Shelburne News

out on Thursday, the day the town dedicated it’s new beach house. See more photos, page 16.

Vermont celebrates 100 years of first state park

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

For freelance writer and unofficial historian Judy Chaves, the 968-foot climb to the summit of Mt. Philo has been a meditative practice for most of her adult life.

Walking five days a week up and down one of the state’s most popular hiking spots can really begin to reveal the working landscape of a place, while also simultaneously revealing a lot about people in general.

“I’ve hiked here with just about every-

body in my life. I’ve got a close friend, we meet here at least every other week, and we just yak our way up and yak our way down. We hardly even know we’re hiking. And that’s true for so many people,” she said.

Chaves was in graduate school some 30 years ago the first time she visited Mt. Philo State Park in Charlotte, and she’s just never stopped visiting. For her, Mt. Philo, and the experience it brings, is personal. So personal that her love of the mountain began a decadelong effort to unravel the history behind one of Vermont’s most beloved peaks. That work

is the basis for her book, “Secrets of Mount Philo: A Guide to the History of Vermont’s First State Park.”

The story, as told by Chaves, is one that began 100 years ago this year with a single act of generosity. The prevailing message, she said, is that this state’s beloved mountain is proof that just one action can have a lasting effect for years to come.

“To me, it’s an example of foresight and that way of loving a place by giving it to the public. That to me is a remarkable aspect,” she said, sitting at a picnic table that rests at

the entrance of the park. “It’s a real lesson that this place has for us. It’s not just something that should just stay in the past but needs to continue.”

Her historical treasure hunt began simply by noticing changes on the mountain that, to any passersby, would appear insignificant. Like, for example, when state park officials began replacing the metal iron railing at the summit with a chain link fence.

See STATE PARK on page 10

PHOTO BY LEE KROHN

Waterfowl frames a view of the Adirondacks from Shelburne Beach as storms move in and

Shelburne observes Memorial Day at the veterans’ monument

JENNY OCKERT CONTRIBUTOR

The annual observation of Memorial Day in Shelburne on May 27 was opened by Col. Carroll A. Ockert, U.S. Army retired, followed by master of ceremonies Tom Little, who welcomed the audience.

Boy Scout Troop 602 conducted the salute to the flag and the Shelburne Community School Brass Quintet played the “Star Spangled Banner.” The Scouts led the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by Rev. Dwight Baker of St. Catherine of Siena Church.

Lorraine Paul sang “God Bless America” as a solo and then she invited the audience to join her in singing the song in unison.

Little introduced guest speaker, Col. Roger Zeigler, a Shelburne resident and commander of the 124th Regiment, Regional Training Institute, Vermont Army National Guard.

He described a day in the Army beginning with reveille, followed

by various classes, training and military exercises every soldier participates in. The day ends with “Taps.”

He drew on his own experiences as a child who grew up near a U.S. Army installation and the influence this had in leading him to a career in the armed services.

The brass quintet played “Triumphant” to introduce the dedication of the bench in honor of Sam Feitelberg, who was instrumental in the development and establishment of the veterans’ monument in Shelburne.

Afterwards, the Scouts presented the names of veterans’ new memorial bricks and the quintet played “Taps.” The Scouts also presented the memorial wreath placed in the front of the memorial.

The 2024 Quilts of Valor were presented to 10 people who had served during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. The quilts were presented by Helen Garvey, member of the local chapter of Quilts of Valor, a national organization that recognizes those

citizens who were in the various combat theaters beginning with World War I.

After the benediction given by Baker, all veterans were asked to come forward to be recognized and thanked for their services. The approximately 250 people who attended the ceremony thanked the veterans for their service.

Town to enhance Falls Road for summer with AARP grant

A new community partnership and demonstration project gets underway this summer to make Falls Road safer and more enjoyable, according to Shelburne town officials.

Starting July 9 and going into September, new crosswalks, public art, flowers and other traffic calming features will be installed along the village’s main street in support of local businesses. A team of volunteers planned the project for over a year, connecting business owners and residents.

The effort recently received

a $22,000 AARP Community Challenge Grant to help fund the demo. Called “Safety on Falls: A Village Traffic Calming Demonstration,” it is expected to make the heart of Shelburne safer and more welcoming. “The goal is to transform Falls Road into a more people-centered place, encouraging strolling, shopping, dining and community gathering,” according to a press release.

The selectboard endorsed the project concept after extensive research and community conversation, led by resident

Independence Day Weekend 1777

July 4th - July 7th

Susan Grasso, a Complete Streets program associate at the Local Motion nonprofit.

“Community feedback clearly indicates that citizens of Shelburne want a safer, more welcoming Falls Road that allows them to linger and interact with fellow citizens and businesses,” said selectboard member Andrew Everett. “This is an exciting opportunity to experiment with some features that help with that.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Above: Veterans with their 2024 Quilts of Valor. Below: The memorial wreath was placed in front of the Shelburne Veterans’ Monument by the Boy Scouts.

