Williston Observer 1/20/2022 by Williston Observer

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State study could trigger townwide reassessment

WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985

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Wood-fired goodness comes to Finney Crossing

Selectboard votes to appeal BY JASON STARR Observer staff

The Williston Selectboard voted Tuesday to appeal the results of the town’s property valuation review completed in December by the Vermont Department of Taxes to stave off the specter of a townwide property value reassessment. The study resulted in the town’s common level of appraisal — the ratio between the market value of property and the value it is assessed at for property taxes — of just under 85 percent. State law requires towns to reassess all commercial, residential and industrial property when the common level of appraisal falls below 85 percent. Real estate prices have surged in the past 20 months, Williston Assessor Bill Hinman said. He estimated in July that home prices in Williston had increased 30 percent since early 2020. A reappraisal would even up the assessed value and market value of all real estate in town, increase the total taxable value of property and potentially shift the tax burden between residential and commercial property. It would affect the tax liability of nearly every property owner in town. The last townwide reappraisal occurred in 2016. Even if Williston wins its appeal this year, it would likely be up for reappraisal the following year, Hinman said. The town would like to at least delay “putting the town through the aggravation of a reappraisal,” he said. “It does create some contention among property owners because nobody likes to see their assessments increase, because the first thought they think of is ‘tax increase,’ so that makes things difficult on our property owners in town,” said Hinman. “And it’s very expensive — upwards of $400,000 to do a reappraisal, and that’s paid by the taxpayers.” Reappraisals are being triggered in the majority of municipalities throughout the state due to housing demand. “We do not have the housing stock to satisfy demand (from) both in-state and out-of-state buyers,” said Director of Property and Review for the Department of Taxes Jill Remick in a Jan. 6 presentation to lawmakers, adding that many municipal grand lists see REASSESSMENT page 24

Folino’s General Manager Bobby Seaman bakes a pie in the restaurant’s wood-fired oven Tuesday. Folino’s opened its third location last month at Finney Crossing. See story, page 4. OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

Mask mandate extended into February BY JASON STARR Observer staff

Williston’s indoor mask mandate withstood testimony Tuesday from an industrial hygienist as the selectboard voted unanimously to extend the rule through at least Feb. 20. Local mask opponent Darryl Blackburn invited Stephen Petty to video-conference into the board’s meeting, presenting him as an expert on mask ineffectiveness. Petty described himself as an environmental health expert with a background in clearing workplaces of contaminants. He said masks have essentially no effect in blocking virus particles and recommended instead using fresh air ventilation and air purifying technology. Petty offered graphs showing how Covid cases are increasing even as mask mandates are enacted. If masks worked, he said, one would expect cases to decrease. He said studies comparing masked and unmasked people have showed no difference in Covid case rates

‘I go to the store, I can’t talk to anybody, I can’t hear anybody, I can’t see anybody’s face … I want my community back.’ Dar Gibson Williston

between the two groups. “Masks can’t possibly work,” he said, noting that masks cannot be completely sealed around the nose and cheeks. “There are much better solutions out there.” Petty also presented evidence that masks are hindering learning in schools, affecting the ability of students to communicate with each other and with teachers. Williston’s Dar Gibson — who earlier in the meeting had interviewed for a spot on the town Energy Committee (and was

later appointed) — echoed the idea that masks are hindering communication and asked the board not to renew the mandate. “I go to the store, I can’t talk to anybody, I can’t hear anybody, I can’t see anybody’s face,” he said. “I want my community back … It seems like it’s time for personal choice.” The mandate requires people to wear masks in all indoor public areas. The board has the authority, granted last fall by the Legislature, to consider continued 30-day extensions of the mandate through April. The extension through Feb. 20 continues exemptions enacted with the original mandate in December, including exemptions for places of worship, children under age 2, people with disabilities that prevent them from safely wearing a mask, people while eating or drinking in a restaurant and people temporarily removing their masks to communicate with a group of people. Sharon Gutwin, who had also intersee MASKS page 24

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Page 2 • Williston Observer • January 20, 2022

A biweekly trip down memory lane with members of the Williston Historical Society

Happy birthday, old friend

Old Brick Church turns 190 years old BY MARK HUTCHINS Special to the Observer

This Jan. 25 will mark the 190th anniversary of the dedication of the Old Brick Church in Williston. On that day those many years ago, the church was full of notable members and visitors, including many who came from all over Chittenden County. They came to dedicate the new building as the Williston Congregational Church, the first actual religious building in the town’s history. The former Meeting House in the village had been both a place to worship and to meet for town business and events. The beautiful new brick church was an indication of the growing affluence of the town and would soon be joined by a new Methodist church, a new Town Hall, universalist church and academy, all lined up across the turnpike and forming an impres-

sive town center. Three of those buildings still exist. Many travelers in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries would remark on these buildings as they passed through on the main east-west road across Vermont. The Old Brick Church is a survivor and until a fire destroyed the belfry from a lightning strike, it had remained in remarkable condition — even after nearly 50 years of abandonment in the twentieth century. Today its lovely mellow bricks and beautiful windows still reflect the sunshine of decades and have become a much cherished symbol of the village and its history. It is the oldest public building remaining in the town and, as it approaches 200 years of service to the community, it stands as straight and strong as the original builders intended it should. The town owns it today and maintains it with great care and respect. Unknown to most, hidden under the slate roof installed in 1860, the original wood shake roof of 1832 is

intact, the oldest original wood roof in Williston. The large majority of the original glass in the elegant gothic windows is original. Although remodeled in 1860, almost the entire interior is either original to that time or earlier to the time of its construction. It is a truly impressive structure from early Vermont. We extend congratulations and much respect Old Brick Church! May you continue to endure and serve the community as gracefully as you have for nearly 200 years as a prime symbol of this historic town. Happy birthday, old friend.

PHOTO AND ART COURTESY OF THE WILLISTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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January 20, 2022 • Williston Observer • Page 3

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Page 4 • Williston Observer • January 20, 2022

WILLISTON: BUSINESS HUB OF VERMONT

Folino’s finds a home at Finney Crossing BY JASON STARR Observer staff Folino’s’ original plan to open a pizzeria at Finney Crossing predates the pandemic. The restaurant was slated to share a standalone building with a new Fiddlehead Brewery outlet inside the growing Williston neighborhood. Those plans were abandoned about two years ago when uncertainty in the early months of the pandemic spooked the restaurant industry. That building remains unbuilt, and Fiddlehead — which is co-located with the original Folino’s Wood Fired Pizza in Shelburne — has abandoned plans for a Williston location. But Folino’s’ commitment to Finney Crossing has not wavered, and late last month it opened a 50-seat restaurant (with 50 additional seats awaiting warmer weather on an outdoor patio) on the western edge of the

Folino’s staffer Tanya Randall works the takeout counter at Folino’s in Finney Crossing on Tuesday. The restaurant opened for dine-in and takeout service in December. OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

building anchored by Healthy Living. It’s currently operating a dine-in and takeout dinner service daily, 4-8 p.m. with lunch Friday through Sunday opening at noon. General Manager Bobby Seaman expects those hours to increase along with an expanded lunch menu as more staff is hired. “Once we saw all the building happening and this community growing, we said ‘we should be there,’ one, for hopefully great business and two, because it’s a thriving community that’s not Burlington. It’s its own thing.” The restaurant has a long dining room overlooking the patio. Central to the kitchen is the wood-fired oven, serving nearly two dozen varieties of pizzas. Salads and wings are also on the menu. With limited hours, the restaurant has had a sort of soft opening. Word of mouth is building, and it helps to have the Hilton Home2 Suites hotel next door, which specializes in extended stays.

“Word is getting out,” Seaman said. “We’d love to be open longer for lunch and later, but staffing-wise, everyone understands.” Hiring experienced wood-fired pizza-makers and prep cooks has proven more difficult than finding part-time front-of-house staff, Seaman said. “There is a lot of competition (for employees) because there are openings everywhere,” he said. “I’ve interviewed people who have said, ‘this is my second interview of the day and I have two more’ … I remember when someone would come in and you could hire them on the spot and they’d say ‘great, I can work tomorrow.’” This is Folino’s’ third location; it operates a pizzeria in downtown Burlington as well. The Williston location is the only one to have its own liquor license. Seaman, who has worked at all three spots, recently relocated to a home in Williston Village.

