Around Town

Edd Merritt
Deb Smith

Congratulations to Deb Smith of Charlotte who participated in a workshop at Dartmouth College titled “The School of Ice: Ice Cores and Climate Change” that ran from July 29 through August 2. The program was developed by the U.S. Ice Drilling Program Office, a part of the National Science Foundation, which provides oversight of U.S. scientific drilling efforts in both the Arctic and Antarctic. Deb spent two summers in Antarctica in the early 2000s. The four-day residential course focused on the role of proxy records to help expand current understanding of Earth’s climate, with a special focus on ice-core data.

Congratulations to Charlotte’s Mount Philo State Park, which was voted by readers of Seven Days as the “Best State Park.” People said it was the perfect locale for picnics with friends.

Congratulations to The Old Lantern Inn & Bar of Charlotte that Seven Days’ readers voted as a finalist among “Best Wedding Venues.” The top pick happened to be our neighbor, Shelburne Farms, for its variety of sites that make it a “gorgeous place to get hitched.”

Congratulations to Recreation Commission Chair Bill Fraser-Harris and to Fat Cow Farm, Misty Knoll Farm, Stoney Loam Farm, Adams Berry Farm and Mow Mow Mow who sponsored a very successful beach party at the Charlotte Town Beach. Ten tables of food plus tunes by the Mystic Party Band and a solar-powered bouncy house from Suncommon kept kids hopping all afternoon. Harrison Grubs, Paige and Deirdre Holmes and Chris and Tess won beach passes for next year. 

Sympathy is extended to family and friends of Elizabeth Gilroy of Bedford, New Hampshire, and Marco Island, Florida, who passed away July 31 at the age of 88. She and her husband, Gordon, who survives her, and her family spent many summers on Thompson’s Point in Charlotte. A memorial service in her memory will be held at the Thompson’s Point clubhouse August 11.

Sympathy is extended to family and friends of Carole Ann Scott of South Burlington who passed away July 24 at the age of 75. She was the daughter of the late Gordon and Vera Sprigg of Charlotte, where she grew up before moving to Burlington.

Town Bite

“Stuff the Truck” comes to Charlotte Congregational Church August 18
How often do you have a chance to do three great things at once? On Saturday, August 18, Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore truck will be at Charlotte’s Congregational Church accepting tax-deductible donations of household items. Items, which must be in good condition, include furniture, area rugs, lamps, small appliances and tools to name just a few. No mattresses, baby equipment or large CRT TVs can be accepted.

Here’s a chance to: 

  • get rid of all those items that have been lying around attics and basements for months or maybe longer; provide others with an opportunity to benefit from things that otherwise might end up in the landfill;
  • help address the need for affordable, quality housing for working families in our area.

Simply bring items you wish to donate to the Charlotte Congregational Church at 403 Church Hill Road on Saturday, August 18, between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., where they will be gladly accepted. You will receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donation, and, equally important, you will know that you have spared the environment and helped address a serious affordable housing shortage in Chittenden County.

If you have a question about whether an item can be accepted, go to the Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity website.  Or you may contact Jim Hyde via email or by phone at (802) 425-5263.

Hope to see you August 18!

Maybe you could stuff the tank while you’re at it
Have you seen it sitting in Derek Chace’s yard or headed to the Creemee Depot last week? The 1974 British Sabre tank is one of several vehicles in his collection that can be seen as you drive past his house on Thompson’s Point Road. Partly because of its red cross, a 1978 ambulance stands out.

Besides importing cars as a business, Derek and his wife, Cate, collect classics. They have shown the tank at the Classic Auto Festival at Shelburne Museum, and it is currently on display through Saturday at the Vermont Antique and Classic Car Show in Waterbury. One is not likely to think of Charlotte, Vermont, as a tank base. But, then again, in addition to carrying creemees, it may have its muzzle directed at Snow Geese.