Williston Observer 05/02/2024

‘We can’t rely on winter’

Welch comes to Catamount touting climate change bill

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

Sen. Peter Welch chose Williston’s Catamount Community Forest to rally support last week for climate change mitigation legislation he is promoting alongside a congresswoman from New Hampshire.

Why Catamount? Its natural beauty and proximity to suburban Chittenden County were factors, as was Welch’s friendship with Catamount Outdoor Family Center (COFC) founder Jim McCullough, his former colleague in the Vermont Legislature. But more than that is Catamount’s position as a uniquely impacted

winter sports outfitter in the global warming age.

COFC Executive Director

John Atkinson spoke during Welch’s visit about the mild, muddy winter that was, highlighting what he expects will be a future of inconsistent cross country skiing on the publicly owned property. He described how continual rain and melt cycles left the center with bare, unskiable trails during portions of this past winter. The only packable snow, he lamented, came during spring storms.

“We can’t really rely on winter as a source of revenue any longer,” Atkinson told the gathered crowd last Wednesday. “The chances are too big that we will fail if we keep hoping that it will support us going forward, and our trails, programs, camps and clinics will struggle because of that.

Winter is no longer a promise for us. It’s a bonus at best.

“The Catamount Outdoor Family Center is on the leading edge of warming for Vermont ski areas,” Atkinson continued. “We are one of the lowest elevation

centers in the state, and we’re further from the mountains and closer to Lake Champlain.”

The center is preparing for a future more reliant on spring and summer mountain biking and trail-running operations.

Welch’s bill, the “Energizing Our Communities Act” that he is promoting with Rep. Annie Kuster of New Hampshire, is aimed at speeding the buildout of renewable energy transmission.

see WELCH page 5

Schools relaunch summer meals for all

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

The Champlain Valley School District is bringing back free summer meals for local children with a narrower version of the pandemic-era program that ended in 2022.

Starting June 24 and continuing every Monday through Aug. 19, the district’s food service program will offer boxes with seven days’ worth of

breakfasts and lunches for free pickup by parents and children. There will be a morning pickup window, 7:30-9 a.m. and an afternoon pickup window, 2:30-4 p.m. Families are asked to order ahead of time on the district’s website for guaranteed availability, but there will be some walk-up availability as well.

“(Federal) changes have made it possible for us to feed more people this summer.”

Scott Wagner CVSD Food Service Director

Meals will be distributed from the St. Jude’s Church parking lot on Route 116 in Hinesburg, according to CVSD Food Service Director Scott Wagner. The district’s food

service program is currently gauging interest in the program with an online survey at www. cvsdvt.org.

“It should be permanent so the district can do it every year and we can accomplish our main goal, which really is to make sure we can take care of people in the summer,” Wagner said. “We know that there are people who are having a tough time making ends meet, and the school meals really make a

difference in their families. The thought of not being able to help them out in the summer is tough for us, so we’re happy that we’ll be able to do that.”

The district first stood up a summer meals program in 2020 with pandemic relief policies that waived income requirements for federal funding. There were multiple distribution sites throughout the five-town district, including at Williston

see MEALS page 8

Catamount Outdoor Family Center Executive Director John Atkinson, left, speaks with Sen. Peter Welch, center, and Samuel Masters of Protect Our Winters during an event last Wednesday at the Catamount Community Forest in Williston. OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY

ALPINE SHOP

Around Town

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH BUFFET

in the Beautiful Four-Story Atrium Restaurant and Veranda at the DoubleTree Hotel Burlington SUNDAY,

Are you passionate about making a difference in the community and building lasting connections?

A diverse range of volunteer opportunities with the Town of Williston’s boards and committees can be found by visiting www. town.williston.vt.us/volunteers.

Individuals from all backgrounds, identities and walks of life are encouraged to apply. For questions or more information, contact Erin Dickinson at edickinson@willistonvt.org or (802) 876-1176.

Take a Historical Landscape Walking Tour of Williston

The Williston Historical Society will offer a Historical Landscape Walking Tour on Saturday, May 18 from 9-11 a.m. Samantha Ford will lead the group, teaching how to read old forested farmscapes and agricultural architecture to trace 300 years of land use in Williston.

Stone walls, old roads and other mysteries of the woods tell stories of the families who shaped

the landscape. Ford is the founder of Turn Stone Research and has a historical preservation degree from UVM.

Space is limited to 20 people. Email willistonhistoricalsociety@gmail.com to reserve a spot. Participants will meet at the Williston Central School parking lot at 8:45 a.m. and carpool to the Sucker Brook Hollow Trail parking lot.

St. George to go Green

St. George residents can sign up at Town Hall from 8:30-11:30 a.m. to Green Up St. George on Saturday, May 4.

Community members who return a full Green Up bag to the St. George Town Hall before noon on Saturday receive a coupon for a free ice cream at the Simon’s store in St. George. For more information, contact Mary Alice Favro by email at townclerk@stgeorgevt.com.

Items sought for food, hygiene drive

Williston Federated Church is organizing a food and hygiene drive to benefit the Williston Community Food Shelf on Saturday, May 11. Items will be

collected from 9-11 a.m. at the church parking lot at 44 North Williston Rd.

Especially needed are: peanut butter and jelly, pasta and pasta sauce, canned fruit, soups, proteins, juice, cereal, coffee, macaroni and cheese, and personal hygiene products such as shampoo, conditioner and razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, laundry detergent and pet food. Volunteers will unload from the parking lot behind the church.

Empty Arms Vermont to host second annual 5K Run and Walk event

Empty Arms Vermont invites people to their second annual 5K Run and Walk on Saturday, June 29. The fundraising event will begin at 10 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park in South Burlington. Runners and walkers can check in starting at 8:30 a.m. Register to run/walk or volunteer at www.emptyarmsvermont. org/5krun.

The Empty Arms 5K Run and Walk aims to raise awareness about pregnancy and infant loss. Funds raised will go to support individuals and families whose babies have died through miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant death or termination for medical reasons.

An awards presentation will follow the race with live music, a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream truck and a magic show.

book fairs

Educator discounts

Business-to-business

Williston Town Fair, Green Up Day happening Saturday

Saturday, May 4 is Vermont’s annual Green Up Day. For information about signing up for a route to clear trash and to get bags in advance, visit the town website at www.town.williston.vt.us.

