Shelburne News - 5-30-24

CVU hires new interim for middle, high school Page 2

Teddy Bear warehouse to close

Company factory remains unaffected

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

Just two months after the Vermont Teddy Bear Company sold the assets of its three apparel companies to New Jersey-based company PJ Acquisition LLC, the distribution center’s warehouse is set to close June 5, laying off roughly 30 employees.

The distribution center in Shelburne is a separate warehouse building just north of the iconic Vermont Teddy Bear Factory that brings hundreds of tourists to the Shelburne area every year. The factory will remain unaffected by the warehouse’s closure, and continue stuffing its plush toys, giving tours and hosting events.

See TEDDY BEAR on page 9

Musical

LIBERTY DARR

STAFF WRITER

the

sounds of summer get underway around the area

Nothing says summer in Vermont like live music!

For Charlotte resident and the

unofficial “fun guy” around town, Bill Fraser- Harris, grabbing your friends and family for a night of music in town is exactly what summer is all about. That’s also part of the reason that he started

music at the beach, which has been happening at the Charlotte town beach for the past 12 years.

“The sun setting over the lake, a beverage of your choice in your hand and beautiful music in the

background,” he said. “To me, that’s what summer in Vermont, or summer in Charlotte, is all about.”

He said the event has grown in popularity in recent years, with sometimes nearly 200 people

showing up to enjoy a peaceful Wednesday night on Lake Champlain. Most important, he said, the

See MUSIC on page 12

PHOTO BY LEE KROHN

The new Shelburne beachhouse officially opens Monday, June 17.  The 25th Back to the Beach Community Potluck, open to Shelburne residents, will be Thursday, June 20, 6-8 p.m. with

ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m.

Local man defies cancer, gives back

In December 2011, Eric Gilcris was diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma brain cancer and given 6 to 12 months to live. On Saturday, June 1, he will tee off at the Williston Country Club for his nonprofit’s 8th Annual Cancer Canknot Golf Classic.

Gilcris is considered an extreme survivor, a term used to describe the less than 1 percent of patients who live with glioblastoma for 10 or more years. It’s a moniker Gilcris and his family welcome.

“The diagnosis was devastating. Nothing can prepare you for that,” Gilcris’ wife, Anna, said. “But the good that has come out of it is more than we ever could

have dreamed.”

Cancer Canknot is part of that good. Founded by the South Burlington couple in 2014, the organization is dedicated to supporting cancer patients and their families and has donated over $100,000 to the Dana Farber Cancer Research Center.

Cancer Canknot’s 10th anniversary coincides with Eric Gilcris’ 13th year living with glioblastoma and the nonprofit is growing.

“Cancer Canknot is more than our story,” Gilcris said. “It’s a mindset and a reminder to those fighting that cancer cannot take away what matters most.”

That message has resonated

with people locally and across the country, including members of the Vermont Lake Monsters, who recently lost their manager, Pete Wilk, to the same disease. The two organizations are partnering to host Cancer Canknot Night at Centennial Field on Thursday, June 27.

In addition to the golf classic, the couple created jewelry and apparel lines to spread the Cancer Canknot message and authored “Bear Hugging and Cancer Crushing,” a children’s book inspired by conversations with their son.

For more information about the event, go to cancercanknot. org.

CVU names interim principal

Katherine Riley has been named interim principal of the Champlain Valley Union High School for the next school year. Her appointment takes effect July 1.

Riley joined CVU in 1998 as a social studies teacher and has worked as the curriculum director and Snelling House director. As an administrator, she has played a role in the school’s transition to a proficiency-based system, the design of the school’s action plan and the development of current graduation requirements.

She received a bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University and a Master of Education from Plattsburgh State University. She taught in New York prior to coming to Vermont and has international teaching experience in both Bhutan and Peru. At CVU, Riley has led numerous international student trips and advised both Amnesty International and the student council for over 20 years.

“With twelve years of experience at the administrative level and fourteen years as a teacher at CVU, I feel that I am qualified to step into this leadership role. I know the systems and the people,” Riley wrote in her application for the position. “I am confident that I will step into the role of interim principal and allow for a smooth transition for our CVU community.”

After accepting the job, she added: “I look forward to working closely with the students, faculty, staff and community to grow the culture of belonging and high academic standards which have been the hallmark of the high

interim superintendent in May after Rene Sanchez resigned.

Bunting is expected to lead the school district in an interim capacity for fiscal year 2025, but he suggested that he might be interested in applying for the role for the longer term.

“The nice part about this transition is that the district gets the chance to see whether I’m a good

fit and I get to understand whether the position is a good fit for me,” Bunting said. “At the end of the day, I just want to serve the district as best I can.

According to Metzler, the school district will likely begin its broader search for a long-term superintendent in the fall, and said she hopes the district will have a selection by early next spring.

COURTESY PHOTO

Eric Gilcris wears a Cancer Canknot shirt he designed. The nonprofit’s 8th Cancer Canknot Golf Classic is June 1.

Katherine Riley

photo by: Jeb Wallace Brodeur

I-89 exit study starts

Changes to affect traffic around region

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

South Burlington residents and those passing through the city on a busy workday are all too familiar with the bumper-to-bumper traffic congestion near exit 14 on Interstate 89. This area is now the basis of a study called I-89 2050, which takes a long view of what this 37-mile stretch of highway could look in 25 years. But in the short term, regional planners have hyper-focused on one major problem area: the exit 14 interchange.

“We are really thinking about this interchange as being a gateway and a hub of activity in the middle of one of our most populated areas in the state, and there’s a lot of development that’s being contemplated in the immediate area surrounding the interchange,” Karen Sentoff, a consultant with the transportation consulting firm VHB, said.

The exit 14 study will evaluate various interchange alternatives that address capacity, operational, accessibility and safety issues as identified in the larger I-89 2050 study. The final goal is to recommend a preferred interchange alternative to the Vermont Agency of Transportation.

The regional planning commission held a public kick-off in South Burlington last week to gauge where exactly resident concerns fall and hear feedback on what they’d like to see in the exit 14 area. Most residents at the meeting voiced concern over the area’s lack of bus lanes, congestion and the speed of vehicles merging from both the on- and off-ramps.

“Even though we looked at the entire interstate, we did focus our energy on the exit 14 area because of congestion issues, delay issues, safety issues, especially the difficulty of bicycles and pedestrians to cross the interchange area. There are just a number of issues with this interchange,” Eleni Churchill, transportation program manager with Chittenden County Regional Planning and the project manager for the exit 14 study.

