Williston Observer 9/9/2021 by Williston Observer

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9/11: Remembering, reflecting

his week marks two decades since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, an event that took lives, changed lives and altered the course of American history. It was a day that remains in the memories of all who experienced it, and this week returns to the forefront of our thoughts. On pages 8-13 of this week’s Observer is a commemoration of the attacks, with Williston residents reflecting on their experience of the event and its place in history; a collection of stories from the Observer’s predecessor, the Williston Whistle, published in the days following the attacks; and a minute-by-minute timeline of that Tuesday in September. Thank you to all who contributed to make for a meaningful look back on a calamitous day for the country.

Herbicide eases milfoil’s stranglehold on Lake Iroquois ‘The effect has been profound’ BY JASON STARR Observer staff It was just days after a chemical herbicide was applied to the north end of Lake Iroquois in Williston that the targeted invasive water weed, Eurasian milfoil, began to recede. The treatment, sponsored by lakefront homeowners (the Lake Iroquois Association) and the municipal Lake Iroquois Recreation District, with representatives from each of the lake’s surrounding towns — Williston, Richmond, Hinesburg and St. George — took place June 28. By mid-July, milfoil, which for years had clogged the waters around the public beach and boat launch, was nearly eradicated, according to Lake Iroquois Association vice president Chris Conant. For the rest of the summer, boaters and swimmers were recreating like it was the 1980s,

before the milfoil took hold, he said. “The effect has been profound,” Lake Iroquois Association president Shannon Kelly said. Conant resides on the north end of the lake, near the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department boat ramp and the Lake Iroquois Recreation District beach. He has heard positive feedback from users of both facilities. “For the first time in a long time, you can take a kayak or a canoe and go out in the middle of that lake and look down and see the bottom of the lake,” said Conant. “We have not have that pleasure for many, many years, and it’s pretty amazing how awesome that looks.” The association had tried other methods of milfoil eradication in years past, hiring divers to hand-pull the weed and placing mats on the lake bottom to cover it. A permit application with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to use the chemical Sonar was denied

Lake Iroquois has seen a decrease in invasive milfoil this summer after an herbicide was applied to the water in June. OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

in 2018 after a group of Hinesburg residents — with backing from the anti-chemical advocacy group the Toxics Action Center — flooded state regulators with concerns. The state approved the association’s request to use the chemical Procellacor in Lake Iroquois in April, over the objections of the opposing Hinesburg residents. A total of 20 gallons was

poured into about 36 acres of the lake. The lake’s surface area totals about 245 acres. Signs around the lake advised against swimming for 24 hours after the chemical was applied. According to Conant, the chemical caused no lasting damage to any other plant species. On Monday, a lake health specialist is scheduled to conduct a plant survey of the lake, raking up plant life from the

bottom and determining what species are present. The survey is required by the association’s herbicide permit and Conant expects it to confirm the success of the herbicide treatment. “It’s pretty amazing to have that much success with such a safe and minimal amount of chemical applied to the water,” he said. “This is a great step in the right direction. We feel really good about it. And we’re looking forward to getting the quality and health of the lake back to where it was 30 years ago.” Conant hopes the association’s board of directors will agree to apply the chemical in another part of the lake next season. That would require an additional approval from the state Department of Environmental Conservation. “We will eventually be doing another treatment at some point,” Conant said. “We have the rest of the lake to take care of. We can’t just do one end and not the other. It’s going to start all over again if we’re not careful.”

Page 2 • Williston Observer • September 9, 2021

Red Sox honor Benevento posthumously

Cub Scouts host registration night The Williston pack of the Cub Scouts is hosting a registration night Tuesday Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. at the Mason Lodge at 87 Bishop Avenue. The Cub Scouts is a volunteer-run organization focusing on boys and girls in grades kindergarten through fifth grade spending time outdoors, doing community service projects, learning life lessons and having fun.

The family of Mike Benevento gathered Tuesday at Fenway Park to receive an award for the late Benevento, who was named Vermont Volunteer of the Year by the Red Sox Foundation in conjunction with Little League. Benevento, who passed away in June, was a board member and longtime volunteer for Williston Little League. He continued to help out with the organization even after his son, Calvin, aged out. Since 1999, he volunteered at all levels of local baseball, including T-Ball, Babe Ruth and high school teams. He was a coach, umpire, scorekeeper, field maintainer, announcer, fundraiser and scheduler. He even volunteered for teams from other towns so that someone was there to support the players and allow them to play. He trained new umpires and served on the Williston Little League Board of Directors. “Mike was one of the nicest, most genuine people you could ever meet, and it was an honor to have him on our board,” said Williston Little League President Jeff Audette. “He epitomized the ‘put me in coach, I’m ready to play’ attitude. He was there to lend a hand wherever it was needed.” The award was presented on the field at Fenway as part of Red Sox Youth Baseball & Softball Night. A volunteer of the year was named in each New England state.

Town water bills due The Town of Williston has sent out water/sewer/stormwater bills and they are due by Sept. 30. Bills can now be paid online at www. town.williston.vt.us.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS - AUGUST 2021 Property Transfers sponsored by Polli Properties. • The Ugland Family Trust bought a condominium on Balsam Circle from James Polli for $549,600. • Jonthan Maquire bought a home on Mountain View Road from 376 Mountain View LLC for $550,000. • Neil Farr bought a home on Southridge Road from Daniel Grey for $610,000. • Zubad Newaz bought a home

on Chelsea Place from Melissa Kuncz for $355,000. • Derrel Woodward bought a mobile home on Meadowbend Road from Douglas Wilcox for $215,000. • Joseph Pugliese bought a home on Gallop Drive from Scott Goddard for $395,000. • Christopher Daniel Homick bought a home on Forest Run Road from Cecile Provost for

$352,000. • Glen Russell bought a mobile home on Stonehill Road from the Norman C. Barohn Trust for $233,500. • Catherine Nicole White bought a home on Fay Lane from Onan Whitcomb for $180,000. • Lisnik LLC bought an office building on Industrial Avenue from Industrial Properties LLC for $350,000.

• Jenny Hans bought a home on 86 acres on Dunmore Lane from Christopher Motter for $600,000. • Christopher Motter bought a home on Ledgewood Drive from Terry Lambert for $815,000. • Jason Lippman bought a home on North Williston Road from Keith Phelan for $650,000. • Jean Sanchez bought a home on Turtle Pond Road from Joel

Klein for $625,000. • James Brown bought a condominium on Hideaway Lane from Neil Farr for $267,500. • James Mendes bought a home on Williston Road from the Estate of Margaret E. Hayes for $304,000. • The Cecilia McClellan Trust bought a home on Casey Lane from the Elizabeth Hazen Trust for $460,000.

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September 9, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 3

At CVU, a vocal minority decries indoor mask mandate BY JACK LYONS VTDigger It’s become a routine sight at Vermont’s largest secondary school: Every weekday morning, two mothers hold signs and protest the institution’s indoor mask requirement. Champlain Valley Union High School’s mandate, which the women argue is a violation of individual rights, is meant to stop the potential spread of Covid-19 as the Delta variant drives up case numbers around the state. But the duo — who both declined to give their names to VTDigger — are pushing administrators to scrap the policy by holding signs with messages such as “The mask is not the cure” near the school’s entrance, as hundreds of parents and students arrive between 8 and 9 a.m. “It’s my choice,” said one of the women. “People need choice, because we’re in America, and we need bodily autonomy, because once you don’t have bodily autonomy, you have a tyrannical government.” The other woman, who said she was a former Spanish teacher and volleyball coach,

told VTDigger she resigned from her school last month because administrators wouldn’t exempt her from wearing a mask in the classroom — an accommodation she requested because of a medical condition she wouldn’t disclose to VTDigger. The two women protested all of last week. They were still garnering attention Friday morning in the form of hand gestures and comments. “As the days have gone on, there isn’t as much swearing,” observed one of the women, before she was cut off by the horn of a passing truck. “Don’t you guys have jobs?” one man shouted out of his SUV. “Don’t you have anything more productive to do right now?” Others signaled their support. “I appreciate your efforts!” one woman called out before driving away. “Thanks for being here,” said a man in a pickup truck. “Masks are muzzles.” The pair said they plan to participate in “#ParentRising,” a nationwide protest see MASKS page 4

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A two-person anti-vaccine protest took place outside Champlain Valley Union High School on Friday. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger

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Page 4 • Williston Observer • September 9, 2021

State investigates outbreak tied to hockey club

BY ERIN PETENKO VTDigger The state is investigating a Covid-19 outbreak tied to a Williston-based hockey club. Contact-tracers so far have identified 11 cases connected to Full Stride Hockey, Vermont Department of Health spokesperson Ben Truman confirmed Friday afternoon. Truman said he was not able to speak to the affected individuals’ conditions. Full Stride Hockey owner and head instructor Dan McFall

said last Thursday a team captain had notified him that the team had to cancel its final game of the season “due to a couple of reports of positive cases on the team.” He was not sure how many of the infected players had been vaccinated. He said the league encourages players to be vaccinated and to follow guidelines from the state, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the arenas. The club’s games have been played at Cairns Arena in South Burlington and Leddy Ice Are-

