Williston Observer 11/06/2025

Williston

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Redhawks swoop in for the championship

A rendering of a new turf field installed on the site of the current grass soccer-lacrosse field at CVU. COURTESY OF ELI LESSER-GOLDSMITH

Path to turf gets bumpy

The CVU Redhawks celebate an Allie Barrett goal during the Redhawks’ 5-2 State Championship win over the Colchester Lakers Nov. 1 at UVM’s Virtue Field. More photos on page 12.

OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY

Hinesburg environmentalists raise PFAS concerns over CVU synthetic field plan

Asian flavors for Taft Corners

BY JASON STARR Observer staff Sandra Tan knows how expensive it can be for a family to go out to dinner together.

She has been working at sushi restaurants since she moved with her family from Boston to Vermont in 2010.

With her opening in September of T&M Asian Market in the Taft Corners Shopping Center, she is offering what she believes is a better way for families to share a meal.

Tan enjoys guiding customers see ASIAN MARKET page 11

Sandra Tan opened T&M Asian Market in the Taft Corners Shopping Center in September.

OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

BY JASON STARR Observer staff Night games. Outdoor assemblies. Alumni events — members of the CVU community are thrilled at the possibility of adding an artificial turf field on the high school grounds in Hinesburg.

But a group of residents tasked with protecting the town’s natural resources is coalescing in opposition to the project.

In August, Charlotte parent Eli Lesser-Goldsmith approached the Champlain Valley School Board with an idea to privately fund a replacement of the school’s natural grass soccer-lacrosse field with synthetic turf, new bleachers and lights.

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Lesser-Goldsmith, CEO of Healthy Living market, is leading a fundraising group that intends to secure donations to cover the estimated $5.5 million installation cost.

Residents of the school district voted down a bond proposal to build a turf field at the high school about a decade ago. An Oct. 30 news release distributed

by Lesser-Goldsmith says his plan revives “a long-held vision without burdening taxpayers.”

But it’s not the cost that Hinesburg environmentalists are wary of. It’s the material that the turf is made from and its potential impact on natural resources, see TURF page 3

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Page 2 •

Williston Observer • November 6, 2025

Around Town 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.

Foot traffic access to the cemeteries will continue throughout the year via pedestrian gates.

rice and cereal; soup; canned tuna and chicken; baby food and formula; and toiletries and hygiene products.

‘Fill the Ambulance’ food drive upcoming

Church to hold annual food drive

Cemetery gates to close to cars for winter on Nov. 16

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, including canned produces; peanut butter and jelly; pasta,

The annual Williston Federated Church community-wide food drive is set for Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9-11 a.m. in the church parking lot at 44 North Williston Road.

Residents are asked to bring nonperishable food items and grocery gift cards to benefit the Williston Community Food Shelf and to support families of students attending Williston schools during the November school break.

The gates to Williston’s East and Deer View cemeteries will be closed to vehicular traffic for the winter as of Sunday, Nov. 16. The gates will reopen on May 15.

Veterans’ flags will be removed after Veterans Day, Nov. 11, to prevent winter damage, and will be reinstalled before Memorial Day.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS - OCTOBER 2025 • Jim Largess bought a home on North Williston Road from Frederick Spencer for $550,000.

• The Hatch Self Family Living Trust bought 20 acres of open land on Lincoln Road

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from the Kermit and Diane LaClair Revocable Trust for $799,000.

• Erin Fritz bought a home on Southfield Drive from Scott McAllister for $725,000.

• Chandler Prue bought a home on Palmer Court from David Saddlemire for $592,000.

• Maria Asencia Sanay Azog bought a home on Lea Drive from Thanh Nguyen for $579,990.

• Rahul Anil bought a home on Eden Lane from Snyder Williston Properties LLC for $655,815.

• Roger Kuo bought a home on Brennan Woods Drive from James Sides for $800,000.

• Courtney Andersen bought a condominium on Commons Road from Jerome Sussman for $525,000.

• Kate Libby bought a home on Eden Lane from Snyder Williston Properties LLC for $627,715.

• Richard Swanson bought a condominium on Holland Lane from Brian Reak for $462,000.

• Jordan Dexter bought a home on North Brownell Road from Nancy Duguay for $545,000.

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• Junior Roberto Pierre bought a home on Tamarack Drive from the Morency Family Trust for $715,000.

• Ronald Tuttle bought a condominium on Holland Lane from the Leslie J. Allen Trust for $419,000.

• BT Enterprises bought a home on 4 acres on Butternut Road from Aurie Ben-EzriRavin for $392,000.

• Jacob Isham bought a home on North Williston Road from Douglas Isham for $659,000.

• Matt Vosburgh bought a home on Alpine Drive from Snyder Williston Properties LLC for $605,980.

• Richard Panton bought a mobile home on Red Pine Road from the Niequist Living Trust for $185,000.

• Ethan Pearson bought a home on Zephyr Road from Roger Griffin for $560,000.

• Jolie Frechette bought a home on Brennan Woods Drive from Vu Nguyen for $705,000.

• Jennifer Fetters bought a home on Chamberlin Lane from Scott Hubbard for $810,000.

we’re your neighbors, committed to keeping you informed on what’s going on in Williston.

COMMUNITY

CALENDAR EMAIL EVENT LISTINGS TO EDITOR@WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM THURSDAY, NOV. 6

Recreation and Parks master planning ♦ Ideas welcome.

5:30-7 p.m. R.E.C. Zone, 94 Harvest Lane. Childcare, children’s activities, snacks and beverages provided.

THURSDAY, NOV. 6-SATURDAY, NOV. 8

“Flora and Ulysses” ♦ Williston Central School performance. 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m.

Saturday. Al Myers Theater at WCS. SATURDAY, NOV. 8

Burlington airport history presentation ♦ Join the Williston Historical Society and Lucy McCullough for a discussion about Burlington International Airport. 1-3 p.m. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library.

SATURDAY, NOV. 8-SUNDAY, NOV. 9

Cochran’s Ski & Ride Sale ♦ Shop consignment gear to benefit Cochran’s Ski Club. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Nov. 8 and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Nov. 9. Camel’s Hump Middle School, Richmond.

TUESDAY, NOV. 11

Development Review Board meeting ♦ 7 p.m. Town Hall.

Agenda at www.town.williston.vt.us.

FRIDAY, NOV. 14-SUNDAY NOV. 16

“Into the Woods” ♦ CVU’s fall performance. 7 p.m. Nov. 14; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 15 and 1 p.m. Nov. 16. CVU High School Theatre in Hinesburg.

SATURDAY, NOV. 15

Church food drive ♦ Donate non-perishable items and gift cards 9-11 a.m. at the Williston Federated Church, 44 North Williston Road SUNDAY, NOV. 16

“Fill the Ambulance” food drive ♦ Donate non-perishable food and personal care items. 9 a.m.2 p.m. Williston Police Department, 7928 Williston Rd.

November 6, 2025

Turf

continued from page 1

particularly the watershed.

PFAS, OR NOT PFAS?

During an Oct. 14 meeting of the Hinesburg Conservation Commission, members cast doubt on artificial turf manufacturers’ claims about the presence of what are known as “forever chemicals” — perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — in their product. They expressed concern about the synthetic grass and underlying rubber pellets degrading over time and affecting groundwater, from which town residents and schools, including CVU, get drinking water.

A week after the meeting, commission members Meg Handler and Bill Scott sent a letter to the school board asking it to abandon the project.

“It is widely known and well documented that artificial turf contains PFAS, as well as microplastics and numerous other chemicals that are hazardous to human health and the environment,” they wrote. “The installation of artificial turf in Hinesburg is … a very serious health and environmental issue that should worry members of the CVU community and all town residents.”

In an interview Tuesday, LesserGoldsmith said his group plans to use the same product — from the FieldTurf company based in Montreal — that has been installed in multiple municipalities throughout Vermont in recent years, including Burlington, Rutland, Middlebury and South Burlington.

“We are not reinventing the wheel,” he said. “The same product is going in at CVU that has been put in across the state.

It meets the letter of the law for the State of Vermont.”

FieldTurf released a report in November, 2022 addressing the question of PFAS in

“I see this as more than just a field as it will benefit so many more people than our student athletes. It’ll be a point of pride and connection for our whole community.”

Adam Bunting Superintendent, Champlain Valley School District

its turf. It summarized its tests, saying: “The detection of very low levels of a limited number of PFAS in the synthetic turf components does not represent a human health risk to those using the synthetic turf ballfields.”

“We believe wholeheartedly in the safety of our products,” FieldTurf Executive Vice President Darren Gill added.

The FieldTurf report doesn’t address potential environmental and broader human health impacts, which is the main concern of Hinesburg environmentalists.

