Shop local
Success in six
On balance
Consumers sharing the spirit of the season tell us what gifts they found in local businesses. Page 2A.
It only took six days for Monkton kids to gather 1,300 items for their food drive. See Page 10A.
The MUHS gymnastics team scored points against powerhouse Essex on Saturday. See Page 1B.
ADDISON COUNTY
INDEPENDENT Vol. 69 No. 52
Middlebury, Vermont
â—†
George  takes  pass  on  re-Âelection  bid
Thursday, December 24, 2015 â—† 26 Pages
75¢
No silent night
Middlebury  board  chair  caps  20  years By  JOHN  FLOWERS 0,''/(%85< ² 0LGGOHEXU\ VHOHFWERDUG &KDLUPDQ 'HDQ *HRUJH KDV GHFLGHG WR WDNH D SDVV RQ UH HOHFWLRQ DIWHU \HDUV RI VHUYLFH D GHFLVLRQ WKDW FUHDWHV DQ RSHQ VHDW IRU SURVSHFWLYH FDQGLGDWHV WKDW DUH DOUHDG\ EHJLQQLQJ WR VWHS IRUZDUG )RUPHU 6HOHFWPDQ 9LFWRU 1XRYR KDV FRQÂżUPHG KH ZLOO WRVV KLV KDW LQWR WKH ULQJ IRU RQH RI WKH WKUHH VHOHFWERDUG VHDWV WKDW ZLOO EH XS IRU JUDEV RQ 0DUFK $ORQJ ZLWK *HRUJHÂśV SRVW VHDWV KHOG E\ LQ- FXPEHQW 6HOHFWPHQ *DU\ %DNHU DQG 1LFN $UWLP ZLOO DOVR EH LQ SOD\ %DNHU DQG $UWLP KDYH FRQ- ¿UPHG WKDW WKH\ ZLOO EH VHHNLQJ UH election. (DVW 0LGGOHEXU\ UHVLGHQW 5LFK-Â
DUG 7HUN KDV DOVR WDNHQ RXW D QRPL- QDWLRQ SHWLWLRQ IRU D VSRW RQ WKH ERDUG 7HUN LV OHDGHU RI WKH 0LGGOH- EXU\ $LUSRUW 1HLJKERUKRRG $VVR- FLDWLRQ D FLWL]HQVœ JURXS WKDW KDV EHHQ RSSRVLQJ H[SDQVLRQ DW WKH OR- cal  airport. &DQGLGDWHV IRU WRZQ DQG VFKRRO RI¿FHV KDYH XQWLO -DQ WR VXEPLW their  nomination  petitions  to  their  ORFDO WRZQ FOHUNV ,Q 0LGGOHEXU\ those  petitions  must  bear  the  signa- WXUHV RI DW OHDVW UHJLVWHUHG YRWHUV RI WKH WRZQ 7KH ORFDO HOHF- WLRQV ZLOO RIIHU DQ H[WUD ZULQNOH WKLV \HDU IRU WRZQV WKDW DUH SDUW RI a  supervisory  union  seeking  to  con- VROLGDWH LQWR D VLQJOH VFKRRO GLV- WULFW XQGHU $FW 7RZQV LQ VXFK (See  Dean  George,  Page  7A)
A  walk  in  the  woods  yields  more  than  a  perfect  Christmas  tree Editor’s  note:  Reporter  Gaen  DQG VR WKH\ÂśUH EULQJLQJ WKH NLGV ´ Murphree  covers  the  agriculture  VDLG 5HDG\ Âł,WÂśV UHDOO\ WKH H[SHUL- beat  for  this  newspaper.  In  this  HQFH ² WKDW ROG WLPH 9HUPRQW WUDGL- monthly  column  she  looks  at  Addison  WLRQ RI JHWWLQJ RXW LQ VHDUFK RI WKDW County  farm  and  forest  products  up  SHUIHFW &KULVWPDV WUHH , WKLQN D ORW RI SHRSOH HQMR\ WKH WUDGLWLRQ RI SDFNLQJ close  and  personal. RIPTON  —  This  year,  given  the  WKH NLGV LQ WKH FDU JUDEELQJ D ERZ VDZ DQG D VOHG DQG LQ GLVPDO UDLQ DQG XQVHD- D W\SLFDO \HDU WUXGJLQJ sonably  warm  weather,  WKURXJK WKH VQRZ DQG ZH QHHGHG D GLIIHU- getting  out  in  the  ele- HQW VRUW RI DGYHQWXUH PHQWV LQ VHDUFK RI WKDW IRU JHWWLQJ RXU IDPLO\ SHUIHFW WUHH ´ Christmas  tree,  so  we  5HDG\ DQG KLV RZQ SOXQNHG GRZQ DW WKH son  have  been  hiking  National  Forest  ranger  LQWR WKH IRUHVW WR ÂżQG VWDWLRQ LQ 0LGGOHEXU\ WKHLU WUHH IRU WKH SDVW DQG KHDGHG LQWR WKH several  years. hills. “This  year,  we  The  U.S.  Forest  SLFNHG WKH GDWH DQG Service’s  Christmas  ZH KDG RXU SHUPLW DQG tree  program  has  been  we  went  to  our  spot  DURXQG IRU GHFDGHV DF- DQG VSHQW D JRRG KRXU FRUGLQJ WR )RUHVW 6HU- DQG D KDOI RXW LQ WKH YLFH 3XEOLF $IIDLUV 2I- ZRRGV ´ VDLG 5HDG\ ÂżFHU (WKDQ 5HDG\ 7KLV by Gaen Murphree Âł:H JRW VRPH H[HUFLVH year,  the  governor’s  FKHFNHG RXW WKH EHDYHU RZQ WUHH ZDV D IRRW WDOO EDOVDP ÂżU KDUYHVWHG LQ D VHFWLRQ SRQG FKHFNHG RXW WKLV FRRO URRW RQ D RI WKH QDWLRQDO IRUHVW QHDU +DQFRFN WUHH WKDW KDG WRSSOHG RYHU VDZ VRPH WKHUHÂśV D IRRW OLPLW IRU WKH UHVW RI ELUGV JRW RXU IHHW FROG DQG ZHW ² DOO XV $QG WUHHV IURP WKH *UHHQ 0RXQ- WKH H[SHULHQFHV \RXÂśUH ORRNLQJ IRU ´ 7UXH DÂżFLRQDGRV 5HDG\ DQG WDLQ )RUHVW KDYH VXSSOLHG WKH 8 6 VRQ $EUDKDP KLNHG DURXQG DQG Capitol  as  recently  as  2007. Âł:H KDYH D ORW RI UHSHDW FXVWRP- SLFNHG RXW D OLNHO\ WUHH LQ D OLNHO\ HUV SHRSOH ZKRVH SDUHQWV XVHG WR spot  last  summer.  EULQJ WKHP DQG QRZ WKH\ÂśUH SDUHQWV (See  Christmas  tree,  Page  13A)
Local Harvest
CATHY  WALSH,  LEFT,  Tamar  Begley  and  Susan  Veguez  hold  onto  a  menagerie  of  animals  that  the  trio  have  been  preparing  for  appear- ances  in  the  St.  Stephen’s  Church  Christmas  pageant  on  Christmas  Eve. Independent  photos/Trent  Campbell
Live animals bring Christmas story to life reporter’s  notebook-Ânibbling  Ni- GHEXW LQ D VKHHS FRVWXPH ([SHFW gerian  pygmy  goat,  will  appear  as  KHU WR EDUN DQG KHUG HYHU\RQH KLPVHOI 2I FRXUVH $OSDFDV 6YHQ DQG HYHU\WKLQJ LQ VLJKW 7KDW GRJ DQG :LOOLDP 7HOO ² DSSURSULDWHO\ means  business! UHJDO LQ EURZQ DQG FUHDP ² ZLOO +DYLQJ OLYH DQLPDOV DW WKH EH SRUWUD\LQJ WKH FDPHOV RI WKH Christmas  pageant  has  been  a  tra- 7KUHH :LVH 0HQ $QG /XQD D YHU\ GLWLRQ DW WKH (SLVFRSDO FKXUFK VLQFH By  GAEN  MURPHREE MIDDLEBURY  —  On  GHWHUPLQHG &RUJL DQG VHOI DSSRLQW- WKH V VDLG SDULVKLRQHU &DWK\ &KULVWPDV (YH D 0LGGOHEXU\ HG ÂłEDUQ PDQDJHU ´ ZLOO PDNH KHU :DOVK ZKRÂśV EHHQ D SDUW RI WKH OLYH church  will  host  its  most  un- XVXDO SDULVKLRQHUV RI WKH \HDU as  Smarty,  Jackson,  Sven,  Wil- OLDP 7HOO DQG /XOX WDNH WKHLU place  in  St.  Stephen’s  eagerly  DZDLWHG &KULVWPDV SDJHDQW 1R WKH\ DUH QRW FKLOGUHQ DO- though  the  worship  hall  on  the  WRZQ JUHHQ ZLOO EH IXOO WR EXUVW- ing  with  young  people  playing  SDUWV LQ WKH VWRU\ RI WKH ÂżUVW &KULVWPDV ² VKHSKHUGV VKHHS angels,  Mary,  Joseph,  cows,  D WLJHU PLFH D NDQJDURR DQG even  a  bunny  or  two. 7KHVH DUH IRXU OHJJHG DFWRUV playing  key  parts  in  the  Christ- mas  story. Smarty,  a  shaggy  “barrel  on  OHJV´ RI D PLQLDWXUH KRUVH SHU- IRUPV DV WKH GRQNH\ WKDW FDU- SMARTY,  A  MINIATURE  horse  owned  by  Tamar  Begley  of  Weybridge,  ULHG 0DU\ DQG -RVHSK WR %HWK- will  have  a  featured  role  as  a  donkey  in  the  St.  Stephen’s  Church  annual  OHKHP -DFNVRQ D FXULRXV DQG Christmas  pageant  on  Dec.  24  at  4  p.m.
Parishioners and friends carry on a 30-year tradition
DQLPDO WUDGLWLRQ IRU GHFDGHV ³7KURXJK WKH H\HV RI D FKLOG to  see  the  Christmas  story  en- DFWHG ZLWK UHDO OLYH DQLPDOV PDNHV LW VR LPPHGLDWH 7KH\œUH MXVW VR KRQHVW DQG UHDO ´ VDLG Walsh. 7KH 1HZ +DYHQ UHVLGHQW brought  her  own  animals  to  WKH SDJHDQW IRU PDQ\ \HDUV DQG more  recently  has  taken  on  the  MRE RI FRRUGLQDWLQJ WKH DQLPDO HQG RI WKH &KULVWPDV SDJHDQW 7KLV \HDUœV PHQDJHULH RI VWDU SHUIRUPHUV LV RZQHG E\ 7DP- ar  Begley,  who’s  been  bring- LQJ GHQL]HQV IURP KHU ZHOO VWRFNHG EDUQ LQ :H\EULGJH WR the  St.  Stephen’s  Christmas  SDJHDQW IRU WKH SDVW VL[ RU seven  years.  Come  Christmas  (YH %HJOH\ DQG :DOVK ZLOO EH wrangling  animals,  with  help  IURP 6XVDQ 9HJXH] RI &RUQ- ZDOO 0ROO\ :LWKHUV RI 5LSWRQ $QDEHO +HUQDQGH] RI %ULGSRUW *DLO =XFN RI 1HZ +DYHQ DQG :DOVKœV GDXJKWHU (PLO\ $W DURXQG S P RQ WKH WK WKH WHDP ZLOO ORDG WKH animals  into  a  livestock  trailer,  (See  Pageant,  Page  16A)
New idea pitched to cut city truck traffic By  ANDY  KIRKALDY H[HFXWLYH RI WKH ÂżUP 7RROH 'HVLJQ 9(5*(11(6 ² $ERXW RQH WUXFN which  is  helping  the  city  come  up  GULYHV GRZQ 9HUJHQQHVÂś 0DLQ 6WUHHW ZLWK D 9HUJHQQHV 'RZQWRZQ %DVLQ every  minute,  rolling  past  historic  Master  Plan.  EXLOGLQJV FDUV SDUNHG RQ 97UDQV LV DSSDUHQWO\ ERWK VLGHV DQG FRQVLGHU- “It’s an taking  the  proposal  se- DEOH SHGHVWULDQ WUDIÂżF riously.  When  Benton  alternative 1RZ D ORQJ DEDQGRQHG DQG 7RROH 'HVLJQÂśV %LOO SURSRVDO IRU D E\SDVV that I think is 6FKXOWKHLVVH KDG D SUH- DURXQG GRZQWRZQ WKDW a moderate liminary  plan  put  togeth- ZRXOG UHGXFH WKH QXPEHU alternative. HU WKH\ VKDUHG LW ZLWK WKH RI ORQJ KDXO WUXFNV GULY- It doesn’t FLW\ÂśV UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV DQG LQJ WKURXJK 9HUJHQQHV have to be the  county’s  senators  in  KDV FRPH EDFN WR OLIH EXW Montpelier. expensive.â€? LQ D GLIIHUHQW DQG SRWHQ- 5HS :DUUHQ 9DQ :\FN — Mayor WLDOO\ PXFK FKHDSHU IRUP 5 )HUULVEXUJK IRUZDUGHG Bill Benton ,W ZRXOG FRQWLQXH WR DOORZ WKDW GUDIW WR 97UDQV 6HF- RQH ZD\ WUXFN WUDIÂżF VRXWKERXQG UHWDU\ &KULV &ROH DQG UHFHLYHG WKLV WKURXJK WKH FLW\ EXW VHQG QRUWK- UHVSRQVH ERXQG WUXFNV FRPLQJ XS 5RXWH $ Âł7KDQN \RX IRU WKH SURSRVDO ,ÂśYH RQ D GHWRXU HDVW RQ 5RXWH IURP IRUZDUGHG WKLV UHTXHVW WR 5LFK 7HW- $GGLVRQ WR 1HZ +DYHQ -XQFWLRQ WR UHDXOW 'HSXW\ 6HFUHWDU\ RI 97UDQV UHDFK 5RXWH ZKHUH WKH\ ZRXOG ZKR ZLOO DVVHPEOH D PXOWLGLVFL- continue  north.  SOLQDU\ WHDP WR HYDOXDWH WKH IHDVLELO- MEIGAN,  LEFT,  CHLOE  and  Gregor  Clark  spot  a  great  Christmas  0D\RU %LOO %HQWRQ KDV IRUZDUGHG LW\ RI WKH 0D\RUÂśV SURSRVDO :H ZLOO tree  —  an  eight-Âfoot-Âplus  eastern  hemlock  —  that  they  harvested  in  the  WR WKH $JHQF\ RI 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ WKDW JHW EDFN WR \RX RQFH WKDW IHDVLELOLW\ Green  Mountain  National  Forest  after  purchasing  a  $5  permit. SODQ EDVHG RQ DQ LGHD SLWFKHG E\ DQ HYDOXDWLRQ LV FRPSOHWHG ´ Independent  photo/Gaen  Murphree
9DQ :\FN VDLG KH ZDV QRW UHDG\ WR HQGRUVH WKH SODQ JLYHQ WKDW RWKHU WRZQV KDYH \HW WR EH LQYROYHG LQ WKH SURFHVV EXW EHOLHYHG DQ LGHD WKDW FRXOG UHOLHYH WKH FLW\ÂśV WUXFN D PLQ- XWH EXUGHQ GHVHUYHG VWXG\ Otter  Creek  Audubon  will  offer  “I  took  that  (response)  as  positive,  a  “First  Day  Bird  Walkâ€?  event  EH\RQG WKDW , ZRQÂśW VSHFXODWH RQ WKH SRVVLELOLW\ RI LWV DSSURYDO ,ÂśOO DVN on  Jan.  1,  beginning  at  9  a.m.,  VRPH PRUH TXHVWLRQV LQ 0RQWSHOLHU at  Button  Bay  State  Park  in  Fer- (See  By  the  way,  Page  16A) LQ -DQXDU\ ´ 9DQ :\FN ZURWH LQ DQ HPDLO Âł2EYLRXVO\ WKH WRZQV RI $G- GLVRQ :DOWKDP 1HZ +DYHQ DQG )HUULVEXUJK QHHG WR ZHLJK LQ DOVR , KDYH QRW VSHFLÂżFDOO\ HQGRUVHG WKH Âż- QDO RXWFRPH \HW VLQFH ,ÂśP LQWHUHVWHG LQ IXUWKHU ORFDO LQSXW DOVR WKRXJK , Obituaries  ................................ 6A &ODVVLÂżHGV  ......................... 4B-Â7B VXSSRUW WKH HYDOXDWLRQ DV D ÂżUVW VWHS ´ %HQWRQ VDLG KH KRSHV WKH LGHD ZLOO Service  Directory  .............. 5B-Â6B PHULW VHULRXV FRQVLGHUDWLRQ HYHQ LI LW Entertainment  ........................ 10A RQO\ UHPRYHV KDOI RI WKH WUXFN WUDIÂżF &RPPXQLW\ &DOHQGDU  ........ 8A-Â9A Sports  ................................ 1B-Â3B IURP GRZQWRZQ 9HUJHQQHV “It’s  an  alternative  that  I  think  is  a  PRGHUDWH DOWHUQDWLYH ,W GRHVQÂśW KDYH WR EH H[SHQVLYH ´ %HQWRQ VDLG 7KH FHQWUDO DGYDQWDJH WKDW WKLV (See  Vergennes,  Page  14A)
By the way
Index
PAGE  2A  —  Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015
What is your favorite local gift? Compiled  and  photographed  by  intern  Julia  John 7KHUH¶V UHDOO\ JUHDW ORFDO SRWWHU\ DURXQG KHUH ,Q DOPRVW HYHU\ VWRUH \RX JR LQ WKH\ KDYH WKHVH KRPHPDGH PXJV WKDW DUH EHDXWLIXO DQG VR QLFH WR KDYH DW WKLV WLPH RI \HDU ZKHQ \RX¶UH PDNLQJ WHD KRW FKRFRODWH RU ZKDWHYHU $ JRRG PXJ LV DOZD\V D ZLQQHU LQ P\ ERRN —  Emily  Robinson,  Weybridge
29¶V XQL¿HG GLVWULFW earns  state  approval By  LEE  J.  KAHRS $ VLQJOH PHPEHU ERDUG ZLOO BRANDON  —  The  proposed  Ot- EH HOHFWHG RQ -DQ WR RYHUVHH WKH WHU 9DOOH\ 8QL¿HG 8QLRQ 6FKRRO 'LV- QHZ GLVWULFW D FKDQJH IURP WKH FXU- WULFW ZRQ DSSURYDO IURP WKH 9HUPRQW UHQW PRGHO ZKHUH HDFK VFKRRO KDV LWV 6WDWH %RDUG RI (GXFDWLRQ ODVW ZHHN RZQ ERDUG 51H68 KDV D ERDUG DV DQG WKH VWDJH LV VHW IRU WKH -DQ ZHOO :KLOH WKH QXPEHU RI ERDUG UHS- PXOWL WRZQ YRWH UHVHQWDWLYHV D WRZQ UHFHLYHV LV EDVHG 7KH 5XWODQG 1RUWKHDVW 6XSHUYLVR- RQ SRSXODWLRQ WKHUH DUH DOVR IRXU ³DW U\ 8QLRQ WRRN LWV VLGH E\ VLGH VFKRRO ODUJH´ ERDUG VHDWV ZHLJKWHG HTXDOO\ FRQVROLGDWLRQ SURSRVDO WR WKH VWDWH WR WKH WRZQ VHDWV ERDUG IRU DSSURYDO DW D 'HF PHHW- (DFK RI WKH ERDUG VHDWV ZLOO EH YRWHG LQJ DW 0LOO 5LYHU RQ E\ HYHU\ WRZQ 8QLRQ +LJK 6FKRRO $OO HLJKW WRZQV 51H68 KDV EHHQ PXVW YRWH WR DS- ZRUNLQJ RQ WKH SODQ SURYH WKH QHZ GLV- XQGHU WKH QHZ $FW WULFW :KLOH WKH YRWH 6HYHUDO LQIRUPDWLRQ PHHW- LV VHW IRU -DQ VFKRRO FRQVROL- dation  legislation  LQJV ZLOO EH KHOG LQ WKH UXQ UHVLGHQWV FDQ JR WR passed  last  spring,  XS WR WKH -DQ YRWH WKHLU WRZQ FOHUNV Dec.  28 ZKLFK UHTXLUHV DQ\ WLPH EHWZHHQ *RVKHQ IRUXP ZLOO EH VFKRRO GLVWULFWV WR QRZ DQG WKHQ DQG DW 7RZQ +DOO GXULQJ VWXG\ DQG LPSOHPHQW YRWH RQ WKH LVVXH VHOHFWERDUG PHHWLQJ JRYHUQDQFH PHUJHU DQG WKH ERDUG PHP- Jan.  7 SODQV E\ 7KH EHUV E\ DEVHQWHH /HLFHVWHU S P goal  is  to  pool  re- EDOORW ZLWK D SRWOXFN VRXUFHV PDQDJH- 6XSHULQWHQGHQW 3LWWVIRUG S P PHQW DQG VWDI¿QJ Collins  said  she  had  LQ 7RZQ +DOO DQG FRQVROLGDWH EXG- EHHQ IDLUO\ FRQ¿- %UDQGRQ 0DH¶V 3ODFH GLQHU JHWV ZKLOH VSUHDGLQJ dent  that  the  state  &HQWHU 6W FRIIHH KRXU WKH SXSLO SRSXODWLRQ ERDUG ZRXOG DS- Jan.  11 E\ FRQWLQXLQJ VFKRRO SURYH WKH 2988 6XGEXU\ S P DW 6XGEXU\ SURSRVDO FKRLFH DQG PDLQWDLQ- &RXQWU\ 6FKRRO LQJ VPDOO VFKRROV ³:H KDG D WKRU- :KLWLQJ S P 7KH 2988 ZDV RXJK YHWWLQJ ZLWK DW :KLWLQJ 6FKRRO RQH RI WKUHH SUR- WKH $JHQF\ RI (GX- Jan.  12 SRVHG GLVWULFWV XS IRU FDWLRQ SULRU WR XV &KLWWHQGHQ DQG 0HQGRQ DSSURYDO E\ WKH VWDWH JRLQJ WR WKH ERDUG ´ S P DW %DUVWRZ ERDUG 7KH 5XWODQG VKH VDLG ³%\ WKH 0HPRULDO 6FKRRO 6RXWK DQG $GGLVRQ WLPH ZH KDQGHG Jan.  13 &HQWUDO XQL¿HG GLV- RYHU RXU ¿QDO GRFX- %UDQGRQ &DIp 3URYHQFH WULFWV DOVR ZHUH DS- PHQWV ZH IHOW ZH GRZQVWDLUV GLQLQJ URRP SURYHG PHW HYHU\WKLQJ UH- 7KH VWDWH ERDUG TXLUHG E\ ODZ ´ DSSURYHG WKH 2988 GLVWULFW XQDQL- 6KH VDLG WKH VWDWH ERDUG DVNHG PRXVO\ 51H68 6XSHULQWHQGHQW TXHVWLRQV UHJDUGLQJ WKH UHDVRQV IRU -HDQQH &ROOLQV VDLG VDYH IRU ERDUG WKH VLGH E\ VLGH GLVWULFW 0HQGRQ DQG PHPEHU %LOO 0DWKLV RI *RVKHQ ZKR &KLWWHQGHQ RSWHG WR VWD\ ZLWK 5XWODQG UHFXVHG KLPVHOI IURP WKH YRWH 1RUWKHDVW DQG PDLQWDLQ KLJK VFKRRO 7KH DSSURYHG 2988 VFKRRO GLV- FKRLFH DQG KRZ WKH 2988 ERDUG WULFW LV FRPSULVHG RI WKH H[LVWLQJ VL[ UHSUHVHQWDWLRQ ZDV GHFLGHG 51H68 WRZQV RI %UDQGRQ 3LWWVIRUG Collins  said  the  OVUU  is  not  go- *RVKHQ /HLFHVWHU :KLWLQJ DQG 6XG- LQJ WR EH DOO WKDW GLIIHUHQW IURP WKH EXU\ LQ D SUH N WKURXJK WK JUDGH FXUUHQW 2WWHU 9DOOH\ 8QLRQ +LJK GLVWULFW ZLWK 2WWHU 9DOOH\ 8QLRQ +LJK 6FKRRO %RDUG ZKHUH WKHUH DUH UHSUH- 6FKRRO DQG FRQWLQXHG RSHUDWLRQ RI VHQWDWLYHV IURP HDFK WRZQ VHUYHG E\ IRXU HOHPHQWDU\ VFKRROV WKH VFKRRO DQG WKH ODUJHU WRZQV KDYH 7KH 2988 GLVWULFW DOVR LQFOXGHV WZR VHDWV WKH WRZQV RI 0HQGRQ DQG &KLWWHQGHQ ³7KH HQG SURGXFW LV JRLQJ WR EH D ZKLFK ZLOO RSHUDWH WKH SUH N WKURXJK XQL¿HG VFKRRO GLVWULFW ZKHUH ZH¶UH WK JUDGH %DUVWRZ 8QL¿HG 8QLRQ DOO WDNLQJ FDUH RI HDFK RWKHU WKH VDPH 6FKRRO 'LVWULFW ZLWK KLJK VFKRRO ZD\ WKH 2WWHU 9DOOH\ ERDUG LV QRZ ´ FKRLFH VKH VDLG
Information sessions
/DNH &KDPSODLQ PLQW FRFRD —  Laura  McIntosh,  Ripton
0LGGOHEXU\ &KRFRODWH EDUV —  Bill  Roper,  Weybridge
,¶P RQ P\ ZD\ WR JHW D JLIW FHUWL¿FDWH IURP $PHULFDQ )ODWEUHDG —  Isaac  Dayno,  San  Francisco
$GGLVRQ PRELOH KRPH ¿UH GLVSODFHV IDPLO\ RI ¿YH
0LGGOHEXU\ PRQH\ ,W¶V PRQH\ IURP WKH EDQN WKDW SHRSOH FDQ XVH DW PDQ\ PDQ\ SODFHV LQ WRZQ 6R WKH\ FDQ SLFN RXW WKHLU RZQ JLIW —  Diane  DaPolito,  Middlebury
, MXVW JRW KHUH 2K PDQ This  store  ORRNV SUHWW\ FRRO 6ZHHW &HFLO\ VR ,¶OO JR ZLWK WKDW —  Bohdi  Cooper, Essex  Junction
By  ANDY  KIRKALDY $'',621 ² 6L[W\ ¿UH¿JKWHUV IURP WKUHH GHSDUWPHQWV ZHUH XQDEOH WR VDYH WKH $GGLVRQ KRPH RI D IDPLO\ RI ¿YH RQ 6XQGD\ VDLG $GGLVRQ )LUH &KLHI &KULV 0XOOLVV 0XOOLVV VDLG ¿UH¿JKWHUV IURP KLV GHSDUWPHQW UHDFKHG WKH 7RZQ /LQH 5RDG KRPH EOD]H ZLWKLQ VHYHQ RU HLJKW PLQXWHV DIWHU EHLQJ DOHUWHG MXVW EHIRUH QRRQ RQ 6XQGD\ EXW WKH ¿UH KDG DOUHDG\ VSUHDG WRR IDU EHWZHHQ WKH FHLOLQJ DQG URRI RI WKH PRELOH KRPH ³,W ZDV D IXOO\ LQYROYHG VWUXFWXUH ¿UH ZKHQ ZH JRW WKHUH ´ 0XOOLVV VDLG ³,W ZDV MXVW D WRWDO ORVV ´ 7KH JRRG QHZV KH VDLG LV WKH IDPLO\ PHPEHUV RI KRPHRZQHU .HQ- QHWK %HOO DQG DOO WKHLU SHWV JRW RXW XQKDUPHG 0XOOLVV QRWL¿HG WKH 5HG &URVV DQG WKDW RUJDQL]DWLRQ ZDV DO- UHDG\ DVVLVWLQJ WKH IDPLO\ RQ 6XQGD\ $FFRUGLQJ WR D 5HG &URVV SUHVV UHOHDVH 5HG &URVV YROXQWHHUV PHW ZLWK WKH IDPLO\ ³DQG KDYH HQVXUHG HYHU\RQH KDV D VDIH SODFH WR VOHHS DQG KDV IRRG FORWKLQJ DQG RWKHU HVVHQ-Â
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Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015  —  PAGE  3A
Three  towns  get  vote  tabulators Starksboro,  Lincoln,  Ferrisburgh  comply  with  new  state  law
Bringing  Christmas  cheer SIXTH-ÂGRADERS  FROM  Mary  Hogan  Elementary  School  sing  Christmas  carols  at  the  Residence  at  Otter  Creek  last  Friday  morning. Independent  photo/Trent  Campbell
Expelled  student  opts  to  leave  Middlebury By  JOHN  S.  McCRIGHT MIDDLEBURY  —  A  young  man  who  was  expelled  from  Middlebury  College  last  summer  after  being  ac- cused  of  sexual  misconduct,  but  was  allowed  to  attend  classes  while  his  appeal  made  its  way  through  federal  court,  will  not  return  to  Middlebury  next  semester. The  former  student,  who  was  identi- ¿HG LQ FRXUW SDSHUZRUN RQO\ DV -RKQ Doe,  dropped  his  lawsuit  against  the  college  on  Monday. Bill  Burger,  Middlebury  College’s  vice  president  for  Communications  DQG 0DUNHWLQJ VKHG QR OLJKW RQ ZKDW brought  about  the  resolution.  “The  lawsuit  has  been  resolved  by  the  parties  and  they  have  agreed  that Â
the  Plaintiff  will  complete  his  educa- tion  elsewhere,â€?  Burger  said  in  a  state- PHQW Âł0LGGOHEXU\ ZLOO PDNH QR IXU- ther  statements  about  the  case.â€? John  Doe’s  Boston-Âbased  lawyer  declined  to  discuss  any  aspect  of  the  case. The  Middlebury  College  student  was  accused  of  sexually  assaulting  a  non-ÂMiddlebury  student  while  both  were  attending  a  non-ÂMiddlebury  study  abroad  program  run  by  the  School  for  International  Training  in  the  fall  of  2014.  After  SIT  investigated  the  case,  the  non-ÂMiddlebury  student  VDLG VKH ZDV GLVVDWLVÂżHG ZLWK 6,7ÂśV ÂżQGLQJV DQG 0LGGOHEXU\ LQ -DQX- ary  initiated  an  investigation  of  the  student  based  on  documents,  physi-Â
cal  evidence  and  other  information  it  received  from  the  student  who  made  the  report.  Concerns  were  also  raised  about  the  study  abroad  program’s  in- vestigation  and  adjudication  process. Middlebury  College  found  the  stu- dent  responsible  and,  on  July  24,  ex- pelled  him. He  sued  the  college  for  “breach  of  contractâ€?  and  a  federal  judge  in  Sep- tember  ordered  Middlebury  College  to  re-Âenroll  John  Doe  while  his  lawsuit  was  pending.  According  to  court  pa- SHUZRUN -RKQ 'RH ZDV GXH WR JUDGX- ate  next  spring  and  was  offered  a  job,  contingent  upon  his  graduation  from  Middlebury,  with  an  $85,000  per  year  salary,  a  $10,000  signing  bonus  and  a  $5,000  relocation  stipend.
