Williston Observer 08/20/2026 by Williston Observer

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Elevating the state of play

AUGUST 20, 2026

WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985

WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM

Parent committee launches campaign to fund new playground at ABS BY JASON STARR Observer staff

The deficiencies of the current playground at Allen Brook School have been apparent for a few years. It’s also clear that there are more pressing pressures on the Champlain Valley School District’s budget than a playground upgrade. Earlier this year, Rachel Allard, a member of Williston’s Families as Partners group, launched an effort to design and build a new playground at the K-2 school. Parents, teachers and school administrators began meeting in the spring as the “Play 27 Committee” — the 27 referring to the year (next summer) when they hope to break ground, as well as the approximate number of years the new playground will last. The current playground was built about 30 years ago. “We’re really excited to reimagine it, and I think the community is going to be really happy,” Allard said. “It’s going to look like a totally different playground and draw a lot more people than it does today.” The committee has already raised $60,000 toward a $250,000 fundraising goal. It has also engaged with the original playground designer, Pettinelli & Associates of Burlington, to draw up a redesign. The current playground,

Allen Brook School Principal Angela Filion, left, administrative assistant Shani Varricchione and parent volunteer Rachel Allard are leading the charge to replace the school’s 30-year-old playground. OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

while state-of-the-art in the mid-1990s, is not fully accessible for all abilities — particularly the mulch surface — and is rusting to the point where parts of the main structure have been roped off in recent school years. “Things have come up over the years that we have been kind of mitigating, so it makes sense that we put some time and attention into it,” ABS Principal Angela Filion said. “We really

SouthernInSpIred dIner ClaSSICS BreakfaSt, lunCh, dInner

“It’s going to look like a totally different playground and draw a lot more people than it does today.” Rachel Allard

want a nice fresh start.” One of the initial steps the Play 27 Committee took was surveying students and parents about their hopes for a new playground and gathering information from school staff about how kids are using the current play structures. “We have a broad spectrum of voices, so that’s been really awesome,” Allard said. Pettinelli & Associates has

produced preliminary drawings of what the new playground could look like. It will use an all-weather wheelchair-accessible surface to replace the mulch and have a multitude of separate play zones, catering to an age range of 3 to 9 years old. Students surveyed emphasized a need for more open space for sports, Allard said. “We’re trying to really push some more challenging opportunities for play while also bringing in some more quiet, sensory level and younger elements of play as well,” Allard said. “We want people to see it as a community resource the way they see Village Community Park.” According to Filion, it’s common for public school playground upgrades to be accomplished by parent volunteers and private fundraising rather than through the taxpayer-supported annual school district budget. When Allard attended district budget meetings in recent years, she’s accepted that the school district has other priorities. “It was very obvious to me that the district wasn’t going to have a way to fund a playground any time soon,” Allard said. “So I started asking around (and) the consensus was, no one is going to step in from the school or district and all the sudden come up with this money, so let’s do it.” For more information, to get involved or to make a donation, email play27committee@ gmail.com.

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Williston Observer • August 20, 2026

Around Town Williston Historical Society announces fall presentation schedule A bobcat roams through southern Williston on Monday.

COURTESY PHOTO BY MASON ANAND

The Williston Historical Society and the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library are teaming up in September and October for two expert presentations on local history.

On Sept. 12 at 11:30 a.m., join the society at the library for a virtual tour of Williston Village. Through architectural clues and archival research, the presentation will tell the story of how the historic village developed. The event is guided by Samantha Ford — a historian, architectural preservationist and the owner of Turn Stone Research. Then, on Oct. 17 at 11:30 a.m., the library and society welcomes Richard Allen for a presentation on the “Taverns and Stagecoaches of Chittenden County.” Allen is a former teacher and historian who has authored several books on local heritage. The events are free and open to the public.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS — JULY 2026 • Brian Bittner bought a home on 17 acres on Oak Hill Road from Nancy Abernathy for $1.8 million. • Ethan Latour bought a home on Barrett Lane from Eric Fontana for $782,500. • JFR LLC bought 2 acres of commercial property on Shunpike Road from Ryan Thomas for $575,000. • The Galen Dean Parham Trust bought a home on Eden Lane from the

Snyder Williston Properties LLC for $767,060. • The Eric G. Fontana Trust bought a home on Eden Lane from The Snyder Williston Properties LLC for $639,705. • John Bisset bought a condominium on Forest Run Road from the Estate of Timothy J. Palmer for $484,000. • Dung Nguyen bought a home on Chloe Circle from Igor Marzac for $1.2 million.

• Brian McDonald bought a home on Southfield Drive from Anthony Jordick for $675,000. • Jacqueline Johansen bought a home on 2 acres on Plateau Road from James Stewart for $902,000. • Emily Claremont bought a home on 12 acres on Oak Hill Road from Stephen Francisco for $1.23 million. • James Chagnon bought a home on Beaudry Lane from The Snyder

Williston Properties LLC for $790,585. • Maple Trail LLC bought a home on Eden Lane from The Snyder Williston Properties LLC for $609,115. • Anastasia Gaina bought a home on 2 acres on Highlands Drive from the William C. Rowell Revocable Trust for $1.05 million. • Robin Levanti bought a condominium on Creek’s Edge Drive from Christopher Feifs for $770,000.

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WILLISTON: BUSINESS HUB OF VERMONT

Williston-based app fosters family harmony Local entrepreneur launches ‘Aligna’ BY JASON STARR Observer staff Back-to-school days are here again, and the juggle of new schedules and torrent of household to-dos are reaching an annual crescendo. Williston parent Reddhi Patel knows the routine well. She says she remembers her family feeling “like we were always scrambling, despite our best efforts.” Patel is tapping into the capabilities of artificial intelligence to create an app-based solution to that type of parental burnout. Her Aligna app is designed to prompt families to more equitably share

Reddhi Patel

the mental load of running a home, reduce relationship friction and foster household harmony. The app launched in June and is currently in beta mode, with first adopters providing initial feedback on the system. Aligna was one of the businesses in the 2026 class of

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the Lake Champlain Chamber’s LaunchVT incubator. LaunchVT is a 10-week intensive accelerator program for startups that culminated in June with a live presentation from company founders. Patel presented Aligna to judges and a live audience at Hula in Burlington and won the Audience Choice Award. The award came with $5,000 and ongoing professional support as Patel takes the app to market. “In most families there is one person who is the default keeper of all logistics,” Patel explained during her presentation at Hula. “This person remembers, researches and reminds — and they never stop. Their partner really wants to see ALIGNA page 5

Traveling Aromas

Aromas of India’s new restaurant on wheels made its debut appearance at a BETA Summerfest on August 7. With their new food truck, owners Sarita Devi and Yogi Singh will bring their authentic Indian dishes to diners beyond their Williston restaurant. OBSERVER PHOTO BY RICK COTE

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What’s a farmers market in Vermont without the farmers? BY GRACE BERTRAND VTDigger Vermont boasts more farmers markets per resident than any state in the nation, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, yet almost all of them say they are in search of one common thing — the farmers. For generations, growers have leaned on farmers markets as a critical sales channel. Now, most of the state’s markets — 34 of 58 — say their single biggest concern is attracting more farm vendors to survive, according to the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont.

“Markets close for many reasons, but a major reason that they close is that there just aren’t enough vendors, specifically agriculture vendors, to keep the market viable.” Andrew Graham Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont

The reason, survey data suggests, is blunt: Farmers at the markets aren’t making the money they used to. Average agricultural sales at each of the markets that the organic farming group tracks have fallen by nearly 60%, from $158,296 in 2022 to $91,790 in 2025 — even as the number of markets statewide kept climbing. With more markets, fewer farmers and thinner returns, growers are being pushed toward community supported agriculture shares and direct-to-farm stands as options that offer steadier money and less dependence on a sunny Saturday. The result is a quiet reordering of how Vermonters buy local food, and a hard question for the longtime staples in the Green Mountain state: What is a farmers market without

the farmers? “Markets close for many reasons, but a major reason that they close is that there just aren’t enough vendors, specifically agriculture vendors, to keep the market viable,” said Andrew Graham, the farmers market specialist at Vermont’s organic farming group. The biggest culprits for the plunge in sales over the three years, the data suggests, are the larger farmers markets, although it does not specify which ones. While the number of these particular markets has stayed relatively the same, with four or five each year, the average agriculture sales dipped by more than half from $493,676 in 2022 to $213,234 in 2025. For Gus Griffin, a farmer who co-owns Glinnis Hill Farm in Northfield, farmers markets can be a useful sales channel when partnered with other sales models, like CSAs and farm stands. Participating in the Capitol City Farmers Market in Montpelier every Saturday, along with offering both market-style, where customers can visit a farm stand to choose their own produce, and traditional boxed CSAs, Griffin said farmers markets are seeing a new wave of farmers who might be more business-driven than older farmers. Farmers markets help new farmers build a customer base, he said, but this generation is more willing than the last to explore alternatives. “We’re kind of selling a luxury product, and so when the economy is in trouble, we might also struggle,” Griffin said. “So, having those upfront sales, like a CSA, obviously makes your life feel a lot more secure.” Dairy farmer Lyle Edwards, who formerly owned Spring Brook Farm, offered an alternative sentiment. Farmers markets never seemed like a viable option for him, he said, while he was running the farm. “Time is probably the biggest thing,” he said. “I mean it wasn’t going to do good on the scale. I think it’d be good for the guys that got eight or 10 cows to market raw milk, but we just like to sell milk wholesale.” While Edwards still helps in milking cows, he sold his farm and explained that more and more