Before or after picking up roadside litter, stop by the Village Green from 9 a.m.1 p.m. for Williston’s third annual Town Fair featuring coffee, snacks and a variety of activities, including:

• Old Brick Church open house (9 a.m.-12 p.m., beginning at the Village Green)

• Library StoryWalk on the Village Green

• Library Story Time (10:30-11 a.m.)

• Town Band Concert (12-1 p.m. at the bandstand)

• Trail mix station with REI

• Friendly Lens Photobooth with the Williston Observer

• Plant giveaway with the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club

• Selectboard meet and greet

• Pollinator program at the library (1-2 p.m.)

• Other event partners: Conservation Commission, Energy Committee, Planning and Zoning, Public Works/ Stormwater, Habitat for Humanity

Green Up Day poster art by Adelyn O., a seventh grader at Essex Middle School. CONTRIBUTED

Legislators target repeat shoplifters in new crime bill

BY NORAH WHITE Community News Service

Lawmakers are weighing a bill to punish repeat shoplifters who otherwise would only face a string of misdemeanors — a move to discourage rising retail theft and clear court backlogs the state has been facing since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The bill, H.534, passed the House last month and is now being discussed in the Senate — one step closer to becoming law, though senators are looking at an alternative way to curb the same problem.

Currently, if someone steals less than $900 worth of merchandise

from a store, a misdemeanor, they face up to $500 in fines and six months in prison. Someone who shoplifts more than $900 worth of goods, a felony, faces up to $1,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. To avoid risking the felony while still stealing more than $900 worth of merchandise in a short span, a clever thief could shoplift $899 in goods from one store, then do the same at another.

The bill would create a new penalty targeting shoplifters who steal multiple things in one county within a two-week period. If the combined value of the stolen goods exceeds $900, an offender would face the same level of fines and

imprisonment as the current felony.

The change would have a couple of predicted effects, backers say: clearing court system backlogs and discouraging repeat shoplifters.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in early 2020, judges and attorneys have been working through a large backlog of cases, said Rep. William Notte, D-Rutland, one of the sponsors of the bill.

Because of the backlogs, there have been instances where a person could rack up multiple retail theft charges in the timeframe before their court date, Notte said.

“It’s very disheartening for the general public who sees or hears about the same individuals disrupting their community,” Notte said.

He said the bill could discourage repeat offenders who, right now, may only face “several slaps on the wrist with the misdemeanor charge.”

Retail theft in Vermont is up from pre-pandemic levels, according to FBI data presented in a report to legislators. In 2019 there were 2,022 incidents of retail theft, compared to 2,416 in 2022, the data shows.

Another report given to lawmakers shows that 58 percent of repeat retail theft offenders were charged with a new retail theft offense within 30 days of their first charge, based on data spanning 2018 to 2023. Most of the new offenses came within 10 days of the first, according to the report.

Lawmakers in the Senate Committee are considering a slightly different approach. An amendment by Sen. Phil Baruth, D/PChittenden-Central, would split the penalty for stealing less than $900 worth of merchandise and scrap the two-week timespan.

First-time offenders would face up to $500 in fines and 30 days in prison. Second-time offenders would face up to $1,000 and six months. By someone’s third offense, the fine would increase to $1,500, and they would face up to three years in prison. Upon a fourth offense, a person would face up to $2,500 and 10 years in prison.

The Community News Service is a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide material for local news outlets at no cost.

continued from page 1

It would use funds approved in last year’s $370 billion Inflation Reduction Act to incentivize communities to host renewable transmission infrastructure. Incentives would come in the form of grants for projects like broadband internet infrastructure, land conservation, school construction and health care facilities.

“It’s a really neat partnership to recognize that our future energy needs are directly tied to our municipal needs.”

Ted Brady Executive Director Vermont League of Cities and Towns

“Transmission capacity is vital to renewable electricity transmission,” a memo from Welch’s office reads. “As they support our clean energy future through transmission capacity expansion, communities should benefit directly from their participation in the process. Fostering a strong relationship between developers and the communities hosting transmission projects is key to achieving the upgrades we need.”

Ted Brady, a Williston resident and executive director of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, noted that Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) transmission lines already bisect the Catamount Community Forest. He praised the bill for

recognizing the impact transmission lines have on local communities.

“(They) aren’t exactly the most attractive thing, but you do recognize that they are going to a greater good,” Brady said. “Municipalities like Williston and others across the state have to put up with (them), and there’s an appropriate place for there to be a partnership between the federal government, the state government and local government … to invest in our communities and recognize that there is some level of disruption when we’re going to this new grid.”

Brady’s organization, along with the national organization it is affiliated with, the National League of Cities and Towns — as advocates for the needs of local governments — welcome the federal funding that would reward local communities for hosting renewable energy transmission projects.

“It’s a really neat partnership to recognize that our future energy needs are directly tied to our municipal needs and what our residents in a town like Williston demand and expect of their government,” Brady said. “We’re really excited about this opportunity and look forward to helping Sen. Welch turn this thing into law.”

The legislation has support from Protect Our Winters, a climate change policy advocacy group led by winter sports athletes, and by Burton Snowboards. Maine skier Blake Keough of Protect Our Winters and Ashley Laporte, Burton’s vice president of purpose and impact, spoke in favor of the legislation at the Catamount event.

“Let’s join forces,” Keough said, “embrace renewable energy, reinvest in our towns and neighborhoods, and pave the way for a brighter future together.”

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Age old divide-and-conquer strategy used against Vermont workers

BY LIZ MEDINA

What keeps the few in power over the many?

It’s simple: divide and conquer. The “same old rich man strategy” — in the words of the artist collective the Peace Poets — is as old as the institutions of colonization and slavery. The British Empire and the emerging plantation class in the United States stoked racial resentments to prevent landless Europeans and enslaved Africans from standing together across racial lines to demand freedom and justice.

In the 20th century, it was a growing interracial industrial labor movement that frightened the ruling class. These businessmen were becoming even more rich and powerful than the plantation owners before them, commanding workforces in the thousands. Legendary labor organizers such as Phillip Murray and Walter Reuther were executing ambitious and successful plans to organize hundreds of thousands of workers across racial lines.