See FALLS ROAD on page 12

Shelburne Community School

Eighth grade Class of 2024

Jack Ahrens

Mateo Almena-Lee

Alfy Andersson

Max Atherton

Jasmeet Badwal

Brooke Beaulieu

Madeline Bessette

Alex Binkhorst

Max Blaise

Maksym Bloomberg

Bishop Bowen

Natalie Briggs

Paul Brown

Jullia Bukasa

Noah Cate

Raea Coakley

Greyson Cole

Claire Congalton

Fia Cook

Finn Cray-Budington

Elise DeFazio

Gianni DeFazio

Ben Donohue

Riley Dulude Ticehurst

Kendall Fagnant

Abby Girard

Izzy Gregory

Naomi Guaman Sanchez

Sara Guidice

Else Hansen

Felix Haskins

Ben Healey

Levi Hughes

Lilly Irons

Noah Keefe

Maggie Kennedy

Jillian Knight

Nadia Kono

Gray Latka

Creston Lea-Simons

Stella Lefrancois

Lilly May

Sheila McLaughlin

Ethan McNaughton

Henry McNaughton

KJ McNaulty

Harrison Melo

Anna Mincar

Kienan Murphy

Martha Odachowski

Kai Olin

Jaylah Parrow

Heather Pelletier

Brennan Rettew

Arabella Revoir

Gus Roden

Luci Simmons

Lily Sivo

Olivia Smith

Jack Stoner

Miles Tallman-Richland

Bea Taylor

Lucas Thant

Sarah Thant

Tyden Tota

Ella Trevithick

Nora Trombley

Quinn Tyler

Ethan Whitcomb

Jameson Wilhite-Keene

Carson Williams

Zyler Yandow

Ellie Zweber

COURTESY PHOTOS

Above left: Teacher Meg O’Donnell with student Izzy Gregory. Above right: Co-principal Brett Cluff address the grads and their families and friends. Below: From left, Brooke Beaulieu, Jasmeet Badwal, Max Atherton and Alfy Andersson at the graduation ceremony.

Shelburne recognizes firefighters’ service, important milestones

Shelburne Fire Department held its annual award ceremony recently to recognize firefighters who have reached milestone years of service to the department and to hand out special awards for extraordinary service to the department and community.

Garrett Gruendling recently completed five years of service, Lee Krohn, 10 years, and engineer Dwight Mazur has served for 15 years. He’s logged more than 4,100 hours of training and nearly 1,000 incident responses and held nearly every position in the ranks. Steve Giles was recognized for three years of service to the department.

Other firefighters who received recognition included:

• Firefighter Mike Deavitt, and Lt. Rivard and Lt. Devin Major completed pumper apparatus driver operator certification.

• Firefighters Jones and Ben Lawton and Capt. Matt Kozlowski completed rope rescue technician certification.

• Firefighter Giles successfully completed Firefighter 1 certification.

• Similarly, firefighters Jones,

Ted Fisher, Doug Schmidt and Zach Trono completed Firefighter 2 certification.

• Senior firefighter Zander Preis completed Fire Instructor 1 certification.

The following personnel were promoted:

• Preis was promoted to senior firefighter and was also recently promoted to captain of the St. Michael’s College Fire Department.

• Rivard was promoted to lieutenant.

• Matt Kozlowski was promoted to captain.

• Josh Estey was promoted to assistant chief.

Despite the pouring rain, members and partners enjoyed a social evening at Shelburne Vineyard where Shelburne Fire Chief Andrew Dickerson recognized the Rookie of the Year and Firefighter of the Year, Charlie Jones.

“Rookie of the Year is awarded by the cadre of officers to a new member of the team who demonstrates exceptional dedication to participation, and personal growth and embraces our core values as a firefighter. The same

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News Editor Tommy Gardner

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can be said for Firefighter of the Year, with an additional focus on consistent responses to incidents, taking on tasks outside of the required minimums, aiding fellow firefighters in their own

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

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personal growth and promoting a positive working environment,” said Shelburne Fire Chief Andrew Dickerson.

“This year the leadership team felt strongly that Charlie deserved

Trinity Baptist School, a K-12 Christian school, and Little Lambs Preschool for 3 year olds to Pre-K, are accepting enrollments for the 2024-25 school year.

We provide high quality academics taught with a biblical worldview

both titles of rookie and firefighter of the year. This person, since joining in February 2023,

PHOTO COURTESY SHELBURNE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Charlie Jones receives both the Firefighter of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards from Fire Chief Andrew Dickerson.

OPINION

Dreamcatcher: Running ‘The Amazing Race’

In Musing Carole Vasta Folley

Please don’t tell me your dreams. It’s not just that they bore me, they anesthetize me. I’ll be out before you explain, “It’s me in the dream, but not really me, you know?”

I do understand that, for many, dreams are informative, revelatory and profound. But after 12 years of Jungian dream therapy gone awry, I just can’t listen to them anymore. I’m ridiculously happy ignoring even my own dreams. See? It’s not personal.

