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APRIL 15, 2021

WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985

Tapping out of Williston

Burlington Beer to move tap room to Flynn Ave. while production ramps up in Williston BY JASON STARR Observer staff

showpiece facility in Burlington is just going to elevate our taproom experience to another level.” The company plans to install 10 new fermenters in Williston to double its production over the next two years. Also, a second underground tank is planned to hold brewing waste to be periodically emptied and taken to an anaerobic digester. Burlington Beer Company first opened in Williston in 2014. Lemnah had hoped to launch the company in Burlington, but wasn’t ready, as a startup, to afford Burlington rent. He has heard the occasional wisecrack about Burlington Beer not being located in Burlington, and he’s happy to “bring the Burlington back to Burlington Beer.” “I considered changing the name,” he said, recalling his opening in Williston. “Most people don’t care about it but there’s always that one person …” Burlington Beer now leases 21,000 square feet in the South Brownell Road building it shares with the Get Air indoor trampoline park after starting with about 5,000 square feet. The company also rents a separate barrel aging facility on Boyer Circle in Williston. Lemnah said there is still room to grow in Williston, and with the retail space allowances that he pushed town planners to create now in place in the industrial zoning district, he said a tap room may eventually return. “I’m glad that the codes could get up to date and start meeting modern business needs,” he said, “and I do hope to have a tap room experience come back to Williston one day.”

This will be the first and last summer for a full brewpub experience at the Burlington Beer Company’s location on South Brownell Road in Williston. After seven years at the spot, the company finally had all the pieces in place. It received an outdoor consumption permit last month for patio food and drink service and, for the past three years, had pushed town planners to expand the restaurant and retail space allowed in the industrial zoning district where it manufactures its brews. But the facility will return to its industrial roots this year as the company moves its tap room to a historic brick building in Burlington’s south end, clearing space for increased production in Williston. The company will continue to offer beer can sales in Williston. Burlington Beer plans a July opening of a 14,000-square-foot restaurant and tap room at 180 Flynn Avenue. The location is a stone’s throw from Switchback Brewery and one of Citizen Cider’s manufacturing facilities. “I just finished building a wall that separates the tap room from the brewing equipment in Williston and was getting ready to have our first summer with that deck out front finally getting used for the first time,” said Burlington Beer founder Joe Lemnah. “But I’ve always had an eye on getting a Burlington location. “Really what I need in Williston is space for more tanks to make more beer,” he added. “Making this move allows us to grow Burlington Beer Company founder Joe Lemnah stands in our production front of the Flynn Avenue location of the restaurant and in Williston, tap room he plans to open in July in Burlington. and having this OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM

Morning glory

Marsha Williams Duell took this photo just before sunrise April 10 on Old Stage Road.

Board chooses new school superintendent

The Champlain Valley School Board has conducted two closed door interviews with two finalists for the school district’s superintendent position and emerged Tuesday with a decision on who it wants to succeed retiring Superintendent Elaine Pinckney. Board chair Angela Arsenault declined to identify the chosen candidate Wednesday morning. The board, and a sub-committee that has worked on vetting applicants over the past several months, has worked primarily in closed door sessions and has declined to identify candidates. “The board authorized the committee chair, Russ Caffry, to negotiate with the selected candidate, and that’s where we stand now,” Arsenault said Wednesday morning. “He’ll start those negotiations hopefully sometime today.” The hiring is dependent on the candidate accepting the job offer and settling on an employment contract with the district. Caffry could not be

reached for comment. The committee decided to conduct the hiring process in private “to maintain an expectation of confidentiality for the candidates,” Arsenault said. “We all signed confidentiality agreements.” The district hired a consultant to help find candidates and conducted listening sessions with members of the public about expectations of a new superintendent. The committee whittled the field to two finalists to forward to the board. “We ended with two candidates who are both incredible and would be amazing superintendents,” Arsenault said. Pinckney is planning a June retirement, and the board hopes to have a new superintendent ready to start July 1. — Jason Starr

Page 2 • Williston Observer • April 15, 2021

Rotary raising funds for community needs

Earlier this month, the Rotary delivered a $2,000 check to the Split the Ticket Fund, a Vermont nonprofit that matches cash donations with donations of heating oil, kerosene and propane from Vermont’s fuel providers. The club has supported the fuel assistance program for over 15 years. “A gift through your local Rotary is a great way to support programs Lesley Murray with the Williston-Richmond Rotary delivers a socially-distanced donation of that directly ben$2,000 to Matt Cota, director of the Split the Ticket Fund, on April 9. efit your neighbors,” said Jeff OBSERVER STAFF REPORT Petter, fundraising committee chair. “In this time of hardship due to the pandemic, The Williston-Richmond Rotary Club has an- some folks who have been less impacted have mennounced its annual fundraising effort. tioned a desire to donate all or part of their stimulus Every year, the club raises thousands of dollars for checks to help those in need,” Petter said, “which is a local community projects and services. In the past, the wonderful idea.” group has organized a ski challenge as the primary veFounded just over 25 years ago, the Willishicle for raising donations. This year, the fun event was ton-Richmond Rotary Club is one of 35,000 such local cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, the service clubs around the world. The first Rotary Club needs of the community persist, and local businesses was formed in Chicago in 1905. Many Vermont towns and individuals are being invited to contribute through are home to Rotary clubs, whose activities include the Giving Drive. hosting speakers, organizing community events, volRotary funding benefits community members of unteering, doing service projects, supporting literacy all ages, including heating assistance and Thanksgiv- programs and fundraising for local charities, as well as ing food baskets for neighbors in need, an annual se- for global polio eradication efforts. nior citizen holiday lunch, sponsorship of the Williston Those interested in contributing to the Rotary Central School mentoring program and local literacy Giving Drive can donate by mailing a check to Willisprograms, youth leadership training programs and aca- ton-Richmond Rotary Charities, PO Box 114, Willisdemic scholarships for two to three college-bound stu- ton, VT 05495, or through Paypal at www.paypal.com/ dents from Richmond and Williston. donate/?hosted_button_id=VBC7TGQE87TW8

