Thetford Town Newsletter

No. 31                                                                                                 September 2006

SELECTBOARD NOTES

Town of Thetford Awarded $500,000
The town was awarded a grant from the Vermont Community Development Program to loan to Pompanoosuc Mills to partially finance the expansion of their manufacturing operations thus creating new jobs. Re-payment of this loan will create funds available to the town for use or loan for economic development or housing incentives.

JAGUARS FOOTBALL GAMES

 

First Games at home:

Saturday, Sept. 9 at 2:30pm 7 & 8 grade play Bradford

Sunday Sept. 10, 4&5 grade play Hanover at 1:00 and the 6th grade plays Hanover at 2:30.  All games at the TES field.  Hope to see everyone there!

Submitted by Diana Kimball Anderson

BIG LABOR DAY BARN & YARD SALE FOR LITTLE PEOPLE

 

Sunday Sept 3rd, and Monday Sept 4th 10:00 AM-3:00 PM, rain or shine

A FUN(D) RAISER FOR THE PuppeTree, Inc. a nonprofit children’s theater and puppet company. Proceeds will help us tour The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - a Shadow Puppet Performance.

 

The funds from your purchases will help us bring our little people (the puppets) to the little (and not-so-little) people who attend public schools, after-school programs and community theaters in VT and NH.  This event will feature antiques, collectibles, and other oddities donated by antique shops and dealers, as well as our own collection of curiosities.

 

Come see what we’ve got, have a look at our puppets, and take home something fun, frivolous, or useful. And remember, you don’t have to buy anything to leave us some cash or a check—it will still be appreciated…and put to good use!

 

The PuppeTree, Inc, is an nonprofit theater company started in 2003 and housed in Thetford Center, VT. We’ve brought a variety of unique performances to the Upper Valley, and beyond. With your help, we’ll keep on doing it.

 

We’re at the corner of Sawnee Bean Rd & Rt. 113 in Thetford Center. Just take Rt. 113 West off exit 14 on I-91, go 3.4 miles, and look for the signs. Coming from the north on Rt. 113 east, we’re about 2.5 miles past Baker’s store in Post Mills.

Submitted by Joel Legunn

SCHOOL BOARD

 

It is with regret that the School Board has accepted the resignation of Darrin Clement.  Darrin has left the Board so that he can be more fully engaged with the demands of his growing business. The Board would like to thank Darrin for his years of service and his continued work with the Thetford School District Strategic Plan.

 

The School Board is therefore looking for an individual to fill this vacant School Board seat until elections can be held in March 2007.  If you are interested please contact Andy Boyce (333-9962 –or- andy_boyce@yahoo.com) by Friday, September 8th.  The Board will then appoint the new member at the Thetford School Board Meeting on Tuesday, September 12th.

 

Submitted by The Thetford School Board: Andy Boyce, Robin Brown, Jen Reining, Susan Weider

LIBRARY EVENT

 

Ted Scheu, the Poetry Guy – Thursday, September 28th – 3:30-4:30pm
Fasten your seatbelts, loosen up your laughter, sharpen your pencils, and get ready for the "funnest" afternoon of giggles and exciting writing this side of Tickleville! Vermont children's poet, Ted Scheu will be presenting a writing workshop at Latham library, for those aged 6 - 10 years between. Other ages are welcome; some fabulous writing will be done with Ted's help.

Scheu (pronounced "shy") lives in Middlebury, Vermont.  He is a former teacher at Shelburne Community School who now travels all over the world as a visiting author conducting poetry writing workshops in schools for grades K-6.

Don't miss this chance to laugh, write and capture your favorite childhood moments and memories! This event is sponsored by the Trustees of the Peabody Library.

Registration required.  Please contact Simon or Peter for more details at 785-4361.

