Issuu

Charlotte bistro marks ve years with BBQ party in its backyard

Page 9

Back on track

Summer elementary and middle school track team earns silver at states

Page 12

For female athletes: No white shorts, no worries

ipate in school sports. Most importantly, Young said, the group has also been hearing from the girls themselves.

For anyone with a period, the anxiety is familiar: the worry that standing up from a seat or bending over to pick something up might reveal a red stain, that a tampon or pad might leak and everyone else will notice.

For girls playing for their middle school or high school sports teams, a new initiative from the Vermont Principals Association contends, that worry adds to the reasons why one in three girls quit sports by the time they’re 14 years old.

For Lauren Young, the VPA’s executive director of activities and athletics, there’s one obvious solution: no more white shorts.

On the ﬁrst Thursday of every month, Young said, the VPA hosts a “Girls and Equity” conversation. The organization invites coaches and athletic directors, primarily women, to talk through the issues that girls might be facing when they partic-

Different girls’ teams from schools around the state have shared about their lived experience, Young said, and have covered issues from harassment to small crowd sizes.

“Then (there’s) this whole thing around period anxiety and being comfortable in their uniforms,” Young said. “Which, man, that goes back decades for me — having a uniform that ﬁt and I felt conﬁdent in.”

The VPA has made available small grants for schools interested in phasing in darker shorts for their girls’ teams. With support from the National Federation of State High School Associations and the GRL Initiative (Young’s organization promoting women’s leadership in sports), the state association is helping schools buy new shorts for their

See SPORTS on page 10

Charlotte may put its charter change to town meeting vote

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

For the past several months, two Charlotte Selectboard members have been tasked with studying the possibility of a hybrid Town Meeting Day, and now the whole board is preparing to take action to preserve some of the beloved tradition.

The topic of a traditional in-person Town

Meeting Day has been one of the most debated topics in town in recent months, particularly after 106 people voted at this year’s annual meeting to do away with future budget ﬂoor votes. In Charlotte, most of the debate hinged on accessibility. Only about 250 of the nearly 3,400 regis-

See CHARTER on page 4

COURTESY PHOTO

Katherine Levasseur performed at the national Highland dance championships in Dallas last month. See story, page 3.

BRIANA BRADY & LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITERS

Shelburne Museum stays open after hours on select summer evenings with live music, food trucks, access to galleries, and fun for the whole family!

5:30–7:30 p.m. August 27.

Admission is free!

With live music from: Ray Vega Afro-Caribbean Jazz Ensemble

Party candidates face first election hurdle next week

TOMMY GARDNER STAFF WRITER

Voters in Charlotte and Hinesburg will head to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 11, to vote in Vermont’s primary elections. While most statewide elections won’t see any intra-party contests, there are contested Democratic races for governor and lieutenant governor.

There’s also plenty of competition at the local and county level — again, among Democrats.

All non-contested party candidates will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, barring any last-minute write-in campaigns.

Polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the following locations:

• Charlotte: Charlotte Town Hall, 159 Ferry Rd.

• Hinesburg: Hinesburg Town Hall, 10632 Route 116

Here are the contested races:

• Chittenden Southeast Senate: With five candidates for three seats, two people will be sitting November out. The challengers are Joanna Grossman, D-Burlington; and Elizabeth Hunt, D-Charlotte. The incumbents are Thomas Chittenden, D-South Burling-

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

The Charlotte Selectboard has approved the town’s tax rate at around 3 cents higher than what it was last year.

The town’s approved budget of $3.08 million translates to a tax rate of $0.2199 per $100 of assessed home value, over the $0.1892 the town saw last year. At this

ton; Kesha Ram Hinsdale, D-Shelburne; and Virginia “Ginny” Lyons, D-Williston.

• State’s attorney: Incumbent Sarah George, D-Colchester, faces competition in Bram Kranichfeld, D-Burlington.

• Sheriff: Newcomer Kevin Bloom, D-Burlington, faces incumbent Daniel Gamelin, D-Colchester

• High bailiff: One of Vermont’s most obscure elected positions is one the county’s crowded Democratic fields. The candidates are Augustus Barkyoumb, D-Burlington; Paul McManus, D-Williston; Amy Payne, D-Burlington; Helaine “Lainey” Rappaport, D-Burlington; and Michael “Mikey” Roberts, D-Charlotte.

In statewide Democratic primary contests, there is a three-way race among lieutenant governor hopefuls to face incumbent Lt. Gov. John Rodgers in November. The three Democrats are Esther Charlestin, D-South Burlington; Molly Gray, D-Burlington; and Ryan McLaren, D-Essex Junction.

And there are two Democrats hoping to unseat incumbent Gov. Phil Scott. They are Amanda Janoo, D-Burlington, and Aly Richards, D-Montpelier.

rate a home worth $500,000 would see a municipal tax of $1,099. Adding the education property tax rates set by the state, the total homestead tax rate is $1.557. The total non-homestead tax rate is $1.635.