School district fills diversity director position

The Champlain Valley School “I’m excited to learn from her District has hired Liliana Rodriguez and to do all we can as a board and as its first director of diversity, equi- a community to embrace the incredty and inclusion. ible expertise and wisdom Liliana Rodriguez is scheduled to start brings to our district.” July 1. She will be part of the disRodriguez believes in an intrict’s administrative leadership dividualized approach to diversity, team and direct its diversity, equity equity and inclusion work. and inclusion initiatives. “Individuals need to be met Rodriguez has a bachelor’s where they are and compassionatedegree in psycholly walked toward ogy from Williams greater understandCollege, and a ing,” she stated in master’s degree in her letter expressclinical psycholing interest in the ogy and Ph.D. in position. “The psychology from field has changed the University of radically and the Massachusetts. challenges faced She has been a are complex, but lecturer at Wilachievable with a liams College and firm commitment previously served and innovative as an educationideas. I think I can al consultant and draw on my work mental health and Liliana Rodriguez in higher education substance abuse to be a valuable recounselor for Hampshire College. source in K-12 education.” She has also worked as director Her depth of experience and of diversity recruitment at Williams track record impressed the district’s College, associate dean of diversity, search committee. inclusion and community develop“I was happy to be part of a ment at Swarthmore College and fair and impartial interview promost recently as vice chancellor of cess of numerous highly qualified campus life and inclusive excel- candidates,” said Fabienne Boislence at the University of Denver. vert-DeFazio, a community mem“Liliana has dedicated her ber from Shelburne who served career to advancing diversity, eq- on the search committee. “Our uity and inclusion in educational lengthy and thorough work resultsettings,” said Champlain Valley ed in the selection of Liliana RoSchool Board chair Angela Arse- driguez, who I believe will bring nault. “She holds a deep under- lived experience, expertise and standing of the personal nature of mindfulness to the position. As a the work, a true belief in the value community member, I would like of student voice and a desire to cre- to thank the superintendent and the ate measurable goals to affect real school board for following through change where it’s needed. and filling this vital position.”

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April 15, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 3

WILLISTON: BUSINESS HUB OF VERMONT

Front Porch Forum developing search tool

Front Porch Forum format, he said. view every posting before publicaAs the host of a forum where tion, Wood-Lewis said. residents communicate with neigh“We’ve had to do a lot of bors, the company created policies evolving of our moderation modlast year related to how racial and el through 2020 as all sorts of new BY JASON STARR public health issues can be discussed challenges came to our society — Observer staff on the platform. The new policies conspiracy theories, racism and the can be viewed as part of the compa- pandemic,” he said. “We don’t have Front Porch Forum plans to ny’s terms of use (www.frontporch- it all figured out, but it’s definitely enable search capabilities across its forum.com/terms-of-use). an area where we are very actively platforms in the coming months, The “COVID-19 Content investing and working on. allowing users to search previous Policy” created in 2020 banned “We’ve always had rules that posts, advertisements, calendar the posting of “false or misleading say you can’t post anything illegal. events and business listings using medical or scientific information; We don’t permit personal attacks. keywords. medical or scientific information We don’t permit racism But that all “A lot of times people will say, that is not clearly attributed; sugges- got much more nuanced and chal‘I know somebody said something tions that contradict CDC, WHO, lenging and fraught in 2020.” about a good plumber and I can’t re- VDH guidelines; claims regarding Like social media giants Facemember where it cures or remedies book and Twitter, Front Porch Fo“We’ve had to do a lot of was, or when’ so for coronavirus rum is protected by a controversial evolving of our moderation they need search. not supported by provision in federal law known as model through 2020 as all We’re working CDC or WHO; Section 230. The law provides legal on that universal sorts of new challenges came discriminatory or immunity for online platforms from to our society” search tool now,” xenophobic lan- being liable for damage caused by — Michael Wood-Lewis Front Porch Foguage; or claims things posted on their platforms. In Front Porch Forum co-founder rum co-foundthat have been other words, they are not considered er Michael debunked as false publishers of what is posted. Wood-Lewis said conspiracy theories.” But unlike Facebook and in a March 30 interview. In its statement on racial justice Twitter, Front Porch Forum volunInformation about the tool will be developed last year, the company tarily takes on the responsibility of displayed in Front Porch Forum news- bans racist postings, but leaves room a publisher by reviewing and apletters once it is live. The new capabil- for postings that may be viewed as proving each post. ity is among a handful of initiatives the offensive. “We are engaged in trying to Westford-based company is undertak“Discussions around race, and make thoughtful, consistent decisions, ing as it continues to evolve as a Ver- racial justice, are challenging,” the day in and day out,” Wood-Lewis mont-focused social medium. policy states. “FPF’s mission in- said. “We get stuff wrong occasionalFounded in 2006, Front Porch cludes making space for those dif- ly of course. And we try to learn from Forum is an email newsletter pro- ficult conversations.” it and take responsibility and do better vider for towns and neighborhoods Front Porch Forum staff re- the next time.” and also maintains a mobile app and website. It employs 24 people. A March job posting seeking a new “director of product” says the company is “entering a new stage of our development.” The new position will be part of the executive team working on the company’s “strategic direction and growth.” Wood-Lewis said the company is working to build out its local events calendar and a business and non-profit directory, in addition to the new search tool. “We need to keep changing and evolving,” he said. “We spend a lot of time looking at our data and looking at our member feedback and figuring out how to improve the user experience all while keeping it By April 19, all Vermonters 16+ will be eligible incredibly simple. to sign up to receive a vaccine. You can expect It’s the simplicity that makes Front Porch Forum newsletters an the entire process—from sign-up to being oasis in the digital landscape — fully vaccinated—to take about two months. where no live links, photos or videos can be posted. That won’t be changing in the foreseeable future, Make an appointment: Wood-Lewis said. Advertisers who HealthVermont.gov/MyVaccine are used to using logos, photos and videos for promotion elsewhere 855-722-7878 are comfortable with the text-only

New policies born out of pandemic, racial reckoning

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BY ROWAN HAWTHORNE Special to the Observer

One of Vermont’s last cobblers rode a surge of business after a local TV station aired a story last summer, but business seems to be on the decline in 2021. The Town Cobbler is a small shop situated between a hair salon and a lamp store in Taft Corners. The owner, John Welsh, is one of

PHOTO BY ROWAN HAWTHORNE

three cobblers left in the State of Vermont. The past 10 years have been busy for Welsh. His shop is the sole repair shop in the United States for Dansko, the Pennsylvania-based shoe company formed in 1990 and best known for their clogs. Welsh is a Shelburne resident whose career in cobbling started see COBBLER page 14

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Surge slows for Town Cobbler

Cobbler John Welsh at his shop in Taft Corners.

Page 4 • Williston Observer • April 15, 2021 pital administration for their first contract. Union nurses will begin bargaining their next contract with the same administration in early 2022.

