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Beach House architect wins New England design award

Shelburne celebrated the final farmers market of the season Saturday

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Teen uses survival training to help friend in bike crash MARI HUGLIN STAFF WRITER

Silas Miller, a 13-year-old from Shelburne enrolled in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program, stayed cool, calm and collected when one of his friends suffered a serious bike injury. Recently, Silas and two of his friends were mountain biking in Shelburne when one friend took a large crash. Silas did not see the crash but came to help his friend who seemed like he got a concussion. Silas said his friend was dazed, intermittently lost consciousness, had dilated pupils and struggled to stand up when he would try. Silas guessed that his friend crashed and hit his head on a branch since the upper part of the helmet was broken and he presumably had a concussion. “When I first saw him, though, See MILLER on page 4

PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK

At Shelburne Farms, a flock of sheep cohabitate with three female cows and their two caves. The cows’ maternal instincts protect both their kin and the sheep.

On the work site with area farms’ animal guardians MARI HUGLIN STAFF WRITER

A llama, a donkey and a cow walk into a job interview. They all come out with the same job: livestock guardian. Many livestock guardians are dogs, but some area farms have a few other protective furry friends

signed up for the job. For various reasons, local farmers have opted for different types of livestock guardians to deter coyotes and other predators from their herds and flocks.

A llama Philo Ridge Farm in Charlotte has opted for a llama as the protec-

tor of its 150-head flock of sheep and has never lost any sheep with it on duty. Ed Pitcavage, the land and livestock manager at Philo Ridge, introduced the farm’s first llama, Odyssey, around 10 years ago and now has a new llama, Iliad, that has been working for around two years.

Odyssey died of meningeal worm, a common illness among llamas. At first, Philo Ridge used guardian dogs, but they became too protective as more guests visited the farm over the years. Pitcavage considered donkeys but decided on See LIVESTOCK on page 15

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Page 2 • October 22, 2026 • Shelburne News

Beach House architect honored for his design MARI HUGLIN STAFF WRITER

A local architect has been honored for the recently upgraded facilities building at Shelburne Town Beach. Looking over Lake Champlain, the Beach House was built in 2024 by Sidehill Design Studios, owned and operated by Jeff McBride and his wife Megan McBride, of Shelburne. The structure was built by Farrington Construction. Architect Jeff McBride received a 2026 merit award for excellence in New England architecture from the American Institute of Architects. The project was awarded alongside five other projects. This merit award recognizes design excellence in architecture around New England, considering presentation, functionality, sustainability, cost effectiveness, aesthetic and social aspects of the building. The beach house is the firm’s first public PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK

Jeff McBride’s “Beach House” sits on the waterfront of Lake Champlain in Shelburne and has been given a merit award in excellence in architecture.

See MCBRIDE on page 10

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Shelburne News • October 22, 2026 • Page 3

PHOTOS BY LEE KROHN

Fall festivities Shelburne celebrated its final farmers market Saturday, marking the end of the first year under Experience Shelburne’s responsibility and management.

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MILLER

continued from page 1 I was like, I was like, ‘all right, this is not good,’” Silas said. After observing his friend, he noted there was no blood, severe cuts or broken bones so he knew his friend was not in any immediate danger. Having read various survival books and his training from the program, Silas was primarily concerned with a spinal or neck injury. After observing his friend’s back and neck, Silas carefully moved his friend up against a tree sitting upright confident he did not have a serious back injury since he had been trying to stand up. He went around the nearby neighborhood and knocked on three different doors until someone answered and was able to call 9-1-1. With the paramedics on their way, Silas returned to his friend and had his other friend wait at the end of the trail for the paramedics to lead them to the crash site. Silas made sure to keep his friend conscious while they waited for the paramedics to arrive. As paramedics and Shelburne Fire and Rescue arrived, Silas relayed the information to the professionals and watched them work. His friend was evacuated from the scene and taken to a nearby hospital where he was diagnosed with a moderate concussion. Silas said he was calm the

COURTESY PHOTO

Civil Air Patrol cadet Silas Miller helped one of his friends after a biking crash.

whole time but knew it was a serious situation when he saw his friend. Reflecting on the situation, he was unfazed and glad he had the

Shelburne New s

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skills to help the situation. “Well, I guess at least I did get to use my skills eventually, and now I see the really good purpose of knowing these skills and knowing what to do,” he said. The homeschooled eighth grader is part of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program, a branch of the U.S. Air Force. The program introduces children from ages 12 to 18 to a variety of activities and skills including safety certifications, CPR, leadership, public speaking and opportunities to explore technology. Silas initially joined the

program around a year and a half ago to stay busy during the winter and has enjoyed using computers, learning about radios, hiking and continuing his survival skills education through emergency preparedness drills. His mother, Elisabeth Miller, said the program teaches leadership and discipline. She also said that the program has helped Silas become calmer under pressure and find friends with similar interests. She said the program is a good option for children who want something more intense and structured while learning import-

ant life skills. She said she was proud Silas was able to help his friend and stay collected through the tense moment since he tends to be shyer in certain situations. She said her son was happy to help but truly did it out of process. “We’re proud of him because he kept his head and worked calmly through the process of his training,” Miller said. Silas is looking at attending Champlain Valley Union High School next year but does not know what his future looks like after that.

Shelburne Police Blotter: Oct. 11-17 Total reported incidents: 56 Arrests/citations: 1 Traffic stops: 10 Traffic tickets: 6 Warnings: 7 Medical emergencies: 27 Alarm: 7 Trespassing: 2 Agency assistance: 2 911 hang-up calls: 2 Elevator emergency: 1 Abuse prevention order: 1 Wanted person: 1 Background investigation: 1 Vandalism: 1 Citizen dispute: 1 Motor vehicle check: 1 Crash: 1 Noise disturbance: 1

Selected incidents: Oct. 11 at 11:58 a.m., no one was injured at a two-car crash at Shelburne Road and Longmeadow Drive. Oct. 12 at 6:39 p.m., police put down an injured deer in the roadway on Webster Road. Oct. 12 at 10:14 p.m., a caller reported hearing screaming at the T-Bird Motel on Shelburne Road, but officers found nothing. Oct. 14 at 11:19 a.m., someone reported vandalism on their property. Oct. 14 at 5:21 p.m., officers located a man wanted on an outstanding warrant on Harbor Road and he was

taken into custody. Oct. 16 at 12:06 p.m., police escorted someone off train station property on Harbor Road. Oct. 16 at 8:40 p.m., someone reported banging on their door on Farmstead Drive. Oct. 16 at 11:05 p.m., police spoke with the homeowner of a place hosting a loud party on Juniper Ridge after a neighbor reported the disturbance. Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney office and can be amended or dropped.

