The Brattleboro Reformer du lieu suivant : Brattleboro, Vermont • 8

Brattleboro Reformer OBITUARIES Michael Brooks 1952 2009 Walpole, NH Michael J. Brooks, 57, of Homestead died Sunday, Aug. 9, at his home. Mr. Brooks was born in Bellows Falls, March 17, 1952, son of Ted and Marilyn Kopacz Brooks.

He attended schools in Walpole, N.H., and was a 1970 graduate of Fall Mountain High School. He worked for RN Johnson for many years. He was presently serving as administrator for the Loyal Order of the Moose in Bellows Falls and was recently inducted as a He leaves his fa father, Ted Brooks and significant other, Sally Martineau of Walpole; his sons, Joseph Brooks, and wife, Jessica; and granddaughter, Jordan of North Walpole, N.H., and Jason Brooks of Walpole, N.H.; his brother John Brooks of New Castle, Maine; his sisters, Sharon Struthers of Walpole, N.H., and Julie Garrow of Langdon, N.H. He is predeceased by his mother Marilyn. FUNERAL NOTICE: There will be calling hours 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Aug.

12 There will be a funeral service Thursday, Aug. 13, at 10 a.m. at FENTON HENNESSEY FUNERAL HOME in Bellows Falls, VT, followed by burial in the Walpole Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Michael's name may be made to the Moose Heart, Moose Lodge, 59 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT 05101. M.

Ada LeClaire 1928 2009 BRATTLEBORO Ada Jean LeClaire, 81, formerly of Melrose Terrace and Birge Street, died Sunday afternoon, Aug. 9, 2009 at the Thompson House. Ada was born on Jan. 2, 1928, in Fayette County, daughter of Edward and Ruth Zombro Fuller, and attended local schools in Berryville, Va. She had worked as a sales associate at the former Cindy's Store for many years and later at Connective Technologies, both in Brattleboro.

From 1974 to 1985 she resided in Granby, and. had been employed at Ren Electronics located in South Hadley. Ada enjoyed knitting, sewing, quiz games, puzzles and cooking. She was gifted with a spirit of friendship and loved people and sharing time with her family and friends. On Feb.

10, 1959, at First Baptist Church in Brattleboro she was married to Rene LeClaire who predeceased her on Oct. 14, 2007. She leaves one brother, Herbert 0. Fuller of Winchester, and two sisters; Dorothy E. LeClaire of Zephyrhills, and Carol F.

Tyree of Chesterfield, Va. Additionally she leaves many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by one brother, Robert Fuller, and one sister, Audrey Bai Rossi. MEMORIAL NOTICE: A memorial service in celebration of her life will be conducted at a later date to be announced by the funeral home. Burial will take place in the LeClaire lot in St.

Michaels' Parish Cemetery. Ada's family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the entire staff at The Thompson House for the wonderful care she received during her stay at the facility. Memorial contributions in Ada's name may be made to Rescue, P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302 or to The Thompson House, 80 Maple Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Messages of condolence may be sent to the LeClaire family through the funeral home at www.atamaniuk.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the ATAMANIUK FUNERAL HOME INC. Robert S. MacBride, Sr. MEMORIAL SERVICE: Please join us in celebrating the life of Bob MacBride on Friday, Aug. 14, 2009, 10:00 a.m., at the Town Hall in Townshend, VT.

Bob passed away May 19, 2009. Richard Putnam, Jr. DUMMERSTON Richard B. Putnam, 79, died Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009 at home.

A full obituary will appear in the next edition of the Reformer. Arrangements are under the direction of the KER WESTERLUND FUNERAL HOME. OBITUARY POLICY To place an obituary in our newspaper, call 800-245-0254. Tuesday, August 11, 2009 www.reformer.com AROUND WINDHAM COUNTY Rita G. LeBlanc 1928 2009 HINSDALE, N.H.

Rita G. LeBlanc, 81, of Ferncroft Drive, formerly of Parker Street in Winchester, died peacefully early Sunday morning, Aug. 9, 2009, at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital with her family by her side. Rita was born in Barre, on March 10, 1928, daughter of Clarence and Obeline Messier Desmarais. She attended school in Plainfield, a and a in Monica's.

Parochial School in Barre. A former longtime resident of Brattleboro, for many years, she had been employed by the Brattleboro Reformer and Town Crier newspapers working in the mailroom of each paper. She was a faithful and devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother whose life centered around her family. She especially took great pride in her home and was known for her excellent cooking and gra- Geraldine M. "Dinah" Dromgoole 1942 2009 CLAREMONT, NH Geraldine M.

