Contents

Town Rep. Tom Terenzini Page 3

Rec Committee Page 4

Fire Department Page 5

PTO News Page 5

Highway Department Page 7

Seniors Pgs 6,8,9

Summer Calendar Page 11

What’s the Circle ?

The Circle is a publication of Rutland Town and Rutland Town School, informing the community about issues of local interest. The Circle is not a public forum. The school administration has the right to exercise editorial control over style and content in keeping with a proper educational environment.

The Circle staff includes Principal Aaron Boynton as Editor in Chief, Carol Bam, Theresa Kulig, and Marie Pennington. Five issues are published during the school year, in October, December, February, April and June.

For more information, mailing list changes, to advertise or to contribute articles, call the RTS office at 775-0566, or email your request to [email protected].

The Circle, c/o Rutland Town School,

1612 Post Road, Rutland, VT 05701.

From Principal Aaron Boynton

Dear Students of Rutland Town School,

What a great year! You did it! Congratulations! You have worked so hard and accomplished so much. Your learning community has not only supported you in your reading, math, science, social studies, and writing, but also your artistic ability, physical and musical talents, social and emotional development, self-esteem, leadership, citizenship, friendship, and moral development. Perhaps you’ve learned to play an instrument this year or baked cookies in a solar oven (yes, I’m talking to you, wonderful 8^th graders). Maybe you represented our school and community on an athletic team or were on the state champion Rock Climbing or Odyssey of the Mind teams. Perhaps you spent some time giving to needy families. Maybe you visited the hospital and gave gifts to patients. Did you help build the school gardens, visit community and state sites, or speak publicly to over 400 people at our Memorial Day Ceremony? I bet you can think of more things than I can! Whatever the experience, we hope you remember this year.

Gosh, what a great school we have! I am proud to be a

part of it and to spend every day with you and your teachers, seeing the progress you make. My greatest wish is that we can continue to provide you with a high level of experiences, the best researched based programs, expert teachers, a safe building, and the tools and skills to be productive 21^st century citizens. Even more, we want you to change the world. I am proud of you. See you in the fall, ready for an even better year!

Mr. Boynton, Principal

Brianna Nicole Arduca

Evan Ross Biederman

Madison Hunter Bilodeau

Kiernan Leary Canavan

Kyle Peter Cassarino

Jack Pearson Clifford

Zachary Joseph Coarse

Jonathan Robert Cozzens

Lauren Mary Cozzens

Mikaela Marina DeRosia-Rosenzweig

Clay Andrew Drinwater

Hilary Jean Kamyk

Bethany Marie Garrow

Cheyenne Lynn Grundt

Cecelia Leigh Heaslip

Abigail Marie Hogenkamp

Jamie Ellen Keith

Jillian Elizabeth Ladabouche

Audrey Dawn Lamoureux

Amy Leigh Nichols

Yed-im Oh

Maxwell David Pockette

Avery Hunter Provin

Andrew Connor Ristaino

Cassidy Elizabeth Schultz

Matthew William Sheridan

Ryan Christopher Sihler

Marguerite Ann Smith

Brandon Michael Wortman

TOWN NEWS

By Carol Bam

The Town Listers (Howard Burgess, Marcia Chioffi and Dean Davis) are immersed in a “statis-tical update” of the grand list of all town property. This is necessary because of the decline in the housing market that occurred just after the 2009 town wide reappraisal. Rich Lewis from Lewis Appraisal Services is contracted by the Town to work with the Listers to conduct the statistical reappraisal.

Howard Burgess explained, “Now that we have a history of property sales showing a measurable decline in property values, we have decided that this is the appropriate time to make adjustments.” The process of a statistical update involves re-examining data previously collected on each property without having to perform interior inspections.

Change of appraisal notices will be sent to all town property owners by the end of June. If you have questions or concerns, please call the Listers’ direct line at the Town Office at 770-1898.

