Williston Observer 9/2/2021 by Williston Observer

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300 homes proposed for church property

A 54-acre meadow between the Allen Brook and Route 2A in Williston is slated for about 300 new homes in a development application filed in August with the Town of Williston. The inset illustration to the left shows three-story townhomes, from a Snyder Homes filing with the Town of Williston, that are part of the residential mix planned for the neighborhood. OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

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Snyder Homes, the developer of housing at Finney Crossing and Creek’s Edge in Williston, has submitted an application with the Williston Development Review Board to build roughly 300 homes on 54 acres off Route 2A. The parcel was once permitted as a campus for the Essex Alliance Church, but the church has abandoned those plans. According to documents filed in August with the Williston Planning and Zoning office, the church, based in Essex, still owns the property; Snyder refers to it as the Snyder Williston Property in filings with the town. A pre-application review of the project is the only item on the Development Review Board’s Sept. 14 agenda. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Town Hall and via Zoom. Approval would allow the project to compete for building allocation in March under the town’s growth management system. The neighborhood is drawn up as a mix of single-family homes (36), duplexes (40),

multi-family townhomes (70), apartments (97 units in two buildings) and 65 senior housing apartments. “These home types address a wide spectrum of the market and accommodate a diversity of tenants, from mature families to young singles to independent living seniors — all will find a comfortable home here,” Snyder Homes wrote in a description of the neighborhood filed with the town. Company President Chris Snyder could not be reached for comment. The acreage is now mostly open meadow, located just south of the Allen Brook at the end of Beaudry Lane. About two-thirds of the acreage is buildable, with about onethird to be preserved as Allen Brook floodplain buffer and wetlands. The neighborhood would have a 4-acre central park and a paved recreation path running north-south. The path would be a key pedestrian and cycling connection for Williston, linking a bridge over the Allen Brook that connects with paths into Essex Junction with existing trails at Taft Corners and Williston Village. “This path links numerous neighborhoods to each other, as well as to schools,

ST GEROGE

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

The red marker marks the 54-acre parcel, just east of Route 2A.

the library, retail locations and services,” the filing states. Planning and Zoning Director Matt Boulanger noted that the sketches of the proposed three-story townhomes are more

urban and modern-looking than what is currently built in town. “The development is fairly different than any other residential development the town has seen,” he said. The property is in the Taft Corners Zoning District, which is the subject of a comprehensive revision of zoning regulations that is currently underway. The new regulations are expected to incorporate “form-based code,” which would dictate the look of new buildings as opposed to current zoning regulations that focus on the uses allowed. “There are some moving pieces with this project and the planning for Taft Corners that may affect the way it will build out,” Boulanger said, estimating that the neighborhood would take five to 10 years to complete. The Williston Conservation Commission reviewed the project at its Aug. 18 meeting and made a series of recommendations for the Development Review Board to consider. They included requiring a habitat disturbance assessment, a runoff and erosion control plan and a wetlands assessment.

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A biweekly trip down memory lane with members of the Williston Historical Society

The genesis of the Allen Brook Nature Trail BY ELIZABETH ALLEN Special to the Observer The Allen Brook Nature Trail, located behind Williston Central School, just off the rec path, begins with a boardwalk. The wooden boardwalk extends across a wetland created by beaver damming activity on Allen Brook. On the other side of the boardwalk, the trail enters a mixed deciduous forest, then an area of old-growth pines and enormous ferns. Among densely packed ironwood saplings, the trail doubles back and makes a loop. For 25 years, Willistonians and others have traveled this short route for education and recreation. But why was it built? And who constructed it? Read on for a firsthand account of the Allen Brook Nature Trail’s genesis. The idea for the trail began in the mid-1990s with WCS thirdand fourth-grade teachers Karen Halsted and Jane Wilson. They wanted a place to take their students for locally inspired lessons. With the help of other teachers, they designed a proposed route.

The town approved the teachers’ idea, and Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) provided a day crew. Based in Richmond, VYCC offers teenagers and young adults paid summer work running state parks, maintaining and improving public trails and performing other conservation work. Established in 1985, VYCC has service projects across the state. It also has its own farm, trail network and classrooms, as well as partnerships with AmeriCorps, SerVermont and other nonprofits. I joined VYCC in 1996, the summer after I graduated from Essex High School. Because I am a sedentary book-loving writer, my choice of manual labor might seem unusual. But I grew up in an outdoorsy family and had some familiarity with local trails. I really liked the idea of hacking a trail out of the undergrowth and then proudly giving tours along it. It sounded fun. Besides, the fun came with an hourly wage, so why not? I joined a VYCC day crew that, under the direction of two crew leaders in their 20s, created the Allen Brook Nature Trail

The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps crew that constructed the Allen Brook Nature Trail is pictured in the summer of 1996. The author, Elizabeth Allen, is on the far left of the first row. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

during that summer. My fellow crew members and I were a bunch of eager but inexperienced kids from Chittenden County, between 16 and 20. We knew nothing about conservation work. Fortunately our VYCC stint included on-the-job training. The crew leaders emphasized safety in all things. They instructed us in the proper use of every tool from scythe to crosscut saw; we even devoted Friday mornings to cleaning and maintaining our tools. We dressed for safety, not for style, in pale green button-down shirts with VYCC patches on the shoulders, long pants, leather work boots and leather work

gloves. We carried one-liter water bottles everywhere and topped our uniforms with mandatory forest green hard hats. Our uniforms protected us from ticks, UV rays and wayward tools, but they also retained heat during a typical sunny, humid Vermont summer. We sweated a lot. We were serious about safety, but we also had fun. One day was so rainy that we ended up (getting paid for) watching Apollo 13 at one of the crew leaders’ friend’s houses. Toward the end of the project, two crew members swung on the thick wild grapevines in the trees, yodeling like Tarzan. On our last day, a crew

member gave everyone silly award certificates. My crew labored in almost all weather, except extreme heat or thunderstorms. We graded the boardwalk site, sank posts, cut and nailed lumber and built the boardwalk and bridge from the ground up. (We even hid under the boardwalk once when a rainstorm surprised us.) Then we marked the nature trail’s route and cleared it, removing stumps, weeding and felling trees. We strengthened our legs with constant walking, our arms with constant sawing and our backs from hauling supplies. Of course, we built much more than just muscles. When the Allen Brook Nature Trail was completed, hikers had new ground to cover and WCS students had a new outdoor classroom. “What a terrific hands-on learning experience it was for the kids.” reminisces teacher Karen Halsted. “They identified bugs and trees. We collected leaves and plants and did art projects back in the classroom with them. The bridge that the youth corps built gave us some cool lessons on design and construction.” At the end of every workday, I felt gross. Sweat acted like glue, adhering dirt to my skin. My bug bites itched. My boots and socks were dank. I immediately dove into the shower to remove the day’s grime. I was physically uncomfortable, but also very satisfied. I was learning new things, growing stronger, changing the world and having fun at the same time. Nowadays, when I return to the trail and say hello to fellow hikers, the same sense of pride returns.

BY JASON STARR Observer staff The chief executive officer of The Edge Sports and Fitness told members last Tuesday that the Edge’s Williston location will be shutting down on Sept. 30. The news was first reported in the Burlington Free Press. CEO Michael Feitelberg shared the letter he sent to members announcing the closure with the Observer, but declined to comment further about the decision. The Edge has three other locations — two in South Burlington and one in Essex. Feitelberg said Williston memberships will be honored at the other Edge locations. The Williston facility, at 115 Wellness Drive in one of Williston’s industrial zoning districts, has an indoor swimming pool, fitness center and physical therapy services. In his letter to members, Feitelberg said the “building has been sold to a developer who will be changing its use.” According to Williston Planning and Zoning Director Matt Boulanger, the un-

derlying land is owned by an Al Senecal company called LNP while The Edge owns the building. No permit applications to change the use of the building have been filed with the town. “Nobody has been able to tell me anything about the new owner and no permits have been filed on it,” Boulanger said. “The rumor mill is strong and the facts are few and far between on this one.” While Feitelberg did not elaborate on the sale, he did share reasons for the decision to close the facility. “The largest (reason) is the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he wrote to members. “The impact to our Williston location has been disproportionate in comparison to the other sites making the operations unsustainable.” He said the closure will consolidate and improve The Edge’s services and offerings at its South Burlington and Essex locations. “The Edge is moving ahead at full speed with the clear goal of creating the best facilities, programs and teams we have ever had,” Feitelberg wrote.

