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News
August 15
4:00 pm
Lincoln Covered Bridge repairs set to begin
Work on the Lincoln Covered Bridge in Woodstock is scheduled begin the week of Aug. 19, according to the company responsible for the repair work.
Joseph Poston, senior project manager of Wright Construction of Manchester, N.H., said it will cost approximately $294,000 to fix 10 croft beams, 15 knee braces, 19 verticals and new siding at both entrances. The project is slated to be finished by the end of the year.
For more on the Lincoln Covered Bridge repairs, see the Aug. 15 edition of the Vermont Standard.
August 15
8:00 am
Lull’s Brook tested above E. coli limits
August 15
8:00 am
Taste of Woodstock is a hit
Visitors to Woodstock last Saturday got to experience an annual summer event — Taste of Woodstock. The intermittent rain and showers didn’t keep people away as they enjoyed art, music, crafts and, of course, food!
Purple Crayon was on hand with a dozen area artists creating beautiful chalk paintings on the street. They also had face painting and musical instruments for people to play.
This was a family and dog friendly event put on by the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce.
See more pictures of the event in the current edition of The Vermont Standard.
August 15
8:00 am
Woodstock group planted hope and joy in Malawi
By Morgan Busby
Story, pictures and videos filed during the week of August 5
Here in the warm heart of Africa, Woodstock’s Trees and Seeds group has officially embarked on its mission, and we are gaining valuable new perspective and learning a slew of new things that we’ll surely carry with us into all future endeavors.
As we enter new territories and villages, we are always greeted with ceremonial songs and dancing right at the side of our van, and then we often find ourselves lingering with the children while our leaders figure out the logistics.
There is a saying here in Africa that goes, “This is Africa” or “TIA,” which refers to the slow pace and plans that are always subject to change or derailment. It turns out that this is indeed a daily occurrence, and we just move along with a shrug of the shoulders and “TIA” echoing from our mouths.
There is a sense of peace and contentment that comes with that, and it is ever so beautiful.
Two days ago, we visited an orphanage. Often times, widows or divorced women adopt the role of guardianship and care for the children. While we were there, the Trees and Seeds participants set up several interactive stations including reading, drawing, playing with playdough, bracelet making and building popsicle stick animals. Outside, we had jump rope, spike ball and soccer — all of which ended in the children’s animated laughter and their repetition of our English language.
On Tuesday, we returned to a village we had worked at a couple of days ago and planted four shade trees around a basketball court that appeared well loved and well used. Our planting excursions typically involve our Woodstock students playing with village children, while a combination of locals and Trees and Seeds participants work tirelessly to plant the trees.
The children are attached so closely at our hips, it is nearly impossible to pry them off in order to work!
And to make things a little more complicated, a special planting technique that we picked up at one of the orphanages we visited that’s called Children of the Nations, makes each tree slightly more laborious to get in the ground. However, it was suggested that this new method breaks up the soil about two feet underground, which allows better root attachment and a greater chance of survival for the individual tree.
To illustrate the generosity and humbleness of the people we are surrounded by, every village and every orphanage holds an opening commencement when we arrive, with a translator to welcome us into their home and offer thanks and gratefulness for our presence and for the seeds which we are planting both physically and symbolically for future work here in Malawi. Each of our hosts hopes for a lasting relationship, which fits perfectly with Trees and Seeds motto, “Cultivating Hearts and Soil.”
On Wednesday, we visited another new village and had to walk about a quarter of a mile to plant several trees. We walked in a line that stretched almost as long as the entire walk, and as the path wound around I could see everyone marching ahead like soldiers on our way out for battle. But instead of fear or courage, we all had joy and hope as the village chiefs walked beside us and watched as we worked in soil that closely resembled soil found in New England. This was unusual, as much of the soil we’ve been working with here in Malawi has been dry and hard. It was uplifting to see the moist soil, near a water source where we know the trees will have a fruitful life.
Due to some local political activities, we thought our evening would be cut short. But we had a surprise when we were invited to travel a few minutes away from where we are staying to visit an infant orphanage. Once there, many of our Trees and Seeds participants seemed even more deeply affected than at any of our other other encounters over the course of the entire trip.
The head of household at the orphanage shared devastating stories of children being dumped, abandoned, unloved or even victims of attempted murder. One child in particular is believed to have been strangled, and as a result suffered brain damage that has severely impacted her ability to learn mobility skills like walking. Another child suffers from sickle cell anemia and cannot live within a village because no one has the ability or desire to care for someone with special needs.
