Williston Observer 12/23/2020

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

Making up for lost learning

WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985

WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM

Hiking for hunger

Williston schools to bring on extra staff after pandemic disruption BY JASON STARR Observer staff

School leaders are projecting significant gaps in learning after what could be more than a year of partially remote school schedules induced by the pandemic. The most impacted grade levels will be kindergarten through third grade, Champlain Valley School Board member Erin Brady of Williston said at a recent school board meeting. As the district puts together a budget this winter for the upcoming school year, it is considering how to assess the negative effects of remote learning and allocate resources to make up for what’s being lost. “There are really critical things like math and literacy that kids are losing a lot of time on, and it’s going to land on our schools next year and in years to come,” Brady said at the board’s Dec. 1 meeting. “I feel uncomfortable trying to sell a budget to the public that I can’t say is go‘There are really ing to work to address critical things like some of the gaps and math and literacy that the challenges students kids are losing a lot of face.” Two weeks later, time on, and it’s going at the board’s Dec. 15 to land on our schools meeting, school adnext year and ministrators presentin years to come.’ ed a reworked budget proposal that included ­— Erin Brady a new “literary interSchool board member ventionist” position for Williston schools. The position would “ensure we have resources to meet expected COVID-related gaps,” the proposal states. Champlain Valley Union High School will also need resources to mitigate what is being lost during remote learning, Principal Adam Bunting said. Teachers have adapted to online teaching by paring down curricula, he said. “I share Erin’s concern,” Bunting said. “There are things that will be lost, but we know what they are.” The district may beef up its summer school offerings as a way to catch students up, Chief Operations Officer Jeanne Jensen said. “That seems like a really good way to get kids some additional (instruction) so they start better in September,” she said. The new position in Williston — along with a new teacher position in Charlotte and a new district-wide Director of Equity and Inclusion position — contributes to a proposed budget increase of 3.5 percent. The board is planning two budget meetings in January before finalizing the proposal for voter approval at Town Meeting Day in March. Jensen predicts the spending increase will result in a 6.1 percent increase in property taxes. Also last Tuesday, the board approved a $25,000 contract for an executive recruiting company out of Omaha, Neb. — McPherson and Jacobson — to assist the board in hiring a successor for Superintendent Elaine Pinckney, who has announced plans to retire at the end of June. The company recently helped the Burlington School District with its superintendent search, board member Russ Caffry said.

Williston’s third- and fourth-graders gathered Monday for an annual ‘Hike for Hunger’ — a fundraiser for Hunger Free Vermont and food drive for the Williston Community Food Shelf. Each year, students raise more than $1,000 to fight hunger through the event. Typically it takes place at the Catamount Community Forest, but this year, students and staff improvised with an event outside Williston Central School. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

Page 2  •  Williston Observer  •  December 23, 2020

CVU faculty, students speak out against school officer position

BY ERIN GALLAGHER Community News Service Several members of the Champlain Valley School District community urged the school board to end the one-year-old school resource officer (SRO) position during a board meeting last month. CVU faculty and a student spoke at the meeting, saying the position of SRO — currently held by Shelburne police officer Matt Collins — is ineffective and creates an unsafe environment for students of color. “The Hinesburg Equity Group recognizes the importance of student safety and mental health, and we believe the presence of a school resource officer is not an effective strategy of support for student and community needs,” said Christina Deeley on behalf of the Hinesburg Equity Group. The group has student members that feel that an armed SRO creates an environment of hostility and anxiety, Deeley said. Peter Langella, a school librarian and co-advisor to the CVU Racial Alliance Committee, read a statement from high school student Bene Yodishembo on her perspective on the school officer position.

Champlain Valley Union High School. PHOTO BY ERIN GALLAGHER

Yodishembo cited the school board’s denouncement of racism over the summer. “The harsh reality is that racism is built into almost every institution in this country,” she wrote. “Whether we want to believe it is or not, policing doesn’t fall far

from that tree … I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say that every time I see any kind of cop that my first instinct isn’t to look for other black students and see if they’re safe or not.” Lacey Richards, a social studies teacher, advocated for reallo-

cating the money currently used to fund the SRO. “I disagree with the perceived benefit of having an armed police officer on campus when we could instead be investing that money in preventative measures like more social workers and mental health practitioners in our schools,” she said. Janelle Moynihan, a speech and language pathologist at CVU, cited research from the University of Vermont, a Vermont Legal Aid statement and an American Civil Liberties Union police re-

form plan as evidence in opposition to the idea that SROs create safer schools. “If we’re not listening to these voices,” she said, “then I think we need to ask whose comfort and safety we are valuing and whose voices we are centering by having an armed SRO at CVU.” Jess Lemieux, a science teacher, talked about how her feelings on the SRO have evolved since the position was first proposed and created. Though she initially felt comforted by the presence of an armed officer — in the wake of the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Fla., — she said, “I am not safer with an SRO and our students of color are less safe.” Almost every speaker expressed that they had no animosity toward Collins, rather toward the position itself. “We are here to unroot the system that the individual works for, which brings more harm than good to students of color,” wrote Yodishembo. Langella urged the board to take up the funding of the position in current budget discussions for the upcoming fiscal year. But school board chair Lynne Jaunich said it likely won’t return to the school board’s agenda until after the budget is finalized this winter. Erin Gallagher is a reporter with the Community News Service, a collaboration with the University of Vermont’s Reporting & Documentary Storytelling program.

December 23, 2020  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 3

Library space ‘maxing out’

Annual Scout Christmas tree pickup planned

Trustees consider expansion

Town leaders believe it’s time to consider expanding the space and staff at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. OBSERVER FILE PHOTO BY JASON STARR

Williston is a growing community, with new homes currently under construction in multiple locations and roughly 200 new residents in each of the past two years. The Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Board of Trustees is wondering how the library will keep pace. Board chair Steve Perkins advised the selectboard earlier this month that it’s time to start thinking about how the library can expand its space and staff. “Sometimes you can’t even find a spot to stand in the library it’s so packed,” Perkins said. “We are maxing out. It’s worth studying and thinking about, and the library board will be looking at that very closely in the next couple of years.” The board is unsure how much more square footage the library will require or where that space will come from — whether on the existing library building footprint or off-site in an annex-style location. The library has been forced to expand its online services through the pandemic, as it has closed the building to patrons intermittently since the spring. Things like online library card registration and distribution of takehome craft kids for kids and adults have been implemented. Library Director Jane Kearns said those new service models and remote technology will remain part of the library’s abilities and offerings in future years. But pressure on the space and staff will persist nonetheless, she said. “The space for our collection and the community are definitely going to be a challenge,” she said. — Jason Starr

