The Citizen - 03-10-22

Growing pains

Homecoming

Residents sound alarm on Shelburne Shipyard

Shelburne Olympian Megan Nick happy, proud

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March 10, 2022

Weekly news coverage for Charlotte and Hinesburg

thecitizenvt.com

Philanthropist donates 46 acres for affordable housing in Hinesburg

Played off

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

Jan Blomstrann, the founder and former owner of the energy firm NRG Systems in Hinesburg, announced last week that she would be donating 46 acres of land for a new affordable housing development.

Through a partnership with the Champlain Housing Trust, land just south of the Champlain Union High School in Hinesburg village would be developed into new homes consisting primarily of affordable units. The development would include 100 homes, 60 percent of which will be “perpet-

ually affordable” to households earning less than 100 percent of area median income, according to the housing trust.

“I had the great fortune of working with the town of Hinesburg and its people for more than three decades with NRG Systems,” Blomstrann said in a press release.

“The development partners, led by the Champlain Housing Trust, have the track record and expertise to implement this plan. I look forward to the generations of families that will have the profound opportunity to benefit from homeownership. I urge town and state See HOUSING on page 9

Liquor merchants school customers on vodka ban TOMMY GARDNER STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY AL FREY

Champlain Valley Union senior Turner Elliot goes to the rim against the South Burlington Wolves in a quarterfinal matchup March 4. CVU won 48-44 but lost to Rice 54-33 in the semifinals. See story, page 10.

Vermont has sided with Ukraine, at least in spirits.

Gov. Phil Scott has banned the sale of Russian vodka at liquor stores and bars across the state, in a move of solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who have been fighting back against an invading Russian force for the past two weeks.

On March 1, Scott directed the Vermont Division of Liquor Control to remove Russian-owned products from store shelves and cease buying new product from Russia until further notice.

The state agency controls all liquor sold in Vermont.

“There are few things individual states can do alone, but I am heartened by the overwhelming

and united response from the free world in support of the people of Ukraine,” Scott said last week.

“Vermonters are inspired by the bravery, courage, and sacrifice of those who seek nothing more than the freedom to determine their own futures. The Ukrainian people are fighting for the same values we believe in, and we must come together to support them.”

But what does that mean for vodka fans? On its face, not much.

Actual Russian-distilled vodka is rare in this state. According to Jacqueline Posley of the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery, there are only four vodka brands on the banned list: Beluga Noble, Hammer & Sickle, Russian Standard Original and See BAN on page 12

Page 2 • March 10, 2022 • The Citizen

Residents sound alarm on Shelburne Shipyard

Perfect drip

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

Kim Anderson captures a water droplet as it detaches from an icicle “in a split second.”

Safe Harbor Marina, the Texas-based company that owns the historic Shelburne Shipyard, is proposing a multimillion-dollar expansion that would increase its boat and dock capacity by 20 percent.

But the Harborwood Shores Property Owners Association, a local group of 31 property owners adjacent to the shipyard, is sounding the alarm that there is “insufficient information to comprehensively evaluate the potential impact of the proposed development.”

“Based on the information we have reviewed, and the questions we feel are unanswered at this time, we have significant concerns of potential impacts to the environment, safety, historical preservation and to the community,” reads a 30-page document submitted to the Shelburne Development Review Board in response to the project. “Our position is that there are too many unanswered questions to determine if this sketch application complies with conditional use criteria and state and federal regulations.”

Safe Harbor Marinas did not respond to inquiries for comment.

Mark Lurvey, the general

manager listed on the application, and Dave Marshall, the engineer and primary consultant on the application told, The Shelburne News they were not authorized to comment but did provide some supplemental documentation.

The development, first submitted to the development review board in mid-January, would create multiple improvements to the company’s 15.4-acre property, including a relocation of the access road to the property’s southern end and the reconstruction of a clubhouse and administration building, according to minutes from the meeting.

The expansion would also include building “one of the largest paved parking lots in the town,” said former selectboard member Mary Kehoe, who is a member of the property owners’ association.

“They’re planning a $5 million expansion, including a 310-car paved parking lot on the thinnest strip of land on a peninsula in the middle of a residential neighborhood,” Kehoe said.

The harbor is located on the eastern side of Shelburne Neck, along Shelburne Bay near the end of Harbor Road. It has a long and storied history spanning more than two centuries, first as a shipbuilding operation beginning in 1820

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and, in the 20th century, a producer for the U.S. military and, later, pleasure craft.

The marina today is a hub for recreational boaters, with local members and visitors filling its 106 slips each summer.

The property for years was owned by the Griswold family.

But in Nov. 2019 it was sold to Safe Harbor Marinas. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company boasts that it is “the largest owner and operator of marinas in the world, operating 101 marinas across 22 states.” It also owns two New York state marinas on Lake Champlain — Willsboro Bay Marina in Willsboro and Gaines Marina in Rouses Point.

Safe Harbor was later bought out by Sun Communities, Inc. in 2020 for $2.11 billion, according to a news release. Sun Communities is a publicly traded real estate investment trust based in Michigan that has more than $2 billion in revenue, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The project’s developers will next appear before the Shelburne review board during its April 6 meeting. They last met March 2 when a contingent of residents expressed serious concerns about the environmental impact of the development.

Property owners fear the development will cause serious harm to the environment from increased stormwater runoff, wastewater and removal of vegetation from the area, among other concerns. Officials with the company said in documents that the project “proposes new stormwater management practices that will improve runoff quality to the lake, which historically has gone unchecked.”

They also say there “is no identified endangered wildlife species in this area.”

Property owners fear that this would “only be the beginning” of a continued business expansion on the property, nearby resident Toby Richman said.

“What’s the (return on investment) on $5 million?” said Annmarie Curley, a property owner with the Harborwood Shores Property Owners Association. “There’s clearly a bigger mission that we’re not privy to. There’s a long-range mission and vision there.”

They say the proposed expansion would bring in a substantial amount of traffic, creating “increased contact between motorSee SHIPYARD on page 3

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2/10/22 11:12 AM

The Citizen • March 10, 2022 • Page 3

SHIPYARD

continued from page 2

PHOTO BY COREY MCDONALD

A large-scale project at Shelburne Shipyard has some residents worried about pollution, traffic and wetlands.

ists and non-motorists because of higher traffic volumes due to increased parking, boat storage and valet service, and heavy wastewater disposal trucks,” the association’s 30-page document reads.

Safe Harbor, in documents submitted to the development review board, said that “the challenge of traffic coming down to the marina has existed prior to Safe Harbor purchasing the property” but that improvements can be made to alleviate concerns, such as adding “supplemental pedestrian walkways” along Harbor Road.

