Williston Observer 04/25/2024

Local boxing program packs a punch for people with Parkinson’s

BY RICK COTE Observer staff

Twice a week, Sydney Swindell and Zach Wilson transform Fyzical Therapy and Balance Center into a boxing gym.

Beginning in January, a dozen athletes –men and women – have joined the staff and volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 90 minutes of high-intensity training. And they don’t pull their punches.

“They love hitting things; they love hitting the heavy bag; they love hitting me!” says Wilson, a physical therapist assistant who traveled to California last summer to be certified as a Rock Steady Boxing trainer.

According to the nonprofit organization’s website, Rock Steady Boxing is a health and wellness program designed for people with Parkinson’s disease, a neurological condition that affects balance, strength, walking and especially confidence. Founded in 2006 by Scott Newman, Rock Steady Boxing now has more than 800 certified affiliates across the U.S. and fourteen other countries spanning five continents.

“When I came back, we spent more than two months doing research, marketing, and contacting volunteers to be sure the program would run smoothly when we got started,” said Wilson.

Swindell, who earned her doctorate in physical therapy from UVM in 2019 and opened her practice in 2022, was able to launch the program in January thanks in part to the generosity of Paul Goldman of

Colchester and Jim Yeates of Vancouver, BC, who donated much of the equipment needed to get the program started.

“We wouldn’t have been able to start up this soon had it not been for Paul and Jim’s

generosity,” said Swindell. “They wanted us to get the program off the ground for a friend with Parkinson’s.”

“This was Sydney’s dream,” says Wilson, “to create a comprehensive program for supporting folks with neurological disorders, like Parkinson’s: not just physical therapy, but holistic intervention and community building for them, their caregivers and everyone in their circle.”

Each workout beings with a series of warm-up routines, followed by an intense circuit of exercises aimed at improving the symptoms of Parkinson’s, followed by core exercises, stretching and a cool down.

“Parkinson’s messes with your balance, it throws off your gait, it saps your strength and ability to produce force,” says Swindell, “So we practice these things over and over again. And we make it hard, so participants maintain their ability to stand upright, take longer steps, turn around without losing their balance, get up and down off the floor and from a chair. These are indicators of longevity for everyone, not just people with Parkinson’s.”

“One of our athletes shared how happy he was to take his wife out to dinner again,” said Wilson. “With all the fast movement, dynamic coordination and balance see

Town budget revote set for May 21

Voters will once again have a chance to express support or not when a revised Williston town budget proposal for fiscal year 2024-25 goes up for a vote on Tuesday, May 21.

Williston’s selectboard approved an amended budget at an

April 18 meeting after working through changes during an April 16 meeting. A decision was also made to move the vote to May 21 instead of the originally planned May 7 to ensure residents have time to assess the proposal.

In addition to reducing

proposed spending by $310,000 from the budget voters rejected at Town Meeting Day, the board elected to allocate a larger pool of reserve funds to reduce the amount of tax revenue needed to support the budget. The resulting tax increase amounts to

$20 per $100,000 assessed home value, or $60 per year for a property assessed at $300,000. The selectboard chose to drop two bond items, which also did not pass on Town Meeting Day: one to fund an expanded and upgraded parking lot behind Town Hall and the other to pay for the installation of a fire suppression system in the Old Brick Church.

More details about the revised budget proposal are described in Town Manager Erik Wells’ Guest Column on page 7.

Bob Pepper (l) and Zach Wilson spar during a Rock Steady Boxing session at Fyzical in Williston. The program builds confidence and community for people with Parkinson’s

OBSERVER PHOTO BY RICK COTE

Book discussion to focus on ‘The Anxious Generation’

Community members are invited to join a discussion about Jonathan Haidt’s recent book, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.”

In “The Anxious Generation,” Haidt explains the major causes of the international epidemic of mental illness that hit adolescents in the early 2010s and offers a path forward for parents, teachers, friends and relatives who want to help improve the mental health of children and adolescents. Change is possible, Haidt contends, if we can act together. To learn more about the book visit www.anxiousgeneration.com.

The meeting will take place in the Community Room at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library on Monday, May 13 from 6:30-8 p.m. It will be in-person only (no recording or online option). Those who plan to attend are asked to read the book and email Andy Duback at andyduback@gmail.com for discussion topics.

Around Town

Guild show features quilts of the 50 states

The Champlain Valley Quilters Guild is hosting its biennial show April 26-28 at Holy Family Church on Lincoln St. in Essex Jct. Hours are Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 12-4 p.m. The show includes a judged competition with the theme of “Seams Like Spring.” A display by artist Karen Abrahamovich will feature quilts from her own patterns of each of the 50 states. There will be a raffle of a queen size quilt, several vendors with related items for sale and a raffle of themed tote bags. Admission is $8, children under 12 are free.

Drug Take Back Day this Saturday

Protect your loved ones by properly disposing of unused medications. National Drug Take Back Day takes place this Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nearby dropoff locations include the Vermont State Police Williston Barracks at 3294 St. George Rd. and at the University Mall parking lot in South Burlington. For more information visit www.dea.gov/takebackday.

Public session to address Commerce St. Superfund Site

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) invites residents to attend a public information session to discuss upcoming field work at the Commerce Street Plume Superfund Site in Williston.

VTDEC and the US Environmental Protection Agency, as well as VTDEC’s contractors, will provide updates and answer questions regarding the upcoming Groundwater Remedial Action. More information can be found at www.epa.gov/superfund/ commercestreet.

The public meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 29 at 6 p.m. at the Williston Town Hall, located at 7900 Williston Road. A virtual option will also be available, using this meeting link: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/84071718141.

Town flower planting volunteer opportunity

Williston in Bloom is an organization that has been maintaining attractive plantings throughout the village, including around the signs

for the Police Station, Town Hall, Annex and Armory, in the beds along Rt. 2 and the flagpole area, as well as around the band stand and in the memorial area between Town Hall and the Town Hall Annex.

The group’s efforts over the past 21 years or so are the reason the Village area has always appeared inviting and have helped to keep Williston looking great during the growing season.

If you have been looking for a volunteer effort that shows immediate results with just a few hours of your time, this is the group to get involved with. Having new volunteers along with returning ones keeps this effort going.

Please email Bruce K. Hoar, Director of Public Works at bhoar@ willistonvt.org .

Exploring the Catholic Faith

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church is beginning its next RCIA program. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is the process by which anyone interested in becoming Catholic learns about the faith and prepares to be sacramentally welcomed into the Church.

Anyone interested in learning more about the program can join an informational meet-and-greet in the IHM parish hall Thursday, May 2 at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Contact Deacon Josh McDonald at ihmchurch@vermontcatholic.org or 802-878-4513 with any questions.

Chef Carved Maple Glazed Ham

Prime

802-865-6600

Firefighters from Williston and neighboring departments respond to a blaze that spread to the roof at Asten Johnson on Industrial Ave. on Friday evening.

Commercial building fire

damages Williston business

Flames spread through vents to the roof of the building occupied by Williston manufacturer Asten Johnson last Friday evening after a piece of equipment caught fire.

The Williston Fire Department was dispatched to the Industrial Ave. location just before 8 p.m. and was later joined by fire departments from neighboring towns including South Burlington, Burlington, Essex

Junction, Essex Town, Richmond, Vermont Air National Guard and Colchester.

There were no injuries, and the Williston Fire Department credits fire and evacuation drills they have performed with the staff at Asten Johnson in recent years with leading to a smooth and rapid evacuation.

The fire is not considered suspicious but is being investigated.

Saturday, May 4 • 9:30 am - 4 pm

All crafters donate a minimum of 50% of proceeds to a nonprofit organization of their choice

Location: Holy Family Parish Hall 28 Lincoln St • Essex Junction

I’ll be there beCAUSE I care!

Find us on Facebook (beCAUSE Craft Show)

Admission: $3 per adult donated directly to the Vermont Food Shelves (under-12 enter free)

South Burlington Community Chorus & Mad River Chorale

Spring concert

Under the direction of Mary Jane Austin & Erik Kroncke

FAURÉ’S REQUIEM

with other works by Mozart, Fauré and Bernstein —strings, harp and piano

Friday, May 10 at 7:30PM

Elley-Long Music Center, Colchester Advance tickets: sbchorusvt.org

Sunday, May 12 at 4:00PM

Green Mountain Valley School, Fayston Advance tickets: madriverchorale.org / (802)496-4781

Senate committee holds confirmation hearing for Education Secretary Zoie Saunders

BY ETHAN WEINSTEIN VTDigger

In a small and crowded room, the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday held a more than 90-minute confirmation hearing for Zoie Saunders, Gov. Phil Scott’s pick for the next secretary of education.