City  eyeing  sewer  extension  policy By  ANDY  KIRKALDY 9(5*(11(6 ² 7KH 9HUJHQQHV &LW\ &RXQFLO ODVW ZHHN UHYLVLWHG DQ issue  that  has  cropped  up  often  in  the  past  two  decades  —  the  extension  of  city  sewer  service  outside  city  lines.  The  council’s  discussion  was  prompt- ed  by  another  in  what  Vergennes  City  Manager  Mel  Hawley  describes  as  a  series  of  calls  on  the  topic. This  latest  inquiry  came  from  a  real  estate  expert  interested  in  the  Ferris- burgh  property  across  Route  7  from  9HUJHQQHV EHLQJ PDUNHWHG E\ DXWR GHDOHU 7RP 'HQHFNHU ² ZKR KDV KLP- self  often  dialed  Hawley’s  number  to  WDON VHZHU Hawley  said  Shelburne  resident  Alan  Bates  —  who  according  to  his  /LQNHG,Q SURÂżOH LV D ÂłFRPPHUFLDO UHDO estate  investment  managerâ€?  and  the  SULQFLSDO RI &RQQHFWLFXW ÂżUP %DUUDFN +LOO &DSLWDO //& ² FDOOHG WR DVN LI sewer  service  could  be  extended  to  that  property  for  a  new  concept.  “He  feels  the  highest  and  best  use  is  a  restaurant,â€?  said  Hawley,  adding  that  a  restaurant  would  require  more  sep- tic  capacity  than  the  soils  on  the  site  would  allow.   Hawley  said  such  questions  are  not  unusual.  “I  get  these  telephone  calls.  I  get  them  all  the  time,â€?  he  said. The  problem  is  all  Hawley  has  to  UHO\ RQ ZKHQ KH ÂżHOGV VXFK FDOOV LV what  city  residents  approved  in  1994,  ZKHQ 9HUJHQQHV DQG )HUULVEXUJK RIÂż- cials  came  up  with  a  template  on  how  the  city  could  be  paid  for  sewer  exten- sions.  7KDW SURSRVDO ZDV VSHFLÂżF WR WZR parcels:  one  of  45  acres  at  the  junc- tion  of  Routes  7  and  22A  now  mostly  owned  by  Ferrisburgh,  out  of  which  WKH $JHQF\ RI 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ SDUN and-Âride  lot  was  carved,  and  one  of  40  acres  that  ran  along  Route  7  south  IURP WKH UDLOURDG WUDFNV Essentially,  the  deal  proposed  to  share  equally  between  the  two  com- munities  all  new  property  tax  revenue  from  development  supported  by  new  city  sewer  lines  stretching  into  Ferris- burgh. That  policy  also  forbids  city  sewer  service  to  support  residential  uses,  and  VDLG LW FRXOG QRW KRRN XS WR ÂłJDVROLQH service  stations,  convenience  stores,  and  mega  wholesale/retail  stores.â€? Ferrisburgh  voters  said  no,  but  Ver- JHQQHV YRWHUV VDLG \HV DQG FLW\ RIÂż- cials  have  treated  that  vote  as  a  de  facto  policy  since,  even  if  they  have  at  times  said  yes  or  at  least  maybe.  The  council  ZDV UHDG\ WR QHJRWLDWH ZLWK 'HQHFNHU for  sewer  service  to  the  Route  7/22A  parcel  when  he  hoped  to  build  there,  twice  in  the  past  aldermen  endorsed  sewer  service  for  industrial  projects  that  did  not  pan  out,  and  a  sewer  line  now  serves  the  relocated  former  city  rail  station  that  was  moved  to  a  site  QH[W WR WKH SDUN DQG ULGH ORW Hawley  said,  however,  he  wouldn’t  mind  if  the  council  gave  him  new  marching  orders  after  all  this  time.  “This  is  something  that  was  voted  on  21  years  ago,â€?  he  said.  Hawley  raised  the  issue  at  the  coun-Â
cil’s  Dec.  15  meeting,  and  Mayor  Bill  Benton  said  council  members  FRQFOXGHG LW ZDV WLPH WR WDNH D ORRN 'HVSLWH WKH V\VWHPÂśV SHDN RYHUĂ€RZ issues,  the  sewer  plant  typically  runs  under  capacity.)  “The  consensus  was  we  all  agreed  the  current  policy  that  is  21  years  old,  WKDW LW GLVFXVVHV VSHFLÂżF SDUFHOV RI ODQG DQG VSHFLÂżFDOO\ SURKLELWHG XVHV DQG is  outdated,â€?  Benton  said.  “And  we  FRXOG FRQWLQXH ORRNLQJ DW H[WHQVLRQV on  a  one-Âby-Âone  basis,  but  that  prob- ably  wouldn’t  be  the  best  thing  for  the  city.â€? As  well  as  potential  revenue,  the  is- sue  of  what  should  or  should  not  be  allowed  will  be  a  critical  part  of  the  discussion.  Hawley  said  at  the  meeting  Alder- woman  Lynn  Donnelly  said  she  was  concerned  about  creating  unwanted  competition  for  downtown,  while  Al- derman  Michael  Daniels  said  more  businesses  around  Vergennes  might  EHQHÂżW DOO LQ WKH DUHD Benton  said  in  an  interview  later  in  WKH ZHHN WKDW WKH UHVWDXUDQW TXHVWLRQ LWVHOI KLJKOLJKWHG KRZ GLIÂżFXOW LW PLJKW be  to  develop  a  policy.  “(It)  would  require  more  discus- sion,â€?  Benton  said.  “Personally  I  could  see  where  a  certain  type  of  restaurant Â
By  JOHN  FLOWERS LINCOLN  —  A  new  state  law  is  requiring  three  Addison  County  communities  to  swap  manual  ballot  counting  for  automatic  tabulators,  beginning  with  the  next  general  elections. $W LVVXH DUH VRPH WZHDNV WKDW ODZPDNHUV PDGH ODVW VHVVLRQ WR WKH state’s  election  laws  that  now  re- quire  communities  with  more  than  1,000  registered  voters  to  use  auto- matic  tabulators  for  counting  ballots  in  general  elections.  The  change  of- ¿FLDOO\ WDNHV HIIHFW RQ -XO\ RI QH[W year,  according  to  William  Senning,  director  of  elections  for  the  Vermont  6HFUHWDU\ RI 6WDWHÂśV 2IÂżFH The  new  change  is  affecting  18  Vermont  communities,  including  /LQFROQ )HUULVEXUJK DQG 6WDUNV- ERUR 7RZQ FOHUNV LQ WKRVH FRPPX- QLWLHV FRQÂżUPHG ODVW ZHHN WKDW WKH\ have  received  the  new  machines  (paid  for  with  federal  money)  and  are  receiving  training  to  operate  them  properly  come  election  time. /LQFROQ 7RZQ &OHUN 6DOO\ 2EHU is  planning  to  use  the  machine  for  a  trial  run  for  Town  Meeting  Day  next  March. Âł$V WKH FOHUN RI WKLV VPDOO WRZQ which  has  been  hand-Âcounting  bal- ORWV WKLV IHHOV OLNH D ELJ FKDQJH DQG , ZDQW YRWHUV WR NQRZ DERXW LW before  they  show  up  at  the  polls,â€?  Ober  said  through  an  email. “I  expect  the  November  2016  presidential  election  to  draw  a  large  QXPEHU RI YRWHUV DQG , ZRXOG OLNH to  have  some  practice  with  using  the  tabulator  prior  to  that  event,â€?  she  added. Automatic  tabulators  have  al- ready  been  in  use  for  several  years  in  larger  Addison  County  com- PXQLWLHV OLNH 0LGGOHEXU\ %ULVWRO 9HUJHQQHV 1HZ +DYHQ DQG 0RQN- ton.  It’s  a  transition  that  will  now  be  made  in  Lincoln,  Ferrisburgh  DQG 6WDUNVERUR ZKLFK KDYH IRU more  than  two  centuries  mobilized  their  Boards  of  Civil  Authorities Â
DQG RWKHU HOHFWLRQ ZRUNHUV WR LQLWL- ate  hand-Âcounts.  This  longstanding  practice  has  burnished  Vermont’s  5RFNZHOOLDQ YHQHHU DQG SURYLGHG a  couple  of  opportunities  each  year  IRU IRONV WR SURYLGH D FLYLF VHUYLFH while  catching  up  with  their  neigh- bors  at  the  same  time. But  hand  counting  has  also  pro- vided  tedium  and  occasional  hu- man  error  during  big-Âturnout  elec- tions  —  particularly  presidential  runoffs,  when  upward  of  60  percent  of  a  town’s  voters  might  show  up  at  the  polls.  This  reporter  can  recall  at  least  one  instance  during  the  past  25  years  when  counters  in  a  ballot- VZDPSHG WRZQ FOHUNÂśV RIÂżFH KDYH thrown  in  the  towel  at  around  mid- night  on  election  night  and  resumed  tabulating  the  next  morning. This  latest  change  in  the  election  law  is  designed  to  give  more  com- munities  the  technology  they  need  WR FRXQW EDOORWV DV TXLFNO\ DQG DF- curately  as  possible,  according  to  Vermont  Secretary  of  State  James  Condos. Âł7KH 6HFUHWDU\ RI 6WDWHÂśV 2IÂżFH strongly  supports  the  use  of  tabula- tors  to  perform  vote  counts  in  our  larger  towns  and  cities,â€?  Condos  said.  “Year  after  year,  these  tabu- lator  systems  have  proven  to  be  the  most  simple,  accurate,  and  ef- ¿FLHQW ZD\ WR FRXQW YRWHV IROORZ- ing  an  election.  Every  town  that  has  switched  to  tabulators  has  reported  EDFN WR XV WKDW WKH\ DUH KDSS\ ZLWK WKHLU GHFLVLRQ ² WKDW LW PDNHV WKHLU post-Âelection  counting  process  fast,  easy  and  accurate.â€? It  should  be  noted  that  while  the  tabulators  are  being  provided  at  no  cost,  the  communities  will  have  to  share  in  the  costs  of  reprogramming  the  machines  prior  to  elections.  The  state,  according  to  Senning,  will  FRYHU WKH ÂżUVW WRZDUG UHSUR- gramming,  a  function  that  he  said  can  cost  $1,000  to  $1,500  for  prima- ries  and  upward  of  $500  for  general  elections.  The  higher  cost  for  pri-Â
mary  elections  is  largely  associated  with  the  multiple  party  ballots. It  should  also  be  noted  that  com- munities  with  more  than  1,000  reg- istered  voters  don’t  have  to  use  the  tabulators  for  local  elections. )HUULVEXUJK 7RZQ &OHUN *OR- ria  Warden  was  pleased  to  see  her  community’s  tabulator  arrive  a  few  ZHHNV DJR “I’m  excited  about  it,â€?  she  said. But  Warden  is  also  glad  to  have  WKH Ă€H[LELOLW\ RI UHYHUWLQJ WR KDQG counting  for  non-Âfederal  elections  in  which  the  turnout  is  expected  to  be  low  and  perhaps  not  warrant  the  cost  of  reprogramming  the  automat- ic  tabulator. Âł3HRSOH OLNH FRPLQJ RXW DQG counting,â€?  Warden  said.  “And  we  will  still  need  people  to  help.â€? $P\ 0F&RUPLFN LV DVVLVWDQW WRZQ FOHUN LQ 6WDUNVERUR ZKLFK also  received  its  tabulator  a  few  ZHHNV DJR “It  seems  very  user-Âfriendly,â€?  she  said  of  the  machine.  “We  are  sched- uled  to  have  one  more  training  on  it.â€? 6KH DFNQRZOHGJHG D OLWWOH WUHSLGD- tion  among  some  residents  about  the  switch. “Everyone  is  a  little  nervous  be- FDXVH LW LV QHZ EXW , WKLQN LW ZLOO EH JUHDW ´ 0F&RUPLFN VDLG Âł,WÂśV easier.â€? 6WDUNVERUR RIÂżFLDOV DUH FRQVLG- ering  using  the  machine  for  Town  Meeting  Day  voting  next  March. Ober  expressed  some  mixed  feel- ings  about  Lincoln’s  acquisition  of  WKH QHZ WHFKQRORJ\ 6KH ZRUNV hours  most  election  days  and  con- fessed  to  being  a  little  envious  of  her  Bristol  counterpart’s  ability  to  wrap  up  counts  fairly  early  as  a  re- sult  of  having  a  vote  tabulator.  And  while  she  won’t  miss  the  late  nights,  Ober  will  miss  her  volunteer  count- ing  crew. Âł2XU FUHZ WKDW GRHV WKLV ZRUN LV great,â€?  she  said.  “They  are  always  right  on  (the  numbers).â€?
could  be  in  direct  competition  with  downtown,  and  we  certainly  don’t  want  to  jeopardize  the  fragile  economy  we  have.â€? CORRECTION:  A  letter  about  correct  last  name  to  the  writer.  We  apologize  for  the  error. On  the  other  hand,  he  said,  in  some  Christmas  riddles  that  ran  in  this  It  should  have  said  the  letter  came  FDVHV EHLQJ NQRZQ DV D IRRG GHVWLQD- past  Monday’s  edition  gave  the  in- from  Joyce  Jacquier  of  Vergennes.  tion  can  help  all  local  eateries.  ³,I LWÂśV D 'HQQ\ÂśV , GRQÂśW NQRZ ,I it’s  a  standalone,  single-Âowner,  really  XQLTXH NLQG RI UHVWDXUDQW WKHUH FRXOG be  a  way  that  it  is  compatible  with  our  downtown  and  our  economy,â€?  Benton  dba said.  “And  there  are  ways  it’s  just  the  WELLS PHYSICAL THERAPY antithesis  of  it.  That’s  where  you’ve  got  to  be  really  careful.â€? As  it  stands  now,  Benton  said  the  QH[W VWHS LV PRUH KRPHZRUN EHIRUH UH- visiting  the  issue  sometime  early  next  year.  ³:H DVNHG 0HO WR GR D OLWWOH EDFN- ground  research  in  terms  of  some  more  current  sewer  extension  guidelines  in  other  communities  and  put  together  a  OLWWOH SDFNDJH RI LQIRUPDWLRQ DQG ZH ZRXOG PDNH LW DQ DJHQGD LWHP DIWHU WKH ÂżUVW RI WKH \HDU DQG SUREDEO\ WU\ DQG GR VRPH W\SH RI DQ XSGDWH WKDW UHĂ€HFWV our  feelings  and  today’s  economy,â€?  he  said.  Then,  Benton  said,  residents  will  )URP / 5 7UDF\ +RUQH 37 /DXUHQ 3HWHUVRQ &OLQLF $VVLVWDQW /LVD 3HUNLQV 2IÂż FH 0DQDJHU 0DWW +RUQH 37 &6&6 KDYH WKH ÂżQDO FDOO “Anything  will  require  a  vote  of  the  citizens,  which  is  great,â€?  he  said.
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PAGE  4A  —  Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015
A DDIS ON Â Â INDE P E NDEN T
Letters
Editorials
to the Editor
Yes,  Virginia‌
Rail  bridges  plan  foes  off  tracks
Editor’s  note:  An  editorial  about  the  credibility  of  Santa  Claus  appeared  more  than  100  years  ago  in  The  New  York  Sun.  It  was  written  by  Francis  Pharcellus  Church,  an  assistant  to  the  paper’s  editor.  A  true  Christmas  classic,  it  has  outlived  its  writer,  the  recipient,  and  the  newspaper  that  gave  it  life.  Its  most  famous  phrases  are  often  recalled  and  sometimes  parodied.  Here  we  reprint  the  famous  letter  and  response,  partly  in  the  hopes  that  parents  will  take  the  time  to  read  it  aloud  to  children  of  appropriate  ages  and  for  DOO WR UHÀHFW RQ WKH OHVV FRPPHUFLDO DVSHFWV RI WKLV KROLGD\ VHDVRQ
I  live  on  Willard  Street,  two  steps  from  the  railroad.  I  never  under- stood  why  two  new  bridges  were  never  approved  for  a  whole  lot  less  money  and  disruption. I  did  attend  meetings,  but  as  usual  EHLQJ WKH VPDOO ¿VK LQ WKH VHD , ZDV outgunned  by  the  VTrans  people  and  Kubricky  people. Can  we  STOP  the  madness?  Or  has  the  train  left  the  station  and  can- not  be  stopped? Thanks.  Please  listen,  and  help  if  you  can. Tom  Curran Middlebury
**********
We  take  pleasure  in  answering  at  once  and  thus  prominently  the  communication  below,  expressing  at  the  same  time  our  great  JUDWL¿FDWLRQ WKDW LWV IDLWKIXO DXWKRU LV QXPEHUHG DPRQJ WKH IULHQGV RI The  Sun:
Paid  sick  leave   should  be  law
Dear  Editor: I  am  8  years  old.  Some  of  my  little  friends  say  there  is  no  Santa  Claus.  Papa  says,  “If  you  see  it  in  The  Sun,  it’s  so.â€?Please  tell  me  the  truth,  is  there  a  Santa  Claus? Virginia  Hanlon 115  West  95th  Street Virginia,  your  little  friends  are  wrong.  They  have  been  affected  by  the  skepticism  of  a  skeptical  age.  They  do  not  believe  except  what  they  see.  They  think  that  nothing  can  be  which  is  not  comprehensible  by  their  little  minds.  All  minds,  Virginia,  whether  they  be  men’s  or  children’s,  are  little.  In  this  great  universe  of  ours  man  is  a  mere  insect,  an  ant,  in  his  intellect,  as  compared  with  the  boundless  world  around  him,  as  measured  by  the  intelligence  capable  of  grasping  the  whole  truth  and  knowledge. Yes,  Virginia,  there  is  a  Santa  Claus.  He  exists  as  certainly  as  love  and  generosity  and  devotion  exist,  and  you  know  that  they  abound  and  give  to  your  life  its  highest  beauty  and  joy.  Alas!  how  dreary  would  be  the  world  if  there  were  no  Santa  Claus!  It  would  be  as  dreary  as  if  there  were  no  Virginias.  There  would  be  no  childlike  faith  then,  no  poetry,  no  romance  to  make  tolerable  this  existence.  We  should  have  no  enjoyment,  except  in  sense  and  sight.  The  eternal  OLJKW ZLWK ZKLFK FKLOGKRRG ÂżOOV WKH ZRUOG ZRXOG EH H[WLQJXLVKHG Not  believe  in  Santa  Claus!  You  might  as  well  not  believe  in  fairies!  You  might  get  your  papa  to  hire  men  to  watch  in  all  the  chimneys  on  Christmas  Eve  to  catch  Santa  Claus,  but  even  if  they  did  not  see  Santa  Claus  coming  down,  what  would  that  prove?  Nobody  sees  Santa  Claus,  but  that  is  no  sign  that  there  is  no  Santa  Claus.  The  most  real  things  in  the  world  are  those  that  neither  children  nor  men  can  see.  Did  you  ever  see  fairies  dancing  on  the  lawn?  Of  course  not,  but  that’s  no  proof  that  they  are  not  there.  Nobody  can  conceive  or  imagine  all  the  wonders  there  are  unseen  and  unseeable  in  the  world. You  tear  apart  the  baby’s  rattle  and  see  what  makes  noise  inside,  but  there  is  a  veil  covering  the  unseen  world  which  not  the  strongest  man,  not  even  the  united  strength  of  all  the  strongest  men  that  ever  lived  could  tear  apart.  Only  faith,  fancy,  poetry,  love,  romance  can  push  aside  that  curtain  and  view  and  picture  the  supernal  beauty  and  glory  beyond.  Is  it  all  real?  Ah,  Virginia,  in  all  this  world  there  is  nothing  else  real  and  abiding. No  Santa  Claus!  Thank  God  he  lives,  and  he  lives  forever.  A  thousand  years  from  now,  Virginia,  nay  ten  times  ten  thousand  years  from  now,  he  will  continue  to  make  glad  the  heart  of  childhood.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all, from all of us at the Addison Independent. ADDISON COUNTY
INDEPENDENT Periodicals  Postage  Paid  at  Middlebury,  Vt.  05753
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Christine Lynn
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I  am  writing  to  express  my  sup- port  for  the  Healthy  Workplaces  bill,  H.187  —  and  to  ask  that  the  Senate  pass  it  into  law  when  they  return  to  Montpelier  this  January. I  currently  work  in  sales,  and  I  don’t  get  any  paid  sick  leave  or  other  paid  time  off.  Even  when  I’m  so  sick  I  could  be  throwing  up  at  work,  I  go  in  because  I  have  to.  I  don’t  really  have  an  option,  as  it’s  policy  that  if  workers  do  not  show  up  for  three  days  in  a  row,  they  are  DXWRPDWLFDOO\ ¿UHG 3DLG VLFN GD\V ZRXOG UHDOO\ EHQH¿W PH EHFDXVH I  would  be  able  to  stay  home,  get  better,  and  come  back  feeling  100  percent. I  hope  Sens.  Christopher  Bray  and  Claire  Ayer  will  help  get  the  paid  sick  days  bill  (H.187)  passed  next  year  so  Vermont  workers  will  be  better  protected  and  will  have  more  reason  to  stay  and  work  in  the  state.  Lynzee  Vaughan Lincoln
Christmas  clapper MARY  HOGAN  ELEMENTARY  School  student  Cheyenne  Burke  applauds  at  the  end  of  a  song  during  the  school’s  holiday  sing-Âalong  last  Friday  morning. Independent  photo/Trent  Campbell
Take  a  bird  walk  through  the  budget My  daughters’  fourth-Âgrade  teacher  liked  to  take  the  children  on  bird  walks.  These  weren’t  strolls  through  the  countryside  to  observe  the  avian  fauna;Íž  they  were  intel- lectual  rambles  through  the  landscape  of  all  human  knowl- edge.  They  would  be  talking  about  one  thing,  a  question  about  a  certain  point  would  lead  into  a  diversion  about  an- RWKHU WKLQJ D FODULÂżFDWLRQ WR VRPHWKLQJ GLVFRYHUHG LQ WKDW neighborhood  would  lead  them  down  a  path  in  a  new  direction,  and  so  on. This  past  weekend  I  needed  a  diver- sion  from  all  of  the  hustle  and  bustle  of  holiday  preparations  and  so  I  sought  ref- uge  in  a  bird  walk.  Seeking  terra  incog- By John nita,  I  turned  to  the  Omnibus  Spending  McCright Bill  passed  by  Congress  on  Thursday.  Why  not?  It  is  a  huge,  multi-Âvariegated  document  that  actually  affects  the  lives  of  every  American,  not  to  mention  untold  numbers  of  peo- ple  around  the  world.  And,  they  say,  nobody  reads  it. 2QH RI WKH ÂżUVW WKLQJV WKDW EHFDPH DSSDUHQW WR PH ZDV that  the  scale  of  the  issues  addressed  in  this  new  law  are  pretty  much  beyond  the  comprehension  of  most  mere  mortals.  For  instance,  the  sum  allocated  for  federal  inspec- tion  of  meat,  poultry  and  eggs  is  about  $1  billion.  I’ll  never  spend  a  billion  dollars;Íž  everyone  in  my  family  and  all  of  their  in-Âlaws  together  will  never  spend  a  billion  dollars;Íž  I’ll  never  know  anyone  who  spends  a  billion  dollars  (once,  in  a  former  life,  I  met  the  computer  billionaire  Michael  Dell,  but  even  he  doesn’t  spend  a  billion  dollars  in  a  single  \HDU :RUWK QRWLQJ LV WKH IDFW WKDW WKH ÂżJXUH DOORFDWHG IRU inspections  is  surprisingly  precise:  $1,014,871,000.  Were Â
WKHUH SHUKDSV WZR ODZPDNHUV KDJJOLQJ RQ WKH Ă€RRU RI WKH Senate  over  whether  the  number  should  be  $1,014,873,000  or  $1,014,869,000  —  a  difference  of  2-Âone  millionths  of  a  percent? There  are  some  very  big  round  numbers  in  the  federal  budget.  Amount  for  guaranteed  farm  ownership  loans:  $2,000,000,000.  But  dig  into  that  allocation  and  you  see  curious  details.  For  instance,  $60  million  is  set  aside  for  boll  weevil  eradication  (an  important  measure  to  ensure  the  health  of  America’s  cotton  crop);Íž  but  the  law  clearly  states  that  money  can  be  spent  only  if  the  pink  bollworm  is  deemed  to  be  a  boll  wee- vil.  That  seems  a  pretty  small  detail  in  a  document  that  is  887  pages  long.  $QG LI \RX VKXIĂ€H DURXQG RQOLQH WR ÂżQG RXW WKH GLIIHUHQFH EHWZHHQ D SLQN EROOZRUP DQG D EROO weevil,  you  may,  as  I  did,  come  across  the  fact  that  farm- ers  in  Arizona  who  have  had  infestations  of  either  of  these  varmints  are  not  allowed  to  plant  something  called  stub,  soca,  or  volunteer  cotton.  You  probably  think  that  “socaâ€?  is  the  Caribbean  dance  music,  but  the  Internet  tells  me  that  ³62&$´ LV DFWXDOO\ D %ULWLVK JRYHUQPHQW RXWÂżW FDOOHG WKH Serious  Organized  Crime  Agency. But,  really,  no  detail  is  too  small  for  our  representa- tives  to  overlook.  As  the  law  clearly  states,  it  is  now  il- legal  for  military  or  civilian  employees  of  the  Department  of  Defense  to  use  Government  Travel  Charge  Cards  for  “gaming  or  for  entertainment  that  includes  topless  or  nude  (See  Clippings,  Page  5A)
Clippings
Suspension  of  lawmaker  a  bad  idea Last  May,  Vermont  Sen.  Norman  McAllister,  R-ÂFrank- lin,  was  charged  with  several  sex  crimes.  McAllister  is  alleged  to  have  rented  a  trailer  on  his  property  to  a  wom- an  in  exchange  for  sex.  He  is  also  charged  with  sexually  DVVDXOWLQJ D ZRPDQ ZKR ZRUNHG LQ KLV RIÂżFH DV DQ LQ- WHUQ :KHQ WKH 6HQDWH UHWXUQV LQ -DQXDU\ RQH RI LWV ÂżUVW agenda  items  will  be  to  consider  a  resolution  suspending  McAllister  from  his  legislative  duties. McAllister’s  conduct,  if  proven  in  a  criminal  court  proceeding,  is  reprehensible.  However,  like  all  crimi- nal  defendants,  he  is  entitled  to  the  presumption  of  in- nocence,  and  to  offer  a  full  legal  de- fense  against  the  charges.  In  my  opinion,  suspending  him  from  the  Senate  is  a  constitutionally  dubious  course  of  action.  If  McAllis- WHUÂśV FROOHDJXHV EHOLHYH KH LV XQÂżW WR remain  as  a  member  of  the  Legisla- ture,  they  should  move  to  expel  him,  not  suspend  him. By  Eric  L.  Davis The  Vermont  Constitution  gives  the  members  of  the  House  and  the  Senate  the  power  to  expel  their  own  members.  No  criteria  for  expulsion  are  stated  in  the  Constitution.  Like  impeachment,  expulsion  is  a  political  process,  not  a  judicial  process.  An  “expellable  offenseâ€?  is  basically  whatever  a  majority  of  the  House  or  Senate  decide  it  is. If  a  legislator  is  expelled,  the  seat  to  which  he  or  she  ZDV HOHFWHG LV GHHPHG YDFDQW 7KH YDFDQF\ LV WKHQ ÂżOOHG by  appointment  by  the  governor,  after  receiving  recom- mendations  from  the  local  party  committee,  in  the  same  way  as  vacancies  due  to  the  resignation  or  death  of  a  member.  The  period  in  which  constituents  who  live  in Â
Politically Thinking
a  vacant  seat  are  not  represented  in  Montpelier  is  short,  typically  only  a  few  weeks. The  Vermont  Constitution  says  nothing  about  the  House  and  Senate  having  the  power  to  suspend  one  of  their  members.  Under  the  resolution  before  the  Senate  next  month,  McAllister,  who  has  already  been  stripped  of  his  committee  assignments,  would  not  be  able  to  par- WLFLSDWH LQ 6HQDWH ÀRRU SURFHHGLQJV RU WR YRWH RQ ELOOV He  would,  however,  continue  to  receive  his  legislative  salary. If  McAllister  were  to  be  suspended  under  these  con- ditions,  the  residents  of  Franklin  County  would  lose  representation  in  the  Senate  for  an  extended  period  of  time.  The  suspension  could  quite  well  last  until  the  end  of  the  session  in  May,  especially  if  McAllister’s  trial  on  the  criminal  charges  is  de- layed  by  procedural  motions,  or  if  he  LV FRQYLFWHG DQG WKHQ ¿OHV DQ DSSHDO with  the  Vermont  Supreme  Court. There  are  few  precedents  for  ex- pelling  members  of  the  Vermont  Legislature.  Expulsion  proceedings  would  presumably  require  the  Senate  to  take  testimony  on  the  charges  DJDLQVW 0F$OOLVWHU DQG WKHQ WR SURFHHG WR D ÀRRU YRWH Taking  testimony  could  jeopardize  McAllister’s  rights  in  the  criminal  proceeding.  He  could  claim  that  news  coverage  of  the  expulsion  proceeding  would  make  it  PRUH GLI¿FXOW WR ¿QG LPSDUWLDO MXURUV IRU KLV WULDO $OVR he  could  choose  to  take  the  Fifth  Amendment  rather  than  testify  in  the  expulsion  hearing.  The  Senate  would  have  to  consider  these  risks  when  deciding  whether  to  begin  (See  Davis,  Page  5A)
No  one  truly  wins  in  matters  of  war I  have  a  sign  in  my  front  yard  that  says,  “War  is  not  the  answer!â€?  It  was  made  by  the  Friends  Commit- tee  on  National  Legislation. A  few  years  ago,  one  of  my  neighbors  asked  me,  “What  is  the  question?â€?  I  think  I  answered  his  question  with  this  question.  “How  do  different  countries  respond  to  each  other  when  they  don’t  get  what  they  want?â€? I  have  many  questions:  How  do  we  share  the  world’s  resources?  How  do  we  communicate  with  each  other?  How  do  we  feel  safe  and  protected?  How  do  we  respond  to  violence?  How  do  we  respond  to  fear? I  think  war  is  a  trickster.  Those  in  power  believe  that  war  will  get  rid  of  evil. Late  Thursday,  Nov.  12,  the  United  States  carried  out  a  drone  strike  in  Raqqa,  Syria.  Its  inten- tion  was  to  assassinate  Mohammed  Emwazi.  On  Friday  during  the  day,  I  heard  on  the  radio  an  Army  spokesman  stating,  “Killing  him  is  probably  making  the  world  a  little  bit  better  place.â€?  I  cringed  when  I  heard  that. By  the  time  Friday,  Nov.  13,  ended,  the  world  watched  Paris  reel  from  the  effect  of  attacks  on  its  citizens.  I  read  in  headlines  that  the  actions  were  barbaric.  Is  killing  someone  using  drones  less  bar- baric? On  Nov.  20,  four  Air  Force  vet- erans  spoke  on  “Democracy  Now!â€?  These  four  men  have  20  years  of  drone  warfare  experience  between  them.  They  decided  to  reveal  what  it  was  like  being  drone  operators.  A  GRFXPHQWDU\ ÂżOP KDV EHHQ PDGH ,W is  called  “Drone.â€?  These  four  men  wrote  an  open  letter  to  President  Obama.  “We  came  to  the  realiza- tion  that  the  innocent  civilians  we  were  killing  only  fueled  the  feelings  of  hatred  that  ignited  terrorism  and  groups  like  ISIS.  The  drone  pro- gram  is  one  of  the  most  devastating  driving  forces  for  terrorism  and  destabilization  around  the  world.â€? Two  more  questions:  How  many  drone  bases  does  the  United  States  have  in  Africa  and  in  the  Middle  East?  Who  is  next  on  the  assassina- tion  list? Some  other  people  have  some- thing  to  say  about  war.  In  1903,  Leo  Tolstoy  wrote  a  story,  “Esarshaddon,  King  of  As- syria.â€?  In  the  story,  King  Esarshad- don  is  visited  by  an  old  man  who  helps  the  king  understand  what  it  is  like  to  be  in  the  skin  of  the  other  king  he  has  conquered  and  of  the  animals  that  are  killed.  The  old  man  tells  King  Esarshaddon,  “You  (See  Letter,  Page  5A)
Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015  —  PAGE  5A
Letters to the Editor
Why Read Plato?
