The Other Paper - 5-4-23

VSO conductor bids farewell Orchestra pays tribute on May 6 Page 8

Airport renamed for Sen. Leahy Burlington City Council approves name change

Page 11

the South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977

SoBu regs would require solar on new construction

Rules to affect commercial buildings

New land use regulations under consideration with the South Burlington City Council would mandate the installation of solar photovoltaic systems in new commercial buildings and some new residential buildings.

As part of a new provision

in the city’s commercial building energy standards, any new commercial building, or residential building with more than four or more stories, would be required to generate some of the building’s energy through solar. The amendment was passed unanimously by

See REGULATIONS on page 20

‘April Stools Day’ has debut scooping in SoBu

ise Lundeen headed out of the dog park.

“I got some good ones!”

On Saturday morning, a half-dozen volunteers with plastic bags, bright-colored buckets and claw-like scoopers scanned Wheeler Dog Park for dog waste, toy scraps and other garbage for an April Stools Day cleanup event.

“How’d you make out?” shouted Betty Milizia, chair of the South Burlington committee on common areas for dogs, as volunteer Annal-

Lundeen replied, lugging her poop-filled bucket to a trash bin. Lundeen, a Hinesburg resident, agreed to help clean up the park when she brought her Catahoula leopard dog and Boston terrier to Wheeler Park to play that morning, as she does every day. The park

See DOG PARK on page 23

KAYLYN BILLS COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE

PHOTO BY MIKE DEAN

Mike Dean took this photo of a cardinal in South Burlington on April 24 searching through the leaves for a snack.

Bird is the word

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

Bill would bar towns from capping hotel housing for homeless

CIARA MCENEANY COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE

This legislative session’s major housing bill drew a lot of attention last month for its impact on Act 250 reform and single-family zoning. However, housing advocates also see the bill as a chance to protect people who would otherwise be homeless — by telling towns they can’t prevent hotels from renting rooms to those in a state emergency assistance program.

The “Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone” — or HOME — bill would also prohibit municipalities from interfering with efforts to set up emergency shelters. The measure overwhelmingly passed the Senate last month and has been widely supported by housing groups looking to address the state’s housing crisis.

Vermont has a shortage of 40,000 housing units, the second-highest homelessness rate in the country and the lowest vacancy rate in the country, according to Anne Sosin, interim director for the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition.

“Vermonters are entering homelessness faster than they’re exiting it, and we are concerned that these numbers will only continue to grow as pandemic supports come to an end this year,” said Sosin.

Since the start of the COVID19 pandemic in 2020, motels and hotels have been providing housing for 1,800 households through the state’s emergency general

assistance program, people who would otherwise be homeless, according to Alison Calderara, chief of programs and advancement for Capstone Community Action.

“Hotels play a critical role in sheltering Vermonters experiencing homelessness,” said Sosin. “More than 80 percent of Vermonters experiencing homelessness are in shelters and motels. There’s a critical gap in that motel shelter capacity.”

Emergency shelters across the state have provided resources and housing in the last few years too, but proposed shelters in the past have been shot down by restrictive zoning rules or outright bans in some communities.

“We have heard of examples around the state where emergency shelters have not moved forward because there have been barriers for zoning and permitting,” said Katarina Lisaius, senior advisor to the commissioner for the Department for Children and Families.

“The idea of not limiting the language for emergency shelters in S.100 is to not have zoning and permitting limit the viability of a shelter in hours or seasonality.”

Groups that work with Vermonters struggling to find housing also worry about the July 1 ramp down of the Emergency General Assistance Program, the pandemic-era policy that is funding stays in hotels and motels.

In recognition of National Library Week — which ran from April 23-29 — volunteer leaders of the South Burlington Library Foundation presented their final installment of $50,000 to South Burlington city manager Jessie Baker on April 26.

This donation marks completion of the organization’s pledge to contribute at least $400,000 to the city toward the design, construction and outfitting of a new South Burlington Public Library. With this contribution, the foundation has donated $418,644 in cash and

in-kind contributions towards the new library, exceeding their original goal.

These funds were raised through the capital campaign dedicated to enhancing spaces, collections and technology for the new library.

Through the donations of hundreds of individuals, families and businesses and the work of countless volunteers, overall, the foundation raised $1 million for the library.

Additionally, the foundation acknowledges the visionary bequest of Paul Blanchette toward a new library for South Burlington. At the time that library trustees gave the Blanchette Fund to the city, it was valued at $435,000, funds critical to the construction of the library. Combined, the capital campaign and the Blanchette Fund provided more than $850,000 to the city to support the new library. Remaining funds will continue to support the library as needs arise, updating technology, developing programs and continuing to build connections in the community.

The South Burlington Library Foundation has supported the design, construction and collection needs of the new library.

PHOTO COURTESY SOUTH BURLINGTON LIBRARY FOUNDATION

South Burlington Library Foundation Board president Stacey Pape presents a $50,000 check to South Burlington city manager Jess Baker, flanked by library foundation volunteers Jay Pasackow, library director Jennifer Murray, Ted Lenski, John Killacky and Nancy Simson.

An Open Letter to

our

Valued Members, Customers, and All Vermonters:

For more than 40 years, our nonprofit health plan has had a simple, powerful mission: make health care work better for all Vermonters. To fulfill that mission far into the future and better respond to rapid changes in health care, we plan to affiliate with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to best meet the needs of Vermonters.

We will remain a local, financially independent organization. Affiliating with a fellow nonprofit Blue Cross plan will allow us to share resources and expertise, reduce the cost of future investments in technology and operations, and provide innovative benefit programs and enhanced services. Making these necessary investments, at the scale and speed required, would simply not be feasible on our own without increasing pressure on premiums.

We arrived at this decision through a rigorous evaluation of our options. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is an industry leader in developing new technology and innovative products that directly benefit members. Our member-first philosophies and commitment to local values and leadership are keystones of our decision to affiliate. Our organizations have a history of successful collaboration. We share a claims processing system to streamline administration and partnered to launch Vermont Blue Advantage for Medicare beneficiaries.

While this affiliation has many clear benefits, there are very important things that won’t change:

• We will remain a Vermont organization, keeping our name and Berlin headquarters.

• Our local leaders and more than 400 employees will continue serving our neighbors.

• Members and customers will experience the same excellent health coverage, and our local relationships and extensive network of providers will remain in place.

• All premiums, financial reserves, and health care decisions will remain in Vermont.

• The grants and investments we make to support local organizations, charities, and our state’s public health initiatives will continue to be as strong as ever.

Looking forward, this affiliation creates a clear path to serve Vermonters with greater strength, stability, and innovation. As we work with local leaders and regulators through this process, we want to keep you informed. We invite you to visit www.BlueCrossVT.org/Together for more details.

Sincerely,

Don George

President & CEO

CRIME & COURTS

SoBu man stays in jail in gun case tied to shooting

MIKE DONOGHUE CORRESPONDENT

A South Burlington man who is charged with illegally buying two handguns — one of which was used less than 24 hours later by a suspected drug dealer in a double homicide shootout in Springfield, Mass. — will remain in prison as he awaits a possible trial.

Cameron Yee, 22, of Dover Street in South Burlington had asked to be released on conditions, but a fight in the prison the night before his hearing appeared to derail his request for freedom.

Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle said he was dismayed that Yee reportedly was involved in an assault on another inmate just hours before he was due at a hearing seeking his release.

Yee, who attended South Burlington schools, was returned to the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans Town.

Yee was charged in November 2022 with making false statement during the purchase of a .40-caliber Glock at Dattilio’s Guns & Tackle on Shelburne Road in South Burlington on Oct. 11, officials said.

The .40-caliber Glock was used the next morning by Andre “Jay” Yarns Jr., 32, of Springfield, Mass., in a shootout, records show.

Justice Kirkland, 32, also of Springfield, died at the scene when city police arrived about 4:10 a.m. on Oct. 12, officials said.

Yarns was later pronounced dead at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

Yee was set to be freed last December after his defense attorney and prosecutors agreed to release him on conditions. But prosecutors filed a new motion to detain Yee two months later after he tested positive for illicit substances, court records show. His release was revoked after he was caught partying with his father at a bar and using cocaine and alcohol, the prosecution said.

A new release plan was developed that would have addressed both Yee’s substance abuse issues and the safety of the community, according to court records.

An April motion for his release included Yee being admitted to Serenity House in Wallingford for residential substance abuse treatment and, once discharged, moving in with his older sister in South

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Burlington, records indicate.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher argued that the recent assault report showed Yee should be kept in jail.

Winooski Police arrested Yee last November on the aggravated domestic assault charge stemming from a claim by his ex-girlfriend that he strangled her throat, court records maintain.

Officer Nathan March said police responded to an apartment on Allen Street for a domestic complaint about 9:35 p.m. The woman was having trouble catching her breath and said Yee had choked her.

The double homicide in Springfield apparently happened when Yarns and Kirkland fired at each other through an apartment door,

authorities said. Springfield Police said the victims were known to law enforcement and the shooting was targeted.

While dealing with the store clerk at Dattilio’s, Yee maintained both verbally and on a written purchase form that the handgun was intended for him, but Yee knew he had been provided $2,000 by a disqualified person to buy two handguns, court records show.

Yee has pleaded not guilty to a single felony gun charge.

The whereabouts of the second firearm bought by Yee, believed to be a 9-mm handgun, was not immediately known, officials said. Yee claimed to police the gun had been stolen.

Police maintain Yee admitted he had been given $2,000 to purchase

South Burlingon Police Blotter

two handguns by a person he knew as “Jay,” with the understanding that Jay would receive the .40-caliber handgun, records show.

Telephone records confirm Yee and Yarns had been in regular communication in the days before Yee’s purchase of the Glock. Yarns was not able to legally purchase a firearm due to his criminal history, including an out-of-state domestic assault conviction, records show.

If convicted on the gun charge, Yee faces up to 10 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Vermont and Massachusetts, and city police in both South Burlington and Springfield, Mass. worked together on the case.

