CLOCKWISE (l to r): Children run to find hidden eggs Saturday during the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club’s Easter Parade and Egg Hunt on the Williston Central School grounds. Dean Mitchell and the Easter Bunny spend a moment together. A prize-winning egg nestles beneath a rock waiting to be found. The sunny but cool spring weather brought out lots of parents and children to march in the annual Easter parade. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
Williston has come a long way in committing to addressing systemic racism and inequities since it first raised the Black Lives Matter flag in 2021 in the wake of the
George Floyd killing at the hands of police a year earlier.
Local leaders have since formed a Racial Equity Partnership committee; successfully lobbied the selectboard to adopt a values statement on anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion; completed a Ver-
Longtime Williston Selectboard chair Terry Macaig nominated fellow board member Ted Kenney to take over as chair last month when the board held its annual reorganization meeting after Town Meeting Day.
mont League of Cities and Towns months-long “Welcoming and Engaging Communities” training; and spurred the town to become the 105th municipality in the state to adopt a “declaration of inclusion.”
The selectboard unanimously
see ANTI-RACISM page 4
The nomination was seconded by newly elected board member Jeanne Jensen, and the board voted unanimously to approve, handing Kenney the gavel and, with it, the responsibility of setting meeting agendas and leading meetings.
Greta D’Agostino was voted in as vice chair.
Macaig had served as chair for 17 years. He’s been a selectboard member for 21 years and in March was re-elected to a two-year term. Kenney has been on the board for 13 years.
— Jason StarrWilliston residents are invited to join members of the Specific Plan Advisory Committee studying a proposal to subdivide the 100-acre Glaser property at the corner of Old Stage and Mountain View roads on a site visit at 4:30 p.m. April 20.
The visit will include a tractor ride and walking through forested and potentially soggy terrain, as well as a visit to the nearby Windswept Farm.
Those interested should respond to Ken Belliveau by email at kbnvt08@gmail.com.
Meet the Green Mountain Homeschool Robotics team and learn about how it built its prize-winning robot and see a demonstration of its capabilities. The group will also talk about an upcoming competition and answer questions. Join the fun on Friday, April 21, 3-4:30 p.m. at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library.
Register for a spot on an April 22 tour of the Chittenden Solid Waste District’s Organics Recycling Center on Redmond Road in Williston. The tour runs from 9:30-11 a.m. Register online at https://form. jotform.com/230854603561151.
Learn how CSWD transforms food scraps, yard trimmings and coffee filters into its Green Mountain Compost product. See the material in various stages of the process and get the dirt on the newly expanded facility that incorporates leading technology. Space is limited.
Learn about different styles of athome compost systems, best practices and pitfalls to avoid at the Chittenden Solid Waste District’s April 22 composting workshop, from 11 a.m. to noon, at its headquarters on Redmond Road in Williston. Register online at https://form.jotform.com/230854511821148.
Eight people selected the exact date and time that the ice on Lake Iroquois would give way in the Lake Iroquois Association’s annual Ice-Out Challenge.
At 1:58 p.m. on April 7, a pallet on the ice flipped, sending a concrete block tethered to a clock on shore into the water, stopping the IceOut clock. This year’s ice-out date is five days later than last year’s, the association said in a news release. Winners will split half the proceeds from the contest, while the other half goes to fund water quality improvements and invasive species control. The winners are Lily Brennan, Jane Geider, Kimberly Hopwood, Robert Kenny and Brian Washburn of Hinesburg; Sandra Labounty of Huntington; Austin Savage of Essex Junction; and one un-named winner from Williston.
• Kathryn Picariello bought a condominium on Westview Circle from Linda Preziose for $306,000.
• Vanessa Fortune bought a home on Whitney Hill Road from Paula LeBlanc for $775,000.
• Linda Bassey bought a home on Industrial Avenue from Robert Langevin for $328,250.
• Craig Zemsky bought a condominium on Hideaway Lane from Tricia Bessette for $305,500.
• James Bushey bought a condominium on Whitewater Circle from the Elizabeth Munson Merrill Revocable Trust for $485,000.
• EC & FN Owner LLC bought a senior housing building on Eagle Crest Drive from Blair Housing LLC for $8,487,500.
• EC & FN Owner LLC bought a senior housing building on Falcon Manor Drive from Falcon Manor LLC for $8,487,500.
• Margaret Fox bought a home on Isham Circle from Suzanne Bourgeois for $485,000.
• Jeffrey Goldman bought a condominium on Jakes Way from Jake Lambrou for $300,000.
• Cheryl Hansen bought a home on Chloe Circle from Northridge-Williston LLC for $836,900.
• Steven and Carla Hornibrook bought a home on Golf Course Road from Scott DeLaire for $750,000.
• Patrick McDonald bought a home on 2 acres on Jasmine Lane from Kathleen Ferretti for $1,145,000.
• William West bought a condominium on Zephyr Road from Terry Moore for $530,000.