Hilary Martin, right, helps customers at the Diggers Mirth Collective Farm stall at the Old North End Farmers Market in Burlington on Aug. 4. PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

farmers are simply aging out of Vermont, and the farmers market industry is likely feeling much of that shift. For many farmers, it also becomes harder for them to justify participating in farmers markets when vendor fees rise. This is a trend specifically seen from larger farmers markets across the four-year span of the state organic farmers group’s survey data. The total average market revenue from vendor fees rose from $7,101 in 2022 to $11,898 in 2025, the data shows. Farm Credit East, a financial cooperative that offers credit and services to farmers and producers in the Northeast, including those in Vermont, recently announced that they are awarding $92,000 in small grants to 175 farmers markets and farmers market organizations. The grant funds will support more than 3,000 producers with marketing efforts. Markets can also use the funds to improve access to fresh produce for those in underserved communities and supplement funds from programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to a press release. The need for more financial support comes as farmers struggle to keep up with the rising costs of attending farmers markets.

As a result, farmers are more keen than ever on exploring alternative ways to sell their goods, said Abbey Willard, the agricultural development division director at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets. “Farmers are choosing the options that make them money and that are most viable for their business,” Willard said. “So, if they’re choosing not to be at a farmers market, that may be because the other markets or other tasks that they’re otherwise attending to are more viable options for them.” According to statutes set by the state, farmers markets part of the Vermont Farmers Market Association are required to have at least two agricultural vendors in order to even be recognized as a farmers market. The association has 61 known markets across the state — a number that has risen since 2022, when there were 56 known markets. While the data might not be ironclad, Graham acknowledged, it has become increasingly evident to him that most markets are expressing a struggle to find farm vendors. The Winooski Farmers Market is one of them. “We sometimes have to make difficult decisions in order to maintain the focus on agriculture at the market, turning away some

really talented chefs, artists or makers because we do want to make sure we’re not crossing the line into becoming a different kind of event,” Sarah Brunkhorst, the Winooski’s market manager, wrote in an email to VTDigger. Only 13 out of the 50 seasonal and half-season vendors at the Winooski Farmers Market sell grocery, produce and wellness, and only seven are exclusively grocery vendors, according to the vendor list on their website. “New farm recruitment has undoubtedly been a challenge for many of us,” Brunkhorst added. The farmers market consumer demographic is also changing, Willard, from the state’s agriculture agency, pointed out. That’s in large part due to the rise in tourists. As more of them herd in to see and experience what is considered by many to be a signature part of Vermont culture, she said, most of what they are looking for is not fresh produce but rather crafts and local hot food. Meanwhile, Willard added, Vermonters are not gravitating toward farmers markets as much as they used to despite the rise in the number of them. “I think it used to be that a farmers market was one of the only ways that you, as a Vermonter who was committed to buying local food, could access local food,” she said. That is no longer the case for much of Vermont. According to poll data from Farm to Plate’s 2023 annual report, Vermonters are buying their local food from grocery and convenience stores more than ever before. For instance, in 2018, only 42% of Vermonters polled said that they purchased their local food from convenience stores. By 2023, the number had more than doubled to 87%. For areas in the state that are not abundant with grocery stores, such as Winooski, farmers markets are there to help fill in the gaps. “Right now Winooski has some really amazing cultural markets and corner stores, but we don’t have a full-scale grocery store or supermarket,” Brunkhorst said. “So, our focus has been not just on farm products, but all kinds of foods and goods that the community might be see MARKETS page 5

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for the community to have almost all of its needs met in one place, including the farmers who will often barter their left-over produce after a market. In addition to the bartering, Griffin, from

Glinnis Hill Farms, also noted the positives for farmers attending farmers markets, such as face-to-face time with customers and brand recognition. What he’s also noticed, however, are the major uncertainties that come with it. “We want to farm, we want to do something that is good for the earth, and we also want to make a living, and so we’re coming at it from a pretty business-minded perspective,” Griffin said. “On a rainy day at the farmers market, we might make 1,000 less dollars than on a sunny day. And having a business that is so reliant on sunny Saturdays is kind of just not necessarily resilient.”

become part of Aligna’s set of hundreds of early users. The website describes how the app “learns your family’s patterns and makes suggestions” and “creates and fairly assigns tasks to partners, kids or caregivers based on availability and capacity.” The app also offers emotional support and a shared timeline of family schedules. Subscriptions start from free to $10-$20 per month for more premium features. “Aligna makes the invisible load visible, shareable and manageable,” Patel said.

“For the first time, all family members will be able to see a full picture of who is carrying what load, how responsibilities are shared and where support is needed, so families are working as a team, not in silos.” Patel believes that the household harmony that will result from families using Aligna will lead to more harmonious communities and society. “Harmony at home ripples outwards,” she said.

Farmers markets are required to have at least two agricultural vendors in order to even be recognized as a farmers market.

continued from page 4

missing easy access to.” While the Winooski Farmers Market has grown over the years, she said, it is seeing a much larger volume of applications from hot food and craft vendors than agricultural producers. However, Brunkhorst refused to define farmers markets as exclusively one thing, whether it be cultural events or direct-to-consumer agriculture distribution channels. Instead, she said she views them as a way

Aligna

continued from page 3

support them, but they cannot really share the load they cannot see. This invisible load lives rent-free in that primary caregiver’s mind. “So, resentment builds, communication fades and everybody fails because of this lack of visibility.” If this describes your family dynamic, you can visit www.usealignaapp.com to

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J.Jill coming to Maple Tree Place Maple Tree Place will welcome women’s apparel brand J.Jill this fall, the shopping center announced last week. J.Jill will be located at 28 Walnut Street, in one of the units that fronts the plaza’s central green. The 2,300-square-foot interior is currently undergoing renovation in anticipation of a fall opening. “(J.Jill’s) arrival reflects the strength of the property, the vitality of the Williston market and our ongoing commitment to creating a dynamic retail environment that serves both local residents and visitors from throughout the region,” Maple Tree Place Property Manager Justin Kelley said in a news release. J.Jill is headquartered in Quincy, Mass., and has roughly 200 stores nationwide.

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Williston Observer • August 20, 2026

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ADVERTISING Adam Geffken, Account Manager adam@willistonobserver.com 802-338-1655 Rick Cote, Associate Publisher rick@willistonobserver.com 802-373-2136 EDITOR Jason Starr editor@willistonobserver.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN Jan Kenney jan@willistonobserver.com PUBLISHER Susan T. Cote susan@willistonobserver.com BILLING INQUIRIES Michael McCaffrey office@willistonobserver.com ADVERTISING SPACE DEADLINE Friday at 5 p.m. for the next Thursday issue adam@willistonobserver.com 802-338-1655 CLASSIFIED ADS Deadline is Friday 5 p.m. There is a fee for business, real estate, help wanted and legal ads. Free classifieds must be 25 words or fewer and are printed on a space available basis. SUBMISSIONS & LETTERS Deadline is Monday noon for Thursday issue. News/story tips are welcomed. Letters to the Editor should be 300 words or fewer and include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we can verify the letter’s author. The Williston Observer reserves the right to edit or refuse submissions or advertising. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the paper.