Hub

Builders trade group promotes Landon

HAPPENINGS THE WHO, THE WHAT & THE WHEN

Hospital imaging staff unionizes About 230 imaging technologists at the UVM Medical Center voted to join the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals-AFT-Vermont. The technologists began their drive for representation on the heels of the cyberattack at the hospital last year and in response to the pandemic. “I put the work in to form our union because I want to feel like I am a part of the process and part of positive change at our hospital,” said Stacey Streeter, a UVM Medical Center CT scan technologist. As a next step, technologists will elect their representative bargaining team and enter into contract negotiations with the hos-

Jennifer Landon

The Vermont/New Hampshire chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors has promoted Jennifer Landon to vice president of education and workforce development. Landon has been with the organization since 2017. “Jennifer’s proven leadership and nuanced understanding of education and industry is the edge stakeholders need to solve the workforce shortage,” said chapter president Joshua Reap. The Chapter represents about 250 build-

ers and industry-related firms in New Hampshire and Vermont.

Food Network show features El Gato El Gato Cantina in Essex Junction will be featured on the Food Network show “Chef Bootcamp.” The show will air April 22 at 10 p.m. It will feature the restaurant’s chef and the story of how cooking saved his life. But as a former addict, he needs help getting past his self-doubt to successfully run the kitchen. “I am super excited to be on the show,” said Tree Sanchez–Bertram, owner at El Gato. “Restaurant kitchens can have high turnover if you do not bring teamwork, leadership and support for the staff. This show helped decide if our new chef had the right leadership and skills in the kitchen.”

Paycheck Protection Program extended through May The Paycheck Protection Program Extension Act recently extended the timeframe to apply for a forgivable loan through May 31. To learn more about the program, join the SBA Vermont District Office each Wednesday from 9-10:30 a.m. for an informational webinar. Call 202-765-1264 and enter code 142 718 62 to join. Or email susan.mazza@sba.gov for more information.

Healthy Living raises $50K for fight against hunger Healthy Living Market and Café raised nearly $50,000 for local food banks in its recent “round up” campaign. Feeding Chittenden and the South Burlington Food Shelf received the bulk of the funds. “Food insecurity is a severe, increasing issue nationwide. With so many people facing hunger in the communities we serve since the start of the coronavirus pandemic,

we hope these donations will make a difference,” said Healthy Living CEO Eli Lesser-Goldsmith.

Vermont Business Roundtable chooses its next president

Seth Bowdon

The Vermont Business Roundtable Board of Directors has announced the hiring of Seth Bowden as the organization’s next president. Bowden, currently executive vice president at the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation, will take over for Lisa Ventriss, who retired this year after 19 years leading the roundtable. “We are thrilled that Seth Bowden will step up to next lead the roundtable as Vermont transitions into a post-COVID-19 future with a new generation of business leaders ready to address Vermont’s challenges and opportunities,” said Judy O’Connell, chair of the Roundtable Board of Directors. Bowden said, “The roundtable and its membership have been, and continue to be, leaders in supporting Vermont’s economic future by championing responsible longterm policy development. More acutesee HUB HAPPENINGS page 5

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April 15, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 5

Vermont businesses slam plan to tax federal COVID loans BY XANDER LANDEN AND KIT NORTON VTDigger When Congress established the Paycheck Protection Program last year, the aim was to provide taxfree, forgivable loans to businesses to help them make payroll and stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. But now, the Vermont Legislature is looking to tax some of those emergency payouts. The Vermont House and Senate came to an agreement late last week on a relief package designed to pump federal aid into Vermont’s education system, as well as workforce and economic development initiatives. The legislation — formally known as H.315, but gener-

Hub Happenings continued from page

ly, the individual members will be vital in helping to navigate our emergence from the ongoing pandemic. It’s an exciting and dynamic time to step into this role, and I look forward to continuing the legacy and community that Lisa has spent the past 19 years cultivating.”

Seventh Generation delivers record diaper donation The Junior League of Champlain Valley Diaper Bank recently received a record-breaking donation of over 281,000 diapers of its most needed sizes (4, 5 and 6) from Seventh Generation.

ally referred to as the “mini-Covid bill” — arrived on Gov. Phil Scott’s desk Monday. Tucked inside the measure is a little-noticed provision allowing the state to tax PPP loans forgiven by the federal government in 2021 as if it was ordinary income. (Loans forgiven in 2020 would not be subject to the state tax). Lawmakers claim the provision is a placeholder that is subject to change as they debate in the coming weeks whether to actually tax the loans. But businesses are still slamming the proposal. Leo O’Reilly, an accountant who works with many Vermont restaurants, said his clients have made key budgeting decisions assuming that PPP rules had been finalized. The Diaper Bank distributed 458,000 diapers to Vermont food shelves in 2020 after extending its former regional distribution reach statewide due to the pandemic. Several Vermont businesses rallied to support the Diaper Bank with this latest donation: the University Mall is storing the diapers and ECI Construction, Target and Burlington International Airport donated staff member time for logistics and transport. Before the pandemic, 1 in 3 families struggled with “diaper need.” Due to the pandemic, there is increased demand for diapers across the nation. Without diapers, infants and toddlers cannot attend childcare or participate in early childhood education. Without childcare, parents cannot go to work or school.

“And we’re in a situation where that money will be necessary to maintain operations,” said O’Reilly, a member of the Vermont Independent Restaurant Coalition, which advocates for the food service industry. “So it’s not like these businesses are going to come out of the pandemic flush with anything.” O’Reilly said the federal government had made clear that PPP loans weren’t taxable “because the purpose of the program was to help businesses get through the pandemic, not collect additional tax revenues.” In December 2020, the federal government revived the PPP program with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which specified that expenses from the loans could be deducted from tax liabilities. Since then, 14 states have opt-

ed to tax forgiven PPP loans or are considering doing so, according to the Tax Foundation, a center-right, pro-business think tank. Sen. Ann Cummings, D-Washington, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, said lawmakers have yet to make a final decision on whether to tax PPP loans and need more time to deliberate. She said some of her colleagues are concerned that exempting the loans could result in a “loss of revenue to the state” and want to keep businesses from “double dipping.” Normally, businesses pay taxes on their income and then deduct expenses from their tax liability. But unless the state made policy changes, businesses that received PPP loans would not pay taxes on those funds — and could still deduct expenses the loan covered.

