Shelburne News

Vermont

Dance of dragons

Rotary

Sweeney clinches

Democratic House nomination

LIBERTY DARR

STAFF WRITER

Shawn Sweeney took home the gold in Tuesday night’s Democratic primary election for the Chittenden-7 House district, besting opponent and Shelburne Selectboard chair Michael Ashooh by just 24 votes in Shelburne.

With roughly 21 percent of Shelburne’s registered voters showing up to vote, Sweeney moves on to the uncontested local November election with 299 of Shelburne’s votes. Ashooh was close behind with 275 votes.

Including the votes in Saint George also represented in Chittenden-7, Sweeney beat Ashooh 338-295.

Sweeney, a Shelburne resident in his first Statehouse bid, is upping his ranks from Shelburne’s planning commission to take over the House seat vacated by Rep. Jessica Brumsted, D-Shelburne.

Sweeney has admitted that, while he doesn’t have years of political experience, his expertise as a business owner and a resident of Vermont makes him the prime candidate for the Statehouse seat.

See SWEENEY on page 11

Seeing double

Sometimes

Shelburne’s long lovers celebrate 75 years

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

The secret to lifelong love is a mystery to most.

But for Donald and Mary Picard, who are celebrating 75 years together in November, the answer is simple, “You just do it.”

The couple is spending their

days, now each at 97 years old, back in the place where a large part of their story began: in Shelburne. On a scorchingly hot, sunny August day, they were seated next to each other comfortably in an air-conditioned room at The Arbors, where they shared a bit of their story of love and a life spent in the Chittenden County town

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— a place that was not always a bustling town on the Route 7 corridor.

According to Donald Picard, Shelburne had a lot fewer people back in his day when he worked at the Shelburne Museum as an office manager. Now, he says Route 7 is filled with “mostly businesses rather than individual houses,” as

he remembers it almost 50 years ago. A painting of Shelburne from that time sits above the seating area in their room at the assisted living facility that shows Shelburne Road resembling much more of a village

See PICARD on page 10

Shelburne Road, S. Burlington Maple Tree Place, Williston GetBlissBee.com @getblissbee

PHOTO

MARK HANNA

Anarchy on Spear Street, a multi-colored lining.

Shelburne farm hosts fundraiser to help Latin America farmers

Food4Farmers, a Vermontbased nonprofit, wants to relieve Latin American food insecurity with gourmet burgers, hotdogs and salads.

The third annual Food4Farmers Harvest Picnic is returning to Shelburne’s Bread and Butter Farm on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 5 p.m. The dinner, prepared by Blank Page Café owner Mike Proia and his team, is a fundraiser for small-scale, rural farmers producing coffee consumed, in part, by Vermonters.

“It’s really important to be involved in a movement that’s trying to help better the conditions for the farmers that are at the origin of some of the products that we use in our businesses,” Proia, a former board member of the nonprofit for seven years, said.

stand that there are people behind those beans,” Food4Farmers board member Laura Peterson said.

The nonprofit works specifically with coffee farmers in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Colombia whose incomes do not provide for sufficient and nutritious food.

“Los Meses Flacos,” Spanish for “the thin months,” describes the season in Latin America, usually between April and September, when many coffee

money,’” Food4Farmers director and cofounder Marcela Pino said.

Pino is originally from Costa Rica and acutely familiar with what little income farmers make from exporting coffee that sells at low prices.

During her 30 years in the U.S., Pino has been struck by Vermonters’ awareness of the relationship between producers, consumers and the environment.

“Vermont has been very inspirational for me,” Pino said.

“Vermont has been very inspirational for me. We are not separate. We are one food system.”

— Marcela Pino

farmers struggle to put food on the table, Peterson said.

Tickets are $60 for adults, $50 for kids. Half of each purchase will be donated to Food4Farmers projects.

The family-friendly event includes live music from The Meatpackers, a silent auction and sponsors like Vermont Bean Crafters, Ben & Jerry’s and Foam Brewers.

“We see a lot of people who appreciate the role that coffee plays in their lives and under-

Another way to help keep coffee-farming families well fed is introducing them to trades like beekeeping, according to the nonprofit. The group’s leaders see the longevity, resiliency and sustainability of farmland in Latin America as key to easing times of financial hardship.

“We tell the coffee growers, ‘Keep producing your coffee but invest a little bit of your land to either diversify for income or produce more food for your consumption so you can save the

“We are not separate. We are one food system.”

Organizers hope to see around 100 guests at the picnic this year and raise between $20,000 and $25,000.

“That amount of money makes a huge difference for the coffee-farming families that we work with,” Peterson said.

Lindsey Bolger, a Food4Farmers board member, said farmers in Vermont and those in Latin America face many of the same challenges. Events like the picnic help make that connection for people here, she said.

