THETFORD TOWN NEWSLETTER

NO. 74 APRIL 2010

THETFORD ACADEMY NEWS AND NOTES

*Jesse Bruchac, a Native American storyteller and musician, will perform in the TA Library on Tuesday, April 6, at 7:00 pm.  Admission is by donation.

*Thetford Academy 8^th graders will be out in Thetford and the surrounding communities on Wednesday, April 8, for their annual Job Shadow Day.  Students have a chance to experience first hand careers and occupations in which they are interested and have a chance to explore new fields of interest.

*The TA Board of Trustees will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, April 8, at 7:00 pm in the TA Library.  The meeting is open to the public, and all interested are invited to attend.

*The Counseling Department at TA will sponsor an Incoming 9^th Grade Orientation Night on Monday, April 12.  The program starts at 6:30 pm in the TA Library, and campus tours are available at 5:45 pm.  Both parents and students are welcome to attend.

*April 12-16 is the week for the annual 7^th grade trip to Washington, D.C.  Students and chaperones will enjoy an intensive tour of the city and return to Thetford with a greatly expanded knowledge of our nation’s capital.

*The annual Thetford Academy Honors Celebration will be held Wednesday, April 28, at the Dartmouth Skiway.  This evening honors TA students who have met rigorous academic criteria during the 2009-2010 school year.

*Think Operation Day’s Work. . .coming in early May.  If you would like to hire one or more students for the day, please contact Thetford Academy at 785-4805 x 208.  Money raised this year supports the Selamta Children’s Home in Ethiopia.

Submitted by Wendy Cole

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POST MILLS CHURCH IS DOING IT AGAIN!

An indoor yard sale – no prices. Items are free or by donation if you wish. All donations will go to the church’s Friend Fund.

Donation of items on Friday, April 16^th from 9:00AM-12:00PM

Yard Sale on Saturday, April 17^th from 9:00AM-12:00PM

Submitted by Barbara Condict

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Thetford juniors girl scout troop carnival

Please join the Thetford Juniors Girl Scout Troop for a CARNIVAL! All proceeds will benefit the relief effort in Haiti.

The carnival will be held on Saturday May 1, 10am - 12noon at Thetford Elementary School cafeteria.

Activities include -  Bake Sale, Face Painting, Games and Crafts!! We will also be holding a raffle with donations from local businesses and restaurants.

For more information or questions please call: Tracy Borst 333-4625 or TLBORST@YAHOO.COM

This carnival is being organized and run by the girls who want to help and make a difference.

Submitted by Bridget Veracka

THETFORD ELDER NETWORK (TEN)

Senior Meal will be held April 28th @ 11:30AM -2PM at North Thetford Church.

Ever wonder what the TEN (Thetford Elder Network) is up to? Sure, you've seen the notices about the luncheons, the seminar, and the meetings, but what else has kept TEN busy?
 
TEN volunteers have answered calls and helped with the following:
 *  Giving rides for appointments and errands
 *  setting a mousetrap
 *  providing friendly company
 *  snow shoveling
 *  giving advice about a treed porcupine
 
 If you're in need of help, or know someone who is, call the TEN Volunteers Helpline, please call Inge Trebitz at 785-2129.

Submitted by Gina Sonne

SPECIAL TRASH COLLECTION – THETFORD TOWN GARAGE

Big Trash, Tires, Electronics, and Fluorescent light bulb collection, April 24 from 9:00 am to Noon at the Thetford Town Garage.  Fees will be charged for trash, tires, and electronics.  Contact the Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste Management District for more information at 296-3688 or by email at guvswd@valley.net.

Submitted by John Hurd, Programs Director, GUVSWMD

THETFORD RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Coming up in April:

Spring tennis -Fridays after vacation

Karate Wednesdays after vacation

Biking club - Saturdays after vacation

Spring Soccer - session 2 Sunday afternoons 1-3pm

Practices begin for Little League baseball and 3-6 softball Apr 5

Athletes United sports program for 4-6 graders begins April 11

Practices begin for K-2 baseball after vacation

Bike Rodeo on Saturday, May 1 10AM-Noon

Old School PE for Adults only, Fridays until April 16 from 7:00-9:00PM.