Vermont businesses and employees face Omicron with uncertainty BY FRED THYS VTDigger Since the pandemic began, Cari Carlet has put up a plexiglass shield at the coffee bar, switched to to-go cups only and removed indoor seating at her cafe, Locally Social Coffee, in St. Johnsbury. “We’ve tried to adapt and be safe,” Carlet said. “It’s far more difficult now.” It’s a sentiment echoed by business owners and employees across Vermont. Suddenly, Carlet said, the incredible increase in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks

has her wondering if her efforts are enough. As of Monday, she has encouraged, though not mandated, that customers wear masks. All her employees now wear masks. “Our goal is to keep our doors open, and competing with Covid has been trying,” Carlet said. She is grateful that her customers understand that, if one of her employees tests positive, she must close. “And no one wants to see that happen,” Carlet said. “Everyone wants their coffee.” Jack Manix in East Dummerston is getting some breathing room from worrying

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about customers. The Consumer Supported Agriculture program at Walker Farm, which has been in his family since 1770, delivered its final crop of greens last weekend, and the farm stand is closed until April. Still, employees are working in the 25 greenhouses, getting ready for spring harvests of vegetables and flowers, and Manix said they are wearing masks. ON THE SKI HILL

At least one ski resort is making changes to face the Omicron variant. Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Jeffersonville said last

week that all employees and guests must now wear masks indoors. Ski patrols are now limited in how they train and how they treat injured skiers. Most trainings in the Northern Vermont Section of the National Ski Patrol were canceled last year or not scheduled this year because the trainings include an indoor component, Regional Director Jim Giffin said. He said patrollers now wear masks in patrol rooms. Last year, he said, if an injured skier answered yes to Covid-19 screening questions, most patrols would evaluate and see OMICRON page 13

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$5K micro-business grants available

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The Vermont Micro Business Development Program has pandemic recovery grants of up to $5,000 available for businesses with five or fewer employees, including new startups. The EMBRACE (Economic Micro Business Recovery Assistance for the COVID-19 Epidemic) grants are awarded on a first-come, firstserved basis. Applications are available at www.mbdp.org/embrace-grant. For more information, email Kate Harrison at kharrison@broc.org or call (802) 665-1752.

Local Ownership Vermont owned and operated

BCBS hires medical director Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont has hired Tom Weigel as its new senior medical director. Weigel, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Medical School and Harvard Medical School, is trained as a child psychiatrist. “I am eager to get started and committed to improving the health and wellness of Vermonters,” he said.

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Evergreen Sports Medicine, which opened last January on Park Avenue in Williston, has added Scott Paluska to its roster of doctors, joining Jason Lippman, Paul Reiss and Matt Salter. The providers care for musculoskeletal and sports-related medical problems. Paluska specializes in fractures, concussions see HAPPENINGS page 7

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Page 6 • Williston Observer • January 20, 2022

GUEST COLUMN Williston’s Community Newspaper Since 1985

www.willistonobserver.com P.O. Box 1401, Williston, VT 05495 | 802-489-5499 PUBLISHER Susan T. Cote susan@willistonobserver.com 802-489-5499

TO ADVERTISE Submission deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. for next Thursday issue. rick@willistonobserver.com

ADVERTISING Rick Cote Associate Publisher Sales & Marketing rick@willistonobserver.com 802-373-2136

CLASSIFIED ADS Paid Classifieds: There is a fee for business, real estate and help wanted ads. Free Classifieds: Must be 25 words or fewer. Printed on a space-available basis. Submission deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. for next Thursday issue. susan@willistonobserver.com

EDITOR Jason Starr editor@willistonobserver.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN Jan Kenney jan@willistonobserver.com BILLING INQUIRIES Michael McCaffrey office@willistonobserver.com MEMBER:

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SUBMISSIONS & LETTERS Send to editor@willistonobserver.com • Deadline is Monday at noon • News/story tips welcomed • Letters must be 300 words or fewer • Include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we can verify the letter’s author. Phone numbers and street addresses will be kept confidential • Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity • Letters that have been submitted to multiple media outlets may not be printed CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Send to editor@willistonobserver.com Must include • Name of event and organization • Date, time and place of event • Contact information We print submissions for nonprofit groups and organizations only.

The confusion of a Covid diagnosis BY BRIAN RICCA I moved out. Not like that, but we had Covid in our house. Here’s what it looked like. Our oldest son had a teammate who tested positive. We used the test kits provided to us by the school, even though we had no symptoms, to ensure that our boys were negative. And they were, on the first day. The next day though, when we tested again, Patrick was positive. For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, one of the Riccas had Covid-19. So we had a decision to make. The guidance at the time indicated isolation at least through Day 5 and return to school after two negative antigen tests. What if we all isolated together? Would it be like chickenpox? I remember in the early 80s, when one of my siblings got chickenpox, we were all thrown together, and we ended up getting it around the same time. Unfortunately, Covid is not that predictable or logical. If we all came together, there was no

guarantee that we would all get it with any expected timeline. One of us could show symptoms in a day; another could show symptoms a few days later. We might never show symptoms. This is life with Covid-19. I have always known my wife to be a selfless person, but what she did next brought the concept of selflessness to a whole new level: She chose to isolate with Patrick. Even though she was symptom-free, she and Patrick went to our master bedroom and shut the door. They would stay there together over the next several days, and I would stay in our guest room. So I moved out. I took toiletries and clothes into another bedroom, most recently occupied by my wife’s grandmother at Christmas. Our youngest son and I wore masks in the house. We were never within 6 feet of either Patrick or Michal for more than 15 minutes in a 24hour period. We were determined to do everything we could to keep Covid away from Brendan and me.

The Williston Observer reserves the right to edit or refuse submissions or advertising. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the paper.

First, I must acknowledge the amount of privilege my family has. We have the space and the room to isolate. We have multiple bathrooms and bedrooms in our home. We have the flexibility to work from home. We can handle the disruption that Covid brought to us. Second, I must also acknowledge how challenging this was. I have a brand new perspective on what it’s like to parent during this time in our world. At times, it was confusing: Our son tested negative at home on day four but tested positive in school on day five. What did that mean? No one knew at the time. We placed phone calls to doctors’ offices, nurses’ offices and read the guidance. None of it made sense. We rarely got the same answer twice. So we did the only thing that we knew to be clear. We stayed isolated at home for the entire 10 days. Patrick was finally able to get a negative antigen test on day nine and went to school for the first time since the winter holiday break. see RICCA page 7

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‘Bee’ a part of the solution Have you ever wondered about how flowers bloom? It’s simple, bees stand on one flower, its nectar and pollen, then when the bee lands on another flower, some of the pollen that is on the bee’s legs falls off and lands on the other flower, pollinating it! The biggest threat to honeybees right now is called the Varroa Destructor, which is a parasit-

Happenings continued from page

ic mite that attacks and feeds on bees. It has spread to almost every part of the world except Australia. Hives need to be monitored, tested and treated to keep a hive healthy and strong. Scientists are trying to come up with innovative ways to keep Varroa from devastating honeybee populations. Bees pollinate fruits and vegetables as well as flowers, trees and other flowering plants. Plants and animals will die if there aren’t as many bees in the world and earth’s

inhabitants will have a hard time finding food and water. Here are some ways you can help: Build bee-friendly gardens; build a bee house; don’t use harmful chemicals; plant flowers; when you see a bee, don’t run away. The bee might want to sting you and then it will die; if you see a bee’s nest, don’t destroy it, just leave it alone. Olivia Patten Williston Central School Fifth grade

Polli Properties adds agent

operators make decisions about listing and booking farm stays and on-farm experiences online. The resource can be found at www.go.uvm.edu/comparisontable. The tool is designed to help farm hosts improve their online marketing strategy. It includes the types of fee structures used by listing websites, the requirements for listings and insurance considerations.

and arthritis, addressing musculoskeletal and performance issues in athletes and non-athletes of all ages. A graduate of Amherst College and the University of Michigan, Paluska moved to Williston from Champaign, Ill. He is a cyclist and triathlete and was a collegiate skier and rower.

Workplace injury stats released Private sector employers in Vermont reported roughly 6,900 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2020, resulting in an incidence rate of 3.6 cases per 100 full-time workers, according to statistics released this month by the New England Information Office of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau provides information annually on the rate and number of work-related injuries and illnesses, and how the statistics vary by industry, geography, occupation and other characteristics. Most of the injuries and illnesses in 2020 came in the fields of education, health services, transportation and manufacturing. Vermont’s incidence rate of 3.6 percent in 2020 was lower than the 2019 rate of 4.6 percent.

Ricca continued from page

Even still, we remained masked at home, and I stayed in the guest room until this past Saturday. So far, it’s working. We are all symptom-free, and it’s clear that the guidance is changing at some point this week.

Trade show exhibit grants available Siobhan Philbin

Polli Properties has hired Siobhan Philbin as its newest real estate agent. The South Burlington firm was established in 2017 by Williston’s Elise Polli. A Vermont native, Philbin is a graduate of Rollins College going into her third year as a real estate agent.

Comparison tool launched for agritourism businesses The University of Vermont Extension — in collaboration with Vermont Fresh Network, Dig In Vermont and Farm Stay USA — has developed a comparison table to help agritourism I’m left stunned by two things: one, the selflessness of my wife of 17 years. Talk about falling on the grenade. She truly took one for the team. And two, the level of confusion and chaos that we felt was humbling. As a superintendent, I thought it was easy to follow the guidance, quarantine and come

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The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets is offering Trade Show Assistance grants for Vermont agriculture and forestry businesses to exhibit and sell at out-of-state trade shows, or virtual shows targeting out-of-state buyers. The grants provide 50 percent reimbursements for eligible trade show-related expenses. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to be used for a single show or multiple shows. Applications will be accepted through March 2. A total of $30,000 is available. To apply, visit www.agr icult u re.ver mont.gov/g rants/ tradeshow. back to school at the appointed time. As a dad, I learned how hard this really is. Moving out taught me a lesson in empathy. One I soon won’t forget. Brian Ricca is a Williston resident and superintendent of schools in St. Johnsbury.

