Groton Town Focus

(An Ongoing Collection of Articles about People, Events and History)

1^st Half 2006

Current Articles:

· New Library a Reality!

· BMU Tennis Camp

· Groton Constables

· Cub Scout Update

· Clean-Up/Service Day Major Success

· Groton Timberworks: Striving for the Perfect Timber Frame

· Disposing of Old Vehicles

· April 19th Groton Emergency Services News

· Vermont Magazine

· Apartment Available

· Pack 702 Food Collection

· John Gordon and His Amazing Flying Machine

· Welcome Suzy Shedd

· Did you Know?

· Spring is Coming!

GrotonVT.com Home

· New Library a Reality!

The Library Capital Campaign Committee and the Library Trustees extend thanks to the community on the conclusion of the successful building campaign which raised over $96,000 in donations and pledges. Through the enthusiasm and generosity of many, the new Groton Free Public Library has become a reality. The move to the restored Goodine House is scheduled for the week of July 17th, in time for the town celebration on July 23rd. Please stop in then, and become a regular visitor to this beautiful community resource.

· BMU Tennis Camp

Crystal Sweeney, Emily Puffer,Emily Hatton,Eli LaVaude, Zoë Bergh,Kyle Farguarson and Britney Emerson participate in a week long Tennis Camp offered to the community through Blue Mountain Community Partnership member Gail LaVaude and the Blue Mountain Union School. 21 children are having fun learning the basics of Tennis on the courts at BMU School with Coach Jerry Frain from St Johnsbury.

· Groton Constables

By Peter Kimball

Reprinted with permission from “The Bridge

Weekly” June 16^th 2006 edition

Milt Lamberton (L) has been the Groton First Constable for about 20 years.  Jim Downing has been the Second Constable in Groton for 5 years.  Downing is also the First Constable in Ryegate and an Orange County Deputy Sheriff.

As Groton Constables the pair work 16 hours per week at their discretion and on-call to answer problems and complaints.  Lamberton says "dogs are a bigger problem to them than the people." The dog officer lives out of town, and we get called "because we're here".  Lamberton says the people in Groton are nice. I lived in Massachusetts for about 30 years, but we wanted to get back here and our whole family returned.  Lamberton's family includes his wife of 47 years, Juelle, and grown children- Gary, who is a member of the Blue Mountain Union School Board and Lisa Hart.

Jim Downing, also a Groton native works in the summer for Chief Logging and Construction and has been married to his wife Zoa for 39 years.  They have two grown children, Alan and April.  He is a Police Academy graduate.

The two constables volunteer their time policing Groton's Fall Foliage Parade and Halloween and say they work well together giving the town of Groton police coverage.

· Cub Scout Update

Cub Scouts Cody Ricker and Anthony Kalnins from Pack 702 out of Groton make stilts this week with wood donated from Foggs Hardware in Woodsville NH. Jakob LaVaude looks on as Zachary Bergh walks on his stilts. The Pack will camp at Kettle Pond this weekend and get ready for Summer Resident Camp in Benson VT this July thanks to successful fundraising efforts. Many thanks to communities for supporting scouting!

· Clean-Up/Service Day a Major Success

On Thursday May 25, thirty AmeriCorps members and more than 50 volunteers from Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Gilman Housing Trust and local volunteers gathered to clean up the mile-long stretch of the Cross Vermont Trail that runs through Groton village. This section of the trail, a former railroad bed, had been littered over the years with tires, auto parts and appliances. The town road crew used their skills to safely assist in removing some of the heaviest items. The banks were steep and human chains made a hard job into a doable endeavor. Volunteers also landscaped around rental properties on Main Street owned by the Gilman Housing Trust, and in the Veteran’s Memorial Park. The town was hopping from one end to the other. Truck loads of tires, and other recyclables went to the recycle center and many bags went into the garbage truck. The day was clear and hot and the turn out was terrific. Lunch was catered from local businesses and Groton volunteers made chili, dessert and doughnuts. Many thanks for all the help.

· Groton Timberworks: Striving for the Perfect Timber Frame

 By Peter Kimball

Reprinted with permission from “The Bridge Weekly” May 19^th 2006 Issue

Nathan and Merry Puffer believe their business is only as good as the last frame they have constructed. Their goal is to achieve the perfect joint and create a frame that is functional, solid and beautiful. The Puffer's Groton Timberworks Company has grown over the years from humble beginnings to a leader in the area for timber framing construction.

Merry Kinder Puffer grew up in North Haverhill, a daughter of the late Richard Kinder and Jan Kinder. She attended Haverhill schools, graduating from Woodsville High School. Merry continued her schooling at the University of New Hampshire, graduating with a degree in psychology with a minor in math.

