Off The Hook
The Pomfret School performed “Peter Pan” May 2. All the children in the school participated in the performance.
Rick Russell Photos

A portion of these photo first appeared in the May 9, 2013 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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SOUTH POMFRET — A memorial service for Josephine K. Brayton of South Pomfret, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 2 at the Pomfret Town Hall.
Jo died on March 30 at age 93 after a brief illness. She was the oldest citizen of Pomfret.
A transplanted “flatlander” from Massachusetts, Jo loved Vermont. After years of ever-longer vacations, Jo and her husband, Lincoln, moved permanently to Pomfret in the 1990s. They spent countless happy days walking Vermont’s trails and backroads. After Lincoln’s death in 2002, Jo continued living in her own home until the week before she passed away.
Jo leaves her son Stephen and his wife, Lisa, of Dedham, Mass., and her son Nathanael, also of Dedham. She also leaves her good friends and travel companions, Annie Hastings and Sue Cole, both of Woodstock.
For more information, please contact Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, VT or visit: www.cabotfh.com.

This obituary first appeared in the May 2, 2013 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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An Empty Bowls event was held in Pomfret. Ceramic bowls are made and decorated by local artist, then sold and filled with soup. 100% Of the proceeds went to the hunger relief organization of your choice.
Rick Russell Photos

A portion of these photo first appeared in the April 11, 2013 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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SOUTH POMFRET — A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 4 at the Pomfret Town Hall for Josephine K. Brayton, 93, who died March 30 after a brief illness. She was the oldest citizen of Pomfret. Burial in Fall River, Mass., will be private.
A transplanted “flatlander” from Massachusetts, Jo loved Vermont. After years of ever-longer vacations, Jo and her husband, Lincoln, moved permanently to Pomfret in the 1990s. They spent countless happy days walking Vermont’s trails and backroads. Jo’s friends often tell a familiar story: while driving on some distant backroad, Jo would say, “Lincoln and I walked this road.” As one friend put it, “We became convinced that Jo and Lincoln walked every backroad in Vermont.”
After Lincoln’s death in 2002 at age 96, Jo continued to walk the roads near her home. “Until physical infirmities set in, she walked every day down the road to visit her favorite tree, a big old sugar maple she named “Abraham,” her son Stephen recalled. She loved trees, as well as flowers, cats, stuffed bears, the Red Sox, and cherry tomatoes from the plant on her deck.
Strongly independent, Jo lived in her own home until the last week of her life. Last year, the Pomfret Ladies Circle presented her with the ceremonial cane recognizing the oldest citizen of Pomfret. Recently, the Circle presented Jo with a quilt made by its members, an event that made headlines when a newspaper reporter and photographer showed up along with Circle members.
She was an avid reader, especially on polar exploration, an interest stemming from river-rafting trips in the Yukon that she and Lincoln took in the 1970s.
Born in New Bedford, MA on April 16, 1919, daughter of Thomas C. and Emily (Rotch) Knowles, Jo was a graduate of Concord Academy and Bryant & Stratton Business Institute. She attended the University of Pennsylvania. While working in Boston, she met Lincoln D. Brayton of Fall River at her roommate’s wedding in 1945. They were married the following year and settled in Fall River.
Jo and Lincoln and their two sons later moved to nearby Swansea, Mass., where she cultivated a bountiful vegetable garden. Her son Nathanael recalled their gradual adoption of the Green Mountain State. “As they spent more time in Vermont, they built lasting friendships and enjoyed becoming part of the community.”
Josephine leaves her son Stephen and his wife, Lisa, of Dedham, Mass., and her son Nathanael, also of Dedham. She also leaves her good friends and travel companions, Annie Hastings and Sue Cole, both of Woodstock.
Contributions in Jo’s memory may be made to the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, VT. Contributions will support the museum’s “Eye on the Sky” weather program.
Arrangements are being handled by Waring-Sullivan Homes of Memorial Tribute in Fall River, Mass. and Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock. To send memories: www.waring-sullivan.com, or cabotfh.com.

This obituary first appeared in the April 11, 2013 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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Firefighters from several communities are battling a house fire this morning on the bank of the White River in the northeastern corner of Pomfret.

The fire at a one-and-a-half story residence on White River Lane, which sits on the western bank of the White River opposite the village of West Hartford, was discovered shortly after 10 a.m.