Agency / public assists: 29

Suspicious event: 18

Traffic stop: 11

Alarm: 11

Motor vehicle complaint: 10

Welfare check: 9

Accident: property damage: 9

Retail theft: 8

Trespass: 7

Animal problem: 6

Stolen vehicle: 5

Disturbance: 5

Total incidents: 203

Arrests:

April 20 at 12:50 p.m., James Larry Stephens, 61, of Shelburne, was arrested for violating an abuse prevention order on Dorset Street.

April 24 at 9:39 a.m., David A. Morrison, 30, of Burlington, was arrested for felony unlawful mischief, grand larceny and burglary on Commerce Avenue.

April 24 at 9:39 a.m., Shauna J. Francis, 32, of Burlington, was arrested for felony unlawful mischief, grand larceny and burglary on Commerce Avenue.

April 24 at 5:51 p.m., Monique L. Lafountaine, 38, of Williston, was arrested for violating an abuse prevention order on Shelburne Road.

April 24 at 9:23 p.m., Danny J. Mcguire, 53, of South Burlington, was arrested for first-degree aggravated domestic assault on Obrien Drive.

April 27 at 10:48 a.m., Joshua A. Tripp, of Burlington, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Shelburne Road.

April 27 at 10:11 p.m., Emily S.

Coburn, 54, of South Burlington, was arrested for driving with a criminally suspended license on Shelburne Road.

April 28 at 11:57 a.m., Brooks S. Stotesbury, 40, of Morrisville, was arrested for disorderly conduct and simple assault on Dorset Street.

April 28 at 7:10 p.m., Teilya M. Brunet, 34, of South Burlington, was arrested for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct on Logwood Street.

April 29 at 2:22 a.m., Jon Pierre Gaston, 50, of Baltimore, Md., was arrested for first-degree aggravated domestic assault on Shelburne Road.

April 29 at 10:17 a.m., Jeremy Matthew Peatman, 41, of Barre, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Shelburne Road.

Top incidents:

April 24 at 6:12 a.m., police were called out for a mental health issue on Butler Drive.

April 24 at 9:39 a.m., a burglary was investigated on Commerce Avenue.

April 25 at 5:26 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from Garden Street. The case is pending.

April 25 at 7:34 a.m., another vehicle, this one on IDX Drive, was reported stolen.

April 25 at 12:20 p.m., police issued a trespass notice to someone on Dorset Street.

April 25 at 4:46 p.m., a vehicle was stolen on Shelburne Road. Police are investigating.

April 25 at 8:02 p.m., a larceny is being investigated on Dorset

Street.

April 26 at 9:44 a.m., police were called to a domestic disturbance on Quarry Hill Road.

April 26 at 12:46 p.m., a car accident on Dorset Street resulted in property damage.

April 26 at 5:45 p.m., someone left the scene of an accident at White Street and Patchen Road.

April 27 at 5:26 p.m., threats made from Gregory Drive are being investigated.

April 27 at 8:33 p.m., a car accident on Shelburne Road resulted in injury.

April 28 at 10:04 a.m., a report of an overdose on Hinesburg Road.

April 28 at 4 p.m., a report of fraud on Hayes Avenue is being investigated.

April 28 at 7:15 p.m., suspicious activity is being investigated on Shelburne Road.

April 28 at 7:24 p.m., police were called to more suspicious activity, this time on Olde Orchard Park. The matter is pending.

April 29 at 11:36 a.m., a suspicious event on Market Street is under investigation.

April 29 at 1:40 p.m., a domestic incident was investigated on Dorset Street.

April 30 at 3:23 a.m., police are investigating a report of driving under the influence on Interstate 89 near the Winooski Bridge.

April 30 at 11:44 a.m., another stolen vehicle, this time on Dorset Street. The matter is pending.

April 30 at 3:05 p.m., police performed a needle pickup on Williston Road.

House education committee tackles public child care

From the House Rep. Brian Minier

One of the biggest bills the House Committee on Education has considered is S.56, which is meant to address current shortfalls in child care and pre-kindergarten. Time after time this past year, this issue consistently arose as one of our constituents’ greatest priorities. The contents and structure of the bill were informed by Act 45 of 2021, which declared that families should not pay more than 10 percent of their household income on child care, and which advocated for fair pay for early childhood educators.

At this time of year, with approximately two weeks left in the legislative session, bills are moving quickly from committee to committee and chamber to chamber and are in a state of flux. Our committee voted out S.56 last week, whereupon it was taken up by House Committee on Ways and Means. I’d like to describe some of the big issues still at stake with this legislation. First, initial versions of this bill proposed doing away with the child tax credit as a means of partially paying for greater subsidies and expansion of service. There is every likelihood that this provision will be revisited in ways and means.

Second, the bill as currently structured envisions opening full-school-day, full school-year pre-K to all 4-year-olds, with 3-year-olds being served by child care. However, our committee received a great

deal of testimony about the pedagogical benefits of serving these ages together. There has also been concern about what providing universal pre-K through the public school system might mean for private providers, but the testimony we have heard, in particular from the Windsor Central Supervisory Union, suggests the relationship is actually symbiotic. They have been providing pre-K to 3- and 4-year-olds in the public school system and no private providers have closed.

Last, we heard pleas for public school administrators that we do not mandate universal pre-K at first, but rather incentivize it by changing the pupil weighting for 4-year-olds. Currently they are weighted approximately half as much as kindergarten through grade five students, meaning that providers are not being reimbursed for the full cost of educating the youngest learners.

The other large issue I’d like to address, and this is also one that is still being debated, is whether there ought to be a pause in the testing of PCBs in schools. PCBs are chemicals that were used in common construction materials like caulk and paint until 1979 but were later banned due to correlation with health risks. The discovery of very high levels of PCBs at Burlington High School has prompted a statewide assessment of school facilities.

Vermont is the first state in the nation to conduct such an assessment. According to the last information I am privy to, approximately 50 of a total of about 300 facilities have been assessed, with seven requiring some form of action. At this point, money set aside for testing and abatement looks to be insufficient. To call the current approach to testing for and remediating PCBs in schools problematic is an understatement.

First, let’s consider the Vermont Department of Health’s approach to calculating acceptable levels. Rather than using average exposure levels like the EPA, the health department uses maximum levels for hours per day, days per year, and years worked. Second, per the its own materials, the main variable in their calculation has a level of uncertainty “spanning perhaps an order of magnitude.”

Last, and perhaps most important, the Vermont Department of Health model estimates likely exposure from other sources — your house, diet and broader environment — and then calculates the level of PCBs in school air that will keep the total noncancer dose at a level they deem acceptable. All the onus is put on schools, even though other sources may well be contributing more to total risk.

the number of facilities we have, the low levels deemed acceptable, and the rate of positives coming in there is likely at least one more Burlington out there and possibly more.

day, full school-year pre-K to all 4-year-olds, with 3-year-olds being served by child care.

Apart from the cost, what if this happens in a place without an empty mall to move into? We are in the process of trying to resuscitate a state-level school construction entity. To do remediation now — remediation that may not even be necessary — on facilities that may need major renovations or even be tear-downs in the very near future is a huge waste of money. Having seen remote learning during the height of the pandemic, I would absolutely prefer my kid stay in person in an untested facility until there has been time to reassess action levels and to stand up the state-level construction program.

Second, let’s turn to the problems with not pausing testing. There is almost no chance the money currently set aside will cover either testing or remediation. With

Brian Minier, a Democrat, represents South Burlington in the Chittenden-11 House district.

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Rep. Brian Minier

The bill as currently structured envisions opening full-school-

‘Extra, extra’ adjectives deluge modern life

In Musing

Carole Vasta Folley

I am a human being conditioned to want extra. I’m hooked on it. Extra cream in my coffee? Extra cheese on my pizza? Extra pickles on my sandwich? Or the very apex of extraness, extra crispy fries? Yes, please!

More, more, more. I mean, extra must be better than no extra, right?

Case in point, you can now buy “Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Flavor Blasted” with “an extra sprinkle of oomph.” Who wouldn’t want extra oomph? Or if you prefer your snack not resembling marine-life, buy “Cheez-It Extra Cheesy Cheese Crackers.” Not only will you get extra cheese, but cheesy-cheese. How extra is that? Personally, I never thought to describe cheese as cheesy, but you better believe me, the next time I’m in the supermarket I’ll be on the lookout for meaty meat, milky milk, and fishy fish. OK, maybe not that last one.

Let’s face it, I use extra virgin olive oil every day — without smirking. You’d think the “extra virgin” status came from some sovereign papacy, but no. It’s called extra virgin because it’s made from pure, first-pressed olives. Judged “preferred and of the highest quality,” I blanch at the inference. Number one, is there any such thing as more virgin? And number two, I feel bad for the un-pure olive that may have been pressed more than

once. Let’s not shame the olive, people.

The Wrigley Company blew past any attempt at nuance and simply named their entire product “Extra.” You know, just in case us dumb-dumbs, namely me, missed the ultra-potential of their gum. But really, what do you expect from a company who came up with “Hubba Bubba?”

Hygiene products are another area rife with extras. Extra-fresh toothpaste, extra-body shampoo, and extrastrength lotion to name a few. I actually buy extrasmooth razors. Why select the “extra-rough” ones? That’d be like pooh-poohing extra-soft toilet paper for the cheap stuff, as if someone would want to sandpaper their privates.

After all, there are times when extra is eminently better, like “Double Stuf Oreos.” Why in heaven’s name do they even sell the regular ones? Oh, I know, my husband likes them. But he’s the kind of guy who considers half an apple dessert, so really, does his opinion count?

Sorry to inform you there’s no double the stuff in “Double Stuf.”

According to a news-breaking, no-kidding, study, these supposedly twice-stuffed cookies contain only 1.86 times the creme as the original. A whopping 7 percent less than expected. Oh, the shame of it all. Perhaps to make amends, the company created “Mega Stuf Oreos” and “The Most Stuf Oreos.”

