June 23 2016 A Section

Arts + Leisure

New CEO

Play ball!

Eat your heart out at the second annual celebration of farm-totable food and drink — Foodaroo!

The Vermont Community Foundation has hired the head of VTC as its new leader. See Page 10B.

The county’s American Legion baseball team swung into action with three games. See Page 1B.

ADDISON COUNTY

INDEPENDENT Vol. 70 No. 25

Middlebury, Vermont

◆

Thursday, June 23, 2016 ◆ 46 Pages

75¢

Sculptures sprout on Shoreham hillsides Former VTrans head pushes free higher-ed Couple adorns the land with art park tuition in race for Gov.

By EMMA COTTON SHOREHAM — On the drive from Cornwall to Shoreham, passersby can spot four steel figures — slightly larger than human size — bending with arms raised, embracing the rolling hills and ambling horizon with euphoric grace.

Frank Ittleman has been collecting sculptures for 20 years, but this piece — “The Dancers”

by Texas artist Jerry Daniel — is his favorite.

“The joy that they have with their poses — every time I see it, I smile,” he said.

“Most of us Ittleman don’t have plenty that problem, gets of opporabout where tunities to to put our smile, and now he and gigantic wife, outdoor art.” his — Doug Elaine, are Anderson giving more people a chance to experience this and many other large sculptures that they have erected on their expansive 700acre property in Shoreham over the past 10 years.

The Lemon Fair Sculpture Park, located off Route 74 just south of Shoreham’s town line with Cornwall, will be open on weekends beginning July 1 for the public to wander along a mile-long path and enjoy, critique and sometimes marvel at the diverse collection.

The sculptures, with titles like “Bubbles-Kinetic” and “Lime Tonic,” vary in shape, size and style. A friendly chartreuse squiggle stands next to “The Dancers” to greet visitors as they pull off Route 74. Down in the field, Elaine’s favorite sculpture, “Light Ring” by Bruce White, frames the dense forest to the east of the property in chiseled silver metal.

“At different times of the day it shines,” she said. “You can see the sunset through the hole — it’s beautiful.” Elaine hopes the expanding collection will grow to 50 sculptures.

(See Sculptures, Page 14A)

By the way Bernie Sanders’ campaign for president may not be at the heights it once was, but one of his supporters was sure flying high this past Saturday. Christine Reitz, 77, of Burlington is a serious Bernie 2016 supporter.

She collected more than $600 in pledges for Bernie in exchange for her jumping out of a plane. On Saturday, Reitz, mother of Bristol resident Donna Bailey, drove to West Addison, climbed into an (See By the way, Page 12A)

Index Obituaries ................................ 6A Classifieds ....................... 5B-10B Service Directory .............. 6B-7B Entertainment ........Arts + Leisure Community Calendar ........ 8A-9A Arts Calendar ........Arts + Leisure Sports ................................ 1B-3B

Minter ties post-grad initiative to jobs

By JOHN FLOWERS continuation beyond high school, we MIDDLEBURY — Sue Minter are at the bottom of the country 48th coordinated upgrades to hundreds of out of 50.” miles of the state’s roads and dozens With that in mind, she has crafted of its bridges during her brief run a “Vermont Promise” initiative callas secretary of the Vermont Agency ing for Vermont high school graduof Transportation ates to be given two (VTrans). tuition-free years The Waterbury at Community ColCenter Democrat lege of Vermont or is now getting a Vermont Technical first-hand glimpse College. Students of those improvewould be assigned ments as she cammentors to focus on paigns to become career aspirations, the next governor with the goal of a of Vermont. job at the end of “It’s an extraorthat process. dinary journey,” “We are going Minter said on Frito get, by 2025, 75 day during an interpercent of Vermont view at the Addison students enrolled Independent. “I am in some kind of constantly inspired continuing educaby people stepping tion program so up in amazing ways they can fill the SUE MINTER to address challengspots that are going es.” empty right now,” If elected, Minter said her top pri- Minter said. “For me, it’s about the ority would be to increase the num- ability for our businesses that want bers of Vermont high school gradu- to grow to have qualified workers ates attending college or technical so they can have livable wage jobs school training. and break that cycle of poverty. It’s a “We do a great job in Vermont of win-win-win.” getting kids through high school,” Minter pointed to research indicatMinter said. “We have one of the ing two-thirds of the jobs of the 21st highest high school graduation rates century will require some kind of edin the country. But when it comes to (See Minter, Page 13A)

Utility poles blamed for groundwater pollution

ELAINE AND FRANK Ittleman have been collecting sculptures for many years and now the pieces are viewable from a one-mile trail through their 700-acre Shoreham property. The Ittlemans’ Lemon Fair Sculpture Park will open to the public for weekend visits on July 1.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

By GAEN MURPHREE MONKTON — The Monkton selectboard was concerned when a local household’s drinking well was found to be contaminated with the known toxin pentachlorophenal soon after a utility pole sited close to the home’s drinking supply was replaced in March 2014.

The board took action that started a chain of events resulting in a state

environmental report, recently posted on the Monkton town website, that raised flags about this widely used chemical, also known as “penta.”

The sheer prevalence of these penta-treated poles is “a real reason why you want to pay attention to how you deal with them,” said Monkton selectboard Chair Stephen Pilcher.

Nationwide, said Pilcher, there are (See Utility poles, Page 12A)

Orwell nixes ARSU school unification a second time District could study unity without town

By ANDY KIRKALDY ORWELL — Orwell residents on Tuesday for a second time rejected a plan calling for their town to join their fellow Addison-Rutland Supervisory Union towns in forming a unified union school district.

The vote this time was closer than it was in the first ballot; this time it was 204 against the proposed Slate Valley Unified Union School District and 166 in favor.

Orwell citizens on April 12 had voted 211 to 121 against joining Castleton, West Haven, Hubbardton, Benson and Fair Haven in the proposed union.

That district would have been governed by a single, 18-member board with one budget for all of the schools now in the Addison-Rutland Supervisory Union (ARSU).

Orwell was the only community in the ARSU in April that voted against the unification plan, proposed under Vermont’s Act 46. Castleton en(See Orwell, Page 13A)

Motor mayhem THE RAMINATOR ENTERTAINS a large crowd with car-crushing antics at Mopar Magic held at Foster Motors in Middlebury on Sunday.

Photo by Andrea Warren

PAGE 2A — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 23, 2016

Law alters handling of yard, food waste Residents, firms face new mandates

Inside and out SAM LESTER JR. of New Haven polishes his 1968 Plymouth GTX before the start of the Mopar Magic judged car show Sunday afternoon at Foster Motors in Middlebury.

Photo by Andrea Warren

Council eyes police spending, tax rate

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — Police spending — especially $110,000 for two new cruisers — dominated a Tuesday Vergennes City Council meeting devoted to the next city budget and municipal tax rate, both of which must be adopted by July 1.

The council is working from a $2.3 million draft budget submitted by Vergennes City Manager Mel Hawley that he calculated, if adopted, would require a 9-cent hike in the municipal tax rate from 75 to 84 cents.

Those numbers do not include school tax rates, which Addison Northwest Supervisory Union officials said the state should release soon.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. on

this coming Tuesday to make final year-end fund balance (savings and a budget and tax rate for the 2016- revenue from the 2015-2016 budget) 2017 fiscal year. that the council can use to offset the During this past Tuesday’s meet- tax rate. ing, Mayor Bill Benton said the pos“Delinquent taxes affect our fund sible 9-cent increase balance,” Hawley said “scared us a little bit.” on Wednesday, beCouncil members did “I would like to cause he can project not discuss their tax- see it under 80 the collection rate on rate goals during the taxes owed and treat meeting, but Benton cents ... I don’t the projection as revafterward outlined a know if that’s enue. A year ago, he target. said, about $40,000 possible.”

“I would like to see — Mayor Bill Benton went uncollected by a it under 80 cents,” deadline after which Benton said, adding, “I the late taxes cannot be don’t know if that’s possible.” counted as revenue.

Hawley offered some hope, both This year, Hawley said at Tuesat the meeting and on Wednesday. At day’s meeting, the number could be the meeting, he said a favorable de- half that, with every $22,000 in revlinquent tax picture was helping the enue or budget cuts saving a penny

on the rate.

“The number is going in the right direction,” he said.

Hawley’s tax rate estimate also assumes aldermen will apply about $60,000 of the fund balance to keep the rate down. He didn’t say on Tuesday where the fund balance might end up, but hinted it might be more favorable.

On Wednesday, Hawley was asked if aldermen could expect to have more than $60,000 to use.

“Sure, absolutely,” he replied.

On top of the cruiser spending, the police budget is also being hit by the loss of $70,000 in grant funding for the department’s detective. Police spending in the draft budget rose $171,000 to $936,668.

(See Vergennes, Page 3A)

CONCERTGOERS ENJOY AN evening of music from the Brandon Town Band in Central Park last summer. A concert series returns to Brandon this summer.

By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — Bette Moffett would be proud.

A community effort has been under way to help stabilize the Brandon Town Band and offer a consistent venue for weekly musical offerings in Brandon this summer.

Enter the Brandon Summer Concert Series, every Wednesday at 7 p.m. through July and August in Central Park.

Bette Moffett died in 2013, having had a hand in creating the Brandon Town Band, among so many other local institutions. She formed the town band with Sally Hutchison in 2007.

“To have a town band, I thought, would be the perfect catalyst to come together as a community: families, children, dogs, picnics, acquaintances, friends,” Moffett said in a 2010 interview.

That idea is continuing this summer, as the Brandon Town Band will play two concerts in the park, along with shows by seven other

By EMMA COTTON ADDISON COUNTY — On July 1, the third installment of Vermont’s major trash and recycling law Act 148 will be phased in, imposing new requirements on how residents and businesses handle yard debris and how businesses handle food waste.

Landfills will no longer accept yard debris as of July 1. Haulers must offer residents and businesses curbside collection for leaves, brush and clean wood every fall and spring, a service for which haulers may charge. Customers should contact haulers for pricing information.

Residents may still compost yard waste in their backyards or take the materials directly to a facility. The Addison County Solid Waste Management’s Route 7 transfer station in Middlebury has been accepting leaf and yard debris since 1993.

“We’re in better shape than most,” said Teresa Kuczynski, ACSWMD’s District Manager.

It costs $1 to drop off any size load of leaf and yard debris at the ACSWMD station, while loads of wood have varying deposit prices, starting at $2.50 for a small car.

The full list of prices is available at addisoncountyrecycles.org. Wood dropped off at the facility is chipped into mulch, which is free for residents.

Act 148’s impact on businesses dealing with food scraps varies.

Those that produce more than 26 tons of food scraps annually must either donate leftover food or dispose of it at a certified composting facility, provided such a facility is within 20 miles, or compost itself.

If no such facility is within that distance, a business does not have to comply.

For some businesses, like American Flatbread in Middlebury, the new regulation will not be a problem. Flatbread owner and manager Danielle Boyce isn’t sure how much total food waste her restaurant produces, but the business has been composting since the branch opened in 2002. All of the fruits and vegetables left over from the kitchen are fed to pigs at the Duclos and Thompson farm in Weybridge.

In turn, Flatbread serves pork from the same farm.

Kuczynski said ACSWMD is happy to help businesses that create more than 26 tons of waste annually comply with Act 148.

The Legislature passed Act 148 in 2012 in an effort to limit the amount of reusable and recyclable material going to landfills. According to the EPA, every ton of material that is diverted from landfills saves 2.92 metric tons of carbon dioxide — the equivalent of taking 17,708 cars off the road.

Lawmakers wrote Act 148 to phase in over seven years in five incremental stages. The first phase came in July of 2014, when all Vermont trash facilities began accepting mandatory recyclables. Businesses that generated more than 104 tons of compost per year were required to donate or dispose of the scraps to a certified composting facility.

In July 2015 Vermont banned all recyclables from landfills and required trash facilities to manage leaf and yard debris. Haulers were also required to collect mandatory recyclables, and recycling bins were placed next to trashcans in all public areas except bathrooms.

Beginning in 2017, all trash facilities must accept food waste, and haulers must offer a service to collect food waste. The businesses that generate 26 tons of food waste or more per year will be required to bring the compostable material to a certified facility. By 2020, food waste will be banned from landfills.

Josh Kelly, Materials Management Section Chief for the Agency of Natural Resources, said state officials don’t necessarily expect a perfect record of compliance, at least immediately, as Act 148 is phased in.

“The intent of this legislation is not about 100 percent,” Kelly said.

“It’s about moving us toward a much more sustainable system, and a culture where recycling and compost is easy to do.”

More information about Act 148 is available at the Department of Environmental Conservation’s website at dec.vermont.gov.

Brandon concert series on tap Brandon Summer Concert Series All shows 7 p.m. in Central Park July 6: The Michele Fay Band July 13 : The Brandon Town Band July 27: Snake Mountain Bluegrass Aug. 3: The Brandon Town Band Aug. 10: Bob Stannard and Those Dangerous Bluesmen Aug. 17: Moose Crossing Aug. 24: Phineas Gage Aug. 31: Tintype Gypsies bands from around Vermont. The concert series kicks off with the Michele Fay band on July 6. The Brandon Town Band will play on

July 13 and Aug. 3.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT Organizers Stacey Doucette and Seth Hopkins said the last few years have been difficult for Town Band, which has had a series of band leaders and trouble scheduling. This year, Christ the King music teacher Nick Masterson from Rutland has agreed to lead the band, and Sally Hutchison will continue to work her magic as the treasurer, keeper of sheet music and overall organizer of the band.

“We’ve gone down many paths to keep the town band alive and it’s taken a lot of work,” Doucette said. “I feel like the community is really asking for this (concert series), for ways for the community to come together and that is evident from the fundraising effort.”

Organizers had hoped to raise $2,000 last spring through community events, mailings and a table at Town Meeting to help pay (See Brandon, Page 3A)

Addison Independent, Thursday, June 23, 2016 — PAGE 3A

Brandonite hit with fraud charges

AT THIS MONTH’S Otter Valley graduation, Pattie Candon pins a carnation on graduating senior Maia Edmunds, who was also her starting catcher and then center fielder during the 2016 softball season.

Brandon Reporter photos/Lee J. Kahrs

OV’s Candon retires after decades Mentor, teacher, coach moving on

By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — Band-Aids, bug spray, pencils, softball videos, Gatorade, nail polish remover — the shelves and walls of an office lend a telling glimpse of the person who occupies it. And, after 38 years, Otter Valley physical education teacher Pattie Candon’s office is no exception.

The June 11 OVUHS graduation marked the end of Candon’s career at the Brandon school, but it was more than that. The longtime softball coach, gym teacher and graduation coordinator is retiring, yes, but she is also leaving the school she graduated from in 1972.

Candon, 61, has spent most of her life at Otter Valley Union High School, and The Brandon Reporter caught up with her in that office recently to talk about her career and life after OV. “It will hit me at some point,â€? she said. “And when it does, it will be a hard hit ‌ that I’m not going back.â€?

Candon, 61, is a Pittsford native and one of six children. Her brothers Jim and Matt live in Rutland and Pittsford, respectively, and her sister Anne is relocating to South Carolina from Barre. Her sister Maggie lives in New Orleans. Her brother Willy died in 2013.

Candon is a doting aunt and greataunt to her 18-month-old greatniece, Stella, and three-year-old great-nephew, Jobin. She also has two other great-nephews in North Carolina.

Candon attended Castleton State College, now Castleton University, and graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. She began working fulltime at OV in 1983 after substituting for a few years.

