National chains to break into Vermont at vacant Maple Tree Place spaces
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
Three national chains with thousands of stores in dozens of states will open their first Vermont locations at Williston’s Maple Tree Place in 2025.
The closure of the Christmas Tree Shops store in the summer of 2023 left a large vacancy for Maple Tree Place’s new owners Acadia Realty Trust purchased the 64-acre property this past January — to try and fill. It’s taken nearly 12 months, but the spot will be full by the first half of next year, according to property manager Justin Kelley.
The space will be divided in two, Kelley said, with Boot Barn taking a smaller footprint and Bob’s Discount Furniture opening a
location in the larger section of the building. Founded in Connecticut in 1991, Bob’s has 189 locations in 24 states. Boot Barn, a Westernthemed footwear and clothing outfitter founded in 1978 and headquartered in Kansas, has 420 locations in 46 states.
“Both companies have been looking to emerge into this market,” said Kelley, adding that Acadia hosts both as tenants in other shopping centers it owns. “We’re happy to be able to get that space repurposed, and we’re very excited to be able to have them here. We feel like it’s going to be a big lift, not just for the other tenants, but for Williston as a whole.”
Boot Barn is set to open by the end of winter, Kelley said. Bob’s Discount Furniture is aiming for late spring.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Maple Tree Place, the owner of the shuttered I Heart Mac and Cheese restaurant plans to pivot to Firehouse Subs, a Florida-based chain with a firefighter theme and nearly 1,500 locations nationwide, but none yet in Vermont.
The sub shop is planning to be open in January, Kelley said.
Kelley declined to comment on the number of current vacancies in the plaza, but the ground floor around the central green has several “for lease” signs. A portion of the second floor office space is occupied by the federal Department of Homeland Security.
Liquor license granted to Majestic 10 cinema
The Majestic 10 movie theater in Williston plans to start serving beer and wine for movie-goers with a liquor license approved Tuesday by the Williston Selectboard.
Theater owner Merrill Jarvis phoned in to the board’s Tuesday meeting, saying the introduction of alcohol sales has become a trend in movie theaters nationwide.
“The theater business has been really bad for the last four years,” said Jarvis, who earlier this year closed a movie theater in Burlington and before that another in South Burlington.
Adding alcohol sales, he hopes, will
help the Maple Tree Place theater avoid the same fate.
“We need money over there,” he told the board. “I’ll try whatever I can to generate more cash for the business so it doesn’t fail … I would hate to lose this one. I’m doing all I can to keep it going.”
The board’s approval was for consumption only in the lobby, but Jarvis envisions patrons drinking in-theater while watching movies. Town Manager Erik Wells said he wants to check in with the police department before bringing the question of in-theater consumption back to the board. The board hopes to hold a
vote on in-theater consumption during a special meeting this Saturday.
“It’s not a party,” Jarvis said. “It won’t be rowdy.”
Alcohol sales would end around 9:30 p.m., he said.
“It’s a trend all around the country, and I want to get in on that train,” said Jarvis.
Selectboard chair Ted Kenney noted that the board approved a liquor license for the theater in the past, but that was for a separate restaurant in the space. The restaurant did not last long, Jarvis said.
Jason Starr
Chicken & Waffles Sandwich
Town budget draft shows 5.9% increase
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
Town administrators on Tuesday unveiled their first draft of a budget for the upcoming fiscal year — a $15.9 million plan that would increase spending by $890,000 (5.9 percent) over the current fiscal year and increase the municipal tax rate by an estimated $39 for every $100,000 of property value (10.9 percent).
“It’s the biggest piece of public policy the selectboard decides on each year.”
Erik Wells Williston Town Manager
The selectboard plans a series of deliberative meetings in the coming weeks before finalizing a proposal in mid-January to put up for voter consideration at Town Meeting Day in March. Last March, Williston voters defeated the board’s initial proposal before approving a reduced annual budget in May.
The proposed budget would add one new position to town government — a director of human resources — but would otherwise carry forward only the town’s current level of service through June 2026, according to Town Manager Erik Wells. The HR position was part of the budget voters rejected last March, and was cut from the budget approved in May.
The bulk of the $890,000 spending increase results from increases in staff salaries and benefits, Wells said, including a $125,000 increase in the cost of employee health insurance. In total, staff salaries and benefits are expected to increase by see BUDGET page 3
Christmas Tree Shops left Williston in 2023. The space will be portioned into two units with Boot Barn and Bob’s Discount Furniture set to move in next year. OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR
Around Town
Police ranks nearly full as new officer set to join force
The Williston Police Department has hired three officers this fall, most recently Officer Brittany Lewis, who will be joining the department later this month, according to Town Manager Erik Wells.
Lewis “brings experience from multiple agencies,” Wells wrote in a Dec. 3 report to the selectboard. With the hiring, the department has one vacancy in its 17-member force. The department plans to create and fill a detective position in January.
Community tree lighting planned for Sunday evening
This year’s lighting of the Williston Community Tree will take place on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on the Village Green. The event will
include cookies and hot cocoa, a Christmas carol singalong and music from the new children’s choir at Williston Federated Church. Lighted vehicles from S.D. Ireland and Troy’s Toy Drive will be on hand to bring some extra cheer.