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“The shutdowns, though perhaps necessary, hit the local sports industry and those employed by this industry hard over the last year and a half.” Dan McFall Full Stride Hockey owner/ head instructor

na in Burlington, according

Masks continued from page

to schedules on the Full Stride website. “Our hope is that our community gets back to normal soon,” McFall said. “The shutdowns, though perhaps necessary, hit the local sports industry and those employed by this industry hard over the last year and a half.” More than 120 Covid-19 cases were linked to an outbreak at the ice rink at Montpelier’s Central Vermont Memorial Civic Center last fall. In that outbreak, infections were reported among members

against school Covid-19 protocols Sept. 13-17. One of the mothers said she was still waiting on an email from Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine nonprofit running the protest, that would provide more information, though she insisted that the pair was not affiliated with the organization. A post on the Children’s Health Defense website says “#ParentsRising” is a “National Walk-Out Week,” where parents are “urged to keep their children home from school and organize with like-minded parents to show up at local schools and state education departments in peaceful protest.” A stone’s throw away from the two-person protest, Principal Adam Bunting waved to parents and teachers in front of his own sign — which advertised the Covid-19 vaccine clinic offered at the school.

Two protesters against vaccine and mask mandates in schools greet students arriving at Champlain Valley Union High School on Friday. PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

As of now, the school doesn’t require students or staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19, but Bunting estimated that close to 90 per-

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of adult and youth hockey teams and broomball players, in addition to further transmission in the community. Truman, with the health department, said Vermonters should take several steps during the Delta variant-fueled surge of cases in Vermont, including getting vaccinated, staying home when you’re sick, getting tested if you have symptoms, washing hands regularly and wearing a mask in indoor public spaces. — VTDigger’s Maggie Cassidy contributed to this report.

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cent of the community has been inoculated. On the whole, students have been compliant with mask rules, he added. The school has received complaints from parents and staff members about the protests, but it won’t try to prevent the women from demonstrating, Bunting said, noting the moment could serve as a real-world lesson in civics. “We’ve had some interesting discussions about what it means to respect someone’s First Amendment rights,” the principal said. A more aggressive protest tactic, though, might spark Bunting into action. “If it starts creating a substantial and material disruption to the educational process, then it becomes a different discussion,” he said. “At this point, there’s been very little disruption because no one really takes it seriously.” As Bunting waved to cars, one with its passenger window open slowed and stopped in front of him. “Where do you get the shot?” asked the man inside. Bunting flashed a smile as he pointed to the school’s main entrance: “Right over there.”

September 9, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 5

Grant received to protect firefighters from diesel exhaust

Two protesters against vaccine and mask mandates in schools are met with derision by some students arriving at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg last Friday. PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

The Williston Fire Department has received an approximately $100,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to install an exhaust capture system at its headquarters on Talcott Road. The system will capture diesel exhaust from fire trucks when they depart from or return to the station. Exposure to diesel exhaust fumes can cause cancer and other health problems. The exhaust capture system

will benefit firefighters, as well as members of the public who use the meeting space or stop by the station. “Firefighters deal with job-related hazards every day they work. Worrying about the harmful effects of long-term exposure to vehicle exhaust is not one they should have to endure,” said Fire Chief Aaron Collette. “We are extremely pleased to have received this grant and look forward to getting the project underway.”

CVU student gains fame for reaction to protestors BY JACK LYONS VTDigger

Some might resent a photo of their morning commute landing on millions of screens across the world, especially if that photo depicted them making an explicit hand gesture. But Fiona, a 14-year-old freshman at Champlain Valley Union High School, is embracing her 15 minutes of fame after an image of her giving the middle finger to two anti-mask protesters through a school bus window caught fire on social media over the weekend. The image — which was published Friday by VTDigger — quickly spread across platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, garnering millions of views and reactions. “It’s crazy,” said Fiona, who asked VTDigger not to publish her last name because of threats directed against her on social media. “It’s weird to see people from all different countries posting about it.” For days before the encounter, Fiona had watched the protesters waving signs with messages such as “The mask is not the cure” as her bus took a left turn into the school’s parking lot. But she didn’t give them the bird until Friday morning, she said. “I was honestly just kind of annoyed with it,” Fiona said of her decision to flip off the protesters. As Fiona raised her middle finger, Glenn Russell — a photojournalist for VTDigger — lowered his index finger, triggering the shutter of his camera and capturing the reaction in sharp focus. Russell said he wasn’t trying to get the finger in the photo. “I was just locking focus on the school buses as they were driving by the protesters,” Rus-

sell said. “All the ingredients came together.” Neither Fiona nor Russell thought much of the moment until Saturday morning, when each received a message. For Fiona, it was an email from a past science teacher saying she was proud of her former pupil. For Russell, it was a text from his wife, with a screenshot of a viral Tweet sharing the image. “This photo should win a

‘The pandemic has been hard on us all in many ways, but for adolescents in particular. They have the awareness to have been seeing everything that’s been going on and don’t have the agency or control to change it.’ Meagan Downey CVU student’s mother

Pulitzer,” wrote Philip Lewis, a senior front page editor for Huff Post, referring to the award commonly viewed as the crown of journalistic accomplishment. Russell thinks the photo is “solid,” he said, but not his best work. “If it hadn’t created the reaction it created, I would have thought of it as an unexceptional photograph,” he said. “Just another day’s take and on to the next assignment.” Still, the 100,000 likes on Lewis’ tweet made Russell’s photo a shot seen round the Internet. Twitter influencers soon began to share the image, with actor and former pro wrestler

Dave Bautista offering to help fund Fiona’s college tuition. “That kid gives me hope,” the Avengers star wrote. “That kid says the hostile environment you’re creating is 100 times worse than this little mask!” While Fiona appreciates Bautista’s offer, she and her mother, Meagan Downey, aren’t looking to cash in on the opportunity. “We view it as people just expressing their support,” Downey, who has a different surname than her daughter, wrote in a text. But not every social media commenter was as friendly as Bautista. Downey told VTDigger that, when someone remarked on Instagram that Fiona was “going places,” another user replied, “Straight to the ER.” Despite the threat, Fiona said she didn’t regret flipping off the protesters, though she was anxious about what awaited her at school after the long weekend. “I’m kind of scared to go to school tomorrow,” she said in an interview Monday night. “I don’t know what people’s reactions will be like. I don’t think anyone’s going to be angry at me or anything, but I just don’t know what it’s going to be like.” Downey shared Fiona’s concern, though she stands by her daughter’s reaction to the demonstrators, calling it understandable given the circumstances. “The pandemic has been hard on us all in many ways, but for adolescents in particular,” Downey said. “They have the awareness to have been seeing everything that’s been going on and don’t have the agency or control to change it. “And this was a moment when my daughter had some control over what her hand was doing to express herself,” Downey said.

Open Classroom - Fri, Sept 17th Join us for the morning to observe classes in action, attend our community-wide Morning Meeting, tour the school, meet faculty, students and parents! Please register to attend: Friday, September 17th @ 8:30am jstrawbridge@vermontcommons.org

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Page 6 • Williston Observer • September 9, 2021

GUEST COLUMN Williston’s Community Newspaper Since 1985

www.willistonobserver.com P.O. Box 1401, Williston, VT 05495 | 802-489-5499 PUBLISHER Susan T. Cote susan@willistonobserver.com 802-489-5499

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Making sense of the pandemic time warp BY BRIAN RICCA I’ve had difficulty placing events in order since March of 2020. The end of the 2019-2020 school year was a blur. Almost the entirety of the 2020-2021 school year is fuzzy, except I can remember starting to bring more and more students back to in-person education around the February break. I know we ended the year with almost our entire student body in the building. Yet periodically, I’ll try to place other events in my mind, and I can’t remember exactly when it happened. Was that during the immediate closure during the initial portion of the pandemic? Or did that happen during the hybrid education portion of the program? Did that happen before we even heard about the word Covid? And while I often cannot place the exact time that something happened over the past almost-18 months, I do know one thing for sure: The Earth continues to rotate on its axis. This past Tuesday, our oldest son turned 15, and he started high

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school. It seems like this cannot be possible because it seems just about an hour and a half ago that I was giving him his first bath in the hospital. But Patrick was born in another time zone, so I can almost accept that 15 years have passed since he was born. Our youngest son is in eighth grade, and I know that cannot be correct because Brendan was born here in Vermont. It’s hard to believe that we have been living here for all of his years at Allen Brook School and almost all of his years at Williston Central School. Over the weekend, one of my dear friends dropped his oldest child off at Holy Cross. I met him and his wife at Holy Cross. We were in each other’s weddings. How is it possible that my friends are now parents of a Holy Cross student? Countless milestones have happened since March of 2020. There have been birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. Children have been born, men and women have passed away, people have fallen in love, and made career

changes. There have been downpours of rain, significant snowfalls, gorgeous full moons and breathtaking sunsets. The Earth continues to rotate on its axis. Time waits for no one. It certainly is not waiting for me. There was a lump in my throat when I drove Brendan to what I know is his last first day at Williston Central School. The same day Patrick was being driven to CVU for his first day of high school. I suspect time is not waiting for anyone else either. Yes, we are living through another surge in Vermont. We do need to take precautions. Get vaccinated. Wear a mask. And keep living your best life. Don’t wait for this Delta variant to run its course. There is no time like the present. We have Covid in our world, and we may have it in our world for a while. Time is precious. The Earth continues to rotate on its axis. Brian G. Ricca is a Williston resident and superintendent of Schools in St. Johnsbury.