COACH CANDON In addition to her family, Candon has another passion: the OV softball program. In March, Candon was inducted into the Vermont Principals’ Association Hall of Fame. She has coached softball at OV for 30 years, since 1986, and also officiated field

PATTIE CANDON hockey games beginning 10 years before that. Candon was honored not only for her softball teams’ four Division II championships, more than 300 wins, and a dozen Marble Valley league titles, but also because she “has been one of the top awardwinning field hockey umpires starting in 1976� and “has donated her time frequently to promote interscholastic sports when her teams are not playing.�

In 2007, Candon was inducted into the Castleton State University Hall of Fame. She has coached Vermont’s Twin-State softball team and helped found the Vermont State Softball Coaches’ Association and served as its vice president and secretary. She received the field hockey coaches’ Distinguished Service Award in 2005 and the Outstanding Official Award in 2012. “Three-hundred-thirty wins and 219 losses,� she said matter-of-factly, “and so many memories.�

The OV softball team won backto-back D-II state titles in 1993 and 1994, and again in 2009 and 2014.

Candon lists the 1994 title as one of the proudest moments of her career. “That was a very special year because it was the year my Dad died,� she said, her voice tightening, “and he would have loved that.�

A year ago, OV’s softball field was named in Candon’s honor. But she’s not quite ready to give up the

softball mantle at the school. Candon confirmed that although she is retiring from teaching, she will be back next spring to coach at least one more year of OV girls’ softball.

Eventually, though, Candon said she will have to take a leave from coaching to have double knee replacement. She said she will no longer referee field hockey games. “I’m not doing as much as I used to,� she said.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T When Candon was asked what she would miss most, she said she would miss her colleagues at OV, and the day-to-day friendships she has forged at the school. And especially the kids, both on the field and in the hallways and classrooms of OV. “Parents would ask their kids why they were giving this teacher a hard time and not Ms. Candon, and they say, ‘Because Ms. Candon treats me with respect,’� Candon recalled. “You show the kids respect and they are going to respect you back, and that’s the way it goes.�

That said, Candon admits it hasn’t always been easy. “There have been some tough nuts and some sweethearts, you know how it is,� she said.

Candon said she has no plans to leave Pittsford after retirement, but she has every intention of traveling. In addition to family in the Carolinas and New Orleans, Candon also has friends in Virginia and Atlanta. “And if I really want to bug out of town, I have friends in Scotland,� she said with a laugh. “We live in a great part of the country. Yeah, it gets hot, but it goes away. Yeah, we get snow, but it goes away. And we don’t get the wildfires, tornadoes and earthquakes.�

As the school year wound down, Candon said she heard from many students who wanted her to stay.

But suffice it to say that she won’t be a stranger around OV come next spring. Be it the sport or the students, a big piece of Candon’s heart will always be at Otter Valley. “People ask me if I have any kids,� she said smiling, “and I say ‘Yeah, I have 600 of them.’�

BRANDON — Federal authori- activities of daily living to Medicties on Wednesday arrested a Bran- aid-eligible children with significant don woman as part of a national disabilities or health conditions. health care fraud crackdown.

Three of Baker’s children qualified The Office of the U.S. Attor- for the CPCS program. ney in Burlington said According to a press the 36-year-old Misti issued by U.S. The indictment release Baker was involved in Attorney Eric S. Miller, Medicaid fraud, and charges Misti the indictment alleges that a federal judged Baker with that Baker submitted had ordered that she be submitting false false time sheets and jailed pending a detendiverted funds for her time sheets and tion hearing on Friday. own use, rather than On June 8, a federal fraudulently obtaining supplemengrand jury in Rutland diverting tal assistance for her returned an indictment approximately children. The indictcharging Baker with ment charges Baker $77,307 in health care fraud. Acwith submitting false cording to the indict- health care time sheets and fraudment, Baker defrauded funds. ulently diverting apthe state of Vermont’s proximately $77,307 Children’s Personal in health care funds.

Care Services (CPCS) program.

Miller emphasized that the chargCPCS, which is jointly funded by es in the indictment are merely acfederal and Vermont Medicaid dol- cusations and that the defendant is lars, is designed to provide supple- presumed innocent unless and until mental assistance with self-care and she is proven guilty.

Brandon (Continued from Page 2A) ing the crowds it wanted at the Monfor bands and maybe some advertis- day night concerts in the park, and ing the Chamber concert series wasn’t They raised $5,000, not includ- either. ing a $1,000 donation “We thought we from the Brandon Area should put them togethChamber of Com- “The community er so everyone could merce. really count on a conwanted Other major sponsors something like cert every week at the include Omya, Lake this. Something same place, with food.�

Sunapee Bank, Casella, With the money Nifty Thrifty, and Seth where people raised, organizers can get together and Olga Hopkins, plus bought 400 refrigeramany donations from in a low-stress tor magnets containing community members. the concert schedule situation and “The community hang out and logo, designed by wanted something like Brandon graphic artist together.� this,� Hopkins said.

Courtney Satz. They — Seth Hopkins “Something where were given to Neshobe people can get together School students to take in a low-stress situation and hang out home to their families. Organizers together. also bought a banner and a popcorn THE BIG IDEA machine, which the Brandon Girl Hopkins said over the last few Scout Troop will be operating at years, the Town Band wasn’t draw- each concert and distributing free

(Continued from Page 2A) Council members on Tuesday focused on saving money on the cruisers by postponing purchasing one of them until next year or by financing their purchase rather than paying cash up front.

Police Chief George Merkel and Hawley said the cruisers were necessary, although after selling a 2010 vehicle they said was a lemon their purchase would bring the department’s vehicle count up to six. “That’s going to reduce the cost of maintenance beneficially and start to get the fleet back to where it needs to be,� Merkel said.

Hawley described the 2010 cruiser as “toast,� with another 2011 vehicle not much better. “You’re not going to have six cruisers for very long,� he said. “One of these cruisers is going to die.�

Benton said the council needed to be able to justify why a department

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And the bands will be paid, including a stipend for the town band — a first. “We wanted to support them,�

Hopkins said. “We didn’t want to step on their toes.�

Doucette took on the responsibility of booking the bands to play in the series, and the result is an eclectic, vibrant line-up of homegrown Vermont talent (see box). She was asked why she took such an interest in booking the talent for the concert series. “I love going to see and hear music, and I’m a community person,�

Doucette said simply. “Our motto is, ‘Building community through music.’ That’s what it’s about.�

That’s what Bette Moffett thought, too. “I think we’re being good stewards of Bette’s legacy,� Hopkins said.

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If convicted, Baker faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.

Baker was arrested Wednesday as part of a nation-wide initiative to combat health care fraud. More than 30 federal districts, from Alaska to Florida, unveiled charges against approximately 300 defendants who participated in a variety of schemes that involved more than $900 million of fraud.

Miller commended the investigative efforts of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Boston Regional Office, and the Vermont Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. “Health care fraud is not an abstract or victimless crime,� Miller said. “The defendants pursued by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services in this operation have allegedly enriched themselves by stealing taxpayer money designated to help people who are most in need.�

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covering less than two square miles needed so many vehicles.

Hawley said the department’s qualifications and specialized work demands it, noting Merkel uses a 2007 cruiser, while the department’s detective, commercial vehicle enforcement expert and canine officer all drive their own vehicles. “If everyone was just an officer, you wouldn’t need five vehicles.

This isn’t that kind of department,�

Hawley said.

Talk turned to the financing options, and Hawley said it might be “possible to turn $100,000 into $45,000� through financing, meaning a potential savings of 2 or 3 cents on the tax rate.

The council had earlier reached consensus on the administration, public works, fire department and recycling budgets. Other budget areas

in the draft show modest increases except for public works, which contains a small decrease.

The city sewer department is funded separately by fees. Hawley proposed and the council backed an increase from $87.50 to $96 per quarter, an amount equal to $34 per year, in the base rate for most residential and commercial uses.

The total of the rest of Hawley’s proposed budget came to $2.3 million. The Independent erroneously reported that amount as a $1.848 million draft general fund budget in a June 16 article. That smaller amount is the amount of money needed in local tax revenue to support the draft $2.3 million budget.

The Independent apologizes for the error.

Andy Kirkaldy may be reached at andyk@addisonindependent.com.

PAGE 4A — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 23, 2016

A DDIS ON INDE PE NDEN T

Letters

Editorials

to the Editor

Minter takes early stand on gun legislation in Vermont Give Democrat gubernatorial candidate Sue Minter credit for being outfront pushing sensible gun-control legislation and helping to change the conversation among candidates running for governor.

Minter has called for stronger gun-safety legislation in Vermont since the mass shootings in Charlotte, N.C. a year ago. She has advocated for more thorough background checks for those purchasing a gun, and most recently for a ban on selling assault weapons for non-military purposes.

For those Vermonters who reject any proposed restrictions by saying the state does not have a problem of gun-related violence, Minter points out that Vermont ranks eighth highest per capital in domestic violence with guns.

“For me, the biggest threat is behind closed doors,” she said of the numbers of gun-related deaths and injuries in domestic assault cases. Most are crimes of passion and without easy access to gun purchases, much violence — and lives wrecked — could be prevented.

Minter was a lone voice on the topic early on and, she says, she took some grief for it from many Vermonters. “But you have to stand up for gun safety,” she says matter-of-factly, adding that it should not mean a significant infringement on responsible gun owners. Other candidates have since followed, she said, adding that both Democratic gubernatorial candidates — Matt Dunne and Peter Galbraith — have joined her in advocating for stricter background checks and, recently, for a ban on assault weapons.

The issue is as important in Vermont as it is in the nation at large. Expanded background checks do not affect the ability of any law-abiding citizen to buy a gun.

On the flipside, abuse of the system is rampant. Stories around the country have broadcast how easy it is to buy a gun, including an assault weapon, for not a lot of money and almost no hassle. In many cases, it’s far easier to buy an AK-47 than it is to register to vote — and that is madness.

Minter has led the way in Vermont, and it should be a question Republican challengers Lt. Gov. Phil Scott and Bruce Lisman tackle as well.

This question for Vermonters is clear: Can the state implement gun laws that protect the public, while also respecting the Second Amendment?

Dozens of states have. Connecticut and New York ban the sale or possession of many semiautomatic assault rifles and large-capacity magazines — measures this conservative U.S. Supreme Court have found are fully consistent with Second Amendment rights. The nation’s highest court, in fact, has rejected more than 70 challenges to gun regulations in recent years.

Implementing stricter background checks that provide a reasonable amount of time to be thorough, should be a given if it does not prevent eligible citizens the right to bear arms. The conundrum is how much time is too little or too much for the background check? A reasonable guideline should be based on how long it takes to do a legitimate search to determine whether the person seeking the weapon is dangerous to society. Residents may have to sacrifice a day or two longer wait, but if the gain is keeping high-powered weapons out of the hands of known terrorists, or others who may have ill intent, surely that is worth the small sacrifice for those asked to wait a matter of days.

The recommended restrictions, after all, have no intent to stop gun purchases by responsible citizens; but rather to provide law enforcement with the tools to prevent guns from landing in the hands of those intent on killing others.

Angelo Lynn

A show of political resolve House Democrats in the nation’s capital displayed a modicum of civil disobedience Wednesday by taking over the House floor and demanding action on gun control measures that 85 to 90 percent of Americans support.

Yet on Monday, the Republican-controlled Senate defeated two measures brought by Democrats that would have banned the sale of guns to those on the federal terror watch list, and expanded background checks for online and gun-show purchases.

Republicans sought to escape the political backlash by proposing two measures of their own: a measure agreeing to a three-day wait before those on the federal terrorism watch list could buy a gun, and a measure that would have increased funding for background checks but not expand them. To paraphrase, the latter measure was a nonsensical waste of taxpayer money, and the other measure approved the sale of guns to known terrorists who are actively being watched by the CIA and FBI. Voters can only shake their heads in disbelief.

Polls show that more than 85 percent of Americans favor the two modest restrictions proposed by Democrats. And yet Republicans in solid unity rejected those wishes in order to remain beholden to one lobbying organization and the money it shells out to keep Republicans in office — the National Rifle Association.

Arguments against such modest limitations to gun purchases are ludicrous and specious. While Republicans put up a show of defending the Second Amendment, in no way do either provisions deny law-abiding Americans from buying a gun, and interestingly enough, gun-owners are more adamant about gun control laws than non-gun-owners. Support for requiring background checks for all gun sales is 85 percent among gun owners and 83 percent among non-gun-owners, according to researchers with the John Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research. In 2015, a survey also found that 76 percent of gun owners supported prohibiting people convicted of domestic violence from having a gun for 10 years.

What is clear is that by not preventing known terrorists or criminals easy access to high-powered weapons, we place innocent and unsuspecting citizens into the direct line of fire as well as endanger law enforcement officers.

Monday’s defeat of the two rational proposals by Democrats in the Senate was another new low, in a year of low points, for Republican-inspired politics. Hopefully, Americans will rally to the Democrats’ perspective and force Republicans to reconsider this critically important issue, but don’t hold your breath.

Angelo Lynn

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Energy head’s stance praised

Slow goodbye DISASSEMBLY OF THE old Middlebury town office and gymnasium continues as the buildings are prepared for demolition this summer.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

Sadly, Orlando offered perspective One year ago, I wrote a column that appeared in this space and in the newspaper of which I am the editor, The Reporter in Brandon. It was June 2015 and the U.S. Supreme Court, by a vote of 5-4, legally recognized the right of gay and lesbian Americans to marry.

In writing that column, I came out to readership of The Reporter. It wasn’t a secret, but it was personal information that I had to share in order to explain my excitement over the court’s historic decision.

It’s June 2016 and I find myself coming out all over again, but for the most heartbreaking reason.

On June 12, 49 members and allies of the gay community were murdered at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando,

By Lee J. Fla., by a man who claimed loyalty to Kahrs an Islamic terrorist group. Fifty-three others were injured.

The largest mass shooting in the nation’s history, it was an attack on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. It’s been a tough 10 days. I haven’t really been able to talk about the Orlando Massacre. Straight people I know, friends, my parents, co-workers, would talk about it and ask me how I was. I would say “I’m OK,” then change the subject or find a reason to leave. Even when I was alone, one minute I would be fine, and the next minute the grief would wash over me and my eyes would well with tears.

That is still happening.

Facebook was the only place I found my voice in the days following the massacre. My gay friends and I shared our grief and anger in our posts several times a day for the first week or so. We railed against what we perceived as the straight world co-opting the Orlando Massacre as

a human tragedy and side stepping the fact that it was a hate crime targeting homosexuals.

We shared our devastation for our brothers and sisters gunned down in what was for so many a historically safe place. For decades, gay bars and clubs have been a haven for members of the LGBTQ community, a place where we could be ourselves, even if we weren’t out to our families, friends and co-workers.

Twenty-five years ago, I marched in gay pride parades and shouted at the top of my lungs for equal rights. I voted for candidates I believed in and thought would continue to protect my rights to work and live where I chose without harassment and discrimination.

Over the last several years, the “real” world was slowly becoming a safer, more accepting place for us. After decades of fighting for equality, we won the right to marry. There are federal laws prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ people.

But now, there has been a shift in this country, a backlash at the conservative state level. This spring, there was a move to reject laws attempting to protected gays, lesbians and transgender people from discrimination, in North Carolina, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Orlando is the tragic capstone on a struggle for equality that has been two steps forward, one step back. Fortyseven years have passed since the riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York City ushered in the modern Gay Rights Movement, but today, 26 states have no laws protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination.

(See Clippings, Page 5A)

Clippings

Sanders seeks change from within In recent weeks, Sen. Bernie Sanders has sent e-mails to his millions of supporters seeking small donations on behalf of Democratic candidates for Congress and state legislatures all over the country.

Sanders is raising money for incumbent House Democrats seeking re-election, such as Marcy Kaptur of Ohio and Rick Nolan of Minnesota, for former colleagues seeking to return to Capitol Hill, such as Wisconsin Senate candidate Russ Feingold, and for congressional candidates such as Zephyr Teachout in New York’s Hudson Valley, who are running in competitive primaries to challenge Republican House incumbents in winnable districts.

Sanders is also raising money for state legislative candidates, including Burlington Rep. Chris Pearson, the long-time Progressive leader in the Vermont House. Pearson has entered the Democratic primary and hopes to win one of the two open seats in By Eric L. Davis the Chittenden Senate delegation.

