memory of David Isham
BY ELAINE MCMILLION SHELDON
EDITOR’S NOTE: David Isham, patriarch of the Isham Family Farm on Oak Hill Road in Williston, passed away this week. His obituary can be found on page 21. This article was written by Elaine McMillion Sheldon, a filmmaker who documented the life of David and his wife Ginger Isham for a Netflix series called “My Love” released in 2021. McMillion Sheldon originally published this article on her website, https://betweenframes.elainemcmillionsheldon.com.
This week, David Isham of Williston, Vt., passed away, leaving behind his wife, Ginger, after 65 years of marriage. I am heartbroken for Ginger and their family, but I am also deeply grateful to have had the chance to know and document David during the filming of the Netflix series “My Love.”
David was a man who left an indelible mark, not through loud declarations or performances, but through quiet strength, intentional living and a deep love for his family and land.
David was a dream documentary participant — not because he was eager to be on center stage (he wasn’t) or because he performed for us (he didn’t). Instead, David brought his authentic self. He had no interest in playing a role or speeding up his life to match the pace of filmmaking. Instead, he invited us to slow down, to witness the beauty of his life as it unfolded naturally: tapping maple trees during sugaring season, walking among the fall colors with Ginger, and resting in his favorite recliner.
Through his steady presence, we found poetry in the everyday.
David had a routine that anchored him. He loved working with his hands — shoveling snow, picking corn and strawberries, mowing the
see ISHAM page 21
CSWD seeks new recycle center site
Wetlands put snag in Redmond Road plan
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
The Chittenden Solid Waste District is abandoning its plan to build a new recycling center on Redmond Road in Williston after a summer walk-through of its 27acre parcel found newly formed wetlands.
It was a different assessment than in 2020, when the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources first surveyed the property with drought conditions persisting in the area. Believing it had a buildable parcel, the district garnered voter support for a $22 million bond in 2022 and later received a permit for the project from the Williston Development Review Board.
But two summers of heavy rainfall have changed the complexion of the site, saturating the soil and establishing wetland vegetation, according to Vermont Agency of Natural Resources inspectors as well as a wetland consultant hired by the district.
“We experienced record rainfall over the last couple of years, which severely impacted the quality of the land,” the district wrote in an October newsletter. “It now qualifies as primarily a wetland community … We made the decision to leave the parcel undisturbed.”
CSWD Executive Director Sarah Reeves is working with district’s board of directors to find an alternative location, a
setback that will push the project completion back at least a year until mid-2026, she estimates. The recycling center is designed to replace the existing center off Industrial Road in Williston. It will be built to handle nearly 50 percent more material and implement automated sorting in place of the hand-sorting that currently happens at the center. The current center accepts recyclables from
Supreme Court rules in favor of dog rescue
‘Kennel’ can operate in a residential neighborhood
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
The Vermont Supreme Court on Friday reversed an Environmental Court ruling and determined that operating a dog kennel in Williston’s residential zoning district is allowable under the town’s zoning bylaws.
NOW SERVING BREAKFAST
The case was brought by Dawna Pederzani as an appeal to the lower court ruling. Pederzani had operated Vermont English Bulldog Rescue out of her home on Lamplite Lane since 2010. The rescue had drawn increasing ire from a group of her neighbors, whose complaints to the town’s zoning office have led to two zoning violation notices.
The Supreme Court ruling notes that the town’s zoning
regulations related to home businesses and kennels are “in tension” — home businesses are not allowed to use outdoor space under the regulations, but kennels are.
“Between the home-business and kennel provisions, the kennel provision is more specifically applicable to (Pederzani’s) operation,” the Supreme Court ruling states. “The kennel provision see DOG RESCUE page 7
Ginger and David Isham
PHOTO COURTESY OF ELAINE MCMILLION SHELDON
The CSWD recycling center off Industrial Avenue in Williston handles recyclables from residential and commercial waste haulers throughout Chittenden County.
VTDIGGER
BURLINGTON VT WINDOW CONTEST HOT CHOCOLATE KIDS TRAIN MENORAH PERFORMANCES SLED DOGS SANTA VISITS NORTH POLE EXPRESS MAILBOXES FESTIVE FRIDAYS
Join your Burlington community in celebrating the holiday season on the Church Street Marketplace, where free events bring magic to our streets, and shopping in person helps your local businesses and downtown thrive. We hope to see you soon!
PARKING
Enjoy 99¢/hr meter parking in the downtown core (Zone 5803), now through January 4! Plus, park for 2 hours FREE at the Downtown Garage when you start a ParkMobile session. Parking is always FREE on Sundays throughout the year.
Around Town
GMT cuts Saturday Williston-Essex bus
Effective last Thursday, Green Mountain Transit has eliminated Saturday service of its bus route from Williston to Essex as part of an initial round of service cuts aimed at saving money for the financially struggling transit organization.
The route is one of nine Chittenden County routes being cut or reduced.
“These adjustments are necessary to address ongoing funding gaps that have put the sustainability of GMT’s operations at risk,” a news release from the agency states.
General Manager Clayton Clark added: “We deeply regret the impact these reductions will have on our riders, especially those who rely on public transit as their primary mode of transportation. We are committed to exploring sustainable funding solutions to minimize further disruptions to service.”
Further service cuts are set to take effect in March, including a reduction of trips on the commuter bus between Burlington and Montpelier — a route that stops at the Williston park-and-ride near Interstate 89.
Email Jamie Smith (jamie@ridegmt.com) to share a story of how the reductions have impacted you. GMT will use this input to advocate for increased funding from the state Legislature. More information on service reductions can be found at www.ridegmt.com/ service-reductions.
Holiday Decorating Contest registration open
Williston households and business are invited to compete in this year’s Holiday Decorating Contest organized by the Recreation and Parks Department.
The friendly competition provides an opportunity to showcase holiday spirit and contribute to the festive atmosphere in the community. The contest is free and open to Williston residents and businesses.
The Household Category winner will receive a lawn sign, gift basket and gift cards from Williston businesses. The Business Category winner will earn a lawn sign and a $1,000 advertising package from the Williston Observer.
Visit willistonvt.myrec.com to register by the Dec. 18 deadline. Judging by community members will take place Dec 20-27
Celebrate library director Kearns upon retirement
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library patrons and staff are invited to celebrate the tenure of Library Director Jane Kearns, who is retiring at the end of the year. The celebration will take place Thursday, Dec. 19 from 5-7 p.m. at the library.
Kearns has led the library since 2019.. Jane Kearns see AROUND TOWN page 3
PROPERTY TRANSFERS - NOV. 2024
• Scott Fleishman bought a condominium on Madison Drive from Karen Mount for $375,000.
• Mark Robbins bought a condominium on Bittersweet Circle from the Violet M. Lavigne Living Trust for $545,000.
• Thanh Nguyen bought a home on Lea Drive from Louis Izzo for $317,500.
• Patrick Kennedy bought a home on Alpine Drive from The Snyder Williston Properties LLC for $629,215.
• Cameron O’Connell bought a home on 9 acres on Sutton Farm Drive from the Bernard Thomas O’Connell Trustees for $1.4 million.
• The Eric R. Bibens Revocable Trust bought a home on Meadowridge Road from Marlon Branicki for $1.275 million.
• The Karen E. Waite Irrevocable Trust bought a condominium on Eastview Circle from Joan Dillon for $380,000.
• Rui Chen bought a home on Madison Drive from Yong Xian Chen for $320,230.
• The Rossi Family Living Trust bought a mobile home on 4 acres on Willow Brook Lane from Susan LaBerge for $400,000.
• Lorraine Holdings VT LLC bought a commercial condominium on Blair Park Road from Spence Worldwide Enterprises LLC for $475,000.
• K&S Properties LLC bought commercial property on Engineers Drive from Engineers Construction Inc., for $807,143.
• The Glen and Allison Branon Living Trust bought a home on Madison Drive from Erin Westphalen for $435,000.
• Lapka Tamang bought a home on Essex Road from Anthony Palmer for $600,000.
• Joshua Rock bought a home on Ledgewood Drive from Todd Biltucci for $1.04 million.