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Navy celebrates USS Vermont The Navy celebrated the commissioning of the USS Vermont on Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Naval submarine base in Groton, Conn. “Vermonters have served with valor from the highest mountains to the depths of the ocean,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who served as the event’s keynote speaker and was attending his first ship ceremony as secretary. “This vessel has already proven itself in service, not only because it was designed the right way, but because of the exemplary work of the men aboard,” he continued. The USS Vermont was administratively commissioned on April 18, 2020, but due to restrictions on large gatherings because of the Covid-19 pandemic at the time, no traditional commissioning ceremony was held. To ensure the health and safety of the crew and all those in attendance during the ceremony, attendance was limited and no public or media tours were held. Masks were required in all indoor spaces and encouraged in outdoor spaces. Since its administrative commissioning, the USS Vermont has been an active submarine in the

U.S. Navy, including participation in anti-submarine warfare exercises alongside the Brazilian navy. In addition to Del Toro, Rear Adm. Douglas Perry, director of undersea warfare on the chief of naval operations’ staff and a Vermont native, was among those who spoke at the ceremony. Perry spoke of the legacies of previous Navy ships with Vermont ties and military heroes from the state’s past, like Ethan Allen during the Revolutionary War and 19th Century Admiral of the Navy, George Dewey. “The Green Mountain State’s legacy of naval service runs deep,” Perry said. This is the third U.S. Navy ship to bear the name Vermont, but first in a century. The first was one of nine 74-gun warships authorized by Congress in 1816. The second, Battleship No. 20, was commissioned in 1907 and first deployed in December of that year as part of the “Great White Fleet.” The battleship Vermont was decommissioned June 30, 1920. The submarine Vermont was christened in a traditional ceremony

at General Dynamics’ Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Conn., on Oct. 20, 2018. “She was built by the best, for the best, and is the best of the best,” said Gloria Valdez, the ship sponsor and a former deputy assistant secretary of the Navy overseeing shipbuilding and modernization. “She is the most technologically advanced submarine in the world.” The USS Vermont is 377 feet long, has a 34-foot beam and will be able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet and operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged. She has a crew of more than 130 Navy personnel. “We get to finally say, ‘The ship’s in commission, thank you so much to everyone who supported us,’” said Cmdr. Charles Phillips, the commanding officer of the USS Vermont. “This represents the people of Vermont. We want to make them proud and let them justify their confidence in us as we defend our country.” Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities — sea control,

Members of the Navy mark the commissioning in August of the USS Vermont submarine. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Block IV Virginia-class submarines incorporate design changes focused on reduced total owner-

ship cost. By making these smaller-scale design changes to increase the component-level lifecycle of the submarine, the Navy will increase the periodicity between depot maintenance availabilities and increase the number of deployments. Also speaking at the ceremony were members of the Vermont and Connecticut congressional delegations: U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.

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Page 8 • Williston Observer • September 9, 2021

Memories, Tributes and Reflections EDITOR’S NOTE: The Observer asked several community members for their memories of and reflections on the significance of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the 20th anniversary of the event. We appreciate their thoughtful responses and present them here.

Tony O’Rourke, Williston For those of us old enough to recall the horrific attack on our country that took place on a sunny Tuesday morning 20 years ago, the images will never fade. As I reflect on the 20 years that have transpired since Sept. 11, 2001, each year marks a date on the calendar that is difficult. The loss was immense and the scars are deep. While the evil attacks were not limited to the horrifying carnage in New York City, for me, those are the ones that hit hardest. This is a city like no other, larger than life, loud, brash and filled with attitude. For many of us, this attack was close to home and personal. A few years ago, I was walking through Manhattan on my way back to my hotel. As I stopped at a crosswalk, I looked up at the street sign and noticed that there was a dedication plaque in place. This section of West 31st Street was dedicated to Father Mychal Judge. Father Mychal was the chaplain to the New York City Fire Department. While reading last rights to a fallen NYC fireman in the North Tower, he was struck by falling debris which took his life. Father Mychal had also served at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., my alma mater. If you want to be inspired, read about this man’s life and his service to others. His legacy is enduring and his loss is one of many visceral memories I will always associate with Sept. 11th. May our country never see such acts of evil again and may unity provide comfort as we reflect on the past 20 years.

Charlie Magill, Associate Pastor, Williston Federated Church

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We were visiting new Rotary friends in England on 9/11. As we started to eat our lunch, the telephone rang: “You have to turn on your TV.” “No, we are just sitting down to lunch.” “Something is happening in America (sobs).” So our host turned on the TV and we watched in silent shock as the second airplane flew into the trade towers. Our two weeks of Rotary Exchange changed, as did the rest of the world, that day. We went through the planned activities in a fog. One of the pastors in town planned a special church service for all the Americans in the area. I sat in tears through the whole thing. Everywhere we went there were flowers, memorials, U.S. flags and remembrances for our country`s losses. After our two-week Rotary exchange, others might have had a problem flying home. We had already planned two weeks of touring Scotland, so we could put that problem off for later. Edinburgh, where we changed trains, had a square filled with flowers and notes of sorrow and support for America and Americans. On the island of Skye, our ATM card didn’t work. People went out of their way to help us. Throughout our travels, people everywhere went out of their way to help us. With our two weeks of Rotary Exchange and two weeks of Scottish travel, airlines were returning to schedule when our time came to return. There were double security checks, one at the airport in London and one by the airline before boarding. I was glad. The family we were with on 9/11 became life-long friends, bonded by the shared experience. We have visited back and forth many times, and maintain e-mail connections when apart. They are the special kind of people that most of us would like to have in their lives. Out of terrible, has come good.

September 9, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 9

Memories, Tributes and Reflections Aaron Collette, Williston Fire Chief On the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I found myself with five other members of the Burlington Fire Department hiring committee, sitting in the fire chief’s office on the second floor of Central Fire Station in downtown Burlington. This is usually a very exciting day for the department. The day is filled with energy, as each hour the committee has the privilege of interviewing candidates who soon may be offered positions as probationary firefighters. They would be the future of the organization. As the first interview of the day was wrapI am still sad. God ping up, the on-duty shift bless them all. We commander knocked on will never forget. the door to the chief’s office. “Get out here” he urged, compelling the group to exit into the day room of the station, where the television was illuminated, and the volume was turned up. “It looks like a plane has hit one of the towers at the World Trade Center.” The group watched the media coverage, listening and watching. We assumed that it was a freak aviation accident. We watched for a few brief moments, then welcomed the second candidate of the day into the next interview. Moments into the second interview, we were interrupted again. The second plane had hit the towers. This was no accident. The group apologized to the candidate, as we were updated on the situation. I will apologize to that candidate again today, because, I cannot remember their name, or if they were offered a position with the department. What I do remember is watching the coverage as the towers collapsed and I wondered if any of my acquaintances from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) were on the scene. Lt. Andy Fredericks? Father Judge? Were they on the street? Were they in the towers? Surely Chief Ray Downey, Sr. (who was the special operations command chief for the FDNY) was there. He had been in Vermont a few years prior, highlighting the events of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing at a training seminar. I was confident that we had just lost several of our brothers and sisters of the FDNY and New York Police Department. We were witnessing history; this was not a Hollywood movie. The probationary candidates who sat across the interview table that day are now likely 20-year veterans of the Burlington Fire Department. They are approaching the end of their esteemed careers. Unfortunately, we lost 343 of the bravest firefighters this world has ever known that day, including Lt. Fredericks, Father Judge, and Chief Raymond Downey, Sr. I am still sad. God bless them all. We will never forget.

