The Catamount Outdoor Family Center is getting an upgrade.
Next to the current trail hub and parking lot on Gov. Chittenden Road, plans for a project under the name “Magic Building” are underway.
This new 6,000-square-foot building will include space for a great room, offices, rental area, restrooms and equipment storage. It will also have a covered outdoor pavilion.
Construction cost estimates range from $4 million to $6.5 million, according to Catamount Executive Director John Atkinson.
In June, preliminary plans for the building were approved by the Town of Williston’s
AL FREY
A mixed bag
Composters work to clean the food scrap stream
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
It takes a unique individual to wade through mountains of food waste from Chittenden County’s school cafeterias, college campuses, business break rooms and home kitchens searching for plastic and other items contaminating the composting process.
universal recycling law went into full effect, banning food scraps from landfill-bound trash, the volume of material coming into Green Mountain Compost shot up. At the same time, the quality went down.
Catamount Community Forest Management Committee.
The building will replace the organization’s current headquarters inside the historic Governor Chittenden House. The house doesn’t offer public space indoors.
“In order to grow … we need to build this building,” Atkinson said of the Magic Building. “The primary goal is to support our camp, but also to be able to welcome people into a building that is here for events, celebrations, clinics, programs — all these things that we do here.”
The space could also be rented out as a venue for private events, he added.
But for the past year, that’s what Green Mountain Compost Organics Contamination and Quality Control Lead Allison Smith has repeatedly done as she implements Green Mountain Compost’s contamination policy that went into effect in 2024. Located on Redmond Road in Williston, Green Mountain Compost upcycles food scraps into compost for a variety of soil-enhancing uses as a division of the Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD).
Mixed among the banana peels, soggy half-eaten pizza slices and apple cores, Smith has found a variety of non-compostable contaminants. Most prevalent are plastic bags, but also present are dog poop bags, food containers, latex gloves, diapers and simply bags of trash.
She photographs the contamination and shares the pictures with haulers like Casella Waste Systems and Myers Containers.
“We are showing haulers everything we are seeing on the ground,” Smith said, “so they can pinpoint where contamination is coming from.”
After 2020, when Vermont’s
Chicken & Waffles Sandwich
The quality of food scraps coming into Green Mountain Compost has been improving since the implementation last year of a finebased contamination policy.
COURTESY OF CHITTENDEN SOLID WASTE DISTRICT
CSWD Organics Recycling Director Dan Goossen explains: “We saw a big increase in what was coming in with the full implementation of that law when, after nearly 30 years of people composting voluntarily, and therefore probably trying harder to do the right thing, we suddenly had all these folks who were doing it for the first time and maybe didn’t have as much information about how to do it, so we saw a lot more contamination.”
That prompted CSWD’s Board
of Commissioners to invest in machinery capable of separating out some contaminants; to develop a policy of expectations for compost haulers — backed by fines of up to $150 per ton for contaminated loads; and to create Smith’s quality control position to implement the policy.
Fines are assessed on a hauler when their load is 5-10 percent contaminated ($75 fine per ton) and over 10 percent contaminated ($150 fine per ton). CSWD also assesses fines for loads that have “incidental” contamination, which doesn’t meet the 5 percent threshold but still has non-compostable items.
According to Goossen, when CSWD assesses a fine, in most cases the hauler is passing it on to their customers in an effort to change behavior at the source.
“We’re really dependent on building these relationships with the haulers and specifically the drivers of these businesses because they’re the ones who will know where (contaminants) came from,” Goossen said. “Even on the bigger routes, where it’s a ton or more of food waste, the drivers often will recognize where it came from.”
T he closer communication with food scrap haulers, coupled with fines, has improved the quality of food scraps coming in, Goossen said.
“We’ll hopefully get a little bit better at being able to actually quantify what the improvement has been, but just generally, the
Trent Snyder
Owen Deale celebrates an overall first place finish in the 4-lap distance at the Catamount Outdoor Family Center mountain bike races last Wednesday. More photos on page 24.
OBSERVER PHOTO BY
Around Town
bricks featuring the veteran’s name and dates and branch of service.
The bricks will be installed by the Williston Public Works Department in the patio at the town’s War Memorial, which sits between Town Hall and the Annex on Williston Road. The memorial is the site of public observances on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Brick sponsorship available to honor veterans
A program to create a lasting tribute to veterans has been announced by the WillistonRichmond Rotary Club. People are invited to honor family
Two brick sizes are offered for purchase: 4-by-8 inches and 8-by-8 inches. A typical inscription includes the name, branch of service and dates for each veteran. Larger bricks may feature the names of multiple veterans. Bricks may also include an optional emblem of the branch of service.
A portion of the proceeds will support the community ser-
new pavilion at
is complete and ready for use. There are seats for 54 people on the benches and six accessibility spots at the ends of the larger tables. Currently, the pavilion is available on a first-come, first-served basis. A reservation system is under development by the Williston
Department.
youth mentoring and literacy, home heating fuel assistance, park beautification and community holiday celebrations. For more information and to receive order forms, email or call Phil Stevens at philipsstevens@gmail.com or (802) 734-7477. Order by Sept. 1
to ensure bricks will be installed prior to Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
Senior lunches return
The Williston Recreation and Parks Department and Age Well will be hosting weekly Senior Community Meals for residents age 60-plus starting Tuesday,
Aug. 19. Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m. and lunch is served at noon. Following lunch there will be a free senior-focused program from 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Spots are limited and pre-registration is required. Contact Taylor at (802) 876-1160 or by email at recreation@willistonvt.org.
The
Williston’s Village Community Park
Recreation and Parks
Made in the shade
Honor family members and friends who have served in the military with custom-inscribed bricks featuring the veteran’s name and dates and branch of service to be placed at the Williston War Memorial next to Town Hall.
CSWD
continued from page 1
loads are looking better,” he said. “It’s making a difference.”
IT’S
EASY BEING GREEN
Green Mountain Compost staff has visually inspected about 325 loads of food scraps over the past year since the contamination policy went into effect. The most common contaminant in those inspected loads has been non-compostable bags that people line their food collection bins with.
There is a critical difference between compostable liner bags and noncertified lookalikes that contaminate compost. Compostable bags, typically green, will say “BPI compostable” on them. Lookalines, also typically green, will say things like “biodegradable” or “recyclable.”
Brandi Whitten, general manager at residential food scrap hauler No Waste Compost, said the company educates all new
customers about the bags that Green Mountain Compost will accept, and its drivers are always on the lookout for customers using bogus bags.
“It is unfortunate that retailers will advertise those products as compostables,” Whitten said. “If they don’t have that BPI certification, it’s not something we can take. Every time we see a customer not using an appropriate liner, we let them know.”
Many households, however, are collecting their own food scraps and dropping them off at CSWD’s drop-off centers around the county. Much of the bogus liner problem is coming from those collection points, Smith said, as the residents dropping off food scraps there are not privy to the education that a hauling service can provide.
CSWD is creating signs and social media marketing campaigns to capture that demographic.
