Williston Observer 12/8/2022

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A standing ovation!!

The cast and crew of Williston’s First Annual Winter Pageant, held Dec. 2 at Williston Central School, take a final bow to a standing ovation. For more photos and a review, see page 6.

BY JASON STARR Observer staff Williston Selectboard member Gordon St. Hilaire appeared in Chittenden County Criminal Court in Burlington last Thursday and pleaded not guilty to stalking and unlawful mischief.

St. Hilaire was released under condition that he not attempt to contact the alleged stalking victim and not go within 300 feet of her. St. Hilaire was first charged with the crimes, which carry a potential sentence of up to 2 years in prison and a $5,000 fine (stalking) and 1 year in

St. Hilaire pleads not guilty

prison and a $1,000 fine (unlawful mischief), on Nov. 28. No other court hearing on the matter has been set.

St. Hilaire declined to comment following the arraignment. He was absent from Tuesday’s meeting of the selectboard.

The charges stem from incidents earlier this fall, when St. Hilaire allegedly repeatedly deflated a driver’s side tire on his ex-girlfriend’s car while she was at home and at work. According to a sworn statement from Williston Police Officer Avery Lemnah, St. Hilaire admitted to deflating the tire on multiple occasions in an effort to spark a conver-

Williston Selectboard member Gordon St. Hilaire arrives at his arraignment in Chittenden County Criminal Court in Burlington last Thursday.

PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

sation with his ex-girlfriend. They had been living together in Williston up until September, according to police.

The woman reportedly incurred roughly $500 in car expenses and was becoming fearful for her safety. The charge of stalking involves “engaging in a course of conduct directed (at) a specific person knowing that such conduct would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or suffer substantial emotional distress,” according to court documents.

Officer Lemnah said she staked out the alleged victim’s workplace

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parking lot in Williston on the evening of Nov. 16 and saw St. Hilaire wearing a motorcycle helmet and carrying three cartons of eggs. According to Lemnah, St. Hilaire acknowledged that he was there to “do some not good things.” St. Hilaire said he was glad to be caught by police to prevent him from doing anything else, according to a sworn statement by Williston Police Sgt. Eric Shepard.

St. Hilaire has been on the selectboard since 2019. His seat is up for re-election in March, 2024.

— VTDigger contributed to this report.

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Williston Observer

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December 8, 2022

PROPERTY TRANSFERS - NOVEMBER 2022 • Kristin Westphal bought a condominium from Joseph Clay on Westview Circle for $315,100.

• Michael Garber Jr. bought a home on 2 acres on Governor Chittenden Road from Bernard Comeau for $275,000.

• Jeffrey Davis bought a condominium on Chelsea Place from Laura Allen for $451,000.

• Laurie Lavallee bought a mobile home on Trillium Road from Lisa Singer Lowell for $171,300.

• Massiel Ayala bought a home on Chloe Circle from Northridge-Williston LLC for $713,976 • Noah Boetsma bought a home on 3 acres on Nob Hill Road from Judith Gregory for $595,000.

• Casey Moore bought a home on South Brownell Road from Nancy Bates for $424,000.

• Lokesh Gurung bought a home on Lamplite Lane from the Pearl A. Wells Living Trust for $469,900.

Keebowl, Inc. for $1.3 million.

• Zlatan Valjevac bought a home on 30 acres on Greenwood Lane from Hans Krause for $741,000.

• Rebecca Byrne bought a home on 1 acre on St. George Road from Laura Nace for $410,000.

• Roy Harper Investments LLC bought commercial space on 1.2 acres on Avenue D from Avenue D LLC for $1.2 million.

• Scott Rogers bought a home on 6 acres on Martel Lane from Steven Erhard for $669,000.

• The Denise H. Martin Living Trust bought a condominium on Kadence Circle from Northridge-Williston LLC for $508,132.

• Jonathan Brooks bought a condominium on Chelsea Place from Colin Iverson for $455,000 Property Transfers sponsored by

• R&M Realty bought a commercial building on 2 acres on Avenue C from

Library launches podcasting program

BY JASON STARR Observer staff Participants in this year’s Vermont Reads program at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library (DAML) will grapple with harrowing stories of migrant workers in Vermont, and do so with new technology.

Library leaders have long sought ways to incorporate podcasting into their programming, particularly for the DAML teen advisory group. The Vermont Reads program — a statewide Vermont Humanities initiative that encourages Vermonters of all ages to read the same book and discuss its themes — has become the impetus for librarians to finally set up a studio.

Youth Services Librarian Bonnie Lord will unveil the library’s new two-way podcasting microphone and recording software from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 during a Vermont Reads kickoff party. Participants can pick up a copy of this year’s Vermont Reads selection — “The Most Costly Journey” — a collection of 19 first-person accounts of migrant laborers working on Vermont farms, illustrated by New England cartoonists. The book includes stories of crossing the Southern border, struggling with language barriers, adapting to Vermont winters, raising children, working long hours and health challenges.

“The teens here at Dorothy Alling have

expressed interest in doing a podcast before and it is something we had been looking into, so this was timely for us to dip our feet into the water,” Lord said. “I know they are interested in the technology.”

The teen advisory group is planning to create a podcast series around the themes of the book using the library’s new microphone, quiet space in the community room or Vermont history room, and podcasting software (the Audacity app) loaded onto library tablet computers. And while participants may not have direct experience as New Americans working Vermont farms, they will be interviewed or prompted to discuss personal experiences with similar feelings: “times where you were really a fish out of water, or in a place where you don’t fit in, or have to make sacrifices … ” Lord explained.

The teen group will then edit episodes and publish them on Spotify for anyone to listen.

“The name of the podcast is still in the works because we want our teens to have a lot of input on that,” Lord said.

DAML is collaborating with Brownell Library in Essex Junction on the podcasting initiative. A closing celebration for Vermont Reads is planned for Brownell in February.

After that, DAML’s podcasting kit will be available for all community members to check in and out and create their own podcasts.