“The marina proposes to work cooperatively with the association and the town of Shelburne in seeking mutually suitable improvements to the pedestrian movements through this area,” Marshall said in application documents, adding that “the marina is proposing to fund 10 percent of subse-

quent pedestrian improvements along Harbor Road, with a maximum contribution of $20,000.”

Meanwhile, the association is urging Shelburne officials to, at the very least, deny the application until a more thorough wetland study and traffic study is conducted. The consequences of continuing without a more thorough vetting would be “irrevocable,” Curley said.

“What’s happening is it’s actually changing the character of very fragile land, right? It’s taking a sleepy situation and turning it into a whole different concept — a private club, essentially,” Kehoe said. “(And) this is unique insofar as we have one shot at it at the DRB. It’s a huge application that is really kind of changing the character of our neighborhood.

“This is a multimillion-dollar corporation versus 31 homeowners.”

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Page 4 • March 10, 2022 • The Citizen

Hinesburg Police Blotter Feb. 26 at 12:14 a.m., a residential burglar alarm on Lewis Creek Road was falsely triggered.

Feb. 26 at 1:26 p.m., officers delivered a death notification to a Hinesburg family for a relative who died in another town.

Feb. 26 at 8:08 p.m., officers checked on the well-being of a resident at Village Heights and made sure all was fine.

Feb. 27 at 12:13 a.m., police responded to a single car crash on Shelburne Falls Road and subsequently arrested the driver, Courtney Pike, 32, of Charlotte, for driving under the influence.

Feb. 27 at 7:59 a.m., a false alarm was tripped at the high school on CVU Road.

Feb. 27 at 2:17 p.m., someone reported a suspicious man knocking on residences at Hillview Terrace, but police didn’t find anyone when they checked the area.

Feb. 28 at 12:20 p.m., an officer checked on the wellbeing of an elderly resident on Kelley’s Field Road, and all was well.

Feb. 28 at 2:29 p.m., someone whose car was damaged while parked on Patricia’s Place called to report it for insurance

purposes.

Feb. 28 at 3:26 p.m., police continued investigating an attempted burglary on Bear Lane.

March 1 at 12:02 a.m., officers responded to a domestic incident on Gilman Road, separating the parties involved. No one was arrested.

March 1 at 10:13 a.m., police issued a trespass order to an individual barring them from Champlain Valley Union High School.

March 1 at 2:41 p.m., police assisted a resident on Richmond Road with a family dispute.

March 2 at 5:26 a.m., someone reported a suspicious man parked in their driveway, but when officers checked, the driver turned out to just be lost and out of gas. Police helped him fill up the tank and move along.

March 2 at 7 a.m., officers patrolled Leavensworth Road, making sure no cars were parked there, to clear the way for the highway department.

March 2 at 1:41 p.m., police helped staff at the Hinesburg Community School on Route 116 with an out-of-control juvenile.

March 2 at 4:30 p.m., police contin-

ued investigating an ongoing sexual assault case.

March 3 at 9:44 a.m., an officer assisted a resident on Mead Farm Road with trespassing an individual from the residents’ home.

March 3 at 4:48 p.m., police responded to Lewis Creek Road for a mental health call, but the individual was not found in Hinesburg.

March 4 at 10:50 a.m., someone reported a driver dumping tires onto the side of Hayden Hill Road West. The officer who started investigating had a suspicion as to who had abandoned the tires and talked to them. The tires later disappeared from the roadside.

March 4 at 1:14 p.m., a lost wallet was found on Commerce Street.

March 4 at 1:53 p.m., a false alarm was triggered at a residence on Hawk Lane.

March 4 at 2:44 p.m., police worked on an ongoing landlord tenant issue on Charlotte Road.

March 4 at 3:38 p.m., police assisted Champlain Valley Union with a juvenile problem.

March 4 at 4:14 p.m., police assisted a broken-down vehicle on Lincoln Hill Road.

With 80 percent vaccinated, CVSD drops mask mandate masks in business and public municipal buildings. Shelburne, for example, extended its mandate The Champlain Valley School through March.

But for children living in towns District dropped mask mandates for its schools after determining where there is a mask mandate, the every school in the district had mandate “does not apply inside reached the 80 percent vaccina- while students are inside school buildings,” Sanchez said. tion rate per earlier state One school board guidance. member, Josilyn Adams, During a meeting expressed concerns for March 3, Superintendent teachers of younger chilRene Sanchez said that dren in schools who are masks will be optional in “managing kids wearing all district schools beginmasks and not wearing ning March 7. masks.”

“Anyone who wants “If a student does to continue wearing come to school with a a mask, preferably a mask, we’re going to do high-quality mask, they Rene Sanchez what we can to support should please feel free to that student,” Sanchez continue wearing one,” Sanchez said. “We are making this said. “But it would be really diffitransition, as we have determined cult for a teacher to have to do that that every school in our district has on a consistent basis, so I would reached the 80 percent vaccination hope that there’s a conversation that takes place between the teachrate.”

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott last ers and the families and the adminweek announced the state would istrators on the campus as well, no longer recommend that students so we are supporting the parents’ wear masks in schools, and that decision.”

There is currently a 4.2 percent masks be made optional by March 14, regardless of vaccination rates positivity rate for COVID-19, — a change from the state’s previ- according to data from the Vermont ous recommendation tacking the Department of Health, and 87 mandate to a school’s vaccination percent of Vermonters ages five and up have received at least one rates.

Some towns still mandate vaccine dose.

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

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The Citizen • March 10, 2022 • Page 5

OPINION War in Ukraine will affect Vermont’s fuel, heating costs Report from the Legislature Rep. Mike Yantachka Surely, we are all horrified by the devastation that is happening in Ukraine. The uncalled-for war initiated by Vladimir Putin has outraged the world and resulted in a unified front against Russia in support of the Ukrainian people.

The strong economic sanctions are totally justified and must remain as long as Russian forces continue their assault and occupation.

We will have to stand firm regardless of the economic pain that the sanctions cause in the U.S. and among our allies in Europe and around the world, because that pain is nothing compared to the pain being visited on the people of Ukraine.

One of the biggest effects in the U.S. is soaring oil prices, which is driving already high inflation even higher. With gasoline topping $4 per gallon and heating oil not far behind, the remainder of the heating season as well as our daily commutes will be more costly than previously expected. The questions many are asking are: “What can we do about it? How can I handle the added expense?”

These questions are at the forefront of policymakers in Montpelier as well. One thing we can do is help Vermonters reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

Gov. Phil Scott has proposed, and the House Committee on Energy and Technology has recommended, that $80 million be allocated for weatherizing 8,000 low- and moderate-income residences between 2022 and 2026.

