04/09

Editor’s Note: Please send news, ads and items of interest by 4/22 to townclerk@wallingfordvt.com.

Support the Wallingford Newsletter with an ad in the Wallingford News. Rates are $50 for a business card size ad and $75 for a double ad. Your ad will run for 12 issues. For more information, call the Town Clerk 's Office at 446-2336. Or, do you have a used car, boat or services to sell? A one-month ad, 25 words or less is $5. Is there anything you’d like added to this monthly newsletter? Let us know. Issues of the newsletter can be mailed to you if you provide us with the self-addressed stamped envelopes (with 59¢ postage on each). The newsletter is also on the Web at

www.wallingfordvt.com.

Property taxes are due in the Town Clerk ’s office by Monday, April 20^th at 4:30 p.m.

Seller: Lynn David Hebert Estate; Buyer: Robert & Kelly Gaiotti, 133 Elm Street , Sales price: $136,000; assessed value $132,500.

Seller: Harold & Barbara Merck; Buyer: Ann Bertram, 72 Taft Terrace, Sales price: $160,000; assessed value $150,900.

Seller: Jennifer Pascal; Buyer: Paul & Martha Jordan, 121 Depot Street, Sales price: $110,000; assessed value $?.

Free Tax Help

Once again, free tax preparation for taxpayers with middle and low income, with special attention to those 60 and older, is available from AARP-Tax Aide through April 10th at the Wallingford Town Hall . You do not have to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service. Please call 446-2336 for an appointment.

Homestead Declaration

Don't forget to complete a Declaration of Homestead form HS-122 in order to be billed the residential school tax rate. The Wallingford School District is 216 and your span # is on your tax bill. The deadline is April 1st. Form HS-122 can be found in the Vermont "2008 Income Tax Return Booklet" or you can file on line at www.vermont.gov. (Claims allowed up to September 1, 2009 but late filing penalties apply.)

Dr. Lisa Hickman will be administering shots for both dogs and cats on Saturday, March 28^th from 10 a.m. to Noon at the Wallingford Town Clerk ’s Office. Dogs can be registered at that time. The deadline for dog registration is April 1^st. Dog registrations can be done through the mail. Call the Town Clerk ’s office at 446-2336 to make sure we have a current rabies certificate. **After April 1^st, there is a $2 late fee plus the State is increasing the dog license fees!!**

Effective June 1, 2009, U.S. Citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book, U.S. passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security, when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. U.S. Passport Book Cost for First-time Applicants is $100 for adults, age 16 and older; $85 for minors, under age 16. Cost for Renewal is $75 for adults; age 16 and older. U.S. Passport Card Cost for First-time Applicants is $45 for adults, age 16 and older; $35 for minors, under age 16. Cost for Renewal is $20 for adults, age 16 or older. If you apply for a passport book and passport card at the same time, the cost is $120 for adults, age 16 or older, and $95 for minors, under age 16.

Green Up Day is Saturday, May 2. Stop by the Rotary Building on North Main Street to pick up your bag and gloves between 9 a.m. and Noon. Questions can be referred to Debbie Scranton at 446-2267.

Wallingford ’s two scheduled days are Saturday, May 16^th and Saturday, September 26^th from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Transfer Station. Visit www.wallingfordvt.com/hazardous_waste.htm to review the rules and acceptable materials.

The Summary of Tax Provisions under “Reports and Documents” on the website recovery.vt.org shows the various tax provisions for individuals and businesses. Some of these include extended and increased first-time homebuyer tax credit; extension of COBRA benefits; an increase in unemployment benefits by $25 per week; an one-time payment of $250 to all Social Security beneficiaries, SSI recipients and disabled veterans; increased funding for low-income families and seniors to weatherize their homes; above-the-line deduction in sales and excise tax on new vehicles; rebates for buying energy efficient Energy Star products to replace old appliances; an increase in 3 Squares Vermont (formerly the food stamps program); and extension of tax credits for improvements to energy-efficient homes (i.e. wood stoves, propane and oil furnaces, exterior windows, doors, insulation, etc. For help with these programs, call 2-1-1 for information.