Even I, a connoisseur of extra, think that’s a filling too far. Besides, with all this “extra” business going on at Nabisco,

you’d think they’d get some extra f’s so they could spell stuff correctly.

Appliances are also in on this extra craze. My dishwasher offers “Extra Heat,” my washing machine, “Extra Spin.” Absurdly, Maytag currently sells a washer with comically giant “Extra Power” button. Seriously, are our clothes dirtier today than 10 years ago? Besides, if I get that washer, I’ll have to buy their accompa-

nying “Extra Power” dryer. How else to dry my extra-washed clothes?

All these extra options probably came from boardrooms where wheeler-dealers conspired to concoct more and more bells and whistles in order to sell more and more products. These marketing and design wizards know what they’re up to. Of course, I’m going to use the extra “A Bit More” button on my toaster.

Later, I’ll chomp on my burnt toast not even noticing the ridiculousness of it all.

Even our own lovely state produces the finest, and my extra-favorite, extra-sharp cheddar. Do not ask me to give that up. It’s the cheesiest-cheesy-cheese there is.

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

Trapping debate hinges upon emotions and fears, not facts

Guest Perspective

Ray Gonda

Vermont bill S.111 has been proposed to outlaw trapping of furbearing animals by citizens and to allow only paid professionals to trap — raising costs for everyone.

The only benefit to anyone of such restrictions might be the assuaging of sensibilities of some emotionally hypersensitive but determined persons in our society, who, unfortunately, would then go on to attempt to outlaw hunting. This would come at the expense of trapping — a well-regulated, accepted and well-grounded scientific practice. It is also an important cultural mainstay for many rural people. Similarly, to the present-day culture wars that the predominantly rural political right wing has been promulgating, the urban

left wing is now equally culpable for a culture war against rural people. Seven of 25 cosponsors of a corresponding House bill are from Burlington.

This demonstrates that the merits of this bill constitute more of a cultural conflict rather than an animal welfare proposal. It may also constitute tit-for-tat political revenge since urban areas tend to liberalism and rural areas to conservativism.

Enjoyment of wildlife and the outdoors has been central to my life. I obtained my inspiration and love of wildlife largely because of having hunted, trapped and fished during my youth. I still hunt and fish.

These outdoor activities and experiences, especially trapping, educate by giving an understanding of wildlife that even many game biologists often do not acquire — except from trappers — to the betterment of wildlife

management. Such experiences lead trappers to care about and protect wildlife — not so much individual animals as assuring that sufficient populations of all animals continue to flourish — for their own sake.

Trapping requires persistence. It is character-building, par excellence, and is especially important to rural youth. Trapping is essentially self-educational, but it requires state-mandated education and certification as a start.

Trapping teaches entrepreneurship and investment by requiring preseason scouting, purchasing of perhaps 10 traps, seeking landowners’ permission to trap, planning the trap line and arranging each trap-set for a specific target species. Following that, it requires maintaining the trapline by checking traps every day, collecting the animals caught and resetting traps, if needed, while perhaps walking miles over often untrodden terrain. This commitment in the face of multiple kinds of hardships in all kinds of weather builds competency.

Trapping teaches youth dependability in maintaining the traps, keeping them clean and odor-free, taking the successful catch home, skinning their pelts, cleaning them, curing them, storing them properly and caring for them for months, all the while endeavoring, if a student, to get one’s schoolwork done each evening.

Finally, the furs must be marketed by finding a fur buyer. If the season was financially successful, perhaps more traps will follow the next season.

Walking out the door every morning or evening to “run the trapline” leads to acquiring a deep knowledge of wildlife

Carole Vasta Folley

Lies cost Fox News $787.5 million

To the Editor: When we recently heard proof of Fox News misleading viewers so they won’t flee to other networks, you may have considered switching from Fox to news outlets that are committed to practicing journalistic integrity. Switching channels would enable you and the politicians you vote for to reject misinformation and disinformation and to be informed enough to help solve the mounting problems our country is facing.

GONDA

continued from page 6

behavior, wildlife travel pathways and habitat needs, wildlife interrelationships and related landscape features — key attributes of conservationists.

The result of all this is a rare and valuable knowledge and skill set otherwise unattainable in an increasingly urban society.

If it is a joint venture with one’s father or grandfather, it builds strong permanent kinship bonding.

Animal rights activists nonsensically claim that hunting and trapping diminish wildlife populations. Wildlife management is exactly what helps maintain stable sustainable populations of species.

Animal rights activists claim killing is immoral. If it were immoral, we would not kill sheep, cows and goats for food, or rats and mice as pests. We would avoid killing mosquitos, would not spray lawns with insecticide and we would avoid stepping on ants as we walked about, as the Jain religion adherents do. A line cannot be drawn at furbearers just to suit one’s position.

Animal rights activists also claim that trapping animals is immoral because of the perceived torture of the animals caught. No heed is paid to the tens of thousands of dollars poured into designing foothold traps to be

Letters to the Editor

Fox News is required to pay $787.5 million because of the Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit related to the lies Fox had told its viewers. Those election-related lies continue to harm democracy and societal well-being.

Of course, it’s OK for people to disagree about policies — that can lead to better policies. However, productive discussions require a common acceptance of factual details and context. They also require us to have the strength to feel and move through the discomfort that can arise when we hear

South Burlington School District

truths we don’t like. Our democracy cannot afford to have voters continue to reject excellent news sources that tell unpleasant truths about politicians and ideas we hold dear. Partisan and algorithm-based news media may soothe our egos, but democracy and our future depend on being strong enough to seek, learn and act on the truth that is reported by news sources that don’t sacrifice journalistic integrity for profits.

Marcy Murray South Burlington

HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENTS

Each year the South Burlington School District must inform home-schooled families and non-profit, non-public schools in South Burlington what supports are available for any student who may have a disability. If you are a parent of a home-schooled student and would like this information, please email the district at kromick@sbschools.net

“BUILDING A PROUD TRADITION”

relatively painless to animals caught in them.

Biologists and zoologists use foot traps in many instances to capture animals for research purposes and to restore some endangered species. That is testimony to the experience of the caught animals that are normally released unharmed later. Foothold traps are used because of their high success rates of capture

detail all their imagined tortures and horrors that trappers deliberately and maliciously visit on wild animals. They go to great lengths to tarnish the image of outdoor sports and outdoor traditions. They do their best to smear Vermont’s fish and wildlife agencies, governing boards and wildlife officials.

Thus, people unfamiliar with hunting and trapping are easily misled.

It is patently obvious that the end game of animal rights activists is to eliminate both hunting and trapping. However, given the strength and numbers of hunters, they perceive trapping to be an easier target — even though it is

SPRING OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, May 7th

Biologists and zoologists use foot traps in many instances to capture animals for research purposes and to restore some endangered species.

Community Notes

South Burlington holds Green Up Day

The warm weather has revealed the leftover scraps the winter winds have blown around and collected along roadsides, brooks, woods, and fences.

Join the statewide clean-up effort by participating in Green Up Day on Saturday, May 6. All South Burlington residents and business owners are invited to be part of this annual tradition. Green Up Day Bags are at the city clerk’s office at 180 Market St., Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. You will be asked to identify yourself or your group, how many bags you intend to fill and the location of where you hope to clean up.

Drop off filled bags on Saturday, May 6, at the South Burlington School District office parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be folks on site to help.

Contact hrees@southburlingtonvt.gov for more information and how to get involved.

SoBu chorus presents Liebeslieder waltzes

The South Burlington Community Chorus presents its spring concert with director Erik Kroncke on Saturday, May 6, 7:30 p.m., at

the McCarthy Arts Recital Hall at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester.

The program will include selections from the Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes with four-hand piano accompaniment — two pianists at the same piano. The pianists are well-known Vermont artists Mary Jane Austin and Alison Cerutti. The chorus will sing in the original German.

The lyrics for the Liebeslieder come from Georg Friedrich Daumer’s “Polydora,” a collection of folk songs and love poems and will be sung in the original German. The chorus will also be performing a selection of pieces from Randall Thompson’s Frostiana Collection — Robert Frost poems set to music.

Tickets are $10 and those under 18 get in free. For tickets or information, go to sbchorusvt.org.

Pierson hosts evening of music, prose, poems

On Wednesday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m., enjoy Music and Poetry with Jane Kittredge, a chamber concert where composition meets exposition, at Shelburne’s Pierson Library town hall.

VSO conductor bids farewell

Jaime Laredo, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director for the past 20 years, returns to the Flynn in Burlington on Saturday, May 6, to conduct his farewell concert.

Originally scheduled for 2020, this program features longtime friends of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, violin soloist Bella Hristova and composer David Ludwig,

in an evening of music selected by Laredo to celebrate his tenure with the orchestra.

“It’s a bittersweet moment in time. I’m very sad that I have left the orchestra, and I’m very excited for the orchestra. It will always be part of my family,” he said.

The concert begins with the very first piece Jaime Laredo ever conducted with the orchestra, the poignant “Lyric for Strings” by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer George Walker. Violinist Hristova then joins the symphony to perform “Saturn Bells,” a planetary science-inspired work written by Ludwig, her husband.

“Jaime has been the greatest mentor, role model and friend David and I could have possibly imagined in our lives,” Hristova said. “He is not only one of the greatest musicians I know, but one of the greatest people, and he builds love and community everywhere he goes.”

“The concert on May 6 will be a fitting tribute to a wonderful and talented friend and artistic leader,” Vermont Symphony Orchestra executive director Elise Brunelle said. “Vermont is coming together with musical accolades for someone who has been generous, inspiring and deeply loved by all.”

SELF LOVE

Whether you’re considering clear aligners, retainers or today’s braces, an orthodontist is the smart choice. They have 2 to 3 years of education beyond dental school. So they’re experts at helping you get a great smile—that feels great, too.