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

Thousands lose power after Debby blows through Vermont

ERIN PETENKO AND ETHAN WEINSTEIN VTDIGGER

More than 600 Vermont electric customers were still without power as of 2:30 p.m. Monday, three days after the remnants of Hurricane Debby hit the state, according to VT Outages, which tracks utility data in the state.

Nearly all the remaining outages were customers of Vermont Electric Cooperative, which serves a broad swath of northern Vermont. The longest outages were concentrated in Chittenden and Franklin counties, with more than 150 customers apiece out of power in Essex and Underhill. VEC representatives did not respond to requests for comment Monday afternoon.

At its peak, the storm caused nearly 1,000 outages that led more than 50,000 customers to lose power as high wind and rain hit Vermont. That number dropped gradually, with about 28,000 outages as of 6 a.m. Saturday; 8,500 as of 6 a.m. Sunday; and 1,400 as of 6 a.m. Monday.

Leah Korce of Richford was one of the latest customers to have power restored. On Friday night, she was walking around her 27-acre property when she heard a loud crack and saw “a

white light go from one end of the property to the other,” she told VTDigger. Poles had fallen down and wires were hanging loose in several locations.

She immediately called Vermont Electric Cooperative, but when workers showed up the next morning, they said it would need special equipment to be fixed. It wasn’t until 8:30 a.m. Monday that a crew came and fully fixed the outage.

Korce said she was frustrated by the lack of clarity around when her power would be restored and by the cooperative’s customer service, but she praised those out in the field restoring power.

“It’s not the crews,” she said. “Those guys are great.”

Thousands lose power

Friday evening

As the brunt of Tropical Depression Debby hit Vermont on Friday evening, more than 48,000 customers had lost power around 8:30 p.m.

VT Outages reported the highest number of blackouts in Hinesburg, Colchester and Williston. The National Weather Service in Burlington detected gusts in excess of 60 miles per hour.

Heavy rain first arrived in

Vermont overnight Thursday, as remnants of Debby, originally a hurricane, moved in from the south and west, dropping up to 2 inches of rain in some northern and central parts of the state.

The storm prompted tornado and flood warnings across Vermont. It also led President Joe Biden to issue a federal disaster declaration for Vermont on Friday morning, promising relief and reimbursement to certain counties.

While much of the state stayed dry earlier in the day, heavy rain picked up in the afternoon.

The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for much of the western half of the state, with a high wind warning in northwestern Vermont active until 10 p.m.

Conor Lahiff, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Burlington office, said “the threat of flooding had decreased,” with rain already starting to leave Vermont as of 8 p.m. “But unfortunately, as the rain moved out, we still had some strong winds.”

The northern Champlain Valley was experiencing the highest winds at “just over 60 miles per hour,” he said, but much of the state had seen winds of 40 or 50 miles per hour.

PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

The Winooski River in Richmond is well below flood stage as rain falls on Friday, August 9.

CRIME & COURTS

Shelburne Police Blotter: Aug. 5-11

Total reported incidents: 82

Traffic stops: 0

Warnings: 0

Tickets: 0

Arrests: 0

Medical emergencies: 20

Mental health incidents: 2

Suspicious incidents: 9

Directed patrols: 5

Citizen assists: 4

Motor vehicle complaints: 2

Car crash: 2

Animal problem: 1

Noise disturbance: 1

Unlawful Mischief: 0

Theft: 1

Harassment: 0

Vandalism: 0

Property damage: 0

Fraud: 4

Alarms: 10

Pending investigations: 5

911 Hang-up calls: 2

Aug. 5 at 7: 35 a.m., a caller heard banging outside her residence on Spear Street. The officer determined the noise was coming from a neighboring construction site.

Aug. 5 at 9: 51 p.m., officers assisted in mediating a dispute between a male and female guest at the Shelburne Campground.

Aug. 6 at 2: 36 a.m., a 911 caller

reported a dispute at the neighboring residence on Ockert Lane. The officers only located a male at the home, which was found to be in disarray. Attempts to contact the female resident were unsuccessful. The residence was secured, and the male was escorted off the property.

Aug. 6 at 1: 28 p.m., a 911 caller reported a missing person near Pine Haven Shores Road. A missing person’s report was taken, and a statewide broadcast was issued. After a search of the, the juvenile was found and returned home.

Aug. 6 at 4: 46 p.m., a caller reported a stray dog running loose on Orchard Road. The animal was located and reunited with the owner.

Aug. 7 at 6: 56 p.m., a caller reported that a boat struck a rock off Shelburne Point. Shelburne Police, Fire and Rescue departments, along with Charlotte Fire Department and UVM Rescue were all dispatched. The boat was located, and those aboard were transported to the Shel-

See BLOTTER on page 7

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Man accused of purposely running over family member

MIKE DONOGHUE CORRESPONDENT

A Shelburne man, who state police say drove over a family member, has pleaded not guilty in Vermont Superior Court to criminal charges of aggravated domestic assault and reckless endangerment.

Peter “Tad” Hoehl, 46, had an alcohol level of 0.142 percent after the incident in Ferrisburgh on Aug. 6, Vermont State Police said in court papers.