Part of the calculation when setting the municipal tax rate is the town’s grand list, or the sum of all the taxable property value in town. The number this year, $1.4 billion, is roughly $1 million greater than last year.

Highland dance teacher steps onto national stage in Dallas

Katherine Levasseur was one of the many kilt-clad dancers gracefully springing over lines of crossed swords at the Highland dance national championships near the end of July, red tartan socks pulled up to her knees and arm arching overhead.

Levasseur, from Hinesburg, is a certified Highland dance instructor and the championships have been a lifelong dream. She and her student, Charlotte Stone, flew to Dallas to compete among some of the best Highland dancers in the world.

While Levasseur didn’t place in the championship events — the judges only announce the scores of the top six dancers — she’s proud of how she danced and to have made it to the national stage.

“You know, I’m in my mid 30s. I work full time. I run the dance school. I have the students that I take care of. I have a daughter. To have even made it and achieved that dream that I’ve had since I was a teenager, that was the goal,” she said.

Levasseur grew up in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom and started dancing in high school. She said that her school hosted a Scottish arts program. Kids could learn to play the bagpipes, traditional drumming or, in Levasseur’s case, traditional dancing.

Highland dance is highly structured. It began in the Scottish Highlands and, according to ScotDance USA, the official national organization, dancers were primarily men. Warriors leaped over their crossed broadswords in patterns of steps in preparation for battle or danced a “fling” atop an upturned

shield to celebrate a victory.

In modern times, dancers have retained those patterns of steps, and dancers still perform over crossed swords and to the beat of a fling or reel. As they move, dancers bend or stretch their legs as they spring into the air, pointed toes moving forward and behind the opposite knee or in different positions along the ground. The movements and placements are precise.

For the championships every year, Levasseur said, the Scottish dance governing body will release a set of steps, or a combination of movements, that will be repeated across competitions all over the world.

“I’m very type A. I was really drawn to the standardization of the art form and just how unique it is

COURTESY PHOTO

Katherine Levasseur and her student Charlotte Stone at the national competition.

BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER

Total incidents: 50

Traffic stops: 31

Suspicious person/ circumstance: 3

Fingerprinting: 3

Special overtime: 2

Agency assist: 2

Medical emergency: 1

Crash-property only: 1

Citizen assist: 1

Animal problem: 1

Information report: 1

Wanted person: 1

Welfare/suicide check: 1

Citizen dispute: 1

Parking problem: 1

Selected incidents:

July 27 at 8:40 a.m., police investigated an abandoned vehicle at the Hinesburg park and ride.

July 27 at 11:21 a.m., officers responded to a dispute on Route 116.

July 28 at 4:10 p.m., someone reported a loose dog on Richmond Road and police later reunited it with its owner.

July 28 at 8:40 p.m., police investigated something suspicious on Kelley’s Field.

July 29 at 7:45 a.m., officers inves-

tigated a vehicle off side of Route 116.

July 29 at 8:24 a.m., an officer responded to a single-car crash on Silver Street.

July 29 at 9:24 a.m., police investigated suspicious activity on Route 116.

July 29 at 1:44 p.m., police helped someone with fingerprinting for a job.

July 30 at 1:20 p.m., an officer assisted with a medical emergency on Route 116.

July 30 at 3:13 p.m., police helped someone else with fingerprinting for a job.

July 30 at 5:35 p.m., an officer assisted State Police with a motor vehicle crash in St. George.

July 31 at 2:35 p.m., police helped another person with fingerprinting for a job.

July 31 at 7:48 p.m., police investigated something suspicious on Bear Lane.

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

The Citizen

Serving the community of Charlotte & Hinesburg A publication of Vermont Community Newspaper Group LLC thecitizenvt.com

Advertising Wendy Ewing wendy@shelburnenews.com (802) 238-4980

Advertising Director Judy Kearns judy@otherpapersbvt.com (802) 734-2928

Editor Tommy Gardner tommy@stowereporter.com (802) 253-2101 x25

Editorial Assistant Sophia Balunek

Staff Writers

Liberty Darr, Patrick Bilow, Briana Brady

Production/Design

Stephanie Manning stephanie@shelburnenews.com Kristen Braley kristen@stowereporter.com

General Manager Katerina Werth katerina@stowereporter.com

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

Advertising submission deadline: Friday at 5 p.m. advertising@thecitizenvt.com classi eds@thecitizenvt.com

Editorial submission deadline: Friday at 12 p.m. news@thecitizenvt.com

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

Contact: PO Box 489 Stowe, VT 05672 (802) 253-2101

CHARTER

continued from page 1

tered voters came to Charlotte Central School in March to vote on some of the town’s biggest questions.

Advocates who want to keep the in-person meeting alive suggested some sort of hybrid system — an in-person meeting where budget measures could be debated and changed, and a separate Australian Ballot vote. The town implemented such a system through a charter change prior to the Covid19 pandemic, which has since sunset.