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Assessing the two candidates for Vermont’s top job BY BILL SCHUBART As an opinion writer, I don’t endorse political candidates. I explore and endorse ideas and policies. Vermonters have an election coming up on Nov. 3, where we will decide who will lead the state as governor for the next two years. There are two candidates: a woman Democratic challenger and the male Republican incumbent. He served three terms as lieutenant governor from 20112017 under then Gov. Peter Shumlin. He has served as governor since 2016, winning five additional terms. He is running for an unprecedented sixth term. Confidants have suggested he was ready to retire from leadership and resume his passion for stock-car racing and running his construction company but purportedly is running again at the urging of his party. Over my 79 years in Vermont, I’ve had many friends in the political landscape — legislators, governors and agency heads. I’ve agreed with some, disagreed with others, advised some, written negatively about others but, in the Vermont tradition, have tried to do so in a civil manner, decrying the behavior not the individual.

I’ve thought extensively about the current contenders, have spoken with them personally from time to time and have my own thoughts about their potential for leadership.

I think our current governor’s time is up. Frankly, I think our current governor’s time is up. I give him full credit for his leadership during the pandemic, and, to a slightly lesser degree, during the flooding. He showed skill as a crisis manager. But as to the accelerating pain-points affecting Vermonters — healthcare access and cost; public education funding; affordable housing; providing shelter and hunger to those in need; reforming criminal justice; regulating environmental degradation; and taxation and regulation that supports the common good — our current governor hasn’t shown Vermonters a clear strategic path to address these issues, choosing instead to take a compromise position between the business interests propelled by lobbyists and the good of the commons. The other candidate, new to many Vermonters, is running

at a different altitude of leadership … strategic. She grew up in South Strafford and spent her first professional decade doing work internationally in leadership roles working directly with governments, international development institutions and global networks to design and implement economic policy. As Economics and Policy Lead for the global Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll), she helped lead an international organization connecting hundreds of partner organizations, policymakers, academics and civic leaders across more than 60 countries, overseeing the development of policy frameworks, advising government leaders, managing complex multi-stakeholder initiatives, and coordinating international efforts to advance economic reforms focused on long-term prosperity and community wellbeing. She also led the creation of WEAll’s Wellbeing Economy Policy Design Guide, a framework used by governments and communities to redesign public policy around measurable outcomes such as health, housing, environmental sustainability and economic security. Her hands-on experience includes directing wellbeing-economy pilot projects with local governments

in California, Canada, New Zealand and Scotland, bringing together public officials, community organizations and residents to develop and execute new policy approaches. Before that, she worked as an industrial policy and structural transformation expert with the United Nations and the African Development Bank, advising governments on economic development strategies, job creation and long-term economic planning, navigating complex bureaucracies, managing relationships among public and private stakeholders, and translating ambitious goals into practical policy. In Vermont in 2024, she co-founded the Wellbeing Economy Alliance of Vermont, helping build and lead a statewide coalition dedicated to creating a more resilient and inclusive economy. She also served on the ACLU-VT Board’s steering committee, Fund Vermont’s Future. For us all to vote effectively for leadership in the upcoming election, we must listen carefully to the candidates, assess their ideas and qualifications for leadership and vote — regardless of White House efforts to sow doubts about our elections. see SCHUBART page 7

August 20, 2026 •

Armadillos roll over Whales

Schubart

continued from page 6

Elections ensure our constitutional right to have a say in who will lead us, how and where. We must also ask: Do we treat the symptom or do we address the underlying causes of our problems? Is your choice of candidate experienced in designing strategic solutions and making them a reality? Do they understand process, procedure and power structure or simply have a desire to lead? Do they talk with and listen to us, then distill and

Williston Observer • Page 7

deploy effective strategies to address and alleviate our pain-points? We must all decide who will best listen to us, focus on the common good and put forth and execute strategic solutions that don’t mire the landscape with incremental “fixes.” Please engage with the candidates for governor, ask tough questions and vote. And urge young people to do so as well. Bill Schubart of Hinesburg is a writer, retired businessman and former chair of the Vermont Journalism Trust, the parent organization for VTDigger.

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CLOCKWISE (l to r): Williston’s Mike Hemingway pitches in relief of Ken Freeman, Dylan Freeman barrels up a pitch and Todd Tarte gets a pitch to hit during the Armadillos’ 12 - 4 win over the Champlain Whales on Sunday at Williston Central School.

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Williston Observer • August 20, 2026

The African Diaspora Foodways Institute pilots partnerships with Vermont Culinary Artists The 18-month project is led by Clemmons Family Farm, with collaboration from the University of Vermont College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

BY ELODIE REED Special to the Observer One recent Saturday at Clemmons Family Farm, a large group spilled into a sunny living room overlooking green fields, Lake Champlain and the Adirondack mountains. People squeezed together on cushy couches and loveseats. Some sat on the floor’s braided rugs. More stood in doorways. This abundant crowd directed their attention — and eventually, their taste buds — toward the four Vermont culinary artists standing in front of tables full of samples: Andrew “Pops” Gonyon with his northern soul food from Humble Revelry. Maria Lara-Bregatta with her Dominican-Italian fusion dishes from Cafe Mamajuana.

Alganesh Michael with her Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine from A Taste of Abyssinia. Julian “Jewelz” Perkins with her authentic Jamaican fare from Jamaican Jewelz. These four chefs are the inaugural partners with the African Diaspora Foodways Institute of Vermont, or ADFI-VT. The pilot program is run by the nonprofit organization Clemmons Family Farm, with funding by the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Working Lands Enterprise Initiative. The University of Vermont College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is a collaborator on the project. Clemmons Family Farm has a mission to preserve the historic see FOODWAYS page 10

Chef Alganesh Michael serves Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine from her South Burlington-based business, A Taste of Abyssinia, at the African Diaspora Culinary Heritage Bonanza event held on May 9 at Clemmons Family Farm. PHOTO BY ELODIE REED

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August 20, 2026

Foodways

continued from page 8

Clemmons Farm in Charlotte, empower Vermont artists specializing in African diaspora arts and culture, and build multicultural community. Through the ADFIVT, Clemmons Family Farm applied its mission specifically to food and agriculture. Their goals included: — Preserving the farm’s culinary and agricultural heritage, including by growing African diaspora crops. — Empowering Vermont African diaspora culinary artists with financial support and professional development. — Enriching Vermont’s tourism economy by infusing it with African diaspora foodways.

At the end of the 18-monthlong pilot for the ADFI-VT, Clemmons Family Farm President and Executive Director Lydia Clemmons, who directed the project, said there’s been much progress toward these goals. “Of all the different programs we’ve done, this one is really touching the heart, the essential part of what Clemmons Family Farm is all about,” she said. “Bringing people together, in a very intimate way, around food, [and] the joy of discovery.” PRESERVING HERITAGE

Lydia Clemmons’ parents, the late Dr. Jackson JW Clemmons and Mrs. Lydia M. Clemmons, bought their 148-acre farm in 1962. They raised their five children; maintained a large garden, plus pigs,

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cows and chickens; worked at the University of Vermont Medical Center — he as a pediatric pathologist as well as a professor in the College of Medicine, she as a nurse-anesthetist — and contributed in so many ways to their local community. In the 1960s and 1970s, Dr. Clemmons chaired the Champlain Valley Union (CVU) School Board. Both he and Mrs. Clemmons co-led the Charlotte Central School PTA. She also cofounded the Charlotte Chapter of the League of Women Voters and played an active role in the local 4-H club and Brownies troop. The Clemmons elders also liked to invite people — family, friends, people they’d just met — for a meal at the farm. Their daughter said that in the 1980s, Mrs. Clemmons was among the people who prepared homecooked dinners to raise funds for the Flynn Theater. “My mother’s African diaspora dine-around was very popular,” the younger Lydia Clemmons said. In the meantime, Jackson Clemmons set about restoring the farm’s late 18th century and early 19th century buildings with painting and carpentry skills that he learned from his grandfather. The renovated blacksmith shop building became the Authentica African Art Imports store. The old cow barn and granary, put together, became the Barn House.