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The Edge Sports and Fitness facilty in Williston has been sold to a developer, who will purportedly change its use. OBSERVER PHOTO BY RICK COTE

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Williston location of The Edge to close

September 2, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 3

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Flower Girl

Two electric buses have joined the Champlain Valley School District’s fleet thanks in part to a Vermont Agency of Natural Resources grant.

Emma, a 14-week-old, 4-pound Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, stops to smell the flowers during a walk on Aug. 20 on Wildflower Circle in Williston.

OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

Electric school buses hit the road The Champlain Valley School District unveiled its two new electric buses last week at Williston Central School. The buses were made possible through a grant from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. The grant came through two years ago, and delivery of the buses had been delayed. The school district paid a share of the cost equivalent to a traditional diesel bus and the grant made up the difference for the e-bus. “The Champlain Valley

School District prides itself on being a leader in sustainable practices. This opportunity allows us to not only transport students more safely and efficiently, but to make a concrete example of living up to our values. We are excited to take such an important role in helping Vermont reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. Our whole community is thrilled to see the electric buses rolling through CVSD,” a news release from the district states.

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A book sale–ebration Richard Allen, author of “Williston” — a photographic history of the town from Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series — is pictured at a book signing in August at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. Allen will be on hand again Richard Allen Wednesday, Sept. 8 when the Williston OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY Historical Society hosts a celebration of the publishing of the book at the Williston Central School auditorium. The event will run from 7-8 p.m. and include Allen recounting some of his favorite images and stories that came to light while researching the book. A reception will follow to meet the author. The book will be available for sale for $23.99 cash or check made out to Williston Historical Society.

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Tickets are on sale for two Vermont Shakespeare Festival shows at the Isham Family Farm in Williston. The shows are Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. and Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. The group will perform ‘Shakespeare: Completely Unbound’ — a fusion of Shakespeare’s 37 plays with text from each. ‘It will be a rousing and thought-provoking evening of theatre that will entertain with a goal of making Shakespeare accessible to people of all ages,’ a news release about the shows states. For tickets and more information, visit www. vermontshakespeare.org. Pictured are actors performing the show earlier this summer in South Burlington.

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GUEST COLUMN 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

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Riding a new wave BY ERIN BRADY AND ANGELA ARSENAULT There is a conversation bubbling in Williston about a collective wish. In recent months, Willistonians have been talking about a shared interest in creating a community space for recreation, gathering and connection that is accessible to all. At last spring’s series of events focused on the use of form-based code in our town, there were extensive discussions about how Williston will “change, grow and evolve.” One common theme expressed throughout was the desire for a community and senior center with recreation facilities (like a pool and fitness center), and more green spaces that are accessible to folks of all ages and abilities. There is an ongoing discussion about federal funds coming to Williston as part of the American Rescue Plan and how our community should invest those funds. We can’t help thinking of the many community and recreation destinations that were created in Vermont over 75 years ago as a result of the New Deal, ranging from high school athletic fields to state parks. Most recently, our community has reacted with shock — and a lot of questions — to the news that The Edge will soon close its Williston facility. There have been many calls for the town to purchase the facility or find a way to salvage the pool and

fieldhouse. The pool has been an important fitness facility for many in our community — particularly seniors — and, as Edge members at one time, we were fortunate to enjoy the club’s amenities and programming. However, facilities at The Edge were never accessible to all given the cost and commitment of membership, and the pool was reserved much of the time for the swim team. It was (and is) a business, not a community resource. We probably all have our own ideas about what the ideal facility would be for Williston. There has long been a need for a senior center. If you ask Erin’s kids they will lobby for mini golf or a place to swim on a cold winter day when there isn’t enough snow for sledding. Angela’s kids will vote for an outdoor pool with a diving board. (There are very few outdoor public pools in our region, and those that exist are extraordinarily crowded, frequently reaching capacity on a hot summer day.) It’s worth noting that other communities in Vermont have built community recreation/ aquatic centers in a variety of ways. The Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction is a non-profit that was started with a large capital campaign. The City of St. Albans is currently building a year-round swimming pool (it will have a dome over it in the winter) after recently approving a local op-

tions tax. Neither of us are experts in land use, development, construction, finance or engineering and we do not have a clear answer for what Williston’s path should be. But we are deeply committed to our community and inspired by the enthusiasm we’ve seen for a truly accessible community space in Williston to recreate and gather. We’re willing to put the skills and expertise we each have toward this goal. For Erin, that means helping with organization and planning meetings or next steps. For Angela, that means using her writing and publicity talents. We will both bring an intentional equity lens to this conversation and seek ways to reduce barriers to access. Whether you simply support the idea or want to roll up your sleeves and help see what might be possible, everyone brings something valuable to the proverbial table. We hope you’ll fill out this short survey and keep this wave going (go to https:// tinyurl.com/2cnx6ay4 to access the survey). Erin Brady is a state representative for Williston and a member of the Champlain Valley School District (CVSD) Board of Directors; Angela Arsenault is chair of the CVSD Board of Directors and a member of the WillistonRichmond Rotary Club.

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GUEST COLUMN

Hospital budgeting in challenging times BY JEFF TIEMAN What a week. Vermont’s hospitals have just completed their fiscal year 2022 budget hearings before the Green Mountain Care Board. As I reflect on the hours of hearings — I observe every one of them — I am filled with both immense pride and continued concern for the well-being of our hospitals and the beleaguered Vermonters who keep them running 24/7/365. I opened the budget hearings now two weeks ago by saying that hospitals are squeezed like never before. And the hospitals themselves told their version of this story over the course of the hearings. They have no extra people, no extra time and no extra space. They are treating more patients

every day and filling their beds and their facilities with people who delayed care during the pandemic, those seeking treatment for mental health, individuals waiting for long-term care placement and the recent uptick in Covid-19 patients. The patients are presenting sicker and with more challenging conditions that are creating an unprecedented demand for care. Even with our best-in-thenation Covid response, this pandemic has proven unrelenting and hospitals continue to bear the brunt of its force. With third doses and 60,000 vaccinations for children coming up, hospitals are once again vaccinating. And they are testing more Vermonters than in recent months on top of managing the logistics and issues associated with mandating vaccinations or weekly testing for their

own staffs. Given all of this, the Green Mountain Care Board graciously said it would entertain requests from hospitals that did not feel they had the bandwidth to participate in the hearings. I think it says a lot that despite being so busy and overwhelmed, hospitals showed up to make sure the board and Vermonters in general know what they are doing to stay strong now and to plan for the future. The budgets that have been submitted, reviewed and described in meticulous detail represent what is necessary to rebuild, recruit and reinvest in facilities. These are the budgets Vermont’s nonprofit hospitals need and deserve to serve their patients and communities. Unlike in most parts of the

country, our hospitals do not answer to shareholders; they are accountable to the people and places they serve. And in that spirit, they build budgets that enable them to meet their mission and be leaders in public health during a still critical and uncertain time. Meanwhile, hospitals continue working to transition to value-based care without the significant transformation funds that were promised as part of the All Payer Model. That also involves managing the administrative complexities of participating in our unique health reform program, which require a lot of staff time and focus. With so much uncertainty and ongoing challenge, reducing or changing budgets would be incredibly harmful at a time when all of us need our health system to stay

