Maple Corner Net

Date: March 4th 2010

The Maple Corner Net Newsletter is now being published 2 times a month, usually on the 2nd and 16th, depending on how much info I get, and how busy I am. You can easily contact me with news, comments, criticism, or compliments, by just replying to this email. This Newsletter now has 500 subcribers.
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As of right now the Newsletter is being sent from steve@maplecorner.net , which is working, but may be changed in the future.

Notes on submitting newsletter info and articles: There are 3 ways to contact me - 1. - you may already know my email address, 2.- If you receive a Maple Corner Newsletter as an email you can just click on reply, and write to me, or 3. - You can go to either www.maplecorner.net or www.songseek.com and there will be a link to a contact form, which will send an email to me. If you have any trouble with emailing, you can call me, and I will help you get the contact info, but the actual submition has to be emailed to me. Please avoid typing in capital letters, and any odd formating, includung colored text. . The plainest text possible is best.

 

Contents:

 

Reminders and Updates:

 

 

 

 

 

Subject: Maple Corner Mardi Gras Parade & Winter Carnival:

One more note from Nancy Toulis -

I forgot to put a donation jar up at the Mardi Gras/ Winter Carnival celebration to recoup some of M.C.C.C.'s $200.00 donation, so there is a jar at the store. If you had a good time, and want to see the event continue, please drop a few smackeroos in the jar.   Thanks.

Thanks need to go out to all who helped with Mardi Gras/ Winter Carnival that was momentous event WOW!  thank you Especially Don and Bev Heise ( mr. and mrs. ice ) and once again to Chris Miller ( his royal highness ) and Brian and Dillon for letting us all invade their space.
Every single person who helped made a difference. Fantastic pictures are posted in the Maple Corner Newsletter. Thanks Steve. 


Mardi Gras Photos: http://www.photos.net/Mardi_Gras_2010/ taken by Steve & Sarah Gallagher

 

 

 

 

Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 4:09 PM
Subject: March 4th Village Projects Meeting

Maple Corner Village Projects Meeting
 
The next meeting to discuss possible projects in Maple Corner will be Thursday, March 4th at 7:30 pm at the Maple Corner Community Center. We'll have some short presentations and then talk about what's next.
 
Planning Commission - John McCullough will talk about the PC's project to develop possibilities for housing on specific pieces of property that landowners have offered as test models.
 
Other resources for people/groups who want to create housing - This may include a presentation about Central Vermont Community Land Trust and possibilities for village septic
 
Village heating system - Tim Maker will present his ideas for a feasibility study for Maple Corner
 
Food Production - Eva Cahill and/or Greg Georgaklis will talk about ideas for local food production
 
For further information or questions, contact Olivia Gay ogay1111@hotmail.com; 802 223-3858 
 
 

 

 

 

Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010
Subject: Green Mountain Youth Symphony's first Waltz Night fundraiser

 
Local Youth to Perform at the Green Mountain Youth Symphony’s Waltz Night
  
Eight area youths will be performing with the Green Mountain Youth Symphony at its first annual Waltz Night on Saturday, March 13th from 7 to 10 PM in the auditorium of the Montpelier City Hall, which will be transformed into a Viennese ballroom for the evening.  
 
 
 
Mei Mei Dwyer-Frattalone, Luna Larkin, Nina Line, Aidan Reardon, and Alexandre, Schuyler, Taylor and Willoughby Forest, all from Calais and East Calais, have been putting in a lot of practice time preparing for this event!  They invite adults and children of all ages to escape mud season and spend a glittering evening dancing to live waltz music and tasting a delectable assortment of desserts.  The evening will begin with a 30 minute session of professional waltz instruction to prepare everyone to whirl the night away. Fancy dress is encouraged, but optional.   Waltz tunes, featuring the music of Johann Strauss, Jr., among others, will be played by the three orchestras of the GMYS, with an interlude by an adult string quartet.   In addition to the great music and dancing, there will a variety of fun prizes and a silent auction.  
 
 
 
Founded in 2001, the mission of the Green Mountain Youth Symphony is to create a community of young musicians from Central and Northern Vermont through the performance of great music.  GMYS consists of three orchestras and more than 100 participants from approximately thirty towns throughout central and northern Vermont. The orchestra has performed at First Night Montpelier, Farmers Night, and Montpelier's Independence Day Celebration and other venues throughout central and northern Vermont.
 
All proceeds from Waltz Night will benefit GMYS, including its scholarship fund and educational programs. 
 
Tickets for Waltz Night are $12 for adults, $6 for students/seniors, and children under five are free.  Tickets can be purchased at Vermont Violins at 24 Main Street in Montpelier or e-mail info@gmys-vt.org.