Vermont Guard members returning from overseas About 100 Vermont National Guard soldiers returned home last week after nearly a year deployed to Djibouti in support of U.S. Africa Command. The Vermont Army National Guard deployed about 950 Vermonters last year to various locations across Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. Units will continue to return in the coming months. In Africa, Vermont soldiers joined a group of roughly 1,000 soldiers from Maine, Massachusetts and Colorado. They provided security, crisis response and worked to build local partnerships.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Page 8 • Williston Observer • January 20, 2022

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StormStrong Foundation makes $2K donation

Matt and Storm Rushford present a check representing a $2,000 donation from the StormStrong Foundation to the Center for Integrative Research into Childhood Leukemia and the Environment (CIRCLE). The StormStrong Foundation, headquartered in Williston, funds scientific research collaboratives that are seeking to isolate specific environmental causes of leukemia and other cancers. CIRCLE has made promising discoveries in this field, with the ultimate goal being to reduce the incidence of childhood cancer worldwide. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

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Vaccine clinics upcoming at WCS Covid vaccine clinics are scheduled for Jan. 26 and Feb. 16 at Williston Central School. The clinics will have Pfizer first and second doses for children ages 5 and up and boosters for children ages 12 and up. Registration is available at the Vermont Department of Health website (www.healthvermont.gov/ covid-19/vaccine/getting-covid19-vaccine) or by calling the department at 855-722-7878, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ‘TEST TO STAY’ MOVES TO ‘TEST AT HOME’

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The Champlain Valley School District is preparing to shift from testing students for Covid in schools to providing test kits to parents, according to Superintendent Rene Sanchez. “This has been said many times, but we still need your help. If your child has any Covid symptoms or cold symptoms, please do

not send them to school,” Sanchez said. “We are seeing a number of situations where this is happening and this puts students and staff at risk.” Schools will send out exposure notifications to the families of students who share a classroom with an identified positive case. INTERNET CONNECTIVITY GRANTS AVAILABLE

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SPORTS Megan Nick of Shelburne is preparing to represent the United States and Vermont in the Olympics next month in Beijing in the sport of aerial skiing. She took up aerials as part of her senior ‘Grad Challenge’ while at CVU. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

CVU grad soars into Olympics

BY LAUREN READ Observer correspondent

Megan Nick picked up aerial skiing as a senior at Champlain Valley Union High School when she went to a camp in Lake Placid as part of her senior “Grad Challenge” project. She was hooked and quickly took to the sport. Seven years later, she is preparing to represent the United States and Vermont in the Olympics next month in Beijing. Nick recently qualified for the U.S. Aerials Team based on her World Cup performances in 2021, when she placed first in two events. “I always wanted to go (to the

Olympics) and it was a huge goal of mine but I don’t think I really ever believed it,” Nick said. “I just kept taking my training day by day and focusing on the little things to make me better. And I’m very lucky that it has worked out the way it has.” Soon after the team’s final World Cup event recently in Utah, Nick and the rest of the Aerials Team were whisked into quarantine to avoid any Covid issues ahead of the Olympics. It is there that Nick and the rest of her teammates are preparing for the event. “I’m just trying to perfect what we have, tweak little things, but also just work on our consistency,” she said. “I think for me that’s the

Vermont National Guard soldiers make Olympic Biathlon Team BY MARCUS TRACY Special to the Observer Three Vermont National Guard biathletes will compete in February in the Olympics in Beijing as part of the U.S. Biathlon Team, with an additional member named as an alternate. Sean Doherty and Leif Nordgren, experienced Olympians, will compete on the men’s side, and Deedra Irwin will make her first Olympic appearance for the women’s team. Vaclav Cervenka will serve as men’s alternate and make his Olympic debut if needed. “I couldn’t be more proud,” National Guard Biathlon Coordinator Kevin Elmer said. “I know all of the work and dedication our

athletes and coaches put in every day and now they will get to represent their country at the pinnacle of athletic competition.” Biathlon involves cross-country skiing between rifle ranges. Participants shoot at targets at 50 meters distance. Training helps soldiers shoot accurately after moving quickly across snow-covered terrain. The Guard’s biathletes train at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho. “It’s still sort of surreal,” Irwin said. “You dream about something and chase it with everything you’ve got and now to be able to compete in the Olympics, I am just so honored and I can’t wait to compete in Beijing.”

most important part is just being consistent so I can perform the way I train.” The team will head to Los Angeles on Jan. 25 to get Covid tests, then fly to China two days later. Once there, Nick is not sure what to expect. Even the team’s participation in the opening ceremonies is up in the air as both competitors and the hosts reckon with Covid concerns before the Games begin on Feb. 3. “I was very excited for opening ceremonies but I’m not sure if we’ll be able to do that or not,” Nick said. “I’m just trying to take it day by day at this point and try not to get too excited and look too

far ahead because when it comes down to it, I just want to perform there the way that I’ve been training. That’s what I’m focused on right now.” While Nick focuses on her skiing, her family in Shelburne is excited to cheer her on when she hits the slopes. “Behind every athlete is a support system that a lot of people don’t get to see. And I am super grateful for my family, my friends, my past coaches, past teammates, all who have helped me get here,” Nick said. “I want to give them the credit that they deserve because I would not be here without all of them.”

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Page 10 • Williston Observer • January 20, 2022

SPORTS

Redhawks back on winning track Alison Bates scored nine of her 16 points in the second quarter to help CVU to a 46-24 win over South Burlington on Saturday. Bates led all scorers with 16 points, while Elise Berger added eight points and five rebounds. Ellie Mjaanes chipped in with eight points and four blocks. With the win, the Redhawks move to 6-1.

With the loss, CVU-MMU falls to 5-2.

GIRLS HOCKEY

GYMNASTICS

South Burlington 2, Champlain Valley-Mount Mansfield 1 (OT): The Champlain Valley-Mount Mansfield co-op team fell in overtime to South Burlington on Saturday. Sasha Miller scored for the CougarHawks, while Sabrina Brochu had the assist. Grace Ferguson stopped 18 shots.

BOYS HOCKEY

Champlain Valley 4, Rutland 3: The Champlain Valley boys hockey team moved to 3-4-1 with a win over Rutland on Saturday. Travis Stroh tallied twice for the Redhawks, while Devon Fay and Nic Menard each added a goal. St. Johnsbury 131.65, Champlain Valley 128.4: Champlain Valley fell to St. Johnsbury in a meet on Thursday. Ruby Opton earned first place in the beam and second in the overall competition, while Warner Barbic was second in bars. — Lauren Read

Redhawk Maddie Bunting brings the ball up court during CVU’s game vs. the South Burlington Wolves on Friday in South Burlington. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

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Williston Observer

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Redhawk Ellie Mjaanes outjumps South Burlington’s Miranda Hayes at the tip.

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January 20, 2022 • Williston Observer • Page 11

SPORTS It takes a team CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Redhawk Grace Thompson drives to the hoop. Nina Zimakas puts up a 3-point shot. Ellie Mjaanes gets into the paint for a layup, top right. Samara Ashooh goes for another 3-point shot. Shelby Companion attempts her 3-point shot from the wing. Elise Ayer, bottom left, makes her foul shot. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

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Gov. Scott proposes $7.7 billion state budget to meet ‘historic moment’

Page 12 • Williston Observer • January 20, 2022

BY LOLA DUFFORT VTDigger

With unprecedented levels of federal aid and record surpluses at the state’s disposal, Gov. Phil Scott outlined a $7.7 billion budget proposal on Tuesday “to make the most of this historic moment.” “There is absolutely no doubt that the economic future of our state will be defined by what we do today,” the Republican governor said during his annual budget address. The state still has more than $500 million in leftover American Rescue Plan Act funds to spend, and another $2.2 billion coming from the Congressional infrastructure package. Federal aid has also sent the economy into hyperdrive, and the state is starting the year with a $320 million surplus across all major funds. But federal money is mostly one-time help, and the state’s economists expect Vermont’s revenues will soon fall back to earth. And even as Scott celebrated the extra cash — and proposed funding a dizzying array of long-deferred priorities — he warned Vermonters not to squander a “once-in-a-lifetime” mo-

ment. “Let’s do our very best to make sure that every negotiation, every decision and every investment withstands the test of time and meets this extraordinary moment. Because we will not get a second chance,” he said. Big-ticket federally funded items in the governor’s budget include $145 million for housing initiatives, nearly $200 million to expand broadband, $51 million for cell towers and another $72 million for water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure. The spending plan also includes a $50 million tax cut package, $50 million to retire certain government debts and $216 million for climate change and community resiliency projects. The budgeting process in Vermont begins with the governor, who takes a first pass at the state’s spending plan. The Vermont House then responds with its version, followed by the Senate. The governor typically delivers his annual budget address in the House chamber, before lawmakers and assorted state officials. But as with so many pandemic-era events — including

‘It’s incredible to be able to sit and listen to a budget address that isn’t about cuts. It isn’t about taking money away from programs. It’s about investing, investing, investing and that is super exciting for the governor. It’s exciting for us.’ Sen. Becca Balint

last year’s speech — this one was a mostly virtual affair. Scott delivered his live-streamed speech at a podium in the Pavilion auditorium, with only a masked smattering of press, security personnel and aides attending in person. Tuesday’s speech leaned heavily on well-trod themes for the third-term governor: affordability, workforce development and the state’s aging population.