Around Town
continued from page 2
Handbell ensemble to ring in 2025
The Northern Bronze Handbell Ensemble will present two January concerts featuring holiday and classical pieces to celebrate the holidays and ring in 2025. Performances under the direction of Jodie AuerJohnson include:
Saturday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset St., South Burlington
Sunday, Jan. 12, 3 p.m. at College Street Congregational Church, 265 College St., Burlington
Tickets are available at the door with a suggested price of $15.
Bills due by year’s end
Town of Williston water, sewer and stormwater bills have been mailed and are due to the town offices by Dec. 31.
Porter to be honored at Fenway
Longtime
Allen Brook
School physical education teacher Lyn Porter has been selected as a semifinalist in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl’s fifth annual Honor Roll program that recognizes educators across New England for their dedication to their students and communities.
A group of 15 New England educators were nominated by peers and chosen as semifinalists from a group of roughly 1,200 nominees. The selection comes with a donation to ABS and an invitation to the Wasabi Fenway Bowl — a college football game set to take place Dec. 28 at Fenway Park.
Seeking canned cat food
Affectionately Cats feline veterinary practice in Williston is holding a canned cat food drive to benefit the Williston Community Food Shelf through Dec. 19. Drop off unexpired cans of cat food at their 60 Commerce St. location Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until noon.
Lyn Porter
Willistonians, real and snow (upper left), gathered on the Village Green Sunday for the annual tree lighting ceremony organized by the Williston Federated Church. SD Ireland’s concrete mixer truck, (middle left) came all decked out, hot chocolate was dispensed (bottom left) and the tree (center) was turned on to ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ (top right). Troy’s Toy Drive, driven by Troy Austin, was on-site for the festivities as well.
OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY
Uncertainty over funding clouds proposed school construction aid program
The governor’s team suggested Phil Scott would not support aid without cuts from elsewhere in the state budget. Lawmakers, for their part, did not propose a specific revenue source to fund the program.
BY ETHAN WEINSTEIN VTDigger
A group of lawmakers and a Vermont Agency of Education executive tasked with designing a potential school construction aid program have hashed out the details but stopped short of identifying a funding stream.
The group is hoping Gov. Phil Scott will recommend appropriating state money in his budget proposal to help pay for school construction projects. But that looks unlikely.
“The Agency has not submitted a specific budget request for the creation of a (school construction aid) special fund at this time,” Lindsey Hedges, an Agency of Education spokesperson, said in an email on Tuesday. “The proposed legislation represents a thoughtful and collaborative effort, and we believe that the question of funding should be approached with the same level of diligence and consideration.”
The uncertainty raises questions about state financial support for Vermont’s schools as voters
clamor for education property tax relief and deteriorating school infrastructure increasingly disrupts classrooms.
Vermont’s schools are the second oldest in the nation and, according to the Agency of Education, will require upwards of $6 billion in infrastructure investments in the next two decades.
The eye-popping price tag is just one cost pressure on the state’s public education system. Lawmakers say they plan to address Vermont’s school funding system in the coming legislative session, with school construction aid a possible part of the path ahead.
Vermont has lacked a state-funded school construction program for more than 15 years, transferring the financial burden to local school budgets and property taxes.
Now, as the rising cost of education has become one of the state’s most pressing political issues, officials have turned renewed attention to the idea of state support for construction. Some argue updating schools would save
cost needs to be very transparent about what will fund it and how,” Amanda Wheeler, a spokesperson for the governor, said. “If that funding source is proposed to be a new revenue or fee, the Governor would not be in support.”
As proposed, the aid program would pay for 20% of a project’s eligible cost, with opportunities for additional funding up to another 20% if certain criteria are met. The program’s responsibilities would primarily fall to the Agency of Education, with an additional advisory board consulting with the agency on implementation.
The agency would require at least three full time positions to implement the program, according to Jill Briggs Campbell, the interim deputy secretary of education and a member of the construction aid working group. The group voted unanimously to endorse a draft piece of legislation last week.
Come celebrate the season with choirs, brass and strings, and a lo prophecies concerning Jesus C
Sundays, December 15, 22, & 29 a Christmas Eve at 6:00pm
Christ Memorial Church · cmcve 1033 Essex Rd , Williston, VT 05495 802 87
money currently spent on deferred maintenance and energy inefficiencies. Others have indicated now is not the time to put more
money into education.
“Voters were very clear that affordability is a top priority for them, so any proposal with a
Sen. Martine Gulick, D-Chittenden Central, who cochaired the group, said she felt good about its work but more needed to be done in legislative
Sen. Martine Gulick, D-Chittenden Central, explains a literacy bill on the floor of the Senate at the Statehouse in Montpelier on March 26, 2024.
FILE PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER
committees come January.
“A lot of the current draft, the draft that we ended up with, comes from the previous program that existed prior to 2007,” she said. “We’re hoping that the education committees will take this bill up and really flesh out some of the details.”
Asked about the likelihood that the governor will include an appropriation for school construction in his budget recommendations, Gulick called herself “hopeful.”
“We have the second oldest school facilities portfolio in the country. It’s at a point where it’s unhealthy,” she said. “If you want to be someone who’s looking at fiscal responsibility then you have to be looking at the future.”
Yet by Tuesday, there appeared little reason to expect the administration would recommend funding construction aid without cutting from elsewhere in the state budget.
Part of the working group’s charge was to “align the proposed construction aid program with fiscal modeling produced by the Joint Fiscal Office.” Historically, the state provided school construction aid in the Capital Bill through bonds and by appropriating onetime money.
Sen. David Weeks, R-Rutland, served on the construction aid working group and is a member of the Senate Education Committee. He said Republican senators recently met with Scott to discuss the administration’s legislative priorities, and construction aid
was not among them.
“I get that we have some other fiscal problems to solve,” Weeks said in an interview Tuesday, noting that the administration could
“We have the second oldest school facilities portfolio in the country. It’s at a point where it’s unhealthy.”
Sen. Martine Gulick
D-Chittenden Central
have secondary priorities that were not discussed. “I am trying to get a sense myself for whether they have an appetite for restarting
school construction aid.”
Although he took issue with some of the working group’s recommendations, like the bureaucratic layer of creating an advisory group, Weeks praised the group’s bipartisan collaboration and indicated his support for some kind of school construction aid.
“Do we need it? Yeah, we really do,” he said.
Weeks predicted the legislation “will be changed a thousand times” when it reaches committees this session, and he suggested construction aid will be a key part of conversations about education finance this session.
“I think it’s very clear to everybody we do have a cost problem,” Weeks said. “There’s going to be a lot of levers pulled to make ourselves more efficient in how we spend.”
College students need food assistance, too
BY IVY ENOCH
Earning a college degree is challenging, especially for those students balancing school, jobs and family commitments. Fortunately, a new policy change now makes it easier for Vermont’s community college students to access 3SquaresVT — the state’s name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This helps with grocery expenses so students can focus on success in school.
On Oct. 1, Vermont’s Department for Children and Families adopted a policy that eliminated a prohibitive work requirement for community college students seeking to gain eligibility for 3SquaresVT.
This policy change recognizes that mandating work requirements is simply not effective at incentivizing work, because 80 percent of Community College of Vermont (CCV) students are already employed while pursuing their degree. The student work requirement does nothing other than create arduous and burdensome paperwork requirements, posing a legitimate barrier to 3SquaresVT for students simply trying to meet their basic needs while learning.
This policy aligns Vermont with other states like Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington and Connecticut, which have taken similar steps to support community college students by increasing access to programs like SNAP that help with basic living expenses. By removing the student work requirement, Vermont is supporting the food security of our community college students.
So what does this mean for CCV students? If you’re enrolled in a twoyear associate degree or certificate program (excluding liberal studies students), you no longer have to meet the student work requirement to qualify for 3SquaresVT. Benefits are provided on an EBT card, which works just like a debit card, and can be used at grocery stores and farmers’ markets in Vermont, across the country, and even online.
A family of three that meets income requirements could receive up to $768 every month for groceries.
National studies show that students attending two-year colleges are more likely to face challenges when it comes to getting enough food for themselves and their families. In fact, nearly one in four
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By removing the student work requirement, Vermont is supporting the food security of our community college students.
students at community colleges struggle to afford groceries. This is an unacceptable reality.
