Town considers bike, pedestrian route between Village and Taft Corners
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
Eleven years have passed since the Williston Selectboard approved a plan for a bike and pedestrian connection along Route 2 between Taft Corners and Williston Village.
A minor portion of the plan has been implemented: the widening of bike shoulders on the steep section between Southridge and Old Stage roads. But the more impactful and costlier improvements, including construction of a rec path travelling east out of Taft Corners; a sidewalk for pedestrians on the steep section; and improvements to sidewalks in the village, are still on the drawing board.
Town planners are revisiting those ideas at a public meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 7-8 p.m. at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library and online via Zoom at www.zoom.us/j/87301750819.
Connecting the Village to Taft Corners for cyclists and walkers is a community goal outlined in the town’s Comprehensive Plan, last updated in 2020. Planners are currently reviewing the Town Plan for a 2025 update, and that goal continues to be a top priority.
“We’ve heard from many folks that bike and pedestrian facilities, and this facility specifically, are highly desired,”
ROUTE 2 BIKE, PED CONNECTIONS
WHAT: Public meeting WHEN: 7-8 p.m. Dec. 3 WHERE: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library
Community Development Planner Melinda Scott said.
Before the town would seek funding for the project, it plans to update a decade-old feasibility study that states its aims as “enhancing the safety and mobility of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users along this corridor regardless of age and abilities, and … providing a safe and or separated route from the high volume of traffic along this segment of Route 2.”
The update will take a fresh look at existing conditions for cyclists and pedestrians along Route 2 and seek reaffirmation of the selectboard’s preferred project scope. Four of the five board members that approved the plan in 2013 are no longer on the board.
The Dec. 3 meeting will start with an overview of the project before opening up to a general public discussion. Public comments are also being taken by the town planning department at planning@willistonvt.org or by calling (802) 878-6704.
Cold turkeys
Challenging conditions, top, greet the runners at CVU’s annual Turkey Trot 5K on Saturday in Hinesburg. Pat Frazier, left, was the first overall finisher. For some, above, enthusiasm outweighs the chilly weather.
Handmade Pasta
Get ready to experience a day full of cheer as we kick off Holidays on the Marketplace! Join the Burlington community in celebrating the highly anticipated Santa Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. We can’t wait to see you there!
Around Town
Turkey drop
Katie Reed makes a turkey donation as part of the Williston Community Food Shelf’s annual Turkey Drive on Saturday. Food Shelf President Ginger Morton reported a collection total of 160 turkeys to be distributed to families ahead of Thanksgiving.
Historical society presents discussion of Chittenden land trusts
The Chittenden County Historical Society presents “Land Trusts in Chittenden County” on Sunday, Dec. 8 in the Pickering Room at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. The program runs 2-3 p.m.
Darby Bradley, unofficial historian of the Vermont Land Trust; Livy Strong, head of the Jericho Underhill Land Trust; and Kate Lampton, head of Charlotte Land Trust, will lead the discussion. They will present an overview of the history and work of local land trusts — nonprofits that obtain land and conservation easements to protect views, natural resources and water quality.
Route 2 culvert project paused for winter
The Vermont Agency of Transportation has paused work on a culvert replacement project on Route 2A near Maple Tree Place. It plans to resume work in May with paving over the project area.
Book authored by late WCS teacher published
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
The family of longtime Williston Central School science teacher Jessica Kramer has taken a manuscript she wrote in the months before her death and seen it through to publication.
“The Magic of Memories” is Kramer’s ode to the changing seasons, penned after taking medical leave from teaching as she was attempting to recover from health challenges and surgeries. Kramer passed away last February.
“She decided to write about her memories of the seasons and what senses you could use during the seasons,” her mother, Irene Contois, said in an interview from her home in the Berkshire mountains of Massachusetts, where Kramer was raised. “She would write at night, and I believe that was probably a healing mechanism for her. I tried to be her biggest fan and keep her going and support her as much as I could.”
Contois found the manuscript after Kramer’s passing and enlisted other family members to edit, finalize and see it through to publication — with a cousin creating the ethereal artwork of the cover.
“It was a work of heart from her family,” Contois said.
Kramer’s sons, Levi and Lennon — both students at WCS — attended an unveiling of the book in September on the Williston Town Green. Fellow teachers, school
Around Town
continued from page 2
CVSD professional graduates from Snelling Center leadership school
Evan Sivo of Williston, the director of behavior systems for the Champlain Valley School District, has graduated from the Snelling Center for Government’s Vermont School Leadership Project. Sivo is part of a graduating class of 16 school leaders from around the state.
The program included seven overnight sessions centered on self-awareness and leadership skills. During the Class of 2024 graduation ceremony on Nov. 8 at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee,
former Champlain Valley School District Superintendent Elaine Pinckney delivered the keynote address.
This was the 16th graduating class from the Vermont School Leadership Project. Visit www. snellingcenter.org for more about the project and other Snelling professional development programs.
