NEWFANE HERITAGE FESTIVAL IS A GO
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VOLUME 1, IS S UE 2
July, August, S ep 2021
A p roj ect of Ne wf an e Ane w C o m mu nit y Vol unt ee r Assoc iat io n
A pr o jec t of Ne w fan e An ew C o mm un ity Vo lun te er Asso c iatio n | Vo lum e O n e, I ssue Tw o | July , August, S eptem ber 2 0 2 1
NEWFANE HERITAGE FESTIVAL IS A GO
The 50th Annual Newfane crafters, and gourmet food An online auction, this calendars for the return of some-
Heritage Festival is on! After a vendors to delight shoppers. year’s version of the Super thing familiar!
one year break due to Covid-19, New this year, we will fea- Raffle, will take place No- And if you are interested in
the Newfane Heritage Festival ture one outside food venue vember 1-14 featuring items helping with any aspect of the
will make its return this year, serving our most popular from vendors, gift certificates, Festival, which is all run by vol-
albeit with modifications to meet fare - breakfast sandwiches, and other sought-after items. unteers with all proceeds going
the times. doughnuts, burgers, The Flea Tent will be re- to support the work of the New-
The 50th Heritage Festival hotdogs, baked potatoes, tired this year, but will return fane Church, please call: Sandy
will be on Saturday, October 9th and pie among other items! during the warmer season of Hamm @ 603-357-4822 or
and Sunday, October 10th from Popcorn and caramel apples 2022 as a separate event. email sshamm@myfairpoint.net
10:00-4:00 and, as always, will will be at the ready for hun- More specific details will fol-
include a wide array of artisans, gry festival goers as well. low, so for now, mark your
A RE A COD E T O BE RE QUI RED
Do you remember a time again! As of October 24th, all sure that you have it set to dial We’ve done it! Thanks
when you could reach someone calls within Vermont will the 10 digit number (or the
on the 365 exchange by just 1+10 digit number) in order to donations from indi-
require the 802 area code to
dialing the last four digits of be dialed. for it to work properly once viduals, advertisements
their phone number? Those Yes, even if you are call- October 24th comes around. from businesses, sub-
days are gone and for many ing from one 365 number to As of April, we have been
years, callers have had to add another, you’ve got to get in a probationary period, missions from commu-
the 365 to complete a call. that 802 in there. Why? Ac- where we are supposed to be nity members, and time
Well, things are changing cording to the Federal Com- dialing the area code plus the
local number to get used to the and effort from volun-
munications Commission
(FCC), this is to make sure new system. Local calls still teers, we are so happy
that the national suicide pre- go through without the area
code for now, but in October, to bring you a second
vention hotline (988) will
work, in the way that 911 you won’t be able to get issue of the NewBrook
(emergency services) and through. News and hope that you
211 (social service help) do. Some neighbors remember
If you have a home security the telephone exchange in will be happy to read it.
system or medical alert sys- Newfane village, where each
tem, you will need to make call was put through by hand.
Page 2
HIS TO RICAL SO CIETY HO LD S THRE E EV ENTS
Windham County History Fair The Historical Society of Windham chants his audience with true stories about
Saturday, August 14, 9:00-4:00 County will hold its annual meeting on living on the circus train and working with
Newfane Common—Free Admission Friday, August 27th at 5:30 PM. The elephants, tigers, acrobats, and clowns from
location and format (in person or via around the world.
Step back in time at the eighth zoom) will be determined closer to the A gifted storyteller and Ringling Bros.
(biennial) Windham County History date. The event will have a brief busi- and Barnum & Bailey veteran, he shares his
Fair. Vintage exhibits of Vermont's rich ness meeting at the beginning, but there tales from life with the Greatest Show on
heritage by the County's Historical Socie- is usually something fun for all after Earth—living on a train—working with
ties, along with special exhibits by the that (trivia, storytelling, a meal). Non- elephants, tigers, horses, clowns, acrobats
Southern Vermont Natural History Mu- members are welcome to attend. Con- and circus personalities.
seum, the Vermont Historical Society tact the Historical Society for more de-
and the Newfane/Brookline Community tails as the date nears.
Memory Project. Tours of the County
Courthouse, County Jail, the historic Trunkside Tales with Ted Lawrence
Village of Newfane, the Newfane Rail- Sunday, September 12, 2:00 PM
road Station (West River Railroad Muse- West River Railroad Museum, free ad-
um) and the old Newfane Cemetery on mission
Cemetery Hill. Popcorn and activities for all ages
There will be presentations and
demonstrations throughout the day, as Ted Lawrence is gifted storyteller
well as crafters and food. The fair is set and veteran of the Ringling Bros. and
on the historic Common in front of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Enjoy wit-
County Courthouse. nessing his transformation from Every-
Check the Historical Society’s web- day Joe into a genuine bigger-than-life
site for updates on the day’s schedule of Ringling Clown.
events. Crafters and demonstrators inter- Ted sets up the steamer trunk he
ested in participating at the County Fair used while touring the US in the 1980s,
can leave a message at (802) 365-4148 or and as he puts on his makeup, he en-
info@historicalsocietyofwindhamcounty.org
BROKEN STONES IN CEMETERY
By Jane Douglas the gravestones need major repair.