His proposed budget does not raise taxes and pitches several tax relief initiatives. Scott wants to send $45 million — half of the Education Fund surplus — back to Vermonters with a one-time property tax rebate. He’s also pitching a combined $50 million tax cut package for military veterans, retirees, low-income workers, people with student loans, nurses and child care workers. Scott’s tax relief package would increase the state’s earned income tax credit, a tax break for low-income workers, and tie Vermont for having the most generous state-level earned income tax credit in the nation. It also would bump the state income tax exemption on Social Security income from $45,000 to $75,000. Nurses and child care workers would each get a $1,000 refundable tax credit. And his plan would eliminate the $2,500 maximum deduction for student loan interest. A retired couple with an income of less than $65,000, including Social Security and a military pension, would go from owing about $1,000 in state income tax to zero, per the governor’s budget plan. And a single child care worker making $18 an hour wouldn’t have to pay any Vermont income tax at all. Democratic leaders in the Legislature expressed ambivalence about Scott’s tax cut proposals when he offered a sneak peek of them in his State of the State address earlier this month. And they are already mulling an alternative: a nearly $60 million tax cut targeted at families with young children. In a joint statement released after the governor’s speech, House Speaker Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, and Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint, D-Windham, criticized his tax cut package for being a mile wide and an inch deep. “At face value, (Scott’s) proposal seems to offer a little relief here, and a little there. The legislature is interested in doing something more significant and focused that will help a broad swath of working families,” Balint and Krowinski wrote. Still, despite sitting across the aisle from Scott, the two Democratic lawmakers also emphasized that their vision for the future shared much in common with the Republican executive. And they expressed similar optimism about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity afforded by federal aid. “It’s incredible to be able to sit

and listen to a budget address that isn’t about cuts. It isn’t about taking money away from programs. It’s about investing, investing, investing and that is super exciting for the governor. It’s exciting for us,” Balint said at a press conference following Scott’s speech. If enacted, the governor’s budget would see the University of Vermont’s annual appropriation increase by $10 million. The state college system would receive a $5 million bump. And Scott, who has long argued that the trades should receive far more attention, wants $10 million to defray the cost of education for those in the trades, like CDL drivers, nurses, plumbers and welders. His spending plan also would direct an additional $12 million to the state’s child care subsidy program for low-income families. Scott is also asking lawmakers to add an additional $8 million to “strengthen local prevention and recovery efforts, expand residential treatment options, and increase employment services.” And he wants to create a $20 million short-term loan initiative modeled after the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program for businesses and nonprofits cash-strapped by the pandemic. Credit agencies have downgraded Vermont’s ratings in recent years because of its high debt load — primarily pension driven — and its aging demographics. The governor is now proposing to spend a little over $50 million to retire several of the state’s outstanding debts, including $22 million in transportation borrowing and another $20 million in general obligation bonds for capital projects. “This will save taxpayers millions in interest payments in the years to come,” Scott said. The governor’s budget also fully funds the state’s current retirement obligations with a combined payment of $394 million. But it is silent on the appropriations required by a pension reform deal recently hashed out between legislative leaders and the state’s public sector unions. In a briefing before Scott’s address, his finance commissioner, Adam Greshin, said the deal had come together too late for the governor to respond inside the budget. “But the governor — as always — is eager and willing to work with the House and the Senate to get to yes with pension reform,” Greshin said. — Sarah Mearhoff contributed to this article.

January 20, 2022 • Williston Observer • Page 13

Omicron continued from page

treat the skier outside no matter how cold it was. Giffin said Canada’s requirement of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of returning to Canada has made many people reluctant to cross the border for weekend patrols at Jay Peak, which he said normally has many patrollers from Canada. At some workplaces, employees get to set the Covid-19 rules. MJ Trask, who teaches at Vermont Adult Learning in Springfield, said she and her colleagues are discussing Covid-19 protocols as the pandemic evolves. They have the choice to teach in person or remotely. She has chosen to continue teaching in person with masks, even in the face of Omicron, out of consideration for the challenges her students would face if forced to learn remotely from crowded apartments. “We were talking about it,” Trask said of her Springfield colleagues. “Should we go remote? And I don’t want to go remote for the simple fact that a lot of our students are already marginalized. How do you instruct someone when they’re in a room with 10 people?” Trask said all the rooms where she meets with a student have air filters. No meeting goes beyond an hour, she said, and everyone eats alone. As of Monday, when she spoke to VTDigger, none of the five Springfield employees had tested positive. Roxanne Vaught, executive director of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, said her organization encourages members to consider mandating vaccinations, masking and ongoing testing for employees.

Ian Carlet owns Locally Social Coffee in St. Johnsbury with his wife, Carli.

er Inn, across the street, which he also owns, came down with Covid-19. He said all other employees were tested, and all tested negative. If any employee shows symptoms, Dorsey said, they get tested. All guests at the Pitcher Inn, he said, must be vaccinated and wear masks in public areas. He said all employees wear masks, and customers not wearing a mask are asked to go back to their vehicle to wait for an employee to bring them their order. People may eat at one of two tables in the store 10 feet apart, but

‘THEY’RE TRYING’

One of Dorsey’s new employees, Kyle LaPine, interviewed after Dorsey spoke to VTDigger, said Dorsey has been trying to make things work for employees and customers. He said signs on the two tables say customers may enjoy their small meal for 10 minutes before getting up and putting their masks back on. LaPine has worked one day a week at the store since early December, just in time to see Omicron take over the country. Even so, he was excited to be around people after almost two years of not working in person. He has

another, remote job that ends in April. Last year, he worked for a month at a lodge in Killington not affiliated with the resort. He said it claimed all employees were vaccinated, and he quit when he realized that was not true. “And the difference between that and Warren is that they’re trying in Warren, and they’re very upfront about the challenges that we’re experiencing, and that’s something that I’m really grateful for,” LaPine said.

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Some employers are requiring vaccinations. Kathleen Govotski, who owns Halladay’s Harvest Barn in Bellows Falls, said all employees are vaccinated and masked. She said a couple of promising job applicants did not get hired because they were not vaccinated. Throughout the pandemic, she said, a couple of employees have come down with Covid-19. Omicron, she said, poses a new challenge. “I think it’s confusing waters that we navigate now,” Govotski said. “It’s hard to hide in your corner forever.” George Dorsey, too, is struggling to get it right. Dorsey, owner of The Warren Store, said Monday that so far there had not been a case of the Omicron variant at the store. Earlier in the pandemic, he said, two employees at the Pitch-

Dorsey said they are not allowed to sit there for a long time. He said the store is putting up propane heaters on the deck by the stream. He’s also breaking with the store’s tradition of being open every day of the year but Christmas. He is closing the store on Wednesdays to give staff members a chance to rest. Dorsey said that, in early summer, he imposed a vaccine mandate. Some employees refused to get vaccinated, he said, so “we parted ways.”

PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

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Page 14 • Williston Observer • January 20, 2022 Linda Bassick on Zoom.

The Dorothy Alling Memorial Library is open for in-person service during the following hours: • Monday/Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. • Tuesday/Thursday/ Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit www.damlvt.org to place holds, apply for a card, renew materials, get updates on programming and access digital offerings. Public wifi is available 24/7 from the patio. Ages 2 and up must wear a mask inside the building.

YOUTH PROGRAMS Children fourth grade and younger must be supervised by a person over 16 years of age. Register for programs online at www. damlvt.org or by calling 878-4918. The library will notify registrants of cancellations or changes.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME ONLINE Mondays, Jan. 24 and 31, 1010:30 a.m. Join Bonnie on Zoom for stories, songs and activities. TEEN NIGHT ONLINE: CREATIVE LETTERING Monday, Jan. 24, 5-6 p.m. Grades 7 and up. Join in online to try out some creative lettering for posters, artworks, journals and more. OUTDOOR STORY TIME Tuesdays, Jan. 25 and Feb. 1, 10-10:30 a.m. Bundle up and join Danielle on the Green for stories, rhymes and songs.

PAJAMA STORY TIME ONLINE Friday, Jan. 28, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Join Bonnie on Zoom for nighttime stories, songs and activities. Pre-K to early elementary. Pajamas encouraged!

ented challenge and earn chances to win prizes. Through March 25. ONLINE GUIDED MEDITATION Fridays, Jan. 21 and 28, 1212:30 p.m. Maryellen Crangle leads a short Zoom meditation.

TO-GO CRAFTS Take home a craft kit, available starting Feb. 1, while supplies last. Valentine’s Wands (Pre-K to 1st grade), Bird Feeder Ornaments (Grades 2-6), 3-D Paper Cactus (Grades 7 and up).