So, it was shocking when I awoke with a dream that I not only remembered but, horrors, wanted to share with someone. Dear reader, that means you. Don’t worry, I’ll pay it forward. For everyone who reads this, I’ll listen to an equal amount of my husband’s dreams. I didn’t say I had to be awake, right?

My dream was no big shakes. Nothing epic about it. In it, my brother, Roger, tries to convince me to go on “The Amazing Race” with him. If you’re not familiar with this reality TV show that boasts 36 seasons, let me fill you in. Pairs race around the globe performing unexpected challenges like bungee jumping into the Corinth Canal

or riding a yak in Mongolia. Yes, sometimes the competitions are less thrilling, like pushing fish heads on spikes or eating four pounds of meat or running in your underwear.

In real life, there is no way Roger would want to go on this show, with me or without me. We have this in common. I’m so sure about this, I’d rather listen to your dreams than go on “The Amazing Race.”

In the nightmare, I mean, dream, I beseech my brother, “On what planet do you think we’d want to do this?” I go red in embarrassment as I imagine the possibility of the show filming both of us crying while one pushes the other down the world’s longest waterslide in Dubai. (If you’re an “Amazing Race” fan, you’ll know the reference.)

Granted, my brother would be fairly good in many of the challenges. I’d like to guess he could put away a solid amount of meat and do fairly well in the underwear running department, though I wouldn’t want to be there to see it. But then I looked closer at the details. The underpants running happens in freezing Siberia and the meat challenge wasn’t just a pile of hamburgers. It was an Argentine feast featuring cow intestines and various glands.

Emphatically, my brother and I do not enjoy surprise challenges. We have zero interest in jumping off a dam or into a boat filled with 500 live crabs.

Emphatically, my brother and I do not enjoy surprise challenges. We have zero interest in jumping off a dam or into a boat filled with 500 live crabs, let alone milking a camel. That’s not how we roll. Roger and I prefer the known, the calm,

the predictability of life. Truth is, it’s a remedy to our painful past. Besides, I’d suggest the two of us have already run a sad version of “The Amazing Race” growing up. One that happened to live in our childhood home, where there were enough challenges, precariousness, and fear to last both our lifetimes.

Of course, as children, we weren’t asked to perform death defying feats. Or were we? In an abusive home, you’re forced to play a risky game of survival. Sure, racing around the world would’ve been preferred, but that wasn’t an option.

Instead, our reality competition was

Reader is an enthusiastic YIMBY for housing

To the Editor:

I live on Irish Hill Road and am so excited to see the proposed plans from O’Brien Brothers to develop housing. As I hope you all are aware, Shelburne and all of Vermont are in a housing crisis. I bought my home three years ago and could not afford to buy it today given the increase in prices. There is not enough stock at all levels to meet our needs for today and for the future. I face this reality in my work life regularly, encountering quality professional candidates struggling to secure housing.

The proposed development will not go up overnight. In fact, it will take seven to 10 years. However, it will add new, energy-efficient, all-electric homes that are connected to a walkable village

at home where we tried to stay as safe as possible. Day after day.

I wish Roger and I could have gone on the real show instead. After all, it offered something we never had a chance at while growing up — the possibility of a win. That, and we’d be a team, finally forging the innate sibling bond we were denied as kids. The one we’ve had to paste together ever since. From the start, I would have Roger’s back. And he’d have mine.

Carole Vasta Folley is an award-winning columnist and playwright. Visit carolevf.com

center. This is the kind of housing I have been hoping for. We have capacity in our schools and sewer for this new development and I welcome sharing those infrastructure costs with more residents. I have toured O’Brien’s other development in South Burlington and found the homes to be beautiful and thoughtfully designed. We are lucky to have this building partner working hard to add needed housing to this community. I can’t wait to welcome them to the neighborhood, and I encourage all who agree to join me in an enthusiastic YIMBY — Yes in My Backyard.

Nikki Stevens Shelburne

Carole Vasta Folley

FIRE DEPARTMENT

continued from page 4

has completed nearly 500 hours of training, and 150 incident responses. He recently completed Firefighter 2 and is also a rope rescue technician, he has become an integral member of our staffing committee, helping to shape the organization’s future, and never shows up without a smile on and his can-do-will-do attitude,” he added.

The annual Fire Officer of the Year Award is voted on by department members. This year’s award went to Rivard, “respecting and honoring his quiet, competent dedication and his calm, knowledgeable, patient approach to assisting and mentoring both new and more experienced members of the department,” the chief said.