The annual Williston Scout Troop 692 Christmas tree pickup is scheduled for Jan. 9. Troop members will adhere to all state and CDC guidelines regarding health and safety. This means scouts will be working in family pods and will use appropriate personal protective equipment. They plan to visit the following neighborhoods on Jan. 9 for curbside tree pickup starting about 8 a.m.: Eastview Circle, Stirrup Circle, Bittersweet Circle, Hillside Drive, Sharon Drive, Meadowrun Road, Lamplite Lane, Finney Crossing, Isham Circle, Brennan Woods, Ledgewood Drive, Southridge, Pleasant Acres, Wildflower Circle, Southfield Drive, Village Grove, Lefe-

bvre Lane, Fairway Drive, Hillcrest Lane, Michael Lane and Sunrise Drive. If you live elsewhere and would like a pick up, call organizer Brent Blevins at 310-2931. Trees will be recycled for fuel or compost with the Chittenden Solid Waste District. The troop asks for at least a $10 donation, placed in an envelope tied to the tree. Money raised helps fund troop activities and community service projects. Checks can be made to Williston Troop 692. Don’t attach the envelope to the tree until the morning of pickup. Donations can also be made at www.williston692.mytroop.us. Call 310-2931 for more information.

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Page 4  •  Williston Observer  •  December 23, 2020

Reforming short-term rental business is top priority for Vt. Chamber BY ANNE WALLACE ALLEN AND ERIN PETENKO VTDigger

Reforming the state’s short-term rental regulations will be a top priority of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce in the coming legislative session. The association aims to level the playing field for members that operate traditional lodging businesses. The chamber will ask lawmakers to establish a registration system for short-term

rentals such as Airbnb and VRBO. While these rentals are subject to the same state rooms and meals tax that inns and hotels pay, they don’t have to register with the state, which means their compliance with rules is voluntary and the state doesn’t keep a list of owners to draw from for health and safety inspections. Additionally, only conventional inns and hotels bear the cost of registration fees. “When you add it up, it’s $2,000 for all the different licenses I pay, and I’m only an

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11-room inn,” said Lynn Green, who owns the Four Chimneys Inn in Bennington. “There are many unlicensed vacation rentals that are big businesses, who own multiple properties and run it as a business, and have websites, etc., but they don’t have to pay the registration fees. And even though in theory they could be inspected, they’re not in reality.” Amy Spear, vice president of tourism for the Vermont Chamber, said the shortterm lodging issue affects members in two ways: Short-term rentals remove worker housing from an already tight market, making it more difficult for employers to attract new hires to some areas of the state; and it creates unfair competition for traditional inns and hotels. Last year, lawmakers commissioned a report from Dartmouth College researchers to learn more about how other states tackle the regulation of short-term rentals. The report said about half of Vermont’s short-term rentals are administered through Airbnb. Vermont Airbnb hosts earned $15.1 million during the “biggest weekends” of 2019, the authors wrote. Notably, the study found that nearly 80 percent of Airbnb and VRBO listings were for complete homes for rent — showing the extent of the impact that short-term rentals are having on the housing market. Tackling a shortage of affordable housing is a priority for the chamber because it makes it more difficult for employers to find workers. “Several studies have really laid the foundation for there to be action; there are policy options laid out for legislators to look at,” Spear said. “There’s an unlevel playing field for licensed properties and missed revenue for the state.” The public health impact during COVID is also a factor, Green said. “The whole time we were shut down last spring, it was very clear that the Airbnbs around the corner had people staying there,” she said. “People were parked there

from Pennsylvania, New York. They were able to operate when we weren’t.” The chamber is likely to find a receptive audience in the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs, which requested this year’s Dartmouth College report to learn more about options for regulating the new industry. Sen. Michael Sirotkin, D-Chittenden and chair of the committee, said the Legislature has already enacted measures “to better identify these units and to make sure tax and inspection laws are complied with for both short- and longer-term rentals.” The committee plans to make additional improvements this session, he said. It’s difficult to assess accurately how the short-term lodging market in Vermont has fared in the pandemic, in part because many traditional lodging businesses also advertise rooms on short-term rental websites. AirDNA, a Denver company that analyzes the short-term rental market nationally, released a combined market summary in November of Vermont’s Airbnb and VRBO market that showed all rooms and meals tax revenues plunged last spring before recovering to about half of their original levels in the autumn. That drop was not equal among all properties. Bookings for private rooms dropped 25 percent from March to October compared to the year before, while bookings for an entire home or apartment, which are often rented out through vacation rental websites, fell only 4 percent for that time period. In comparison, data on the meals and rooms tax this year — which applies to short-term rentals, but includes traditional lodging as well — showed a drastic drop compared to 2019. Revenue from the room tax fell 94 percent in April compared to the year before, although preliminary data suggests that revenue began to recover in the fall. see CHAMBER page 11

December 23, 2020  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 5

Fishing, hunting licenses at highest point in 30 years For hunting, the trends were the same. Vermonters bought 141,00 hunting licenses in 2020, up significantly from the 120,000 sold in 2019. And, unlike with fishing, nonresident hunting licenses also rose, from 12,000 in 2019 to 15,000 in 2020. The pandemic spurred more people to get outdoors, said Louis Porter, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. Many Vermonters felt cooped up inside their houses, many were out of work or underemployed, and they saw a new outdoor hobby as the perfect solution.

