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Library plans come into focus as ballots arrive It’s not really election day anymore, it’s election month. With universal mail balloting first instituted as a pandemic response now enshrined in Vermont law, the 2026 General Election starts about now. Ballots are currently on their way from the Vermont Secretary of State’s office to each registered voter’s mailbox. Residents should expect them before Oct. 9, according to Williston Town Clerk Sarah Mason. Just in time for the ballots’ arrival, the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library has released new architectural drawings of its proposed 7,900-square-foot expansion and renovation. On the backside of each
ICE protesters undeterred by Clark prosecutions Major disruptions at Williston facilities planned next week
A view of the new entrance to the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library under a renovation and expansion proposal.
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
ballot is a question for Williston voters: Do you authorize $9 million in bonded debt to finance the project. A narrow majority authorized a more ambitious, $14 million expansion plan at Town Meeting Day in March, before a citizens’ petition forced a revote in May. The plan failed on reconsideration, with a narrow majority voting to rescind the approval. The new plan strips away upgrades to the Town Green, a new parking lot and traffic flow improvements around the library and Williston Central School, and reduces the addition from two stories to one. It still adds a new wing to the building’s north side, a more accessible library entrance, a meeting space that will be available after-hours, basement storage, and three new restrooms.
Other big ticket items are a new roof, new siding and new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). Library Director Kevin Unrath said the expanded floor plan would allow the library to better separate and serve its three core constituents —young children, teenagers and adults. The new wing would encroach on the Village Green about 45 feet north of the existing building, requiring some tree removal. The large tree near the current entrance would also be removed for a realignment of parking on Library Lane. “A big goal of the architects was to have it fit in (with the Village Green) and make it look like it was always there,” Unrath said. “There isn’t a lot that is architecturally see LIBRARY page 3
family-style
As Vermont’s lead prosecutor begins to press trespassing charges on those protesting at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices in Williston (see story, Page 5), the activist community is ramping up its efforts to uproot the agency from Chittenden County. Local protests of federal immigration enforcement go Attorney General back to President Trump’s Charity Clark first term and have only indefends decision tensified in the current term, as the federal government to prosecute has pushed more aggressive ICE protesters, deportation tactics. Starting Sunday and see Page 6. continuing through Friday, local activists are planning what appears to be their most sustained and disruptive action yet, calling on activists locally and from around the country to converge on Williston to “shut down ICE national surveillance headquarters.” The focus will be on ICE offices on Harvest Lane and in the White Cap Business Park on Industrial Avenue. “Deportations across the country start in Williston,” a mid-September news release from the group states. “We’re planning a week of action to stop ICE’s national work here at their nerve center in our state through mass civil disobedience, noise demos, festivals, teachins, meditations, and more.” The specter of prosecution by Attorney General Charity Clark for trespassing at White Cap will not deter protesters, said organizer Julie Macuga. “Charity Clark’s decision has backfired,” Macuga said. “It was an attempt to intimidate protesters and has only given them more publicity and more fire in their bellies to take action. “The things happening in Williston, which houses two-thirds of the surveillance for ICE nationally and allows them to carry out raids and kidnap/kill people, warrant extreme action,” Macuga continued. “I invite anyone upset about what ICE is doing to join us next week for
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Williston Observer • October 1, 2026
Around Town Bringing historical transportation and taverns to life The Williston Historical Society and the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library will host local historian Richard Allen on Oct. 17 in a discussion of the “Taverns and Stagecoaches of Chittenden County.” The event begins at 11:30 a.m. and is part of the historical society’s “Williston 250th Speaker Series.”
Catamount receives permit for trail improvements Williston’s Catamount Outdoor Family Center (COFC) has received Act 250 approval for trail network improvements across the Catamount Community Forest. The town-owned forest is home to trails popular with runners, bikers and skiers with programming run by the non-profit COFC. The permitting process included wetlands and archaeological studies. The improvements will include pump track upgrades, trail reroutes and reconstruction of bridges and boardwalks. The work will unfold over the next five years. “These projects will make the network more fun, accessible, resilient and sustainable for riders and trail users of all abilities,” a COFC announcement states.
The organization seeks donors, sponsors, business partners and volunteers to support the work. Visit www.catamountoutdoor.org/ volunteer/ for more information, or call (802) 879-6001 or email programs@catamountoutdoor.org.
Vermont Repertory Theatre opens ‘Cabaret’ auditions Calling local dancers, actors and singers. Vermont Repertory Theatre is hosting auditions for its February performance of “Cabaret” in Burlington. Interested performers should visit www. vermontrep.com/cabaret-aud and sign up for an audition slot between Oct. 26-29 with call-backs planned for Oct. 31. The auditions will take place at Vermont Rep headquarters on Commerce Street in Williston. The performance is scheduled for Feb. 25-March 6 at Main Street Landing in Burlington.
Chittenden Southeast Senate Candidate forum planned The League of Women Voters will hold a forum on Thursday for the six candidates on the ballot to represent the Chittenden Southeast Senate District in the November General Election. There will be an informal meetand-greet starting at 6:30 p.m. before the 7 p.m. forum begins.
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It will take place at the Beckett/ McGuire Conference room in Williston Town Hall and is open to the public. The event will be live-streamed at www.cctv.org/ live-event-coverage. The Chittenden Southeast District covers Charlotte, Shelburne, Hinesburg, Williston, South Burlington, Richmond, Jericho, Bolton and Underhill. There are six candidates — three Republicans and three Democrats — on the ballot for the district’s three available Senate seats.
Kate Larkin
Girls on the Run fundraiser planned for Oct. 17 Girls on the Run Vermont will host its annual fall benefit, The Sneaker Soirée, from 6-10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17 at The Essex Resort and Spa. Attire is semi-formal paired with your favorite sneakers. This 18-plus event raises funds for Girls on the Run, a Willistonbased nonprofit that uses physical activity to positively impact the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of Vermont girls in grades 3-8.
This year’s guest speaker is Kate Larkin, a South Burlington native and University of Notre Dame student who was a program participant and coach. For more information, visit www.gotrvt.org.
FEMA seeks comment on new county flood maps Chittenden County residents are invited to review and comment on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) new flood risk and insurance maps to learn about residential flood risks and insurance requirements. A 90-day comment and appeal period started Sept. 30. Residents who are newly mapped into a highrisk flood zone may submit an appeal. Once appeals are resolved, FEMA will finalize the maps. View the maps at http://msc. fema.gov/fmcv. Contact FEMA at 877-336-2627 or by email at FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov for more information.
Dragonheart to hold paddler recruiting event Learn about Dragonheart Vermont and the sport of dragon boating at an informational session on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset St., in South Burlington. Dragonheart Vermont is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering breast cancer survivors and building community through paddling. It welcomes people of all ages, abilities and experience levels to join the sport and community. Visit dragonheartvermont.org for more information.
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Williston-Richmond Rotary Club Meeting. 7:15 a.m. Williston Federated Church. Speaker: Amy Perry, Big Brothers Big Sisters of NH & VT on “The Power of Mentoring.” RSVP to RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail.com. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7
“Small Lots, Great Opportunities” housing discussion and workshop. 6-8 p.m. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. Register at https://bit.ly/ williston_housing_workshop. THURSDAY, OCT. 8
Williston-Richmond Rotary Club Meeting. 7:15 a.m. Lyric Theatre, 7 Green Tree Dr., South Burlington. Talk & Tour with Sean Leach and Vonnie Murad. RSVP to RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail.com. SATURDAY, OCT. 10
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Williston Historical Society talk: “Taverns and Stagecoaches of Chittenden County.” 11:30 a.m. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. Speaker, Richard Allen.
October 1, 2026
Library
continued from page 1
flashy.” Some of the criticism of the original plan was that the two-story addition didn’t match the quaint character of Williston Village. But the coalition that formed to successfully oppose the original plan primarily objected to its cost to taxpayers. At the time, Town Manager Erik Wells
“A big goal of the architects was to have it fit in (with the Village Green) and make it look like it was always there.” Kevin Unrath Library director
estimated that the owner of a $300,000 home — the median property assessment on the town’s Grand List — would contribute $120 annually to pay down the roughly $14 million debt.