Shelburne Police Blotter: June 17 - 22

Total reported incidents: 55

Traffic stops: 1

Warnings: 1

Tickets: 0

Arrests: 0

Medical emergencies: 18

Mental health incidents: 0

Suspicious incidents: 10

Directed patrols: 1

Citizen assists: 4

Motor vehicle complaints: 1

Car crash: 2

Animal problem: 3

Noise disturbance: 1

Unlawful Mischief: 0

Theft: 4

Harassment: 0

Vandalism: 0

Property damage: 0

Fraud: 3

Alarms: 4

Pending investigations: 6

911 Hang-up calls: 1

June 17 at 8:30 p.m., the caller reported hearing a gunshot near Hedgerow Drive. Officers checked the area but could not locate the sound’s source.

June 17 at 9:26 p.m., a caller reported her vehicle stolen on Shelburne Road. While taking a report, it was determined that a family member had the vehicle.

June 18 at 11:43 a.m., a caller on Shagbark Lane reported a fraud.

The case is under investigation.

June 18 at 8:44 p.m., a caller on Barberry Lane reported a theft of items from his residence. The case is under investigation.

June 19 at 10:38 a.m., a stray

dog on Shelburne Road was running loose. The animal was impounded.

June 19 at 4:45 p.m., offers mediated a family dispute on Shelburne Road.

June 20 at 3:23 p.m., a caller reported an unwanted guest at the T-Bird Motel. Officers escorted the individual off the property.

June 20 at 5:57 p.m., Tractor Supply reported a retail theft.

June 20 at 6:13 p.m., another retail theft from Tractor Supply was reported. Both incidents are under investigation.

June 20 at 7:14 p.m., a caller reported a domestic disturbance between a father and son on LaPlatte Circle. The individuals refused assistance.

June 21 at 5:54 p.m., a caller reported a vehicle parked in a handicapped spot on Shelburne Road. The officer checked the area but was unable to locate the vehicle.

June 21 at 10:50 p.m., a caller reported a dead animal washed up at in the bay on Bay Road. The animal was located and removed, and Vermont Fish and Game was notified.

June 22 at 7:14 p.m., a stray dog was reported running loose on Spear Street.

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

FREE FIRST FRIDAY EVE

PHOTOS COURTESY SHELBURNE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Above: Lt. Ben Rivard received the Officer of the Year award, presented by Shelburne Firefighters Association President Lee Krohn. Below: Engineer Dwight Mazur with chief Andrew Dickerson.

Shelburne should seize O’Brien project opportunity

To the Editor:

I support the Shelburne Selectboard and planning commission as they undertake the critical work of revising land development regulations. It’s encouraging to hear members advocating for smart growth and the types of development that will ensure the town thrives well into the future — while welcoming new residents.

Their openness to the proposed housing development by O’Brien Brothers is a testament to their commitment to our community. Our region desperately needs a wide variety of housing options to accommodate people at every stage of life. Many young families are searching unsuccessfully for homes with yards, where children and pets can play. So many of our older neighbors want smaller, more manageable living spaces. Unfortunately, these options simply do not exist in our current housing stock. Much more is needed to meet current and future needs.

We know the cost of new construction is high for many reasons that are far beyond our control. But without more housing, prices will continue to rise and shut out of the market the very people we need to sustain Shelburne and surrounding communities. By supporting the O’Brien Brothers project, and other well-conceived projects like it, we can ensure that the

area offers affordable housing options for all, creating a more diverse and inclusive community.

There is significant potential in Shelburne to develop housing that has easy access to utilities and is within walking distance of schools, shops, restaurants and churches. This will improve the quality of life for residents and reduce the reliance on cars. It’s exactly the type of sustainable lifestyle we should be promoting. We want projects that create vibrant, walkable communities, enhance our towns with more affordable housing, conserve open spaces and improve bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

The proposal involves reclassifying land currently in the rural zoning district to allow higher-density building — exactly what the state seeks and promotes in the recently enacted Act 47, or HOME Act. This state law encourages housing development in areas serviced by water and sewer by allowing up to five dwelling units per acre. This law was passed to help communities address the housing shortage. Let’s seize this opportunity to build a better future for Shelburne, Chittenden County and Vermont.

Emilie Krasnow South Burlington

Krasnow serves in the Legislature from South Burlington.

COMMUNITY

Community Notes

Enjoy Age Well meals at Charlotte Senior Center

The Age Well meal pickup for Wednesday, July 10, is from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Charlotte Senior Center. The meal features glazed chopped pork and ham patty with pineapple sauce, mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, wheat roll, oatmeal craisin cookie and milk.

You must pre-register by the prior Monday at 802-425-6345 or meals@charlotteseniorcentervt. org. The suggested donation is $5. Check the website for last-minute cancellations at bit.ly/3FfyLMb.

The meal for Wednesday, July 17, features chopped beef steak with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli, wheat roll, pumpkin cookie, and milk.

Telecom company gives out annual scholarships

Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom have announced the recipients of their 2024 Eunice B. Farr Incentive Award scholarships. This year’s recipients included:

• Champlain Valley Union High School, Molly Dubois

• Harwood Union High School, Melanie Snell

• Mount Abraham Union High School, Shelby Barlett

• Mount Mansfield Union High School, Lila Brillhart

• Middlebury Union High School, Julian Cottell

• Vergennes High School, Kaelin Sullivan

Each year, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom awards six scholarships, one to each of the public high schools that students from our service area attend. These scholarships are donated in memory of the late Eunice B.