safe and manage the pandemic, but also improve access and wait times and update facilities to meet patient demand and stay current on technology and equipment. Over the past couple weeks, our hospitals highlighted intractable challenges, including the workforce and mental health crises, lack of affordable housing and increased Covid response needs. As a regulatory body, the Green Mountain Care Board may wonder if these issues are out of their control or purview, but the first and most important step they can take to address these challenges is to approve hospital budgets that are crucial for the health and wellbeing of Vermont. Jeff Tieman is CEO of the Vermont Association of Hospitals & Health Systems.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Taking trapping out of Williston I attended the Aug. 17 selectboard meeting to investigate the proposed trapping ban. Kim Royar presented on behalf of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, where she is furbearer project leader for the wildlife management program. While the wildlife diversity program monitors endangered species, wildlife management folks prepare harvest recommendations for hunting/ trapping. I agree with much of what Royar had to say. Humane trapping standards were indeed negotiated circa 2000. Yes, wildlife experts should partner with private landowners to inform development. But as someone whose career depends on the perpetuity of trapping, she couldn’t help but tip her hand. During a Q&A, Royar informed an audience member that suffering is not measurable. I hold a master’s in animal policy, obtained at a veterinary school. One of my professors is a prominent pain expert, dedicated to quantifying and alleviating suffering in nonhuman species. I won’t hold Royar to that standard, but I will say that anyone remotely versed in welfare can point to grimace scales and cortisol levels as established methods of measuring suffering. Some might accuse fiery Willistonians of discrediting the anti-trapping movement with their excessive empathy (“Let’s put you in a trap and see how you like it.”), but I’d like to explain the fundamental rift in perspective. Royar insists she cares about wildlife. She does, at the species level. Fish and Wildlife agents abide by

the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which considers animals resources that need to be managed so they remain abundant enough for future use. The citizens wringing their hands in the audience Tuesday night instead individualize animals, concerning themselves with the quality of experiences. Will this fox be scared for 16 hours before dying? Is this beaver’s mate worried? Royar condones trapping because there’s no way enough Vermonters would trap enough furbearers to jeopardize the statewide population. To that end, I address the selectboard: Taking Williston off the table would deal no serious blow to

trappers. In speaking to Royar after the meeting, she agreed that little trapping occurs here. Agency data confirms this: two fishers were harvested in Williston’s wildlife management unit in 2019-2020 (to our north and south, respectively), and five otters in our watershed management unit — all east of the Green Mountains. Williston is not where trapping happens. An odd “nuisance animal” may crop up one day, but Royar herself admitted that less-invasive alternatives to trapping do exist. Vote yes on the trapping ban. Mikhala Kaseweter Williston

The energy coordinator’s time is now

Williston needs to hire a town energy coordinator and this is why. In the past few weeks, the air quality has been so poor, there were days I’ve been advised to stay inside and not go out and play with my friends. This is due to a warming climate and the effects of wildfires out West and in Canada. Without fresh air to breathe, what do we have left? This is a sign that things are getting worse at a rapid rate. We need to act fast and we need to act now. A recent United Nations report states the planet is in dire shape. We can no longer wait. We need to do some-

thing. We need to reduce emissions and sequester carbon and carry out the town plan. It is my generation that will be dealing with the worst effects of climate change, such as increased natural disasters, mass extinctions, sea level rise, worsening air quality and lack of clean water. Town officials have a responsibility to me and my generation and they have the power to do something about it. They know what they need to do. Be on the right side of history. Do the right thing. Jasper Wood, age 14 Williston

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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.

Deadline Sept. 3 Please email your response to: editor@willistonobserver.com

Page 8 • Williston Observer • September 2, 2021

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Since the beginning of the summer, the Winooski roundabout has seen a flurry of activity at night. Lights line the streets, construction workers drill and pave along the road and police vehicles parked on the curb silently watch over motorists and workers. The $1.3 million roundabout construction project is on schedule

to be completed in early October, according to Matthew Bogaczyk, the pavement design project manager for Vermont Agency of Transportation. The project will cause lane closures nightly until it is complete. The goal of the project is to smooth and maintain the pavement for drivers and bikers. The project won’t change the lane configuration. Another project, the Main

Street revitalization project, is expected to start next spring. It will enhance crosswalks, install rain gardens and plant trees to dot the sides of the road and shade parking spots. The Community News Service is a partnership between the University of Vermont’s Reporting & Documentary Storytelling program and Vermont community newspapers.

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New recruits?

Williston Deputy Fire Chief Tim Gerry welcomes potential new members of the Williston Fire Department during an Aug. 18 training. OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY

September 2, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 9

Veterans to share stories at public town hall event

The public is welcome to a Veterans Town Hall event on Sunday, Sept. 19 at Burlington’s Ethan Allen Homestead. The outdoor event begins at 1 p.m. Military veterans are invited to speak about what their service means to them. Non-veterans are encouraged to attend. Vets Town Halls — which are non-political events — have taken place throughout the state this summer. The Burlington event will be the last of the summer. “For many veterans, it may be difficult to speak of their experience out of concern of judgment or misrepresentation,” said Jon Turner, a Marine veteran who served in Haiti and Iraq, who is hosting the Burlington event. “Having an opportunity to gather with community members assists with the reintegration process and makes it possible for us to move beyond a narrative of conflict by honoring and sharing our stories. Attending these gatherings is a reminder of the community we wish to embrace after military service.” Vets Town Halls were originated by author Sebastian Junger (“War, Tribe”) with the aim of increasing communication and understanding

between veterans and civilians. The first event of this kind in Vermont was a November 2017 Burlington town hall spearheaded by local event coordinator Kristen Eaton. The events, including additional locations coordinated by Community College of Vermont (CCV), have continued annually, with a break in 2020 due to the pandemic. “Support of our military does not start with a ‘support the troops’ bumper sticker and culminate with grilled chicken on Memorial Day weekend,” said Kyle Aines, CCV’s Associate Director of Veterans and Military Services. “As military members struggle to reintegrate back into society, it is imperative that society have a clear understanding what they are transitioning from. The Vets Town Hall is that bridge and connection.” Veterans who would like to speak can register at www.ctvetstownhall.org. Time permitting, veterans can sign up to speak on the day of the event. RSVPs are optional, but encouraged at vtvetstownhall.eventbrite.com. Questions may be directed to Kristen Eaton at vtvetstownhall@gmail.com.

A Vermont military veteran share stories about his service during a Vets Town Hall event in July in Middlesex. A similar event is scheduled for Sept. 19 at Burlington’s Ethan Allen Homestead.

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Page 10 • Williston Observer • September 2, 2021

SPORTS

Skier, author Dan Egan talks extreme skiing

Legendary skier Dan Egan hosts an evening of storytelling Thursday, Sept. 9 as he shares stories from his recently published book “Thirty Years in a White Haze, Dan Egan’s Story of Worldwide Adventure and the Evolution of Extreme Skiing.” The event begins at 7 p.m. via Zoom. It is part of the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum’s ‘Writers on the Red Bench’ series. Dan and his brother John have Vermont roots, but have

traveled to some of the world’s most remote regions, searching for and finding the extreme limits of the sport. Both started their ski careers at Sugarbush. As members of The North Face Extreme Team, they started their Advanced Ski Clinics at Bolton Valley before eventually expanding to Jay Peak. Dan Egan has appeared in 13 Warren Miller ski films. In 2001, Powder Magazine named him one of the most inf luential skiers of our time and in 2016,

he was inducted into the U.S. Skiing & Snowboarding Hall of Fame. Signed copies of “Thirty Years in a White Haze” will be available in the museum gift shop in Stowe and on the online shop at www.vtssm.org. Tickets to the Zoom event are free and can be reserved at www.vtssm.org. A $10 donation from each guest is encouraged. Series sponsors include rk Miles, Sisler Builders and Vermont Ski + Ride.

