Thetford Town Newsletter

No. 36                                                                                                                                              February 2007

SELECTBOARD NOTES

 

Thetford Town Plan
Prior to adopting the proposed Town Plan, the Selectboard will hold two hearings following those previously held by the Planning Commission.

The first hearing is scheduled for February 12 at 8:00 p.m. at Town Hall.

Draft copies of the plan are available at Latham and Peabody Libraries and electronically on the town web site www.thetfordvermont.us.

Highway Department
The Selectboard congratulates Highway Department member Lynn King for completing the Vermont Agency of Transportation Heavy Equipment Operator educational series at St. Michael's College.

We also thank all Highway Department members for their dedicated, 24 hour on-call service to the town from November through April.

 

 

TOWN CLERK NOTES

Voter deadlines: 
Applications to the voter checklist (for Town Meeting and March Elections) are accepted no later than noon on Monday, February 26, 2007.  Apply at the Town Clerk's office.

Early or Absentee Voting:
Absentee Ballots may be requested by phone, in writing, or in person - please contact the Town Clerk for details.

Deadline to request absentee Australian ballots: March 5 by 5 pm

Pre-Town Meeting - February 26, 2007, 7:30 pm, Thetford Town Hall

Town Meeting - March 3, 2007, 9:00 am, Anderson Hall, Thetford Academy

Voting by Australian Ballot Tuesday, March 6, 2007 For Town and School Officers, School District Budget / / Polls open 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

2007 Dog Licenses are now available at the Town Clerk’s office.  Renewal is required by April 1, 2007.

 

 

LATHAM TRUSTEES – COMMUNITY CORNER TRAVELOGUE

Travel to Vietnam with Liana Hebb, TA graduate and Post Mills resident

 

See slides and hear stories of her experience teaching in Hai Phong City, 2004-05

 

Sunday February 4th  3pm at Latham Library

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Latham Trustees Present:

Reading and discussion with Mary Childers, local author of  “Welfare Brat”, a memoir…

 

PRAISE FOR "WELFARE BRAT"

Welfare Brat is a powerful book that draws you into the anger and love and astonishing hope and futility that course through a family struggling in poverty. With poetic prose....Mary Childers strips away the mythology, the pity, the phony notions of heroism that usually mask the realities of being poor. It's also page-turner that makes you think and think, even after you put it down.  ~D.K. Shipler, author of "The Working Poor-Invisible in America”.

Thursday February 1@ 7pm

Books will be available for signing

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Latham Library Trustees Presents:
Sunday Afternoon At the Movies - February 25th @ 2pm
“Hopscotch”
a family film with Walter Matthau
Popcorn and drinks provided / / discussion following the showing
* bring pillows if you want to be comfy and stretch out on the floor

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COMMUNITY CORNER WITH CHIEF LANCTOT
FEB 22 THURSDAY @ 7PM
The first meeting with Jim was such a success that we are following up with another forum. Please spread the word to your neighbors.

And check out the article in The Spectator this past week!

 

Submitted by Gina Sonne

 


FRIENDS OF LATHAM

 

As this newsletter goes to press you, the Friends of Latham, will have had a preliminary meeting. If you didn’t get on the list for the
first meeting, our sincere apologies go out to you. We will be setting up a regular time to meet which will be posted at the Library. 

Everyone is welcome to join! 

Some areas we will be needing help in: Poster and flyer makers, book reviewers,  books for senior citizens, author night hosts, movie afternoon hosts,  flower arrangers, community corner hosts,  newspaper liaisons, computer teachers,  book sale helpers, book displays for library  - to name a few. Please contact any Latham trustee if you are interested in getting involved.

Lisa Ladd, Ron Chabot, Elise Tillinghast, Maureen Morse, Betsy Edmunds, Margy Hiser, Gina Sonne, Steve Hoffman, Nan Crowell,  or  Karen Buttrey.

 

 

PEABODY LIBRARY

 

DEAR SWEETIE: LOVE LETTERS AND CHOCOLATE
Celebrate Valentine's Day at Peabody Library. 
Listen to readings from the greatest love letters of all time.  Enjoy chocolate desserts. Bring your sweetie!
Feel free to bring your own love letter to or from a loved one.
Tuesday, February 13 at 7:00 PM
Peabody Library is located on Route 113, Post Mills
Submitted by Margo Nutt

 

 

WAGING PEACE IN TROUBLED TIMES
A series of films and discussions presented by the First Congregational Church of Thetford

Sunday, February 4, 2007, 4 pm
Gandhi (1982, 188 minutes)
Sir Richard Attenborough's 1982 multiple-Oscar winner is an engrossing, reverential look at the life of Mohandas K. Gandhi, who introduced the doctrine of nonviolent resistance to the colonized people of India and who ultimately gained the nation its independence. Kingsley is magnificent as Gandhi as he changes over the course of the three-hour film from an insignificant lawyer to an international leader and symbol.
Join us for an alternative Super Bowl Sunday celebration. We'll break half way through for vegetarian chili and corn bread.
 
