Williston Observer 12-6-18 by Williston Observer

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DECEMBER 6, 2018

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GlobalFoundries selling Williston campus By Jason Starr Observer staff

GlobalFoundries is seeking a buyer for 440 acres on the Williston side of the Winooski River, including about 450,000 square feet of office space it currently leases to tenants like IBM, People’s United Bank and General Dynamics. The computer chip manufacturer’s primary operations, housed on the other side of the river in Es-

sex, will be unaffected, company spokesman Jason Gorss said. “The campus is unique in that it contains more acreage and building space than are needed to support its core mission,” said Gorss. “We have decided to sell the Williston campus to right-size the site by reducing the cost to carry underutilized property.” Williston’s grand list values the property at $24.7 million, contrib-

uting roughly $466,000 in property taxes to town in 2018. Frank Cioffi of the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation — a key facilitator of the plant’s 1950s opening under its original owner, IBM — views the sale as an economic opportunity for the region. The site is set up with natural gas, electricity, water and wastewater, roads and parking, and telecommunications infrastructure. It is also

set up as a secure campus, with a security checkpoint off Redmond Road. “There is no other site like this in Vermont,” Cioffi said. “There are a lot of assets there. It lends itself to being a very interesting development and redevelopment opportunity.” Gorss echoed that sentiment. “The Williston campus is one of the largest developable parcels

left available in Chittenden County that has utilities and services immediately ready for development,” he said. “The sale is part of our continued initiative to maintain cost-competitiveness in the global semiconductor industry, as well as an effort to introduce into the regional economy a substantial parcel of land that provides the opportunity for new economic see GLOBALFOUNDRIES page 2

A bridge to … somewhere? Town preps for legal dispute with church over path funding By Jason Starr Observer staff

In 2016, the Town of Williston built a million dollar bridge over the Allen Brook to provide a crossing for pedestrians and cyclists along Route 2A. But the property owner on the bridge’s south side — the Essex Alliance Church — promptly installed a locked metal gate, effectively closing the bridge and turning back Taft Corners-bound bikers and pedestrians. Headquartered in Essex, the church has harbored plans to build a new campus on the south side of the Allen Brook since 2006. Documents in the Williston Planning and Zoning office show an 80,000-square-foot church, soccer and baseball fields, eight residential condominiums and 20 acres of open space. In a series of Development Review Board applications, most recently amended in 2015, church officials and town planners have negotiated the scope of a paved rec path that would connect the bridge through the church campus to the sidewalks of Taft Corners. The connection would be the missing

link for a dedicated bike/pedestrian route between Essex Junction and Taft Corners, also serving the Williston neighborhoods along Route 2A. “There are a lot of people in Williston who are very close to Taft Corners, but there is not a great walking or biking route because of this heavily trafficked state highway they would have to use to get there,” Williston Planning and Zoning Director Matt Boulanger said. “The (connection) is extremely valuable and means the path doesn’t end at the end of the bridge we built.” The church removed the gate blocking the south end of the bridge this fall, revealing a quarter mile of new paved path it constructed over the summer. The new section connects the bridge with Beaudry Lane, on the northern edge of the church’s mostly pristine 52 acres. But the path falls short of linking up with the sidewalks of Taft Corners, instead depositing bikers and pedestrians onto Route 2A at the intersection with Beaudry Lane. Financial responsibility for the section is also under dispute. In September, Town Manager Rick McGuire received a $41,000 bill f rom the Essex Alliance Church. The development approvals do not specify who will pay for

the path. “There was no written agreement between the two parties on who was going to pay for what, and no verbal agreement,” McGuire said. After a closed-door meeting with the selectboard Nov. 20, the board took no action to settle the bill. “If the issue is not resolved, it is likely to end up with some form of litigation,” McGuire wrote in a memo to the board. Calls and emails to Pastor Scott Slocum of Essex Alliance Church were not returned. Boulanger hypothesized that the church undertook construction of the quarter mile of path this year to show “substantial progress” on its proposal and prevent expiration of the permit. In 2014, the church publicly announced the expectation of an anonymous $18 million gift to help build the Williston campus, but a year later, Pastor Slocum told the Observer that he was unsure when the donation would be finalized. “We know that God’s timing does not always line up with our human plans, so we plan to continue to grow and thrive in Essex, and when it’s God’s time for us to move to Williston, we’ll be ready,” the church website reads.

OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

A bridge over the Allen Brook was recently connected through Essex Alliance Church property with a rec path, but the church and town officials dispute who is responsible for the cost of the path.

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Page 2 • Williston Observer • December 6, 2018

GlobalFoundries continued from page

development.” The company is preparing a marketing strategy for the sale, and expects the process of finding a buyer, negotiating a price and closing the deal to take “some time,” Gorss said. Current tenants have been notified of the intention to sell. “Their leases will be transferred to the buyer without any impact to their business,” Gorss said. Cioffi estimated that there are 500 employees working on the Williston side of the campus and about 3,000 working in GlobalFoundries’ main buildings on the Essex side. The company has continuously advertised job openings since it acquired the facility from IBM in 2015. It has also periodically undergone employee layoffs. Owned by an investment arm of the country Abu Dhabi, GlobalFoundries also operates computer chip plants in Malta, N.Y. “All the operations on the Essex side of the campus are doing well and are very busy,” Cioffi said.

‘It lends itself to being a very interesting development and redevelopment opportunity..’ –Frank Cioffi Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation

Earlier this year, after a round of layoffs, company spokesman Steve Grasso said the long-term future of the Essex facility depends on lowering the cost of energy in Vermont, which he said is 84 percent higher than at its New York facilities. Cioffi said the energy cost disparity has been an issue at the plant since its beginnings under IBM. “It’s a continuous problem,” he said. “Our competitiveness in cost of utilities is out of scale with their peer sites in New York and globally.”

OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

The entrance to the Williston side of the GlobalFoundries campus. The company plans to sell its 440 acres in Williston, including about 450,000 square feet of office space.