Despite the contentious nature of Saunders’ nomination, particularly over her prior work experience, the hearing proceeded mostly smoothly.

“Your nomination has garnered a tremendous amount of interest,” Sen. Brian Campion, D-Bennington, chair of

the committee, said in kicking off the afternoon.

Divisiveness nationwide is at an alltime high, he said and “democracy is under threat.”

“Democracy is about process, and this hearing is an essential part of that process. Dismissing someone prior to such a process is not only disconcerting to me, it’s also disconcerting to many Vermonters,” Campion said.

Saunders’ background working for the for-profit education management company Charter Schools USA guided many of the afternoon’s questions both

Education Secretary Zoie Saunders speaks at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Education Committee at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Tuesday, April 23.

PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

Music for Food recital to benefit Williston food shelf

BY SUSAN COTE Observer Staff

Chamber music lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy an award-winning string quartet at an upcoming recital in Williston.

Performing will be the FaMa Quartet, a group that first met in Vermont in 2021 when they were 15 and 16-year-old fellows at the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. The quartet has continued to play together since then, winning recognition at prestigious string competitions in 2022 and 2023.

The recital takes place on Saturday,

“Part of what we like to instill in our students at Green Mountain during the summer festival is a sense of community outreach and giving back to the community.”

Amanda Stenroos

General Manager, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival

May 18 at 7 p.m. at Isham Farm, kicking off a weekend of events to celebrate the twentieth anniversary season of the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival.

The public performance is not ticketed, rather attendees are asked to bring a monetary or food donation to benefit the Williston Community Food Shelf.

Every summer for the past 20 years the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival has offered promising violin, viola and cello players the opportunity to participate in a month of intensive solo and chamber music study with world-class faculty. Students come from all over the country and the world to the campus of St. Michael’s College in Colchester to take part in hours of daily practice, daily chamber music rehearsals, private lessons, concerts, and guest and faculty presentations.

While honing their musicianship students are also encouraged to develop a commitment to community service. During their time here, they share their music through free performances at locations throughout the area.

“Part of what we like to instill in our students at Green Mountain during the summer

festival is a sense of community outreach and giving back to the community,” said General Manager Amanda Stenroos.

Last summer the festival held its first concert in partnership with the Music for Food initiative, an international program through which musicians give performances and audience members donate to food pantries. One of the things Stenroos appreciated about that event, which took place at the College Street Congregational Church in Burlington to benefit Feeding Chittenden, was how it attracted a different audience than usual for the summer program.

When the board of the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival decided to hold a Music for Food concert as part of its anniversary celebrations, board member Barbara LeWinter, a Williston resident, connected the festival’s manager with Helen Weston of Isham Farm and proposed Williston’s food shelf as the event’s beneficiary.

“One of my goals also was to make sure more people from this area would know all the wonderful things that the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival does,” said LeWinter.

Weston gladly agreed to offer the Isham Farm event barn as the venue for the recital at no cost.

“It paints a nice picture, this beautiful genre of music and the people that put this together and the passion with which they play that kind of music, and now they’re giving back to the food shelf,” said Weston.

“I support being able, even if somebody just for one month just can’t pay all their bills, to go to the food shelf so they can breathe a little bit easier,” said Weston.

“The food shelf very much appreciates the Music for Food program and we’re grateful for any donations that people can give us,” said Sally Stockwell Metro, operations manager for the Williston Community Food Shelf.

“As we’re approaching summer, the need is going up because kids are going to be home, so whatever people will give us, we will be very happy with.”

Though not required, organizers will appreciate RSVPs from those who plan to attend to their email address at info@ gmcmf.org. Concert goers should bring a monetary or non-perishable food donation.

Refreshments will be served at intermission and information will be available about the Williston Community Food Shelf and the line-up of events for this summer’s Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival.

The award-winning FaMa String Quartet – Ella Eom (violin), Julie Kim (violin), Jasper Sewell (viola) and Ari Peraza-Webb (cello) – will perform at an evening recital at Isham Farm on May 18 to benefit the Williston Community Food Shelf and celebrate the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival’s 20th anniversary season.

Taking a beat on education funding reform

BY JACK HOFFMAN

A projected jump in school taxes next year has everyone’s hair on fire in Montpelier. But before taking drastic action, legislators and the administration ought to take the time to assess all of the reforms of recent years to understand what’s really going on.

Nobody is saying that the double-digit increases in education spending and likely tax bills this year are sustainable, including many voters. In a normal year, a handful of school budgets get voted down while 90-95 percent of them pass. This year, a third went down, some more than once. The voters spoke and rejected increases that felt too high.

But does that mean Vermont needs more funding reform? It’s too soon to tell. Let’s look at how we got here. The Legislature, at times with the grudging help of the governor (who has made no secret of his goal to cut spending on public education), has passed

significant education funding reforms over the past nine years, including Act 46 of 2015 (school consolidation), Act 173 of 2018 (special education overhaul) and the one causing a lot of the trouble this year: Act 127 of 2022, which changed the way the state calculates pupil weights beginning with fiscal 2025.

Weighting counts certain types of students—from low-income families, multilingual learners, and those attending small, rural schools—as more than one student. It lowers per-pupil spending for districts with lots of kids in these categories, which lowers their tax rate. The whole point of the policy is to make it easier to raise the money districts need to educate children in these categories.

But it wasn’t clear what any district—whether they were facing a tax increase for the same spending or a tax decrease— would do. They could choose to split the difference. Those with more weighted pupils could get more resources and also provide

a tax break, while districts with fewer weighted pupils might cut some costs while still accepting some increase in taxes. In the end, most districts increased spending: According to preliminary budgets collected by the Agency of Education before Town Meeting, 100 districts increased their fiscal 2025 education spending by a total of $235 million. Only seven reduced education spending—by only $1 million total.

And this was largely because of factors outside districts’ control. Sure, the now-repealed cap on tax increases played a role, and the $100 million legislative rate buydown in fiscal 2024 caused some of the 2025 jump, but the bottom line seems to be that much of the increase was unavoidable. An AOE analysis identified five cost drivers

totaling more than $200 million, and most of that was linked to inflation.

But we don’t know whether these drivers are temporary or ongoing. Inflation was slowing before ticking back up in recent months. Education spending, the figure used to calculate tax rates, has grown at an average annual rate of 3.4 percent for the last 10 years. In fiscal 2024, education spending grew 8 percent, probably also driven by inflation, but the rate buydown softened the effect on taxpayers. Fiscal 2025 is looking at spending growth from 11 to 12 percent. Is this year a perfect storm of policy changes and funding pressures and unlikely to recur, or is there more to come?

There’s also a lot we don’t yet know about all of these recent ed funding reforms: whether the

weights have, in fact, increased resources for the students they intended to help and if so, how those resources were spent; whether kids in need of special education services are better off; whether consolidation helped kids and reduced costs as promised (although some evidence suggests it had the opposite effect).

It’s too soon to know whether we need more funding reform. Let’s take the time to get the answers we need to understand the long-term problems we’re facing before we decide on a solution.

Jack Hoffman is Senior Analyst at Public Assets Institute (www. publicassets.org), a nonpartisan, non-profit organization based in Montpelier. He is a resident of Marshfield currently living in France.

BY ERIK WELLS Williston Town Manager

The Williston Selectboard has warned a Special Town Meeting for the fiscal year 2025 town budget revote on Tuesday, May 21.

Please note, the date has been moved back two weeks, which allows more time leading up to the vote. The polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Williston Armory on May 21. A public information hearing will be held on Monday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Williston Central School Auditorium for an overview of the budget proposal and an opportunity to ask questions. Early voting will also be available by visiting or contacting the Town Clerk’s Office beginning Monday, April 22. For the budget revote, the town will be using printed paper ballots for a hand count for efficiency in having ballots available, and to save on election expenses.

The Selectboard has taken careful consideration in revising the budget from the community feedback of a failed budget at Town Meeting and has decreased the spending plan on services and the estimated tax rate increase in

Notes from Town Hall

this new proposal. The revised budget cuts the estimated property tax rate increase in half from the Town Meeting version of the budget. The tax rate increase in the revised budget is 2 cents per $100 of assessed property value, down from 4 cents previously. This is an increase of about $20 per $100,000 of assessed value for the tax year. For a median home ($300,000 assessment) it’s an increase of about $60 for the year or $5 per month. The overall tax rate estimate is 0.3562 cents per $100 of value (5.9% increase). This is the third lowest rate in the county. As a reminder, this is the municipal tax rate for services that is separate from the education tax rate.