Farr, former owner and operator of the Waitsfield-Fayston Telephone Company and grandmother of Eric Haskin.

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, July 9.

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 glazed chopped pork and ham patty with pineapple sauce, mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, wheat roll, oatmeal craisin cookie and milk.

To order a meal contact Kathleen at agewellstcath@gmail.com or 802-503-1107. Deadline to order is Wednesday, July 3. 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 July luncheon

Age Well is offering a luncheon on Tuesday, July 16, in the St Catherine of Siena Parish Hall, 72 Church St. in Shelburne.

The menu is egg salad with celery and onions, coleslaw, spinach salad with chickpeas and veggies, Italian dressing, dinner roll, Congo bar, pears and milk.

You must register by Wednesday, July 10 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. Check-in time is 11:30 a.m. and the meal will be served at noon. There is a $5 suggested donation.

Rocky Dale hosts

Art on Main fundraiser

Local garden expert Charlie Nardozzi will speak at and about Bristol’s Rocky Dale Gardens on Sunday, July 14, from 4-6 p.m.

Take a tour of the display gardens and unique landscape of Rocky Dale under the educated and exuberant guidance of Vermont’s favorite gardener. Nardozzi will discuss plants, garden design and maintenance, including Rocky

Dale’s unusual specimen trees that add such distinction to the property.

The tour will be followed with herbal tea and treats and time for questions with Nardozzi and Rocky Dale’s staff.

Tickets for the fundraiser, which benefits Art on Main, a nonprofit, community-supported gallery, are $30 and can be purchased in advance at Art on Main in Bristol or at artonmainvt.com.

Don’t

be late to audition for ‘Murder at Eight’

The Shelburne Players will hold auditions for its fall 2024 production, the world premiere of

“Murder at Eight,” on Monday, June 24, and Tuesday, June 25, from 6-8:30 p.m. with callbacks on Thursday, June 27. Auditions will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Shelburne. A world premiere mystery thriller, “Murder at Eight,” centers around a young widow whose six close friends gather to commemorate the anniversary of her husband’s death. But grief turns to terror when she announces that she has poisoned the guest she believes was responsible for his death, who must confess in front of the other five witnesses by reaching for the

COURTESY PHOTO

The graduation ceremony for Vermont Day School’s eighth graders was held June 12 at All Souls Interfaith Gathering in Shelburne. From left, Walker Nestor, Shelburne; Tegan Tremblay, Shelburne; Avery Morisseau, Huntington; Reesa Bagnato, Charlotte; Maddie Anderson, Shelburne; Sawyer Tharpe, Shelburne; Thea Mickett, Burlington; and Meredith Prouty, Middlebury.

Brenda Myrick presents “Stillness in Motion,” canvases of horses, birds and spirit animals at the Village Wine and Coffee Annex Gallery in Shelburne, with an opening reception on Saturday, July 13, 4-6 p.m. “I’ve always felt a deep connection with animals, the landscape, and a sense of place. I use this as a point of departure for my studio practice, so it is natural that animals appear and reappear in my work.” Myrick works in oil, acrylic and watercolor. For information, call 802-985-8922 or email brendamyrickart@gmail. com. Above, “Speaks” by Brenda Myrick.

COMMUNITY NOTES

continued from page 8

antidote before the clock strikes eight. Show dates are Oct. 5-13. Learn more at shelburneplayers.com.

French heritage celebrated at Champlain Mill

Learn more about French culture at French Heritage Day at the Winooski Farmers Market, Sunday, June 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The free event features live music by Champlain Shoregasm and Déjà-Nous, and French language and genealogy activities and food in front of the Champlain Mill.

The Heritage Winooski Mill and Winooski Historical Society Museums inside the mill will also be open. Local judges will award a winner in the tourtiere and French bread contests and there will be musical guests, Champlain Shoregasm and Déjà-Nous.

All city parking is free.

For more details visit French Heritage Day, visit bit.ly/3VvXK6L.

Vergennes City Band concerts run through summer

Free Vergennes City band concerts run every Monday through Aug. 26, 7-8 p.m., on the green.

So, bring a lawn chair or blanket and watch the show. In case of rain or storms, individual concerts may be cancelled.

The Vergennes City Band is made up of instrumentalists from 12 to 90. Interested in joining? Woodwind, brass and percussionists of all abilities are welcome. Bring a music stand if you have one. Percussionists bring their own snare drum and sticks. Contact Susan O’Daniel, sodaniel27@ gmail.com with questions or interest.

