March 2007 e.qxd - The North Star Monthly

Special Maple IssueSee Page 16 & 17DANVILLE, VERMONT GOOD FOR THE WHOLE MONTH $1.50MARCH 2007Volume 18, Number 11PAGE TENPlanning andDevelopment in theNortheast KingdomAlan Boye -College Teacherand AuthorIce Fishing Tests HumanExperience Against FishHidden from ViewPAGE ELEVENThis is NotYour Mother’sTuna CasserolePAGE SEVENTEENKate Beattie’sFamousMaple Cream PieDOLLY WAS AMORGANMARELOIS (FIELD) WHITEDolly was my mother’sMorgan mare on ourfarms in Peacham. Dollywas a dark bay with the characteristicwhite splotch on her forehead.She had the sprightlyMorgan air and a quick step. Shewas girlish in her demeanor,unlike the matronly Maude andMolly, our originally dapple gray(and later white) work-horses.Mother rode Dolly and droveher in the gig, the buggy andsleigh. Dad drove her hitched tothe sleigh when we went to myKinerson grandparents on EastHill and on other trips as well.Dolly was afraid of water runningbeneath plank bridges andjust could not be driven acrossthem. I remember being bundledup in the sleigh on the way to mygrandparents one day atChristmastime and Dad havingto get out and lead her acrossbridges between our farm andEast Hill. I rode Dolly when Iwas old enough, up through myyears in high school and later.Dad said Dolly was too fastfor me to drive with the dumprake in haying season. But I diddrive her hitched up with Molly(See Dolly Was a on Page 8)ADRIAN DUCKETTAlan Boye has an air ofknowledge about him, astatement with which hemay humbly disagree. He hasbeen a professor at Lyndon StateCollege for several decades, andhe cannot picture himself doinganything else. He teaches Englishliterature and writing, but hisviews on writing, especiallyteaching writing, seem unique.When he reaches for his Zen garden,a sand-filled bowl with a tinyrake and gently curved rocks, heseems to be planning his nextclass.Interestingly, in a time whenthe world’s natural beauty isdecreasing, Boye’s writing isfocused mainly on aesthetics. Hebelieves that writing will alwayshave a place in the future,although that future is unclear.Boye spends much of his timewriting for several reasons. “Inpart I write because it allows me toknow what I’m thinking. If I don’tcommunicate somehow what’s inmy head, it becomes unclear. Ialso write because often it feelslike another person takes over, thewords flow almost without mycontrol. Third, I like to think thatwhat I write resonates within areader, and that kind of communicationis a meaningful part of myexistence.”Many writers, especially thosewho, like Boye, write fiction,struggle to make ends meet byrelying solely on their craft. Oftenthey have another source ofincome, one that pays the bills,and that allows fiction writers todo what they do. For Boye, teachingbecame this other income. Hehas been teaching almost as longas he has been writing, and he seesteaching, or passing on usefulinformation, as a crucial part ofhow society advances. “Humanityprogresses by people passing onwhat they know to the people whocome after them,” he says. “That’sessentially what teaching isabout.”Boye rarely sees students suddenlymake significant leaps in theclassroom. He says that type ofachievement is sometimes manifestedlater, when a graduate findshim- or herself in a situationwhere a class lesson learnedbecomes useful. He says therehave been people who havereturned and told him how hiscourse had helped somehow,(See We Should All on Page 7)Photo By: North Star MonthlyJohn Duquette is serious about ice fishing. Even on a day whenschools all over the state are closed for the weather, he has hauledhis portable shelter out onto this lake to try his luck against laketrout and perch.TERRY HOFFERIt was one of the coldest days of the winter, and the forecast was forheavy snow. John Duquette of Danville had invited me to join himfor a day of ice fishing, and our plan was to meet at 9 o’clock in themorning.Snow was falling hard as I parked at the boat access. Wind was blowing,and I noticed the thermometer in my car read 3°. I could barely makeout the profile of his fishing shelter 300 yards from the shoreline. As Ipushed through the snow I found his straight line of tip-ups fading fromsight and the last of his footprints filling with windblown snow.Duquette is a thoughtful and polite young man, a graduate ofDanville High School in the class of 2003. He works at Caplan’s ArmyStore in St. Johnsbury and fields all sorts of questions about hunting andfishing and clothing for outdoor recreation. Wednesdays are his day off,and we’d talked about this one for nearly a year.By the time I got to the low shelter, Duquette had heard me calling.He unzipped the door and welcomed me inside. He’d gotten here beforefirst light, and after setting up his equipment he’d taken a well-deservedbreak. The collapsible shelter weighs about 50 pounds folded onto a sled,and his fishing gear, live bait, auger, food and heavy weather clothingmust combine to more than 150 pounds. On clear ice that could be easypulling, but in new snow, a foot or so deep, getting this all here in a singletrip was anything but easy.Duquette says he’s been ice fishing for as long as he can remember,and a family picture taken on Harvey’s Lake shows him on the ice at 2or 3. He talks about ice fishing with his brother and father every winter,weekly trips to the Connecticut River above the Moore Dam. “It’s whatwe did in the winter,” he says. “We’d get up in the dark no matter whatthe weather. We’d dig our holes and get the tip-ups in place and then myfather would cook up a pile of scrambled eggs and sausage. My fatherliked to eat as much as we did so food wasn’t an issue. My brother and(See Ice Fishing on Page 6)P.O. Box 319 Danville, VT 05828-0319Monday-Friday 8-5Saturday 8-2 & Sunday 9-1St. Johnsbury Center 802-748-3127Photo By: North Star MonthlyAlan Boye may be planning his next English class at Lyndon StateCollege as he studies his Zen garden and rearranges the sand intonew forms and associations.

2 The North Star Monthly March 2007The True Patrons of Our TownsTown Meeting is upon us. Known by some as the epitome of the democratic process, townmeeting in Vermont is on the first Tuesday in March, and then we’ll gather together. (Some willgather anyway, as others are too busy or simply determined that their presence and participationdon’t matter.) Susan Clark and Frank Bryan collected data from 1,435 town meetings in 210Vermont towns between 1970 and 1998 to find that a statistical 20.5% of the electorate were at townmeeting. Four out of five of us were somewhere else.Much has been said about the process of town meeting and all of its imperfections, but surely itis deliberative, and everyone has a chance (in our town it’s specified as two chances on each) tocomment or inquire about the various subjects of discussion. If you don’t make the time to attend,listen, consider and perhaps speak up and ultimately be counted, you should, but you know that, andyou know that decisions about the budgets and about all of the special appropriation requests areslightly less valid because of your absence. If you are among the 20.5% of the voters who do attendtown meeting and participate then I take off my hat and say bravo.But the real message of this commentary is based upon my reckless assumption that you doattend, that you are part of the determined minority that believes in town meeting and has the (perhapsit is a) luxury of time to be there.This year on March 6, I’d like you to take a moment at your town meeting and quietly givethanks for the hours of time and the vast number of meetings that are attended by your selectmenand members of the school board. Give thanks for the people on the planning commission and theconservation committee. Give thanks for the people on the rescue squad and the fire department, thebudget committee, recreation committee, recycling committee, cemetery association and all of theothers, too. You know who they are. Their names are in the town report, and if you don’t know themI challenge you to ask the moderator to make the introduction to you and to everyone else who won’task.These volunteers, who are exactly that, give tremendously of their time for a weightless return,the mere dusting of satisfaction that comes from knowing that somehow the process and the communitywere improved by their participation. There is no substance to the argument that people are servingtheir towns as volunteers for the fame or the glory. I have examined this carefully, and theabsence of glory lingers far longer than the fleeting fame that surrounds the moderator’s announcementthat you are elected or the momentary bliss that occurs when the selectboard makes you itsappointment.Let me be clear, in the big picture, it can be personally satisfying, but the hours are long and attimes the meetings seem to run on without end.These men and women who fill these positions and those like them are the true patrons, thebenefactors of our towns - the ones who take care of the details and fine print. They keep themachines running, the policies up to date and the municipal system of our culture as effective as it is.Give thanks quietly if you must, but speak up if you can, and tell them that their gifts are not takenfor granted.By the way, the conclusions of Susan Clark and Frank Bryan were published as a means toinvigorate town meeting and inspire more of us to participate. Whether you are an old hand at theprocess or a recent arrival, their fine book, All Those in Favor, should be required reading beforeyour step up to the checklist.Terry HofferNurturing CreativityA literal interpretation of Abraham Lincoln’s words, that all men (here read as people) are createdequal, is wrong. There are unalterable differences imposed by genetics. As obvious examples,roughly half of the world’s population can never bear a child, and the other half has no chance ofdeveloping prostate cancer. Within each gender, there are easily identified physical differences—strength, height, speed, agility, to mention a few—that are largely determined by the luck of thegenetic dice, a natural but inequitable system of distribution. There are other, less visible, biologicaldifferences such as the biochemical machinery of our metabolism, our sleep needs, and, relevant tothis discussion, how our brains operate.It is my humbly ignorant impression that the totality of knowledge on the working of thehuman brain is a dust mote on one side of the balance of enlightenment, grossly outweighed by theenormity of what is yet to be learned. Nevertheless, it is obvious to me that there are definite differencesin how we attend to and interpret the sights and sounds (and other bits of information) that fillour days, how we plan and organize, how we solve problems. Consider yourself. Do you enjoyword games over number games? What about puzzles? Are you better at understanding verbal orwritten directions? How are you at reading maps?We are not all equal. Of course, in many ways we are. We all have the capability to communicate.There is a universal ability to form relationships. There is an innate capacity to be creative.Beyond the capacity, it seems there is a need to be creative. Creativity serves to satisfy both our reasonand our emotions, with practical results that affect every aspect of our lives. Creativity is theengine of problem solving. It drives scientific advances, diplomatic solutions, humor, as well aswhat are more typically considered creative, the visual and performing arts.I will let the neurobiologist, psychologists, philosophers and theologians debate the mechanismsof the creative process; it is an awe-inspiring mystery to me. Like language, however, creativitymust be nurtured if it is to develop. Furthermore, the opportunities and methods of nurturing creativityneed to recognize the differences in creative aptitude imposed by our genetic predispositions.Our personal and community efforts to support the development of creative young minds mustaccommodate this variety of abilities. I believe that both informally at home, and formally throughthe educational system, we need to assure children the opportunity for exploring creative expressionthrough numbers, words, images, body movement, sounds and emotions. It appears this view isshared by many parents in St. Johnsbury, (at least with respect to music).I am pleased that so many spoke in support of the band program at the St. Johnsbury townschool that the school board reversed its cost-cutting proposal and reinstated the band program.Assuring support for music, art, physical education and other “non-academic” efforts to nurture creativitydraws upon the creative abilities of taxpayers and school directors in all communities.Tim TannerEDITORIAL OFFICES:P.O. Box 319 ~ 29 Hill StreetDanville, VT 05828-0319(802) 684-1056EDITOR:Terry HofferART DIRECTOR:Suzanne TannerCONTRIBUTINGEDITOR:Tim TannerCIRCULATION:Kathy HofferADVERTISING:Vicki MooreEDITORIAL ADVISORYBOARD:John HaygoodJane LarrabeeSusan LynaughBetsy McKayThe North Star Monthly (ISSN#1043-8041) is produced andpublished monthly by Polestar Publishing, Inc. located at 29 Hill Street,Danville, VT. Subscription Rates are $15.00 per year. Printed in USA.Copyright 2007 by Polestar Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No partof this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced withoutexpressed permission from Polestar Publishing, Inc. Publisher is notresponsible for errors resulting from typographical errors. Acceptance ofadvertising is subject to publisher’s approval and agreement by theadvertiser to indemnify the publisher from loss or expense on claimsbased upon contents of the advertising. Publisher does not assume liabilityfor errors in any advertising beyond the cost of the space occupiedby the individual item in which the error appeared.Postmaster: Send address changes to The North Star Monthly,P.O. Box 319, Danville, VT 05828-0319. Periodical postage paid atDanville, VT.Contributors to this issue include: Lynn A. Bonfield,Denise Brown, Matt Clancy, Adrian Duckett, Lorna Quimby, Jeff Gold& Ellen Gold, Bruce Hoyt, John Downs, Betty Hatch, Stephen Jones,Paula LaRochelle, Isobel P. Swartz, Rachel Siegel, Van Parker, Bets &Peter Albright, Beverly McCann, Vanna Guldenschuh, GerdHirschmann, Andrew Riely, Alice S. Kitchel & Burton Zahler, BillChristiansen, Dee Palmer, Lois (Field) White and Dan Zucker.e-mail: northstar@kingcon.comwww.northstarmonthly.comWritetoUsLetters tothe Editor:T.N. VailDear North Star,I’d like to add a footnote toVirginia Downs’ article on T.N.LETTERS: Write to The North Star, and let usknow what’s on your mind. Your point of viewor observation is important to us. Letters mustbe signed.ARTICLES: We don’t have a big staff of writers.So we look forward to your sending yourwriting. If you have questions or ideas andwant to ask us first, please call. We’ll send ourguidelines. No fiction, please.PHOTOS: We’d like to see your photos andwelcome them with a story or without. Theycan be black-and-white or color, but they mustbe clear.PRESS RELEASES: We prefer press releasesthat are unique to The North Star.DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior to publication.All materials will be considered on a spaceavailable basis.Vail [February 2007].I took my young sons to visittheir century old great auntBeatrice (Parker) Darling inDanville a few years ago.Wishing to bring the conversationacross the generations toengage the interest of the boys, I(See Letters on Page 4)

The North Star Monthly March 2007 3Red Cloud Prefers Death on Warpath to Starvation on ReservationSecretary of War Belknap Faces ImpeachmentThe North Star“WHERE LIBERTY DWELLS THERE IS MY COUNTRY”1807-1891Est. by Ebenezer EatonDanville, VermontTHE NORTH STARMarch 3, 1876Experiment Station inVermont - The State Board ofAgriculture have resolved to establishan experiment station underthe charge of Prof. Henry Seely, secretaryof the board. The Boardresolved that Prof. Seely “be authorizedto make such investigationsand experiments as shall seem likelyto simplify and explain the relationsof science to agriculture, makeadditions to our knowledge andskill in the cultivation of the soiland raising and care of stock andprotect us from fraud and impositionwithout expense to the Boardor state.” The questions to beanswered are for instance, such asthese: the raising of cream at differenttemperatures, the compositionand coloring of butter, the chemicaldecomposition of butter andcheese, the questions of fertilizers,food rations for livestock, testingthe hardiness of varieties of apples,parasites and diseases. Althoughthe work to be accomplished mustnecessarily be small when comparedto that of stations endowedand sustained by governmentpatronage, much can be done.The town officers of St.Johnsbury have refused to abate alot of poll taxes assessed againstpoor people in that town on theGrand List of 1875. The collectorhas already put one man in jail fornonpayment and he intends to gothrough the whole lot in the samemanner. In the meantime of coursethe town will have to provide forthe families of such as are imprisoned.This of course may be consideredin a money point of view aspenny wise and pound foolish.March 10, 1876The question of the removal ofthe capital of Pennsylvania fromHarrisburg to Philadelphia is underdiscussion by the newspapers ofthat state.London has five thousandmiles of gas mains and fifty-fourthousand street lamps which burnthree million cubic feet of gas eachnight.“Red Cloud” and several hundredwarriors are reported to havegone north in Nebraska leaving themessage behind that they prefer todie on the warpath than to starveon the reservation.Secretary of War Bribed by anIndian Trader - On March 3 theHouse Committee onExpenditures presented resolutionsof impeachment against WilliamBelknap, late Secretary of War, forhigh crimes and misdemeanors. AMr. Marsh of New York City testifiedbefore the committee that hehad procured of Mr. Belknap a contractfor certain post tradeships atFort Sill and other points in thesouthwest, for which he paid thewife of the Secretary ten thousanddollars cash and continued to payas long as he retained the officesome six thousand dollars perannum. He testified to other fraudson the part of the Secretary andproduced records in evidence ofevery statement. Secretary Belknapwas summoned to the committeeand when confronted with the testimonyhe confessed that the statementwere true. He implored thecommittee to save his wife from dishonorand suppress some of themost pointed proofs provided thehorrible record of corruption waswithheld and to this arrangementhe would plead guilty and resign.The Town of Danville paid$44.50 for tramps last year.March 17, 1876The Belknap Case - Theimpeachment of Secretary of WarBelknap progresses rather slowly.Marsh, the principal witness, hasfled to Canada and unless hisreturn can be secured proceedingswill be stayed for the present. TheSecretary has been arraigned beforethe Police Court at Washingtonand released on $25,000 bail. TheWashington correspondent of TheNew York World describes hisappearance of the disgracedSecretary as anything but cheerful.Admission of New Mexico -The Senate resumed considerationof the bill to enable the people ofNew Mexico to form a State and beadmitted to the Union.Canker Rash - The canker rashhas been on the rampage in thistown during the last week. Chas. H.Davis has two children that havebeen very sick, hardly expected tosurvive and Wm. French also onein the same condition.March 24, 1876The International TelegraphCompany has now a complete linefrom St. Johnsbury to Swanton.Two thousand dollars have beenexpended the past season in newline and repairs, and now it is incomplete order.Another Fire in St. Johnsbury- On Monday forenoon about halfpast 11 a fire broke out in the oldsteam mill building, so called,opposite the passenger depot in St.Johnsbury. The fire took in the secondstory on the south end inrooms occupied by a Mr. Howard.The building was used for a varietyof purposes as follows: J.M.Warner, mowing machines, andHorace Carpenter, wood work, onthe first floor. The upper part wasoccupied for door and sash manufacturingand other purposes. Inthe basement was Laird Brothersmachinery for polishing granite. Inthe rear of the building was Miller’scarriage shop, which was partiallydestroyed.Mrs. Kate Plum who poisonedherself and son at Bridport died onSunday night.Daniel Morrison was struck bya bridge and killed Saturdayevening while stealing a ride on thetop of a freight car from Rutland toWest Rutland.March 31, 1876Another Great Storm - LastSaturday afternoon and nightanother great storm swept over NewEngland and the Middle States. Inthis section and throughoutVermont it was mostly snow, but inMassachusetts, Connecticut andRhode Island it was a heavy rainaccompanied by floods and freshetssweeping away dams and bridges,washing out railroads, submergingvalleys and lowlands destroyingproperty in the amount of severalhundreds of thousands of dollars.Large Farming - The magnitudeof the farming operations carriedon by the Fairbankses at St.Johnsbury under the direction ofA. S. Livingston may be partiallyunderstood from the fact that thecompany raised 2,000 bushels ofgrain and cut 400 tons of hay. Theykeep 100 head of cattle, 50 sheepand 55 horses. The horses are keptup year round and the hay andgrain is all fed out on the premises.The farmers of Peacham haveorganized a farmers’ club and theirmeetings, every Friday evening, arereported as interesting and profitable.Castoria - Dr. Samuel Pitcher ofHyannis, Mass. experimented in hisprivate practice for twenty years toproduce a combination that wouldhave the properties of Castor Oilwithout its unpleasant taste andgriping effect. His preparation wassent for, near and far, till he finallygave it the name Castoria and put itup for sale. It is very wonderful particularlywith disordered stomachsand the bowels of children. It assimilatesthe food, cures sour stomachand wind colic, regulates the bowels,expels worms and may be reliedupon in croup. Castoria is put up atthe Laboratory of J.B. Rose & Co.,46 Dey Street, New York.Haven’t heardfrom yourneighborsin a while?Take ’ema copy ofthe North Star...... or let us send it.The North StarOnly $15.00(17% off the cover price!)$24.00 for foreign subscriptionsOr Send a Year to Yourself.Please! Send a gift subscription to:NameAddressCity State ZipYOUR NAMEYOUR ADDRESSSteven Adler, St. Johnsbury VTHiram & Lois Allen, St. Johnsbury VTWayne N. Anderson, St. Johnsbury VTThomas & Susan Ball, Montpelier VTRandall Bashta, Acton MAJohn T. Baxter, Parrish FLEncy G. Baxter, Amagansett NYJeanette H. Bergeron, Keene NHCaptain John J. Berrier, Rogue River ORWilliam Biddle, East Ryegate VTSusan Bowen, St. Johnsbury VTJane & Kevin Braley, Limington MEIrene Brown, Warner NHCharlie & Wynne Browne, Barnet VTRuth E. Bryan, St. Johnsbury VTWinston Churchill Jr., Brevard NCDorothy D. Collins, St. Johnsbury VTPablo Conrad and Family, Brooklyn NYEunice Craig, Newport VTPhil Dauscher, Groton VTMr. & Mrs. James T. Doherty,Hamden CTMr. & Mrs. John F. Doherty,Underhill Center VTJudge & Mrs. Joseph W. Doherty,Naugatuck CTYOUR CITY YOUR STATE ZIPApt. No.APT. NO.New North Star Subscribers and RenewalsMary Encarnacion, West Danville VTChristina Fearon, Barnet VTBob & Joan Fitch, Northford CTElaine J. Greenwood, St. Johnsbury VTKenneth Guilbault, South Hadley MAWenda J. Hanson, Lincolnshire, EnglandMargaret M. Harmon, Sanford MEEvelyn S. Hastings, Danville VTMarcia J. Hebel, Northport NYRichard A. Heos, Woburn MADoris T. Hummon, Peacham VTLois Jones, St. Johnsbury VTCharles A. Joyce III, North Bennington VTBruce Kallahan, Danville VTEvelyn K. Kelley, Waitsfield VTRidge Kelley, Frederick MDMrs. Albert D. Laclair, Drewsville NHFrances Ladd, Danville VTDave & Judy Lavely, Danville VTMs. Mary Ellen Layden, Atlanta GAShawn P. Leary, Portland MEAlice M. Lee, Lyndonville VTCharles LeRoyer & Maria Salvaggio,Searsmont MESandra Lynaugh, St. Johnsbury VTDennis Lynaugh, La Grange GADarcie McCann, Lyndonville VTNorman & Carolyn McCrae, Leesburg FLIrma McGill, Danville VTHazen McLaren, Myrtle Beach SCReta H. Morse, St. Johnsbury VTBill & Sally Moulton, Danville VTRobert & Marilyn Page, Brattleboro VTWalter J. Patterson, Sun City West AZPhil & Jean Pike, Cabot VTMr & Mrs James Pipes, Logan KSPeter Randall, Groton VTEverett Ranney, St. Johnsbury VTJonathan A. Ross, Currituck NCNeal & June Sargeant, Marshfield VTMarion E. Sevigny, Danville VTIla Shatney, Cabot VTFlora Ann Shorey, Camden MEDaniel Smith, St. Johnsbury VTVelma Smith, Cabot VTMr. & Mrs. Wm. Warner Staley,Easton MDGilbert & Cynthia Steil, East Ryegate VTVelma Stevens, Lyndonville VTSharon & Will Talbott, Fort Collins COMr. & Mrs. Marvin Tauriainen,Pittsboro NCYes! Send me The North Star Monthly:NameAddressCity State ZipApt. No.Please let us know if you don’t want your name published asa subscriber of The North Star.Limited number of back issues are available for the previous12 months. Get them for $1.50 per copy at The North Staroffice or send $2.50 each and we’ll send them to you.Beth Williams & Thomas Ziobrowski,Danville VTMr. Wesley Thornton, Bridgewater CTBeth S. Trumper, Plaistow NHMr. & Mrs. Richard Vance, Danville VTMr. & Mrs. Russell Vance, Nelliston NYRoss Vance, Danville VTMr. & Mrs. Robert Vance,Burlington VTMr. & Mrs. Roland Vance, Bedford NHAllen Vohden, Danville VTDon & Audrey Walker, Montpelier VTKenneth & Florence Ward, Danville VTShirley Warden, Barnet VTFrancis W. Williams Sr., East Burke VTRussell Wilson, Lyndonville VTJim & Alice Wuertele, St. Johnsbury VTDavid & Jackie Young, Sebring FLCarol Zuccaro, St. Johnsbury VTSUBSCRIBETODAY!$15 / yearNorth Star MonthlyPO Box 319Danville, VT 05828(802) 684-1056Long Distance(800) 286-1056

4 The North Star Monthly March 2007Letters tothe Editor:(Continued from Page 2)asked if there were automobileswhen she was their age. At firstshe said “No,” and then she said,“Why, yes. One time when wewere coming home from swimming,T.N. Vail came along in hiscar and gave us a ride home.” By“we” I think she meant herselfand her brother Roy Parker. Thatwas about 100 years ago.Bruce HoytRockville, MDPumpkin HillDear North Star,I’ve enjoyed your articlesabout the people and the neighborhoodof Pumpkin Hill. I wentto the school there from 1924 to1931 and thought you’d be interestedin an account of the historyof the name. In Helen Husher’sbook, A View from Vermont, shewrites that Pumpkin Hill takes itsname from an “18th centuryinfestations of worms that ateeverything in the fields exceptthe pumpkins. This was followedby an influx of pigeons that atethe worms. The villagers livedon pumpkin and pigeon until thenext harvest, which must havebeen boring but kept them alive.”Alpa BoutwellAurora, COEnough in IraqDear North Star,In March at the annual TownMeeting, some Vermont townswill have the opportunity toadopt a resolution calling uponfederal and state governmentofficials to heed the mandateclearly expressed in the last electionand call for an end to the warin Iraq. Contrary to advice fromCongress, Iraqi and Americancitizens, soldiers, veterans, theinternational community and theIraq Study Commission, theBush Administration has electedto “stay the course” with a“surge” in the number of troops.Therefore, a coalition of peaceactivists and Iraq VeteransAgainst The War is urgingVermont and other states to addleverage to Congressional effortsdirected at hauling us out of thedeadly quagmire we were“decided” into.The resolution, which mayappear on the Town Meetingagenda or be introduced as“other business,” reads: “Shallthe voters of _____ advise thePresident, Congress and Vermontstate and federal office holdersthat _____ and its citizensstrongly support the men andwomen serving in all branches ofthe U.S. Armed Forces in Iraqand believe that the best way tosupport them is to bring each andevery one of them home now andtake good care of them whenthey get home.”As happened in Vietnam,there is growing disillusionmentin the ranks based upon combatexperience. Promises used toentice enlistment (educationaland health benefits, building ademocracy and restoring a society)were illusory. When veteransreturn physically and mentallydisabled, they find that Veteransbenefits have been cut and thatspecialized care they require ishard to find. Educational fundingis woefully inadequate. The cancerrate from the use of depleteduranium weapons is 1,000 timesthat caused by Agent Orange inVietnam. Essential services inIraq remain in shambles.Soldiers were supplied withinadequate body armor, equipmentand facilities, whileHaliburton pocketed moneymeant for provisioning thetroops and rebuilding the country.Returned vets express disgustwith the wanton destruction,profiteering, the targeting ofcivilians, the atrocities, thepointlessness of the invasion,“humanitarian-aid” public rela-(See Letters on Page 5)Lawyers and YouLawyers are controversial members of society. Most people agree, somewhat grudgingly, that lawyersare a necessary part of our daily lives, whether they are liked or not. It is a hazard of the profession. I havebeen a lawyer since 1947 after graduating from Harvard Law School, and passing exams that admitted meto practice in Massachusetts and Vermont. After four years in New Haven, and the rest of my early life inurban areas except for summer vacations in rural Maine, I wanted to practice in the country.My life as a proud lawyer has been full and at times exciting. I am somewhat thick-skinned after 60years at the bar and listen without retort to jokes about lawyers. I usually tolerate criticism of lawyers, wellintended or not, without complaint. The very nature of our work – sometimes representing murderers andother nasty characters – encourages a misunderstanding of lawyers and our role in society.This column is self-serving, intended as a public defense of lawyers. For the first time I decided to“go public” because of a criticism by lawyer Charles D. Stimson, the deputy assistant secretary of defensefor detainee affairs. Stimson objected that lawyers employed at many of the nation’s top firms were representingso-called terrorist prisoners detained at Guantanamo. His unwarranted complaint attacks the heartof an important part of lawyers’ work, pro bono activities.Stimson suggested that the corporate clients of these firms should consider ending their business tiesbecause work of these lawyers would somehow compromise their bottom-line profit. The day after hisstatement was made in an interview on a Washington-based radio station, the same point was made in theWall Street Journal by Robert L. Pollock, a member of the newspaper’s editorial board.Pollack cited a list of law firms (I hope Downs Rachlin Martin was listed) and quoted an unnamed“senior official” as saying, “Corporate C.E.O.’s seeing this should ask firms to choose between lucrativeretainers and representing terrorists.” On the same day Senator Leahy, chairman of the Senate JudiciaryCommittee, wrote the president asking him to disavow Stimson’s remarks. I have not heard that the presidentreplied.Fortunately Attorney General Alberto Gonzales responded saying, “Good lawyers representingdetainees is the best way to ensure that justice is done in these cases.” A senior Pentagon official said thecomments “do not represent the thinking of the Defense Department leadership.” But the damage was doneto the legal profession as the result of impugning the integrity of lawyers all over the country who have representedthe detainees free of charge. This is what the public remembers.Lawyers Bob Gensburg, David Sleigh and Bob Rachlin, a St. Johnsbury lawyer for many years, havebeen doing their best to represent detainees, but roadblocks presented by the government have made it difficult.However, their representation of detainees is but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many probono activities of most lawyers. The need for lawyers to represent deserving civil and criminal clients freeof charge, and their willingness to do so, is embedded as part of our legal training.There are more than 30 lawyers in the St. Johnsbury area who regularly devote time working on a probono basis. The same can be said for many of the approximately 3,000 lawyers practicing throughout thestate. Ask them what they do.Two of my pro bono activities over the years illustrate my point. In 1965, my partner Bob Rachlinand I each contributed two weeks, plus our expenses, to go to Mississippi and represent black citizens whowould have no representation unless white lawyers came down from the north. White Mississippi lawyerswould not take their cases, and there were only two black lawyers in the state. We were not alone; manyothers from the north joined us. In the 1980’s I served on a pro bono basis on a committee of the LawyersAlliance for Nuclear Arms Control, which met annually for ten years in Washington D.C. and Moscowwith Soviet professionals. We negotiated about serious nuclear arms problems that our governments did notcome to grips with for one reason or another. I later wrote a book about the experience.All of us have heroes. Mine is Warren Kaplan, a successful Washington trial lawyer with ties toVermont. He can’t get to Vermont as often as he would like, but he has endeared himself to many of uswith his competent and time-consuming pro bono activities. He went to Mississippi for a month in 1965when it was a dangerous time for white lawyers. His life was threatened, and he left the black ghetto onlywith a bodyguard of three intimidating Blacks.In the 1970’s President Nixon ordered that 1,200 peaceful demonstrators be locked up in aWashington stadium. On behalf of the American Civil Liberty Union, Warren spent 19 years representingthem, as the legal proceedings required. Ultimately he obtained damages of $15,000 for each demonstrator,but nothing for himself. In the early 1990’s he went to Russia to represent refuseniks trying to emigrate. Herisked being arrested but nevertheless appeared before the Emigration Board. Ultimately two of his clientswere permitted to leave the country to go to Israel.I have written at such length so that you will have a better understanding and appreciation of one ofthe necessary and critical roles that lawyers play in our society.Appalachian Supply Inc.Wholesale - RetailPlumbing, Heating & Electrical SuppliesJohn Downs4581 Memorial DriveSt. Johnsbury, VT 05819(802) 748-4513Rte. 302Littleton, NH 03561(603) 444-6336Richard P. Barrett Insurance Agency309 Portland Street, Suite 102St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819(802) 748-5224