“My end goal would be to have a tropical greenhouse, that uses geothermal energy from the ground to heat, so that we could grow avocados and plantains and things that culturally resonate with me.” Maria Lara-Bregatta Cafe Mamajuana

Dr. Clemmons’ restoration craftsmanship, Mrs. Clemmons’ passion for sharing African art and diaspora food, the farm they loved and cultivated and protected as one of the few remaining under African American ownership, all continue into the present. Shortly before their deaths in 2024 and 2025, they sold the now-138acre farm, listed in the National Register of Historic Places and a landmark site on the Vermont African American Heritage Trail, to the Clemmons Family Farm nonprofit in 2023. And at

the recent “African Diaspora Culinary Heritage Bonanza,” held on May 9, their many legacies shined through. The sold-out event, held in the Barn House with 50 people, celebrated the ADFI-VT pilot program, the four inaugural culinary artist partners and their food, and the preservation of African American heritage in Vermont. Chef Pops of Humble Revelry, for instance, shared the origins of his Humble Hemings Mac Pie. It’s inspired by James Hemings, who was born into enslavement in colonial Virginia. Before eventually negotiating his freedom, he served as head chef for Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, and he received training in France, where it’s thought he learned how to make macaroni and cheese. He then helped make the dish popular in America. “I read and read and read, and you actually can’t find his exact recipe, it’s kind of impossible, it’s probably been destroyed,” Chef Pops said. “But then I started reading about food during that time ... food had to be preserved.” So, he wondered, how did people keep dairy good during that time? “The answer is salt,” he said. “So this mac and cheese has dried cheeses and the fresh pasta ... and it’s actually cooked low and slow for two hours, and then you see FOODWAYS page 11

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let it sit so that it’ll hold, and it stabilizes.” And then — like the event attendees enthusiastically demonstrated — it is ready for eating. (And, like all the food served at the event, is delicious.) The “Bonanza” event was among 13 hands-on cooking and tasting experiences that Clemmons Family Farm hosted with the culinary artists for the ADFI-VT pilot. The idea is that this model could be repeated again and again, with new classes of culinary artists, as part of a farm-to-table enterprise. Catharine Noel, the Senior Farm-to-Table Advisor for the ADFI-VT, said the first iteration of this model worked well because of the generosity of the chefs. “Even though they run their business independently, they were really dedicated with putting on the events,” she said. Also helpful: $10,000 business capital grants provided by Clemmons Family Farm to each chef, which could help make up for hours they might need to close for events. One chef, Maria Lara-Bregatta of Cafe Mamajuana, also used some of that grant money for the “farm” end of the Clemmons Family Farm farm-to-table enterprise. She bought all kinds of seeds — varieties of watermelons, peppers, potatoes and much more. “My end goal would be to have a tropical greenhouse, that uses geothermal energy from the ground to heat, so that we could

grow avocados and plantains and things that culturally resonate with me,” Chef Maria said. Her goal, which she said she eventually wants to carry out on Clemmons Family Farm land, is in line with the nonprofit’s vision of growing more African diaspora crops for programming. Clemmons Family Farm is especially interested in teff, a cereal which evolved locally in Ethiopia and is used in foods like the spongy bread injera, which is made by another of the ADFIVT chefs, Alganesh Michael of A Taste of Abyssinia. Several years back, Clemmons Family Farm was able to try out some teff seed by way of Virginia State University, with some technical assistance from UVM Extension. “We planted the teff in small plots,” said Heather Darby, a UVM Extension Professor and Agronomic and Soils Specialist. “We had a couple of varieties.” Weeds presented challenges during that experiment. More recently as part of the ADFI-VT, the same expert from Virginia State University, Dr. Vitalis Temu, did a site visit — but the missing piece continues to be a farmer who can manage the crop. “The land is there, it’s the access that’s hard,” Lydia Clemmons said, adding that most growers of African diaspora crops are located in Colchester, Winooski and elsewhere in Vermont. “We still have our eye on figuring out collaborations, partnerships, really, with farmers who produce African diaspora crops.” She said that Clemmons

Chef Andrew “Pops” Gonyon describes the northern soul food he’s served at his Milton restaurant, Humble Revelry. PHOTO BY ELODIE REED

Family Farm is considering building and providing affordable housing in the future for farmers and artists. EMPOWERING ARTISTS

For the first four culinary partners of the ADFI-VT, the pilot program aimed to offer a lot of different resources: the $10,000 grants, the event opportunities for connecting with community, and the kind of visibility and professional development that could get their business to the next level. The chefs said the ADFI-VT did all of that, and more. Chef Jewelz, for example, received one-on-one mentoring from Burlington state representative

and previous owner of Sugarsnap Catering Abbey Duke. Duke spent 21 years evolving Sugarsnap into the largest off-premise caterer in Chittenden County before selling the business in 2025 to two longtime employees. “She is a blessing and an inspiration,” said Chef Jewelz, who is busy evolving her own Bellows Falls-based business, Jamaican Jewelz. “She’s showing me how to work smarter and not harder, and how to make something from what I’m doing and not work myself to death.” After starting out selling food from a farmer’s market tent, Chef Jewelz now serves customers in a brick-and-mortar space, has a

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food truck, provides catering and sells her own bottled sauces. Her goal? Staying power in doing what she learned to love as a child in Jamaica, where she grew up surrounded by women. “Each woman had a phenomenal passion for baking, cooking or business, so I knew from a young age I wanted to be like them,” Chef Jewelz said. “And running a restaurant is not easy ... But if it’s something that you love and you burn in your stomach, do it.” Getting beyond the hardness of running the restaurant business — the intensity of the job, keeping up with the bills, health challenges, dealing with the aftermath of a car driving through the front window of his Milton space — is what Chef Pops said his partnership with ADFI-VT provided. “You realize that when you let go of all that, then you actually find the love again,” he said. In late June, Chef Pops announced he was retiring from being a chef — but not from sharing his story of being a seventh-generation Black Vermonter chef. He said he’s realized that legacy was the most important thing. “Nobody knows these stories about our family and about other families like us, and what this was, was an opportunity for me to be seen,” Chef Pops said. He added that he took down a lot of notes during the ADFI-VT partnership that he wants to pass along to the next generation of African diaspora chefs — maybe his teenaged son, Jonah, who’s been cooking with his dad the last few years. see FOODWAYS page 12

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“I have a whole bunch of information that I think will help the next group of people,” Chef Pops said. Chef Maria Lara-Bregatta said the partnership with ADFI-VT also broadened her vision for herself and her Colchester business Cafe Mamajuana — with an emphasis on her interest in farming. “Thinking more intentionally about one, the crops I grow, the food I’m producing, within that lens of the African diaspora has been really awesome and enlightening and helpful to, kind of ground my mission a little bit more,” she said. “It’s easy to get into the food industry just for food, right, without having any other context or mission value.” In addition to grounding her work, Chef Maria said working with the ADFI-VT has helped her on a very personal level. “I am both the colonizer, the slave and the Indigenous, you know, I carry all of those identities,” Chef Maria said. “And so, for me, any way that I can workshop that, is helpful for me. I think I’ve always lived in this place of limbo, being somebody of mixed descent, I can easily pass white, and then in other spaces I cannot easily pass. I think this Institute, more than anything, has helped me come back to myself in a way, and I really value that.” For Chef Alganesh Michael, who runs her Ethiopian and Eritrean catering business, A Taste of Abyssinia, in South Burlington, one of the most valuable parts of partnering with ADFI-VT was

getting more connected across Vermont. For instance, Clemmons Family Farm set up both Chef Alganesh and Chef Jewelz with separate five-day-long paid residencies at public schools in Barnet and Strafford, Vermont, respectively. And teaching opportunities are especially meaningful for Chef Alganesh. “That’s how I spread the tradition, the culture of the food and what it means to us, what it means to me,” she said. “I came home [from Barnet] ... with a lot of love and appreciation from the community.” On top of teaching opportunities, Chef Alganesh said that Clemmons Family Farm has opened up new chances to learn, too. The ADFI-VT culinary artists have been able to meet with nutritional science and food scientists from UVM’s Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences to discuss technical assistance needs for product quality, nutrition profile, taste and scale-ability. For Chef Alganesh, she’s seeking help with how to make her injera (spongy bread) with 100% teff flour (versus several kinds of flours), while ensuring quality and shelf-life. “I have not found the secret yet, so I’m confident that it will help me,” she said. Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences Chair and Associate Professor Judith Anglin said that the next step is to get the four initial ADFI-VT culinary artists into the lab. “If they have a new product

they want to try, we want them to take it here,” she said. Anglin added that she views the relationships with Clemmons Family Farm, and the culinary artists they support, as going well beyond the pilot program. “We have now established a partnership that I want to consider lifelong,” she said.