Work needs to be done to pick
As one of the trustees stones up off the ground where they
of the South Newfane have fallen. Who will help put Frankie
Cemetery, it’s my respon- Stratton’s stone back on its pedes-
sibility to ensure that the tal? He was only 2 years old when he
grounds are cared for and died in 1879. Franklin Cannan, 1875,
the driveway main- Catherine King, 1858, Mary and How-
tained. But it’s not my ard Hill, siblings who died in 1870,
responsibility to care for Lydia Ingram, 1882, all have stones
the gravestones them- lying flat on the ground. It will take
selves. several strong people to put them right.
This has always Are there relatives of the Hubbard
seemed odd to me, since Kelsey family still around? Or the
the stones are the most Ebenezer Person family? Their stones
visible part of any ceme- are leaning badly. They need atten-
tery. But under the laws tion.
of Vermont, the stones are I’m hoping to arrange a work
the property of the family of the them. weekend later this summer, to do some
dearly departed. They purchase The people who mow the grass try their best needed repairs. Are any of these your
the stone, they can clean the to keep the stones clean, but they can’t do it ancestors? Can you help honor the
stone, they can even remove the all. Where is the family of Josephus Orvis, who settlers of our town by straightening
stone. And, in theory, they died in 1855 and whose stone is now broken in their gravestones? Let me know.
maintain the stone. several places. Like Luther Morse, who died in
The truth is that many fami- 1851, or Ephraim Morse, 1865, or Asa Marsh, Jane Douglas, trustee SNCA, 802-348-
lies have moved away, or died 1891, their family may be around, but those of us 7454 or jdouglas27@gmail.com
without heirs, and so the stones who maintain the cemetery don’t know who they
languish with no one to care for are or how to get in touch with them to tell them
Page 3
V olu m e On e, Is s u e Two
NEWBR OOK VOLUNTE ER F IRE DEPA RTME NT
Emergency Medical Techni- ized training and equipment to for fires in Newfane, Brook-
cians) and NFPA (National rescue a firefighter in trouble line, and as Mutual Aid to
Fire Protection Association). inside a burning structure. Con- the surrounding towns. The
On our Medical/Rescue tinuing education takes place fire at the Windham Inn in
side there are four certified through the West River Valley late May went to a fifth
levels that require initial Training Group with our Mutu- alarm, and many pumpers,
training, continuing educa- al Aid towns of Townshend, tankers, and personnel re-
tion, and recertification Grafton, Jamaica, East Dover, sponded, remaining on sce-
(EMR-Emergency Medical Saxtons River, and Wardsboro. ne from 5:30 pm until long
Responder, EMT Basic, after midnight.
AEMT Advanced, and Para- How Do We Get Water Replacing the water
By Gary Lavorgna, Captain, medic). All the training re- to a Fire? requires pumping water out
NewBrook Volunteer Fire & quires four hours every Rural firefighting does not of brooks, ponds, and dry
Rescue Tuesday and Thursday and have access to pressurized fire hydrants, which are not
occasional eight hours on hydrants such as found in cities pressurized. Typically, for a
How Much Training is Re- Saturday anywhere from like Brattleboro. NewBrook has major fire a pumper will set
quired of Our Volunteers? twelve weeks for EMR up to six trucks that carry water: En- up at a water supply and
two years full-time for Para- gine 1 (pumper) 1,000 gallons; pump water into trucks to
NewBrook’s volunteers un- medics. Engine 2 (pumper) 1,000 gal- form a tanker shuttle that
dergo the same training as re- On our Fire side courses lons; Engine 3 (pumper) 1,000 transports water to the sce-
quired by the State of Vermont of are Firefighter 1 (285 hours), gallons; Tanker 1 3,000 gal- ne.
for all paid EMS and Fire person- FFII (advanced training), lons; Tanker 2 1,500 gallons; Visit our website at
nel using a curriculum certified by and RIT (Rapid Intervention Brush Truck 500 gallons…for a newbrookfire.org
NREMT (National Registry of Team), which uses special- total of 8,000 gallons available
THE BROOKLINE-NEWFANE BRIDGE
By Margaret Stearns
bridge which existed in vember and December. ried by the bridge is
There is documentation the 1920s was one of However, there were called Grassy Brook
indicating that Brookline and 1,285 bridges in Vermont unusual floods during Road in Brookline; in
Newfane have been continu- destroyed by the “Great January thawing which Newfane it becomes
ously connected by a bridge Flood” of November 2-4, repeatedly continued to Radway Hill Road. In
at the same location on the 1927. As the winter cold sweep away whatever 2007 the bridge that
West River since before Ver- set in and the water sub- quick fixes were put in connects us was listed
mont became the 14th state. sided, the townspeople of place. The present met- as “Bridge 19” in the
How many times the Newfane and Brookline al truss bridge was built National Register of
bridge has been rebuilt may hastily put together tem- in the spring of 1928. Historic Places.