The revised budget proposal reduces expenses by $310,000 from the budget proposal that was not supported on Town Meeting Day (a 2 percent reduction). The expense reductions include capital funds for the replacements of police cruisers, fire utility vehicle, traffic signals, library bookmobile and mowers. The new proposed position of Human Resources Director has been removed. In addition, reductions

Town Manager Budget Chats

• Saturday, April 27 – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Library Community Room

• Monday, April 29 — 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Town Hall Meeting Room

• Wednesday, May 1 – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Library Community Room

• Wednesday, May 8 – 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – Healthy Living Market Café

• Tuesday, May 14 – 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Library Community Room

also include staff training, equipment, part-time and on-call staff wages, expanding library hours, path paving and sidewalk replacement, building maintenance and technology. The revised budget includes adding an 18th sworn police officer position midway through the year to enable a detective position to be filled, and body cameras for all officers. These cameras are a vital tool for

officer safety and accountability, and Williston is the only department in the county without them.

The revised budget proposal is $15,042,710, about a 7.6% increase when compared to fiscal year 2024. To balance the budget, the selectboard is utilizing $688,000 from the unassigned fund balance, an increase of $125,000 from the Town Meeting version of the budget. A conservative estimate at the end of fiscal year 2025 is an unassigned fund balance of $2.4 million, about 16% of the operating budget. Selectboard policy calls for the fund balance to be between 10 and 20 percent of the budget.

The town budget provides core public services to the community. Over half of the budget funds 24/7 police, fire and rescue services for the town with full-time staff, a level of service offered by a limited number of Vermont municipalities. The rest of the budget is rounded out with public works services, parks and recreation services, library services and administrative services including finance and assessment, land/vital records and planning and zoning. The driving factor in the budget

increase to provide these services is staff wage and benefit costs amid a challenging employment market, especially for public safety staff. Maintaining these services requires the staff to deliver them.

The town budget contains a line by line and per dollar breakdown of how your tax dollars will be spent to provide municipal services to the community. The comprehensive budget document can be viewed online at town.williston.vt.us/townmeeting.

Please reach out with any questions. I am happy to provide insight and explanation into the budget and where your taxes would go. Leading up to the budget revote I am holding drop-in budget chats (see schedule below). You can also reach out to me via email at ewells@willistonvt. org or give me a call at my desk at 802-876-1168. In addition, the Williston Selectboard will have a table at the Town Fair on Green Up Day taking place on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Town Green and will be available to answer questions about the budget proposal.

Remember to vote!

Poll: Majority of Vermonters want Scott, Sanders to run for reelection

BY SARAH MEARHOFF VTDigger

A majority of Vermonters surveyed recently said they want to see Republican Gov. Phil Scott and independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders run for reelection this fall. But the two top politicians remain tightlipped about their reelection plans as the state’s campaign filing deadline fast approaches.

According to a University of New Hampshire poll released Tuesday, 58% of those surveyed said they want Scott to seek a fifth two-year term as governor, while 30% said they do not want him to run and 12% were undecided.

Slightly fewer respondents, 54%, said they think Sanders should run for a fourth six-year term in the U.S. Senate. But 40% said they think Sanders should bow out, and only 6% of respondents said they were undecided on the matter.

The Green Mountain State Poll, conducted by the UNH Survey Center between April 18 and April 22, used an online survey to query 924 people from a randomly selected group of 2,500 Vermonters. The margin of error was

The bare facts…

The needs of our community have increased.

The Williston Community Food Shelf is now seeing 350 families every month.

Top needs this month include peanut butter and jelly.

Thanks for your support!

plus or minus 3.2%.

The poll comes just weeks before Vermont’s May 30 filing deadline for major-party candidates. The state’s primary election takes place in August and the general election in November.

Neither Scott nor Sanders have announced whether they plan to seek reelection. In

previous years, both have waited until May to go public with their decisions.

In a state that sends only three people to Congress and is historically loyal to its incumbents, openings are rare in Vermont’s top political offices. When they do occur — as when veteran U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy retired last election cycle at age 82 — it can touch off a

cascading series of open races.

This year, the question is whether Sanders, now also 82, will make the same call, or ask voters for another six-year term. Should he win reelection, Sanders would be 89 by the conclusion of a fourth term.

If Tuesday’s poll is any indication, the question of whether Sanders should retire is on the minds of some Vermonters. Among the 40% of respondents who said they think it’s time for Sanders to hang up his hat, the top reason they cited was his age.

Thirty-one percent of those who said he should retire said their No. 1 concern is that the senator is “too old.”

Sanders’ campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Tuesday. Last month, the Washington Post reported that numerous political allies of Sanders were urging him to run again.

As for Scott, 62% of those surveyed said they approve of his performance. Such respondents cited his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, his stances on state budgeting and taxes and his image as a moderate Republican.

Jason Maulucci, a spokesperson for

Sen. Bernie Sanders, left, and Gov. Phil Scott.

PHOTOS BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

Rock Steady

continued from page 1

exercises that we do, he was able to navigate around tight restaurant tables and chairs without anxiety or stumbling.”

When Mike Reilly first heard the word Parkinson’s from his primary care physician in May 2022, he said he took the news really badly.

“I was terrified. I thought my life was over and I didn’t want to tell anybody. I know there’s nothing to be embarrassed about, but that’s the closest word that I could think of. I was afraid that people will be able to tell, that they’d be scared of me or pity me,” said Reilly.

By the time he received a formal diagnosis the following December, Reilly says he was doing a little bit better. “I finally told my brother when he called me on my birthday. He lives eight hours away but offered to drive up right then. It dawned on me that I’m not alone, I’ve got people. I’m still here and I still have something to give.

“My neurologist said in some ways it’s not that different than something like Type I diabetes. There’s no cure for either one. It’s about managing the symptoms and living the best life you can.”

Reilly found Swindell and Wilson after visiting the Rock Steady Boxing website. “With Rock Steady Boxing, your genuine self emerges, you get past any embarrassment.

“Zach and Sydney have built a community here. I feel respected, even honored by them and the volunteers. Some high school lacrosse players volunteered for the first session. There was nothing in it for them other than being helpful.

They showed up every time, they were enthusiastic every time. It was inspiring.

“At the end of a session, I’m

“[It’s] not just physical therapy, but holistic intervention and community building…”

Zach Wilson Rock Steady Boxing trainer

exhausted, but I always know I’ll be back because I’m part of a team now. I owe it to the others to show up,” said Reilly.

Dylan Frere, a junior at Champlain Valley Union High School was one of those volunteers. “Zach came in and spoke to us about the program. He was really enthusiastic, so I signed up and then I kind of fell in love with it,” said Frere. “Once you get there, you just forget about everything else that’s going on in your life. I think that’s how the athletes feel as well.”

Despite generational differences among the group – “A lot of them couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen ‘Rocky’ yet,” said Frere, “I gotta go watch that movie!” – both athletes and volunteers were moved by the connection they made.

“I was really impressed by their work ethic and their attitudes,” said Frere. “They’d work their tails off every time! It must be hard for people with Parkinson’s to wake up every morning knowing they might feel a little bit worse every day. I was just blown away by how positive and genuine the athletes were.”

Reilly is a good example of that positivity. “After going through

such a dark time, I surprised myself with how I was able to come back. Yoda the Jedi says ‘there is no try there is only do.’ But I say there is only try. I made a choice to try to try.”

“Parkinson’s or no Parkinson’s, the only thing any of us have is the time we have right now,” says Reilly, “and even though I have Parkinson’s, when I look at some of the things that happen to so many people in the world, I’m a pretty fortunate guy.”

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Experts estimate that as many as 1 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease.

Rock Steady Boxing athletes and volunteers at Fyzical in Williston enjoy a high-intensity program that helps those with Parkinson’s disease maintain their mobility and balance. Pictured in front row from left: CVU Volunteers Dylan Frere, Stella Dooley and Emerson Rice; back row: John Eisenmann, Keith Gaylord, Mike Reilly and Michael Davis.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY ZACH WILSON

Chris Dubose works the heavy bag. OBSERVER PHOTO BY RICK COTE

Getting from here to there without your car

BY AMY BREWER & KEVIN BATSON

We need to go to the grocery store, the pharmacy, the library or the sports field. Our “Car Culture” makes it so easy to hop into the car for all our transportation needs without even thinking about it. Let’s stop for a moment and see if together we can change the way we choose to use our cars and pivot to something different. We all have different important reasons for wanting to decrease our solo driving in cars; it’s increasingly expensive, emissions are harmful to our earth, we may not have access to a working car, we may want the health benefit of people-powered transportation. Whatever your reason, here are a few ideas to get you moving down the path of transportation without solely relying on a car.

