Times of Shrewsbury June 2021 - SHREWSBURY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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June 2021
Times of Shrewsbury
July 2021
MAPLE CREEMEES COME TO SHREWSBURY
Maple Creemee….that’s right, it’s not spelled “creamy” but it A timely Letter to the Editors arrived just in time for the July
is very creamy! Vermonters have been enjoying and issue….and Maple Creemee lovers will surely want to read
promoting Creemees since 1981 this one!
when Blake Roy, a markets inspec-
tor for the Vermont Department of
Agriculture, promoted it to the Rut-
land County Maple Producers in 1981
as a new treat to be sold to thou- LETTER TO THE EDITORS
sands at the RCMP Rutland fair-
grounds sugarhouse. It was a blend Dear Shrewsberries,
of two major industries in the state at Some of you may know that my family spent the past
the time: maple sugaring and dairy. school year in the area. Unfortunately, given the pan-
demic it was challenging to connect with all of the peo-
Fast forward to 2021 and Pierce’s ple who make Shrewsbury a profoundly special place.
Store now has a new orange My husband Gideon Caplovitz and I must sincerely
machine that cranks out Maple thank the families and children of Shrewsbury for wel-
Creemees to young and old. Maple coming our daughters, Eleanor and Evelyn, into the
Creemees are like soft serve…BUT Mountain School community. They were able to build
generally have a higher fat content that makes it creamier friendships in Vermont (aka “The Greatest State”) who
and richer in flavor! The “recipe” is maple syrup, maple sug- will make our visits back East a highlight of future sum-
ar, milk and cream, which is then pumped with air. So, if you mers. Thank you for raising such considerate,
close your eyes, take a lick, and focus on the “light as air” kindhearted children and for hiring excellent teachers,
concept, all those calories will just float away. staff and principal.
The store held a contest to name the Creemee machine , To thank you more sweetly there is a bonus. Given that
and the results were anonymous and a blend of the entries. 2020 ‘creamed’ us, 2021 needs to Creemee us! Once
this letter is in your hands, the first 100 lucky people
Official name: “Ms. Dreemee Creemee who head to Pierce’s will be eligible for a free Berryhill-
Caplovitz Family Thank You Creemee (1-max per per-
Aka: Frosty Time
son). You’ve got to earn it, though. To be served, you
aka: Creemee of the Crop will need to bring and tell your best, novel, appropriate-
aka: Creemaster Rex for-all-ages joke! We all need to recover from last year’s
shortage of laughs. A big thanks to Elana and crew for
For now the options when stepping up to order, you need to enabling this offer. Maybe others will start new chal-
know what’s available for a Pierce’s Creemee: lenges to keep the cones flying all summer.
Flavors: Vanilla, Maple, or Twist On the sentimental side, it may please some to hear
Cake Cone or Dish that my sweet parents have sent me the Shrewsbury
Rainbow sprinkles Times since I sadly left Vermont 15-years ago for work.
And Coming soon: Despite the distance you are regularly in my heart and
Chocolate Creemee on my mind. Take good care and be in touch,
Waffle cones ~Marian Esther Berryhill (mberryhill@unr. edu
Creemee Sandwiches (the recipe is being perfected!)
Be sure to watch for all kinds of Dreemee Creemee ideas to
be unveiled in the coming weeks…as if we needed more
encouragement! ~Chryl Martin
Did you know that most Shrewsbury roads are To learn more about the building that is
part of the Sometimes called
The Meeting House
Rutland Region Bicycle and
Sometimes it’s called
Network? The Town Hall
Read the front page article of the July 2013 issue of
Cold River Road; Northam Road; the Times of Shrewsbury
Route 103 at
www. shrewsburyhistoricalsociety. Com
• Please:
• OBSERVE TOWN SPEED LIMITS
• PASS a bike only AT A DISTANCE, and
SLOWLY
• Allow bikers their right to a safe traffic lane.
Submitted by Daphne Hemmer
The Times of Shrewsbury
The Times of Shrewsbury is published monthly from February There is no charge for: jokes, poems, nature reports,
through December, and compiled by volunteers from material family event announcements, or feature articles or letters
submitted by residents with the goal of informing townspeople that are not commercial.
of what is happening in Shrewsbury. The views and opinions
expressed in articles are solely those of the author and not Articles and Advertisements: Deadline for submission is
necessarily those of the editors. 5pm on the 20th of the month prior to publication; excep-
tions will be announced in the prior month’s Times. Ads
All submissions must be accompanied by the name of the in the Times are for area businesses, local non-profit
submitting person and are printed at the editors’ discretion events, and local ballot election advertisements.
subject to editing for length and clarity. Letters to the Editor
exceeding 350 words will be subject to editing for length. Any Best Formats: Articles: Word or as an email message
information piece or informational political letters (without with no formatting. Photos: jpeg. Ads: jpeg (preferred) or
specific party or vote appeal) will be subject to the guidelines Word document.
previously described. A writer of a letter that names a
Shrewsbury resident or organization in a critical manner must Monthly Advertising Fees:
get copies to the resident or organization, and to the Times Full Page $80 1/2 Page $45
by the 10th of the month prior to publication or it will not run. If 1/4 page $10 Business Card $5
the named person or organization indicates in writing to the Classified ad (15 words) $2. 50
writer and to the Times that they choose not to respond, the Additional Fee to create an ad $5
letter will run. If the named entity responds, the response and Payment due by the 20th of the month
initial letter will run in the same issue. prior to publication.
Chryl Martin ~ Rich Biziak ~ Victoria Arthur
Times of Shrewsbury, P. O. Box 373, Cuttingsville, VT 05738
Email: shrewsburytimes@gmail. com Online: www. shrewsburyvt. org & www. shrewsburyhistoricalsociety. com
Times of Shrewsbury ~ July 2021 2
tables outside the main house.
Spring signifies the emergence of
new life, meaningful growth, and
rejuvenation. At the Ranch, each
crew (gardens, woods, shop, and
farm) also prepare for the process
SHREWSBURY COMMUNITY CALENDAR
of becoming and the challenges of
growth and change.
Jun 25 5pm *Rick Redington and The LUV concert
The garden crew at the spring
begins Meeting
by House (rain date June 27)
Jun 27 4pm preparing
*Science Book Club Meeting eitherthe greenhouse
in person or bywithZoom. Time may also change. TBD.
seeds then harvesting from the
beds, and assisting with sugaring.
