‘Brazen’ theft: Painting lifted from library
Any artist displaying work at a public library will be required to sign a waiver releasing the library from responsibility for their art pieces.
Hinesburg painter Rebecca Padula, who showed her work through the month of August at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, said she could envision a library patron mistakenly brushing up against a hung painting, causing it to fall and possibly get damaged. But — although the waiver does contemplate the possibility of theft — Padula never imagined that
Bellwether School closes after 30 years
Parents, school founder hoping for relaunch
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
For the first time since September 1995, Bellwether School in Williston will not be welcoming students into its modest building on South Brownell Road for a new academic year.
An alternative nonprofit school that followed a holistic, student-centered approach, Bellwether enrolled up to 60 preschool through fifth grade students at its peak. But in recent years, it had become more difficult to retain students as they aged into the elementary school grades.
The school’s board of directors made the decision last winter that
2024-2025 would be the school’s final academic year — at least for now.
Mike Foote, the parent of a Bellwether kindergartner last year, was already planning to move his daughter into Richmond public schools for its Spanish immersion program, but he still mourns the loss of the school as an independent educational option in the community. Bellwether drew students from Williston, Richmond, South Burlington, Essex and Hinesburg.
“We just feel so much gratitude towards the school and the staff,” Foote said. “Our daughter is leaving with next level skills in treating other people with kindness and navigating big emotions. It really supported her curiosity and sense of adventure.”
“It really was something special,” he added, “and it’s kind of
would actually happen.
On Aug. 20, she received a call from library staff. They had witnessed a patron lift a Padula painting off the wall and swiftly exit the library. Staff followed the thief, recorded the license plate of her getaway car and called Williston Police. The case is still under investigation, according to Lt. Eric Shepard. Police are looking for a red sport utility vehicle as a “vehicle of interest,” he said.
“It’s kind of flattering, but not as flattering
as when someone actually buys a painting and values it,” Padula said Wednesday morning as she removed her pieces from a library wall, the monthlong display having run its course.
Titled “At The Edge of Town,” the show featured oil paintings of various sizes depicting abstract interpretations of rural New England landscapes. The stolen painting wasn’t the only one that Padula won’t return home with: She also made a sale.
heartbreaking that it had to shut down.”
Although his two children are now committed to Richmond public schools, Foote continues to serve on Bellwether’s board of directors, along with others who are exploring ways the school could be revived. Among them is Ron Miller, who cofounded the school in 1995.
“Several of the parents said, ‘we don’t want it to close. We’re going try to bring it back.’ And I
Chicken & Waffles Sandwich
got involved because, well, I started it once, I thought I could help start it again,” Miller said.
The school owns the building, which is situated across from the former Edge fitness center in a mostly commercial-industrial area of town. The board is looking for community members interested in alternative education to join its ranks.
“We would love to have more hands on deck to help bring the school back,” Miller said.
Opinions differ among board members about what led to the declining enrollment; Foote and Miller both agree that the school lacked effective marketing. You could easily drive by it on South Brownell and not realize you had passed a school.
“There was really not much marketing to speak of, and I think that was a missed opportunity,” Foote said.
Bellwether School on South Brownell Road will be empty this year for the first time since its founding 30 years ago.
OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR
Artist Rebecca Padula
Celebrating the Town Plan
The Williston Planning Commission invites town staff, board and committee volunteers, and community members to celebrate the adoption of the 2025 Town Plan, which was approved by the selectboard on Aug. 19 — and to show their appreciation for all who participated in the process.
The casual pizza and potluck social will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. in the newly constructed pavilion in Village Community Park at 252 Library Lane.
Industrial Ave. bridge replacement set to start
Replacement of the pedestrian bridge over the Allen Brook on Industrial Avenue will begin Sept.
22, according to the Williston Public Works Department.
Construction is expected to continue into October and will include a two-week road closure at a time to be determined. The pedestrian bridge has been closed since last year after it was deemed structurally deficient.
Rotary to host Zuckerman on instant runoff voting
At its weekly breakfast meeting on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7:15 a.m., the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club will host former Lt. Governor and current WDEV radio host David Zuckerman.
Zuckerman will explain how instant runoff voting (ranked choice voting) works and why it can be beneficial to achieve truly democratic elections.
