BY KARSON PETTY Community News Service
“The hiring pool for the CVU activities director was as compet itive as I can remember,” Bunting said. “Many, many excellent educa torsRickyapplied.is doing fantastic so far,” he added.FromApril through August, out going Activities Director Dan Shep ardson has taught McCollum the ropes. McCollum said he couldn’t ask for a better mentor. “Dan and I have a great relation ship,” he said, “I shadowed him as much as I McCollumcould.”wants to honor Shep ardson’s philosophy and method ology, but he also has new ideas to introduce.“It’simportant to continue to build upon the legacy that came be fore,” he McCollumsaid. was himself a stu dent-athlete when he started on the path to his current administrative position. He was All-State in bas see McCOLLUM
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“There was a serious possibil ity that they would have to shutter the Vermont TM Center and move back to Iowa,” McCullough said. “That would be a very bad out come for our community and not the best outcome for them. They enjoy being TM instructors and loveMcCulloughVermont.” and his wife Lucy received about $1.3 million for their 2019 sale of the Catamount Outdoor Family Center property to the Town of Williston, creating the publicly owned Catamount Community Forest on Governor Chittenden Road. The proper ty had been in the McCullough family since the mid-19th century. No longer stewards of the family farm, the McCulloughs were now entrusted at least with the assets they received in exchange. Their original plan was to invest the money in the stock market. This year, as the stock market has fallen and real estate values have risen, they have reassessed their“Theplan.proceeds from the sale of our farm has a huge important sentimental value to myself and our family,” said McCullough. “We saw it rapidly declining in the stockMcCulloughmarket.” has always ad mired a 10-acre piece of land across from Trinity Baptist Church on Mountain View Road. There’s a home on it that over looks a meadow, quite similar to the parcel where the TM Center of Vermont has operated since 2012, and no more than a mile away. McCullough knew the owners, the Haines family, from his time campaigning for the Legislature. Looking to move assets off of Wall Street, and knowing the per il that the TM center was in, the McCulloughs grasped the oppor tunity.InJuly, the couple closed on a $750,000 purchase of the Haines Jim and Lucy McCullough at the Catamount Community Forest.
OBSERVER FILE PHOTO see McCULLOUGH page 24
McCulloughs save
Transcendental Meditation center
About halfway through Jim McCullough’s 20-year legislative career, he began practicing Tran scendental Meditation. The Wil liston representative and founder of the Catamount Outdoor Family Center credits the practice with an immeasurable improvement in his personal and professional life, his ability to handle stress, his overall health and his ability communi cate with people. “It has been very helpful in making me a more effective and happier, more comfortable per son,” McCullough said. “That’s what happens when you ‘tran scend,’ which means, go beyond, you start connecting with greater wisdom.”McCullough retired from the Legislature this year. At the same time, the Transcendental Meditation Center of Vermont on Route 2A in Williston where he first learned the practice from teachers Janet and Edward Smith was facing an uncertain future. The 10-acre property where the Smiths lived and taught for the past decade — operating the only TM center in northern Vermont — was recently sold and their rent hiked beyond their means. In June, the new owner, Cody Rice, received preliminary approval from the Development Review Board to subdivide the property into a 30-home neighborhood. “With the new owner, the rent was a lot higher,” Janet Smith said. “We’re a nonprofit educational or ganization, so the income is pretty limited. And we realized, we just can’t sustain this.”
The center, she added, would be ill-suited to operate in the type of residential neighborhood that is planned, or, certainly, during a years-long construction period.
Ricky McCollum is bringing years of experience from every level of student athletics to his new role at Champlain Valley Union High School.McCollum was chosen to over see CVU’s co-curriculars by a hir ing team that consisted of students, teachers, staff, coaches and commu nity members. His commitment to ensuring that students always feel a sense of belonging and allowing them to develop life-long healthy habits is what makes McCollum the right fit for the job, according to CVU principal Adam Bunting.
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
PRSRT STD US POSTALWilliston,VTPermitPAIDPostage#1505495CUSTOMERECRWSS AUGUST 25, 2022 WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985 WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM Williston Formerly New Balance Williston in Maple Tree Place | Open: Tuesday-Friday 10-6 | Saturday 10-4 | Call 802-288-9090 Top Brand Athletic Shoes from Hoka, New Balance, Brooks, Saucony & More Expert Shoe Fitting, Free Gait Analysis, On-Site Medical Shoe Modifications| CVU’s new AD hits therunningground
Clara and Frank Metcalf appear in this undated photograph by L. L. McAllister.
The May 3, 1916 edition of The Burlington Free Press adver tised land for sale at Taft Corners: “To settle estate, Taft Farm … 117 acres good loam land on north side of road, 100 of which under tillage, balance good cut of hemlock tim ber with brook water ...” This land would become the ba sis for the Metcalf Farm. No farm would be complete without a part nership like the one Frank Metcalf (1887-1969) and Laura Goodrich (1885-1952) began when they wed in 1911. A notice of Frank and Lau ra’s wedding appeared under the headline “Underhill,” announcing local travels made to and from the town by visitors: “Frank Metcalf and Miss Laura Goodrich were married last Friday evening (June 30) at the bride’s home in Rich mond where they were taken by Charles Scribner in his automo bile.”Frank and Laura’s marriage was unusual in that she worked outside the home after the wedding. As early as 1913, there is mention of her as a substitute teacher at “the graded school” in Williston, when the regular teacher was unable to work due to a fire at her home. Frank was 30 when the first draft for World War I was required in June 1917. The cut-off age for the draft was 31, and he’d barely started his farm at Taft Corners. So why didn’t he have to go to war?
Page 2 Williston Observer August 25, 2022 Shelburne Road, S. Burlington Maple Tree Place, GetBlissBee.comWilliston #getblissbee backwelcomehomeroom Tag @umallvt to win one of 18 $100 gift cards for your fave back to school outfit. Visit fb.com/umallvt for more information. A biweekly trip down memory lane with members of the Williston Historical Society Exploring Finney Crossing’s history as the Metcalf Farm BY MX. JYLL ALLEN Special to the Observer
In 1939, Herbert Goodrich, Jr., Frank’s great-nephew recalled: “I earned $17 for a summer’s worth of work on that farm and used it to buy my first bicycle …” He remem bers wanting to participate in farm work but was prohibited by Frank from doing so sometimes. In 1941, no doubt feeling his years, Frank placed a want ad look ing for a “MARRIED MAN--On farm. Permanent. House, wood, milk and garden furnished.” In 1942, at age 55, Frank was drafted for World War II, but didn’t go be cause of his age. Being prominent dairy farmers, Frank and Laura were continually active in the Thomas Chittenden Grange in Williston. Frank and Laura also found involvement in their local church, another social outlet.In1952, Laura died. It is worth noting that, in an era when women were expected to be homemakers and engage primarily in social ac tivities with other women, Laura’s obituary touts her education and her teaching career: “Mrs. Met calf was a graduate of Richmond High School and Castleton Normal School, who taught in Underhill and Williston for several years,” it says. In January 1953, Goodrich fi nally got to help his great uncle Frank. Remember that “new barn” finished in 1926? Well, 27 years later, Frank replaced the original ventilation system with new air ducts. Frank asked Goodrich to run the farm, which he did until 1954. While Frank and Laura were actively farming in Williston, the woman who would become Frank’s second wife, Clara, was busy mak ing a family with her first husband, Carroll Burns (1865-1943), in Jeri cho. Clara had wed Carroll in 1901, and they had two children, Edna andClaraEarl. participated in farm ing-related activities while married to Carroll. During the 1920s and 1930s, she hosted many meetings of the Farm Bureau in her home.
“Home demonstration groups,” organized by farm bureaus in ru ral agricultural towns, provided an opportunity for women to get together and socialize while learn ing something about farming. The linchpin of these functions were the home demonstrations: presen tations about a topic, such as can ning, or making housework easier. Sometimes, the demonstrations were given by the local (male) agricultural agent and sometimes the women themselves presented. Clara was also a member of the Mount Mansfield Women’s Club, a group that gathered monthly to listen to presentations about Ver mont.By February 1953, Frank and Clara were dating. On April 8, 1953, Clara, 70, wed Frank, 66, in a small ceremony, accompanied by Clara’s son from her first marriage, Earl, and his wife. Two years later the couple sold
In 1917, there were no buildings on the 117-acre property, so Frank and Laura spent their first six months living in tents.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOYCE GOODRICH
Research reveals Frank was likely exempt on the grounds that his de pendent spouse, Laura, would have insufficient income to survive if he wasThedrafted.acreage was far from the utopia portrayed in the newspaper. In 1917, there were no buildings on the 117-acre property, so Frank and Laura spent their first six months living in tents. With no structures and no reliable water source, the undeveloped state of the property might have tempted some men to join the war effort, but not Frank. Water could not be located, so Frank tried dowsing and used “a crotched stick” to locate two aqui fers. What about the newspaper ad vertisement’s promise of a “good cut of hemlock timber?” In reality, these trees took up valuable plant ing land. Undaunted, Frank cut them down. During their first season, the Metcalfs’ farm only produced beans and hay. However, the tra dition of the overselling advertise ment is as American as the success of pulling oneself out of dire straits through diligence and tenacity. Indeed, the 1930 profile of Frank and Laura in The Burlington Free Press, clearly meant to boost spirits of readers in the Great De pression, reassures other locals that they can get back on their feet by following the Metcalfs’ example. The article boasts that Laura taught from 1920 to 1924 to help pay off the home and put money toward “a real barn.” (The newspaper im plies Laura only had to teach for four years out of monetary neces sity, after which she returned to the more socially appropriate role of farmer’s wife.) By 1922, the couple was out of debt. They had increased their dairy herd to 112 head and sup plemented their income by renting out a neighbor’s farm. By 1924, they purchased “a pleasure car” that doubled as a hauling/delivery vehicle. They also bought various gas-powered dairy devices. Lau ra officially quit teaching in 1924 and started selling hens on the side. In winter 1925 and spring 1926, Frank, using a portable saw mill, began to clear the wood lot in preparation for the new barn. In March 1926, the couple’s only child, an infant girl, died. By July 1926, a new, much larg er barn was erected, with the pro ceeds from two barn dances pay ing to shingle the roof. The barn came with modernizations like a hay fork and electric lights. The house now had two porches, a coal furnace, a bath and electricity.
For a limited time, Efficiency Vermont is offering free pickups of old appliances, plus cash Subject to availability and eligibility Free
The emergency helicopter from Dartmouth-Hitchcock hospital lands Saturday on the Trinity Baptist Church campus on Mountain View Road in Williston as part of a community Touch-a-Truck event. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO
August 25, 2022 Williston Observer Page 3 • $50 for each working standalone freezer or secondary refrigerator • $20 for each working dehumidifier, mini fridge, or window AC Learn more: efficiencyvermont.com/recycle or call 888-998-6323
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Community gets up-close ‘copter view at Trinity Baptist Church
Mx. Jyll Allen resides in Burlington, where they composed this article as research for their father, Williston historian Richard Allen. This article was originally published under the title “Lives and Times of Frank, Laura and Clara Metcalf.”
back:
‘I earned $17 for a summer’s worth of work on that farm and used it to buy my first bicycle …’ Herbert Goodrich Jr. the farm and moved to Essex Junc tion. They spent their remaining years together traveling to visit friends and family. Frank died at 82, and Clara outlived him by 11 years. In her later years, she was regularly active with the Essex Junction Senior Center. The farm passed through sev eral owners and eventually became the Hardscrabble Horse Farm across from Maple Tree Place. To day the land has been developed as Finney Crossing, a mixture of commercial and residential units. The story of Frank, Laura and Clara Metcalf represents the lives of three Vermonters in the 20th century. No matter their successes or setbacks, the historical record shows them making the most of their years.
