Feb. 11, 2016 Essex Reporter by Essex Reporter

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ESSEX

FEBRUARY 11, 2016

Vol. 36, No. 6

Prsrt Std ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 266 Essex Junction, VT 05452 Postal Patron-Residential

Downtown revitalization gets a boost

by colIn Flanders The Essex Reporter

Essex Junction’s effort to revitalize its downtown received a boost late last month in the form of a new designation as a “Neighborhood Development Area” that encourages the creation of housing within walking distance of the village center. The designation — approved by a state board at the Agency of Commerce and Community Development — includes a host of incentives for development, including exemptions from Act 250 regulations for some housing projects. As a result, village officials hope the incentives will lead to the creation of muchneeded housing and, in turn, stimulate growth in local businesses. “The more people you have living in the center of the community, the more people there are to go and buy things,” said Robin

Pierce, the village’s community development director. The designation, which was approved by the Vermont Downtown Development Board during its meeting on Jan. 25, encourages residential development by providing a number of benefits, including the exemption from Act 250 regulations for qualified “mixed income” projects, which are projects that include a certain percentage of housing that is affordable to households making 80 percent of Chittenden County’s median income, explained John Adams, the planning coordinator at the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development. Census data puts Chittenden County’s median income just under $64,000. Act 250 regulations provide a “quasijudicial process for reviewing and managing the environmental, social and fiscal consequences of major subdivisions and development in Vermont,” according to the Vermont Natural Resources Board.

Many of the Act 250 regulations mimic those the village already has in place, so the exemption allows from a streamlined process, Pierce said. Projects that aren’t considered mixed income but fulfill Act 250 regulations will receive a 50 percent discount on application fees, and wastewater review fees are capped at $50 for projects that have received sewer allocation from an approved municipal system — which the village has. The area will also be exempt from the land gains tax, which taxes profits made from the sale or exchange of Vermont land that was held for less than six years. The designation is the latest initiative aimed at bringing the village “closer to having a center that is more attractive to residents and businesses while handling the traffic that moves through our community more effectively and efficiently,” Pierce wrote in an email. He highlighted the Crescent Connector Road, the possibility closing off a

Winter recess E

ssex Elementary students Haeley Gagnon and Anna Hotaling enjoy some playground time at school during our recent spate of mild winter weather. Forecasters say the weekend will bring more seasonal cold temperatures but things are set to warm up a bit again next week with snow and rain showers possible. Photo CoNtRIbuteD

short section of Main Street, plans for a multiuse path between North Street and Central Street along with upgraded sidewalks and new bike lanes on Pearl Street as additional efforts toward this goal. The Neighborhood Development Area will overlap Essex Junction’s current designation as a Village Center District. That classification provides benefits more applicable to existing structures, such as various tax credits on building improvements and priority considerations for state grants and funding. “These two designations add additional layers of benefit that promote our goal of a vibrant and verdant village center that all can find value in,” Pierce wrote in an email. Both distinctions will expire in September 2020, when the village will need to submit a renewal request for both to the state downtown board.

Essex Historical Society prepares for 25th anniversary by colIn Flanders The Essex Reporter The Essex Community Historical Society will be making a little history of its own this year as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. The society will be curating five exhibits to be displayed at the Harriet Powell Museum to commemorate the milestone, delving into the past 25 years of Essex, business and industry, home and farm, military, and a section dedicated to both the society and the museum. The exhibits will all have an interactive portion, calling on visitors to write down their experiences, explained Ann Gray, who is on the society’s board of directors and serves as its treasurer. For example, the home and farm exhibit will highlight a handful of businesses that no longer exist in Essex and ask residents to share any memories they may have about them. Some of the exhibits will take also take a comparative look at how Essex has changed since 1991; the home and farm portion will boast a map plotting the evolution of Essex’s farming landscape as well as a map detailing the various developments in housing. “It tells the history of Essex and what has

– See ANNIVErsArY on page 3a

Rosy future

Flowers of steel make Essex business built to last by Jason starr The Essex Reporter From gas pedals to rose petals, Milton native Dylan Costello has repurposed his fabricating skills for a promising venture. Costello opened shop on Kellogg Road in Essex two months ago, needing more amenities than the rudimentary barn in Milton where he launched his business two years ago offered. Costello hand-crafts “forever” roses out of stainless steel. Naturally, the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day are a busy time. Since the new year, he has produced about 500 roses each week, intricately bending steel to portray pedals and coloring them with the wisps of a blue flame. The items are engraved, boxed and shipped worldwide. Costello had been following car fabrication work on the professional auto racing circuit out of state before a Valentine’s Day idea to make a steel rose for his girlfriend seeded his transition. After his girlfriend showed it to friends and posted Facebook pictures, Costello got requests to make more. He had returned from a year of car building in North Carolina in 2014 and realized he would need more than auto work to sustain him in Vermont. He decided to dedicate himself to the roses. Using nothing but a Facebook page that now has about 20,000 followers, paid Facebook advertising and an online store, Costello has sowed demand for his product that he expects will allow him to hire employees in the coming months – demand he says has him working 20 hours a day, and finding it very rewarding. “It never stops surprising me, the attention it’s getting,” he said. “I’m hearing from people all around the world. It seems unreal to me that I went from struggling to build racecars to shipping worldwide. “Now people call me an artist … It is a nice break from the rule books of racing.” The space on Kellogg Road is a simple warehouse that is likely a pit-stop for Costello on his way to a location that can provide retail exposure in Chittenden County. The company is called CMS, a holdover from Costello’s car fabrication past (the acronym stands for

Town Plan overhaul goes to voters

by Jason starr The Essex Reporter

Dylan Costello crafts roses of steel from his Kellogg Road warehouse. Photos | JAsoN stARR

Competition Motorsports Solutions.) He is selling roses under that banner for now, but a rebranding is inevitable. He also plans to expand the line beyond roses into lilies and sunflowers, creating products for many Dylan Costello occasions. “These are built and meant to last basically forever,” he said. “It can be an heirloom. When everything is so disposable, it’s cool to build something that is going to last.” Costello is not the world’s only maker of steel flowers, but he vying to be the leader in the field. He is thinking up ways to garner national exposure and has filed for patent protection. “There are other people doing it, but I’m pushing it harder, I’m working harder, and I want it more,” Costello said.

The Essex Town Plan, more colorful than ever, returns to the Town Meeting Day ballot in March. Adoption or rejection of the revamped plan is the only choice Essex voters will make on March 1 that does not involve elected officials. Three selectboard seats are up for election with Mike Plageman and Irene Wrenner running unopposed for three-year terms and Varpilah Chase and Sue Cook vying to fill two years remaining on the term vacated when Brad Luck resigned in January. The Town Plan is Essex’s document that guides town policy on energy, education, natural resources, land use and flood resilience. It provides a framework for the town’s zoning and subdivision regulations and a foundation for grassroots movements and grant applications. State law mandates that towns update their plans every five years and submit them for voter approval. Essex voters approved a comprehensive update in 2011, then rejected an expedited update in 2014 that was focused on specific zoning changes in the Saxon Hill Forest. The 2014 vote was spurred by a landowner lawsuit that is now on the cusp of a negotiated settlement. “If 2014 had passed, we wouldn’t be doing this,” Essex Community Development Director Dana Hanley said. The 2014 rejection allowed community development staff to invest more time and resources into this year’s version of the plan. They hired a graphic designer to improve the plan’s look and readability and published it in color for the first time. They also edited out redundancies to make it shorter. “It had not changed in a long time, and it just kept building and building on itself, so it was really ripe for a slim down,” said Hanley. The changes are all aimed at userfriendliness and do not substantively

change the vision or policy direction of the town, Hanley said. However, there are new sections that refer to municipal consolidation efforts between the Town of Essex and the Village of Essex Junction as well as the Heart and Soul civic visioning initiative of 2013. The flood resiliency section is also new. The plan also contains updated demographic data on population, employers, educational levels, housing trends, energy use and household income. The town will be publishing fewer hardcopies than in year’s past, Hanley said, instead favoring the online version of the plan, which for the first time contains internet links to other town documents, plans and studies. The updated Town Plan is available at the Essex town website (www.essex.org). Hard copies will be available at the Town

Voters will be asked to approve an update of the essex town Plan during the town Meeting Day election March 1.

– See toWN on page 3a

The Essex Reporter â&#x20AC;˘ February 11, 2016

The Essex Reporter • February 11, 2016

Essex Junction Senior Center

Obituaries Steven C. Jones

Steven Clesson Jones, 73, of Essex Junction, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 at University of Vermont Medical Center. He was born in Montpelier on June 26, 1942, son of the late Clesson and Wilma (Stevens) Jones. When his sons were younger, Steve enjoyed working on cars with Richard and attending all steven C. Jones of Robert’s football games. Steve was a giving friend, neighbor and coworker who was always willing to help others with whatever they needed. Steve was also a dedicated community volunteer. He was one of the original founders of the Essex Rescue Squad. He was a member of the Auxiliary Police in Burlington as well as a longtime Aphresis blood platelet donor. In his retirement, Steve liked to travel with his good friend Judi Stafford to bed and breakfasts in the New England area. Steve was a University of Vermont Alumni member and a huge fan of Vermont Public Radio. He is survived by his two sons, Richard Jones and wife Daisy of Poway, Calif., and Robert Jones and wife Maura Clinton-Jones of Goffstown, N.H.; his sister, Carol Edwards and husband Dean of Sebastian, Fla.; four grandchildren, Jessica Jones, David Jones, William Jones, Katherine Jones; a nephew and two nieces; his ex-wife Elaine Senecal Jones of Whitehall, N.Y.; and his best friend, Judi Stafford, of South Burlington. Services have already been held. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www. awrfh.com.