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December 6, 2018 • Williston Observer • Page 3

Pot stop

OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY

The Vermont Marijuana Commission, appointed by Gov. Phil Scott to recommend marijuana policy proposals to the Vermont Legislature by Dec. 15, made a stop at Williston Central School last Wednesday. Above, the commission takes input on its draft report on roadway safety, education and prevention, and taxation. At right, Williston Town Manager Rick McGuire takes the opportunity to provide input to the commission. OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY

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Page 4 • Williston Observer • December 6, 2018

‘Where everyone has a decent place to live’

Habitat for Humanity: homeownership has host of family and community benefits Imagine the following: You and your husband both work full time but don’t make enough to own your own home or to move into a decent apartment. You and your two young sons live in a basement apartment that floods and has mold. There aren’t any affordable apartments available where you live, and since you only have one car, your husband walks two miles to his job

all year round. You feel frustrated, stressed and believe there is no way to improve the lives of your family. Would you be surprised to learn that this family lives in Chittenden County and that there are many local families living in conditions like this? Because of the extremely low vacancy rate for apartments, and even fewer that fall into the affordable category, low-income families have few choices. The family described above is now living in, and paying a mortgage on, their Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity-built home! Prior to becoming homeowners,

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and even though they both work full-time, they had no hope of ever owning their own home. But now, they are building a more financially secure future for their family. This need for simple, decent and affordable homes is why Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity exists. Who we are: Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1984, and our vision is “a world where everyone has a decent place to live.” We are an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International but are a separate 501c3 non-profit, responsible for raising all of our funding locally; we receive no funding from Habitat International. We have a small staff of three in the affiliate office in Williston, plus staffs at our Green Mountain Habitat ReStores in Williston and Milton. What we do: Thanks to the partnership with financial donors and volunteers, we build simple, decent, energy-efficient and perpetually affordable houses for low-income working families in Chittenden County. Our ReStores also provide revenue. We buy the land and materials and pay tradespeople (electricians, plumbers, etc.) but keep the costs of the homes affordable by using approximately 300 volunteers to help build each house, supervised by experienced constructions supervisors. We sell the homes at cost,

OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

Volunteer Art Kilmer works on a home for Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity.

and the mortgages are perpetually affordable. Our homes are energy certified by Efficiency Vermont, which means that the families will be warm and healthy in their homes and will have low energy bills. In addition to the safety and emotional stability aspect of working families being able to leave unsafe or substandard rental housing behind, there are also community benefits, which include: • Children of homeowners tend to have higher levels of achievement in reading and math and lower drop-out rates; • Homeownership equates to improved health care outcomes; • Homeowners feel more connected to their community and tend to be more involved than renters.

Safe and stable housing has been proven time and again to improve the health of families and to help children do better in school. In addition, when families become homeowners, they improve their financial stability. That’s why building homes for families is a long-term “hand up” not a short-term “hand out”. Who do we serve? Families have to meet certain requirements to qualify: • Their income must be 60 percent or less of the median income in Chittenden County; • They must be able to pay an affordable mortgage; • They must be living in substandard housing, which means unsafe and/or overcrowded and/ see HABITAT page 18

December 6, 2018 • Williston Observer • Page 5

Alzheimer’s Association welcomes new executive director The Alzheimer’s Association Vermont Chapter recently appointed Grace Gilbert-Davis as its new executive director. Gilber t-Davis comes to the Williston-based nonprofit with a background in healthcare administration. Her former roles include chief executive officer at Battenkill Valley Health Care, director of operations and facilities at the Community Health Centers of Burlington and leadership positions at the University of Vermont Medical Center (known as Fletcher Allen Health Care during her tenure). “The Alzheimer’s Association has a longstanding reputation for

being a leader in Alzheimer’s care, support and research,” Gilbert-Davis said. “I feel incredibly fortunate to join the Vermont chapter at a time when it is imperative to develop public policy priorities on behalf of all Vermonters affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.” More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, according to the association, including an estimated 13,000 Vermont residents. That translates to 16.1 million family members and friends providing 18.4 billion hours of unpaid care, including over 30,000 Vermonters providing an estimated 34 million hours of

Help make a wish come true at CVU family formal OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

Grace Gilbert-Davis was recently appointed executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Vermont.

unpaid care this year. As the baby boomer generation ages, those numbers are expected to escalate rapidly. The Alzheimer’s Association Vermont Chapter supports those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease by providing services and educational programs, advocating for Alzheimer’s-related legislative issues and funding Alzheimer’s research. For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association Vermont Chapter, visit alz.org/ vermont or call 316-3839.

Tickets are now on sale for Champlain Valley Union High School’s 11th annual Family Formal event. Hosted by CVU’s Principles of Business Class, the event raises funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Vermont. The dance is geared toward children in grades K-5 and their families or significant adults in their lives. Older and younger children

are also welcome. The event brings families together from the Champlain Valley School District towns of Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg and Williston. The Family Formal is scheduled for 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the CVU cafeteria. Tickets are $22 per adult and $6 per child. The class goal is to raise $5,000 for Make-A-Wish see FORMAL page 22

WHAT: CVU Family Formal WHEN: Jan. 20 WHERE: CVU cafeteria Tickets at ticketsource.us/cvufamilyformal or by email at tdickinson@cvsdvt.org. Event benefits Make-A-Wish

Stay warm. Spend less. ButtonUpVermont.org/request-visit Williston homeowners can sign up for a free visit by a professional energy contractor. They’ll identify projects that will provide the best energy savings and improve your health and comfort. You’ll get an estimate of project cost and payback period. Then, you decide what’s right for your home. You pay for your heat. Don’t let it slip through the cracks.

Page 6 • Williston Observer • December 6, 2018

COMMUNITY FORUM Guest Column

Flip through current and past digital editions online.

Defending press freedoms amid threats By Sen. Patrick Leahy EDITOR’S NOTE: Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont delivered these remarks last Thursday in a speech on the Senate floor. The speech has been edited for brevity.

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In the 44 years I have served in the United States Senate, I have never been more concerned about the state of press freedom around the world — including, I deeply regret to say, in our own country. At least 43 journalists have been killed for their work so far in 2018, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Fifteen other journalists have also been killed, although their deaths have not — at least not yet — been officially linked to their work. According to data compiled by Freedom House, the muzzling of journalists and independent news media is at its worst point in 13 years. Similarly, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the number of reporters jailed for their work is at a level not seen since the 1990s. Strongmen around the world are cracking down with impunity. Perhaps we should not be surprised. At home, President Trump regularly demonizes the news media as the “enemy of the people,” hoping that his acidic outbursts and threats will dissuade journalists

from accurately reporting on his administration. With the eyes of the world upon him, he makes a mockery of the

As Americans who cherish the First Amendment, and who rely on a free press for sustaining our democratic form of government, we should be appalled.

entire notion of an independent press, branding all who challenge him as liars or worse, while holding hands with those willing to sing his praises. He even went so far as to rescind the credentials of one reporter who persisted in asking questions the president didn’t like — something I don’t recall ever witnessing before. A few days ago, he publicly denigrated the decorated, retired U.S. admiral who led the raid that killed