Contact: Sarah Madru - (802) 454-0188

 

 

 

 

Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010
Subject: 40th Anniversary of Green Up Day on May 1st
 

40th Anniversary of Green Up Day on May 1st
Do we need a "Committee for Fresh Ideas?"
If so, want to join?
 
I've been the Calais Green Up Day coordinator for 10 years and firmly believe that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Lots of eager volunteers turn out, people have a good time and the roads look considerably better afterwards. But if you have some ideas about how we as a town can make this 40th anniversary a bigger, more fun and more effective event, maybe we should form an informal committee and make it happen.
 
Fletcher Dean
456-8924
fletcherd@hotmail.com
 
 

 

 

 

 

Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2010 5:38 PM
Subject: My Notes & Occasional Comments:Calais Selectboard meeting, Feb. 22nd, 2010, written by Peter Harvey


Calais Selectboard meeting, Monday, February 22, 2010 at the Calais School. Members present (clockwise): Anne Winchester (Chair), Denise Wheeler (Vice-Chair), Scott Bassage, John Brabant, and Cy Lamberton. Rose Pelchuck took the Selectboard's official minutes.  I counted 17 people in attendance at this evening's Selectboard meeting including myself.

MINUTES: the Board began the meeting with approving the minutes of the last 4 meetings:
" Jan 25, approved 5-0 as amended
" Jan 30, approved 4-0-1 as written (Anne abstained because of her absence at that meeting)
" Feb 8, approved 4-0-1 with minor clarifications (John abstained because of absence at that meeting)
" Feb 9, (continued from Feb 8) approved 4-0-1 with a few corrections (John abstained because he had not yet read these minutes)

ANCIENT ROADS: The Board had obviously done some homework after the last meeting. Anne came to the meeting with two drafts that she handed out to the room; first, a list of potential options and criteria for dealing with the roads (1- do nothing, 2- mass-discontinuance , 3-put the roads on the State/Town highway map, 4- negotiate an easement with land owners for use as permanent trails). Her second draft was for appointing a "Calais Committee on Unmapped and Unmaintained Roads." John said he would support a committee that represented a cross section of the Town. Denise presented a list of people who had already agreed to be appointed. All have been active in the Ancient Roads discussions at previous meetings. Denise, seconded by Scott, made the motion to form the committee. John added John Meyer's name to the list as a friendly amendment. The Board asked the committee to first take on the question of "Mass Discontinuation" of "roads that can not be seen" and report back to them the March 29th meeting. The Board also directed that the Committee would continue to develop the drafts, talk & walk the roads with the land owners, and work on this problem for as long as it takes, probably the next few years. Denise said she would like to see the committee work with the League of Cities & Towns. The Committee members appointed are: Darby Bradley (chair), Charlotte Bassage, Reed Cherington, Gail Graham, Paul Hannan, Warner Shedd, Eric Sorenson, and John Meyer. Just before tonight's meeting, Gary Schultz had handed out a 2 page letter he had written to the Board offering his observations and suggestions. He finished his letter asking, "Let's take advantage of the mass discontinuance so none of these roads wind up being advertised all over the place and all just be good neighbors." He also suggested the incentive of a tax break for landowners keeping their unidentified corridors open to the townspeople. (I learned later that he had been offered a seat on the committee, but not accepted.)

CALAIS TRASH/ RECYCYLING DEPOT: The Board invited resident Sandy Luce to the table to help talk about what the town should do next. Sandy has been running the depot Saturday mornings (8 to 12) for the CVSWMD (Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District) for almost 3 years. She told the Board that during this interim stage she is working for both John Cookson, who has kept the depot open the past two Saturdays, and Jeff Perry who will operate the site for the next two Saturdays. The Selectboard has asked the two businesses to take turns operating the site until they decide on a permanent arrangement. She said that business is down because after all the publicity about CVSWMD shutting down all the depot sites, many people think that the East Calais depot is no longer open. The Board will advertise that it is open Saturdays from 8 to noon. Tonight the Board wrote an RFP (Request For Proposals). It will advertise it in local newspapers and post the RFP on the Town Website. Proposals need to be submitted before noon Saturday, April 3, 2010 and the Board will award a contract at their April 15 meeting. Donna Barlow Casey, the Executive Director of the CVSWMD for the last 14 years, has announced her resignation, effective March 12.

MC CULLOUGH GRAVEL PIT: Zoning Administrator Dot Naylor e-mailed the Board that the pit has filed an application with the Town for a permit, but the date has not been set yet.