COURTESY PHOTO

Jaime Laredo

180 Market St., South Burlington 802-846-4140 • southburlingtonlibrary. org for information about any programming, cancellations or in-person changes. Some events may change from in-person to virtual. Some events require preregistration.

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Email sbplinfo@southburlingtonvt.gov.

ADULTS

VSO: violin masterclass with Bella Hristova

Thursday, May 4, 4:30-6 p.m.

Join violin soloist Bella Hristova for a free public masterclass where three young, aspiring violin students from local high schools play and receive instruction on musical techniques and performance. Free, but register in advance. Masterclass presented in partnership with Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival.

Cookbook club: ‘My Vermont Table’

Tuesday, May 4, 5:30-7 p.m.

Choose a recipe to prepare, get a free photocopy and sign up to share your cooking with the rest of the group. This month’s selection is Gesine Bullock-Prado’s “My Vermont Table.”

Tech help

Fridays, May 5 and 19, 10 a.m.-noon

The first and third Friday of every month in the digital lab for 1:1 assistance and to learn new skills.

Make and take for adults

Saturday, May 6, 1-2 pm.

Make a felt toy pizza for your kid’s creative play. Crafters learn how to create a felt pizza complete with customizable toppings. Your pizza creation will be best for children ages 3 and up. Adults welcome, but due to the nature of hot glue guns and scissors children should not attend. All materials included. Register at 802-9235535 or sbplprograms@southburlingtonvt. gov.

English conversation circle

Mondays, May 8 and 22, noon-1 p.m.

English as a Second Language discussion group, facilitated by an experienced instructor Louis Giancola.

Poetry group

Tuesdays, May 9 and 23, 11 a.m.-noon

Come share your poetry in a supportive, comfortable setting. Second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Drop-in tech help

Tuesday, May 9 and 23, 5-6:30 p.m.

Stop by the digital lab for 1:1 assistance and to learn new skills.

Morning book group

Thursday, May 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Discussion of “The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared” by Jonas Jonasson. Confined to a nursing home and about to turn 100, Allan Karlsson, who has a larger-than-life back

News from South Burlington Public Library

story as an explosives’ expert, climbs out of the window in his slippers and embarks on an unforgettable adventure involving thugs, a murderous elephant and a very friendly hot dog stand operator. Copies available to borrow. Both in-person and on Zoom.

Teen Advisory Board

Thursday, May 11, 4-5 p.m.

Want to have a say in what happens at the library? Looking for a place where your voice can be heard? Participants must be 13 to 18 years old.

Write Time

Friday, May 12 and 26, 1:15-2:45 p.m.

Write Time is an opportunity for new and experienced writers to discover and explore their unique resources with guidance and support from Mary Ann Fuller Young, a trained associate of Amherst Writers and Artists. Drop-in. Bring paper and writing tool of choice.

Board game brunch

Saturday, May 13, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Join Friendly Tabletop Gamers of Essex and Beyond in the digital lab and play some awesome games while meeting new people. This event is best suited for teens and adults over 18.

Hold America Together: Braver Angels

Saturday, May 13, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Do you find that communication breaks down over political disagreements with friends, family or neighbors? Then participate in an in-person skills-training workshop and learn practival insights and skills on how to bridge the political divide. Free.

Puzzle swap

Wednesday, May 17, 2:30-5 p.m.

Bring a puzzle you’ve already completed and leave with a new puzzle to put together. Bring any 250-plus-piece general adult puzzle(s) that you would like to trade during the event.

Bike maintenance for safe riding

Saturday, May 20, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Learn what safety checks to do on your bike, which things to keep tightened and how to lubricate others, plus how to check tires and derailleur. Ride your bike to the library but note that we will not be working on attendees’ bikes during this program. Appropriate for teens and adults.

Legislative forum

Monday, May 22, 6:30-8 p.m.

Join representatives Emilie Krasnow, Martin Lalonde, Kate Nugent, Noah Hyman and Brian Minier and Sen. Tom Chittenden to discuss what’s being debated in the Statehouse.

Small business speed mentoring

Tuesday, May 23, 4-6:30 p.m.

Break the 9-to-5 cycle and start your entrepreneurial journey at this free event. Sit down with SCORE Vermont mentors to get help you with your small business idea or ask specific questions about your small business. Free, but preregistration required. Register at score.org.

Evening book group

Thursday, May 25, 6-7 p.m. Discuss the novel “The Most Costly Journey.” In this graphic memoir, 19 migrant workers tell their stories in their own words. Illustrated by New England cartoonists in a variety of styles, each short chapter describes aspects of life as an immigrant farm worker in Vermont: crossing the southern border, struggling with English, adapting to winter, growing gardens, raising children, dealing with health crises, and working long hours. Copies of the book at the library. Both in-person and on Zoom.

KIDS & TEENS

Toddlertime

Every Tuesday Sessions at 9:15-9:45 a.m. and 10:30-11 a.m. Short stories and familiar songs, rhymes and fingerplays, with time to wiggle and dance. For ages 1 to 3 with an adult caregiver.

Craftytown

Tuesdays in May, 3-4:30 p.m. Free projects geared to kids ages 8 and up or 6 and up with an adult. May 2: dancing hare. May 9: peas in a pod. May 16: tissue paper painting. May 23: nesting bird collage. May 30: clay imprint plaque.

Babytime

Every Wednesday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join Miss Alyssa for storytimes for infants and their caregivers.

Lego builders

Every Wednesday, 3-4:30 p.m. Projects geared to kids ages eight and up, or ages six and up with an adult helper. Each week, builders explore, create and participate in challenges.

Music & movement

Thursday, May 4, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Join Miss Emma as she leads singing, movement and jam sessions for kids from birth to age 5.

Kids chess club

Saturdays, May 6 and 20, 10:30-noon For kids ages 5 and up. Preregistration required to nliuzzi@stoweburlington.gov.

Kids’ book club

Thursdays, May 11 and 18, 4-5:30 p.m. For kids Kindergarten through grade two. Join Ms. Natacha to read, share and explore “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White. Preregister at nliuzzi@southburlingtonvt. gov with age, name, grade and parent phone number.

Friday movie

Fridays, May 12 and 26, 3-4:30 p.m. May 12: “Pinocchio.” May 26: “Encanto.”

Middle school makers

Thursday, May 25, 4-5:30 p.m. For students in grades five to eight. Make cheesy scallion cornbread.

CHARTER COMMITTEE

• Should South Burlington have a Mayor?

• Should South Burlington expand its City Council and/or School Board?

• Should South Burlington elect City Councilors and/or School Directors by District?

• Or should they run City-Wide/at-Large?

The Charter Committee would like your feedback!

Learn more about the Charter Committee’s efforts to date: tinyurl.com/sbgov

Complete a survey on possible governance structures for South Burlington: tinyurl.com/sbgovsurvey

And participate in upcoming community forums!

• May 10, 2023 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the Auditorium at 180 Market Street

• May 25, 2023 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the Auditorium at 180 Market Street

COMMUNITY NOTES

continued from page 8

The evening of chamber music features Kittredge and Ben Lively on violin, Ana Ruesink on viola and John Dunlop on cello, and works by Borodin, Mayer, Even Promo and a selection of Nordic folk music.

Susan Cooke Kittredge will narrate.

There will be prose by Niall Williams, and poems by Amanda Gorman, Billy Collins and Julie Cadwallader-Staub.

Governor makes April appointments to boards

The following people have been appointed to state boards and commissions, Gov. Phil Scott’s office has announced.

Appointees include Corey Cenate, South Burlington, Gover-

nor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

Rokeby Museum holds benefit concert

The Rokeby Museum is excited to host Music with the Museum, an evening of food and music with renowned musicians Paul Asbell and Bob Stannard at the historic Ferrisburgh Town Community Center on Thursday, May 25, from

Climbing high

6-9 p.m.

A silent auction will also be held to raise funds for Rokeby Museum’s exhibition fund, which supports the institution’s dedication to sharing the stories of the people who lived and worked at Rokeby. Thanks to the generosity of the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, funds raised will be matched up to $10,000. For more information and tickets, visit bit.ly/3VmUuZE.

PHOTOS

Above: Schools were on spring vacation this week, but some recent events include some great moments in STEM education at South Burlington elementary schools. Students at Rick Marcotte Central School needed chairs and tables to build an 80-inch tower of Keva blocks during a makers unit.

Below: At Orchard Elementary, fifth graders designed and launched rockets from Starbase Vermont.

COURTESY PHOTO

Jane Kittredge

COURTESY

Burlington City Council votes to rename airport for Sen. Patrick Leahy

PATRICK CROWLEY VTDIGGER

Though not unanimously, the Burlington City Council this week approved the renaming of the city’s airport to Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. After making a motion to rechristen the airport in honor of the recently retired U.S. senator, Councilor Sarah Carpenter, D-Ward 4, said, “I do not think we can underestimate how much Patrick Leahy has brought to this city.”

Given Leahy’s 48 years of service, Carpenter said, the measure was a “modest thing” to offer.

Two Progressive councilors, Zoraya Hightower, P-Ward 1, and Melo Grant, P-Central District, opposed the move.

Hightower called it a “celebration of the status quo.”

“We name too many things after politicians, period,” she said. While she acknowledged that Leahy “has done a lot” for the state, she said his tenure in office was also a long time to “accumulate power” and to keep it from women, queer people, Indigenous people, people of color and the working class.

Hightower also went on to point out that white men represent 30 percent of

the population but make up 62 percent of officeholders. “Boomers hold more political power than any other generation in this country. That’s not identity politics, that’s just systemic lack of access,” she said.

Councilor Gene Bergman, P-Ward 2, while voting in favor of the naming, said he agreed with Hightower’s points and added another one.

“It’s ironic that we’re naming the airport considering his role in bringing the F-35s, which I believe were brought here for him,” Bergman said.

Leahy has at times downplayed his role in the U.S. Air Force’s decision to base the fighter jets at the Vermont Air National Guard base at the Burlington airport, but internal documents show his staff played a significant role in the process.