Sanders  should  oppose  the  natural  gas  pipeline An  open  letter  to  Sen.  Sanders: Bernie, My  truck  is  covered  in  Bernie  stickers.  I  contribute  to  your  cam- paign  monthly.  I  want  to  do  more  for  your  campaign.  I  think  you  are  our  best  hope  for  U.S.  President. BUT,  I  can’t  understand  your  support  for  (or  lack  of  opposition  to)  the  natural  gas  pipeline  through  Addison  County.  You  are  cited  as  a  hero  in  New  Hampshire  for  opposing Â
a  pipeline  there.  Do  we  need  an  early  primary  in  Vermont  for  you  to  come  out  against  this  long-Âterm  commit- ment  to  a  fossil  fuel  that  is  worse  for  the  climate  than  coal?  The  Public  Service  Board  has  an  out  by  stopping  with  the  already  done  11-Âmile  “reli- ability  sectionâ€?  of  the  project  and  rejecting  the  hugely  irrational  exten- sion  through  Addison  County. This  touches  a  lot  of  your  issues:  Big  corporations  pushing  folks Â
around.  Government  siding  with  multinational  corporations  against  local  citizens.  Climate  change.  Power  to  the  people  (the  opposition  to  this  project  is  a  huge  grassroots  effort  of  the  sort  of  “revolution�  you  are  calling  for).  Renewable  energy.  The  list  goes  on. A  short  public  statement  would  help  a  lot. Ron  Slabaugh Middlebury
Republicans  casting  their  lot  with  the  gun  lobbyists Marybeth  Swanson  was  in  her  early  30s,  a  wife  and  mother,  and  had  started  a  new  job  at  the  town  RIÂżFHV RI 6RXWK 1HZEXU\ 1 + :H knew  each  other  from  the  local  ski  area,  the  King  Ridge  Ski  Area  (now  closed),  in  New  London,  N.H.,  where  we  both  worked  during  the  snow  seasons.  She  was  a  part  time  ski  instructor  there. Marybeth  went  down  in  a  hail  of  VHPL DXWRPDWLF ÂżUH DW KHU QHZ MRE one  day  in  November  of  1993.  She  was  one  of  three  women  employees  shot  by  a  local  man  known  for  a  hot  temper,  furious  over  a  town  zoning  rule  gone  against  him.  Marybeth  and  another  woman  were  killed;Íž  a  third  woman  somehow  survived Â
with  severe  wounds,  physically  and  emotionally  maimed  for  life. I  also  knew  him.  He  was  about  my  age  then,  in  the  30s.  Despite  his  known  temper  problem,  he  easily  procured  a  semi-Âautomatic  from  a  gun  store  as  his  anger  got  away  from  him.  It  could  have  been  me.  I  was  a  target  20  years  before  this,  GXFNLQJ ULĂ€H ÂżUH IURP D SDVVLQJ FDU outside  of  Boston,  Mass.  He  died  IURP D VHOI LQĂ€LFWHG JXQVKRW ZRXQG Mr.  Angelo  Lynn  wrote  in  his  editorial  “The  travesty  of  GOP  poli- ticsâ€?  ($GGLVRQ ,QGHSHQGHQW  Dec.  7)  on  how  the  GOP  “voting  against  gun  control  measures  because  they  don’t  want  to  lose  the  monetary  and  political  support  of  the  NRA.â€? Â
This  is  true.  It  is  breathtaking  in  its  callousness  that  one  of  our  major  political  parties  has  come  to  value  the  clout  of  the  gun  lobby  more  than  our  lives.  I  wonder  how  we  Americans  can  boast  about  our  so-Âcalled  “American  exceptionalismâ€?  when  we  the  people  are  condemned  to  live  with  the  possibilities  of  what  happened  to  Marybeth  or  me.  I  was  lucky;Íž  Marybeth  was  not.  It  could  happen  to  anyone  at  any  time,  and  the  only  thing  that  mat- ters  to  the  GOP  in  Washington  are  WKH GROODUV Ă€RZLQJ LQWR WKHP IURP that  special  interest. Walter  Carpenter  Montpelier
story  is  that  he  was  vice  president  of  the  Sperry  Gyroscope  Company  in  Brooklyn,  N.Y.  The  gyroscope  is  in- teresting  technology  that  spins  and  VSLQV DQG DOZD\V SRLQWV WR D Âż[HG point  in  space.  Sperry  Gyro,  which  sold  gyroscopes  to  the  navies  of  the  U.S.,  British,  French,  Italian  and  Russian  navies  on  the  eve  of  World  War  I,  tested  its  earliest  products  on  the  U.S.S.  Delaware,  a  ship  that  par- ticipated  in  the  coronation  of  King  George  V  of  England. But  I  digress. I  found  it  interesting  that  the  law- makers  found  it  relevant  to  forbid  use  of  military  construction  funds  on  contracts  larger  than  $1  million  and  to  EH EXLOW VSHFLÂżFDOO\ LQ RQ .ZDMDOHLQ Atoll.  The  atoll,  part  of  the  Marshall  ,VODQGV 5HSXEOLF LV LQ WKH 3DFLÂżF near  ‌  near  nowhere,  really,  but  on  the  way  to  Papua  New  Guinea.  It  is  the  largest  coral  lagoon  on  the  planet  and  is  a  staging  point  for  U.S.  mis- sile  testing.  They  say  that  the  air  is  remarkably  clean  and  clear  because  the  primary  mode  of  transportation  on  this  tiny  spit  of  land  is  the  bicycle. If  you  hunt  around  enough,  you  can  ¿QG ORWV RI MRE RSHQLQJV RQ .ZDMD- lein  —  from  beautician  and  butcher Â
to  surgeon  and  school  age  center  di- rector.  Given  my  vocation,  I  checked  out  the  position  of  “editorâ€?  and  found  out  that  among  the  responsibilities  are  to  update  movie  listings  and  descrip- tions  on  the  TV  and  Entertainment  Guide.  Hmm,  probably  not  worth  relocating  halfway  around  the  globe.  But,  they  are  looking  for  a  “supervi- sor  Kwajalein  Ocean  View  Club.â€?  Among  the  responsibilities  here  are  to  manager  the  bartenders  and  wait- staff  and  to  promote  the  club  in  some- thing  called  the  .ZDM &RFRQXW :LUH  I  start  to  have  visions  of  me  and  Isaac,  the  bartender  on  the  hit  ’70s  TV  show  “Love  Boat,â€?  hanging  out  in  the  air- conditioned  comfort  of  the  Ocean  View  lounge,  looking  out  the  plate  glass  windows  at  the  endless  surf  crashing  against  the  coral  and  idly  discussing  our  next  big  advertising  spread  in  the  .ZDM &RFRQXW :LUHÂŤ The  alarm  blares.  It’s  Monday  morning.  This  bird  watcher’s  got  to  get  back  to  work.  (GLWRUÂśV QRWH 5HDG WKLV FROXPQ RQOLQH DW DGGLVRQLQGHSHQGHQW FRP DQG \RX FDQ IROORZ WKH OLQNV WR PDQ\ RI WKH GLYHUVLRQV LQWR ZKLFK WKH ZULW- HU ZDQGHUHG DQG WDNH \RXU RZQ ELUG ZDON
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entertainers  or  participants.â€?  I’d  like  to  take  a  bird  walk  into  the  bushes  WR ÂżQG RXW ZKDW HVFDSDGHV SURPSWHG that  little  clause. In  the  authorization  for  NASA,  Congress  makes  it  clear  that  the  cost  of  the  James  Webb  Space  Telescope  may  not  exceed  $8  billion.  The  tele- scope,  the  successor  to  the  Hubble  Telescope,  will  use  neat  technology  to  see  farther  into  space  than  any  human  has,  and  could  study  the  atmospheres  of  planets  in  other  solar  systems.  This  note  in  the  budget  made  me  won- GHU Âł:KR LV -DPHV :HEE"´ $W ÂżUVW I  thought  maybe  it  was  the  Sen.  Jim  Webb  I  saw  on  TV  earlier  this  fall  —  the  Republican-Âcum-ÂDemocrat  who  was  running  for  the  presidency.  No,  it  turns  out  that  the  James  Webb  of  the  telescope  was  actually  a  busi- nessman-Âcum-Âcivil  servant  who  was  picked  by  President  Kennedy  to  put  a  man  on  the  moon.  He  ran  NASA  during  most  of  the  1960s  and  was  remarkably  successful  in  not  only  achieving  JFK’s  goal  but  in  also  building  up  an  agency  that  decades  after  his  death  still  draws  billions  of  dollars  in  federal  appropriations. An  interesting  footnote  to  Webb’s Â
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expulsion  proceedings  before  the  end  of  McAllister’s  trial. Several  of  McAllister’s  colleagues  in  the  Franklin  County  delegation  have  urged  him  to  resign  his  seat,  so  that  Gov.  Shumlin  could  get  names  from  the  local  Republican  commit- tee  and  appoint  a  replacement  soon  after  the  Legislature  convenes  in  January. Â
Editor’s  note:  This  is  the  15th  ment;Íž  its  laws  are  not  principles  LQ D VHULHV RI HVVD\V RU UHĂ€HFWLRQV IRUHYHU Âż[HG WKH\ DUH PRUH OLNH DERXW WKH 5HSXEOLF D ERRN ZULWWHQ covenants,  conventions,  convenient  WZR DQG D KDOI PLOOHQQLD DJR E\ WKH arrangements  that  allow  for  shorter  and  longer  durations  among  things.  JUHDW SKLORVRSKHU 3ODWR After  I  had  completed  the  14th  For  all  I  know,  this  is  the  way  it  has  essay,  which  was  supposed  to  be  always  been  and  always  will  be,  although  nature’s  prod- the  last,  I  was  gently  re- ucts:  earth,  the  solar  minded  by  a  friend  that  system,  galaxies,  and  I  had  failed  to  make  whatever  worlds  there  good  on  my  promise  may  be  beyond  this  to  explain  why  some- one,  will  not  last. one  like  me,  who  is  not  Yet  out  of  all  this  a  Platonist  and  whose  arise  values,  intelli- settled  opinions  about  gence  and  sublime  sen- the  nature  of  things  are  timents.  For  this  rea- decidedly  anti-ÂPlato,  son,  the  great  Roman  should  nevertheless  philosophical  poet  Lu- ¿QG GHHS VDWLVIDFWLRQ cretius,  whose  De  Re- DQG IXOÂżOOPHQW LQ UHDG- UXP 1DWXUD,  or,  On  the  ing  his  works  and  writ- Justice 1DWXUH RI 7KLQJV  is  a  ing  about  them. To  begin  with,  I  be- and Plato’s classic  of  philosophical  naturalism,  character- lieve  that  Plato  is  worth  Republic ized  nature  as  a  caring  reading  because  he  was  mother  in  whom  every  right  about  some  very  An essay by kind  of  living  thing  is  important  things:  among  Victor Nuovo conceived,  for  whom  them,  that  true  justice  should  do  no  harm  and,  Middlebury College “earth  puts  forth  sweet  hence,  that  punishment  professor emeritus Ă€RZHUV ´ ÂłWKH RFHDQ laughs,â€?  and  whom  must  be  restorative,  not  of philosophy “the  birds  of  the  air  retributive;Íž  that  differ- proclaim.â€?  Here,  moth- ences  of  gender  identity  or  sexual  preference  make  no  politi- er  love  and  joy  in  living  are  rep- cal  or  moral  difference;Íž  that  civil  so- resented  as  grand  moments  in  the  ciety  has  a  duty  to  provide  for  gain- emergence  of  life.  They  are  con- ful  and  useful  employment  to  all  its  stant  themes  in  Lucretius’  poem.  citizens  and  the  material  means  to  This  looks  like  excellence  from  the  VXEVLVW DQG WR Ă€RXULVK WKDW H[FHVV ground  up. So  why  read  Plato?  Why  not  just  wealth  should  be  equitably  redis- tributed;Íž  that  the  rule  of  law  must  be  VWDUW ZLWK /XFUHWLXV" ,Q WKH ÂżUVW grounded  in  virtue;Íž  that  education  place,  because  no  other  philosopher  from  prenatal  care  through  higher  has  done  a  better  job  than  Plato  education  is  a  responsibility  of  the  bringing  to  mind  in  all  their  re- state;Íž  that  the  primary  task  of  philos- splendence  the  values  of  existence:  ophy  is  to  connect  being  with  value,  the  beauty  of  well-Âformed  things,  and  that  a  philosopher  who  does  not  OLNH Ă€RZHUV WKH KXPDQ ÂżJXUH DQG give  proper  attention  to  moral,  eco- even  more,  moral  virtue  and  the  lu- nomic  and  political  things  is  at  best  minosity  of  intelligence.  Whatever  an  idle  technician.  All  this  is  agree- one’s  stance  on  the  nature  of  things,  WKHVH DUH WKLQJV WR EH FODULÂżHG UH- able  to  me. However,  I  also  think  that  Plato  ¿QHG DQG WUHDVXUHG EHFDXVH DOO WKDW was  seriously  mistaken  in  suppos- makes  life  worth  living  is  contained  ing  that  the  only  way  to  account  in  them.  In  an  earlier  essay,  I  mentioned  for  the  existence  of  well-Âformed  natural  things,  moral  and  aesthetic  that  Greek  philosophy  had  two  values,  of  beauty,  truth  and  moral  beginnings.  Two  centuries  before  goodness,  is  by  postulating  a  tran- Socrates,  early  Greek  philosophers,  scendent  realm  of  ideas,  eternal  the  Pre-ÂSocratics,  enquired  about  archetypes  of  things,  infused  with  the  origin  of  everything,  and  in  goodness  and  intelligibility  that  the  process,  they  invented  the  idea  ÀRZ HWHUQDOO\ IURP WKH *RRG LW- of  nature  as  an  original  generating  self.  As  a  philosophical  naturalist,  I  power,  rooted  in  primordial  matter  hold  that  nature  is  all  there  is,  and  that  creates  all  things  for  no  pur- that  nature  is  rather  a  bottom-Âup  pose,  but  merely  out  of  the  limitless  than  a  top-Âdown  affair;Íž  like  rain,  abundance  of  its  creativity. The  greatest  of  the  Pre-ÂSocratics  everything  must  rise  up  before  it  can  descend.  The  settled  things  we  was  Democritus  of  Abdera,  a  con- discover  in  nature  are  neither  pre- temporary  of  Socrates,  who  was  formed  nor  intelligently  designed;Íž  one  of  the  founders  of  atomism.  He  rather  they  are  the  products  of  long  taught  that  the  universe  consists  of  sequences  of  trial  and  error,  success  a  plurality  of  worlds  that  come  into  existence  and  pass  away,  products  and  failure,  of  evolution. Nature  itself  is  a  grand  experi- of  the  random  play  of  atoms.  The Â
If  McAllister  does  not  resign,  the  question  becomes  whether  a  major- ity  of  the  Senate  believes  that  remov- ing  him  from  the  Senate  now  is  more  important  than  allowing  the  criminal  justice  process  to  take  its  course.  If  so,  expulsion  proceedings  should  begin  in  January.  If  not,  the  Senate  should  set  aside  the  suspension  mo- tion,  allow  the  case  to  work  its  way  through  the  courts,  and  consider  ex-Â
pulsion  if  the  trial  results  in  McAl- lister’s  conviction. (ULF / 'DYLV LV SURIHVVRU HPHUL- WXV RI SROLWLFDO VFLHQFH DW 0LGGOHEXU\ &ROOHJH
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thought  life  dwelt  in  you  alone,  but  I  have  drawn  aside  the  veil  of  delusion  and  have  let  you  see  that  by  doing  evil  to  others,  you  have  done  it  to  yourself  also.  ‌  You  can  only  improve  life  in  yourself  by  destroying  the  barriers  that  divide  your  life  from  that  of  others,  and  by  considering  others  as  yourself,  and  loving  them.â€? Pope  Francis  recently  gave  a  sermon  describing  our  celebration  of  Christmas  as  a  “charade.â€?  “The  world  continues  to  go  to  war.  The  world  has  not  chosen  a  peaceful  path.  ‌  We  should  ask  for  the  grace  to  weep  for  this  world,  which  does Â
not  recognize  the  path  to  peace,  to  weep  for  those  who  live  for  war  and  have  the  cynicism  to  deny  it.  ‌  God  weeps.  Jesus  weeps.â€? The  Dalai  Lama  recently  re- sponded  to  this  question.  “Why  GLGQÂśW \RX ÂżJKW EDFN DJDLQVW WKH Chinese?â€?  “Well,  war  is  obsolete,  you  know.  Of  course,  the  mind  can  UDWLRQDOL]H ÂżJKWLQJ EDFN ÂŤ EXW WKH heart,  the  heart  would  never  under- stand.  Then  you  would  be  divided  in  yourself,  the  heart  and  the  mind,  and  the  war  would  be  inside  you.â€? We  are  interconnected.  And  may  our  hearts  and  minds  awaken. Patricia  Heather-ÂLea Bristol
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Sen. Bernie Sanders 1-Â800-Â339-Â9834
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only  eternal  things  are  atoms  them- selves,  which  are  forever  moving  in  LQ¿QLWH VSDFH 2XW RI WKLV SURFHVV the  abundance  of  life,  including  hu- man  life  with  all  of  its  values,  aris- es.  Lucretius  borrowed  his  doctrine  from  him. Plato  never  mentions  Democri- tus,  who  wrote  a  great  deal,  but  whose  writings  survive  only  in  fragments.  However,  scholars  have  detected  allusions  to  Democritus  in  Plato’s  writings.  And  this  leads  to  the  plausible  conjecture  that  in  writ- ing  his  works,  Plato  was  engaged  in  a  momentous  philosophical  contro- versy  with  Democritus,  perhaps  one  of  the  most  important  events  in  the  history  of  human  thought,  a  contest  between  Platonism  and  Naturalism. This,  I  think,  is  a  very  promis- ing  context  in  which  to  read  Plato.  It  is  reported  that  Democritus  was  also  an  accomplished  writer,  and  that  the  quality  of  his  philosophi- cal  writings  rivaled  Plato’s.  Alas,  they  are  lost.  But  we  have  Lucre- tius’  great  poem  to  guide  us.  Inci- dentally,  it  was  Lucretius’  work  that  provided  the  philosophical  basis  for  WKH JUHDW VFLHQWL¿F UHYROXWLRQ RI WKH 17th  century,  and  with  this  a  revival  of  curiosity  about  Democritus. The  ancient  controversy  between  Platonists  and  naturalists  revived  and  is  still  with  us.  Indeed  it  is  with- in  us.  For,  although  philosophical  UHÀHFWLRQ PD\ RULJLQDWH VSRQWDQH- ously  in  the  mind  as  pure  curiosity,  this  desire  to  know  and  understand  must  be  fed  and  nourished  by  read- ing  and  interpreting  the  thoughts  of  others.  And  so  it  goes.  In  this  great  contest,  Plato’s  method  was  to  contend  that  such  sublime  things  as  beauty,  intelli- gence  and  goodness  could  not  be  the  products  of  mere  nature.  Nor  did  the  Gods  produce  them.  The  only  H[SODQDWLRQ WKDW VHHPHG WR ¿W ZDV that  they  always  were,  and  their  dif- ference  from  natural  things  was  ev- ident  in  unchanging  and  uncertain  character  of  material  things.  They  were  to  be  discovered  and  acquired  by  the  ascent  of  the  mind  through  dialectic.  Since  they  always  were,  there  was  no  need  to  explain  them;͞  better  to  rely  on  them  to  explain  the  existence  of  everything  else,  ex- cept  for  those  things  we  don’t  like:  things  that  grow  imperfectly,  things  that  decay,  malicious  and  repugnant  things,  evil  to  the  core,  which  ac- cording  to  Plato  have  no  real  cause  and  so  don’t  really  exist,  which  is  perplexing,  because  it’s  hard  to  deny  that  they  exist. This  leads  to  another  theme  that  I  failed  to  address,  the  origin  of  good  and  evil.  The  controversy  between  Platonism  and  naturalism  turns  on  this  theme.  I  will  try  to  explain  it  in  the  next  essay.
Be  sure  to  include  an  address  and  telephone  number,  too,  so  we  can  call  to  clear  up  any  questions. If  you  have  something  to  say,  send  it  to:  Letters  to  the  Editor,  Addison  Independent,  58  Maple  St.,  Middlebury,  VT  05753.  Or  email  to  news@addisonindependent.com.