SEEKING TREATMENT PROVIDERS

The U.S. Probation Office in the District of Vermont believes that individuals subject to federal pretrial and post-conviction community supervision deserve access to quality, evidence-based treatment in the community. To that end, the District of Vermont will be soliciting for drug and alcohol, mental health, and sex offender specific treatment services, as well as drug testing services, for fiscal years 2025 through 2029. Requests for Proposals in these service categories will be made available on www.vtp.uscourts.gov/solicitations on June 17, 2024. Interested parties should contact Shawna Lapierre at Shawna_Lapierre@vtp.uscourts.gov or 802-951-0625 to be added to the Bidder’s Mailing List.

COURTESY PHOTO

STATE PARK

continued from page 1

“I went up and they were ripping out the old iron railings at the main viewpoint, and they replaced them with a chain link fence that I thought was inappropriate for this beautiful park. A chain link fence, I think of as sort of urban,” she said.

Through some early research, she found that this metal railing, installed in 1902, was exactly one of the reasons the mountain was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Through some dedicated campaigning on the part of Chaves, officials ultimately resorted to replacing the chain-link fence with a replica of the original railing.

“That got me going on the whole history of the park. Reading the nomination papers for the National Register was full of absolutely fascinating information. I just then got a little bit obsessed,” she laughed.

Through a decade of research, she’s found that the mountain’s history is really just a microcosm of the history of the entire state of Vermont — Indigenous people hunting and gathering the land; the first European settlement in 1786 and a Connecticut-born farmer who settled at the base of the mountain; the 19th-century Merino “sheep fever” craze; and the earliest inceptions of Vermont’s agritourism economy.

“Everything that happened on Mount Philo is a little miniature version of what happened throughout the entire Northeast,” she said.

According to her research, the landscape of the mountain would have looked much different than it does now, and early photos and postcards show most of the mountain completely void of the lush vegetation that inhabits it now, mostly due to deforestation and the rise of the forestry industry, she said.

As landscapes changed and time passed, sheep were soon replaced with dairy cows and the start of Vermont’s burgeoning dairy industry.

“One of the ways that dairy farmers could pad their income was to open up their farm in the summer to tourists,” she said. “This was the middle to late 19th century, and wealthy urbanites would come up from Boston and New York and spend part of the summer up north. Vermont was marketing itself as a place to come and have a farm life.”

The Mount Philo Inn, a byproduct of this exact type of agritourism, began when farmer Frank Lewis converted his 1880s farmhouse to accommodate more guests. Two regular Vermont vacationers from Massachusetts, James and Frances Humphreys, fell so deeply in love with the experience that they began buying land and would continue to visit Vermont summer after summer.

After James died in 1924, Frances gifted the land that is now known as Mt. Philo to the state, thus creating Vermont’s first state park.

“There is something in the world besides money. If the people of Vermont appreciate the privilege of riding up Mt. Philo or walks through its paths, that is all that is asked by its honor,” Frances Humphrey wrote of the mountain in 1924.

Chaves has spent a good amount of time since finishing the book hosting book talks and guided hikes to the peak, pointing out other historical facts like where the original Carriage Road would have been and how the mountain has changed over the years.

While Chaves recounts often the gener-

osity of Frances that began the state’s park system, the work she has done to compile centuries of history marks a new era of

Although she has no plans to continue her historic pursuits, there are still certain mysteries that encompass the mountain, like where exactly it got its name. Many spec-

Mt. Philo’s story, 100 years later.

ulate, but no one quite knows for sure, she said.

And that mystery — and others — is exactly what keeps Chaves coming back.

PHOTOS BY LIBERTY DARR

Judy Chaves stands at the base of the House Rock Trail at Mt. Philo State Park in Charlotte. Chaves gives a history presentation at the Charlotte library. Pictured is an old postcard of the Mount Philo Inn.

Maritime museum explores Champlain’s canal boat history

A new exhibit at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum showcases canal boat stories from a fresh perspective.

The exhibit dives into the history of canal boats on Champlain using research and artifacts recovered from shipwrecks and shares lesser-known local stories of canal boats and the people who worked them, providing unexpected points of connection.

“Underwater Archaeology: Diving into the Stories of People and Canal Boats on Lake Champlain” opens Saturday, July 13, at the museum in Vergennes.

While the maritime industry of the 19th century was dominated by men, the canal boat community was strikingly different. Boats were often owned and operated by families who lived on board, combining work and home for men, women and children, and building connect-

FALLS ROAD

continued from page 2

We hope to come out of this short demonstration, at no cost to the town, with an idea of what works and what doesn’t to turn this stretch into a true Main Street that is a safe and thriving center of commerce and culture that fosters a strong sense of community and promotes access by all ages and abilities.”

Shelburne Farmers Market also supports the project. Manager Sarah Stillman said it should improve walkability and safe biking and help protect safe access to shared community

ed communities with other canal boat families.

For the museum’s research and archaeology team, the work of excavating canal boat shipwrecks in Lake Champlain is a special experience as they discover families’ home goods, toys, tools and clothes as well as the cargo that canal boats were tasked with delivering.