Vermont homeowners and tenants with low incomes will be eligible for no-cost, comprehensive home weatherization services through Vermont’s Home Weatherization Assistance Program administered by the Office of Economic Opportunity and delivered through six weatherization assistance providers.

Weatherization of buildings with five or more units will be delivered through 3E Thermal, a team of consultants who help apartment building owners increase energy efficiency and improve building performance.

Vermonters with a moderate income will be eligible to receive

incentives through Efficiency Vermont and its network of contractors to support the cost of home weatherization. Weatherization will reduce the amount of fossil fuels needed for heating and thereby reduce the cost of heating.

In addition, $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds is recommended for low- and moderate-income Vermonters to upgrade home electrical systems and install energy saving technologies such as cold-climate heat pumps in conjunction with weatherization.

Another $5 million is recommended to help approximately 3,000 low-income Vermonters that have a fossil fuel water heater at least 10 years old to replace it at low or no cost with a heat pump water heater to reduce their energy costs and emissions. These alternative heating appliances will further reduce dependence on fossil fuels and their associated cost.

While the situation in Ukraine was not a consideration when the Vermont Climate Council proposed a clean heat standard, it may turn out to be an effective tool when combined with the state’s share of rescue plan act funds in counteracting the heating costs of

Vermonters. By allowing clean heat measures like weatherization, heat pumps and heat-pump hot-water heaters installed starting Jan. 1, 2022, to create clean heat credits, we can get a jump start on reducing emissions as well as costs of residential heating. These credits will be readily available for purchase by fossil fuel dealers to meet clean heat credit obligations expected to start in 2024. Or they can generate credits themselves by helping their customers transition to these clean heat measures.

We don’t know how long the war in Ukraine will continue, how the sanctions will affect Putin’s conduct, and what the outcome will be. But fuel prices that were already high before the war will probably continue to be so. For every gallon of heating oil or gasoline we can avoid using, we will further insulate ourselves from the volatility of fossil fuel prices as well as reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

As always, I welcome your emails (myantachka.dfa@gmail. com) or phone calls (802-2335238). More at mikeyantachka. com.

Letters to the Editor Police serve best interests of Hinesburg To the Editor: There has been a lot of discussion about the Hinesburg Police Department budget, and a certain amount of commentary on policing in general.

This commentary seems to assume that all police departments operate on the same or similar principles and have the same or similar values and objectives. Too many Americans have had difficult experiences with police, and while there is recognition of the value of order, there is not unreasonable disquiet about well-publicized or personal experience with abuse of responsibility.

We are fortunate in Hinesburg to have been able to start a police department from scratch, one that was geared from that start toward responding to the needs of this town, Hinesburg, and doing so by building trust.

The guiding ethic was a movement called community policing.

I was on the selectboard at the time and president of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and learned about community policing at a seminar at the National League of Cities convention. Other leaders and police departments that came to talk spoke about how gratified they were to become so well regarded and important to their communities. And so, community policing seemed appropriate for Hinesburg.

No other department in Vermont was so organized.

Happily, the leadership of Hinesburg and the Hinesburg Police Department have stuck to those founding principles.

Our officers have worked to be a part of the community, to know people and be known by them, to be trusted, to be supportive, to be versatile and to be thinking about their jobs.

If any of you had, as I once did as an elected leader here, the opportunity to review with them the cases that they were dealing with and the compassion and sensitivity that they See LETTERS on page 6

Page 6 • March 10, 2022 • The Citizen

LETTERS

continued from page 5 often exhibited, you would understand that the role of community police in our community is way more than what gets headlines. It is an important public service, particularly to more vulnerable citizens.

It is always fair game to question budgets, and I know that this post is way too late to have any effect on this vote, but what I hope is that we can recognize that the Hinesburg Police Department is providing a set of needed services in town. A lower budget simply implies less service, which may or may not have unintended consequences.

It would be more useful for those with concern to discuss with the town and the Hinesburg Police Department about the set of services, how they are being handled and how citizens can help guide the department.

I want to thank the Hinesburg Police Department and the selectboard for their dedication to these matters. They really do have the best interests of this town at heart.

skating or ice fishing, and that needs to be clear black ice.

Skaters and others should not go near partially submerged obstacles such as stumps and rocks where ice is weaker, and these dangerous areas should be clearly identified and avoided.

Ice over moving water is likely unsafe and should be avoided.

Ice should be examined for man-made hazards, such as where it has broken or been cut, and these hazards should be clearly identified.

Never go skating or ice fishing alone. Adults should constantly supervise children while skating, when on the ice wear flotation and carry ice picks. If a person or pet goes through the ice call 911 first.

Rob Bast Hinesburg

To the Editor: A heartfelt thank you for the continued support of the Champlain Valley School District’s students and schools. The fiscal year 2023 budget and related articles all passed in a year that continues to test the creativity, patience and tenacity of each and every one of us.

Our community, once again, came together in support of public education.

As the Champlain Valley

No ice is safe ice To the Editor: As spring approaches please be careful on the ice.

Ice clouded with air bubbles should be avoided. Although it may appear solid, this ice is typically weak. Ice must freeze to a uniform depth of at least 4 inches before it is firm enough for group

Dick St. George Chief Charlotte Fire & Rescue Services

CVU school board heartened by support

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School District board moves out of the planning and development phase of the budget cycle and into the implementation, your voice remains an important part of the process.

We always welcome engagement at monthly board meeting. Meeting details, log-in and agendas can be found on the school board page of the district’s website, cvsdvt.org.

Josilyn Adams, Williston, Angela Arsenault, Williston, Kelly Bowen, St. George Erin Brady, Williston, Lynne Jaunich, Charlotte, Erika Lea, Shelburne, Colleen MacKinnon, Hinesburg, Barbra Marden, Shelburne, Brendan McMahon, Williston, Meghan Metzler, Charlotte, Keith Roberts, Hinesburg, Ken Scott, Shelburne, Aidan Devine and Saphirre Martin, student representatives Champlain Valley School District Board of directors

Hinesburg can’t rely on outside police agencies To the Editor: There seems to be an 800-pound gorilla in the room when it comes to limiting police staffing in Hinesburg. What do we do when a solo officer needs backup or what about counting on outside agencies for primary patrol? I’ve hardly heard anyone mention these elements.

I’ve never been a deputy or a trooper, but I’m retired from being in management and administration in a very large law enforcement agency. I’ve dealt with the what-if scenarios, such as a compromise between budget, staffing, patrol area and call volume. My experience ranges from patrol to hosting large meetings with elected officials.