Sanders has raised about $60,000 for Pearson, which should make him the best-funded candidate in the Chittenden Senate race.

Sanders’ involvement in this fund-raising is important on several levels. First, the candidates he is supporting are all Democrats; none are independents or third-party candidates. Readers with long memories will remember that early in his career, as Mayor of Burlington and as a statewide candidate in the 1980s, Sanders spent as much time criticizing Democrats as he did Republicans.

In his first years in Congress, Sanders was nominally a member of the Democratic caucus, but was only loosely affiliated with the party.

Politically Thinking

In his later years in the House, and especially after he was elected to the Senate, Sanders became more integrated with, and supportive of, Democratic efforts on Capitol Hill. In turn, he was named to committee leadership positions by the Democratic caucus. However, until this year, Sanders never actively raised money for Democratic candidates for the House and Senate, especially candidates who were running in competitive races and could use the money.

Second, Sanders’ fund-raising efforts show that he recognizes the importance of having allies on Capitol Hill if his policies are to get serious consideration in the legislative process. Again, this represents a shift from the lone-wolf style that characterized his early congressional career. If the Democrats can pick up four Senate seats and retain the presidency and vice presidency, there will be a Democratic majority in the Senate in January. Sanders would then likely become chair of the Senate Budget Committee.

The Budget Committee would provide Sanders an excellent vehicle for his proposals on tax policy, health care, higher education and other issues that he has advocated as a presidential candidate. It would also allow him to make the case against Republican policies such as those associated with House Speaker Paul Ryan. But in order to become chair of the Budget Committee, Sanders needs to see Democratic candidates such as Russ Feingold, and others for whom he may raise money later in the year, win competitive (See Davis, Page 5A)

Recently I received an email with the statement that Jason Kaye, chairman of the town energy committee, made to the Middlebury selectboard, with a video of his testimony saying he was going to protest the natural gas pipeline with civil disobedience.

This was my answer to that email list: Jason I was deeply touched by what you wrote/spoke to the Middlebury selectboard. I am well aware of your total commitment to opposing the Vermont Gas pipeline expansion project having been in various booths with you at public events and tracking your creative and tireless work. I am in total agreement with you in opposing this project and find your stand with the Middlebury selectboard articulate, full of integrity and courageous.

While I was disappointed in the earlier, what seemed to me reluctance, of Bill McKibben to speak out against the pipeline, more recently he has been most cogent and concise summarizing the recent data on the life cycle analysis of natural gas and the amount that enters the atmosphere in drilling and transportation making it more of a climate problem than coal. I agree that further investment in fossil fuel infrastructure of this kind is insane and I agree that it’s time for civil disobedience. I was very inspired by what you wrote/spoke and hope that I can join you although I struggle with moving up my commitment to “walking my talk.”

My focus for over a decade has been peak oil (read “The Party’s Over” by Richard Heinberg) and climate change, and while anyone who looks closely at what’s going on on the old home planet sees lots to be troubled about, I too, come from a positive perspective. I see more local, more community, less high-tech in our future and think this can be good.

Thank you!

Ron Slabaugh Middlebury

Compassion needed in world I wanted to title this letter “Losing Faith.”

I should clarify my title, I’ve grown up in a very loving Christian home, and continue to worship Him every Sunday. I could argue over the last year my faith has grown and been stronger than I have ever felt it to be. I have so much to be thankful for, so I don’t want any of what I say to take away from that. What I am losing faith in, is people.

Just in the last six months my husband’s truck has been vandalized twice, we have recently been robbed, and we have people who constantly use our property as a meeting ground for fights, cheating on significant others, and the likes. We have bought a handgun (legally, and thank goodness we still have the right) for the protection of ourselves, our two children, and our state of mind. The crime, the innocent people killed, corrupt law enforcers and government placeholders, the monsters that fill our screens constantly, the police logs in the local newspapers taking up more and more space, the local businesses taking on better security measures, people locking their doors for the first time over the course of their life because they feel unsafe in the neighborhood they’ve grown up in. What happened? Where have we gone wrong?

Are we past the point of being able to fix it? I have my own opinions of course, somewhere along the line faith in the Lord, being a Christian and following His word was lost. I know many will disagree and I believe you have the right to disagree. I am in no way trying to say that I think Christians are better people, because I know many who claim to be followers of Christ but their actions show a different story.

It takes being a good human being to be a Christian, not just a Sunday service. But I think the world is full of amazing beautiful people inside and out, and they too make the world a better place. But for the sake of this letter I wanted to share some Bible verses that Christian or not everyone could benefit from: Luke 6:27-31 – “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If (See Letter, Page 5A)

Addison Independent, Thursday, June 23, 2016 — PAGE 5A

Civil protest vs. pipeline needed

After Orlando, let us lean into love and labor for change By the time this goes to press, Muslim in America in these past we will have numbly stumbled days, steeling oneself — yet again through almost two weeks since — for the social and political fallthe massacre in Orlando. By now, out from another violent tragedy the raw facts are familiar: the for which one bears no responsiworse mass shooting in modern bility whatsoever. I can only begin U.S. history, 49 dead — almost all to imagine. of them young, gay and Latino — In my classes, I go out of my killed by a mentally way to teach my unhinged, self-radistudents that there calized man whose is no such thing as access to a military the Muslim comassault weapon was munity or the Jewsimple and perfectish perspective or ly legal. By the time the African-Amerithis goes to press, can experience. Of who knows what course, we use this else will have translanguage because pired in our worlds, of its ease and simwhat sorrows, what plicity. We also joys, what tragedies do this because as and what transformembers of any of mative acts of comthese communities passion. And by the we share certain time this goes to kinds of everyday press, I hope I will experiences and a feel a little better cultural “collecthan I do right now. tive memory” of It is fair to say

By Rebecca Kneale Gould both the beautiful that in Addison and the difficult County, the majorthings that bind ity of us are not Latino, Muslim us together, now and in the genor gay. But some of us are. I can’t erations that preceded us. In my speak to what it is like to be La- high school, the “black kids” and tina or Muslim in this country after the “white kids” often did not sit June 12, 2016, but I can speak to together in the cafeteria and with what it is like to be gay. For the good reason, the same reason that I first time in a very long time, I find enjoy those moments when I hapmyself wondering and worrying pen to be spending time with just about my safety and the safety of my gay friends. I’m not desperate my friends all over the country. I for these moments as I was when question whether, as a country, we I was younger, but I still find that have come as far as I think we have it is sometimes simply more rein terms of ending hatred and dis- laxing to just be together without crimination directed to of those of having to explain or to apologize us who happen to be gay. or to try to be exemplary to “make As I’ve been going through my up for” the judgments of others. In everyday routines, from scholarly this sense, I do belong to “the gay work to gardening, I talk back community” and rarely have I been to myself the second these fears as acutely aware of that as I have arise. “Don’t be ridiculous, you in this last calendar year: when I live in enlightened Vermont where raised a glass to my freedom to we respect one another’s differ- marry (and proposed!) after the ences even when we disagree. We Supreme Court ruling on June 26, have gay marriage in Vermont. 2015, and when I got into my car Last year at this time, the Supreme and wept after hearing the news of Court made gay marriage the law June 12, 2016. of the land. Did you ever think that What do we do in the face of was going to happen when you something as incomprehensible were 20?” My fears are irrational, as the massacre in Orlando? That I reassure myself. And this is true. depends a lot on who you are. If It is also not true. As every gay you can channel your grief and person in America is likely feeling anger to work for reasonable gun right now, it could have been me. control akin to what exists in other I mean, it really could have been countries, that’s a very good place me. to start. In Australia, a culturally Now most of the time I feel pro-gun country like the United about as lucky as can be: happily States in many respects, sweeping partnered for 24 years (and legally legislation in the mid-1990s (in remarried for one!), doing work that sponse to a mass shooting) led to I love, living in a beautiful and a stunning 59 percent reduction of progressive state. It is also extraor- firearm homicides and a 65 perdinary to live at this particular mo- cent reduction in deaths of people ment in history, where — thanks to who felt hopeless and turned guns the unflagging labors of many of against themselves. my immediate friends and neighMaybe you have the capacity to bors — I have rights and protec- give money to support the famitions I never imagined I would lies of the dead, in which case I have when I was in college won- recommend giving money to the dering about what my future would GoFundMe campaign initiated by hold. And every day, in ways both Equality Florida, which is one of obvious and subtle, I enjoy the vast the most carefully vetted fundprivileges afforded to white people raising sites you can find right in this country that my non-white now, channeling all of the dofriends do not. Nevertheless, right nated money directly to all of the now I feel broken-hearted, vulner- families that need it (www.eqfl. able and devastated. org). An equally dependable fund I ask myself, what must it feel is “OneOrlando” launched by Orlike to be gay and Latino right lando Mayor Buddy Dyer (www. now? What must it feel like to be oneorlando.org). But for my Ad-

Ways of Seeing

dison County audience, let me also suggest this: Reach out to a friend.

Call (or better, visit) a gay friend, or a Latino friend or a Muslim friend.

If you think you don’t have any friends who claim one or more of these identities as their own then just reach out to a friend whom you think may be hurting as much or more than you are. It may be that he is actually in more pain about something else (a sick friend, an unemployed relative), but he experiences Orlando as yet one more wrenching thing to add to the list, making his days that much more difficult to bear. It may be that your friend feels guilty because she feels several steps removed from what happened and doesn’t know quite how to think or to feel or to act. Listen to him. Visit her. Take someone out for coffee or on a walk with you and your dog. Offer a hug. Connect. For in the midst of feeling devastated and vulnerable, my primary feeling is of one of hope. Our human capacity for love and compassion — exemplified by so many stories we hear coming out of Orlando — is stronger than any act of hatred against us. We must believe in love and we must enact it. We can give our energy out to Orlando and we can also open our hearts to our neighbors right here.

But let me circle back to working for change. Two days after the shooting, I circulated the lyrics to a song written by Holly Near, a long-time activist for civil rights, for the preservation of nature and for gay rights. She first wrote the song in response to the shootings at Kent State and went on to write verses pertaining to Stephen Bantu Biko’s fight against apartheid in South Africa, Victor Jara Martinez’s arts-based activism against the junta in Chile and Karen Silkwood’s environmental justice campaigns in Oklahoma. “It Could Have Been Me” was also sung in campaigns for civil rights for gay people everywhere: “It could have been me, but instead it was you. So I’ll keep doing the work you were doing as if I were two. I’ll be a student of life, a singer of songs, a farmer of food and the righter of wrong .... If you can work for freedom — freedom, freedom, freedom. If you can work for freedom, I can too.”

Love your neighbor. Work for change. Reach out. Connect. Honor and re-tell acts of love and compassion.

And thank you for listening.

In sharing these fears, hopes and dreams, I feel better already.

Author’s note: Just as this column was going to press, a friend with whom I had shared the lyrics of Holly Near’s “It Could Have Been Me” wrote to tell me that Holly had just re-written and performed a new verse of her classic to honor those who died in Orlando. You can find it on the “Holly Near Fan” Facebook page.

Rebecca Kneale Gould is a writer, scholar of religion and senior lecturer in the Environmental Studies Program at Middlebury College. She tends — and learns a great deal from— a small flock of sheep in Monkton.

This is the full text of the statement place of optimism. that I read to the Middlebury selectRooted in the notion that all peoboard during their June 14 meeting, ple — those here in Middlebury, and regarding my decision to participate those at the other end of the pipe in nonviolent civil disobedience to far away from here — can abide stop the Vermont Gas pipeline ex- in a safe, healthy and affirming enpansion project. vironment. Rooted in My name is Jason a better democracy, Kaye and I live on where communities Washington Street Exthemselves can delibtension. I am currently erate and decide their the chairperson of the approach to the projThis week’s writer Town Energy Commitects and policies that is Jason Kaye of tee. impact them. Rooted Middlebury.

For the last three and in a healthy economy, a half years, I have been where stability and digdeeply engaged in efforts to stop the nity are our highest values.

Vermont Gas pipeline expansion For these three and a half years, project. Over this time, I have artic- I have participated in countless ulated my perspective to numerous meetings and conference calls and iterations of the Middlebury select- strategy sessions and rallies and board. Spurred by the urgency of the potlucks with friends and strangers. climate crisis and the steadfast call With younger people expanding the of “no new fossil fuel infrastruc- boundaries of our understanding of ture,” my opposition to this project justice; with older people — some in is, perhaps surprisingly, rooted in a their final days — trying to bestow

Community

Forum

Letter (Continued from Page 4A) someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Luke 6:36-38 – “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. And do not judge and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Now literally I get it, we can’t give every “tunic” we own etc. But the broad picture has great merit.

One of the things our priest asked of us this past week, was think of someone whom we may not exactly get along with — have had troubles

Clippings (Continued from Page 4A) And now we are mourning the loss of 49 souls in Orlando in a senseless mass murder that no one could have imagined.

I am not a gay newspaper editor, I am a newspaper editor who happens to be gay. My sexuality does not define me completely. I am human first.

Members of the LGBTQ community are all human beings first.

We have mothers and fathers and children and grandchildren who we love dearly. We own homes, we pay taxes, we raise children.

We are your newspaper editors, your hairdressers, business owners, bartenders, mechanics, grocery store workers, social workers, truck drivers, retails store clerks.

We are your neighbors, and we are your friends, and as human beings we must come together and fight to protect one another against hate and violence in any form.

Orlando was the worst hate crime imaginable, but if straight America sees it as a human tragedy, I’d call that progress.

Davis (Continued from Page 4A) Senate elections.

Closer to home, Sanders’ help for Chris Pearson is another sign that the Vermont Progressive Party is becoming less of an independent political party, and more of an organized tendency within the Vermont Democratic Party. Pearson is seeking one of Chittenden’s Senate seats as a Democrat, not as a Progressive. Democratic Sen. Tim Ashe, formerly a Progressive alderman in Burlington, will be either Senate President Pro Tem, or an important committee chair in 2017. Another Chittenden Senator, David Zuckerman, also once a Progressive, is seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

No high-profile Progressives are running for statewide office, in part because Ashe, Pearson and Zuckerman are running as Democrats, and in part because Progressives appear to have realized—along with Sanders—that they can have more influence by working through the Democratic Party than as an independent third party.

Eric L. Davis is professor emeritus of political science at Middlebury College.

to the rest of us a safe world; with landowners desperately trying to be responsible stewards of their sliver of the Earth; with moms and dads anxious over what their kids’ future might look like; with clergy holding strong their faith. I have heard these people articulate truth after truth of what they are fighting for, even as they — we — fight against this pipeline.

I have taken every opportunity afforded to me to stop this project in the regulatory processes of the state of Vermont. I have spent many nights sifting through Vermont Gas’ filings; scrutinizing their financial analyses; crafting and implementing legal strategies with others. I have attended regulatory hearings; I have submitted public comments; I have entered into the record sworn affidavits. I have helped to organize many others to do the same.

Two years ago, I was part of a (See Forum, Page 6A)

with in the past — and ask God for mercy on them. This took me back a little because it’s not one of the things any of us, Christian or not, would think of doing. Who wants to ask for mercy on an enemy, or if not “asking” because you don’t believe, it would be equivalent to completely and utterly forgiving someone for all the wrong they’ve caused without an apology; without hesitation forgiving someone and having compassion. That is a challenge. But how would the world look today if people were

forgiving, if people had compassion? If we were capable of looking past our differences and asking for mercy on our enemies? I know it is far-fetched in a world that we live in so full of hate, but I accepted the challenge. I prayed for mercy on my “enemies” and I also asked for comfort. Regardless of Christian or not I challenge all of you, to be forgiving, have compassion on others. It is an overwhelmingly great feeling to forgive. God Bless everyone!

Abby Roleau Bristol

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PAGE 6A — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 23, 2016

ADDISON COUNTY

Obituaries Belle Senecal celebration of life WHITING — A celebration of life honoring Belle S. Senecal will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, at Whiting Community Church in Whiting.