July 4 8am-4pm *Transfer Station Open forAsbusiness!
the snow continues to melt, they
will prepare to turn over the beds
July 10 10am-3pm *Charlie Paquin at the Library. FLAGS
for early planting. The crafts made
July 10 5pm *Electrostatic Cats Concertduring
at outdoors
Elections, atFireworks
winter (includingMeeting House (rain date July 11)
woven gui-
July 11 Postponed: Pierce’s Garage dog and
tar straps show belts)event
will be sold at
the local farmer’s market this
July 16 5-7pm *Wine tasting at Pierce’s Store
month. As for the woods crew,
July 18 4pm *Famous Books Book Clubspring-cleaning
at Library is in order; they will
finish cleaning up after the sugaring
July 24 5 pm *Jazz Essentials with Bearseason,
Irwin prepare
Concert outdoors at Meeting House (raindate July 25)
the flower beds as
July 25 9-11am *Carbon Sequestration program by Shrewsbury
well as landscape. Conservation
The majority of Commission
July 25 7pm *Science Book Club dissucssion at Library
their activities will revolve around
the aesthetic aspects of the ranch.
July 30 7pm *Macbeth at Meeting House Spring involves a shift between the
heavy lifting and lumbering to a
more gentle touch, “it complements
August 8 5 pm *Carlos Ocasio and Chump Change Concert outdoors at Meeting House (raindate TBA)
the rugged work of winter” (Doug
*see elsewhere in newsletter for details Patton). Shop crew will experience
the season with projects in and out
FLAG DAY
of the repair shop, the majority of
which will be in preparation for JUNE 14, 2015
summer. Among these are conclud-
ing with the gazebos for smoking,
building a crib for firewood, and
TIMES OF SHREWSBURY Times of Shrewsbury June 2015
9
online at Deadline for submission to Times of
Shrewsbury is by 5:00pm
www. shrewsburyvt. org th
on the 20 of each month.
www. shrewsburyhistoricalsociety.
REGULAR MEETINGS and EVENTS
st rd
Board of Selectman Meeting 1 & 3 Wednesdays – 7pm at Town Office
Bone Builders Tuesdays & Thursdays – 9am at Meeting House
th
Development Review Board 4 Wed -7pm at Town Office; check town website for agenda
nd
Library Trustees Meeting 2 Tuesday – 7pm at Shrewsbury Library
st rd
Mill River Unified Union School Board Mtg 1 Wed 7pm @ MRHS & 3 Wed. 7pm location TBA
Planning Commission 1st & 3rd Monday - 7:30pm via Google Meet (see posted agenda for link)
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Sundays – 10am via Zoom; contact wildernessfriends@gmail. com
Shrewsbury Community Church Worship Virtual worship only for now; for info roxramah@gmail. com
Shrewsbury Conservation Commission Second Tuesday at 5:15pm at 450 Frank Lord Rd.
Shrewsbury Historical Society Postponed until further notice
Shrewsbury Historical Society Museum Closed until further notice
Shrewsbury Singers Currently taking a break
Shrewsbury Sno-Birds 2nd Tuesday – 7pm via Zoom; mgabriele10@gmail. com or 775-3406
Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Department Thursdays – 7pm at the Cuttingsville Station
Shrewsbury Town Website: www. shrewsburyvt. org
Clerk’s Office 492-3511 Mon – Thurs 9am – 3pm; Closed Friday
Town Garage 492-3656 (Follow prompts to report roadway blockage on non-work days)
Listers 492-2009 available by appointment
Treasurer’s Office 492-3558 or 492-3487 Monday 9am-11am
Transfer Station Sunday 8am-4pm ~~ Wednesday 12noon–6pm
Library 492-3410 COVID-19 Hours: Monday 10am-12noon; Wednesday 7-9pm; Saturday 10-am12noon
Meeting House 492-6050 Reservations: 492-3361 or julanne@vermontel. net
News Flash Email List vtbenbeano@gmail. com or benbeano@vermontel. net [Urgent and reminder news information]
Cuttingsville Post Office 492-3585 Window Hours Mon–Fri 7:30am–10:30am &11:30am–2;30pm; Sat 8am–11am.
Lobby Hours Mon– Fri 7:00am–7:00pm and Sat 7:00am–4pm
st
Animal Control Officer: Aaron Korzun 492-3362 1 Constable: TBA Game Warden: Tim Carey 793-2776
Emergency Management Aaron Korzun 492-3362 Green Mountain Power outage 1-800-451-2877
Medical-Police-Fire Emergency Dial 911 Ambulance 773-1700 Rutland Hospital 775-7111
Times of Shrewsbury ~ July 2021 3
SHREWSBURY SELECTBOARD MINUTES
The Selectboard meets the 1 and 3 Wednesday at 7pm at the Town Office.
st rd
May 19, 2021: Selectboard Meeting Minutes New Business: GMP lines on Crown Point Road. Request
Present: Selectboard members: Aaron Korzun, Francis Wy- that the SB take action to hold accountable GMP with the
att, Steven Nicholson; Planning Commission: Laura Black, lines on Crown Point Road. Comment brought up about
Melissa Reichert; Conservation Commission: Louise Duda; trees being down. Letters have gone out to landowners.
Lister: Sharon Winnicki; Town Administrative Assistant: Erin Landowners want to know the plan moving forward. Clear
Lorentz. Members of the public: Rocky Lucian, Angie communication and a presentation should be made to the
Prozzo, Jonathan Gibson, Mark Youngstrom. SB. M. Youngstrom is willing to be a liaison. GMP, SB, and
Meeting called to order by A. Korzun at 7:02pm. road commissioner needs to be in a discussion. GMP is
Agenda: Motion made by A. Korzun to follow the agenda working in our right of way so we can set the conditions. If
with the addition of Louise Duda presenting a letter for the someone needs to be hired by the Town to oversee the work
Conservation Commission. S. Nicholson seconds. All in fa- GMP needs to pay for them. A. Korzun made a motion for M.
vor. Motion approved. Youngstrom to be a liaison for the SB for Green Mountain
Power’s communication with the town to keep things running
Listers report: Documents were presented by Lister to be smoothly. F. Wyatt seconds. All in favor. Motion approved.
signed and reported we are on track for filing in 2021. SB
Tent/camping issue: Landowner needs to be called to see
signed.
who is there. Kathy Felder, Health Officer, should be in-
Gaynor Road: ANR/DEC will be sending the town a letter volved. An ordinance could be put in place for the safety of
letting us know the results of their site visit. Rocky stated that the area community.
no further work needs to be done that is expected. Even fur-
ther permits could possibly be needed, including wetlands Mask policy: The current mask mandate will be upheld in
(according to DEC). Duda brought up several questions to the Town office and at Transfer Station until further notice.
everyone about liability and responsibility. Legal counsel is Review 5/7/21 Minutes: A. Korzun made a motion to accept
needed. No bridges have been placed consulting the SB. the minutes from the 5/7/21 meeting. F. Wyatt seconds. All
What structures are permitted in Class 4 roads, VLCT legal in favor. Motion approved.
dept will be consulted. Questions were brought up about
what access means in terms of vehicles and who can grant Review Orders: Motion made by S. Nicholson to accept
that access. Clear terms are needed for the Comm. Gibson Selectboard Order #5a for $2,074. 40, and Roads Order #5a
states that it is a complicated matter and to once again ask for $15,364. 91. F. Wyatt seconded. All in favor. Motion ap-
someone with knowledge in this matter. Need to make sure proved.
the AT corridor is paid attention to due to federal regulations.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:42 p. m.