The victim, 46, was rushed to the UVM Medical Center, where she was admitted with broken ribs, a collapsed lung and fluid in her abdomen, court records note. She also received abrasions with imbedded gravel, police said.

“The injuries correlate to being ran over by a vehicle and the tires spinning on her,” state trooper Kelsey Dobson wrote in a court affidavit.

“While at the hospital, (the victim) provided a brief statement to Trooper (Nicole) Twamley in which she stated she believed Peter’s actions to be intentional

and had heard Peter put the vehicle in gear just before getting ran over,” Dobson wrote.

Defense lawyer Brooks McArthur said after the arraignment there was no intent on behalf of his client.

He also said there was no driving while under the influence charge filed because the incident did not happen on a public highway. Police had said in court papers that DUI was among the charges when he was taken into custody.

Dobson said Hoehl initially refused to say how much he had to drink and wanted to talk to another trooper. Hoehl eventually said he had five Blue Light beers, Dobson wrote. Hoehl refused to provide a preliminary breath sample or conduct standardized field sobriety exercises at the scene, Dobson’s affidavit noted. He later provided a test at the state police barracks in New Haven.

The Vermont State Police emergency dispatch center got a call from Peter Hoehl about 10:18 p.m. and a woman could be heard in the background saying that he had purposely run her over, Dobson said in a court affidavit.

The initial police response was to Grosse Point Road, but nobody was found there and troopers later located the caller near a place on Driftwood Lane, police said. A police press release listed the incident as near Sand Road.

Police said Peter Hoehl indicated he did not realize that he hit her after the first of the two bumps.

on page 7

See HOEHL

Peter “Tad” Hoehl,

OPINION

Choose hope over hate, opportunity over fear

Guest Perspective

John Bossange

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the Republican ticket featuring a presidential and vice-presidential candidate who are being accused of making “weird” comments during their campaign stops and interview sessions. Voters who are interested in their candidacies are now wondering if their recent remarks are weird or simply represent who they really are.

I think they are both.

Trump has a long history of lying, and most recently making some very weird and politically unwise responses to questions that will alienate potential swing voters. But that is who he is. He speaks to his base and not to the larger contingent of American voters.

That has not served him well, as evidenced by his inability to capture most of the popular vote in the 2016 and 2020 elections.

But it has been Trump’s most recent derogatory comments on race and religion, combined with his sexist and disrespectful actions with women, that will most certainly limit his appeal to a broader base of supporters. Being a convicted felon and found liable of sexual abuse in a civil trial will haunt his reputation forever, and now challenging another candidate’s “blackness,” and then telling an audience of Christians that he will make our country the “United Christian States of America,”

will cause millions of potential voters to move even further away from his candidacy, ignoring his divisive rhetoric and weird, uncomforting opinions.

Unfortunately, there is nothing new here. Race, religion and sex have always been central to Trump’s political agenda. Challenging President Obama’s nationality, making disrespectful and inaccurate accusations about immigrants and Americans who are people of color, supporting white supremacists who chanted “Jews will not replace us,” bragging about fondling women, hiring a prostitute to service him while his third wife nursed their newborn son are all examples of who Trump really is.

Weird and creepy yes, but at least we know what we are getting.

The same cannot be said for Trump’s vice-presidential candidate, JD Vance. He has made weird comments as well.

Questioning a woman’s right to an abortion and supporting a federal abortion ban even in the case of rape or incest, and mocking women’s choice to not have children are two distasteful, unappealing and weird political positions coming from a candidate who is supposed to help expand the MAGA party base of voters. His demonization of women is strange and, like Trump, deeply hostile to women.

One must wonder why he is making these statements? Just two weeks ago he said married couples should have their votes

See BOSSANGE on page 6

Letters to the Editor

Project 25 wreaks havoc on women’s health care

To the Editor:

Donald Trump and J.D. Vance are supporters of Project 2025. If allowed to become the law of the land, Project 2025 will certainly and catastrophically affect women’s and children’s health care in the U.S. The GOP is inextricably entwined with Project 2025, a right-wing manifesto produced by the billionaire-funded Heritage Foundation. (bit.ly/46hhiPK)

It is authored by over 140 Trump loyalists. Project 2025 is the plan for presidential transition if Donald Trump wins the upcoming presidential election. It has been inferred that Trump does not know what Project 2025 is. It is naive to believe this.

As a long-time maternal child nurse, I have helped thousands of women of childbearing years, both here in Vermont, and worldwide, as I had the privilege of being an online medical resource for new mothers for 15 years. I support all families — nuclear, single-parent, LGBTQ.

Women should be able to expect equity,

August

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workplace protections and safe health care. With Project 2025, these rights stand to be severely impacted. Basic health care for women and children such as Medicaid is a target to be cut. Also, it seeks to reduce the availability of medication abortion, Mifepristone, a safe and effective medication.