Property Transfers sponsored by
The story of the U.S. Edelweiss Raid Team — Part 1
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is written by Major Brad Patnaude, a full-time member of the Vermont Army National Guard and incoming chief operations officer for the Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho. He and his family live in Williston. Look for Part 2 of this article in next week’s Observer.
BY BRAD PATNAUDE Special to the Observer
Despite the wild success of the 10th Mountain Division during World War II’s Italian Campaign, the U.S. Army disbanded the division in 1945 shortly after the war ended.
As a result, many of the most talented 10th Mountain veterans left the service and went on to found ski resorts, outdoor companies and athletic brands. Any of the mountain soldiers that remained were shuffled off to units that had no mountain capability.
Despite mountain combat during the Korean War and over 20 years of conflict in Afghanistan, the US Army has never again reactivated a mountain-capable unit on active duty. Its only mountain-designated unit is quietly headquartered in northern Vermont, a National Guard “mountain brigade” comprised of mostly part-time soldiers. And while this arrangement comes with some negative consequences, it has also created a magnet for a unique breed of ski mountaineers, alpinists and climbers who are trying to mix high-level mountaineering with their military service.
As the U.S. military’s mountain warfare capability moves quietly along in
the background, overshadowed by expensive tanks, fighter aircraft and carriers, Europe maintains a strong corps of mountain expertise. Germany and Austria’s gebirgsjaeger, Italy’s alpini, and France’s chasseurs alpins continue to be regarded as among the elite forces of their respective countries.
Given the emphasis on mountain troops and friendly rivalry amongst
the various nationalities, Austria in 2001 initiated a competition to test the best alpine soldiers from each country against each other. This “Edelweiss Raid,” named for the alpine flower that grows only at the highest elevations of the Alps and is a symbol of a true alpine soldier, eventually came to be known as the world championship for mountain troops.
By 2019, the Raid included around 20 teams from 10 different countries and spanned a two-day period of racing. The same year, both the United States and Russian teams joined the
Throughout the two-day event, participants move as military squads through a course in the high Austrian Alps that covers around 27 miles of horizontal distance and 14,000 feet of vertical distance. see EDELWEISS page 16
continued from page 1
adopted the declaration last week.
“The Town of Williston condemns racism and welcomes all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or socioeconomic status, and wants everyone to feel safe and welcome in our community,” the declaration, which has the support of the Gov. Scott Administration, reads. “As a town, we formally condemn all discrimination in all of its forms, commit
to fair and equal treatment of everyone in our community, and will strive to ensure all of our actions, policies, and operating procedures reflect this commitment.”
While a discussion about whether to continue to fly the Black Lives Matter flag will be coming later this year, according to Town Manager Erik Wells — raising the flag at Town Hall was a contentious issue in 2021 — the declaration will become another visual representation of the town’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and anti-racism.
“We plan to have the signed
declaration hung up in Town Hall,” Wells said.
Other possible visual representations are a land acknowledgement and displaying the town’s values statement, said Cristalee McSweeney of the Racial Equity Partnership.
“The Black Lives Matter flag may or may not be part of this visual representation as it has yet to be decided,” she said.
Selectboard vice chair Greta D’Agostino joined Wells in a fivemonth Welcoming and Engaging Communities workshop along with leaders from seven other Vermont municipalities. Spon-
sored by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, the workshop wrapped up in March after eight sessions facilitated by consultant Abundant Sun. The town, as an employer and service organization, was evaluated on its current climate and culture.
Wells plans to use the results of the evaluation to create an equity plan to guide workplace culture and staff policies.
“This is a good first step to really look internally and say ‘what are we doing to promote justice, equity, diversity and inclusion within our town as an employer, as a place where people want to volunteer and want to live and engage,’” D’Agostino said. “It’s a good first step but it’s part of many, many steps that we, the town, need to take.”
Planning any spring planting or other digging projects?
If you plan to do any type of digging on your property, you or your contractor must contact Dig Safe™ at 811 at least 48 hours prior to digging.
Before the work begins, Dig Safe will notify member utilities, who will then ensure the locations of buried facilities they own are clearly marked. Please insist that any work within 18 inches of the marked lines be done by hand.
How to Detect a Gas Leak
Smell: Natural gas is normally odorless. A distinctive, pungent odor, similar to rotten eggs, is added so that you will recognize it quickly.
Sight: You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, or blowing dust. You may also see vegetation that appears to be dead or dying.
Sound: You may hear an unusual noise like a roaring, hissing, or whistling.
If you suspect a leak:
Move immediately to a safe location. Call VGS at 800-639-8081 or call 911 with the exact location. Do not smoke or operate electrical switches or appliances. These items may produce a spark that might result in a dangerous condition.
Do not assume someone else will report the condition.
“This is a good first step to really look internally and say ‘what are we doing to promote justice, equity, diversity and inclusion within our town as an employer, as a place where people want to volunteer and want to live and engage.’”
Greta D’Agostino
Williston Selectboard vice chair
BY EMMA COTTON VTDigger
Spring may put floods, rushing rivers and mud on the minds of many Vermonters, but April and May are also the state’s fire season, and officials have warned against backyard burning without consulting the local fire warden.