Learn more: African Diaspora Foodways Institute at Clemmons Family Farm’s website: www.clemmonsfamilyfarm. org/adfivt BUILDING MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY

Another long-term outcome the ADFI-VT pilot has aimed for: getting the four culinary artists embedded in Vermont’s tourism scene. And UVM Extension Professor, Natural Resources Specialist and Vermont Tourism Research Center Director Lisa Chase has been helping with that. To start, she spoke with each chef about their goals. For all of them, one immediate need that rose to the top was more visibility. “It’s really important for our visitors and our local communities to realize that we have a very diverse food and drink scene here in Vermont, bringing together different cultures and experiences from around the world,” Chase said. To get the word out, Clemmons Family Farm has collaborated with UVM’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences communications team. Three of the four culinary artists have appeared on the

television show Across the Fence, and all four chefs have been featured in their own promotional videos made by Clemmons Family Farm videographer and film editor Nani Clemmons and this article’s author. In addition, Extension Professor Lisa Chase has provided introductions between the ADFIVT and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the Vermont Agency of Tourism and Marketing. “Vermont’s tourism industry is working very hard to be open and inclusive and welcoming,” Chase said. “It’s a great opportunity for this Institute to highlight the African diaspora, be affiliated with the African American Heritage Trail in Vermont [through the Clemmons Farm] and shine a spotlight on the vibrant African and Caribbean cultures represented here in Vermont.” Lydia Clemmons, the ADFIVT Project Director, said local community-building has also been underway. “People are much more aware of the farm, of African diaspora foods, and of these four chefs,” she said. “Certainly on Front Porch Forum or various emails I receive from community members, people are saying, ‘I want to go... How do I find it?’ So word is percolating out.” Among the people who the word has reached: Essex residents Erica and Matt Lumsden. They’d never been to the Clemmons Family Farm, though Erica said her dad, A. Ray Sherrod, was a frequent visitor, and had many pieces of artwork from Authentica

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African Art Imports. Then they saw the advertisement for the African Diaspora Culinary Heritage Bonanza on May 9, which they both attended. “We’ve been to Humble Revelry, and it was wonderful,” Matt said. “So when we saw that he was also here ... we were excited.” Erica said that they’d also had great food from A Taste of Abyssinia. The couple said they would love for Vermont to keep growing in its food offerings from all kinds of cultures so they could try new spots — but also access what’s familiar. “We love Jamaica, jerk chicken’s obviously a favorite, collard greens, Dad made that all the time,” Erica said. “It just feels like home.” More attendees described how at home they are at Clemmons Family Farm, as a result of its different efforts over the years — the Authentica African Art Imports shop, the “Windows to a Multicultural World” African American and African Diaspora K-12 curriculum and now, the ADFI-VT culinary events and programming. “It’s heartwarming,” said Michele Karode, the Manager of Outreach Operations at the Leahy Institute of Rural Partnerships, which provided $250,000 toward the ADFI-VT. “You feel it in the room when you walk in, that everybody is here in support.” The four chefs who partnered with the ADFI-VT program say they feel that, too. “I didn’t feel alone anymore,” said Chef Jewelz. “Because I know other chefs, as myself, are out there and they’re dreamers and builders as I am. I’m always here for support and continue to encourage other young chefs that are out there: ‘Is this really possible, can I do this, where do I go for support?’ Yeah, Clemmons Farm is the place.” Elodie Reed is communications manager for the UVM College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Extension.

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Williston Observer •

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...and the crowd was dancing The John Fogerty Tribute Project got the audience up and out of their lawn chairs at the Thursday Night Concert Series at Maple Tree Place on Aug. 13. CLOCKWISE (from r): Al Madlinger, front man for the band, belts out one of John Fogerty’s greatest hits. Fans of Fogarty and his band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, were up and on their feet for a dance on the lawn. A pleasant summer evening added to the enjoyment of the seated crowd as well. Six band members packed the stage area, backing Madlinger, and filling the central Maple Tree Place mall with music. An audience member felt called to add the sound of an airguitar to one number. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

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August 20, 2026

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Join us on Saturday, Aug. 22 for a community barbecue with neighbors and friends. Bring your favorite meats to grill, and we’ll provide delicious sides for everyone to enjoy. This is a perfect opportunity to connect with the community, enjoy the outdoors and share a meal. This event is free to attend, and registration is not required. Presenting sponsor is Associates in Orthodontics.

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Ages 4-5. You and your little one will work together to develop fundamental soccer skills such as dribbling, passing, kicking and running in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere. There are no games in this program. No special equipment is needed. Each participant will receive a RecKids T-shirt. This is a child/parent program. Program meets on Saturdays 8-8:45 a.m. ROOKIES SOCCER

Grades K-2. Separate programs will be offered to K-first graders and second graders if numbers allow. Rookies Soccer is designed for individuals who want to learn, play and experience the game of soccer in a fun and engaging atmosphere. There are separate programs for boys and girls. Programs begin in September and meet on Saturdays for a 30-minute clinic and a 30-minute scrimmage. Volunteer coaches are needed. YOUTH SOCCER

Grades 3-5. Youth Soccer is geared toward those who want to learn, play and experience the game of soccer in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. There are separate programs for boys and girls if numbers allow. Teams will have the opportunity to play other town teams. Volunteer coaches are needed.

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OBITUARIES

Sara Packard It is with great sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Dr. Sara Packard on July 21, 2026, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester. She was born on July 30, 1954 in Burlington, VT, and lived in its environs her entire life. Sara grew up in Williston, the eldest of five sisters. From an early age, she had an intrinsic exuberance for life; and a native unquenchable curiosity that powered her lifelong love of learning. As an undergrad at UVM, she studied botany — and loved growing plants. Gardening was always central to her life — a state of being she inherited from her mother and grandparents. She kept a productive vegetable plot at Tommy Thompson Community Gardens for 20 years or more; and flower gardening and landscaping projects were constant pursuits in tandem. The natural world and the outdoors gave her deep joy and delight. Lake Iroquois, Lake Champlain and the beautiful Maine ocean were among her familiar and favorite places. She gravitated toward the water, and loved being anywhere on, in or near it — swimming, first and foremost; as well as canoeing, kayaking or rowing. In the winter months, x-country skiing and snowshoeing ever beckoned. Her active life included hiking and bicycling day-trips, tours, and even tristate treks across northern New England, to Maine and Canada! She graduated from UVM in 1983 with a bachelors degree in psychology. Drawn to the helping professions and medicine, in the 70s and 80s, she volunteered for Champlain Area Agency on Aging (now AgeWell), and worked both as an EKG and EEG technician at Fletcher Allen Hospital. Deciding to return to school to pursue a medical degree, Sara

earned her MD from UVM Medical School in 1990; and then, entered private practice (internal medicine) in Shelburne in 1993. That practice grew to include approximately 3,000 patients. The work was demanding, but gratifying to her. She cared deeply for her patients, devoting an enormous amount of her personal time and energy to deliver her best to them. Her medical interests were expansive, and she at times offered aspects of Holistic and Ayurvedic modalities for her patients to consider. Outside of the workday, she truly was the family doctor, sharing her knowledge and expertise with relatives and friends when sought or needed in emergencies, large and small. In explaining medical matters, she was patient, and accessible, to impart fuller and thorough understanding. Generous in nature, she loved sharing her time and interests with others. After retiring, she kept busy with pursuits such as painting, jewelry making, reading, and cooking and baking for family, friends and community. She had cooked at Rowe Camp in Massachusetts in her early 20’s; and in later life, for several years, “Dr. Sara” regularly delighted in making and delivering whole dinners (including holiday turkey menus) for guests at Hope Lodge (where out-of-town cancer patients and family members may stay while receiving treatment at the hospital). She was always sharing her cooking and beautiful cakes for special events with family and friends. Sara had a good sense of fun and humor, and enjoyed sharing stories, jokes, poetry, music and ideas. She loved singing. Her gleeful and infectious laughter, with unrestrained guffaws, resonated throughout the room, and excited similar merriment among all present. She had many close friends who meant the world to her, and were friends for life. Sara was humble in her undying appreciation for medical efforts and advancements made in the service of alleviating illness and suffering. When she became a patient herself, she was sincerely moved by, and grateful for, the compassionate and dedicated help of her colleagues — on every professional level. These included, most recently, the people involved in all aspects of her care during, and through, her experience of terminal Lymphoma. She commended all, endlessly — and

so do we, her family and extended family. Special gratitude is extended to Judy Johnson, NP; Dr. Alicia Cunningham; Dr. Paul Unger; and Dr. Nataniel Lester-Cole; as well as the staff at McClure Respite House in Colchester, for the beautiful kindness shown as Sara transitioned from this life to the next. Sara was predeceased by her mother, Jane Packard Bryant; and her father, Artemas Packard. She leaves her beloved stepfather Cy Bryant; sisters Susan Sesera, Deborah Packard, Nancy Packard and Angela Bull; stepbrother Weylan (Woody) Bryant; dear friend Virginia Ringey; eight nieces and nephews (and their children); many treasured cousins, aunts and uncles — and wonderful, devoted, cherished friends, who ever remain, family! As one cousin put it, “Sara was a beautiful phenomenon. Her humanity and service to others are forever a living legacy.” A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Burlington, in the fall, time and date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McClure Respite House, or Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres). The family asks that, in Sara’s memory, you stop to admire a flower, or notice something that is less ordinary than at first glance.