Wallingford ’s recreation field will become the new home for a rehabilitated iron truss bridge this summer, which will see service as a pedestrian walkway. The job was advertised for bids by VTrans in February, and the project completion date is November 2009. This project started in June of 1998 with the Town being offered a 116’ foot bridge from Huntington Village. Unfortunately, there will be some disruption to the recreation fields and traffic will be diverted to the south end of Waldo Lane during some of the project.

{Please note that these meeting minutes are a brief summary and are not the final approved version.}

The Selectboard met in executive session to review and answer all claims in a new lawsuit filed by Melissa and David Whitmore, Plaintiffs, v. Thomas Phillips, Kimberly Phillips, Town of Wallingford , William Brooks, William Lohsen, and Amy Loomis, Defendants.

F. Bruce and B. Lohsen reported that Lawrence White Construction in Danby has shown interest in extracting material from the Waldo Lane properties owned by the Town and Tom Phillips. Mr. White also expressed the desire to gift sand to the Town over a four to five year period, with the Town possibly receiving the Phillips land at the end of the project. This offering could save the Town thousands of dollars for winter sand expense.

The Selectboard read correspondence from Tammy Ellis, the District Transportation Administrator, regarding parking along Route 7 before 7 a.m.

The Selectboard reviewed the responses from VTrans Secretary David Dill, Senator Carris, and State Representative Eldred French regarding the Town’s request to have the town’s match for the two bridge projects funded with the stimulus funds.

Julie is attending a workshop featuring Senator Leahy and Governor Douglas at Champlain College . Various sessions are being offered on how the stimulus bill might help families, towns, small business, etc.

The Selectboard reviewed Floodplain Program Manager Rob Evans’ email regarding Dennis Smith’s property. It is his belief that Mr. Smith must establish the limits of where the fill needs to be removed by providing pre-removal/post removal survey data certified by a professional engineer or licensed land surveyor. The Selectboard will wait to receive Mr. Evans official response.

03/16/09. Present: F. Bruce, C. Angel, B. Brooks, J. Crowley, and J. Gilman.

In order to follow the will of the people at Town Meeting, the Selectboard signed a letter for the Prudential Committee regarding having the Town take over the fire protection budget, in order to put the ball in their court.

Liquor license renewals were approved. A letter of support was signed for the elementary school’s grant application to the Safe Routes to School Program (biking and walking). The Vtrans Annual Financial Plan and Class 2 Roadway Paving Grant Application were signed. 2008 Bridge Inspection reports were reviewed from Vtrans. F. Bruce will serve on the Scholarship Committee and was appointed Road Commissioner. Annual appointments were made.

The Selectboard hope to meet with the Rec Committee to review their plans for the rec program this summer. Joyce reported on the status of the pedestrian bridge that’s being installed at the rec field this summer.

03/09/09. Present: J. West, L. Miller, A. Tiplady, B. Soule, E. Crelin, and B. Brooks

The Commission reviewed and acknowledged a letter submitted from Rob Barker, dated March 9^th.

The Commission reviewed the Subdivision Regulation changes approved were: Subdivisions of 4 lots or fewer may require Administrative Review only. A 30 review determination was given to reflect the standard permitting process. Abutters shall be notified by first class mail.

The Subdivision Regulations will be presented to the public at a hearing on April 13. Copies will be available and notices will be posted 15 days prior to the hearing date.

Larry Miller and Bill Brooks have decided not to run for another term on the Planning Commission. Names will be submitted for replacement.

02/23/09. Present: S. Pytlik, D. Klock, P. Upton, R. Nimtz, T. Chila, and D. Scranton

Lowell Klock offered to print more copies of the walking brochure to be distributed around the town.

The WCC hosted a meeting in January on Fluvial Geomorphic Assessment of the Upper Otter Creek that was well attended and very interesting. The recreation area might be a good location for a demonstration project involving plantings and invasive control along the Otter Creek.

