear armed with produce<br />
and other handmade<br />
goods. Plants in the form of<br />
perennials, herb and vegetable<br />
starts, small fruits, and fruit<br />
trees will be available at market.<br />
One would expect the<br />
weekly offering of produce to<br />
expand rather quickly this year.<br />
It is hard to imagine that this<br />
warm spring will not continue<br />
giving life to new vegetable<br />
seeds and plants. Celebration is<br />
in the air. And quiet mutterings<br />
of “it’s about time,” can be<br />
heard.<br />
It is not too late for farmers<br />
to change plans and take a<br />
chance on crops that require<br />
sun and warmth in order to<br />
thrive. A decision to risk a field<br />
of melons will not be unexpected.<br />
This may be “the year!”<br />
But risk it is. We can expect another<br />
six weeks of frost. While<br />
not welcome, a hard frost is<br />
possible. Certainly it would be<br />
hard to risk a planting of frostfree<br />
crops in the field early. But<br />
if weather continues a plant set<br />
out in late <strong>May</strong> will take right<br />
off as it inhales the warmth of<br />
Summer 2010. Last year these<br />
plants stalled in the cold, damp<br />
air of June and lost their vigor.<br />
It is likely that opening market<br />
will see more produce as the<br />
current month is perfect for<br />
starting greens for salads and<br />
cooking. Who is not craving a<br />
fresh garden salad? But unlike<br />
last year, there is promise of the<br />
season gaining speed early this<br />
summer.<br />
Customers will return to<br />
market as they visit their old<br />
and steady friend. It is a ritual<br />
of spring to return year and<br />
year. But each year is a new discovery<br />
and this year’s offering<br />
will have a character of its own.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Wednesday market, on<br />
the green in Danville, opens<br />
June 2 at 9 a.m.<br />
Market association meets<br />
Members of the Caledonia Farmers Market Association<br />
(St. Johnsbury Farmers’ Market and Danville<br />
Farmers’ Market) met Monday April 12 for their annual<br />
spring meeting. More than 40 vendors attended the gathering,<br />
held in the South Congregational Church in St.<br />
Johnsbury, to discuss the approaching season. <strong>The</strong> St.<br />
Johnsbury market will open Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 15 and<br />
Danville’s market begins Wednesday, June 2.<br />
Curt Sjolander of Wheelock, the association’s treasurer, said<br />
that the market sales for 2009 were $364,999 with roughly two<br />
thirds coming from St. Johnsbury and one third from Danville.<br />
This is a 15 percent increase from 2008. Membership in the association<br />
has averaged around 50 vendors and there is a waiting<br />
list for new vendors.<br />
After considerable discussion, board members were directed<br />
to investigate all aspects of changing the Danville event from a<br />
morning market to a late afternoon market for 2011. Vendors will<br />
decide whether to change the time of this market at the fall meeting.<br />
Sjolander announced that the association now has its own<br />
website<br />
(http://sites.google.com/site/caledoniafarmersmarket/)<br />
where people can track news about the markets and get information<br />
about individual vendors. Both markets are also now on<br />
Facebook.<br />
Ken Mundinger of Danville and Dot Burrington of West<br />
Danville were reelected on the board of directors. Other directors<br />
include Sharon Eustace of St. Johnsbury, Tom Markewinski of<br />
Danville, Elizabeth Everts of Barnet and Amanda Legare of<br />
Cabot. Everts co-manages the market with Sjolander.<br />
INVEST IN YOURSELF<br />
TAKE A CLASS<br />
THIS SUMMER.<br />
Stuart V. Corso, D.M.D.<br />
Sanderson's Wooden Bowls<br />
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PO Box 230 Sam • 31 Mountain & Weeza View Sanderson Drive<br />
2902 VT Route 114 East Burke, Vermont<br />
Danville, 802-626-9622<br />
VT 05828<br />
Visitors Always Welcome<br />
<br />
(802) 684-1133<br />
www.danvilledentalgroup.com<br />
ART<br />
Digital Photography I - N, J<br />
Introduction to Studio Art - N<br />
Watercolor Painting I - N<br />
BIOLOGY<br />
Human Biology - J<br />
Introduction to Nutrition - N, J<br />
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www.northstarmonthly.com MAY 2010 25<br />
FollowtheMoney<br />
“LET US SIT UPON THE GROUND...”<br />
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Come in and enjoy our<br />
spring & summer<br />
fashions<br />
and our<br />
interesting selection of antiques<br />
small household items<br />
books and jewelry!<br />
We still have<br />
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and of course<br />
our famous<br />
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35 South Main<br />
Hardwick, VT<br />
BY RACHEL SIEGEL<br />
An early spring presents a choice: be swayed by hope and sunshine and dare to<br />
plant when the soil seems warmed, or rely on experience and hold off.<br />
Planting early creates a<br />
longer growing season and<br />
more yield and varieties, but carries<br />
the risk of a late frost destroying<br />
eager seedlings.<br />
Planting later limits the crops<br />
and shifts the risk to the end of<br />
the season when an early frost<br />
can defeat a summer’s worth of<br />
tending. Planting early gives<br />
more weight to current trends,<br />
planting later gives more to historical<br />
returns. What’s a gardener<br />
to do? <strong>The</strong> truth is our<br />
risks are fully hedged by liquidity:<br />
there’s always the farmer’s<br />
market and, if regional blight<br />
strikes, the super market.<br />
But for savers trying to establish<br />
funds to provide some<br />
financial security, a fallback if<br />
nothing else, there is no market<br />
but the capital market. We<br />
endow financial markets with a<br />
moral responsibility because we<br />
are so reliant on them and because<br />
we fear and respect that<br />
dependence.<br />
<strong>The</strong> latest bubble to besiege<br />
and beguile is the boom in smug<br />
commentary. Academics, investment<br />
bankers, regulators, reporters—everyone<br />
has<br />
something to say about the<br />
most recent financial crisis. We<br />
have always been quick to judge<br />
and advise: “Neither borrower or<br />
lender be…” Even Shakespeare,<br />
the great portrayer of kingdomsized<br />
ego, greed, jealousies, and<br />
loves could not refrain from financial<br />
commentary.<br />
Some commentators have<br />
found more human pathos by<br />
focusing on specific risk. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
are anxious to report that those<br />
who ignore history are doomed<br />
to repeat it, those who like being<br />
the smartest one in the room<br />
eventually become the only one<br />
in the room, and those who succumb<br />
to greed are epically<br />
human.<br />
Those who focus on systemic<br />
flaws speak of regulatory<br />
weakness and theoretical myopia,<br />
some to the point of questioning<br />
the role of academia in<br />
trading intellectual capital and<br />
of the market in trading financial<br />
capital.<br />
If it’s just a few bad apples,<br />
we can find them out and lock<br />
them up, or at least shame them<br />
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into more inconspicuous capitalism.<br />
If it’s the market itself,<br />
we can restrict and restrain and<br />
regulate and provide watchdogs<br />
where there are none.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n there are those who<br />
would say that it is both, that in<br />
some strange, suicidal symbiosis,<br />
systemic incentives preyed<br />
on those attracted to the markets<br />
and eroded their values,<br />
which they then reflected. While<br />
we strive to deconstruct the failures<br />
and reconstruct a feasible<br />
system, there is another possibility.<br />
<strong>May</strong>be it wasn’t the nature<br />
of market or of man that failed.<br />
<strong>May</strong>be they worked.<br />
Contrarians point out that<br />
the best<br />
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Sun 11-8<br />
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the market did correct, or<br />
rather, was corrected by people<br />
who more accurately saw what<br />
was happening and acted on<br />
their beliefs. Some made fortunes<br />
betting against the bubbles.<br />
Those people were also<br />
driven by ego and greed; they<br />
just came to different conclusions.<br />
In the end, an unsustainable<br />
boom was predictably<br />
unsustainable, and those who<br />
couldn’t see it, fell with it. Markets<br />
froze, but perhaps as much<br />
because participants were trying<br />
to read portents of government<br />
interference—who would get<br />
how much bailout and when—<br />
as from sheer terror.<br />
It’s easy to indignantly focus<br />
on the human suffering, to read<br />
it as a failure of fairness at some<br />
level. It’s even easier to counter<br />
with notions of personal responsibility—who<br />
buys a home<br />
they cannot afford? who makes<br />
a loan they cannot prove? —and<br />
easiest to wallow in dreams deferred.<br />
Trusting and desperate<br />
souls pin their hopes on asset<br />
boom after asset boom because<br />
investors, led by greed, lead by<br />
<strong>The</strong> Pope Memorial Library<br />
publicly thanks the following for making<br />
Kurt & Joanne Adams<br />
Jim & Mary Anne Allen<br />
Joe Barbieri & Rebecca Roth<br />
Walter Barlow<br />
Peace Baxter<br />
Martha & Jim Becker<br />
Kimberly & Edward Behr<br />
Ray & Peg Bergiel<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bergmans<br />
Mary & Paul Berlejung<br />
Tom & Sarah Berrian<br />
Mr. & Mrs. E.A. Bertolini<br />
Kate & Martin Bertolini<br />
Linda Jean Bess<br />
Gordon Bess<br />
Mrs.Alice J. Blair<br />
Virginia Boyle<br />
Sharon Chamberlain<br />
Corinne & David Chamberlin<br />
Patricia Coe<br />
Lance & Linda Comfort<br />
Cathy &Tom Conte<br />
Judy & Stuart Corso<br />
Jack & Roz Daniels<br />
Mary Deaett<br />
Camilla &Tom Dente<br />
Gail & Frank Dolan<br />
Barbara & Gus Enos<br />
<strong>The</strong> Esser Family<br />
Terry Fairchild<br />
Lynda & Gary Farrow<br />
Kathy Fenoff<br />
Sharon Fine & Robert Rotti<br />
Lisa & Bob Fitch<br />
Ginny Flanders<br />
Rita Foley & Jill Kelleher<br />
Jeff Frampton<br />
Arnie &Winona Gadapee<br />
Brent Gadapee<br />
Peter & Jeanne Gallerani<br />
Jeff & Ellen Gold<br />
Skip & Debbie Gray<br />
Marjorie Greaves<br />
Rachel Hadas<br />
Cecil Hall<br />
Gale Hamilton<br />
Lisa Hantman<br />
David & Gail Hare<br />
Calvin & Lois Haseltine<br />
John & Megan Haygood<br />
Pam & Joe Hebert<br />
Sara Heft<br />
Terry & Kathy Hoffer<br />
Russell Houghton<br />
Dave & Jan Houston<br />
Franklin & Donna Hovey<br />
Timothy & Jenness Ide<br />
Barbara Jenks<br />
Allan & Jennifer Johnston<br />
James & Norma Jung<br />
Jane & Guil Kitchel<br />
Mildred La Beur<br />
Olivia Laferriere<br />
Jennifer & Benjamin Lam<br />
Dorothy Larrabee<br />
example.<br />
It would all just be ever so<br />
tedious except that we have no<br />
choice but to participate in the<br />
markets once we have rejected<br />
the mattress as our depository.<br />
We have no choice but to save<br />
for education or retirement or<br />
even just emergencies somehow,<br />
and we cannot possible save<br />
enough in nominal terms, so we<br />
have to give our funds a chance<br />
to grow, and risk the frost in trying.<br />
In the end, there is no perfect<br />
hedge, except wealth itself.<br />
We can debate how and<br />
where and when and what to<br />
save, but save we must. This<br />
new bumper crop of commentary<br />
reflects our intellectual and<br />
moral indignation, and our frustration,<br />
and our hope. An early<br />
spring poses opportunities and,<br />
with them, risks. An early spring<br />
is a taunting thing.<br />
Rachel S. Siegel, CFA, consults<br />
on investment portfolio<br />
performance and strategy. She is<br />
a professor in the business administration<br />
department at Lyndon<br />
State College.<br />
the 2009-2010 Annual Appeal a success:<br />
Judy & Dave Lavely<br />
Justin & Ginni Lavely<br />
Ms. Beaulah Lawrence<br />
Deb & Barry LeBarron<br />
Norm Lewis<br />
Ken & Cheryl Linsley<br />
Penelope Lowe<br />
Wendy MacKenzie & Matthew Langham<br />
John & Barbara Matsinger<br />
Beth McCabe<br />
Jean & Joe McClure<br />
Patricia McGill<br />
Judith McGivney<br />
Jeff & Kellie Merrell<br />
Anne Michals<br />
Steve Mills & Marilyn Beattie<br />
Christine Mulligan<br />
Molly Newell<br />
Bob & Jenn Nixon<br />
Cam & Peter O’Brien<br />
Ernest Osterman & Susanne Gray<br />
Bill & Carol Ottinger<br />
Janice Mae & Dan Ouellette<br />
Passumpsic Savings Bank<br />
Ed & Karen Pcolar<br />
Bill & Betsey Peabody<br />
William & Lucia Pearl<br />
Jane Peck<br />
Hollis & Mary Prior<br />
Mr. & Mrs. J. Ernest Racenet<br />
Record Appraisal Group<br />
Shirley Richardson & Michael Smith<br />
Eleanor Ritchie<br />
Cindy Robbins<br />
Eileen Rossetti<br />
Cathy Rousse<br />
Elizabeth & Robert Sargent<br />
Ray Saufroy<br />
Dan Schmiech & Donna Lambert<br />
Andrea & Paul Searls<br />
Harwant & Nora Sethi<br />
Caroline Sherry<br />
Harriet Shorr & Jim Long<br />
Dawn & Ron Sicard<br />
Anna & Edward Somers<br />
Sarah Spence<br />
Henretta Splain<br />
Laurel Stanley<br />
Marge Ste. Marie<br />
Emmett & Jane Sullivan<br />
Dan & Mary Swainbank<br />
Philip & SusanTallman<br />
Tim & SuzanneTanner<br />
CaroleTeegarden<br />
Doris<strong>The</strong>rrien<br />
GailThorgalsen<br />
Kitty & AbelToll<br />
Christopher & PamelaVance<br />
Edwin & KathleenWalsh<br />
Diane & DuaneWebster<br />
Ida & EdwardWheeler<br />
LoisWhite<br />
JamesWilson<br />
Dan & MaryWyand<br />
Tom Ziobrowski & BethWilliams<br />
In addition to the above names we would also like to give special thanks to those<br />
who generously donated to the Chamber of Combined Community Membership<br />
Drive to benefit<strong>The</strong> Pope Memorial Library.