Shelburne News • October 22, 2026 • Page 5

OPINION Too many empty bedrooms has led to the housing crisis Guest Perspective John Freidin Vermont should make better use of the housing it has. According to the National Association of Home Builders, “Vermont has the highest share of households unable to afford the median-priced home, with approximately 92% of its households falling short of the income requirement.” So how can Vermont create the housing Vermonters need and can afford and do it promptly? The cost of new construction is prohibitive, and it takes too long due the time required to design, approve and finance it. Currently, (a) 70% of Vermont households contain only one or two people and therefore need homes with only one or two bedrooms; (b) nearly 60% of Vermont’s year-round homes have three or more bedrooms; (c) many of these larger homes are owned

and occupied by one or two older Vermonters who cannot afford to make them accessible and struggle to pay for maintenance and property taxes. Consequently, “many Vermonters are living in houses with considerable extra space,” according to an April 9, 2023 ,VTDigger article. This situation has happened gradually as Vermont (and U.S.) households have shrunk by 30%. According to the Vermont Housing Finance Agency attributed within an Aug. 25 VTDigger article, the resulting imbalance is “the single largest contributor to Vermont’s near-term housing need.” Ironically — and fortunately — this imbalance also creates the opportunity to more quickly and inexpensively provide Vermonters with the modest-sized housing they need and can afford, and to help older, cash-starved Vermonters pay their bills and improve the accessibility of their homes. Under-occupied houses can be

modified into two units, each with one or two bedrooms; one of which is fully accessible. Perhaps one unit on each floor. And the cost and time to do so are far less than building new. The owners can live in one unit and rent the other. Older owners could have an accessible home plus a source of needed income; home-seekers could have homes they can afford. Banks could provide loans that owners amortize with the rent they receive, and/or the state could fund some or all the cost of modification through the existing Vermont Housing Improvement Program or by selling bonds. The state could also exempt this rent from income and education taxes, according to a Aug. 27 VTDigger article. Such an initiative would require less time to plan; consume less time to approve; take less time to complete; and cost much less than building from scratch. That’s the Vermont Way to git ‘er done.

Vermont is prepared with the tools to keep data centers in check Guest Perspective Kerrick Johnson Vermonters are right to ask tough questions about data centers. We’ve seen what can happen in states that aren’t prepared. But the choice isn’t between banning data centers and allowing a free-for-all. Vermont is already well-prepared. We have some of the strongest energy, environmental and land-use regulations in the country. That’s important context that’s been missing from most of the reporting and the politicized communications you’re hearing. Last fall, Gov. Phil Scott’s administration reviewed the laws and regulations that would apply to a large data center in Vermont. We reached a clear conclusion: Vermont’s existing regulatory system protects ratepayers, the environment and gives the state the authority to make a data

center pay for any cost it might create. There’s no data center crisis coming to Vermont. In addition, Gov. Scott has said he’d support a short moratorium — not a system with consequences for employers that are not data centers — while the state monitors federal regulations currently being proposed in Congress, new data center interconnection requirements being developed in New England, and while the states and the federal government develop new regulations for AI. That’s a very different, and more economically responsible, approach than creating a new regulatory system that bans an entire industry, could be applied to all large energy users and sends a very negative message to existing and future employers who are not data centers. The Legislature’s hasty approach, on the other hand, would have been bad for our economy in areas unrelated to

data centers themselves. That distinction — and big picture leadership — matters. The Scott administration is fully committed to protecting Vermonters and the environment. We also need good jobs, employers and economic growth. Gov. Scott and his team know that we can do both. Here’s how the existing regulations work: Before serving any large new customer, an electric utility must first determine what effect the demand would have on the grid and what upgrades would be necessary. The basic idea is simple: the “cost causer” pays. Vermont law also requires regulators to examine impacts on customers. And any electricity supplied to a new large user would be subject to an aggressive Renewable Energy Standard. Vermont’s portfolio is currently 92% “non-emitting” See JOHNSON on page 7

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Page 6 • October 22, 2026 • Shelburne News

Letters to the Editor Leaf people have more fans than foes To the Editor: I was disappointed by your Oct. 1 article, “Love them or leaf them: People have opinions about fall foliage figures.” I debated writing at all, assuming the piece had struck a nerve with me alone. After talking with community neighbors, I quickly realized I wasn’t. Many of us were left with a sour taste by the article. Front Porch Forum is a place where people, for better or worse, can share any thought, and that is their right. A newspaper is different. It has reach and impact, and giving a few online gripes a bigger stage was a choice. Why lean into approves CVSD of the “clickbait” it all? illion in $105 m for TMD spending School district DEI Atbera time when so many of mem budgets in limbo seeks board worn down by stories of us are seat violence, economic strain and division, and are looking for 0(.1))(! +0 ($,)+"!$( season in Shelburne simple acts of kindness, why stir up controversy around a clearly good-hearted effort by a devoted

resident? Gracie Pinney spends roughly 60 hours each fall, using her own time and her own closet, to give this town something to smile at. The “distraction” and “lack of diversity” arguments are weak and hold no real validity, and it’s disappointing that the Shelburne News still found them worthy of an article. Your own reporting made clear that Ms. Pinney carefully follows town and state placement rules. As for diversity, these are scarecrows, not people. They are decorations. Assigning a gender or ethnicity to a faceless figure made of sticks and stuffing is in the eye of the beholder. I’m glad Shelburne residents care so much about representation in our community. I’d be curious how many of those voicing that concern are actively working to address it. That’s an article I’d love to read.