“Uncertainty and difficult times were leading people to think about what they really wanted to spend their time doing this year,” Porter said. “Being with family in nature, doing things that are safe during a pandemic, like hunting and fishing, fit that extremely well.” Shawn Good, fisheries biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Department, said in the beginning of the pandemic, people were confused about whether fishing would even be allowed. He said the govsee FISHING page 14

Enjoy Assisted. ASSISTED CARE •Living. 24/7 NURSING • DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPORT Spencer Clason of South Burlington, left, checks out a bass reeled in by his father, Todd, as they fish on the Burlington Waterfront on May 1, 2020. PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

BY ELLIE FRENCH VTDigger Danielle McEnany used to have a negative opinion of fishing. She was a surfer while growing up on the West Coast, and fishermen’s hooks used to catch in her wetsuit. “It was a real nuisance, so I never thought fishing would be on my radar,” she said. During the pandemic, that

changed. “Fast-forward to this past summer, we probably went out fishing three to four times a week,” McEnany said. “It replaces a lot of what we’d normally do.” “Instead of dinner dates with hubby, we’d rent out pontoon boats and fish on Lake Champlain for hours,” she said. “Normally we’d do trips to Montreal and Massachusetts, and instead we did a fishing

charter. It’s become an obsession.” The McEnanys are far from alone. In 2020, thousands more Vermonters fished and hunted than at any time in the past 30 years. About 87,000 Vermonters bought fishing licenses this year, about 16,000 more than the 71,000 in 2019. As the pandemic limited travel, nonresident fishing license sales dipped to about 37,000, down from 43,000 in 2019.

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Page 6  •  Williston Observer  •  December 23, 2020

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Have photos you would like to share? Holidays, nature, village, pets, kids, seniors, family, sports, all things Williston! We would love to publish your work! Send your high resolution digital photos to editor@ willistonobserver.com with a photo caption, photo credit, and your contact information.

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At UVM, difficult decisions are required BY SHAP SMITH The University of Vermont is an important part of many people’s stories. It’s central to our family. My spouse and I are graduates of UVM, and our son just completed his first semester. Many of our closest friends are people we met while at UVM. My liberal arts degrees provided me with a firm foundation for a career in law and public service. So, when I was elected to serve on UVM’s Board of Trustees, I felt a special kinship to the students, faculty and institutions that make it such a sought after university. As has been widely reported, higher education in the United States is in a period of transition. Several forces were challenging postsecondary models prior to the disruptions caused by COVID-19. Notably, institutions across the country have been experiencing declining enrollment and, as a result, revenues have not kept pace with expenses. Even the best resourced institutions, like Harvard and Princeton, have adjusted offerings and trimmed programming. Here in Vermont, three colleges have closed within the last three years and, this past spring, the Vermont State College System (VSC) was on the verge of financial collapse. It was only through a massive injection of public dollars that VSC was able to prevent

the closing of multiple campuses. UVM is not immune to these stresses — this year’s budget required us to close a projected $21.4 million deficit, primarily due to a decline in revenue. It is against this backdrop that Dean Bill Falls has proposed eliminating 12 majors and 11 minors in the College of Arts and Sciences. His proposal is similar to recommendations made by a faculty committee in 2018 after a year of review. While the proposal would reduce majors and minors, in many instances it would not eliminate class offerings in those areas. For example, while the German major will be eliminated, students will still be able to take courses in German. As has been reported, most of these majors and minors have enrollment of less than five students. This fact does not diminish the impact on the students or faculty. Those impacted are not numbers on a page, they are real people who are hardworking, dedicated and talented. Their goals and careers brought them to UVM, and as an alum and member of the Green and Gold family, I always have these UVMers front and center as I balance the facts confronting the board. However, UVM’s current fiscal course is unsustainable. For the last decade, the institution has had a structural deficit. Each year its expenses have exceeded revenue.

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Shap Smith is an alumnus of UVM, a parent of a UVM student and a member of the UVM Board of Trustees. He is also the former Vermont Speaker of the House.

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You cannot balance the budget and set UVM on a path forward without making changes. That requires looking at administrative expenses. It also necessitates a review of expenses in academic programs. This is a moment when we must come together to make UVM the best it can be now and into the future. As an alum, proud UVM parent and board trustee, I want what’s best for our community. That’s why I write to share the truth and to open the door to dialogue. Failure to act now will jeopardize UVM’s mission into the future. We cannot allow that to happen. The decisions ahead will be difficult. The final choices may look different than the initial proposals. But, inaction is not an option. We must evolve to meet the times in which we live as well as prepare our students and institution for the future. If we don’t, we risk having decisions made for us. If we do this right, we will strengthen the university, foster student success and ensure that the university is accessible and affordable for all of its students. That would be a legacy about which we could all be proud.

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December 23, 2020  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Nonsense from the Department of Justice The U.S. Department of Justice’s Trump-era conversion into a partisan hammer is on evidence again today with news that the Civil Rights Division is continuing its baseless harassment of the University of Vermont Medical Center. This cherry-picked enforcement action against UVMMC is clearly an attempt to stir up politically supportive voters in Georgia in advance of the state’s two high-stakes Senate elections. I have previously reviewed UVMMC’s policies, which promote safe, legal and high-quality medical care, while also protecting their employees’ right to opt out of procedures they object to on ethical or religious grounds. But let’s be real: People are dying all over this country in huge numbers, and this is what the DOJ is spending its time and resources on? President Trump, if the door hits you on the way out, you’ll be needing health care workers. Put an end to this latest nonsense, and use your final days in office fighting the global pandemic, not the people on the front lines of that fight.

Sen. Tim Ashe Senate President Pro Tem Burlington

Defending abortion rights at UVM Medical Center The Vermont Attorney General’s Office continues to stand with the University of Vermont UVM Medical Center in its opposition to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) unwarranted issuance of a notice of violation in August 2019 based upon UVM Medical Center’s decision to offer elective abortions and its Conflict of Care policy. A conflict of care policy is a medical center’s policy regarding instances in which a medical provider may wish to remove themselves from a procedure due to religious or moral conflicts. In contrast to HHS’ notice of violation, UVM Medical Center’s Conflict of Care pol-

V E R M O N T

icy presents a reasonable balance between honoring the religious objections of its employees and its obligation to provide essential health care to patients in predominately rural communities with limited access to providers. Significantly, HHS’s notice of alleged violation against the UVM Medical Center continues to raise serious constitutional concerns as an attack against the long-established, fundamental right to access abortion services. It also presents serious constitutional issues in light of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which forms the principle of separation of church and state. Abortion is legal and constitutional. HHS’ latest threat of enforcement action represents a last-ditch effort by the Trump Administration to restrict a woman’s access to abortion — a theme that has permeated throughout Donald Trump’s presidency. Last year, my office joined a coalition of 22 other states and cities suing to stop the Trump Administration from jeopardizing patient care by vastly expanding the ability of any health care worker to opt out of any procedure at any time, without regard for patient needs. The court agreed with our coalition and blocked the rule from taking effect because it was contrary to laws passed by Congress. The court’s decision means that the Trump Administration’s attack on the UVM Medical Center stands on shaky legal ground at best. My office has been, and remains, committed to protecting access to health care for all Vermonters, including abortion services.