ROAD REQUEST: The Board met with Wayne Morse again this evening to discusse his request to put a section of a road back onto the Town/State Highway map. Wayne told the Board again that the section of TH 44 was not legally discontinued after that road was relocated in1971. Cy is the only member on the Board in 2003 when the Board hired Attorney Gloria Rice to look at the road discontinuance of that section. At that time she recommended that the Board not take action on Wayne Morse's request. The Board then voted not to grant Wayne's request. Anne told the room that since Wayne's appearance at the last meeting they had received a letter from Chuck Storrow, the current owner of the land that the road was deeded to. Tonight the Board decided they would look into getting another legal opinion. John, seconded by Scott, made a motion to phone Attorney Paul Gillies, who wrote "The History and Law of Vermont Town Roads," to ask him who else was qualified to ask about the legality of the issue. The Town can not ask Attorney Gillies because he is already representing Paul & Lillie Weisbart about a class 4 road (TH 8) issue with the Town. John told the Board that he thought resolving this road problem might prove useful in resolving other Ancient Roads problems. Denise & John will copy the Ancient Roads Committee research file on TH 44 for reference.

REPORTS:
Curtis Pond Dam: John reported that he has been in contact with Jeff Tucker, of Dubois King. Dubois King was involved with designing a concrete dam behind the stone dam when this all began years ago. He has also arranged to meet with Steve Bushman of the State Dam Safety Program.

Town Hall Grant: The Calais Historic Preservation Commission has been awarded a $10,000 grant to study what work needs to be done to preserve our Town Hall.

Resignations:

Reed Cherington has resigned from the Conservation Commission. He has been a member since 2005.

Rhonda Shippee has resigned from the Planning Commission and as the Calais Representative to the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission. She has been a member since 1993.

My personal comments: Rhonda was always an impressive professional and savvy member of the Commission. There were obvious carryovers from her day job, working with USDA Rural Development programs funding water & fire department programs in small towns in VT & NH. She was always the turn-to-member about those issues and seems to know all the regs backwards and forwards. I always appreciated her candor and professionalism.

Town Audit: The Town Audit has been finished by volunteer/appointees Bill Bates and Jeff Fothergill, who were appointed by the Selectboard at the end of December 2009 to replace the elected auditors who had resigned. The Annual Report (Red Book), which could not be printed without the Audit, has been mailed out.

my personal comments: The Town Report has grown over the years. The oldest complete Annual Report on file in the Town vault is for the 1873 Town Meeting. It is the same size as today's Redbook, but only a 4 page (one white page printed both sides, then folded) pamphlet stapled inside a grey paper cover. Page 1 is the title page, page 2 is the Selectmen's Report with one sentence at the bottom "We hereby certify that we have examined the accounts and vouchers of the Selectmen, and find them correct." - Auditors - Silas Wheelock & F.A. Dwinell. Page 3 is the Report of the Overseer of the Poor with the same auditor certification at the bottom. Page 4 is the Town Treasurer's report, again with the same auditor certification at the bottom. The accounts are so few that they identify individuals such as: "Azro Nelson, for building bridge, etc. $45.50"; "J.R.R. Kent, for use of vestry, $35.00" (The Town then rented the space downstairs in the Town Hall to hold it's Town Meetings. Eva Morse has been compiling and editing the Calais Town Reports since 1964 (46 years). It was she that put the signature "Red Cover" on the report when the printer asked her what color she wanted, "because red is my favorite color." Up until a few years before then the covers had been grey. Then, for a few years they were whatever color the printer had on hand. The only break was 1987, when the cover was orange. Eva told me - "That was the closest they could come that year. We called it tomato soup!" In Eva's tenure, the number of pages has varied from 50 to 130. For a dozen years (1990 to 2003) UVM Extension Service awarded certificates of Excellent Achievement. Eva only missed one, because of taking her turn judging the award that year.

Emergency Services Building: Scott reported that it is moving along and on budget.

Small Claims Court: Doug Lilley is asking for reimbursement for taxes. The Board has hired Bob Halpert to represent the Town. A court date has not been set yet.

Emergency Service Building Finance Agreement: Anne reported that Attorney Steve Stitzel, representing Calais, continues to work out the details with East Montpelier about defining who will own what.

CVRPC Energy Audit: There is Federal Stimulus Money available for towns to do energy audits.

The Board recognized this as being Anne Winchester's next to last meeting and thanked her for her service. Anne will be Selectboard Chair until after the votes are counted the evening of Town Meeting Day. She is not running for re-election to the Selectboard because her husband, Richard Cowart, will be working five or six months each year in Europe for the next few years. She told me that she wants to see him more, and a little less enthusiastically, see a little of Europe. Anne was elected to the Selectboard for a 3 year term in 2007. She has been Chair this past year. Previous to that she had been a member of the Planning Commission for 12 years. After this session she will also be retiring from her 24 years working on the Legislative Council at the State House.