26 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
Green Cheese by Peter Dannenberg<br />
Supersized science safety a smashing success<br />
<strong>The</strong> $10 billion atom smasher<br />
buried under the Swiss-French border<br />
is working—at half power.<br />
Physicists are being careful, after a<br />
test in September 2008 blew out<br />
bad connections between two huge<br />
electromagnets. <strong>The</strong> accident<br />
caused widespread damage and<br />
delay. Scientists think other electrical<br />
circuits may be iffy, so they will<br />
run at half speed for up to two<br />
years. <strong>The</strong>n the laboratory will shut<br />
down to recheck everything, before<br />
cranking up the juice.<br />
<strong>The</strong> collider shattered its own<br />
world record for high-speed subatomic<br />
collisions on March 30. Two<br />
streams of protons crashed headon,<br />
at almost the speed of light, producing<br />
silent fireworks on detectors.<br />
Scientists will study the displays for<br />
clues about the birth of the universe.<br />
<strong>The</strong> force applied to protons is<br />
small in everyday terms, like a<br />
smash-up of two fireflies. Because<br />
protons are tiny, forcing them to<br />
race around a circle so fast, even at<br />
half power, is like pressing down on<br />
a one-pound weight with enough<br />
force to make it weigh 3,500<br />
pounds. <strong>The</strong>n these super-massive<br />
protons crash and splinter into even<br />
tinier particles.<br />
Goodbye Cool World<br />
<strong>The</strong> 17-mile-long tunnel that<br />
Spring Flings and Other Things<br />
<strong>The</strong> Athenaeum Gala<br />
Spectacular auction including<br />
Case of wine<br />
Gourmet dinners<br />
Kayak<br />
Ski passes<br />
Old Mill family membership<br />
Vacation home stays<br />
Sunset cruise<br />
Plane rides<br />
Domestic airline tickets<br />
. . . and much more!<br />
houses the atom smasher is a flyspeck<br />
compared to the laboratory<br />
other scientists want to use. Climate<br />
engineers want to change the<br />
world’s weather, using techniques<br />
called geoengineering.<br />
Climatologists sweat over rising<br />
temperatures. <strong>The</strong> last decade was<br />
the warmest on record, according to<br />
the World Meteorological Organization.<br />
Most scientists think human<br />
activity, like burning fossil fuels,<br />
worsens global warming.<br />
Some think we are fast-approaching<br />
a tipping point when it<br />
will be too late to reverse environmental<br />
disasters, such as spreading<br />
deserts, droughts and melting polar<br />
icecaps. Activists point to the failure<br />
of international summit talks to<br />
draft workable treaties to cut greenhouse<br />
gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y say we must act<br />
now.<br />
Geothermal Heating<br />
provides space heating by<br />
taking thermal energy from<br />
groundwater with a heat pump.<br />
Cleaner Cars<br />
<strong>The</strong> U.S. government wants to<br />
clean up greenhouse gases. On<br />
April 1, it enacted tough fuel efficiency<br />
standards for autos. By 2016,<br />
new cars and trucks must emit 21<br />
percent fewer gases. New cars will<br />
use less fuel, but they will cost about<br />
$1,000 more. It will be a net savings<br />
for consumers who drive a 2016 or<br />
later car for at least three years,<br />
Transportation Secretary Ray La-<br />
Hood said.<br />
Too Little, Too Late<br />
<strong>The</strong> Environmental Protection<br />
Agency says transportation contributes<br />
more than 28 percent of all<br />
U.S. greenhouse gases. <strong>The</strong> U.S. produces<br />
more of these gases per<br />
capita than other countries. <strong>The</strong><br />
new law is the biggest step to cut<br />
these gases in thirty years, but geoengineers<br />
say it will take too long to<br />
see benefits. Greenhouse gases<br />
from other countries, and more discharges<br />
from new power plants and<br />
non-transportation sources in the<br />
U.S., will erase some gains from the<br />
new law.<br />
For analysis, costs and benefits for your home, contact Jim Ashley:<br />
Green Mountain Geothermal LLC<br />
PO Box 222 W. Danville VT 05873<br />
(802) 684-3491 www.vermontgeo.com<br />
Chill Out<br />
Geoengineers met outside<br />
How much does it<br />
cost to heat your<br />
home?<br />
Fuel Oil..........................$25.48<br />
Kerosene.......................$28.77<br />
Propane.........................$40.40<br />
Natural Gas...................$19.25<br />
Coal...............................$19.79<br />
Electricity......................$41.35<br />
GEOTHERMAL.............$10.34<br />
Wood (green)................$14.39<br />
Pellets........................... $19.59<br />
* Comparisons per million BTUs by VT<br />
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<strong>The</strong>y failed to agree on new guidelines<br />
for projects to cool the earth.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y worry that without standards,<br />
either no one will act or well-heeled<br />
corporations will launch risky pet<br />
projects. With no treaties, only voluntary<br />
guidelines can control climate-changing<br />
experiments.<br />
Some ideas are inexpensive and<br />
benign. Using light-colored materials<br />
to reflect sunlight away from<br />
roofs and pavement in urban areas<br />
is an idea that already has had some<br />
success.<br />
Computer billionaire Bill Gates<br />
invested in a proposal to use large<br />
vertical pipes to circulate water from<br />
icy ocean depths to the warmer surface.<br />
A patent application says this<br />
would disrupt hurricanes, which get<br />
energy from warm ocean water.<br />
Most scientists think other ideas are<br />
more feasible. However, large-scale<br />
tinkering with the climate could lead<br />
to disaster, if something goes<br />
wrong.<br />
Shade the World<br />
Some schemes would cut the<br />
sunlight that reaches Earth. Seawater<br />
sprayed from robot ships into<br />
clouds would make them whiter and<br />
more reflective. <strong>The</strong> effect would<br />
last a few days, unless repeated.<br />
Another idea is sending sulfur<br />
aerosols into the stratosphere to<br />
make it harder for sunlight to penetrate.<br />
This idea is relatively cheap<br />
and long lasting, but it would change<br />
the appearance of the sky and sunsets.<br />
In 1991, Mt. Pinatubo, in the<br />
Philippines, erupted and threw sulfur<br />
dioxide miles high. It was like<br />
putting sunglasses on the world.<br />
Temperatures dropped, on average,<br />
about one degree Fahrenheit for<br />
months. If another big volcano<br />
erupted shortly after adding sulfur<br />
Tickets: $35.00<br />
Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 15th 7:00 PM<br />
S.t Johnsbury Welcome Center<br />
Visit www.stjathenaeum.org for Auction details<br />
<strong>The</strong> best party in town!<br />
Complimentary champagne cocktail<br />
Call 748-8291 for tickets.<br />
Hubert Hawkins, DDS<br />
Sheila Amadon, RDH • Bonnie Johnson, RDH<br />
Janice Phelps, OM • Katya Khomenko, TDA<br />
1350 Main Street • Suite 1 • St. Johnsbury VT<br />
(802) 748-2325
www.northstarmonthly.com MAY 2010 27<br />
aerosols, it might get too cool. It<br />
takes a long time for minute sulfur<br />
dioxide particles to fall to earth. This<br />
plan could increase acid rain, which<br />
harms the environment.<br />
Mirror, Mirror in the Sky<br />
Much more expensive and difficult<br />
are mechanical ideas like building<br />
sunscreens or solar mirrors in<br />
space. It would be possible to shut<br />
down such machines quickly, if it<br />
got too nippy. But no one has ever<br />
built such mammoth devices in<br />
space.<br />
Fertilize the Seas<br />
Critics of shade proposals point<br />
out that they do nothing to reduce<br />
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse<br />
gases already in the atmosphere.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y say we changed our<br />
climate by taking oil, gas and coal<br />
out of the earth and burning them.<br />
Now we have to lock up the released<br />
gases again.<br />
Build Better Trees<br />
Ideas to get rid of atmospheric<br />
carbon include planting genetically<br />
modified trees to use it; burying<br />
anaerobic charcoal to absorb gases;<br />
using machines to pump atmospheric<br />
carbon dioxide into underground<br />
storage chambers; and<br />
fertilizing oceans with iron.<br />
This last would increase algae<br />
growth. As algae die, they sink to the<br />
ocean floor with the carbon they absorbed<br />
in life. This also might make<br />
oceans less acidic; acidic seawater<br />
may be killing huge coral reefs.<br />
However, as dead algae decay, some<br />
carbon dioxide would bubble back<br />
up.<br />
Freeze the <strong>North</strong> Pole<br />
Some geoengineers say we need<br />
to focus efforts on Arctic sea ice,<br />
not the whole world. <strong>The</strong>y point out<br />
that the far north is especially vulnerable<br />
to warming and Arctic permafrost<br />
traps massive amounts of<br />
methane. Releasing methane gas<br />
would warm the atmosphere even<br />
more. <strong>The</strong>y suggest spraying seawater<br />
at Arctic clouds only.<br />
Risky Business<br />
Some environmentalists say<br />
geoengineering proposals are harebrained.<br />
Because weather patterns<br />
are complex, it may be years before<br />
we understand the effects of global<br />
experiments. Climate is hard to<br />
model on computers; no one can<br />
predict long-term results with certainty.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y point to “the law of unintended<br />
consequences” and failed<br />
small attempts. For example, a relatively<br />
small ocean fertilization experiment<br />
off Chile grew more<br />
plankton, but potentially harmful<br />
toxins increased.<br />
Environmentalists also fear lobbyists<br />
may use these proposals as a<br />
ploy to delay passing laws and international<br />
agreements to reduce<br />
greenhouse gases. <strong>The</strong>y think piein-the-sky<br />
proposals will become<br />
excuses to put off action.<br />
Most environmentalists want to<br />
combine three approaches: new regulations,<br />
cleanup efforts and learning<br />
how to live in a warmer world.<br />
Geoengineering would be used only<br />
after all else failed, as an emergency<br />
fallback. Opponents say geoengineering<br />
is drastic, “a bad idea whose<br />
time has come.” Climate changes<br />
that benefit some may hurt others.<br />
Making the Arctic colder might<br />
slow global warming, but shorten<br />
northern growing seasons.<br />
Some fret that rogue nations will<br />
ignore treaties and manipulate the<br />
climate to hurt their enemies or gain<br />
military advantage. At this time,<br />
there is no world body to settle climate<br />
disputes between nations or<br />
make rules about manipulating<br />
weather.<br />
Pandora’s Box<br />
<strong>The</strong> old adage, “You can talk<br />
about the weather but you can’t do<br />
anything about it,” may be outmoded.<br />
Skeptics worry that nice<br />
weather for ducks—or penguins—<br />
may become our only weather, if<br />
geoengineers try to trick Mother<br />
Nature. However, if we do nothing,<br />
camels may be the only creatures<br />
that enjoy the climate. Will it be<br />
sunny or cloudy? Only time and<br />
temperature will tell. <br />
Historical Association to host<br />
program on Peacham heritage<br />
<strong>The</strong> Peacham Historical<br />
Association will host a<br />
program about Vermont’s<br />
Cultural Heritage with a special<br />
emphasis on Peacham as a<br />
part of Preservation Week,<br />
<strong>May</strong> 9 - <strong>May</strong> 15, on Saturday,<br />
<strong>May</strong> 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the<br />
Peacham Library.<br />
<strong>The</strong> program will address the<br />
preservation concerns of local collections<br />
and other collectors by<br />
providing Web and other resources<br />
focusing on the Historical<br />
Association and Peacham Library<br />
as places for preserving our rich<br />
heritage.<br />
<strong>The</strong> program will review techniques<br />
used by PHA to restore and<br />
preserve diaries and other paper<br />
documents; photographs; books;<br />
and various objects from butter<br />
molds to blacksmith’s tools. You<br />
are encouraged to bring items to<br />
share which represent the role of<br />
local families in Peacham’s history.<br />
<br />
<br />
In addition, historians will demonstrate<br />
how to search the data base<br />
(Past Perfect) of the PHA collections<br />
for genealogical information,<br />
local history or other personal research.<br />
This program sponsored by<br />
PHA is a part of a national campaign<br />
to help raise awareness<br />
about collecting and preservation,<br />
to connect the general public to<br />
preservation information and expertise,<br />
and to emphasize the close<br />
relationships among personal,<br />
family, community, and public collections<br />
and their preservation.<br />
This first annual preservation week<br />
was designed by the partnership of<br />
the American Library Association,<br />
the Society of American<br />
Archivists, the Library of Congress,<br />
the Institute of Museum and<br />
Library Services, and many other<br />
cultural heritage organizations.<br />
For further information contact<br />
Diana Senturia, (802) 592-<br />
3989.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
VERMONT<br />
LIQUOR<br />
OUTLET<br />
in the heart of<br />
DANVILLE<br />
Great Selection of Scotch<br />
684-9797<br />
Monday - Saturday 10-6<br />
Sunday 10-4<br />
email: diamondh@charter.net<br />
Dussault’s<br />
Heating<br />
Sales<br />
Service<br />
Installation<br />
<strong>The</strong>rmo Pride Furnaces<br />
Peerless Boilers<br />
Pumping should be at the very top of your<br />
Spring “to do” list.... Call us soon.<br />
MAINTAIN TODAY<br />
to avoid costly repairs in the future.<br />
Call (802) 748-9858<br />
ABBI’S<br />
FEATURING GIFFORD’S<br />
<br />
<br />
Over 25 Different Flavors of Hard Ice Cream<br />
Banana Splits • Sundaes • Shakes<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
CREEMIES<br />
Vanilla • Chocolate • Maple<br />
“FLAVOR BURST”<br />
OPENING FOR THE SEASON MAY 1ST<br />
Box 301<br />
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819<br />
(802) 748-4945<br />
24 hour service<br />
Open 11 a.m. ‘til Dark / 7 Days a Week<br />
Located at the Woodside House / 611 Rt. 2 East / Danville, VT
BUSINESS DIRECTORY<br />
Business Identification at a Reasonable Price $85.00/ year Price Includes Free Subscription<br />
Accounting & Tax Preperation<br />
Kenneth M. Biathrow, CPA<br />
Tax preparation services -Personal, business, estate. Accounting<br />
services, financial statements review and compilation.<br />
P.O. Box 528, 364 Railroad St., St. Johnsbury, VT<br />
05819. (802) 748-2200.<br />
McCormick & Company P.C.<br />
Dwight E. Lakey, CPA; Robin C. Gauthier, CPA. 1360 Main<br />
Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819-2285. (802) 748-4914.<br />
(800) 516-CPAS.<br />
A.M. Peisch & Company LLC<br />
A five-office Vermont based accounting firm specializing in<br />
individual and business tax services, financial and retirement<br />
planning, accounting, auditing and estate planning.<br />
We provide technology services including network security,<br />
operational reviews and accounting support. 1020 Memorial<br />
Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT. 05819. (802) 748-5654.<br />
H&R Block<br />
Tax, bookkeeping and payroll services. D. Neil Stafford,<br />
master tax advisor. 443 Railroad Street, Suite 1, St. Johnsbury,<br />
VT 05819. (802) 748-5319. 76 Main Street, PO Box<br />
65, Littleton, NH 03561. Lyndonville Branch (Jan.-Apr.)<br />
101 Depot Street, Lyndonville VT 05851. (802) 626-0884.<br />
Lisa Burrington, EA, LLC<br />
“Enrolled to practice before the IRS.” Tax and accounting<br />
services for individuals and small businesses. Address:<br />
106 Hill Street Lyndonville, VT 05851 Phone: (802) 626-<br />
9140 Fax: (802) 626-9141 Email: lisaburrington@myfairpoint.net.<br />
Magnus & Associates<br />
Tax planning and preparation, 459 Portland St., St. Johnsbury,<br />
Vt.. Contact Ed Magnus at (802) 748-5555 or<br />
sungam@myfairpoint.net.<br />
Antiques<br />
Antiques & Emporium<br />
Antiques, quality used furniture, glassware, clocks, handwoven<br />
wool rugs, large selection of fine and costume jewelery.<br />
Always buying gold, silver, and coins. Open Daily: 10<br />
a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. 182 South Wheelock Road,<br />
Lyndonville, VT 05851. (802) 626-3500.<br />
Saranac Street Antiques<br />
We feature a very large selection of fine antique furniture.<br />
Also quality area dealers specializing in primitives, White<br />
Mountain art, tools, country pieces and exceptional glass<br />
and china. Consider us a “must see” on your antiquing<br />
list. Open Wed.-Sun. at 10 a.m. for your shopping convenience.<br />
141 Main Street, Littleton, NH 03561. (603) 444-<br />
4888.<br />
Appliance Repair<br />
Lewis Appliance<br />
Factory Authorized Service and Repair for <strong>May</strong>tag, JennAir,<br />
Asko, Bosch and Frigidaire. Wayne Lewis, Waterford, VT.<br />
(802) 748-6561.<br />
Attorneys<br />
Law Office of Charles D. Hickey, PLC<br />
General Practice of Law. 69 Winter St., PO Box 127, St.<br />
Johnsbury, VT 05819-0127. (802) 748-3919.<br />
Law Offices of Jay C. Abramson<br />
Estate Planning, Long-Term Care Planning, Wills, Trusts,<br />
Real Estate. Certified Elder Law Attorney. 1107 Main<br />
Street, Suite 101, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. (802) 748-<br />
6200.<br />
Law Office of Deborah T. Bucknam & Associates<br />
Family Law, Business & Commercial, Property & Land Use,<br />
Wills, Estates & Trusts, Government, Personal Injury and<br />
Real Estate. 1097 Main St., PO Box 310, St. Johnsbury, VT<br />
05819. (802) 748-5525.<br />
Clarke D. Atwell, Esq., Gensburg & Atwell<br />
Small business, Zoning, Cottage Law, Real Estate, Rights<br />
of Way, Estate Planning and Trusts, Probate Estate Administration,<br />
Guardianships, etc. 364 Railroad St., St. Johnsbury,<br />
VT. (802) 748-5338 or clarke@neklaw.net.<br />
Auctioneers<br />
Eaton Auction Service<br />
Specializing in Antiques, Collectibles and Estate Sales.<br />
Personal and knowledgeable service. From one item to a<br />
whole household. Auctioneers: Chuck Eaton and Delsie<br />
Hoyt Phone: (802) 333-9717. Address: Fairlee, VT 05045.<br />
www.eatonauctionservice.com<br />