Details for ALL programs and registration available on-line at www.thetfordrec.com.

Submitted by Hilary Linehan

CHRISTIANITY AND THE ARTS CONFERENCE

Christianity and the Arts Conference is offered on April 30 to May 2, 2010 at Gove Hill Retreat. Photographer Paul Rogers, Painter Reed Prescott and singer/songwriter Jason Harrod will be presenting workshops in their fields. 

Participants should bring present works and materials for creating more. Overnight with meals, $200; 3 days only with lunch each day, $130; and just Saturday afternoon with dinner $40; options are available. Open to High School Juniors through Adults. 

More information and Brochures are available from Gove Hill or from their website.

Gove Hill Retreat, 1646 Gove Hill Road, Thetford Center, VT 05075 802-785-4000

E-mail govehill@abcvnh.org   Website: www.govehillretreat.org

Submitted by Bernice Clark

HOSPICE VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Hospice Volunteer Training on Thursdays, April 15- May 20 from 6-8:30 PM

VNA and Hospice of VT/NH, 66 Benning St., Suite 6, West Lebanon, NH 03784

To register or for more info: Judy Adams, Coordinator, Hospice Volunteer Services via phone at: 603-298-2816 or via email at: jadams@vnavnh.org

Submitted by Judy Adams

treasure island

SUMMER DAY CAMP! – July 5-9, and/or July 12-16, 9am-3pm, Swimming, tennis, arts and crafts, nature ed. – contact Hilary at Rec. Dept. ASAP to sign-up, #785-2922

SWIMMING LESSONS:

Session #1 – June 21-July 2

Session #2 – July 5-16

Sessions #3 – July 19 – 30

Session #4 – August 2-13.

Lessons run for 30 minutes daily M-F between 10am-12pm. Ages 4 & up. $20

**GuardStart Junior Lifesaving class: August 2-13, 12-1pm, ages 11-14, $30

NEW SATURDAY Morning Swim Lessons! Summer session, June 26-August 14. Lessons run for 45 minutes between the hours of 10AM-12:45pm. 4 & up. $20

ADULT Learn-to-Swim Class – New! Try it - a chance to get supportive swim instruction in Lake Fairlee. Non-swimmers welcome and encouraged. Class also for anyone who wants to improve their strokes for more effortless, streamlined swimming. Saturdays, June 26-August 14. $30 or drop-in $7/class.

TENNIS LESSONS: July 19-23, M-F, Children 9-10AM, Adults 10-11AM. All ages and abilities, $10

REGISTRATIONS:

Saturday, May 15, 10-12pm Thetford Town Hall;

Wednesday, May 19, 3-6pm, TES;

or Saturday, June 19, 10-12pm at Treasure Island.

BEACH PARTY – Friday, August 13, 12-4pm.

For more information, call Treasure Island at #333-3507. Volunteers wanted! Please join us for the Treasure Island Clean-Up Day, Saturday, May 8 from 10-12pm, food and drinks provided, children welcome.

Submitted by Ann O’Hearn

fRIENDS OF tHETFORD eDUCATION ANNOUNCES GRANT RECIPIENTS

Friends of Thetford Education is pleased to announce grant recipients for the following school enrichment projects:

* The Vermont First Tee National School: golf equipment, curriculum, and teacher training for physical education sponsored by the PGA – Philip Chaput – $722.50

* Exploring Authors’ Crafts: books that will be used to develop writing skills– Brenda Bondurant – $350.00

* Kindergarten Literacy Gift: books for incoming kindergartners– Bette Nunez and Aimee Toth – $200.00
* School Garden Expansion Project: developing a high-yield, kitchen production garden– Joette Hayashigawa – $1485.00
* Aquatic Nets and Pails: to be used in the Zebedee wetland for place-based curriculum – Regina Bradley – $90.00
*  Visible Generators: purchase of generator materials to enhance student understanding of electromagnets and generators – Abby Harrington – $658.80

Friends of Thetford Education will be holding its next meeting on Wednesday, April 7 at 7 pm at Thetford Elementary School. We will be discussing our funding policy and by-laws and assessing our annual appeal. All are welcome!