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December 8, 2022 •

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Marvin, below, and Lois (Johnson) Clark skiing on the hill in front of their home on Governor Chittenden Road circa 1950.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAMERON CLARK

A trip down memory lane with members of the Williston Historical Society

Winter recreation in Williston: ‘lots of great memories’

BY RICHARD ALLEN Special to the Observer For close to 90 years, Williston has taken its rightful place on the list of Vermont ski towns. From the UVM Outing Club trails on Brownell Mountain in the 1930s, the ski jumps on Redmond Road, Williston Ski Associates in North Williston, the Tuthill Family trails and races and Catamount Family Center, to the after school ski program at Cochran’s in Richmond, the reputation of the town as a great place to live for ski enthusiasts is well earned.

So, when did skiing first appear in Williston? In 1914, “snow skates” were advertised in the Burlington Free Press by Smith’s Sporting Goods on Church Street in Burlington as the “latest novelty … and … specially recommended by a prominent New England physician as furnishing one of the best means of outdoor recreation.”

Perhaps local resident Lloyd Fuller used these skis in 1920 when he suffered an injury and was “confined with a bad knee, having tried to ski down a steep bank of snow.

The doctor took nine stitches before the gash was closed.”

In the past, residents have taken to other forms of winter recreation.

In “North Williston: Down Depot Hill,” Julia Fifield remembered “homemade jumpers” and how they were constructed with a barrel stave as a runner and a round piece of firewood that held a simple seat

on top. The “staves were sanded and waxed to insure speed.” They spent hours maneuvering down a small hill and walking back up.

“We made jumps and dug potholes … to make it more thrilling.”

Sliding on North Williston Road or Depot Hill all the way to the railroad tracks was an indication of the lack of traffic.

“We’d go down two deep — one lay down the sled and the other on top, carrying a lighted flashlight. If we saw car lights, we’d ditch ourselves … We usually made three or four trips before trudging home,” remembered Gertrude Urie.

A call for winter remembranc-

es on the Facebook site of “If you grew up in Williston, then you remember…” elicited many enthusiastic answers. Jeff Isham emailed this account about his father.

“In the wintertime the road would be used for ice skating, but not by Teeny (George Isham).

Teeny and his siblings would slide down the hill across from the (Lake Iroquois) schoolhouse, including in the early morning before school started. At night the kids would hang lanterns on the

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trees and slide down in between the trees to the road.”

The after-school ski program at the Cochran Ski Area in Richmond was led for many years

by Williston physical education teacher Richard Farrell. Pam Reit recalled how Mr. Farrell “was so encouraging and took great care of me as my hands would ache and

my leather mittens would shred on that darn rope tow!”

The easiest first skiing was often close to home. The photos on this page of Marvin and Lois Clark on their property on Governor Chittenden Road in the early 1950s were described by granddaughter Cameron Clark as “cow pasture skiing.” see PAST TIMES page 4

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December 8, 2022

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Past Times continued from page

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Bob Bradish, in a recent email, said he first learned to ski on the slope in front of their house on the corner of Oak Hill Road and Route 2.

Nancy Hassett Breiner remembered that “living on a farm, we mostly snowmobiled. On weekends we would have 30 machines on a

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ride. We held races on Lake Iroquois.

My grandmother kept her trophy in her living room. We had so many bonfires on top of Martel Hill with so many machines in a circle. All the neighbors would join us.” Vickie Bissonette Durgin recalled similar fun: “We grew up on Stirrup Circle, snowmobiling across the open fields to visit cousins in Lamplite.”

Karen Peterson Shastany described some homemade winter activities. “In the early 1950s, my dad (Dr. Peterson) had a ‘fire pond‘ dug … We enjoyed it year-round although mostly in the winter when we would spend hours skating on it … We also had a toboggan run on a hill in the north meadow. And of course, almost daily we would slide down Peterson Lane. I can almost still feel the excitement of that and then the trudge back up the hill.”

Douglas Isham shared reminiscences as well: “Growing up on the farm, we did a variety of activities outside of daily chores. Sledding down the hill in the sugar woods until my older brother broke his foot hitting a tree. Dad put a stop to sledding in the woods after that … We would shovel off the pond behind the barn and play two-ontwo hockey with our cousins from South Road. We also would spend hours digging tunnels throughout the backyard once the snow got deep enough. Lots of great memories there.”

Nancy Packard wrote that “We had a small hill between the house and the barn that we used to slide

our coasters down, but the big fun would be when we would walk a mile down the road, dragging our sleds behind us, to go sliding down the back side of Five Tree Hill. The snow was so deep that it took several runs to get the trail packed enough to make it all the way to the pond, but in the right conditions, it was a blast!

“We all found cross-country skis under the Christmas tree one year and would pop them on and create our own trails on our fields behind the barn, and into the woods all the way to the fields behind the Stultz’s farm on (Route) 2A … We all learned to ski on Brownell Mountain when the old tow line … (was) run by an old beat-up car ... I remember the rope used to abrade our mittens to shreds and coming home with bloodied palms!

“We had a small pond on our property and would cut or shovel all the cattail reeds to the ice level once it froze and skate like ballerinas. We would build elaborate snow forts, rolling giant snowballs that would be so big and heavy that they would peel the snow right to grass and it took several of us to move them around! Making snow angels, snowmen, and snow painting with food coloring were fun activities. I imagine that hasn’t changed much over the years. Fun to remember all this!”

But winter isn’t always pleasurable in Vermont; in an upcoming article, we will look at the challenges of winter travel in past times.

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December 8, 2022 •

Williston Observer

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Page 5

Town tree trimmed The annual Williston tree lighting celebration was held on Sunday evening at the gazebo on the town green.

Onlookers enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies as the tree was officially lit. As part of the event, community members donated 155 hats, mittens and socks to be given to the Williston Community Food Shelf. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

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December 8, 2022

Making spirits bright

Community vision, talent combine to create Winter Pageant magic

BY SUSAN COTE Observer staff Magic. That’s a fitting word for the spectacle that seems to have materialized from thin air at this year’s First Annual Winter Pageant staged by Williston Community Theatre.

Not just because audience members in the Williston Central School auditorium were treated to an astonishing and amusing act of illusion in “The Mystic Mangle Box of Doom” performed by the Fidler family. But because, where there has been no event of this nature before in Williston, this past Friday we were treated to a full-blown variety show with performances of a range and standard that brought a delighted audience to its feet to reward the production with a standing ovation.