My personal comments: I very much owe my writing of these "my notes" to Anne's example when she was chair of the Planning Commission and I was the recording clerk. Late at night, after each meeting, she would write up and e-mail each member her notes about what had happened at that evening's meeting. Not only did it make my job, writing the minutes easy, but I also recognized her proof of that old adage: "…writing organizes the mind." It was a good lesson for me.

I am very grateful to both Rhonda & Anne for the enriching experience I have had working with them these past 15 years.

TOWN MEETING is Tuesday, March 2, 2010 @ 10 AM
AT THE TOWN HALL

The Board adjourned at 9:20 PM. The Board will be meeting in the Calais Elementary School for the winter. The next scheduled meeting of the board will be 7:00 pm, Monday, March 8, 2010. Agendas are posted at the usual places: the Calais Town Clerk's Office, the 3 stores in town, and the East Calais Post Office. Only items posted on the agenda are voted on at any meeting. Those wishing to bring items before the Board should contact Chair Anne Winchester (456-7488) or Vice Chair Denise Wheeler (456-8730). Agenda items for the next meeting need to be received by 6 PM, the Wednesday before that meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010
Subject: Sugaring Season

Hello!

As the winter that isn't progresses towards spring, some friends have
begun asking if I'm gearing up for sugaring; and while I am, and know
that big storms might only make getting around in the woods harder, I do
wish it would snow!

Thanks to a few close friends (and not coincidentally some of my
partners in this enterprise) I now have plenty of wood all split up and
ready to go, and am indeed thinking of tapping out soon, probably next
week.  I've heard that there are some sugarmakers in our area who have
in fact already begun tapping. While I have made syrup in February
before, rarely, it does seem just a tad early to be tapping. But, if the
weather is what it needs to be for the sap to run, then I had better get
to it!

Again this year, I am offering a syrup pre-buy, my own version of a
community supported agriculture program. The syrup CSA has been very
helpful to me over the past few years, providing me with much needed
funds up front to buy syrup jugs, filters, tubing and fittings, valves,
etc. Many of you have generously ordered your syrup early, and have even
seemed to enjoy doing so! Prices of maple syrup are about where they
have been over the last couple years, after going up markedly two or
three years ago.  Last year, I had the best season I have ever had in
more than 30 years of boiling, and of course, optimist that I am, am
ready for another banner year. I've said that last year I made more
syrup than ever (181 gallons, just now all sold) burned more wood than
ever, and drank more beer than ever.  Add to that having more friends
than ever come out to visit and help, and it was indeed the best season
ever.

Speaking of friends coming out, the annual Open Sugarhouse gathering
will be held Sunday, March 28, from 1-5 p.m., pending good sugaring
weather. Please come and bring your kids, friends and neighbors! I'll
confirm the date with you a little later in the season; if it's
postponed, it will be held the following Sunday, April 4th. And, last
year, I sent out very brief emails to those of you in the immediate area
to let you know when exactly I would be boiling; if you would like to be
on that list, let me know, and I'll let you know when you should blow
off work some nice, sunny afternoon this spring.

*Ordering Information:*
 Attached is a word document with prices for the various sizes and
styles of jugs I'm offering for sale this year, with a couple additions:
I can now offer both half gallons and gallons in glass jugs, for those
of you who would rather have those larger quantities stored in glass.
While I can't offer to ship those containers, as they're too breakable,
if you would like to order them to either pick up here at the sugarhouse
or for me to drop off to you in Central Vermont, please let me know. As
those glass jugs cost more than plastic ones, and because they are much
harder for me to handle, they go for slightly more than the plastic
1/2's and gallons. When ordering, please let me know how many of which
containers you would like, and your preferred grade: Fancy, Medium
Amber, Dark Amber or B. While I can't guarantee how much of which grades
I will make, I'll do my best to get you what you'd like. Orders are
filled on a first-ordered, first filled basis. ***And, one other slight
change in the CSA from other years--the $3/gal. discount for orders of 3
or more gallons ordered at once expires on March 15th, so don't put off
ordering! ***  Orders can be sent with payment to me at:  P.O. Box 135,
Calais, VT 05648. Please call me at 802-229-5621, or 802-777-0229 (cell)
with any questions, or email me at: syrup@craiglinephotos.com


Thank you so much for all your support of my overgrown sugaring
hobby-gone-wild, and I hope to see you all out here at the sugarhouse
sometime this season!

Best, Craig Line

 

 

 

 

Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010

Subject: RE: Midwives For Haiti

Hi Steve
Thanks for placing the ad for my puppies!
I would like to add this notice to the next newsletter if possible - thanks
 
 
To my friends and neighbors in Calais:
 
I will be traveling to Haiti for a week in early May with an organization called "Midwives For Haiti".
 
