Binghamville Church Building Fund

It has been almost a year since we started the fund drive for replacement of the failing church roof. The drive has gone well, and we recently erected a sign outside the church to show the progress. As you can see, we have been able to raise almost half of the money needed to replace the roof. On the down side however, the price of materials, plywood for example, has increased dramatically, and the cost of replacement has increased proportionately. Additional interior damage from the leaks has spread as well. For these reasons, the decision has been made to replace as much of the roof on the main part of the building as soon as possible with the monies currently on hand. This means putting off repairs to the steeple until a later date when the needed funds have been raised.

We would like to thank all those who have contributed to the roof fund to date. Also, we would like to remind those who wish to contribute to the preservation of this beautiful building that donations may be sent to:

Binghamville Church Building Fund
C/O Charles Tinker
629 Fairfax Road
Cambridge, VT 05444.

Thank you,
Binghamville Church Board
Charles Tinker, Chair

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Annual 6th Grade Italian Dinner - October 2

The Fletcher Elementary 6th grade class invites you to its annual Italian Dinner on Thursday, October 2 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the school gym. Prices are $7 - adult, $6 - seniors, $5 - students, $25 - family, and free for age 3 and under. Proceeds help fund the 6th grade year-end class trip (destination not yet determined). We hope you'll join us for this traditional gathering of friends, family, and neighbors.

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FUMHA Rummage Sale - October 4

FUMHA is trying a fresh approach this year to its Fall Rummage Sale at the Meeting House. Instead of having baked goods and coffee, we are having a rummage sale only with clothing and household goods for sale. Come on by for some shopping and socializing. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the new FUMHA announcement board, generously donated by David Day, for bulletins detailing upcoming events scheduled for October.

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Help Save Metcalf Pond

Eurasian watermilfoil (milfoil) is a non-native aquatic plant, which infests many lakes in the Lake Champlain basin. It is known for its rapid growth and ability to spread, which can lead to significant problems within a lake. Commonly found in shallow bays and along the shoreline, milfoil forms dense beds that impair recreational use, reduce the availability of fish spawning grounds, outcompete beneficial native plants, and otherwise alter a lake's natural environment. Once milfoil has infested a lake, there is no known way to eradicate it. Lake managers can only seek to control it.

The milfoil problem is getting worse at Metcalf Pond. There are several ways of dealing with the problem, all of which require a group effort. For example, the VT Dept. of Environmental Conservation is preventing the spread of milfoil and researching biological control methods using the weevil. Cornell Cooperative Extension is working to control the infestation on Lincoln Pond with moths. The Franklin County Network of Shoreline Associations is working to inform the public about preventing the spread of milfoil. (adapted from WPTZ NEWS CHANNEL 5 Champlain 2000 Series, June 14, 1999 and information from the VT Dept. of Environmental Conservation)

Metcalf Pond is dearly loved, and we want to save it; you can help. For more information, please contact: Stearns & Betty Allen c/o Stearns Jr. and Cyndy at 644-5639; Frank and Betsy Berardinelli at 849-6660; Jeffrey and Sybil Jewel at 849-9765; Bill and Jan Sander at 849-2048 or 644-5487; or Clayt and Mary Lou Williamson at 849-6557.

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Playgroup

You're invited to join the Fletcher Community Playgroup on the first and third Tuesdays of each month 9:15-11:00 a.m. in the Fletcher Elementary School Gym. Beginning October 7, Perky will be available to provide storytime activities as part of Playgroup. Parents who would like to get involved or to attend Playgroup can call Chris Irish at 849-9352.

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Baked Ham Supper

The Binghamville United Methodist Church hosts its final supper of the season on October 16. Seating begins at 5:00 p.m. and continues until all are served. The menu includes baked ham, mashed potato and gravy, vegetables, rolls, and homemade dessert. For more information, contact Charles Tinker at 849-2120.