In 1947, Chamber of Commerce

President William Jackson was so shaken by these efforts that he gave a speech in Milwaukee calling “the Philip Murrays and the Reuthers … extreme elements” who were “exploiting their authority and monopoly position.”

That same year, the Taft-Hartley Act was passed, which amended the National Labor Relations Act. Socalled “Right-to-Work” was part of it — a provision advanced by Vance Muse, who used explicitly racist arguments to justify the policy and sell it to white workers. “Right-to-Work” laws made it harder for workers to organize and overcome the extreme imbalance of power.

Today’s bosses are weaponizing race in new ways to prevent workers from regaining some of the ground they have lost over the decades.

A coalition of 27 Vermont labor unions and allied organizations are trying to pass S.102, also known as the Vermont Protect the Right to Organize “PRO” Act. The bill passed the Senate last year with

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The Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Vermont are using the same divideand-conquer tactics to push back against the advance of workers’ rights.

overwhelming support and is now being considered by the House Committee on General and Housing alongside a complementary constitutional amendment, Proposal 3, the Workers’ Rights Amendment.

The Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Vermont, like their McCarthy-Era predecessors, are using the same divide-and-conquer tactics to push back against the advance of workers’ rights.

S.102 would achieve greater equity and fairness in Vermont’s labor laws by expanding the right to organize to agricultural and domestic workers, who were excluded from the protections of the National Labor Relations Act for racist reasons; giving employees free choice to engage with employer’s political or religious speech; and simplifying union elections in the public sector by allowing for majority sign-up or card check elections.

In their testimonies, the Chamber and Associated Industries cynically expressed concern that employers would be prevented from holding mandatory Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) meetings with employees if S.102 passes. This is false. In reality, it seems they want to preserve their power of coercion to dissuade their workers from organizing.

The definition of political and religious speech is narrowly defined in the bill and would not prohibit DEI meetings — even mandatory ones. The commitment of these employer organizations to the cause of diversity, equity and inclusion appears to be conditional. Their members

include banks, real estate companies and health insurance companies, some of which have profited from discriminatory practices, including steering minority home buyers into subprime mortgages. The Lake Champlain Chamber itself fought against raising the minimum wage, a policy that has been shown to bridge the racial wage divide.

Now they are once again fighting labor unions, which have been an effective means of overcoming racial resentment, building support among white workers for policies that benefit African Americans, and lifting minority workers into the middle class by securing higher wages and benefits for jobs disproportionately held by non-white workers.

Let’s hope our legislators remember our history, see through this new twist on the same old rich man strategy, and pass S.102 to protect the right to organize.

Liz Medina is the executive director of the Vermont chapter of the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) workers union.

Matias Williams, above, scores a goal with this shot.

Observer photos by Al Frey

Meals

continued from page 1

Central School. Also, school buses were deployed to deliver meals to people’s homes.

“We were able to do things that had never been done in the U.S. in summer food service history during that time,” Wagner recalls.

The federal waivers and pandemic relief funding expired

last year, and the district’s summer food program was limited to only feeding students enrolled in summer school.

“They had to eat in the cafeteria,” Wagner said. “We couldn’t let kids come and pick up meals and take them home.”

A regulatory change from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allowing the district to relaunch the pick-up program this summer. According to Wagner, the

USDA has reclassified the majority of CVSD (aside from the Taft Corners area and Shelburne Village) from urban to rural.

The USDA provides federal reimbursements in rural areas for school districts to offer summer meals for pickup.

But to implement the program, the district had to find an area that is considered low-income enough for federal reimbursements. The district has identified a narrow area of

Hinesburg center that qualifies, and received the church’s blessing to distribute meals out of their parking lot. The meals will be prepared for distribution at nearby CVU High School and Hinesburg Community School.

All families in the five-town district can use the program.

“Anybody who comes can pick up meals for a child 18 and under. It’s no questions asked,” Wagner said.

Each meal box will contain a combination of bulk food items

like, bread, bagels, deli meat, cheese, milk, sunflower butter, cereal, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and possibly a few prepared complete meals like lasagna and green beans. Specific menus are still being developed. Each box will contain serving sizes for one person to have seven breakfasts and seven lunches.

“We are excited about how the USDA changes have made it possible for us to feed more people this summer,” Wagner said.

A tribute to coach Otley on her departure from CVU

BY ERIK THOMPSON Special to the Observer

Hoop Phi is the playful name of the sorority of Coach Ute Otley’s Champlain Valley High School girls basketball players. Let me tell you why Hoop Phi will never die.

We’ve had mixed emotions after hearing of Coach Otley’s new adventure. There was grief but mostly gratitude. Gratitude for all that Coach did for our girls, our program, our school, our community, their future.

To be around an adult who has a vast passion for anything is a gift for any kid. When that passion is for you, your development, and a beautiful game you love, the gift becomes a treasure. Beyond the X’s and O’s, we learn most from the presence of inspiring people. Feeling how they live. Learning how life might be done. The girls carry Coach inside them. She will be there as they find their callings and pour themselves as she poured into them. Think of how many lives our girls’ positive passion will touch.

It’s a good thing to be proud of your high school. When someone asks these girls “Where did you go to high school?” it will spark joy. A bright smile. Our girls are fortunate. I’ll bet a higher than average percentage of CVU grads of all kinds feel that spark in the decades after graduation. Coach Otley is part of that. For these girls, that spark will be a burning sun, bursting forth with championship trumpets. And it’s not just the kids. We parents feel it too. We were the lucky ones. Our kids went to CVU. We had Coach Otley. Winning was a critical Otley element.

The unapologetic pursuit of victory at a high level may be among Coach’s greatest legacies in an age and state that can feel guilty about success. But she was never all about winning.

There was compassion in Coach’s delayed gratification, said to be one of the cornerstones of a successful life, according to the famous Stanford “marshmallow study.”

It takes a strong leader to embrace moments of unpopularity. But those watching carefully saw 10,000 tiny moments of tenderness that are the reality of adventures in team greatness. These acts appeared during games, between games, and even between seasons. Coach consistently attended to the kid at the end of the bench. First and foremost, Coach Otley is a great educator.

The lessons of CVU hoops will pass directly from our girls’ palms into the ball as they pass it onto their kids, biological and otherwise, and the grandchildren of Hoop Phi will learn to shoot lefty layups starting about age 5.