Glenn Thomas Morrisseau

Glenn Thomas Morrisseau, 67, of Milton, passed away Saturday surrounded by his family at the UVM Medical Center in Burlington. After suffering a series of strokes related to a dissection (tear) in his aorta on Jan. 5, he spent the last month in and out of intensive care and rehab, and ultimately succumbed to complications. Glenn, son of John Paul and Dorothy Morrisseau, was born and raised in Burlington, where he attended Burlington High School and The University of Vermont. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering in 1971. Glenn went on to work for Corning as an industrial engineer, and then IBM, where, for 29 years, he held a variety of engineering, manufacturing, and Glenn thomas Morrisseau managerial positions. He retired of Milton passed away in 2009. It was the same year he Feb. 6, 2016 beat cancer. More than anything else, Glenn was a family man. He cherished his role as the family “patriarch.” He married his love, Lauren Bundy, 44 years ago, and together they raised two beautiful daughters, Shannon and Kimberley. He was loving, caring, and giving of his time to those he loved. He was always amid a project, be it a home renovation, a garden, a play structure for his grandkids, or, most recently, the building of a tiny house with his daughter and son-inlaw. He showed his love through sweat and dirt — if he could lend a hand, he would, and if it involved designing or building, even better. In retirement, Glenn started his own business, Kodiak Landscaping and Earthmoving. It allowed him to stay active, help others, and get his hands dirty — an ideal combination for him. For Glenn, not far behind family was baseball. He played Little League as a kid and then high school baseball; BHS coach Orrie Jay called him one of his best shortstops ever. As an adult, playing turned to cheering, and Glenn became an avid Red Sox fan. A perfect day involved a seat at Fenway, a sausage and beer in his hands, and his family by his side. During football season, his affection shifted to the New York Giants. Sunday nights, he could be found glued to the TV— pumping his fists, yelling at the screen, and talking about the players as if they were his own friends. Glenn was a born-again Christian and attended Essex Alliance Church. He will be remembered for his quirky sense of humor and his stubbornness. He called himself “The Wise One.” Even in his final weeks, as his body was failing him, he maintained his usual spunk — reminding his family of all the things they loved and cherished about him. For them, the past month has been both a tragedy and a gift. He held on long enough for them to show him their love and devotion. And when he'd had enough of the pain and suffering, he let go, to be with his Lord and Savior. Glenn leaves behind his wife and daughters, his sons-inlaw, Jon McKenzie and Mark Dostaler, his grandchildren, Colin, Haileigh and Charlotte (Charley), and his siblings Paul, Dennis and Mary Beth Morrisseau. He was predeceased by his brother, Brian Morrisseau. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Feb.12, 2016 at the Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Road, Essex Junction. Visiting hours are from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the church, followed by a service from 12-1 p.m., followed by a reception beginning at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Humane Society. ◊

Obituary Submission Guidelines

We welcome submitted obituaries. Send obituaries of 300 words or less to news@essexreporter.com. Photos are encouraged. Obituaries are subject to editing. Please submit obituaries no later than Thursday at 5 p.m. for publication in the following week’s edition. We also offer the option of paid space if you prefer a longer or unedited obituary. Paid obituaries are marked by ◊. Contact snook@essexreporter.com or 878-5282 x 207 for more information.

by PeGGy Pearson

Anyone 50 years of age or older is welcome at the Essex Junction Senior Center. Located at the Five Corners between the fire station and the Brownell Library, the Center is open weekdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For information, call 876-5087 or visit essexvtseniors.org. To make a reservation for the Senior Van call 878-6940. To register for any special activity, please contact Lou Ann Pioli, Director, at 876-5087. We’re happy to announce that on Feb. 11 and 12, new laminate skid-resistant flooring is being installed in the great room at the senior center. Not only will the new floor look nicer, it will be safer and better for exercise classes and dancing. During the installation, the great room will be closed, but our library and conference room will be open for small activities. The monthly soup and sandwich this Friday is cancelled. Anyone coming to the center on the 11th or 12th will need to use the Village office entrance and turn right to our conference room. In addition to the new floor, 50 comfortable, blue vinyl stacking chairs should be delivered soon. Stop by to see the facelift at the center! And what better time

to come? The Champlain Valley Quilt Guild is exhibiting dozens of unique wall hangings at the Center during February and March. Every year, the guild has a different theme, and this year’s theme is “Reach for the Stars.” Each quilt is truly a work of art, and we’re so fortunate the guild chose the center as one of their venues this year. Thank you to Brooke Conger and Lou Ann Pioli for helping to make it happen. The Center’s Meal Site program was treated to a visit from the basketball team from AD Lawton School. Many thanks to Brad Luck and Lou Ann Pioli for arranging to bring the lively group of boys, who helped serve the lunch and then called numbers for a few games of bingo.

On Feb. 17, a soup and sandwich luncheon is sponsored by St. James Church and First Congregational Church. The Meal Site advisory board meets at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23. In a break from tradition, the monthly pot luck/ birthday celebration will be Friday, Feb. 26 at the senior center. After lunch, choose from a variety of games, or learn to play Bunco, watch a situation comedy on TV, work on a jigsaw puzzle, or just stay and visit with your friends. Before we know it, St. Patrick’s Day will be here. The popular corned beef and cabbage luncheon at St. Pius this year is March 16. Get your tickets before they’re sold out. Tickets can be purchased for $5 at a luncheon or by calling Donna

annIVersary

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from page 1a

gone on in the last 25 years, a history that many people took part in and remember. We really would like to get those memories and that oral history down before its forgotten,” said Gray, who is in charge of all the exhibits. While residents will be able to share their experiences while at the museum, the society is also hoping for some help beforehand; it’s searching for the names of people who served in the Vermont National Guard or active military duty during this time in an effort to compile a list of names to be on display at the military exhibit. The list will then become a part of a notebook to be kept at the museum from then on. Gray said the society has also been working on a memorial book to commemorate four Essex men who lost their lives in the Vietnam War: Bruce Baker, Stewart Lavigne, Bernard Ritchie and Eugene Treadwell. The book will include

POLICE BEAT Colchester woman leads police on chase through Burlington

A Colchester woman was arrested after police said she stole a vehicle and crashed into the Burlington police station before hitting two parked cars — totaling both — and eventually rear-ending a third vehicle. Police say Ashley R. Martin, 27, stole the vehicle from behind the Maltex building on Pine Street just before 9 p.m. After hitting the building and two parked vehicles, Martin led police on a high-speed chase that ended when she rear-ended a vehicle owned by Chris Gray, 29, of Burlington, who Ashley Martin was using his vehicle for CouRtesy oF Domino's delivery. buRlINGtoN Martin remained in PolICe

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from page 1a information on the men’s lives before they were deployed. “These four men lost their lives and before very long, there’s going to be nobody around that remembered them,” Gray said, adding that she’s compiled a good amount of information on Baker and Lavigne, but hasn’t found anyone from the area who may have known Ritchie and Treadwell. She hopes she may be able to find some personal memories of the two before the exhibits debut on June 5, which will mark the society’s third annual family day from 1-4 p.m. The exhibits will only be on display this year, so those looking to relive — and contribute — to Essex’s history will have until Columbus Day to do so, Gray said. For those looking to submit names for the military display, or with information regarding the four Essex men, email Gray at grayann08@aol.com. the vehicle for over five minutes before police took her into custody. She was treated at the University of Vermont Medical Center, and later released into police custody and lodged at the Chittenden County Correctional Center.

Police looking for man who broke into occupied home

Essex police are looking for help in finding a man involved in an attempted burglary in an occupied home on Winterlane Circle in the town of Essex on Feb. 3. Police say a man described as being tall and slender, wearing dark clothing, entered the residence through a locked garage door just before 6 a.m. He fled after being confronted by the homeowner. Nothing was taken from the residence and no weapons were reported. Colchester police assisted by searching the area with a police dog. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Essex Police Department at 802-878-8331.

Meeting Day budget meeting, Feb. 29, in the Essex High School auditorium. Hanley said no citizens expressed opposition to the plan during public hearings while it was being developed last year. She expects a positive vote March 1; she is unsure how town officials would proceed if voters reject the update. The Community Development Department has also published a “Public Participation Guide” — online as well as hardcopies to hand out at Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment meetings. The guide focuses on how citizens can involve themselves in planning and zoning decisions. It’s the department’s response to residents’ concerns about planning and zoning protocol being difficult to understand, Hanley said. “It helps residents understand when and how to get involved in specific projects and how to participate effectively at meetings,” a town press release states. “The guide also explains how to learn more about individual site plan and subdivision applications and what to do if you can’t make a meeting. A glossary of frequently used terminology is included.”

Essex Automotive Services FAILED WINDOWS

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Harnish at 879-7922 or Gloria Deeley at 363-9218. All seniors are welcome. Welcome back to Gloria Deeley, who will be writing this column once a month. Gloria took a break for a few months, and I’m very pleased to say she’s back, with her sense of humor intact. Stop by the Perfect Blend Café on Feb. 19 from 9-11 a.m. to enjoy delicious baked goods, a hot beverage, and good conversation. It’s fun! Cribbage fans— don’t forget the cribbage tournament Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. For $6, enjoy an afternoon of friendly competition. You might win some prize money, and you’re sure to have a good time. For AARP tax assistance, please call John Hodgkin at 655-9219 to schedule an appointment.

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Can & Bottle Redemption

When a car window fails to open or close, it can be more than an annoyance. A non-functioning power window compromises personal security and may also allow precipitation to get inside the passenger compartment. When all the windows are in shut-down mode, a faulty fuse may be the culprit. Otherwise, if the problem window does not produce the sound of a motor behind the door panel, the trouble may rest with a faulty switch, motor, wiring, or “window regulator,” which transfers power from the window motor to the window glass. If the plastic guides in the regulator break, the metal cable will come loose and allow the window to fall inside the door, requiring the regulator assembly to be replaced.