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From police to public works, recycling trucks to race cars, a wide variety of vehicles were on display Saturday at a community Touch-a-Truck event organized by Trinity Baptist Church mem ber Martha Kinsey. According to Pastor Rob McIlwaine, the church planned the event to show gratitude to local public ser vants, welcome the community to its campus and provide an op portunity for people to interact with specialty vehicles up close. The Williston Fire Department brought its rear-mounted ladder truck, Engine 1, and an ambu lance. Many of the department’s new recruits were in attendance to interact with community members. Williston Police offi cers provided 14 car seat installa tions along with several car seat inspections. Police comfort dog Duke also drew a large crowd. The Dorothy Alling Memorial Library’s bookmobile, Dottie, offered books and crafts; the Williston Public Works Depart ment’s road grader and dump truck were fan favorites; Sus tainable Williston attended with an electric school bus; Vermont State Police brought a patrol boat and cruisers; and the Vermont Agency of Transportation sent a line striper and the snow plow named by Trinity Baptist School during the last school year. One of the biggest highlights was the UVM Medical Center ambulances and the arrival of the Dartmouth helicopter. Guests of all ages enjoyed watching the helicopter circle and land, es pecially as the draft provided a welcome breeze on a hot day.
“In a time when division is more common than unity, this event provided an opportunity for the community to focus on common interests and express gratitude for the work that has often been ignored and under-appreciated, especially during the pandemic,” McIlwaine said. “Trinity Baptist Church would like to express their gratitude to all partici pants and thank the visitors who came.”
Williston artist showcased at Jericho gallery
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First-year music, theater fest planned at CVU Champlain Valley Union High School will host an open air music and theater event as a welcome back party for the community at the start of the school year. Organized in con junction with the Flynn Theatre, the inaugural “Playing Fields” event is planned for 6-9 p.m. Sept. 6 at the school in Hinesburg. The world-music band Red Baraat will play and there will be a street theater performance. All are welcome.
RENOWNED GUITARIST TO PLAY CVU THEATER IN SEPTEMBER
The acrylic paintings of Williston artist Mary Lou Marcussen are currently on display at the Emile A Gruppe Gallery in Jericho in a show titled “Camp, Champ, Champlain.” The paintings celebrate the lake and camp life in all seasons, with a nod to the famous “lake monster” Champ. The show will run through Sept. 25 with an artist reception 1-3 p.m., Sept. 4. Regular gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment at (802) 899-3211.
Page 4 Williston Observer August 25, 2022 91 MAIN STREET, STOWE ~ 802.253.3033 ~ STOWE@F ERROJ EWELERS COM @FERRO JEWELERS STOWE ~ FACEBOOK.COM / F ERRO.J EWELERS F ERROJ EWELERS COM /STOWE
OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO
Visitors are welcome to bring a photo or share a story about their camp experience to add to a bulletin board designed by Gail Troutman, fellow camper, who will share some of her camp experiences during the reception. Folks can also participate in a scavenger hunt for Champ in Marcussen’s paintings. The gallery is located at 22 Barber Farm Rd. Mary Lou Marcussen’s acrylic paintings celebrating Lake Champlain and the ‘lake monster’ Champ will be on display at the Emile A Gruppe gallery in Jericho.
Champlain Valley Union High School welcomes guitarist Rich ard Smith for a performance in the CVU theater on Sept. 30. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.sevendaystickets.com, or at the door on the night of the perfor mance. Call (802) 355-9151 for more information.
A native of England, Smith won the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship in 2001 and plays a repertoire that includes fingerpick ing classics, bluegrass, fiddle tunes, originals, blues, ragtime and jazz standards. Richard Smith
Experience the past at Living History Expo
The Sept. 17-18 Vermont Living History Expo will feature reenactment groups representing the Roman Legions, Medieval Knights, the American Revolution, the Napoleonic era, the American Civil War, both World Wars, and more.
Patrons will have the opportu nity to interact with the different groups in their encampments as well as watch troop and cavalry drills and period craft demonstrations. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days at the Cham plain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl Street, Essex Junction. Kids un der 6 are free. Tickets can be pur chased at www.vtgatherings.com.
The Champlain Valley Ex position will host the 2nd annual Vermont Living History Expo on Sept.17-18.TheExpo is a family-friendly event featuring dozens of reenact ment groups representing the Ro man Legions, Medieval Knights, the American Revolution, the Na poleonic era, the American Civil War, both World Wars, and more. The expo will feature several historical societies and museums, numerous veteran support groups, Vermont National Guard services, period crafters and vendors.
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The public is invited to the downtown Burlington waterfront Sept. 9-10 to see hundreds of antique and classic boats — many built in the 1930s and 1940s. This show is held in a different city every year. Boats from throughout the country will be on display at the Burlington Harbor Marina and the Community Boathouse Marina with judging taking place Sept. 9. Contact Sue Haigh at suelafever@gmail.com or (802) 578-4322 for more information. A 1920s-era ‘Bolo Babe’
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Antique boat show coming to Burlington waterfront
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Speak up! letters story ideas editor@willistonobserver.comto
Lyric Theatre is giving people a peak behind the curtain in an effort to drum up more volunteers.
August 25, 2022 Williston Observer Page 5 TheChamplainValleyFair.orgTenBestDaysOfSummer!August26th-September4thV e r Sy p e c i a l D r e s s e s f o r V e r y S p e c i a l O c c a s i o n s
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Lyric Theatre invites potential volunteers to Creative Space
Olivia Shona
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Lyric Theatre Company is recruiting new volunteers with an event Saturday, 1-4 p.m. at its Creative Space at 7 Green Tree Drive in South Burlington. It will be an afternoon of technical demonstrations, mingling with veteran Lyric volunteers, exploring the Creative Space and learning about volunteering with one of the largest volunteer-based community theater organizations in the UnitedAttendeesStates.will be entered into a raffle to win two tickets to Lyric’s upcoming show, “Into the Woods.” Attendees must present their vaccination card at the door. Contact office@lyrictheatrevt.org or (802) 658-1484 for more information.
Our communities are still struggling through the pan demic and its harmful impacts on mental health, substance use and affordable housing. It’s clear that we still need to do far more to support one another and to build healthy, safe and vi brantVermontcommunities.votersknow this. If there had been any doubt, last week’s primary election results established conclusively that voters expect their elected offi cials to reform our criminal le gal system by investing in peo ple over Votersprisons.ineach of Chittenden County’s 36 districts sent an emphatic message in favor of criminal justice reform, reiter ating their support for humane, equitable and community-based solutions. And it wasn’t just Chitten den County. In other local and statewide races, candidates who advocated for reimagining pub lic safety prevailed, while those who sought to turn back the clock did not. The message is clear: the people of Vermont have long since turned the page on the failed “tough on crime” poli cies of the past. They want their elected officials to reduce our reliance on prisons and reimag ine public safety for the sake of our communities.
Now is the time to come to gether and work on solutions. And we know what those solu tions are. We know we need to significantly expand invest ments and strategies for ad dressing a mental health crisis — Burlington police alone re ported a 90 percent increase in mental health incidents over the past decade. That’s not some thing the police can or should be expected to solve. We know we need to improve access to drug treatment and ex pand harm reduction strategies. More Vermonters died of over doses last year than ever before, and it’s time to respond with the bold and compassionate ideas Vermont is known for. We know we need long-term investments to address the se vere shortage of affordable housing — the number of people without permanent shelter dou bled during the pandemic and people are turning down jobs in Vermont for lack of housing. The short-term investments and initiatives Vermont has pursued have not been up to the task. It is obvious we need to do more. And we know we need to adopt common sense gun laws. Law enforcement voices calling for those reforms should be at the table in the coming legisla tiveThesebiennium.arethe things that en sure safe, thriving communities and that’s what Vermont voters rightfully expect their elected officials to prioritize. They are also calling for further progress reforming our criminal legal system with ev idence-based, data-informed policies. These include ending our wealth-based system of bail, reducing barriers to successful community re-entry for people leaving prison and prioritizing community-based justice pro grams over traditional, punitive systems that have not made our communities safer. Finally, Vermonters also ex pect police to be accountable for their actions and to serve all our communities equitably and with integrity. We still don’t have the policies in place to foster a stronger culture of accountabil ity in law enforcement, and all of us — law enforcement offi cials included — should have a strong interest in changing that. The fact remains that we as a society have drastically under funded our social safety net for generations. We can’t expect po lice and corrections officers to make up for that, or to fix it for us — and we can’t keep ignor ing the disproportionate harm done to BIPOC communities, particularly Black Vermonters, when we do. We invite everyone who calls Vermont home, including those in law enforcement who recognize the necessity of mov ing forward together, to join us in ensuring that communities have the resources and reforms they need to thrive. James Duff Lyall is executive director of ACLU of Vermont.
The fact remains that we as a society have generations.socialunderfundeddrasticallyoursafetynetforWecan’texpectpoliceandcorrectionsofficerstomakeupforthat,ortofixitforus.
As one local commentator said, the 2022 primary election results represent a “big win for criminal justice reform.”