We will be there with Coach Otley at maroon and gold Norwich University, to celebrate her new maroon and gold shoes. And we will smile at her in the stands as we support our enduring program next year and in the years that follow. We will celebrate next year’s team, which is so well prepared for their unique life challenge.

Hoop Phi will never die.

Erik Thompson is a leadership psychologist and executive coach who lives in St. George. His daughter, a CVU senior, won two state basketball championships under Coach Otley.

Coach Ute Otley celebrates a CVU girls basketball state championship.

OBSERVER FILE PHOTO BY PAUL LAMONTAGNE

DAY CAMP COUNSELORS WANTED

Applications are being accepted for summer day camp counselors.

Positions are 40 hours a week from June 24- Aug. 16. Send a resume and cover letter to recreation@willistonvt.org or get an application on the General Info section of the town’s website (www.town.williston.vt.us).

SUMMER CAMPS

Registration is now open for summer camps. Information is available at www.willistonrec.org.

VILLAGE COMMUNITY

PARK KIDS FEST

Come out to Village Community Park on May 18 for Kids Fest — a family-friendly day with children’s activities, games, giveaways, food and fun from noon to 2 p.m.

LET’S GO FISHING

Ages 6-16. Learn how to fish or learn new trick. Learn where to find fish and what they like to eat. Build your own lure. Equipment and bait are provided. This is a free program. Preregistration is required. Children

must be accompanied by an adult. May 18. Instructor: Chuck Goller

FAMILY PROGRAMS

LINE DANCING

Ages 6-plus. Line dance instruction during the first hour followed by open dance. All experience levels are welcome. Instructors: Country’ Best VT. Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m. $10 per person at The R.E.C. Zone, 94 Harvest Lane.

DANGEROUS GIRLS

Ages 12-plus. A practical self-defense class designed for teens and young women with a combination of kickboxing and grappling. It’s fun, it’s social, and before you know it, you’ll be able to kick butt. Instructor: ONTA Studio staff

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS INTRO

Ages 13-plus. This program mixes training techniques from boxing, kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu to create a fun, non-competitive environment where your child will get

a great workout and learn practical self-defense skills. Instructor: ONTA Studio staff

ADULT PROGRAMS

SENIOR STRENGTH AND FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY

Ages 50-plus. This fitness program for seniors concentrates on developing upper and lower body strength as well as improving balance and strengthening your core. In this dementia-friendly class, participants are encouraged to work within their abilities. Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:45-10:45 a.m., $5 per visit, at the R.E.C. Zone, 94 Harvest Lane.

JAZZERCISE CARDIO SCULPT PROGRAMS

Ages 50-plus. These programs are low impact, with different levels of intensity. Classes are offered yearround. Passes of one, five and 10 visits are available to purchase. Cardio Sculpt Low, Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. and Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Cardio Sculpt High, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4:45-5:45 p.m. and Sundays, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

TAI CHI INTRO

Ages 50-plus. This class will present sequences of movements

derived from the “Sun” style, which is slow, smooth and upright in posture – especially accessible to those over 50 or with impaired mobility. Wednesdays 12:15-1:15 p.m.

R.E.C. Zone, 94 Harvest Lane. Free. Instructor: Adina Panitch PICKLEBALL 101

Ages 18-plus. Drills include serving, return of serve, third shot drop, the soft game, volleying, basic strategies and playing time. Bring your paddle or borrow a loaner. MondayThursday, May 7-9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Instructor: Corey Gottfried PICKLEBALL SCRIMMAGE AND LEARN

A program for players familiar with the game of pickleball focused on building skills through playing the game, with feedback provided by the instructor. This six-week program will provide the opportunity for participants to play and learn the game. Tuesdays, May 14-June 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Instructor: Corey Gottfried BEGINNER FENCING

Ages 50-plus. Fencing is an Olympic sport that develops strength, agility, fitness and mental focus. Also a fun recreational sport enjoyed by a growing number of adults. If you are looking to try something new,

or your inner swashbuckler has a bucket list, come try it out. Mondays, June 13-July 25, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Instructor: Karen Cutler

YOUTH PROGRAMS

NINJA INTRO PROGRAMS

Ages 4-8, 7-11 and 9-15. Try this four-week introduction to martial arts. Ninja classes help kids realize their full potential in an environment that is playful, supportive and fun. Instructor: ONTA Studio staff KNITTING

Grade 3-8. Does your child love to knit? Improve their knitting skills while enjoying the fun of knitting with a group. Offering the basics for first-timers, as well as specific how-tos and help with projects for early and intermediate knitters. Wednesdays, May 1-22, 2-3:15 p.m. Instructor: Christine Heavner PICKLEBALL TEEN INTRO

Ages 14-19. Learn the rules of pickleball, a variety of drills, some basic game strategies, and how to play this unique sport in this twohour introductory clinic designed for teen players. Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Instructor: Corey Gottfried

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incentives can help you save even more.

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Spring cleaning’s ‘junk’ may be valuable

From baseball cards and sports equipment to postcards and photographs, is that “junk” in your attic or basement a dusty treasure or just dusty? Families have gotten rich from the sale of rare memorabilia they found when spring cleaning.

A little time spent determining if items are valuable and where to sell them can pay off in the long run.

“The sale of older sports cards, postcards and photographs can yield thousands of dollars, even tens of thousands or more for the right ones,” says Al Crisafulli, auction director at Love of the Game Auctions, an internet sports auction house that helps families identify and sell valuable sports cards and memorabilia.

Crisafulli has assisted people in selling tens of millions of dollars in baseball card collections, autographs, sports equipment and more. Such sales can be life changing.

In one instance, he researched a family’s old baseball bat and proved it was game used by Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig. His Love of the Game Auctions sold it for almost half a million dollars.

Here are some of his tips to determine if your sports collectibles are valuable:

THE OLDER THE BETTER

Vintage cards from the early periods of sports are valuable, especially those of Hall of Famers. Do you have stars from the 1960s, 1950s or earlier? Look for names like Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner or Ty Cobb. Even non-star cards can be valuable, especially in nice condition with sharp corners and no creases.

Really early cards from the 1880s through the 1930s are particularly

desirable, such as those by tobacco, gum and candy brands, such as Old Judge, Piedmont, Sweet Caporal, American Caramel, Goudey and Diamond Stars.