“Plastic fields are a particularly harmful plan in a town like Hinesburg that relies on well water,” said Jennifer Decker, a self-described “clean water activist” who sits on the Hinesburg Planning Commission.

(Decker wrote a Letter to the Editor on the subject in this week’s Observer — see Page 5). “The toll of microplastics, PFAS, and carcinogens in the (turf) may not be seen for years, but will be very costly to the town schools, and will increase healthcare expenses over time.”

In the three years since FieldTurf’s PFAS tests, the State of Vermont passed Act 131, a law banning the manufacture or sale of artificial turf known to contain PFAS. The

law goes into effect this January. Decker believes any future installation of FieldTurf at CVU would violate the law.

Lesser-Goldsmith said he’s not yet sure if the project will require a permit from the Town of Hinesburg. He said a state stormwater permit will be required. Decker said that, while the change of field surface would not necessitate a town permit application, the addition of lighting above the field may require approval from the town’s Development Review Board.

“We’re just starting our (engineering) drawings and the permitting process now,” Lesser-Goldsmith said.

COMMUNITY PRIDE AND CONNECTION

The impetus for going from grass to turf is to increase practice and game opportunities for CVU athletes. Outdoor sports teams are affected by cancellations caused by saturated fields during rainy stretches of

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Williston Observer •

Page 3

weather.

“When it rains, we can’t use our field, so getting turf would provide consistency and be a great way to improve the experience for players and the community that supports us,” CVU sophomore soccer player Elliana Antonucchi said in the Oct. 30 news release. “Plus, we want to have night games with all our fans cheering and having fun.”

School district leaders envision uses beyond athletics, noting that the field would be the only outdoor space large enough to host the entire student body.

“Having one space where everyone can connect will be immensely impactful in terms of engagement and opportunity,” CVSD Superintendent Adam Bunting said in the release. “I see this as more than just a field as it will benefit so many more people than our student-athletes. It’ll be a point of pride and connection for our whole community.”

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Page 4 •

Williston Observer • November 6, 2025

Affordable housing committee hits its stride

Hundreds of homes coming online in Hinesburg

BY SARAH BOKELBERG Community News Service The Town of Hinesburg has had a run of success increasing the availability of affordable housing.

A second phase in the Kelley’s Field senior housing community was recently completed, and nearly 200 more units at the Haystack Crossing development are in the works.

Discussion is also underway regarding the Windy Ridge development, a 90-unit project with 60 affordable units in partnership with Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is also proposing a six-unit development on Mechanicsville Road.

The progress can partly be attributed to nearly two decades of work by the Hinesburg Affordable Housing Committee.

Carl Bohlen, a Hinesburg resident since 1981, is a founding member and current chair of the committee. He recently spoke with Community News Service about the committee’s efforts.

Q: What progress in terms of affordable housing are you hoping to see over the next year or two?

BOHLEN: We’re hoping to have development review board approval and any other permits needed for Riggs Meadow. I’d love to see even more accessory dwelling units built in Hinesburg.

There are people working in Hinesburg that can’t find affordable housing. So we’re hoping we can work with the economic development committee and figure out some possible strategies to assist people in finding housing so they don’t have long commutes.

Q: What are the main obstacles you have faced while

unfortunately, the federal government’s resources are probably going to be reduced.

Carl Bohlen, chair of the Hinesburg Affordable Housing Committee.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTY MCLEOD

on the affordable housing committee?

BOHLEN: One of the biggest ones is NIMBYism. It’s important to address neighbor concerns, but some just didn’t want certain types of people to move into Hinesburg.

It’s also really hard to do any affordable housing without federal and state resources, and

Q. In what ways is there public support for what you are doing?

BOHLEN: (The town manager), the assistant town manager and the planning and zoning staff have been very supportive of the housing issues and affordable housing. And the elected selectboard and planning commission are very supportive.

There’s not a lot of direct feedback from the general public, but most of what we’ve gotten is positive about the work we’re trying to do.

Q. Where would you like to see more support from the community?

BOHLEN: The key for affordable housing is, you have to have resources. We had a Community Development Block Grant that gave us some money, but the majority is pretty much

depleted. We’d really like to go to the voters and see about putting an annual amount into a housing trust fund that could build it up, but we recognize the burden on the taxpayers. So we’re not going down that path.

Q. By leading this committee, are you hoping to inspire other people to help take a role in the community?

BOHLEN: Well, to be honest, I never thought about inspiring anyone. One of the great things about Hinesburg is there are so many community volunteers in so many different ways.

There’s the official town committees, there are fundraisers, there’s lots of volunteers who work in the schools and the community. Something that’s interesting is one of the newest members of our committee is someone who grew up with my son, moved back and wanted to participate in the community, and he’s now on the committee. see HOUSING page 5

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November 6, 2025

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Stop synthetic field fiasco Hinesburg residents are concerned by reports of an artificial turf field proposal for CVU. Vermont’s Act 131, effective Jan. 1, 2026, bans sales and manufacture of turf containing PFAS “forever chemicals”.

CVU is in a groundwater protection area; runoff is likely to pollute wells serving the town and schools. Hinesburg’s incoming wastewater treatment facility will have no capacity to filter PFAS. The Hinesburg Community School, CVU, and the Hinesburg Nursery School are on town well water, as are most residences, businesses and town buildings.

Artificial turf poses risks to town wells and local ecology. Fields shed microplastics when grass blades break off.

Microplastics enter human organs and blood, and kill wildlife. Crumb rubber infill requires frequent replacement and contains 95 carcinogens, including volatile organic compounds, which can become airborne. PFAS bioaccumulates.

Devastating health effects are well-documented. Using alternative infill materials does not address PFAS or microplastics in fake grass.

When it comes to protecting

Housing

continued from page 4

Q. Why did you want to lead this committee?

BOHLEN: Well, I didn’t start out leading it, but I sort of initiated creating one. I worked for the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, and I saw other communities that had a housing committee, especially Montpelier, and I thought, well,

community health, there is one side to this issue. We either play with poisoning our water supply for generations to come, or we do not. Manufacturers have ignored requests to send samples for independent testing. Artificial turf field expert Kyla Bennett has exposed the real data on companies whose product reports fudge metrics to hide the presence of PFAS. Athletes like goalies and football players, who frequently contact the turf, will be most at risk from toxins, which can increase chances of hormonal disruption and DNA damage.

I love spectator and team sports, and believe that missing the occasional game due to weather is far better than missing out on life due to preventable injuries and disease.

Purportedly, the private — and undemocratic — fundraising plan will save money. The truth is that this proposal will create liabilities for CVU, and prove costly for future town, education and health care budgets.

I encourage Vermont to enforce its new law against this multibillion dollar industry.

Jennifer Decker Hinesburg Hinesburg has a housing issue like so many other towns.

So it led from my work at the Department of Housing to see if we could get a committee off the ground. There’s two of us on the committee who started on it back in 2006 so it’s been going a while, and our successes have been more frequent lately than in the beginning.

Community News Service is a University of Vermont journalism internship.

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Williston Observer •

Page 5

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Page 6 •

Williston Observer • November 6, 2025

GUEST COLUMN

Wage growth vs. cost-of-living increases — seeking truth over time

BY BEN KINSLEY Ah, the eternal tug-of-war between “things were better back in my day” and “look how

far we’ve come.”

UVM economics professor Art Woolf’s latest article, “Things Are Better Today, Really,” offers a counterpoint to claims of wage stagnation

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since the 1970s by populists like Bernie Sanders. Woolf highlights a 34 percent real increase in median family income from $79,000 in 1969 to $105,800 in 2023 (adjusted dollars), and a 20 percent rise in median household income to $83,000 over that same period. He also emphasizes qualitative improvements — such as advancements in consumer goods and medical technology — which inflation metrics often understate, that lead to an improved quality of life.

While Woolf’s analysis underscores measurable progress, a closer examination reveals that there is more to the story regarding whether wage growth has matched the actual cost of living and the distribution of income gains across the last several decades.

Spoiler Alert: Yes, things are better, but the “better” comes with an asterisk the size of a mortgage

In 1970, the median home price in the U.S. was approximately four times the median household income; by 2025, this ratio has risen to nearly 7-to-1. payment.

Woolf argues that real income gains, when accounting for unmeasured quality enhancements (e.g., safer vehicles or instant communication), suggest living standards have improved more than statistics

imply. However, even adjusted for official inflation, wage growth has not fully aligned with key living expenses, particularly in housing and healthcare.

