Williston Observer 8/5/2021

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Finney lands another heavy hitter L.L. Bean to open Williston store

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TODD SMITH/CALEDONIA RECORD

All Stars go all the way Williston’s 8-10-year-old Little League All Stars took home a state title over the weekend for the first time in nine years, winning three straight elimination games at the state tournament in St. Johnsbury.

Team members are Colton Fielder, Skyler Doherty, Quinn D’Amato, Grayson Sanford, Jackson Audette, Dylan Morris, Jackson Whitmore, Dash Bufano, Shivaji Arumugam, Jordan Paliling and Alex Audette. The team was coached by Adam Bufano, with assistant coaches Matt Morris and Tony D’Amato.

Finney Crossing developers broke ground in July on a 25,000-square-foot commercial building fronting Route 2 in Williston and landed L.L. Bean to occupy the majority of the space.

According to Finney Crossing developer Scott Rieley, L.L. Bean, an outdoor equipment retailer and outfitter based in Maine, will open a 15,000-square-foot store. The remaining 10,000 square feet will be portioned into two-to-four commercial units. It’s a similar setup to the building completed last year within the development anchored by Healthy Living market.

“We are excited L.L. Bean has chosen Finney Crossing to locate their new store,” Rieley said.

“I think they will be a great addition to the retail landscape.”

L.L Bean will compete in the outdoor equipment market with the likes of R.E.I. and Dick’s Sporting Goods, also located in Williston’s Taft Corners area.

The new building is expected to be complete next summer. It will add to the commercial mix within Finney Crossing that includes a hotel, bank and Healthy Living, built over the past two years. A Folino’s pizza restaurant is under construction. The development also has about 800 residential apartments and condominiums.

Last month, the developers received preliminary approval from the town’s Development Review Board for another restaurant building and see L.L. BEAN page 4

Shoppers enter the L.L. Bean in Burlington on Tuesday.

The store is slated to relocate to Williston by next year.

OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

Academic honors bestowed upon local students

Page 2 • Williston Observer • August 5, 2021

The following Williston and St. George students, listed alphabetically, were honored for academic achievements in the spring of 2021.

Maxwell Akey graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Jacob Allaire was named to the president’s list at Bentley University for the spring 2021 semester.

Casey Ammon was named to the dean’s list at Purdue University for the spring 2021 semester.

Kristin Arles was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Ian Batson graduated from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in May. Kyra Becker was named to the president’s list at Vermont Technical College for the spring 2021 semester.

Richard Berry graduated from Castleton University this year with a bachelor’s degree in

graphic design.

Dylan Beyor was named to the dean’s list at Castleton University for the spring 2021 semester.

William Bialowoz was named to the dean’s list at Colorado Mesa College for the spring 2021 semester.

Hannah Bohmann was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Avery Boucher was named to the dean’s list at the University of Maine for the spring 2021 semester.

Riley Boucher was named to the dean’s list at the University of Maine for the spring 2021 semester.

Jacob Bouffard graduated from the Universi-

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ty of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Kayleigh Bushweller was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Diamond Bussiere was named to the dean’s list at the Community College of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Liz Cahill was named to the president’s list at Bob Jones University for the spring semester.

Bennett Cheer was named to the dean’s list at St. Lawrence University for the spring 2021 semester.

Samuel Clear was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Grace Colbeth was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Lily Cote was named to the dean’s list at St. Michael’s College for the spring 2021 semester.

Julia Cronan graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree. She was also named to the spring semester dean’s list.

Isabella Curtis was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Natalie Curtis was named to the president’s list at Castleton University for the spring 2021 semester.

Nikolas Delphia was named to the president’s list at the Community College of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Elizabeth DeLuca graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in May. She was also named to the dean’s list for the spring 2021 semester.

Alyson Detch graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Reagan Dufresne was named to the dean’s list at St. Michael’s College for the spring 2021 semester.

Brigitte Durieux graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Sara Erickson graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Eli Favro graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Jack Nelson Fitzgerald graduated from St. John Fisher College in May with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He was also named to the dean’s list for the spring 2021 semester.

Cody Fournier was named to the dean’s list at Vermont Technical College for the spring 2021 semester.

Cassandra Frink was named to the dean’s list at Vermont Technical College for the spring 2021 semester.

Ethan Fuller graduated from Plymouth State University in May with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Margaret Gannon was named to the dean’s list at Nazareth College for the spring 2021 semester.

Jessica Gagne was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Sean Gary was named to the dean’s list at Vermont Technical College for the spring 2021 semester.

Nathan Godbout was named to the dean’s list at Saint Francis University for the spring 2021 semester.

Jeffrey Goldman was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Kyle Gorman graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree. He was also named to the dean’s list for the spring 2021 semester.

Jacob Griggs was named to the dean’s list at Castleton University for the spring 2021 semester.

Logan Griswold was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Megane Hamel was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Matthew Herberg was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Noemi Hernandez graduated in May from Vermont Technical College with an associate’s degree.

Annaliese Holden was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Alex Howe graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Emma Jennings was named to the dean’s list at St. Lawrence University for the spring 2021 semester.

Nikolas Koehler graduated in May from Vermont Technical College with an associate’s degree.

Emily Kollar was named to the honor’s list at the Community College of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Jordan Laflamme was named to the dean’s list at the Community College of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Katlyn Lapell was named to the dean’s list at the Community College of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Shayla Lawrence was named to the president’s list at Castleton University for the spring 2021 semester.

Stephanie Lemieux was named to the dean’s list at Vermont Technical College for the spring 2021 semester.

Taya LeProvost was named to the dean’s list at Gettysburg College for the spring 2021 semester.

Olivia Letourneau graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree. She was also named to the spring semester dean’s list.

Edward Marshall graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Margaret Martell was named to the president’s list at the Community College of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Margaret Mathon was named to the dean’s list at Elms College for the spring 2021 semester.

Jason McCuin was named to the president’s list at Vermont Technical College for the spring 2021 semester.

Lily Michalak was named to the dean’s list at Bradley University for the spring 2021 semester.

Ryan Mount graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Hannah Munn graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College.

Alexandra Murphy graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island in May with a doctorate in veterinary medicine.

Jacob Murphy was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Kayla Guczek-Nasab graduated in May from Vermont Technical College with an associate’s degree.

Julia Neeld was named to the dean’s list at the College of the Holy Cross for the spring 2021 semester.

Paige Niarchos was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Ky Nguyen was named to the dean’s list at Vermont Technical College for the spring 2021 semester.

Anna Norcross was named to the dean’s list at Vermont Technical College for the spring 2021 semester.

Chris O’Brien graduated from Union College in June with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Mia O’Farrell was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Lauren Palmer was named to the dean’s list at St. Michael’s College for the spring 2021 semester.

Will Pasley graduated from Colorado College in May with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Chris William Perry was named to the dean’s list at the University of Maine at Presque Isle for the spring 2021 semester.

Kylie Pierce was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Emma Plociennik graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Samantha Polley was named to the dean’s list at the Community College of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Liza Pouliot graduated in May from the Community College of Vermont’s early childhood apprenticeship program.

Jonathan Raymond was named to the dean’s list at Castleton University for the spring 2021 semester.

Matthew Rambone graduated in May from Vermont Technical College with an associate’s degree.

Michaela Rehak was named to the dean’s list at Adelphi University for the spring 2021 semester.

Daniel Rickert was named to the dean’s list at St. Michael’s College for the spring 2021 semester.

Hannah Roberts was named to the president’s list at the Community College of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Kelsie Saia graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Dana Sartorelli was named to the dean’s list at Bucknell University for the spring 2021 semester.

Matthew Spear was named to the dean’s list at Vermont Technical College for the spring 2021 semester.

Emma Spitzer graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Mateo Barreno Smith was named to the dean’s list at Vermont Technical College for the spring 2021 semester.

Rodica Tiron graduated in May from Vermont Technical College with an associate’s degree.

She was also named to the president’s list for the spring 2021 semester.

Katie Usher was named to the dean’s list at the University of Rhode Island for the spring 2021 semester.

Olivia Varricchione was named to the dean’s list at St. Lawrence University for the spring 2021 semester.

Kevin Veronneau was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Johana Vigoreaux graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Tyler Wong graduated from the University of Vermont in May with a bachelor’s degree.

Kaitlyn Zoller was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

Alexandra Zouck was named to the dean’s list at the University of Vermont for the spring 2021 semester.

August 5, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 3

Bridge closure worsens Industrial Ave. delays

Work begins on the Marshall Avenue bridge replacement on Monday.

Observer photo by Al Frey

The detour around the Marshall Avenue bridge, which is closed through November for replacement, is converging with an intersection improvement project at Industrial Avenue to create major traffic delays along Route 2.

The Industrial Avenue/Route 2 intersection project has been ongoing since the spring. But with the bridge closure, which began Monday, diverting east-west traffic to Route 2, the traffic impacts at Industrial Avenue have multiplied.

“Motorists on Route 2 … should expect extended delays during peak commute hours in the morning and evenings,” a statement from the Vermont Agency of Transportation reads. “Plan for extra travel time through the area.”

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U.S. Treasury to release ARPA county funds to towns

Page 4 • Williston Observer • August 5, 2021

The U.S. Treasury Department will release $120 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds designated for Vermont’s 14 counties directly to municipalities after changing its process related to county government allocations, Vermont’s Congressional delegation announced Friday.

The funding had been held back due to Vermont’s limit-

L.L. Bean continued from page

1

ing. The restaurant, to be built between the hotel and Healthy Living, will be a second location of Railroad and Main, which has its original location in Essex Junction. The senior housing building will be restricted to people aged 55 and older and will have an on-site manager, food service, dining area and laundry service, Rieley said.

Rieley sits on the Development Review Board, but is no longer the board chair — a role

ed county government structure, which is unlike most other states.

Since the March passage of ARPA, Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders, and Rep. Peter Welch have been working with the Treasury Department to reallocate the funds away from county governments, to more accurately reflect the governance structure in Vermont.

