Views of Dummerston - 2026 #2 - Spring

Art by Gary Blomgren

Library Welcomes New Director

By Lyle Holiday

The trustees of the Dummerston Community Center and Library would like to thank all who supported continuing with the children’s room and programming at the March town meeting. In addition to extended hours, this funding allows Stacey, the children’s library assistant, to continue to provide opportunities for children and families to connect in the new children’s room. We would like to formally welcome the library’s new director, Erin Riley. Erin comes to us from Landmark College, where she was a library assistant, and she is currently working on her Certification for Librarianship through the Vermont Department of Libraries. As a personal manager to a published author, she is also highly immersed in the world of literature and publishing.

Laurie Frechette, in her tenth year as town clerk, and Chris Brown, in his third year as treasurer, have both announced that this is their final year of service to the town. With thanks to them and appreciation for their service, the search is on for their replacements.

Erin was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, before moving to the East Coast for college, where she earned degrees in Psychology and Women’s and Gender Studies. She later worked at a library in Connecticut before moving to Vermont in 2024. Her love of books began at a young age when she started volunteering in her elementary school library. In her free time, she enjoys knitting stuffed animals, playing board and role-playing games, listening to Japanese and Korean music, whale watching, and going on walks to enjoy nature. During this time of transition for the Dummerston Community Center and Library, we look forward to the vibrance and new ideas that Erin will contribute to our town’s library!

The LTP Trustees voted to officially change the name of the library to The Dummerston Community Center and Library. At the time of this writing, the new DCC&L is planning an April fundraiser to raise money to purchase a new sign for the top of the drive with the new name. In addition, the very popular Geranium Festival continued on page 10

erin Riley has been hired as the library director for the Dummerston Librar y and Community Center. She’s been working in the library at Landmark College, and is presently in a certification program. Welcome to Dummerston, erin!

Successors Sought for Retiring Clerk and Treasurer

By Roger Turner

Vermont town histories are commonly measured by the terms of their town clerks. In Dummerston’s 273 years, there have been only 13 of them, with Joseph Miller, who served 52 years until his death in 1901, the longest serving. Linda and I are now in our third era since moving to Dummerston in 1981, the Laurie Frechette era, preceded by the 10-year Pam McFadden and 27-year Janis Duke eras.

The town clerk is elected annually for a one-year term, as is the town treasurer, who is currently Chris Brown in his third year. Both Laurie and Chris have announced that this will

be their final years in their jobs, so next year at this time there will be new faces in the town office. Given the complexities of the jobs, the selectboard has budgeted for Laurie and Chris to work with and train the new clerk and treasurer.

So, why should someone be interested in either of these jobs?

The town clerk is essentially the face of the town. If you need to register to vote, pay your taxes in person, or need a marriage or dog license (no equivalence implied) you need to go to the town office and work with the clerk. The clerk also maintains land records and conducts continued on page 2

2 • Views of Dummerston • Spring, 2026

The Views of Dummerston is a quarterly newsletter published by a group of citizen volunteers since 1990, and has non-profit status through the Dummerston Community Center. Mary Lou McBean had the original vision for and was first editor of the Views, and Gary Blomgren created the original masthead art. The current steering committee includes Roger Turner (editor), Michelle Cherrier (co-articles coordinator and calendar), Fred Lee (layout), Sara Ryan (ad coordinator), Linda Rood (co-articles coordinator), and Lee Ives Tice (mailing). We always welcome new interest in joining the committee.

SUBSCRIPTIONS:

The Views is mailed free of charge to all residents of the town of Dummerston. It is also available online at viewsofdummerston.org. We encourage people to help us save printing and mailing expenses by cancelling their print subscription and accessing the Views online at viewsofdummerston.org; to do so please email Sara Ryan at: subscribeonline@viewsofdummerston.org. If you are not a resident of Dummerston and would prefer to receive a paper copy of the Views, you may subscribe for an annual cost of $5. Mail a check made payable to Views of Dummerston, with your name and mailing address to Lee Tice, 230 School House Rd., East Dummerston, VT 05346.

ARTICLES:

We welcome all articles related in any way to the town of Dummerston, including news of town organizations, personalities, history, or activities. Email Microsoft Word documents (preferred) to: articles@viewsof dummerston.org. Typed or hand-written articles can also be sent to: Michelle Cherrier, 72 Miller Rd., East Dummerston, VT 05346.

CALENDAR:

Any (non-commercial) event you would like listed on our Calendar of Events should be emailed to: calendar@viewsofdummerston.org, or mailed to Michelle Cherrier at the above address.

NEXT ISSUE:

Submissions due: June 16, 2026

Views will be mailed on: August 6, 2026

ADVERTISING:

Rates: All rates are for four issues, however a large or small box ad can be placed for just one issue at an adjusted rate. Payment should be by a check made out to the Views of Dummerston, and mailed to: Sara Ryan, 53 Greenhoe Rd., East Dummerston, VT 05346 Small Box Ad $60 Large Box Ad $90

Information/Inquiries: Contact Sara Ryan at: ads@ viewsofdummerston.org, or at 387-0110.

SPONSORSHIPS:

Sponsorships of $30 for four issues augment our ad revenues to provide us with operating funds. You will be notified when your sponsorship is up and invited to renew. If you wish to become a sponsor or have questions, contact Sara Ryan as above.

Views available Featuring easy navigation, clickable links, and full color. We’re sure you’ll love it! viewsofdummerston.org

Dummerston Selectboard Meetings

Recorded and televised by BCTV and online at www.brattleborotv.org. (Select “Watch”, select “Watch On Demand”, select “Playlist”, scroll to “Dummerston”, select meeting.)

Successors Sought for Retiring Clerk and Treasurer

continued from page 1 elections, with responsibility for maintaining an up-to-date voting roll, ensuring that the polls are properly staffed, and the votes are counted accurately. Two to six hours of training for elections with the secretary of state’s office, either online or in person, is required every two years. Otherwise, in addition to the training she received from Pam and her on-the-job experience, Laurie has found that, “If you have any questions (about town governance), the secretary of state’s office is very helpful.”

We expect competence from our town clerk, but personal style is also important to a clerk’s success. Laurie, always has a smile and a quick laugh to add to the help she is able to provide. “It’s a wonderful job. It’s the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had in my life. Getting to know the residents of the town, I think is the most gratifying part of the job, and being able to help them. No matter how small or large their problem may seem to me, it’s large to them. And so it’s gratifying to be able to help them and have them leave this building or hang up the phone feeling that the town is there for them. And it’s a fun place to work.

“The hours are somewhat flexible because the town clerk sets the office hours. So, if the new town clerk decided that they wanted to be open on a Saturday instead of a Friday, or something like that, they could make those hours. I just kept the same hours that Pam had and that Janice had for 27 years before that.”