As this woman spoke, tears streamed down several of our Trees and Seeds members faces.
See VIDEO of Trees and Seeds planting activity here
See VIDEO of Woodstock students leading activities for children this week as part of the Trees and Seeds mission here
See an uplifting VIDEO of Woodstock’s Trees and Seeds group dancing and chanting with village children in Malawi here
August 15
8:00 am
N.H. man arrested for leaving the scene of a crash
On 6:03 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 14 Woodstock Police responded to a report of a grey Nissan Rogue that was off the road near Westmont Way. The car was heading west on Route 4 when it crashed into a small bog.
According to Woodstock Police Officer Steven Neily, the operator Augustus White, 31, of Hanover, N.H. was a fugitive from justice in New Hampshire and was arrested. White was charged with being a fugitive from justice and leaving the scene of a crash. He will be arraigned at criminal court in White River Junction on Oct. 15
August 15
8:00 am
Towns struggle to hire road crew workers
Towns in the local area are looking for road crew workers, but very few are applying. Town officials chalk it up to long hours, random drug testing, or finding jobs with better pay. Despite these limitations, towns need local road crews to keep their infrastructure safe for travel. Finding quality employees has been tough for some of them.
To learn why towns are struggling, check out the Aug. 15 edition of the Vermont Standard.
Sports
August 15
8:00 am
WUHS football is back: Team ready to rumble
The Woodstock Union High School football team is back for the 2019 season. But will they repeat as Division III state champions? Only time will tell. Head Coach Ramsey Worrell said this year’s Wasps are young and will be put to the test playing against older and more experienced teams this season. After a week of practice, Worrell is optimistic the team will work through its growing pains and take another run at another title.
For more on the WUHS varsity football team, check out the Aug. 15 edition of the Vermont Standard.
August 15
8:00 am
Horse jumper dies following accident at GMHA
The Green Mountain Horse Association announced that Jennifer Chapin, 32, of Wenham, Ma. suffered a fatal accident on Saturday while competing at the Green Mountain Horse Association’s Festival of Eventing in South Woodstock.
Tracy Ostler, executive director of the Green Mountain Horse Association, said in the announcement, Chapin suffered a rotational fall during the cross-country warm-up. She was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries.
Ostler said Joinem, her 12-year-old thoroughbred gelding, was not injured in the fall.
Features
August 15
8:00 am
Woodstock’s Trees and Seeds mission got off to a great start in Malawi
By Morgan Busby
Story, pictures and video filed August 3-4
MALAWI — After much anticipation, Trees and Seeds, a nonprofit group based in Woodstock, officially made its entrance on African soil last weekend. The group includes students from Woodstock Union High School, former students, family and community members, and the organizers.
In the course of their first 48 hours, the participants say they’ve been moved in a way they have never felt before.
Our first day was filled with discovery as we ventured into the city scouting for the materials we will need to carry out our work in the villages. As we immersed ourselves in the hectic, yet poetic chaos of the city we attempted to move as fluidly as those surrounding us and to find our place amongst them.
We were escorted in and around the markets by our wonderful host team from the African Bible College and managed to walk away with everything we needed in order to plant the 600 trees we later purchased at the nursery.
Six hundred trees is a significantly greater number than the leadership of Trees and Seeds had initially anticipated, and our group was delighted to see the trees were being loaded into the truck. Nursery employees, along with all of the students, parents and other participants were scattered around the nursery picking up handfuls of trees and maneuvering around the walkways to the truck.
Following our day out in the market, we traveled the half hour out to one of the five villages we will be planting in and were greeted with an unfathomable number of children and women dancing and chanting as our vehicle drove in. Looking out the front window, all we could see was an ocean of people sprinting in our direction and as they closed in, small hands began to touch the side of the van reaching for our faces still behind glass.
Woodstock students in the back of our vehicle were making every emotional expression in the book and they were undoubtedly in disbelief at what they were witnessing. As the van door opened, our hands were snatched before we could blink, and we were all pulled off towards a building where we would experience one of the most transformational ceremonial celebrations of a lifetime.
After the ceremony, we all spent our evening attached at the hip, hand, arm, and back with however many children could find a place to grab on. Then our Trees and Seeds participants and villagers formed a line of people to move the trees from the truck to the far end of the garden.
Children and adults alike were dancing and competing to see which line could deliver the trees from one end to the other in record time. It was a moving experience.