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February 15, 2024

ase tax incre approves nt school 18 perce !! eight-

$13 million town budget

decreasing pupil-w a thanks to marks ALD MCDON ing counts. 5 budget e in COREY The FY202million increasyear’s STAFF WRITER $10 School current lain Valleyapproved roughly g from the ! ! spendin ! ously The Champ LIBERTY DARR ! has unanim g next year, bene-WRITER District and STAFF in spendin a roughly ! ! , and ted salaries ! to $105 million the budget increase, ! ally negotia Selectboard sending t school tax Day. premiums affectThe Shelburne g ce towns,week unanimously adopted 18 percen Town Meetin "! ! insuran LIBERTY DARR that changed the state’s education funding districts, last out with $13 million school in health voters for ! ! ! through AND COREY MCDONALD many ./ 1)* its 2025 budget students percent ing #"! ses alike roughly (21 for our ic envi# % !( $ % $ $) ( 10" $,$ $0%$ ( !*+ ( STAFFbusines WRITERS in spending, a can do econom chair and best we ging over last year. state. South Burlington superintendent Violet vice increase in the the board a very challen 2 percent increase whotoadded that boards and educa With less than three weeksWith until t,” school 12 a Town Nichols, can expect ronmen Metzler said. on page passed Meeting Day, legislators list, residents proposing new %/ !( * $(in * +0 ( taxes #$ % $ $) ( %* +0 ( ,/0 $ See CVSD aregrand Meghan the Legislature den changes to the percent increase !*%+/0! ( *0 (tax* $( #)// +0 ( *%( $,+ *%+0 ( state’s education funding see a 3.39 Chitten Since municipal estimatedschools in 2022, s have been formula that’s brought headaches an school and programs that we’ve dedicated with for the That’s up from Act 127 district %/( shy $ $)/"+0 ( ./ ( % $( &$0$-%!( /.( /.-,+*)!( % +!( $* ( )$* +0 ( /1% ( 1cents. )+0 /1 school rate of 51 — just rate( )+ $!( County current tax!%1 $0%!(+0(/1 (,/ 10+% ton and Champlain Valley school town’sdistricts’ DARR LIBERTY ( 0$ ( )* ( &1 $%!(+0()+ &/ of 50 cents. $8.8&$+0 ( .*!% % *, $ ( % /1 ( million, the $13 Statehouse STAFF WRITER Of quickly committees would not only nix Budget season in Vermont has by property will be raised *( *'/ (.*,$%(/.( ,%( (&1%(*)!/(*))/ (%+ $( become even more complicated — especial million Selectboard be paid will spending The Shelburne up this elecOther ly for districts that have already passed and taxes. reveseats a variety of other has two open through warned budgets for the annualfor vote — with barring any popution year and, two uncontested the effects of Act 127, a law passed in 2022 nues streams. See ACT 127 on page 10 — lar write-ins, the manager join — or stay candidates will Theon that,” town not 90 chart pie ssion: “It’s on the board. Lawless said. to the commiMatt g in town who is seekBetween Matt Wormser, the two-year real estate tax. new point ble housin town’s percent the ambulance afforda to to like of ce lack ing reelection familiar face on user fees, things hindran charges, it’s a DARR is a major growth. was dispatch seat, has been billing and LIBERTY ic for the past two task force th on just real estate.” the selectboard decision to run as reliant not 3-mon al econom housing STAFF WRITER the the town is also the technic The of e addition, years. He says out In minor exercis out of enjoy ! eaded a few d just over $1 million receive again comes mostly fellow board Minus ! ! " dozen spearh nity-building set to Forwar option with a ! ed1 percent local commu as Shelburne the ment working through more thanroom for ts narrowthe by voters last Town the dedicated town members, and the to approved tax known er where residentax in on Zoom, who are all ance it, the Without LIBERTY DARR ts packed passes between staff and townspeople 6 the sun and Earth, Meeting Day.moonbeen residen ck for Togethareas of import making Shelforward. would have ,/ ")$%$) (nearly &)/, +0 ( % $( .*,$( /.( % $( !10 ( STAFF WRITERthree “working toward to live.” on feedba "! chief exec- The sky will darken as if it were dawn or bylaw town as it moves y,rate place g session zoning burne a better higher. n Buckle cents listenin run for the this year current budgetweather permitting, people in the When the Meaga Pierson Chunka Mui willheld by Cate ! newest Shelburne’s ! Library’s the town’s force, saiddusk and on two sationMichael now ! path offocus a totality can see the sun’s outer director Hibben was task hired last new increased reperthree-year seat an seesthe overhaul. most of the conver ir of the ally felt not seeking reelecbalancinghe didn’t g in town employco-chaimagine which is otherwise obscured he’d adopt the atmosphere, While investment Cross, who is d on August, areas: of housin capital centere town’s to natural she has person lack +0*%/ thebright by its face, according to the National funding tion. has been dedication 10/.-,+*)('/&(%+%)$(/.(#$,)+"!$(,// ees and ( tenure, the state’s cussions of the the town as +,$ ( theBut $*% $ ( $ for During Wormser’son a slew of Additionally, ng an event that doesn’t the town’swith some of regardi plan.come taken 11 The eclipse and increase es in Shelburne is forecast very garnered selectboard has major one being ts often, Hibben has continues on pageto grow resourc legislation around — police, residen safety See BYLAW %/( $*, ( %/%*)+% ( *%( * /10 ( ( " ( !*+ ( some help from Kit Luster, the town’s public issues, with the town manager ments, newest services, require town 0$(+!(! *, ( *&(+0( task forcea review board coordinator and +&&$0 ( $,*1!$( $)&1 development the hiring of newJune. Additiondensity year. rs of a in to voice of spending this that the % $( + )$(/.(% $(#"*% (/.(%/%*)+% (% $(%/ 0( Matt Lawless a 1 and membeopportunityassistant zoning administrator, to help percentage BY LEE KROHN implemented propose for upwards of 200,000 PHOTOS the like to prepping is already town make a game plan for the expected ally, the board “I would took “diverto tax . +0 1 (/.( +!+%+0 (!"$,%*%/ !(./ (% $(/0,$ +0 visitors that could make their way to the percent local option away from a Saturday exercises !%*%$(+0()$!!(% *0(% /( /0% ! ( * )+.$%+ $(%/%*)(!/)* ($,)+"!$(/0( " +)( ( training sify funding sources more online, were reliance on prop- joint ice rescue 13 This one, and a few near-exclusive said, which has on BUDGET on page ($,)+"!$(% *% !( /+0 ( See# $(0$ %(%/%*)(!/)* Shelburne home. A solar eclipse — which happens much together in the yard at his worked more frequently than the total eclipse — to be visible in Vermont is in the year erty taxes,” he ents photos of bobcats departm tax increases largely another series of keep rg fire occurs when the moon passes between the ( +&&$0( !*+ ( # / ( +% !( *( )/0 ( * ( helped Mike Ireland grabbed of his home office. PHOTO BY LEE KROHN e and Hinesbu sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on /.. ( $()*!%(%/%*)(!/)* ($,)+"!$(% *%( *!( +!+ the window from The Shelburn Shelburne firefighters taken conduct a walk through and training at Shelburne Community School to familiarize Earth that either fully or partially blocks the 11 public sites and to practice various approaches to hose line deployment before an actual themselves on pagewith !10 !()+ %(+0(!/ $(* $*! ( See SELECTBOARD emergency. Interested in learning more about the Shelburne Fire Department? Go to shelburnefire.org/join. See ECLIPSE on page 12 A total solar eclipse occurs when the

State tries to rework education spending formula

Two selectboard seats up for grabs

ission g comm Plannin rful during ea gets an law talks by zoning

Maria Arnold Shelburne

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PHOTO CONTEST Submit your best Vermont fall foliage shots by midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Winning photos will be published in a November issue of the newspaper and/or online at StoweToday.com.