Community members are
welcome at attend. If interested in joining in person or via Zoom, RSVP to RotaryClubofWillistonVT@ gmail.com.
New website makes food shelf donations easy
Community members can now purchase food and personal hygiene items to be shipped directly to the Williston Community Food Shelf through an online ordering site.
Logan Vaughan, Miro Gohacki and Corinne Atwell — students at UVM’s Grossman School of Business — developed the donation platform at: https://giftdrive.org/drive/142.
The site features items in high demand by the food shelf. Donations are shipped at no charge.
Donations to the food shelf can also be dropped off at its location at 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 130 in Williston. Monetary donations may be made by mailing a check to P.O. Box 1605, Williston, VT 05495 or online at www.willistonfoodshelf.com.
Making a more walkable Williston
BY REED PARKER Williston Energy Committee
In our July Living Green article (“Williston is on the move”), we wrote about the physical, psychological and social benefits of walking and biking. As a Mayo Clinic report states, “Physical activity doesn’t need to be complicated. Something as simple as a daily brisk walk can help you live a healthier life.”
Now, let’s ask: What do you do when you walk? Is it for pure pleasure and fitness — or combined with your daily tasks such as shopping and banking or going to a restaurant, gym, post office or doctor’s office?
AARP states that “in a livable community, people of all ages can safely walk for fitness and to get where they need or want
to go.” How walkable is your neighborhood and what would you need to do to make it easier and safer to get from your home to a desired location?
JOIN A ‘WALK AUDIT’
One tool to determine walkability of an area or neighborhood is a “walk audit.” AARP defines a walk audit as “an activity in which participants observe and evaluate the walkability of a location to identify and document if and how pedestrians can safely travel along a street, cross an intersection and get from point A to B.”
Sponsored by Net Zero Vermont, AARP-VT, Williston on the Move and other organizations, an initial walk audit will be conducted in the Taft Corners area on Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
An initial walk audit will be conducted in the Taft Corners area on Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in two locations: near Williston Place on the Blair Park circle and on Holland Lane in Finney Crossing.
This is a large, well-planned commercial and residential area with hundreds of residents, numerous businesses and thousands of vehicles traveling daily on Route 2, Route 2A and a network of interconnecting
side streets. Residents will sign up to join leaders from Net Zero VT and AARP-VT to walk various routes through the audit area.
The walk audit routes will begin in two locations: near Williston Place on the Blair Park circle and on Holland Lane in Finney Crossing. The walk audit starting in Blair Park includes three senior housing facilities and will travel through the Finney Crossing residential and commercial areas to the Healthy Living Market.
The second route starting on Holland Lane also travels to Healthy Living Market and, optionally, participants can then cross Route 2 to Shaw’s supermarket or walk north on Route 2A to include the Taft Corners Shopping Center.
During the walk audit, participants will
note any conditions that could pose barriers to walking. Suggestions from the walk audit will be added to input gathered from recently held neighborhood workshops at which residents provided input on the walkability of the area. Findings will be used to create a report of suggested changes to improve walkability and safety and will be shared with partners and presented to the Town of Williston and State of Vermont.
These suggestions could include changing the timing on crosswalk lights; assessing the speed limit in areas; installing more stop signs, crosswalks, and traffic-controlling raised areas in the road; improving older sidewalks; and more. All will be for the benefit of making the area more walkable. Already this year, intersections of several sidewalks and streets in Finney Crossing have been improved through the addition of curb cuts and sidewalk ramps to benefit people with mobility challenges.
If interested in participating or learning more about the Sept. 20 walk audit, call
(802) 284-5204 or email deb@netzerovt. org for details.
Depending on public interest, future walk audits could be conducted in the Taft Farms Village Center mixed-use development (with one senior housing facility) and Cottonwood Crossing.
SHOPPING TROLLEYS AID WALKABILITY
Assuming you can safely and efficiently walk to a shopping destination, how do you get your purchases home? Are they light enough to carry in a bag on your shoulder, or do you need another way to get them home? Trudging down the sidewalk with heavily laden bags in each hand is no fun and a strain on the body.