Nathan grew up in Groton as the son of Harold and Janet Puffer. He attended and graduated from Blue Mountain Union School.

After college, Merry entered the Peace Corp and taught in Kenya for two years. She came home for Christmas when she met Nathan. Nathan ended up following Merry to Kenya for a visit, twice. The first time he stayed six weeks and the second, nine months. After finishing her Peace Corp service, Merry and Nathan traveled all over Africa, mostly below the equator.

After traveling in Africa, it was off to Europe for a tour on a shoestring budget. They were down to $100 with two weeks left. They did scrimp by and the day the passport expired, they arrived back in the States.

For the next two years, Merry taught math at Oxbow High School and Nathan sold insurance for Modern Woodmen in Derby Line. They were married the June of 1987.

In the late 1980's Nathan worked for Bernie Farquharson. Nathan says Bernie was instrumental in cultivating his passion for timber frames. Nathan says, "Bernie's practical knowledge of old building structures and how to correct any problems had a huge impression on me."

The first large building constructed by the Puffers was a reproduction of the Round Barn owned by George and Ramona Schmid and raised in the summer of 1996 across the street from the original barn on NH Route 10 in Piermont. Nathan says their business took off from there. They have constructed timber frame houses, barns and sheds - anything that deals with timbers.

Quality employees are an important factor in the success or failure of any business and the Puffers say they have two top full-time individuals that contribute to the success of their Groton business.

John Gordon of Groton, a former employee of Wang Corporation of MA is, according to Nathan, clever and incredible with electronics. John can design and effect changes to tools and equipment needed for their timber framing. Merry says, " John has literally created new machines for our use."

Brian Wohlleb of St. Johnsbury is in charge of the building crew, layout and quality control of a project. "Brian has a good understanding and passion for what it takes to be successful in this business," says Nathan. Some will remember that Brian was formerly on the United States Luge team, a position he says he retired from about two years ago.

The Puffers also hire some college students to round out their summer crew. Most of those students have worked for them in the past.

A timber frame building begins as Nathan or the client corroborates with an architect for the frame design. The structure of the building and the custom designs that reflect the client's wishes are decided. The quality and preparation of the wood to be used is paramount in the final building results. Nathan buys the best logs from local loggers and in a few cases, such as the Round Barn reproduction, the logs come from the client's own property. It generally takes six months to a year for proper drying of log-to-home.

Nathan and Merry say the largest frame (in complexity and size) they have constructed is a 44' by 63' three-story structure. The building contained 776 pieces, 1500 joints and 45,000 board feet of lumber.

The Puffers continue to add machinery to the business to help them ensure quality and help in the production. Nathan reads and studies extensively to improve his knowledge and in 2002 he went to Japan for a couple of weeks to study "tea house design". This style of building has specific joinery, which Nathan recently incorporated in the new Groton home he constructed for his parents.

Nathan and Merry Puffer's three daughters, Malaika (17), Emily (14), and Ally (11) and are an important focus of their lives. They are all students at Blue Mountain Union School.

Groton Timberworks owners, Nate and Merry Puffer(center) with their valued employees, Brian Wohlleb(L) of St. Johnsbury and John Gordon of Groton. Photo by Peter Kimball

A new machine for an old style cut.. Nate Puffer adjusts a computerized joint cutting machine in his Groton Shop.  Merry Puffer writes the computer program for this machine. Photo by Peter Kimball

Nate went to Japan for a few weeks several years ago to study tea house design.  The interior of a home he built for his parents, Harold and Janet Puffer of Groton, shows some of what he learned. Photo by Peter Kimball

· Disposing of Old Vehicles

The storage of old or junk vehicles on your property has associated health hazards since cars contain a number of hazardous fluids (antifreeze, gas, motor oil, transmission oil, brake fluid and battery acid) which can leak into the ground water and well systems. It makes sense to dispose of vehicles when they are no longer needed or wanted.

If the car is a “junk” car, and does not have a marketable value, it is still of some value to people who deal in scrap metal. There are people who will make the trip to Groton with a truck or wrecker, and pick up the car free of charge in exchange for the scrap value of the car. These include:

· Earl Pixley, 633-3526

· George Fisher, 533-2475

· George Dean, 603-444-4835

· C&M Used Auto Parts, 626-9777

In many cases, they will also pick up scrap metal other than cars.

If you have an older car which has a Blue Book value, you may want to donate it to a charity and possibly obtain a tax deduction. You can either call the charity of your choice to discuss such a gift, or you can check www.donateacar.com to determine if they have listed a charity you would like to donate your car to. In most cases, the charity will pick up the car if it is currently not operational, but you may need a title for the vehicle. Most of these cars are sold at auction on the charities’ behalf, and in some cases they are given to a needy family which needs a car.