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Protecting abortion care For patients, health care is personal, not political. Government interference should never determine patient care. Barriers to safe, legal abortion infringe on people’s rights and dignity, and go against every commitment we make to patients as health care providers. The latest attack on the UVM Medical see LETTERS page 8

Come Celebrate Christmas

on Facebook Live @WillistonFederatedChurch United Methodist and United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming, Reconciling Congregation Christmas Eve Worship Thursday, December 24 5:30 p.m. on FB live A traditional Christmas Eve service with lessons & carols. Due to the pandemic there is no in person worship. All services are viewable by visiting FaceBook@ WillistonFederatedChurch. Visit our website: Steeple.org for more information 44 North Williston Rd., Williston, VT office@steeple.org • 802-878-5792 • www.steeple.org Visit our Facebook page @willistonfederatedchurch

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Page 8  •  Williston Observer  •  December 23, 2020

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters continued from page

7

Center by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is nothing more than a political game by a lame duck administration. As health care providers, we will continue doing everything we can to ensure that patients have access to compassionate abortion care.

Meagan Gallagher President and CEO Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund

An open letter on Black Lives Matter Life-long friend and Williston farmer Lee Ward Johnson would from time to time say, “Let your conscience be your leader.” I adopt Lee’s wisdom while making legislative decisions for you. Most of our legislative decisions are simply business decisions, such as the budget or governmental operations. Others are policy decisions of conscience made from the heart, such as civil unions, marriage equality, fair and equitable policing with the additional myriad of issues and policies surrounding the complete context

of Black Livers Matter. Consider: — The 1935 Social Security Act excluded domestic and farm workers, a large percentage of whom were black. — The first year black people were granted U.S. citizenship was 1952. — U.S. schools became integrated in 1954, with scores of black teachers and administrators being fired because white people did not want their children being taught by black people. — Many professional sports teams still endured segregated travel and hotels in the 1950s. — In 2014, the Vermont Legislature passed a law requiring police to record race on traffic stop reports. — This year, the Legislature passed various “Fair and Equitable Policing” laws (Acts 147, 165 and 166) — Earlier this month, Major League Baseball incorporated 3,400 black baseball players of the “Negro Leagues” into the organization. Some number of U.S. and

Vermont citizens still do not feel the inhumane injustice of racial inequality. I fervently believe most of your Williston electorate do feel the pain of the inhumane injustice of racial inequality. To our selectboard, I respect you for your tireless service to Williston. I respect your careful deliberations and due diligence in governance matters of a business nature. You have thoroughly completed your due diligence regarding flying the Black Lives Matter flag at Town Hall. The decision to fly the Black Lives Matter Flag is not, and cannot be, an operational business decision. It is your decision of conscience from your heart. I urge you to listen to your town pastors and priests, town legislators and the vast majority of Williston voters. “Let your conscience be your leader.” Please vote to proudly fly the Black Lives Matter flag at Town Hall.

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BY JASON STARR Williston firefighte r Dave Auriemma was Observer staff among the first 15 people in Vermont Essex Alliance a COVID-19 vaccine to receive Church is at an event abandoning plans to build a new Tuesday at the UVM Medical church campus Center in Burlingto on 52 undevelo n. ped acres it owns He was there to along Route 2A represent first in Williston, but the town is moving responders throughout the forward with a state as frontline workers recreation path who have recon- mained nection on the on the job through property. the panThe town’s public demic. Others to receive the partment is working work’s de- doses of first the vaccine — with Stantec created engineering and by the Chittenden Pfizer/BioNTech under the federal County Regional Planning Com- government’s “Warp Speed” initiamission to develop the best options tive — on Tuesday included hospifor connecting tal doctors and Beaudry Lane nurses. with the sidewalks “I was of Route 2A — a opportun very excited to have the connection that ity to do this,” would Auriemma a dedicated bike/pede complete said. “I’m sure there are many strian link between Williston othand Essex. The er individuals in the fire and town invested EMS services that would about have stepped 2016 in a bridge $1 million in up to the plate and done over the Allen it. We are Brook to facilitate on the front lines the connection. of this and it’s imBut the hardest piece has been portant for us to take care of the church property, ourselves so we can which begins take care of our Williston firefighter at the south end communities.” Vermont Medical Dave Auriemma receives of the bridge. one of the Center on Tuesday. In 2018, the church PHOTOS COURTESY The vaccine requires About 15 people first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 constructed a OF UVM HEALTH were the first to a second quarter-mile of NETWORK dose 21 days after receive the vaccinevaccine at the University of paved path to the first. Willisin the state. ex- ton Fire tend the route Chief Aaron Collette to Beaudry Lane, a more of gravel road on said the department’s the north end of firefightits ers and property. Essex EMS staff will Alliance Church be vaccinatis headquartered on Old Stage Road ed in the coming weeks. in Essex, but “We want to has move forward plans in Williston had approved and get past this pandemic,” since the mid2000s for an said Auriemma. “I 80-000-square-foo want to see t daughter church, recreatio my s playing sports n and space and residentia fields, open side with their friends, smiling outl condominiums. Construc and ting a path through laughing. Right now it’s tough for the property into the heart of Taft everybody.” Corners was part According to Vermont of the approval s. Health At a videoconferenced Commissioner Mark Levine, public state meeting about the will receive about the path connectio 6,000 doses n last Wednesday, planners indicated weekly through the end of the year, that the church and initial distributi has reconsidered on will focus on its high-risk move to Williston LEFT: The state health care workers, . is receiving about emer- RIGHT: Nurse Cindy 6,000 COVID-19 “They put the vaccine Wamsgan project on the gency first-responders and residents Medical shelf and said Center in Burlingto z becomes the first person doses per week, according of long-term care ‘we’re to vaccinated in n. facilities. Vermont during the Health Department. lic Works Assistant done,’” Publocal firefighte UVM Medical an event Tuesday Director Lisa r be among the Center adminat the UVM first ma said istrators contacted group, according see ROUTE 2A he was feeling to Chief Collette. the Williston page 3 no side ef- monitor Fire Department fects. He received Interviewed about having how he was feeling documentation a after he received about two hours at the in the coming days. vaccine event the shot, Auriemabout potential side effects and said he would see VACCINE page 3

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December 23, 2020  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 9