Sponsored by Net Zero VT, green walkable shopping trolleys are affordable, ruggedly built and an easy way to pack up your purchases and take the load off your shoulders and back. Presentations at Healthy Living, the Williston Community Food Shelf and Williston Rec Zone have resulted in over 80 residents putting the shopping trolleys to use in Williston, proving they are a great aid to many.
Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) is proven to enhance the caregiver-child connection through play, empathy and emotional attunement.
•
• Understand your child’s emotional needs and behaviors
• Learn skills to promote connection, trust, and communication
• Practice special play sessions to encourage expression and build selfesteem
WHAT ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
The focus of the initial walk audit is the Taft Corners area with its concentration of businesses and residents and network of interconnecting streets. But you may ask: How walkable is my neighborhood? Can we determine if residents feel safe and comfortable? Can we improve walking rates, the efficiency of the sidewalks and safety crossing roads?
Where do you wish to travel? Is it to the market, school, church, town offices or a friend’s home? If you believe there are challenges to walking or biking in your neighborhood, consider participating in a “Williston Walks” audit.
Observing and collecting information is the first step toward a safer, more enjoyable walk. Stay tuned by visiting the project Williston Walks site, under the “Get Involved” tab of the Planning & Zoning page on the town website.
To participate in Williston’s energy future, reach out to your Williston Energy Committee at energy@willistonvt.org or, visit: www.willistonvtenergycommittee.org.
Walk to Shop trolleys on display at a community lunch last year at the Williston R.E.C. Zone. The trolleys are designed to carry up to six full grocery bags. FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF NET ZERO VERMONT
Burlington resolves to make City Hall Park safer
BY AUDITI GUHA VTDigger
The Burlington City Council overwhelmingly passed a resolution Monday night intended to create a safer and more welcoming City Hall Park after hearing extensive testimony.
Sponsored by City Council President Ben Traverse, D-Ward 5, the three-page resolution aims to “revive City Hall Park as a more accessible, family-friendly gathering space” by enforcing existing laws “to address criminality and other unwelcoming behaviors.”
This includes keeping the park closed to the public from midnight to 6 a.m. as posted, maintaining a “more consistent presence” of police and public safety personnel, and developing a standardized response to low-level drug issues in
the park.
The 9-2 vote — Melo Grant, P-Central, and Marek Broderick, P-Ward 8, voted no — comes six days after a man died after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of teens in the park.
Interim Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke identified the victim Tuesday as Burlington resident Scott Kastner, 42.
Burlington residents and leaders have hotly debated the challenges of addressing increasing homelessness and public drug use downtown in recent months. At Monday’s meeting, some business owners claimed they are losing business and staff. Meanwhile, some residents said they find downtown unsafe and unwelcoming, while others opposed further criminalizing the unhoused and called for greater
7 OAK 7 OAK CIRCLE CIRCLE
compassion and creative solutions.
The resolution is meant to reach a middle ground and is “one step forward in starting to do what we can as a city,” said Progressive Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak who has recently sparred with Gov. Phil Scott on how to improve conditions in the city.
“I oppose this because it’s inadequate to meet the moment that we find ourselves in and it’s harmful to the most vulnerable members of our community in a way that will not solve anything,” Broderick said, citing continued gaps that exist in housing, mental health care treatment and an overburdened criminal justice system.
More than 75 people attended the public hearing that lasted more than an hour.
see BURLINGTON page 8
Energy efficiency is our first, best tool
BY PETER WALKE
Vermonters feel it every time we get an energy bill or fill up at the pump — costs are high and unpredictable. Global markets swing wildly, storms knock out power, and heating our homes in the winter takes a bigger bite out of our paychecks than it used to.
We can’t control global fuel prices. But we can control how much energy we use. That’s why energy efficiency is the single most powerful, affordable tool we have to keep costs down.
Efficiency Vermont is now planning our next three years of programs to help Vermonters save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a moment to reflect on the importance of efficiency in our state. And it’s an opportunity for Vermonters to take our survey and share feedback on our programs and services. Find the survey at www.efficiencyvermont.com/ feedback.
When a business replaces outdated lighting or upgrades to
efficient equipment, it lowers its bills and strengthens its bottom line. When a home is weatherized, insulated and air-sealed, it uses less fuel to keep us warm in January and less electricity to keep us cool in July. These aren’t just small savings — they add up. Over the past two decades, Vermonters have saved more than $3.5 billion thanks to efficiency improvements.
