Thetford Town Newsletter

No. 70 December 2009

Special Town Meeting

Thetford Elementary School Gym

December 3, 2009 at 7:00pm

Shall the town approve the transfer of the Malmquist Mill

Properties to the Town of Thetford and authorize the

Selectboard to borrow an amount not to exceed $100,000

to be financed over a period not to exceed 2 years for

demolition of the mill building.

Submitted by Tracy Borst, Town Clerk

Thetford Planning Commission Clerk Needed

The Thetford Planning Commission is looking for a person to fill the paid position of Clerk.

The primary duties are to take the minutes of our meetings, disseminate a draft of the minutes via e-mail to all Planning Commission Members and then send the approved minutes, reflecting any additions and/or corrections.

The Planning Commission meets the first and third Tuesdays of the Month at 7:15pm in the Town Offices, Thetford Center, Vermont. The meetings usually last 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

If you are interested, please contact: 

Wayne Parks, Chair

Thetford Planning Commission

P. O. Box 126

Thetford Center, VT 05075-0126

Submitted by Wayne Parks

Thetford Energy Committee Tip of the Month

Clean or replace filters on your forced air furnace. For best results, do this before the heating season starts, and once more mid-season. Letting the filter remain without cleaning or replacing for the entire heating season limits efficiency.

Submitted by Joel Legunn

Thetford Farmer's Market in North Thetford
The Farmer's Market will continue monthly at its new winter location - United Church of Thetford (North Thetford sanctuary) on Route 5. ** Saturdays from 9:00-12:00 **
December 12th, January 16th, February 13th, March 13th, April 10th.
Come support your local economy, fresh produce, homemade bread, and lovely crafts.

Submitted Lisa Ladd

Anne Slade Frey Charitable Trust Grants

Didi Pershouse, of Thetford Center, Vermont: $500 in support of a series of five presentations for "Transition Town" discussion groups throughout New England (including White River Junction, Vermont), exploring the need for local-oriented healthcare models as part of transitioning from top-down, fossil-fuel-based, centralized "market" economies to locally based, ecological economies. 

Operation Day's Work, of Thetford, Vermont: $1000 in support of the student service project Operation Day's Work, which is based at Thetford Academy and which involves ten member schools around the U.S., collaboratively raising funds to benefit programs in developing countries. Each fall, students at the member schools review and cast votes for projects proposed by student coordinators, and in the spring, students at all the schools work for a day in their communities and donate earnings to the selected project.

Submitted by Cynthia Taylor

Lake Fairlee Milfoil Update

Every year in November the Lake Fairlee Association has to file a report with the State detailing its milfoil control activities within the present grant period.  I have included the information from that report in three recent posts to our blog, which cover the dive program, our finances for the year, and our 'greeter' at the boat ramp. http://lakefairlee.org

We are also working with the Lycott company to prepare a permit application to use an herbicide in the lake next spring.  Details will be in the blog when they are available.

Submitted by Skip Brown, Lake Fairlee Association

Mostly Waltz in South Strafford - - Live Music!

Sunday Dec 6, Barrett Hall, South Strafford

Lesson 2pm, Dance 3-5pm

$10 including lesson, $8 Dance only

Singles Welcome!!

Waltzlover@gmail.com

Submitted by Gina Sonne

TA NOTES

*TA Basketball Season begins!  The first home game for the Varsity Girls is Wednesday, December 2, at 7:00 pm against perennial rival South Royalton.  The Varsity Boys start their home season on Tuesday, December 8, at 7:00 pm in Anderson Hall against Rivendell Academy.

*The Thetford Academy Alumni Association will host the annual Memory Tree Lighting at 4:30 pm on Sunday, December 6, on the lawn in front of the White Building.

*The TA Parent Advisory and Advocacy Council (PAAC) will meet on Tuesday, December 8, at 7:00 pm in the TA Library.  At this meeting, the group will discuss actions to follow up on the “What’s Going Down” forum on substance use, and Assistant Head/Athletic Director David McGinn will talk about athletic decisions and attendance policies. PAAC serves as a group for "hearing, steering, and clearing" topics of concern to families.  All are welcome.  For more information, contact Mary Bryant (aurora@valley.net). 

*The Thetford Academy Board of Trustees will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, December 10, at 7:00 pm in the TA Library.  The meeting is open to the public and all interested are invited to attend.

*On Saturday, December 12, there will be a Buckle Up Dinner & Dance Fundraiser in honor of TA student Cody Hardy, who was severely injured recently in an automobile accident. Benefits will go to the local emergency services in Thetford, Lyme, and Strafford. The event will be held at Barrett Hall in South Strafford, starting at 5:00 pm. Donations can be made out and mailed to “Buckle Up 4 Cody Hardy” c/o Cheslee Brown at 531 Joshua Road, White River Junction, VT 05001.  Contact Cheslee Brown for tickets and information by e-mailing BuckleUp4CodyHardy@hotmail.com or see Lisa Kendall at the Strafford Town Office.

*The Winter Instrumental Concert will be held Tuesday, December 15, at 7:00 pm.

*The sophomore Anthology Reading will be held on Wednesday, December 16 at 7:55 am downstairs in the White Building.

*Thetford Academy will close on Friday, December 18, at the end of school for the December break.  We wish all our families, friends, and neighbors a peaceful, warm, and joyous vacation and look forward to seeing everyone back when school resumes on Monday, January 4, 2010.

Submitted by Wendy Cole

Project Holiday Tree on the Green

Second grader Elle Dixon has been working on a project to get a Holiday tree on the Thetford Hill green this Holiday season. She has been busy selling her homemade dog treats “Buddy Bones” to earn money to buy LED lights for a tree. She has had many supporters in the community and she is happy to announce that her dream is coming true.

Elle would like to invite the public to join her on the green at 5:00 PM on Sunday December 6^th for a lighting ceremony. The Thetford Girl scouts will be there signing carols. Bundle the kids up and come join us.

If you’d like to help fund Elle’s project she could always use some extra help. There will be a coin box at both Wings market in East Thetford and The Village store in Thetford Center until Friday December 4th.

For more information, contact Deb Dixon at 785-4363

Submitted by Deb Dixon

Toys for Tots

If you need help with getting toys for your children infant-18 (if in school), any age for special needs, please call the Twin State Detachment of the Marine Corps League @ 603-643-1477.

We are located on RT 120, south of Hanover, (past DHMC) toward Lebanon on the right.

Christmas is ALL about The CHILDREN!! We Will HELP PUT a SMILE ON THEIR FACE for that special day!!!

Art Show “Winter in West Newbury”

The Gallery at Latham Memorial Library will host an exhibit of paintings by Christopher Wilson, December 1-31. There will be an Opening Reception Friday December 4th from 5 to 7 PM.  Call 802-785-4361 for more information.

Submitted by Joanne Kirsten

Academic Tutoring Services for Elementary Students
Private tutorials offered by Jane Friedlander, Remedial Language Specialist, for students in grades K- 8.
Programs include individualized remediation and enrichment in all subjects.

Submitted by Jane Friedlander 785-4455 www.uppervalleytutor.com

Banish Misfortune at the Gingerbread Festival

The soon-to-be-famous cello ensemble, Banish Misfortune, will play at the Gingerbread Festival on Saturday Dec. 5th at around 10:30 a.m. at Tracy Hall in Norwich.  Please come and hear us and support the Gingerbread Festival which benefits The Family Place in Norwich.  We are made up of cellists from the upper valley; retired executives, academics, scientists, medical professionals, and just plain folks who love to play the cello.  Led by Margaret Gilmore, we have more fun than should be legal.

Submitted by Margaret Gilmore

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