The record, 20 mars 2014, Cahier 2

Cold weather delays sugaring in Vermont and Quebec Chris Sherwood’s shack in Sutton, Vt.By Manfried Rieder The record-breaking cold spell we had last week has delayed maple syrup production in most of northern Vermont and neighboring Quebec and when contacted, 12 sugar producers stated that they may be about three weeks late this year.But as the owner of one sugar shack said: “We had winters where we were boiling off the sap in February and it could go as late as April in some years — it is nature’s way and we are quite used to these vagaries.” However, most Vermont sugar shacks will host an Open House Maple Weekend on Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23.Nearby, in Derby, Jed’s Mapie will have their fifteenth annual sugar on the snow party and Maple Open House.This is a free event with storytime in the morning, a junior sugarmaker class in the afternoon, and food tasting all day long.Weather permitting they will be boiling and there will be samples of fresh syrup.The event spans all regions of Vermont and we spoke with a sugar maker at the “Sugar Shack and Battenkill Gallery” in Arlington.This might be a bit far for our readers but this famous old maple producer has made the simple maple sap into an art form with a huge array of products ranging from all grades and bottling sizes of syrup to can- Never bored on Border Board Game night By Matthew McCully The Boarder Board Games group, which has been meeting monthly for more than four years, is always looking for new members from both sides of the border to join in the fun.“It began with myself and my husband, avid tabletop gamers,” said Bethany Meyers Greaser.“We were trying to find other like-minded people who enjoyed board games and role-playing games.” In 2010, they set up a monthly event.The village of Derby Line, Vt.agreed to let Greaser and her husband Richard use the village hall at no cost.The gaming nights are free and open for anyone to attend.“We play what I call non-traditional board games (aka Euro Games).They are games like the Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, or Carcassonne,” Greaser said.“They don’t really compare to traditional games (like Monopoly or Sorry) but the closest I can come up with is they are most like Clue, Risk, Scrabble, Hearts, or Spades.” The games combine a little bit of luck with strategy, according to Greaser.“We have found that if you enjoy traditional games, you will love the board games we play,” she added.“Our closest game store is actually in Sherbrooke (Le Griffon) and I realized a couple years ago that since Derby Line is literally right on the border, I should try Cont’d on page 5 dies, pies and maple related condiments and baked goods.They also have a beautiful collection of Norman Rockwell paintings in their “Battenkill Gallery.” This place is on historic route 7A near Bennington.Prices for maple syrup have gone sky high in recent years and you can compare the per-ounce cost of syrup with the cost of a good quality bourbon or vodka.Currently a simple quart of best grade syrup retails for about $24.The production of syrup goes back to the original inhabitants, the Abenaki Indians who had a long tradition of gathering and boiling sap, a custom that was embraced and continued by the early t 1 rr — '|î; 1 if* »**r p f.W- up sip i’ 1 ; ^ ¦* * ' *{ t 1 *- 1 i 4* COURTESY PHOTO Cont’d on page 4 Left is Brad Blitstein of Bradford, Vt.and on the right is Carlo Gozzi of Sherbrooke, Que.JL Æé u Jm RE S TAU RANT Service de traiteur Livraison 9 Boul.Notre-Dame Stanstead, QC JOB 3E2 Tel.: (819) 870-2757 rs® pharmacie üi Chantai Richard Avilît A IIEEfflSBI 1 23, boulevard Notre-Dame Ouest 1 Stanstead (Québec) JOB 3E2 Téléphone/Phone no : (819) 876-5811 HEURES D'OUVERTURE / OPENING HOURS: Lun-Ven / Mon-Fri : 9h à 18h Sam / Sat : 9h à 13h Télécopieur/Fax no : (819) 876-2312 Nous livrons / We deliver Chantal Richard, pharmacienne Page 2 March 2014 THE PASSPORT Passport Briefs Frontier Animal Society Stanstead museum offers trip to Ottawa The Colby-Curtis Museum in Stanstead is organizing a trip to Ottawa on Wednesday, May 14, returning Thursday, May 15, 2014.Service includes a bus with toilet, a bilingual tour guide, and a stay at the Four Point Sheraton Hotel in Gatineau, including a continental breakfast.The price for the trip will also cover admission to the Parliament and the National Art Gallery, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, as well as a cruise on the Rideau Canal.Price per person: Double occupancy: $285 Triple occupancy: $265 Quad occupancy: $255 Single occupancy: $385 if this trip is of interest, contact us as soon as possible at 819-876-7322 or by e-mail: info@colbycurtis.ca The bus will leave from the Colby-Curtis Museum at 6:45 a.m.The deadline to reserve is April 4, 2014.Fireman’s dance After a year of rest, the Stanstead Fire Department is hosting another fireman’s dance.The event will take place March 29 at Lebaron Hall at Stanstead College.The dance is a fundraiser for the department, supporting activities and events the department holds, as well as its involvement in the community.Ticket sales are going well so far, according to Fire Chief Chris Goodsell.