In other news, the local firm, VMS Construction, (formerly Quinn Company) owned by Victor Shappy, has been awarded the contract to build the new Center Rutland Fire Station. Their successful bid will permit the project to go forward without significant alterations to the original plan, and to be completed well under the $2 million limit approved by voters in November. Read more on page 5.

Alderman’s new Kia Dealership, across from Formula Ford on the Middle Road, opened for business in early June. Miracle Ear will open a store in the Donnegan Plaza adjacent to Green Mountain Plaza. The development, including the AT&T store, Aspen Dental andHair Clips, is now at full occupancy.

Under the Golden Dome

Report from Senator Kevin Mullin

Taxes and spending rose to the top among this year’s legislative highlights. When the budget started, the governor had proposed spending to increase at 5.8%, paying for it with some uncertain funding sources. In the end the budget passed with close to a 4% increase in overall spending. While Vermont continues to recover from the recession, it continues to outspend existing revenues. Other states chose to make serious cuts during the economic downturn but Vermont has continued forward. Rather than seek efficiency, a bevy of new taxes were proposed this year. Fortunately, in the end few passed. There were several proposals to change our income tax structure including moving from taxable income to adjusted gross income, new alternative minimum taxes, eliminating or capping deductions, changing brackets and rates, and revising our estate tax laws. While none of these proposals made it through this year, I am sure they will be discussed more next year.

We will all feel the pain of what did pass this year, how

ever, when we go to the gas pump or pay our property tax bills.

Along with a few of my colleagues a proposal was floated to try to bring some property tax relief. Instead, the residential rate was increased by a nickel and the non-residential rate by six cents. This will result in an average property tax increase of 6.8% for any resident who is not income sensitized. That coupled with another projected increase of five cents the following year has me very concerned. As the number of students continues to drop we need to focus on redefining our education delivery system. Consolidation must occur if we want to continue to strive towards excellence in education. But the status quo seems to be winning at this point in time.

On the education front there was some positive news. We passed a bill that ensures flexible pathways for success. Students in grades 7-12 will have their own personalized learning plans. High school students will have the opportunity for dual enrollment for two college courses as part of their curriculum. Early college enrollment is an additional option but is limited to the number of students who can participate.

The most important legislative initiative in health care involves an omnibus bill dealing with the implementation of Vermont Health Connect or the new health insurance exchange which goes online next fall. VHC will be an online marketplace where small businesses and individuals can compare pricing, shop for and purchase health insurance.

On the economic development front we passed a

new housing initiative aimed at developing around downtowns and village centers. We passed the first in the nation “Patent Trolling” bill which I believe sends a clear message that Vermont is the state to come to and innovate and the state will protect your back. The bill protects the ability of companies who are legitimately seeking to enforce their patents and uses Vermont’s consumer protection laws to avoid federal preemption and protect against illegitimate efforts to extort money from Vermont’s innovators.

2013 was an interesting year for the Legislature and I am proud that people came together, put aside differences, and worked for the common good. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Rutland County in the statehouse and encourage anyone with concerns to contact me at [email protected] or call me at (802) 353-6770.

News from The Gables

By Betty Little

This is the season when we travel near and far. One of our first trips was an early morning bird walk in West Rutlandwith Roy Pilcher of the Rutland Audubon Society and a resident of the Gables. left about 7:00 on a Friday morning to walk on the boardwalk, peer into the marsh, and listen for birds before going back to the Gables for our highly anticipated breakfast of eggs and bacon. The second was an eveningto the Brick Box next to the Paramount for the Nor’Eastern Playwrights Showcase’s three plays that were set like theater in the round and performed by the VT Actors Repertory Theater.

The Activities Committee is planning a trip to Brandon for high tea, another to Lake Bomoseen for dinner and a trip to one of the summer theater performances. During May, Rip Jackson gave a series on the history of music in the Commons, and for the first time the Gables is opening some of its programs to visitors. Call Randi if you are interested in attending.

Residents have begun planting their gardens, and mostto be active in community organizations like the quilters, Killington Arts Guild, Grace Congregational Church, and Audubon. Roy Pilcherinvolved in monitoring wildlife under the Federal WRP Easement Program. This month an endangered species, the Pied-Billed Grebe, was discovered in wetlands he helped to preserve and credit was given to him by USDA employee, Sally Eugair.