A 2023 survey found that 47 percent of CCV students were concerned about running out of food. This underscores the systemic issue of students at risk of hunger that goes well beyond CCV and Vermont. But solving the problem can start here. CCV has dedicated great attention and resources to the issue
of food and basic needs security among students. The institution has created robust student resource centers at every campus where students can access staple foods, a hot meal and support from a trained peer mentor in navigating applications to programs like 3SquaresVT. We see this as a best practice, one worth investing in.
This shift in 3SquaresVT policy is a win for students, families and Vermont’s economy. By ensuring students have access to the support they need to stay healthy and nourished, they are better positioned to succeed in school and their future careers. No one should ever have to choose between food or books for class. It’s a victory for all of us who believe in the power of education to transform lives.
We commend Vermont’s Department for Children and Families for adopting this common-sense policy. By making it easier for community college students
to access 3SquaresVT, they are not only addressing the immediate needs of students but also contributing to the long-term success of the state’s workforce and economy.
We encourage all CCV students to see if you qualify for 3SquaresVT. You may be leaving behind grocery money that you rightfully deserve. If you want or need some support through the application process, call 211 and ask for 3SquaresVT assistance, text VFBSNAP to ‘85511’ or visit vermontfoodhelp.com to learn more.
Thank you, Vermont Department for Children and Families, for this important step forward. With this change, Vermont is leading the way in supporting community college students, ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed both in the classroom and in life.
Ivy Enoch of Richmond is the SNAP policy and training lead at Hunger Free Vermont.
from page 1
residential and commercial waste haulers throughout Chittenden County. Material also comes in from other counties, Reeves said.
“Our board remains strongly committed to the materials recycling facility, and we are so appreciative that the voters of Chittenden County strongly supported the bond,” Reeves said. “We value that trust from our community, and we are committed to this project. It’s going to be an amazing facility once it is constructed.”
The district needs at least 10 acres of industrially zoned property, Reeves said, ideally centrally located in the county. It prefers vacant land over retrofitting an existing structure. A parcel with those criteria has proven difficult to find since the search began in September.
“There’s not a lot of industrial zoned land available,” Reeves said. “We are still on the hunt for that.”
The budget for the project was already ballooning over costs anticipated when voters approved the $22 million bond — so much so that district leaders scaled back the project scope earlier this year, reducing the size of the building and access road, among other cuts. Now, the district will be forced to add land acquisition to the budget.
But Reeves believes, if the district can find a construction-ready lot, with a road and utilities already in place, that construction costs could be reduced from the Redmond Road site, and items cut from the project could be added back in.
“There’s a lot of benefits to being able to be in an industrial park,” she said. “So even with needing to purchase property, it could be offset by reduced land development costs.”
The district serves 18 Chittenden County municipalities, governed by a board of directors with representation from each. Its current recycling facility, which is operated under an “open-ended” contract with Casella Waste Systems, “continues to plug along,” Reeves wrote in a July memo to the board. “However, the longer we remain in operation in the current (recycling center), the greater the investment in upkeep for the old equipment and the greater the risk of catastrophic failure of critical components.”
Dog Rescue
continued from page 1
should be read as an exception to the home-business provision.”
The ruling is a vindication for Pederzani, who views the dispute in “David and Goliath” terms. But the conflict has taken a personal toll, she wrote in an email to the Observer, and has chased the rescue operation from the neighborhood. Pederzani said she now receives rescue dogs and conducts adoptions in a building on Merchants Row in Williston. She would not say whether the Supreme Court ruling allowing kennels would mean a return to home operations.
“I am not going to talk about what my plans are for my property in the future,” she wrote in the email.
residents leading the effort to rid the neighborhood of the dog rescue, said that the neighbors “will be pursuing all legal options up
“This decision created an exception that will potentially lead to more commercial business in a residential zoning district.”
Ronald Bliss Lamplite Lane resident
The ruling leaves other aspects of the dispute unresolved and remands them back for further proceedings in Environmental Court. But it doesn’t elaborate on what issues remain unresolved.
Ronald Bliss, one of the
The Stern Center’s expert team works with children, teens, and adults who need communication support of all kinds. To learn more about what speech therapy can do, check out our free guide.
to and including the Vermont Environmental Court.”
“We are disappointed in the ruling by the Vermont Supreme Court,” he added. “We believe they did not follow the ordinances regarding home business in an
RZD (residential zoning district). This decision created an exception that will potentially lead to more commercial business in an RZD.”
Williston Zoning Administrator Matt Boulanger fielded numerous complaints from neighbors throughout the spring, leading to a notice of zoning violation issued to Pederzani in July. A previous zoning violation was issued in 2022. Boulanger said both notices remain unresolved.
Bliss acknowledged that Pederzani is no longer operating a dog rescue out of her home.
“Since Sept. 1, there has been no business conducted at the rescue, allowing this neighborhood to be what it should be, residential,” he said.
Speech Therapy?
Warmest Wishes
Riding along with Meals on Wheels
BY MYLA VAN LYNDE Community News Service
To Richard Skarrow, the Meals on Wheels program is pretty straightforward: People need nutritious food, and volunteers like him deliver it to their homes.
It’s simple, he said, but incredibly important. Along with a hot meal, his clients receive something else: a sense of connection.
“It’s a service for people that need help,” Skarrow said. “People need food, and they need to have companionship.”
On a recent delivery run, Skarrow delivered a meal to an older man whose wife is homebound. The man came outside, eager to talk about the program.
“The frosting on the cake is the
friendliness and courtesy of the people who deliver,” the man said. “That’s the plus factor … We look forward to it every day.”
Patting Skarrow on the back, he added, “Of course, I get to see this guy here.”
Through its Meals on Wheels program, the Greater Randolph Senior Center delivers about 45 meals per day to homebound people 60 and older, as well as adults with disabilities. An additional 80 frozen meals go out for weekends.
“The amount of meals delivered does ebb and flow,” said Emilie Daniel, the center’s executive director.
Daniel said the program could serve more people — if they would just sign up.
Richard Skarrow unloads prepared meals from his car for delivery to a Meals on Wheels client on Oct. 24 in Randolph.
PHOTO BY MYLA VAN LYNDE
see MEALS page 9
Meals
continued from page 8
“I can’t believe how many people are sitting in their homes and they’re not eating,” she said.
Those who sign up for the program receive hot meals Monday through Thursday and can opt into receiving frozen meals for the weekend. The program supplies at least a third of a person’s daily nutritional needs.
Nine percent of Vermonters 65 and over say they rarely or never get the social and emotional support they need, according to a 2022 state survey. In Vermont, adults with a disability are five times as likely to report social isolation than those with no disability.
Skarrow began to volunteer for Meals on Wheels because he figured, one day, he might need it.
“You don’t need too much training,” he said. “You just have to have a good sense of people.”
Skarrow picks up the meals at the senior center around 10 a.m. every Thursday. The self-employed plumber drives the longest of four routes for the senior center — an hour and a half.
He has the route memorized and only uses navigation when new households are added. He starts in Randolph, goes along South Randolph Road, then drives to Brookfield.
As he drove up Route 14 recently, Skarrow reflected on how his favorite moments on the job are when people express their gratitude and seem genuinely happy to see him.
“It’s just an enjoyable job,
Calendars are a visible
knowing you’re helping out,” he said. “Over the years, I’ve become friends with people.”
Further along the route, one woman came out to accept the meal delivery on behalf of her wife, who is mostly immobile due to complications of systemic lupus.
“You guys, rain or shine, you get here,” she said to Skarrow. “You’ve come out in some really bad weather.”
“We’re like mail-people, basically,” Skarrow added.
She said she doesn’t know what they’d do without these
meals.
“I’m such a lousy cook, but they’re great,” she said.
At every residence, Skarrow waited to make sure someone came out to pick up the food.
“We check on people, too. That’s part of the safety net of the whole thing. You’re just checking to see if they’re doing all right,” he said.
He explained that drivers have to physically see the person they’re delivering to, and if nobody comes to the door, they report this to the senior center. If a driver feels that a recipient might
be unsafe in their home, they must also report that information.
“That’s the most important part: making sure people are all right,” he said. “I mean, you just can stick your head in, but you can still tell what’s happening.”