She was born on Sept. 23, 1922, and died on May 23, 2016. She was a resident of Brandon at the time of her passing. She was married to George.

Memorial gifts may be made to: Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, c/o Stacey Freeguard, Stickney Road, Whiting VT 05778, or the Whiting Community Church, P.O. Box 95, 7 North Main St. Whiting, VT 05778.

Karen Williams memorial service BRANDON — A memorial service in celebration of the life of Karen Evelyn Williams, 55, who died March 4, 2016, will be held on Saturday, June 25, at 1 p.m. at the Brandon American Legion Post No. 55.

Following the ceremony, the family will receive friends there for a time of remembrance.

ADDISON COUNTY

StudentBRIEFS Kaleb Alexander of Bristol, majoring in aviation meteorology and flight, received a bachelor’s degree at Florida Institute of Technology’s spring commencement in May. ••••• Rachael Orvis of Bristol, Jonathan Godaire of Ferrisburgh and Merle Beach of Vergennes graduated from Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington.

Orvis is a member of the National Honor Society.

Middlebury College honors its staff at annual award event MIDDLEBURY — President Laurie L. Patton expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the valuable contributions made by every member of the Middlebury College staff at the annual event honoring this year’s recipients of Staff Recognition Awards.

With more than 100 staff members gathered in Crossroads Café on June 2, the president invoked the Sanskrit term sakshi, meaning “witness” or “observer,” and said, “In India to be the chief witness is a position of great honor, and I want you all to know how much we appreciate the work that you do.”

Whether setting up for commencement, working in the dining halls, or shoveling snow late at night, Patton said Middlebury staff members are the sakshi to our everyday lives and all of the landmark events at the college.

The president thanked the members of the Staff Recognition Awards Committee, together with Professor Emeritus of Sociology Rudolf K. (“Rudy”) Haerle Jr., who started the staff recognition program with an endowment in 2002, and she introduced the 2016 recipients: Arabella Holzapfel (Davis Family Library), Elizabeth Rheaume (Custodial Services), Charles Sargent (Dining Services), and Donna Stark (Counseling Office).

Arabella Holzapfel was saluted for serving nearly a quarter of a century “to make the library, the college, and the Addison County community a better place for everyone. In your position as electronic resources manager, you exercise great care in handling the library’s many licensing contracts, and as library systems specialist, you make certain that students, faculty, and staff always have access to the online data they need.”

Elizabeth “Liza” Rheaume, who has worked at Middlebury for 34 years, sets “high standards in Custodial Services by going the extra mile to keep our campus buildings looking their very best. Your co-workers admire how, as a team leader, you are always watching out

MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE PRESIDENT Laurie Patton, left, and Professor Emeritus Rudolf Haerle, far right, congratulate Charlie Sargent, Liza Rheaume and Arabella Holzapfel on their staff recognition awards.

Photo by Todd Balfour

for their best interests, how you listen without judging, how you always come to work with a positive attitude, and how you have trained legions of Middlebury employees over the years to do their jobs the right way,” said President Patton.

Charles “Charlie” Sargent, now in his 41st year with the college, is the purchasing manager in Dining Services. The president said, “Your colleagues describe you as ‘always

calm, cool, and collected,’ and consider you to be one of the most knowledgeable, reliable and levelheaded people in the fast-paced world of Middlebury College dining.

You always have your finger on the pulse of Dining Services and you have been doing so for decades with skill and dignity.”

Donna Stark, the administrative associate and client services coordinator in the Counseling Office,

could not be present at the event.

The 14-year Middlebury employee was commended by the president for greeting clients “with warmth, compassion and a tone of respect in times of crisis,” and for handling “delicate and intense situations with calm and composure.” Stark’s “willingness to be truly present and truly human in the face of others’ suffering” is a supremely important attribute for a person in her staff position,

the president noted.

The criteria for the award are leadership, stewardship, attitude, and community service. Each awardee receives a gift from Middlebury, a plaque, and a copy of the citation read by the president. In addition, their names are added to the scroll of previous staff recognition recipients that hangs in McCullough Student Center.

Editor’s note: Reporting by Robert Keren.

From an insider’s point of view, our health care has got to change I am an emergency physician at Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC), where I have worked for the last nine years. In addition, I have been afforded the opportunity to observe — and participate in — discussions and planning around healthcare reform at the community and state level.

There are many questions about what healthcare reform should look like and how it will affect us as patients, family members and providers of care.

There is potential for great change, and this can be very unsettling. Unfortunately, anxiety of this magnitude sometimes tends to highlight differences in viewpoint and opinion rather than shared goals. It’s important to remember that as Vermonters, each of us has a vested interest in ensuring that

Vermont has the best healthcare delivery system in the country. I say this as a patient, as much as a physician.

I went into emergency medicine because I wanted to care for patients when they needed it most. The practice of emergency medicine requires us to treat every patient based on need, regardless of ability to pay, and this has also always been very important to me as a physician. If you are my patient, I want to ensure to the best of my ability that you get what you need — comfort, relief from suffering and top-notch medical care. For me, this mission is a fundamental part of my practice, and I will be the first to admit that it can be difficult to entrust others with the details of reforming the system that I work in.

However, it has become clear to state recognize this and are willme over the past several years that ing to embrace changes that aim the way we deliver and receive to keep people out of the hospital. care has to change. Healthcare in Increasingly, it’s been recognized the U.S. and Vermont that what folks need to is too expensive, not stay healthy is much available to enough more than the right people and not consismedications or timely tently of the quality it surgeries — it’s safe This week’s writer should be. housing, enough is Todd D. Gregory, If changes in healthy food to eat, MD, medical direchealthcare work as and support with tor at Rutland designed, it will mean addiction and mental Regional Medical that more patients health problems.

Center’s Emergency receive the care and We are making Department. He lives attention they need in progress: In our ED, in North Clarendon the comfort of their for example, we’re with his wife and two homes and commuusing a screening tool sons. nities rather than in called SBIRT to idenhospitals and healthtify patients at risk for care centers. Contrary to what one developing addictions so that we might expect, I have found that can intervene earlier and hopefully the healthcare institutions in this prevent the suffering, illness and

Community

Forum

loss associated with these diseases.

We’re working closer than ever before with community partners to provide more comprehensive services to those with addiction to alcohol, opiate medications and/or street drugs.

Will efforts like these mean less “business” for our Emergency Department, and possibly some difficult decisions down the road?

Probably. However, our staff support these efforts. We see the consequences of these illnesses daily, and if we never have to tell another friend, loved one or family member that their loved one has died as the result of an overdose we will feel like we’ve won an important battle.

Without exception, each of the healthcare institutions in the state — large or small — is a nonprofit

entity committed to caring for patients in its community. We care for community members, nurses, physicians and hospital administrators alike, and we often give or receive care to/from our friends, family members or neighbors.

I cannot spell out for you at this time what healthcare reform in Vermont will look like — and I’m not sure anyone can at this stage. What I can tell you is that Vermont’s hospitals and other health care stakeholders are deeply committed to ensuring that Vermonters receive the best care possible from the best healthcare system in the country. As a doctor and committed healthcare leader, I firmly believe that any changes we consider must be founded on better care for patients.

Therefore, I am compelled by my conscience to participate in nonviolent civil disobedience as a means to sway Vermont Gas to abandon their project.

My conscience compels me, as well, to be fully accountable for my actions. One part of that accountability is due to my fellow members of the Energy Committee, with whom I shared this during our meeting last week. And another part of that accountability is due to the selectboard, which has appointed me to serve on the Energy Committee each

of the last four years. I understand that my participation in nonviolent civil disobedience may render members of the Energy Committee, or members of this selectboard, or residents of Middlebury no longer supportive of my continued involvement with a Town committee.

I come before you tonight to explain the reasoning behind my actions, to be direct and honest about my intentions, and to be explicitly clear that I will embrace my responsibility and its consequences.

Forum

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Obituaries can also be viewed at

www.addisonindependent.com

(Continued from Page 5A) small group that was invited to have a private meeting with Governor Shumlin, his chief of staff, and the then-Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources. During that meeting, the Governor interrupted me as I was explaining what I was fighting for, and he made it clear that there was no way he was going to change his mind about this pipeline.

Even still, my fundamental belief in the rightness of the rule of law has kept me committed to Vermont’s regulatory process. Even as Vermont

Gas constructed initial segments of their pipeline, there was still an open legal avenue to stop this project, so I conceded those first few miles.

Even as the families — that took a stand on their land because of their commitment to protect something far greater — had finally succumbed to the pressure of Vermont Gas and state agencies, I was still holding onto hope that things wouldn’t come to this.

There are no more legal avenues available that have a reasonable expectation of halting this project.

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New Obituary Guidelines The Independent will publish paid obituaries and free notices of passing. Paid obituaries cost 25 cents per word and will be published, as submitted, on the date of the family’s choosing. Paid obituaries are marked with a “◊” symbol at the end.

The Independent offers a free notice of passing up to 100 words, subject to editing by our news department. Photos with either paid obituaries or free notices cost $10 per photo. Obituaries may be emailed to obits@addisonindependent.com, or call 802-388-4944 for more information.

Cremation With A Service...

A Celebration of Life, for those left behind, helps those family members and friends with closure. Even though your loved one says “I just want to be cremated– no funeral,” they forget the Celebration of Life service is not for them, but for the ones left behind. A service is a healthy way to say good-bye.

Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home 117 South Main St. Middlebury, VT • 388-2311 sandersonfuneralservice.com

Addison Independent, Thursday, June 23, 2016 — PAGE 7A

Model U.N. at MUHS a success MIDDLEBURY — Model United Nations at Middlebury Union High School set records this year, both for most students winning awards at “away� conferences, and for the largest attendance by students from other schools at the Middlebury Model UN conferences hosted by MUHS. Winning awards at the competitive conferences that bring together students from different high schools were MUHS students Josh Bechhoefer at Keene (N.H.) MUN, representing Tunisia, and Northeast Kingdom MUN, United Kingdom;

Bastiaan Phair, representing Nigeria at Keene MUN, and the United Kingdom in the Security Council at the Northeast Kingdom MUN; Ronan Howlett, representing Australia at Northeast Kingdom MUN; and Emily Fleming representing Cambodia at the Northeast Kingdom MUN. Model UN encourages students to debate global issues of their choice, with each student representing a different country. It is a way to increase knowledge and confidence, practice negotiating and speaking skills, and become

NORTHEAST KINGDOM MODEL UN participants from MUHS this year were, from left, Josh Bechhoefer, Megi Hoxa, Ronan Howlett, Emily Fleming and Bastiaan Phair.

involved with the nuances of decision-making and conflict resolution. Students also learn to chair debates using parliamentary procedure, reinforcing the importance of respect for the rule of law as a way to balance respect for minority rights with decisionmaking made by majority vote.

Weekly meetings at MUHS give everyone, including firsttimers and “drop-ins,� the chance to choose a country placard and get involved in debating the current topic. Topics this year included the refugee crisis in Europe, and the global ivory trade. Students explored these issues from different perspectives in their weekly debates, and were also able to follow the impact of these issues at the Vermont level. Communities in Vermont are dealing with the question of whether and how to welcome Syrian refugees; the Vermont House and Senate created different versions of a bill on the ivory trade but ultimately failed to agree, and the bill was defeated. Coverage of these events in local and state media deepened the students’ awareness of the impact of world events on our own lives.

Model UN co-advisers at the high school are MUHS teacher Bjarki Sears and Carolyn Schmidt, a community member and former public school teacher.

MIDDLEBURY UNION HIGH School students taking part in the Model United Nations conference in Keene, N.H., this year were, from left, Jack Waterman, Henry Ganey, Bastiaan Phair, Ronan Howlett and Josh Bechhoefer.

LOCALS WHO WERE recognized by the Better Middlebury Partnership, including representatives of Business of the Year IPJ Real Estate, gather for a photo at the organization’s annual meeting Tuesday at American Flatbread. Pictured from left are, front row Erin Davenport and Courtney Houston DeBisschop; and, back row, Sarah Peluso and Amey Ryan of IPJ, outgoing BMP President Lindsey Wing, BMP Citizen of the Year Jutta Miska, who helped found Buy Again Alley resale shop; and Buy Again staffers Jessi Cyr and Jeanette Gyukeri.

Partnership honors brokerage, citizen

By ELLIE REINHARDT MIDDLEBURY — The Better Middlebury Partnership honored IPJ Real Estate of Middlebury as the Business of The Year at that organization’s annual meeting Tuesday night at American Flatbread. Jutta Miska received BMP’s Citizen of the Year designation.

Miska was honored because of her years of volunteer efforts with youth. As co-director of the Addison Central Teens Organization, she worked with local teens and community members to establish and develop the local teen center, 94 Main Street, in Middlebury.

After leaving ACT, Miska opened the consignment shop Buy Again Alley at 1 Frog Hollow Alley in Middlebury. The shop, an extension of the “Swap and Shop� program she spearheaded at Middlebury Union High School, is a place for teens to both buy clothes and work.

While most of her efforts are fo-

cused on youth, Miska has also volunteered on the Porter Medical Center Auxiliary board, the Turning Point of Addison County board and as an advocate for the United Way of Addison County.

IPJ Real Estate was also recognized by the BMP for its financial and volunteer support throughout the town.

Over the past five years, the team at IPJ Real Estate has donated more than $4,000 to 10 different BMP events and has volunteered with organizations including the Middlebury Planning Commission; Neighbors, Together; EastView; the Sheldon Museum; the Town Hall Theater; St. Stephen’s and the Humane Society.

IPJ owner Amey Ryan is a leader in their efforts — she has served for a number of years on the BMP board, chairing and co-chairing the Vermont Chili Festival. In the coming year, Ryan will take over the role

of vice president of the board.

Ryan is also a board member for the Middlebury Lions Club and was part of the Economic Development Initiative Committee in town.

BMP works to build connections across the community by offering volunteer opportunities and supporting local businesses. Members of the organization plan and organize a number of events throughout the year, most notably the annual Vermont Chili Fest.

In addition to honoring the award recipients, BMP elected an executive committee for the upcoming year. Serving on this year’s committee will be President Wendy Hirdler, Vice President Amey Ryan, Treasurer Megan Mandigo and Acting-Past-President Adrienne Illick MacIntyre. The position of secretary is vacant.

Finally, the BMP introduced new board members and approved their annual budget.

Folklife Center schedules summer course MIDDLEBURY — The Vermont Folklife Center’s Summer Institute, “Discovering Community: Students, Digital Storytelling, and PlaceBased Learning,� brings together educators for an intensive four-day program July 18-21 in Middlebury.

Three graduate credits are available through Castleton University upon completion of this course.

The institute offers participants hands-on experience learning the methods of community-based research and the techniques of documentary media making and digital storytelling within a school setting.

Working with community resources and digital media tools provides rich opportunities for personalized, student-led learning experiences — with the capacity to engage both high-performing and at-risk students. Participants will explore how this research model develops transferable skills in their students: clear and effective communication, responsible and involved citizenship, creative and practical problem solving, and informed and integrative thinking.

Past participants hail from a broad

spectrum of roles in the K-16 system, including classroom teachers, special educators, librarians, and administrators. The diversity of attendees ensures a rich opportunity to explore ideas, probe models, and collaboratively visualize site-appropriate applications.

Through four action-packed days, Discovering Community participants engage with cultural researchers, media specialists, and fellow educators to explore the power of ethnographic field research and to develop techniques for working with digital audio, video and photography as documentary and storytelling tools. Using the Middlebury community as a classroom, Discovering Community models simple strategies for deepening students’ relationships to their own hometowns.

The Discovering Community Summer Institute builds on the Vermont Folklife Center’s many years of collaboration with educators on community-based projects, the everexpanding array of digital devices with recording capabilities, and the do-it-yourself editing and production opportunity that digital technol-

ogy affords.