Donations of new hats, mittens, gloves and socks will be collected for the Williston Community Food Shelf. The event is sponsored by the Williston Federated Church and Williston-Richmond Rotary Club.
Socks for Seniors donations welcome
The annual Socks for Seniors drive held by the Williston Observer is underway. Donations of warm, cozy socks will be distributed to area rehab and nursing home residents in time for the holidays. Each year, recipients report how much these warm gifts are appreciated.
Donations of new socks may
Bazaar crafts of all kinds
Crafts of all kinds greet shoppers at the Williston Federated Church’s Annual Christmas Bazaar held Nov. 21.
be dropped off through Friday, Dec. 13 at the Williston Coffee Shop, 400 Cornerstone Drive, and at Maple Eyecare, 33 Blair Park Road.
Toys for Kids red barrels positioned around town
Red Toys for Kids barrels are now in place at numerous
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY Shop with Your Heart
APPAREL/SHOES
locations throughout Williston and the surrounding area. Barrels will be available to receive donations of new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 17.
Toys for Kids also accepts financial donations that are used to purchase gift cards for donation to families with teenaged kids. Financial donations can be made by mailed check to: Toys for Kids,
PO Box 4092, Burlington, VT 05406 and online at www.toysforkidsvt.com.
Toys for Kids is coordinated by the Marine Corps League’s Donald Cook Detachment and monitored locally by the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club. For more information, email toysforkidsvt@hotmail.com or call (802) 238-8405.
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$656,000.
That increase includes an assumption about the cost of police officers, as the officer union’s current employment contract with the town expires in June. Negotiations are ongoing for a successor contract that would affect the new budget.
“A budget is a spending plan,” Wells said. “It’s our fiscal policy of how to deliver town services … It’s the biggest piece of public policy the selectboard decides on each year.”
The board plans to drill down into each town department’s budget during a special meeting this Saturday, then meet again after a holiday break for public hearings in January. A finalized
budget proposal is expected by Jan. 21.
Tuesday’s meeting was a “starting point” in the budget development process, Wells said.
“It’s far from the finish line,” he told the board. “It’s your budget for the community, and staff will be here to support you in working through where you want to land for Town Meeting.”
Planned Parenthood sees surge in demand
BY KLARA BAUTERS VTDigger
Since the election of Donald Trump in November, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England has recorded increased demand for reproductive health services, including at its seven health centers in Vermont.
The organization, which also operates clinics in New Hampshire and Maine, said in a November news release that in the week following the election, appointments for those
seeking long-acting reversible contraceptives doubled in Vermont, from an average of 51 to 105.
Throughout the three-state region, the organization said, it has seen a similar increase in demand for other products and services, including intrauterine devices and birth control implants.
Most of the calls to the clinics are from people concerned about their ability to access and pay for their contraception and reproductive health in the next few years, according to
Jessica Barquist, a spokesperson for the organization.
“People are really scared, and they’re worried that not just the health care that they rely on, but that their health care provider might not be there for them in the future,” she said in an interview.
Despite Vermont’s strong legal protections for abortion care, Barquist said federal actions could still pose significant risks. During his first presidency, Trump appointed three
members of the U.S. Supreme Court who ultimately supported a decision overturning Roe v. Wade, eliminating federal protections for the procedure. During his latest presidential campaign, he sent mixed signals about whether he would support a national abortion ban.
“A lot of us think we’re so safe here because we have such great laws on the books with the shield laws and our constitutional amendment that protects abortion care, but the reality
“A lot of us think we’re so safe here…but the reality is that federal law and even things like executive orders or funding cuts could dramatically change our ability to provide care in the state.”
is that federal law and even things like executive orders or funding cuts could dramatically change our ability to provide that care in the state,” Barquist said.
Planned Parenthood has also charted an increase in demand for vasectomy consultations in the threestate region since the election, as well as a rising demand for gender-affirming care appointments.
“We expect the coming months will be difficult, but we have weathered these storms before. We are prepared. And we are not going anywhere,” Nicole Clegg, CEO and President of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, said in the release.
Jessica Barquist Planned Parenthood spokesperson
Winter bird-feeding season underway
Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s bird project leader Jillian Kilborn encourages bird-feeding as a way to observe and learn about the area’s year-round bird residents. She offers the following tips.
Make your own feeding mixture. Black oil sunflower seed is a favorite of many birds, but when mixed with thistle or cracked corn, you will attract a wider variety of species. Suet attracts woodpeckers and chickadees.
Mix up the types of feeders. Hopper feeders are great for large birds such as blue jays, while tube feeders are best for smaller birds. Elevated tray feeders will attract birds that usually feed on the ground, including juncos and larger bodied winter visitors such as evening grosbeaks.
Place feeders near natural habitat. A Christmas tree is a great addition next to your feeder to provide quick cover.
Keep feeders clean. Only put out enough food for a day, and wash feeders every couple of weeks with a 10 percent bleach solution to prevent the spread of bacteria and disease.