Osama bin Laden, and who had criticized the president’s attacks against the press as a grave threat to our democracy, which it is. As Americans who cherish the First Amendment, and who rely on a free press for sustaining our democratic form of government, we should be appalled. The words of a president matter. They always have. This president’s rhetoric gives comfort to autocrats the world over who are emboldened to clamp down on dissent, confident that they have a powerful defender in the White House. We have seen despots quote our president about this. We have seen countries pass laws outlawing socalled “fake news,” which their leaders use to justify dismissing and castigating reporting with which they disagree, and to persecute political opponents. We should fear the day when a free press is seen as unimportant, or a luxury — as something no longer synonymous with this country and our values. We must, all of us, recommit ourselves to defending press freedom and elevating and celebrating our free press as one of the cornerstones of our democracy. We often speak out about the abuses of repressive governments around the world. We must also speak out against the increasing attempts to demean and intimidate the press here at home.

December 6, 2018 • Williston Observer • Page 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Energy policies and funding to prevent extinction With the alarm sent out by the recent United Nations report telling us that the time we thought we had to switch to fossil free fuels has been reduced from 2050 to 2030-2040, our focus in Vermont needs to be on how we can accomplish the task. We need bold policies to get this done. On transportation, being 43 percent of our carbon emissions, we n e e d t o u s e s o m e of t h e Volkswagen settlement money to create a rebate program to reduce the pu rchase pr ice of electric vehicles. We also need to eliminate the sales t ax on electric vehicles. Let’s also make the installation of electric charging stations a priority so they are within 20 miles of every Vermonter, mandate that all new state vehicles are electric and subsidize public transportation to make it free. Heating and cooling buildings represents 28 percent of our energy use. To that end, we need

a schedule for weatherizing all state buildings and heating them with renewable energy by 2025. We also need to require that all new public buildings are powered with renewable energy. These are just the two most carbon intensive sectors, but policies need to be put forward to address all of our fossil fuel sectors. T he re a re seve r al possible funding sources for these programs, including issuing a renewable energy state bond, enacting a carbon pollution fee to reflect the pollution costs of fossil fuels and using new state revenues being collected through internet sales tax. Our renewable energy goals have to be met if we are to exist as a species on our planet. Earth is warming, and we are no longer in the prevention stage — that was 30 years ago when we had the opportunity to create a glide path from fossil fuels to renewables. We are now in the mitigation phase: What can we do to lessen the impacts that are coming our way. If we don’t act now, we will be in the extinction phase that will result in the end of life as we

know it on this planet. Brian Forrest Williston

Blood urgently needed Fall and winter can be a busy time full of fun activities and travel, but the same activities that bring joy can also negatively impact patients in need of lifesaving transfusions. In fact, right now, the American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage and has issued an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types to give now to avoid delays in medical care for patients. Right now, blood donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Volunteer blood drive sponsors are also critically needed to host drives in December, January and February to prevent the shortage from continuing throughout the winter. Fewer groups signing up to host blood drives in September and October coupled with the widespread cancellation of scheduled drives as a result of hurricanes Michael and Florence were key factors that contributed to the current shortage. Winter blood drive hosts can also play a key role in helping to end it. T h e r e ’s a chance you may know someone who

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gift of life. Your gift could lead to a lifetime of holiday memories for patients in need. To make an appointment to donate or sign up to host a blood drive, I urge you to visit RedCrossBlood.org. Maria Devlin Executive director American Red Cross of New Hampshire and Vermont

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Page 8 • Williston Observer • December 6, 2018

The power of partnership

Button Up Vermont and grassroots organizations come together to accelerate weatherization By Rebecca Foster Vermont has a steep climb to meet its 2020 goal of insulating and air sealing 80,000 homes. It’s a worthy cause to make Vermont homes more affordable, more comfortable and more sustainable. But on our current trajectory, we will only meet about half of that goal. It’s clear we have a lot of work to do to accelerate

Vermont’s weatherization effort. The climb ahead of us may seem daunting, but there is cause for optimism. This year’s Button Up Vermont weatherization campaign, a collaborative effort between dozens of community organizations and companies, suggests that Vermont can achieve its aggressive weatherization goals through strong partnerships. Button Up Vermont started in Newport back in 1983 as a parade to raise awareness of the need to weatherize. In 2008, Capstone Community Action revived the Button Up Vermont brand in re-

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sponse to a dramatic spike in heating fuel prices, holding more than 200 workshops in two years and educating 4,000 people about home weatherization. Since then, the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN), the network of town energy committees, has been working to organize local energy groups to support local Button Up Vermont activities each fall. More recently, Efficiency Vermont offered to play a lead role to scale Button Up Vermont to a statewide campaign. Button Up Vermont is having a break-out year in 2018, with more partners reaching out to more Vermonters than ever before to help families get ready for winter. Efficiency Vermont’s statewide scope allows us to play a coordinating role in Button Up Vermont, but the campaign’s success is the result of many organizations working together. They include: VECAN, electric utilities, home energy contractors, town energy committees and regional planning commissions. In all, 37 town energy committees signed up this year to be Button Up Vermont community partners, including Sustainable Williston. They have organized about 60 local weatherization events and workshops throughout Vermont in the past two months, including last Wednesday’s event at the Dorothy

OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY

Sara Devico of Efficiency Vermont speaks on energy saving ideas at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library in Williston last Wednesday. The event was hosted by Sustainable Williston.

Alling Memorial Library in Williston. The events are encouraging households to sign up for free home energy assessments by qualified contractors. In the past two months, 360 signups have been generated. Home energy assessments help people understand which energy investments will bring the highest value. Families are connected with incentives, financing and technical support to turn their plans into reality. Also, the buttonupvermont.org website has garnered 6,000 unique visits this fall, offering weatherization tips, tools and resources. Efficiency Vermont has also launched a do-it-yourself weatherization program, which provides up to $100 cash back to Vermonters who complete Button Up projects on their own. About 600 do-ityourself program forms have been

downloaded since October, showing strong interest in this pathway to reducing home energy costs. About 520 Vermonters have completed comprehensive home energy projects with qualified contractors, and we expect that number to reach 700 before the new year. Vermont should be optimistic about reaching its weatherization goals despite the steep climb we face. This year’s Button Up Vermont campaign represents an acceleration in our weatherization pace, and the model we are using offers proof that partnership in Vermont is alive and well. When we have a shared goal that we all work toward, we can come together to share information and resources in a way that makes us all more effective. Rebecca Foster is the director of Efficiency Vermont.