Stories and storytelling are at the center of this experience, and as one participant observed, “The personal gain of realizing that there are millions of stories in our own backyards that are 10 times more interesting than People magazine is something that I will cherish.�

Included in the cost of the institute is 8 hours of ongoing support from VFC education outreach faculty throughout the fall 2016 semester in the form of in-school coaching, workshops and technical assistance.

Participants will be invited to a follow-up session at the beginning of the 2016 school year to present their short documentaries or digital stories from the summer session and receive feedback on plans for implementing projects with their students.

For registration, tuition or other information about the Discovering Community Summer Institute and its nationally recognized faculty go to www.discoveringcommunity.org, or contact the Vermont Folklife Center at 802-388-4964 or info@vermontfolklifecenter.org.

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PAGE 8A — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 23, 2016

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community Jun

23

Strawberry festival in Shoreham.

Thursday, June 23, 5-7 p.m., Shoreham Congregational Church. Annual event featuring strawberries, plain or in pie or sundaes, or with ice cream.

Emily Dickinson poetry discussion in Bristol.

Thursday, June 23, 7-9 p.m., Bristol Bakery.

Vermont Family Forest welcomes long-time Middlebury College professor John Elder for an evening of exploring Dickinson’s poetry. Visit www. familyforests.org/public-education/events.shtml for a list of poems that will be discussed. Dropins welcome. Free event. Coffee, tea and cookies available for purchase.

Jun

24

Shine a summer light on your existing estate plan; is it dusty or all set to go?!

VERMONT WILD Hot summer reading!

Great Campfire Tales!

Four volumes of best-selling true, wacky game warden stories available at all Vermont bookstores, including VT Book Shop, Kinney Drugs, Phoenix Books, Rack ’N Reel and other �ine shops statewide!

Stories read and loved by ages 9 to 99!

in Celebration of

Dairy Month!

THANK YOU for your business & Thank You Farmers for all your hard work! *or as long as it lasts

SENDITIN: addisonindependent .com

MIDDLEBURY AGWAY 388 Exchange Street Open

388-4937

7 days

Mon. - Fri. 8-6, Sat. 8-5, Sun. 9-4 www.MiddleburyAgway.com

Board Member Spotlight Sara Marshall

“For years I have been in awe of the amazing things going on at the Parent-Child Center for the youth of Addison County. So when a chance to serve on the board came up, I jumped on it. Now that I’m on the board I realize I didn’t know the half of the services this organization offers young parents and families. From the childcare to the parenting education to the outreach and more, the center offers opportunities that would not otherwise be available to the county’s young parents. I’m proud to be a part of it!”

acpcc@sover.net • addisoncountypcc.org • 388-3171

FRIDAY

Public breakfast in Vergennes. Sunday, June 26, 7:30-10 a.m., Vergennes Masonic Lodge, 54 School St. Only $8 for eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, blueberry pancakes, waffles, French toast, home fries, corned beef hash, sausage gravy and biscuits, juice, coffee and tea. Proceeds support local community needs and organizations.

Amateur Radio Service Field Days in Addison.

Sunday, June 26, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Chimney Point State Historic Site. Members of the Addison County Amateur Radio Association will set up a simulated emergency station and demonstrate how ham radios can provide critical communications when telephones and electricity are out. Info: www.acara-vt.org.

Abenaki Heritage Weekend in Ferrisburgh.

Sunday, June 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Dancing, drumming, story telling, craft and cooking demonstrations presented by members of the Abenaki nation. Info: www. lcmm.org.

Volunteer Fire Department annual chicken barbecue in Cornwall. Sunday, June 26, noon-3 p.m., Route 30 station at the intersection with Sperry Rd. Eat in or take out. Full meals are $12 and include a half chicken, sides and a beverage.

“Martial Arts for Michael” fundraiser in Pittsford.

Sunday, June 26, noon-5 p.m., Pittsford Recreation Center. Benefit picnic to raise money for handicap access, adaptive equipment and gear. Food, games, contests, swimming, face painting, crafts and boat races. Entertainment: Rick Redington 3-5

Table Read Series in Vergennes. Tuesday, June 28, 6 p.m., Bixby Library. Writing sessions where local writers of all levels can share their works in progress. This month, author Jay Dubberly will share his novella “Storm Grey and Stella d’Oro.”

Jun

29

WEDNESDAY

Stories on the Park in Bristol.

Wednesday, June 29, noon-1 p.m., Bristol town green. Lawrence Memorial Library offers weekly stories, songs, time to play, and free lunch. Rain location: library community room. Info: 453-2366.

Chicken BBQ in Bristol. Wednesday, June 29, 5:30-8 p.m., Bristol. Check bristol4th.com for location and details.

Talk on historic boatbuilding in Addison.

Wednesday, June 29, 7-8:30 p.m., Chimney Point State Historic Site. Douglas Brooks gives an illustrated lecture titled “From Skiffs to Sail Ferries: The Story of Vermont’s Small Boat Traditions.” Free.

Info: 802-759-2412 or www.historicsites.vermont. gov/chimneypoint.

Junior Fishing Derby in Vergennes.

Friday, June 24, all day, Vergennes Falls Basin. Annual event packed with learning activities, boat rides, music, food and lots of fishing. Info: 802-877-9986 or marsulli@aol.com.

Meet the Artist Weekend in Bristol. Friday, June 24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Art on Main, 25 Main St. Vermont Hand Crafters sponsors this two-day event. Learn Zero Energy Now workshop in what inspires Vermont’s finest artists and craftsMiddlebury. Thursday, June 30, 7 p.m., people as they share their creative process. Art Middlebury Town Office building, 74 Main on Main exhibits jewelry, pottery, wooden ware, St. Free workshop hosted by the Middlebury textiles, glass, fine art, photograEnergy Committee in the new town office building, phy and custom designed furniwhich is net-zero. Learn how to reduce fossil fuel ture. Continues Saturday. use by 50-100 percent and access up to $5,000 in Reception at Creative Space new incentives for GMP customers.

Gallery & Sean Dye Studio in Vergennes. Friday, June 24, 5-8 MIDDLEBURY STUDIO SCHOOL — Adult: Begining Oils, Info: www.zeroenergynowvt.com.

National Theatre’s “One Man, p.m., Creative Space Gallery, Weds.

PM Wheel, Int/Adv Painting, Thurs.

Clay Hand building, Two Guvnors” rebroadcast in 214 Main St. View the “Colors of Baskets, Mon Midday Wheel, Drawing, Beaded Jewelry, Book Middlebury. Thursday, June 30, Summer” exhibition and enjoy light Making, Pastels, Plein Air by the Falls. Children: Clay classes 7-10 p.m., Town Hall Theater. refreshments and complimentary wine tasting. every Tues, Weds, Thurs, Art Camps: Paint BIG, Beach Party, James Corden starts in this uproaricomedy originally broadcast Table of Grace free meal in Nature Exploration, Mythological Monsters, Super Pegs, Art ous live. Tickets $17, $10 students.

Vergennes. Friday, June 24, of India, Animal Art, Elves & Fairies. middleburystudioschool. Tickets available at the THT box 5:30-6:30 p.m., Vergennes office, 382-9222 or www.townhallCongregational Church. Meals org Contact Barb at 247-3702, ewaldewald@aol.com theater.org. are held the fourth Friday of the month. This month’s menu: cold turkey, salads, bread and dessert. p.m. $10 adults, $5 ages 2-12, under 2 free.

Foodaroo in Middlebury. Sunday, June 26, 3-9 p.m., Merchants Row in front of Town Hall Theater.

Second annual food truck festival, with live music Henry Sheldon Museum Pops

by Josh Panda and the Hot Damned. Info: www.

Junior Fishing Derby in Vergennes.

Concert and Fireworks at Middlebury townhalltheater.org.

Saturday, June 25, all day, Vergennes College. Friday, July 1, 5:30 p.m., on the Falls Basin. Annual event packed with field behind the Mahaney Center for the Arts (rain learning activities, boat rides, music, food and lots site: Kenyon Arena). Grounds open at 5:30 p.m. of fishing. Awards ceremony on Sunday at the for picnics; concert begins at 7:30 p.m., followed Strawberry festival in Vergennes.

Vergennes American Legion. Info: 802-877-9986 by fireworks. The Vermont Philharmonic performs.

Monday, June 27, 6-8 p.m., City Park. or marsulli@aol.com.

Bring chairs, blankets, flashlights. Tickets $25 Homemade strawberry shortcake and Town Wide Yard Sale and live music in Bristol. adults, youth, $10, children under 12 free; adult beverage, $5. Proceeds benefit the Champlain Saturday, June 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., homeowners’ tickets purchased by June 26 $20. Tickets at Valley Christian School. Info: 802-759-2980. yards, in Holley Hall and on the town green. This 802-388-2117, online at www.henrysheldonmuyear offering “Porchfest,” with live music on various seum.org, or at the Sheldon. front porches around town. Register for a sale or Fourth of July street dance in Brandon. Friday, volunteer your porch or band at 453-5885 or brisJuly 1, 5 p.m., Central Park. Vendors open at 5 tolrec.org. p.m., and the DJ from Jam Man Entertainment fires Early wind power panel discussion in Abenaki Heritage Weekend in Ferrisburgh. up the music at 6 p.m. 50/50 raffle. Also, check out Middlebury. Tuesday, June 28, 6 p.m., Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Lake Champlain the Brandon Chamber’s silent auction in the fellowIlsley Library. Don Mayer, David Sellers and Maritime Museum. Dancing, drumming, story tellship hall of the Brandon Congregational Church, Jito Coleman will share stories about the beginning ing, craft and cooking demonstrations presented 5-10 p.m. Info: brandon.org. of North Wind Power in Warren in the early 1970s. by members of the Abenaki nation. Info: www.

Flags for Frogs in Burlington. Friday, July 1, 5-8 Offered in conjunction with the Vermont Folklife lcmm.org. Continues Sunday. p.m., Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center, 85 Center’s exhibit “Portraits in Action: Pioneers in Addison County Wellness and Awareness Day in Church St. Watewheel Foundation helps support Renewable Energy, Environmental Conservation, Middlebury. Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., new Frog Hollow grant program. Free. Info: www. and Land Use Planning.” Info: www.vermontMiddlebury town green. Burlington Labs, with froghollow.org. folklifecenter.org 802-388-4964. support from other area wellness-related organizations, hosts its second annual community event to promote wellness opportunities in the area.

Popcorn, live music, face painting and more. Info, or to participate: aburlock@burlingtonlabs.com.

Blood drive in Orwell. Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Orwell Fire House, 604 Main St. All blood types needed. Info and appointments to donate blood or platelets: redcrossblood.org or 1-800-733-2767.

Amateur Radio Service Field Days in Addison.

Saturday, June 25, 2-5:30 p.m., Chimney Point State Historic Site. Members of the Addison County Amateur Radio Association will set up a simulated emergency station and demonstrate how ham radios can provide critical communications when telephones and electricity are out. Info: www.acara-vt.org. Continues Sunday.

Lemon Fair Sculpture Park in Shoreham. Saturday, June 25, 4 p.m., Rt. 74 at Cornwall Shoreham town line. A sneak peek and guided tour of a stunning outdoor sculpture park to benefit Town Hall Theater. The tour is a mile walk, and should take about an hour. $25. Info: www.lemonfairsculpturepark.com.

Summer salad supper in Monkton. Saturday, June 25, 5-6:30 p.m., Monkton Friends Methodist Church. Assorted salads, baked beans, grilled hot dogs, homemade rolls, pies and cakes. Adults $8, children 6-12 years $4, families of four or more $20. Info: 453-2870.

King Pede party in Ferrisburgh. Saturday, June 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Ferrisburgh Community Center and Town Hall. Sandwich supper followed by an evening of fun and card games. Come planning to play King Pede or bring your own favorite card game. Requested donation: $2.50.

Jun

This SATURDAY June 25th • 9am-3pm*

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THURSDAY

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25

SATURDAY

Jun

MONDAY

Jun

TUESDAY

28

26

THURSDAY

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FRIDAY

30

1

27

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Jun

SUNDAY

Green Mountain Club hike to Stark Mountain. Sunday, June 26, time and meeting place TBA. Hike from the Appalachian Gap to Stark Mountain. Moderate and at times difficult 5-mile hike with elevation gains of over 2,000 feet. Bring hiking poles, appropriate clothing, water and lunch or snack.

Dog-friendly hike. Info: wahav@madriver.com or 802-496-6677.

*VALID WITH THIS COUPON THROUH JULY 31, 2016.

COUPON MUST BE PRESENTED AT TIME OF REPAIR DROP-OFF.

DOUGLAS BROOKS, SHOWN in his workshop, gives an illustrated lecture titled “From Skiffs to Sail Ferries: The Story of Vermont’s Small Boat Traditions” on June 29 at 7 p.m. at Chimney Point State Historic Site in Addison.

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Addison Independent, Thursday, June 23, 2016 — PAGE 9A

ST. STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 3 Main Street, Middlebury

ACCEPTING CLEAN & SALEABLE GOODS FOR PEASANT MARKET 2016 Market Date: July 9, 2016 9am-2pm

INTAKE TIMES: Monday, June 20 – Saturday, June 25 Monday, June 27 – Saturday, July 2

9am-1pm 9am-1pm

Evening intake on Thursday, June 30

5pm-7pm

Please – no stuffed animals, computers, VCRs, TVs, DVD players, microwaves or large appliances, luggage, cassette tapes or VHS tapes, magazines, textbooks, shoes, undergarments or plastic containers.

All proceeds benefit human service and relief agencies locally and afar.

STRAWBERRIES at %PVHMBT 0SDIBSE t NJMF XFTU PG 4IPSFIBN 7JMMBHF PO 3U

DOUGLAS ORCHARD NOW OPEN!

call ahead for Picking Conditions!

897-5043

1 mile west of Shoreham Village on Route 74

ABENAKI HERITAGE WEEKEND will feature dancing, drumming, story telling, crafts and cooking demonstrations presented by members of the Abenaki nation this Saturday and Sunday at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Ferrisburgh.

Jul

2

SATURDAY

Town hall open house in Brandon.

Saturday, July 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Brandon Town Hall. Watch the parade and enjoy a hot dog, snacks or a cool drink. Tour the facility and learn about the history of this National Historic site.

Info: 247-6720.

Fourth of July parade in Brandon. Saturday, July 2, 1 p.m., downtown. Festivities start at 10 a.m. with food vendors, karaoke and family fun. The parade is at 1 p.m., followed by the Keating 5 performing in the gazebo. The yearly ball race is over the falls at Green Park at 3:30 after the concert. Stick around for ďŹ reworks in the evening.

Wii gaming in Shoreham. Saturday, July 2, 1-2 p.m., Platt Memorial Library. Come play Wii Sports.

Info: www.plattlib.org or 897-2647.

Fireworks and festivities in Brandon. Saturday, July 2, 5 p.m., Park Village. Food, fun and oatwinner announcements. Jam Man Entertainment provides the music from 5:30 p.m. until the ďŹ reworks at dusk. Info: brandon.org.

Jul

3

SUNDAY

Frederick Douglass reading in Ferrisburgh. Sunday, July 3, 3 p.m., Rokeby Museum. The public is invited to a community reading of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech “What to the slave is 4th of July?� Info: rokeby@comcast.net or 802-877-3406.

Fourth of July festivities in Bristol. Sunday, July 3, 6 p.m., Bristol ball park. Food and craft vendors, games, rafe tickets, live music leading up to ďŹ reworks. Info: www.bristol4th.com. “The Big ShaBANG: Food, Fireworks, Funâ€? celebration in Ferrisburgh. Sunday, July 3, 6:30 p.m., Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of food, fun, music by the Bessette Jazz Quartet, and ďŹ reworks

by Basin Harbor Club. Rain date July 5. Info: www. lcmm.org.

Fireworks in Bristol. Sunday, July 3, dusk, Bristol ball park. Visit www.bristol4th.com for details.

Jul

4

MONDAY

Independence Day commemoration in Ferrisburgh. Monday, July 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.