Housing affordability (or unaffordability, rather) perfectly illustrates this gap. In 1970, the median home price in the U.S. was approximately four times the median household income; by 2025, this ratio has risen to nearly 7-to-1. One analysis even showed that home prices increased 240 percent faster than inflation since the 1960s. This shift means a larger portion of income is devoted to putting a roof over your head, straining budgets despite nominal wage increases. Rent has followed suit: In real terms (adjusted for inflation), median rents in Vermont have increased by about 105 percent since 1970. see KINSLEY page 9

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www.willistonobserver.com P.O. Box 1401, Williston, VT 05495 | 802-489-5499 ADVERTISING Rick Cote, Associate Publisher rick@willistonobserver.com 802-373-2136 EDITOR Jason Starr editor@willistonobserver.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN Jan Kenney jan@willistonobserver.com

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Williston Observer •

Page 7

Vermonters Pay the Most in America for Healthcare.

But You Have More Affordable, Quality Options to Choose From.

Vermonters now spend 19.6% of their income on healthcare compared to the national average of just 7.9%.* That hurts every person in our community and the overall well-being of our state.

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There are many complex reasons for this crisis and no one entity or individual can fix it. That’s why our organizations have come together to be part of the solution. We invite you to join us, take action, and explore these tips to make more affordable care choices.

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Compare the costs of procedures at hospitals to those at accredited outpatient or ambulatory surgery centers.

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For medical imaging, compare costs at network and community hospitals and independent facilities to find the most affordable option.

If you have a health plan, it pays to understand your covered benefits in advance of a procedure or service. Review your Outline of Benefits or call your health plan’s customer service team.

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Using “in-network” providers is more affordable and can help you avoid surprise expenses.

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Take advantage of free or low-cost screenings and preventive care programs.

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Ask your provider about using generic medications in place of more costly brand name drugs.

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For a clear picture of your medical costs, ask the facility for a written estimate beforehand. Following your service, an itemized bill can help you understand the specific charges and confirm the details of your care.

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Page 8 •

Williston Observer • November 6, 2025

Quakers build a shared community space in Burlington

‘Friends Meeting House’ becomes hub for activism, collaboration and support

BY CLAIRE MACDONALD Community News Service

Nestled between dense trees on North Prospect Street in Burlington and down a gravel driveway stand two houses: one smaller, with large windows and a wooden door, and another with green shutters and a white fence.

From the outside, a passerby might not look twice, believing they are simply residential homes. But these unassuming houses serve as a meeting space for several different Burlington groups, both religious and secular. Inside their walls, yoga is practiced, small business owners make ice cream and Jewish groups host mindfulness retreats.

This property is known as the Burlington Friends Meeting House, owned by the local chapter of the Religious Society of Friends, also known as the Quakers. This religious group, known for its commitment to pacifism, has established

a uniquely accessible place in Burlington that has become not only a gathering space for Quakers, but for many others.

“One of our missions is to have this be like a community center,” said Catherine Bock, the lead scheduler for the group.

About 81,000 Quakers live in the United States and Canada today, according to the Friends General Conference. New England has a particularly high density of Friends — that is what Quakers call each other — said treasurer of Burlington Friends Meeting Linda McKenna.

The six core beliefs of Quakerism, co-clerk of the Meeting James Rider explained, are summed up by the acronym SPICES: simplicity, peacekeeping, integrity, community-building, equality and stewardship.

There is no hierarchy within a Quaker house, Rider said, as everyone’s voice is considered important. Rider and his fellow clerk Susan Wilson emphasize that they do not make decisions on behalf of the Burlington Friends but instead facilitate discussion and reach

Burlington Friends Meeting House Sept. 12.

PHOTO BY ANNALISA MADONIA

consensus.

Quakers believe in the existence of God in everyone, inspiring their long history of supporting nonviolent movements, abolition and women’s suffrage.

“If I’m doing violence onto someone else, I am doing violence onto the divine,” Rider explained.

A significant practice of Quakerism is worshipful silence, where Friends gather in silence and wait for a message to arrive from

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God. Anyone can stand and speak to the group as they feel spiritually led to do so.

“There’s a process of centering yourself and opening yourself up to a message from the divine source and thinking, really pondering, is this meant for me? How is God guiding me?” Rider said.

The group meets for worship twice weekly with an additional monthly meeting where they discuss practical matters such as finances, but also consider public statements to sign onto. For example, on Sept. 14, Burlington Friends Meeting signed onto the Northwest Quarterly Meeting of Friends’ statement calling for peace in Palestine and Israel.

However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that Burlington-based Quakers had a physical place to worship.

According to Bob Fisher, member and former clerk of the group, the Quakers met in various buildings on the University of Vermont campus through the 1950s. In the early 1960s, the Bassett family — former owners of the current property — offered their home to host

meetings. The Quakers accepted and began gathering at what is now the meeting house.

In 1993, the Bassett family offered to sell their second house to the Burlington Quakers. McKenna said it took members about a year and a half to decide to make the purchase.

“We weighed: Could we really be good stewards of this property?

What is the mission of holding this property?” she said. “We came to a common agreement that we could only do this if we could fulfill the mission of making this centrally-located property one of a community resource.”

Reaching a collective decision is an important aspect of the Quaker tradition.

“We believe that decisions come from within, and that if we as a group are in harmony, then we can move forward on a decision together. That often makes the process very slow, but it also makes it very honest and authentic,” McKenna said.

By renting the Bassett house kitchen to food start-ups starting at $20 per hour, Burlington Friends see QUAKERS page 9

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Quakers

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Meeting is addressing the gap in the availability of local, accessible commercial kitchens.

They rent out the house to about 20 external groups, ranging from small businesses and meditation groups to Narcotics Anonymous and Climate Action Collective, according to Bock.

Climate Action Collective, a grassroots environmental activism group with students from UVM, Champlain College and St. Michael’s College, has gathered every Wednesday at the meeting house since 2023.

The garden kept behind the meeting house is reflective of another cornerstone to Quakerism: stewardship. Climate Action Collective helps tend to the garden in exchange for discounted rent. “(Burlington Friends Meeting) has become a large component

Kinsley

continued from page 6

However, it is worth noting that the average apartment size seems to be increasing, and the increase in cost per square foot is not keeping up with the increase in total cost of rent. This lends some weight to the argument that overall quality of life is better for the same dollar value.

As a counterpoint, Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, in their book “Abundance” point to the increasing age of first-time homebuyers, which is now pushing 40, as a sign of how difficult it is to amass the resources necessary to purchase a home in today’s market. This increased age of families still in the rental market may necessitate larger apartments, as their needs and space requirements change.

Healthcare costs further exacerbate the disparity. Inflation-adjusted total health expenditures per capita have risen by nearly 580 percent since 1970, with annual growth rates often exceeding general wage increases. Out-of-pocket spending per person, adjusted for inflation, grew from $703 in 1970 to $1,514 in 2023 (a 115 percent increase).

The cost of vehicles, a necessary commodity for rural Vermont life, has also increased, far outpacing inflation.

These escalations mean that, while overall real median household income has risen significantly since 1970 (34 percent in Vermont and 59 percent nationally), essential costs have absorbed much of that gain.

of who we are and our identity as Climate Action Collective,” said Emma Townsend, the group’s policy co-director. “It really creates this sense of community, and feels like a very cozy space to us … Being able to work there and garden has been a big contribution (to that feeling) as well.”

Members of Ohavi Zedek, a synagogue across the street, have also joined with Burlington Friends Meeting to run Bread for Peace, an interfaith volunteer group that bakes and sells bread to fundraise for humanitarian aid in Palestine and Israel.

Scott Silverstein of Ohavi Zedek started Bread for Peace out of his house in Richmond, donating money from his homemade loaves to two Palestinian and Israeli organizations that assist in getting children hospital care and training first-responders, respectively.

When demand for bread increased beyond Silverstein’s

capacity, Bock reached out with an invitation to work with the Burlington Friends.

She noted that this is the first significant joint effort between Burlington Friends Meeting and the synagogue, despite their close proximity.

Some members of Burlington Friends were initially nervous to go to the synagogue where the Quakers’ staunch anti-war position and the recent war in Gaza — which has now reached a ceasefire — may have caused tension, Bock said.

Instead, they found community and collaboration for a mutual cause that transcended any potential disagreement.

“We endeavor to be a place where people can come who might not be welcome elsewhere,” Wilson said.

Additionally, much of the income growth has been concentrated at the top of the income scale. Since 1970, real household income has increased 300 percent faster, on average, for the top 20 percent of income-earners than for the bottom 80 percent, according to US Census data.

Thus, while Woolf is correct that conditions are “better” in terms of real income, the real cost of living has outpaced wages in critical areas for many Americans, leaving less disposable income in pockets at the end of the day. While I tend towards optimism regarding the economic prospects for Vermonters and continued improvements to quality of

life for many middle-class families, the evidence suggests wage growth has not consistently matched rising living costs, and gains have favored top earners.