Are you having problems with your car windows? At ESSEX AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES, we recommend that you have us perform regular examinations of your vehicle. Located at 141-147 Pearl St, Essex Jct., our technicians can perform any needed repairs, and you can always expect to be treated fairly and respectfully. Call 802.879.1966 for “Service You Can Trust.” We are open for Business!

Open 6:59 AM nO AppOintMent needed New Winter Hours: Mon. - Fri. CLOSED SATURDAYS UNTIL APRIL

The Essex Reporter • February 11, 2016

O PINION Perspective

Letter to the Editor

Too late for Shumlin to claim fiscal restraint by tom Pelham Gov. Peter Shumlin’s recent budget speech is a vain attempt to craft a legacy of fiscal responsibility. But, it’s too late for that; the damage is done to both Vermont’s fiscal standing and the governor’s legacy. Some housekeeping is in order. Gov. Shumlin points a finger at former Gov. Jim Douglas for the state’s fiscal woes, but state fiscal records reveal otherwise. Gov. Douglas vetoed the fiscal 2010 budget not because it spent too little, but because it spent too much. It was Senate President Pro Tempore Shumlin and House Speaker Shap Smith who in June, 2009, led the veto override and henceforth set Vermont on its current unsustainable spending trajectory. Gov. Shumlin’ speech did not mention the $938 million in one-time federal stimulus funds Vermont received through fiscal 2011. Shumlin used these funds to both supplant general funds eroded by the Great Recession and grow base spending until these funds ran out in 2012. Then Gov. Shumlin, not Gov. Douglas, raided $23 million from the education fund to prop up his unsustainable spending trend line. About taxes, Gov. Shumlin said, “This will be my sixth budget that does not increase income, sales, or rooms and meals tax rates.” Tax rates, maybe; but taxes, certainly not. Over the past six years, income taxes (capital gains and deduction restrictions), sales taxes (sugary drinks), rooms and meals (vending machines), gas taxes, cigarette taxes, health insurance claims taxes, property taxes, and numerous fees, have all increased by Shumlin’s actions. For Fiscal Year 2017, the governor can say he’s not raising “income, sales, or rooms and meals tax rates” while increasing fees on mutual funds and adding new taxes on doctors and dentists. And so it goes. Bottom line, since 2010, general fund and state fund spending generally, exclusive of federal funds, have grown at the respective rates of 5.3 percent and 5.2 percent. In a Vermont economy experiencing 2 to 3 percent growth, the governor’s (and legislature’s) aggressive spending of state taxpayer dollars drives the now annual fiscal hazards of budget gaps and higher taxes. Each year there are two major budget bills before the legislature known as the Big Bill and the BAA (short for Budget Adjustment Act). The Big Bill covers the coming fiscal year while the BAA makes adjustments to the current fiscal year. When lawmakers left Montpelier last year, they approved, and the Governor signed, the 2016 Big Bill with a year-over-year general fund increases of 4.2 percent and all state fund increases of 3.8 percent. But now, the 2016 BAA has more spending. The result is year-over-year increases of 5.1 percent and 5 percent respectively. The governor’s 2017 budget proposal is a 4.1 percent and 3.2 percent general fund increase over the 2016 Big Bill and 2016 BAA, respectively. Relative to all state funds, the increases are 4 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively. As is happening this year, these increases may rise next year with the 2017 BAA. But that will be the next governor’s worry. The proposed increases again exceed underlying economic growth and require $13.2 million in higher mutual fund fees and $17 million in new taxes on doctors and dentists. More of the governor’s 2017 budget proposal will be uncovered as the legislative process unfolds, but interesting details already stand out. For example, the governor’s proposed general fund increase totals $45 million. Of this, he directs $12.3 million, or 27 percent of these new general funds, to the teachers’ pension and retired teachers health care funds, now totaling $101 million — an amount greater than the $83.3 million general funds proposed for Vermont’s institutions of higher education. During Shumlin’s term, the funding ratio of the teachers’ pension fund has dropped from 66.5 percent to 58.6 percent — not a great legacy and certainly a red flag to bond rating agencies. It must be noted, however, that the core cost drivers for teacher retirement benefits are not state decisions, but by the salary and benefit contracts between local school boards and the teachers union. While the governor, legislators and secretary of education lament the excessive staffing in Vermont’s schools, they remain silent and paralyzed about the general fund bankrolling the retirement benefits driven by Vermont’s lowest-in-thenation pupil-to-teacher ratio of less than 10 to 1. This costly conflict between fiscal and educational policies and politics now consumes a whopping 27 percent of all new general funds, inclusive of new revenues from fees on mutual funds. With budget pressures ranging from higher education to human services, it’s unfortunate that statehouse leaders won’t resolve these conflicting and costly policy tensions.

distorting immigration

Tom Torti’s Jan. 28 column (“Immigration is the key to our future”) is highly impassioned but soft on facts, riddled with inaccuracies, and in some part patently offensive. Tom is melding an opendoor immigration policy with political asylum and refugee statuses. In the process, he runs fast and loose with the word “racism”, which in this case is intended to stir emotions without actually adhering to the definition of the word — in essence hijacking the language and meaning for his own purposes. He draws the inference that, if you stand for anything less than a fully open border that welcomes all refugees without question or qualification, you are a racist akin to the Ku Klux

Klan, and that we who disagree apparently speak in “racist and bigoted code.” In a not-so-politically-correct time, Tom would be held responsible for those types of accusations. We are a country of laws and not a country of men. There is nothing racist about adhering to our laws or qualifying the character and intentions of those who would emigrate to the U.S. Tom’s grandparents were subjected to those same laws, standards and qualifications when they emigrated to this country as were my great-grandparents. They immigrated legally, then over a generation gained U.S. citizenship by learning a common language, and finally passing an examination that insured they understood and accepted the laws of our country. Those of us who question Tom’s open-door policy and

ask that our government take the necessary measures to verify the backgrounds of refugees are not de facto “racist” but instead are keenly aware and protective citizens. We recognize that current laws are set in place to protect us from those who might want to harm us through immigration. We understand the laws, abide by them, and if necessary enact legislation to change them. Tom references the Berlin Wall. But it was constructed to keep people inside the physical boundaries of a communist regime, not to exclude those who would choose to accept the communist doctrine and emigrate to East Germany. No one was beating down the doors to get into communist East Germany. Bad analogy. Tom’s second paragraph is filled with offensive invectives used to describe an ethnic populace. I am both

surprised that he wrote the words and that The Essex Reporter published them. As an Italian American I am offended with his casual use of such slurs. Had he been talking about slavery instead of immigration, and used such invectives, his comments never would have been published. It appears that some are quite comfortable with, or oblivious to, the doublestandard. Tom elected to sign his post as the president of the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce, and not as Tom Torti, private citizen. In doing so, he implies that he speaks for that organization, which I find particularly troubling. It causes me to question the motives and positions of management at the Chamber.

James l. minetti colchester

Essex’s conservation to-do list for 2016 by the essex conservation committee

From meeting with the Vermont Land Trust about land conservation to adding new members to the committee and holding a Fall Clean-Up Day at Indian Brook, the Town of Essex Conservation Committee had a busy 2015, and the work plans for 2016 are even more ambitious. Last September, volunteers of all ages attended the second annual Fall Clean-Up Day to help eradicate invasive species, such as buckthorn and honeysuckle, from along the trails at Indian Brook Reservoir. The Essex Trails Committee led volunteers to clean debris that gathers every year in the swales. After that amazingly successful clean-up day in the fall, and since springtime is an ideal time to pull up and cut down invasive plants, the committee will hold another work day in May or June to continue the efforts to remove these unwanted and unwelcomed invaders from the reservoir. Stay tuned for details. For 2016, the committee has decided to work with the Vermont Land Trust to approach owners of land parcels that may be worthy of permanent preservation. Currently, many properties in Essex qualify for and are part of the Vermont Current Use Program. Also known as Use Value Appraisal, this program was developed to enable private properties practicing long-term forestry or farming to be appraised based on the value of these activities instead of their residential or commercial value. The objective was to keep Vermont’s agricultural and forest land in active production. About one-third of Vermont’s total land area is enrolled in current use, and more than 40 properties in Essex are enrolled. These properties provide open spaces for scenic views and wildlife activity. The conservation committee met late last year with Bob Heiser of the Vermont Land Trust (VLT) to explore how it can expand on the current use program in Essex to preserve land for future generations by assisting eligible landowners in donating a conservation easement to VLT. The landowners could continue to own, manage and even sell their land. Mr. Heiser provided the committee with VLT’s minimum criteria — 50 acres or more, historic hill

farms, family woodlands, open fields, mountain ridgelines, etc. The VLT works closely with property owners to protect the land while making a lasting gift to the community. The conservation committee identified current use properties that may meet VLT’s qualifications for a conservation easement. This month, the conservation committee will reach out to the property owners to explain the VLT program and, if there is interest, assist these landowners in working with the VLT. Also on the “to-do” list, the committee is hoping, with the help of the Essex Public Works Department, to update a tree survey. The survey of town trees will be vital for developing a plan of action to protect them from the threat of invasive insects, such as the emerald ash borer, the Asian long-horned beetle, and the hemlock woolly adelgid. These invasive pests have been detected in states adjacent to Vermont and have devastated many communities. With treatments now available, it is imperative to have a plan and budget in place in advance of the pests. Trees are such an important component of a community. To achieve some of the conservation goals on its work list, the conservation committee is also exploring the establishment of a conservation fund. In the near future, people in Essex can expect to see a survey to gauge community interest for such a fund. For more information on the conservation committee and what we do, please attend one of the meetings held on the second Tuesday each month at 7 p.m., currently at the town’s police department on Maple Street (once renovations on the town offices are complete, meetings will be held at 81 Main Street). The meetings are always open to the public, and we welcome your ideas and thoughts on how best to serve this community we all call home. The Essex Conservation Committee consists of chairman Darren Schibler, Jaysen Dickinson, Cristine Hammer and Margaux Reckard. Contact Schibler at darren.schibler@ gmail.com or Town Planner Greg Duggan at gduggan@ essex.org (878-1343) for more information.