Fire engines from North Pomfret, Teago, Hartford, Sharon, and South Royalton are on the scene drafting water from the nearby river.

Initial reports from the first arriving fire crews reported flames up the back of the house on both floors. There is no word on any injuries or whether anyone was home when the fire broke out.

Firefighters work to set up a ladder to go up to second floor of the home to break and vent windows.

Firefighters try to contain a fire at a Pomfret home. The fire destroyed in interior of the house. (Rick Russell Photos)

Maple Sugaring – (Watch the video)
Elementary Schools in Pomfret and Barnard engage their classroom in outdoor lessons on the process of sugaring. Top Acres Farm in South Woodstock was among those holding their open house this weekend.
Rick Russell Photos

A portion of these photo first appeared in the March 28, 2013 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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Elementary Schools in Pomfret and Barnard engage their classroom in outdoor lessons on the process of sugaring. Top Acres Farm in South Woodstock was among those holding their open house this weekend.

(Take a look at the photo gallery from this event.)

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If you have video you would like to share with the Standard, send your link or video to webmaster@thevermontstandard.com

NORTH POMFRET — A memorial gathering will be held at a later date for Loney M. Knipe, 58, who died March 11 at the Randolph Medical Center following a long hard-fought battle with cancer.
Loney was born on Nov. 29, 1954, the daughter of John Herbert Tucker Jr., and Alice Lillian (Dyer) Chase.
After graduating from Woodstock Union High School Loney married Jim Knipe and together they moved to Hampton, N.H. and opened a restaurant. Loney and Jim later moved to New York and continued working in the restaurant business. Loney moved back to North Pomfret in October of 2012.
Loney loved to take photographs especially of her beautiful plant and flower gardens. She also enjoyed making clothing of model quality. She recently started a small company making clothing for dogs. She enjoyed crafts of all types.
She lived a full and busy life. In the months leading to her death she was grateful for the wonderful care given to her by; Hospice, the entire family at the Randolph Hospital, as well as family and friends that included Zina Howe, Robbin and Novah Conway, Erin Merrill, Jimmy and Francine and Glen Chase.
Loney is survived by her mother Alice L. Chase of North Pomfret; her siblings; Renee Philbrick of South Royalton, Jerry Tucker of East Clarendon, Penny Tucker of White River Jct., Mosses Chase of South Royalton, Richard Chase of Topsham, Eric Chase of Wisconsin, and Adam Chase of North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews.
Those wishing may make memorial donations to the ASPCA of New York.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock. Condolences may be offered by visiting cabotfh.com.
This obituary first appeared in the March 21, 2013 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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With only a few weeks left of skiing, Suicide Six is offering skier a very low rate to ski this week. Ski the trails of Suicide Six for $7.50 a day.

The Woodstock Union High School-Middle School’s $11.3 million budget was approved by voters in six sending towns, according to unofficial results.

Bridgewater was the only town to vote the budget down.

Results

Bridgewater: Yes: 35, No: 42

Pomfret: Yes: 59, No: 28

Barnard: Yes: 105, No:41,

Killington: Yes: 327, No: 113

Woodstock: Yes: 414, No: 195

Reading: Yes: 45, No: 28.

ArtisTree Community Arts Center, along with Purple Crayon, have announced their plans to relocate to Pomfret in 2014.
The group plans to renovate the former MIT retreat building behind the Teago General Store. In a release Monday, ArisTree said they have plans for building “a clay studio, a new gallery, expressive arts therapy offices, two fine art studios, new children’s education spaces and a dedicated movement studio – as well as a new music performance space with a stage and seating for over eighty.”
Construction is expected to begin in April of this year.

The ‘Stubby’ Slalom Race took place a Suicide Six Ski Area on Sunday.
( See the race results.. click here)

A portion of these photo first appeared in the February 28, 2013 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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(Watch the Video - Music/Lights and Fireworks… take a look)

Suicide Six held their annual Torchlight parade. Skiers take to the hill at night and light up the slope with lights and then came in from the cold for music and dancing.
Rick Russell Photo

A portion of these photo first appeared in the February 21, 2013 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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Torchlight Parade
Suicide Six held their annual Torchlight parade. Skiers take to the hill at night and light up the slope with lights.

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If you have video you would like to share with the Standard, send your link or video to webmaster@thevermontstandard.com

The Abbot Memorial Library in Pomfret, Vt. wanted to have a volunteer appreciation day and decided to do an event based on the Chinese New Year.