Feeding can expose birds to hazards they might otherwise avoid. The risks of predation are higher close to people, especially from domestic cats, the leading cause of bird deaths in North America. Keep cats inside and take feeders down if predators become frequent visitors. Also, place feeders within 3 feet of windows to minimize high
speed window strikes.
Don’t feed birds when bears are active. Most bears are in dens from Dec. 1 to April 1, but some will delay hibernation or re-emerge to feed during periods of warmer weather.
Once you’ve started feeding the birds, keep your feeders stocked. Wild birds can become accustomed to an easy food source. If you decide to stop, gradually taper off the amount of food, giving birds a chance to find other food sources, especially when food is scarce in late winter or during periods of extreme weather.
Immediately remove feeders if there are reports of Avian Influenza or even a bacterial infection outbreak. Concentrating birds at a feeder contributes to the spread of diseases. If you find a dead bird, visit the Avian Influenza Wildlife Health Bulletin on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website for more information on when to report, and what to do.
Finally, report your observations. You can participate in bird monitoring projects by looking up the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, the Great Backyard Bird Count and Project Feeder Watch.
As winter sets in, find a comfortable spot inside where you can watch the birds visiting your feeders. It’s a perfect way to get to know the birds around you better.
Who pays for high-quality schools?
BY DAVID ZUCKERMAN
Taxes have a bad rap. In part, this is because we never discuss who pays which taxes.
Taxes have gone up for working people while wealthier people have gotten tax cuts. But taxes exist for important reasons, and we must make our tax system more fair and decrease the burden on everyday people.
Do we want roads, bridges and police? How about licensing of doctors, lawyers, teachers and drivers? Do you want a health department to test water for lead or radon?
We might all have different opinions about some of the things our tax money funds, but it’s important to acknowledge that many things we need can only be accomplished as a community. Often, this requires funds that taxes provide.
The key questions are who is going to pay, and how much?
Right now, the tax system is greatly skewed to help wealthy people pay a lower overall rate than working people. Our
federal and state taxes are filled with loopholes and exceptions that only wealthy people can take advantage of. I believe that taxes should be paid based on ability to pay, without exceptions and loopholes that only lawyers and accountants can figure out to help high-wealth individuals.
Vermonters have seen double digit increases in property taxes this year. We are now seeing double digit health insurance increases on the horizon. These increases are making it impossible for everyday working people to live in Vermont.
Everyone sees this problem. No one has offered a fair solution — not the governor, not the legislative leadership, not my election opponent who got the most votes in the lieutenant governor contest.
Why? Because it’s complicated. If it was simple to solve, everyone would have solved it by now. But, as soon as one offers a solution, others can always find something to criticize about it.
Something has to give, whether it’s multiple small community
schools closing, or class sizes getting much bigger, or decreasing the individualized attention that many kids need, or cutting teachers’ pay or benefits, which would decrease our competitiveness for good teachers. Or, some will pay more taxes. The question then is who?
If one solely articulates the problem, you gain support. If you offer solutions, someone suffers and you lose support.
The governor has had eight years to come up with a real plan. He has always blamed the problem on the Legislature, including the many years when they did not have a super-majority. The governor’s office has the tools and the staff to come up with a plan and put it out there. It is time for the governor to move from stating the problem to presenting a comprehensive solution that addresses the economic struggle without
cutting the critical services that our most vulnerable need.
I would argue that we must fix our education funding system so that everyone pays based on their income, not just those with household incomes under $115,000 (for 2024).
We are ranked one of the top 10 education systems in the country. Do we want to keep high-quality schools? I think so. They are a key to attracting young people to move here to raise a family while building our workforce.
So, we can close a ton of schools. Or we can cut a lot of funding for vulnerable kids. Or we can have the political courage to tell the wealthy to pay their fair share and lower the burden on working people. We can also save taxpayer money by getting serious about bureaucratic reforms to stop duplicating efforts. We can require second homeowners (of
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expensive vacation homes, not hunting camps) to pay more. Or we can continue to do nothing and watch the governor and the Legislature point fingers at each other while Vermonters become more bitter, more divided, more angry and less able to afford to live here. The course we choose will be determined by people continuing to make their voices heard, not just at the ballot box, but by calling the governor and their legislators and insisting on real reform that preserves our small community schools, reduces bureaucratic costs and allocates the tax burden in a fairer way so working Vermonters can afford to stay in Vermont.
David Zuckerman is Vermont’s outgoing lieutenant governor. He lost his bid for re-election in November.
Library announces new strategic plan
This article was submitted by the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Board of Trustees: Charity Clark, Diane Downer, Brian Goodwin, Karla Karstens, Barbara Mieder, Steve Perkins and Shari Westman.
This is an exciting time for the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library as we plan for the future of the library, its space and operations, within the context of the continued growth of our town.
We are proud to share our Strategic Plan for 2024-2027, which staff, library trustees and other stakeholders have been working on since last spring. Community needs, which were identified during the engagement phases of a 2023 scoping study conducted by a task force of town volunteers including library leaders, were also considered as we developed this plan.
The Strategic Plan outlines goals based on five guiding principles: accessibility and diversity, safety and privacy, customer service, sustainability, and community. The plan will guide the library in decision-making in the coming years, and support our vision that “Together we will create a sustainable library that meets the needs of the growing community and where all are empowered to thrive.”