Page 6 Williston Observer August 25, 2022 GUEST COLUMN www.willistonobserver.com P.O. Box 1401, Williston, VT 05495 | 802-489-5499 Williston B A NG Burlington Area Newspaper Group MEMBER: waba willistonareabusiness association TO ADVERTISE Submission deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. for next Thursday rick@willistonobserver.comissue. 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 susan@willistonobserver.comissue. 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. Williston’s Community Newspaper Since 1985 SusanPUBLISHERT.Cote 802-489-5499susan@willistonobserver.com RickADVERTISINGCote Associate PublisherSales & 802-373-2136rick@willistonobserver.comMarketing JasonEDITORStarr editor@willistonobserver.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN Jan Kenney jan@willistonobserver.com BILLING INQUIRIES Michael McCaffrey office@willistonobserver.com A publication of Twin Ponds Publishing LLC 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. Williston Belle’s DorothyCaféAlling Memorial Library Fairfield ShellShaw’sRehabRamunto’sPeople’sMenMarriottKornerHome2SuitesHealthyHannafordGreenGardener’sInnSupplyMountainBagelLivingWillistonKwikStopCourtyardAtWokUnitedBankGymGasStation(Essex Rd) Simon’s Mobil Williston Simply Divine Café SunocoSonesta Station Town of Williston Offices UPS WillistonStoreCoffee Shop Essex Junction Essex Automotive Five Corner Variety Hannaford (at Essex Shoppes) Inn at Essex Mac’s RiverQualityPriceMartone’sMarketDeliChopperBakeShopRoadBeverage Richmond Cumberland Farms Richmond Free Library Richmond Market Richmond Mobil Mart The Williston Observer is mailed to every home and business in Williston and St. George every Thursday. In addition, we provide rack distribution to locations in Williston, Richmond and Essex. Williston If you would like copies for your location call Rick Cote at (802) 373-2136 or Rick@WillistonObserver.comemail
Vermonters voted for a smarter justice system
BY JAMES DUFF LYALL
August 25, 2022 Williston Observer Page 7
A strong economy, spurred by federal stimulus money and funds to fight the Covid pandem ic, is producing a surge in Ver mont state tax receipts. Personal income taxes are up, meals and rooms taxes are up, and so are corporate taxes. Now is the time to start plan ning for when revenues come back down to earth. Much has been written about the billions of dollars of fed eral aid that has flowed to Ver mont, and other states, through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and other bills to address the health and economic effects of the pandemic. We have tracked $11 billion in federal funds that flowed to indi viduals, businesses, schools, state and local governments, and other entities since the spring of 2020. All of that money had a knock-on effect that increased state tax rev enues: Vermonters’ incomes rose, corporate profits went up, and consumer spending took off. Between the windfall of state tax revenue and all of the money from Washington, the Legislature and the administration have been able to play catch-up and also launch new initiatives. They put more money into pension and ben efit funds for teachers and state employees to begin to make up for funding lapses in the past. The University of Vermont and the Vermont State Colleges, chron ically underfunded, are finally seeing some additional money. Some of the new investments should last for a while. If the hun dreds of millions being spent to expand broadband actually fill in the coverage gaps, unlike pre vious federal investments, Ver mont should finally have a robust, 21st-century telecommunications system that serves the entire state. But other initiatives and new investments are, in effect, only down payments. The need for drug-abuse treatment and mental health services won’t end when the windfall runs out.
A new re port from the Legislature’s Joint Fiscal Office warns of the need for sustainable funding of Vermont’s Climate Action Plan. In the long run, addressing climate change is projected to save Vermonters billions of dollars. But long-term investments will be required to re alize the long-term savings.
Between the windfall of state tax revenue and all of the money from Washington, the Legislature and thetohaveadministrationbeenableplaycatch-upandalsolaunchnewinitiatives.
What do we want for the new normal?
Jack Hoffman is senior policy analyst at Public Assets Institute, online at www.publicassets.org.
BY JACK HOFFMAN
GUEST COLUMN GET MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! 7 PAPERS. 1 AD PURCHASE. Reach readers in northern Vermont’s thriving communities! rick@willistonobserver.com802-373-2136 Book Online: https://cheeks.cc Call: (802) 871-5716 34 Blair Park Rd | Williston BeautifullyAgeLuxurySkinCare accepting new clients I fly to New York for my luxury treatments.face I drive to Williston! We are a low-fee fiduciary. Contact us to start securing your financial hansondoremus.comfuture. Historic Maltex Building - Burlington, VT - 802.658.2668 Clear, straightforward advice to help you reach your goals. Our advice is shaped by thorough, independent research and our decades of industry experience.
The pattern in Montpelier for at least a generation has been to let revenue forecasts determine the size of the state budget. The fore casts estimated how much revenue current tax rates would generate in any given year. So that was how much money policymakers had to address whatever problems con fronted the state. And that is the pattern that produced under-fund ing of higher education, the state pension system, childcare and other programs and services that the current windfall is being used to start to Accordingcorrect.to the latest fore cast, revenues will fall for the next couple of years and then return to a more normal growth rate. Now is the time to determine what pro grams, services and investments funded during the pandemic need to be continued. Then it will be the Legislature’s job to see that Vermont’s future revenue path is adequate to the need.
CVOEO prioritizes projects based on a point ranking system set up by the State of Vermont. The higher your rank, the more quickly they will be able to serve you. The ranking system provides extra points for factors like whether you are on fuel assis tance, have children or are elderly or dis abled. Very broadly speaking, applicants with very high rankings can expect to start the weatherization process within about 6-8 months, while those with low rankings can take up to 18 months or longer. How much money can you expect to save from weatherization? Typically, re ductions in energy usage vary from 10-25 percent, but can be greater depending on the type of home and its prior condition.
BY MELINDA SCOTT Special to the Observer
Page 8 Williston Observer August 25, 2022
One CVOEO program participant said: “My oil furnace was 43 years old. They installed a new gas furnace and an on-de mand hot water heater … insulation above the ceiling and put a house wrap around the basement, also a steel outside door (I had a hollow core door before). The drop in my heating and electric bills was astound ing.”If your income doesn’t qualify you for CVOEO’s free weatherization ser vices, Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Gas Systems (VGS) each offer rebates on qualifying weatherization projects. VGS offers its customers a 50 percent rebate, up to $3,500. Households with income of less than 120 percent of Vermont’s area median income can receive a 75 percent rebate, up to $5,000. In Chittenden Coun ty, a family of four making $128,000 or less qualifies for the enhanced rebate. For more information, visit the VGS website at: https://vgsvt.com (see the Cut Costs and Carbon section). Additionally, Efficiency Vermont of fers rebates on weatherization services and other energy efficiency products such as heat pumps, hot water heaters and lighting. The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program offers a 75 percent rebate on weatherization if you work with an Efficiency Excellence Net work contractor. You can receive up to $2,000 on project costs, or up to $5,000 for income-qualified households. A fam ily of four in Chittenden County making $128,800 (120 percent of AMI) or less qualifies for the higher rebate amount. For more information on rebates, visit Efficiency Vermont’s website at:
The income eligibility thresholds have re cently increased. In Chittenden County, a four-person household making $87,200 or less will qualify for CVOEO’s assistance. To learn more about eligibility, visit their website at https://www.cvoeo.org (see the Get Help/Weatherization section), or call them at Keep1-800-545-1084.inmindthatthis program is not an emergency service. It is a lengthy pro cess due to the nature of the work, but well worth the wait. Crews work year-round and the sooner you apply, the sooner you will start saving.
Wednesdaysmeetings,listonvt.govlistoncausemoneyiswww.efficiencyvermont.com/rebates.https://Withopportunitieslikethese,therenoreasontowait.Applynowtosaveonyourfuelandelectricbills,beweatherizationworks.YoucanalwaysreachouttoyourWilEnergyCommitteeatmscott@wilorattendoneofourpublicheldonthesecondandfourthofeachmonth.
In recent weeks, Vermonters have experienced many days of much warm er than normal temperatures, which stressed our utility systems as we cooled our homes. And soon we’ll be thinking about the upcoming winter and the need to heat our homes for several months. One of the most effective methods of reducing the need to excessively heat or cool our homes and manage the associat ed costs is through weatherization. Weatherization consists of home im provements to air seal and insulate the exterior surfaces of a home, such as base ments, walls, windows and attics, which reduces heat loss, increases comfort and improves indoor air quality. Weather ization is a cost-effective pathway that provides multiple benefits for homeown ers, tenants and landlords. In addition to lower monthly energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, residents ben efit from improved home health, more comfort and added home value. Our current dependence on fossil fuels leads to high and unpredictable energy costs for Vermont households. Some are more bur dened by energy costs than others. For ex ample, renters and low-income Vermonters pay a greater percentage of their income for energy. Vermont Energy Action Network’s (VECAN) 2021 progress report identifies an opportunity to weatherize 120,000 more homes by 2030, especially those of lowerand middle-income Vermonters. Fortunate ly, Vermont has funding programs to en courage more Champlainweatherization.ValleyWeatherization, a division of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) of fers a variety of services at no cost to in come-qualified homeowners and renters to improve home energy efficiency and comfort, and to decrease heating bills. If you rent, they will work with the proper ty owner to bring you the benefits of the program at little or no cost to the owner.
Bring Your Style Back to School 528 Essex Rd, Williston | 414 Route 7, Milton | 104 Robin Hood Dr, Swanton vermonthabitat org Shop the Habitat ReStore for dorm décor and find unique items that suit your style and your budget Sale proceeds will help local families build safe, affordable places to call home Have donations? Book a free pickup! Call 802 857 5296 Weatherization is not only good for the environment. It provides multiple benefits for homeowners, tenants and landlords. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Weatherization has benefits beyond the pocketbook Assistance programs and rebates are available
Melinda Scott is the Town of Williston’s Energy and Community Development Planner.
Three ways to save water in the home
— Source: Eartheasy.com
Green tips
USE CLOTHES WASHERS EFFICIENTLY With clothes washers, avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses an added 5 gallons (20 liters) for the extra rinse. For partial loads, adjust water levels to match the size of the load.
DON’T USE THE TOILET AS A WASTEBASKET
Using the permanent press cycle can use an additional 5 gallons of water every time it is used.
OPT FOR THE DISHWASHER OVER HAND-WASHING It may seem counterintuitive, but it turns out washing dishes by hand uses a lot more water than running the dishwasher, even more so if you have a wa ter-conserving model. The EPA estimates an efficient dishwasher uses half as much water, saving close to 5,000 gallons each year.
From air conditioners to x-rays, check our A-Z list and learn how to dispose of, recycle, or reuse items and materials you no longer want. Now serving you with eight Drop-Off locations in Chittenden County. Visit cswd.net for locations and materials accepted.SCAN CODE FOR A-Z List
Every time you flush a ciga rette butt, facial tissue or other small bit of trash, you’re wasting gallons of water. Put them in the garbage — or better yet, recycle.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
August 25, 2022 Williston Observer Page 9
20220504-AD-WE-CAN-TAKE-IT-01.indd 2 5/13/22 2:14 PM
In addition to saving money on your utility bill, water con servation helps prevent water pollution in nearby lakes, rivers and local watersheds. Conserv ing water also prevents green house gas emissions associated with treating and distributing water. Here are three ways to save water in the home.
We Can Take It!
Page 10 Williston Observer August 25, 2022 CARPET | HARDWOOD | LAMINATE VINYL | RUGS | WINDOW TREATMENTS 800 Marshall Ave. | Williston | 862-5757 Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sat.10 a.m.-3 p.m. or by appointment www.FlooringAmerica-VT.com LOCALLYOWNE DF a milyOperated Since1985 FRIDAYSept.9 9 a.m.-5:30 SATURDAYp.m.Sept.1010a.m.-1p.m.Warehouse Sale!TWODAYSONLY!
A community-owned solar project in Hinesburg, under de velopment by the Acorn Renew able Energy Co-op of Middlebury, is ready to start offering public shares. The 150-kilowatt solar ar ray will be located on the capped former municipal landfill located at 179 Observatory Rd. Residents will need an electric meter in the Vermont Electric Co operative (VEC) service territory to be eligible. Shareholders will receive the project’s net metered credits on their VEC bills, and ultimately take ownership of the project.The Hinesburg landfill has ideal southern exposure and, as a brownfield site, receives favorable treatment from Vermont’s energy permitting and approval agencies. Vermont’s Public Utility Commis sion issued a Certificate of Public Good for the project in 2021. The design calls for 360 solar panels of 540 watts each, covering a little over 1 acre of the capped landfill site. The Acorn Energy Co-op’s in vestment model calls for two initial categories of investors: a single major investor, and multiple indi vidual shareholders. Union Mutual Insurance Company of Montpelier will be the major investor and will provide approximately 30 percent of the capital to construct the proj ect. In return, it will receive fed eral tax credits. The company’s involvement helps to keep the costs down for the other shareholders.