(Watch the video – click here)

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(Take a look at the photo gallery from this event)

The Fisk Trophy Race is in its 76th consecutive year. This alpine ski race is hosted by Woodstock Ski Runners at Suicide Six ski area in Pomfret, Vt.

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If you have video you would like to share with the Standard, send your link or video to webmaster@thevermontstandard.com

The Abbott Memorial Library in Pomfret, Vt. wanted to have a volunteer appreciation day and decided to do an event based on the Chinese New Year.
Rick Russell Videos

To see more videos click here.
If you have video you would like to share with the Standard, send your link or video to webmaster@thevermontstandard.com

Staff Report
Suicide Six had to close shop Thursday due to rain and unseasonably high temperatures.
Heavy rains and temperatures in the high 40s have also caused ice james to break and high-water levels in the area.
“We just have a lot of standing water around,” said Suicide Six manager Chuck Vanderstreet. “We’re unable to groom.”
Also, a Woodstock Union High School alpine team meet scheduled for Thursday at Suicide Six was postponed to Feb. 4.
Suicide Six has had a rough week after below-zero temperatures and high winds last weekend kept skiers at home.
“It’s very disappointing, it really is,” Vanderstreet said. “Being in this business, you rely on Mother Nature to a certain extent.”
Temperatures are expected to drop below 20 degrees Thursday night and Vanderstreet plans for Suicide Six to be open again Friday.
Despite the recent poor weather, Vanderstreet says the resort has had a good year so far thanks to heavy Christmas and Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend traffic.

POMFRET — A funeral Mass for Mary Frances Maynes Maxham, 86, who died Jan. 18 surrounded by her loving family was held Jan. 21 at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church. Burial will be in the Burns Cemetery in Pomfret at a later date. Her husband, David Lincoln Maxham, predeceased her in January of 2001.
Mary was born Jane 17, 1926 on High Street in Woodstock, daughter of Helen Marsh Maynes and James Henry Maynes Sr. The youngest of three, she was very close with brothers, Edward William Maynes, who died Aug. 22, 2006 and James Henry Maynes Jr., who died Feb. 21, 1995.
Mary lived in Pomfret Center since 1990. After graduating from nurses training at Bishop DeGoesbriand Hospital in Burlington, she married David, a medical student in 1950. They moved to Detroit, Mich., in 1953 for David’s internship and residency. She raised her family in Fairfield, Conn. from 1957 to 1990. David retired as an anesthesiogist in 1987 from St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport, Conn.
Mary is survived by nine children, 23 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Debbie Youngerman, of Hillsborough, N.J., Her husband Neil and their two children, Brett and Rebecca; Judith Maxham of North Providence, R.I., her husband, Richard Tierney and their son, James; David Maxham and his wife, Kate of Fairfield, Conn. and their children, Colleen, Kevin and Molly; Kathy Catalano and her husband, Frank of Madison, Conn., and their children, John, Anthony and Geena; Jeanne Pramuka and her husband, Frank of Southbury, Conn., and her children, Michael Schwartz, his wife, Amy and their three children, Patrick Schwartz and his wife, Erin, and Paul Schwartz; Chris Maxham, his wife, Mary and their children, James, Victoria and Peter of Queens, N.Y.; Patty James, her husband, Mark and their children, Jess and Morgan of Newport, Wales, UK; Susan Maxham of Milford, Conn., and her children, Jamie and Bryan Lutz; Mary Lou McGrath and her husband, Ryan of Pawling, N.Y. and their children, Maddie, Grace, David and Henry.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Bayada Hospice, PO Box 1590, Norwich, 05055.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home.

This obituary first appeared in the January 24, 2013 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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The New England Masters Skiing brought their Sise Cup racing series to Suicide Six on Sunday. Despite the soft snow and heavy fog, the 65 racers ranging in age from 21 to 86 made two runs on the hill. The Class 11, 12 and 13 Men (the oldest is 86) have been skiing since they were youngsters. Their first ski experiences were on wooden skis climbing up hills and skiing down them in their backyards. When asked if they missed the old rope tows and J-bars, they all agreed that the hi-speed quads are the best. One man said, “We get more snow time with the new technology.”
Nancy Nutile-McMenemy Photos

A portion of these photo first appeared in the January 17, 2013 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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