Trump and Vance, his vice-presidential nominee, want to catapult us firmly back into the 1950s. Vance has publicly stated that he supports a ban on all abortion, including in cases of rape or incest. Trump himself was found liable in a civil trial for sexual abuse, and states that women who have abortions should be “punished.”

The implementation of Project 2025’s draconian limitations on women’s health care choices, including a federal ban on abortion procedures and abortion medication, will cause devastation, illness and death for many American women and children of child-bearing years. Banning safe abortion will not stop abortion, it will cause increased unsafe abortion. Before Roe v. Wade became

See LETTERS on page 6

BOSSANGE

continued from page 5

count more than single Americans. He seems to be getting weirder.

Yet, unlike Trump, we really do not know who Mr. Vance is. He has a history of saying that Trump is unfit for office. His comments from just a year ago would have let us to believe he’d never be a vice-presidential choice. But now, as Trump’s selection, he has done a complete 180 and is praising the “patriots” of Jan. 6, supporting the long history of lies made by Trump, and has entered race, religion, and sex into his platform of issues as well.

All of this is weird, strange and worrisome. But equally troubling is the fact that millions of voters are now wondering what Vance really believed before his abrupt pivot to gain the favor of Trump. Maybe Trump is wondering that too, and if he might need to throw Vance under the bus just as he did to Vice President Mike Pence.

Will Trump and Vance continue to use race, religion and gender as campaign issues? If they do, only the loyal MAGA base, along with racists, religious extremists and misogynists will drink that Kool Aid, and the base will not grow large enough to win either the popular or electoral college vote.

Instead, their bubble of fear, hate and darkness and their

offensive language will insult the intelligence of most voters and rub against the moral fabric that has made America the “shining city on the hill.”

America and democracy are ideas that have evolved slowly and often imperfectly over 248 years. Neither has been static nor perma-

LETTERS

continued from page 5

the law of the land, people with means flew their wives, girlfriends to other places to get abortions. Women of means will always be fine, but not so for women in poverty and women of color, who suffer disproportionately.

I urge you to become aware of the points of Project 2025 and vote according to your conscience. Please stand up for safe reproductive health care for all women.

Kathleen Bruce Hinesburg

Committees seek input on O’Brien development

To the Editor:

While we may not all agree with how the Shelburne Select-

nently defined. Most Americans do not want to halt our evolution and stop progress toward becoming that “shining city on the hill.”

If the MAGA Party believes it can defy America’s history, they have not studied America’s history. Political demagogues have come and gone. I believe that will occur

again. Like others who have used the same playbook, their bubble will shrink and eventually burst. America deserves better than Trump and Vance. Their brand of weirdness is not who we are. America’s history has proven repeatedly that voters will reject hate and fear and see through the

message of demagogues. Hope and opportunity, not hate and fear, make up our nation’s DNA.

John Bossange is a retired middle school principal who now volunteers on several nonprofit boards in the Champlain Valley.

board should move forward with the O’Brien Brothers petition and pre-development agreement, we are heartened by the strong community discussion surrounding this topic. At a time when it is all too easy to be apathetic, community engagement is alive and well in Shelburne.

As co-chairs of two of the Shelburne Forward Together Task Forces, we hope this passionate involvement will continue. If you are not already aware, there will be two important community sessions to discuss this topic with the selectboard — Sunday, Aug. 18 from 2-4 p.m. in the Shelburne town offices, meeting rooms 1 and 2; and Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 7-9 p.m. in Old Town Hall.

At these meetings, we will encourage the selectboard to talk

in detail about how they are negotiating with O’Brien Brothers to ensure Shelburne receives the best possible outcomes that align with the community priorities identified through the Shelburne Forward Together process: affordable housing, bike and pedestrian connectivity, and protection of open space.

In addition, we will advocate for a thorough explanation of the precedent this will create for future sewer extension requests. Is there a plan that will ensure approvals do not happen on an ad hoc basis and that they are in alignment with the town plan?

This decision will set a course for what development in Shelburne will look like in the decades to come. Is the current pre-development agreement truly what is best for the community, or can we

do even more to create a brighter future for Shelburne?

Whether you are for or against the O’Brien petition, have questions about the proposal, or simply want to learn more about this significant project that will shape the future of Shelburne, we hope we will see you on Aug. 18 and Sept. 4. Let’s help Shelburne move forward, together.

Erika Schramm

Thomas Schramm

Shelburne Walk and Bike Connectivity and Pedestrian Safety Task Force

Jon Cocina

Mark Pennington

Shelburne Conserve Open Lands and Wildlife Habitat Task Force

Camp food

continued from page 4

Police said he estimated his speed at two miles per hour.

Dobson said a review of the tire marks at the scene showed “sudden acceleration of the vehicle. These marks contradict Peter’s statements about traveling only two miles per hour,” Dobson said.