As population in South Burlington continues to grow, the team is actively monitoring just how the area’s traffic patterns are shifting. The team identified several areas as

high-crash locations, with uncontrolled bicycle and pedestrian crossings and infrastructure, tight weaving sections of the interstate near exit 14 that are nearing capacity, along with deficient merging lengths.

Looking over a snapshot of the last five years, there have been a total of 369 crashes in that area, with some of the most serious happening as cars exit the highway going east toward Dorset Street.

While traffic on I-89 grew nearly 12 percent between 2000 and 2019, the team evaluated significantly less movement throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the years that have followed. Similarly, morning and evening commute traffic patterns have changed as more people work from home and the typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. work model diminishes.

The group spearheading the studies are projecting and planning for a nearly 8 percent traffic growth rate between 2022 and 2042.

“We’re starting to see folks working from home half the day and then going to an office or a public meeting or whatever. It’s really busy from when school lets out at 2:50 p.m. through to 6 p.m. but we’re not getting that peak traffic and congestion period right at 5 p.m. like we had historically,” Sentoff said. “We are starting to see that spread over a longer period of time and more activity through the middle of the day.”

What’s interesting, she noted, is that there’s just about the same number of people coming off the interstate in South Burlington and Burlington in the morning as are coming in the evening.

Alternatives that have already been evaluated are an enhanced clover leaf to slow down motorists, and a diamond traffic concept, like what is seen at exit 12 coming into Williston.

“If you can picture the Williston exit where instead of having the loops when you get off you just get off on a straight shot,” said David Saladino, another consultant with VHB working on the study. “That diamond interchange is a very tight configuration, then you’d have all those circles freed up to do something else in those areas.”

Final recommendations are expected by winter following a final public meeting in early 2025.

WHERE COMFORT MEETS FLAVOR

The Red Mill is a true family favorite, providing cold drinks and casual dining made with fresh local ingredients, all in a renovated old sawmill.

Shelburne Police Blotter: May 20-26

Total reported incidents: 63

Traffic stops: 3

Warnings: 3

Tickets: 0

Arrests: 0

Medical emergencies: 27

Mental health incidents: 5

Suspicious incidents: 6

Directed patrols: 9

Citizen assists: 12

Motor vehicle complaints: 1

Car crash: 3

Animal problem: 2

Noise disturbance: 2

Unlawful Mischief: 0

Theft: 0

Harassment: 3

Vandalism: 0

Fraud: 0

Alarms: 5

Pending investigations: 2

911 Hang-up calls: 0

May 20 at 3:32 p.m., police served an abuse prevention order on Ockert Lane.

May 20 at 5:50 p.m., a caller reported someone in a vehicle assaulted a person riding a bicycle. Officers located the individuals, and the matter is under investigation.

May 21 at 8:18 a.m., a caller reported an animal bite on Kelady Drive. The animal control officer was notified.

May 21 at 11:07 a.m., a caller reported his vehicle was vandalized on Harrington

Avenue. The case is pending.

May 21 at 5:18 p.m. officers assisted in mediating a dispute at the North Star Motel.

May 23 at 7:41 a.m., a lost wallet found at the Shelburne Shopping Park was returned to the owner.

May 23 at 11:15 a.m. a caller reported being sexually assaulted on Shelburne Road. The matter was forwarded to the Chittenden Unit on Special Investigations.

May 23 at 7:54 p.m. Police mediated a dispute on Nashville Road.

May 25 at 4:39 p.m., a lost calf on Southview Drive was returned to its owner.

May 26 at 7:14 a.m., another lost wallet on Locust Hill was returned to its owner.

May 26 at 10:46 p.m., a caller reported a loud party at Shelburne Beach. Officers located a family celebrating at the beach and told them to keep it down.

May 26 at 11:43 p.m., a caller reported a loud group of kids playing basketball at Hullcrest Park. Officers were unable to locate anyone at the park.

Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney Office and can be amended or dropped.

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GunSafeVT doubles distribution of gunlocks across Vermont

MIKE DONOGHUE CORRESPONDENT

A multi-agency effort plans to double its distribution of cable gunlocks to Vermonters to reduce gun violence and to keep residents safe.

Nikolas Kerest, the U.S. Attorney for Vermont, announced that more than 4,000 gunlocks

have been distributed thus far by GunSafeVT as part of a special gun safety initiative started 14 months ago. The program started with 5,000 locks that have been made available through local libraries and law enforcement offices across all 14 counties.

Lamoille County Sheriff Roger Marcoux recently secured

another 5,000 cable gunlocks to allow GunSafeVT to further serve Vermonters, Kerest said. Marcoux said the National Shooting Sports Foundation in Washington, D.C., recently sent half of the shipment to Vermont with the second half due later.

Billing inquiries

Leslie Lafountain leslie@stowereporter.com (802) 253-2101

Advertising submission deadline: Friday at 5 p.m. advertising@shelburnenews.com classifieds@shelburnenews.com

Editorial submission deadline: Friday at 5 p.m. news@shelburnenews.com

Calendar submission deadline: Friday at 12 p.m. news@shelburnenews.com

Contact: 1340 Williston Road South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 985-3091

PHOTO BY MIKE DONOGHUE

Alex Schmidt, the resident agent in charge of ATF for Vermont, talks about safe storage of firearms during the news conference at the federal courthouse in Burlington. Dr. Rebecca Bell, U.S. Attorney Nikolas Kerest and Attorney General Charity Clark listen to his safety message.

See GUNSAFEVT on page 9

Legislature anticipates veto session on energy standard

From the Senate

Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale

It was a privilege and pleasure, as always, to reconnect with constituents this past Memorial Day weekend. Often seen as the official kickoff of summer, it was a great way to honor our fallen heroes, spend time with family and celebrate the best of our communities. It was also a wonderful Dragon Day Parade in St. George, where their entire legislative delegation was present for the festivities.

more investment in local energy production and jobs. These two bills received broad support in the Legislature this session and my hope is that we will be able to override the governor’s veto on these strong environmental protection and climate mitigation measures.

As I write this, we do not know the Governor’s intentions on two landmark bills that originated in my committee — Act 250 reform and the kids code. Hopefully by the time you read this, we know more, and there is reason to believe that both will be signed into law or allowed to become law without a signature. If they are vetoed, I will work hard to ensure we have the two-thirds majority needed to override on these critical pieces of legislation.