Lawmakers say the PPP language in H.315 is just temporary — even though they already sent the bill to the governor — and they plan to return to the issue later this session. “We may well do this. There’s arguments to be made on both sides, but I think we just needed time,” Cummings said, calling H.315 a “very fast-track bill.” She said she hadn’t heard enough testimony on taxing PPP loans to be “leaning either way” on the issue. “We need to hear from the business community and what this means to them. We need to hear from the CPAs, and we need to hear from the tax department and the Joint Fiscal (Committee),” Cummings said. see LOANS page 7

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Page 6 • Williston Observer • April 15, 2021

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Growing wealth gap hurts Vermont’s economy BY MAURA COLLINS As a white kid from suburbia growing up in the ‘80s, I thought everyone was in the middle. I assumed, probably rightfully, that my neighborhood, my church, my classmates and my extended family all fell in the same middle place as my own family. As a child, I knew I couldn’t get everything I wanted, but I didn’t worry that there wouldn’t be enough. Mom clipped coupons and knit our winter wear, and we all worried each time dad’s company was bought out by another big firm. But somehow, we also each had orthodontics, always had new school clothes and visited family in Florida each winter to escape the cold. There were small differences I noticed — like friends who lived in what I now know was public housing, or those who had hot tubs and real Cheez-Its instead of our store brand knock offs — but it all fell within the bounds of what I learned was called the middle class. But something happened as I was going about my own emergence into adulthood and trying to

make my way into my own version of the middle class — the center of the income bell curve dropped, and the ends rose. It’s not my imagination. Since the 1980s, the number of middle income Vermonters shrunk by 7 percent, while those with the lowest and highest incomes have grown. “The wealth gap between America’s richest and poorest families more than doubled from 1989 to 2016,” according to Pew Research. Discussions of inequality often focus on those left behind — the needs of those experiencing poverty because of lack of access to education, jobs, housing and healthcare. Less often do we name that this also limits those with means because the growing disparity holds our entire economy back and everyone suffers. Rising income inequality took five percentage points off the U.S. cumulative GDP per capita between 1990 and 2010, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This undermines “education opportunities for children from poor socio-economic backgrounds, lowering social mobility and hamper-

ing skills development.” Not only that, company owners who earn the most rely on the consumer spending of their employees and others to fuel the economy and buy their products. So lower incomes mean fewer customers. We can see this clearly with the pandemic, but frustratingly, we are blind to how it plays out in our economy. Take, for instance, how epidemiologists are clear that we need herd immunity (through infections and/or vaccinations) for us all to be safe. Since it is not safe to leave anyone behind, we all need access to vaccinations that are free to ensure we are all healthier and safer. As a result our economy can recover. How can we be blind to how an increasing wealth gap creates the same health and economic dangers for our society when that gap means not everyone has access to the tools to maintain their own health and prosperity? Even ratings agencies like Standard and Poor’s have lowered see ECONOMY page 7

April 15, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 7

Loans continued from page

The governor’s position on the matter is clear. “We would not be supportive of that and would hope that it would be subsequently considered and removed, and that it would be nontaxable just like (last) year,” Scott spokesperson Jason Maulucci said. He would not, however, say whether the provision would prompt the governor to veto the bill. Taxing PPP loans forgiven in 2021 could generate a substantial amount of money for the state. In the first four months of 2021, Vermont businesses have received

Economy continued from page

the nation’s expected growth rate because the “wealth gap undermines economic growth by dampening social mobility and creating a less-educated workforce unable to compete in the global economy,” according to a CBS News article. Increased wages, universal health care, lower cost education and affordable housing are often cited as approaches to reduce disparity. Homeownership has always been intertwined with the American dream because home equity is the largest asset of the middle class. Homeownership brings the potential for passive income. By making monthly payments to pay down a mortgage and hoping for price appreciation, owners can make money on their home while

7,862 such loans totaling more than $517 million, according to Christopher D’Elia, president of the Vermont Bankers Association. Since April 2020, Vermont companies have benefited from 20,264 loans worth $1.7 billion, he estimated. Since the Paycheck Protection Program was renewed at the end of 2020, D’Elia said, it has largely benefited small businesses and those that may have missed out on the funds last spring — particularly ones owned by women and black, indigenous and people of color. Nationally, about 90 percent of PPP loans issued in 2021 have been for amounts of $150,000 or less. “You’re really hitting a small

dollar amount, small business category,” D’Elia said. Sen. Michael Sirotkin, D-Chittenden, a member of the finance committee and chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs, said that “no decision” on PPP has been made, despite the fact that both legislative chambers passed the bill as written. “I think the Legislature, at least in the Senate, was just saying, ‘Let’s take a pause here and understand this better,’” Sirotkin said, adding that he is leaning against taxing the loans. Austin Davis, a lobbyist for the Lake Champlain Chamber of

Commerce, called it “outrageous” that lawmakers were considering taxing the federal loans. He said the program had helped keep workers employed, preventing additional stress on Vermont’s unemployment system. “I think folks have really easily forgotten how strained the (unemployment insurance) system was at the height of the pandemic,” Davis said. “If it weren’t for these loans, it’d be even worse.” Businesses plan to speak out against the PPP taxation proposal this week. Davis planned to send a letter to lawmakers outlining the business community’s concerns about

also benefiting from its shelter. But this is only possible if you have access to that golden ticket of ownership. When my grandfather’s World War II service ended, the GI Bill helped him afford a modest three-bedroom home in South Burlington. It was a tight space for eight people, but it was the first seed of what would become generational wealth when it was sold 50 years later. In families whose parents owned a home, it is more likely those parents can help their adult children afford a down payment, pay for college, help out with childcare or support entrepreneurial ideas. But for too many blacks and other people of color, who were long denied homeownership and the corresponding prosperity that came from unprecedented home

appreciation in the latter half of last century, there is far less to draw from to help the next generation. Without access to homeownership, we only perpetuate our differences and too many are left out of the chance to grow that kind of nest egg. Consider: — In Vermont, 72 percent of white households own their home, compared to 24 percent of blacks. — The homeownership rate of young adults dropped by nine percentage points between 2005 and 2014. The Federal Reserve found that 20 percent of that drop was because student loan debt had doubled over that time. — A Burlington Young Professional’s survey found 40 percent of respondents plan to leave the state, mostly because of low pay and high housing costs. Vermont must make serious

and concerted efforts to diversify our economic opportunities and make them universally available, or we risk economic and social decline. For our state to not just survive but thrive, we must have access to wealth generation for all Vermonters. This means diverse job prospects, pathways to homeownership, affordable care for our children and our health, and a strong economy supporting livable wages. Because every child should know that even if they can’t get everything they want, there will always be enough.

the bill. The Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Alliance, Vermont Retail & Grocers Association, and other organizations are expected to sign on. Vermont’s congressional delegation generally avoids weighing in on state policy. But David Carle, a spokesperson for U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said the point of the PPP was to offer businesses tax-free money to help them survive the economic repercussions of COVID-19. “Congress wanted businesses and individuals to both receive the full benefit of federal support during the pandemic by not taxing PPP loans,” Carle said.