Roads: The Planning Commission presented and J. Gibson Respectfully submitted, Erin Lorentz
presented a letter with questions that need legal assistance. These minutes are unofficial until approved by the Select-
A firm has been reached out to represent the SB. The town board at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
signs and follows the state’s road and bridge standards. Is
an ordinance needed? Could be an ordinance regarding just June 2, 2021: Selectboard Meeting Minues
utilities. We could follow the state guidelines. Does VCLT Present at the meeting: Selectboard members: Aaron Kor-
have any information on utility only ordinances. Gibson zun, Francis Wyatt, Steven Nicholson; Planning Commis-
brought up is general permit info available for viewing? The sion: Laura Black, Melissa Reichert; Lister: Sharon Winnicki;
report needs to be made available in office. Compliance is Town Administrative Assistant: Erin Lorentz; Road Commis-
needed by 2036. VLCT has a permit order they have in sioner: Jamie Carrara; Town Clerk: Megan LaChance.
place that shows permitting in perpetuity. Planning Commis- Meeting called to order by A. Korzun at 7:01pm.
sion could possibly present a slimmed down version of a
roads policy and review with Roads Commissioner. Other Review of Agenda: Motion made by A. Korzun to follow the
towns’ policies should be reviewed? Suggestion to hold a agenda with an addition under New Business to address the
workshop with stakeholders and identify the goals? A. Kor- treasurer authorization to apply a tax credit, as well as the
zun will reach out to Roads Commissioner. addition from F. Wyatt under New Business for a discussion
about the Town’s Glebe lots.
Town Building’s Maintenance: Fire alarm inspections are
done for Town buildings. Annual inspections will get sched- Utility/Road Ordinance Discussion: Planning Commission
uled by administrative asst. Dump doors could need repair. (PC), Road Commissioner and Town Administrative Assis-
tant met 6/1/21 to highlight specific details we want in a road
Administrative Asst. Report: The SB has looked into the ordinance. The Road Commissioner’s concern is mainly that
ARPA grant funding. Next steps will be to apply for the sam. we need to not have expenses on the Town due to utility
gov account and other bookkeeping/administrative tasks for lines not being installed and/or dug properly. PC presented
office. Funding does not need to be spent immediately. SB an idea of an application and plan requests for when a utility
will bring ideas forward to the community for input. comes in. Previous projects would have been done better by
Traffic Ordinance Enforcement: Sheriff’s Dept. Contract more communication to town and community. S. Nicholson
Have received letter from the Sheriff’s Dept. with details for a proposes that we define where in the road they can install
contract. Possible new employee hire on Wednesday 5/19. lines.
Times of Shrewsbury ~ July 2021 4
SHREWSBURY SELECTBOARD MINUTES
Note from the Zoning Administrator
L. Black brought up question on what guidelines the Select-
In driving around town, I’ve noticed a few new, little to
board are using to issue permits. Without an ordinance the
larger storage buildings that have appeared without per-
rules won’t be followed and an Ordinance would provide
mitting. Some of these buildings do need permits- de-
authority to the SB to fine people for not following rules.
pending on their size and permanency. More importantly,
Sheriffs can’t enforce a policy, but they can enforce an ordi-
these buildings need to abide by the setback limits in
nance. There is possibility to also add a town specific policy
your zoning district. I welcome people calling for infor-
to an ordinance. The purpose of this document is for the
mation at 492-3578. I’d much rather you asked prior to
use of officials, contractors, etc. S. Nicholson read the rules
placing a structure than for me needing to call to ask you
on adopting an ordinance. Town Clerk will be an asset to
to move a building or to get a permit after the construc-
the drafting of the document. Planning Commission will
tion or delivery.
write the draft with input from the Road Commissioner, a
selectboard member and the Town Administrative Assis-
Thanks for your cooperation.
tant. Next steps will be for the SB to respond to current
Adrienne Raymond, Zoning Administrator
docs sent by PC and add the comments by Road Commis-
sioner.
Town Building’s Maintenance: S. Nicholson brought up
question about Town’s mask policy moving forward, as the
State may make changes in suggestions on July 1, 2021. S.
Nicholson made a motion to rescind the requirement to wear Still Open: Positions Serving the
a mask, but instead optional, at the Town garage and trans- .
fer station. The Town office will continue the previously up-
Town of Shrewsbury
held mask requirements and social distancing. A. Korzun
updated on the work being done at the Town Office. Painting Lister
was completed and rotting was addressed.
New Business: A. Korzun made a motion to authorize the Planning Commission
Treasurer to apply the tax credit with interest to the 2021 tax
bill for the 2019/2020 property tax Hanco court settlement. F. Animal Control Officer
Wyatt seconds motion. All in favor.
Town Clerk updated us on the communication and dispute Constable $15.61 / hr.
between the Town’s Glebe lots tenant/lease and our Office.
Clerk will follow-up on lease agreement and details and draft If you are interested, please call
a response letter. Aaron Korzun at 492-3362
Administrative Asst. Report: American Rescue Plan Act
Grant funding online preparation is occurring so that we can
be ready for future funding through the State. We have re-
ceived no news from the Sheriff Dept on new hire. A. Korzun
will call Devon Neary regarding the traffic study so that we
potentially move to a 35 mph speed limit to address current
speeding concerns. E. Lorentz spoke with legal staff from
VLCT and was provided with suggestions and next steps for
the Selectboard to address any legal or liability questions.
Review 5/19/21 Minutes: A. Korzun made a motion to ac-
cept the minutes from the 5/19/21 meeting. F. Wyatt se-
conds. All in favor. Motion approved.
Review Orders: Motion made by S. Nicholson to accept Open July 4!
Selectboard Order #6 for $19,294. 76, of that $10,691. 50 Transfer Station at-
was for County Tax bill, and Roads Order #6 for $9,120. 42. tendant, Paul Young,
F. Wyatt seconded. All in favor. Motion approved. says the dump will be
Meeting Adjourned at 9:31 p. m. open for business on
Respectfully submitted, Erin Lorentz Sunday, July 4.
These minutes are unofficial until approved by the Select-
board at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Editor’s Note: The minutes have been edited for brevity but
not content. For complete minutes, go to the Town website
www. shrewsburyvt. org
Times of Shrewsbury ~ July 2021 5
Greetings Shrewsberries,
Shrewsbury Day, September 18, 2021
Shrewsbury Day is shaping up to be a grand celebration once again. Our 2021 Theme of
Red, White and Blue is simple, in thought that everyone has something to wear or wave
making this an all inclusive theme event. It is also simple in the event we need to cancel.
