Charlotte not alone in facing huge tax rate increases
Charlotte’s proposed homestead tax rate for the next fiscal year is 20 percent higher than the current rate, and that number’s no outlier.
Delving into the many incarnations of spaghetti sauce
Writing about Monday Munches at the Charlotte Senior Center has spurred me to acquire a lot of books about food. This week’s additions include “The Emily Dickinson Cookbook: Recipes from Emily’s Table Alongside the Poems that Inspire Them” and “The Trumpland Cookbook.”
Center critical for community with half of residents over 50
According to the 2022 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median age in Charlotte is just over 50. This means that at least half of Charlotte’s residents are eligible to participate in programming at the Charlotte Senior Center.
Kids, if the snowshoe fits wear it — and enjoy winter
The library is the perfect place to find activities for winter vacation week. Besides opportunities to embroider, watch birds, build LEGO machines and more, the library hopes to help kids enjoy the snow with its Library of Things. Child-sized snowshoes (up to 90 pounds) are available for a one-week check out.
CVSD leaders visit Charlotte Central School to celebrate school
In early February, Champlain Valley School District principals and Superintendent Sanchez visited Charlotte Central School to learn from each other and to celebrate the school’s focus on collaboration, differentiated instruction and engaged learners.
Quirky works for answering unusual college essay questions
When asked an unusual question, it is OK to give an unusual answer. With tens of thousands of college applicants, a quirky essay prompt encourages the student to set themselves apart from the competition.
Consider helping food shelf meet increasing demand
Throughout Vermont demand at food shelves is soaring. This is attributed, in part, to higher food costs, an end to pandemic emergency allotment aids that boosted SNAP benefits, inflation, rent or mortgage costs, the opioid crisis and the effect of summer’s flooding on homes and businesses.
Make warming winter curry from locally grown ingredients
It’s February, and we need something to warm us up. The gardens are frozen, most of the farm stands are closed, but we can still serve up delightful meals with the bulk of the ingredients sourced locally.
Property taxes are going up, it’s true. Here’s what I know.
First, an important note: We recently lost two pillars of our community, and it’s a heartbreak for their families and a true loss for all of us, not just on a personal level, but as a town.
Around Town: Feb. 22
Condolences and Congratulations to Charlotters
Is Eurasian watermilfoil just another weed?
What is Eurasian watermilfoil? Is it just a weed that might be a nuisance but isn’t harmful to lakes and ponds? After all, it has been found in many lakes around the country and has been in some of Vermont’s lakes for decades.
Tide seems to be changing with current village planning project
On Wednesday, Feb. 14, I was invited to attend, along with other community members, a brainstorming session with the leaders of the Charlotte East and West Village Project. Larry Lewack, town planner; Darren Schibler, senior planner at the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission; and Bob Bloch, planning commission liaison to the group, led the discussion about the future of the east and west villages of Charlotte.
Letters to the Editor: Feb. 22
Chea Waters Evans announces candidacy To the Editor: I’m almost halfway through my second year in my first term…
Vanilla: A tropical treat you can extract yourself
Most of us recognize that little brown bottle on the spice shelf that imparts a wonderful fragrance and flavor to baked goods and beverages. It’s a staple in our kitchens, but have you ever wondered where vanilla extract comes from?
Bill eliminating smart devices in Vermont schools hopes to improve student health — but education leaders aren’t so sure
Laura Derriendinger wants to protect Vermont children from social media, or as she defined it to Senate education committee members Jan. 26, “a toxic rabbit hole.”
Vermont House proposal would ban pet store dog and cat sales
Vermont could ban pet stores from selling dogs, cats and wolf hybrids under a bill in the House agriculture committee.
It’s not too late to satisfy your Girl Scout cookie cravings
Don’t worry if you have a Thin Mint dependency and are worried about finding the cookie you love. If you missed one-on-one opportunities to purchase the cookie craving you suffer from annually, don’t stress out.
Two very different hearings on town manager
What if a town held a hearing and nothing was heard?
Survey results favor move to town manager
30% opposed; 26% undecided or need more information
Here’s the skinny on the Town Meeting Day ballot
Let’s start this story about voting this March like Jeopardy, giving the answer first. Here’s Common Connections for $200 — and remember you need to phrase your answer in the form of a question — Mark Stewart Greenstein, Jason Michael Palmer, Dean Phillips, Cenk Uygur and Marianne Williamson.