Patrick Brown, Williston On Sept. 11, I left for work later than usual. As I pulled out of my driveway, I was listening to Corm and the Coach on the radio. They were always joking about something or someone. That morning, they were talking about a jet flying into the Twin Towers. At first I thought it is was a joke, but there was something different in their voices. I shut off my truck in the middle of the driveway and came in to turn on the TV. My wife and I stood dumbstruck as we watched the news coverage. Then another jet hit the second tower. We began to speculate why this was happening and imagine the pain and suffering that would follow. I left for work at UVM thinking about all the connections the UVM community had to New York City. I knew we’d need to provide information and support to many people as quickly as possible. This was well before our current technology so we worked to get TV streams on equipment across campus and began discussions on how to support our UVM community. For me personally it was the third “social epiphany” in my life following the assassination of John F. Kennedy and then the Challenger explosion. It was the first time I truly felt innocent people were being murdered just because they were Americans. I wondered why there is so much hate in the world — and those questions continue today. My fourth “social epiphany” happened as I watched the real-time attack on our Capitol on Jan. 6. So many lives lost.

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Page 10 • Williston Observer • September 9, 2021

Memories, Tributes and Reflections The Williston Whistle, predecessor to the Williston Observer, reported on the local impacts of the 9/11 attacks

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Terrorist acts fail to disrupt town By Greg Elias

Williston schools and town government carried on Tues day following the worst terror ist attack ln U.S. history. Two hijacked commercial jets slammed lnto the World Trade Center in New York Tuesday morning, causlng both 110-story towers to collapse and killlng an untold number of people. Shortly afterwards. a lhlrd hijacked plane crashed lnto the Penta gon ln Washlngton, D.C. People around Willlston jolned those throughout the country ln following the un foldlng tragedy on televislon and radio. Many businesses,

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schools and government offices closed early. Burllngton International Airport grounded llights. part of a nationwide shutdown of air traffic. But Williston's municipal government and schools dld not close. Williston Central School Prlnclpal Elalne Pinckney said the school convened its "Crisis Response Team" consisting of administrators, counselors and the school nurse to con slder how best lo handle the sltuation. "We dld give very, very brief thought to closlng the school," she said. But they decided that continued on page 3

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September 9, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 11

Memories, Tributes and Reflections

Images taken from of the front page of the weekly Williston Whistle in 2001; September 13, on the left, September 27, above.

Did you know? The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 were perpetrated on American soil and in American airspace, but the tragedy that unfolded on 9/11 affected countries across the globe. The attacks on 9/11 claimed the lives of citizens of 78 countries. People around the world mourned those who perished in the attacks, and various world leaders made comments that reflected the global impact of the senseless acts of violence that were perpetrated on 9/11. The comments from then-German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder reflect how shaken the world was in the aftermath of the attacks. “They were not only attacks on the people in the United States, our friends in America,” Schroeder said, “but also against the entire civilized world, against our own freedom, against our own values, values which we share with the American people.”

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Page 12 • Williston Observer • September 9, 2021

Memories, Tributes and Reflections Paul Eyer, Pastor, Williston Federated Church

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What I remember is the silence. It was a sunny September day, eerily reminiscent of that momentous morning well over a decade earlier, when passenger airplanes became weapons of terror. I was living in Pennsylvania at the time, and had traveled to a denominational meeting that took place in Shanksville, Penn. Before returning home, I made sure to stop at the nearby site where United Flight 93 had crashed into an open field. Soon I was making my way along a walkway toward that same field. Strolling nearby were other visitors to the site: a young family with children, a military veteran, an international tourist family, and others. Along the walkway there was friendly chatter within these disparate family groupings. But then we reached the field. There we could see the still-scarred land giving evidence of the violent collision that took the lives of over 40 persons on board the aircraft. And there the conversations came to a stop. A strong breeze ruffling leaves in distant trees may have been the only barely-audible sound. For a few sacred moments, it was silent. A sense of reverence seems all-too-rare in our larger culture. But reverence was on display that day as a diverse group of visitors remembered the courage of those who perished in that place over a decade before. We reflected on those whose heroism saved countless other lives and prevented even greater tragedy. In my faith tradition, there is a scripture passage that reads: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13 NRSV). On this 20th anniversary of 9/11, let us remember that community-focused spirit of commitment and sacrifice demonstrated so dramatically by the passengers and crew of Flight 93.

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Our Vermont Air National Guard was called into action to protect the New York and East Coast air space from further air attacks on Sept. 11. Their preparedness required, as is still the case, multiple plane rapid response takeoffs from Burlington. We were all familiar with that drill; the sight of multiple planes with the attendant increased engine sounds of full throttle. This was different on all levels. I was working outside. I witnessed the scramble. I immediately intuited the foreboding — “This is not a drill!” The planes popped up and out from BTV with all the fury of angry ground bees. It was much later that day I learned from network news of the horror wrought upon all who perished and their families and friends. The horror continues to this moment as worldwide, countless memories cannot be erased of the vision repeated thousands of times by media. The horror continues to this moment as Ground Zero first responders suffer significant maladies, including increased lung and heart disease and earlier dementia than CDC averages. The horror continues to this moment for those military women and men killed and maimed in action, and remains for their families and friends as our president and military pursued a questionable and illusive perpetrator. I remember immediately beseeching our Congressional delegation to “turn the other cheek,” to find and correct the cause of the heinous attack upon innocent people. I reminded them of the old saying, “give bread not bombs.” I co-signed a Legislative resolution sent to President Bush on Jan. 29, 2003 asking we not take preemptive action upon Iraq. All, all, and all … to no avail. I remember today, even as one minimally affected, by all comparisons, when glancing at my digital watch and see 9:11.

September 9, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 13

Memories, Tributes and Reflections

A timeline of the morning of September 11, 2001

n the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes bound for California. The planes departed from airports in Boston; Newark, NJ; and Washington, D.C. September 11 would become an infamous date in American and world history, and the events of that day would forever change the world. As the world commemorates the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the following timeline, courtesy of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, can help people fully understand how events unfolded on that late-summer morning two decades ago.

• 5:45 a.m.:

Two of the hijackers pass through security at Portland International Airport in Maine. The men will take a short flight to Boston Logan International Airport, where they will join three other hijackers and board American Airlines Flight 11.

• 6:00 a.m: Two of the hijacked

planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, will eventually crash into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. The day was a significant one on the New York City political calendar, as polling stations opened at 6 a.m. for primary elections.

• 7:59 a.m.: American Airlines

Flight 11 takes off from Boston with 11 crew members, 76 passengers and five hijackers on board. The plane, which will eventually crash into the North tower at the World Trade Center, is filled with more than 76,000 pounds of fuel.

• 8:15 a.m.:

United Airlines Flight 175 takes off from Boston with nine crew members, 51 passengers, and five hijackers on board. This flight also is loaded with 76,000 pounds of fuel.

• 8:19 a.m.: American Airlines

ground personnel are alerted by flight attendant Betty Ann Ong that Flight 11 is being hijacked. This call lasts roughly 25 minutes and Ong reports that the cockpit is unreachable. In the moments before Ong’s call, one of the hijackers stabbed Daniel M. Lewin, who was

sitting in front of him in first class. Lewin is likely the first person killed in the 9/11 attacks.

• 8 :20

a.m.:

American Airlines Flight 77 takes off from Washington Dulles International Airport. The flight has 49,900 pounds of fuel and is carrying six crew members, 53 passengers and five hijackers.

• 8:21 a.m.:

The transponder on Flight 11 is turned off. This device is meant to allow air traffic controllers to identify and monitor the flight path of a plane.

• 8:24 a.m.:

One of the hijackers of Flight 11 unwittingly broadcasts a message to air traffic controllers alerting them to the attacks. The hijacker was attempting to communicate with passengers and crew within the cabin.

• 8:30 a.m.:

Around this time, roughly 80 people have already begun gathering on the 106th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center for a financial technology conference. The conference is one of many events on the Trade Center schedule that day.

• 8:37 a.m.:

The Boston Air Traffic Control Center alerts the military that a hijacking is under way.

• 8:42 a.m.:

United Airlines Flight 93 takes off from Newark International Airpor t. The flight was due to take off at roughly the same time as the other hijacked planes, but was delayed due to routine traffic. Seven crew members, 33 passengers and four hijackers are on board. The flight is filled with 48,700 pounds of fuel.

• 8:46 a.m.:

Five hijackers crash Flight 11 into floors 93 through 99 of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Hundreds, including everyone on board the flight, are killed instantly. The crash severs all three emergency stairwells, trapping hundreds of people above the 91st floor.

• 8 :46

a.m.:

Poli c e, paramedics and firefighters are sent to the North Tower.

Flight 175 have called family members.

• 8:55 a.m.: The Port Authority informs people inside the South Tower via a public address system that the building is secure and there is no need to evacuate.

• 8:59 a.m.: The Port Authority

Police Department orders both towers evacuated. One minute later Captain Anthony Whitaker expands the order to include all civilians in the entire World Trade Center complex.

• 9:02 a.m.:

An evacuation order is broadcast in the South Tower.