Shrewsbury Day 2021 will be at the Shrewsbury Meeting House with pre-
event entertainment with local D J Brett Myhre in front of Maple Crest Farm. The Parade
will follow at 11 a.m. followed by festivities at the Meeting House.
We have been busily planning and bringing back everyone's favorites. Joining us once
again are our Shrewsbury Veterans, Our infamous Shrewsbury Fire Department, Antique
Cars, local business representatives, Stacy's Sparkle Barn's spectacular tattooed jeep,
and the Shiners in all their Glory from Flag Unit to Drum Core.
We will once again have games for the kids provided by our volunteers and Fire Depart-
ment, Face painting and hair feathers are also in the line up.
We will host a barbecue with Maple Crest burgers, hot dogs, rolls and ice cream donated
by Stewart's Ice Cream Shoppes, Greens from our local farmers, and compliment items
will be provided by Pierce's Store. Sue Kelly and the Church Ladies will also be part of
the barbecue hosting, these ladies have it dialed.
Out of precaution we are not doing costumes and exhibits this year in case we ever need
to cancel, but we are floating the idea of a Children's Art Exhibit, which will be open to all
children and set up for viewing in the Meeting House.
We have the return of Peter Huntoon in a different artist form. If you are not familiar, Pe-
ter has a band known as Tradewinds 2.0 and they will be this year's entertainment along
with the early hour music provided by local DJ Brett Myhre. The Tradewinds were part of
Vicky and Paul's previous Meeting House summer music series.
We are thinking T Shirts are in order this year, and we will hopefully have them available
in late July for the summer months wearing.
We look forward to entertaining you and making the 3rd Annual Shrewsbury Day 2021
the best yet. Our thanks to Dick Rohe for popping the Shrewsbury Day Cork !!
To say the least... we are getting a tich bit excited just thinking about it after the months
of isolation. Are you ?
Grace Brigham and Betsy Jesser
Times of Shrewsbury ~ July 2021 6
Book Reviews from the Library—
From
Two waysthe Library—
to share: Please share your book reviews
!
Shrewsbury’s
by writing AnnualREVIEW
them in theSupper OF Canceled
journalsBOOKS
kept at the front desk
SHREWSBURY VOLUNTEER at the Library or
Ham
email to
for 2021
maplesugar@comcast.net
Again
This is aitselection
is with great disappointment
of reviews from ourour fall 2021 Pick”
“Readers’ An-
FIRE DEPARTMENT THANK
nual YOU!
Ham Supper will be canceled.
journal kept at the Library. Thanks to all the contributors!
Thanks Book
to all reviews
our Reviewersare compiled by Marilyn Dalick
this month!
While the state has made great strides and is leading
June has been fairly quiet for the SVFD. One emergency the!!!!! Fantastic!
way in doing the right thing we feel there is still go-
mutual-aid call to Ludlow for an equipment support at a ing to be concern with
!!!! large inside
Compelling, gatherings such as
page-turner
structure fire. Three members and both our tankers re- this. !!! Enjoyable
sponded to the fire just south of Ludlow village. Sounds sim-
!! Just O.K.
ple enough, but it can end up being more work than you The communities health and safety is our first concern.
think! Other departments responded from Mt Holly, East
! Not recommended
We feel it is the socially responsible thing to do.
Wallingford, Proctorsville with manpower and equipment.
Once again this shows the value of our mutual-aid agree- Swimming
Thank you for your tosupport
continued Antarctica:
!
ments with neighboring towns. All of these departments re- Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer
Shrewsbury FD Auxiliary
sponded to our call in early May for the structure fire on by Lynne Cox
Route 103!
!!!!!
There is never a shortage of work in a volunteer department. Great story (true) of Lynne’s intensity, endurance, perse-
We placed the commemorative flags for all past members verance and humility as she takes on long-distance
prior to Memorial Day at local cemeteries. We had the swimming in the most unlikely places—the Bering Strait,
monthly business meeting on June 3rd. We reviewed our the Straits of Magellan, and yes—ultimately, Antarctica.
calls thru May. We scheduled Drills and Maintenance pro- Fueled by the words of a teammate’s mother that she’d
jects for June. Several SVFD members have been out
someday swim the English Channel, she does that—
pumping water at several of our water sources. We do this
annually to ensure the sites are accessible and clear of de- setting a world record at age 15—and way more. Sci-
bris. This is also a cross-training opportunity for newer ence, geography and human nature rolled into one.
members to familiarize them with procedure and the equip- Reviewed by Martha Sirjane
ment needed at a water source.
Both of our pumpers and tankers will be headed to the repair Where Did I Leave My Glasses? The Where, When,
shop for annual maintenance and VT State inspections. The and
Living In Place Why oftoNormal
continues provide,Memory Loss
at no cost, medical as-
We’ve Been Busy!
SCBA equipment is scheduled for annual air flow test and sist equipment thatbyhas been Weinman
Martha donated byLear
Shrewsbury resi-
inspection to certify that equipment. We will be continuing dents who no longer need them. !!!On hand right now are
Since October 2017, Living in Place volunteers have
training on CO detectors, traffic control and a review of the many wooden
This is a goodcrutches,
book! adjustable aluminum crutches,
Long Trail and access locations. Other routine facilities walkers, rollators, commodes, shower seats, bedpans,
Reviewed by Barbaratoilet
Griffith
maintenance will be completed as well. safety bars, and a large wheelchair. If you need any of this
Hosted monthly luncheons
÷
The SVFD is always looking for new members. We hope to for Shrewsbury reside
equipment, call Jan O'Hara at 492-8687.
Murder in the Marais
have a couple new junior firefighters attend drills with us this
Arranged for NeighborWorks
÷
month. This is a great opportunity for young community of Western Verm
Murder in Belleville
members to be exposed to the experience of belonging to Murder in the Rue du Paradis
vey several homes
the SVFD and firefighting duties and responsibilities. There by Cara inBlackShrewsbury to determin
(mysteries set in Paris)
are many tasks involved and not all tasks are firefighting re-
equip houses
lated. The pandemic restrictions have affected our meeting
I LOVEforthese!
the A needs
I read Very
!!!!!
on a of
oneSpecial Seniors
plane to and
California, and
Thank You
capped residents.
schedule, but our Business Meeting is still scheduled on the
one coming back—and couldn’t stop reading.
first Thursday of the month at 7 pm at Cuttingsville Station. To
Reviewed by Joan Aleshire
The Shrewsbury Fire Department
÷ Collected and delivered
We schedule other training and drills at the Business Meet-
ing. All other Thursdays we meet at 6 PM. So, if you have an
medical equipment
and first responders
wheelchairs, walkers,
interest and would like to discuss where you can help the
town and the fire department, please contact Treasurer- Bar-
canes,
The Beautiful
All our friends
and
crutches,
Mysteries
by Louise Penny
and neighbors
etc. to an
bury residentSpellbinding
in need
ry Griffith (802-492-3573), Safety Officer - Bob Snarski (802- ofkindness
for your them. !!and support
setting—a monastery deep in the forests of
492-3505) or President - Jack Perry (802-773-3278).