The goals focus on continually improving operations in a way that is sustainable, both environmentally and operationally.
Through our scoping study, we heard confirmation of what we already knew: The library is a valued center of the community, providing collections, programs and services in a space that is at its limit in terms of meeting the needs of our growing community.
Despite space challenges, the library continues to offer an impressive range of services and programs. Patron visits rose to 60,470 in Fiscal Year ’24, a 90 percent increase since the last library expansion in 1998. Over 134,000 items circulated in formats ranging from print books to an expanding library of non-traditional items like metal detectors and outdoor games. Also, 11,000 youth and adults enjoyed indoor and outdoor programs at the library.
According to recently released statistics from the Vermont Department of Libraries,
Vermont libraries.
Demand for our library’s meeting spaces, when not in use for library programs, doubled from last year, with 1,600 individuals attending community meetings.
Williston’s library ranked fifth in the state for circulation and fourth for attendance at programming among the 147 reporting
Visit www.damlvt.org to read the strategic plan and learn more about our plans for serving the Williston community in the coming years. We are proud to serve our community and excited for the future of our library.
San Francisco firm acquires stake in Simon Pearce
BY SARAH MEARHOFF VTDigger
The owners of Simon Pearce, Vermont’s iconic glass and pottery maker, have sold an unspecified stake in the half-a-century-old business to a San Francisco-based private equity firm.
Simon Pearce has been headquartered in Windsor since its namesake founded it in 1971. In a press release Tuesday, the company said it had entered into a “strategic partnership” with SBJ Capital, the San Francisco firm, in order to expand its reach.
“In the grand scheme of things, what it means is, it’s assured continuity of the brand and the business in Vermont, and the ability to carry on Simon’s legacy
well past the original 50 years that we’ve had so far,” Simon Pearce CEO Jay Benson said in an interview Wednesday.
A motivating factor in the deal, according to Benson, is Pearce’s own age — and his hope for the company to persevere. “Simon is in his 70s,” Benson said.
“There was a very conscious decision made over a decade ago with the family that it would not pass to the next generation of the family,” Benson said. “Simon has seen too many businesses and families destroyed by business transition, and really didn’t want that to happen to his business.”
As for who controls a majority stake in the company now, Benson declined to answer, saying, “We’re not disclosing the individual amounts of shareholders.” He also declined to specify a dollar amount of the sale.
“You can look at how SBJ typically invests, but all the previous owners are all still involved in the company,” he added.
According to SBJ Capital’s website,
the private equity firm can “make minority or majority investments to finance growth, acquisitions, recapitalizations and buyouts.” It says it focuses “on investments in lower middle-market consumer, business services and healthcare services companies.”
Pearce himself declined an interview request through the company’s spokesperson, Jessica Olshen. She also declined to provide additional information about the company’s ownership or the terms of the deal, calling it “a private business matter.”
Olshen said of the company, “They are excited about this partnership; it will be great for the region and keep Simon Pearce growing for many years.”
With the sale, Benson said the company has no intentions of relocating its Windsor headquarters, nor its manufacturing facilities in Quechee or Oakland, Maryland. Asked if it would reduce staffing levels due to the sale, Benson said, “No, I mean, we’re hiring.”
The Simon Pearce retail store in Burlington on Tuesday.
PHOTO BY NATALIE WILLIAMS/VTDIGGER
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library hours:
• Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit www.damlvt.org to apply for a library card and to register for programs. Need help? Call 878-4918 or email daml@damlvt.org.
RETIREMENT OPEN HOUSE
Join us to celebrate Jane Kearns’ tenure as library director on Thursday, Dec. 19, 5-7 p.m. Jane has been with us since 2019, and she will be greatly missed! Stop by the library to write a fond memory or message to be included in a scrapbook.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Children in fourth grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age.
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN
Monday, Dec. 9, 4-5 p.m.
Learn how to cook a hearty winter meal with dietitian Joanne Heidkamp. Register to receive the ingredients list and Zoom link, and cook from the comfort of your own kitchen.
STORYTIME
Tuesdays, Dec. 10 and 17, 10:30-11 a.m.
AFTER SCHOOL MOVIE
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2-3:30 p.m. Rated G. Find out what toys get up to!
MUSIC AND PLAYTIME
Thursdays, Dec. 12 and 19, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
LEGO TIME
Thursday, Dec. 12, 3-4 p.m.
TEEN NIGHT: FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Friday, Dec. 13, 5-6 p.m. Ages 12-plus. Join our teen advisory board. You bring the thoughts, we bring the food.
FRENCH STORYTIME
Saturday, Dec. 14, 10:1510:45 a.m. Enjoy stories read aloud by a native French speaker.
STEM ADVENTURE
Monday, Dec. 16, 5-6 p.m. Suggested ages 6-plus. Make your own wearable circuit. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Williston-Richmond and the Vermont Space Grant Consortium.
BABY TIME
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 10:3011 a.m. Suggested 0-18 months. Enjoy gentle activities with your baby.
AFTER SCHOOL CRAFT
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2-3 p.m. Get creative after school.
MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS
GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING
Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Register for a time slot to decorate a gingerbread house at this annual event sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
CRAFT CIRCLE
Monday, Dec. 9, 5-6 p.m. All ages. Bring a project to work on in the company
of other crafters.
READ TO A DOG (ROCKO)
Thursday, Dec. 12, 3-4 p.m. Call to sign up for a 10-minute session with Rocko.
READ TO A DOG (LOLA)
Thursday, Dec. 19, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Call to sign up for a 10-minute session with Lola.
ADULT PROGRAMS
For online programs or to join a book club, email daml@damlvt.org.
SPICE CLUB: NUTMEG
Stop by to pick up this month’s spice sample with suggestions for use.
MAH JONGG
Fridays, Dec. 6 and 13, 1-3 p.m. All levels.
ADULT MEDITATION (ONLINE)
Friday, Dec. 6 and 13, 1212:30 p.m. Take time out to relax.
CURRENT EVENTS (IN PERSON AND ZOOM)
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Discuss topics of the day.
LIFE STORIES (ONLINE)
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2-3:30 p.m. Share a story with others.
SPECIAL ADULT CRAFT NIGHT: FROSTED CANDLE JARS
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6-7:30 p.m. Bring a mason or pickle jar to turn into a snow lantern.
FRENCH CONVERSATION
Saturday, Dec. 14, 10:45-11:45 a.m. All abilities.
SATURDAY ADULT AND TEEN WALK-IN CRAFT
Saturday, Dec. 14, 12:30-2 p.m. Use our bead collection to design an ornament.
BOOK CLUB BUFFET (ONLINE)
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 12:30-1:30 p.m. “Winter’s Tale” by Mark Helprin.
ANNUAL COOKIE SWAP
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. — drop off 24 individually wrapped cookies and a print copy of your recipe. Wednesday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. — pick up an assortment of cookies and recipes.
SPANISH CONVERSATION (ONLINE)
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 5-6 p.m. All levels.
BROWN BAG BOOK CLUB — READER’S RECOMMENDATIONS
Thursday, Dec. 19, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Drop in to share the title of a book you enjoyed with the group.
A Mysterious Star
For many people, learning about the science and history that go along with religious beliefs makes special holidays ever more wondrous. This week, The Mini Page explores the Christmas star and other wonders of our skies.
What’s a star?
A star is a big ball of gases crammed together in a cloud. The gases are mostly hydrogen, with a small amount of helium.
New stars are formed when the pressure of the gases and dust gets so great that the heat at the core of a cloud reaches millions of degrees.
The star begins to shine when the hydrogen atoms are fused, or joined together, to form helium atoms.
Star signs
Early travelers used stars and constellations, or patterns in stars, to help them find their way.
Constellations helped ancient people plan their year. They noticed that different constellations were visible at night during different times of the year.
Ancient people used these apparent changes to help them figure out when to perform certain tasks, such as planting crops. For example, ancient Mayan people watched for the spring constellations to predict the return of the rains.
Following the star
In the Christmas story, a group of wise
Mini Fact: The magi believed that the positions of the stars affect people’s lives. Scientists no longer believe this.
men, or magi (MAY-jie), followed a bright star to find the Christ child.
Magi were early astronomers. They recognized the positions of all the stars. When the magi saw a new star appear in the eastern sky, they believed it was a sign that a new king of the Jews had been born.
Astronomers’ ideas
For hundreds of years, astronomers have been trying to figure out an explanation for the Christmas star. No one knows for sure what it was.
Part of the difficulty in answering this question is that no one knows exactly when the magi went on their journey.
The top scientific explanations for the star include:
• a supernova
• a comet
• several planets coming so close to each other that they seemed like one bright star.
NASA’s James Webb telescope captured this image of SN 1987A, a supernova. 1987A is about 165,000 light-years away from Earth. It was first observed in February 1987. In the middle of the image is a dark “hole” packed with gas and dust that were ejected when the supernova exploded.
Next Week: St. Nicholas
during the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere. It was named after a hunter in Greek mythology. Can you see Orion’s belt, sword and shield?
Seeing stars
Clear winter nights when the moon is dark are the best times to view the stars. The best stargazing is out in the country, away from city lights.
Stars are always in the sky, but we do not see them during the day because the sun shines so brightly that it blots them out.
As the Earth moves around the sun, we get different views of constellations. If the Earth did not move, we would see the same sky night after night.
Each constellation has a time when we can see it best, when it is highest in the sky. For example, the Square of Pegasus is most visible during the autumn.
Sally Blass Murray
for Kids” by Kelsey Johnson
Observer rack locations
Call Rick Cote at (802) 373-2136 or email
Williston
Adams Farm Market
Aroma’s of India
Chef’s Corner
Goodwater Brewing
Hannaford
Healthy Living Williston
Words that remind us of stars are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library
Fairfield Inn
Folino’s Pizza
Rick@WillistonObserver.com
if you would like copies for your location
Gardener’s Supply
Green Mountain Bagel
Home2Suites
Island Homemade Ice Cream
Korner Kwik Stop
Marriott Courtyard
Men At Wok
M&T 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
Vermont Meat & Seafood
Williston Coffee Shop
Essex/Essex Jct.
