Sunday, January 17, 2016

 

Berlin News to Know September 14th

BERLIN NEWS TO KNOW  September 14, 2015
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This communication is put together and distributed on a volunteer basis by resident Corinne Stridsberg simply in an effort to share information and build community, it is not from the town of Berlin.
Please share this with your Berlin friends and neighbors.  If you're not already receiving this news directly by email, send an email to request this to corinnestridsberg@gmail.com.
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For current news look for "Berlin, Vermont" on facebook for a constant flow of information.  You don't need to be a facebook user to access it, but if you do use facebook, be sure to "Like" it:
   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Berlin-Vermont/205922199452224

For historical news look for "Berlin, Vermont Memories" on facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BerlinVermontMemories
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NOTE:

"Vermont From Above", really nice 3 min video, you'll want to share with others:
www.homesnacks.net/if-youre-from-vermont-this-will-be-a-highlight-of-your-day-guaranteed-121537

Below you will find:
DIRTY DANCING ON THE BIG SCREEN
BERLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
POTATOES!!!
VTC APPLE ORCHARD OPENING
MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED - SEPT 16 6:30pm
PROGRESSIVE PARTY CAUCUS
REPUBLICAN PARTY CAUCUS
DEMOCRATIC PARTY CAUCUS
DRUG TAKE- BACK DAY
CIVIL AIR PATROL CADET PROGRAM - SEEKING MEMBERS
BERLIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY - THE DETAILS
QUITE THE EXPERIENCE
WDEV TRADING POST
BERLIN KICKS PANHANDLING RULES TO CURB
LT. GOV. PHIL SCOTT ENTERS RACE FOR GOVERNOR
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DIRTY DANCING ON THE BIG SCREEN
Dirty Dancing back on the big screen down at the Playhouse Cooperative theater in Randolph on Monday & Tuesday Sept 14 & 15 7:30pm. 
http://playhouseflicks.webplus.net/page2.html
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BERLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Next Berlin Elementary School Board meeting is Monday, Sept. 14 at 6:15pm at the school. The discussion agenda includes "Form a Study Committee With the Other 5 Washington Central School Districts to Analyze the Advisability of Forming a Union School District Under Act 46" as well as discussion of the Budget Process for 2015-2016. Also, it looks like there may be a vacancy on the school board. Follow this link for the agenda. http://berlinschool.org/images/SB%20Agenda%209%2014%2015.pdf
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POTATOES!!! 
Pick your own potatoes (behind the digger) at one of the Chappelle fields in Williamstown happens just one Sunday - it's my favorite day of the year! (seriously!!) - DATE NOT YET SET
In the past it's been either the same Sunday as Tunbridge Fair or sometimes the following Sunday. It's running a bit late this year, end of Sept/first of Oct as Mother Nature caused the planting to be later than usual. 
You can pick any quantity you wish, whether a couple of buckets or hundreds of pounds. Pick for yourself, your friends & family, neighbors or perhaps a church dinner coming up. We've even had kids pick as a way to raise funds for a school field trip by selling 10lb bags to folks who pre-ordered from them. 
Not sure of the exact cost per pound this year but I'm recalling maybe 35 cents per pound last year. They grow more than one type of potato, however, I believe it's the "Reba" white potato that is always available for pick your own. 
Bring your own buckets, crates, or burlap bags. Dress your feet for walking in the dirt. You may want a pair of gloves. The digger gets the potatoes up onto the ground surface and you reach down and pick the potatoes you want. 
Picking tip - if you'll be picking a large quantity, pick into smaller containers such as 5-gal buckets and have your burlap bags off to the side in the vicinity of the scales and dump a couple of your full buckets into each of the bags. You'll be able to bring your vehicle over near the scales after you've had the potatoes weighed and you've paid to load up.
There are also pre-picked 50lb bags of potatoes (chefs, bakers, unclassifieds) you can purchase at the field and on an on-going basis at their warehouse. 
www.veda.org/borrower-st…/revolving-line-of-credit-chappelle 
The picking hours on the Sunday to be determined are 9am-5pm. 
I will post again when the pick-your-own date is set. It is weather dependent, heavy rain the night before or on picking day could postpone the event so stay tuned!