Judge David Fenster released Peter Hoehl on strict conditions, including that he stay at least 300 feet away from the victim and have no contact with her by phone, electronic communication, including social media. He also is not to drink alcohol beverages, Fenster said.

Peter Hoehl said he and the victim were having a fight over upcoming surgery and unwanted guests visiting the property,

BLOTTER

continued from page 4

burne Shipyard by the Coast Guard. One person was transported to the hospital.

Aug. 7 at 10: 54 p.m., an arriving aircraft at Burlington International Airport reported a laser was pointed at it, from the Shelburne Bay area. The officers checked the area but were unable to locate the source.

Aug. 8 at 6: 01 p.m., a caller reported a theft of items from their motor vehicle on Tracy Lane. A theft report was taken, and the case is pending further investigation.

Aug. 9 at 6: 42 p.m., officers assisted in mediating a verbal domestic dispute at Harbor Place.

Aug. 9 at 8: 04 p.m., officers assisted in mediating a verbal domestic dispute at Harbor Place.

Aug. 9 at 8: 20 p.m., a 911 caller reported a tree on the power lines on Hullcrest Lane. Shelburne Fire and Rescue were dispatched. GMP was notified, and the hazard was removed.

Aug. 9 at 8: 27 p.m., a 911 caller reported a power line down on Falls Road. Shelburne Fire and Rescue were dispatched. GMP was notified, and the hazard was removed.

Aug. 9 at 8: 36 p.m., a 911 caller reported

police said.

Police said he reported nobody threatened anybody and he decided to leave for the night, but she did not want him to depart. Peter Hoehl said she dumped gravel on his 2021 Genesis to stop him from leaving, according to police, who said they found evidence on the hood and roof.

Hoehl petitioned the court to appoint a defense lawyer at taxpayer expense, but it was denied. Hoehl is the son of philanthropists Cynthia and Robert Hoehl, the co-founder of IDX, an international medical software firm in South Burlington. He is a trustee of the Hoehl Family Foundation.

The court has set the next hearing for Sept. 23.

a tree down in the area near Hillside Terrance and Meadow Lane. Shelburne Fire and Rescue were dispatched, and the hazard was removed.

Aug. 9 at 9: 05 p.m., a 911 caller reported a tree down in the area near Orchard Lane and Juniper Ridge. Shelburne Fire and Rescue were dispatched, and the hazard was removed.

Aug. 9 at 9: 07, a 911 caller reported a tree down in the area near Village Vale Drive and Cottage Lane. Shelburne Fire and Rescue were dispatched, and the hazard was removed.

Aug. 9 at 9: 08 p.m., a 911 caller reported a tree down in the area on Thomas Road. Shelburne Fire and Rescue were dispatched. The hazard was removed.

Aug. 9 at 9: 57 p.m., a 911 caller reported a tree on the power lines on Falls Road. Shelburne Fire and Rescue were dispatched. GMP was notified, and the hazard was removed.

Aug. 9 at 10: 43 p.m., a 911 caller reported a tree on the power lines on Mt. Philo Road and Wild Ginger Lane. Shelburne Fire and Rescue were dispatched. GMP was notified, and the hazard was removed.

HOEHL

COURTESY PHOTO

John Patterson, executive chef of Shelburne Farms Inn, recently joined the farm’s campers to make a multicourse, fresh-from-the-garden feast.

Celebrate Shelburne Day

Shelburne Parade Ground

Saturday, Aug. 19 from 9 to 2

Celebrate Shelburne Day

Shelburne Parade Ground

Celebrate Shelburne Day!

Saturday, Aug. 19 from 9 to 2

Shelburne Parade Ground

Celebrate Shelburne Day

Saturday, Aug. 19 from 9 to 2

Shelburne Day 2024

Shelburnites unite for Shelburne Day

DARR STAFF WRITER

Saturday, August 17, 9-2

All your favorite vendors from Shelburne Farmers Market

Shelburne Parade Ground

Local businesses displaying their wares, explaining their services and serving delicious food.

Many local businesses display their wares, explain their services, and serve delicious food.

Many local businesses display their wares, explain their services, and serve delicious

All your favorite vendors from Shelburne Farmers Market

Many local businesses display their wares, explain their services, and serve delicious food.

animals ... take-home craft projects ... and face painting

Enjoy live entertainment by local musicians.

Entertainment by local musicians

Many local businesses display their wares, explain their services, and serve delicious food.

Buy a Golf Ball Drop ticket from Charlotte Shelburne Hinesburg

Buy a Golf Ball Drop ticket from Charlotte Shelburne Hinesburg Rotarian ... and head over to the Little League Ball Field at 2 o’clock to see who wins.

Fun for kids -- Farm animals ... take-home craft projects ... and face painting

Fun for kids -- Farm animals ... take-home

All your favorite vendors from Shelburne Farmers Market

All your favorite vendors from Shelburne Farmers Market.

Rotarian ... and head over to the Little League Ball Field at 2 o’clock to see who wins.