The Gables holds occasional Friday night programs, has a poetry reading once a month and has its own memoir writing session one Tuesday afternoon a month. Activities Committee plans programs and coordinates activities every month with an elected Residents Committee providing guidance. The Gables held a yard sale recently. The weather was good, the turnout was good and we raised funds to continue our activities. We thank all our friends and neighbors for their support of that event.

Rutland Town Community Calendar

June

18 Select Board meets - 7 pm, Town Hall

18 & 25 Senior lunch - noon , Cheney Hill Com. Ctr.

24 School Board meets - 6:30 pm, RTS Library

July

2,9,16,23,30 Senior lunch - noon, Cheney Hill Center

2,16,30 Select Board meets – 7 pm – Town Hall

4 Town Hall closed – Independence Day

Northwood Park fireworks at dusk. Rain date, July 5

8 & 22 School Board meets - 6:30 pm, RTS Library

18 Planning Commission meets - 7 pm, Town Hall

August

1 & 15 Planning Commission meets -7 pm

Town Hall

6,13,20,27 Senior lunch - noon, Cheney Hill Com. Ctr.

12 & 26 School Board meets - 6:30 pm, RTS Library

13 & 27 Select Board meets - 7 pm, Town Hall

28 First day of school

September

2 Labor Day - Town Hall closed

10 Property tax installment due

2013 Northwood Pool Schedule

The Pool is open June 8 for the season

Season Pass Fees

Resident Single $ 35

Resident Family $ 60

Non-resident Single $ 65

Non-resident Family $120

Two sessions of swim lessons are included

with purchase of the family pass.

Pool Hours

Mon. - Fri. 9 - 12 Swim Lessons every ½ hour

6 - 7 Night Lessons

12 - 1 Adult Swim

1 - 7 Open Swim

Sat. & Sun. 11 - 7 Open Swim

Daily Fees

Resident Adult/Child $2 / $1.25

Non-resident Adult/Child $4 / $ 3

Resident Senior (55+) Free

Swim Lessons

Session I June 17 - July 5

Session II July 8 - July 26

Northwood Pool Phone 775 - 7301

Greetings once again from the folks here at the Rutland Town Fire Department. We hope this finds everyone well, especially after the wild weather that May has brought us!

We are pleased to announce that the bid for the Center Rutland Station project has been awarded to VMS construction, located here in Rutland, VT. There were four bids received on the project and the bidding was very competitive. We are thrilled that there will be no cuts to the project as originally proposed and the Building Committee anticipates the project being completed for well under the $2 million dollar budget that was approved by the voters last November. A contract is set to be signed at the June 4^th Select Board meeting.

With construction of our new building scheduled to be starting soon, the members have been working diligently on Wednesday evenings to relocate the contents of the old station to our temporary home at the old Rte. 4 Auto Sales building. A special thanks goes to Theresa McGinnis, the owner of the building, for allowing us to lease the space and making accommodations for us. Her flexibility and help with the lease process was greatly appreciated.

Finally a special thank goes out to all of the members of the department who have worked tirelessly for the last 2 months to pack up and inventory the contents of the old station. It has been an interesting and enlightening process to go through many of the older items in the station, especially for the newer members of the department. It has served to highlight the very humble beginnings from which the Rutland Town Fire Department arose in 1967 and all of the hard work that volunteers have put into building the department into what it has become today!

Finally, in closing, we again would like to thank the residents of Rutland Town for your continued support. We would encourage you to check out website at http://www.engineco29.org. As time allows we hope to post pictures of the Town’s new fire station as it begins to take shape! We hope everyone has a safe and exciting summer!

Elder Focus

Lifelong Gardening

By Sandy Conrad, SVCOA Exec. Director

Gardening provides a great deal of enjoyment and exercise for many of us, so why not continue this activity into our elder years as long as we can? Losing some of our youthful vigor and capabilities will not necessarily prevent us from cultivating the flowers, vegetables and fruits that give us pleasure. There are many ways to work smarter, not harder!