ICE
continued from page 1
a week of action in Williston, which yes, will include civil disobedience, because that’s what’s called for in this moment in history.” Clark, who lives in Williston, says she has participated lawfully in anti-ICE protests here in the past. “I enthusiastically support our constitutional right to protest, and I will always support Vermonters exercising their civil
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Wells cautioned that any current estimate of the tax impact of the reduced $9 million bond would be inexact. “There are several variables that will affect the final numbers related to the debt structure and the bond market,” he said Tuesday. “Should the bonding authority be approved,” he explained, “the town would need to decide how to structure the debt, which will also need to align with the project schedule once determined, in addition to a bond yield (the interest rate) that is set at the time of the bond sale.” Wells’ best estimate on the tax impact on a $300,000 home is between $72 and $108 a year. The total project cost is estimated at $9.9 million. The $900,000 not covered by the bond is the target of a private fundraising campaign that the Library Board of Trustees is undertaking. Unrath said about $800,000 in private funds have already been committed. The library bond question is on the backside of the ballot. The frontside is filled with candidates for national, statewide and county-level offices — as well as two amendments to the state Constitution. There are a few ways to return your completed ballot. Mason, the town clerk,
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A view of the proposed addition to the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, seen from Library Lane. DRAWING COURTESY OF BLACK RIVER DESIGN ARCHITECTS
recommends dropping off completed ballots in the ballot return box located in the parking lot outside Town Hall before Nov. 3. Ballots can also be mailed to Town Hall using the envelope provided with the ballot, but Mason recommends mailing it by Oct. 16 to ensure it arrives before the Nov. 3 Election Day deadline.
If you haven’t voted by Nov. 3, the polls will be open that day for ballot drop-off at the National Guard Armory next to Town Hall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters should bring and use the ballot that was mailed to them. Alternatively, they can fill out a sworn statement explaining why they need a new ballot.
rights,” she said. “The protesters at White Cap business park — a private property with other tenants, including doctors’ offices — are being prosecuted for criminal trespassing, not because they were protesting. I encourage Vermonters to continue engaging in legal protest as a means of standing up to injustice and mobilizing change. “I will continue to follow my legal and ethical obligations in making decisions about whether to pursue prosecution,” she added. — Jason Starr
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Williston Observer • October 1, 2026
Justice Nancy Waples speaks as the Vermont Supreme Court meets in Montpelier in June. PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER
Supreme Court backs Scott on return-to-office order BY THEO WELLS-SPACKMAN VTDigger The Vermont Supreme Court sided with Gov. Phil Scott’s administration last week, allowing the governor to order state employees to return to in-person work. Friday’s unanimous decision reversed an April 1 order by the Vermont Labor Relations Board, which required the state to “rescind” a partial return-to-office mandate for state employees and repay staff for various costs associated with in-person work. Scott quickly appealed the matter to the state’s highest court, issuing a scathing critique of the labor board itself, and the case saw oral arguments in June. “I’m pleased that this matter has been resolved by the Supreme Court,” Scott said in a statement Friday. “I believe this policy, and the greater collaboration, creativity, team building and access it creates, is both in the best interest of our state workforce, and importantly, the Vermonters we serve.” Last August, Scott’s administration announced employees would need to return to their worksites at least three days per week. Leaders in the Vermont State Employees’ Association pushed back hard, saying the mandate would impose an inappropriate burden on its members, and that Scott’s administration had failed to bargain in good faith over the policy. Thousands of state staff had continued working from home after the Covid-19 pandemic. On Friday, the court found that a telework policy in state employees’ contracts gave Scott the authority to issue such a
return-to-office directive. “The Governor’s assessment of the operating needs of his administration was reasonable, and it is not up to this Court to assess the wisdom of that decision,” said Friday’s order. Steve Howard, executive director of the state employees’ union, said he disagreed with the decision and called it “a great disappointment” in an interview Friday. A lack of reasonably-priced housing, childcare and transportation to aid staff in complying with the return-to-office mandate could cause a number of state employees to leave their roles in the near future, according to Howard. Early data following the policy’s initial implementation in December showed little evidence of large-scale staff departures. “It’s going to have a major impact on state government,” he said, “because fundamentally, this was about affordability.” The labor organization will also be exploring other avenues to pursue relief for its members, Howard said, including through future collective bargaining. Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark thanked the court for the ruling on Friday, saying, “We hope it provides important clarity to State employees, who are dedicated public servants doing important work for Vermont.” For Scott, the win comes at a crucial moment in his reelection campaign, weeks before the Nov. 3 general election. The Vermont State Employees’ Association, Howard said, will be “redoubling our efforts to elect Amanda Janoo.”
October 1, 2026
• Williston Observer •
Page 5
Clark presses charges on anti-ICE protesters A group of 12 protesters arraigned for trespassing at Williston business park BY EMMA WHITE VTDigger In Chittenden County, State’s Attorney Sarah George has repeatedly declined to prosecute demonstrators arrested while protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arguing that pursuing the cases did not serve justice. Last week, matters were taken out of George’s hands. Rather than bringing to George’s office criminal cases against 13 protesters cited in July for trespassing at ICE’s National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center in Williston, state police routed the citations directly to Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark’s office. Twelve protesters charged with trespassing in adult criminal court were arraigned Thursday. Clark’s office also initially charged an 18-year-old protester in criminal court even though state law requires 18-yearolds to be processed through family court for most offenses. Vermont’s Raise the Age law dictates that many minor crimes committed by someone under the age of 19 are charged in juvenile court. The attorney general’s office eventually changed course to charge the person as a juvenile. The 12 defendants being prosecuted in criminal court pleaded not guilty. Sarah George declined to comment on the case due to a busy schedule. Senate Majority Leader Kesha Ram Hinsdale, D-Chittenden Southeast, said in a statement that she was “deeply disappointed” by the attorney general’s office for taking on the case. “At a moment when the federal government is escalating attacks on immigrants and our civil liberties, Vermont should not be using its prosecutorial power in ways that chill free speech and
Protesters block the exterior entrance to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center in Williston in July. PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER
peaceful dissent,” Hinsdale said. The case appears to signal a shift in the way anti-ICE protests are handled in Chittenden County. George, the county’s state’s attorney, had previously declined to prosecute more than 20 ICE protesters in multiple different cases this year. Moving forward, however, Vermont State Police will go directly to the attorney general to handle cases of trespassing in anti-ICE protests in Chittenden County, according to Vermont State Police Col. Shawn Loan. Vermont law allows the attorney general to take on cases before they are viewed by local prosecutors, Clark said in an interview. Cases sometimes come straight to her rather than first being prosecuted on a county level, she added. “The 14 county state’s attorneys have jurisdiction to prosecute crimes in their counties, and the attorney general has jurisdiction statewide,” Clark said. “And it isn’t necessarily a delineated approach to who takes what case.” Clark used the example of Addison
County, where the elected State’s Attorney, Eva Vekos, recently had her law license suspended. Earlier this year, Clark took on all Addison County cases concerning homicide, sexual assault or child abuse. “There was no lawyer in the office to
handle the cases, so that is why we took over the rest of the cases,” Clark said. She said the attorney general’s office has stepped in in other counties as well when county prosecutors were overstretched or other issues arose. Loan said the charges in the White Cap Business Park protest were related to trespassing, rather than the protest itself, which is protected by the First Amendment. “The issue is the violation of the state statute when you refuse to leave a private property,” Loan said. “Because at that point you’re violating that property owner’s rights.” When asked about the initial decision to charge the 18-year-old protester as an adult, Clark told VTDigger in an interview that she was unable to comment on the specifics of the ongoing case. But Matthew Bernstein, Vermont’s child, youth and family advocate, said that while the court eventually decided to move the teen’s case to juvenile court, some damage had already been done. One of the major reasons for Vermont’s Raise the Age law, which designates 19 as the cut-off age for family court rather than adult criminal court, is to protect see CLARK page 16
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Williston Observer • October 1, 2026
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Blind justice demands prosecuting protesters BY ATTORNEY GENERAL CHARITY CLARK A prosecutor cannot treat people differently based on whether or not the prosecutor agrees with their opinions. To do so is inconsistent with basic principles of our Constitution. This is called “viewpoint discrimination.” Recent events (Editor’s Note: See Page 1) have got me thinking about this and the solemn duty of all actors of government. Although I cannot discuss specific cases my office is prosecuting, a recent incident has made apparent the need for a greater conversation around the Constitution, a sacred document to our country and one I swore an oath to uphold. If protestors at an abortion clinic blocked the entrance, violating state trespass laws, a
prosecutor must treat them the same way they would protestors protesting for a cause the prosecutor agreed with. Importantly, no prosector should use their prosecutorial discretion to invent false reasons to disguise viewpoint discrimination, such as inventing concerns about a burden on resources. In fact, the resources required to charge misdemeanor trespass cases in a state where 20% of all misdemeanors go through a court diversion program is very small. The law calls using false reasons like this “pretext,” and it doesn’t let you off the hook from abiding by the Constitution. Our country has seen the Trump Administration routinely treat differently under the law people who share the views of the President. Along with most people, I have found this disturbing and anathema to the core of our