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Adventure skier Dan Egan will be speaking at the U.S. Skiing & Snowboarding Hall of Fame in Stowe Sept. 9. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

September 2, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 11

SPORTS

Summer hits Williston Armadillos’ Brent Tromblay, top left, makes a play from the grass at third during their game vs. the Champlain Whale Watchers at Williston Central School on Sunday. Top right, Tromblay digs for the ball. Wlliston Armadillos’ Reid Crosby, bottom right, fouls off another tough pitch. Doing some tough pitching of his own was Armadillos’ Ken Freeman, bottom left, who hurled a shutout. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

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Page 12 • Williston Observer • September 2, 2021

A well-deserved Labor Day break BY SHAWN GOOD Special to the Observer

Olivia Bussiere pulled this bass out of a central Vermont pond in August. Bussiere, who works for the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, will represent the state as part of the Vermont Bass Team at fishing tournaments next year. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

It’s hard to believe, but we’re looking at the unofficial last weekend of summer this week. Kids are already back at school, and free time with the family has dwindled once again. While summer officially doesn’t end until Sept. 22, for all intents and purposes, Labor Day is the last long weekend we get under the guise of summer. Labor Day is a time to honor and recognize all our hard work throughout the year — and then take a break from it. I read somewhere that the average person will work 90,000 hours — a third of their life. And one quarter of Americans say work is their single biggest source of stress. Well, I have good news for you. Fishing is a proven de-stressor. Doing anything outside in nature, for that matter, resets our minds and bodies, and positively impacts our well-being. Fishing with friends and family is time well spent, plain and simple. It lets us relax and unplug from our busy lives, enjoy our great outdoors and even catch a fresh, healthy meal. It helps create special memories and builds lasting bonds between parents and children. So, with Labor Day upon us, take a step back and reassess what’s really important in life. Do you work to live, or do you live to work, as the old saying goes? Before summer completely slips away from us this year, use what’s left of it to make a few last casts with the family.

Fish grow on trees

I get a lot of requests from teachers and school groups to come speak to a class when they’re doing a module on biology or natural resources. As a matter of fact, all the department fisheries biologists field these requests. And we all try to work them into our schedules as best we can, because fostering an appreciation and understanding of our environment through outreach and education is an important aspect of our jobs as fisheries biologists.

Learn to fish clinics The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Let’s Go Fishing Program is continuing into September with three Introduction to Fishing clinics • Sept. 9 – Heineberg Bridge Access Area, Winooski • Sept. 15 – Proctor Falls, Proctor • Sept. 21 – South Bay Fishing Access, Newport Visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com to register. When I get these requests, my preference is always to take the class outside. I’ve taken preschool classes to a pond to catch minnows and frogs. I’ve taken elementary, middle and high school classes to trout streams to talk about aquatic habitat and trout populations. And I’ve led field days for undergraduate and graduate level college biology classes. But regardless of the age or

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education level of the group I’m with, I have a favorite question I always ask during my talk about fish, fish habitat or fish biology. And that’s “do fish grow on trees?” It’s always fun to hear the answers, or the silence that follows. For the younger kids, it’s laughs and giggles and excited “Nooooooooo” answers yelled out to me. But older high school and even college students kind of go quiet for a bit, like they sort of think it’s probably a trick question, but they aren’t quite sure what the answer is. The answer is yes, fish do grow on trees. Obviously, the “trick” part of the question is that fish don’t actually grow ON the trees, but trees are as critical to fish populations as clean water and oxygen, and they help fish grow, survive and thrive. Trees shade the water and keep it cool. Their roots hold streambanks together, preventing erosion and siltation, and they filter pollutants and runoff. Leaves and sticks that fall into the water begin to decompose, which stimulates the growth of beneficial algae, and provides food and nutrient sources that support aquatic insects, minnows and everything else up the food chain. And when a tree topples over and ends up in the water, the tangle of branches and limbs provide protection and cover for fish to hide in. Tree trunks also deflect water currents scouring out pools and undercut banks, which are important fish habitat features of stream environments. Some people look at a fallen tree or log jam in a stream as a mess that needs to be removed. Fish and fish biologists look at that mess and think “that’s great habitat for a healthy trout stream.” The functions of trees and wood in stream environments are so critically important to trout populations that department fisheries staff operate a program called Strategic Wood Addition (SWA), where trees are purposely placed in streams to help restore depleted trout populations. In some streams, we’ve seen brook trout populations triple within a couple years of adding trees and wood. The famous Scottish-American naturalist John Muir wrote “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” Strategic wood addition is just one of many real-world examples that demonstrate how true this is. John Muir, way ahead of his time 152 years ago, understood that fish grow on trees.

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

September 2, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 13

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Child hunters participating in the Sept. 25-26 youth waterfowl hunting weekend must be accompanied by an unarmed adult. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

A weekend for the young guns Vermont’s youth waterfowl hunting weekend will take place Sept. 25-26. Hunters under the age of 18 may hunt ducks and geese in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont waterfowl hunting zones. The age requirement is 15 and under in the Connecticut River zone. “Vermont’s youth waterfowl hunting weekend helps ensure that young hunters get the quality training and experiences they need for lifelong participation,” said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter. “By design, the youth weekend hunt reinforces the route of initiation that is critical in recruitment — learning from an ex-

perienced adult role model.” The youth hunter must have a Vermont hunting license and must be accompanied by an unarmed adult, 18 years of age or older, who also has a Vermont hunting license. Youths 16 and 17 years of age must have state and federal duck stamps. All youth hunters must also register with the Harvest Information Program. This can be done on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) or by calling 1-877-306-7091. The adult may not hunt waterfowl or carry a firearm while accompanying the youth when the youth is hunting waterfowl.

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Page 14 • Williston Observer • September 2, 2021

Vermont cabin celebrated for its place in black history ers, sat vacant for decades before local and state leaders came up with a restoration plan. It began GRAFTON — Before her with the discovery of endangered death at age 104, Daisy Turner plants that helped secure federal — a local storyteller whose au- wildlife funds to buy the proptobiographical tales dated back erty and ended with the Preserto her African ancestors and for- vation Trust of Vermont raising merly enslaved parents — loved nearly $250,000 for cleanup and to share how her family came to construction work. settle in this picture postcard of “This was an essential part of a town a century and a half ago. the whole family complex,” Beck “The home place was named said of the camp where Daisy Journey’s End,” she would say, Turner lived at various times of “’cause father never wanted to go her life. no further after he got up there Beck, working with Turner on that hilltop.” from her 100th birthday in 1983 Patriarch Alec Turner fought to her death in 1988, recorded with the Union Army during the more than 60 hours of family Civil War before finding his way reminiscences, “from West Afto southeastern rica through Vermont, where two genera‘This is a really he bought 150 tions of enimportant site. lofty Grafton slavement, acres and built a escape, the It’s a real symbol homestead in the Civil War, of Alec’s journey early 1870s. moving north from enslavement The 1886 and finally eshouse where tablishing this to land ownership Alec and his h o m e s t e a d ,” and a testament wife, Sally, the folklorist to his and Daisy’s raised their 13 said. children burned Turner recare in maintaining down six decalled how the family story.’ cades ago. But a her father led Jane Beck circa 1910 outhis cavalry Vermont Folklife Center building called regiment to Birchdale Camp his old Virstill holds memginia plantaories of the black family’s suc- tion to shoot and kill his former cess in one of the nation’s whit- overseer. How she was born est states. after the death of her parents’ “This is a really important eighth child, a boy nicknamed site,” Jane Beck, founder of the “Enough.” How she sued a man Vermont Folklife Center, said. for breach of promise after he “It’s a real symbol of Alec’s jour- broke off their engagement. ney from enslavement to land “A black woman against a ownership and a testament to his white man in the courts in 1927,” and Daisy’s care in maintaining Beck said. “And she won.” the family story.” The Vermont Folklife Center The local Windham Founda- in Middlebury now houses the tion, receiving help from a host Turner Family Collection of auof public and private entities, has dio and video recordings, photorestored and reopened the cab- graphs and texts cited in Beck’s in, which was celebrated during 2015 book “Daisy Turner’s Kin: the weekend as the new first stop An African American Family on the state’s African American Saga” and a new collection of Heritage Trail. nonfiction comics, “Turner Fam“While many African Amer- ily Stories.” ican historic sites focus on the The cabin, for its part, has horrors of slavery and the indig- become the southern start of the nities suffered by the enslaved Vermont African American Heror freedom seekers, the Turner itage Trail, which features two family homestead elevates the dozen landmarks statewide. story of Alec’s forward-looking “This is a site about freedom vision for his family and his grit and exemplifies all that the trail to make Journey’s End a reality,” has to offer,” Reed said. “We Curtiss Reed Jr., executive direc- want people to understand and tor of the Vermont Partnership the trail to communicate that it’s for Fairness and Diversity, told a OK to be who you are. This stocrowd of more than 100 people. ry should ignite in all of us a reThe cabin, once rented to imagining of what’s possible for summer visitors and fall hunt- all Vermonters.” BY KEVIN O’CONNOR VTDigger