The 2024 legislative session, along with the two-year legislative biennium, has now ended. We accomplished a great deal, from flood recovery and climate resilience to economic development and public safety. We will return to Montpelier on June 17 for a veto session, though we are likely to find out more this week about the legislation the governor has vetoed.

Notably, the governor has signed the budget into law, which contains critical investments in affordable housing, workforce development and meeting the needs of the most vulnerable

Notably, the governor has signed the budget into law, which contains critical investments in affordable housing, workforce development and meeting the needs of the most vulnerable. In his communication, he expressed his deep respect for retiring Sen. Jane Kitchel, chair of Senate appropriations and former secretary of human services. On both the responsible, balanced budget and the recognition of the huge loss of institutional knowledge with Kitchel’s departure, we are in full agreement.

So far, the governor has vetoed two pieces of environmental legislation — a ban on bee-threatening neonicotinoid pesticides in 2029 and a revamped renewable energy standard that would prioritize

H.687, which represents meaningful compromise between economic and environmental stakeholders, provides greater protection for ecologically sensitive areas while relaxing state oversight in our population centers and employment corridors.

H.121 contains data privacy measures that will protect Vermont consumers and joins a national effort to protect children from the predatory nature of social media. These two bills embody the best of our bipartisan and bicameral process and make change Vermonters have been counting on for decades.

I look forward to speaking with you about what we accomplished and what lies ahead. At 25 weeks pregnant and with a precious 1-year-old daughter, please just extend patience and grace with my response time.

Thank you for the privilege of serving and enjoy the warm weather.

Kesha Ram Hinsdale, a Democrat from Shelburne, serves the towns of South Burlington, Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg, Burlington, St. George, Underhill, Jericho, Richmond, Williston and Bolton in the Legislature.

Help us meet our goal of raising $100,000 for the McClure Miller Respite House to provide over 110 days of highquality hospice care for our community. Saturday, June 8, 2024

Run/Walk: 9:00 am Malletts Bay School

Register today: uvmhomehealth.org/run

Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale

A docudrama, “We Were the Lucky Ones,” streaming on Hulu recently inspired me to consider this question: Were Americans in my generation the lucky ones, postWorld War II? In the story a real family scattered across Europe during the pogroms against Jews in the war. Miraculously they managed to survive and to reunite with their loved ones.

Now I wonder if those of us who have lived in America since the 1940s may be the lucky ones. We have lived in a post-war period of democracy, freedom from fear and peace, without the obscenity of war and dictatorship. We have never had to experience the terror of autocratic regimes. Most of us can’t even imagine what that is like.

We have been able to trust our families, friends and neighbors, and to receive uncensored information free of propaganda, to travel freely across state lines and to other countries without being impeded or interrogated. We have never had a government that destroyed the basis of our republic in the document called the Constitution. Most of us were able to live decent lives and to sleep soundly at night.

Admittedly the “good old days” weren’t

all good. They were rife with racism, antisemitism, sexism, discrimination and fear of the Other. We lived in a time when America flirted seriously with fascism, schools were segregated, domestic violence and sexual abuse were hidden. We lived to see the development of nuclear weapons and suffered the threat of the Bay of Pigs, when Russian threatened us with missiles from Cuba.

our kids to school, to go to a café, a concert, a grocery store and to worship in a variety of religious environments.

We could choose our politicians in free and fair elections and vote them out of office when we needed to. When necessary, we protested what we believed was wrong in our local communities and nationally, peacefully and without fear of being silenced or arrested. We chose whether to

we have felons and fascists in charge who admire the likes of Vladimir Putin and other autocrats and dictators.

Unless we act appropriately, the idea of American exceptionalism will be nothing more than a memory embedded in the jargon of despair. In the past, Americans have managed to come together in critical times in ways that revealed our character and upheld the principles of this country. We have demonstrated to the world our capacity for cohesion, compassion, sound judgement and right action. Now is the time to reclaim that spirit by making a commitment to disavow a dystopian future.

There were race riots and a war we never should have been in, political assassinations of some of our beloved leaders, terrorist attacks and later an insurrection, and so much more that never should have happened in “the land of the free and the brave.”

But still we were mostly the lucky ones. We never headed to bomb shelters, most of us could feel safe in our homes, and we proceeded with our lives under the protection of the Constitution. It was safe to send

start families, read the books we wanted to. We trusted our friends and neighbors to look out for each other, and most of all we felt free.

Those freedoms could now become fading memories. What looms large in November is a clarion call for civility, compassion, humanity, intelligent leadership, sound judgement and continuing democracy. Our country cannot afford to lose its standing in a global world or risk the hideous thought of a nuclear war because

We stand now on the precipice of a giant sink hole that would take years to dig out of, if not generations. We owe it to our progeny to leave them a world in which we proved again our resilience and our love of freedom.

We need to make sure that they too are the lucky ones who remain free of oppression and disaster, the lucky ones who reunite with the spirit of this country in hard times, and the lucky ones who build a new and secure future together. That means doing the right thing in November for the loved ones in your life.

Elayne Clift is a Vermont-based writer. More at elayne-clift.com.

Civil War reenactment takes place in Shelburne Champlain Valley historical Civil War reenactors descend on Palmer’s Sugarhouse, 332 Shelburne-Hinesburg Road, Shelburne, on Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., as the 2nd Vermont Infantry and the 1st Vermont Cavalry host a living history weekend.

Learn about Vermonters serving in the Army and on the home front during the American Civil War. Demonstrations will be held throughout the day.

For more information, go to bit.ly/3WUE0uz or contact Michael Cairns at mcairns@uvm. edu or 802-310-3003.

Shelburne Museum kicks Free First Friday

Free First Friday Eve is a summer tradition at Shelburne Museum. From June through August on the first Friday of the month, admission to the museum is free from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

It’s the perfect time to visit galleries, enjoy a picnic on the grounds, stroll through gardens and take in the splendor of a summer’s evening.

Musical performances include:

• June 7 — Andriana and the Bananas: Andriana Chobot, a Burlington-based singer-songwriter, offers indie-pop and heartrock sounds that ruminate in jazz, with her band the Bananas.

• July 5 — Mal Maiz blends traditional cumbia, Latin, reggae and Afro-Caribbean sounds.

• August 2 — Dwight + Nicole play American soul and blues.

For more information, visit shelburnemuseum.org.

‘Eat, Poop, Die’ author hosts book signing in SoBu

Biologist and author Joe Roman presents his new book “Eat, Poop, Die: How Animals Make Our World” at the South Burlington Public Library auditorium on Thursday, June 27, 5:306:45 p.m.