In a joint statement, Leahy, Sanders and Welch said: “We are grateful for the Treasury Department for working with us to resolve this issue. Together, we will always fight to ensure that Vermont — and all small states — receive their fair share of federal support. With this updated rule from the Treasury Department, $120 million intended for the state will now finally flow to

towns throughout Vermont, and these resources will help meet needs for Vermonters across the state.”

In total, the State of Vermont, counties, cities and towns throughout Vermont will receive $1.25 billion in funding through ARPA. “I want to thank our congressional delegation for their advocacy, and the Biden Adminis-

tration for their willingness to listen and adapt to Vermont’s unique county structure,” Gov. Phil Scott said. “This revision in guidance will allow our municipalities to take full advantage of the ARPA funding they are entitled to, so they can begin making critical investments to address their needs, helping us recover from the pandemic stronger.”

he held for several years. He has recused himself from voting on Finney Crossing development applications.

According to a report in VTDigger, the L.L. Bean store will be a relocation of the downtown Burlington L.L. Bean, which opened in 2014. The move will leave behind another empty storefront in the continually depleting Burlington Town Center Mall properties, owned by developer Don Sinex. The Burlington Town Center storefronts only have one tenant remaining — a Starbucks.

Sinex said in an email to VTDigger that it hurts to see L.L. Bean leaving, but that he knew about the move for some time. He said years of delays to the CityPlace construction project, which originally was going to feature a retail complex next to the L.L. Bean location, but has since been simplified to primarily apartments, partially led to the exit of the L.L. Bean store.

Sinex said he also suspects that the store’s operators were unhappy with “unusually high theft” it saw in its Burlington

store compared to others in the chain and “general problems related to homelessness.”

“As for the impact to BTC, the L.L. Bean move will put further financial strain on the old mall, which is already suffering tremendously financially and in my opinion this will be the final nail in its casket,” Sinex said.

“Because we have been aware of the plan to relocate its L.L. Bean store to Williston,” he added, “we at BTC will accelerate our plan to redevelop the old BTC mall from Church street to the new St. Paul Street.”

A spokesperson for L.L. Bean told VTDigger in an email that it will be relocating its Burlington employees to its Williston location.

“We appreciate the loyalty our employees and customers have shown to us in Burlington over the past seven years and look forward to reopening in Williston next year,” the spokesperson wrote.

WCAX first reported news of the move earlier Monday.

— Grace Elletson of VTDigger contributed to this report

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School districts should start the school year masked, state says

August 5, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 5

BY LOLA DUFFORT VTDigger

A student sits in class at South Burlington High School last school year. The state’s education and health agencies will recommend schools drop mask mandates for those 12 and older once 80 percent of eligible students are vaccinated in new guidance forthcoming later this week.

FILE PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

Amid rising Covid-19 cases, Gov. Phil Scott’s administration said Tuesday that K-12 students, teachers and staff should start the new school year masked.

But the state will recommend schools drop mask mandates for students and employees once 80 percent of eligible students in a given school have started vaccination.

Kids under 12, who are still not eligible for vaccination, should keep masking, officials said, and so should unvaccinated staff and unvaccinated students above 12.

“We’ll have more vaccine clinics in schools, leading up to and after classes start. We hope this inspires parents to do the right thing and sign their kids up,” Scott said during his weekly press conference.

About 65 percent of 12-15-year-olds are at least partially vaccinated, according to the state’s most recent data, as are 72 percent of all 16-17-year-olds.

The forthcoming guidance, which will be jointly issued by the Agency of Education and Department of Health, is much

‘…if the virus does get into this setting, I do worry that it will more easily spread within the school than the scenario we had last year,’ Benjamin Lee

UVM College of Medicine

stricter than the rules summer school programs have operated under since June, when districts were explicitly told not to impose masking requirements. But it is less conservative than recommendations recently put forward by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which simply recommended universal masking in schools.

Administration officials argued Tuesday that Vermont could afford to be more lax, particularly given its nation-leading see SCHOOLS page 21

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Page 6 • Williston Observer • August 5, 2021

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Williston’s Community Newspaper Since 1985

www.willistonobserver.com P.O. Box 1401, Williston, VT 05495 | 802-489-5499 PUBLISHER Susan T. Cote susan@willistonobserver.com 802-489-5499

TO ADVERTISE Submission deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. for next Thursday issue rick@willistonobserver.com

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Marianne Apfelbaum marianne@willistonobserver.com 802-872-9000 EDITOR Jason Starr editor@willistonobserver.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN Jan Kenney jan@willistonobserver.com BILLING INQUIRIES Michael McCaffrey office@willistonobserver.com

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Extend housing protections, eradicate homelessness

BY GRACE MARROQUIN

Today, lightning and thunder shook my hometown of South Burlington for close to a half hour while rain poured down like a giant waterfall. Visibility was nearly zero.

When the lights in my house flickered on and off, the storm even felt a little thrilling. Most of us probably know what this is like and find the few moments of uncertainty a rainstorm holds thrilling and perhaps calming all in one.

Thankfully, most of us go through them from inside — from our place of privilege within the security of four walls and a dry roof over our heads.

Not everyone has this opportunity. What would I have done if I didn’t have a home to shelter under? What if I couldn’t find a place to go? What would I do with wet shoes or clothes?

Homelessness is a word that we hear from time to time, but do most of us truly understand the meaning of that word? To live without walls and a roof, to not know where your next meal will come from, to not know where you’re going to sleep. For some, these thoughts go through their minds every day.

But for a short period of time ,that was all changed.

When COVID-19 began and everyone was forced to stay at home, motels and hotels closed down, opening up space that

would become the basis of a program that housed homeless people throughout the pandemic.

Now that mandates are starting to lighten up along with traveling restrictions, Gov. Phil Scott has shut down the motel program against urging from many different advocates.

Throughout the coronavirus, the program housed 2,700 adults and children. About 700 of them were forced to move out on July 1. The other 2,000 got an extra two and a half months due to having children or disabilities. But that time is closing in quickly.

Each person forced out of housing was given a $2,500 check. But how long will that last? Theoretically, many could use it to make a down payment on more permanent housing.

There’s only one problem: there is no housing available.

The pandemic has led to many things, including a decreased supply of housing due to labor shortages, material shortages and a shortage of already existing housing on the market.

Even if these people had the money for down payments on housing, there is nowhere for them to go.

However, another good thing to come out of the pandemic was the moratorium on evictions. The moratorium has kept many people in housing instead of forcing people out onto the streets. Sadly, this ban on evic-

tion ended June 15. As soon as it did, many Vermonters were forced out of their homes.

The pandemic hit everyone hard, but most affected were marginalized and low-income people. Is it fair that these people are being kicked out of their homes for something far beyond anyone’s control?

Not only has it been hard for some to find and keep shelter lately, but finding food has been hard, too. Maximum SNAP benefits and the Vermont Everyone Eats program have been helpful, but Maximum SNAP benefits may end by the end of the year.

The Vermont Everyone Eats program, which provides Vermonters with healthy meals, will end this Sept. 30 and will be slowing down production up to that date.

If we want people to have access to good and healthy food, these programs need to continue.

No one deserves to be living on the streets or unsure of where their next meal will come from.

Shelter and food are both basic human needs and rudimentary human rights. Vermont has often been a leader for the rest of the United States. We were the first to abolish slavery before we were even part of the United States, the first to legalize same sex marriage and we had the lowest COVID rates of infection in the continental United States.

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August 5, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 7

GUEST COLUMN

Save some recognition for Aug. 2

completion of the July 2 initial draft of the Declaration of IndeSeveral days in our history are pendence, Congress passed a law noted for remembrance of signifto create a memorial to the 56 icant events that have directly or patriotic signers. Included among indirectly impacted our country. the dedicated plaques in WashLike the Fourth of July, many are ington, D.C. are eventual fifth national holidays.

Vice President Elbridge Gerry, Aug. 2 is not so honored. Howwhose name is lent to our word ever, throughout history there “gerrymandering,” because as have been some notable actions of Gov. Gerry signed a bill redisimportance and infamy to Ameritricting a state senate district that, cans. For example, Vice President once drawn Calvin Coolidge, on a map, upon the same resembled …perhaps the most day of the death a salamanimportant, yet underof Warren G. der; Josiah Harding, became celebrated, event Bartlett from president (1923); New Hampthat occurred on Adolf Hitler beshire, whose Aug. 2 was in 1776, came chancellor i mpressive and president of when the Declaration life bears a Germany (1934); striking reof Independence the “PT-109,” semblance was signed. skippered by futo that of the ture President “West Wing” J.F. Kennedy, television was rammed and sunk (1943); the character with a similar name; and first of two alleged attacks upon the William Williams from ConnectiUSS Maddox happened, leading to cut, who replaced the ailing delthe Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and egate Oliver Wolcott and whose the most divisive American milidate of death was Aug. 2, 1811. tary involvement (Vietnam) since Aug. 2 was chosen as “Interthe Civil War (1964); and Iraq innational Friendship Day” by J.C. vaded Kuwait over an oil field, reHall, founder of Hallmark Cards, sulting in the Gulf War (1990). in 1930. Some iterations of this But perhaps the most importday of celebration remain today. ant, yet under-celebrated, event On Aug. 2, we also celebrate that occurred on Aug. 2 was in “National Ice Cream Sandwich 1776, when the Declaration of InDay,” as well as “National Coldependence was signed. The draft oring Book Day.” What say we was completed on July 2 and adcolor outside the lines and vote to opted with final edits on July 4, celebrate the signing of our Dec1776. But the official date for the laration of Independence on Aug. signing of the Declaration of Inde2, starting in 2022? pendence was, and still is, Aug. 2, even though five members signed Patrick Scheidel is the former after that date, as did seven new town manager of Essex. He lives members of the Congress. in Williston.