“From the cast and the crew to our

wonderful audience, I couldn’t be happier with how our show turned out. Community theatre only works if the community’s involved and it seems to be working in Williston,” said Sean Reeks, the pageant’s producing artistic director.

Reeks performed the role of Mr. William Winters, singing and dancing and serving as the emcee. He set a joyful tone from the outset, encouraging the audience to embrace the spirit of the season and engagingly knitting the various performances together.

Assistant Director Helen Weston’s hand in the show may have been less visible but was nonetheless substantial and reflected in the overall quality of the production. Weston, who is the founder of Williston Community Theatre and, along with Reeks, its co-executive director, coached and provided skillfully rendered piano accompaniment for several of the acts.

The production attracted a full house that was treated to musical performances

of holiday favorites ranging from the comedic to the nostalgic to the sublime. The show ran just under an hour and a half and kept the audience rapt throughout.

Soloist Sarah Connor and dancers opened the show with “Winter Wonderland,” giving a taste of the audio and visual buffet about to be spread before us. Connor later performed a lovely rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” accompanied by Weston.

The Champlain Consort’s period musicians wove a tapestry of Renaissance and Elizabethan harmonies harkening back to the origins of many of today’s traditions and familiar tunes. While various recorders formed the base of their melodies, we were also introduced to the unique sounds of such early instruments as the bass cornamuse and the sackbut. The group rounded out their portion of the evening by getting everyone in attendance to join in singing verses of “Deck the Halls.”

‘Mr. William Winter’ (Sean Reeks) leads the Winter Pageant Musical theater veterans and married as Master of Ceremonies. see PAGEANT page 7

OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY

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December 8, 2022 • ‘Goin’ on a Date with Santa’ is performed in a duet

by Meredith and Robert Stetson.

Below, Harley Everitt, Williston sixthgrader, sings ‘A Marshmallow World.’

Helen Weston provided piano accompaniment for both numbers.

Bottom, ‘Winter Wonderland’ is performed by Williston’s own ‘Rockettes’ (l to r) Vie Mazur, Halee Bernier, Carah Pioli-Hunt, Ellie Wallace, Kyla Paul, Merril Cameron, Kaitie Bessette, Keely Agan and Sean Reeks.

OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

Pageant continued from page

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couple Meredith and Robert Stetson made us laugh with their sassy performance of “Goin’ on a Date with Santa,” then conjured a sweetly wistful mood with their rendition of “Once Upon a December.”

Williston Central School sixth-grader Harley Everitt delivered a delightful performance of “A Marshmallow World” with a beautiful clear voice and confident stage presence, earning enthusiastic applause.

Not to go unappreciated, the professional quality costume and set design and technical aspects of the show contributed much to the performances. Gary Howard’s sonorous reading of “The Wind of Winter,” for example, was made even more vivid with artistic sound and lighting effects.

Dancing also uplifted the program. Ballet Vermont members’ performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Snowflakes,” directed by Chatch Pregger, was swirling and graceful. Tap numbers choreographed by Assistant Director Kyla Paul Marchand with assistance from Halee Bernier were bursting with crowd-pleasing energy, wowing us with the company’s synchronized motion.

The show concluded with Reeks singing holiday favorites “The Christmas Song” and “Let It Snow,” with the company of beaming dancers joining him for the latter with a show-stopping kick line.

Exiting the auditorium, the crowd was abuzz with wonder at the mystifying magic act and excitedly trading comments about other favorite moments.

Immediately following the show and in the

days since, Weston and Reeks said they have received enthusiastic comments from community members who left feeling inspired and impressed by the talent that was shared.

“I had parents coming up and saying, ‘My kids were mesmerized the whole time,’” Reeks said. “I feel like we really had a chance to move people and I feel like we really did. That’s just incredibly fulfilling.”

“I look forward to our community always being excited about Williston Community Theatre,” said Weston, “because community theater happens because its community believes in the project.”

We may never know how Bill and Frankie Fidler made their mother Chloë disappear and reappear in the “Mystic Mangle Box of Doom,” but I do know that I and a lot of other people in Williston will be looking forward to the magic of gathering as a community for next year’s Second Annual Winter Pageant.

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December 8, 2022

GUEST COLUMN

Health care reform needs to be reformed

Williston’s Community Newspaper Since 1985

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

ADVERTISING SPACE DEADLINE Friday at 5 p.m. for the next Thursday issue rick@willistonobserver.com, 802-373-2136

BY PAUL KENDALL

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.

PUBLISHER Susan T. Cote susan@willistonobserver.com

SUBMISSIONS & LETTERS Deadline is Monday noon for Thursday issue. News/ story tips are welcomed. Letters to the Editor must be 300 words or fewer and should include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we can verify the letter’s author.

BILLING INQUIRIES Michael McCaffrey office@willistonobserver.com

The Williston Observer reserves the right to edit or refuse submissions or advertising. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the paper.

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Burlington Area Newspaper Group

Those seeking to reform Vermont’s health care delivery system need to focus on correcting two errors in past reform efforts.

The first correction is recognizing that if an accountable care organization is controlled by a teaching hospital, it has an inherent conflict of interest in achieving the goal of lowering health care costs. Such is the case now with the relationship between OneCare Vermont and the University of Vermont Medical Center.

The second is admitting that the government entities and legislative committees responsible for overseeing and directing Vermont’s accountable care organization lack the cohesive leadership, vision and political will to do this job.

These are not new insights.

Concern for mounting health care

costs led the Public Oversight Commission under then-Gov. Jim Douglas to observe in 2007 that the system of authorizing annual cost increases is self-perpetuating.

Hospitals tend to add programs and services, requesting rate in-

Vermont’s health care system resembles an orchestra without a conductor. creases to cover revenue shortfalls and to maintain operating margins; that hospital strategic plans don’t adequately reflect planning for downside risk or alternative scenarios; and that the HRAP (the state’s health resources plan) should be updated to reflect a clear

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vision of what the delivery system should look like.