On Monday, officials categorized many areas across Vermont as having a high fire risk, and the rest of the state’s risk was moderate. The forecast of fire conditions is updated daily.
When the ground is not covered in snow and leaves have yet to emerge, the air becomes unusually dry, said Robert Haynes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Burlington.
“Part of that exchange between plants and air helps to add a little bit of moisture back into the air,” Haynes said. “So when we have that greenery, it’s really hard for us to get those really low relative humidity values as it is when we don’t have those leaves.”
In the summer, a 50 percent relative humidity level would be considered dry, Dillner said.
“Today for the Champlain Valley,” he said Monday, “they’re looking at humidity of 21 percent. So that’s a super dry day … There’s no moisture in the air.”
That low humidity is likely to dry out vegetation or debris, and could cause grass or brush to burn.
Haynes expects the dry conditions to persist through the weekend.
Burning debris is the most common cause of wildfires in the state, according to Dan Dillner, the state’s forest fire supervisor. Of all the fires that have occurred in Vermont over the past several years, only a few have been caused naturally, he said.
In most cases, the people who started them failed to consult their fire warden, who can supply a wealth of information about how best to burn, he said. A permit from the local warden is required for burning.
“It’s usually someone that decides they’re not interested in following the rules, or don’t know, and they decide to burn anyway,” Dillner said.
When it’s safe to burn, officials from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation urge Vermonters to reduce air pollution by allowing green materials to dry before burning them, consider wind direction and speed, making fires that burn hot, and check air quality conditions beforehand.
“Our best suggestion is to avoid burning altogether and let the materials decompose naturally,” said John Wakefield, compliance section chief with the department’s air quality and climate division.
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Williston
Adams Farm Market
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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
If you would like copies for your location call Rick Cote at (802) 373-2136 or email
Rick@WillistonObserver.com
Essex Junction
Essex Automotive
Five Corner Variety
Hannaford (at Essex Shoppes) Inn at Essex
Mac’s Market
Martone’s Deli
Price Chopper
Quality Bake Shop
River Road Beverage
Richmond
Cumberland Farms
Richmond Free Library
Richmond Market
Richmond Mobil Mart
BY MORGAN WEBSTER AND EMMA PARADISVermonters, and the nonprofits that serve them, are getting shortchanged.
For decades, Vermont’s government has relied on nonprofits to provide vital services to communities. This social contract has been eroding with nonprofits increasingly filling the gap in state services while funding for these services has not kept pace with rising costs.
Wages and inflation continue to rise, yet many state-funded organizations have not seen their funding increase in years, and most government funding agreements do not adequately cover the necessary administrative costs associated with implementing direct services to the community.
Pandemic and economic pressures have exacerbated preexisting challenges for nonprofits as organizations struggle to retain and recruit workers, keep up with rising costs and meet increased demand for services, while funding sources continue to stagnate. To ensure that our communities’ needs are met now and into the future, Vermont needs to reassess our social contract and work with nonprofits to find solutions to fund the full cost of nonprofit services.
At this critical juncture, it’s important to understand the gravity of the situation and what’s at stake.
• Vermont nonprofits have been underfunded for years; urgent relief is needed now.
The same challenges Common Good Vermont’s founder, Lauren-Glenn Davitian, reported on
our people. In 2021, state social assistance workers made more than twice as much as their non-government peers. This disparity in pay makes it difficult for nonprofits to recruit and retain skilled employees for what are often demanding positions. Fifty-three percent of participants in the 2022 “Report on Vermont Nonprofit Wages & Benefits Survey” reported job vacancies, most frequently due to compensation competition. Our upcoming “Workforce Shortage Survey” with the National Council of Nonprofits will provide additional data and information to guide this discussion.
in 2014 still persist today with greater urgency.
We must listen and respond to urgent calls for help from youth service, childcare and health care providers. If we value the system of care we have created, it is time for Vermont to make good on its obligation to our social contract.
• Vermont nonprofits are experiencing a workforce shortage. None of the work nonprofits do would be possible without the sector’s most valuable resource:
• Vermont’s economy depends on nonprofits. Despite workforce shortages, nonprofits employ one in seven Vermont workers, making the nonprofit sector the largest industry in the state after the government. We contribute $5.7 billion per year to the economy through wages paid, retail and wholesale purchases and professional service contracts, equivalent to nearly 20 percent of the state’s gross state product.
• Vermont nonprofits are struggling to meet the demand for services, which impacts us all.
When funding does not cover the full cost of services, that “savings” does not exist in a vacuum. It is not just a few less beds, a missed meal or a gap in care. When needs go unmet, a manageable situation can quickly snowball into a dangerous, and costly, emergency.
This places additional strain on support systems, our network of care and, ultimately, our communities who must pick up the pieces — and the bill. Investing fully in our community service organizations is a proactive measure that, while difficult to quantify, yields significant public benefit.
• Vermont nonprofits are valuable partners to the state and want to work collaboratively toward solutions. Delegating government responsibilities to nonprofits should not be viewed as a cost-saving measure. Yes, non-
If we value the system of care we have created, it is time for Vermont to make good on its obligation to our social contract.