“People are trying to do the right thing,” said Goossen. “They’ll buy the green bag they see on Amazon
PROPERTY TRANSFERS
JULY 2025
Matthew Allen bought a home on South Brownell Road from Steven Brown for $495,000.
John Thibeault bought a home on Sharon Drive from Alice Schermerhorn for $535,000.
Wren House bought a mobile home on Vine Street from Jason Belanger for $180,000.
Vermont Aggregates LLC bought 20 acres on South Brownell Road from Green Acres Inc. for $900,000.
Hagwood Family Trust bought a home on Eden Lane from The Snyder Williston Properties LLC for $596,026.
Dalibor Vujanovic bought a home on Eden Lane from The Snyder Williston Properties LLC for $638,115.
International Brotherhood of Teamsters 5 bought an office building on Commerce Street from Northwest Realtor Association for $550,000.
Gayle Gazo bought a mobile home on Meadowbend Road from Joanna Von Recklinghousen for $280,000.
John Simard bought a condo-
and it says ‘earth-friendly.’ They buy a case of them, then for the next 12 months, they’re bringing us contaminated bags.
“We think we’ll be able to change that behavior.”
TOO COOL TO COMPOST
Another source of contamination that Green Mountain Compost plans to focus on improving in the coming year is school cafeterias. CSWD has a tradition of school outreach with lessons around recycling and plans are to expand that into composting education.
Through load inspections, Smith said she has pinpointed certain schools with more contamination than others. She also noted that younger grades are typically more conscientious about composting.
“As you get too cool for school you get more contamination,” she said.
“School cafeteria streams are still really hard for us,” she added. “This year we really want to focus on that.”
STOP!
Certi ed, clearly labeled, compostable bags only
minium from Lucille Blanchard on Eastview Circle for $355,000.
The Corbett Family Trust bought a home on 1.6 acres on Heather Lane from Robert Walker for $1.22 million.
John Hibbs bought a home on 3 acres on Ridge Road from Bernard Paprocki for $650,000.
Douglas Wheeler bought a condominium on Kettlepond Lane from Mary Jo Sleeper for $460,000.
Muk Real Estate LLC bought a home on Eden Lane from The Snyder Williston Properties LLC for $599,025.
Robert McLaughlin bought a condominium on Holland Lane from Matthew Vosburgh for $440,000.
Richard Bevins bought a condominium on Jake’s Way from Jeffrey Goldman for $370,000.
David Saddlemire bought a condominium on Meadowrun Road from Burkhart Morrison for $510,000.
Megan Speck bought a condominium on Hideaway Lane from Raymond Kawasaki for $392,000.
Green Mountain Compost plans more outreach and education about the difference between compostable bags and non-compostalble knock-offs.
ICE arrests migrant workers during raid at Essex lumberyard
BY ALICE FINNO VTDigger
Following a monthslong investigation, federal immigration officers performed a targeted raid at Lamell Lumber in Essex last Saturday, arresting several migrant workers.
While U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has accelerated its arrests of migrants in Vermont in recent months, advocates say the raid marks a new tactic.
“ICE arrests at the workplace are still not the norm,” said Will Lambek with Migrant Justice, a group that advocates for immigrant workers. “Most arrests are conducted in public places, so this is something of a departure from what we are usually seeing.”
According to Lambek, the officers arrested three men. The raid follows an investigation of Lamell Lumber’s employment practices, during which the federal Homeland Security Investigations unit in Burlington allegedly discovered counterfeit documents that led to the arrests.
claiming the company fired them for demanding higher wages. When they asked to have their jobs back, the company allegedly offered to rehire them at $14.50 per hour instead of the $16 they were paid before. According to Lambek, the workers involved in the protest took severance pay and left Lamell Lumber.
HSI said it found fake documents that led to the arrest of the two men.
“This is the first, to our knowledge, set of arrests that followed an I-9 audit,” Lambek said. “In that sense, it is unique.”
Brett Stokes, director of the Center for Justice Reform Clinic at Vermont Law and Graduate School, agreed with Lambek.
Federal court records show that two men from Mexico — Alejandro Monfil Carballo, 40, and Artemio Cordova Mendez, 36 — have been accused of reentering the country illegally after being deported. They are currently being held at Northwest State Correctional Facility.
A judge decided that the men must remain detained at Northwest while they wait for their trials.
The third man who was arrested has not been criminally charged, according to Lambek. He is currently being held at Plymouth County Correctional Facility in Massachusetts.
According to Lambek, the man was unable to make a phone call in Vermont and could only alert his family when he was granted a phone call in Massachusetts.
The investigation and arrests come after lingering strife at the business related to workers’ rights.
On Feb. 7, migrant workers at Lamell Lumber staged a protest
Monfil Carballo was hired by the company shortly after the protest, Lambek said, whereas Cordova Mendez had been working there longer but was not involved in the February protest.
The investigation began in February when the Homeland Security Investigations unit in Burlington received information indicating that Lamell Lumber employs and provides housing to their workforce through Agri-Placement Services, an employee placement company, according to affidavits submitted by border patrol agent John McGarghan.
In March, HSI submitted a notice of I-9 inspection and subpoena, requiring Lamell Lumber to submit original I-9 forms, which are used to verify identity and employment eligibility. Federal officials also asked for payrolls from January onward, lists of current and terminated employees from December 2024 onward and other personal information on the workers.
As a result of the investigation,
“Is it possible that ICE could have been doing this before? Yes, absolutely. But the fact of the matter is they haven’t been,” Stokes said. “I certainly have never heard about it happening in Vermont.”
During the Biden administration, a Deferred Action for Labor Enforcement program allowed people to report workplace violations and abuse without fear of retaliation. Immigrants could request to defer removal and be legally present in the U.S. for limited periods while investigations into the companies moved forward. Many workers benefited from the program, but it was terminated after Trump’s inauguration, Lambek said.
Neither Immigration and Customs Enforcement nor Lamell Lumber responded to requests for comment.
The next court hearing for Monfil Carballo and Cordova Mendez is scheduled for Aug. 18 in Burlington. Since they are facing criminal charges, the two were assigned a public defender.
The Lamell Lumber Corp. in Essex on Aug. 7.
PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER
U-Haul carrying 44 migrants intercepted near Derby Line
Human trafficking into Canada suspected: ‘They could barely breathe’
BY AUDITI GUHA VTDigger
Forty-four asylum-seekers, most from Haiti, were found packed in the back of a 16-foot U-Haul truck in southern Québec early Sunday, according to Canadian authorities.
Canadian police arrested three people on smuggling charges.
Working off a tip, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Sûreté du Québec intercepted the box truck just south of Stanstead, Québec, minutes north of the Vermont border station at Derby Line, Sunday at 2:20 a.m.
The truck was carrying 44 foreign nationals — including a 4-yearold child and a pregnant woman — packed in dangerously hot and cramped conditions in a suspected case of human trafficking, according to Cpl. Erique Gasse, a spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
“They could barely breathe
because there’s no opening like a bus — it’s like a closed box. So they were pretty relieved to see the police opening the door, but at the same time, obviously, they got caught,” he said.