Step aboard the replica gunboat Philadelphia II to hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Cannon-ďŹ ring demonstrations. Free admission for veterans and members of the armed services and their families. Info: www.lcmm.org.

5K road race in Bristol. Monday, July 4, 7:30 a.m., downtown. Visit www.bristol4th.com for details.

Fourth of July celebration in Rochester. Monday, July 4, 9 a.m., downtown. The annual Pierce Hall Independence Day Dash, a 5K running race and walking event, starts at the Rochester school at 9, with registration at 8:30. Independence Day parade at 11, followed by the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. Then, a chicken barbecue by the Route 100 Lions Club, live music by local jam band Whoever Shows Up, and kids’ activities. Info: 802-767-3025.

The Great Bristol Outhouse Race. Monday, July 4, 9 a.m., downtown. Call 453-6396 for a list of entries. Visit www.bristol4th.com for details.

Fourth of July parade in Bristol. Monday, July 4, 10:30 a.m., downtown. The oldest continuously run parade in Vermont. Info: www.bristol4th.com.

Fourth of July festivities in Bristol. Monday, July 4, noon, town green. Live music, this year with Mango Jam. Food and craft vendors. Rafe tickets for sale. Info: www.bristol4th.com.

Old-fashioned ice cream social in Salisbury.

Monday, July 4, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Salisbury Congregational Church. Cones, sundaes and homemade desserts. Rain or shine.

Summer Carillon Concert Series at Middlebury College. Monday, July 4, 5 p.m., Mead Chapel and surrounding lawns. The carillon in the tower of Mead Chapel will be played by George Matthew Jr., carillonneur for Middlebury College and Norwich University. He will be playing American music composed for the carillon. Free. Info: http:// go.middlebury.edu/carillon.

Band concert in Vergennes. Monday, July 4, 7 p.m., City Park. Concerts held every Monday evening through Aug. 22.

Jul

5

TUESDAY Swing Peepers in New Haven.

Tuesday, July 5, 3 p.m., New Haven Town Hall. This vocal-harmony and

multi-instrumental duo performs inventive, earthfriendly and interactive songs and stories. Audience participation. Free.

Jul

6

WEDNESDAY

Stories on the Park in Bristol.

Wednesday, July 6, noon-1 p.m., Bristol town green. Lawrence Memorial Library offers weekly stories, songs, time to play, and free lunch. Rain location: library community room. Info: 453-2366.

Horseshoe competition for kids in Bristol.

Wednesday, July 6, 2-4:30 p.m., Bristol Sodbusters Horseshoe Club near the Bristol American Legion.

For kids 7 and older. Sign-up required; call 453-2366 or email lmlkids009@gmail.com.

Town band concert in Bristol. Wednesday, July 6, 7 p.m., town green. Bring a lawn chair, blanket or picnic dinner and enjoy an evening of small-town entertainment.

The Michele Fay Band in concert in Brandon.

Wednesday, July 6, 7 p.m., Central Park. Original and Americana music; a comfortable groove of folk, swing and bluegrass. Family friendly. Bring your lawn chairs, enjoy food from vendors set up in the park. Part of the Brandon Summer Concert Series. “The Forest Dale Banjo Factory Years (ca. 1911-1915)� illustrated presentation in Salisbury. Wednesday, July 6, 7 p.m., Salisbury Congregational Church. The Salisbury Historical Society welcomes Bill Powers, who will tell the story of Francis P. Bacon, owner of the Forest Dale Banjo Factory, and his wife, Cassie Bacon. Over 50 images.

Historical society program in Shoreham.

Wednesday, July 6, 7:15 p.m., Platt Memorial Library. The Shoreham Historical Society meets.

Program details TBA. Observatory stargazing open house at Middlebury College. Wednesday, July 6, 9-10:30 p.m., Middlebury College Observatory, McCardell Bicentennial Hall. See planets, stars, star clusters and nebulae through the college’s 24-inch dome and smaller rooftop telescopes. Free. Check for weather after 7 p.m. at 443-2266 or http:// go.middlebury.edu/observatory.

Jul

7

THURSDAY

Senior meal in Bristol. Thursday, July 7, noon, First Baptist Church of Bristol.

Menu: pulled pork on rolls, baked beans, coleslaw, watermelon and ice cream. Suggested donation $4. Call 453-5276 to be on the list. Come early and talk with friends.

Basin Bluegrass Festival in Brandon. Thursday, July 7, 5 p.m., end of Basin Road. The 22nd annual four-day event. Spaghetti supper at 5 p.m., $9 per person, followed by a classic country concert with Corey Zink and County Line (with Punky and Gloria). Concert free with weekend ticket, others $10. See website, www.basinbluegrassfestival. com or email basinbluegrass@yahoo.com for advance tickets as well as camping and festival information. “Sunset Boulevard� on stage in Brandon.

Thursday, July 7, 7:30 p.m., Brandon Town Hall.

The Vermont Theater Lab presents the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, a community collaboration in memory of the late Bette Moffett. Tickets $25 adults, $20 seniors, students and military. Runs through July 10. Info: 247-6720.

Movies in the Park After Dark in Bristol. Thursday, July 7, dusk, town green. “The Indian in the Cupboard.â€? Part of Bristol Rec’s annual outdoor ďŹ lm series with classics shown on a theater-size screen. Free. Bring a blanket and bug spray. Series runs weekly (except Aug. 11) through Aug. 18.

Jul

8

FRIDAY

Basin Bluegrass Festival in Brandon.

Friday, July 8, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m., end of Basin Road. The 22nd annual four-day event. Stage performances all day. See website, www.basinbluegrassfestival.com or email basinbluegrass@yahoo.com for advance tickets as well as camping and festival information.

Summer Carillon Concert Series at Middlebury College. Friday, July 8, 5 p.m., Mead Chapel and surrounding lawns. The carillon in the tower of Mead Chapel will be played by Laura Ellis, carillonneur at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Free.

Info: http://go.middlebury.edu/carillon. “Sunset Boulevard� on stage in Brandon. Friday, July 8, 7:30 p.m., Brandon Town Hall. The Vermont Theater Lab presents the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, a community collaboration in memory

of the late Bette Moffett. Tickets $25 adults, $20 seniors, students and military. Runs through July 10. Info: 247-6720.

Music from Point CounterPoint in Salisbury. Friday, July 8, 7:30 p.m., Salisbury Congregational Church.

The Camp Point CounterPoint faculty ensemble plays a program of Schubert, Shostakovich and Beethoven. Free-will donations appreciated.

Jul

9

SATURDAY

Monthly wildlife walk in Middlebury.

Saturday, July 9, 7-9 a.m., Otter View Park and Hurd Grassland. A monthly OCASMALT event inviting community members to help survey birds and other wildlife. Meet at Otter View Park parking area, corner of Weybridge Street and Pulp Mill Bridge Road. Birders of all ages and abilities welcome. Shorter and longer routes possible.

Info: 388-6019 or 388-1007.

St. Stephen’s Peasant Market in Middlebury. Saturday, July 9, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Middlebury town green. An old-fashioned village festival with antiques, freshbaked pies, children’s items, silent auction items, linens, books, white elephants, sporting goods, vintage clothing and more. Rafe of a hand-crafted wooden kayak. Entertainment, food, and music for the whole family. ProďŹ ts beneďŹ t area nonproďŹ ts.

Info and rafe tickets: 802-388-7200 or www.ststephensmidd.org.

Teen chef cookout in Bristol. Saturday, July 9, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the HUB. For kids 7 and older. Sign-up required; call 453-2366 or email lmlkids009@gmail.com.

Basin Bluegrass Festival in Brandon. Saturday, July 9, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m., end of Basin Road. The 22nd annual four-day event. Stage performances all day. See website, www.basinbluegrassfestival. com or email basinbluegrass@yahoo.com for advance tickets as well as camping and festival information.

Tattooing demonstration and sake bar at Middlebury College. Saturday, July 9, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Mahaney Center for the Arts, lower lobby.

Tattoo artist Nakona Macdonald of Blue Dragon Tattoo in San Francisco gives a six-hour tattoo demonstration in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum’s traveling exhibition, “Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World,� which is at the Middlebury College Museum of Art June 10-Aug. 7.

Summer Reading Read-a-thon in Shoreham.

Saturday, July 9, 1-5:30 p.m., Platt Memorial Library. Come and test your reading limits. If you make it to the end, join the library for a pizza party.

Bring your favorite blanket or pillow to get comfortable. Info: www.plattlib.org or 897-2647. “Sunset Boulevard� on stage in Brandon.

Saturday, July 9, 2 and 7:30 p.m., Brandon Town Hall. The Vermont Theater Lab presents the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, a community collaboration in memory of the late Bette Moffett. Tickets $25 adults, $20 seniors, students and military.

Runs through July 10. Info: 247-6720.

Bow Thayer in concert in Brandon. Saturday, July 9, 7:30 p.m., Brandon Music. Tickets $20.

Reservations recommended: 802-247-4295 or www.brandon-music.net.

LI VEMUSIC

FREE Vacation Bible School June 27 to July 1

at the Church of the Nazarene in Leicester, VT (just off Rte. 7)

Open to children in grades K to 6, at 6pm each evening.

Call 247-8879 for more information.

Maintain Your Independence Strength Train at Bristol Fitness!

We have Individual Programs guided by a Personal Trainer and Classes offered at various levels. Join in June for the summer or on our Regular Membership with no fee to join. Whether you’re 16 or 90, Strength will keep you independent, improve your bone density, cardiovascular health and overall performance in LIFE! – Monday/Wednesday 5 pm Strength and Conditioning – Tuesday/Thursday 8:30 am Strength Training – Wednesday/Sunday 8:30 am RIPPED (Intervals of Strength and Cardio)

Call 453-5205 for more information 14 School Street, Bristol VT • 453-5205

JILL CHARBONNEAU FOR VERMONT HOUSE ADDISON 1 - MIDDLEBURY

Jaela and Jinxbox in Middlebury. Thursday, June 23, 7-9 p.m., 51 Main.

Rehab Roadhouse in New Haven. Friday, June 24, 6-8 p.m., Lincoln Peak Vineyard.

Joe Moore Band in Middlebury. Friday, June 24, 8-10 p.m., 51 Main.

Jester Jigs in Middlebury. Friday, June 24, 9 p.m., Two Brothers Tavern.

Jinxbox and Jaela in Middlebury. Saturday, June 25, 7 p.m., Marquis Theater.

Paul Asbell Jazz Group in Middlebury. Saturday, June 25, 8:30-10:30 p.m., 51 Main.

Ben and Anita in Middlebury. Thursday, June 30, 8-10 p.m., 51 Main.

Jinxbox and Jaela in Middlebury. Friday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m., Marquis Theater.

Jinxbox and Jaela in Middlebury. Saturday, Aug. 20, 6 p.m., Two Brothers Tavern.

See an extended calendar and a full listing of

O NG O IN G GE EV VE ENTS NTS

on the Web at

www.addisonindependent.com

PRIMARY AUG 9TH “I have worked with Jill Charbonneau for over 20 years on issues facing working Vermonters. Jill is a strong advocate for good paying jobs, affordable healthcare, and tax fairness. I am pleased to endorse her for the Vermont House, and am confident she will be an excellent state representative for the residents of Middlebury.� – U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders Paid for by Jill Charbonneau for Vermont House Treasurer Andrew Pezzulo Paid for by Jill Charbonneau for Vermont House Treasurer Andrew PO Box 952 Middlebury, Vt 05753

Pezzulo

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PAGE 10A — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 23, 2016

ND

AROU

Goings on

ANNIVERSARIES

TOWN

Something special going on in your send it in! life? Send it in at:

Does your group or organization have something happening that’sAddison appropriateIndependent for the calendar? We want Box 31 please, send to hear about it! If P.O. you have a picture, Middlebury, Vermont 05753 that too. Pictures and text may be emailed to: or email it to: news@addisonindependent.com news@addisonindependent.com

Loooong marriage OSBORNE AND ALFREDA LaFrance from Bristol and now living in Florida will celebrate their 69th wedding anniversary on June 29.

Your kids and the Addison Independent pass on congratulations!

Meet Gloria Warden, Ferrisburgh’s town clerk Gloria Warden is town clerk of Ferrisburgh. She and her husband, Jim Warden, have lived in the town since 1987. Reporter Sam Hartley chatted with her recently in the historic Grange Hall on Route 7 that now serves as the Ferrisburgh town offices.

Q: When did you become town clerk?

A: In 2014 the (former) town clerk retired. I didn’t know about it until it was too late for (nominating) petitions (to run for the office). I was approached by some residents asking me to run as a write-in, and I did.

Q: Could you explain what a petition is?

A: To run for office you have to have a petition signed by X many voters, depending on what the office is. There’s a deadline for when they can be submitted.

Q: What aspect of your job do you most look forward to?

A: You learn something new every day and there’s never two days that are the same. One of the best things I look forward to is meeting people from the town. I had no other way of meeting them. I also like staying up to date on statutes and changes in the laws and how they affect our community. It’s a very interesting job.

Q: What aspect of your job do you least look forward to?

A: Not having enough time to do all the tasks and projects that I want to accomplish. There’s a lot I want to do.

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addisonindependent .com

Hot rod A CONTESTANT BURNS rubber at the Mopar Magic event at Foster Motors in Middlebury Sunday.

GLORIA WARDEN Q: What do you do to relax?

A: We have pets, which I enjoy.

They’re very relaxing. I like spending time with my husband, my family and my friends. I like to play the game Secret Society on my iPad. I’ve also started geocaching with my daughter.

Q: Geocaching is like a treasure hunt, right?

A: You use a GPS and download programs. They give you a location and name the treasure you’re looking for. There was one over in New Haven at the cemetery. It was called

“Pearly Gate.” You zero in to it, then them twice. There were actually two when you’re pretty close you start different places where you could ADDISON COUNTY looking for it. It could be in the notch swim with the dolphins, so it was two of a tree — this particular one was in totally different experiences. This the gate. It’s fun. was back when it was safe. This was Q: What would you say is your maybe 10 years ago or so, but I guess favorite achievement? it’s getting better again.

A: Having my family.

Q: What part of your job do you Q: What’s the most interesting think the public should understand thing that has happened to you in better? the office?

A: I try to make the A: I find the old records public aware of a lot of interesting. We had a the services we offer and Getting to guy from — maybe how important it is to get know your Texas? — and he was their feedback. Whether writing something about it’s negative or positive, town clerk SGT. CARL LEDUC Vermont history. We’d it’s welcome. You can’t get a note from him like, fix something if you don’t “On such and such a day in know it’s broken.

18-something there was a town Q: How would you like to be ADDISON COUNTY meeting and could you tell me what remembered? the vote was?”

A: I’d like to be remembered for Q: Besides a house or property, my efforts for transparency in town what is the most expensive thing and to get information out to the you’ve ever purchased? public. I publish our selectboard A: Of course a car, but one of the agendas on (an online mailing list) BURLINGTON — The following fun things was that we took a trip and a little link (to the town website). area residents received associate or to Mexico so I could swim with the Also my efforts to recruit volunteers. bachelor’s degrees from Champlain dolphins, which was on my bucket Our volunteers are the best and truly College on May 14: list. I got to actually swim with the heartbeat of our community.

Monica Birchmore of Vergennes,

Photo by Andrea Warren

ServiceNOTES Carl Leduc of Middlebury has been promoted to the rank of sergeant in United States Army.

He is assigned to Headquarters Company of the 86th Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Rutland.

Leduc has been a member of the Vermont Army National Guard for four years, serving as a combat medic. In his civilian life he works for Middlebury Regional Emergency Medical Services.

StudentBRIEFS Six graduate from Champlain Kellie Coakley of New Haven, Page Hallock of Bristol, Seth Lafountain of Brandon, Cody Mannigan of Middlebury, Lisa Wener of Starksboro and Stephen Williams of New Haven.