Jenkins Auction Service<br />
We handle antiques, bankruptcies, benefits, estates and<br />
equipment. Auctioneers are Blake Jenkins Jr. and Kirby<br />
Parker. Visit us at www.jenkinsauctionservice.com, E-mail<br />
us at sold@jenkinsauctionservice.com or call (802) 748-<br />
9296.<br />
Autobody Repair<br />
Five <strong>Star</strong> Autobody<br />
Certified collision repair center. Complete autobody repairs<br />
from glass to frame. George & Suzanne Mudge. Located<br />
off I-91, Exit 22, 604 Lapierre Drive, St. Johnsbury,<br />
VT 05819. (802) 748-5321.<br />
JJ’s Autobody<br />
John Jefferson, Barnet, Vt. Expert collision and rust repair,<br />
discounts on all deductibles, complete glasswork, AC service<br />
and repair ASE and PPG certified, (802) 633-3902.<br />
Automobile Repair<br />
Burke View Garage, Inc.<br />
Larry Lefaivre, Owner. Domestic & Import Repair; Brakes,<br />
Exhaust, Tune-Ups. State Inspection Station.We Do It All.<br />
Tire Sales also. M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.. RT 114, Lyndonville,<br />
VT 05851. (802) 626-3282.<br />
Banks<br />
Passumpsic Savings Bank<br />
Your Partner in Financial Success. 53 Route 2 West,<br />
Danville, VT 05828. (802) 684-8100. Other offices located<br />
in: Vermont: St. Johnsbury, Lyndonville, Island Pond,<br />
Newport, New Hampshire: Littleton, Lancaster, Groveton<br />
and Whitefield. Member FDIC. www.passumpsicbank.com<br />
Books<br />
Lyders Fine Books<br />
A selection of modern first editions in fine condition. rlyders@fairpoint.net<br />
(802) 592-3086. Josette & RIchard Lyders,<br />
PO Box 250, Peacham, VT 05862.<br />
Secondhand Prose<br />
Purveyor of quality used books. Operated by Friends of the<br />
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. Open: Tues., Thurs. and Sat. 11-<br />
3, Wed. 1-5 and Fri. 11-5, 1222 Main Street, St. Johnsbury,<br />
VT 05819.<br />
Bricklayer<br />
C.T. Cushman Masonry<br />
Chimneys, Fireplaces, Patios, Stonewalls, Slate & Flagstone<br />
Walkways, Steps, Chimney and Foundation Repairs,<br />
Brick & Stone Veneer. 35 Years Experience. Chimney<br />
Cleaning. (802) 748-2221.<br />
Plumb Line Masonry<br />
Brick, block and stone for fireplaces, chimneys, walls,<br />
steps, patioes, etc. Contact Steven Towsley at.(802) 748-<br />
6595, (802) 535-8709, plumblinemasonry@myfairpoint.net,<br />
or visit<br />
www.plumblinemasonry.com.<br />
Cabinetry<br />
Calendar Brook Cabinetry<br />
Since 1979 – Custom Kitchen Cabinetry, Bathroom Vanities,<br />
Entertainment Centers, Tables, Doors, Architectural<br />
Millwork and Mouldings, Hardwoods and Hardwood Plywoods,<br />
Hardwood Flooring, Stone and Solid Surface and<br />
Laminate Tops. David Patoine, Master Craftsman. 4863<br />
Memorial Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. (802) 748-5658.<br />
Scott Davis Cabinetmaker<br />
Custom Handcrafted Furniture & Cabinetry. Millwork.<br />
Countertops avialable in Stone, Solid Suface, Butcher<br />
Block & Laminate. Kitchen & Bath Design. Scott Davis,<br />
Owner, 1981 West Barnet Rd Barnet VT (802) 633-3637,<br />
sdaviscab@gmail.com,<br />
www.ScottDavisCabinetmakers.com.<br />
Chimney Service<br />
Clean Sweep Chimney Service<br />
Sweep & inspection of all types of chimneys, fireplaces, inserts,<br />
wood & pellet appliances and more. Stainless steel<br />
liners, flashing, repointing, water proofing, chimney top<br />
outs and caps. Most chimney problems can be avoided<br />
with regular preventative care. McClure’s Enterprises, LLC,<br />
PO Box 318, Lyndonville, VT 05851, (802) 626-9700.<br />
Cleaning<br />
Natural Cleaning Solutions<br />
Creating a safe & healthy living environment. Business &<br />
residential cleaning services, including air ducts, dryer,<br />
vents, carpets, tile/grout, furniture, mattresses, and air &<br />
water purification. Call now for a free inspection of your air<br />
ducts. 728 Lower Waterford Rd, Waterford, VT 05819.<br />
(802) 748-5120, (603) 991-9962.<br />
Computers<br />
<strong>North</strong>east Computer Systems<br />
Home & Business Computer Systems. Networking, Hardware,<br />
Service, Support and Software. 37 Depot Street, PO<br />
Box 1059, Lyndonville, VT 05851. (802) 626-1050. FAX<br />
(802) 626-5012. www.necomp.com<br />
Parallax Management Services, Inc.<br />
MS Access & database design; Excel programming; MS Office<br />
training/ automation; Quantitative analysis graphic design<br />
for Illustrator graphic designers; Computer<br />
presentation and public speaking skills training. Data conversions,<br />
implementations, statistical analysis, forecasting<br />
and other individual and business services. Contact Dan<br />
Zucker, Danville, VT. www.parallaxman.com Email:<br />
zucker@parallaxman.com<br />
wyBatap Personal Technology Assistant<br />
On your schedule in your home/business. (Days - Evenings<br />
-Weekends) Desktop and Laptop Computers - Setup, Networking,Wireless,<br />
QuickBooks,”How To,” AntiVirus, Spyware,<br />
Data Recovery and more… Bob Roos, Barnet VT.<br />
(802) 633-4395. PersTech@wybatap.com<br />
Construction<br />
A.C. Trades<br />
Foundation and Sill Repair. Winter Selective Cut Logging<br />
(S.F.I. certified). Andy Cochran, PO Box 106, Peacham VT<br />
05862. (802) 684-9890.<br />
Armstrong Masonry<br />
Masonry Construction & Repair. Brick, Stone, Block. Fireplaces,<br />
Chimneys, Veneer, Patios, Walkways. Ken Armstrong.<br />
(802) 626-8495.<br />
Black Dog Builders<br />
We are quality builders. We employ innovative techniques<br />
in new construction and renovations. We build near zero<br />
energy buildings, perform home energy audits, and WE<br />
BUILD GREEN. Call (802) 748-9443 or visit blackdogbuildersvt.com.<br />
Bob’s Construction<br />
Foundations, Floors, Mobile Home slabs, Foundations<br />
under existing homes. 23 years experience. Price stays the<br />
same from beginning of the job to the end. ACI certified.<br />
Robert Barnes. (802) 626-8763.<br />
Calkins Rock Products, Inc.<br />
Sale of Sand, Gravel and All Sizes of Ledge Products.<br />
Portable Crushing. Route 5, PO Box 82, Lyndonville, VT<br />
05851. (802) 626-5636.<br />
DAL Builders<br />
David A. Lavely. Design-build and construction management<br />
experience for residential and commercial projects.<br />
26 years of local experience in new construction and renovations.<br />
PO Box 362 Danville Vt 05828. Phone/Fax (802)<br />
684-2116 or E-mail: dlavely@myfairpoint.net.<br />
Fenoff & Hale Construction<br />
All your construction needs. Fully insured. Timber frames,<br />
new homes, drywall & free estimates, remodeling, additions,<br />
roofing, siding and decks. Small or large projects, including<br />
interior and exterior painting. Phone: (802)<br />
684-9955 or Fax: (802) 684-3414.<br />
Gil’s Construction<br />
Foundations & Floors. New Rapid Forms. Free Estimates.<br />
Gilman LaCourse. (802) 748-9476.<br />
James F. Emmons Construction<br />
For all your building,, remodeling,, painting and wallpapering<br />
needs. 1154 Bruce Badger Memorial Highway,<br />
Danville VT. (802) 684-3856.<br />
Laferriere Construction, Inc.<br />
New construction, remodeling, custom work, residential &<br />
commercial. Dennis Laferriere, 525 Wightman Rd,<br />
Danville, VT 05828. (802) 684-3606. FAX (802) 684-<br />
3628.<br />
Michael K. Walsh & Son, Builders<br />
Custom new construction: Houses, decks, remodeling,<br />
renovations, restorations, additions, finish work, wallpapering.<br />
High quality workmanship for over 30 years. Solid<br />
reputation. 349 Calkins Camp Rd., Danville, VT 05828.<br />
(802) 684-3977.<br />
<strong>North</strong>east Foam<br />
Spray-injected foam insulation. Air/vapor barrier installations.<br />
Quality assurance testing. Infrared testing. Coatings.<br />
Frank Hovey, Lead Technician. Call (802) 535-7241 or E-<br />
mail fhovey@gmail.com.<br />
Ross C. Page Foundations<br />
Concrete foundations & slabs. Residential, Agricultural &<br />
Commercial. Ross C. Page, 368 Thaddeus Stevens Road,<br />
Peacham, VT 05862. (802) 592-3382. FAX (802) 592-<br />
3382.<br />
Ruggles Roofing<br />
Sick of Shoveling Your Roof? Our 80,000 PSI steel offers<br />
superior strength to your home or business. With 19 attractive<br />
colors to choose from it will enhance your buildings<br />
while heavy snow slides off to the ground. Fully<br />
insured. (802) 467-1189.<br />
Randy’s Home Repair<br />
Sheetrocking, painting, roofing, decks, vinyl siding and<br />
trim, jacking and foundation repair, hardwood floor installlation<br />
and refinishing old floors. Fully insured, free estimates,<br />
affordable rates. Located at 355 Pleasant Street,<br />
St. Johnsbury, Vt., (802) 748-6556.<br />
Rob Keach Builders<br />
Custom commercial & residential construction. No job too<br />
big or too small. 2300 Daniels Farm Rd., Waterford, VT<br />
05819. (802) 748-5341 or (802) 283-3627.<br />
Vermont Home Specialties<br />
Sales center of Real Log Homes, Timberpeg Post & Beam,<br />
Corbond spray foam insulation & standing seam roofing,<br />
Medallion and Plain & Fancy Cabinetry, Soapstone, Granite,<br />
Corian & Laminate countertops, Woodland furniture,<br />
Hand-forged iron furniture, rugs, lighting, wreaths and special<br />
gifts for your home. Stop by our model log homs at<br />
1535 Route 2, West Danville, VT, (802) 684-1024.<br />
William Graves Builders<br />
Working throughout Caledonia County for 32 years, serving<br />
as a building and renovation contractor for residences,<br />
barns, businesses and public facilities. We also offer project<br />
management services. We appreciate your calls and<br />
interest. PO Box 128, 329 Cloud Brook Road, Barnet, VT<br />
05821. (802) 633-2579 . gravesbuild@myfairpoint.net<br />
Cross-Country Skiing<br />
Highland Lodge<br />
Located in Greensboro, VT. 1860s inn and restaurant<br />
overlooking Caspian Lake. Unspoiled cross-country skiing.<br />
50K groomed and track set. Never crowded. Stunning<br />
views. Greensboro/Craftsbury ski link. Wonderful meals.<br />
Breakfast daily, lunch Tues.-Sun. in summer, lunch Thurs.-<br />
Sun. in summer, Sunday brunch, dinner daily. Nature programs,<br />
cozy lodging with children’s play program in<br />
summer, sandy beach, boats and tennis. (802) 533-2647,<br />
info@highlandlodge.com and www.highlandlodge.com.<br />
Dentists<br />
Hawkins Dental Group<br />
Hubert Hawkins, DDS. Complete Family Dentistry. New patients<br />
welcome. 1350 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, VT<br />
05819. (802) 748-2325. (800) 870-4963.<br />
Dining<br />
Brown’s Market Bistro<br />
On the Wells River along Rt. 302 in beautiful Groton Village<br />
and features live music with Jean Anderson and other<br />
local artists on Friday and Saturday nights. Catering parties<br />
and special events. Open for dinner Tues.-Sat. 4:30 to<br />
9 pm. BYOB. Reservations suggested, (802) 584-4124.<br />
Tim’s Deli<br />
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat., 6:30 a.m.<br />
to 8 p.m. Taco salad special on Wednesdays, All-you-caneat<br />
fried haddock on Friday nights, chicken pie with all the<br />
fixings on Saturdays. 580 Portland St., St. Johnsbury, VT<br />
05819 (802) 748-3118.<br />
Highland Lodge<br />
Located in Greensboro, VT. 1860s inn and restaurant<br />
overlooking Caspian Lake. Unspoiled cross-country skiing.<br />
50K groomed and track set. Never crowded. Stunning<br />
views. Greensboro/Craftsbury ski link. Wonderful meals.<br />
Breakfast daily, lunch Tues.-Sun. in summer, lunch Thurs.-<br />
Sun. in summer, Sunday brunch, dinner daily. Nature programs,<br />
cozy lodging with children’s play program in<br />
summer, sandy beach, boats and tennis. (802) 533-2647,<br />
info@highlandlodge.com and www.highlandlodge.com.<br />
Dry Cleaning<br />
Palmer Bros. Dry Cleaning.<br />
Shirt laundry, alterations, linen rentals for special occasions.<br />
Pick-up and delivery available at Hastings Store in<br />
West Danville. Open Mon.,Tues. & Thurs. 7-5:30, Wed &<br />
Fri. 7-6, Sat. 8-12. Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, VT. (802)<br />
748-2308.<br />
Electrical Service<br />
Matt Pettigrew Electric<br />
New homes (conventional frame, post & beam or log) renovations<br />
or service upgrade (aerial or underground). Heating<br />
system controls, generator installations and all other<br />
phases of electrical work in a professional manner. Licensed<br />
in VT & NH. Danville, VT. (802) 751-8201.<br />
Greaves Electrical Services<br />
Free estimates. Fully licensed and insured. Call Tim<br />
Greaves, owner, Office: (802) 563-2550 Cell: (802)<br />
316-6961 or send an email to greaveselc@aol.com.<br />
P.O. Box 124 Cabot, Vt. 05647<br />
Elecrical Sales & Service<br />
Byrne Electronic Service Center<br />
New & Used Television, VCR and other consumer electronic<br />
sales. Factory authorized service center for several<br />
brands. Professional repair service on all TV’s,<br />
VCR’s, Stereos and pro audio equipment. 159 Eastern<br />
Ave., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. (802) 748-2111.<br />
Excavation<br />
Compact Excavation Services<br />
Including stumps, trenches, drainage, crushed stone<br />
driveways, york raking, small building demolition,<br />
small foundations, tree length brush removed, rock retaining<br />
walls built, excavator (with thumb) picks up<br />
most anything. Also trucking and trailer to 10,000<br />
pounds and 30’ long. Matt Pettigrew, Danville, VT.<br />
(802) 751-8201.<br />
C&C Bunnell Excavating<br />
Site Work, Septic Systems, Bulldozing, Roads, Ponds<br />
and Trucking Sand, Topsoil, Gravel & Stone Deliveries.<br />
Calvin Bunnell, Joe’s Brook Rd., Barnet, VT 05821.<br />
(802) 633-3413.<br />
Fabrics<br />
Sewin’ Love Fabric Shoppe<br />
Quality fabrics, batting, sewing supplies, buttons, patterns,<br />
books, embroidery floss, finished quilts & table<br />
runners, lessons at all levels (both group & individual).<br />
Open Tues., Thurs., Sat. 10-5, Wed. 10-7, Fri. 12:30-5,<br />
Sun. 10-5 (seasonally), closed Mon. Located on Hill<br />
Street at the blinking light in Danville, VT. (802) 684-<br />
9790, sewinlovefabric@gmail.com, www.sewinlovefabrics.com<br />
Farm Equipment<br />
Paul’s Farm Service<br />
Paul D. Bergeron. Serving Agricultural Needs with Integrity<br />
Since 1976. Sales, service and parts for Same,<br />
Deutz Fahr and Zetor lines. 514 West Main Street (US<br />
RT 2) Concord, VT 05824. (802) 695-2500<br />
Farm & Feed<br />
Morrison’s Feed Bag<br />
Family-owned and operated since 1983. Kowledgeable<br />
and courteous staff. High quality pet foods and<br />
supplies, Wild bird seed, muck boots, clothing, fencing,<br />
horse tack and supplies, wood pellets and much<br />
more. Come see us at 1186 Memorial Drive, St. Johnsbury,<br />
VT or call (802) 748-0010,<br />
www.morrisonfeeds.com.<br />
Fencing<br />
All Types of Fencing<br />
Commercial, Agricultural and Residential. Chain Link,<br />
High Tensile, Barbed Wire, Woven Wire and Ornamental.<br />
Gordon Goss. (802) 633-2822. Cell (802) 777-<br />
0919. Fax (802) 633-3405. gossmaple@kingcon.com<br />
Flooring<br />
<strong>The</strong> Carpet Connection, Inc.<br />
<strong>The</strong> flooring specialists. All types of floor covering and<br />
supplies. Largest selection in the state. Sales and installation.<br />
199 Depot Street, Lyndonville, VT 05851.<br />
(802) 626-9026 or (800) 822-9026.<br />
Country Floors<br />
Complete Flooring Sales & Installation. Carpeting,<br />
Vinyl, Hardwood, Ceramic Tile, Area Rugs. Stanley H. &<br />
Joanne C. Martin, Hollister Hill Road, Plainfield, VT<br />
05667. (802) 454-7301.<br />
Chuck’s Flooring & Tile<br />
Service with integrity for all your flooring needs. Independantly<br />
owned and operated. 205 VT Route 114,<br />
East Burke, VT 05832, (802) 626-9011, www.chucksflooring.com.<br />
Greg’s Floor Sanding<br />
Wood floor installation, sanding & refinishing. Professional,<br />
respectful, insured. 1797 Danville-Peacham<br />
Rd, Barnet, VT. (802) 684-3318.<br />
Florists<br />
All About Flowers<br />
All occasion florist featuring the freshest flowers and<br />
plants in town. A fine selection of silk flowers and customized<br />
food baskets. A unique variety of gift items.<br />
Wedding and funeral arrangements for all budgets.<br />
Wire service available. 10% senior discount not applicable<br />
with other discounts. 196 Eastern Avenue, St.<br />
Johnsbury, VT 05819. (802) 748-5656 or (800) 499-<br />
6565.<br />
Forestry<br />
McMath Forestry<br />
Complete Ecological Forestland Management Services.<br />
David McMath, Forester, Beth Daut, Forester,<br />
4875 Noyestar Road, East Hardwick, VT 05836. (802)<br />
472-6060. Toll Free: (866) 462-6284.<br />
www.mctree.com<br />
Everts Forest Management<br />
Timber Inventories & Appraisals. Timber Sales. Tax Assistance.<br />
Forest Management Plans. NH License No.<br />
207. Peter Everts, 278 Cloudy Pasture Lane, West Barnet,<br />
VT 05821. (802) 592-3088.<br />
Furniture Restoration<br />
Chair Care and Klappert Furniture Restoration<br />
Authentic restoration of old finishes and techniques<br />
for antique & fine furniture. Specializing in chair repair<br />
& all seat replacement. 90 5th Avenue, St. Johnsbury,<br />
VT. 05819-2672. (802) 748-0077.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY<br />
Business Identification at a Reasonable Price $85.00/ year Price Includes Free Subscription<br />
Gardening<br />
Fine Garden Design<br />
Landscape design and consulting services. Offering creative<br />
and fresh approaches to kitchen gardens,perennial<br />
gardens and complete landscape design. Inspiring gardeners<br />
and cultivating beautiful landscapes since 1995. Angie<br />
Knost, Certified Professional Horticulturist, Walden, VT<br />
(802) 563-2535<br />
Glass Sales & Service<br />
<strong>May</strong>o’s Glass Service, Inc.<br />
Commercial, Residential, Auto, Vinyl, Fiberglass & Aluminum<br />
Windows, Awnings & Doors. Plate Glass, Mirrors, Insulated<br />
Glass. 744 Portland Street, St. Johnsbury, VT. (802)<br />
748-8895.<br />
Hair Care<br />
Country Styles Family Hair Care<br />
Janet L. Carson. Located at the K.P. Hall on the top of Hill<br />
Street, Danville, VT 05828. Follow the handicapped accessible<br />
ramp. Home service available to shut-ins. (802) 684-<br />
2152.<br />
Health Care Providers<br />
Danville Health Center<br />
General Health Services for all ages. Open M-F. Mariel<br />
Hess, N.P.; Tim Tanner, M.D.; and Sharon Fine, M.D.; Jeniane<br />
Daniels, PA-C; 26 Cedar Lane, Danville, VT 05828.<br />
(802) 684-2275. (800) 489-2275 (VT).<br />
Lyndonville Family Chiropractic<br />
Contributing to the health of the community for over 17<br />
years. Offering a holistic approach to healthcare utilizing<br />
chiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition and massage therapy.<br />