Efficiency is also our cheapest energy resource. It costs far less to save a unit of energy than to produce one. Every kilowatt-hour of electricity we don’t need is one we don’t have to generate, transmit across expensive power lines, and pay for. This means lower costs for utilities, more manageable peaks when demand surges, and, over time, more affordable bills for ratepayers.
It’s also a homegrown solution. When we cut our energy use, we reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels and keep more money circulating in Vermont’s economy. That’s
P.O. Box 1401, Williston, VT 05495 | 802-489-5499
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energy independence in action, something that benefits every household and business in the state.
The benefits don’t stop at the wallet. Efficient appliances and heating systems improve indoor air quality. A well-weatherized home is more comfortable, quieter and healthier. And every bit of energy we save means fewer greenhouse gas emissions, helping us meet Vermont’s climate commitments while protecting communities from the devastating impacts of a warming world.
Some may think of energy efficiency as a “someday” solution, something to get to after tackling other home projects or business priorities. But it really should be the first step. Vermont
can build new renewable energy sources, modernize our grid and electrify our vehicles and heating systems. But if we don’t streamline how we use energy in the first place, we’ll need to spend more on generation and infrastructure, driving up costs. Efficiency makes all those other investments work better and cost less.
The bottom line: Energy efficiency isn’t just about using less, it’s about living better for less. It’s a proven, practical and immediate way to make energy more affordable for all Vermonters. In a time of economic uncertainty and climate challenges, it’s the common-sense solution we can’t afford to ignore.
When it comes to energy, so
much happens in a global market that’s beyond our control. But we can control how we use energy, and we can choose to use energy wisely. When we do, Vermont becomes stronger, more resilient and more affordable for everyone.
As Efficiency Vermont looks ahead, we want your help in improving the work we do together to make Vermont’s energy more affordable. Please join the thousands of Vermonters who have taken 10 minutes to fill out our survey.
Peter Walke is the managing director of Efficiency Vermont and former commissioner of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Athletics over arts?
Your article “CVU turf field dreams revived” (Aug. 21) highlights a troubling contrast. While the community celebrates a campaign for new turf fields, CVU has cut both its band and chorus positions to half-time.
These programs are not extras. The choral department has long offered chorus, multiple a cappella ensembles, support for stage productions, and individual vocal lessons. The band program has sustained concert and jazz ensembles, pep bands, pit orchestras, and prepared students for state, New England, and Eastern festivals.
Faculty have taught music theory at a collegiate level and even created international exchange opportunities. For decades, these programs have built skills, confidence and community for every student — not just a few.
Now much of that is being lost. A turf field may prevent rainouts, but music never gets rained out. The message is unmistakable: Athletics deserve mobilized money and leadership, while the arts are treated as expendable.
This isn’t just CVU. Burlington High School has also cut music positions to half-time even as it prepares to open a new campus. If this becomes the model, other districts will follow. The erosion of the arts mirrors a national trend where liberal arts are cast aside as “nonessential.” CVU once set the standard for arts education in Vermont. We should be leading, not hollowing it out.
This is not about budgets, it’s about values. If our community can rally to fund turf, we can rally to preserve and restore the arts. The measure of a great
school is not its fields, but the voices, instruments and creativity of its students.
Ian Campbell Colchester (formerly of Williston)
Toxic turf
In response to the “CVU turf field dreams revived” article (Aug. 21), I want to share some concerns. Turf fields may offer more playing time in wet weather, but they come with sone potential serious health concerns.
The National Institutes of Health has recommended that communities proceed with caution when considering turf installation due to health and environmental concerns. In the article, “Health Impacts of Artificial Turf: Toxicity Studies, Challenges, and Future Directions,” experts report cases of increased cancer risk due to inhalation and skin exposure to microplastics and PFAS.
In Fairfax Calif., a high school had to remove a turf installation after multiple cases of parent concern over increased respiratory illnesses and disease. In addition, communities often see increased plastic contamination in runoff, which causes concern for our local farms, water supply and waterways.
Before we consider how we will put the turf field in and who will fund it, we need to ask IF we should be doing it. Increased game time isn’t worth lifelong health and community environmental issues.