Sunday, February 25,2007, 7 pm
The Ground Truth: After the Killing Ends (2006, 72 minutes, rated R)
Patricia Foulkrod's searing documentary feature includes exclusive footage that will stir audiences. The filmmaker's subjects are patriotic young Americans - ordinary men and women who heeded the call for military service in Iraq - as they experience recruitment and training, combat, homecoming, and the struggle to reintegrate with families and communities. The terrible conflict in Iraq, depicted with ferocious honesty in the film, is a prelude for the even more challenging battles fought by the soldiers returning home - with personal demons, an uncomprehending public, and an indifferent government. As these battles take shape, each soldier becomes a new kind of hero, bearing witness and giving support to other veterans, and learning to fearlessly wield the most powerful weapon of all - the truth.
Follow-up discussion led by Linda Ide and Brad Vetje

Sunday, March 4, 2007, 7 pm
William Sloane Coffin, An American Prophet (2004, 52 minutes)
Both a tribute to his remarkable life and a prophetic call to the nation, William Sloane Coffin: An American Prophet contains the wisdom of a man, facing the end of his courageous life, who carried on a lover's quarrel with America. With powerful messages on terrorism, faith, politics, and hope-engagingly delivered as only William Sloane Coffin could-the documentary concludes with a testimony to his legacy of justice and love, given by his friends: Arthur Miller, James Carroll, Susannah Heschel, and Robert and Sally Benton.
Follow-up discussion led by Charlie Buttrey

Sunday March 11, 2007, 7 pm

Listening to Pain, Seeking Hope - A trip to the Holy Land
Eleanor Zue will share slides and stories from her trip to Israel and the West Bank with the Compassionate Listening Project, in November of 2006.

Sunday, March 18, 2007, 7 pm
Why We Fight (2005, 98 minutes, rated PG-13)
What are the forces that shape and propel American militarism? This award-winning film provides an inside look at the anatomy of the American war machine. Is American foreign policy dominated by the idea of military supremacy? Has the military become too important in American life? Jarecki's shrewd and intelligent polemic would seem to give an affirmative answer to each of these questions.
Follow-up discussion led by Tom Kinder

All events will be held at the First Congregational Church of Thetford, on Thetford Hill, located at 2596 Route 113 in Thetford, Vermont, one mile up hill (west) from exit 14 on Interstate 91.
For additional information please call Christina Robinson at (802) 785-4012.

 

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!

 

Did you know?? There is a RECREATION COMMITTEE in Thetford! Currently composed of sixteen community members and charged by the Thetford Selectboard, the Committee meets on the FIRST and THIRD Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall.  All meetings are open to the public and we invite and encourage your participation and input!!

 

The mission of this committee is as follows:

“Our mission is to evaluate existing and future leisure time endeavors for the entire Thetford community, providing opportunities and coordination for both competitive and non-competitive activities, as well as passive recreational pursuits for people of all ages and abilities.”

 

Be on the look out for information from this committee and for your opportunity to give input regarding recreation in Thetford!

 

Submitted by Kevin Brown and Mary Dan Pomeroy, Co-Chairs

 

 

THETFORD CONSERVATION COMMISSION

 

Thetford Conservation Celebration!
Saturday, February 3

10AM: Gather with friends and neighbors for coffee and pastries at the Community Association Building in Thetford Center as we honor Arthur and Arlene Palmer and Lilla Willey for conserving their lands last year, and thank all who supported these projects.

10:30AM: Hit the trail!

Choose from several guided hikes of varying lengths to explore these protected properties. For hike details see www.uvlt.org/events, or call the Upper Valley Land Trust at 603-643-6626. Because trailhead parking is very limited, all hikers will carpool from the Community building.

Hosted by the Upper Valley Land Trust in collaboration with the Thetford Conservation Commission

 

Submitted by Jennifer Davey

 

 

TA NOTES

 

*Thetford Academy celebrates the 63rd annual Founders' Day on Friday, February 2.  Parents and community members are welcome to join us for the morning activities, including class performances, which begin at approximately 8:15am.  Call Marci McGinn at 802-785-4805 x229 for more information about the schedule of events.
*TA's Advanced Art Class exhibit at the Latham Library gallery continues through the month of February.  The exhibit encompasses a wide range of works, from paintings to pencil drawings to sculptures, and showcases the talents of TA students.  Call the library at 785-4361 for hours and information.
*Winter recess for students and staff at both Thetford Academy and Thetford Elementary School will be held February 19-23.  Enjoy the break!

Submitted by Wendy Cole

 

 

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.