Roman is a conservation biologist, marine ecologist and editor ’n’ chef of eattheinvaders.org. Winner of the 2012 Rachel Carson Environment Book Award for “Listed: Dispatches from America’s Endangered Species Act,” Roman has written for the New

York Times, Science, Audubon, New Scientist, Slate and other publications.

Like many of the animals he studies, Roman is a free-range biologist. He has worked at Harvard University, Duke University Marine Lab, University of Iceland, University of Havana, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the University of Vermont, where he is a fellow and writer in residence at the Gund Institute for Environment.

Sign up now for Shelburne grab and go meal

Age Well and St. Catherine’s of Siena Parish in Shelburne are teaming up to provide a meal to go for anyone age 60 and older on Tuesday, June 11.

Meals will be available for pick up in the parking lot at 72 Church St. from 11 a.m. until noon and are available for anyone 60 or older. Suggested donation is $5.

The menu is meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, wheat bread with butter, apple crisp with topping and milk.

To order a meal contact Kathleen at agewellstcath@gmail.com or 802-503-1107. Deadline to order is Wednesday, June 5. If this is a first-time order, provide your name, address, phone number and date of birth.

Learn about restaurant tickets to dine at participating restaurants at agewellvt.org.

Shelburne church, Age well host March luncheon

Age Well is offering a luncheon on Tuesday, June 18, in the St. Catherine of Siena Parish Hall, 72 Church St. in Shelburne.

The menu is roast beef au jus, cheddar mashed potatoes, broccoli florets, dinner roll with margarine cup, strawberry short cake with cream and milk.

Check-in time is 11:30 a.m. and the meal will be served at noon. There is a $5 suggested donation.

Diners must register by Wednesday, June 12, to Kerry Batres, nutrition coordinator, 802-662-5283 or email kbatres@ agewellvt.org. Tickets are also available at the Age Well Office, 875 Roosevelt Highway, Suite 210, Colchester.

The Levine Impact Lab will host its second annual retreat at the Inn at Shelburne Farms June 3-6. This retreat brings together the lab’s inaugural group of grant partners and guests, including speakers from Vermont-based environmental organizations. Founded by local Shelburne and Charlotte resident Peter Levine on the belief that nonprofits deserve the same resources as tech startups, the Levine Impact Lab builds a bridge between the business and nonprofit world, combining unrestricted grant funding with tailored coaching and consulting services. This year’s retreat will center around connection, learning, and visioning for nonprofit leaders. Guest speakers will include Kate Williams from 1% for the Planet, Samantha Langevin from Vermont Releaf Collective and Mickey Wiles from Working Fields. For more information, go to levineimpactlab.org. Above, Levine Impact Lab’s grant partners pose for a group photo at last year’s retreat in California.

Guiding you home

COURTESY PHOTO

News from Pierson Library

Québécois song workshops

On Saturday, June 1, and Saturday, June 8, join award-winning Smithsonian folkways artist, Michèle Choinière, and fiddler Isabella Rottler for a mother-daughter workshop to learn to sing traditional Franco-American folksongs.

Beginning and intermediate fiddler players can also learn to play the songs.

Author Eric Rickstad

Eric Rickstad will be in town hall with his new book “Lilith,” an unflinching look at the violent ends of mythmaking, on Thursday, June 6, at 7 p.m. Copies will be offered for sale.

On Monday, June 3, at 6:30 p.m., a pop-up book club will meet in the large community room to discuss the work with Flying Pig bookstore owner Elizabeth Bluemle. Copies are being distributed now at the Pierson front desk.

Queer cinema for Pride

The Pierson is continuing its quest to screen important and outré works of cinematic art this month with a new series devoted to queer identifying filmmakers.

Camp classics, transgressive masterpieces and Australian New Wave pictures will be shown and fresh corn will be popped. Check out piersonlibrary.org for a full line-up.

Green Mountain Doll Club

The Pierson will host a doll display in old town hall.

On Saturday, June 8, from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. come see a tremendous display of colorful dolls and historical teddy bears. Antique and vintage lovers will rejoice.

On May 19 members of the 251 Club of Vermont gathered at Shelburne Museum for their annual spring get together.

“We could not have had a more perfect day weather wise, and we are thrilled that we had so many members attend this event,” said Stephanie Young, executive director of the club. “We had a chance to explore Shelburne Museum and our attendees had an opportunity to connect with each other and the 251 Club community. It was wonderful to see members, both kids and adults, enjoying the day together.”

251 Club members arrived at the museum in the morning to have a chance to visit some of the exhibits before meeting for lunch, where they gathered at picnic tables to share 251 stories and favorites places to visit in Vermont. For some it was their first visit to Shelburne Museum.

The club, which is celebrating 70 years this year, has over 5,000 members, both from in state and out of state. Members of the Club have the goal of visiting all the towns and cities in Vermont, but this no-rules club leaves it up to members how long they want to take to finish their quest, how they go about visiting towns and how they document their travels. Membership is open to anyone who wants to embark on this adventure, and the club is composed of members who have just begun visiting towns, all the way to members who are on their second journey around the state.

The next event for the 251 Club will be its annual meeting at the end of September in Montpelier, where attendees will have an opportunity to hear from Steve Perkins, the executive director of the Vermont Historical Society. To learn more about the club, visit vt251.com.

The Green Mountain Doll Club will host a display at the library on June 8.

PHOTO BY ERICA HOUSKEEPER

Tom Clavelle from Shelburne has biked through all the towns and cities in Vermont as part of the 251 Club.

TEDDY BEAR

continued from page 1

“That’s all going to continue as everybody knows it to be,” Katie Langrock, senior vice president of operations for Vermont Teddy Bear since 2022, said.

PJ Acquisition, an affiliate of Lionel Capital, acquired the assets of the pajama companies PajamaGram, PajamaJeans and The 1 for U on April 3, the same time that the teddy bear-making side of Vermont Teddy Bear Company was sold to USA Brands, the owner of Vermont Flannel.

“One of the things I’m doing is I’m supporting both of the buyers as they get the companies up and running,” Langrock said. “We’re splitting it all up and making sure they have what they need to run their businesses.”

Although most of the distribution center was used for the apparel company, some of the warehouse was dedicated to the packing and shipping of the company’s teddy bears. Because of the closure, Vermont Teddy Bear moved its entire operation into the factory building, Langrock said.

The warehouse packing and shipping operation for the apparel companies is now being turned over a third-party logistics provider, she said.