÷ Arranged fornorthern
Finally, summer is here!! A short safety message that we a fallen tree
On
Quebec—an
The
removal.
the loss of our home
intriguing
Shrewsbury
premise—a monk has
Inn garden—that calls on
sometimes take for granted! Check out your gas grill equip-
been murdered in the monastery
÷ Provided rides
ment. Inspect the hoses, connections and valves to be good forofmedical
the skills theCuttingsville,
kindly, calmappointments,
Vermont both lo
(but haunted) Chief Inspec-
On April 11, 2021
condition, working properly and not leaking. Clean the grill
Dartmouth-Hitchcock.
tor Armand Gamache. The plot is intricate without being
when necessary, never grill inside your garage or on top of a
compelling, though—and it gets hard to tell one monk
table. Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from a building With Our Sincere Gratitude
÷ As proposed by Martha Sirjane isofgood
and other combustible material. When you have finished
from another! The Chief Inspector Caravan
company, if G
this mystery, with
The its DaVinci
Butler and DillonCode echoes, seems unin-
Families
one of our spired.luncheons, our local
cooking, shut off the propane tank and the burner controls.
Enjoy your summer everyone and REMEMBER-- farmers
Reviewed are g
by Joan Aleshire
ALWAYS STAY FIRE SAFE
sharing their surplusBook harvest with byusMarilyn
Reviews Compiled and Hea
Dalick
andby Jack
~Submitted herPerry
crew of cooks have stepped forward to
19
Times of Shrewsbury ~ July 2021 most delicious
7 soup you’ve ever tasted! The
freeze soup, vegetables, and eventually, full me
SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, August 14 TIME TBA: HAYSTACK DINNER &
STREET DANCE with our own MARCOS LEVY & THE
COMMUNITY BLUES BAND and THE QUILT RAFFLE
DRAWING! BUY YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS NOW at the Li-
brary or Pierces’ Store.
Continuing Programs (in-person now):
Sunday, July 18 @ 4 pm at the Library: FAMOUS BOOKS
BOOK CLUB: Macbeth by Sheakespeare. If you need a print
*** THE LIBRARY IS OPENING UP COMPLETELY AS OF or kindle copy, please call Joan: 492-3550.
JULY 1st! Our former, and
RENEWED SCHEDULE is: Sunday, July 25 @ 7 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Best Sci-
MONDAYS 10-12, TUESDAYS 7-9 p.m. ence & Nature Writing 2020, edited by Michio Kaku. 2nd
WEDNESDAYS 10 a.m. - 5.p.m. & 7-9 p.m. Discussion. Please let Joan know if you need a print or kin-
THURSDAYS 7-9 p.m. and SATURDAYS 10-12 dle copy: 492-3550.
* We’ve appreciated your patience as we re-opened slowly, New Books include:
and your compliance with our safety protocols during the *The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond with
past year and a half. Forests and Nature by Peter Wohleben, author of the best-
seller, The Hidden Life of Trees.
*We especially thank the Trustees and Volunteers who have *The Great Dissenter: The Story of John Marshall Harlan,
given their time to keep the Library open for our limited America’s Judicial Hero by Peter S. Canellos.
hours, and greatly appreciate GAIL HARTIGAN for manag- *Great Circle by Maggie Shipstad, author of Seating Ar-
ing the schedule, making sure the open shifts were filled! rangements: An engaging novel about a pioneering woman
aviator.
* We welcome NEW VOLUNTEERS BOB KNUDSEN and
FRED MICHELL, and are always happy to have more! And check out this from our shelves:
Please call Gail (492-3605) or Joan (492-3550) if you’re in- Ralph Ellison’s posthumously published novel, Juneteenth.
terested in spending a couple of hours in a quiet book-filled
space, getting to know your neighbors, and providing a ser- New DVDs include:
vice to our community. The computerized circulation system News of the World, starring Tom Hanks, based on the novel
isn’t hard to learn; Donna Swartz or Lisa Sharrow give all by Paulette Jiles.
new volunteers a short orientation on opening and closing Never Rarely Sometimes Always: A marvelous low-budget,
procedures, check-out, check-in and more. low-key dramatic feature about a teenage girl, directed by
Eliza Hillman: a must see!
*A REMINDER on OVERDUES: PLEASE RETURN YOUR The Father, starring Anthony Hopkins, who won this year’s
BOOKS and DVDS promptly! If you get an e-mail about an Academy Award for Best Actor.
overdue that you think is mistaken, please let us know and
we’ll double-check our shelves. If you have trouble getting to
the library during open hours, you can leave items in the
Book Drop, or renew them by calling the library 492-3410
anytime and leaving a message.
* Many thanks to MARGE BENINI for managing the over-
dues. This is a lot of work; your cooperation can lighten the
task!
Coming Events:
Saturday, July 10 from 10 am to 3 pm: CHARLIE PAQUIN,
Experimental Archaeologist makes 18th Century Fire Kits for
12 families or groups. PLEASE PRE-REGISTER by calling
Joan @ 492-3550 or e-mailing joanaleshire@vermontel.net.
(See our ad elsewhere in this issue.)
Friday, July 30 @ 7 pm: RUTLAND YOUTH THEATER pre-
sents “MACBETH” at SHREWSBURY TOWN HALL, rain or
shine. Details to come by e-mail!
Times of Shrewsbury ~ July 2021 8
BETWEEN THE ROWS
When I first visited Martha at Caravan Gardens in late April, Another strategy they’ve
and everything was going smoothly, she told me that when I worked with is preparing
came back in June to prep for the July issue, things would the whole bed of soil, incor-
be very different. She said, “We can call that the Anxiety porating fertilizer, watering,
Issue”. And so here we are…. it’s late June as I write, and then laying down a row
all of our vegetable farmers in Shrewsbury can relate to that cover for about two weeks.
anxiety and speak of what Crunch Time means to them. They create the conditions
where the weeds are stimu-
Scott Courcelle of Alchemy Gardens is just back from a few lated to germinate, take off
days away at one of his other jobs at the Ecology School in the row cover and roll a
Saco, Maine. There he works as a farm manager advising wheeled propane tank and
produce farmers as they develop the newly formed River torch (the flame weeder)
Bend Farm. Scott speaks of the challenge and where that along the bed, essentially
sense of crunch time begins: “The job of farming is demand- searing all the weeds be-
ing enough and can be fairly stressful without even begin- fore planting vegetables
ning to take into consideration the total unpredictability of there. Evening Song’s own
the weather. The weather dictates when and what we can variety of a “scorched
and cannot do, sometimes it cooperates and plans can pro- earth” mission! And it’s
ceed as intended and sometimes it presents relentless ob- largely successful.