Angela Pollock Hinesburg
She describes the theft as “brazen,” but it won’t discourage her from future public displays.
“I don’t expect this to happen again,” she said. “I think they are still pretty safe in libraries.”
Burlington
continued from page 5
She values the stolen piece at $350. She’s hopeful that Williston Police will solve the case and that she will reclaim rightful ownership of the painting.
— Jason Starr
“City Hall Park has become a major hot spot for lawlessness, drug abuse and other bad behavior,” said Dave Marr, a New North End resident for 50 years. “This has gotten to the point where many are afraid to go to the park, let alone stay and enjoy it.”
He encouraged the city to “enforce our rules and start cleaning up our city.”
Some business owners said the ongoing safety issues and the Main Street construction project have been detrimental to attracting staff and customers downtown.
Sheri Campbell, a salon operator downtown, said she lost 80 percent of her staff in the last 12 months. Leslie Wells, who owns restaurants downtown, said business is down 30 percent. Mad River Distillers founder John Egan said since 2024 they’ve been losing staff at the corner store downtown “because they felt unsafe.” All of them urged the council to pass the resolution.
Others pushed back on the language used in the resolution and the assumption that those who are unhoused or battle substance abuse or mental health disorders are the reason downtown is deemed unsafe.
At a time when the Trump administration is limiting access to Medicaid, food stamps and “encouraging the criminalization of homelessness everywhere,” downtown resident Sam Bliss said he is sad to hear his neighbors blaming the
victims of a housing and affordability crisis.
“On the one hand, I’m hearing folks complaining that the police aren’t doing their jobs, and, on the other hand, also calling for more police at the same time,” said Bliss, who is an organizer of the Food Not Cops/Food Not Bombs lunch program that has also faced some debate this year. He asked the city to be “more imaginative than calling for more police” to address the issues downtown.
FaReid Munarsyah, South End resident and co-organizer of The People’s Kitchen, a volunteer-led community effort that is serving free hot food three nights a week in the park, asked councilors to visit during the Tuesday night dinner.
Ed Baker, a North End resident and former social worker, urged the city to open the long promised overdose prevention center that he said would save lives. Forty-five people have died due to opioid-related deaths through May this year, according to the health department’s data.
After robust discussion, councilors voted to pass the resolution at 9:40 p.m., with one member absent.
Traverse, the council president, said he continues to hear that public safety downtown is a top priority for families, visitors and businesses, especially given recent incidents of violence, substance use and drug trafficking in the park.
“What we have going on in the park is a very troubling mix of not only criminal behavior but
see BURLINGTON page 9
have,” Burke said he appreciated the resolution but warned there are no quick fixes to these issues.
Bellwether
continued from page 1
While public schools have embraced some concepts of holistic education and teaching social and emotional intelligence, a private school is free to be more committed to those ideals, Miller believes.
“A public school has to serve all the different interests in a community, and not everybody’s on board with any one philosophy,” he said. “So there does have to be compromises … I think when you have an independent school like Bellwether, it’s
evidence of a mental health crisis in our state, substance use disorder crisis in our state and our affordability challenge,” said Shawn Burke, interim chief of the city’s police department.
Despite challenges of enforcing the park ordinance and staffing shortages, Burke shared data showing a majority of the department’s time and resources have been invested in policing the downtown area.
As police continue to work with the city, courts and businesses “to make Burlington as vibrant and safe as humanly possible with the resources that we
The council also unanimously passed a companion City Circle ordinance Monday to create a rapid response process for civil and criminal ordinance violations to be processed through a restorative justice system in partnership with the Burlington Community Justice Center.
“People who receive tickets will be referred to the City Circle,” Burlington City Attorney Jessica Brown said at the meeting. “And the hope is that they will engage with the City Circle and address any harm that may have been caused, any accountability and repair harm to the extent possible.”
easier to put those ideas into practice and really show what they can do when they’re implemented.”
Foote said the board of directors is starting a “reimagining process” to determine what the school can become in a new iteration, while staying true to its ideals.
“The Bellwether School has always been unique — a values-driven, screen-free, holistic, and progressive independent school, grounded in kindness and child-centered learning,” board member Kristin Bruno said. “Our goal is to make this model accessible to all families, regardless of income.”
Burlington continued from page 8
City Hall Park in Burlington.