The North Star Monthly March 2007 5Soup or Smorgasbord?When I travel abroad, as I love to do, I find the experience throws things I have noticed aboutthe United States into perspective. A recent trip to Europe was exciting and left me thinking aboutthe clash of culture and economics.Europe is a vital and exhilarating place to be right now. The founders of the European Union,originally called the Common Market, have achieved two of their original goals. Peace and prosperitythrough a shared economy are becoming a reality for all Union members. There is a constantmovement of people by fast, economical air or rail travel, with little border control among membercountries. Traveling the highways is a geography lesson on wheels, with trucks from everyEuropean country in constant motion on the major auto routes.Young, educated Europeans are fluent in at least two languages; it is an essential qualificationfor any high- paying commercial career. Representative of this new Europe is a young couple, Lizand Jerome, with their 18-month old son, Jean. They are French by birth but live in London.Jerome works for Morgan Stanley on the London Stock Exchange. He heads up a team of French,Italian, Danish, German, British and Dutch brokers. He commutes to Paris twice a week by onehourbusiness flight from the Docklands area of London near his office, or by the Eurostar highspeedtrain. Liz works for a French business software company outside London. Jean’s nanny isHungarian, his pediatrician is French, and he will attend a French preschool in London when he is 2-years old. This example may seem extreme to many Americans, but it shows just how integrated lifein Europe can be in the beginning of the 21st century.There is another side to life in Europe, besides the apparent joie de vivre, that reminds me insome ways of some issues we have here in Vermont. The planners of the European Union werefocused on economics. They did not take into account cultural differences and attitudes towards lifeand work among the member countries. These differences are becoming more obvious as the Unionexpands.Ease of relocation means that many – especially in the more rural and sunnier places – are seeingtheir way of life threatened by an influx of newcomers from colder northern cities. Farmland isbeing sold and sub-divided for vacation cottages, which are inhabited for only short periods of theyear. This causes divisiveness in farming communities when newcomers fence in the land, restrictits use and demand services from the community. Sometimes the changes are so profound that areasonce quiet and unspoiled, with healthy agricultural economies, are now bustling seasonal touristmeccas with too much traffic. In these areas traditional rural occupations are being lost. Someancient and beautiful cities such as Aix-en-Provence are becoming filled with condominiums forwealthy retirees. There is a danger of some very popular areas losing their true national flavor. Ifthis sounds familiar to Vermonters, it is because we recognize similar problems close to home.A kind of uneasy cultural mixing is taking place in Europe; I call it the “Soup Pot” effect.Observing and talking with European friends about these changes made me think about our ownAmerican soup or melting pot. Designed with the original goal of blending immigrant cultures intoa homogenous soup, it sometimes seems today as though the reverse is happening. Different culturalgroups are strengthening their unique identities. Native American tribes, European, Asian, Middleand Far Eastern, Indonesian and African cultural events and cuisine pop up out of the soup pot andbecome part of the smorgasbord of life in the U.S. As this happens we begin to appreciate the beautyof diversity.A good soup is appetizing but a great smorgasbord titillates the palate in many ways. Each ofthese great continental communities needs to treasure and preserve its own rich heritage of culturaland regional diversity. The citizens of the European Union must learn quickly from the United Statesthe danger of homogenizing life, whereby regional differences disappear, and the suburban sprawl ofone city becomes much like that of any other. Americans, in turn, can benefit from the wealth ofgreat cultural richness here and abroad, learning to appreciate differences as exciting, stimulatingexperiences, not wishing for every place to be “just like home.”We in the Northeast Kingdom are lucky to live in such a scenically beautiful and relativelyunspoiled part of the world. The delight of the visitors who come here should constantly remind usthat, no matter how we develop this area economically, it is important to preserve the diversity of thenatural and cultural treasures that lie right at our door.Isobel P. SwartzLetters tothe Editor:(Continued from Page 4)tions stunts and being viewed asexpendable by their own government.According to Mike Ferner,author and Iraq Veteran forPeace, if the death and destructionin Iraq were calculated interms of the U.S. population,everyone in ten major citieswould have been killed, everyperson in 12 states would havebeen wounded, and 216,000 doctorswould have fled the country.Casualties of the war at homeinclude the victims of Katrinawho are still trying to be noticed,as well as people who sufferedsevere mental and physical ailmentsfrom working at GroundZero after 9-11 and are nowwithout jobs, health insurance orgovernment assistance.Robin RothmanDanvillePope NotesDee Palmer,Library DirectorTown Meeting in Danville is just a few days away, and we hope youwill come out and support your library. Please join us for lunch duringthe noon break. The Pope Library is putting on a traditional luncheonof ham, baked beans, coleslaw, cottage cheese, rolls and a selection ofhome-baked goodies for dessert. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children.Tickets will be available at Town Meeting on Tuesday, March 6.Our annual “Novel Dinner” is on Sunday, March 11. The dinner willtake place at the Creamery Restaurant beginning at 4:00 p.m. If youwould like to attend the Novel Dinner please call the Library (802) 684-2256 or the Creamery Restaurant (802) 684-3616, and we will try to findyou a seat. The cost for the dinner is $25 per person. This is a wonderful,fun event – don’t miss it.Our book discussion for this month in the “Portraits of the Artists”series is Frida by Barbara Mujica. This novel, narrated by Frida Kahlo’syounger sister Cristina is the haunting and powerful fictional account ofKahlo’s life, from a childhood shadowed by polio to the accident at 18that left her barren, from her marriage to larger-than-life muralist DiegoRivera through her tragic decline into alcoholism and drug abuse.Frida captures the essence of a passionate, tormented, ferociouslygifted woman who became an enduring icon for generations to come.Join us on Wednesday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. for the discussion of Fridawith scholar Bob Johnson. Books and schedules are available at theLibrary. This program is sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Counciland the Pope Library.We have state and federal 2006 tax forms, and on Saturday, March 3,we are holding a special passport event. From 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. postoffice employees will be at the Library to take passport photos (thecharge for photos is $15) and process applications. Applications for passportsare available at the post office and at the Library.Some of our new book acquisitions are: The Best Life Diet byGreene, Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Recipes for Two by Hensperger,The Lost Painting by Harr, First Into Nagasaki by Weller, You On a Dietby Roizen and Oz, A Man Without a Country by Vonnegut, Dust byGrimes, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by See, In This Rain by Rozan,Red River by Tademy and Sacred Games by Chandra. Come in andcheck them out!Dr. Mark A. LeipertDr. Richard LevenDr. Stephen FeltusDr. Rebecca HoganPeter BoyleOpticianYourCompleteFamily Eyewareand Eyecare CenterLarge Selection in StockWE HAVE IT ALL

6 The North Star Monthly March 2007Ice FishingTakes SeriousAttention toDetails(Continued from Page 1)I always found something to do.We’d argue over holes trying tocatch fish and slide on the ice. Iloved the ice fishing, but I think thescrambled eggs and sausage wasmy favorite part.”When Duquette turned 16 andwas able to drive on his own heacquired this portable shelter. It’s aFish Trap Guide from Ely, MNwhere cold weather and ice fishingreign as king and queen. The shelteris just over 5 feet square on theice and has 5 feet of headroom. It’snot grand in size, but even at 3° andwith wind snarling outside a singletank propane heater keeps theinside temperature almost comfortable.Duquette has seven tip-upsabout 50 feet apart in a line perpendicularto the shore. Each is setwith a single hook and live smelt asbait - something like a huge opennet - in his plan to try to find laketrout or perch moving up or downthe lake. The seven smelt are set atdifferent depths and attached bymonofilament line to a springloadedorange flag on the frozensurface above. From inside theMaking adjustments to the bait and the lines is all part of the art of understanding the unique patternsof various fish species and trying to anticipate their behavior - no matter what the weather may be.Photos By: North Star MonthlyInside the Fish Trap Guide shelter steaks and home-fries offer asatisfying diversion to the snow billowing and near zero temperaturesoutside, but Duquette is thinking about his lines and how toadjust them.Institutefor Traditional CraftsCALENDARFebruary-March 2007Wool Rug HookingFebruary 24, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.& March 10, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.This two-part workshop presents the fundamentals of rughooking using stripped wool. A perfect way to warm awinter weekend.Apple Tree Pruning and GraftingMarch 17, 9 - 11 a.m.Ken Parr is known for his grafting skills, developed over30 years of growing and studying apple trees. This meetingis a primer in grafting skills that enable participantsto understand pruning and care of an apple tree.Decorative and Practical BasketsMarch 24, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.Decorative and practical baskets using traditional methodsand local materials is the focus of this course, taughtby Sterling College professor Jeff Bickart.History and Demonstration of Soap MakingMarch 31, 9 - 10:30 a.m.Jean Temple, creator of Jean Elizabeth’s Soaps & Co.explains the history of soap making and demonstratestechniques to make soaps using natural plant ingredients.Call Tara Robinson Holt at the Museum (802) 748-2372 forfee information and to register. Space is limited, and registrationis required. All courses are taught at theFairbanks Museum, 1302 Main Street, St. Johnsbury.shelter we can just see the tip-upsas we wait hopefully for a tug frombelow to trip one of the flags.Inside Duquette has dug twomore holes through which we droplures or smelt from jig sticks, verylight-weight and abbreviated spinningrods.“It’s a challenge,” he says, “andI spend a lot of time trying todecide what adjustments, if any, Iwant to make in the set up. You findyourself trying to think like a fish.”Duquette says that every fishspecies seems to have its own patternof behavior, and trying to makesense of those patterns and anticipatetheir behavior is the high art offishing through ice. “It’s muchmore difficult,” he says, “than openwater fishing. Trying to figure theinfluence of the weather, time ofday, light conditions and other factorsyou can barely imagine is thetrick.”From his experience, lake troutseem to feed early in the morningand at midday and more so on nicerdays than days like this when thewind and snow are blowing and it’scold. He says he has better luckMICHAEL K. WALSH & SON, BuildersNew Construction Remodeling RenovationsFinish Work Decks Wallpapering etc. Call Now for Spring ProjectsSolid reputation of quality workmanship,reasonable rates and dependabilityOver 25 years of experience (802) 684-3977 Danville, VTLISTEN TO JOSH THOMASWEEKDAYS FROM 6:00 - 9:00 A.M.AND HEAR GREAT MUSIC,LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS ANDTONS OF CHANCES TO WIN PRIZES.fishing for jumbo perch early andlate in the season, when they areapparently more likely to be up andaway from the dark bottom of thelake.Duquette is businesslike aboutall this, frequently checking outsideand tending his tip-ups to be surethe accumulation of snow is notinterfering with his flags. But likeany businessman he understandsthat sometimes things just aren’twhat they seem.“Sometimes you come upempty at the end of the day, butonce in a while you hit it big. Youare in the right place at the righttime. The conditions are right andyou nail it.” With the sort of understatementthat’s truly engaging, hesays, “That’s happened a couple oftimes. I’ve caught 25 jumbo perchin half an hour and a couple of laketrout that made up for a lot of colddays when flags never moved.“It’s peaceful,” he says, “andthere are so many things to do - somany variables to try - there isnever a chance to be bored.”It is peaceful, and inside theshelter we make the most of a coupleof steaks and a pile of homefriescooked on his stove. We tell alot of stories, some truer than others,and it is a great time.“Trying to figurethe influence ofthe weather, thetime of day, thelight conditionsand other factorsyou can barelyimagine is thetrick.”When I get ready to leave atabout 2 o’clock the snow has piledup against the outside of the TrapGuide shelter, and the orange flagsat the end of the line have all butdisappeared from view.John Duquette pulls his hoodback up over his head and turnsagain to the line. He’ll tweak hissets, adjust his lines and then as hesays, start the hardest part of theroutine. He’ll try to decide if heshould to stay a bit longer in thehopes of a change in his luck orpack it all up and call it a day.That’s ice fishing and the appealthat some like this young man findso attractive. It’s a test, and whenyou get the answer right, it’s wonderful.By the time I get back to mycar, it has been nearly plowed in bythe highway crews in their snowplows.The temperature hasdropped a few more degrees, andthe faint profile of Duquette and hisshelter on the lake are lost in thefalling snow. He’s still out thereenjoying one of the most beautifuldays of the winter.DANVILLESELFSTORAGE26 unitsfrom 5X10 to 10X30Route 2 West,Danville, VTClean, Dry, Inside StorageYour Own Lock & KeyCarmen CalkinsPO Box 96Danville, VT 05828(802) 684-3865

8 The North Star Monthly March 2007Dolly was a dark baywith the characteristicwhite splotch on herforehead.(Continued from Page 1)to the side-delivery rake. Shewas usually three steps ahead ofMolly during those hot summerafternoons in the hayfields. Thesun beat down incessantly, and Iusually got sunburned.Dolly and I worked togetherfor many summers. One memorableJuly day when I was 15, Iraked the hay into windrows onthe field below the road nearlyopposite Perley and HelenJennison’s house (now owned byClifton Schoolcraft Jr.). Therewere several apple trees in thefield then, the remnants of an oldorchard. After I finished raking Iturned the team toward the barn.Dolly was hurriedly trottingalong, pulling Molly withher, headed for the barn and feed.I tried to drive them between thelow-hanging branches of anapple tree, but I miscalculatedthe distance required. All ofa sudden the big right wheel ofthe rake hit a branch, jerked thehorses sideways and broke thepole off near its attachment to therake.Neither the horses nor I werehurt, but I was devastated. I hadlet Dad and the whole hayingoperation down. Dad would haveto get the broken pole off therake and spend wasted hoursfashioning a new one. I didn’twant to go home and face him,but there was no choice.I climbed down, sobbing. Iunhitched Dolly and Molly anddrove them to the barn. Dad sawme approaching with the horsesbut without the rake. He wasangry. I was scared, sad andsorry that I had not met hisexpectations that I would be agood teamster and avoid suchaccidents.We survived the crisis, andlife on the farm went on.Dolly lived on into her 30’s. Iexpect she was foaled around1915. Dad never mentioned herparentage or if she was a registeredMorgan. No papers wereever found. I never asked whereshe came from or who were herdam and sire. However, I doremember that my grandfatherCharles Kinerson and his brotherRussell, both of Peacham, hadMorgans on their farms.My second cousin, RussellKinerson (named for his grandfather),remembered Dolly but notwhere she came from. He told ofMorgans on his grandfatherRussell’s farm. He often drovehis grandparents in a sleighhitched to a nice team ofMorgans up to theCongregational Church inPeacham and put the team in theKinerson horsesheds. Horseblankets were put on the horsesin cold weather during longchurch services. Russell calledthe Morgans “feisty little critters.”I found, while studying theAmerican Morgan HorseRegister, that Charles’ andRussell’s father and my greatgrandfather,James RichardsonKinerson, all owned registeredMorgans. I resolved to try andlearn Dolly’s pedigree.I trudged up to the PopeLibrary in Danville and onceagain began studying theRegister. There I found thatJames R. Kinerson had a registeredMorgan described inVolume III of the Register:Field Family PhotographJean Kinerson Field on Dolly at the Green Bay farm, c.1930.“ROXY (KINERSON’S) (7-128), [2], chestnut, white stripeon face, foaled 1902; bred byJames R. Kinerson, Peacham,Vermont ... registered by F. G.Chandler, West Danville(Peacham), Vt.” Roxy wasdescended from the VincentHorse (1-8), 792, [1] (Volume I,Page 330). Some of Roxy’smaternal ancestors were alsoowned by James R. Kinerson.My great-grandfatherKinerson died in September,1902, a few months after Roxywas foaled. She was registeredby F. G. Chandler of Peacham.That must mean that she wassold by either Mr. Kinerson or,after his death, by his widowEmily, to Chandler. I found nomention of Roxy in James R.Kinerson’s estate papers.Roxy was bred to F. G.Chandler’s famous stallion,Knox Morgan, and produced atleast two fillies by him. Thosefillies were registered and aredescribed in Volume III of theRegister: 1. “BARBARA (5-64), [1&3], bay, foaled 1908,bred by James L. Allen, Barnet,Vt.” (Page 423). 2. “WINONA(ALLEN’S) (5-64), [1&3],foaled 1909, bred by James L.Allen, Barnet, Vt.” (Page 630)Chandler must have soldRoxy to Mr. Allen before 1908,since Allen is recorded as herowner. The only James Allen Ihave found lived in Ewell’sHollow in Peacham (with mailingaddress of Barnet). JamesAllen’s father, Frederick Allen,ran the sawmill there. Ewell’sHollow is a short distance fromthe Kinerson farm and only amile or so from the Chandlerfarm. James would have been inhis late teens when the MorgansBarbara and Winona werefoaled. Perhaps he was Roxy’sowner. I found no further referencesto him.Roxy probably producedother colts and fillies, and possiblyBarbara and Allen’s Winonabecame dams, but I found no furthermention of them.I looked for mares namedDollie and Dolly and found onlythree in this area at the time, alldescribed in Volume III of theRegister. I think they were allfoaled too early to be our Dolly,and they were all sold to out-ofstaterswhen they were 2 years(Concluded on Next Page)BOOK LOVER’S HEAVENSpecial Orders and Browsers areAlways Welcome.NORTHERN PETROLEUM CO.189 RAILROAD ST. - ST. JOHNSBURY, VT 05819 (802) 748-8934 OR 1(800) 222-9276FUEL OILPROPANEKeroseneDIESELWe have it all plus +SERVICE.NORTHERN PETROLEUM...We make your home a better place.“SERVICE”“Friendly, Dependable, Caring for

The North Star Monthly March 2007 9$Follow the Money“Town Meeting Revisited”Town meeting just isn’t thesame. The coffee and doughnutsare still good, the chitchatwith neighbors is still pleasant,and the fulfilling of civic duty - ifonly to stay informed - is important.Involvement is what makesdemocracy tick, after all.The budget discussion israther brief, now. As has long beenthe case, the school budget is thelion’s share of the town’s expenditures.In the past, that accountedfor the lion’s share of the discussiontoo, but lately it passes withfew questions and a collectivenod.It used to be that each towndecided on the budget for itsschool, and that that spendingdirectly determined the town’sneed for revenue, which it raisedmainly through property tax. Ofcourse towns did – and do – haveother expenditures, such as theby Rachel SiegelDolly Was a Morgan Mare(Continued from Page 8)old or so.I telephoned Delmar Petrieand Gilmore Somers, our neighborsin the Green Bay/South Partsection of Peacham during the1920’s and 30’s. Both menremember my mother riding anddriving Dolly but neither knewwhere the horse came from oranything of her pedigree. MyKinerson cousins remember variousMorgans that our ancestorsowned, but nothing about Dollyspecifically.I think I have nearly exhaustedthe possibilities oflearning Dolly’s pedigree, but Imay search in the Register againfor clues.Meanwhile I like to think thatour Dolly was the daughter ofeither Roxy, Barbara or Allen’sWinona, and maybe someday Ican make that connection andknow that my great-grandfatherowned her ancestor. Dolly was abeautiful horse and a great mare.She was an asset to her Morganbreed. I loved her, and I stillthink of her often. Save on your heating costsAnnual costs are half of thatfor oil or propane. Control your humidity Air condition your home Get hot water freeContact Jim Ashley atGreen Mountain Geothermalfor a free analysis of the costs and benefits for your home.Green Mountain Geothermal(802) 684-3491roads, the town library and soforth, but the school budget wasby far the greatest and thereforethe determining factor of thetown’s budget. A change in theschool budget would directlyaffect property tax rates. Thetransparency of that relationshipallowed it to be grasped by eventhe least thoughtful citizen: spendmore on the school; pay more taxon your property.So at times, the discussioncould get pretty hot, with citizensdisagreeing on what was educationallywise or necessary, orwhen school spending was justifiedby educational value, or whenproperty taxes were justified byeducational opportunities.Act 60, and later Act 68, weredesigned in response to the nowfamous legal decision that allVermont children are entitled to anequal amount of educationalexpenditure, which presumablymeans an equal amount of educationalopportunity. This means aminimum level of educationspending per pupil across everytown.The coffee anddoughnuts are stillgood, the chitchatwith neighbors isstill pleasant, andthe fulfilling ofcivic duty - if onlyto stay informed -is important.“Education spending” is determinedby each town, but fundedby the state through the educationfund of Act 68. It is defined as thetotal budgeted school expendituresless any other revenues: federalgrants, tuition revenues, interestincome or other things the statecovers anyhow through grants forthings like transportation or specialeducation, according to theVermont Department ofEducation’s “Overview ofVermont’s Education FundingSystem.”A town can choose to spendmore (per pupil) than the stateminimum, but that will increasethe town’s property tax rate,which “varies proportionally witha district’s (or town’s) educationspending per pupil” (Departmentof Education). A town could, intheory, spend less, but that wouldnot decrease its property tax rate,so there is no incentive to do so. Ineffect, each town would be foolishnot to spend the statewide minimumper student (which is thepoint) since it is being paid for bythe state.The expenditures in the schoolbudget determine the town’s educationspending per pupil.Education spending per pupilaffects the town’s property taxrates. So, budgeted school expenditureshave an effect on propertytax rates, and we should still havemuch to discuss at town meeting.However, property tax ratesare also adjusted for individualtaxpayers based on their individualincomes. So even if the town’sproperty tax rate is determined byits spending decisions, those ratesmay not actually apply to everyonein the town. Some, maybemost, taxpayers are shielded fromthe effects of increasing schoolexpenditures, as their property taxincreases are capped by theirincome constraints. The relationshipbetween school expendituresand property tax payments ismuddied by that very individualadjustment for income.Thus, the link between spendingand funding has been lost tothose (us) making the spendingdecisions. The effects of expenditureson our property tax paymentsare obscure at best, becauseour property tax payments havebeen complicated by the additionalfactor of income which – evenin Vermont – is no longer determinedby the value of one’s land.We don’t have to really care – notin the immediate, visceral sensethat we used to – about what we’respending, because each one of usis not necessarily going to be payingfor it. We can’t really care,because it’s just too difficult to seeAre You Having Trouble Affordingthe Prescription Drugs You Need?Our Health Centers May Be Able to HelpOur offices offer discounts on many of the most common prescription drugs. Thisdiscount is available to all our patients. In addition, for those with limitedincomes, we apply an additional discount if you qualify for our sliding fee program.For more information, call for an appointment.Concord Health Center (802) 695-2512Sarah Berrian, MD (Pediatric, Adult and Obstetrical Care)Mary Ready, MD (Family Medicine and Obstetrical Care)Susan Taney, Nurse Practitioner (Adult Care)Donna Ransmeier, Behavioral Health CounselingDanville Health Center (802) 684-2275Tim Tanner, MD (Pediatric and Adult Care)Sharon Fine, MD (Pediatric and Adult Care)Mariel Hess, Nurse Practitioner (Pediatric and Adult Care)Betsy Fowler, Behavioral Health CounselingCaledonia Internal Medicine (802) 748-5174Frank Meierdiercks, MD (Internal Medicine)Thomas Ziobrowski, MD (Internal Medicine)Elaine Robinson, Nurse PractitionerBetsy Fowler, Behavioral Health CounselingSt. Johnsbury Family Health Center (802) 748-5041Dana Kraus, MD (Family Medicine and Obstetrical Care)John Ajamie, MD (Family Medicine)Cathleen Besch, Nurse PractitionerCarey Brodzinski, Nurse PractitionerGabrielle Rebbe, Behavioral Health CounselingThese Health Centers are units ofNorthern Counties Health Care, Inc. - established in 1976to bring health services to those in need in the Northeast Kingdom.how our spending affects what wepay.Our system of educational revenuesand expenses has evolvedfor valid reasons, but like mostsolutions, in doing so it has creatednew problems. We now havestate funding, but local spending.By disconnecting – on a visible,comprehensible, individual level -spending and funding, we havelost our economic incentives tomake better decisions.Civic involvement is harder.Town meeting just hasn’t been thesame.Rachel S. Siegel, CFA, consultson investment portfolio performanceand strategy, and onaccounting and tax dilemmas. Shehas an MBA from Yale; she is aprofessor in the business administrationdepartment at LyndonState College.Pope LibraryMonday & Friday10 a.m. - 5 p.m.Wednesday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.Saturday 9 a.m. - Noon.