From the Statehouse

The Essex Reporter is family owned and operated; it is published by Angelo Lynn and Emerson Lynn of Lynn Publications, Inc. and is a member of the Champlain Valley Newspaper Group.

Chittenden Central Supervisory Union meeting, I saw a dense six-page draft outline of concerns to be addressed as part of the transition to the new Unified Union. Fortunately, we have elected a very capable board to meet the challenge. The public controversy that arose recently over Senate bill 233 concerned a repeal of the allowable spending growth percentages contained in Act 46. There is no question that the thresholds worked to slow spending growth in 2017, which will lead to lower tax rates statewide. We won’t know the final numbers until after all budgets are reviewed, but we do know that Essex will get significant tax incentive reductions for the next five years beginning in Fiscal Year 2018 because of the hard work of the local merger study committee and subsequent positive community vote. The allowable growth “caps” have always been controversial. Our committee had much testimony about the potential damage to schools if the law was left unchanged. Some districts were getting hammered even though they were responsible spenders compared to statewide averages. There were no irresponsible school boards, but there was a wide variety of ability to meet the thresholds for smaller school choice districts with just an elementary school that were losing students. The House decided to lessen the penalties but not remove cost controls entirely. There was a time crunch as action was needed quickly to allow local budgets to be finalized and warned legally in time for town meetings. The original Senate bill 233 was very different — it repealed the allowable growth percentage provisions for both 2017 and 2018. The final compromise accepted the House version for 2017 but included the Senate repeal for 2018. It was voted on in a dramatic midnight session, which was held to insure time for local districts to make 2017 adjustments if they choose to. Although the bill passed overwhelmingly, compromising to repeal the cost controls for 2018 was difficult for many House members. But like last year, the Act 46 debate did not break down neatly along party lines. For example, all but one Republican senator joined all the Democrats and Progressives to vote to remove cost controls for both 2017 and 2018. Conversely, many Democrats and Republicans in the House are adamant about returning fair cost controls for 2018, so that battle remains to be fought before the end of the session. It will be tough, and it should be, as each representative tries to balance his/her district school needs with the ability of local property taxpayers to support their fair share. Regardless of that outcome, school boards around the state did a great job of prudent budgeting for 2017. Much more to come this year on this issue. See you at town and village meetings coming up soon!

The Essex Reporter makes every effort to be accurate. If you notice an error, please contact us at 878-5282, or by e-mail at news@essexreporter.com. Note “correction” in the subject line.

Tim Jerman represents Essex Junction in the Vermont House of Representatives.

Tom Pelham is former finance commissioner in the Gov. Howard Dean administration, tax commissioner in the Gov. Jim Douglas administration and state representative elected as an independent. He is co-founder of Campaign for Vermont.

Election season is upon us! This week’s New Tim Hampshire primary is a that Vermont’s Jerman reminder presidential preference primary is coming up on March 1, the day after Town Meeting. Absentee ballots are available now from the town clerk, and the new online voter registration system at www.olvr.sec.state.vt.us makes it easy for new voters to participate. There are lots of contentious issues being discussed this year in Montpelier, and the legalization/regulation of marijuana is one of them. A bill has passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and will be reviewed by others. If it passes the Senate, it will come over to the House. Your five Essex, Essex Junction, and Essex/Westford representatives will host a listening forum on marijuana on Wednesday, March 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the Essex High School cafeteria. There will be brief presentations pro and con, followed by ample time for local residents to weigh in on the issue. More details to follow soon. The House Education Committee is now reviewing a number of bills dealing with refinements to last year’s Act 46. To quickly review, Act 46 responded to the dramatic loss of students statewide (down another 1,200 last year). It proposed enlarged school districts to provide better opportunities for students while containing costs through regulated spending for two years until merger savings were realized. Act 46 is working. Districts all over the state are in merger conversations, but it will be a work in progress for the next few years. Essex, Essex Junction, and Westford are leading the way, and there is a lot of work ahead. At a recent

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The Essex Reporter • February 11, 2016

L I S T I N G S

For your wellbeing!

Spirit massage therapy

• Focus on fun, not food. Rather than making food the focus of the day, shift your attention to all the fun things you can do with your valentine. Fill the day with activities such as ice skating or sightseeing. Even though the weather may be cold, it’s possible to enjoy the great outdoors. Dress appropriately and enjoy a walk in the park, or do something out of the ordinary, like sledding. If you must retreat indoors, watch a romantic movie.

dvertisements for vacation destinations often paint couples’ massages as the premier romantic activity. It’s true that massages can be relaxing and sensual, making such sessions ideal gifts come Valentine’s Day. Yet, massages aren’t just sultry oils and New Age music. They can actually be very good for overall health. Massage therapy is beneficial in various ways. Massage is no longer just available in upscale health clubs or luxury spas. Massage spas have cropped up in malls, hospitals, clinics, and even office buildings, making massage therapy that much more accessible. The Mayo Clinic notes that while more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, it may be helpful for a variety of health ailments. In addition to easing sore muscles, reducing joint pain and helping soft tissue strains or injuries, massage can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and calm feelings of stress. Massage reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This helps to lift spirits and can often lower blood pressure. Massage also may help to boost the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which are associated with depression.

The gift of a massage session can be romantic and improve one’s overall health.

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DIVORCE CARE SUPPORT GROUP Led by people who have already walked down that road, we’d like to share with you a safe place and a process that can help make the journey easier. The 13-week Divorce Care Support Group (for men and women) will be offered on Sunday evenings, 5:30-7:30 p.m,, Feb. 28 through May 29, 2016, at the Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Road, Essex Jct. For more information and to register call Sandy, 802-989-4081 or email sandybrisson@gmail.com.

HANDLING VALENTINE’S DAY WHEN YOU HAVE DIABETES

The many benefits of

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CHECKMATES SQUARE DANCING at Maple Street Park. Feb. 15, 6-9 p.m. Advanced and challenge level. Participants must have completed the plus style of Western Style Square Dancing. 879-0760. Cost varies.

Celebrating a holiday can be challenging for those with diabetes, as sweet treats are a part of many holiday celebrations. Come Valentine’s Day, chocolates, candy and rich desserts can often be found on the menu, which can prove problematic for those who have to watch their bloodglucose levels. Diabetics may be tempted to indulge in too many sugary foods on Valentine’s Day. Fortunately individuals do not have to put their health in jeopardy in the name of Valentine’s Day, as there are many healthy ways to celebrate with some minor tweaks.

According to Health magazine, massage also can help promote healthy sleep. It has something to do with the effect of massage on delta waves, which are the brain waves connected to deep sleep. There is some evidence that massage can also increase white blood cell counts, promoting improved immunity. Many people rely on massages to relieve pain. According to a report published in 2011 in the American College of Physicians’ “Annals of Internal Medicine,” massage helps a people in pain feel and function better than those who s do not receive treatment. Massage can alleviate stiffness , and pain and promote a better range of motion. And pain relief is not just for the back, arms and legs. Massage can e reduce risk for migraines and decrease pain from tension h headaches. Massage even has beauty benefits. Rubbing the face t , and scalp can promote blood flow and encourage lymphatic w drainage. This can add vitality to the complexion and t plump up the skin. Dull hair may appear more shiny and e revitalized. r y

n e . y . s r t e s l n t s e r h 7

PARTNER MASSAGE WORKSHOP. Learn how to use massage as a way to help your partner cope with the stresses of daily life. You’ll practice various bodywork techniques on each other so you can share the power of touch for years to come. Please bring a yoga mat or towel to class and wear comfortable clothes. Feb. 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $60/$65, 878-1342. Memorial Hall. Presented by Essex Parks and Rec.

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People can explore different types of massage and experiment with what works best for their ailments. Everything from Swedish massage to reflexology is offered at massage clinics. Because massage involves being partially or completely undressed and having a massage therapist touch various areas of the body, it is important to find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable. Make sure that the therapist is fully certified and qualified. It also helps if he or she is properly vetted by the spa or clinic. Therapists will heed a person’s preferences with regard to the massage, only concentrating on the areas specified. If anything feels uncomfortable or a client prefers not to have an area of the body touched, he or she simply needs to address that with the therapist at the beginning of the session. The gift of a massage session can be romantic and improve one’s overall health. — MetroCreative

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• Plan ahead when changing your diet. It’s often possible to work small amounts of a particular dessert or food into your normal meal plan by adjusting what you eat for the rest of the day. If you plan ahead for a bite of chocolate, you can balance out sugar levels by eliminating something else. Keep tabs on your sugar levels throughout the day, and always weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the foods you eat. • Include smart substitutions. Many favorite foods are available in low-sugar or sugarless varieties that are diabeticfriendly. Lean toward low-carb offerings and foods that are relatively low in fat. Baking your own treats or cooking your own meals will give you greater control over the ingredients used in your recipes, and that can pay big dividends in terms of health. • Send nonfood items into the classroom. Diabetes affects people of all ages. When sending valentines into the class for children, do not accompany the cards with chocolate kisses or other candies. Instead, choose toys or keepsakes, such as heart-shaped erasers or scented stickers. Moderation is key when managing diabetes around Valentine’s Day. Place a greater emphasis on time spent together, entertainment and socialization rather than potentially unhealthy treats.