“Lebaron Hall is a nice place for a dance.Lots of space, and good sound,” he added.Music will be provided by local group Slightly Haggard, who are friends of the department.Band member Brian Curtis was also a fireman years ago.Tickets are $7 in advance or $10 at the door.Entrance is free to any area firemen, but they are asked to wear a department T-shirt to identify themselves.The dance starts at 9 p.m.Avoid fraud — shred private documents The town of Stanstead would like residents to know about a shredding service taking place in an effort to counter fraud.Anyone wishing to safely dispose of sensitive or private documents can do so on March 26 from 10:00 a.m.to 11:00 a.m.in front of 425 Dufferin Street (town hall).First Universalist Parish of Derby Line First annual Cabin Fever Reliever Extravaganza Susan-Lynn Johns Sunday, March 23 at 10a.m.First Universalist Parish is holding its first Annual Cabin Fever Reliever Extravaganza led by Susan-Lynn Johns and Ken Michelli.The service features the musical and literary talents of First Parish friends and members.No sermon.just fun! All are welcome.If you're starting to believe that spring will never come, don’t despair! First Universalist Parish of Derby Line has just the thing to make you forget all about the cold for a while.While looking around his congregation one morning a few months ago, Ken Michelli, founder and conductor of the Newport Area Community Orchestra, realized just how many talented artists were members and friends of First Parish.In “collusion” with the lay minister, Susan-Lynn Johns, Michelli has put together a program of instrumental and vocal music, poetry, and story.The music ranges from classical to Broadway and pop to toe-tappin’ banjo.Members performing are Lynn Leimer Flint, Paul Gavin, Karen Hennig, Susan-Lynn Johns, Ben Luce, and Janice Luce.They will be joined by friends who’ve graced us with their talents in the past: Ruth-Ann Fletcher, Jerry Johnson, Mary Michelli, Molly Moore, and April Streeter.As if that weren’t enough, you’ll be regaled by the First Universalist Parish Ensemble, made up of members of the Newport Area Community Orchestra.The group features Susan Brassett, Lisa C.Erwin, Paul Gavin, Paula Graveline, Chris Maginniss, and Maestro Ken Michelli.First Universalist Parish, 112 Main Street, Derby Line.Phone: 802-873-3563.E-mail: luuderbyline@gmail.com.Website: derbylineuu.org.Pets of the Week: Ditto and Thomas Ditto and Thomas are two sweet and loving cats who are about to lose the one person who they have come to rely on to keep them happy and safe.Sadly, their caretaker, a lovely woman named Lonnie, will be moving into a seniors residence and as is often the case, she cannot bring her beloved cats with her.Lonnie is devastated that she must say goodbye to her two cherished companions, both of whom she rescued, and is far more concerned about their future than she is her own.To help ease her mind, we are hoping we can help find these two wonderful cats a new home.Thomas, who is almost five, is very easy going and will likely adjust quickly to a new family.He is playful and outgoing and really enjoyed being the center of attention while we took his photos.We have many, many close ups of Thomas who was very interested in the dangling camera strap.Ditto, who is just two years old, is a little more reserved and we expect she will need some time to adjust to this upcoming change in her life.She adores Lonnie and loves to lie next to her on the couch or sit on her lap.Ditto also finds comfort in her friendship with Thomas and they can often be found cuddled up together on their favourite chair.Because of her bond with Thomas our preference is to place them together but should that not be possible, we will certainly consider separate homes.As they are not currently under our care, the standard adoption fee does not apply but we will of course follow our usual protocols to ensure Thomas and Ditto have a secure and happy future.A home where they are kept indoors would be best.Should you be in a position to offer one or both a loving home, please send an e-mail to frontieranimalsociety@gmail.com or call our adoption coordinator Brenda at 819-876-7747.You can reach her any day of the week between 8 a.m.and 8 p.m.Thank You! ¦ THE PASSPORT March 2014 Page 3 Enthusiasm and Professionalism: Newport’s Parks and Recreation Department By Manfried Rieder There are three full-time employees, 25 people who work part time on different projects during the year and at least 25 local volunteers who make up the Newport Parks and Recreation Department, but what a fine bunch of enthusiastic and professional people they are can only be measured when one takes into consideration what those people have been doing for the city and county., They organize the Water Fest and the Fourth of July fireworks, the annual Santa Parade and Easter egg hunts, day and night camps, skating and skiing expedition, Bingo, a school break camp, a Preschool Playworld, bicycle rides for children, a golf tournament, track and field competition and a soccer camp.If this is not enough to make