Karson Clark, D.C.; Stacey Clark, D.C. 11 Hill Street, Lyndonville,<br />
VT 05851. (802) 626-5866.<br />
HealthSource Chiropractic<br />
Back & neck pain eliminated, quickly & easily. Dr. Jeremy<br />
Ste. Marie, D.C. Dr. Marjorie Ste. Marie, D.C. 32 Hill Street<br />
Danville, VT 05828 (802) 684-9707 or www.healthsourcechiro.com.<br />
Hardwick Chiropractic<br />
BioGeometric Integration is a gentle, effective chiropractic<br />
approach that allows your system to heal and to become increasingly<br />
adept at correcting itself. Dr. Grace Johnstone,<br />
Dr. Rick Eschholz and Dr. Teri Dodge. 54 School Circle, East<br />
Hardwick, VT. (802) 472-3033.<br />
www.hardwickchiropractic.com<br />
Linda Sayers, Reiki Master<br />
Reiki is an ancient, hands-on healing art, which supports<br />
the body’s ability to heal itself. Reiki promotes deep relaxation<br />
and helps release physical and emotional blockages.<br />
Linda Sayers, Reiki Master Teacher and Lightwork Practitioner.<br />
63 Norway Road, Greensboro Bend, VT 05842.<br />
(802) 533-2378.<br />
Dan Wyand, PT & Associates<br />
Rehabilitation of Sports Injuries, Orthopedics and Neuromuscular<br />
Disorders. Sherman Dr., P.O. Box 68, St. Johnsbury,VT<br />
05819. (802) 748-3722/1932. Lyndon,VT. (802)<br />
745-1106.<br />
Thousand Hands Massage <strong>The</strong>rapy<br />
Laurajean “LJ” Stewart, Licensed Massage <strong>The</strong>rapist, 60<br />
Monument Circle, PO Box 129, Barnet, VT 05821. Located<br />
at the Barnet Tradepost. (802) 633-2700.<br />
samuraihini@hotmail.com.<br />
Copley Hospital<br />
A leader in primary care, women’s and children’s services,<br />
general surgery and orthopedics. 24-hour emergency services,<br />
center for outpatient services, rehabilitation and wellness<br />
programs. Morrisville, 888-8888, copleyvt.org.<br />
Hearing Service<br />
Armstrong’s Better Hearing Service<br />
STARKEY and WIDEX Custom digital hearing aids. Batteries,<br />
accessories, all-make repairs, free hearing consultations,<br />
free viewing of the ear canal, free demo of the newest technology.<br />
Sandra Day, BC-HIS, Rebecca Armstrong and Isabelle<br />
Armstrong. Consultants and Licensed Hearing Aid<br />
Dispensers. 198 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.<br />
(802) 748-4852. (800) 838-4327.<br />
Historic Preservation<br />
S.A. Fishburn, Inc.<br />
Historic preservation and design featuring wooden sash<br />
restoration, historic plaster repair, architectural millwork<br />
and fine custom cabinetry. (802) 684-2524. safishburn@gmail.com<br />
or www.safishburn.net<br />
Insurance<br />
Sawyer & Ritchie Agency<br />
Independent thinking, individually focused. We’ll put our<br />
years of experience to work to meet your personal and business<br />
insurance needs with a complete line of auto, home,<br />
life, disability and commercial coverage. 198 Route 2 W,<br />
Danville, VT 05828, (802) 684-3411 or (800) 734-2203.<br />
Berwick Agency, Inc.<br />
Providing insurance for home, farm, automobile and business.<br />
Licensed in VT & NH. Est. in 1957. Licensed in NH &<br />
VT. Jeff Berwick. Located at 185 Church Street, Peacham<br />
VT 05862. Phone: (802) 592-3234, Fax: (802) 592-3241.<br />
Barrett Insurance<br />
Family owned and operated, serving the insurance of the<br />
<strong>North</strong>east Kingdom. Agency Principal Richard “Dick” Barrett,<br />
along with his son Mike and daughter in-law Jenn are licensed<br />
in both Vermont and New Hampshire. Since 1989,<br />
providing insurance for Vermont’s hard working farmers<br />
and business owners. Great choices of coverage for your<br />
Home, Auto, Recreational vehicles and more. Let our family<br />
help protect your family. (802) 748-5224, (800) 870-5223<br />
info@thebarrettagency.com<br />
Caledonia Insurance Agency, Inc.<br />
Locally owned and operated since 1977. Offering competetive<br />
rates for home, auto, motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile,<br />
boats, antique & classic cars, farm, business auto, general<br />
liability, commercial property & workmen’s comp. When you<br />
see us, don’t think insurance - but when you see insurance,<br />
think us. 663 Old Center Rd, PO Box 36, St. Johnsbury, VT<br />
05819. (802) 748-8797, agent@caledoniainsurance.com.<br />
Investments<br />
Investment Watch<br />
Independent investment research, portfolio analysis and<br />
strategy. Rachel Siegel, CFA. (802) 633-3977.<br />
rsiegel@hughes.net<br />
Jewelry<br />
Old Coins & Jewelry Shop<br />
Buying: Silver and Gold Coins, Mint Sets, Scrap Gold<br />
and Silver, Wheat Cents, Coin Collections, Diamond<br />
and Gold Jewelry. Selling: Collector Coins and Sport<br />
Cards and Supplies, New and Estate Jewelry, Body<br />
Jewelry, Magic and Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh Cards. 10<br />
Eastern Avenue, St. Johnsbury, VT. (802) 748-9174.<br />
Lawn Care & Landscaping<br />
LND Landscaping<br />
Excavating - Hauling - Brush hog - Tilling - Driveways -<br />
Lawnmowing - Walkways - Stonewalls - Steps - Fencing<br />
- Cleanup - Planting - Snow Plowing - Sanding and<br />
More. Tim or Dave, Barre and Wolcott. (802) 479-<br />
0029.<br />
Joe’s Brook Land Services<br />
Lawn mowing, tree work, bush hogging, stump grinding,<br />
light trucking and excavating, land clearing, snowplowing,<br />
sanding and firewood for sale. Reasonable<br />
rates. (802) 748-2872 and (802) 274-3518.<br />
Don’s Lawn Care & Snowplowing<br />
St. Johnsbury-Danville area. Reasonable rates and<br />
quality service. Danville, VT, (802) 748-2504.<br />
Lodging<br />
Highland Lodge<br />
Located in Greensboro, VT. 1860s inn and restaurant<br />
overlooking Caspian Lake. Unspoiled cross-country skiing.<br />
50K groomed and track set. Never crowded. Stunning<br />
views. Greensboro/Craftsbury ski link. Wonderful<br />
meals. Breakfast daily, lunch Tues.-Sun. in summer,<br />
lunch Thurs.-Sun. in summer, Sunday brunch, dinner<br />
daily. Nature programs, cozy lodging with children’s<br />
playprogram in summer, sandy beach, boats and tennis.<br />
(802) 533-2647, info@highlandlodge.com and<br />
www.highlandlodge.com.<br />
Marshfield Inn & Motel<br />
Quiet country accommodations on 37 acres mid-way<br />
between Montpelier and St. Johnsbury. Enjoy our nature<br />
trail, full breakfast menu and Winooski river view.<br />
Close to Cabot Creamery, lots of maple farms and Groton<br />
State Forest. Ask about our pet-friendly rooms!<br />
Call (802) 426-3383 for reservations. Visit<br />
www.marshfieldinn.com for more information.<br />
Log Homes<br />
Goodridge Lumber<br />
Cedar log homes, cedar log siding, rough and finished<br />
cedar lumber and permachink products. Quality, white<br />
cedar logs and lumber from Vermont’s <strong>North</strong>east Kingdom<br />
since 1974. Colleen Goodridge and sons, Albany,<br />
Vt., 05820. Phone: (802) 755-6298, FAX: (802) 755-<br />
6166, www.goodridgelumber.com.<br />
Vermont Home Specialties, Inc.<br />
Real Log Homes, Timberpeg Post and Beam, Corbond<br />
sprayed foam insulation, standing seam roofing,<br />
Medallion and Plain & Fancy Cabinetry, Fine Furnishings<br />
for your Home, Custom Orders! 1513 Rt. 2 West<br />
Danville, VT 05873 (802) 684-1024.<br />
Lumber & Building Materials<br />
Caledonia Lumber<br />
Cedar lumber, a safe, local, natural alternative to pressure<br />
treated. Rough or surfaced to your specifications.<br />
Custom sawing available for all your lumber and building<br />
material needs. Located at 754 Station Road in<br />
Sutton, (802)-535-8643.<br />
Maple Syrup<br />
Sugar Ridge Farm<br />
Pure Maple Syrup & Maple Products. “Vermont Seal<br />
of Quality.” Available by mail. MC & Visa accepted.<br />
Free brochure. Stephen & Diane Jones, 566 Stannard<br />
Mt. Rd., Danville, VT 05828. (800) 748-0892.<br />
Broadview Farm Maple<br />
Pure VT Maple Syrup available in Grade A Fancy,<br />
Medium Amber, Dark Amber and Grade B. “Vermont<br />
Seal of Quality.” Maple Cream, Maple Candy and<br />
Maple Sugar are available. We ship via UPS or Parcel<br />
Post. Joe Newell, 442 York Street, Lyndonville, VT<br />
05851. (802) 626-8396. joe@newells.net<br />
Gadapee Family Sugarhouse<br />
Pure VT Maple Syrup in a variety of containers. Maple<br />
cream, candy, sugar, maple jelly and maple granola to<br />
order. We have the “Vermont Seal of Quality” and we<br />
ship. See us at the Caledonia County Farmers Market<br />
(<strong>May</strong>-October), Saturdays in St. Johnsbury and<br />
Wednesdays in Danville. 718 Calkins Camp Rd.,<br />
Danville, VT 05828. (802) 684-3323. gadmaple@together.net<br />
Goodrich’s Maple Farm<br />
Award-winning maple syrup and products, including<br />
sugaring equipment & supplies, containers, tanks,<br />
vacuum pumps and much more. Custom tubing installation<br />
and consultation. Call us at 802.426.3388, e-<br />
mail us at goodrichsmaple@yahoo.com or visit<br />
www.goodrichmaplefarm.com.<br />
Rowell Sugarhouse<br />
Visit a real sugarhouse. Open year round. See our sugaring<br />
equipment. Maple products, gifts, country crafts,<br />
VT shirts, woodenware, baskets, honey, souvenirs and<br />
more. We will ship your order. MC/ Visa/DS. Rt. 15,<br />
Walden, VT 05873. (802) 563-2756.<br />
Meat<br />
Lewis Creek Jerseys Badger Brook Meats<br />
Vince Foy & Deb Yonker. Retailing Certified Organic<br />
Angus Beef, naturally raised pork and lamb from our<br />
farm store in <strong>North</strong> Danville, VT. Call ahead for directions<br />
and availability. (802) 748-8461.<br />
Second Chance Farm<br />
Retailing certified organic pork, beef, turkey, chicken<br />
and eggs. 100% natural lamb. 36 cuts to choose<br />
from. <strong>North</strong> Danville, Vt. (802) 748-1975<br />
Music Studio<br />
Vermont Sky Digital Audio<br />
16-Track Professional Recording Studio for Singers,<br />
Songwriters, Students and Bands. Advertising Jingles;<br />
Creative Consulting and Guitar Classes. Barnet,<br />
VT 05821. (802) 633-2523.<br />
Natural Foods<br />
St. Johnsbury Food Co-op<br />
490 Portland St., St. Johnsbury, VT. A community-based,<br />
cooperatively owned natural foods store. A great place to<br />
buy fresh, local and organic foods, gather to meet and<br />
make friends, take a workshop and be part of a place<br />
that aspires to meet the needs of our greater community.<br />
Member or not, anyone can shop! Visit www.stjfoodcoop.com<br />
or call (802) 748-9498. Open Mon-Wed, Sat 9-<br />
6, Thurs-Fri 9-7 and Sun. 11-4.<br />
Old Barns<br />
<strong>The</strong> Barn People<br />
Since 1974 Vintage Vermont barns purchased, dismantled,<br />
restored & reassembled elsewhere. Great for<br />
homes, additions, Great Rooms, studios, backyard offices<br />
and oddly enough …barns. Ken Epworth, 2218 US<br />
RT 5 N, Windsor, VT 05089. (802) 674-5898. barnman@sover.net<br />
Opticians<br />
Optical Expressions<br />
Your Family Eye-Care Center. Eye Exams, Contact Lenses<br />
and Consultation for Laser-Eye Surgery. Green Mountain<br />
Mall, St. Johnsbury Center, VT (802) 748-3536.<br />
Pain <strong>The</strong>rapy<br />
Hands of Experience<br />
Massage techniques to treat pain, injury, illness, arthritis,<br />
depression, fatigue, anxiety and more. Specializing in<br />
treatment of migraines. Will develop a unique treatment<br />
plan to fit your needs.Paul Whittall, Barnet Tradepost<br />
Wellness Center, 60 Monument Circle, Barnet, VT, 802-<br />
633-2700 x6, www.BarnetTradepost.com<br />
Painting<br />
Tom’s Painting<br />
Interior - Exterior - Clean, neat, dependable. quality work<br />
for over 25 years. Call Tom Perry at (802) 563-2576 for<br />
all your painting needs. Located at 693 Upper Harrington<br />
Road, West Danville, VT 05873.<br />
Fenoff & Hale Painting<br />
A division of Fenoff & Hale Construction. Interior and exterior<br />
professional quality work. No job too large or too<br />
small. Fully Insured. Free estimates. 1085 Route 2 East<br />
Danville VT 05828 Phone: (802) 684-9955 Fax:<br />
(802)684-3414.<br />
A.D. Myers Painting & Drywall<br />
Interior-exterior. Commercial-residential. Paints, stains,<br />
clearcoats. Experience in finishing cherry, oak, maple, architectwall<br />
trim, banisters and hand rails. Formerly from<br />
the coast of Maine. Good knowledge of prep, materials<br />
and application. Cold Hill, Lyndonville, VT 05851, (802)<br />
626-3802.<br />
Pet Care<br />
Karen’s Kindred Spirit Pet Care<br />
Pet sitting care in the comfort of your pet’s home. Vacation<br />
coverage and daily services provided. Specializing in<br />
dogs, cats and small animals in Danville, St. Johnsbury,<br />
Ryegate, Barnet and Peacham. Experience with animals<br />
that have special needs. Responsible and fully insured<br />
with references. (802) 461-6790 (cell) or (802) 684-<br />
3349.<br />
Photography<br />
Jenks Studio Photography<br />
4th generation photographer Robert C. Jenks specializing<br />
in all your photography needs; portraits (including<br />
children and high school seniors), weddings & commercial.<br />
VIew our online gallery from our Web site at<br />
www.jenksstudio1886.com or E-mail jenksstudio@charterinternet.com.<br />
PO Box 98, 1204 Main St., St. Johnsbury<br />
VT. (802 )748-3421<br />
Plumbing & Heating<br />
Greenwood’s Plumbing & Heating<br />
New Construction, repairs, water heaters, bathroom &<br />
kitchen remodeling. Energy efficient wood or oil-fired<br />
heating systems, radiant & solar heating-water treatment<br />
systems, Gould water pump installation. GPDA member,<br />
fully-insured, free estimates. Contact Tony Greenwood at<br />
tonygph@live.com, (802) 748-1370, 145 Railroad Street<br />
St. Johnsbury, Vt.<br />
Walden Heights Heating<br />
Providing full-service & installation of propane & oil fired<br />
units including boilers, hot air systems, radiant heating,<br />
water heating & cooking. From your heating to cooking<br />
needs, give Lloyd Rowell a call at (802) 563-2233 or<br />
(802)-793-6092. Fully insured.<br />
Real Estate<br />
Morrill & Guyer Associates<br />
791 Broad Street, Lyndonville, VT 05851. (802) 626-<br />
9357. Fax (802) 626-6913. realestate@homeinthekingdom.com,<br />
www.homeinthekingdom.com<br />
Century 21 Quatrini Real Estate<br />
Susan S. Quatrini, GRI, Broker-Owner. 1111 Main Street.<br />
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. (802) 748-9543 or (802) 748-<br />
3873. c21qre@sover.net<br />
David A. Lussier Real Estate<br />
Farms, Acreage, Homes and Investment Properties. 540<br />
Main Street, PO Box 872, Lyndonville, VT 05851. (802)<br />
626-9541 or (802) 626-8482. Lussier@kingcon.com,<br />
www.lussierrealestateagency.com<br />
Begin Realty Associates<br />
10 VT Route 2, “On the Green.” in Danville. Specializing<br />
in residential property, vacation homes, land and farms.<br />
Realtors Ernie, Barb and Debbie, (802) 684-1127,<br />
www.beginrealty.com.<br />
MontShire Title & Closing Company, LLC<br />
Your source for real estate and closing services in <strong>North</strong>ern<br />
Vermont and New Hampshire, 1097 Main Street, St.<br />
Johnsbury, VT 05819 Toll Free (888) 241-6549 or (802)<br />
748-1300 or www.montshiretitle.com.<br />
Century 21 Farm & Forest Realty Inc.<br />
Nicholas Maclure, managing broker. Derby, VT Office:<br />
(802) 334-1200, Cell: (802) 673-8876, nick@farmandforest.com<br />
AND Annette Dalley, managing broker, East<br />
Burke, VT, Office: (802) 626-4222, Cell: (802) 467-3939,<br />
annette@farmandforest.com. Our goal is to help you find<br />
your “peace” of the Kingdom. www.farmandforest.com.<br />
Real Estate Appraisal<br />
Reynolds Real Estate Appraisal Services<br />
VT Certified Appraisers, Donald Morrill and Annie Guyer.<br />
791 Broad Street, Lyndonville, VT 05851. (802) 626-<br />
9357. reynolds@charterinternet.com<br />
Sewing and Vacuums<br />
<strong>North</strong> Country Vac & Sew<br />
Home of Defender Vacuum, made locally. Wide choice of<br />
new vacuums, uprights, canisters and backpacks. Service,<br />
parts and supplies for most makes. Sewing machine<br />
dealer for domestic Necchi and commercial Artisan. Parts<br />
and expert service for most makes. Scissor and knife<br />
sharpening. 442 Portland St. (next to Sherwin-Williams<br />
Paint), St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. (802) 748-9190.<br />
Small Engine Repair<br />
Harry’s Repair Shop<br />
Snowmobiles, Snowblowers, Motorcycles, Lawn tractors,<br />
ATV’s and Rototillers. Harry Gammell, VT RT 15, Walden,<br />
VT 05873. (802) 563-2288.<br />
Tires<br />
Berry Tire Co., Inc.<br />
New tire sales and automotive repair. Everett Berry, 1545<br />
Red Village Road, Lyndonville, VT 05851. (802) 626-<br />
9326.<br />
Veterinarians<br />
<strong>North</strong>ern Equine Veterinary Services<br />
Steve B. Levine. Practice limited to horses. Saturday appointments<br />
available. (802) 684-9977. 254 RT 2,<br />
Danville, VT 05828. www.northernequine.com<br />
Danville Animal Hospital<br />
Lisa D. Whitney, D.V.M. Small animal care. Office hours by<br />
appointment. 549 Route 2 East, Danville, VT, (802) 684-<br />
2284.<br />
Volunteers<br />
R.S.V.P.<br />
Do you have some free time? Do you want to help an organization<br />
in the <strong>North</strong>east Kingdom as a volunteer? For<br />
information call the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program<br />
and the Volunteer Center at (802) 626-5135 or (802)<br />
334-7047.<br />
Graphic/Web Design<br />
TMiller Web Design<br />
Custom website design for individuals, small businesses<br />
and organizations. Personal service at reasonable rates.<br />
Terry Miller, Peacham, VT. (802) 592-3153. terry@tmillerwebdesign.com,<br />
www.tmillerwebdesign.com.<br />
AMCK Web & Print Design<br />
Terrific website, graphic design and integrated marketing<br />
to spotlight your small business. Web design: handcrafted<br />
websites, custom images, Flash, search engine<br />
optimization, and more. Graphic Design: brand identity,<br />
printed materials, expert image editing. From concept to<br />
completion, I offer personal service tat a common sense<br />
price. Visit my website to learn more: www.amckwebandprint.com.<br />
Anne McKinsey, Passumpsic, VT; (802) 748-<br />
3322.<br />
Welding<br />
Walbridge Welding<br />
Repairs and new fabrication of steel, stainless steel and<br />
aluminum. Located under Portland St. Bridge in St. Johnsbury<br />
or with portable equipment at your location. Dale<br />
Walbridge. W (802) 748-2901; H (802) 584-4088.<br />
Yarn<br />
Wool Away<br />
<strong>The</strong> oldest, most complete yarn shop in the <strong>North</strong>east<br />
Kingdom of Vermont.. Come see Miriam Briggs at 446<br />
Railroad Street Suite #1 in St. Johnsbury. E-mail:<br />
miriam@wool-away.com, (802) 748-WOOL (9665), woolaway.com.<br />
New listings.
