Thetford Town Newsletter

No. 53 JULY 2008

SELECTBOARD NOTES

Thetford, like many Vermont towns, finds itself in a difficult situation at the half-way point of the budget year. The increased cost of truck fuel and the high use of the trucks during the past winter have resulted in major cost overruns in several Highway Budget items.

The Selectboard has met to discuss places in the Highway Budget as well as the General Budget where the Town might reduce expenditures to mitigate any eventual deficit. Various town departments are being asked to seek savings and to defer purchases where they can. However, with fuel prices remaining high, and probably increasing, towns-people should be aware that we are likely to need a warned item at next Town Meeting to raise funds to pay off any 2008 debt.

The Selectboard is corresponding with the State to suggest better signage on Route 113 at the north end of town, requiring and notifying motorists to slow down prior to the junction of Routes 113 and 244. The board also asked the state to provide any information it might have on the two traffic studies it conducted in the past on the section of Route 244 that runs past the lake and several camps.

Finally, a hearing will be held on July 14th at Town Hall on the proposed development on Garey Road to determine if such a development would require road improvements, and if so, what they might be.

Submitted by Tig Tillinghast

TREASURE ISLAND

Open 10am-8pm EVERY DAY! Come enjoy the beach!

Every Tuesday from 10-12pm is Arts and Crafts, every Thursday at 10am is the Peabody Library Story Hour on the beach.

July 14-18 9am-10am Free Tennis Lessons for children, (recommended age: 6 and up) followed by an adult clinic 10-11am. To sign up, just stop by the beach or call 333-9731. Racquets are available.

July 11: Join Treasure Island and Peabody Library for an evening CAMPFIRE PROGRAM. Come for a community potluck beginning at 5pm (bring a dish and something for the grill if you like), followed by s'mores and songs around the campfire. Bring an instrument!

July 12: Try your hand at pulling milfoil from the lake at Treasure Island. Join the Lake Fairlee Association divers at Treasure Island and enjoy a pizza lunch. It's a "Milfoil Pick-Party" and we need your help! Saturday 12 noon. Call us for more information at 333-9731.

July VINS day camp: Contact Hilary Linehan, Recreation Director at Town Hall: 785-2922. 

Submitted by Ann and Scott O'Hearn

TOWN CLERK NOTES

Thank you to Janet and Tim Taylor of Crossroad Farms for their generous donation of beautiful annual flowers for our flower barrels at Town Hall. Also, thank you to the McMahons for planting and donating the flowers at the Veterans memorial in front of town hall. They all look great!

I will be away for a week in July to complete my New England Municipal Clerk’s Institute course and will graduate from the program this year.  The office will be open, in the capable hands of my Assistant, Lori Magoon.

Have a great summer!

LATHAM LIBRARY

Stories Under The Stars
Monday Evenings starting July 7 6:30 Until 7:30pm
On the Lawn, between the Latham Library and the Elementary School.
Bring a blanket and be ready for a great adventure, each week we will travel to a different time and place, to discover and dream!! 
Each week’s topic will be posted on the green. Pirates, swords, warriors, ballerinas and more! In case of rain stories will move inside the Library. All are welcome!! 
Submitted by Diana Anderson

On Tuesday, July 15, 7 pm Steve Hagenbuch of Audubon Vermont will present "Forestry for the Birds - Providing Habitat through Forest Management." The presentation will be of particular value to owners of wooded parcels as well as anyone who takes an active interest in town property management. Examples of how active forest stewardship can protect, enhance, and create quality breeding habitat for migratory birds will be provided through photos and discussion. Hagenbuch will also explain Audubon's bird habitat assessment service, provided for free by Audubon for larger properties.

Steve Hagenbuch is a conservation biologist with Audubon Vermont's Forest Bird Initiative. This is a free presentation, co-sponsored by the Thetford Conservation Commission and Audubon Vermont.

Submitted by Elise Tillinghast

TA NOTES

The library at Thetford Academy will be open to the public this summer every Wednesday from 8:00 am-3:00 pm (except July 16). Folks are welcome to come browse or borrow a book or two. All that is needed to take out a book is a library number from either: Thetford Academy, Latham Library, or Peabody Library. TA Library Media Specialist Sarah Allen will be on hand to offer suggestions or answer questions about library issues. 