VTDIGGER FILE PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL
Welcome to Minnesota
Our 32nd state is Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes. (There actually are more than 14,000 bodies of fresh water if you count those that cross the border to Canada.) The lakes were formed by glaciers many thousands of years ago.
Minnesota was admitted to the Union on May 11, 1858. It lies in the Upper Midwest, bordering on Canada. More than 5 million people live in Minnesota; it ranks 22nd in population.
Minnesota’s origins
The state name comes from the Dakota language; mni sota means cloudy water. Native Americans inhabited the area until the 17th century, when French explorers and missionaries arrived. In fact, the state’s motto, L’Étoile du Nord (the Star of the North), is the only state motto in French.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, immigrants arrived from Scandinavia, Germany and central Europe. Minnesotans worked in farming, logging and on the railroads. Iron mining was also important in the state.
Living in Minnesota
The Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, sit on either side of the Mississippi River. St. Paul is the capital of Minnesota, and Minneapolis is the largest city. Most of the downtown business area is in Minneapolis on the west side of the river.
Try ’n’ Find
Mini Fact: Ice fishers build small shelters to help them keep warm while they fish.
Both cities are home to new groups of immigrants, including Mexicans, Somalis, Hmong, Indians and Vietnamese people. Today, many large companies are based in Minnesota, including Target, 3M, General Mills, Land O’ Lakes and Best Buy. Along with farming, people there work in health care, technology and forestry.
Cold and hot
Minnesota has cold winters with a lot of snow in the northern areas. Summers can be hot and very humid. Tornadoes, blizzards, thunderstorms and hail are not unusual.
With the freezing temperatures, Minnesotans enjoy many winter sports, such as ice fishing, hockey, skating, skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. In warmer weather, swimming, canoeing and boating are popular. Minnesota has more miles of bike trails than any other state.
Minnesota fun
Professional sports teams include the Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Minnesota Twins (MLB), Minneapolis Lakers (NBA), Minnesota Lynx (WNBA) and Minnesota Wild (NHL).
Large annual events include the Minnesota State Fair, the Saint Paul Winter Festival and the Judy Garland Festival.
Words that remind us of Minnesota are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
Famous Minnesotans
• Charles Schulz, the cartoonist behind the “Peanuts” comic strip, was born in Minneapolis in 1922. In 1950, Schulz sent his cartoon “Li’l Folks” to United Feature Syndicate, which distributed the comic with the name “Peanuts.” Later, the strip would be seen daily in 2,600 newspapers around the world.
SCHULZ, ST. PAUL, SWIMMIMG, TWIN CITIES, WATER.
• Singer, songwriter and musician Prince was born in 1958 in Minneapolis. He wrote his first song when he was only 7 years old. Both of his parents were musicians. Before his death in 2016, he sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
• You may know Judy Garland, who starred as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.” Garland was born in 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The actress and singer appeared in 34 feature films both as a child and an adult. She died in 1969 in London.
On the Web: • bit.ly/MPMinnesota
At the library: • “Minnesota” by Martin Schwabacher • “What’s Great About Minnesota?” by Nadia Higgins
Mini Jokes
Mel: What’s the strongest sea creature? Minnie: A mussel!
Mac’s
Eco Note
more powerful eruptions of Indonesia’s restive Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki halted flights in and out of Bali again while blanketing nearby villages and farms with ash on the island of Flores. Columns of
Founded by Betty Debnam Issue 35, 2025
photo by Lorie Shaull
photo courtesy Orange County Archives
photo by Scott Penner
Charles Schulz Prince
Judy Garland photo by Erik Johnsen
Williston
River. St. Paul is the capital of Minnesota, and Minneapolis is the largest city. Most of the downtown business area is in Minneapolis on the west side of the river.
Try ’n’ Find
Lynx (WNBA) and Minnesota Wild (NHL). Large annual events include the Minnesota State Fair, the Saint Paul Winter Festival and the Judy Garland Festival.
Words that remind us of Minnesota are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
CANADA, COLD, DAKOTA, FISHING, FRENCH, GARLAND, HOCKEY, HOT, HUMID, LAKES, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, PRINCE, SCHULZ, ST. PAUL, SWIMMIMG, TWIN CITIES, WATER.