the neighborhood Olympic committees green with envy, it is just the tip of the iceberg.They are also in charge of a Celebration of the Young Child at Prouty Beach, which of course is under their supervision as is the town dock.On Valentine’s Day they hold a father-daughter dance and in May there is the Dandelion and Fiddle Festival, a summer concert in front of the Municipal Building, the Harry Corrow Freedom Run and a Lob-sterfest and if this is all too exhausting an activity, the more sedentary types of us can enjoy the citywide yard sale.An annual Foliage Festival has been a crowd pleaser as well.The office of the department, which is anchored by its director Andrew Cap-pello, is on the second floor of the Municipal Building and as can be expected, a visitor will find the door wide open.New ideas are welcome, inquiries will be courteously dealt with, but permeating the atmosphere, everywhere those people can be found, be it at Gardner Park or on Prouty Beach, is an underlying professionalism tinged with humor and an obvious enjoyment of the work that is being done for the municipality.There is so much going on in Newport all through the year that visitors to the Kingdom are well advised to find out what Andrew and his merry men and women are cooking up next.While some events are for residents only, most are open to all comers and with the cornucopia of activities for children, visitors should contact the Department of Parks and Recreation to find out what is going on and where.They can be reached at 802-334 6345.The next event we look forward to watching will be fun: On April 18 there will be an underwater egg hunt at either Jay Peak or the Newport City Motel followed by a popular egg hunt at Prouty Beach on the April 19.Meanwhile, there F " .' P; W A A D- *T: PHOTOS COURTESY OP NEWPORT PARKS AND RECREATION DEFT.) stands a wooden dummy in the frozen lake near the Causeway bridge and folks can buy tickets for the “Ice Out” competition.Whoever figures out the closest time and day of when the dummy falls through the ice wins! All thanks to people who love Newport and see the beauty of this often overlooked place in all its glory.• • ^5 mm junr the pickshovel Hardware* Lumber, Homecenter & Pet Shop BUILDING MATERIALS FULL HARDWARE STORE PATIO FURNITURE & GRILLS SUGARING SUPPLIES if PET SHOP • TIM & DOUG’S ICE CREAM TOYS • LARGE APPLIANCES CLOTHING Maytag.Whirlpool, Atvana SPORTING ?WASH & SHOP GOODS LAUNDROMAT 54 COVENTRY STREET NEWPORT, VT 05855 802-334-8370 pickandshovel.doitbest.com Check Out New Spring Apparel for the Family! Horny Toad Royal Robbins Woolrich Carhartt Columbia White Sierra NEW Adidas for Kids size 4-7 Page 4 March 2014 THE PASSPORT History of smuggling along Vermont border Part of First Wednesdays at Newport’s Goodrich Memorial Library Northland Journal publisher Scott Wheeler will explore the history of smuggling along the Vermont/Quebec border in a talk at Goodrich Memorial Library in Newport on April 2 at 7 p.m.His talk, “Rumrunners and Revenuers,” is part of the Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays lecture series and is free and open to the public.Smuggling along the Vermont/Quebec border has been a problem since the border was formed.Wheeler will explore this history, with emphasis on alcohol smuggling during Prohibition.For 12 years Wheeler has been the ed- itor and publisher of Vermont’s Northland Journal, a monthly print magazine with a mission of sharing and preserving the history of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom through the words of the people who lived it.Wheeler is the author of three Vermont history books, as well as the host Cold weather delays sugaring Cont’d from page 1 settlers of the region.Until j ust a few short years ago the methods were traditional — spouts would be driven into mature maple trees and buckets hung on them to gather the sap as the early spring warmed the tree-trunks enough to get the sap flowing.The buckets would be emptied into barrels and — often by horse-drawn sleigh — be brought to the sugarhouse to be boiled down into syrup.Many such traditional shacks still exist, mainly in southern Quebec but the horse has been replaced by the tractor and stainless steel containers the wooden barrel.In order to adhere to standards, no matter how rustic the old shacks may look on the outside, expensive stainless steel boiling equipment had become the norm inside.Ap- j, proximately 80 per cent of all production is now done by automation with hoses and pipes, pumps, and a vacuum system delivering the sap directly to the production facility.The cost of this is high.Newport’s Pick and twmMm mai m.Shovel hardware store has a separate building to sell the equipment for seri- ous maple producers and the prices for the modern machinery required to get into or update a shack is not for the faint of heart.But — from the simple addition to the morning’s French toast or pancakes, the syrup has found its way into the limelight of the international cuisine.There is maple syrup sushi in Japan and maple roasted pork chops in Berlin.Swedish meat-balls can be had with maple infused lingonberry sauce and bars all