Last month, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced during his State of the City address that the airport would be named for the retired senator. In addition to Weinberger’s tributes, the April announcement featured video dedications by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and President Joe Biden.

Though the airport is located within South Burlington, it is owned and operated by the Queen City.

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U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy signs his name on a beam set to be used in Burlington International Airport’s terminal expansion project in 2021.

“I do not think we can underestimate how much Patrick Leahy has brought to this city.”

— Sarah Ward

UVM hosts free garden soil screening event May 13

As part of the national Soil Screening, Health, Outreach and Partnership initiative, the event provides free lead screening of vegetable garden soils to ensure healthy home and community gardening. Interested gardeners should bring their soil sample in a zip-locked storage bag for screening.

Soil instructions and additional event details can be found at go.uvm.edu/soilhealthday. Families limited to three soil bags each.

Attendees will also learn how to build and maintain healthy garden soils through informational exhibits, self-guided tours of innovative cover crop research and exchanges with UVM Extension master gardener volunteers and soil science and health professionals.

Questions can be sent to debra.heleba@uvm.edu.

PHOTO BY PEGGY GREB Screening soil from a vegetable garden for lead levels before planting will ensure a safe and healthy garden.

Growing your own microgreens is easy, fun and cost-effective

ANDREA KNEPPER UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT EXTENSION

What’s better than fresh greens? Ones that you can grow and harvest yourself?

Growing microgreens in your home is easy, cost-effective and satisfying. All you need is some soil, seeds and a sunny spot.

Microgreens are immature plants that can be ready to harvest in one to two weeks. They are nutrient-dense with some varieties having up to a 40 percent greater concentration of some micronutrients according to researchers at the University of Maryland. Any seeds can be used for microgreens, but because they are harvested at an early stage, they should be untreated and organic.

Plants that are quick to sprout are good options for microgreens. Radishes, broccoli, cabbage, broccoli, peas and sunflowers are popular choices as are the spicy flavors of mustards, basil and cilantro. Microgreen blends also are available from most

seed suppliers.

To get started, find a container. Take-out containers, plastic produce containers, cardboard juice cartons and seed-starting trays will all work.

Choose a light, indoor potting soil or seed-starting mix. Put about two inches of the soil in your container.

Spread your seeds over the soil. The seeds should form a dense layer but not cover each other. Loosely cover the container with its lid or an unsecured layer of plastic wrap. Or lightly cover the seeds with more soil.

Use a spray bottle to mist the seeds thoroughly. Keep the soil moist until the seeds sprout.

When the seeds have sprouted, remove the cover. New seedlings need at least four hours of direct sunlight. Grow lights can be used if you don’t have a windowsill or counter that receives enough sunlight.

Microgreens will be ready to harvest when they have one set of true leaves. Seed leaves, or cotyledons, are the first to devel-

op after the seed sprouts.

Keep tending your seedlings until more leaves appear. These leaves will look different. They are the true leaves and will resemble the adult leaves of the plant. Your microgreens are now ready to harvest.

You can plant new seeds over the clipped stems. Lightly cover the seeds with fresh potting soil and repeat the process for another harvest.

Give your microgreens a wash and they are ready to enjoy. Add fresh microgreens to salads and sandwiches. Use them in place of lettuce in tacos and burgers. Garnish dishes or blend into smoothies for a nutritional boost.

Microgreens can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Just make sure that they are completely dry before storing. For a step-by-step guide to growing microgreens at home, go to bit.ly/40pcAvZ.

Andrea Knepper is a UVM Extension master gardener.

ANDREA KNEPPER

Freshly harvested microgreens can be used for salads and sandwiches, as a garnish for dishes or added to smoothies for a nutritional boost.

USA Today names Vermont Woman of the Year

Dr. Christine DiBlasio was recently named USA Today’s Woman of the Year for Vermont and has been recognized among women around the nation who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country.

DiBlasio, a clinical psychologist who has a fifth-degree black belt, merged her clinical background with her training in the martial arts and self-defense to cofound The Safety Team, which provides personal safety workshops and educational programs for women and girls. Founded in 2003, The Safety Team is a Vermont nonprofit dedicated to preventing violence, fostering resilience and healing trauma. Its work promotes the safety, empowerment and well-being of women, girls and people at high risk of sexual assault. In recent years, it has won international attention for developing a healing self-defense program for survivors of violence and sexual assault.

“We can’t always stop the bad, but we can add to doing something good by empowering women and people to reclaim their voices every day, helping them better understand trauma and triggers and provide them with tools to learn movements, boundary setting and practical self-defense,” said DiBlasio, who serves as the organization’s president.

For more than 30 years, DiBlasio has guided and empowered women and girls and survivors of sexual assault and other violence using programs that include both

the mind and body.

She is a University of Vermont graduate and her professional practice, The Stone House Associates, is located in South Burlington.

Communications associate joins Hyperbaric Vermont

Miranda Orso has joined Hyberbaric Vermont as its new communications associate.

Orso has a degree in journalism from Penn State University and comes to the company with a love for writing, a deep love of helping others and a commitment to increasing awareness about the therapeutic value of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Orso enjoys exploring Vermont with her young daughter and using her investigative skills to learn more about her new hobby of birding and spending time caring for an assortment of temperamental houseplants.

Founded in 2017, Hyperbaric Vermont is a nonprofit with a mission to raise awareness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ensure the treatment is readi-

ly available and affordable for Vermonters who need it. They offer provider training and affordable hyperbaric oxygen therapy at treatment centers in South Burlington, Montpelier and at affiliated treatment centers in East Hardwick, Brattleboro, Middlebury and West Lebanon, N.H.

Lake Champlain Chamber picks business of the year

The Lake Champlain Chamber has named Gallagher, Flynn and Company its 2023 Business of the Year.

The award recognizes the company’s record of growth in employment, production and operations along with its history of success.

Announced at the chamber’s 112th annual dinner on April 13, the award honors businesses that exemplify the hard work and commitment necessary to succeed despite risks and challenges. The winner also shows significant achievements in innovation and superior community involvement with a dedication of time and resources.

One of the largest indepen-

COURTESY PHOTO

dent certified public accountant and business consulting firms in northern New England, Gallagher, Flynn and Company has been in business for more than 60 years and a Lake Champlain Chamber member since the firm’s early years. “This is a reflection of the effort and energy the Gallagher, Flynn and Company team invests into creating long-standing, highly collaborative client and community relationships that produce a culture of mutual success,” said Jason Hamilton, managing partner of the company.

SeaComm recently covered the cost of admission at Palace 9 Cinemas in South Burlington. More than 80 people enjoyed a movie of their choice. The credit union also provided patrons with a complimentary large popcorn, as well as reusable grocery totes, tumblers and sunglasses. This event is part of the credit union’s Pay-It-Forward Program, which enables staff to deliver random acts of kindness in the communities they serve. From left, moviegoer Lily Gates, senior teller Allison Fuller, moviegoers Beckett Gates, Sheri Gates and Ila Gates and branch manager Larry Bridglal.

Dr. Christine DiBlasio

It’s spring, so that means a visit from the Carpenters

The Outside Story

Jen Weimer

Why do ants suddenly appear every time spring is near? Just like bees, they long to be close to you — especially if your home is made of wood. Carpenter ants and the eastern carpenter bee both nest in wood and are frequent visitors to my log home. The Northeast is home to one native carpenter bee species and four native carpenter ant species, and these are the largest of the native ants and bees in the region. The carpenters overwinter as adults and become active as the weather warms. As their common name suggests, these insects spend their days constructing — or, rather, deconstructing — wood. While this can be beneficial to forest decomposition, it is not a desirable trait for our homes.

while termites are broad waisted, with straight antennae and wings that are similar in shape and size. Unlike termites, carpenter ants and bees do not consume wood; they chew into wood for the sole purpose of excavating nests where they lay their eggs.

Parades of worker ants may also move between infested trees and homes as they establish satellite colonies.

Carpenter ants excavate nesting chambers in damp and decaying wood, from stumps and rotting logs to dead trees and live standing trees with rotting interiors. They will also nest in damp wood within human homes. Individual queens establish colonies by first laying eggs that develop into worker ants. These sterile female worker ants carry food such as insects and honeydew — a sugary excrement of aphids — into the colony to feed the ant larvae of subsequently laid eggs. The queen continues to lay eggs throughout the summer.

Colonies can become large and may last for several years, with adults overwintering in the nest. In spring, winged reproductive males and females emerge and mate. The males die, and the females, or queens, lose their wings and move on to establish new colonies. Parades of worker ants may also move between infested trees and homes as they establish satellite colonies.

Reproductive carpenter ants are winged and are often confused with termites, which also swarm in the spring. You can distinguish them by looking at their abdomens, antennae and wings. Ants have a constricted waist, elbowed antennae and their fore and hindwings differ in size,

Carpenter bees are more solitary than ants and prefer to nest in dead, but not rotting, tree limbs and snags — sometimes, in non-rotting wood in people’s homes. Fertilized females bore half-inch, perfectly round holes into wood and create chambered galleries where they lay their eggs. Each chamber houses one egg and is provisioned with pollen from spring-flowering plants. Carpenter bees are excellent pollinators of garden plants and flowers. They look like bumblebees but have a hairy yellow thorax and a hairless abdomen, whereas both the thorax and abdomen are hairy on bumble bees. Carpenter bees are not aggressive and are unlikely to sting.

While both carpenters — bees and ants — play an important role in the forest, where they help to decompose wood and to pollinate plants, their presence in and around our homes can be quite damaging. As carpenter ants remove wood to construct their nests, they can weaken the structural integrity of buildings. While carpenter ants do not kill trees directly, their presence within a tree signifies rot and structural damage. Trees with carpenter ant colonies should be removed to prevent them from falling and damaging nearby structures. Carpenter bee nests are smaller than ant nests and therefore less likely to cause structural damage to trees and homes on their own; however, woodpeckers seeking the bees’ larvae may cause additional damage.