Easterseals honors Williston resident
Leanna Aldrich, a family engagement assistant from Easterseals Vermont’s Williston office, recently received the President’s Meritorious Award at Easterseals’ 2024 Annual Celebration in Manchester, N.H. Aldrich works in child and
family support services with Easterseals, a nonprofit that collaborates with the Vermont Department for Children and Families and parents on family safety and well-being. A Williston resident, she was nominated for the award by colleagues partly for her work overseeing the organization’s “Donation Station” at its office at 426 Industrial Ave. (Suite 100).
The station is currently in need of nonperishable food, hygiene products, winter adult clothing and household items. Anyone interested in donating can email Easterseals Vermont Williston Program Coordinator Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@ eastersealvt.org or call (802) 734-2137.
administrators and other family members were also in attendance. The book is available at the school library. Kramer wrote it for students, Contois said.
“She found during her teaching career that even older children love to be read to, and she would try to find books that would calm them,” said Contois. “Jessica was a very calming influence … When she got sick she thought of her students and said ‘what could I write about to put them in that calm state?’”
“The Magic of Memories” is also available on Amazon, at Barnes and Noble and at Phoenix Books in Essex.
Balloons over Allen Brook
Second-graders and kindergarteners, led by teachers Justine Benoit and Ella McCarthey, continued with an annual tradition at Allen Brook School last week with a balloon parade inside and outside the school. The event is an homage to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and based on the book “Balloons over Broadway.” The students made their own balloons for the event and learned about the history of the Macy’s parade and about puppeteers Tony Sarg and Jim Henson.
OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO
Lennon and Levi Kramer unveil the book written by their late mother and WCS teacher Jessica Kramer, right, during a September event on the Williston Town Green. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO
Rotary announces December speakers
Community members are invited to join the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club at weekly breakfast meetings to enjoy time with neighbors and hear from speakers. December speakers include:
Dec. 5: Gabriella Stevens of the Chittenden Solid Waste District will share how households can reduce waste during the holidays, as well as updates on statewide waste reduction efforts.
Dec. 12: Rev. Mark Hughes,
the executive director of Vermont Racial Justice Alliance, will speak about work around health equity, reparations and economic justice, and offer his perspective in the aftermath of the recent elections.
Dec. 19: Economist Stephanie Yu, the executive director of the non-profit Public Assets Institute, will give an overview of the 2024 State of Working Vermont report — a look at how Vermonters are doing that connects larger economic and
fiscal indicators to the realities of everyday life in Vermont.
Meetings are held in the Fellowship Hall at Williston Federated Church starting at 7 a.m. Breakfast is served at 7:15 a.m. and the meeting is called to order at 7:30 a.m.
To join in person or via Zoom, RSVP by email to RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail. com.
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Judge dismisses lawsuit against short-term rental regulations
BY COREY MCDONALD VTDigger
A Vermont Superior Court judge last week dismissed a lawsuit filed by more than a dozen rental property owners challenging Burlington’s regulations governing short-term rentals.
The lawsuit, filed in July 2023 in Chittenden Superior civil court, argued the city overstepped state law when it enacted restrictions in June 2022 on short-term rentals.
Those restrictions set strict limits on property owners who rent out their properties using services such as Airbnb and VRBO. It prohibited short-term rentals in the city unless they are owner-occupied and defined a shortterm rental as a dwelling rented to guests for fewer than 30 consecutive days.
The penalty for noncompliance starts with a $100 civil fine and increases to $200 after the second violation.
Burlington is not the only
municipality to set limits on short-term rentals. Towns and cities such as South Burlington and Morrisville have in recent years enacted similar regulations in an effort to ensure the availability of housing for long-term residents.
In previous legal filings, the property owners’ attorneys wrote that enforcement would have a “substantial impact on Plaintiffs’ financial stability and greatly harm Plaintiffs’ business interest.”
State law grants municipalities jurisdiction over regulating housing for the purpose of promoting a city’s or town’s health, safety and welfare. But the plaintiffs, 14 different individuals and business entities in Burlington, argued the city overstepped state law by setting duration limits and owner-occupied requirements for rental units.
Superior Court Judge Samuel Hoar was not convinced, and on Nov. 19 dismissed the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs’ claim “fails as a matter of law,” Hoar wrote in the decision, because the city “plainly
has broad authority to regulate short-term rentals” under existing statute.
“The relationship between a lack of available long-term housing and strains on the housing market, with impacts on homelessness, is intuitive, as is the consequent impact on a municipality’s general welfare,” Hoar wrote. “Thus, the city’s regulation of short-term rentals bears an obvious and rational relation to public welfare, health, and safety.”
The plaintiffs in the case included three individuals — Sean Hurley, Kristin Baker and Petra Winslow — and a number of companies. The properties listed in the suit are mostly located in the city’s Old North End.
Liam Murphy, an attorney with Burlington law firm MSK, which represented the plaintiffs, did not respond to a request for comment. City attorney Kimberlee Sturtevant and city spokesperson Joe Magee did not respond to an email seeking comment.
World Cup races a go at Killington
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) gave its blessing last week to Killington Resort’s snow conditions ahead of this weekend’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom and giant slalom races — knows as the Stifel Killington Cup.