be hard to determine. It is porary bridges and man- Our two towns are co-
widely known though that the aged to get through No- owners. The road car-
Page 4
F REE ORAL H IST ORY TRA INI NG THI S FALL
The Vermont Folklife Museum Sciences (IMLS). tendees how to process their at both trainings, please
Center will be in Newfane in The first training, to be audio recordings. contact the library with any
September and October to held on Saturday, September People may attend one or questions or to register for
offer free training in how to 11 from 10-4 will focus on both trainings and teams of the events. (802) 365-7948
conduct an oral history inter- learning about best practices interested parties are encour- Some of the people al-
view, record it, edit the in interviewing and using aged to attend. ready interviewed include
sound recording, and add recording equipment. At- To hear some of the in- Ray Bates, Winnie Dolan,
metadata. tendees will put what they terviews that have already Calvin and Toni Powling,
This training is being learn into practice by inter- happened, and to hear some Castle and Alice Freeman,
offered at the Moore Free viewing each other, using digitized recordings from the Deborah Lee Luskin, Dan
Library as part of the Com- library-provided equipment. late 1990s and early 2000s DeWalt. Will you join
munity Memory Project, a The October training, that used to live on cassette them?
two-year project funded by Saturday, October 9 also tapes.
the Institute of Library and from 10-4, will teach at- Lunch will be provided
B R OA DBAN D NE W S BEES ARE EV ERYW HERE
The towns of Searsburg vice for DVFiber, with a By Lesley Weisbrot and Jeff club yard in Newfane and oth-
and Townshend have joined choice to be made soon. Battaglini er events: July 10: WCB open
Newfane in the Deerfield This means that work will hive at club yard: hive inspec-
Valley Communications soon begin on the six towns in Are you interested in honey tion, mite mitigation, pests &
Union District (DVCUD), the CUD that are most under- bees? Have bees? Want to find pathogens, nuc raffle
making 23 towns all working served. a mentor? Have questions? Join August 14: WCB open hive at
together to bring high-speed DVFiber is staffed entirely Windham County Beekeepers club yard in Newfane: hive
affordable, reliable broad- by volunteers, all working (WCB), a social club founded inspection, mite mitigation,
band connection to our citi- together to bring the Internet to support beekeepers and bee products
zens. to every home and business healthy, sustainable honey bees September 11: Visit the WCB
There has been $150 within the district that wants in southern Vermont. WCB has booth at the Golden Honey
million allocated in this it. meetings and open hives (hive Festival in Proctorsville
year’s budget to expand Anyone interested in getting inspections) for newbees and September 18: WCB meet-
broadband in Vermont, mon- involved can contact Jane experienced beekeepers in ing/field trip in Somerset: bee
ey to be divided between the Douglas, Newfane’s Repre- Windham County throughout lining
nine Vermont CUDs. sentative to DVFiber’s gov- the year. Plenty of opportunities Check WCB out at the web
Work is advancing rapid- erning board at 802-348-7454. to learn about beekeeping! site for more information:
ly on the evaluation of ven- or jdouglas27@gmail.com Dates for upcoming open hives windhamcountybeekeepers.com
dors for the roll-out of ser- (hive inspections) at WCB’s
MI NI B OOK SAL ES We appreciate the support of our advertisers, and their support
helps us continue to present this newsletter! Our community
wants to get to know your business or service - for information
The Friends of the Moore bags will be on sale for about coming aboard with your advertisement, please contact
Free Library will be holding $15, or pay $20 and fill it newbrooknews.newsletter@gmail.com
“mini” book sales on the li- with books
brary lawn on Saturday July If you can’t make a
17th, August 21st and Sep- min-sale, there are always
tember 18th from 10-2, during books for sale in the library
library open hours. foyer during open hours.
Each sale will feature a The Friends are not current-
special theme as well as a ly accepting book dona-
variety of books of all sorts.. tions. For more infor-
The July theme will be “The mation, email
Arts”, including fine art, mu- julielavorgna@gmail.com.
sic, photography, cartoons,
and graphic design.
Books will be priced to
sell. Moore Free Library tote
Page 5
V olu m e On e, Is s u e Two
V OL U NT EER O U TD OO RS W I T H NE W BR OO K S TU D EN T S
Do you want to learn learn how to apply the scien- many ways volunteers can pitch
with kids on the school grounds
more about nature and share tific method in the real world. in: creating a monthly bulletin
for two hours at a time, five
the joy of discovery with Workshop activities in- board related to the current top-
times per school year, followed
children? Become a Four clude puppet shows, games ic, working on teaching materi-
by a one-hour follow up class
Winds volunteer and join a and skits. als, recruiting other volunteers,
with the same students (again,
group of community mem- This is a great way to or fund-raising.
outdoors).
bers who share both an inter- meet people and give the im- For more information, email
During the meeting time, a
est in nature and a love of portant and rewarding gift of the program coordinator,
naturalist from Four Winds
children. knowledge and time to the Elizabeth Erickson at
teaches a workshop about a
Four Winds is a commu- children in our school. All in egillbi@yahoo.com (802) 318-
different aspect of the natural
nity-based organization that all, it’s about a three hour 3329
world.
teaches natural science les- commitment five times dur- Or check out the Four Winds
Students engage in learning
sons to students throughout ing the school year. website:
and carry out nature and science
Vermont. Newbrook Elemen- Sometimes people www.nearbynature.fwni.org
-based activities, which the
tary School hosts a Four prefer to help in other
adult volunteers assist with.
