LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Gratitude and Thanks

I want to extend my sincere appreciation for all the wonderful well wishes and to everyone who came out to Norbrook on such a stormy day for my retirement celebration. It has been my absolute pleasure to serve your postal needs for the past 22 years, and I have undoubtedly made lifelong friendships along the way.

—Kathy Bascetta

Thanks to Race Volunteers

Thank you to everyone who made the Norfolk Land Trust’s 13th annual trail races on Oct. 4 another overwhelming success. Once again, the weather was perfect and we had 97 runners from the region and out of state. They were impressed with land trust trails, and also with event volunteers. We are always grateful for the Norfolk Lions Club Ambulance and the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department for keeping everyone safe and helping to make the race run smoothly. We also appreciate Peteza Mobile Pizza, Berkshire Springs and Norbrook Farm Brewery for providing refreshments.

Thank you to our generous sponsors: Athletic Brewing, Berkshire Animal Care, Betsy Little Real Estate, Chris Peterson Woodworks, D & R Auto Sales, D. Scott Reeve Construction, Freund’s Farm, Hurst Enterprises, Kingsland Company, Louis E. Allyn & Sons, Mad River Painting Co., Mountain Spirits Liquor, Norfolk Early Learning Center, Norfolk Healing Arts, Responsive Designs, Sigma Design Studio and WDG Wealth Management.

An incredible group of volunteers were involved in registration and out on the trails, including, Alex Johnson, Amanda Veraldi, Barbara Spiegel, Barry Roseman, Becky Eaton, Carrere Tirrell, Casey Smith, Chris Peterson, Co Crocker, Dale Savage, Daryl Eaton, Dave Cusick, Dawson Burke, Hartley Mead, Jamie Robinson, Jim Rollins, John DeShazo, John Johnson, Justin Bishop, Libby Borden, Linda Riiska, Marie Civco, Mark Lenz, Meg Hill, Michelle Childs, Nina Ritson, Peggy Cusick, Rick Hahn, Sam Willams, Star Childs, Steve Levander, Ted Hinman, Tom Fahsbender, Tom Hodgkin, Wayne Smith, Wendy Larson and West Lowe. As always, we are grateful for the support of the Norfolk Land Trust board.

—The Norfolk Land Trust Trail Race Committee:

Kate Johnson, Riley Bossi, Bill Couch, Roger Johnson, June Peterson,

Jordan Seibert, Henry and Robin Tirrell

Calling All Ideas

Should Weekend in Norfolk (WIN) have food trucks in the summer? How can Sidewalk Sunday be improved? What other events would you like to see?

Weekend in Norfolk started out in 2015 by calling a town-wide meeting to propose the idea and get feedback. WIN is now in its 12th year and it’s time once again to ask Norfolk residents for new ideas and comments. The WIN committee invites everyone in town to a public meeting on Friday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. at the Norfolk Hub to ask questions, share suggestions and provide constructive comment on Weekend in Norfolk.

Following the most recent WIN in August, we solicited feedback and received a tremendous response from organizations, businesses and individuals who opened their doors or hosted events. We’re thinking that another open

meeting might be helpful, particularly because the presence of food trucks generated a flurry of emails. That simply underlined the need for a constructive, in-person discussion with a larger group. We hope that people will come on Nov. 6 and share their thoughts with us. —WIN Committee: Ned Barron, John DeShazo, Sue Frisch and Devin Grosso

Check the Box

Bluebird boxes need a good cleaning before winter settles in, and fall is the perfect time to do it. Some of us built or bought ours privately. Others, like me, picked up one or more for free last spring from The Hub. However you got yours, it needs care this time of year.

Here’s why it matters. Bluebirds aren’t the only ones that use these boxes. In summer, tree swallows often nest in them too. Old nests can hold mites, rodent droppings and other things that can harm next year’s nestlings. During the cold months, bluebirds sometimes use boxes as a place to stay warm, so a clean, empty box is a welcome shelter.

The job is easy. If your box came from The Hub, the front face is hinged at the top, so it opens by prying from the bottom. Slip a small bar or screwdriver into the drain space at the bottom and gently pull forward. The door will swing open. Many boxes have this design but check yours before you start. Pull out the old nest and brush out any leftover bits. Check for cracks or loose screws and make sure the drainage and air holes are open. When you’re done, close the door and tap the face of the box near the bottom so the nail on the front sinks back in place.

Please take a few minutes in the coming days, before the cold rain and snow fall. Our bluebirds and tree swallows will thank us!

—Jordan Stern