“It was a real battle with Mother Nature this year, but once again our superstar snowmaking team was able fire up 125 snowmaking guns to lay down enough snow for a world-class show,” said Killington President and CEO Mike Solimano. “We were able to take advantage of our fleet of new low-energy snow guns and the new fan guns installed this summer to
pull off this feat and I can’t wait for the best athletes in the world to join us for an incredible weekend of ski racing action.”
General admission tickets are available for $10 at www.killington.com/worldcup. A portion of all tickets will benefit the Killington World Cup Foundation, providing grants that support winter sports in the Northeast.
Skiing and riding are also available to the public this weekend.
A full schedule of events includes concerts. And, returning this year will be the Killington Cup HERoic Panel, focused on women blazing a trail and working for themselves.
Killington’s Superstar trail is the sight of this weekend’s women’s World Cup ski races.
OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO
Leaders don’t amplify differences, they bridge them
BY BILL SCHUBART
Gov. Phil Scott pulled off a trifecta win in the latest election. The “most popular” governor in the country, a non-MAGA, conservative Republican in a liberal state, was easily reelected to a fifth term. And by investing much of his own campaign war chest in defeating liberal legislative leaders in their own districts, he put an end to the “veto-proof” Democratic Legislature. The results sent a powerful message to legislative leaders and voters regarding Governor Scott’s frequent messaging on “affordability.”
But like so many slide-off-thetongue buzzwords, “affordability” can mean anything to anyone and offers no explanation of cause or ideas for solutions. Some Vermonters can’t afford weekly groceries, others college, others the car they want or need, still others a house or safe shelter.
A recent report from the State Auditor’s Office, however, gives us a clear picture as to what is driving the affordability crisis in Vermont. It’s not “tax-and-spend” liberal legislators.
“According to the Vermont Education Health Initiative, through which most teachers receive their health benefit, the plan’s costs grew from $194 million in FY10 to approximately $266 million in FY23. FY24 costs are expected to exceed $300 million, and that does not include the state’s share of most retired teachers’ health benefits.”
The recent Oliver Wyman report commissioned by the Legislature and the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) made detailed recommendations for saving some $400 million over five years.
The GMCB’s recent rate decision with regard to UVM Medical Center set off a tsunami of public relations releases from the UVM Health Network, most of which the Vermont media simply went with. The one powerful exception was a deep-dive report by Colin Flanders of Seven Days on what is in fact driving the affordability crisis in Vermont.
The PR blitz and lobbying effort by the medical establishment underlines the vital importance of serious investigative journalism in Vermont and the modern world. The incisive
Rick Cote, Associate Publisher rick@willistonobserver.com 802-373-2136
EDITOR
Jason Starr editor@willistonobserver.com
PRODUCTION & DESIGN
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Deadline is Monday noon for Thursday issue. News/ story tips are welcomed. Letters to the Editor should be 300 words or fewer and include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we can verify the letter’s author.
of Twin Ponds Publishing LLC 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.
reporting raised the question of where our esteemed governor is on the subject of health care in his state and how he plans to lead us to “affordability.”
In 2020, Vermonters spent $6.3 billion on healthcare. The Vermont state budget is $8.6 billion. The largest of our 14 hospitals, UVM Medical Center, now has an approved budget for FY2025 of nearly $1.9 billion.
From the GMCB’s budget order: “Vermont hospitals account for almost half of the state’s total health care expenditures. In FY24, spending at Vermont hospitals is expected to be $3.6 billion. Collectively, hospitals’ budget submissions reflect a 48 percent increase over pre-pandemic actuals, an increase of $1.6 billion since FY19. Nonetheless, health care access is unacceptably low, and hospital utilization and patient acuity are increasing.”
Health insurance costs in
Vermont are among the highest in the country.
More than ever, we need leadership that gives credit where credit is due while helping us understand the underlying cause of the “affordability” crisis and supporting those working to rein it in.
Gov. Scott, after redesigning the Legislature to better suit his agenda, will now benefit from the good work that the prior Legislature did during the 2023-2024 term.
His veto of Act 76, the child care bill, was overridden by the Legislature and became law in June of 2023 in spite of his vocal opposition. He opposed the bill as a $100-million “payroll tax.”
Meanwhile, some 7,000 Vermont families now benefit from greater access and affordability, child care providers are more financially stable, and early educators earn a livable wage.
The Global Warming Solutions
Act was designed to align Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals with the Paris Climate Accords. When former President Trump pulled the U.S. out of that agreement during his first administration, Gov. Scott declared that Vermont would abide by the goals of the accords. Since that performative act, he has vetoed the Global Warming Solutions Act and every bill advanced by the Legislature to try and conform with the Paris Accords.
It’s been routine for former governors to propose and legislatures to pass the “fee bill” to ensure that state agencies keep up with inflation. Gov. Scott again chose to scold the Legislature for raising motor vehicle fees after 12 years so the state could access additional federal transportation funds.
On the personal side, we are on our fourth Nissan Leaf (Leaves?), see SCHUBART page 12
GUEST COLUMN
Calling on the Legislature to clean up their mess
BY GUY PAGE
A week ago, the Democrat-led Vermont Senate reshuffled its leadership, a little. But it still has a left-leaning, guns-a-blazin’ in the Climate War look, led at the top by returning Pro Tem Phil Baruth.