Benefits of People Powered Transportation

Dividing your Trip Between the Car and Walking/Biking

Try driving part way to a central location and walking/biking the rest of the way!

Taft Corners, Finney Crossing, and the Village Center have sidewalks and rec paths throughout as well as pedestrian crossing signals across Routes 2, and 2A and N. Williston Rd. You can even connect from the Village/WCS/Village Park to Taft Corners through the Southridge Neighborhood. It’s marked, but you might want to keep your eyes peeled for the signs the first couple of times you travel through.

Electric Bike - Move Further and Faster

The increased availability and affordability of electric bikes (e-Bikes) can help many folks move around or move further. They can even help you get to where you’re going without the sweat. Scooters, skateboards and others might be your wheeled device of choice. Please remember, however, that a helmet is a great way to protect your brain and be sure to obey all the rules of the road.

Trains and Buses Instead of the Automobile

Riding the bus or a train for a longer trip are also great forms of transportation that only get more economical and

Can’t walk/bike from where you live?

To boost your health without even having to “exercise,” walking and biking are simple, easy and often delightful forms of transportation. There is no carbon emission, no fuel source, and often it can help you slow down and see the community in a new and different way. It even helps combat stress and helps boost your mood! The Town of Williston works hard to fill in its sidewalk and bike infrastructure gaps. For many neighborhoods, especially north of the Interstate, you CAN get there from here. For many, it is not necessarily a direct route, and it may take longer. But you can generally find a safe route and the more you do it, the greater the health benefits. You’ll be crushing that recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week in no time – without even trying!

The Williston Park-and-Ride location overlooking I89 Exit 12 on St. George Rd., offers 140 parking spots, a bike rack and a Green Mountain Transit bus stop.

OBSERVER PHOTO BY SUSAN COTE

better for the environment the more folks use them. Williston is fortunate to have regular Green Mountain Transit (GMT) bus service that connects us to S. Burlington (University Mall/Dorset St.) and Burlington (UVM, Champlain College, and Church St.). Bus #10 connects Taft Corners with Essex Junction and the Essex Experience and Bus #2 connects Essex Junction (Amtrak Station) to Winooski, UVM Medical Center and Downtown Burlington.

To avoid the perpetual parking headaches of Burlington, you could try parking at (or walking or biking to) the Amtrak Station in Essex Junction and taking the bus. It’s very frequent, direct and easy.

You can also take the GMT Link Commuter bus (Route 86) to Waterbury and Montpelier from the Park and Rides in Williston and Richmond. For more on that, visit www.ridegmt.com.

If you work, shop and/or like to visit any of those areas, the bus can get you there. Does it involve a bit more planning than driving yourself? Yes, it does. Do you have to go and come back on the GMT/Amtrak

schedule? Yes. Can you read a book, listen to music, catch up on work/emails, or even zone out while you’re traveling? Yes –you can! And it’s not all or nothing. You can do some modes of travel sometimes and try others at other times. Even adding in some of these options a day or two a week has great benefits all the way around.

If you’re trying them out but finding barriers such as sidewalks/rec paths in disrepair, missing bus stop signs, or other challenges, reach out to your town or GMT so they can keep track of changes or upkeep needed.

There is opportunity for all of us to try moving around without cars to get from here to there and back again. The more we all do it, the greater the benefits to both the community and to ourselves and the more the community will be designed to support it. We look forward to seeing you out there!

Amy Brewer is Williston’s Commissioner to the Green Mountain Transit Board of Commissioners and the regional coordinator for the Safe Routes to School program and Kevin Batson is a member of the Williston Energy Committee.

New ‘incentive calculator’ launches to help Vermonters electrify their homes

BY JUAN VEGA DE SOTO VTDigger

To celebrate Earth Day, two nonprofits have announced the launch of a Vermont-specific incentives calculator (https://homes. rewiringamerica.org/calculator) to electrify everything from your car to your water heater.

Rewire America, a national electrification nonprofit, worked with Efficiency Vermont on a version of Rewire’s “savings calculator” that gives Vermonters a customized breakdown of the incentives they might qualify for if they want to electrify any aspect of their homes.

Vermont House Speaker Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, Agency for Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore and representatives for all three members of Vermont’s congressional delegation spoke at the Statehouse on Monday at the launch of the new online tool.

It is part of Efficiency Vermont’s efforts to help people know where to start when electrifying their home and to nudge them toward decarbonising and installing high-efficiency electrics, according to Managing Director Peter Walke.

To that end, the calculator is simple to use. Users can input six pieces of personal information — homeownership status, ZIP code, electric utility company, household income, tax filing status and household size — and the tool responds with a list of currently available incentives.

These incentives come in many different forms — from tax rebates to upfront discounts — and from a variety of federal, state and private sources.

For instance, a home-owning Burlington family of four with an annual income of $80,000 might qualify for $840 off a heat-pumppowered clothes dryer, up to

$5,000 off a new electric vehicle or 75% off, up to $9,500, of the cost of weatherizing their house — among other incentives.

The tool returned such results within about 30 seconds. It’s also available in Spanish.

“The breadth of incentives available to Vermonters is extensive,” Walke said.

In their brief remarks to the assembled press at the Statehouse, the representatives of the congressional delegation underscored that most of these incentives were a product of the federal Inflation Reduction Act’s $8.8 billion in funding for the Department of Energy to allocate to states for home energy efficiency and electrification projects.

In her remarks, Moore said her old clothes dryer stopped working, and she used the calculator over the weekend to see if she should switch to a heat pump dryer.

“It was actually extremely cost-competitive,” she said.

When disposing of unwanted items make sure you help protect the environment and the safety of your community.

GREEN Green tips

Cleaning out responsibly

Spring cleaning often includes getting rid of unwanted items that have accumulated in closets, basements, garages and barns. When doing so, there are ways to make sure you help protect the environment and the safety of your community.

Jason Batchelder, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, urges homeowners to avoid placing hazardous and recyclable materials in the trash. “Proper disposal not only protects our communities but also reduces the risks associated with harmful chemicals and potential battery fires,” he said in a press release.

Unwanted items like old TVs, fluorescent light bulbs, mercury thermostats, leftover paint and expired batteries can be taken to free special recycling locations across the state. Visit DEC’s VTrecycles.com and click on the orange “Special Recycling” symbol to find a collection location near you. Special recycling collections save natural resources, reduce carbon emissions and waste, and provide materials that are made into new products, like Local Color Paint, appliances, and batteries. Responsibly disposing of household hazardous waste (HHW) – including any household, automotive, lawn, or garden

products labeled “caution, toxic, danger, hazard, warning, poisonous, reactive, corrosive, or flammable” – is an important step in personal and public safety. Residents can bring HHW to the Chittenden Solid Waste District by appointment. To learn more visit cswd.net/hazardous-waste/.

For other spring cleaning questions, visit the DEC’s “What Do I Do With This?”, which explains how to get rid of items like tires, scrap metal, medications, and more. You can also learn what to do with things locally by exploring CSWD’s A-Z Guide, an online, searchable list of waste items, and what to do with them at cswd.net/a-z/.

BY DEBORAH MIUCCIO Special to the Observer

You can create a haven for pollinators and birds by reducing the mowed area of your lawn and setting aside a section of your landscape for a mini meadow filled with native and non-invasive plants. This provides a natural habitat that is both beautiful and beneficial. Reducing an area of your mowed lawn also saves you time, reduces emissions and saves money.

This May, consider converting a piece of your lawn back to its more natural state. You can get started with a free packet of wildflower seeds thanks to a partnership with the Williston Conservation Commission, Sustainable Williston and American Meadows.

Wildflower give-away

Pick up a free packet of wildflower seeds on Green Up Day!

Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Town Green, next to the library

Free meadow-scaping and pollinator-friendly seeds will be available for pick-up on Green Up Day. Come to the town green next to the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library on May 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you are participating in No Mow May, you can also grab a sign to inform your neighbors that you are postponing cutting the grass in May to provide pollinators with an early source of food.