Submitted by Simon Brooks


RECOMMENDED READING

 

New Latham "Best Seller" Books:
What books have you been missing?  We have a collection of new books at Latham Library that will have at least one for everyone.  Here are the titles:
Sailing to Capri by Elizabeth Adler, Ricochet by Sandra Brown, Pegasus Descending by James Lee Burke, Crisis by Robin Cook, The Traitor by Stephen Coonts, PCalder Storm by Janet Dailey, Conservatives without Conscience by John W. Dean, Sleeping with Fear by Kay Hooper, Dead Wrong by Judith A. Jance, Judge and Jury by James Patterson,
Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs, End in Tears by Ruth Rendell and, The Messenger by Daniel Silva.

Recommended reading from Peabody Library:
If you are looking for something a little different than 'normal' reading or you have filled the soggy part of your brain with "summer reading" and need something a little deeper for the more thoughtful side of the brain, then I would like to suggest Queen Emma and the Vikings. This adult book (at Peabody library) written by Harriet O'Brien is a great read.  It is a biography of Queen Emma, daughter of Richard I of Normandy, and how she survives three kings and a couple of ex-queens, too!  The book begins with a young teenage Emma, being shipped off to England from Normandy to be married off Britain's Aethelred II, by all accounts a miserable old man! As she grows up in court she learns from those around her that the Royal Court is a place of treachery. Where do her alliances lie: with the British, the Normans, or with her Viking ancestors?  I found the book a page-turner, the tale of her very full and long life, riveting.  With facts taken from a book Emma herself commissioned about 950 years ago, along with references from the Saxon Chronicles, and other period documentation, O'Brien brings to life the intrigue and exploits of Queen Emma and the other historical figures that were part of her time.

Submitted by Simon Brooks

 

DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE EVENT

 

Meet Scudder Parker - Democratic Candidate for Governor
Saturday, September 2, 9-11 am at Thetford Recycling.

Followed by an opportunity at the Thetford Town Hall at 11:30am to hear him lay out his platform and discuss the critical issues facing Vermont and Vermonters.

Submitted by Sherry Merrick, Thetford Democratic Committee Chair

 

RICES MILLS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Fun events as well as continued improvements to the building!

 
RMCA Schoolhouse Building updates:
* the building was scraped and re-painted
* a beautiful new playing field is completed behind the building and has enjoyed
its first badminton games. 
* as of this printing, new storm windows will have been installed.
* greenhouse renovations are in full swing and will hopefully be completed this
fall.
* cellulose insulation will be blown into the schoolhouse walls and attic
before winter comes.

Coming events:
Sept. 10th 6PM - Pot luck supper. Please bring your own plate and utensils.
September special feature - Veggie creature contest.
Get out your toothpicks, giant zucchinis and misshapen carrots and let your
imagination go wild. Bring your creatures (think Mr. Potato Head) from home or
bring some veggies and join us at RMCA around 5:15 to create them together.
We'll supply the toothpicks.

Special thanks:
Great Open Mike Turnout - We want to thank all the extremely talented performers
who entertained about 50 of us at the recent VERY successful Open Mike Night.
From music to storytelling, this was a wonderful multi-generational event. We
look forward to another great show next year!

If you'd like to find out more about joining RMCA or would like to make a
contribution to help support the ongoing renovations, upkeep and maintenance of
RMCA, please contact:
Polly Cole, 790 Poor Farm Rd., Thetford Center, VT 05075 or email her at
Neal.E.Meglathery@valley.net.

Hope to see you at our next pot luck!

Submitted by Cynthia Taylor

 

TA NOTES

 

TA started a new school year on Tuesday, August 29; and academics, sports, and extras are already in full swing. In addition, a Welcome Night for 7th grade parents will be held on September 7; and the Senior Class will host a Welcome Dance for the students on September 8.  A Back-to School Night for all TA parents will be held on October 5.

The magazine drive, an annual and very successful fundraiser for the classes, will begin on September 11. Please be generous if possible when approached by a TA student to buy a magazine; community support is very important and appreciated.

Mountain Day, another TA tradition, will be held September 15. This annual trek up area mountains by the individual classes offers a wonderful opportunity for class bonding and a chance to enjoy our beautiful surroundings.