10 The North Star Monthly March 2007Steve Patterson Steers theShip of Planning andDevelopment in theNortheast KingdomTERRY HOFFERSteve Patterson is a Vermonter.He’s a native of Montpelier with adistinguished career in journalismand state government prior to hisappointment as executive director,the top job, at the regional planningand development agency inNortheastern Vermont.“Somewhere outthere is anotherBen & Jerry’s, andwhen they decideto get started,we’ve got to beready.”- Steve PattersonPatterson joined NortheasternVermont DevelopmentAssociation (NVDA) in April2003, and he finds himself in theright place at the right time. “It’san exciting time,” he says, “with alot of energy springing forth in thetraditional growth centers like St.Johnsbury and Lyndon andNewport and Derby but also intowns like Hardwick and even lesslikely places where jobs areappearing as people find they havethe best of it all.”Patterson cites multiple variationson the theme in which peoplehave high tech jobs beside dirtroads and open fields in theNortheast Kingdom, where computerizedwork is shipped in andshipped out electronically at apace that would be mind bogglingin the days of the telegraph, therailroad or even in the context ofovernight delivery.He says, “A lot of people don’trealize how desirable this is, andas the pressure of populationgrowth increases in other places itcan only grow in northernVermont as people choose torecreate here or relocate.”Patterson talks about the needfor greater coverage for highspeed (broadband) Internet access,but he believes that is on the way.“The challenge,” he says, “is todevelop a system with a backbonethat is flexible enough to carrynew systems of technology as theyappear.” One possibility is to havea broadband signal brought to atower at a location like the St.Johnsbury Lyndon Industrial Parkand relayed from a point perhapson Burke Mountain to repeatersaround the region.No one wants to spend bigmoney and lots of time to end upwith an outdated technology. Ascomputers manage to acceleratevirtually every logical system ofmodern life entrepreneurs, andinvestors too, are wary of findingthat today’s high speed is tomorrow’spony express and owningthe pony is not what it wascracked up to be. But that doesn’tdiscourage Patterson.For eight years he was DeputySecretary and then Secretary ofthe Agency of Commerce andCommunity Development whereeconomic development programsare refined and where statewidepolicies are written. “I got to knowall of the regional developmentgroups and the people involved,”he says, “and I like to think I havesome expertise in how thingswork in Vermont.”The HilltopperSt. Johnsbury Academy’s Culinary Cafe1216 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, VT(802) 748-8964Open: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Reservations are accepted. Seating is Limited.Patterson describes his job asbuilding partnerships and seekingthe means to help the region growwhile honoring its well deservedreputation of tenaciously holdingonto local control. CurrentlyNVDA is working on feasibilitystudies for a Forest ProductsResource Center and for anAgricultural Products IncubatorBuilding where people and smallbusinesses who lack, for instance,marketing or product developmentexpertise can find it. Pattersonsays, “We hope to put the informationtogether and develop the contactsand financial resources forpeople who want to use them, butI see the studies as opening thedoor for job creation and tourismopportunities as well.”NVDA, unlike the state’s otherregional development commissions,is also the regional planningcommission, and Patterson says,“Our funding is primarily directedat planning.” Some Vermonttowns are interested, and some seeplanning and cooperating with aregional organization as a threat tolocal control. He says, “NVDAtries to encourage towns to thinkabout their future and find whatthey want.” He points to the currentmomentum for developmentat Burke Mountain as an example.“We are offering to Burke and thesurrounding towns a grant-fundeddevelopment assessment in whichtraffic, housing and financialimpacts are considered. Ourapproach is to say here’s the information,and you have the choice totake the next step.”Patterson understands thedilemma of population growthwhile there is a need for workerswith a higher level of job skills.He knows that people are interestedin relocating to places likeVermont, but when they arrivewith their new or expanded company,they want to know, willthere be qualified applicants to dothe work?If Patterson had his way, and ifhe could make a huge investmentin the Northeast Kingdom, heOur mission: To use our budding talent in offering you thevery best food and service possible. To explore diverseingredients and culinary techniques. To enjoy every moment,every flavor and every friend to our fullest ability. To learn!This community information is brought to you by the team at the UNION BANKwith offices located in St. Johnsbury, Lyndonville, Littleton and HardwickRobert C. Jenks, Jenks Studio of PhotographyPhoto By: North Star MonthlySteve Patterson is the executive director of Northeastern VermontDevelopment Association. “Maybe I’m an optimist,” he says, “butthese are great times.”(802) 626-3215Rt. 114,East Burke, VTskibike@sover.netwww.eastburkesports.com*Professional Service& Equipment Repair*Friendly, Helpful ServiceOPEN 7 DAYS A WEEKAll Major Credit Cards Acceptedwould put his money into jobtraining. He says skills in woodworking,traditional manufacturingprocesses, high tech systemsand entrepreneurism are needed.“Somewhere out there is anotherBen & Jerry’s.” [He is talking, ofcourse, about the Vermont grownice cream company that won thehearts of ice cream fans all overthe world and made them rethinkthe standard of premium icecream.] They may be inCalifornia, Colorado or Canaan,Vermont, but he says, “When theydecide to get started, we’ve got tobe ready. We’ve got to have whatthey need or they’ll give up on theidea or take it somewhere else.”Patterson has watched an ideathat has proven successful inBrattleboro. There, he says, theyhave a business plan competitionin which plans are evaluated andwinners are provided expertise bypeople in successful small businesses.People with the top plansget help in market research andfinancial planning, mentoring andbusiness classes and in some caseseven seed money to attract otherinvestment. According toPatterson, at the end of the secondyear three fledgling businesses arealive and well in Brattleboro. Hehopes to introduce the same sort ofprogram under the umbrella ofNVDA.“Maybe I’m an optimist,”Patterson says, “but these are greattimes. I’ll be 60 in October, and Iwish I was 20 years younger.We’ve got a very good staff, andthey deserve a lot of credit. I knowthey don’t do all this for themoney they make, but they deliver.They know how to listen. Iknow a lot of people who work forregional groups like this and Iwouldn’t trade the people atNVDA for any of them.”MUCCA’s PlaceQuality consignments at an affordable price.Attention Moms!!!We have childrens’ clothes galore,womens’, juniors’ and mens’ too.Plus... toys, games & maternityCheck our our 50% off and 3/$1 sectionsWednesday-Friday 9:30-5:00Saturday 9:30-4:00148 Eastern Avenue, St. Johnsbury, VT748-0020SALEMostWinter Items25% - 40% OFFRENTALS Shaped SkiRentals - $18 Snowboards - $25TUNE-UPS Skis - $20 Snowboards - $25

Come to the TableDenise BrownDespite years of active dutyin the dark and dangeroustrenches of motherhood - havingsafely marshaled one child to theage of majority with a limitednumber of fractures and onlyslightly more moving violations,and soon to launch the last commandos- I have yet to masterthat most elusive parental skill:the interpretation of teenagerspeak.We’re not talking about thelatest trendy terms and nomenclatures— the current definitionsof “sick” or “sweet” or“hot“ or “chill.” Negotiating thatlinguistic landscape requiresnothing short of intelligencetraining. I’m talking BasicTeenager. The common usage,the everyday non-verbal vernacularand subtle intonations thatescape me still. The slight tilt ofthe head that can indicate a childbelieves her parent is in immediateneed of psychiatric intervention,for example. Or possiblyonly that an earache is comingon. Or the “I hate you!” shoutedwhile heading out the door thatmeans little beyond, “I can’t findmatching socks, my life is ruinedand it’s all your fault.”So perhaps I can be forgivenfor distrusting my daughter’srecent assertion that she lovedtuna noodle casserole and suggestedthat it become a regularaddition to the evening rations.Had a friend expressed thesame, I would have had herpalate arrested. I’d have takenher pulse. I’d have asked, “Areyou sober?” But this was mydaughter speaking. “You’re kidding,right?”She bristled visibly. Then followedthat unmistakable utterance— not a groan, not a sigh— but a chilly and dismissivehum. The sort of sound you makewhen dealing with an utter nitwitsaved only by blood relationfrom receiving outright scorn.Still, I was sure I was being setup. I made a face. “Tuna noodlecasserole?”Her twin sister got in on theaction. A good umbrage doesn’tcome along that often, and anyteenager worth her salt knowshow to play it as it lays. “Yes,Mom. Tuna noodle casserole.”Upon which began a short butinstructive discourse on thepleasures of said casserole, andhow any supposed good cook(read: me, the food writer) oughtto know how to conjure one up atwill.Perhaps it was the “will” partthat most perplexed. My familiaritywith tuna noodle casserolestops abruptly at the seventhgrade, where it rests in peacealong with the painful memoryof other middle school cafeteriadelights such as mystery meatloaf,rubber chicken fricassee,corrugated fish sticks and boiledfranks sliced into soupy cannedbeans. Why resurrect the sowisely entombed?Why, indeed? For one reasononly. Because my girls wanted it.I had no recipe close at hand.My mother never served tunacasserole. In fact, unless it containedeggplant, my mothernever served any casserole. Andof the couple hundred cookbooksI’ve acquired over the years,none seemed likely to hold thesecret for a scrumptious tuna andnoodle bake.A quick Internet search, however,will reveal a quarter-millionsuch recipes for what onesite claims is America‘s most frequentlyserved casserole. Themajority vary little in eitheringredients or formula. You gotyour egg noodles, your drainedcans of tuna, your defrostedgreen peas, your sautéed mushroomslices. Some spice thingsup with pimento, some rely oncondensed creamed soups, someadd a stalk of chopped celery.Some omit the cheese or replacecheddar with parmesan, sometop the whole with French friedonion rings or crushed potatochips. All except a few were simpleand quick to prepare.Given that I was new to hottuna, I dared not stray far fromthe culinary fold. So one cold,dark evening, while steeping acup of tea and wondering howI’d just spent $100 on six flimsylittle bags of groceries, I experimentedwith this classic, economicaldish, adding a dash ofthis and a smidgen of that. Iwon’t claim to have broken anynew gourmet ground here. But Itested the waters, so to speak,and for a short time, bridged thedivide in the on-going classstruggle in intergenerationalcommunication.“Tastes a little like seafoodbisque,” the younger twin pronounced,noticing the addition ofsherry, taking a bite of noodlesalong with a snippet of crustybread. “But more peas nexttime.”Clear enough. Not a thing tomisconstrue. I’ll trust her on thisone.Who knew?Tuna Noodle CasseroleWill I serve this to prospectivein-laws, birthday celebratorsor potential financial backers?Unlikely. But with a green saladand buttered breadsticks, you’vegot a home-cooked meal in a jiff,made with ingredients waiting inyour pantry. Use even morecheese and topping for a nice“tuna melt” twist.8 ounces medium egg noodles2 cans light or albacore tuna,packed in water, drained8 ounces sliced mushrooms½ red onion, finely chopped5 to 6 tablespoons butter,divided2½ cups whole milk or halfmilk, half chicken stock2 tablespoons flour2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced2 tablespoons dry sherryThe North Star Monthly March 2007 111½ to 2 cups frozen peas,defrosted8 ounces sour cream1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese,grated2½ cups coarse or homemadebread crumbs, Panko orcrushed cornflakesSalt and black cracked pepperto tastePreheat the oven to 375°.Bring a pot of salted water toa boil. Cook the egg noodlesuntil just slightly underdone.Drain and set aside.Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoonsbutter in a large non-stickskillet over medium heat. Sautéthe mushrooms until golden, seasoningwith salt and pepper,about 5 minutes. Add the onionand sauté another minute or two.Add the garlic. Stir well. Scatterthe flour in the pan and mix inwith the vegetables. Cook for aminute or two. Stir in the milk,mixing well, and cook untilslightly thickened. Stir in thepeas and the sherry. Removefrom heat, and stir in the sourcream. Lastly, gently stir in theResearchdrained tuna to keep the fishfrom disintegrating. Adjust theseasonings.Fold in the cooked noodles.Place the mixture in a buttered13 x 9 inch casserole. Top withthe grated cheese. Set aside.Wipe the skillet clean, returnto medium heat, and add 2 to 3tablespoons of butter. Whenmelted, add the bread crumbs.Stir constantly until well coated.Scatter the crumbs over thecheese. Place the casserole in theoven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes,until crumbs are nicelybrowned. Serves 6.Peacham LibraryMonday, Wednesday,Friday and Saturday10 a.m. - NoonTuesday and Thursday1 - 7 p.m.The ditch by the snowy trail was black.No snow here but rotten leaves and running water!How can this be when ice aboundsAnd the air is chill?I think of deeply hidden springs insulated from the cold.Or just the heat of friction perpetuating the flow,As water, coursing over stonesTumbles downward.So will these tricklings cease when dead of winter comes?I’ll have to check, creeping out at 30 belowWishing I were warm abed.Scientists never sleep!Isobel P. SwartzBuilding & RemodelingPainting & WallpaperingSnowplowing & SandingEMMONS & YOUNGCONSTRUCTIONJim (802) 684-3856 1154 Bruce Badger Memorial Hwy.Dana (802) 633-3844 Danville, VT 05828When you think insurance...663 Old Center Road, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819(802) 748-8797 Fax (802) 748-8609

12 The North Star Monthly March 2007Walden Hill JournalELLEN GOLDMarch 1, 2006 - We’re roaringinto March with the thermometerbelow 0° for the entireday. The wind was quite creativeabout redistributing last night’ssnow. By afternoon though, theblowing had calmed down, andthe sun was doing its best to shinethrough thin clouds. We venturedout for a snowshoe and reopenedthe trail. I shortened it some sincemy feet were beginning to feel abit tingly. Subzero weather seemsto have that effect. We held offstarting the stove until around 4o’clock and for most of the dayenjoyed the warmth of our passivesolar heat. It’s time to start thinkingabout bringing dormant geraniumsand tuberous begonias intothe solarium to wake them upagain. Comforting thoughts forthis chilly beginning to March.March 4, 2006 - Continuoussnow today with March windsswirling the powdery snow in alldirections and piling it into sizabledrifts. I braved the elements andjoined my neighbor for a snowshoethrough her woods. Once wegot into the protection of the trees,it was surprisingly calm, peacefuland actually very pleasant. Wesaw several beech trees with bearclaw markings and even a veryhigh nest that the bears had createdby bending and breakingbranches to form a platform forsitting while harvesting beechnuts. There were no tracks in thesnow other than from our snowshoes.I think it was a combinationof very strong wind erasingsigns of animal activity as well asthe animals themselves laying lowduring the storm. It was an invigoratingcouple of hours and justthe ticket for shaking off midwintercabin fever.March 7, 2006 - TownMeeting today. It was bright andsunny with sap buckets hung ontrees at the bottom of the road.The town portion of the meetingtook the majority of the time, continuingwell past the lunch break.The main budget was not an issue,but the special appropriationstook time and discussion. Thenew P.A. system gave some veryshocking, loud, distorting joltswhen we least expected it. Onelongtime resident was hesitant touse the microphone in generalbecause he complained, “It’s likekissing my wife through a screen”to which the moderator replied,”I’m only asking you to talk intoit!” Meeting was adjourned at2:30.March 9, 2006 - After threeglorious spring-like days, we’reback to winter with an icy snowwhipping through. The forecasthowever, is for a warmer weekendwith temperatures possibly in the50°. Chickadees are beginning tosing their descending two-notesong so we must be movingtowards spring. A lone redpoll atthe feeder let us know that conditionsfurther north must be worsethan they are here. Sap bucketsare hung very low this year, takingadvantage of the sparse snowcover to allow trees to be tappedcloser to the ground.March 14, 2006 - Just fourdays ago we took a mini-vacationto Boston. Jeff had to clear thedrive before we left, but 150 mileslater we were in 60°, shirtsleeveweather with daffodils poking outof the ground. We returned tothawing and very muddy roads.Thick, soupy fog made for treacheroustravel. Tonight we’re seeingthe thermometer drop belowfreezing, and a fresh cover ofsnow is falling. As Jeff says, “It’sMarch, any old weather comesmarching through.”March 18, 2006 - We’resnow-covered on Walden Hill butin St. J it’s mostly bare ground.Deer are congregating on the edgeof town to graze on newlyexposed dry grass, and turkeys areflocking on Dole Hill to nibblewhatever they can find in thesnow. Song sparrows were temporarilyback at our feeder buthave disappeared with the returningsnow. We’re still on the longwait ’til spring. A few mild dayswere only a taste of what’s tocome. I’ve started some tomatoseeds to get into practice for moreserious gardening later. A twostalk,six-blossom amaryllisbrightens the solarium.Geraniums and tuberous begoniasare coming out of their dormancythere as well.March 19, 2006 - Moose arebeginning to move out of thewoods in search of open ground tosupplement their twiggy winterdiet. We saw our first bull mooseof the year, grazing in a pasture inPeacham. He was wearing thebeginnings of his new rackgrowth.March 20, 2006 - VernalEquinox. Spring officially arrivedat 1:26 p.m. today. To mark thePROMIS COMINGARE YOUREADY?TUXEDORENTALSCourteous,ExperiencedStress-free FittingsPhoto By: Jeff Gold“What a refreshing sight to see the laundry flapping in the breeze,even if it was against a background of snow.”occasion, the snow stoppedfalling and the sun made a briefappearance. The temperaturehowever, barely climbed above20°. What this date indicates forus is not the end of winter but thetriumph of daylight over night.From here on we’ll have morehours of light to enjoy the beautyof winter. “The red of osier, thegreen of pine, the pale tan of winterleaves on sapling beeches, theblue of late afternoon shadows onthe snow and the play of sunriseand sunset tintings across themantled fields - such are the colorsof a New England winter.”(Edwin Way Teale “WanderingThrough Winter”)March 26, 2006 - Signs ofspring are appearing on WaldenHill. The sight and sound of geeseas they journey north is the mostexhilarating for me. A lone robinwas gliding through open patchesin the field, and a starling wasback at the feeder. Stonewalls areresurfacing from the snow, andbright green moss, nourished byrun-off, startles the senses.Flowing water and muddy roadsalong with steaming sugar houses443 Railroad St., Suite 2St. Johnsbury, VT 05819(802) 748-1912Mon.-Sat. 9:30-5:30 Sun. by appt.place us well into March.March 27, 2006 - Bright,clear, sunny day. As the weathermanannounced this morning, thisis the first time in over 2½ weeksthat the sun has had full reign inthe morning sky. Several moredays of the same are in the forecast.A handsome hawk wasperched in one of the shads thismorning, with a front row centerviewing of the bird feeder.Needless to say, he had clearedthe stage. From his markings itappeared to be a Swainson’shawk, but judging from its territorydescription, he was out of hisrange. So all I can say is that itwas a hawk with a Swainson-likeappearance.March 30, 2006 - Juncos,mourning doves, a tree sparrowand a female purple finch joinedthe chickadees at the feeder. Moreand more open ground hasbrought increasing numbers ofrobins. Even their melodious songis beginning to fill the air. Thepast few days have been full ofglorious sunshine and temperaturesthat hit 50°. Nights still dropbelow freezing so sap is runningand sugar makers are boiling.March is living up to its reputation.It roared in like a lion withsubzero temperatures and is outlike a lamb with highs predictedinto the 60’s today with mostlysunny skies. Just a hint of whiteremains on the Presidential peaks,Mt. Moosilauke and the ski runsof Cannon Mt. Our field andwoods still have some snow, butboth gardens have reemerged. It’sdefinitely a hopeful end to March.What a refreshing sight to see thelaundry flapping in the breeze,even if it was against a backgroundof snow. March is themonth of extremes.HAWKINSDENTAL GROUPHubert Hawkins, DDSBonnie Johnson, RDHBrenda Lane, RDHSheila Amadon, RDH(802) 748-2325New Patients WelcomedPREVENTIVE CARE FOR AWHITER AND BRIGHTER SMILEIncluding:Teeth Whitening; Restorations, Crown,Bridges, Extractions;Complete & Partial Dentures,Perio & Endodontic Treatment,Seeing Our Patientsat their Appointed Time.We emphasize a caring staff withProfessional Dental Treatment.1350 Main Street, Suite 1 St. Johnsbury VT 05819

The North Star Monthly March 2007 13Dear Shrinks,It’s not clear to me if this isan appropriate question for thetwo of you, but I thought Iwould seek your input anyway.I have an old and dear friendwho is an honored member ofhis profession. He has held ahigh office in our town and inhis profession also. For manydecades he has been married toa wonderful and lovely woman.They have three children andfive grandchildren. Now, theproblem. For over 15 years hehas had a mistress who livesvery far away and is a wellknownfigure in her field. Twoor three times a year they makeelaborate plans to meet somewherein the world for a weekendor a week. (They each areinvited to many conferences.)Years ago, when I stumbledonto his secret, I decided tokeep my mouth shut about it,and I’m still comfortable withthat decision. What I’d like youto write about is why a brilliantand successful man would riskscandal and ruin in this way.An observer of humanityDear Observer,Thanks for an interestingquestion. We will offer someideas and speculations about thebehavior of your friend. We alsoneed to emphasize that eachindividual has his or her ownAsk the ShrinksAlice S. Kitchel and Burton Zahlerunique reasons for choicesmade, so we can only give yousome general ideas.Our first speculation is thatone attraction for having tworelationships might be the elementof risk created by livingthis way. Many men and womenfind life dull and boring whenthey do not experience an elementof fear in their lives.Whether they skydive, speed,steal or gamble they are compelledto build a thread ofexcitement and fear into living.We also know that manybehaviors are passed on generationally,that is, from parent tochild. Although the mechanismsfor this to happen are still notclear, we all know of teenagerswho, apparently inadvertently,repeat the complex behaviors ofone of their parents. For example,a daughter marries anddivorces three different men, asdid her mother. Perhaps a childpicks up on unconscious cuesfrom a parent and then livesthem out. Your friend’s actionsmight in some way mirror hisfather’s.Another possible motivationmight be reflected in the needsome men have for a “token”wife or a “token” mistress as away to demonstrate to the worldthat they are successful, thatthey are winning the game oflife. Opposed to this theory isthe secrecy of your friend’saffair. In favor of this theory isthe fact that you learned of theaffair. There is always the possibilitythat you were needed asa witness to your friend’s success.We have noted before thateveryone wants both intimacyand commitment in their life.For some of us it is too threateningto get both in a singlerelationship. There is just toomuch to lose, too many eggs inone basket. One of the manysolutions for this dilemma isyour friend’s divided love life;commitment and constancy athome and intimacy and intensityaround the world.We hope that these possiblereasons for your friend’s behaviorhelp make sense out of yourobservations.Alice S. Kitchel & BurtonZahler who each have a privatepractice in St. JohnsburyStuart V. Corso, D.M.D.GENERAL AND FAMILY DENTISTRY31 Mountain View DriveDanville, VT(802) 684-11333/31/073/31/07UPTO3/31/07with mail-in rebate see dealer for details expires 3/31/073/31/07

14 The North Star Monthly March 2007Wood’s Tea CompanyReturns to Morse CenterOn Friday, March 9 at 7:30p.m. The Wood’s Tea Companywill perform at St. JohnsburyAcademy’s Morse center for theArts.Always a crowd pleaser, theaward-winning Wood’s TeaCompany, has been featured atLincoln Center, The ChautauquaInstitute and on National PublicRadio. Called “Vermont’s hardestworking folk group by boththe Burlington Free Press andVermont Public Radio, they performbluegrass, Celtic tunes, seachanties and folk songs withease and draw on a wide varietyof musical experience andexpression. As many as a dozeninstruments from banjos,15B Hill StreetDanville, VT 05828802-684-8124Barbara Riley - OwnerCatamount Arts PhotoThe Wood’s Tea Company will perform at the Morse Center for theArts in St. Johnsbury on March 9. Tickets are available atCatamount Arts on Eastern Avenue, St. Johnsbury . (802) 748-2600.Shadow BoxArt & FramingCustom Picture FramingArt SuppliesFine Art Gifts & PrintsGift Gift Certificates Available83 Central StreetWoodsville, NH 03785603-747-3967bezoukis and bodhrans, to guitarsand tin whistles are part oftheir arsenal.Wood’s Tea Company isknown for their easy going andwitty repartee with their audiencecombined with powerfulmusicianship. Rusty Jacobs andMike Lussen have playedtogether almost since the foundingof Wood’s Tea Company inthe early 1980s in Burlington,VT. Folk legend Woody Guthriewas an early inspiration. “Thereis something about his musicthat bucked music establishmenttrends. He was singing directlyto the people, and it appealed tous,” says Jacobs. The band startedplaying to small college audiencesin Burlington, and expandedto coffeehouses and pubs.Folk Music Quarterlydescribed them as “one of the 10hottest up and coming acts,” and“side stepping pretension andgoing for the grit, this trio givesa lusty performance every time.”Howard Wooden plays guitar,bass and concertina, andBodhran. He is responsible forthe groups’ graphic art and webMarchthe1 Natalie MacMaster, FlynnCenter, Burlington.2-8The History Boys (2006,England) [R] Director:Nicholas Hytner. The storyof an unruly class of brightand funny history studentsface the daunting universityadmissions process in pursuitof an undergraduateplace at Oxford orCambridge. CatamountArts, St. Johnsbury.(802) 748-2600.2 Gandalf Murphy & TheSlambovian Circus ofDreams, Middle earthMusic, Bradford.3 The Wailin’ Jenny’s, BarreOpera House.4 Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon,Catamount Arts, St.Johnsbury.5 Beethoven’s RevolutionaryMasterpieces with Bill Cotte,Burke Mountain Room,LSC.6 Colonial Brass Quintet, St.Johnsbury Athenaeum.9-15 Pan’s Labyrinth (2006,Mexico) [R] Director:Guillermo del Toro. A poeticfable set in a child’s archaicreality, a magic world ofancient ruins and “fairy”insects. Story begins with“once upon a time,” thenbecomes utterly specific. InSpain, 1944, the civil war isover, and the last remnantsof Republican resistance, arefighting a rearguard action inthe forested northern hills.Catamount Arts, St.Johnsbury.9 Bluegrass Entertainers of theYear, the Cherryholmes,Flynn Center, Burlington.9 Foundation Hip Hop,Alexander Twilight Theater,Lyndon.9 Wood’s Tea Company,Morse Center for the Arts,St. Johnsbury.ARTS around10 Chris Smither, Middle EarthMusic, Bradford.10 Cherryholmes, Opera House,Lebanon, NH.11 Russian American KidsCircus presents a visualspectacle of outrageous costumes,daring aerial feats,expert juggling, astonishingacrobatics, tightrope walking,plate balancing, pantomimeand comedy, FlynnCenter, Burlington.13 The Saw Doctors, OperaHouse, Lebanon, NH.13 Cynthia MacLeod, traditionalfiddling, AlexanderTwilight Theater, Lyndon.16-22 Letters from Iwo Jima(2006, U.K.) [R] Director:Clint Eastwood. A war filmthat reveals the minds andsecret hearts of the Japanesesoldiers defending the islandof Iwo Jima againstAmerican forces over fortydays in 1945. CatamountArts, St. Johnsbury.16 Merce Cunningham DanceCompany, Flynn Center,Burlington.16 St. Patrick’s Day concertwith Ralph Aldrich, PatSager, Stephen Herreid andWindrose, AlexanderTwilight Theater, Lyndon.(802) 626-6445.16 Nick Cassarino, NorthCongregational Church, St.Johnsbury.17 St. Patrick’s Day Celebrationwith Danu, Flynn Center,Burlington.18 Cello virtuoso MattHaimovitz & U-Cello withDJ Olive, Flynn Center,Burlington.18 Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon,Catamount Arts, St.Johnsbury.21 Keb Mo, Opera House,Lebanon, NH.23-29 Children of Men (2006,England) [R] Director:Alfonso Cuarón. Both brilliantreligious allegory andsite design. Howard cut his teethprofessionally in the Midwestduring the 1970’s and early 80’sbefore relocating to Vermont in1983.Tom Mackenzie is one ofVermont’s finest musicians. Heis known world wide for hishammered dulcimer and banjowork. Tom is an accomplishedcomposer and arranger.The Irish Heritage Foundationof New York has honoredThe Wood’s Tea Company withan “outstanding innovation”award in appreciation and recognitionfor their contributions toIrish music. The band has performedacross the country andtheir exceptional musical skills,wit and humor are guaranteed todelight all who appreciate thefolk tradition in music.compelling action movie, thefilm posits a dystopia in2027 London where infertilityhas overcome the humanspecies. The only functioningnation in the world,Britain lives under tyrannywith a paramilitary policeforce barely controlling thegeneral chaos. CatamountArts, St. Johnsbury.23 Jenni Johnson, AlexanderTwilight Theater, Lyndon.23 Marc Bamuthi Joseph presentsScourge, Flynn Center,Burlington.24 Northeast KingdomClassical Series: TheBorealis String Quartet;South CongregationalChurch, St. Johnsbury.(802) 748-8012.24 Jesse Cook, Opera House,Lebanon, NH.24 Johnny A, Barre OperaHouse.24 Jenny Johnson, Celebrationof jazz singers, AlexanderTwilight Theater, Lyndon.25 Dr. Seuss classics intertwinedin a crazy adventurein Seussical, Flynn Center,Burlington.25 Northeast KingdomCommunity Orchestra,Alexander Twilight Theater,Lyndon.30 Luciana Souza and the LosAngeles Guitar Quartet,Flynn Center, Burlington.30 - April 5 Notes on a Scandal(2006, England) [R]Director: Richard Eyre. Thenew art teacher at London’sSt. George School is beautifuland upper-class. She hasan older husband and a sonwith Down syndrome, andshe is having an affair withone of her 15-year old students.She’s caught by a lesbianteacher who agrees notto make a scandal if Shebawill become her friend.Catamount Arts, St.Johnsbury.198 Eastern Avenue St. Johnsbury, VT 05819(802) 748-4852 / (800) 838-4327Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9-4“We Get The Point! Do You?” 95.7