Here are a few great benefits to reducing your lawn:

As new developments are being built in Williston, front and backyards are an increasingly important resource to maintaining healthy ecosystems. Traditional lawns don’t provide food for pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Replacing a part of your lawn with a wildflower or native plant garden will provide a source of food and habitat for them and beauty for you.

Gas-powered mowers and blowers produce harmful emissions.

GREEN Save a patch for the pollinators

Mowing less reduces pollution and makes for a healthier and quieter neighborhood.

Pesticides and fertilizers used on lawns run off into our waterways and eventually into Lake Champlain. They can be harmful to soil microbes, wildlife, pets and humans too.

A demonstration mini meadow and pollinator garden will be planted this May in the Village Community Park along the recreation path. An area of turf will be rewilded in collaboration with Williston Parks and Recreation, volunteers from Sustainable Williston and an 8th grade Williston Central School class. Perennials and wildflowers will be planted in one section. Another section will go unmown, fertilizer and pesticide free, with plantings of raspberries and blackberries for recreation path users to snack on and enjoy later this summer.

Do you want to create a wildflower garden at home but don’t know where to start? Here is some information that may help.

You first need to remove the existing lawn. Just spreading seeds onto the grass won’t yield good results. Whether you are planting seeds or starter plants, an area needs to be cleared of the existing grass and weeds that will compete with the new plants. You can prepare the soil using one of these methods:

A wildflower meadow can boast a wide array of colorful annual and perennial plants.

Williston Village Community Park, right, will be the site of future pollinator gardens and a raspberry patch.

Sheet mulching: Apply dead leaves directly on top of grass. Cover the leaves with 1-2 layers of cardboard. Wet the cardboard, then add topsoil and compost on top of the cardboard. Plant right into this topsoil/compost mix. The cardboard will smother the grass and eventually break down and integrate into the existing soil.

Solarization and smothering: This uses sunlight to kill the grass and weeds to prepare the

garden area. Cover the area with clear plastic or a black tarp for 6 weeks.

Rototilling and sod cutting: These methods use machinery to remove turf and weeds from the planting area.

Join us in reducing our lawns and together we’ll invite beauty and biodiversity to our landscape.

Deborah Miuccio is a member of Sustainable Williston.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN MEADOWS

COURTESY PHOTO

CLOCKWISE (l to r): CVU’s Declan Cummings fouls off a pitch during the Redhawks’ scrimmage with the Essex Hornets last Wednesday in Essex. Aaron LaRose gets the starting nod in the 4-3 win. Orion Yates beats the throw with a headfirst dive back to first. Shortstop Russell Willough gets in front of the ball.

OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

Dorothy Alling Memorial Library hours:

• Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

• Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Visit www.damlvt.org to apply for a library card and to register for programs which require registration. Need help? Call 878-4918 or email daml@damlvt.org.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Children 4th grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age.

SATURDAY MUSIC

Saturday, April 27, 10:30-11 a.m.

Weekend music with Linda!

LITTLES D&D

Saturday, April 27, 1-2 p.m. A mini session of D&D for ages 6-8. No experience required. Adults should stay to help their campaigner(s). Register.

STORYTIME

Tuesdays, April 30 & May 7, 10:30-11 a.m. Drop in for stories and fun.

BABY TIME

Wednesday, May 1, 10:30-11 a.m.

Socialize and bond with these gentle activities.

AFTER SCHOOL GAME TIME

Wednesday, May 1, 2-3 p.m. Play games indoors or outdoors after school.

MUSIC AND PLAYTIME

Thursdays, May 2 & 9, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sing with Linda.

SATURDAY STORYTIME

Saturday, May 4, 10:30-11 a.m. Step into the library for Saturday Storytime with Cindy and then head to the Green Up Day Town Fair!

TEEN NIGHT: FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Monday, May 6, 5-6 p.m. Ages 12+. Join our teen advisory board! You bring the thoughts, we bring the food.

KID CRAFTERNOON: REUSABLE T-SHIRT BAGS

Tuesday, May 7, 3-4 p.m. Learn how to keep old shirts out of the landfill with CSWD. Bring an old t-shirt and turn it into a reusable bag!

AFTER SCHOOL STEAM FUN ACTIVITY

Wednesday, May 8, 2-3 p.m. Experience

April 2 at 4:33 a.m. — Male at Shaw’s yelling and swearing. Male was moved along.

April 2 at 10:01 a.m. — Report of illegal dumping on Williston Road. Property that was dumped belonged to a victim of larceny.

April 3 at 1:36 p.m. — Report of an Amazon package being stolen on Oak Knoll Road. Package was not recovered.

April 3 at 4 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Best Buy. Male suspect was located and issued a citation for retail theft.

April 3 at 10:04 p.m. — Two males in Walmart acting suspicious. One male was issued a notice of trespass and moved along. The other male had an active arrest warrant. He was transported to the correctional facility.

April 4 at 3:38 a.m. — During a traffic stop it was discovered that the male operator had an active arrest warrant. He was transported to the correctional facility.

physics with different launching activities.

LEGO TIME

Thursday, May 9, 3-4 p.m. Enjoy our LEGO collection.

MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS

SOUTHERN VERMONT NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM WILDLIFE TALES

Friday, April 26, 1-2 p.m. Enjoy stories of animals from around the world while meeting live animals to experience the natural history. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

GREEN UP DAY TOWN FAIR

Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit the Library table at Town Fair Green Up Day to pick up a packet of sunflower seeds while supplies last and enter a raffle for a new gardening book! Wrap the day up at the Library with a Pollinator Talk.

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

Illustrate a poem in the youth area or ask for a book page at the circulation desk to create your own blackout poem.

ADULT PROGRAMS

For online programs or to join a book club, email daml@damlvt.org.

ADULT MEDITATION (ONLINE)

Fridays in April & May, 12-12:30 p.m. Get in touch with your peaceful body and breath.

FAIR HOUSING IN WILLISTON

Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m. Join us

citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.

April 6 at 7:50 p.m. — Retail theft reported at CVS. Male suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft.

April 7 at 1:35 a.m. — Assisted State Police with a motor vehicle crash in Richmond. Female operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.

to view a short film about housing issues and then participate in a discussion with Williston Planning and Zoning staff and the Community Justice Center about local housing issues.

SPANISH (ONLINE)

Wednesday, May 1, 5-6 p.m. Brush up your Spanish. All levels.

ADULT CRAFTERNOON: TEA TOWEL PRINTING

Thursday, May 2, 2-3:30p.m. Print flowers on tea towels with fabric paint. Register.

ADULT RPG: WHITE BOX

Thursday, May 2, 5:30-8 p.m. Join our 2-hour fantasy role playing game for adults. Register online for details.

MAH JONGG

Friday, May 3, 1-3 p.m. Drop in to play this fun tile game.

POLLINATOR TALK WITH THE UVM MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM

Saturday, May 4, 1-2:30 p.m. Learn how to support pollinators in your garden or backyard from a UVM Master Gardener.

CURRENT EVENTS

Wednesday, May 8, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Drop in to talk current events.

LIFE STORIES (ONLINE)

Wednesday, May 8, 2-3:30. Choose a story from your life to share with others.

AFTER HOURS BOOK CLUB

Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m. “And Then There Were None by” Agatha Christie.

issued a no trespass order.

April 8 at 3:04 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Marshalls. Female suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft.

April 8 at 6:31 p.m. — Traffic stop conducted. Male operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.

April 5 at 2:08 a.m. — Following a traffic stop, a male was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.

April 5 at 10:53 a.m. — Traffic stop conducted. Male operator had an active arrest warrant. He was transported to court for arraignment.

April 5 at 2:27 p.m. — Traffic stop conducted. Male operator was issued a citation to appear in court for driving with a criminally suspended license.

April 5 at 3:58 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Best Buy. Male suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft.

April 5 at 11:55 p.m. — Motor vehicle crash in Brennan Woods. Female operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.

April 6 at 3:40 p.m. — Traffic stop conducted. Male operator was issued a

April 4 at 6:14 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Ulta Beauty. An arrest warrant was issued for the female suspect.

April 7 at 10:49 a.m. — Report of a possible retail theft at LL Bean. LL Bean recovered the property. Male suspect was

Officers also conducted 52 traffic stops and responded to eight alarm activations and 14 motor vehicle accidents.

Music Plays Here

Millions of tourists pour into Tennessee, our 16th state, because of its music, especially country-western. Gospel, Christian, blues, jazz, Appalachian folk, bluegrass and rock ’n’ roll are important musical influences.