“Over the years, you miss a bunch of people that you actually get to know, and they pass away,” Skarrow said. “A friend of mine passed away two or three weeks ago. His wife sent everybody that delivered to him a nice letter. And, as I pass his house, each time, I wave.”
Sure enough, as he passed
his late friend’s house, Skarrow sent a small salute through the window.
On the second-to-last stop, a dog came running out to meet the car. Skarrow was prepared for this; He carries treats in his passenger seat.
“See you next week,” Skarrow said, as he closed the house’s door behind him. Indeed he will, for years to come.
Community News Service is a University of Vermont journalism internship.
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Sly Tips for Gas Safety This Winter
TODAY’S DATE: 12/05/2024
NAME OF FILE: 12122024_WO
How to Detect a Gas Leak
DATE(S) TO RUN: 12/12/2024
Natural gas is normally odorless. VGS adds an odorant similar to the smell of rotten eggs, so it can be easily recognized.
Protect Meters and Vents from Ice and Snow
SIZE OF AD: 1/16 page (2” x 5”)
EMAILED TO: Rick@Willistonobserver.com
Publishes in Williston Observer
SECTION: Auctions PO# 1595
You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, or blowing dust, or vegetation that appears to be dead or dying for no apparent reason.
You may hear an unusual noise like a roaring, hissing, or whistling.
Don’t push or pile deep snow around meters and ensure whoever removes snow from your property knows meter and appliance vent locations. Use extreme caution when clearing snow and large icicles near meters and vents. If your meter gets encased in thick ice, please call us.
If you suspect a leak:
Move immediately to a safe location. Call VGS at 800-639-8081 or call 911 with the exact location. Do not smoke or operate electrical switches or appliances. These items may produce a spark that might result in a dangerous condition. Do not assume someone else will report the condition.
Have a happy and safe holiday season!
More safety information here:
Vermont lawmakers look toward health care reforms
BY PETER D’AURIA VTDigger
Earlier this year, a consultant issued a report recommending sweeping changes to the state’s health care system — proposals that ranged from building more housing to cutting certain services at specific hospitals.
At a meeting of lawmakers and state health officials late last week, Sen. Ginny Lyons of Williston questioned Green Mountain Care Board Chair Owen Foster and Secretary of Human Services Jenney Samuelson on that report.
Of the scores of recommendations, Lyons, the chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, asked what would be the simplest for the Legislature
to implement: “Which is the low-hanging fruit?” she said at the Friday meeting.
The officials’ answers — which included proposed reforms to hospital regulations, state emergency medical services and electronic medical records — now seem poised to form key planks of the health care agenda in the upcoming legislative biennium.
As Vermont’s population has aged, the state’s health care system has appeared increasingly unsustainable. Private health insurance premiums are among the most expensive and fastest-growing in the country. Many hospitals and other health clinics are operating at a loss. Appointments for primary and specialty care can be few and far-between.
Those challenges and others were brought to the forefront by the 144-page report issued in September by the New York-based consulting firm Oliver Wyman.
The report issued a series of recommendations that amounted to a broad redesign of the state’s health care apparatus. Hospitals should consolidate services at different regional locations, the firm recommended, and the state should invest in housing, emergency medical services and internet connectivity in rural areas of the state.
Now, legislators say they hope to follow through on at least some of those recommendations.
those used by other providers.
“I’ll probably put a bill in that gets the discussion started there,” she said. “Nothing that causes an explosion, I hope.”
Lawmakers are also planning to examine the state’s emergency medical services, a subject that was a topic of legislation in the last legislative session, said Rep. Lori Houghton, D-Essex Junction, the outgoing chair of the House Health Care Committee.
Last spring, Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill that bolsters emergency medical services training and increases funding for Medicaid reimbursement for EMS services.
session begins in January, so it’s not yet clear who will lead the House’s health care committee. But Houghton mentioned Rep. Alyssa Black, D-Essex, the committee’s ranking member, as a possible successor.
Black declined to comment Tuesday, saying, “I have no knowledge that I want to pass on.”
Lawmakers are already working on legislation to simplify the approval process for new health care facilities, Lyons said in an interview. That process, by which providers must apply to the Green Mountain Care Board for what’s called a certificate of need, is notoriously costly and time-consuming.
“There is a bill,” Lyons said. “I’m working on it with another senator. So we will have that.”
Lyons said she also expects to examine another problem identified by the consultant’s report: that hospitals’ and clinics’ electronic medical records systems are not always compatible with
So some reforms to the state’s emergency medical services system are already “in process,” Houghton said in an interview. But in the upcoming session, the topic is “something we’ll also focus on and see if we can make the transformation go quicker,” she said.
Houghton, who was recently elected House majority leader, will no longer chair the health care committee come January, due to longstanding practice that prevents majority leaders from being chairs. “But I think I can speak to what is going to be on the table,” she said.
The speaker of the House will appoint chairs once the legislative
The “low-hanging fruit” currently under consideration does not cover many of the recommendations from the consultancy’s report, however. Some of the report’s proposals — such as limiting how much hospitals can bill for care and ending certain procedures at some facilities — are either outside of the Legislature’s purview or would likely entail fierce and lengthy Statehouse battles.
Devon Green, a lobbyist for the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, expressed support for many of the proposals from Lyons and Houghton, including investments in emergency medical services and streamlining the certificate of need process. Some Vermont hospitals are already making changes in response to the report, Green said.
“Hospitals are here doing the work, and we want to work in partnership with other healthcare providers and our state leaders,” she said.
A Catamount first
UVM men’s soccer advances to Final Four
BY OLIVIA HAGIOS VTDigger
The University of Vermont men’s soccer team is making Catamount history this season, advancing to the semi-final round of the NCAA’s Division 1 tournament for the first time in history as the team chases a national championship.
The Catamounts have won four-straight NCAA tournament games, including their latest victory over No. 2 Pittsburgh on Saturday. The 2-0 quarterfinal win saw second half goals from junior forward Maximilian Kissel and senior Yaniv Bazini.
“One of our players made a replica of this National Championship trophy and brings it with us on the road, and that’s what our eyes are set on,” head coach Rob Dow said at a
post-game press conference on Saturday. “It’s been a vision of ours and we talked about it starting in January.”
The Catamounts next play the No. 3 seed University of Denver Pioneers in a semifinal game this Friday at 5 p.m. in Cary, North Carolina. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPNU.
UVM’s postseason march began last month when the team won the America East Conference title game over Bryant University, securing a spot in the national tournament. They’ve since gone on to beat Iona University, Hofstra University, the University of San Diego and the University of Pittsburgh in the NCAA tournament.
The Catamounts had advanced to the quarterfinals in two of the past three years, but had never made it to the Final Four, known as the College Cup, until now.
Dow has now coached his team to the most NCAA
tournament wins of any D1 men’s soccer program in the country, with nine wins since 2022, according to the UVM athletic department.
$9,500
“It doesn’t really matter who we’re playing, it’s more about what we do,” he said at the
Graduate student and defensive player Zach Barrett said the team is confident it can keep winning.
Saturday press conference. A win Friday against Denver would place UVM in the College Cup National Championship game on Dec. 16 to play for the 2024 NCAA title.
• Plus, income-eligible Vermonters can now get up to an additional $15,000 for home repairs that are necessary prior to completing a weatherization project
• Financing options start at 0% interest, or add the monthly payment to your utility bill Income-eligible Vermonters may also qualify for free weatherization services. *Subject to availability and eligibility.
The University of Vermont men’s soccer team celebrates a victory over the University of Pittsburgh on Saturday, securing the team’s first appearance in the men’s Division 1 NCAA College Cup.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
The beautiful, long-lasting blooms of the cape primrose,
A guide to winter gardening indoors
BY DEBORAH J. BENOIT Special to the Observer
Cold weather has arrived, and you’ve put your garden to bed for the season. That doesn’t mean you can’t garden. Just shift your focus from outdoors to in.
Adding foliage plants to your home can help satisfy your need to be surrounded by green. Easy-to-grow choices that are also
tolerant of the low-light conditions common in winter include pothos, philodendron and Chinese evergreen.