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Historical Maps of Fletcher

I am trying to collect historical maps of Fletcher. So far, I have located US Geological Survey Topological maps from about 1910 and 1950. These maps are interesting, as they show the ebb and flow of the town's homes and roads. If anyone in town has maps that they would allow me to borrow, to copy, I would appreciate it. The collection will be presented to the Town when I'm finished. Jon Bondy, 849-2782

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Fletcher Dog Problems
By The Fletcher Select Board

Over the summer, the Select Board has had to deal with a dog biting a dog on Shaw Road; a dog biting a person on Shaw Road; a dog attacking another dog on School Road; and barking dog complaints on Mayotte Road. In addition, numerous other dog problems (about 4 per week!) were resolved before they reached us.

Considering all of the serious issues with which the Board has to deal, it is fair to say that we are running out of patience with irresponsible dog owners. The Dog Ordinance clearly states that dogs cannot be allowed to run free off their owner's land; that dogs may not be allowed to attack other pets or people; and that dogs may not be allowed to bark to the point that they become a nuisance to neighbors.

Considering the fines that can be imposed upon a violation, there is a variety of inexpensive solutions available to dog owners. Barking control collars can be purchased for under $30, and electric fence systems can be installed to prevent dogs from straying from your yard. Dog owners should carefully consider whether installing such systems would be in the best interests of their pets.

The Animal Control Officer has been instructed to pickup all wandering dogs, without exception. We urge dog owners to behave responsibly before their dogs cause injury or annoyance to other town residents.

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Firefly Productions Sponsors Theater Classes at FUMH

Firefly Productions is a theater troupe based out of Cambridge Vermont. Last year, the troupe traveled to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh Scotland for the ninth year in a row. There, they received international acclaim for their original production of Vermont playwright Keefe Healy's Fish Dancing. The play received two four star reviews and was called "a dreamy, powerful piece of theater that will move you as sure as the tides move the ocean" by Kirsty Knaggs of The Scotsman (Scotland's National Newspaper).

Firefly will be sponsoring a theater class at the Fletcher Union Meeting House this fall. Four different age group classes will be available as a six week session each Tuesday night from September 23 to October 28.

4-5 p.m. 1st-2nd grade theater class taught be Mary Mitchell
5-6 p.m. 3rd-4th grade theater class taught by Mary Mitchell
6-7 p.m. Middle-High School improv and acting class taught by Keefe Healy, Jordan Gullikson, & Suzanne Mackay
7-8 p.m. Adult improv and acting class taught by Keefe Healy, Jordan Gullikson, & Suzanne Mackay

The cost is $10 a class or $45 for the six week session. Hope to see you there!

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Sharing Tidbits: Town History, Civil War Diaries
By Linda Hyatt Young

This is an article about wonder, about how it descends suddenly and unannounced. Out walking on an old logging road last month, I told my husband that I wanted to learn more about town history. As if I had been overheard, Carlton Ferguson literally appeared on my doorstep, generously bringing me a stack of town records, booklets detailing town history, and the diary of a Civil War veteran from Fletcher. As a result, I have been in a state of wonder: at our town's resiliency, fascinating history, and at the history of my own 1830s house, which I slowly have been unraveling. This month I wish to bring to you a historical collage and tidbits from the research I have been conducting:

1. Our town was founded in August of 1781 by Rufus Montague of Massachusetts and 64 others.
   
2. Fifty seven veterans are buried in the Binghamville Cemetery. These men served in the Revolutionary War (really!), Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.
   
3. The town purchased its first truck in 1935.
   
4. Rufus Kinsley of Fletcher and Lowell, VT, wrote an account of his experiences fighting in the Civil War. His is a vivid, fascinating, frank account of his war experiences.
   
5. In 1970, only 456 people lived in Fletcher. As of today, the population has grown by about 800.
   
6. Guy Kinsley wrote an account of his early life (1825-1921). Excerpts about living in Fletcher say, "Less than half a mile from father's and one mile from my Uncle Guy's farm was what was called a "potash", i.e. a large building open on two sides in which was set a heavy row of large and very heavy kettles used for boiling down the lye obtained from ashes to make potash..." and "I think it was early in September that my mother allowed me and Daniel to go to Cambridge, four miles away, to see a show. We were aged ten and six, barefoot and alone. I had a quarter Mr. Blair had given me for raking hay a few weeks previous. We walked the distance both ways and came home tired, but I think it was well worth to me more than the schooling I got in any one year of my life."
   