Maura Collins is the executive director of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency and chair of the board of Pathways Vermont.

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Page 8 • Williston Observer • April 15, 2021

Huntington farm experiments with ‘gift economy’ Free food mission promotes sense of place and community BY EMILY SHEDD Special to the Observer

On a Saturday afternoon in Huntington, Brush Brook Community Farm was giving away bread and soup under early spring sunshine. The event, led by baker and farmer Adam Wilson, has taken place each week for 11 months. Wilson sees it as a “gift economy,” one that he hopes to sustain as long as he can. In fact, all the farm’s food is offered as a gift to community members. It’s an approach that started last year when the team began offering free-to-all meals at the Huntington Town Hall. “We called those gratitude feasts and those were really beautiful,” Wilson said. “That gave us all sorts of ideas on what can happen when you just start giving food away — how people start interacting with one another, with the animals and with the land.” The final town hall feast happened the weekend before the pandemic stalled life in Vermont, and with 125 people, it was the biggest one yet. After the meal, many stayed to dance. Amid the pandemic, Brush Brook Community Farm took on giving away food as its mission. Each week, the farm produces roughly 250 loaves of bread and 25 gallons of soup. The soup is a “collection of everything we do on the farm: The beef, the lamb, veggies, herbs, etc.,” Wilson said. Soups, he added, are flexible enough to maximize use of the farm’s constantly changing harvests.

Evan Hoyt, who has worked at Brush Brook for about a year, is on the seven-member farm team that handles farm operations. “We have been really well received here — all of us,” he said. “The farm team is really grateful to be a part of this community and to have the chance to share in food that we all are collectively helping bring into being.” On a recent Saturday, masked and distanced community members filtered in and out of the distribution greenhouse to grab loaves of bread and quarts of soup. “The philosophy is what I love most,” said Rebecca Weis, of Williston, about the guiding principle of the gift economy. Weis is a frequent visitor and contributor to the Brush Brook Community Farm and she comes out mostly every week to pick up some soup and bread. She emphasized the importance of donating back to the farm. “In the harvest season, I donated squash, tomatoes, beans, peppers,” Weis said. “Now we make a donation every week for the bread that we pick up and a little bit extra — because they are just giving it away. “It’s a whole sense of community, and it’s expanding. I am seeing people coming from Starksboro, Lincoln, Richmond and Williston,” she added. Monetary contributions like those Weis makes are essential for a farm that, philosophy aside, has to keep the lights on and The Brush Brook donation box is located right next to a sign at the entrance to equipment the farm. PHOTO BY EMILY SHEDD running. “Money will still be required,” the selves as linked by a web of interdependence. While website notes. “If the budget Vermont prides itself on a strong sense of community, is not met, the experiment it still runs more on banking than bartering. will end or change shape.” Wilson and the team at Brush Brook Community Farm In that sense, Brush appear undaunted. Their mission is taking hold and their Brook’s gift economy proj- hopes are high. ect poses a question: How It is “a journey of homecoming,” they write. “Returning will neighbors respond to a bit by bit to the good work of caring for one another and for project that doesn’t fit neatly the home place that sustains us.” into our current system? Time will tell if such a journey can begin with soup and Gift economies have bread. long thrived in cultures — from the Brazilian Emily Shedd is a reporter with the Community News Amazon to sub-Saharan Service, a collaboration with the University of Vermont’s Africa — that see themReporting & Documentary Storytelling program.

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LIBRARY The Dorothy Alling Memorial Library is open for contact-free porch pickup of materials Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. To place holds, request a bundle of materials or for help deciding what to read next, visit www.damlvt. org or call 878-4918. Visit the website to explore options for downloading e-books, audiobooks, magazines, music and video and to stay up-to-date on all programming offerings.

YOUTH PROGRAMS • Peeps diorama contest Starting Friday, April 16, stop by the vestibule and pick up a kit to enter our Peeps literary-themed diorama contest. Open to kids and teens, while supplies last. All entries must be submitted by Sunday, April 25. Kits include a package of Peeps chicks and contest instructions. Phoenix Books gift cards will be awarded to winners in three age categories. • After-school program in a bag: sand art Available starting Monday, April 19. Pick up an optical illusion sand art kit in the vestibule, while supplies last. • Preschool story time: messy Tuesday, April 20, 9-9:30 a.m. Join us for songs and stories. Geared to preschoolers, but all are welcome. Register at www.damlvt.org. • Beyond Ramen teen cooking: cake vs. lasagna Wednesday, April 21, 3-4 p.m. Join us for hands-on cooking in the kitchen. Grades 6-12. What will it be ... pasta or sweets? Vote for your preferred dish when you register, and the majority wins. Register at www.damlvt.org. • Meditation for kids Wednesday, April 28, 1:15-1:45 p.m. Join us via Zoom. Ages 8-14. Email programs@damlvt. org to register. • New STEM kits Thanks to a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Williston-Richmond, the library has two new kits available for checkout: Robotics and Coding (Pre-K-3rd grade) and Electronics, Coding and Bots (grades 4-plus). Call us or search “STEM kits” in our online catalog to see these and other at-home learning kits.

MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS • Spanish conversation Tuesday, April 20, 4-5 p.m. Whether you’re fluent or a beginner, join us for conversation en Español. Teens and adults. Email programs@damlvt.org for a Zoom invitation.

• Current events Wednesday, April 28, 10-11:30 a.m. Connect with others for informal conversation about newsworthy topics during these interesting times.

• Film discussion Thursday, April 29, 2 p.m. Watch at home, then join our discussion of “A Man Called Ove” based on Richard Backman’s popular book.

Access the film through the Hoopla database or contact the library to borrow a DVD copy. Register at www.damlvt.org.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS Online programs are held via Zoom. Email programs@damlvt. org or call 878-4918 for an invitation, unless otherwise specified. • Guided meditation Fridays, April 16 and 23, 12:301 p.m. Maryellen Crangle leads a short meditation online. • Origami cranes display Starting Monday, April 19, stop by the library to view the window display of more than 1,000 paper cranes folded by members of the community. • New perspectives book discussion Tuesday April 20, 12-1 p.m. Discuss chapters 1-11 of “When Things Fall Apart” by Pema Chodron. Ebook/audiobook formats are available in LUV (Overdrive). Print copies are available to borrow from the library. • Brown bag book discussion Tuesday, April 27, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Discuss James Loewen’s “Lies My Teacher Told Me.” Print copies are available to borrow from the library. EBook and audiobook formats are available in Hoopla.