30 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
>> Page 1<br />
and songs of the woodland<br />
gradually give way to songs of<br />
the pond as the frogs chime in.<br />
Of all the peeps and beeps and<br />
trills, the nicest is that of the<br />
American toad. I’m reminded of<br />
what folks used to say about<br />
Willy Nelson; “he’s ugly but he<br />
sure can sing.” <strong>The</strong> toad song<br />
swells and soars above all the<br />
rest, the Willy Nelson of the<br />
amphibian world.<br />
Music goes soul deep. It goes<br />
even deeper in our own species,<br />
for it was with music that we<br />
learned to communicate with<br />
each other as a race, just as the<br />
birds and frogs do. We took the<br />
beat of our own hearts and<br />
added melody to tell stories, express<br />
love, and create our own<br />
distinct cultures. All this probably<br />
happened as long ago as the<br />
time when we were still swinging<br />
in trees, and certainly it had happened<br />
by the time we had gone<br />
to ground and lived in caves.<br />
Bone flutes are among the earliest<br />
artifacts of mankind.<br />
Greek philosophers gave<br />
music cosmic significance. According<br />
to them, the stars and<br />
the planets danced with mathematical<br />
precision to the “music<br />
of the spheres.” Today, using the<br />
modern medical techniques of<br />
brain imaging, scientists can see<br />
how music resonates in even the<br />
youngest brains. Music helps infant<br />
brains to wire themselves<br />
and prepare for the more complex<br />
tasks of language. Music<br />
helps people learn math. Music<br />
helps people heal, both mentally<br />
and physically.<br />
Music continues to help us<br />
socialize, and I remember well<br />
those warm Saturday nights<br />
when the music from Robinson’s<br />
Pavilion wafted up the valley to<br />
our ears. <strong>The</strong>re were dance halls<br />
everywhere in those days. That’s<br />
what people did on a Saturday<br />
night, and not just young people<br />
but whole families. <strong>The</strong> music<br />
was made by their friends. People<br />
danced. When radio had<br />
come along fifty years before<br />
that, and families had gathered<br />
beside the receiver on a Saturday<br />
night, the dance hall business<br />
began to fade a bit but it was still<br />
going strong into the seventies,<br />
as were the informal gatherings<br />
Summer Escape<br />
hidden<br />
in<br />
vermont’s<br />
northest<br />
kingdom<br />
of friends with fiddles, guitars<br />
and banjos. It was a lot of fun.<br />
Those days aren’t completely<br />
gone, but they mostly are. Now<br />
music seems to have become<br />
more personal, a consumer commodity<br />
more than a social event.<br />
In the modern era of digital<br />
downloads, listening to music is<br />
all too often a solitary and private<br />
experience. People with<br />
headsets dance alone, and that<br />
may be just as well in some ways<br />
because the inner city boom box<br />
or loud car stereo is distinctly<br />
anti-social, meant to offend.<br />
Now religion is the last bastion<br />
of participatory music, much as<br />
it was in the beginning.<br />
I am reminded now of a<br />
farm family in Cabot many years<br />
ago which had a hermit thrush<br />
that they had raised. By the time<br />
I saw it, the bird was ten years<br />
old or so and I understand it<br />
lived for a few years more after<br />
that. It sang, too, but could only<br />
manage the first few notes. <strong>The</strong>n<br />
the tune went astray into nonsense.<br />
Somehow it had inherited<br />
the introductory notes but it<br />
never had the opportunity to<br />
learn the rest. That’s the thing<br />
Private sandy beach on Caspian Lake<br />
Nature programs<br />
Morning play program for children<br />
Boating & tennis<br />
Wedding celebrations & family reunions<br />
Cozy lodging, cottages<br />
Vermont Fresh Meals<br />
about music. It’s still a social<br />
event for birds and frogs, but it<br />
is becoming less so for many of<br />
us. Even in our schools, it is<br />
often the music program that<br />
gets cut first when budgets get<br />
tight. I think of that thrush<br />
now, and worry that in some<br />
ways we, too, might be losing the<br />
tune.<br />
Book Review<br />
New Mosher Novel<br />
Deserves a Toast<br />
BY MARVIN MINKLER<br />
It is always a cause for celebration,<br />
when a new Howard Frank Mosher<br />
book is published, and with “Walking<br />
to Gatlinburg, raise high the glasses.<br />
This rollicking page-turner deserves to<br />
be toasted.<br />
In his new novel, the author’s first<br />
thriller, a young man named Morgan<br />
Kinneson, begins a journey from Kingdom<br />
Mountain, in northern Vermont,<br />
through the heart of darkness in the<br />
Confederate south, in search of his<br />
brother, Pilgrim, who has been missing<br />
since the bloody battle at Gettysburg,<br />
and to avenge the murder of an escaped slave he was helping get<br />
north through the Underground Railroad.<br />
Along the wilderness way, a deranged madman, and his quartet<br />
of demented villains pursue Morgan. This scary bunch, are in<br />
search of a mysterious stone, that they suspect the young man of<br />
having. Morgan’s trek also includes encounters with a teary-eyed<br />
elephant, a gunsmith who preaches peace, a tree-bound woman,<br />
and a lovely and intriguing slave girl named Slidell, who is the key<br />
to the unlocking of the mysterious stone. It is a grand walk<br />
through the dark land of the Civil War, and Mosher tells his story<br />
well.<br />
Vermont’s storyteller of the first order, and a state literary<br />
treasure, Howard Frank Mosher has written a marvelous tall-tale,<br />
that sends shivers up the spine, is funny, sad, delightful, and when<br />
the final page is turned, a truly satisfying read.<br />
Walking to Gatlinburg can be found at all our area independent<br />
bookstores. Look close and you might also spot Howard, as<br />
he is currently on tour with his book and traveling slide show.<br />
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www.northstarmonthly.com MAY 2010 31<br />
Journalist Steil at the Athenaeum<br />
Journalist Jennifer Steil<br />
abruptly quit her New York<br />
City job at <strong>The</strong> Week magazine<br />
in 2006, and moved to Yemen.<br />
Soon she became Managing<br />
Editor of the Yemen Observer,<br />
an independent English language<br />
newspaper in the capital,<br />
Sana’a and it proved to be the<br />
most challenging year of her<br />
life.<br />
This memoir of her first year in<br />
Yemen entitled, “<strong>The</strong> Woman Who<br />
Fell from the Sky,” will be released<br />
in print and audio versions on <strong>May</strong><br />
11th. Jennifer will share her stories<br />
and read from her book at the St.<br />
Johnsbury Athenaeum at 7:00 p.m<br />
on Thursday, <strong>May</strong> 27th. Copies of<br />
the book will be available for sale.<br />
Steil holds degrees from Oberlin<br />
College, Sarah Lawrence College<br />
(creative writing) and the Columbia<br />
School of Journalism. Since 1997<br />
she has worked as a reporter, writer,<br />
and editor for newspapers and magazines<br />
in the US and abroad. While<br />
writing the book in Yemen she continued<br />
to work as a freelance journalist,<br />
doing pieces for Irish<br />
National Radio, France 24, and CBS<br />
radio.<br />
Jennifer’s deep roots in the<br />
<strong>North</strong>east Kingdom developed as<br />
she spent childhood summers and<br />
vacations in Ryegate and grew<br />
deeper while attending the Putney<br />
School. Her parents are Cynthia<br />
and Gil Steil of Ryegate. Gil is<br />
presently a trustee of the<br />
Athenaeum<br />
Jennifer’s memoir is among the<br />
first to investigate the pragmatic and<br />
ideological challenges facing journalists<br />
in the Arab world, especially<br />
in a poor, desperate country struggling<br />
toward democracy. “<strong>The</strong><br />
802-626-5404 802-535-5401<br />
Woman Who Fell From the Sky” is<br />
a classic story of culture clash, while<br />
at the same time a narrative of<br />
breaking down boundaries and<br />
finding friendship in unlikely places.<br />
In her role as new editor, she<br />
found a newspaper staff often unaware<br />
of the need to separate opinion<br />
from news, the ethics of lifting<br />
stories verbatim from the Internet,<br />
and of the importance of getting all<br />
sides of a story. In Jennifer’s words,<br />
“<strong>The</strong>y were desperately hungry for<br />
training. One in particular, a pocketsized,<br />
abaya-clad ball-of-fire named<br />
Zuhra clung to me like a drowning<br />
person clings to a passing boater.<br />
‘Please, tell me how to structure this<br />
story,’ she pleaded, dragging me<br />
back to the dingy newsroom at the<br />
end of a 12-hour day. ‘Tell me how<br />
to be a real reporter.’ Never before<br />
in my journalism career had I felt so<br />
useful every day.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> book explores the clash of<br />
western and Yemeni work ethics;<br />
the self-censorship imposed to keep<br />
the building from being bombed;<br />
and the courtroom drama that unfolded<br />
after the Yemen Observer<br />
published the incendiary cartoons<br />
of the Prophet Mohammed a few<br />
months before she arrived.<br />
It offers insight into the challenges<br />
of living in a traditional Arab<br />
country as a woman and a westerner.<br />
Along the way, the book<br />
brings to life the wonder, mystery,<br />
and beauty of life in an utterly foreign<br />
place, as well as the humor inherent<br />
in being such an outsider.<br />
Jennifer continues to reside in<br />
Yemen with Tim Torlot, the British<br />
Ambassador and their four-monthold<br />
daughter, <strong>The</strong>adora Celeste.<br />
Craig<br />
Dreisbach, md<br />
orthopaedics<br />
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Gagnon, md<br />
orthopaedics<br />
802 748-5361<br />
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obstetrics/<br />
gynecology<br />
802 748-7300<br />
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obstetrics/<br />
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802 748-7300<br />
Elaine Paul, md<br />
obstetrics/<br />
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802 748-7300<br />
Christopher<br />
Danielson, do<br />
general surgery<br />
802 748-2984<br />
Kenneth<br />
Danielson, md<br />
general surgery<br />
802 748-2984<br />
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Weddings / Civil Unions / By appointment or by chance<br />
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Martin<br />
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Stephen<br />
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802 748-8126<br />
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urology<br />
802 748-7382<br />
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otolaryngology<br />
802 748-5126<br />
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otolaryngology<br />
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Our team of surgeons handle over 3200 cases each year. 93% are<br />
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<br />
»Edge of Darkness/<strong>North</strong> Face (4/30-5/6)<br />
»<strong>The</strong> Ghost Writer/<strong>The</strong> White Ribbon (5/7-5/13)<br />
»<strong>The</strong> Yellow Handkerchief/<strong>The</strong> Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (5/14-5/20)<br />
»Greenberg/A Town Called Panic (5/21-5/27)<br />
»Crazy Heart/Kenny (4/23-4/29)<br />
»<strong>The</strong> Runaways/A Prophet (5/28-6/3)<br />
<br />
»Flower Arranging in Season – Three Thursdays, 6/17, 7/8, Aug. TBA,<br />
7-8:30 p.m. Instructor: Sandy Lazerick<br />
»Color Collage for 3-4 Year Olds – Thursdays, 7/8-7/29, 10:30–11:30<br />
a.m. Instructor: Carolyn Guest<br />
»Summer Chorus for Families – Tuesdays, 7/6–8/10. 6:40–7:40 p.m.<br />
Instructor: Esther Holland<br />
»Art Camp for Kids – Puppets and Song – Monday 7/19 – 6/30<br />
»Making Marionettes – 7/19-7/23, 10:30-11:30 a.m.<br />
Instructor: Jack Stewart<br />
»Chorus for Kids – 7/26–7/30, 10:30-11:30 a.m.<br />
Instructor – Esther Holland<br />
To register, or for more information, call 748-2600, ext. 106<br />
<br />
»Rose Vear, Frank Landry and Kate Donnelly:<br />
Artists’ Reception - Friday, <strong>May</strong> 7, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.<br />
Surgical services<br />
at NVRH include:<br />
orthopaedics<br />
• Sports injuries<br />
• Hand surgery, including<br />
carpal tunnel release<br />
• Bunion surgery<br />
• Hammertoe correction<br />
• Diabetic foot care<br />
• Congenital & post traumatic<br />
foot & ankle problems<br />
• Total joint replacement<br />
• Revision total joint<br />
replacement<br />
gynecology<br />
• Laparoscopic hysterectomy<br />
• Endometrial ablation<br />
• Tubal ligation<br />
• Prolapse surgery<br />
• Vaginal hysterectomy<br />
general surgery<br />
• Colonoscopy<br />
• Laparoscopic gall bladder<br />
& hernia repair<br />
• Upper endoscopy<br />
• Breast cancer<br />
• Colon cancer<br />
• Skin cancer/melanoma<br />
ophthalmology<br />
• Cataracts<br />
• Retina laser<br />
• Glaucoma laser<br />
otolaryngology<br />
• Tonsils<br />
• Sinus surgery<br />
• Ear tubes<br />
• Gland surgery<br />
• Thyroid surgery<br />
• Ear, head, neck & throat surgery<br />
urology<br />
• Kidney stones<br />
• Enlarged prostate<br />
• Incontinence<br />
• Erectile dysfunction<br />
• Cancer of prostate, bladder,<br />
kidney & testicles<br />
• Vasectomy<br />
• Urinary infections<br />
podiatry<br />
• Bunionectomies<br />
• Hammertoe repair<br />
• Wound management<br />
• Foot reconstruction<br />
• Sports medicine<br />
• Neuroma excision<br />
• Plantar fascial release<br />
HOSPITAL DRIVE, ST. JOHNSBURY | 802 748-8141 | WWW.NVRH.ORG
32 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
What’s happening at town hall<br />
Barnet<br />
Town Clerk: Benjamin Heisholt<br />
Selectboard: Ted Faris, Gary Bunnell<br />
and Jeremy Roberts<br />
April 12, 2010<br />
ATV Club – Steven Mosher of the<br />
Barnet Trailblazers ATV Club appeared<br />
to discuss using town highways<br />
to connect ATV trails and<br />
several matters related to his appearance<br />
at the previous Selectboard<br />
meeting. He presented maps<br />
of current and proposed ATV trails<br />
in the Town of Barnet. Regarding<br />
time and speed restrictions, he said<br />
if the club becomes a member of<br />
VASA (Vermont All-Terrain Vehicle<br />
Sportsman’s Association) as it<br />
is striving to do, the users of its<br />
trails would be subject to VASA<br />
rules concerning these restrictions.<br />
VASA does not allow use of trails<br />
between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. <strong>The</strong><br />
VASA speed limit is 25 miles per<br />
hour. Shirley Warden said she has<br />
spoken with the Caledonia County<br />
Sheriff’s Department regarding enforcement<br />
of rules governing ATV<br />
usage on public roads. <strong>The</strong> Sheriff’s<br />
Department told her they will<br />
not enforce any rules that are not<br />
supported by a municipal ordinance.<br />
She has also spoken with a<br />
staff attorney at the Vermont<br />
League of Cities & Towns (VLCT)<br />
regarding the matter. This attorney<br />
strongly suggested that the town<br />
use an ordinance if it wishes to<br />
adopt rules governing ATV usage<br />
of town highways. Susan Robinson<br />
asked what would be required to<br />
adopt an ordinance. Faris said at<br />
the least it would require a public<br />
hearing. He suggested that the<br />
adoption of an ordinance is something<br />
the Board should pursue.<br />
Mosher stated his concern that the<br />
Barnet Trailblazers will receive<br />
criticism for illegal use of Town<br />
highways that is actually perpetrated<br />
by ATV users not associated<br />
with the club. <strong>The</strong> Board thanked<br />
the club for their efforts in organization<br />
and answering of questions<br />
posed by the Board.<br />
Rural Road – A letter from the<br />
<strong>North</strong>eastern Vermont Development<br />
Association was read describing<br />
a program designed to<br />
identify and address areas on local<br />
roads that pose a high risk for traffic<br />
accidents. <strong>The</strong> Board agreed to<br />
St. Johnsbury Academy<br />
Spring 2010 Sports Schedule<br />
BOYS VARSITY LACROSSE<br />
5/4 Harwood (A) 4:00<br />
5/7 U-32 (A) 4:00/5:30<br />
5/11 Sharon (H) 4:00<br />