Season closes on Mt. Philo trail project

A project to update sections of the main trail at Mt. Philo State Park, provide a more sustainable and safe ascent and create a universally accessible path to the summit has been paused for the winter with plans to resume work in the spring of 2021. The project is managed by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Mt. Philo State Park, in Charlotte, was Vermont’s first state park. It has seen substantial increases in visitation over the past decade and has experienced related impacts to trail and park infrastructure. The trail project addresses these impacts by relocating the main trail to follow an improved grade that minimizes steep pitches and sheds water and snow more effectively. The trail will also be resurfaced with crushed stone and widened to enable visitors to walk side by side or with leashed dogs. Multiple stone staircases — over 300 stone steps in total — are being built. The work will improve the trail’s durability and sustainability and lower maintenance costs. In addition, a universal access summit trail from the upper parking lot will enable more visitors to hike Mt. Philo. “Mt. Philo was Vermont’s first state park, and as it approaches its 100th anniversary, we’re investing in the park to make sure it’s here for visitors in another 100 years,” Forests, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael Snyder said. “This project protects recreation opportunities at a place that’s special to so many people, and it will make their experience at the park safer, easier to access and more environmentally protective.” Timber and Stone of Montpelier contracted with the state on the improvements, sourcing all materials from Vermont and New York. “This project is an on-the-ground example of all that outdoor recreation stands for in Vermont: reducing barriers and encouraging

Stairs to make the summit of Mt. Philo were under construction this year. Trail improvements will continue at the state park in the spring. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTOS

people to get out and stay healthy, creating a trail that’s inviting to visitors and protects the land it’s built on, supporting the local economy, and providing meaningful employment to seven full-time staff,” said Josh Ryan, principal of Timber and Stone. Project completion is anticipated next summer. Funding sources include the federal Recreational Trails Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund, the CARES Act and the state of Vermont’s Capital Budget.

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Page 10  •  Williston Observer  •  December 23, 2020 HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST THANK YOUS

The Williston Recreation and Parks Department is located at the Town Hall Annex Building at 7878 Williston Road. For online program registration, visit www. willistonrec.org. For department information, email recreation@willistonvt.org or call 876-1160.

NEW ICE RINK AT WILLISTON COMMUNITY PARK A 60-by-60-foot area with boards and liner has been flooded. The rink is located near the warming hut. Why a new rink? The old rink was 172-by-70 feet, too much area to clear off and use. It flooded three times last year due to warm spells, wasting water. It was not usable for more than half the season. With the COVID-19 situation, more people are looking to get outside. We wanted to have an option that was more usable by all. Please remember to stay safe, wear a mask and practice safe distancing. Skate for a short time so others may use the rink. The rink has a temporary fence around it and the entrance to the rink,

by the warming hut, will be open when the rink is safe to use, and closed off when the rink is unsafe. Opening and closing announcements will be posted on Facebook and at www.willistonrec. org under “Announcements.” Shovels are hung up in the warming hut to be used to clear snow from the rink. Be careful of the sides of the rink when shoveling so you don’t tear the liner. Return shovels to the warming hut for others to use. The rink has lights for night-time use. A panel with a button is on the pole next to rink. Push the button for lights. Lights are on a timer until 9:30 p.m. Hockey goals are in the warming hut and can be used on the rink. Please remove goals from the rink when done and put them in the warming hut. This will keep them from freezing on the ice. Please respect the rink and be careful of the liner, clips, boards and brackets so they can be reused each year. Also, stay off the rink when it is closed so ice can be formed that is safe to use. Respect the users of the rink and share in the use. No one group has priority or allocated time. Please share and play together. All are welcome.

Thank you to everyone who registered their display — households and businesses. Thank you to the sponsors for helping to make this a great community event and thank you to those of you who went out to view the displays and judge the businesses. Displays are still up for viewing. For links to map, list and photos, visit www.willistonrec.org.

LEARN TO SKI/RIDE PROGRAM Registration is still on hold currently due to the Governor’s orders pertaining to recreation programs. We are seeing where the Learn to Ski/Ride Program fits into this order, as it is not a league and one of the collaborators in this program is Williston Schools.

SNOWMOBILE SAFETY COURSE (ONLINE) The online course provides the opportunity to earn the certification necessary to legally operate on Vermont’s statewide snowmobile trail system. Everyone born after July 1, 1983 and is 12 years of age and older, is required by law to take and pass an approved snowmobile safety course to use the trails. Register at www.vsp.vermont.gov/recreation/snowmobile.

WICKED GROSS SCIENCE (ONLINE) This program is online and live with a Wicked Cool for Kids Instructor. The gross, yet fascinating, things in life hide many science secrets. Classify some creepy crawlies and neutralize smelly smells. Make some model mucus, create alien slime, have fun with other grossly amusing science adventures. For K-2, Tuesdays, Jan. 26-March 9, 4:45-5:45 p.m. $142. Registration deadline: Jan. 12.

CREATIVE CODING STUDIO W/TYNKER (ONLINE) This program is online and live with a Wicked Cool for Kids Instructor. Discover programming through art, music and math. Collaborate to plan and build amazing projects using visual programming. Start with coding sounds and music, make a band and program beat-boxing gnomes. Animate dragons and learn to draw and color computer animations. For grades 3-5, Thursdays, Jan. 28-March 11, 4:45-5:45 p.m. $142. Registration deadline: Jan. 12.

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curriculum of tumbling, parkour and martial arts increases kids’ strength and self-confidence and the moving meditation series helps kids manage their emotions. ONTA Studio instructors. There are three age group offerings: Ninja Kids 4-9, Ninja Kids 7-10 and Ninja Teens 10-15. Programs start the week of Jan. 5-9. Times vary. $60.

DANGEROUS GIRLS (IN-PERSON) Dangerous Girls is a practical self-defense class designed for teens and young women. With a combination of kickboxing and grappling, you’ll learn real fighting while bouncing to sweet tunes and laughing with friends. It’s fun, social, and before you know it, you’ll be able to kick butt. Each fourweek session delves into a different martial discipline. ONTA Studio instructors. Age 14-plus, Wednesdays, Jan. 6-27, 6:30-7:30 p.m. $60.