480 Thomas Rd Shelburne Saturday, August 20 www.vermontzen.org 9:00-3:00 Back

480 Thomas Rd Shelburne Saturday, August 20

Back outdoors!

480 Thomas Rd Shelburne Saturday, August 20

www.vermontzen.org 9:00-3:00 480 Thomas Rd Shelburne Saturday, August 20 www.vermontzen.org 9:00-3:00 480 Thomas Rd Shelburne Saturday, August 20

480 Thomas Road Shelburne

480 Thomas Rd Shelburne

9:00-3:00

Saturday, August 20

August 20

Saturday, August 20

www.vermontzen.org

9:00-3:00

www.vermontzen.org

www.vermontzen.org 9:00-3:00

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Fun for kids -- Farm animals ... take-home craft projects ... and face

Fun for kids! Take home craft projects, face painting.

Fun for kids -- Farm animals ... take-home craft projects ... and face painting

Sponsor: Shelburne Business and Professional Association

Entertainment by local musicians

Buy a Golf Ball Drop ticket from Charlotte Shelburne Hinesburg

Brought to you by

Rotarian ... and head over to the Little League Ball Field at 2 o’clock

Sponsor:

COMMUNITY

Be seated

The South Burlington Land Trust recently placed this bench on the east side of the Wheeler Natural Area in memory of Sarah Dopp, the land trust’s founder and former president. A plaque on the bench calls , who died in March, “a visionary leader who worked to preserve hundreds of acres of lands all might enjoy the blessings of nature and open spaces.”

SHELBURNE DAY

continued from page 8

walkable and spacious,” he said. “Instead of it being rows upon rows, they did everybody on the outside of the green and then one strip down the center. It should make it a lot more walkable for Shelburne Day, which is the craziest farmers market of the year.”

While coinciding with the weekly farmer’s market, Shelburne Day is the one day of the year any business that’s a member of the Shelburne Business and Professionals Association can set up a booth. It’s also a time, Mayfield said, for town committees and commissions to showcase what they’ve been working on all year.

The annual tradition, which takes place on the Saturday closest to the town’s official charter day — the town was chartered Aug. 18, 1763 — often spills out of the Parade Ground bounds, Mayfield said, with businesses throughout town setting up booths outside their doors.

The whole event, he said, makes it much more of a celebration of Shelburne than just a farmer’s market. Aside from just a time for vendors to showcase their goods, as in years past, there will be live music, and fun activities for the whole family.

“We have a rule with Mother Nature that she has to make it a beautiful day,” he said.

Community Notes

St. Catherine hosts September blood drive

St. Catherine of Siena Parish is holding a blood drive on Tuesday, Sept. 17, from noon-5 p.m., in its parish hall, 72 Church, St., Shelburne.

There’s currently an emergency blood and platelet shortage. Come give blood and receive a $15 e-gift card from the Red Cross for donating.

To give, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and enter Shelburne to schedule an appointment. Appointments are strongly recommended as walks-ins cannot always be accommodated.

If you are an eligible type O, B - or Adonor, consider making a Power Red donation. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component.

St. Catherine is committed to strengthening the community and helping meet hospital and patient needs through blood donations.

Please contact Laureen Mathon with any questions at lmathon104@gmail.com.

Shelburne church, Age well host July luncheon

Age Well is offering a luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 20, in the St Catherine of Siena Parish Hall, 72 Church St. in Shelburne.

Entertainment will be provided by Gerry Ortego on guitar.

The menu is barbecue chicken sandwich on a roll, potato salad, broccoli salad with Italian dressing, watermelon, pumpkin chip cookie and milk.

You must register by Wednesday, Aug. 14, 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.

Volunteer drivers needed for the blind

The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired has an immediate need for volunteer drivers to help get blind and visually impaired people where they need to go.

Volunteer drivers fill the void when family or friends are unavailable to help, or when public transportation is simply not a viable option.

The association provides free, personalized transportation services to individuals with vision loss when no one else is available to help. If you like to drive and help others while doing so, be a part of a team of inspirational volunteers. Volunteer drivers work as needed and are free to accept or reject any trip to suit their own schedules.

Drivers receive mileage reimbursement for the trips. If you can help or would like more information, call Vicki Vest at 800-6395861, ext. 243, or email vvest@vabvi.org.

Shelburne Methodist Church open on Shelburne Day

The Shelburne United Methodist Church will hold an open house during Shelburne Day, Saturday, Aug. 17.

As part of Shelburne Day and the farmers market on Aug. 17, tour the interior of Shelburne United Methodist Church across from the Parade Ground. If you have never been inside this historic landmark in the village, this is your opportunity to view its Tiffany-designed stained-glass windows, listen to the pipe organ and walk through this beautiful building.

The church will be open from 10 a.m. to noon to step inside to explore.

COURTESY PHOTO

PICARD

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street than the commercial strip it is now.