5/14 Randolph (H) 4:00<br />
5/18 Varsity Montpelier (A) 4:00<br />
5/21 Harwood (H) 4:00<br />
5/25 U-32 (H) 4:00<br />
5/28 Sharon (A) 4:00<br />
* JV Games Will Follow Varsity<br />
GIRLS VARSITY LACROSSE<br />
5/4 Chelsea (H) 4:30<br />
5/8 Spaulding (A) 11:00<br />
5/11 Oxbow (A) 4:30<br />
5/14 Varsity Harwood (A) 4:30<br />
5/17 Lamoille (A) 4:30<br />
5/19 Sharon (H) 4:30<br />
5/22 Randolph (H) 11:00<br />
5/25 Montpelier (A) 4:30<br />
5/28 Lamoille (H) 4:30<br />
* JV Games Will Follow Varsity<br />
VARSITY BASEBALL/SOFTBALL<br />
5/1 MMU (H) 11:00/4:00<br />
JV @ 11:00 / V @ 4:00<br />
JV SB @ MMU / JV BB @ Brown River<br />
5/4 BFA St. Albans (H) 4:30<br />
5/8 <strong>North</strong> Country (H) 10:00<br />
5/11 Milton (A) 4:30<br />
5/13 CVU (H) 4:30<br />
5/18 Colchester (A) 4:30<br />
5/20 Missisquoi (H) 4:30<br />
5/22 Rice (A) 11:00<br />
5/25 Vergennes (H) 4:30<br />
5/28 South Burlington (A) 4:30<br />
* All dates JV teams will be at opposite sites<br />
GOLF SCHEDULE<br />
5/3 Girls Match @ Barre(A) 3:00<br />
5/3 NC, SB, Spaulding (H) 3:00<br />
5/6 Girls Match (H) 3:00<br />
5/6 BFA, CVU, (A) 3:00<br />
Missisquoi @ WBolton<br />
5/10 Essex, Mt.Abe, (H) 3:00<br />
Missisquoi<br />
5/12 Girls Match (A) 1:00<br />
@ S.Burlington<br />
5/14 Mt., CVU, NC (A) 3:00<br />
@ Newport<br />
5/17 Girls Invitational (A) 1:00<br />
@ Newport, NC<br />
5/17 Rice, MMU (A) 3:00<br />
@ Champlain<br />
5/20 Boys Invitational (A) 8:00<br />
@ Newport, NC<br />
5/20 Girls Match (A) 3:00<br />
@ Enosburg Falls, Missisquoi<br />
5/21 NC, Spaulding, (A) 3:00<br />
MMU @ WBolton<br />
5/25 SB, Vergennes (A) 3:00<br />
@ Barre, Spaulding<br />
5/25 Girls Match (A) 3:00<br />
@ Catamount, Burlington<br />
5/27 NVAC (A) 10:00<br />
Metro Championship @ Kwiniaska<br />
5/27 Girls Match (A) 3:00<br />
@ West Bolton, MMU<br />
6/1 Girls Match (A) 3:00<br />
@ Lang Farm, Essex<br />
6/1 Div. II Boys (H) 9:00<br />
Sectional Tournament<br />
6/8 State Tournament (A) 9:30-12:30<br />
– Girls @ Proctor/Pittsford<br />
6/9 State Tournament (A) 8:00-12:30<br />
– Boys @ Middlebury<br />
BOYS & GIRLS TENNIS<br />
5/3 Montpelier (Boys) (A) 3:30<br />
Montpelier (Girls) (H) 3:30<br />
5/6 <strong>North</strong> Country (Boys)(A) 3:30<br />
<strong>North</strong> Country (Girls)(H) 3:30<br />
5/8 Spaulding (Boys) (A) 10:00<br />
Spaulding (Girls) (H) 10:00<br />
5/10 Lake Region (Girls) (A) 3:30<br />
5/12 Middlebury (Boys) NL(A) 3:30<br />
5/15 Harwood (Boys)NL (A) 10:00<br />
Harwood (Girls)NL (H) 10:00<br />
5/17 U-32 (Boys) L (H) 3:30<br />
U-32 (Girls) NL (A) 3:30<br />
5/19 Montpelier (Boys) L (H) 3:30<br />
Montpelier (Girls) NL(A) 3:30<br />
5/24 Stowe (Boys) NL (H) 3:30<br />
Stowe (Girls) NL (A) 3:30<br />
5/26 Burlington (Boys) NL(H) 3:30<br />
Burlington (Girls) NL(A) 3:30<br />
TRACK SCHEDULE<br />
5/4 Essex (A) 3:30<br />
w/ BHS, Midd, NC<br />
5/7 Burlington Invitational(A) 3:00<br />
5/8 Burlington Invitational(A) 2:30<br />
5/12 Missisquoi/Lamoille (H) 3:30<br />
/Oxbow<br />
5/14 Bob White Relays – (A) 3:00<br />
@ BFA St. Albans - Boys<br />
5/15 Iverson Rebel Relays(A) 10:00<br />
@ SB Girls<br />
5/20 Lyndon (A) 3:30<br />
5/21 Metro Frosh Meet (A) 3:00<br />
@ Essex<br />
5/26 Spaulding,NC, (H) 3:30<br />
Peoples, Ran, Dan, Ox, LR<br />
5/29 Essex Invitational (A) 10:00<br />
6/5 State Meet (A) 10:00<br />
@ Burlington HS<br />
6/12 New Englands (A) TBA<br />
@ Veteran’s Stadium, New Britain, CT<br />
ULTIMATE FRISBEE<br />
5/1 Amherst Invitational (A) 8:00<br />
(& Sun. 5/2) Girls & Boys Varsity<br />
5/8 Greenfield Tournament (A) 8:00<br />
Girls V, Boys V, JV<br />
5/15 NE Prep School Champ (A) 8:00<br />
Girls & Boys Varsity<br />
5/22 St. J Invitational (H) 8:00<br />
(& Sun. 5/23)Girls V, Boys V, JV<br />
5/29 New England Champ (A) 8:00<br />
Girls & Boys Varsity<br />
delegate this correspondence to<br />
Road Commissioner Gary Bunnell<br />
for further investigation.<br />
Zoning Administrator - <strong>The</strong> Planning/Zoning<br />
Board nominated<br />
Shirley Warden for a three year<br />
term as Barnet’s Zoning Administrative<br />
Officer. <strong>The</strong> Board approved<br />
by voice vote.<br />
Milarepa Center – <strong>The</strong> Board<br />
briefly reviewed the comments of<br />
the Agency of Natural Resources<br />
regarding the Act 250 permit of<br />
Milarepa Center. Included in these<br />
comments were evaluations of the<br />
water supply and of the effect on<br />
the wildlife habitat.<br />
Danville<br />
Town Clerk: Wendy Somers<br />
Town Administrator: Merton<br />
Leonard<br />
Selectboard: Steve Larrabee,<br />
Denise Briggs, Doug Pastula, Marvin<br />
Withers and Michael Walsh<br />
Eagle Scouts - Ian Blackmore was<br />
present to explain his Eagle Scout<br />
Leadership Service Project. He is<br />
requesting of the Board, permission<br />
to build an Adirondack Camping<br />
Shelter in <strong>The</strong> Pumpkin Hill<br />
100-acre Forest for the benefit and<br />
use by hikers and campers, as well<br />
as the Boy Scouts. Ian presented a<br />
very detailed, multi paged proposal<br />
describing not only the proposed<br />
shelter with materials list and blueprints,<br />
but the use of the shelter by<br />
hikers, and the general public. Photos<br />
of the area showed the general<br />
location and surroundings. <strong>The</strong><br />
Board was very impressed with his<br />
project and presentation. Steven<br />
Larrabee moved to approve Ian<br />
Blackmore's request to build an<br />
Adirondack camping shelter in the<br />
Pumpkin Hill Town Forrest for use<br />
by the Boy Scouts as well as the<br />
general public as presented. Douglas<br />
Pastula seconded the motion<br />
which was approved. He was requested<br />
to get a building permit<br />
from the zoning administrator and<br />
present his project to the Conservation<br />
Commission for their approval.<br />
VIS - Ken Linsley was present representing<br />
the Village Improvement<br />
Society (VIS). He requested $500<br />
from the Sevigny Bequest to be<br />
used for flowers, mulch, etc for<br />
planting on the Green as they usually<br />
do each spring. <strong>The</strong>re was<br />
some discussion as what the VIS<br />
usually did each year and how it<br />
would be done in the future. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
was also a question of how much<br />
money the Sevigny funds were<br />
going to yield in interest this year,<br />
Wendy estimated it would be<br />
around $20,000. Marvin Withers<br />
moved to continue with the VIS as<br />
in the past, and approve the VIS request<br />
for the $500.00 for flowers<br />
and planting materials, for use only<br />
on the Green. Douglas Pastula, seconded<br />
the motion that was approved.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Board also agreed to<br />
put the mowing of the Green out<br />
for bid.<br />
RCT - David Towle was present<br />
representing the Rural Community<br />
Transportation. He wanted to inform<br />
the Board that they are joining<br />
with the Green Mountain<br />
Transit Agency to run a public transit<br />
commuter service between St<br />
Johnsbury and Montpelier, with<br />
available connections to other<br />
routes across the state. <strong>The</strong>y requested<br />
to locate a bus stop in<br />
Danville Village, but when the discussion<br />
included the probability of<br />
park and ride space as well, there<br />
is no suitable location existing.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re will be a bus stop at the park<br />
and ride in West Danville, which<br />
the Danville patrons can utilize<br />
until a suitable stop can be found<br />
closer to the Village.<br />
WDCC - Jill Kelleher and Rita<br />
Foley of the West Danville Community<br />
Club (WDCC) were present<br />
to show the Board their plans<br />
for the new shelter at Joe's Pond<br />
Beach. Architect Jules Chatot and<br />
builder Larry Rossi got together to<br />
design a shelter that would fit on<br />
the existing bath house slab, and<br />
would be affordable with a fair<br />
amount of volunteer work for the<br />
WDCC. <strong>The</strong> Board reviewed the<br />
drawings and agreed that it looks<br />
like it would work and the design<br />
was acceptable. Steven Larrabee<br />
moved to approve the shelter design<br />
as presented to fit on the existing<br />
slab of the old bath house at<br />
the Joes Pond Beach, Douglas Pastula<br />
seconded the motion which<br />
was approved.<br />
Australian Ballot - Barb Fontaine<br />
was present to discuss the legal advice<br />
she received from the State<br />
Director of Elections. Wendy was<br />
present to discuss the Australian<br />
ballot and advise the legal advice<br />
she had received from the town attorney.<br />
<strong>The</strong> advise was basically<br />
the same; you cannot vote a question<br />
to adopt Australian Ballot by<br />
using Australian Ballot. Information<br />
Barb received also had procedures<br />
how to establish Australian<br />
Ballot voting by adopting a Charter.<br />
Road Report – Kevin Gadapee’s<br />
written report stated that the road<br />
crew is fully into spring cleanup<br />
now, with the grader running daily<br />
trying to keep ahead of the potholes.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y add gravel where necessary<br />
to fill potholes or mud holes,<br />
and to work some shape into the<br />
roads. <strong>The</strong> backhoe also runs most<br />
days opening up culverts and<br />
cleaning up any debris along the<br />
road sides. Some of the crew will<br />
be starting on the drainage of the<br />
Hill Street project next week, while<br />
others will work with the grader<br />
and backhoe on other projects. A<br />
<strong>May</strong> 2010 Menu<br />
West Barnet<br />
Senior Meal<br />
Site<br />
Meals served at West Barnet<br />
Church. All meals served with<br />
a beverage. Reservations not<br />
required. Suggested donation<br />
of $3.00 per meal is appreciated.<br />
Phone (802) 633-4068.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 5 - Chipped beef, egg<br />
gravy, potatoes, buttered<br />
beets, biscuit and jello.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 7 - Buffet<br />
<strong>May</strong> 12 - Spaghetti and meatballs,<br />
tossed salad, garlic bread<br />
and peached and cream.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 14 - Roast pork, apple<br />
sauce, mashed potatoes, peas<br />
and rolls.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 19 - Build a burger, lettuce<br />
tomato, onion, pickles,<br />
mustard, ketchup, macaroni<br />
salad and brownies.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 21 - Baked beans, hot<br />
dog, cole slaw, brown bread<br />
and pudding.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 26 - Macaroni and<br />
cheese, sausage, stewed tomatoes,<br />
dark bread and tropical<br />
fruit.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 28 - Baked fish, oven<br />
potatoes, fresh carrots, cole<br />
slaw, rolls and cake with frosting.
www.northstarmonthly.com MAY 2010 33<br />
<strong>May</strong> 2010 Menu<br />
Danville Senior<br />
Action Center<br />
Meals at Danville Methodist<br />
Church. All meals served with<br />
a beverage, homemade breads<br />
and desserts. Reservations are<br />
appreciated by calling (802)<br />
684-3903 before 9:30 a.m. on<br />
day of the meal. A donation<br />
of $4 for guests 60+ (others<br />
$5) is appreciated.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 4 - Grilled chicken fettucini<br />
alfredo, steamed broccoli,<br />
homemade bread,<br />
tropical fruit salad and birthday<br />
cake.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 6 - Spaghetti and meatballs,<br />
garlic bread, tossed salad<br />
and carrots.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 11 - Cream of broccoli,<br />
tuna salad on a roll and mixed<br />
veggies.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 13 - Beef stew, biscuits,<br />
V-8 and apple crisp.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 18 - Cheeseburgers on a<br />
bun, french fries, cole slaw<br />
and fruit cobbler.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 20 - BBQ chicken, rolls,<br />
pasta salad and sauteed kale.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 25 - Sweet and sour<br />
pork, rice, baked egg rolls and<br />
juice.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 27 - Scalloped potatoes<br />
with ham, peas and carrots,<br />
rolls and oatmeal bars.<br />
second hole has developed in the<br />
#7 <strong>North</strong> Danville Bridge deck, the<br />
first hole was repaired last year, per<br />
state instructions. Kevin and Mert<br />
Leonard have been working on a<br />
grant for re-decking this bridge,<br />
which seems a little more assured<br />
with the development of this new<br />
hole. <strong>The</strong> bridge will have one lane<br />
closed until repairs made. Kevin<br />
was attending a "Narrow-Banding"<br />
meeting, to get details of upcoming<br />
FCC requirements for the truck radios.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were three applications<br />
for curb cuts that Kevin had inspected<br />
and approved: Aaron and<br />
Patricia Laura on Calkins Camp<br />
Road, Lauran and Spencer Morse<br />
on Jamison Road, and Samuel<br />
Shippe on Penny Lane. <strong>The</strong> Board<br />
voted to approve the three curb<br />
cuts with conditions as noted by<br />
Kevin, on a motion by Marvin<br />
Withers that was seconded by<br />
Denise Briggs.<br />
Pope Cemetery - Leonard reported<br />
that Sexton Donald Lamont<br />
replaced seventy of the broken<br />
fence posts and reattached the<br />
fence to the post at the Pope Cemetery,<br />
and will be onto the Massey<br />
Cemetery next. <strong>The</strong> structural engineers<br />
that are inspecting the old<br />
town garage stopped by the town<br />
hall to look at the porch problem.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y will offer a quote for engineering<br />
assistance for repairs to the<br />
porch, as they have experience<br />
with this type of structure with a<br />
roof and pillar construction. Merton<br />
brought up recent requests to<br />
use the Bandstand for weddings.<br />
After some discussion the Board<br />
wishes to continue a no charge policy<br />
for weddings only on the<br />
Green. Merton has discussed the<br />
house at 116 Hill Street with the<br />
town attorney. Although they are<br />
not involved with any legal proceedings<br />
at that property, he confirmed<br />
that there is not much a<br />
mortgagee can do with a house<br />
until the court acts favorably on<br />
their foreclosure action. Merton<br />
also discussed the Danville Canadian<br />
ceremony time with Paul<br />
Chouinard, Paul believes that most<br />
people would be in favor of the<br />
earlier time.<br />
Peacham<br />
Town Clerk: Bruce Lafferty<br />
Selectmen: Richard Browne, Tim<br />
McKay and Andy Cochran.<br />
March 17, 2010<br />
Snowmobile Trails - Ross Page<br />
explained the Bayley Hazen Snowmobile<br />
Club’s needs for additional<br />
trails access. Two sections were<br />
discussed including access to the<br />
Roller Barn area and a trail through<br />
the Town forest. <strong>The</strong> Selectboard<br />
allowed the Town forest access but<br />
tabled the Roller Barn request until<br />
discussions are held with the Conservation<br />
Commission regarding<br />
the impact on existing pathways.<br />
Memorial Day Organization -<br />
Cher Monteith announced that the<br />
Church Fellowship will host a Memorial<br />
Day luncheon this year.<br />
Andy Cochran reported that the<br />
Memorial Day activities are being<br />
organized by the Stevens School.<br />
Town Plan Progress - <strong>The</strong> Chairman<br />
of the Planning Commission,<br />
Chuck Gallagher, and commission<br />
member Paul Evans discussed the<br />
new Town Plan. <strong>The</strong>y indicated<br />
that a scheduled completion date of<br />
June 15, 2010 was not going to be<br />
met but anticipated a final approval<br />
date of mid-summer. Flexibility of<br />
the new Town Plan language was<br />
discussed, especially in relation to<br />
the Town’s Zoning Bylaws. Scheduled<br />
notices for mandated public<br />
hearings by the Planning Commission<br />
and the Board were discussed.<br />
St. Johnsbury<br />
Town Manager: Michael Welch<br />
Town Clerk: Sandy Grenier<br />
Selectboard: Bryon Quatrini,<br />
Bernard Timson, Daniel Kimbell,<br />
Jim Rust, and Rodney Lamotte.<br />
Resignation - Town Manager<br />
Mike Welch read a letter to the<br />