The reality is that on a local, county or state level, outside agency staffing can never be relied upon for backup or primary patrol.

I’m not intimate with the details of Vermont State Police operations, but from a quick glance at their staffing, training and area of responsibility, I can make some educated guesses. In broad terms, to permanently add two troopers to each shift at each barracks would probably take four to five years.

This is due to attrition, promotion, length of selection process, academy and field training officer training cycles and the shifting needs of each barracks. Adding more towns to each barracks’ area of responsibility will make those numbers even more limited.

See LETTERS on page 13

Vermont restaurants need help; the way forward is clear establishments, this mighty engine provides a dynamic experience for Vermonters Leslie McCrorey Wells and visitors and contributes to the health of our communiAs the co-owner of three ties in so many ways, not the Burlington restaurants, I least of which is collecting know how hard this past year local and state tax revenues. has been on our industry Our legislators know this, and partners. During the first 18 they acted swiftly and boldly months of the pandemic, we to support our furloughed staff, restaurant industry lost revenue and at the onset of the accumulated debt. closures. Why stop At the same time, the support short of we worked harder the finish line? than ever to adapt, Restaurants have pivot and persevere suffered devastating to keep our busifallout from the nesses viable and pandemic, and the our workers and impact of nearly customers safe.

Leslie Wells two years of operEven with ating restrictions the extraordinary and closures will challenges faced by Vermont’s independent restau- continue to be felt for months and years to come. Nearly 75 rants, we were lucky. We percent of Vermont restaureceived funding through the rants have not experienced first round of the Restaurant a complete sales recovery, Revitalization Fund, which has been instrumental in help- reporting that their businesses are still less profitable ing our businesses to survive. than they were prior to the Only 366 of the 947 pandemic. The Restaurant Vermont restaurants that Revitalization Fund picked applied for were awarded winners and losers, with funds, leaving a $120.5 recipients left in a stronmillion hole in our state’s ger economic position than restaurant industry. Overapplicants who did not receive subscription was anticipated, funds. Too many restaurants which is why before the fund’s creation many congres- are operating on borrowed time, and we cannot afford to sional and federal leaders lose another one. promised a follow-up replenThe Vermont Indepenishment package. dent Restaurant Coalition is Unfortunately, Congress calling on Leahy, Sanders continues to drag its feet and Welch to immediately when it comes to advancing replenish the Restaurant Restaurant Revitalization Revitalization Fund, as was Fund replenishment. promised by state and federal Now, we need help. leaders. While our delegation Congress must make in Vermont is not the largest replenishing the fund a priorin the nation, our leaders ity, and Vermont’s Congressional delegation, Sen. Patrick hold key budgetary positions, and their support is critical Leahy, Sen. Bernie Sanders, to passing the fund’s replenand Rep. Peter Welch, are ishment, which will keep our in key positions to do this. restaurants open, help workers Vermont’s restaurants are stay employed and protect the some of our most prized vibrancy of Vermont. economic forces — 1,400 strong at the beginning of the Leslie McCrorey Wells is pandemic — and we operate the co-owner of Burlington’s on razor-thin margins to turn Pizzeria Verità, Trattoria millions of dollars in food Delia and Sotto Enoteca, and purchases (nearly $10 million a member of the Vermont of which is locally produced) Chamber of Commerce and into over $1 billion in annual Vermont Independent Restausales. rant Leadership Council.

Along with drinking

Guest Perspective

The Citizen • March 10, 2022 • Page 7

Community Notes Claire Black presents program ‘Poetic Unity’ Burlington-based pianist Claire Black offers a series of intimate recitals titled “Poetic Unity” in celebration of her return to Vermont, where she first launched her musical career.

The program weaves together musical, historic and personal themes featuring the piano music of Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann and Ludwig van Beethoven, Friday, April 8, 7:30 p.m. Charlotte Congregational Church, 403 Church Hill Road.

Black is also offering recitals in Richmond (Sunday, April 3, 3 p.m., Richmond Free Library); in Burlington (Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m., First Baptist Burlington); livestreamed on Sunday, April 10, at 3 p.m.

Admission is by donation in suggested amounts of $20 for adults and $5 for children, payable by cash, Venmo or PayPal at the door. No RSVP required, except for the Charlotte Congregational Church program; reserve at claireblackconcerts@gmail. com. Vaccination and masks are required for in-person concerts.

Vaccine cards will be checked at the door.

Virtual concert links: bit.ly/3t1THzs (Facebook), and bit.ly/3s66j9A (YouTube).

Senior center hosts Monday Munch The next Monday Munch at the Charlotte Senior Center is March 14, 212 Ferry Road, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The menu features chicken tortilla soup, green salad, bread, beverage and homemade dessert.

A $5 donation is appreciated.

Check the website in case of last-minute cancellations at charlotteseniorcentervt.org.

31 — register by March 28 — is a turkey burger with vegetable gravy, mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts, dinner roll, peach and Craisin crisp and milk.

Check the website for last-minute cancellations at charlotteseniorcentervt.org.

Lecture series looks at Charlotte’s farm history The talk for March 23 in the Charlotte Senior Center Wednesday lecture series is “Farms in Charlotte,” 1-2 p.m.

Presented on behalf of the Charlotte Land Trust and facilitated by the Charlotte Grange, learn what a new study by the Charlotte Land Trust reveals about farming as it impacts the town’s economy and way of life.

The free lecture starts at 1 p.m., and this one is on Zoom, not in person. Questions? Leave a message at (802) 425-6345 or visit charlotteseniorcentervt.org.

There is no lecture scheduled on March 16. On March 30, the lecture series features “Driving to Alaska” with Jim Donovan.

Remembering Marty and Terry through stories Friends of Marty Illick and Terry Dinnan are invited to join in an evening of storytelling and sharing of memories on Zoom Thursday, March 10, and Monday, March 14, both 7:30-9 p.m.

“While memories of my mom and dad are relatively fresh in our minds I am hosting two events to come together as a community to share and hear. Many of you know things about my parents that I’ve never heard before, and I’ve

PHOTO NICK CAPUTO

Young Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees take a break while building a road in the 1930s. Most of the boys who joined the Corps in Vermont gained 10-15 pounds of muscle from their hard work and the three large meals they received each day at the camps run by the U.S Army. See note, page 9.

loved hearing from many of you this past year,” said Tai Dinnan.

“I hope you’ll join me, in connection with each other, to recount memories, learnings or anything else we feel moved to share about Marty and Terry.”

Consider if there is anything you would like to share, up to 10 minutes. There will be a predetermined list of speakers, followed by an open mic, as time allows.

