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Permit #15 Williston,VT 05495 POSTAL CUSTOMER
JULY 3, 2019
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
Fiske resigns as library director
Indepen d Day pre ence view M ore on p ages 8-9
Observer staff report
Observer photo by Jason Starr
ABOVE: Jack Price was named grand marshal for this year’s July Fourth parade. BELOW: Decades ago, he led the parade on stilts and in costume as Uncle Sam.
Back out in front
From Uncle Sam to grand marshal
Jack Price is enamored with small town Americana and considers Williston’s Independence Day celebration a quintessential example. For years Price embodied one of the elements that gave the celebration its flare and made it memorable. Through the 1990s, he donned an Uncle Sam suit, mounted homemade stilts and led the Fourth of July parade through Williston Village. Sometime before the turn of the millennium, Price retired the stilts and turned over the costume, and hasn’t been in the parade since. But this year, on the nomination of last year’s parade grand marshal,
Ann Park, Price will return to the head of the procession as 2019 grand marshal. “Jack has devoted time and energy into making Williston and Vermont special,” Park said “He has contributed to so many different organizations quite selflessly.” A retired dentist who practiced in Williston for 30 years, Price has an eclectic record of community involvement. He’s served on the board of the Williston Historical Society, been a local Cub Scouts leader, served on the Old Brick Church Committee and helped the town hire administrators as a member of search committees. Volunteering has always been about immersing himself in the community, working with his neighbors and accom-
Marti Fiske resigned this week as director of the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. Her last day will be Aug. 2. Fiske has accepted the director position at Keene Public Library in New Hampshire. She has led the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library for nearly 14 years. “It is with a combination of sadness and excitement that I announce my resignation,” she said in a press release Tuesday. Marti Fiske “I am so thankful for the community’s support and for the opportunities I experienced over the nearly 14 years that I have served Williston. This town has been a joy to work for. “I especially cherish the many wonderful relationships developed over time and opportunity to learn so much. The staff at DAML and I could not have accomplished all that we have to date without the support of each of you, the town manager, trustees, friends and selectboard. I look forward to seeing much of the community during the last of my Fourth of July activities.” The library is also currently transitioning from long-time Youth Services Librarian Jill Coffrin, whose last day was June 30. A party was held for Coffrin on Monday. Jessica George of Rhode Island has been hired as her successor. Fiske will take over for Nancy Vincent, current library director in Keene, N.H., who has announced her retirement after 25 years in the position. The Keene Public Library opened an expansion and renovation in June, incorporating a makerspace. Fiske will oversee a staff of 27 employees.
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Saturday, Aug. 24
Waterfront Park, Burlington
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