Many of the smuggled migrants were wet and told officers they had to walk for about two hours in the forest and had to wade through
waist-high water before they got into the truck on the Canadian side. The weather was getting cold and Gasse said officers provided blankets and shared water and food with the asylum seekers.
“They were hungry. They were thirsty, and they needed some energy,” he said.
It was an unusually large number
of people by the Canadian police’s standards, he said, as they usually apprehend families or small groups of people trying to cross the border.
“We see that a lot in Europe,” he said. “I hope it’s not a new trend.”
The 47 people were arrested and brought to the Canada Border Services Agency at the Stanstead Highway 55 border crossing,
according to Guillaume Bérubé, a spokesperson for the agency.
Ogulcan Mersin, 25, Dogan Alakus, 31, and Firat Yuksek, 31, were arrested on charges of aiding and abetting to commit an immigration offense as well as a charge of assisting people to enter Canada outside of a designated customs office.
They are detained in Sherbrooke until their next court hearing on Aug. 28, for a bail hearing, according to Alessia Bongiovanni from the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
“The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be laid. The (Canada Border Services Agency) cannot comment further as the matter is before the courts,” Bérubé wrote in an email.
Most of the asylum-seekers were taken to the agency’s refugee processing center in Saint-Bernardde-Lacolle and are set to be subject to individual immigration assessments, he wrote.
Canadian news outlets, such as the CBC, have reported that many of them were sent back to the U.S.
MIGRANTS page 16
Canadian authorities intercepted a truck carrying 44 foreign asylum seekers, mostly from Haiti, and three alleged smugglers near the Vermont-Canada border in Québec on Aug. 3.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE see
Preparing for a future with less federal support
BY MIKE PIECIAK AND SUE MINTER
Vermonters have learned a hard lesson from past disasters: Being prepared makes a difference.
The Covid-19 pandemic, Tropical Storm Irene and devastating floods of recent summers have shown that when we plan ahead and protect our state, we keep Vermonters safe, businesses open and costs down.
Today we must use this same approach as the Trump administration threatens the security of workers, families and our communities.
Vermonters are already feeling the impact of the Trump agenda. Inflation is worsening, tariffs are driving up costs for businesses, ICE raids are tearing families apart, and important programs like Medicaid and food assistance are being slashed. The stock market may be riding high, but this bears little resemblance to the reality of most Vermonters.
Across our state, there is
As a small, rural state, Vermont is especially vulnerable to any shifts in federal support. On a per capita basis, Vermont receives about 36 percent more federal funding than the average U.S. state. Federal funds, meanwhile, account for roughly 35 percent of our state budget.
deep anxiety about how Trump’s policies are affecting our neighbors, the cost of living, and the most vulnerable among us. To better understand the impact of these changes as they unfold — and develop recommendations to protect Vermonters from
Rick Cote, Associate Publisher rick@willistonobserver.com 802-373-2136
EDITOR
Jason Starr editor@willistonobserver.com
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Member:
incoming and future changes — the state treasurer’s office convened the Task Force on the Federal Transition.
Meeting regularly since January, the task force included a range of local leaders and heard from local and national experts about how federal changes are impacting Vermonters, our economy and the state’s fiscal health.
As a small, rural state, Vermont is especially vulnerable to any shifts in federal support. On a per capita basis, Vermont receives about 36 percent more federal funding than the average U.S. state. Federal funds, meanwhile, account for roughly 35 percent of our state budget.
Over the past decade, Vermont has also been the fourth highest recipient per capita among all U.S. states of disaster-related federal funding. With the role of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) now in question, any loss in disaster-related support would shift more costs to states, businesses and taxpayers.
In our communities, ICE raids and changes to immigration policy have stirred needless terror and dislocated neighbors and family members. This has also added pressure to Vermont’s already-strained workforce, driving up costs in critical industries like health care, agriculture and housing.
At our northern border, Trump’s rhetoric and tariffs are dramatically impacting Canadian travel to Vermont. In March, April and May, yearover-year private vehicle crossings from Canada into Vermont were down about 35 percent. This sudden drop in Canadian visitors is hurting our state’s $4 billion tourism industry, which many of our rural communities rely on.
When Washington changes course, or tone, Vermonters feel it here at home.
Recently, the Task force published a final report with eleven recommended actions to make Vermont’s economy more resilient to federal policy changes. The recommendations include creating a state natural disaster recovery reserve fund, convening nonprofit leaders to strengthen services, and establishing a state office of new Americans to coordinate resources for foreign newcomers and help grow our workforce and economy.
Across all recommendations, the report delivers a clear message: Vermont must prepare now for a future with fewer federal dollars, greater economic uncertainty and higher costs for workers and families.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Passing thoughts
On a recent morning, as I was walking my two leashed dogs on the rec path — as I do every day — I had an unfortunate encounter with a biker who came racing past on my right at top speed without one word of warning, with only inches to spare between my blind dog and disaster. As he sped away, I said “Please warn people before you pass from behind!” The response I got was “Then don’t walk in the middle if you don’t want to get hit!”
I can’t tell you how many times we have almost been run down by bikers who have no
Pieciak/Minter
continued from page 6
We cannot control what is going to happen in Washington, and we cannot fully replace the federal support that is being cut away. But we can organize, plan ahead and take proactive steps to provide the best outcomes possible to Vermonters.
This work takes on even greater importance under Trump’s domestic policy bill, which was passed after the work of the task force was completed. In the coming years, cuts and new requirements to programs like Medicaid and SNAP will kick tens of thousands of Vermonters off their health insurance and cause children across the state to go hungry. This will trap more families in poverty, strain social services and drive-up costs for everyone. It’s a historic betrayal of the working- and middle-class.
Recognizing these challenges, we must lean into our strengths as Vermonters: strong communities, a deep care for our neighbors, and a shared commitment to protecting the place we call home. We must work together and prove once again that when we stand shoulder to shoulder, we can build a better future for everyone.
That won’t change, no matter what happens in Washington.
Mike Pieciak is Vermont State Treasurer. Sue Minter cochaired the Vermont Task Force on the Federal Transition.
sense of anyone else but themselves. I’m not talking about you bikers who follow the rules. But so many more these days act like that rude biker or don’t react at all when they are reminded to warn pedestrians of their passing.
And, I’m sorry to the Williston Parks and Recreation Department, but it doesn’t help to list “Be courteous” buried among the very long list of regulations that are posted at the main entrance to the park. Few people stop to read them — especially bikers. Let’s face it “Be courteous” is less of a regulation and more of a suggestion.
The truth is, pedestrians
always have the right of way. Period. This should be common knowledge. And parents of children just learning to ride their bikes on the path should be teaching them this fundamental rule as well.
Dogs and small children can be unpredictable. For everyone’s safety, I propose that the town post signs at every turn of the path and the entrances to both spurs. The signs would have a pictogram of a bicycle and would say, “Reduce speed and call out before passing.”
Simple commonsense. Let’s make this happen, Folks.