Aloe, a succulent, will do well near a window with bright, indirect light. Begonias are available in a variety of leaf shapes, textures, patterns and colors, including green, silver and deep red.
With any houseplant you select, check its light requirements. Keep it away from heat sources and cold drafts, and be careful not to overwater. Soggy soil can lead to root rot and other problems.
If you’re more interested in flowers than greenery, consider African violets, cape primrose or moth orchids for long-lasting blooms to brighten winter days. Water as needed, and feed with a fertilizer recommended for flowering houseplants according to package directions. Remove faded blossoms.
Flowering plants are likely to require more light than those grown for their foliage. Be sure to check the needs of specific plants. Required light levels and tolerance for direct sunlight will vary. Consider adding a supplemental light source if you don’t have a suitable window that provides sufficient sunlight.
Indoor gardening during the winter months isn’t limited to houseplants. With a little extra work, you can include edibles in your indoor gardening plans.
What could be more visually satisfying than a row of potted herbs basking in the faux sunshine on a grow-lighted shelf?
Herbs such as chives, basil and thyme can be grown in pots on a bright windowsill. Plants may be available at a local greenhouse or can be started from seed. Keep plants away from cold drafts and contact with window glass, which can damage leaves and slow growth.
If a plant needs full sun outdoors, it will require plenty of light indoors. Leggy
growth can indicate insufficient light. A window with full sun and a southern exposure will work best for many plants, but a grow light may make your plant happier and more productive.
A home-grown salad in January harvested from a container of lettuce, spinach or other greens can be immensely satisfying. You’ll need a good light source, potting mix, water and of course seeds. For more detailed information on growing salad greens, visit https:// go.uvm.edu/indoor-greens.
Growing vegetables like tomatoes or peppers can provide an extra challenge and personal satisfaction. Varieties such as Tiny Tim and Micro Tom have a compact form and grow well in pots. In general, choose smaller-fruited tomatoes for best results. Use a quality potting soil. Provide plenty of room for good air circulation. Temperatures should be warm (around 70 degrees). Water consistently and fertilize according to package directions. Stake as needed. Once flowers appear, a gentle shake of the stem can aid pollination in the absence of pollinators.
Growing potted vegetables indoors will require supplemental light in order to produce fruit. For information on selecting and using grow lights, visit https://go.uvm.edu/ grow-lights.
If you have pets, check whether plants in your indoor garden are pet friendly. Keep any that may be toxic out of reach, or select alternatives.
No matter what plants or methods you choose, moving your garden indoors can keep your inner gardener content until spring arrives.
Deborah J. Benoit is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from North Adams, Mass., who is part of the Bennington County Chapter.
Herbs such as chives, basil and thyme, left, can be grown in pots on a bright windowsill. Mint, pictured on the left and right; and sage in the center — are easy and an economical way to enjoy fresh herbs for cooking or garnishes throughout the year.
right, will help brighten winter days.
PHOTOS BY DEBORAH J. BENOIT
Living gifts and décor brighten the holidays
BY MELINDA MYERS Special to the Observer
Add colorful flair to your holiday décor and gift-giving by including holiday plants. You and your gift recipients will appreciate their uniqueness and beauty throughout the holidays and beyond.
Poinsettias are a favorite. You can find them in unique colors, from pure white to hot pink, with a variety of leaves and flowers.
Other unique holiday plants are available at your favorite garden center. You’ll find a variety of cyclamen plants with plain or ruffled white, pink, rose, lavender or bicolor flowers that look like shooting stars. The blooms hover over heart-shaped leaves with silvery highlights. These plants prefer cool, bright, draftfree locations. Water when the soil is dry just below the surface.
Use miniature cyclamen and poinsettias as a place-card holder at your next gathering or to brighten any small space. Dress up the dinner table, mantle or side table with one of the larger varieties.
Large or small, any holiday plant makes wonderful party favors and hostess gifts. Place the plants in a decorative container, basket or colorful tin for a more impressive display. Be
sure to include care directions.
Add a bit of lemon fragrance with the chartreuse foliage of lemon cypress. Its narrow upright growth habit makes it an excellent holiday plant. Grow it in a sunny window with six to eight hours of sunlight a day. Water thoroughly when the top inch or two of the soil is dry.
Group it with other plants or set the pot on a gravel tray. The pebbles elevate the pot above the water in the saucer, avoiding root rot while increasing humidity around the plant. Those in colder climates can move it outdoors for summer and back inside in the fall.
Frosty Fern with white-tipped, scalelike leaves has become a recent holiday favorite. It is a spike moss, not a true fern, and thrives in moist soil with good drainage.
Use distilled or rainwater for the best results and check soil moisture several times a week. This is a perfect plant for those who tend to overwater.
Grow frosty fern with other houseplants on a gravel tray or under a glass enclosure like a terrarium as it requires high humidity to survive. Place this plant in a bright location out of direct sunlight. Don’t be alarmed as the white tips will fade as spring approaches; the texture continues to add interest to any indoor plant collection.
Whether giving, receiving or buying some for yourself, living gifts like these will brighten anyone’s mood and indoor décor.
Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Visit her website at www.MelindaMyers.com.
Chittenden, Lamoille, Franklin, Washington, Grand Isle,and Addison Counties, add $500
Melinda
The Frosty Fern — with its white-tipped, scalelike leaves — has become a holiday favorite.
PHOTO BY MELINDA MYERS
Who Was St. Nicholas?
Lots of kids are awaiting a visit from Santa Claus on Dec. 25, hoping they are on the “nice list” and trying to be extra helpful around the house.
But who is Santa Claus? His origins go all the way back to the third century. This week, The Mini Page learns more about St. Nicholas. An orphan boy
Nicholas was born in Patara, Greece (the settlement is now in Turkey). His parents died during an epidemic, or a widespread outbreak of disease, while Nicholas was still young.
Nicholas used the money he inherited from them to help needy, sick and suffering people. He was named the bishop of Myra and became known as a protector of children and sailors.
St. Nicholas Day
After Nicholas died on Dec. 6, A.D. 343, the date became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day. In many countries, people still celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas. In fact, in some European countries, it is the main giftgiving day, rather than Christmas Day.
In the Netherlands, children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for St. Nicholas’ horse, hoping he’ll leave presents in return. In Ukraine, children hope St. Nicholas will place a gift under their pillow.
Mini Fact: “The Children’s Friend” had the first known illustration of “Sante Claus” with a sleigh and reindeer.
In the 1600s, as Europeans began arriving in North America, some of them continued the Dec. 6 tradition, particularly in areas where many Germans settled, such as the upper Midwest.
Today, kids leave shoes under windows or at the foot of their bed; in the morning, the shoes are filled with candy and small gifts.
St. Nick
Christmas became less important in the 1600s as Protestants and others disapproved of it. But then the focus shifted to children.
In 1821, Arthur J. Stansbury published a book called “The Children’s Friend: A New-Year’s Present to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve.”
Two years later, a poem printed in the Troy, New York, newspaper, called “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” became widely popular. You probably know the opening lines: ‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The poem’s “jolly old elf” arrived on Christmas Eve to leave gifts and treats for children. The author described “St. Nick” as having a “broad face and a round little belly” — probably the first time St. Nicholas had been pictured this way.
Try ’n’ Find
Words that remind us of St. Nicholas are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
Next Week: Winter reading
St. Nicholas stories
There are several famous stories about St. Nicholas and his good works.
• One poor man had three daughters. Without a dowry, or a gift for a prospective husband, the girls would have to be sold into slavery.
Nicholas went to their home during the night and threw a bag of gold coins through a window to be used for the first daughter’s dowry. After she married, he again tossed a bag of coins for the second daughter. Two nights later, the father stayed awake and caught Nicholas throwing a bag for the third daughter.
• Another story tells of a journey he took by sea. As the boat sailed, a storm came up, battering the vessel. Nicholas prayed while the storm raged, and the sailors were amazed when the wind and waves calmed. These types of stories led him to become the patron saint of sailors.
“Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver” by Ned Bustard
• “The Legend of Saint Nicholas” by Anselm Grun
Mini Jokes
Nick: Where does Santa stay when he’s on vacation? Nicole: At a ho-ho-hotel!
higher temperatures across the Arctic due to global warming appear to be causing polar bears to suffer Eco Note
Founded by Betty Debnam
Nicholas An illustration of St. Nicholas from 1916 by Norman Price.
and hay in their shoes for St. Nicholas’ horse, hoping he’ll leave presents in return. In Ukraine, children hope St. Nicholas will place a gift under their pillow.
Try ’n’ Find
round little belly” — probably the first time St. Nicholas had been pictured this way.
Words that remind us of St. Nicholas are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
BISHOP, CHILDREN, CLAUS, COINS, DOWRY, ELF, EPIDEMIC, FEAST, GIFTS, GOLD, JOLLY, NETHERLANDS, NICHOLAS, NICK, PROTECTOR, SAILORS, SAINT, SANTA, UKRAINE.
Cook’s Corner
You’ll need:
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups self-rising flour
What to do:
• 2 (15-ounce) cans of plums, drained, pitted and chopped Glaze:
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• juice from half a lemon
1. In a small bowl, stir the powdered sugar and lemon juice. Set aside.
• “Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver” by Ned Bustard
• “The Legend of Saint Nicholas” by Anselm Grun
Mini Jokes
Nick: Nicole:
Eco Note
2. In a large bowl, mix sugar, oil and spices. Add the eggs one at a time and mix well. Add the flour and plums and whisk well.
3. Beat plum mixture with an electric mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes.
4. Pour cake mixture into a bundt pan (a pan with a hole in the center). Bake in a preheated 325-degree oven for 1 hour 15 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes, flip onto a plate, and pour on glaze. Serves 12.
7 Little Words for Kids
Use the letters in the boxes to make a word with the same meaning as the clue. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in the solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle.
1. what you do at the bus stop (4)
2. cozy layer on the bed (7)
3. 100 years (7)
4. what FedEx does (7)
5. crunchy, leafy vegetable (7)
6. the same (5)
7. makes a wolf sound (5)
* You’ll need an adult’s help with this recipe.
Answers: wait, blanket, century, deliver, lettuce, equal, howls.
Give Locally…
Much higher temperatures across the Arctic due to global warming appear to be causing polar bears to suffer damage to their paws from ice buildups and their effects. University of Washington scientists report they found cuts, hair loss, ice buildup and skin sores in two East Greenland polar bear populations. They said two bears had ice blocks up to 1 foot in diameter stuck to their pads, which caused bleeding cuts and made it difficult for the animals to walk. More frequent freeze-thaw cycles lead to ice buildup on the bears’ paws.
For later:
Look in your newspaper for articles about the origins of our Christmas customs.
Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!
Plum Cake
SCAN ME!
SAVVY SENIOR
How to talk to your doctors — and get them to listen
Dear Savvy Senior,
How can I get my doctors to listen better? I just turned 78, and over the past few years I feel more and more dismissed by my doctors. I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Any suggestions?
Dissatisfied Patient
Dear Dissatisfied,
Communication difficulties between patients and their doctors are nothing new. Many older patients feel like their doctors are dismissing their concerns, which can be frustrating and lead to missed diagnoses and delayed care. If you believe your doctor isn’t listening to you, here are some tips offered by the National Institute on Aging that may help.
Prepare for your appointment: Before your exam, make a written prioritized list of any questions and concerns you want to discuss with your doctor. Print any online health research you’ve gathered, and bring it to your
appointment so you won’t forget anything. If you’re in for a diagnostic visit, you should prepare a detailed description of your symptoms, when they began and what makes them worse.
Be honest and upfront: Even if the topic seems sensitive or embarrassing, it’s important to be honest and upfront with your doctor. You may feel uncomfortable talking about memory loss or bowel issues, but these are all important to your health. It’s better to be thorough and share detailed information than to be quiet or shy about what you’re thinking or feeling. Remember, your doctor is used to talking about all kinds of personal matters.
Ask specific questions: If you and your doctor aren’t communicating well, ask specific questions that require a response. For example: What might have caused the problem I’m dealing with? What’s the specific name of my diagnosis? Is the problem serious? Will it heal completely or require ongoing management? What future
We’re listening.
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• Burial/Cremation Services
• Green Burials
• Traditional Funerals
• Memorial Services
• Pre-arranged Funeral Planning
• Out-of-town & Foreign Services
• Pet Memorials
By Jim Miller
symptoms might suggest you need emergency care or a follow-up visit? When and how will you receive your test results? If you don’t understand something, don’t hesitate to ask: Can you explain that in simpler terms? Or: Can you give me more details about that?
Take someone with you: Bring along a family member or friend to your appointment. Your companion can help you ask
questions or raise concerns that you hadn’t considered, listen to what the doctor is telling you and give you support.
Be persistent: If your doctor isn’t addressing your questions, repeat them or rephrase them. If you still don’t get anywhere, follow up with one of these statements: “I’m worried that we aren’t communicating well. Here’s why I feel that way.” Or: “I need to talk with you about X. I feel like I can’t. Can we talk about this?”
After your appointment: If you’re uncertain about any instructions or have other questions, call or email your health care provider. Don’t wait until your next visit to make sure you understand your diagnosis, treatment plan or anything else that might affect your health.
Consider moving on: If you’re not making any progress with your doctor and the problem persists, it’s probably time to start looking for a new provider. Depending how unsatisfied you are with your care, you could also notify your
Oct. 24 at 12:12 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Marshalls. Male suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court.
Oct. 24 at 12:27 p.m. — Retail theft reported at LL Bean. Female suspect left before officer’s arrival.
Oct. 24 at 3:07 p.m. — Report of a male passed out in his vehicle on St. George Road. Male pulled over to sleep.
Oct. 25 at 1:33 a.m. — Following a traffic stop, male operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.
Oct. 25 at 8:25 a.m. — Report of a male who started a fire in Walmart. Male suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court for arson.
Oct. 25 at 10:16 a.m. — Retail theft reported at Shaw’s. Female suspect was located. She was referred to the Williston Community Justice Center.
citation to appear in court for driving with a criminally suspended license.
Oct. 26 at 2:59 a.m. — Following a traffic stop, male operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.
Oct. 26 at 9:18 a.m. — Following a traffic stop, male operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.
Oct. 26 at 9:37 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Best Buy. Male suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court.
Oct. 26 at 9:14 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Marshalls. Female suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court.
Oct. 27 at 3:35 p.m. — Report of a male and female who took merchandise from Marshalls. Suspects took off before officer’s arrival.
doctor’s medical group and your insurance company, or leave feedback on their online profile. If you’re dealing with a serious issue — like a doctor who prescribes the wrong medication or fails to provide test results in a timely manner — it might be appropriate to file a complaint with the state medical board.
For more tips, the National Institute on Aging offers a free booklet called “Talking with Your Doctor: A Guide for Older Adults” that can help you prepare for an appointment and become a better and more informed patient. To order free copy or see it online, visit order.nia.nih.gov/publication/talking-with-your-doctor-aguide-for-older-adults.
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.
before officer’s arrival.
Oct. 28 at 7:46 p.m. — Report of three juveniles who stole from Spirit of Halloween. Juveniles left before officer’s arrival.
Oct. 29 at 3:27 p.m. — Report of a male passed out in his car at Staples. Male was transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Oct. 29 at 4:00 p.m. — Assisted with an out of control juvenile.
Oct. 30 at 7:54 p.m. — Suspicious female in Walmart. Female was located and issued a notice of trespass.
Oct. 30 at 8:17 p.m. — Intoxicated male acting suspicious at Chelsea Place. Male was transported to hospital for evaluation.
Oct. 31 at 1:05 a.m. — Following a traffic stop, male operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.
Oct. 31 at 3:39 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Hannaford. Female was located and referred to Williston Community Justice Center.
all faiths & cultures since 1927
Oct. 25 at 5:35 p.m. — Following a traffic stop, male operator was issued a
Oct. 28 at 9:54 a.m. — Report of a male who was looking into car windows at Walmart. Male got on the bus and left
Officers also conducted 27 traffic stops and responded to 14 alarm activations and 10 motor vehicle crashes during this time frame.