over the planet have begin to concoct syrup based cocktails such as the mapletini — four ounces of room temperature Vodka into which is stirred one teaspoon of good grade syrup, which is poured over crushed ice and served with a short straw.Others do as we have done in my family: we use a teaspoon of syrup to sweeten our morning coffee.Enjoy the maple culture of Vermont and the Eastern Townships beginning this weekend and if you have a mapletini - skol! Read all about it - Two decades of headlines compiled into 2 books The Record has scanned and digitized original copies of the front pages of our newspaper from the turn of the century.Read about the efforts and sacrifices of two World Wars, the Depression, fires, floods, crime and punishment.More than that, the pages are a testament to the builders and leaders whose names grace our street signs and institutions.The Record was a driving force behind the formation of boards of trade, a watchdog over town councils, a lead advocate for the extension of the railway to local communities and a vigilant protector of the region’s natural resources.Our goal today is to print volumes in segments highlighting the most important stories of each decade.• Volume 1 is from 1911-1920 • Volume 2 is from 1921-1930.Only a limited number of the bound 10" x 13” editions have been printed and are for sale for only $25.each plus taxes ($28.75).Drop by our office at 1195 Galt St.East, Sherbrooke and pick them up.For more information call 819-569-9528 or email us at billing@sherbrookerecord.com of the Northeast Kingdom Voice on NEK-TV in Newport and Vermont Voice on WIKE radio in Derby.Both shows focus on people, stories, and events relating to the Northeast Kingdom.The Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays series is held on the first Wednesday of every month from October through May in nine communities statewide, featuring speakers of national and regional renown.Talks in Newport are held at Goodrich Memorial Library.All First Wednesdays talks are free and open to the public.The 2013-2014 First Wednesdays season in Newport concludes with “Classic Films of Hollywood” with film expert Rick Winston on May 7.The Vermont Department of Libraries is the statewide underwriter of First Wednesdays.“Rumrunners and Revenuers” is sponsored by The Preservation Trust of Vermont.Goodrich Memorial Library is sponsored by Community National Bank, Bill and Nancy Cook, and Newport Renaissance Corporation.Rumrunner and Revenuers: Prohibition in Vermont € V;l THE PASSPORT March 2014 Page 5 Border Board Games Cont’d from page 1 reaching out to fellow gamers across the border.” While most of the gamers who attend are English-speaking, Greaser’s husband is Canadian, and his mother was Québécoise, so he is willing and able to help out French speakers with difficulty in English.“I have been having a hard time finding the Canadian gamers,” Greaser said, wanting more participants from north of the border, but she didn’t know where to look.“What we find most fun about the game night is being able to get together with a group of like-minded people.We play because we like to have fun.It’s not so much about winning or losing.It’s about having fun and socializing,” Greaser said.“Plus, I like to think of playing our non-traditional board games as exercising my brain.” The group meets every third Saturday.The last meeting was March 15, where 13 gamers showed up to play.The next game night will take place on April 9 at 5 p.m.at the village hall.The group has a Facebook page called Border Board Games, as well as a website with more information and a list of the games Greaser owns.Visit http://sites.google.com/site/borderboardgames for more information.COURTESY PHOTOS Giants was one of the games played by the group at last weekend’s meeting.Up i King of Tokyo is another game often enjoyed on border game night.>¦ jLiuiüiPlgi.Service Specials! I FORD SERVICE OUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS OPEN ON SATURDAYS! • We service all makes & models! We ll wash your car for FREE with every service! • Walk-in oil changes! MOTOR CRAFT RRAkT sIr VICE ! SEA* AIL-IN »B1B REBATE 'Dealer installed brake pads or shoes only on most cars and light trucks.S50 rebate per axle front or rear.Limit two axles.Offer valid until 3/31/14.See dealer for additional details.$39.95 Mail-in rebate -$10.00 | FUEL SAVER PACKAGE * Oil & filter change • 45 point safety check • Tire rotation Up to 5 quarts oil.Excludes diesels.Expires 3/31/14. THE PASSPORT Page 6 March 2014 Boundary Rotary Club Membership event highlights two border businesses Pierre Reid (left) in conversation with Rotarian Allan Smith, Mike Wolfe, headmaster of Stanstead College and Boundary President Lionel Emond.By Jan Draper from honey crisp apples and the other from a mixture of her- The Boundary Rotary Club itage varieties of apple.The hosted a membership in- fresh flavours of the cider met formation evening on with considerable approval.You March 10 at the Haskell Library can visit them at 150 Main and Opera House, a fitting loca- Street Newport, tion for an international club.Accompanying the cider was The products of