Hinesburg community solar project seeks investors
Individual investors — resi dents, businesses, churches and organizations with an electric me ter in the VEC service territory — will receive net metering dol lar credits applied each month to their VEC electric bills based on the amount of electricity produced the previous month and the number of investment units they have pur chased.Sixyears after the array begins electricity production, the equity structure will flip and the individ ual investors may take full owner ship of the project, making it one of a small number of truly local, com munity-owned net-metered solar projects in the state.
“Acorn Energy Co-op is very excited to be moving ahead with this community-owned solar proj ect developed by Vermonters for Vermont residents,” said Acorn President Ben Marks. “We believe (it) will help decentralize the grid, and will also help the State of Ver mont to reach its ambitious goal of 90 percent renewables by 2050.”
A schedule of informational online meetings for prospective investors can be found at www. acornenergycoop.com.
ALAlFreyPhotography.com Place your order online or email afrey202@gmail.com Photos from the Williston Observer are available for purchase!
A new report from the Vermont Law and Graduate School argues that policymakers aren’t addressing the full climate impact of animal agricultural operations.
• Properly accounting for the full climate impacts of ma nure biogas and ensuring that emissions life cycle analyses consider the full range of emis sions
“Environmental justice com munities around the country have spent decades fighting for stronger protections from the air, water and health harms imposed by factory farms,” Lazenby said. “The re cent surge in enthusiasm for ma nure biogas among policymakers threatens to lock in the very sys tems that these communities have been fighting, under the guise of clean energy. There is nothing forward-thinking about rewarding industrial operations for captur ing the greenhouse gas emissions they voluntarily produce — an in tervention that can only be consid ered mitigation because of the on going failure of state and federal lawmakers to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution from factory farms as they do industry.eddirectlyofandgasgreenhousecentmatelyforresponsibleagricultureindustry.”everyvirtuallyotherAnimalisapproxi20perofglobalemissions,57percentemissionsrelattothefoodThereport
concludes with several recom mendations for policymakers con sidering the adoption of manure biogas systems for greenhouse gas mitigation that would allow them to not only take advantage of the technology’s benefits but address the various environmental and so cial harms that factory farms im pose on local communities. These recommendations include:
• Evaluating the USDA’s manure biogas programs to ensure that they do not have a dispropor tionate impact on the basis of race, national origin or other protected class.
“It’s imperative that policy makers address the greenhouse gas emissions created from agri culture, but we’ve seen that biogas is not a one-size-fits-all solution,” said Laurie Beyranevand, director of the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems. “Incentivizing the capture of manure biogas perpet uates a system of agriculture that policymakers need to support farmers in moving away from. It results in numerous environ mental externalities that have been shouldered for far too long by environmental justice communities. Any legislation addressing climate change that considers further support and subsidies for manure biogas must realize its impact, not just its promise.”Toviewthe report and full list of recommendations for pol icymakers, visit law.edu/manure-biogas.www.vermont ‘There is industrialforward-thinkingnothingaboutrewardingoperationsforcapturingthegreenhousegasemissionstheyvoluntarilyproduce.’
The Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law and Graduate School released a report this month entitled “Rethinking Manure Biogas: Policy Considerations to Promote Equity and Protect the Climate and Environment.” It critiques the use of manure anaerobic digesters to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from animal agriculture operations.The re cently enacted Inflation Re duction Act approved new and expanded tax credits for biogas, adding it to the list of eligible renew able energy sources, like solar and wind power. How ever, climate change mitiga tion plans that rely on ma nure biogas — which transitions animal manure, often from concentrated feeding operations, into fuel — often ig nore the larger environmental, social and financial contexts in which biogas operates, the report argues.Written by Ruthie Lazenby, staff attorney at the Environmen tal Justice Clinic at Vermont Law and Graduate School, the report examines the existing structure incentivizing manure biogas oper ations, their direct environmental justice impacts, as well as alter native methods of capturing live stock emissions and recommenda tions for Whilepolicymakers.capturing emissions from livestock manure using an aerobic digesters has emerged as a win-win for the livestock indus try and the natural gas industry, adoption of these systems omits a variety of issues that must be addressed before committing to manure biogas at the expense of more comprehensive strategies, Lazenby says.
Report questions use of ag biogas to curb climate change
• Considering the full impact of policies supporting manure biogas on environment, public health and quality of life
RuthieVermontLazenbyLawandGraduateSchool
August 25, 2022 • Williston Observer Page 11
PHOTO COURTESY OF PEXELS.COM Back on Market! 4 Bed, 2 Bath on Almost 5 Acres, Just Steps From Williston Golf Club! Need to sell? Call your local Williston agent, Elise Polli, at 8 4! 264 Golf Course Road, Williston
“Our #BorderPatrol Agents have worked tirelessly to keep America safe,” he wrote, attaching an image of aYetgraph.experts said that while the Swanton Sector has seen an increase in the number of encounters be tween agents and migrants who are either apprehended or expelled from the country, it’s important to note that it comes amid a global surge in migration.InVermont, data cited by Hoops shows an increase of only about 60 percent. And compared with other border states, the number of encoun ters here is fairly small. U.S. Border Patrol reports two different types of encounters: appre hensions, in which migrants are tak en into custody to await going before a judge, and expulsions, in which they are immediately expelled either to their home country or their last country of transit.
FILE PHOTO
see BORDER page 13
BY SHAUN ROBINSON VTDigger Earlier this month, the head of U.S. Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector on the northern border took to Twitter, pointing out what he called a “MAJOR INCREASE!!!” Acting Chief Patrol Agent Keith Hoops tweeted that the Swanton Sector, which includes Vermont, New Hampshire and the very east ern part of New York, had seen an increase in “border encounters” of more than 92 percent over last year.
The Highgate Springs border crossing with Canada on Sept. 1, 2021. BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER
“We are only one of several countries receiving a vastly in creased number of migrants,” said Adam Isacson, director for defense oversight for the Washington Office on Latin America, a human rights advocacyDrivingorganization.factorsfor the increase include climate change, dictator ships and the social and economic consequences of the Covid-19 pan demic, Isacson said. “It’s going up everywhere.”BorderPatrol is responsible for stopping illicit cross-border activi ty in between official land ports of entry, such as the border crossing station on Interstate 89 in Highgate. “In laymans terms, we’re trying to catch people sneaking people, or contraband, through the woods,” said Richard Ross, patrol agent in charge at the agency’s Richford Sta tion.
Border Patrol reports a ‘major increase’ in encounters with migrants
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Ross, the Richford Sta tion’s head patrol agent, pointed to the loosening of pandemic-era travel restrictions as the main reason for an increase in encounters, along with an increase in Covid-19 vacci nation rates. More travel can bring more opportunities for smugglers to lure people who are in vulnerable situations to Canada, and then into the U.S., he said. “With the promise of a job, they can have you fly into Toronto or Montreal,” Ross said. “And then, there being no actual job, the next thing is, well, if you pay me more money, I can smuggle you into the United States. So that’s appealing for some folks.” No one country stands out as the origin of an increase in mi grants attempting to enter Vermont, said Ross, who called citizenship a “mixed bag.” In a given year, the Swanton Sector sometimes appre hends people from 50 or 60 different countries, he said. Per the data, at least 68 percent of people who were expelled or ap prehended by Border Patrol since October 2021 had citizenship in a North, Central or South American country, while about 16 percent had citizenship that wasn’t reported.
In Vermont, a majority of the encounters since October 2021 have resulted in expulsion, not apprehen sion, under a pandemic-era public health order known as Title 42. Invoked in March 2020 under the Trump administration, the con troversial policy allows the federal government to bar migrants from entering the country as part of ef forts to limit the spread of conta gious disease. The Biden adminis tration’s efforts to lift the order were blocked by a judge in May. More than 80 percent of those expelled or apprehended in the state by the agency were single individu als; the rest were reported as “indi viduals in a family unit.”
WHAT THE DATA SHOWS Border Patrol agents in the Swanton Sector reported 508 mi grant encounters between October 2021 and June 2022, compared to 264 such encounters over the same time period a year prior, according to the data cited by Hoops. This year’s total is also higher than the 444 the agency reported from Oc tober 2019 to June 2020, which in cludes months prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Updated federal data as of Aug. 18, which includes figures for July 2022, shows yet larger year-to-date increases both in Vermont and across the Swanton Sector. Well over half of that 92 percent increase came from the New York portion of the Swanton Sector. Ver mont saw 198 reported encounters between October 2021 and June 2022, versus 122 over the same time a year prior — about a 62 percent increase.Harrison Stark, a staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont, said he thinks Hoops’ tweet could be misleading because the increase does not seem as large when considering the actual number of people involved. On average, the Swanton Sector saw about 27 more encounters in each month this fiscal year than each month last fiscal year between Octo ber and June, according to the data. “When we’re talking about a post-pandemic, post-vaccine in crease of about two dozen a month, I think those numbers paint a very different picture than the 92 percent (increase), which looks on paper like it’s a very drastic change,” Stark said.
Ross said Border Patrol agents do not always expel migrants un der Title 42, such as in the event they aren’t authorized to enter and remain in Canada as a temporary
BORDER POLITICS
PHOTO COURTESY OF VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT or permanent resident. In that case, he said, the person would likely be apprehended under Title 8, which is the body of U.S. federal law dealing with immigration and nationality. Hoops’ tweet earlier this month also drew the attention of Repub lican members of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Homeland Security. In their own tweet, the Republicans said the 92 percent increase was “a result of the #BidenBorderCrisis.”ButIsacson,ofthe Washington Office of Latin America, said the increase in migrant encounters has had little to do with the Biden ad ministration or its policies. “This is a part of a larger trend. The only way I would say it’s indi rectly because of Biden is just be cause Biden is not Donald Trump,” he said. “He’s seen at least as car ing about the human rights of mi grants, and that might make people feel safer coming — although, they were coming in pretty big numbers during Trump, also.”
Ross believes an increase in border encounters — and with that, people attempting to enter the U.S. illegally — could make residents of Vermont’s border towns and cities less safe, though he could not point to a specific incident as an example.
Border continued from page 12 see BEAR page 24
PERCEPTIONS OF DANGER Stark said he finds it “pretty transparent” why Border Patrol wants to highlight a statistic show ing a “major increase” in encounters with“Imigrants.thinkBP is using these num bers to push a very particular narra tive about quote-unquote ‘security,’ and about protecting Vermont,” he said. “But border communities like Swanton are statistically among the safest in the country.”
Sharon Bousquet, who chairs the Highgate Selectboard, said she’s heard that some residents who live near the border have seen an in crease in people attempting to cross illegally. Some have expressed feel ing unsafe as a result, she said, and she believes “rightly so.” “We pay so much attention to the southern borders, that we don’t give as much care to the northern borders. And we do have dangerous people that come across,” she said, noting that she thinks the Swanton Sector Border Patrol agents do “a great job.” Ross said he couldn’t comment directly on what Hoops tweets be cause he can’t speak for the acting chief. But he said he thinks that pub lishing statistics such as the 92 per cent increase helps Border Patrol tell the agency’s story — “Just in gener al, to get our story out there and say: ‘Hey, you know what, this type of thing is happening here,’ Ross add ed. “And it’s dangerous.”