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library hours
Mon. and Wed.: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tues., Thurs., Fri.: 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 for programs. Need help? Call 878-4918 or email daml@ damlvt.org.
Children in fourth grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age.
SHEL SILVERSTEIN SCAVENGER HUNT
Celebrate National Poetry Month in the youth department by finding a laminated Shel Silverstein poem. Exchange it with the youth librarian for a prize. Limit one per person.
STORYTIME
Tuesdays, April 18 and 25, 10:30-11 a.m. Join Danielle for stories and fun.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY
Wednesday, April 19 and 26, 2-3 p.m.
PRESCHOOL MUSIC AND PLAYTIME
Thursdays, April 20 and 27, 10:30-11:30
a.m. Enjoy music, then stay to play.
ROBOT TEAM DEMO
Friday, April 21, 3-4:30 p.m. Meet the Green Mountain Homeschool Robotics team, see a demo of their robot and hear about their upcoming competition. Stay for questions.
SATURDAY PRESCHOOL MUSIC
Saturday, April 22, 10:30-11 a.m. Enjoy music and dancing with Linda Bassick.
TEENS D&D
Monday, April 24, 5-6 p.m. Ages 12-plus. Join our Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
LEGO TIME
Thursday, April 27, 3-4 p.m. All ages.
MEET THE MAMMALS
Saturday, April 29, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Learn about mammals and meet some in person in this presentation by the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum. Thank you to the Friends of the Library for sponsoring the event.
READ TO A DOG (LOLA)
Monday, April 17, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Call to register for a 10-minute time slot to read to our
therapy dog.
To join a book club or for Zoom link, email programs@damlvt.org.
POEM SCAVENGER HUNT
Find a poem hidden in a book in the adult area. Present the poem to the circulation desk for a prize. Keep the poem for a pocket poem.
ADULT MEDITATION (ONLINE)
Fridays, April 14 and 21, 12-12:30 p.m. Join Maryellen Crangle and reconnect with your peaceful body and breath.
MAH JONGG
Fridays, April 14 and 21, 1-3 p.m. Drop in for this popular tile game.
WRITE TIME WITH MARY
ANN FULLER YOUNG
Fridays, April 14 and 28, 1:15-2:45 p.m. at South Burlington Public Library (DAML patrons welcome!). Drop by to explore the craft of writing in a supportive environment with the guidance of a trained associate of Amherst
Writers and Artists.
HANDS-ON POETRY WITH MEG REYNOLDS
Monday, April 17, 5-6:30 p.m. Come explore writing and enjoying poetry in all its forms. Register at www.damlvt.org.
BOOK CLUB BUFFET (ONLINE)
Tuesday, April 18, 12:30-1:30 p.m. “The Best We Could Do” by Thi Bui is a powerful illustrated memoir delving into being Vietnamese. Available in Hoopla and in print from the library.
COOK THE BOOK
Wednesday, April 19, 12-1 p.m. “Smitten Kitchen Keepers: New Classics for Your Forever Files” by Deb Perelman features go-to recipes. Stop by to copy a recipe to share at our potluck.
SPANISH CONVERSATION
Wednesday, April 19, 5-6 p.m. Meet online with this mixed-ability group to practice Spanish.
see LIBRARY page 8
Peace of mind for families and loved ones
• Protection of assets without spending all down to qualify for Medicaid
• Wills & Living Trusts
• Assistance with Medicaid Applications
Ellen B. LaPlante, Esq.
Stephen A. Unsworth, Esq.
Wendy S Hillmuth, Esq.
Members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys & National Association of Elder Law Attorneys.
continued from page 7
TECH TUTOR
Thursday, April 20, 4-6 p.m. Call 878-4918 to book a time slot for help with your technology devices.
BROWN BAG BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, April 25, 12:30-1:30
p.m. “Bewilderment” by Richard Powers is a father-son story told with an eye for preserving our world for the future. Available from the library.
CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION
Wednesday, April 26, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Drop in to discuss newsworthy topics.
LIFE STORIES WE LOVE TO TELL (ONLINE)
Wednesday, April 26, 2-3:30 p.m. Maryellen Crangle will provide a prompt to guide the group in choosing a story to share.
March 31 at 3:26 p.m. — Bed Bath and Beyond reported that a female was in the store who stole from them previously. Female was located and issued a trespass notice.
April 1 at 11:07 a.m. — Retail theft reported at Best Buy. A male, age 38, was issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft.
April 2 at 9:57 a.m. — Storage locker broken into at Vermont Self Storage. Firearm was stolen. Case is still under investigation.
April 3 at 2:55 a.m. — Report of someone stealing a vehicle from Earthy Cars. Case is under investigation.
April 3 at 10:06 a.m. — Report of a male walking in the roadway.
Male was located and told to stay out of the roadway.
April 3 at 12:28 a.m. — Retail theft reported at Best Buy. Officer was unable to locate individual. Case is still under investigation.