The State is putting out bids for installation of the pedestrian bridge between the ball field and the pit.

Green Up Day is Saturday, May 2. Shannon suggested giving out light bulbs this year instead of trees. Anne gets light bulbs from Aubuchon Hardware for $.99 each or perhaps we can get them from Efficiency Vermont.

We will ask the select board to reappoint Shannon and David and then we will have our election of officers. Anne Miller is interested in participating as well so we will include Anne’s name for appointment. Ralph and Tim are willing to act as co-chairs. Kim will continue to take minutes and pass them to Debbie via a thumb drive for distribution and submission to Julie. Shannon agreed to run as treasurer.

We need to ask the Selectboard if we can return to our outreach efforts at the pit (signage and trail maintenance).

Peter is on the Rutland Regional Commission energy committee. The planning commission is going to write a letter to the Selectboard suggesting that they initiate an energy committee. Tim is willing to spearhead the committee as an off-shoot of the conservation commission.

The Committee discussed cleaning up Otter Creek and/or planting the buffer at the ball field (including invasive control).

Anne Tiplady discussed updating the town plan this year. The Planning Commission may follow the model that was pioneered by the town of Starksboro . Anne encourages everyone to partici pat e.

Shannon wrote a Better Backroads grant application to minimize erosion on Sugar Hill and Seward Hill by installing sediment basins and culverts.

Shannon will have the walking trails PDF put on the website. We should create a newsletter for the website.

Kim will call Scott regarding a bat talk. Anne suggested a speaker on Global Warming.

The Committee developed an attendance policy that to remain on the committee, you must attend 75% of the meetings.

The Summer rec program was discussed. The Committee would like one summer rec employee to be a certified lifeguard. Concern has been expressed over the rate of pay given to these summer rec programs. The Committee will meet with the School Board to begin discussion about using the school this summer.

02/25/09. Present: S. Duskiewicz, K. Shelvey, L. Marchinkoski, T. Phillips, and J. Osmer

The School gave permission to use the trailer and gym for the summer rec program. The camp will be run for 5 weeks. Salaries and field trips were discussed. The Committee voted to have Pratico’s install the fencing at the playground. The funds will come out of the playground fund (not town money). Lifeguards at Elfin Lake were discussed.

03/11/09. Present: S. Duskiewicz, K. Shelvey, L. Marchinkoski and T. Petrossi

K. Shelvey explained the pedestrian bridge project that will be installed this summer and how it may affect the usage of the ballfields.

The Committee would like to contact the Conservation Commission about the CC’s plans to clean Otter Creek and plant a buffer.

C. Maniery discussed the plans for summer rec including payroll, field trips and bussing.

Mr. Hebert discussed the reading of the water meter/blow off at his property on Elm Street as it was very high. The allowance of 9,000 gallons per blow off season applies (12/15 – 3/15). A 1/4 inch valve is on his pipe; the correct valve measurement is 1/16 inch. The valves need to be replaced as they do expand. The Committee approved an adjustment be made on his bill.

Chief Duchesne and D. Boyd brought additional information on the Knox lock boxes. S. Sendra encouraged them to apply for grants on line before 3/15.

In regard to the alarm system at the Wallingford Lodge, Howard’s Fire Control put in a new heater.

The Committee would not approve a rate reduction for the lodge rental of a Saturday – Wednesday as it is not a Non- Profit organization.

There will be an amended ordinance for blow offs and for bill due dates put in place before the next blow off season begins. The 9,000 gallon allowance will be enforced according to the amendments.

Stephanie Biagini asked for her salary increase, as well as for Mark and Dale, retroactive to January 1.

Rick Cartouche has a fire hydrant that was bought and needs to be delivered. Scott will get in touch with Dale about when to have it delivered.

Alicia will try to attend all meetings and keep the Committee informed about the delinquent taxes.

Chief Duchesne presented information for the old fire trucks that are going up for bid.

Stephane brought up that they need the down payment for the Air Packs by end of March or the contract is void. The fire department is also working on getting some grants to help with any future items that become needed.