• 9:03 a.m.:

Five hijackers crash Flight 175 into floors 77 through 85 of the South Tower. All onboard the flight are killed, as are an unknown number of people inside the building. Two of the three emergency stair wells are impassable and most elevator cables are severed, trapping many people above the impact zone and inside elevator cars.

• 9:03 a.m.:

A second call for mobilization brings the total number of New York City Police Department officers responding to the scene to roughly 2,000. In addition, the FDNY issues a fifth alarm and deploys several hundred additional firefighters to the scene.

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• 8:50 a.m.:

While visiting an elementary school in Florida, U.S. President George W. Bush is notified that a small plane has hit the North Tower.

• 8:52 a.m.: A flight attendant

aboard Flight 175 reaches a United Airlines operator in San Francisco and reports the flight is being hijacked. By 9 a.m., various passengers on

• 9:05 a.m.:

President Bush is informed that a second plane has crashed into the World Trade Center.

• 9:12 a.m.:

Flight attendant Renée A. May calls her mother and tells her that hijackers have seized control of Flight 77. When May’s call is disconnected, she calls American Airlines.

• 9:30 a.m.: Amidst reports of additional hijacked planes, the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management at 7 World Trade Center is evacuated.

• 9:37 a.m.:

Hijackers crash Flight 77 into the Pentagon. All 53 passengers and six crew members perish, and 125 military and civilian personnel on the ground are killed in the fire caused by the crash.

County, Pennsylvania.

• 9:59 a.m.: The South Tower collapses after burning for 56 minutes. The tower collapses in just 10 seconds.

• 9:59 a.m.:

Continuity-ofgovernment procedures are implemented for the first known time in American history.

• 10:03 a.m.:

Four hijackers crash Flight 93 into a field near the town of Shanksville, Pennsylvania. All 33 passengers and seven crew members on board perish. Passengers and crew had stormed the cockpit, and the plane ultimately crashes just 20 minutes’ flying time from Washington, D.C.

• 10:15 a.m.:

The E Ring of the Pentagon collapses.

• 9:42 a.m.:

• 10:28 a.m.:

• 9:45 a.m.:

• 11:02 a.m.:

The Federal Av i a t i o n Administration grounds all flights, ordering all civilian planes in United States airspace to land. Departures also are prohibited. Evacuations at the White House and the U.S. Capitol begin. Both the House of Representatives and Senate are in session at the time the evacuation begins.

• 9:58 a.m.:

Flight 93 is flying so low to the ground that passenger Edward P. Felt is able to reach an emergency 911 operator in Westmoreland

The North Tower collapses after burning for 102 minutes. More than 1,600 people are killed as a result of the attack on the North Tower. New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani urges the evacuation of lower Manhattan.

• 12:16 p.m.:

The last flight still in the air above the continental United States lands. Within two and a half hours, U.S. airspace has been cleared of roughly 4,500 commercial and general aviation planes.

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Page 14 • Williston Observer • September 9, 2021

SPORTS

Redhawks find success in season-openers FOOTBALL

The CVU football team opened up a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and did not look back as it beat Burlington-South Burlington on Saturday afternoon 35-14. Aidan Miller had two touchdown catches for the Redhawks in the season-opening win. Quarterback Max Destito also hooked up with Alex Provost (10-yard touchdown catch) and Angelos Carroll (two-yard touchdown catch) for CVU. Jack Sumner added a 14-yard rushing TD to round out the scoring for the Redhawks, who travel to St. Johnsbury on Friday for the second game of the season.

Tyler Wuthrich, Diego Robinson and Fritz Wetzel each dished out an assist for CVU, who did not allow a shot on net.

CROSS COUNTRY

The Champlain Valley cross country team headed to Essex on Saturday for the Essex Invitational. Matthew Servin came in first place in the Division I boys race to help the Redhawks to a second-place finish in the team competition. Kai Hillier also finished in the top 10, coming in ninth place. On the girls side, CVU came in third place in the the team competition. Alice Kredell was the top finisher for the Redhawks, coming in sixth place.

GIRLS SOCCER

Champlain Valley 6, Mount Anthony 1: Skyler Kingsbury and Chloe Pecor each tallied twice to lead the Champlain Valley girls soccer team to a win over Mount Anthony on Saturday. Emma Crum and Lily Williams each added a goal for the Redhawks (1-0), while Zoe Zoller and Anna Morton each chipped in with two assists. Emma Allaire and Ella Polli combined to make three saves in goal fo CVU.

FIELD HOCKEY

Champlain Valley 3, Burr and Burton 0: The Champlain Valley field hockey team scored twice off penalty corners and beat Burr and Burton on Friday to start the season with a win. Paige Comeau had a goal and an assist for the Redhawks, while Tess Everett and Miranda Oppenheimer each added a goal. Grace Ferguson earned the win in goal for CVU.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

BOYS SOCCER

Champlain Valley 3, Burr and Burton 0: The Champlain Valley boys soccer team scored twice in the first half enroute to a win over Burr and Burton on Saturday. Holden Batchelder, Thomas Roberts and Sam Dennison each found the back of the net for the Redhawks, who moved to 1-0.

Champlain Valley 3, South Burlington 1: The Champlain Valley boys volleyball team topped South Burlington 3-1 on Friday to earn a season-opening win. The Redhawks won the first two sets (25-6 and 25-13), but dropped the third. They rebounded for a 26-24 win in the fourth set to wrap up the victory. see SPORTS page 15

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September 9, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 15

SPORTS Sports continued from page

BOYS GOLF

Zach Vincent shot a 40 and the Champlain Valley boys golf team got its first win of the season at Champlain Country Club on Thursday. Bryce Bortnick came in with a 42, Connor Mulanney followed with a 43 and Jason Douglas had a 44 to help the Redhawks to a team score of 169. Colchester came in second with a 179, Rice shot 187 and BFA-St. Albans had 212.

CVU’s Chloe Snipes, left, bumps the ball to a setter during the Redhawks’ game vs. the South Burlington Wolves on Friday night in Hinesburg. Above, teammate Vivienne Babbott makes a dig to keep a play alive. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

Redhawk Riley Gauthier, top right, fights for possession during CVU’s game vs. the Burr and Burton Bulldogs in Hinesburg on Saturday. Zach Spitznagle, bottom center, dribbles through a crowd of Bulldog defenders.

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SENIORS

Little known Social Security program helps seniors manage their money

Savvy Senior By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior, Does Social Security offer any special help to beneficiaries who struggle managing their benefits? My aunt, who has no children, has dementia and struggles keeping up with her bills and other financial duties. Inquiring Niece Dear Inquiring, Yes, Social Security actually has a little-known program

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known as the “representative payee program” that helps beneficiaries who need help managing their Social Security benefit payments. Here’s what you should know.

Representative Payee Program Authorized by congress back in 1939, the Social Security representative payee program provides money management help to beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their Social Security income. Beneficiaries in need of this help are often seniors suffering from dementia, or minor children who are collecting Social Security survivors’ benefits. Currently more than 5 million Social Security beneficiaries have representative payees. Representative payees also handle benefits for nearly 3 million recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a Social Security administered benefit program for low-income people who are over 65, blind or disabled.

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A representative payee is typically a relative or close friend of the beneficiary needing assistance, but Social Security can also name an organization or institution for the role — like a nursing home or social service agency. Some of the duties of a representative payee include:

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• Using the beneficiary’s Social Security or SSI payments to meet their essential needs, such as food, shelter, household bills and medical care. The money can also be used for personal needs like clothing and recreation. • Keeping any remaining money from benefit payments in an interest-bearing bank account or savings bonds for the beneficiary’s future needs. • Keeping records of benefit payments received and how the money was spent or saved. • Reporting to Social Security any changes or events that could affect the beneficiary’s payments (for example, a move, marriage, divorce or death). • Reporting any circumstances that affect the payee’s ability to serve in the role.

As a representative payee, you cannot combine the beneficiary’s Social Security payments with your own money or use them for your own needs. The bank account into which benefits are deposited should be fully owned by the beneficiary, with the payee listed as financial agent. Some payees, generally those who do not live with the beneficiary, are required to submit annual reports to Social Security accounting for how benefits are used. For more information on the

responsibilities and restrictions that come with the role, see the Social Security publication “A Guide for Representative Payees” at www.SSA.gov/pubs/EN05-10076.pdf.