Treasurer Chris Brown had lived in Dummerston for 20 years, and retired from a job involving mainframe computer systems integration. He was interested in contributing something to the town. He had no accounting training, but told me that no accounting experience is required for the treasurer’s position. Accounts payable, payroll, and general ledger

Got a Great Photo of our Town? Share it with the Historical Society for the 2027 Scenes of Dummerston Calendar. Phone photos are perfect! Just make them landscape (horizontal) and without any identifiable people. Email your photos to: dummerstoncalendar@gmail.com If your photo is selected you will receive a free 2027 calendar!

modules from an outside company are loaded on the town’s computers, so accounting is done based on the numbers he inputs.

“If you’ve never worked on a computer before, this job is not for you. You’ve got to know how to navigate through different programs, work with spreadsheets, things I’ve done all my life. It’s a data entry job. Though I’m not an accountant, it seemed like something I could do.” As a result, Chris talked with retiring treasurer Charlotte Neer Annis for quite a while and found that among other things, he would need to do payrolls, prepare invoices, file quarterly and year-end state and federal reports, manage the town tax receipts, prepare many bank deposit slips, and prepare funds information for the town report. Once he was elected, which he told me was in a landslide victory, he was able to continue to work with Charlotte to learn the ropes. “She would stop by to make sure I hadn’t died and she was always ready for questions. If there wasn’t someone that could teach me, I wouldn’t even have tried this. So, yes, there is a steep learning curve.

“The satisfaction in it for me has been getting to know the town and the people. It’s been educational, it’s been interesting. You need a sense of humor and patience—you can’t do this job without them. You have to be able to get along with people. They come in all day long or call on the phone in tax season. It’s an interesting mix. And there’s nothing about this job you can do from home, by the way.”

Both Laurie and Chris have found great satisfaction in their work, enjoy their daily interactions at the town office with members of the community, and look forward to being able to work with and train their successors. All that’s now needed is for someone to call and say, ‘I’m interested. Can I come in to talk with you about your job?” Who will be Dummerston’s 14th town clerk? How about you?

The Views of Dummerston Mission Statement

Providing reports of town organizations, and stories of townspeople and their good deeds, in promoting cooperation and understanding toward creating a more “ideal” Dummerston. “All who read may also contribute!”—Mary Lou McBean, founder, Views of Dummerston

town government

Dummerston Selectboard

Selectboard Details Town Investment Policy

By: The Selectboard

Last year the selectboard reviewed town policy on investment of municipal dollars as an option for growing funds. As background, the standing investment policy is, “the objectives of the Town of Dummerston Policy shall be security of principal, liquidity as needed to meet projected expenditures, and return on investment, in that order of priority.” Additionally, our list of investments and authorized institutions are outlined as follows: checking accounts; money market accounts; obligations of the U.S. government (i.e. treasury bills and notes); certificates of deposit; and savings accounts.

Our focus for investment money is based on dollars that are carried over year-to-year awaiting expenditure in out-years, i.e. the balance in the Capital Fund which will carry a balance of greater than $100,000 over the short term. We can also assess what money from the Structures Fund can be moved into higher yield accounts.

Along with the standing policy, a secondary goal is, “invest(ing) with a financial institution where the town’s primary operating funds are invested. Banks and other financial institutions with offices in the State of Vermont may also be given preference.” Our current accounts reside with Community Bank N.A. in Brattleboro which

Dummerston Fire Department

Meet a Volunteer Firefighter: Luke Evans

By Dan Ridlehoover

What brought you to Dummerston? Dummerston was our first choice when we were looking for a home to purchase. My wife Sarah works in Putney and I work in Townshend and Dummerston was right in the middle. There were very few homes for sale in Dummerston in 2012 and 2013 (similar to today’s housing market), but we got lucky and found a great house in a convenient location. What inspired you to volunteer with the fire department? Like many other members, I joined the department to help my community.

Which station do you respond from? West Station (2.1 miles from my house).

What was the most memorable training you’ve been involved with? In October I participated in a “Big Water Move” training. The focus was on rural water supply and operations. The two-day course was very educational and helped prepare us for using our new tanker that arrived in February.

What do you do when you aren’t volunteering? Spend time with family and be outdoors as much as possible.

When was the last time you checked your smoke detector batteries and/or cleaned your chimney? I usually check my smoke detectors and clean the chimney around Thanksgiving. Not sure why I do it at Thanksgiving, but that’s been my routine the past three to four years.

Do you have any pets? No current pets. Our dog Milo passed away in February.

What’s the best part about being a volunteer firefighter? (or EMS?) The best part of being a volunteer fire fighter is being able to put your training to use. We respond to a lot of different emergencies and having the training to help make the right decisions on each call is very rewarding.

What’s the worst part? Multi-hour traffic control is probably the worst. Pancake breakfast – plain, apple or blueberry? Apple pancakes followed by plain. Blueberry is a distant third.

Sponsors

Linda Rood & Roger Turner

Nick & Joan Thorndike

Martha & Mitch Momaney

Marcy Hermansader

Lou Nelson

Allan & Sally Seymour

offers a range of certificates of deposit (CDs) that could be bought and then rolled over at maturity. The current municipal rates are just over 3% annual percentage yield (APY).

Many investment vehicles run counter to our responsibility to ensure the security of our town’s tax dollars. We have to make sure there is no chance of loss of capital at any point, nor penalties for withdrawal. In the coming months, and with a focus of FY27, we will continue to review policy and select the best options for Dummerston.

Lastly, we’d like to welcome both Alex Lockie and Terry Chapman (returning member) to the selectboard. All the new spirit and wisdom is always needed.

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town government

Dummerston Conservation Commission

Local Collaboration Broadens Resources

By Christine Goepp, DCC chair

The Conservation Commission has already been involved in three collaborations in 2026. First, we were honored to be invited to hold our February meeting at the Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center (BEEC). Michelle Simpson, BEEC’s executive director, and Patti Smith, its head naturalist and director of public programs, showed us around the renovated old farm building and told us about the various programs they have been hosting in the new space. We definitely plan to return soon to check out their three-mile trail network, which is open to the public during daylight hours. We also heard from Patti about the work she and other volunteers did trekking around Dummerston for years in order to put together the 2009 Dummerston Biodiversity Inventory Report, available at www.dummerstonconservation. com/biodiversity-project. This report inventories and describes Dummerston’s landscape and geology, natural communities, and species in each section of town: the Connecticut River Valley, Eastern Hills, Central Hills, and Western Highlands. It’s a gem for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Dummerston’s natural environment.