Questions? Feel free to ask, we've been going for over 25 years!
Enjoy this link to a story Julie Kelley of WCAX did a couple years ago which included Barb & Bob Chappelle and my daughter and grandson. www.wcax.com/s…/23496106/families-gear-up-for-potato-picking
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VTC APPLE ORCHARD OPENING
Vermont Technical College (VTC) Apple Orchard in Randolph Center opening Saturday, Sept 19th with hours on Sat & Sun 10am -5pm and Monday & Fridays 3pm - 5pm, weather permitting. Information line: 802-728-1276
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MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED - SEPT 16 6:30pm
Many of us have said the education system needs to change. I saw the posting below on Front Porch Forum and looked on line for a trailer http://mltsfilm.org/ of the 90 minute film "Most Likely To Succeed" and immediately noted Sir Ken Robinson in it who I've enjoyed listening to on some TED Talks. The free public screening at U-32 will be Sept. 16th 6:30pm.
Free Public Screening of "Most Likely to Succeed"
Scott Thompson, hernalser@aol.com, School Board Member, U-32
Event: Sep 16, 2015, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Feeling ground down by property tax bills, governance battles, back-to-school shopping, maybe even by the very fact of being back in school? Please join us to reconnect with the sense of excitement and uplift that education ought to be about.
U-32 and Washington Central Supervisory Union are holding a free public screening of director Greg Whiteley's education documentary "Most Likely To Succeed" in the U-32 auditorium on the evening of Wednesday 16 September.
We're not going to the trouble because we buy into everything the film contains. We're showing the film because a) it is a highly accomplished piece of work, b) it shows what some of our teachers and administrators have been up to in their professional development, c) it conveys a sense of the most advanced thinking on education in the U.S. at present, and d) it enables us to launch the discussions we need to start having among ourselves and with you, the public, in order to develop proficiency-based graduation requirements, the Next Big Thing on our agenda.
You'll hear more about these PBGRs in future reminders.
The movie runs for 90 minutes. We're reserving a hard-stop 30 minutes afterwards to talk about it as interactively (but also as coherently) as possible.
All are welcome, no matter where you live or what school you or your children or your neighbors' children go to. The issues affect all of us alike.
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PROGRESSIVE PARTY CAUCUS
All Progressive Party voters of the Town of Berlin, County of Washington, in the State of Vermont are hereby notified, in accordance with 17 V.S.A. 2303, to meet in caucus on Wednesday September 16th, 2015 at 212 Richardson Road, Berlin, VT at 6PM.
The Agenda for this Caucus is as follows:
1. Election of Town Committee 
2. Election of Officers by the Town Committee 
3. Election of County Committee Delegates 
4. New Business
/Jeremy A. Hansen/ 
Berlin Town Progressive Party Vice Chair 
(on behalf of Marvin Malek, Chair)
Following the caucus, we will be discussing Bernie Sanders' presidential run, and how to bring his "political revolution" to the state level. Please attend if you're concerned about income inequality, climate change, or getting big money out of politics!
Jeremy 
279-6054 / hansen.selectboard@gmail.com
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REPUBLICAN PARTY CAUCUS
All Republican voters of the Town of Berlin, Washington County are hereby notified, in accordance with 17 V.S.A. Section 2303, to meet in caucus on 17, September, 2015 at the Berlin Town Offices at 7:00 PM.
The Agenda for this Caucus is as follows:
I. Election of Town Committee 
II. Election of Officers by the Town Committee 
III. Election of County Committee Members 
IV. New Business
Robert J Wernecke Town Party Chair
RWernecke@hotmail.com
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DEMOCRATIC PARTY CAUCUS
All Democratic voters of the Town of Berlin, Washington County are invited to meet in caucus on Monday, September 21, 2015 at the Berlin Town Offices at 5:30 PM.
The Agenda for this Caucus includes election of the Town Committee, Committee Officers, and County Committee Members.