Pillsbury of Williston. She grew up on Twin Brooks Farm in St. George and attended Essex High School. Life on the farm gave Judy a quintessential Vermont childhood, filled with dairy cows, maple sugaring, time spent outdoors, arts and crafts, and 4-H activities. She later attended the University of Vermont (UVM), where she earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. While at UVM, Judy met the love of her life, Thomas “Tom” Siccama. They married and shared 52 wonderful years together before Tom’s passing in 2014. Their love and life together remained an important part of Judy’s life and something she cherished deeply. Judy was a beloved teacher at East Haven High School in East Haven, CT, where she taught Home Economics and early childhood education for more than 25 years. Her love of teaching extended well beyond the classroom. She also taught adults and community members how to sew and quilt, sharing her skills and her enthusiasm for teaching and creating. Judy was an avid quilter and loved nothing more than spending time with her quilting friends, visiting quilt shops wherever she traveled, discovering and buying fabric (and lots of it!), and taking classes to learn more about the art and craft of quilting. For many years, she operated The Tail End Workshop, a fabric store in the basement of her home, where she sold fabric and taught quilting classes. Judy was, above all, a giver. She freely shared her time, her

expertise, and her creativity. She gave quilts to friends and family, flowers from her garden, and cookies from her kitchen. Giving was simply part of who she was, and she found joy in sharing what she had with the people around her. Before moving to Wake Robin, Judy was an active member of the Shoreline Quilters Guild in Connecticut. She and her friends made many quilts to donate to organizations and individuals in need. She cherished her large circle of quilting friends and the many friendships she formed through this shared passion. We are grateful to the nursing and activities staff at Wake Robin for taking such good care of Judy and keeping her active and engaged for as long as possible. Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Siccama, and her brother, George Pillsbury. She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Siccama, and Carolyn’s husband, Chris Trapeni, of Williston; her granddaughter, Carly Trapeni; and her sister, Sharon Roa. To honor and celebrate this wonderful person, and in lieu of flowers, we encourage you to give someone a compliment, make or admire a handmade quilt, plant a flower garden, pet a cat, enjoy a loud, hearty laugh, wear red shoes, or simply enjoy a chocolate milkshake with whipped cream on top. A celebration of Judy’s joyous and crafty life may be held later in the fall.

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Page 16 •

Williston Observer •

August 20, 2026

Advertising Clearinghouse

WILLISTON

THE

for Chittenden County

FIRE DEPT. AUG. 7 • 11:16 a.m. — Firefighters responded to an accidental alarm on Blair Park Road. • 2:38 p.m. — Crews responded to a malfunctioning alarm on Holland Lane.

AUG. 8 • 3:22 p.m. — Firefighters responded to a fire/smoke alarm on Tyler Way.

AUG. 9 • 10:57 p.m. — Crews responded to an accidental alarm at Eagle Crest.

WILLISTON

POLICE

June 28 at 8:35 a.m. — Report of vandalism at Zephyr Place. June 28 at 10:20 a.m. — Retail theft reported at Marshalls. Female suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft and unlawful trespass.

7 PAPERS. 1 AD PURCHASE.

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RICK@WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM 802-373-2136

June 28 at 2:51 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Marshalls. Male suspect took off before officers’ arrival. June 29 at 8:51 a.m. — Suspicious male in the parking lot of Stewart’s. Male was located

AUG. 10 • 12:29 p.m. — Firefighters responded to a malfunctioning alarm on Krupp Drive. • 1:57 p.m. — Crews responded to an accidental alarm on Zephyr Road. • 2:38 p.m. — Firefighters responded to an accidental alarm on Boyer Circle. • 5:29 p.m. — Crews responded to a fire/smoke alarm on Williston Road.

AUG. 11 • 12:46 a.m. — Firefighters responded to a structure fire involving a building on Pearl Street in Essex Junction. • 7:22 a.m. — Crews responded to a false alarm on Krupp Drive. • 8:06 p.m. — Firefighters

and moved along. June 29 at 12:10 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Marshalls. Female suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft and unlawful trespass. June 29 at 2:28 p.m. — Assisted with trespassing a female from stores in the Taft Corners Shopping Center. June 30 at 2:11 a.m. — Traffic stop conducted, male operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI. June 30 at 8:23 a.m. — Report of equipment stolen from United Ag and Turf. Equipment was later recovered and returned. July 1 at 10:40 a.m. — Assisted Morristown Police Department

responded to a malfunctioning alarm on Gail Terrace.

AUG. 12 • 3:12 p.m. — Crews responded to a fire/smoke alarm on Zephyr Road.

AUG. 13 • 7:13 p.m. — Firefighters responded to a fire/smoke alarm on North Williston Road. • 7:46 p.m. — Crews responded to an accidental alarm on Zephyr Road. • 9:26 p.m. — Firefighters responded to a fire/smoke alarm at Falcon Manor. The Williston Fire Department also responded to 27 medical emergencies during this time frame.

with serving paperwork Rosewood Drive.

July 1 at 7:34 p.m. — Assisted with a tree down blocking the roadway on Old Creamery Road. July 2 at 2:13 p.m. — Assisted the Chittenden County Sheriffs Office with taking a male into custody at Zephyr Place. July 2 at 6:33 p.m. — Suspicious male and female at Plato’s Closet refusing to leave. They were both issued a notice of trespass and moved along. July 3 at 9:09 a.m. — Field contact made with male on Market Street. Male had an outstanding arrest warrant. He was issued a citation to appear in court. July 3 at 1:48 p.m. — Disturbance at Eagle Crest. Male suspect was issued a citation to appear in court for disorderly conduct. July 3 at 8:56 p.m. — Report of an intoxicated male laying in the yard of a residence on Essex Road. Male was issued a citation to appear in court for unlawful trespass. Male was brought to corrections for detox. July 4 at 3:30 p.m. — Assisted with a credit card fraud at Walmart. July 4 at 9:25 p.m. — Traffic stop conducted. Male operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI. Officers also conducted 12 traffic enforcement operations resulting in 45 traffic stops and responded to 10 alarm activations and eight motor vehicle crashes during this time frame.

August 20, 2026 •

Williston Observer •

Page 17

Page 18 • dates: Williston release Aug.Observer 22-28, 2026• August 20, 2026

34 (26)

Next Week: Our states: Wyoming

Issue 34, 2026

Founded by Betty Debnam

Give Them Shelter

Mini Fact:

Animal shelters take in many kinds of animals, including guinea pigs, lizards, ferrets and snakes.

If you have a pet at home, there’s a good chance it came from an animal shelter. Animal shelters care for millions of abandoned or injured dogs and cats each year. There are about 5,000 animal shelters in the United States.

What is a shelter?

photo by The Bees

Most shelters are places that care for animals for a short while. Few can care for animals for the rest of their natural lives. Shelters care for the animals while workers search for good homes for them. They find homes for millions of animals every year. Dogs and cats are the main animals in shelters. However, they also care for many other animals people have as pets. Sometimes wild animals end up in shelters, too.

What do shelters do?

Shelters take in abandoned or injured animals. Often they care for lost or stray dogs and cats until their owners claim them. Animal control officers also rescue animals from situations where the animals are being treated cruelly. Animals that have been pets don’t do well on their own. Shelters look after these animals. Shelters provide food, water, housing and medical care. Workers pet and play with the animals.

photo by Chriss Haight Pagani

photo by Kristin Ausk

This mother cat and her three kittens are feral (FAIR-uhl), or wild. They live by hunting.

Spaying and neutering

Experts say the most important thing people can do to help their pets is to get them spayed or neutered. This means the animals get an operation to be sure they can’t have kittens or puppies. They are asleep during the operation, so they aren’t scared or in pain. Spaying and neutering are important because there are so many animals needing care and not enough homes or shelters for them. One cat or dog can have many litters in its life. Its kittens or puppies can have many litters, too. This can end up creating thousands of new cats and dogs.

Good homes needed!