The North Star Monthly March 2007 15Cutting Loose: Artwork by Elin Paulson Will Be Exhibited at theBackroom Gallery at Northeast Kingdom Artisans GuildElin Paulson, a NortheastKingdom artist who died lastMay at the age of 63, was bestknown as a maker of stainedglass medallions. She displayedher work at the BurklynChristmas Market for more than35 years, and households in NewEngland and beyond have herglass in their windows, coloredby daylight and capturing lamplightat night.Teenagers from Vermont andother states as well will gather onthe Champlain College campusin Burlington this summer for aweek of exploring informationtechnology, game design, digitalvideo, Web design and more.Because of the growing reputationof the Governor’s Instituteof Vermont Summer Institute inInformation Technology at thecollege the weeklong programwill be opened to high schoolstudents from out of state as wellas Vermont.Designed to reveal the manyfaceted worlds of the computer,the institute combines technical,artistic and business aspects ofBut Paulson was a painter,who made works on paper withmany of the same qualities as herstained glass but freed of therestrictions of glass and metaland lead. She painted in watercolorsand acrylics and India inkand often added cut paper elementsand words and phrases tocreate layered collages that makethe viewer both wonder andsmile.Champlain College PhotographDigital video and editing are among the activities offered to teensthis summer at Champlain College’s weeklong institute in informationtechnology.Certain images recur inPaulson’s work: birds flying;small bumpy cars toiling up hills;faces in profile, especially at windows;coffee cups and crescentmoons; cozy-looking houses, likea child’s drawing. Her colors areintense and clear. The paintingsare neither small nor large – theyare friendly and interesting, andjoyful most of all.The show will run throughChamplain College Seeks Applicants toSummer Institute in Information Technologyinformation technology. The programbrings motivated studentsin ninth, tenth and eleventhgrades together at ChamplainCollege’s state-of-the-art facilitiesso they can apply their creativityto the hardware and softwareof their dreams.The program runs from June23-July 1, 2007. Students livetogether in the college’sVictorian-era residence halls andeat meals on campus.“The only prerequisite is tobe willing to take a risk, jump inand explore,” says ProgramDirector Ann DeMarle ofChamplain College. “Our goal isto use the box to ‘think out of thebox’ and to have fun.”College faculty and guestprofessional speakers will guideteams of students in hands-onprojects ranging from creating aninteractive Flash-based Web siteto crafting their own 2D game.Web strategy and design,Photoshop, electronic gamedesign, digital video, HTML andobject-oriented programming aresome of the computer fieldsexplored. Students gain inspirationfrom electronic game-playand future technologies asdescribed by science fiction writers.Evening events may involveeverything from who-done-itmystery dinners to watchingaward-winning computer animationsto playing miniature golf.For Vermont students, thetuition is $650 with an applicationdeadline of March 15. Forstudents outside of Vermont, thetuition is $1,350 and the deadlineis May 30.PAUL’S FARM SERVICESales Service PartsPaul D. BergeronPhone (802) 695-2500 Fax (802) 695-2900514 West Main Street (US RT 2) Concord, Vermont 05824Serving Agricultural Needs with Integrity Since 1976April 6 in the Backroom Galleryat the Artisans Guild in St.Johnsbury.Paulson was also a photographer,and in the months beforeher death she documented herPainting By: Elin Paulsenwork, taking photographs of herpaintings and details of her paintingsto put into a book. Duringthe show copies will be availablefor sale. Gallery hours are 10:30- 5:30 Monday through Saturday.The only independent pharmacy in St. Johnsbury“Dedicated to your good health”March is Poison Prevention MonthSOME IMPORTANT TIPS TO REMEMBER Have the number of your physician or local poison controlcenter near your telephone at all times. Have syrup of ipecac on hand and only administer when yourphysician or poison control center has instructed you to do so. Get rid of old medicines periodically by flushing them downthe drain. Rinse containers and discard them. Always turn the light on before giving or taking medicine.415 Railroad St. St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 (802) 748-3122Danville Restaurant & InnCasual Dining Lodging Fully LicensedFRIDAY NIGHT SPECIALChicken Pie Buffet $8.95SATURDAY NIGHT BUFFET: $10.95Breakfast: Tuesday - Saturday 7:00 - 11:00 a.m.Lunch: Tuesday - Friday 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Dinner Reservations are a must.Main Street, Danville VT(802) 684-3484Steve A. Cobb, ownerJustice of the Peace & Notary PublicWeddings/Civil UnionsBy appointment or by chance

16 The North Star Monthly March 2007George C. Cary -Maple Sugar KingGeorge Cary the legendaryMaple SugarKing of Vermont wasborn not in Vermont but inpotato country, Fort Fairfield innorthern Maine.Cary seems to have alwaysbeen successful at sales, first infarm machinery and then at thetender age of 22 he was on theroad in northern Vermont makingcalls on behalf of thewholesale grocer Twitchell,Champlin Co. of Portland, ME.The familiar story, told by Caryhimself, was that in the late1880’s he stopped at a smallgrocery in Craftsbury. It wasmud season, and Cary wasstranded by impassable roads.Not one to miss a chance totry for a sale, Cary found hewas getting nowhere with thecustomary terms. Finally, oneman said that he would take anorder of groceries if he couldmake his payment in maplesugar. He offered 1,500 poundsof the maple sugar at four andhalf cents a pound against thegroceries. Seeing this as thebest he could do Cary agreed tothe trade and accepted theorder.Back in Portland, Cary wastold the sugar was his. He hadbought it, and he could get ridof it.Shortly thereafter Carycrossed paths with a man fromRichmond, VA who was sellingtobacco. At the time, cut plugtobacco was made by dippingthe leaves in sugar from theWest Indies for the purpose ofadding flavor and causing theleaves to stick together. Thetobacco company was buyingcane sugar for five cents apound, and Cary’s mind wasracing. The tobacco man wascautious and didn’t dare to buythe maple even at a price belowthat of the cane sugar, but finallyhe agreed to take 200 poundsin exchange for boxes of theplug tobacco, which Cary knewhe could sell on his route innorthern Vermont.The Virginia tobacco companyfound the maple to besuperior in both flavor and performanceand in less than amonth was ordering a thousandpounds of maple.By 1900, Cary and hisMaple Sugar Company wereshipping hundreds of thousandsof pounds of maple sugar andsyrup each year from St.Johnsbury to be used in packingtobacco and as confections,blended syrups and so forth. By1910 Cary was an internationalbusiness tycoon and evenboasted of having the firstdirect phone line in Vermont toLondon, which resulted in alarge shipment of maple toEngland.With a family, home and agrowing business in St.Johnsbury Cary was attracted toa huge maple stand in NorthDanville, and he purchasedsome 4,000 acres he calledHighland Farm. Some knew itas the Sprague Farm or LookoutFarm. There he raised cattle andfrom 20,000 sugar maple trees,ever the salesman surroundedby superlatives, he produced,what he called the “finest maplesugar ever made.”As well as a source of rawmaterials Highland Farmbecame a living museum for themaple industry. Different portionsof the sugar bush weredevoted to demonstrations ofthe evolution of the processincluding a Penobscot Indianfrom Old Town, ME who posedwith his son in a Sioux styleheaddress and buckskin in ademonstration of the earliesttechniques of gathering sap incrude wooden troughs and boilingover an open fire in theslow process of condensation.Another area demonstratedmetal sap buckets and collectingsap by ox team, and anotherused the state of the art “gooseneck”metal tubes leading sapfrom trees to sugarhouse.An article about GeorgeCary in The [January 1929]Vermonter salutes his entrepreneurialspirit and, further, mentionsthe fact that he foundgreat success despite his physicallimitation of being totallydeaf.Cary’s company and theNorth Danville sugarbush wereboth showplaces in their ownright. Cary died in 1931, thesame year that his company, avictim of over-extension andover-leveraged debt in theGreat Depression, failed. Assetsof the Cary Company wereabsorbed by several othermaple companies in Vermont,but two of the Cary sugarhousessurvive to this day. Trees inthe sugarbush are tapped byStephen and Diane Jones attheir Sugar Ridge Farm. Ifthose trees could talk what ahistory they could tell.Photo Courtesy of Robert C. Jenks, Jenks Studio of Photography.Above: George C. Carey was a fixture at his Highland Farm inNorth Danville, where he operated a showplace and living museumdemonstrating the evolving process of tapping trees and the tools ofharvesting sap for maple production. Born in Fort Fairfield inAroostook County, Maine Carey was a gifted salesman. His success,initially attributed to a chance meeting with a tobacco salesmanand persuading the manufacturers of cut plug tobacco to usemaple- rather than cane-sugar, led to his international business.One of Carey’s hobbies was raising registered milking Short Horns,and he took great pride in their use in the woods and the prizesthey won throughout the eastern United States.Photo Courtesy of Stephen Jones.Two of the Cary sugar houses survive to this day. Above: SugarRidge Farm sugar house is owned by Stephen and Diane Jones, andBelow: Broadview Farm sugar house is owned by Joe Newell.Rest Assured -Sawyer & Ritchie offers:All lines of Insurance Coverage,Professional Prompt Service,Convenient Location andConvenient ParkingOpen 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through FridayWeekends and Evenings by appointmentFrom left: Cindy White, Donna Percy, John Blackmore, Joan Field, George Coppenrath,Betsy McKay, Sam Kempton, Darlene Pilbin, Sue Coppenrath and Cindy Hastings.PO Box 196Danville, VT 05828(802) 684-3411(800) 734-2203 (VT toll free)

The North Star Monthly March 2007 17Pure Vermont MapleProducts Available Here:Bragg Farm Sugarhouse, Doug & Barbara Bragg1005 VT RT 14 North, East Montpelier, VT 05651. (802) 223-5757.Located 1 mile north of East Montpelier Village on RT 14 N, five miles fromBarre or Montpelier. Traditional family-operated sugar house. Taste maple syrup andwalk through the woods where we hang 2,000 buckets. Award-winning maple products,Vermont foods and gifts. Open daily 8:30 - 6:00. Sugar-on-snow served Friday,Saturday, Sunday (Noon - 5 o’clock) through March and April. Try our maple creemees.Broadview Farm Maple, Joe Newell442 York Street, Lyndonville, VT 05851. (802) 626-8396. Pure Vermontmaple syrup available in Grade A Fancy, Medium Amber, DarkAmber and Grade B. Awarded Vermont Seal of Quality. Packed in glass and plasticfrom 1.7 ounces to one gallon. Maple cream and maple candy also available. We willship your request via UPS or parcel post. email: joe@newells.netCabot Hills Maple, Marcia Maynard, Ken Denton & Daughters977 Thistle Hill Road, PO Box 68, Cabot, VT 05647. (802) 426-3463.Certified Organic Vermont Maple Syrup packed in jugs or glass. Available atthe sugarhouse (call ahead) or by mail order. VISA and Mastercard accepted.email: syrup@cabothillsmaple.com www.cabothillsmaple.comCenter Hill Maples, Alan Fogg505 Barnet Center Road, Barnet VT 05821. (802) 633-4491Visitors always welcome. We suggest that you call ahead. All grades ofVermont Maple Syrup, candy and sugar for sale. Take exit 18 off I-91, go 1.9miles west toward Peacham, then right on Barnet Center Road. Farm is 1/2 mile up hillon the left.Photo By: North Star MonthlyKate Beattie is famous for her Maple Cream Pie. Featured insuch publications as Yankee Magazine and Vermont Life, she says,“I’m tired of it.” But that hasn’t slowed her down one bit. She stillmakes the much admired dessert for The Creamery Restaurant inDanville just as she has for more than 30 years.By her estimate, “Thirty years times 50 weeks times 5 pies aweek - Now that’s a lot of maple pies.” Kate says her recipe comesfrom Georgiana Crane, “one of those people who used to cookbetter because she didn’t use mixes.”Here it is, just the way it’s been done for a long time on the 6thgeneration McDonald/Beattie farm in Danville: (For the crust,Kate prefers 3 parts lard to 1 part butter for the shortening mixedwith flour and sugar to the point that it feels like cornmeal. Sheadds ice water so that it just barely sticks together, and then rollsout the crust and bakes it before starting the filling.) For the filling,heat 2 cups of maple syrup (B grade preferably) to a boil in the topa double boiler over direct heat. Then put the pan over boilingwater in the double boiler. Beat 2 eggs with 2 cups of milk and 5heaping tablespoons of flour and add to the hot syrup. Cook slowlyand stir until it is thick, and then add a dash of salt and pepper anda couple of teaspoons of vanilla. Pour the mixture into the preparedpie shell and cool until firm. Finally, cover the filling with agenerous layer of real whipped cream.Gadapee Family Sugarhouse, Larry, Kevin & Keith Gadapee.718 Calkins Camp Road, Danville, VT 05828.(802) 684-3323. Pure Vermont maple syrup in a variety of containers fromgallon to half pint jugs and specialty glass. Also maple cream, maple sugar, maple jellyand (special order) maple candy. Vermont Seal of Quality. We ship. Visitors alwayswelcome when we are boiling. email:gadmaple@together.net. Stop by the CaledoniaFarmers’ Market in St. Johnsbury and Danville to visit us May through October.Goodrich’s Maple Farm, Ruth Goodrich2427 US RT 2, Cabot, VT 05647. (802) 426-3388. Now tapping 20,000.Award winning Pure Vermont Maple Syrup in glass and plastic containers.Maple cream, candy, fudge, bricks, sugar, maple coated walnuts and more. VermontSeal of Quality. Nation-wide mail order. Open 9-5 Monday - Saturday or whenever weare boiling. Large assortment of sugaring supplies, syrup containers - glass, plastic andmetal. New and used equipment available. Email us at goodrichsmaple@yahoo.com orvisit our website at Goodrichmaplefarm.comGoss’ Sugarhouse, Gordon, Pat, Chris & Annette101 Maple Lane, Barnet, VT 05821. (802) 633-4743.Pure Vermont Maple Syrup, all grades are available in a wide variety ofcontainers including tin, plastic or glass. Also maple sugar, maple cream, maple jellyand maple-covered walnuts, peanuts and cashews. Visitors always welcome. Please callahead for boiling information and road conditions. Products available at the sugarhouse or by mail. We ship anywhere. Please visit us on the Vermont Maple Open HouseWeekend, March 23-25, 2007. email:gossmaple@kingcon.com.Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, Burr Morse1168 County Road (Main Street) Montpelier, VT 05602. (802) 223-2740.Montpelier’s got steam especially just three miles up Main Street at the MorseFarm. Sweet things are happening on Maple Open House Weekend including fiddlers.Maple pancake and sausage breakfast March 24 from 8-10 a.m. See the boiling and havesugar-on-snow every weekend afternoon March through mid April. Mail order, largegift shop, maple kettle corn and maple creemees. www.morsefarm.comRowell Sugarhouse, Norbert & Gloria RowellRT 15 Walden, VT 05873. (802) 563-2756. We have maple syrup,maple cream, maple candy, maple sugar, Vermont arts & crafts includingunique wooden bowls, antiques, gifts and more. Visitors welcome to watch us boil.Sugar Ridge Farm, Stephen & Diane Jones566 Stannard Mountain Road, Danville, VT 05828. (800) 748-0892.Pure maple syrup, maple sugar, maple cream, Vermont Seal ofQuality. Available at the farm or by mail. VISA & Mastercard accepted. Free Brochure.Fancy Medium Amber Dark Amber Grade B

18 The North Star Monthly March 2007BarnetTown Clerk: William HoarSelectboard: Ted Faris, StanleyRobinson and Gary BunnellFebruary 12, 2007Highway Access Permit – After discussionabout request from AgathaMartland for a highway access permitonto Garland Hill, Board votedto table request until it has conferredwith town attorney about revised,more detailed (and presumably moreaccurate) survey information.Snowmobile Trail on Brook HillRoad – After discussion with DexterWillson about officially reroutingsnowmobile trail from land nowowned by Mr. & Mrs. J. PattonHyman to Brook Hill Road for ashort distance and then rejoining theexisting club trail, Board approvedthe use of the road as rerquested.Overweight Vehicle Permit – Boardapproved permits for overweightvehicles for Austin Construction Inc.and Allen Lumber Co.Trustee of Public Funds – Boardread and accepted resignation ofJoseph L. Roy as trustee of publicWhat’s Happening at the Town Hall?The other side of shamelessI’m eating achocolate macaroongranola barhalfway througha vision beforememy sisterthe health consciousoneher voicean accusation8 grams of fatshe yellsso loudit hurtsthe insideof my headI drop the otherhalffeel my thighsdimplemy ass growmy stomach protrudeand I lace upmy walking shoesand headfor the hillsPaula LaRochelleGoodrich’s Maple Farm2427 US Rt. 2, Cabot, VT 05647(802) 426-3388goodrichsmaple@yahoo.com www.goodrichmaplefarm.comAWARD-WINNING MAPLE SYRUP & PRODUCTSRetail Wholesale Mail OrderSugaring Equipment & Supplies:Containers, Tanks, Vacuum Pumps& MUCH more.Visit our expanded showroom for all your sugaring needs.New & Used EquipmentCustom Tubing Installation & ConsultationOpen Monday-Saturday 9-5, Closed Sundays & Holidaysfunds effective March 1, 2007. Areplacement will be elected at townmeeting.Rubbish Removal – Board notedthat Vermont Hauling Inc. hasincreased rubbish removal fees as ofJan. 1, 2007 from 65.52/ton to68.80/ton for household rubbish andconstruction debris with haulingrates increasing for household rubbishfrom $146.22/trip to $153.53and construction debris going from$168.71/trip to $177.15.Highway Department Truck –Road Foreman Maurice Ginguereviewed prices of new dump truckand his recommendation to trade inthe 1996 GMC truck. Prices includingtrade-in are between $70-75,000for the chassis. The 1996 truck willbring $5-7,000 in trade, and Board isleaning towards keeping the truck. Itis presently running good. It hasabout 10,500 hours and 165,000miles on it. Gingue suggests it isnearing major repairs and he doesn’twant to be left without a truck forextended period. Gary Bunnell proposedthat during summer months,this truck could be put up and towncould hire out to local haulers forbringing gravel from the pit if needed.Bunnell says biggest need is fora new backhoe.CabotTown Clerk: Chris KaldorSelectboard: Larry Gochey, CalebPitkin and Ted DomeyJanuary 24, 2007Audit Agreement – Board voted tosign audit agreement with FothergillSegale and Valley for year endingDecember 31, 2006.Town Auditor – Board acceptedwith regret resignation of town auditorSherry Laprade and appointedElizabeth Harvey to be auditor untiltown meeting 2007.Certificate of Highway Mileage –On recommendation of LarryGochey Board signed 2007 certificateof highway mileage.Sheriff Patrol – After discussionBoard voted to sign contract forWashington County Sheriff’sDepartment Town Patrol for periodfrom April 1, 2007 through March31, 2008.Vermont Trails and Greenways –After discussion of appropriationrequest from Vermont Trails andGreenways Council Board voted topostpone any action unitl there is furtherclarification.Town Budget – After discussion oftown budget Board voted to increasebudget by $2,000 for stage curtainrepairs at the Willey Building and by$15,000 for painting the WilleyBuilding.January 30, 2007Town Meeting Displays – AndyLeinoff met with Board and proposedhaving an informational displayat Town Meeting from UnionBank. Board noted moderator andboard of civil authority shouldaddress the question.UDAG Committee – Leinoffexplained difficulty in finding volunteerto serve as director of CabotScholarship Endowment. Director ofthe Endowment should not also be amember of the committee thatawards scholarships. Board will discussthis further at another meeting.Town Meeting Warning – Boarddiscussed articles proposed for warningfor Town Meeting. After considerablediscussion Board approved afinal warning.February 7, 2007Cabot Coalition – William Waltersnoted plans by Cabot Coalition toDanvilleCongregationalChurchUnited Church of ChristAn Open and Affirming CongregationRev. Douglas CarterInterim PastorPlease Join Usfor Worship at 10 a.m.,and bring your family.Just north of the Danville Greenon Hill Street(802) 684-2176place a sign at recreation field duringschool sponsored events regardingpossession of alcohol, tobacco, drugsand firearms.UDAG Committee – Board discussedUnion Bank having a UDAGinformational display at town meetingand agreed display should haveno bank propaganda. Board discussedpositions for director ofCabot Scholarship Endowment Inc.Town Audit – Town Treasurer submitteddraft audit report and financialstatement for year endedDecember 31, 2006 and auditor’smanagement letter.DanvilleTown Clerk: Virginia MorseSelectboard: Marion Sevigny, LarryGadapee, Rick Sevigny, MarvinWithers and Michael WalshJanuary 25, 2007Budget Review – Board reviewedpreliminary highway, municipal, andwastewater budget figures withbudget committee and explained variousexpenditures as requested.Members of the budget committeeagreed that all the expenditures areessential, but they are concernedwith resulting increase in taxes.Special Appropriations – TownClerk Virginia Morse reviewed petitionsfor appropriations to berequested at town meeting. Boardnoted total requests are down $3,275from those voted last year. After discussion,Board voted to acceptmunicipal budget as modified as aresult of lower total of special appropriationrequests and to approvehighway budget and wastewaterbudget as printed. Merton Leonardwill get an estimate of late taxes to becollected that could be used to lowerprojected tax rate. Board voted tosign warning for town meeting asdiscussed.January 29, 2007Budget Review – Board reviewedbudgets during budget committeehearing with Schoolboard.Following hearing Board voted toamend municipal budget to showanticipated revenue in bank interestof $5,000 and delinquent tax interestof $10,000 and to lower tax figure by$15,000 as suggested at budget hearing.Town Report – Board reviewedtown report and approved it as printed.February 8, 2007Road Crew – Kevin Gadapeereported road crew has been dealingwith small storms, cleaning up wooddump and doing inside maintenanceand painting on colder days.Snowmobile Trails – Merton conveyedinformation received on hoursof the snowmobile trails indicatingthat the hours of usage are not beingchanged as was discussed at an earliermeeting, only the signs are beingchanged. The hours have alwaysbeen 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. although signshave said 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.Town Audit – Board directedMerton Leonard to send a second letterto auditing firms requesting proposalsfor an audit of the town’sbooks.Planning Commission – Boardaccepted resignation of MichaelSmith from planning commissionand appointed him to developmentreview board.LyndonTown Clerk - Lisa BarrettSelectmen: Martha Feltus, BruceJames and Dick BoeraJanuary 22, 2007Selectboard Opening – Board votedto appoint A. Richard “Dick” Boerato the vacancy created by resignationof Rob Elmes on Board. Boera willserve until Town Meeting.Wastewater Hook-up Fee – On recommendationof Scott TownsendBoard voted to approve wastewaterhookup fees as proposed.Budget Proposal – Board voted toset 2007 general fund budget at$2,048,927, wastewater fund budgetat $1,217,581, highway fund budgetat $1,405,758 and sanitation budgetat $322,565.Liquor License – Board approvedliquor license for Full Belly Deli.Trust Fund Accounting – Boardapproved and signed probateaccounting report for J. & E. TrefrenFund for period 1/1/05 to 12/31/06.Legal Matter – After executive sessionto discuss a legal matter noaction was taken.January 26, 2007Town Meeting – Board approvedwarning for 2007 town meeting.Gilman Housing Trust – Boardvoted to adopt resolution regardingloan consolidation grant agreementwith Gilman Housing Trust.February 13, 2007Highway Report – Board notedhighway report. At 10% through yearhighway budget is 8% expended.Bulky Day Dates – Board notedschedule for bulky days as May 12-19 and October 6-13.Highway Mileage Certificate –Board voted to approve highwaymileage certificate dated February10, 2007.Wastewater Contract – After executivesession to discuss wastewatercontract, no action was taken.VT Trails and Greenways – Boarddiscussed possibility of membershipin VT Trails and Greenways Council.February 20, 2007Highway Report – At 12% throughyear highway budget is 9% expended.Town Meeting Review – Board metOpen Monday - Friday 10 - 5Saturday 10 - 449 Main Street, Littleton, NH 03581(603) 444-7378