two fine local a plate with cheeses, bread and companies were highlighted fruit products coming from the also.Seventeen guests attended.Tasting Center in Newport and including the Honorable Pierre the bakery in Stanstead, Les Reid who was available to at- Vraies Richesses on Main Street, tend since the legislature is not Stanstead.The combination of currently meeting.He delivered the bread, cheeses, and ice cider some words of welcome and.was a great example of local ar-standing on the Canadian side, tisanal businesses, stressed the importance of cast- Nancy Rumery, the head li-ing a vote on April 7.brarian at the Haskell Library, Eleanor and Albert Leger took the group on a tour of the from the Eden Ice Cider Com- cross-border library.She gave us pany in Newport gave a presen- a history of the building, tation on their ice cider.showed us the library and the Their interesting PowerPoint opera house and discussed its was followed by an ice cider fast- unique location, ing of two ciders, one made The evening continued with Eleanor and Albert Léger from Eden Ice Cider, in Newport.msmm flISÜ liar M&mm " .• .‘r La Patisserie Les Vraies Richesse, Main Street Stanstead.Competition of highs school students.We give prizes at Sunny-side and Derby Elementary.Internationally we give money to the Sister Hospital Albert Schweitzer.We donate to Sister Monica’s orphanage in Ecuador.We run a project in isolated First Nations communities in Guyana, South America.Also we described the project to mark Rotary’s centennial: building and maintaining the bird houses on the walking trail in Beebe.The club’s two main fundraisers were discussed: the bookstore in Beebe and the golf tournament.It was a good evening! Bob Richardson.Allan Smith and Jan Draper describing the goals and organization of Rotary International and the local and international projects of the Boundary Rotary Club.In Canada the club supports Camp Massawippi, CAB Rediker, and Weir Park.In the US we support the Coutts Moriarty Camp.Cross-border initiatives include donations to Border Minor Hockey and the Haskell Library.Boundary sends young people to Adventures in Citizenship, the five-day international world affairs seminar, and the Rotary Youth Leadership Program.We give two $750 vocational scholarships one to an American and a Canadian student.We usually send a representative to the District Speech Holly and Bob Richardson who organized the event with Nancy Rumery (centre) from the Haskell.üpiup Rotations Bob Richardson (left).David Oliver (seated) and Allan Smith. THE PASSPORT March 2014 Page 7 Boating season is just around the corner By Manfried Rieder It does not look like the boating season is about to begin on lake Memphremagog, but that does not prevent avid boaters to look forward to the joys of the lake.Soon the local marinas will get the docks ready, the City of Newport is hiring a new harbormaster, notices are being sent out to boaters of when they can begin to have their boats launched, and repair work and maintenance is of course ongoing.There is a great misconception about boating though: most people still believe in the old saying: “A boat is a hole in the water into which one pours money.” Today’s boats do not often leak.Engines, if well maintained last a long time, and canvas sails have long been replaced by synthetic fabrics that do not mildew or break at the seams.Stainless hardware took care of rusting fasteners and even with a cheap GPS you can probably find your way home in the fog.So what would be the entry level cost for an average young family of four?Not as much as one might expect.I checked out the last few issues of the Green Mountain Trading Post and Craigslist and have found seven acceptable family boats which, while dated, appear to be lake worthy and sound.They range from small sailboats of the day -sailor variety to outboard runabouts and even a couple of inboard/outboard cruisers.Prices range from $500 ISKm»! Wmmm to $1,200 for an acceptable and safe boat, and most have trailers or you can certainly find an inexpensive trailer.A trailered boat would be best for the financially challenged because there is no charge at many ramps around this lake.My preference is the boatlaunching area at the Gateway Center in Newport City as there always is ample parking.For even less money, used canoes or kayaks can be had for about $200 and if this is not suitable, when spring starts, a lot of stores sell inexpensive four-person inflatable boats which range from as low as $100 to about $ 500 for a decent outfit which will fit in any car.So join us on the lake but make sure you bring life jackets for every person on board and leave the beer at home.More harm has been done on the water by inexperienced boaters on booze than any other nautical mishap.See you on the lake.VZ PHOTOS BY MANFRIED RIEDFR Turn Back the Pages of Time The I 960’S Revisited in Newspaper Form The Express has scanned and digitized original copies of the front pages of our newspaper.Look Back at the Amazing Decade of The 60’s with National & Local Stories from the Cover Pages of the Newport Daily Express! 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