“We get people that call us in the middle of night because somebody’s knocking on their door. And that’s never a good feeling,” he said.
August 25, 2022 Williston Observer Page 13 Isham Family Farm OAK HILL ROAD • WILLISTON • WWW.ISHAMFAMILYFARM.COM802-872-1525 Market AT THE ISHAM FAMILY FARM Putting the Farm backinto the Farmer’s Market! • Multiple Vendors • PRODUCE, CRAFTS & MORE! EVERY TUESDAY THRU SEPTEMBER • 4-7PM TUESDAYS creemeePalmerLanetruck at MarketFarmthe Comprehensive Dentistry Quality Care for Your Entire Family ExpertGentleDental Care for BeautifulyourSmile Dr. Jonathan Bloom Accepting New Patients Emergencies seen promptly. We now contract with all major dental insurances. 165 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 802-860-3368 www.dorsetstreetdental.com ChamplainPaddleSurfVermont’spaddleboard outfitter Nowkayaks!offering Open daily! North FlexibleOakledge&BeachParkinBurlingtonrentalsInstructionGuidedtoursa a a a a a a a paddlesurfchamplain.com(802)881-49051FlynnAve.Burlington a a a a After rare bear attack, woman treated for injuries BY EMMA COTTON VTDigger A woman was attacked by a black bear while walking with her dogs in Strafford on Saturday. Bear attacks are extremely rare in Vermont, according to officials from the Vermont Fish and Wild life Department. Only three prior incidents have been documented in recentAccordinghistory.to the department, Susan Lee, 61, was walking trails on her property with her two dogs, a Jack Russell terrier named Lucy and a labradoodle named Bruce, when she realized a bear was charging her. She had just called the dogs back to her after they briefly disap peared from sight. The bear, com ing from the opposite direction, ran toward her, and she tripped backward over a stone wall.
The bear bit her upper leg, creating four puncture wounds from its two upper and two lower canine teeth, according to Jeffrey Whipple, a game warden sergeant who responded to the incident. The bear then scratched Lee down her “Whenside. she went down over the stone wall, the bear landed on her and essentially used her as traction, which sounds crazy, but it springboarded off of her, and bears do not have retractable claws.” Whipple said. “The wound kind of tells that story.” Lucy, Lee’s Jack Russell ter rier, came to the rescue. The dog barked until the bear chased it, drawing the bear away from Lee. “In her words, it looks like it was going after the dog, but it wasn’t able to catch it, and then the bear immediately returned to A black bear.
McCullum continued from page 1
Ricky McCollum has taken on the role of CVU’s activities director, replacing out-going Dan Shepardson. OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
“I know there’s a lot that every one involved in co-curriculars is dealing with, and (my experience) helps me see the whole situation from all views,” he said.
SPORTS Fields of dreams
Page 14 Williston Observer • August 25, 2022 Estate MedicaidElderPlanning,Law&Planning Peace of mind for andfamilieslovedones What we do: • Protection of assets without spending all down to qualify for Medicaid • Wills & Living Trusts • Assistance with Medicaid Applications Ellen B. LaPlante, Esq. Stephen A. Unsworth, Esq. Wendy S Hillmuth, Esq. Members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys & 26ElderAssociationNationalofLawAttorneys.RailroadAvenueEssexJunction,VT(802)879-7133 For FREE consumer reports, articles, and estate planning webinars, please visit us at www.unsworthlaplante.com LOST CAT — Geno has been missing since Wednesday, June 1st from Talcott Road near the Williston Fire Department. He is a 13 lb orange cat with white on his nose, mouth and chest. He has been an indoor cat since he moved to Williston and does not know the area. Reach out to Susie at susiesnowvt@gmail.com with any sightings. ketball, football and track and field at Washingtonville High School in upstate New York. After graduating, McCollum accepted a Division I football schol arship from the University of Con necticut, where he played for four years while obtaining a bachelor’s degree in human development. He went on to receive a master’s in counseling from Pace University and met his partner along the way. Until this year, she had lived in Ver mont with their son while McCol lum lived in New York. When the Covid pandemic hit, McCollum was working in Queens as the coach of the Vaughn College men’s basketball team and as one of the school’s athletic directors. But he wanted to find a job closer to his family.Often he would trek to Vermont to work remotely while spending time with his family, and on those trips he’d go running through the countryside. One such run took him through Hinesburg, he said, and he immediately fell in love with Red hawk nation. “I saw kids outside with masks on, socially distanced and playing outdoor volleyball, and I saw the signs on parents’ lawns,” he said. “And I thought, ‘The atmosphere at this school must be amazing.’” He added: “I thought, if I could somehow find a way to help out at CVU or even be the activities direc tor there, it would be like a dream comeSuretrue.”enough, the position opened up, and McCollum applied as someone from out-of-state with ties to Vermont. McCollum joined the Vermont Air National Guard reserves in 2020 and works weekends in support ser vices as a fitness and wellness coach for the “Whetherairmen. it’s helping them with diet, dietary health, nutritional goals, fitness goals, workout plans, or teaching wellness, my goal is to alleviate outside stress and help them succeed,” he said. Now that he’s settled at CVU, McCollum wants to work closely with students, parents, instructors and coaches to provide a positive high school experience and prepare students for college and beyond.
“Having knowledge of the entire student-athlete spectrum, and on the college administrative level, I feel like I can work from all different an gles to help the (CVU) community,” he said.When he was in high school, McCollum participated in chorus, band and the chess club and said he understands how hard it can be to balance studies with sports and other extracurriculars.
McCollum acknowledges that managing all co-curricular cal endars and supervising staff and coaches is not easily handled by one person, so he was grateful to work with Bunting in hiring As sistant Activities Director Chris Shackett.“Chris has been awesome and we’re tackling this together,” Mc CollumMcCollumsaid. is happy to do his part as a Redhawk and hopes his son will also become one someday. “It will be a great environment and a great atmosphere in which to raise my kids,” he said.
Weeks before the buses begin their routes and the lunchroom is buzzing with conversation, the fall athletes of CVU are in the locker rooms and on the fields learning plays, practicing their moves, bonding as teammates and becoming Redhawks as they prepare for the 2022 season. The cross country, field hockey and boys and girls soccer teams were snapped outside practicing last week. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY
INSTRUCTORS
seamless online ordering for select meats, seafood, sides and sandwiches. Simply order from home and come pick up your prepaid items! While you’re at it, be sure to order your Labor Day essentials like steak, burgers, salmon and more!
Williston Recreation and Parks Department is located at the Annex Building at 7878 Williston Rd. For on line program registration, visit www. willistonrec.org. For department infor mation, email recreation@willistonvt. org or call 876-1160.
VOLUNTEER needed out be found as soon as possible.
COACHES NEEDED! Coaches are
on the Rec. Website, and return
Vermont Meat and Seafood Market is now offering
a “Volunteer Form,” which can
LET’S GO FISHING
August 25, 2022 Williston Observer Page 15
The
Instructor: ONTA Studio staff SOCCER SHORTS Ages 3-5. This is a child/parent program that teaches the fundamentals of soccer us ing a fun and energetic curriculum. Play ers are encouraged to learn and play with a parent and each other. Instructors: Rec Department staff KINDERREC SOCCER Kindergarten, co-ed. This program is designed to teach the fundamentals of the game. Youngsters will be provided with the opportunity to learn, practice and develop their skills. Saturday practices and scrim mages. Parents and volunteers are needed to coach teams.
GRADES 3-5 SOCCER Separate boys and girls leagues are offered if numbers allow. The program meets twice a week, one weekday practice and Saturday games. Teams will have the opportunity to play other rec department teams. Parents and volunteers are needed to coach teams.
WANTED Do you have a special talent or unique skill that you would like to share with others? Are you a business that would like to partner to bring your offerings to the community? If so, please contact the Recreation Department to discuss the possibilities. 104 Cornerstone Drive • Williston 878-2020 • vtmeatandseafood.com Mon.-Sat. 9am-7pm • Sun. 11am-6pm VERMONT MARKET Meat&Seafood Order Online!
For ages 6-16 with a parent. Learn how to fish or learn new tricks to help you catch more. Learn where to find fish and what they like to eat. Equipment and bait provid ed. Pre-registration is required. Instructor: Chuck Goller LIFTING FOR BONE HEALTH INTRO Age 55-plus. This eight-week program will focus on lifting basics, including ap propriate form and appropriate progres sions. Program focus will be to improve bone health. Participants will work out as a group but receive individualized program ming.
Instructor: ONTA Studio staff NINJA TEENS Ages 9-15. This play-based curriculum increases strength and self-confidence, while moving meditation helps children manage their emotions and develop the connection between mental and physical well-being. Instructor: ONTA Studio staff
YOUTH TENNIS Grades K-2 and 3-5. Play and develop a love for the sport of tennis. Taught by certi fied tennis professionals who are trained to teach to kids of all ages. Players learn basic stroke techniques. Instructors: The Edge tennis staff FUN WITH CIRCUS SKILLS Grades 3-8. A fun-filled and exciting low-risk circus skills program focusing on juggling (balls, clubs, rings and scarves), low stilt-walking, unicycling, flower sticks, diabolo, balance skills and more. Instruc tor: Rob Crites HORSEBACK RIDING INTRO Ages 8-14. The Livery Horse Farm in Hinesburg is offering introductory riding programs. The focus is on English riding. Two sessions are offered: Mondays after school and Saturdays. Instructor: Kim Jo hansen, owner Livery Farm YOUTH WEIGHTLIFTING INTRO Ages 12-14. This eight-week program is designed for those looking to learn to lift. The focus of the program will be learning the basics of lifting, improving strength, improving knowledge in the gym and build ing self-esteem. Instructor: Casey Moulton, RehabGym NINJA KIDS Ages 4-8 and 7-11. This play-based cur riculum increases strength and self-confi dence, while moving meditation helps chil dren manage their emotions and develop the connection between mental and phys ical well-being.
Soccer season is Sept & Oct.
SEPTEMBERPROGRAMS
Instructor: Casey Moulton, Rehab Gym DANGEROUS GIRLS CLASS Age 14-plus. This is a women-only cardio-kickboxing class that combines strength and conditioning with practical combat skills. Learn trips and throws, bounce to Beyoncé, hit hard, laugh a lot.
for Youth Rec. Soccer. Sign up to coach when you register your child, or if you don’t have a child in a program, fill
GRADE 1-2 SOCCER This co-ed league provides the oppor tunity for youngsters to learn the game, improve their skills and enjoy playing. The program meets twice a week, one weekday practice and Saturday games. Parents and volunteers are needed to coach teams.
Nancy BY OLIVIA JAIMES
Through the summer and early fall, you may hear about drought and wildfires in the news. This week, The Mini Page explores more about what drought means and how it affects people and animals. What is drought?
photo by James Marvin Phelps
Water is essential to all life — humans, animals and plants. Farmers use water to help grow crops; water can help generate electricity; rivers and lakes are important for moving merchandise from one area of the country to another. And of course, we drink water.