Board and to the public, officially<br />
tendering his resignation from the<br />
position of Town Manager, effective<br />
<strong>May</strong> 7, 2010. Welch received a<br />
thank you from the Board and a<br />
standing ovation from the crowd.<br />
Revote - Quatrini asked the other<br />
members of the Board to clarify<br />
their individual assessment of a<br />
negative vote on the General Fund<br />
Budget revote. He said he does not<br />
believe it would mean the voters<br />
want more cuts, but that they are<br />
unhappy with cuts. Lamotte said he<br />
felt that having three questions on<br />
the ballot would be confusing to<br />
the voters and he recollected that<br />
Town Agent Ed Zuccaro had recommended<br />
just one question on the<br />
ballot. Rust indicated that a negative<br />
vote, in his opinion, would<br />
mean the Board needs to go back<br />
to the drawing board. Timson<br />
moved to have only one article on<br />
the ballot for revote of the General<br />
Fund Budget. Lamotte seconded<br />
the motion. Chairman Rust called<br />
for the vote – Two in favor (Lamotte<br />
and Timson) two opposed<br />
(Kimbell and Quatrini); Chairman<br />
Rust broke the tie with a “yes”<br />
vote, and the motion was approved.<br />
Welch reported that the<br />
Lively Center is available for <strong>May</strong><br />
18 or 25, and either date would accommodate<br />
the 30-day warning<br />
period. On a motion by Lamotte,<br />
seconded by Timson, the Board<br />
Marty’s 1st Stop<br />
US Route 2 Danville, VT (802) 684-2574<br />
Mon.-Thurs. 5:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.<br />
Fri. & Sat. 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.<br />
Sun. 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.<br />
Megabucks Tickets<br />
Mobil Speed Pass<br />
DELI<br />
PIZZA served everyday<br />
DANVILLE SCHOOL<br />
2010 Schedule<br />
Athletic Director: Merlyn Courser CAA<br />
Softball & Baseball<br />
<strong>May</strong><br />
1 Saturday Danville @ Richford 4:30<br />
4 Tuesday Enosburg @ Danville 4:30<br />
6 Thursday Danville @ Hazen 4:30<br />
8 Saturday Lake Region @ Danville 11:00<br />
11 Tuesday Danville @ Stowe 4:30<br />
13 Thursday Blue Mtn. @ Danville 4:30<br />
16 Sunday People @ Danville 11:00<br />
18 Tuesday Hazen @ Danville 4:30<br />
20 Thursday Winooski @ Danville 4:30<br />
25 Tuesday BFA Fairfax @ Danville 4:30<br />
27 Thursday Danville @ Peoples 4:30<br />
Track & Field<br />
<strong>May</strong><br />
4 Tuesday @ Lamoille 3:30<br />
12 Wednesday @ <strong>North</strong> Country 3:30<br />
18 Tuesday @ Harwood 3:30<br />
26 Wednesday @ STJA 3:30<br />
June<br />
5 Saturday @ Chester, States<br />
Lacrosse<br />
<strong>May</strong><br />
14 Friday Danville @ STJA 3:30<br />
18 Tuesday Danville @ Lamoille 3:30<br />
21 Friday Danville @ STJA 3:30<br />
28 Friday Lamoille @ Danville 3:30<br />
voted in favor of holding the vote<br />
on <strong>May</strong> 18, with an informational<br />
meeting on <strong>May</strong> 17 at the school,<br />
and another informational meeting<br />
on April 26 at 6 p.m., in conjunction<br />
with the next regularly scheduled<br />
Board meeting.<br />
Walden<br />
Town Clerk: Lina Smith<br />
Selectboard: Perley Greaves, Dave<br />
Brown and Peter Clark.<br />
March 30, 2010<br />
Senate - Charles Bucknam introduced<br />
himself and noted that he<br />
was running for a seat in the Vermont<br />
Senate.<br />
Fire Warden - Greaves noted that<br />
the board had acted incorrectly at<br />
the last meeting by appointing a<br />
forest fire warden without input<br />
from the Fire Department. <strong>The</strong><br />
Fire Department has now met and<br />
WHEELER<br />
True Value<br />
Building Materials<br />
29 Church Street<br />
Lyndonville, VT 05851<br />
(802) 626-5102<br />
or 626-5040<br />
voted to recommend Jon Augeri as<br />
Fire Warden. <strong>The</strong> board agreed to<br />
this and will submit his name to the<br />
state for approval.<br />
Town Garage - An update on the<br />
town garage was given. <strong>The</strong> board<br />
is continuing to gather information.<br />
After discussion, it was decided to<br />
go ahead and apply for necessary<br />
wastewater permits now. Also, the<br />
board decided that they are all in<br />
favor of a 60 x 100 foot building.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y will continue to research materials.<br />
Salt Shed - Brown reported that<br />
the salt shed is still pending and<br />
waiting for information from the<br />
State of Vermont.<br />
Work Camp – Brown asked the<br />
Board to consider hiring the Caledonia<br />
County work camp for two<br />
weeks at $1,000 per week to do<br />
brushing. This will include 10 men<br />
and the town would rent a chipper.<br />
<strong>The</strong> board voted to do this.<br />
Wheeler Sports<br />
Team Sports Products<br />
Images Of Vermont<br />
Silkscreening and Embroidery<br />
246 Church Street<br />
Lyndonville, VT 05851<br />
(802) 626-8235<br />
Fax: (802) 626-6180<br />
Email: wheel56@together.net<br />
Lyndon Institute<br />
Spring Athletics 2010<br />
Varsity Baseball<br />
Tues., <strong>May</strong> 4 (H) NORTHFIELD 4:30<br />
Thurs., <strong>May</strong> 6 at Montpelier 4:30<br />
Sat., <strong>May</strong> 8 (H) LAMOILLE 11:00<br />
Tues., <strong>May</strong> 11 at Randolph 4:30<br />
Thurs., <strong>May</strong> 13 (H) U-32 4:30<br />
Sat., <strong>May</strong> 15 (H) MONTPELIER 11:00<br />
Tues., <strong>May</strong> 18 at Lamoille 4:30<br />
Fr., <strong>May</strong> 21 (H) HARWOOD 4:30<br />
Tues., <strong>May</strong> 25 at <strong>North</strong>field 4:30<br />
Thurs., <strong>May</strong> 27 at <strong>The</strong>tford 4:30<br />
Sat., <strong>May</strong> 29 (H) OXBOW 11:00<br />
Varsity Softball<br />
Tues., <strong>May</strong> 4 (H) NORTHFIELD 4:30<br />
Sat., <strong>May</strong> 8 (H) LAMOILLE 11:00<br />
Tues., <strong>May</strong> 11 at Randolph 4:30<br />
Thurs., <strong>May</strong> 13 (H) U-32 4:30<br />
Tues., <strong>May</strong> 18 at Lamoille 4:30<br />
Friday, <strong>May</strong> 21 (H) HARWOOD 4:30<br />
Tues., <strong>May</strong> 25 at <strong>North</strong>field 4:30<br />
Thurs., <strong>May</strong> 27 at <strong>The</strong>tford 4:30<br />
Sat., <strong>May</strong> 29 (H) OXBOW 11:00<br />
Track & Field<br />
Sat., <strong>May</strong> 1 at Fair Haven Invite 10:00<br />
Mon., <strong>May</strong> 3 (H) LYNDON 3:15<br />
Fri., <strong>May</strong> 7 at Milton 3:15<br />
Fri., <strong>May</strong> 7 at BHS Invitational 3:00<br />
Sat., <strong>May</strong> 8 at BHS Invitational 10:00<br />
Thurs., <strong>May</strong> 13 at Milton 3:15<br />
Sat., <strong>May</strong> 15 at Rebel Relays (Girls) 10:00<br />
Wed., <strong>May</strong> 19 at U-32 (Frosh/Soph) 3:00<br />
Thurs., <strong>May</strong> 20 (H) LYNDON 3:15<br />
Tues., <strong>May</strong> 25 at BFA-St. Albans 3:15<br />
Sat., <strong>May</strong> 29 at Essex Invitational 10:00<br />
Sat., June 5 at Fair Haven (State) 10:00<br />
Track & Field<br />
Mon., <strong>May</strong> 3 at Peoples (Copley CC) 3:00<br />
Wed., <strong>May</strong> 5 at Montpelier (Elks GC) 3:00<br />
Mon., <strong>May</strong> 10 at Harwood (CC of VT) 3:00<br />
Wed., <strong>May</strong> 12 at Hazen (Mt. View CC) 3:00<br />
Mon., <strong>May</strong> 17 (H) STJCC 3:00<br />
Wed., <strong>May</strong> 19 at Enosburg CC 3:00<br />
Thurs., <strong>May</strong> 20 at N. Country Invite 8:00<br />
Mon., <strong>May</strong> 24 at Randolph (Montague) 3:00<br />
Wed., <strong>May</strong> 26 at Lamoille (Farm Resort) 3:00<br />
Tues., June 1 at CC of Barre (Boy's Sec.) 9:00<br />
Wed., June 9 at Middlebury (Boy's State) 11:00
34 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
Danville<br />
MLS #2739640<br />
This nearly new home in a convenient location. This home has 2 bedrooms and 2<br />
baths, 1664 sq ft and fully handicap accessible. <strong>The</strong>re is currently a 24 X 24 workshop<br />
that could be converted to additional rooms if desired. Privately located<br />
nicely off the road. VAST trail is close by.<br />
Listed at $200,000<br />
791 Broad Street<br />
Lyndonville, VT 05851<br />
(802) 626-9357<br />
Fax (802) 626-6913<br />
MLS# 2789774<br />
Peacham<br />
Outstanding village cape on a large level lot has been completely refurbished with<br />
all new replacement windows, insulation, sheetrock, interior and exterior paint, refinished<br />
floors, updated electric, and plumbing. Home is certified "Lead Safe",<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is nothing left to do but move in!<br />
$279,000<br />
Ongoing<br />
Events<br />
Mondays: Story Time, St. Johnsbury<br />
Athenaeum Youth Library, 10:30 a.m.<br />
(802) 748-8291.<br />
Mondays: Story Time, Pope Library,<br />
Danville, 10 a.m. (802) 684-2256.<br />
Mondays: Just Parents meet with concerns<br />
for drugs and kids, Parent Child<br />
Center, St. Johnsbury, 7 p.m. (802) 748-<br />
6040.<br />
1st Monday: <strong>North</strong> Danville Community<br />
Club, Meeting, 6 p.m. <strong>North</strong> Danville<br />
Community Center. (802) 748-9415.<br />
1st & 3rd Mondays: "Six O'clock<br />
Prompt," Writers' Support Group, 6:30<br />
p.m. Catamount Arts. (802) 633-2617.<br />
2nd Monday: Cancer Support Group,<br />
NVRH Conference Room A, 4 p.m. (802)<br />
748-8116.<br />
Last Monday: Alzheimer's Support<br />
Group, Caledonia Home Health, Sherman<br />
Drive, St. Johnsbury. 7 p.m. (802) 748-<br />
8116.<br />
Tuesdays: Baby & Toddler Story Hour,<br />
Cobleigh Library, Lyndonville. 10 a.m.<br />
(802) 626-5475.<br />
Tuesdays: Cribbage Tournaments, 6 p.m.<br />
Lake View Grange Hall, West Barnet. (802)<br />
684-3386.<br />
Tuesdays: Argentine Tango, 4:30-5:30 p.m.<br />
(beginners) 5:30-6:30 p.m. (intermediate)<br />
Teacher: Isabel Costa (603) 823-8163.<br />
2nd Tuesdays: Caledonia Right to Life<br />
will meet at St John's Catholic Church<br />
Parish Hall, 1375 Main St, St Johnsbury, VT<br />
at 7:30 pm. All are welcome.<br />
2nd & 4th Tuesday: Bereavement Support<br />
Group, Caledonia Home Health,<br />
Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury. 5:30 p.m.<br />
(802) 748-8116.<br />
2nd & 4th Tuesday: Drop-in quilting at 1<br />
p.m. at the Cobleigh Public Library, (802)<br />
626-5475.<br />
Wednesdays: Read 'n' Stuff, Cobleigh Library,<br />
Lyndonville. 3:30 p.m. (802) 626-<br />
5475.<br />
Wednesdays: Ordinary Magic. Meditation<br />
for Life, St. Johnsbury Shambhala<br />
Center, 17 Eastern Avenue, 6-7 p.m.<br />
3rd Wednesday: Cardiac Support<br />
Group, NVRH, 6:30 p.m. (802) 748-7401.<br />
Thursdays: Introduction to Computers,<br />
Cobleigh Library, Lyndonville. 10 a.m.<br />
(802) 626-5475.<br />
Thursdays: Live Music at Parker Pie in<br />
Glover. Call (802) 525-3366 for details.<br />
2nd Thursday: Film discussion following<br />
7 p.m. film at Catamount Arts, St. Johnsbury.<br />
(802) 748-8813.<br />
FOR SALE: 1988 Coachman Coventry Mobile Home<br />
2 Bedroom -14’ x 64’ - Good Condition<br />
Call 802-748-9072<br />
Selling Price $20,900 19,500<br />
3rd Thursday: Caregivers Support<br />
Group, Riverside Life Enrichment Center,<br />
10 a.m. (802) 626-3900.<br />
Thursdays: Read and Weed Book Club,<br />
Cobleigh Library, Lyndonville. 3:30 p.m.<br />
(802) 626-5475.<br />
Thursdays: Tutoring for GED and Adult<br />
Learning Programs, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.,<br />
Cobleigh Public Library.<br />
1st Fridays: Contra Dance, 8 p.m. at<br />
Danville Town Hall. All levels welcome.<br />
(802) 563-3225 or samlyman@myfairpoint.net.<br />
4th Fridays: Public readings at Green<br />
Mountain Books in Lyndonville. Call (802)<br />
626-5051 or E-mail greenmountainbooks@myfairpoint.net.<br />
Saturday & Sunday: Planetarium Show<br />
1:30 p.m. Fairbanks Museum, St. Johnsbury.<br />
(802) 748-2372.<br />
Saturdays: Bridge Club for all experience<br />
levels, Cobleigh Library, Lyndonville,<br />
12:30 p.m. (802) 626-5475.<br />
Saturdays: Winter Farmers Market in<br />
Lyndonville at the Breslin Community<br />
Center on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 2<br />
p.m.<br />
1st Saturday: Men's Ecumenical Breakfast,<br />
Methodist Church, Danville, 7 a.m.<br />
(802) 684-3666.<br />
Saturdays: St. Johnsbury Farmers Market<br />
behind TD Banknorth from 9 a.m. to 1<br />
p.m.<br />
1st Saturday: Scrabble Club, St. Johnsbury<br />
Athenaeum, Noon - 4 p.m. (802)<br />
748-8291.<br />
1st & 2nd Saturdays: Dance in the<br />
Kingdom at the Good Shephard School -<br />
Latin & Ballroom dance: Lessons at 7 p.m.<br />
followed by open dance, 8 to 10 p.m.<br />
(802) 748-3044<br />
2nd Saturdays: West Barnet Grange<br />
community breakfasts from 8-10 a.m.<br />
3rd Saturday: Breast Cancer Support<br />
Group, Caledonia Home Health, Sherman<br />
Drive, St. Johnsbury, 10 a.m. (802) 748-<br />
8116.<br />
E-Mail us your<br />
event at:<br />
info@northstarmonthly.com<br />
MLS# 2816255<br />
Barnet<br />
This stone cape is only 1 of 2 in VT known as a Scottish Croftor Cottage. Built in<br />
1796, the 5 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath home retains the original character such as wide<br />
board floors, 5 fireplaces, ceiling beams and more. 19.7 acres with view, garage,<br />
care-taker's apt. and several out-buildings.<br />
$595,000<br />
QUATRINI Real Estate<br />
1111 Main St. St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 email: c21qre@sover.net<br />
website: quatrini.com realtor.com<br />
(802) 748-9543<br />
ML#2815543<br />
Enjoy all the necessities on one floor. This home has a convenient kitchen with an<br />
adjoining dining room, a living room with a fireplace, two bedrooms and a full bath<br />
all on the main floor. <strong>The</strong> lower level has a large family room with a hearth and<br />
woodstove, a large den or office as well as a 3/4 bath/laundry room for even more<br />
space and convenience. A screened back porch, an oversized lot and a great<br />
neighborhood make this an ideal in town home.<br />
Priced Right at $150,000<br />
75 MT. PLEASANT ST.<br />
ST. JOHNSBURY, VT 05819<br />
802-748-8169 802-748-8855<br />
223 MAIN ST.<br />
LYNDONVILLE, VT 05851<br />
802-626-8333 802-626-9342<br />
www.parkwayrealtyassociates.com<br />
Open<br />
Monday - Saturday<br />
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.<br />
Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.<br />
Planetarium shows:<br />
Saturday & Sunday at 1:30<br />
W 802.745.1165<br />
56 Church Street<br />
St. Johnsbury VT 05819<br />
www.pointsnorthrealestategroup.com<br />
info@pnreg.com<br />
Connie<br />
Sleath<br />
Kelly<br />
Donaghy<br />
Patti<br />
Leduc<br />
Wendy<br />
Stimets-<br />
Henderson<br />
MLS# N2828186<br />
Recently renovated 3 Bdrm<br />
Mansard home has original woodwork,<br />
updated systems, large covered<br />
porch, well insulated,<br />
darkroom. Convenient in town location.<br />
HS Choice. $128,000<br />
N<br />
MLS# N2827104<br />
Very private home on 22+/-Acres with<br />
open floor plan, exposed beams, double<br />
fireplace and kitchen island. Large<br />
fenced garden area, flower beds and<br />
stone walls.<br />
$199,000<br />
S<br />
MLS# N2828556<br />
Updated and well kept 1850’s cape<br />
home. Eat-in kitchen, large pantry,<br />
family room with VT Castings gas<br />
stove, 4 Bdrms, 1.75 Baths and<br />
walk-in attic. Gardens and a<br />
barn/garage. HS Choice.<br />
$219,000<br />
E<br />
Danville<br />
Congregational<br />
Church<br />
United Church of Christ<br />
An Open and Affirming Congregation<br />
Rev. Douglas Carter<br />
Pastor<br />
Please Join Us<br />
for Worship at 10 a.m.<br />
Bring your family.<br />
Child care provided.<br />
(802) 684-1151<br />
www.danville-ucc.org
www.northstarmonthly.com MAY 2010 35<br />
Pope Notes<br />
with Dee Palmer, Library Director<br />
We are already gearing<br />
up for our Memorial<br />
Day Plant, Book and Bake<br />
Sale. <strong>The</strong> sale is on Monday,<br />
<strong>May</strong> 31 from 9am to noon<br />
on the library lawn. Again<br />
we ask for your help to remember<br />
the library and donate<br />
your perennials. We will<br />
take plant donations on<br />
Monday morning – before<br />
8:30. Please label your plants<br />
with the type and color.<br />
Anyone wishing to donate<br />
books for the sale may do so the<br />
week before: <strong>May</strong> 24 – 29. We<br />
ask that all donated books are<br />
clean and in good shape. We cannot<br />
take text books. We will have<br />
books for all ages at great prices.<br />
We will also be selling coffee,<br />
lemonade and delicious baked<br />
goods from some of Danville’s<br />