The Turner family homestead’s Birchdale Camp in Grafton reopened over the weekend as the new first stop on Vermont’s African American Heritage Trail. PHOTO BY KEVIN O’CONNOR/VTDIGGER

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Airport director refuses mayor’s call for resignation Multiple witnesses also accused Richards of allowing two city employees, outside of airline employees, to live in the Kirby Cottages close to the airport for a few months. The housing was slated to be demolished due to noise concerns, but later purchased by the city. While the employees temporarily rented the units, it did not directly violate any resolutions guiding the use of the housing while it was in the city’s possession. Weinberger said in Friday’s

BY GRACE ELLETSON VTDigger

Mayor Miro Weinberger asked Burlington International Airport Aviation Director Gene Richards to resign from his position after an investigation found he mistreated employees and misused city resources. But Richards is refusing to resign. Richards told VTDigger last Friday that he’s not resigning because he thinks the investigation into his conduct was flawed, and he wants to share his critiques of the process. The mayor’s decision and the investigation’s report were sent out in a press release Friday evening. In the release, Weinberger said Richards’ treatment of employees is “unacceptable.” “Mr. Richards can no longer serve the city in a leadership role, despite his many past accomplishments,” Weinberger said. Richards was put on administrative leave June 30 after the city’s human resources department fielded a complaint against Richards, which prompted an investigation, as first reported by Seven Days. The reason for the suspension and the subsequent investigation has been kept from the public until now. Because Richards refuses to resign, Weinberger said he is moving forward with a City Council termination hearing, which would require a two-thirds vote by the body to end Richards’ employment, as dictated by the city’s charter. A special meeting for the vote has been called for Sept. 9. Richards has been suspended without pay. Deputy Director of Aviation Nic Longo will continue serving as acting director of the airport. Richards said he hopes he can convince city councilors at his termination hearing that he should remain in his position until his term ends in June 2022. “I’m not resigning because I’m not comfortable with the process or the allegations,” Richards said. “If you read the report … it says things that are very arbitrary. Like, it talks about an employee said this, an employee said that, but it doesn’t say when, where and how.” He said he also does not think the investigation into the allegations has been transparent. He met Friday with Weinberger at the mayor’s home, where the mayor asked Richards for his resignation. Richards said he wanted to have a dialogue about the report into his conduct with the mayor, but the report was not provided to him until it was released to the public. (Weinberger spokesperson Samantha Sheehan disputed that as-

release that being a manager is “stressful,” but that he expects all employees to treat their colleagues “with respect, fairness, and professionalism.” He said he appreciates the airport employees for raising their concerns. “I believe that department heads, in particular, must lead by example in order for us to achieve our best performance for the people of Burlington,” Weinberger said. “Regrettably, Mr. Richards did not maintain this high standard of service I require from city leadership.”

Gene Richards, aviation director, Burlington International Airport. VT DIGGER FILE PHOTO

sertion, saying that the city provided Richards’ attorney an advance copy of the report days earlier.) According to the mayor’s press release, the investigation into Richards began when a Federal Aviation Administration employee reported that someone in a private vehicle was using a gasoline facility at the airport. Human Resources Director Kerin Durfee and Chief Administrative Officer Katherine Schad investigated the claim and found Richards to be using the gasoline facility for his personal car. They found that Richards used the station 59 times in a six-month period, without documenting if the fuel was being used for work travel. Through “preliminary interviews” with airport employees, Richards’ widespread mistreatment of staff was also uncovered, according to the report. Anita D. Tinney, an attorney with the Employee and Labor Relations Academy, was hired to conduct an investigation into Richard’s behavior. Tinney found that Richards “violated city policy by regularly engaging in behavior that employees find humiliating and offensive, including yelling, screaming, name-calling and using profanity.” In her report, she found that Richards would use “physically intimidating” behavior in front of employees, including banging his fists on a table and screaming at them, saying that ‘they don’t know what they are doing.’” She also found that he would humiliate employees when he disagreed with them. He would tell employees that they were “disposable” and that he was the “big dog.” He allegedly said, “I run the goddamn airport and what I say goes,” according to the report. When interviewed by the investigator, Richards said he did not intend to mistreat any employees. He said he sometimes used the “F-bomb” but only toward himself. Tinney wrote that Richards’ denial was not credible because of the “widespread corroboration” of his behavior. She found that employ-

ees left the airport or are planning to leave directly because of Richards’ behavior. Richards said the mistreatment accusations against him are “very exaggerated.” “I am very passionate at work,” he said. “I would never purposefully try to hurt somebody or belittle them.” On Sunday, city councilors received a petition signed by 34 AFSCME Local 1343 members who work at the Burlington Airport asking that Richards be fired. “We have lost all trust, faith, and confidence in Director Richards and we urgently stress that the following signatures is a display of solidarity in saying ‘enough is enough’ and that he be terminated for cause,” members wrote in the petition, which was obtained by VTDigger. While the investigator found that Richards’ use of the gasoline facility did not violate city policy because it was not determined if it was for work travel, his use of the facility without approval violated city practices and “created an appearance of misuse.” Richards said he thinks he had authority to use the gas station because he heads the airport and that he only used it for work travel. He said the fuel was also sitting for months in this station because Covid-19 slowed business at the airport, so he wanted to put it to use before it expired. Richards was also investigated for four other allegations of misconduct, although Tinney determined that Richards did not violate any other rules. He was accused of hiring his daughter-in-law’s brother for an airport position, but it was found that Richards did not violate the city’s anti-nepotism rules. He was also accused of favoring certain contractors in bidding processes, but that accusation was dismissed. He was also accused of removing topsoil from the airport without proper permits, although it was found that the issue was reversed and rectified.

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Page 16 • Williston Observer • September 2, 2021

Adult day centers receive Covid rescue funds conditions. Because the patrons of these centers are often much more vulnerable to Covid-19, the sector was closed for an extended period during the pandemic. “We know the restrictions and closures that were necessary during the height of the pandemic have had a significant impact on all organizations, but especially those who care for older Vermonters,” Gov. Phil Scott said. “That’s why we have worked with federal and state partners to use relief dollars to help keep these businesses,

nonprofits and healthcare providers going as we continue moving forward in our recovery.” Prior to this round of funding, the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living granted roughly $7.3 million in federal Covid relief funds to these centers, providing critical financial stability through June of this year. “The adult day industry worked incredibly hard to care for their clients throughout the pandemic, creating alternative

Burlington celebrates Vermont First African Landing Day The third annual Vermont First African Landing Day commemoration was held at the Intervale Center in Burlington on Saturday. The day-long event, organized by the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance, was held to mark the anniversary of when the first enslaved people from Africa landed in Virginia in 1619. About 100 people gathered outside to pray, enjoy music, sing and listen to panel discussions based on the day’s theme of “Out of Darkness, Into the Light.” Educational displays from the Hampton History Museum’s “Toward Freedom” exhibit and the True Black History Museum were onsite. Musical performances from artists including the Lake Champlain Mass Choir, Mikahely, The Original Moonlighters and others were interspersed with personal reflections from community members. And, of course, there was plenty of food — served up by Harmony’s Kitchen and The People’s Kitchen. — Glenn Russell, VTDigger

Poet Rajnii Edinns speaks during the Vermont First African Landing Day commemoration at the Intervale Center in Burlington on Saturday. PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

solutions for their participants throughout the year, such as online check-ins and remote gatherings designed to combat the effects of social isolation,” said department commissioner Monica White. “I appreciate their efforts and we’re pleased to provide this support, which will give these centers a greater chance of surviving the pandemic and providing valuable services to Vermonters.” In June 2021, as Vermont’s successful vaccination efforts rolled

out, the adult day centers began to reopen in-person services in June as Vermont’s vaccination efforts rolled out. However, as centers reopened, most did so with a significantly reduced number of clients due to the pandemic and a shortage of workers, requiring continued financial support to maintain operations and infrastructure. The Legislature appropriated this funding through Act 74 to support operating costs through the current fiscal year.