December 6, 2018 • Williston Observer • Page 9

SPORTS

A finish for the ages CVU cross country goes across the country to notch best-ever result By Lauren Read

Observer correspondent

Rarely has 19th place felt so good. The Champlain Valley Union High School girls cross country team ran to its best-ever finish — 19th place — at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Ore., on Saturday. “I have been there with two other teams and three individuals; this was beyond anything we have ever had in the past,” said CVU coach Scott Bliss. “From Thursday to Sunday was such an amazing experience. I had said to them before the race that it (the result) just didn’t matter to me. “I have never experienced something as amazing and positive as

what they got to experience.” From meeting professional athletes — the Redhawk r unners got to have dinner with Courtney Frerichs, the American record-holder in the steeplechase — to meeting many of Nike’s top runners, to getting free gear from Nike, the girls could be forgiven if they had put the actual race on the backburner. “The thing that people don’t understand is that this is sensory overload,” Bliss said. “There is so much going on ... You never know how they are going to react. “The race was just there to do the best we can, to represent CVU and Vermont well. I believe that they did that.” Like they have done all season, the Redhawks battled to the end. By the second mile, the Redhawks were in 21st place. But a strong finish, something the group has done all year, saw them finish

19th — the program’s best-ever nationals finish. “Four of our top five ran their fastest times ever,” Bliss said. “The key for us to get to 19th was that we ran the last mile the way we have run the last mile all season. When people are fading, we are moving forward.” Ella Whitman (18 minutes, 31.5 seconds) was the first CVU harrier to cross the finish line, coming in 79th place. Alice Larson followed in 84th place (18:34.4). Chloe Silverman (158th, 19:30.3), Jasmine Nails (167th, 19:39.2) and Cate Noel (170th, 19:42.7) rounded out the top five. Sadie Holmes (177th, 19:56.2) and Alicia Veronneau (185th, 20:14) finished it up for the Redhawks. “I was just proud that they continued to do what they have done all season,” Bliss said. “I am proud to have been able to go on the ride.” Bliss also pointed to the high

OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

The CVU girls cross country team, seen here in November at the regional championships in New York, placed 19th last week at the national championships in Oregon.

level of competition as part of the group’s excitement about their nationals success. The longtime coach pointed out that 118 of the 202 runners finished in under 19 minutes. Only three Vermont runners finished in under 19 minutes all season.

“This team has been really on point the entire year,” Bliss said. “We just try to do our best. You can’t do any thing better than that.” And this team’s best, at least in the coach’s eyes, is the best CVU cross country team ever.

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Page 10 • Williston Observer • December 6, 2018

SPORTS

Postseason awards for CVU By Lauren Read

Observer correspondent

The Vermont Soccer Coaches Association recently released the high school boys soccer all-state teams, and Division I state champion Champlain Valley Union High School was well represented. Four CVU players were named to the Division I all-state team, and coach Rob Cole was named Large School Coach of the Year after leading the Redhawks to the D-I title win. Cole was also named the Metro Division coach of the year. Goalie Aidan Johnson, midfielder Jonah Roberts, midfielder Jack Sinopoli and defender Cullen Swett were all named to the allstate roster. Johnson, Roberts, Sinopoli and Swett also earned All-League honors, being named to the Metro Division first team. Luke Morton was named to the Metro Division second team, and Nicolas Durieux, Caleb Martin and Nathaniel Sampson earned

honorable mentions. The Champlain Valley girls soccer team capped off an undefeated season with individual honors for several of its players. Catherine Gilwee, Sydney Jimmo, Sarah Kelley, Jess Klein and Josie Pecor were all named to the Division I all-state team. Jimmo was also named the Metro Division’s Offensive Player of the Year. In addition, all five players earned all-league honors. Gilwee, Jimmo, Kelley, Klein and Pecor were also named to the Metro Division first team. Olivia Morton, Dylan Walker and Olivia Zubarik earned spots on the second team, while Maryn Askew and Quinn Boardman each got an honorable mention. In field hockey, goalie Kristy Carlson and defender Nora Weisman-Rowell were both named to the Metro Division first team for the Redhawks, who finished the season with a 6-8-1 record. Hailey Chase, Flynn Hall and

Maggie Warren were each named to the second team, while Lena Ashooh, Jessica Gagne and Caroline Reynolds received honorable mentions. Champlain Valley was also well represented in boys volleyball postseason honors. The Redhawks captured their third straight Division I title this fall. Alden Randall, Baker Angstman, Devin Rogers, Ethan Harvey, Jacob Boliba and Noah Allen were all named to the first team, while Cooper Snipes, Liam Freeman, Samuel (Raz) Hansen and Storm Rushford were named to the second team. For the Redhawk girls, who lost in the Division I state title match, Olivia Werner and Julia Daggett were both named to the first team, while Makenna Boyd, Makenzie Detch, Natalie Senior and Rayona Silverman were named to the second team. Alli Selwah rounded out the honors with an honorable mention.

WCS spelling squad finishes 2nd in state

OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

Williston Central School’s spelling team wrapped up a successful season Nov. 17 with a second-place finish at the Vermont Principal’s Association State Championship Spelling Bee in Northfield. The team won the district spelling bee and placed near the top in the regional event to advance to states, where its second-place finish was a best ever for the team. Pictured are teacher Julie Rogers, left, with team members, from left to right, Kevin Lahiri, Ananya Rohatgi, Sarah Sides, Betty Buehler and Isabella Nash. Team member Zach Spitznagle is not pictured.

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WILLISTON

RECREATION &PARKS

W I L L I S T O N

Recreation & Parks

ADULT PROGRAMS HANNAFORD PRESENTS, ‘SOUPS’ Taste test soups and talk about great sides to round out a simple, satisfying meal. Instructor: Joanne Heidkamp, registered dietitian, nutritionist for Hannaford Supermarkets. Ages 18-plus, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 6:30-8 p.m. Cost: $10 residents/$15 nonresidents. BEGINNER’S VIOLIN OR VIOLA Have you ever wanted to learn how to play the violin or viola? You may choose either in this program. You will start at the very beginning

with learning how to hold the instrument properly, to learning how to bow and read music. This program is for complete beginners with no experience. Ages 18-plus, Wednesdays, Jan. 1- Feb. 13, 7-8 p.m. Cost is $97.