Taking frequent breaks reduces the risk of a strain or careless accident. To encourage resting, keep gardens near the house, or provide comfortable shaded seating near the garden. Change tasks frequently so you can vary your position and use different muscles.

If you’re at all unsure about your balance, strength, eyesight or concentration, avoid using power tools. Hand tools may be more work, but a small slip with a power tool can cause a devastating injury. Ask others to help out on the heavier jobs; better they should move a few wheelbarrows than have to push you in a wheelchair! Also keep in mind the basic precautions for gardeners of all ages-- sun protection, bug repellent, and drinking water—which become even more important as we age.

Some physical challenges of aging can be accommodated in simple, inexpensive ways. Try getting plants up off the ground with trellises or wire cages wherever possible. At harvest time the stooping and kneeling will be less. You probably already provide support for your tomato plants, but other plants can also grow up rather than sprawl on the ground. Pole beans, cucumbers, melons, and some squashes will climb if given a chance. This also reduces the square footage needed.

Many seniors scale down their gardens over the years, dedicating more space to lawn. It’s more enjoyable to grow a small garden successfully than to get hopelessly behind with a large one. Another strategy is to use large containers arrayed around the edges of a patio or deck. Run a perforated soaker hose across the tops of the pots, and you will have a very low-maintenance setup.

For those who enjoy it, gardening is a great way to get gentle exercise, stay flexible, burn calories, and lift the mood. It can also be rewarding to share your passion for gardening with others, especially youngsters. The knowledge, skills, and culture that experienced gardeners convey are much needed in our world today. Happy planting!

You can access the entire spectrum of services by calling the SVCOA Senior Helpline

at 1-800-642-5119.

The View From House Seat 101

From Thomas Terenzini

State Representative, Rutland Town

The 2013 Legislative Session was adjourned into history on the evening of May 14. January 9, 2013, I was sworn into office by Speaker of the House, Shap Smith.

I was assigned to House Seat 101. My committee assignment was Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources. This legislative session was filled with social issues such as the death with dignity act, the bill to decriminalize marijuana, and another allowing illegals to drive in Vermont. in the session, with the help of former Rutland Town Select Board member James Hall, I submitted a bill for passage that dealt with placing a small surcharge on lift tickets at ski areas throughout the state. surcharge was to defray the cost of the state's expense to find skiers who ski out of bounds and get lost in the wilderness. bill quickly went to committee where lobbyists for the Vermont ski industry killed it. a freshman legislator I found this to be a learning experience.

A high point in the session for me was working to piece together the new Fish and Game bill. House Bill 101 passed both the House and Senate. This bill gives bow hunters the right to carry a handgun into the woods while hunting for their own protection against aggressive behavior by the coyote population. House Bill 101 also gives Vermonters another free fishing day.

The most joyous moment of the session for me was when Miss Currier brought her Rutland Town 4th grade class to the State House on May 2. I had the honor of taking these beautiful children upstairs in the State House to meet Governor Shumlin. It was a wonderful twenty minute meeting with lots of pictures taken. In closing, let me say that I found my four months to be very productive and at the same time very humbling. I thank you, the people of Rutland Town, for the opportunity to represent you in the Vermont General Assembly.

It’s Red Clover Day!

By Theresa Czachor, Librarian

For 16 years, Rutland Town students in grades K-5 have celebrated the Red Clover Award, a Vermont Children’s Choice picture book award wherein students vote for their favorite book after hearing ten nominees. This year over 22,000 students in the state of Vermont voted the Red Clover Award. The program is run through the school library and promotes the reading and discussion of the best picture books for children.

Students celebrate with a parade in which each class dresses up to represent a Red Clover nominee. Following the parade, they attend an award ceremony to learn which book has won the Red Clover Award.