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Shelburne News • October 22, 2026 • Page 7

Proposal 3 is a vote for working class power Guest Perspective David Van Deusen Politicians come and go. Laws change. Constitutions remain. On Election Day, Nov. 3, all Vermonters will be going to the polls and voting on whether to forever enshrine our right to form and belong to a labor union into our Vermont State Constitution. If passed, Proposal 3 would forever protect the rights of all workers in the Green Mountains to be union. The billionaires, bosses and elite hate this constitutional amendment because they dream of a day when they can buy enough lawmakers in Montpelier to make us a so called “right-to-work” state. In short, they oppose unions because they know that when we come together, when we are organized, we (the working class) are the great majority and as such we have more potential power to shape our world more than their wealth can ever realize. If they could break us, they would. But we are union strong and we know that laboring people make up 99% of the population. And it’s about time that we gained rights and protections in our Constitution so that we, as a labor movement, can continue our fight to achieve livable wages, universal health care, paid family medical leave, affordable housing, food security, higher education, jobs and a more direct participatory democracy for all.

While I know that together we shall pass Proposal 3 on Election Day, the rich and powerful out-of-staters are spending millions trying to trick, fool and cajole working people to vote against our own collective interests. They are sending out mailings, paying for radio ads, submitting op-eds and they have no shame when it comes to lying in order to advance their corporate agenda. Here are the facts: Proposal 3 simply takes existing Vermont Labor Law and places in into our constitution as an unalienable right so that no future politician, by hook or by crook, can seek to diminish or negate our present union rights. That is all. Look, we are the working class, and we are the majority. Our power is growing. And we need each and every one of you to show up on Nov. 3 to vote “yes” on Proposal 3. But we need more than that. As president emeritus of the Vermont AFL-CIO, I implore you to make a point to speak with your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors and ask them to support the rights of working people by voting “yes” on Proposal 3. And together let’s all get out and vote yes on 3 and thereby send the oligarchs and the fascist Trump Administration a message they cannot ignore: Vermont stands with workers: Vermont is union strong. David Van Deusen is president emeritus of the Vermont AFL-CIO.

JOHNSON

continued from page 5 and required to be nearly 100% by 2030. If serving a large new load requires grid upgrades, the utility must obtain a “Certificate of Public Good.” That’s a comprehensive, public process examining reliability, ratepayer impacts, environmental effects and whether the project serves Vermont. Throughout that process, the Department of Public Service represents the public interest. And this process is just one layer of protection. There are several others. Something like a data center would likely face Act 250 review and be required to receive numerous environmental permits, with many opportunities for public participation. The larger the facility, the greater the scrutiny. And none of this is hypothetical. Vermont already has big employers using very large amounts of electricity. Our regulatory system has decades of experience evaluating that a project is in the public interest. Could Vermont improve these protections? Sure. One effective improvement would be to add a “bring your own clean power” requirement for new employers with very large energy demands.

There’s another part of this discussion that’s often overlooked: A properly regulated large employer that pays its own way can actually lower costs for everyone else. That’s one of the successes Gov. Scott recently highlighted at GlobalFoundries in Essex Junction, where about six megawatts of new on-site solar and a 16-megawatt battery system are now helping secure great jobs in an important sector, and saving ratepayers more than $40 million over the next 25 years. So, as Vermonters hear more about data centers, it’s important to separate legitimate concerns from political scare tactics. The problems we’ve seen elsewhere would never be allowed here — and certainly not by Gov. Scott. His direction to us is clear: Protect Vermont. Require large energy users to pay their own way. Strengthen safeguards where necessary. And always keep the door open to jobs and responsible economic growth — because Vermont needs more of both. Kerrick Johnson is the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Service.

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Page 8 • October 22, 2026 • Shelburne News

Orange you glad?

Community Notes Baseball historian visits collectibles shop Hyper Relic will host an evening celebrating baseball, art and history with Vermont baseball historian and artist Lance Richbourg on Friday, Oct. 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. at 3762 Shelburne Road, Suite 3. Meet Richbourg, hear the stories behind his work and see his original “Larry Gardner Sliding,” along with a special collection of his baseball artwork.

Come Contra dance in Burlington Queen City Contras will present a contra dance Friday, Oct. 23, at St. Anthony’s Parish Hall, 305 Flynn Ave., Burlington. A beginner lesson starts at 6:45 p.m., with dancing at 7 p.m. Red Dog Riley will provide the music, and Quena Crane will call the dances. All dances are taught, and no partner or previous experience is necessary. Admission is $12 for adults older than 18, $5 for ages 12-18 and people with low incomes, and free for children younger than 12. Bring clean, soft-soled shoes and a

water bottle. Masks are welcome but optional. Please stay home if you have symptoms.

Artistic landscape and garden design Artist and horticulturist Susie Lukens will discuss artistic landscape and garden design Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 1 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset St., South Burlington. Lukens treats landscapes as living canvases, combining horticulture with artistic principles to create garden spaces inspired by Vermont’s changing landscapes. She will discuss her approach to garden design, indoor and outdoor gardening and pollinator gardens.

Hinesburg Artist Series presents fall concert The Hinesburg Artist Series will present a fall concert featuring the Hinesburg Community Band and South County Chorus Sunday, Oct. 25, at 4 p.m. at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg. Both groups will perform under the direction of Rufus Patrick, founder and music director of the

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Hinesburg Artist Series. The South County Chorus will perform seasonal selections including “Autumn Song” by PINKZEBRA, “The Gargoyle” and “Bono Malum Superatum,” along with other familiar and new pieces. The Hinesburg Community Band’s program will include “West Highlands Sojourn,” “Cantus Jubilante” and Robert Sheldon’s “Like a River,” along with other contemporary selections. The concert is free, and donations are welcome. For more information, visit hinesburgartistseries. org.

Author celebrates ‘Mischief’ memoir in nook talks Vermont author Trish Passmore Alley will celebrate the publication of her memoir, “Defining Grace: Showing Up with the Gift of Divine Mischief,” Friday, Oct. 23, at 2:30 p.m. at the Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne. Alley will be in conversation with Robin Turnau, former chief advancement officer of Shelburne Farms and former CEO of Vermont Public. The event is supported by the Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne.

PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK

A bright orange maple sheds its leaves near the Shelburne United Methodist Church.