Cook’s Corner
Peach Crisp
You’ll need:
• 4 cups fresh or canned sliced peaches
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats, uncooked
What to do:
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
Mini Jokes
Mel: What’s the strongest sea creature?
Minnie: A mussel!
Eco Note
1. Place peaches evenly on bottom of a greased 8-by-8-inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients except butter. Mix well.
3. Add butter. Mix until crumbly.
4. Cover peaches evenly with crumbly mixture.
5. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 30 minutes. Serves 6.
Yet more powerful eruptions of Indonesia’s restive Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki halted flights in and out of Bali again while blanketing nearby villages and farms with ash on the island of Flores. Columns of the ash soared as high as 11 miles into the atmosphere. Residents were forced to wear masks due to the density of the debris. The latest explosions occurred just weeks after previous powerful eruptions caused dozens of other flight cancellations for Bali.
For later:
Look in your newspaper for news about things happening in Minnesota. Share what you find with family or classmates.
Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!
SAVVY SENIOR
Dealing with Restless Leg Syndrome
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
What can you tell me about restless leg syndrome? Over the past year or so I’ve developed an uncontrollable urge to move my legs because of an annoying tingling sensation, and it’s keeping me awake at night. Always Tired
Dear Tired,
If an irresistible urge to move your legs has you kicking in your sleep, then chances are pretty good you have restless leg syndrome (or RLS), a
condition that affects about 7 to 8 percent of Americans. Here’s what you should know.
RLS, also known as WillisEkbom Disease, is a nervous system problem that causes unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations (often described as a creepy-crawly, tingling, itching, aching throbbing, pulling or electric feeling) and an irresistible urge to move one or both legs while you’re sitting or lying down, and the symptoms usually get worse with age. It typically happens in the evenings or nights while resting. Moving eases the unpleasant feeling temporarily.
leg/calf stretches and massage, hot baths or applying hot or cold packs to the affected area. Pressure can also be effective for some people, so you may want to try wearing compression socks.
Getting moderate, regular exercise like walking, cycling, water aerobics and yoga can relieve symptoms too, but overdoing it or exercising late in the day may intensify them.
MEDICATIONS
do to alleviate the symptoms. The first line of defense is usually to avoid certain substances like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and refined sugar, which can aggravate the problem.
While RLS is not a life-threatening condition, the main problem, other than it being uncomfortable and annoying, is that it disrupts sleep, leading to daytime drowsiness, difficulty concentrating and even depression.
What exactly causes RLS is not known, but researchers suspect it could be linked to several things including iron deficiency, an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine, and genetics – about 60 percent of people with RLS have a family member with the condition.
TREATMENTS
While there’s no cure for RLS, there are things you can
Certain drugs including antinausea drugs, antipsychotic drugs, some antidepressants, and cold and allergy medications containing sedating antihistamines can also make RLS worse. If you take any of these medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist if something else can be taken.
Iron and magnesium deficiencies are also believed to be contributors to RLS, so make an appointment with your doctor and get a blood test to check for this. If you test positive for iron and/or magnesium deficiency, your doctor may recommend supplements.
You may also benefit from self-care treatments such as
If the previously listed tips and self-treatments don’t reduce your RLS, there are various medications your doctor can prescribe that can help, including: Anti-seizure drugs: These medications affect nerve cell activity to reduce symptoms. Examples include gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant), gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica).
Dopaminergic medications: These drugs, which are taken before bedtime, work by increasing dopamine, a chemical in the brain which helps reduce RLS. Examples are ropinirole (Requip), pramipexole (Mirapex), and the transdermal patch rotigotine (Neupro). But be aware that while these drugs taken short-term are effective, long-term use can make symptoms worse.
The anti-seizure medicines have become a first-choice drug treatment option for most doctors because they seem to be as effective as the dopaminergic medications, with fewer side effects.
Sometimes, other medications like benzodiazepines – alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium) – may be prescribed for more restful sleep, but they don’t eliminate the leg sensations, and they can be addictive so it’s best to avoid them if possible.
For more information, visit the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation at RLS.org.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
TODAY’S HISTORY:
• In 1867, the United States took possession of Midway Atoll.
• In 1955, 14-year-old African American Emmett Till was murdered in Money, Mississippi.