As all of you know, the situation in Haiti remains dire, especially for pregnant women and newborns. Over 65% of women give birth unattended in Haiti, and the maternal and neonatal death rate is one of the highest in the western hemisphere. The situation is even more devastating now, in the aftermath of the earthquake, with healthcare, supplies, medicine and basic necessities being limited or absent.
 
I will be traveling with several other Nurse-Midwives from Vermont and other states, providing around the clock care in several of the make shift maternity centers near Port-au-Prince. I am both excited and scared at what I will encounter, but can't wait to do what I do best -providing prenatal care, teaching birth assistants, and catching babies!
 
I have a goal of bringing as many of the needed supplies as I can. I would like to make 100 gift packs for each infant born, to include a receiving blanket, infant hat, pair of cotton socks, a onesie (snap crotch tee-shirt), and pampers.  Each of these kits will cost about $5, and I am asking for any donations to help off-set this cost, and will gladly take donations of newborn diapers, "gently" used infant tee-shirts/onesies, socks, etc. It is very warm, so no long sleeved or heavy clothing is needed.
 
Even  a few dollars will help me purchase and transport drugs and medical equipment to provide prenatal care, and prevent labor and delivery complications and newborn eye infections. I personally guarantee that every dollar or donation will go directly to the women and babies I will be caring for. There are no "hidden costs" - I have personally financed 100% of this trip, and will hand carry every donation to the hospitals in need. Even $1 or 2 dollars will buy an article of clothing, a vial of medicine, or an umbilical cord clamp.
 
I completely understand and appreciate the financial difficulties we are all experiencing, and asking for money/donations is always difficult, but this cause feels so intimately and profoundly important to me as a mom, and midwife. I know it will make a difference.
 
Please call me at 456-1990, and I will gladly come by, or you can give items to Kaelyn or Marilla,or drop off money/donations at my home in the village @93 Marshfield Rd, 3rd house on the left behind the East Calais church.
 
Thank-you all, from the bottom of my heart,
- Paula

 

 

 

 

Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 12:25 PM
Subject: Community Spaghetti Dinner, Raffle, Silent Auction and entertainment at U-32
 

Let's support our 8th graders and have a great evening out! 
 
Friday, March 26 : Community Spaghetti Dinner, Raffle, Silent Auction and entertainment at U-32 to benefit the 8th grade class trip to Washington DC.  Seatings at 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm.  Adults $10, family $30, students & seniors $5.  Take-out orders for $10.  Tickets available at the door and from U-32 8th graders.  229-0321 Ext. 5179
 
 - Sally Decicco

 

 

 

 

Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 1:38 PM
Subject: Potluck and Beatles Sing-a-long at the MCC - Thursday, March 11

Thursday, March 11, 6pm. Potluck and Beatles Sing-a-long at the MCC. Bring instruments, Beatles music. Sponsored by the MCC Program Commitee. Hope to see you there!

- Heidi Thompson

 

 

 

Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 12:30 PM
Subject: Reclaiming Our Earth Connections Series

Reclaiming Our Earth Connections Series continues
at the Maple Corner Community Center
 
Friday, March 19 at 7 PM
 
Film:  "One Man, One Cow, One Planet"
 
How to Save the Planet!  An award-winning film that shows through the work of one man using Biodynamic Farming techniques, how India's soil is being restored, farms are prospering, and people are thriving.  Biodynamic Farming goes beyond organics to work with the phases of the moon and the planets to stimulate and enliven soil formation and plant growth. Amazing film!
 
For information call Linda Schutz at 229-6861 or Gail England at 223-1730
 

 

 

 

 

Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010
Subject: silent film treasures are presented with live commentary by Rob Mermin
 
 
 
Come see The Silent Film Comedies!
 
Entertainment by the great silent clowns, including movie clips from Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, and the special feature presentation "Tramp,Tramp,Tramp" by silent film comedian Harry Langdon!
 
 
 
These silent film treasures are presented with live commentary by Rob Mermin (founder of  Circus Smirkus and silent film master).  Come join
us for an evening of great entertainment and insight into the world of  the silent film era.
 
Adamant Community Club.  March 13, 2010.  5:30 potluck; 7:00 presentation/film.
$10 pre-purchased at the Adamant Coop; $12 at the door; families $10. 
 
Children/Adults welcome!
 
 
 - Alison K. Underhill

 

 

 

 

Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Subject: : Ancient Roads; Letter to Selectboard, by Gary Schultz
 

Steve, I gave this letter to the Board last night at their meeting.  If you want, you can include it in your newsletter.
 