Matt Levin, Town Party Vice Chair
MLevinVT@gmail.com
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DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY
Saturday, September 26 10am - 2pm at various locations including Kinney Drugs 800 US 302, Berlin.  Dispose of those prescription drugs no longer needed. Some studies show that people who abuse prescription drugs get them from home medicine cabinets, which may have medications left over from previous prescriptions. Elderly people may get confused by the multiple medications in their cabinets and some people could develop a resistance to antibiotics by attempting to self-medicate with out-of-date pills.
Many Americans don't know how to dispose of unused medications and throw them away or flush them down the toilet, which could lead to potential safety and health hazards. Medications will be labeled if they can safely be flushed down the toilet.
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CIVIL AIR PATROL CADET PROGRAM - SEEKING MEMBERS
The Civil Air Patrol cadet program is for youth age 12-18 with leadership training, aerospace education - including flying !, character development and more ! CAP is not a military recruiting program. However, cadets who choose to pursue military careers will benefit from CAP experience.
CAP also has opportunities for adults ! Adult members have a wide variety of jobs to specialize in. Some serve as instructors and mentors to cadets, others serve as pilots, radio operators, Chaplains, public affairs officers, legal officers, information technology specialists, etc. There is a niche for just about anyone who is willing to volunteer their time and serve their community as a CAP member. All adult members must pass a FBI background check as part of the application process to ensure the safety of all of our members.
Educators can join as an Aerospace Education Member (AEM) and enjoy many free aerospace educational opportunities ranging from receiving lesson plans to participating in a teacher orientation flight aboard one of our Cessna aircraft. This unique membership category is designed for educators or others involved in promoting aerospace education in classrooms, museums, or other youth organizations.
Robin Law rebowman@yahoo.com
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BERLIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY - THE DETAILS
Upcoming Berlin Historical Society meetings are Tuesday, September 29th, Tuesday, October 27th, and Tuesday, November 24th. The meetings start at 7 pm, however, we hope you'll come at 6:30 pm to have some time to look at the slideshow we'll have going each of these nights on the big screen, and flip through some of the scrapbooks and materials we'll have out on the tables. The meeting itself will be in the meeting room area at the Town office.
If you're not on our email list yet for agendas, minutes, and notices, please speak up if you'd like to be included. While it's not necessary to become a member to join us at the meetings, if any matters arise which require a vote, only dues paying members may vote. Dues are $10 for the year. Members also may purchase "A Place To Pass Through, Berlin, Vermont 1820-1991" at a discount.
To stop by the Historical Society at another time, you may find us there by chance with the "Open" sign on the door or you're most welcome to contact us to make an appointment - day, evening & weekend times are possible. Our phone is 552-8804 and email is historicalsociety@berlinvt.org
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QUITE THE EXPERIENCE
Today 9/1/15 I had the most incredible experience at the Berlin Historical Society. I looked around as I often do, always a little daunted by the number of projects I would like to delve into. I reached out for a binder regarding the postal history of Berlin and thought how I really need to find the time to look more thoroughly through it. Although I've read numerous times the work in progress Norbert Rhinerson has on this topic I am always looking for more details.
As I flipped through the binder, a typed page caught my eye and the name "Staples" in the top line jumped out at me. I was looking at a transcribed letter, the original Norb purchased back in August 1999 from a person with the Vermont Philatelic Society. (www.vermontps.org) The original letter is described as follows: "This is a folded letter which looks like it was sealed by a red wax. This was 'carried' outside the mails, i.e., as a favor by a traveler carrying a note to another person on his journey. In many cases, it was an excuse to stop and get some food or drink."
This letter was written in November of 1816 by my 3rd great granduncle, Joseph Staples, of Berlin, Vermont to his brother, my 3rd great grandfather, Peter Schuyler Putnam Staples and his wife, Hannah (Richardson), of Roxbury, Vermont. Peter's second child, Orson (my 2nd great grandfather) had just been born in June of 1816. The letter talks about a trip down to Connecticut that Joseph had just made to see family and friends. I'm very excited to have several names to now help me with my family research endeavors.
As soon as I got home I sent an email to Norb to let him know I found the transcribed letter, the connection, and how much I appreciated that his keen eye had returned this letter to Berlin. Norb has been a stamp collector since he was 10 years old. When he retired here to Berlin he was able to find some old letters and also spent time acquiring postal cancellations during the time periods of our various Berlin postmasters. Norb truly adopted our town when he arrived here in Berlin and has made a difference in many ways over the years in our community. Today had me both excited and in tears that Norb is responsible for my being able to read a letter from my ancestors written 199 years ago. Amazing!! Thank you Norb!