FTE is an organization consisting of parents and community members who are dedicated to raising funds for the purpose of enhancing the educational enrichment of our children. Nearly 100% of the money we raise goes toward funding projects, field trips, special equipment, student performances, and other educational opportunities that are not covered by the school’s operating budget. FTE uses a very small amount to cover postage and minor operational expenses.

Attending a meeting will not commit you to anything! Just come along and see what we do. If you have questions, feel free to call Marty Jacobs (Chair) at 785-2606 or email at marty@systemsinsync.com.

Submitted by Marty Jacobs

THETFORD ENERGY COMMITTEE – ENERGY TIP FOR APRIL

Spring Cleaning? Take time to clean your refrigerator coils and wipe down the door gaskets -- both save you energy and can extend the life of the refrigerator. Cleaning the dirt and dust off the coils means the refrigerator doesn't have to work as hard to keep the food cold, and a clean door gasket makes for a tighter seal -- keeping the cold in. A refrigerator coil brush is an inexpensive tool that makes cleaning the coils easy. 

Cleaning the lint out of your dryer hose can save energy by improving the dryer's efficiency and has the added bonus of reducing a significant fire hazard. 

Submitted by Alice Stewart

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FREE FILM - GANDHI

 
Free film -- Gandhi (1982, 188 minutes) – Sunday, April 18, 4:30 pm, at the First Congregational Church of Thetford on Thetford Hill. 
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. Ben 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. Don't confuse nonviolence with inaction. The story of Gandhi's life is filled with struggle and triumph and will keep you on the edge of your seat for the full 3 hours play time.
 
We will share a potluck dinner during intermission. 
 
The First Congregational Church on Thetford Hill is handicapped accessible -- enter at the rear of church parking lot for access to the elevator. Questions: contact Christina Robinson at 785-4012.

Submitted by Christina Robinson

THETFORD HISTORY…DID YOU KNOW?

At one time Post Mills had two hotels. One burned down but the other is still standing at the foot of Barker Road. It is now an apartment building. The old Malmquist Mill which is finally being taken down was built about 1891 to replace a former mill which had also burned down. The mill was built to house the business of Chubb Fishing Rods which was established in Post Mills in 1869. Chubb rods are still collector items and the Orvis company has a good collection.

Submitted by Barbara Condict

Some additional info found about the mill from the website: www.oldfishingstuff.com/chubb.htm

“Thomas H. Chubb was the first machine age fishing rod manufacturer in the United States, starting up his business in 1869 near Post Mills, Vermont. He endured a flood his first year, a fire in 1875, and another fire in 1891 before deciding it was time to retire. His company was sold to the Bartlett brothers of Montague, Massachusetts which was the start of the famous Montague Rod Company. 

By 1884 Chubb was advertising that his company was the "largest Fishing Rod Factory in the World". Perhaps he was, but certainly the building qualified, for the three story building filled with overhead belt driven lathes and stamping machines was the ultimate in a manufacturing facility.  

Not many rods survive with the Chubb decal still intact, but knowledgeable rod collectors are often able to identify the rods of this famous factory …”

Special Thanks to Barbara for her Thetford History submission and for the additional info for next month’s newsletter. I’m looking forward to hearing from more of you so when room allows, I can continue the this section on a monthly basis.

Additional information submitted by Sheila Fifield

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION INFO

The deadline for submissions is the 20^th of each month. Send news including contact name and telephone number to Sheila Fifield at Sheila.fifield@aol.com. Please list Thetford Town Newsletter in subject line.

P.S. Thetford historians, please remember …I’d love to hear from you!!