Excerpts from Selectboard Minutes from Area TownsSee your Town Clerk for complete minutes of the meetingsThe North Star Monthly March 2007 19with Moderator Norm Messier anddiscussed procedures for town meeting.Wastewater Contract – After executivesession to discuss a wastewatercontract, no action was taken.PeachamTown Clerk: Bruce LaffertySelectmen: Richard Browne, TimMcKay and Gary Swenson.January 17, 2007Transfer Station – Board discussedtransfer station compactor contractand is still waiting for informationfrom waste management district.Road Crew – Road crew has beenconcentrating on weather relatedroad maintenance and vehicle maintenance.Budget Review – Board discussedannual budget and discussed a meetingwith town treasurer and townauditors to review current financing,fund structures, reconciliation, surplusesand current investments.Town Meeting – Board discussedwarning for annual town meeting.Planning Commission – Board discussedcertain letters from planningcommission and will have townattorney review the requests.Town Hall – Board discussed reportfrom Village Economic Committeeand its study of town facilitiesincluding meeting areas and otherspace needs.Legal Matters – After executive sessionto discuss legal matters, noaction was taken.January 31, 2007Fire Department – Board met withFire Chief Jeff Berwick and discussedacquisition of a replacementrescue vehicle.Budget Review – Town treasurerreported that there is a $26,780.98surplus in the 2006 highway fund.Board voted to carry over the$26,780.98 to the 2007 highwaybudget and that the funds be usedexclusively to reduce amount raisedin taxes for 2007 highway budget.Treasurer discussed town budget andfinances.Peacham Transfer Station – GarySwenson indicated that Dick Blairshould be commended for improvementof operations at transfer station.Town Meeting – Board approved2007 town meeting warning.St. JohnsburyTown Manager: Michael WelchTown Clerk: Sandy GrenierSelectboard: Dale Urie, BryonQuatrini, Dale Urie, Reg Wakeham,Gary Reis and Jerry Rowe.January 22, 2007Pedestrian and Bike Path – Boardmet with Lisa Murdock and ErikSandblom to review engineeringreport and project alternativesthrough St. Johnsbury Center.Tax Stabilization Request – On recommendationof tax stabilizationcommittee Board approved a oneyear tax stabilization agreement forAldrich Formica with building andland value to remain at $268,800 for2007 and personal property to beplaced on grand list at 10% of bookvalue. Board agreed to revisit agreementin 2008 and consider a longerterm agreement after seeing grandlist valuation changes.CALEX Emergency MedicalServices – Matt Choate, representingCALEX board of directors, met withBoard to review activity in 2006 andplanning for 2007. Mike Welchnoted that the cost of dispatchingservices needs to evaluated and thatCALEX and the fire departmentshould continue to seek ways tocooperate.Fairbanks Museum – CharlieBrowne reviewed special appropriationrequest from Fairbanks Museumand increase of 9.6% from last year.Lister & Revaluation – PeterWhitney reviewed proposed listerbudget and status of revaluation. OnWhitney’s recommendation Boardvoted to hire a part time employeefor up to 30 hours per week withoutbenefits to perform data entry servicesassociated with the revaluation.Recreation Department Budget –Joe Fox reviewed recreation fundbudget including fees for participantsfrom outside of St. Johnsbury and thetime consuming aspects of fund raising.Deficit Refunding – Mike Welchreviewed opinion from Attorney PaulGiuliani, as to Board authority torefund existing deficit. After discussionBoard voted to present questionto voters at town meeting seekingauthorization to refund recreationfund deficit of $106,526 over periodof three years.Municipal Budget Discussion –Board reviewed draft 2007 budgetproposals for general fund, highwayfund and special services fund.Following discussion Board voted toapprove proposed budgets as presented:General fund expenditures,$2,186,316; Highway fund expenditures,$1,881,638; and SpecialServices Fund expenditure,$1,012,453.Ancient Road Committee –Following discussion about $5,000ancient roads grant and recommendationby Priscilla Messier Boardappointed Alan Boye, Shane Clark,Larry Gadapee, Priscilla Messier,Jim Rust, Stan Wilkins and MikeWelch to serve on an ancient roadcommittee to supervise the grant program.Utility Easement – After presentationby town manager Boardapproved pole permits requested byVerizon.Water Planning – Board approvedplanning loan application for$99,980 to prepare a WaterDistribution Master Plan and Reportfor Reducing Disinfection By-Products at the Water TreatmentFacility.Preserve America Grant – MikeWelch reported that additional informationrequested by Board is availableand Board voted to sign letter ofsupport for STJ Works PreserveAmerica grant application.January 29, 2007Town Meeting – Board met withMary Grant, executive director ofRural Community Transportation todiscuss RCT appropriation request of$14,500. Board met with LisaRivers, executive director ofCommunity Justice Center, to discussa possible $10,000 increase inits appropriation to cover its contributiontoward an employee pensionplan.Grant to Encourage ArrestApplication – After a presentationby Michelle Fay, executive directorof Umbrella, Board agreed to submitan application on behalf of Umbrellafor the Grant to Encourage Arrestprogram.Impeachment Article – After apresentation by Jeff Briggs and discussionBoard voted to deny arequest that articles seekingimpeachment of George W. Bushand Richard B. Cheney and supportof the men and women in the armedforces in Iraq by bringing them homenow be placed on the warning forMarch Town Meeting.Public Parking Lot Loan – On recommendationof town attorney andtown manager Board voted to adopta resolution to authorize a vote attown meeting to refinance theremaining $150,755 balance of thetown’s loan for parking lot improvementsover a period of five years.Review of Financial Statements –After review by town manager andtown treasurer Board voted to adoptcertain transfers to reserve funds anduse of undesignated fund balance aspresented.Town Meeting Warning – Afterreview of draft warning for townmeeting, Board voted to adopt warningas presented.February 12, 2007School Board Meeting – Prior toregular meeting Board met with St.Johnsbury Schoolboard to reviewproposed budget and warned articlesfor town meeting.Dussault’sHeatingSalesServiceInstallationThermo Pride FurnacesPeerless BoilersU.S. Border Patrol – Fernando J.Beltran, patrol agent in charge of theSwanton sector of the U.S. borderwith Canada met with Board andreviewed statistics pertaining toequipment, problems monitoring theCanadian Border, cooperation withvarious law enforcement agencies,drug seizures, deportable aliensdetected at this border, electronicmeans of monitoring border and personnelstrength.Certification of Mileage – Boardreviewed and signed certification oftown highway mileage.Budget Presentation – Board discussedbudget presentation for townmeeting including wireless microphone,wireless remote so persondoing the presenting can changeslides, podium and a laser pointer.Labor Relations – Following executivesession to discuss labor relationsagreements with an employee and acontract with Joel Schwartz, noaction was taken.WaldenTown Clerk: Lina SmithSelectboard: David Brown, PerleyGreaves and Douglas LutherFebruary 20, 2007Road Crew – Board commended theroad crew for its great job clearingsnow after the February 14 snowstorm.Gravel – Board met with CalvinMaskell to discuss selling gravel totown. Doug Luther and road foremanwill discuss this further.Fire Department – Fire Chief ChrisBissell reported fire departmentreceived a grant to buy a repeatersystem and asked if the town couldloan the department $10,106.25 for30 days as the system must be paidfor first. The grant will reimburse thecost. Board approved the request.Budget Review – Board met withBill Huntoon and Chris Bissell anddiscussed fast squad budget and thatfor the constable.Fire Warden – Board reappointedPaul Greaves as fire warden.Liquor License – Board approvedliquor and tobacco license forWalden Country Store.Moderator – Board approvedrequest from Roger Fox to attend anannual moderator’s workshop.Green Up Day – Board agreedGreen Up has worked well in thepast and authorized Stuart Smith tomake same arrangements as before.Photo Courtesy of Beverly McCannIn 1938 Beverly (Daniell) McCann lived on her grandmother’s(Lillian Winn Badger’s) farm and from there attended thePumpkin Hill School in Danville. She recently provided us witha photograph of the students at the school at the time and asksfor help in identifying the young scholars. McCann has identifiedherself in the middle of the front row with a light coloredcoat. Her sister, Bettyjane is to her right, and their brother,Clarence, is behind Bettyjane making a face. The teacher, Ms.Cruise, is in the rear at the right. McCann remembers the lastnames of some of the children as Bryer, Church, Cole, Daniell,Guertin, Parker, Perkins, Ward and Swett. She would like tohave any available help in identifying the people in this photograph.Mayo’sPaint Dept.20% offall California Paints & StainsREID & BALIVETATTORNEYS AT LAWERNEST TOBIAS BALIVETJUDITH A. SALAMANDRA CORSODANVILLE GREEN DANVILLE, VT (802) 684-3666Box 301St. Johnsbury, VT 05819(802) 748-494524 hour serviceA great“Spring Pick-Me-Up”OPEN7 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.8 a.m.-Noon Sat.Paints& Stains802 Railroad StreetSt. Johnsbury, VT 05819(802) 748-8826

20 The North Star Monthly March 2007River Garden CaféCelebrates Fifteen YearsTERRY HOFFERCity people have a bad reputation.We tend to think of themas loud and pushy and quick tosuggest that places like this arebeyond the pale. We think theywant to change everything, fix itand make it upscale and highbrow.Some city people are likethat. And we laugh.Then you find a couple ofurban expatriates who wouldnever go back, who thank theirlucky stars their path led toVermont and the NortheastKingdom and who think casualRiver Garden Kitchens saladdressings in five flavors aremixed, bottled and shipped togrocers across Vermont andbeyond. Look for new flavors tojoin the list in the spring.One-Stop Shoppingfor all your flooring needs Carpet Vinyl Ceramic Tile Hardwood Laminatesand quiet is infinitely superior topushy and rude. Meet BobbyBaker and David Thomas, partnersand co-owners of the RiverGarden Café in East Burke.Baker describes following ahunch into the food business in1983 as he and a business partneropened a catering business underthe bright lights of Manhattan.Called Plums, the business specializedin catering lunches andspecial events for high rollingcorporate clients. Plums servedall kinds of business lunches,whisked in, served with greatstyle and whisked out. Theirlargest event, Baker says, wasthe 25th anniversary party forthe Barbie Doll hosted for therich and the famous by Mattel.“It was a big deal,” Bakeradmits, but with 3,500 guests itwas far from the friendly andpersonal atmosphere he longedfor.In 1986 Baker moved on andopened a more traditional restaurant,known as Sofi, on 5thAvenue just north of GreenwichVillage. It was a great location,he admits, and with rave reviewsfrom publications includingEsquire, Food & Wine andArchitectural Digest customerssought Sofi out. Baker hiredDavid Thomas as a waiter.Thomas was a native ofPennsylvania with hopes of acareer in acting and modeling,and waiting on table was his dayjob.At the time, Baker andThomas agree, New York justdidn’t have the luster that peopleimagine when they talk aboutThe City.” That was before theera of Mayor Giuliani, andthings were tough,” Baker says.“I lived a block from CentralPark, and people were gettingTHECARPET CONNECTION“The Flooring Specialists” Wholesale & Retail11 Depot Street Lyndonville, VT 05851 (802) 626-9026 Area Rugs Entry Mats Stair Treads Runners Vinyl CompositionAll In-stock, Ready to GoFlooring SALE30%-70% OFFRegular Retail Priceskilled where I walked my dog. Iwas afraid. We’d had enough,and we didn’t want to go to thesuburbs and just move halfway.”In May 1991 Baker andThomas moved to East Burke.They bought a building besideVT 114 in the village and redidthe place inside and out. Bakerlikes to tell about one lady whoasked what they were doing.When she heard they were openinga restaurant she quipped,“You can’t get a decent CaesarSalad around here. Put one onthe menu, and I’ll be there.”Customers havealways askedabout the saladdressings, andThomas says,“We’d pour someinto a coffee cupand they’d walkout with maskingtape over the topsaying we shouldsell this.”Fifteen years ago in mid-February of 1992, Baker,Thomas and their chef, StevenHartwell, turned on the lightsand unlocked the door. Theirvision was dining that was casualwith first-rate service, nicewines and food as fresh as possiblewith jazz on the stereo. Theschedule was breakfast and dinner.The menu, Baker says,offered a certain amount ofsophistication with omelets andPhoto By: North Star MonthlyBobby Baker (left) and David Thomas opened the River GardenCafé in February 1992. Fifteen years later they still follow theiroriginal vision, and the result is satisfied customers who appreciatewhat they do.salad dressings that were homemadeinstead of the customaryand predictable French, Russianand Italian. The called it theRiver Garden Café, and theyoffered a Caesar Salad.Since then, both Baker andThomas will agree, they havetried very hard to stay true to theinitial vision. “There were upsand downs with the weather,”Baker says, “and through thefirst winter there were more thana few nights with no customers.But we kept saying there is nothingwrong with this. People willcome.” And they did.Breakfast hours gave way toluncheon, but the River Gardenhas never tried to be fancy or different,just better. Baker says,“We never take a customer forgranted. One of us is always hereto greet people as they comethrough the door, and we see thateverything is in its place whenthey sit down. There are about50 seats, and we just want tokeep the character personal andfriendly.”The menu has evolved somebut still shines with perennialfavorites like a wonderful beeftenderloin filet, pan roastedsalmon, grilled lamb and not oneor two but three variations on(that’s right) Caesar Salad. Theirdesserts are stellar not the leastof which is the River Gardencreme brulee of the day.Customers have alwaysasked about the salad dressings,and Thomas says, “We’d poursome into a coffee cup andthey’d walk out with maskingtape over the top saying weshould sell this. Three years agowe started to take the idea seriously.”And River GardenKitchens was born.Today in a modest buildingjust south of the well known EastBurke restaurant is a satellitekitchen where five varieties ofRiver Garden dressing aremixed, heated and bottled at therate of about 250 bottles eachweek for distribution far fromEast Burke.The RGK dressings are availablein stores in Vermont andbeyond including major grocerychains like Whole Foods andothers in southern New England,New York and New Jersey. Two(See River Garden on Next Page)Free AARP/IRSTax Counselingfor the Elderly 2007All Assistance Is By Appointment OnlyDays AvailableShut-InsSt. Johnsbury S12055819Rodger Boyle, 748-4476 Thurs. & Fri. YesDaria Ktazer, 745-1054 Thurs. & Fri. YesLyndonville Senior Action Center S12055851Marion Mohri, 626-4544 All Days YesBill Mohri, 626-4544 All Days YesFebruary 1 - April 18 2007Please call the desired counselor for an appointment

The North Star Monthly March 2007 21Home Demonstration Group Cleared thePath for Health Care and Hot Mealsin Walden SchoolsBETTY HATCHSoon after the Walden HomeDemonstration Group wasorganized and a meeting schedulein place, the members beganlooking for projects to help theirchildren and others in the Waldenschools. The members wereyoung mothers with growingfamilies, and they had little extramoney. Dental appointments forfamilies were hard to arrange,but they contacted Dr. FranklinHovey of St. Johnsbury to see ifhe’d accommodate the group andprovide some time for dentalwork.On May 26, 1948, Dr. Hoveyand his hygienist, Oralie Lane,came to the Walden Church for adental clinic for Noyesville students.A work record was completedand appointments scheduledfor students to have thework done. On August 12, areport of 65 fillings and 4 extractionswas noted at a cost of $140.The following year there wasanother clinic in May, and byAugust 16 children had visitedRiver Garden CafeSpreads its Reach with itsSalad Dressing(Continued from Page 20)people work full-time fillingthose orders.Thomas says, “When westarted we were cautious aboutfood that was different, but peoplehave changed. They are moreconscious, more interested inwhat they eat. Farm-raised andorganic are important to people,and they will try anything preparedwell.”Baker says, “It’s still fun, andit’s still challenging. That’s whathis office, and three paintings offluoride for each child wereadded. In 1950, Dr. Hoveyexamined 24 children. The pricewas $97.50 for the work. Withmembers of the Group from theHeights and Four Corners Schooldistricts, children from thoseschools were included. The clinicbill for 1951 was $350 as 46children were checked requiring178 fillings.By 1953, the groundworkwas laid, and 50 children werechecked in January. After thatparents were seeing the advantageof their children havinggood teeth and they were schedulingvisits themselves.The Walden Health Councilwas organized September 19,1951 with the help of State nurses,and children were checkedfor other health problems. Shotsand fluoride rinses were given,as well as physicals.These cold mornings remindme of the noontime school mealsof years ago. Students carriedpails with tight fitting covers aslunch boxes, but a cold sandwichgets us here every morning. It’snever dull. We have a very goodstaff, and when people leavethey are grateful. People appreciatewhat we do, and they say so.”He says, “In New York everyoneis a critic.”Thomas says, “Vermont hasbeen good to us. It’s hard toimagine it being better. Therestaurant has grown, and thesalad dressings have worked outwell, and ...” Then he rolls hiseyes and he laughs, “Now theywant us to can our soups.”wasn’t very appealing. Someteachers allowed the children totoast their lunches on top of thewood stove. Some childrenbrought potatoes (with their initialscarved on then), whichcould be baked in a pan on thestove top. Others brought itemsto be combined and cooked as ahearty soup to accompany theirsandwiches.Parents helped with hotlunches. At South Walden in1940, a corner of the room waspartitioned off, and an oil stoveand work table were added, asone mother came to the schooland prepared a hot meal. Otherparents furnished other food asneeded.In 1947, Evelyn George ofHardwick was a hot lunch fieldsupervisor for the StateDepartment of Education. Shecontacted the HomeDemonstration Group in Waldenabout sponsoring lunches insome of the Walden Schools. In1949, we were purchasing pasteurizedmilk in half pint bottlesfrom A. Bellavance & Sons toserve Type A lunches at threeschools. Several from the groupformed committees to overseethe programs. They receivedsurplus commodities, and cooksplanned meals around availableproducts. We were reimbursed afixed amount for each mealserved. At first meals were freeto all students, but the cost ofextra supplies was soon largerthan the reimbursement, and theGroup was busy earning extramoney to cover the cost.None of the schools hadkitchens at that time. AtNoyesville School the meal wasprepared by Florence Moulton inher home. While girls set theBetty Hatch PhotographOn May 4, 1949 Dr. Franklin Hovey (left) offered a dental clinic forchildren at the Walden Church. Rose Marie Joslyn and Norma andJoyce Ainsworth are joined by dental hygienist Oralie Lane.table, several boys went to Mrs.Moulton’s for the meal. The mealwas served at the school by theteacher, and all sat down to saygrace before they ate.At the Four Corners School,Blanche Fourier prepared themeal at home and carried it to theschool, where she served theteacher and seven children. Theschool closed shortly thereafter,and there was no further need fora meal.Pupils at the Heights Schoolfinished their morning classes at11:30 a.m., got their outdoorclothes on and walked to theGreaves’ home, a short distanceaway. Anne Greaves and a helperserved the meal there after thechildren had washed their handsand combed their hair.Menus were planned aheadand were the same in all threeschools. Commodities were stillused, and the HomeDemonstration Group continuedits sponsorship until 1962 when aparents group took over atNoyesville School. By 1964, theState Department of Educationtransferred the hot lunch programto the town school boards,and by then kitchens had beenbuilt in all Walden Schools.From then on there was a cook ineach school to serve a meal eachschool day, whereas earlier programsonly offered hot mealsduring winter months.Various women were hired toprepare meals, and $3 a day wasthe rate of pay. I suppose a dollarwas worth more than it is today,and a variety of ways for theHome Demonstration Group toearn money shows up in the oldrecords.Cobleigh Public LibraryLyndonvilleMonday: Noon - 5 p.m.; Tuesday: Noon - 7 p.m.;Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Thursday: Noon - 7 p.m.;Friday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.IS OPENFOR LUNCH & DINNEROur New Extended Menu Includes: Fried Chicken New stone cooked pizza Homemade Sandwiches with Fresh Halleluia Bread Gifford Ice Cream & SundaesNow offering rib eye steak and chicken breasts Mon. - Thurs: 5 a.m. - 8 p.m. Fri: 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sat: 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sun: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.“When everyone else is closed... we’re still going”Route 15, Walden, Vermont (802) 563-2888DANVILLE SERVICE CENTERRoute 2, Danville Village 684-3481Offers you our 14th AnnualSWEET DEALfor this Maple SeasonBring your car or light truck in during the month ofMarch and we will change your oil* and filter, lubechassis... plus safety check your brakes, exhaustsystem, lights and drive train. (*up to 5 quarts)Only $19.95HOURS: 7-5 Mon. thru Fri. 8-1 Sat. Mechanic on Duty

22 The North Star Monthly March 2007ThereIs NothingLike Winter atLonesome LakeANDREW RIELYLonesome Lake Hut is oneof eight Mountain Huts in northernNew Hampshire operated bythe Appalachian Mountain Club(AMC) offering accommodationsfor hikers. Located at 2,760feet above sea level the Hut andthe lake are surrounded by higherground.It’s 7 o’clock in the morningat the Hut, and the thermometerreads -16 degrees. Outside, theTracks cross frozen Lonesome Lake to the hut in the trees on the far shore. The Kinsman Mountains arein the background.Photos By: Andrew RielyRadio Call occurs at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Meg Norris, a.k.a Bajo,exchanges weather, trail and reservation information with theAppalachian Mountain Club headquarters in Pinkham Notch.Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:30 - 5:30.Backroom Gallery Show: “Coming Together”A Collection of Paintings by Elin Paulson 2/23 - 4/6wind whips across the frozenlake, searing any exposed skin.Meg Norris, better known to herfriends and co-workers as Bajo(that’s an old nickname fromSpanish class, pronounced Ba-Ho), is up checking the snowstake, the wind speed and temperaturemeasurements for her 8o’clock radio call with her headquartersat PinkhamNotch.To outsiders, the cold is perhapsthe most daunting aspect ofher caretaking. “I’ve had wholestints like this,” Bajo says, referringto the sub-zero chill as shescuttles out with a blowtorch tounfreeze the well pump. Later,she only half-jokingly speaks oftemperatures “warming up to 5degrees.”The AMC, which operates itshuts with a permit from the U.S.Forest Service, keeps three openon a self-service basis throughthe winter. At each of the huts apair of caretakers trade weeklongshifts. Lonesome Lake, at1.7 miles from Lafayette PlaceCampground in FranconiaNotch, is closest to the road, butnestled in a bowl amidst Cannonand Kinsman Mountains it isdetached from the everydayworld.Such a situation requiresconsiderable personalityreserves for the caretaker.“I’m good with people, and Iknow how much Bajo they cantake,” my host banters. Unlikethe summer, when hut crooscook for guests, the winter caretakeris not responsible for feedinghikers. Bajo does have dailyduties, however. She keeps thehut’s wood stove going from4:00 to 7:00 in the afternoon,assists guests with washing dishes(they use the stoves andkitchenware in the hut, whichmakes their packs lighter but canbe a headache for the caretaker),and she is charged with beinggenerally friendly and helpful.Rather than loneliness, themain challenge is handlingguests in the cold. “Can you behospitable in a cold environment?It's way more than canyou deal with people or not …You survive the weekends andlook forward to the zero counts.”That’s when the hut is otherwiseempty.The previous Saturday, witha full house of more than 40 people,the hand- and electricpumpsto the well broke, meaningthat all water for drinking,cooking and washing had to becollected from snow outside andmelted. “People were cranky,”Bajo chortles.MAGNUS & ASSOCIATESTAX PLANNING&PREPARATION459 Portland St., St. Johnsbury, VT(802) 748-5555Tune in forHigh School Gameslive on WSTJ.PO Box 249 St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 (802) 748-2345This evening, however, thereis but one party of five, and theyare in an amicable mood. Assoon as Bajo gets the fire going,they extend her an invitation tojoin them in a dinner of barbecuedchicken, sautéed potatoesand corn. It’s promptly accepted.Cooking up here tends to take along time; besides, nobodywants to pack out extra food.Born a flatlander,Bajo prefers themore rugged terrainof NewHampshire andVermont, and sheplans to stay.As the beautiful pinkishalpenglow infuses the FranconiaRange across the lake and thetwo older guys tell stories abouteach other (last time they stayedat Carter Notch, one of themtook a wrong turn during a nocturnalvisit to the outhouse andlanded in snow up to hisarmpits) it becomes clear theyare a mixed group of family andfriends. Drawn by the challengeand camaraderie of a winter outing,they make an expedition tothe huts each year. The off-seasonprice is affordable, too. It’s$28 for non-AMC members. Anindividual saves almost $60against the full-service prices ofthe summer and fall.“It’s definitely a differentcrowd from the summer,” saysBajo. “[It’s] a hardier stock witha great sense of humor abouthow crazy they are.” Groups areoften boisterous and cook withgusto, often packing in surprisinglyelegant items such as steakand wine. When asked about thepost-dinner atmosphere, Bajoerupts into snickers. “Let’s nottalk about the booze,” she says,and she changes the subject.Some make the hike for amore rejuvenating experience.“People come up here specificallyfor camaraderie - some havecome up who have just gottenout of jobs or relationships.Basically, I’ve worked as a therapist.It is kind of a cleansingthing for people to come hereand unwind.” Once in a while avisitor gripes about the hut’sintrusion into wilderness or

The North Star Monthly March 2007 23Washington. The friend’s storiesabout the bitter winters madeBajo wary of caretaking, but herenthusiasm for the mountainsand the simple lifestyle convincedher to try it, therebyescaping another retail job athome in Connecticut.Halfway through her winteremployment, Bajo has alreadysigned up to work at Mizpah Hutnext summer, and she is thinkingabout another two months ofcaretaking in the spring. ByAugust, she will have spent afull year working in the backcountry.Born a flatlander, Bajoprefers the more rugged terrainof New Hampshire and Vermont,and she plans to stay. After caretaking,she says she can surviveanything. “It’s an opportunity tolive a sparser life than in thefront-country,” she says. She finishesher chores and then settlesdown for a late morning nap, tobe followed in the afternoon by acouple of laps around the lake intime for the majestic sunsetshow bounced off the mountaintops. For someone like Bajo, thisis very good duty.Andrew Riely is a summernaturalist and resident of thehigh huts operated by theAppalachian Mountain Club.The Franconias, New Hampshire’s second-highest mountain range, are arrayed spectacularly on the farside of Franconia Notch.argues that its presence encouragesinexperienced hikers to putthemselves in harm’s way. Bajoendures their comments with amixture of public patience andprivate frustration, noting thatsuch passers-by never fail tocome inside to investigate thewoodstove or drink a cup of tea.Occasionally someone doescome through without properequipment or in the early stagesof hypothermia. Then it is thecaretaker’s responsibility to providewarnings about the risk ofcontinuing on or to warm themback up to safety. Winter accidentsin the White Mountainsare frequent, and immobilizationis particularly dangerous in coldweather. Indeed, in late January,just across from Lonesome Lakein the Franconia Range, a combinationof high winds, overambitious planning and humanerror forced a lost climber tospend two nights out in bitterlycold weather. Only after a sustainedsearch involving 65 rescuersand two helicopters was heplucked off the mountainside,having sustained severe frostbite.The cold does not seem tobother caretaker Bajo much,however. She has a couple ofdown blankets and she makeshot water bottles to stay warm atnight. Nor does she go hungry—the pantry, or “poop” as it isknown in AMC vocabulary, isstocked with more than enoughstaples to last till spring.“Freshies” she carries up herselfat the beginning of her stint:“You can get by [without them],but you’d get scurvy. You’repacking milk, vegetables, butter—thingsyou couldn’t get duringthe Great Depression.” Onher last shift she brought up a50-pound bag of flour. “I hadn’tpacked anything in a while, andit kicked my ass!”Loneliness is not much of aproblem. “I do a lot of reading, alot of writing … there’s a lot oftime to think. It depends on yourpersonality, because some do getlonely.” (One caretaker at nearbyCarter Notch Hut recentlyquit because the job was so solitary.)When the radio squawks -Joanne, she’s the caretaker atZealand Falls Hut, is calling theAMC’s Construction Crew, presumablybecause something ather hut isn’t working - Bajojumps up and runs to the radio tolisten. “My program’s on!” sheyells, and then comes back disappointedwhen no one respondsto the radio call. “There’senough work up here to occupyyour time … at night, I listen toNPR, so it’s not like I don’t hearpeople’s voices for a week.”Self-motivation is the key toaccomplishing the gritty tasks ofkeeping the hut in good shape.“No one’s going to pat you onthe back for reaming (cleaning)the stove,” she says. Cleaningthe bathrooms, scraping ice offof hut windows and scrubbingLITTLE MOVERLocal & RegionalandContract TruckingSince 1967(802) 748-9112 or cell (802) 793-7986Jphelps@kingcon.comgraffiti off birch trees are someof her more glamorous tasks. Incolder weather, she choosesmore active chores to stay warm.A year ago, Bajo was workingat an upscale women’s clothingboutique in Burlington,where the money was good, butthe work uninspiring. Havingpaid off most of her collegeloans and seen the huts throughthe eyes of a roommate at UVM,she applied to work for the AMClast fall and got a position on thecroo at the Hut at the Lakes ofthe Clouds on MountA good fire, as they say, warms twice, maybe three times, and that’spart of Bajo’s daily routine at Lonesome Lake.BERKSHIREPAINTING CORPORATION Painting & Staining Interior & Exterior Power Washing Sheet Rock Repair Quality Work Free Estimates Fully InsuredKAP Enterprises, LLC838 Keyser Hill RoadSt. Johnsbury, VTUSDOT 458292Doug Winseck (802) 626-4071 East BurkeSpring Comes toCoppermine BrookSubdued beneath the winter’s ice and snowThe mountain stream remembers vernal strengthAnd murmurs threats to the rock belowForetelling forms to be carved in time’s great length.Yet while the imprisoned water glides alongAn unheard wind seeps in the valley fold,Pushed by warm-front weather, live as song,Mixing March air with February cold.The forming fog sorts out in deepening shades of grayThe silent shapes of lofty hardwood trees,While, pale and blue, an ice mass falls away,Its stony grip relinquished to the thawing breeze.The cracking ice portends a mighty change.The swelling stream bursts outward toward the sea.The glistening waters tumble from the mountain rangeShouting to the whirling seasons the joy of being free.The Riverside SchoolAn independent school for grades 2-8Celebrating 26 Years Dedicated Teachers High Academic Standards Family Atmosphere Small Class Size Personal AttentionBruce HoytEditor’s Note: Coppermine Brook drains away from BridalVeil Falls in Franconia on the west side of CannonMountain. That’s the far side of Cannon Mountain fromLonesome Lake, but the same cold weather and the samesharp winds find their way down into both microclimates.You can be sure that when the ice grips the edge ofCoppermine Brook it is doing the same around LonesomeLake.30 Lily Pond Road Lyndonville, VT 05851(802) 626-8552theriversideschool@charter.netwww.trsweb.org