Then, in March, we joined other regional conservation commissions and organizations for a listening session on the Vermont Conservation Plan, hosted by the Windham Regional Commission at the Bellows Fall Opera House. We discussed the goals set out in 2023’s Act 59—specifically, to conserve 30% of the land in Vermont by 2030 and 50% by 2050 (“30 by 30 and 50 by 50”). This includes farmland as well as natural areas. It sounds a bit like Doug Tallamy’s “Homegrown National Park,” which encourages individual homeowners to create a new, vast “national park” by converting half of their lawns for wildlife habitat: half for us, half

Sponsors

Bruce & Catie Berg

Gail Sorenson

David & Nina Hutchison

Kevin & Sara Ryan

John & Sheila Pinkney

JoAnn Tier

for nature. In Vermont, although many old fields have regrown into forest, this trend is now reversing and forested land in Vermont is diminishing by thousands of acres each year—lost due to residential sprawl and fragmentation of parcels. The Conservation Commission believes that we can and should have both quality affordable housing and a healthy ecosystem!

A third collaboration was spearheaded by Debbie Miller, who got permission from the Simsbury (Connecticut) Land Trust to repurpose an Invasive Guidebook, customized for Dummerston. It’s a great resource for identifying invasive plants and using the most efficient and effective strategies to control

them. The Conservation Commission will try to keep it stocked at the town office and library, and it is available on our website. If you print it out, try to use color; the photos are excellent. Thank you, Debbie!

Lastly, as always, you can read about our work and sign up for our monthly newsletter at www.dummerstonconservation. com. This includes events, book recommendations, and most importantly, John Anderson’s seasonal nature notes. And if you are interested in attending a meeting or helping us out during our occasional work days around town, please contact us at info@dummerstoncomservation.com

Fire Department Has Push-In Party

A fire department tradition is that you PUSH a new fire truck IN to the garage when it is delivered. The Dummerston Fire Department made a party of it, inviting the whole town for lunch while some sturdy fire fighters, with the help of somebody in the driver’s seat, mightily shoved the new tanker into its new home.

Dummerston Cares Honors Rich Cogliano

By Connie Evans

Ever wondered why there are so many antennas on top of the Dummerston Town Office? It’s because part of the second floor is home to the town’s Emergency Management Center (I’ll call it the EMC). We are very fortunate to have Dummerston resident Rich Cogliano in charge and are pleased to honor him as our Spring Volunteer of the Season!

The state mandates that every town have an emergency management director and a plan that is updated every year. Rich was appointed to this volunteer post by the selectboard. Rich is very well qualified to be Dummerston’s Emergency Management Director. He worked for the State of Vermont in emergency management for 17 years. At first his work focused on Vermont Yankee, but then he did regional coordination for all of southern Vermont— including planning, training exercises and disaster response. About three years ago, Rich began working under contract with FEMA. He goes around the country doing disaster preparedness exercises. For example, he’s doing a wildfire exercise in Oregon in May, hurricane preparedness in Maine in the fall, and then a tornado exercise in South Carolina. Even when he’s out of town, though, Rich is plugged into all the town’s alert systems and could coordinate an emergency response and send out information through the Vermont Alert system (more on that below) from whereever he may be.

shut down, it’s no longer a significant focus.

The biggest hazard we have now is flooding. Of course, we border the Connecticut and the West Rivers. But Rich says the more frequent and potentially very serious problems are with streams like Salmon Brook or Stickney Brook.

office in Waterbury, and others over the phone and radio.” If we have a disaster or emergency or even a practice drill, Rich can pull in town staff and coordinate the response face-to-face. “What do you have? What do you need? Are you OK? You got a plan. You’re seeing the latest updates, right?” We have a lot of rescue capabilities locally as well as Rescue Inc., which has one of the state Swift Water teams and other tools like drones. Rich can also put out public warnings over Vermont Alert. He would coordinate with the state and if it were a large-scale disaster, he would work with FEMA to tour the damage to see if we qualify for federal funds.

Another area of potential risk for our town is the school. Rich has worked with the principal and says there is a great plan in place. A couple of times the school has gone on lockdown for a bear! We are in Vermont! Rich feels that some schools go too far with their drills, even using sound devices to mimic gunfire. Dummerston School tries to minimize trauma and uses really good words, especially with the little kids. “They say, ‘We’ve got to go into a safety condition.’ They tell the kids, ‘Hey, there’s somebody who shouldn’t be here and we’re just going to sit over here quietly.”

The EMC was initially set up with radios and equipment because of Vermont Yankee. Every town near the plant was required to do quarterly preparedness drills and have an emergency center “to make sure we knew what to do in case there was a problem with the plant.” Now that Vermont Yankee has been

office: (802-536-4025

text only: (802) 490-6330

email: glabach@yahoo.com

When the water comes down, small culverts get plugged with debris and the water finds the easiest path around. Roads get washed out, areas get flooded, and people get stranded.

The EMC is a central place where Rich can alert all of the relevant players and coordinate the response. He says we’re fortunate to still have the space and equipment today. “I can talk to the fire department, the highway department, the state emergency management

Rich strongly encourages town residents to sign up for the Vermont Alert system because that’s how you get information in a disaster or an emergency. You can decide what type of alerts you want—like different kinds of weather or road conditions—and whether to get text, email or phone alerts. You can set quiet hours, although the state would override that in case of a life-threatening emergency. To sign up, go to: https://vem.vermont.gov/vtalert..Although Rich does this as a volunteer, as he puts it, “I’m always on.” Thank you, Rich, for all you do!

Windham Solid Waste Management District

BrattleGrow Compost Now Available Regionally

By Michelle Cherrier

While the most local compost may come from your own backyard, the next best thing is BrattleGrow Compost made from your food scraps, leaves, plus some woodchips, at the Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD) compost facility. According to Alex Lacy, the outreach coordinator for WSWMD, BrattleGrow Compost offers your planting area a dose of composted matter that will improve soil structure and help hold onto the rain it receives rather than letting it run off. This year’s batch is a little higher in pH which can help offset our naturally acidic soils (think agricultural lime). To learn more of the content, see the PDF at: windhamsolidwaste.org/wpcontent/uploads/2026/02/CompostAnalysis-January-2026-WSWMD.pdf. You can purchase BrattleGrow Compost and topsoil at WSWMD during operating hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. & Saturday 8 a.m.–1 p.m.) in 30 pound bags (compost $7, topsoil mix $10) or in bulk (compost $55 per cubic yard, topsoil mix $65 per cubic yard). If you buy more than 10 cubic yards in one trip you can get our compost and topsoil mix at a discounted rate. Bulk BrattleGrow Compost is also for sale at: Allen Bros Farm, Westminster, VT, (802) 722-3395

Boyd Family Farm, Wilmington, VT, (802) 464-5618

D & E Tree Company, Inc., Guilford, VT, (802) 257-5669

Maple Hill Nursery, Swanzey, NH, (603) 357-2555

Renaud Tree Care, Inc., Dummerston, VT, (802) 257-0567

Contact them for prices and delivery

information. Here is a short reminder as we roll into the planting season: plastic plant pots are not recyclable or compostable. Please re-use what isn’t cracked, give them away to spread the gardening love, or dispose of the cracked plastic pots in the trash.