C Baker spoke to Mike Bird about the water blow offs but wants to invite to John West to a meeting.

C Baker stated we should try to put together something to get some of the stimulus package money to use for the new fire truck.

The item on the warning for the town meeting is for the Fire Protection portion only to be taken over by the town. This was the lowest grossing positive poll to be taken over by the town. The fire district poll results, to take over everything or no change at all, were the same. The Committee decided that this is now a dead issue as less than 10% wanted only the fire protection to be taken over by the town.

The Board reviewed the Town Meeting agenda and the warning and the discussed the Board’s presentation.

Principal Jason Morse reported there are a few more leaks in the roof after the latest series of ice melting and freezing days. The requests for use of building were reviewed. The 6^th grade is going to CSC to see Flamenco Vivo Carlota, a free Arts Reach program on Feb. 24^th. The individual spelling bee will be held Feb. 26^th and the winner advances to the state competition. The 4^th graders will take the NAEP test on Feb. 25^th. A parenting workshop with Peg Lucci begins on March 9^th for 3 weeks. We will have an All-School sharing on Feb. 24^th. The Paw Print was sent home Feb. 13^th. The 3^rd grade teachers will attend the March 5^th meeting and Julie Fredette, art teacher, will attend the meeting on March 19^th to present their programs. Jason transferred money to the Bus Repair line to cover some of the costs from our recent bus inspections. The student council reading celebration was a success with over 42,000+ pages read in two weeks, surpassing our goal of 28,000. A great celebration day was held with a guest musician, reading, and mystery readers. Jason attended the safe routes to school informational meeting on Feb. 13^th. He will be working on the application and report more on the 5^th. The application is due on March 13^th. Gary, Dan, Cheryl, and Jason met about the schedule for the summer town’s recreation program and the use of facilities.

Ken noted Tom James’ editorial in the Time Argus and the VSBA’s response. Chuck W. reported a mediator meeting is scheduled April 29.

C. Watts was elected chair; K. Fredette was elected vice chair. C. Piotrowski elected clerk.

Regular meeting date and time: 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of the month at 6:30 p.m.

The Board reviewed town meeting. The Wallingford budget passed with 59% of the vote, 251 to 171.

The board and administrators visited the 3^rd grade classrooms where Teachers Patty Bartlett and Sandy Reardon gave a presentation. Principal Jason Morse led the board on a tour of the building.

The Board authorized the chair to sign the board contracts issued to the teachers at the 2007-2008 master agreement rate and attach a note stating that once the master agreement is settled, the contract amounts will be revised accordingly.

Ken recommended the Daniel Barlow article in the Rutland Herald –“Class Sizes Shrink” and Herald editorial of 3/5/09

Foot and blood pressure clinic on Wednesday, April 1st at 10:30 a.m. at the Wallingford House.

Senior Planning Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 8th at 10 a.m. in the Klock Room at the Gilbert Hart Library . All are welcome to join us.

Remember the Seniors’ lunch every Monday at Noon at the Rotary. Contact Linda Weightman at 446-2301.

Join us Monday, April 13^th at 1 p.m. at the Wallingford House to meet with a pharmacist who will review your medications

Senior trip is Saturday, April 25^th to the Paramount Theatre to see the play “Almost Maine ”, a romantic comedy. Lunch will be at the Panda Pavilion. Contact Peggy Rice at 446-6050.

North Clarendon Seniors Trips – Friday, April 10^th, Poultney Senior Meal site.

Friday, May 22^nd, Lebanon , New Hampshire . Contact Nancy Buffum at 773-7861.

PACE Vermont , a new Vermont-based organization is available to serve members of Wallingford . PACE, the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, is a health care program that works with elders to meet their health and social needs so they may continue living in their homes. The PACE center offers primary care, physical and occupational therapies, nutritional counseling, social work services, adult day programming and more. PACE provides transportation to and from the center. In-home services are also available to help with daily routines and errands. PACE programs are paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, or private pay premiums. Call 776-2900 in Rutland for more information.