24 The North Star Monthly March 2007How Long Must ThisForeign Policy Go On?BETS AND PETER ALBRIGHTWe’ve just come in from awalk on our hard-packed snowcoveredroad. If you pick thetime carefully, the moment canbe rather pleasant – sun trying towarm things up, no icy winds.We’ll soon curl up into a chair toread, write or keep up with theworld a bit by means of our radioand television.We find our anger growing,though, as we listen to the reportabout one of our soldiers in Iraqwho found a small girl whoseparents had just been shot todeath right in front of her. Shewas crying bitterly for her mother.The young soldier held her,fed her a sweet and tried quietlyto console her. He carried her toa shelter, but when he had toleave, she clung to him desperately.There was agony and terrorin her eyes, and he wonderedwhat her fate would be.The word is spreading fastnow, especially since the bodyblow the Bush Administrationtook in the midterm elections.People and politicians of all partiesand persuasions are awakening,many from a sleep of denial,to the reality that cannot bedenied. We have been suckedinto the middle of the maelstromof civil war – in an age whenweapons include high explosivesand people who are willing, eveneager, to use them while givingup their own lives.Only a few weeks ago, if youhad said that this feels likeVietnam all over again, peoplewould say there are a lot of differences.But now, in a shortspace of time, more and more areengulfed by the feeling that weare stuck in a situation that weshould not be, should never havebeen, placed in.Over 30 years ago, in our vigorousyouth, we both took to thestreets in protest againstAmerica’s madness in Vietnam,aching for the soldiers who weretrapped there. Now, thousandsmore of our young have beenkilled and maimed in somebodyelse’s civil war. We are personallygrateful that our grandson,after a tour of duty in the Armyin Iraq, chose to leave the Armyrather than endure the certaintyof another tour. He said he sawno point in our being there.We were pulled into this warby leaders who were overeager,for reasons they do not acknowledge,to establish our presence inthe Middle East on a permanentbasis. Our diplomatic branch wasunder the direction of a militaryman who felt honor-bound toobey his commander-in-chief. Sodiplomacy was abandoned infavor of a military adventure.Our leaders took us into Iraq totake down the Saddam governmenton the unproven pretextthat it was a threat to its neighborsand the wider world. Whatour leaders apparently didn’t seewas that, as in the aftermath ofthe breakup of the Soviet Union,once the local leadership wasdestroyed, the area woulddescend into prolonged bloodytribal warfare.That’s where we are now.For the past two or three years,we have been told that anothersix months or so will get us outof Iraq, but we must have nodeadlines or timelines. The realityis that the situation continuesto deteriorate. But the peoplehave spoken in the voting booth– the ultimate poll. We have anew makeup of Congress thatappears unwilling to go alongwith the president’s stubbornpledge to escalate the war andpress on to “success,” whichreplaces his previous goal of“victory.”What of the future? Clearly,the direction of our foreign policyis not correct, and we musthave a new one. We must restorethe shattered relationships withour former allies and sit down ina spirit of conciliation with allnations, whether friendly orunfriendly.Bombastic pronouncementslike “axis of evil” will not get theresults that are necessary to formsolid relationships around theworld. The idea behind the presentAdministration’s actions, thatwe must dominate the world situationeconomically, politicallyand militarily, is doomed to failure.History has proven that. Itcan’t be done, and most of usdon’t want that anyway.American people have spoken,and in that way they havedemonstrated their wisdom onceagain. The task ahead is to findthe leadership that will take usthe rest of the way to a new eraof global security and cooperation.There is no question thatthat leadership can be found.Let’s get on with it.Open Tuesday - Saturday9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.Open Mondays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.mid-May through mid-OctoberPlanetarium shows:Saturday & Sunday at 1:30The Cork & BottleGerd HirschmannWine barrels are generally made of oak and have long been used ascontainers for aging wine. There is a variety of “oaky” flavorsderived from the aging process in wood casks. Oak flavor can be overdoneand overpower a good wine or it can add a nice, subtle and elegant flavor.With the exception of wines from Germany, just about all wines lendthemselves to oaking.Depending upon the type of oak used, and the type of wine beingoaked, a wide variety of complexity and flavors can be achieved. In general,the scents of oak are non-fruit aromatics in nature. Oak can add flavorsranging from vanilla and coconut, to aromatic spices like cinnamon,nutmeg or cloves. It can even add an earthy or lightly organic tone to wine.Through the years French oak was considered most desirable for usein constructing barrels. In France, oak typically comes from one or moreprimary forests: Allier, Limousin, Nevers, Troncais and Vosges. Woodfrom each of these forests has slightly different characteristics. Tightlygrained wood tends to impart flavors more slowly than would looselygrained. Winemakers select wood from different forests and have barrelsmade to order to influence how their wine ages.Experiments using American oak as well as oaks from other countrieswere initially disappointing because the oak imparted too much flavor tothe wine. It was assumed the difficulty was the oak. However, the problemturned out to be in the preparation of the wood and the way the barrelswere constructed.The major difference was that French coopers aged the wood for atleast two years whereas American coopers used a kiln-dry method to seasonthe wood. Another difference was that French coopers split the woodwhereas Americans sawed the staves.Once the French barrel building techniques were applied to oak fromother countries, the results improved substantially. It is now common tofind American oak, and that of several other countries such as Hungary andthe former Yugoslavia, used in construction of wine barrels. Those madefrom American oak typically cost less than half the price of French oakbarrels and are now capable of achieving similar results.Winemakers can order barrels with wood on the inside of the barrellightly charred by fire or “toasted” in varying degrees from lightly to heavilytoasted. The depth of the charring further influences the taste of thewine. The decision on depth of charring is determined by the grape varietyused and the style of wine desired. Barrels can also be ordered in differentshapes and sizes or even made from different woods such asRedwood.New barrels impart more flavors than do previously used barrels. Bythe time they have been used for about five years, they impart virtually noflavor to wine, and winemakers must decide the ratio of new to older barrelsto use each year.Barrels are expensive, and several techniques have been devised in anattempt to save money. One is to shave the inside of used barrels and insertnew thin inner staves, which have been toasted. Another is to place bagscontaining oak shavings into tanks of wine. However, such cost-cuttingmeasures do not achieve results similar to traditional barrel aging.Gerd Hirschmann is a wine distributor of the VT Wine Merchants Co.OLD FRIENDS SHOPS A L E !Clothing, Books & Antiques35 South Main, Hardwick, VTResidential CommercialProviding all aspects of electrical work includingexcavation for underground wiring and services.Insured and licensed inVermont and New Hampshire.For prompt professional service call:Matt Pettigrew (802) 751-8201Danville, Vermont

The North Star Monthly March 2007 25There Is No Place LikeHome - Wherever It May BeVAN PARKEREarly in February my wifemade a brief working visit to ourhome in Danville. Her missionwas to do some housecleaning inpreparation for visitors who weregoing to use the house later in themonth. She came back with afeeling of accomplishment and aglowing description of the beautyof the White Mountains,visible clearly from our frontporch. I can only describe myfeelings as homesickness.It’s not that we don’t like it inConnecticut. We do. We’velived here, full time and part time,for 39 years. We have friendshere. Our children grew up in theHartford area. So did I, beforemoving to the Midwest, marryingand eventually returning as theminister of a church only ninemiles from where I grew up. For avariety of reasons it isn’t likelywe will ever live in Danvillethrough the colder months of theyear.Still, Vermont in general, andDanville in particular, have a feelingof home to our family and tome. When our son and daughterin–lawlived in Michigan theirolder daughter had a school projectof locating her grandparentson a map of the United States.The other grandparents live onCape Cod. There was no questionbut that we were in northernVermont. We have family, bothextended and immediate, in thispart of Vermont. Our two daughterswere married in the NortheastKingdom, and our son has vowedto be at the Danville Fair thissummer. One of our grandchildrenadmonished us recently “notto sell the house.”I’ve been thinking about thisword home. Home is described invarious ways. In the most basicsense a home is the place whereyou live or the roof over yourhead. One of the things that’shappening in Iraq, Darfur andmany other places is that peopledon’t have a roof over their heads,or, if they do, they don’t know ifit will be there tomorrow. To behomeless in this sense must be afrightening thing.For baseball players home is aplace you start from (homeplate) with the hope of gettingback to where you started. Thereare ways of doing that by gettinga base hit, coaxing a walk fromthe pitcher, reaching base throughan error, stealing a base or, bestof all, hitting a home run.Robert Frost speaks abouthome in “The Death of the HiredMan” through the farm couple,Mary and Warren. Warren’s definitionof home is: “Home is theplace where, when you have togo there, they have to take youin.” Mary sees things differently:“I should have called it somethingyou somehow haven’t todeserve.”Coming home is a recurringtheme in the scriptures. One storyis of the Prodigal Son who goesaway to a “far country.” Finallythe young man “comes to himself”and is welcomed home byhis father.Homecomings are specialevents. Lately this has been especiallytrue for soldiers returningfrom Iraq or Afghanistan. Oldhome days and reunions of allsorts are ways of celebrating andrenewing connections.Why do Vermont andDanville feel like home? For mepart of it is just being in such abeautiful place, owning a houseand a few acres, putting in a garden,fussing over the blueberryand raspberry bushes. Part of it ishaving friends come here and somuch of our family around. Partof it is that the Vermont I know isitself a very down to earth place.And part of it is being able to lookoff at the White Mountains at anyseason of the year.Photo By: Matt ClancyDanville Middle School students (L-R) Hillary Lumbra,Danielle Pelow (flute), Carter Norheim (baritone sax), JordanGoss-Snow (percussion) and Alexandra Thresher (clarinet)were accepted to participate in the Northeast District MiddleSchool Music Festival at North Country Union High School onMarch 9. The festival will feature two concert bands and achorus with select seventh and eighth grade students fromthroughout the Northeast Kingdom. For further informationregarding this event contact Matt Clancy at (802) 684-3651.David Toll, M.D.Pediatrics1394 Main StreetSt. Johnsbury, VT 05819(802) 748-2348Photo By: Matt ClancyDanville High School students (L-R) Hannah Lazerick (altosax), Hannah Kitchel (euphonium), Gabrielle Potts (tenor sax)and Adrian Duckett (trumpet) have been accepted to participatein the 2006-2007 Northeast District High School MusicFestival. This festival features the top high school instrumentaland vocal students from throughout the Northeast Kingdomand will take place at North Country Union High School fromMarch 29 through the 31st. Please contact Matt Clancy at(802) 684-3651 for more information.TheCreameryRestaurantDinnerTues.-Sat. 5:00-closingPubOpens at 4:00(802) 684-3616Closed Sundays & MondaysWatch for ourST. PATRICK’S DAYDANCEwith Hidden Driveon March 17Wrap your feet in comfort ...We Have Hard-to-Find Sizes,Widths and Brands.Spring is on its Way.Fresh New Styles Arriving Daily!Check out our Final Call Rack with40% Savingson Shoes and Boots418 Railroad Street, Suite 1 St. Johnsbury, VT(802) 748-4500

26 The North Star Monthly March 2007Ihave been trying to conjure upa reason to tell you about myeasy fish cooking recipes inMarch. Would it be the “Fish onFriday” Lenten tradition? No, Idon’t think that eating fishshould be seen as any kind ofpenance. In fact, I find it anindulgence to cook a nice fishdinner in the North Country.Then I realized that March isthe month of Pisces. My problemwas solved, and all my stars andplanets were aligned. Pisces,Latin for fish, whose ruler isNeptune, was calling out to berecognized.There are many choices whenit comes to seafood. I offer a fewsimple recipes to cook the typesof fish that are readily available,fairly inexpensive and most likelyto be fresh in this part of theworld – sole, flounder, haddockor cod.A Bit of Fishy Advice:When shopping for fish, mybest advice is to let the fish buyyou. Purchase the fish that looksthe best. If you had your heart seton a certain type of fish andwhen you get to the store the filetDanville United Methodist Church“The biggest little church on the Green”Rev. Henry E. Cheney684-3389 officeNeed a ride?Call Steve 684-3484No Small PotatoesVanna GuldenschuhChildrenShould Be Seen,Heard andLovedof sole looks fresh and shiny –change your plan and buy thebetter fish.Fresh fish is shiny andtranslucent. If it looks opaqueand dull it probably is not veryfresh and will not cook or tasteup to par.Don’t overcook! Fish is doneas soon as it loses that translucentlook. It takes very little timeto cook fish. Take it off the heatwhen it’s done – you can alwaysheat it for a few minutes beforeyou serve it. Never leave it in ahot pan or in the oven to “keep itwarm.”It is always a good idea tocook the fish last – after all theother pieces of the dinner arenear ready for service.Filet of Sole PicattaVery little needs to be done tothis mild and tender fish. It willliterally melt in your mouth. Thisbasic recipe can be used on manyother types of fish.2 small filets or 1½ large filetsper personSunday Worshipand Fellowship 9:30 a.m.Sunday School During Worship Service1½ cups flour1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning(optional)1 teaspoon saltBlack pepperOlive oil2 tablespoons butter2 lemons (cut in half androasted)½ cup dry vermouth1 teaspoon sugar2 tablespoon capersRoast the lemons. Cut themin half and place on a bakingtray. Put in a 350° oven for about20 minutes. It’s easy to do andthe resulting juice has an amazingflavor and volume. Set asideto cool.Mix the flour, Old Bay seasoning,salt and pepper togetheron a flat plate. Dredge the filetsin the flour mix and set aside onthe plate. In a large frying panheat a few tablespoons of oliveoil and a tablespoon of butter.The oil and butter should coverthe bottom of the pan. Add a littleextra if it is not enough forsautéing. When the oil is goodand hot – as hot as it will getwithout burning – place thefloured fish in the pan to sauté.Leave the pieces of fish withplenty of room around them sothey don’t steam – you reallywant to allow them to get niceand brown on each side. Soledoes not take a long time to cook,and when the sides are a beautifulgolden brown they are done.As you finish each filet set itaside on a flat plate. Deglaze thepan with the vermouth, sugar andlemon juice. You can add a littlewater if there is not enough liquid.After cooking for just aminute add to the pan 2 tablespoonsof butter and the capers.Cook until the butter is meltedand the capers are warm. Pourover the fish. You may serve thefish on a platter with the saucepoured over all, or you can servethe fish on individual plates withthe sauce poured over each serving.Sprinkle a little choppedparsley on top and serve withgood bread, a vegetable and asalad.Variation: Make this dishFlorentine by omitting thecapers and serving the fish on abed of freshly steamed spinachwith the lemon sauce pouredover all.Easy New EnglandFish FryCod and Haddock are triedand true New England fish. Theymake a great fish fry. And, whenyou use this sauté method youeliminate a lot of the bad fats andretain the “fish is good for you”concept. It is pretty easy to doand you don’t need a big pot ofboiling fat. I like to serve thisdish with oven fries - a real captain’splatter. You can also makea great fish sandwich with fishcooked this way. Put the filet ona big Kaiser roll with lettuce,tomato and tartar sauce.1½ lbs Cod or Haddock filets1½ cups flour2 cups breadcrumbs (Japanesepanko or homemade)1 tablespoon Old BayseasoningSaltPepper2 eggs – lightly beaten with¼ cup water2 tablespoons butter½ cup olive oilSet out 2 plates and one lowbowl. Put the flour (seasonedwith salt and pepper) on oneplate, the eggs in the bowl andthe breadcrumbs mixed with theOld Bay, salt and pepper on theother plate. Cut the filets intomanageable pieces and dredge inthe flour. Then dip the filets intothe egg mix and coat with thebreadcrumbs. Put the olive oiland butter in a large frying panand heat until hot but not smoking.Sauté the fish filets in theoil, leaving enough room aroundthem to brown well. Turn thefilet over and brown the otherside. Take them off the heat asthey are done and set aside on aplatter. If they cool too muchbefore service put them in theoven for just a minute or two.Serve with oven fries, a saladThe North Danville ChurchAmerican BaptistThe Little White Church in the ValeSunday Morning Worship9:30 - 10:30Mingle! Venerate! and Communicate!Come As You Are.and tartar sauce.Cod or HaddockMarinaraYou need a large flaked fishthat won’t fall apart to make agood Marinara. Cod or Haddockare subtle in flavor and fit the billjust fine. You don’t need to cookthis sauce long – you want it verysoupy and light for the fish. It isreally a quick dish. You can cutthis recipe in half if you like.2 lbs. cod or haddock filets cutinto 2x2 inch pieces2 28-ounce cans wholetomatoes – in their own juice4 cloves garlic – chopped¼ cup parsley2 teaspoons dried basil1 teaspoon sugarOlive oilSalt and pepperCrush the tomatoes with yourhands or with a ricer leavingthem in medium sized pieces. Ina large sauce pan sauté almost allthe garlic in olive oil until justbrowned and add the tomatoes.Add the parsley, basil, sugar andsalt and pepper to taste. Cook for5-10 minutes to meld the flavors.Set the sauce aside, and sauté therest of the garlic in a large fryingpan. When it has browned addthe fish pieces and cook forabout 2 minutes. Pour the sauceover the fish making sure the fishis not sticking to the bottom. Letit simmer until the fish is cooked.This should take 5-10 minutes.Do not stir the fish in the sauce –you must handle it gently so itwill not fall apart. As soon as thefish is cooked through take it offthe heat.Cook a pound of linguine in alarge pot of salted boiling water,strain and put in a large servingbowl. Drizzle olive oil over thepasta and season with salt andpepper. Toss the pasta to coat itwith the oil. Spoon some of thesauce (without the fish) over thepasta and toss again. Then putthe rest of the sauce with the fishover the pasta. Serve immediately.This dish is great looking andonly needs a salad and goodbread to get you through themost blustery of Marchevenings.Set your dial to Vermont Public RadioWVPA 88.5 FM St. JohnsburyWVPR 89.5 FM Windsor; WRVT 88.7 FM Rutland;WBTN 94.3 FM Bennington or WVPS 107.9 FM BurlingtonPeter Hopkins13 Raymond StreetLyndonville, VT05851Phone (802) 626-5555Night (802) 626-8042SUPPLIESCOME SEE ALLTHE LATESTFITNESS EQUIPMENTTRUE FITNESSVISION FITNESSLEMOND & DANSKINWE SELL, SERVICE ANDDELIVER28 COTTAGE STREETLITTLETONOPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK(603) 444-3437WWW.LITTLETONBIKE.COM

The North Star Monthly March 2007 27“Your Clear Choice in Auto Glass Replacement”Windshield World“We Come to You”FREE COURTESY CAR OR MOBILE SERVICEINSURANCE APPROVED FOR DIRECT BILLINGWRITTEN WARRANTYORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SAFETY GLASSLOCALLY OWNED & OPERATEDBARRE 479-0666HARDWICK 472-5554WHITE RIVER JCT. 295-9903NEWPORT 334-1348GORHAM, NH 752-1414String Worth SavingOn a cold day, there is nothinglike a cup of hot tea. Tea has along, and in some ways curious,history. Drinking water has alwaysbeen risky, as water has often beenpopulated with pathogens and allmanner of other organisms.Throughout human history,people have tried drinking alternativesto water. After the developmentof agriculture and the creationof pottery, water drinkers found thatfermentation by means of grains orfruits made it safer. Yeast added tothe mixture would digest some ofthe sugar in solution and producealcohol.In areas where fruits wereBill ChristiansenWESTERN AVENUE STATION“your friendly full service station”Thinking About Climate Changein Winter in VermontI’m sad about the Polar bearsAnd scared about the floodsIt’s weird to think we might grow grapesWhere now we’re growing spuds.I hate to think the seas could riseAnd drown low-lying lands,Or picture all our fertile farmsAs dry as desert sands.They say we’ve done this to ourselvesAnd maybe we can’t stop it,But if we want to save the worldThey say we’d better hop it—-Reduce emissions, use less fuel,Recycle and rethink.Windmills, hybrids, solar power,Local food and drink.Vermont has often led the wayWhen troubles plagued the nation.I’m sure we’ll face this challenge tooWith flair and innovation.I’d miss our quiet winters,The silence and the snow.I might not miss these morningsOf ten and twelve below …And when I’m driving up our hillWhile on the road black ice is forming,I ask myself, I must admit,So WHEN do we get Global Warning?Reeve LindberghDIAL TOLL FREE800-639-0666“PROMPT FRIENDLY SERVICE”ST. JOHNSBURY371 Memorial Drive 748-3310Specializing in Exhaust systems Brakes“See Danthe Muffler Man”Danny Lapierre,Mechanicabundant, wine was one of theresults. If grains were a staple crop,beer was the drink of choice. If neitherwas available, water wasboiled to kill pathogens, and boiledwater might be safer to drink, but itleft a lot to be desired with its taste.Early on, humans discoveredthat plant materials could be mixedwith boiled water to add taste to adrink that was otherwise bland.Probably every plant in existencehas been tried in this manner, andall of these were known genericallyas “tea.”Tea is defined as the infusion ofplant material, steeped in hot water.In our world, there are two meaningsof the word. The first is thedrink made by infusion of plantmaterial. The second is that of thebeverage made by steepingprocessed leaves, buds or twigs ofthe tea bush, Camellia sinensis.This is referred to as “true tea.”There are four basic types oftrue tea: black tea, oolong tea, greentea and white tea. All are madefrom the same plant. The differenceis in how the material is processed.As soon as leaves and tea budsare picked, oxygen in the air beginsto break down the chlorophyll inthe plant material, and it turns progressivelydarker. This is oftenreferred to as “fermentation.” It isnot really fermentation since thatprocess requires a living organismsuch as yeast or bacteria. In tea theprocess is a simple chemical reaction,oxidation. The oxidation oftea can be stopped by applying heatto the plant material. If temperatureand humidity are not tightly controlledduring the oxidationprocess, fungi will grow on the tea,and they may produce toxic, sometimescarcinogenic, substances.White tea is made from newgrowth buds, which have undergoneoxidation. These buds areshielded from sunlight so chlorophyllformation is prevented.Green tea results when the oxidationprocess is stopped by theapplication of heat after a minimaloxidation time.Oolong tea has the oxidationprocess stopped somewherebetween green tea and black.Sometimes called blue tea or semioxidizedtea, it is allowed to oxidizefor two or three days.Black tea, sometimes called redtea, has gone through the completeoxidation process.Each of these basic teas mayhave other things blended withthem in the brewing process to givecolor or flavor.As was mentioned earlier, teacan be made from nearly any nontoxicplant. The leaves or stems aresteeped in hot water. These areknown as “herbal teas.” Herbal teacontains no Camellia sinensismaterials. Common among theseare teas made from rosehip orchamomile. Often teas are a blendof real tea and other substances.Flower tea is popular in some partsof the world and results when greentea is mixed with flowers. Onepopular flavor uses jasmine flowers.Another popular brew isGenmaicha, brown rice tea. This isgreen tea blended with dry-roastedrice.Since tea can be made frommost any plant, here are a coupleyou might try. Pine tea has been apopular drink among Vermontwoodsman and trappers. In hisbook Stalking the Healthful Herbsauthor Euell Gibbons recommendspouring one pint of boiling waterover an ounce of fresh white pineneedles, which have been finelychopped. Gibbons says, “With asqueeze of lemon and a little sugar,it is almost enjoyable.”Another tea with great historicalreputation is spruce tea, or moreoften called “spruce beer.” This is anon-alcoholic beverage made fromthe new buds and needles of aspruce tree. New shoots on a sprucetree are a rich source of vitamin C.The flavor of spruce tea has beendescribed as ranging from floral,citrusy and fruity to resinous andpiney.History notes that whenSamuel de Champlain landed inNorth America, his crew was sufferingfrom scurvy. The story goeson to tell about Indians giving thecrew spruce tea, and the crew wascured. I’m surprised thatChamplain came back after theencounter with spruce tea and furthersurprised that the Indiansmissed the chance to end the explorationby Europeans. If it wasn’t forspruce tea, how different our historymight be.There is a malt beverage madewith spruce. Spruce twigs andsmall branches are added to maltedbarley during the wort boiling stageTreasure Chest CraftsHand Crafted in VermontKen & Cheryl Mundinger451 Peacham Road, Danville, VT 05828(802) 684-2569 KKM4807@aol.comof brewing. In Quebec, a sodacalled Spruce Beer is popular. Thisis an artificially flavored, non-alcoholic,carbonated soft drink. Theflavor bears little resemblance tobeer, and it tastes and smells morelike evergreens.There are fourbasic types of truetea: black tea,oolong tea, greentea and white tea.All are made fromthe same plant.Tea growers have attemptedcommercial cultivation in theUnited States since 1744. The firsttea grown in the U.S. was inSavannah, GA. Today tea is grownin South Carolina on the CharlestonTea Plantation. The tea is pickedwith a converted tobacco harvesterand sold through mail order asAmerican Classic Tea. BigelowTea Corporation purchased andrenovated the Charleston TeaPlantation, and it was reopened inJanuary of 2006.The other area where tea isgrown in the United States isHawaii. However, this is not anarea of large quantity production. In2003, there were five acres inHawaii where tea was grown. By2005 the area had increased to 80acres, and by some projections it isexpected to triple by 2008. Whiletea growing is not a viable enterprise,the plants are popular asornamental shrubs in the UnitedStates.So, long and curious as its historymay be, throw some leavesand twigs in the pot and have a cupof hot tea.Shellie WrightFinancialAdvisor(802) 748-5845576 Railroad StreetSuite 1St. Johnsbury VT 0581913 Western Ave. St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 (802) 748-2339