April 3 at 10:21 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Walmart. Officer was unable to locate individual. Case is still under investigation.
April 4 at 12:10 p.m. — Report of a car all over the road on North Williston Road. Male suffered a medical event and was transported to the hospital.
April 4 at 5:11 p.m. — Retail theft reported at LL Bean. Case is still under investigation.
April 4 at 6:16 p.m. — Officers assisted Hinesburg Police Department with a male juvenile who self-harmed and left the area. Juvenile was located and transported to the hospital.
April 5 at 2:26 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Hannaford. Two females were referred to the Community Justice Center.
April 5 at 3:29 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Hannaford. Officer was unable to locate individual. Case is still under investigation.
April 5 at 4:42 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Best Buy. Officer was unable to locate individual. Case is still under investigation.
Officers of the Williston Police Department also conducted 28 traffic stops and responded to 14 motor vehicle crashes and 13 alarm activations during this time period.
Dear Savvy Senior,
What are the new rules on required minimum distributions from IRAs and 401(k)s? I will turn 72 this year and want to be clear on what I’m required to do.
And starting in 2024, Roth 401(k)s will not be subject to RMDs either.
There’s also a work waiver for RMDs you should know about. If you are still working beyond age 73, and you don’t own 5 percent or more of the company you work for, you can delay withdrawals from your employer’s retirement plan until after you retire. But if you have other non-work-related accounts, such as a traditional IRA or a 401(k) from a previous employer, you are still required to take RMDs from them after age 73, even if you’re still working.
DEADLINES AND
the minimum, you’ll be hit with a 25 percent penalty (it used to be 50 percent) on the amount that you failed to withdraw, along with the income tax you owe on it. This penalty drops to 10 percent if you take the necessary RMD by the end of the second year following the year it was due.
Your RMD is calculated by dividing your tax-deferred retirement account balance as of Dec. 31 of the previous year, by an IRS estimate of your life expectancy. A special rule applies if your spouse is the beneficiary and is more than 10 years younger than you.
IRS.gov/Retirement-Plans and click on “Required Minimum Distributions.” Or contact your IRA custodian or retirement-plan administrator who can do the calculations for you.
For more information, see the “Distributions from Individual
Retirement Arrangements” (publication 590-B) at www.IRS.gov/ pub/irs-pdf/p590b.pdf.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.
Dear Planning,
Thanks to the SECURE Act 2.0 that was passed by Congress last December, there are several new rules that affect required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s and other tax-deferred retirement accounts. These changes, which build on the original SECURE Act of 2019, are a benefit to retirees by increasing the RMD age and lowering the penalty for missing a withdrawal. Here’s what you should know.
As of Jan. 1, 2023, the starting age for taking RMDs is now 73, up from 72. And it rises to age 75 in 2033. This change means that if you turn 72 this year, as you stated in your question, you can delay your RMDs one more year, allowing your savings in these accounts to grow longer, tax deferred.
But once you turn 73 (next year), you must start taking annual RMDs from the tax-deferred retirement accounts you own –like traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b) s and 457(b)s – and pay taxes on those withdrawals. Distributions are taxed as ordinary income in your tax bracket.
There are, however, a few exceptions. Owners of Roth IRAs are not required to take a distribution, unless the Roth is inherited.
Generally, you must take your distribution every year by Dec. 31. First-timers, however, can choose to delay taking their distribution until April 1 of the year following the year they turn 73. But be careful about delaying, because if you delay your first distribution, it may push you into a higher tax bracket because you must take your next distribution by Dec. 31 of the same year.
Also note that you can always withdraw more than the required amount, but if you don’t take out
IRA withdrawals must be calculated for each IRA you own, but you can withdraw the money from any IRA or combination of IRAs. If you own 403(b) accounts, they too allow you to total the RMDs and take them from any account or combination of accounts.
With 401(k) plans, however, you must calculate the RMD for each plan and withdraw the appropriate amount from each account.
To calculate the size of your RMD, you can use the worksheets on the IRS website – see www.
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Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest banking institution headquartered in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all. Consider joining our team as a Temporary Community Banker!
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• Customer Service • Cash Handling (we’ll train you!)
Even better… if you have prior banking experience, we encourage you to apply!
If you are 18 or older and have a high school diploma, general education (GED) degree, or equivalent, consider joining the NSB Team!
Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com Equal
Do you do special things to help our planet? Perhaps you have helped plant trees or pick up trash. The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, helped change the world for the better. The Mini Page celebrates this special day by showing how the world’s people started to care for our planet. People
For hundreds of years, some people have been concerned about the environment. They called this concern conservation. They were worried about conserving, or saving, our resources. But until Earth Day, these conservationists were in the minority. Most people didn’t start to think much about the environment until the 1960s.
In 1962, a scientist, Rachel Carson, published a book called “Silent Spring.” She caught everyone’s attention with her accounts of birds dying from pesticides. She warned that people were in danger too.
During the 1960s, people were fighting for change. Many were fighting for civil rights for women and minorities, and against the war in Vietnam.