“Vermont Teddy Bear as a tourist experience is not affected. Nothing is changing there.”

— Matt Lawless

According to a May 16 letter sent to Shelburne town manager Matt Lawless and the state’s Department of Labor, PJ Acquisition was unable to negotiate a new lease for the warehouse location at 6653 Shelburne Road, owned by Miller Realty Group LLP, according to Shelburne’s 2023 grand list.

Layoffs for employees in accounting, human resources, contact center, inventory and information technology departments began May 23 and will end by June 5.

GUNSAFEVT

continued from page 4

Marcoux said the locks tend to be used in homes to keep people safe and not by the violent offenders involved in high-profile shootings.

Kerest and Marcoux discussed the new cable locks as part of a recent news conference in Burlington and in a follow-up interview.

Alex Schmidt, the head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Vermont, said the trajectory of violent crime in the state — especially among those with firearms — has changed dramatically in the last several years.

“Every area of Vermont has been infected in some way, even in the more remote parts of the state,” Schmidt said. “I can tell you that many of our investigations over the last five years have involved illegal possession of a firearm that was stolen from someone otherwise legally allowed to purchase it and possess it.”

Schmidt said many of the thefts of unsecured firearms are from homes and motor vehicles.

its company’s human resources department is helping those affected find new jobs.

“We have a product development team and designers that have been designing (the pajamas) for years, and then we have offshore partners that make them and then we import them throughout the year,” she said.

Although certain aspects of the pajama company will leave Vermont, Langrock said that the company is currently planning to open an office on Pine Street in Burlington and has already hired over 20 people.

“The product development team, the sourcing team, the designers are all going to have an office in Burlington,” she said.

USA Brands president Matt Bigelow said that the Vermont Teddy Bear team was surprised to learn the news of the layoffs, but

As residents and neighbors heard the news, fears began circulating that the entire Vermont Teddy Bear Factory was shuttering, which is why town manager Matt Lawless spent much of the day Wednesday last week doing “damage control,” he said, repeating the mantra, “Vermont Teddy Bear as a tourist experience is not affected. Nothing is changing there.”

He said since the news broke, he’s already heard that some of affected employees in Shelburne had already found new jobs.

“With this warehousing and distribution type of job, that’s an in-demand sector. It’s the third largest job category in the Burlington metro area. There’s lots of demand for warehousing packaging, truck driving, all those logistics-type jobs,” he said, adding that with regional unemployment at 1.5 percent there are more open jobs than there are available workers. “The prospects of getting new jobs quickly are pretty good.”

The warehouse building itself is also something of a hot commodity, he noted. He anticipates that it won’t sit vacant for too long since there aren’t many buildings like it in the area.

“Part of my role is to provide a good explanation of what’s allowed by town zoning and try to matchmake and help a new business get in there as quickly

as possible,” he said. “I want to help local businesses grow and maximize the economic impact of properties like that, and we’ve already been having some of those conversations.”

He also noted that the Shelburne Food Shelf remains open as a resource for those in Shelburne affected by the layoffs.

Obituary

Joan C. Shipman

Joan Chessman Shipman, born April 11, 1938, died Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at her home in Shelburne.

Born in Brockton, Mass., Joan was raised in Rocky River, Ohio, the daughter of Walter and Mildred Chessman. After attending Michigan State University, Joan moved to San Francisco where she met her to-be husband of 48 years, Peter Herbert Shipman, a former U.S. Marine. Peter died in 2009.

The couple, with their two infant children, moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1965 and, thereafter, never left the East Coast.

Presbyterian Church choir, and was a lover of the performing arts and jazz. Much to the dismay of her New York family, she was also a lifelong Red Sox fan.

Joan is survived by her loving family, including her brother, John Chessman of Escondido, Calif.; daughter, Julie Shipman of Buda, Texas; son, Jim Shipman of Boise, Idaho; son, Jerry of Shelburne; and niece and nephew, Alex Lobo and Thom Shephard, daughter and son of her sister, Margot Shephard, who died in 2018.

“Those stolen firearms are ending up in the hands of violent individuals who are using them for a variety of nefarious activities to include retaliatory shootings and to settle drug debts,” Schmidt said.

“In short they are often being used locally in crimes that have significant detrimental impacts on our communities in Vermont,” he said.

The lock program is designed to try to also reduce shootings, including suicides and accidents.

Among others offering comments at the news conference were Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark, Dr. Rebecca Bell of the University of Vermont Medical Center and Mark Margolis of the Howard Center.

Kerest said the program over the past year has used two public service announcements on radio and TV over 2,000 times to stress the importance of having secure gun storage.

He noted the promotion of a Vermont State Police program to have federal firearms licensees serve as secure gun storage loca-

tions has been an effective alternative to in-home retention.

Clark mentioned Vermont’s secure gun storage statute, relief from abuse orders, extreme risk protection orders, and the importance of secure gun storage in preventing domestic violence.

“Safe gun storage has proven to save lives and is one of the best tools we have to counter domestic violence,” she said.

Clark said since 1994 in Vermont more than half of the domestic homicides have involved firearms.

Bell, who also the president of the Vermont Medical Society, and Margolis both explained how secure gun storage helps reduce the likelihood of suicide involving firearms. Bell said Vermont has a higher suicide rate than the national average for both adults and children and it has been a long-time concern for the medical community.

Kerest and Clark noted libraries across Vermont are making locks available for residents.

While in Rye, N.Y., Joan was twice elected president of the board of education, sang in the

Additionally, Joan is survived by her six grandsons, Peter Shipman and Dr. Hank Shipman of Salt Lake City, Utah, Caleb Short of Manhattan, N.Y., Jack Shipman of Yonkers, N.Y., and Dylan Shipman and Jerry Shipman of Shelburne.

REPAIRS

Joan C. Shipman

SPORTS

Boys’ Ultimate remains undefeated after beating Essex

LAUREN READ

Softball

Champlain Valley 26, Rutland 4 (5): Champlain Valley softball won its fourth game of the season, beating Rutland Saturday, May 25, in five innings.

Mackenzie Yandow got the win for the Redhawks, who moved to 4-9.

Baylee Yandow had three RBIs, while Tegan Scruggs, Autumn Francis, Cordelia Thomas and Amber Reagan each had a home run and three RBIs.

Nina Zimakas added two more and Morgan Gallup had a double and an RBI.

Baseball

Champlain Valley 5, Rutland 2: Russell Willoughby hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning to help Champlain Valley pull away from Rutland Saturday.