PAGE  6A  —  Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015
ADDISON COUNTY
Obituaries Jane Miller, 94, Middlebury
MIDDLEBURY  —  Jane  Durando  Miller,  94,  resident  of  Middlebury,  Vt.,  died  on  Dec.  10  at  Helen  Porter  Nursing  Home  in  Middlebury  after  a  brief  illness.  She  was  born  on  June  7,  1921,  a  daughter  of  Frederick  Miller  and  Margurite  Crosby.  She  was  predeceased  by  her  parents  and  by  her  brother,  Edmund  G.  Miller. Jane  was  brought  up  in  Pelham,  N.Y.,  graduated  from  Ethel  Walker  School  in  Simsbury,  Conn.,  and  attended  Sarah  Lawrence  College.  During  World  War  II  Jane  had  what  she  often  described  as  the  greatest  adventure  of  her  life,  serving  as  a  Red  Cross  girl  in  England,  France  and  Austria  in  the  last  years  of  the  war  and  into  the  early  Occupation. After  the  war  she  began  a  distin- guished  career  in  merchandising,  VSHFLDOL]LQJ LQ ZRPHQÂśV FORWKHV Jane’s  career  took  her  to  I.  Magnum  in  San  Francisco,  where  she  became  a  buyer  and  made  many  trips  to  Paris  and  Milan  on  behalf  of  the  store.  Later,  she  worked  for  Abercrombie  DQG )LWFK Âż UVW LQ 5RFKHVWHU 1 < and  then  in  New  York  City. After  her  retirement  to  Middlebury Â
in  1988,  Jane  became  very  interested  in  local  affairs,  especially  in  the  preservation  of  historic  buildings  around  town.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Sheldon  Museum,  Friends  of  the  Arts  of  Middlebury  College,  and  the  Middlebury  Garden  Club.  She  also  took  great  pride  in  her  New  York  City  roots  and  was  active  in  the  phil- anthropic  work  of  the  Daughters  of  &LQFLQQDWXV $ Âż UP DQJORSKLOH KHU larger  interests  included  an  exten- sive  knowledge  of  between-Âthe- wars  English  literary  personalities  and  the  history  of  English  national  parks  and  country  houses. All  who  knew  Jane  will  deeply  miss  her  feisty  and  empathetic  personality,  keen  sense  of  humor  and  abiding  interest  in  the  lives  of  those  around  her.  She  took  great  delight  in  living  in  the  midst  of  town  where  she  could  interact  with  friends  and  neigh- bors  of  all  ages,  and  their  support,  in  turn,  enabled  her  to  live  in  her  house  until  the  end  of  her  life. She  leaves  a  niece,  Sophia  Miller;Íž  a  nephew,  Edmund  Miller;Íž  and  two  great-Ânephews,  David  and  Hayden  Bowen;Íž  and  many  devoted Â
JANE  MILLER friends.  A  service  of  celebration  of  her  life  will  be  held  at  St.  Stephen’s  Church  in  Middlebury  on  Dec.  30  DW S P ¸
Ruth Tomasi, 72, Bristol BROOKLYN,  N.Y./BRISTOL  —  Ruth  Tomasi,  72,  of  Brooklyn,  N.Y.,  passed  away  on  Dec.  15,  2015,  after  a  short  battle  with  brain  cancer.  She  was  born  in  Burlington  on  March  21,  1943,  and  grew  up  in  Bristol,  the  daughter  of  James  Tomasi  and  Prudence  (Lyon)  Tomasi.  Ruth  attended  Bristol  High  School,  Class  of  1961,  and  spent  her  senior  year  as  an  exchange  student  in  Germany.  She  continued  her  studies  at  Middlebury  College,  graduating  in  1965.  Ruth  taught  foreign  languages  in  New  York  and  Massachusetts,  before  returning  to Â
Bristol  in  1996.  She  ran  a  vintage  clothing  and  consignment  shop  in  town  and  also  worked  at  the  Starksboro  Public  Library. Ruth  was  a  friend  to  all,  always  giving  of  herself  to  anyone  in  need  who  crossed  her  path.  Her  generos- ity  extended  deep  into  the  animal  kingdom  with  the  many  dogs,  cats,  birds  and  other  furry  creatures  she  cared  for  throughout  her  life.  She  ORYHG EHLQJ RXWVLGH LQ KHU Ă€ RZHU and  vegetable  gardens,  playing  the  piano  and  crafting  with  yarn  and  fabric.  Three  years  ago  she  left  Vermont  to  join  two  of  her Â
grandchildren  in  Brooklyn  and  give  them  the  gift  of  her  daily  presence  in  their  lives.  She  is  survived  by  her  daughter  Jill  E.  Andersen  of  St.  George,  Vt.,  and  son  Kenneth  M.  Andersen  III  of  Brooklyn;͞  sister  Jill  Grims  and  brothers  Peter  and  John  Tomasi;͞  grandchildren  Viva  Cleland  and  Madeleine  and  James  Andersen;͞  and  numerous  nieces  and  nephews.  A  memorial  service  will  be  held  in  Vermont  later  in  the  spring.  Memorial  contributions  may  be  made  to  Poodle  Rescue  of  Vermont  LQ (VVH[ -XQFWLRQ ¸
Super  sportsmanship MIDDLEBURY  AMATEUR  HOCKEY  Association  hosted  an  all-Âgirls,  multi-Âage  jamboree  for  Middlebury  SOD\HUV RQ 6XQGD\ 'HF :LQQHUV RI WKH Âż UVW HYHU Âł*ROGHQ &RRNLH´ DZDUG IRU RXWVWDQGLQJ VSRUWVPDQ VKLS DQG HIIRUW ZHUH IURP OHIW WR ULJKW 0DJJLH &ROOLQV /H[\ 5D\PRQG +HDYHQ 5RVV DQG /DHOD 'HVMDGRQ 3KRWR E\ 6KDQH /DZWRQ
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MONKTON  —  The  Tari  Shattuck  Education  Foundation  has  provided  a  generous  grant  to  support  students’  social-Âemotional  learning  at  Monkton  Central  School.  With  their  funding,  Monkton  Central  School  was  able  to  purchase  Hoberman  spheres  or  “breathing  ballsâ€?  for  every  classroom,  related  arts  room,  and  other  rooms  throughout  the  school,  for  the  purpose  of  encouraging  students  to  use  “belly  breathingâ€?  as  a  way  to  calm  their  bodies  and  refocus  their  attention.  This  year  in  weekly  Guidance  classes,  all  students  (K-Â6)  have  been  learning  about  their  brains,  “focused  attention,â€?  and  other  mindfulness  techniques  as  a  way  to  be  better  learn- HUV 7KH JUDQW DOVR SURYLGHV Âż QDQ cial  support  for  children’s  books  for  students,  available  in  the  MCS  library,  on  the  topic  of  social-Âemotional  learn- ing.  Additional  resources  purchased  include  the  curriculum  materials  of  MindUp  (Brain  Focused  Strategies  for  Learning-Âand  Living)  and  Responsive  Classroom  (Doing  Math,  Science  and  Language  Arts  in  Morning  Meetings). “The  breathing  ball  helps  me  when  I  am  stressed  or  worried,â€?  said  one  third-Âgrade  student.  Another  student  remarked,  “The  breathing  ball  calms  my  heart  so  I’m  not  feeling  that  feel- ing  a  lot  anymore.â€? The  curriculum  materials  will  be  available  to  all  staff  to  use  with  their  students,  teaching  them  skills  that  WAYLAND  BRACE promote  focused  attention,  a  calm  and  engaging  learning  environment,  County  Home  Health  and  Hospice  -  and  brain  development.  In  addition,  6XQVKLQH )XQG ¸ these  materials  and  learning  materials  support  what  students  are  learning  in  weekly  Guidance  classes  all  year  for  all  grades,  and  promote  school-Âwide  climate. Monkton  celebrated  the  gift  of  the  breathing  balls  at  an  all-Âschool  assem- bly  on  Dec.  8.  The  Tari  Shattuck  Education  Foundation,  based  in  %ULVWRO LV D QRQSURÂż W RUJDQL]DWLRQ founded  in  1993  to  fund  projects,  DFWLYLWLHV DQG RUJDQL]DWLRQV WKDW
Wayland Brace, 81, Panton PANTON  —  Wayland  Brace,  81,  passed  away  Dec.  19,  2015,  at  his  home  in  Panton  with  his  loving  family  by  his  side.  Wayland  was  born  on  March  14,  1934,  son  of  Lester  and  Rose  (Martel)  Brace.  Wayland  married  Debbie  Chamberlain  on  Nov.  8,  1975.  Together  they  just  celebrated  their  40th  wedding  anniversary. Wayland’s  passion  was  working  on  small  engines.  He  was  known  by  PRVW DV D PDQ ZKR FRXOG Âż [ DQ\WKLQJ Wayland  enjoyed  volunteering  as  a  driver  for  ACTR.  Wayland  always  loved  spending  time  with  his  family  and  friends  and  enjoying  a  cold  beer. Wayland  is  survived  by  his  loving  wife  of  40  years,  Debbie  (Chamberlain)  Brace  and  their  chil- dren  Scott  (Lisa)  and  Christina,  and  grandchildren  Alexandria,  Kaitlyn,  Mallory  and  Eli  Brace.  He  is  also  survived  by  four  daughters  from  a  previous  marriage,  Sherry  (Steve)  Ouellette  and  their  children  (Nikki,  Aaron  and  Stephanie  and  their Â
children),  Tammy,  Wendy,  and  Stacy  and  their  children;Íž  his  siblings,  Lester  (Myona),  Roland  (Viola)  and  Alberta;Íž  brother-Âin-Âlaw  Charlie;Íž  sisters-Âin-Âlaw  Claire  and  Sandra;Íž  many  nieces  and  nephews;Íž  and  numerous  extended  family  and  friends. Wayland  was  predeceased  by  his  and  Debbie’s  son,  (Wayland)  Dennis  Brace.  He  was  also  predeceased  by  his  daughters  Mary  and  Cindy;Íž  and  siblings  Franny,  Richard,  Bertha,  Robert  and  Beverly. The  family  would  like  to  give  a  special  thanks  to  Kathy  Laframboise  and  Sarah  Audet  (ACHH&H)  and  family  friend  Holly  Gonyeau  for  their  kindness,  care  and  compassion  for  Wayland  and  family  during  his  illness. The  funeral  was  on  Wednesday,  Dec.  23,  2015,  at  11  a.m.  at  Brown- McClay  Funeral  Home,  Vergennes.  Interment  was  at  Prospect  Cemetery. ,Q OLHX RI Ă€ RZHUV PHPRULDO FRQWUL butions  may  be  made  to  Addison Â
New Obituary Guidelines The  Independent  will  publish  paid  obituaries  and  free  notices  of  passing.  Paid  obituaries  cost  25  cents  per  word  and  will  be  published,  as  sub- mitted,  on  the  date  of  the  family’s  choosing. The  Independent  offers  a  free  notice  of  passing Â
up  to  100  words,  subject  to  editing  by  our  news  department.  Photos  with  either  paid  obituaries  or  free  notices  cost  $10  per  photo.  Obituaries  may  be  emailed  to  obits@addisonindependent.com,  or  call  802-Â388-Â4944  for  more  information.
021.721 &(175$/ 6&+22/ FRXQVHORU &DURO\Q 7DWORFN DQG VWXGHQW *UDFH OHDG WKH VFKRRO LQ ÂłEHOO\ EUHDWKV´ XVLQJ D ÂłEUHDWKLQJ EDOO´ GXU ing  an  all-Âschool  assembly  on  Dec.  8.  The  breathing  balls  are  part  of  WKH VFKRROÂśV \HDU ORQJ IRFXV RQ PLQGIXOQHVV WHFKQLTXHV DQG ZHUH SXU FKDVHG WKURXJK IXQGLQJ IURP WKH %ULVWRO EDVHG 7DUL 6KDWWXFN (GXFDWLRQ Foundation.
support  and  develop  teachers  and  Editor’s  note:  This  article  was  students.  provided  by  Carolyn  Tatlock.
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Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015  —  PAGE  7A
Growing  membership MIDDLEBURY  ROTARY’S  RECENT  induction  of  four  new  members  brings  the  club’s  total  membership  to  over  50.  Pictured  from  left  to  right  are  new  members  (holding  handbooks)  and  their  sponsors:  Neil  Mackey,  Chris  Sommer,  Ted  Shambo,  Betsy  McCarthy,  Scott  Needham,  Nancy  Foster,  Lyn  DuMoulin  and  Heather  Foster  Provencher.
Dean  George  (Continued  from  Page  1A) board  with  a  lot  of  different  back- a  supervisory  union  —  such  as  the  grounds  that  are  helpful  in  coming  seven  communities  in  the  Addison  to  decisions  on  things.â€? Central  Supervisory  Union  —  will  Artim  ,  director  of  the  Heritage  be  voting  on  candidates  for  the  lo- Protection  Group,  was  appointed  to  cal  school  boards,  as  well  as  can- WKH ERDUG LQ 1RYHPEHU RI WR didates  for  a  new  board  that  would  ¿OO WKH UHPDLQGHU RI D WHUP YDFDWHG JRYHUQ WKH XQLÂżHG GLVWULFW LI VXFK by  former  Selectman  Bill  Perkins.  a  district  is  approved  in  a  separate  He  then  ran  successfully  for  three- vote). \HDU WHUPV LQ DQG $UWLP :LWK D PRQWK OHIW XQWLO WKH ÂżOLQJ could  not  be  reached  for  comment  GHDGOLQH WKH ÂżHOG IRU WKH 0LGGOH- for  this  article. bury  selectboard  race  is  starting  to  1XRYR D 0LGGOHEXU\ &ROOHJH crystallize.  And  the  prospect  of  an  philosophy  professor  emeritus,  was  open  seat  is  drawing  interest. elected  to  a  third  consecutive  three- George  is  a  retired  Vermont  State  \HDU WHUP RQ WKH ERDUG LQ +H 3ROLFH FDSWDLQ ZKR ZDV ÂżUVW HOHFW- UHVLJQHG LQ -DQXDU\ RI FLWLQJ HG WR WKH 0LGGOHEXU\ VHOHFWERDUG FRQĂ€LFW RI LQWHUHVW DOOHJDWLRQV ² in  1996.  His  civic  rĂŠsumĂŠ  also  which  he  said  were  unfounded  —  LQFOXGHV D WZR \HDU WHUP leveled  by  a  group  of  residents  who  UHSUHVHQWLQJ 0LGGOHEXU\ LQ DUJXHG KLV DIÂżOLDWLRQ ZLWK 0LGGOH- the  Vermont  House.  He  has  been  bury  College  should  preclude  him  a  member  of  the  Addison  County  from  voting  on  town  matters  relat- DEAN   GEORGE 7UDQVLW 5HVRXUFHV ERDUG VLQFH ed  to  the  college.  Those  allegations  and  currently  chairs  the  Vermont  ZHUH VSHFLÂżFDOO\ UHODWHG WR YRWHV ‡ 2YHUVHHLQJ D VWDWH SODQ WR UH- 1XRYR FDVW RQ WKH 0LGGOHEXU\ Parole  Board. “I  didn’t  have  any  idea  how  long  SODFH WKH 0DLQ 6WUHHW DQG 0HU- municipal  building  project,  which  I’d  stay,â€?  George  said  of  his  politi- chants  Row  rail  bridges  in  down- EHQHÂżWWHG IURP 0LGGOHEXU\ &RO- FDO SODQV DIWHU ÂżUVW EHLQJ HOHFWHG WR WRZQ 0LGGOHEXU\ 7KH VHOHFWERDUG lege  assistance. the  selectboard  almost  two  decades  remains  at  odds  with  the  Vermont  Nuovo  had  argued  that  no  con- Agency  of  Transpor- ÀLFW H[LVWHG EHFDXVH KH ZDV QRW ago.  “You  learn  the  tation  on  the  scope  on  the  college  payroll.  He  is  re- aspects  of  the  whole  and  duration  of  the  tired  from  the  college,  though  he  job  as  you  go  along.  “You learn PLOOLRQ ÂłWXQQHO´ KDV DQ RIÂżFH RQ FDPSXV 6LQFH KH You  get  to  work  with  a  the aspects project,  an  under- does  not  receive  a  paycheck  from  lot  of  different  people  taking  expected  to  the  college,  and  the  new  municipal  on  different  projects.  of the whole last  through  parts  of  building  has  been  approved  by  vot- Before  you  know  it,  job as you go four  years  and  bring  ers  and  is  nearly  completed,  Nuovo  your  three-Âyear  term  along ‌ The substantial  detours,  believes  it  is  appropriate  for  him  to  is  up  and  there  are  next thing you noise,  dust,  parking  again  offer  his  service  on  the  se- things  you  haven’t  got- headaches  and  night- lectboard. ten  done  yet  and  you  know, it’s 18 time  lighting  to  the  want  to  keep  work- years.â€? “I  enjoy  being  on  the  board  and  ing  on  them.  The  next  — Dean George downtown.  Affected  I  think  town  government  is  impor- property  owners,  tant,â€?  Nuovo  said.  “I  really  want  to  thing  you  know,  it’s  18  merchants  and  resi- FRQWULEXWH ZKDW , FDQ WR PDNH OR- years.â€? He  acknowledged  not  wanting  dents  are  concerned  about  how  the  cal  government)  work.â€? to  take  on  another  three-Âyear  term  project  might  affect  commerce  and  If  elected,  Nuovo  wants  to  in  toward  the  end  of  his  tenure.  But  quality  of  life  in  the  downtown. particular  tackle  the  downtown  rail  “There’s  no  end  to  the  challeng- bridges  issue. George  felt  comfortable  extending  es,â€?  George  said. his  term  by  successfully  running  “I  am  not  happy  with  the  way  in  George  cited  the  rail  bridges  which  VTrans  has  dealt  with  it,â€?  for  terms  of  less  than  three  years  that  were  created  by  resignations  project  and  develop- Nuovo  said. ment  of  the  economic  of  former  board  members. He  believes  the  cur- development  property  “I am not MILESTONES rent  plan  does  not  ad- There  was  no  shortage  of  compel- as  issues  that  will  spill  happy with the equately  protect  the  ling  issues  to  command  George’s  over  onto  the  dockets  way in which interests  of  downtown  and  his  colleagues’  attention  as  the  of  future  selectboards.  VTrans has merchants,  residents  years  went  by.  The  selectboard,  +H LV FRQÂżGHQW WRZQ and  property  owners.  during  George’s  tenure,  has  dealt  RIÂżFLDOV ZLOO EH XS WR dealt with (rail Nuovo  also  believes  the  challenge. bridges).â€? with  such  issues  as: the  town  should  be  “We  have  a  really  ‡ %XLOGLQJ D QHZ ZDVWHZDWHU — Victor Nuovo granted  more  input  in  good  group  of  peo- treatment  plant. how  the  project  is  pur- ‡ 3KDVLQJ RXW WKH WRZQÂśV PDFKLQ- ple  working  on  this,â€?  sued. ery  and  equipment  tax  as  a  means  George  said.  “I  am  hopeful.â€? Âł, GRQÂśW WKLQN 97UDQV KDV JLYHQ Balancing  economic  develop- the  town  a  chance  to  make  the  proj- of  stimulating  business  growth. PHQW ZLWK D GHVLUH WR PDLQWDLQ 0LG- ‡ 3URSRVLQJ D QHZ PXQLFLSDO ect  work,â€?  he  said. building  and  police  headquar- dlebury’s  small-Âtown  atmosphere  Nuovo  also  wants  the  board  to  WHUV DW 0DLQ 6W :KHQ YRWHUV and  keeping  taxes  within  residents’  closely  follow  the  potential  chang- defeated  that  original  plan  more  collective  budgets  should  also  es  to  school  governance  in  the  Ad- than  a  decade  ago,  the  selectboard  be  top  priorities  of  future  select- dison  Central  Supervisory  Union  pitched  a  new  police  headquarters  boards,  according  to  George. WKURXJK $FW +H WKLQNV 0LGGOH- He  will  miss  working  with  his  bury  should  do  more  to  promote  off  Seymour  Street,  which  voters  endorsed.  Work  is  now  wrapping  colleagues  and  forging  friendships  affordable  housing,  contain  tax  up  on  a  new  municipal  building  at  with  people  whom  he  would  not  increases,  and  confront  the  impact  0DLQ 6W DQG D QHZ UHFUHDWLRQ have  met  had  he  not  served  on  the  WKDW SUHVFULSWLRQ GUXJV SULPDULO\ facility  off  Creek  Road,  two  struc- board.  But  George  will  continue  to  opiates)  is  having  on  area  residents. tures  approved  by  voters  following  serve  in  other  capacities,  including  7HUN LV D IRUPHU 0LGGOHEXU\ a  bruising  political  battle  over  the  on  the  parole  board. Planning  Commission  member  “I  enjoy  that  job  a  lot,â€?  he  said.  who  has  lived  in  the  town  for  more  ORFDWLRQ DQG ÂżQDQFLQJ “I’d  like  to  continue  WKDQ \HDUV +H LV D SURMHFW PDQ- plan  for  the  structures. that.â€? ‡ 'HVLJQLQJ DQG “We have a ager  for  Engelberth  Construction.  SEEKING  NEW  erecting  the  Cross  really good Terk  said  he  is  running  in  an  effort  TERMS Street  Bridge.  The  $16  to  give  residents  a  bigger  voice  on  Baker,  a  local  in- issues  like  future  development  of  million  structure  is  be- group of ing  funded  with  assis- people working surance  professional  WKH 0LGGOHEXU\ 6WDWH $LUSRUW 7KH and  former  chairman  DLUSRUWÂśV IRRW ORQJ UXQZD\ WDQFH IURP 0LGGOHEXU\ on this College  and  ongoing  (selectboard). I RI WKH 0LGGOHEXU\ is  due  to  be  repaved  and  extended  'HYHORSPHQW 5HYLHZ E\ IHHW WR WKH QRUWK WR SUR- revenues  from  a  local  Board,  was  elected  to  vide  more  clearance  for  airplanes  option  tax  on  sales,  am hopeful.â€? a  one-Âyear  term  on  the  landing  at  and  leaving  the  facility.  — Dean George rooms  and  meals.  By  VHOHFWERDUG LQ Some  neighbors  fear  the  project  making  it  a  local  proj- He  ran  successfully  will  give  rise  to  a  busier  airport  HFW 0LGGOHEXU\ ZDV able  to  build  the  bridge  more  ex- IRU D WKUHH \HDU WHUP LQ %DN- serving  larger  airplanes.  State  of- peditiously  than  by  going  through  er  said  he  would  like  to  see  through  ¿FLDOV KDYH FRXQWHUHG WKDW WKH SURM- the  state  and  the  associated  red  tape  VRPH XQÂżQLVKHG EXVLQHVV GXULQJ ect  is  exclusively  about  increasing  that  can  delay  major  construction  the  next  three  years. airport  safety. “I  would  like  to  see  the  railroad  projects. Terk  has  been  disappointed  by  ‡ 0DUNHWLQJ PRUH WKDQ DQ DFUH RI bridge/tunnel  brouhaha  move  for- what  he  believes  has  been  a  lack  town-Âowned  land  off  Bakery  Lane  ward  with  as  little  disruption  as  of  selectboard  support  for  airport  to  prospective  developers  for  a  possible,â€?  he  said. neighbors’  concerns. Baker  also  wants  to  see  the  eco- project  that  would  spur  downtown  “The  town’s  governing  board  economic  development.  A  team  nomic  development  project  car- needs  to  be  more  attuned  to  quality  of  local  businesspeople  known  as  ried  forward  in  a  manner  that  will  RI OLIH LVVXHV KHUH LQ 0LGGOHEXU\ ´ NexBridge  is  planning  a  mixed-Âuse  strengthen  the  downtown. Terk  said. “I  have  enjoyed  my  time,  gener- development  containing  retail,  of- Reporter  John  Flowers  is  at  ally,â€?  Baker  said.  “We  have  a  good  johnf@addisonindependent.com. ÂżFH DQG UHVLGHQWLDO XQLWV
Shop Locally ANTIQUES Â
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Small businesses employ half of all private sector employees. — Small Business Administration
Start the New Year right with an all-inclusive four-course dinner for two in the comfort of your own home. Prepared by the culinary experts at the Grapevine Grille. 1ST COURSE 2 APPETIZERS
3RD COURSE 2 ENTREES
SHRIMP COCKTAIL with zesty sauce
each served with potatoes and vegetables
PETITE MARYLAND CRABCAKES with caper tarter sauce
TENDERLOIN topped with warmed blue cheese and sautĂŠed mushrooms
BLACKENED COLOSSAL SCALLOPS with cilantro lime aoli
MARYLAND CRABCAKES 2 golden cakes with caper tarter sauce
ANTIPASTO PLATE with salami, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, pepperoncini and calamata olives
SCALLOPS 4 colossal scallops served in a pool of creamy tomato basil sauce, topped with crumbled bacon
BLUE LEDGE FARM CHEESE PLATTER with fresh fruit
2ND COURSE 2 SOUPS OR SALADS WINTER SALAD GREENS cranberries, goat cheese, walnuts and honey balsamic vinaigrette SEAFOOD BISQUE Ă›iÂ?Ă›iĂŒĂž y>Ă›ÂœĂ€Ăƒ ˆ˜VÂ?Ă•`i ĂœÂ…ÂˆĂŒiwĂƒÂ…] >ÀÞÂ?>˜` crab and shrimp SPINACH SALAD crumbled bacon, caramelized onions, egg, mushrooms and honey Dijon vinaigrette
BLACKENED HALIBUT with caper dill butter sauce RACK OF LAMB Dijon and herb crusted, served with red wine demi glaze ½ ROASTED DUCK roasted with rosemary and garlic, served with creamy Dijon sauce BULL ON THE BEACH petite tenderloin served with your choice of 3 shrimp, 2 scallops or 1 crabcake
4TH COURSE DESSERT TO SHARE Your choice of a plain or chocolate cheesecake for two. Served with fresh fruit on top.
FOUR COURSE DINNER FOR TWO – FOR JUST $79.95 Order by Wednesday, December 30. Selection dependent upon supply. )TCRGXKPGITKNNGXV EQO r 61)1
PAGE  8A  —  Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015
VFW Post #7823 )\GLERKI 7X ĹŽ 1MHHPIFYV] :8
802-388-9468
New Year’s Eve Gala Prime Rib Dinner and all the trimmings Cocktail Hour - 6pm Dinner Served - 7pm $40 per couple, $25 per single TQ QMHRMKLX Ť (ERGI XS XLI 0MZI 1YWMG SJ
ĹŠ;LMVP[MRHĹŞ
Party Favors and Champagne Toast at Midnight
Thursday, December 31st %HZERGIH 8MGOIX 7EPIW 3RP] 6 7 : 4 ;IRH] ĹŽ
Come Play Golf on our HD Simulators!
community Dec
25
Christmas  Day  dinner  in  Middlebury.  Friday,  Dec.  25,  4  p.m.,  Middlebury  Commons  dining  area,  Buttolph  Drive.  All  area  residents  are  invited  for  a  free  turkey  dinner  and  holiday  fellowship.  RSVPs  are  appreciated:  385-Â1902,  388-Â7613  or  382-Â9325.  Transportation  can  be  arranged.  Dinner  will  be  served  no  matter  the  weather  conditions. Â
Dec
26
Dec
We  Carry
Golf  Equipment
*LIW &HUWLÀFDWHV $YDLODEOH ‡ 0LGGFDGG\VKDFN FRP ([FKDQJH 6W 0LGGOHEXU\
Thank You for another great year!
SUNDAY
Third  Day  of  Christmas  handbell  concert  and  sing-Âalong  in  Weybridge.  Sunday,  Dec.  27,  3  p.m.,  Weybridge  Congregational  Church.  Free  but  donations  accepted.  Info:  545-Â2895.
Dec
30
HOLIDAY SALES!
SATURDAY
Middlebury  Tiger  Alumni  Hockey  Games  in  Middlebury.  Saturday,  Dec.  26,  5:15-Â10:45  p.m.,  Memorial  Sports  Center.  Middlebury  Union  High  School  and  Middlebury  Area  Hockey  Association  alumni  are  invited  to  play  in  one  of  three  games:  the  women’s  alumni  game  at  5:15,  the  Legends  of  Tiger  Hockey  (older  players)  at  7  p.m.,  or  the  Future  Legends  of  Tiger  Hockey  (younger  play- ers)  at  9  p.m.  Free  to  spectators;Íž  suggested  player  donation  $25.  Info:  fngdan@mac.com.
27
Bring a buddy to the Caddy Shack!
FRIDAY
calendar
WEDNESDAY
GMC  cross-Âcountry  ski  outing  in  Ripton.  Wednesday,  Dec.  30,  time  and  meeting  place  TBA.  Ski  the  Bridges/ Catamount  Trail  loop  starting  on  Natural  Turnpike  (Forest  Road  54)  and  returning  on  Forest  Road  59.  Several  short,  very  steep  climbs  and  descents.  About  4  miles.  Contact  leader  Beth  Eliason  at  betheliasongmail.com  or  802-Â989-Â3909.  More  info  at  www.gmcbreadloaf.org.
