|
The Fletcher Community Newsletter |
| The Resource for Town, School, and Community News and Events - May 2004 |
The Fairfax, Fletcher, Westford Little League will hold its Annual
Plant Sale on Saturday, May 22, 2004 at J & L Hardware Fields in Fairfax
(corner of Rt. 104 and Rt. 128). Cash sales available. Rain or shine. For those
who have placed preorders, you can pick up your plants that day.
BMC Spring Rummage Sale
By Charles Tinker
The Binghamville Methodist Church will host its annual Rummage Sale on Saturday, May 1 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Fletcher Union Meeting House. New This Year: The sale will continue on Sunday, May 2 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Sales tables include food, plants, books, candy, crafts, white elephant, and a huge rummage sale. Soup and sandwich lunch will be served throughout the day on Saturday, along with coffee, doughnuts, and homemade pie.
To donate items, you can leave them in the upstairs entry room of the Meeting
House during the last two weeks of April. The first front door will be unlocked.
For information, contact Charles Tinker at 849-2120.
Green Up Day
By Mike Loner, NW VT Solid Waste Management District
The Fletcher Green Up Day collection will be held May 1, 2004 at the Fletcher Town Garage from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This collection is for hard-to-dispose of items such as tires, appliances, broken furniture, scrap metal, etc. The fees are as follows (trash collected during Green Up Day activities; roadside cleanups, rivers, etc is exempt):
For more information, contact Rick Russell, Green Up Day Coordinator, at 849-6875.
Dog Complaints
By Jon Bondy, for the Select Board
Spring has sprung, and with it the return of dog complaints. Dog owners remain
convinced that their dogs are sweet, and would not hurt a flea, while passers-by
continue to feel threatened. Some people, unable to get satisfaction through
their neighbors, the Animal Control Officer, or the Select Board, have taken
to carrying hand-guns. We may be only weeks away from an ugly incident in which
a dog is killed because of the lack of concern and control of its owners.
The Dog Ordinance is clear: your dogs may not run free unless they are on your
property, and they must always be under your control. Please take the time to
ensure that your dog is controlled, and safe, so that we all can enjoy the summer
months without additional stress and strife.
Sunday, May 2, 2:00 p.m. - Meet Eleanor Roosevelt: A one-woman theater piece performed by Elena Dodd, this presentation feels like a personal visit from Mrs. Roosevelt. This piece centers on the years following Franklin's death in 1945. Held upstairs at 158 Main (the old Windridge Farms Bakery) in Jeffersonville. Sponsored by Cambridge Arts Council and the VT Humanities Council. Free with donations welcome. Call Margo at 644-2233 for more info.
Sunday, May 2, 3:30 p.m. -- Book discussion group. Facilitated by Elena Dodd,
discuss Eleanor: The Years Alone by Joseph P. Lash upstairs at 158 Main (the
old Windridge Farms Bakery) in Jeffersonville. Sponsored by Cambridge Arts Council
and the VT Humanities Council. Free with donations welcome. Questions? Call
April at 644-6632.
The Fairfax Community Theater will be holding auditions for The Scarlet Pimpernel
on April 30 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. and on May 1 & 2 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at
BFA Fairfax High School. Show dates are July 14-17 at 8:00 p.m. Men and women
ages 10 and up are invited to audition. For information, or to register for
auditions, call Kim or Terri at 229-0112 (evenings).
Vermont All-Star Football Camp 2004
There has been an overwhelming response to the Vermont All-Star Football Camp from the Patriots organization and those going on to play for BFA-Fairfax. It's not too late to register. The Northern VT All-Star Football Camp, which is instructional in nature, is perfect for every level of player -- from new to the sport to experienced star! Very importantly, we take great care to ensure that all children attending the camp are strictly grouped according to age and experience. For example, all children entering Grades 5-6-7 (next fall) are provided with their own "Youth Camp" complete with unique practice schedule, Youth Camp Director, and Youth Camp Coaching staff. As such, the only contact with older players is during controlled mid-session breaks for rest, water, and our college coach speeches. Youth camp players are even provided with locker room space separate from older campers. Traditionally, our YOUTH Camp enrollment has averaged between 75-85 young men and women in grades 5-6-7.