7. In 1871, the town had 10 schools.
   
8. At one time or another, Fletcher was once home to a sawmill, a bucket shop, post office, town library, ice cream parlor, brick yard, tanneries, and of course farms, sugarhouses, and creameries.
   
9. Before electricity, ice was cut out of Halfmoon Pond. "In one year as many as 27,000 blocks have been cut from Halfmoon Pond (A History of Fletcher, Vermont, 1976).
10. From the late 1800s to the 1930s, trains carrying passengers, butter, milk, logs, and other goods rumbled through Fletcher along through Fletcher's own train station, known as East Fletcher Station.

Out walking along old logging roads that were once town roads, I am struck by wonder at how deeply Fletcher has felt various changes in economy and trends. In the 1800s, Fletcher had a large population, which dwindled until the last few decades when the population has rebounded. The cellar hole and abandoned family graveyard that I pass on my walk remind me of Fletcher's vibrant past. It is all around us: in the fields that have been worked for hundreds of years; in the unused railroad tracks that haunt the woods; in the old photos of former creameries, of old homesteads and past winter storms. It is ours, and that is wonder in its purest form.

Linda Hyatt Young is a Fletcher resident and writer who occasionally writes a column about town issues and history.

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Donations Needed for Rummage Sale

FUMHA is making a call for donations for the rummage sale, but we have a new procedure this year. Please do not leave any items on the doorstep of the Meeting House as FUMHA has to pay to dispose of items that we can't sell. If you wish to donate clothing or small household goods, please call Charles Tinker or Dennis Getty at 849-2120. Note: Items will be accepted for two weeks only, beginning on September 20.

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Fletcher Grange #473
By Marie Brouillette

Fletcher Grange recognized Joyce Jenkins of St. Albans as its 2003 Community Citizen. Joyce's family was present. It was a surprise. She was asked to speak on her pre-school Christian Academy. Her community and church activities were recognized. She was presented a certificate by Master, Richard Brouillette.

In the last few months, new members have been welcomed. They are Brian Ross, Stuart Newton, and Eleanor Sears. Home Economics, Community Service, and Agriculture reports have been made to the State Grange. The State Grange convention will be at Capital Plaza in Montpelier on October 16-18. The Grange Fair is September 19-20 at the Grange Center in Brookfield. The public is welcome. There is also an October 4 workshop at Grange Center for officers and directors.

The program at the last meeting was by Stuart Newton and his some, the Reverend Sam Newton, minister of Georgia Methodist Church. There were readings from the Bible and the following songs: Bring in the Sheaves, There will be Peace in the Valley, He is the Savior of my Soul, I'll Walk with God, and May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You Till We Meet Again. The program closed with a blessing.

Food was given to the Food Shelf at Sheldon. Every month food is given to different food shelves in the area. Fletcher Grange members are from Sheldon, Swanton, St. Albans, Fletcher, Cambridge, and Georgia. Anyone interested in joining the Grange can contact Richard Brouillette at 933-4676.

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Health Notes
By Carlton Ferguson

It is that time of year. Whether you are admiring the colors, spotting deer, checking out the V formation of geese or just taking it easy, please get around the curve, or over the crest of the hill far enough so those coming from behind have a chance to maneuver.

With the good back roads we have had, and the increased speed of the traffic, stones "marbles" build up on the outsides of the curves. If you are on the outside of the curve, use caution.

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Cambridge Arts Council

Wednesday, October 8 & November 12, 2003: Cambridge Arts Council holds its monthly board meeting from 7-9 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church in Jeffersonville. The meeting is open; refreshments are served. For more info, call Carol Baker at 644-2570.