The Essex Reporter • February 11, 2016

Essex Area Religious Directory

C ALENDAR 11 Thursday

Square Dance. The Green Mountain Steppers

M.A.G.I.C.: Masculinity and Gender Identity Conversation. Participants of any and all gender identities gather for a casual discussion on a wide variety of topics ranging from inequality to language, media and food. Wellness Co-op, Burlington, 2-3 p.m. Free. Information: 370-5369.

Shaving Cream Art. Create your own designs using shaving cream and paint. Kindergarten and up. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 3 pm. Free. Information: 878-4918 or www.williston.lib.vt.us

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH- (Fundamentalindependent.) 61 Main St., Essex Junction, 878-8341. Pastor James Gangwer. Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Sunday evening worship 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening youth groups; Awana, Pro-Teens and Prayer meeting 7 p.m. CHRIST MEMORIAL CHURCH- Route 2A, Williston, just north of Industrial Ave. Wes Pastor, Senior Minister, 8787107, Proclaiming Christ and Him crucified Sundays at 9:30 a.m. www.cmcvermont.org. DAYBREAK COMMUNITY CHURCH - 67 Creek Farm Plaza, Colchester VT. 05446 802-338-9118 www.daybreakvermont.org or brentdaybreak@gmail. com Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m. Lead Pastor, Brent Devenney. ESSEX ALLIANCE CHURCH - 37 Old Stage Road in Essex Junction. Sunday Services: 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Phone: 878-8213. www.essexalliance.org. ESSEX CENTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Please join us for worship that combines the best of traditional and contemporary music and spirituality. We are a safe and welcoming space for all people to celebrate, worship, ask questions, and put down spiritual roots. Adult Bible Study at 8:30 a.m. Service at 10:00 a.m. with Sunday School and childcare provided. We offer a variety of small groups for prayer, Bible study, hands-on ministry, and studying contemporary faith issues. 119 Center Rd (Route 15) Essex Center. Rev. Mitchell Hay, pastor. 878-8304. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ESSEX JUNCTION, UCC, an Open and Affirming Congregation, embracing diversity and affirming the dignity and worth of every person, because we are all created by a loving God. 1 Church Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Telephone (802) 878-5745; Website: www.fccej.org; Email: welcome@fccej.org Senior Pastor, Rev. Mark Mendes. Sunday Worship Services: 8:30 and 10:15 am. Communion: first Sunday of every month. Sunday School meets weekly at 10:15 am. Jr. High Youth Group, Sr. High Youth Group every Sunday. 5th/6th Grade Youth Group, 1st Sunday of the month. Heavenly Food Pantry – fourth Thursday of the month, 2-6pm, except for Nov & Dec when it is the third Thursday. Essex Eats Out Community Dinner – 1st Friday of the month, 5:30 – 7pm. Music includes Senior Choir, Praise Band, Junior Choir, Cherub Choir, Handbell Choir, Men’s Acapella and Ladies’ Acapella groups. GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 130 Maple Street, Essex Junction. 878-8071. 1 mile south of the Five Corners on Maple Street / VT. Route 117. Worship Sundays at 9:30 a.m. with concurrent Church School Pre-K to High School. Handicapped-accessible facility. Adult Study Group Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Adult Choir / Praise Band / Women’s Fellowship / Missionally active. Korean U.M.C. Worship Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Come explore what God might be offering you! HOLY FAMILY - ST. LAWRENCE PARISH - Essex Junction, - Mass Schedule, Saturday Vigil: 4:00pm - St. Lawrence, Sunday Morning: 8:00am - St. Lawrence, 11:00am - Holy Family, 7:30pm - Holy Family. For more information visit our web page http://www.hfslvt.org. LIVING HOPE CHRISTIAN CHURCH - 1037 South Brownell Road, Williston ,VT 05495. A Living Hope.... a Loving God. 862-2108 | Livinghope@aol.com | www. livinghopevt.org 9:00 a.m. Children and Adult Sunday School. 10:00 a.m. Worship and Service. MT. MANSFIELD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP - Visit www.mmuuf.org. Services are held at 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month from September through June. 195 Vermont Route 15, Jericho (the red barn across from Packard Road). 899-2558. ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH - 4 St. James Place (off Rt. 2A at the Fairgrounds Gate F) 802-878-4014 www. stjamesvt.org The Rev. Ken Hitch v office@stjamesvt. org 8:15am Holy Eucharist Rite II (no music) 10:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II (with music) 9:20am Adult Ed: Bible Study 10:15 am Godly Play. ST. PIUS X CHURCH - 20 Jericho Road, Essex, 878-5997 - Administrator: Rev. Charles Ranges. Masses: Saturday 4:30 pm and Sunday 9:30 am. Confessions: Saturday 3:30pm - 4:00 pm or please call 878-5331 for an appointment. ST. THOMAS CATHOLIC CHURCH - 6 Green St., Underhill Center. Father Charles R. Danielson, Parish Priest. Weekend Masses: Saturday-4:30 p.m., Sunday-8:30. Daily Masses: Check with www.stthomasvt. com or call 899-4632.

Friday

Elder Education Enrichment group will be offering the next installment of their spring lecture series with Champlain College President, Donald Laackman. Laackman will present a lecture entitled, “Champlain College and Higher Education.” Parking and handicap access available. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington, 2 p.m. $5 at the door. Information: 864-3516.

Concert. The Brick Church Music Series presents PossumHaw. PossumHaw has

a classic bluegrass lineup, but use their instruments with spare, exquisite nuance and lead singer Colby Crehan’s sultry voice delivers story lines that are riveting. This event is a fundraiser for a local charity. Old Brick Church, Williston, 7-9 p.m. $14. Information: www.town.williston.vt.us/brickchurchmusic

Saturday

DNA Tests: How They Work. The Vermont

Genealogy Library will host Ed McGuire, who will be presenting on DNA Tests. McGuire’s presentation will address all the basic information necessary to understand our newest genealogical tool. After this class you will be able to decide whether a DNA test can help, which type to take and which testing company to use. This is the ﬁrst in our series of four spring classes on genetic genealogy. Vermont Genealogy Library, Colchester, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. $5. Information: www.vtgenlib.org/ or 310-9285.

Williston, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Free. Contact: 878-4918.

Elder Education Enrichment Lecture. The

Elder Education Enrichment group will be offering the next installment of their spring lecture series with Middlebury College Professor of Geology and Department Chair, Jeffery Munroe. Munroe will present a lecture entitled, “Big Changes in Cold Places: Climate Change and the Cryosphere.” Parking and handicap access available. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington, 2 p.m. $5 at the door. Information: 864-3516.

Sunday

Knights Of Columbus Country Breakfast. The Knights of Columbus Council No. 7810 will sponsor a country breakfast. The buffet-style breakfast will include juice, fruit, eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, home fries and coffee or tea. St. Thomas Church, Underhill Center, 8-11 a.m. Donations accepted. Information: 899-4632.

Sunday Coffee Mix and Mingle. Members

Elder Education Enrichment Lecture. The

Square Dance Club presents their annual Snowﬂake Dance. Ken Ritucci will be the caller. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington. Afternoon, 2-4:30 p.m.; Evening 6:30-10:15 p.m. Contact Sue: 879-1974 and www.greenmountainsteppers.org.

of the LGBTQA community gather to bond over books, coffee, art and more at this casual hangout. Barnes and Noble Bookstore, South Burlington, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Information: 860-7812.

Trivia Night. Trivia buffs gather for a meeting

of the minds. Hotel Vermont lobby, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free. Contact: 651-5012.

Movies at Main Street Landing: “Se7en.” The Movies at Main Street Landing series presents the David Fincher-directed 1995 crime thriller, “Se7en,” starring modern legends Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey. Main Street Landing Film House, Burlington, 7 p.m. Donations beneﬁt a local charity. Contact: 540-3018 or www. mainstreetlanding.com/movies.

Valentine's Day Brunch. People Helping

People Global will be hosting its annual Valentine’s Day Brunch Benefit. This year the Hampton Inn in Colchester has generously donated their space to host the event. The cost of ticket covers a full brunch buffet, two hours of live music by The Smokey Newfield Project and a silent auction. All proceeds from this event go to benefit our economic development projects in Nicaragua. Hampton Inn, Colchester, 12-2 p.m. $25 per adult; $15 per student; $12 per child (age 3-12); No charge for ages 2 and under. Information: 318-4488 or Isabel@phpgmicrolending.org.

Wednesday

Open Studio Collage Workshop. Whirled

Tree Arts Studio invited budding artists to take a break from their busy lives to learn how to create beautiful mixed media compositions using paint, paper, fabric and found objects. All creative levels welcome. Whirled Tree Art Studio, Burlington, 121:30 p.m. $5-$10 suggested donation. Information: www.whirledtree.org

Chili Cook-Off and Luncheon. Sample many

different varieties of chili, vote for the best and then have a cup of your favorite. Includes cornbread and beverage. Proceeds will help support library programs. There will be a fun photo booth with a Mexicanthemed backdrop complete with sombreros, maracas and other festive props. Milton Public Library Community Room, Milton, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $5. Information: 893-4644.

Tuesday

Thursday

Mandarin Chinese Class. The Agape Com-

Monday

Shape and share life stories. Prompts trig-

ger real-life experience stories, which are crafted into engaging narrative and shared with the group. Free and open to all adults. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library,

THURSDAY, FEB. 11

munity Church invites language enthusiasts to practice the Chinese dialect spoken throughout northern and southwestern China. Agape Community Church, South Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Information: www.burlingtonagape.org/

To view ongoing events go to: www.EssexReporter.com/calendar

6maggie2@myfairpoint.net. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

AARP Free Tax Prep Help. For taxpayers and low and middle incomes, especially those age 60 and older, Tak and Dorothy Ng — AARP foundation certified tax preparers — will offer 45 minute appointments. Call 878-6955 or drop by the library’s Circ. Desk to schedule an appointment. Available until April 7. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9:15 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Library Closed for Presidents’ Day. Brownell Library, Essex Junction.