Medical price estimator tool now live A new price estimator tool for all of Vermont’s hospitals is live on the state auditor’s website, and Auditor Doug Hoffer is encouraging all Vermonters to use it to see what they can expect to pay for a particular medical procedure and seek out the best price for care. The tool is at www.auditor. ve r m o n t .gov/c o n t e n t / h o s pi tal-price-transparency-pages and is broken down by hospital. The Legislature, partly motivated by a 2014 report issued by the auditor’s office, has required commercial health insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and MVP to provide detailed price information on their websites. Also, as of this year, the federal government now requires every hospital to have a publicly accessible website showing its price for as many as 300 proce-

dures. “With these new tools, Vermonters no longer have to pay any price for medical care, they can pay the best price,” Hoffer said. “In doing so, Vermonters can take some control of the cost of their health care.” The auditor’s website has links to all 14 Vermont hospitals’ price transparency tools. A link to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock tool is also provided. “These insurer and hospital price transparency tools mean we have the information to avoid paying substantially more money for the exact same medical service,” said Hoffer. “Ultimately, though, the value of these tools is in direct relation to the frequency with which Vermonters use them. So I strongly encourage Vermonters to put this information to work for them.”

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The Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living is distributing $5 million to Vermont adult day centers to provide financial stability after an extended shutdown due to Covid-19. The investment is made with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress earlier this year. Vermont’s adult day centers provide daytime services, such as personal care, nursing assessment, family respite and therapeutic activities, to people with medical

September 2, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 17

Experimenting with dried flowers BY BONNIE KIRN DONAHUE Special to the Observer Summer can feel fleeting. Drying flowers is a great way to hold onto its essence. Flowers that work well for drying should have either nice color, texture, structure or a combination of all three when dried. The most important characteristic is that they maintain a strong structure after being dried — and that you find the flower appealing. Many types of flowers work well for drying. Perennials and shrubs with large blooms such as peonies, roses and hydrangeas dry very similar to their fresh shapes. Great dried annual flowers include plants such as sunballs, globe amaranth, bunny tails, statice and strawflower. Perennials that work well for drying include many ornamental grasses, lavender and globe thistle. Another idea is to use dried seed pods from poppies, globe allium, sensitive fern or blue-flag iris, among others. To start, select healthy plants that are free of disease, fungus or decay. Pick flower heads that are at peak or almost fully in bloom. Using flowers that are past peak bloom may not have the same visual impact as flowers picked just before. There are several techniques for

drying flowers. The way I like to dry flowers is to hang them upside down from a string. I try to cut the flower with 6 to 10 inches of stem, and tie or wrap the string around the stem. For peonies and other larger flowers, you will want to dry the stems individually. For smaller, thinner flowers on stalks, such as lavender, or ornamental grasses, you can make small bundles, secure them with rubber bands and dry them in a group. Depending on your preferences, you may want to remove any unwanted foliage before drying your flowers. Make sure to pick a space to dry the flowers that is warm, dry and has good airflow. Allow the flowers to dry until they do not show signs of moisture, about two to three weeks. Inspect your flowers before using and discard any that show signs of mold or decay. You can use your flowers as decorations in floral arrangements in vases, incorporated into wreaths, layered into jars as visual potpourri or in endless craft projects. The great thing about trying to dry flowers for the first time is that you don’t need to take it too seriously. Instead, cut a few stems of flowers you think might be nice and dry them. If you like the results, you can dry more the following

year. You never know what might look nice dried. If you’re looking for more information on types of flowers to dry, talk to your local greenhouse or look at seed catalogues for lists of flowers for drying. Want more information on other drying techniques? Check out cooperative extension resources online or books on drying flowers from your local library. Here’s to making summer last a little bit longer with dried flowers.

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Page 18 • Williston Observer • September 2, 2021

SENIORS

How to handle your Medicare coverage if you move

Savvy Senior

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I are moving to a different area of the country to be near our daughter. Will this affect our Medicare benefits? Will we need to adjust our coverage or re-enroll in a new plan? Moving Away Dear Moving, Moving can indeed affect your Medicare benefits depending on the type of coverage you have and where you move to. If you and your husband are

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enrolled in “original Medicare” Part A and Part B, you’ll be happy to know that you won’t need to change your plans when you move because they’re the same throughout the U.S. You will, however, need to notify the Social Security Administration of your change of address, which you can do at www.SSA.gov/myaccount/ change-of-address.html or by calling 800-772-1213. But, if you’re enrolled in a Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plan, or a Medicare (Part C) Advantage plan and you move out of your plan’s service area, you’ll need to choose a new plan that serves your new area. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to do depending on the type of coverage you have.

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If you have a Part D plan: If you’re enrolled in original Medicare and have a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you’ll need to contact your Part D plan to find out if it

will work in the area you’re moving to. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to enroll in a new plan that provides coverage in your new location. You can make this switch the month before you move and up to two months after the move. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait until the next open enrollment (in the fall) and could be penalized for having no acceptable prescription drug coverage.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan: If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, contact your plan to find out if it will serve your new area. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to enroll in a new plan that does. To shop for new Advantage and/or Part D prescription drug plans in your new location, see www.Medicare.gov/ plan-compare. You can switch Advantage plans the month before you move and up to two months after you move. But be aware that if you relocate out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s service area and fail to enroll in a new plan in your new area, you’ll automatically be switched to original Medicare. This will happen when your old Medicare Advantage plan is forced to dis-enroll you because you don’t live within its service area anymore. If you have a Medigap policy: If you’re enrolled in original

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.

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Medicare and have a supplemental (Medigap) policy, you’ll need to notify your provider that you’re moving, but you should not need to change insurance companies or plans. (Note: there also are Medicare Select plans, which are Medigap plans that are network-based and are available in a few states.) Medigap plans are standardized across the country; for example, Medigap Plan F offers the same coverage in one state as it does in another state (Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin have waivers from the federal government allowing them to standardize Medigap plans differently, so plan designs are different in those three states). But be aware that Medigap costs vary by location, so your monthly Medigap policy premium may be higher or lower depending on the cost of medical care in your new area. Call your provider and tell them the new ZIP code, and they’ll let you know the cost. Sometimes you’ll be pleasantly surprised that it’s lower. If it’s not, you could look for a cheaper policy. However, you may have to undergo medical underwriting. Medigap policies come with their own rules for enrolling, and some states have different enrollment standards than others. 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.

Share your thoughts & remembrances… As we approach the 20 year Anniversary of September 11, 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. Deadline Sept. 3 • email editor@ willistonobserver.com

‘SPEAK FOR THE SILENT: Your Insights, Tributes & Reflections’

September 2, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 19

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56. Subdivision of an ocean 57. Decrease 59. Kind of account 62. Brave individual 64. Motion 67. Puts funds to work 71. Furniture tree 72. Determine 73. Dined out 74. Baked dessert 75. Like some runs 76. Choose 77. Silent assent 78. Up until now DOWN 1. Rabid 2. It’s always increasing 3. Kind of hat or coat 4. Three-legged device 5. Sign of approval 6. Fetching 7. Emphasize 8. Salute 9. Bacon and __ 10. Like some answers 11. Salad topper 12. Essay 18. Forest hooter 20. Robust 23. Harry or William, to Charles

78 24. Deuce in poker 25. Itchy insect 27. ___ hold 29. Overly 30. Lifeboat implement 31. ___ Butterworth’s (syrup brand) 34. Take the stress off 37. Bolt down 38. Picked a card 40. Puma or lion 41. Defeatist’s word 43. ‘’__ you know . . .’’ 44. Vintage 45. Front of a boat 46. To __ for 47. Dressing selection 48. Hand, slangily 49. Be behind 50. Miles ___ gallon 53. Conked out 57. Extremely popular 58. ___ Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest 60. Pipe problem 61. Neighborhood 63. Avid about 64. Divinity 65. ___ candy (pop music) 66. Outer space 68. Double agent e.g. 69. Secure, as shoelaces 70. Salon job

32. Part of BYOB

36. Negative word 37. Just beat

Preheat your grill before you begin. Turn it on high with the lid closed and let it heat for at least 30 minutes.