best bakers. We hope to see you<br />
there!<br />
Have you noticed the easel in<br />
front of the library under the<br />
tree? This summer we will be<br />
part of “<strong>The</strong> Easel Project”.<br />
Easels will be set up in various locations<br />
in neighboring towns for<br />
anyone who would like to paint.<br />
Just bring your canvas and paint<br />
and create! Maps will be available<br />
for the locations of other easels.<br />
Some of our latest book acquisitions<br />
are: Alice I Have Been<br />
by Benjamin, <strong>The</strong> Farmer’s<br />
Daughter by Harrison (short stories),<br />
Roses by Meacham, Miss<br />
Julia Renews Her Vows by Ross,<br />
Hope for the Animals and <strong>The</strong>ir<br />
World: How Endangered Species<br />
are Being Rescued From the<br />
Brink by Goodall and Women,<br />
Food and God: An Unexpected<br />
Path to Almost Everything by<br />
Roth. New books on CD are:<br />
<strong>The</strong> Reliable Wife by Goolrick<br />
and <strong>The</strong> Girl with the Dragon<br />
Tattoo and <strong>The</strong> Girl Who Played<br />
with Fire by Larsson.<br />
Don’t forget to check out our<br />
on-going book sale. We have<br />
many great new titles – paperbacks<br />
for $2.00 and Hardcovers<br />
for $3.00.<br />
From the Children’s Room<br />
Story hour continues until<br />
Monday, June 7 and will resume<br />
in September. Our summer reading<br />
program “Splash into Reading”<br />
will take place in the<br />
meantime. We will have lots<br />
water related activities, games and<br />
books for all ages. Every child<br />
who participates will receive a<br />
summer reading journal and a<br />
certificate. More details to follow.<br />
#2780735<br />
<strong>The</strong> Grange Hall in St Johnsbury Center is still<br />
available. <strong>The</strong>re are about 150 antique chairs<br />
included. It has a great meeting hall with stage<br />
and hardwood floors. Down stairs includes a<br />
social area with kitchen, passthru, eating or<br />
meeting area and washrooms. <strong>The</strong> Green<br />
Mountain Grange #1 wants you to make an<br />
offer.<br />
It's listed at $80,000<br />
• domain name registration<br />
• website design<br />
• search engine optimization<br />
RENTAL<br />
This Grand Victorian two flat is located in downtown<br />
St Johnsbury's commercial area. Plenty<br />
of parking. Each 1,600-square foot apartment<br />
may be rented separately. Hardwood floors,<br />
fancy wood work, separate entrances,<br />
screened porches. Have your office downstairs<br />
and live upstairs. <strong>The</strong> rents for the apartments<br />
or for the whole building are negotiable. Broker<br />
owned.<br />
BEGIN REALTY ASSOCIATES<br />
• website hosting<br />
• website traffic statistics<br />
• website management<br />
custom website design at<br />
reasonable rates...<br />
terry miller • po box 280 • peacham vt<br />
(802) 592-3153 • tmillerwebdesign.com<br />
Visit our new office!<br />
101 Depot Street, Lyndonville, VT<br />
802-626-4790 phone info@stonecrestpropertiesvt.com<br />
www.Ston eCrestPropertiesVT.com<br />
#2814481<br />
This is a starter home in St Johnsbury. Very<br />
nicely kept, fenced back yard, Covered porch<br />
and patio, 2-3 Bedrooms, 2 baths, room for expansion<br />
in the big attic. Right at the edge of<br />
the village.<br />
$95,000<br />
BEGIN REALTY ASSOCIATES<br />
RESIDENTIAL - LAND - RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES<br />
Call me at (802) 748-1145<br />
E-mail me at susan@aikencrest.com<br />
or visit www.aikencrest.com<br />
Hi friends, keep in mind Aikencrest<br />
can care for your property. As a rental,<br />
as a vacant property while you're<br />
away. If you have moved to another<br />
area and need property management,<br />
Aikencrest is available for your<br />
property's needs. We tailor our care<br />
to fit your purposes. Call us and we'll<br />
tell you all about it.<br />
PHOTO<br />
REPRINTS<br />
are at<br />
YOUR FINGERTIPS...<br />
TWO STORY CAMP<br />
ML2826640 Live off the grid and enjoy million dollar views of the White<br />
Mountains. Sited on 43 acres in Danville, this camp gives you complete<br />
privacy. Great area for hunting and snowmobiling. Wood stove hook up<br />
and propane appliances.<br />
$259,000<br />
DANVILLE HOME<br />
ML2759454 Built Circa 1908 by local craftsman is basically untouched,<br />
not spoiled and retains it's original warmth and charm. <strong>The</strong> exterior is<br />
highlighted by a wrap-around porch, the interior is spacious w/10<br />
rooms including 4BRs and 2 baths. <strong>The</strong> nearly 1-acre lot allows ample<br />
room to garden and play including access to the VAST trail. Get a<br />
piece of local history today.<br />
$164,900<br />
Visit<br />
northstarmonthly.com<br />
Main Street<br />
Danville, VT 05828<br />
(802) 684-1127<br />
<strong>Star</strong>t your<br />
search here.<br />
309 Portland St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819<br />
(802) 748-2045<br />
Providing Professional and Courteous Service<br />
www.beginrealty.com<br />
to order online<br />
and have the print<br />
SHIPPED TO<br />
YOUR DOOR<br />
Many different<br />
print sizes are<br />
available.<br />
PHOTOS FROM:<br />
Danville Fair<br />
Caledonia<br />
County Fair<br />
Fourth of July<br />
Celebrations<br />
SHOP ONLINE<br />
TODAY!!<br />
NICE LITTLE COTTAGE<br />
ML2829641 Looking for that summer home or maybe you're a first-time<br />
home buyer looking for an affordable home? Consider this 2BR, 1-bath<br />
home on 2+ acres. Small pond on property, front porch, just 4 miles to<br />
Peacham.<br />
BEGIN REALTY ASSOCIATES<br />
$145,000<br />
WATERFRONT HOME<br />
ML2825706 Year round waterfront home on the 3rd pond at Joe's Pond on<br />
a town maintained road. 6 rooms, 3 BRs, 2 baths, large enclosed porch,<br />
boat house, deck, 50 feet of frontage -- all in topnotch condition and<br />
ready for you to enjoy this year.<br />
BEGIN REALTY ASSOCIATES<br />
$349,900
36 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY<br />
Events in<br />
theNEK<br />
MAY<br />
SAT.1:<br />
Spring into Summer Celebration, pie breakfast<br />
and silent auction, 8:30 a.m. Christ<br />
Church, State Street, Montpelier.<br />
Vermont Vaudeville at the Hardwick Townhouse,<br />
6-8 p.m. Vermont Vaudeville is back<br />
again with a laughter-filled evening for the<br />
whole family. Brent McCoy, <strong>May</strong>a Curvelo,<br />
Rose Friedman and Justin Lander bring internationally<br />
touring musicians, circus performers,<br />
comedians, and eccentrics to the historic<br />
Hardwick Town House stage for a community<br />
event you don’t want to miss. Call (802) 472-<br />
5920 or visit www.nekarts.org for more info.<br />
WED.5:<br />
Vermont Youth Orchestra and Chorus auditions<br />
by appointment. Elley-Long Music Center<br />
Saint Michael's College, Colchester. For<br />
additional information, please contact<br />
Lisamarie Charlesworth at (802) 655.5030<br />
or lisamarie@vyo.org.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Truth about Happiness. What is happiness,<br />
and why is it so elusive? Are Americans<br />
particularly hungry for happiness? Analyst<br />
and author Dr. Polly Young-Eisendrath examines<br />
the cultural and psychological context of<br />
happiness at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 7<br />
p.m.<br />
Quilt a <strong>Star</strong> at the Old Stone House Museum,<br />
10-2 p.m. Instructor Diana Lopez turns a<br />
unique family pattern for a repeating star into<br />
a design for today. Registration required by<br />
<strong>May</strong> 3. Call (802) 754-2022 or E-mail education@oldstonehousemuseum.org<br />
for more<br />
info.<br />
WED.12:<br />
West Danville Community Club Annual<br />
Meeting at the W. Danville Methodist<br />
Church, 6:15 p.m. potluck, 7p.m. business<br />
meeting.<br />
FRI.14:<br />
Bob Amos Band - Special CD Release Concert,<br />
7:30-9:30 p.m. <strong>The</strong> Bob Amos Band,<br />
one of the <strong>North</strong>east Kingdom's most popular<br />
musical acts, will present a special<br />
concert of new original material from Bob's<br />
new CD Wide Open Blue. All ticket proceeds<br />
will be donated to Catamount Arts.<br />
(802) 748-2600. <strong>North</strong> Congregational<br />
Church, 1325 Main St. St. Johnsbury.<br />
SAT.15:<br />
Songwriting Success Workshop, 9 a.m. -<br />
4:30 p.m. 115 Eastern Ave, St. Johnsbury,<br />
VT (Catamount Arts building downstairs).<br />
This day long class will cover the fundamentals<br />
of how to write songs designed for<br />
the commerical market. More info (802)<br />
633-2204, email: john@heartson.com.<br />
Annual St. Johnsbury Athenaeum Spring<br />
Gala, 6:30-8:30 p.m. An array of delectable<br />
hors d'oeuvres and an auction of<br />
works of art by well-known Vermont artists.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Derby Line Barbershop Quartet will<br />
provide musical entertainment. Tickets are<br />
available at the Athenaeum or call for<br />
more information. Phone: (802) 748-8291.<br />
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 1171 Main St.<br />
St. Johnsbury, VT. Web: www.stjathenaeum.org.<br />
Back in the Saddle Kingdom Trails<br />
fundraiser concert at the Tamarack Grille<br />
at Burke Mountain, 7-9 p.m. Visit<br />
www.kingdomtrails.org for more info.<br />
SUN.16:<br />
NEK Audubon Conte Wildlife Refuge field<br />
trip. Bring your cameras. We'll try to take<br />
some pictures of warblers and migrating<br />
passerines before the trees leaf out.<br />
FRI.21:<br />
Opening Day of the Peacham Corner Guild.<br />
Antiques, handcrafted gifts, specialty<br />
foods and plant sale. Open through mid-<br />
October 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.<br />
to 5 p.m., closed Tuesdays. 592-3332, located<br />
in the heart of Peacham Village.<br />
Woodworkers Symposium and Trade Show<br />
in St. Johnsbury, 4-8 p.m. <strong>The</strong> Vermont<br />
Woodnet Organization hosts the most important<br />
conference and trade show for the<br />
woodworking industry in Vermont. <strong>The</strong><br />
Woodworkers Symposium and Trade Show<br />
is a vital part of the networking, sales and<br />
marketing strategy of successful and up<br />
and coming woodworkers. At St. Johnsbury<br />
Academy, 1000 Main St. St. Johnsbury, VT.<br />
Visit www.vtwoodnet.org for more info.<br />
400 Miles Down the Connecticut River -<br />
Michael Tougias offers a slide presentation<br />
down the entire river, discussing its history,<br />
7-9 p.m. New England's longest river, the<br />
Connecticut, is rich in history and natural<br />
history. Michael Tougias, author of 14<br />
books about New England, offers a narrated<br />
slide presentation. Call (802) 626-<br />
9828 for more info. Sheffield Town Hall,<br />
Route 122, Sheffield, VT.<br />
SAT.22:<br />
<strong>The</strong> 2nd Annual Kingdom Dandelion Run -<br />
A relay marathon along rows of dandelions.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Dandelion Run is a competitive and<br />
recreational half marathon relay event for<br />
runners of all ages and all abilities along<br />
roads passing through the <strong>North</strong>east Kingdom's<br />
world famous fields of dandelions.<br />
E-mail run@orleansrecreation.org, visit<br />
www.dandelionrun.org or call Pete or Julie<br />
at (802) 334-8511 for more info.<br />
SUN.23:<br />
NEK Audubon Birdathon. Travel the NEKs<br />
birding hotspots and try to break 100<br />
species. Last year we had 106 including a<br />
Ruddy Turnstone.<br />
Long time Joe’s Ponder John Moore takes a break near Gonaives,<br />
Haiti to catch up on the news in Danville. He was volunteering with<br />
"Engineers without Borders" to provide technical assistance on agricultural<br />
water supply issues as part of the reconstruction efforts following<br />
the earthquake.<br />
Better Hearing Health Month<br />
Give your<br />
Mother<br />
the gift of<br />
better<br />
hearing.<br />
FRI.7:<br />
Highland Express - ideRide bus travels from<br />
East Burke for a day of ripping world class<br />
downhill, freeride, slopestyle and dirt jump<br />
lines at Highland Mountain Bike Park, 7:30<br />
a.m. to 7:30 p.m.Call (802) 777-5778 or<br />
(802) 745-7112 for more info.<br />
First Friday Art Talks at the Art House in<br />
Craftsbury, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Judy Dales<br />
- Quiltmaker. Call (802) 586-2545or E-mail:<br />
vtarthouse@gmail.com for more information.<br />
SAT.8:<br />
NEK Audubon Blue Mountain School Trails:<br />
Larry Clarfeld of the <strong>North</strong> Branch Nature<br />
Center will lead a youth birding field trip in the<br />
morning. To register, call Laura at 751-7671<br />
or email stonesandstars@myfairpoint.net.<br />
Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen at the<br />
Music Box, 7:30 p.m. <strong>The</strong> Music Box, 147<br />
Creek Rd, Craftsbury. Two of the best in the<br />
folk music world. You can get more info at<br />
586-7533 or www.themusicboxvt.org.<br />
TUES.18:<br />
Reading & Book Signing: William Alexander,<br />
<strong>The</strong> Galaxy Bookshop in Hardwick. He<br />
chronicles his year of breadmaking in the<br />
new book, 52 Loaves. Alexander's journey<br />
takes the reader from ancient Egypt to a<br />
modern day yeast mill to an abandoned<br />
bakery at a French monastery. Call (802)<br />
472-5533 or visit<br />
www.galaxybookshop.com for more information.<br />
Howard Frank Mosher at the Cobleigh Library,<br />
7-9 p.m. Please join Green Mountain<br />
Books and Prints and the Cobleigh Library<br />
in welcoming Howard Frank Mosher for a<br />
book signing and slideshow highlighting<br />
and discussing his newest novel Walking to<br />
Gatlinburg. Cobleigh Library, 14 Depot St.<br />
Lyndonville.<br />
THURS.27:<br />
Book Signing with Jennifer Steil at the St.<br />
Johnsbury Athenaeum, 7 p.m.. Her new<br />
book, “<strong>The</strong> Woman Who Fell from the Sky,”<br />
is an intimate and surprising look at the<br />
role of the media in the Muslin country of<br />
Yemen from an American female journalist<br />
living and working (and falling in love) in<br />
this little known place.<br />
SAT.29:<br />
NEK Audubon trip to Victory Basin and<br />
Miles Pond. Bring your binoculars and<br />
cameras. We'll try for 20 species of warblers<br />
and maybe a few moose.<br />
SUN.30:<br />
Old <strong>North</strong> Church Memorial Day Lamplight<br />
Service; worship leader, the Rev. Bob Sargent,<br />
7 PM.<br />
198 Eastern Avenue St. Johnsbury, VT 05819<br />
(802) 748-4852 (800) 838-4327<br />
Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9-4<br />
America’s Largest Hearing<br />
Instrument Manufacturer<br />
To learn more, visit<br />
www.starkey.com<br />
Sandra Day, BC-HIS<br />
Call for a<br />
FREE<br />
Hearing<br />
Screening<br />
Sandra Day, BC-HIS<br />
Rebecca Armstrong<br />
Isabelle Armstrong<br />
Spring Worker Bee at the Old Stone House<br />
Museum, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friends of the museum<br />
help spruce up the buildings and<br />
grounds in preparation for the museum opening<br />
on <strong>May</strong> 15. Call (802) 754-2022 for more<br />
info.<br />
Ballet Wolcott’s Third Annual Spring Performance<br />
at the Hardwick Townhouse, 6:30-8:30<br />
p.m. Enjoy diverse dance performances–including<br />
ballet, West African, lyrical, jazz, hiphop,<br />
and tap–by Ballet Wolcott students.<br />
Phone: (802) 472-5920. <strong>The</strong> Hardwick Town<br />
House, 127 Church Street, Hardwick, VT.<br />
Web: www.nekarts.org<br />
Lyndon Community Chorus and St. Johnsbury<br />
Band Concert, 7-8 p.m. Phone:(802) 626-<br />
6459. Alexander Twilight <strong>The</strong>atre, Lyndon<br />
State College, 1001 College Rd. Lyndonville,<br />
VT. Email: susan.gallagher@lyndonstate.edu.<br />
SUN.9:<br />
Bike Ride in Peacham with the Green Mountain<br />
Club. Ottauquechee Section. Mother's<br />
Day Loop from Wells River to Peacham via<br />
Ticklenaked Pond, back on Peacham Rd. and<br />
Rte 302. About 25 miles. Road or hybrid bike.<br />
Moderate to strenous. Call to register. Phone:<br />
(802) 785-2129. Web: www.greenmountainclub.org<br />
Mothers Day 10K/ 5K Fun Run at Burke<br />
Mountain, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Traversing the<br />
ruggedly beautiful countryside at the base of<br />
Burke Mountain in East Burke, the course offers<br />
unsurpassed views of Willoughby Gap<br />
and Burke Mountain. Walkers are welcome.<br />
Call (802) 748-5880 or visit www.umbrellanek.org<br />
for more info.