YOUTH PROGRAMS SAFE SITTER BABYSITTERS COURSE This course will prepare teens to be safe when they are home watching younger siblings or babysitting. The course offers four main content areas: Safety Skills, Child Care Skills, Life & Business Skills and

First Aid & Rescue Skills. Lessons are filled with fun activities and role-playing exercises. Instructor: Kacey Greene, recreation program coordinator. Grades 6-8, Saturday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost is $55 residents/$60 nonresidents. KINDERGARTEN BASKETBALL CLINIC A coed parent/child clinic designed to teach the fundamentals and rules of the game. Youngsters will be provided with the opportunity to learn, practice and develop their individual skills. Each Saturday will consist of a clinic introducing new skills and activities. A parent is required to be on the court with their child. The program begins in January. Registration deadline is Jan. 4.

AGE WELL PROGRAMS Fine Dining at Area Restaurants and December Holiday Celebration are offered to area communities by Age Well. Advanced registration is required. Contact Pat Long at Age Well at 557-5484 for more information.

The class uses a variety of workout aids including chairs, weighted balls, floor ladder and bench step to keep it fun. Program at Federated Church. Instructor: Toni Kunker. Ages 50-plus, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Two dollars per class; register at first class.

50+ GOLDEN GROOVES The structure is easy to follow and welcomes any ability level as the moves can be done with higher or lower intensity. Program at Federated Church. Instructor: Toni Kunker. Ages 50-plus, Mondays, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Two dollars per class; register at first class.

50+ YOGA- GENTLE/SEATED Join in the fun, whether standing or seated, or a combination of both. Poses are safely demonstrated with a variety of modifications. Program at Federated Church. Instructor: Toni Kunker. Ages 50-plus, Fridays, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Two dollars per class; register at first class.

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Page 12 • Williston Observer • December 6, 2018

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Student artists display their finest Celebrate the visual art, music

formation about their collaboration

and experiential learning proj-

with the Vermont Haiti Project and

ects of Champlain Valley School

their upcoming trip to Haiti, as well

District students at CVU’s 11th

as their upcoming Family Formal

annual Celebrate the Arts Night on

event benefitting Make-A-Wish

Thursday, Dec. 13.

Vermont.

Visual arts will be on display

Musical perfor mers include

from 6-7:30 p.m. at the high school

CVU’s Jazz Ensemble (6:30-7

with about 450 pieces from CVU,

p.m.), CVU’s Women’s Chorus

Allen Brook, Williston Central,

(7-7:15 p.m.) and CVU’s sym-

Shelburne Community, Hinesburg

phon ic w i nd s st ude nt s (7:30

Elementary and Charlotte Central

p.m.).

school students.

COURTESY ART BY TAYLOR CHATOFF

A watercolor painting by CVU senior Taylor Chatoff will be featured at CVU’s 11th annual Celebrate the Arts Night on Dec. 13.

New this year, NEXUS and Sus-

Students from CVU’s studio art

tainability Program students will

program have chosen a piece they

exhibit their independent learning

feel best represents their work to

projects. Family and Consumer

put on display. Also on view will

Science classes will provide free

be practical art from technology

refreshments.

education students and fashion from clothing design students. Business students will share in-

For more information, contact Abbie Bowker at abowker@cvsdvt. org or at 879-4960.

Call to artists: the art of food Established and emerging artists are invited to submit one or two pieces of artwork in any medium for the upcoming “Art of Food” exhibit at Jericho Town Hall. The selection committee is looking for anything from a photograph of the perfect meal, to a classic still life, to art showing food at its most basic. The only requirement is that the work is wired and able to be hung on a gallery system. The exhibit is scheduled for January through April. For more information and registration materials contact Catherine McMains at catherine.mcmains@ gmail.com. The exhibit is one of an ongoing series of shows that are part of a collaborative project between the Town of Jericho and a committee of volunteers involved in the arts, including gallery owner Emilie Alexander and artists Dianne Shullenberger and Carla Hochschild.

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December 6, 2018 • Williston Observer • Page 13

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Hinesburg hosts holiday concert The Hinesburg Artist Series presents its annual Holiday Concer t this Sunday at St. Jude’s Church in Hinesburg with performances at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Under the direction of Rufus Patrick, the South County Chorus, In Accord and the Hinesburg A r t ist Se r ie s O rche st r a w i l l per for m a var iet y of holid ay numbers with guest artists Allison D. Steinmetz, soprano, and Cameron Steinmetz, tenor. Pe r for m a nce s w i l l fe at u r e selections from Messiah, “Jazz A l lelu ia ,” “A ngels We Have Heard on High,” “Christmas on Broadway,” “Jazz Gloria Deo,” “O Holy Night” and “Gloria In Excelsis Deo.”

The Steinmetz duo will sing “The Prayer,” and the orchestra will perform “A Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson. The audience is invited to join with singing carols.

T he concer ts are f ree with donat ion s a cce pt e d. Br i ng a non-per ishable food item for the Hinesburg Food Shelf. For more information, visit hinesburgartistseries.org.

OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

Allison D. Steinmetz.

OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

Cameron Steinmetz

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Volunteer opportunities By Sue Alenick United Way volunteer coordinator

PROVIDE A MEAL – Martha’s Kitchen invites volunteers to help prepare, cook

PACK IT UP — The Vermont Youth

and serve midday meals on Saturdays and

Conser vation Cor ps needs volu nteer

Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Vol-

individuals and groups to pack winter

unteers are invited to share moments with

vegetables for health care providers. Most

guests during that time. Contact Bob Beg-

work is inside, but be prepared for some

ley at 343-5411. For general volunteering,

outside chores as well. Dec. 11, 9 a.m. to

call 802-524-9749 or email marthas802@

noon and/or 1-4 p.m. Contact Ruby Bertola

yahoo.com.

at 434-3969, Ext. 211, or email volunteer@ vycc.org.