Other towns, such as Cambridge and Jericho, have adopted such a system, and it appears future Charlotte meetings will also be run this way.

The selectboard is proposing a charter change that would create an extra binding precaution. For example, the current rough draft charter language would allow the selectboard to hold a special meeting, at least 45 days before the first Tuesday in March, to approve the town budget and budget-related arti-

cles from the floor.

The votes, however, would not become effective until the voters also ratified them by Australian ballot.

the question to voters at next March’s annual meeting.

Charter

A charter would need to be approved by a townwide vote and gain legislative approval and the governor’s signature.

changes need approval by the town, the Legislature and the governor.

Although the selectboard had at one point considered putting the charter change to the voters in November, members recognized the time crunch that they would be up against to warn it in time.

Plus, Rep. Chea Waters Evans, D-Charlotte, confirmed at the selectboard meeting that the timing of the vote in Charlotte wouldn’t affect the Legislature’s speed on taking up the issue much.

The selectboard has instead indicated support for putting

Selectboard member JD Herlihy was also part of a group tasked by the selectboard with hosting meetings with residents and ironing out the proposal’s details. He told the board last month that the hybrid model, if done correctly, could support both those that favor of preserving the in-person Town Meeting Day and those that favor of Australian ballot.

Herlihy added most of the residents who attended the working sessions voiced support for a hybrid model.

Any proposed charter change proposal would be vetted or amended by town lawyers and the selectboard. The board is expected to vote on the charter in September and send it to voters.

Forestry markets support more than meets the eye

Guest Perspective

Rob Riley

Recent news coverage about the end of pulping operations at Finch Paper has understandably focused on how it is bad for logging contractors and the forest products industry. As organizations and associations focused on the future of Vermont forests, we agree — those impacts are significant. But the story is more than that: This is bad news for everyone who cares about sustaining Vermont’s forests.

Yes, producing logs and fiber to turn into products we need is often a goal of forest management, but so are the following benefits: improving wildlife habitat, biodiversity, climate resilience, recreational trails, carbon storage, protecting against pests and diseases, addressing introduced invasive plants, managing fire danger and improving the overall health and diversity of forests.

Vermont. Overall, the mill purchased an average of approximately 2,000 tons of both softwood and hardwood roundwood a week from our state. There are no other options that can quickly replace this market for low-grade wood, which is a part of all forestry operations. That means a lot of things.

Near term, it means Vermont will lose logging and trucking contractors, as well as foresters, the people who manage the forests, harvest wood and truck wood to mills. It means Vermont landowners will have fewer — or no — market options when they want to improve their forests through management: fewer people to do the work and fewer ways to pay for it.

Poor management practices might be the short-term solution to making ends meet.

Our organizations may prioritize the benefits on this list differently, but we agree on one thing: Without buyers for the wood that forest management generates, good forest management activities become economically difficult, or impossible, to carry out. And without sustainable management, we believe Vermont will lose the forest benefits we care about, and — worst case — significant acreages of forest.

This is why the Finch news is bad for all Vermonters, even those who may think they don’t care about, or even oppose, “logging.” As VTDigger reported, Finch was one of the last remaining buyers of hemlock pulpwood from

Longer term, it will mean that less forest management happens in Vermont, including on the more than 2 million acres enrolled in the Current Use Program, which keeps forestland undeveloped. Substandard practices such as “high grading” forests for higher quality saw log timber may be the result of limited wood markets. Poor management practices might be the short-term solution to making ends meet, with serious long-term costs in the form of degraded timber stands that require time and money to remedy. As a result, this increases the pressure on some landowners to seek other sources of income that may involve parcelization, development or permanent forest conversion. This is an outcome that unites us in concern.

Vermont, New England and the United States rely on wood for building

See RILEY on page 7

EXPERIENCE

Graduate of Champlain College & Vermont Police Academy. Chittenden Deputy Sheriff for 40 years, Sheriff for 3½ years.

INTEGRITY

Professionalism and transparency. Treat every person with respect and compassion.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Modernizing services to ensure safer communities. Providing police patrol services to four municipalities. Delivering security to businesses, non-profits and courthouses.

COMMITMENT

As a lifelong Vermonter, I have been here and will continue to be here to support our community, help it thrive and keep us safe, as I have over the last 45 years.

Thomas Chittenden • Ginny Lyons • Kesha Ram Hinsdale

Get the facts from the source

To the Editor:

It is deeply disappointing that a targeted disinformation campaign has surfaced to distract voters (“Setting the record straight on Joanna Grossman’s advocacy,” letters, July 24).

I implore you not to give in to propaganda seeking to lower our political discourse. If you have concerns, hold the line and get the facts directly from source: me. See joannaforvermont.org/issues.

I hope you take some comfort in knowing I will not be bullied by this, or anything.