Submitted by Wendy Cole

BELLY DANCE CLASS

Belly Dance Class returns to Thetford starting Thursday June 26, 7:30 pm. Gina Capossela will be teaching a 9 week class for adults (12 and up) every Thursday from 7:30-8:30 pm (no class on July 3 or July 31).  Mothers and daughters are welcome! The curriculum includes the beginner vocabulary of movement, as well as fun combinations and choreographies. No previous dance experience is required. All ages, shapes and ability levels are welcome. Classes will be held at the Outback Barn on Burnham Road. Call Gina at 802-763-8691 or go to www.GinaDances.com for further info.  Pre-registration is required and will be accepted until July 10.

WORRIED ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT?

Let Wells River Savings Bank help.

On Saturday July 26th from 8:00 – 12:00 Dan’s Data Destruction will be on site at our East Thetford location to shred all of those important items you need to get rid of. This is a free service provided for the entire community, so bring whatever you have - it can be a few items or a truck load. This is a great opportunity to securely dispose of those confidential papers you have been holding onto.

Submitted by Lorenzo Wilhite, Branch Manager

ALSO:

Sue Rump’s art exhibit will be able to be enjoyed at the bank through the end of July.

Submitted by Amy Vance, Assistant Branch Manager

THETFORD BAPTIST VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Vacation Bible School is coming to Thetford Baptist Church (July 21-25 from 6:00-8:00pm). The TBC community invites children and their families to Jerusalem Marketplace, a week-long, hands-on learning adventure. Our sets, songs, and crafts will take you back to first century Jerusalem. This is an excellent opportunity for children to learn about the Christian faith and its Jewish foundations. Entire families are welcome to participate, especially children ages 3-12.  More details at the church website: www.worshipgrowserve.org or call 785-2050.

Submitted by Pastor John Hartley

PLANNING COMMISSION NEWS 

There is an opening on the Planning Commission and we are looking for a volunteer to join our team. We meet the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7:15pm at the Town Offices.  The meetings are usually over by 9:15pm.

If you are interested in planning the future of Thetford, please send a Letter of Interest to Thetford Planning Commission, Thetford Town Offices, P.O. Box 126, Thetford Center, VT 05075-0126 or call Wayne Parks, Chair, Planning Commission at 333-9761.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME!!  
See tomorrow's stars today!
The First Congregational Church is sponsoring a trip to see the Vermont Lake Monsters on Sunday, July 27. All are welcome to join us!

The trip features:
Deluxe luxury coach from Thetford to Centennial Field to watch the Lake Monsters take on the Lowell Spinners. / Great reserved seats / Our name on the scoreboard / Cheeseburger, hot dog, side dish, potato chips, cookie and a soft drink / A visit from "Champ", the Lake Monsters mascot.

*All of this for just $35 per person.*

The bus will leave from the Thetford Elementary School parking lot at 2:30 p.m. The game begins at 5:05 p.m., and we will return after the game.

MARK THE DATE!  SIGN UP NOW!  SPACES ARE LIMITED! Questions? - Contact Charlie Buttrey -- 785-4005 or c.t.buttrey@valley.net

DANCE CLASSES AT RICES MILLS

SWING - FRIDAY JULY 18TH 7:30PM -9:00PM

with Jody Underwood & Gina Sonne - $7.00 donation

WALTZ- FRIDAY AUGUST 15th 7:30PM -9:00PM

with Jody Underwood & Gina Sonne - $7.00 donation

Please register: gsonne@sover.net or 785-4220

FOSTER CARE IN THE UPPER VALLEY

At any give time there are over a thousand children in the state's custody throughout Vermont. Between sixty and seventy of these children are in custody here in the Upper Valley. Many of these children are cared for in foster homes. Foster families do everything from providing children fun weekends away from their home to give their parents a break, to caring for children for many months, or years. However long the period of time they are in care is, Foster Care allows children the opportunity to grow, learn and flourish, and gives their families the time to grow and change themselves.

If you have an interest in learning more about helping children in foster care, please contact Courtney McGuire at 802 295 8840.

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.