"Dinah" Dromgoole, 67, of Claremont, died on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She was born on May 30, 1942 in Ballina County Wexford, Ireland, daughter of Daniel and Geraldine Crean Murphy. Dinah moved with her family to Milford Haven, Wales, and then relocated to Brattleboro, in 1970. She then moved to Claremont in 1979.

Dinah was employed the past 30 years at the Haven Healthcare, which was formerly known as Integrated Health Services and the Claremont Nursing Home. She took pride in her work of caring for the greatest generation and always went the extra mile. She enjoyed her family, her work, reading, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, and two brothers, Thom Murphy and Donal Murphy. Members of her surviving family include her sons, Daniel Dromgoole and his wife Heather of Claremont, Donal Dromgoole of Claremont, a daughter, Karlyn Bastian and her husband Charles of Charlestown.

She is also survived by her brothers, Sylvester Murphy of Brattleboro, John Murphy of Brattleboro, Liam Murphy of Charlotte, and Jim Murphy of Hinsdale, N.H., four sisters, Mary McAllister of Brattleboro, Margaret Bober of Brattleboro, Breda LeClaire of Chesterfield, N.H., and Kathleen Wellington of Hinsdale, N.H. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Ryan Thibault, Tyler Thibault, Bryan Bastian, Dylan Bastian, and Derek Dromgoole. A celebration of Dinah's life will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 at 12 p.m. at the ROY FUNERAL HOME, 93 Sullivan Street, Claremont, with the Rev.

Stanley J. Piwowar, officiating. Committal services will follow in Locust Ridge Cemetery in Brattleboro, VT. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 from 10 a.m.

until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Claremont Soup Kitchen, PO Box 957, Claremont, NH 03743- 0957. Arrangements have been entrusted to the ROY FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE Patricia R. Field BRATTELBORO On Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, Priscilla Rhodes Field, who resided in Rotonda West, died of natural causes in her 89th year.

She leaves her three children, John Jr. and Nancy, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, John Curtis Field, and an infant son, John Peter. She was born in Quincy, Mass. and grew up in Hanover, Mass.

She was a graduate of Wheelock College in Boston. Before retiring to Florida in 1985, she and her family resided in Brattleboro, where she taught kindergarten at the Esteyville School. She loved being a homemaker and was a talented craftsperson. She loved to knit, crochet, cross-stitch and paint and has left behind many treasured works of art. MEMORIAL NOTICE: A memorial service will be held in Englewood FL at the LEMON BAY FUNERAL HOME on Saturday, Aug.

8, at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Exeter, NH, at the Exeter Cemetery, on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 11 a.m. To sign an on line guest book, please visit www.brewittfuneralhome.com In POOL TO STAY OPEN LONGER: The Brattleboro Recreation Parks Department has announced that the swimming pool at Living Memorial Park, which had been scheduled to close on Aug. 16, will extendits season and will be open Monday, Aug.

17, through Friday, Aug. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. daily. The pool will close for the season at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug.

21. TAXES DUE AUG. 17: The first installment of the 2009 real estate and personal property taxes are due on or before Aug. 17. Payments made after Aug.

17 will be assessed a 1 percent interest fee. The billing is also due on Aug. 17. Payments made after Aug. 17 will have an additional 1 percent interest, as well as an 8 percent penalty added to the unpaid balance.

Taxpayers may mail in the payments to the Treasurer, Town of Brattleboro, 230 Main Street, Suite 111, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Include the town portions of your bill to insure proper credit. Brookline Continued from Page 7 ing in the case being thrown out. "As a child, I didn't have the know-how or the support to be able to continue on the legal so he ended up getting off," she said. At one point, she broke into tears as she read her emotional statement to the court.

"I trusted that what had happened to me would never happen again," she said. "I can only hope that where you end up, you feel a quarter of the pain we have suffered." Several family members and friends testified on Brown's behalf. They said that both alleged victims from the 1982 case were lying about the abuse. One man even testified that in the late 1990's, both those alleged victims told him they had made up the story. But police records indicate that Brown did take responsibility for those prior acts.

A Vermont State Police trooper who worked on the case said that Brown admitted to him that there was "some touching" and that it was "more of a History Continued from Page 7 One of his favorite stories, Katz said, is that of a Revolutionary War veteran who was engaged in a long-term battle with the government over his military pension, only to accidentally stab himself in the leg with a stick. He died of infection only days after he finally received word that he would get his money. "The lives of these people are easy to grasp because their stories are so relatable," said Katz. "It brings you back to realizing they were real people, too, though they lived in different times," agreed Brooks. "You don't have to be a history buff to enjoy that 'wow, that building came off of.

Newfane Hill'," he added. "It's an interesting way to look at each building." At the fair, there will be various table exhibits with history-related craft vendors, Brooks said. In the afternoon, the Bills Bandof Wardsboro, will play old-time tunes. There will also be raffles, with the money raised going to the Historical Society of Windham County. "It's so important to keep our history alive it's where we came from," he said.