stacles that make managing the farm feel next to impossi-
ble. ”
Home gardeners will relate to that. Take, for example, that Getting out of my car at Caravan Gardens down on 103, I
misleading part of this past spring when the weather heats know the chickens have arrived when I hear children’s ex-
up and you get all excited to think that you can put those cited voices. As if getting the melons and cucumbers finally
plants in the ground. And then it’s cold and damp and maybe into the ground, staying on top of the weeds, and beginning
even spits snow. And now it’s June, and you live in Vermont, their CSA weren’t enough to add to farmer stress, aka
where the growing season is really short. If those plants crunch time, the Sirjanes also manage to open their farm to
don’t get in the ground soon, you’ll never see that tomato. people who want and need to be outside and learn skills. A
And just forget about those melons all together. To plant, or small group of children are arriving each week to do just that,
not to plant? That is in- to be given simple chores to do. Martha says it began when
deed the question. But as the pandemic shut down the schools, and some kids ex-
I drive out the next day to pressed to their families that they needed to get out of the
one of his more recently house, to not be in front of their computer screens. The
developed fields, and chickens are the draw today, as the kids are put to work
view the gorgeous heads cleaning out the feeders and seeing that all these fuzzy new
of Alkindus red butter- chicks are settling in, getting immediately acclimated to be-
head lettuce growing ing grabbed, held, and hugged. Over in another pen with
there, I’m thinking that older chickens, chasing and catching is the favorite activity.
maybe the stress of
managing two farms is For a few minutes,
Scott’s superpower, be- this might seem to
cause these beds of let- an onlooker like a
tuce look fantastic! little respite from the
management of the
The W word. Weeds. The bane of every person who has gardens for Martha,
ever tried to grow a garden of any kind. The crunch for Ryan but I’m pretty sure
at Evening Song is on. We walk out into the beds of pep- she has other things
pers and Ryan works with a stirrup hoe as we talk, expertly on her mind. And
maneuvering it around each baby plant. He says it’s all that makes me think
about weed management right now. “There’s more options about those healthy
for killing weeds the younger they are. It’s already a little artichoke starts I
late for hoeing. These weeds aren’t going to die just by hoe- bought from her,
ing. It’s going to be set back a little bit, but there’s so many and that I haven’t
roots in here already. It’s more likely that the mulch will weeded around
smother them if we hoe them first. ” Ryan refers to it as “the them yet, and that I’ve got to do something about the chip-
race”. “If we miss these windows of opportunity it’s a lot munks burrowing down into the bed of newly planted lilies,
more work to do the same job one or two weeks later”. and…. .
~Article by Vicky Arthur
Times of Shrewsbury ~ July 2021 9
I loved
your
DEAR MOTHER EARTH sug-
An Advice Column ges-
tion to
think like my grandmother and to remember her kitch-
Dearen.Mother
When Earth,
I tried this tactic recently, I realized that when I
I loved
was ayour suggestion
child in the 50’s to think like myher
and visited grandmother
home, we and onlytoate
remember her kitchen. When I tried
blueberries in the summertime! A tall woman from a this tactic recently, I re-
local
alized that when I was a child in the
farm used to walk the roads in my grandmother’s hometown 50’s and visited her
home,
with a welarge,
only white
ate blueberries
enamel basin in the summertime!
full of fresh blueberriesA tall on
woman from a local farm used to
her head! We would hear her calling as she approached, walk the roads in my
grandmother’s hometown with a large,
“Blueberries, fresh blueberries for sale”. We would run outwhite enamel basin
fullwith
of fresh blueberries
a glass bowl or on her bag
paper head! We the
from would hear her
kitchen, shecall-
would
ingfillasit she approached, “Blueberries, fresh
for us, and we would pay what she asked. So simple blueberries for
sale”. We would run out with a glass
and beautiful. My grandmother would make jam or pie andbowl or paper bag from SHREWSBURY MEETING
theyoukitchen, she would
it was fill it for us,Now andmy we blueberries
would pay what
just knew summer!
she asked. So simple and beautiful. My grandmother would
are en- HOUSE
cased in a plastic clamshell container and are grown far from
makemy jamhome or all
pieyear
and round.
you justThey knew it was
aren’t summer!
even specialNow my
anymore. OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES
blueberries are encased in a plastic clamshell
This can’t make any sense for our fragile environment. How container and
are grown far from my home all year round. They aren’t Please bring a Generous CASH contribution, a chair or
do you suggest I lessen my footprint when it comes to buy-
even special anymore. This can’t make any sense for our blanket, or listen from your car. Picnics encouraged.
ing fruits? Thank you,
fragile environment. How do you suggest I lessen my foot- Your contributions benefit the musicians and the histor-
Missing the Blueberry Lady in Pennsylvania
print when it comes to buying fruits? Thank you, ic Shrewsbury Meeting House.
Missing the Blueberry Lady in Pennsylvania
Dear Missing the Blueberry Lady,
For more info, please call Vicky or Paul at 492-3649
Clamshell containers are made of PET plastic and, while
Dear Missing the Blueberry Lady,
they could be recycled, they usually are not (like most plas-
Clamshell containers are made of PET plastic and, while
tic). They mostly get sorted out of the recycling stream be-
they could be recycled, they usually are not (like most plas-
cause they are too soft and they crush easily during the sort-
RICK REDINGTON and THE LUV
tic). They mostly get sorted out of the recycling stream be-
ing process causing them to end up with the paper where Friday, June 25 5:00 pm
cause they are too soft and they crush easily during the sort- (Raindate: Sunday, June 27 at 5 pm)
they do not belong. Most of the clamshell containers sold in
ing process causing them to end up with the paper where One of Vermont’s best kept secrets, Rick, Heather and
supermarkets end up in the landfill or are shipped to foreign
they do not belong. Most of the clamshell containers sold in Blake return to Shrewsbury. They have been “Spreadin’
countries where they break down into polluting microplastics.
supermarkets end up in the landfill or are shipped to foreign The Luv” all over for many years and audiences feel it!
Best to avoid food in clamshell containers whenever possi-
countries where they break down into polluting microplas- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ble!
tics. Best to avoid food in clamshell containers whenever
possible!