 Dear Selectboard,
 
 
 
     I should probably start off by saying I don't have an unidentified corridor on my land, but people hunt, snowmobile, walk and ski here and it's not a problem.  What I do see happening in town are strong feelings surfacing on both sides of this issue and I don't want to see the town split by dissention.  I also see the Board grappling with this issue and I offer the following:
 
     The primary reason that I have heard from those who are in favor of adding unidentified corridors to the town highway map is to preserve these roads in perpetuity for the use of themselves, their children and grandchildren.  That is an admirable goal, but unfortunately nothing lasts forever. 
 
     Let�s talk about "in perpetuity" for a minute.  When you say those words, a lot of people think of land trusts.  The main concept behind a land trust is that the development rights are held by the lamd trust, an entity separate from the land owner.  As long as development rights and land ownership remain separated, the land can't be developed.  Let�s say I sell the development rights to my land to a land trust so I can pay my taxes and live on my land for the rest of my life.  I sit back and think I've done a good thing.  This land will never be developed.  The land passes on to one of my kids, and then to one of their kids, and that kid decides to sell.  Now the land trust that bought my land a hundred years ago has evolved with new by-laws, new goals, and a new board of directors, and it buys my land.  Unless I was clever enough to have the developoment rights extinguished upon my selling the land, the development rights and the land are now held by one entity, the land trust.  So they can now develop my land.  There would be some serious tax implications but it is very conceivable that this could happen.  In fact, it has happened in New Jersey.  A land trust lawyer told me so after I kept pressing him.  So much for perpetuity.
 
     I think that very few, if any, who have unidentified corridors on their land would object to occasional skiers, hikers, or horseback riders crossing their land today.  What would cause them to object at some future date?  Overuse, and not overuse from their neighbors or fellow townspeople.  It will be those who will come once the newly identified roads appear on the Town Highway Map and a copy of the map suddenly appears showing these highlighted new roads on the internet.  I truly don't believe that there will be any way to prevent that from happening.  I'm not trying to use the internet as a scare tactic.  I've seen it in action.  The internet is a powerful tool in spreading information such as this.  Check out the websites for geocaching.  That's a new hobby where somebody hides a waterproof container with trinkets in it under a rock or in a log and gives GPS coordinates on a geocaching website.  People go on the internet and find these coordinates and come to Vermont to find them.  The idea is, you find the box, take a little treasure and leave one.  I came across one quite by accident one time hunting on the mountain behind Berlin Pond.  I opened it up and found, among other things, shoulder patches from a rescue squad in New Jersey and a fire department in North Carolina.  There are already four sites on the map in Calais on one website.
 
     Given the fact that a future Board could discontinue whatever roads we add now, about all we can realistically hope to influence is the here and now.  What do those who want to map these roads want?  Guaranteed access in perpetuity.  Putting these roads on the map would certainly guarantee access, but not perpetuity.  About all we can hope for is that while we are here is that we will be able to enjoy other folk's land.  Our ability to access that land should be dependent on the landowner's good nature and our respecting the land. 
 
     Lets take a worse case scenario for a second.  The town puts an unidentified corridor on the map, contrary to the desires of the landowner.  The landowner could measure the three rod right-of-way along the entire length of the road and put up a fence and No Trespassing signs every fifty feet.  Yes, we'd have access, but not a very enjoyable hiking trail.  You couldn't leave the trail and hike up to the ridge for the view nor could you walk down to the brook for your dog or horse to get a drink.  Not a very enjoyable day in the Vermont countryside.
 
     In addition to the fact that we can preserve nothing forever, I suggest that you read the recent Supreme Court decision on an ancient roads case in Middlesex.  That decision places an extremely high burden of proof on the town to prove that all the criteria of Act 178 are met.  If abutters contest the town's assertion that the road was correctly established, the town could be facing substantial legal fees in multiple cases.  In this economy where we�ve had to cut the town road budget for the past two years,  I don't think anyone needs this.  It will  only lead to hard feelings and dissention in the town.
 
     I'm a great believer in the overall goodness of people.  Instead of the Board forcing folks to give what they freely give already, lets all of us foster in our kids and grandkids an ethic that we're all neighbors in this town and we should share our land and respect other people's land.  Lets take advantage of the mass discontinuance so none of these roads wind up being advertised all over the place and all just be good neighbors.  This is Calais, not New Jersey.
 
     As an added incentive for people to keep their unidentified corridors open to the townspeople, perhaps we could measure the width and length of the corridor and the town could offer a small tax break to the landowner.  We could use a carrot instead of a stick approach to keep these corridors open if necessary.
 
     This is probably going to sound real corny, but lets take advantage of the mass discontinuance option, be good neighbors and share our land, and put this all behind us before it rips our town apart.  Access is there already in most cases.  Please don't force people to give the access that they freely give already. 
 
     Sorry this was so long.
 