Mini Fact: Lake Mead in Nevada is so low this year that old sunken boats are rediscovered.being
Drought’s effects
Wild animals that are suffering from a lack of water are more likely to get diseases. Fish and wildlife who rely on wetlands, reservoirs or other bodies of water mightDried-outdie. soil can erode, or be blown or washed away, when a rainstorm finally arrives. Wildfires
Page 16 Williston Observer • August 25, 2022
What Drought?Is
• “All About Heat Waves and Droughts” by Steve Tomecek “Droughts” by Megan Gendell Resources
WaterAmericancourtesyimage StationCranecourtesyimage NPSWu,Elizabethcourtesyphoto KM&G-Morrisbyphoto
Drought (DROWT) can mean different things in different places. In some parts of the country, it can mean dry, cracked, dusty soil. But drought can also refer to a region that gets precipitation (pre-sip-i-TAY-shun), but not as much as usual, over a season or more. Climate refers to the weather over a long period of time in a certain area. When climate changes, even very slowly, an area may get more or less rain and snow, more severe storms, such as tornadoes and blizzards, or dryer conditions than normal. Water and weather Water in lakes, streams and the ocean evaporates, or becomes a gas, and moves up into clouds. The clouds are carried around the Earth by the jet stream. But the jet stream doesn’t always go in the same direction or pattern.Ifthe jet stream gets blocked over a certain area, that part of the world may get less rain and snow for a long period of time.
Next Week: returnsCongresstowork
One of the most dramatic and destructive effects of drought is wildfires. In early July, firefighters were trying desperately to save some of northern California’s giant sequoia trees. At the same time, nine other states had active wildfires, with 4.8 million acres burned already this year. climate in over a thousand years. This expansion of the high-pressure system came as the western U.S. also developed a worsening “megadrought” that
The Mini Page® © 2022 Andrews McMeel Syndication
Issue 35, 2022 release dates: Aug. 27-Sept. 2, 2022 35 (22)
A lack of water can mean a shortage of wheat or corn to feed people and animals. This can make the cost of products made with grains go up. For instance, your box of cereal costs more when the cost of wheat or corn is higher. Ranchers may have to spend more to make sure their cattle have enough water. Power companies might have to rely on other sources of energy to make electricity. Other effects
Founded by Betty Debnam
On the Web: • bit.ly/MPdrought At the library:
image courtesy California Drought Action
Drought dries out a cornfield in Kentucky.western Firefighters wrap the base of the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park to protect it from fire burning into old cavities or fire scars. California had its driest colors.shownextremearetheRegionsthisFebruaryJanuary,andMarchyear,officialssaid.throughoutwholestatesufferingfromdrought,inthedarkred
M C N O I T A T I P I C E R P
•
If ponds and creeks dry up, herons can’t find food to eat.
5.
R A G J S N O S A E S D G B Z E I W E S T N A L P S E R C A H N A T Q E T A M I L C I Y N T R T S W N L E R I F D L I W A O E T A I O U Q E S Z A E Q E F R R S L A M I N A R T R J W I C E N N E V A P O R A T E I L P A O T X D R O U G H T N V A X M W R E G I O N Y H N F M C N O I T A T I P I C E R P creeks dry up, herons can’t find food to eat. Brevity BY DAN
Changes in the size and strength of the prevailing high-pressure system over the Atlantic have brought parts of Spain and Portugal their driest climate in over a thousand years. This expansion of the high-pressure system came as the western U.S. also developed a worsening “megadrought” that threatens cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas with critical water shortages. The vast high-pressure area controls where and when rain falls across Western Europe. with cooking spray. Pour mixture into pan; bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes until set. Serves 12. THOMPSON
Eco Note The Mini Page® © 2022 Andrews McMeel Syndication Page®MiniThe © SyndicationMcMeelAndrews2022 ACRES, WEATHER,SEQUOIA,REGION,PRECIPITATION,STREAM,EVAPORATE,DROUGHT,CALIFORNIA,ANIMALS,CLIMATE,DRY,JETPLANTS,RAIN,SEASON,SNOW,WATER,WILDFIRE. adapted with permission from Earthweek.comrecipe.thiswithhelpadult’sanneedYou’ll* 7 Little Words for Kids 1. clothes fastener with teeth (6) 2. prize (5) 3. piece of lumber (5) 4. go on (8) 5. not one person (6) 6. number of eggs in a carton (5) 7. correct (6) ARD PER OP UE CON NOB ER ARD PR EN ZIP DOZ AW TIN ODY BO 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. Answers:zipper,award,board,continue,nobody,dozen,proper. devicesAmazonandAppleonapptheDownloadLtdTechnologiesOxBlue©2022 “All About Heat Waves and Droughts” by Steve Tomecek • “Droughts” by Megan Gendell What to do: 1. Melt butter in microwave (approximately 30 seconds). 2. Combine melted butter, 1 can of corn, sugar, flour, cornmeal, eggs, milk and salt in a blender. Process until mixture is smooth. 3. Transfer to a bowl; stir in remaining 3 cans of corn. 4. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish
August 25, 2022 Williston Observer • Page 17 pattern.Ifthe jet stream gets blocked over a certain area, that part of the world may get less rain away, when a rainstorm finally arrives. Words that remind us of drought are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook! For later: Look in your newspaper for articles about wildfires. Mini Jokes Danny: What is best when it’s out? Dawn: A wildfire! Try ’n’ Find You’ll need: • 5 tablespoons butter • 4 (15.25-ounce) cans whole-kernel corn, drained • 1/4 cup sugar • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 2 cornmealtablespoons • 4 eggs • 1 1/2 cups reducedfat milk • 1/2 teaspoon salt Cook’s Corner Corn Casserole
is an
Dear Savvy Senior, Last year I received a “no tice of change” letter from my Medicare provider. Should I ex pect another one this year, and what should I do with Medicareit?Rookie DearTheRookie,letter you’re asking about is actually referred to as the Annual Notice of Change (or ANOC), which is a letter you re ceive from your Medicare Advan tage or Medicare Part D prescrip tion drug plan in late September. (People with only a Medigap plan don’t receive these because Medigap plans do not have bene fit changes from year to year). So yes, you should expect to receive another letter next month. The ANOC gives a summa ry of any changes in your plan’s costs and coverage that will take effect Jan. 1 of the next year. The ANOC is typically mailed with the plan’s “evidence of coverage,” which is a more comprehensive list of the plan’s costs and benefits for the upcoming year. You should review these notic es to see if your plan will contin ue to meet your health care needs in 2023. If you are dissatisfied with any upcoming changes, you can make changes to your cover age during fall open enrollment, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Here are three types of chang es to look for:
Costs: If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, find out what you can expect to pay for services in 2023. Costs such as de ductibles copaymentsincreaseyourampleAnothererginsyouroweofisAoneitinanotyourForeachcancopaymentsandchangeyear.example,planmayhavehaddeductible2022,butcouldhavein2023.deductibletheamountmoneyyoubeforeplanbetocovyourcare.existhatplanmaytheyou owe for visits to your primary care provider or specialists.
Drugs: If you have pre scription drug coverage, look through the plan’s formu lary, which is the list of drugs the plan covers. For mulary chang es can happen from year to year, so make sure the medications you’re taking will be covered next year, and that they’re not moved to a higher tier, which will affect your copay. If you see any changes that will in crease your costs, you may want to select a different drug plan that covers all of your medications. If the formulary is incomplete, or you do not see your drug(s) on the list, contact the plan directly to learn more. If you have not received an ANOC by the end of September, you should contact your Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D plan to request it. This notice can be very helpful in determining whether you should make any changes to your coverage during the fall open enrollment. Reading your ANOC can also prevent any surprises about your coverage in the new year.Shopping, comparing and enrolling in a new Medicare Ad vantage or Part D plan during the open enrollment period can easily be done online at Medicare’s Plan Finder Tool at www.Medicare.gov/ find-a-plan. Or, if you don’t have a comput er or Internet access, you can also call Medicare at 800-633-4227 and they can help you out over the phone. Your State Health Insur ance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free Medicare counseling, is also a great resource to help you make any changes. To find a local SHIP counselor, visit www.ShipHelp.org or call 877839-2675. 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.
SeniorSavvy
OBITUARIES more obituaries page 20www.WillistonObserver.com
Coverage: If you have an Ad vantage plan with prescription drug coverage, check to see if your doctors, hospitals and other health care providers and phar macies will still be in network for 2023. You have the lowest out-of-pocket costs if you go to providers and pharmacies that are in your plan’s network. If you see an out-of-network provider, your plan may not cover any of the cost of your care, leaving you to pay the cost. You should also contact your providers di rectly to con firm that they will still be accepting your plan in the coming year.
burials
of Change?
The practice of natural or “green” dates back thousands of years. The principle behind this practice is to follow the natural cycle of life. Green burials provide a reduced environmental impact, as well as the benefits of preservation and affordability.
By Jim Miller
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Page 18 Williston Observer August 25, 2022 SENIORS E LMWOOD -M EUNIER FUNERAL & CREMATION CENTER Burlington - (802) 864-5682 | Elmwoodmeunier.net Green Burials
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Charles Justice Charles Justice, 62, of Col chester, Vermont passed away on Wednesday, August 17th, 2022, after a short battle with ALS.Charles was born on Feb ruary 7, 1960, to Bruce Justice and Juna Justice (Baker) in Burlington, Vermont. He was predeceased by his mother and father. Charles is survived by his daughters Katrina Justice of Saint Albans, Sandra (Justice) Lucia & husband Mark Lucia of Colchester, and Samantha Justice & longtime boyfriend Josh LaFountaine of Milton; his grandchildren Nicholas & Allicia Bidwell of Johnson, Krisanta & Caiden Strong of Colchester, and Lynx & Thea LaFountaine of Milton; his siblings Kenneth Kelly & wife Lori Kelly of AuGres Mich igan, Gordon Justice & wife Carrie Justice of Hinesburg, Daniel Justice of Salem, New Hampshire, Joyce (Justice) La Fountain & husband Jeff La Fountain of Saint George, and David Justice & wife Jessica Justice of Saint Albans. Throughout his life, Charles has taught all who surround him about kindness, dignity, trust, and devotion. He was a loving son, brother, father, and grandfather. He was drawn to water, whether it was a lake or ocean and he longed to be in the great outdoors as often as possible. He loved to boat, snowmobile, hike, fish, hunt, camp, cliff jump, ride every possible roller coaster, and tinker with mechanics in his free time. More than anything, however, having his siblings, children, and grandchildren in the same space for gatherings was what made him the happi est. When he was together with his family, the laughter and stories were never-ending. His dimpled smile could light up a room and his infectious laugh could brighten anyone’s mood. He will be missed deeply by so many.Per the request of Charles, the funeral will be a private family ceremony.
TODAY’S FACT: The Voyager 2 spacecraft, which made its closest approach to Neptune on this day in 1989, continues to receive and transmit data -- 44 years since its launch in August 1977.