Winds program and is seek- ways than in the outdoor
Students get to explore the
ing volunteers to help out. classroom. There are
natural world around them and
Adult volunteers work
HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR OLDER VERMONTERS
By Gloria Cristelli proud, and private. After all, would like to sign up for some is opening gradually. Call 802-
many of them built our towns assistance pro- 257-7570 to find out what pro-
The aging population is a
and villages, worked and volun- grams? “Someone else must grams are available.
tremendous resource in Ver-
teered in the community, and need it more.” Well, if seniors For an overview of what some
mont. Most volunteers are
voted in every election. They don’t accept what they are Senior Centers are doing this
over 60. Many legislators are
supported our schools and our entitled to under the Older summer, go to You Tube and
over 60. Providing the sup-
social/cultural events, carried Americans Act, nobody else type in Keeping Up with Senior
port to keep life interesting
forward our history, and worked can access those benefits. Solutions and select Episode
and healthy means our entire
the farms that our Department They are basically leaving that 17. Check the website
society benefits.
of Tourism and Marketing pro- money on the table for the www.seniorsolutionsvt.org or
Imagine being a young
mote as the “Vermont way of federal government. call the Help Line at 802-885-
professional moving to Ver-
life.” Today aging Vermonters There are variable financial 2669 or 866-673-8376 (Toll-free)
mont and being able to see
are also family caregivers to criteria to be eligible for some for any questions or to learn
within their community that
younger generations and to old- programs and many others more about programs and help.
as they age, they will still be
er spouses with dementia. have no criteria. Most of us Or call Gloria Cristelli, Newfane
highly valued. That is a real
What do many older Ver- like a bargain! Advisory Council rep, at 802-365
selling point for our state.
monters say when asked if they Brattleboro’s Senor Center -7232.
Older Vermonters are hardy,
LIBRARY EVENTS SeVWA CONCERT
The Moore Free Library’s The library will be hosting a Southeastern Vermont Wa- by Newfane’s own Veronica
Summer Reading Program poetry reading by Cuban- tershed Alliance (SeVWA) Stevens and will close with
kicked off in June with a con- American poet Pablo Medina presents a virtual benefit southeastern Vermont’s newest
cert by Vermont Troubador on Thursday, July 8th at 7:00 concert available for viewing musical duo, the hon-
Stephen Coronella. Events for PM and Vermont author Castle on Saturday, June 24 at 7:00 eycreepers (yes, in lower case
families continue throughout Freeman on Saturday, August pm. Donations will support letters).
July and August, including 28th at 7:00 PM. SeVWA’s ongoing effort to To join the concert, email
family yoga and mindfulness People interested in cro- monitor, preserve and restore sevwa.mail@gmail.com to get a
on Wednesdays from 10 - 11 cheting can drop in to the li- the waterways that make zoom link. Please join us and be
AM (outdoors if weather per- brary every other Tuesday from southern Vermont so spe- ready to contribute to
mits), story time online every 4:00—5:30 PM for a crochet cial. The three-set fundraiser SeVWA’s work by donating
Thursday at 10:30 AM, and circle with Tracy Berchi. To will feature Norfolk, Virgin- generously! To donate via Pay-
visits from ViNS with live learn more about library events, ia folk musicians Bob Zentz, Pal, go to: sevwa.org/
animals on Sunday August visit the web site who performed aboard Pete donate Checks can be mailed
8th and Sunday August 15th www.moorefreelibrary.org or Seeger’s sloop, and Jeanne to: SeVWA, P.O. Box 402,
at 3:00 PM both days. call 802-365-7948 McDougall Zentz followed Brattleboro, VT 05302.
Page 6
IN THE BE GINNI NG: SOUTH NE WF ANE BA PTIS T C HUR CH
By Karen Bailey Cawrse The forty-eight-foot times the new covenant, other reso- will in all suitable ways dis-
fifty-foot building included lutions were voted on in those countenance their use through-
Central to the Village of South fifty pews plus a pulpit, or- early years that included dis- out the community”.
Newfane is the Baptist Church, chestra, belfry and spire and approving of vending or pur- In the late 1800s, when the
relocated to its present location at cost parishioners $1,500 chasing of lottery tickets or town called Fayetteville was
380 Dover Road in 1841. Accord- (equivalent to $46,043.79 in engaging in other species of mysteriously renamed New-
ing to local historian Ellen Bailey today’s dollars). Upon its gambling, disapproving of fane, records show that on
upon whose research this article is completion in 1842, Caleb secret societies such as Odd April 10, 1884 the village of
based, the “Baptist Society of Pond, a wealthy merchant, Fellows or Free Masonry, and Pondville was designated South
Marlboro and Newfane” congre- and former church member promising “…not to use any Newfane, and Pondville Baptist
gated in a meeting house a mile living in Hartford, Connecti- intoxicating liquors or traffic Church became known as
and a half south of the Village cut, donated the church bell, in them or provide them as South Newfane Baptist Church.