BROWN BAG BOOK DISCUSSION Tuesday, Jan. 25, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Join in online to discuss “The Soul of a Woman” by Isabel Allende. Available as an eBook in LUV/Overdrive or in print from the library.

AFTER-SCHOOL LEGOS & GAMES Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2-3 p.m. Grades K and up. Enjoy the library’s collection of LEGOs and board games.

CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION Wednesday, Jan. 26, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Meet with others online to discuss newsworthy topics.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

SPANISH CONVERSATION MEETUP Wednesday, Jan. 26, 4-5 p.m. Whether you’re fluent or a beginner, join us online for conversation en Español, led by Spanish teacher Elliot Lafferty. Register at www.damlvt.org.

AFTER-SCHOOL CRAFT: MEDITATIVE COLORING Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2-3 p.m. Grades K-8. Come to the library for soothing music and coloring pages.

Online adult programs are held via Zoom. Email programs@ damlvt.org or call 878-4918 to receive an invitation, unless online registration is specified. The library will notify registrants of cancellations or changes.

PRESCHOOL MUSIC ONLINE Thursday, Jan. 27 and Feb. 3, 10:30-11 a.m. Sing along with

ADULT WINTER ONLINE READING CHALLENGE Register at www.damlvt. beanstack.com for our genre-ori-

FINANCIAL WELLNESS SERIES Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m. Join the Opportunities Credit Union online to learn more about common financial topics:

Intro to Credit (Jan. 26), Home Buyer Education (Feb. 2), Protecting Your Money After College (Feb. 9). Register at www. damlvt.org. ADULT CRAFT KIT: PINE CONE OWLS Pick up a kit to make an adorable shelf sitter. Available starting Feb. 1, while supplies last. BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK Feb. 1-12. Take a chance with one of our “blind date” books, where all the contestants are kept under wraps. COOKING MATTERS: HOW TO EAT A PEACH Wednesday, Feb. 2, 12-1 p.m. Join us online to share recipes from this beautiful cookbook. Print copies available at the library. MAH-JONGG Friday, Feb. 4, 1-3 p.m. Play at the library with other community members. All levels. AFTER-HOURS BOOK CLUB Wednesday, Feb. 16, 6:307:30 p.m. Join us online to discuss “The Greater Journey” by David McCullough. Copies available in print from the library or as an eAudiobook on Hoopla.

FIND WORKERS Reach potential employees in Williston, Stowe, South Burlington, Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg, Waitsfield and more…

…with one phone call. Call Rick at 802- 373-2136 or email Rick@willistonobserver.com

January 20, 2022 • Williston Observer • Page 15

Community members reflect on MLK’s lessons, legacy BY SUSAN COTE Observer staff

The Williston community marked Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2022 with a virtual observance hosted by the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club and the Williston Racial Equity Partnership. Over 40 attendees gathered on Zoom Jan. 17 to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and its meaning for us today in a nation still grappling with racial injustice. Event organizer, Debbie Ingram, executive director of Ver-

mont Interfaith Action and a former state senator and Williston selectboard member, kicked off the program with a video depicting images from the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. accompanied by excerpts from his 1965 “We Shall Overcome” speech. Ingram spoke of Dr. King’s role as a prophet giving the “greatest of gifts: hope.” “(He) was telling us there is hope as long as there are people of good will, people who seek to do the right thing, people who seek to live in right relationship with their neighbor – all their

neighbors,” said Ingram. Dennis Francis, a member of the Williston Racial Equity Partnership, described Dr. King’s guiding principles of love and selflessness, of the enormity and consistency of what he was willing to give to the cause of advancing civil rights. Director of the Williston Community Justice Center, Cristalee McSweeney, spoke of King’s “fearless advocacy and leadership,” encouraging the community “not to cower to those who continue to seek a divided nation.”

“What we have done in our local community is not enough,” McSweeney said. Ginger Isham shared the reflections of a relative who travelled to Alabama in the mid-1960s and joined civil rights marches taking place in Montgomery. Velma Tompkins, a white church elder living in Iowa, motivated to reconcile her faith with her own actions, stood side-by-side with black marchers as they faced what she described as “mass hatred in the streets” and the jeers and sneers of public officials. Paul Eyer of the Williston

Federated Church reflected on the power of words and how Dr. King’s words “elevated an entire nation.” The final speaker, Morgan Ackerly, a student at CVU and member of the school’s Racial Alliance Committee, spoke of the importance of seeing oneself represented, of not getting discouraged and of the duty to continue the changes to American society that Dr. King sought. The event closed with Nina Simone’s “Why (The King of Love Is Dead).”

i w ho my t e m HOW DID YOU MEET? For Valentine’s Day, the Williston Observer is looking for the love stories of our community. Do you have one to share? Stories of first meetings, details of the moments when you just knew, the pillars of long relationships and retellings of the romantic moments that have kept you together. We’d love to hear about relationships that started online, or that have survived long distances or that began in a funny or unique way. Please describe the love stories you would like to share with the community in writing and email them to editor@willistonobserver.com by Feb. 7 for publication in the Feb. 10 edition. Prizes will be awarded to those who get published. With love, The Observer team

Williston

Page 16 • Williston Observer • January 20, 2022 release dates: Jan. 22-28, 2022

04 (22)

Next Week: Winter Olympics

Issue 04, 2022

Founded by Betty Debnam

Mini Fact:

A Look at Beijing

There are many ways to get around and explore Beijing, including pedicabs. photo by Peter Krumme

Beijing, China, has been in the news lately since the Winter Olympics are coming up. This week, The Mini Page takes a look at the largest capital city in the world.

Capital

Beijing is the capital of China, which is in Asia. About 21 million people live in Beijing, with about 18 million living in urban districts or suburban townships. Beijing has a very large number of billionaires living in the city and is known as the “billionaire capital of the world.” One of the oldest cities in the world, Beijing has a combination of traditional and modern architecture. photo by Marc Thevenard Gardens, palaces, temples, parks and tombs are spread through the city. Some popular tourist stops are the Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Ming Tombs, Summer Palace, Zhoukoudian, and sections of the Great Wall and Grand Canal. These places are all also United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites. The history of the city goes back three millennia, or 3,000 years.

Nancy

Transportation

The subway is a popular way to travel in Beijing. The network of subways is the longest and busiest in the entire world. Beijing Subway is made up of 23 lines that span 434.5 miles, and it has more than 404 stations. And it’s still expanding! Public buses, trolleys, bicycles, taxis and pedicabs are also popular modes, or types, of photo by doubleaf chen transportation. A pedicab is a three-wheeled vehicle that is operated by a person who pedals. It has room for passengers to sit in a small carriage that is attached.

Names

“Beijing” is the 16th name of the city. Many people have sought power throughout Beijing’s long history, and because of this, it has had many names. The name “Beijing” means “Northern Capital,” and it was given this title in 1403 to differentiate it from Nanjing, the Southern Capital, by the Ming dynasty. The the city was originally called “Ji,” or “Jicheng.” Other former names of the city are: Dadu (The Great Capital); Yanjing (The Yan Capital); Zhongdu (The Central Capital); and Beiping (Central Peace).

Those visiting or living in Beijing have many choices when it comes to cuisine, or food. Beijing has several “snack streets,” which are lined with places selling food. A popular way for a family to photo by gmacfadyen spend an evening in Beijing is by going for a walk to a snack street. Family members will purchase items from vendors, or people who sell food, continue strolling as they finish what they eat, and then stop at another vendor for something else. This process continues until no one in the family is hungry any longer. Beijing’s history is lengthy, and because of this, there are lots of different types of food to try. Popular dishes in this city include: Beijing hotpot (thinly sliced meat and vegetables cooked in a large pot of broth); gangao potatoes (potato slices cooked in an iron pot with crispy pork and chilies, served on top of onions); Jiaozi (dumplings); Beijing roast duck; and spring rolls.

Resources On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPBeijing

At the library:

• “Beijing: A Symmetrical City” by Dawu Yu and Yan Liu • “The Apple Tree” by Jane C. Thai

BY OLIVIA JAIMES

Try ’n’ Find

Mini Jokes

Words that remind us of Beijing are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: ASIA, BEIJING, CAPITAL, CHINA, FOOD, GARDEN, MING, NORTHERN, PALACES, PARKS, PEDICAB, PORK, SNACK, SUBWAY, TEMPLES, TOMBS, VEGETABLES.

Food options

S A A K L M B L K M

E S E C A L A P H F

L N G A T S B M O T

P G V N I P Z O F M

M N M S P O D V H T

E I D K A R V E S I

T J F Z C K D G K Q

P I N O R T H E R N

C E N O G Y I T A N

N B D Y O O D A P E

Peter: What’s one way we know the ocean is friendly? Penelope: It waves!

A E H I H D S B E D

N S W M C I L L I R

I T M I A A U E K A

H J N N K A B S S G

C E A G Y A W B U S

Sites. The history of the city goes back three millennia, or 3,000 years.

Yu and Yan Liu • “The Apple Tree” by Jane C. Thai

Dadu (The Great Capital); Yanjing (The Yan Capital); Zhongdu (The Central Capital); and Beiping (Central Peace).