Longtime Scalehouse Operator Passes Away

By Michelle Cherrier

Our well-known and beloved scale house operator John (Skip) Bonnett passed away Monday, March 16, 2026, at home, following a prolonged illness. Despite his illness, he continued to work half-time as a scale operator for the past six months.

As our primary scale operator for the past several years, Skip was the face of WSWMD. He had a wonderful way of working with the public, and we received numerous compliments about his friendly service, including dog treats through the window! He joined the WSWMD in January 2007 as a CDL truck driver and led the trucking team for over 10 years until WSWMD closed the Materials Recovery Facility in 2018. After being laid off for about a year, he was rehired to work full time at the transfer station/scale house.

Prior to joining WSWMD, Skip worked a variety of jobs, and served in law enforcement with the New Hampshire State Police

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LocaLLy Produced Baked Goods Garden Center for Connoisseurs Route 5, Dummerston 254-2051

Rev. Shawn Bracebridge, pastor Office 257-0544 • Home 802-689-0753 www.facebook.com/DummerstonChurch

and the Town of Hinsdale, eventually as acting chief of police. Many people knew Skip and he had interesting stories to tell, including some about WSWMD employees who had a brush with the law!

Please welcome Kim Wilkins, whom you may have met during these past six months. Kim is now our full-time scale house operator.

Dummerston Historical Society

Quarries and Medicinal Bleeding Programs are Well Attended

By Chuck Fish

The Dummerston Historical Society offers its programs and exhibits to the entire community. Our quarterly meetings always include an exhibit and program of general interest. From time to time there are special programs on matters of historical importance, usually featuring local speakers. We are open the first and third Sundays of every month from 1-3 p.m. with displays on view, and our collections may be explored at othertimes by appointment. You are always welcome. Watch for announcements in local media.

At our January annual meeting George Kohout spoke on “The Quarries of West Dummerston” with explanations and illustrations of quarry sites, tools, machinery, and workers. Many finely printed quarry photos added even more details and perspectives. Also displayed at this meeting and for several weeks following was the society’s first showing of student art work from the Dummerston School. An open house for the artists and their parents was held soon after. This exhibit was so enthusiastically received that plans are underway to make it an annual event.

In April medical historian Julie JohnsonMcGrath spoke on “Why the Heck Were Doctors Always Bleeding People? Medicine Before the 20th Century.” Among the many treatments offered in pills, lotions, salves, and ointments was bloodletting by means of sharp instruments called fleams. Bloodletting was an ancient practice and sometimes the results were unfortunate as with George Washington who was bled to death.

Installed in April was a photo exhibit, “Faces and Places, Snap, Snap, Snap,” by Len Oppenheim whose work is widely known and admired. Len says he is not a “real” photographer, that he has never taken a photography course, and doesn’t know

Sponsors

Eleanora

Jim Johnson & Meg Lyons

about all “that technical stuff.” He has traveled many places, always keeping a camerawith him: “snap, snap, snap.” If you haven’t seen his exhibit, it will be up until the end of June.

In July-September the society will present Chuck Fish’s photo exhibit, “Chronicles of Vermont Life: A Family Farm, Rivers, Fairs, and Public Works.” Chuck’s photos are glimpses of subjects he has explored on the water, on foot, and in books. He will discuss in a brief presentation at the opening of the exhibit why these places and experiences appealed to him.

Looking further ahead, in the fall we

will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the society, its origin itself an interesting historical story.

We encourage you to join us as a member, a volunteer, and of course always as a viewer or a friend. You do not need to be a member to attend any of our functions. Our Sunday openings are the occasion of many engaging conversations. As always, we welcome donations of items of historical interest to Dummerston. Our schoolhouse, located in Dummerston Center next to the town office, is accessible to all. Find more information and videos of recent programs at www.dummerstonhistoricalsociety.org

Grange Senior Lunch Passes New Scrutiny

By Sallie J. May, Secretary

Yea! March is here and once again I need to update those who are interested in the doings of the Grange. We had a busy winter, with rentals for birthdays, baby showers, play rehearsals and productions, as well as VERY well-attended senior lunches. We would like to stress that these lunches are meant to be social times, a time to meet your neighbors and friends for conversation and coffee as well as to eat a good meal.

With new management at Senior Solutions, we are now required to send our menus a month ahead to them and they are reviewed for nutritional content and an explanation of findings is returned to us. This just started in February and so far, the dietitian is very pleased with our menus and our attendance. Our March 11th corned beef and cabbage luncheon fed about 250 people, with about 70 people eating inside and enjoying chewing and chatting for about an hour and a half. Come check out our senior lunch on either the 2nd or 4th Wednesday of each month.

Mark your calendars for the Grange Memorial Day Program which is always observed on the traditional Memorial Day, May 30. Because this day falls on a Saturday this year, we are planning an outdoor celebration on the common at 2 p.m. This will be a short service with cookies and drinks to be served following the program. We’re looking for someone to be our guest speaker, so if you have someone of interest in mind, please call Larry at (802) 310-0799 and let him know.

Our first public supper of the summer will be our traditional Chicken Pie Supper on June 13th, our Peach Shortcake Supper happens on August 15th, and our second Chicken Pie Supper happens on September 12th. October 11th is the Craft Fair in conjunction with the church’s Apple Pie Festival and our final dinner of the season, our Harvest Dinner, is on October 31. Watch for more information about menus as the dates draw nearer.

As always, if you are interested in renting the Grange for an event, please call Carol Lynch at (802) 254-2517 or Larry Lynch, Jr. at (802) 310-0799 for more information. Thank you.

bakerviolinshop@gmail.com

www.bakerviolinshop.com

Sponsors

Debbie & Dennis Baker

Eleanor & Charles Fish

Teri Robinson

Barbara & Milt Gilmore

Sallie May

MathCounts Program Prepares Students for Regional Competition

For the second year in a row, Dummerston Middle School students have participated in the MathCounts program with Mr. Marshall, an after-school club dedicated to preparing students for a regional MathCounts competition. this year, four students competed in the regional competition! three of our mathletes qualified for the state competition and traveled to the university of Vermont on March 21 to test their skills against other math students across the state. Congratulations to Benjamin Birchmore, Max Rago-Marker, and aliyah Johnson for earning this honor, and thank you to SteM teacher Keith Marshall for coaching and supporting all of our mathletes!

Students Premier Show at New England Youth Theatre Town School Theatre Festival

a liens Crash Maize Day premiered at Dummerston School on the morning of March 12th and then at new england Youth theatre the following weekend as part of the town School theatre Festival at neYt. What a hilarious and wonderful show! thank you to director and writer Putnam Smith, neYt outreach and education Director Shannon Ward, and Dummerston School after-School Club Coordinator Jonah Pauloo for making this program possible!