Over in the House, there’s a tussle for leadership between two House Speaker candidates who both have a strong record of voting for increasing school taxes and mandating carbon emissions reductions. One is a Democrat and one is an independent who votes with the Democrats and pushes Democrat legislation as vicechair of her committee.
Recent legislatures have spent too much time and taxpayer money on climate and education, while getting little real benefit in return. Their leaders have bragged incessantly about “doing the work” when really
they’ve just been leading endless virtue parades.
When the opening gavels convene the 2025 session, stepping back from the Clean Heat Standard precipice of doubling fuel prices might be the easier of these tasks. The Legislature’s own school financing study commission last week delivered the bad news that the root causes of our school funding woes are deep and entangled with the state’s other legislatively-induced crises of housing, health care and public safety.
Twenty years ago, I sent my young family to a hotel and gutted the living room ceiling and walls of our old Cambridge farmhouse. My crowbar and I built a pile of debris 6 feet high and 10 feet wide.
When my 7-year-old daughter Imani walked into the room and saw the ginormous pile, she parroted back to me my parental words of
instruction: “Daddy made the mess. Now Daddy has to clean it up.”
Now I say the same to Baruth and his Dem majority team of Kesha Ram Hinsdale and Becca White and whoever becomes House Speaker.
You, your expensive climate laws, your kowtowing to the education establishment and your decades of refusal to allow significant new housing outside of a few urban areas have created a mountain of economic and social debris in our living room. You ignored advice from Gov. Phil Scott and the minority party whenever you could. Now you own the problem. Clean it up. Vermonters are waiting and watching.
Guy Page is the editor and publisher of the Vermont Daily Chronicle, an online daily news outlet at www. vermontdailychronicle.com.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Give Locally…
DECEMBER 3, 2024
Thanks times three
Wow! What a gifted and giving community we have.
The Williston Federated Church would like to thank the Williston community for their generous support during our November food drive.
We would like to thank the members and leaders of BSA Troop 692 for their help. We would also like to extend a huge thank you to Healthy Living and Hannaford for donating shopping bags.
The church, working through Williston schools, coordinated, facilitated and distributed food to families in our area as well as food to the Williston Community Food Shelf.
What a gift it is to live in a caring community reaching out to help our neighbors in need. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Gary Lewis Williston
Members of Williston’s BSA Troop 692 help organize food donations that came in to the Williston Federated Church’s recent food drive.
THINKING SUSTAINABLY • ACTING RESPONSIBLY
‘Button Up’ to stay warm and comfortable
BY MICHAEL LAZORCHAK Williston Energy Committee
Just as Vermonters take steps to prepare for winter driving conditions, the Williston Energy
Committee encourages our neighbors to also prepare their residences for winter.
Homeowners and renters experience increased heating and electricity bills during the winter months, which makes weatherization and energy efficiency a top priority. Regardless of your heating source — heating oil, wood, propane, natural gas or electric heat sources — weatherization helps reduce energy burdens by making homes more efficient.
Energy burden is the percentage of income spent on energy costs, and Vermont has one of the highest energy burdens in the country with many residents paying upwards of 10 percent of their income on energy costs. For many Vermonters, especially low-income households, energy usage may not only be a financial burden, but a cause for stress brought on by worrying about heating system maintenance, costs and benefits eligibility.
Vermont, on average, has older homes that lack modern insulation and air sealing, which leads to heat loss, drafts and discomfort. This forces homeowners to turn up the thermostat and pay higher energy bills.
Weatherization can: — Save Money: Energy savings from added insulation or sealing gaps around windows and doors can help lower heating costs by up to 30 percent.
— Increase Comfort: A well-insulated home stays warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, making it more comfortable year-round.
— Improve Health and Safety: Reducing drafts and controlling moisture levels can help prevent mold growth, which can improve health.
— Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: With more efficient energy use, weatherized homes help reduce Vermont’s overall energy demand, which reduces costs and helps reach state climate targets.
WEATHERIZATION INVESTMENT
For Vermonters looking to invest in weatherization, the following measures can provide the greatest impact on comfort, energy savings and overall efficiency during the winter months.
Insulation: This creates a barrier that helps regulate indoor temperatures and is one of the best investments you can make. The attic is often the biggest culprit for heat loss, as warm air rises and escapes through poorly insulated ceilings.
Attic insulation can reduce heating costs and maintain a more consistent temperature in your home. The recommended amount of insulation varies based on the type of home and location, which is why using Efficiency Vermont’s “Efficiency Excellence Network” to find a professional to guide your decision making is so important.
Sealing Air Leaks (Weatherstripping and Caulking): Cracks and gaps around windows, doors, electrical outlets and vents can let in cold air and allow warm air to escape, making your heating system work harder and increasing your energy costs. Sealing these leaks with weatherstripping and caulking is relatively inexpensive and easy, especially for renters who typically can’t make large improvements.
Efficiency Vermont provides a $100 do-it-yourself rebate for these types of weatherization projects.
Insulating
Window Inserts: Windows are a major source of heat loss in many older homes. Replacing windows can be expensive, but there is an affordable solution: window inserts, which are easy to install and can dramatically improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Made of clear material, window inserts trap air between the window and the insert, creating an insulating buffer. This simple, moderate-cost measure can
reduce heat loss through windows by up to 50 percent.