Mini Jokes
Essex Automotive
Five Corner Variety
Hannaford
Inn at Essex
Mac’s Market
Price Chopper
Quality Bake Shop
River Road Beverage
Suzy: How can we see constellations up close? Sam: Climb up the star-case!
Martone’s Deli
Richmond
Cumberland Farms
Richmond Free Library
Richmond Market
Try ’n’ Find Mysterious gooey blobs that have recently washed up on the beaches of Newfoundland are baffling scientists and Eco Note
Founded by Betty Debnam
Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, M. Matsuura (Cardiff University), R. Arendt (NASA’s Goddard Spaceflight Center and University of Maryland, Baltimore County), C. Fransson
photo by Kevin Gill
The constellation Orion is best seen
Try ’n’ Find
Words that remind us of stars are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
• “My Mission in the Sky” by Sally Blass Murray • “Constellations for Kids” by Kelsey Johnson
Mini Jokes
Suzy:
Sam:
Eco Note
Mysterious gooey blobs that have recently washed up on the beaches of Newfoundland are baffling scientists and local residents. The blobs are littering about 28 miles of coastline. “They looked just like a pancake before you flip it over, when it has those dimpled little bubbles. I poked a couple with a stick and they were spongy and firm inside,” said Patrick’s Cove resident Dave McGrath. Early suggestions that they could be whale mucus, semen or vomit have been ruled out by experts, but tests could take months to complete.
For later:
Look in your newspaper for articles about new findings in space.
Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!
By Jim Miller
SAVVY SENIOR
What you’ll pay for Medicare in 2025
Dear Savvy Senior, I know there will be a 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits next year, but what about Medicare? What will the Medicare Part B monthly premiums be in 2025, and when do the surcharges kick in for higher income beneficiaries? Medicare Beneficiary
Spacious 1- and 2-Bedroom Apartments Hair Salon • Massage Studio • Art Gallery
Expanded Outdoor Patio and Grilling Area • Exercise Room
Community Rooms • Mature Landscaping • Resident Garden
Vibrant Social Atmosphere with Weekly Events and Activities
Dear Beneficiary,
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced cost adjustments for 2025 and the increases for premiums and out-ofpocket costs for most beneficiaries will be moderate. Higher earners will pay significantly more.
PART B PREMIUM
While Medicare Part A, which pays for hospital care, is premium-free for most beneficiaries, Part B, which covers doctor visits and outpatient services, does have a monthly premium.
Starting in January, the standard monthly Part B premium will be $185, up from $174.70 in 2024. That $10.30 bump represents a 5.9 percent increase — more than double the most recent Social Security costof-living adjustment of 2.5 percent.
Medicare surcharges for high earners, known as the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA), are based on adjusted gross income (AGI) from two years earlier, which means that your 2025 Part B premiums are determined by your 2023 AGI, which is on line 11 of the IRS tax form 1040.
Here’s how it breaks down. If your 2023 income was above $106,000 and up to $133,000
($212,000 and up to $266,000 for married couples filing jointly), your 2025 Part B monthly premium will be $259.
Monthly Part B premiums for singles with an income between $133,000 and $167,000 ($266,000 and $334,000 for joint filers) will rise to $370.
Individuals earning above $167,000 up to $200,000 ($334,000 to $400,000 for joint filers) will see their monthly Part B premium increase to $480.90.
Those with incomes above $200,000 up to $500,000 ($400,000 to $750,000 for joint filers), will pay $591.90 per month in 2025. And single filers with incomes of $500,000 or more ($750,000 or more for joint filers) will pay $628.90 per month.
PART D PREMIUM
If you have a standalone Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plan, the average premium in 2025 will be $46.50 per month for most beneficiaries, down from $53.95 in 2024. But again, for high earners with annual incomes above $106,000 ($212,000 for joint filers) you’ll pay a monthly surcharge of $13.70 to $85.80 (based on your income level), on top of your regular Part D premiums.
HOW TO CONTEST INCOME
Beneficiaries that fall into any of the high-income categories and have experienced certain life-changing events that have reduced their income since 2023 such as retirement, divorce or the death of a spouse, can contest the surcharge. Visit “Medicare Premiums: Rules for Higher-Income Beneficiaries” at SSA.gov/benefits/medicare/medicare-premiums.html.
OTHER MEDICARE INCREASES
There are other increases you should be aware of. For example, the annual deductible for Medicare Part B will be $257 in 2025, which is $17 more than the 2024 deductible of $240. And the deductible for Medicare Part A, which covers hospital services, will increase to $1,676 in 2025. That’s $44 more than the 2024 deductible of $1,632. There are no surcharges on Medicare deductibles for high earners.
For more information on all the Medicare costs for 2025, visit Medicare.gov/basics/costs or call 800-633-4227.
Send your senior questions to SavvySenior.org.
TODAY’S HISTORY:
• In 1933, the era of alcohol prohibition ended as Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment.
• In 1955, Martin Luther King Jr., E.D. Dixon, Rosa Parks and other activists launched an organized bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama.