OR FINISH WORK – Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity is looking for help

— Care Partners Adult Day Center fosters

on both of its build sites. Help tackle fin-

the strengths and abilities of frail adults

ishing projects and final punch list items.

while preserving their dignity, indepen-

Volunteers must be 18 or older; all tools are

dence and quality of life. Volunteers can

supplied. To sign up,

craft, reading a story, sharing a hobby, chit-chatting or lending a hand some other way. Flexible scheduling two or more hours a week. Contact Sue Chase at 527-0548, Ext. 11, or email info@carepartnersvt.org. R EA D TO R ESCUES — Fran klin County Animal Rescue invites volunteer youth in grades 1-8 to read to cats to help reduce stress. Children can boost their reading skills and choose from books on hand or bring their own favorites. A grown-up must accompany and stay with the student. Tuesday afternoons 2:30-5:30 p.m. Contact Hadley Shannon at 524-9650 or email volunteer@fcarpets.org. ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTRUCTORS — The Migrant Education Program is seeking volunteer English language instructors to provide home-based instruction for out-of-school migrant farmworker youth ages 16-22 on Vermont farms, especially in Franklin County. A three-month commitment is needed for 1-2 hours of weekly instruction. Volunteers must have conversational ability in Spanish and experience teaching English to speakers of other languages. Mileage reimbursement is available. Contact Sarah Braun-Hamilton at 476-2003, Ext. 11, or email sarah. braunhamilton@uvm.edu. A DR I V I NG NEED — Br idges to Health needs volunteer drivers to transport migrant farmworkers to and from medical appointments throughout Chittenden and Franklin counties. Flexible scheduling. Background check required. Contact Sarah Braun-Hamilton at 476-2003, Ext. 11, or email sarah.braunhamilton@uvm.edu.

Give the Gift of Relaxation

CONSTRUCTION AND INTER I-

ADULT DAY CENTER ACTIVITIES

assist by playing a game, helping with a

December 6, 2018 • Williston Observer • Page 15

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Page 16 • Williston Observer • December 6, 2018

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NEFCU donates $500K for affordable housing New England Federal Credit Union last week announced it is granting $500,000 to the Vermont Housing Finance Agency to address the area’s shortage of housing that is affordable to Vermonters with low and moderate incomes. The money will support construction and renovation costs for perpetually affordable homes in several Vermont towns, including Bristol and Jericho. “The shortage of affordable housing … impacts not only our residents, but also our businesses and communities,” NEFCU President and Chief Executive Officer John Dwyer said. “We believe that improving the affordability of homes in the counties we serve creates a cascade of benefits that help make the region more economically healthy in the long run.” NEFCU is based in Williston and serves residents in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille and Washington counties. The grant will help construct two perpetually affordable owner-occupied homes in a condominium complex near Mount Mansfield Union High School in Jericho. The grant will help lower the sale price of the two homes to roughly $160,000. Through the Champlain Housing Trust’s shared appreciation program, the homes will remain affordable to lower income households in perpetuity. “Our housing market is so tight that it quickly absorbs new homes, especially those offered at lower price points,” said Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Charlie Baker. “The residential construction in Jericho will help bring much-needed homes into our regional housing stock.” NEFCU provided a $1 million invest-

OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

COTS Executive Director Rita Markley (fourth from right) and representatives from COTS and NEFCU celebrate the credit union’s $20,000 donation.

ment to VHFA for affordable housing in 2017. VHFA is a nonprofit created in 1974 by the Vermont Legislature to finance and promote affordable housing. NEFCU DONATES $20,000 TO COTS NEFCU representatives presented a symbolic check last week representing a $20,000 donation to Burlington’s Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS). COTS Executive Director Rita Markley was on hand to accept the donation. “New England Federal Credit Union is a great partner in helping us build community with its longtime investment in COTS’ innovative programs to end homelessness,” Markley said. “We are grateful to them for this generous gift that inspires many others, and thank them again for their incredible support.” NEFCU also announced the start of its 20th annual Blankets of Hope drive, which benefits COTS and other local nonprofits. Blankets may be dropped off at any NEFCU branch. They will be cleaned and packaged for delivery by Greer’s Professional Fabricare Services. Visit nefcu.com or call 879-8790 for more information.

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Hunting seasons wrap up Sunday Vermont’s hunters will get one final chance for a deer this year during muzzleloader deer season and the second part of the archery deer season, which run for one week through this Sunday. A muzzleloader hunter may take one legal buck anywhere in the state. In addition, a hunter who received a muzzleloader antlerless deer permit may take one antlerless deer in the Wildlife Management Unit designated on the permit. An archery hunter may take a legal buck anywhere in the state, provided they didn’t take one in the earlier part of archery season. An archery hunter may take an antlerless deer anywhere in the state. The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife defines a legal buck is a deer with at least one antler having two or more points one inch or longer. An antlerless deer is a deer without antlers or with no antler longer than 3 inches. A deer with 3-inch or longer spike antlers may not be taken during the archery, November rifle or muzzleloader seasons. A muzzleloader or archery license is required in addition to a standard hunting license, except for a nonresident who chooses to purchase just a limited archery license for the archery season.

Vermont hunters may take up to three deer in a calendar year with appropriate licenses and permits for each deer season (archery, youth weekend, November rifle,

December 6, 2018 • Williston Observer • Page 17

December muzzleloader). Only two of the three deer in the annual limit may be legal bucks, but only one legal buck may be taken in each season.

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Vermont’s hunters will get one final chance for a deer this year during muzzleloader deer season and the second part of the archery deer season, which run simultaneously through Sunday.

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SENIORS health insurance policy.

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HOW THEY WORK Health savings accounts (or HSAs) have become increasingly popular over the past few years as By Jim Miller health care costs continue to skyrocket, and because more and more Americans have gotten high-deductible health plans. The benefit of an HSA is the triple tax advantage that it offers: Dear Savvy Senior, Dear Planning, Your HSA contributions can be deWhat can you tell me about It’s true! A health savings ac- ducted pretax from your paycheck, health savings accounts? I’ve count is a fantastic financial tool lowering your taxable income; the been reading that they are a great that can help you build up a tax- money in the account grows taxinvestment that can help with grow- free stash of money for medical free; and if you use the money for ing health care costs when I retire. expenses now and after you retire eligible medical expenses, withPlanning Ahead — but there’s a catch. To get one, drawals are tax-free. And if you change jobs, the HSA you must have a high-deductible moves with you. To q u a l i f y, you must have a health insurance policy with a deductible of at least $1,350 for an individual “Everyone has been made for some particular work, and or $2,700 for a the desire for that work has been put in every heart.” family. — Rumi This year, you can cont r ibute TLC is looking for individuals drawn to caring for up to $3,450 if others. We provide homemaker, PCA and LNA you have single health insurance training to advance your career in homecare. coverage, or up t o $ 6 , 9 0 0 fo r family coverage. Next year, you If you’d like to be a part of a company that cares for you so you can care for others, give us a call! can cont r ibute slightly more — (802) 735-1123 up to $3,500 for