School Band Students Take Part in All-District Band Night

Dummerston School band students traveled to Brattleboro union high School on March 11 to participate in the annual all-District Band program and concert. this district tradition is an incredible opportunity for our students to meet other band students and teachers from across the district, learn about the many rich opportunities to study music at the high school, and rehearse and perform together with other students as a district-wide band.

Dummerston School band teacher n athaniel e vans served as director of all the elementary band students across the district during the evening performance. We were so proud! thank you to the district band directors who make this inspiring experience possible for band students across our district.

Voices of Literacy

March is Read across america Month and Dummerston School celebrated with the theme Voices of Literacy! over three weeks in March, students and staff participated in special themerelated activities designed to celebrate all the ways reading and writing enrich our lives, bring people together, and broaden our understanding of the world, each other, and ourselves. a ctivities included Literacy Spirit Week, during which students and staff dressed up as their favorite literary characters, special guest readers in each classroom, time to cuddle up with your stuffie for reading time, poetry projects, and a schoolwide goal of 38,000 minutes of collective reading. thank you to the members of the literacy team—Megan altshuler, ellen Rago, Carmen Carone, Katie Legare, and ashley Perkins—for planning and coordinating this March reading and writing adventure!

Learning Comes in Many Forms From Places Throughout the Community

Vernon Miller Farm Hosts Farm-to-School Field Trips

thanks to Miller Farm in Vernon who hosted our kindergar ten and our 5th and 6th graders for late winter field trips. Students had an opportunity to visit all the different types of buildings needed to run a high production dairy farm, including the tractor repair garage and the calving barn where kindergarteners got to meet two new calves and their mamas who were just getting acquainted. We are grateful students have an opportunity to drink Miller Farm milk as part of their school meals; this Farm-to-School trip had special meaning for just that reason!

Dummerston School Holds 4th Annual Spelling Bee; Top Contestants Participated in State Competition

on Friday, February 6th, Dummerston School was all abuzz with excitement as we gathered for our 4th annual Spelling Bee! Led by academic support teachers/instructional coaches Carmen Winchester and Katie Legarie, the Dummerston School Spelling Bee is a thrilling opportunity for our school to celebrate words and the many students who participate in this event. Students in grades 3-8 can enter the bee—this year we had a record 45 students competing! Congratulations to the 2026 Spelling Bee champions, third grader Junot holding, 5th grader eliza Clark-nelson (left), and 8th grader Benjamin Birchmore (right)! eliza and Benjamin traveled to norwich university on March 11th to represent Dummerston School at the state-level competition.

Dummerston School STEM Teacher Honored

By Julianne Eagan

Lindsey Glabach Royce, our grades 5/6 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teacher, has been selected as a Rowland Fellow by the Rowland Foundation, a prestigious statewide program that supports Vermont educators leading innovative, school-wide change.

Each year, the foundation awards up to six fellowships to public school teachers across Vermont. Established in 2008 through the generosity of Barry and Wendy Rowland, the program invests in teacher-driven initiatives that improve school culture and climate. Fellows participate in a cohort that provides leadership training and collaboration opportunities, and the fellowship provides funding for a long-term substitute for a school year so recipients can focus on transformative work within their schools. It is important to note that Rowland Fellows are not on leave from their schools during this time, but serving their school in a different capacity, as a teacher on special assignment.

opportunities for science and outdoor learning while helping students build deeper connections to the local land, history, and community. This recognition marks a milestone for the

connections to land, place, and community at our school through a two-pronged approach: developing science and land resources to build these connections, and developing systems within our school that foster each student’s sense of connection and place within our land, school, and local community. Research shows that connection to nature creates a “generalized capacity for care that is multi-directional, simultaneously promoting actions that benefit the ecosystem, the self, and the wider human community” (Yao, Li, & Liu, 2025). Connection to our land fosters caring on many levels. As the wise Lorax states, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Lindsey’s fellowship project, “Rooted in Place: Developing Systems that Connect Students to Land and Place… and Save Our World,” aims to strengthen ecological knowledge, community connections, and student well-being at Dummerston School. The initiative will expand

build deeper connections to the local land, history, and community.

school: Lindsey is the first Rowland Fellow from Dummerston School and only the second educator from the Windham Southeast School District to receive the honor!

Lindsey aims to develop systems that foster

Library Welcomes New Director

continued from page 1 and book sale will take place on May 16th, rain or shine. Stop by the library during open hours to donate books.

The Dummerston Community Center and Library is looking forward to once again offering a summer reading program starting at the end of June through the beginning of August. This year’s summer reading theme is Unearth a Story . We can’t wait to see what gets uncovered at the library! Making a return this summer is our popular summer camp-style arts & crafts program on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

We continue to offer all of our regularlyscheduled programming listed below. Sensory Play: Mondays at 10:30-11:30 a.m. designed for ages 0-24 months. Siblings are welcome. This program meets outside in

nice weather.

Magic: The Gathering: 2nd & 4th Tuesday at 4-6 p.m. for children 8-14 years of age. Learn to play MTG!

Cookbook Club: 3rd Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Check the library website/newsletter/social media for this month’s cookbook choice.

Building Saturday: 2nd Saturday of the month at 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Let your imagination run wild and use our building materials to create! All ages welcome.

Book Club: Last Saturday of the month at 1 p.m. Check the website/newsletter/social media for this month’s book choice.

We look forward to seeing you at the library this spring and summer! For the latest updates please be sure to check the website, read the newsletter, and follow us on social media.

Lindsey feels that kids are going to be who ultimately save our world, and it begins with caring about the town and land where you live. Lindsey states, “Dummerston is such an amazing place, with so many people who know the history, present, and future of our place…farmers, longtime residents, artists, storytellers... Historically, Dummerston residents would visit their neighbors, meet up at a town square dance, or gather for meals together. We are part of such an intergenerational community that has so much to give to and receive from each other.” In a time when people, and especially kids, are feeling less connected, Lindsey feels kids (and everyone!) would benefit from a focus on connection and care.

A large part of the Rowland philosophy is the idea of shared leadership. As stated by the Rowland Foundation, “Every Rowland Fellow forms a Collaborative Work Group composed of the school’s students, staff, and community members who help design, promote, and implement the schoolwide change idea brought forward by the Rowland Fellow.” Lindsey will start this spring and summer developing her Collaborative Work Group, her “dream team,” to help her dream and gather wishes for the school.