Fortunately, these findings also give us a clear map for where to focus our policy-making efforts: reducing health and housing costs for Vermont families. We must get these under control in order for moderate wage gains to have any meaning.

Community News Service is a University of Vermont journalism internship.

Ben Kinsley is the interim executive director for Campaign for Vermont, an advocacy group seeking to grow the state’s middle class.

•

Williston Observer •

Page 9

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•

Williston Observer •

November 6, 2025

Vermont’s electric plane maker takes off in $1 billion initial stock offering

BY THEO WELLS-SPACKMAN VTDigger Vermont’s Beta Technologies made its debut in the public market on Tuesday, selling $1 billion in a high-demand stock offering that exceeded earlier predictions for its size and pricing.

“The market responded incredibly well,” founding CEO Kyle Clark said in a press conference from the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday following the company’s 34 million share offering at $34 a share. “It’s obviously a huge day for us down here.”

Clark’s company indicated last month that it intended to offer just 25 million shares in a price range of between $27 and $33 each in its offering, but eventually issued more shares that started trading just above the projected price due to demand.

When the stock market closed on Tuesday, Beta’s share price had

Founding CEO Kyle Clark celebrates at the New York Stock Exchange as Beta Technologies launches its public offering.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIAN JENKINS/BETA TECHNOLOGIES

increased about 6% to $36.

Beta, which employs more than 800 people, filed for an initial public offering in late September.

The company, which designs and manufactures electric aircraft, has raised over $1.5 billion in private investment and development contracts since its founding in 2017.

Clark’s business also recently announced a $300 million equity

investment from GE Aerospace, with whom Beta will work to advance hybrid flight technology.

The company lost a U.S. Department of Energy grant earlier this month, as President Donald Trump’s administration sought to claw back funding from over 200 federally-assisted energy projects.

In the context of Beta’s other contracts, the roughly $1.8 million

grant was a relatively small loss, with Clark saying broadly on Tuesday that “we have seen little to no negative impact by any political party or movement.”

Market reports estimate Beta’s market value is around $7.6 billion, with Tuesday’s influx of capital paving the way for “further commercialization,” according to Clark. As the founder, he will retain ownership of a small percentage of the company, with GE Aerospace and Amazon among the largest investors.

Beta’s initial public offering comes in what Lynn Martin, President of the New York Stock Exchange, called a “really strong” moment for the U.S. IPO market last month. This positive outlook came despite a prolonged federal government shutdown that has left the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission with limited staff.

The company’s October filing with the SEC contained descriptions of the company’s future products, including several versions

of the six-person “ALIA” electric aircraft. Beta is also developing a larger 19-passenger plane.

The company opened a 188,500-square-foot production facility in South Burlington in 2023 and also runs a battery testing site in St. Albans. Clark said Tuesday that Beta’s consolidation of resources and engineering talent in Vermont has been key to the company’s success, and he plans to keep the company based in Vermont for the time being.

“We’re still at a very nascent time of electric aviation, where the engineering and the technical brain trust has to be very close to the production,” Clark said.

Beta is investing further in Vermont right now, he added, with the goal of increasing the company’s “vertical integration,” or control of each section of the supply chain.

“We will hit a limit at some point,” Clark said of his operation’s footprint in the state. “We have to be a competitive business.”

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Beta

continued from page 10

Clark said the company had been offered “hundreds of millions of dollars” to move its main operations to Texas, or Arkansas or elsewhere.

“We decided to stay in Vermont for now,” he said.

Chuck Davis, chair of Beta’s

Asian market continued from page 1

through all the sauce and spice options found in Korean, Japanese and Chinese dishes, and helping them create home-cooked meals that rival restaurant cuisine.

“Restaurant prices are insane,” she said. “But people can cook for themselves. If they make it at home, it’s fun, it’s less expensive, and they can have a really happy get-together for their whole family.

“American people, Asian people, it doesn’t matter — we all like to have a happy family gathering,”

board of directors, said demand for the company’s shares far outstripped supply. Nonetheless, Clark said, the roughly 1,000 Vermonters who requested shares as part of the initial public offering process will receive them, in a gesture of good will toward “folks locally who have supported us as we expanded.”

Davis, who grew up in

Burlington, said Beta’s expansion has been hugely beneficial for the state through economic growth, job creation and technological innovation.

“It’s the best thing to happen to Vermont since the chair lift,” he said.

Tan, a native of China, added.

After a stint in Boston, she moved with her family, including two children, to live in South Burlington.

“I decided to make a safe, happy, easy life for both my kids, so I brought them here,” she said.

“And they were here from kindergarten through college.”

Her children now help at the market, which opened in the former Shelburne Meat & Fish Market location at the far end of the plaza. Shelburne Meat & Fish Market has since consolidated with Vermont Meat & Seafood in Williston and now has a Williston

location (Williston Meat & Fish Market) at Cornerstone Drive and the original location on Shelburne Road.

In addition to Asian food ingredients, T&M carries fresh vegetables and ready-to-eat meals. Since opening, Tan has been learning which products seem to be most popular, dialing in her supply chain and handling tariff-induced price fluctuations. Her husband makes weekly trips to Boston to pick up products, while others are shipped directly to the store.

“I can’t control pricing, but I try to make people happy,” Tan said.

Theo Wells-Spackman is a Report for America corps member who reports for VTDigger.

•

Williston Observer •

Page 11

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Williston Observer •

November 6, 2025

SPORTS

Redhawks rejoice CVU’s Elsa Klein, top left, drives up the field during the Redhawks’ 5-2 State Championship win over the Colchester Lakers on Saturday at UVM’s Virtue Field.

Lillian McClain, lower left, plays the ball away from Colchester’s Keira McCullag.

The girls soccer season culminates with the Lady ‘Hawks raising the championship trophy, above.

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Williston Observer •

Page 13

Fierce fight to the finish CLOCKWISE (l to r): CVU’s Sebastian Bronk and Burr and Burton’s Bodie Smith race for the ball during the Redhawks’ 0-1 double overtime State Championship loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday at UVM’s Virtue Field. Julian Olin gets by Burr and Burton’s Hjelt Finnegan.

The Redhawk starting 11 huddle together before the match. William Wallace wins the header from Burr and Burton’s Rhys Jones. CVU goalie, Charles Wallace makes the save on a Burr and Burton shot.

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Williston Observer •

November 6, 2025

Burlington airport leader outlines plans for terminal expansion

BY OWEN BRADLEY-MEAL Community News Service On a sunny Friday afternoon Oct. 10, dozens gathered in the multipurpose room of Faith United Methodist church. At the head of the room stood Nic Longo, director of aviation at Patrick Leahy International Airport (BTV), preparing to tell the story of the past and future of the institution he leads.

About 1.4 million people annually fly in and out of BTV, which is owned and operated by Vermont’s most populous city, Burlington. A joint-use military and civilian airport, it is the state’s busiest airport by a large margin.

Longo’s presentation began with a brief overview of the history of the airport, from the land acquisition in the early 1920s and beginning of commercial service in the 1930s to today.

By 2008, said Longo, BTV

had risen to the status of one of the busiest airports in New England from number of operations. Operations, in aviation terminology, refers to landings and takeoffs.

Longo then provided an overview of the ongoing construction at the airport, known as the North Expansion Terminal (NEXT) project, which aims to increase the airport’s capacity while keeping it as eco-friendly as possible.

The new 25,000 square-foot terminal will be almost entirely constructed of timber as opposed to the typical steel. Studies have shown timber to be an environmentally friendly construction material, due to its nature as a carbon sink and the low emissions created in its production, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute.

“Geothermal is going to heat see AIRPORT page 15

Nic Longo, director of aviation at Patrick Leahy International Airport (BTV), presents plans for the North Expansion Terminal (NEXT) project, which includes a new 25,000 square-foot terminal.

PHOTO BY OWEN BRADLEY-MEAL

November 6, 2025

continued from page 14

this building, and then of course we’re gonna add solar to the rooftop,” said Longo of other planned environmental initiatives in the new terminal.

“Regardless of what happens to the industry … we’re ready,” said Longo. “Part of that is to make sure we’re sustainable, too.”

The talk also included a discussion of airport finances and partnerships, notably with the Vermont Air National Guard based at the airport, and with Beta Technologies, a designer and manufacturer of electric-powered aircraft.

Partnerships provide important revenue to operate the airport, Longo said. “Our costs are so low. We manage things very, very closely.”

Not all these partners are welcomed with open arms by the entire community, however.

Noise from the National Guard’s F-35 jet fighter squadron at BTV is a source of major controversy.