January 20, 2022 • Williston Observer • Page 17

Try ’n’ Find

Mini Jokes

S A A K L M B L K M

E S E C A L A P H F

L N G A T S B M O T

P G V N I P Z O F M

M N M S P O D V H T

E I D K A R V E S I

T J F Z C K D G K Q

P I N O R T H E R N

C E N O G Y I T A N

N B D Y O O D A P E

Peter: What’s one way we know the ocean is friendly? Penelope: It waves!

A E H I H D S B E D

N S W M C I L L I R

I T M I A A U E K A

H J N N K A B S S G

C E A G Y A W B U S

Eco Note One of the world’s rarest birds of prey appears to be taking a hemispheric grand tour after being spotted almost half a world away from its typical home in Far East Russia, China and Japan. The lone Steller’s sea eagle has so far been spotted this year by birdwatchers in Alaska, Texas and the Canadian Maritime provinces. Experts believed it migrated the wrong way, was blown off course or is just looking for a better home.

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

What to do: 1. Cook broccoli according to the directions on the bag, then pour broccoli into a big bowl. 2. Add water chestnuts and bean sprouts into the big bowl; stir. 3. In a small bowl, combine sesame seeds, soy sauce and garlic powder. 4. Pour soy sauce mixture over vegetables. Mix well. Serves 4.

7 Little Words for Kids Use the letters in the boxes to make a word with the same meaning as the clue. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in the solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle.

1. you use it to buy things (5) 2. something you don’t tell (6) 3. big black bird (5) 4. where the pilot sits (7) 5. what you see in a theater (5) 6. take it easy (5) 7. yummy (9)

REL

VEN

SEC

ICI

RET

COC

OUS

DEL

VIE

MON

Answers: money, secret, raven, cockpit, movie, relax, delicious.

News of the Weird BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Awesome! In what one police officer called a “real-life Lassie situation,” a 1-year-old Shiloh shepherd named Tinsley is being hailed as a hero for saving her owner and another person after a car crash on I-89 in Vermont. WMUR-TV reported that Cam Laundry and his passenger had been ejected when his truck hit a guardrail and went off the road

on Jan. 3. When state troopers and a Lebanon, New Hampshire, police officer found Tinsley on the side of the road, she evaded capture and led them to the scene of the accident. “We were shaken up, didn’t know what was happening,” Laundry said. “Next thing we know, the cops were there, and it was all because of her.” Tinsley’s reward? A venison burger. Follow-up: Laundry has a February court date for driving under the influence. At least Tinsley was sober.

You’ll need: • 1 (10-ounce) bag frozen broccoli • 1 (8-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained • 1 (14-ounce) can bean sprouts, drained • 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

adapted with permission from Earthweek.com

For later: Look in your newspaper for articles about Beijing.

Teachers:

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Chinese Sesame Vegetables

* You’ll need an adult’s help with this recipe.

Cook’s Corner

ronmental manipulation” and if they one day adapt to live out of water, they’ll be able to find food. Um, OK.

But, Why?

Weird Science

The Daily Mail reported that Israeli scientists at Ben-Gurion University have constructed a “fish operated vehicle (FOV)” — a water-filled tank, camera and computer on wheels — and have trained goldfish to “drive” it. In the beginning of the trials, the fish just drove around randomly, but eventually they were able to guide the vehicle toward a food reward by changing the direction they were swimming. The researchers said the experiment proved that fish can “overcome envi-

Russian biologist Vera Emelianenko stumbled across a strange phenomenon in the snow along the White Sea coast, in the Russian Arctic, in December. Bright blue glowing spots were embedded in the snow, Oddity Central reported, and her feet would leave streaks of blue as she walked. Emelianenko collected a sample and examined it under a microscope, where she found tiny aquatic crustaceans called copepods. When she poked them with a needle, they lighted

up blue. The creatures normally live up to 100 meters deep in the ocean, but an expert at the Academy of Science in Moscow thinks they might have been caught in a powerful current that swept them ashore and into the snow.

Awwwwww Alfredo Antonio Trujillo was born at 11:45 p.m. on Dec. 31 at Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, California. Just 15 minutes later, at 12 a.m. on Jan. 1, his twin sister, Aylin Yolanda Trujillo, made her grand entrance, according to NBC Bay Area. Twins born in different years are a rarity, with the chances being about one in 2 million.

Page 18 • Williston Observer • January 20, 2022

SENIORS

Tax breaks for caregivers of elderly parents

Savvy Senior By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any tax breaks that you know of for family caregivers? I help financially support my 82-year-old mother and would like to find out if I can write any of these expenses off on my taxes. Supplemental Sam

Dear Sam, There are actually several tax credits and deductions available to adult children who help look after their aging parents or other relatives. Here are some options along with the IRS requirements to help you determine if you’re

Honor the memory of your beloved pet.

eligible to receive them.

TAX CREDIT FOR OTHER DEPENDENTS

If your mom lives with you and you’re paying more than 50 percent of her living expenses (housing, food, utilities, health care, repairs, clothing, travel and other necessities), and her 2021 gross income was under $4,300, you can claim your mom as a dependent and get a nonrefundable tax credit of up to $500. If you happen to split your mom’s expenses with other siblings, only one of you can claim your mom as a dependent, and that person must pay at least 10 percent of her support costs. This is called a “multiple support agreement.” The IRS has an interactive tool that will help you determine if your mom qualifies as a dependent. Go to www.IRS.gov/help/ ita, scroll down to “Credits,” and click on “Does My Child/ Dependent Qualify for the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents?” MEDICAL DEDUCTIONS

If you claim your mom as a dependent and you help pay her medical, dental and/or long-term It’s never easy to say goodbye to a beloved pet, but a well-chosen pet memorial can help soothe some of the pain and keep your pet’s memory alive. Let us help.

DEPENDENT CARE CREDIT

If you’re paying for in-home care or adult day care for your mom so you are free to work, you might qualify for the Dependent Care Tax Credit which can be worth as much as $4,000. To be eligible, your mom

must have been physically or mentally incapable of self-care and must have lived with you for more than six months. To claim this tax credit, fill out IRS Form 2441 (www.IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/ f2441.pdf) when you file your federal return. FLEXIBLE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

If you have a health savings account (HSA) or your employer offers a flexible savings account (FSA), you can use them to pay for your mom’s medical expenses if she qualifies as a dependent. But be aware that if you use an HSA or FSA to pay for your mom’s medical costs, you can’t take a tax deduction on those expenses too. For more information, see IRS Publication 969, “Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans” at www.IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p969. pdf. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

For Valentine’s Day, the Williston Observer is looking for the love stories of our community. Share your love story by emailing to editor@willistonobserver.com

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care expenses, and weren’t reimbursed by insurance, you can deduct the expenses that are more than 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI). So, for example, if your adjusted gross income is $80,000, anything beyond the first $6,000 of your mom’s medical bills — or 7.5 percent of your AGI — could be deductible on your return. So, if you paid $8,000 in medical bills for her, $2,000 of it could be deductible. You can also include your own medical expenses in calculating the total. You should also know that your state might have a lower AGI threshold, which means you might get a break on your state income taxes even if you can’t get one on your federal income taxes. To see which medical expenses you can and can’t deduct, see IRS Publication 502 at www. IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf.

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January 20, 2022 • Williston Observer • Page 19

CROSSWORD

THE SOLUTION TO THIS PUZZLE CAN BE FOUND AT WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM AND IT WILL BE PRINTED IN NEXT WEEK’S PAPER

This tender olive oil cake is a great way to bake with beautiful citrus at the peak of its season. The olive oil helps to keep the cake moister for longer - in fact, olive oil cake only improves the longer it sits. Serve with whipped cream and fresh berries or simply enjoy the citrusy goodness on its own!

Citrus Olive Oil Cake Ingredients:

Directions:

3 oranges

Preheat oven to 350°F.

1 lemon 1 cup sugar approximately 1/2 cup buttermilk 3 large eggs 2/3 cup fruity tasting, extra virgin olive oil 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt orange compote, for serving (optional) whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Butter a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. Grate the zest from 2 oranges and 1 lemon and place it in a bowl with the sugar. Using your fingers, rub the ingredients together until the zest is evenly distributed in the sugar. Supreme 2 oranges: Cut off the bottom and top of the orange so the fruit is exposed and the orange can stand upright on a cutting board. Cut away the peel and pith, following the curve of the fruit with your knife. Cut the orange segments out of their connective membranes and let them fall into a bowl. Break the segments up in to small pieces. Cut the remaining orange in half and squeeze the juice into a measuring cup; you will have about 1/4 cup of juice. Add enough of the buttermilk to the juice so you have 2/3 cup liquid altogether. Pour the mixture into bowl with the sugar and whisk well. Whisk in the eggs and olive oil. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ones. Fold in the pieces of orange segments. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake your cake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until it is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 5 minutes, then unmold the cake and let it continue to cool to room temperature. Serve with whipped cream and compote (below), if desired. For the orange compote: Supreme 3 more oranges according to directions above. Drizzle in 1 to 2 teaspoons honey and 1 tsp orange blossom water. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir gently.