In 1978, 208 years after the

BY PATRICK SCHEIDEL

Marroquin continued from page

Lyric musical performance coming to Maple Tree Place Next Wednesday, Aug. 11, the Lyric Theatre Company brings the children’s musical “18 Below: Legends in the Making” to the green at Maple Tree Place in Williston.

The show starts at 6 p.m.

The show is a musical cabaret performed by children ages 8-18 featuring songs from Broadway musicals.

Honey, I’m good

Farmer Mike Isham, left, enjoys some honey-sweetened lemonade from Bee Happy Vermont at the Isham Family Farmers’ Market on July 13.

OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY

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eradicate homelessness.

Call your legislators and urge them to call on Gov. Scott to extend the motel program, the moratorium on evictions and all food resource programs.

We cannot work on a permanent solution until this temporary one is in place.

All of the problems that we have in our world right now are intertwined. As we start to undo one knot, we open up pathways to undoing the others. If we con-

tinue these temporary solutions, eventually we will find our way to a more permanent one that will lead to a better Vermont and a better world.

Grace Marroquin, 15, attends Rice Memorial High School and was a member of the Governor’s Institute of Vermont on Global Issues and Youth Activism. She lives in South Burlington.

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Page 8 • Williston Observer • August 5, 2021

Town tunes

A mild, mid-summer evening July 28 brought towns-folk out to the gazebo on the Williston Green to listen to music performed by the Williston Town Band and enjoy the ice cream being dished out by members of the Williston Federated Church.

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August 5, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 9 baseball comedy set in the 1960s.

Rated PG. Run time: 1 hour and 41 minutes. Registration required.

The Dorothy Alling Memorial Library is open for in-person service during the following hours: • Monday/Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

• Tuesday/Thursday/ Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

To place holds, apply for a card, get updates on programming and access all of the library’s digital offerings, visit www.damlvt.org.

Public Wi-Fi is available 24/7 from the patio.

YOUTH PROGRAMS CRAFT ON THE GREEN: SPONGE SAILBOATS Friday, Aug. 6, 4-6 p.m. Make a sailboat out of a sponge and sail it in an inflatable pool. All ages.

Register at www.damlvt.org.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME ON THE GREEN Tuesdays, Aug. 10 and 17, 10:30-11 a.m. Join Miss Jess for stories, songs and rhymes. Geared toward preschoolers, but all ages are welcome. Register once for all story time sessions at www. damlvt.org.

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE Through Aug. 14. All ages are invited to register for the Summer Reading Challenge at www. damlvt.beanstack.org and earn raffle tickets and rewards. Open to Williston and St. George residents.

FAMILY MOVIE ON THE GREEN Thursday, Aug. 19, 7:45 p.m.

Bring a chair or blanket and a snack to enjoy this classic kids’

DOTTIE THE BOOKMOBILE Through Aug. 26. Visit our bookmobile at any stop, including the Isham Family Farmers’ Market on Tuesday evenings and Allen Brook School on Wednesday mornings. See what’s new and borrow a book or two. Don’t have a library card? Get one on the bookmobile. Check www.damlvt. org for schedule details.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS Online programs are held via Zoom. Please email programs@

damlvt.org or call 878-4918 to sign up for a program.

ONLINE GUIDED MEDITATION (NEW TIME) Fridays, Aug. 6 and 13, 12-12:30 p.m. Maryellen Crangle leads a short meditation over Zoom.

MAH-JONGG Friday, Aug. 6, 1-3 p.m.

Come to the library and play with other members of the community. All levels welcome.

CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION (NEW TIME) Wednesday, Aug. 11, 10:3012 p.m. Connect with others at the library to talk about timely, newsworthy topics at our popu-

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AUGUST STORYWALKS • On the Green: “Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt” by Kate Messner: Above ground, the world is full of green, but down below, there is a busy world of bugs and animals.

Enjoy this popular Vermont picture book as you walk along the Town Green.

• In the Park: “The Busy Tree”

by Jennifer Ward: From roots to branches, trees are amazing.

Located at the Williston Community Park.

MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK SALE Saturday, Aug. 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Come browse on the Town Green. Bring your own bags.

There will be jars set out for cash or check donations. We have plenty of books on hand for the sale, so the library is not accepting book donations this year. Rain date: Aug. 28.

NEW PERSPECTIVES BOOK DISCUSSION Tuesday, Aug. 17, 12-1 p.m.

Join us in person to discuss “The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer. Available as an eBook or eAudiobook in Hoopla or in print from the library.

AUGUST BROWN BAG BOOK DISCUSSION Tuesday, Aug. 24, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Come for an in-person discussion of “City of Thieves,” David Benioff’s gripping World War II story. Available as an eAudiobook in Hoopla or in print from the library.

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BOARD GAMES ON THE GREEN Tuesday, Aug. 10, 12:30-2 p.m.

Drop by with your favorite game or play one of ours. All ages welcome. No registration required.

PRESCHOOL MUSIC ON THE GREEN Thursday, Aug. 19, 10:30-11 a.m. Dance and sing along with musician Linda Bassick. Register once for all preschool music sessions at www.damlvt.org. No program on Aug. 12.

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Page 10 • Williston Observer • August 5, 2021

State, feds begin annual rabies vaccine baiting

Rabies is most often found in raccoons (pictured), skunks, foxes and bats.

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The State of Vermont and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services mark a quarter century of cooperative efforts to stop the spread of rabies with the 25th annual Rabies Bait Drop, scheduled to start this Thursday. The week-long bait drop is part of a nationally coordinated effort to halt the fatal disease.

Rabies vaccine — in the form of a sweet-smelling oral bait that is attractive to raccoons and skunks — will be dropped in rural areas of Vermont from low-flying aircraft and placed by hand in residential centers. Approximately 450,000 quarter-sized blister packs containing rabies vaccine will be distributed in nearly 100 Vermont communities across nine counties. A switch allows pilots to control where the baits fall in order to avoid roadways, homes and other places where people are most likely to be.

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Veterinarian Natalie Kwit said the annual drop has been an important part of the state’s focus on curbing the risk of rabies in animals and humans.

“The bait drop is an example of public health at work across agencies, both state and federal,” she said. “We are grateful to have partners like the USDA Wildlife Services and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.”

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 primarily through the bite of an infected animal. If a rabies exposure is left untreated, the disease is almost always fatal in humans and animals. However, treatment is 100 percent effective when given soon after a person is bitten by a rabid animal.

The bait packs are not poisonous and are not harmful to people, pets or wildlife. “You can’t get rabies from the bait,” said

Kwit, “but it’s important that if you find a bait pack, don’t touch it and please leave it undisturbed so that they can be eaten by wild animals.”

If the bait must be moved, use gloves or a plastic bag in case the blister pack is damaged. If your pet eats a bait, or if a child brings one home, let officials know by calling the Vermont Rabies Hotline at 1-800-4-RABIES (1-800472-2437) or call the toll-free number printed on the bait.

So far this year, 10 animals in Vermont have tested positive for rabies, four of which have been raccoons.

According to wildlife officials, rabid animals often show a change in their normal behavior, but you cannot tell whether an animal has rabies simply by looking at it. People should not touch or pick up wild animals or strays, even baby animals.

If you suspect an animal may have rabies, call the Rabies Hotline: 1-800-4-RABIES (1-800472-2437) or 1-802-223-8697.

August 5, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 11

VT Guard members train in Germany, Kosovo

BY CPT. MIKE ARCOVITCH AND SGT. GLORIA KAMENCIK Vermont National Guard Only weeks after a grueling year of COVID-19 support in Vermont and a month-long mission to Washington, D.C. for Operation Capitol Response, over 900 soldiers from the Vermont Army National Guard are now deployed across the globe in support of various missions fulfilling our federal missions.

Around 400 soldiers from the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) left Vermont in May, bound for validation training at Fort Bliss, Texas. Soldiers completed validation at Fort McGregor, N.M., while a small group validated and processed through the Conus Replacement Center at Fort Bliss. The training at Fort McGregor prepared soldiers for their final training event that occurs at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany.

Temperatures frequently soared into the 100s in west Texas and New Mexico, with zero humidity and frequent sandstorms.

The red sand of Fort McGregor and the surrounding jagged, brown mountain ranges are beautiful, but not at all reminiscent of Vermont. That changed quickly upon our arrival to Germany.

Soldiers from the Vermont Army National Guard arrived in Nuremberg, Germany after nearly 16 hours of travel including multiple stops. Upon arrival, we loaded buses bound for Camp Albertshof, Hohenfels, Germany.

The drive through southeastern Germany left one to wonder if we were driving through the Northeast Kingdom. The deep greens, sprawling valleys and the tall rounded mountains are all too familiar. The architecture, however, painted a picture of a deeper history, far older than Vermont’s customary colonials.

The history of even the most common building or neighborhood is palpable, with newer and much more modern buildings dotting the urbanized areas. Our arrival and drive through Germany was refreshing with familiar weather and backdrop.

Arriving in Hohenfels, we quickly established where we’d be staying for the next several weeks — large white tents with 50 or so green Army cots per tent. Generators provide power, and three trailers provide small space for male and female showers, washers and dryers.

The Joint Multinational Readiness Center located at Camp Albertshof, Hohenfels, Germany, is hosting seven other nations in addition to U.S. forces. We have had the opportunity to observe

and cover Albanian, Moldovan, Romanian and U.S. soldiers training, and conduct interviews about training specifics from Slovenian, German and U.S. instructors. Each nation is preparing for the culminating training event, which will have our Vermont soldiers (among other nations) fighting with civilian actors. After the culmination of this event, we will again pack up our gear and head out to our mission in various locations across Kosovo.

Arriving in Kosovo After spending about two weeks at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany, soldiers from the Vermont National Guard once again packed up and moved out.

We give a huge “thank you!” to the full-time staff at JMRC for all their help preparing us for our mission in Kosovo. As we took the beautiful bus ride back to Nuremberg, Germany, we realized we were ready to fly to Pristina, Kosovo for our Kosovo Force (KFOR) 29 mission.