Annual monitoring of your home can help prevent a carpenter infestation. Keep an eye out for holes and sawdust piles on structural wood, including beams, siding and porches. Remove stumps near buildings, store firewood away from your home and fix interior water issues to keep your home dry. Carpenter bees and ants are less likely

to bore into wood that has been finished, so protect exterior wood with paint or stain. Removing wood with carpenter bee holes in the spring will eliminate an infestation before the larvae mature. Gel or liquid sugary bait traps placed along ant trails in the spring may help to eliminate small colonies of carpenter ants in your home. You can purchase traps for carpenter bees or make DIY traps from simple materials to hang on your home. Insecticides may be warranted if you find structural damage to your home but be sure to follow the label or contact a professional if colonies are large.

Jen Weimer is a forest health expert, photographer and writer living in the forests of New Hampshire. Illustration by Adelaide Murphy Tyrol. The Outside Story is assigned and edited by Northern Woodlands magazine and sponsored by the Wellborn Ecology Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, nhcf.org.

ILLUSTRATION BY ADELAIDE MURPHY TYROL

Community Bankers - Chittenden County BUILDERS I MAKERS I DOERS

There is no better time to join our team!

Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest banking institution headquartered in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all. Are you looking to start or continue a career in the finance industry? Consider joining our team as a Community Banker!

Job Responsibilities & Requirements

This frontline position is crucial in creating a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience for NSB customers. The successful candidate for NSB customers. The successful candidate will have exceptional customer service and communication skills.

The Community Banker will be responsible for receiving and processing customers’ financial transactions as well as opening and maintaining customer accounts and services. We are looking for someone who can develop and maintain relationships with our valued customers, protect bank and customer information, and uphold customer confidentiality. A high school diploma, general education degree (GED), or equivalent is required.

If you have customer service, previous cash handling, or banking experience we encourage you to apply!

Opportunity for Growth

NSB has training opportunities to engage employees and assist with professional development within our company. The average years of service for an NSB employee is 9! If you’re looking for a career in an environment that promotes growth, join our team!

What NSB Can Offer You

Competitive compensation based on experience. Well-rounded benefits package. Profit-Sharing opportunity. Excellent 401(k) matching retirement program. Commitment to professional development. Opportunities to volunteer and support our communities. Work-Life balance!

We understand the importance of having evenings and weekends with our friends, families, and the communities we serve!

Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com or mail to:

Northfield Savings Bank Human Resources PO Box 7180, Barre, VT 05641

Equal Opportunity Employer / Member FDIC

OBITUARIES

grace and memory.

Honoring Heroes Memorial Day

ISSUE DATE: Thursday, June 1

All Display Ads, BANG/Combo Ads and Classified Ads AD DEADLINE: Friday, May 26, Noon

Our offices are closed Monday, May 29, to observe the holiday.

Emma Lara Nilan

Emma Lara Nilan, 38, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, author and artist, died on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, surrounded by her parents, Kathy Lara and Clem Nilan, her sister, Molly Nilan and dearest friend, Jessica Bridge.

Emma’s strength, resilience, compassion, loyalty, humor, grace and beauty are immeasurable. The heart is the universal symbol of love. She had three: her birth heart and two more via transplants. She displayed an incredible ability to listen without judgment, without planning her response and with a full and loving presence. She was steadfast in her resolve to fight against all odds and to squeeze more years, months, weeks, days and minutes out of this life than any of us could have predicted.

She was always able to see the good in people under the most trying circumstances. She demonstrated laughter through tears, found humor in the everyday and true joy. Most of all, Emma overflowed with love for her parents, family and friends. Emma was extraordinary, and all who knew her are forever blessed by her

Emma’s north stars have always been love, kindness, creativity; finding awe in small things; the magic of her childhood, her family, pets and friends; the sharing of a good meal, art and music. In the last year of her life, Emma found great pride in training to be a recovery coach with the caring and generous community at The Turning Point. There, she built connections with others of like mind who were devoted to helping some of our community’s most vulnerable populations. Emma was surrounded and supported by a fellowship of humans where she learned to embrace the mantra to thine own self be true — and she lived it.

Emma is survived by her parents, Kathy Lara and Clement Nilan, of Burlington; and her sister, Molly Nilan and her husband, Ben, and their two children Ella, 12, and Jacob, 9, of Shelburne. She was celebrated by a large and loving extended family in Vermont, New York, New Jersey and Washington.

Emma grew up in Burlington and Shelburne with her sister and cousins, especially Chloe, Vanessa and Charlotte, and her dearly loved Aunt Janice and Uncle Ken. She was deeply connected to her closest friends, Jessica Bridge, Naomi Krasnow, Ali Marchildon, Isabel Epstein Gentry, Eva Antczak and Emily Korkosz, to name just a few. They were adored by Emma and will continue to be part of her family.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to the amazing and tireless medical professionals in Burlington and Boston, at Boston Children’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, who worked heroically in caring for Emma, despite extremely trying

circumstances. Their extraordinary expertise and compassion enabled Emma to remain a bright light among us for over two decades. Emma spent much time in the medical facilities in both cities. The list of their names is a “Canyon of Heroes” and each is honored, particularly Dr. Karen Sokol, Dr. Jaina Clough, hospice nurse Carrie Steele, Dr. Adam Greenlee, Dr. Cindy Noyes, Dr. Peter Van Buren, Dr. Scott Yeager, Dr. Wendy Davis and the amazing team of physicians, nurses and staff at the University of Vermont McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, where Dr. Nancy Long and Dr. Matthew Gervais worked with great compassion to help bring Emma home to spend her last days surrounded by her family and friends. We are forever grateful that Emma’s voice was heard and honored.

In lieu of flowers, Emma requested that you take as many moments as you can to pause and appreciate the beauty around you and to look at flowers and sunsets. During Emma’s last walks, she was thrilled by the snow crocuses. Emma loved dragonflies, forsythias, peonies and lilacs and wants you to remember her as they appear.

A celebration of life will be held at the Community Barn at the Intervale Center in Burlington on Sunday, May 21, 2023, 4-8 p.m. Please join her family as they gather to share good food and words and collectively remember the light of Emma.

Emma, you are free from pain and celebrated every minute. We adore you, sweet angel. A beloved friend, Dave, from the Massachusetts General Cardiac Catheterization Lab, wrote, “I will gain

See OBITUARIES on page 17

Emma Lara Nilan

continued from page 16

comfort from Dr. Seuss for now. ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.’”

Following his retirement, Chuck dedicated many volunteer hours at the Starr Farm Dog Park, becoming its unofficial mayor in 2005. He was a beloved school crossing guard for the Burlington School District, and for many years he served at the corner of Maple and King Street and later, near the Champlain Elementary School.

Sally Deming Howe

Sally Deming Howe, 78, an avid athlete, musician, gardener, world traveler and retired guidance counselor in the Winooski school system, died on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at her home in South Burlington, surrounded by family. The cause was cancer.

performed for years in the string sections of the University of Vermont Orchestra, Burlington Civic Symphony, and with a string quintet of friends.

Charles Brodsky

Charles “Chuck” Brodsky, 86, of South Burlington, died on Thursday, April 20, 2023, with his wife, Sheila, at his side.

He was born June 12, 1936, in Atlantic City, N.J., to Edward and Marie (Haas) Brodsky. After graduating from Atlantic City High School in 1954, Chuck went on to earn degrees from Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener University) in 1958 and Eastern College Mount Vernon School of Law in 1969.

An athlete and great lover of sports, Chuck played outfield for his high school and college baseball teams. He brought his family to games and encouraged them to play. You could often find him near a diamond, gleefully coaching from the baseline. He had a near encyclopedic knowledge about professional player statistics and would often initiate conversations with strangers to chat about big games. His favorite teams were the Yankees, the Commanders, the Capitals and, sadly, the Wizards.

Although he primarily spent his career working as a claims adjuster for various large insurance companies, he had an entrepreneur’s heart. At various points, he owned a gas station and a Baskin Robbins ice cream parlor, where he put his skill with small talk to good use.

While he lived longest in the rural Green Mountain State, Chuck spent much of his life in urban areas. His formative years were spent on and around the Atlantic City boardwalk, and as a young adult he lived in New York City.

Work eventually brought him to Maryland, where he met Sheila at a baseball game in 1970. They were married on Jan. 2, 1972. In 1981, he moved the family to Wentworth, N.H., and in 1984 Chuck and Sheila bought the little red house on Canaan Hill Road. In 2002, they moved to South Burlington.

Chuck was a loyal patron of Al’s French Frys and Costco and enjoyed sharing his appreciation for these institutions with his children and grandchildren, but nothing brought him more happiness than presiding over noisy family gatherings at home. Besides loving his family and sports, Chuck had a soft spot for animals, especially his many dogs and horses.

Chuck was loved dearly and will be forever remembered by his wife, Sheila (Sullivan) Brodsky; and daughters, Mary and Brendan Kinney of Essex, and Patricia with Paulette Forrester of Colchester; sons, Scott with Laura of Johannesburg, South Africa, and Mike of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; grandchildren, Sam, Jack, Jordan, Liam, Julia, Nora, Henry, Renzo, Fabio and Theo; and great-granddaughters, Maya, Lyla and Kennedy.

The family will have a private service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made to the Franklin County Animal Rescue, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans VT 05478 or Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 110 Prim Road, Colchester VT 05439 (uvmhomehealth. org/donations).

Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through gossfs.com.

Sally combined a love of the outdoors and adventure with an acute intellectual curiosity. She loved to be in motion and could rarely be found not engrossed in an activity. Her luminous vitality, the joyful power and grace with which she pursued her many enthusiasms, her warmth and humor, and the depth of her caring about the welfare of others, are legendary among all who knew and loved her.