· April 19^th Groton Emergency Services News

Groton Emergency Services has had a fairly busy week. On Sunday the F.A.S.T. Squad responded to three calls; a motor vehicle accident and fire on 1-91, and two calls to elderly residents experiencing difficulties. The Fire Dept. responded, mutual aid, to Topsham for a barn fire on Route 302. The Dept. responded with six firefighters, Engine 1 and Tanker 1. The Dept has responded to fourteen calls so far this year and conducted and conducted twelve hours of drills and training. The most involved incident was a barn fire in Peacham where Groton assisted in water supply and provided illumination. Groton responded with Engine 1, Tanker 1 and 14 volunteers. This incident occupied the Dept. for 6 hours.

· Vermont Magazine

The Around Town Department of the March/April issue on page 23 has a good several page article on Groton and its revitalization.  If you would like to see a copy, the Groton Library has it.

· Apartment Available

Groton Community Housing: newly renovated apartments; rent based on income; heat included; on-site laundry; some fully handicapped accessible.  Contact Northern Community Management Corp. at 802-757-2178 or TTY 800-253-0191.

· Pack 702 Food Collection

Pack 702 recently collected food for the Groton/Ryegate Food Shelf. Cub Scouts learn the importance of Community Service while helping others. The pack meets on Thursday nights in the Groton Methodist Church at 6:00. Scouts can also be seen at the Groton/Ryegate Recycle Center on Saturday mornings through the summer months helping community members with their recyclables while collecting redeemable bottles and cans to be put towards summer camp expense.

· John Gordon and His Amazing Flying Machine

By Deborah Jurist

Have you ever been outside on a beautiful day enjoying the weather when you hear a strange engine like sound commencing off in the distance? Then far away you see a small beautiful rainbow parachute floating on the breeze! If so, you may be interested to know that perched under that parachute, my friend, is Groton resident, John Gordon.

This mechanical flying machine is called a Power Parachute. It has a 5 ft. propeller, and a 65 horse power engine, which he starts with a pull rope. To take off, he sets up the parachute behind him on his homemade runway, climbs into the "cart" which is his vessel for the ride, starts the engine and revs up the motor.

While the parachute lines tighten up behind the cart, the parachute begins to fluff up. As the cart rolls along on its wheels, 300 feet pass by before the power parachute takes off and starts to climb. Up, up and away. Depending on the weather, wind speed and direction John may rise to 5000 feet and flies at 30 miles per hour. When it's time to land, he floats down into a field (preferably). He needs about 75 feet to land. John uses a GPS device to ascertain his whereabouts. He flies all over our community, from as far north to Danville, east to Lyman, south to Branford and west to Washington. John is not just a fair weather flier. When the ground is covered with snow, he straps skis onto the wheels and heads for the sky.

John bought the power parachute in 1999 after a long fascination with ultra light planes. He had always harbored a desire to fly. He came very close to acquiring an ultra light, but when the owner of the company that made the ultra light died in an accident, he had second thoughts. A great advantage of the power parachute is the fact that it actually IS a parachute. This increases the safety factor enormously.

John has had a few exciting rides up there in the wild blue yonder. One time when the wind proved to be so strong that even when he realized that he was traveling way too fast and turned around to return home, he found himself flying 5 miles an hour backwards. Solution: turn off the motor and land! A knock on a farmhouse door, followed by a phone call brought Susan, for a ride home.

But John is a very cautious pilot, traversing the skyways over Groton, in his Power Parachute. John enjoys aerial photography. Powered Parachutes can fly low and slow which makes them an ideal platform for taking pictures.

He can be contacted at gordonairvt@aol.com

Pictures by John:

Hot Air Balloon

Sunset

· Welcome Suzy Shedd

The Library Board of Trustees would like to introduce and extend a welcome to our new librarian, Suzy Shedd.  Suzy lives in Woodbury, and comes to us with wide experience in both public and school libraries, bringing  her enthusiasm and expertise to Groton.

Please stop in the library during weekday hours and become acquainted.

· Did You Know?

That the Nature Center, Kettle Pond and Boulder Beach parking lots are open and plowed during the winter. This provides free and easy access for ice fishing, walking, hiking, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and ice skating. So many ways to enjoy the winter!

· Spring is Coming!

A Heads Up on Green Up Day May 6th!  Save the date for this all important community effort for Groton.

Three of our local students are poster winners in their grade level. Congratulations and thanks to Taylor Lamberton, Emily Darling, and D. Rose McKenney for their art work.

Please contact Nancy Spencer, Groton Coordinator, at 584-3717 with any suggestions or ideas for this year's Green Up.