For renters, window inserts can be installed without permanent changes to the property. They’re also portable and can be removed when the seasons change. WindowDressers is a non-profit organization that provides custom made inserts, at a reduced cost for income-eligible households. Visit www.WindowDressers.org for more information.
Upgrading Heating Systems: Upgrading to a more efficient heating system, such as a modern furnace, heat pump or pellet stove, can significantly reduce heating costs. Heat pumps work by transferring heat from the air outside into your home during the winter, and they can cool your home in the summer, offering year-round benefits. Heat pumps use electricity more efficiently than traditional electric resistance heating, providing three times the amount of heat for each unit of energy used, making them an excellent investment for homeowners looking to cut costs and increase comfort.
Adding Smart Thermostats: A smart thermostat allows homeowners to program heating schedules, set temperature preferences and even operate via a smartphone app. Smart thermostats adjust the heating system automatically based on your habits, ensuring that heat is not wasted when you’re away or asleep. This can lead to savings of up to 12 percent on heating costs.
For homeowners, weatherization starts with a professional energy audit. During an audit, a technician evaluates areas where heat may be escaping, such as attics, basements, walls, windows and doors. From there, they recommend specific upgrades, such as adding insulation, sealing cracks or upgrading HVAC systems.
For renters, weatherizing the home can be more challenging since the responsibility often lies
The Kismet Building • 373 Blair Park Road • Suite 101 • Williston
Weatherization
with landlords. However, renters can still take steps to improve comfort and energy efficiency without a large upfront investment.
Simple fixes, such as adding weatherstripping around doors and windows, using draft stoppers, adding window inserts and closing curtains at night can significantly reduce heat loss. Renters can work with their landlords to advocate for weatherization upgrades and programs like the Weatherization Assistance Program — an excellent resource to assist with funding and installation of weatherization services.
Vermont offers several programs designed to assist both homeowners and renters with the cost of weatherization. The Weatherization Assistance Program, administered by the Vermont Department of Children and Families, offers free weatherization services for low-income households. The program focuses on energy conservation, providing measures such as insulation, air sealing and heating system repairs. The Vermont Energy Efficiency Fund works to ensure that all
Vermonters have access to affordable energy saving solutions.
For homeowners interested in making larger improvements, Efficiency Vermont offers rebates and financing options for energy efficient upgrades like insulation, heating system repairs and window replacements.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Schedule an energy audit: Whether you are a homeowner or renter, an energy audit is the first step. Reach out to Efficiency Vermont or your local weatherization service provider to schedule one.
Apply for Incentives: Depending on your income and eligibility, you may qualify for financial assistance to help cover the costs of weatherization improvements.
Consult Your Landlord: Renters should communicate with their landlord about potential weatherization upgrades. If there are any barriers, local weatherization programs may be able to help.
DIY Fixes: Simple, cost-effective fixes like sealing cracks, insulating hot water pipes or adding thermal curtains can make an immediate difference.
see WEATHERIZATION page 15
Weekday Bus Departures from Williston
Commuter Link
Williston to Burlington (Interstate Route)
Departures out of Williston Park and Ride at Exit 12 Monday through Friday
Williston to Montpelier
Departures out of Williston Park and Ride at Exit 12 Monday through Friday
Route 2A to Essex Junction & Essex Center
Departures
Mini Fact:
Welcome to Maine
Maine is our 23rd state. It was welcomed into the Union in 1820. It is at the northeastern tip of the United States in a region known as New England Maine is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, two Canadian provinces and New Hampshire.
Maine’s history
Indigenous peoples, including the Penobscot and Kennebec, lived in the area for about 12,000 years. The first Europeans to settle there were the French in the 1600s, who called the area Acadia. Until 1820, Maine was part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Until 1958, Maine held its presidential elections two months before the rest of the country. People said, “As Maine goes, so goes the nation.” They looked at the results from Maine to predict who would be president.
Mainers today
The state is home to about 1.4 million people. Although Augusta is the capital, Portland is the state’s largest city, with about 68,000 people. Maine is the most rural state in the United States.
Fishermen reel in lobsters and oysters, along with seaweed. Mainers also make paper and wood
products, electronics and textiles, along with ships.
People raise chickens, cattle, potatoes, blueberries, apples and maple trees for syrup.
Tourism is also important to the Maine economy. People like to visit Acadia National Park and go fishing, snowmobiling, skiing and hiking.
Natural Maine
Nor’easters are fierce storms with strong winds from the northeast and much rain or snow. Maine weather also includes cold, snowy winters, especially away from the coast, and cool summers. The coastal areas are often foggy.
The state has more than 200 miles of ocean coastline. More than 4,500 islands add to the state’s beauty. Maine is known as the Pine Tree State because of its dense forests.
Mainers also enjoy more than 5,000 rivers and streams.
Famous Mainers
Next Week: Special stars
• If you’ve ever played The Game of Life, Candy Land or Operation, you have Maine native Milton Bradley to thank. Bradley was born in 1836 in Vienna, Maine, and grew up to start the Milton Bradley Co. in 1860.