When determining where to sell cards and memorabilia, focus on a specialty auction house, such as Love of the Game, which employs trained experts in researching sports ephemera, and maintains bidder lists of sports collectors. More information is available at www.loveofthegameauctions.com.

DON’T OVERLOOK OTHER MEMORABILIA AND EQUIPMENT

Cards aren’t the only potentially valuable things. Look for older promotional and advertising ephemera spotlighting sports stars, especially items that promote sporting goods, food or tobacco brands. see ‘JUNK’ page 14

Old promotional

advertising ephemera such as this Lake Placid poster can be valuable at auction.

Pest control, fresh eggs and a touch of humor

The strategic interplay between chickens and garden

BY DEBORAH J. BENOIT Special to the Observer

There’s more to consider than fresh eggs when raising chickens at home. For gardeners, that includes keeping both chickens and plants safe and productive.

Chickens love to dig in the dirt and that can be a problem. Take

advantage of their natural tendencies by allowing access to the garden when they can do the most good and denying access when they can do the most harm.

Concerned about bugs, ticks and other pests? Chickens devour them. In the spring they’ll happily aerate the soil hunting for tasty treats.

They leave behind droppings high in nitrogen and work them into the soil. They’ll scratch up or

pull out young weeds and incorporate compost to help prepare your garden for the coming growing season.

If you plan to add a new garden bed in a grassy, weedy area, chickens confined in a fenced enclosure or chicken tractor will clear the area completely.

Once you’re ready to plant, ban them from the garden. They’ll eat newly sown seeds and emerging seedlings. Their scratching in the

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soil can damage tender roots.

In the blink of an eye, they’ll defoliate young plants, dooming your planned crop before it’s had a chance to grow. More mature plants may not suffer significant harm from allowing chickens access to the garden, but chickens won’t hesitate to peck at an interesting looking cucumber or vine-ripening tomato.

While protecting crops from chickens’ mischief is important, so is protecting chickens from the dangers the garden can present. If you’ll be treating the garden with fertilizers, fungicides, pesticides or other chemicals (organic or otherwise), they may be harmful to the chickens, so it’s best to keep the birds at a safe distance.

In addition, be sure to practice good biosecurity by keeping your chickens away from areas where wild birds gather, such as bird feeding stations and duck ponds, to avoid transmission of avian influenza and other diseases.

Food crops such as tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and eggplant are all part of the nightshade family, and eating them can be harmful to chickens. Other crops unsafe for chickens to consume include rhubarb, onions and dried beans. At the end of the growing season, after you pull up the plants that aren’t chicken-friendly, let the flock loose in the garden to clean up remaining plant material.

If you grow berry bushes or fruit trees, chickens can help clean up fallen fruit and insect pests. Of course, like other birds, chickens love blueberries and similar fruit. Watching a chicken eyeing a ripening berry on an overhead branch and jumping straight up to grab a beak full is sure to bring out a laugh — and thoughts of how to preserve the berry harvest.

Portable fences can discourage chickens, and row covers or bird netting can provide a barrier between chickens and a forbidden feast. Wire cloches can protect small plants.

If you prefer to keep all your plants safe and chickens out of the garden but would still like to use chickens for pest control, consider

Having a flock of chickens can be beneficial to gardeners as they will eat bugs, ticks and other pests and aerate the soil as they hunt for tasty treats.

Chickens

continued from page 12

a double fence spaced about 4 feet apart around the garden. The flock can patrol the area between the fences and intercept any pest crossing their path on its way to the garden. Bird netting across the top will keep chickens contained and on patrol.

Chicken manure is a great benefit for gardeners who own chickens. Because chicken manure is considered “hot” and can damage plants, coop litter and manure need to be composted before use.

It makes a good addition to your compost pile, or it can be applied to the garden in the fall and allowed to compost over the intervening months until spring. For more information on composting chicken manure, see https://go.uvm.edu/poo.

Soil amendment, pest control, fresh eggs and a touch of humor. What more could a gardener ask?

Deborah J. Benoit is a UVM

Extension Master Gardener from North Adams, Mass., who is part of the Bennington County Chapter.

PHOTO BY DEBORAH J. BENOIT

‘Junk’

continued from page 11

Ads from magazines aren’t valuable, but store displays, signs and premiums can be.

Old sporting goods and equipment, such as balls, bats, gloves and uniforms, can also be valuable, especially if you had a family member who played minor or major league sports. Note that items from before the 1960s are highly collected. Also look for equipment endorsed by star players. Condition matters, but game-used equipment from professionals can be valuable in almost any condition.

SAVE POSTCARDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS

If you have old photographs, cabinet cards or postcards of sports stars or ballparks, they should be evaluated. Those from pre-1960 can be valuable. Look for early “real

photo” postcards from the 1900s through the 1940s, which are photographs printed on postcard backs.

Popular stars are key, meaning original images like Babe Ruth or of early ballparks can be valuable, as opposed to images of your family members playing sports or of popular vacation destinations. When examining photographs, look for markings on the back, such as photographer, publication and date stamps. Also set aside cabinet cards, which are photographs from the 1880s through the 1930s adhered to cardboard stock.

“A good rule of thumb is that the older a sports item is, the more valuable it might be, especially from before the 1950s going back to the 1880s,” says Crisafulli.

This spring cleaning season, don’t rush to haul stuff to the curb. Evaluate it first.

Statepoint

April 9 at 2:10 a.m. — Traffic stop conducted. Male operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.

April 9 at 9:09 a.m. — Tractor stolen from United Ag & Turf. Case is still under investigation.

April 9 at 3:34 p.m. — Report of a female lying in the middle of the road on St. George Road. Female was suffering a mental health crisis. She refused all services and moved along.

April 10 at 10:14 a.m. — Report of a suspicious male in Home Depot.

Male left his cart of items in the store and left.

April 10 at 11:13 a.m. — Report of a suspicious male walking close to house on River Cove Road. Officers could not locate male.

April 11 at 4:24 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Home Depot. Male suspect was issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft.

April 11 at 5:34 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Home Depot. Male suspects were located and issued citations to appear in court for retail theft.

April 11 at 6:26 p.m. — Death investigation conducted. Nothing suspicious.