Nothing much happened in response to this report until Gov. Peter Shumlin proposed his single-payer plan and then, after withdrawing it, sought approval for the current experiment led by OneCare Vermont. A five-year contract with the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation was subsequently executed and came into effect in 2017.

Unfortunately, as recent news articles have documented, the results of this five-year effort have been worse than disappointing.

Health care costs have continued to rise unacceptably, accessibility to needed health care providers has declined and, for many Vermonters, the quality of their care has suffered.

While there are many contributing factors to these results, see KENDALL page 11

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Page 9

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Decentralized energy and the grid The Living Green article in the Nov. 23 edition of the Observer (“The Electric Grid — What is it and how do we benefit from it”) was very informative.

I will add that the “grid” has an ever-increasing need for distributed generation. The article’s diagram and description depict large, centralized generation systems.

There are several scales of distributed generation that were left out — medium-sized commercial solar and wind projects scattered throughout the state.

Now, more and more, we see small solar distributed generation mounted at our homes and businesses. Many of these systems produce more electrons than they use, which are then added to the grid via net metering. With battery storage, their ability to further benefit the grid is enhanced.

Some percentage of the electrons produced at large, remote generators are lost in transit prior to their eventual use. Distributed generation, by definition, is decentralized. This greatly reduces losses, as it is produced nearer the end user.

There is a significant discussion now regarding large hydro-energy generation, such as Hydro Quebec, and whether it should be considered renewable.

This is an important discussion but beyond the scope of this letter.

Rep. Jim McCullough House Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Committee

Our student-athletes deserve better The CVU fall sports season left us with three state champion titles: field hockey, girls soccer and football. The dedication of the athletes, coaches, school employees, administrators and student supporters was inspiring.

But teams accomplished these feats despite the poor athletic facilities at CVU. We attended games at South Burlington and Burlington high schools.

The stands at their turf fields were packed with community members and students who had a safe, purposeful place to gather.

CVU offers no such home experience: no lights for evening games; no sound system for hype music; no announcing our athletes or scores; no concession stand; no stadium; no student musicians playing at halftime.

An occasional food truck is the result of school and parent efforts — the valiant workarounds of those who want an experience for the students and community that we aren’t set up to give.

At football games, students drag an old couch behind a goal post, creating a seating area for four, while other students stand around. There’s no game visibility.

Field hockey is meant to be played on turf. Home games are cancelled on rainy days while competitors’ games go on. At away games, athletes must adjust to the faster speed of a game that they can’t adequately prepare for on grass. Coaches and our activities director scrambled for turf time leading up to the finals. Groundskeepers do their best in an unwinnable battle.

Some say quality facilities aren’t in support of equity and inclusion for all. Those who feel that way should attend a game at Burlington or South Burlington high schools and take in a diverse crowd of fans. I have read that CVU is too close to our neighbors and can’t hold evening games. Rival schools have neighbors. These are problems that can be addressed through policies.

Voice your support for improved facilities through the CVSD strategic planning process (https://www.cvsdvt.org/).

This process will create goals.

When it’s time to vote, support our schools.

In the short term, ask questions for immediate improvements. For sports that need turf, regularly scheduled turf time and a bus should be a requirement at the outset of the season.

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Athletic facilities that support the quality of our program is important in creating outcomes to be proud of. We can do better for our students and community.

Meg Thomas Williston

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Page 10 •

Williston Observer

• December 8, 2022

Health Care Plans Made For Vermonters.

By Vermonters.

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, our employees live and work here — more than 400 of us.

So when it comes to the health and well-being of our neighbors in this brave little state, we know what’s important: You want your health care dollars to work their hardest. People who treat you right.

And affordable plans with extras to keep you well. That’s what makes us Vermont’s health plan.

Take advantage of federal subsidies that may lower the cost of every Blue Cross plan through Vermont Health Connect. See how much you can save at VTBlue.com or call (802) 780-2830.

December 8, 2022 •

Kendall continued from page

8

a fundamental one is conflict of interest.

Since its inception, OneCare Vermont, the state’s only accountable care organization, has been controlled by the University of Vermont Medical Center. In its defense, UVM Medical Center, together with its related hospital network, has the deepest bench of medical and management professionals in Vermont and is the state’s most politically powerful health care advocate.

But a sophisticated teaching hospital, whose mission is to provide the highest levels of specialized care, is not like any other health care provider in the state.

Hence, it is not particularly attuned to the needs of lower-cost, community-based primary health care providers, nor can it prioritize their needs over its own self-interest.

This should have been obvious when the contract with Medicare and Medicaid was being considered, and it is my understanding that Sen. Bernie Sanders had similar concerns about potential conflicts of interest when he created the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) program. Consequently, none of the FQHCs that provide essential services to rural communities may be owned by a hospital.

The second fundamental correction that needs to be made in the current reform effort is to admit the state’s failure to articulate what a new health care delivery

system should look like.

Vermont’s health care system resembles an orchestra without a conductor.

Within government, there are the Green Mountain Care Board; the Agency of Human Services with its departments of Health, Mental Health, and Health Access; the Legislature’s Health Reform Oversight Committee; and a Task Force on Affordable, Accessible Health Care.

Outside of government, there are community access hospitals, regional hospitals, a medical center, rural health clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, independent mental health, home health, housing, aging and visiting nurse organizations, as well as private medical practitioners,

optometrists and dentists.

Like the different sections of an orchestra, each of these “players” may perform well. But without a conductor, they do not play the same tune, or they play it in different keys or at different tempos. None of them has a conception of, or accountability for, the total effort.

The need for these two corrections — OneCare Vermont’s conflict of interest and the state’s lack of a unified vision — raises two critical questions. How can Vermont’s health care policies, strategies, funding and execution be linked together to produce lower costs while maintaining service quality and accessibility? If an accountable care organization is the best means for achieving this goal, who should

“own” it and be held accountable for its results?

In theory, the accountable care organization (ACO) approach is not a bad idea, but OneCare Vermont cannot be that ACO nor can an ACO be a cure-all for cost containment.

Accountable care organizations are essentially administrators of an allocation system.