Shelburne News • October 22, 2026 • Page 9

OUTDOORS American coots are passing through The Outside Story Jenna O’de By mid-October, many birds have migrated south, but some lucky birders may still be able to spot an American coot, an uncommon bird in New Hampshire and Vermont. American coots can be found swimming in lakes, ponds or rivers, anywhere there is aquatic vegetation for them to eat. They are usually floating among other waterfowl or foraging on shore. American coots (Fulica americana) are easy to identify, with black chicken-shaped bodies and ghostly white beaks that droop slightly. A black band rings the end of the beak. The beak appears to continue up onto the coot’s face, covering some of its forehead; this structure is called a facial (or frontal) shield. The facial shields of all adults swell for two purposes: to indicate the bird is ready for breeding and to indicate the bird is defending territory with its mate. Also on the facial shield is a red spot, called a callus, which is about the size of a thumbnail and made of keratin. The callus size varies among birds and helps birds recognize each other. American coots are in the rail family, which includes king rails and soras. Members of the rail family are semi-aquatic birds, often described as secretive due to their elusive nature. Yet unlike other rails, American coots are rather easy to spot looking for food on the water or along the shore. Found mostly east of the Mississippi River during the nonbreeding season, these birds head west of the river for nesting season. I first saw one on an Idaho prairie in May of this year and knew immediately what it was from seeing it in field guides, though I had never seen one closer to home in the Northeast before. Their range extends from the Caribbean up into northern Canada, making them one of the most widely distributed rail species in North America, though they are typically only seen in the Northeast during fall migration, and occasionally during spring. Despite their broad ranges, American coots are uncommon in many places, like northern New England, parts of New York, and several other states. Bruce Lyon, an expert in coots at the University of California Santa Cruz, noted

that biologists don’t have a full understanding of why this is. As a semi-aquatic bird, the American coot needs to be agile on land and in the water. Its feet look like a hybrid between the feet of a chicken and a duck; its muscled, greenish-yellow legs extend into wide feet that appear too big for its body. The feet are not webbed, and the toes, which are lobed (grebes have the same kind of feet), can move independently. These lobes help coots swim gracefully by extending outward, giving their feet greater surface area, which helps propel them through the water. On land, the lobes fold against their toes, allowing them to walk along shores without the awkwardness of birds with webbed toes. They eat everything from grasses to algae and supplement their diet with invertebrates, such as crayfish or snails, and sometimes tadpoles. Like the adults, chicks have distinct appearances. The tops of their heads are bald and pink, their bodies are dark gray and black, and their beaks are red. Chicks have small facial shields. Around their necks and extending onto the body are feathers that are red, orange and yellow, resembling a sunset. These precocial chicks can swim shortly after they hatch and soon transform into juveniles with gray upper plumage and a white chest and belly. Later-hatching chicks typically are more vibrant, Lyon has found. If you’d like to see an American coot, explore rivers and lakes in the coming weeks. Northeastern sightings on eBird, a birdwatching platform run by Cornell University, peak during October and November, though they have been recorded at other times of year, particularly in April and May. Grace McCullogh and Pam Hunt of New Hampshire Audubon advised that for the best chance of seeing one this during fall migration, head to the Connecticut River valley or Lake Champlain. Smaller lakes and ponds with shallow water can also provide good stopover habitat. Jenna O’del is a biologist and science writer based in Rhode Island. Illustration by Adelaide Murphy Tyrol. The Outside Story is assigned and edited by Northern Woodlands magazine and sponsored by the Wellborn Ecology Fund of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation: nhcf.org.

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Page 10 • October 22, 2026 • Shelburne News

PHOTOS BY LEE KROHN

Campaign against kings No Kings protests on Saturday in Shelburne village and across the state promoted early voting.

MCBRIDE

continued from page 2 architecture project. McBride donated the building to Shelburne and said he was happy to do so, so his kids could potentially use it. He said the previous beach house was “dilapidated and slimy” from years of use. “We firmly believe that buildings should be beautiful, that spaces can be beautiful and that the more you can share that with the public, the more exciting it is. And so, something like this is a tiny little project, but it has had a big impact,” McBride said. Initial project design began in 2017 but was not finished until 2024 due to barriers caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. McBride used inspiration from the landscape and barns around the area to design the project. The building has a long-gabled roof and grey stained siding with barn doors on its sides opening to showers, changing areas and a lifeguard room with a large concrete porch covered by a roof.

The firm sourced natural, sustainable materials from local businesses and companies. Shelburne Farms donated siding materials sourced from trees that had fallen on their property. McBride said it felt like a barn raising since so many parts of the community were involved in restoration and support of his project. He also integrated parts of the original beach house into the design, including the wooden, carved Shelburne recreation sign that hangs on the outside. McBride said the building cutouts help frame the view of the lake, capturing the landscape in the architecture. Comments from the review jury said the Beach House gives an “unexpected sense of presence and dignity” through its thoughtful design that elevates simple aspects of daily life. “This small project demonstrates how design can elevate

even the most basic needs and become an investment in the community,” jury comments said. This award highlights McBride’s firm, he said, allowing other architects and builders to see their value as a young company that began five years ago. He said that for the town, this is a beloved building and gathering space everyone can enjoy. In 2024 McBride’s project also received the Vermont Conference on Recreation and Trails Symposium Facility of Merit award that recognizes outstanding developments of a recreation facility submitted by Shelburne’s Parks and Recreation department. McBride’s firm works on private single-family homes and farms in Vermont but hopes to do more public projects in the future. “We’re excited to be able to keep designing things that are beautiful that fit in with the town and the landscape,” McBride said.

Shelburne News • October 22, 2026 • Page 11

Obituary Frank Carl Laba Frank Carl Laba, 1941-2026, passed into the arms of our Lord in Burlington just two weeks shy of his 85th birthday. Of full-blooded Ukrainian ancestry, he was born into a loving family of eight children in Syracuse, New York. Like several of his siblings, he ventured west to Southern California to seek opportunities and worked for his sister and brother-in-law learning the drapery business. He then went out on his own with a successful custom drapery business, “Draperies by Frank.” On a job one day he met the love of Frank Carl Laba his life, Judith, a renowned interior designer. They were united in marriage in Pasadena in 2003 and moved out to the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Frank and Judy traveled extensively to the far corners of the globe,

and left quite a photographic legacy of their adventures together. With Judith originally from the Rangeley Lakes Region of Maine, they eventually came back east and settled in the coastal West Penobscot Bay area. They found a historic house in need of care and made its rehabilitation the subject of their professional expertise in their retirement. After Judith’s unfortunate passing in 2018, Frank remained in Warren, Maine for a time and eventually moved to Shelburne to be close to family. Frank is survived by his brother Gary, two sisters-in-Law, 11 nieces and nephews, and many friends who all miss him dearly. No formal services were requested but he would be honored by anyone who wishes to raise a glass of Sauvignon Blanc in his remembrance.

Shelburne Parks & Rec News Shelburne Parks and Recreation hosts the following events and activities: Shelburne’s annual Halloween events take place on Sunday, Oct. 25. • Halloween Costume Contest (before Rotary Parade), noon-1 p.m. in the Shelburne Municipal Building, activity room on ground floor. Prizes will be awarded in six age groups and five costume categories, sponsored by the Shelburne County Store.