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Page 20 • Williston Observer • January 20, 2022

OBITUARIES Leon J. Lestage, 83, resident of Williston, Vermont passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 5 2022 while surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Burlington Vt on August, 28, 1938 to Clement J Lestage and Mable (King) Lestage. Leon grew up and attended schools in Burlington and Essex Vt. Leon will sadly be missed by his loving wife Dixie (Jimmo) Lestage, his children Michelle Jimmo of Hinesburg, his son Jay (Krystal) of Huntington and very special and only grandson Tyler of Charlotte. Leon also leaves his godson Pieter Jimmo of Seymour Connecticut. He leaves a brother Clement (Midori) of Seattle Washington, his sisters Barb (Richard) Lamos of St Albans and Mary Anne (Theodore) Cook of Colchester and Nancy of New York. He was predeceased by his sister Jane McWilliams and brother William Lestage. Leon leaves many cousins, nieces, nephews and very special friends; Doug and Irene Brown. Leon had a lot of interests and worked at many different types of jobs throughout his lifetime, his last and most recent

being a crossing guard at the Essex/Westford School District. Leon really enjoyed this role and helping to keep the children safe. During the eighties and nineties Leon traveled all over Vermont selling baseball hats and t-shirts at local fairs and small town country stores and was affectionately known as “Mr. Shoes”. Leon became a certified and bonded locksmith and worked as a locksmith for the last twenty years. Leon was adept in picking house locks and autos in surprisingly no time at all and helped people obtain their belongings. Leon and Dixie operated the Fit For A King Catering business for over 20 years. Leon was the sous chef but affectionately also known as the “Social Butterfly” and head “PR representative”. Many might remember Leon as their bus driver as he drove for Chittenden South Supervisory Union School District for all ages. Leon was known to dress up in costume each Halloween as he drove the bus. Prior to driving the school bus Leon also worked in the CVU Athletic Department maintaining the fields and

Leon J. Lestage

athletic equipment. He ran boys intramural basketball and weekend adult basketball. He served on several fire department and rescue squads including being one of the first members on the Iroquois First Response and Hinesburg Fire Department. He was sent to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and rode the ambulance for eight weeks to become the first certified EMT in Vermont. Many may remember that Leon spent many years studying and gathering information and artifacts of the Vermont

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State Police to support his goal of writing a book about their history. He was in the process of completing this project and the work will continue to move forward in honor of him. This project was near and dear to his heart. When Leon moved to the Williston area he enjoyed being able to casually walk to local business. Leon loved animals and he was often seen pushing his cat “Doc” in his kitty stroller around the community. He was a busy man, he loved his family and was especially proud of his children and grandchild’s accomplishments and memorable moments spent with them. He had a quick wit, sense of humor and infectious personality and a super charismatic nature. Leon enjoyed life to the fullest by participating in many types of activities. He and Dixie attended many farmers markets, particularly the Shelburne Farmers Market. They enjoyed hunting for bargains and treasures at garage sales. They were both members of Shelburne Farms and visited there regularly. Leon enjoyed riding e-bikes and kayaking along the Lamoille

Valley with the goal of crossing the finish line at the Lost Nation Brewery in Morrisville. Leon and Dixie visited wineries and taste testings around New England with family and friends particularly with brother-in-law Elwin Jimmo and wife Sieka. Leon was an avid sportsman for many years hunting/fishing with friends and family. Leon was involved with the Hinesburg Boy Scouts for many years and traveled with them to Pennsylvania on an outdoor camping trip. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed reaping the harvest. He entered many vegetables at the fair and took many higher placed ribbons. A Celebration of Life will be held late Spring (2022) at the family’s convenience. Donations in his memory may be made to the Vermont Police Canine Association https:// www.vtk9.com/shop.html or The Michael Zemanek Memorial Foundation that supports police officers/families https:// w w w. m z m f .o r g / h o m e . h t m l . Please visit www.awrf h.com to share your memories and condolences.

Raymond William Newman Raymond William Newman, 95, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2022. Raymond was born in Brooklyn, NY to Charles and Elizabeth Newman (Keyes) and was happily married to Beverly Ann Newman (Merriam) for over 67 years. Raymond is survived by his wife Beverly, children; Robert and Lynn Newman of Underhill, Kevin Newman of St. George, Deborah and David Russell of Milton, Craig and Julia Newman of Alvin, TX, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Raymond served in the US Air Force as a Military Policeman and worked as a Facilities Maintenance Technician for IBM Essex Junction for over 28 years. Raymond was a dedicated member of the St. John Vianney Knights of Columbus Council 7525. His hobby and passion was time spent with his precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be loved and missed dearly. The family will have a private funeral at the St. George

Cemetery. Memorial donations may be sent to Knights of Columbus, St. John Vianney Council 7525, 160 Hinesburg Road, So. Burlington, VT 05403. Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude for the loving care given by South Harbor Assisted Living, Bayada Hospice and Green Mountain Nursing. Arrangements are in care of Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant Street, Essex Junction, VT.

WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM

January 20, 2022 • Williston Observer • Page 21

Jan. 2 at 1:22 a.m. — Williston Police responded to assist Vermont State Police with an alarm activation on VT Route 15. Jan. 2 at 12:39 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Industrial Avenue. Jan. 2 at 1:01 p.m. — Police responded to a report of fraud on Boxwood Street. Jan. 2 at 1:29 p.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle complaint on Williston Road. The officer could not locate the vehicle in question. Jan. 2 at 4:01 p.m. — Police responded to a report of vandalism on Holland Lane. Jan. 2 at 5:46 p.m. — Police responded to a 911 hang-up on Stirrup Circle. Upon arrival, the officer confirmed that there was no emergency before clearing the scene. Jan. 2 at 7:11 p.m. — Police assisted Vermont State Police in responding to a vehicle collision on Huntington Road. Jan. 3 at 4:28 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a noise disturbance at Maple Tree Place. Upon arrival, the officer confirmed there was no

noise. Jan. 3 at 7:20 a.m. — Police responded to a report of an ordinance violation at Taft Corners Shopping Center. The officer educated the individuals regarding the ordinance. Jan. 3 at 8:21 a.m. — Police responded to assist Vermont State Police on Interstate 89. Jan. 3 at 10:10 a.m. — Police completed multiple VIN verifications on Mountain View Road. Jan. at 1:28 p.m. — Police assisted Vermont State Police with a motor vehicle stop on Harvest Lane. Jan. 3 at 3:07 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a traffic hazard on Mountain View Road. Police notified the Department of Transportation of the traffic congestion. Jan. 3 at 4:37 p.m. — Police conducted a background check for local employment. Jan. 3 at 5:35 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Williston Road. Jan. 3 at 6:19 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Cypress Street. Jan. 3 at 7:46 p.m. — Police provided

a case number for property damage on Route 2A. Jan. 4 at 8:10 a.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Read Road. Jan. 4 at 7:12 p.m. — Police responded to a report of trespassing on Harvest Lane. Jan. 5 at 3:35 a.m. — Police assisted Williston Fire Department with a medical call on Harvest Lane. Jan. 5 at 8:50 a.m. — K9 Duke responded to interact with students on Central School Drive. Jan. 5 at 11:22 a.m. — Police completed multiple background checks for local employment. Jan. 5 at 11:37 a.m. — Police located an unsecured premise on Retail Way while on patrol. The officer cleared the building before securing it and leaving the scene. Jan. 5 at 1:10 p.m. — Police responded to a report of retail theft on Cypress Street. Jan. 5 at 2:36 p.m. — Police responded to assist Williston Fire Department with a fire alarm on South Brownell Road. Jan. 5 at 2:50 p.m. — Police assisted a citizen regarding their possessions on Williston Road. Jan. 5 at 4:42 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a traffic hazard on Marshall Avenue. Upon arrival, the officer could not locate the individual. Jan. 5 at 4:47 p.m. — Police respond-

ed to assist Williston Fire Department with a medical call on Oak Hill Road. Jan. 6 at 12:38 a.m. — Police conducted a commercial vehicle inspection as a result of a traffic stop on Essex Road. Jan. 6 at 4:14 a.m. — Police responded to assist Williston Fire Department with an alarm activation on Walnut Walk. Jan. 6 at 7:55 a.m. — Police responded to assist Williston Fire Department on Sunset Hill Road. Jan. 6 at 8:43 a.m. — Police responded to assist Vermont Fish and Wildlife on East Hill Road. Jan. 6 at 12:10 p.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle collision on Williston Road. Jan. 6 at 12:47 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Harvest Lane. Jan. 6 at 12:56 p.m. — Police completed multiple VIN verifications on Mountain View Road. Jan. 6 at 3:35 p.m. — Police responded to a report of retail theft at Maple Tree Place. Jan. 6 at 4:29 p.m. — Police completed a welfare check on Isham Circle. Jan. 6 at 5:49 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Williston Road. Jan. 6 at 10:07 p.m. — Police responded to an alarm activation on Marshall Avenue. Jan. 7 at 2:18 p.m. — Police com-

pleted a welfare check on Holland Lane. Jan. 7 at 2:30 p.m. — Police responded to a 911 hang-up on Holly Court. Upon arrival, the officer confirmed that there was no emergency. Jan. 7 at 4:24 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Essex Road. Jan. 7 at 6:10 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious behavior on Harvest Lane. Upon arrival, Williston Fire Department responded to evaluate an individual before they were released. Jan. 7 at 6:50 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Hawthorne Street. Jan. 8 at 2:47 p.m. — Police responded to assist Williston Fire Department with a medical call on Blair Park Road. Jan. 8 at 5:01 p.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle complaint at Maple Tree Place. Upon arrival, the vehicle was not on the scene. Jan. 8 at 7:34 p.m. — Police assisted a citizen on Harvest Lane. The incidents above are not a full recount of police activity, rather a highlight of some of the events that occurred. Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorneys Office and can be amended or dropped.