RTS also invites “Big Lenny” to the school and students are able to eat “Big Lenny” hot dogs for lunch! The students wait in excitement and anticipation to learn the winner of the Red Clover Award! The winner of the Red Clover Award this year is The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett receiving 4,928 votes statewide. Visit www.mothergooseprograms.org to learn more about the Red Clover Award program.

Announcing

2013 Book Award Winners

¥ John Newbery Medal - The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate - Grades 4 and up

¥ Randolph Caldecott Medal - This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen - Picture book

¥ Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award (DCF) -

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen - Grades 5 and up

Pto news

From Ingrid Gallo, President

The PTO held a 6th - 8th grade dance in May with 7th and 8th graders from other area schools also invited. dance was well attended with 2Kul Entertainment playing all the favorite songs. Sincere thanks to everyone who baked or brought drinks and food. The PTO raised over $300 for the night.

We haveover $1,343 from Box Tops for Education this year!to all who continue to send in box tops. Campbell soup labels are still being collected as well. Your participation is appreciated as these funds go towards projects and materials to benefit our students!

Please continue to collect Box Tops and Labels for Education throughout the summer. Drop box tops and labels into the collection box near the office. If you have any questions please contact Ingrid Gallo at 775-0079.

To start the new 2013-2014 school year, PTO will conduct our annual Calendar Raffle and a Fall Golf Tournament is being planned. Thank you to our Rutland Town Community and our school staff for another great year! you in the Fall!

NEWS FROM THE REC

From Director, Mike Rowe

Baseball is in full swing with many teams at all levels. The line up of volunteer coaches this spring: Tom Jacques and Joe Walker are working with the Mighty Mites, Neil Daub and Eric Cavalieri are working with the T-ball teams, Dave DelBianco is the Minors coach, and Mike Kenosh and Butch Goulette are coaching the Majors teams. Thank you for all your time and effort.

Many thanks to these super sponsors of our baseball programs this summer: Alderman’s Chevrolet, Ben and Jerry’s and Cavalieri Insurance.

The pool will open on June 8 - 9 from 11 - 7 pm, and it will open fulltime for the summer on June 15. You can get pool passes and sign up for swim lessons at the pool anytime it is open.

On May 10 - 11 an enthusiastic group of volunteers got together and created a new playground at DelBianco Park. This project was funded by a grant the Rec Dept. recieved to rebuild the playground. Many helped with this project, the people from Multiplay systems, Byron and Tom from the Highway Dept, Bill Bauer, Burt, and Mike McMahon, Justin and Rick DeBbianco, Greg Fuller and Brendon Chamberlain. On behalf of the Town, I would like to thank everyone else who helped make this project a complete success.

Thank you to the volunteers who participated in Green-Up Day this year. Your efforts are appreciated. Thank you to the Velco employees who graciously picked up the North Grove street area. The volume of trash picked up by volunteers and the Highway Dept. crew was significantly less this year than in years past.

This year’s paving will be completed by the end of the first week in June. Driveway aprons will be taken care of after paving is completed. I realize this may cause inconvenience for some, however the most cost effective way to put on aprons is after the paving is done.

Road side mowing has begun and will be done by the highway crew this year. Last fall our Selectmen and Clarendon’s Selectmen agreed to the joint purchase of a tractor and mower for use by the respective departments. I plan to cut roadsides this year in June. Clarendon will then take the mower for July. I will then mow again in August and then again early fall. This arrangement should be mutually beneficial for both towns.

Construction in July will be done on the Stratton Road/Cold River Road area to prepare these roads for paving in 2014. Traffic delays will cause some inconvenience. New for this year, WCAX, in conjunction with Brent Curtis from VTrans, will include local projects in their reports. These reports are typically on Monday mornings at 6:30 am. The Stratton Road/Cold River Road project will be reported by WCAX as well as on the local radio stations. Keep tuned and you can avoid delays by seeking other routes during construction.

Have a safe summer and slow down in our work zones.

Four Winds Blowing

By Kirsten Marsh

As the school year ends, so does our Cycles in Nature Four Winds Program. A huge THANK YOU to all who make this program possible: the volunteers, the FWNI staff, the teachers, PTO, school administration and of course the students. All are important to the Four Winds community working together to bring this fun and exciting science program to RTS children.