Our 2004 Camp dates and location are:
9th annual No. VT QB/Rec Specialty Clinic:
DATES: Sunday, July 25, 2004
LOCATION: South Burlington High School
TIMES: 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Campers break for lunch from noon-1 p.m.
23rd annual No. VT All-Star Football Camp
DATES: Monday, July 26-Friday, July 30, 2004
LOCATION: South Burlington High School
TIMES: 5:30 p.m.-8:15 p.m. (Campers entering 8th grade and above practice until
8:45 p.m.)
As noted, I am writing to encourage you and your players to take a closer look
at a very safe, fun, and valuable summer camp option that just happens
to be VERY CLOSE to home! Our evening schedule is designed to make tranport
to and from camp easy for parents and for players who may have daytime work
or time restraints.
Our Support for Northern VT Youth Football League Teams: I would also like to point out that we offer a generous "Re-Investment" program for those youth programs that support the Northern VT All-Star Football Camp. Simply put, if 10 or more players from your team attend the camp, we will reward your program with a $10.00 per paid camper "re-investment." In addition, at 20, 30, 40, ... full paid campers from your program, will invest an additional $50.00 bonus in your program.
As examples:
@ 8 paid campers: NO re-investment
@ 15 paid campers: $150.00 re-investmen
@ 25 paid campers: $250.00 re-investment + 50 bonus = $300.00
@ 35 paid campers: $350.00 re-investment + $100 bonus = $450.00
As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact: Wayne
Pariseau at 893-7147, Rob Landry at 849-2480, or Karen McNall at 849-6612.
The Principal's Corner
By Jeffrey Teitelbaum
For years, I've been preaching the need for a true partnership between parents, students, and schools, if we expect children to glean the most that they can from their education. My experience over the past 25 years is buttressed by every piece of research that I've read- children whose parents are involved in their education do better in school. The question becomes, "How do parents support their children." Here's a laundry list, incomplete, but hopefully helpful.
1. Children need to feel unconditionally loved. When you discipline your child be sure to make the distinction that you are correcting what they did, not who they are. Children thrive when they know that their parents are with them, through thick and thin, even when their parents are angry about something they've done.
2. Show interest in what they do in school. Ask questions and about their day and then really listen to what they have to say. Let them become an expert and demonstrate some new skill that they've learned. If school is important to you, it will be the same with your children.
3. Practice active listening. This means that you ask questions to clarify what your child said, restate what you think they said.
4. Post their school work on the refrigerator. Brag about their work to friends. Show them that you really value their achievements in school.
5. Attend school functions like assemblies, performances, parent conferences, or games. Join FOFE, run for schoolboard, or spend a few hours in class with your child.
6. Read. Read. Read. Read with your child, beside your child, in front of your child. Tuck them into bed each night with a story. Even older kids find this little ritual assuring and pleasing what could be better than falling asleep while your mom or dad is lying beside you, reading a wonderful story.)
7. Talk with your child's teacher. Get progress reports so that you can help your child improve.
8. Be genuine with your children -- they come to us with built-in insincerity
meters. They know when you're honestly interested; they know when you're pretending,
too.
Growing up has never been easy. Kids need us too show them the way. They even
need us to push against as they strive to discover who they are. It is not enough
to send them to school and expect that they will figure out all of the hard
stuff on their own. That rarely happens. Parents need to involve themselves
actively in the world of their children. Without parental involvement, real
success in school is much less likely.
The Fletcher Rough Riders Landowner Appreciation Dinner will be
Sunday, May 2 at the Fletcher Union Meeting House.
Paul Asbell - Steel String Acoustic Guitar
Share an intimate evening with long-time Vermont guitarist Paul Asbell as he plays and sings his personal take on the blues, jazz standards, old-time country-based themes and original pieces from the "American roots" tradition, as found on his acclaimed CD Steel String Americana.
Born in Chicago, and a Burlington resident for over 30 years, Paul has played and recorded with Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Paul Butterfield, to name but a few. Many of you will remember him playing with jazz band Kilimanjaro, saxophonist Big Joe Burrell, and the Unknown Blues Band. His latest CD has received rave reviews in Guitar Player Magazine, Acoustic Guitar, Vintage Guitar, Sing Out, Downbeat, and Dirty Linen, and glowing praise from David Bromberg, Brooks Williams, and many others.