They distribute funds, annually or by multiyear contracts, across the spectrum of a health care system in accordance with a vision of service delivery endorsed by the public’s elected officials. An ACO could even be a part of the executive branch of government, as there is no reason why public health care funding is fundamentally different from funding public education or transportation.

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Williston Observer

•

Page 11

Fortunately, the imminent renegotiation of the state’s current Medicare and Medicaid contract provides an opportunity for the state to start over. Instead of tinkering around the edges of a failed approach, why not — with a popular governor, a progressive Legislature and the able leadership of Sen. Sanders — redesign the system into a well-planned orchestra and conductor so they can play exceptional music?

Paul Kendall of Braintree has been a director or trustee of several Vermont health care organizations and participated in the 2015-16 discussions leading to the designation of OneCare Vermont as Vermont’s only accountable care organization.

VERMONT OPERA IN CONCERT PRESENTS:

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Page 12 •

Williston Observer

•

December 8, 2022

Sports

Preseason goals A candidate for the Redhawk goalie position, left, makes a trapper save during the final day of try-outs for the CVU boys hockey team on Thursday at Cairns Arena.

Above, the ice ‘Hawks listen to some final words from Coach JP Benoit before the season begins.

OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

16-17 December, 2022 4pm-8pm

A Winter Artisan Festival On a dark, December night, Illuminate Vermont shines bright with the power of artistic expression and celebration.

Grab a cocktail or some culinary treats. Enjoy the live music from the main stage. Stroll the artists’ market, featuring great holiday gifts from Vermont artisans. Best of all, admission is free.

EXPERIENCE VERMONT’S NEWEST ARTISTIC FESTIVAL.

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December 8, 2022 •

Williston Observer

•

Page 13

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Page 14 •

Williston Observer

• December 8, 2022 PRESCHOOL MUSIC AND PLAYTIME

TEEN NIGHT: YULETIDE BALL

Thursday, Dec. 15 and 22, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy music with Linda Bassick, then stay to play.

BORAX CRYSTAL SNOWFLAKES

Dorothy Alling Memorial 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, renew materials, access digital offerings and register online for programs.

Need help? Call 878-4918 or email daml@damlvt.org.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Caretakers stay to help their campaigner. Registration required.

POKÉMON CLUB

Monday, Dec. 12, 4-5 p.m.

Show off your favorite cards, make Pokémon crafts and play games to win prizes.

TEENS DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CHARACTERIZATION

Monday, Dec. 12, 5-6 p.m.

Ages 12-plus. Work on your character (and sketch them).

Plan future D&D events.

STORYTIME

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

Tuesdays, Dec. 13 and 20, 10:30-11 a.m. Join Danielle for stories and fun.

LITTLE DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS

AFTER SCHOOL MOVIE

Friday, Dec. 9, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Ages 6-8. Kids finish their two-session D&D campaign.

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2-4 p.m.

Rated PG. Find out who wins in this basketball jam with beloved cartoon characters.

Thursday, Dec. 15, 5-5:45 p.m. Create a snowflake or star, and learn about the solution and reaction. Pick up your creation on the Dec. 16.

TEEN NIGHT GENRE BOOK CLUB

Friday, Dec. 16, 5-6 p.m.

Ages 12-plus. Read a graphic novel and discuss what you thought. Vote on February’s genre.

TWEEN BOOK CLUB

Monday, Dec. 19, 3-4 p.m.

Come discuss Golden Dome books.

SLIMY CHEMISTRY

Monday, Dec. 19, 5-6 p.m.

Experience chemistry by making slime and putty.

AFTER SCHOOL STEAM FUN ACTIVITY

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2-3 p.m.

Enjoy hands-on experiments

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 6-8 p.m. Ages 12-plus. Dress up and party like you’re at Hogwarts.

LEGO TIME

Thursday, Dec. 22, 3-4 p.m.

Create something with the Library’s LEGO collection.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Thursday, Dec. 22, 5-6 p.m.

Ages 12-plus. Join our teen advisory group. You bring the thoughts, we bring the food.

MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS FRENCH CONVERSATION FOR ALL

Saturday, Dec. 10, 10:3011:30 a.m. All abilities. Adults and youth with an adult are welcome.

READ TO A DOG

Thursday, Dec. 15, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Schedule a 10-minute timeslot to read to therapy dog, Lola.

VERMONT READS KICK-OFF PARTY

Saturday, Dec. 17, 10-11 a.m.

Pick up a copy of “The Most Costly Journey” and enjoy Central American snacks. Learn

Get more

Bag Riders, Lund partner on toy drive Bag Riders is partnering with Lund to sponsor a toy drive through Dec. 14. Donations of new toys are welcome and may be placed in collection bins at their offices on 347 Shunpike Road, Unit #2, in Williston on weekdays between the hours of 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

about upcoming events, including our podcast series in collaboration with Brownell Library.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

To join a book club or for Zoom link, email programs@ damlvt.org.

DECEMBER BOOK CLUBS

• After Hours Book Club, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m.

“Chances Are” by Richard Russo.

• Book Club Buffet (Online), Tuesday, Dec. 20, 12:30 p.m.

“The Tao of Pooh” by Benjamin Hoff.

• Brown Bag Book Club, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 12:30 p.m.

Reader’s Recommendation — come share a favorite!

GUIDED MEDITATION (ONLINE)

Fridays in Dec. 12-12:30 p.m.

Guided meditation via Zoom.

ANNUAL COOKIE EXCHANGE

for your BUCK!

Tuesday, Dec. 13 drop off.

Wednesday, Dec. 14 pick up.

Bring two dozen individually wrapped cookies and a copy of your recipe to the library Tuesday by 4 p.m. Pick up an assortment of cookies and recipes on Wednesday.

CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION

YOUR AD IN 7 PAPERS. 1 EMAIL - 1 CONTACT.

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Drop by for a discussion of newsworthy topics.

Reach readers in northern Vermont’s most thriving communities — in print and online!

Friday, Dec. 16, 1-3 p.m.

Drop in to play this popular tile game. All abilities welcome.

Contact Rick Cote at rick@willistonobserver.com 802-373-2136

MAH JONGG

TECH TUTOR

Friday, Dec. 16, 2-4 p.m. Call to book a time slot for help with your technology.