LETTER POLICY: We ask that letters run no longer than 300 words. We edit for length, clarity, style, spelling and grammar. Please include your name, town or city where you live and a daytime phone number (which we won’t print) so we can verify you wrote the letter. The deadline is Monday at noon for letters to be printed in Thursday’s paper. Email: editor@willistonobserver.com or mail to Williston Observer, P.O Box 1401, Williston, Vt. 05495
justice system and democracy. Vermont is not a place where such a biased approach should ever be adopted. The awesome power afforded the government should never be abused to reward those with whom we agree and punish those with whom we differ. Given my work standing up to the Trump Administration, some Vermonters have expressed confusion: How can the Attorney General who sued the Trump Administration 70 times prosecute protestors protesting the Trump Administration, even if their actions while protesting were deemed illegal? My guide for both is one and the same: The Constitution. I will never play politics with the Constitution. Even when I agree that the Trump Administration deserves our condemnation, or the actions of a federal agency deserve strong public outcry,
I cannot ignore the mandate of the Constitution that all people be treated equally under the law. Justice must be blind or our system will fail. I share the dismay and disgust of many Vermonters at ICE terrorizing our communities. I myself have protested at an ICE facility in Williston, albeit legally by doing so on public property, and I have stood up repeatedly with my colleagues from other states in courts across the country in opposing ICE’s cruel and unlawful policies. But, despite my strong feelings of condemnation over the actions of ICE, I will never brush aside my obligation to follow the Constitution. Charity Clark has been Attorney General of Vermont since 2023. She lives in Williston.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Solidify union gains through Prop 3 Unions are a way for workers to come together and negotiate with their employer for better compensation, safer conditions, benefits and other protections (“Understanding what Prop 3 really does” Sept. 17). Workers united have greater power and leverage than an individual requesting a change. Prop 3 would enshrine the right for workers to “organize or join a labor organization for the purpose of collectively bargaining ... for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours, and working conditions and to protect their economic welfare and safety in the workplace.” While the right to assemble and associate is protected under the first amendment, this has not often been applied to unions and labor organizing; see the long and bloody history of unionization efforts. The ability to collectively bargain does not negate your right to individually bargain. You as a worker are still entitled to ask for a raise, change employers or request other changes
to your individual working conditions. What union bargaining does is lay down the bare minimum of what is expected from your employer. Your starting wages, amount of PTO and basic benefits workers receive. Right-towork laws don’t protect any of these rights. What they do is prevent workers from being forced to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. This is already protected federally under the Taft-Hartley act (1959). Any workers who don’t join a union or pay dues would still be protected and thus would benefit under whatever contract the union negotiates. Prop 3 does not give unions greater power than the Legislature. Oftentimes it is the law that must catch up with the unions. Minimum wage laws, over time hours, child labor laws and more are all thanks to union and worker advocacy. Vote yes on Prop 3 and make sure those protections stay in place. Wren House Williston
October 1, 2026
• Williston Observer •
Betting the farm on eight sunny days
Inside Vermont’s pick-your-own orchards BY EMMA WHITE VTDigger
The Murdock family spends money on their apple trees all year long. They have about eight days to earn it back. At Chapin Orchard in Essex, as at pick-your-own-apple orchards across Vermont, the year typically comes down to four weekends from late September into early October. When the sun is out, the parking lots fill. When it isn’t, the apples wait, and sometimes they fall. “I can have the most beautiful crop,” Phil Murdock said. “But if people aren’t here to pick it, frankly, it’s going to end up on the ground.” In the past two decades, pickyour-own apple orchards have blossomed across Vermont, where apples rank third in agricultural revenue behind the state’s more signature dairy and maple syrup
industries. Still, these businesses operate at the mercy of New England’s fall weather. Even a few rainy days can tilt the balance, determining the success or failure of the entire year. Though they’ve lost a few profitable days to rain, this year has been decent so far, Murdock said. But the season’s outcome is still uncertain. Despite a frost that came at a critical point in April, Terry Bradshaw, chair of the Department of Agriculture, Landscape and Environment at University of Vermont, said the apple trees this season are in good shape. “We’ve had just the right amount of moisture,” Bradshaw said. “If we had too much moisture, we end up with disease problems, and we aren’t really having a lot of that. So it’s just been a generally good year.” Vermont pick-your-own orchards entered their peak season in late September. It will last until mid-October. Murdock said his trees are primed for pick-your-own
Phil Murdock stands in front of the Chapin Orchard barn in Essex on Sept. 22. PHOTO BY EMMA WHITE/VTDIGGER
activities this year. “This year we’re going to pickyour-own right through the end of October because hopefully it’s going to be 65 and sunny right through Halloween.”
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Vermont’s apple industry has always been a prominent agricultural moneymaker, Bradshaw said. The majority of apples grown in Vermont were shipped to other
Page 7
places 30 years ago, he said, but things started to shift at the turn of the century, leaving Vermont wholesale apples in the dust. For one, the apple farming industry became more mechanized, Bradshaw said. Larger apple industries set up shop in places with different topography, since largescale farming machinery is more difficult to operate on Vermont’s hilly terrain. “When we started to lose our foothold in the national and even international market back in the mid ’90s, the capital wasn’t there for farmers to switch over to these new systems,” Bradshaw said. It’s difficult to fight against economies of scale, Bradshaw said, so many apple farms began a pivot towards agritourism in the form of pick-your-own apple orchards. The pick-your-own orchards make their profits on apples that customers pick fresh from their trees. Often, the orchards also offer apple cider, cider donuts and other see ORCHARDS page 15
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Williston Observer • October 1, 2026
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VT Afghan Alliance maps plan for survival
Four-year-old organization set to lose most of its funding BY NATALIE BANKMANN Community News Service
A Burlington nonprofit serving Afghan immigrants in Vermont is planning how to preserve services after Oct. 1, when it loses 80% of its funding. The Vermont Afghan Alliance is asking private donors and foundations to make up for losing a federal grant of about $250,000, a large portion of the nonprofit’s funding. The group also is working closely with other local organizations to provide services to the community. The loss is happening amid a series of crackdowns under the Trump Administration that make it hard for Afghans to settle in the U.S. In 2025, Trump set the lowest-ever cap of refugee admissions from Afghanistan in the U.S. The Afghan Alliance is losing a grant allocated in 2023 under the Biden Administration,
Executive Director Ellen Yount said. According to Yount, the Trump administration chose not to renew these grants or is-
“This is our community now, and we can’t go back.” Roohullah Aman Vermont Afghan Alliance
sue a request for proposals to start a new three-year grant cycle, which likely would have been done under the previous administration. “There’s never been a more urgent time to have a nonprofit serving immigrants,” she said. Yount says the nonprofit will keep operating but will have to cut several programs. The alliance will no longer be able to provide direct housing assistance that helps Afghans in Vermont pay for rent and utilities, Yount said. It also will
cut back on training programs that help Afghans learn about the U.S. healthcare system, as well as their employee and legal rights. Yount said she doesn’t anticipate making any layoffs in 2027. According to the nonprofit’s website, the alliance staffs a six-person team. Despite the cuts, program leaders plan to continue helping Afghan Vermonters find employment and safe housing, as well as learn how to drive. The group also plans to continue as much cultural programming as possible, including its Eid celebration and hosting Afghan artists and musicians, Yount said. The Department of Homeland Security introduced Operation Allies Welcome following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Approximately 200,000 Afghans fled to the U.S., including 650 who settled in Vermont, Yount said. The Vermont Afghan Alliance formed in 2022 to help Afghan refugees acclimate to life in the Green Mountain State. see AFGHAN page 9
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Afghan
continued from page 8
A large portion of the organization’s funding came from state grants and the 2023 allocation from the Biden Administration. According to its annual report, the group has succeeded in several areas: 97% of Afghans who completed the driving program passed the road test; 99% have gotten long term jobs with livable wages; 100% are sending money home to their families in Afghanistan. “They were there to support us every step of the way,” said Mirwais Tokhi, an Afghan Vermonter quoted in the group’s annual report. “They also introduced us to other Afghan families, giving us a sense of community, belonging and reassurance during a time of great change.” But more recently, changes in federal policy are threatening that sense of assurance. In June 2025, the Trump Administration created travel bans that bar Afghans from reaching the U.S. as tourists. The administration
has also greatly reduced the number of refugees legally allowed to resettle in the U.S. These policies exacerbate the issue of family separation for Afghans in Vermont, Yount said. “Some are here with their families, but most are not,” she said. “Many of the people who worked for the United States are left behind. One of the biggest stressors for Afghans in Vermont is separation from their families, said Roohullah Aman, a Vermont Afghan Alliance program officer who is originally from Kabul. “Family separation is a big issue for mental health,” he said. Rather than providing mental health services directly, the organization connects Afghans to resources at the Howard Center, the county’s designated mental health agency. The organization also connects Afghans to outside organizations for support with English language learning. These programs will continue despite funding cuts. These programs don’t just benefit immigrants, Aman said.