28 The North Star Monthly March 2007BUSINESS DIRECTORYBusiness Identification at a Reasonable Price $75.00/ year Price Includes Free SubscriptionAccountantsKenneth M. Biathrow, CPATax preparation services -Personal,business, estate. Accounting services,financial statements review and compilation.P.O. Box 528, 364 Railroad St.,St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.(802) 748-2200.McCormick & Company P.C.Dwight E. Lakey, CPA; Robin C.Gauthier, CPA. 1360 Main Street, St.Johnsbury, VT 05819-2285.(802) 748-4914. (800) 516-CPAS.A.M. Peisch & Company LLCA 5 office Vermont based accountingfirm specializing in individual andbusiness tax services, financial andretirement planning, accounting, auditingand estate planning. We providetechnology services including networksecurity, operational reviews andaccounting support. 1020 MemorialDrive, St. Johnsbury, VT. 05819.(802) 748-5654.AlternativeHealth & WellnessSali TetreaultPsychic Reader/Reiki Master (practioner& teacher). Individual readings andtarot parties. Ongoing classes & workshops,broad subject of energy work.Walk-ins accepted at Artscaping, 101Depot Street, Lyndonville.Wednesdays 10-5, Fridays 1-7. (802)626-4046 or (802) 467-1174.salicrow@hotmail.comAntiquesSaranac Street AntiquesWe feature a very large selection offine antique furniture. Also quality areadealers specializing in primitives,White Mountain art, tools, countrypieces and exceptional glass and china.Consider us a “must see” on yourantiquing list. Open every day at 10a.m. for your shopping convenience.111 Saranac Street, Littleton, NH03561. (603) 444-4888Appliance RepairLewis ApplianceFactory Authorized Service and Repairfor Maytag, JennAir, Asko, Viking,Bosch, Sub-Zero and Frigidaire.Wayne Lewis, Waterford, VT.(802) 748-6561.AttorneysLaw Office ofCharles D. Hickey, PLCGeneral Practice of Law. 69 Winter St.,PO Box 127, St. Johnsbury, VT05819-0127. (802) 748-3919.Law Offices ofJay C. AbramsonEstate Planning, Long-Term CarePlanning, Wills, Trusts, Real Estate.Certified Elder Law Attorney. 1107Main Street, Suite 101, St. Johnsbury,VT 05819. (802) 748-6200.AuctioneersEaton Auction ServiceSpecializing in Antiques, Collectiblesand Estate Sales. Personal and knowledgeableservice. Auctioneers: ChuckEaton (802) 333-9717 or Chris Welsheas@sover.net. Fairlee, VT 05045.www.eatonauctionservice.comAutobody RepairFive Star AutobodyCertified collision repair center;Complete autobody repairs from glassto frame. George C. Mudge, Jr.Located off I-91, Exit 22, 604Lapierre Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT05819. (802) 748-5321.Automobile RepairBurke View Garage, Inc.Larry Lefaivre, Owner. Domestic &Import Repair; Brakes, Exhaust, Tune-Ups. State Inspection Station.We Do ItAll. Tire Sales Also. M-F 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.. RT 114, Lyndonville, VT05851. (802) 626-3282.Mark’s AutomotiveForeign and domestic repairs. Cooper,Hankook and Remington tires. Brakes,exhaust, oil change, VT State inspection,computer wheel balancing andcomputer diagnostics. ASE certified.Mark Jefferson, West Barnet Road,Barnet Center, VT. (802) 633-3863.Wes Ward Automotive Repairand Tire CenterComprehensive automobile repair fordomestic and foreign vehicles, RV’sand school buses. ASE certified. 1193Portland Street, St. Johnsbury, VT05819. (802) 748-3636.Bed & BreakfastEmergo Farm261 Webster Hill Road, Danville, VT05828. 19th century dairy farm on230-acres hosted by 6th generationfamily. Accommodations both privateand shared. Full breakfast served. Visitthe barns and watch or join the activity.(802) 684-2215 or (888) 383-1185.www.emergofarm.comGardeners Rest B&B682 Daniels Farm Road, Waterford,VT 05819. 1854 farmhouse located on16 rural acres. Three rooms with privatebaths. Elegant breakfast.Extensive gardens designed by yourEnglish hosts. (802) 748-9388 or 9657.www.gardenersrest.comBooksKingdom BooksNorthern New England’s poetry, mysteryand fine press bookshop.KingdomBks@aol.com and (802) 748-5488. See our reviews atwww.KingdomBks.com Call for anappointment. Beth & Dave Kanell.Lyders Fine BooksBuying and selling 19th and 20th centuryfirst editions in fine condition. rlyders@pivot.net(802) 592-3086. Josette& Richard Lyders, P.O. Box 250,Peacham, VT 05862.Secondhand ProsePurveyor of quality used books.Operated by Friends of the St.Johnsbury Athenaeum. Open:10-2Tues., Thurs. and Sat. and 4-8 on Wed.1222 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, VT05819.BricklayerC.T. Cushman MasonryChimneys, Fireplaces, Patios,Stonewalls, Slate & FlagstoneWalkways, Steps, Chimney andFoundation Repairs, Brick & StoneVeneer. 35 Years Experience. ChimneyCleaning. (802) 748-2221.CabinetryCalendar Brook CabinetrySince 1979 – Custom KitchenCabinetry, Bathroom Vanities,Entertainment Centers, Tables, Doors,Architectural Millwork and Mouldings,Hardwoods and Hardwood Plywoods,Hardwood Flooring, Stone and SolidSurface and Laminate Tops. DavidPatoine, Master Craftsman. 4863Memorial Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT05819. (802) 748-5658.Cabins & CampgroundsHarvey’s Lake Cabins andCampgroundMay 15-Oct 15. Lakefront furnishedcabins set in wooded private 53-sitecampground. Large private campsiteswith W ES suitable for tents popups,RV’s. Group Area, RefurbishedRecreation Hall, Reunions, Retreatsand Receptions. Boats, Kayaks andBicycle Rentals. 190 Campers Lane,West Barnet, VT 05821. (802) 633-2213. www.harveyslakecabins.comChimney SweepNelson Enterprise, Inc. &Clean Sweep Chimney ServiceFull Service Masonry - NewConstruction and Repair: chimneys,fireplaces and stainless relining.Chimney Sweeping Service: inspections,caps and hearth products. Gary& Shari Nelson, CSIA certified and VTlicensed; Fully insured. PO Box 53,Sheffield, VT 05866. (802) 626-8320.ClocksAntique Clock Repair(Formerly Sign of the Dial ClockShop) Specializing in American & foreignantique clock repair & restorationfor over 40 years. During that time Ihave collected old glass, impossible toget veneer, case and movement partsand wooden works gears and relatedparts. Case, dial and reverse paintingon glass restoration available. Byappointment only. Richard Diefenbach,Danville, VT (802) 684-3378.ComputersNortheast Computer SystemsHome & Business Computer Systems.Networking, Hardware, Service,Support and Software. 37 Depot Street,PO Box 1059, Lyndonville, VT05851. (802) 626-1050. FAX (802)626-5012. www.necomp.comYankee Electronic SolutionsEst. 1989 by professionally trainedmaster tech. Fast and affordable inshopor on-site PC diagnosis andrepair. Upgrades and custom built systems.623 Concord Avenue, St.Johnsbury, VT 05819. (802) 748-4544.yes@kingcon.comwyBatapPersonal Technology AssistantOn your schedule in your home/business.(Days - Evenings -Weekends)Desktop and Laptop Computers -Setup, Networking,Wireless,QuickBooks,”How To,” AntiVirus,Spyware, Data Recovery and more…Bob Roos, Barnet VT. (802) 633-4395PersTech@wybatap.comConstructionArmstrong MasonryMasonry Construction & Repair. Brick,Stone, Block. Fireplaces, Chimneys,Veneer, Patios, Walkways. KenArmstrong. (802) 626-8495.C&C Bunnell ExcavatingExcavation, Site Work, Septic Systems,Bulldozing, Roads, Ponds andTrucking Sand, Topsoil, Gravel &Stone Deliveries. Calvin Bunnell, Joe’sBrook Rd., Barnet, VT 05821.(802) 633-3413.Calkins Rock Products, Inc.Sale of Sand, Gravel and All Sizes ofLedge Products. Portable Crushing.Route 5, PO Box 82, Lyndonville, VT05851. (802) 626-5636.Gil’s ConstructionFoundations & Floors. New RapidForms. Free Estimates. GilmanLaCourse. (802) 748-9476.William Graves BuildersWorking throughout Caledonia Countyfor 29 years, serving as a building andrenovation contractor for residences,barns, businesses and public facilities.We also offer project managementservices. We appreciate your calls andinterest. PO Box 128, 329 CloudBrook Road, Barnet, VT 05821. (802)633-2579 FAX (802) 633-4631.gravesbuild@kingcon.comKingdom Timber Framesof VermontPost & Beam Frames from theNortheast Kingdom. Constructing new,recycled and hand-hewn timberframes. Barn Repair. Design, Build,Complete Projects. Owners: Darrenand Ann White. 158 Evergreen Lane,Danville, VT 05828. (802) 684-2121.(800) 866-2124.kingdomtimberframes@yahoo.comLaferriere Construction, Inc.New construction, remodeling, customwork, residential & commercial.Dennis Laferriere, 525 Wightman Rd,Danville, VT 05828. (802) 684-3606.FAX (802) 684-3628.Mark Greaves, BuilderNew construction and remodelingincluding Custom Houses start to finish.335 Red Barn Road, Danville, VT05828. (802) 748-9659.Old Red MasonryJohn Ellery. Fireplaces, masonryheaters, chimneys, patios, landscaping,light excavation. Free estimates, fullyinsured. (802) 633-2336. oldredstore@gmail.comRoss C. Page FoundationsConcrete foundations & slabs.Residential, Agricultural &Commercial. Ross C. Page, 368Thaddeus Stevens Road, Peacham, VT05862. (802) 592-3382. FAX (802)592-3382.Ruggles RoofingWe offer steel roofing in 23 colors custommade to 40 ft. long to eliminateseems in your roof. Many colors anddesigns available with our shinglesalso. And for low slope roofs our highperformance rubber is cost efficient.Residential and Commercial.(802) 467-1189.Vermont Home SpecialtiesBuilder and dealer of Real LogHomes, Timber Peg Post & Beam.Also offering Plain & Fancy andMedallion Cabinetry, lighting, furnitureand gifts for the home. 1513 Rt. 2,West Danville, VT. Call (802) 684-1024 or (800) 896-4920.www.vthomespecialties.comMichael K. Walsh & Son,BuildersCustom new construction: Houses,decks, remodeling, renovations,restorations, additions, finish work,wallpapering. High quality workmanshipfor over 30 years. Solid reputation.349 Calkins Camp Rd., Danville,VT 05828. (802) 684-3977.CounselingDeborah Goldberg, M.Ed.Licensed Psychologist-Master. Privatepsychology practice working withschool-age children, teens and adults,including but not limited to: stressmanagement and relaxation, depression,anxiety, trauma, self-esteemissues and people coping with chronicconditions such as fibromyalgia andcancer. Most insurances accepted.(802) 748-3711.Custom SawingOn-Site Lumbermill WorkI will come to your land and cut yourlogs with my Wood-Mizer portablesawmill. Less sawdust, more lumber!Jeff Hale, Ryegate, VT.(802) 584-3972.Custom WorkMichael J. Southworth & SonsLight Trucking, Landscaping, LawnCare, Bush Hogging, Rototilling,Snowplowing, Bark Mulch andDriveways. 324 Cahoon Farm Road,West Danville, VT 05873. (802) 563-2162 or (pager) (802)742-3362.DentistsRonald E. Ducham, D.D.S.Family dentistry. 501 Portland St., St.Johnsbury, VT 05819. (802) 748-4727.New patients welcome.Hawkins Dental GroupHubert Hawkins, DDS. CompleteFamily Dentistry. New patients welcomed.1350 Main Street, St.Johnsbury, VT 05819. (802) 748-2325.(800) 870-4963.Peter M. Ollman, D.M.D.(802) 748-8701. Pediatric Dentistry -since 1977. 576 Railroad St., St.Johnsbury, VT. A team of talented andcaring pediatric professionals offering:*a warm, compassionate, fun environmentfor infants, children and teens;*specialized early prevention forinfants and toddlers; *unique children'srestorative and preventive dentistry,using our special skills and materials.We offer white and rainbow fillings,athletic mouthguards, and accept mostinsurance and VT/NH Medicaid programs.Stuart V. Corso, D.M.D.General and family dentistry. 31Mountain View Drive, Danville, VT05828. (802) 684-1133.DowsingAmerican Society of DowsersContact us for information about dowsing,events and dowsers available tohelp with your search. (802) 684-3417.Call our bookstore for books, tools anda free catalogue. (802) 684-3874.www.dowsers.orgElectrical ServiceCG ElectricServing the Northeast Kingdom. Yourfull service electrical contractor providingyou with a certified workforce.Commercial and Residential.Established 1995. Charlie Gilman, POBox 195, Danville, VT 05828. cgelectric@msn.com(802) 684-9700.Matt Pettigrew ElectricNew homes (conventional frame,post & beam or log) renovations orservice upgrade (aerial or underground).Heating system controls,generator installations and all otherphases of electrical work in a professionalmanner. Licensed in VT &NH. Danville, VT. (802) 751-8201.Nudd ElectricServing the Walden and Danville areasince 1964. Fully insured andLicensed in VT & NH. Jim Nudd,Walden, VT. (802) 533-2980.Electronics Sales &ServiceByrne ElectronicService CenterNew & Used Television, VCR andother consumer electronic sales.Factory authorized service center forseveral brands. Professional repairservice on all TV’s, VCR’s, Stereosand pro audio equipment. 159 EasternAve., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.(802) 748-2111.ExcavationAndre ExcavationAll phases of excavation including septicsystems, site work, demolition,drainage and ponds. 25-years experience.Free estimates. Prompt service.Call Denis Jacques at (802) 563-2947.Compact Excavation ServicesIncluding stumps, trenches, drainage,crushed stone driveways, york raking,small building demolition, small foundations,tree length brush removed,rock retaining walls built, excavator(with thumb) picks up most anything.Also trucking and trailer to 10,000pounds and 30’ long. Matt Pettigrew,Danville, VT. (802) 751-8201.FencingAll Types of FencingCommercial, Agricultural andResidential. Chain Link, High Tensile,Barbed Wire, Woven Wire andOrnamental. Gordon Goss. (802) 633-2822. Cell (802) 777-0919. Fax (802)633-3405. gossmaple@kingcon.comFlooringThe Carpet Connection, Inc.The flooring specialists. All types offloor covering and supplies. Largestselection in the State. Sales and installation.199 Depot Street, Lyndonville,VT 05851. (802) 626-9026 or (800)822-9026.Country FloorsComplete Flooring Sales &Installation. Carpeting, Vinyl,Hardwood, Ceramic Tile, Area Rugs.Stanley H. & Joanne C. Martin,Hollister Hill Road, Plainfield, VT05667. (802) 454-7301.FloristsAll About Flowersby Lallie and SandyAll occasion florist featuring fine silkflowers, unique dried designs and thefreshest flowers in town. Wedding andfuneral arrangements for all budgets.Customized gift and food basketsavailable. 10% senior discount notapplicable with other discounts. 196Eastern Avenue, St. Johnsbury, VT05819. (802) 748-5656 or (800) 499-6565.Artistic GardensFlorist & Greenhouse. Unique floralarrangements for weddings and alloccasions. Specializing in sympathyarrangements for funerals, fresh flowers,gourmet fruit baskets and balloons.FTD & Teleflora. Memorial Drive, St.Johnsbury Center. (802) 748-5646.ForestryMcMath ForestryComplete Ecological ForestlandManagement Services. David McMath,Forester, 4875 Noyestar Road, EastHardwick, VT 05836. (802) 533-2970.Toll Free: (866) 462-6284.www.mctree.comEverts Forest ManagementTimber Inventories & Appraisals.Timber Sales. Tax Assistance. ForestManagement Plans. NH License No.207. Peter Everts, 278 Cloudy PastureLane, West Barnet, VT 05821.(802) 592-3088.

The North Star Monthly March 2007 29BUSINESS DIRECTORYBusiness Identification at a Reasonable Price $75.00/ year Price Includes Free SubscriptionFurniture RestorationChair Care and KlappertFurniture RestorationAuthentic restoration of old finishesand techniques for antique & fine furniture.Specializing in chair repair &all seat replacement. 90 5th Avenue, St.Johnsbury, VT. 05819-2672.(802) 748-0077.Guitar LessonsKevin Scott HockmanAcoustic or Electric; Beginner toAdvanced; All Styles; All Ages. Call(802) 684-3431 for details.Hair CareCountry Styles Family Hair CareJanet L. Carson. Located at the K.P.Hall on the top of Hill Street, Danville,VT 05828. Follow the handicappedaccessible ramp. Home service availableto shut-ins. (802) 684-2152.Hall RentalVFW Hall RentalEasily accessible facility with adequateparking for all your function needs.Kitchen/bar on premises. For informationcall Stacey (802) 748-9065.Health Care ProvidersDanville Health CenterGeneral Health Services for all ages.Open M-F. Mariel Hess, N.P.; TimTanner, M.D.; and Sharon Fine, M.D.26 Cedar Lane, Danville, VT 05828.(802) 684-2275. (800) 489-2275 (VT).Concord Health CenterGeneral Health Services for all ages.Open M-F. Sarah Berrian, M.D.; MaryReady, M.D.; Susan Taney, N.P.; andDonna Ransmeier. 201 E. Main Street,Concord, VT. (802) 695-2512.Hardwick ChiropracticBioGeometric Integration is gentle,effective chiropractic that allows yoursystem to heal and to become increasinglyadept at correcting itself. Dr.Grace Johnstone and Dr. RickEschholz. (802) 472-3033.Linda Sayers, Reiki MasterReiki is an ancient, hands-on healingart, which supports the body’s abilityto heal itself. Reiki promotes deeprelaxation and helps release physicaland emotional blockages. LindaSayers, Reiki Master Teacher andLightwork Practitioner. 63 NorwayRoad, Greensboro Bend, VT 05842.(802) 533-2378.Lyndonville FamilyChiropracticContributing to the health of the communityfor over 17 years. Offering aholistic approach to healthcare utilizingchiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition andmassage therapy. Karson Clark, D.C.;Stacey Clark, D.C. 11 Hill Street,Lyndonville, VT 05851.(802) 626-5866.Dan Wyand, PT & AssociatesRehabilitation of Sports Injuries,Orthopedics and NeuromuscularDisorders. Sherman Dr., P.O. Box 68,St. Johnsbury,VT 05819.(802) 748-3722/1932.Lyndon,VT. (802) 745-1106.Thousand HandsMassage TherapyLaurajean “LJ” Stewart, LicensedMassage Therapist, 60 MonumentCircle, PO Box 129, Barnet, VT05821. Located at the BarnetTradepost. (802) 633-2700.samuraihini@hotmail.com.Hearing ServiceArmstrong’sBetter Hearing ServiceSTARKEY and WIDEX-Senso-DigitalCustom Hearing Aids. Free hearingscreenings, batteries, accessories, allmakerepairs. Isabelle Armstrong,Sandra Day & Louise Toll; Consultantsand Licensed Hearing Aid Dispensers.198 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, VT05819. (802) 748-4852. (800) 838-4327.Historic PreservationS. A. Fishburn, Inc.Historic preservation and design featuringcustom cabinetry and wood andplaster restoration. (802) 684-2524.fish@kingcon.comInsuranceSawyer & Ritchie AgencyComplete insurance service for yourHome, Farm, Automobile or Business.Danville, VT 05828. (802) 684-3411.(800) 734-2203 (VT).Berwick Agency, Inc.Providing insurance for home, farm,automobile and business. Est. in 1955.Licensed in NH & VT. Jeff Berwick.Located at 185 Church Street,Peacham. Mail: PO Box 272,Peacham, VT 05862. (802) 592-3234or (802) 592-3956.InvestmentsInvestment WatchPortfolio analysis and strategy; taxassistance. Rachel Siegel, CFA.(802) 633-3977. rsiegel@together.netJewelryOn the Hill - Kennedy’sFull Service. Buy & Sell, New &Used. Jewelry repairs on site. Watchrepairs available. Sell or trade your oldgold and jewelry for something new.Daily 9-5. Saturday until noon. 1244Main Street, St. Johnsbury, VT. (802)748-4367 or (800) 407-4367.Lawn Care & LandscapingLND LandscapingExcavating - Hauling - Brush hog -Tilling - Driveways - Lawnmowing -Walkways - Stonewalls - Steps -Fencing - Cleanup - Planting - SnowPlowing - Sanding and More. Tim orDave, Barre and Wolcott.(802) 479-0029PH Lawn Care &LandscapingLawn mowing, seed & mulch, bushhogging, retaining walls, shrubbery,sweeping, split-rail fence, lawn installation,light trucking. Jeff Cleveland,765 Mitchell Drive, Lyndonville, VT05851. (802) 626-0933 or 535-7069.Maple SyrupSugar Ridge FarmPure Maple Syrup & Maple Products.“Vermont Seal of Quality.” Availableby mail. MC & Visa accepted. Freebrochure. Stephen & Diane Jones, 566Stannard Mt. Rd., Danville, VT 05828.(800) 748-0892.Rowell SugarhouseVisit a real sugarhouse. Open yearround. See our sugaring equipment.Maple products, gifts, country crafts,VT shirts, woodenware, baskets,honey, souvenirs and more. We willship your order. MC/ Visa/DS. Rt. 15,Walden, VT 05873. (802) 563-2756.Gadapee Family SugarhousePure VT Maple Syrup in a variety ofcontainers from gallon to half pint jugsand specialty glass. Plastic jugs orglass. Maple cream, candy, sugar andmaple jelly to order. We have the“Vermont Seal of Quality” and weship. 718 Calkins Camp Rd., Danville,VT 05828. (802) 684-3323.gadmaple@together.netBroadview Farm MaplePure VT Maple Syrup available inGrade A Fancy, Medium Amber, DarkAmber and Grade B. “Vermont Sealof Quality.” Maple Cream, MapleCandy and Maple Sugar are available.We ship via UPS or Parcel Post. JoeNewell, 442 York Street, Lyndonville,VT 05851. (802) 626-8396.joe@newells.netGoodrich’s Maple FarmAward-winning Maple Syrup &Products. Retail, Wholesale and MailOrder. Custom tubing installation &consultation. 2427 US 2, Cabot, VT05647. (802) 426-3388.www.goodrichmaplefarm.comCabot Hills MapleVermont Certified Organic. Fancy,Medium, Dark Amber and Grade BVermont syrup, maple nuts and granola.Shipping available. VISA/MCaccepted. Marcia Maynard & Family.Thistle Hill Road, PO Box 68, Cabot,VT 05647. (802) 426-3463.syrup@cabothillsmaple.comMeatLewis Creek JerseysBadger Brook MeatsVince Foy & Deb Yonker. RetailingCertified Organic Angus Beef andLamb by the Cut in any Quantity.North Danville, VT 05828.(802)748-8461.Mortgage FinancingNew England Merchants Corp.Commercial and residential mortgagebrokers. Established 1991. Serving VTand NH. All credit situations considered.“Guiding you to the right mortgage.”Theresa Huntoon. (802) 473-4003.thuntoon@charter.net. LicensedMortgage Broker, VT0332MB andNH6626MBB.MoversLittle MoverLocal, Regional and Contract Truckingsince 1967. KAP Enterprises LLC, 838Keyser Hill Road, St. Johnsbury, VT05819. (802) 748-9112 or cell(802) 793-7986.Music StudioVermont Sky Digital Audio16-Track Professional RecordingStudio for Singers, Songwriters,Students and Bands. AdvertisingJingles; Creative Consulting and GuitarClasses. Barnet, VT 05821.(802) 633-2523.Old BarnsThe Barn PeopleSince 1974 Vintage Vermont barnspurchased, dismantled, restored &reassembled elsewhere. Great forhomes, additions, Great Rooms, studios,backyard offices and oddlyenough …barns. Ken Epworth, 2218US RT 5 N, Windsor, VT 05089. (802)674-5898. barnman@sover.netOpticiansOptical ExpressionsYour Family Eye-Care Center. EyeExams, Contact Lenses andConsultation for Laser-Eye Surgery.Green Mountain Mall, St. JohnsburyCenter, VT (802) 748-3536 or BerlinMall, Berlin, VT. (802) 223-2090.Pet CareNorth Danville Pet Hotel“It’s not just a kennel. It’s a camp.”Boarding and grooming both cats anddogs. 1319 North Danville Road,Danville, VT 05828. Rusty & LaurieSpeicher, proprietors.(802) 748-5810.Property MaintenanceDavis Hill Property andPersonal ServicesOutdoor property maintenance and personalassistant services. Helping youout at home, at the office or managingyour day. Affordable hourly or seasonalrates. No requests too big or toosmall. Over 30 years of old-fashionedservice Michael Johnson. (802) 888-8416 or (252) 305-6420.mjsnowman@pshift.comReal EstateColdwell BankerAll Seasons RealtyBrent Shafer CBR - Realtor Broker-in-Charge. 3 office locations to serve theentire Northeast Kingdom with 18 fulltime salespeople. Lakefront,Residential and Acreage. PO Box1166, Lyndonville, VT 05851. (802)626-4343. Allseaslyn@togeher.netReynolds Real Estate791 Broad Street, Lyndonville, VT05851. (802) 626-9357.reynoldsre@charterinternet.comwww.reynoldsre.comPeter D. Watson Agency, Inc.Country, period and vacation homes;land and timber tracts, farms and businesses.Free market analysis.Greensboro: (802) 533-7077.Hardwick: (802) 472-3338. EastBurke: (802) 467-3939. www.northernvtrealestate.comCentury 21Quatrini Real EstateSusan S. Quatrini, GRI, Broker-Owner.1111 Main Street. St. Johnsbury, VT05819. (802) 748-9543 or (802) 748-3873. c21qre@sover.netDavid A. Lussier Real EstateFarms, Acreage, Homes andInvestment Properties. 540 MainStreet, PO Box 872, Lyndonville, VT05851. (802) 626-9541 or (802) 626-8482. Lussier@kingcon.comRobin Jacobs, BrokerBegin RealtyVacation homes, land, residential property.Caledonia County and beyond.Start your search here. Representingbuyers and sellers in today’s busy market.Route 2, PO Box 68, Danville, VT05828. (802) 684-1127.rjacobs@beginrealty.comBarbara Machell, RealtorBegin Realty AssociatesOn the Green in Danville. Long timeresident of Danville, specializing inResidential property, Vacation homes,Land and Farms. (802) 684-1127.bmachell@beginrealty.comReal Estate AppraisalReynolds Real EstateVT Certified Appraisers, DonaldMorrill and Annie Guyer. 791 BroadStreet, Lyndonville, VT 05851.(802) 626-9357reynolds@charterinternet.comSchoolsThe Riverside SchoolCelebrating 25 Years· enthusiastic students· dedicated faculty· high academic standards· Latin, Greek, and French· fine and performing arts· involved parents· grades 2-8~small class sizeVT Approved Independent School.30 Lily Pond Road, Lyndonville, VTwww.trsweb.org (802) 626-8552The Stevens SchoolGrades 5-8. Experts in middle-leveleducation offering rigorous, preparatorycurriculum aligned with AdvancedPlacement science, English, mathcourses in high school. Excellent writingprogram. Fully integrated arts,music, social studies, English.Transportation and financial aidoffered. (802) 592-3194.www.thestevensschool.comSeptic ServiceB&B Septic ServiceFull Septic Service and Cleaning.Residential and Commercial. PowerRooter Line Cleaning. Camera LineInspection. Pressure Washing. Call BobBriggs. (802) 748-9858, (888) 748-9858 or (800) 870-0428. 24-hour service.Ski EquipmentPower Play SportsSki and Snowboard Leasing starting at$99. New and Used Gear bought andsold. Hockey Gear, Ice Skates, XCSkis, Downhill Skis, Snowboards andSnowshoes. New and Used Bicycles.Ski tuning, Skate sharpening, BicycleRepair. Downtown Morrisville.(802) 888-6557.Small Engine RepairHarry’s Repair ShopSnowmobiles, Snowblowers,Motorcycles, Lawntractors, ATV’s andRototillers. Harry GammellVT RT 15, Walden, VT 05873.(802) 563-2288.Tent RentalsCanopy Tent RentalsTents for all occassions. 10’X20’,20’X20’, 20’X30’ and 20’X40’.Carrier’s Canopy Connection.Windswept Drive, Danville.(802) 684-3872.TiresBerry Tire Co., Inc.New tire sales and automotive repair.Everett Berry, 1545 Red Village Road,Lyndonville, VT 05851.(802) 626-9326.Goss Tire CompanyYour Firestone DealerSpecializing in brakes, front-end work,exhaust and NOKIA tires. RT 5 in St.Johnsbury and RT 5 and 100 Jct. inMorrisville, VT. (802) 748-3171.(800) 427-3171.GOSSCOLight truck tires. Large truck tires.New and Retread. Dunlop, Cooper,Sumitomo. Call Dave for best pricesand service in the area. St. JohnsburyCenter, VT. (802) 748-8801. (800)294-8801. gossco@fcgnetworks.netTree ServiceBedor’s Tree ServiceProfessional, quality service. Fullyinsured. Member NAA. Offering alltypes of tree care. “Spotless Clean-up.”Call now to schedule your free estimate.(802) 748-1605 or (800) 493-6945.Burt’s Tree ServicePruning, Cabling, Tree & LimbRemoval. Free estimates. Fullyinsured. Serving the NortheastKingdom and beyond. Member NAA& ISA. John A. Burt, 25 Garland Hill,Barnet, VT 05821. (802) 633-3822 or(800) 633-3823.john@burtstreeservice.comwww.burtstreeservice.comUpholsteryZane & JoAnn ReedCustom UpholsteryCraftsmen in working with fine furnitureand antiques. Everything restoredfrom the frame out using your fabric orours. Serving the area since 1976. 1896North Danville Road, St. Johnsbury,VT 05819. (802) 748-4819.Vacuum CleanersNorth Country Vac & Sewhome of Defender Vacuums madelocally. Sebo, Panasonic, Koblenz,Sanyo, Eureka, Sanitaire, ProTeam,C.V. Service & parts all makes includingKirby, Electrolux, Rainbow.Sewing machines & sergers Bernina,Riccar, Simplicity, Yamata. 442Portland St. (next to Sherwin-WilliamsPaint), St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.(802) 748-9190.VeterinariansDanville Animal HospitalSmall animals. Office hours byappointment. Stanley J. Pekala, DVMand Lisa Whitney, DVM. Route 2,Danville, VT 05828. (802) 684-2284.Northern Equine VeterinaryServicesSteve B. Levine. Practice limited tohorses. Saturday appointments available.(802) 684-9977. 254 RT 2,Danville, VT 05828.www.northernequine.comCompanion Animal CareSmall animal medicine & surgery.Bob Hicks, DVM. 54 Western Ave., St.Johnsbury, VT. (802) 748-2855.VolunteersR.S.V.P.Do you have some free time? Do youwant to help an organization in theNortheast Kingdom as a volunteer?For information call the Retired andSenior Volunteer Program and theVolunteer Center at (802) 626-5135 or(802) 334-7047.Water SystemsH.A. Manosh CorporationWell Drilling & Hydrofracturing,Water Systems & Treatment, 24-hourPlumbing, Video Well Inspections,Water Fountains. Morrisville, VT05661. (802) 888-5722 or (800) 544-7666. www.manosh.comWeldingWalbridge WeldingRepairs and new fabrication of steel,stainless steel and aluminum. Locatedunder Portland St. Bridge in St.Johnsbury or with portable equipmentat your location. Dale Walbridge. W(802) 748-2901; H (802) 584-4088.Bob’s WeldingGeneral Fabrication and Repair. Stopby and be surprised. Lyndonville, VT.(802) 626-5502.WindowsMayo’s Glass Service, Inc.Windows, Doors and Awnings - newand replacements. Residential andCommercial. 744 Portland Street, St.Johnsbury, VT. (802) 748-8895.