Vikki Day Williston
Comprehensive Dentistry
Farming and friendship — VYCC offers purposeful summer work for teens
BY KATE LEWTON Community News Service
There’s weeding, picking and planting just off the highway in Richmond. The farmers work tirelessly under hot sun, occasional rain and early mornings. They work in groups, focused, but not without laughter. The work is not solitary but social. They work hard and they work together.
Who are these farmers? Young people, often high-schoolers, ages 15 and up.
The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) is a nonprofit that has been providing young people with paid service opportunities since 1985 in small crews of six to eight. Its Food and Farm program is one of two offered every summer, alongside the Conservation Program, which helps improve water quality, sustainable recreation and forest health.
These young people come from
all over Vermont, often finding out about the program through VYCC visiting their high schools. Some are new to farmwork, others have previous experience.
“I had always really liked chickens ever since I was a kid, and we had chickens on the farm, and when I heard they had chickens, I was like, ‘All right, I can do that,’” said Anu Shilling, 15, from Burlington.
The Food and Farm Program works to cultivate 11 acres of vegetables, take care of pasture-raised chickens and create nourishing meals from the fresh ingredients on its Richmond farm. Shilling learns how to care for agriculture but also how to do so together in an environment that cultivates community.
Chickens are only part of the perks, as the surroundings of the farm are outlined with nature and green on all ends. Shilling added that the surroundings are also something they enjoy about the
program, changing their perspective about nature.
“Being outside constantly, you learn to love the little things about nature, like when you’re weeding for hours and it’s sunny and there’s no clouds and it’s just beating down on you. When you feel just a little breeze, you’re like, ‘yes — finally,’” Shilling said.
Shilling also added that their group does a rain dance, cheering for the water about to get dropped on them, instead of the disappointment one might usually feel about rain. In fact, VYCC also practices what the organization calls beauty appreciation moments, or BAM.
Liv Sharp is 15 and from Westford. They explained that BAM moments are when the group members look for reminders in nature to remember the positives of working outdoors.
“It’s our way of when we take a break, especially last week because it was so hot, to sit in the shade for like 10 minutes, and just talk and
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps members farm the organization’s property in Richmond.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VYCC
look on the bright side (because) people were like, ‘I just wanna go home ’cause I’m so hot and sweaty and take a shower and stop doing this,’” Sharp said.
The natural beauty is one of 15-year-old Niko Gordon’s favorite parts of the program. They go to Winooski High School so their hometown is more urban than Richmond. However, they have welcomed this new environment.
“I’m really used to just being in a city, like people all around buildings, but like here it’s very open, and I feel like it’s like a breath of fresh air,” Gordon said.
These moments of beauty are reminders for when tasks get tiring, or boring. A commonly disliked task on the farm is weeding.
Edward Hall is 15, from Burlington and not a fan of weeds. But Hall recognizes that pushing through this dislike is helping him grow on and off the farm.
“I would say learning how to persevere through hard work, even when you don’t want to do it, is a huge part of this. Hand-weeding — nobody wants to hand-weed — but it’s something that’s super important that we need to do and we just push through it,” Hall said.
Teamwork is also key to farm chores because it helps them go faster and makes the hard work more rewarding, according to Sharp. Something as simple as weeding can be turned into a social event that passes the time quicker and connects different crews.
“We call them weeding parties when we get to combine groups and all work on one giant section of pulling out weeds for whatever vegetable,” Sharp said. “It’s pretty big here, but it’s a small place to be in terms of you can walk around and you can always be like, ‘Oh, that’s so-and-so’s crew right there.”
Beyond the fun and games, crew members also take value in knowing that they are doing something good for themselves and beyond. Their work directly positively impacts hundreds of Vermonters.
Devon Cooke, director of development and community at VYCC, recently joined the crews for a day of farming. Cooke said the program doesn’t just benefit young people. Much of the produce goes to the Vermont Health Care Share, where it is distributed through a food share.
The food share delivers food to
“Learning how to persevere through hard work, even when you don’t want to do it, is a huge part of this. ”
Edward Hall, 15
13 medical partners throughout the state which distribute it to families experiencing food insecurity or diet-based illness, explained Cooke. Last year, 480 families, totaling over 900 individuals, received these weekly shares. The medical partners, such as Central Vermont Medical Center, Richmond Family Medicine, Community Health Centers of Burlington and more, help identify families for the program to receive the product.
“In the health care shares comes a whole variety of vegetables — sometimes there’s even fruits and chicken and eggs from our farm here as well,” Cooke said. “They also get information on how to prepare this food so they
feel empowered to not only benefit from a food system, but really be a proactive part of it.”
This is the unique part of the program, as the crews are not only gaining professional experience, but helping their community, something Cooke believes speaks to the character of the young members.
“These young people could have jobs doing other things, but they’re choosing to work really hard and they’re choosing to come out here in the elements and spend their time doing manual physical labor that then makes a strong change in their state — I think that’s really inspiring,” Cooke said.
But such programs require funding to run. In the wake of federal cuts to AmeriCorps grants, from which VYCC gets funding, the program had to prepare for the loss of over $500,000. While the funding cuts don’t impact the youth programs, according to Cooke, they do affect the leaders running the programs and their ability to receive education through AmeriCorps.
“We dug deep into our own internal budget to find opportunities for lesser spending and find opportunities for more efficient
programming,” Cooke said. “That was really helpful for us to try and figure out a way to not limit the amount of positions that we were offering this year.”
However, the issue is not resolved, and Cooke encourages community members to exercise their support in any way they can to keep VYCC running and providing transformative experiences.
“It’s a matter of staying vocal, telling people who you’re going to vote for, that you prioritize youth engagement, investment in workforce development for young people and that you see a future for Vermont having a well-skilled, passionate workforce of people who want to give back to their community,” Cooke said.
“I feel like as a fellow human being, you have to help each other in order to grow and be happy. I’ve always been taught personally to help others no matter what,” Gordon said. “It lets me feel like I actually have a purpose within Vermont.”
Community News Service is a University of Vermont journalism internship.
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What’s the dirt on ‘good’ soil?
a nd air are all important to consider, whether you are growing vegetables or flowers.
BY BENJAMIN BLOCK Special to the Observer
What makes good soil and what does “good” mean? Most of us would likely answer that good soil is full of readily available nutrients for our vegetables and flowers to uptake a nd robustly grow.
There is, of course, more to good soil than nutrients. Otherwise, why would we bother to grow plants in soil at all?
Soil, being an ecosystem, is teaming with life that supports plant growth, if conditions are right. The physical and chemical properties are what support s oil biology, which in turn supports plant growth. Soil texture, structure, drainage, water
Texture, which refers to the combination of different sized soil mineral particles, mainly depends on the amounts of sand, silt and clay present in your soil. Loam is the ideal combination of these soil p articles.
The combination of particles leads to various properties of the soil. For example, sandier soils tend to hold less water and so have better drainage t han clay, while clay tends to hold moisture and is more susceptible to compaction, but can b e more nutrient-rich.
Structure refers to the arrangement or aggregation of s oil particles. A good soil structure is one where the structure i s loose and porous, similar to a sponge with its pores and channels. This allows for roots
and bacteria, and macro-organisms, such as insects and s piders.