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WDEV TRADING POST
For anybody not familiar with the WDEV Trading Post, please take the time to read the story at the following link.  The Trading Post is quite the local treasure and many people have a story of something they've found or the speed in which they've sold something through the airwaves of WDEV.  This is also the station to turn to during times of emergency.
www.vnews.com/lifetimes/18465222-95/the-trading-post-radio-show-keeps-goods-moving
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BERLIN KICKS PANHANDLING RULES TO CURB
Pub. 9/11/15 Times Argus by David Delcore
  BERLIN — A watered down ordinance that would have restricted roadside solicitation in Berlin was shelved by the Select Board this week.
  Drafted in response to complaints about aggressive panhandling, the ordinance had already been heavily edited by the town’s attorney, Rob Halpert, and on Wednesday Police Chief William Wolfe offered his 2 cents. 
  Like Halpert, Wolfe questioned the need to regulate public soliciting while sympathizing with the board’s desire to curtail some of the reported behaviors that prompted members to propose the ordinance in March.
  Halpert recommended the removal of several constitutionally questionable provisions of the draft ordinance, including one that would have required panhandlers to obtain town permits. He also noted that much of what remained was probably redundant.
  Wolfe agreed this week, advising the board to tread lightly and echoing Halpert’s observation that existing laws cover much of the conduct the revised ordinance would regulate.
  Although many might not like the look of people holding cardboard signs asking for money at several high-traffic intersections, and some may even be intimidated by their presence, Wolfe said that isn’t reason enough to force the beggars to move on or fine them.
  “I really think that the majority of what these folks are doing is protected constitutionally,” he said.
  According to Wolfe, those who cross the line can be arrested for reasons ranging from disturbing the peace to simple assault. Some have been arrested since the ordinance was first proposed, and Wolfe said his officers have been keeping an eye on intersections that are popular among panhandlers.
  That might account for why Chairman Ture Nelson said complaints seem to have subsided and some spots — like the entrance to the Price Chopper Plaza on the Barre-Montpelier Road — aren’t as popular with panhandlers as they once were. Wolfe told the board a couple of arrests were made at that corner. 
  He said the ordinance might infringe on what courts have consistently ruled is constitutionally protected speech.
  “If there is a criminal violation we can deal with it,” he said. “Otherwise, it’s a slippery slope.”
  Responding to a safety-related concern raised by board member Roberta Haskin, Wolfe said those who attempt to collect cash from motorists while standing on the narrow median at the intersection of Route 62 and Paine Turnpike can’t be asked to move just because cars and trucks are “whizzing” by. As long as they stay out of the limited access highway and don’t do something illegal, the law is on their side, he said.
  After hearing from Wolfe, board members agreed to shelve the draft ordinance.
  In other business Wednesday, board members authorized Town Administrator Dana Hadley to work with Wolfe on the details of a plan to upgrade the security system at the town offices. They also agreed to request a five-month extension relating to a series of state planning loans obtained for the $4 million municipal water system that is under construction.
  At a minimum, the new security system will include the installation of a key card access system for the police department, though Wolfe told the board it might be worth installing similar card-activated locks for the rest of the municipal office building. He also suggested surveillance cameras.
  Meanwhile, the board authorized Nelson to sign an amendment that will delay until January the due date for more than $400,000 in state planning loans obtained at the start of the water project. The loans were originally due to be repaid by last month, but delaying will let the town roll those costs into the federal financing for the project once work is complete.
  Hadley described the extension as a formality that would buy the town time it needs for the water system to be finished and for favorable financing through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to become available.
  david.delcore @timesargus.com
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LT. GOV. PHIL SCOTT ENTERS RACE FOR GOVERNOR
Pub. 9/9/15 Times Argus by Neal Goswami
  MONTPELIER — Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Scott became the fourth candidate to jump into the gubernatorial race Tuesday, telling supporters in an email that he will focus on boosting the state’s economy.