TODAY’S HISTORY:
• In 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
• In 1901, the first trans-Atlantic radio transmission was received by inventor Guglielmo Marconi in Newfoundland. In 2000, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of George W. Bush in Bush v. Gore, effectively resolving the 2000 presidential election.
• In 2012, North Korea successfully launched Kwangmyongsong-3 Unit 2, its first satellite.
TODAY’S FACT:
• As of November 2024, the telecommunications company Starlink has 7,292 individual satellites in orbit around the Earth.
Comprehensive Dentistry
HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST
Recreation & Parks WILLISTON
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
Emergencies seen promptly. We now contract with all major dental insurances.
Dec. 18 is the deadline to register your home or business for this annual contest. Judging will take place Dec 20-27. Showcase your holiday spirit and contribute to the festive atmosphere in the community.
SENIOR COMMUNITY MEALS
Ages 60-plus. The Rec Department and Age Well will host free meals from 12-1 p.m. on Tuesdays, followed by a onehour program tailored to seniors.
Look Forward To Coming Home
Preregister by calling (802) 8761160 or by email at recreation@ willistonvt.org.
FAMILY PROGRAMS
COOKIE DECORATING WORKSHOP
Ages 6-plus. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. In this two-hour workshop, learn to decorate a themed set of five pre-baked cookies. Instructor: Paulina Thompson
JAZZERCISE CARDIO SCULPT PROGRAMS
Ages 16-plus. Cardio Sculpt Low, Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:30-9:30 a.m.; Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Cardio Sculpt Low/High, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4:455:45 p.m.; Sundays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Instructors: Kit Sayers. The R.E.C. Zone — 94 Harvest Lane.
NEW PROGRAMS IN JANUARY
STARGAZING: CURRENT NIGHT SKY
Model Home Open | THE ANNEX | Williston, VT At Snyder Homes, we’re known for our quality and our style.
• Something for Everyone | 3-story townhomes, 2-story paired villas & carriage homes
• Modern Design | Efficient, innovative homes in a variety of styles
• In the Heart of Williston | Access to town bike/hike paths; Close to shopping
• More Time for What Matters | Exterior maintenance managed by the HOA
• Focus on Fun | Park, pool, and bike paths
Townhomes, Paired Villas & Carriage Homes Starting from the $570s
Model Home Address: 170 Alpine Drive Williston, VT 05495
Model Open: Thursday – Monday 12:00 – 4:00
Ages 6-plus. View the current night sky in an inside digitalized planetarium dome where you’ll feel like you are outside on a clear night. Learn how to locate special stars, constellations and other objects in space. Instructor: Carrie Cruz
STACKING RINGS WORKSHOP
Ages 14-plus. Vermont Jewelry School guides you through the creation of rings of silver, brass and copper. Participants solder, size and individualize a trio of rings and take them home. Instructor: Silvio Mazzarese.
DANGEROUS GIRLS
Ages 14-plus. A practical self-defense class designed for teens and young women, with a combination of kickboxing and grappling. Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff.
ADULT PROGRAMS
TAI CHI INTRODUCTION
Ages 50-plus. The ancient art of Tai Chi improves balance, increases mindfulness and relaxes the mind and body. Instructor: Adina Panitch. Mondays, 9:3010:30 a.m., Free. The R.E.C. Zone — 94 Harvest Lane.
SENIOR STRENGTH AND FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY
Ages 50-plus. The program will concentrate on developing upper and lower body strength, improving balance and strengthening your core. Instructor: Jazmine Averbuck. Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:45-10:30 a.m. $5 per visit. The R.E.C. Zone — 94 Harvest Lane.
Coming in January to the R.E.C. Zone: Bone Builders, Accessible Yoga and Yoga Flow. These will be ongoing programs offered weekly throughout the year. More information is at www. willistonrec.org.
PICKUP TABLE TENNIS
Ages 12-plus. Kids ages 1216 must be accompanied by an adult. The program meets once a week from October through May. Preregister at www.willistonrec. org.
PICKUP BASKETBALL
There are programs for men ages 20-plus, men ages 30-plus and women ages 19-plus. The programs meet once a week October through May. Preregister at www. willistonrec.org.
YOUTH/TEEN PROGRAMS
LEARN TO SKI/RIDE
For grades K-8. Register for an equipment fitting time at www. willistonrec.org.
RECKIDS BASKETBALL
Ages 5-6, coed — This is a parent/child program designed to teach the fundamentals of the game. The program meets on Saturdays in January and February.
Grade 1-2 — There are separate boys’ and girls’ programs offered if numbers allow. 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 hour session will consist of a practice and scrimmage. Parent volunteers are needed to coach. Sign up to coach when registering your child.
continued from page 1
grass, vacuuming the house, or tending to the sugarbush where he planned for his ashes to be scattered.
“I grew up right there. It’s a wonderful view,” he said to the man at the funeral home during filming, with his quiet, accidental poetry. That view from the sugarbush, the same one he had cherished his entire life, will now hold his spirit.
David’s life was a testament to the power of paying attention. When he spoke, it was often in bursts of unexpected wisdom — like a folkloric saying that had been passed down through generations: “When the wind’s in the west, the sap flows best.”
He knew the rhythms of the natural world, not from books but from years of farming, of being part of the land he loved so deeply. His Vermont accent carried a melody that made his words feel timeless as if they belonged to both his ancestors and to the trees themselves.
While David was quiet, he wasn’t without humor or spontaneity. He had a playful side, breaking out into song when the mood struck him. His laughter and dry wit cut through the noise of the world. At a crowded senior expo, surrounded by vendors selling products and overpriced senior living to the elderly, he joked, “I can’t afford to live there though,” letting out a chuckle that made everyone feel at ease. He had a way of finding peace in chaos, of grounding himself and those around him.
David Homer Isham
David Homer Isham, fondly known as “Button”, passed away peacefully Dec. 7, 2024 at the age of 89, just feet from where he was born in the family farmhouse. He was born the 8th child of 14 to the late George and Sylvia (Wellinger) Isham on March 8, 1935. He recently celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary to the love of his life, Virginia (Ginger) Morgan. Together they had 6 children: Michael (Helen Weston), Mina, Douglas, Margery (Michael Larson), Ann (Richard St. Onge) and Thomas (Pamela). He is survived by 13 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren.
David’s early education was just across
David and Ginger’s partnership was something to behold — a true balance of opposites. Ginger is the talkative one, always ready to share her thoughts, while David balanced her energy with his quiet, steady presence. Together, they created a rhythm that worked, respecting and appreciating their differences.
Ginger often said she admired David’s quiet strength, a trait that shone through in everything he did. They gave each other space to be themselves — David solving puzzles in the living room while Ginger swam laps at the local fitness center — but always came back together, hand in hand, on the loveseat in their small, cozy apartment.
Their love was rooted in tradition but flexible enough to adapt to change. They carried forward rituals like singing sugaring songs
that they had sung for 50 years, but they also embraced new experiences and new ways of thinking. They proved that a life doesn’t need to be extravagant to be rich in meaning. As Ginger often said, “We just need good health!” Good health gave them the gift of simple joys — like potlucks with family, walking through the woods near their home, searching for trilliums and other spring ephemerals.
David’s life was intertwined with the land and history of Vermont. He was born in the very home where he passed away — a detail that feels almost mythic, like something out of a Wendell Berry poem. The farm he called home had been in his family for five generations, a legacy he cherished and nurtured.
While changes in the dairy industry forced him away from the cows he loved, he adapted
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the field at the old schoolhouse. He had lots of stories from his days there. One of his duties was to go down early in the winter months to start the fire to warm the school. They would cross the road at recess and go sliding. He attended both Essex High School, along with Burlington High School, where he graduated in 1953. He talked many times of getting rides to school as well as having to, at times, walk home. His studies included auto mechanics, which he excelled in and was very proud of his skills. He was in the Vermont National Guard for 11 years. These were fond times for David, who loved to tell the antics of fellow service men when off duty.
Soon after his marriage to his loving wife Ginger, he purchased the family farm, becoming the 4th generation to share his love of the land and farming. David was a hardworking and faithful steward of the farm. He made many improvements to the farm over the years, adding on to the main house to support a growing family, replacing older buildings, adding on to the main barn, clearing land for his growing herd. He loved all of his “ladies”.