Even people not officially in the group are more than welcome to share ideas and dreams for our school and town. What would make our school a better place? Are there ways Dummerston School could connect to the community and our land? If you are interested in being part of the “dream team” or are interested in sharing ideas, hopes, and dreams related to this project, please reach out to Lindsey at lglabachroyce@wsesdvt.org

Lydia’s Friends Promote Library Use

by Catherine O’Callaghan

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead

Lydia’s Friends, Inc. serves as the friends-of-the-library group for Dummerston’s Community Center and Library. We are committed to promoting the success of the Dummerston Community Center and Library located at 150 West Street.

This winter we invited Mike Mrowicki for an evening discussion with constituents. Ever thoughtful, Mike was keenly interested in the perspectives of those who came out prior to Super Bowl kickoff. Next year, again before town meeting, we hope to ask Mike to return in order to foster communication with the state house.

For Women’s History month we hosted local theologian, Dr. Valerie Abrahamsen, who delivered a slide lecture, entitled: “Pagan, Jewish, and Christian Women in the Roman Empire ” This talk enabled us to reflect on the nuance of women’s roles

A Plea to Stop Before You Pitch

Jody Normandeau

If you are driving or partying on Dummerston’s back roads, please do not throw your beer cans or bottles out your car window. There has become a rash of cans and bottles thrown on the roadsides and in the woods. Dummerston is a beautiful community and we would like it to stay that way. Take your trash home and recycle it or throw it in your trash. We are tired of picking up after you. Your neighborhood would really appreciate it. Thank you.

in the Roman Empire and understand that when interpreting the past, we must pair textual evidence with archeological evidence.

When you stop in to the Dummerston Community Center and Library, remember to bring food donations. We will continue to collect these donations in the container on the threshold and deliver them to the Putney Foodshelf, which helps ease food insecurity in our community.

Also, for the very first time we partnered with the Red Cross to hold a Dummerston blood drive. It was gratifying to witness our community’s response and it was a fun time to chat with neighbors while waiting for one’s turn to donate. Forty-three people

The Friends of the Library are Grateful

By Linda Rood

The Friends of the Library of the Dummerston School wish to thank all those who came and participated in our Adopt-a-Book event during the 2026 town meeting. Because of you, Dummerston children will enjoy even richer choices for their reading and research, and we will be able to purchase new books for the library and offer them to you for adoption next year.

We thank those who are faithful returning donors year after year. We love to see you coming in to the library to make your selections. And we also thank those who came for the first time, and we hope to see you again next year. It was especially good to see children come in with their parents to adopt books together, and we hope that this can become a tradition for more Dummerston families. To all who came, we are so grateful for your generosity.

If you missed us and would like to help out, please send your check made out to “Friends of the Library” to Linda Rood at 668 Quarry Road, Dummerston 05301.

came out to give blood. The organizer from the Red Cross told me, “It reflects very well on a community when such numbers sign up to give.” We will partner again with the Red Cross this fall, so this blood drive will become a regular Dummerston event. Finally, as I reflect on the transition process that led to the creation of the Dummerston Community Center and Library, I am grateful for the level of community participation in discussions and, particularly moved by the kindness of someone who recently gifted a new flag. Lydia’s Friends, Inc. meets the second Thursday of the month at 5 p.m. in the library and all are welcome. We welcome any level of involvement because no contribution is too small. If you are interested in helping out, call Catherine O’Callaghan at (802) 380-7935 or email catherine ocallaghan32@gmail.com.

& Linda Evans

Heather & Gene Rostov

Akara Draper & Linnie Jones

Elizabeth Catlin & Jared Flynn

Cliff Adler & Lynn Levine

Will Ackerman & Susan Whittle

Rainbow Scarabs Are Appropriately Named

By John Anderson

The rainbow scarab beetle (Phanaeus vindex) is well named. Its head is metallic golden yellow, its thorax a shiny coppery shade of red, and its abdomen glittery green. Male rainbow scarabs have a single rhinoceros-like back-curving horn on top of their heads. The larger female beetles have no horn, just a bump. A big female can be close to one inch long while males are slightly smaller. Both sexes have very powerful toothed front legs and a good sense of smell. Like most species of beetle, these scarabs are strong fliers.

Rainbow scarabs use their sense of smell to find food. They use their powerful front legs to burrow down into the ground under the food and then to carve it up and move some of it down into that burrow. Food for scarab

beetles is dung. In fact, rainbow scarabs are among the species commonly known as dung beetles.

the unusual rainbow scarab beetle has strikingly bright colors, and seems too colorful and exotic for its surroundings.

Key Scenes from This Year’s Town Meeting

This year’s town meeting board of selectpersons includes, from l to r: Todd Davidson (chair), Paul Adler (vice chair), Thomas Nolan, Skip Fletcher, and Maria Glabach (clerk).

Your name, please? Libby Lafland consults with assistant town clerk Eliza Bergh, while Betsy Bates checks the voters list, at the town meeting voter check-in desk.

Sponsors

Elsa Waxman

Elizabeth & George Wright

John and Lori Brunelle

Debbie & Wayne Carpenter

Ellen Olmstead

Fita Ferguson & Rip Lhamon

Steve Mindel, with what appears to be a pretty full tray of food, approaches Sallie May, hoping she’ll find some space for some chips. The Grange once again supplied a hearty soup and sandwich lunch for town meeting.

Female beetles lay their eggs on dung which they have stored in their branching underground burrows. When the eggs hatch, the larvae (grubs) feed on the dung. Those grubs never have to drink. They get the water they need from the food they eat.

Beetle larvae go through complete metamorphoses. Once a larva has reached full size, it forms a pupal case. Inside the case it transforms from its grub-like larval form to an adult beetle. All this happens in a dung filled burrow. You would never guess that the shiny, clean looking, brightly iridescent rainbow scarab crawled out of a ball of dull brown dung!

There are approximately thirty thousand species of scarab beetle in the world. About twelve hundred of those can be found in North America. Scarab beetles are common because their food is common. There is no shortage of dung, and therefore, no shortage of dung beetles.

However, here in Vermont near the northern limit of their range, rainbow scarabs are not all that common. I’ve seen just two. The first, in 2013, was busily assessing a pile of dog poop deposited on a hiking trail. The second, seen on my lawn in 2025, was wrestling with some very old, dry fox scat. Both were females presumably working at stocking their natal burrows prior to egg laying. I have yet to see a male.

Rainbow scarabs live up to their name; they are strikingly colored. In fact, a picture of a male graces the cover of Beetles of Eastern North America, a weighty tome containing descriptions of 1409 other less photogenic beetle species. That picture never ceases to amaze me just as seeing an actual live rainbow scarab amazes me. This beetle always seems too colorful, too exotic for its surroundings. It doesn’t look like anything that I would ever expect to see in Vermont. But, it can be seen here, if you look in the right places.

