Vermont News Guide

...eugenic sterilization...

I look forward to your columns in the Vermont News Guide. In many ways we think alike.

Your column on Eugenic Sterilization gave me more facts than I had recently read.

Not long ago (a year or so) I read Nancy Means Wright’s novel, “Stolen Honey.” A few months back there was an article about eugenics in the Rutland Herald.

Nancy is a Vermonter and I believe her novel takes place in present day Vermont. It has to do with beekeeping, growing herbs, American Indian children attending college and a thread that leads through the story about eugenics and how it played a part in someone’s life. I think Rutland was mentioned in this book.

This theory of eugenics also played a part in the horror of the Hitler era. Do you think we’ve learned anything from the situation? “Stolen Honey” had a great story line. I enjoyed it and l learned a few things, too.

Sincerely,

— Betty Emery

Dorset, Vermont

...ladies auxiliary...

The Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6471 in Manchester, Vermont, wants to take this opportunity to thank you for your generous donations for Christmas at the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington, Vermont.

We were joined by members from the Post, Men’s Auxiliary, and a Ladies Auxiliary member from Middlebury, Vermont, in delivering the gifts to the residents. Each resident received four Christmas gifts.

The residents were very pleased with their presents and the company. Again, thanks to all who made this such a great and heart-warming project.

— Ladies Auxiliary

VFW Post #6471, Manchester, Vermont

...quick response...

I wish to extend my thanks to a group many of us take for granted too often. They are the members of the Manchester Rescue Squad. When I had to call 911 on December 25, they arrived at our house, a 30 minute drive, in under one hour. They were able to assemble a team of five to respond to the call on Christmas morning. To me, that is pretty amazing. Not only are they pros, but they are also quick, careful, sensitive and thorough saviors.

From the bottom of my heart I thank them. We are blessed to have such a service in this community.

— George Howard

Manchester, Vermont

...community sharing...

On behalf of all of us with Community Sharing, I’d like to thank all the individuals and organizations who donated their time and resources to the Community Sharing Project. We are an organization of volunteers who help our fellow neighbors in need living in Dorset, Danby, Rupert, Pawlet and Wells. Each holiday season we provide families with brand new boots, clothes, toys and a bountiful food basket that includes a fresh loaf of bread, turkey, potatoes and so much more. We also provide gift certificates to Price Chopper. During the week of December 12, it was as though the magic of Santa Claus had turned the Dorset Church vestry into his little workshop, brimming with the bounty of our community’s generosity. CSP helped 177 families (611 people) this Christmas season, an effort made entirely possible thanks to donors like you.

Our most heartfelt thanks go out to all the organizations, families and corporate donors who either made monetary donations or purchased clothes, toys or food. We thank the businesses who hosted our Angel trees, which provide community members the necessary “shopping lists” to provide for the specific needs of our receiving families. We also thank those who held toys drives and all the schools and businesses who provided food baskets. And, to all who donated their time to the planning and organization leading up to and including our distribution day on December 16, all of us at CSP cannot thank you enough.

Having worked with CSP for 12 years, I never cease to be amazed and delighted by the acts of kindness and the magic of the season that converge right before our eyes in the true spirit of giving. I’ve learned that through each of our own small gifts and contributions, our little community continues to overflow with abundant richness for the benefit of all. On behalf of CSP, I thank you.

— Beth Eyre,

Manchester, Vermont