At the Fletcher Union Meeting House on May 22 beginning at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $12.00 at the door. Snacks and refresh-ments will be available. Doors open at 7:00, music starts at 8:00. Paul's CDs will also be available!
More information: Jon Bondy, 802-849-2782, jbondy@sover.net.
There will be a FREE Yoga workshop at the Fletcher Union Meeting House on Saturday, May 15, 2004 from 10 a.m. until noon. The program will include a discussion of the benefits of yoga practic and a demonstration and practice of yoga postures. This program is being held in anticipation of offering on-going classes at the Meeting House, and proceeds benefit the Meeting House restoration fund.
For comfort, try to come with an empty stomach (full meal 4 hours prior, snack
2 hours prior), and wear comfortable clothing. Yoga is done in bare feet. Bring
a yoga mat if you have one. If you have any questions, please call Pam Jedlicka
at 849-9277. We look forward to seeing you there!
Patriots Youth Football for the Fall of 2004 -- Grades 2-8: If your son or daughter has not signed up or would like further information, please contact Karen McNall at 849-6612.
BFA-Fairfax JV Club Football for 2004 -- Grades 9 and 10: If your son or daughter
has not signed up or would like further information, please contact Karen McNall
at 849-6612.
Fletcher Elementary Makes Mathematics
Gains
(Adapted from a press release from the Vermont Institute)
The Vermont Institute (VI), a statewide education organization serving teachers
and school leaders, has recognized Fletcher Elementary School for gains in mathematic
scores over the past five years. The School is part of a VI descriptive analysis
of schools experiencing growth in their performance on the New Standards Reference
Exam. The VI Executive Director described Fletcher Elementary as representative
of the many Vermont schools improving mathematics performance. What is behind
Fletcher's growth in scores? Jeff Teitelbaum, Fletcher's principal, credited
the purchase and training of teachers in the Everyday Mathematics program, the
enthusiasm and pride the School's teachers take in their work, the District's
support of training, and participation by the principal as a team member (outside
observer and cheerleader).
Success By Six will host two Saturday Playgroup sessions this spring! These will be held outside on the school grounds, weather permitting. If it is rainy, we'll meet in the school gymnasium. We will porivde a variety of age appropriate play equipment, mats, and light refreshments as well as a special whole group activity. If the sun IS shining and you want to extend the fun, bring a picnic lunch and stick around after these specially scheduled events! Read on for details!
May 22 from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Country Mouse Music and Movement Tumble Time, Storytime, and Parachute Play.
Lara Weis will lead this "Kindermusik inspired" program geared toward
ages six-ish and younger.
June 5 from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Robert Resnik and Gigi Weisman will perform their timeless sing-a-long show.
This event is geared toward young children, but it would be appropriate for
the whole family!
Join us for thse special events to ring in spring, make some new friends, and celebrate Fletcher! For more information, contact Pam Farmer at 849-2995 or Lara Weis at 849-9890.
Problem Solved!
By Mary Campbell, FOFE Loudspeaker
Does this happen to you? You have rushed to get your little one to baseball
practice, realizing that you forgot to thaw the burger at home, and your little
one is hungry NOW. FOFE will be selling hot dogs, chips, soda, and water at
all Fletcher-based games and practices very soon. We hope to have a steam cart
with umbrella and wheels, kept at the school, to provide this service. We will
need volunteers (parents or community members) to help "staff" the
cart from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on practice or game nights. The proceeds will help
our FOFE group plan more events for the kids, and the hunger problem will be
solved. To add your name to our volunteer list, call Heather Blair (849-9771),
Kelly Cummings (644-2606), or Mary Campbell (849-6555)! Thanks!
Yes, you've heard it correct. There will be football at BFA-Fairfax next year! The Friends of Fairfax Football, a boosters group, have been actively meeting since October. $22,000 needs to be raised to make it happen. If you would like to help with this fundraising task, please let me know. The FFF have many fundraisers in the works. Stay tuned for more information.
Preschool Screening
By Nancy Hurt
Fletcher Elementary School will host a Preschool Screening on
Tuesday, May 11, 2004. If your child will be three years old by 09/01/04 OR
will be four years old by 09/01/04, call the Fletcher Elementary School at 849-6251.