Center on Auger Hole Road, built cast by G.H. Holbrook, Med- beverages for our friends or
on farmland owned by A. & A. way, Mass., and from him the person in our employ—
Williams. Thus, today the South village derived its name. The except as medicine—and we
Newfane-Branch Road Cemetery bell was “to be rung on the
stands orphaned behind the for- Sabbath and on all funeral
mer church site. occasions”.
Although the church site trav- Being a Baptist Church
eled, those members unhappy whose Articles of Faith and
with the decision to move to the Covenant were derived from
center of town did not move with the New Hampshire Baptist
it. But the building committee Association, in 1848 the con-
moved ahead with the project. gregation added a seventh
The old meeting place was dis- article to the original cove-
mantled a few years later. nant expressing its position
Land for the new building was on slavery: “We will not ad-
purchased from Pardon Perry for mit anyone to our communion
$40 in what was then known as table nor to preach in our desk
Perry’s Mills and later renamed who holds slaves or upholds
Pondville. the system of slavery.” Besides
TH A N K Y OU TO CROWELL A T THE CRO WE LL G ALLER Y
O UR C OMM UNI TY SCHOLARSHIP
S UP P OR TE R S
Congratulations to Le- The Crowell Art Gallery, located inside the Moore Free Li-
land & Gray High School brary in Newfane hosts curated shows from individual artists
Winnie Dolan graduates Matt Emerson and art groups from Southern Vermont and beyond. Most
Carl & Rene Durham of Newfane, Lily Dutton shows include a reception where artists can meet the public
Myra Fasler
of Brookline, Riley Bar- and discuss their work. There are often works available for
Bill Guenther
ton of South Newfane sale. Upcoming shows are:
Dot Maggio
Bucky & Carleen Pelsue and Liam Towle of New-
Dan Towler fane who were all award- July 2021: Brattleboro West Arts, Painting, Drawing, sculp-
ed Robert L. Crowell ture, Mixed Media, Reception TBD
If you would like to provide Scholarships by the August 2021: Vermont Pastel Society. Reception August
financial support to get the next Moore Free Library to 7th, 2pm - 4pm
issue into mailboxes, you can
donate to Newfane Anew, attn: help with their first year September 2021: Nancy Calicchio, Painting. Reception
Newsletter, PO Box 235, New- of college. September 11 4pm - 6pm
fane, 05345
Any amount is welcome!
Page 7
V olu m e On e, Is s u e Two
W HE RE DO E S OU R T R ASH GO ?
By Dan Towler whose numbers have dropped folks in this part of Vermont and A residential sticker costs $40
as the size of those remaining Quebec have been keeping a and allows anyone in our
The subject of "trash" is has grown. The number of close and worried eye on this towns to bring their own trash,
one that unites every human landfills in Vermont has dwin- landfill for quite some time. recyclables, and compost and
on the planet, yet it's one dled to one, which is where With a recent and very contro- deposit them in their respective
whose impact most of us about 70% of the trash in the versial expansion, it is slated to places. The transfer station is
would rather not think about. state ends up. Luckily for us, reach capacity in a little over 20 on Old Ferry Road, which is
We here in the U.S. generate it's about 6 miles from the years. off Putney Road north of the
approximately 300 million Canadian border, which is In most of the smaller Exit 3 rotary. It's open 7-
tons of trash a year -- a num- about as far away as you can towns in Windham County, in- 3 Monday through Friday and
ber that goes up each year -- get and still be in Vermont. cluding Newfane and Brook- 8-1 on Saturday.
which averages 5 pounds It's barely a half-mile from the line, trash disposal is left to the I'll have more on this sub-
per person per day. Our little shore of Lake Memphrema- individual business or house- ject in future newsletters.
green state has a very com- gog, a 31 mile long lake, al- hold to take care of. There are There is a lot of useful infor-
prehensive recycling law, yet most three fourths of which is several rubbish removal compa- mation on the VT Dept. of
we only recycle or compost in Canada, while three fourths nies that offer weekly, or bi- Environmental Conservation
about 35% of our refuse, of its watershed is in the U. weekly, collection. Both towns website (dec.vermont.gov) in
which is about the national S. The lake supplies drinking are included in the Windham addition to the WSWMD web-
average. water to tens of thousands of Solid Waste Management Dis- site (windhamsolidwaste.org).
Nationally, about half of people on both sides of the trict (WSWMD), which operates
our trash goes into landfills, border. Not surprisingly, the a transfer station in Brattleboro.
W E ST R I VER VA LLE Y MUT UA L AID
By Gloria Cristelli The group has a small core affirming the town as a safe
Van Go, Farmers to Families
steering group that takes care of (F2F) and FoodWorks boxes and inclusive place.