The new exhibit invites visitors to immerse themselves in these stories and experience being an underwater archaeologist diving on a shipwreck to recover artifacts. Using 3D models of original artifacts, visitors can experience what it’s like to find an object in dark water, guessing what it is by touch alone.

Through audio recordings of interviews with two women who grew up on canal boats, visitors can listen to first-person accounts of

what life was like for children on these vessels, going to school in the winter, recreation, and more.

A rich collection of objects including artifacts recovered from shipwrecks, ship models and documents welcomes guests to envision life on board for the diverse mix of people who lived and worked on canal boats.

Featured artifacts include a toy boat and woman’s overshoe recovered from the sailing canal boat General Butler shipwreck, an iron kettle from the canal boat Vergennes, a 19th-century cornet from the sailing canal boat O.J. Walker and more.

The public can enjoy a special preview at the museum’s annual summer party on Friday, July 12, an evening filled with live music, local food, a raffle and silent auction and after-hours access to exhibits. Find out more at lcmm.org.

News from Pierson Library

Poetry salon tonight

Tonight, June 27, at 6 p.m., a free poetry salon and open mic in town hall will feature Adrie Kusserow and Madeline Kunin.

Kusserow is a cultural anthropologist, professor at St. Michael’s College and a poet. She is the author of “Hunting Down the Monk,” “Refuge” and “The Trauma Mantras,” a hybrid prose-poetry memoir.

Kunin is a Swiss-born American diplomat, Wake Robin resident and served from 1985 to 1991 as Vermont’s 77th governor. She is the author of the collections “Red Kite, Blue Sky” and “Walk with Me.”

An open mic follows.

Bird walk, reptiles, bus trip Saturday

At 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, adult programming coordinator Jasper Oliver and Vermont Audubon Society member Lucie Lehman will greet early birds at the library with coffee before embarking on a stroll through the village and into LaPlatte Nature Center for a bird walk. Limited binoculars will be available.

At 10:30 a.m., live pythons and python handlers from 802 Reptiles will visit the library. Then from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. take the bus to Battery Park in Burlington. Participants will receive $50 in bus riding credit.

If you hang around the library, author Scott Wilson stop by with his taco-themed kids book at 11:30 a.m., joined by Maia Rak at 1 p.m. for a Spanish immersion workshop.

Free tamale making workshop

On Tuesday, July 2, at 6 p.m. in the town hall, learn how to make tamales with members of the culinary collective Viva El Sabor, a collective of Spanish-speaking chefs driven by a passion for authentic Mexican and Guatemalan cuisine, cultural exchange and economic empowerment. Limited spaces still available. To register call 802-985-5124 and specify chicken or veggies, cheese or no cheese and any other dietary restrictions along with your name, contact and number of attendees.

See LIBRARY on page 13

spaces like village green.

“We believe this project could further sweeten our quality of life in Shelburne,” she said.

Shelburne is among 343 nationwide winners from over 3,300 applicants to AARP grant program. It funds innovative, quick-action projects that inspire change in areas in public places, housing, transportation, digital connectivity and community resilience.

With additional funding provided by Toyota Motor North America, the program is also

increasing its investment in pedestrian safety projects that will improve streets and sidewalks, create vibrant pedestrian infrastructure, engage community members and more.

“The town of Shelburne, like AARP, believes that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life,” the press release read.

COURTESY PHOTO

The famous moment the sailing canal boat General Butler crashed on the Burlington breakwater. Artifacts from this shipwreck will be on display in a new exhibit at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.

COURTESY PHOTO

The popular LaPlatte River Crossing footbridge, connecting the trails on the east and west sides of the LaPlatte Nature park, has undergone some renovations and repairs over the past week. Secure railing posts were installed and, instead of the fishnet webbing, the railings have been replaced by knotted hemp web wound through the supporting cables. This work was done thanks to the many hours of volunteer work by Shelburne residents: Ted Albers, Barb Johnson, Dave King, Charlie Jones, Danny Weiss, Norman Illsley, Gunnar Sievert, Dean Wiederin and Joplin Wistar.

Bridging the gap

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Creative writing collaboration

Writers, beginning and seasoned alike, are encouraged to gather with illustrators in the shared pursuit of collaborating on a choose-your-own-adventurestyle novella this summer as part of summer reading program.

Gather for six sessions on select Wednesdays to write, assign pages and work together on this fun, encouraging, creative collaboration. The next session is Wednesday, July 3, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Summer concert series gets underway

The first of six musical acts taking the town hall stage this summer, Mad is a theatrical pop outfit from Burlington. They’re

sort of like if the B-52s had a baby with They Might Be Giants and that baby was winked at, coquettishly, at a party, by both Dave Grohl and Cyndi Lauper but really, they’re difficult to compare

to any other artist or pre-existing genre. They’re constantly adding new sonically and lyrically unique songs to their set and play Shelburne’ s Town Hall Stage on Friday, July 5, 7 p.m.