Annual Rhododendron Tour and Party Returns to Rudyard Kipling’s

By Jeremy Ebersole

Dummerston residents are surely quite familiar with one of our town’s most famous former residents, Rudyard Kipling, who built his unique shingle-style home in 1892 on the road now named after him. The inviting home, designed by architect Henry Rutgers Marshall to resemble a cross between a Mississippi riverboat and the Kashmir houseboats of Kipling’s childhood in India, commands a majestic site “sailing the seas” of rolling Vermont hills. While the Kiplings intended to live in southern Vermont for the rest of their lives on this land purchased from wife Carrie’s family, their stay was famously cut short by a complicated series of events in 1896. These four short years, however, were incredibly productive, producing some of the Nobel Prize winner’s most famous works, including The Jungle Books, Captains Courageous (his “American” novel), and portions of his children’s classic Just So Stories

Naulakha

Carriage House and Stable, are swung open at perhaps their moment of most resplendent glory—when the magnificent rhododendron tunnel is in full bloom.

The annual Naulakha Estate and Rhododendron Tour will take place once again this year on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 and serves as the organization’s largest annual fundraiser, with all proceeds going directly back into the preservation of the estate as well as The Landmark Trust USA’s other local historic properties, including Dummerston’s Dutton Farmhouse and the Sugarhouse, and Whitingham’s Amos Brown House. The extensive rhododendron tunnel, added to the grounds by the Holbrook family who owned the property for decades following the Kiplings, stretches almost the length of a football field and should be bursting with beauty for the tour. A cocktail party will also be held in the evening on Friday, June 5. The Landmark

Visitors will have the opportunity to take a self-guided tour to learn about the property’s history and architecture, sit at the desk where The Jungle Book was written, wander the famous rhododendron tunnel, and enjoy the expansive grounds. Picnics on the front lawn overlooking the rolling hills beyond are welcome as well.

The home has been a National Historic Landmark since 1993, the highest national designation available to places of historic significance. There are only 18 total NHLs in Vermont, and we’re fortunate to have one right here in Dummerston. The historic property is owned and managed by The Landmark Trust USA nonprofit and maintained thanks to a unique preservation stewardship model that makes the house available for overnight rentals, business retreats, and other small gatherings. Many of our Dummerston neighbors have experienced the estate as a place to house visiting family or a location for a meaningful gathering. Once a year, however, the doors to the entire Naulakha estate, including the

Compliments of Priscilla Svec,

P.T.

This year’s event is extra special, as the Naulakha Stable, long home to a small display on Kipling’s time in Vermont, has been rehabilitated to include a beautiful new overnight rental space for two in the former hayloft. Reclaimed and local materials were used throughout, and the historic exterior as well as the ground floor stable and display have been preserved. The organization is also in the midst of completing a $1.25 million fundraising campaign in support of a climate resilient future for Naulakha. Along with the completed Stable rehab, this important project will replace the main house’s aging cedar roof in kind and develop a comprehensive drainage solution for the property. Tour attendees will be able to “sponsor a shingle” and have their name written on a shingle to be placed on Naulakha’s roof. Donations are also being accepted at landmarktrustusa.org/naulakha-campaign

Tickets to the Rhododendron Tour are $25 for Saturday/Sunday or $80 for the Friday evening cocktail party. The event is being promoted by the Vermont Department of Tourism as one of the state’s Signature Events this year and is expected to sell out in advance. Pre-registration online is strongly encouraged. More information and registration are available at landmarktrustusa.org/ rhododendron-tour.

Reading Suggestions for the Spring

By Linda Rood

I owe an apology to Gail Gulotti for overlooking her contribution to the Readers’ Choice list in the winter Views. Gail recommends City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert (Penguin Random House, 2019). This historical novel tells the story of a young woman in the theater world of 1940s New York City. Gail says she was hooked within a few pages and had a tough time putting it down.

My own recommendation for this issue is The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck (Viking, 2024). This is a collection of twelve

Pause

By John Anderson

As I cross my field pre-dawn from the cavernous recesses of my barn the light from a single feeble bulb filtered orange by the cobwebbed fly specked squares of glass brings back to me… a lantern hung and shadows deep the smell of kerosene manure, milk, warm cattle, grain and hay. And for a second I imagine stanchions rattle, cattle shift and blow anticipating barn chores done by lantern light. From where I stand I watch for any flicker, any sign that life’s at play among the feeble rays within that cavernous dusty space. And, seeing nothing, I move on.

linked stories set in various locations in New England, all of them in places that are familiar to me, which was part of the attraction: Nantucket, Cape Cod, Western Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire. Each story has a companion story that connects it to another time and reveals something significant about the other story. Some take place in colonial times; others are contemporary. Shattuck cites the inspiration of an old New England song form called the hook-andchain: the first and last lines rhyme and there are rhyming couplets within that frame. The second half of the couplet often completes the sentence or the idea of the first half. The structure of the book follows the model of the song form.

In an Interlocutor Magazine interview, the author explains: “Each story is placed so that it will add to an understanding of the other…The second story in the pair doesn’t simply solve a mystery or the ending of the first—the second story often is solved itself by having read the first, while also solving something of the first.” It’s an intriguing and ingenious device.

These poignant, sometimes haunting, stories are rich and beautifully written, in clear, chiseled, often poetic prose. Settings range from a 1907 New Hampshire logging camp to an eighteenth-century wilderness community founded by a religious cult leader, to contemporary Cape Cod and more. It’s a beautiful, fascinating book.

And finally, we have a guest review from Fred Lee of America Fantastica by Tim O’Brien (Mariner Books, 2023). O’Brien is perhaps best known for his classic of the Vietnam War, The Things They Carried. This sounds like something completely different. Here’s Fred’s review:

If you’re looking for a bumpy ride, try taking a trip through Tim O’Brien’s gonzo capitalist America Fantastica. Our hero, if you want to call him that, Boyd Halverson is a manager at a forgotten small-town Woolworth’s who, apparently on a whim, takes it into his head that robbing the local bank will change his life for the better. He does so, and, for a little added zest, he kidnaps the bank teller, the small-of-stature redhead rocket Angie. Off they go to the sun-filled

beaches of Mexico, which is only the beginning of an irreverent romp through America’s amoral capitalist countryside. Needless to say, it’s not a carefree life. Angie, it seems, has a bull for a boyfriend she is all too happy to be away from, and he is none too happy to have a nobody steal his gal. So off he goes in hot pursuit, intent on doing great harm to our hero. But wait—there’s more. Boyd, our bank robber, besides having ten-thousand dollars of someone else’s cash, has a chip on his shoulder. It seems that, prior to being a nobody manager at a small-town Woolworth’s, he was in business with the father of his ex, and said father-in-law hoodwinked him out of oodles of payola that was rightfully his. So, in a purely pre-emptive stroke, this ex-partner hires a galumph fellow to chase Boyd down and do him bodily harm, of the permanent type. And then there’s the couple who owns the bank Boyd robbed. They aren’t reporting the robbery to the police due to a slight skimming operation they have profited from for years and they don’t want any noses poking about in their drawers. But they would like their ten-thousand dollars back. As alliances are made and broken, side deals proliferate, and bodies pile up. The plans of all concerned go laughably sideways—all concerned, that is, except Boyd, who belatedly realizes that what he really wants is just a little cash and a lot of peace and quiet. This romping read brings home the awareness that, with what little we may have, peace and quiet certainly has its place.