• In 1955, the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merged, forming the AFL-CIO.
TODAY’S FACT:
• The 21st Amendment expressly gave each state the right to restrict or ban the purchase or sale of alcohol, which meant that many states continued to enforce prohibition laws even after 1933. Mississippi was the last state to repeal prohibition, in 1966.
SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 16
David Cranmer
David Cranmer, 75, has left the ground crew to join the great gig in the sky. Knowing that heaven has a hell of a band, he has gone to play music with all the musicians who have gone before him and to welcome into the band those who will come after.
He will play his many guitars with hands that are pain free and a body that can once again move freely, hitting all those notes that were so troublesome to his earthly fingers.
Before departing for the “big band”, David lived in Ocala, FL, with his wife Allison. They retired there after spending nearly 30 years in Vermont, their spiritual home and a place more special to them than can be put into words.
Born in Endicott, NY, to Donald Cranmer and Patricia Hastings Cranmer, David was the oldest of 6 boys, the “crown prince” of the family, the first-born male to carry on the Cranmer name.
David was active in the school band, playing saxophone and then leading as Drum Major. In 1964, after seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, David traded his sax for a guitar and never looked back.
Professionally, David started in the mail room at Combined Life Insurance Company, working is way up and through the Marketing, Sales and Human Resources departments. It was here that he learned about PMA – Positive Mental Attitude –which he practiced throughout his life and which he shared with others, helping them to live their best lives.
His PMA was challenged in 1999 when he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). He underwent a bone marrow transplant in March of 2000 with cells donated by his youngest brother Jon (good thing his parents had 6 kids!). The transplant and follow-up treatment beat the leukemia and changed David’s path in life. He left his job as an educational television producer
to become a patient advocate for cancer survivors.
Recognizing a need for support by cancer survivors in Vermont, he co-founded the Vermont Cancer Survivor Network with a fellow transplant survivor. David’s goal was to help one cancer survivor every day. He will never know just how many lives he touched, but it was far more than one a day. Throughout the rest of his life, he would advocate for cancer survivors in many ways and continue to spread his positive attitude to help others however he could.
David’s hobbies were varied and always fun for him. He was a Redcoat in the 23rd Regiment of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, taking part in Revolutionary War reenactments. He planned road trips throughout New England for his fellow PT Cruiser friends. He collected blimps and zeppelins and guitars and robots. He loved music and was the guy you wanted on your team at trivia night.
David is remembered and loved by his wife Allison, his son Jaimison and his wife Julie, his two amazing grandkids Thomas and Natalie, his brothers Mike (and Tawny), Tom (and Bany), Donnie and Jon (and Maureen), and so many nieces, nephews, friends, cousins, sisters-in-law and others who had the good fortune to be part of his life. His brother Roger left this earth too soon; perhaps he’s playing in that “big band” too.
When David was diagnosed with CML, his transplant doctor asked him what his goal was. David responded, “I want to live to be an old man.” As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for! David would later joke that he didn’t realize he’d grow old so disgracefully. Despite being diagnosed with ALS a year before he left us, David did, indeed, live to be an old man.
There are so many healthcare professionals who cared for David throughout this life. We send a heartfelt thank you to all of them for helping him become that old man and for dedicating their lives to helping others achieve their goals, whatever they may be.
Please consider a contribution to the ALS Association, Team Gleason, or your local Hospice.
When you see the sun rise, or when it comes out from behind the clouds, hum “Here Comes the Sun” to yourself and know that David is shining his positive light on you.
Rock on David. Can’t wait to be with you again.
OBITUARIES
Robert Ralph Hackett
Robert Ralph Hackett of Williston, Vermont, passed away peacefully at home Nov. 26, 2024, surrounded by his beloved wife and daughter.
Born Jan. 12, 1945, in Lebanon, NH, to Kenneth Ernest and Elsie Mae (Rose) Hackett, Robert was raised in White River Junction. As a child, he once believed snow was naturally black, a whimsical notion formed from the soot-filled winters of his youth near coal-fired steam engines.
Robert was a dynamic and accomplished individual even in his early years. A dedicated student, he attended Sunday school at his church with perfect attendance and played football, basketball, and competed in track and field at Hartford High School. He also displayed a deep commitment to his community, joining the Hartford Fire Department at just 16 years old, inspired by the example of his father and brother. Known for his sense of duty, Robert would often leave class to respond to fire calls, embodying a spirit of service that defined his life.
After graduating from Hartford High School in 1963, Robert enlisted in the United States Air Force. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and served with distinction as a radar technician. In 1966, Robert was stationed at Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam, where he repaired radars on fighter jets to keep them operational. He was also stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, and airbases in New Mexico and Colorado. While stationed in New Mexico, Robert enjoyed sliding down the dunes at White Sands National Park. During his R&R in Vietnam, he explored Bangkok and marveled at the people living on the river. He was honorably
discharged in 1967, ever proud of his military service and love for his country.
Eager to further his education, Robert earned an associate’s degree in electrical engineering from Vermont Technical College in 1969, graduating with highest honors. His remarkable intellect earned him recognition as the Student Engineering Technician of the Year during National Engineer’s Week in 1969. A natural leader, he also served on the Winter Carnival committee and was recruited by Bell Labs, launching a prestigious career in technology.