They benefit the entire state by providing services and contributing to the economy. Afghan Vermonters “are working really hard for the economy of this state,” Aman said. “They are paying taxes, and they don’t rely on the government for benefits.” Aman says many of the Afghan immigrants in Vermont were previously soldiers working for the U.S. Army. Some came with no education and now work jobs such as ride share drivers, while others have advanced degrees and work in the medical field. “If we have any changes in the program, it will affect the community,” Aman said. “They are working really hard for their families.” Aman says the Vermont Afghan Alliance and the larger community will have to work together to support each other. “This is our community now, and we can’t go back,” Aman said. Community News Service is a University of Vermont journalism internship.
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• Williston Observer •
A meeting at the Afghan Alliance’s office on Main Street in Burlington, above. Vermont Afghan Alliance program officer Roohullah Aman. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE VERMONT AFGHAN ALLIANCE
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Inside Vermont’s growing repair culture
Page 10
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Williston Observer •
October 1, 2026
Opportunities to reuse and repair are on the increase BY SIMONE TRAYNOR Community News Service
Every third Saturday in Burlington’s Old North End, volunteers come together to fix one another’s broken belongings, eat bagels and do something good for the environment. Everyone has a role. At a recent session of the Old North End Repair Cafe, one volunteer greeted everyone, another sewed and repaired textiles and some dropped by just to enjoy the company. They came with the
shared purpose of reducing unnecessary waste. That’s a big challenge. Vermont generates about 912,180 tons of waste annually, with much of that total winding up in the landfill despite recycling programs, according to the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources 2024 Diversion and Disposal Report. In an era of overconsumption, some Vermonters have taken to creating third spaces with the goal of repair. People passionate about the environment or simply looking to save money and reduce their waste have a growing interest in places where they can fix what’s broken and get to know other people in
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spaces like the repair cafe, which meets on North Street. “It’s a great community of people who are here to support each other and socialize,” said Ali Hamedani, a repair cafe volunteer. “It just seems like a wonderful community of friends with a shared goal of helping each other, helping random strangers, all for free, to repair and renew things and maintain connections with each other.” A new state-funded program, ReuseVT, aims to connect Vermonters with opportunities to repair their broken belongings and reduce waste. The website’s directory lists repair cafes, including the one in Burlington’s Old North End. It also features Vermont businesses and nonprofits that provide repair services and libraries that loan items from cookie pans to snowshoes. When something breaks, the fastest, cheapest fix is usually to buy another one. Susan Alexander, director of ReuseVT, said that convenience has changed how people think. “There’s nothing more appealing to consumers than cheap and convenient,” she said. “The reality is, that toaster may have 99% working parts and just one little thing that needs to be fixed on it, but it’s
A repair café in Burlington.
really hard to find people with those skill sets.” Economically, repairing instead of repurchasing can be difficult for the average consumer. “Sometimes repair is as expensive, if not more so, than replace,” Alexander said. “If I can buy a toaster online for $27, but my guy down the road (who can fix it) is going to charge me $35, that’s a hard barrier.” However, there is a strong case for repairing and reusing items. It conserves resources, supports outlets for low-cost goods and promotes a local, circular economy. Repair keeps local dollars local, Alexander says.
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Photo by Simone Traynor
“When I go to the thrift shop or when I went down the road and had my lamp repaired, I took the money that I’m earning on this job, I give it to the guy who’s fixing my lamp, then he goes down to the grocery store and buys his groceries,” she said. Trav Fryer, who runs the Old North End Repair Cafe, says the fixer-upper approach comes naturally to him. “It just feels very innate to me. Why would you throw it out? It’s so much more efficient,” he said. He was inspired to start hosting repair cafes in Burlington after attending them regularly in Palo see REPAIR page 17
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•
Williston Observer •
Page 11
Home & Garden Fall is the time to establish new perennials
BY AMY SIMONE Special to the Observer
The garden season is slowly winding down, but before you clean and store your tools, consider taking advantage of this quieter time to add some perennials to your garden. Plants that are tucked into the soil at least four to six weeks before the ground freezes will be adequately established before winter. Come spring, they will emerge along with your other perennials.
Plants that are tucked into the soil at least four to six weeks before the ground freezes will be adequately established before winter. Come spring, they will emerge along with your other perennials.
of the garden where you would like to plant. This is also an excellent time to scan your yard to see if it could use some more fall color. If the answer is yes, head to the garden center to look for plants that are in full bloom right now. Planting these perennials as soon as you get them home gives you immediate enjoyment this year and will pay dividends in future years. Local nurseries typically look to reduce their inventory before winter, so you can often enjoy discounts on the purchase of perennials. The selection may be a bit more limited,
but it is likely that you will still find some lovely additions for your garden. Don’t forget that now is the time to put those spring blooming bulbs in the ground, too. Fall is a great time to divide or move spring and summer blooming perennials established in your gardens. Look for plants that have died out in the middle, are blooming less, have become too large, or are so overcrowded that air does not circulate well around them. In particular, perennials with fleshy roots, such as peonies and see PERENNIALS page 14
Fall is a great time to divide perennials.
PHOTO BY DEBRA HELEBA
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Page 12
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Williston Observer •
October 1, 2026
Home & Garden Rethink your mudroom, minimize the chaos
When school is back in session, it means a lot of coming and going to and from your home — often in a rush. Smooth out those morning scrambles and save yourself some afternoon cleanups by turning your mudroom into a space that feels more organized and less chaotic. Start with these mudroom organization and habit hacks to make your family’s daily routines a little easier. DO A DECLUTTER
If the coat hooks are still sporting rain jackets the kids outgrew several seasons ago, that’s your sign to plan a purge. Out with the old, in with the
new: Collect last year’s coats, too-small shoes, the backpack with the broken zipper, wornout accessories and that pile of junk mail. Then figure out what to keep, toss and donate. CREATE A “GET-OUT-THEDOOR” SPOT FOR ESSENTIALS
“Have you seen my…” is a sentence you can only stand to hear (and say) so many times in one morning. Set up shelves or baskets for important items like keys, permission slips, library books, water bottles, lunchboxes, sports gear and anything else that needs to leave the house with the family. Repetition will build the habit, and even if
things still get lost from time to time, this system gives everyone a first place to look. CHOOSE A SHOE SYSTEM
Whether you’re a shoe rack kind of family or you’ve got DIY dreams of building an aesthetic wooden bench with shoe storage underneath, lock it in. Shoes are easy for kids to kick off when they get home, and if they aren’t sure where to put them, they’ll remain wherever they land or pile up by the door. Also consider putting down washable mats so grime doesn’t accumulate on your rack or floor. see MUDROOM page 14
Mudroom organization is about decluttering and having dedicated spots for each essential daily item. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNSPLASH
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• Williston Observer •
Page 13
Home & Garden Four lawn care tips for the fall season
Many people associate fall yardwork with raking up the crispy, colorful leaves that have drifted down from surrounding trees. Don’t let that be the only task on your outdoor agenda, however, because this season is also an opportunity to improve the overall health of your lawn so it’s ready to thrive once spring arrives. Start with these autumn lawn care tips.
the recommended schedule for your region. BATTLE STUBBORN WEEDS
If you’ve been dealing with perennial weeds throughout the summer, fall could mean your chance to get rid of them once and for all. Weeds absorb herbicides readily on days with moderate temperatures and moist soil, so this task might be well-timed after some autumn rain has fallen.
CONTINUE MOWING
As long as the grass keeps growing, homeowners should keep mowing — with a couple of smart seasonal adjustments. First, lower the mower height for your final two cuts so the grass isn’t too tall going into winter. Second, instead of raking all the leaves up beforehand, think about leaving a layer on the lawn so the mower can shred them and effectively turn them into mulch, returning their nutrients to the soil. FERTILIZE THE LAWN
Especially if you grow cool-weather
ADD GRASS SEED TO THIN SPOTS
Raking leaves isn’t the only fall yard task to consider for your lawn.
grass varieties like rye or fescue, feeding your lawn can actually be most effective in the fall. Fertilizer helps nourish the roots of your grass, strengthening it through the
PHOTO COURTESY OF UNSPLASH
winter and preparing it to grow lush and green in the spring and summer. Aim to feed it once in the beginning of the season then again 6-8 weeks later or according to
Whether you have bare patches on your lawn or areas of thinning grass, fall is the best time to seed cool-season lawns. At least six weeks before the first hard frost in your area, spread grass seed over the areas you want to replenish or thicken then keep the lawn consistently watered until it germinates. Aerating the soil first can help the seed take root. Find more seasonal home and garden tips by visiting eLivingtoday.com.
Fall Lawn Care
Easy tips to prep your lawn for next summer! Learn more at RethinkRunoff.org/lawn-care
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Williston Observer •
October 1, 2026
Home & Garden Perennials
continued from page 11
Siberian iris, need to be divided or transplanted in the fall. Regardless if you are planting a new perennial, transplanting an existing one, or moving a division, be sure to water it and the soil in its new location a day before planting. Choose an overcast day to conduct this task. Dig a hole at the same depth but wider than the plant’s root ball. If you are planting perennials that have spent the entire season
Don’t forget that now is the time to put those spring blooming bulbs in the ground, too. constrained in a pot, you may need to loosen the roots a bit. Do not add fertilizer, as it is not needed by the plant at this time. Fill in the hole with soil and surround the transplant with a couple
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of inches of compost. Do not mulch around the plant yet, as this will allow the soil to soak up more of the daytime heat. Micro- or feeder roots will begin to grow in the warm fall soil, helping the transplants to establish a solid root structure before entering dormancy for the winter. Water the transplants deeply once or twice per week if there is no rain. Stop watering and place mulch around the plant as temperatures begin to drop. It is a good idea to place a plant marker noting the variety next to your transplant. That way, you can
take care not to disrupt the sprouts as they emerge in the spring. Spending just a while longer in your garden now will get your perennials off to a solid start for next spring.
Mudroom
fun by letting everyone decorate their own zone.
continued from page 12
Typically bulbs should be put in the ground from late September through November. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
HAVE OPTIONS READY FOR BAD WEATHER
GIVE EACH CHILD A DESIGNATED DROP ZONE
It’s easier for kids to stay organized when they have their own dedicated spaces to hang up jackets, set down backpacks, put shoes and store everyday essentials. Provide each child with their own coat hooks, cubbies, bins or lockers. Build them at kid-friendly heights and make it
Amy Simone is a UVM Extension Master Gardener volunteer from South Burlington.
With a little advanced planning, you can prevent your mudroom from living up to its name. Set up a rainy-day corner with an umbrella stand, boot tray, towel basket and hooks or racks to hang damp outerwear. Keep a laundry hamper in the mudroom, too, so wet clothes and dirty uniforms don’t migrate
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Nearly everyone’s been there: You start a new organization system feeling efficient and optimistic, then over time, memories lapse and it descends back into anarchy. Labels may not stop this from happening every time, but at least they might make kids stop and consider whether their books should go in the basket labeled “Books” or on top of the shoe rack. That’s one step closer to restoring order.
In print & online: We’re your neighbors, committed to keeping you informed on what’s going on in Williston.
October 1, 2026
Orchard
‘NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART’
The downside of the new business model is the temperamental nature of the weather, Murdock said. With such a short season, even the chance of rain can have a dramatic impact on business, Murdock said. Murdock saw this phenomenon in action on a recent Sunday. “It never rained,” Murdock said. “It was a decent day, but there was raindrops on the forecast. We did half the business on Sunday than we did on Saturday just because of the forecast.” Luckily, Bair said, a loyal
Williston Observer •
Page 15
Comprehensive Dentistry
continued from page 7
local products for sale, as well as offering hay rides and other activities, as is the case at Chapin Orchard. “We became marketers and entertainers,” Bradshaw said. “Pumpkin patch runners and corn maze makers.” The transitioning to pick-yourown orchards, along with fresh orchards that sprung up in the past two decades, have created places for Vermonters to gather. Murdock sees multiple generations of the same families, and parents who came as children often bring their kids to his orchard decades later. For Dan Bair, who owns Peck Farm Orchard in East Montpelier with his wife Leila, their pick-yourown orchard has become a “community resource.” “Our unwritten rule (is) come here, turn your phone off, stay together,” Bair said. “So just create memories and enjoy yourself.”
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customer base can serve as a lifeline because some pickers come out despite the weather. “At a certain point, people need to pick apples,” Bair said. All agricultural businesses deal with chance and loss, Bair said.
“We became marketers and entertainers — pumpkin patch runners and corn maze makers.” Terry Bradshaw UVM
Three years ago a huge frost swept over Bair’s orchard. He thought the entire apple crop would be lost, though he managed to salvage around 60%. Agriculture is “not for the faint of heart,” Bair said. “There’s a farmer down the road, and I’ve seen him in the face of (a) barn fire, and he’s completely
relaxed,” Bair added. “I didn’t understand it until you become a farmer and you experience a lot of loss. Once you do, you begin to just take it day by day.” But there’s only so many losses a business can take when it makes its yearly income in eight days, Murdock said. The cost of growing apples — encompassing fuel costs for farm machinery, labor costs, and maintenance and repair costs of farm infrastructure and equipment — builds with each month of the year. The rising cost of fuel has a huge impact on farm operations, Murdock said, since they use it to power their mowers, tractors, cars and other machinery. Most of their prices have stayed steady, Murdock said, but higher operating costs mean the business brings in less revenue. There’s very little margin for error. “We’re spending it all year round,” Murdock said, “but we stop bringing it in Nov. 1.”
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Williston Observer •
October 1, 2026
Clark
continued from page 5
18-year-olds’ identities in court proceedings, Bernstein said. In the trespassing case, the defendant’s name was published in multiple news sources. “Once that’s happened, then it’s too late to reverse it,” Bernstein said. Bernstein added that the decision to try a young protester for a nonviolent crime in adult court could discourage young people from other forms of civic engagement. “They’re finding their voice, and raising that voice when they feel like it’s time to raise it is a crucial part of being a young person,” Bernstein said. George has previously
declined to prosecute 13 demonstrators involved in a February protest, declined to prosecute six cases in April, and refused four more cases in May. She wrote in a statement reported by VTDigger that prosecuting the six individuals involved in the March 11 Dorset Street ICE standoff would not serve the community’s best interests, and that police escalation contributed to the situation in question. “To charge these six individuals with no criminal records, and expect that they bear the burden of all the harm caused that day — is not something I was interested in our office being a part of,” George wrote. Loan said the Vermont State Police still saw a case for conviction in the cases that George
“The issue is the violation of the state statute when you refuse to leave a private property. Because at that point you’re violating that property owner’s rights.” Col. Shawn Loan Vermont State Police
dropped. “I can’t get into the details as to why she declined, but she did choose to decline them,” Loan said. “We felt these still met criteria, and that’s the decision to bring it to the AG for prosecution.” When asked whether the
attorney general’s office will seek to prosecute seven clergy members arrested in a separate anti-ICE protest, Clark declined to comment. Clark said her duty is to uphold the Constitution, which sometimes requires her to make unpopular decisions. She added that she cannot allow her personal opinions to influence her court cases. “Whether I agree or disagree with what a protest is about cannot determine whether someone is held accountable under the law,” Clark said. Hinsdale, the senate majority leader, cautioned Clark against continuing the prosecution. “Our courts are already backlogged with real threats to public safety, and this is not what our top prosecutor should be prioritizing,” Hinsdale said. “There is still time to change course, and I urge the Attorney General’s Office to dismiss these charges.”
Gov. Phil Scott said in a press conference Thursday that he knew Clark’s decision was a hard one to make. He said prosecution “doesn’t mean that they’re all going to be thrown in jail, but they’re going to be held accountable for violating the law.” “So I applaud her for making that decision, and we’ll see where it goes from here,” Scott said. Amanda Janoo, who is running for governor against Scott, in a statement condemned the actions of Clark’s office. Janoo said Vermont may not be able to influence the federal government’s decisions, but Vermont officials do have the power to decide what they would like to enforce within the state. “The question for every institution and every elected official right now is not simply: What are we allowed to do?” Janoo said. “It is: What does this moment require of us?”
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October 1, 2026
communicating with your partner. The instructor will help you build a foundation, get exercise and have fun. Program time includes 30 minutes of practice and one hour of instruction. Instructor: Michael Kiey. Monday, Oct. 12, 6:30-8 p.m. $15. BASKETBALL
Come out and play, stay fit and meet new people. The program is for the not-so-serious player who is looking to play, get exercise and have fun. Pre-register. Men’s 20-plus and 30-plus, and Women’s 19-plus.
WILLISTON
Recreation & Parks
Recreation • Education • Community
TABLE TENNIS
Come out and play, stay fit and meet new people. The program is open to all experience levels. Players should bring their paddles (a limited number of loaner paddles are available). Pre-register. BONE BUILDERS
PUMPKINS IN THE PARK
Join us for a fun fall evening for the whole family. Carve a pumpkin, paint a mini-pumpkin, enjoy Halloween crafts and games, relax with Halloween cartoons, and enjoy apple cider and donuts. Bring your own pumpkin to carve; there will be only a limited number available. Friday, Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m. at Village Community Park. Presenting sponsor: Associates in Orthodontics
FAMILY PROGRAMS ROOT7 — VOCAL PERCUSSION & IMPROVISATION WORKSHOP
Ages 13-plus. Root7, Vermont’s contemporary a cappella group, will host singalongs of winter and holiday music. For beginner, intermediate and experienced vocalists who want to learn and work in groups. Thursday, Oct. 22, 7-9 p.m. Free. LINE DANCING
Ages 50-plus. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Free. Instructors: Ann Naumann & Joyce Oughstun. ZUMBA GOLD
Ages 50-plus. Wednesdays, 8:459:45 a.m., and Fridays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., $10 per visit. Instructor: Ciara Gregory TAI CHI INTRO
Ages 50-plus. Wednesdays, 1-2 p.m. Free. Instructor: Adina Panitch TECHNOLOGY FOR TOMORROW
Ages 50-plus. Join us on Tuesdays for free technology presentations from Technology for Tomorrow. Topics vary each month and cover a range of subjects. Also get tech help with your phone, tablet, laptop or another device. Bring your technology questions and devices to this informal drop-in session. SENIOR MEALS
Ages 15-plus. Learn each week and build your confidence and abilities while having fun. Hour-long class is held Sundays, 4-5 p.m. $10 per session. The R.E.C. Zone, 94 Harvest Lane. Instructor: Kelly Hayes.
Meals for anyone aged 60-plus and their spouse (regardless of age) are offered Tuesdays 12-12:30 p.m. Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m., and meals are served at noon. Space is limited; advanced registration is required. Age Well has a suggested donation of $7 per meal per person.
ADULT PROGRAMS
YOUTH PROGRAMS
STRONG BODY, STRONG MIND
NATURE EXPLORERS
An inclusive fitness space for adults living with dementia and their care partners. We will discuss the prevalence of Alzheimer’s and Dementia in Vermont, talk about the latest research involving exercise and active lifestyles regarding brain health, and how to best create a safe and engaging opportunity for community members to take part in group fitness while living with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis. This is a free-to-attend program; pre-registration is required. Instructor: Jazmin Ferrari. Thursday, Oct. 15, 5-6 p.m.
Ages 2-6. Young adventurers will gear up with their very own Nature Explorer Kit (included in your registration fee), including binoculars, a bug catching net, and other exploration tools, before heading out on a guided nature walk around the park. This is a parent-child program. Instructor: Rec Staff. Thursday, Oct. 8, 4-5 p.m., $30.
ARGENTINE TANGO INTRO
Tango is about walking, turning and pausing informed by the music and
SWIM LESSONS
Monthly swim lessons are offered through the Recreation Department with the Edge of Essex. Lessons are for children ages 2.5-5 and 5-plus. Lessons meet weekly for a month. Under 5 years old, 4-4:30 p.m.; ages 5-plus, 4:30-5 p.m. Instructors: Edge of Essex staff.
Repair
continued from page 10
Alto, Calif. Other regulars describe themselves as coming from “mend-it” families. “My mom grew up on a farm. The first move was always to try to mend it and keep it alive,” said Chrissy Bedard, a regular volunteer at the repair cafe. “Once you put your heart and soul into something, you want to keep it around as long as you can, so knowing how to fix it is a huge piece of that.” ReuseVT launched about a year and a half ago, funded through an Environmental Protection Agency grant awarded to the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation. Alexander wrote the original proposal, which is now in its second year. She said the funding filled a gap in how the state had long approached waste. “For years and years and years, people have put money into recycling,” she said. But reduction and reuse went underfunded. Many Vermonters are looking for ways to be more sustainable in their daily life. A source like ReuseVT simplifies the search with information including the website repair directory. “The community has really been looking for a directory that’s specific to reuse and repair opportunities,” Alexander said. Vermont’s reuse and repair culture goes beyond any one organization. Alexander noted that numerous organizations around Vermont are part of the reuse movement.
•
Williston Observer •
Page 17
ReSource Vermont, a statewide nonprofit with locations in Burlington, Williston, Barre and Morrisville, has a threefold mission. “One is to keep things out of the landfill, so it’s an environmental piece. It’s also poverty alleviation … and then their third thing, they also do a lot of repair training,” Alexander said. Also in Burlington, Generator teaches skills like jewelry making or woodworking to anyone willing to learn — skills that can be applied to repair work as well as new products. “They basically create community around providing a space for people to either just come in and use it for a workspace, or they provide equipment and teach classes,” Alexander said. She hopes to see the movement grow, and perhaps one day see an annual gathering and a vending event built entirely around reused and repaired goods. Meanwhile, repair cafes, such as the one in Burlington, are built around fixing things together. “We want it to be a learning experience and hands-on,” Fryer said. Fryer sees something specific to Vermont’s rural and agricultural heritage in repair culture: scrappiness. “Farmers have to fix things themselves,” he said. “You’ve got to be able to fix the tractor to keep farming. You kind of just have to figure it out.” Community News Service is a University of Vermont journalism internship.
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Page 18release • Williston dates: Oct.Observer 3-9, 2026 • October 1, 2026
40 (26)
Next Week: Monarch butterflies
Issue 40, 2026
Founded by Betty Debnam
Hans Christian Andersen
Mini Fact:
photo by Dan Alcantara
Have you read “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Little Mermaid” or “The Emperor’s New Clothes”? They were written by Hans Christian Andersen. His fairy tales are some of the most popular stories in the world. Even today, 151 years after his death, his stories are being told again and again, Hans Christian Andersen in many different ways. They have been translated into more languages than any other fiction. He wrote 156 stories in all. Some of his stories have been made into movies, plays, ballets, TV shows, video games, board games and card games. Although we think of his fairy tales as being children’s stories, he wrote them for adults as well. Much of his humor and moral messages were intended for grown-ups.
fortune in Copenhagen. He tried to make a living as an artist, an actor, a dancer and a singer. He failed at them all. He was so poor he nearly starved to death. Andersen became friends with a theater director who helped him get a scholarship that enabled him to go back to school.
His writing
Andersen began to write plays, novels, poems and travel books. During his life he wrote three different books about his own life. Many of his plays were big hits in Denmark. Some of his poems were turned into songs that Danish kids still sing today. Much to his surprise, it was his fairy tales that made him famous at home and in other countries as well.
courtesy of Wikipedia
Early life
Statues of Hans Christian Andersen are scattered throughout the world, including Central Park in the U.S.
His personality
Andersen’s life was much like a fairy tale. He was born in Odense, Denmark, in 1805. The family was very poor. His mother was a washwoman, his father a shoemaker. When Hans was 11, his father died. To help support the family, Hans worked in a tailor’s shop and later in a tobacco factory. He left home at the age of 14 to seek his
Andersen loved the attention given to him by royalty, artists and other authors. He was very ambitious and enjoyed his success. He was sensitive and became upset when someone wrote anything bad about his books. Andersen was often sick and was known as a worrier. Although he traveled a great deal, he often arrived at the station hours before the train was to leave. He carried a rope with him so he could escape out the window if a hotel caught on fire. Andersen was a deeply religious man. Because of his very humble beginnings, he was a thrifty man.
The fairy tales
His first fairy tales were printed one at a time in little pamphlets. Later, collections were put into books. When he was telling stories out loud, Hans Christian Andersen would make paper cutouts filled with scenes from his tales. He cut and folded the paper to create pictures.
Early translation
This is how Andersen’s “The Emperor’s New Suit” begins: “Many, many years ago lived an emperor, who thought so much of new clothes that he spent all his money in order to obtain them; his only ambition was to be always well dressed. He did not care for his soldiers, and the theater did not amuse him; the only thing, in fact, he thought anything of was to drive out and show a new suit of clothes. He had a coat for every hour of the day ...”
His loves
Andersen proposed to several women but was rejected by all of them. When he died in 1875, he was carrying a letter from his first love, a woman he had met more than 40 years before. As he wished, the letter was burned unread. Andersen reminds us of one of his most famous characters, the Ugly Duckling. In spite of his lonely life, he was able to write some of the most magical stories of all time.
Resources On the Web:
• bit.ly/4vZhory
At the library:
• “An Illustrated Treasury of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales” by Hans Christian Andersen and illustrated by Anastasiya Archipova
The Mini Page® © 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication
Try ’n’ Find Observer rack locations Mini Jokes
Shell Gas Station (Essex Rd) Essex/Essex Hannaford are hidden in this Williston Jct. Price Chopper Words that remind us of Hans Christian Andersen Harry: What laundry Simon’s Mobil Williston Healthy Living Williston Adamsare Farmhidden Market backward Essex Automotive puzzle. Some words or diagonally, and some detergent did theQuality Bake Shop letters are usedAromas twice.ofSee Simply Divine Café Home2Suites Indiaif you can find: Five Corner Little VarietyMermaid use? River Road Beverage Chef’s Corner
Island Homemade Ice Cream Sonesta
ARTISTS, DENMARK, T R LKorner E Kwik R OStopY A L TSunoco Y UStation E G J Dorothy Alling Memorial DUCKLING, EMPEROR, A R TMarriott I SCourtyard T S L Y DTown Q ofTWilliston N T Offices E Library FACTORY, FAIRY TALE, F O D D E N M A R K I I I U L UPS Store Men At Wok Fairfield Inn Rick Cote atHANS,Folino’s Pizza CallLITTLE, R P IM&TVBank G H R A Y RVermont L UMeat I &HSeafood A email (802) 373-2136 orerver.com Williston Coffee Shop Ramunto’s MERMAID, Gardener’s Supply bs E E A U F Q Y R W K S B A R T nO to is Rick@Will copies e lik ld ou w Rehab Gym Green Mountain Bagel u ROPE, ROYALTY, yo T E M P E R O R C W X N T V Y if r your location foSHOP, A X R W E T Z U Y M S S J F R STORY, E Y E P S F D Y R O T C A F I SUIT, THEATER, H B M Y T F I R H T L L J H A THRIFTY, WRITE.
Hali: Tide! Hannaford Richmond Inn atHeidi: EssexWhat did the Ugly Cumberland Duckling Farms like to Mac’s Marketwatch on TV? Richmond Free Library Herman: Martone’s Deli Duck-umentaries! Richmond Market Williston
Eco Note The Brazilian Amazon is offering a rare measure of good news. Satellite observations show forest
Hans was 11, his father died. To help support the family, Hans worked in a tailor’s shop and later in a tobacco factory. He left home at the age of 14 to seek his
• “An Illustrated Treasury of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales” by Hans Christian Andersen and illustrated by Anastasiya Archipova October 1, 2026 • Williston Observer • Page 19
hotel caught on fire. Andersen was a deeply religious man. Because of his very humble beginnings, he was a thrifty man.
The Mini Page® © 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication
Try ’n’ Find
Mini Jokes
Words that remind us of Hans Christian Andersen are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: ARTISTS, DENMARK, DUCKLING, EMPEROR, FACTORY, FAIRY TALE, LITTLE, HANS, MERMAID, ROPE, ROYALTY, SHOP, STORY, SUIT, THEATER, THRIFTY, WRITE.
T A F R E T A E H T
R L E R O Y A L T Y U E R T I S T S L Y D Q T N O D D E N M A R K I I I P I V G H R A Y R L U I E A U F Q Y R W K S B A E M P E R O R C W X N T X R W E T Z U Y M S S J Y E P S F D Y R O T C A B M Y T F I R H T L L J P O H S E L T T I L Y Y
G T U H R V F F H E
Harry: What laundry detergent did the Little Mermaid use? Hali: Tide!
J E L A T Y R I A F
Heidi: What did the Ugly Duckling like to watch on TV? Herman: Duck-umentaries!
Eco Note
Mini Spy Classics
For later:
adapted with permission from Earthweek.com
Look in your local newspaper for information about books.
Mini Spy Classics appear in the first issue of each month.
The Mini Page® © 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication
Mini Spy is reading a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. See if you can find the hidden pictures. Then color the picture.
The Brazilian Amazon is offering a rare measure of good news. Satellite observations show forest clearing has fallen to its lowest 12-month level since Brazil’s current rapid-monitoring record began in 2014, continuing a decline that has accelerated in recent years. The improvement means fewer trees cut, less habitat destroyed and less pressure on Indigenous lands and protected forests. It also suggests that stronger enforcement and renewed environmental oversight can make a difference in one of the world’s most important ecosystems. The decline offers hope, but the dry season will test whether Brazil can protect against a hotter, fire-prone future under climate change.
Based on materials originally produced and/or created by Betty Debnam.
• number 3 • eyeglasses • pea pod • man in the moon
• bucket • letter Z • ice cream cone • bird
• elephant • carrot • word MINI • safety pin
• olive • pencil • letter u • key
• snake • bean • bell
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AL
Page 20
• Williston Observer • October 1, 2026
SAVVY SENIOR
Planning a simple, affordable funeral The good news is, there are plenty of options that are dignified, straightforward and much easier on your wallet. Here’s a look at some choices, depending on the kind of farewell you want. DIRECT CREMATION
By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I’d like to make my end-oflife arrangements, but I want to keep things simple and affordable. What are my options? — 86-Year-Old Dear 86, Smart thinking! Planning ahead can save your loved ones a lot of stress, and money. With a traditional burial averaging around $10,000 and a full-service cremation near $6,500, it’s easy to see why many seniors are looking for simpler, lower-cost ways to say goodbye.
If cremation appeals to you, a direct cremation is the simplest — and usually the least expensive — option. It includes picking up the body, completing the required paperwork, the cremation itself, and returning the ashes to your family. There’s no embalming, formal viewing, or casket; a simple cardboard box called an “alternative container” is used to hold the remains. Depending on where you live and which provider you choose, direct cremation typically costs $700 to $3,500. If you want extra services, ask for an itemized price list so you know exactly what you’re paying for. Funeral homes are required by law to provide this.
estimated costs, and even compare options side by side — all in a matter of minutes. It’s a quick way to get a snapshot of what’s available without making a bunch of phone calls.
IMMEDIATE OR DIRECT BURIAL
If burial is your preference, an immediate or direct burial is the most basic option. The body is buried in a simple container soon after death, skipping embalming, viewings and the use of funeral facilities. Families can still hold a memorial service at the graveside, at home or at a place of worship without the body present. These services usually run $2,000 to $3,000, not counting cemetery fees, which can add $1,000 to $3,000. Every funeral home offers direct burial. To find local providers, you can search online for “cremation” or “funeral” along with your city and state. You can also compare prices on sites like Funeralocity.com or Parting. com. Another handy approach is to use AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini: You can ask them to pull together lists of nearby funeral homes or cremation providers, see which services they offer, check
Entering Our Next Great Chapter!