How to Get Help If you believe your aunt may need a representative payee, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 and make an appointment to discuss the matter at her local office. Applying to serve as a payee usually requires a faceto-face interview. Social Security may consider other evidence in deciding if a beneficiary needs a payee and selecting the person to fill the role, including doctors’ assessments and statements from relatives, friends and others in a position to give an informed opinion about the beneficiary’s situation. You should also know that if you become your aunt’s representative payee, you cannot collect a fee for doing it. However, some organizations that serve in the role do receive fees, paid out of the beneficiary’s Social Security or SSI payments. For more information on the program, visit www.SSA.gov/ payee. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 23 6

28 31 34

41 44

Beef Kabobs with Orange, Cumin, and Tamari

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Across

1. Engine need 4. Middle of mph 7. Large

14. Refinery material 15. Is for many 16. Adept

17. Family room 18. Functioned as 19. "Only kidding!"

44. Sonny’s partner 46. Army crime investigators 47. Giving 48. Slice 49. 45-minute flight, say 50. One year in a tree trunk 51. Cooling device 52. Reject 53. Cartridge filler, often 54. “Wherefore ___ thou Romeo?” 55. That guy’s 56. Edinburgh boy 58. Auction bidding target 61. It’s very cool 62. Dragonfly prey 63. ___ roll 64. A barber might trim hair from it 65. Strawberry, e.g. 66. “Agreed” 67. Learn 68. Describing some wines

10. Patriots' Conference 13. Be beholden to

Do you love kabobs? So do we! They’re so easy & great for any gathering! Prepare them ahead of time so you can spend more time with your guests until it’s time to fire up the grill. This recipe results in juicy beef kabobs flavored with sweet orange zest and spices with a tangy yogurt sauce for dipping. Get your grill on and enjoy!

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10. Night-time breathing issues 11. 6th day of the week 12. Winter ailment 22. Curse 24. Feeling insulted 26. Spick-and-span 28. West of Hollywood 29. Darjeeling or oolong 30. Bone below the knee 31. Be human 34. They have their pluses and minus charges 36. “___ he’s a jolly ...” 37. Frogs to be 38. Glowed on and off like a star 39. Suspend 40. Football receiver 41. Like a bather 42. Laughfest 43. It softens, with care 44. Hard to find 45. Tracked down 46. Toy boxes 50. Chain of hills 51. “My ___ Lady” 52. Grape producer 55. Clover, alfalfa, etc. 57. Grow old 59. Boat gear 60. Stab

Ingredients: • 1 Tbsp brown sugar • 1/3 cup tamari • 1 large clove garlic, minced fine • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin • 1/2 tsp ground coriander • Pinch of cayenne • 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper

26. Get closer

27. "Head for the hills!" Directions: 28. Kid's cry 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.

In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar and tamari. Whisk in the garlic, spices, lemon juice and orange zest. Gradually whisk in the olive oil. Set aside 2 T of the marinade. Camping cover Toss the beef cubes in the bowl with the rest of the marinade. Marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 8 hours "CSI" character Sidle in the refrigerator. Skewer the cubes leaving a little space between each cube so they’ll cook all around. Grill over Effortless med-high heat, turning the skewers to brown on all sides, about 5 – 8 minutes. You don’t want to over cook these; A shot you want them juicy and tender. Push the meat off the skewers. Mix the 2 T of reserved marinade with the yogurt. Serve the Billboard listing kabobs with warmed pita bread and the yogurt. A sprinkle of chopped cilantro is an excellent addition!

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Page 18 • Williston Observer • September 9, 2021

Fall Home Hosta — not just another pretty plant

BY DEBORAH BENOIT Special to the Observer Do you grow hostas? Even if you don’t know them by name, you’ll likely recognize their neat, rounded form in the garden. Hostas grow and flower happily in conditions from part to full shade and can tolerate sunny spots in northern states. Even if you’re familiar with hostas and grow them in your own garden, you may not be aware that the leaves and flowers are edible. That’s right. Hostas are not just another pretty plant. Taste test in the spring when the new leaves emerge. Shoots are tender and tasty and often compared to asparagus, not a

surprise since hosta and asparagus are both members of the same family (Asparagaceae). To harvest hostas, cut the shoots off near the soil. Wash and dry them as you would any other vegetable harvested in your garden. The shoots can be added to salads or fried with a bit of butter and garlic and served as a vegetable side dish. Or you could wrap them in bacon and roast in the oven. With so many possibilities, you might consider adding hostas to your garden this fall to harvest in the spring. And if you already grow them, you could give the leaves a try now. Once the leaves unfurl and mature, they become tougher and take on a bitter taste. They

can be chopped and boiled or steamed to add to soups, stews or dishes taking the place of spinach or other greens. Hostas flower in late summer, sending up scapes with trumpet-shaped flowers. The white or purple flowers are an attractive addition for several weeks to an already decorative plant. And they, too, are edible. Fresh hosta flowers have a nice crunch and a flavor similar to lettuce. They can be used as you would any edible flower, added to a salad or used as a garnish. A few words of caution: If you plan on nibbling the hostas in your garden, care for them as you would any other food crop. Be sure any hostas you intend to eat have not been treated with any pesticides or potentially poisonous chemicals. And please don’t share your culinary creations with your dog or cat because hostas are toxic to them. Hostas are fairly problem-free with the exception of slugs. These pests can cause large, irregular holes in the foliage and are active when temperatures are above 50 de-

Garden

Hostas, which have edible flowers and leaves, thrive in part to full shade and will tolerate sunny spots in northern states. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO BY DEBORAH BENOIT

grees and conditions are moist. Cultivars, depending on leaf thickness, can vary for their susceptibility to slugs. To deter these night-feeding pests, you can use several organic methods. For information on slugs and snails, go to www.go.uvm. edu/slugs. Finally, fall is a fine time to add hostas to your garden, and you just might find end-of-season sales at your local nursery. When planting, select a location where the soil drains well with enough room for your plant when it’s fully grown. Hostas should be planted several weeks prior to the ground freezing to allow time for the plant’s roots to get established.

Once temperatures dip below freezing consistently, hostas die back to the ground. When the ground thaws and temperatures are reliably above freezing again in spring, watch for the appearance of the new season’s growth and enjoy those tasty treats. For more information on growing hostas, check out the University of Vermont Extension article, “The How-To of Hostas,” by Dr. Leonard Perry at www.go.uvm.edu/hostas. Deborah Benoit is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from North Adams, Mass., who is part of Vermont’s Bennington County Master Gardener Chapter.

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Fall Home

Designing gardens for year-round color

BY MELINDA MYERS Special to the Observer

You can create a colorful yearround garden filled with flowers, greenery, colorful fruit, fall color, winter interest and a few surprises. Consider seasonal interest when planning a new garden or landscape. Adding a few key plants to existing gardens can help boost your landscape’s seasonal appeal. Include a variety of plants with multiple seasons of interest, as well as bird and pollinator appeal. You will look forward to the change of seasons as your landscape transforms throughout the year. Use trees and shrubs to provide a framework and longevity in your landscape. Serviceberries, crabapples, dogwoods and many others have flowers, fruit, pollinator, and bird appeal and add winter interest with their bark or form. Look for those with colorful exfoliating bark like paperbark maple, heptacodium and river birch for a beautiful statement in the winter garden. Include a few summer blooming shrubs like St John’s wort, buttonbush, panicle hydrangeas and Rose of Sharon. They add an unexpected fresh look to your summer landscape. Perennials combine nicely with trees, shrubs and annuals, adding seasons of color and texture. Include those that also attract songbirds, bees and butterflies by creating a beautiful habitat. Blue star (Amsonia), Siberian iris, sedum, Rudbeckia, coneflower and grasses are just a few that can brighten any garden with several seasons of color, provide homes for beneficial insects and food for the birds. End the season with fall bloomers like goldenrod, asters and hardy mums. These provide food for late season pollinators. Let healthy plants stand, providing homes for many beneficial insects, winter interest in the garden and food for songbirds. Use annuals to fill any voids, add season-long color and yearly

changes in the landscape. Containers on steps, decks and patios help bring the garden to your front and back doors. Include spring flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils and hyacinths planted in fall for a colorful welcome to spring. These and many of the earliest bloomers like winter aconites, grape hyacinths and crocus provide needed nectar for early season pollinators. Evergreens are always a welcome addition to any landscape. They provide shelter for birds and year-round greenery. Find new and interesting ways to include them in your landscape. Use taller evergreens for screening bad views, buffering traffic and other noises or creating privacy. Use evergreens with interesting form and texture to create a focal point in a garden bed or landscape. Combine them with perennials and flowering shrubs for added seasonal interest. Then keep your landscape looking its best by protecting key plants from hungry critters like deer, rabbits and voles. Skip the fencing and scare tactics by applying a rain resistant, organic repellent like Plantskydd (www. plantskydd.com) at planting. You will need fewer applications and the odor-based repellent sends animals dining elsewhere before taking a bite out of your plants. Apply repellent before animals start feeding and follow the label directions for best results. Continue to gather ideas with visits to public gardens and partaking in garden tours. Be sure to take notes and pictures that you can reference later. Creating a year-round landscape is an ongoing process that is part of the fun and adventure of gardening. Melinda Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Tree World Plant Care for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

September 9, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 19

Garden

Shrubs like this Blue Satin Rose of Sharon add color and interest to a garden. OBSERVER PHOTO COURTESY OF MELINDA MYERS

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Page 20 • Williston Observer • September 9, 2021