If you would like to be sure to have time to share your story, email tai.dinnan@gmail.com and specify which night you’d prefer to be on the speaker list. If you have a memory in writing or photos email illickdinnan@ gmail.com.

Both events will be recorded.

See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 9

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Page 8 • March 10, 2022 • The Citizen

Shelburne Olympian Megan Nick proud, happy to be home LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

COURTESY PHOTOS

Aerialist Megan Nick at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, where she won a bronze medal.

As Megan Nick stood at the bottom of the hill at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, she was filled with emotions.

The Shelburne native was on the podium, in bronze medal position, with one more skier to go. But that skier was Ashley Caldwell, gold medal favorite and a Team USA teammate.

Then Caldwell fell on her final jump.

“It was definitely bittersweet when Ashley slapped back on her last jump,” Nick said. “I’ve seen all the hard work she’s put in and she’s been such a good role model. She’s been one of the women who’s continued to push the woman’s side of the sport and I knew that she could lay down a jump that could put her on the top of the podium.”

Then reality hit. Nick, a former gymnast and Champlain Valley Union High school graduate, became an Olympic medalist.

“It was definitely surreal,” Nick said. “I think at the time I mostly just felt relief because it has been a stressful, not only two weeks leading up to that competition when you’re in China, but it’s been an extremely stressful two years with COVID-19 and trying to qualify

for the Olympic team.”

“I knew it was going to be an uphill battle of trying to make that Olympic team. So, I think it was just a sigh of relief that all that hard work paid off and that’s a great feeling,” she said.

Nick knew she was the underdog. Of the six competitors in the final event, she was the only one doing a trick with doubles. All the others were attempting triples.

“I think it was maybe an advantage because I knew that I was the underdog because every woman in that super final was laying down some huge, massive triples and they deserved to be on the top of that podium,” Nick said. “I went into that final round thinking, let’s just do the best jump I can.”

The strategy worked as only two skiers topped her score — China’s Xu Mengtao and Belarus’ Hanna Huskova.

Now that Nick is back in the United States and able to reflect on her performance, she is proud of what she was able to accomplish.

“I’m just so grateful that I have this opportunity and I’m extremely grateful that I have so many people in my life who’ve supported me,” Nick said. “Bringing home this medal is for them. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to really express how thankful I am for all their support.”

Nick will participate in one

Shelburne celebrates Nick at Fieldhouse Shelburne plans a celebration for Olympic medal winner Megan Nick on Wednesday, March 16, from 3:30-4:30 p.m., outdoors at The Fieldhouse.

She will be escorted to the venue on a fire truck and escorted by police and other public safety vehicles. A special presentation will be made, and Nick will sign autographs. Palmer’s Sugarhouse will hand out maple snow cones. more this season, the U.S. Aerial Freestyle Championships in Bristol, N.Y., before getting to head home to Vermont to spend time with her family and celebrate her success.

“I’m going to spend a few days at home to see some family and friends,” Nick said. “I’m really excited to see everyone from Green Mountain Gymnastics as well, because they had a watch party and they’ve supported me throughout this whole thing. I’m really excited just to celebrate with everyone.”

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The Citizen • March 10, 2022 • Page 9

HOUSING

continued from page 1 regulators, along with the array of funders needed, to make this new neighborhood a reality.”

NRG manufactures utility-scale renewable energy systems.

The housing trust’s shared equity program allows potential buyers who meet certain financial requirements to buy a house with no down payment and a reduced mortgage.

Additionally, one third of those homes would designated as “deeply affordable through a partnership with Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity and its model of sweat equity and volunteer labor,” a program that requires homeowner assistance in building the home, building homes for others or by providing additional volunteer work, according to the housing trust’s website.

To qualify for these deeply affordable homes, households must earn 80 percent or less of the area median income to be eligible.

The remaining homes would be sold at market value.

“This project is consistent with Hinesburg’s plan for village growth and is critically needed to support working families and the Vermont economy,” said Michael Monte, chief executive officer of the trust.

“This will be a model project that I hope will inspire other communities across our region and state to prioritize affordable housing development when Vermonters’ need is so great.”

The project would be “pretty big for the whole region, really,” Todd Odit, Hinesburg’s town manager, said. The town’s housing stock is “lacking” to begin with,

“so potentially adding these new units is significant.”

But the project still has some hurdles, the biggest being the fact that the town doesn’t have the water capacity to serve the development, Odit said — putting a bit of pressure on the town.

Hinesburg was already in the process of getting a new well permitted and constructed, which

will cost the town at least $1 million. The well is necessary for the last phase of construction on the Haystack Crossing development, which features about 180 units on the west side of Route 116.

That development designated 20 units as affordable housing.

This new development would need the well fully online in order

to meet water capacity requirements.

“We needed to get that well online anyway, but this adds more importance,” Odit said.

It’s unclear how long that process would be.

“It would be great to have this online by the middle of 2023. I’m not sure if that’s possible, but we’re certainly going to try,” he said.

non-profits have used the funds to continue their missions to improve the lives of their neighbors and strengthen their communities.

Grants range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Grants may not exceed $3,000 per request and only one grant can be received within a one-year period by any one entity.

Other requirements include: • 501c(3) status or submit the application through such an organization.

• Projects must serve residents in Shelburne, Charlotte and Hinesburg.

• Funds may not be applied to annual operating budgets or

permanent staffing.

Grants deadlines are April 15 and October 15.

To obtain an application go to schipstreasure.org.

ter, East Burke, Elmore, Jericho, Middlesex, Milton, Moscow/ Stowe, Rickers Mills, Underhill Center, Waterbury, Waterbury Village and West Burke.

Vermont was originally allocated four camps, but thanks to the persistence of Vermont state forester Perry H. Merrill, it received considerably more assistance than other states.

Podskoch is looking for photos and stories from living members of the Civilian Conservation Corps or family members of those men.

Contact him at 43 O’Neill Lane, East Hampton CT 06424; 860-2672442; podskoch@comcast.net; or martinpodskoch.com.

COMMUNITY NOTES continued from page 7

Upcoming blood drives Friday, March 18, 12:30-6 p.m., United Church of Hinesburg, 10580 Route 116, Hinesburg.

Thursday, April 14, 2-7 p.m., Charlotte Senior Center, 212 Ferry Road, Charlotte.

Interfaith grant application deadline looms The spring deadline for grant applications from the Shelburne Charlotte Hinesburg Interfaith Projects (SCHIP) is Friday, April 15.

Since the interfaith project began making grants many

Author seeks stories about CCC camps Marty Podskoch, author of three books on the Civilian Conservation Corps camps in the Adirondacks, Connecticut and Rhode Island, is gathering information for a book on Vermont’s CCC camps.