How do journalists cover elections in Vermont? Thursday, Nov. 5, 6 pm • Wild Meadows Books & Cafe • 27 Market St., Williston

Join us just two days after the midterms to talk with VTDigger state government and politics reporter Shaun Robinson and Vermont Community Newspaper Group editor-in-chief Tommy Gardner about how they approach their work to help voters make informed choices. The discussion will be moderated by Boston Globe reporter Paul Heintz and will include audience Q&A. RSVP at wildmeadowsbooks.com/events or scan the QR code THE JOURNALISM CLUB is a monthly gathering of news producers and consumers to discuss the reporting process. It takes place at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at Wild Meadows Books & Cafe.

• Halloween Parade presented by the Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Rotary. 1 p.m. Floats line up at Shopping Plaza 2 p.m. Parade begins on Falls Road. For more information about the Halloween Parade, please see the Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Rotary Event page on Facebook. For questions or to register a

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See REC NEWS on page 12

Student Milestones The following Shelburne students received academic honors for the summer semester. Their colleges sent the news along to the newspaper. • Evan McMahan graduated from Bates College • Laura Gurdak, Champlain College Online trustees’ list and Online president’s list • Jacob Staton, Community College of

Vermont summer dean’s list • Community College of Vermont summer dean’s list: Hesten Allison, Shawna Bishop, James Odett and Molly Silvia • Robert Bingel received a bachelor of science degree with great distinction in mechanical engineering from Clarkson University

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Page 12 • October 22, 2026 • Shelburne News

SPORTS Redhawks teams ready themselves for the playoffs LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

As surely as the leaf peepers retreated from the Vermont roads, the area’s varsity teams began their own road into the playoffs. Here’s how the post-season is shaping up, and how the Redhawks fared in the past week.

Girls’ soccer

PHOTO BY AL FREY

Elliana Antonucci dribbles around a defender during Thursday’s tie game against St. Johnsbury.

Division I playdowns No. 3 Champlain Valley vs. No. 14 Colchester, Tuesday at 3 p.m. The postseason begins for the Champlain Valley girls’ soccer team on Tuesday, when they take on No. 14 Colchester (0-11-3) in the Division I playdowns. The Redhawks, who earned the No. 3 seed, wrapped up the regular season on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Mount Mansfield, who earned the No. 2 seed and could be a potential D-I semifinal opponent. Arabella Revoir scored in the first half for CVU (9-2-3) in the win, while Mireille Howatt-Walker and Eisley Devitt combined for four saves in goal to earn the shutout. CVU will now take on Colchester on Tuesday, a team they beat twice during the regular season. The winner will take on the winner of No. 11 Mount

Anthony (3-10-1) at No. 6 Rutland (9-5) on Friday at 2 p.m.

Field hockey Division I quarterfinals No. 6 Champlain Valley at No. 3 Essex, Friday at 3 p.m. The Champlain Valley field hockey team won its final two games of the regular season to finish with a 7-7 record and No. 6 seed in the Division I playoffs. The sixth seed earned them a matchup with No. 3 Essex (9-5) on Friday in the D-I quarterfinals. CVU took on Mount Mansfield on Saturday to wrap up the regular season, beating the Cougars 5-2. Lilly Irons tallied twice for the Redhawks, while Emery Thompson, Hannah Jones and Penny Webster each scored. Cici Kenney stopped six shots on goal to earn the win. The Redhawks will now face the Hornets, who they lost to twice in the regular season. But both matchups were hotly contested with the first going into overtime and the second a tight 3-2 score. If CVU can pull off the upset, they will likely face No. 2 South Burlington in the semifinals next week. See REDHAWKS on page 16

REC NEWS

continued from page 11 float contact: Richard J. Fox, Esq. (802)448-0118, rfox@foxlawvt. com Join the Rotary at the Shelburne Fire Station after the parade for music and free food. • Halloween games, activities and Haunted Stage at Town Gym, 2:30-4 p.m. Kids will be allowed to play each game or activity once and receive candy or a prize at each station. After exiting the gym, you are welcome to get back in line to enter again if you wish. People can choose to walk through the “Haunted” stage (optional) before exiting. • Yoga for strength, mobility and stress relief. Nov. 3-Dec. 8. Registration deadline is Oct. 30. The fee is $90, with classes held on Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Library Community Room. This welcoming all-levels class will help you build strength, improve flexibility and balance,

support healthy bones and release the stress that accumulates from everyday life. Each class blends flowing movement, mindful breathing, thoughtful alignment and relaxation to leave you feeling stronger, calmer and more at home in your body. Each class also includes a brief inspirational theme drawn from yoga philosophy and everyday life. Expect a moderate-paced practice with modifications as needed. We’ll strengthen muscles, improve mobility, quiet busy minds and finish each class with restorative relaxation. Guided by longtime yoga teacher and teacher trainer C. Jane Taylor, you’ll enjoy clear instruction, plenty of encouragement, and a bit of humor in a supportive, noncompetitive environment. Bring a yoga mat and any props you like to use. Participants should be comfortable sitting on and rising from the floor.

Shelburne News • October 22, 2026 • Page 13

Horoscope October 22, 2026

ANSWERS FROM THIS ISSUE

Weekly Puzzles

Page 14 • October 22, 2026 • Shelburne News

SHELBURNE NEWS

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LIVESTOCK

continued from page 1 llamas because of their protective nature and little need for formal training. Ideally, he said, guardian llamas are castrated males who tend to bond with the flock immediately and act as the alpha male. Pitcavage opted for one llama instead of two or more since the animals can tend to bond with each other instead of the flock. Philo Ridge moves its flock everyday with electrified fencing, giving the sheep a quarter of an acre to graze on at a time. Iliad grazes with them, and if he notices a predator, he makes loud grumbling sounds. His six-foot tall stature often scares predators off. Only in extremely stressful situations has Pitcavage seen guardian llamas spit. Pitcavage has dealt with the coyotes on the farm for years and does not plan to get rid of them. Since they are a native species, he said he wants to work with the land and respect the coyotes. “We’re going to work with them. They are here too,” Pitcavage said. The cows on the farm do not have a guardian animal, but Pitcavage did change their grazing behaviors to better protect calves after they are born.

A donkey Over at Charlotte’s Nordic Farm, owner Kaspar Meier recently added a miniature donkey to his herd of meat-producing cows this spring. The miniature donkey

named Dandelion is a fierce foe to be reckoned with, standing threefeet tall with a loud bray intended to scare off coyotes. Meier admitted he did not do much research or have a specific reason to get a donkey — he just wanted a donkey and knew it could help protect the herd, especially when the cows are with calves. “I kind of like donkeys and I don’t know, I don’t think a lot of thought went into the decision,” Meier said with a chuckle. Having lived and worked on farms his whole life in Switzerland and the Hudson Valley, Meier brought cows from New York, and a love for animals. He bought Nordic Farm in 2024 with Ben Dobson and has ducks, pigs and a dog. Dandelion has already bonded with the herd of 95 cows and 35 calves. Meier said she and the herd get along well, and she is almost like a pet to them. Donkeys can kill coyotes and will bray, kick and bite any predators that come too close, and Dandelion can move faster than the cows and is often the leader of the herd, Meier said. Coyotes are often opportunist hunters and will usually attack easy, vulnerable prey like calves in the first few days they are born. Dandelion requires minimal maintenance — consistent hoof care — and Meier’s already trimmed the donkey’s hooves three times since getting her in the spring. Meier supplies the cows

PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK

Dandelion, a miniature donkey, defends Nordic Farm’s herd of cattle and calves.

and Dandelion with fresh hay and lots of land to feed on, but she does not need any more special attention or food after that.