Unfortunately, shelters cannot care for all the hurt or abandoned animals that come through their doors. Experts say that from 6 to 8 million dogs and cats are brought into shelters in America each year. About half of those are euthanized (YOU-thuh-NIZD), or painlessly killed.

How to help

If you see an animal you think is being mistreated, tell an adult you trust. Never approach a strange animal. Do not go onto someone else’s property. Tell a parent, a teacher or a police officer. Animal cruelty is illegal everywhere in America. You can volunteer at a local shelter. You can volunteer in person or do other things to help out the shelter workers. You could: • Stuff envelopes for the shelter’s mailings. • Collect and deliver items shelters need*, such as: pet food and treats kitty litter washable toys first-aid supplies soft towels and blankets * Call your local shelter first to see which supplies they most need.

Resources On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPshelters

At the library:

• “Give Me Shelter: Turning Shelter Dogs and Cats Into Family Pets” by Yellow Duck Press • “Milton Makes a Move” by Jonathan Graziano

rack locations Try ’n’Williston Find Observer Mini Jokes Shell Gas Station (Essex Rd) Essex/Essex Jct. Hannaford Price Chopper

Words that remind usFarm of animal are hidden this puzzle.Simon’s Mobil Williston Livingin Williston Adams Market shelters Healthy Some words areAromas hidden backward or diagonally, and some lettersSimply Divine Café Home2Suites of India are used twice. Chef’s See ifCorner you can find: Island Homemade Ice Cream Sonesta Sunoco Station Korner Kwik Stop Dorothy Alling Memorial ADOPT, ANIMAL, L O SMarriott T SCourtyard T E K N ATown L ofBWilliston Z YOffices Y Library BLANKETS, CARE, H A RMenYAt Wok A R T S N BUPSWStore S R Z Z Fairfield Inn te at FERAL, ll Rick CoDOG, CaCAT, C D LM&TEBank L O L I F QVermont H SMeat E & LSeafood G Folino’s Pizza l 373-2136 or emai om (802)FOOD, r.c HOME, LITTER, ShopO Gardener’s Supply Z O ARamunto’s S T I M P Q EWilliston L HCoffee E W bserve Rick@WillistonOlike copies ld ou w LOST, NEUTER, PET, Rehab Gym Green Mountain Bagel u Z P R T A A T O L E O P T D D yo if r your location SPAY, STRAY, foSHELTER, V T E A L L W T W M V E N O K A I F E M L E O E Z A T U O T TOWELS, TOYS, TREATS, S G L R R R T O K R F O L F A VOLUNTEER, WATER.

Essex Automotive Quality Bake Shop Pete: Variety What kind of dog Five Corner River Road Beverage likes taking a bath? Hannaford Richmond Inn atPetra: Essex A sham-poodle!Cumberland Farms a cat who at Mac’sPenny: Market What do you call Richmond Freelives Library Martone’s Delithe beach? Richmond Market Paul: Sandy Claws! Williston

Eco Note Nearly a mile beneath the

look after these animals. Shelters provide food, water, housing and medical care. Workers pet and play with the animals.

Dogs and Cats Into Family Pets” by Yellow Duck Press • “Milton Makes a Move” by Jonathan Graziano August 20, 2026 • Williston Observer • Page 19

those are euthanized (YOU-thuh-NIZD), or painlessly killed.

Try ’n’ Find

Mini Jokes

Words that remind us of animal shelters are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: ADOPT, ANIMAL, BLANKETS, CARE, CAT, DOG, FERAL, FOOD, HOME, LITTER, LOST, NEUTER, PET, SHELTER, SPAY, STRAY, TOWELS, TOYS, TREATS, VOLUNTEER, WATER.

L H C Z Z V A S U F

O A D O P T I G R S

S R L A R E F L E P

Pete: What kind of dog likes taking a bath? Petra: A sham-poodle!

T S T E K N A L B Z Y Y Y A R T S N B W S R Z Z E L O L I F Q H S E L G S T I M P Q E L H E W O T A A T O L E O P T D D A L L W T W M V E N O K E M L E O E Z A T U O T R R R T O K R F O L F A T U E N X L H J Y O U C A Y L C A R E M S V C C

Penny: What do you call a cat who lives at the beach? Paul: Sandy Claws!

Eco Note

• 2 teaspoons cumin • 1 teaspoon chili powder • 2 (15-ounce) cans pinto beans, drained • 3/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped • salt to taste

What to do: 1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan. Add onion, peppers and garlic; cook until onions are soft and translucent. 2. Stir in cumin and chili powder. Add beans and chopped cilantro. Season with salt as desired. 3. Heat through and serve. Serves 6 to 8.

7 Little Words for Kids Use the letters in the boxes to make a word with the same meaning as the clue. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in the solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle.

1. vegetable on a cob (4) 2. allowed by law (5) 3. stomach area (7) 4. U.S. capital city (10) 5. dog with curly fur (6) 6. what you put on before shoes (5) 7. awe-inspiring (9)

HING

ABD

SOC OMEN WON

FUL

DER ODLE GAL

TON

WAS

You’ll need: • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1/2 onion, chopped • 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped • 1 large jalapeño pepper, chopped • 2 garlic cloves, minced

adapted with permission from Earthweek.com

For later:

Look in your local newspaper for articles about animal shelters in your area.

Mexican Pinto Beans

* You’ll need an adult’s help with this recipe.

Cook’s Corner

Nearly a mile beneath the waters surrounding the Galápagos Islands, scientists encountered a tiny flash of blue unlike anything they had seen before. Barely the size of a golf ball, the newly discovered octopus emerged from one of the least explored environments on courtesy Charles Earth — the dark, cold seafloor photo Darwin Foundation of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Researchers described a sense of wonder as cameras captured the little creature moving across the ocean floor, its vivid blue body glowing against the darkness.

Answers: corn, legal, abdomen, Washington, poodle, socks, wonderful.

Photos from the Williston Observer are available for purchase! Visit willistonobserver.com to see current and past photos of events, school sports, nature shots and more!

AlFreyPhotography.com

Place your order online or email afrey202@gmail.com

Page 20

• Williston Observer • August 20, 2026

SAVVY SENIOR

A caregiver’s guide to Medicare

understanding the program can make life a lot easier. Knowing what’s covered – and what isn’t – can help you plan ahead, avoid costly surprises and make sure your father gets the care he needs. Here’s a practical guide to get you started.

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I’m taking care of my elderly father who recently had a stroke and have a lot of questions about how Medicare works and what it covers. He’s enrolled in original Medicare. Can you help me? — Caregiving Connie Dear Connie, Taking care of a parent after a stroke is hard enough without having to figure out Medicare too. The good news is that

MEDICARE BASICS

One of the best places to start is the official “Medicare & You” handbook. It explains benefits and services in plain language. Medicare mails an updated copy every fall, but you can also view it online at medicare.gov/ medicare-and-you. For questions, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 to speak with a representative. They can clarify coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, home health care and more. Your state’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program

(SHIP) is another great resource. SHIP counselors provide free, one-on-one counseling to help you understand your coverage, identify cost-saving programs, and answer questions about Medicare. Find a counselor near you at shiphelp.org or 877-839-2675. Caregivers should also create a secure Medicare account at medicare.gov/account/login. Once your father’s account is set up, you can review his coverage, track claims, check the status of medical services and prescriptions, and see which preventive benefits he’s eligible for. It’s an easy way to stay organized and keep all of your father’s Medicare information in one place. CHOOSING PROVIDERS

Medicare also lets you compare providers online at medicare.gov/care-compare. You

109 COYOTE LANE WILLISTON

can search for doctors, hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, hospice providers and medical equipment suppliers in your area. This is especially useful after a stroke, when your father may need rehabilitation or specialized care at home. COVERED SERVICES

Original Medicare covers many services your father may need, including hospital care, doctor visits, lab tests and outpatient treatments. It also covers home health care if your father is homebound, under a doctor’s care and needs parttime skilled nursing or rehabilitation therapy, such as physical, occupational or speech therapy. Medicare also covers medically necessary durable medical equipment and supplies prescribed by a doctor, including oxygen, wheelchairs, walkers and catheters. Short-term skilled nursing care in a facility may also be covered for up to 100 days after a qualifying hospital stay. Prescription medications are generally covered through a separate Medicare Part D plan, which helps pay for many outpatient drugs your father may need. Hospice care is covered for patients with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less, as certified by a doctor. It includes nursing care, medications for comfort and short-term

respite care to give caregivers a break. However, Medicare generally doesn’t pay for long-term custodial care at home, in an assisted living facility or in a nursing home. That means it generally won’t cover ongoing help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, using the bathroom or supervision for someone with dementia. Routine dental care, dentures, eye exams for glasses and hearing aids are also not covered. COST HELP

If your father has limited income and resources, check programs that help reduce Medicare costs. Extra Help assists with prescription drug expenses, and Medicare Savings Programs can help pay premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. Visit medicare.gov/basics/ costs/help or call 800-633-4227 to learn more or check eligibility. Taking time to understand Medicare can make caregiving a little less stressful. It helps you stay on top of appointments, treatments and equipment needs, while giving you greater confidence that your father is receiving the care and benefits he’s entitled to. Send your questions or comments to questions@ savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

For help with your pet call the

Mobile Vet!