Did you know that the week of April 12-18, 2009 , is National Library Week? The national observance was first sponsored in 1958 by the American Library Association and libraries across the country to recognize the contributions of our nation’s libraries and the library staff responsible for the daily operations of the libraries.

In celebration of National Library Week, let me tell you a few things about YOUR community library that you might not know:

I want to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to a group of loyal supporters who habitually make monetary or materials donations to the library -- you know who you are -- and I won’t embarrass you by publishing your names. Thank you very much!!

The month of April also includes another important week. The week of April 19-25, 2009 , is National Volunteer Week. I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to the folks that volunteer at the library. The volunteers and Friends plan our adult programs, art displays for the Klock Room, receptions for our local artist who display work at the library, book sales , plant sales , putting away books, straightening books on the shelf, and the list goes on and on. Volunteers from the weekly bone builders class (many of which are also members of the Friends group) stay over and help put away books; our Wednesday night volunteers work the “night shift” and keep the library open until 8 p.m.; the volunteers who haul away our garbage, shovel the snow, and completes other small building maintenance jobs; the Wallingford Day Care folks who provide our weekly Wednesday morning children’s program; and our Board of Trustees who are also volunteers – THANK YOU!!

This has been the month for equipment breakdowns and repairs at the library and unselfish donations of time and service by some very generous people. Thanks to Don Emery and especially Oscar Daubenspeck for their time and effort in identifying the problem and helping in the repair of the book charger, and to the guys at Melanson Company, Inc. (Rutland) for donating their time and materials in the actual repair of the equipment. Thanks to Doug Reeves for repairing the broken coffee table. Stuart Rielle just happened to be dropping off his kids and arrived at the library just in time to get the wireless system up and running again – spending more than an hour working on the problem. Thanks to Ed Crelin for his “telephone time” in providing assistance to Stuart.

Jane Brody’s Guide to the Great Beyond:
A Practical Primer to Help You and Your
Loved Ones Prepare Medically, Legally,
and Emotionally for the End of Life Jane Brody

The Great Decision: Jefferson, Adams,
Marshall, and the Battle for the Supreme
Court Cliff Sloan

Book Review: A Homemade Life Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table was written by Molly Wizenberg. Ms. Wizenberg recounts a life with the kitchen at its center. From her mother’s pound cake, a staple of summer picnics during her childhood in Oklahoma , to the eggs she cooked for her father during the weeks before his death, food and memories are intimately entwined. You won’t be able to decide whether to curl up and sink into the story or to head straight to the market to fill your basket with ingredients for supper! Stop by and check it out!!

Just a reminder that the library is open until 8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings!!

Library Hours
M – closed
Tu, Thu, Fri – 10:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Wed – 10:00 – 8 p.m.
Sat – 9:00 – noon
Su – closed

We must be careful about saying that winter is over, but it is good to hear the birds some of these sunny mornings and see early sprouts of bulbs coming along well. What a lot of work awaits us this time of year, both inside and out! Fortunately the impetus is there to get at it!

With April here, we look forward to more spring-like activities. On April 1, proceeding chronologically is the First Wednesday Program at Rutland ’s Library entitled On Writing Mark Twain: a Life. The author, Ron Powers, discusses the challenges and opportunities he encountered while writing his acclaimed biography. It’s at 7 p.m. The program in Manchester is one that has already been presented in Rutland , about the German POWs in a camp in Stark, N.H. (It was very good, by the way). This program also starts at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church.

On April 3, there will be a Whist card party in the Klock Room at the Library. Games start at 7 p.m. Call Carol Pratt at 446-2843 if you are interested or have questions. Another Whist party will be held on April 17.

On April 8 at 2 p.m. , the Friends have their monthly meeting. We are looking ahead to a plant sale in May and Walling Day in July, so come and help us make plans! We older folks need an injection of new ideas!

Our book discussion for April is scheduled for April 15 and the book is Growing Up by Russell Baker. His story, which is autobiographical, describes how it was, growing up between the two world wars. We meet those who were an influence in his life and the heroes and heroines of the Depression.

