You might have seen our front-page photo in last Thursday’s edition showing Vermont State Police Lt. Jeff Danoski giving blood as part of the first ever “Battle of the Badges” blood drive competition between local fire and law enforcement personnel. The friendly competition was part of an American Red Cross blood drawing held in Middlebury on Sept. 18. Well, chalk one up for Addison County firefighters, who won bragging rights with 19 pints donated by them and their supporters, compared to 11 for law enforcement. Police will have a chance to even the score next year.
 
The times they are a changin’, when it comes to marijuana offenses in Vermont. Used to be that folks who grew or possessed marijuana were cited for misdemeanor or felony offenses, depending on the amount of the substance involved. In 2013, Vermont lawmakers decriminalized possession of marijuana (meaning police would only give a ticket for a civil violation). Earlier this year, the state enacted a new law that makes it legal for Vermonters to cultivate up to two adult marijuana plants on their property and possess up to one ounce of the substance. And folks are apparently taking advantage of the new law. This week’s Middlebury crime log includes the following entry that would have seemed otherworldly only a year ago: “Police received a complaint from a Case Street resident who said someone had stolen a marijuana plant from his property on Sept. 23.”
 
The northern half of Vermont has experienced a moderate to severe drought this year, which has begun to cause water shortages for people reliant on springs and wells. The drought has affected some parts of Addison County, as well. Starksboro Town Clerk Cheryl Estey this week confirmed that a few town residents have begun running out of water. Some have been out for months. In a social media post earlier this month, Estey suggested Fresh Water Haulers (Chittenden County, 802-658-2223) as a possible source of replenishment for anyone unable to schedule a timely appointment with a well drilling company. According to a Sept. 20 story in the Stowe Reporter, however, Fresh Water Haulers serves customers in Chittenden, Franklin, Lamoille and Addison counties, and is at the moment struggling to keep up with demand.
 
If you enjoy working with people and learning about history and art, the Sheldon Museum may be just the place for you The museum, located at 1 Park St. in downtown Middlebury, is looking for volunteers interested in working in its store. These volunteers greet visitors, process admissions and shop sales, answer the phone, and assist staff with various projects. Volunteers are trained by museum staff and other volunteers. Shifts are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-5 p.m., once a week. For more information about this volunteer opportunity, please call Mary Manley at 388-2117. To read more about the Sheldon Museum, visit HenrySheldonMuseum.org.
 
Mary Hogan School is putting out a call for exercise bikes, to be used in therapeutic situations for children who want some physical activity, or just to blow off some steam. If you have one cluttering up your attic, basement or garage, Mary Hogan School in Middlebury would be truly grateful for the donation. If you have one you’d like to donate email to [email protected].
 
Middlebury’s Ilsley Library is looking for new members for its Teen Advisory Group, or TAG. As a TAG member, teens attend monthly meetings and advise the library’s “Tween & Teen” department. From promoting and volunteering at events to helping expand youth and teen collections, TAG does it all. If teens are interested in sharing ideas, meeting new people, and attaining community service experience, TAG is here for them! TAG is open to any and all 6th-12th-grade students. And take note, Middlebury Union High School teens: You can receive community service credit for TAG participation.