A flock and a herd It’s not udder nonsense that Shelburne Farms uses cows to See LIVESTOCK on page 16

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF PETITIONS FOR ELECTION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICT SUPERVISOR FOR THE WINOOSKI NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION DISTRICT To all those residing within the boundaries of the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (NRCD), notice is hereby given that on October 19, 2026 petitions for the position of supervisor for the conservation district will be available. An election will be held on December 7, 2026 for one supervisor for the district. Petitions must be completed and returned to the local conservation district office by close of business on November 3, 2026. Only persons, firms, and corporations who hold title in fee land and residing within such an organized district are eligible to sign a petition or vote. Conservation districts are local subdivisions of state government established under the Soil Conservation Act of Vermont. An eligible voter may contact the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District at 802-828-4493 for a petition or more information or visit https://www.winooskinrcd.org/board-ofsupervisors. Dated: October 19, 2026

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Immediate Hire! Looking for handyman to perform general small repairs and janitorial cleaning work in shop and office. Cleaning and Maintenance: Sweeping factory floors as necessary. Sweeping, mopping break rooms, bathrooms, showroom and office floors. Cleaning windows, gathering and emptying trash. Light landscaping work in the summer. Snow removal, salting doorways in the winter. Other duties as assigned by supervisors. Applicant qualifications: Clean work history, Drivers license, Physical Stamina, Able to lift up to 50lbs, Knowledge of Chemicals and Solvents, Time Management, Attention to Detail, Ability to Work Independently, Supply Management, Knowledge of Electrical Work and Carpentry a plus. Will train the right person! Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm 40 hrs. per week.

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229866

Page 16 • October 22, 2026 • Shelburne News

LIVESTOCK

HONORING OUR

VETERANS

On Nov. 5, Shelburne News will be honored to publish photos of the men and women who have unselfishly served our country. Shelburne News

G ORmIoN HOVeN Us terans A ng

Feb. 1962–Jan. 1969

WALTER J. LUCHINI United States Army, SP 4 Years of service: 1963 - 1966 United States and South Korea

ROBERT A. MILLETTE United States Navy; WW II Seaman 1st Class

GEORGE R. NATTRESS United States Marine Corps Pacific Theater

1944-1946

ELEANOR ALEXANDER Jacobson (In Memoriam) United States Navy, WAVE Yeoman Third Class September 1944–June 1946

BILL OAKES United States Army Corporal 1952-1954

DEBBIE OAKES United States Army Sergeant 1977-1980

FLORENCE M. MACALISTER United States Marine Corps Sergeant | WWI 1918-19 HQS, US Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

EDWARD GARVEY United States Air Force

WM DAVID GERNS, JR S/Sgt, Communications PETER PAUL ZUK ICC(SW) Specialist U.S. Marine Corps United States Navy (Ret.) 764th Radar Squadron, and St. Albans 1st Lieutenant1st Class Petty Officer Henri de Marne , Headquarters, 1955-57 his brother Claude 1944 31st Air Division, MN Served WW2, Japan and Korea Patton’s 3rd army, resistance following French on. before liberati

am ori

ori

M In

JUDITH A. COHEN Captain, Nurse Corps, USNR-R Reserve service 1973-2004

Active duty 1975-1978 National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD

FELIX F. COWEY, JR. Col. Ret. United States Army Korea 1949, 1951-52 West Point 1946

KYLE GRAY MARNE & United States Army PVT. HENRI DE E Private First ClassPVT. CLAUDE DE MARN

WSKI ROBERT S. BORKO Medic Sergeant (SFC) al Guard VT Army Nation 1982-2005

ori em M

ori

MCSWEENEY United States Air Force 1st Lieutenant 4750th Air Defense Wing Yuma, Ariz. 1953 - 1956

AY, SR. LORENZO P. BUSHW April 28, 1960 Active Duty: 1955 Feb. 1953-Feb.

W. DONALD DALTON, SR. United States Navy 1942–1946

C. LOUIS “LOU” DEFORGE United States Army Captain 1967 - 1971

TIMOTHY J KEEFE United States Marine Corps Corporal May 1976 - May 1980

CHRISTOPHER GIRARD United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel 1965-1985

HENRY JOSEPH GIROUX III United States Navy Chief Petty Officer

RICHARD GARROW United States Navy Torpedo Man

DAVID W. GARVEY USMC, Sargent EOD Specialist 1985-1993

JAMES M. KEHOE VT Air National Guard Chief Master Sergeant 158th FW DET 1 at Langley AFB

TRAVIS J. KEHOE VT Air National Guard Technical Sergeant

PIERRE LEMIEUX United States Marine Corps 4th Marine Infantry Regiment Sergeant, Vietnam Veteran July 23, 1963–October 14, 1966

LOU LERTOLA US Army, US Army Reserve & VTANG 1960–1994 Command Sergeant Major 40 years military service

CHAD LEWBER (w/daughter Leanne) VTANT/US Marine Corps Sargeant, Flight Medic Served in Iraq

LAURIE JACQUES USCG and ARNG 1994-2005

R ROLAND W. WILBU United States Army d Division T/4, 14th Armore WW II 1942-46

D DAVID F. LELAN United States Navy Lieutenant WWII 1944-1955

ROBERT ALLSTON LACLAIR United States Navy Quartermaster April 1943- April 1946

ROGER L. BOURGEA United States Navy Armed Guard Gunners Mate Third Class Served on Tankers and Liberty Cargo ships Dec. 1942 - Jan. 1946

DENNIS JOHNSON A2C USAF 1959 -1963

WILLIAM F. LADD United States Air Force Airman 1st Class 1955-1959

ROBERT K. LAMONDA United States Army PFC 43rd Division 1941-1945

MICHAEL W. LYNCH U.S. Navy, Lt.J.G. 1967-1975 Civil Engineer Corp 79 VT Air Guard 1976-19

THOMAS R. KLEH US Merchant Marines United States Navy Captain 1943-1977

N PERRY D. MELVI 3 U.S. Navy, HM nt 3rd Marine Regime Vietnam War

RAYMOND ‘RAY’ LEBLANC United State Air Force Strategic Air Command Alert Force Feb 1960 - Mar 1968

PETER GADUE G US Army and VTARN 1970-2009

ROSANNE M. GRECO United States Air Force (Ret.) Colonel | 1973 - 2003 Strategic Intelligence Officer & Nuclear Arms Control Negotiator Postings across the US, Europe and Far East

ori

MAN, SR. ROBERT F. WHITE U.S. Air Force E6 1959-1979

ori

MSGR. JOHN R.