Fingerstyle Guitar Champ To
Perform in Williston
By Art Edelstein
Pat Kirtley, a gifted guitarist who combines a rich musical heritage with masterful contemporary technique on the acoustic guitar, will perform in Williston on Saturday May 1 at 7:30 p.m. at The Old Brick Church on Williston Road.
Opening the concert is fingerstyle guitarist Scott McAllister of Williston. Kirtley is a former National Fingerstyle Champion based in Kentucky. While his musical roots are from the southern country and bluegrass tradition, Kirtley has recorded an album of Irish music and recently released a CD of Brazilian music for guitar. His repertoire is one that defies categorization, weaving tunes into a tapestry of folk, pop, Celtic, and down-home country, translated to the guitar with honesty, humor and depth.
Selected as one of Acoustic Guitar magazine's "30 essential new acoustic artists," Pat Kirtley is an important creator and interpreter of modern acoustic fingerstyle guitar. Pat has numerous well-received CD and video releases on Narada Media, Rounder, Vestapol Videos, and Mainstring Records. Kirtley also is a Taylor Guitar Company clinician. Kirtley's CD Kentucky Guitar was named one of the "Top 59 Acoustic Albums of 1996" by Japan's Player Magazine, and Pat was honored to be named one of "The Next Generation of Hot New Acoustic Acts" by Acoustic Guitar Magazine in the December 1997 issue. He has shared the stage with Chet Atkins, Doc Watson, Steve Wariner, Pierre Bensusan, Arlo Guthrie, Dan Crary, John Renbourn, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and the Tannahill Weavers, among others.
Scott McAllister is a Williston based guitarist and composer. He has studied classical guitar but his penchant is Celtic music. Scott's first full length CD, Journey, released in early 2000, is primarily arrangements of traditional Celtic pieces and original material for solo guitar and ensemble. Scott has appeared on several New England compilations, most notably four releases from the Connecticut Classical Guitar Society, A Winter Fantasy, Romantic Reverie, New England Landscapes, and New England Landscapes II. Most recently, Scott received a Boston/New England Region Emmy nomination for his composition "Mountain Air," which was chosen as the theme of the Connecticut Public Television documentary "Home Front: Connecticut During World War II."
Tickets for the concert cost $12 and will be available at the Old Brick Church
the evening of the concert. Pat Kirtley will present a guitar workshop from
2-5 p.m. in Williston also at the Old Brick Church. The workshop cost is $20
per person. Information and reservations for the guitar workshop can be obtained
by calling 878-0504.
Town Office News
By Elaine Sweet and Gloria Brunette
Hi everyone! YEAH..…I think that spring is finally arriving! The winters seem to be getting far too long!
Green Up Day is on May 1st. Our Town Coordinator is Rick Russell at 849-6875. We will have Green Up bags at the office next week (week of 4/19)…please stop by to get some bags and "Green Up" our roadsides!
It's PAST time to renew your dog licenses for 2004…you have until May 15 to register with penalty, after that date I will be turning the list over to the Town Constable for collection. Fees for late dog licenses are: Spayed/neutered $7.00 and Males/Females are $13.00. You need to have a current rabies certificate for each dog. Remember….all dogs 6 months and older have to be registered with the Town every year.
Office closings for May: May 31st for Memorial Day
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Monday Evenings 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Closed on Fridays
A special young lady from Fletcher has some exciting news…. Maria Thatcher, along with the rest of the Fairfax Varsity Cheerleading Squad are the Vermont State Cheerleading Champions for the second year in a row!!! Congratulations Maria….I'm so proud of you…!
Until next time….Happy Spring!!
Zoning Administrator News
By Maurice Rathbun, Zoning Administrator
In the March Newsletter, I was wrong on question # 1: "What size building can I build without a building permit?"
A. Up to 100 sq. ft. Section 6.5 Exemption B (F) Any accessory structure such as dog house, child's play house, tree house, shed or similar structure with floor area of one hundred (100) square feet or less, which is located in a side or rear yard at least five (5) feet from all property lines.