April 12 at 7:27 p.m. — Report of a female causing a disturbance at Junior’s. Female left before officers arrived on scene.

April 12 at 7:55 a.m. — Report of a retail theft at Best Buy. Female was located in a stolen vehicle. She was issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft, unlawful trespass and violation of

conditions of release.

April 13 at 1:48 p.m. — Report of a female at Zephyr Place who was not supposed to be there. Female was trespassed and removed from the property.

April 13 at 3:42 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Marshalls. Female suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft.

April 13 at 7:25 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Home Depot. Male suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft.

BRING THE WORLD INTO YOUR FAMILY

Being a host family is as rewarding for you as it is for the exchange student. You learn about another culture, you provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you form a relationship that will stay with your family forever.

To learn more, contact: Jan Bedard | 802-338-2492 efexchangeyear.org/iec/jan-bedard/

April 13 at 8:19 p.m. — Traffic stop conducted, male operator had an active arrest warrant. Male was transported to the correctional facility.

April 14 at 12:57 a.m. — Motor vehicle crash on Meadowrun Road. Juvenile operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.

April 14 at 10:08 a.m. — Retail

theft reported at Walmart. Female suspect located and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft.

Officers responded to nine alarm activations and seven motor vehicle crashes and conducted 20 traffic stops during this time frame.

wspencer1@farmersagent.com

Free Land

In the 1800s, only about one out of 100 people in Europe owned land. Even when they owned land, it was usually no more than five acres.

Many thousands of Europeans left for America, trying to escape poverty, famine and religious differences.

When the United States passed the Homestead Act in 1862, it gave millions of people a chance to live the American dream.

The Homestead Act offered to give citizens, or people promising to become citizens, enough free land for a family farm. This was about 160 acres.

Homesteaders had to farm the land, make improvements on it, build a home there and live on that land for five years.

Hard labor

Homesteading was difficult. It was so hard that only about four out of every 10 homesteaders were able to stick it out on the frontier for the necessary five years.

Plowing the land was rough work, especially on the plains. Prairie grasses had long roots that made the soil hard to cut through.

To plow one acre of land, a farmer had to walk 10 miles while pushing a heavy plow. Horses or oxen may have helped pull it.

This meant they had to walk hundreds of

Next Week: Summer reading

Mini Fact:

About 270 million acres in 30 states were settled through the Homestead Act.

miles just to plow the land, to plant it, weed it and harvest it.

Everyone helped

Women and girls often did all the housework: cleaning the house, preparing food, making clothes, cleaning and ironing them — all without electricity or running water.

Children as young as 2 or 3 years old had chores. They brought in firewood, gathered eggs and herded the cattle. Older children milked cows and helped with the planting and harvesting, cooking and cleaning.

Communities often built schools before permanent homes so that children could be educated. Students might share books and slates brought from their former homes.

A monument to hard work

The Homestead National Historical Park in Beatrice, Nebraska, has a museum and exhibit space in the Heritage Center, built in 2007. The monument is built on the site of Daniel Freeman’s original homestead from 1862.

At the park, visitors can visit the Freeman School, where children were educated between 1872 and 1967. The building also served as a church meeting place, a polling place and gathering spot for homesteaders.

The Palmer-Epard Cabin, built in 1867, shows visitors how homesteaders lived on the prairie in the years following the Civil War.

Some homesteads around the country are still being farmed by descendants of the homesteaders. The last person to receive free land under the Homestead Act was Kenneth Deardorff. He gained title to his land in 1988.

Homestead Act: $10 for Acres of Land” by Universal Politics

drowning out the songs baleen whales make

Founded by Betty Debnam

18, 2024

A notice about the Homestead Act.

The Homestead Heritage Center features many exhibits about homesteading in the 1870s. The building was finished in 2007 and is designed to resemble a plow moving through earth.

America’s first homesteader, Daniel Freeman (right and above left), poses with his wife, Agnes, one of their daughters and three grandchildren. They are in front of a brick home they built on their homestead near Beatrice, Nebraska. The clay for the bricks came from their land.

Try ’n’ Find

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

ACRES, ACT, CHURCH, FARM, FRONTIER, HARVEST, HERITAGE, HOMESTEAD, HORSES, HOUSES, LAND, NEBRASKA, OXEN, PLANT, PLOW, PRAIRIE, SCHOOLS, STATES.

Mini Spy Classics

Mini Jokes

Harry: What happens when the sun gets tired? Hannah: It sets awhile!

Eco Note

A new study highlights how noises made by ocean shipping are drowning out the songs baleen whales make to communicate. This is a particular problem at mating sites, where the noise pollution can disrupt reproduction at certain times of the year. The scientists say baleens have evolved with a unique U-shaped structure instead of vocal cords that lets them create lowfrequency songs that can travel across long distances through water. But those songs have frequencies of up to 300 Hz, which are within the range of noise made by ships.

For later:

Look in your newspaper for articles about modern farming methods.

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

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

What gardening tips can you offer to older seniors? I love to putter around and work in the garden, but my back and knees have caused me to curtail my gardening activities, which I miss greatly.

Older Gardener

Dear Older,

There’s no doubt that gardening can be hard on an aging body. Joints stiffen up, kneeling for prolonged periods hurts, and bending and reaching can strain muscles. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up your hobby. You just need to garden differently, add some special tools and know your limits. Here are some tips that may help you.

SAVVY SENIOR

Ways to make gardening easier as you age

LIMBER UP

With gardening, good form is very important as well as not overdoing any one activity. A common problem is that gardeners often kneel or squat, putting extra pressure on their knees. Then, to spare their knees, they might stand and bend over for long stretches to weed, dig and plant, straining their back and spine.

To help protect your body, you need to warm up before beginning. Start by stretching, focusing on the legs and lower back. And keep changing positions and activities. Don’t spend hours weeding a flowerbed. After 15 minutes of weeding, you should stand up, stretch and switch to another activity like pruning the bushes, or just take a break.

It’s also important that you recognize your physical limitations and don’t try to do too much all at once. And, when lifting heavier objects, remember to use your legs to preserve your back. You can do this by keeping the item close to your body and squatting to keep your back as vertical as possible.

From Green Burial to Pet Memorials, our goal is to provide the services and care you need. To learn more, contact us today.