Dr. Bri Letaw brings compassionate veterinary care to dogs and cats in the Williston area. Making house calls for wellness, illness or end of life care.

ROOM TO GATHER, RELAX, ENTERTAIN, AND ENJOY WILLISTON LIVING CALL OR TEXT ELISE TO LEARN MORE

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August 20, 2026 •

Williston Observer • Page 21

CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 22

TODAY’S HISTORY:

• In 1940, exiled Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky was assassinated in Mexico. • In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, allocating nearly $1 billion in an unprecedented anti-poverty measure. • In 1977, NASA launched the unmanned space probe Voyager 2 to relay data and photographs of the outer solar system and interstellar space. • In 1998, the United States attacked suspected terrorist bases in Afghanistan and Sudan in retaliation for U.S. embassy bombings earlier in the month.

TODAY’S FACT:

• Before entering politics, President Lyndon Johnson taught public speaking and debate at a high school in Houston.

SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 22

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Page 22

• Williston Observer • August 20, 2026

2-Bed, 2-Bath Condo in Williston, VT LIVE AUCTION: Tues. | August 25 | 2PM ADDRESS: 127 Holland Lane, No. 2 Williston, VT 05495

CLASSIFIEDS EMAILED ADVERTISEMENT FOUND ADVERTISING INSERTION ORDER RAY-BAN SUNGLASSES— Thomas Hirchak Company found at the Maple Tree Place Green; FROM: Cathy Morneault probably left after one of the concerts. Call or text 802-310-4110 Phone: 802-888-4662 Email: Advertising@THCAuction.com MOVING SALE To: Rick & Susan Cote Paper: Williston Observer Max Length 12.5 TODAY’S DATE: 08/05/2026 NAME OF FILE: 08132026_WO DATE(S) TO RUN: 08/13/2026

A well-maintained condominium in the desirable Finney Crossing community. Built in 2018, this onestory home offers approximately 1,351± square feet of living space with 2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. The home features an open layout with a formal dining room, central air conditioning, and an attached garage. THCAuction.com  802-888-4662

SUDOKU SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 21

SIZE OF AD: 1/16 page (2” x 5”)

MOVING SALE — All items must go! Canadian rocker, recliner and couch; Vintage desk and night stand; 2 Classic decorative pillows; 2 Beds - one with drawers; 2 Dining room sets - one with 4 chairs the other with 2 chairs; 2 drawer bureau and night stand; and more. Call Dennis Francis at 410-279-1487. 17 Hideaway Ln., Williston.

LEGAL

TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA Tuesday, August 25, 2026 – 7:00 PM

DP 24-06.1 River’s Edge Development c/o O’Leary-Burke Civil Associates requests DP amendment to remove one single family lot, reducing total unit count to 106 dwellings, and modify the private neighborhood amenities in Windswept Meadows Development on Trails Bend Drive in the RZD. DP 27-03 Developmental Disabilities Housing Initiative c/o The Snyder Group, Inc. requests pre-app review of 9 dwelling unit building with site improvements at 12 Southridge Road in the VZD.

Zoom Webinar ID 813 6162 7981 on www.zoom.us/join DP 27-02 Matthew Fraser requests DP to amend the building envelope to construct accessory structures at 144C3herrywood Lane in the ARZD.

TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA Tuesday, September 8, 2026 – 7:00 PM

entrance) or

SECTION: Auctions PO# Williston

DP 26-08 Richard and Susan Brownell request DP for a proposed three-lot subdivision of a 26.7-acre parcel into one existing dwelling, one new dwelling, and one open space lot at 518 Lincoln Road in the ARZD.

Project details and site plans are available on the website, town. williston.vt.us, under “Public Records and Documents”, then “Agendas & Minutes”, and “Development Review Board”. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802-8786704 or email planning@willistonvt. org

Town Hall Beckett/McGuire Meeting EMAILED TO: Rick@Willistonobserver.com Room (7900 Williston Road, use rear

Publishes in Williston Observer

c/o Casey Danforth requests DP for the addition of a 1,440 square-foot office structure at 137 Avenue A in the IZDW.

DP 27-01 TransEastern Truck Center

CROSSWORD SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 21

LEGAL

Town Hall Beckett/McGuire Meeting Room (7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance) or Zoom Webinar ID 813 6162 7981 on www.zoom.us/join DP 21-18.5 Rieley Family Partners, LLC c/o Andy Rowe requests DP for the approval of a Master Sign Plan at Beaudry Lane, Eden Lane, and Alpine Drive in the MRZD. DP 21-18.6 The Snyder Williston Properties LLC c/o Andy Rowe requests DP to modify the site layout and architectural design of a 66-unit apartment building on Lot 1A of The Annex at 90 Alpine Drive in MRZD. Project details and site plans are available on the website, town.williston.vt.us, under “Public Records and Documents”, then “Agendas & Minutes”, and “Development Review Board”. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802-878-6704 or email planning@willistonvt.org

To place a classified ad, email Adam@willistonobserver.com or call (802) 338-1655 Deadline for classifieds is Monday

Yum! A quarterly section in the Williston Observer featuring some of the best eateries and restaurants in the area! If you would like to have your establishment included in this section please call Adam at 802-338-1655 or email Adam@WillistonObserver.com

Williston

zen center yard zen sale center yard sale 4x5 4x5 August 20, 2026 •

Williston Observer • Page 23

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Clar Mattfrom continued pagek'2

Covering Your Life’s Journey RABIES saliva. If left BAIT untreated, rabies is almost alcontinued from page 2 ways fatal in humans and animals. However, 802-862-1600 Northern ..Dasemenll® treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly Email: info@turnbaughinsurance.com Responsible Waterproofing �� -� --iilllo... The week-long bait drop is a coopera- 100The week-long bait drop asoon cooperapercent effective when given after 188 Allen Brook Lane, Suite 1,isWilliston turnbaughinsurance.com/contact tive effort between Vermont sand effort and the U.S. person is between bitten byVermont a rabid animal. l-� n�fu!?n!!Ym":J �!:.l,the E U.S. ative Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services Department Agriculture Wildlife Services So far thisofyear, 23 animals in Vermont ANTIQUES WELLNESS to stop the spread of the potentially fatal have to stop the positive spread offorthe potentially tested rabies, and 14fatal of disease. disease. those have been raccoons. ANTIQUES WANTED 04/22/2024 Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the Rabies is a to deadly viralofficials, disease of the According wildlife rabid Decluttering? Downsizing? brain that xinfects It is most often animals brain that It is most a change in their norWeoften caninfects help show you mammals. discover, learn about and sell: often 3.25 2 ADmammals. for Williston Observer WATCHES • JEWELRY • COINS • SILVER • ARTWORK seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, mal seenbehavior, in raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, but you cannot telland whether with us… but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also an butanimal unvaccinated petssimply and livestock can also has rabies by looking at We offer an infrared sauna, get rabies. The virus is spread through the it. getPeople rabies.should The virus is spread through the not touch or pick up wild massage, bodywork, a salt BOOK YOUR bite ofroom an infected animal or contactSESSION with its animals bite of Bittner anorinfected or contact with its strays –animal even baby animals. Brian • 802-489-5210 • info@bittnerantiques.com and more. ®

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Page 24 •

Williston Observer •

August 20, 2026

Havin’ a ball on Saturday Green Mountain Volleyball sponsored a mixed doubles volleyball tournament, below, on Saturday at Williston Central School. Players showed up ready to stretch high for the jump serve, left, get into position to bump the ball and keep it in play, top center, and otherwise give their all, top right, in service to the game. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

Shelburne Museum stays open after hours on select summer evenings with live music, food trucks, access to galleries, and fun for the whole family! 5:30–7:30 p.m. August 27. Admission is free! With live music from: Ray Vega Afro-Caribbean Jazz Ensemble