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Permit #15 Williston,VT 05495 POSTAL CUSTOMER
JUNE 10, 2021
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
Isham Farm enters nonprofit era
WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
Independence Day 5K to honor Deb Beckett BY SUSAN COTE Observer staff
With just a few weeks to put it together, organizers learned Williston’s annual 5K race could take place this year on its traditional timing, Fourth of July weekend. Cancelled in 2020 along with the rest of the town’s usual festivities, the race this year resumes with a new purpose — remembering Deb Beckett, Williston’s longtime town clerk and treasurer, who Deb Beckett passed away last year. In addition to her 30year career with the town, Beckett was an Army National Guard veteran who served two tours in the Middle East. She is remembered for her extensive participation and leadership in many community organizations, as well as her enthusiasm for the town’s Fourth of July celebrations. Starting in 2018, Beckett recruited members of the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club to serve as volunteers for the annual 5K race, according to Todd Goodwin, Williston’s Director of Recreation & Parks. It was her vision that the club take on leadership of the race, as is happening for the first time this year. One of many highly anticipated Independence Day festivities in Williston, the 5K race has been a fixture for decades. After a few years without race timing, it is being see BECKETT page 2
Nearing normal
Helen Weston of the Isham Family Farm sits on the stage where the First: Earth Summer Series kicks off Friday. Weston created First: Earth as a nonprofit dedicated to environmentalism, the performing arts and community building. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO
Weston combines environmentalism, performing arts and community connections into ‘First: Earth’ organization BY JASON STARR Observer staff It was an idea that bounced around Helen Weston’s mind during her time as a public school teacher — how to combine her passions for environmental protection and the performing arts into an entity that creates community and benefits the common good. When she retired from teaching music and performing arts in the Vergennes public school system, she set out to refine her thoughts into a real-world project. On a solo hike through the Long Trail from Massachusetts to Canada after her 2019 retirement, Weston conceived of the nonprofit, First: Earth. This summer, the organization comes to life at the Isham Family Farm on Oak Hill Road, where she lives
and works alongside farmer Mike Isham. The organization’s name reminds people to prioritize the health of the planet in all activities. First: Earth has three prongs — a performing arts series at the farm’s events barn, an education series in a new outdoor classroom on the property and a community forum space where other organizations can hold events. Its board of directors was recently seated. The performing arts series kicks off Friday with the Lyric Theatre’s presentation of “A Year With Frog and Toad.” A wetland ecologist will host a discussion about vernal pools before the show, which is sold out. Other shows this summer include an opera, a Shakespeare performance and a ballet. “I’m over the moon thrilled about it,” Weston said of the performing arts lineup. “I reached for the stars with this first see ISHAM page 3
July Fourth celebration returns OBSERVER STAFF REPORT Williston’s Independence Day celebration is returning after 2020’s cancellation with festivities planned for July 2-3. The celebration kicks off Friday, July 2 with The Friends of the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library book sale from 4-7 p.m. The slightly scaled back event will take place outside in front of the library and is weather dependent. Book donations will not be taken this year, and visitors are asked to bring their own book bags. Payments are accepted in cash or check donations. As the book sale wraps up, the Ice Cream Social — sponsored by the Williston Federated Church — and the Town Band concert will begin at 7 p.m. on the Village Green. On Saturday, July 3, the Fourth of July parade will see CELEBRATION page 3