Joanna Grossman

Burlington

Thank you, Phil. Go for it, Aly

To the Editor:

I voted for Gov. Phil Scott. More than once.

This year, I’m voting for Aly Richards for governor — in fact, I already cast my ballot through early primary voting.

Before I tell you why I support Aly, let me first thank Phil Scott. He was a steady, reassuring hand through our collective Covid-19 nightmare. He has also held the line through his veto power on legislative excess. But after 10 years in office, we still haven’t dealt with the trifecta of Vermont challenges: the most expensive health care in the nation; housing that costs too much, especially for younger Vermonters; and a K-12 education system that is clearly broken and hindering our children’s development (declining student enrollment and declining performance).

While I don’t blame Phil Scott for these challenges, it’s clear to me that he and his team are out of ideas. We don’t need another two years of steady-as-she-goes. We need a leader who will bring fresh ideas and talent to the problems we face.

Aly Richards accomplished the impossible. Against all odds, as CEO of Let’s Grow Kids, she analyzed the child care problem, developed a plan to fix it, built a coalition of supporters and persuaded the Legislature to pass groundbreaking legislation. Today, thanks to Aly’s leadership, Vermont’s youngest citizens and their families can rely on a high-quality, expanded child care system. It’s no surprise that 40 former employees of Let’s Grow Kids recently endorsed Aly for governor.

As a member emeritus of the Vermont Business Roundtable, I collaborated with Aly and her team at Let’s Grow Kids to rally business support for her initiative. Now I’m ready for Aly’s leadership to help us tackle health care, housing and education. I know it won’t be easy, but it’s time to hand the baton to a younger generation to solve the problems facing Vermont.

I don’t know about you, but I’m tiring of the political gerontocracy dominating America (and Vermont) today. Older people like me (I turn 70 this year) need to stop hoarding resources and power and invite young talent like Aly to solve societal problems that we boomers have failed to fix and have likely made worse.

A few weeks ago, I attended a forum in South Burlington for

continued from page 5

materials, paper, packaging and fuel. With over 75% of its land under forest cover, Vermont should be a wood-producing powerhouse — not a state increasingly reliant on timber shipped in from away. Yet due to investment, trade and policy factors that have been building for decades, that wood is increasingly coming from other parts of the world. As part of a broader approach, we call on innovators, researchers and policymakers to take the Finch news as both a warning and an invitation.

Vermont has an opportunity to invest in a wider mix of forest products and markets — from advanced wood products and innovative fiber manufacturing to modern and efficient wood energy and other emerging uses for low-grade wood. Creating diverse, resilient and appropriately scaled markets will provide stability and help Vermont’s logging and trucking contractors, mills and forest products businesses thrive while giving landowners practical options for caring for their forests. In doing so, we can

LETTERS

continued from page 6

governor and lieutenant governor candidates. Five candidates were on stage — all young, smart, energetic and deeply impressive. I left thinking: I’d hire every one of them. But first, I want to hire Aly Richards to lead the way.

Tim Volk

Charlotte

Kranichfeld balances accountability, fairness

To the Editor:

I’m supporting Democratic candidate Bram Kranichfeld for Chittenden County State’s Attorney because I believe it’s time for a new approach to addressing today’s public safety challenges.

Bram’s recently released First 100 Days Plan shows that he is ready to lead from day one. His priorities include publishing an annual public safety report, bringing county leaders together to coordinate responses to ICE enforcement actions, and

support rural communities, wildlife habitat, climate resilience, outdoor recreation and the many benefits Vermont’s forests provide.

Signatories of this commentary are: Rob Riley, president, Northern Forest Center; Danielle Fitzko, commissioner, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation; Dana Doran, executive director, Professional Logging Contractors Northeast; Kate Forrer, executive director, Vermont Woodlands Association; Jamey Fidel, vice president, Vermont, National Audubon Society/ Audubon Vermont; Steve Hardy, president, Vermont Forest Products Association; Tracy Zschau, president & CEO, Vermont Land Trust; Jed Lipsky, Vermont House of Representatives, I-Stowe; Abby Long, executive director, Northeast Kingdom Collaborative; Tara Miller, forest & wildlife program director, Vermont Natural Resources Council; and Eve Frankel, state director, The Nature Conservancy in Vermont.

DANCE

continued from page 3

and different, and it’s really something very, very special,” Levasseur said.

She added that, as a kid growing up in rural Vermont in the 2000s, the idea of something like a travel sports league wasn’t on her radar. With Highland dance, however, they traveled to competitions around the region.

She loved it.

Like other forms of cultural dance, Highland dance asks people to study the traditional steps and dances and take tests — which involve both practical demonstrations of dancing as well as knowledge — before they are certified to teach. It wasn’t until 2022 that Levasseur took her member exam, studying the books of dances she would have to know and be judged on.

While Highland dance might be governed out of Scotland, it welcomes people in no matter their heritage, Levasseur said — she is not Scottish. It also has a very tiny economy around it, which keeps multiple traditional practices alive.