Drainage is the rate at which water moves through the soil. Too much or too little drainage is equally undesirable. Macropores promote good aeration and increase drainage, whereas micro-pores help retain water. Ideally, one-half of the soil’s pore space is occupied by water.
clay-dominated soils. In those cases, adding organic matter (through compost or shredded leaves) may h elp improve soil texture and structure. Take care to avoid the “too much of a good thing” approach.
to spread and an easy flow of air and water. A good structure also supports healthy biological communities that include m icroorganisms, such as fungi
Lastly, air: It may come as a surprise that high-quality soil has a substantial amount of air between soil aggregates. The best soil for plant growth contains about 50 percent solid material and 50 percent pore s pace. Imagine your garden bed and think that ideally 50 percent of that volume is the pores surrounding the soil aggregates that allow for air flow t o and from the roots.
In many parts of Vermont, gardeners are challenged with
Since clay soils hold on to nutrients, overapplying compost may lead to excessive nutrients. Avoid this by monitoring your soils through regular s oil testing (https://go.uvm. edu/soiltest).
We can also learn to limit practices that negatively impact soil properties such as routine tilling and compaction through repeated walking or driving. Ultimately, the more we learn about soil properties, the more we understand that “good” soil extends beyond fertility.
Benjamin Block is a UVM Extension Master Gardener intern from Montpelier.
Soil offers more than nutrients. It’s an ecosystem teaming with life that supports plant growth.
out the calendar for the next
Meet your makers
Sarita Devi — Growing up in Uttar Pradesh, northern India, Sarita learned to cook family recipes throughout her childhood. Nine years after moving to Vermont with her husband, Yogi Singh, she realized her dream of opening Aromas of India to share the food she loves with others. Her flavorful vegetarian menu (Indian food is so much more than curry!) features complex flavors and textures. Everything she serves, she makes from scratch, with attention to detail that shines in every dish.
Francisco Guzman — Francisco, Carlos and Ricardo Guzman and Eduardo Fuentes have been friends since their grade school days in Jalisco, Mexico. With two other successful Tex-Mex restaurants up and running, the partners seized the opportunity to open their third, under Francisco’s leadership, when space came available in Williston. At Casa Grande, Francisco has created a colorful, lively atmosphere, where he eagerly welcomes guests to enjoy authentic dishes with the vibrant flavors of Mexico.
Craig Anthony — Craig Anthony grew up in Tamworth, New Hampshire. His love for cooking was found as
a child hunting and fishing, and grew during high school as a member of the Junior American Culinary Federation. In 2007, he relocated to Vermont, building a distinguished career with Mirabelles Bakery and Waterworks Food and Drink, before becoming Executive Chef at the Kitchen Table. Craig delights in creating a space for family and friends to gather and enjoy delicious homecooked comfort.
—
was born and raised in Vermont where her passion for baking was sparked at an early age by her late grandmother. Classically trained in Pastry & Baking Arts at The New England Culinary Institute, Sam has delighted diners at Jupiter Island Club in Southern Florida, Hen of the Wood, The Inn at Shelburne Farms, and Mirabelles Bakery. Widely recognized as one of the best dessert bakers in Chittenden County, she loves feeding people food that brings them to a warm, familiar place.
Bobby Seaman Bobby, Director of Operations at Folino’s Pizza, has worked at the restaurant for 7 years. Bobby was the leader behind opening their Williston location in 2021. Bobby comes from a rich culinary background but has found working with pizza is the most rewarding because of the flexibility of flavors and toppings. Bobby says, “Folino’s stands out because of our attention to high-quality ingredients and naturally rising dough.” His go-to order is the Margarita pizza. “It’s a classic pizza that lets our ingredients do the talking.” With multiple Folino’s locations, Bobby says, “The best thing about working in Vermont is
Samantha La Croix
Pastry Chef, Samantha La Croix,
Meet your makers
getting to know the communities that we are a part of and bringing a smile to people’s faces.” Visit Bobby and the rest of the Folino’s family at our Williston location!
Perry & Neil Farr — Perry & Neil Farr met as students at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY then settled in Williston (Neil grew up in Colchester) to raise their family, where they each pursued careers in food service while exploring business ideas. When they discovered Poké on a trip to San Francisco they knew they needed to bring the concept to Vermont. The Scale was born. Perry & Neil take pride in sourcing only the freshest ingredients - mostly local – and offering hungry patrons fast, healthy and delicious food with a Hawaiian flare.
Max Fath — Max Fath grew up in Williston, the son of Jon and Lucie Fath who owned and operated the original Toscano Café Bistro on Bridge Street in Richmond. With twenty years of experience in restaurant service and management, Max was eager to launch a new rendition of Toscano when the opportunity became available in Williston. Max built a team of some familiar faces from the original Toscano and some new faces he met along the way and is grateful for the opportunity to serve our community once again, blending nostalgia from the original Toscano with contemporary elegance in his newly renovated space.
Eric Kelley — Originally from Massachusetts, Eric went to college in Colorado where he began his career in the food service business. After moving to Vermont in 2009, Eric saw an opportunity to create a gathering place in Williston where locals could connect to enjoy excellent coffee, espresso drinks, and fresh baked goods. He opened Williston Coffee Shop to serve the breakfast and lunch crowd. Over a decade later, Eric can be found in the early hours baking bread, croissants, scones and pastries to the delight of his regular customers. He takes pride in his products, the friendly atmosphere of the Shop, and the many employees who have learned from him. Located on Cornerstone Drive, it’s no surprise that Williston Coffee Shop has become a Williston cornerstone.
Brian Lewis— Brian’s journey to Williston wends from his native Connecticut through Seattle, L.A., Rhode Island, and Waitsfield. After a season as Executive Chef at Sugarbush resort’s main slopeside restaurant, Lewis struck out on his own in Waitsfield, opening Toast and Eggs in 2018. After leading that restaurant through the pandemic, he purchased South Burlington’s Parkway Diner on Williston Road. He also bought the original Yellow Mustard deli while launching Filibuster Restaurant and Bar, both in Montpelier. Following the floods of 2023 he successfully reopened both restaurants. After opening his second Yellow Mustard Subs and Sandwiches shop in Burlington, Brian is thrilled to join the Williston community with his newest location in the Taft Corners Shopping Center!
Vermont secretary of state won’t share voter data with Trump administration
BY SHAUN ROBINSON VTDigger
Vermont Secretary of State
Sarah Copeland Hanzas said Wednesday her office will not be sharing personally identifiable information about voters in Vermont with President Donald Trump’s administration, if the federal government asks.
T he announcement, in a press release, comes as Trump’s Department of Justice has sought voter information from at least nine other states in recent months, a ccording to Stateline. That could include voters’ dates of birth, driver’s license numbers and social security numbers, among other identifying data, according to the news outlet.
C opeland Hanzas said in the release that existing state law
Vermont Secretary of State
Sarah Copeland Hanzas
“specifically prohibits” sharing sensitive data about voters with the federal government.
“ The policy of my office is very clear: our office has no plans to share Vermont voter data with the federal government,” the secretary said.