Travis Stroh went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI to help the Redhawk offense. Aaron LaRose won on the mound after giving up one earned run on two hits in five innings of work.

The Redhawks moved to 12-1.

Girls’ tennis

Champlain Valley 4, Stowe 3: A three-set win in No. 1 singles was the difference as Champlain Valley narrowly defeated Stowe in girls’ tennis Saturday.

Tabitha Bastress won a third set breaker, 10-8, to clinch the singles win for the Redhawks (12-1). Addie Maurer also won in her singles match, 6-1, 6-0.

Ariel Toohey and Leonie Schwetlick won the first doubles match and Ella Lisle and Millie Boardman won the second for a CVU sweep.

With the win, CVU moved to 12-1.

Girls’ lacrosse

Champlain Valley 15, Rutland 5: Champlain Valley scored nine goals in the first half beat Rutland Friday, May 24.

Stella Dooley had two goals and four assists for the Redhawks, who moved to 11-2.

Marlie Cartwright and Emerson Rice each had three goals and one assist for CVU, while Rose Bunting added a hat trick.

Clare Stackpole-McGrath and Morgan Keach combined to earn the win in goal.

Boys’ lacrosse

Champlain Valley 16, Rutland 4: Champlain Valley continued to rebound from its first loss of the season, beating Rutland Friday to win its second in a row.

Peter Gilliam scored six goals for the Redhawks, who opened a 12-3 lead at halftime. Matias WIlliams chipped in four goals. CVU moved to 12-1 with the win.

Boys’ tennis

Champlain Valley 5, Rice 2: The boys won their third match in a row over Rice on Friday.

Ziggy Babbott, Ethan Croke and Luke Sampson all won in singles for the Redhawks (9-3).

Kyle Krieger and Silas Cohen also grabbed a win in doubles.

Girls’ Ultimate

Champlain Valley 13, Montpelier 3: The girls moved to 7-1 with a win over Montpelier on Friday.

Grace Thompson paced the team with three goals and six helpers, while Zoey McNabb chipped in three goals. Ella O’Neil tallied twice, and five different players added goals for CVU.

Ruby Opton dished out two helpers and Kate Sayre and Greta Friesen each added an assist.

Boy’s Ultimate

Champlain Valley 15, Essex 5: The Champlain Valley boys’ Ultimate team remained undefeated with a win over Essex Friday.

Nic Menard had two goals for the Redhawks, while Danny Goldsmith had three assists.

CVU moved to 7-0 with the win.

On the court or mound, Vermont Miss Basketball Elise Berger does it all

WILL THORN COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE

You could call Elise Berger a Swiss Army knife, a state champion — even Captain Chaos, the nickname she earned for her messy room as a kid. Now, as her time at Champlain Valley Union High School comes to end, you can call her Miss Basketball.

Berger took the crown this year as the best player in girls high school hoops in Vermont, as selected by the Burlington Free Press. The award came on the heels of a Division I championship over St. Johnsbury Academy this March, good for the team’s second title in a row.

“We all knew going into the season that this was going to be a grind,” Berger, who’s played organized basketball since the first grade, said. “It was cool that we had six seniors on the team that have been playing together for a really long time and that we were able to bring the team together, put in all that work and have it all pay off in the end.”

The 5-foot, 11-inch point guard averaged 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.2 steals per game for the Redhawks this season en route to earning the program a

seventh Miss Basketball victory. The senior and teammates also helped send 13-year head coach Ute Otley off to her new post leading Norwich University’s women’s team with a record 10th D-I win.

“She’s pretty much a coach’s dream,” Otley said. Berger was a four-year varsity player and a mature locker room presence who thrived in any role, she said.

Berger’s win comes at a time of unprecedented focus on the women’s college game and its recent superstars, like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese. Berger is all for the attention. “I think it’s really cool to see the growth women’s basketball has had,” she said. “It’s really cool to see that growth and it becoming a big national thing.”

Otley hopes those who tuned in to watch Clark play realized just how many women play the game “in a way that’s at such a high level that this is really entertaining to watch.”

Berger’s playstyle is far from Clark’s high-octane shooting from deep but commands a similar respect on the court. She’s “a floor leader who can advance the ball quickly, who knows how to create shots for her teammates and whose presence on the floor demands so

much defensive attention that she can make the defense do what she wants to do to and create the kinds of shots she wants for her teammates,” Otley said.

She likes to attack the glass and do “the smaller things that set people up and get the team in good positions,” Berger said. Sometimes Otley had to remind Berger to look for her own shots, too.

Berger separates herself with her playmaking, Otley said. “We haven’t had a kid at her height who can handle the ball the way she can. She has a true pull-up jumper.”

“That combination of ball handling, size and midrange game made her a pretty unique athlete that we could use defensively a million different ways,” Otley said.

Her athletic singularity goes further: Berger is even better with a baseball in her hand. She not only pitches for her high school’s baseball team but has also twice been selected to pitch for the U.S. women’s national team, which she first made at 16 — the earliest age allowed.

“There definitely are some nerves, but it’s also really prideful, especially being from a small

PHOTO BY CATHERINE MORRISSEY

Miss Basketball, Elise Berger, poses with her coach Ute Otley, right.

state like Vermont that a lot of people haven’t heard of outside of the U.S.,” she said. “Being able to show what we can do as a team is also really cool.”

Berger committed to play baseball for Bard College in October 2023. She has been in touch with current players and other commits, and excited to get to Bard and out on the field with them. “I was definitely looking for a school that had the academics and the intensity that I was looking for but also was a supportive place to play baseball,” she said. “Bard was the best mix of the two for me.”

Although she loves basketball, played soccer through middle school and dabbles in mountain biking, baseball “has always been the big thing,” said her mother, Elizabeth Berger.

At age 4, Elise would watch Lake Monster games start to finish, and growing up she’d drift asleep to the sound of baseball broadcasts, her parents remember. She made every school project she could baseball themed.

Berger’s father, Chris, is a California native and big fan of the Golden State Warriors and Cincinnati Reds. His love of sport spread to the young Berger, who, raised in Vermont, became a Red Sox fan — an infinitely better option, she’s quick to say, than choosing the Yankees. She stuck with the Warriors too for their dynastic run over the last decade.

“They’ve been super supportive of whatever I’ve wanted to do along the way,” Berger said of her parents. “Whichever teams I wanted to be on, whatever training I wanted to do, different tournaments we needed to go to — it was always, ‘We’re going to figure out a way to make this happen for you.’”