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December 23, 2020  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 11

SENIORS

How robotic pets can help isolated seniors avoid loneliness

Savvy Senior BY JIM MILLER

Dear Savvy Senior, I recently read an article about robotic pets being a great substitute for pet-loving seniors who can’t have or take care of a pet any longer. What do you think of this? My mother, who has some dementia, is living in an assisted living facility that doesn’t allow pets. And because of COVID, we haven’t been allowed inside the facility to visit her since March. I’ve been thinking about getting her a robot pet to help cheer her up, but would like to know if they are worth buying, and if so, where can I go to find one? Locked Out Daughter

Dear Locked Out, There have actually been several studies on this topic that has shown that robotic pets — which are lifelike interactive pets — can have a positive impact on many lonely, socially isolated seniors, especially those who have dementia. This is particularly important now as the pandemic has caused millions of high-risk, vulnerable seniors to isolate as a means to protect themselves from the coronavirus. Here’s what you should know.

Robotic Pet Studies In 2018, the New York State Office for the Aging was the first state agency in the U.S. to test robotic pets with isolated seniors and results showed that using pets to lower social isolation was highly successful, with 70 percent of pilot participants reporting a decrease in isolation after one year. Subsequent programs done in aging agencies in Alabama, Florida and Pennsylvania have also shown positive results. Other clinical studies conducted by AARP, UnitedHealthcare and other clinicians have also found that robotic pets can help enhance the well-being and quality of life of lonely or isolated individuals and those living with dementia and other forms of cognitive decline by providing a level of interaction and

comfort from a lifelike companion.

Where to Look If you’re interested in getting your mom a robotic pet, a top option is Ageless Innovation’s Joy for All Companion Pets (see www. JoyForAll.com). They offer cats, a kitten and a pup that look, feel and sound like the real thing — minus the feeding, watering, litter box or backyard cleanup and the vet bills. With prices ranging from $65 to $130, these soft, plush animals have built-in sensors and brushable fur, making them surprisingly realistic. Insert four batteries, and the cats, which come in four different shades to mimic real breeds, can open and close their eyes, lift their paws and move their head and body. If you pet them in the right spot — like on their belly or back side — they’ll let out a purr. If your mom is more of a dog person, you can also buy a stuffed golden puppy, accessorized with a red bandana, that will bark if he’s feeling happy, sad or needy. At only four pounds, the stuffed pup is easy to play with and won’t weigh down even the most fragile frame. Some other robotic pet options you should look into include Tombot’s Jennie ($399; www. tombot.com), a lapdog that barks

Visit www.willistonobserver.com

Chamber continued from page

4

State officials have said the hospitality industry is the sector hardest hit by shutdowns associated with the pandemic. Business hasn’t improved much now that they’ve been allowed to open to full capacity because guests from out of state must quarantine for two weeks after they arrive. Or if they have traveled by personal car and drive directly to Vermont, visitors can quarantine before they arrive. (Visitors can also shorten their quarantine with a negative PCR test after a seven-day quarantine.) “Airbnb and vacation rentals have had a kind of banner year here in Vermont, while the rest of us have had to completely close at some point and operate under severe restrictions the rest of the time,” Green said. “Across the board, if they could just be treated like businesses, everything would be fine. It was one thing when it was just grandma renting out a bedroom, but it’s not grandma renting out a bedroom anymore.”

on command and has realistic facial features; AIBO ($2,900; www.us.aibo.com) by Sony, which is a plastic puppy that has lifelike expressions and a dynamic array of movements; and Paro the Seal ($6,120; www.parorobots.com), which is marketed as a “carebot,” designed specifically

for people with dementia.

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.

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Page 12  •  Williston Observer  •  December 23, 2020

OBITUARIES Eleanor LaFrance Isham

Eleanor LaFrance Isham was born March 11, 1927, in Williston, Vermont to Alfred Joseph and Dorothy (Grover) Lafrance. She attended elementary school at the Oak Hill School House and graduated from the Essex Junction High School when it was located on Prospect Street. After graduation, Eleanor attended the Johnson Normal School in Johnson, Vermont for two years to be licensed as an elementary school teacher. Eleanor first taught at the Lake Iroquois School in Williston from

1947-1950, a one-room school for grades 1-8 that closed in 1950 when the Williston Central School opened. Eleanor taught many of her future brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law in this schoolhouse. Eleanor boarded with Walter and Bessie Osborne on their farm on South Road. George Edson Isham and Eleanor were married on August 18, 1950, by the Methodist Minister Leland Smith in Hinesburg Vermont. They had three boys and one girl. The Lake Iroquois School closed in 1950 and Eleanor taught at the Williston Central School from 1950-1951. She moved to the Essex Elementary School in Essex Vermont and taught for 38 years. Eleanor enjoyed all the children she taught over the years and would share their stories. When George was drafted into the Army in 1954, Eleanor with two young children drove across the country to Las Cruces New Mexico to be with him until his discharge from the Army. While in New Mexico their youngest son Terry was born. They lived

on Railroad Street in Essex for a while before moving to Williston. George and Eleanor lived at the corner of South Road and Oak Hill Road in the former Lake Iroquois Schoolhouse for the remainder of their lives. Her interests included baking and sewing. Everyone looked forward to her ginger cookies and her Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. Eleanor loved belonging to the Grange and was a member of the Thomas Chittenden Grange, Beacon Light Grange, Chittenden County Pomona, Vermont State Grange, and the National Grange for over 60 years. Eleanor is survived by her sons Jeff and his wife Elaine of Columbia, South Carolina, Kevin and his wife Gail of Randolph Ctr, VT, Terry and his girlfriend Doreen of Essex, VT and daughter Lori Leclair and her husband Ken of Colchester, VT. Eleanor leaves 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Eleanor is survived by her brother Alfred Larry LaFrance of Essex VT and sister Shirley Tomlinson of Georgia VT. She is also

survived by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband George Edson Isham, her parents Alfred and Dorothy LaFrance and her brother Norman LaFrance, and sister Barbara Micklus. In lieu of flowers please send any donations in Eleanor’s name to: Bristol Rescue Squad, 45 Monkton Road, Bristol, Vermont 05443 Williston Rescue, 45 Talcott Rd, Williston, VT. 05495 The Beacon Light Grange, c/o Darcelene Wedge, 99 Hollow Rd Hinesburg, VT 05461. A celebration of Eleanor’s life will be held in the summer of 2021.