RICHARD ARVID

JACOBSON United States Navy

Yeoman 2nd Class October 1943–June 1946

The

MORTON A. LORD United States Air Force Captain

The Other Paper • November 7, 2024 • Page 11

ber 10, 2022 •

Page 14 • Novem

Page 10 • November 7, 2024 • The Other Paper

ROBERT ‘BOB’ LEBLANC United States Air Force 1st Lieutenant, F-100D Pilot Mar 1956 - Dec 1958 Lost on classified mission Posthumous burial Arlington National Cemetary

BLAKE SHANNON B. U.S. Army, Major 1986-2006 Veteran Afghanistan War

ROBERT ERNEST KAIGLE United States Navy World War II, 1943-1945 Korean War, 1950-1951

GORDON KEARNS United States Army WWII

N THOMAS C. GIBSO Royal Air Force Squadron Leader 1947-1952, Malaya

IATA BRUCE NUNZ 1st Infantry Vietnam 1967-68

DEAN KIRBY United States Air Force A1C Viet Nam 1970

DAVID WINER Corps Corporal, Marine 1946 March 1944-July Peleliu Campaign

DAVID R. LECLAIR United States Marine Corps Corporal 1976-1980

JR. WILLIAM A. READ ander U.S. Navy Comm or Patrol Gunnery Instruct Squadron 101 Southwest Pacific

If you have a veteran you would like us to honor, please mail or email your photo and the following information by

THURSDAY, OCT. 29 Please include: • Name of veteran • Branch of service • Rank • Years of service • Town of residence

EMAIL PHOTOS AND TEXT TO: stephanie@shelburnenews.com OR MAIL TO: Shelburne News, P.O. Box 489, Stowe, VT 05672

continued from page 15 protect its sheep. farm also decided against donkeys since Dairy farm and flock manager Sam Dixon Dixon said donkeys are prone to gaining uses mother cows and calves to protect the weight and must be trained to protect sheep. farms’ flock. The cows’ maternal instinct At first, a few sheep were lost to coyotes, makes them protective of their calves and but once the cows had their calves, their thus the sheep with which they’ve bonded. maternal instincts kicked in and both adjust“They’re going to go to protect their calf, ed to living with one another. and by protecting their calf, they’re going to Dixon said he tries to work with the protect the sheep,” Dixon landscape and doesn’t said. want to start eliminating “By protecting their Two years ago, herdsthe coyotes because it will man Renee LaCross introthrow the environment calf, they’re going to duced the approach after out of balance and new the farm lost six sheep coyotes would emerge. protect the sheep.” within 24-hours to coyotes He explained that if he can which had never been a coyotes from eating — Sam Dixon deter problem before. Dixon sheep for five years, the decided to go forward with flock is removed as a food the idea and, since then, the farm has not lost source in the coyotes’ collective memory. any sheep. One drawback of a flerd is increased The farm calls this combination of a management since the animals need to be flock of sheep and herd of cows a “flerd.” moved more frequently for grazing, Dixon Three mother cows protect their calves said. Moving the animals is labor-intensive and around 80 sheep. Dixon said there needs as workers move paddocks made of electo be at least three mother cows protecting tric fencing and reset the half-acre boundthe flerd since coyotes will work in pairs ary. Both species move at different speeds to attack the flock. One coyote will draw requiring each to be shepherded or herded to the guardian away while the other coyote new pastures separately. attacks. Dixon also keeps in mind the different Dixon considered other livestock guard- breeding seasons for each species, managians including llamas, donkeys and dogs but ing calving in the winter alongside sheep opted for the flerd because llamas are prone breeding in the fall and lambing in the to illness and guardian dogs can often be spring. Using the flerd needs more managetoo protective and dangerous when 150,000 ment than other guardians but was the best visitors come to the farm each year. The choice for what Shelburne Farms needed.

REDHAWKS

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Boys’ soccer Division I quarterfinals No. 3 Champlain Valley vs. TBD, Friday at 3 p.m. Champlain Valley rebounded from a late season loss to Mount Mansfield with a 1-0 win on Friday to round out the regular season. CVU finished the season with a 10-3-1 record and got a bye to the Division I boys soccer quarterfinals. Creston Lea-Simons scored the game-winner for the Redhawks, while Theo Skapof got the shutout with four saves in goal. CVU now awaits the winner of No. 11 Colchester (5-9) at No. 6 Mount Mansfield (7-6-1), who will face off on Tuesday in the D-I playdowns. The Redhawks may hope for an upset. The sixth-seeded Cougars beat CVU in the second-to-last game of the regular season - only their third loss this season. The Redhawks beat Colchester in both earlier matchups. The winner will travel to Hinesburg for Friday’s quarterfinal.

Girls’ volleyball Division I quarterfinals No. 3 Champlain Valley vs. No. 6 Colchester, Wednesday at 5 p.m. The Champlain Valley girls’ volleyball team dropped three of its last five matches but rebounded to finish a strong note with a 3-1 win over Mount Mansfield on Friday. CVU finished with a 9-5 record and enters the Division I postseason with the No. 3 seed in the Division I playoffs. They will take on No. 6 Colchester on

Wednesday in the D-I quarterfinals. The two teams did not meet in the regular season. CVU beat Mount Mansfield, three sets to one, to clinch a win in their final regular season matchup.

Boys’ volleyball Division I quarterfinals No. 2 Champlain Valley vs. No. 7 Montpelier, Wednesday at 7 p.m. Champlain Valley looks to build off a strong regular season as they head into the Division I boys’ volleyball playoffs. After beating Rice in straight sets on Thursday to win the final game of the regular season, CVU finished with an 11-3 record and the No. 2 seed in the D-I tournament. The only team to beat the Redhawks this season, Essex, took the top spot with a 12-1 record. CVU will open against No. 7 Rice on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the D-I quarterfinals. They beat the Green Knights in both early season matchups.

Football Colchester 29, Champlain Valley 14: Champlain Valley was outscored 22-7 in the second half and fell to Colchester on Friday night in high school football. CVU, who has just one game left in the regular season, moves to 2-5 this season and will face BFA-St. Albans on Friday at 7 p.m. on the road. Jackson Carrasquillo hit Hugh Graham with a 38-yard touchdown pass and DeMarcus Riggs accounted for the other CVU score on a touchdown run.