Born on July 19, 1944, Sally was the younger daughter of Joan Deming Howe and Paul Willard Howe, of Redding, Conn., where she grew up. On her mother’s side she is a great-great-granddaughter of Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Sally graduated from Joel Barlow High School in Redding, Class of 1962, and from Vassar College, Class of 1966. After college she worked in New York City as a social worker. In 1968 she married Stephen W. Pollak and settled in Vermont, where she would spend the rest of her life. Sally and Steve had two sons, Seth and Noah. They divorced in 1991.

She earned her master’s degree in education and worked for three decades as a guidance counselor in the Winooski public schools. She traveled to Russia and Japan on teacher exchange programs. In 1992 she met Rick Hubbard, who would become her life partner and companion on many travels and other adventures.

Sally’s athletic achievements included prowess in horseback riding, running, triathlons, cross-country skiing, long-distance hiking, and bicycling.

In 1994 she completed the New York City Marathon. A lover of outdoor adventure, Sally joined Rick in hiking large parts of the Appalachian Trail, 1,200 miles of the Pacific Coast Trail, and the Grand Randonnée (GR5) trail in Europe from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean. Along with a group of friends, they hiked, bicycled and canoed many times in the Northeast and Canada.

Teresa Hadd

Teresa Hadd of Shelburne died on Nov. 22, 2022.

A graveside service will be held at the Missisquoi Cemetery in Enosburg Falls on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at 11 a.m.

Please read the full obituary on the Stephen C. Gregory & Son Cremation Services at gregorycremation.com.

She sang in choruses in New York City, with the Aurora Chamber Singers of Burlington and at Temple Sinai in South Burlington, where she was an active member of the congregation.

Sally is survived by her 31-year life-partner, Rick Hubbard; her two sons, Seth and Noah; her sister, Imogen Howe of Redding, Conn.; her niece, Katie Haddock of Brooklyn, N.Y.; two grandsons; several cousins; and many devoted friends.

There will be a celebration of her life for family and friends in Stowe in early July, and another in West Redding, Conn., in September.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sally’s memory to any of the following organizations would be

gratefully accepted: Temple Sinai, 500 Swift St., South Burlington VT 05403; Stowe Nordic, c/o George Jackman, 291 East Tamarack Road, Stowe VT 05672; Burlington Civic Symphony, P.O. Box 2005, South Burlington VT 05407; or Aurora Chamber Singers, Inc., PO Box 64753, Burlington VT 05401.

They cross-country ski raced in masters age-level groups in Norway, Finland, Switzerland, Italy and Canada, and bicycled and hiked in England, Europe, Peru and New Zealand. Their most recent adventure, in the autumn of 2019, was a trek in the mountains of Nepal.

A fine amateur cellist, Sally delighted in playing music and

Sally Deming Howe

Charles Brodsky

Teresa Hadd

SoBu baseball stomps Mount Manfield team

LAUREN READ Correspondent Baseball

South Burlington 14, Mount Mansfield 0: Nick Kelly had two hits and drove in three runs as South Burlington beat Mount Mansfield on Friday, April 28, in a five-inning game.

Lucas Van Mullen added three hits and two RBIs, while Liam

Connor hit a double and drove in three runs for the Wolves, who move to 6-1.

Evan LaMothe pitched a complete game and gave up just three hits, striking out seven. It was the second win in three days for South Burlington, which beat Mount Abraham 20-5 on Thursday.

Brady Havers allowed five runs on eight hits in four innings of work.

Vermont’s annual trophy trout stocking is now underway

Vermont’s trophy trout stocking program this year includes nine river sections and 37 lakes and ponds receiving the 2-year-old trout, some over 18 inches long.

“The program provides exciting fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages and skill levels,” Vermont’s director of fisheries Eric Palmer said. “Trophy rainbow and brown trout will be stocked in the Black, Winooski, Lamoille, Missisquoi, Walloomsac and Passumpsic Rivers as well as East and Otter creeks. Trophy brook trout will be stocked into the Deerfield River. Large 2-year-old brookies and rainbows will also be stocked in many lakes and ponds.”

Trout harvest season opened this year on April 8 and will continue through Oct. 31. There is no length limit, and the daily creel limit is two trout for the trophy trout stream sections listed below.

Lake and pond stocking began in April as ice cleared while river stocking began at the start of May and will continue through the month. Anglers can check Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website (vtfis-

handwildlife.com) to see the stocking that has occurred and see the lakes and ponds that are being stocked with trophy trout.

• Black River along Route 131 in Weathersfield and Cavendish, from Downers covered bridge upstream, approximately 4 miles, to the next bridge across the river, the Howard Hill Bridge.

• Deerfield River in Searsburg from the downstream edge of the East Branch Trailhead Bridge upstream 4 miles to the downstream edge of the bridge on Somerset Road near junction with Forest Road 71.

• East Creek in Rutland City from the confluence with Otter Creek upstream, approximately 2.7 miles, to the top of the Patch Dam in Rutland City.

• Lamoille River from the downstream edge of the bridge on Route 104 in the village of Fairfax upstream, approximately 1.6 miles, to the top of the Fairfax Falls Dam in Fairfax.

• Otter Creek in Danby and Mt. Tabor from the Vermont Railway Bridge north of the fishing access

upstream, approximately 2 miles, to the Danby-Mt. Tabor Forest Road Bridge (Forest Road #10).

• Missisquoi River in Enosburg and Sheldon from the downstream edge of Kane Road (TH-3) bridge upstream, approximately 5.7 miles, to the top of the Enosburg Falls Dam in Enosburg Falls.

• Passumpsic River in St. Johnsbury, from the top of the Gage Dam upstream to the top of the Arnold Falls Dam. This section includes the Moose River from its confluence with the Passumpsic River upstream to the Concord Avenue bridge.

• Walloomsac River from the Vermont-New York border in Bennington upstream to the top of the former Vermont Tissue Plant Dam (downstream of Murphy Road) in Bennington.

• Winooski River in Duxbury and Waterbury from the top of Bolton Dam upstream to the Route 2 Bridge east of Waterbury Village. This section includes the Little River from its confluence with the Winooski River upstream to the Route 2 bridge.

PHOTO BY JOHN HALL

Trophy trout like these are being stocked this spring in eight Vermont river sections and 25 lakes and ponds.

PHOTO BY AL FREY

A Mount Mansfield Union defender looks to cut off a South Burlington passing lane during a girls Ultimate Frisbee match

Forests are ‘resilient carbon’

Into the Woods

Ethan Tapper

In the midst of a climate crisis, many people are interested in forests’ ability to help mitigate climate change by sequestering and storing carbon. While managing forests for carbon may seem simple, in practice it is incredibly nuanced, complex and unintuitive.

What is forest carbon? While we may picture carbon as some shapeless, amorphous substance, most carbon in the forest is, in short, wood. As a tree photosynthesizes, it sequesters carbon — sucking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Combined with a few other elements, that carbon is transformed into sugars and starches which are used to help the tree grow, much of it ending up stored in the tree’s branches, trunk and roots. When that tree dies, some of its carbon will be released into the atmosphere through the process of decomposition, and some of it will be stored in the forest as dead wood and eventually as organic material in forest soils. Incredibly, only about one-third of the carbon in a typical Vermont forest is found in living trees. The majority – about

60 percent – is stored in the soil.

In the form of living trees and plants, carbon feeds and shelters thousands of species of living things, forming the living structure around which the forest community is built. In the form of dead wood, carbon benefits forest hydrology, provides habitat for mammals, amphibians, insects and fungi and enriches forest soils. Forests are not carbon factories: carbon is a co-benefit of healthy forested ecosystems, one which must be considered alongside wildlife habitat, biodiversity, and many other vital qualities, functions and values. Forest management will always be a balance between many things — we cannot responsibly manage forests solely for carbon any more than we can manage them solely for timber or for any other individual resource.

While research suggests that unmanaged forests store more carbon than managed forests in the short-term, our forests are young and altered, vulnerable to large-scale natural disturbances and to an expansive array of threats and stressors which fundamentally challenge their ability to grow, to thrive and thus to sequester and store carbon in the future. While it would be comforting to

believe it, leaving all our forests unmanaged is not a viable or responsible long-term strategy for carbon or for climate mitigation. Instead, we need to focus on resilient carbon, which is stored in healthy, diverse, resilient forests. In many — if not most — cases, management will be necessary to help forests develop qualities like multi-generationality and diversity as well as to respond to the countless forest health and biodiversity threats that they face. This will often mean removing some carbon from forests in the short-term (cutting trees) to safeguard their ability to sequester and store carbon in the long-term. This carbon will not be a loss — it will be an investment in a more abundant and resilient future.

As we consider the nuances of forest carbon, we must also recognize the present and future carbon costs of our lives. When we use carbon as a justification for saying “not in my backyard” to forest management, we often trade local wood for wood produced in industrial forests which use much less carbon-friendly practices, and/ or for resources like steel and concrete which have massive carbon footprints.

The future of forest carbon

is not a landscape of unmanaged forests — it is a landscape where forests are managed for resilience and adaptability, for biodiversity, for local, renewable resources and for resilient carbon, all at once. As we try to protect our forests and ourselves in a changing climate, it is critical that we reject simple and incomplete solutions. Resilient carbon is another example of what the case in our forests

is so often: that what is simple is rarely true and what is necessary is rarely easy.

Ethan Tapper is the Chittenden County forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. See what he’s been up to, check out his YouTube channel, sign up for his eNews and read articles he’s written at bit.ly/3LAnda4.

PHOTO BY ETHAN TAPPER Forests must be treated as “resilient carbon” if they are to be managed effectively.

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REGULATIONS

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the city planning commission last month, and a public hearing will be held on the amendment during the council’s June meeting before a final vote.

The mandate is part of the work of the city’s energy committee, as well as the Climate Action Task Force, which has worked over the last several years to generate provisions to combat climate change on the municipal level.

“This was something that the energy committee had brought to the planning commission back in 2019, so it’s been a while that this has been in the works,” Paul Connor, the city’s planning and zoning director, said.