“I’ve clocked them at 115 to 117 decibels,” said Ben Bosher, a resident of Burlington’s Lakeside area, who said he hears F-35s flying over his house. “I’d argue that they should not be doing these kind of maneuvers over populated areas.”

This level of sound is slightly above the official figure provided by the Vermont Department of Health review, which estimates that F-35s have a maximum sound level of 115 decibels. The review also details mixed or inconclusive results in the study of chronic exposure effects of this sound level in terms of hearing loss, cardiovascular effects and more.

Other concerns were raised by community members during the open Q&A forum at the end of the lecture, including questions about the return of JetBlue service, which ceased on January 5, 2024. This left many people with significant amounts of accumulated points and miles through JetBlue that cannot currently be used at BTV. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity at the airport also generated questions.

One pressing question concerned the safety and staffing of Burlington International amid reports of no-shows during the government shutdown, which requires air traffic controllers and Transportation Security

Administration (TSA) employees to continue working without pay.

Any decrease in staffing would put the airport in a tight situation. BTV operates with a relatively small staff, given the airport’s value to the region, Longo said. “If you think about the $1 billion asset we manage, we [only] have about 55 employees.”

But, he continued, operations are going forward as normal during the shutdown.

“It is still safe to fly,” Longo reassured.

The presentation was a part of a lecture series offered biannually by local organization Education & Enrichment for Everyone (EEE), which hosts Friday lectures every fall and spring. The talks are free to EEE members, with an $8 walk-in fee for nonmembers.

EEE has been in operation since 1990, starting as Elder Enrichment Education, a brainchild of Jim Jackson, director of continuing education of St. Michael’s College at the time. The idea was for an institution to foster

opportunities for learning among retirees and soon-to-be retirees.

Although the official mission has broadened since in accordance with the name change, the principal audience has remained the same. “Most attendees are retired or close,” said Linda Sparks, one of the event organizers, who also reported the organization to have “around 165 members.”

The lectures cover a diverse range of topics and speakers that pertain to a Vermont-based interest, with this fall’s series including talks on Canada-U.S.

Williston Observer •

Page 15

relations, the Howard Center (a Burlington-based mental health & crisis center), documentary filmmaking and more.

Each lecture hopes to be unique and fresh. “We try and rotate,” said Sparks. “[We] might have the same speaker every few years, but new topics.”

For information on future lectures and EEE membership, visit https://eeevermont.org/ Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship.

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Champlain Valley School District schools conduct Kindergarten screening each spring; parents may also call to make an appointment to discuss their concerns at any time. As the school district of residence, CVSD has the responsibility to identify and provide services to any child with special needs who may require special education and related services in order to access and benefit from public education.

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Airport

•

Please contact the School Principal: Charlotte Central School – 802-425-2771, Hinesburg Community School – 802-482-2106, Shelburne Community School –802-985-3331, Williston Central/ Allen Brook Schools – 802-878-2762 or the Director of Student Support Services, Anna Couperthwait at 802-482-7503.

Pagerelease 16 •dates: Williston Observer • Nov. 8-14, 2025

November 6, 2025

45 (25)

Next Week: The first settlers

Issue 45, 2025

Founded by Betty Debnam

Breathe Easy

Mini Fact: The Latin word cancer means crab, a name that might have come from cancerous tumors having veins spreading from the tumor like crab claws.

photo by Gene Bisbee

Important organs image courtesy Nemours Children’s Health

We each have two lungs, one on each side of our chest. Lungs are stretchy, almost like balloons. When we breathe in air, lungs inflate, or puff out.

When we breathe out, our lungs deflate, or grow flatter.

The lungs’ main jobs are to deliver oxygen to our blood and to get rid of carbon dioxide. When we breathe in, or inhale, lungs fill with air. Oxygen from the air enters our lungs and then goes into the bloodstream.

When we breathe out, or exhale, the lungs push out carbon dioxide waste from our bodies.

Lungs also help protect us against dangers in the environment. When special cells in

the lungs detect threats, such as germs, they trigger the immune system to fight them.

What is cancer?

Cells are growing and changing in our bodies all the time. The body controls how much normal cells grow. But cancer cells don’t have any brakes. They grow and grow.

Cancer starts when the lungs’ DNA changes. These changes are usually caused by smoking. Once cancer starts growing in one spot, blood can carry the cancer cells to other parts of the body. When cancer cells spread, we say they metastasize (muh-TAS-tuh-size).

Cancerous cells keep reproducing until there are a bunch of cells packed together, forming a tumor. A lung cancer tumor can range from Lung cancer cells grape-sized to apple-sized.

photo by Anne Weston, Francis Crick Institute

Take a deep breath in, then let it out. That feels really good, doesn’t it?

We need air to live. Our lungs have the important job of making sure we get the air we need.

But what happens if the lungs aren’t working well? Sometimes, people develop lung cancer, which causes more deaths than any other type of cancer in the United States.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. This week, The Mini Page learns more about how our lungs work and how we can keep them healthy.

Smart treatment

Because each person’s cancer is different, researchers are working to figure out how to target treatment to each person’s cancer.

Cancer treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy are like flamethrowers. They wipe out everything, even healthy cells. Scientists are trying to find smart cancer weapons that target only the cancer.

Smart choices

Don’t smoke! If people don’t start smoking, the risk of lung cancer and other deadly diseases will go down a lot.

Smoking marijuana and vaping can also seriously harm the lungs.

About 2,500 kids try cigarettes for the first time every day. About 400 of those kids will stay addicted for the rest of their lives.

The good news is, the number of high school students who smoke is down 74% from those who did 30 years ago.

Even people who have stopped smoking may still have damage to their lungs. If they don’t develop lung cancer, they will probably develop other problems, such as heart trouble. Of course, if people stop smoking, they are in far less danger than those who keep it up.

Many kids who start smoking believe they’ll be able to stop easily, but they don’t know how difficult that might be. The best thing to do is to never, ever start.

Help to quit

If you smoke and want to quit, there are many resources to help you. Visit the American Lung Association’s NOT for Me program for kids at notforme.org.

Resources On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPlungs • kids.kiddle.co/Lung_cancer

At the library:

• “Heart and Lungs” by Andrew Solway

The Mini Page® © 2025 Andrews McMeel Syndication

Try ’n’ Williston Find

Observer rack locations Mini Jokes

Rehab Gym Goodwater Brewing Shell Gas Station (Essex Rd) Hannaford Adams Farm Market Words that remind us of lung health are hidden in this puzzle.

Simon’s Mobil Williston Healthy Living Williston Aromas of India Some words are hidden backward, and some letters are used Simply Divine Café Home2Suites Chef’sfind: Corner twice. See if you can Island Homemade Ice Cream Sonesta Dorothy Alling Memorial ADDICTED, AIR, Library H E U Korner E TKwik A Stop L F E D Sunoco Q E Station Z U C BLOODSTREAM,Fairfield BREATH, Town of Williston Marriott Courtyard Inn X M E T A S T A S I Z E T E Offices R Rick Cote at ll Ca UPS Store Men At Wok Folino’s Pizza l CANCER, CELLS, CRAB, ai em A D D I C T E D P L F A I T A or (802) 373-2136 erver.com & Seafood Gardener’s Supply R I A M&T DAMAGE, I Bank B V A P I N Vermont G O Meat U A B WillistonObs piDEFLATE, Rick@ co es e lik ld ou w Williston Coffee Shop Ramunto’s Green Mountain Bagel u yo if DELIVER,tioEXHALE, V E C A N C E R S T X Y Q L E n for your loca INFLATE, INHALE, LUNG, T L M A E R T S D O O L B F G L A P S M O K E C E L L S N A METASTASIZE, OXYGEN, U H N H T A E R B U P Q B I M QUIT, SMOKE, VAPING.

Essex/Essex Jct. Price Chopper Essex Automotive Quality Bake Shop FiveLouise: Corner Variety River Road Beverage What can be drawn Hannaford without a pen orRichmond pencil?

Inn Leonard: at Essex Your breath! Cumberland Farms Mac’s Market Richmond Free Library Martone’s Deli Richmond Market

Eco Note Williston

A new study has shed light on why parts of Siberia’s tundra have been erupting in giant methane explosions, leaving

When we breathe out, or exhale, the lungs push out carbon dioxide waste from our bodies.

Lungs also help protect us against dangers in the environment. When special cells in

• kids.kiddle.co/Lung_cancer

cells. Scientists are trying to find smart cancer weapons that target only the cancer.

At the library:

• “Heart and Lungs” by Andrew Solway November 6, 2025

•

Williston Observer •

Page 17

The Mini Page® © 2025 Andrews McMeel Syndication

Try ’n’ Find

Mini Jokes

Words that remind us of lung health are hidden in this puzzle.