Sunday, October 12, 2003: Physical comedian Tom Murphy, a hilarious cross between a European clown and the classic American physical comedian, performs at the Waterville Elementary School at 3:00 p.m. Admission by donation. For more info, call Ron Carter 644-6632.

Wednesday, October 16 & November 19, 2003: The Cambridge Coffeehouse presents OPEN MIKE NIGHT (acoustic) at the Second Congregational Church in Jeffersonville from 7 to 9 p.m. NOTE NEW VENUE! No admission; donations appreciated. For more info, call Fred Brauer at 644-5721.

Wednesday, October 29, 2003: British duo Hilary James and Simon Mayer perform on at 7 p.m. at the Cambridge United Church on Route 15 in Cambridge. This acoustic duo is quintessentially English but easily glides from Celtic ballads to blues to Vivaldi to bluegrass. Admission by donation. For more info, call Margo Rome at 644-2233.

Wednesday, November 5, 2003: Singer-songwriter Lyle King performs at the Cambridge Coffeehouse at the Second Congregational Church in Jeffersonville from 7-9 p.m. No admission; donations appreciated. For more info, call Fred Brauer at 644-5721.

Saturday, November 8, 2002: Vincent van Gogh - A Portrait by the Postman Roulin, a one-man show by Ted Zalewski at 2:00 p.m. at the Bryan Memorial Gallery on Main Street in Jeffersonville. Free; donations welcome. For more info, call Margo Rome 644-2233.

Saturday, November 8, 2003: A discussion of Irving's Stone's historical novel Lust for Life will be held 4:00 p.m. at the Bryan Memorial Gallery on Main Street in Jeffersonville. Ted Zalewski, who has done extensive research on van Gogh's life, will facilitate the discussion. Free; donations welcome. For more info, call April Tuck at 644-6632.

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Legislative Update
By Senator Don Collins

Even though our Legislature has not been in session for the past three months, I have found that my life as a State Senator has been quite busy addressing legislative issues. In addition to responding to requests and suggestions from constituents, I have attended meetings related to matters affecting businesses, transportation, agriculture, education, and water quality. The quality of the water in St. Albans and Missisquoi Bays is of significant concern and the need for improvements has to be a high priority for all of us, including elected officials at the local, state, and national levels.

It has been rewarding this summer to see a number of Franklin County's youth participate in music, art, drama, and sports activities. Being a former member of 4-H, I was very impressed with the efforts of 4-H club members, who participated in Franklin County Field Days. We have some very hard working and responsible young people in Franklin County and we need to continue recognizing them for their efforts. I was especially pleased to work with the students, who attended Green Mountain Girls' State. Their enthusiasm and knowledge was "top shelf"! Congratulations to Governor Ariana Foundry, Casey Brennan, and Carly Myers for their achievements and to Boys' State delegates, Jerry Audette, Matt Sheldon, Tyler Stratton for a job well done.

I recently received notification that I have been appointed to two "legislative study committees" that will begin meeting in September to address the issues of education cost containment and education governance. As a freshman Senator, I am honored to be the only legislator appointed to both of these committees. These committee assignments, plus my work on soliciting public input on the proposed "Early Education legislation" in Senate bill-166, promise to keep me busy during the months prior to the Legislature's return to Montpelier in January.

If I can be of assistance to you or your organization, please contact me at 868-7975.

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The Principal's Corner
By Jeffrey Teitelbaum

Do you know what "Responsive Classroom" is? For the past several years every class in our school has been using the same system to set school rules, determine logical consequences for those who break the rules and to teach children how to get along with one-another. Each class has daily meetings, in which skills are taught, problems are solved, and games are played. The result has been a growingly positive school environment. Many adults remark that Fletcher feels like a warm and inviting place to be. Our data supports these feelings. Over the years, we have seen a decrease in suspensions, bus behavioral incidents, and fighting. We're proud of these facts as school climate is one of the areas in our action plan that we targeted for improvement.