City regulations adopted about a year ago by the planning commission and city council already mandate that new buildings keep 40 percent of their roof

HOUSING

continued from page 2

Housing and homelessness advocates are hopeful the deadline will push legislators to act fast.

“I think that in terms of where we are right now, particularly with the pandemic programs ending, we’re in a serious place,” Calderara said. “I know that legislators care deeply about this, and they’re paying attention to this and recognizing that inadvertently … regulations that we put into place many years ago, in a different time, are

“solar-ready,” or have a section of their roof designated and reserved for the future installation of a solar-energy system.

The new amendment would fill that in but “does not say that they need to be connected to the grid. That is the choice of the of the property owner,” Connor said. “It’s also not our authority to require somebody to connect to a public grid, because that’s the public utilities commission.”

Building owners can opt out if they have demonstrated that they have “accommodated renewable energy generation elsewhere” on their property, Connor said, such as ground-mounted solar or geothermal heat pumps.

While the amendment would only regulate new residential buildings with four or more stories, there is a draft residential energy code being worked

through that would apply a similar standard to all new residential buildings. That’s anticipated to be released by the end of this year.

“This is really great. I support this 100 percent,” city councilor Tim Barritt said.

The amendment follows moves the city made late last year when it passed an ordinance to regulate heating systems and domestic water systems in all new buildings.

That ordinance, approved in November, required that new buildings permitted on or after Feb. 15 use a renewable energy source for their primary heating system and domestic water heating system.

Another move by the city, however — a charter change that would have allowed them to regulate thermal energy systems in existing residential and commercial buildings — was voted down 3-2. That charter change would have mimicked language passed by neighboring Burlington voters in 2021 that was signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott in April.

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now working against us, and that it’s reasonable for us to (re-examine) some of these rules that we may have set up and think these aren’t working for us anymore.”

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

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Two of the three no votes on the charter change — Thomas Chittenden and Matt Cota — are no longer on the council. Barritt also voted no.

The city has worked to regulate energy systems as part of the goals laid out in its Climate Action Plan, a roadmap to guide the city in reducing its carbon emissions through provisions on transportation and infrastructure.

The city officially passed its climate action plan in October, which recommended reducing South Burlington’s 2019 greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2030 through addressing the city’s biggest contributors — transportation, commercial and industrial building energy usage and residential energy usage.

By 2050, the city hopes to reduce emissions by 80 percent below 1990 levels.

The task force found that the heating of buildings accounts for about 34 percent of South Burlington’s greenhouse gas emissions, while on-road transportation accounts for 65 percent, and 1 percent caused by waste and agriculture.

The state, meanwhile, has set out an ambitious task in its Global Warming Solutions Act, passed in 2020, which legally binds the state to meet climate emission requirements by 2030 — opening itself up to litigation if it doesn’t.

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ARIES

March 21 - April 20

Aries, even though you have been making great progress, you have some more work ahead of you this week. Overcome any distractions that get in your way.

TAURUS

April 21 - May 21

Taurus, you may want to avoid crowds this week. Use this opportunity to enjoy some quiet, alone time to recharge. There will be time for socialization in the weeks ahead.

GEMINI

May 22 - June 21

You may be called in as a mediator this week, Gemini. It may be challenging to remain impartial, as you are friendly with both people involved. Tread carefully.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

Cancer, there are a few decisions that you will need to make in the days to come and they are not to be taken lightly. Give each ample time and consider all angles.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 23

An opportunity all but falls into your lap, Leo. Make sure you jump on this because opportunity may not knock again. The bene ts are too big to pass up.

VIRGO

Aug. 24 - Sept. 22

There is not much more help you can lend to a situation, Virgo. This week you may have to accept that you have simply done all that you could do. Move on and focus on the future.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

Expect some strange things to happen to you this week, Libra. The unexpected could be the breath of fresh air you need, especially if your schedule has been stagnant.

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 22

Scorpio, assist a loved one as much as you can this week. You may need to be a devoted caregiver or a listening ear. Whatever the case, handle it with undivided attention.

SUDOKU

Here’s How It Works:

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must ll each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can gure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 23 - Dec. 21

Sagittarius, a deep focus on health may compel you to get around to making some changes you’ve been planning. Embrace this newfound resolve.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 20

Capricorn, allow others to take the lead when a project ends up coming across your desk.You could learn something from the expertise of others if you emulate their actions.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 21 - Feb. 18

Aquarius, you have left no stone unturned in a situation that involves relocation. Now it is just a matter of wait and see. Give it a few weeks, then move on.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

Pisces, others have very positive things to say about you, especially during the course of the next few days. Relish in their attention.

CLUES ACROSS

1. Dull and at

6. Baking measurement (abbr.)

9. Education-based groups

13. Not behind

14. Runners run them

15. Japanese ankle sock

16. Grave

17. Japanese industrial city

18. People of southern Ghana

19. Particular designs

21. Device tted to something

22. Infections

23. Pirates’ preferred alcohol

24. Expression of sympathy

25. Rock guitarist’s tool

28. Neither

29. Ancient city of Egypt

31. You __ what you sow

33. Ruined

36. Narrations

38. Body art (slang)

39. Fencing sword 41. Apartment buildings 44. Type of missile 45. Fathers

46. Extremely high frequency 48. Type of school 49. Incorrect letters 51. Two-year-old sheep 52. Nasty manner

54. One who accepts a bet

56. Indian prince

60. Asian country

61. Rhythmic patterns in Indian music

62. “Uncle Buck” actress Hoffmann

63. Detailed criteria

64. Son of Shem

65. Talked wildly

66. Discount

67. Not good

68. Growing out

CLUES DOWN

1. Actor Damon

2. A call used to greet someone

3. Part-time employee

4. Emaciation

5. “Westworld” actor Harris

6. Gains possession of

7. Relaxing spaces

8. 23rd star in a constellation

9. Northern grouse

10. Monetary unit of Bangladesh

11. Manila hemp

12. Unites muscle to bone

14. Makes deep cuts in

17. 18-year period between eclipses

20. Member of a people

ANSWERS

inhabiting southern Benin

21. Synthetic rubbers

23. Unwelcome rodent

25. Expression of creative skill

26. Some is red

27. Seems less in impressive

29. Harry Kane’s team

30. Gland secretion

32. Action of feeling sorrow

34. Disallow

35. Deceptive movement

37. More dried-up

40. Crimson

42. Actress Ryan

43. Adherents of a main branch of Islam

47. Accomplished American president

49. Side of a landform facing an advancing glacier

Sheep breed 52. Appetizer 53. Broadway actress Daisy

In uential lm critic

NY Giants ownership family 57. Type of script

Assist

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Bar bill

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

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was closed for the cleanup.

The committee and the city’s recreation and parks department organized the first Stools Day event, originally scheduled for April 1 and moved to April 22 for Earth Day, to remove debris of all sorts that piled up in the dog park. Poop, dismantled tennis balls and water bottles, left behind by dogs and their owners, littered the perimeter along the fence.

Unattended dog waste can be ingested by other canines, passing along bacteria, illnesses and parasites from one dog to another. Dog feces can get washed into waterways and decay into water supplies, causing serious sanitation and health threats to wildlife, dogs and humans.

“A lot of people don’t clean up after their dogs,” Milizia said. “It’s an issue even on the trails. A lot of people let their dogs off-leash and don’t pick up after their dogs.”

Wheeler Park draws dogs and guardians from all over both Chittenden and Addison County, Milizia said. It’s not necessarily that owners ignore their dogs’ bathroom activities or refuse to address when they happen, Milizia explained.

“The big thing for this is people aren’t aware,” she continued. “The other thing for us, particularly in this dog park, is that because of how beautiful it is, people socialize and gather in the middle of the park and when the dogs are having fun, you’ll find that people aren’t aware of their dogs.”

Animal waste is a major culprit in the development of blue-green algae, a type of cyanobacteria

that plagues Lake Champlain and other Vermont waterways, largely because of soil runoff into rivers and streams. In full bloom, this algae can make animals and humans sick, in some cases killing canine companions.

“During the summer when they close the beaches and stuff, some of that can be attributed to dog feces getting into the water and creating blue algae,” said Emma Nicholas, an intern for the recreation and parks department and a University of Vermont senior studying global studies and health and society.

“I’m interested in just making it more equitable for everyone to have the opportunity to live a healthy life because it is super preventable stuff,” Nicholas continued. “Especially with stuff like this, just picking up dog waste so it doesn’t get into the water that people drink, and that people want to swim in.”

Many park visitors who came between 9 and 11 a.m. planned to let their dogs play but learned that the larger section of the dog park would be closed for the event. Milizia encouraged them to lend a hand with the cleanup.

Only a handful of dog guardians volunteered to scoop poop and other trash with Milizia and other committee members.

Grace Callahan was one of them. She brings her dog, Maple, to Wheeler Park a couple of times a week and said dog waste at the park is a big problem. The messes have even driven some dog owners to go to other parks.

“My dog gets into the poop

sometimes, which is kinda gross,” said Callahan, who lives in Burlington. “There were a couple weeks where I stopped coming and went to a different dog park because it just got so bad. Definitely some people don’t pick up the poop, and you always want to say something, but it’s kinda hard and awkward to say something in time.”

Lundeen said she sees the poop as less of a problem. “I feel like people are pretty responsible,” she said. “It’s just a very busy dog park and I think sometimes you just don’t see it happen.”

The Stools Day organizers plan to host more events that help make the spaces for all members of the community, including dogs, safe and healthy to gather and socialize.

“I feel like we come here and enjoy the park, so it makes sense to help out,” Lundeen said.

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

DOG PARK

PHOTOS BY AYLIN ARIFKHAN

Above: Lisa Yankowski helps clean up Wheeler Dog Park for the April Stools Day event. Right: Annalise Lundeen gets ready to dump her bucket of dog waste during April Stools Day cleanup.