     Sincerely,
 
     Gary Schultz

 

 

 

 

Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 1:20 PM
Subject: The Calais Trash and Recycling Depot is Open

Steve,
Many residents do not seem to realize that the recycling depot is continuing to operate without interruption.  Would you please put the attached in your newsletter to let them know?
Thank you, Anne Winchester

The Calais Trash and Recycling Depot is Open

There will be no interruption of service at the depot on Moscow Woods Road.  The Selectboard is soliciting proposals for long range operation of the depot and expects to have a permanent operator by mid April.  Meanwhile John Cookson and Jeff Perry will operate the depot.  The hours of operation (8-12 am on Saturday) will remain the same.

 

 

 

 

Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 11:33 AM
Subject: Jim Kelso at Kellogg-Hubbard - Kyoto & Environs: Steeped in Ancient Wildness
 

I'm giving a slide talk at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library on March 31 at  7PM 

Kyoto & Environs: Steeped in Ancient Wildness: 

Jim Kelso will present a slide lecture on his autumn 2008 ramblings in and around Kyoto, where he sought inspiration from wild nature and the sensitivity of the Japanese toward their connection to nature. Jim will also share photos of exceptional, very rarely seen, works in metal that have influenced his work, along with a few photos of his own works that were exhibited in Kyoto at that time.
 

Happy town meeting day. Thanks,
 
Jim Kelso
www.jimkelso.com
 
 
 

 

 

 

Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Subject: Calais Broadband Idea

Hey Steve,

Coby here. Was just wondering if you possibly have an email address for the Calais Broadband Alliance (or whatever it's called), or that of whomever is in charge of or runs that operation.

I would like to provide them with information about this new Ultra-High-Speed fiber internet project run by Google, whereby Google will be choosing a bunch of communities, large and small, to take part in their experiment that involves installing fiber-to-the-premises to all homes in a given community, as well as a local operations station to manage the service. It's designed to test out the possibility to going nationwide with a Google High-Speed Internet service that would compete with the large telcos/ISP's that have monopolized internet access choice for almost every rural area they serve. You can literally submit an application for inclusion in this experiment online, and I think it would behoove the Calais Broadband Alliance to look into this seriously, as Maple Corner could possibly be an attractive community (and a PR dream for Google) to Google for testing out this service, especially given the fact that most people in this community have no access to high-speed internet and those of us who do have it are afforded little-to-no choice when it comes to selecting an ISP/provider.

Anyway, even though I just explained to you the whole idea behind this experiment (basically so that someone besides me would know about it), I think I really should approach the CBA about this, and need the email address of whomever appropriate to contact about this. If I cannot locate said contact info, I think I'll simply post this information in the next issue of the MCCN so that a lot of eyeballs end up seeing it.

Thanks,
Coby Heise

 

 

 

 

Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 1:07 PM
Subject: Worcester Ceili & Contra Dance Sat., Mar. 13, 2010
 
 
Sat., Mar. 13, 2010 
Benefit Dance Series to be held in the recently reopened upstairs of the Worcester Town Hall!
 
 
 
Irish Ceili & Contra Dance
 
Ceili 7:00 - 8:00 pm with Irish Step Dancers, Irish songs, audience participation Ceili dances; followed by 
Contra Dancing until 9:30 pm
 
Music by The Parsnips with Chip Hedler calling
Proceeds Benefit Renovation of the Historic 1912 Worcester Town Hall
 
Bring the whole family
$5 donation for Adults, Children under 16 free (must be accompanied by an adult)
 
Beginners welcome- no partner needed- all dances are taught - Soft-soled shoes only
 
We'll be collecting non-perishable items for the Worcester Food Shelf- contributions not necessary, but appreciated!
 
Please note the remaining dance date (2nd Saturdays): Apr. 10
 
For more info. call 229-9468
Thanks,
Elizabeth Hunt Schwartz
229-9468; ehuntschwartz@gmail.com
 

 

 

 

 

Reminders and Updates:

 

 

Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 5:50 AM
Subject: Celebrate National Agriculture Day Saturday March 20 at the Vermont State House


Dear Calais neighbors:
Celebrate National Agriculture Day Saturday March 20 at the Vermont
State House. The first public event beyond Calais resulting from the
farm and food heritage projects Shirlee and I have been creating and
talking with you about for more than a year is free, both to attend and
to exhibit, thanks to generous support from Cabot Creamery and its
dairy farmer owners. The deadline for signing up to exhibit is Thursday
February 25. Since this is a Calais begun project, there are more ways
for Calais citizens, businesses and organizations to participate as
exhibitors:
. Sign up and have a space/table of your own
. Sign up to be part of the Maple Corner Center of the Universe exhibit
. Sign up to be part of the Vermont Cuisine History & Cookbook Project exhibit

Contact Diane Konrady, 229-1532, diane@SliceofVermont.com or
dkonvt@gmail.com to exhibit.
Calais folks already signed up are Toby Talbot, with a display of farm
and food photographs from his long career as a professional and
Associated Press photographer; the Burkes with The Daily Gardener, Matt
Myers with the UVM Extension Roll Over Protection Program, Rural
Vermont, Adamant Coop, Shirlee Inglis and Diane with stories, recipes
and photographs from their project activities, displays of the Kent
Corners Mrs. Appleyard heritage, Calais poets and other representatives
of The Art of Farm & Food.
Isaac Gallagher will be publicizing Celebrate National Agriculture Day
Saturday March 20 at the Vermont State House at U32 High School and
coordinating with me to have students involved in all ways they wish.