• Author E.B. White lived on a farm in Maine for much of his life. From there, he wrote many books and three favorites of kids: “Charlotte’s Web,” “Stuart Little” and “The Trumpet of the Swan.”
Many years ago, White told The Mini Page about writing “Charlotte’s Web”: I have a barn, and I had been watching barnyard animals for 40 years. I knew the characters. I like to write about animals. I take animals seriously.
• Margaret Chase Smith was a U.S. senator and representative from Maine. She was the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress. In 1964, she ran for president of the United States.
The 2,200-mile-long Appalachian National Scenic Trail starts in Maine on Mount Katahdin (kuh-TAHdin) and stretches all the way to Georgia.
Words that remind us of Maine are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
Maryann: What
The Portland Head Light sits at the entrance to Portland Harbor in Maine.
Founded by Betty Debnam
photo by Rapidfire
Fishermen haul in lobster traps.
Mount Katahdin, in the center of Maine, is over 5,000 feet high.
Milton Bradley
E.B. White
Margaret Chase Smith
lobsters and oysters, along with seaweed. Mainers also make paper and wood
Try ’n’ Find
Words that remind us of Maine are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
Maryann: What happened when a fisher was late for work? Michael: She lobster job!
Eco Note
1. In a large bowl, stir butter and sugar together until creamy. Add the egg and lemon juice. Mix well.
2. Add the flour, salt and baking powder. Mix until blended.
3. Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
4. In another bowl, mix together blueberries and sugar. Pour blueberry mixture on top and spread evenly.
5. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 40 minutes until lightly browned.
6. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Cut into squares and serve. Makes 8 servings.
You’ll need an adult’s
A rare extratropical storm brought heavy rainfall to southeastern Morocco’s Sahara Desert, exceeding the amount the region would expect in an entire year. The downpour, the heaviest for the region in decades, brought over 4 inches of rain to some areas, refilling reservoirs and groundwater supplies vital to droughtstricken communities. Meteorologists suggest the event could alter future weather patterns as the air over the arid region still retains moisture, possibly providing fuel for more storms.
For later:
Look in your newspaper for articles that mention events in Maine.
Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!
by Dan Thompson
By Jim Miller
SAVVY SENIOR
How to choose a memory care unit
Dear Savvy Senior, My dad has dementia and has gotten to the point that he can’t live at home any longer. I need to find a good memory care residential facility for him but don’t know where to turn. Any suggestions? Only Daughter
Dear Only,
Choosing a good memory care residential unit for a loved one with dementia is a very important decision that requires careful evaluation and some homework.
have had problems in the past.
If you’re looking at a memory care unit within a nursing home facility, use Medicare’s nursing home compare tool (Medicare.gov/ care-compare), which provides a five-star rating system.
It’s also a good idea to make multiple visits to the facility, including an unscheduled visit in the evening or weekend when the staff is more likely to be stretched thin.
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Most memory care units, sometimes called special care units, are housed within assisted living or nursing home facilities. At their best, they offer staff extensively trained in caring for people with dementia, individualized care that minimizes the use of dangerous psychotropic drugs, a home-like environment, and activities that improve residents’ quality of life. But at their worst, they can offer little more than a locked door. Here are some steps that can help you find a good facility and avoid a bad one.
Make a list: To identify some good memory care residential units in your area, ask your dad’s doctor for a referral or use an online search tool like Caring.com. Make sure the facilities on your list are close to family members and friends who can visit often, because residents with frequent visitors usually get better care.
Research your options: Once you’ve made a list, call your local long-term care ombudsman (see LTCombudsman.org for contact information). This is a government official who investigates assisted living and nursing home complaints and can tell you which facilities
Schubart
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getting the gas equivalent of about $1.50 a gallon.
Meanwhile, gasoline and home heating fuel costs have decreased somewhat from their levels in December of 2023.
It is indeed clear that health care, housing and higher education constitute “affordability” challenges, but encouraging work is being done on all fronts. Despite PR and lobbying efforts to the contrary by many of the state’s hospitals and their trade association, the GMCB is now seriously regulating growth in health care infrastructure costs and charges.
On the housing front, serious scientific research is being done at The Leahy Center on how and where to locate new manufactured housing that looks beyond our obsession with
Call the facilities: Once you’ve identified a few good facilities, call them to find out if they have any vacancies, if they provide the types of services your father needs, what they charge and if they accept Medicaid.
Tour your top choices: During your tour, notice the cleanness and smell of the facility. Is it homey and inviting? Does the staff seem responsive and kind to its residents? Also be sure to taste the food and talk to current residents’ family members, if available.
Also, ask about staff screening and training procedures, their turnover rate and their staff-to-resident ratio. Make sure they provide quality activities to keep your dad engaged, and find out how they respond to residents who may wander or become aggressive.
Because transitions can be unsettling for dementia suffers, make sure that your dad will be able to remain at the facility for the foreseeable future. And find out what, if any, health conditions might require him to leave the facility or move to a higher and more expansive level of care.
local control.