A series of events came together to change this view. In the 1960s, astronauts took pictures of the Earth from space. The sight of
made people think. For the first time, everyone could see how fragile our home was.
During the 1960s, there were many protests against the Vietnam War. On college campuses, these were called “teach-ins.” Sen. Gaylord Nelson thought people could have a teach-in for the whole country at once. This rally would teach people about the environment.
In 1969, there was a huge oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. It killed thousands of birds, animals, fish and plants.
That same year, a river in Ohio was so polluted that it caught on fire. Concern about the Earth grew. President Richard Nixon and Congress passed an important act to help figure out how to fix the environment.
Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson visited Santa Barbara and saw how people had organized to clean up the oil spill. He thought it was possible to organize the nation to clean up our planet.
One of the best things we can do to understand the environment is to go outside. Many students across the country are helping turn their schools green. They are doing everything from raising money for solar panels for their schools to changing the lightbulbs to energy-saving bulbs.
He recruited Denis Hayes to organize the first Earth Day. Denis was enrolled at Harvard University. He asked thousands of volunteers, mostly students, to plan events to be held all over the country. Organizers picked April 22 because in 1970, most colleges were on spring break on that date. This meant college kids would be able to work at the Earth Day events.
Hayes and student volunteers got the word out by mailings and phone calls. (There was no internet to spread the message to a lot of people at once.) More than 20 million Americans took part in that first Earth Day.
Fifty-three years later, we still celebrate Earth Day in many ways!
On the Web:
• pbs.org/parents/ thrive/15-ways-to-celebrateearth-day-with-kids
At the library:
• “I Am Earth: An Earth Day Book for Kids” by Rebecca and James McDonald
A series of events came together to change this view. In the 1960s, astronauts took pictures of the Earth from space. The sight of our blue planet alone in the darkness of space
raising money for solar panels for their schools to changing the lightbulbs to energy-saving bulbs.
Words that remind us of Earth Day are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward and diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
ANIMALS, BIRDS, CALIFORNIA, CARSON, CHANGE, CONCERN, CONGRESS, COUNTRY, EARTH, ENVIRONMENT, FISH, OHIO, OIL, PESTICIDES, PLANET, PLANTS, RALLY, SPACE, STUDENTS.
Ants in a Boat
You’ll need:
• 1 medium apple
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
• honey to drizzle
What to do:
1. Core apple and cut into 8 wedges.
• 24 to 32 raisins
2. Brush lemon juice on cut surfaces of apple wedges to keep them from turning brown.
3. Spread cream cheese evenly on tops of apple wedges.
4. Lightly drizzle honey on cream cheese. Arrange 3 to 4 raisin “ants” on top of each. Serves 2.
Day Book for Kids” by Rebecca and James McDonald
Earl: What do you get when you cross the Little Dipper with a zebra?
Elle: Stars and stripes!
The flow of South America’s Paraguay River is nearing its third consecutive all-time low, threatening to cut off all river shipping from the Atlantic near Buenos Aires to Bolivia. Three consecutive seasons of La Niña in the Pacific are blamed for ongoing low flows in the waterway. The Paraguay is the only major river in South America that has not been dammed for hydroelectric power, meaning it can be used for shipping over long distances to provide an important trade corridor to the otherwise landlocked nations of Paraguay and Bolivia.
For later: Look in the newspaper for articles about Earth Day.
Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!
BY DAN THOMPSON
TODAY’S HISTORY:
• In 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in New York.
• In 1941, the Soviet Union and Japan signed a five-year nonaggression pact.
• In 1964, Sidney Poitier became the first African American to win the Academy Award for best actor, for his performance in “Lilies of the Field.”
• In 1970, an oxygen tank exploded on Apollo 13, crippling the spacecraft, which was on its way to the moon.
• In 2005, Eric Rudolph pleaded guilty to four bombings between 1996 and 1998, including a blast at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
TODAY’S FACT:
• The first African American and first person of color to win the Academy Award for best actress was Halle Berry, for the 2001 film “Monster’s Ball.”
We’re proud of our smiles! We believe that our state-of-the-art, impeccable skills; cheerful, approachable attitudes and ability to handle all your dental needs under one roof means a visit with us will always leave you with a beautiful smile.
Charles “Chip” G. Foutz, Jr., 68, of Williston died on March 29, 2023, from complications of a 10-year battle with alcoholism. He was a great man, with a terrible disease.
Chip was born on December 27, 1954 to Charles Sr. and Jean (Robertson) Foutz in Attleboro, Massachusetts. He graduated from Westfield State College (MA) with a degree in music education - always a passion - and went on to a short career in restaurant management, and a very long career in construction management. He had moved his family to Vermont in 1986 and loved his adopted state. He was a steadfast supervisor with Homestead Design, Inc., and later his own small construction business. Chip was always a very hard worker.