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Page 10 • Williston Observer • April 15, 2021

OBITUARIES Romaine F DeCamp Our beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Romaine F. DeCamp, 88, of Williston, Vermont passed away of natural causes on March 21, 2021. She was born Romaine Mae Frantz on June 1, 1932 to Ervin M. and Genevieve Frantz of Kittanning, Pennsylvania. After schooling, she became a secretary at the post-war Pentagon, where she met and married civil engineer Peter DeCamp at a USO dance. They relocated to Michigan where they had two sons, Peter Jr., and William. While raising her sons and later working as

a hospital administrator, she developed her life-long interests in bird watching, flower gardening, playing bridge, and was active in the First Congregational Church of St Johns. When her husband died in 1999, she moved to Vermont to be close to her only granddaughter Becca, and became active in the Williston Federated Church. She found a special sense of community and welcome in the church, made many friends and supported the church through many projects. Romaine was very close to her daughter in-law Polly Malik, who was a constant companion and cared for her through many of life’s setbacks. She was also close to her

sister in-law Barbara “Babs” Frantz. She was exceptionally proud of her granddaughter Becca, whom she supported through her academic endeavors and Vermont Youth Orchestra events. She is pre-deceased by her husband Peter, her brother Robert Frantz, and her parents. She is survived by her two sons, her daughter in-law Polly, and her granddaughter Becca, as well as two sisters in-law, nieces and nephews and many friends.

A memorial service will be conducted at a later date when in-person services can be held safely again. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Trustees of the Williston Federated Church, 44 North Williston Rd., Williston, Vermont, 05495 Note “In Memory of Romaine DeCamp”. This fund goes to restoration and upkeep of this historic and vibrant church.

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Marilyn L. Leduc It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marilyn L. Leduc, 66, of Williston, VT, on April 2, 2021. She was born in Burlington, VT, November, 3, 1954, the daughter of Lloyd and Gloria (Demars) Hill. Marilyn graduated from Vermont Technical College. On February 11, 1980 Marilyn married the love of her life, Todd Leduc. They made many happy memories in their 31 years together. Marilyn was employed by J.C. Penny’s from 2003 2015 and more recently at People’s United Bank as a loan library specialist. Left to cherish Marilyn’s memory are her daughter Jodi Zemsky, son-in-law Craig Zemsky, son Kyle Leduc, daughter-in-law Beth Leduc, grandchildren Ezra Zemsky, Nolan Leduc and Christian Leduc. Also surviving are her sister Tina Patno, Aunt Judy Demars, sister-in-law Janelle Leduc, brother-in-law Patrick Leduc, and many dear friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Todd, in 2011, mother Gloria Hill, father Lloyd Lavigne and Uncle Thomas Demars. Services will take place at a later date. The details will be announced on the Gifford Funeral Home website, which is www.giffordfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in care of Gifford Funeral Home, 22 Depot Street, Richmond, VT.

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April 15, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 11

SENIORS

The most and least popular ages to claim Social Security

Savvy Senior BY JIM MILLER

Dear Savvy Senior, How much does your claiming age affect your Social Security benefits, and what are the most popular ages people start taking their retirement benefits? Nearing Retirement Dear Nearing, You can sign up for Social Security at any time after age 62. However, your monthly payments will be larger for each month you delay claiming them up until age 70. This adds up to around 6 to 8 percent higher payments every year you delay. To get a breakdown on exactly how much your claiming age affects your benefits, visit Social Security’s Retirement Age Calculator at www.SSA.gov/benefits/ retirement/planner/ageincrease. html. This tool provides your official full retirement age (FRA) — which is between 66 and 67 depending on your birth year — and shows how much your benefits will be reduced by taking early payments or increased by delaying them. In the meantime, here’s the rundown of when most people start receiving retirement benefits (according to 2019 statistics), and how signing up at each age impacts your payout. Age 62: This is the earliest

you can sign up for Social Security and the most popular age. Around 34 percent of women and 31 percent of men sign up for Social Security at 62. But if you sign up at this age, you’ll get 25 percent smaller Social Security payments if your FRA is 66, and 30 percent lower payments if your FRA is 67. Age 63: About 7 percent of all workers start drawing their benefits at this age. Monthly payments are reduced if you sign up at age 63, but by less than if you claim at 62. A worker with an FRA of 66 will get a 20 percent pay cut by signing up at 63. And workers with a FRA of 67 will get 25 percent less. Age 64: Around 8 percent of women and about 7 percent of men claim benefits at 64. Social Security payments are reduced by 13.3 percent for those with an FRA of 66, and 20 percent for people whose FRA is 67. Age 65: This used to be the FRA for people born before 1938, but it’s still enrollment age for Medicare. Around 12 percent of workers begin their retirement benefits at 65. By starting at this age, you’ll see your monthly payments reduced by 6.7 percent if your FRA is 66, and by 13.3 percent if it’s 67. Age 66: This is the FRA for people born between 1943 and 1954. If you fit into this age group, you’re eligible to claim unreduced Social Security benefits. Nearly 29 percent of men and 22 percent of women sign up for benefits at 66. But if your FRA is 67, you’ll get a 6.7 percent pay cut if you sign up here. Age 67: People born in 1960 or later will be able to claim unreduced Social Security payments starting at age 67. Baby boomers born before 1955 will get

an 8 percent increase if they wait to claim their benefits at 67. Less than 4 percent of men and 3 percent of women start their benefits at this age. Age 68: Only about 2 percent of workers start claiming their retirement benefits at 68. Those with an FRA of 66 will get 16 percent more if they claim Social Security payments at age 68, while those with an FRA of 67 will get an 8 percent increase. Age 69: Less than 2 percent of workers start claiming their re-

tirement benefits at this age. Those with an FRA of 66 will get a 24 percent boost in their benefit by waiting to 69, while those with an FRA of 67 will increase their benefits by 16 percent. Age 70 and older: Waiting to age 70 offers the biggest possible payout. Nearly 9 percent of women and 6 percent of men hold out until this age. Those with an FRA of 66 can increase their benefits by 32 percent, while those with an FRA of 67 will get a 24 percent increase. After age 70,

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Page 12 • Williston Observer • April 15, 2021