OBITUARIES Barbara Jordan

George E. Passage, Jr., 75, passed away surrounded by his loving family at The Arbors in Shelburne on August 28, 2021, Join us to celebrate the life of Barafter a courageous battle with Lewy Body bara Jordan of South Burlington at 1 Dementia. p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18 at Williston George was born on April 9, 1946 in Federated Church. Masking and social Burlington, Vermont to his parents, George distancing will be in effect. Seating is and Mary (Willis) Passage. He grew up limited and car-pooling encouraged. on Charlotte Street with his two sisters. See www.facebook.com/groups/ barGeorge had friendships from that neighborbarajordan/ for further details, includhood that lasted a lifetime. George attending a livestream option. ed Burlington High School and graduated in 1964. He played basketball, ran cross country and was a Boys State delwww.transitionspt.com egate. George atWe keep YOU kayaking! tended the University of VerQuality PT care in safe, mont and was an clean, private treatment ROTC student. rooms. He graduated All major insurances in 1968 with a accepted. degree in economics and was Essex Junction: 802.857.5976 com m issioned Jericho: 802.899.5200 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. This was the beginning of

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his military career. After graduation he became an advanced individual training instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The summer of 1969 George was deployed to Vietnam and served as an executive officer in the Artillery Unit. George served for one year in Vietnam and was awarded the bronze star for heroism in ground combat. After his service in Vietnam, he was transferred to the Alaskan Command Headquarters, where he served as a protocol officer and assigned to the Secretary to the Joint Staff. In November of 1971 he served as a plans officer at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, a position he held for two years. George continued in US Army Reserves for many years at the 1035th USAR school. He was an instructor, supply officer and plans officer. George was employed by Ulbrich Stainless Steel, Vermont Structural Steel, the University of Vermont and General Electric. In August 1979, George was hired as a facility services buyer with IBM. He was employed by IBM for 26 years and held various buying positions within the purchasing department. George continued with his military career while at IBM. He served with the Vermont National Guard until 2006, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. George enjoyed biking, walking and golfing. He had a group of friends he golfed with for many years that included a trip to Myrtle Beach. He had a passion for history and enjoyed reading about US and World history. His home was filled with history books. George loved the coast of Maine and traveling when he could. He was a member of The Edge for many years and liked working out and swimming. He loved watching sporting events at the University of Vermont. He lived across from the athletic fields for 30 years and would enjoy walking across the street to watch a high school playoff game or UVM event. George had a strong faith. He was a member of the First Congregational Church for 63 years. Singing in the choir during his youth, learning to shoot a 22 in the basement and traveling by ship to Europe with the Travel Institute were just a few of the many memories with the church. He attended Sunday services for many years with his sister Liz or special friend Libby,

as well as holiday services. Christmas Eve service was always a favorite. Recently George asked to go to a church service. He had not been to a service in over a year due to COVID and his failing health. We were able to arrange for him to attend the August 15th service at the Church with the help of the Arbors staff. George was a member of Washington Lodge, FAAM. George was devoted to his family and friends. This was a theme throughout his life. George was a single parent that raised his son and daughter while working between IBM and the VT National Guard. He was always there for his children and did not miss a school or sporting event that involved them. For 10 years, George visited his mother weekly while she resided at Birchwood Nursing Home. He also made regular visits to a dear friend who was a resident at The Arbors for many years. He enjoyed visits with his former mother-in-law, Ellen Hayes, and would always bring her a strawberry cake. George’s pride and joy were his grandchildren. He helped care for his grandsons, Tyler and Austin, before they were old enough to attend kindergarten and would have his granddaughters, Mikayla and Anna during school vacations and summer breaks. He enjoyed going to the movies, the Echo Center and Colchester Point. He loved spending time with them. He rarely missed a soccer game, hockey game, ski race, softball game, baseball game, lacrosse game, concert, school function or birthday party. He traveled the state of Vermont and New Hampshire for games and school activities. He was the best grandpa. He was always patient and kind and he made the most of every minute with them. Grandpa George was such an important part of all their lives and will be missed dearly. George is survived by his son; Chris Passage, his wife Ellen and granddaughters Mikayla and Anna; daughter Sarah Larocque, her husband Toby and grandsons Tyler and Austin; sisters Beverly Peronace and Liz Miles, her husband Jon; special friend, Libby Ivy; niece, Hannah Miles; nephews Richard Peronace and family; Stephen Peronace and family; Michael Peronace and family; and close friends Penny and Ron Wheatley. George is predeceased by his parents, his brother-in-law Richard Peronace and dear friend Jen Morris. A special thank you to all his caregivers - Flora Green, Synergy Homecare, Bayada and the staff at the Arbors; and to all his friends and family for their love and support. A celebration of life was held on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 11:00am at the First Congregational Church on South Winooski Avenue in Burlington. An outdoor gathering took place immediately after the service with graveside burial at Lakeview Cemetery in Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in his memory to the First Congregation Church, 38 South Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 or to the North Country Honor Flight, PO Box 2644, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

September 9, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 21

Aug. 22 at 9:08 a.m. — Police responded to a report of disorderly conduct on Day Lane. Aug. 23 at 8:59 a.m. — Police completed a welfare check on Read Road. Aug. 23 at 12:00 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Williston Road. There were no injuries or hazards on the scene. Aug. 23 at 12:43 p.m. — Police took a report and provided a case number for lost property on Marshall Avenue. Aug. 23 at 4:36 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a vehicle collision on Marshall Avenue. There were no injuries or hazards on the scene. Aug. 23 at 5:36 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a vehicle collision on Essex Road. There were no injuries or hazards on the scene. Aug. 23 at 9:58 p.m. — Police assisted Williston Rescue in responding to a medical call on South Road. Aug. 23 at 10:48 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious behavior on Essex Road. Upon arrival, the individuals had already left the scene. Aug. 24 at 9:14 a.m. — Police provided a case number for lost property on Harvest Lane. Aug. 24 at 10:03 a.m. — Police responded to a report of an animal problem on Kristen Court and assisted in mediating an agreement between the two parties. Aug. 24 at 10:49 a.m. — Police assisted citizens in coming to an agreement on Porterwood Drive. Aug. 24 at 10:56 a.m. — Police responded to a lockout on Lawrence Place and the officer was able to gain access to the vehicle for the citizen. Aug. 24 at 5:18 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a lockout on Boxwood Street. The officer was unable to gain access to the vehicle, but got in contact with a towing service to assist the citizen. Aug. 25 at 10:07 a.m. — Police advised a citizen regarding a lost license plate. Aug. 25 at 10:10 a.m. — Police assisted Williston Fire with a welfare check at Falcon Manor. Aug. 25 at 10:40 a.m. — Police responded to a report of an animal problem on Harvest Lane. Upon arrival, the officer found that the dog was not in distress. Aug. 25 at 11:01 a.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Harvest Lane. There were no injuries or hazards on the scene. Aug. 25 at 11:36 a.m. — Police assisted a citizen in documenting an online scam. Aug. 25 at 12:21 p.m. — Police conducted a VIN inspection on Krupp Drive. Aug. 25 at 12:33 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Boxwood Street. Aug. 25 at 12:41 p.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle complaint on North Williston Road. The officer spoke with both operators to resolve the situation. Aug. 25 at 12:47 p.m. — Police re-

sponded to a motor vehicle complaint on Cypress Street. The officer spoke to the operator, and they were picked up by a family member. Aug. 25 at 4:31 p.m. — Police responded to assist Williston Fire Department with a possible fire on St. George Road. Upon arrival, the officer assisted in escorting the operator to wait for a technician for their vehicle. Aug. 25 at 10:21 p.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle complaint on Boxwood Street. The officer could not locate the vehicles

upon arrival. Aug. 26 at 2:59 a.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Interstate 89 for speeding, as well as a commercial vehicle inspection. Aug. 26 at 8:18 a.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop for an expired inspection sticker on Mountain View Road. The operator was found to be under suspension. Aug. 26 at 10:33 a.m. — Police responded to a request for a welfare check on Southview Lane. The officer assisted Williston Rescue in transporting the citizen to the hospital. Aug. 26 at 3:46 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a vehicle blocking the road on Route 116. The vehicle was towed to clear the roadway. Aug. 26 at 3:49 p.m. — Police pro-

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vided a case number for property damage on Harvest Lane. Aug. 26 at 8:52 p.m. — Police responded to a report of trespassing on Harvest Lane. Officers took the citizen into custody. Aug. 27 at 3:08 a.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Williston Road for defective equipment and misuse of plates. The operator was found to be criminally suspended and was cited accordingly. Aug. 27 at 11:09 a.m. — Police took custody of found property on St. George Road. Aug. 27 at 12:31 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Williston Road. Aug. 27 at 1:36 p.m. — Police served a relief from abuse order at Falcon Manor. Aug. 27 at 3:01 p.m. — Police issued

a citation to assist South Burlington Police Department. Aug. 27 at 5:39 p.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop for speeding and the operator was referred to the Williston Community Justice Center. Aug. 27 at 5:48 p.m. — Police took custody of a package from Marshall Avenue and logged it for destruction at the police department. Aug. 27 at 5:50 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Industrial Avenue. There were no hazards or injuries on the scene. Aug. 27 at 7:06 p.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on St. George Road for a license plate violation. The operator was found to be under suspension, as well as violating their conditions of release, see POLICE page 22

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Page 22 • Williston Observer • September 9, 2021

Police continued from page

and was taken into custody. Aug. 27 at 7:31 p.m. — Police trespassed an individual from a business on Harvest Lane at the business’ request. Aug. 28 at 3:10 a.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Williston Road. The operator was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence. Aug. 28 at 9:59 a.m. — Police responded to a report of theft on St. George Road. The officer documented the theft accordingly. Aug. 28 at 10:54 a.m. — Police cited a person with a warrant on Cypress Street.