Barbara Jean Larrow Barbara Jean Larrow, 87 of Williston, Vt, passed away Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at her daughter Cindy’s home in Pueblo CO from cancer. Barbara was born at home March 2, 1933 in Holland VT to George and Bernice Perkins. She graduated from Bur-

lington High School in 1951 with a business degree. On August 2, 1952 she married her high school sweetheart Wayne Frederick Larrow of Williston, in South Burlington VT. Family was everything to Barbara. She was called Mam by her adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved the clan gatherings and many a Christmas tree will be decorated with one of her handcrafted ornaments. After graduation she worked for Magrams Fashion Shop in Burlington VT. With the birth of her children she became the consummate home keeper. There was always something on the stove and her baking skills were legendary. Her children’s friends were always welcome. The door was never locked and as young adults everyone gathered at Wayne and Barbara’s house. Many mornings she would awaken to someone on the couch. Her degree in business served her well. She worked as an Avon representative and assisted

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December 23, 2020  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 13

OBITUARIES Obituary continued from page

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Wayneat Larrow’s IGA Store and Larrow’s trucking. They retired to Colorado in 1993. Barbara leaves to mourn her passing, sons Rick (Wayne Jr) and his wife Wendy of Honolulu, HI, Barry and his wife Tammy of Yucaipa, CA, her daughters Martha and her husband Mige of Penrose, CO, Cindy and her husband Craig of Pueblo, CO, 14 grandchildren, Yoshi, Taelson, Gwendolen, Kirsten, Angela, Taylor, Aaron, Brandy, Justin, Colin, Elijah, Cole, Carissa, Ciandra and 15

Gary O’Hare

Gary O’Hare, of Williston, age 65, passed away suddenly on Saturday December 5, 2020. Gary, who grew up in Sharon, Pennsylvania, was the son of Paul and Mary Ann (Giroski) O’Hare who predeceased him. Gary is survived by his son Matthew O’Hare of Springfield, Missouri and daughter Erica O’Hare and her partner Sam Zimmerman and their children, Dimitri and Emmett, of Colchester, Vermont. Gary is also survived by his siblings; sister Sherry Leary, of Jackson New Jersey and her husband Jim Leary, sister Sharon Redick of Franklin, Pennsylvania and her husband Dean Redick, and brother Dave O’Hare of Bay Village, Ohio and his wife Beth O’Hare and nieces and nephews. Gary’s life centered on his children, family and work. For many years he was an avid golfer achieving a low single digit handicap at the height of his golfing days. In more recent years his two grandsons were a major source of pride and joy in his life. Gary was always quick to make jokes and laugh. He loved spending time with his grandsons, playing board games and enjoyed weekly Dilbert and Garfield comics. Gary’s professional life was in the captive Insurance Industry. Shortly after graduating from Youngstown State University with a BA in Accounting, he went to work for the Fred Rice organization in Cleveland, Ohio. The Rice

CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 15

great-grandchildren, Scarlett, Cooper, James, Harry, Kacey, Autumn, Jordan, Arianna, Jonathon, Lance, Amelia, Morgan, Ellie, Kassie, Davina and 1 to be announced. She was predeceased by her loving husband Wayne of 61 years on May 6, 2013, Todd her son July 17, 2019, her parents George and Bernice, brother Garth, sisters Gwendolen, Nellie and Beverly. Barbara will be cremated. Her and Wayne’s ashes will both be laid to rest in their beloved VT this summer. A Celebration of Life will occur at that time. In remembrance, the family asks you to say a prayer, donate to a charity or share an act of kindness. Aloha organization was instrumental in the development and enacting of the Vermont captive insurance regulations, which resulted in opening an office in Burlington to service the captive insurance companies. Gary was moved from the Cleveland office to the Burlington office to provide accounting services to those early clients of American Risk Management (ARM), the newly formed company of the Rice organization. In all Gary had close to 40 years direct experience in captive insurance accounting, which most likely made him one of the most tenured accounting professionals in this niche industry. ARM eventually was sold and became International Risk Management Group (IRMG), which was later sold and became Aon Captive & Insurance Management. Among his colleagues Gary was known as a go-to person for disseminating newly released accounting rules from the accounting standards board, to changes in tax law from the IRS. He had a wealth of knowledge and information on the proprietary accounting system that the accountants used, and was an all-around good resource for anything related to accounting specifics whether it be regulatory, tax or system. Gary’s work included the full financial accounting on several captive insurance companies and risk retention groups owned by Fortune 500 companies. Through the course of his professional years, Gary earned the industry designations of Associates in Insurance Accounting and Finance (AIAF) and the Associate in Reinsurance (ARe). He will be greatly missed by his colleagues, both past and present, as well as his clients and family. The service will be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gary’s name to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by calling (800) 822-6344 or going online to www. stjude.org Please visit www.awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.

ACROSS 1. Chess piece, in a way 4. Coin receiver 8. Battery contents 12. Indianapolis 500 track, e.g. 14. ___ Bear 15. Boat 17. Dig 18. Pinnacle 19. Door, for one 20. Sweet oblong fruit 22. Crosby, Stills and Nash, e.g. 24. Volcano feature 25. Unspecified number 26. “Hold your horses!” 28. Cargo compartment 30. Boat parking lot 31. Bow the head 32. Time for a late lunch, maybe 35. Theme of Grisham’s “A Time to Kill” 38. Things owed 39. Band-___ 40. Wrought or pig 41. Be in session 42. Too 43. Capita go-with 44. Gossip tidbit 46. Many a bee 48. Miserable 49. Camp sack 50. Go backpacking

51. Prize 52. “Roots,” e.g. 53. Idiot 56. Need a backrub 59. Upside-down sleepers 61. Luxury sea going vessel 63. Metallic quality 65. Office feature 67. Earnestly request 68. It can give you a nice ride 69. Salami shop 70. Whisper 71. Burns or Byron 72. Hustled or hurtled 73. Ponder DOWN 1. Family member, familiarly 2. For the birds 3. Household help 4. Hydromassage facility 5. Portable computer 6. Theatre form 7. Uber 8. Single spot card 9. Sweet treat 10. Look ___ (study) 11. Quad building 13. Mutton purchase 16. “Beauty is in the ___ of the beholder” 21. Hooting experts