SPANISH CONVERSATION (ONLINE)

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 5-6 p.m.

Practice Spanish conversation.

December 8, 2022 •

Williston Observer

Support Your Local Community

Shop Local

Your Support Matters

Buying at locally owned businesses keeps money close to home. For every $1.00 spent at a local business 0.67¢ is reinvested locally, compared to only 0.06¢ reinvested locally if spent online.

This holiday season, support local stores.

Sponsored by:

Shop Local

•

Page 15

Page 16dates: • Williston Observer release Dec. 10-16, 2022

•

December 8, 2022

50 (22)

Next Week: Hanukkah

Issue 50, 2022

Founded by Betty Debnam

Mini Fact:

Amazing Reindeer

Reindeer are strong and work well together as a team.

Northern peoples use reindeer to pull sleighs. photo by Tristan Ferne

It’s fun to share stories about animals.

During the holiday season, we often think of reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh. A very special reindeer with a blinking red nose is said to lead the way. The Mini Page learns about reindeer this week.

Reindeer

According to legend, Santa delivers kids’ presents from a sleigh pulled by nine reindeer.

Reindeer are the same species, or type, of animal as caribou (KAR-uh-boo).

They live in northern Europe, Asia and North America.

Reindeer have long fur with hollow hairs in the outer layer. These hairs trap air to keep the animals warm. When food is scarce, they can get by with less food.

In winter, they eat lichen (LIE-kun), a plantlike organism that resembles moss. It may be the only thing to eat under the snow.

A reindeer’s strong legs and large, wide hooves help them stay on top of the snow.

Their hooves also help them dig through snow to find food. They have long hair on their feet to help them get more traction on the snow.

Rudolph

The words to the song about Rudolph were written in 1939 by Robert L. May. He was in

the advertising business in New York. He was asked to come up with a Christmas verse about an animal. Ten years later, his brother-inlaw, Johnny Marks, put May’s words to music.

Reindeer facts Reindeer are herbivores, which means they eat a plant-based diet.

They’ve been recorded running between 36 and 48 mph (miles per hour).

Reindeer like to travel in large groups called herds. Some herds have many reindeer, and some have fewer. One herd is reported to have 1 million reindeer!

Both male and female reindeer have antlers. No other deer species has antlered females. Females’ antlers tend to be smaller than the males’.

The Lapland reindeer

What about other reindeer? There are some that live in the Arctic, which is in the cold far north. Lapland is an area in the Arctic. Parts of this area are in four countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.

The people of Lapland, the Lapps, have been herding reindeer for about 3,000 years. These animals are almost tame, or domesticated.

The Lapps taught native Alaskans to herd reindeer.

Lapps depend on reindeer for many things: • hides to make tents, bedding, boots and clothing.

• stomachs and intestines to hold food.

• antlers for making tools, dolls and cooking utensils.

• meat, milk, cheese and butter.

They also use reindeer to pull sleighs that help them transport things and people.

A large male’s antlers can grow up to a centimeter per day.

They like to live in very cold climates, but because temperatures are warmer around the world than they once were, the range of reindeer habitat is shrinking.

Reindeer usually live between 12 and 15 years.

Resources Resources On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPreindeer

At the library:

• “Reindeer Christmas” by Mark Kimball Moulton • “Reindeer: On the Move!” by Ginjer L. Clarke

The Mini Page® © 2022 Andrews McMeel Syndication

Try ’n’ Find

Mini Jokes

Words that remind us of reindeer are hidden in this puzzle.

Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: FAST, FINLAND, FOOD, HAIR, HERBIVORE, HOOVES, , LICHEN, NOSE, NORWAY, REINDEER, RUDOLPH, RUSSIA,

R H E R B

D S E E S

L W C F I

I E D N A

C D S P E

H E S S U

E N E Q D

N D V Y V

B Q O C S

F O O D O

Ryelle: What does Rudolph want for Christmas?

Ryan: A pony sleigh station!

S B H L Y

A M P O A

N H R M U

T S L E I

A W O N S

Eco Note A team of scientists and

Rudolph

The words to the song about Rudolph were written in 1939 by Robert L. May. He was in

• meat, milk, cheese and butter.

They also use reindeer to pull sleighs that help them transport things and people.

Moulton • “Reindeer: On the Move!” by Ginjer L. Clarke December 8, 2022 •

The Mini Page® © 2022 Andrews McMeel Syndication

Try ’n’ Find

•

Page 17

Mini Jokes

Words that remind us of reindeer are hidden in this puzzle.

Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: FAST, FINLAND, FOOD, HAIR, HERBIVORE, HOOVES, , LICHEN, NOSE, NORWAY, REINDEER, RUDOLPH, RUSSIA, SANTA, SLEIGH, SNOW, SPECIES, STRONG, SWEDEN.

Williston Observer

R H E R B I V O R E

D S E E S O N I Y Y

L W C F I N L A N D

I E D N A L P A L N

C D S P E C I E S P

H E S S U R F B F Q

E N E Q D E D R N R

N D V Y V E U M U G

B Q O C S D M S S K

F O O D O N S X Y D

Ryelle: What does Rudolph want for Christmas?

Ryan: A pony sleigh station!

S B H L Y I D R A F

A M P O A E L I W A

N H R M U R L A R S

T S L E I G H H O T

A W O N S T R O N G

Eco Note

You’ll need: • cooking spray • 1 pound frozen bread dough, thawed according to package directions • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts • 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar

What to do: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray.

2. Roll bread dough into a rectangle about 1/8-inch thick and about 12 by 15 inches.

Spread brown sugar all over dough to within 1/8 inch of edge. Sprinkle cinnamon over brown sugar and top with walnuts.

3. Starting at a short end, roll up dough tightly. Using a sharp knife, cut roll crosswise into 12 1-inch-thick rounds. Put 6 rounds into each pan, leaving space between them.

4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until rolls are puffed up and golden brown.