I hope you’ve found something to interest you here. In the meantime, enjoy the spring!

Putney Foodshelf Funding Gets 2k Increase at Town Meeting

by Meg Lyons

All of us at Dummerston Cares, along with our partners at the Putney Foodshelf, extend sincere gratitude to the residents at town meeting for their support of the Foodshelf. Your unanimous vote to approve funding of the Foodshelf for the first time and for increasing the proposed amount from $3,000 to $5,000 comes at a critical time.

Dummerston residents can take pride in knowing that we have now joined our neighbors in Putney, Westminster, and Brattleboro who also contribute to the Putney Foodshelf each year. This vote reflects an awareness that putting food on the table is increasingly difficult for a growing number of families across our town as well as our nation. It is also recognition that the Foodshelf is an invaluable community resource—a lifeline, really—where local families in need can access free, healthy groceries. Despite the challenge of rising prices and a huge jump in the number of weekly shoppers, our partners at the Foodshelf work hard to stretch their resources and keep the shelves stocked with nutritious foods. The funding that Dummerston will provide in FY2027 will be put to good use and pay important dividends to the greater community.

Our motto at Dummerston Cares is “neighbors helping neighbors” and in that spirit, we invite you to support the Foodshelf in any of these ways that will have a direct impact: First, please help make our All-Community Food Drive a success! Between May 4th and 8th your donation of shelf-stable foods can be dropped off at the Community Center and Library on West Street, the town office or the Dummerston School. Our food drives are a

Sponsors

Carolyn Mayo Brown & Gregory Brown

Len Oppenheim

Cheryl Wilfong & Bill McKim

Bill Schmidt

Catherine Gruver

William Bacon

and (top row, l

r): Susan

collaboration between Dummerston Cares and Dummerston School’s Asset Team, whose students hope to exceed last fall’s total contribution to the Foodshelf of an astounding 1,600 pounds!

Second, as you plan your summer garden, consider growing extra for the Foodshelf. Quantity is more helpful than variety, so if you want to grow a row to donate, we encourage you to pick one crop and grow a lot. The Foodshelf’s “Crop of the Year” is peas, but herbs, greens, hot peppers and fresh beans are always popular.

Third, mark your calendar for Wednesday

evening, July 8th and join us at the Scott Farm Orchard for Crepe Night, a picnic-style community dinner and celebration with proceeds benefitting the Foodshelf. Reservations are required! And last, your gift to the Foodshelf will buy essentials such as eggs, milk, and meat, much of which is purchased from local farmers. Contributions can be made online at www. putneyfoodshelf.org or mailed to the Putney Foodshelf, P.O. Box 337, Putney, VT 05346 There are things in life we can all do without, but food is not one of them. Thank you to the Dummerston community for all you continue to do to support the Foodshelf.

Dummerston Notable Events

Naulakha Estate Cocktail Party, Naukala (Kipling Road); $80, 6–8 p.m.

6–7 Naulakha Estate & Rhododendron Tour

$25 daytime tickets, 10 a.m.–4 p.m; Naukala (Kipling Road); For more information and tickets, visit landmarktrustusa.org/rhododendron-tour

Fire Department Youth Fishing Derby Dummerston Center, Registration at noon, fishing 1–2 p.m. Free to all kids!

Dummerston Center Cemetery Association Annual Meeting Dummerston Church basement, 7 p.m.

Annual Traditional Chicken Pie Supper

Evening Star Grange, 4:30–6 p.m., take-out available; Adults $15, Children 5 to 12 $7; Reservations strongly recommended but not mandatory: call 802-254-1138—leave a message.

8 Scott Farm Crepe Night to benefit Putney Foodshelf

Scott Farm (Kipling Road), 5:30–7:30 p.m.; Adults $25, Kids under 12 $12

Reservations Required: www. scottfarmvermont/crepe-night

USEFUL STUFF To KNoW

Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Dummerston Cares and Dummerston FD are providing and installing free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Call the DC Message Line at (802) 257-5800 and leave your name and phone number for callback.

Senior Lunches Evening Star Grange; Second & fourth Wednesday, noon. Suggested donations: in-house meals $4 for age 60 and up; $5 for age 59 and under. Take-out $5 regardless of age. For Take-out call: 802-254-1138. Leave name, phone number, number of meals desired, whether Eat-in or Take-out.

The Front Porch Forum: online at www.frontporchforum.com

Putney Food Shelf: Putney Foodshelf serves Dummerston residents. Open Hours: Fridays 12:30–3:30 p.m. Saturdays 9–10:30 a.m.; Putney Community Center, 10 Christian Square, Putney

NAMES & TIMES & NUMBERS

Conservation Commission

Web site: www.dummerstonconservation.com

Dummerston Cares Message line & Fuel Assistance 802-257-5800, email: info@dummerstoncares.org, web site: www.dummerstoncares.org

Dummerston School 802-254-2733

Web site: dummerston.wsesu.org

Fire Chief Larry Pratt, 802-579-9494

Fire Warden Ted Glabach, 802-384-6994

Deputy Fire Warden Allen Pike, 802-258-0100 Dummerston Community Center & Library Community Center booking: 802-380-7935 or email catherineocallaghan32@gmail.com

Library: 802-258-9878

Library Hours: Mon. & Wed. 10–3:00; Tue. & Thu. 1-7; Sat. 10–2; Fri. closed

Web site: dummerstonlibrary.org email: dummerstonvtlibrary@gmail.com

Vermont Theatre Company 802-258-1344

Evening Star Grange

Larry or Carol Lynch, 802-310-0799

Meals on Wheels Cynthia Fisher, 802-257-1236

Selectboard selectboard@dummerston.org

Senior Solutions Carol Lynch, 802-254-2517 Springfield office 800-642-5119

Town Garage Lee Chamberlin, 802-254-2411

Town Office Laurie Frechette, 802-257-1496 email: townclerk@dummerston.org

Veterans Assistance Contact Dummerston Cares message line or email

Views of Dummerston views@viewsofdummerston.org WSESU 802-254-3730

Websites: Official Town: www.dummerston.org Calendar: calendar.dummerston.org

Local Interest: www.dummerston.com

PRSRT STD

U.S. Postage PAID

Mailed From Zip Code 05346

Permit No. 61

Dummerston Meetings

Please note that these meetings may not be taking place at their usual locations. Please refer to the town web site, www.Dummerston.org, for updated information.