Dec
31
THURSDAY
“Count  Down  to  Noon  Yearâ€?  kids’  event  in  Middlebury.  Thursday,  Dec.  31,  11  a.m.-Â12:30  p.m.  A  New  Year’s  Eve  family  celebration  for  kids  who  won’t  be  up  at  midnight.  Free.  Info:  388-Â4095. Best  Night  in  Bristol.  Thursday,  Dec.  31,  5  p.m.,  around  Bristol.  Annual  New  Year’s  Eve  celebration  with  live  music  by  four  groups  from  5-Â9  p.m.,  and  soups,  breads,  chili  and  more  at  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Bristol.  Buttons  $10  before  Dec.  25,  $12  at  the  door.  Children  under  12  and  seniors  over  75  free.  Info:  www.bestnight.org. Fireworks  in  Middlebury.  Thursday,  Dec.  31,  7:30-Â8  p.m.,  Middlebury  Rec  Park.  Free  skating  at  the  Memorial  Sports  Center  immediately  afterward. “A  Rockin’  New  Year’s  Eveâ€?  in  Middlebury.  Thursday,  Dec.  31,  8  p.m.-Â1  a.m.,  Town  Hall  Theater.  The  Horse  Traders,  Middlebury’s  upbeat  rock/pop  band,  takes  the  stage  to  rock  New  Year’s  Eve.  Cash  bar  and  free  champagne  toast  at  midnight  on  the  THT  VWHSV 7LFNHWV DYDLODEOH DW WKH 7+7 ER[ RIÂż FH 382-Â9222  or  www.townhalltheater.org.
Jan
1
FRIDAY
First  Day  Bird  Walk  in  Ferrisburgh.  Friday,  Jan.  1,  9  a.m.,  Button  Bay  State  Park.  Join  Otter  Creek  Audubon  to  walk  the  trails  in  search  of  overwintering  birds.  New  Year’s  Day  birding  trips  are  a  tradition  among  many  birders  as  a  way  to  start  their  annual  bird  lists. We look forward to serving you for many more!
Fire & Ice Restaurant 4FZNPVS 4USFFU Ĺż .JEEMFCVSZ 75
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Jan
2
SATURDAY
Paul  Asbell  in  concert  in  Ripton.  Saturday,  Jan.  2,  7:30  p.m.,  Ripton  Community  Coffee  House.  Admission  $10/$15/$3.  Info:  http://rcch.org.
Jan
3
SUNDAY
“Meruâ€?  documentary  screening  in  Middlebury.  Sunday,  Jan.  3,  7  p.m.,  7RZQ +DOO 7KHDWHU Âł0HUX´ LV WKH Âż UVW Âż OP LQ the  Middlebury  New  Filmmakers  Festival’s  Winter  6FUHHQLQJ 6HULHV 7KH 6XQGDQFH DZDUG ZLQQLQJ Âż OP is  an  adventure  documentary  about  the  passions  and  perilous  choices  of  the  world’s  best  mountain  climb- HUV 7LFNHWV HDFK RU IRU DOO IRXU Âż OPV LQ WKH VHULHV DYDLODEOH DW WKH 7+7 ER[ RIÂż FH RU www.townhalltheater.org.
Jan
5
TUESDAY
Blood  pressure/foot  care  clinic  in  Brandon.  Tuesday,  Jan.  5,  9:30  a.m.,  Forest  Dale  Senior  Center.  Foot  clinic  $10.  Info:  802-Â775-Â0568. Â
Jan
6
WEDNESDAY
“Girl  with  a  Pearl  Earringâ€?  museum  ¿ OP LQ 0LGGOHEXU\ Wednesday,  Jan.  6,  11  a.m.,  Town  Hall  Theater.  The  THT’s  *UHDW $UW :HGQHVGD\V Âż OP VHULHV VWDUWV ZLWK ³¾*LUO with  a  Pearl  Earring’  and  Other  Treasures  from  the  0DXULWVKXLV LQ WKH +DJXH ´ 7KH Âż OP JRHV EHKLQG WKH scenes  at  the  world-Ârenowned  Mauritshuis  Museum  to  look  at  Johannes  Vermeer’s  intriguing  portrait,  ca.  1665.  Tickets  $10,  $5  students,  available  at  the  THT  ER[ RIÂż FH ZZZ WRZQKDOOWKHDWHU RUJ RU DW the  door.  Middlebury  Actors  Workshop  auditions  in  Middlebury.  Wednesday,  Jan.  6,  5-Â8  p.m.,  Town  Hall  Theater.  Auditions  for  MAW’s  2016  season,  which  includes  “Seminarâ€?  in  April,  “Macbethâ€?  in  October/ November,  and  “It’s  a  Wonderful  Life,  A  Live  Radio  Play,â€?  in  December.  Info:  middleburyactors.org.  Schedule  an  audition  at  melissa@middleburyactors. org.  Auditions  also  on  Jan.  10. “Defense  of  the  Westâ€?  talk  in  Middlebury.  Wednesday,  Jan.  6,  7  p.m.,  Ilsley  Library.  Middlebury  College  visiting  scholar  Stanley  R.  Sloan  examines  the  challenges  posed  to  the  West  by  Russia,  Middle  East  turmoil,  terrorism,  and  political  tendencies  in  some  European  countries.  A  Vermont  Humanities  Council  First  Wednesdays  event.  Info:  www. vermonthumanitiescouncil.org  or  802-Â262-Â2626.
Jan
7
THURSDAY Twist  O’  Wool  Spinning  Guild  potluck Â
Down  on  the  farm “PORTRAIT  OF  COMETâ€?  by  Hannah  Sessions  hangs  in  the  exhibit  “Hannah  Sessions  and  Greg  Bernhardt:  Our  Song,â€?  showing  at  Edgewater  Gallery  at  Middlebury  Falls  through  the  end  of  the  month. and  meeting  in  Middlebury.  Thursday,  Jan.  7,  6  p.m.,  49  Wilson  Road.  Potluck  at  6  p.m.  followed  by  general  meeting  at  7.  Bring  a  dish  and  any  projects  you’ve  completed  to  share.  Info:  453-Â5960.
Jan
8
FRIDAY
Senior  luncheon  in  Middlebury.  Friday,  Jan.  8,  noon,  Middlebury  VFW.  CVAA  invites  seniors  to  its  monthly  First  Friday  luncheon,  featuring  pot  roast  with  vegetable  brown  VDXFH PDVKHG FDXOLĂ€ RZHU JUHHQ EHDQV DOPDQ dine,  tossed  salad,  dinner  roll,  vanilla  ice  cream  with  chocolate  sauce  and  cream,  coffee  and  decaf.  Bring  your  own  place  setting.  Suggested  donation  $4.  Reservations  required:  1-Â800-Â642-Â5119,  ext.  634.  Free  transportation  with  ACTR:  388-Â1946.  Info:  www. cvaa.org.  Â
Jan
9
SATURDAY
GMC  hike  up  Snake  Mountain  in  Addison.  Saturday,  Jan.  9,  time  and  meeting  place  TBA.  Moderate  3.5-Âmile  hike  with  a  gradual  ascent  of  980  feet.  Great  views  of  Lake  Champlain  and  the  Adirondacks.  Bring  water  and  lunch  or  snack.  Dog-Âfriendly  hike.  Contact  leader  Mike  Greenwood  for  details:  mike802vt@ comcast.net  or  802-Â349-Â5653.  More  info  at  www. gmcbreadloaf.org. Contradance  in  Cornwall.  Saturday,  Jan.  9,  7-Â9:30  p.m.,  Cornwall  Town  Hall.  Lausanne  Allen  calls  to  live  music  by  Red  Dog  Riley.  Cost:  $5  per  person.  Info:  462-Â3722. Pete’s  Posse  in  concert  in  Lincoln.  Saturday,  Jan.  9,  7:30  p.m.,  Burnham  Hall.  Part  of  the  2015-Â2016  Burnham  Music  Series.  Doors  open  at  7  p.m.,  concert  at  7:30.  Admission  $8  adults,  free  for  kids  and  teens.  See  the  Burnham  Music  Series  Facebook  page  for  full  schedule  of  monthly  concerts.  Info:  388-Â6863. Swing  Noire  in  concert  in  Brandon.  Saturday,  Jan.  9,  7:30  p.m.,  Brandon  Music.  The  quartet  evokes  the  energy  of  a  swingin’  jazz  club  with  their  unique  take  on  gypsy  jazz,  known  as  hot  swing.  Tickets  $20.  Reservations  recommended:  1-Â802-Â247-Â4295.  Info:  www.brandon-Âmusic.net.
Jan
10
SUNDAY
Family  poetry  jam  in  Middlebury.  Sunday,  Jan.  10,  2-Â4  p.m.,  Champlain  Valley  Unitarian  Universalist  Church.  Children’s  poet  and  teacher  Ted  Scheu  hosts  the  ¿ UVW HYHU Âł:DUPLQJ :RUGV´ SRHWU\ MDP D IXQGUDLVHU for  the  United  Way  of  Addison  County.  Readings  by  children  ages  6-Â11  from  all  over  Addison  County.  Applications  and  info  at  www.poetryguy.com,  at  the  schools  or  at  ted@poetryguy.com.  Admission  is  free  but  contributions  are  welcome.  Middlebury  Actors  Workshop  auditions  in  Middlebury.  Sunday,  Jan.  10,  2  p.m.,  Town  Hall  Theater.  Auditions  for  MAW’s  2016  season,  which  includes  “Seminarâ€?  in  April,  “Macbethâ€?  in  October/ November,  and  “It’s  a  Wonderful  Life,  A  Live  Radio  Play,â€?  in  December.  Info:  middleburyactors.org.  Schedule  an  audition  at  melissa@middleburyactors. org. Northern  Bronze  handbell  ensemble  in  concert  in  Middlebury.  Sunday,  Jan.  10,  3  p.m.,  Middlebury  &RQJUHJDWLRQDO &KXUFK 7KLV Âż YH RFWDYH FRPPXQLW\ ensemble  will  play  familiar  winter  favorites  such  as  “Frosty  the  Snowmanâ€?  and  “The  Skaters’  Waltz.â€?  Admission:  $12  adults,  $8  children. Â
Jan
11
MONDAY
Author  talk  in  Middlebury.  Monday,  Jan.  11,  7-Â8:30  p.m.,  Ilsley  Library.  Vermont  author  William  Ford  will  read  from  his  new  novel,  “Gate  of  Fog,â€?  a  murder  mystery  set  in  Japan  during  the  late  1940s.  Between  short  passages  from  the  story,  images  from  occupied  Japan  will  be  shown Â
and  the  history  behind  the  novel  discussed.  Info:  388-Â4095.
Jan
12
TUESDAY
Reading  series  in  Vergennes.  Tuesday,  Jan.  12,  6  p.m.,  Bixby  Library.  Participants  in  the  library’s  writing  workshops,  with  help  from  actors  and  other  writers,  will  read  from  their  works.  For  this  meeting,  Cliff  Adams  will  share  his  ¿ OP VFULSW Âł9HUPRQW /RYH 6WRU\ ´ /HDUQ PRUH DW bixbylibrary.org/adult-Âprograms.  Refreshments  served.  Free.  Info:  802-Â877-Â2211,  ext.  208,  or  muir. haman@bixbylibrary.org. Â
Jan
13
WEDNESDAY
Festival  on-Âthe-ÂGreen  annual  meet- ing  in  Middlebury.  Wednesday,  Jan.  13,  6:30  p.m.,  Middlebury  Union  Middle  School.  Volunteers  are  being  sought  for  the  38th  annual  festi- val,  July  10-Â16,  2016.  Info:  802-Â462-Â3555.
L IV E M U S I C jinxbox  in  Middlebury.  Thursday,  Jan.  7,  8-Â10  p.m.,  51  Main. Root  7  in  Middlebury.  Friday,  Jan.  8,  5:30-Â7:30  p.m.,  51  Main. Coon  Hill  John  in  Middlebury.  Saturday,  Jan.  9,  8:30-Â10:30  p.m.,  51  Main. Myra  Flynn  in  Middlebury.  Friday,  Jan.  15,  9-Â11  p.m.,  51  Main. Soule  Monde  in  Middlebury.  Saturday,  Jan.  16,  8-Â10  p.m.,  51  Main. Â
ONGOINGEVENTS By  category:  Farmers’  Markets,  Sports,  Clubs  &  Organizations,  Government  &  Politics,  Bingo,  Fundraising  Sales,  Dance,  Music,  Arts  &  Education,  Health  &  Parenting,  Meals,  Art  Exhibits  &  Museums,  Library  Programs. FARMERS’  MARKETS Brandon  Farmers’  Market.  Fridays,  mid-ÂMay  through  mid-ÂOctober,  9  a.m.-Â2  p.m.,  Brandon  Central  Park.  Fresh  produce,  breads,  jams,  honey,  maple  products  and  crafts.  Info:  802-Â273-Â2655. Middlebury  Farmers’  Market.  Summer  hours:  Wednesdays  and  Saturdays,  9  a.m.-Â12:30  p.m.,  outdoors  at  the  Marble  Works,  May-ÂOctober.  Local  produce,  meats,  fresh  breads,  granola,  prepared  foods,  maple  syrup  and  more.  Info:  www.middlebury- farmersmarket.org  or  on  Facebook. Vergennes  Farmers’  Market.  Thursdays,  3-Â6:30  p.m.,  City  Park.  Rain  or  shine. SPORTS Co-Âed  volleyball  in  Middlebury.  Pick-Âup  games  Monday,  7-Â9  p.m.,  Middlebury  Municipal  Gym.  Jack  Brown,  388-Â2502;Íž  Bruce  at  Middlebury  Recreation  Department,  388-Â8103. CLUBS  &  ORGANIZATIONS ACT  (Addison  Central  Teens).  Drop-Âin  hours  during  the  school  years:  Monday,  Tuesday,  Thursday,  3-Â6  p.m.;Íž  Wednesday  and  Friday,  3-Â7  p.m.  94  Main  St.  0LGGOHEXU\ 7RZQ 2IÂż FH EXLOGLQJ EHORZ UHF J\P Teen  drop-Âin  space  for  kids.  Hang  out  with  friends,  play  pool,  watch  movies,  and  eat  great  food.  Baking:  every  Thursday  from  3:30-Â5  p.m.  Info:  388-Â3910  or  www.addisonteens.com. Addison  County  Amateur  Radio  Association.  Sunday,  8  p.m.  On  the  air  on  club  repeater  147.36/147.96  MHz,  100  Hz  access  tone.  Nonmembers  and  visitors  welcome. Addison  County  Emergency  Planning  Committee.  Last  Wednesday,  5  p.m.  State  Police  Barracks.  Public  invited. Addison  County  Republican  Party.  Third  Friday,  7  p.m.,  Ilsley  Library,  Middlebury.  897-Â2744. American  Legion  Auxiliary  Post  27.  Fourth  Monday,  7 Â
community
calendar
p.m.  American  Legion,  Wilson  Road,  Middlebury. Addison  County  Council  Against  Domestic  and  Sexual  Violence.  Fourth  Tuesday,  noon-Â1:30  p.m.  Addison  County  Courthouse  in  Middlebury.  388-Â9180. Brandon  Lions  Club.  First  and  third  Tuesday,  7  p.m.,  Brandon  Senior  Center. Brandon  Senior  Citizen  Center.  1591  Forest  Dale  Road.  247-Â3121. Bristol  Historical  Society.  Third  Thursday,  7  p.m.,  Howden  Hall,  19  West  St.,  Bristol. Champlain  Valley  Fiddlers’  Club.  Middlebury  VFW,  530  Exchange  Street.  Third  Sunday  (except  Easter),  noon  to  5  p.m.  Donation  $3.  Refreshments  avail- DEOH /RRNLQJ IRU Âż GGOHUV \RXQJ DQG ROG 2SHQ WR public.  Info:  342-Â0079.  The  Hub  Teen  Center  and  Skatepark.  110  Airport  'ULYH %ULVWRO 2SHQ PLNH QLJKW Âż UVW 7KXUVGD\ RI WKH month,  5:30-Â7:30  p.m.,  free  for  all  ages;Íž  reserve  a  spot  at  thehub@gmavt.net.  Info:  453-Â3678  or  www. bristolskatepark.com. LGBTQ  (Lesbian,  Gay,  Bisexual,  Transgender,  Queer).  Youth  support  group  meets  Monday  nights,  4-Â6  p.m.,  Turningpoint  Center,  Marble  Works,  Middlebury.  Info:  388-Â4249. Middlebury  Garden  Club.  Second  Tuesday.  Location  varies.  Pat  Morrow,  802-Â462-Â3741. NEAT  (Northeast  Addison  Television)  Channel  16.  Fourth  Monday,  5-Â7  p.m.  NEAT  studio  in  Bristol.  Bruce  Duncan,  bduncan@madriver.com. Neshobe  Sportsman  Club.  Second  Monday,  6  p.m.  potluck;Íž  7  p.m.  meeting.  97  Frog  Hollow  Road  in  Brandon. 2WWHU &UHHN 3RHWV 2SHQ SRHWU\ ZRUNVKRS KHOG Thursdays,  1-Â3  p.m.  Ilsley  Library  in  Middlebury.  Poets  of  all  ages  are  invited  to  share  their  poetry  for  feedback,  encouragement  and  optional  weekly  assignments.  Bring  a  poem  or  two  to  share  (plus  20  copies).  Led  by  David  Weinstock.  Free. 2UZHOO +LVWRULFDO 6RFLHW\ )RXUWK 7XHVGD\ S P 2UZHOO )UHH /LEUDU\ PACT  (People  of  Addison  County  Together).  Third  7KXUVGD\ D P S P 9HUPRQW VWDWH RIÂż FH building  on  Exchange  St.  in  Middlebury,  Health  Department  conference  room.  989-Â8141. Salisbury  Historical  Society.  First  Saturday,  9:30-Â10:45  a.m.  Salisbury  Congregational  Church. Samaritan’s  Cupboard.  Assembly  of  God  Christian  Center,  1759  Route  7,  Vergennes.  Third  Thursday  WKURXJK 2FWREHU Vergennes  Lions  Club.  First  and  third  Wednesday,  S P $PHULFDQ /HJLRQ &OXE DGGUHVV 32 Box  94,  Vergennes,  VT  05491.  Info:  President  Tim  Cowan,  877-Â2382. Vergennes  Rotary  Club.  Tuesday  mornings,  7:15-Â8:30  a.m.,  Champlain  Valley  Christian  School,  2  Church  St.  Breakfast  served  at  7:15  a.m. GOVERNMENT  &  POLITICS Addison  Peace  Coalition.  Saturday,  10:30-Â11  a.m.  Triangle  Park  in  Middlebury. Citizens  for  Constitutional  Government  in  Bridport.  Thursday,  7-Â9  p.m.  Bridport  Community  School.  Learn  about  the  U.S.  and  Vermont  constitutions  and  how  to  defend  our  rights. Five-ÂTown  Area  Vigil  for  Peace.  Friday,  5-Â5:30  p.m.  Bristol  green.  All  welcome  to  speak  out  for  world  peace. Vermont  Department  of  Motor  Vehicles  Mobile  Service  Van.  Second  and  fourth  Wednesdays,  8:30  a.m.-Â4  p.m.;Íž  Every  Thursday,  8:30  a.m.-Â3:15  p.m.  Addison  County  Courthouse,  in  Middlebury.  The  van  offers  written  exams,  customer  service  and  road  tests.  828-Â2000. BINGO American  Legion  Hall,  Middlebury.  Wednesday.  Doors  open  5:30  p.m.  with  early  birds.  Jackpot  $3,000.  )RRG DYDLODEOH %HQHÂż WV YHWHUDQV VFKRODUVKLSV DQG community  programs.  388-Â9311. Brandon  Senior  Center,  Brandon.  First  and  third  Mondays.  6  p.m.  Refreshments  sold.  247-Â3121. Brandon  American  Legion.  Tuesday,  warm-Âups  6:15  p.m.,  regular  games  7  p.m.  Food  available,  compli- mentary  hot  tea  and  coffee.  Info:  247-Â5709. VFW  Post  7823,  Middlebury.  Monday.  Doors  open  5  p.m.,  quickies  6:15  p.m.,  regular  bingo  7  p.m.  388-Â9468. FUNDRAISING  SALES %L[E\ 0HPRULDO /LEUDU\ %RRN 6DOH 2WWHU &UHHN 5RRP 258  Main  St.,  Vergennes.  Starting  April  18,  2015:  Monday-ÂFriday,  2-Â4:30  p.m.  (Thursday,  2-Â6:45  p.m.);Íž  and  Saturday,  10  a.m.-Â2  p.m.  Proceeds  support  library  programs  and  materials. Ilsley  Public  Library  Book  Sale.  First  Saturday,  11  D P S P 9HUPRQW 5RRP 2QJRLQJ VDOH LQ The  Last  Word  during  library  hours.  Info:  388-Â4095. St.  Peter’s  Closet  in  Vergennes.  Behind  St.  Peter’s.  2SHQ RQ 7KXUVGD\V DQG )ULGD\V IURP D P WR p.m. Two  Brothers  Tavern’s  Charitable  Mondays.  First  Monday.  10  percent  of  entire  day’s  proceeds  go  to  designated  charity. DANCE,  MUSIC,  ARTS  &  EDUCATION Bridge  at  Ilsley  in  Middlebury.  Thursdays,  5:30-Â8  p.m.,  Ilsley  Library.  Single  players  welcome.  Info:  462-Â3373. Celtic  jam  session  in  East  Middlebury.  Third  :HGQHVGD\ S P :D\EXU\ ,QQ 2SHQ VHVVLRQ to  play  traditional  Scottish  and  Irish  tunes  on  acous- tic  instruments.  All  abilities  welcome.  No  sessions  in  November  or  December  2015. Celtic  jam  session  in  Middlebury.  First  Wednesday,  8-Â10  p.m.,  51  Main.  Come  swap  Scottish,  Irish  DQG &DQDGLDQ Âż GGOH WXQHV 2SHQ WR DOO LQVWUX ments  and  players  familiar  with  Celtic  sessions  DQG MDP HWLTXHWWH ,QIR PĂ€ R\G#PLGGOHEXU\ HGX RU 203-Â823-Â8669. Chess  and  bridge  clinic  in  Middlebury.  Mondays,  3:30-Â5:30,  Ilsley  Library.  Casual  play  and  gentle  coaching  in  bridge  and  chess.  Chess  club  in  Brandon.  Saturdays,  12:30  p.m.,  Brandon  Library.  All  ages  and  abilities  welcome. Chinese  conversation  group  in  Middlebury.  Saturdays,  10-Â11  a.m.,  starting  April  14,  2015.  Informal  discus- sion  in  Mandarin  Chinese  led  by  native  speaker  Yinglei  Zhang.  Info:  388-Â4095. Classical  string  ensemble  in  Middlebury.  Third  Friday,  EastView  at  Middlebury.  Amateur  ensemble  looking  for  violinists.  Info:  388-Â7351. College  Session  for  Seniors  in  Middlebury.  Elderly  Services,  112  Exchange  St.  Classes  for  people  over  60  in  basic  computer,  opera,  politics,  history,  international  law  and  more.  Call  388-Â3983  or  e-Âmail  college@elderlyservices.org. Computer  lab  open  hours  in  Bristol.  Monday-ÂThursday,  3:30-Â7  p.m.,  Mount  Abraham  Union  High  School  library.  Free  access  to  the  library’s  electronic  resources,  courtesy  of  e-ÂVermont  funding.  Craft  workshop  in  Forest  Dale.  Tuesday,  6:30-Â8  p.m.,  Living  Waters  Assembly  of  God  Church,  Route  53.  Free  workshop  for  knitting,  crocheting,  or  other  crafts.  Coffee  served.  Info:  247-Â3637. Creative  writing  workshop  in  Vergennes.  Thursday,  6-Â8  p.m.,  Bixby  Library.  Free.  Librarian  Muir  Haman  guides  participants  through  short-Âform  writing  and  creative  exercises.  All  experience  levels  welcome.  Info:  802-Â877-Â2211  or  muir.haman@bixbylibrary. org.
Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015  —  PAGE  9A
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Dancing  in  Middlebury.  Sundays,  6:30-Â7:30  p.m.,  EastView  at  Middlebury.  Come  dance  to  swing,  blues  and  waltz  music.  Wear  clean,  dry,  soft-Âsoled  shoes.  Info:  475-Â2349  or  jscondon@mac.com. Dramatic  writing  workshop  in  Vergennes.  Monday,  6-Â8  p.m.,  Bixby  Library.  Free  workshop  led  by  screen- writer  Jay  Dubberly  in  which  participants  help  each  other  work  on  long-Âform  writing  projects.  Info:  802-Â877-Â2211  or  muir.haman@bixbylibrary.org. Drum  Collective.  Group  drumming.  Every  Monday,  10-Â11  a.m.,  111  Maple  St.  in  the  Marble  Works  at  Huard  Studio.  Led  by  local  percussionist  Will  Smith.  2SHQ WR DOO ,QIR ZZZ GUXPFROOHFWLYH RUJ Drum  gathering  in  Bristol.  Last  Friday  of  the  Month,  6-Â8  p.m.,  Recycled  Reading  of  Vermont.  Info:  453-Â5982  or  www.recycledreadingofvt.com. Duplicate  bridge  at  EastView  in  Middlebury.  Tuesdays,  6:20-Â9  p.m.  Info:  462-Â3373. French  conversation  group  in  Middlebury.  Second  Saturday  (deuxième  Samedi)  of  the  month,  1  p.m.,  location  varies.  Enjoy  casual  conversation;Íž  all  levels  welcome.  Info:  slater@middlebury.edu. Jam  session  for  teens  in  Middlebury.  Second  and  fourth  Thursdays  of  each  month,  3:30-Â4:30  p.m.,  Addison  Central  Teen  Center,  94  Main  St.  Bring  your  own  instrument  or  borrow  one  of  ours.  To  regis- ter,  call  Robin  or  Jutta  at  388-Â3910. Journaling  for  Self-ÂDiscovery  group  in  Lincoln.  Third  Thursday  of  every  month,  7  p.m.,  Lincoln  Library.  Info:  453-Â2665. Knitting  and  Rug  Hooking  in  Brandon.  First  and  third  Wednesdays  of  each  month,  6:30-Â8:30  p.m.  Brandon  Library.  Project  sharing,  idea  gathering  and  textile  camaraderie. Knitting  group  in  Brandon.  Thursday,  1-Â3  p.m.,  Brandon  Senior  Center.  247-Â3121. Knitting  group  in  Vergennes.  Third  Saturday,  11  a.m.-Â1  p.m.  Bixby  Memorial  Library.  Informal  assistance  provided.  Arabella  Holzapfel,  443-Â5284  (weekdays),  877-Â2172  (evenings)  or  araho@verizon.net. Maiden  Vermont  women’s  barbershop  chorus,  under  the  direction  of  Lindi  Bortney,  is  open  to  women  of  all  ages.  The  group  sings  four-Âpart  a  cappella  music  from  traditional  barbershop  to  doo-Âwop  and  Broadway.  Rehearsals  Thursdays,  7-Â9:15  p.m.,  Salisbury  Community  School.  Info:  388-Â1012  or  go  to  www.maidenvermont.com. Meditation  in  Vergennes.  Fridays,  6-Â7  p.m.,  2Wolves  Center.  Walk-Âin  meditation.  Cushions  and  chair  provided.  Timer  present.  Free  but  donations  appreciated. Middlebury  College  Community  Chorus.  Mead  Chapel.  2SHQ WR DOO VLQJHUV ZLWKRXW DXGLWLRQV &RQGXFWRU Jeff  Rehbach,  443-Â5811;Íž  manager  Mary  Longey,  236-Â7933. Movie  club  in  Vergennes.  First  Friday  of  the  month,  S P %L[E\ /LEUDU\ $ Âż OP RI QRWH LV LQWURGXFHG watched  and  discussed.  Free  popcorn.  For  info  and  upcoming  title:  802-Â877-Â2211  or  muir.haman@ bixbylibrary.org. Parler  Français  Comme  Des  Vaches  Espagnoles.  Every  Thursday,  7  p.m.  35B  West.  St.  in  Bristol  (above  Paige  &  Campbell).  Conversational  French  for  speakers  of  all  abilities.  Info:  453-Â2285. Round,  line  and  square  dancing  in  Brandon.  Second  Friday,  September  2015-ÂMay  2016,  7-Â10  p.m.,  Neshobe  School.  Info:  247-Â5544. Sacred  Harp  (Shape  Note)  Sing.  Second  Sunday,  1-Â3  p.m.  Middlebury.  All  ages  and  levels  of  experience  welcome.  Debby,  388-Â5410  or  www.fasola.org. Spanish  conversation  group  in  Brandon.  Every  Saturday,  11  a.m.-Ânoon,  Gourmet  Provence,  37  Center  St.  All  levels  welcome. Teen  movie  night  in  Middlebury.  First  Friday  of  every  month,  6-Â10  p.m.,  Addison  Central  Teen  Center,  94  Main  St.