Early people in the area included Muscogee Creek, Yuchi and Shawnee, and later Cherokee, who came west from Virginia. Tennessee means “meeting place of the waters” in the Cherokee language.

Hernando de Soto was the first European to explore the area, in about 1541. The French, Spanish, British and North Carolina all claimed parts of the area.

Mini Fact: Country music legend Marty Stuart, on stage at the Grand Ole Opry, has won many Grammy Awards.

time. Although it is not as important today, it is still a top crop. Farms and businesses also raise cattle, chickens, soybeans, corn, tobacco, timber and hogs.

Tennessee’s largest manufacturing industry is automobiles. Nissan, General Motors and Volkswagen all have plants there.

Fun in Tennessee

The Appalachian Trail runs through the Great Smoky Mountains. Hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, skiing and mountain biking are popular outdoor sports.

In the Civil War, Tennessee had the second most battles of all the states. Today, it is the 15th most-populated state, with more than 7 million people.

Tennessee is called the Volunteer State because it has had so many people volunteer to serve in the nation’s wars.

Living in Tennessee

Nashville is the state capital. It’s also called Music City USA, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is there.

Memphis is thought of as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland, is a popular tourist attraction.

King Cotton was the name given this important crop in the 1800s. It helped bring great wealth to plantation owners of that

Dollywood, an amusement park in Pigeon Forge, was founded by singer and songwriter Dolly Parton. She grew up along the Little Pigeon River with 11 brothers and sisters.

The “Grand Ole Opry” is a world-famous radio show and live performance venue where musicians such as Garth Brooks, Parton and Chet Atkins became stars. It is the longest continuously running radio show in America, on the air since 1925.

Cumberland Caverns is the second-largest known cave system in Tennessee and one of the longest in the world. The Lost Sea in Sweetwater is the largest known underground lake in the United States.

Words that remind us of Tennessee are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:

Next Week: The Homestead Act

Famous Tennesseans

• Al Gore is best known for his run for the U.S. presidency in 2000. Although he won the popular vote, he lost the electoral vote and the presidency to George W. Bush.

He was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Carthage, Tennessee, and Washington. His father was a U.S. congressman and then senator from Tennessee.

Gore was elected to the House of Representatives from Tennessee for four terms, and to the U.S. Senate for two terms. He served as vice president with President Bill Clinton.

• Davy Crockett was a legendary frontiersman. Movies and stories about him have made him famous even today.

He was born in Greene County, Tennessee, and grew up in Jefferson County. He served as a U.S. Army scout and later as a U.S. congressman from Tennessee.

He was killed fighting against the Mexican army at the Alamo, a fort in Texas.

On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPTennessee

At the library:

• “Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop” by Alice Faye Duncan

• “Dolly: The Story of Dolly Parton and Her Big Dream” by Robyn McGrath

Mini Jokes

Trey: What did Tennes-see?

Tonya: The same thing Arkan-saw!

Eco Note

Founded by Betty Debnam

photo by John Walker

photo by McDoobAU93

photo by Center for American Progress Action Fund

The Wild Eagle at Dollywood was the first wing coaster in the United States.

Al Gore

Davy Crockett

King Cotton was the name given this important crop in the 1800s. It helped bring great wealth to plantation owners of that known

of the longest in the world. The Lost Sea in Sweetwater is the largest known underground lake in the United States.

Try ’n’ Find

Words that remind us of Tennessee are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:

AUTOMOBILES, BLUES, CAVERNS, CHEROKEE, COTTON, COUNTRY, CROCKETT, DOLLYWOOD, GORE, GRACELAND, MEMPHIS, MUSIC, NASHVILLE, OPRY, ROCK, TENNESSEE, TOBACCO, VOLUNTEER.

C S E L I B O M O T U A N D F

D H D O O W Y L L O D Y D G R

M O E A H N Y R T N U O C O E

U C P R X C A V E R N S L R E

S C V R O D E E S S E N N E T

I A B S Y K T T E K C O R C N

C B L O U M E M P H I S O E U

X O U G R A C E L A N D T G L

J T E K C O R U C O T T O N O

Y U S C O N A S H V I L L E V

Cook’s Corner

Rice and Meat Balls

You’ll need:

• 1/2 cup white rice, uncooked

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 egg

• 1 medium onion, chopped

What to do:

• pinch of salt and pepper

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 1 can tomato soup

1. Mix all the ingredients together except the soup.

2. With clean hands, shape the mixture into small balls.

3. Place balls in a large baking dish and pour soup over them.

4. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Makes a dozen balls.

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

• “Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop” by Alice Faye Duncan

• “Dolly: The Story of Dolly Parton and Her Big Dream” by Robyn McGrath

Mini Jokes

Trey: What did Tennes-see?

Tonya: The same thing Arkan-saw!

Eco Note

Marine biologists say thousands of humpback whales starved to death in the North Pacific between 2012 and 2021 due to a massive marine heat wave sometimes referred to as “the blob.” After decades of population growth due to conservation efforts and the end of commercial whaling, 20% of the marine mammals apparently perished because the warmer ocean waters produced less food. Scientists say tufted puffins, sea lions and seals also saw population declines during the heat wave. “These whales are indicators of ocean health,” said Ted Cheeseman of Australia’s Southern Cross University.

For later: Look in your newspaper for articles that feature Tennessee.

Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!

Dear Savvy Senior,

Next month I am moving to a different state so I can be near my daughter and grandkids. Do I need to notify Social Security and Medicare about the move?

Relocating Grandma

Dear Relocating,

Yes, if you’re a Social Security and Medicare recipient you definitely need to let Federal agencies know when and where you move so there are no hiccups in your benefits or coverage.

HOW TO UPDATE YOUR INFO.

If you’re receiving Social Security retirement, survivors or disability benefits, it’s required that you notify the Social Security Administration when you move to avoid disruptions and ensure your deposits continue.

You’ll need to provide them your new mailing address so they can deliver important documents to you like your annual SSA-1099 tax form. And if you’re switching banks or credit unions, you’ll need to update your direct deposit information by providing your new financial institution’s routing number and account number.

By Jim

If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, they too need your new mailing address so bills, correspondence, Medicare Summary Notice and other statements go to the right address.

You can update both your Social Security and Medicare contact information online by simply using the “My Profile” tab in your personal “my Social Security” account at SSA.gov/myaccount. If you don’t have an account, you can create one online for free in just a few minutes.

If you need some help or don’t have internet access, you can call Social Security at 800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security

office and they will make the changes for you.

MEDICARE PRIVATE PLANS

You also need to know that if you’re enrolled in original Medicare, you can move anywhere within the United States without losing coverage. But if you have Part D prescription drug coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan from a private health insurance company, and you move out of the plan’s service area, you’ll have to switch plans or you’ll face losing coverage.

Part D service areas typically are statewide or can extend to parts of neighboring states, while Medicare Advantage plans’ service areas vary by county.

Moving out of a plan’s service area qualifies you for a special enrollment period (SEP) of at least two months to get a new plan. You may also qualify if you move within your plan’s service area and it offers options different from what you had. The enrollment timing depends on when you notify the plan.

If you tell your plan before you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month before the month you move and continues for two full months after you move. If you tell your plan after you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month you tell your plan, plus two more full months.

To shop for new Part D and Medicare Advantage plans in your new area, use the Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov/ plan-compare.

You can also switch Part D or Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment, which runs each year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 for coverage starting Jan. 1.

MEDIGAP PLANS

If you’re enrolled in original Medicare and have a Medigap supplemental policy you usually don’t have to switch plans if you move, but you do need to notify your provider. Some insurers let you keep the rate based on the state where you originally applied for Medigap. Others may change your premiums to coincide with their coverage in a different zip code.

TODAY’S HISTORY:

• In 1859, British, French and German engineers began construction on the Suez Canal in Egypt.

• In 1898, the United States declared war on Spain.

• In 1945, U.S. and Soviet troops met at the Elbe River in Germany, signaling the defeat of German defenses.

• In 1953, Francis Crick and James D. Watson published an article describing the double helix structure of DNA.

• In 2011, a four-day tornado outbreak in the southern United States began, producing 358 tornadoes and killing more than 300.

TODAY’S FACT:

• Most of Jim Henson’s Muppets are left-handed, due to the fact that their puppeteers use their dominant hand (typically the right) to control the puppets’ head and mouth, while the other hand controls the puppets’ arms. SUDOKU

Find the 7 words to match the 7 clues. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in each solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle.