But the duo’s story of love far exceeds Vermont’s boundaries — nearly 5,000 miles away in Athens, Greece. Donald, an Army veteran, was stationed there after the war in 1948 at the U.S. Embassy, where he met Mary, a Greek native.

Although the two can’t recall exactly where they met, as the story goes, they never left each other’s side. A photo of them from 1948 shows them seated as close as can be at a club in Athens shortly after they met, “both with cigarettes in our hands,” Donald said, letting out a laugh and sticking out his tongue.

Although Donald was stationed there for less than a year, the duo knew they couldn’t be apart, so they did the reasonable thing and got hitched. They moved back to the States where Donald would finish his degree in political science at the University of Vermont, and where they would ultimately settle and start their family.

The degree, he laughed, was not very useful since he never got into politics, so he naturally turned to accounting. The closest the couple ever got to the political realm was working the election polls at the Shelburne town offices.

“It was hard for my mother at first,” their daughter, Cynthia Baranski said. “Because Greek was her first language. She spoke English, but not as well as Greek.”

Even now with a memory slowly fading, Mary still manages

to speak sentences in Greek easier than English. Donald, not always knowing exactly what she’s saying, still manages to somehow understand her just as well.

He said he didn’t learn much Greek throughout their marriage, or at least, “as much as he should have.”

The duo originally lived at Picard’s family dairy farm in Colchester when they landed in Vermont and shortly after moved to Shelburne, where the couple would become staples and active participants in their community. From helping build the old beach house in 1956 to managing office work at the Shelburne Museum, Donald was always intertwined with the community. Mary, too, but in a different way as she was at home raising the three babies.

worry about it. I mean, nowadays you can’t do that,” she said, noting how much the town has changed since she moved back to care for her parents.

“I mean, there’s no place like Shelburne, and they remember it because of the past.”

— Cynthia Baranski

After departing their Cottage Lane house of over 40 years, the couple moved to Stonehedge in South Burlington. When living there got to be too much, they ventured to an assisted living facility in Williston before landing at The Arbors in Shelburne.

And Baranski said the couple is just happy to be back.

“I mean, there’s no place like Shelburne, and they remember it because of the past,” she said.

“She was a homemaker — a very good homemaker,” Baranski said. “But she also worked at the Shelburne Museum, just for a short time, maybe just one or two summers, part-time in the gift shop.”

Baranski, 71, said she remembers the quiet upbringing in Shelburne. The town was the kind of place where kids whipped down the roads on their bikes with no helmets and weren’t expected to be home until dinner time.

“It was safe for us kids. We could be gone and out all the time, and my parents wouldn’t really

The couple still manages to get out into the community with the help of Baranski. Outings to the grocery store or the Shelburne beach keep the couple on their feet, she said. But Donald, the 97-yearold pool shark, still frequents his South Burlington billiards league every Wednesday — his favorite day of the week, Baranski said.

Memorabilia of a life well lived together is tacked throughout their bedroom, and although Mary’s memory is fading faster than Donald’s, she can still always recognize a picture of her 75-year love.

“That’s dad,” she said, pointing at a young black-and-white photo of Donald set behind glass on their wall.

COURTESY PHOTO

While the Picard family doesn’t have many photos of Donald and Mary Picard’s wedding day, there are a slew that showcase their love throughout the years. The top left was one of the couple’s first photos taken together in Greece. On the bottom left is the couple now in their room at The Arbors.

SWEENEY

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In a phone call Wednesday morning, he said he was, more than anything, ready to hit the ground running. But he was sure to thank Ashooh, whom he called “a great leader in Shelburne,” for running such a good campaign.

“My knocking on 1,100 doors worked out,” he said, letting out a laugh. “I’ve got to thank the voters who stepped up and came to the polls on a beautiful August day. I sat out there almost the whole day. I got there 7:30 a.m. and stayed until 7:30 p.m., so it was a long day, but it was wonderful.”

In the Chittenden-6 House district election, Rep. Kate Lalley, D-Shelburne, faced no opponents and is set to cruise on to the November election.

In Democratic primary for the Chittenden Southeast Senate district, incumbents Virginia “Ginny” Lyons of Williston, Thomas Chittenden of South Burlington, and Kesha Ram Hinsdale of Shelburne out beat Louis Meyers of South Burlington. in the Chittenden Southeast Senate race. The three incumbents will face off against Republican candidate Bruce Roy of Williston.

Statewide results

While statewide and Congressional elections didn’t have much in the way of primary races, the top two statewide seats are set to see some action come November.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Esther Charlestin, a small business owner from Middlebury who is co-chair of the Vermont Commission on Women beat opponent Peter Duval of Underhill in the Demo-

cratic primary to face off against Republican Gov. Phil Scott in Vermont’s general election in November.

Meanwhile, David Zuckerman and John Rodgers won Vermont’s Democratic lieutenant governor primaries. Zuckerman, current lieutenant governor, defeated Thomas Renner, while Rodgers ousted Gregory Thayer in the Republican race.