23. Bassoon cousin 27. “Get ___!” 29. Classifieds or personals 30. Commit a bad deed 31. Acorn, e.g. 32. Chitchat 33. Like an owl 34. Olfactory stimulus 35. Slams 36. Department 37. Parachute part 38. Not brilliant 41. Good to go 42. A verb for you 44. Rink surface 45. First word of an Angelina Jolie movie 46. Toupee 47. Thumbs-up 50. Headache 51. High flyers 52. Pricey 53. Land expanse 54. Oil source 55. Method 56. Campfire fallout 57. Hack 58. Protagonist 60. Puts in 62. Especially suited 64. Accounting figure 66. Rib

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Page 14  •  Williston Observer  •  December 23, 2020

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ernor’s first stay-home order did allow people to go outside for exercise, but that didn’t seem to include fishing. The rule was quickly broadened. Porter said people with second homes who came to live in Vermont during the pandemic aren’t eligible to buy resident hunting licenses, but were still hunting in droves this year. That’s one reason nonresident hunting numbers increased, despite travel restrictions. While more people were hunting, some hunting traditions were blocked by requirements for social distancing. “I’ve spoken to many people who aren’t going to their camps because of COVID, or they’re splitting time at camp among fami-

lies,” Porter said. “We advised that if you’re going out with a hunting partner not in your household, not to share a vehicle, that kind of thing.” Porter said he’s not worried that the new popularity of hunting and fishing will affect animal populations. The department evaluates harvest numbers every year and adjusts license numbers accordingly, so there shouldn’t be much of a difference in the long term, he said. “Plus, many of the folks hunting this year are new to the activity. It’s something that you need to learn before you become skillful at it, so even though license numbers are up, our harvest numbers might not show a dramatic change,” Por-

ter said. This year also had a major spike in sales of guns and ammunition. Porter attributes that increase more to social and political unrest than the interest in hunting. “Certainly firearms are something that people use for hunting. I think the interest in hunting contributed to those gun sales, but I think a lot of that is recreational shooting as well,” Porter said. The influx of anglers has led the department to reconsider how to sustain interest in fishing, Good said. “Obviously there was some seed of interest there prior to COVID having hit, but for some reason they never bought a license prior to this year,” Good

said. “Is it that they’re just too busy, or is there something we can do to help people gain that interest and confidence to become successful?” He said there are many reasons the state would like more people to hunt and fish, and one of them is that sales of hunting and fishing licenses help to support Vermont Fish and Wildlife programs. “Vermont is still a relatively underutilized fisheries resource,” Good said. “We’re actually trying to increase harvest. Fish are a good source of local and sustainable protein, it’s healthy, and we feel Vermont could sustain higher levels of harvest and not have any measurable negative impact.”

Visit www.willistonobserver.com

Wishing you a safe and joyous holiday season.

Celebrate Ready for their forever home! All are young, kid and dog friendly! We are located in Williston! Please fill out a non-Bulldog application on our website: www.vermontenglishbulldogrescue.com SPONSOR•

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STRENGTH TRAINING (ONLINE) Online live with Toni Kunker, Age 50-plus, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free to seniors. Visit www.willistonrec.org for directions on how to join the program.

GENTLE/SEATED YOGA (ONLINE) Online live with Toni Kunker, Age 50-plus, Fridays, 10:30-11:3 a.m. Free to seniors. Visit www.willistonrec.org for directions how to join the program. ONTA Studio programs, 18-plus, (in-person) Fighter Fitness — Mondays, Thursday or Saturdays, starting week of Jan. 4-9, times vary. $60. Tai Chi Form — Tuesdays, Jan. 5-Feb. 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $90. MMA for Nerds — Tuesdays, Jan. 5-26, 6:30-7:30 p.m. $60. Dangerous Girls — Wednesdays, Jan. 6-27, 6:30-7:30 p.m. $60. Cardio Kickboxing — Thursdays, Jan. 7-28, 6:30-7:30 p.m. $60. Street Fighter 9000 — Fridays, Jan. 8-29, 7-8 p.m. $60.

Resources to help available at www.howardcenter.org

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3.25 x 2 AD for Williston Observer 52 Consecutive Weeks $18.00/week $936 December 23, 2020  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 15

CLASSIFIEDS

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To place a classified or service directory ad, email marianne@ willistonobserver. com

Page 16  •  Williston Observer  •  December 23, 2020

Local educators graduate from leadership program

Stephanie Sumner. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

Stephanie Sumner of Williston has graduated from the Snelling Center for Government’s Vermont School Leadership Project. Sumner is currently the K-4 principal at Charlotte Central School. She joined 21 other educators from across the state in the program, which offers intensive professional development for superintendents, principals, curriculum and special education directors and other aspiring educational leaders. Other educators from the Champlain Valley School District who completed the program are Director of Learning and Innovation Jeff Evans, Director of Special Education at the

Hinesburg Community School Alicia Kurth and Shelburne Community School Principal Scott Sivo. The Vermont School Leadership Project Class of 2020 faced unique challenges with the pandemic shutdown and resulting changes to program delivery, in addition to the changing instructional landscape in their schools. After pausing in March, charting a course forward via Zoom in April and resuming in-person, distanced meetings over the summer and fall, the class celebrated its 17-month journey culminating celebration at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee in November. Helen Beattie served as the keynote speaker, sharing Margaret Wheatley’s “Turning to One Another” poem as a means of celebrating successes and inspiring further commitment to the call to leadership. Through theoretical discussions, experiential activities and personal reflection, participants considered and applied concepts related to leadership, education systems, organizational change and community. Sumner is part of the 14th graduating class of the Vermont Leadership School Project, joining 300 other graduates from past years who are currently working in Vermont’s schools. For more information, visit www.snellingcenter.org or call 859-3090.

Socks for Seniors nets nearly 1,000 pairs for donation

Socks for Seniors donations at the Williston Coffee Shop. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

The Williston Observer’s annual Socks for Seniors drive netted a grand total of 972 pairs of socks donated by community members — a record haul for the sixth annual event. The socks were collected at the Williston Coffee Shop and Williston Optometry and delivered to nursing homes by Jim McMillan. Students and teachers at Allen Brook School contributed three large bags of socks. Paul and Marianne Apfelbaum counted and sorted the socks for delivery to residents and staff members of seven nursing homes in the area. The Apfelbaums also delivered more than 200 pairs of socks, along with 18 new pairs of slippers donated by Jason Starr, to the Lund Family Center and the Committee on Temporary Shelter in Burlington. “Thank you to everyone who so generously donated socks,” Marianne Apfelbaum said. “I am once again astounded by the incredible generosity of our Williston community!”

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