• Burial/Cremation Services

• Green Burials

• Traditional Funerals

• Memorial Services

• Pre-arranged Funeral Planning

• Out-of-town & Foreign Services

• Pet Memorials

GET BETTER TOOLS

The right gardening equipment can help too. Kneeling pads can protect knees, and garden seats or stools are both back- and knee-savers. Lightweight garden carts can make hauling bags of mulch, dirt, plants or other heavy objects much easier. And long-handled gardening and weeding tools can help ease the strain on the back by keeping you in a standing upright position versus bent over.

There are also ergonomic gardening and pruning tools with fatter handles and other design features that can make lawn and garden activities a little easier. Fiskars and Felco make a number of specialty tools that you can buy online or at local retail stores that sell lawn and garden supplies. Also check out www.Gardeners. com and www.RadiusGarden.

com, two online stores that sell specialized gardening tools and equipment that are very helpful to older gardeners.

MAKE WATERING EASIER

The chore of carrying water or handling a heavy, awkward hose can also be difficult for older gardeners. Some helpful options include lightweight fabric or expandable hoses instead of heavy rubber hoses; soaker or drip hoses that can be snaked throughout the garden; thin coil hoses that can be used on the patio or small areas; a hose caddy and reel for easier hose transport around the yard; and a self-winding hose chest that puts the hose up automatically. There are also a variety of ergonomic watering wands that are lightweight, easy to grip, and reach those hard to-get-to plants.

To find these types of watering aids check with your local lawn and garden supplies stores or visit www.Gardeners.com.

BRING THE GARDEN TO YOU

If your backyard garden has become too much to handle, you should consider elevated garden beds or container gardening — using big pots, window boxes, hanging baskets, barrels or tub planters. This is a much easier way to garden because it eliminates much of the bend and strain of gardening, but still provides the pleasure of making things grow.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.

Jim Miller is author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

TODAY’S HISTORY:

• In 1536, King Henry VIII of England had Anne Boleyn, Queen of England, arrested and imprisoned on charges including high treason.

• In 1918, General Motors Corp. purchased Chevrolet Motor Co.

• In 1945, tens of thousands of German troops in Berlin surrendered to the Soviet Union’s Red Army.

• In 2007, the International Criminal Court issued the first two arrest warrants for individuals accused of war crimes in Darfur, Sudan.

TODAY’S FACT:

• King James VI became king of Scotland after the death of his father, Lord Darnley, and the abdication of his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1567, when he was 13 months old.

SUDOKU • SOLUTION ON PAGE 24

OBITUARIES

Steven Douglas Meyers

Steven Douglas Meyers, “Steve”, passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2024 at UVM Medical Center. He was 63 years old, born in Omaha, Nebraska Jan.29, 1961 to Berniece and Elwyn Meyers.

Steve was a loving father and devoted husband. He truly enjoyed people and always brightened the days of those he interacted with. His zest for life, dry sense of humor and affectionate spirit created an atmosphere that positively affected others.

Steve was an outdoor guy! He could often be found outside tending to yard work where he meticulously curated his lawn and transplanted maple trees. He enjoyed frequent walks around his property with his wife JoAnne. He was a dedicated runner and would end his morning runs by refilling the bird feeders as it brought him immense joy. He had a love for eagles and could spot them (as well as hawks) with ease.

Patricia Elizabeth Means

Patty was born on March 30, 1954 in Burlington, VT to Marjorie Elizabeth (nee Simpkins) Means and Dwight Gray Means. She passed away at age 69, Aug. 11, 2023 in Richmond

Patty grew up in Stowe and graduated from Stowe High School in 1972. She then attended Johnson State College. She was very active in the arts, a board member of the Johnson Friends of the Arts and held piano recitals in the Dibden Arts Center. She graduated in 1976 and went on to get her master’s at Penn State University. Over the years, she worked as a correspondent for the Burlington Free Press. After her education, she had a very successful

Steve worked as a Timing Methodology and Qualification Analyst at IBM for nearly 25 years. He so enjoyed his coworkers, the many meetings, and truly missed going back to the office.

In 1978, Steve enlisted into the United States Air Force where he met his best friend and future wife, JoAnne. They married in 1983 and nurtured a family that would grow to include their 2 loving sons, Zachary and Benjamin. Steve’s legacy is carried on through his family, whom he loved with every fiber of his being. Each morning, Steve would hug and kiss JoAnne then smile and say “Let’s have a GREAT day!”

For the last two years, Steve and JoAnne have been fulltime caregivers for their son Ben who suffers from a brain tumor. Daily he exemplified true love, compassion and altruism.

Predeceased by his father Elwyn and his younger brother David, Steve’s memory is honored and kept alive by his loving wife, JoAnne and his devoted sons, Zachary and Benjamin, his mother Berniece of Texarkana TX and his older brother Michael of Orcutt, California as well as the many many friends, family, coworkers and neighbors his life touched.

A Celebration of Steve’s life will be scheduled at a future date. Meanwhile, please feel free to express condolences and share memories at https://www.online-tribute. com/stevenmeyers.

In memory of Steve, “Have a great day!”

career at IBM as a Lead Financial Analyst.

In her spare time, Patty loved relaxing at her summer house on Island Pond and taking in the natural beauty. She also loved to watch Penn State football games and exciting tennis matches. She adored animals of all kinds and enjoyed feeding birds, wild turkeys and even the neighborhood deer. Patty also had a very fond place in her heart for cats. She was also an avid researcher of her family ancestry. For many years, Patty was a very dedicated and loving caretaker for her mother Marjorie and her aunt Rosalyn.

The family would like to thank Richmond Rescue for their professional and compassionate care of Patty. A graveside burial will be held in the Memorial Garden of the Stowe Riverbank Cemetery on May 21 at 12 p.m.

Sarah Olivia Francisco

Sarah Olivia Francisco, an incredible wife, loving mother, sister, daughter, friend, teacher, and so much more, died unexpectedly and all too soon, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at her family’s home in Williston. She was 49.

Born Oct. 3, 1974, in West Allis, WI, Sarah was raised in Saratoga Springs, NY, where she made many of her closest, lifelong friends, and fell in love with her high school sweetheart — and later, husband — Steve. They both attended The College of Saint Rose, and following graduation, moved to Vermont to begin their professional careers. After brief stints in Massachusetts and California, they returned to Vermont where they established themselves as fixtures in the community.

