HARDWICK – Love, family and tradition are three words that seem to characterize everyday people, Dale and Joanne Manning of Hardwick. Sitting around their dining room table, looking through their wedding album, pictures of their children and sharing their journey to become Citizens of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation reflect this.
Their story has very different beginnings. Dale, better known as “Tank,” a nickname given to him when he joined the Army, grew up in East Hardwick with his parents, two brothers and a sister. He graduated in the Hazen Union class of 1981. After a brief stint in the Army, Tank was honorably discharged due to a hip injury. He worked part-time as an officer for the Hardwick Police Department and Washington County Sheriff’s Department. He also worked three or four years as a machinist for Cal Foster at Caspian Arms in Hardwick. In September 2003, he joined the Vermont Statehouse Capitol Police where he served as an officer for 20 years, retiring in December of 2023.
Joanne Jaquith Manning had much more turbulent early years. She was born in Burlington, but moved many times and recalls attending 21 different schools. The experience of being uprooted and moved so many times led to her future commitment to provide a solid and permanent home base for her children. Joanne first married at age 20 and had three girls. She worked at a number of jobs over the years and landed as the manager of the cafeteria in the Vermont State Capitol in November 2003.
The Manning’s love story begins when they were both employed at the Capitol State House in Montpelier. Though both living in Hardwick, they had not met until then.
Joanne described their eventual romance as a “State House Love Story.” For several years they maintained a close friendship. When relationships they were both in ended, they began dating. Joanne said that, at this point Tank either saw or called her every day for two years. He asked her to marry him. On November 11, 2006, Tank stayed that night with Joanne and has never left.
Tank also had three girls, Cassiopeia, Kiana and Caitlyn, who were almost eight years junior to Joanne’s three girls, Whittney, Jordan and Maressa. When the two families blended to become one, the girls adopted the nicknames, “The Bigs” and “The Littles.” The blended family shared a four-bedroom home on North Main Street. When The Littles moved in, each of The Big girls picked a Little to share their bedroom. The Bigs all graduated from Hazen Union thanks to Joanne’s commitment to provide a stable and permanent home for their children. The Littles all graduated from Williamstown, where they lived half-time with their biological mother. Tank and Joanne were married May 17, 2008, at Jeudevine Falls while surrounded by family and friends.
When serving on the Capitol Police force in 2018, Tank took some pictures of an Abenaki display which was being featured at the State House. He sent the pictures to a cousin of his in Connecticut. The cousin had completed an in-depth genealogy and told Tank that they were direct descendants of the Abenaki.
Tank and Joanne began a journey that led them to provide Tank’s genealogy, which was confirmed by the tribal genealogist. They then enrolled as citizens of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation.
Today they are very active, attending monthly Tribal Council Meetings in Holland, participating in sweat lodges and annual gatherings. Joanne is taking a “Bark Biting” workshop that promotes and supports the citizens in gaining knowledge and continuing cultural traditions. Bark biting is creating intricate patterns on cedar bark by biting into the bark.
After retiring in December 2023, Tank took a part-time job with the Lamoille County Meals on Wheels program. He enjoys having a much less stressful job that is very different from his career.
Joanne is a home provider for Washington County Mental Health. She supports an 81-year old lady who shares their home. They are very active, going to movies, shopping, eating out and doing crafts.
Tank and Joanne keep busy with their hobbies. Each has a Harley motorcycle and they ride with the Hardwick American Legion Gateway Riders. Tank is a member of American Legion Post No. 7 and Joanne is a member of the auxiliary. Tank will be accompanying his father on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC on Father’s Day this year, arranged through Honor Flight New England.
Their family is now expanding to include a second generation of girls. They have a granddaughter, Lyric, who is almost one, and are expecting another granddaughter soon. Love, family and tradition best describe these amazing everyday people.
Mary Wheeler is a community journalist living in Hardwick.