Some words are hidden backward, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: ADDICTED, AIR, BLOODSTREAM, BREATH, CANCER, CELLS, CRAB, DAMAGE, DEFLATE, DELIVER, EXHALE, INFLATE, INHALE, LUNG, METASTASIZE, OXYGEN, QUIT, SMOKE, VAPING.

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

F A D P R S E R E I

E S P I S D C B L L

Louise: What can be drawn without a pen or pencil?

Leonard: Your breath!

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

Eco Note A new study has shed light on why parts of Siberia’s tundra have been erupting in giant methane explosions, leaving craters more than 150 feet deep. Since the first blast was recorded in 2014, at least a dozen have been identified. Researchers from the University of Oslo in Norway found that the Yamal and Gyda peninsulas have unique geological faults that allow gas to rise and collect in sealed cavities beneath the surface.

As warming weakens the permafrost seal, pressure builds until the cavities explode, ejecting earth and gas.

Cook’s Corner

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

1. like a carton with no milk (5) 2. color of grass (5) 3. insect attracted to light (4) 4. temperature gauge (11) 5. movie ogre (5) 6. Toronto basketball team (7) 7. copy (9)

MO

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IMI

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ETER

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SHR

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The Mini Page® © 2025 Andrews McMeel Syndication

adapted with permission from Earthweek.com

For later:

Look in your newspaper for articles about advances in treating cancer.

Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!

©2025 Blue Ox Technologies Ltd. Download the app on Apple and Amazon devices.

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour You’ll need: • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1 egg, lightly beaten • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 teaspoon apple pie spice • 1/4 cup agave nectar (or molasses) • 1 cup peeled, grated apple • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce • 3/4 cup chopped dried apricot • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract What to do: 1. Combine egg, oil, agave nectar, applesauce and vanilla in a large bowl.

2. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder and spices. Add flour mixture to wet mixture and stir thoroughly. (Batter will be thick.) Stir in fruit.

3. Spread mixture in an 8-by-8-inch square pan coated with cooking spray.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

5. Cool and cut into bars. Makes 2 dozen.

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

Breakfast Fruit Bars

Answers: empty, green, moth, thermometer, Shrek, Raptors, imitation.

Photos from the Williston Observer are available for purchase!

Visit willistonobserver.com to see current and past photos of events, school sports, nature shots and more!

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AL

Page 18

• Williston Observer • November 6, 2025

SAVVY SENIOR How to make your home safer and more accessible as you age

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior, What simple tips can you recommend for making a home age friendly? My husband and I are in our late 60s and want to remain living in our home for as long as possible.

Homebody Hanna Dear Hanna, Many older adults, want to stay living in their own home

for as long as possible. But being able to do so will depend on how easy it is to maneuver your living space as you get older.

There are literally dozens of simple adjustments and modifications you can do to help make your home safer and more accessible for aging-in-place.

Here’s a summary of tips from the National Institute on Aging and AARP, which offers a free room-by-room guide with practical suggestions for older adults living independently.

ENTRANCE WAY

Have at least one exterior

BEDROOM

doorway with step-free access.

If this is not possible, consider a ramp. Add a bench in the foyer to sit on when removing shoes or to set down items while locking or unlocking the door.

If stairs are too difficult to manage, create a bedroom on the main level by transforming a den or an office. Make sure the bed is easy to get in and out of.

Purchase bed risers, if needed.

Invest in an adjustable bed for extra comfort.

BATHROOM

Install a walk-in shower with a bench and nonskid decals or mats to prevent falls. Add a hand-held nozzle to the shower head to facilitate rinsing off while seated. Install grab bars on the shower wall and near the toilet. Put in a taller toilet or add a toiler riser. Consider plugging in a nightlight.

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Purchase a stove with safety features that alert the resident when a burner is on — or have automatic shutoffs. Relocate major appliances to make them easier to reach. Add slide-out drawers or trays to existing

cabinets for better access. Install a lever-style, light-touch or sensor faucet, which is easier to use than a faucet with turn-style knobs or handles.

FURNITURE AND RUGS

Get rid of furniture and clutter to make rooms easier to move around in. Use chairs with armrests, which makes sitting and standing easier. Avoid furniture with sharp corners, which can cause bruises and cuts when bumped up against. Hide cords out of pathways — but don’t put them under rugs. Area rugs, if see SAVVY SENIOR page 20

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November 6, 2025

•

Williston Observer •

Page 19

CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 20

TODAY’S HISTORY:

• In 1860, Abraham Lincoln defeated three other candidates to win the presidency.

• In 1861, voters in the Confederate States of America elected Jefferson Davis president.

• In 1947, “Meet the Press” made its television debut.

• In 1975, punk rock pioneers the Sex Pistols played their first concert.

• In 1995, Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell announced a deal that would move the nearly 50-year-old NFL franchise to Baltimore.

TODAY’S FACT:

• “Meet the Press,” which is the longest-running television series in history and is still on the air, began in 1945 as a radio show called “American Mercury Presents: Meet the Press.”

SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 20

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Page 20

• Williston Observer • November 6, 2025

Savvy Senior continued from page 18

used, should be secured to the floor with a nonslip mat or anti-slip rug tape.

For more tips, get a copy of AARP’s “HomeFit Guide.” It has more than 100 aging-inplace tips and suggestions that can be made to an existing house or apartment or incorporated into designs for a new residence.

It explains how a smartly designed or modified home can meet the varied and changing needs of older residents. It also features easy-to-do, low-cost and no-cost fixes that lessen the risk of trip hazards and increase the safety of high-use areas like the bathroom, kitchen and stairway.

In addition, AARP also offers videos and a HomeFit app that can scan a room and suggest

improvements to help turn your house into a “lifelong home,” free from safety and mobility risks.

Visit AARP.org/HomeFit to order or download a free copy of this guide, or to watch the videos. You don’t need to be an AARP member to access this content.

If you’d like more hands-on help, you could also hire an occupational or physical therapist who works with older adults. He or she can evaluate your home and recommend aging-in-place solutions. If you get a referral from your doctor, Medicare will usually cover a home walk-through.

Send your questions or comments to questions@ savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

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CROSSWORD SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 19

OBITUARIES

Harold Aaron Irish Harold Aaron Irish passed peacefully Oct. 20, 2025 after multiple health issues.

He was born on the family farm in Hinesburg, VT to Aaron Irish and Leona (Whitehead) Irish on March 18, 1941. He loved growing up on the farm and was involved in the Future Farmers of America organization in high school, but chose to go into excavation. He eventually started his own business with his backhoe and dump truck, and earned the reputation of being hard-working and willing to be accommodating to those in need of his services. He had an amazing ability to fix anything and everything because “that’s what we had to do on the farm”.

He married his wife Paulita (Palermo) in Richmond on May 26, 1962, and they made their home there for 63 years. Harold and Paulita were active parishioners in the Holy Rosary Parish and enjoyed the days of parish spaghetti dinners. For a few

SUDOKU SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 19

years they also co-owned the Richmond Corner Market.

During his younger years he was part of the Richmond Fire Department, proud to achieve the position of Assistant Fire Chief, helping to plan the Fourth of July parades, and setting off the fireworks. Harold also took pleasure in snowplowing his neighbors’ driveways during the snowy winters, celebrating holidays, and vacations spent on York Beach, Maine with the grandchildren. He was an avid UVM Men’s Basketball supporter and enjoyed the company of his “seatmates” in the stands.

But his greatest pride and pleasure was found in his grandchildren. He loved being “Grandpa”.

He is survived by his wife Paulita (“Pete”), son Kevin Irish (Angela), daughter Cathy Tremblay (Tom), grandchildren Thomas Tremblay (Melissa), Meghan Gibbons (Patrick), Erica Weed (Jason), Lauren Irish (Zachary), and Jessica Irish, as well as great-grandchildren Isabelle and Arthur Gibbons, and two great-grandchildren on the way. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Sharon Irish, and by former daughter-in-law Lisa Irish, as well as many nieces and nephews. He leaves behind his community at Green Mountain Nursing & Rehab where he was treated like family, and well taken care of.

He was pre-deceased by his parents Aaron and Leona Irish, sister Beverly Mashia, brother-in-law Bill Mashia, brothers Roy and Howard Irish, In-laws Vincent & Rosalie Palermo, Thomas & Angelina Palmer, Abbott & Rosalie Lovett, and Frances Palermo.

Harold faced his many illnesses with determination and a fighting spirit, overcoming obstacles to will his body to stick around a bit longer in his devotion to his wife Pete. Thank you to Julian Sprague, MD, and Annie Berkowitz, NP for guiding him through his cancer journey for the last seven years. We send eternal gratitude and appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and all staff at Green Mountain Nursing & Rehab for treating him with love, kindness, and compassion.