Aug. 28 at 12:36 p.m. — Police completed a welfare check on Blair Park Road. Aug. 28 at 2:15 p.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle complaint on Pine Lane. Upon arrival, the issue was resolved. Aug. 28 at 4:07 p.m. — Police responded to a request for assistance on Southview Lane. The officer assisted the citizen in getting access to their residence. Aug. 29 at 10:50 a.m. — Police assisted a citizen in changing a tire on Marshall Avenue. The incidents above are not a full recount of police activity, rather a highlight of some of the events that occurred. Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorneys Office and can be amended or dropped.

CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA Tuesday, September 14, 2021 – 7:00 PM In-person* and virtual attendance options Zoom Meeting ID 823 369 798 on zoom.us/ join or call 1-646-558-8656 Beckett/McGuire Meeting Room (Town Hall, 7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance) DP 21-18 The Snyder Group, Inc. requests pre-application review of a proposed mixeduse development with 243 dwelling units (carriage homes, townhomes, multi-family buildings) and a 65-unit senior housing

SERVICES

facility at the Essex Alliance Church property (54.1 acres) located on Beaudry Lane and north of Knight Lane/Chelsea Place/Dunmore Road in the Taft Corners Zoning District (TCZD).

PAINTING — Need a fresh start in 2021? Let Lafayette Painting give your home a beautiful new look. Our painters can do a lot in a day. LafayettePaintingInc.com or call 863-5397 to hear about our discounts.

Project details and site plans are available online, go to bit.ly/DRBagendas. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802-878-6704 or email planning@willistonvt.org

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*Due to COVID-19, remote participation is strongly encouraged. Masks are required indoors when walking around or if social distancing (6-ft) cannot be maintained. Town Hall is equipped with an audio/visual system to provide a streamlined experience for in-person and virtual meeting participants.

Large Garage Sale — Friday and

Saturday, Sept. 10 & 11 from 8-4. Harley, Anheuser Bush, Budweiser collectibles, Women’s HD shirts and shoes, bag chairs, household items, everything from soup to nuts all reasonably priced. 459 Oak Knoll Rd., Williston.

To advertise or place a classified email Rick@willistonobserver.com or call 373-2136

OPEN YOUR HOME, MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR A CHILD!

Shared Living Provider We are currently seeking a home provider for a 10-year-old girl with an Intellectual Disability. This is an in-home position and the child would need their own bedroom in the home. We are looking for a quiet home with no other children located in Lamoille County. Tax-Free Stipend plus Room & Board To learn more about this opportunity contact Ross King at (802) 888-5026 ext. 202.

Come join our team of amazing individuals making a difference every day! More information and all job opportunities can be viewed at www.lamoille.org/careers LCMHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME INSPECTION

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LAND MAINTENANCE

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LANDSCAPING

Forestry Mulching Services for private and commercial projects Driveways, Ponds, Land Clearing, Trails, Farms, Ski Areas, Natural Disaster Recovery, Logging Cleanup, Invasive Vegetation, Excavation Visit our website for more information www.vtlandmaintenance@gmail.com Brian Washburn 802-434-4533 • 802-373-1755 (cell)

Snowplowing • Salting • Scheduling Fall Cleanups now! Edging and Mulching • Walkways, Patios and Walls

FULLY INSURED • www. kingfishvt.com Call today to get on our 2021 calendar! (802) 345-4280

September 9, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 23

RABIES BAIT SERVICE DIRECTORY continued from page 2

RUG CLEANING

HOME MORTGAGE LOANS

TREE bait SERVICE The week-long drop is a cooperative effort between Vermont and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to stop the spread of the potentially fatal Adam’s Tree & Yard disease. Stump Removal Rabies Tree is a&deadly viral disease of the Yard & Brush Pile Clean Upmost often brain that infects mammals. It is Insured skunks, foxes, and bats, seen in raccoons, Serving Chittenden and beyond.can also but unvaccinated petsCounty and livestock get rabies. The virus is spread through the Adam Hall • 802-309-8971 bite of an infected animal or contact with its

RABIES saliva. If left BAIT untreated, rabies is almost al- sali continued from page and 2 animals. However, wa ways fatal in humans treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly trea week-long bait drop is asoon coopera100The percent effective when given after SH ANTIQUE SHOP 100 ANTIQUE SHOP tive effort between Vermont and the U.S. a person is bitten by a rabid animal. ap con Department Agriculture Wildlife Services So far thisofyear, 23 animals in Vermont IVE ORNERS IVE ORNERS to stop the positive spread offor the potentially have tested rabies, and 14fatal of hav IVE ORNERS She disease. those have been raccoons.NTIQUES tho NTIQUES disp NTIQUES Rabies is a to deadly viralofficials, disease of the According wildlife rabid A Multi Dealer Shop A Multi Dealer Shop lead brain that infects mammals. ItDealer is animals often show a Achange inmost their norani Multi Shopoften dor 802.878.6167 802.878.6167 seenbehavior, in raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, ma mal but you cannot telland whether 802.878.6167 11 Maple Street, Street, Essex Junction, VT VT from 11 Maple Essex Junction, Maple Street, Essex Junction, VT butanimal unvaccinated pets11Open and livestock can11-4 also an has rabies simply by looking at Mon -Mon Sat 10-5 Sun an Open - Sat 10-5 Sun 11-4 Open Mon - Sat 10-5 Sun 11-4 cree 5CornersAntiques.com 5CornersAntiques.com getPeople rabies.should The virus is spread through the it. P it. not touch or pick up wild 5CornersAntiques.com from bite of anorinfected or contact with its ani animals strays –animal even baby animals.

CC FF F C AA A

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BATTERIES

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Build / Remodel CONSTRUCTION

Health Build / Remodel LANDSCAPING

PLEASANT VALLEY, INC.

Roofing Siding & Trim Work Siding Carpentry Repairs 3.25 x 2 AD for Williston Observer Renovations Painting & Staining Painting Decks & Porches 52 Consecutive Weeks $18.00/week $936 Decks Outdoor Structures 802-343-4820 802-343-4820 Call 802-951-9992 www.pleasantvalleyvt.com www.pleasantvalleyvt.com 207 BOYER CIRCLE, UNIT 20 • WILLISTON

We buy junk batteries!

10/08/2019

REAL ESTATE Your Williston Neighbor

Funeral / Cremation

Michelle Desautels REALTOR®, PSA (802) 846-9503

Vinyl/Wood/Composite Family owned and operated since 1921 Windows & Doors • Decks & Porches Pre-planning Kitchens services available & Bathrooms Sunrooms & Garages 209 Falls Road, Shelburne, VT Monkton, VT (802) beaglebuilders@gmavt.net 985-3370 802-453-4340 CALL US!

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BUILDING SERVICES

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Roofing Spring Cleanup & Mulch Siding Lawn Maintenance Renovations Landscape Design Painting Stonework & Planting Decks Mini Excavation 802-343-4820 802-343-4820 www.pleasantvalleyvt.com www.pleasantvalleyvt.com

ANTIQUES WANTED FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES Since 1988

Decluttering? Downsizing? Settling an Estate? SHELBURNE FUNERAL CHAPEL We can help you discover, learn about and sell: Tim Gould

Family owned and operated since• ARTWORK 1921 PT, MS, DPT • JEWELRY • COINS • SILVER WATCHES We canPre-planning field questions, review photos and coordinate estate work. services available South Burlington Shelburne 23 San Remo Drive 166 Athletic Drive Contact BrianVT Bittner 209 Falls Road, Shelburne, tel 865.0010 tel 985.4440 802-272-7527 www.DeePT.com (802) 985-3370bittnerantiques@gmail.com DEE.PT.bCARD.2.4x1.5FINAL.indd 12

SAFES AND LOCKS

G A S

To place a classified or service directory ad, email Rick@willistonobserver.com or call 373-2136.

42S PO2t titu w

www.bittnerantiques.com

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