• In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. made his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom event in Washington, D.C.
• In 1968, protesters fought with police at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
• In 1996, Prince Charles and Princess Diana formally divorced.
TODAY’S FACT:
• The first issue of Scientific American was published on this day in 1845.
LEGAL NOTICES
TOWN OF WILLISTON Notice of Adoption 2025–2033 Williston Comprehensive Plan
On August 19, 2025, following a duly warned public hearing, the Williston Selectboard voted to adopt the 2025–2033 Williston Comprehensive Plan pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §§ 4384 and 4385.
The 2025–2033 Comprehensive Plan replaces the 2016–2024 Williston Comprehensive Plan and serves as the community’s official policy document on future growth and development. The Plan addresses population trends, housing, economic development, transportation, utilities, land use, conservation, climate resilience, and municipal services.
The Plan became effective upon adoption by the Selectboard on August 19, 2025.
The complete adopted Plan and supporting documents are available online at: https://town.williston.vt.us. (Public Records & Documents).
A printed copy is also available for review at the Planning & Zoning Office, 7878 Williston Road, Williston, VT 05495.
Any questions about this adoption notice should be directed to Matt Boulanger, Planning Director by mail at 7900 Williston Road, Williston, VT 05495; email mboulanger@willistonvt.org; or phone (802) 878-6704.
Dated at Williston, Vermont this 22nd day of August 2025.
CLASSIFIEDS
PAINTING CLASSES
Beginner and Intermediate Watercolor Classes at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish Hall in Richmond. All classes run for 6 weeks starting Wednesday, September 10 (Beginners) or Friday, September 12 (Intermediates); 10:00am – 12:30pm; Cost $275. Space is limited. Email Kathleen for more information: paint78@hotmail.com
(1661) Myson Warehouse Liquidation
ONLINE AUCTION CLOSES:
Wednesday, Sept. 10 @ 10AM
PREVIEW: Friday, Sept. 5 from 10AM-1PM Location: Williston, VT Email us for address/appointment times helpdesk@THCAuction.com
Myson is closing their Williston, Vermont warehouse, and the entire contents are up for auction! This is your chance to bid on over 480 lots with a great selection of Myson radiators, valves, HVAC systems and more, plus pallet racking, warehouse supplies and equipment.
OBITUARIES
EMAILED ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISING INSERTION ORDER
Thomas Hirchak Company
Michael Roque
FROM: Cathy Morneault
Phone: 802-888-4662
Email: Advertising@THCAuction.com
Michael Roque, age 73, passed away at home in Williston, Vermont Saturday, August 9th. Mike was born in Burlington, Vermont January 4, 1952 to Janet Knight and John D. Roque.
To: Rick & Susan Cote
Paper: Williston Observer Max Length 12.5
Mike loved watching NASCAR, NHRA racing and loved the times he worked on an ACT team here in Vermont. He loved the simple things like taking great grand dog Ella to the park, listening to the waves at York Beach, coffee and donuts at the local coffee shop, monthly brunch with an old friend and most of all spinning a good story!
TODAY’S DATE: 8/20/2025
DATE(S) TO RUN: 8/28/2025
NAME OF FILE: 08282025_WO
SIZE OF AD: 1/16 page (2” x 5”)
He was predeceased by his parents, Janet Boudreau, John Roque, his in-laws Phillip & Juanita Thomas.
EMAILED TO: Rick@Willistonobserver.com
Publishes in Williston Observer
SECTION: Auctions PO# 1661
Mike leaves his wife Diane, sons Conan (Angie) and Jeremy (Renee), grandchildren Ethan, Nevaeh, Gabriel, Anaya, Jon, Clayton & Meghan, his sister Ellen (Rollie) and brother John (Lisa), Thomas inlaws Scott, Debbie, Robin (Jim), Brenda (Jim) and Wendy(Snyder) and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held later on. Memorial contributions in Mike’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1070, Williston, VT 05495. The family also invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.
Clockwise from top, two CVU runners tag up in the CVU Relays, informally opening up the fall high school cross country season in Hinesburg on Saturday. The boys mass start the CVU Relays. A CVU Redhawk digs a spike during a preseason volleyball game last week against Essex. CVU gets a block in the game against Essex.
OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY