Maintenance problems with six electric buses that were added to the Champlain Valley School District fleet this fall and stationed at Allen Brook School have district administrators rethinking their
Local students outpace state in VTCAP tests
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
Standardized test results from last school year in math, literacy and science are trickling out.
Last Thursday, the Vermont Agency of Education released statewide results of last year’s Vermont Common Assessment Program (VTCAP) tests, administered to students in grades 3-9 each spring. The results show that an average of 39 percent of Vermont students in grades 3-9 tested proficient in math; an average of 55 percent tested proficient in literacy; and an average of 43 percent tested proficient in science.
School- and district-level results will be released publicly later this fall, the Agency of Education said, but they have already been given to school administrators. Individual student results were shared with families in the spring.
Champlain Valley School District Director of Learning and Innovation Sarah Crum presented the district’s results to the school
commitment to going electric.
In a report to the school board Tuesday, administrators said the new buses “have experienced a high rate of maintenance-related downtime during the first two months of use.” Their time off the road has caused bus availability shortages and stressed the district’s busing system, administrators said.
Consequently, the district’s next purchase of buses — two new ones for next school year — will be non-electric “to stabilize our fleet while the reliability of electric options improves.”
The introduction of electric school buses at CVSD began with a pilot program in 2021. CVSD was one of three Vermont school
districts to receive two e-buses in a state-run grant program funded through a settlement with Volkswagon after the carmaker was found to be rigging federal emissions tests. The program was a test of reliability, especially as it relates to e-bus performance in the cold.
The two electrics, which were stationed at Allen Brook,
performed well enough for the district to put in for an order of six new buses in 2024.
At the time, CVSD Chief Operations Officer Gary Marckres said the district planned to eventually convert half of its 60-bus fleet to electrics.
The six new buses were
Chavarria appointed to planning commission
Wilmer Chavarria says he doesn’t have time to volunteer as a local land use planner. And as superintendent of the Winooski School District and a native of Nicaragua who was detained without cause at an airport by federal agents in July — an incident he described as terrifying in news reports at the time — one could wonder how he would find the bandwidth.
Nonetheless, Chavarria, a resident of Williston for the past three years, applied and was appointed Tuesday to the Williston
Planning Commission. In an interview with the selectboard, he said he was recruited by a fellow citizen for the post.
“I don’t have time to be doing this, but I really want to do it because it is sort of like a duty that I think everybody should consider, to serve locally in governance and planning,” he said.
He views the position as an opportunity to learn about subjects he is not an expert in.
“I think, especially at the beginning, there will be quite of bit of learning to do on my end
and that is exciting,” he said. “Eventually that knowledge will be put to good use because hopefully I can do this for the long-term.”
Chavarria said he’s scanned the new Town Plan adopted earlier this year as well as notes from past planning commission meetings, noting a diversity of opinions, yet a cohesive vision for the town’s future. The selectboard unanimously appointed Chavarria to a term that expires in June 2026.
The Dorothy Alling Memorial Library and Williston Historical Society are co-sponsoring a Haunted Williston Party for adults on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 6:307:30 p.m. at the library. Hear the winning short story from the Haunted Library writing contest and see the premier of a documentary by Jim Heltz about the haunting of Williston’s Griswold House.
Costumes are encouraged and snacks will be provided.
Williston Craft Show returns Nov. 1
About 100 crafters and artists will exhibit and sell their creations at the Williston Craft Show, an annual school fundraiser hosted by Williston Families as Partners. The event will take place at Williston Central School on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rotary to host Veterans Day observance
The Williston-Richmond Rotary Club invites community members to join in honoring veterans in a ceremony at the Williston War Memorial between Town Hall and the Town Hall Annex.
The event will be held at 9
a.m. on Nov. 11 and will include music, remarks and a reading of the names of area veterans. Light refreshments will follow. Attendees are welcome to bring the names of veterans they wish to be honored.
‘Fill the Ambulance’ food drive upcoming
The Williston Fire and Police departments are teaming up to host a food drive to benefit the Williston Community Food Shelf.
On Sunday, Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., donations of non-perishable food and personal care items can be dropped off at the Williston Police Department at 7928 Williston Rd.
Help “fill the ambulance” with items of need, includimg canned fruits and vegetables; peanut butter and jelly; pasta, rice and cereal; soup; canned tuna and chicken; baby food and formula; and toiletries and hygiene products.
WCS drama club presents fall production of ‘Flora and Ulysses’
The Williston Central School drama club is preparing for its first-ever fall production. The club will present three performances of “Flora and Ulysses” by John Glore, based on a children’s book by Kate DiCamillo, under the direction of drama club director Angela Pollock.
Show dates are Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. and Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. in the Al Myers Theater in WCS.
The club also plans a production of the show “Matilda” for its annual spring musical, April 9-11.
EMAIL EVENT LISTINGS TO EDITOR@WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
FRIDAY, OCT. 24
Education and Enrichment for Everyone series ♦ Vermont Natural Resources Council Executive Director Lauren Hierl and Policy and Water Program Director Jon Groveman discuss how Vermont is addressing contamination from toxic PFAs. 2-3 p.m. Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset Street, South Burlington. More information at https://eeevermont.org
SUNDAY, OCT. 26
Halloween Trunk-or-Treat ♦ Free family trick-or-treating hosted by the Town of Williston, the Williston Federated Church and the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club. 2-3:30 p.m. Village Community Park.
TUESDAY, OCT. 28
Williston Development Review Board meeting ♦ 7 p.m. Town Hall. Agenda at www.town.williston.vt.us
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29
Haunted Williston Party ♦
Writing contest winner reading and documentary screening (for adults). Costumes encouraged. Snacks provided. A Williston Historical Society event. 6:30 p.m. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library.
SATURDAY, NOV. 1
Williston Craft Show ♦ Shop unique crafts from 100-plus artists and food vendors, presented by Williston Families as Partners. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Williston Central School. willistoncraftshow.org
Fall leaves
VT Supreme Court holds hearings at CVU
BY TYLER COHEN
Champlain Valley School District
It’s not every day you get to watch the Vermont Supreme Court do its work, but that’s exactly what happened last Thursday at CVU. The high school’s theater became a venue for the state’s highest court to conduct its business — in front of students, faculty and the public.
The session was part of the Vermont Judiciary’s “On the Road” series, where Supreme Court justices travel to a Vermont high school each fall to hold hearings. After being briefed on the day’s docket, CVU students taking business law, AP government and other classes heard oral arguments in three cases currently under appeal before the Supreme Court.
“One of the clerks came to our class last Thursday, and she spoke to us about all of these cases,” said Avery Antonioli, a sophomore.
“I think it’s important because it can possibly spark an interest for somebody, and it can also help teach us kids what the law is and how to learn and lead by example.”
“It’s honestly amazing,” said senior Jackie Whittier. “I feel really grateful that I have this opportunity to learn more about this and get this first-hand knowledge.”
After the hearings, the justices hosted a Q&A with more than 100 students, fielding questions about everything from how they keep an open mind and how vacancies are filled, to their thoughts on term limits and whether Vermont’s courts are feeling federal pressure. The justices’ most impassioned messages, however, came when asked why they choose to bring their work to Vermont high schools.
“You are the reason we decide to go to schools,” said Justice Harold Eaton, speaking to the students. “The benefit is getting to
see government in action, which is especially important now. For us to be able to come here and present what we do to you is vitally important.”
“Do not lose sight of the importance of every single young person who is here right now,” Chief Justice Paul Reiber added. “That is a really important thing, and I congratulate every one of you for being here today.”
For Justice Nancy Jear Waples, of Hinesburg, it felt special to return to the high school from which her children graduated and share her work with others.
“Both of my children graduated from CVU, and they got an exceptional education that helped propel them forward,” said Waples. “We are always grateful to this high school.”
Tyler Cohen is the Champlain Valley School District communications manager.
Trunk Show
October 25th
Special In-Store Pricing
Explore the new line of Kamik winter boots in Williston and enter to win a new pair at each store.
Barre, Williston, St. Albans Plattsburgh, NY
Observer photographer Al Frey captures some autumnal color still on the trees on Sunday.
Heat pumps — like a fridge working in reverse
The
benefits of using heat pump water heaters
BY ERIC HILLMUTH Williston Energy Committee
When it comes to home energy efficiency, water heating often flies under the radar. Yet, it accounts for about 15-20 percent of a household’s energy use. As more homeowners seek energy efficient solutions, heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are gaining attention — and for good reason.
These innovative systems offer a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to traditional electric or combustion water heaters.
Unlike conventional water heaters that generate heat directly using electricity or combustion of natural gas, fuel oil or propane, a heat pump water heater uses the same technology as ductless mini-split or centrally ducted
heat pumps. In the case of a heat pump water heater, heat is transferred from surrounding air to heat water instead of generating heat directly.
EnergyStar compares a HPWH to a “refrigerator working in reverse. While a refrigerator removes heat from an enclosed box and expels that heat to the surrounding air, a HPWH takes the heat from surrounding air and transfers it to water in an enclosed tank.”
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND COST SAVINGS
Heat pump water heaters are remarkably energy efficient when compared to traditional combustion or electric water heaters.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, HPWHs can be two to three times more efficient than conventional electric resistance water heaters. This efficiency translates into lower fuel costs.
be higher, the savings over time often make up the difference. In fact, homeowners can save hundreds of dollars annually on energy costs, depending on usage and local utility rates.
Most HPWHs use interior air, so they remain efficient regardless of the outside air temperature, and they are equipped with backup electric resistance heat elements to provide added performance during times of heavy use.
Learn how heat pumps work and the pros and cons of different types of heat pumps; how to choose a heat pump and incorporate it into your home; and how to get rebates and low- or no-interest financing.
Using less energy means reducing your carbon footprint. By switching to a heat pump water heater, households can eliminate greenhouse gas emissions related to water heating. For environmentally conscious homeowners, this makes HPWHs an attractive choice in the fight against climate change.
LONG-TERM INVESTMENT
While the upfront cost of an HPWH can
Heat pump water heaters typically have
xter heaters, with many units lasting 13 to 15 years, or more. This longevity, combined with lower operating costs, makes them a smart long-term investment for homeowners. Many models also come with extended warranties, providing additional peace of mind.
see WATER HEATERS page 5
Vermont sues EPA over cancellation of ‘Solar for All’ grants
Feds claw back roughly
$60 million from state
Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark has joined a coalition of 20 state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency for unlawfully canceling $7 billion in federal grants awarded to the states through the Solar for All program. The complaint argues that the termination of the grants breached the grant terms and violated the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
“Vermont has an agreement with the EPA for this money, and the Trump Administration cannot go back on this deal,” Clark said. “We’re fighting for Vermont’s values of protecting our environment and taking care of our neighbors. That includes preserving the tens of millions of dollars in federal funding awarded to create hundreds of new jobs in renewable energy and ensure that all Vermonters are able to benefit from our abundant natural resources. I want to thank Sen. Bernie Sanders for his tremendous leadership in Congress on this issue.”
The Solar for All program, created by Sen. Sanders and signed into law in 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, authorized and appropriated $7 billion to the EPA for a
Water heaters
continued from page 4
DEHUMIDIFICATION AND COOLING BONUS
Because HPWHs extract heat from the air, they can also provide a side benefit of dehumidifying and slightly cooling the space they occupy. This can be particularly helpful in warm, humid areas such as basements or utility rooms. While it’s not a substitute for an air conditioner or dehumidifier, this bonus effect can enhance indoor comfort.
SMART FEATURES AND CONTROLS
Many modern heat pump water heaters come with smart technology features, such as Wi-Fi connectivity, programmable settings and energy usage tracking. This allows homeowners to optimize their water heating schedules, adjust settings remotely, and monitor energy consumption. These features not only enhance convenience but also promote energy-saving habits.
IS A HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER RIGHT FOR YOU?
HPWHs offer many advantages, working best in interior locations where the temperature remains between 40-90 degrees yearround and where there is adequate space for air circulation. This makes HPWHs ideal for basements and utility rooms found in most
competitive grant program to help low-income households and communities gain access to affordable solar energy. The program was intended to lower energy costs, create jobs, advance environmental justice and address climate change.
Grantees would provide subsidies and other financial assistance to fund residential rooftop solar for low-income households and residential-serving community solar projects located in disadvantaged communities, in addition to project-deployment assistance such as workforce development, community outreach and other support to help overcome barriers to solar deployment.
Vermont was awarded — and received — over $62 million in 2024 under the Solar for All program. The Department of Public Service’s planned uses for the funding included a residential single-family homeowner program, a multi-family affordable housing program, and a managed affordable solar housing program. Vermont expected to serve approximately 8,300 low-income households using Solar for All funds and anticipated reducing electric bills by at least 20 percent.
On Aug. 7, the EPA first announced its see SOLAR page 7
homes. But a HPWH may not be ideal if your current hot water heater is located in an unheated garage or crawl space.
As energy costs rise and environmental awareness grows, heat pump water heaters stand out as a smart, sustainable solution for home water heating. They combine efficiency, savings and eco-friendliness in one advanced system. For homeowners looking to upgrade their water heater, reduce energy bills and shrink their carbon footprint, a HPWH is well worth considering.
If a HPWH sounds like a good fit for your home’s hot water needs, contact a local HVAC or plumbing contractor with HPWH installation experience. Vermont Gas Systems also offers HPWH installation and lease options to current and new customers throughout Williston.
To participate in Williston’s energy future, reach out to your Williston Energy Committee at energy@willistonvt. org or attend a public meeting held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The agenda for upcoming meetings is posted on the Town of Williston website (www.town.williston. vt.us). For more information, visit: https:// www.willistonvtenergycommittee.org
The cruel reality of trapping season
BY BRENNA GALDENZI
The recreational trapping season in Vermont begins Oct. 25 and runs through March 31. This includes the use of baited steel-jawed leghold traps and body-crushing kill traps, as well as underwater cage traps that drown multiple animals at once.
While land trapping ends Dec. 31, water trapping for beavers, otters and muskrats continues through the end of March. Trapping is allowed on public lands without any warning. Trapping “in defense of property,” as allowed by state law, occurs year-round with little oversight.
In January of this year, Protect Our Wildlife formally requested that the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department correct inaccurate and misleading information on its website that claims: “Pets caught in foothold traps can be easily released without harm.”
We asked for a change in the interest of public safety. We
Traps not only harm their intended targets but also kill and injure countless non-target species every year—dogs, owls, eagles, turtles, and others.
included language from Idaho’s Fish & Game Department, which does a much better job of explaining the dangers of traps and how to safely release your pet. Yet Vermont Fish & Wildlife refused.
Releasing a panicked and injured animal from a trap is far from easy — and can be dangerous. Fish & Wildlife’s own incident reports include an instance where a trapper was unable to release his own dog from a trap he had set. Vermonters have been bitten while attempting to free their pets.
Rick Cote, Associate Publisher rick@willistonobserver.com 802-373-2136
EDITOR
Jason Starr editor@willistonobserver.com
PRODUCTION & DESIGN
Jan Kenney
jan@willistonobserver.com
PUBLISHER
Susan T. Cote susan@willistonobserver.com
BILLING INQUIRIES
Michael McCaffrey office@willistonobserver.com
Member:
ADVERTISING SPACE DEADLINE
Friday at 5 p.m. for the next Thursday issue rick@willistonobserver.com, 802-373-2136
CLASSIFIED ADS
Deadline is Friday 5 p.m. There is a fee for business, real estate, help wanted and legal ads. Free classifieds must be 25 words or fewer and are printed on a space available basis.
SUBMISSIONS & LETTERS
Deadline is Monday noon for Thursday issue. News/ story tips are welcomed. Letters to the Editor should be 300 words or fewer and include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we can verify the letter’s author.
The Williston Observer reserves the right to edit or refuse submissions or advertising. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the
Last year, a woman’s dog was caught in one of Fish & Wildlife’s so-called “best management practice” traps in Pownal and had to be rushed to an emergency veterinarian for treatment of multiple injuries, including broken teeth.
The whole notion of “best management practices for trapping” has been challenged, including in the peer-reviewed paper, “Best Management Practices for Furbearer Trapping Derived from Poor and Misleading Science.” Traps currently allowed in Vermont still cause immense suffering to bobcats, foxes and other wildlife labeled “furbearer” species.
Animals often bite at the metal trap to escape, breaking teeth and severely injuring their mouths. In desperate attempts to free themselves, they may lunge repeatedly, leading to torn
ligaments, dislocated joints and other painful injuries. Despite these realities, Fish & Wildlife — and the trappers they represent — continue to downplay the risks.
Traps not only harm their intended targets but also kill and injure countless non-target species every year — dogs, owls, eagles, turtles and others. These animals are casually referred to by trappers and Vermont Fish & Wildlife as “incidental takes.” Shockingly, trappers are not even required to seek help when non-target animals are caught — if they attempt to release them at all. We do not know how many severely injured animals are released, only to suffer and die painfully out of sight.
In 2022, the Vermont Legislature tasked the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department with reevaluating trapping
practices to address growing concerns around safety and animal welfare. However, the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules rejected a number of Fish & Wildlife’s proposals, finding they failed to meet legislative mandates. As a result, Protect Our Wildlife filed a lawsuit against Fish & Wildlife, and the case is now headed to the Vermont Supreme Court.
We ask the public to not be lulled by Fish & Wildlife’s whitewashing of trapping. Please do your own research, especially if you have dogs and cats.
You can learn more about trapping in Vermont at www. protectourwildlifevt.org/ trapping.
Brenna Galdenzi is president of Protect Our Wildlife, online at www.protectourwildlife. org. She lives in Stowe.
Solar
continued from page 5
intent to terminate the Solar for All program and incorrectly stated that “EPA no longer has the statutory authority to administer the program or the appropriated funds.” Later that day, according to the Attorney General’s office, Vermont received a letter from the
Buses
continued from page 1
acquired with the help of a federal Environmental Protection Agency grant. The district beefed up charging infrastructure in the Allen Brook School parking lot to accommodate them. The e-buses promised to be quieter than their gas-powered counterparts, as well as emissions-free.
The new buses were manufactured by Thomas Built Buses, a subsidiary of the German company Daimler Truck, and procured through a partnership with a Massachusetts company called Highland. Under its agreement with CVSD, Highland is supposed to cover
EPA terminating Vermont’s Solar for All grant. Prior to the termination notice, Vermont’s account contained nearly $62 million of Vermont’s Solar for All award, but by Aug. 13, the EPA had suspended Vermont’s account, and by Sept. 19, the account status was changed to “liquidated” — with more than 90 percent of the account’s funds drained, the Attorney General’s
any needed repairs outside of routine maintenance.
“Highland has been responsive in addressing the problems and is actively working with both the dealer and the manufacturer to improve the situation,” school administrators reported.
Meanwhile, new maintenance issues have also cropped up with the original two buses acquired in 2021. The manufacturer, Canadabased Lion Electric, has reorganized under bankruptcy and will no longer service buses in the United States or honor warranties, school administrators said.
“We cannot find a maintenance provider to keep these buses operational,” administrators reported.
Jason Starr
office said in a news release.
“Donald Trump wants to illegally kill this program to protect the obscene profits of his friends in the oil and gas industry,” Sen. Sanders said in the release. “That is outrageous. We must fight back to preserve this enormously important program, and I am glad Vermont Attorney General Clark is joining with other state attorneys
Tests
continued from page 1
board Tuesday. They show that CVSD student proficiency rates outpace statewide averages.
For example, an average of 55 percent of CVSD students in grades 3-9 tested proficient or better in math, and an average of 73 percent tested proficient in literacy (compared to 39 percent and 55 percent, respectively, statewide).
The results are consistent with CVSD’s results over the past two years. Since 2023, the average percentage of students testing proficient or better in math has ranged from 55-58 percent, and in literacy from 71-73 percent.
general to do exactly that.”
This lawsuit is the 30th case overall that Clark has brought against the Trump Administration since President Trump took office in January. For more information on actions taken by the Attorney General against the administration, visit www.ago.vermont.gov/ ago-actions.
within the district are not yet available.
The district’s website presents a disclaimer about the limitations of relying on standardized tests as a sole measure of student achievement. The district has experimented with surveys of students that ask them to self-assess their experience at school.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Unmasking the police
I am very upset that one of our Williston Police officers wore a mask so they could not be identified at the last peaceful ICE demonstration on Harvest Lane.
As a taxpayer and activist, I feel that no Williston Police officer should ever not be able to be identified. What is happening all over this country with the masking of ICE and other “enforcement agencies” should not become a practice in Vermont.
Results for individual schools
“A standardized assessment is only one snapshot of student achievement,” the website states. “While it produces scores that can be compared over time and in some cases compared to state and national trends, these standardized measures do not capture the full picture of a student’s strengths and areas for growth nor whether the student will be successful in future endeavors.”
I sent an email to our chief of police to ask that this practice stop immediately in Williston. I am deeply disturbed that this would even be considered as an OK thing to do. Our police force should be above this behavior and not be afraid to be identified by peaceful protestors. I encourage others to contact our chief of police to lodge a complaint so this doesn’t happen again.
Carmyn
Stanko Williston
Thousands turn out for ‘No Kings’ rallies across Vermont
Protester: ‘Without due process, it’s kidnapping.’
BY THEO WELLS-SPACKMAN, AUDITI GUHA, KEVIN O’CONNOR AND SOPHIA KESHMIRI VTDigger
On Saturday morning, a small group of protesters mounted bikes in Barre for “The Rolling Resistance” — a march on wheels to join the main body of “No Kings” demonstrators at the Montpelier Statehouse.
Barb Schwendtner of Barre Town, the event’s organizer, said her goal was to “combine (her) love of bikes with (her) love of democracy.”
The cyclists rolled into a second round of “No Kings” protests on Saturday, organized in part by the movement 50501, in opposition to the Trump administration’s targeting of immigrants, LGBTQ+ rights, public education, the government shutdown and more, according to the organization’s website. Thousands of Vermonters showed up to more than 40 such events that took place across the state on Saturday, in addition to at least one event organized by Republicans in Chester. 50501, a national movement that opposes “executive overreach” in the federal government, helped organize No Kings rallies nationwide. Indivisible, a national organization with Vermont chapters, was also involved in organizing events across the state.
The event was a reoccurrence of similarly-framed demonstrations against authoritarianism in June, which saw about 42,000 Vermonters take to the streets in protest of the Trump administration’s actions. Millions more attended across the nation.
As the crowd in Barre readied itself for departure, bicycles arrived with a wide, colorful variety of signage draped, taped and attached to their frames. Bruce Seel, a Barre City resident, arrived in an Elvis costume. (“A lot of people call him a king, right?” he said.)
Seel said he was attending Saturday’s protests in response to “Trump, this administration, and his authoritarian regime.” In
A large “No Kings” banner was on full display on Saturday in Williston as part of the country-wide protest in opposition to Trump administration policies.
OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
One of the many protest signs seen at the Williston protest.
OBSERVER
Protest
Montpelier, he joined one large chapter of a nationwide day of “No Kings” protests.
At noon, stretching down the Statehouse steps and across the lawn, a crowd of Vermonters gathered with signs, drums and costumes demonstrating displeasure with President Donald Trump’s administration.
Geri Peterson, an event organizer and leader of 50501 Vermont, estimated the crowd on Saturday was in excess of 10,000 people.
She said the event was about “defending our democracy” in general, but that at this particular rally, “we were choosing to center trans rights, which in particular have come under attack.”
Several speakers Saturday afternoon addressed the issue of trans rights, as well as health care and the broader role of government, among other issues. U.S. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt. and U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt. were among the event’s speakers.
“This is about to be the largest political gathering in America’s history,” said Balint in her remarks. “You’re out here because you want to change the direction
BY JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR/VTDIGGER
of the country.”
Welch’s speech focused in part on the federal government’s shutdown.
“We do not want folks who are working hard to lose health care for themselves and their families,” he said. “We need less Trump and more Vermont values in Washington.”
Protest songs, including Ana Hernández’s “Set It Right Again,” punctuated Saturday’s event.
Howard Russell, 71, said he came to Montpelier from Hinesburg for more reasons than even a large sign could contain. Trump, he said, is “out of control.”
“Congress isn’t doing their job,” he added, and pleaded for democratic leaders to “hold the line” on health care premiums during the government’s shutdown.
Dan Thorington, of Williamstown, held a sign bearing the words “Veterans against Trump.” Having served in the U.S. military himself, he said the president’s rhetoric around veterans, as well as a number of his administration’s policies, were deeply troubling.
“We’re at a crisis,” Thorington said. “This is all I can think of at the moment, is to protest.”
Larz Allen, of Jeffersonville, said he attended Saturday’s rally with the role of money and big business in politics at the forefront of his mind.
“Citizens United is the problem,” Allen said, referring to the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned previous regulations on the role of corporations in political campaign finance. “I believe that a common person should be able to run for office.”
Allen also expressed concern with the federal government’s recent plans to expand public surveillance for immigration enforcement, saying that the country was veering closer to a “police state.”
At the foot of the lawn, a group under a tent bearing the words “Pancakes for the People” was dispensing freshly griddled pancakes for protesters. Poa Mutino, of Barre City, said the organization had begun giving out free pancakes in front of Montpelier’s city hall six years ago.
The project, Mutino said, is “about bringing people together who wouldn’t normally eat together.” The event’s focus on trans rights had been important for the organization’s involvement, he
The ‘No Kings’ rally in Montpelier on Saturday.
PHOTO
Barb Schwendtner, left, Jeremy Matt, center, and Bruce Seel, right, prepare to head out on their bicycle ride from Barre to Montpelier for the ‘No Kings’ rally on Saturday.
PHOTO BY JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR/VTDIGGER
Protest
continued from page 9
added.
In an interview after her remarks, Balint said that the climate of fear infusing politics in Washington and beyond is “why we have to be out here today.”
“It gives me incredible hope to see not just the sheer number of people, but the different age groups … and that people understand that all hope is not lost,” Balint said.
ACTIVIST CHESTER
A normally quiet Main Street in Chester was awash with political activism.
By 10:30 a.m. people had packed the village green and were lined up and down the town’s primary artery, holding signs with messages including: “hate authoritarianism,” “stop trump, save democracy,” and “no kings.” One person was dressed in a dinosaur costume, another in a unicorn costume and somebody’s head was topped with a taco hat.
John and Mary Shephard, of Saxtons River, were among them. Saturday was the couple’s second No Kings protest — they attended one in June, too.
“We have grandchildren,” said Mary, 68. “I’m not gonna leave them with a dictator, even in the future.”
John, 69, said everything is troubling him.
“Every minute I see systems crumbling, every single day. The
rule of law doesn’t mean anything anymore,” he said. “The constitution is being stressed at every turn, and I fear that the way things are going, we will no longer have a choice in the direction of this country.”
Julie Tracy-Prieboy, 45, said she came out to fight for her children’s future. She came from Andover with all three in tow, one of whom held a homemade sign stuck to a stick from their yard. She, too, had attended a No Kings protest before.
It wasn’t just the family’s signs that preached their politics: TracyPrieboy wore a rainbow earring in her left ear, and the earring in her right ear was pink, blue and white.
“I’m a social worker, so protections for (the) LGBTQIA+ community is a huge piece,” she said. “Protections for public education, protections for our senior citizens — those are major pieces.”
For protest organizer Stephen Dock, 77, of Chester, the Trump administration’s actions related to healthcare, the Environmental Protection Agency, food banks and farmers were top of mind.
He was at the forefront of the last No Kings protests in Chester as well. Compelled to act after the November election, Dock said he learned about an organization called Third Act, where older adults advocate for policies that help the environment and combat climate change.
“And through involvement with them, they kind of … freed up my belief that as an individual I could take action and do something,” he said.
The roughly 600 attendees Dock estimates the protest drew cleared out at roughly 12:30 p.m., at which time a much smaller group took over the village green.
At that time, there were far fewer signs and flags, and their verbiage shifted in tone. Identical red lawn signs replaced protesters along Main Street and stated: “Trump, peace maker, loyal ally.”
A flag that read “ICE” blew in a gentle breeze, and heads were topped with “Make America Great Again” hats.
About 100 people gathered at that time for the Chester GOP’s first “Red on Green” event to listen to four speakers: former U.S. Senate candidate Gerald Malloy of Weathersfield, Rep. Tom Charlton, R-Chester, Greg Thayer, a former candidate for lieutenant governor from Rutland, and Hank Poitras, a Brattleboro podcaster.
This group received shows of
support and opposition from passersby. One car blared their horn for about 10 seconds while the group recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
During that time, speakers touched on their thoughts about the No Kings Protests and the assertion that Trump wants to be a king, what is going well and the political divide in the country.
Charlton spoke first.
“I’m here to celebrate the things that are going well,” he said.
Charlton compared the tension between Democrats and Republicans to that of a quarreling couple. “Be the grownup in the room. Listen. Listen. It’s not a concession to listen.”
“Everybody is shouting and nobody is listening,” he said while addressing the political divide in the United States. “Everybody is willing to make the criticisms, but not to hear the concerns.”
Poitras spoke briefly about the government shutdown and said he is looking to Democrats to make a deal to open the government.
“They’re waving their foreign flags,” he said. “They’ve got a flag for every single organization they have, and here we are with our American flags.”
Poitras then led the crowd in briefly chanting “USA, USA, USA.”
An organizer, Roy Spaulding, said it was a coincidence the event landed on the same day as the No Kings protest, and that it was not a counter protest.
“Everybody has the right to do it,” he said of the No Kings
protest. “And we have, in Chester, we have let them do their thing.”
“There was no issues between either side,” he said. “And it can be that way.”
DECKED OUT DOWNTOWN
Hundreds of residents across the Queen City showed up with placards, costumes and crowns in a show of solidarity and whimsy. Events in Burlington included a bike ride, a honk-and-wave and three separate marches to City Hall by 11:30 a.m. Protests also took place in neighboring South Burlington, Winooski and Williston.
Jasmine Lamb, an organizer with Queen City Indivisible, estimated about 10,000 people attended. She led them in songs and chants, while a brass band inserted beats and tunes at the foot of the City Hall steps in the park downtown.
Unlike the June events, there were no speeches planned “to recognize that all of us are leaders in this moment,” Lamb said.
The crowd sang songs like “We Shall Overcome” and “This Land is Your Land.” They chanted “this is what democracy looks like” and “hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go.”
Many residents held up signs protesting the Trump administration’s crackdown on marginalized communities, calling for the restoration of civil rights and to uphold civility and democracy.
Heidi Smith from South Burlington sported a unicorn headgear and a pink T-shirt with
the words “Goodness Exists.”
“I’m here to stand up against Donald Trump with others who feel the same way — and to do it with joy and love,” she said. “I’m trying to make a difference. It’s time to stand up and speak out.”
Jean Bluto from Winooski said she had to join the protest because she is upset about the cutbacks in federal funding affecting everything from food stamps to hospitals.
“If we were all silent we would still be flying the British flag,” she said, in a reference to colonialism.
University of Vermont student Quyn McCafferty, 22, said she saw first-hand the erosion of rights under the first Trump presidency — from the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022 to the policing of protests in cities across the country. All of it makes “an unsafe environment for everyone,” she said.
“We just think a lot of things that Donald Trump stands for are things people are in opposition of,” said her friend Josh Hunt, 22, a recent graduate of UVM, who is particularly upset about cuts to education and scientific research.
The two sat on a wall at the edge of the park as the people dispersed from the protest, which lasted about two hours. They held two small white placards marked with black and red lettering: “Make fascists afraid again” and “Trump is dumb & stupid.”
Susan Caloggero joined the South End march that made its way down Charlotte Street at 11:20 a.m. She walked with her friends
An educator dons their cap and gown as part of the Williston protest.
OBSERVER PHOTO BY SUSAN COTE
Inflatable costumes at the ‘No Kings’ rally in Montpelier on Saturday. PHOTO BY JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR/VTDIGGER
Protest
continued from page 10
holding a sign that read ‘Without due process, it’s kidnapping.’
She was marching “for America, to stand up for people’s basic rights, no matter what background, what race,” she said.
“We have long been a country that welcomed everybody,” said Caloggero, who recently visited Ellis Island for the first time and felt sad about the attitude and crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration.
In the North End, Scott Patrick donned a large brown inflatable squirrel costume and waved to people gathering at Roosevelt Park at 10:30 a.m., in a nod to the recent protests in Portland, Oregon where residents wore animal costumes to defy Trump’s description of the city as a “war zone.”
“I love people protesting this way,” he said, adding that he is fed up with the Trump administration vilifying protesters and calling them names when they are all “just regular people.”
A self-described introvert, Patrick said he hasn’t participated in a protest since the United States
invaded Iraq in 2003. He hoped to counteract a national climate of negativity and discord with tolerance and understanding by showing up to the march in a squirrel suit.
As the protest wound down, a line formed at the Church Street corner of the park, where People’s Kitchen, a volunteer-led mutual aid effort that often serves free food downtown, set up a table with volunteers chopping up veggies to serve free tacos.
“We are just feeding people,” said FaReid Munarsyah, a Burlington resident and
co-organizer of The People’s Kitchen.
LEADERS IN BRATTLEBORO
In Brattleboro, more than 3,000 people gathered at the Common to hear speeches by state officeholders who included local Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak, who encouraged his hometown to contribute to a new $1 million Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund to help asylum seekers and people facing deportation or detention.
“In this moment,” Pieciak said, “we need all of our elected leaders to stand up and clearly say what is right and what is wrong.”
The Brattleboro crowd saved its loudest applause for 19-yearold college student Django Grace, who called for everyone to unite regardless of political differences.
“So many of us have horrible disagreements with the ways that so many people think in this country and in this state and in this community,” Grace said. “We must end this internal war. We can no longer view fellow Americans as the enemy. We need common ground.”
A wide variety of people joined the Saturday protest. They came in costumes, came in cars, came with signs, came in groups and came singly. They came in Williston (above) and throughout the country.
OBSERVER PHOTO
This Williston group made their feelings known to the vehicles traveling on Route 2.
It’s time for our annual…
CLOCKWISE (l
r):
field during the Wildcats’ 10-1
Turkey Drive
Saturday, Nov. 22 • 400 Cornerstone Dr.
Drop off turkey(s) to the Williston Community Food Shelf between 8 A.M & 11 A.M.
Or donate gift cards ($15-$20 are best) from local grocery stores, which we can give our clients to purchase their own turkeys. Gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to the Williston Community Food Shelf at P.O. Box 1605, Williston, VT 05495
The number of clients that the Williston Community Food Shelf is serving has risen dramatically! Please help us to reach our goal of having a turkey for each one of our less fortunate neighbors.
to
Williston Central School’s Piper Meservey sprints down
win over Shelburne on Monday in Williston. Maeve Phelan controls the ball in a break from three opponents chasing her down. Kora Pellon gets in a kick. Annasophia Roy pokes the ball forward before a defender can make a steal. Caroline Mulvey attempts to get a rally going. The win capped an undefeated season for the Wildcats.
Home on the Range
Sometimes people refer to the center of the United States as “flyover country” because most planes fly over going somewhere else. But our 34th state, Kansas, is home to important history, essential industry and cultural icons.
The Sunflower State was added to the Union on Jan. 29, 1861. The geographical center of the contiguous United States is in Smith County, Kansas.
Kansas history
The word “Kansas” comes from an Algonquin word, Akansa, and Kansa, which the Kaw people were sometimes called. Native Americans lived throughout the Plains states, hunting buffalo and living along the great rivers.
The first civilians to settle in Kansas founded the city of Lawrence, where the University of Kansas is today. Many of these people were “free-staters” who supported abolition, or the freeing of enslaved people.
Dust Bowl and beyond
In the 1930s, many people left southwest Kansas after extreme drought (drowt) left farmland and homes destroyed by dust storms.
Mini Fact: Kansas is the fourthleading state in sunflower production in the U.S.
Nearly 90% of land in Kansas is used for agriculture, where farmers raise cattle, sheep, wheat, sorgum, cotton and hogs.
Kansas’ biggest city is Wichita, in the south central region. The Kansas City Metro area is bigger, but the city straddles the Missouri River and state line. The state capital is Topeka, which lies along the Kansas River.
About 3 million people live in Kansas.
Kansas culture
Later, as World War II began, Wichita and other cities in Kansas became centers for manufacturing aircraft. Aviation is still a big industry in the state.
Try ’n’ Find
Most people know Kansas as the home of Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.” In addition, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s book “Little House on the Prairie” is set in Kansas.
KU’s mascot, the Jayhawk. People who came to Kansas to fight against slavery were called “jayhawkers.”
The oldest operating film theater in the world is in Ottawa, Kansas. The state is home to the University of Kansas and Kansas State University, along with many other public and private colleges.
Sports in Kansas
Most football and baseball fans in Kansas support the Chiefs and Royals, although the teams play in Missouri. Other professional sports teams include Sporting KC (MLS), the Wichita Thunder (ice hockey) and Missouri’s Kansas City Current (NWSL).
People in Kansas like to hike, bike, ride horses, follow NASCAR, kayak, fish and hunt.
Famous Kansans
Next Week: Military working dogs
• Aviator Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison, Kansas, in 1897. Earhart hoped to become the first female pilot to fly all the way around the world. But in 1937, as she and her navigator, Fred Noonan, flew from Lae, New Guinea, toward Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean, the plane disappeared. Experts believe the plane ran out of fuel and crashed into the ocean. Earhart’s remains were never found.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th president of the United States, serving from 1953 to 1961. He was born in Denison, Texas, but grew up in Abilene, Kansas. During World War II, Eisenhower served as the General of the Army.
• Phog Allen, who was born in 1885, attended the University of Kansas, where he was coached by the inventor of basketball, James Naismith. Allen went on to coach at KU from 1919 to 1956. He is sometimes called the “father of basketball coaching.” Words that remind us of Kansas are hidden in this
Aromas of India
Observer rack locations
Goodwater
Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
Chef’s Corner
Fairfield Inn
Home2Suites
Korner Kwik Stop
Marriott Courtyard
Men At Wok
M&T Bank
Essex/Essex Jct.
Mark: What does a bird call a cupcake?
Mac’s Market
Martone’s
Founded by Betty Debnam
Amelia Earhart
Dwight Eisenhower
Phog Allen
Try ’n’ Find
Words that remind us of Kansas are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
1. Combine milk, banana pieces and pineapple juice concentrate in a blender. Cover and blend until smooth.
2. Add ice cream. Cover and blend a few seconds until smooth. Serves 2.
Light pollution is causing birds worldwide to sing for nearly an hour longer each day, according to a report in the journal Science. By analyzing more than 4.4 million dawn and dusk vocalization records from 583 species, scientists found that birds in lighted areas start singing 18 minutes earlier and end 32 minutes later than those in darker habitats. The effect is strongest in species with large eyes, open nests or migratory behavior, and it is most pronounced during breeding season. The extended vocal activity could disrupt birds’ rest cycles and reproduction.
For later:
Look in your newspaper for articles about things happening in Kansas.
Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
What does Medicare factor into its star rating system? I need to find a new Medicare plan during the open enrollment period and want to get it right this time.
Medicare Shopper
Dear Shopper,
If you’re shopping and comparing Medicare Advantage plans (the alternative to original Medicare) or Part D prescription drug plans during open enrollment (Oct. 15-Dec. 7), you’ll likely find a dizzying number
SAVVY SENIOR
How to use Medicare’s ‘star’ rating system during open enrollment
of options to choose from. The Medicare star rating system is a terrific tool to help you narrow down your choices. Here’s what you should know.
UNDERSTANDING STAR RATINGS
Medicare star ratings, which you’ll find in Medicare’s online Plan Finder tool at Medicare. gov/plan-compare, offers a shorthand look at how Medicare Advantage and Part D plans measure up for quality and member experience.
In this annual rating system, five stars means excellent, four means above average, three means average, two means below average, and one means poor.
Medicare Advantage plans (but not Part D plans) that get at
least a four-star rating get bonus payments from Medicare, which they can use to provide extra benefits.
Costs and access to services or health providers should be your top priority when choosing a plan.
You should also know that plans that get fewer than three stars for three consecutive years can be terminated by Medicare, so plans are incentivized to keep their quality up. Such low-performing plans show up on Plan
Finder with an upside-down red triangle that has an exclamation point inside.
HOW RATINGS ARE COMPRISED
Part D and Medicare Advantage star ratings rely on dozens of quality and performance measures. Ratings for both types of plans are based partly on member experience, customer service and plan performance.
Part D ratings also assess prescription drug safety and pricing, while Medicare Advantage ratings also look at whether members are staying healthy and if ones with chronic conditions get the tests and treatments typically recommended to them.
Be aware that five-star plans are few and far between.
The Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) has revised the Medicare star rating methodology in recent years, making it extremely hard for a plan to earn five stars.
In 2025, just two percent of people with Medicare Advantage/Part D plans and five percent in standalone Part D plans have five-star plans. Four-star plans are much easier to find. About 70 percent of people with Medicare Advantage are enrolled in them.
SHOPPING TIPS
Here are some tips to consider when evaluating Medicare Advantage and Part D star ratings during open enrollment. Don’t choose or reject a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan only because of its star
TODAY’S HISTORY:
• In 1915, more than 25,000 women marched on Fifth Avenue in New York City to advocate for voting rights for women.
• In 1946, the United Nations General Assembly met for the first time in New York City.
• In 1983, a suicide truck bombing in Beirut killed 241 U.S. military personnel.
• In 2001, Apple announced the first iPod, which cost $399 and offered five gigabytes of storage.
• In 2002, armed Chechen separatists took more than 700 people hostage at a theater in Moscow.
TODAY’S FACT:
• Sales of the new board game Twister skyrocketed in May 1966 after Johnny Carson played the game with Eva Gabor on “The Tonight Show.”
FOUND ON PAGE 21
OBITUARIES
Dorothy “Marie” Desmond
Dorothy “Marie” Desmond, 84, of Williston, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.
Marie was born on March 27, 1941, in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. She was the daughter of the late George Orbin Chute and Alice Maude Phillips and was one of thirteen children. She was predeceased by her husband, Con H. Desmond, in 2016. She moved to the United States in 1968 and was a longtime resident in Williston.
Marie worked for many years at the Society of Saint Edmund. After retirement she took a part-time position at Marshall’s since she enjoyed interacting with people. She was hard-working and earned many service awards. She enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Marie is survived by her three children; Deborah Fay (husband Mark) of Essex, Darlene McDuff (husband Mark) of Essex, Derek Desmond (significant other Tammy) of Montgomery; five grandchildren, Brandon Fay (wife Amber), Austin Fay (wife Kristy), Brooke Desmond, Shannon Messier (husband Ira), and Connor Desmond; and six great-grandchildren, Romeo, Charlotte, London, Fallon, Fletcher, and Liam.
Visitation hours were held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Corbin & Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant Street, Essex Junction, with funeral following.
Gisele (Chaloux) Fontaine
Gisele (Chaloux) Fontaine, born Feb. 3, 1932, in Sainte-Edwidge-de-Clifton, Quebec, Canada, passed away surrounded by the love of her family.
The daughter of Hector and Florida (Sylvain) Chaloux, Gisele immigrated to the United States in 1946, the beginning of a life characterized by kindness and generosity.
On May 30, 1954, Gisele married Raymond Fontaine, with whom she shared a loving partnership until his passing in 1998. Together, they raised nine children on their farm in Williston. Gisele led by example, through her strength, kindness, and humor. Her home was always open, welcoming friends, family, and neighbors with warmth and hospitality.
Gisele was deeply involved in her community, participating in numerous church, town, and social clubs, including the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Altar Society, Ladies Home Demonstration Club, Williston Senior Citizens, and the Burlington Elks Club. Her generous spirit touched everyone she met. She enjoyed traveling with family, experiencing new places and a good puzzle or game of cards.
Gisele was predeceased by her husband, Raymond; her sons, Daniel (Ellen) and Robert (Ivalee); her Grandson, Jacob Corrow; and her son-in-law, Andrew (Joanne) Corrow.
Gisele is survived by her children and their partners: Joanne Corrow, David (Marybeth), Ellen, Michael (Kerstin Foley), Peter, Jackie ( Boris Von Stritzky), Thomas (Carole Ricciuti), and Trish (Jeff Ball).
Above all, Gisele cherished her grand
children and great-grandchildren, finding immense joy in their company and accomplishments. Her love for them was evident in the smiles they brought her up until her last months.
Her grandchildren - Joshua Corrow, Jaime Kennedy, Ben Fontaine, Chelsea Gros, Sienna Fontaine, Shayna Fontaine Godfrey, Samantha Fontaine, Joe Fontaine, Jason Foley, Erika Quick, Ian and Conner FoleyFontaine, Lindsey Dennison and Jamesen Haddad, Raymond and Bryce Fontaine, Carl Von Stritzky and Cale Lightford; and her great grandchildren – Logan and Mason Corrow, Caroline and Charles Kennedy, Amelia, Abram and Cora Gros, Raema Pebley and Emyn LaClair, Rhone Fontaine, Wes and Ren Fontaine, Isabelle, Ava and Jonas Foley, Hale and Arleigh Haddad, Winona Dennison, Sophie and Silas Quick.
Gisele was predeceased by her siblings and their spouses – Rita and Paul Benoit, Lucille and Bertrand Provost, Theresa and Lawrence Rathe, Madeleine and Roger Allen, Pauline and Gerard Marquis, Maurice and Germaine Chaloux, Rene and Yvette Chaloux, Sylva Chaloux, Gerard and Laura Chaloux; and Raymond’s siblings and their spouses – Beatrice and Walter Gage, Evelyn and Leonard Brown, Lucille and Ronald Benway, Irene and Lionel Benoit and Albert Fontaine.
Gisele will be remembered for her kind and generous nature, her open home, and the deep love she had for her family, especially her grandchildren. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the memories she created.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Home Share Vermont especially to Celine, Home Care Assistance, particularly Penny, Peta-Gay and Mary and the UVMMC Home Health & Hospice team led by Jim who oversaw her care. Their amazing care and compassion allowed us to keep our Mother home.
The family welcomes friends and family to a gathering to celebrate her life on Oct. 25 from 3-7 p.m. at the Barns at Lang Farms in Essex.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Gisele’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association Vermont Chapter, 75 Talcott Road STE 40, Williston, VT 05495.
In print and online: We’re your neighbors, committed to keeping you informed on what’s going on in Williston.
Herbert Raymond Jones Jr.
Herbert Raymond Jones Jr., 86, of Williston, passed away peacefully Sept. 20, 2025. He was born on Feb. 23, 1939, in Poultney, VT.
Herb was predeceased by his father, Herbert R. Jones Sr.; his mother, Gladys M. Jones; and his sisters, Veronica Cook, Lorraine Jones, and Barbara Thomas.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, June Jones of Williston; his sons: Michael Jones of Essex, VT, with children Noah and Emrys; Stephen Jones and his wife Julie of Milton, VT; and Andrew Jones and his wife Katie, with sons Evan and Keegan of Milton, VT. He also leaves his sisters: Alverda Frost of Casco, ME; Gladys Jean Riggs of Saratoga, NY; and Ellen Jones of Arlington, VA.
Herb studied engineering before joining the U.S. Army, serving from 1962 to 1964. He trained at Fort Gordon, GA and Fort Sill, OK where he became a teaching assistant, instructing soldiers in maintaining and repairing the Radio and Field Artillery Digital Automatic Computer (FADAC). He earned a Master of Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Vermont.
Herb worked at Remington Arms in Connecticut, General Electric in Burlington, and later Polhemus in Colchester. At Polhemus, he co-authored several U.S. patents in electromagnetic tracking technology and contributed to innovations that advanced medicine, defense, and motion picture special effects.
In recognition of these achievements, Herb and his colleagues at Polhemus received a Scientific & Technical Academy Award (Oscar) for the Polhemus 3-Space Digitizing System. Herb was always very proud of the accomplishments of his friends and co-workers at Polhemus.
Beyond his career, Herb was a member of the Welsh Male Choir in Poultney, VT, supported the Boy Scouts, enjoyed his daily chats with friends on the HAM radio, and loved sailing on Lake Champlain.
He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and innovator whose work and family were his greatest legacy.
A memorial service will be held Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. at Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home (9 Pleasant Street Essex Jct, VT) followed by a celebration to honor Herb’s life at The Lighthouse restaurant at noon (38 Lower Mountain View Drive Colchester, VT).
Library hours:
• Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Visit www.damlvt.org to apply for a library card and register for programs. Need help? Call 878-4918 or email daml@ damlvt.org.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Children in fourth grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age.
SATURDAY MUSIC
Saturday, Oct. 25, 10:30-11 a.m. Start your weekend off with Saturday music.
ELEMENTARY D&D
Saturday, Oct. 25, 1-2 p.m.
A mini session of Dungeons & Dragons for children ages 7-10. No experience required. Register each individual child who plans to participate. Adults should stay and help their campaigner.
TEEN NIGHT: JACKBOX. TV GAMES
Monday, Oct. 27, 5-6 p.m. Ages 12-18. Bring a device to connect and play different Jackbox.tv games.
STORYTIME
Tuesdays, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4. Drop in for stories, songs and fun.
BABY TIME
Wednesdays, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, 10:30-11 a.m. Ages 0-18 months. Drop in for gentle bonding and socializing activities.
AFTER SCHOOL MEDITATIVE COLORING
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2-3 p.m. Color and unwind.
MUSIC AND PLAYTIME
Thursdays, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy preschool music and stay to play.
CROSSWORD SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 19
SATURDAY STORYTIME
Saturday, Nov. 1, 10:30-11 a.m. Start your weekend off with Cindy’s Storytime.
AFTER SCHOOL GAMES & PUZZLES
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2-3 p.m. Board games and jigsaw puzzles.
MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS
CRAFT CIRCLE
Monday, Nov. 3, 5-6 p.m. All ages. Bring a project to work on in the company of other crafters.
READ TO A DOG (ROCKO)
Thursday, Nov. 6, 3-4 p.m. Call to sign up for a 10-minute session to read to (or hang out with) Rocko the therapy dog.
ADULT PROGRAMS
For online programs or to join a book club, email daml@damlvt.org.
PUZZLE SWAP: ALL OCTOBER
Bring in gently used complete puzzles (500-1,000 pieces only) to swap for one new to you. Please keep our swap supplied with quality puzzles.
ADULT MEDITATION (ONLINE)
Friday, Oct. 24, 12-12:30 p.m.
Join our guided meditation to relax and recenter.
READER’S ROUNDTABLE
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 12:30-1:30 p.m. “Practical Magic” by Alice Hoffman.
ADULT HAUNTED LIBRARY PARTY WITH THE WILLISTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m. Celebrate all the spookiness in our town. Hear the winning Haunted Library Writing Contest short story. Watch the never-before-seen documentary short by Jim Heltz about the haunting of The Griswold House. Snacks will be offered. Costumes welcome!