Adult Coloring Group. Come join the fun of adult coloring. Bring your own books or choose from a variety of printed pictures supplied by the library. Light refreshments will be served. Essex Free Library, Essex, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17

Lego Fun. Participate in fun and friendly building with LEGO. For kids entering Kindergarten and up. (Kids under 5 are welcome to participate with parental supervision). Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEB. 12 Axis and Allies. Play a World War II game of strategy using battleships, air fleets and submarines to decide the fate of the World. Grades 6 and up. Check out a sped up version of the game at www.youtu.be/KW1J-An_icU. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Dungeons and Dragons. Embark on an imaginary adventure. Our Dungeon Master serves as the game’s referee and storyteller. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8:30 p.m. Maggie’s Fiber Friday for Adults. Maggie Loftus, veteran knitter, will be settled in front of the fireplace in the Main Reading Room. She invites adult knitters and crocheters to join her with their projects and engage in conversation. Bring patterns to share if you’d like. If you wish to contact Maggie:

Events at your

MONDAY, FEB. 15

TUESDAY, FEB. 16, Library Trustees Meeting. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 7-8:30 p.m.

Baby Storytime. Join us for lap books and finger rhymes, and meet other adults who might be just as sleep deprived. For pre-walkers and their grownups. Essex Free Library, Essex, 10:30 a.m. Mayhem of the Month Dine and Discuss Series: The Beekeeper’s Apprentice: On the Segregation of the Queen by Laurie R. King. Discussion leader Ed Cashman. In 1915, Sherlock Holmes is retired and quietly engaged in the study of honeybees until 15-year-old Mary Russell literally stumbles onto him. She becomes his protégée and partner and the two are called to Wales to help Scotland Yard find the kidnapped daughter of an American senator. Copies available at the Adult Circ. desk. Potluck fare: Let the book inspire you. Library provides tableware, decaf coffee and water. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6:30-9 p.m.

THURSDAY, FEB. 18 AARP Free Tax Prep Help. For taxpayers and low and middle incomes, especially those age 60 and older, Tak and Dorothy Ng — AARP foundation certified tax preparers — will offer 45 minute appointments. Call 878-6955 or drop by the library’s Circ. Desk to schedule an appointment. Available until April 7. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9:15 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Champlain Valley Apiaries. Come hear the buzz about the importance of bees to our environment, and take a taste of their sweet offerings. Essex Free Library, 6-7 p.m.

Local Libraries

To view ongoing events go to: www.EssexReporter.com/calendar

BROWNELL 6 Lincoln Street LIBRARY Essex Junction 878-6956

ESSEX FREE 2 Jericho Road LIBRARY Essex 879-0313 essexfreelibrary@essex.org.

The Essex Reporter • February 11, 2016

Visit us online for

Current Exhibits & Upcoming Events

www.essexreporter.com/arts-and-entertainment

Wine and chocolate, what could be better? T

Shelburne Vineyard highlights local chocolatiers with Valentine weekend events

he fifth annual Vermont Wine & Chocolate Weekend sponsored by the Vermont Grape and Wine Council will take place this year on Saturday, Feb. 13 and Sunday, Feb. 14. To celebrate the possibilities of pairing wine with chocolate, Shelburne Vineyard will honor this Valentine’s tradition by teaming up with two local connoisseurs of the cocoa bean and other confections: Good Comida and Bijou Fine Chocolate. Each will bring specially crafted treats made with or paired with Shelburne Vineyard wines to the Tasting Bar for a Valentine experience. The vineyard will offer its usual $7 wine tasting along with a souvenir wineglass and each chocolate maker will offer free samples specially paired with particular wines. Good Comida and Bijou each have also created some special treats made with thev wines and those, as well as many of their other specialties, will be available for sale, some with special Valentine’s packaging. The event will take place at Shelburne Vineyard from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. No reservations are required. Good Comida will share their treats on Saturday; Bijou will take the spotlight on Sunday. For more information about Shelburne Vineyard’s event, call 802-985-8222 or visit shelburnevinyard.com or Shelburne Vineyard on Facebook.

Wineries open their doors for Cupid

The Vermont Wine & Chocolate Weekend was started five years ago by the Vermont Grape and Wine Council, the organization of the state’s winemakers. This year, 15 wineries will open their doors for visitors to sample their wines with a chocolate or another dessert. By planning a visit to the participating wineries visitors can taste the full spectrum of Vermont wines during the course of the weekend. While some wineries specialize in grape wines made from northern grape varieties like Marquette, La Crescent, and Traminette, others produce black currant cassis, honey mead, ice cider, raspberry wine, and apple wine, so variety is part of the experience. Please contact wineries for details about their tastings or visit www.vermontgrapeandwinecouncil.com. Artesano Mead, artesanomead.com.

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Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits, Cambridge. Free tasting of wine, cider, and cream liqueurs paired with decadent local chocolates. STiRChocolates will be onsite with additional chocolate samples infused with Boyden Valley wines and cream liqueurs. Also, an optional tasting of Valentine’s-themed cocktails throughout the day. Boyden is also hosting a romantic cheese fondue dinner with wine and dessert from 4pm-6pm in their historic carriage barn loft by reservation only. Call for more details or to place a reservation for the fondue dinner. (802) 644-8151; www. boydenvalley.com.

Champlain Orchards, Shoreham. Pairing house-made ice cider truffles that with their Ice Cider, MacIntosh and Maple Hard cider. They’re also offering Bacon Cheddar Apple Turnovers and Heirloom Cheddar soup with any of their hard ciders. (802) 897-2777; www. champlainorchards.com. Due North Vineyard, Franklin. (802) 285-2053; www.duenorthvineyard.com. East Shore Vineyard, South Hero. (802) 859-9463; www.eastshorevineyard.com. Eden Ice Cider, Newport. At the Newport Tasting Center, they’re offering a special “Valentine’s Day” edition of the Seasonal Tasting Plate which comes with 4 bites and 4 sips for $9. Among the 4 pairings is Chocolate Brownie from Jocelyn and Cinta’s Bake Shop with Orleans Bitter Aperitif Cider and San Pellegrino Blood Orange soda, and a Maple Caramel Truffle from Burke Mountain with Eden Northern Spy Barrel-Aged Ice Cider. (802) 334-1808; www.edenicecider.com. Fresh Tracks Farm, Berlin. (802) 223-1151; www. freshtracksfarm.com. Hall Home Place Ice Cider, Isle La Motte. Free pairing of Sweet Six and M&E Ice Ciders with Chocolate Covered Apple Cider candies (made from their own apple cider syrup) and VT Krunch Toffee. All products will be available for purchase along with other varieties of Ice Cider and their premium VT Iced Hard Cider. Full tastings at the regular fee also available. (802) 928-3091, www.hallhomeplace.com. Huntington River Vineyard, Huntington. Offering chocolates flavored with their wines, and opening their cozy tasting room in the old farmhouse for this special occasion. (802) 434-3332; www.huntingtonrivervineyard. com Lincoln Peak Vineyard, Middlebury. Featuring wine pairings with three Addison County chocolatiers: Middlebury Chocolates, Daily Chocolate, and Farmhouse Truffles. (802) 388-7368; www.lincolnpeakvineyard.com. Neshobe River Winery, Brandon. Offering cassisfilled chocolates made from their VT-grown organic black currants, paired with cassis, of course. Free tasting glass for visitors they heard about it through the state-wide event! (802) 247-8002; www.neshoberiverwinery.com. North Branch Vineyards, Montpelier. North Branch will be pairing their 2014 Saint Croix with chocolate ganache cake. (802) 229-6169; www.northbranchvineyards. com. Shelburne Vineyard, Shelburne. Offering wine pairings with a different Shelburne chocolatier each day 11 am- 5 pm. On Saturday, Good Comida will prepare samples of

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bijou Fine Chocolate will be the featured chocolatier at shelburne Vineyard on sunday, Feb. 14.

the shelburne Vineyard Wine & Chocolate Weekend kicks off on saturday with Good Comida chocolatier and local wines.

their VT-made cheesecakes, sauces and chocolates paired with or prepared with Shelburne Vineyard wines. On Sunday, Bijou Fine Chocolates will sample their chocolates and special truffles paired or prepared with SV wines. In addition to the chocolate pairings the Vineyard will also offer regular wine tastings throughout the weekend. (802) 985-8222; www.shelburnevineyard.com. Snow Farm Vineyard, South Hero. Snow Farm is pairing estate wines with Vermont Nut Free Chocolates-dark, milk, and white chocolate samples with the regular tasting. They’re also offering a tasting with Birnn Chocolate Truffles featuring a special release of Maple Bubbles on Snow (a champagne-style wine for a romantic weekend). Take a romantic hike on Fox Hill for breathtaking views of Lake Champlain. (802) 372-9463; www. snowfarm.com. Whaleback Vineyard, Poultney. Whaleback will be offering their wines paired with chocolate truffles from Birnn Chocolates in South Burlington. (802) 287-0730; www.whalebackvineyard.com.