30 The North Star Monthly March 2007Click & Clack Talk CarsWhat About CollisionInsurance?Dear Tom and Ray:I have a 2001 Saturn SL2with 87,000 miles on it. The caris paid off. I live in the congestedNew York City area anddrive it only on weekends. Myboyfriend suggests I drop thecollision coverage on my car tosave money and says that thecar is not worth keeping undercollision coverage. I am undecided.My gut instincts tell meto keep the coverage but at ahigh deductible. I am known tobe overly cautious. Do you havea theory that helps you determinewhen it is time to drop thecollision coverage on a car?- JenniferRAY: Our theory is that anythingmy brother might be interestedin owning is not worthhaving collision coverage on.TOM: Actually, there's notone theory for everyone, but wecan help you think through thelogic.RAY: The collision and comprehensiveportions of yourinsurance policy pay for damageto your car, whether it's causedby an accident, vandalism or atoilet that lands on the hoodafter a neighbor throws it out ofhis second-floor window whileremodeling his bathroom.TOM: If your car is totallywrecked, the insurance companywill pay you UP TO the bookvalue of your car, minus yourdeductible. So, in your case,let's say your car is worth about$4,000 right now. You probablyhave a $500 deductible. So, inthe case of a total loss you couldcollect up to $3,500 to puttoward a replacement car.RAY: But remember, foreach year that goes by, your carwill be worth less, so yourpotential payoff is decreasing allthe time, while your insurancebill probably is not.TOM: Now, how much doyou pay for collision and comprehensiveinsurance? You canlook on your insurance binder.Let's guess it's about $500 ayear. It could be more in NewYork City, so look.RAY: It's impossible toknow the odds of you totalingyour car in the next few years.After all, that's why they callthem "accidents." So there's noabsolute right or wrong answerhere. The question is whatmakes you feel comfortable.TOM: If you're in a positionto either buy another car if youneed to or live without a car,then you can drop the coverageand take your chances, knowingthat if worse comes to worst,you'll have to lay out some#6630 LyndonvilleGreat house, great location!Enjoy much open space in thebrand new home. This homefeatures a formal entry, 3 largebedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2-carattached garage with overheadstorage and a mudroom. Thishome is located in the Meadows, a planned community, withmuch open space for your enjoyment. This home is locatedjust a mile outside of Lyndonville and close to Littleton, NH.Being offered at $249,900#6628 LyndonvilleIf location and family areimportant, then come and take alook at this lovely 4 bdrm.,3 bath home. This home wasdesigned for family living andcomfort. Large open kitchen,fireplace in living room & there isalways a bathroom available.Direct entry from the 2 car garage into the mudroom/laundryroom. The 1.9+/- ac. corner lot has been recently landscaped.About half way between Lyndonville & E. Burke make this theperfect location.The owners are offering this property at $279,000#6625 LyndonvillePrivacy and views of Burke Mtn.is what you'll get with this 3bdrm., multi-level ranch, alsowith a nice large kitchen and livingroom all located on 3.2+/-acres. Close to town, with acountry feel. Minutes to BurkeMtn. ski area & VAST Trails.SELLERS ARE MOTIVATED $149,900470 Broad StreetLyndonville, VT(802) 626-4343Fax: (802) 626-3700email:allseaslyn@together.netwww.allseasonre.commoney for new wheels or rent acar for your weekend excursions.RAY: Or borrow the moneyfor another car from your devilmay-careboyfriend.TOM: And in exchange foraccepting this risk, you'll havean extra $500 in your pocket.RAY: Now, if the car wereworth $15,000 and you had a$12,000 loan on it, it'd be a nobrainerto keep the collision andcomprehensive. But with a carthat's only worth a few thousandbucks, it's really up to youwhether you'd be willing towalk away with no compensationif you really wreck it - andpocket the savings now.TOM: Considering how littleyou drive the car, if it were me,I'd dump the coverage. But ifyou're the kind of person whowould be up nights worryingabout it, Jennifer, then keep thecollision and comprehensivecoverage for now. And when thebook value of your car gets lowenough so that you reallywouldn't care if it was a totalloss, dump it then. The goodnews is, it won't be long untilthat day arrives.Free Tire Program?Dear Tom and Ray:Am I being taken for a ride?I bought a brand-new HondaCR-V and was enrolled in a"free tires for life" program withmy dealership. The catch (isn'tthere always?) is that I have tohave my tires balanced every7,500 miles and an alignmentevery year, plus routine oilchanges and an annual inspectionat the dealership to qualifyfor the free tires. Is it necessaryto have my tires balanced every7,500 miles and get an alignmentevery year if I don't getinto any accidents or drive overcurbs? When do I need an alignment?Are they getting me to"pay" for the tires throughunnecessary services? Would Ibe better off finding a reliablemechanic and getting my oilchanges and routine checkups(including rotating the tires)with him and buying my ownNewark: 44 acres with 754 feet of frontage on Newark Pond.You don’t see waterfront parcels of this size anymore. This islocated next to 3,000 feet of water front conserved by the NatureConservancy. Keep this all for yourself, or pay land gains and useits development potential. On site electric. There are beach rightsand wooded area with proximity to golf, skiing and snowmobiletrails. From Newark Street turn left on Schoolhouse Road for 2miles and look for sign on the right.$1,500,000Real EstateRREYNOLDStires as I need them? If they aretaking me for a ride, should Icall them on it?- ShelleeRAY: Well, this is a cleverprogram, Shellee. I'm embarrassedthat I didn't think of itfirst!TOM: The key part of yourquestion is, "Are they essentiallygetting me to 'pay' for thetires through unnecessary services?"The answer is of coursethey are! Dealerships are notnonprofit, public institutions.They're businesses.RAY: Let's do the math.Let's say the new tires are worth$75 each, or $300 a set. Andlet's say you drive 15,000 milesa year. So, if you have cheaptires, you'll need new tires aftertwo years.TOM: To get your free tires,the first thing you have to do iscome in every 7,500 miles andhave your tires balanced.RAY: Do you need to haveyour tires balanced every 7,500miles? No. Once tires aremounted and balanced, theyalmost never need rebalancing,unless a customer complainsabout a high-speed vibration. Soat 10 bucks a wheel, that's $40each time you come in, and attwice a year, that's $80 a year.TOM: Then you have to geta wheel alignment once a year,which you also don't need. Analignment is $99. Let's call it$100. So you're in for $180 ayear, times two years is $360worth of service that is mostlikely unnecessary- or $60 morethan the new tires would costyou.RAY: But the dealershipactually gets even more out ofit. Because when you come in at7,500 miles, that convenientlyhappens to be the exact mileageat which Honda calls for yourcar to be serviced. So they get tosell you the 7,500-mile service,the 15,000-mile service, the22,500-mile service and thegranddaddy of boat-paymentservices, the 30,000-mile. Theymake a nice profit on those.TOM: Plus, they get you tocome in for your required"inspection" once a year, where791 Broad Street Lyndonville, VT 05851(802) 626-9357 Fax (802) 626-6913www.reynoldsre.comEmail: reynolds@charterinternet.comthey have the opportunity to sellyou other services. So it's agreat way for the dealership tokeep you coming in. They figurethat if they can get you in thedoor regularly, they'll probablyget all of your automotive business.RAY: There's nothing inherentlyevil about the free-tire program,Shellee. So you don'tneed to "call them on it."They're just trying to build arelationship with you. But itmight not be a relationship youwant, since it requires you tobuy services you don't need andlimits your choice of servicelocations.TOM: Right. So just buyyour own tires when the timecomes. That leaves you free tohave your car serviced whereveryou want. You can do it at thedealership, or use an independentmechanic to save somemoney. And every 7,500 mileswhen you have your car servicedand your oil changed, tellyour mechanic to rotate yourtires, too.RAY: Now, if you'll excuseus, we have to go set up a freetireprogram at our garage!DanvilleSenior MealSiteMarch Meal ScheduleMarch 1 - Spaghetti withMeatballs, Garlic Bread,Spinach Salad with MandarinOranges, Fruit Cocktail,Orange Juice.March 6 - No Meal. TownMeeting.March 8 - Spiral Ham withPineapple Raisin Sauce,Mashed Potatoes, WholeWheat Rolls, MixedVegetables, Apple Crisp,Tomato Juice.March 13 - Chicken withApple Stuffing, Broccoli,Rice, Cole Slaw, Pumpkin Pie.March 15 - Bratwurst andKnockwurst on a Roll,Sauerkraut, Sautéed Onionsand Red Peppers, Pasta Saladwith Broccoli, Orange Juice.March 20 - Roast Pork,Baked Potatoes with SourCream, Winter Squash, WholeWheat Biscuits, CranberryJelly, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.March 22 - Split Pea andHam Soup with Saltines,Grilled Cheese Sandwich,Fruit, Cranberry Juice. LibraryDay.March 27 - Shepherd’s Pie,Whole Wheat Rolls, Peas &Carrots, Bread Pudding,Orange Juice.March 29 - ScallopedPotatoes and Ham, PumpkinBread, California Vegetables,V8 Juice, Fruit Crisp.Meals at Danville MethodistChurch. All meals served witha beverage, homemade breadsand desserts. Reservations areappreciated by calling (802)684-3903 before 9:30 a.m. onday of the meal. A donation of$3.50 for guests 60+ (Others$4.50) is appreciated.

The North Star Monthly March 2007 31Letters from the PastWhen writing was a necessity and an artLynn A BonfieldEven while busy conducting theUnion Army in December1863, Lieutenant Colonel AddisonW. Preston (born 1830) worriedabout his family farm in Danville.His concerns included the price andsale of wool, care of animals, healthof his parents, as well as providingmoney for his wife and child. Heheld an ongoing discussion in hisletters to his younger brother, thefamily called Henry (born 1836),on the activities of the farm andhow it must pay for itself. Settingaside his concerns about his family,Addison in the following letterarticulated his philosophy on theimportance of education, learning,and independent thinking.It is clear that he hoped Henrywould embrace his ideas.Addison’s letters must have beenvalued by the Preston family, forthey were kept and eventuallydonated to the Fairbanks Museum.The sad news is that AddisonPreston, who rose to the rank ofColonel, commanding the 1stVermont Calvary, was killed onJune 3, 1864 in battle at HawesShop, Virginia. According to thereport published in TheCaledonian, hundreds of peoplefrom Danville and neighboringtowns joined the funeral marchfrom the depot to the Danvillecemetery.West BarnetSenior ActionCenterMarch 2007March 2 - Buffet.March 7 - Cheeseburger Pie,Mashed Potatoes, GreenBeans, Assorted Breads,Orange Jell-O with Pineapple.March 9 - Baked Ham,Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli,Homemade Rolls, Cole Slaw,Grapenut Pudding.March 14 - Spaghetti withMeatballs, Tossed Salad,Italian Bread, Pudding withTopping.March 16 - Corned Beef withCabbage, Potatoes, Turnip,Carrots, Homemade Rolls,Jell-O.March 21 - Meat Loaf,Mashed Potatoes, ButteredCarrots, Assorted Breads,Tropical Fruit Cup.March 23 - Roast Beef,Potatoes, Mixed vegetables,Homemade Rolls, Peacheswith Cream.March 28 - Salmon PeaWiggle, Pickled Beets,Biscuits, Pineapple UpsideDown CakeMarch 30 - Roast Pork,Potatoes, Applesauce, MixedVegetables, Homemade Rolls,Fruited Jell-O.Meals served at West BarnetChurch. All meals served witha beverage. Reservations notrequired. Suggested donationof $3 per meal is appreciated.Phone (802) 633-4068.WashingtonDec 12th 1863HenryYours of the 9th inst is justreceived– I would have the fivetwenty bonds made in the name ofMrs Juliette Preston [Addison’swife]. If they have not the bondsready which probably they havenot, the money can be deposited soit can draw interest the same andwhen the bonds are ready they canbe obtained. In regard to thewool–I think it should bring 75 cts.I believe Greenbanks [woolen mill]will pay that soon. You want onlyabout $75 to make up the amountdesired–the interest on the 800 willbe about $27.If you do not sell the wool norlambs could you not borrow $75some where for 30 days. I hope toget some pay in that time. How isthe wool stored now? Are there notsome yearling wethers that are fatSometimes they bring good pricesmuch better then lambs I thinklambs will pay well to keep. Bettersell yearling wethers than lambsThey should bring five dollars if fatBut if there is plenty of hay I do notcare to sell. Sheep pay so muchbetter then any thing else. I wantthe yards well fixed up so water willcome into it and have the sheep separatedthis winter I want the bighorse got in condition for sellingthis winter What will he bring? Isuppose you could hardly do withouthim I intend to bring home aMare with foal in the spring andhave the bay Colt broke this winterHow is fathers black colt[?]I wrote you in regard to thegrass and potatoes before You mustdo as well as possible in regards tothe chores this winter I think fatherbetter let out the farm if so they willcome over and live with JulietteYou must arrange matters to suitconveniences in that case.I am better with a bad coldShall go to my regiment Monday Ihave seen most of our reg[iment]here, and they appear quite friendlytowards me Senator Foot in particularwho went with me to the WarDepartment–I shall send a small package toyour care which you can deliver toJulietteHow does recruiting get alongin Danville?I think I shall write to MrGreenbanks saying he can have mywool at 75 cts per pound and notless and in case he does not buy itwill find a market somewhere else.I think he will buy it.You of course do not proposecoming to Wash[ington] this winterNor will your school pay you verylargely but still you can employyour time profitably in improvingyour self and fitting for future usefulness I have often regretted that Ihad not a thorough practical educationI wasted five years veryunprofitably. You may have it. Youhave graduated from a good institution[Dartmouth] and laid the foundationNow on that foundationyou have to build–a light trancientcastle with ease and carelessness–oran enduring edifice of stone fromthe mountains of science and truthby Energy; chisolled and madesmooth by the patience and industry;and adorned by experience andvirtue– In other words you can be aman or a mouse First to be a mando your own thinking and dont sayyes to a man when you mean no Ifyou do not agree with a man tellhim so like a gentleman and if propergive him your reasons. Do notyield to arguments until you havewell considered them and rubbedof[f] the gloss Rely in a greatmeasure upon your own judgmentbut always listen to advice.Endeavor to be a leader in societyrather than to be led to do this aman must be active. His knowledgemust be practical and readyconsequently it is necessary wheninvestigating a subject one shouldbecome a master of it. It is easy fora man to speak or write upon a subjectwhich he is thoroughlyacquainted with. Every thing istransparent to him but if his knowledgeis superficial he stands inML#2636065 This quaint two bedroom cape is waitingfor your inspection. Situated on a half-acre lot, inthe heart of one of the Northeast Kingdom's mostpristine villages. The interior features a large masterbedroom, a bath on each floor. Outside you will finda large two car garage with a large unfinished spaceabove, workshop, and a private deck.$184,90075 MT. PLEASANT ST.ST. JOHNSBURY, VT 05819802-748-8169 802-748-8855971 BROAD STREETLYNDONVILLE, VT 05851802-626-8333 802-626-9342www.parkwayrealtyassociates.comdarkness. One wants to be wellversed in history, sciences, and theliterature of the day But it is muchbetter to [be] thorough in onebranch of science that [than] superficialin all Choose your course oflife and learn it thoroughly then tryto adorn [it] by researches in differencespheres But first a purpose, oras Gen Hallock would say an objectivepoint Something to conquer–toshoot atThere is a wide field for practicaleducated men Honor[,] wealth,BEGIN REALTY ASSOCIATESWhatAre YouWaitingFor?fame await them Time is longWhat cannot be attained in a daymay be in one, five or ten yearsYours TrulyAW Preston[To] Wm H Preston, EsqThe original of this letter is preservedin the Fairbanks Museumand Planetarium, St. Johnsbury.Letters in this series are transcribedwith no changes to spelling, punctuation,or capitalization. Bracketsindicate information added by theMore homes are sold in thespring and summer than at anyother time of the year. If you arethinking of selling, give us a call.Mortgage rates are reasonable.Property is available. Stop in andsee our large inventory of homesand land for sale.Barb and Robin are ready to workfor you. Call (802) 684-1127 today.BEGIN REALTY ASSOCIATESBEGIN REALTY ASSOCIATESNearly 100% freedom from oil and electric bills inthis "off the grid" home in Danville. Surrounded by92+ acres of open and wooded land with lots oftown road frontage this 2-bedroom, 2-bath home is"solar powered" with wood and propane backup - avery unique property for the truly independentperson. MLS #2601484$279,000PEACHAM LOT -- JUST LISTED10.3 +/- wooded acres located on the Green BayRoad in Peacham. Power and telephone acrossthe street. View of the hillside and possibly theWhite Mountain range with some clearing.Private location, 2/10ths of mile from Martin'sPond. Recreation, camp or year round homepossibilities await. Call for map today.MLS #2635718 $89,900St. Johnsbury (802) 748-2045Danville (802) 684-1127www.beginrealty.comBEGIN REALTY ASSOCIATES

32 The North Star Monthly March 2007AROUND THE TOWNS MarchMarchCOMMUNITY CALENDARDaily - The Other Art Collection,paintings owned by the St.Johnsbury Athenaeum recently ondisplay. (802) 748-8291.Mondays - Story Time, St. JohnsburyAthenaeum Youth Library, 10:30a.m. (802) 748-8291.Mondays - Story Time, Pope Library,Danville, 10 a.m. (802) 684-2256.Mondays - Just Parents meet withconcerns for drugs and kids,Parent Child Center, St.Johnsbury, 7 p.m. (802) 748-6040.1st & 3rd Mondays - “Six O’ClockPrompt,” Writers’ Support Group,6 p.m. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum.(802) 633-2617.2nd Monday - Cancer Support Group,NVRH Conference Room A, 4p.m. (802) 748-8116.Tuesdays - Baby & Toddler StoryHour, Cobleigh Library,Lyndonville. 10 a.m.(802) 626-5475.Tuesdays - Bridge Club for all experiencelevels, Cobleigh Library,Lyndonville, 6:30 p.m.(802) 626-5475.Tuesdays - Cribbage Tournaments, 6p.m. Lake View Grange Hall,West Barnet. (802) 684-3386.Wednesdays - Preschool Story Hour,Cobleigh Library, Lyndonville. 10a.m. (802) 626-5475.Wednesdays - Read ’n’ Stuff,Cobleigh Library, Lyndonville.3:30 p.m. (802) 626-5475.Wednesdays - Ordinary Magic.Meditation for Life, St. JohnsburyShambhala Center, 17 EasternAvenue, 6-7 p.m.3rd Wednesday - Cardiac SupportGroup, NVRH, 6:30 p.m.(802) 748-7401.Thursdays - Introduction toComputers, Cobleigh Library,Lyndonville. 10 a.m.(802) 626-5475.Thursdays - Danville Town BandRehearsal, 7 p.m. Danville Schoolauditorium. (802) 684-1180.Fridays - Read and Weed Book Club,Cobleigh Library, Lyndonville.3:30 p.m. (802) 626-5475.Saturday & Sunday - PlanetariumShow 1:30 p.m. FairbanksMuseum, St. Johnsbury.(802) 748-2372.Saturdays - Bridge Club for all experiencelevels, Cobleigh Library,Lyndonville, 1 p.m.(802) 626-5475.3rd Saturday - Breast Cancer SupportGroup, Caledonia Home Health,Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, 10a.m. (802) 748-8116.1 Health Dangers of GeneticallyEngineered Foods and TheirCover Up, 7 p.m. NorthCongregational Church, St.Johnsbury. (802) 748-3663.2 Full Moon Snowshoe,Northwoods Stewardship Center,East Charleston, 7 p.m.(802) 723-4705.2 Contradance, Danville town hallwith Union Suit Hull’s VictoryString Band, 8 p.m.(802) 563-3225.3 Men’s Ecumenical Breakfast,Methodist Church, Danville, 7a.m. (802) 684-3666.3 Scrabble Club, St. JohnsburyAthenaeum, Noon - 4 p.m.(802) 748-8291.3 Winter Tree Identification,Northwoods Stewardship Center,East Charleston, 9 a.m.(802) 723-4705.3 Family Winter Wonderland Day tobenefit Greensboro EarlyLearning Center, 9:30 a.m. - 4p.m. Highland Lodge,Greensboro. (802) 533-2647.3 Passport Photos and Applicationsavailable at Pope Library,Danville. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.(802) 684-2256.4 Catamount Trail Ski Tour fromEden Mountain to CraftsburyTouring Center. (802) 586-7548.5 NEK Audubon Informational andPlanning Meeting, 4:30 p.m.Fairbanks Museum Classroom.(802) 626-8265.5 Beethoven’s RevolutionaryMasterpieces with Bill Cotte, 7p.m., LSC Burke Mountain Room.(802) 626-6459.6 Town Meeting Day6 Colonial Brass Quintet, 7:30 p.m.St. Johnsbury Athenaeum.(802) 748-83291.7 First Wednesday Lecture Serieswith Jungian analyst Dr. PollyYoung-Eisendrath and “WhyJung?” St. Johnsbury Athenaeum.7 p.m. (802) 748-8291.8 Global Warming: Mammals andGlobal Climate Change with Dr.Charles Woods, NorthwoodsStewardship Center, EastCharleston, 7 p.m.(802) 723-4705.8 West by Southwest BookDiscussion Series with Bless me,The Way West by A.B. Guthrie,Cobleigh Library Lyndonville.(802) 626-5475.8 Global Warming Changing Coursewith Barbara Duncan of VermontEarth Institute, 7-8 p.m. FairbanksMuseum, St. Johnsbury.(802) 748-2372.8 Film discussion following 7 p.m.film at Catamount Arts, St.Johnsbury. (802) 748-8813.9 Sacred Circle Dance, DanvilleCongregational Church, 7-9 p.m.(802) 684-3867.11 NEK Audubon trip to OdiorneState Park, New Hampshire seaBooks Coffee ConversationShop locally at theBoxcar & Cabooseand SAVE!!!PRE-PURCHASEMSRP: ...................................$34.99AMAZON: ..............................$28.37BOXCAR & CABOOSE ........$25.95Your pre-purchased copy of HarryPotter and the Deathly Hallows willbe available on July 21, Midnight,at our Harry Potter Party.Reserve your copy now!Amazon pricing assumes a 2-day shipping charge.Boxcar & Caboose pricing includes free Harry Potter Party!Free Wireless Internet AccessM-F: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sat: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sun: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.394 Railroad St., St. Johnsbury (802) 748-3551Photo Courtesy of Dan ZuckerOn a Saturday in early February Dan Zucker, of Danville, and a group of friends paused to get outof the weather in the shelter of the Lion’s Head on Mount Washington. The Lion’s Head trailascends steeply following along the ridge between Tuckerman’s and Huntington’s Ravine on theeast side of Mount Washington. The Lion’s Head, itself, is a rocky outcrop, which is easily visiblefrom below. The temperatures were around -5, and the winds were steady at 75 mph. Zucker says,“We huddled in the shelter of the rocks where the winds were lessened and waited for a lull to snapthe picture. The winds were roaring around us, but in this spot they were greatly diminished forbrief intervals.” Braving the weather and photo opportunity were (L-R) Nate Strong, Steve Matteraand Dan Zucker.coast, Meet at Exit 44 I- 93, 6a.m. (802) 626-9071.11 Pope Library’s Novel Dinner atThe Creamery Restaurant,Danville. (802) 684-2256.12 The Story of Modern Skiing, lecture,Read Hall Library at LSC,Noon, (802) 626-6356.13 Book Discussion with EsmeraldaSantiago’s American Dream,Walden Community Library, 7p.m. (802) 503-2630.15 Global Warming Changing Coursewith Barbara Duncan of VermontEarth Institute, 7-8 p.m. FairbanksMuseum, St. Johnsbury.(802) 748-2372.15 The End of Suburbia - OilDepletion and the Collapse of theAmerican Dream, 7 p.m. NorthCongregational Church, St.Johnsbury. (802) 748-3663.16 Time & Talent Auction, Dinner at6:30 p.m. Auction at 7:30 p.m.Danville Congregational Church.(802) 684-2176.17 Winter Birding with Jason Benoit,Northwoods Stewardship Center,East Charleston, 9 a.m.(802) 723-4705.17 Fairbanks Museum program:Apple Tree Pruning and GraftingWANTEDantiques,collectibles,household furnishings,contents of attics,cellars & outbuildingsBy the pieceor the whole lot.Offering currentknowledge of valueswith 35 yearsof experience.Scott & Joni Palmer684-2265with Ken Parr of East Burke, 9-11a.m. Fairbanks Museum, St.Johnsbury. (802) 748-2372.17 Exploring the Vernal Sky,Northwoods Stewardship Center,East Charleston, 7 p.m. (802) 723-4705.18 Beth El Speaker Series, 3-5 p.m.“Folklife and the Cultural Legacyof Vermonters” with GregorySharrow. Beth El Synagogue, St.Johnsbury. (802) 592-3989.21 Poetry Out Loud, CaledoniaCounty Semi-Finals, CatamountArts, 4 p.m. (802) 828-3778.22 West by Southwest BookDiscussion Series with Storytellerby Leslie Marmon Silko,Cobleigh Library Lyndonville.(802) 626-5475.23 Sacred Circle Dance, DanvilleCongregational Church, 7-9 p.m.(802) 684-3867.23-25 Vermont Maple Open HouseWeekend, Statewide.24 Vermont Maple Syrup OpenHouse Weekend with RossStevens, Northwoods StewardshipCenter, East Charleston, 9 a.m.(802) 723-4705.24 Fairbanks Museum program: PineNeedle Basketry with Jeff Bickart,9 a.m. 3 p.m. Fairbanks Museum,St. Johnsbury. (802) 748-2372.25 NEK Audubon trip to VictoryWildlife Management Area andVictory Forest. Meet at Damon’sCrossing at 8 a.m.(802) 626-9071.26 Lecture: Nuclear Proliferation inIslamic Republic of Iran withGawdat Bahgat, LSC BurkeMountain Room, 7 p.m.(802) 626-6459.28 Book Discussion with Frida byBarbara Mujica, 7 p.m. PopeLibrary, Danville. (802) 684-2256.30 Full Moon Snowshoe,Northwoods Stewardship Center,East Charleston, 7 p.m.(802) 723-4705.31 Fairbanks Museum program:Natural Soap Making with JeanTemple of Concord, 9 -10:30 a.m.Fairbanks Museum, St. Johnsbury.(802) 748-2372.31 Athenaeum Award presented toRachel Hadas, poet and part-timeVermont resident, 4 p.m. St.Johnsbury Athenaeum.(802) 748-8291.See also the Arts Around theTowns Calendar Page 14.WORKERS’ COMPAre you getting thebest deal possible?Call us today and we will answerthis all important question for you.We have access to exclusive markets.Call us for all of your insurance needs.Bill Daley and Doug Spaulding are located at459 Portland Street, St. Johnsbury.(802) 748-1010 or (800) 639-1010www.kinneypike.comSix offices statewide: Burlington, Poultney, Randolph, Rutland,St. Johnsbury & White River Jct.