"Financially, we've been really stressed, and we don't want to compromise the high quality of care we've been taking to preserve the items in our museum." Jaime Cone can be reached at or 802-254- 2311, ext. 277. Guilford. Continued from Page 7 neutered dogs. Board members say the move came after residents stopped licensing their dogs because it was too much of an economic burden to pay the fines, meaning many canine pets were not registered in town.

"It was actually being counterproductive," said board member Anne Rider. "Our intent was to modify that and make it a more graduated increase." Guilford residents who paid the $100 penalty can receive a 1 reimbursement with the new licensing standards. Chris Garofolo can be reached at or 802-254-2311 ext. 275. Also, taxpayers may choose to make payments via a credit card on the Internet or with as special phone number, 800-2PAY-TAX, or www.officialpayments.com.

The town cannot accept credit card payments at the office. The Treasurer's Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Room 111 of the Municipal Building. TAI CHI FOR SENIORS: Susan Hebson will offer a free tai chi class for seniors who have osteoporosis at the Brattleboro Senior Center, 207 Main on Thursday at 10 a.m.

Scientific studies are about to be released showing how tai chi improves balance, strengthens muscles and prevents bone loss. Call Susan at 802-257-9425 or the Senior Center at 802-257-7570 if you would like to attend this free introductory class or for more information. In PERFORMERS WANTED: The Guilford Fair is looking for musicians to perform at its Open Mic on Sunday, Sept. 6, and Monday, me yours and I show accord in 1999. Carroll's imposed trooper said that Brown less severe than the state "I can't believe this.

mended, which was four They need to get over it." Judge Karen Carroll said the evidence of the prior abuse would be taken into consideration by the court when imposing a sentence, but that she did not believe in punishing Brown for the alleged prior acts. She said the two women's accounts of abuse corroborated one another. Because of that and the fact that Brown refused to admit guilt in the most recent case, her first concern was to ensure public safety, the judge said. She also took into consideration that Brown has led "a sufficiently law-abiding life," aside from his history of alcohol abuse; Brown said he has been sober since he quit drinking on his own MEETINGS years imprisonment for each of the three counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child to be served consecutively. The Vermont Department of Corrections recommended three to five years for each charge be served consecutively.

If Brown admits he is guilty, he will be eligible to participate in a treatment program that will begin about eight months before he serves his minimum sentence. If he completes treatment, then he will be eligible for parole. If he does not admit guilt, he will not be eligible for treatment and will serve out the 15-year maximum term of imprisonment. Jaime Cone can be reached at or 802-254- 2311, ext. 277.

Thursday: Joint Contract School District Board, 6:30 p.m., Grafton Elementary School. BRATTLEBORO Tuesday: Solid Waste Committee, 1 p.m., Hanna Cosman Room, Municipal Center, 230 Main St. Town Arts Committee, 3 p.m., Hanna Cosman Room, Municipal Center, 230 Main: St. Wednesday: Selectboard, 7:30 a.m. Hanna Cosman Room, Municipal Center, 230 Main St.

Special meeting to finish interviews and make appointments to Citizens Police Communications Committee. BUHS Finance Committee, 7:45 a.m., WSESU Central Office conference room, 53 Green St. WSESU Negotiations Committee, 4 p.m., Cusick Conference Room, Windham Regional Career Center. Thursday: Building a Better Brattleboro, board meeting, 7:45 a.m., Room 2NE, Marlboro Technology Center, Vernon Street. Cemetery Committee, 5:15 p.m., Town Clerk's Office, Municipal Center, 230 Main St.

Brattleboro Housing Commission, 6-8 p.m., Hannah Cosman Room, Municipal Center, 230 Main St. DOVER Wednesday: North Branch Fire District No. 1, 1 p.m., Administration Building, Dorr Fitch Road, West Dover. DUMMERSTON Tuesday: Town School Board, 6:30 p.m., Dummerston School. Wednesday: Dummerston Community Chest, reorganizational meeting, 6 p.m., Town Office.

GUILFORD Thursday: Town School Board, 6:30 p.m., Guilford Central School. HINSDALE, N.H. Wednesday: Hinsdale School Board, 6:30 p.m., Hinsdale High School. JAMAICA Tuesday: School Board, 7 p.m., Jamaica Village School. Thursday: Windham Central Supervisory Union, full board and executive board meeting, 4-8 p.m., Three Mountain Inn.