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The Essex Reporter • February 11, 2016

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How to temper chocolate for a Valentine’s treat W

hat would Valentine’s Day be without chocolate? Candy and chocolate are often exchanged come Valentine’s Day. Though storebought confections might be popular, such gifts can easily be made at home as well. Chocolate satisfies a sweet tooth, and some researchers believe chocolate is an aphrodisiac. In the 1980s, doctors at New York State Psychiatric Institute explored the possibility that chocolate could be an aphrodisiac. When someone is in love, his or her brain produces a chemical called phenylethylamine, or PEA, which acts a lot like an amphetamine, triggering the hormones norepinephrine and dopamine to create feelings of euphoria. Considering chocolate naturally contains PEA, there is reason to believe that chocolate could also trigger feelings of happiness and love. However, other chemicals might be behind these feelings of euphoria. Whether this is the case or not, chocolate will long remain a romantic gift, especially on Valentine’s Day. Dipped pastries, lollipops and chocolate-covered berries are savory treats that can be whipped up rather easily in the average kitchen. Simply melting chocolate and pouring it over dessert is one way to go, but to create the shiny, firm finish that professionals achieve requires tempering chocolate. The act of tempering chocolate causes the cocoa butter to break down and suspend evenly in the chocolate. This also alleviates the white “bloom” that appears on chocolate when it’s

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exposed to temperature changes. Properly tempered chocolate will be smooth and shiny. It is possible to temper chocolate at home with a few tools. You will need a food thermometer to measure the temperature. Some people prefer to melt chocolate over a double-boiler, which is essentially a bowl with the chocolate resting over a pot of gently boiling water. Using the microwave is another way to melt the chocolate. Melt small pieces of chocolate at 10- to 15-second intervals until it is melted, stirring after each time. Dark chocolate needs to reach a temperature of between 114 F and 120 F. Milk and white chocolate need to reach a temperature between 105 F and 113 F. Next the chocolate needs to be cooled. You can do so by adding more pieces of chocolate and stirring to incorporate them. This is called “seeding.” Continue stirring and measure the working temperature. Dark chocolate needs to lower to a temperature of between 90 F and 86 F. Milk and white chocolate need to reach a temperature between 85 F and 81 F. After it has cooled, bring

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the temperature back up to around 86 degrees and stir again. Test some of the chocolate with a small piece of parchment paper. Let it sit on the paper for about 2 minutes. If the chocolate sets up firmly and looks glossy, it has been properly tempered. If not, add more chocolate and repeat the process again until it is tempered correctly. Make sure that no droplets of water come in contact with the chocolate; otherwise it might seize up and not temper properly. Also, start with a good-quality chocolate that is chopped into small pieces so it will melt more easily. Chocolate makers sell small pieces of chocolate known as pistoles, callets or wafers. Once the chocolate is tempered, be sure to keep it at a consistent temperature of around 100 F to 90 F until you are done working with it. Chocolate is savory, decadent and a prized gift for Valentine’s Day. Properly tempered chocolate is something anyone can do at home.

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B Section The Essex Reporter February 11, 2016

Sports

Essex fights back for draw

ALSO IN THIS SECTION: Legal Notices • Classifieds • Schools

SPORTS SHORTS Joe Gonillo

acation creeping ever so closer. As I tell my students, don’t mentally go on vacation early. Now my mother-in-law taught me to always anticipate time off as it's fun, exciting, worth it and well-deserved. Regular seasons are winding down and the postseason draws near as well. Hope you enjoyed the Super Bowl.

A puck bounces in the crease during overtime of Friday night's game.

Photos | Kyle St. Peter

olchester hung on for a draw against No. 2-ranked Essex after taking an early lead Friday evening at Leddy Arena.

Gymnastics The gymnasts are gearing up for states next Saturday. More information next week. The Hornets are once again favored and tabbed as the team to beat.

Colchester began the scoring off a Tate Hamblett goal before Essex’s Nick McGovern tied the game up at 1. The tie moved Essex to 11-3-2 on the season. The Hornets faced off against Spaulding on Wednesday evening in a game that concluded after The Essex Reporter went to print. They’ll then host South Burlington on Friday at 7:45 p.m.

Right: A wide open Colchester net leads to a wild scramble in the third period of Friday night’s 1-1 tie.

Alpine ski season in full swing By Colin Flanders The Essex Reporter After a handful of cancelled races kicked off the alpine ski season, Essex is finally getting some competitive runs under its belt, most recently with the Rice Slalom on Monday. The boys’ team placed fifth, led by Chase Dunbar and Sully Martin, who placed 15th and 16th respectively. Meanwhile, the girls’ team placed ninth, paced by Hannah Danis in 28th. The Hornets also had a good showing at the Essex Invitational on Jan. 29 and 30 at Smugglers’ Notch Resort. The invitational kicked off with the Smuggler Slalom. Danis led the way for the girls, placing 18th, followed by Meredith Payson (25th), Jessica Hemphill (29th) and Beverly Briley (43rd). The boys were sparked by an 11thplace finish by Martin, followed by Cameron Croft in 29th, Brennan Goodrich in 36th, Bryan Stammelman in 38th and Jacob Catella in 41st. The boys found success the next day as well, with three skiers — Eric DeWitt (6th), Goodrich (14th) and Martin (15th) — placing in the top-15. On the girls’ side, Annie Bovee and Danis placed in 23rd and 24th respectively, while Hemphill placed 38th. Despite winter’s sluggish start hampering skiers ability to get out on the snow, head coach Mike Goodrich said the team’s spirits remain high. “Their energy and attitude has been really positive all along,” Goodrich said. He highlighted some ways the team has stayed active, such as running through gates placed on the soccer field, or by playing speed ball — a “crazy mix of tag, rugby and soccer.” Veteran leadership has been important to the team remaining focused; Goodrich highlighted four-year returning skiers Dunbar, Martin and Croft, as well as three-year athletes DeWitt and Kevin Donley. He also emphasized Bovee and Danis, and said they have been vital leaders for the girls’ squad as well. Since the team’s first on-snow training came after the school’s winter break,

2/17 EHS vs. St. Albans Slalom (@ Hard'ack) – 9:30 a.m.

Boys' basketball 2/13 EHS @ Mt. Mansfield – 7:30 p.m.

Girls' basketball 2/15 EHS @ South Burlington – 7:30 p.m.

Girls' basketball The girls’ basketball team chalked a couple of important wins last week. The Hornets clubbed St. Johnsbury 46-36 behind Taylor Truax’s 13 and Lizzie Goodrich’s 10. On Friday, they were down by 5 at the half, made a strong run to take a lead in the second half, were tied by a Burlington basket late before winning a thriller in overtime. They own a 12-4 record and the No. 3 seed with home games against Spaulding and BFA-St. Albans this week. The JVs won twice and are also 12-4. The girls' JV B team fell to CVU last week. Down 24-18, they had a shot with a mid-court steal and breakaway, but the ensuing lay-up rolled off the rim. Games vs BFA-Fairfax and Rutland, the latter on Saturday at 11 a.m., are on tap this week. The EMS girls’ basketball team finished the regular season strong beating Browns River 41-6 and Hinesburg 30-15 on the road. Leading scorers for the team were eighthgraders Noell Lyon and Emma Whitney with 8 points each, followed by Logan Pollard and seventh-grader Cindy Sheeran with 6. The Eagles finished the regular season 14-2, losing just two away games each by a point. This week they will play in the Colchester Middle School tournament and next week in the Albert D. Lawton Tourney. ADL Basketball tournament The 46th annual Albert D. Lawton invitational basketball tournament will take place on Feb. 17-20 at ADL in Essex Junction. The tournament is the oldest middle school basketball tournament in Vermont and one of the oldest in the nation. Many of the top college players in the area received their start dribbling for glory at the ADL Tournament. This year there will be six Chittenden County middle school teams competing for the title in both the boys' and girls' categories. Invited teams competing at this year's ADL Tournament include Essex Middle, Camel's Hump, Edmunds, Colchester, Tuttle and ADL. Defending their 2015 titles will be the ADL girls and the Edmunds boys. Entertaining the audience at this year’s tournament will be the Lawton Jazz Band led by Adam Sawyer (Feb. 18), and the youngsters from the Essex Junction Rec and Park basketball program (Feb. 19). There will be three games each day starting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, while on Saturday, games begin at 3:30 p.m.

Essex’s Hannah Danis skis by during the Essex Invitational slalom event at Smugglers’ Notch Resort on Friday. Photo contributed

Goodrich said a lot of the first month has been about “just getting your legs underneath you.” “I just expect them to be giving their best effort every time and try to learn whenever they step out on the hill. Effort results in its own reward, because you get better the harder you work at it,” said

Goodrich, who’s in his 25th year with the team. The Hornets have one more meet on Feb. 17 in St. Albans to help prepare for the NVAC district championships on Feb. 22 and 23, and then travel to Middlebury for the state meet on March 1 and 2.

Sports schedules Alpine skiing

Indoor track The track team has its final Vermont meet this weekend back down at Norwich. The New England Qualifier will combine teams from D-I and D-II and compete with the chance to go to the 2016 New England Championships. That meet is on Feb. 28 at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. The Hornets have a contingent of distance runners racing. Good Luck! Last week a handful of athletes and parents ran the snack bar at the hockey rink for a Hornet doubleheader win. More on that below. Thanks to the volunteers who donated their time. It was appreciated and fun.

Bowling

Girls' hockey

2/13 EHS vs. Enosburg, South Burlington and Burlington – 9 a.m.

2/13 EHS @ South Burlington – 12:30 p.m. 2/17 EHS @ BFA-St. Albans – 5:30 p.m.

Boys' hockey

Nordic skiing

2/12 EHS vs. South Burlington – 7:45 p.m.

2/17 EHS @ BFA-Fairfax – 3 p.m.

2/17 EHS @ BFA-St. Albans – 7:30 p.m.