Funeral services were held Oct. 24 at at Holy Rosary Parish in Richmond, Father Lance

Harlow presiding, with burial following. In lieu of flowers, and because Harold loved to take part in the recreation offerings at Green Mountain (especially bingo!) you may send donations to Green Mountain Nursing & Rehab, Activities Department, 475 Ethan Allen Avenue, Colchester, VT 05446.

Leonard P. Robear Leonard P. Robear, a longtime resident of Williston, fell asleep in death at the age of 97 Oct. 22, 2025 at the McClure Miller Respite House.

Alongside his wife Mary, Leonard always liked an active life. He was a man who always strived for perfection in all he did. From building the home that he and Mary shared for over 64 years (just short of 76 years of marriage), partnering in an auto body shop, in woodworking or any other project he took on.

He was always willing to help others with theirs. He spent many years with the Knights of Columbus working on many projects at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta. Leonard and Mary were fortunate to visit all 50 states and enjoyed sharing their travels with others.

He is survived by his sister Anne and husband Lucien of Old Town, Maine and their family. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and a special nephew and caregiver who he considered a son, Jim Francis. He was predeceased by his wife Mary Aug. 22, 2024; two brothers, and three sisters.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Oct. 30 at St. John Vianney Church, So. Burlington. Burial followed at Old Mt Calvary Cemetery in Burlington.

The family thanks the staff at Premier Health & Rehab and UVM Medical Center for the care he received. A special thanks, for the exceptional care and support, to the team at the McClure Miller Respite House.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the McClure Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Hwy., Colchester, VT 05446.

November 6, 2025

Williston Observer •

Page 21

CLASSIFIEDS

Seeking part-time Assistant Town Clerk/ Assistant to the Boards

LEGAL

TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA Tuesday, November 25, 2025 – 7:00 PM Town Hall Beckett/Maguire Meeting Room (7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance) or

The town of St. George in Chittenden County is seeking to hire a part-time Assistant Town Clerk/Assistant to the Boards. The position will directly support the work of our Town Clerk and the various Town Boards, who keep things running on behalf of our small but dynamic community. Ideal candidates will have attention to detail, be good at working with people, and be able to handle a variety of tasks.

For more information, please see the job postings on the Town website here: https://bit.ly/StGeorgeJobs.

To apply, please email a cover letter and your resume to: SBViceChair@stgeorgevt.com.

d your resume to: com.

•

The jobs are open until filled; priority consideration will be given to applications received Monday, November 10, 2025.

Zoom Webinar ID 813 6162 7981 on www.zoom.us/ join DP 23-15.1 Lakeside Electric LLC requests a discretionary permit amendment to reduce building size, serve one tenant, and add outdoor storage area at 358 Shunpike Road in the Industrial Zoning District West (IZDW).

DP 26-07 Christopher Melnyk requests a discretionary permit to establish a tasting area as an accessory use to an on-site distillery located at 400 Avenue D, Suite 60 in the Industrial Zoning District West.

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

HOMESHARE RENTAL

WILLISTON— Share a home with a kind woman

in her 70s who loves cards, board games, game shows.

No rent in exchange for help with some evening meals, light cleaning, driving for occasional chocolate milkshake outings! Must be cat-friendly! 802-8635625 or HomeShareVermont.org for application.

Interview, references, background checks required.

EHO

APP 26-01 Karen Pellon appeals the Zoning Administrator’s issuance of a Zoning Violation Warning Letter issued September 29, 2025 and Follow-Up Letter issued October 15, 2025 at 345 Mountain View Road in the Residential Zoning District (RZD).

Project details and site plans are available on the

To place a classified ad, email rick@williston observer.com or call 373-2136 Deadline for classifieds is Monday.

eration will be given to mber 10, 2025.

We Are Hiring!

The Town of Shelburne Vermont is hiring a Highway Truck Driver/Laborer!

What You’ll Do: • Operate trucks and heavy equipment for road maintenance and snow removal • Assist with paving, drainage, and general highway repairs • Work with a dedicated team that keeps Shelburne moving!

What We’re Looking For: • Valid CDL (Class B or higher preferred) • Strong work ethic and teamwork attitude • Commitment to safety and quality Competitive pay ($22-29 an hour), great benefits, and year-round round work in a supportive Town team environment!

To apply please contact: Adam Backus HR Manager 802-985 802-985 802 985-5121 985-5121 abackus@shelburnevt.org

HIRE LOCAL!

Find workers right in your neighborhood.

Advertise in the Observer! email Rick@ willistonobserver.com or 802-373-2136.

Williston

JOB FAIR SAVE THE DATE!

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 11:00am–2:00pm

** Bring this ad to the fair and get a prize! **

O’Brien Community Center 32 Malletts Bay Avenue Winooski, VT

Page 22

• Williston Observer • November 6, 2025 AFTER SCHOOL MOVIE

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2-3 p.m. Visit www. damlvt.org for details.

LEGO TIME

Thursday, Nov. 13, 3-4 p.m. Build something exciting with the Library’s LEGO collection.

ELEMENTARY D&D

Hours: • Monday/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.

Please note the library will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

YOUTH PROGRAMS Children in fourth grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age.

MUSIC AND PLAYTIME

Thursdays, Nov. 6, 13 and 20, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy Linda Bassick’s preschool music and stay to play. Outdoors if weather permits.

Saturday, Nov. 15, 1-2 p.m. A mini session of Dungeons & Dragons for children ages 7-10. No prior experience required. Please register each individual child that plans to participate. Adults should expect to stay and help their campaigner.

STORYTIME

Tuesdays, Nov. 18, 10:30-11 a.m.

BABY TIME

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 10:30-11 a.m. Ages 0-18 months. Drop in for gentle bonding and socializing activities with your little one.

AFTER SCHOOL CRAFT: SQUEEGEE PAINTING

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2:15-3 p.m. Get crafty with canvas, blobs of acrylic paint, and squeegees to create unique pieces of artwork.

All abilities welcome.

MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS READ TO A DOG (ROCKO)

Thursday, Nov. 6, 3:30-4:30 p.m. 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.

TEA CLUB: DRAGONWELL GREEN TEA

Each month we will highlight a true tea (made with tea leaves) and provide a sample, a description of the tea’s history, and instructions on brewing and tasting.

LUNCH & LEARN: HEALTH BITES AND INSIGHTS

Thursday, Nov. 6, 12-2:30 p.m. Community Health Improvement and Patient-Family Advisors present “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. Lunch will be provided.

ADULT MEDITATION (ONLINE)

Fridays, Nov. 7 and 14, 12-12:30 p.m. Join our guided meditation to relax and recenter.

MAH JONGG

Fridays Nov. 7 and 14, 1-3 p.m. All abilities welcome.

JOIN US FOR

CAREER DAY

FRENCH CONVERSATION

Saturday, Nov. 8, 10:45-11:45 a.m. Drop in to practice your language skills. All abilities welcome.

CURRENT EVENTS

Wednesdays, Nov. 12 and 19, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Drop in for a lively discussion with community members.

LIFE STORIES (ONLINE)

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2-3:30 p.m. Join us virtually to share stories.

BOOK CLUB BUFFET (ONLINE)

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Register to join online to discuss “The Serviceberry”

by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

COOK THE BOOK

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 12-1 p.m. Our highlighted cookbook is “Beautiful Brunches” by Cider Mill Press.

SPANISH CONVERSATION (ONLINE)

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 5-6 p.m. Join us to brush up on your language skills. All abilities welcome.

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Join the team that will bring Williston’s new community of discovery to life.

NOW HIRING: Asst. Manager - Bookselling & Events Café Team Captain Lead Barista More FT and PT positions to be listed soon.

apply today! wildmeadowsbooks.com

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 Williston

• Paid time off • Flexible hours - Both part-time and full-time candidates will be considered

Send resume and cover letter to

Rick@willistonobserver.com

RABIES BAIT

continued from page 2

CREDIT CARD PROCESSING

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Forestry Mulching Services Rabies is a deadly viral disease for private and of the commercial brain that infects mammals.

It isprojects most often Driveways, foxes, Ponds, Land Clearing, seen in raccoons, skunks, and bats, Trails, Farms, Ski Areas, Naturallivestock Disaster Recovery, but unvaccinated pets and can also Logging Cleanup, Invasive Vegetation, Excavation get rabies. The virus is spread through the bite of an Visit infected animal contact with its for information: Visitour ourwebsite website formore moreor information www.vtlandmaintenance@gmail.com www.vtlandmaintenance.com Brian Washburn Email: vtlandmaintenance@gmail.com 802-434-4533 • 802-373-1755 (cell) Brian Washburn: 802-434-5533 • 802-373-1755 (cell)

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RABIES saliva.