Vermont reaches ‘very high’ fire risk
BY ERIN PETENKO VTDigger
Most of Vermont was under a “very high” fire risk warning as of Monday due to dry conditions, according to Vermont Emergency Management.
O nly the central portion of the southern end of the state, including eastern Rutland and Bennington counties, and western Windsor and Windham counties, were under a lower-level “high” risk, the department wrote in a Facebook post. It warned Vermonters to avoid open burning, exercise caution with outdoor grills, campfires and machinery, and properly extinguish cigarettes.
“When you get to ‘very high’ fire danger, even flicking a cigarette into brush can cause a fire.”
Dan Dillner
Vermont Forest Fire Supervisor
Megan Davin, a spokesperson for the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, said three “very high” fire warnings had been issued so far in 2025. Meanwhile, there
were 13 overall in 2024 and 13 in 2023.
D an Dillner, the state forest fire supervisor, said the current conditions were abnormal compared to the past 20 years. “I don’t know what normal is anymore,” he said.
Wildfires are supposed to be less common in the summer, when the state is usually lush and green, but they appear to be popping up more frequently, he said. In July, the state spent weeks fighting an 11-acre wildfire in Fair Haven. The last time a wildfire of that size had broken out in July was in 1988.
He urged Vermonters to follow safe fire practices. Along
Britishmania, above, had concert goers dancing on the sidewalks, left, at the Maple Tree Place Thursday Night Concert series last week. Below right, “George,” of the Beatles tribute band, plays a guitar riff and the rest of the group, below left, joins in. A large crowd of appreciative fans gathered in the center mall of Maple Tree Place. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY
Migrants
U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not respond to requests for comment.
U.S. Sen. Peter Welch’s office is aware of the incident and is working with the delegation and partners involved, said Elisabeth St. Onge, Welch’s press secretary.
Welch has condemned the Trump administration’s decision to reverse temporary protected status and a humanitarian parole program that allows people from Cuba, Haiti,
Nicaragua and Venezuela to legally enter and stay in the U.S. for two years.
The reversal of temporary protected status for people from Haiti endangers the safety and well-being of refugees and asylum-seekers seeking a better life, St. Onge said.
Temporary protected status is based on the circumstances in the country, and Haiti has long been facing a severe humanitarian crisis involving gang violence, food insecurity and a collapsing health care system.
The situation in Haiti is actually worse this month, according to
Yvonne Lodico, founder and executive director of Grace Initiative Global, a nonprofit that provides services to several refugee groups living in Vermont, including Haitians.
Almost 1.3 million people are displaced in Haiti, which some say has the highest homicide rate in the world, according to the Human Rights Watch report Lodico cited. Violence continues to escalate; more than 5,600 people were killed there in 2024.
“Haitians love Vermont. It is welcoming, peaceful, and they have all been able to work and become economically self-sufficient,” she said. “However, the situation is frightening, and the prospect of being sent to a detention center provides compelling reasons for individuals to seek help and a chance to survive. So it seems that Canada, even though there is no guarantee that they will be able to stay, is worth the effort.”
The Canada Border Services
WILLISTON POLICE
July 6 at 4:34 a.m. — Report of a male talking in the middle of the road who was intoxicated. Male was transported to the hospital for evaluation.
July 6 at 4:18 p.m. — Assisted Williston Rescue with a female who was driving and suffering from a heat-related illness. Female was transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police work with partners “to disrupt human smuggling networks and to combat international criminal organizations that seek to profit from the desperation and vulnerability of others,” Bérubé wrote in the email.
So far this year, the agency has processed 14,874 asylum applications as of July 27 in Québec, a dip from the same period last year when it processed 22,337 asylum applications, according to data shared by Bérubé.
“People who attempt to enter Canada illegally by smuggling across the border can easily find themselves in vulnerable risky situations and may be exposed to extreme climatic and environmental conditions … leading to malnutrition or serious injury,” Bérubé wrote.
Those who enter Canada in violation of immigration laws could
July 7 at 1:10 p.m. — Suspicious female on Williston Road. Female was issued a notice of trespass and moved along.
July 7 at 4:36 p.m. — Report of a stolen vehicle at Shaw’s. Vehicle was found around the corner with all the doors open.
July 7 at 7:15 p.m. — Assisted Williston Rescue with a male who was intoxicated who advised he was assaulted.
July 8 at 8:03 a.m. — Report of stolen credit cards used at Walmart.
July 8 at 9:36 a.m. — Burglary reported on Beebe Lane. Tools stolen. Case is still under investigation.
face criminal charges, court-imposed fines, jail terms and deportation, he said.
Meanwhile, similar to the Trump administration’s continued crackdown on immigration in the U.S.,Mark Carney, Canada’s newly elected Liberal prime minister, has proposed the Strong Borders Act. It outlines sweeping changes to prevent refugee crossings, the BBC reported, and has been criticized by advocates and Canada’s left-leaning New Democratic Party and advocates.
President Donald Trump has long made claims about undocumented migrants and drugs moving across the U.S.-Canada border. He recently increased tariffs on Canadian imports, citing the country’s alleged failure to curb fentanyl smuggling into the U.S. But many imports will avoid the increase thanks to an existing treaty, the BBC reported.
July 9 at 9:13 a.m. — Report of a suspicious male on Sycamore Street who was causing a disturbance. Male was located and issued a notice of trespass.
July 9 at 5:47 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Walmart. Male suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft.
July 10 at 10:26 a.m. — Report of a male who was digging through the recycling bin at ReSource. Male was gone before officer’s arrival.
July 8 at 1:42 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Marshalls. Male suspect was located and gave a fake name. Male was eventually identified and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft and false information to a police officer.
July 10 at 11:51 a.m. — Report of a male causing a disturbance about his vehicle being towed. Tow truck came once police arrived and towed the vehicle.
July 10 at 3:00 p.m. — Report of a female who drove her car over an embankment. Female was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.
July 11 at 10:24 a.m. — Report of a missing female. Female was located at her residence. She was having issues with her water pipes.
July 11 at 2:08 p.m. — Male in Hannaford who was previously trespassed. Male was located and issued a citation to appear in court for unlawful trespass.
July 11 at 3:57 p.m. — Assisted Chittenden County Sheriffs with a male who stole a cart full of items at Hannaford.
July 11 at 5:33 a.m. — Female at Shaw’s with an active arrest warrant. Female was transported to the correctional facility. July 12 at 2:34 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Marshalls. Officers were unable to ID the male.
July 12 at 8:47 p.m. — Suspicious male at Home Depot. Male was issued a notice of trespass.
Officers also conducted 51 traffic stops and responded to three alarm activations and 13 motor vehicle crashes during this time frame.
with avoiding open burns, anyone lighting a grill or campfire should keep it away from vegetation, monitor the embers and make sure it’s always attended. People also should be careful with cigarettes and other small burning items.
“ When you get to ‘very high’ fire danger, even flicking a cigarette into brush can cause a fire,” he said.
Forty-five wildfires have been reported in Vermont so far this year, totaling 46 acres of damage. One was attributed to a lightning strike. The rest? Human-caused.