GREEN BURIAL
For the environmentally minded, green burial is a simple, natural option. The body is buried in a biodegradable coffin or shroud, without embalming chemicals or a vault. Costs typically range from $2,000 to $5,000. The Green Burial Council (greenburialcouncil.org, 888-9663330) maintains a state-by-state directory of cemeteries and funeral professionals who offer these services. WATER CREMATION
Also eco-friendly, water cremation (or alkaline hydrolysis) uses water, chemicals and heat instead of fire. Costs usually range from $2,000 to $3,500, and it’s legal in more than 20 states. Search
“alkaline hydrolysis” to find a provider near you. DONATE YOUR BODY
If you want the lowest-cost option, consider donating your body to science. Medical schools use donated bodies for teaching and research, then return the cremated remains to your family or bury them in a local cemetery — usually free. Some schools may charge a small transport fee. To find a program in your state, check the University of Florida’s U.S. program directory at Anatbd. acb.med.ufl.edu/usprograms, or call the Whole-Body Donation Referral Service at 800-727-0700. Planning ahead gives you control, saves your family money, and ensures your final wishes are honored. With these options, you can choose a farewell that’s simple, meaningful and within your budget — and doing a little homework now makes it easier for everyone later.
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October 1, 2026
•
Williston Observer •
Page 21
CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 22
TODAY’S HISTORY:
• In 1890, an act of Congress established Yosemite National Park in California. • In 1949, Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong declared the People’s Republic of China at a ceremony in Beijing. • In 1975, Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Frazier in the “Thrilla in Manila” boxing match in the Philippines. • In 2017, a mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas resulted in 58 deaths and more than 800 injuries.
TODAY’S FACT:
• In 1957, the first paper currency bearing the U.S. motto “In God We Trust” entered circulation.
SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 22
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Page 22
• Williston Observer • October 1, 2026
OBITUARIES
Daniel Chave Daniel Chave, 71 of Williston, VT passed away on Sept.16, 2026. Daniel, born on Nov. 18, 1954, was the third son of Louise (Bishop) and Chellis Chave Jr. He grew up in the town of Skaneateles, NY and graduated high school there in 1972. Daniel was predeceased by his wife Ellen (Abraham), and brothers John and Christopher. He is survived by his sister Mary Lou Keenan of Edgewater, FL, brothers Richard of Jamesville, NY, George of Fort Worth, TX and Gregory of Cortland, NY. Dan worked at Hannaford Markets for many years before his retirement. He held a wide array of interests. He enjoyed photography, fly fishing, musical instruments, woodworking, cars, motorcycles and so much more. You could find him fishing a quiet stream or working on cars in the pit at the auto races. He could fix anything. He loved to learn new things and was a voracious reader. His family often joked that he had read every book in the town library by the time he was 16. Dan was blessed with wonderful friends and neighbors who
were ever watchful and helpful to him. He met the challenge of Parkinson’s disease with a quiet resolve and courage. His thoughtfulness and humor will be especially missed. Donations in Dan’s memory may be made to: UVM Home Health and Hospice, 1110 Prim Rd. Colchester, VT 05446.
CLASSIFIEDS
Ferrisburgh and graduated from Burlington High School in 1947. She attended Johnson State Teachers College in the first year it became a teachers college. She graduated in 1951. The following year, she began teaching second grade in Waterbury, VT. After Waterbury, she taught in Wilton, CT, Adams City, CO, and Brentwood, N.Y. She retired in 1988 after 37 years of service. When she moved to Long Island, she met her future husband, Jack Warner Packer. They married in 1961 and settled in East Northport. They had two daughters, Terri-Lynn and Elizabeth. Upon retiring, she moved back to Vermont with Jack. She lived many happy years in Williston. Elizabeth had many hobbies including quilting, bowling, and tole painting. She enjoyed being a lay reader at All Saint’s Episcopal
Elizabeth Packer Elizabeth Newton Packer passed away on Sept. 9, 2026, at 98 years of age. She was born in Barre, VT on April 6, 1928, to William Allen Newton and Elizabeth Sprague Newton. The eldest daughter of seven children, she grew up in North
CROSSWORD SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 21
Church in South Burlington. Elizabeth was a member of Episcopal Relief Development, the DAR, LOSNA, and Eastern Star of Waterbury. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society for many years. Elizabeth loved to travel with many groups. She visited England, Finland, Scotland, Hawaii and Alaska. She also traveled in the Midwest, and to various U.S. State Parks. She is blessed with a wonderful son-in-law, Mike Gurdin, and three beloved grandchildren, Tyler, Jake, and Sierra. She is survived by two sisters, Dorothy Newton of Vermont and Louise Riekert of Pennsylvania. There will be a service for the interment of ashes on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. at the North Ferrisburgh Cemetery on Old Hollow Road in North Ferrisburgh, VT.
Celebration of the Life
Joel Dubé
A Celebration of the Life and the Photography of Joel Dubé will be held at the Vermont National Country Club, 1227 Dorset Street, South Burlington, on Oct. 4, 2026 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with toasts at 4:30 p.m. His photographs will be on display for all to enjoy.
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LEGAL
TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA Tuesday, October 13, 2026 – 7:00 PM Town Hall Beckett/McGuire Meeting Room (7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance) or Zoom Webinar ID 813 6162 7981 on www. zoom.us/join or call 1-646-558-8656 DP 26-13 Michael Fontaine, c/o Doug Goulette requests Discretionary Permit for a proposed 6-lot subdivision into three housing lots, one open space lot, and two deferred lots on a 118-acre parcel at 2660 & 2738 North Williston Road, and 255 Chapman Lane in the ARZD. DP 21-05.1 Elevation Construction, c/o Karl Marchessault requests pre-application review for amending 15-unit residential subdivision of a 10.52-acre parcel into a 22-unit subdivision on Sally’s Way, formerly 230 Mountain View Road, in the RZd. 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
SUDOKU SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 21
www.WillistonObserver.com
LEGAL NOTICE Public Auction Under SelfStorage And Operators Lien U-Haul Of Williston 5010 Williston Rd Williston, Vt . 05495 On October 15th at 9:00 am on www.storageauctions.com The contents of the following units consisting of furniture, household goods and miscellaneous personal property will be SOLD to satisfy the lien of U-HAUL as self-storage operators. This Sale Is Held Under The Uniform Commercial Code Section 16a, Paragraph 7-210 Enforcement Of Vermont Self-Storage Lien. NAME
UNIT #
Tammy Motoa
2343
Aden Haji
1605
Emily Kirwan
0117
Tammy Emery
1642
Carter Berg
2268
Caroline Kobetitsch
0177
Tishonna Smith
1019
Tammy Motoa
2283
continued from page 2
INSURANCE
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saliva. If left untreated, rabies is almost always fatal in humans and animals. However, treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly Octobereffective 1, 2026 • when Willistongiven Observersoon • Page 23 100 percent after a person is bitten by a rabid animal. So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont have tested positive for rabies, and 14 of LANDSCAPING/STONEWORK those have been raccoons. Now scheduling 2027officials, projects!rabid According to wildlife Commercial Residential animals oftenand show a changeLandscaping in their norDesign, construction and installation mal behavior, but you-Excavation cannotservices tell whether -Landscape design installations -Stone work/stone veneer -Mowing/property maintenances saliva. If left rabiesbyis looking almost alan animal hasuntreated, rabies simply at LET’S GET ways fatal in humans animals. However, GARDENING it. People should notand touch or pick up wild treatment rabiesbaby vaccine is nearly animals orwith straysthe – even animals. LLC 100 percent effective when given soon after a person is bitten by a rabid animal.Fully Insured www.kingfishvt.com 30 years experience So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont RESIDENTIAL have tested positive forPAINTING rabies, and 14 of those have been raccoons. forrabid According to Availability wildlife officials, Winter/Spring 2027 animals often show a change in their norPlanyou Ahead! Locktell in whether Prices! mal behavior, but cannot an animal has rabiesTOM simply by looking at TAVARES it. People should not touch or PAINTING pick up wild RESIDENTIAL South Burlington, VT animals or strays – even baby animals.
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Page 24 •
Williston Observer •
October 1, 2026
SPORTS
Soccer score! CVU’s Flynn Sexton, left, clears the ball from her defensive zone during the Redhawks’ 3-1 win over the Colchester Lakers Sept. 26 in Hinesburg. OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
CORRECTION
Sticking around
CVU volleyball player Samantha Boisjoli was misidentified as Avery Siket in this photo from the Sept. 24 edition of the Observer.
Despite the efforts of Clara Johnson, left, and Hannah Jones, above, the Redhawks lost 2-3 to the Mount Mansfield Cougars on Sept. 24 in Hinesburg. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
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