“I was really drawn to the standardization of the art form.”

— Katherine

Levasseur

The costumes, she said, consist of kilts, tartan socks and vests or jackets and are all handmade — this includes the knitting of the socks. Live bagpipe music is common at competitions as dancers perform.

“It’s preserving that part of the culture too,” she said.

advocating for long-term criminal justice reforms. His experience as a prosecutor has also earned him the support of Attorney General Charity Clark and House Speaker Jill Krowinski.

I’ve worked with Bram both during his time as Chief of the Attorney General’s Criminal Division and now as the State’s Attorney in Franklin County. I’ve seen firsthand that he is a compassionate and thoughtful prosecutor who understands how to balance accountability with fairness.

Local elections matter, and the Chittenden County State’s Attorney race will have a direct impact on our community. I encourage you to learn more about Bram Kranichfeld and his vision for the office.

I’m proud to support Bram and believe he is the right leader for this moment.

Lauren Jandl Huntington

Lauren Jandl is chief of staff at the Vermont Attorney General’s office.

Now, she is one of only three certified Highland dance teachers listed in Vermont, according to ScotDance USA.

“It is such a gift to be a teacher and to bring this opportunity to my students. It’s also something I share with my own daughter,” she said. Her daughter just turned seven, and Levasseur has been teaching her to dance.

Levasseur is starting to enroll students for the fall, and whether it’s the three- and four-year-olds just learning or the casual group she runs for adults to get together and dance, it’s about community.

“We try to create a culture of friendship and support around that — of inclusion, of lifting each other up, of being supportive to other dancers, whether they’re in our dance school or not, and of body positivity, of kindness,” she said.

Community Notes

Gallery showcases Myers jazz prints

B PARTY on the RICKS

J. Kenneth Fine Art and Atelier Frame & Design are presenting “Swingville: Works from the Malcolm Myers Estate” throughout August at J. Kenneth Fine Art, 145 Pine Haven Shores Road, Suite 1160, Shelburne. The exhibition features prints from the celebrated American intaglio artist’s Jazz Series, created between the 1950s and 1980s. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays or by appointment.

Mads Tolling brings violin to Shelburne Farms

Two-time Grammy-winning violinist Mads Tolling will present “In the Loop” at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at the Shelburne Farms Coach Barn, 1611 Harbor Road. Using looping technology and effects pedals, Tolling creates layered solo performances blending jazz, classical, pop and folk influences. The program features works ranging from Duke Ellington and Jimi Hendrix to Astor Piazzolla and Django Reinhardt. Information: shelburnefarms.org.

Cruisin’ Route 100 rolls back into Waterbury

Discover Waterbury will host Cruisin’ Route 100 Aug. 7-9

alongside the Vermont Antique & Classic Car Meet. The weekend features a scavenger hunt with prizes, a Friday block party at Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Saturday’s CiderFest, a ribbon-cutting at North Country Donuts and special promotions at participating businesses throughout Waterbury and Waterbury Center. The free scavenger hunt challenges participants to find hidden vintage toy cars at locations along Route 100. A full schedule is available at discoverwaterbury.com.

Yiddish musicians perform in Burlington

Internationally acclaimed Yiddish singer-songwriter Daniel Kahn and violinist Jake Shulman-Ment will perform at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 N. Prospect St., Burlington. Presented by the Lost Mural Project, the concert will feature English supertitles and celebrate Yiddish music and culture. Tickets and sponsorship information are available through the Lost Mural Project.

Kelly Brush Ride marks its 20th anniversary

The Kelly Brush Ride returns to Middlebury College on Saturday, Sept. 12, celebrating its 20th year of raising funds for adaptive sports and ski racing safety. Riders

of all abilities can choose from four supported routes or participate remotely through Oct. 24. The annual event includes a postride celebration with food, live music and exhibitors. Since 2006, the Kelly Brush Foundation has awarded more than $7.5 million in grants and helped connect thousands of people with spinal cord injuries to adaptive sports. Registration is open at kellybrushfoundation.org.

Farm, food fete returns to Hardwick

The Center for an Agricultural Economy and the Hardwick Farmers Market will host the sixth annual Community Farm & Food Celebration from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Atkins Field, 140 Granite St., Hardwick. The free event features horse-drawn wagon rides, baby goats, live music by Vecchio Stile, face painting, family activities and local food and beverage vendors. The celebration is part of Open Farm Week and National Farmers Market Week. Information: caevt. org/fun.

Richmond Farmers Market hosts Kids’ Day

The Richmond Farmers Market will hold its third annual Kids’

COURTESY PHOTO

The oldies but goodies will roll into Waterbury this weekend, with the Vermont Antique & Classic Car Meet.