POLICE BLOTTER

March 28-April 3 March 28 at 12:39 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a possible attempted break-in on Chelsea Place. Upon arrival, the officers were able to get the individual to their home. March 28 at 3:28 a.m. — Williston officers assisted Vermont State Police on Interstate 89 regarding a pedestrian. The officers gave the pedestrian a ride to the nearest emergency access point. March 28 at 4:42 a.m. — Officers responded to Hurricane Lane to assist a business. They were able to locate an individual and then called Williston Rescue to evaluate them. March 28 at 8:58 p.m. — Officers responded to a report of retail theft on Harvest Lane. March 28 at 10:20 p.m. — Officers responded to a report of suspicious behavior on Meadowbend Road. Upon arrival, there was no suspicious behavior observed. March 29 at 10:47 a.m. — Police

provided a case number for property damage on Marshall Avenue. March 29 at 11:00 a.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Saint George Road. March 29 at 12:14 p.m. — Police assisted Williston Rescue with a patient on Whitewater Circle. March 29 at 3:49 p.m. — Officers responded to a report of theft on Harvest Lane. Upon arrival, the officer issued a no-trespass order and obtained information for the Williston Reparative Board. March 29 at 4:15 p.m. — Williston officers assisted Williston Fire Department by conducting traffic control on Saint George Road. March 29 at 6:05 p.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle collision on Zephyr Road. There were no injuries or hazards at the scene. March 29 at 6:44 p.m. — Williston Police assisted Vermont State Police in attempting to

locate a pedestrian on Interstate 89. The officer did not locate the individual. March 29 at 7:30 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a dispute on Harvest Lane. Upon arrival, the individual had already left the scene. March 29 at 9:59 p.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Interstate 89 and cited the operator for driving under the influence. March 30 at 8:32 a.m. — Police responded to a 911 hang-up on Oak Knoll Road. Upon arrival, there was no emergency. March 30 at 9:22 a.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle collision on Williston Road. There were no injuries or hazards at the scene. March 30 at 10:23 a.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Boxwood Street. March 30 at 11:07 a.m. — Police assisted in resolving a dispute on Rita Road. March 30 at 12:58 p.m. — Officers conducted an event at Central School Park. March 30 at 2:37 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision on Marshall Avenue. The collision was unable to be located.

March 30 at 8:16 p.m. — Police assisted an individual locked out of their vehicle at Taft Corners. March 31 at 1:06 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a hazard on South Brownell Road. The officer removed the fallen tree from the roadway. March 31 at 11:03 a.m. — Duke the Comfort Dog visited employees on Saint George Road. March 31 at 11:39 a.m. — Police responded to a report of an abandoned vehicle. The officer conducted checks and found that the car was not stolen. April 1 at 12:41 a.m. — Police located an unsecured premise on Connor Way and notified the business. April 1 at 10:40 a.m. — Police assisted with getting a car removed from Merchant’s Row. April 1 at 11:02 a.m. — Williston officers assisted Williston Rescue with a medical call on Blair Park Road. April 1 at 12:37 a.m. — Police assisted a civilian with a report of fraud and advised them regarding their computer. April 1 at 2:12 p.m. — Duke the Comfort Dog assisted with a project at Williston Central School. April 1 at 2:38 p.m. — Police assisted a civilian regarding a scam and told them to notify their financial institution. April 2 at 9:18 a.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious activity on Saint George Road. Upon arrival, the officer did not observe anything suspicious.

April 2 at 10:26 a.m. — Police responded to a report of an argument on Trader Lane. Upon arrival, the individuals could not be located. April 2 at 12:33 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Knight Lane. April 2 at 2:31 p.m. — Police took a report of stolen merchandise on Zephyr Road. April 2 at 4:20 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious activity on Harvest Lane. Upon arrival, the officers gave no-trespass notices and escorted the individuals off the premises. April 2 at 10:56 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious activity on Meadowbend Road. Upon arrival, no suspicious activity was found. April 3 at 8:11 a.m. — Williston Police assisted Williston Rescue in responding to a report of suspicious activity on Day Lane. Upon arrival, the officer assisted in evaluating the individual. April 3 at 10:52 a.m. — Police responded to a 911 hang-up on River Cove Road. Upon arrival, there was no emergency. April 3 at 1:50 p.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle collision on Saint George Road. There were no injuries or hazards at the scene. April 3 at 9:23 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a traffic hazard on Saint George Road. Upon arrival, the officer removed the items from the roadway.

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April 15, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 13

CULINARY CORNER

CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 14

A delicious weeknight dinner This soy-glazed salmon is delicious and only takes around 25 minutes to make. Serve with brown rice and vegetables for a healthy, filling dinner, or get creative and switch it up. In the picture, the salmon is shown topped with toasted nuts and red onions for texture.

Soy-Glazed Salmon 2 pounds salmon 2 tbsp olive oil 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup soy sauce 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 tbsp lemon juice or the juice of one lemon 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper Preheat your oven to 350. While the oven preheats, combine all of the ingredients, except the salmon, in a bowl. Add your salmon to a baking dish and pour the marinade over the fish. When the oven is hot, bake the fish until done, approximately 20 minutes. The fish should be fully opaque and flake easily with a fork. Do not overcook. Then broil for three minutes. Serve the salmon and spoon the cooked marinade over the fish for extra flavor. — Eva Benway

Share your recipes! Do you have a tasty recipe you would like to share? We welcome reader contributions for publication in our weekly Culinary Corner. Please email submissions to editor@willistonobserver.com. Please include a photo of the finished dish if possible.

ACROSS 1. “Killer” PC program 4. “Loose” things 8. “___ does it!” 12. Alliance 14. He has a stable job 15. Stipend 16. Without help 17. Oft-heavenly scent 18. Like a tie score 19. Golden Rule conclusion 20. Desolation 22. Type of admiral 24. Parking space 25. Girl 28. Was idle 30. Shirt material 34. Unaware 36. Tom Hanks film 38. Attribute 39. Categorizations 43. Bean cover 44. Divinity 45. Dusk 46. “The end” 49. Wielded the baton 51. Demands 52. Skating floor

54. Unceasingly 56. Take in 60. Stuff on a driveway 63. Utterly exhausted 64. Shows up 65. Screen symbol 67. Gave temporarily 68. Straight-up 69. White House staffer 70. Jittery 71. Office expense 72. It’s made fresh every morning DOWN 1. Workout target 2. Clever tactic 3. Game you can’t play left-handed 4. Bugs 5. When two clock hands come together 6. Housekeeper 7. Shirt size 8. One score 9. Wield 10. Census data 11. Dimes 13. Salad and dessert 14. Grand party

21. Lithium ___ battery 23. Places for patches 25. Virile 26. Moslem religion 27. Offering to voters 29. Stand for 31. Kind of change 32. Possessed 33. Audubon Society interests 35. Porky of cartoons 37. Atmospheric content 40. Legends and such 41. Pitch a piano 42. Resistance to change 47. Resolute 48. Intention 50. Uncover 53. More likable 55. Skin covering 56. “__, Baker, Charlie” 57. Origin 58. Told all 59. ‘’You got that right!’’ 61. Caustic substance 62. Piggybacked 66. Without precedent

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Page 14 • Williston Observer • April 15, 2021

CLASSIFIEDS CHARITY SALE

WANTED

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SAINT MICHAEL’S COLLEGE FURNITURE SALE: chairs, desks, beds, mattresses and dressers. All proceeds go to charity. Saturday/Sunday April 17 and 18. Three locations: 33, 81, 244 Ethan Allen Ave, Colchester.