Trees and Seeds organizer Jon Hires remarked, nearly with tears in his eyes, “I found today to be one of the best days of my life. To be in that nursery and then see those trees go off the truck like that, it was just one of those days.”
As we were pulling away from the village, Anae Tracey, a student at Woodstock Union High School, said, “I have never felt anything like that in my entire life.”
During the whole bus ride back to the African Bible College I could hear chatter in all regards about how remarkable and eye opening the experience had been for members of our group.
See the VIDEO from Malawi:
Morgan Busby reporting on Trees and Seeds’ mission in Malawi
Woodstock’s Trees and Seeds group, with their hosts, preparing to plant trees in Malawi
Woodstock students and local villagers hard at work planting trees
Entertainment
August 15
8:00 am
Hartland singer releases new album
Jenna Rice, who hails from Hartland, will perform at 7 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 17 at ArtisTree in South Pomfret. The concert will be an album release party that Rice spent three years to make. The album is titled “Bottle Collection” and it features a variety of local musicians as well.
Tickets are $10 if you preorder at jenna-rice.eventbrite.com, or $15 at the door.
To learn more about Rice’s music and the upcoming concert, check out the Aug. 15 edition of the Vermont Standard.
Obituaries
August 15
5:28 pm
Morgan Elizabeth Augustine
A beloved, mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend, Morgan Elizabeth Augustine left this world unexpectedly, at 28, on July 31, 2019. Born in Stamford, Connecticut on June 20, 1991 to Ted and Diane Augustine, Morgan grew up in Redding, Connecticut where she attended Redding Elementary School, John Read Middle School, and Joel Barlow High School. Her soprano voice floated through the Christ Church children’s choir, and she attended the First Church of Christ, Congregational as a youth member.
Morgan was funny, outgoing and vivacious, and her interests and joys were eclectic. She loved to dance, and took classes in ballet, jazz, and hip-hop. In the summer Morgan sailed at Noroton Yacht Club and won many awards, including a sportsmanship trophy that is still on display. She loved everything outdoors: horseback riding, fishing, swimming, canoeing, downhill skiing and hiking, and was an accomplished artist. Her passion for art shines through in her ceramics, photography and painting. Morgan worked briefly at modeling, took photos aboard the USS Intrepid, and sailed as crew on a clipper ship, just to name a few.
Morgan was a loving and compassionate person with a beautiful smile that could light up your soul. She loved her parents and her big brother Chris, whom she looked up to and was very proud of. She cherished her daughter, Courtney Lillian Sommerer, 18 months old. She spoke a lot about her daughter, her one happiness on cloudy days, her hope for the future. Her prayer was that Courtney would always be loved and happy. Morgan wanted most to live her life with fiancé Erich as husband and wife. She loved with her whole heart, and there are so many more who meant so much to her.
Morgan, sadly, had fears and anxieties. She mistakenly thought that alcohol and drugs would numb her long enough so that problems would disappear or work themselves out. No matter the reason, this horrible disease consumed her.
She leaves behind her parents Diane Augustine and Theodore S.P. Augustine, brother Christopher, fiancé Erich J. Sommerer, their daughter Courtney Lillian Sommerer, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
When you think of Morgan, celebrate the good memories you have of her. Remember that life is fragile and should be lived to the fullest. She had talent and beauty; she had our love.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that a donation be made for Morgan’s daughter Courtney. Donations can be sent to Christopher P. Norris, Esq., 65 Main St., Danbury CT 06810. “Morgan Augustine” must be included in the memo line.
August 15
8:30 am
Judith Elaine Sias Guertin — services to be held August 18, 21
Quechee
Judith Elaine Sias Guertin, 76, died on Saturday afternoon August 10, 2019 at Woodstock Terrace in Woodstock, Vermont.
Judith was born on October 10, 1942 in Winchester, MA the daughter of John Edward and Dorothy Ruth (Blair) Sias.
Judith grew up in Reading, MA and attended both Boston University and Westbrook College.
After college Judith worked in Washington, DC, then enjoyed the role of Army officer’s wife in Alexandria, VA and Buffalo, NY. She raised her family in Acton, MA, where she was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal church. She and Joe moved to Quechee, VT 20 years ago.
Judith worked for the Central Intelligence Agency in McLean, VA, AVCO Missile Systems Division in Wilmington, MA, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA, and Powers Gallery in Acton, MA.
Judith enjoyed being a collector and student of art, with an eye and appreciation for all things visual. Proud of her New England and Maritime roots, she cherished childhood memories of summers at Good Harbor, Gloucester, MA, loved her family and friends, and possessed a wicked sense of humor.