Did you know? There is a bin at the Rutland Town Transfer Center for returnable bottles and cans, all donations go directly to funding materials for the Four Winds program at RTS. Another huge THANK YOU to The Circle’s own Carol Bam for all her support over the years with this endeavor. Swing by and drop off those bottles and cans! We are so appreciative for all the anonymous contributions made throughout the year.

Looking ahead to next year’s program, our first training session will be Tuesday, September 3 from 8:45-11:00am at Barstow Memorial School. The Four Winds program we will be studying in 2013/2014 is “Earth and the Environment”: Water, sunlight, wind, rocks and erosion all shape the ever changing landscape in which we live. We will study the physical environment that supports life on earth and the forces that affect them over time.

We always welcome new volunteers to help with the program. No experience necessary! If you’re interested in joining our ranks please contact one of the RTS FW coordinators, Peg Fothergill [email protected], 773-6845 or Kirsten Marsh [email protected], 773-5381.

Dedication of Historic Marker

at Center Rutland Depot

By Peter Fisk

On May 30 a dedication ceremony was held for the historic marker denoting the location of the historic Center Rutland Depot. The marker is located at the junction of Business Route 4 and Depot Lane just west of the Town Hall.

The brief ceremony was hosted by the Rutland Railway Association and Rutland Railroad Museum, current occupants of the 100 year old depot,of the Center Rutland Historic District.Speakers included Jim Davidson of the Rutland Historical Society who presented an overview of the region's transportation history from an early 1800'splan for a canal network throughout the area up to today's flight schedule from the Regional Airport.Rutland City Rep. Herb Russell, who facilitated acquisition of the marker, was thanked for his help as was the Town of Rutland.

Business Route 4 is part of the Hartford to Fair Haven “Crossroad of Vermont Byway” and it is fitting that the Depot sits at one of New England's key rail crossroads seeing significant rail traffic to this day. The Depot once

housed passenger and freight facilities for the Rutland Railroad and the Delaware and Hudson Railroad.Within a few hundred yards the Clarendon and Pittsford Railroad and the Rutland to Poultney trolley lines also operated.

The historic marker will call attention to the Depot's history and its location so that local citizens and visitors to the area might enjoy seeing the historic building, its current regional rail museum and model train club. The building is open to the public on Saturdays from 11- 3 pm free of charge.

Kindergarten’s CHICK PROJECT

From Linda Mullin

In kindergarten, students learn about what living things need to survive. In order to fulfill that goal, the kindergarten teachers bring in eggs and an incubator to discover how eggs become chicks. The project would not come about without the dedicated support of Sandra and Radley Billings. Sandra and Radley supplied 42 eggs from their farm. Then they took time from their busy days to come to school and read a story to the children and talk to them about caring for their chickens. At the end of the visit, Sandra and Radley surprised the students with a real, live chicken from their home. The brown hen was a sweetheart who let the children pet her. We thank the Billings Family for their support of this special project in kindergarten.

We especially thank the Billings children, Lance, Lucas, Colt, Arianna, and Levi, who are exceptional caretakers of the chickens at Billings Farm. The “Chick Project” is very important to kindergarten. Not only does it teach students the needs of living things (like constant 99 degree temperature and turning eggs three times a day), but it teaches them responsibility and care for living things. We hope the care the students exhibit for the eggs and newborn chicks translates to the care of all living things.

First Grade Can - Do Readers!

By Paula Townsend

First grade students celebrated reading accomplishments with a pizza party at school. They wore visors that they made and decorated with slogans such as “I Love Books!” and “ I Love to read.” The pizza lunch was purchased from the Abbey Group and included salad, milk, and watermelon. The students received a reading certificate stating the number of books read individually this year. When they heard the total books read by the entire first grade, they cheered. Cheering for reading is an exciting prospect in school!