Upon arrival to Pristina, we exited the plane and walked single file across the tarmac into the welcome center. In this moment, it finally hit me that we had arrived for a mission we had prepared over a year for. After a quick break, all the bags were loaded up, we got onto a bus and headed out.

Vermont soldiers are located in various locations across Kosovo. We are at Camp Bondsteel.

Before coming to Kosovo, there was an expectation that the climate is similar to that of Vermont.

Instead, we were hit with humidity and an unrelenting sun, better compared to the Southeastern United States or Vermont on one of its hottest, clearest summer days.

During the bus ride, we passed through several populated areas.

There are active agricultural farms being sewed and watered with irrigation systems, restaurants with American names and others with local foods. There are vegetable stands and lots of construction projects throughout the area.

We arrived at Camp Bondsteel after a 40-minute drive. Looming over the entirety of Bondsteel is Mount Ljunoten, or “Big Duke,” with its high jagged peaks that reach 8,196 feet in elevation.

Standing at the top of a hill by the track, you get a 360-degree view of Camp Bondsteel and the surrounding area. Through a constant haze you can see clusters of white buildings with red clay roofs nestled in the valley. The surrounding fields are rectangles of gold, like wheat, and lush green.

Our bags were neatly unloaded between one of the many rows of barracks buildings while we stood

Vermont National Guard soldiers participate in crowd control training in June in Germany.

in line for room keys and schedules. Everyone grabbed their gear, found their rooms and began to settle in.

The rooms are either a small single or a larger room that could fit up to four soldiers. Provided in the rooms are beds, a fridge, wall lockers and desks. At the bottom of the barracks buildings and the open fields to the south toward

Mount Duke is the heart of Camp Bondsteel. There are volleyball courts, soccer and softball games, ping pong, fitness facilities and the Morale Welfare and Recreational building that hosts various events helping soldiers unwind.

After settling in, we connected with our counterparts from KFOR28 and started to learn the ropes. They signed over of-

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Two decade mine cleanup nearing completion

Page 12 • Williston Observer • August 5, 2021

BY ALEX BINZEN Community News Service After 22 years, the Elizabeth Mine Superfund cleanup in Strafford is almost complete. The project, originally estimated to cost $15 million, will end with a price tag of approximately $90 million, according to Environmental Protection Agency Remedial Project Manager Ed Hathaway, who has led the cleanup since it began.

The bridge deck off Tyson Road is expected to be completed this month.

The other project finishing up at the site is the closing of an entrance to the mine, which dates back to 1898. Workers are installing a concrete plug to prevent impounded water from escaping the mine and forming a sinkhole in the road, as it did in 2018.

As the EPA finishes up, maintenance is to be handed off to the State of Vermont.

Costs will be low, explained Hathaway, because active treatment systems have been replaced with long-term, passive, gravity-operated treatment systems for the leaching runoff. Runoff passes through a limestone filter and then filtrates through a marsh until entering the Ompompanoosuc River with safe levels of all contaminants, said Hathaway.

In some ways, this year marks the end of the mine’s life cycle that began with the discovery of ore in 1793.

The Elizabeth Mine had nine distinct smelting campaigns. It operated off and on from 1809 to 1958, first for iron, then for an iron sulfate known as copperas. In 1880, the mine produced 80 percent of the nation’s copperas, a mineral used for making medicines and tanning leather, among other things. The mine shifted to copper as demand changed.

In the early days, mining was done by hand and lit by candle. Miners were mostly immigrants from Ireland and England.

Some workers began working at age 10 or younger. Injuries and accidents were common.

With each new operation of the mine, new technologies were added such as electric mine carts, headlamps and power drills, which made the mine increasingly more productive and safer.

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A horse hauls ore and a miner on a trestle above the Elizabeth Mine in Strafford (left).

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Workers at the Elizabeth Mine (above) build a passive treatment system for groundwater in 2019 in Strafford. Cleanup of the site is nearing completion.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER HAUCK/VALLEY NEWS

The final campaign coincided with World War II and the Korean War, running from 1943-1958. As the largest copper mine in New England at the time, the Elizabeth Mine played an integral part in supplying the war efforts. Among other uses, copper was a critical resource to the U.S. Air Force —1,000 pounds of copper were required for a single fighter plane.

In total, miners extracted approximately 100 million pounds of copper.

A big impact The mine “meant almost everything. It was an economic engine for the community, there’s no doubt about it,” said Bob Johnston, the previous town historian in Strafford.

When the mines closed for the last time, 47 acres of waste material remained — about 4 million tons of toxic tailings.

In 1996, a study group formed to assess the environmental impacts. A U.S. geological survey found that, every day, 500 pounds of metals were draining from the mine site directly into the Ompompanoo-

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suc River and, from there, the Connecticut River, 8 miles downstream.

Water leaching from the site was measured with a pH of one — equivalent to human stomach acid.

These metals made the Ompompanoosuc inhospitable to marine life for 5 miles. If the tailings were left untouched, they would pollute the local ecosystem for hundreds of years. Due to the scale of the issue, the state requested that the EPA get involved.

By that point, none of the mining companies still existed, meaning that no one could be held responsible for the environmental degradation.

There was heated debate in Strafford at the time over whether or not to accept the EPA Superfund. Some felt it was an oversized solution.

At the time, John Freitag, the town historian, described it as using a sledgehammer to do finish carpentry.

The Superfund program itself had begun in 1986 by taxing oil and gas companies, and using the money to clean up areas degraded by the fossil fuel industry. However, when the tax expired in 1995, it was not reinstated, and taxpayers have funded these cleanups ever since.

Townspeople approved the Elizabeth Mine Superfund project on Town Meeting Day in 2003, and work began.

Very quickly, problems were discovered that extended the project. A dam holding back millions of gallons of water had been built out of tailing material and was on the verge of collapse, threatening 11 homes and disastrous impacts to the surrounding environment. Stabilizing the dam took priority.

“If we hadn’t gotten the dam stabilized before Tropical Storm Irene, there could have been some pretty serious consequences,” noted Hathaway.

Balancing restoration As the work went on, it gave rise to opportunity. In 2017, Strafford’s energy committee worked with Greenwood Energy to install a solar array on

top of the 45-acre cap that had been built to prevent the toxic tailings from leaching into the surrounding water supply. The array provides enough energy to power 1,333 homes.

One difficulty that faced the project was that the mine is considered a historical site in the National Register of Historic Places due to its impact on the landscape and industrial history. Even the tailings dam on the brink of collapse was considered a historical structure.

“It’s hard to say now that the mine was ever there,” said Johnston. “It’s been so well remediated.”

The history of the site is being preserved in some of the buildings and foundations that have been left as a way to interpret the site in the future, said Hathaway. Folks working on the project have also produced historic documents on the mine, working with historians throughout the cleanup process.

Johnston said there was a private effort to open a mining museum near the site, though it’s too early in the process to know if that will come to fruition.

Freitag followed the work closely throughout. While he thought it was good the site was cleaned up, he maintained some reservations.

“What was hard for me was, you can never treat any problem in isolation. Because it was an emergency cleanup, there was never any environmental impact study.

You had between 20,000-30,000 dump truck loads of material coming to the site.

There was no thought of the carbon footprint of this.”

Industrial sites at such a scale are unusually large for the area, and the Elizabeth Mine had a big impact on the region. Even now, remediated and laid to rest, it demonstrates a history of humankind’s effect on the land.

The Community News Service is a partnership between the University of Vermont’s Reporting & Documentary Storytelling program and Vermont community newspapers.

How to be a friendly fisherman

August 5, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 13

BY SHAWN GOOD Special to the Observer

I came home from work the other night and I saw the red light blinking on my answering machine.

Now, for those of you under 30, please don’t freak out. I will explain. I have a telephone in my house that’s connected to a wire that goes out to a pole on my lawn and then down the road to other poles and other wires, and eventually, other phones. It’s called a landline. You can hook a machine to it that lets people record a message when you’re not at home — which is where my landline is located. Not in my pocket. Weird, I know.

The message was from a nice woman named Elizabeth who lives just a few miles down the road from me. We don’t know each other and have never met.

She was calling to tell me that a piece of mail meant for me (like, paper letters and stuff that are delivered by a mail carrier to a box at your house) was accidently delivered to her house.

Elizabeth was kind enough to look up my number in the phone book (sigh … this story is getting more difficult to tell than I thought it would), and gave me a call.

After calling her back and getting her address, she asked “Are you the same Shawn Good that writes the fishing reports for Fish & Wildlife?” Small world!

That evening, I drove over to meet Elizabeth and retrieve my mail. It didn’t take long for the conversation to turn to fishing.

I learned Elizabeth is a retired schoolteacher who moved to Vermont with her husband just a couple years ago, and she’s taken up fly fishing this summer as a complete novice. She was excited to share some stories of her outings so far this year, and being a beginner, she wanted to ask a few questions and get some advice.

Elizabeth told me she had yet to catch a fish this summer, though she was enjoying her time on the water immensely.

She felt her main problem was not knowing where her fly was as it drifted downstream, and she wasn’t feeling the bites. I suggested she consider using a “strike indicator”— in other words, a bobber for fly fishing.

This would help her follow the fly’s position, as well as help her learn to read the river. Elizabeth told me that she’d never heard of that before.

My short conversation with Elizabeth that night made me realize, and once again appreciate, the fact that new and inex-

perienced anglers are basically starting from square one. They don’t have the familiarity and knowledge of fishing many of us absorbed and acquired over time as we grew up learning from our parents and grandparents.

It’s easy to sometimes forget this when talking to someone just learning. We expect they already know what we know. But it’s also easy for us to do something about it. Make it a point this summer to take a new angler out fishing. Or if you are already out fishing and see someone who’s clearly new, take a moment and offer a tip or two.

Share your knowledge and experience. Budding anglers are eager to learn, and I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. Pay it forward.

Learn to fish clinics Speaking of paying it forward, there are some really great opportunities coming up this month for folks to attend fishing education clinics, and gain new skills and confidence to go fishing on your own.

First, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s Let’s Go Fishing program is offering two Introduction to Fishing programs in Waterbury and Hartland on Aug. 11 and 12.

Also on Aug. 11, the department is partnering with local Abenaki community member Aaron Desroches who will be teaching participants about Abenaki fishing traditions, fishing basics and how to honor your catch. Those interested in this Burlington program should sign up at www.vtfishandwildlife. com quickly as it’s bound to be popular.

Finally, we’re excited to announce Audubon Vermont is teaming up with the department’s Let’s Go Fishing program to offer two hands-on fly fishing courses specifically for women (Elizabeth – are you reading this?). The Introduction to Fly Fishing for Women program is a day-long course that will cover the basics of fly fishing, including topics like knot-tying, aquatic insects, casting and more.

And there’s time to put your newfound skills to work by going fishing at the end of the day.

There will be two opportunities to take part: Aug. 7 and Sept. 4, and both will take place in Huntington. Sign up online at www. a c t . au d u b on .or g /a /i nt r o d u c tion-fly-fishing-women.

Fish and Wildlife Department tech Tyler Brown recommends using strike indicators (bobbers) for fly fishing.

COURTESY PHOTO

strike indicators for fly fishing — not just for your benefit, but for anyone who thinks bobber fishing with fly gear is blasphemy. Or simply never knew it was a thing.

To get the expert scoop on what strike indicators are and how to use them, I reached out to department wildlife technician Tyler Brown. He’s just a way better fly angler than me. First off, Tyler says attaching a strike indicator to your fly leader helps you detect when a fish eats your fly — typically a nymph or wet fly. Well, that sounds an awful lot like a bobber to me. Please go on, Mr. Brown.

There are many different types of indicators, and they can be made of yarn, foam or cork. Some are even small plas-

tic balls. They come in different sizes and colors, and you often need to change what you use depending on water conditions and fly size. Tyler says larger indicators are better for high, turbulent water and heavier flies, as smaller indicators can be pulled under by heavier flies. For fishing shallow riffles or runs, the indicator should be attached closer to the fly. If fishing deeper pools, the indicator should be attached further away. Hmm, the parallels to worm and bobber fishing are uncanny!

To fish with an indicator in a stream or river, Tyler suggests casting your line upstream on a quartering angle. Be sure to keep your rod tip high and strip in excess line as the indicator drifts downstream. Also, follow the indicator with the tip of your rod. If the indicator stops or goes under, lift and set the hook.

Just be aware that if you’re fishing nymphs or wet flies, you’ll occasionally hook bottom. This is normal, and something you actually want to happen. If your fly isn’t ticking bottom, add some small split shot to get your fly down deeper and into the strike zone. If you’re hooking or snagging bottom too often, remove some of the split shot, or use a smaller, lighter fly.

I really like where the fly fishing world has been going in the last 10 years. It’s been broadening its scope, both with the species anglers are pursing on the fly, but also by melding gear and tactics from other fishing styles and applying them to the fly world. I was just fishing

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Shawn Good is a fisheries biologist with the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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with someone this past weekend who attached a light dropshot weight (generally used for bottom fishing for smallmouth bass) to a large streamer fly to catch bowfin on his flyrod. It was ingenious, and bold, and it worked.

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Page 14 • Williston Observer • August 5, 2021

Bread and Puppet Theater’s Elka Schumann dies at 85

BY JON KALISH VTDigger

Elka Schumann, a pivotal figure in Bread and Puppet Theater and the wife of the theater company’s founder, Peter Schumann, died Sunday at North Country Hospital in Newport after a massive stroke. She was 85. Her death was confirmed by her son Max Schumann, who was in the room with her, along with his father and four siblings, when she died.

“She embodied the spirit of the theater, this combination of great sympathy and hospitality and openness,” said John Bell, a longtime Bread and Puppet company member. “Her commitment to radical betterment of humanity was very deep and consistent.”

“Her life was a historical adventure novel,” Max Schumann said.

She was born Elka Scott in Magnitogorsk, Russia, in 1935.

Her father was an American sympathetic to the communist cause.

Her mother, Masha Dikareva, was Russian.

When the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union, Elka was a young girl and escaped with her parents

on a boat to Japan, sailing again to Hawaii and San Francisco. Her family moved to New York but spent the post-World War II years in Berlin, where her father was a journalist for Time-Life.

Elka came back to the U.S. and settled in Ridgefield, Conn. She spent her final year of high school at the Putney School, where she would later teach Russian and her husband would perform his first puppet shows.

She attended Bryn Mawr College and traveled to Munich for her junior year abroad where she met Peter Schumann. The first time they met, according to an oral history she recorded for The Vermont Historical Society’s Digital Vermont archive, was when she visited Peter in the hospital after he got hit by a motorcycle.

The Schumanns moved to New York after they married, but, long before they moved permanently to Vermont in 1970, her connection to the state had been established by visiting her grandfather Scott Nearing, who with his wife, Helen, became famous authors and advocates of agrarian self-sufficiency.

They lived in Jamaica, Vt., for a time.

Elka Schumann, right, is shown above with her husband Peter at a memorial grove at Bread and Puppet Theater in Glover in 2019 .

PHOTOS BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

“She was very close to Scott (Nearing) as a kid,” Max Schumann said. “She was much more politically close to him than her own father, who drifted rightward after being a radical in the 1930s.”

When she was in high school, her grandfather inspired her to go to work in Harlem and other low-income areas of New York City during the summers. Elka inherited the idea of growing your own food and was involved in the nonprofit that runs The Good Life

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Center at the Nearing’s former home in Harborside, Maine.

On the Bread and Puppet farm in Glover, which her parents bought as a retirement home and then gave to the Schumanns after the theater troupe’s residency at Goddard College ended in 1975, Elka made apple cider, ran a sugaring operation with 2,000 taps, raised sheep and spun her own wool.

Bread and Puppet’s finances have always been shaky, but its press has provided a substantial financial foundation by producing books, calendars, banners and posters.

“It was her project, mainly,” said Helen Rabin, a retired baker in Plainfield. “That was where she really came into her own. The Bread and Puppet Press really became a very important financial prop for the theater. Nobody expected that.”

It was Rabin’s husband Jules, a professor at Goddard, who urged the Schumanns to move the theater company out of New York and take up residence at Goddard’s Cate Farm, which it did in 1970. The Rabins kids, now all grown, grew up with the Schumann clan in New York and Vermont.

Jules Rabin remembered Elka as “somewhat conservative” and “serious almost to the point of solemn.”

“She would raise her eyebrows at some of Peter’s art and some of Peter’s hijinx (but) always yielded to Peter,” Helen Rabin said. “She was a gyroscopic kind of personality keeping the Schumann ship of state as steady as she could.”

Elka was known to thousands of visitors to the Glover farm for conducting tours of its cavernous puppet museum.

“She was just so full of the lore of the theater and all of the puppets and everything going way back to the beginning,” Rabin said, “and the museum has it all.”

Because her husband is such

a colorful character, Elka did not garner as much attention, but she was Peter Schumann’s “first and best critic and adviser,” said Bell, now an associate professor of puppetry at the University of Connecticut. “She was in a position that not all of us were (in) to say, ‘That’s a bad choice.’ She had a highly developed critical sense.”

Bell credits Elka with providing him his first serious introduction to puppetry in 1973 when the company was touring in Europe.

He worked with her Dancing Bear Children’s Theater doing hand puppet shows at local schools and libraries.

The Schumann matriarch had a musical side, too. Bell said she played “The Internationale” on a recorder at a Bread and Puppet performance. She learned to play saxophone late in life and is credited with playing an important role in the revival of sacred harp music in the Northeast. The theater company started employing it in performances when it was at Cate Farm.

In a post on Facebook, the Vermont Arts Council called Elka “a leading cultural figure and a generous, creative spirit.”

“Her generosity to all us puppeteers was consistent and grand,” Trudy Cohen, another longtime Bread and Puppeteer said.

Son Max Schumann said, “she just supported the family and the whole thing in every imaginable way.”

A private wake is being held at the Bread and Puppet farm Monday and Tuesday. A sacred harp sing will close the wake at 5 p.m.

Tuesday. Burial will take place Wednesday morning in the farm’s pine forest, where other puppeteers and their loved ones have been memorialized. A memorial will be held at a future date to be determined.

August 5, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 15

Share your thoughts and remembrances…

Flood damage is pictured in Bellows Falls last week.

State seeks FEMA aid for flood damage

BY ASHLEY DELEON VTDigger Damage from last week’s floods will cost more than $5 million to repair, Vermont officials say.

Local roads have been hit hardest, with damage expected to run “well over $4 million” in Bennington and Windham counties, said Ben Rose, the recovery and mitigation section chief for Vermont Emergency Management.

“It certainly appears to be some of the worst flood damage in southern Vermont since 2005 in some communities,” he said.

Damage to state roads alone is about $1.6 million.

After the floodwaters receded, the Vermont Emergency Management agency swiftly requested a damage assessment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine if Bennington and Windham counties qualify for federal disaster aid to help cover the cost of responding to the floods and rebuilding.

Without federal help, taxpayers in Bennington and Windham counties can expect “serious hardship,” agency Director Erica Bornemann said in a press release.

Bornemann toured flood damaged areas with Gov. Phil Scott on Monday.

To qualify for assistance, state officials must identify at least $1 million in public infrastructure damage. “We’re well over the threshold,” Rose said.

The $1 million statewide threshold is “a statutory minimum for consideration, but not a guarantee that the declaration request will be approved,” Rose said.

Counties must prove that pub-

COURTESY PHOTO BY VTDIGGER

lic infrastructure recovery and damage costs are $3.89 per capita, according to the press release, and those estimates are subject to FEMA verification.

In Bellows Falls, the fire department dealt with waist-deep water on some roads, churning with heavy debris. The department’s Facebook page reported that “firefighters pumped water from the basements of half a dozen houses,” and some roads absorbed heavy damage.

Hyde Hill Brook “became plugged because of the heavy

‘It certainly appears to be some of the worst flood damage in southern Vermont since 2005 in some communities.’