“ We in the Northeast need to remember our Smokey the Bear,” the famous mascot for fire safety, Dillner said.
T he alert came as the state entered a new phase of hotter temperatures in an a lready hotter-than-average summer. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle and western Addison counties for Monday and Tuesday. Burlington reached temperatures in the mid-90s on both days, the weather service said.
Recent days have also seen less rain than expected for this time of year. Burlington has received 6 inches of rain in total since June 1, the start of meteorological summer. By contrast, the average rainfall during that time between 1990 and 2020 was over 9 inches.
Roughly three-quarters of Vermont has been reported to have “abnormally dry” conditions by the U.S. Drought Monitor, a research project from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library hours:
• Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Visit www.damlvt.org to apply for a library card and register for programs. Need help? Call 878-4918 or email daml@damlvt.org.
DOTTIE THE BOOKMOBILE
Visit your favorite library on wheels this summer. Go to www.damlvt.org for the full Bookmobile schedule. The last summer neighborhood visit will be Thursday, Aug. 21.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Children in fourth grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age.
SATURDAY STORYTIME
Saturday, Aug. 16, 10:30-11 a.m. Start your weekend off with Cindy’s Storytime.
CONNECT & PLAY THERAPLAY
Mondays, Aug. 18 and 25, 10:30-11 a.m. Suggested for parents/caregivers and children ages 3-6. Limit 16 parent-child pairings; registration suggested. Join the Champlain Center for Play Therapy and Family Counseling for a series designed to strengthen bonds through joyful, structured play. Guided by trained facilitators.
KID CRAFTERNOON
Monday, Aug. 18, 4-5 p.m. Drop in with your school supplies and use our stickers, markers and more to decorate them.
STORYTIME
Tuesdays, Aug. 19 and 26, 10:30-11 a.m. Have fun with storytime. Outdoors when weather permits.
BABY TIME
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 10:30-11 a.m. Ages 0-18 months. Drop in for gentle bonding and socializing activities with your little one.
MUSIC AND PLAYTIME
Thursday, Aug. 21, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy Linda Bassick’s preschool music and stay to play. Outdoors when weather permits.
TEEN CRAFTERNOON
Friday, Aug. 22, 5-5:55 p.m. Ages 1218. Drop in to make button pins.
TEEN NIGHT: FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Monday, Aug. 25, 5-6 p.m. Ages 1218. Join our teen advisory group. You bring the thoughts, we bring the food.
LEGO TIME
Thursday, Aug. 28, 3-4 p.m. Build something exciting with the Library’s LEGO collection.
MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS
SUMMER READING CHALLENGE: COLOR OUR WORLD
Thank you for participating in the Summer Reading Challenge. Our goal of 600,000 minutes of reading has been met. Way to go! Earned prizes in the Youth and Rubber Ducky challenges must be picked up by Aug. 16.
ADULT PROGRAMS
For online programs or to join a book club, email daml@damlvt.org.
TEA CLUB: WHITE PEONY TEA
Each month, we will highlight a true tea (made with tea leaves) and provide a sample, a description of the history of that type of tea, and instructions on brewing and tasting.
ADULT MEDITATION (ONLINE)
Fridays, Aug. 15 and 22, 12-12:30 p.m. Join our guided meditation to relax and recenter.
MAH JONGG
Fridays, Aug. 15, 1-3 p.m. All abilities welcome.
BOOK CLUB BUFFET (ONLINE)
Tuesday, Aug. 19, 12:30-1:30 p.m. “The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto” by Mitch Albom.
COOK THE BOOK
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 12-1 p.m. Make a recipe from the cookbook you won in Culinary Bingo or choose one from any cookbook you haven’t yet tried.
READERS’ ROUNDTABLE
Tuesday, Aug. 26, 12:30-1:30 p.m. “The Little Liar” by Mitch Albom.
CURRENT EVENTS
Wednesday, Aug. 27, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Drop in to discuss timely topics with other community members.
At the Museum
Whether with your family or on a school field trip, you probably have visited a museum. These destinations have so much to explore! This week, The Mini Page learns more about museums and how to make the most of your visits.
What is a museum?
There are many different kinds of museums. In general, a museum is a building where objects of lasting interest or value are displayed.
“Museum” comes from the Latin word meaning “a place for the Muses, for the study of special arts and sciences.” The Muses were the nine Greek goddesses of the arts and sciences.
Mini Fact: The Smithsonian Castle in Washington, D.C., once held all the museum displays. Today it is the headquarters of the Smithsonian.
map and exhibit information. Also, find out where restrooms, restaurants, drinking fountains and museum shops are.
• Together with your family, decide what to see. Parents and kids each could choose a few things.
• Decide how long the visit should last. One expert thinks that a young kid’s visit should not be more than 30 minutes. Older kids might stay up to two hours.
• Plan a route. This way you can see the most in the least time.
• Give yourself many breaks. Stop for a snack, or go sit outside and talk about what you’ve just seen. Then go back in refreshed.
• Mix looking at museum displays with hands-on activities. Many museums have areas where visitors can touch certain exhibits.
Visiting a museum
• Take it easy. Museum visiting is fun, but it can be tiring and overwhelming. Bite off a little bit at a time.
• Dress comfortably. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of standing and walking.
• Learn something about what you will see before you go. Read a book or guide.
• Stop at the information desk. Pick up a
Next Week: Labor Day
Be a thoughtful visitor
You can help make the museum trip a happy visit for other people, too. Here are some tips for being a courteous tourist.
• Don’t horse around or try to take selfies with the displays. Leave your phone in your pocket and give your attention to the exhibits.
• Pick up litter. Take care of the museum property.
• Keep your hands in your pockets or to yourself. Many areas of a museum will be strictly hands-off.
• Pay attention to the rules and listen to the directions given by museum and tour guides.
• Wait your turn in line patiently.
• Keep your voice down inside the museum and other public places.
• Thank the tour guides.
• Be courteous to tourists from other countries.
• Respect rules about using your cellphone. Words that remind us of museums are hidden in this
Museums may also have special shows, workshops or storytelling times, along with interactive exhibits.
The greatest thing about museums is that they’re everywhere! You can find museums in the smallest of towns and the largest of cities — maybe even right around the corner from your home.
Kids learn about art at the National Gallery in London.
Kids listen to a tour guide during a trip to the National Art Gallery in Washington, D.C.
• Learn something about what you will see before you go. Read a book or guide.
• Stop at the information desk. Pick up a in the smallest of towns and the largest of cities — maybe even right around the corner from your home.
Try ’n’ Find
Words that remind us of museums are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
Michelle: Why don’t museum paintings ever get lonely? Matt: Because they hang around in groups!
Eco Note
1. Melt butter over medium heat in small pan. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla. Cook on medium to low heat briefly until well-blended.
2. Add coconut and sliced bananas. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until bananas are completely coated with sugar mixture.