WANTED TO BUY: Vermont collector will pay cash for all wooden bird carvings, goose, duck and shorebird decoys. 802-238-1465.

FUNCTIONING REFINISHED AND REFURBISHED ELECTRIC DUO ART PLAYER PIANO. Valued at $4000, selling for $1000. Comes with 200 + ( new and old ) music rolls as well as a reproduced in 1956, Duo Art Reproducing Piano

RABIES BAIT

continued from page 2 The week-long bait drop is a cooperaWarehouse Associate Wanted tive effort between Vermont and the U.S. Job Summary

Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services Package bulk product for next day delivery and stock, following company packaging and quality requirements to stop the spread of the potentially fatal disease.

Review daily production documents/labels prior to packaging Ensure that all containers are clean and clear of any debris meeting all Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the Dennison Lubricant quality standards brain that infects mammals. It is most often Package bulk products into various containers while using proper tools to seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, ensure that containers are filled to the proper volume Responsible for filling out daily production reports clearly and accurately but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also Inspect and maintain production lines; change filters and report any probget rabies. The virus is spread through the lems to supervisor Stage or stock finished product when necessary bite of an infected animal or contact with its Additional tasks may be assigned by supervisor Must be able to lift 50 lbs. Must be able to work 5 days and 40 hours minimum per week

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Cobbler continued from page

because he was searching for a new hobby. As a former police sergeant for the Shelburne Police and U.S. Marine, he had few hobbies. So he went to DePaul Shoe Store, located in Winooski, and asked to be trained in cobbling. “’Hey, how about I come to work for you. You show me how to do this — you don’t have to pay me,’” he recalled saying. Welsh spent two years learning from the DePauls while still working for the Shelburne Police. Before moving his shop to Taft Corners, Welsh was located on Shelburne Road in a former horse stable. Burlington’s WCAX ran a story on how the pandemic impacted his business last August. Immediately after, Welsh said he “had a good month.” But orders have since slowed. “Right now, it’s tight,” he said. Welsh pointed to his shelves and said: “These shelves should be full.” The shop has enough space for 40 pairs of shoes on benches waiting to be picked up, but there were a mere 11 pair in the store. “I have to put my money into my business right now, and I don’t want to do that,” said Welsh. When everything was shut down and the store was closed during the COVID closure period last year, Welsh continued to go to his store every day, getting in early in the morning and having a cup of coffee in the back room. “That’s what I did while we were closed,” he said. “I came in here to eat Tom Toms and drink coffee and listen to the radio,” and “keep up with everything, which was very little.” Rowan Hawthorne is a reporter with the Community News Service, a collaboration with the University of Vermont’s Reporting & Documentary Storytelling program.

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place a alsaliva. If left untreated, To rabies is almost ways fatal in humans and animals. However, classified treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly or given service 100 percent effective when soon after a person is bitten by a rabid animal. directory ad, email So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont have tested positive formarianne@ rabies, and 14 of those have been raccoons. willistonobserver. According to wildlife officials, rabid animals often show a change in their norcom mal behavior, but you cannot tell whether an animal has rabies simply by looking at RABIES BAIT it. People should not touch or pick up wild CROSSWORD SOLUTION continued page 2 baby animals. animals orfrom strays – even The week-long bait drop is a cooperative effort between Vermont and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to stop the spread of the potentially fatal disease. Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the brain that infects mammals. It is most often seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also get rabies. The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its

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Page 16 • Williston Observer • April 15, 2021

How a flock of ducks found sanctuary in a Huntington barn BY JOHN ELY Special to the Observer

An unmarked driveway leads from Huntington’s Camel’s Hump Road to a sprawling, 1,300-acre property where forest and farmland mingle. It’s home to the LivingFuture Foundation and SHO Farm, whose projects include a culinary incubator and research farm. And it’s become an unexpected sanctuary for a flock of ducks saved from slaughter. Those ducks are under the care of SHO Farm owners Melissa Hoffman and wife Shawn Smith, proponents of vegan permaculture farming. The idea for a duck sanctuary took root when the pair visited a Vermont rice farm in 2016 to learn about duck-integrated rice growing. It’s a method that sends hundreds of ducklings into the rice patties to stimulate plant growth and naturally fertilize the soil. “It really hit us that though we were buying rice, and not chicken or turkey or fish, we were really supporting a form of animal agriculture because (the farmer) was using these little baby ducks in the growing of the rice, and then they were being slaughtered,” Smith said. The pair decided to adopt any ducklings that remained at the end of the season, even-

A flock of ducks bed down inside a converted barn that is insulated to offer protection against predators and the elements. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO.

tually bringing 116 ducklings home. To house the ducks, they converted an old barn into a cozy shelter. “The ducks live in a barn that wasn’t built for animals,” Smith said. “It’s a super-insulated barn that was built to house a renewable energy system and have a commercial kitchen to host events. It’s not like a kind of traditional animal barn that is drafty.”

Protecting the flock from predators, including bear, mink, fox and coyote, is a top priority, and the farmers installed electric fences around the flock’s roaming area. The duck sanctuary is just one of an eclectic suite of projects the LivingFuture Foundation has taken on. The majority of the property remains forested to provide wildlife habitat. SHO also sells a line of products

made with foraged plants in the surrounding landscape. “[Hoffman] has a food lab where she’ll experiment with things, and we have a whole product line now,” Smith said. “A blend of wild foraged plants and fungi and then cultivated things … all ethically grown or ethically harvested and then combined for the greatest medicinal synergy for humans.” In an effort to raise funds for the LivingFuture Foundation, Smith and Hoffman have considered selling various portions of the property. Previous listings included an 18-acre part of the lower field, off Camel’s Hump Road, and the farmstead itself, a handful of buildings on a 45-acre plot. These days, Smith said, she’s in talks with potential buyers for smaller pieces of land, discussing construction of energy-efficient, affordable housing. “Our goal is to keep as much of the property as we can while creating a small community of value-aligned homeowners,” she explained. The duck flock, Smith said, isn’t going anywhere. John Ely is a reporter with the Community News Service, a collaboration with the University of Vermont’s Reporting & Documentary Storytelling program.

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