The world of higher ed is changing rapidly and our own Community College of Vermont offers a new model that meets learners where they are and is affordable to many. In another indication of health care’s broader impacts, UVM attributed its recent tuition cost increases to its health care costs.
Just as the good economic work done by President Obama accrued to President Trump, the good economic work done by President Biden, which received little recognition during his presidency, will also accrue to President-elect Trump. This phenomenon of “lag-time impacts” means the benefits of policies often accrue to those who opposed them.
In Vermont, will the many good initiatives of the past legislative session inure to the reputation of the man who opposed them?
To help you choose a good facility, the Alzheimer’s Association offers a list of questions to ask at www.communityresourcefinder. org/Alz/Tips. Click on “Tips for choosing a residential care facility” under Housing Options.
Paying for care: The national average costs for memory care within an assisted living facility is over $6,000 per month, and over $8,500/ month for nursing home care, but costs can vary widely depending on location and services.
Since Medicare does not cover long-term care, most residents pay for care from either personal savings, a long-term care insurance policy or through Medicaid (if available) once their savings are depleted. Or, if your dad is a veteran, he may be able to get funds through the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit. To learn more, ask the facility director or contact the regional VA benefit office at 800–827–1000.
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.
In my many years getting to know legislators, I’ve met committed Vermonters of all political stripes working for peanuts, without benefits or adequate resources needed to understand and solve the problems besetting their neighbors. Blaming a spendthrift Legislature is easy political posturing but contributes nothing to solutions.
True leadership doesn’t amplify political differences; it bridges them, with the goal of bringing diverse people and ideas together to understand and solve problems.
Blaming and purging those bearing the wrong party label is not leadership.
Bill Schubart is the former chair of the Vermont Journalism Trust, the parent organization for VTDigger, where this column originally appeared.
TODAY’S HISTORY:
• In 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, setting aside his estate to establish the Nobel Prize.
• In 1942, the French navy sank its fleet at Toulon to prevent its use by the Nazis.
In 1973, the U.S. Senate approved the nomination of House Minority Leader Gerald Ford, a Michigan Republican, as vice president, following the resignation of Spiro Agnew.
• In 2005, French surgeons completed the first known partial face transplant, grafting a new nose, cheeks, lips and chin.
TODAY’S FACT:
• Pierre and Marie Curie are the only husband and wife to have received the Nobel Prize in Physics, sharing the award with Antoine Henri Becquerel in 1903.
WILLISTON
Recreation & Parks
SENIOR COMMUNITY MEALS
Ages 60-plus. We are excited to announce the upcoming Senior Community Meals at the R.E.C. Zone, located at 94 Harvest Lane. Every Tuesday, the Recreation Department and Age Well will be hosting a free meal for seniors, followed by a program tailored to seniors, from 12-1 p.m. and again from 1-2 p.m. Space is limited, and advanced registration is required. Registration closes one week before the scheduled date. Menu and other details will be posted in December at willistonrec.org.
To register, contact Taylor at 876-1160 or by email at recreation@willistonvt.org. A suggested donation of $5 per meal is appreciated and will be donated to Age Well.
HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST
The annual Holiday Decorating Contest is approaching fast. This friendly competition provides an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your holiday spirit and contribute to the festive atmosphere in the community. Whether you are motivated by the prospect of winning a prize, the desire to earn bragging rights, or simply the joy of sharing your festive decorations, everyone is encouraged to participate.
The contest is free to enter and open to Williston residents and businesses alike. Sign up at willistonrec.org.
FAMILY PROGRAMS
COOKIE DECORATING WORKSHOP
Ages 6-plus. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. In this two-hour workshop, you will learn to decorate a themed set of five pre-baked cookies. Instructor: Paulina Thompson
VOCAL PERCUSSION & IMPROVISATION WORKSHOP
Ages 13-plus. Root7, Vermont’s contemporary a cappella group for 18 years, will host sight-reading sing-alongs of winter and holiday music for beginner, intermediate and experienced vocalists who want to learn and work in groups. Dec. 3, 7-9 p.m. Free.
ADULT PROGRAMS
SENIOR STRENGTH AND FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY
Ages 50-plus. Join this fitness program just for seniors. The program will concentrate on developing upper and lower body strength, improving balance and
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
strengthening your core. In this dementia-friendly class, participants are encouraged to work within their abilities. Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:45-10:45 a.m., $5 per visit. The R.E.C. Zone, 94 Harvest Lane.
JAZZERCISE CARDIO SCULPT PROGRAMS
Ages 50-plus. Programs are low impact with different levels of intensity. Instructors will show you how to take it high or low. Class passes of 1, 5 and 10 visits available to purchase. Cardio Sculpt Low is Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. and Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Cardio Sculpt Low/High is Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4:45-5:45 p.m. and Sundays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. The R.E.C. Zone, 94 Harvest Lane.
TAI CHI INTRODUCTION
Ages 50-plus. The ancient art of Tai Chi has become increasingly popular as people find that it improves balance, increases mindfulness and relaxes the mind and body. This class will present sequences of movements derived from the Sun style, which is slow, smooth and upright in posture. Wednesdays, 12:15-1:15 p.m. Free. The R.E.C. Zone, 94 Harvest Lane.