Lynn Alpeter sent a note to the paper about Charlotte’s Backyard Bistro’s celebration of ve years on July 24: “Backyard Bistro’s fth anniversary celebration was everything a Vermont summer evening should be. Guests enjoyed a feast of smoked chicken, ribs and all the favorite backyard sides while raising a glass with friends and neighbors. As the sun set and the moon rose over Charlotte, The Grift kept the dance oor full until the very last song. Owners, Jill and Adam Spell were incredibly grateful to celebrate this milestone surrounded by the family, friends and loyal guests who have supported Backyard Bistro over the past ve years. It was a memorable night lled with great food, music, laughter and community.”

COMMUNITY NOTES

continued from page 8

Day from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14. Activities include live music by G’Raph and Beccazoo, a magic show by Tom Verner of Magicians Without Borders, giant bubbles, mini golf, crafts, games and family activities.

Information: richmond-farmers -market.square.site.

Age Well luncheon planned in Shelburne

Age Well and St. Catherine of Siena will host a community luncheon for adults 60 and older on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish Hall, 72 Church St., Shelburne. Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m.,

with lunch served at noon. The menu includes riblet, confetti rice, mixed vegetables, whole-wheat bread, a craisin-date cookie and milk.

A suggested donation is $7. Reservations are due by Aug. 6. Call 802-662-5283 or email pniarchos@agewellvt.org for information or to register.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Charlotte bistro marks ve years with BBQ party

continued from page 1

teams — they’re also getting a discount on uniform bottoms from BSN Sports.

“When I put the requests out for what people needed, I was just overwhelmed with how many people took me up on the offer,” Young said.

She said the VPA needs about $20,000 more dollars to complete the requests for this year.

Lamoille Union High School Athletics Director Tim Messier was one of those who responded to the call.

“I literally just heard from one of the vendors who’s working with the VPA today,” Messier said Monday morning.

Messier, who has been the high school’s athletics director for 35 years, is a staunch supporter of Young and the initiative. He jumped on board quickly to get a batch of darker colored shorts ordered for the fall season. The only downside, he said, is that this initiative started gaining real traction during this summer season, when most people are away or on vacation. He’s now looking forward to getting the conversation rolling during a fall sports season orientation later this month.

“What we decided here at Lamoille was to emphasize the concept of choice and options,” Messier said, adding that the school had already ordered replacement white and blue uniforms due to usual wear and tear, particularly for soccer uniforms. “And then in contact with the VPA and the vendor, they suggested for a color match that black would probably go best with our present home and away uniforms.”

He said the conversation should always center around what the student athletes are most comfortable in, and now, they will at least have that choice.

“As I told one of my coaches, it just means it’s another set of shorts that we distribute in the beginning that they’ll have in their gear bags,” he said.

Stowe High School Athletic

Director Tim Albertson said that when he arrived five years ago, the girls’ soccer team began wearing only black shorts. The next goal: finding comfortable dark shorts for the girls’ basketball team to wear with their white tops.

Stowe’s girls’ soccer coach, Tyler Post, said he initially broached the topic with Albertson, recognizing that when it rains, white shorts can become see-through. Post said the conversation and decision to switch was a no-brainer.

“The girls fully supported doing that,” he said. “I don’t even know if any of them voiced being super uncomfortable about it, but we also realize, what’s the point if anyone even feels slightly uncomfortable about this?”

Champlain Valley Union High School is also replacing the shorts for the girls’ soccer and basketball team uniforms this year — girls on all the other teams, such as volleyball and Ultimate, already wear black bottoms.

Renee Breault, the school’s activities director, is one of a handful of women athletic directors in the state. Breault said both she and Tucker Pierson, the coach for the school’s field hockey and girls’ lacrosse teams, have been regular attendees at the VPA’s Girls and Equity meetings.

While she said some of the girls are skeptical of getting rid of the white shorts on their away uniforms — they’re worried about how it will look — Breault wants her students to feel comfortable in

FILE PHOTO

Merrill Jacobs drives the ball down court versus St. Johnsbury in March 2024.

FILE PHOTO

CVU’s Alexandra Montgomery makes a bucket from the lane in a winter 2024 game against the St. Johnsbury Hilltoppers.

continued from page 10

their bodies while they play. That goes for all athletes.

“We often have both males and females that might not be comfortable in the size uniform that is either left over for them or that’s available to them,” Breault said.

Sometimes it’s just the size, but it might also be the cut. For example, Breault said, wrestling singlets are often ordered in a cut that doesn’t take breasts into account. However, wrestling is growing in popularity among girls — Vermont this year is, for the first time, adding girls-only wrestling competitions.

According to Young, helping schools get rid of white shorts is just one piece of the puzzle.

“We can do this one thing, but then we really need to start teaching girls about their bodies,” Young said, pointing to the fact that most

sports research is focused solely on men.

She said, for example, girls and women are eight times more likely to have an ACL tear, but there isn’t any research into why. She wants girls to feel comfortable vocalizing to their coaches what might be going on with their bodies.