MARLBORO Continued from Page 7 you show you mine." The also stated, on your hands or face, you basically have to wear it off. And I had to work fast, because the foam would begin to cure in the tubing. So I wore goggles, along with my coveralls, and even a bandana over my hair-as much to keep out the spiders as the spray foam. But after a number of weekends of this (how many I no longer remember), I finally finished the job. I report on this project not to scare readers off from weatherizing and insulating, but to make the point that the work isn't always easy or fun or even safe.

Some projects are really difficult and unpleasant though I think in the annals of energy conservation few experiences could be worse than my crawlspace insulation project. I also report on this to describe the incredible difference the work achieved. Starting immediately, the huge floor-to-ceiling Sept. 7. Open mic performers will play on the new entertainment stage between 10 a.m.

and Noon. To sign up, call Kevin Parry at 802-257- 7428 or visit www.kevinparrymusic.com. In INSIDER'S TOUR OF ORGANIC FARM: On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., people can experience a rare behind-the-scenes tour of Harlow Organic Farm in Westminster. Educator Lauren Potter will lead this program for The Nature Museum at Grafton.

The cost is $5 for museum members, $7 for non-members. Participants should bring a backpack with water, hat, and sunscreen to free up hands for activities. They may bring a picnic or buy lunch at the cafe at the farmstand. They should meet at the farmhouse driveway on Route 5 in Westminster. Pre-registration is requested by calling the Museum at 802-843-2111.

For information on other Museum programs, call the Museum or visit www.nature-museum.org. in Police sentence was recomto five Continued from Page 7 Brookline Ramona J. Severance, 53, of Brookline, was processed Aug. 8 for DUI after police observed her vehicle swerving on Grassy Brook Road. She failed roadside sobriety tests.

Severance was released on citation to appear in court to answer the charge. Dummerston Stanley Turner, 29, of Dummerston, and Monica Covey, 18, of Dummerston, were arrested Aug. 7 for impeding public officers when troopers from the Vermont State Police investigated reports of a suicidal person on Wickopee Hill Road. Both were issued citations to appear in Windham District Court on Sept. 29 to face the charge.

Tuesday: Planning Commission, 5 p.m., Town Office. Thursday: Selectboard, 6:30 p.m., Town Office. NEWFANE Tuesday: Planning Commission, 7 p.m., Town Office. Thursday: Conservation Commission, 6 p.m., Town Forest trailhead, work session. NewBrook Auxiliary meeting: 7:30 p.m., NewBrook Firehouse, Route 30, Newfane.

PUTNEY Wednesday: Selectboard, 6 p.m., Town Hall. FALLS Tuesday: Bellows Falls Trustees, 6:30 p.m., Women's Club Room, Town Hall. TOWNSHEND Tuesday: Leland Gray School Board, 7 p.m., High School. Wednesday: Townshend Planning Commission, 7:15 p.m., Town Hall. Little Valley Nursery School Board, 5:45 p.m., Our Lady of the Valley.

VERNON Wednesday: Cemetery Committee, 1 p.m., Town Office. Vernon Free Library Board of Trustees, 5:30 p.m., Library. WESTMINSTER Tuesday: Selectboard, 7 p.m., Town Hall. WHITINGHAM Tuesday: Twin Valley School Board, special meeting, 5 p.m., Elementary School. Town School Board, 5:30 p.m., Elementary School.

Wednesday: Selectboard, 7:30 p.m., Selectboard Office, Level 1, Municipal Center, Jacksonville. WILMINGTON Wednesday: Twin Valley High School Facilities Committee, 6 p.m., Twin Valley High School. Thursday: Wilmington Trail Committee, 6 p.m., Green Mountain Beach Parking Area on Lake Raponda Road to hike the Raponda Trail. The Reformer's Meetings Box is offered as a service and in no way meets the official requirements of warning a meeting. temperature differential we had experienced was reduced to a much more reasonable level of maybe 5-10 degrees.

This house will never be as tight and comfortable as a new one that I would build today -a house that could be heated with a few 100-watt light bulbs in each room -but the work that I did makes our house reasonably comfortable and relatively affordable to heat. For a 235- year-old house, it's really not too bad! Our older daughter, whose cold little body inspired me to embark on this project 23 years ago, has now graduated from college (perhaps not coincidentally in a warm But the insulating and air sealing work I did in that crawl space benefits us to this day. Alex Wilson is the founder of BuildingGreen, LLC in Brattleboro. Archives of this column can be found at www.GreenBuildingAdvisor.com (click on "Blogs" then "Energy Brattleboro Reformer CORRECTIONS POLICY The Brattleboro Reformer staff takes great pride in its reporting efforts. It is the policy of this newspaper to promptly correct errors of fact to clarify potentially confusing statements that appear in the Brattleboro Reformer or its Web site, www.reformer.com.

If you think we have published something in error, please contact the newsroom at 802-254-2311 ext. 7 or e-mail There are no corrections today.