14. Merry Chirstmas and Happy Hanukkah to all!

13. www. AdoptUsKids.org

The Children's Bureau is part of the Federal Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families.

This website is a national photo listing service for children awaiting adoption across the United States." http://www.adoptuskids.org/
Here is a picture of Devon, age 7.
The high cost of adoption has been a problem for many people considering adoption. But there is some relief through the IRS adoption credit.

From the IRS website (accessed 12/23/05):

"You may be able to take a tax credit of up to $10,390 for qualifying expenses paid to adopt an eligible child (including a child with special needs). The adoption credit is an amount subtracted from your tax liability."

Talk to your tax professional and the IRS for details.

12. Tarrant Foundation Grant awarded to MFCC

The Milton Family Community Center has been selected to receive a generous $100,000 grant from the Richard E. Tarrant Foundation according to the Milton Independent (Dec. 15, 2005). The non-profit organization will receive $50,000 in 2006 and $50,000 in 2007 to help implement aspects of its strategic plan. As you know, the private foundation is supported by Richard and Deb Tarrant. Richard Tarrant, a Republican, is running for the U. S. Senate in 2006.

To learn more about the center's activities visit:
http://www.miltonfamilycenter.org/

You can donate online to the center through their website or
from this site: http://www.networkforgood.org/
Picture: MFCC website

11. Saturday Food Collection Time & Place

Jon Hughes will be collecting food tomorrow (Dec. 17) ) at the Holiday Inn parking lot (Exit 14E off I-89) from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. For further information, call Jon at 324-4607.

Our GOP goal is to collect at least 600 lbs. of food to benefit the VT Food Bank.

Note: Jon is also the Chittenden GOP Chairman.

10. Milton Independent contact information

The 2006 political season is going to be interesting. Don't forget to be part of the conversation.! Send your letters to our local newspaper.

Editor: Lynn Delaney
Advertising/Graphic Artist: Cheryl Alwine
Address: P. O. Box 163, 77 River Street, Milton, VT 05468
Phone: 802-893-2028
Fax: 802-893-7467
E-mail: indy@together.net
Live email link:
The Milton Independent

News and advertising deadlines: Friday, 5: 00 p.m.
Circulation: 5,200 direct mail, 800 drop-offs.
The paper is owned by Vermont Publishing Co., Inc. and is a member of Champlain Valley Newspapers.

9. Furry Friends

Can you adopt a dog or cat in 2006? Or send a tax-deductible check to the animal shelters that serve Milton?
Franklin County Humane Society, 30 Sunset Meadows, ST. Albans, VT 05478 524-9650
Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Way, So. Burlington, 862-0135
http://www.chittendenhumane.org/

Picture: Ebby who may still be available for adoption with her feline friend at HSCC.

Note: Click Rand McNally button in the sidebar for free driving instructions and maps.

8. Doran Metzger

We have been told that Doran is now in Iraq. We were given this address for him. It will take at least a week for greetings to reach him.

Doran Metzger
Co. C, 3/126 (AA)
APO, AE 09331

Do you know of other Vermont soldiers who are serving abroad?
Please send us their address for posting: miltongop@gmail.com

Picture: Christmas mail, Marguerite Zorach, c. 1930 National Gallery of Art

7. Join the Tarrant for Senate email list to stay current

Rich Tarrant's campaign is underway. He is holding spaghetti dinners all around the state in order to meet voters and he would like to meet you. The Tarrant campaign will be holding a dinner in the Milton area in the future. This will be is a great opportunity to ask questions and voice your concerns and interests.

To get on his e-mailing list, send a note to:Tarrant 06
The address is: info@tarrant06.com

Also, the Tarrant campaign headquarters is a drop-off point for the Holiday food drive to benefit the Food Bank.