Chip raised his family in Hinesburg, where he thrived as a youth sports’ coach and a Boy Scout leader. He supported a number of non-profit building organizations, and was particularly passionate about his work with Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity. He loved the mountains, spending several years in Vail, Colorado in his 20s and meeting Cathy there. But his happiest days were with his sons, watching his beloved Boston sports teams, playing seemingly every sport, going fishing, playing music, and helping neighbors from his garage workshop.
He loved using his knowledge for projects like set-building for the Hinesburg Community School plays and the press box for the Champlain Valley Union High School football field - and
he was a special grill-master at early games. Chip truly was a “do anything for anyone” person, took pride in helping others, and being a great example for his sons.
He is survived by three sons whom he loved dearly and was extremely proud of: Zachary of South Burlington, Peter, his wife Ashley, and their daughters Hallie and Natalie of Williston, and Sam and his girlfriend Cami Drouin-Allaire of Raleigh, NC. He also leaves his sister Robin and her husband Skip Lagerquist of Bethlehem, New Hampshire, his brother Randy of Hanksville, Utah, and a number of cousins, nieces,
nephews, great nephews, and former in-laws. He was long-married
to and later divorced from Cathy (Chamberlin) Foutz of South Burlington, who continued to help support him in his later years of illness. He was predeceased by his parents, a young sister Jill, and his brother Keith “Kit” Foutz.
Visiting hours will be Friday, April 14, from 5-7 p.m., at Ready Funeral Home South Chapel, 261
Do you want a customized bandana for your pet? Bandanas for Benefits is a micro business started by four students in the CVU Principles of Business class. We create customizable dog bandanas and dog boxes for your pet(s). All profits will be donated to the Chittenden County Humane Society.
If you have any questions please contact us at: catherinesaladino@cvsdvt.org
Shelburne Road, Burlington. A memorial service will be held at the United Church of Hinesburg on Saturday, April 15 at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, online to ajohnson@vermonthabitat.org, or mail to P.O. Box 1436, Williston, VT 05495.
at Champlain Valley Union High School
FULL TIME POSITION needed helping prep and serve food and/or run register.
Committed to serving students nutritious meals to keep them healthy and focused throughout the day
MONDAY-FRIDAY school year schedule, out by 2:30PM every day.
BENEFITS: Holiday pay, 5 paid personal days, February and April paid school breaks, $250 uniform reimbursement, $250 wellness reimbursement, state retirement program. Medical, dental, & 403b available.
CONTACT: Leo LaForce, Food Service Director by email: llaforce@cvsdvt.org or phone: (802) 482-7176. Or apply online: https://www.vermontjoblink.com/ jobs/1006970
Redhawk Cafe Website: https://cafe.cvuhs.org Champlain Valley Union Highschool, 369 CVU Road, Hinesburg, VT 05461
Part Time Opportunities - 10am-2pm shifts available
There is no better time to join our Team!
Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest banking institution headquartered in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all. Consider joining our team as a Part Time Community Banker!
Relevant Skills:
• Customer Service • Cash Handling (we’ll train you!) Even better… if you have prior banking experience, we encourage you to apply!
If you are 18 or older and have a high school diploma, general education (GED) degree, or equivalent, consider joining the NSB Team!
What NSB Can Offer You
Competitive compensation based on experience. Profit-Sharing opportunity. Excellent 401(k) matching retirement program. Positive work environment supported by a team culture. Opportunity for professional development.
Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com
Equal Opportunity Employer / Member FDIC
The Town of Williston Finance Department is seeking applicants for a part-time Assistant Treasurer & Finance Assistant. This position is instrumental in supporting the Town Treasurer, assisting with accounts payable processing, basic accounting duties, and has an important customer service role.
Applicants must have bookkeeping experience and general finance knowledge, with 3-4 years of relevant work experience. Excellent verbal, computer, organizational, and interpersonal skills are also essential. For a full job description, please visit www.town.williston.vt.us/employment.
The position is for 25 hours per week, Monday-Friday, at a starting wage ranging between $20-$22 per hour depending on the qualifications of the chosen candidate.
TO APPLY: please send a cover letter and resume to HR Coordinator / Assistant to the Manager Erin Dickinson at edickinson@willistonvt.org or mail to: Town of Williston, Attn: Erin Dickinson, 7900 Williston Road, Williston, VT 05495. The preferred deadline for applications is Friday, April 21, 2023.
The Town of Williston is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences are encouraged to apply.
PUZZLE FOUND ON PAGE 12
continued from page 6
profits are uniquely positioned to fill these roles effectively and efficiently. They are connected to the communities they serve, can respond agilely to evolving needs without bureaucratic red tape and are neutral third parties insulated from political shifts.
They should not be expected to deliver at the same level of service year after year without increased funding and make up the difference when administrative costs associated with the services provided aren’t covered. Nonprofits are eager to work collaboratively toward longterm solutions that will sustain our system of care.
We aim to work with state lead-
There is no better time to join our team!
Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest banking institution headquartered in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all. Are you looking to start or continue a career in the finance industry? Consider joining our team as a Community Banker!