Ben Rose

Vermont Emergency Management

rain,” Bellows Falls Fire Chief Shaun McGinnis said in an interview. “(Flooding) found the lowest point and the water was about 3 feet deep at that point in the road.”

Firefighters and highway workers pitched in to scoop up debris and silt that ended up in the roads, he said.

Vermont Emergency Management provided a preliminary snapshot of damage — compiled by the Agency of Transportation — to FEMA during the weekend, Rose said.

“Eligible reimbursement costs include repair work on public roads and buildings, tree and debris removal from public rights of way, municipal employee time spent working on recovery, con-

tractor help, equipment rentals, and other costs associated with the storm,” according to the Vermont Emergency Management press release.

Many state and town drainage systems were overwhelmed by intense rainfall, resulting in flooded roadways and “significant erosion of dirt roads in towns,” Joe Ruzzo, southeast region district transportation administrator, said in an email.

“Many culverts were also damaged and either washed away or became clogged with debris to the point that they need to be replaced. So far, it doesn’t appear that bridges received too much damage, but we are just completing the preliminary damage assessment process,” he said.

Ruzzo described the damage as “major.”

“VTrans is assisting towns with equipment and personnel to assess the damage quickly so repairs can be completed as soon as possible,” he said.

Given the weather in Vermont, the state is familiar with seeking federal aid, Rose said.

Approval can take some time, “however, that shouldn’t hold up the communities from going forward with the repairs as long as they consult with the Agency of Natural Resources river engineers in their regions and follow their municipal procurement policies,” Ruzzo said.

Once a disaster declaration is in hand, some nonprofits, local governments and the state can apply for federal reimbursements.

SPEAK FOR THE SILENT YOUR INSIGHTS, TRIBUTES & REFLECTIONS

As we approach the 20th Anniversary of September 11th, the Observer invites you to share what this historic event brings to mind.

These insights, tributes and reflections will be printed in the paper in the Sept. 9 edition.

Please email your response to: editor@willistonobserver.com

Page 16 • Williston Observer • August 5, 2021

Blueberries — growing a summer favorite

BY MELINDA MYERS Special to the Observer Blueberries are a summer favorite, great for snacking, baking, topping your oatmeal and so much more. This nutritious fruit also adds a bit of brain power to your diet and beauty to your landscape with spring blooms, fall color and of course tasty and colorful fruit.

Blueberries are one of the most nutritional foods, loaded with antioxidants that fight cancer, disease and the effects of aging while helping preserve your eyesight.

Boost the benefits by growing your own blueberries. The act of gardening helps strengthen our muscles, increase flexibility, fights stress and boosts our mood.

Do a bit of research to find the best blueberry for your garden and dining pleasure. Planning ahead prepares you for placing your order when you are ready to plant. Anxious gardeners can put their research to work immediately. Blueberry plants are still available from some nurseries for those who are ready to plant now.

Select the blueberry plants suited to your growing conditions. Northern highbush blueberries are productive and suited to moderate climates with at least two months of temperatures below 40 degrees fahrenheit.

Southern highbush blueberries only need 200-300 hours of 3245 degrees in winter to produce fruit. This makes them a good choice for those gardening in milder climates. Lowbush blueberries are low-growing varieties native to the Northeastern United

States. Half-high blueberries are a cross between low- and highbush blueberries, tolerating -35 to -45 degrees, making them a good option for colder climates.

Rabbit-eye blueberries are large shrubs and suited to areas with long, hot summers and mild winters.

Newer compact varieties allow small space gardeners, apartment dwellers and those with less-than-ideal soil the opportunity to grow their own blueberries.

These smaller plants are suitable for containers, as well as the garden. In addition to their compact size and tasty fruit, several have attractive foliage, adding to their ornamental appeal.

The Leaves of Pink Icing variety is a mix of pink, blue and deep green. Boxwood enthusiasts will enjoy the foliage and dark blue fruit of Blueberry Buckle.

And for those who cannot get enough fruit, check out Perpetua, which produces two crops a year.

Find a sunny, well-drained location where your plants will thrive, produce a bountiful harvest and where you can enjoy their beauty. Although most blueberries are self-fertile (you only need one plant to produce fruit), you’ll get better results when growing several in your landscape or containers. Consider including several varieties with different ripening dates to extend the harvest season.

Blueberries are particular about their growing conditions.

They prefer moist, well-drained and acidic soils. Properly prepare the soil by adding organic matter like compost, aged manure or peat to the planting bed. Or grow

Blueberries are a nutritious food that have antioxidants that fight cancer, disease and the effects of aging.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MELINDA MYERS

your blueberries in a container filled with quality potting mix.

Water in-ground and container plantings often enough to keep the soil moist. Mulch the soil with shredded leaves, evergreen needles or shredded bark to keep the roots cool and moist, and add organic matter to the soil as the mulch breaks down.

And don’t forget to pro-

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Once you harvest your first ripe blueberry, you will discover there is nothing better than the

flavor and satisfaction of consuming something you grew yourself.

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including “Small Space Gardening.” For more, visit her website at www.

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August 5, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 17

July 18 at 2:57 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a traffic hazard on South Brownell Road. The officer contacted the Department of Public Works to remove the hazard.

July 18 at 10:50 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a traffic hazard on East Hill Road. Upon arrival, the officer directed traffic until Public Works could remove the tree.

July 18 at 2:47 p.m. — Police responded to a report of theft on Cypress Street. The individual was referred to the Williston Community Justice Center.

July 19 at 6:19 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision on Route 116.

There were no injuries or hazards at the scene.

July 19 at 11:11 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a traffic hazard on Essex Road. Upon arrival, the officer assisted in removing the refuse from the roadway.

July 19 at 12:03 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Harvest Lane.

July 19 at 12:05 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a burglary on Marshall Avenue.

The officers documented the incident.

July 19 at 7:19 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious behavior on Paul Street.

The officer spoke with the individual accordingly, before

they left the premises.

July 19 at 7:59 p.m. — Police responded to a report of theft on St. George Road. The officer took a statement and documented the incident.

July 19 at 9:08 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious behavior on Essex Road.

The individual was taken by Williston Rescue to be evaluated.

July 20 at 8:35 a.m. — Police responded to a report of an animal problem at Maple Tree Place. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the individual about training methods and did not observe any suspicious behavior.

July 20 at 8:41 a.m. — Police informed a citizen regarding stalking orders and civil cases.

July 20 at 11:47 a.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Avenue B. July 20 at 11:54 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a suspicious circumstance on Harvest Lane. Upon arrival, the officer did not observe a reason for law enforcement action.

July 20 at 7:17 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a citizen dispute on Hickory Hill Road. The officers responded and spoke with the involved individuals to de-escalate the situation.

July 21 at 11:55 a.m. — Police assisted Williston Rescue in

Honor the memory of your beloved pet.

responding to a medical call on Merchants Row. The patient refused transport after evaluation.

July 22 at 5:27 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Harvest Lane.

July 21 at 1:11 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Merchants Row.

July 22 at 6:05 p.m. — Police responded with Williston Rescue to a medical call on Day Lane.

The officer assisted EMS personnel with loading the patient for transport.

July 21 at 2:07 p.m. — Police responded to a request for a welfare check on Day Lane. The officer found a citizen dispute and assisted in de-escalating the situation, as well as moving the citizen’s possessions.

July 21 at 2:12 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a burglary on McJay Drive. Upon arrival, no suspicious activity was observed.

July 21 at 5:40 p.m. — Police responded to a report of an animal problem on Southridge Road. The officer was unable to locate the loose animal.

July 22 at 12:17 a.m. — Police responded to assist Richmond Rescue on Huntington Road with a motor vehicle collision.

July 22 at 9:56 a.m. — Police responded to a lockout on Harvest Lane and gained access to the vehicle for the citizen.

July 22 at 10:24 a.m. — Police responded to a report of theft on Harvest Lane. Upon arrival, the officer issued a trespass notice to the individual and referred them to the Williston Reparative Board.

July 22 at 1:59 p.m. — Police found a disabled vehicle on Oak Hill Road. After contacting the owner, the officers moved the vehicle out of the roadway for AAA to pick it up.

July 22 at 3:23 p.m. — Police took custody of found property on Hawthorne Street. The officer contacted the owner, who picked up their property at the department.

July 22 at 6:10 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious behavior on Krupp Drive. The officer spoke with the individual accordingly.

July 23 at 2:30 a.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop for failure to stop at a stop sign.

During the motor vehicle stop, the officer found the operator to be driving while under the influence. The operator was cited accordingly and released to a sober adult.

July 23 at 9:08 a.m. — Police responded to a report of an animal problem on James Brown Drive. The dog was taken into custody and brought to Lucky Puppies.

July 23 at 10:54 a.m. — Police responded to a 911 hang-up on St. George Rd. Upon arrival, the officer found the call to be accidental.

July 23 at 11:47 a.m. — Police assisted a citizen regarding a civil issue.

July 23 at 12:45 p.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Van Sicklen Road. The officer seized the license plates that were not registered to the vehicle and issued a written warning for speeding.

July 23 at 2:55 p.m. — Police conducted a welfare check on Highlands Drive.

July 23 at 3:05 p.m. — Police responded to a lockout on Interstate Corporate Drive. The officers were able to gain access

to the vehicle for the citizen.

July 23 at 4:13 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage at Maple Tree Place.

July 23 at 5:17 p.m. — Police responded with the Williston Fire Department to a medical alarm activation at Falcon Manor.

July 24 at 8:46 a.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop for speeding on Industrial Avenue. The officer seized the plates that were not registered to the vehicle and warned the operator accordingly.

July 24 at 10:33 a.m. — Police responded to a report of theft on Essex Road. The officer documented the theft.

July 24 at 11:58 a.m. — Police responded with Williston Rescue to a medical call on Harvest Lane.

July 24 at 12:21 p.m. — Police conducted a welfare check on Dunmore Lane.

July 24 at 12:23 p.m. — Police conducted a welfare check on Harvest Lane.