On April 29, we will have a Vermont Council on Humanities Program, which we have been trying to get for some time. The program is Of Burgas and Bikinis: Afghani Women and the War on Terror. The program will be presented by Sanjukta Ghosh who teaches at Castleton College . Sanjukta does a lot of traveling, so has been hard for us to schedule, but we do think this will be a good exposure to how things are in

Afghanistan

. The program will be in the Klock Room at 7 p.m.

We have set our annual plant sale for May 16. It is not too early to start some vegetable and flower seeds or perhaps root some cuttings. It’s probably too early to dig in the ground, but look around and see what needs to be done when you can move things around.

In nature, size isn’t everything. Vernal pools are small ecological gems of greater significance than their size would suggest. Learning more about these modest pools transforms them in our thinking from “big puddles” into critical wildlife habitat.

Vernal pools are small, shallow, temporary wetlands that occur in or next to forests or wooded areas and lie in isolated basins with no inlets or outlets. The pools fill in the spring, dry down in the summer, may fill again in the fall and, as a result, lack fish populations.

Vernal pools change appearance seasonally and sometimes yearly (see front). They are most evident in early spring when the “big puddles” have filled with snowmelt. In wet years, water may flow over a filled pool, but after that, the pool will be isolated from other water sources. Once the breeding season begins in early spring, your ears should lead you to the pool. In summer when the pools are dry, the clearest indication of a vernal pool may be dirt-covered, matted leaves in a shaded shallow depression that has little vegetation in its center. Pools often refill with autumn rains and freeze in winter. In fact, winter is a good time to scout promising locations for small frozen pools to pinpoint the best places to visit in late March and April.

One of the biggest challenges is learning to recognize what vernal pools look like throughout the year. Their drastic change in appearance may be one reason so many of our vernal pools have been filled in or covered and destroyed. Vernal pools are very vulnerable to activities that alter water flows, disturb the bottom of the pools, or significantly alter the surrounding forest. Loss of vernal pools is a particularly nettlesome problem because restoring them in their original location is difficult and because certain amphibians always seek the specific pool from which they emerged. Destroying pools may make it difficult for amphibians to reach another pool. According to a recent study in Vermont a zone within 410 yards of a vernal pool’s edge can be considered the pool’s “life zone” because 95 percent of a pool’s salamander population resides within that distance, traveling to and from the pool. Road construction, development, logging and other such activities can affect vernal pool ecology by interfering with amphibian migration to and from breeding habitat, the ability of the basin to retain water, the amount of shade over the pool, and the influx of leaf fall and woody debris from surrounding vegetation. In order to protect the ecology of a vernal pool, it is recommended that no soil disruption or tree cutting occur within 50 feet of the edge of the pool and that only well considered activity occur within 500 feet of the edge.

Wetlands without fish are uncommon. So, in vernal pools, amphibians can breed without fish feeding on their eggs or their developing larvae. Despite being small, vernal pools contain a wealth of microscopic organisms that consume the decaying leaves collected in the pools each autumn. These organisms are food for small species, such as fairy shrimp, fingernail clams, snails, and insect larvae, which become food for other forest animals including snakes, turtles, birds, and small mammals. The biodiversity of vernal pools is particularly impressive – more than 550 species are found in some Northeastern vernal pools – with many species restricted exclusively to these habitats. Vernal pool amphibians exert an important influence on the ecology of the surrounding forest up to one-quarter mile from the edge of the pool. Over an entire season at one site, the weight of vernal pool breeding amphibians was found to exceed that of all breeding birds and small mammals in the surrounding 50-acre upland forest. A worldwide decline in amphibian populations has been documented in the last decade; these losses underscore the critical need for protection of vernal pools.