That doesn’t mean there haven’t been challenges along the way. She felt on the same level as boys throughout Little League, but as those male teammates got older, she worried she was falling behind. Those feelings continued into her first two years playing for the Bases Loaded Bulldogs, a local travel team she started playing for at 13. But by year three, feeling more trust from her team, she grew more confident. Her pitching improved.

Berger poses at her home court.

Berger said she’s driven by her competitive nature, hatred of losing and the collective euphoria of team success.

“If I lose because I feel like I got outworked by somebody, that’s something that drives me to keep pushing and keep working harder,” she said.

And it shows. Said her father: “She puts in hours every week on either strength work or specific conditioning work for her pitching muscles. Since middle school, it’s been pretty constant every week. She’s incredibly disciplined.”

“I’ve been able to come back into my community and be a role model for younger girls.”

— Elise Berger

In the summer of 2022, Berger had to miss basketball workouts because of national baseball team obligations. Otley had challenged Berger a few months prior to get faster and tighten her ball-handling, and she worried the young standout wouldn’t have time to do it, the coach recalled. But Berger came back that fall with improvement in every area Otley wanted, the coach said.

around; she was there to learn,” Otley said.

Berger’s mother recalled Elise’s baseball games: “I’m there cheering her on, and I’m like, ‘Hey, Elise, did you hear me cheer?’ and she says, ‘Nope, didn’t hear.’ She doesn’t notice anybody in the stands, she’s just focused on what she needs to do.”

But Berger isn’t always stonefaced. “Once you break under

Berger’s shell, she definitely talks a lot,” said basketball teammate and fellow senior Samara Ashooh. “She’s a very funny person, and she’s always down to go out and have some random adventure. People say that she’s quiet and reserved, but I think she’s actually a very open and communicative person and always a good presence to be around.”

Berger’s mother called her

daughter a “chatterbox” at home. The two like to cook together, and Berger loves showing off her 30-plus Spotify playlists filled with recent music finds — lately some country, classic rock and hip hop.

As Berger steps into the more competitive college game, her parents are confident she’ll be able to handle it.

“Our attitude for college baseball is the same as it’s been,” said her father. “We feel she can usually rise to the level she needs to and work as hard as she needs to be competitive, and we’ll see how it goes. She’s going to have to earn her playing time like anybody else.”

In the meantime, Berger said she appreciates the chance to give back to her community. She got invited to throw the first pitch on opening day this month for the Champlain Valley Little League, the same one she played in those years ago.

“I’ve been able to come back into my community and be a role model for younger girls,” she said. “When I was younger, I know I had role models that I aspired to be, and being able to go meet and play with some of them now has been huge. I hope that I get to be that person for some girls.”

The Community News Service is a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide content for local news outlets at no cost.

Green Mountain Bike Club June rides

For club rules and to join, visit the gmbc.com.

Saturday, June 1

Hinesburg Monkton Gravel Grinder: From Hinesburg on rolling gravel hills.

Meet at 9:15 a.m. at Hinesburg Park and Ride behind the town offices. The leader is Brian Howard, 802--304-0610, bjhowd@gmail.com.

Sunday, June 2

“That year I think I grew comfortable in my role as a pitcher, understanding that I wasn’t necessarily going to keep up with them velocity-wise on the mound, but I had other aspects that made me a good pitcher,” she said. It came down to work ethic.

Heading into last summer, Otley challenged Berger to hone her three-point shooting. Once again, Berger came through, said her coach, meaning opponents in her senior season were forced to respect her shot and bring double teams out of the post.

That dedication to her craft was present even when Otley first met Berger when the latter was a fourth grader at a basketball camp. “I remember thinking that she was a serious little kid, very focused, very dialed in. She wasn’t there to goof

Grand Isle Flats: One of the flattest rides of the season. 28-mile route circles Grand Isle. 73-mile ride visits St. Anne’s Shrine and a fossil bed.

Meet at 9:15 a.m. at Folsom School, South Hero. Leader is Dave Merchant, 802-825-3808, merchand59@gmail.com.

Saturday, June 8

Stone Walls and Solar Panels: 30-mile gravel ride from Underhill to Cambridge.

Meet at 8:45 a.m. at St Thomas Church of Underhill, 6 Green St. Leader is Phyl Newbeck, 802-734-7016,

vtphyl72@gmail.com.

Sunday, June 9

Jaunt from Jasper Mine: 40- or 60-mile rolling hill ride passes through Georgia and Milton before heading to St. Albans Bay for a break by the bay and over to Swanton.

Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Jasper Mine Road, off Route 2. The leader is Dave Merchant, 802-825-3808, merchand59@ gmail.com.

Sunday, June 16

Hinesburg Hollow: Huntington via Hinesburg Hollow Road. 25- and 47-mile options.

Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Williston Central School by the tennis courts. Leader is Tom Kennedy, 802-735-5359, etomkennedy@ gmail.com.

Saturday, June 22

Mostly Unpaved Ride No. 2: In the Charlotte area.

Meet at 9:15 a.m. at Charlotte Central School. William Regan, 571-730-8160, william. regan.802-@gmail.com.

Sunday, June 23

Way to Weybridge: 64-miles through rolling hills from Shelburne to Weybridge.

Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Shelburne Village Shopping Center. Allan Kunigis, 802-324-9958, akunigis@gmail.com.

Saturday, June 29

Texas Hill and Duxbury loop: 43-mile gravel ride starts with a fairly big climb followed by a downhill out to Duxbury and North Road out to Waterbury.

Meet at 9:15 a.m. at either North Road turnaround or Iroquois Trucking on Mechanicsville Road.

The leader is Brian Howard, 802-304-0610, bjhowd@gmail. com.

Sunday, June 30

Rouse’s Point Rouser: Mostly flat 50- and 60-mile loop. Returns by the ferry.

Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Grand Isle Ferry Parking Lot. The leader is Matt Kuivinen, 802-881-9045, mattkui@earthlink.net.

PHOTO BY CATHERINE MORRISSEY

Elise

MUSIC

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event costs nothing — but donations are encouraged.

Aside from some of the big-ticket venues like Higher Ground in South Burlington or the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex, towns in Chittenden County have set up their own summer music shindigs. There is no shortage of entertainment this summer season. In fact, the real struggle might be finding the time to get to all of them.

Here’s a glimpse at some of the fun going down in Chittenden County this summer.