July 24 at 5:37 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious behavior on Porterwood Drive. Upon arrival, the officer did not observe the reported behavior.

July 24 at 11:49 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious behavior on Harvest Lane. Upon arrival, the officers did not locate anything suspicious.

The incidents above are not a full recount of police activity, rather a highlight of some of the events that occurred. Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorneys Office and can be amended or dropped.

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Page 18 • Williston Observer • August 5, 2021

SENIORS

Does Medicare cover home health care?

Dear Savvy Senior, How does Medicare cover inhome health care? My husband has a chronic health condition that makes it very difficult for him to leave the house, so I’m wondering if he could qualify for Medicare home health care.

Seeking Help

care, Medicare first requires that he be homebound. This means that it must be extremely difficult for him to leave home, and he needs help doing so either from another person or medical device like a cane, wheelchair, walker or crutches.

He will then need to have a face-to-face meeting with his Dear Seeking, doctor to get a home health certiMedicare covers a wide va- fication confirming that he needs riety of part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care or skilled in-home health care services to therapy services from a physical beneficiaries in need, if they meet or speech therapist on a part-time Medicare’s criteria. Here’s how it basis.

By Jim Miller works.

His doctor can also request the In order for your husband to services of an occupational thersecure coverage for home health apist and a personal care aide to assist with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and using the bathroom. His doctor CALL TO must renew and SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT certify his home TODAY! health plan every 60 days.

He will also need to use a home health Services & Features Include: agency that • 24-hour personal care service • Art Studio is certified by • Emergency response system throughout the • Library Medicare. building and in every apartment • Scheduled transportation • Bed & Breakfast-style guest suite for families • Maintenance services on demand If he meets • The Harvest Dining experience • Housekeeping and laundry services all of the require• Inspired Life Activities Program • Full-service beauty salon/barber shop ments, Medicare should pay for his in-home health care.

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will not pay for personal care aide services (for bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, etc.) alone if he does not need skilled nursing or skilled therapy services, too.

Homemaker services, such as shopping, meal preparation and cleaning are not covered either.

If your husband has original Medicare, you can locate a Medicare-certified home health agency by calling 800-633-4227 or by visiting www.Medicare.gov/ care-compare. If he has a Medicare Advantage plan, you should contact his plan directly and ask which home health agencies work with the plan and are within the plan’s network of providers.

For more detailed information on how Medicare covers in-home health, see the “Medicare and Home Health Care” online booklet at www.Medicare.gov/Pubs/ pdf/10969-Medicare-and-HomeHealth-Care.pdf.

Other options If your husband does not qualify for Medicare home health care coverage, there are other coverage options depending on your situation. Here are several that may apply to you: Insurance: If you happen to have long-term care insurance, check to see if it covers in-home care. Or if you have a life insurance policy, see if it can be utilized to pay for care.

Medicaid: If your income is low, your husband may qualify for Medicaid, which offers differ-

ent home and community-based services that can pay for in-home care. To investigate this, contact your local Medicaid office.

Also see if PACE — which stands for “Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly” — is available in your area (see www.

NPAonline.org). PACE provides in-home care, including help with activities of daily living, such as meals, dental and medical care, among other benefits.

Veterans Benefits: If your husband is a veteran, the VA also offers some benefits that can help.

Two programs to inquire about are “Aid and Attendance or Housebound Allowances” and the “Veteran-Directed Care” program.

Both programs provide monthly financial benefits to eligible veterans that can help pay for in-home care. To learn more, contact your regional VA benefit office (see www.Benefits.va.gov/benefits/offices.asp or call 800–827–1000).

To look for these and other programs in your area that can help pay your husband’s home care, go to www.PayingForSeniorCare.com and click on “Find Financial Assistance for Care” to access their Eldercare Financial Assistance Locator tool.

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.

Settle Down Now. The people who choose to live at Wake Robin are forever looking forward. Whether it’s making new friends in this Life Plan Community, exploring new activities and hobbies, or learning new skills, the good stuff lies in front of you. If that sounds like you, come see for yourself, in-person or virtually.

Wake Robin. It’s where you live.

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Get a great photo shot?

Send it to us! Email your unedited photo to editor@ willistonobserver.com

August 5, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 19

CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 23 4

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ACROSS 1. Brews 5. Horse food 8. Something to fill out 12. A head 13. Birthday card subject 14. More leisurely 16. Items 18. ___ apart 19. O’Brien and Benetar 20. Ray___ shades 21. Breakfast food 24. Cottage with a single story 29. Unavailable 30. Faded out 32. “___ but the brave . . . “ 33. Urgent 36. Rough, as rocks 38. Pinnacle of success 39. In the bag 40. Fund-raising letter 43. Tangible 47. Caught sight of 48. Hit the bottom of the sea 49. Wasn’t colorfast 50. State of misfortune 53. Owner’s cattle mark 55. Beer belly 56. Geometric concern 58. Beach footwear 62. Railroad station area

Across

1. Brews

5. Horse food

66. In the vicinity 67. “Funny you should ___ ...”

68. Unwavering 69. Used to be 70. Bathwater tester 71. In the mail DOWN 1. It may be served with crumpets 2. It hears 3. Deed 4. Uses UPS 5. Stop 6. Stretches 7. “Absolutely” 8. “___ he’s a jolly ...”

9. Night flier 10. Garnet or vermilion 11. One of a couple, for short 14. Ugly ducklings metamorphosis 15. “___ time no see” 17. ___ scan (diagnostic aid) 20. Close pal 21. Outdo 22. Lord’s Prayer starter 23. Tucked away 24. Plead for 25. Tee off 26. Record 27. “My ___ and Only” 28. Tie the knot

8. Something to fill out 12. A head

13. Birthday card subject 14. More leisurely 16. Items

18. ___ apart

19. O'Brien and Benetar 20. Ray___ shades

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Za’atar Spiced Chicken Thighs with Cucumber Yogurt

Ingredients: 8 Chicken thighs

30. Speed __ (phone feature) 31. Publicity, slangily 34. Drop 35. Aegean, for one 36. Trash 37. Bend 39. Junior partner, perhaps 40. Silvery gray 41. Split soup 42. In accordance with 43. Trophy 44. Gothic, for one 45. You might get one at the pool 46. Draw to a close 48. Obedience school command 51. Farm team 52. Contain 53. A few chips, perhaps 54. Pond floaters 56. “And another thing ...”

57. Croupier’s implement 58. Word with “rip” or “circular” 59. We might come after it 60. Negative joiner 61. Justified 62. Tap gently 63. Iron or gold source 64. Manage 65. Bumped into

33. Urgent

36. Rough, as rocks

2 Tbsp. Za’atar spice blend 2 cups full fat Greek yogurt 1/4 cup sour cream 1/2 cucumber

38. Pinnacle of success2 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill 39. In the bag

Zest of one lemon Juice of half a lemon

40. Fund-raising letterSalt and pepper to taste

43. Tangible

47. Caught sight of 48. Hit the bottom of the sea 49. Wasn't colorfast

29. Unavailable

58. Beach footwear

30. Faded out

62. Railroad station area

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53. Owner's cattle mark 55. Beer belly

Turn your grill on high before getting started—let grill preheat with lid closed for at least 30 minutes.

Coat chicken thighs with oil and Za’atar and rub to coat each thigh evenly with oil and spice. Season with salt and pepper.

Misty Knoll Boneless Chicken Thighs

50. State of misfortune

21. Breakfast food

Directions:

Place chicken thighs skin side down on a hot grill, leaving plenty of space between each thigh for steam to escape. Grill on high on the skin side for 5 minutes, then lower grill temperature to medium low. If you are cooking on charcoal, rake some of the coals to one side, creating an indirect heat source so the chicken cooks more slowly.

After about 10 minutes, turn chicken thighs over and cook skin side up until they are cooked through—160 degrees.

While chicken is resting off the grill, prepare the cucumber yogurt. Grate the cucumber on a cheese grater—you can leave the skin on or remove it. In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, sour cream, cucumber, dill, lemon zest and juice. Mix well and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve chicken thighs with a dollop of the yogurt sauce and any grilled veggies of your choice!

3 Tbsp. olive oil

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If you haven’t tried the Middle Eastern spice blend Za’atar, now is the perfect time! It’s a blend of both dried savory herbs like oregano, thyme, or marjoram and earthy spices like cumin and coriander, with sesame seeds, salt and sumac. We know you’ll love this easy grilled chicken recipe and its refreshing cucumber dipping sauce. It’s delicious served with any of your favorite summer veggies and warmed pita bread.

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Page 20 • Williston Observer • August 5, 2021

OBITUARIES Armand Leonard Leggett Sr. Armand Leonard Leggett Sr., 86 of Williston, VT passed away peacefully on December 17, 2020 at The McClure-Miller Respite House in Colchester, VT with all the love of his family surrounding him.

Armand was born on October 29,1934 in Middlebury, VT, the son of William and Rhoda (Stone) Leggett. He attended schools in Middlebury, VT. He was employed at The University of Vermont as a painter for 25 years, retiring in 1999. He thoroughly enjoyed reminiscing about the fun times he shared with his fellow co-workers.

He married the love of his life Madeline Ruth Bevins on June 23,1956 in the United Methodist Church in Shelburne, VT. Together they celebrated 64 wonderful years. They enjoyed gliding across the dance floor arm and arm to their favorite music.

Dad loved the simple things in life. Good times, good food, great family and friends, especially vacationing on the ocean in Rhode Island/Maine, attending his grandkids’ sporting events, gardening, ice fishing, deer camp, bowling, going to the casino, playing horseshoes, cribbage and bingo just to name a few.

Armand was known for his infectious smile, hardy handshake and zest for life. His family meant

everything to him. He is survived by his wife Madeline, sons Armand Jr and Danny, daughters Sharon and husband Rob Miles, Karen and husband Kevin Jean.