The goal is for first grade students to listen to or read at least four books each day. Families work with teachers to help students meet that goal. Besides books read in class, teachers send home books from the classroom library. An incentive program through Pizza Hut called “Book-It” supports the reading done at home. This year first grade students read 3,480 books!

A reading incentive program pays off in dividends:

Ø it is a home and school connection

Ø it gives students the opportunity to practice reading fluency and comprehension

Ø it is an opportunity for bonding between family and child

Ø it leads to understanding the concept of the numbers

Ø it provides an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments.

Congratulations First Graders!

Farewell to Retiring Teachers

Patsy MacHardy, Sue Audette & Marcia Barron

Three amazing teachers will retire at the close of this school year. Their combined tenure at RTS totals 112 years! We will miss their expertise and rapport with students and the wider school community. But we wish them a carefree retirement filled with fun and adventure. Parting words from our friends:

Patsy MacHardy ~ I am retiring after 34 years of teach- ing here at this school. It has been a pleasure to work with my colleagues for so many years. I have lots of photos to remind me of all the children and our activities through the years. Now I will have more time to visit with my own children who are adults living in Rhode Island and Georgia. I'll look forward to playing golf with my mother who lives in Connecticut. It's a lifetime sport! I love the outdoors so I'll be enjoying VT hiking and skiing. If I practice, I may be able to win a game of tennis with my husband!

Sue Audette ~ I have had the pleasure and privilege of teaching at Rutland Town School for my entire career spanning 41 years. have taught grades 1, 2, and 4. , I'm going to spend time with my family, especially my one year old grandson, who I will be taking care of a few days a week. also plan to catch up on some reading, work on some home improvements and vacation on the coast of Maine. I will always have many unforgettable memories of all the children, families, and colleagues with whom I have had wonderful relationships during my time at RTS.

Marcia Barron ~ It has been a joy to pursue my 39 year career amidst fabulous students, supportive families, and excellent professionals. I will put away the tasks of teaching K-5 physical education including the Jumpathon, fitness tests, field days, giant obstacle courses, zumba, folk, square and contra dance, SNAG golf, tumbling and yoga, snowshoes and cross country skiing, the sensorimotor program with bike riding, field hockey referee, and Girls on the Run coach. After 37 years at RTS life will continue to be full with family, friends, and more fun things to do.

This summer at the

Rutland Free Library

Thanks to the voters of Rutland Town and the other supporting communities, your Rutland Free Library now opens Monday - Saturday at 10 am. And of course the Library is always open online at RutlandFree.org.

Summer Reading Program

June 17 - August 16

Kids of all ages are invited to participate. How?

1. Sign up for your membership packet at the desk, and add your name to our readers’ display.

2. Record the books you read during the summer.

Children of all ages may take part by reading independently or by being read to.

3. Bring your Reading Record in throughout the summer to receive rewards such as stickers, a free book and a coupon for a free soft ice cream from Seward’s Family Restaurant.

4. Each time you check out books, enter your name in the end-of-summer raffle for fun prizes.

Read & Win at the Champlain Valley Fair! Win one free admission, a book, ride, and ice cream on August 26 at the Champlain Valley Fair. To qualify, read 3 books and return a voucher to a librarian for a Read & Win Ribbon.

Special events at RFL

¥ July 9, Tuesday at 2 pm ~ Puppetree Theater presents ”14 Carrots”, a 40 min presentation with audience participation. For kids preschool - third grade.

¥ July 16, Tuesday at 2 pm ~ The Vermont Claymobile. Join a clay artist in a two hour workshop and turn a hunk of clay into whatever you imagine. For all ages.

¥ July 31, Wednesday at 4 pm ~ Make Seed Balls. Seed balls are gumball-sized balls of clay, compost and appropriately-selected seeds that can be tossed wherever you’d like to see something grow. Master Gardener Rosemary Moser will lead the workshop. Wear old clothes and be ready to get dirty! Edible dirt cup treats served, too. All ages.

¥ August 6, Tuesday at 3 pm ~ Get Down and Dirty with Four Winds Nature Institute

Hands-on activities to explore the process of decomposition. Dig into leaf litter and soil. Make art out of mud. Dress to get dirty. One hour of fun for kids kindergarten through 6^th grade.