1 treat like a child (9)

2 flower child (8)

3 abandoned child (9)

4 child’s play (4)

5 Destiny’s Child member, once (7)

6 firstborn child (6)

7 with child (8)

© 2024 Blue Ox Family Games, Inc., Dist. by Andrews McMeel

Williston

RACK LOCATIONS

Williston

Adams Farm Market

Belle’s Café

Chef’s Corner

Dorothy Alling

Memorial Library

Fairfield Inn

Gardener’s Supply

Green Mountain Bagel

Hannaford

Healthy Living Williston

Home2Suites

Island Homemade

Ice Cream

Korner Kwik Stop

Marriott Courtyard

Men At Wok

M&T Bank

Ramunto’s Rehab Gym

Shell Gas Station (Essex Rd)

Simon’s Mobil Williston

Simply Divine Café

Sonesta

Sunoco Station

Town of Williston Offices

UPS Store

Vermont Meat & Seafood

Williston Coffee Shop

Essex Junction

Essex Automotive

Five Corner Variety

Hannaford

Inn at Essex

Mac’s Market

Martone’s Deli

Price Chopper

Quality Bake Shop

River Road Beverage

Richmond

Cumberland Farms

Richmond Free Library

Richmond Market

Richmond Mobil Mart

Saunders

continued from page 4

explicitly and implicitly.

“In every state that I’ve worked, charter schools are public schools,” Saunders said. “I’m here because I believe in the power of public education.”

Based on her first week on the job, Saunders said she’s heard from school leaders that the state is looking for a “unifying vision” for the education system that would take into account education finance, education quality, enrollment, facilities and workforce development.

“Growing mental health needs” of students, Saunders said, was also a “key theme” she’s heard from Vermonters.

Saunders mostly declined to answer questions about current ideas for Vermont’s public education system, saying she needed to spend more time listening to teachers and school leaders and analyzing data before she could recommend specific policies.

While the majority of the hearing proceeded amicably, Saunders did face pointed questions, particularly from Sen. Martine Gulick, D-Chittenden Central, who said she’d received more than 300 messages from “concerned constituents” about Saunders.

Gulick interrogated the new secretary on her thoughts on private schools receiving public money, charter schools and

education policies in Florida targeting LGBTQ students.

Saunders acknowledged that Florida had drawn headlines over the “culture wars.”

“I bring none of that,” she said.

Working in Fort Lauderdale, Saunders said she spent time thinking about the history of redlining and segregation in the city, ensuring that “our full history” wasn’t ignored.

Regarding Saunders’ previous experience, Gulick said her research indicated the new education secretary would be the only state public education leader nationwide who had worked for a for-profit charter school company.

“I’m going to respectfully push back on … your assumption that I don’t have public school experience,” Saunders said. “I have devoted my entire career to public education.”

As is customary, Saunders has already started work while the Senate considers her appointment.

Saunders’ resume has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and Progressives, particularly her years spent as an executive for Charter Schools USA, a for-profit corporation based in Florida, and what some have characterized as limited public school experience.

Scott announced Saunders as his pick last month, almost a year since the last permanent secretary, Dan French, stepped down.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Prior to coming to Vermont, Saunders spent three months as chief strategy and innovation officer for Broward County Public Schools, her only experience working directly for a public school district. In that role, she helped lead a campaign called “Redefining Our Schools,” which involved closing or repurposing schools due in part to a shrinking student body. She also took the position while interviewing for her role in Vermont.

Before working for Broward County schools, Saunders served for almost five years as chief education officer for the city of Ft. Lauderdale, a role that involved working with public and private schools.

Saunders has not worked as a teacher, principal or superintendent — a contrast to the state’s last education secretaries, French and Rebecca Holcombe, who now serves as a Democratic state representative from Norwich.

Vermont’s public education system is dealing with seismic problems. The state faces declining pre-K-12 enrollment, skyrocketing costs and a student mental health crisis, all factors contributing to a systemwide reckoning.

The Senate education committee is expected to vote on whether to recommend Saunders’ appointment later this week.

Saunders will then need the support of a majority of the full Senate. That vote is expected next week.

Poll

continued from page 8

the governor, told VTDigger on Tuesday that high approval of the governor’s pandemic-era governing “was a demonstration of what people want to see in a governor — someone who’s able to take very, very difficult challenges that are thrown at a chief executive, and be a strong manager and a strong leader.”

Twenty-nine percent of respondents, on the other hand, said they disapprove of the governor’s performance. They cited the governor’s handling of the state’s education system, state budgeting and finances, and his handling of drug policy and homelessness in the state.

In response, Maulucci told VTDigger, “It’s no secret we’re in a difficult time with education.” This Town Meeting Day, roughly one-third of school budgets were voted down in the face of projected double-digit property tax increases. In the ensuing weeks, Scott’s office has squared off with the Democratic Legislature over how to respond.

“The state costs are out of control. Results aren’t where they should be for the investments that we’re making,” Maulucci said. “And there’s just a lot of anxiety about what might be coming down the road.”

While Scott and Sanders’ November plans remain murky, those of U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., are not. The first-term member of Congress announced her reelection campaign last month.

Puzzle found on page 19

SUDOKU SOLUTION

Puzzle found on page 19

Denise Ann Bagdon

Denise Ann Bagdon, 79, of Tyler Way in Williston, died unexpectedly on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at UVM Medical Center.

She was born on Nov. 20, 1944, in Stamford, VT, the daughter of Arthur and E. Doris Caron. She was a graduate of Drury HS, class of 1962. On Aug. 17, 1963, she married Stanley Bagdon, Jr. at St. John Bosco in Stamford. They were happily married for over 60 years.

She was employed at Sprague electric as a copy machine operator from 1962 to 1963, where she met her husband, Stan. After moving to northern Vermont, she was a bookkeeper for Simmonds Precision Credit Union, various churches in the diocese of Burlington, and Hayes and Carney.

After retiring with Stan, they traveled the country for several years. Denise also volunteered in her parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Williston. She was part of the bereavement committee and other ministries in the parish. She was a volunteer for many years at The Respite House in Williston, VT, serving the nutritional and other needs of residents there.

She is survived by her spouse, Stan, her daughter Karen Irving and spouse Michael Irving, her son Jeffrey Bagdon and spouse Melissa Bagdon, her son James Bagdon and spouse Robin Bagdon. She is also survived by her brother Dewey Caron and his spouse Nieves Caron, and her brother Doug Caron and his spouse Rosemary Caron. She is also survived by her four grandchildren, their spouses, and her three great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated April 23 at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Williston, VT.

Memorial donations may be made to University of Vermont Health Network Home Health &

Hospice organization, which supports The Respite House. Donations can be mailed to 1110 Prim Rd., Colchester, VT 05446 or on their website at www.uvmhomehealth. org/donate.

Arrangements are in the care of Ready Funeral and Cremation Services. To share online condolences, please visit www.readyfuneral. com.

Mary Ann (Quinn) Corey

Mary Ann (Quinn) Corey, age 83 of Williston, VT, died on March 8, 2024, due to complications from a series of illnesses.

She was born on Sept. 11, 1940, in Burlington, VT, daughter of Delvina (Dorey) Quinn and Henry Moore Quinn. Mary Ann was a graduate of Cathedral High School, Class of ’58.

On May 29, 1965, she married Emery D. Corey at St. Joseph’s Church in Burlington, VT.

She is survived by her husband, Emery; daughter, Jill Marie Corby of Burlington; daughter, Rebecca Ann Smith of Burlington; six grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; sister, Pamela (Eugene) Duchaine; and two nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, Delvina and Henry Quinn.

Mary Ann was very devoted to our Lord and had a great love for her husband of 58 years and her family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral Church, 29 Allen St., Burlington, VT. A reception will follow at 1 p.m. in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Mary Ann’s name to EWTN, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210 or The Divine Mercy Chapel, Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M., Eden Hill, Stockbridge, MA 01263.

“Jesus, I trust in you.”

Arrangements are in the care of the Cremation Society of Chittenden County, a Division of Ready Funeral Service. To send online condolences, please visit cremationsocietycc.com.

Charlene Orton

Charlene Orton, 56, of Williston died April 13, 2024, at UVM Medical Center in Burlington, following a lingering illness. Her loving family and close friends were by her side. She was born in Morrisville, Aug. 3, 1967, one of five children born to the late Clayton E. and Merlene (Ring) Orton. She graduated from Essex High School in the Class of 1985.