  “After much reflection, many conversations and much encouragement, I will be a candidate for Governor in 2016,” the Barre native wrote. “Let me be very clear, I’ve made this decision because I believe too many families and employers are on the economic edge. For them to thrive and our state to prosper we must revitalize the fundamentals of a strong, healthy economy that expands the middle class, lifts wages, and attracts working families, entrepreneurs and new jobs.”
  The 57-year-old Scott, a Berlin resident in his third term as lieutenant governor, has been publicly weighing a run for the top job after Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin announced in June that he would not seek a fourth two-year term. Scott’s deliberate approach to determining whether he would run for governor had some questioning his desire.
  In an interview Tuesday morning, Scott said there is no question about his commitment to running or his desire to serve as governor.
“For those that say, ‘I’m not sure he has the fire in the belly,’ they don’t know me very well,” he said.
  “I’m competitive. You can’t be in business for 30 years without being competitive. You can’t race as long as I have … for 30 or 35 years and be successful without being competitive,” the stock car racer added.
  If elected governor, Scott would likely have to give up racing. He holds the record for career wins in the Late Model division at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre Town.
  Scott’s entry into the race will create a Republican primary. Former Wall Street executive Bruce Lisman announced his candidacy via email last week. The 2014 GOP nominee, Scott Milne, is also thinking of running again, as is 2012 nominee Randy Brock.
  Scott had previously said he was likely to run but needed to find a way to separate himself from his construction firm, DuBois Construction, which has received state contracts. On Tuesday, Scott said he is still finalizing a plan to do that.
  “It’s been something that I’ve been working on with many attorneys and others to try and find the best path forward to make sure that the business is on a firm foundation so that my employees will feel secure, and to be honest, to have something that I can come back to,” he said. “That’s everything to me. I don’t have stocks and bonds and other things for my later retirement. My retirement is in the business that I co-own.”
  Scott said he has still not “put all the pieces of the puzzle together” concerning his business but feels “good enough now to move forward” with a campaign.
  That campaign, he said, will be focused on the state’s economy. Scott, largely viewed as a moderate, has used the platform of the lieutenant governor’s office to call for making Vermont a more affordable place to live. But policies and ideas on how to accomplish that have been lacking in his current role. Voters are likely to demand more specifics from Scott and other candidates looking to succeed Shumlin.
  Scott said he will be presenting his own ideas and policies for voters as the campaign progresses.
  “I think we have an affordability crisis on our hands. I think we have to come to that reality, that we can’t spend more than we’re taking in. It’s going to take some fiscal responsibility,” he said. “We haven’t paid enough attention to the economy. We haven’t been competing the way we should in order to survive. So, I feel comfortable in going out to compete and creating that excitement.”
  Part of Scott’s economic message will be resisting new taxes. 
  “Whoever becomes governor has to deal with the reality that we’re taxed to the maximum and we have to grow the economy in order to bring revenues in more organically and naturally,” he said.
  Scott cast himself as a steady leader who has the experience to hold the top job, seemingly contrasting himself with the more brash and bold Shumlin.
  “My exterior is very calm. I think that is appealing to some, that I’m steady. I don’t make knee-jerk reactions unless I need to,” he said. “Those around me know that I’m very quick to make a decision. I stick to what I say, and I follow through. That will become more clear as the campaign transpires.”
  Scott has been a member of Shumlin’s Cabinet but has been more vocal in criticizing the governor in the past year.
  The email announcement said Scott plans to assemble a campaign team in the coming months and hold a formal campaign kickoff event later in the fall. Scott said he has no intention of engaging in campaigning yet.
  “We will have election fatigue before you know it,” he said. “It’s incumbent upon us to slow this down just a little bit so people pay attention.”
  Before his election in 2010 as lieutenant governor, Scott served 10 years in the Senate representing Washington County. He attended Spaulding High School in Barre and the University of Vermont.
  On the Democratic side, House Speaker Shap Smith and former Windsor County Sen. Matt Dunne have announced their candidacies. Transportation Secretary Sue Minter is also considering a run.
  neal.goswami @timesargus.com
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# posted by Corinne's blog of Berlin and area happenings @ 4:33 PM
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