The retirement benefits of a health savings account

single coverage or up to $7,000 for family coverage. And people age 55 and older can put away an extra $1,000 each year. But you cannot make contributions after you sign up for Medicare. The money can be used for outof-pocket medical expenses, including deductibles, co-payments, Medicare premiums, prescription drugs, vision and dental care and other expenses either now or when you retire, for yourself and your spouse, as well as your tax dependents. And unlike a flexible spending account, an HSA doesn’t require you to use the money by the end of the year. Rather, HSA funds roll over year to year and continue to grow tax-free in your HSA account for later use. In fact, you’ll get a bigger tax benefit if you use other cash for current medical expenses and keep the HSA money growing for the long term. Be sure to hold onto your receipts for medical expenses after you open your HSA, even if you pay those bills with cash, so you can claim the expenses later. There’s no time limit for withdrawing the money tax-free for eligible medical expenses you incurred anytime after you opened the account. But be aware that if you do use your HSA funds for non-medical expenses, you’ll be required to pay taxes on the withdrawal, plus a 20 percent penalty. The penalty, however, is waived for those 65 and older, but you’ll still pay ordinary

income tax on withdraws not used for eligible expenses. HOW TO OPEN AN HSA You should first check with your employer to see if they offer an HSA, and if they will contribute to it. If not, you can open an HSA through many banks, brokerage firms and other financial institutions, as long as you have a qualified high-deductible health insurance policy. If you plan to keep the money growing for the future, look for an HSA administrator that offers a portfolio of mutual funds for long-term investing and has low fees. HealthEquity, OptumBank, The HSA Authority and Bank of America are the top ranked HSA providers for long-term investing, according to the investment research firm Morningstar. To search for providers, visit HSAsearch. com. After setting up your HSA plan, adding money is pretty straightforward. Most plans let you do online transfers from your bank, send checks directly or set up a payroll deduction if offered by your employer. And to access your HSA funds, many plans provide a debit card, some offer a checkbook and most allow for reimbursement. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Habitat continued from page

or too expensive. • They must be willing to partner with us, including doing 400 hours of sweat equity work helping to build their house. Would you like to help local families? Please consider a financial donation on our secure website vermonthabitat.org or by sending a check to Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 335, Williston, VT 05495. Thank you!

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ADVENTURE IS WAITING. NEFCU TAKES YOU THERE. From days off to big vacations, NEFCU delivers savvy financial tools, tips, and services to make good things happen. Like the NEFCU VISA® Explorer Card, offering low rates, minimal fees, and great benefits. So the fun goes further. Apply anytime at nefcu.com.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Nonprofit News is a weekly series highlighting the work of nonprofit organizations in Williston and throughout Chittenden County. This story was provided by Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity. Nonprofits seeking to tell their story in this space, please email editor@willistonobserver. com or call Jason at (802) 872-9000 ext. 117.

December 6, 2018 • Williston Observer • Page 19

CROSSWORD

Town tree lighting is Dec. 16

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The Town of Williston’s annual tree lighting celebration is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 at the Town Gazebo in front of Williston Central School. Gather with the community for treats, hot cocoa, caroling and the ceremonial tree lighting. Bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation to support the Williston Community Food Shelf. The SD Ireland holiday truck will make a visit. The event is sponsored by Hannaford, Shaw’s, TD Bank, Williston Liquidation Center and the Williston Girl Scouts.

57 62

Estefan hit) ACROSS Across 57. Sweetie pie 1. Rarely used greenback 1. Rarely used greenback 59. Fragrance 4. Place to surf 62. Phaser setting 7. Mammal4.coat Place to surf 64. Directory entry 10. ____ That Jazz 7. Mammal coat 67. By hook or by crook 13. Galley tool 14. Get your10. ___ to the ground ____ That Jazz 71. Certain sculpting medium 72. Gormandized 15. Years ___ 13. Galley tool 73. The Renaissance, e.g. 16. Pizzeria order 74.ground More than great respect 17. Accurate14. Get your ___ to the 75. Turn black, maybe 19. Askew 15. Years ___ 76. Place to park 21. Field of study 16. Pizzeria order 77. Place for mounted antlers, 22. British radial maybe 17.for Accurate 23. Excalibur, one 78. Thus far 26. Many a19. titleAskew starter 28. Horse of a sort 32. Buried 21. Field of study DOWN 33. Like some 22.juries British radial 1. Over the ___ 35. Blow one’s top 23. Excalibur, for one2. Major conflict 36. Place for some notes 3. It gets refined 37. History 26. Many a title starter4. Kooky 39. Minded28. Horse of a sort 5. Life of luxury 41. Dried fruit 6. Inhalations and exhalations 32. Buried 42. Lord’s Prayer start 7. Lock in place 43. “Golf, ___?” 33. Like some juries 8. Awful, weatherwise 46. Interjects 9. Daytona 500 sound 48. ___ up a good fight 10. To the point 51. Room access 11. Stretch a point 52. Instigate, with “up” 12. Started the betting 54. Grate stuff 18. Compact, e.g. 20. Closer in time 55. Sedate, perhaps 56. “Here We _ _ _” (Gloria 23. This girl

24. Triumph 35. Blow one's top 25. Word with job or fellow 36.Shed Place for some notes 27. 29. Blue great, first name 37. History 30. Comes before beauty 39.Four-poster, Minded e.g. 31. 34. “Well 41. Drieddone!” fruit 37. ATM access code 42.Ice Lord's Prayer 38. and Iron, forstart two 40. Transportation 43. "Golf, ___?" 41. Couldn’t remember 46. Interjects 43. Combine numbers 48.Negative ___ up ajoiner good fight 44. 45. Thee, updated 51. Room access 46. Appearance 52.Prepared Instigate,a turkey with "up" 47. 48. a pixie pal 54.Peter Gratewith stuff 49. Expend 55.“___ Sedate, 50. willperhaps be done . . . “ 53. 56.Aim "Here We ___" (Gloria Estefan hit) 57. Person 57. Sweetie pie 58. Start of long-distance dialing 59. Fragrance 60. Use a telephone 62. Phaser setting 61. Atop 64.Flew Directory entry 63. 64. Topper 65. Unfriendly 66. Sight___ 68. Farming product 69. Be indebted 70. Rainy

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Page 20 • Williston Observer • December 6, 2018