Mole salamanders are elusive except during the early spring migration and courtship, but their many egg masses will be evident in vernal pools. Except for the 2-3 weeks spent migrating and courting, spotted salamanders, the uncommon blue spotted, and the rare Jefferson lead underground lives in deep burrows within a few hundred feet of their pool. It may take a migrating salamander as long as 2 weeks to reach its breeding pool. Spotted salamanders may live for 18 years; they don’t reproduce until their 5th year. Wood frogs emerge early. Their loud duck-like quacking chorus will lead you to the pool. They become quiet if disturbed, but if you remain still, they will resume calling. Most (80-90 percent) of wood frogs breed in the vernal pool where they developed; once they begin breeding, they return every year to the same pool. Fairy shrimp, best seen with close range binoculars, live only in vernal pools and are active before the amphibian migration. When their pool dries up, the adults die, but the resting eggs (encysted embryos) survive heat, drying out, freezing, and being eaten by other animals to emerge with the next year’s spring floods. In fact, the eggs must dry and be re-submerged to hatch.

The best way to learn about vernal pools is by making a springtime visit. A daytime visit is fine (and easiest), but to catch the amphibian migration, you’ll need to head out after dark on the first warm rainy nights when air temperatures are above 40° F. Wear raingear, walk carefully, and bring a flashlight but not a dog. You’re likely to encounter the pool teeming with life. Try to identify the species whose survival depends on vernal pools: the spotted, blue-spotted, and Jefferson salamanders, wood frogs, fairy shrimp, and fingernail clams.

Coming Events for the Maple Valley Grange #318 on Route 7 South in South Wallingford ……

Fisherman’s Breakfast – Saturday, April 11^th 7 – 10 a.m. $6 per person

Every Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. Line Dancing. $5 per person. Snack bar available. Beginners & experienced.

Coming Events for the Wallingford Volunteer Fire Department on Railroad Street in Wallingford ……

Texas Hold’Em Tournament
Saturday, April 4th
11:00 sign in -- 12:00 p.m. start

$50 Buy In
Pay out 66%
No re-buys
$10 High Hand (optional)

To benefit Wallingford Fun Day
& Fireworks

to raise funds to send Wallingford ’s own children’s team to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in Ames , Iowa .

When: Monday, April 6^{th –} 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Wallingford Elementary School
Cost: $8.50 Adults -- $5.50 children under 13
$25 per family

A performance by Wallingford ’s First Place Odyssey Team at 7 p.m.

Raffle of One Night Stay at “The Essex – VT’s Culinary Resort and Spa”

Wallingford children take 1^st Place in Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament

Wallingford residents Hope Ahearn, Rowan Dubin-Masuck, Sara Osmer, Anjelica Carroll, Ian Dansereau, and Tim Heffernan participated as a team in the Vermont Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament in Hinesburg on March 7th. The team consisting of four 6^th graders at WES and two 7^th graders at Mill River placed first in their division for their Earth Trek problem. The children worked from October through March and built a self-powered vehicle that made its way along a handmade track through four amazing mechanical natural disasters-- a tornado, volcano, tsunami and earthquake, while the children performed a skit that they wrote themselves. The effort and originality of their project also won the team the Renatra Fusca award, a coveted award for Odyssey teams which is only awarded to teams that display exemplary creativity.

The team of six, along with their coaches, Tim Vile and Nan Dubin, have been invited to travel to Iowa State University in Ames , Iowa to compete in the 30^th Anniversary Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. The Wallingford children will have a wonderful opportunity to compete with teams from all over the world. In an order to attend, the children need to raise the $6,000 that the team needs to pay for its transportation to the university and lodging and meals in the university dormitory.

Tax-deductible donations are very much appreciated even if you cannot attend our pasta dinner. All donations may be made by check payable to: MRUHS c/o Nan Dubin, 868 Bixby Road, East Wallingford , VT. Please put “Odyssey of the Mind” in the memo line of the check.

Suicide Survivors Support Group meetings for those who have lost a loved one or friend through suicide are held at the Maple Leaf Clinic, 167 North Main Street , Wallingford , 446-3577 on the third Tuesday of each month.