PICKUP TABLE TENNIS
Available by registration and online payment at willistonrec. org. The program is for ages 12plus. Those between the ages of 12-16 must be accompanied by an adult. The program meets once a
week from October-May.
PICKUP BASKETBALL
Pickup basketball is for men ages 20-plus and 30-plus, as well as women ages 19-plus. The programs meet once a week OctoberMay. Register at willistonrec.org.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
AGES 5-6 (COED) BASKETBALL
This parent/child program is designed to teach basketball fundamentals. Youngsters will be introduced to a new skill and fun activities to enhance their learning each week. This program meets on Saturdays in January and February. Instructors: Rec. Staff
GRADE 1-2 BASKETBALL
If numbers allow, separate boys’ and girls’ leagues will be offered. The program provides the opportunity for youngsters to learn the game, improve their skills and enjoy playing. The program meets on Saturdays in January and February. The onehour session will consist of a practice and scrimmages. Parent volunteers are needed to coach and can sign up to coach when registering a child.
LEARN TO SKI/RIDE
Registration is open for the Learn to Ski/Ride Program. Register before Dec. 15 for a discount. Two equipment fitting nights will be offered in December. Register at willistonrec.org.
SUDOKU SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 13
WILLISTON POLICE
Oct. 16 at 8:34 a.m. — Assisted with broken down vehicle on Butternut Road. Oct. 16 at 10:04 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Walmart. Suspect was gone before officers’ arrival.
Oct. 17 at 12:20 p.m. — Report of a female throwing rocks at cars. Female was located and was experiencing a mental health crisis.
Oct. 17 at 2:19 p.m. — Report of a suspicious male at Walmart. Male had an active arrest warrant. He was transported to court.
Oct. 17 at 8:54 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Marshalls. Case is still under investigation.
Oct. 18 at 12:44 p.m. — Report of a male causing a disturbance in Walmart. Male assaulted another male. Suspect was issued a citation to appear in court for simple assault and disorderly conduct.
Oct. 18 at 1:13 a.m. — Male in Mobil that had been trespassed. Male was issued a citation to appear in court for unlawful trespass.
Oct. 18 at 5:31 p.m. — Suspicious female at Hannaford. Female had an active arrest warrant. She was issued a citation to appear in court.
Oct. 19 at 2:20 a.m. — Following a traffic stop, male operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.
Oct. 19 at 12:44 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Staples. Male and female suspects were located and both were issued citations to appear in court for retail theft.
Oct. 19 at 4:16 p.m. — Same male who stole from Staples committed a retail theft at Marshalls. He was issued a citation to appear in court.
Oct. 20 at 1:20 a.m. — Following a traffic stop, male operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.
Oct. 20 at 10:24 a.m. — Suspicious male and female in Dick’s Sporting Goods. Both male and female were issued notices of trespass.
Oct. 21 at 2:30 p.m. — Report of a stolen wallet rom Marshall Avenue.
Oct. 21 at 2:45 p.m. — Report of a male who was previously trespassed in Lenny’s. Male left before officers’ arrival.
Oct. 22 at 2:04 p.m. — Report of a suspicious male and female in Marshalls. Both parties were issued notices of trespass.
Oct. 22 at 4:47 p.m. — Report of suspicious males in Walmart. Both males were moved along.
Oct. 23 at 10:14 a.m. — Report of a storage unit broken into. Nothing taken. Oct. 23 at 5:10 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Home Depot. Male suspect had an active arrest warrant. He was transported to the correctional facility.
Officers also conducted 37 traffic stops and responded to seven alarm activations and eight motor vehicle crashes during this time frame.
Weatherization
Weatherization is an investment that pays off. From lowering energy bills to creating a healthier living environment, it’s a step that both homeowners and renters can take to prepare for Vermont’s winters.
RABIES BAIT
continued from page 2
With state programs, rebates and incentives available, there’s never been a better time to start. For more information about weatherization pro
grams, visit www.EfficiencyVermont.com or the
Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity at www.CVOEO.org.
To participate in Williston’s energy future, reach out to your Williston Energy Committee at energy@willistonvt.org or attend a public meeting held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The agenda for upcoming meetings is posted on the Town of Williston website (www.town.williston.vt.us). For more information, visit willistonvtenergycommittee.org.
The week-long bait drop is a cooperative effort between Vermont and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to stop the spread of the potentially fatal disease.
saliva. If left untreated, rabies is almost always fatal in humans and animals. However, treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly 100percent effectivewhengivensoonafter a person is bitten by a rabid animal.
SHELBURNE DAY continued from page 4
So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont have tested positive for rabies, and 14 of those have been raccoons.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the brain that infects mammals. It is most often seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats,
According to wildlife officials, rabid animals often show a change in their normal behavior, but you cannot tell whether an animal has rabies simply by looking at it. People should not touch or pick up wild animals or strays – even baby animals.
Shelburne Historical Society will have a display and president Dorothea Penar will lead a cemetery tour at 1 p.m. Food vendors round out the event with everything from coffee and lemonade to burgers and creemees. Kids will enjoy meeting animals from Shelburne Farms, craft projects, and
the Golf depending land. Rotary’s
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