Cooking Corner

Fight the cold with betterfor-you comfort foods Few things go together quite like cold weather and comfort foods. However, those hearty dishes that are typically craved on blustery days are usually not classified as “healthy.” With the right approach, though, you can put a better-for-you twist on some of your favorite dishes that can keep you cozy and satiated during the winter season. For example, you can put a grown-up twist on grilled cheese and tomato soup with this recipe for Creamy Tomato and Roasted Pepper Soup with Cheddar Cracker Melts. Pairing flavorful seasonal dishes like soups and stews with a wholesome snack cracker like gluten-free, non-GMO Crunchmaster Tuscan Peasant Crackers can help satisfy those comfort food cravings while also contributing to a healthy lifestyle. With 20 grams of whole grains per serving, these crunchy, robust baked crackers are also cholesterol-free, allowing you to take a back-to-basics approach to your diet using simple ingredients and no artificial flavors or colors. For other seasonal recipes, coupons, tips and nutritional information, visit crunchmaster.com. CREAMY TOMATO AND ROASTED PEPPER SOUP WITH CHEDDAR CRACKER MELTS Prep time: 15 minutes; Cook time: 25 minutes ; Servings: 6 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon salt, divided 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1 pinch chili flakes 4 cups organic no-salt-added vegetable broth 1 can (28 ounces) no-salt-added diced tomatoes 1 cup chopped prepared roasted red peppers 2 bay leaves 1/3 cup 35 percent heavy cream 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives, divided 1 teaspoon cider vinegar –Family Features

The recipe page is sponsored by Williston Hannaford Supermarket.

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Vermont Smoke and Cure: Hinesburg, VT Boyden Valley Wines: Cambridge, VT Cabot Dairy Products: Cabot, VT Williston Hannaford Supermarket & Pharmacy

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◆BRICK ◆ CHURCH MUSIC SERIES

◆SENIOR ◆ HOLIDAY DINNER

7-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7 Old Brick Church 100 Library Lane, Williston Cantiamo, an a capella touring ensemble, performs festive holiday music. Celtic harpist and singer Dominique Dodge opens. Robert Waldo Brunelle JR will exhibit his acrylic paintings of “The Old Neighborhood.”

◆MODEL ◆ TRAIN OPEN HOUSE 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 Pinewood Plaza, 57 River Road, Essex The Northwest Vermont Model Railroad Association invites the community to a showing of its scale model train layout depicting Vermont. Used trains and accessories will be on sale.

1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 Hilton Hotel, 60 Battery St., Burlington Sen. Bernie Sanders hosts a meal for seniors, including holiday music and an update on policy issues affecting seniors. RSVP at 862-0697.

◆BUSINESS ◆ GROWTH SEMINAR 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12 New England Federal Credit Union 141 Harvest Lane, Williston Steve Densham from the Vermont Small Business Development Center presents ways to analyze and compare business growth opportunities. This session presented in partnership with Vermont SCORE and NEFCU.

◆SENIOR ◆ HOLIDAY LUNCHEON AND STUDENT CHOIR PERFORMANCE 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 Williston Federated Church 44 North Williston Road The Williston-Richmond Rotary Club presents a performance of the Williston Central School choir. Lunch will be served at noon. For more information contact Andy Mikell 802.343.2704 or amikell@ catic.com.

◆CVU ◆ CELEBRATE THE ARTS NIGHT 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 CVU High School, Hinesburg Students from the Champlain Valley School District display visual arts and experiential learning projects. Music performances by the CVU Women’s Chorus and the CVU Jazz Ensemble.

FOR COMPLETE EVENT LISTINGS VISIT: WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM TO SUBMIT AN EVENT: email editor@willistonobserver.com

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For more information or to open an account call 802-864-6892 Visit our office at 4 Laurel Hill Drive, Suite 3 South Burlington, VT 05403

Store Hours: Mon. - Fri., 5 a.m. - 1 a.m. Store Hours: Mon.&- Sat. Sat., 5 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sun.,6 7a.m. a.m.- 11 - 11p.m. p.m. Pharmacy Hours: Fri., 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sun. 7 Mon. a.m. --10 p.m. Sat., 8 a.m.Hours: - 6 p.m., & Sun., Pharmacy Mon. - Fri.,88a.m. a.m.- -58p.m. p.m. Dietitian Hours: Fridays, a.m. -- 5 4 p.m. p.m. Sat., 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. & Sun.108 a.m.

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December 6, 2018 • Williston Observer • Page 21

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AARP ramps up advocacy on drug costs AARP has announced the launch of an advocacy campaign urging Congress to stand up to the pharmaceutical industry and protect seniors from any attempts to raise patient drug costs by reversing this year’s Medicare Part D doughnut hole deal. Congress took a step in 2018 to reduce the financial burden on older Americans by passing the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. The act closes the Medicare Part D coverage gap, known as the “doughnut hole,” on brand name drugs in 2019, and it increased manufacturer dis-

counts in the coverage gap. “AARP strongly supports the deal reached around Medicare Part D doughnut hole coverage in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, providing financial relief for millions of seniors who find themselves saddled with high drug costs,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s executive vice president. “Despite what the pharmaceutical lobby would like Congress to believe, going back on the deal is not a ‘technical fix.’ It’s time the industry put people over profits.”

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Brick Church Music Series Friday, Dec. 7 | 2018

Cantiamo

Cantiamo is Bella Voce Women’s Chorus’ a cappella small ensemble. Bella Voce, the recipient of the 2018 Seven Daysies Best Choral Ensemble in Vermont Award, is a chorus of auditioned singers which performs throughout the northeast. Cantiamo returns to the Music Series to delight the audience with selections of joyful holiday music, sing-alongs, and Christmas carols. www.bellavocevt.org

Details

Opening Act: Dominique Dodge, harpist www.facebook.com/DominiqueDodgeMusic Visual Guest Artist: Robert Waldo Brunelle JR’s acrylic paintings of “The Old Neighborhood” All Proceeds Benefit: Williston Food Shelf

Presenting Sponsor:

time for holiday cheer.

HOLIDAY MAGIC AT MAPLE TREE PLACE BLACK FRIDAY - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS IN DECEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER 23 12PM - 4PM HORSE DRAWN TROLLEY RIDES AROUND THE GREEN VISIT SANTA IN HIS WORKSHOP ALL ACTIVITIES ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND SELFIES WITH SANTA ARE WELCOME. VISIT SHOPMAPLETREEPLACE.COM FOR MORE DETAILS

Doors open/Art Show at 6:30pm Music at 7:00pm Ticket Price: $15 at door and $13 in advance ($13/$11 for seniors and children) Ticket Purchase: Williston Town Hall; at brick church door on the day of show, or online at www.town.williston.vt.us/BrickChurchMusic Location: All shows occur at the Old Brick Church in Williston Village

Next January 11th Performance Cassotto Duo | Classical/Folk