Robert’s professional journey was distinguished by innovation and leadership. He began his career at Bell Labs, subsequently contributing his expertise at Integrated Network Company, Cisco Systems, Maxcom Technologies, Inc., and Narad Networks, where he retired in 2002 as Vice President of Information Technology. He was instrumental in the advancement of cutting-edge telecommunications technologies, earning a patent in 1989 for a digital data communications terminal and modules.
In addition to his professional achievements, Robert joined the Hudson Fire Department in 1972, where he worked his way up the ranks and retired as Deputy Chief in 1985 to relocate to New Jersey. He was instrumental in instituting the department’s computer system in the early 1980s, providing ongoing support for many years even after retirement.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Robert was a devoted genealogist. Inspired by his great-aunt Hazel Mary (Hackett) Flanders, he dedicated himself to preserving family history. He shared this passion with his daughter, Emily.
A pioneer in integrating technology into genealogy, Robert embraced computers in the 1980s to create pedigree charts and later utilized DNA evidence to expand his family tree. During a family vacation to Salt Lake City and Denver, he visited the Family History Library to further his research, delighting in connecting with newfound cousins.
In October 1965, Robert met the love of his life, Helen Louise Salls, at a square dance. They married on January 12, 1967 — his 22nd birthday — beginning a partnership of almost 58 years rooted in devotion and joy. Together,
they raised their daughter, Emily, and created lasting memories, including family vacations to Walt Disney World. Robert’s favorite resort was the Polynesian, and he especially cherished riding the Tower of Terror and spinning on the teacups with Emily, their laughter a testament to his love for his family.
Robert is survived by his wife, Helen; his daughter, Emily Hazel Hackett-Fiske of Williston and Loudon, New Hampshire; and his son-in-law, Jason Scott Fiske of Loudon. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Leah Hana, Noah Robert, Avah Rose, Caleb James, and Michael Ellis. He was predeceased by his beloved grandson, Ryan Ji-seong Fortin, in 2020.
Robert’s family legacy includes his younger sister, Alicia Dionne of Baltimore, Maryland; and his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Barbara (Leon) Salls of Randolph, Hiram “Isaac” (Edwina) Salls of Randolph, Doreen Salls of Barre, Jessie (Mitch) Montague of Sharon, Julie (Dave) Tabor of Randolph, numerous nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Adeline Hackett; his motherin-law, Freda Salls; his brothersin-law, Duane Salls, Dean Salls, Gordon Salls, and Bill Dionne; his sister-in-law, Madeine Rice; his nephew, Jeff Dionne; and many other lifelong friends, including his best friend of 52 years, Mike Pillarella.
A man of integrity, intelligence, and compassion, Robert enjoyed life’s simple pleasures, from spicy food to his favorite film, The American President. He adored his family, treasured his grandchildren, and took immense pride in his daughter, whom he loved to spoil.
A service was held at Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, Nov. 30, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert’s memory may be made to the Hudson Firefighters Relief Association, to honor his enduring dedication and friendship.
Robert will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend; a brilliant mind; and a man whose legacy of love and service will endure for generations.
Knight Funeral Home of White River Junction has been entrusted with arrangements.
UVM soccer advances to DI quarterfinals
Saturday’s game to be televised nationally
BY OLIVIA HAGIOS VTDigger
The UVM men’s soccer team is on a roll, winning threestraight NCAA tournament games and advancing to the quarterfinals to play the No. 2 seed Pittsburgh Panthers live on national television.
The Catamounts claimed the America East Conference title last month to secure their spot in the Division 1 NCAA men’s soccer tournament bracket. Since then they’ve knocked out three straight opponents and will face Pittsburgh Saturday for a spot in the Final Four.
Their first tournament win was at home on Virtue Field on Nov. 21, when they dispatched Iona University with a 5-0 win. The Catamounts then traveled to New York for a second-round game against seventh-seed Hofstra University
on Nov. 24. They won a tight, 2-1 battle with goals from senior Yaniv Bazini and junior David Ismail.
That win secured a thirdround game for UVM for the third straight year.
“We appreciate every moment that we’re here together,” Bazini said at a press conference Sunday alongside teammate Max Murray, a graduate student. “This is our — mine and Max’s last year — and we appreciate it, but even the freshmen, if they play, don’t play, they give it all.”
The Catamounts traveled to California for a thirdround game Sunday against the University of San Diego. The game remained scoreless through regulation before Bazini scored on a penalty kick in overtime. The win secured a trip to the quarterfinals for the second time in the past three years.
“It’s a real, real blessing to be where we are,” head coach Rob Dow said at the Sunday press conference. “It takes an extreme amount of hard work and sacrifice, and it’s gonna take that to beat Pitt, but we’re up to the task and we’re just really happy to continue to define Vermont soccer as being one of the top programs in this country.”
The Catamounts will face Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania on Saturday at 3 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
UVM senior Yaniv Bazini takes a penalty shot during an NCAA men’s soccer tournament game Sunday. The Catamounts beat the University of San Diego 1-0 in overtime.