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Rub steaks all over with vegetable oil and season them with salt and pepper.

1 fresh ear of corn, kernels removed from cob** 1 ripe heirloom tomato or 5-6 cherry tomatoes, diced

Every grill is different and every steak is different, so use an instant read thermometer to gauge doneness.

Salt and pepper

**In the height of corn season you can find corn so sweet you can add it to this recipe raw. You can also choose to steam or grill your corn before removing it from the cob.

41. Honda Accord, for example 42. Two cents worth 43. Symposium

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Season to taste with salt and pepper. Slice the steak in the opposite direction of the natural grain (for more tender meat). Put steak on a serving platter and top with the relish and serve immediately.

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In a small bowl combine the corn, chopped tomato, olive oil, sherry vinegar, and chives.

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23. Horse berthing

52. Cool one's heels

When steaks are cooked, remove them and set aside to rest while you prepare the relish.

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46. South Beach, for oneLEGEN 48. Music type

Place steaks on the hottest part of your grill. Grill on side one for 5-6 minutes, then flip onto side 2 and cook another 5-6 minutes. If you like your steak well done, extend these cooking times.

2 Tbsp. olive oil

39. They may be seen in cameos

22. Word after who or what

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2 flat iron steaks (about 6-8 oz. each)

35. Daytona 500 sound1/4 cup chopped chives

51. Caddie's offering

D28. Basic piece of matter

Directions:

33. Narrow margin of victory 1 tsp sherry vinegar

21. Traveled

26. Part of T.G.l.F.

Ingredients:

• VERMONT •

17. Bank transaction

Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Tomato-Corn Relish

14. Lionel Richie's "You ___" 15. It's game

ACROSS 1. Tangle, as fur 4. Free range item 7. Boat pronoun 10. Oatmeal cooker 13. Back, in time 14. Lionel Richie’s “You ___” 15. It’s game 16. It may be fresh 17. Bank transaction 19. Justifiably 21. Traveled 22. Word after who or what 23. Horse berthing 26. Part of T.G.l.F. 28. Basic piece of matter 32. Part of BYOB 33. Narrow margin of victory 35. Daytona 500 sound 36. Negative word 37. Just beat 39. They may be seen in cameos 41. Honda Accord, for example 42. Two cents worth 43. Symposium 46. South Beach, for one 48. Music type 51. Caddie’s offering 52. Cool one’s heels 54. Esteem 55. Sunrise occurs at this time

• VERMONT •

Enjoy the last long weekend of the summer and live it up this Labor Day! If you’re firing up the grill for family and friends, make something that highlights the best local & seasonal ingredients. Our farm partners are still delivering ripe summer produce, like organic heirloom tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. Black River sources from family farms across New England and New York that raise beef without added hormones or antibiotics. Make your long weekend memorable and absolutely delicious!

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Page 20 • Williston Observer • September 2, 2021 Aug. 17 at 11:34 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle on Casey Lane. Upon arrival, the vehicle could not be located.

Aug. 15 at 6:43 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a family fight on White Birch Lane. Upon arrival, the officer made contact with both individuals and one agreed to leave the scene. Aug. 15 at 7:13 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious behavior at Falcon Manor. Upon arrival, the involved citizens agreed to separate for the evening. Aug. 15 at 9:19 p.m. — Police assisted Williston Rescue with a medical call at French Hill Manor. Aug. 15 at 11:56 p.m. — Police found an unsecured premise while on foot patrol on Lawrence Place. Officers re-secured the scene. Aug. 16 at 9:45 a.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Morgan Parkway. There were no injuries on the scene. Aug. 16 at 12:34 p.m. — Police responded

to a report of an animal problem on Cornerstone Drive. Upon arrival, the dog did not appear in distress. Aug. 16 at 3:55 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Boxwood Street. Aug. 16 at 10:31 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious behavior on Eastview Circle. Upon arrival, the officer did not observe any suspicious behavior.

Aug. 18 at 7:04 p.m. — Police installed two car seats at a citizen’s request.

Aug. 20 at 4:33 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Hurricane Lane.

Aug. 18 at 9:29 p.m. — Police assisted Colchester Police Department in contacting a citizen on Essex Road.

Aug. 20 at 4:38 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage at Taft Corners.

Aug. 18 at 10:10 p.m. — Williston Police responded to assist Vermont State Police with a vehicle collision on Interstate 89.

Aug. 20 at 5:49 p.m. — Police assisted a citizen on Day Lane.

Aug. 17 at 11:14 a.m. — Police took custody of found property on Hawthrone Street and contacted the owner. Aug. 17 at 3:59 p.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle complaint on Mountain View Road. Upon arrival, officers could not locate the vehicle.

Aug. 19 at 8:44 a.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on St. George Road.

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Aug. 20 at 2:10 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on St. George Road. There were no injuries or hazards on the scene.

Aug. 18 at 3:25 a.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle complaint on Hurricane Lane. The officers spoke to the vehicle’s owner to get it moved.

Aug. 19 at 6:26 a.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on South Brownell Road. There were no hazards or injuries on the scene.

Aug. 17 at 4:10 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Industrial Avenue.

to a vehicle collision on Interstate 89. There were no injuries or hazards on the scene.

Aug. 20 at 7:35 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a suspicious circumstance on North Williston Road. The officer removed the hazard from the bike path. Aug. 21 at 4:01 a.m. — Police assisted Williston Fire Department with a fire alarm activation on Eagle Crest Drive. Aug. 21 at 9:55 a.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious behavior on Harvest Lane. The officer brought the individual to a detox facility.

Aug. 19 at 9:28 a.m. — Police took custody of found property on Avenue C. Aug. 19 at 2:06 p.m. — Police conducted a welfare check on Holland Lane.

Aug. 21 at 1:12 p.m. — Police took custody of found property on Elk Lane. They were able to return the property to its owner.

Aug. 19 at 5:30 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Market Street. There were no injuries or hazards on the scene.

Aug. 21 at 3:27 p.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on North Williston Road. The officer grounded the vehicle and warned the operator accordingly.

Aug. 19 at 5:50 p.m. — Police assisted Williston Rescue with a medical call at Falcon Manor. Aug. 19 at 10:01 p.m. — Police assisted Williston Rescue with a medical call at Chelsea Place.

Aug. 21 at 3:44 p.m. — Police responded to a report of an animal problem on Walnut Street. Upon arrival, the animal was not on the premises.

Aug. 19 at 11:06 p.m. — Police assisted Williston Rescue with a medical call at French Hill Manor.

Aug. 21 at 4:22 p.m. — Police cited two individuals for trespassing on Harvest Lane.

Aug. 20 at 9:09 a.m. — Police responded to a report of theft on Harvest Lane.

Aug. 21 at 8:37 p.m. — Police responded to Harvest Lane to assist a citizen with a lockout.

Aug. 20 at 11:46 a.m. — Police responded to a report of an animal problem on Harvest Lane. The vehicle was gone upon arrival.

2021 PROTOCOL FOR APPLE PICKING No pets/No climbing Masks required in barn & market We appreciate you keeping your distance from other guests

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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.