7ZLVW 2Âś :RRO *XLOG )LUVW 7KXUVGD\V S P $PHULFDQ Legion  on  Wilson  Road. Vermont  Ukulele  Society.  Second  and  fourth  Mondays,  beginners  6:30-Â7  p.m.  regular  session  7-Â9  p.m.  at  Howden  Hall  in  Bristol.  Call  453-Â6411  or  see  http://vtukes.webs.com  for  info.  Extra  ukuleles  for  beginners. :RRO\ %XOO\V Âż EHU HQWKXVLDVWV JURXS )LUVW 7XHVGD\V 2UZHOO )UHH /LEUDU\ ,QIR MEALS Bristol  senior  luncheon.  First  Thursday,  noon,  First  Baptist  Church  of  Bristol.  Suggested  donation  $4.  453-Â5276. Free  Community  Lunch  in  Middlebury.  Summer:  Mondays-ÂThursdays  at  the  Charter  House,  27  North  Pleasant  St.  (just  north  of  the  Middlebury  Inn).  11:30  a.m.-Â12:15  p.m.  Eat  in  or  take  out.  Supported  by  area  churches. Free  Community  Supper  in  Middlebury.  Fridays,  5-Â6:15  p.m.  Congregational  Church  Fellowship  Hall.  Meals  provided  by  over  35  different  groups.  Info:  388-Â7634  or  388-Â7613. CVAA  Senior  Meals: Bridport:  Grange  Hall  Community  Room.  Noon  meal  on  Monday  and  Wednesday.  Evening  meals  on  second  and  fourth  Wednesdays  at  5  p.m.  Reservations:  Michelle  Eastman  at  1-Â800-Â642-Â5119  x615.  Transportation  by  ACTR:  388-Â1946. Bristol:  American  Legion.  Noon  meal  on  Wednesday.  Barb  Prime,  1-Â800-Â642-Â5119,  ext.  603.  Free  trans- portation:  ACTR,  388-Â1946. Middlebury:  Russ  Sholes  Senior  Center.  Noon  meal  RQ 7XHVGD\ DQG )ULGD\ H[FHSW IRU WKH Âż UVW )ULGD\ when  a  special  noon  meal  is  served  at  the  VFW  on  Exchange  Street.  Tracy  Corbett,  1-Â800-Â642-Â5119  Ext.  634.  Free  transportation:  ACTR,  388-Â1946. Vergennes:  Vergennes  Senior  Center.  Noon  meal  on  Tuesday  and  Thursday.  Michelle  Eastman  at  1-Â800-Â642-Â5119,  ext.  615.  Free  transportation:  ACTR,  388-Â1946. Bristol  Libanus  Lodge,  F&AM  Breakfast.  Second  Sunday,  7:30-Â10:30  a.m.  Eggs,  bacon,  sausage,  pancakes,  French  toast,  home  fries,  juice,  coffee  DQG WHD %XIIHW %HQHÂż WV ORFDO FKDULWLHV Middlebury  Congregational  Church  Community  Supper.  Friday,  5-Â6:15  p.m.  Free.  388-Â7634. Starksboro  senior  luncheon.  Fourth  Thursday,  11:30  D P -DQXDU\ 2FWREHU 6WDUNVERUR )LUVW %DSWLVW Church.  453-Â6354  or  mtgazette@earthlink.net. Vergennes  Masonic  Lodge  Breakfast.  Last  Sunday,  7:30-Â10  a.m.  Pancakes,  French  toast,  home  fries,  eggs,  bacon,  sausage  and  beverage.  All  you  can  HDW $GXOWV FKLOGUHQ %HQHÂż WV WKH ORGJHÂśV charitable  donations. VFW  Fish  Fry  in  Middlebury.  Third  Friday,  4-Â6  p.m.,  Men’s  Auxiliary,  VFW  Post  7823,  Exchange  Street.  SHU SHUVRQ 3URFHHGV WR EHQHÂż W WKH SRVWÂśV FKDUL table  donations. VFW  Fish  Fry  in  Vergennes.  Second  Friday,  5-Â7  p.m.,  Sons  of  the  American  Legion,  VFW  Post  14,  Armory  Lane.  $10  per  person.  Haddock,  fries,  coleslaw  and  cash  bar.
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PAGE  10A  —  Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015
Movie Review By Joan Ellis Sisters;Íž  Running  time:  1:58;Íž  Rat- ing:  R Tina  Fey  and  Amy  Poehler  have  become  icons  in  the  entertainment  world  through  their  intelligence,  wit  and  sense  of  fun.  They  can  stand  side  by  side  onstage  and  cause  an  entire  national  TV  audience  to  dissolve  in  laughter  with  sharp  verbal  darts  aimed  at  the  prevailing  culture.  How  can  it  be  that  they  have  just  opened  in  a  perfectly  awful  movie  called  “Sis- tersâ€?? It  is  no  fun  at  all  to  rip  the  efforts  of  these  two  women  who  are  widely  and  justly  admired  for  inspired  work  in  writing,  producing  and  acting,  but  blame  for  this  debacle  rests  squarely  on  their  shoulders.  This  is  their  pro- duction.  Scriptwriter  Paula  Pell  shares  blame  for  the  misguided  idea  that  snippets  that  work  on  “Saturday  Night  Liveâ€?  FDQ VXVWDLQ D IHDWXUH ÂżOP 6KH KDV used  these  bones  for  her  plot:  Kate  (Tina  Fey)  is,  for  the  moment,  home- less,  jobless  and  single.  Sister  Maura  is  divorced  and  devoted  to  doing  good  things  for  people  in  need.  Mom  (Di- anne  Wiest)  and  Dad  (James  Brolin)  are  selling  the  family  house  just  as  their  daughters  decide  to  go  home  to  pull  themselves  together.   After  the  sisters  decide  to  throw  a  farewell-Âto-Âour-Âroots  party  with  old  high  school  buddies,  we  are  treated  to  sex  and  poop  humor  usually  found  in  grade  school  or  later  on  in  alcohol- fueled  fraternity  parties  in  college.  So  now  we  know  that  even  women  can  come  up  with  an  “Animal  Houseâ€?- type  freak  show  for  our  viewing  plea- sure.  Until  now  it  hadn’t  been  clear  that Â
women  needed  to  prove  to  the  world  their  abil- ity  to  be  as  un- imaginative  as  fraternity  boys.  One  sly  line  comes  from  a  silent  gi- ant  of  a  man,  a  tattooed  drug  dealer  (John  Cena)  who,  when  asked  if  he  has  children,  replies,  “I’m  sure  I  do.â€?  That  one  brought  the  single  laugh  I  heard  on  opening  night.  But  how  about  the  sight  of  another  man  who  manages  to  insert  a  music  box  bal- lerina  in  his  lower  body  cavity  and  spends  long  minutes  of  our  time  try- ing  to  extract  it  with  Maura’s  help?  Watching  comic  Bobby  Moynihan  run  around  drunk  and  without  his  pants?  None  of  it  is  funny  or  shock- ing;Íž  it’s  just  stupid.  What  are  Fey  and  Poehler  trying  to  do  here?  If  their  goal  is  to  crush  for- ever  the  male  dominance  of  on-Âscreen  smut,  they  have  succeeded,  but  why  is  that  a  goal  for  two  women  who  are  so  capable  of  holding  an  audience  with  a  more  sophisticated  level  of  humor?  Can  you  imagine  what  they  could  do  if  they  decided  to  skewer  the  cul- ture  that  is  devouring  all  of  us  now?  Imagine  them  double-Âteaming  the  election  of  2016,  the  destruction  of  the  American  press  by  the  entertain- ment  culture,  the  obliteration  of  the  white  middle-Âaged  male  power  struc- ture  by  kids  who  scoff  at  traditional  routes  to  power.  Fey  and  Poehler  could  raise  any  of  that  to  high  com- edy.  But  proving  women  are  as  good  as  men  at  giving  drunken  fraternity  parties?  “Sistersâ€?  is  boring,  labored  and  dumb. Â
Call for our soup of the day
DECEMBER PIES OF THE MONTH
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Monkton students donate over 1,300 food items 021.721 ² 7KH ÂżIWK DQG VL[WK JUDGH Student  Council  at  Monkton  Central  School  announces  the  results  of  their  very  successful  Holiday  Food  Drive.  The  school  community  collected  1,318  non-Âperishable  food  items  in  just  six  school  days. The  Student  Council  announced  the  food  drive  at  the  school’s  monthly  All  School  Meet- ing  on  Tuesday,  Dec.  8.  The  drive  ran  from  Wednesday,  Dec.  9,  through  Wednesday,  Dec.  16.  Under  the  guidance  of  faculty  advisers  Stephanie  Murray,  Kate  La  Riviere  Gagner,  and  Carolyn  Tatlock,  the  nine  Student  Council  members,  three  students  each  from  the  three  ¿IWK VL[WK JUDGH KRPHURRPV PDQDJHG LQYHQ- WRU\ FROOHFWHG E\ WKH QLQH NLQGHUJDUWHQ ÂżUVW VHFRQG WKLUG IRXUWK DQG ÂżIWK VL[WK JUDGH homerooms. Â
Friendly competitions between classes kept the stakes high but the goal clear and the Student Council was surprised by what the school could achieve working together‌ Each  morning  of  the  drive,  a  Student  Coun- cil  member  assigned  to  a  homeroom  used  a  wheelbarrow  to  collect  the  items  brought  in  by  students  in  that  class.  The  1,318  total  items  col- lected  is  an  average  of  almost  nine  items  per  student. The  staff  advisers  of  the  Student  Council  noted  the  ripple  effect  that  the  event  had  across  the  school  and  broader  communities  this  week. Â
Dining  &  Entertainment
~ THE GOAT JAM ~ Our Garlic Oil Base topped with Mozzarella and local Blue Ledge Farm Goat Cheese, baked, then topped with Fresh Basil. Olive Tapenade and a Homemade Tomato Jam.
HOLIDAY SPECIAL *]a _WZ\P WN /QN\ +MZ\QÅ KI\M[ and we’ll give YOU I /QN\ +MZ\QÅ KI\M NWZ I .ZMM 8QbbI (That’s up to a $25 value) We’ll be c losed 12/24 – 12/26 & 1/1
www.townhalltheater.org
Thu 12/ 31 8pm $15
NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE
THE HORSE TRADERS NY $18.00 Si ci lia n $20.00
388-Â7755 The Slice Guy
TH E AT E R
OWN HALL
Merchants Row Middlebury, VT Tickets: 802-382-9222
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TOWN HALL THEATER Middlebury, Vermont seeks a
Technical director/ Dance Party with Middlebury’s premiere cover band facilities manager
Free champagne on the porch Applicants for this toast full-time, year at midnight for those 21 and over round position should have the ability to maintain and operate all theatrical systems (lighting, sound, projection), and have experience with set construction. Other responsibilities include: facilitate load-ins, runs, strikes and turnarounds; provide tech for meetings and receptions; create internship program in technical theater; maintain building by making repairs or hiring contractors. A janitorial service will clean the building, but this individual will make sure that the theater, studio and gallery are ready each day for public use. This historic theater will re-open in July, 2008, so the position ZLOO EH ÓžOOHG DV VRRQ DV SRVVLEOH /LPLWHG EHQHÓžWV 6HQG FRYHU OHWWHU and resume to: Douglas Anderson, Executive Director Town Hall Theater PO Box 128 Middlebury VT 05753 or email materials to danderson@townhalltheater.org 802-388-1436
They  said  parents,  students  and  teachers  were  DOO HTXDOO\ LQYHVWHG LQ PDNLQJ WKLV D VLJQLÂż- cant  community  service  event  in  line  with  the  schoolwide  theme  “MCS  CARES.â€?  Friendly  competitions  between  classes  kept  the  stakes  high  but  the  goal  clear  and  the  Student  Council  was  surprised  by  what  the  school  could  achieve  working  together,  even  when  there  was  no  prize  like  an  ice  cream  party  to  motivate  stu- dents.  Said  sixth-Âgrader  Elena  Bronson,  “The  ‘prize’  was  feeling  good  about  giving.â€? A  delivery  was  made  at  the  midpoint  of  the  drive  to  the  Hinesburg  Community  Resource  Center.  Deliveries  to  the  Vergennes  Community  Food  Shelf  and  the  Have  a  Heart  Food  Shelf  in  %ULVWRO ZKLFK EHQHÂżWV %ULVWRO /LQFROQ 0RQN- ton,  New  Haven  and  Starksboro,  are  scheduled  for  the  coming  days.
$FWRUV ZRUNVKRS WR KROG DXGLWLRQV IRU VHDVRQ MIDDLEBURY  —  Middlebury  Actors  Workshop  will  hold  auditions  for  its  2016  season  on  Wednesday,  Jan.  6,  from  5-Â8  p.m.  and  Sunday,  Jan.  10,  at  2  p.m. 0$:ÂśV ÂżUVW SURGXFWLRQ VODWHG for  April,  is  “Seminar,â€?  by  Theresa  Rebeck.  A  hilarious  satire  on  what  it  takes  to  be  a  writer  in  America,  “Seminarâ€?  follows  a  private  class  be- ing  taught  by  an  international  literary  ¿JXUH /HRQDUG DV KH WDNHV RQ IRXU aspiring  young  novelists. Under  Leonard’s  brilliant,  bru- tal  and  unorthodox  teaching,  some  ÀRXQGHU RWKHUV WKULYH DOOLDQFHV DUH made  and  broken,  sex  is  used  as  a  weapon  and  careers  are  launched.  This  is  a  sharply  funny  and  biting  satire  in  Rebeck’s  best  tradition,  with  a  great  deal  of  heart  at  its  core. Roles  include  Leonard,  50-Â65,  who  is  charismatic,  attractive,  ruth- less  and  brilliant;Íž   Martin,  20-Â35,  a  sensitive,  angry,  brilliant  young  writ- er;Íž  Kate,  20-Â35,  who  is  smart,  strong,  feminist  and  privileged,  and  went  to Â
Bennington;Íž  Douglas,  20-Â35,  a  well- connected  New  York  City  writer  who  has  been  to  Yaddo  and  MacDowell  many  times  and  is  so  close  to  hav- ing  a  story  printed  in  the  New  Yorker;Íž  and  Izzy,  20-Â35,  a  beautiful,  talented  woman  who  uses  her  sexuality  to  get  ahead. MAW’s  second  production  of  the  year  is  “Macbeth,â€?  adapted  and  di- rected  by  Melissa  Lourie  and  slated  IRU 2FWREHU 1RYHPEHU $OO SDUWV DUH being  cast  except  Macbeth,  Lady  Macbeth  and  Lady  Macduff.  Lourie  is  seeking  versatile  men  who  are  able  to  play  more  than  one  character,  and  are  experienced  with  Shakespeare.  She  is  willing  to  consider  women  for  some  of  the  male  roles.  All  actors  except  the  two  leads  will  play  more  than  one  part.  Other  available  parts  are  for  three  girls,  aged  12-Â16,  to  play  the  witch- es,  and  one  boy,  aged  8-Â13,  to  play  \RXQJ 0DFGXII 'RQDOEDLQ And  last,  next  December,  MAW  ZLOO SURGXFH LWV ÂżUVW HYHU &KULVWPDV play,  “It’s  a  Wonderful  Life,  A  Live  Radio  Play,â€?  to  be  directed  by  Haley  Rice.  The  play  calls  for  two  versatile  men  and  one  woman  with  the  ability  to  do  character  voices. Contact  Lourie  at  melissa@mid- dleburyactors.org  to  schedule  an  au- dition  time.  A  prepared  Shakespeare  monologue  is  required  for  those  in- terested  in  “Macbeth.â€?
Salisbury Have a news tip? Call Mary Burchard at 352-4541 1(:6
6$/,6%85< ² 7KH WRZQ RI¿FH will  be  closed  on  Thursday,  Dec.  24.  2Q 7KXUVGD\ 'HF WKH RI¿FH ZLOO be  open  from  9  a.m.  to  3  p.m. The  Salisbury  library  will  be  closed  on  Thursday,  Dec.  24;͞  Satur- day,  Dec.  26;͞  and  Thursday,  Dec.  31.
Shop Locally Local Character and Prosperity In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character have an economic advantage. — Institute For Local Self-Reliance
Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015  —  PAGE  11A
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Goings on
Something special going on in your send it in! life? Send it in at:
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Does your group or organization have something happening that’sAddison appropriateIndependent for the calendar? We want P.O. Box 31 please, send to hear about it! If you have a picture, Middlebury, Vermont 05753 that too. Pictures and text may be emailed to: or email it to: news@addisonindependent.com news@addisonindependent.com
Deacons  honored MAY  SMALL  AND  Edwin  C.  James,  two  longtime  members  of  the  Shoreham  Congregational  Church,  were  recently  named  lifetime  deacons  emeriti.  Both  have  been  active  in  the  church  in  many  ca- pacities  for  decades,  and  both  recently  retired  as  deacons.  Each  UHFHLYHG D FHUWL¿ FDWH DQG D ZRUN DSURQ ZLWK WKH PHVVDJH ³%H WKH Church.  Protect  the  environment.  Care  for  the  poor.  Forgive  often.  Reject  racism.  Fight  for  the  powerless.  Share  earthly  and  spiritual  resources.  Embrace  diversity.  Love  God.  Enjoy  this  life.�
Christmas  concert  THE  MOORE  FAMILY  of  Leicester  brings  the  Christmas  spirit  to  residents  of  Vergennes  Residential  Care  home  with  a  vocal  and  instrumental  concert  on  Dec.  18.  Pictured  are  Linda  Moore  at  the  piano,  and  her  children:  Daniel,  in  front,  with,  from  left,  Caleb,  Matthew,  Pamela,  Emily,  Joshua  and  Hannah. Â
Town  Hall  Theater  to  ring  in  New  Year  with  live  music  and  dancing  MIDDLEBURY  —  It’s  always  the  biggest  New  Year’s  Eve  party  in  Middlebury,  as  partiers  take  to  Town  Hall  Theater’s  big  dance  floor  on  Thursday,  Dec.  31,  to Â
dance  in  the  New  Year. Local  favorites  The  Horse  Traders  will  once  again  serve  up  a  funky  mix  of  pop,  oldies,  clas- sic  rock,  soul  and  country.  The Â
stunning  vocals  of  Deb  Brisson  are  backed  by  Rick  Marshall,  Jon  Rooney,  Pete  Ryan  and  John  Wallace.   “It’s  a  great  event  because Â
for  local  people  it’s  so  close  to  home,�  says  THT  executive  direc- tor  Douglas  Anderson.   “You  don’t  need  to  drive  a  long  way  to  have  a  really  terrific  New  Year’s  Eve.�
The  evening  starts  at  8  p.m.   THT  will  offer  a  cash  bar  and  snacks.  A  countdown  at  midnight  leads  to  the  ringing  of  the  Great  Bell  of  Middlebury  in  the  THT  tower  and Â
a  complimentary  champagne  toast. Tickets  are  $15  and  may  be  purchased  at  www.townhalltheater. org,  by  calling  382-Â9222,  at  the  THT  box  office  or  at  the  door.
t o  s  r S a e t nta t e L Dear  Santa, My  name  is  Kylee  Cole  and  I  am  4  years  old.  I  know  you  have  been  very  busy  getting  ready  for  Christmas.  I  have  been  a  really  good  girl  this  year.  My  Christmas  wish  list  is  a  My  Little  Pony,  Elsa  doll,  Elsa’s  ice  castle,  Elsa  slippers,  new  doll  bed,  and  purple  boots,  and  a  new  pink  sled. I  will  leave  cookies  and  milk  for  you  and  a  snack  for  the  reindeer.  Have  a  safe  trip  and  don’t  get  lost.  I  love  you  Santa. Love, Kylee  Cole
Dear  Santa, Modern  Minecraft.  This  is  a  video  game.  Lego  train  sed.  Hexbugs  sed.  Apple  computer.  Remote  control  heli- FRSWHU 0LQHU DFWLRQ ¿ JXUHV PRYH David  Dale Middlebury
Dear  Santa, I  wish  for  a  snow  storm  please. Love, Clover  Hobbs,  age  6
Surprise ORWELL  RESIDENT  BARBARA  LaDuc  was  surprised  Monday  to  ¿ QG D SXVV\ ZLOORZ EORRPLQJ LQ D PHDGRZ QHDU KHU KRPH 7KH PLOG weather  is  sending  mixed  signals  to  many  plants.
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PAGE 12A — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 24, 2015 PAGE 16A — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 25, 2009
Middlebury Lions Christmas Memory Tree Connie Abeling Faith Angier Brian & Ramona Atherton Arland Atkins Stanley P. Atwood Norm & Mary Rose Audet Ann Bagley Cleo Bagley Harvey Bagley Rufus Bagley Zebber Bagley Bob Baker Florence Banner (5) Frank Banner (5) Megan Barber Dale Barclay Ray Barclay Paul Bark Leon Barnett Leslie “Popper” Barnett Dr. Lyndon “Bill” Barnett Ruth “Nana” Barnett Linda Baslow Roger Bassett Jim & Thelma Basque Coleen Beck Geraldine Beecy William Beecy Arthur Benedict Edith Benedict (6) Marie Rose Bergeron Leonard Bergeron Ann Berry Anna Berry Chuck Berry Jim Berry (3) Gladys Bibeau Joseph Bielawski (5) Rose Bigelow Tom Billings Wilfrid Bilodeau Eileen Bodette (2) Kay Bodette Lee Bodette Kelly Boe Alice Boise Alice “Gramma”Boise Annette Boise Annette “Mom” Boise Charles Boise Mary Boise Boise Pets Reginald Boise Reginald “Dad” Boise William Boise Michael Bolduc Polly Bolduc Robert Booska Andre “Andy” Bourdon Jr. Bruce Bourdon Ernest Bourdon Juliette Bourdon Ida Brace Michael J. Brace Rodney W. Brace Charles Brakeley (5) Monsignor Paul Bresnehan Doris Brisson Bob & Joyce Brooks Altha Broughton Henry Broughton Julia Broughton Martin Broughton Baby Boy Brouillette Robert Brousseau Albert Brown Buster & Edla Brown Gladys Brown Linda Brown Lorenza Brown Milton “Mitt” Brown Fletcher Brush Dick Bullock (2) Edward Burke Irene Burns Bernice Bushey Denise Bushey Melvin Bushey Barbara Buttolph (5) (GJDU %XWWHU¿HOG 6U ,UHQH %XWWHU¿HOG Hubert T. Casey Keith R. Casey Norma Dow Casey Ramona Forbes Casey Guy Chicoine Carol Choquette (2) Clancy (dog) Francis Clark Gilbert Clark Neri Clark Ruth Y. Clark Ernest Cloutier John Cloutier Rollande Cloutier Eva Cobb Alice Maud Colburn Luther Dodge Colburn Margreta Colburn Jeanette Cole-Rowe William F. Cole Elizabeth Collins Elizabeth R. Collins (10) Dr. Ray Collins Ray W. Collins (10) Arnold Cooley Elsie Cooley Douglas Condon Elizabeth Condon
“It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” The Middlebury Lions Club wishes to recognize those donors who have honored their deceased family and friends, to whom this page is dedicated. The thought of each person represented by a single bulb together on one special tree illuminates the air with memories. May their lives be remembered this holiday season.