5. Whisk together confectioner’s sugar and 2 teaspoons water. Drizzle glaze over rolls.

The Mini Page® © 2022 Andrews McMeel Syndication

Cinnamon Rolls With Brown Sugar & Walnuts

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

Cook’s Corner

A team of scientists and one artist are deploying a network of underwater microphones off Greenland to record the sounds of melting icebergs and other natural occurrences. The hydrophones will capture the soundscape of the Davis Strait for two years, which will then be compiled by Irish artist Siobhán McDonald. The artistic endeavor will include sounds of earthquakes, landslides, wildlife, pollution and meltwater. Scientists say the acoustic research will also study the ocean’s salinity, whale migration, ice floes and other phenomena. adapted with permission from Earthweek.

For later: Look in your newspaper for articles about winter animals.

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

Brevity

BY DAN THOMPSON

Page 18 •

Williston Observer

•

December 8, 2022

Savvy Senior

Little known property tax relief programs help seniors save Dear Savvy Senior, I recently learned about a property tax relief program for seniors in the county where I live. Apparently, there are hundreds of these programs

By Jim Miller

across the country that many retirees, like me, are eligible for but don’t know about.

What can you tell me about this?

Overtaxed Eddie

Dear Eddie, Great question! Residential property-tax refund and credit programs exist in nearly every state, but unfortunately few people know about them. These

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According to Attom Data Solutions, a property-data provider, the average American household payed $3,785 in property taxes in 2021, but this amount varies widely depending on your state’s tax rate and your home’s estimated value. For example, New Jersey residents paid $9,476 per year on average in 2021, while West Virginia residents paid $901.

To help ease this tax burden, most states offer a number of property-tax relief programs.

But states aren’t always proactive in letting people know. It’s up to you, the homeowner, to find out what’s available in your county or city that you may be eligible for, and to apply.

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Property tax relief programs, sometimes called exemptions, release eligible homeowners from paying some or all of their property tax obligation. How long the exemption lasts can vary depending on where you live, and the reason you’re applying for the exemption.

The tax-relief process varies by county, city or state. In general, you’ll have to meet certain eligibility requirements, submit an application and provide documents that support your request. Most programs will either reduce, waive or freeze property taxes for seniors, veterans, surviving spouses, disabled and low-income residents.

But there are some counties that also offer basic homestead exemptions to homeowners regardless of age or income, and see SAVVY SENIOR page 22

December 8, 2022 •

Williston Observer

•

Page 19

CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 20

Almanac ANDREWS

MCMEEL

TODAY’S HISTORY: • In 1941, the United States declared war on Japan and officially entered World War II. • In 1980, John Lennon was shot to death outside his Manhattan apartment building.

• In 1991, the leaders of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine signed an agreement dissolving the Soviet Union and establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States.

• In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed into law the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

• In 2019, China recorded the first confirmed case of COVID-19.

TODAY’S FACT: • SpaceX became the first private company in the world to successfully launch, place in orbit and recover a spacecraft on this day in 2010.

SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 22

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Page 20

•

Williston Observer

•

December 8, 2022

OBITUARIES Patrick Tyler Metro of Westbrook, Maine, died in Portland, Maine, on Nov. 23, 2022, of a brain hemorrhage. He was the beloved son of William and Sally (Stockwell) Metro.

Patrick was born in Burlington, Vermont, on Oct. 25, 1985, and grew up in Williston, Vermont.

He attended Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg, Vermont, and graduated from Castleton University in Castleton, Vermont. At the time of his death he was working for Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine, as a Community Outreach worker. He was a Certified Peer Counselor.

Pat was loved by family,

Patrick Tyler Metro

friends, and clients alike. For several years he struggled with drug addiction, but was finally able to get clean and sober at Hazelden Betty Ford Center in Minnesota in 2015. From there he moved to Port-

land and became a peer counselor working on the streets and in hospitals with the homeless, mentally ill, and addicted population. He was loved and respected by all who worked with him and who received his care. He was especially cherished by his partner, Kelsey, and his best friend and business partner, Lester Gilkey. He was an avid reader and video gamer. In typical Pat fashion he continued to give after his death, donating both kidneys and a liver to save three lives.

Pat was predeceased by his grandparents, John and Kathleen Metro. He is survived by his parents, the love of his life, Kelsey Burrell, and his brother Hazen and fiance Katelyn McKenzie.

He leaves three sets of aunts and uncles, five cousins, and more friends than we can count.

A gathering of friends and family to remember this extraordinary life will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn at 145 Jetport Boulevard, Portland, on Dec. 11, 2022 at noon.

Anyone wishing to help further Pat’s mission can make a donation in his name to Spectrum Youth and Family Services in Burlington, Vermont (www. spectrumvt.org), Operation Hope in Maine (www.portlandrecovery.org) or Milestone Recovery Center in Portland (www.milestone-recovery.org).

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Zoom Meeting ID 846 5863 3532 on zoom.us/join or call 1-646-558-8656 DP 20-03.2 U-Haul Moving & Storage c/o Jeffery Vaine requests a Master Sign Plan amendment for their store located at 4964 Williston Rd. in the IZDW. DP 23-08 Summit Automotive Partners c/o Daniel Heil requests a discretionary permit for proposed renovation of Berlin City Kia including 2 additions totaling approx. 5,475 sf and the reconfiguration of parking at 586 Marshall Ave. in the IZDW. DP 23-09 William & Joan Boardman c/o Bryan Currier requests pre-application review for their proposed 2-lot residential subdivision on a 29.2 acre lot to create a 1.84 acre single family building lot and a 5.55 acre lot with the existing residence at 10 Ricky Vista in the ARZD. Project details and site plans are available online, go to bit.ly/DRBagendas. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802-878-6704 or email planning@willistonvt.org

December 8, 2022 •

Williston Observer

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Page 21

Vermont is facing a public health crisis.

FACT: There were 210 opioid-related fatal overdoses in 2021.1

FACT: Alcohol is the #1 misused substance in Vermont.2

FACT: Recovery is possible.

In times like this, we all need to work together.

Be a part of the solution: JOIN OUR TEAM. Case Manager – Chittenden Clinic Provide case management and specialized intervention services to clients struggling with opioid use disorders.

Case Manager – Harm Reduction Manage intervention services within the syringe exchange and low barrier buprenorphine program.