WRVMA has been active for logistics, project continuity, and WRVMA has a work-
well over ten months. The group People wanting to sign up to
birds-eye-view of staying within receive food should visit ing group continuing an
states that they welcome and en- the group’s mission. initiative to have the Se-
courage everyone living in the vtfoodbank.org/or call 833-670-
The projects taken on by 2254 for assistance. Call Gloria lectboard bring anti-racist
West River Valley to join. WRVMA include opportunities and anti-bias training to
The group’s mission statement is at 802- 365-7232 if you need
to help (and to seek help) with delivery. Newfane for town officials,
“We are neighbors helping neigh- errands, lend a hand with simple employees, and community
bors. We are working together to WRVMA asked the Newfane
fix-it projects, etc. The group Selectboard to hold all meetings members to participate on a
find ways to live well together, to also coordinates Vermont Eve- voluntary basis.
support each other, and to support virtually and to post the link
ryone Eats. This program suc- and agenda on Front Porch Fo- The WRVMA projects
our community’s well-being.” cessfully delivered and provided start as needs arise. If you
As a mutual aid group, the group rum. In addition, the group
pick-up restaurant meals to peo- spearheaded an initiative asking know a way WRVMA can
describes itself as decentralized ple in the valley and ended June help, let them know. For
and casual. Their idea is to help the Newfane Selectboard to
24, 2021. respond to racist graffiti by is- help joining, call Gloria at
when they can because they care The group also provides 802-365-7232
about each other and recognize suing a statement condemning
delivery of food from Veggie racism and hate speech and
that all might need help sometime.
Page 8
M YSTE RIES F O R ANG L OPH ILES
By Julie Lavorgna writers are especially strong in Elizabeth George’s In- of local characters who gather
portraying the devoted rela- spector Thomas Lynley with at the village pub to engage in
Last time we traveled the tionships between the solving his aristocratic background clever British repartee as they
world with a few of my favor- partners. and Sergeant Barbara Havers comment on the passing scene.
ite detectives. This time we Deborah Crombie’s Dun- with her working-class roots Both Jury and Plant have a
visit Great Britain, where three can Kincaid and Gemma complement each other bril- special affinity for children;
of the most prolific writers in James have developed their liantly. They are fiercely some of the more engaging
the genre set their mysteries. careers and personal relation- loyal to each other despite scenes in the novels involve
One never would guess that ship side by side over the their different points of view. these encounters.
these women are American, course of the series. We be- Several of the books have One can’t mention these
since their depictions of the come as involved in their fami- been adapted for television. writers without paying homage
Brits are so “on the money.” ly dynamics as in their crime Martha Grimes, now age to two grandes dames of Brit-
The books appeal to me be- solving. Although their baili- ninety, has written twenty- ish crime fiction, P. D. James
cause they emphasize the wick is London, on occasion five novels featuring Super- and Ruth Rendell (who also
sleuthing and avoid the obliga- their cases lead them to other intendent Jury and his unof- writes psychological thrillers
tory “detective (or a family parts of Britain. An added de- ficial sidekick Melrose Plant, under the name Barbara Vine).
member) in jeopardy” theme of light for the reader is the yet another aristo who has It is obvious that our Ameri-
so many crime novels. To me charmingly drawn map that discarded his title. A staple cans have been influenced by
the puzzle is key. Also these accompanies each book. of this series is the ensemble their extraordinary work.
NEW NEIGHBORS PUT FUNGUS AMONG US
Lizzie Devane
and Jon Deloge are bees and are
the owners of Slip- working on turn-
stream Farm in New- ing their small
fane, where they farm into a zero-
grow and sell a vari- waste operation –
ety of gourmet all the plastic they
mushrooms. The use in cultivation
couple moved to is biodegradable
Vermont from Mas- and spent mush-
sachusetts, where room blocks get
they’d been inten- turned into fun-
tionally moving far- gally dominant
ther and farther away compost.
from city living. The farm grows
They arrived here in several varieties
late November 2020, of gourmet mush-
after the pandemic rooms including
had allowed perma- oysters, shiitakes,
nent remote work for and lions mane.
Lizzie at the afforda- They also make
ble housing non- delicious mush-
profit where she room jerky and
works. even candied
Having both mushrooms.
spent time in Ver- You can find the
mont - Jon when his son was at mushrooms at
ness in MA, and still com- tion to her nonprofit work, Liz- local farmers markets and on
UVM and Lizzie when she was
mutes back to Cambridge zie is a yoga instructor and the menu at local restaurants.
a child - they fell in love with a
twice a week, but they hope he fledgling silversmith. These mushroom enthusiasts
place on South Wardsboro
won’t have to continue the Jon and Lizzie love learning will also share information
Road that had been a horse
long drive for long. He studied and talking about the fascinating with you about how to pre-
farm and featured a heated
soil microbiology and became world of fungi, and are excited pare them (fried with an egg
garage/barn space, which was
interested in fungi through to share their delicious and nu- on a slice of local bread is a
perfect for cultivating mush-
learning about the mycelial tritious mushrooms with their favorite!)
rooms year-round.
connections in the soil food new community. They also keep
Jon had a successful gar-
web beneath our feet. In addi-
dening and landscaping busi-
Page 9
V olu m e On e, Is s u e Two
B R O OKLIN E M EETI NG HO USE
By Dan Towler and funerals, quilt sales, bake bathroom. time to gather with friends
sales, craft fairs, dinners, town The potential uses of this and neighbors, and, together,
The Brookline Meeting- meetings, every kind of gathering now-public structure are lim- try to chart a future for the
house, the former Baptist imaginable, in its 185 ited only by our imaginations. Brookline Meetinghouse.