STAR GAZING WITH THE VERMONT ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 7-9 p.m. Meet in the community park to be guided by experts as they point out what’s happening in the night sky.
NEW TEA CLUB FOR NOVEMBER Dragonwell Green Tea will be available while supplies last starting Nov. 1.
TECH TUTOR
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1-3 p.m. Sign up for an hour slot to get help with all your tech needs.
ADULT CRAFTERNOON: WATERCOLOR PLAY TIME — THANKSGIVING CARDS
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2-3 p.m. Registration required. Paint fall trees with watercolors. Finished products can be made into greeting cards. Envelopes will be supplied to mail the masterpieces.
SPANISH CONVERSATION (ONLINE)
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 5-6 p.m. Join us to brush up on your language skills.
ADULT RPG: WHITE BOX (NEW DAY)
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 6-8:30 p.m. Join us for a campaign.
LUNCH AND LEARN: HEALTH BITES AND INSIGHTS
Thursday, Nov. 6, 12-2:30 p.m. “Prepare to Get the Care You Need”— a session that will guide you through simple, effective ways to get ready for your next medical visit. Take charge of your health with confidence. Lunch provided.
SUDOKU SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 19
Are you passionate about books and want to share your passion with others?
Join the team that will bring Williston’s new community of discovery to life.
Bookstore Manager
Asst. Manager - Children’s
Asst. Manager - Bookselling & Events
Café Team Captain Lead Barista
More FT and PT positions to be listed soon.
MARKETING & ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER
The Williston Observer, an independent community newspaper, is looking for an advertising sales professional to join our team.
The Account Manager will support a thriving local economy by helping area businesses grow through advertising in the Williston Observer and our six partner BANG (Burlington Area Newspaper Group) newspapers. The successful candidate will be someone who enjoys engaging with the community and is genuinely interested in helping others promote and market their businesses effectively.
The position requires at least one year of relevant experience in sales or customer service. Our ideal team member lives in or near Williston. Preference for candidates with knowledge of the local towns, businesses and communities served by the Williston Observer.
If you are someone who enjoys building relationships, is creative, and thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven setting, join us at The Williston Observer and make a difference in our community while advancing your career.
What we offer:
• Training and mentorship for success
• The opportunity to play a big role on a small team
• A generous base salary plus commission
• Health benefits
• Paid time off
• Flexible hours - Both part-time and full-time candidates will be considered
continued from page 18
rating. Costs and access to services or health providers should be your top priority when choosing a plan. But a star rating could be your deciding factor when choosing between two plans with similar out-of-pocket costs and coverage.
Don’t panic if a plan’s 2026 star rating is slightly lower than its 2025 rating. The downgrade could be due to a blip in the way the ratings are computed from year to year. It’s best to look at a plan’s star-rating history over several years.
If you’re fine with the cost and coverage of a plan but concerned about its star rating,
click through the Medicare Plan Finder for the star ratings subcategories. You’ll be able to see how the plan scored in the specific quality and member satisfaction yardsticks that matter to you.
If you have questions or need help choosing a plan, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (877-8392675, ShipHelp.org), which offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling in person or over the phone.
Send your questions or comments to questions@ savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
Send resume and cover letter to Rick@willistonobserver.com
Public Auction Under SelfStorage And Operators Lien
U-Haul of Williston 5010 Williston Rd Williston, VT 05495
On November 4th 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.
John Hathaway 1115
Lindsay Applegate 0160
Lisa Barkyoumb 2469
Marguerite Christiansen 1207
Magdalena Wohland 1422
Jacqueline Posley 1491
Anthony Piccirillo 2632
Shanna Hill 1313
Caroline Kobetitsch 0177
Theodore Reckell 0158
Joshua Riopel 2087
Steven Mermelstein 0192 & 2020
Sandra Perry 1676 & 1674
Aisha Bitini 2339 & 2341
TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA
Thursday, October 30, 2025 – 5:00 PM Town Hall Beckett/Maguire Meeting Room (7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance) or Zoom Webinar ID 813 6162 7981 on www.zoom.us/join
DP 26-05 Bill Eriskine requests a discretionary permit to modify the building envelope on Lot 4 of SUB-99-1, at 818 Sunset Hill Road in the Agricultural/Rural Residential Zoning District (ARZD). Conservation Commission review on October 15, 2025.
DP 26-06 Steve Hayes requests a discretionary permit to modify the building envelope on Lot 1 of SUB-07-12, at 413 Butternut Road in the Agricultural/Rural Residential Zoning District (ARZD). Conservation Commission review on October 15, 2025.
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
FOR SALE
REAR WHEEL POWER CHAIR In good used condition. $500. Contact: lllvt@msn.com/802-922-5145.
and animals. However, treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective when given soon after a person is bitten by a rabid animal.
HARDWOOD FLOORS
pets and livestock can also The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its
So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont have tested positive for rabies, and 14 of those have been raccoons.
According to wildlife officials, rabid animals often show a change in their normal behavior, but you cannot tell whether an animal has rabies simply by looking at it. People should not touch or pick up wild animals or strays – even baby animals.
Editor’s Note: This essay by Ken Bessette, Sr. first appeared in the January 18, 2001 issue of the Williston Whistle, now called the Williston Observer, as an installment of his regular weekly column “I Remember When...”
BY KEN BESSETTE, SR.
I was born March 9, 1906, so I have lived through most of the past century. The thing I enjoyed most during that time was loving, learning and traveling.
Before I was married, I worked
Home is where the beauty is
as a tree surgeon, covering the northern Atlantic states in the summer and the southern Atlantic states in the winter. I made nine trips from the East Coast to the West Coast while with Vermont Transit from 1929 until I retired at 65. I drove mostly out-of-state routes.
After I retired, Margaret and I went to Europe and took a 2,400mile bus tour. Next, we went to Hawaii and spent time on five of the islands. Back from there, we returned to Europe and visited Norway, Denmark and Sweden, countries we didn’t hit on the first trip. Then our kids went to Hawaii, so we tagged along.
I then met a fellow who rode our bus to the General Electric plant who said, “I saw in the paper where you just retired.” I replied that I had.
He said, “I would like to give you some advice. You Vermonters do not get around much. New York City is not too far from here. I think you should take a trip down there to see how other people live.” I told him I would try to make that trip, but I didn’t tell him that I was probably working in New York City before he was born.
People who know I have moved around quite a bit ask me what is the most beautiful place I’ve visited.
That’s easy. The most beautiful place on this earth is home.
People who live in the West where there is nothing but open space figure that that is beautiful. People who live in New York, which is crowded with people, believe that is beautiful.
I remember the first time I saw a sunrise when we were living on the farm where Shelburne’s beach is today. I still remember it as being beautiful. Then, when we moved to the “Hollow” where all my cousins were, I thought that was a beautiful place. When we moved to Burlington, that was a wonderful place. As a teenager, when I went to work in Addison
County, where Margaret was, that was without a doubt the most beautiful place.
After we married, we made our home in Burlington. I was traveling a lot with the bus company, but it was always a thrill to get back home to Burlington.
Then, about 40 years ago, Margaret and I moved to Williston. That was like heaven on earth. But I guess God got jealous. Williston was so beautiful with Margaret that about four years ago he took her to Heaven to make it a more beautiful place.
So when you talk about beautiful places, is it the places or the people that make it beautiful?