Charlene was employed for more than 16 years at the Merchants Bank in South Burlington. She later worked for the City of Burlington Public Works Department and then the Code Enforcement Department.

She enjoyed motorcycling, reading, music and eating out at many different restaurants.

Survivors include: her siblings, Cathy Fraser of Killeen, Texas, Lori (Dean) Stratton of Hardwick, Patricia (Eric) Meade of South Duxbury, sister-in-law Andrea Orton; one aunt; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Charlene was predeceased by a brother Dale Orton, and brother-inlaw Leon Fraser.

To honor her request, there will be no service. There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the VFW, 73 Pearl Street, Essex Jct. VT (next to the fairgrounds).

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Ct., South Burlington, VT 05403.

Arrangements are in the care of Northern Vermont Funeral Service, 60 Elm Street, Hardwick. Online condolences are welcomed at:northernvermontfuneralservice.com

Josephine (Balestra) Turner

Josephine (Balestra) Turner of Williston and a former resident of Rutland, died on March 17, 2024 at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, after a long illness.

Josephine was born in

Belmont, VT. on April 11, 1936. She was the daughter of Teno and Giacomina (Carrara) Balestra. She was the second of four daughters, Jeanne, Annette and Martha.

She worked several years in the health care field and owned and managed several apartments into her later years with her husband Earl.

Surviving Josephine are her beloved husband Earl, daughters, Tina Heaslip (Jay), Terri Dumont (Keith).

Also surviving Josephine are five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, sisters, Annette West, Martha Parker (Bill) and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her mother, father, sister Jeanne Clifford and brother-in-law Linton West.

There will be no services at this time.

Community Bankers

Community Bankers

Community Bankers

BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS®

Community

BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS®

BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS®

Bankers

CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL

VCDP Planning Grant 2023

the uncommitted reserve capacity that will be available for use during the next fiscal year which starts July 1, 2024.

There is no better time to join our Team!

BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS®

Community Bankers

There is no better time to join our Team!

There is no better time to join our Team!

BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS®

There is no better time to join our Team!

Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest LOCAL BANK in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all.

North eld Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest LOCAL BANK in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all.

Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest LOCAL BANK in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all

Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest LOCAL BANK in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all

Consider joining our team as a Community Banker at our Taft Corners or Richmond location!

Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest LOCAL BANK in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all.

Consider joining our team as a Community Banker at our Taft Corners or Richmond location!

Consider joining our team as a Community Banker at our Taft Corners or Richmond location!

Relevant Skills: Customer Service, Cash Handling (we’ll train you!) Even better… if you have prior banking experience, we encourage you to apply!

Consider joining our team as a Community Banker at our Taft Corners or Richmond location!

Relevant Skills: Customer Service, Cash Handling (we’ll train you!) Even better… if you have prior banking experience, we encourage you to apply!

Relevant Skills: Customer Service, Cash Handling (we’ll train you!) Even better… if you have prior banking experience, we encourage you to apply!

Relevant Skills: Customer Service, Cash Handling (we’ll train you!) Even better… if you have prior banking experience, we encourage you to apply!

If you are 18 or older and have a high school diploma, general education (GED) degree, or equivalent, consider joining the NSB Team!

If you are 18 or older and have a high school diploma, general education (GED) degree, or equivalent, consider joining the NSB Team!

Opportunity for Growth

If you are 18 or older and have a high school diploma, general education (GED) degree, or equivalent, consider joining the NSB Team!

Opportunity for Growth

If you are 18 or older and have a high school diploma, general education (GED) degree, or equivalent, consider joining the NSB Team!

Opportunity for Growth

Opportunity for Growth

NSB has training opportunities to engage employees and assist with professional development within our company. The average years of service for an NSB employee is 9! If you’re looking for a career in an environment that promotes growth, join our team!

NSB has training opportunities to engage employees and assist with professional development within our company. The average years of service for an NSB employee is 9! If you’re looking for a career in an environment that promotes growth, join our team!

What NSB Can Offer You

What NSB Can Offer You

NSB has training opportunities to engage employees and assist with professional development within our company. The average years of service for an NSB employee is 9! If you’re looking for a career in an environment that promotes growth, join our team!

What NSB Can Offer You

What NSB Can Offer You

Competitive compensation based on experience. Wellrounded benefits package. Profit-Sharing opportunity. Excellent 401(k) matching retirement program. Commitment to professional development. Opportunities to volunteer and support our communities. Work -Life balance!

NSB has training opportunities to engage employees and assist with professional development within our company. The average years of service for an NSB employee is 9! If you’re looking for a career in an environment that promotes growth, join our team!

Competitive compensation based on experience. Wellrounded benefits package. Profit-Sharing opportunity. Excellent 401(k) matching retirement program. Commitment to professional development. Opportunities to volunteer and support our communities. Work -Life balance!

Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com

Competitive compensation based on experience. Wellrounded benefits package. Profit-Sharing opportunity. Excellent 401(k) matching retirement program. Commitment to professional development. Opportunities to volunteer and support our communities. Work -Life balance!

Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com

Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com

Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com

There is no better time to join our Team! www.WillistonObserver.com

Organization: Town of St. George Notice of Public Hearing

The Town of St. George is/are considering making application to the State of Vermont for a VCDP Planning Grant 2023 under the Vermont Community Development Program. A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on 5/16/2024 at 21 Barber Road St. George, VT 05495 to obtain the views of citizens on community development, to furnish information concerning the amount of funds available and the range of community development activities that may be undertaken under this program, the impact to any historic and archaeological resources that may be affected by the proposed project, and to give affected citizens the opportunity to examine the proposed statement of projected use of these funds.

The proposal is to apply for $53,000 in CDBG funds which will be used to accomplish the following activities: architectural and engineering services, environmental and historic reviews, and other studies associated with

planning, permitting, design and construction documents for bringing the St. George Town Offices/Emergency Operations Center and the St. George Old Schoolhouse/Emergency Shelter into greater ADA compliance.

Copies of the proposed application are available at 21 Barber Road St. George, VT 05495 and may be viewed during the hours of Wednesdays from 12pm-4pm or by appointment. Should you require any special accommodations, please contact Amanda Vincent at 802-482-5272 to ensure appropriate accommodations are made. For the hearing impaired please call (TTY) #1-800-253-0191.

Legislative Body for the Town of St. George

LEGAL

TOWN OF WILLISTON Notice of Adoption

On April 16, 2024, following a public hearing, the Williston Selectboard adopted an amendment to the Sewer Allocation Ordinance referred to as “Attachment A” - an existing ordinance pertaining to the allocation of sewer system capacity. This attachment will designate the portion of

Competitive compensation based on experience. Wellrounded benefits package. Profit-Sharing opportunity. Excellent 401(k) matching retirement program. Commitment to professional development. Opportunities to volunteer and support our communities. Work -Life balance!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Member FDIC

Equal Opportunity Employer / Member FDIC

Equal Opportunity Employer / Member FDIC

Equal Opportunity Employer / Member FDIC

TERMS OF SALE

• Sale per order of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Vermont, Case 24-10071.

• Current government issued photo identification required for all alcohol purchases.

• Cash, debit card or credit card only.

• We cannot accept EBT cards or gift cards. Proof of claim forms for gift cards will available at the store during the sale and must be filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

• Sales are as is & final. No further discounts.

• Please bring your reusable shopping bags.

The approved amendment is as follows:

The amendment to this ordinance will take effect on June 15, 2024, unless a petition signed by at least five percent of the voters of Williston is filed with the Town Clerk by May 30, 2024, asking for a vote to disapprove the adoption. If a petition is received, the Selectboard will warn a special meeting and the voters may vote on that question pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1973.

Copies of the text of the complete ordinance are available on the Town’s website

In print and online: We’re your neighbors, committed to keeping you informed on what’s going on in Williston.

Allen Brook students learn to listen to animals

Allen Brook School’s Horizon House recently hosted local author and podcaster Steven Shepard for a presentation on animals. Shepard has traveled all over the world capturing photos and recording the sounds of animals.

Shepard shared recordings of animals and the children were asked to guess what they were hearing. His message to the students was close your eyes, open your ears and listen. Another message he conveyed was that what you hear may not be what you think it is.

Second grade teacher Donna Powers reported that the students really enjoyed the special presentation.

Spring harbinger

Bloodroot (sanguinaria canadensis) is one of our area’s earliest blooming spring wildflowers. When cut, the roots and stems emit a reddish sap that was used by some Native Americans as a dye. These beauties appear each year under a large maple tree.