Addison Independent, Thursday, June 23, 2016 — PAGE 11A

Co-op works to ease local food insecurity MNFC program helps low-income families

By ELLIE REINHARDT ensure that they have the resources MIDDLEBURY — Nearly one in and information necessary to eight Vermont households and one be accessible and successful. in five Vermont children are food Additionally, Hunger Free Vermont insecure, as of May 2015, according works with state and federal to Hunger Free Vermont. In Addison administrators to guarantee these County, one in five children organizations have the support they struggle with food insecurity, need from the state to run smoothly. says the statewide advocacy and “We really believe that if education organization that works Vermonters are going to end hunger to end hunger, food insecurity and it’s going to be because the hearts malnutrition in Vermont. and minds of Vermonters are all “A lot of people don’t think of together and people understand that hunger when they think of Vermont. this is a serious challenge facing our It’s actually quite an extensive families,” Conte said. “They need problem that many Vermonters are to be behind it in understanding its facing,” said Faye Conte, advocacy prevalence, what it looks like in and education director at Hunger Vermont, what the solutions are and Free Vermont. reaching policymakers to make the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op changes that will help end hunger.”

(MNFC) is helping to pioneer Food For years, Conte and Hunger Free for All, a program that provides Vermont have been collaborating discounts and education to families with the Neighboring Food struggling with food insecurity. The Cooperative Association, the program is also offered at many Cooperative Fund of New England co-ops throughout Vermont, New and local co-ops to help implement Hampshire and Massachusetts. and expand the Food for All model Since 2012, MNFC has partnered as part of a larger Food Co-ops and with local community service Healthy Food Access project. organizations to offer Food for All City Market/Onion River Co-op a fully funded membership to the in Burlington and Hunger Mountain Co-op; a 10 percent discount on Co-op in Montpelier were the first everything in the store excluding to launch Food for All programs in alcohol, cigarettes and newspapers, Vermont, although Hunger Mountain by law; and free access to Co- Co-op calls theirs “Co-op Cares.” op classes where they can learn Since then, the program has spread about nutrition and throughout the state healthy cooking. and become an This year, “We really believe example for co-ops 156 families are across the country. that if Vermonters participating in “There are peer the program, are going to end groups for the coaccording to hunger it’s going ops to work together MNFC Marketing, to be because the and share ideas and Education and programs. Co-ops M e m b e r s h i p hearts and minds around the country Manager Karin of Vermonters are who have similar Mott. She hopes this all together and food aid programs number will grow in people understand are calling Vermont the coming years. saying, ‘Your “We still have that this is a program looks trouble just getting serious challenge awesome, how can I people in the door facing our families.” do this too?’” Conte and signed up for — Faye Conte said. it,” she said.

The Food CoAn applicant ops and Healthy is eligible for Food for All if Food Access project focuses on they are enrolled in a variety developing solutions that will make of government-administered healthy food and co-op membership programs, including SNAP more accessible. It encourages (formerly called Food Stamps), co-ops to implement a range of Women, Infants and Children programs, including and extending (WIC), Heating Assistance or beyond Food for All. other entitlement programs, or One of these is the Co-op if they are verified by HOPE Basics program, which MNFC (Helping Overcome Poverty’s implemented last year. Co-op Basics Effects), the Champlain Valley offers essential items at discounted Office of Economic Opportunity, prices for all customers. or other local community service “It’s an everyday low price organizations. program on products we feel most MNFC was the first co-op people would have on their grocery to partner with community list,” said Mott. organizations to determine an Through Food for All and the Coapplicant’s eligibility for the op Basics program, the MNFC is program, an innovation that Conte working to help make healthy, local says is “an incredible way to engage food more accessible to the entire the community and to be even more community. accessible to the community.”

To learn more and apply for the Hunger Free Vermont, based Food for All program, go online to in South Burlington, has been middlebury.coop, visit the MNFC working with MNFC and 11 other at 9 Washington St. in Middlebury co-ops around Vermont, New or call MNFC at 802-388-7276 to Hampshire and Massachusetts to request that one be delivered to you. encourage and support Food for All and other similar aid programs.

“Food is a place where people get very creative and stretch what they’re able to spend. We have a lot of Vermonters who are food insecure because it’s hard to pay for all the basic needs,” Conte said.

Hunger Free Vermont works with organizations on the ground to

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MIDDLEBURY NATURAL FOODS Co-op staffers Emily Millard, left, and Karin Mott organize the Co-op’s Food for All program, which aims to help community members who are food insecure by making healthy, local and organic food more accessible to the entire community.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

Food for All helps make healthy food accessible

By ELLIE REINHARDT MIDDLEBURY — As part of its broader mission to make healthy food more accessible to people in Addison County, the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op (MNFC) is running two programs — Food for All and Co-op Basics — that help people in the community struggling to overcome a number of barriers.

Food for All offers a free membership to the Co-op, a 10 percent discount, and free access to food-related classes offered by the Co-op.

Co-op Basics offers discounted prices on grocery staples, and it is offered to all customers.

MNFC started offering the Food for All program in 2012. In the past year it has distributed $35,000 in discounts to its members through Food for All. However, MNFC Marketing, Education and Membership Manager Karin Mott asserted that this number is too low.

“It’s difficult to get a big part of the population to renew over and over again because a lot of participants are pretty transient in nature … young families are moving around a lot, Vermont is losing its younger population in general,” Mott said.

Additionally, the MNFC is struggling to overcome barriers of perception at the Co-op while advertising its programs.

“I’ve heard from people who are now in our program but … before that they had walked in our doors, panicked and walked out,” she said.

“It’s pretty, it doesn’t look like your typical grocery store. There are a lot of wealthy people who shop here, as well as a lot of people from a lot of walks of life. The Co-op is supposed to be for everyone.”

Even families already involved with the program are concerned that the Co-op is not able to reach those who are most in need.

Ashley Laux, a Middlebury resident since June 2011, has been participating in the Food for All program for two years. She and her husband live with their two-year-old daughter, Althea, and are expecting another child this August. While Laux and her family are not an example of extreme food insecurity in Vermont, they do have difficulty affording the most nutritious food and do participate in the federal Women, Infants and Children food subsidy program.

The benefits they receive from Food for All allow them to eat local, organic and nutritious food at a discount.

“We are on a limited food budget and every paycheck I have to decide how I want to spend my food dollars,” Laux said. “The Food for All program allows me to spend more of my food budget at the Co-op than I would be able to without it.

“And I want to be spending money at the Co-op because I appreciate their practices in terms of purchasing and the benefits they provide employees and the community aspect at the Coop, and what I’m able to buy there,” she added.

However, Laux, whose husband is a chef by training, is comfortable at the Co-op because she understands how to navigate an otherwise unfamiliar layout.

“I feel very comfortable going to

the Co-op but if you go there and you’ve never bought bulk items, it’s difficult. I think that education piece is a factor in who chooses to use Food for All and who doesn’t,” she said.

Another Food for All member who has been involved with the program since its start said that she is comfortable shopping for herself and her five-year-old son because she has experience at the Co-op.

“I grew up with my mom shopping at the Co-op and I also worked there on and off for about 15 years,” said the local woman who asked not to be named. “And so I love everything about the Co-op and I’m picky about food and healthy food. It’s really important to me to eat organic food.”

Faye Conte is advocacy and education director at Hunger Free Vermont, a statewide organization focused on ending hunger and food insecurity. She works with MNFC to identify local residents who need help and develop the most accessible program.

“Addison County is one of those counties, like a lot of counties in Vermont, that has a broad spectrum of economic security in its community,” Conte said. “Hunger can be very hidden, either because of our very rural nature, or because Vermonters are very proud and self-sustaining people. Because of this, in some of our more affluent communities, it’s easy to miss the

folks who are struggling.”

MNFC also works with local community service organizations such as HOPE (Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects) and the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity to establish relationships with local residents and reach out to those in need.

Through posters, literature racks and educational programs, Mott hopes to make the Co-op feel more accessible to families in need.

“Access to food often goes handin-hand with staff training, looking at how the co-op is advertised, if the co-op is accessible by public transportation, if signage is clear and welcoming to those who might not be used to shopping at a food coop, what kinds of languages are spoken in the town, looking at the literacy levels of materials,” Conte said. “We’re helping to create a store that is accessible to everybody, which is the original purpose of the cooperative movement.”

Lily Bradburn, local food access coordinator at HOPE and parttime employee at the Co-op deli, is involved in advertising the benefits of the Food for All program. She said she hopes to “break down the idea that quality food is only available to a select few.

“We’re trying to … have a greater influx of information and resources available to clients,” she added.

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Community Forum – Open Invitation

Help Chart the Future Path of Porter Medical Center

The Porter Medical Center Board of Directors invites you to engage in the forward-looking strategic planning process to ensure that our community continues to have access to high quality health care services for years to come!

Please join us!

Middlebury July12 • 4-5:30pm Middlebury Regional EMS Headquarters 55 Collins Drive

This is your chance to join Dr. Fred Kniffin, interim CEO, for a conversation about the future direction of Porter and ensure that it is aligned with the needs of the community we serve.

Vergennes July 20 • 4-5:30pm Bixby Library 258 Main Street

If you are unable to attend we welcome you to take our online survey at: surveymonkey.com/r/PorterMedical

Bristol July 26 • 4-5:30pm Holley Hall 1 South Street

PAGE 12A — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 23, 2016

Utility poles

Language school kicks off summer bic and Korean; a seven-week session in Italian; and six-week sessions for graduate programs in Arabic and Italian. This summer the Italian and Russian Schools will offer one-week graduate refresher courses.

Since 1915, more than 50,000 students from all walks of life — including more than 12,000 advanced degree holders — have attended one or more of the Language Schools.

Corporate executives study sideby-side with writers, journalists, doctors, lawyers, missionaries, government officials, and diplomats.

Undergraduates and graduate students from Middlebury and other institutions also attend the summer sessions to fulfill language requirements or complete degrees.

Prior to her death in 2013, philanthropist Kathryn Wasserman Davis funded the Davis Fellows for Peace, which continues to grant 100 scholarships to cover tuition, room, and board for a summer of study in any of the 11 Language Schools. The initiative, which began in 2007, is intended to challenge Middlebury to use its expertise in language acquisition and policy studies to recruit and train future potential peacemakers.

By the way (Continued from Page 1A) airplane, flew to the proscribed altitude and … jumped. Vermont Skydiving Adventures donated the cost of the jump. Reitz got the idea more than 10 years ago when she jumped out of a plane to raise money for another cause she believes in: equal marriage rights for same sex couples.

Town Hall Theater wants to put you on stage. They’re looking for people with any kind of talent to

perform in the annual Middlebury’s Got Talent. The show has featured singers, jump-ropers, dance groups, stand-up comics, musicians, a cappella groups, belly dancers and so much more. One year a woman hypnotized a chicken (now that’s entertainment.) It’s always a terrific show and plays to packed houses.

There will be two performances: July 30-31. Auditions are Thursday, June 23, beginning at 7 p.m. If you can’t make the audition, contact Doug Anderson anyway and he’ll

(Continued from Page 1A) The working group released its rean estimated 36 million penta-treated port in April and Monkton posted the utility poles. Around 600,000 util- report to its website in May. ity poles in Vermont are treated with The report found that although penta. rare, the penta contamination at the Like creosote, chromated copper Monkton home was not an isolated asenate, ammoniacal copper zinc ar- incident. There have been seven insenate, or copper naphthenate (Cu- cidents in Vermont of penta contamiNap), pentachlorophenal (or “pen- nation caused by utility poles since ta”) is used as a heavy-duty wood 2007. Three incidents, including preservative on utility poles. All are Monkton’s and incidents in Clarentoxic. The Environmental Protection don and Bennington, resulted in conAgency identifies penta as “likely to tamination of a home’s water supply. be carcinogenic to humans.”

Four incidents, at sites in Midindepen In Europe, signees to the dlesex, Waterbury, Bellows ison de dd “Stockholm-Basel-RotFalls and Dummerston, terdam Convention on resulted in toxic releases Persistent Organic Polinto the soil. lutants adopted resoAll incidents were lutions to ban penta mitigated. five years after 2015, WHY USE PENTA though there’s a speHeavy-duty preserTo read the penta working cific exemption in that vatives like penta are group’s report and ban for allowing penta important to the utildownload the Department in utility poles,” Pilcher ity industry because a of Environmental said. treated wood pole lasts Conservation’s Monkton in 2014 five times longer than environmental fact sheet asked for an investigaone that is not treated, on safe reuses of treated tion statewide of pen- wood check out this story on giving a useful life of ta-related toxic inci60 or more years, acaddisonindependent.com. dents and a closer look cording to the report. into whether or how Although utility penta-treated poles could be used poles can also be made out of steel, safely. In response, the Public Ser- fiberglass or concrete, treated wood is vice Board formed a working group much cheaper. made up of representatives from utilIn Vermont, most utility poles are ities, state agencies (the Agency of made out of penta-treated southern Natural Resources, the Department pine. Interestingly, in mitigating the of Health, the Agency of Agriculture penta contamination of the water supand the Public Service Department), plies in Clarendon and Bennington, the Vermont Natural Resources the utilities replaced the penta-treated Council, the treated wood industry, poles with cedar poles, which have and the International Brotherhood of naturally preserving properties. In Electrical Workers (whose members earlier times, the naturally preservclimb, repair, install and handle the ing properties of black locust made poles). Town of Monkton also got a it the go-to wood for building timber seat with the group. crib dams and fence posts — no toxic www .a

is designed for alumni of the school who teach Chinese. The forum is open to the public but registration is required. For more information and to register, go online to http://tinyurl. com/zkjqkws.

Each summer, the Language Schools offer three sets of summer sessions for foreign languages on the Middlebury College campus. Mills College in Oakland, Calif., serves as the home base for the entire Arabic, Italian and Korean schools. Middlebury at Mills was established eight years ago in response to the increasing demand for admission to the Middlebury Language Schools. The first sessions began at Mills on June 10 and will start at Middlebury this Friday, June 24.

The Middlebury campus offers eight-week sessions in Chinese, Japanese, and Russian; seven-week sessions in French, German, Hebrew, Portuguese, and Spanish; and six-week sessions for graduate-level Chinese, Russian, French, German, Hebrew, and Spanish. The School of Hebrew also will offer a three-week program for lifelong learners at Middlebury.

At the Mills College campus, there are eight-week sessions in Ara-

work things out. In spite of the name, talent isn’t limited to just Middlebury. Anyone from anywhere is eligible. Interested people should send an email to executivedirector@ townhalltheater.org.

Reminder: The town-wide yard sale in Bristol is this Saturday, June 25, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. — on the town green, at Holley Hall and on residents’ porches.

If you depend on the local bus you should know that Addison County Transit Resources will be taking a day off on Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. There will be no buses running and the call center will be closed.

The Department of Environmental Conservation recommends the following guidelines for reusing pentatreated utility poles.

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“The utilities really want to continue using penta, and they will continue using penta until they find something better or they’re pushed off of it,” Pilcher said. “So the utilities on this workgroup worked very hard to move to a ‘let’s develop some best practices to continue using it.’”

The report focuses on how to better manage installing, removing and storing penta-treated poles and how to better mitigate contaminated areas.

It recommended that: • Utilities should implement the report’s best manage practices.

• Utilities should evaluate costs and benefits of their pole materials and treatments.

• State agencies should monitor new EPA scientific data on penta.

• Utilities and state agencies should collaborate on further study.

Of particular concern, said Pilcher, is what happens to pentatreated utility poles once they’ve outlived their original purpose.

“Speaking for the town of Monkton, we’re a little uncertain about some of the reuse provisions,” he said. “It’s a big open question when they come out of the ground should we treat them as hazardous waste or not? The utility companies tend to sort of lay them on the ground and say, ‘If you want them, you can come pick them up’ because they’ve got to get rid of them.”

Pilcher continued, “So at least there’s some more formal stuff that’s part of this study that says, ‘Oh no, at minimum you need to give them the environmental factsheet and you probably ought to get a signed consent form indicating that the recipient understands the risks associated with the product.”