Vermont’s congressional race on Tuesday was also a bit of a snoozer with not much competition.

• U.S. House: Democratic incumbent Becca Balint of Brattleboro will face off against Republican Mark Coester of Westminster.

• U.S. Senator: Democratic incumbent Bernie Sanders of Burlington will face Republican Gerald Malloy of Weathersfield.

In other statewide races, everyone ran unopposed in the primary and will advance right on to Nov. 5.

• For attorney general: Democratic incumbent Charity Clark of Williston; Republican candidate H. Brooke Paige of Washington; Progressive candidate Elijah Bergman of Danby.

• Auditor of Accounts: Democratic incumbent Doug Hoffer of Burlington; Republican Paige; Progressive Linda Gravell of Waterbury.

• Secretary of State: Democratic incumbent Sarah Copeland Hanzas of Bradford; Republican Paige.

• Treasurer: Democratic incumbent Mike Pieciak of Winooski; Republican Joshua Bechhoefer of Cornwall; Progressive Tim Maciel of Brattleboro.

SHELBURNE

Town of Shelburne Selectboard Notice of Special Meeting

The Shelburne Selectboard will hold two special meetings. These are town hall type meetings to discuss the O’Brien Brothers Development Proposal. We will meet in small groups to understand the proposal. No action will be taken at these meetings. All residents are welcome.

Sunday, August 18 from 2 – 4 PM in Meeting Rooms 1 & 2 at Town Offices

Wednesday, September 4 from 7 – 9 PM in Old Town Hall

Both meetings will be recorded by Media Factory.

Community Manager at The Terraces

The Terraces, a 55+ plus independent living condominium community, seeks a Community Manager to oversee dayto-day operations of our common areas and programs. As the Community Manager, you will be the heartbeat of our community. You will develop and execute strategies to enhance resident engagement, cultivate relationships, and drive growth. You’ll also support our Board as they manage our community in the best interests of all residents.

We’re looking for someone with a track record of successful community engagement and growth, including financial and supervisory skills. If you are excited about the opportunity to make a difference and contribute to a thriving community, to read more go to https://theterracesshelburnevt.com/careers/

Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience and why you’re the perfect fit for this role to careers@theterracesshelburnevt.com.

Paddle on

Members of the Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Rotary team raced in the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival, which was held on Aug. 3-4 from the Burlington Waterfront. The event supports the programs of Dragonheart Vermont, in addition to Osher Integrative Oncology at the University of Vermont Cancer Center. Learn more at dragonheartvermont.org.

This position is responsible for maintenance of city fountains, and assisting in the maintenance and care of public heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems within the public buildings and public park system. In addition, this position performs skilled and general maintenance in the repair, replacement, and installation of facility mechanical systems, including plumbing, and other mechanical equipment and assists in plan facility related maintenance and execution of daily, monthly, bi-annual, annual work order requests.

Our ideal candidate will have a high school diploma or equivalent required. Three (3) years trade experience in HVAC equipment and controls installation, repair and maintenance required, or equivalent combination of education and experience or currently enrolled in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC) program.

This position pays hourly between $27.82 - $30.99 and comes with a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, life insurance, retirement plan, FSA, and much more!

To learn more about this role and to apply: governmentjobs.com/careers/burlingtonvt/ jobs/4531760/hvac-specialist? keywords=hvac&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Do you have photos you would like to share with the community? Send them to us:

news@shelburnenews.com

The City of Burlington’s Park, Recreation & Waterfront team is searching for an HVAC Specialist

PHOTOS BY LEE KROHN

The Town of Hinesburg, Vermont seeks qualified applicants for the following positions:

Highway Foreperson

This is a supervisory position that is responsible for overseeing and participating in the maintenance of the town’s highway infrastructure. A valid VT issued CDL Class B license is required. Required skills include proficient operation of a road grader, excavator, front-end loader, backhoe, and tandem plow truck. Starting pay is $34.00 - $40.00 an hour depending upon qualifications.

Highway Maintainer

This is a semi-skilled position of moderate complexity in highway maintenance and equipment operation. A Highway Maintainer performs a wide variety of manual and automotive equipment operation tasks involved in municipal road maintenance. Work extends to responsibility for maintenance and servicing of assigned automotive equipment, requiring strong mechanical and trouble shooting skills. A valid Vermont issued Class B CDL is required. Starting pay is $25.00 - $28.00 an hour depending upon qualifications.

RABIES BAIT

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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

Both positions provide health, dental, vision and disability insurance; paid time off; pension plan; and 13 paid holidays. Detailed information and an application form can be found at www.hinesburg.org under the employment tab. Applications can be mailed or delivered to Todd Odit, Town Manager, 10632 Route 116 or emailed to todit@hinesburg.org.

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.

The Town of Hinesburg offers a comprehensive benefits package and very competitive pay. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Applications will be reviewed as received and accepted until the position is filled.

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

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

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.

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