Job Responsibilities & Requirements
This frontline position is crucial in creating a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience for NSB customers. The successful candidate for NSB customers. The successful candidate will have exceptional customer service and communication skills. The Community Banker will be responsible for receiving and processing customers’ financial transactions as well as opening and maintaining customer accounts and services. We are looking for someone who can develop and maintain relationships with our valued customers, protect bank and customer information, and uphold customer confidentiality. A high school diploma, general education degree (GED), or equivalent is required. If you have customer service, previous cash handling, or banking experience we encourage you to apply!
Opportunity for Growth
NSB has training opportunities to engage employees and assist with professional development within our company. The average years of service for an NSB employee is 9! If you’re looking for a career in an environment that promotes growth, join our team!
What NSB Can Offer You
Competitive compensation based on experience. Well-rounded benefits package. Profit-Sharing opportunity. Excellent 401(k) matching retirement program. Commitment to professional development. Opportunities to volunteer and support our communities. Work-Life balance!
We understand the importance of having evenings and weekends with our friends, families, and the communities we serve!
Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com or mail to:
Northfield Savings Bank Human Resources PO Box 7180, Barre, VT 05641
ers, policy makers and nonprofits to collaboratively address structural challenges and inequities with government grants and contracting. By creating efficiencies, strengthening relationships and expanding access to financial resources, we can drastically improve the quality of life for nonprofit employees, provide organizations with the stability, capacity and resources they need to be effective in their missions, and ultimately, stop shortchanging nonprofits, the people they employ and the Vermonters they serve.
We call on organizations from across the state to sign our letter (at www.commongoodvt.org) calling on the government to fund the full cost of nonprofit services, because Vermont nonprofits deserve better.
We call on state leaders and policymakers to read our report (at www.commongoodvt.org) and work with nonprofits to find statewide funding solutions.
We call on community leaders and stakeholders to convene local conversations about ways to fund the full cost of nonprofit services. Vermonters deserve better.
Morgan Webster of Essex Junction is the director of Common Good Vermont and Emma Paradis of Barre is the senior policy and program coordinator. Common Good Vermont is a statewide program of United Way of Northwest Vermont, online at www.commongoodvt.org.
Do you want a customized bandana for your pet?
If so, Bandanas for Benefits has just what you’re looking for. It’s a micro business started by four students in the CVU Principles of Business class. Our goal is to create customizable dog bandanas and dog boxes for your pet(s). All of our profits will be donated to the Chittenden County Humane Society!
If you are interested in supporting our small business and the Humane Society, scan the QR code above to place your order!
If you have any questions please contact us at catherinesaladino@cvsdvt.org, or on Instagram: @bandanas_for_benefits.
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fray as competitors, taking the Raid from a purely European competition to a true international championship.
The Edelweiss Raid emphasizes teamwork, exceptionally high physical fitness standards and a range of advanced technical skiing and military tactical tasks. Unlike modern “skimo” races that put an emphasis on speed, the Edelweiss Raid is unique in that it remains a decidedly “tactical” event on a racecourse with plenty of technical uphill and downhill sections.
Whereas the modern skimo athlete competes in lycra with ultralight gear, the Raid mandates that participants carry a packing list of issued military equipment, to include rifles strapped to the outside of the pack. Throughout the twoday event, participants move as military squads through a course in the high Austrian Alps that covers around 27 miles of horizontal distance and 14,000 feet of vertical distance. In addition to serious downhill skiing on ungroomed backcountry terrain, teams must complete a series of military tasks interspersed throughout the course – high angle shooting, casualty evacuation, crevasse rescue and the infamous roped skiing event, to
name a few.
In 2017, there was a small, tight group of us — certified mountain guides, ski instructors, dedicated Aspen ski bums — spread across the multi-state mountain brigade who were actively training in a variety of mountain disciplines and attempting to translate those capabilities over to the military. Given the notoriously independent streak in mountain culture, the issue was finding some unifying event to get our mountain experts all working together.
By the summer of 2018, we had scraped together a team of eight Vermonters, Coloradans and one outstanding skier who happened to live in Connecticut to compete in the 2019 Edelweiss Raid. On a shoestring budget with only four training days together, we pulled off a 13th place finish and became the first team to ever finish the race in our initial year. More importantly, the shared Raid experience strengthened the networks between influencers in our geographically dispersed units. We immediately set our sights on a second Raid performance in 2021, with the goal of breaking into the top 10.
As 2021 came and went in the throes of COVID, we shifted our goals to competing in the 2023 race with two teams. Our initial recruitment process was wild -
ly successful. Not only did we have 30 promising candidates during the initial tryouts, the field included a former twotime Olympic athlete, several professional biathletes and strong backcountry skiers from throughout the mountain brigade’s units in Vermont, Colorado, Maine and Connecticut. We started our team selection last fall, with the goal of fielding two teams during this year’s race. Our initial tryout was a hill time tri-
al up the Mount Mansfield toll road at the start of this winter, which yielded a team of 20 strong competitors.
After months of strenuous training in preparation for the event, we finally arrived at the Austrian mountain base, Lizum-Walchen Training Area, in late February 2023.
Look for Part 2 of this article in next week’s Observer.