CAUCUS WARNING for JP Nomination and GOP delegates

All Republican voters of the town/city of SHELBURNE, County of CHITTENDEN are hereby notified, in accordance with 17 V.S.A. § 2303, to meet in caucus on JULY 8, Monday, 2024 @ 7PM Shelburne Town Offices, Meeting Rm #1, 2nd Flr., Shelburne, VT 05482 The Agenda for this Caucus is as follows:

I. Political Party Nomination for Justice of the Peace Candidates (17 V.S.A. § 2413) Vermont General Election, Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Prekindergarten Lottery is now open for 2024-2025!

II. Nomination(s) for General Election by Party Committee (17 V.S.A. § 2385)

III. New Business

Prekindergarten Lottery is now open for 2024-2025!

CVSD is Hiring!

from page 2 saliva. ways fatal treatment

Prekindergarten Lottery is now open for 2024-2025!

The CVSD Early Education Program is now accepting applications for a random prekindergarten lottery drawing for the 2024-25 school year. This lottery is for an opportunity to enroll in one of our school-based classrooms which run 10 hours per week. Our schoolbased prekindergarten classrooms are 5 STARs, licensed early education programs that provide play-based, developmentally appropriate environments for all children in an inclusive setting. Our curriculum is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS).

The CVSD Early Education Program is now accepting applications for a random prekindergarten lottery drawing for the 2024-25 school year. This lottery is for an opportunity to enroll in one of our schoolbased classrooms which run 10 hours per week. Our school-based prekindergarten classrooms are 5 STARs, licensed early education programs that provide play-based, developmentally appropriate environments for all children in an inclusive setting. Our curriculum is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS).

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.

For

Our programs follow the CVSD school calendar. Children who will be age 3 or older by September 1, 2024, who are not eligible for kindergarten, and live in the communities of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George, and Williston are eligible to enter the lottery. Families who are selected for the lottery and choose to enroll their child in a CVSD program access their Act 166 publicly funded prekindergarten funds for the school-based program.

Mowing, weed whacking, maintaining sports fields, and winter snow removal. Other duties as assigned.

Susan M. Bowen, Chair 802-999-7757 & Michael J. Donohue, Vice Chair

ben@masonconsult.com or call (617) 283-6010 Have a struggling student? Contact Ben Mason ben@masonconsult.com • 617-283-6010 Foster motivation and purpose with proven assessments and tools for life skills development. We can help with gap year, career and parallel education planning.

All applications must be received by February 5, 2024, and are located on the CVSD Early Educationwebsite at: https://tinyurl.com/CVSDEarlyEd or using this QR code. Paper applications are available upon request.

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

Full-time, day shift opening. Experience is helpful but for the right candidate, training will be provided. Shift hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 am - 3:00 pm.

All applications must be received by February 5, 2024, and are located on the CVSD Early Education website at: https://tinyurl. com/CVSDEarlyEd or using this QR code.

Paper applications are available upon request.

Hourly rate commensurate with experience and full benefits included. Benefits: Medical, Dental, a retirement package, paid vacation, weekends off and most holidays paid.

For additional information, questions about our program, or any concerns about your child’s development, please visit our website or contact Director of Early Education, Erin Gagne at egagne@

For additional information, questions about our program, or any concerns about your child’s development, please visit our website or contact Director of Early Education, Erin Gagne at egagne@cvsdvt.org. Our Early Education team is also available for developmental screenings in the areas of communication, social-emotional development, motor skills, adaptive development, and cognition. More information about an Early Multi-Tiered System of Supports is also available on the website under the Support Services tab.

ANTIQUES WANTED

100 percent a person So far have tested those have According animals mal behavior, an animal it. People animals

For further information contact Tom Mongeon, tmongeon@ cvsdvt.org.

District HVAC Technician

This position performs skilled mechanical maintenance, including inspections, repair, installation of equipment i.e. heating, ventilation, A/C and refrigeration systems and perform preventative maintenance for the Champlain Valley School District.

cvsdvt. Our Early Education team is also available for developmental screenings in the areas of communication, socialemotional development, motor skills, adaptive development, and cognition. More information about an Early Multi-Tiered System of Supports is also available on the website under the Support Services tab.

For further information contact Chris Giard, cgiard@cvsdvt.org

Please apply online to www.cvsdvt.org/jobs

CVSD is an equal opportunity employer. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, women, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Shelburne celebrated its new beach house Thursday at the town’s official welcome to summer, “Back to the Beach,” as architect Jeff McBride cuts the ribbon. McBride, a Shelburne resident and owner of Sidehill Designs, provided the architectural design of the new Shelburne Beachhouse at no cost. The original beach house was built by volunteers in 1956 and was no longer functional. The project cost just under $600,000. The new facility has four unisex bathrooms, two that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, along with three outdoor showers and an updated lifeguard storage room. In addition, the building will also feature a new covered porch area or a cantilever roof to provide shade and a more community-oriented feel. At right: McBride with members of his family.

Back to the beach

PHOTOS BY LEE KROHN