If left BAIT untreated, rabies is almost al- saliv continued from page and 2 animals. However, way ways fatal in humans treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly trea November 6, 2025 •bait Williston Observer • Page 23 week-long drop is asoon coopera100 100The percent effective when given after SH effortis between and the U.S. a pe ative person bitten byVermont a rabid animal. cont Department Agriculture Wildlife Services S So far thisofyear, 23 animals in Vermont ANTIQUES to stop the positive spread offorthe potentially ANTIQUE SHOP have tested rabies, and 14fatal of hav She disease. tho those have been raccoons. disp Rabies is a to deadly viralofficials, disease of the A According wildlife rabid IVE ORNERS IVE ORNERS lead IVE ORNERS brain that infects mammals.

It in is most animals often show a change their often nor- anim NTIQUES NTIQUES seenbehavior, in raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, dor mal mal but you cannot telland whether NTIQUES from but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also an animal has rabies simply by looking A Multi Dealer Shop at an A Multi Dealer A spread Multi Dealer Shop Shop get rabies.

The virus is through the cree it. P it. People should not touch or pick up wild 802.878.6167 802.878.6167 from 802.878.6167 bite of an infected animal or contact with its 11 Maple Street, Essex Junction, VT 11 Maple Street, Essex Junction, VT anim animals or strays – even baby animals.

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Page 24 •

Williston Observer •

November 6, 2025

2025/2026 COMMUNITY EVENTS HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST All Ages. Show your holiday spirit and join this friendly competition while infusing some cheer in the community!

Registration Deadline: Sunday, Dec. 14. Judging will take place by the community from Dec. 18-21 from 5:30-7 p.m. each night.

SNOWPERSON BUILDING CONTEST All Ages: Get outside and show off your snow-building skills and create a snowy creation from Jan. 1-31. Take a picture of your creation and email it to: recreation@willistonvt. org. Pictures will be posted on the Dept Facebook page in February for all to vote on.

SPECIAL EVENTS FAMILY SKATE NIGHT All Ages: Grab your skates and the whole family for a fun evening of skating at Village Community Park! Glide across the ice, enjoy the wintery weather, and warm up with some hot cocoa, a bonfire and Smore’s! Saturday, Jan. 17, 5-7 p.m. Free!

FAMILY BINGO NIGHT All Ages: Join us for a fun-filled evening of Family Bingo! Bring the whole family for a night of laughter, friendly competition, and community fun. Friday, Feb. 20, 6-8 p.m. at the R.E.C Zone, 94 Harvest Lane. Free!

FAMILY PROGRAMS VOCAL PERCUSSION & IMPROVISATION WORKSHOP Age 13+: Root7, VT’s contemporary a cappella group, will host sight-reading sing-alongs of winter and holiday music. Join one or more of these dates: Nov. 13, Nov. 21, Dec. 2 or Dec. 5, 7-9 p.m. at the R.E.C. Zone- 94 Harvest Ln. Free!

DANGEROUS GIRLS Age 12+. This Women-only cardio-kickboxing class combines strength and conditioning with practical combat skills. Learn trips and throws, bounce to Beyoncé, hit hard, laugh a lot.

Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff. Wednesdays, Jan. 1-Feb. 4, 6:307:30 p.m.

ACTIVE AGERS PROGRAMS COMMUNITY MEALS BY AGE WELL Age 60+. Age Well will be hosting community meals at the R.E.C. Zone every Tuesday at 12 p.m. Space is limitedAdvanced registration is required. To Register- Contact Taylor at (802) 876-1160. A program will follow the meal each week.

A MATTER OF BALANCE Age 50+: The program is designed to help older adults feel more confident about preventing and managing falls. You will build strength, improve balance, and develop strategies for staying active. Wednesdays, Jan. 14- March 4, 1-3 p.m. Free, Pre-registration is required.

www.WillistonRec.org

NOVEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY

WINTER PROGRAMS ADULT PROGRAMS

ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA EDUCATION Age 18+: Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Lifestyle choices impact the aging process. Learn about important research into diet/nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity, and social engagement. Thursday, Nov. 20, 6-7 p.m. Free, Preregistration is required.

SELF DEFENSE KICKBOXING INTRO Age 18+. The program mixes training techniques from multiple martial arts, including Filipino stick fighting, kickboxing, and Jiu-Jitsu, to create a fun, non-competitive environment.

Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff. Tuesdays, Jan. 13- Feb. 2, 6:307:30 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE- COED Age 18+. The Winter league starts in January. The deadline to register is January 1. Team plays ends with a double-elimination tournament. Contact Tim Armstrong- willistonvolleyball@ gmail.com.

TOTS/YOUTH/TEEN PROGRAMS SWIM LESSONS- SPLASH Age 6 mos-2.5 yrs. The Dept. and The Edge in Essex are teaming up to offer Tot-Preschool group swim lessons. The lessons introduce swimming techniques and increase safety skills around the water. There are programs each month offered on Saturdays or Sundays.

RECKIDS BASKETBALL Ages 4-5- Coed. This is a parent/child program designed to teach the fundamentals of the game. Each week youngsters will be introduced to new skills and fun activities. Fridays, Jan. 9- Feb. 6, 5:15-6 p.m. Instructors: Rec. Staff.

ROOKIES BASKETBALL Grades K/1/2: The program is designed for those who want to learn and experience basketball in a fun and engaging atmosphere. There are separate programs for boys and girls.

Saturdays, Jan. 10- Feb. 14. Boys- 8-9 a.m. and Girls- 9:10-10:10 a.m.

YOUTH BASKETBALL Grades 3-4 & 5-6: There are separate leagues for boys and girls.

There will be practice during the week and games on Saturdays.

Teams will have the opportunity to play other Recreation Dept teams. Programs start in December with practices.

LEARN TO SKI/RIDE Grades K-8. Early-bird discount- Dec. 15. Come learn to ski or ride in this after-school program. The program consists of lessons and free ski times each week. Wednesdays, Jan. 14March 4, 2:30-4:30p.m.

DRIVERS ED Ages 15-17. The course includes 30 hours of classroom activities and weekly behind-the-wheel lessons Instructor: Epic Driving. Sundays & Wednesdays, Dec. 7- Feb. 11.

802-876-1160

MATH WORKSHOPS

Age 14+: Explore how computers use math to create movement, visuals, and effects in hands-on, beginnerfriendly workshops. Instructor: Michael Opperman.

Vector Workshop - Mondays, Jan. 5-Feb. 2, 3:30-5 p. m.

Matrix Workshop - Thursdays, Jan. 8- Feb. 5, 3:30-5 p.m.

COOKIE DECORATING Grades K-8: Join us for a frosty, fun-filled afternoon of cookie decorating inspired by a magical winter tale! While we decorate, we’ll enjoy a short, animated film. Monday, Dec. 29, 2-3 p.m.

WINTER CULINARY 3-DAY ADVENTURE Age 8-16: Wintry sabotage comes with each recipe. Scavenger hunts, word puzzles, carnival games, equipment swaps, etc., await each participant as they work together to overcome obstacles. Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 29-31, 1-4:30 p.m.

CREATIVE SWEET TREATS Age 8-16: Candy, cupcakes, and desserts are the features of this program. Participants will be given an example of a finished product and then let loose to create their personal version. Monday-Friday, Feb. 23-27, 1-4:30 p.m.

KNITTING Grades 3rd-8th: The program will offer the basics for first timers, as well as providing early and intermediate knitters with specific how-to and help with projects. Instructor: Chrisine Hevner. Wednesdays, Jan. 7- Feb. 11, 1:50-3:15 p.m.

R.E.C. ZONE FITNESS PROGRAMS On-going programs held at the R.E.C. Zone- 94 Harvest Lane

TAI CHI INTRO Age 50+. Mondays, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Free. Instructor: Adina Panitch.

BONE BUILDERS Age 50+. Tues & Thurs, 10-11 a.m., Free. Instructors: Ann Naumann & Joyce Oughstun.

SENIOR STRENGTH & FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY Age 50+. Wednesdays & Fridays, 10-10:45 a.m., Free. Instructor: Jazmine Averbuck.

ZUMBA GOLD Age 18+. Fridays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., $10 per session. Instructor: Ciara Gregory

WANTED!

BASKETBALL REFEREES Rec. Basketball is looking for Basketball Referees for Saturday morning games in January and February. Refereeing can be a paid position or for those looking for volunteer hours to give back to the community. Contact the Rec. Dept.

recreation@willistonvt.org