Church on Grassy Brook Road, years. Brookline people have Our challenge at present is to Stop by one or all of our
will be open to the public from stepped up year in and year out to identify a role for the building open houses this summer --
10 AM to 1 PM on the first Sat- make sure that the building has that will provide maximum July 3, August 7, or Septem-
urday of each month through been taken care of and will be with benefit to our community, and ber 4 -- and tell us what you
the fall. Members of the volun- us forever. to raise the funds necessary to think or just say “hi” and
teer committee overseeing the Much important work has been restore it at least to the point take a look around. We’d
restoration of the building will done before and since the building that it can be safely and com- love to see you! You will
be present to give tours, answer was acquired by the town in fortably occupied and also find us at the Windham
questions, and accept feedback 2014. The brick sanctuary remains used. Rising to this challenge County History Fair on Au-
on what this building means to more or less completely unaltered, will require the participation gust 14 and you can check
them and what it could mean and contains the original pews of everyone who cares about out our facebook page at
for the future of Brookline and which could comfortably seat 150 the future of our village and “Historic Brookline VT
the area. people. The 1890’s annex on the has an idea what that should Church Renovations”, or
This historic landmark rear of the building contains a look like. visit the Town Office or the
building has hosted generations large open meeting room, a mid- With Covid-19 thankfully town website for more infor-
of religious services, weddings century vintage kitchen, and a in retreat, it seems a perfect mation.
BROOKLINE, A FINE SMALL TOWN
By Dot Maggio, Brookline Se- June 5th at the Brookline Meet- Cynthia Nau, Douglas Well- Hill, cross the green iron
lectboard Chair ing House on Grassy Brook man and Joseph Dutton are bridge that links our two
Road. The Meeting House finalizing some improve- towns together and contin-
Brookline...a wonderful (formerly known as the Brook- ments on the building - more ue on Grassy Brook Road
little town with just two main line Baptist Church) opened up specifically the windows and past our Historic Build-
roads and only about 500 resi- its doors offering light refresh- shed wall with the help of a ings, our Town Hall, our
dents. What makes Brookline ments and a brief tour of this grant from the Preservation beautiful fields and farms.
so special is its scenic farm- beautiful building. Lee Anne Trust of Vermont. We hope Go back towards Newfane
land, fields and homes in addi- Parker chairs the Meeting that this project is completed by taking Hill Road down
tion to its residents. I was so House Committee and has by August. and around the curves.
pleased to see the first issue of helped to oversee some of the The building that once You will drive by West
this newsletter this spring and final structural improvements to housed the Brookline Ele- River Stables, then the
it will be my pleasure to share this beautiful old building as mentary School was deeded Riverside Cemetery and
with your readers an update of well as the application to be- back to the town a few years artist Johnny Swing’s
what is new and happening in come listed in the National His- back and is now occupied by working metal art studio.
town this summer. In another toric Building Registry. We Suzy’s Little Peanuts Day- The Swimming hole under
newsletter, I would love to should know by July if the pro- care. We are so pleased that the green iron bridge is a
introduce the many local vol- posal is accepted. the classrooms are being great place to cool off in
unteers, committee workers, Brookline is the home of used and that this town the summer or photograph
selectboard, and events in another beautiful building. Have building supports much in any season. Hikers, bik-
town. It’s been a long closed- you heard of our Round School needed day care to families ers, and horseback riders
up 18 months, it is great to be House also located on Grassy in the region. are on our roads so drive
able to reacquaint ourselves Brook Road? It is right across So if you have a chance slowly and enjoy your
with our neighbors both in the street from our Town Hall. while driving on Route 30 by visit.
Brookline and in Newfane. The Brookline Historical Com- the Old Newfane Flea Mar-
The first public event in mittee led by longtime residents ket field, turn down Radway
town was held on Saturday
We really appreciate the support of our advertisers, and their support helps us continue to present this newsletter!
Our community wants to get to know your business or service - for information about coming aboard with your advertise-
ment, please contact Priscilla and Jen at newbrooknews.newsletter@gmail.com
Newfane Brookl i ne Newsl et t er
Page 10
LOST MILE AUTOMOTIVE NOW FOUND IN NEWFANE
Pete LaMorder, owner of and specialized equipment,
Route 30 corridor and ex-
Lost Mile Automotive he can invest in the best tools
pects this location will be
(currently located in Brattle- for those cars.
more convenient for them.
boro) is moving his business to Lost Mile will be doing
Why only VWs and Au-
the automotive garage on Route everything from basic oil
dis? Pete prefers to special-
30 in Newfane. Pete’s business changes to major engine
ize in one type of car and be
specializes in Audis and VWs, work, electrical diagnostics,
an expert at that, rather than
but he will be working on all air conditioning, brakes, tires
be less than expert at several
other makes and models. The and everything in between.
types of vehicles. He first
business should be open around Pete trained at NASCAR
started working on Audis
July 4th, as work is done on the Technical Institute in Moor-
when a customer gave him
building to generally spruce up seville, NC, but decided not
one that wouldn’t run. Pete
the premises. to join the race car circuit,
got it running and found a
Pete owns land on Lost and instead started focusing
vehicle that he loved and
Mile Road in South Newfane on his beloved Audis. He is
loved to specialize in (he
(hence the name of the shop) an Automotive Service Ex-
owns several different Audi
and is planning to build there cellence (ASE) Master Certi-
models). Because Audi is
once the shop is up and run- fied Technician and is cur-
owned by VW, he added
ning. rently working on setting up
VWs to his brand. Nowa-
Pete has had his eye on this as a state inspection station.