Aug. 20 at 12:51 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision in Maple Tree Place. There were no injuries or hazards on the scene. Aug. 20 at 2:04 p.m. — Police responded

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September 2, 2021 • Williston Observer • Page 21

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. The library will be closed Monday, Sept. 6, in observance of Labor Day. To place holds, apply for a card, get updates on programming and access the library’s digital offerings, visit www. damlvt.org. Public wifi is available 24/7 from the patio. Everyone ages 2 and up must wear a mask when inside the library building.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

StoryWalks • On the Green: “Yellow Time” by Lauren Stringer. Celebrate autumn as the trees release their colorful leaves to blanket the earth. • At the Park: “Bella’s Fall Coat” by Lynn Plourde. Celebrate fall and winter with Bella. Located at Williston Community Park, east of the soccer fields. • In the Forest: “The Magical Yet” by Angela DiTerlizzi. Celebrate patience and perseverance. Located at Catamount Community Forest along Night Trail, visible from parking lot. Preschool Story Time on the Green Tuesdays, Sept. 7 and 14, 1010:30 a.m. (new time) Join Dan-

ielle for stories, songs and rhymes. Geared toward preschoolers, but all ages are welcome. Register once for all sessions at www. damlvt.org. After-School Documentary Movie Series Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2-3 p.m. Grades 5 and up. Join us for a fascinating BBC documentary series about the seven continents. Episode one: Discover Antarctica, the coldest, windiest, most hostile continent where only the toughest can survive. Register at www. damlvt.org. Preschool Music on the Green Thursdays, Sept. 9 and 16, 10:30-11:00 a.m. Sing and dance with musician Linda Bassick. Register once for all sessions at www.damlvt.org. Preschool Playtime on the Green Thursdays, Sept. 9 and 16, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Stay after the Preschool Music program to play with our early learning toys. No registration necessary. After-School Craft: Beading & Bracelets Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2-3 p.m. Grades 3 and up. Make a bracelet

for yourself or a friend. Register at www.damlvt.org. After School at the Library We are welcoming children after school again and offering special programs on early-release Wednesdays. Program space may be limited, so participants should register ahead at www.damlvt. org. Children in fifth grade and up may use the library unattended, while those in grade four or younger must be supervised by a person over 16 years of age. For more information on the Unattended Children Policy, visit www.damlvt.org.

MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS

Read to a Dog Thursday, Sept. 9, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Select a book to read to Lola, a certified therapy dog. Call 8784918 to reserve a 10-minute visit. Read to a Cat Thursday, Sept. 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Select a book to read to Edgar, a certified therapy cat. Call 878-4918 to reserve a 10-minute visit.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS Online programs are held via Zoom. Please email programs@damlvt.org or call 8784918 to sign up for online programs. Online Guided Meditation Fridays, Sept. 3 and 10, 1212:30 p.m. Maryellen Crangle leads a short meditation over Zoom. Mah-Jongg Friday, Sept. 3, 1-3 p.m. Come to the library and play with other members of the community. All levels are welcome. Current Events Discussion Wednesday, Sept. 8, 10:30-12 p.m. (new time) Connect with others online to talk about timely newsworthy topics at our popular discussion series. New Perspectives Discussion Tuesday, Sept. 21, 12-1 p.m. Join us online to discuss “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Kimmerer. eBook and eAudioBook available in Hoopla. Contact library for print copy.

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Page 22 • Williston Observer • September 2, 2021

Tired of the usual service industry grind? Denny’s is the place for you!

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TOWN OF WILLISTON Notice of Public Hearings October 5, 2021, 7:00 PM

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To place a classified or service directory ad, email Rick@willistonobserver.com or call 373-2136.

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In-person* and virtual participation options Zoom Meeting ID 158 006 871 on www. zoom.us/join or call (646) 558-8656 Annex Conference Room*, 7878 Williston Road, Williston VT 05495 The Williston Planning Commission is considering amendments to the 20162024 Comprehensive Plan (aka “Town Plan”) and Unified Development Bylaws (aka “Zoning Bylaws”) as required by the Specific Plan process to adopt the New England Chimney Supply (NECS) Specific Plan. Public comment at the hearings is welcomed and encouraged. View the proposed changes online: go to www.town.williston.vt.us and click on “Public Records and Documents,” then “Agendas and Minutes” and navigate to the Planning Commission page for October 5, 2021. Public comment is welcomed and encouraged. Contact Emily Heymann at the Williston Planning Office at (802) 8786704 or eheymann@willistonvt.org for additional information, including requests for accessibility accommodations. Comment letters can be emailed to Emily or mailed: Williston Planning Commission, 7900 Williston Road, Williston VT 05495.

*Due to COVID-19, virtual participation is strongly encouraged. The conference room is small and social distancing cannot be maintained; masks may be required. One staff person will be present in the EMAILED conference room and mostADVERTISEMENT Commissioners will join remotely via Zoom. ADVERTISING INSERTION ORD

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Page 24 • Williston Observer • September 2, 2021

OBITUARIES Dr. Francis R. C. S. Pasley

Dr. Francis R. C. S. Pasley, 89, of Williston passed away on August 29th, 2021 of natural causes. His wife of 63 years, Arlene (Boucher), cared for him so that he could spend his final days in their home. Frank was born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1931. He graduated with a B.S. (1953) and an M.D. (1957) from the University of Ottawa in psychiatry. He

moved to Burlington in 1957 to complete a residency at the DeGoesbriand Memorial Hospital (now the University of Vermont Medical Center), where he met Arlene, then a registered nurse. Frank and Arlene started their family and moved to Canada for another residency at the University of Toronto. They later moved to Plymouth, Michigan, where Frank started a long career as a staff psychiatrist at the Hawthorn Center and the William Beaumont Hospital Center for Human Development in the greater Detroit area. Frank also consulted for Maryvale Adolescent and Family Services in Windsor, Ontario; the Windsor Group Therapy Project; and the Northwestern Guidance Clinic of Wayne County, Michigan. He was active on many boards and committees; he trained medical students for many years; and he produced a number of teaching films. Frank’s family includes Ar-

lene; son Stephen of Pleasant Ridge, Michigan; daughter Joan (Mike) of Napa, California, son Tom (Patty) of Williston, Vermont; son Mark (Carolyn) of Boise, Idaho, and seven grandchildren: Kiersten, Corinne, Mia, Will, Max, Isabel, and Sophia. Frank didn’t have siblings, but he enjoyed lifelong relationships with cousins and childhood friends. He also enjoyed many vacations and summer camp visits on Lake Champlain with Arlene’s sisters and their husbands: Claire and Hugh Bemis, Betsy and Bob Coulliard, and Janice and Mike Rouille. Trips to Stratford, Ontario, to see Shakespeare and other plays with close friends and family were Frank’s favorites, and he would spend months planning for them. Frank was a lifelong learner as evidenced by the stacks of Great Courses DVDs in his office, covering topics ranging from The Essential Guide to It-

aly to Classic British Literature to Making Healthy Food Taste Great. He was a passionate supporter of the arts, health care systems, a variety of non-profit organizations, and progressive politics. He was a junior badminton champion of Ontario, a talented racket sportsman, an avid sailor, and a late-night online shopper. He always enjoyed bagpipes and a glass of Chardonnay, and he could take a nap anywhere. The family is not hosting services, but in honor of Frank’s 90th birthday on September 23, please raise a toast to him. We recommend a nice “Chardonnaaaaay.” The family would like to thank the UVM Home Health and Hospice nurses and caregivers — an amazing group of warm-hearted professionals. Without their help we could not have had a peaceful at-home end of life. Boucher and Pritchard Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Be a part of the climate solution Sustainable Williston is kicking off its fall Environmental Forum Series with a Backyard Climate Change Solutions Workshop on Thursday Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Learn how to fight climate change throughout your property with reduced emissions and sequestering carbon using regenerative gardening techniques. Also learn tips for growing your own organic food, composting, rewilding your lawn with native plants and cover cropping. This will be a hands-on workshop run by Deborah Miuccio, a Sustainable Williston member and Gardener’s Supply employee who is experienced in these solutions. A social will follow. Contact Danielle at doucetda9@gmail.com to for the event location.