Vermont had approximately 34 camps, including in Colches-

Page 10 • March 10, 2022 • The Citizen

SPORTS Offense fails CVU as Rice runs away in D1 semifinal LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

For the first eight minutes of the Division 1 boys’ basketball semifinal, it looked like Champlain Valley Union and Rice were locked in a tight, back-and-forth affair.

Then, suddenly, they weren’t.

The Green Knights went on a 9-0 run to end the first half and never looked back as they beat No. 2 Champlain Valley 54-33 Sunday night, March 6, at the University of Vermont’s Patrick Gym. “Our intent was come here and win, not just this one, but the next one,” said CVU coach Michael Osborne. “But we played a very good basketball team who played better basketball than us tonight.”

After a run to end the first, No. 3 Rice opened the second half on another run, this one 8-0, to fully pull away from the Redhawks.

The charge was led by Sharif Sharif (20 points) and Rice’s three-point shooting as the Green Knights scored 21 points from behind the arc.

“It really wasn’t a defensive issue for me,” See BASKETBALL on page 11

Redhawks recap LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

Girls’ hockey (4) Rutland 3, (5) Champlain ValleyMount Mansfield 1: The Champlain ValleyMount Mansfield comeback effort fell just short in a loss to Rutland Wednesday, March 2, in the Division 1 quarterfinals.

Tess Everett scored in the second period for the CougarHawks, closing the score to 2-1 with under 10 minutes left in the frame.

But they could not find the equalizer and ended up on the wrong side of a 3-1 score.

Anna West earned an assist on the goal and Grace Ferguson stopped 23 shots.

With the loss, CVU-MMU finished the season with a 9-11-1 record.

Boys’ hockey

PHOTO BY AL FREY

Logan Vaughan (25) and Khalon Taylor battle for the ball at tipoff. Taylor got 13 of his game-high 17 points in the first half to lead the Wolves, but South Burlington fell to CVU 48-41 in the March 4 matchup.

(2) BFA-St. Albans 6, Champlain Valley 0: BFA-St. Albans jumped out to a quick lead in the first period and did not look back in a win over Champlain Valley in the D1 boys’ hockey quarterfinals on March 1.

Jack Averill made 25 saves in goal for the Redhawks, which finished the season with a 6-13-2 record.

The Citizen • March 10, 2022 • Page 11

Champlain Valley alpine skiers capture second D1 title LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

To repeat as state champions, the Champlain Valley Union girls’ alpine ski team needed top results out of all four of its skiers.

They got just enough.

The Redhawks eked past Rice by one point to capture their second straight Division 1 state title.

In the first day of competition, CVU earned a narrow two-point lead in the giant slalom at Burke

Mountain.

Carolynn Strobeck came in seventh, with Dicey Manning right behind her in 10th. Kate Kogut finished in 18th place and Elizabeth Nostrund rounded out the top four finishers with a 28th-place finish.

With a narrow lead heading into Tuesday’s slalom at Burke, CVU needed its skiers to place just ahead of their counterparts from Rice.

Manning came in 10th, Strobeck followed in 13th and Kogut finished 15th to put the Redhawks

in solid position. Then Ella Lisle came in 20th — four points ahead of the fourth skier for the Green Knights — to give CVU just enough breathing room and the state title.

the first half, the Green Knight offense caught fire.

Carter Blanchard hit a three-pointer, then Sharif scored the next six points of the half to put his team 28-16 headed into halftime.

The Green Knights exited the locker room for the third quarter and stayed hot, with eight more points added to the scoreboard before the Redhawks could make one fall.

“We really weren’t able to get much else going all night long,” Osborne said. “Hats off to Rice. I thought their defense dictated to us on the offensive side.We needed to

be better on offense.”

CVU ended up with just five points of offense in the third quarter and faced a 41-21 deficit entering the final frame.

“That’s a good defensive team,” Osborne said. “We didn’t go down tonight.”

At that point it was too late for CVU to close the gap as Rice booked a spot in the D1 title game.

Alex Provost led CVU scorers with 11 points, while Tharpe finished with eight.

The Redhawks ended the season with a 17-5 record.

Boys’ alpine CVU’s girls were not the only team to come home with some hardware at the alpine ski championships. The Redhawk boys’ alpine team captured a state championship of its own on Tuesday,

March 2.

CVU won its second D1 title in a row with a dominating performance on the slopes at Burke.

Jake Strobeck was the top finisher in Monday’s giant slalom, coming in second. Ray Hagios was fourth and George Francisco (ninth) also finished in the top 10.

Kyle Marvin was the fourth finish-

er for CVU, coming in 13th place.

The Redhawks continued their dominance on Tuesday in the slalom, placing four skiers in the top 10.

Francisco was fifth, Hagios came in sixth, Peter Gilliam followed in seventh and Marvin was ninth to clinch the D1 crown for Champlain Valley Union.

BASKETBALL

continued from page 10 Osborne said of the team’s struggles. “I think it was an offensive issue. We make a few baskets, and it makes it a lot easier on the defensive side for us, but we were stuck at 16 (points) forever.”

The game started well for CVU, which was appearing in its third straight D1 semifinal, as it opened a quick 9-4 lead behind four points for Tucker Tharpe and a three-pointer from Kyle Eaton.

But Rice quickly responded, and the two teams settled into a back-and-forth rhythm. With just under three minutes remaining in

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BAN

continued from page 1

PHOTO BY GORDON MILLER

Two Russian vokdas — Russian Standard and Hammer + Sickle — along with two others, can no longer be sold in Vermont.

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Russian Standard Platinum. bar almost hit the panic button,” However, liquor store owners he said. are finding this an opportunity Posley said the Department of to educate customers on history Liquor and Lotteries anticipated and commerce, and how the most confusion on what is and is not famous vodkas out there may Russian product and sent agency have Russian names but aren’t stores clarifying information for made there. them to share with customers and At Route 7 Liquor and Deli posted information on the social on Shelburne Road, operations media for 802Spirits, the name manager Chrisgiven to the topher Ward said agency stores. a lot of people It was a “I personally have asked if the good history appreciate buying stores were going lesson, because to have to get rid the Smirnoff from refugee of popular vodka distillery, while brands like Stoli having its roots countries.” and Smirnoff, in Russia, has and it’s been an refugee status. opportune time — Chris Gatchell Vladimir Smirnto educate the ov — that was buying public about what is being the spelling of the company until banned.

1924 — fled the country during He appreciates that consumers the October Revolution of 1917 can use the power of the pocket- and renamed the brand. book but wants to make sure they Stoli also has roots in Russia aren’t boycotting a product that but is now distilled in Latvia. ought not be.