The Middlebury Lions Club, making their 63rd year of service to their community and state has again this year presented their 37th annual “Christmas Memory Tree.” With the cooperation of the Addison County Independent the names memorialized on the “Tree” are listed on this page. Dedicated though we Lions may be to our particular causes, we can in no way match the dedication, love and esteem shown by these beloved donors who make available this listing of memorialized names. In the face of dedication, we Lions stand in humble awe. The Officers and Members of the Middlebury Lions Club Let peace come to those of war Unlock the lock, let open the door. Give hope to those who feel despair, May their smiling faces forever flare. Let the sun shine warmth amongst their stable; Give bread to place upon their table. Give joy to those who feel the sorrow, Remember their strength that we might borrow, Let us have the courage to climb the hill. Have we the strength to say I will? Give them grace at your heavenly feast, For rest is theirs with eternal peace. Let us recall their hopes, their dreams, They stood in support, like a sturdy beam. Memories of them shall we always cherish; Our love for them shall never perish. Tom Broughton Past International Director
Michael Condon Stephen Condon Jr. Theresa Condon Elizabeth Conley John T. Conley Laura Conlon William Conlon Jerry Connelly Mary Connelly Bette Coons (2) Jim Coons (2) Jennifer Beth Coons Morton Coons (2) Frederick & Gladys Cope Oliver & Sarah Cope Stephen & Sharon Cope Bertha Counter Henry Counter Stanley Counter Albert Cousineau John Cousino Joyce Cousino Margaret Cousino Ruth Cousino Wayne Cousino Clarence Cox Ruth Cox Phyllis Cunningham Patti Curtis Robert Cushman Dolly Cyr Doris Cyr-Pelkey Kate Cyr Leonard D. “Sonny” Cyr Leonard P. Cyr Mr. & Mrs. Louis Cyr Mr. & Mrs. Philip Cyr Mable Cyr Mr. & Mrs. Wilbur Cyr Jay D’Avignon Ernest Dahlin Jessie Dahlin Donna Danyow Patricia “Pat” Danyow Ann Davis Arthur Davis Bill Davis Della Davis Mary Davis Warren Davis, Jr. Loretta Degray Steven Degray Lena DeLage (2) André Denis Barbara Denis Tony Denis Julia Desabrais Moses J. Desabrais Norman Desabrais John Desforges Leo Desforges Yvette Desforges Bertha Desjadon Walt Desjadon Howard Devoid Earl B. DeWitt Earl B. DeWitt Jr. Evelyn DeWitt Robert DeWitt Rebecca DiPanni Debra DiPerna Claudia (Sister) Dragon Cora E. Dragon Cora “Mom” Dragon Joseph “Dad” Dragon Ellsy Dragon Sandy Dragon Helen Draper Mr. & Mrs. Albert Dupoise Mr & Mrs. David Dupoise Mr. & Mrs. Frank Dupoise Heath Dupoise
Marilyn Dupoise Elmer “Bub” Edgerton Gram & Gramp Edgerton Ethel Edwards Thomas Edwards Mike Eskra Gene Evans Rita Fallon (2) Flora Farnsworth (2) Harold Farnsworth (2) Lori Farnsworth Lucien Farnsworth Lynn Farnsworth Maynard Farr (5) Elaine Farrell James Farrell Armand Faubert Lucille Faubert Sidney Fenson Sr. Alan Filskov Elizabeth Fiske Jack Fiske William & Thelma Flachsland Eric & Sue Flanagan Mr. & Mrs. Jeen Fortin Nancy Foote (5) Ralph Foote (5) Kenneth Forbes Lawrance Forbes Ralph Forbes Vida Forbes Force Family Members Janice Forguites (2) Leslie Forguites (2) Florence Fortier Shirley Fowler Howard French Gladwyne Fuller Lorenzo Gagnon Peter Gagnon Roger K. Gelinas Wallace & Bertha Gemmill Howard Gero, Sr. Howard Gero, Jr. Stella Gero Walt & Helen Giard Alfred Gonzalez Joseph (Dodie) Gonzalez Joseph M. Gonzalez Mabel Dorau Gonzalez Mary Steele Gonzalez Narciso J. Gonzalez Paul A. Gonzalez Penelope J. Gonzalez Raymond J. Gonzalez Raymond N. Gonzalez Heather Goodrich Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Grace Lyle Greenwood Peggy Greenwood Robert Guertin, Sr. Blanch Hallock Gladys Hallock Jessie Hallock John Hallock Olga Hallock Wayne O. Hallock Halpin Family Members John & Noreen Halpin Ruby (Betty) Hanmer Walter F. Hanmer Floyd Harcourt Viola Harcourt Lynn W. Hinman Guy Hoague Celia Hobbs John Hoff Arnold Holdman Kenneth Hopper (5) Susan Hopper (5) Inez Hubbell Louise Hubbell
Robert Hubbell Erma Humiston Frederick Humiston Howard Humiston Sidney Humiston Deborah Humphrey-Carter Todd Humphrey Elizabeth Hunt Charlotte Leggett Hurlburt Mr. & Mrs. Walter Hurlbut Terri Jackman Jacquanie (White) Jackson Stephen James Cornelis Jaring Morgan Jaring (5) Meridith Jermain James Jette Clayton Johnson (2) Stanley Johnson (2) Harold Kelley Jane Kelly Eric Kemp Larry Kemp Paul Kemp John T. Kerr Ada Kirby Tasha Kniep Beatrice Laberge Becky LaBerge Charles Laberge Donald Laberge Laura L. Laberge Marilyn L. Laberge Mary Laberge Robert W. Laberge, Sr. Steven Laberge Aline LaFountain Doris LaFountain John E. LaFountain Joseph LaFountain Lisa Marie LaFountain Raymond LaFountain Reginald LaFountain Robert J. LaFountain Wilfred LaFountain Sr. Annette LaFramboise Carol LaFramboise Guy LaFramboise Patricia LaFramboise Donald Lagrow Hugh Lagrow Irene Lagrow Rita Lagrow Robert Lagrow Ruth Lagrow Alicia Lambert Donald Lamothe Roy & Lucille LaRose Donna Lawton Henry Leach (5) Dolly Lebeau Helen Lebeau Anita Leggett Bob Leggett George Leggett Elizabeth Lessor Floyd Litch Helen Litch James Litch Josh Litch Tim Litch %UDGIRUG 6HDEXU\ /LWWOH¿HOG Steven Longo (5) Rhodalee Lundrigan Lucy O’Neil Malloy Joani Maloy Henry Malzac Marcienne Malzac Roch Malzac Simone Malzac Ferdinand Mayer Sidney McCartney (5)
Frank Petrosino Jack Phillips Augustus Pidgeon Duane Pidgeon Kathleen Pidgeon Verna Pidgeon Robin M. Pierce Nancy Pietruszkiewicz Jane Porcheron Maud Porcheron Raymond Porcheron Helen Pratico Philip Pratico Arthur Putnam Vincent Quenneville, Sr. Alice Condon Quesnel Bugger Quesnel (2) George Quesnel Matt Quesnel (2) Phyllis Quesnel Terry Lynn Quesnel Tom Quesnel (2) Bonnie Randall Laura Record Vernon Record Walter Reed Ernie Reichert Gary Reichert Dave Reising Betty Lou Rheaume Monika Rhodes Janet Riley Carol Ringey Paul Ringey Martha Rogers Jim Rooney Millie Rooney Lee & Adele Rounds Robert Rounds Jonah Rule Lynn B. Ryalls Bob Ryan Elinor Sanchez Jose Sanchez Margaret Sanchez Sarah Sanders Nathan Sausville Rear Admiral Allan G. Schnable Jane R. Schnable Patricia Schnable Daisy Scott Gertrude L. Seaburg Harold E. Seaburg David Sears (2) Jackie Severance Nelson Severance Joe Shackett, Sr. Mary Shackett Mike Shackett Butch Shaw Jourdy Shaw Harold Shepard Lena Shepard Andrew Sherman Ethel Sherman Robert P. Sherman Susan Sherman Ernest Shewell Lenore Shewell Dewey Shiverette Flora Shiverette “Bud” Shorkey Francis Shorkey Frank Shorkey Lucy Shorkey Sadie Shorkey Father Shortill Omer Simard Rosalie Simard Donna Slicer Claudia E. Smith Dewey Smith Eleanor Smith Howard M. Smith Marian N. Smith Michael J. Smith
Michael Smith’s Family Spanky Hilda Spaulding Katie Speiser Joyce Sperry Christian Staats Connie Staats Edna Staats Paul Staats Peter Staats Edith “Tippy” Steady James Steady Pauline Steady Randall Steady Randy Steady Nancy A. Stearns Aunt Millie Steele Patricia Stehmeyer Bernard Stewart Dick Stillings Richard Stone Roger Strong, Jr. William Stuck Raymond Tatro Tonya Celine Tebbetts Muriel Toczko Jack & Mirdle Toppe Martha Tortolano Jim Towle Cornelia H. Trudeau Gerard “Jerry” Trudeau Martha Trudeau Paul W. Trudeau Nancy Vanier Paul Varno Susan Vermette Bertha K. Waite (5) Jean F. Waite (5) Willis H. Waite (5) 5RVHPDULH :DNH¿HOG Elinor Brown Walker Hazel M. Wallace Howard L.Wallace Joseph A. Wallace Sophia B. Warden (5) Bernard Warner Catherine Warner Steven Warner Bobby Warren Howard Warren, Sr. Nicholas Warren Sandra Warren Pat Webb Steve Webb Crystal Wells John Wetmore Linda (Payne) White Bertha Whitman Leon Whitman Ernestine Whitney Lizzie Whitney Russell Whitney, Sr. Henry Wilcox Margaret Wilcox Pat Wilcox Ralph Wilcox Chief Don Williamson Ellen Williamson Alice R. Willis Raymond A. Willis Barbara Wimett Edward Wimett H. Kent Wright IV David York Terry York Kyle Young Luke Yustin John Zaluki Lorraine Zaluki Anthony Zawistowski Leo Zawistowski Stephania Zawistowski Robert Zazzali Diana Zeno Pepe Zeno
Kevin McFadden Steve McG. Jack McKinley Kennetha McKinley Ron McKinnon (2) Eileen McQuillan Jane D. Miller Catherine Mitchell Daffodal Monty Napoleon Monty Edward “Ted” Mooney Kathleen Denis Moore Richard Morse John & Marion Moynihan Charles Mraz Letty Mraz Will Mraz Paul Munson Douglas Murray Douglas G. Murray Douglass Murray Jr. James Muzaca Ralph Muzzy Dana Myrick F. Beatrice Myrick Kenneth Myrick Rita Myrick (2) Stan Myrick Mr. & Mrs. Frank Narabone Janice Neilson Philip J. O’Brien Philip O’Brien Maude D. O’Dea Ted Okerlund Ed Okoniewski George Okoniewski Joyce Okoniewski Mary O’Kwnieski Thomas O’Kwnieski Ann O’Neil Gary Orvis Roger Orvis James Oski Charles Ouellette Delia Ouellette Lucien Ouellette Sister Aline Palin Dennis Pacquelle Pete Paquette Yvette Paquette Betty Parizo Matthew Parizo In memory of Lions listed below who starting in 1952 Beverly Parker DQG KDYH VHUYHG XQVHO¿VKO\ Bo & Lois Patterson Their work will live on as we fellow Lions Lyman H. Payne follow in their foot steps to serve Marion H. Payne RXU 0LGGOHEXU\ DUHD FRPPXQLW\ Stanton F. Payne As our toast says, Stella Rachel Payne Carl Peabody “Not above you, Delvene Pecor Not beneath you, Kenneth Pecor %XW DOZD\V ZLWK \RX´ Floyd Peck Karen Pedersen “We serve” Peder Pedersen Merry Christmas John Pelletier Sr. Linda Pendriss Hal Perkins Lion Forrest Lowell Lion George Saul III Harold Perkins Lion Bert Demarais Lion Tom Brown Kenneth Perkins Lion Harris Thurber Lion Ron Knef Marguerite Perkins Lion Martin Broughton Lion Bill Clark Patrick Perkins Lion Stan Payne Lion Francis Haggarty Priscilla Perkins Lion Bob Frett Lion Roscoe Pratt David Peryea Lion Ray Mason Lion John Kerr Harold Peryea Lion Frank L. Cutler Lion Floyd “Supe” Peck Jean Peryea Lion Erie Volkert Lion Chet Ketcham Jeremiah Ray Peryea Lion Stan Lazarus Lion Dr. Ray Collins Leo Peryea Lion Harry Browe Lion Bob Brooks Melvina Peryea Sherry Ann Peryea Lion Paul Munson Lion Greg Lyons Tommy Peryea Lion Sid Ward Ellen L. Peterson Eric Peterson
Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015  —  PAGE  13A
Christmas  tree  (Continued  from  Page  1A) “We’ve  been  going  to  the  same  area  in  Lincoln  for  a  few  years  be- cause  it  yields  some  really  nice  trees,â€?  he  said.  He  wouldn’t  divulge  any  further  details  on  the  location. According  to  Ready,  if  you  want  a  fuller,  more  symmetrical  tree  —  a  bit  more  like  a  tree  from  a  tree  farm  RU &KULVWPDV WUHH ORW ² \RXÂśOO ÂżQG D place  where  the  sun  is  able  to  reach  the  understory.  Often  a  good  spot  can  be  found  near  a  beaver  pond,  in  a  beaver  meadow  or  in  one  of  the  NFS’  wildlife  management  areas  that’s  been  groomed  to  be  more  open. My  family  jammed  in  the  car  late  on  a  Sunday  afternoon,  drove  east  of  Middlebury  College’s  Bread  Loaf  campus  and  headed  south  on  For- est  Road  67.  As  we  climbed  uphill,  scanning  the  forest  on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  where  we’d  been  told  it  was  legal  to  cut  (a  wilderness  area  begins  off  to  the  east),  we  suddenly  realized  that  our  studded  snow  tires  were  still  in  the  basement.  Another  anomaly  in  this  winter’s  strange  be- ginning. In  typical  but  very  un-ÂThoreau-Â
like  fashion,  we  had  to  get  our  old- est  daughter  back  home  in  time  for  a  babysitting  appointment,  so  the  clock  was  ticking.  And  we  realized,  as  we  scanned  the  forest,  looking  for  that  “perfect  tree,â€?  that  perfection  was  far  more  conveniently  found  at  a  tree  lot.  Light  is  at  a  premium  in  a  forest  with  80-Âsome-Âyears  of  regrowth.  The  trees  are  densely  packed.  And  most  strain  toward  the  sun.  This  usu- ally  results  in  a  tall,  less-Âbushy  ev- ergreen.  Every  so  often,  one  of  our  daughters  plaintively  asked  if  we  could  just  buy  a  tree  anyway  because  it  would  be  prettier  and  not  so  much  like  a  “Charlie  Brown  tree.â€? But  despite  all  this,  despite  our  foolish  constraints  of  time  and  fool- ish  schedules,  our  foolish  list  of  tasks  that  kept  us  chained  to  the  house  for  far  too  long  on  a  perfectly  beautiful  day,  being  in  the  forest  was  a  sure  step  out  of  human  time  and  human  worry  into  the  regenerative  world  of  nature.  We  stopped  fretting,  we  start- ed  tromping,  and  we  starting  looking  around  and  seeing  and  smelling  and  touching  things. Â
There  was  a  light  dusting  of  snow  even  more.  According  to  Roy,  hemlocks,  underfoot  —  miracle  of  miracles!  Little  rivulets  trickled  westward  though  not  an  important  tree  com- through  the  undergrowth,  maybe  mercially,  are  an  important  tree  spe- heading  toward  Goshen  Brook  or  to- cies  in  Vermont,  with  many  ecologi- wards  the  South  Branch  of  the  Mid- FDO EHQHÂżWV +HPORFNV OLNH WR JURZ dlebury  River.  We  noticed  a  row  of  along  streams,  where  they  keep  the  holes  drilled  into  tree  bark  by  some  water  temperature  just  right  for  na- woodpecker,  maybe,  looking  for  in- WLYH VSHFLHV RI ÂżVK (YHQ ZKHQ WKH\ topple  over  and  fall  sects.  We  noticed  tan  into  the  stream,  hem- and  green  eared  fungi  We kept tromping locks  again  create  growing  out  from  the  and we found special  habitat  for  north  side  of  a  tree  like  ¿VK DQG VDODPDQGHUV a  series  of  little,  round- a tree: an which  seek  safety  and  ed  canopies.  Moss  eastern hemlock in  the  snow.  Ferns  in  something north of refuge  by  hiding  in  the  submerged  roots  the  snow.  A  large  oval  20 years old and cavity  gouged  deep  in  8-12 feet tall, that and  branches.  Brook  trout,  especially  like  a  tree,  where  maybe  was well shaped the  microhabitat  that  deeper  in  some  squir- rel  or  other  little  ani- all around. We cut these  little  hemlock- fashioned  pools  cre- mal  might  have  a  den.  the tree, dragged ate.  An  old  tree  called  a  it through the Hemlocks  ben- “snagâ€?  towering  over- snow, tied it on HÂżW ODUJHU PDPPDOV head  with  a  diagonal  the car and drove said  Roy,  by  helping  gash  traveling  much  of  to  create  migration  the  length  of  its  trunk. home, where we corridors  and  winter  We  kept  tromping  strung it with so habitat.  White  tailed  and  we  found  a  tree:  many lights that deer,  especially,  seek  an  eastern  hemlock  it sparkles like a the  protection  of  a  something  north  of  sort of fairy tree. canopy  of  hemlocks.  20  years  old  and  8-Â12  They  can  stay  warmer  feet  tall,  that  was  well  shaped  all  around.  We  cut  the  tree,  and  move  around  better,  underneath  dragged  it  through  the  snow,  tied  it  the  branches  where  there’s  less  snow. Birds,  too,  seek  the  “thermal  buf- on  the  car  and  drove  home,  where  we  strung  it  with  so  many  lights  that  it  fer,â€?  as  Roy  called  it,  that  hemlocks  provide  against  the  winter’s  cold.  sparkles  like  a  sort  of  fairy  tree.  We  did  not,  however,  hang  our  Overwintering  birds  like  chickadees,  heaviest  ornaments  this  year.  Truth  nuthatches,  woodpeckers,  blue  jays  and  grouse  will  all  seek  out  a  warmer  be  told,  those  stayed  in  the  box. Talking  with  Ready  and  colleague  perch  on  its  short-Âneedled  branches. I  described  the  snags  I’d  seen  near  Steve  Roy,  who  oversees  the  Forest  6HUYLFH SURJUDPV LQ ÂżUH PDQDJH- “ourâ€?  hemlock,  and  Roy  mentioned  PHQW ERWDQ\ VRLOV DQG ÂżVK DQG KRZ EHQHÂżFLDO VQDJV DUH WR VR PDQ\ wildlife  for  both  the  Green  Mountain  species:  woodpeckers,  sapsuckers,  and  Finger  Lakes  national  forests,  chickadees,  nuthatches  looking  for  made  me  appreciate  our  tree  and  our  food;Íž  birds  of  prey  perching  and  all-Âtoo-Âfast  dash  through  the  woods  looking  for  something  warm  and Â
BACK  IN  MIDDLEBURY,  the  Clark-ÂMurphrees  decorated  their  National  Forest  Service  Christmas  tree  with  lots  of  colored  lights,  but  the  thin  branches  couldn’t  hold  as  many  ornaments  as  usual.
tasty  that’s  moving;Íž  squirrels,  rac- coons,  chipmunks,  moles  and  voles  looking  for  burrows.  The  rivulets  we  observed,  still  moving  and  quietly  gurgling  through  the  not-Âyet-Âfrozen  woods,  Roy  re- ferred  to  as  “ephemeral  channels,â€?  little  spider  web-Âlike  feeders  that  provide  a  recharge  of  groundwater  DQG HYHQWXDOO\ Ă€RZ LQWR ODUJHU SH- rennial  streams. When  I  told  Roy  and  Ready  how  RXU GDXJKWHUV KDG ÂżUVW GRXEWHG WKDW
QDWXUH ZDV D JRRG SODFH WR ÂżQG D Christmas  tree,  Roy  replied,  philo- sophically: “Well,  nature  grows  them  a  little  differently.â€? Next  year?  I’m  grabbing  a  topo- graphical  map  and  mapping  out  my  beaver  ponds  and  meadows  and  wildlife  management  areas  now  ‌  in  search  of  that  perfect  tree. Reporter  Gaen  Murphree  is  at  gaenm@addisonindependent.com.
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MEIGAN  CLARK,  16,  and  sister  Chloe,  12,  drag  their  newly  cut  tree  through  the  woods,  while  their  dad  looks  on,  saw  in  hand. Independent  photos/Gaen  Murphree
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“Bristol  Electronics  makes  it  easy  for  you  to  go  solar.  From  the  detailed,  patient  explanations,  to  the  rebates,  estimates  and  permits,  Bristol  Electronics  takes  care  of  it  all.  I  obtained  several  quotes  from  various  companies  but  it  was  Bristol  Electronics  who  ultimately  won  my  business  with  their  friendly,  approachable  attitude  and  superior  knowledge  of  the  technology.  When  I  began  this  project  , ZDV XQHGXFDWHG DQG DSSUHKHQVLYH 1RZ , Âż QG P\VHOI HQFRXUDJLQJ my  friends  and  family  to  call  Bristol  Electronics  for  a  free  quote  and  explanation  because  I  truly  believe  in  their  product  and  company.  They  are  highly  skilled  and  professional  in  every  respect. Stephen  and  his  crew  encouraged  my  children’s  curiosity  and  made  learning  fun  for  them.  Little  things  like  making  handprints  in  the  cement  of  our  solar  system  sparked  talks  about  reducing  your  carbon  footprint  and  how  everyone  can  help,  even  children.  The  whole  experience  could  not  have  been  easier  or  better.  Seeing  the  power  meter  run  backwards  is  just  icing  on  the  cake..â€?                                           Heather  Shepard  –  Bristol               Â
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PAGE  14A  —  Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015
As  laws  change  we  must  focus  on  kids In  what  seemed  to  take  an  entire  cently,  who  shared  some  of  the  century,  the  federal  government  has  accountability  requirements  in  his  ¿QDOO\ WDNHQ D EROG VWHS EDFNZDUG state  and  the  unilateral  nature  of  in  attempting  to  control  the  educa- their  assessments.  There  are  many  tional  policy  in  our  nation’s  schools.  states  that  have  held  a  one-Âpointed  %\ VLJQLQJ WKH QHZ (YHU\ 6WXGHQW belief  in  the  power  of  a  single  test  to  6XFFHHGV $FW (66$ LQWR ODZ WKLV provide  a  clear,  defensible  evalua- month,  the  feds  have  made  a  move  tion  of  how  schools  are  performing.  to  address  many  of  the  issues  in  the  Vermont,  fortunately,  is  not  one  of  1R &KLOG /HIW %HKLQG $FW 1&/% them. that  have  been  plaguing  our  schools  Our  work  in  Vermont  in  the  era  of  for  many  years,  and  have  handed  (66$ ZLOO EH WR GHYHORS D PHDQV E\ back  much  of  the  oversight  of  our  which  we  provide  leadership,  guid- schools  to  state  governments.  It’s  a  ance,  and  direction  to  our  schools  big  game-Âchanger  in  the  education- from  the  Agency  of  Education.  DO ZRUOG DQG LW KDV VRPH VLJQLÂżFDQW :H NQRZ WKDW 9HUPRQW 6HFUHWDU\ repercussions  in  how  we  assess  of  Education  Rebecca  Holcombe  how  our  schools  are  doing.   has  spoken  frequently  about  not  To  review,  our  na- distilling  the  worth  of  tion  has  been  under  our  schools  down  to  a  NCLB  since  2001,  single  data  point.  Our  ZKHQ *HRUJH : %XVK assessment  of  Vermont  signed  NCLB  into  law  schools  will  include  as  a  means  to  address  multiple  measures  to  the  gross  inequities  in  provide  a  clearer  picture  student  outcomes  and  of  where  additional  state  the  achievement  gaps  resources  are  needed  that  persist  in  educa- to  improve  educational  tion.  NCLB’s  overreli- systems  that  are  under- ance  on  single  tests  as  SHUIRUPLQJ ,Q (66$ holistic  outcome  mea- states  provide  both  the  sures  led  to  an  incredi- parameters  for  evaluat- bly  myopic  view  of  our  ing  schools  as  well  as  schools  and  presented  the  interventions,  which  D GHÂżFLW PLQGVHW WKDW is  work  that  Vermont  wreaked  havoc  across  by Peter Burrows has  just  recently  begun  the  country  in  places  to  develop. that  really  needed  This  is  an  opportunity  thoughtful  engagement  rather  than  for  renewal,  and  we  need  to  take  it.  overarching  deconstruction.  NCLB  As  a  state,  we  need  to  be  absolutely  did  bring  a  focus  on  all  students,  committed  to  closing  the  achieve- however,  and  this  commitment  ment  gap  and  redesigning  our  sys- needs  to  continue  to  be  at  the  front  tems  to  make  them  work  for  all  of  our  local,  state,  and  federal  edu- students.  Our  accountability  system  cation  policy. VKRXOG UHĂ€HFW WKLV E\ VXSSRUWLQJ 6R KRZ LV (66$ GLIIHUHQW" 7KH schools  in  challenging  the  status  biggest  change  states  will  see  is  quo  and  moving  toward  greater  PRUH Ă€H[LELOLW\ LQ GHVLJQLQJ WKHLU Ă€H[LELOLW\ DQG SHUVRQDOL]DWLRQ own  assessments,  making  determi- It’s  challenging  to  move  insti- nations  about  how  to  measure  those  tutions  towards  change,  and  our  DVVHVVPHQWV DQG ÂżQDOO\ ZKDW WR accountability  system  should  be  do  with  those  schools  that  are  not  designed  to  get  us  there.  However,  deemed  satisfactory.  I  think  we  will  we  must  move  forward  with  the  see  great  variation  across  states  in  realization  that  schools  are  tasked  how  assessments  are  developed  and  with  the  social,  emotional,  and  edu- XVHG DV WKHUH DUH FXUUHQWO\ VLJQLÂż- cational  wellbeing  of  our  students,  cant  conceptual  and  philosophical  which  makes  measurement  consid- divides  in  how  assessments  should  erably  complex.  work  and  how  many  should  be  used  Peter  Burrows,  D.Ed.,  is  super- in  assessing  the  performance  of  our  intendent  of  the  Addison  Central  schools. Supervisory  Union  and  has  more  I  had  the  opportunity  to  talk  with  than  two  decades  of  experience  in  a  superintendent  from  Georgia  re- education.
On Point in Education
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Vergennes  (Continued  from  Page  1A) plan  has  compared  to  past  bypass  proposals  is  that  it  is  cheaper.  The  most  recent  bypass  plan  considered  in  Vergennes  called  for  a  new  road  to  split  from  Route  22A  south  of  the  city,  run  over  a  new  bridge  over  Ot- ter  Creek  somewhere  near  United  Technologies  Corp.,  and  then  rejoin  Route  22A  near  Route  7. And  the  problem  with  Route  17  between  Routes  22A  and  7  has  al- ways  been  that  the  existing  bridge  over  Otter  Creek  is  not  wide  enough  to  handle  two  tractor-Âtrailer  units.  This  new  plan,  which  was  support- ed  by  a  6-Â1  council  vote  on  Dec.  15,  requires  neither  a  new  span  nor  work  on  the  existing  span.  It  reads:  “The  VT  Route  17  bridge  over  Otter  Creek  will  not  experience  an  increase  in  WZR ZD\ WUXFN WUDIÂżF ´ DETAILS Benton’s  proposal  states  that  truck  WUDIÂżF RQ 9HUJHQQHVÂś 0DLQ 6WUHHW which  is  Route  22A  through  the  city,  “has  increased  exponentially  over  the  past  20  years  as  a  result  of  de-Â
SKI BUM?
mand  for  goods  in  Chittenden  Coun- the  Otter  Creek  bridge,  something  W\ ´ DQG Âł$FFRUGLQJ WR SXEOLF VDIHW\ not  now  possible  because  trucks  RIÂżFLDOV QXPHURXV WUXFN WUDIÂżF cannot  be  stopped  on  the  grade  HYHQWV KDYH RFFXUUHG RQ 0DLQ 6WUHHW there.  The  proposal  states  “rerouting  particularly  on  the  northerly  route  RI QRUWKERXQG WUXFN WUDIÂżF ZRXOG UH- where  the  grade  is  move  the  single  larg- 10  percent  which  HVW LPSHGLPHQW´ WR signalizing  that  inter- exceeds  the  recom- section  and  making  mended  7  percent  it  more  pedestrian- JUDGH ´ friendly.  The  proposal  also  ‡ %LF\FOLVW VDIHW\ noted,  “The  Truck  ‡  Truck WUDIÂżF UHGXFHG on  what  is  a  Cham- Network  Improve- ‡ 7UXFNV DYRLG WKH SHU- plain  Bikeway. PHQW 6WXG\ FRPPLV- ‡ $YRLGDQFH RI SR- sioned  by  VTrans  cent  grade  on  the  east  side  of  WHQWLDO +D]0DW VSLOOV states  ‘large  trucks  Otter  Creek. ‡ $OORZV QHZ WUDIÂżF OLJKWV in  a  populated  area. should  avoid  con- ‡ $LGLQJ GRZQWRZQ gested  and  historic  at  the  intersection  nearest  the  restaurants  and  busi- urban  areas  that  have  Otter  Creek  bridge. ‡ ,PSURYHV ELF\FOLVW VDIHW\ nesses  affected  by  on-Âstreet  parking  and  ‡ $YRLGV SRWHQWLDO VSLOOV KHDY\ WUXFN WUDIÂżF pedestrian  and  bicy- of  hazardous  materials  in  a  ‡ 3URWHFWLQJ SURS- FOH WUDIÂżF ϫ erty  owners’  and  resi- The  bypass  would  populated  area. ‡ $LGV GRZQWRZQ UHVWDX- dents’  investments  DGG ÂżYH PLOHV WR what  is  a  300-Âmile  rants  and  businesses  affected  in  the  downtown,  including  more  than  round  trip  from  Al- by  truck  noise.  ‡ 3URWHFWV SURSHUW\ RZQHUVÂś $240,000  in  direct  bany,  N.Y.,  to  Burl- ington,  a  roughly  1.7  and  residents’  investments  in  grants  and  $740,000  downtown.  in  tax  credits  for  percent  increase. historic  downtown  A  2012  Addison  buildings  and  $2  mil- Country  Regional  3ODQQLQJ &RPPLVVLRQ WUDIÂżF VWXG\ lion  in  public  and  private  funds  for  cited  by  the  proposal  concluded  that  the  Vergennes  Opera  House. For  enforcement,  the  proposal  about  64  trucks  per  hour  roll  through  calls  for  creating  a  weight  limit  on  Vergennes,  about  one  per  minute. 3RWHQWLDO EHQHÂżWV RI UHGXFLQJ WUXFN QRUWKERXQG WUDIÂżF 7UXFNV PDNLQJ deliveries  to  the  city  could  apply  for  WUDIÂżF LQFOXGH WKH SURSRVDO VWDWHV ‡ $YRLGDQFH RI WKH SHUFHQW permits,  it  states.  grade  on  the  east  side  of  Otter  Creek  OVERNIGHT  IDEA by  limiting  northbound  trucks.  Benton  said  the  credit  for  the  idea  ³0DQ\ KDYH WR VWRS DQG EDFN GRZQ actually  goes  to  a  family  member  of  due  to  the  grade  or  cannot  make  the  7RROH 'HVLJQÂśV 6FKXOWKHLVVH 'XULQJ hill  in  winter  conditions  posing  a  D ODWH 6HSWHPEHU ZHHNHQG 7RROH VDIHW\ KD]DUG ´ WKH SURSRVDO VWDWHV Design  helped  organize  walks  and  ‡ $OORZLQJ WKH FLW\ WR LQVWDOO WUDI- WUDIÂżF FDOPLQJ GHPRQVWUDWLRQV RQ ÂżF OLJKWV DW WKH LQWHUVHFWLRQ QHDUHVW 0DLQ 6WUHHW LQ WKH EDVLQ DQG %HQ-Â
Potential benefits of the Vergennes bypass
WRQ DQG 6FKXOWKHLVVH D :DVKLQJWRQ D.C.,  native  with  family  in  Vermont,  found  themselves  paired  up.  ³:H KDG D ORQJ WDON ZDONLQJ DURXQG WRZQ RQ D )ULGD\ QLJKW :H WDONHG DERXW WKH LQWHUVHFWLRQ RI 0DF- GRQRXJK 'ULYH DQG 6RXWK :DWHU DQG 0DLQ DQG VR RQ $QG ZHÂśUH ZDONLQJ up  and  down  the  hill,  and  he’s  go- ing,  ‘Jesus,  these  trucks,  they’re  just  DZIXO :KDWÂśV WKH VLWXDWLRQ"ϫ %HQ- ton  said.  “I  said  we’ve  been  trying  to  do  something  with  trucks  for  20  years,  but  you’re  not  going  to  build  a  bypass  today  because  it’s  too  ex- SHQVLYH ´ They  talked  about  Route  17  as  a  E\SDVV EXW %HQWRQ WROG 6FKXOWKHLVVH it  had  never  gained  any  traction.  7KH QH[W GD\ 6FKXOWKHLVVH DQG %HQWRQ PHW DJDLQ DQG 6FKXOWKHLVVH said  he  had  talked  with  his  father  during  the  previous  evening  and  he  came  up  the  truck-Âonly,  one-Âway  by- pass  idea. “That  way  Route  17,  and  the  bridge  over  Otter  Creek,  wouldn’t  EHDU WZR ZD\ WUXFN WUDIÂżF ´ %HQWRQ said.  “And  it  would  reduce  the  truck  WUDIÂżF E\ SHUFHQW $QG , VDLG WKDWÂśV D SUHWW\ DPD]LQJ LGHD ´ After  further  research,  including  KHOS IURP 9HUJHQQHV &LW\ 0DQDJHU 0HO +DZOH\ $OGHUPDQ DQG IRU- PHU FLW\ PDQDJHU 5HQQ\ 3HUU\ DQG 6FKXOWKHLVVH %HQWRQ VHQW D GUDIW WR the  lawmakers  and  the  ball  started  rolling. How  far  it  will  roll,  Benton  can’t  say  at  this  point.  ³7KLV PD\ QRW JR DQ\ZKHUH ´ %HQ- WRQ VDLG Âł%XW OLNH , WROG 0HO LI \RX don’t  try,  nothing’s  going  to  hap- SHQ ´ Andy  Kirkaldy  may  be  reached  at  andyk@addisonindependent.com.
