Marvin Fishman, Transition Charlotte's Latest Winner
By Ruth Swennerfelt,
January 26, 2012, page 11.....

On Charlotte’s first snowy day of 2012, I took the short walk over to Marvin Fishman’s house to talk to him about his latest win of a gift certificate to the Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne Village. Starting last Town Meeting Day, Transition Charlotte has awarded monthly gift certificates from local businesses to Charlotters who had completed the Community Assets Survey, and Marvin won the last certificate.
The survey can be found on line at transitioncharlottevt.org. If you look at it you will see some of your neighbors who have described some of the skills and resources they have to share. And if you have a skill or resource you would like to share or acquire, the survey can put you in touch with folks with some common interests.
Marvin and I sat in his artist’s studio, surrounded by the striking colors of his paintings. It was hard sometimes to concentrate on our conversation because my eyes kept being drawn to the imaginative works before me. I did learn that he was once in charge of Media Operations at UVM and occasionally taught there, including leading the Media Studies Program at the UVM Living Learning Center. He has lived a cumulative, but not continuous, 15 years in Charlotte and loves the Lewis Creek valley where he and his wife, Doreen Kraft, live.
Marvin appreciates the Transition Movement because he sees thinking going on about how to grow the town in complexity, not allowing it to become stagnant. He’s excited that Transition Charlotte is purposefully looking ahead to change, keeping in mind the physical and skill resources available in Charlotte. He appreciates this orderly approach to change.
The Flying Pig Bookstore, located at 5247 Shelburne Road in Shelburne, carries over 40,000 books, cards and gifts for all ages. According to its website it has a “great selection and a friendly, extremely knowledgeable staff to help with all your book needs, or leave you alone to browse. Check out our upcoming events and many fun new features, including staff picks, author pages, and book news, buzz, and previews. We sell e-books!! So now you can shop locally while using your e-reader. Just check for other formats for the book you wish to purchase and click on the e-book and add it to your cart. It’s that simple. Happy reading!”
Transition Charlotte very much appreciates all the support shown by the many Charlotte businesses for this year of gift certificate giving and to all who have already filled out the survey. It has truly been a community effort.
If you are interested in participating in the Transition Charlotte’s Community Assets Survey, it is on our website at transitioncharlottevt.org. Or you can call Nancy Severance at 425-2111.