days, cars have specific
location for about 10 years and You can find the business on
tools, computers and soft-
found that the time was now Facebook or call (802) 380-
ware that are proprietary to
right to make the move. He has 7058.
just that one model. As VW
customers up and down the Tyler DeAngelis and Pete LaMorder
and Audi share those tools
PLAYS MUST GO ON
Rock River Players' filmed by and aired on filled. If you'd like to jump in ing a Player, you are so wel-
actors and directors are BCTV. and join this great company un- come! If you have production
gearing up to relaunch live As of this writing, plans der the fine direction of Bahman concepts or are itching to act or
in the Williamsville Hall, are to produce the great Mahdavi, call 802-365-7635 or be on crew we need you and
while also exploring ways classic comedy, MacArthur email bahman@webwerk.com. everyone in between. Just write
of maintaining their online and Hecht’s Front Page, Following Front Page will be me, Annie Landenberger,
presence established with the first two weekends in a winter cabaret and a 2022 pro- at verbatimvt@gmail.com
SOLOs, a series of episodes November. Given the duction of Death of a Salesman,
of solo performances co- COVID hiatus and actors' among other productions and, we
produced by RRP and circumstances, some roles hope, some comedy improv
Hooker-Dunham Theatre, are now needing to be work. If you're interested in be-
Submissions and articles line residents will be consid- clarity and length. (802) 365-4265 or drop us a
from people, businesses and ered as space allows. We welcome submissions line at Newfane Anew, attn:
organizations located in and Articles should not ex- from and for young people. Do newsletter, Box 235, Newfane,
serving residents of New- ceed 350 words and should you have a riddle, a joke, a puz- VT 05345
fane and Brookline are wel- be written in the third per- zle that you’d like to share? The deadline for the Octo-
comed. Information from son. The newsletter’s edito- Please send it along. All sub- ber, November, December
and about other towns that rial board reserves the right missions to the email address issue is Friday, September 3 at
serve Newfane and Brook- to edit all submissions for below or call in your news to noon.
newbrooknews.newsletter@gmail.comPage 11
V olu m e On e, Is s u e Two
A new gem has been added to New-
fane Village and you can find it on
this map. A few years ago the New-
fane Railroad Station on Cemetery
Hill Road was brought back to life
as the West River Railroad Muse-
um, part of the Historical Society of
Windham County. The Museum is
open weekends 12 - 5 Memorial
Day through Indigenous Peoples
Day. Also by appointment.
A version of the map to the left was
drawn by Bill Schommer in the late
1990s for inclusion in the pamphlet,
“A Walking Tour of Newfane Vil-
lage”, which text by Robert L.
Crowell. The map was updated this
year by Priscilla Cotton to include
the West River Railroad Museum.NewBrook Newsletter
Newfane Anew
PO Box 235
Newfane, VT 05345
This newsletter is mailed to
all residential and business
addresses in the Newfane,
Brookline, South Newfane
and Williamsville zip codes.
Additional copies can be
found at:
• Duttons
• The Newfane Store
• Fayetteville Corner
• The Moore Free Library
To have the newsletter mailed
to you quarterly, please send
$20 to the address above.
Useful Conta ct Inform atio n
Brookline Town Office Newfane Town Office
Open Tues/Thurs 9-2
Town Business Meetings:
Open Mon - Thurs 8 -5
First Sat of month 9-12 555 Route 30
PO Box 36
Brookline Selectboard: 1st and 3rd
734 Grassy Brook Road
Newfane, VT 05345 Wednesday of each month
PO Box 403
Brookline, VT 05345 Tel: (802) 365-7772
Tel. (802) 365-4648 Fax: (802) 365-7692 Newfane Selectboard: 1st and 3rd
www.newfanevt.com
Fax (802) 365-4092 Newfane Town Garage: 348-7949 Monday of each month,
www.brooklinevt.com/
Emergency: Enhanced 9-1-1 911
Fire: NewBrook Volunteer Fire and Rescue 1-603-352-1100 West River Valley Mutual Aid
Mutual Aid, Keene, NH
Group
Ambulance: Rescue,Inc. Brattleboro 254-2010
Grace Cottage Hospital, Townshend 365-7676
Gloria Cristelli (365-7232)
westrivervalleymutalaid.wordpress.com
Police: VT State Police 802-722-4600
Mental Health: Mental Health Services of Southern 1-800-622-4235 This is an all-volunteer group that helps
VT
community members with one-time
Domestic Vio- Women’s Crisis Center, Brattleboro 254-6954 needs and short-term needs (shopping
lence:
for homebound or vulnerable). They
General: United Way Helpline 211 also coordinate delivery of free food
Runaway: Youth Services of Windham County, 257-0361 and groceries. Contact them to give or
Brattleboro receive help.
Temporary Shel- Morningside Shelter 257-0066
ter:
Animal Control Windham County Sheriff 365-4945You can also read