The company officially changed For instance, Smirnoff, which its name from Stolichnaya after is distilled in Plainfield, Ill. the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“If someone was to not do Yuri Shefler, the company CEO, their research and boycott that said he was exiled from Russia in product, that’s actually affect- 2000 because of his opposition to ing American jobs,” Ward said. President Vladimir Putin.

“There are certain companies “I wish for ‘Stoli’ to represent that face backlash for the wrong peace in Europe and solidarity reason.” with Ukraine,” Shefler said in a Ward said liquor stores like statement last Friday. his who sell to bars — known Chris Gatchell, an employas licensee sales — have also ee at 116 Wine and Spirits in fielded questions from bartenders Hinesburg, said he hasn’t had and managers. He said one bar to explain to many people that manager said, “We need to find dumping out their Stoli or Smirnsomething other than Smirnoff,” off isn’t necessary. Videos have because the company produces a gone viral since the invasion of lot of flavored vodkas, and Ward bar workers and customers pourassured the employee Smirnoff ing out what they assumed was was good to buy.

Russian vodka.

“That’s the only time I had a Gatchell supports the ban, and

has had customers tell him they do, too.

“It’s a nice sign that people are interested in what’s going on over there,” Gatchell said. “I do think this is the right thing to do.”

If he gets asked for a recommendation on what to purchase, Gatchell suggests a Polish vodka — he has a particular fondness for Luksusowa, a potato-derived vodka he said is perhaps the best tasting for the price. Plus, he said Poland is the country where most Ukrainians have fled during the Russian invasion. According to the BBC, Poland has taken in 1.2 million Ukrainians thus far.

“I personally appreciate buying from refugee countries,” Gatchell said.

Stoli also announced last week that it is donating to World Central Kitchen, the organization founded by charismatic celebrity chef Jose Andres. World Central Kitchen started serving hot meals at a 24-hour pedestrian border crossing in Poland, and then expanded that to other neighboring countries — Romania, Hungary and Moldova.

Posley said that even if liquor stores or bars wanted to sell a bottle or a pour of something like Hammer & Sickle, they couldn’t.

The product codes for those brands are blocked on the department’s point-of-sale system.

Alas, Posley said, customers who bought a now-banned bottle cannot sell it back to the state, even if the bottle was unopened.

“Liquor sales cannot be returned for a refund unless there was a defect in the product,” Posley said. “Additionally, the codes for these products are blocked, so the system would not allow a refund.”

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The Citizen • March 10, 2022 • Page 13

LETTERS

continued from page 6 Our troopers from the Williston barracks are already pressed enough at times, without added strain of another town’s call volume and the patrol area spread more widely. A trooper in Charlotte may be the only one able to break free from patrol to respond to a family fight in Eden. Think about that response time.

Your emergency call in Hinesburg could come in at a time when police in Shelburne or Williston or the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department are unable to assist, leaving the response to state police. The nearest trooper who is available may be many miles away. While the state police would be assisting with their absolute best efforts, that may not be sufficient to help you in time.

Finally, everyone is focused on the overall amount of the police budget, but it’s nearly the same as the previous year, as Chief Anthony Cambridge has pointed out. It’s essentially level-funded because the selectboard decided to add the benefits they had been paying in the past to the budget that voters saw.

Don’t keep the Hinesburg Police Department from having the money to do its job by ignoring the fact that we may be pushed to have to rely on other agencies to assist. Those agencies will not always be able to provide the response time that’s needed.

David North Hinesburg

legislators will support that bill.

How do free breakfast and lunches for Vermont students impact the economy, businesses, communities? The answer is simple: Kids who are well-fed can more easily develop, grow and learn. By empowering them to sit in class without hunger pangs and brain fog, we are helping them succeed in their studies and to eventually join — and lead — Vermont’s workforce.

As business owners, we are looking for every edge we can find these days. Being able to recruit workers into Vermont by telling them their kids get a great education here, and they will be fed and focused because our schools provide healthy meals, is a significant benefit.

Making sure these meals — which include many local foods — are available to every student, every day, would make a difference for our businesses.

When parents or guardians

aren’t stressed about getting their kids’ meals packed in the morning, or remembering to charge up their school meals accounts, one important item is lifted from their own plates.

When Vermont students are treated equitably and don’t have to face stigma in the cafeteria, they can learn better and focus on following their passions, making them more likely to succeed at school and later the workforce.

Universal school meals are good for students, good for business and good for Vermont. We hope the Vermont Legislature will enact it this year.

If you’d like to add your name, businesses or organizations to a list of supporters of universal school meals, go to bit.ly/3IHanTA. Cathy Davis Jericho Board president Hunger Free Vermont

CHARLOTTE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD Will hold a public hearing on the following application during the Development Review Board’s regular meeting of Wednesday, March 23, 2022: 7:05 PM 22-20-SD Curler – Final Plan review for proposed 2-lot minor subdivision at 2600 Guinea Rd. Project info is available at: https://bit.ly/DRB_22-20-SD_Curler.

Details & how to join this meeting will be posted at: https://is.gd/ Meeting_Calendar_Agendas by March 18. For more information, contact the Planning & Zoning Office at 802.425.3533 ext. 208, or by email at: pza@townofcharlotte.com.

Universal school meals good for business To the Editor: Vermont families with children were five times more likely to experience hunger in 2021, according to a survey from the University of Vermont. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact income and long-term savings, kids’ nutrition is attended to for many at one place — school.

As the pandemic spread, the federal government stepped in with waivers that allowed all children to eat breakfast and lunch at school at no cost to their families.

These waivers are set to expire in June, and childhood hunger is still a constant threat for far too many Vermonters.

Why are we thinking of taking food away from our kids when they still need it?

Vermont’s House Committee on Education is digging into a bill that would require all schools to offer two meals per day to every student, without charge, making school meals an educational expense, as they should be.

We hope the committee and all

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Charlotte fire, rescue appreciate support To the Editor: Thank you for taking the time to vote and to all the volunteers that made it happen. Special thanks to those that supported the Charlotte Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services budget. For those of you who did not vote in favor of our budget, we would like the chance

to discuss it with you if you still have questions.

Please leave questions on our website cvfrs.com and we will be happy to answer them. Feel free to leave a request to be contacted directly, email or phone, and we will be happy to respond.

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Page 14 • March 10, 2022 • The Citizen

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The Citizen • March 10, 2022 • Page 15

CROSSWORD

ARIES

LEO

March 21 - April 20 Aries, the universe is subtly trying to tell you to slow down a bit. Don’t ignore those nagging feelings that you should take breaks whenever you can manage them.