Judith is survived by her husband of 53 years, Joseph Guertin, recently of Quechee, VT now living in Hanover, NH, her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson – Amy Guertin Flockton, Christopher Flockton, and Nathaniel Sias Flockton of Hartford, VT, her sister and nephew, Donna Sias Beaudoin and Edward Beaudoin, both of Wilmington, MA.
A memorial Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 18th, 2019 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Cabot Funeral Home, Woodstock, VT.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday August 21st at 1:30pm at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Reading, MA. Private burial will be in the Laurel Hill Cemetery, Reading, MA.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Hitchcock Foundation-Parkinson’s Center, 1 Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, NH 03756.
The Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock is assisting in arrangements. An online guest book can be found at cabotfh.com.
August 15
8:00 am
Janet M. (Brown) Summarsell — services this week 8/15-16
Windsor, Vermont
Beloved wife and mother, Janet M. (Brown) Summarsell, 85, died peacefully Thursday, August 8th at Elm Wood Nursing Home in Claremont, New Hampshire.
Janet was born on April 9, 1934 in Proctorsville, Vermont the daughter of Earl T. and Ruby E. (Merriam) Brown.
Janet attended Elementary school in Proctorsville and Bridgewater, Vermont before attending Woodstock High School. She worked in the Bridgewater Woolen Mill. Janet and Percy met after serving in the Army. Falling in love at first sight, they married on July 5, 1955 in Bridgewater VT. Together Janet and Percy began to raise their family in Bridgewater until they built a new home in Windsor, VT. Janet went to work at the Mt. Ascutney Hospital in Windsor in 1973, retiring in 1990.
Janet’s greatest love was spending time with her husband Percy and their extended family. She also enjoyed working in her flower gardens, crafts, especially cross-stitching, and taking long walks and going four-wheeling with her husband Percy.
Janet and Percy were inseparable and spent all their time doing everything together.
Janet is survived by her husband of 64 years, Percy Todd Summarsell, her son Bruce Summarsell and his wife Theresa of Hartland, VT and daughter Bonnie LaPlante and her husband Joseph of Claremont, NH. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren; Amber, Nicholas, Jason, Jeremy, and Rachael, 6 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter, and her brother Richard E. Brown of North Walpole, NH.
In addition to her parents, Janet is predeceased by her sister Marilyn “Jean” Geno of Bridgewater, VT.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday August 15th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, VT. A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 16th at 2:00 pm in the Ascutney Cemetery in Windsor, Vermont.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, VT. An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com
August 15
8:00 am
Aug. 30th service announced for Steven Paul Hickory
Donalsonville, Georgia
Steven Paul Hickory, 65, died on Friday, July 26, at his home in Donalsonville, Georgia, following a long battle with complications from Diabetes.
Steven was born on April 6, 1954, in Rutland, the son of Paul and Iris (Neil) Hickory. He was raised in Quechee and attended Hartford schools, graduating class of 1972, leaving behind many friends and classmates, many of whom he spoke to regularly.
Steve was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, worked in landscaping, and known for building many stone walls in the area. Most recently employed by Walmart, retiring in 2016, he enjoyed talking with people and had many repeat customers who would seek him out for his expertise in the Sports Department.
In January, after spending his entire life in Vermont, along with his wife and son, he made the move to Lake Carroll in Donalsonville, Georgia. He enjoyed these last months at his home on the lake, spending his days gardening, watching his son fish from the dock, learning about the wildlife, often spotting an alligator that would pass by, and chatting with his new friends.
Mr. Hickory is survived by his wife of almost 46 years, Brenda (Fish) Hickory, and his son Brandon who attends Seminole County Middle-High School, both from Donalsonville, Georgia, sister Beverly and husband Mike Copp of Hartford, sister Joan Spaulding of Quechee, mother-in-law Maxine Fish of West Lebanon, sister-in-law Beth (Fish) and husband Paul Spaulding of Sharon, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his daughter, Melanie Marie (Hickory) Demary, parents Paul and Iris Hickory, father-in-law Roy Fish, and brother-in-law Bruce Fish.
UPDATE
A graveside service for Mr. Hickory, 65, who died on July 26th will be held on Friday August 30th at 1:00pm in the Baker Hill Cemetery in Bridgewater Center. Those wishing may call on the family from 2:30 to 4:00pm that same day at the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, Vermont.
