Letters: The Town Monument Summer Garden and Bipartisan Event in Shelburne
June 16, 2011, page 3.....

Thank you, Alexandra

This morning as I returned from my almost-daily commute to and from CCS to deposit my elves in their place of higher learning, I looked for the millionth time with awe and joy upon your most recent work of art surrounding the monument outside of the Brick.
Do you have any idea how much pleasure you bring to the people of this town with the magical creations you offer in that tiny space each season? And to the many visitors and passers-through? Forget the lake and the view of the Adirondacks, you trump the very work of God in the list of things I am most proud to show visiting friends.
I watch with anticipation and delight as you work the space with each changing season. What is she up to this time...what will it be? And then comes the moment... colorful birdhouses! Potted things! Fresh veggies! Another explosion of color! It’s amazing... all of it. Thank you for making this incredible little place of wonder in our lives. You are doing what I believe we are all striving to do, in one way or another, in our daily lives... to make the world a more beautiful place, and you do it with on-going generosity and grace. How lucky, lucky we are to have you and your caretaking heart and hands here in our tiny little corner of the world.

Melissa O’Brien
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Monument garden flourishes because of volunteers

Now that the monument garden next to the Old Brick store is planted up in all its summer splendor, I’d like its admirers to know who keeps it so beautiful. Foremost is Ted Roberts, a friend and neighbor whose Charlotte roots go back many generations. He is the mighty muscle, digger extraordinaire and ever-willing worker without whom the garden wouldn’t flourish. Who else could dig 600 tulips in near darkness and still be joking with every other passerby? No scheme I come up with is too outlandish for him. Steven Wisbaum creates and donates the finest compost year in and year out. He supplies the nutrient verve that allows all those flowers to dazzle. Carrie McKillop generously allows us to water the garden using her faucet so that the plants don’t have to rely on gifts from the clouds. And then there are all of you. What an honor and pleasure it is to be on the receiving end of so many thank yous. Everyone who stops Ted or me to express their appreciation for our efforts makes us feel proud and so deeply rewarded for all our work. A heartfelt thank you to all the generous contributors and grateful admirers.

Alexandra Lehmann
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Two-party forum on June 21

Here’s something different  –  the Shelburne Democrats and Republicans are working together!
They are putting on a Vermont House Leaders Forum, Tuesday, June 21, at 7 p.m. in the Shelburne Town Center in conference room #1.
Featured speakers are Representative Lucy Leriche, leader of the House Democrats, and Representative Don Turner, leader of the House Republicans. They will speak on the most recent session’s hits and misses and what they see as the priorities for the upcoming 2012 session – and what might be the roadblocks.
And, of course, there will be opportunities for questions from the audience – refreshments, too.
This is a unique opportunity to hear both sides from the leadership view.

George Schiavone, Shelburne