¥ Wednesdays, June 26 and July 24 at 4 pm ~ Tales to Tails – Kids Reading to Dogs!

Come to meet, greet, and read to our fabulous reading partner dogs. Collectable bookmarks of the dogs, too. All ages.

Senior Corner

By Theresa Kulig

The senior group continues to meet for Tuesday lunches and since the last issue of The Circle, they took a short bus trip to the Woodstock Senior Center to enjoy lunch there. They did manage to stop at a few shops along the way. Mrs. Glagola wasn't able to participate in this trip as she was recovering from a sprained ankle. She now has recovered and is doing well for her 96 years. Which reminded me to ask her who has the Golden Cane in the town. This is presented to the oldest resident of the town and Lillian Billings, who turned 102 in the spring is still in possession of it. Many of the lunch group are in their 80's and 90's. Must be the great Vermont air and wholesome living in Rutland Town.

RTS Odyssey of the Mind Teams Shine

at World Finals in Michigan

By Robyn Schmitt

RTS’s two OOTM teams traveled an exciting but exhausting 1400 miles over Memorial Day weekend to the OOTM World Finals in East Lansing, MI. They competed against teams from around the USA and 25 other countries, including Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Singapore, Russia, Poland and South Korea!

There was much to see and do at Michigan State University including prop repair, rehearsal and, the teams' favorite past time, pin trading. We are so very proud of these teams, their individual growth and what they have achieved together through their odysseys.

Congratulations to the Girls Team (Paige Bohlig, Kassandra Griffin, Lilly Krupp, Taylor Krupp and Alexa McPhee) for a great performance among 56 worldwide teams competing on the Pet Project problem (Division II). This is the third trip for many of them at World Finals, and they continue to amaze us with their talents!

Equally impressive was the ASASAPA Time Travelers, Inc. Team (Taqdees Ahmad, Zimraan Ahmad, Leah Allen, Miles Allen, Dilan Patel, Ethan Schmitt and Ben Spiro) who competed among 47 worldwide teams on the Email Must Go Through problem (Division I). This was the first competition for 3 team members, the second trip for two and the third visit to finals for two "veterans" of OOTM.

We sincerely thank everyone for their unyielding support of our RTS OOTM teams during this year's competition, with special gratitude for the many whose contributions helped send these teams to World Finals!

Want to join OOTM? tuned! Sign ups will be in September though next year's problem synopses are already posted onwww.odysseyofthemind.com.

Events for Kids and Families

Ø June 22 - Relay for Life at Vermont State Fairgrounds, 1 pm Saturday. Support the Rutland Town School team. All donated funds go to the American Cancer Society.

Ø RTS Jazz Camp - Friends of Music Summer Jazz Camp will run June 24 - 28, Mon. - Fri. from 9 - 3, for students entering Grades 5 - 9. To register contact Glendon Ingalls, at 775-0566 ext. 2042 or [email protected]

Ø July 4 - Town Fireworks at Northwood Park at dusk. Rain date July 5.

Ø Story Hour at RTS Library - 5 Tuesdays July 9- Aug. 6 from 4 - 5. For kids in preschool through Grade 2. Families can register one week at a time or register for all five weeks. Please call Librarian Theresa Czachor at 775-0566 ext. 2030 to register.

Thanks to our Advertisers !

The Circle has wonderful advertisers who help us meet publication costs. These longtime advertisers supported The Circle this year: A&J Auto Parts, Rob Stubbins Electrical, Hathaway Farms, and David Pezzeti Property Management. We thank Neighborworks Heat Squad and Racine Stamped Concrete, Painting & Sealing for a second year and we are happy to introduce ads from Glendon Ingalls for music instruction, and Jackie Walker for Silpada Jewelry.

Please support these businesses and consider advertising your business in the next Circle newsletter in October. Email [email protected] for prices.

Graphic Print by

Abigail Churchill, Grade 4_