Sarah’s tireless dedication to the field of speech therapy yielded two degrees, and over the course of the last two decades allowed her to touch the lives of countless students and families at the schools in which she worked. When she started working at CVU, she became much more than a speech therapist. She befriended students and teachers alike, regardless of their role or whether or not they were one of her own students.

It’s through that work and her inclination to be everyone’s friend that she became so well known and liked in the community. It’s also where she selflessly shared the ideals she held most dear — like perseverance, taking care of anyone and everyone, being kind, encouraging, and accepting, and most of all, spreading joy — with so many others. And even though she excelled in her role, her curiosity and unwavering desire to keep learning always shined through; she had recently passed the Praxis exam to become certified as an Art Teacher.

Yet as proud as Sarah was of all that she and Steve accomplished in

their professional lives, she took the most joy from the incredible family that they created together, and the values and qualities that make Olivia and George who they are.

“Hold on! Let me get my ‘Proud Mama’ t-shirt” she would often say, as each of her kids passed yet another milestone in sports, academics, volunteering, or even just being great kids.

When thinking of Sarah, there are few things that people remember more than her kindness, encouragement, acceptance, and most importantly her limitless joy. Her smile was a beacon of joy and kindness, and she was a vibrant and constant presence in the lives of all of those she knew and loved.

She reveled in sharing her quick

OBITUARIES

wit and sense of humor, and never hesitated to help support, care for, and encourage everyone she knew. As a virtuoso hostess and entertainer known far and wide for throwing unforgettable parties and holiday celebrations, she set a bar so impossibly high that anyone who ever attended one will certainly think of her every time they plan even the smallest of events.

Sarah was in constant motion, living and thriving in the present, while also planning for a future that included even more travel adventures with the family, running her fourteenth marathon in November, welcoming the two special people that Olivia and George care about into the family as if they were her own, starting a new chapter with

Steve as empty nesters, watching her children transition into and through college, and she was quietly excited about the prospect of becoming a grandmother one day.

Sarah is survived by her two children, Olivia and George Francisco, her husband, Steve Francisco, her brother, Nick Neilio, and her father, Bill Neilio. She was predeceased by her mother Margaret “Peg” Neilio.

Her passing is truly devastating, and one that feels insuperable at times. If you feel like losing Sarah leaves a tremendous hole in a world that will now be without her energy, joy and love, know that you are not alone. It is okay to feel the weight of this loss, just as it’s also okay to realize that Sarah would want us all to be brave. Though she

is no longer with us, she lives on in more than just memories. Her love of travel will undoubtedly carry on through the adventures her family and friends will continue undertaking in her honor.

Her joyfulness and warmth will be ever-present in everyone she’s met, worked with, and laughed with, as we all strive to see and touch the world the way she did. And most importantly, her legacy will live on in Olivia and George, who learned enough from her in their 21 and 17 years to last their lifetimes.

A Celebration of Sarah’s life will be held Sunday, June 2, 2024 at 11 am at Champlain Valley Union High School, 369 CVU Road, in Hinesburg. All family, friends, students, and families are welcome.

Maintenance Technician – Skilled

Immediate opening for a skilled technician with mechanical, plumbing & heating, construction and electrical knowledge. This position will include day-to-day building needs for Williston Central & Allen Brook School.

Full time, full year - 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Preference will be given for certified/licensed HVAC, Electrical or AC Technician.

For further information contact Ron Larivee, rlarivee@cvsdvt.org.

Email resume directly to Ron Larivee or apply online to www. schoolspring.com, job# 4491999 or www.cvsdvt.org/jobs

CVSD is an equal opportunity employer. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, women, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For reference, CVSD Equity Policy

Community Bankers

CLASSIFIEDS

GARAGE SALES

zoom.us/join or call 1-646-558-8656

MAY 6 @ 10AM 480+ Lots of sporting related items: Ammo, Knives, Barrels, Mounts, Hunting Clothing, Reloading Equipment, Magazines, Taxidermy and MORE!

OAK KNOLL ROAD — Threefamily garage sale Friday and Saturday May 10 & 11, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., 500 Oak Knoll Rd, Williston. Antiques and vintage items, jewelry, framed prints, bedding, furniture, household and kitchen items, Star Wars collection and many other collectibles, children’s clothes and toys, stroller, tools, large collection of rubber stamps and ink and much, much more!

LEGAL

TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – 7:00 PM

Town Hall Meeting Room (Town Hall, 7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance) or

Zoom Meeting ID 846 5863 3532 on

Community Bankers

Community Bankers

BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS®

BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS®

PREVIEW THIS AUCTION

Community Bankers

DP 23-15 Lakeside Properties, LLC requests a discretionary permit to develop a 6,000 SF two-tenant warehouse building at 358 Shunpike Road in the Industrial Zoning District West (IZDW).

EMAILED ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISING INSERTION ORDER

Thomas Hirchak Company

FROM: Cathy Morneault

Phone: 802-888-4662

Email: Advertising2@THCAuction.com

Project details and site plans are available on the website, town.williston.vt.us, under “Public Records and Documents”, then “Agendas & Minutes”, and “Development Review Board”. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802-878-6704 or email planning@willistonvt.org

FOR SALE

To: Rick & Susan Cote Paper: Williston Observer Max Length 12.5

TODAY’S DATE: 4/26/2024

2014 RAM PROMASTER 1500 CARGO VAN— in Williston $19,438. Very good condition, low mileage 55,000, well maintained, summer & winter tires. Recent improvements: new radiator, new AC/blower motor, new heater and new battery. Call 802-658-0000

NAME OF FILE: 05022024_WO DATE(S) TO RUN: 5/02/2024

Rick@Willistonobserver.com

Publishes in Williston Observer

There is no better time to join our Team!

SECTION: Auctions PO# 1573

BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS®

FRIDAY, MAY 6 FROM 11AM-1PM 131 DORSET LANE, WILLISTON, VT

There is no better time to join our Team!

BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS®

Community Bankers

There is no better time to join our Team!

BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS® There is no better time to join our Team!

There is no better time to join our Team!

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

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!)

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

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

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

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!

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

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

Equal Opportunity Employer / Member FDIC

Equal Opportunity Employer / Member FDIC