There’s also a cultural change that needs to happen, Young said. Along with reports about period anxiety, the VPA has also been getting reports from athletes about misogynist or homophobic remarks at games aimed at shaming girls’ bodies. While she’s been working with schools to address these things, there’s more progress to be made.

“We can’t keep putting girls out into environments where they’re battling so many different things, and who knows what the

rest of their day looks like, or the rest of their life looks like,” she said. “This is the one place that they’re supposed to go out and do the thing they love and enjoy it.”

Messier likened the shorts initiative to broader conversations about the culture within school sports, things like placing more emphasis on the socio-emotional health of student athletes and realizing the truth in the adage, “it’s OK to not be OK.”

“One thing I’m proud about, and I think every school works hard to do, is to provide our students and student athletes the ability to connect with at least one adult in the building,” he said. “And if they’re not comfortable with an adult, they’re often very comfortable with their peers, and that’s where the connections they have are so significant.”

FILE PHOTO

The Champlain Valley Union girls wear their home white uniforms in a soccer game against Essex last year.

SPORTS

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL DIVISION

Chittenden Unit

NORTHCOUNTRY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, ) ) Plainti , ) v. ) )

FRANKLIN J. DUNSHEE, and ) CHRISTINE M. DUNSHEE, et al., ) ) Defendants. )

NOTICE OF SALE

Docket No. 25-cv-00174

By virtue and in execution of the Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure by Judicial Sale dated May 5, 2026, for a breach of a Mortgage dated February 15, 2012, and recorded in the Hinesburg Town Clerk’s O ce on February 23, 2012 in Book 223, Pages 745-760 (the “Mortgaged Property ”); and for the purpose of foreclosing the same, the Mortgaged Property will be sold at public auction on September 22, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Mortgaged Property located at 358 Magee Hill Road, Hinesburg, more particularly described as follows:

Being all and the same land and premises conveyed to Franklin J. Dunshee and Christine M. Dunshee by Warranty Deed of Cynthia J. Dunshee f/k/a Cynthia R. Palmer and John N. Dunshee dated August 22, 2001 and recorded in Volume 133 at Pages 71-72 of the Town of Hinesburg Land Records.

Being a parcel of land, containing one acre, more or less, with all improvements thereon, commonly known and designated as 358 Magee Hill Road, Hinesburg, Vermont

TERMS OF SALE: The Mortgaged Property will be sold “AS IS WHERE IS” to the highest bidder for cash or wire funds only. The sale of the Mortgaged Property is subject to con rmation by the Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Unit, Civil Division. The Mortgaged Property will be sold subject to unpaid taxes, municipal assessments, and superior liens, if any.

The public sale may be adjourned one or more times for a total time not exceeding 30 days, without further court order, and without publication or service of a new notice of sale, by announcement of the new sale date to those present at each adjournment or by posting notice of the adjournment in a conspicuous place at the location of the sale. Notice of the new sale date shall also be sent by rst class mail, postage prepaid, to the mortgagors at the mortgagors’ last known address at least ve days before the new sale date.

Defendants Franklin J. Dunshee and Christine M. Dunshee are entitled to redeem the Mortgaged Property at any time prior to the sale by paying the full amount due under the Mortgage referenced above, including the costs and expenses of the sale.

MORTGAGED PROPERTY DEPOSIT: A non-refundable deposit for the Mortgaged Property in the amount of $10,000.00 shall be paid by the high bidder by cash, certi ed check or bank draft to NorthCountry Federal Credit Union, which shall hold the deposit until the closing. The balance of the purchase price for the Mortgaged Property shall be due and payable within the latter of 10 days from the date of con rmation of said sale by the Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Unit, Civil Division, or 45 days from the date of public auction. If the balance of the purchase price for the Mortgaged Property is not paid within the period set forth herein, the deposit shall be forfeited and shall be retained by Plainti herein as agreed liquidation damages and the Mortgaged Property may be o ered to the next highest bidder still interested in the Mortgaged Property.

PURCHASE AND SALE CONTRACT: The high bidder for the Mortgaged Property shall be required to sign a no contingency contract of Purchase and Sale at the public auction, agreeing to purchase the Mortgaged Property in its “AS IS WHERE IS” condition, as a result of being the successful and high bidder at the sale.

OTHER TERMS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT SALE: Inquiries can be made to Melissa Jewett at NorthCountry Federal Credit Union, 69 Swift Street, South Burlington, Vermont, 05403, (802) 264-6752.

Dated: July 30, 2026.

NORTHCOUNTRY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

By: /s/ Alexandra E. Edelman

Alexandra E. Edelman, Esq.

Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC

30 Main Street, Suite 500

P.O. Box 1489

Burlington, VT 05602-1489

(802) 864-0880

aedelman@primmer.com

Summer track team earns silver at states

The Champlain Valley Summer Youth Track Program finished its season with a second-place team finish at the Vermont Recreation & Parks Association State Track & Field Championships, held July 18 at St. Johnsbury Academy.