August 25, 2022 Williston Observer Page 19 • Comprehensive Dental Care • Implant Placement and Restoration • Crowns, Partials, Dentures • Whitening, Veneers • Clear Braces • TMD, Sleep Apnea & 3D Imaging 75 Talcott Rd., Ste 20, Williston • 662-5966 • DRGOOSEVT.COM Dr. Ryan Goslin Dr. Goslin and his dedicated, skilled dental team provide focused and personal care with your comfort and trust in mind through routine and complex treatments. CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 22 TODAY’S HISTORY: • In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation establishing the National Park Service. • In 1944, Allied troops liberated Paris after four years of German occupation. • In 1950, President Harry Truman ordered the Army to take control of U.S. railroads in order to prevent strikes. In 1967, American Nazi Party leader George Lincoln Rockwell was shot dead by a former aide in Arlington, Virginia.
Blueberry Banana Smoothie Servings:
A splendid smoothie
•
Family Features
1 tablespoon almond butter ½ cup bananas, frozen ½ cup blueberries, frozen 1 tablespoon chia seeds ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon minced ginger ½ cup berry yogurt fresh blueberries, for garnish (optional)
ANDREWS
2 1 cup spinach ½ cup water
MCMEEL Almanac
From strawberries and mangos to blueberries and more, there are almost limitless smoothie options. You can use different combinations of greens and textures, or even add something savory like peanut or almond butter. This Blueberry Banana Smoothie is simple with just a couple basic directions and gives you the energy you need to finish out your dayItstrong.has1 cup of spinach, which is full of iron and vitamins, fro zen bananas and blueberries to fill up your fruit intake for the day and berry yogurt to add a hint of dairy and some sweetness to your drink. Garnish your finished product with fresh blueberries for some extra flair. With chia seeds for added texture, this smoothie is per fect for breakfast or even an afternoon snack. Find more healthy recipes at Culinary.net.
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar blend
In blender, blend spinach, water, apple cider vinegar, almond butter, frozen bananas, frozen blueberries, chia seeds, cinnamon, ginger and yogurt until smooth. Pour into two glasses and garnish with fresh blueberries, if de sired.
Mary Jane (Brennan) Roy Mary Jane (Brennan) Roy, 88, formerly of Montpelier and Burl ington, VT, passed away peacefully from natural causes Aug. 17, 2022 at Mansfield Place Assisted Living and Memory Care in Essex Junction. Mary Jane was born Sept. 29, 1933, in Fairfax, VT, the young est child of Paul and Margaret (O’Grady) Brennan. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by a brother, Paul, and sister Elizabeth “Betty” (Kelley), born on the same day, four years prior. In 1935, her family moved to Montpelier where she was raised and educated. Throughout her life she spoke fondly of her hometown, where she graduated from St. Mi chael’s School (1951) and Vermont Junior College (1953). Participating enthusiastically in school-sponsored events, such as the Winter Carni val, Mary Jane enjoyed skiing in Stowe, ice skating, making snow sculptures, and watching basketball games at Norwich University. She was selected to the Royal Court, and was elected Secretary of her senior class, relishing the camaraderie in every aspect of college life. She cherished life-long friend ships formed in elementary school with Claire Guare, Pauline Go odrich, Rena Izor and Jeaninne Pratt. She met her future husband Robert “Bobby” Roy at a wedding of mutual friends where Bob was a groomsman and Mary Jane, a bridesmaid. They were married ex actly one year later on July 3, 1954, and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary before Bobby passed in 2019. They shared most of their mar ried life at 2069 North Ave. in Bur lington where they raised four chil dren. It was a home filled with love, joy, and the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip squares that served as her welcome to visitors. Mary Jane’s door was opened lovingly to anyone who needed a place to land. Her first job in Burlington was as an administrator for the Blanche Sweeney Personnel Employment Agency. She later served as tell er and safe deposit administrator at Chittenden Bank (now People’s United), retiring at 62. An empathet ic listener, customers would routine ly share their personal histories with Mary Jane. She cared about people and valued the many friendships and business connections made during her employment. Mary Jane loved antiques, even tually leveraging her expertise and Bobby’s craftsmanship to establish a small business selling antique curios and furniture, including the many items painstakingly refurbished by her husband. A devout Catholic and longtime member of St. Mark’s in Burlington, Mary Jane served with the Ladies of St. Mark, managing clothing drives, distributing food baskets, and supporting annual fundraisers like the church bazaar and Antiques Show and Sale. Mary Jane lived her Christian faith, choosing to view the world through a lens of love and actively working to better the lives of others. She is survived by her four chil dren: Brennan and his wife Melissa Roy of Alexandria, VA; Marga ret (Peggy) and her husband John Portelance of Williston, VT; Mary Jane (M.J.) and her husband Jim Griffin of Orlando, FL; and Mat thew and his wife Mary Ann Roy of Swanton, VT. She leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, especially Katie Kelley to whom we are grateful for the loving care she provided Aunt Jane. Mary Jane also leaves seven grandchil dren, two great grandchildren, several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.Servicesareinthe care of LaVigne Funeral Home. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 30 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT at 11 a.m. on Oct. 7, 2022, followed by a celebration of her life.
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Margaret Evelyn McClellan Allen was born June 16, 1938, to Artie J and Doris Bolio McClellan. Margaret grew up on a farm on English Settlement Road in Under hill where everything was done by hand and horses. Margaret gradu ated from Jericho High School in 1956 in a class of 13. After graduation she worked at two local restaurants then at Ma ny’s Diner in Essex Jct. In 1959, she went to work at Remington’s Dry Goods store as a clerk. In Aug. of 1960, she went to work at E.W Baily Feeds in Essex Jct. as a bookkeeper and in 1970 became manager. She worked for four dif ferent owners until retiring from Depot Home and Garden in 2011. On Nov. 27, 1963, she married Donald P. Allen, Sr. They lived in Williston for over 50 years. Marga ret was instrumental in getting clean drinking water for her neighborhood. Margaret leaves her son Don ald Jr. and wife Sally of Richmond and two grandchildren, Devin and wife Jillian of Milton and Shel by of Richmond. She leaves one brother, Peter McClellan of Under hill. She also leaves sisters-in-law Barbara Magee, Rose Allen, Ruth Allen, Lucielle Allen, and broth er-in-law Harold Allen along with many nieces and nephews. She also leaves special cousins Linda LaRock and Teresa Connor, Joan Mendes and husband David and Sandy Owen and husband Tom. Margaret’s husband Donald pre deceased her Feb. 25, 2020. She was also predeceased by her brothers and their wives, John and Dawna of Essex, Douglas and Estel of Rich mond and Lee and Arlene of Hines burg and Peter’s wife Yvonne. We would like to thank the staff at Green Mountain Nursing and Re habilitation in Essex for the excep tional care Margaret received over the last several months. We would also like to thank the staff and vol unteers at McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester for their loving care during Margaret’s final days. A graveside service will be held on Sept. 17, 2022, at 1 p.m. in Un derhill Flats Cemetery, Park Street Underhill, VT. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Green Mountain Nurs ing and Rehabilitation 475 Ethan Allen Ave, Colchester, VT 05446. Please address your donation to ei ther Resident Activity Funds or Em ployeeArrangementsRecognition.are in care of Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant Street, Essex Junction., VT.
Raymond G Latreille
Margaret E. Allen
Page 20 • Williston Observer August 25, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our cher ished mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great, great grand mother on August 13, 2022 at the age of Beverly92. Douglas Latreille was born June 29, 1930. She was the strongest fiercest woman we have ever known. Below, per her request is her self-written obituary: I have lived a long, productive, and happy life. Now it is time to say good bye. I was the daughter of the late C.A. (Sol) Douglas and the late Mildred (Little) Douglas. I was born in North Ferrisburg Hollow in 1930. I went to Dartt school in Monkton and graduated fromm Vergennes High in While1948.working at Vergennes National Bank, I met Leonard La treille. We were married sixty plus years. To brag a bit, I helped work
OBITUARIES
Raymond G Latreille, 60 Monk ton VT, left this world surrounded by his loved ones on August 12th, after a brief and courageous battle withRaymondcancer. was born in Burling ton, VT Feb. 27, 1962 the 8th child of Leonard & Beverly Latreille. He began life on the family farm, where he learned the value of hard work and long days raising livestock and caring for the land. After graduating from Mt. Abe Union High school in 1981, he worked at ADD-ON Ac cessory outlet for many years until their closing. He then briefly worked for the town of Monkton highway department before moving to Ryder Truck Rental in Willison VT where he was still employed. He found peace working long days in the hay field, the wood lot, the sugar woods, repairing ma chinery and passing the knowledge and appreciation of that peace on to all the children in his life. He continued to work the family farm with his children, even insisting on baling 2 wagons of hay before al lowing someone to take him to the hospital. He enjoyed a simple life, lived from the heart, caring for his wife and children, his parents, and anyone else that needed a hand. He leaves his legacy in all the lives he has improved simply by being part of them.Heis survived by his wife, Jill Smiel Latreille; son Ray Latreille, daughter Jackie Hensley and grand daughters Annabella & Makenna Hensley; several brothers, sisters and their spouses, numerous nieces and nephews and too many friends to count. One last pass around the field Shadows lengthen, my time is here My soul to rest, my final bield. There was a joint service for Raymond and Beverly Latreille on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022 at the Monkton Friend Method ist Church, 77 Monkton Ridge, Monkton VT. A reception fol lowed.
the Frog Hollow Farm while raising babies and drove the school bus for summer school. After the kids left home, we took in foster kids for a couple of years. I worked the snack bar at Shelburne Museum until I re tired.We had nine wonderful kids. They are Paul (Sheryl) Latreille of Williston, Gisele Latreille of Ripton, Jackie (Dan) Henry of Richford, Es telle (Tom) Genest of Hardwick, Mi chel [aka Mike] (Irene) Latreille of Monkton, Samuel (Tammy) Latreille of Ferrisburg, Pricilla Latreille (Doug’s wife) of Bridport and Jill Latreille (Raymond’s wife) of Monk ton. I was predeceased by our be loved sons Douglas and Raymond, beloved daughter Claudette and her husband Charlie Foote. I want to bestow all my love and thanks to each and everyone for all the love and care you have giv en to me and dad over the years. It was appreciated and returned. Ex tra special thanks to Claudette for doctoring and trips to the hospital etc. Thank you! Raymond for all the checks to see if I’m ok. There are 20 Grandchildren, 30 great grandchil dren and 8 great, great grand chil dren.Iwas preceded by my husband, our infant son, an infant grandson, and 2 great granddaughters: by my brother Carroll Little Douglas, 1982 in Texas and his 2 sons. Besides my children, grand and great grand children, I leave behind my sister Carol Lettieri and her 2 children, also Mark Douglas and his son. There was a joint service for Raymond & Beverly Latreille on Aug. 20, 2022 at the Monkton Friend Methodist Church, 77 Monk ton Ridge, Monkton VT. A recep tion immediately followed.