Perhaps you could purchase your fruit locally when it is in
season from farmers that use paper/cardboard containers
ELECTROSTATIC CATS
Perhaps you could purchase your fruit locally when it is in
(many farmers will also reuse these containers if you return Saturday, July 10 @ 5:00 pm
season from farmers that use paper/cardboard containers (Raindate Sunday, July 11 at 5 pm. )
them to them). Then you could freeze or can your fruit for
(many farmers will also reuse these containers if you return A little band with a Big sound, featuring Jonathan Czar
the winter months ahead. Stainless steel air-tight freezer
them to them). Then you could freeze or can your fruit for of the Plumb Bobs, and Gayle Malinowski, playing an
containers are readily available, as are glass ball jars for
the winter months ahead. Stainless steel air-tight freezer eclectic mix of rock and alt-rock from the 80’s and up.
canning. Certainly our very recent habit of eating all fruits at
containers are readily available, as are glass ball jars for ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
all times of the year is putting a strain on Earth. Water is
canning. Certainly our very recent habit of eating all fruits at
becoming scarce in some areas due to the farming practices
all times of the year is putting a strain on Earth. Water is
of large scale agricultural businesses. Drought due to cli-
becoming scarce in some areas due to the farming practices JAZZ ESSENTIALS
mate change is exacerbating the low water situation. In
of large scale agricultural businesses. Drought due to cli-
some areas,iscities and townsthe are lowactually
With Bear Irwin
mate change exacerbating waterbeginning
situation.to In sink
some areas, cities and towns are actually beginning to sinkcol-
due to the removal of groundwater and the subsequent Saturday, July 24 @ 5 pm
lapse of removal
the underlying sediments (Raindate Sunday, July 25 at 5 pm)
due to the of groundwater and(e.g.: Mexico City
the subsequent col-and
Corcoran, CA). Do we really need blueberries Featuring 4 Vermont musicians with a collective profes-
and bananas
lapse of the underlying sediments (e.g.: Mexico City and
twelve months outwe of really
the year? sional performing history of 160+years, their repertoire
Corcoran, CA). Do needOr could these
blueberries andfruits become
bananas
“special” again, as they were in your childhood. is selected from hundreds of jazz standards. Bear Irwin
twelve months out of the year? Or could these fruits become
on trombone (former music teacher and band director
“special” again, as they were in your childhood.
I recommend the book “Never Out of Season: How Having at Mill River HS), Glendon Ingalls on Trumpet/ Flugel-
the Food We
I recommend theWant
bookWhen “NeverWe Want
Out It Threatens
of Season: How Our Food Horn, pianist Bill Vitek, and bassist Ron White.
Having
Supply and Our Future” by Rob Dunn. We
the Food We Want When We Want It Threatens Our Food need to consider
whether
Supply and we
Ourcan
Future”continue to Dunn.
by Rob eat out-of-season food year
We need to consider
round, especially if it comes encased in plastic!
whether we can continue to eat out-of-season food year
round, especiallyThank you for
if it comes your memories
encased in plastic!of simpler times,
Thank you for your memories of simpler Mother Earth
times,
Mother Earth
Times of of
Times Shrewsbury ~ ~
Shrewsbury July 2021
July 2021 1013SCC Reconnaissance
Team Tackles Route 103
Lead by naturalist Linda Shelvey
and trying to ignore the intimi-
dating roar of trucks cruising
past, several members of the
Shrewsbury Conservation
Commission scrambled up and
down the steep banks along a
section of Route 103, locating
culverts leading from one side of
the highway to the other under the road. Why?!? They were
looking for the most likely conditions for various wildlife to
cross the road from forested areas on one side to forested
areas on the other. Culverts that are large enough and have Can Landowners Benefit from a
the right habitat and placement around their entrances and
Carbon Sequestration Program in Shrewsbury?
exits are one way that many mammals cross the dangerous
Join the SCC on
road, especially if there are streams to follow down between
two hollows. Bobcats, Otters, mink, foxes, coyotes, rac-
Sunday July 25 from 9–11am
on this follow-up to last year's Walk and Talk
coons, and opossums all prefer wooded cover and these
through the Stout property to explore why our Vermont
conditions. The SCC was awarded a grant this year (Yeah!)
forests are so critical for mitigating climate
from the Association of VT Conservation Commissions,
change. The focus will be to observe what we as land-
funded by the VT
owners can do to enhance Carbon Sequestration and
Community Foun-
dation, to purchase Storage (CSS). Now's an exciting time to observe CSS
game cameras and in action because Vermont is introducing options for
related equipment landowners to actively apply it to their land. The Stout
property is currently under assessment for participation in
to start document-
two of these programs, and other landown-
ing wildlife traffic
ers might want to consider CSS for their land. Tim Stout
across highways.
will be joined by his consulting forester Mike White on this
Selecting likely cul-
walk. In addition to the above, Tim has recently had a
vert crossings to
detailed map created of his property to make it easier for
film is a first step in
town residents to explore it at their will. We will orient
our upcoming pro-
ourselves off this map as we talk about CSS and the oth-
ject.
er new land management practices that are being applied
Begin helping us!!! to the farm. If you have any questions, contact Tim at
Start to notice ani- stoutim@gmail.com or (617) 899-1011
mals crossing the Please Park at the End of 630 Coldham Road
road near you and
report what you see Invasives Update
to Linda at Lpurdyshel@gmail.com . Also notice animal car- Wild Parsnip season is in full swing, with those tall yellow
casses from unsuccessful attempts to cross the road and flowered plants along many roadways in the area. Here in
report those too. As we begin to collect data, we will begin town, I think we are keeping it to a minimum after years of
to see patterns to more accurately identify important cross- volunteer efforts in highly infested spots. Those efforts have
ings. Workshops in winter tracking will begin in the fall! included initiatives by individual landowners to pull plants, or
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ mow several times per year, as well as people who have
agreed to monitor a particular area, and those who simply
Shrewsbury Conservation Commission’s notice plants and pull them. To these folks, a big Thank You!
Walks and Talks are About to Resume!
And what better way to start it off than with a Wild Parsnip, Chervil and Garlic Mustard all often make
MUSHROOM EXTRAVAGANZA ON their initial appearance as a single plant that pops up along a
Sunday, August 15 at 9am Rain or Shine roadside. If you see that plant, get it ! Of course it might not
really be by itself, but it is these small beginnings, ignored,
Calling all local mushroom experts to help that lead to infestation and spread. Just remember to pro-
lead walks in town that day and reconvene tect yourself. Carry gloves, a digging implement, and don’t
at the Meeting House to share and identify let the plants contact your skin.
mushrooms found! If you are interested in
being involved with leading a search for I am encouraged by the noticeable results of our efforts and
mushrooms and helping share your inter- by the wonderful people who have agreed to be contacted
est in them, please contact Julia Bonafine for group pulls, and then have shown up when they could.
at juliabonafine@gmail.com To report invasives: Pam at 492-3102 or pfd53@icloud.com.