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Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015  —  PAGE  15A
In dying, people often show grace 10,000 CDs reported stolen in Goshen One  of  the  things  that  has  Cristo,â€?  a  favorite  outside  and  breathe  always  fascinated  me,  in  my  of  mine,  and  he  the  fresh  air.  His  roles  as  a  hospice  caregiver  and  said,  yes,  but  that  brother  came  to  hospital  chaplain,  is  the  timetable  he  didn’t  remem- visit  the  weekend  with  which  people  choose  to  die.  ber  it.  “I’ll  bring  it  after  we  met  and  And  I  say  “chooseâ€?  because  I  am  next  time,â€?  I  told  Paul  died  while  he  convinced  that  people  do,  actu- him,  “and  we’ll  was  there.  I  hadn’t  ally,  most  often  orchestrate  the  read  it  together.â€? sensed  that  his  timing  of  their  passage. Âł:KDW NLQGV passing  was  immi- I  met  Paul  late  last  summer,  in  of  things  are  you  nent,  but  his  brother  a  nursing  care  facility  where  he  thinking  about  had  come  from  far  had  lived  for  a  short  time.  I  don’t  these  days?â€?  I  away  to  be  with  know  what  his  diagnosis  was,  asked  Paul. him,  and  I  believe  except  that  he  was  tethered  to  an  He  was  quiet  Paul  chose  to  leave  oxygen  machine;Íž  talking  was  hard  for  a  few  minutes,  this  world  then,  in  for  him;Íž  his  breathing  was  quite  and  then  he  looked  the  company  of  his  labored.  In  his  room  were  beauti- directly  into  my  family. ful  paintings,  which,  I  learned,  his  eyes  and  said,  “I  Every  person  in  mother  had  done.  He  had  grown  don’t  want  to  die.â€? hospice  care  I  meet  By Melissa O’Brien up  in  Hawaii  and  had  lived  what  And  though  it  teaches  me  some- many  of  us  would  consider  to  be  a  was  the  worst  thing  thing  about  life.  The  life  of  privilege:  private  schools,  I  could  imagine  gifts  I  have  accu- summer  camps,  tennis  lessons. myself  doing  in  those  moments,  I  mulated  these  past  few  years  are  During  the  afternoon  when  started  to  cry.  And  then  I  couldn’t  piled  high  inside  my  heart.  I  have  I  visited  with  Paul,  the  hours  VWRS 7KH Ă€ RRGJDWHV RSHQHG DQG , adored  each  one;Íž  no  two  have  had  À RDWHG E\ :H WDONHG DERXW ERRNV was  unable  to  make  my  tears  go  a  similar  journey.  There  is  a  kind  we  loved,  about  places  we  had  away.  I  had  known  Paul  for  just  of  grace  to  be  found  in  the  hours  visited,  about  a  few  hours,  but  we  have  spent  together,  a  grace  music,  about  his  the  truth  in  that  that  doesn’t  exist  out  in  the  hustle,  IDPLO\ :H ZHUH moment  was  that  hurried  days  of  our  lives.  n the close  in  age,  and  I  didn’t  want  him  In  the  company  of  my  hospice  company of so  had  many  to  die,  either.  I  friends,  there  is  no  need  to  rush,  e x p e r i e n c e s  didn’t  want  to  no  need  to  be  smart  or  beautiful  or  my hospice in  common.  I  help  him  process  successful.  Being  alive  is  enough.  friends, there learned  that  he  what  he  was  Sharing  the  same  air  for  a  while  is  had  one  brother,  e x p e r i e n c i n g  enough.  It  is  a  profound  blessing,  is no need to in  California,  and  I  didn’t  want  to  live  this  way,  if  only  for  a  short  rush, no need and  that  his  to  work  with  time.  parents  had  both  him  to  resolve  Every  single  person  I  have  met  to be smart died.  I  imagined  any  unresolved  in  hospice  care  has  left  their  mark  or beautiful his  idyllic  life  issues.  I  didn’t  on  my  life.  They  have  shaped  or successful. and  wondered  want  to  help  him  PH VR , NQRZ :KHQ , ZDON WKH how  he  had  plan  his  memo- dog  in  the  morning,  in  the  cold,  Being alive is ended  up  in  a  rial  service.  I  in  the  rain,  in  the  sunshine,  in  the  enough. Sharing nursing  home  in  wanted  him  to  winter,  in  the  summer,  tired  or  Vermont,  alone.  live. well-Ârested,  I  sing  my  own  song  the same air There  were  so  :KHQ , Âż QDOO\ of  gratitude.  To  be  alive  is  a  gift  for a while is many  things  I  pulled  myself  never  to  be  taken  for  granted. wanted  to  ask  back  together,  Melissa  O’Brien  is  a  pastor  at  enough. It is Paul,  but  it  was  Paul  looked  at  the  Pawlet  Community  Church.  a profound clear  that  he  was  me,  through  She  is  a  volunteer  with  Hospice  tired  —weary  his  fatigue  and  Volunteer  Services  and  a  volun- blessing, to live of  being  sick,  sorrow  and  said,  teer  chaplain  at  University  of  this way, if only perhaps. simply,  “Thank  Vermont  Medical  Center.  In  the  I  picked  a  you.â€? winter  she  occasionally  conducts  for a short time. book  off  of  his  It  was  an  act  VHUYLFH DW WKH 0W 0DQVÂż HOG shelf  and  read  of  grace  I  will  Chapel.  She  is  a  seminary  student  to  him  for  a  while.  He  listened,  never,  ever  forget. at  Andover  Newton  Theological  with  his  head  tilted  back  and  his  Paul  and  I  didn’t  get  to  read  School.  More  of  her  writing  can  eyes  closed.  I  asked  him  if  he  had  ³7KH &RXQW RI 0RQWH &ULVWR ´ :H be  found  at  melissaannobrien. ever  read  “The  Count  of  Monte  didn’t  get  to  listen  to  music  or  go  com.
Ways of Seeing
I
Whatever is beautiful. Whatever is meaningful. Whatever brings you happiness. May it be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year. – from all of us at Sanderson Ducharme
ADDISON  COUNTY  —  On  Dec.  21  Vermont  State  Police  issued  a  report  that  they  were  looking  into  a  burglary  at  a  Cemetery  Hill  Road  home  in  Goshen,  where  approxi- mately  10,000  CDs  were  reported  stolen.  The  homeowner  told  state  police  that  four  different  suitcases  contain- ing  the  CDs  were  taken  from  his  garage  sometime  between  Nov.  18  and  Nov.  20.  The  suitcases  had  “Map  Techâ€?  embroidered  in  red  on  them  and  the  CDs  were  topo- graphical  maps  scheduled  to  be  donated  to  a  search-Âand-Ârescue  team  in  Massachusetts.  The  CDs  were  valued  at  approximately  $15,000. Anyone  with  information  on  the  theft  of  these  CDs  is  asked  to  contact  Trooper  Bloom  at  the  Vermont  State  Police  barracks  in  New  Haven  at  802-Â388-Â4919. In  a  separate  incident,  state  police  on  Dec.  18  issued  a  warrant  for  the  arrest  of  John  Ryan  Stice,  a  26-Âyear- old  transient,  who  was  wanted  for  obstruction  of  justice.  State  police  allege  that  on  Dec.  11  Stice  made  threats  over  the  phone  to  harm  two  workers  from  the  Middlebury  Department  for  Children  and  )DPLOLHV RIÂż FH Police  said  Stice  is  involved  in  a  custody  dispute.  If  he  is  apprehended,  Stice’s  bail  will  be  set  at  $100,000.  Anyone  with  information  about  his  whereabouts  or  contact  information  for  Stice  is  asked  contact  Vermont  State  Police  at  the  number  above. In  other  recent  activity,  state  police: ‡ 2Q 'HF DW DURXQG D P responded  to  a  two-Âvehicle  crash  at  the  intersection  of  State  Park  Road  and  Route  7  in  Charlotte.  Police  said  that  the  primary  cause  of  the  crash  was  that  27-Âyear-Âold  Zachary  Ruitenberg  of  North  Ferrisburgh,  who  was  driving  a  2003  Subaru  Legacy,  was  following  too  closely  the  2013  Ford  Focus  driven  by  Dallas  Lumbra,  18,  of  Milton.  The  trooper  said  he  would  mail  5XLWHQEHUJ D WUDIÂż F WLFNHW DW D ODWHU date.  No  injuries  were  reported  but  both  vehicles  had  to  be  towed  from  the  scene. ‡ 2Q 'HF DW DURXQG D TXDUWHU ’til  4  p.m.  responded  to  a  one-Âvehicle  crash  on  Route  30  in  Hubbardton.  Police  report  that  Jason  Munger,  32,  of  Leicester  was  driving  a  1999  GMC  truck  southbound  when  his  pickup  veered  off  the  western  road.  :KHQ 0XQJHU DWWHPSWHG WR FRUUHFW he  lost  control  of  the  truck  and  crashed  off  the  eastern  road  edge.  The  truck  came  to  rest,  partially  overturned,  facing  south.  Munger’s  son  was  extracted  from  the  vehicle  by  members  of  the  Hubbardton  Fire  Department;Íž  no  injuries  were  reported  to  police.  The  truck  was  judged  to  be  a  total  loss.  A  trooper  described  the  weather  as  overcast  and  the  road  as  dry.  No  charges  were  ¿ OHG ‡ 2Q 'HF DW DSSUR[LPDWHO\ 8:15  p.m.  received  a  report  of  a  vehicle  being  operated  erratically  southbound  on  Route  7  in  Pittsford.  At  8:30,  state  police  and  Pittsford  police  located  the  vehicle  and  stopped  it  on  Route  7  in  Rutland  Town.  Police  report  that  the  driver,  LGHQWLÂż HG DV \HDU ROG -HUHP\ Munger  of  Leicester,  exhibited  signs Â
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Vt. State
Police Log
of  impairment.  After  conducting  VWDQGDUGL]HG Âż HOG VREULHW\ WHVWV police  took  a  breath  test  and  deter- mined  Munger’s  preliminary  test  results  showed  0  percent  alcohol  concentration.  Police  took  Munger  into  custody  and  cited  him  for  driv- LQJ XQGHU WKH LQĂ€ XHQFH RI GUXJV ‡ 2Q 'HF ORRNHG LQWR D UHSRUW of  a  domestic  assault  that  occurred  that  morning  between  Jorge  DeNapoli,  54,  of  Lincoln  and  a  family  member.  Troopers  attempted  to  contact  DeNapoli  that  night  and  the  next  day  with  no  success.  State  police,  with  the  assistance  of  the  Addison  County  Sheriff’s  'HSDUWPHQW GLG Âż QDOO\ JHW LQ WRXFK with  DeNapoli  on  Dec.  18,  took  him  into  custody  and  cited  him  for  domestic  assault.  Addison  County  Family  Court  also  issued  DeNapoli  a  relief  from  abuse  order. ‡ 2Q 'HF DQQRXQFHG WKDW they  would  cite  Jacob  Dominque,  21,  of  St.  Albans  for  burglary  for  a  Nov.  19  incident  in  Starksboro.  On  that  date,  state  police  were  alerted  to  a  burglary  on  Shaker  Hill  Road  in  Starksboro,  and  another  burglary  in  neighboring  Huntington.  Police  questioned  suspects  and  determined  that  Dominque  had  been  in  the  Starksboro  home  during  the  burglary.  Last  Thursday,  police  reported  that  Dominque  was  in  custody  at  the  Northwest  Correctional  Facility. ‡ 2Q 'HF DW DSSUR[LPDWHO\ 7:27  a.m.  received  a  911  call  regarding  a  two-Âvehicle  crash  at  the  junction  of  Vermont  Route  30  DQG /HLFHVWHU :KLWLQJ 5RDG LQ WKH YLOODJH RI :KLWLQJ 9HUPRQW 6WDWH 3ROLFH DQG :KLWLQJ 9ROXQWHHU )LUH Rescue  responded  to  the  scene.  Police  reported  that  Belinda  Brown,  64,  of  East  Middlebury  was  driv- ing  a  2012  Jeep  Liberty  westbound  RQ /HLFHVWHU :KLWLQJ 5RDG DQG attempted  to  cross  over  Route  30  when  the  jeep  was  hit  by  a  south- bound  2015  Honda  CRV  driven  by  Michelle  Eagan,  46,  of  Middlebury.  The  trooper  reported  that  Brown  had  a  stop  sign  and  did  not  yield  to  RQFRPLQJ WUDIÂż F 1HLWKHU GULYHU ZDV injured  but  the  CRV  was  towed.  No  court  action  was  expected. ‡ 2Q 'HF DW DSSUR[LPDWHO\ 2:44  p.m.  responded  to  a  one-Âcar  crash  on  Bittersweet  Falls  Road  in  :H\EULGJH 3ROLFH VDLG WKDW %ULDQ Bowdish,  29,  of  Cornwall  was  driving  a  2008  PT  Cruiser  when  he  reached  for  a  water  bottle,  got  distracted  and  drove  off  the  road  into  a  utility  pole,  which  broke.  Bowdish,  who  was  wearing  a  seat  belt,  was  taken  to  Porter  Hospital  to  be  looked  at  for  chest  pain.  The  road  was  closed  while  Green  Mountain  Power  repaired  the  pole.  The  crash  is  under  investigation. ‡ 2Q 'HF DW DSSUR[LPDWHO\ 3:30  p.m.  responded  to  a  one-Âcar,  rollover  crash  on  the  Leicester- :KLWLQJ 5RDG LQ /HLFHVWHU 3ROLFH determined  that  24-Âyear-Âold  driver  Larry  Lanpher  of  Leicester  fell  asleep  while  driving  a  2002  Subaru  Legacy  and  his  vehicle  left  the  travel  portion  of  the  roadway.  The  vehicle  struck  a  rock,  which  caused  it  to  roll Â
over,  and  come  to  rest  on  its  tires.  All  three  occupants  of  the  vehicle  —  Lanpher,  a  21-Âyear-Âold  woman  and  a  9-Âweek-Âold  child  (who  was  in  a  car  seat)  —  were  transported  to  Porter  Hospital  for  evaluation.  The  car  was  totaled.  Anyone  witness- ing  the  crash  is  asked  to  contact  state  police  at  388-Â4919  or  submit  an  anonymous  tip  online  at  www. vtips.info.  Members  of  the  Leicester  Fire  Department  and  Brandon  Area  Rescue  Squad  responded. ‡ 2Q 'HF DW DURXQG p.m.  went  to  a  New  Haven  home  after  getting  a  report  of  a  family  ¿ JKW $IWHU D VKRUW LQYHVWLJDWLRQ SROLFH FLWHG .\OH : (URQFLJ RI New  Haven  for  domestic  assault. ‡ 2Q 'HF DW D P ZHQW WR a  one-Âcar  crash  on  South  Street  in  New  Haven.  Police  said  that  Charles  Ouellette,  22,  of  New  Haven  lost  control  of  the  1999  Ford  Mustang  convertible  he  was  driving  because  of  bald  tires  and  poor  road  condi- tions.  The  vehicle  left  the  road  and  collided  with  a  culvert  and  mailbox,  sustaining  damage  to  the  front  end,  entire  left  side  and  undercarriage.  Police  issued  Ouellette  multiple  WUDIÂż F WLFNHWV ‡ $W DSSUR[LPDWHO\ D P RQ Dec.  20  received  a  report  of  an  apparent  suicide  of  a  Brandon  man  who  was  an  inmate  at  the  Marble  Valley  Correctional  Facility  in  Rutland.  Police  said  their  initial  investigation  indicated  that  Victor  R.  Bora,  52,  had  hanged  himself  while  in  his  cell.  No  evidence  was  IRXQG WR LQGLFDWH IRXO SOD\ 7KH RIÂż cial  cause  and  manner  of  death  are  pending  completion  of  the  autopsy.  Investigation  is  ongoing.  DRUNK  DRIVING  PATROLS Vermont  joined  the  national  “Drive  Sober  or  Get  Pulled  Overâ€?  campaign  that  runs  from  Dec.  18  through  Jan.  3,  2016,  with  a  strong  law  enforcement  presence  on  Vermont  highways.  Law  enforce- ment  agencies  across  the  state  —  including  the  DUI  Task  Force,  local  police,  sheriff’s  departments,  and  the  Vermont  State  Police  Operation  C.A.R.E  (Combined  Accident  Reduction  Effort)  —  will  conduct  extra  patrols  and  sobriety  check- points  to  detect  impaired  drivers.  In  addition,  Vermont  will  use  law  enforcement  Drug  Recognition  Experts  (DRE)  to  evaluate  any  suspected  drug  impaired  drivers. In  2014,  38  percent  of  fatalities  were  impaired  driving  related,  which  includes  both  drugs  and  alcohol.  Through  Sunday,  52  people  have  died  in  highway  crashes,  and  10  of  those  involved  a  driver  with  a  blood  alcohol  concentration  of  0.08  or  higher,  which  is  illegal  in  every  state. Lt.  John  Flannigan  urged  people  to  make  a  plan  before  that  holiday  gathering.  If  you  plan  on  drinking,  designate  a  designated  driver  or  use  alternate  public  transportation. “It’s  time  for  all  drivers  to  get  the  message,â€?  Flannigan  said  in  a  press  release.  “Driving  impaired  is  a  choice  you  make,  that  puts  others  at  risk  of  injury  or  death.â€?  “Violators  often  face  jail  time,  the  loss  of  their  driver’s  license,  higher  insurance  rates,  attorney  fees,  time  away  from  work,  and  dozens  of  other  expenses.  So  do  not  take  the  chance,â€?  said  Vermont  Secretary  of  Transportation  Chris  Cole.
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From our house to yours At this special time of
year, our staff wants to
take the time to thank you
sincerely for your continued patronage. We wish you and those you hold dear
all the bountiful joys and
blessings of the Christmas Holiday season, and a happy and prosperous New Year.
Todd  &  Dawn /DUU\ ‡ &KULV ‡ .HYLQ ‡ 1DWKDQ P.O. Box 5890, Middlebury, Vermont 05753-5890
PAGE  16A  —  Addison  Independent,  Thursday,  December  24,  2015
CATHY  WALSH,  LEFT,  and  Susan  Veguez  check  in  with  some  of  the  animals  they  are  helping  coordinate  and  groom  for  the  Christmas  pageant  at  St.  Stephen’s  Church  in  Middlebury  on  Christmas  Eve.
LUNA  PATROLS  THE  Weybridge  barn  that  houses  many  of  the  animals  that  will  be  used  for  the  St.  Stephen’s  Church  Christmas  pageant  Thursday.  Luna  will  be  dressed  as  a  sheep  for  the  pageant. Independent  photo/Trent  Campbell
Independent  photo/Trent  Campbell
Pageant  :DOVK DQG %HJOH\ ÂżQG \RXQJ (Continued  from  Page  1A) drive  to  Middlebury,  park  at  the  shepherds  who  want  to  walk  in  with  Jackson  and  Luna,  Marble  Works  and  the  goat  and  dog.  The  then  herd  their  per- “Through wranglers  help  Mary  formers  across  Main  the eyes of a get  up  on  Smarty.  Street. And  Begley  leads  the  Heads  usually  child, to see newly  minted  “don- turn,  said  Walsh  and  the Christmas keyâ€?  into  the  sanctu- Begley,  as  people  on  story enacted ary  as  Joseph  walks  the  street  stop  to  pet  beside.  Finally,  the  the  animals  and  ask  with real live Wise  Men  will  fol- why  they’re  coming  animals, makes low  that  star,  leading  to  town.  One  year  a  it so immediate. their  camel-Âpacas. passerby  fell  so  in  They’re just so A  LONG  love  with  the  animals  that  she  followed  honest and real.â€? HISTORY — Cathy Walsh While  St.  Ste- them  inside  and  phen’s  has  been  stayed  for  the  whole  bringing  local  animals  to  church  on  JACKSON  THE  GOAT  explores  pageant. Christmas  Eve  for  at  least  30  years,  As  each  animal  waits  outside  the  his  Weybridge  barn  Monday  eve- ning  as  he  gets  ready  for  his  part  church  for  his  or  her  cue,  the  wran- the  tradition  itself  is  far  older. in  the  annual  St.  Stephen’s  Church  glers  stand  patiently  with  them  in  St.  Francis  of  Assisi  is  credited  Christmas  pageant. ZLWK VWDJLQJ WKH ÂżUVW OLYH 1DWLYLW\ rain,  snow,  sleet  or  hail. Independent  photo/Trent  Campbell in  1223,  in  the  little  town  of  Gre- cio,  Italy.  Francis  was  visiting  the  town  to  celebrate  a  midnight  Mass  on  Christmas  Eve  and  needed  a  larger  venue,  so  he  set  up  shop  out- side  in  the  town  square.  Like  Walsh  and  like  many  of  Vermont’s  animal  lovers,  Francis  knew  that  live  ani- mals  would  give  him  a  direct  line  to  people’s  hearts  and  bring  the  Christmas  story  to  life.  As  related  by  his  biographer  Giovanni  di  Fi- danza  (also  known  as  St.  Bonaven- ture),  Francis  “prepared  a  manger,  and  brought  hay,  and  an  ox  and  an  ass  to  the  place  appointedâ€?  to  cel- ebrate  the  Babe  of  Bethlehem. Francis’s  idea  proved  to  be  a  big  hit  and  started,  many  believe,  the  ZKROH WUDGLWLRQ RI 1DWLYLW\ SDJ- HDQWV OLYH 1DWLYLW\ VFHQHV DQG 1DWLYLW\ VHWV ODUJH DQG VPDOO IURP the  exquisitely  crafted  Baroque  mega-Âvillages  found  in  museums  across  Europe  to  the  cheap  set  you  can  still  buy  at  Kmart  to  the  hotly  contested  life-Âsize  municipal  man- ger  scenes  being  picketed  and  pro- tested  across  America. Bonaventure  reports  that,  stand- ing  at  the  manger,  Francis  and  his  hearers  were  transported  that  Christmas  Eve. St.  Stephen’s  goes  one  better  on  St.  Francis’s  ox,  ass  and  manger  full  of  hay  by  traditionally  including  a  live  infant.  This  reporter  distinctly  remembers  watching  the  pink-Âslip- pered  feet  of  her  now  12-Âyear-Âold,  kicking  out  from  underneath  Baby  Jesus’s  swaddling  clothes. St.  Stephen’s  will  likely  be  packed,  as  always,  to  hear  the  Christmas  story  and  watch  the  kids  and  animals. MINIATURE  HORSE  SMARTY  checks  in  with  a  full-Âsize  friend  it  lives  Walsh  and  her  crew  of  wranglers  with  in  Weybridge  Monday  night. will  be  prepared: Independent  photo/Trent  Campbell
ALPACAS  SVEN,  LEFT,  and  William  Tell  will  play  camels  in  the  St.  Stephen’s  Church  Christmas  pageant. Independent  photo/Trent  Campbell
“We  always  come  with  a  stable  fork  and  a  muck  bucket.� Editor’s  note:  Reporter  Gaen  SUSAN  VEGUEZ  GUIDES  alpacas  William  Tell  and  Sven  through  the  Murphree  is  a  parishioner  at  St.  barn  they  share  with  other  animals  that  will  be  in  a  Christmas  pageant  in  Middlebury  on  Christmas  Eve. Stephen’s  Episcopal  Church.
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By  the  way  (Continued  from  Page  1A) risburgh.  New  Year’s  Day  bird- ing  trips  are  a  tradition  held  by  many  in  the  birding  community  DV WKH\ EHJLQ WR ¿OO WKHLU DQQXDO bird  lists.  Participants  will  walk  the  trails  in  search  of  overwinter- ing  birds.
but  that  doesn’t  mean  there’s  no  speedskating.  Middlebury’s  Lacey  Greenamyre  has  been  rac- ing  in  Saratoga  Springs,  N.Y.,  and  in  Quebec.  At  the  Saratoga  Winter  Club  Meet  last  month  the  ninth-Âgrader  placed  6th  overall  and  2nd  among  the  18-Âand-Âun- der  girls;Íž  and  this  month  she  was  second  overall  in  a  club  meet.  At  the  Quebec  Coupe  No.  1  in  Ste  Foy,  Quebec,  she  placed  7th  in  the  long  track  speedskating  com- petition.  Lacey  was  supposed  to  skate  and  her  dad  do  the  start- ing  at  the  Charles  Jewtraw  All  Around  Championship  in  Lake  Placid  this  past  weekend,  but  the  Olympic  Speed  Skating  Oval  re- mains  closed  and  the  event  had  to  be  canceled.
Two  Addison  County  kids  are  among  the  20  auditioned  members  of  the  2015/2016  Young  Tradition  Touring  Group.  The  musicians,  who  range  from  age  12  to  20  and  include  members  from  Vermont,  Maine,  Massachusetts  and  Quebec,  stage  high-Âcaliber  performances  of  traditional  music  and  dance.  Ben  and  Romy  Munkres  of  Cornwall  will  be  among  the  Young  Tradi- tions  musicians  presenting  a  con- cert  next  Monday,  Dec.  28,  at  7  Bread  Loaf  of  Middlebury  has  p.m.  at  the  Lake  Champlain  Wal- completed  a  major  renovation  dorf  School  in  Shelburne. project  for  The  Automaster  BMW  Temps  have  been  unusually  showroom  on  Shelburne  Road  in  warm  and  there’s  no  snow  yet,  Shelburne.  Deconstruction  began Â
a  little  more  than  a  year  ago,  and  the  total  renovation  included  strip- ping  the  existing  building  down  to  the  structural  steel  and  rebuilding  a  completely  updated  showroom,  adding  980  square  feet  of  new  showroom  space  to  the  existing  footprint.  Construction  of  the  new  state-Âof-Âthe-Âart  facility  was  com- pleted  in  June.  A  ribbon-Âcutting  ceremony  for  the  project  was  held  recently. If  you’re  a  reader,  it  may  be  time  to  pick  up  “The  Parrot  Trainerâ€?  by  Swain  Wolfe.  That  will  be  the  focus  of  discussion  at  a  meeting  of  the  Bridport  Book  Club  on  Wednesday,  Jan.  13.  As  usual,  the  meeting  will  be  held  at  7  p.m.  at  the  Bridport  Highway  Department  conference  room,  at  the  corner  of  Crown  Point  Road  and  Short  Street.  All  interested  readers  are  welcome!  Call  758- 2858  for  more  information. Â
([FKDQJH 6W 0LGGOHEXU\ Trina  Wilson  PA-ÂC,  Eric  Benz  MD,  Benjamin  Rosenberg  MD,  Luc  DuPuis  PA-ÂC
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