Beverly Douglas Latreille
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August 25, 2022 Williston Observer Page 21
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CROSSWORD SOLUTION PUZZLE FOUND ON PAGE 19 CLASSIFIEDS MARKETING & ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER The Williston Observer is hiring a sales professional to help local businesses succeed with print and online newspaper advertising and to support our local journalism. Job Description: • Steward existing accounts • Generate sales from qualified leads • Work with clients and graphic design to craft effective ads and strategies • Contribute ideas and energy to our dedicated team Qualifications:•Professional experience in sales and marketing • Exceptional customer service skills • Ability to tailor solutions to customer needs • Personal drive to deliver results • Demonstrated collaboration and communication skills • Fluency with Microsoft Office applications • Familiarity with print and digital advertising, including methods and measurement, is a plus. • Preference for candidates with knowledge of the local towns, businesses and communities served by the Williston Observer. We offer: • Training and mentorship for success • The opportunity to play a big role on a small team • A generous base salary plus commission with great earning potential • Flexible hours - Both part-time and full-time candidates will be considered. Williston Serving our community since 1985 If you would like to be part of our growing, mission-driven business, please send your resume and cover letter to: Rick Cote, Associate Publisher – Sales & Marketing, Williston Observer, PO Box 1401, Williston, VT 05495. Or email to: rick@willistonobserver.com LEGAL
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TOWN OF DEVELOPMENTWILLISTONREVIEWBOARDAGENDATuesday,September13,2022–7:00PM
STAFF POWER ELECTRONICS ENGINEER — Part of team that dsgns. & dvlps. Resonant Link’s core wireless charging powertrain. Primary resp. incl. concept dvlpmnt., circuit architecture selection, schematic capture, part selection, layout, dvlpmnt. of test plans & validation of Resonant Link’s wireless chargers. Educ req: PhD in Power Elect. Engr’g./ rltd. Exp req: 60 mos as power electronics engr./rltd. Job located South Burlington, VT (headquarters) & Palo Alto, CA (remote work). Travel maybe be req’d. Send resume to Resonant Link, 530 Community Dr., Ste 2, South Burlington VT 05403. FOR SALE MISC. — Mini Cooper tires for sale $10 each or 2 for $15. HP61 ink $6 each or 2 for $10. Nick 802.999.9658. ITEMS COUCH & CHAIR — Giving away a couch and stuffed chair. The couch sits a bit low as the little feet have been removed from the bottom. The chair is reddish and in fairly good shape. Both would need to be carried down a flight of stairs. Call Myra at 802 355-2072. To place observer.comemailclassifiedaad,rick@willistonorcall373-2136DeadlineforclassifiedsisMonday.
Continued from July 26, 2022: DP 21-18 The Snyder Group Inc requests a discretionary permit for Phase 1 (208 units, parking, streets, multi-use path, utilities and stormwater) of a 273 residential unit and 65 unit senior housing facility development. Located on a 54.2± acre site at the Essex Alliance Church property on Beaudry Lane and Alpine Drive, north of Knight Lane/Chelsea Place/Dunmore Road in the TCZD. 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 EMPLOYMENT
The week-long bait drop is a coopera tive effort between Vermont and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to stop the spread of the potentially fatal disease.Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the brain that infects mammals. It is most often seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also get rabies. The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its from page 2 saliva. If left untreated, rabies is almost al ways fatal in humans and animals. However, treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective when given soon after a person is bitten by a rabid animal. So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont have tested positive for rabies, and 14 of those have been raccoons. According to wildlife officials, rabid animals often show a change in their nor mal behavior, but you cannot tell whether an animal has rabies simply by looking at it. People should not touch or pick up wild animals or strays – even baby animals.
RABIES BAIT continued
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August 25, 2022 Williston Observer • Page 23 SERVICE DIRECTORY Complete Landscape Overhauls • Design and Installations Mini-Excavator Work, Driveway Culvert Replacements, Paver Driveways, Walls, Walkways, Patios, Edging and Mulching www.kingfishvt.com/1-802-345-4280 Your Williston Neighbor Michelle Desautels REALTOR®, PSA (802) 846-9503 REAL BASEMENTESTATESYSTEMSF ANTIQUE SHOP V FAIVE CORNERS ANTIQUES ANTIQUESANTIQUES Contact Brian Bittner 802 272 7527 bittnerantiques@gmail.com www.bittnerantiques.com A N T I Q U E S WA N T E D Decluttering ? Dow nsizing ? Settling an Estate? We can help you discover, learn about and sell: WATCHES • JEWELRY • COI NS • SILVER • ARTWORK We can field questions, review photos and coordinate estate work . info@bittnerantiques.com802-489-5210 Spring House 802-238-3386WashingOwner operated - Call Greg Mack Specializing in Low-Pressure Vinyl Siding Washes Washing Decks, Gutters, Patios, Walkways & More POWER WASHING House Washing Specialists United States Steamer “The Carpet (800)286-1441•(802)372-8444Cleaner”www.ussteamer.com CARPET CLEANERCONSTRUCTION service directory South Burlington 23 San Remo Drive tel 865.0010 www.DeePT.comShelburne 166 Athletic Drive tel 985.4440 Since 1988 Tim Gould PT, MS, DPT DEE.PT.bCARD.2.4x1.5FINAL.indd 12 1/9/14 9:12 AM Roofing Siding Renovations Painting Decks 802-343-4820 www.pleasantvalleyvt.com PLEASANT VALLEY, INC. CORBIN & PALMER titus@titusinsurance.netPO4281 Build / Remodel Funeral / Cremation Health MassageWorksVTDeep& Health brain that infects mammals. It is most often seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also get rabies. The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its animals often show a change in their nor mal behavior, but you cannot tell whether an animal has rabies simply by looking at it. People should not touch or pick up wild animals or strays – even baby animals. fromcreemees.fromdorslead Siding & Trim Work Carpentry Repairs Painting & Staining Decks & Porches Outdoor www.pleasantvalleyvt.com802-343-4820Structures LANDSCAPING service directory South Burlington 23 San Remo Drive tel 865.0010 www.DeePT.comShelburne 166 Athletic Drive tel 985.4440 Since 1988 Tim Gould PT, MS, DPT DEE.PT.bCARD.2.4x1.5FINAL.indd 12 1/9/14 9:12 AM Roofing Siding Renovations PLEASANT VALLEY, INC. CORBIN & PALMER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES SHELBURNE FUNERAL CHAPEL Family owned and operated since 1921 Pre-planning services available 209 Falls Road, Shelburne, VT titus@titusinsurance.netPO4281 Build / Remodel Health MassageWorksVTDeep& Health
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Alevin A. Hathaway the location that it came from,” WhippleBruce,said.the labradoodle, was waiting on her porch when Lee arrived home. A neighbor drove Lee to Gif ford Medical Center, where she received care for her wounds and preventative rabies treatment. Based on the bear’s behav ior, Whipple said it was likely a mother with cubs nearby, and was surprised by Lee and her dogs. Because of the steep to pography, Lee and the bear got close to each other before the bear realized Lee and her dogs wereBearsthere.acting defensively will often “bluff charge,” approach ing quickly, then staying 10 to 15 feet away, Whipple said. Their goal is to scare the threat away without having to fight. “They’ll stomp around. They’ll make themselves big. They’ll pound the ground with their paws. They’ll snap their jaws, and they’ll make all sorts of vocalizations, like huffing and snorting and just making them selves big,” he said. Lee heard those noises, ac cording to Whipple, which indi cated that the bear was not act ing as a predator but in defense. Lee did not respond to a re quest for comment, but Whipple said her recovery has been suc cessful. While Whipple would have killed the bear if he had found it on-site that day, he said Lee did not want to see the bear euthanized.
Page 24 Williston Observer August 25, 2022 Experience, trusted advice and local knowledge! Call today! 802 448 2860 62 Merchants Row, Williston www RRVermont com Email: info@rrvermont com
“There is no doubt that it contrib uted positively to the conservation of the community forest, which was not without angst.” That is the goal of the practice, Smith said, to manifest benefits that not only impact individuals, but improve communities.
World War II soldier’s remains returned to Hinesburg for burial
McCullough is convinced that his Transcendental Meditation practice helped him navigate a fraught negotiation with the Town of Williston on the public acqui sition of the Catamount property, as well as seize the opportunity to set the TM Center up with a sus tainable future on Mountain View Road. He first met the Smiths short ly after they moved to Williston at a meeting about genetically modified food labeling legisla tion. Their conversation at that meeting turned to the practice of TM. McCullough had heard about it during his high school years in the 1960s and had practiced other forms of meditation in his adult life.“I am a person who is inher ently inquisitive, so I said ‘this is something I’m quite sure I need to know more about,’” he recalled. “I made an appointment and I just, intuitively, after the introductory presentation, said, ‘yes, I’m doing this.’” Lucy did not join him at first. But after noticing the positive changes in Jim, began her own practice.“Lucy held her cards close to her vest at first,” McCullough said, “But after three or four years, she said, ‘hmm, the boy has changed, maybe I ought to look into this too.’” “I’ve described it as a bet ter way of communicating and lowering stress and dealing with people,” McCullough continued.
“People who practice the TM technique get more orderly and coherent in their brain function ing and their behavior, then they behave in a more life-supporting way,” she said. “The coherence they generate creates an impact in consciousness so that other people around them behave more coher ently.“If we had more people med itating through TM, we could have a very positive impact on our economy, our health and our behavior, and crime would go down. So that’s the real purpose, to change society.”
McCullough continued from page 1
The remains of a soldier killed during World War II will be interred Sept. 3 at Hinesburg Village Cemetery. Graveside ser vices for Army Pvt. Alevin A. Hathaway will be performed by Ready Funeral Service of Burl ington, preceding the interment. A native of Hinesburg, Hatha way was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Divi sion. His unit was engaged in battle with German forces near Hürtgen, Germany, in the Hürt gen Forest, when he was reported missing in action Nov. 6, 1944, at age 20. His body was not recov ered, and he was declared killed in action Nov. 7, 1945. Following the end of the war, the American Graves Registra tion Command conducted sever al investigations in the Hürtgen area between 1946 and 1950 but was unable to recover or identi fy Hathaway’s remains. He was declared non-recoverable in De cemberWhile1950.studying unresolved American losses in the Hürt gen area, a historian with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency determined that one set of unidentified remains, des ignated X-2739 Neuville, re covered from a minefield south of Hürtgen in 1946, possibly belonged to Hathaway. The re mains, which had been buried in Ardennes American Ceme tery in 1950, were disinterred in April 2018 and sent to the DPAA laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for iden tification. Hathaway was accounted for by the DPAA on Jan. 14, 2020, after his remains were identified using circumstantial evidence that included fragments of per sonal documents found on the battlefield, as well as dental, an thropological and mitochondrial DNAHisanalysis.nameis recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Nether lands American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Margraten, Netherlands, along with others still missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. To learn more about the De partment of Defense’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving, vis it the DPAA website at www. dpaa.mil or www.facebook. com/dodpaa, or call (703) 6991420.
“I’ve always just loved that house,” he continued. “It’s sited beautifully on top of a hill looking down over about 8 acres of mead ow. It fits the requirements (of a TM center) practically to a tee.”
Bear continued from page 13 property and began renting the home there to the Smiths to live in and continue operating the TM center. The Smiths re-opened the center there this month. “We accomplished two things with one stone,” said McCullough. “We helped preserve part of (our) farm’s proceeds and we preserved the opportunity for the Vermont TM Center to stay, not only in Vermont, but in Williston and serve the community.
Jim McCullough
‘I’ve always just loved that house. It’s sited beautifully on top of a hill looking down over about 8 acres of meadow. It fits the requirements (of a TM practicallycenter)toatee.’