Times of Shrewsbury ~ July 2021 11Messy Circumstances Goutweed
It’s been 30 years or so since gypsy moths were last here in Some have called goutweed “one of the worst garden weeds
any numbers and what a mess they made. The population in perennial flower” beds. Also known as bishops’ weed,
was so large that they not only ate the snow-on-the-mountain, ground elder and other names (bo-
leaves off their preferred oak trees but tanically, it’s Aegopodium podagraria), there was one plant
also other hardwoods like maples and in one of my perennial beds
then even to pines. It was easy to spot when I moved into my house
the caterpillars: they are hairy bodied 20 years ago. There’s good
with yellow bands and rows of red and information on the Wikipedia
blue spots. It is the sheer numbers of page.
them that cause the “mess.” They
poop constantly as they feed throughout the summer, con- Little did I know that plant
gregate in masses all over trees, house siding, and in would overspread whole are-
driveways, and the hairs are constantly falling off which can as of the garden beds by my
lead to allergy problems in humans. house. Even though the
\white-edged variety can be
This latest outbreak is causing misery to the oaks and termed attractive, it soon re-
landowners in the Champlain Valley this summer but can verted to plain green and
easily expand into other parts of Vermont where oaks are crowded out other, more at-
growing come the next few years. When populations ex- tractive plants. Note that the
plode one looks to see what has changed that allowed such variegated variety is sold
an increase and in this case is appears to be a decline in the commercially as a quick growing groundcover. Those sales
caterpillar killing fungus – Entomophaga mainmainga. This should be illegal in my opinion – there are plenty of alterna-
population tends to decline during drought periods and the tives to quickly fill in empty spaces.
last few years have decreased this population. Homeowners
however have resorted to novel control methods to keep Working with Orville Woods (thank you Orville!) over the
their sanity, their oaks and yards less over run, and from de- years, we tried a variety of eradication techniques – cutting
veloping allergies from falling caterpillar hair. Burlap can be regularly, weeding, even Roundup. The only approach that
wrapped around oak trees which attract the caterpillars and was half successful was covering with black plastic.
allow for removal. Duct tape smeared with petroleum jelly
In time, I realized that I needed to divide and conquer. Since
can be used much in the same way. A soapy water mixed
2018, I have focused on only one section at a time, com-
with vinegar can be used on house foundations to deter
pletely covering all the plant life in the area with heavy plas-
them from congregating and, in a worse case scenario that I
tic and pinning it down every 6-8” to avoid wind catching it
remember from the last outbreak, getting out the snow shov-
and tearing it up. I learned that lesson by experience. After 2
el to collect those covering your driveway works.
years, I lifted the edge of the first section to find what looked
like clean soil. Part of that section was planted in grass and
But I digress over the mess. It too will end in late summer
the rest in ferns and some perennials. That became my
when the feeding stops and the female moth lays 600-1000
“2020 bed.” This year I created my 2021 bed.
eggs in a mass on oak trunks. They are covered in a light
brown fuzz which insulates them from winter cold and pre- I’ve been vigilant to root out any new intrusions of the invad-
pares them to repeat the processes next Spring. It is these er into the newly replanted beds. And I mulch heavily. Each
egg masses that when surveyed will help determine steps year I cover a new section of garden to be cooked for 2
that may be needed for “control” next year to protect our for- years.
est oaks. BTK, a bacteria based organic pesticide, has been
used for years to help keep forest populations of caterpillars The primary tip I’ve learned is to sit down in the garden with
under control and may be needed if these dry conditions a narrow-bladed digging tool to gently find the roots of the
continue. Or if we run out of burlap or snow shovels. invaders. Since the roots snap off very easily – and any stay-
~Submitted by Gary Salmon ing in the soil will produce a new plant – it’s important to try
to follow the root along in the soil as far as you can. Eventu-
ally you may find the “mother” plant that will have a tangle of
roots spreading in all directions. It’s handy that the roots are
light-colored – you will become familiar with the color and
nature.
If there’s a beloved flower or shrub that you just can’t bear to
eliminate, make certain that you dig it out, clean the roots of
any possible goutweed roots and replant in a nursery loca-
tion for the duration.
Finally, accept the fact that you’ll be featuring the “black
plastic landscaping” method for a while.
~ Submitted by Sally Deinzer
Times of Shrewsbury ~ July 2021 12Switchel
Have you ever had that special thirst that comes with hot,
hot weather? There is a recipe mentioned that many farmers
would enjoy while out in the field doing their necessary
tasks. It is a cool drink, and all you need to do is mix water
Congratulations to the seven 6th grade graduates of Moun- with cider vinegar, some ginger or honey, and brown sugar
tain School: Shelby Bushee, Dallin Cote, Noah Dake, Mere- or usually maple syrup. Add ice. Gives a boost of energy.
dith Morris, Isabella Rayborn, Cabot Spatz and Forrest And it is delicious!
Whittman. On this special occasion the Historical Society
presented to the graduates a copy of our history Museum still closed: Still awaiting the full go ahead to
book Shrewsbury, Vermont - Our Town As It Was written by open. We usually open the first Sunday in July, but not this
Dawn D. Hance. Also inside, a special letter to the student, year. We are open to all and many tourists stop in, and to be
plus a map of our town, and a suggested walking tour of perfectly honest, we do not want to take any chances with
Northam showing historical sites. Under the direction of our our volunteers who staff
Vice President Grace Brigham, those who helped prepare
the walking map were Kim Ridlon and Emelie Ridlon Mott. New arrival: On the Shunpike in Cuttingsville, Gracie
Brigham’s cow delivered a baby bull . I cannot wait to see it.
Happy 4th of July Name not given just yet. ~Submitted by Ruth Winkler
I suspect that in the early days in Vermont it was a perfect
day to prepare a family picnic. The mother and maybe the
grandmother of the family would see to it that favorite foods
would be included. A fine, relaxing, family-like day. Maybe a
flag flying. Back on Long Island, NY, when I was young in
the early to mid 1930's I was happy to run around the yard
with a sparkler in my hand, writing my name in the twilight.
Then, perhaps I was given a lit "punk", a stick that was lit at
one end and helped us light up our fireworks. The fireworks
for me were those little things that looked like a worm wig-
gling on the ground when lit. Or perhaps a tiny skinny fire-
cracker. My older brother and his gang of friends were into
blowing up tin cans. Flags were flown.
The years passed by and in our first family home, we hap-
pened to live next to a member of the local fire dept. and
the fireworks went off early and lasted through the night.
We had our precious cocker spaniel "Cleo" who would be
so frantic. We would close all doors and windows, turn up
the air conditioner and hopefully drown out the everlasting
explosions next door. Our flag trembled.
When we moved from Long Island to Vermont, it was
peaceful and quiet. Today folks have to pursue the legal
firework shows in parks and such. Occasionally, we can
hear a pop
or two somewhere in the village and looking up at the sky,
some rockets bursting with color. Flags still flying. That’s
just right!
Lively & Local Exhibit
The above named exhibit will be open to the public at the
Vermont Historical Society Museum in Montpelier until July
31. If you plan on a northward bound day trip, stop in and
see our town’s exhibit, one of 14 societies in Vermont.
Check out days shown and times given.
Times of Shrewsbury
online at
www. shrewsburyvt. org
&
www. shrewsburyhistoricalsociety. com
Times of Shrewsbury ~ July 2021 13You can also read