Condolences may be made at cabotfh.com
August 15
6:05 am
Raymond L. Dyke
Raymond L. Dyke, 71,of Morgantown, WV, formerly of Hardwick, VT, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on July 29, 2019 after a brief battle with cancer. Ray was born on November 22, 1947 to Ernest R. Dyke and Lura Jackson Dyke in Cambridge, VT.
Ray had a long career in the dairy industry working for Cabot Cooperative Creamery and Agri-Mark for a combined total of 34 years. In April, 2018 he received the Vanguard Award for his pioneering contributions to the dairy industry from the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association at the International Cheese Technology Expo.
Raymond is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cecile Dufresne Dyke; daughters Wendy Dyke of Andover, NH, and Tabitha Sorensen and her husband Adam of Morgantown, WV.; three grandchildren, Lillian, Owen and Eliot Sorensen; and three girls who loved him as a grandfather, Betsy, Emmi and Cilla Abrahamson of Andover, NH. Ray is also survived by a brother, Robert Dyke of Middlebury, VT and sister, Mrs. Dennis Barr (Nancy) of So. Woodstock, VT. He will also be remembered by his many nieces and nephews.
Raymond was predeceased by his parents and his brothers, John and Roy, and his in-laws Armand and Therese Dufresne.
In honoring Raymond’s final wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WV Caring, the non-profit hospice group that was a great support to his family, at PO Box 760, 519 G Road, Arthurdale, WV 26520.
Professional services were provided to the family with the guidance of Smith Funeral & Cremation Care of Westover / Morgantown, WV.
Send the family your personal condolences by visiting www.smithfcc.com.
August 15
6:00 am
Vivian J. M. Moore
SHARON – Vivian Janet Miller Moore, 77, died peacefully at her home, surrounded by loved ones, on July 30th, 2019, at 10:05 am after an extended illness.
She was born May 11, 1942, at the old APD in Lebanon, NH, daughter of Allen C. & Therese C. (Martin) Miller.
She attended Hewittville School in Pomfret, living all her childhood in Pomfret, and graduated from Woodstock High School.
She married Wilfred Don Moore in 1959 and spent the rest of her life on their farm in Sharon.
She enjoyed life and work on the farm and deeply loved Vermont’s agricultural heritage. From gardening, raising flowers, enjoying animals, woodcutting, and all related portions of agriculture, she drew much satisfaction. Maintaining the heritage coming from the 1700s in the Moore Family of Pomfret and Sharon was an important part of Vermont’s history in her way of perceiving the State.
For over twenty-three years she shared volunteer youth work with Reginald Blair within the community, elementary school and churches in Sharon, Hartford, South Royalton and White River Jct., VT. At United Methodist Church she was called “Mother Vivian” or “Mother Wings”, in jest of the many young people and “grand-children” whom she considered “her kids”!
Especially enjoyed have been many years of sharing the farm in the summer with grandchildren; her beloved cats; volunteer mini-missions which have included letter/note contact with shut-ins, church suppers, telephone encouragement to ill persons, participating in the Sharon Historical Society, The Old Home Day Association, The North Pomfret Ladies Circle, The Reginald Lee Blair Scholarship Fund, and sharing time with those who are in need. For many years her family hosted European Teachers with the American Host Program. This resulted in several life-long friendships with folks overseas.
In later years she gave more time to writing more seriously, beginning with the addition of a pet Ruffed Grouse named Paddy about whom she published a book. Becoming secretary to several local groups also was a big part of her life. Combining a love of history, writing, and sewing creation, she was a part of the North Pomfret Ladies Circle which began in 1893.
She is predeceased by her parents, and survived by husband, Wilfred D. Moore of Sharon; three sisters, Patricia Hoyt and Linda MacDonald of Ocala, FL; and Beth Davie of Rockledge, FL; one brother, Michael Miller of Sharon, VT; a son, Kirby Moore of Foley, MN; a daughter, Nicola Peele of La Grange, NC; three granddaughters, Aimée of Rossville, TN, Troi of Durham, NC, and Marie Rose of Fergus Falls, MN; adopted families, the Reginald Cann family of Princeton Jct., NJ, and the Beth Cox family of Quincy, MA, as well as nieces, nephews and many friends.
At her request, there will be no calling hours and no formal funeral. Cremated remains will be buried by the family at the Howe Hill Cemetery in Sharon.
Memorial offerings shall be directed to the Navajo Missions, PO Box 1230 Farmington, NM 87499-1230 or to the South Royalton Rescue Squad PO Box 204 South Royalton, VT 05068.