More than 110 area athletes participated in this summer’s program, with approximately 40 athletes participating in the state meet. Most of them came from Hinesburg,

Charlotte, Shelburne and Williston.

Athletes scored points in nearly every discipline, including sprints, middle- and long-distance races, hurdles, jumps and throwing events.

The team captured eight individual state championships, 13 runner-up finishes and

COURTESY PHOTO

Oliver Powden participates in long jump for the Champlain Valley summer track team.

COURTESY PHOTO

Runners race down the track during the summer track state championships last month in St. Johnsbury.

zen center yard sale

continued from page 2

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

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

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

RABIES BAIT

continued from page 2

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

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

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

PLEASANT VALLEY, INC.

So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont have tested positive for rabies, and 14 of those have been raccoons. According to wildlife officials, rabid animals often show a change in their normal behavior, but you cannot tell whether an animal has rabies simply by looking at it. People should not touch or pick up wild animals or strays – even baby animals.

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.

209 Falls Road, Shelburne, VT (802) 985-3370

SHELBURNE DAY continued from page 4 face burne-Hinesburg head the Golf depending land. Rotary’s

Shelburne Historical Society will have a display and president Dorothea Penar will lead a cemetery tour at 1 p.m. Food vendors round out the event with everything from coffee and lemonade to burgers and creemees. Kids will enjoy meeting animals from Shelburne Farms, craft projects, and

Shelburne display lead dors from creemees.

numerous additional top six finishes across all age divisions.

Individual state titles went to Oakley Thomas (50 meters, boys 7-8), Addie Powden (80-meter hurdles, girls 11-12) and Matthew Ritchie (discus, boys 13-15).

Standout performances included double event champions Paige Buckle (100 and 200 meters, girls 7-8); Rory Dolbec (400 and 800 meters, boys 9-10); and Lily Ellen Wilfong Vo (800 and 1,600 meters, girls 13-15).

The team’s success extended beyond individual events. All five Champlain Valley relay teams earned top six finishes.

“The second-place standing is something we’re incredibly proud of, but what stands out even more is the culture these athletes have created,” program director Catherine Moller said. “They cheer for one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and support teammates at every event. Watching them grow as athletes and as leaders throughout the summer is the greatest reward.”

Complete state meet results are

listed below.

• Boys 7-8: Oakley Thomas, 1st, 50 meters; 2nd, 100 meters.

• Girls 7-8: Paige Buckle, 1st, 100 meters, and 1st, 200 meters; Amelia Ouellette, 3rd, 800 meters, 4th, 200 meters, and 4th, long jump; and Karina Haines, 3rd, long jump.

• Boys 9-10: Oliver Powden, 6th, 200 meters; Rory Dolbec, 1st, 400 meters, and 1st, 800 meters; Walter Burris, 2nd, 400 meters, and 2nd, 800 meters; Julian St. Peter, 2nd, discus, and 5th, 800 meters; George Geeslin, 6th, long jump.

• Girls 9-10: Pippa Escorpizo, 3rd, 800 meters, 3rd, long jump; and 4th, 100 meters; Abigail Zaikowski, 2nd, softball throw; and Aida Camp, 2nd, 400 meters.

• Boys 11-12: August Chevalier, 2nd, 100 meters, and 2nd, 200 meters; Jay Geeslin, 6th, 400 meters; Roman Strayer-Benton, 2nd, 800 meters, and 5th, discus; and Alex Haines, 2nd, shot put, and 2nd, discus.

• Girls 11-12: Mattie Santoro, 5th, long jump; Danica Moller, 3rd,

thecitizenvt.com

800 meters, and 5th, high jump; Addie Powden, 1st, 80-meter hurdles, and 4th, discus; Caera Crosby, 2nd, 80-meter hurdles, and 2nd, 100 meters; Anna Clauss, 2nd, 400 meters, and 2nd, 800 meters; Iris Tallman, 5th, 400 meters; and Rayah Palmer, 6th, 100 meters, and 6th, 200 meters.

• Boys 13-15: Matthew Ritchie, 1st, discus; Eli Bursey, 3rd, high jump, 5th, discus, and 6th, 80-Meter hurdles.

• Girls 13-15: Rachel Torrey, 4th, discus, and 5th, shot put; Lily Ellen Wilfong Vo, 1st, 800 meters, 1st, 1,600 meters, and 3rd, high jump.

FOR RENT

LAKE CHAMPLAIN

COTTAGE FOR RENT:

3 miles north of basin harbor. 5 bedroom, private, end of road. Cement dock and mooring. Air conditioning and new mattresses. No pets. $3,800 per week. Avalalbe Aug. 15 and beyond. Contact Brian. 802-373-9861. Inquires for next year accepted.

FOR SALE

2019 FORD F250 XL:

Super Duty Crew Cab 6 3/4 bed. Snowplow ready. $40,000 OBO. Call (802) 999-5767.