A recent article in The St. Albans Messenger described a huge study that attempted to understand I.Q. testing. It has definite ramifications for public schools. It seems that poor people's children earn lower IQ scores when compared to children from middle class and wealthy families. As the students say, "Duh!" But, these researchers realized that no one had examined the IQ data of children from poorer families to determine what accounted for their lower performance. What they discovered was that it was not genetics that accounted for lowered IQ scores; it was impoverished environments that made the difference. Teachers have suspected this for a long time.

The study said that when children from poor families are given a chance to grow up in an intellectually stimulating home, they outperform their peers. Genetics are far less a factor in predicting IQ scores then a child's environment. That's why it's important to offer preschools, Early Essential Education programs, Head Start - any programs that allow youngsters to grow intellectually by being exposed to literature, guided play, and group discussions helps. Like a muscle, young brains need to be exercised, or they atrophy. And, as with any exercise program, to be effective one needs to practice regularly. That means that parents need to take the responsibility of reading to their children every day, exposing them to social situations (play) where pro-social skills are modeled, and plan family activities which stimulate their children's natural intellectual curiosity. The study indicated that it is folly to expect schools to develop high achievers without parent commitment. Interestingly, the researchers noted that although they had no testing data to measure other factors like family attitudes toward school, motivation, and determination where very real factors in determining how well a child would perform.

On behalf of the entire school community, I'd like to thank Betty Wilson and Gabrielle Brissett (a grandma and great grandma of several Fletcher students) for their tireless efforts in counting and sorting box tops. This year, they helped the school earn $700 worth of equipment from the vendor's catalogue. Thank You Very Much!!!

Mark your calendars. On October 2nd, we will be having our annual Italian Supper and Openhouse. Money raised at the event helps fund the sixth grade end of the year trip.

Barry Peterson has resigned as chairman of the Fletcher School Board. The Board elected Jennifer Carey as the new board chair.

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Substitute Teachers Needed

The Fletcher Elementary School needs substitute teachers. If you would like to work occasionally with our students as a "guest" (substitute) teacher, please call our office at 849-6251.

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Select Board Meeting Excerpts

August 4, 2003 (Approved)

• Heard briefing about Agency of Natural Resources' annual Aquatic Nuisance Control Program. Study suggests that milfoil is very well established in Metcalf Pond. Grant-in-Aid program for assistance with control measures requires a local match of 25%. If nothing done for the Pond, milfoil could propagate itself to ring the entire water body to a depth of 20 feet. Pond Association residents will get in touch with others and meet with the Board.
  
• Received complaint of road movement on Black Mountain Road; will investigate.
  
• Tree work to be done at Beech Hill and LaValle's on Fairfax Road.
  
• Discussion of trees at town lot.
  
• Received complaint about obscured visibility for traffic coming out of Snide Road; will address.
  
• Received request for "Dead End" sign for Will George Road; will look into it.
  
• Discussed new building at the town lot; will get quotes.
  
• Discussed two dog complaints.
  
• Discussed implications of expired town plan (writing for new plan is underway). Town currently ineligible for certain planning grants. Also, zoning cannot be adopted or amended until new plan is in place.

August 18, 2003 (Approved)

• Received permission from resident to break up beaver dam on resident's property.
  
• Received complaint about excavation work on Black Mountain Road.
  
• Discussed water flowing through salt shed, which is leaching salt out of the storage building. Road crew instructed to raise salt shed floor so drainage goes around salt and to clean up loose bags on site.
  
• Discussed permits for new garage town.
  
• Discussed conflicting views about welding the old truck frame and inspection.
  
• Rescheduled next Select Board meeting for Sept. 8.
  
• Discussion replacing bridge with culvert - resident said he would maintain culvert in future.
  
• Discussed dog complaints in general with Animal Control Officer and Constable. Residents encouraged to talk with their neighbors before involving town. Board asked to be notified of two complaints about same person in a short time. Dogs found will be advertised in the Buyer's Digest.
  
• Discussed dog complaint; Board needs more info.
  
• Discussed dog complaint; owner agreed to keep dog on property and to pay some vet bills.
  

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September Calendar

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October Calendar

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November Calendar

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