Public works scholarships available The New England chapter of the American Public Works Association is offering three scholarships for students. Applications are available at www.newengland. apwa.net. The Tim O’Leary Scholarship is for students attending an undergraduate degree program, graduate degree program or vocational technical school. It offers $1,250 per semester for a total of $2,500. There are five awards to be given out. The Crombie PWX scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship to attend the National Public Works Convention in 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. There will only be one award given. The Career Advancement Scholarship will be given to those who are committed to the public works profession who are seeking opportunities to advance within their department. Awards will be up to $1,000 in each of the New England states: Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

AMERICA’S DEADLIEST SHOOTINGS ARE ONES WE DON’T TALK ABOUT AMERICA’S DEADLIEST SHOOTINGS On any given day in America, an average of 63 of ourABOUT mothers, ARE ONES WE DON’T TALK brothers, partners, and friends are taken from us by gun suicide. But tomorrow’s deaths could be loved ones On any given day in America, an prevented. average of Give 63 ofyour our mothers, abrothers, second chance atand life. friends Store your locked, partners, are guns takensafely: from us by gununloaded, suicide. and from ammo. But away tomorrow’s deaths could be prevented. Give your loved ones a second chance at life. Store your guns safely: locked, unloaded, and away from ammo.

EndFamilyFire.org EndFamilyFire.org

Page 22 • Williston Observer • January 20, 2022

CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA Tuesday, February 8, 2022 – 7:00 PM Town Hall Meeting Room, (7900 Williston Road) or Zoom Meeting ID 864 8114 4825 on zoom. us/join or call 1-646-558-8656 Due to COVID-19, virtual participation on Zoom is strongly encouraged. Masks required indoors.

DP 10-34.5 (Changed from DP 22-05) Chittenden Solid Waste District c/o Sarah Reeves (Executive Director) requests preapplication review of a proposed access and scale house for the Organic Diversion Facility including an access road with scale, conversion of a residential home to a scale house, parking area, utilities and stormwater system located at 860 Redmond Road in the IZDE. Project details and site plans are available online, go to bit.ly/DRBagendas. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802-878-6704 or email planning@willistonvt.org

HP 22-01 Andrew and Angie Conforti request a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the windows at 23 Old Stage Road located in the Additional Review Area of the VZD.

LEGAL Notice of Public Hearing Amendments to Williston Unified

Development Bylaw: Taft Corners Form-Based Code and Town Official Map TOWN OF WILLISTON February 1, 2022, 7:00 PM Zoom Meeting ID 158 006 871 at zoom.us/join or call (646) 558-8656 Police Station Meeting Room, 7928 Williston Road The Williston Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider amendments to the Williston Unified Development Bylaw. Public comment at this hearing is welcomed and encouraged. Due to COVID-19, virtual participation is strongly recommended. Masks are required indoors regardless of vaccination status. The proposed amendments to the Town’s Unified Development Bylaw will replace

most of the zoning requirements in the Taft Corners Growth Center with a Form-Based Code Overlay District, will establish an Official Map for all of Williston, and will generally include: • A Regulating Plan that specifies the location and type of new streets, alleys, bike paths, public parks, and green spaces to be constructed and dedicated as a requirement of new development in Taft Corners and also identifies parking setbacks and building build-to lines, • Architectural Requirements for all new buildings in the Form-Based Code Overlay District • Building Form Standards regulating building height, maximum width and footprint, and placement in the FormBased Code Overlay District • An Amended Zoning Map showing the

boundaries of the Form-Based Code Overlay District • A Town-wide Official Map showing planned public streets, paths, trails, green spaces and facilities within and outside of the Form-Based Code overlay District • General amendments to WDB Chapters 1-46 to incorporate the Form-Based Code into the existing bylaws. The proposed form-based code language, bylaw amendments, amended zoning map and new official map may be viewed at the Williston Planning Office, 7878 Williston Road or online at this link: https://bit.ly/ mytaftcorners Contact Matt Boulanger at the Williston Planning Office at (802) 878-6704 or mboulanger@willistonvt.org for additional information.

NOW HIRING The City of Burlington, Department of Public Works is hiring for the following positions: • Fleet Maintenance Technician • Recycle Truck Driver • Water Distribution Field Technician • Seasonal roles • Customer Service Associate – Water Resources Hiring Bonuses: Up to $2,000 for regular fulltime positions Up to $1000 for seasonal positions plus on call pay

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Page 24 • Williston Observer • January 20, 2022

Masks continued from page

viewed for an Energy Committee seat earlier in the meeting and who owns RehabGYM in Williston, asked the board not to extend the mandate. She said masks restrict the flow of oxygen into the body during physical exercise. The board has declined to consider exemption requests from gym owners. “We are not able to allow our members to exercise in the best way they should for their health,” Gutwin said. Since the mandate went into

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were already “stale” before the price surge of the past 20 months. Williston’s appeal is based on Hinman’s belief that the state inequitably weighted commercial,

place.” In voting to extend the mandate, selectboard member Greta D’Agostino said she wears a mask to protect those around her, a concept Petty declined to address when he was asked by board member Ted Kenney. “It’s a step we can take to protect each other,” D’Agostino said. “I feel it’s imperative.” Board member Jeff Fehrs said he was following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the Vermont Department of Health guidance in voting to extend the mandate.

industrial and residential categories in its valuation study. If the appeal is denied, the town would have to begin planning its reassessment this year and have it completed within three years. Hinman said the

contractors that municipalities hire to complete reassessments will be in short supply during that time frame due to the number of reassessments going on simultaneously across the state.

Rack Distribution

Williston

Williston Adams Farm Market Belle’s Café Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Fairfield Inn Gardener’s Supply

effect in early December, the Williston Police Department has been called several times a week to retail stores to handle maskless customers, but has yet to issue the $50 fine that the mandate authorizes. “When officers respond, it is usually due to a request by a store manager or property owner,” Police Department Spokesperson Rowan Derby said in an email to the Observer. “If they wish for the individuals to be escorted off the premises of the business, our law enforcement officers assist with that, as well as reminding them about the ordinance in the first

Green Mountain Bagel Hannaford Healthy Living Williston Korner Kwik Stop Marriott Courtyard Men At Wok People’s United Bank

Ramunto’s Rehab Gym Shaw’s Shell Gas Station (Essex Rd) Simon’s Mobil Williston Simply Divine Café Sunoco Station

Towne Place Suites Town of Williston Offices UPS Store Williston Coffee Shop Essex Junction Essex Automotive Five Corner Variety Hannaford Inn at Essex

Mac’s Market Martone’s Deli Price Chopper Quality Bake Shop River Road Beverage Richmond Richmond Market Sweet Simone’s

Almanac ANDREWS

MCMEEL

The 20th day of 2022 is the 31st day of winter.

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1841, China ceded the island of Hong Kong to the British. • In 1920, the American Civil Liberties Union was founded. • In 1981, the Iran hostage crisis ended as 52 American captives were released in Tehran, just after President Jimmy Carter left office. • In 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the first African American president. • In 2016, Donald Trump, 70, was sworn in as the oldest first-term U.S. president. TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: George Burns (1896-1996), actor/comedian; Federico Fellini (1920-1993), director; DeForest Kelley (1920-1999), actor; Slim Whitman (1923-2013), singer-songwriter; Patricia Neal (1926-2010), actress; Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin (1930- ), astronaut; David Lynch (1946- ), director; Paul Stanley (1952- ), singer-songwriter; Bill Maher (1956- ), comedian/TV host; R.A. Salvatore (1959- ), author; Ozzie Guillen (1964- ), baseball player/manager; Rainn Wilson (1966- ), actor; Questlove (1971- ), musician. TODAY’S FACT: Martin Luther King Jr. Day was celebrated as a federal holiday for the first time on this day in 1986. TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1892, the first official basketball game was played in Springfield, Massachusetts. The two nine-man teams used a soccer ball and peach baskets. TODAY’S QUOTE: “How do you plan a rebirth? I’m not sure you do. You just stand in the darkness until you can’t endure it any longer, and then you move forward until you’re standing in the light.” — Questlove TODAY’S NUMBER: 444 — days the hostages were held in the U.S. embassy in Iran. TODAY’S MOON: Between full moon (Jan. 17) and last quarter moon (Jan. 25).

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