Senior Clinician – Chittenden Clinic Direct clinical services while providing crisis intervention for assigned populations.

Clinical Manager – Harm Reduction Lead Safe Recovery’s programs and provide supervision to clinical staff.

Health Home Services Coordinator Provide health home services to patients receiving medicationassisted treatment.

Additional positions available.

Visit howardcentercareers. org for more information.

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1. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2. Source: Vermont Department of Health

Sign-on bonuses available for several positions.

NC

To apply or for more info: 802-488-6946 howardcenter.org

Verm

Howard Center is seeking team members to ensure that help is here when it is needed. Our skilled and compassionate staff are committed to providing critical, life-saving services to individuals with substance use disorder. Howard Center is nationally recognized for excellence in addiction treatment and offers comprehensive supports and services.

RO LE F E XC E L

10/14/22 11:54 AM

Williston Observer

•

December 8, 2022

Start the New Year with a New Career at Rhino Foods!

Rhino is hiring like crazy to meet the summer demand for all our delicious products and we need you to join us!

If you are hired in an hourly role for our Production, Distribution, Manintenance and Sanitation Teams, Rhino will pay YOU $2,000 on your 6-month anniversary!

Check out our website for all our job listings, which include:

Production 1st, 3rd shifts, $17-18.50 depending on shift Sanitation 2nd shift-$18/hr.

Maintenance Techs 1st shift-DOE Make your New Year’s Resolution to Earn some “dough” at Rhino Foods!

Please see more on these openings on our career page at rhinofoods.com/about-rhino-foods/jobs-and-careers. *Rhino Foods does run sex offender checks on all employees

Savvy Senior continued from page

18

others that may provide exemptions to homeowners that have recently made energy-efficient improvements to their home.

WHERE TO LOOK

The best way to learn about local property-tax relief programs and their eligibility requirements is to visit your town, county, city or state website that collects your property tax. Most of these sites also provide applications and instructions, and will allow you to apply

Why not have a job you love?

either online, by mail or at your local tax office.

Another good resource for locating programs in your area is the Lincoln Institute, which has a property-tax database that lets you to browse programs across the country. To access it go to www.ResidentialPropertyTaxRelief Programs.org.

AARP may also be able to help through their Property Tax-Aide service — see www.PTAconsume r s . a a r pfo u n d a t i o n .o r g .

This free program, which is available in 13 states — Arizona, Colorado, Flori-

Bid Online or In Person

Fri., Dec. 9 @ 9AM

Positions include a sign on bonus, strong benefits package and the opportunity to work at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont”.

Service Coordinator: Continue your career in human services in a supportive environment by providing case management for individuals either for our Adult Family Care program or our Developmental Services program. The ideal candidate will have strong clinical, organizational & leadership skills and enjoy working in a team-oriented position. $47,000 annual salary, $1,500 sign on bonus.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Bid Online or In Person

Sat., Dec. 10 @ 9AM

Direct Support Professional: Provide 1:1 supports to help individuals reach their goals in a variety of settings. This is a great position to start or continue your career in human services. Full and part time positions available starting at $19/hr, $1,000 sign on bonus.

Residential Direct Support Professional: Provide supports to an individual in their home and in the community in 24h shifts including asleep overnights in a private, furnished bedroom. You can work two days, receive full benefits and have five days off each week! Other flexible schedules available, starting wage is $20/hr, $1,000 sign on bonus.

Shared Living Provider: Move into someone’s home or have someone live with you to provide residential supports. There are a variety of opportunities available that could be the perfect match for you and your household. Salary varies dependent on individual care requirements. $1,000 sign on bonus.

Join our dedicated team and together we’ll build a community where everyone participates and belongs https://ccs-vt.org/current-openings/

Make a career making a difference and join our team today! https://ccs-vt.org/current-openings/

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PUZZLE FOUND ON PAGE 19

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SUDUKO SOLUTION

Page 22 •

get rabies.from The page virus2is spread through the continued bite of an infected animal or contact with its The week-long bait drop is a cooperaSERVICE tive effort betweenDIRECTORY Vermont and the U.S. Department ofCAT Agriculture Wildlife Services SITTING to stop the spread of the potentially fatal disease.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the brain that infects mammals. It is most often seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also get rabies. The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its

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To place a classified or service directory ad, email rick@williston observer.com or call 802-373-2136

Page 24 •

Williston Observer

•

December 8, 2022

CVU grad’s Champlain shot earns national recognition

Confection construction Boeden Christiansen, left, puts some finishing touches on his “gingerbread” house at Williston’s Dorothy Alling Library on Saturday.

Young architects constructed a variety of sweet homes like the one shown above.

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“Homage” by Iain Mahaffey

Iain Mahaffey’s image of a calm Lake Champlain backed by the Adirondacks under wispy clouds has been chosen among works from around the country for the AP Art and Design Digital Exhibit, available at www. apar tanddesign.collegeboard.

Williston Observer rack distribution

at these locations in Williston, Richmond and Essex Williston Adams Farm Market Belle’s Café Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Fairfield Inn Gardener’s Supply Green Mountain Bagel Hannaford Healthy Living Williston Home2Suites Korner Kwik Stop Marriott Courtyard Men At Wok People’s United Bank Ramunto’s Rehab Gym Shell Gas Station (Essex Rd) Simon’s Mobil Williston Simply Divine Café Sonesta Sunoco Station Town of Williston Offices UPS Store Williston Coffee Shop

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Mahaffey, a 2022 graduate of CVU High School, submitted the photograph along with his portfolio to the AP Art and Design Exam last May after completing the AP Art and Design class at CVU. The image was selected as one of 50 chosen works from about 62,000 submissions.

Mahaffey included an artist statement with the submission: “This piece on a sentimental level is truly important to me. I made this piece in a place that has become home for me …

This image is an homage to my home. The land I have grown in.

And the mountains that I have learned to adore.”

Mahaffey lives in Charlotte.

CVU art teacher Abbie Bowker praised the school’s support of the arts and investment in art galleries and creative spaces. She described Mahaffey’s image as “a good example of how cropping created energy within the stillness and established a compelling storied relationship between the sky, mountains, and water.”

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