3. Add sliced almonds if desired, then pour over vanilla ice cream. Makes 2 servings.
India’s Asiatic lion population has grown by more than a third in five years, reaching 891 animals, according to a new government census. Once widespread across the Middle East and India, the lions now exist only in Gujarat’s Gir forest, where decades of conservation work have helped the species recover from a low of only 20 individuals in 1913. Despite the success, conservationists warn that having all the lions in one location increases their vulnerability to disease, natural disasters and genetic inbreeding.
For later:
Look in your newspaper for articles about special exhibits or shows at local museums.
Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
A few months ago, I took an ambulance to the hospital emergency room because I had a nasty fall at home, but just received a hefty $1,050 bill from the ambulance company. Doesn’t Medicare cover ambulance rides?
Frustrated Beneficiary
SAVVY SENIOR
Does Medicare cover ambulance rides?
Dear Beneficiary, Yes, Medicare does cover emergency ambulance services and, in limited cases, nonemergency ambulance services too, but only when they’re deemed medically necessary and reasonable.
So, what does that mean?
First, it means that your medical condition must be serious enough that you need an ambulance to transport you safely to a hospital or other facility where you can receive care that Medicare covers.
If a car or taxi could transport you without endangering your health, Medicare won’t pay. For example, Medicare probably won’t pay for an ambulance to take someone with an
arm fracture to a hospital. But if the patient goes into shock, or is prone to internal bleeding, ambulance transport may be medically necessary to ensure their safety on the way. The details make a difference.
Second, the ambulance must take you to the nearest appropriate medical facility. If you choose to be transported to a facility farther away because the doctor you prefer has staff privileges there, expect to pay a greater share of the bill. Medicare will only cover the cost of ambulance transport to the nearest appropriate facility and no more.
Medicare may also pay for an emergency flight by plane or helicopter to the nearest
appropriate medical center if the trip would take too long on the ground and endanger your health.
NONEMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Medicare may also cover ambulance transportation in some cases when you’re not facing a medical emergency. But to receive this coverage, your doctor needs to write an order stating that an ambulance is medically necessary because other ways to get you to an appointment could endanger your health.
For example, if you’ve been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, Medicare may pay if you have a doctor’s order stating that it is medically necessary for you to use an ambulance to take you to and from a dialysis center.
You also need to know that in nonemergency situations, ambulance companies are required to give you an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage or ABN if they believe Medicare may not pay. This lets you know that you will be responsible for paying if Medicare doesn’t.
AMBULANCE COSTS
Ambulance rides can vary from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on where you live and how far you’re transported.
Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of the Medicare-approved
ambulance rides after you’ve met your annual Part B deductible ($257 in 2025). You, or your Medicare supplemental policy (if you have one), are responsible for the remaining 20 percent.
If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, it must cover the same services as original Medicare, and may offer some additional transportation services. You’ll need to check with your plan for details.
HOW TO APPEAL
If an ambulance company bills you for services after Medicare denies payment, but you think the ride was medically necessary, you can appeal – see Medicare.gov, click on “Providers & Services” followed by “Claims, Appeals, and Complaints.” To help your case, ask the doctor who treated you for documentation that you needed an ambulance.
If you need some help, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), who can help you file an appeal. Go to ShipHelp.org or call 877-8392675 for contact information.
Send your questions or comments to questions@ savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
TODAY’S HISTORY:
• In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, guaranteeing income for retirees and the unemployed.
• In 1945, President Harry S. Truman announced Japan’s unconditional surrender and the end of World War II.
• In 2003, 50 million people in the northeastern United States and Ontario, Canada, lost power in one of the largest blackouts in history.
TODAY’S FACT:
• The New York Times reported in 1945 that an estimated 2 million people flooded New York City’s Times Square following the announcement of the Japanese surrender in World War II.
Shirley Rose (Osborne) DePaul
Shirley Rose (Osborne) DePaul joined her Lord and Savior on Aug. 6t, 2025, passing away peacefully at home.
Shirley was born in St. George, VT, the second daughter of Flora
Elizabeth (Lashua) and Howard Osborne. She spent most of her younger years in Williston, VT, a place that was still special for her.
At 18, Shirley met the love of her life Michael DePaul Sr; the son of Dominic DePaul and Katherine Vartuli. They met while working at the American Woolen Mills in Winooski. Shirley converted to the Catholic religion, and they were married on May 25, 1946, in the St. Stevens Church, Monsieur John B. McGarry performing the service.
Shirley and Michael lived on Hickok Street in Winooski for the next 18 years. Moving to Essex Center with their two sons Michael and Jeffery in 1964.
Shirley spent 51 wonderful years with Michael. During that time, she worked for American
OBITUARIES
Woolen Mills and Kresge’s Five and Dime. She also waited tables at The Lotus and spent 20 plus years at the Lincoln Inn. Shirley ended her working career retiring from IBM in 1990.
After retiring Shirley and Mike spent their time traveling, enjoying Bermuda, Bahamas, Hawaii and several cruises. Traveling was sadly cut short when Mike became ill. Shirley became his loving fulltime caregiver until his passing. Her love for him remained until her passing. Shirley will be laid to rest next to him in Williston’s East Cemetery.
She was blessed with a long life, great family and many wonderful friends. Shirley thanks every one of them for all the great memories she took with her.
Special thanks to Susan
Goulette and John Drinkwine for all the rides and dinners that were shared. Marie Miller and Kathi Dastalto for their weekly visits, conversations and treats, her spiritual support Joan and Lisa, and her social worker Julie.
Shirley and her family would also like to extend thanks to her compassionate and dedicated Hospice team, her nursing support Beth, Courtney, Gale, and especially Hailey and to anyone who may have been left out.
She is survived by her remaining son Michael and his partner Sharon Simmons. Jeff’s wife Wanda Bushey, and ex-wife Susan Goulette. Her grandchildren Melissa DePaul Pelkey and husband Marc, Tuffer DePaul and wife Jackie, Bradley DePaul and wife Misty. Shirley also leaves
behind her three great grandchildren Brandon DePaul, Sierra DePaul, and Kristen Depaul, her sister Janice Bartlett, brother Howard (Ozzie) Osborne and his wife Ann, sister-in-law Marie Miller and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Shirley was predeceased by her parents, husband Mike, son Jeffery, sisters Margiore Wernert, Lorettea Devereaux, and Barb Dudley, her daughter-in-law Sandra (Candy) DePaul, brothers-in-laws Ernie Dudley, David Bartlett and Ernie Miller, John DePaul and his wife Bernice.
In keeping with Shirley’s wishes there will be no visiting hours. A graveside service will be held at the East Cemetery in Williston, Aug. 15, 2025 at 11 a.m.
pets and livestock can also get rabies.The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its
is a deadly viral disease of the brain that infects mammals. It is most often seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also get rabies.The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its
And they’re off
CLOCKWISE (from top): A large group of racers sprint off the start line in the 4-lap distance at the Catamount Outdoor Family Center mountain bike races last Monday. Harper Keller finishes first in the 1/2 lap, under 14 category. Hans Buehler takes the final corner to finish first at the 3-lap distance. Georgia Dorsey finishes first in the 1-lap, under 14 category. Greta Kilburn was the first woman and an 8th place overall finisher in the 4-lap distance.