To Fletcher Citizens Who Bought Property Between 01/01/03 - 04/01/04:
The State will be meeting with the Fletcher Listers to decide which sales during the past year are valid. The sales are used to determine how much school aid the school gets, and how fair the tax appraisals are.
If there was money for anything other than the property itself included in the sale price of the property you bought, please call the town office at 849-6616. Some sale/purchases include furnishings, business start up, equipment, or special financing; these make the sale invalid and helps the school. Special financing is very low interest, postponed payments, no down payment, or partial or full financing by the seller.
These sales are also used by the State to determine if the town's tax list is within 80% of fairmarket value. There is a penalty if it drops below 80%. The common level of appraisal (CLA) on 3 years sales was 105% in 2002; it was 96.3% in 2003. Sale prices continue to rise. Unless there was a substantial error, presale prepping, or buildings added before 04/01/04, the listed value will be the same as it was on 04/01/03. Values will be at the 2002 level until there is a townwide reappraisal.
The Listers will no longer ask you directly for information. It is a touchy subject for some. We will communicate with the newsletter.
Thanks for your help. The Fletcher Listers.
March 8, 2004 (Approved)
March 15, 2004 (Approved)
March 29, 2004 (Approved)
February 16, 2004 (Approved)
February 28, 2004 Special Meeting with Fairfax School Board (Approved)
March 2, 2004 Annual Meeting (Approved)
March 17, 2004 (Unapproved)
| 25 | Adult Basketball (Over 40) | 9:00 a.m., Elementary School Gym |
| 26 | Adult Basketball (All ages) |
7:00 p.m., Elementary School Gym |
| 26 | Legislative Program |
7:00-8:00 p.m., Fletcher Union Meeting House |
| 29 | Adult Volleyball | 7:00 p.m., Elementary School Gym |
| 30 | Scarlet Pimpernel Auditions | 6:30-8:00 p.m., BFA Fairfax High School |
| 1 | Green Up Day; recycling and trash drop-off | 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Town Garage |
| 1, 2 | BMC Spring Rummage Sale | Saturday from 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Fletcher Union Meeting House |
| 1, 2 | Scarlet Pimpernel Auditions | 1:00-3:00 p.m., BFA Fairfax High School |
| 2 | Fletcher Rough Riders Landowner Appreciation Dinner | Fletcher Union Meeting House |
| 2 | Meet Eleanor Roosevelt | 2:00 p.m., 158 Main (the old Windridge Farms Bakery), Jeffersonville. |
| 2 | Book discussion group: Eleanor: The Years Alone | 3:30 p.m., 158 Main (the old Windridge Farms Bakery), Jeffersonville. |
| 2, 9, 16, 23 | Adult Basketball (Over 40) | 9:00 a.m., Elementary School Gym |
| 3, 10, 17, 24 | Adult Basketball (All ages) | 7:00 p.m., Elementary School Gym |
| 3, 17 | Select Board meeting | 7:00 p.m., Town Office |
| 4, 18 | Playgroup | 9:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Fletcher School Gym |
| 6, 13, 20, 27 | Adult Volleyball | 7:00 p.m., Elementary School Gym |
| 7 | No. Country ATV Association meeting | 7:00 p.m., Abbey Restaurant, Sheldon |
| 11 | Preschool Screening | Fletcher Elementary School |
| 12 | FUMHA monthly meeting | 7:00 p.m., Fletcher Union Meeting House |
| 12 | CAC monthly meeting | 7:00-9:00 p.m., Second Congregational Church, Jeffersonville |
| 13 | Newsletter advertisements due | By 3:30 p.m., Town Clerk's Office |
| 14 | Newsletters article due | |
| 15, 29 | Recycling and trash drop-off | 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Town Garage |
| 15 | Yoga workshop | 10:00 a.m.-noon, Fletcher Union Meeting House |
| 22 | Little League plant sale | J & L Hardware Fields in Fairfax (corner of Rt. 104 and Rt. 128) |
| 22 | Special Saturday Playgroup | 10:00-11:30 a.m., Fletcher Elementary School |
| 22 | Paul Asbell concert | 8:00 p.m., Fletcher Union Meeting House |
| 24 | Success by Six meeting | 6:30 p.m., Fletcher Elementary School |
| 29 | Memorial Day Holiday | Town Office closed. |