Please remember that the Woods Trail behind TA will be closed for most of the fall.  The trail recently underwent a major renovation, and now nature needs to do its part in the process.  Everyone’s cooperation is very much appreciated.

 

Submitted by Wendy Cole

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT LABOR DAY BBQ AND PARADE

The Thetford Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the annual Labor Day BBQ & Parade on Monday, September 4th 2006.  Parade starts at 11:30 with BBQ to follow.  Back this year is the Interactive Fire Safety Trailer, flea market, crafts & fire truck rides.  

Submitted by Tim Ouellette

 

LATHAM LIBRARY NEEDS YOU!!

The board of Trustees is starting a FRIENDS of LATHAM LIBRARY this Fall. As a friend of the Library you can become involved in various aspects of our library's programs. For those of you who cannot commit to an every week volunteer position, this is for you. As a Friend you can chose just one activity or project. Some ideas include: program planning, decorating the library, designing book displays, arranging intergenerational programs, helping with book sales, publicity, collecting book reviews from patrons, delivering books to seniors, offering rides to seniors who want to use the Library…just to name a few.

Stop by or call the library at 785-4361 to let Peter know you are interested. Or you can 
contact Lisa Ladd 785-4917, Betsy Edmunds 785-2132, Nan Crowel 785-3014, Gina Sonne 785-4220 or Darla LaRoche 785-2734.

Submitted by Gina Sonne

 

COLLECTION FOR SOLDIERS

I am Rachel Borst, a Cadette Girl Scout working on my Silver Award, the highest award a Cadette Girl Scout can achieve. For my project, I am collecting items and sending them to soldiers serving overseas. While you are enjoying this wonderful summer weather, would you help me with this project by providing some of the suggested items below to be sent to the soldiers serving in Iraq?

Suggested items include: writing paper, pens, pencils, all types of toiletries (shampoo, body wash, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc), hard candies, reading materials, snacks (especially cookies and Twizzlers), gum, socks, t-shirts, athletic shorts (adult sizes), DVD's and CD's, moisturizing lotion, sunscreen, chap stick, eye drops, sunglasses, plastic sandwich bags, and feminine care items. Soldiers also enjoy "notes from home" particularly letters, cards and pictures drawn by children.

How can you get these items to me for shipping?  I will be at the Thetford Recycling Center on Saturday September 9 from 9 - noon to accept the donations and there will soon be "drop" boxes posted at the Thetford Hill Fire Station, Thetford Town Hall, and Baker's General Store (through September 10th).

Thank you for any help you may be willing to lend to this project.  I can be reached at 333-4625 or via email at Rachel.Borst@thet.net.

 

BECOME A HOSPICE VOLUNTEER

 

Would you like to help patients and families in the Hospice program?  The gift of your time can make such a difference for people who are in the final stages of their lives. 

 

The Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire needs volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to Hospice patients and their families. Volunteers might provide companionship or read to a patient, prepare a meal, run errands, assist with Hospice mailings, or sit quietly with a patient so the family caregiver can have a break. 

 

New volunteers are asked to commit to trainings on Wednesdays from September 6-October 25 from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Latham Library on Thetford Hill. Training is free of charge and open to all. 

 

For more information or to register, call Beth Wood, Coordinator of Hospice Volunteer Services, at (603) 298-6417, ext. 2063.

Email: ewood@vnavnh.org

Ways to stay current on town news and events include:
TOWN NEWLETTER ONLINE at  www.thet.net/.

THETFORD FORUM  - The most current town commentary and events updated daily electronically at http://lists.valley.net/lists/info/thetford.

THET.NET  - community web site of town information and resources www.thet.net/ includes Selectboard and School Board Minutes, Thetford Town Plan and other municipal and community resources.

 

THETFORD TOWN NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION INFORMATION

The deadline for submissions is the 20th of each month. Send news including contact name and telephone number to Cathee Clement at 785-2668 or turtlepond@netzero.net. Please list Thetford Town Newsletter in the subject line.