Home Wisdom: Hands on Health With Household Items. Wednesday, April 15th, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM , at RRMC. De-Stress and end tax day energized by learning some self care skills and techniques with rolling pins, tennis balls, apple cider vinegar, sea salt & more. Feel good; uplifting night guaranteed. Facilitator: Lisa M. Donohue, MA, LMT.

*German Dinner*
Wallingford Rotary Club
Saturday, April 4^th
5:00-7:00 p.m.

We will be serving pork and sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, applesauce, spinach salad, and rolls, followed by strawberry/rhubarb potpie or apple crumble. Adults $9 and children $5. The proceeds will go towards our local scholarship programs.

Rutland Regional Medical Center ’s Community Education & Wellness Department announces the new schedule for the Safe Sitter Program. The Safe Sitter Program is available for 11-13-year-old boys & girls interested in becoming a safe sitter. The Safe Sitter Program offers instruction on many topics that an individual caring for a young child should know: child care essentials, preventing injuries, care of choking infants and children, rescue breathing, behavior management, and more.

Registration is required, with a $50.00 tuition fee due before the class begins. To register, contact Susan Lebel, Program Coordinator, at 802.747.3771. No one will be excluded for an inability to pay.

Mark Bishop Evans in Concert
Saturday, April 4^th, 6:30 p.m.
First Congregational Church
FREE

Saturday, April 18^th 5 pm – 7 pm
$8 adults/$5 children under 12
(family discounts available)

Angel Food Ministries
now available in Wallingford

Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing substantial grocery savings to communities
throughout the U.S.

Angel Food is available monthly to any household in a quantity that can fit into a medium sized box at $30. Each month’s menu is different and consists of both fresh/frozen items with an average retail value of $60. Generally, one box of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month. Angel Food gladly accepts debit/credit cards, cash and food stamps. Order online at www.AFMofbrattleboro.org or call (802) 275-4955 Mon-Fri 8:30-1:30 . Order deadline for March is Sunday, 3/15. Distribution Date is 3/28 at the Rutland Area Chris tian School on Lincoln Avenue . Call for April deadline. Questions can be directed to Pete Dell’Erba or Carleen Eaton at Roadside Chapel – 775-5805.

Come join us for fellowship at the Wallingford Congregational Church on South Main Street on the second Wednesday of every month for Lunch. Soup ‘n’ Such at noon . It’s free and open to the public.

During the weeks of January 29th ~ February 13th., the Wallingford Elementary School [WES], Wallingford Town Hall, Wallingford Day Care, the Gilbert Hart Library and the Thrive Center of the Green Mountains collected in excess of 360 non-perishable items for the Rutland Community Cupboard [RCC]. While the collection was considerably lower in volume given last year's numbers, we all know every little bit helps, is very much needed, and truly appreciated!

Here's the valuable learning opportunity that happened at [WES] ~ Grades K-3 worked altogether to count and organize the food; Kindergarten and First Grade sorted the food; Second Grade graphed the amount of food each class collected; and then the Third Graders collected the food from the classrooms and completed a bar graph showing the various categories of food collected, to round out the efforts. On February 13th, Ms. Valente's Second Grade delivered the food to the "cupboard", along with the monetary donations and helped to stock the shelves.

"The children were fantastic with the collecting, counting and graphing during this project. When they arrived at the RCC's small building, the kids worked together beautifully, without one problem. Just remarkable! I am so proud of them", further added, Patty Bartlett.

The second grade collection project coincided with Annual Thrive Center of the Green Mountains ' ~ 'Giving from the Heart' week long promotion, which has been occurring for the last 10 years. In addition, to the food collection, the Center donates a portion of all sales / monies collected, in the form of Rutland Natural Food Market: "The Co-op" $5 vouchers, said Lisa Donohue , of Thrive.

"The vouchers, allow Community Cupboard customers access to the healthy, natural and fresh foods available at the Co-op, but not generally available at the Cupboard. When we were approached by Patty Bartlett to combine our efforts with the greater community, we were delighted to synchronize our annual promotion. It truly creates a win-win-win for everyone and its good small business citizenry. A sincere thank you to everyone who participated to make this collection happen.", further adds, Donohue.