 

 

Subject: Reclaiming our Earth Connections: A new monthly series at MCCC!

An exciting new Friday night series at the Maple Corner Community Center begins February 12th. and continues monthly through May. The series will be presented by Gail England and Linda Schutz in conjunction with the MCCC Program Committee.  Admission is free to all!
 
The series continues with the following:
 

March 19th at 7 pm - Film: "One Man, One Cow, One Planet -
How to save the planet!  An award-winning film that shows through the work of one man, using Biodynamic Farming techniques, how India’s soil is being restored, farms are prospering and people are thriving.  Biodynamic Farming goes beyond organics to work with the phases of the moon and the planets to stimulate and enliven soil formation and plant growth.

April 9th at 7 pm - Presentation: Journeys to Sacred Sites - Here and Abroad -
Sacred sites are special places found all over the world.  In this visual presentation we will travel to England, France, Ireland and the United States to explore ancient stone structures, holy wells, cathedrals and Native American earthworks and mounds. These are places where the energies of the earth are amplified.  Linda will relay her own journey, what she found, the patterns she discovered and how she has been affected. Bring your own stories to share too!   Linda Schutz, presenter (info, 229-6861)

May 14th at 7 pm - Presentation: Geomancy - Connecting to Earth's Energy -
As far back as people have walked the earth they have been aware of certain places in the landscape that hold a special kind of energy that has traditionally been used for healing and to enhance fertility.  By understanding this and working consciously with this energy, we can be healed and help undo some of the harm humans have inflicted on this amazing planet.  The form of Geomancy Gail practices uses carvings in stones placed on specific points in the landscape to help facilitate this Earth Healing.  She has been studying Geomancy with Mark and Ana Pogacnik from Slovenia for 7 years and is a graduate of the first North American School of Geomancy.  Gail England, presenter (info, 223-1730)

 
Flyers with more details are available at Maple Corner Store, Adamant Co-op and East Calais General Store.  For more information, contact Linda at 229-6861
 

 

 

 

Subject: Uncle Vanya at the Unadilla

The Unadilla Theatre will present Uncle Vanya performed by people 11 to 13 (4 boys 4 girls) July 24th and 25th. We are casting now. If you would like to join the cast email me at unadilla@pshift.com or call the theatre at 456-8968. This is a free opertunity for Calais children.

For more information go to the website: www.unadilla.org

 

 

 

Important Calais Web Links:

See listings at www.maplecorner.net - Please send me any suggestions you might have to add to this list.

Monthly Listings of the Calais Public Meetings and Events can be found here: http://www.calaisvermont.gov/index.asp?Type=B_EV&SEC={2A53D6E6-B7CD-4587-996F-91554BB73907}

Official Selectboard Meeting Minutes are posted on the Town of Calais Website here: http://www.calaisvermont.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={09BA9114-60DA-4B2D-AA71-9BB0F4FBBE4F}

Calais Online Discussion Board - http://www.forum.calais.us/

Calais Resource Guide website: http:..www.resources.calais.us

 

 

 

Community Quotes of the Week:

A sobering list of mankind's seven social sins, by Mahatma Gandhi :

"Commerce without morality, politics without principal, wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, education without character, science without humanity, and worship without sacrifice."

 

This e-mail newsletter is open to submissions from the public, as long as they are noncommercial, and appropriate to the community. Please remember that it depends on you, the subscribers, to let people know what is going on in town. Have you written something you want to share with the community? Do you know of an upcoming event in our area? Contact me by just replying to this email, or call me, Steve Gallagher, at 802-223-0505, though the actual notice has to be emailed to me. You can get an idea of what has been posted in the past by reading the archives at: http://www.songseek.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=list&l=maplecor

----------------------------------------

You can contact me about this newsletter by just replying to this e-mail. It is sent out about 3 times per month, so if you are sending a time critical message or announcement please plan to allow enough time before the event. If you just recieved a newsletter, the next one may not get sent for 2 weeks. You can subscribe to this list by typing your e-mail address into the form found at www.maplecorner.net and hit subscribe.
-----Steve Gallagher ------

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