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MIDDLEBURY — June marks the beginning of the Middlebury Language Schools’ summer sessions, known internationally for their intensive immersion approach to the teaching of language and culture.

This year two of the Language Schools will celebrate anniversaries — the Betty Ashbury Jones M.A. ’86 School of French will turn 100 and the Chinese School will hold its 50th session. The debut of the School of Korean last summer brought the total number of Middlebury Language Schools to 11.

The School of French will celebrate its 100th year on July 16 with a picnic, dance, and luminaria display for the students on the lawn in front of the Château. The building will be lit up in red, white and blue — the colors of the French flag. At dusk, French luminaria expert Renaud Auguste-Dormeuil will also create a display with 1,000 candles lit one after the other. Forming the celestial constellations, they will represent the night sky.

To commemorate its 50th anniversary, the Chinese School will hold a one-day event on July 23 — “A Forum on Best Practices of Chinese Language Education.” The program

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Addison Independent, Thursday, June 23, 2016 — PAGE 13A

Orwell

Minter

high school budget, but the town (Continued from Page 1A) dorsed unification by 263-127, West would be on its own without Small Haven by 32-13, Benson by 115-47, School Grants to help fund the OrHubbardton by 66-13, and Fair Ha- well Village School.

Still, Ryan said there will be several ven by 158-129.

An Orwell resident petitioned for options on the table when an ARSU the revote, which the Orwell School Act 46 forms later this summer.

“There are some different scenariBoard then set for Tuesday.

Tuesday’s vote left the ARSU’s os,” Ryan said.

Leading up to Tuesday’s vote, and Orwell’s education futures uncertain, according to ARSU Superin- some unification opponents who spoke at informational meetings in tendent Ron Ryan.

“I’m disappointed, because the Orwell said they worried that school whole district, it would be nice to be governance consolidation might molding together in one direction,” lead to closing of some of the rural schools in the new Ryan said. “We’ll take Slate Valley district, a deep breath here for notably the Orwell Vila little bit. Sometime, “We’ll take a lage School. probably toward the end deep breath Others said they of July or early August here for a little feared unification we’ll get together again bit. Sometime, and determine whether probably toward might lead to loss of local control. the boards want to form the end of Backers of Act 46 another Act 46 commitJuly or early pointed to potential fitee.”

Given the strong August we’ll get nancial savings through governance unification, sentiment for a uni- together again and noted towns that fied union elsewhere and determine have not joined a uniin ARSU, Ryan said he whether the fied school district by expects the movement boards want to 2018 will be required by to unify to continue with a new committee. form another Act the state to do so. And the Vermont Agency of “The Act 46 com- 46 committee.”

— ARSU Education could order mittee could just say, Superintendent them into a district that we’ll just send a letRon Ryan they might like less than ter to the state and say the one they rejected, what we’re doing now, which is another possiwe feel meets the requirements. They might not submit bility for Orwell down the road.

Tuesday’s vote meant the loss a plan,” Ryan said. “I would think based on the results in the towns the of unification incentives to all six first time around they would prob- ARSU towns, as outlined by an district flyer: ably want to submit something.”

• A property tax discount of 10 The other five towns could choose to form what Ryan called a “modi- cents off the school property tax rate fied unified union district” that in the first year of the merger, folwould still operate as a supervisory lowed by 8 cents in year two, 6 cents union — without Orwell, which he in year three, 4 cents in year four, said could become a “standalone” and 2 cents in the fifth and final year of the transition. town.

• A transition grant of $130,000 to “At this point in time Orwell feels that they want to be on their own help the towns form the new district.

• Retention of $200,000 in small and want to continue to do that. And a district, of course, you all want to schools grants, including that which work together and move in the same supports Orwell’s school.

If ARSU were to unify in the fudirection. And I feel it will be a lot harder to do that when you have one ture, Ryan said its towns could still town not part of the whole picture,” qualify for four years of tax discounts, starting at a maximum of Ryan said.

Such a modified unified union 8 cents, but said the other benefits could give Orwell a say in the union were uncertain.

(Continued from Page 1A) ucation and training. Those who do not follow in that path risk being left behind in what she called a pattern of “generational poverty.”

She said her tuition program could be financed through an increase in the bank franchise fee and/or having banks be subject to corporate income taxes. She estimates the first year of her program would cost $6 million, and $12 million annually thereafter.

The state would cover the last dollar costs, which are tuition expenses beyond what a student could win in grants and scholarships.

Minter has focused on this higher-education program because she believes it is one key to getting Vermont youth to stay in the state, provide an educated work force from which the business community can grow, and that it breaks the cycle of poverty. “What is the most important thing I can do as a legacy as the next governor?” she asked. “For me, it is this (tuition program).”

INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE Another one of Minter’s stated priorities is helping Vermont improve its environmental standing and solidify its status as a national leader in renewable energy industries and jobs.

Minter went to Bennington when PFOA contamination was discovered in the drinking water there. She advocated for an increase in state bonding for water system improvements as a means of preventing such contamination from occurring in the future.

“It is an enormous challenge and obligation, and I want to take it on,” Minter said of the state’s infrastructure needs, including water sources, sewage capacity, and transportation.

She credited previous generations of Vermonters for investing in many of the roads and bridges that are now showing signs of wear and tear due to deferred maintenance. The fix-up bill is now due, according to Minter.

“It is our turn to invest in infrastructure,” she said.

Minter took some credit for getting the ball rolling on deferred maintenance. Twenty percent of the state’s bridges were classified as “structurally deficient” when Minter began her tenure as transportation

in and around downtowns and village centers.

• Coordinating the various programs benefitting downtown centers to make a bigger impact on municipal infrastructure. She noted a $19 million infrastructure project in Barre recently leveraged $45 million of private investment.

“You now see a growing manufacturing, commercial, retail and residential base,” Minter said. “It’s a coordination of programs within state, federal and local government, and it’s local leadership. That combination, I know, is critical to our future, because we have a lot of needs for economic stimulus and growth.” If elected, Minter said her administration would select three communities that are ready for a coordinated makeover of various transportation, secretary. When she left office, that water, sewer and affordable housing number had been whittled down to upgrades.

• Assembling statewide leaders 7 percent. Minter created a special “bridges” unit and leveraged state of advanced manufacturing, renewand federal money to embark on a able energy, forest/farm economy more aggressive repair-and-replace and high tech industries for talks on schedule. She and her VTrans col- how to intensify those sectors. The leagues developed an “accelerated” talks would, within 90 days, produce schedule for refurbishing bridges a list of recommendations on “what that trimmed the construction time- they need to succeed and grow here line (from design to build) from an in Vermont.”

RENEWABLE ENERGY average eight to two years.

Minter said she supports giving “Government needs to become communities more control over the more efficient,” she said.

Public investment in road and siting of renewable energy projects, bridge projects can also serve as a something the Legislature tried to catalyst for economic development, address through bill S.260. That bill according to Minter. She cited the is designed to give more local control over the siting examples of Barre of solar projects and St. Albans as to communities communities that Candidate profile: that develop enemerged from Sue Minter, 55, began her ergy plans that are some painfully consistent with the long projects with political career in 2004 as state’s long-term a renaissance of a member of the Vermont representing the renewable energy new retail, com- House, goals. mercial and resi- Washington-Chittenden-1 “I am a strong dential develop- district. She served in that supporter, proment. She believes capacity for eight years, then moter and will Middlebury could worked within the Shumlin continue to be a receive the same administration on various champion of reshot in the arm in transportation issues. She newable energy in the aftermath of served as Vermont’s Irene this state,” Minter a scheduled re- recovery officer from January said, adding relatplacement of its 2012 to February 2013.

Minter also served on Presed industries have two downtown rail been growing and overpasses. That ident Barack Obama’s Task hiring the young $40 million project Force on Climate Prepareddemographic that is slated to kick off ness and Resilience, and became VTrans secretary on Vermont has been later this year.

Jan. 1, 2015. She left that role losing.

‘INVEST last year in order to campaign “That said, we VERMONT’ have increased by Like most of her for governor.

In the Democratic Pri10 times the numopponents in the ber of solar arrays gubernatorial race, mary, she faces Matt Dunne, in six years and Minter favors an a Hartland Democrat, former one out of every increase in Ver- Vermont lawmaker and re17 people is in the mont’s minimum cent Google executive; and renewable energy wage. She wants Townsend Democrat Peter Galbraith, former U.S. Amand efficiency secto see it climb to tor. We are the $12.50 per hour bassador to Croatia and renumber one green come 2018, and cent state Senator representing jobs state, per capthen gradually Windham County.

Among the Republicans ita. It is something climb to $15. And we don’t want to she believes the running for governor are: Lt. put a damper on.

Vermont’s agri- Gov. Phil Scott of Berlin; and But… I certainly cultural industry Bruce Lisman, a Burlington see the importance could play an even native and former Wall Street of planning and bigger role in fu- executive now of Shelburne.

— John Flowers local development eling the state’s review.” economy. She said The state’s Secher administration would give more technical assis- tion 248 review process currently altance to farmers who want to create lows the three-person Public Service Vermont-branded products and ex- Board to decide renewable energy port them. And she wants to cultivate applications. Minter said the PSB an even closer relationship between has been flooded with applications to farms and local consumers, citing review, and could benefit by having the “Farm to Plate” and “Farm to developers and communities discuss School” programs as something to projects earlier in the review process.

“The exponential growth of the inbuild on.

Minter recently rolled out her two- dustry is coming to a bumpy time,” pronged economic development plan Minter said. “The problem is that for the state, which she called “Invest communities are being pitted against Vermont,” and “Innovate Vermont.” developers… I do believe we need a greater voice and access; I don’t beIt calls for, among other things: • Continuing to invest in growth lieve we can have a veto power over

a project.”

Minter said the state, in concert with regional planners, could develop a map of logical places where renewable energy projects could occur.

That map could become part of the conversation on future siting of solar and wind projects, she said.

Minter noted that the next governor will appoint a new PSB chairperson in February, 2017.

“I want that person to have always an impartial focus on serving the public good,” Minter said. “But I think we need someone who can think a little bit differently about how that board interacts with communities… We still have to have a more customer-friendly focus, which I don’t believe is the current culture of the board.”

EDUCATION/ACT 46 Minter has been watching, with interest, the public votes on school governance unification through Vermont’s Act 46. She has heard a wide range of feedback about the new law during her travels as a candidate.

“In rural parts of the state, this conversation is so new and is creating so much frustration and anger,” she said. “‘One size fits all’ doesn’t work everywhere.”

Part of that frustration, Minter said, stems from declining student enrollment and the perception that Act 46 could become a precursor to closing small public schools. Minter stressed she would not call for closing schools, but instead advocate that communities use unfilled portions of their school buildings for other purposes — such as hosting child care or youth/senior centers.

GUN SAFETY Minter has come out in favor of mandatory background checks for those purchasing firearms, and also supports a ban on assault weapons.

She admitted that these positions have drawn criticism in a state that has some of the most relaxed gun ownership laws in the nation.

“I have heard, ‘we don’t have a (gun violence) problem here,’” Minter said. But she pointed to statistics showing that the majority of homicides in the state are domestic violence-related, with the majority of those incidents involving guns.

“I learned that in 2013, Vermont had the eighth-highest rate of domestic homicide in the country (per capita), and the majority of those were with guns,” Minter said.

Asked about her position on health care, Minter said she believes the state must make functional its beleaguered Vermont Health Connect exchange. The state must also implement cost-containment measures and reward providers who are able to keep patients out of hospitals, where they usually need more expensive and invasive care.

Reporter John Flowers is at johnf@addisonindependent.com.

Find Us On: For breaking news & updates wherever you are! facebook.com/addisonindependent twitter.com/addyindy

PAGE 14A — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 23, 2016

THE LEMON FAIR Sculpture Park on 700 acres in Shoreham will open to the public on weekends starting July 1.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

A LARGE SCALE steel tubular sculpture greets visitors to the Lemon Fair Sculpture Park in Shoreham.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

Sculptures (Continued from Page 1A) The sculptures are sourced from a mix of local and non-local artists.

The Ittlemans bought their first piece from Christopher Curtis, the owner of a gallery in Stowe. His piece, titled “The Kiss and The Face,” is displayed at the Lemon Fair Sculpture Park. Elaine anticipates exhibiting more local art as the collection grows.

This Saturday at 4 p.m., friends and members of the Town Hall Theater will have a unique opportunity to privately tour the Lemon Fair Sculpture Park. As a fundraiser for the Middlebury theater, the Ittlemans will take anyone willing to pay the $25 ticket through a mile-long trail, which will take about an hour. Saturday’s event will be visitors’ chance to learn about the history of the pieces, the artists and the Ittlemans’ decisions about placing each sculpture.

The Ittlemans will act as tour guides, the sculptures for the park. He restopping to explain each sculpture in searches each piece and its artist, detail. sometimes even calling the artist on The public is welthe phone before makcome to wander ing the purchase. In through the park for “We’re trying to this way, he has creatfree on Saturdays and put the pieces ed a network of sculpSundays starting July in places where tors who sometimes 1 and continuing to they don’t get lost introduce him to others November.

Guests in their areas. can enjoy the colors, in the space, but “We like to meet geometry, spatial rela- they work with them and to support tions, movement and the space, they them,” he said. “I like energy of the artwork. become part of it.” that personal interacStart at the shed close — Frank Ittleman tion.” to the parking area.

LIKE A MINI The Ittlemans suggest STORM KING that visitors bring water, keep dogs Doug Anderson, executive direcon a leash, and wear sturdy shoes as tor of the Town Hall Theater, has althe terrain is uneven. ready ventured to the sculpture park The emphasized that these are and walked the grassy trail. As an works of art and not climbing struc- emphatic fan of the Storm King Art tures or playthings.

Center, a sculpture park located an Frank Ittleman chooses most of hour north of New York City, he is

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thrilled to have a “mini Storm King” right in Addison County.

“I just couldn’t quite believe it,” he said. “I mean, this is really something we want to introduce people to.”

Anderson believes the park is a great benefit to the community because it showcases well-known artists in a permanent setting where everyone has access to them. Town Hall Theater Outreach Coordinator Megan James initially found out about the park and informed Anderson.

“She was 10 seconds into telling me about it and I picked up the phone and called them,” he said.

“This is part of our mission; our mission is the arts.”

The Ittlemans both work at the University of Vermont Medical Center — Frank as a cardiothoracic surgeon and Elaine as a labor-delivery nurse. Even with busy schedules, they say art is an important part of their lives, and they look forward to sharing the collection with the community.

“I think it can make people feel better,” Elaine said. “People can learn things, and I think it’s aesthetically pleasing. It speaks to people individually.”

The Ittlemans placed each sculpture meticulously around a 30-40acre portion of their property. After visiting many sculpture parks, they realized that siting was a vital part of the navigation of the park and the experience of the visitor.

“We’re trying to put the pieces in places where they don’t get lost in the space, but they work with the space, they become part of it,” Frank said.

Anderson agrees, placement is crucial.

“One of the biggest issues is how to create a story and a narrative and one visual experience that leads to the next,” he said. “Most of us don’t have that problem, about where to put our gigantic outdoor art.”

For Saturday’s tour, Anderson expects around 50-75 attendees. Tickets for the tour are available to everyone online at www.townhalltheater. org. Participants will meet at 4 p.m. at the shed at the entrance to the site, where the mile-long tour will begin.

“I’m pleased that (the Town Hall Theater) is able to break this news to the community, and for the fact that the Ittlemans are willing to open up their land to the public,” Anderson said. “We toss the word ‘unique’

“THE DANCERS” BY Texas artist Jerry Daniel prance in the grass near the entrance to the Lemon Fair Sculpture Park located along a 1-mile path off Route 74 in Shoreham.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

SCULPTURE MADE FROM a variety of media are scattered across the 30-40-acre Lemon Fair Sculpture Park in Shoreham.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

around a lot. This is unique for this area. It’s different from anything else available in this community. This is

something you want to see.”

More information is at www.lemonfairsculpturepark.com.