Also nine grandchildren Rachelle Leggett, Clayton and wife Jen Leggett, Taylor Leggett, Alyssa and husband Ryan Bathhurst, Tyler and wife Tiffany Leggett, Lauren Miles and fiance Luc LeBlanc, Nathan Miles, Dylan Jean, and Halle Jean. Also one great grandson Jackson Jay Bathhurst.

He is also survived by his siblings Jacqueline Haight, Patricia Leggett, Darlene and husband Mike Charland and Larry Leggett. Sisters-in-law Anne-Marie Leggett, Sharon Leggett, Virginia Alican-

Shirley Irene Wisell dro, Janice Marcelino, Norma Brunelle and Rena Bevins. Brothers-in-law Larry and wife Julie Bevins, and Norman Bevins. Also many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents William and Rhoda, brothers Donald, Ken, twin Arnold (Bozo), Billy and Paul. Sisters-in-law Anne Marie Leggett, Theresa Leggett, Hazel Leggett, Bonnie Leggett and Belle Bevins.

Brothers-in-law Howard Haight, Clifton Bevins, Richard Bevins, Ronald Bevins, Donald Bevins and Gary Bevins.

We would like to express our gratitude for the many years of wonderful care to Dr. Mark Pitcher and appreciation for his final care to The McClure-Miller Respite House. Due to COVID restrictions, a celebration of Armand’s life will be held in the spring/summer to honor him. In lieu of flowers, donations in Armand’s memory can be made to The American Heart Association, PO Box 417005 Boston MA 022417005, or The McClure-Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, VT 05446.

Arrangements are in the care of Lavigne Funeral Home, 132 Main St, Winooski, VT 05404.

Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.lavignefuneralhome.com.

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We announce with profound sadness, Shirley Irene Wisell passed away holding the hands of her son Alan and his wife Heather at sunrise on July 31 at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester following a short battle with gastric cancer. She left us with as much dignity as she lived her life.

Shirley was born on February 22, 1931 to Hobert and Lena (Steeves) Iby. She leaves behind her beloved son Alan Wisell, his wife Heather Godin, and her much loved grandson, Aidan of Williston, VT. She also leaves her ex-husband David E. Wisell and Sandy Patch of Rutland, a brother, Henry and his wife Lorraine (Bundy) Iby of Williston and their children, her nieces and nephew.

She was predeceased by her eldest son, Charles Edward Wisell on February 22, 2012.

Shirley worked diligently for 33 years at General Electric (GE); 11 years in Burlington and 22 years in Rutland. She held various roles including payroll, cashier, technical recruiter, the water distillation department, and in purchasing as a clerk/buyer.

Song and music were important to her life and gave Shirley so much. It was part and parcel of everything she ever did. Shirley sang Barbershop in Rutland, Burlington and Barre for 57 years through to 2019 and leaves behind many lifelong friends.

Other than music, there was nothing Shirley enjoyed more than receiving letters from her friends and a game of pinochle.

Shirley will be remembered for her gifted sewing skills and her

amazing apple pie. She was also an avid line dancer.

A deeply devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox, Shirley regularly kept score “in her books” for every game spanning many decades and rarely missed one. She could talk about the players, strategy, trades and current events with the most avid Red Sox fans. Shirley loved the water and always had her beach bag packed.

Heather and Alan would like to thank McClure Miller Hospice house for their care, compassion and support during her last days.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held in the Common Room of her residence, Town Meadow, on Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. A light lunch will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vermont in memory of Shirley Wisell.

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August 5, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 21

Schools continued from page

5

vaccination rates.

“The Northeast is different than the rest of the country. And these guidelines are written for a country of 50 states,” said Health Commissioner Mark Levine.

But the Vermont chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has also adopted the national organization’s recommendations, and many Vermont experts told VTDigger last week that they would like to see universal masking. Several said Tuesday they would have preferred the state go further.

The practices contemplated in the state’s guidance will provide a non-negligible layer of protection, said Benjamin Lee, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine.

‘The Northeast is different than the rest of the country.

And these guidelines are written for a country of 50 states.’

Mark Levine

Vermont Health Commissioner

But they nevertheless “fall short” of the universal masking Lee said he’d like to see, particularly given how transmissible the now-dominant Delta variant is. Early evidence about the original strain of the virus suggested young children might be less susceptible to catching Covid-19 — but that’s no longer the case, he said.

“So from that standpoint, if the virus does get into this setting, I do worry that it will more easily spread within the school than the scenario we had last year,” said Lee, who has conducted epidemiological research on Covid-19 in K-12 settings.

Rebecca Bell, president of the Vermont-AAP, gave the administration high marks for emphasizing in-person learning, starting the year with universal masking and encouraging vacci-

nation in its approach. But Bell said she still needed to see more details about what it might look like to drop universal masking once a certain student vaccination rate is achieved before saying whether it is a good idea.

She also expressed concern about dropping masking requirements after 80 percent of eligible students have started — rather than completed — vaccination.

“You really need two doses plus those two weeks to really feel protected against severe disease with the Delta variant. So I

personally would not use the first shot as a benchmark,” said Bell, a pediatric critical care physician at the UVM Children’s Hospital.

Many questions remain unanswered — including whether students will be able to self-certify their vaccination status, or need to provide proof. Additional details, state officials repeatedly said, would come once the actual guidance is published later this week.

Notably, the forthcoming guidance will also be nonbinding. With Vermont’s emergency

It matters.

in communities more reticent to accept pandemic mitigation measures.

The state is also not recommending that schools impose any distancing requirements, officials said. Last year, schools had to maintain 3 feet of distance between younger children, and 6 feet of distance between other students and all employees. A new voluntary surveillance testing program will be deployed for students and school employees, Education Secretary Dan French added.

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order no longer in effect, state officials said Tuesday they did not believe they could themselves impose restrictions like mask mandates.

Some of the guidance might be “operationally challenging” for districts to implement, said Jeff Francis, executive director of the Vermont Superintendents Association, but the written advisories to come might clarify things. And he added that the technically discretionary recommendations from the state could be harder for schools to enforce

Candidates can view the complete job description and hiring timeline on the District's website at www.sbschools.net. Applications will be accepted through SchoolSpring.com or directly at the District until 4:00 p.m. MondayFriday. If you decide to mail your information, you will need to include the following: cover letter, resume, and three current references. Please forward them to: South Burlington School District, Attn: Human Resources, 500 Dorset St, South Burlington,VT 05403. EOE

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Page 22 • Williston Observer • August 5, 2021

CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA Tuesday, August 10, 2021 – 7:00 PM Beckett/McGuire Meeting Room (Town Hall, 7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance) or Zoom Meeting ID 823 369 798 on zoom.us/join or call 1-646-5588656 DP 14-05.1 Bert & Amanda Kennedy request discretionary permit review to amend the building envelope established in DP 14-05 at 476 Lincoln Road in the Agricultural Rural Zoning District

(ARZD).

Project details and site plans are available online, go to bit.ly/DRBagendas. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802-878-6704.

LEGAL TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD Tuesday, August 24, 2021 – 7:00 PM In-person and Virtual Attendance Options Zoom Meeting ID 823 369 798 on zoom.us/ join or call 1-646-558-8656 Beckett/McGuire Meeting Room (Town

Hall, 7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance)

information: 802-878-6704 or email planning@willistonvt.org

DP 21-16 Metro Sign and Awning c/o Jim Kauhl requests a discretionary permit for a master sign plan for S.G. Torrice Company at 150 Krupp Drive in the Industrial Zoning District West (IZDW).

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DP 21-17 Champlain Housing Trust c/o Miranda Lescaze requests pre-application review to convert an existing 99-room hotel (2 buildings) to 72 studio/onebedroom apartments at 66 Zephyr Road in the Taft Corners Zoning District.

Project details and site plans are available online, go to bit.ly/DRBagendas. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more

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Page 24 • Williston Observer • August 5, 2021

‘Never better’

Williston family goes big for postlockdown reunion

BY JASON STARR Observer staff After more than a year of pandemic lockdowns and approaching their 87th birthdays and 65th wedding anniversary, longtime Williston residents Larry and Pat Currier were eager to do something big.

They put out a call to family members across the country with a message: It’s time for all of us be together again. Last month, about 60 relatives from such far flung places as Washington state, Wyoming, Florida and Colorado joined the Curriers and other in-state family members for a reunion celebration.

They gathered in the Masonic Lodge in Taft Corners, where Larry is a longtime member. They had appetizers, drinks and dinner.

They wore nametags and marveled at how the youngest members of the clan had grown.

“After what we’ve been through with this Covid business

and so many celebrations having to be delayed, I said ‘Let’s see if we can get the family together while we can still enjoy each other and give hugs and talk about the good old times,’” Larry said. “We just let loose and had a good old time like we used to. We’re a family that likes to get together. That’s what it was all about.

“It really worked out well,” Larry continued, and, echoing a mantra that has guided his adult life, added: “We’re never better here at the Currier ranch.”

The Curriers moved from Connecticut to Williston in 1969 and have lived on Industrial Avenue since 1972. Larry was transferred by the Woolworth company from the store on Broadway in New York City to the Woolworth store on Church Street in Burlington.

They raised five children who graduated from Williston Central School and Champlain Valley Union High School.

After leaving Woolworth, the Curriers owned a clothing store in Burlington’s new north end, which they ran for 20 years before retiring.

About 60 members of the Currier family gathered from across the country last month for a reunion at the Masonic Lodge in Williston.

OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

“We had a nice little business there,” Larry said. “We put our heart and soul into it.”

Larry remains involved in the Green Mountain Masonic Lodge, where he attends monthly meetings. The lodge in Williston covers the entire Burlington area.

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Late last year, the lodge building was bought out by J.L. Davis Realty, one of the major land owners in Taft Corners. The location — behind the Hannaford store and near the CVS pharmacy — is part of the town’s long-term redevelopment plans for Taft Corners.

The Burlington-area Masonic lodge used to be located on Church Street. It moved to Williston amid declining membership.

“It’s been a great location for us,” Larry said, but the organization will have to find another location within the coming years.

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