TAURUS

July 23 - Aug. 23 Leo, the small steps you are taking lately will eventually cover much distance, so keep up the progress. Some things take time and right now it’s a lesson to learn.

VIRGO

April 21 - May 21 Prioritize your goals and put yourself first for the time being, Taurus. All eyes will be on you and you want to be sure that you are presenting the best version of yourself this week.

GEMINI

Aug. 24 - Sept. 22 Virgo, even if things seem like they are a bit out of control, find ways to put yourself in a good place Slow down and stay grounded as much as you can.

LIBRA

May 22 - June 21 Gemini, take every opportunity to foster growth in your professional ambitions.

Network as much as you can and explore continuing learning offerings through your job.

CANCER June 22 - July 22 Something surprising may help you feel more connected to the universe around you, Cancer.

Sensory overload can be enhanced by spoiling yourself with something special.

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 Libra, only a few months into the new year you may be having trouble staying motivated with your resolutions. A partner or cheering squad can keep you going.

SCORPIO Oct. 24 - Nov. 22 Physical affection is a great way to showcase your love right now, Scorpio. Take advantage of all the hugs, kisses and subtle touches you can muster in the days to come.

SUDOKU Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 23 - Dec. 21 Sagittarius, space out your tasks so the week doesn’t seem like it is rushed early on.

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get everything done immediately.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 20 Look for ways to delve into the arts this week, Capricorn.

Explore unique hobbies or visit a museum with a new exhibit.

Work with your hands as much as you can.

AQUARIUS Jan. 21 - Feb. 18 Aquarius, invest in your home space with some upgrades that will add warmth and a feeling of coziness. Creature comforts can have a profound impact on your mood.

PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 This week you will need to assert yourself at work, Pisces; otherwise, others may overlook your contributions.

Get what you deserve.

CLUES ACROSS 1. Central mail bureau 4. Member of the family 7. Partner to flow 10. __ Angeles 11. Military mailbox 12. Patriotic women 13. Shallow lake 15. Tear apart 16. Middle Easterner 19. Eat to excess 21. Stained 23. Certain peoples of equatorial Africa 24. 1st day of month 25. Skin disease 26. Skating figure 27. Annelids 30. Gracefully slender 34. Kids need it 35. Swiss river 36. Indents 41. A sheer fabric of silk or nylon 45. Belgian River 46. __ Spumante (Italian wine) 47. Originate from 50. Rugged mountain ranges 54. Made less clean

55. Professions 56. 3s 57. Scarf 59. Yellow light 60. Bird noise 61. Opposite of start 62. Bar bill 63. Northeastern Mass. cape 64. American rocker Snider 65. Midway between northeast and east

20. Ebert’s partner Siskel 22. Long skirt 27. Part of company name 28. Drugmaker __ Lilly 29. Electronic countermeasures 31. Klutz 32. Chinese statesman 33. Stir with emotion 37. Flat-bottomed boat 38. Go-between 39. This (Spanish) 40. A plot of ground CLUES DOWN where seedlings 1. Scandinavian drink are grown before 2. Washington river transplanting 3. Fast-running flightless 41. Small waterfall bird 42. Modern tech 4. Nerve conditions necessity (abbr.)

5. Indicates near 43. Utter repeatedly 6. Immediate relevance 44. One of the bravest 7. Things you can eat 47. Sun up in New York 8. Receptacles 48. Space station 9. Retired Brewers great 49. Chilean seaport 13. Month 51. Hasidic spiritual 14. Happy New Year! leader 17. Exclamation to 52. They __ convey truth 53. Soviet Socialist 18. Passports and Republic licenses are two 58. Single unit

ANSWERS

Page 16 • March 10, 2022 • The Citizen

Rosalyn Graham receives Colleen Haag award Longtime Shelburne resident Rosalyn Graham is this year’s recipient of the Colleen Haag Public Service award in recognition of her more than 40 years of community service.

The award was presented by Gail Albert and Susan Stock at a hybrid informational town meeting Feb. 28 in Shelburne Town Hall.

“Trained as a journalist, Graham in 1978 saw a need and filled it, using her journalistic curiosity, precision and ability to foster relationships to found the Shelburne News,” Albert said in her introduction. “She published and evolved it until 2003 when she passed it along to the string of successors who have sustained it as a herald of local news.”

“Roz has been quoted as saying, ‘There’s not a committee I do not like,’” Albert said,

“So in 2005, she helped establish Shelburne Charlotte Hinesburg Interfaith Project’s resale shop to raise money to support other local non-profits — a mission that last year resulted in grants to 11 local groups.”

Every year, Shelburne celebrates and recognizes longtime town clerk Colleen Haag’s 35 years of professional service to the community. The award recognizes someone who exemplifies “the spirit of public service, who has shared his or her time, talent and energy for the betterment of Shelburne, who inspires purpose and who drives lasting solutions — someone who makes a difference.”

“I’m not sure if I feel energized or exhausted, but it is true that I never met a committee I didn’t like,” Graham quipped after being handed the award by Stock,

PHOTO BY LEE KROHN

Rosalyn Graham is this year’s winner of Shelburne’s Colleen Haag Public Service award.

last year’s recipient. “Just ask my family. When I think of who else has won this award, to even be on that list is an extremely high honor.”

“I just count myself remarkably lucky,” Graham said. “I am always thrilled and delighted with things that are coincidences and the coincidence that 46 years ago brought us to Shelburne, Vermont laid the pathway to all of the things that Gail mentioned and I don’t think there could have been a better place to have done all the fun, exciting, adventurous, productive, enjoyable things that I’ve had the opportunity to do, so thank you very, very much for this.”

Over the years, Graham has also lent her efforts to Wake Robin, Shelburne Historical Society, Champlain Housing Trust, and as an avid dog lover, she was a founding member and supporter of the Shelburne Dog Park.

She’s a longtime member of Shelburne-Charlotte Rotary and was referred to by those who nominated her as a “relentless fund-

raiser,” who has used her energy to support so many local causes, Albert said.

If that wasn’t enough, “Graham took on leadership of the Shelburne Business and Professional Association and our wonderful farmers market when its founder, Tod Whitaker, retired, just as the pandemic hit creating a whole new set of challenges,” Albert added, noting that Graham also lends her voice on the town’s economic advisory committee.

One person who nominated Graham for the award said, “Let me talk about her spirit, kindness and motivation. Roz cares and always has ideas to make the world a better place. They can be big ideas, but she gets to the basic, feet-on-the-ground kind of approach to problem solving and improving life in a very local, practical way.”