When David sold his Jersey herd in 1993, he sold the development rights of the farm to the Vermont Land Trust so it could be preserved for future generations to enjoy. This gave him time to enjoy the fruits of his labor, such as traveling with Ginger seeing
and supported his son, Mike, and the next generation as they found other ways of stewarding the land. He faced these shifts without bitterness, knowing he was part of a larger story, one that transcended his own lifetime.
He was humble, rooted and resilient. He was proud of what he had built, of his children and grandchildren, of the farm that remained a gathering place for his family and community. But he was never boastful. He respected others and accepted their choices without judgment, even if they were different from his own. He had a go-with-the-flow demeanor that made him a steadying force in an ever-changing world.
David Isham’s life was a quiet poem — a series of small, meaningful acts that added up to something extraordinary. He taught me the value of slowing down, of observing, of truly listening. Through him, I learned that a partnership doesn’t need to be loud or dramatic to be strong. It just needs to be rooted in love, mutual respect and a shared sense of purpose.
To Ginger, his children, and grandchildren: Thank you for sharing David with us. His presence enriched my life and the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him, even briefly.
If you’d like to spend time with David and Ginger, you can watch their story in the “My Love” series on Netflix. I hope it inspires you to cherish the quiet moments, the enduring partnerships, and the landscapes that shape us. Rest in peace, David. You will be deeply missed.
all the places he had only dreamed of for decades. When Ginger wanted to open a Bed and Breakfast, he supported her and enjoyed welcoming people from around the world and swapping stories. He loved to tell stories of the farm and the town in general and give guests tours of the farm.
In his later years, David built a new sugarhouse closer to the main road so he could share his love of maple syrup. When the Champlain Valley Fair decided to build a Sugarhouse on the grounds, he was more than happy to lend a hand in building it. For many years afterwards, he volunteered there and could be found with a smile on his face as he greeted fairgoers. His motto was everything was better with maple on it; something he enjoyed right up until his death. He had an insatiable sweet tooth that transcended maple though, never passing up sweets and cookies. In the Spring when the steam was pouring from cupola, he was ready to welcome the public with a taste of warm maple syrup. He loved the families and schoolchildren that visited every year.
David is survived by his brothers Roderick (Jean) and Truman; his sisters Shirley Miles, Evelyn McSweeney, Marion Brooks (Peter), and Margaret Kimball; his sisters-in-law Mildred Larrow and Judy. He also leaves behind numerous nephews and nieces.
David was predeceased by his parents; brothers George (Elinor), Alvin, Kenneth and infant brother Donald; Brothers-in law James Ingleson, Emerson Miles, Robert Marcotte, James McSweeney, Edward Eno, George Morgan and Julius Larrow; and Sisters Barbara Ingleson, Charlotte Marcotte, and Elizabeth Eno.
In his later years, one of his greatest loves was his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Having them visit would bring a smile and a laugh as he loved seeing them and sharing with them his quiet, yet unmistakable sense of humor.
His life could be summed up with words like Ginger, Jerseys, maple, country music and family.
The family would like to extend a special gratitude to the UVMMC Home Health and Hospice for their outstanding support and help in allowing David to live out his final days at home where he found so much peace.
In the spring, when the sap stops flowing and the sugar woods reawaken from its winter slumber, the family will hold a celebration of David’s life. Until then, they welcome your stories and memories to be shared. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a children’s special needs organization of your choosing.
Arrangements are being handled by Stephen Gregory and Son.
David Isham picking corn in 2019.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ELAINE MCMILLION SHELDON
William (Bill) Ruffner Wintersteen
William (Bill) Ruffner Wintersteen, of Richmond, VT, passed away on Nov. 21, 2024, after a long life well-lived. Despite facing a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia for the past four years, Bill was able to remain home until only the last few weeks of his life. During that time, he enjoyed many special moments with his family due to the dedicated care of his beloved wife, Jackie.
Bill was born in Schenectady, NY on June 26, 1936, son of Edward and Virginia (Ruffner) Wintersteen. He spent his early years in Schenectady and Garden City, Long Island before the family settled in Chappaqua, NY. After
graduating from Horace Greeley high school in 1954, he returned to his birthplace to attend Union College, graduating in 1958.
During the summer of 1956, he embarked on a cross-Atlantic ship to Europe. There, he met his Belgian bride-to-be, Jacqueline Boutet at an ecumenical work camp near her hometown. Following a four-year correspondence and courtship, they married on July 14, 1960. Their first year of marriage coincided with Bill’s last year of seminary at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, from which he graduated in 1961 with a Master of Divinity.
The couple moved to Richmond in 1961 where Bill became minister of the Richmond Congregational Church until 1968. As minister, he found great purpose in his mentoring role in youth groups as well as counseling people through life’s greatest transitions. Bill was especially proud to have been the officiant at the weddings of his daughter and grandson as well as countless other couples throughout Vermont. He later transferred these counseling skills to state government, working for the department of employment and training in Barre and Burlington for over three decades. Over the years, he stayed involved in local government serving on the Richmond library board and the Mount Mansfield school board.
Bill’s greatest joys came from
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his family! He was a proud husband to Jackie for 64 years to whom, within two days of meeting in 1956, he declared his love. They enjoyed numerous trips out West, to Maine, throughout Canada, and overseas to numerous countries, including returning often to Belgium. While there, Bill would jump right back into speaking French. Each of their grandchildren cherish the memories from their special trips to Belgium to learn about their heritage “with Bepa and Bonne Maman”.
Bill and Jackie were equally as happy spending time at their cozy home in Richmond and every summer at their camp on Lake Champlain. There, they hosted friends and family for delicious meals and much laughter. Bill loved cracking jokes and had a way with words offering puns and quips, to everyone’s amusement. Bill was an ever-present father to his son, Paul, and his daughter, Christine. Always at the sidelines, he never missed a game and enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids grow up on the sports fields. He was curious about those he loved, asking his children and grandchildren about their classes, work, and personal lives.
He enjoyed reading books, playing cribbage and other boardgames, and was a lifelong UVM hockey fan since the late 1960’s. He attended games through last winter with
his son, grandson, great-grandson, and granddaughter.
Bill is survived by his wife, Jackie Wintersteen, son, Paul (Sharon) Wintersteen and daughter, Christine Wintersteen (Dan Olds). His grandchildren, Alex Wintersteen (Abbie), Caroline Ginter (Kevin), Abby Nevius (Jeffrey), Benjamin and Abram Wintersteen as well as six great-grandchildren: Theo, Jackson, Henry, Nora, Nathan and soon-to-be-born baby boy Wintersteen. He is survived by his youngest brother, John Wintersteen, and was preceded in death by his parents, his supportive Uncle Harrison and Aunt Marianna Todd, brother, Edward Wintersteen, and sister, Mary Louise Cufetelli.
The family would like to extend our sincere thanks to Age Well that facilitated the visits from Michael who became a good friend to Bill during his last year. Heartfelt thanks are also extended to the incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated UVM hospice palliative care team, and the very caring staff at Maple Ridge.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, November 26th, 3pm at the First Congregational Church in Burlington, VT.
Donations may be given to Benderson Family Heart Center, part of Boston’s Children’s Hospital where his granddaughter has received the very best in cardiac care.
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Dim Ieng
It is with great sorrow yet deep gratitude for a life well-lived that we announce the passing of Dim Ieng, who departed from us on November 29th, 2024, at the age of 70.
Born Aug. 2, 1954, in Cambodia, Dim was a devoted Buddhist whose spirituality guided his every action. He embraced life with compassion, always seeking ways to serve and uplift those around him.
Dim was known for his generous spirit, dedicating many hours to charity work and making significant donations to temples both in his homeland of Cambodia and in the United States. His unwavering commitment to helping others left an indelible mark on the communities he touched.
An inventive soul, Dim was a regular “MacGyver” with his remarkable ability to craft and create, often turning everyday materials into useful or delightful items. His passion for working with his hands brought joy not only to himself but also to those fortunate enough to witness his creations. He also enjoyed tending to his garden and trying to grow corn, even when the pesky raccoons got to them.
Visiting hours were held at the Minor Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Milton on Dec. 7 with a Buddhist service following.
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