SB Nite Out

One of South Burlington’s most anticipated events of the year is back for its eighth season. SB Nite Out this year features more than just grub and good tunes. From fire performances to pickleball clinics, each Thursday will be something a little different than the last. Cancel plans and head to Veterans Memorial Park every Thursday starting at 5 p.m.

June 20 - IncaHOOTS

June 27 - UltravioletCirque de Fuego performance

July 11 - Hitmen and SB Bikes Out

July 18 - The Devon McGarry Band

July 25 - A House on Fire with fireworks

Aug. 1 - Sticks & Stones and pickleball clinics

Aug. 8 - Quadra

Aug. 15 - Barbie-n-Bones and a back-to-school drive

Aug. 22 - Grippo Funk Band

Burlington City Arts Summer Concert Series

The BCA Summer Concert Series is an annual celebration of Vermont’s wide-ranging roster of local talent. Every Wednesday and Friday throughout the summer, the series provides a

Guster plays June 29 as part of the Concerts on the Green series at Shelburne Museum.

lunchtime concert from 12:301:30 p.m. in City Hall Park, energizing the downtown district with vibrancy while supporting local musicians.

Summer Concert Series, Shelburne Farms

The 27th annual summer concert series is back. Set up your lawn chair and blanket, bring a picnic dinner or enjoy food for sale on site at the Farm Barn. Kids love dancing on the lawn and visiting the animals in the children’s farmyard. For safety, all children must be accompanied by an adult, and no dogs.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with music starting at 6:30 p.m.

July 10 - Smokey Newfield

Project

July 17 - Dave Keller Band

TOWN OF SHELBURNE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

Notice of Public Hearings to be held June 26, 2024, 7:00PM Town Center Meeting Room #1 and Remote Meeting via Zoom

FBZ22-03 – Application by Bill Bissonette for Site Plan review of a 33-unit residential development under the Town’s Form Based Code. Property at 3807 Shelburne Road is located in the Mixed-Use District, the Green Corridor Character District and the Stormwater Overlay District.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83259669599?pwd=VGFQWjVVNDVB YStnRG50VnljL281Zz09

Meeting ID: 832 5966 9599

July 24 - Buckshot

July 30 - Finale with fireworks. Food trucks and picnicking open at 5 p.m. Concert starts at 7 p.m. and lasts until dusk. Fireworks after 9 p.m.

Concerts on the Green, Shelburne Museum

While most of the concerts are sold out, there are tickets still available for these shows available at shelburnemuseum.org

June 13 - Greensky Blue

June 29 - Guster

Sept. 1 - Goth Babe

Old Round Church, Richmond

A full season of summer and fall concerts at the Old Round Church is in the works, including

both indoor and outdoor events. Suggested ticket donations at the door.

June 1 - Forest Station, 7 p.m.

Aug. 24 - Social Band, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 - Mama Tried, 7:30 p.m.

Grange on the Green, Charlotte

2024 Concerts will be on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. on the Charlotte Town Green (rain location: Charlotte Senior Center). The Charlotte Grange invites friends and neighbors to enjoy four evenings of music and merriment on the green. Bring a picnic.

June 27 - Will Patton Quartet

July 11- The Buck Hollers

July 18 - Nick Carter and Carole Wise

The Town of Shelburne Rescue Department has identified the need to change its license level from Advanced EMT to Paramedic to operate in the Town of Shelburne. This agency proposes to begin operation at the new license level on June 17, 2024 within the geographic boundaries of the Town of Shelburne. In accordance with 24 V.S.A. Emergency Medical Services Statute, public comments are invited to be received by the department by June 14, 2024.

Address comments:

Vermont Department of Health Office of Public Health Preparedness and EMS 280 State Drive Waterbury, VT 05671-8330

July 25 - Forest Station and Friends

Music at the Beach, Charlotte

“Skylark,” musicians from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, play Wednesdays, July 24 and 31, and Aug. 7 at the Charlotte town beach. Picnicking at 5 p.m. and music starts around 6 p.m. Free with season parking pass or paid day pass, but cash donations are encouraged.

Bring your friends and family and enjoy a summer sunset over Lake Champlain.

Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival

Join the chamber for nine days of exploration into how classical musicians celebrate their love of folk music from around the world. Performances take place Aug. 17 - Aug. 25 across three stages: Elley-Long Music Center at St. Michael’s College, St. Paul’s Cathedral and All Souls Interfaith Gathering.

Summer Concerts in the Park, Hinesburg

There’s no need to leave town to hear great music, with a slew of talented performers right in Hinesburg. Enjoy this 25-year annual tradition put on by the Hinesburg Recreation Department. Grab a blanket or chair, some

Passcode: gK2pBx May 30th, 2024 See MUSIC on page 13 Shop local and please remember our advertisers!

PHOTO BY ELDER AND ASH

zen center yard sale

MUSIC

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snacks, and a few friends and enjoy a free concert in the park starting at 6:30 p.m.

July 10 - Rodney Putnam

July 17 - Lost Edges

July 24 - About Time

July 31 - Atlantic Crossing

Aug. 7 - Hinesburg Community Band

Wednesdays Grill and Chill, Essex

Beginning June 12 and running every Wednesday until August 14, Double E at the Essex Experience will be firing up the grill on the green from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Bring the family, bring a friend, or just bring your appetite for cool music on a hot night. No tickets needed.

June 12 - Al’s Pals; Bethany Conner opens

June 19 - Dave Keller

June 26 - Danny and the Parts

July 3 - The Full Cleveland

July 10 - Satyrdagg

July 17 - Good Gravy

July 24 - Lara Cwass Band

July 31 - Hard Scrabble

Aug. 7 - Dobbs’ Dead

Aug. 14 - End of Summer Bash

RABIES BAIT continued from page 2

The week-long bait drop is a cooperative effort between Vermont and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to stop the spread of the potentially fatal disease.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the brain that infects mammals. It is most often seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also get rabies.The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its

saliva. If left untreated, rabies is almost always fatal in humans and animals. However, treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective when given soon after a person is bitten by a rabid animal.

So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont have tested positive for rabies, and 14 of those have been raccoons.

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

service directory

or email advertising@shelburnenews.com advertise your service here! call 985-3091 for rates

COURTESY PHOTO

Free First Friday kicks off June 7 with songstress Andriana Chobot and her band Bananas, offering indie-pop and heart-rock sounds that ruminate in jazz at Shelburne Museum.

Shelburne display lead a cemetery dors round from coffee creemees. from Shelburne

SHELBURNE continued