Wrestling 2/13 EHS @ St. Johnsbury (NVAC Duals) – TBD

The public is invited to all games. The entry fees for daily tournament games are just $2, with children fourth grade and under admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Refreshments will available in the cafeteria during all games. Boys' basketball The boys’ hoop team is 7-11 with two games to play and sit 12th in D-I. They split two games last week, dropping a 66-50 decision to Spaulding and edging North Country 69-68 in triple overtime. In the latter game, Scott Lyon scored 26 points — going 10-10 from the line — and drained 3 free throws with Essex down by 2 in the waning moments of the game for the win. Games with Colchester and Mt. Mansfield end the regular season. The JVs have won seven games in a row after a win versus the Tide 54-49 with Gary Randall hitting for 14, Grant Robertson 10 and Robby Meslin with 10 — including a tie-breaking oldfashioned three-point play with one minute to play. They also beat the Falcons 74-67, pulling away late in a high-scoring affair. The Hornets were led by Meslin’s 16, Anthony Hope’s 15 and Jordan Hines, who had 11. They play to 12-6 record. The frosh boys’ basketball team is 9-8 after a 2-1 week. They beat MMU 59-35. In the

– See shorts on page 2b

2a 2b

The Essex Reporter • February 11, 2016

S PORTS

sHorts from page 1b

first game of the St. Albans tourney, Essex won 54-40 setting up a date in the finals. They faced a tough Burlington team and lost 5952. The boys end their season versus Rutland on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Local residents honored after Senior Games performance

GIrls' Hockey The girls’ hockey team is 133-1, unbeaten in their last seven games, and ranked first in D-I. They beat the Rebels 3-0, the Tigers 4-1, and the Marauders 3-0 last week. Kaitlyn Butkus and Justine Martin notched a goal and an assist versus South Burlington. Amanda Sinkewicz added the other goal. Sink added another one and Avery McGillivray connected for a hat trick on cancer awareness night versus Middlebury. They play the Tide and the Rebels this week.

Vermont athletes who medaled or ribboned at the National senior Games in the summer pose for a photo in the Cedar Creek Room at the statehouse. Photo CoNtRIbuteD

orty-eight Vermonters participated in the National Senior Games in Minnesota last summer and were honored recently at the statehouse. Vermont ranked 37th in the medal count, winning 28 in total — 14 gold, six silver and eight bronze. Ribbons were awarded for fourth- to eighthplace, of which Vermonters won 34. Lt. Gov. Phil Scott recently hosted a salute to the Vermont

senior athletes who won medals and ribbons. A reception followed in the Cedar Creek Room in the statehouse in Montpelier. Among those honored were three Essex Junction residents: Laurie Cote, who placed eighth in the 5K cycling time trials; Andre Sturm, who placed sixth in the 20K cycling and fourth in the 40K cycling; and Stephen Hennessy, who placed sixth in racquetball doubles.

Two Jericho residents also were honored: Peter Mitchell, who placed sixth in the 10K road race and sixth in the 5K road race, as well as Lee Ann Banks, who took home gold in the 50-yard backstroke and 100-yard backstroke. To learn more about the Vermont Senior Games go to www. vermontseniorgames.org or contact VSGA President Gary Eley at garyweley@gmail.com.

the essex girls’ seventh-grade MiniMetro team won the championship in their bracket on sunday, beating Peoples 2511 at spaulding high school. back row: From left, Coach Matt McGeary, Amanda lyon, Abby Chase, Katie bruyns, Greta Alexandra-Parker, Caitlin McGeary, Jessie Rose and coach Gregg lyon. Front row: From left, Allison lyon, hanna Morway, olivia Noyes, Cindy sheeran and sydney Reyome. Not pictured: coach Jeff Reyome. Photo CoNtRIbuteD

There is a growing need in our community for Therapeutic Foster Homes to work with children and youth in need of emotional support. Northeastern Family Institute (NFI) is seeking safe, stable homes to integrate treatment in a home setting and support youth to remain in their community.

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- Talk to us about what it takes to become an NFI Foster Home - Consider offering your home to a child or youth on weekends - Talk to your friends, neighbors and colleagues about the need for Therapeutic Foster Care - Help to develop a community forum to speak about foster parenting For more information on how you can make a difference, please call (802) 658-3924 x1028 or email jodieclarke@nafi.com www.nafi.com

boys' Hockey The boys’ hockey team beat Rice 2-0 and tied Colchester 1-1 last week. They are unbeaten in their last seven games, and their 11-3-2 record slots them second in D-I before this week’s games vs. Spaulding and South Burlington. BFA-St. Albans is first and Champlain Valley is third. WrestlInG The wrestlers had a solid showing in Jericho on Saturday at Mt. Mansfield's Jason Lowell Memorial Tournament. In the 16-team field, the Hornets finished in second place. Individual performances: Ben Stewart, first (106 pounds); Noah Bonning, second (113); Calvin Powell, third (126); Evan Dyke, sixth (138); Matt Turner, third (145); John Stawinski, first (152); Jack Carney, second (160) and Alex Rizvanov, second (182). Great day. This week they traveled to Randolph and head to St. Johnsbury for the NVAC Duals on Saturday morning. alPIne skIInG The alpine ski team raced at Cochran’s on Monday while the Nordic skiers were in Colchester this week. snoWboardInG The Essex snowboard team, led by Matt Steinke, raced in Stowe on Jan. 22. In a slopestyle event, Essex came out on top in a five-team meet. In a field of 27 riders, Ryan O’Leary finished third, Tyler Fields fourth, Henry Newman sixth and Ben DiGrande eighth. At Okemo on Jan. 29, Essex again came out on top in a seven-team meet. In a field of 48 riders, O’Leary finished fourth, Fields eighth, DiGrande 11th , Newman 14th and Chris Nuckols 18th. At a GS event in Stowe on 2/5, Essex finished second out of 10 teams. O’Leary won while Fields was eighth, DiGrande was 15th and Newman was 39th. Fine job! cHeerleadInG

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The cheerleaders took first in the NVAC competition on Saturday. Essex was first in the large varsity and earned the metro championship. Top Gun individual competition: Ruby Kelly placed first for jumps and tumbling; Essex Youth Minis, first place; Essex Youth Elite, third place; Essex Elite Middle School, first place. Great job! Senior Kevin Hancock is heading to Planation, Fla. for the March 10 2016 South Speedo Sectionals Championships. He will be competing in the 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke and the 200m backstroke. Hancock is going to the meet with the Edge Swim Team and other qualifiers, including: Anna Leffler from Vermont Commons and Madison Cholewa from BFA-St. Albans. The meet is a fourday affair, from March 1013. mIscellaneous Super Bowl 50 is now a memory. I have seen 49 of them. This one will be remembered as Peyton Manning’s last stand. I enjoyed the defensive struggle and the Broncos’ win. Congrats to Manning for going out on top in a storybook ending! He goes out a champ. The so-called experts had it wrong again, as most predicted a Panthers’ blowout or romp. So he did not have three touchdown passes and 300 or more yards passing. The Broncos still won! Two weeks till pitchers and catchers. Be sure to catch the latest EHSPN winter sports midseason episode out now at www.EHSPN.com. Wanted: bowlers looking to have some fun! It’s time to dust off the old ball and have some fun with your coworkers. Spare Time (next to Costco) is the place on March 11. The action starts at 4 p.m. and will be done by 5:30 p.m., with practice starting at 3:45 p.m. Teams will be made up of no more than four bowlers. Please remember to put your ball back on the rack after you are done bowling. Price is $12 per person including shoes for two games. Please send your team registration forms with payment to Kevin Greenwood at Summit Street School by March 9. Happy birthday wishes to former Hornet students, athletes and teachers: Walt Latrell, possible selectmanto-be V. Chase, former 100m High hurdles and 300m low hurdles state champion Dawn Main Hemenway, who was the toughest poundfor-pound young lady I ever coached; 800m star Tim Stratford, hoopster turned racer Kristen Rauer, coach and official Ken Fontaine, Mark Kirby, cousin Ted O’Lear, Becca Olsen Bailey, Chelsea Zelko, Tanja Digangi, goalkeeper Steve Hennessey and track and field mom Jane Tessitore.

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The Essex Reporter • February 11, 2016

LOST CAT HONEY AND WHITE COLORED CAT on Jan. 29. Found at 103 Park St. Living with us until we find family. e-mail for pictures or call 878-4620. TAX PREP ABCRON ENTERPRISES, LLC Tax Preparation and Bookkeeping Services *Individual, Business & Military Returns * Bookkeeping * Free Tax Assessment (last 3 years) Andrea Cronmiller, EA 703-986-4958 Milton, VT HOUSE RENTALS BAKERSFIELD NICE VILLAGE location. Awesome, updated, spacious 3 bedroom home. Walking to schools. $875./mo. plus utilities. Call/ text 909-744-7199 DRIVING SCHOOL TEEN DRIVER ED is being offered by the Right Way Driving School at Essex High from May 3 – June 16. Classes will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6. The cost is $750. To register and for additional information visit www.rightwaydrivingschool.com or call 372-4791 HOMESHARE SO. BURLINGTON: Share a home with a retired educator, active with volunteering, sports and gardening. Seeking a housemate to share occasional evening meals together. $350/month. Sorry, no pets. 863-5625 or www. HomeShareVermont. org for more info and application. Interview, refs, background checks req. EHO. ESSEX JCT: Share an apartment with a woman in her 60s who works FT, and enjoys knitting and

movies. Compact, unfurnished bedroom; shared bath. $450/month (all included). No pets, no smoking. 8635625 orwww.HomeShareVermont. org for more info and application. Interview, refs, background checks req. EHO. SERVICES Buying or selling a home? Lafayette Painting can make your property stand out with a beautiful, fresh paint job. Our professional, experienced crews are ready to help. Call 863-5397 or visit LafayettePaintingInc.com

night. 64” x 78”. New. $35. OBO. Call 802-485-8266. SKI PARKA, SPECIAL Blend, new, size large, bright yellow. $40. Call for details. 802-524-1139 ASIAN DOLL, COLLECTIBLE, beautiful, by Danbury Mint $75. 802-485-8266 BYERS CHOICE HORSE, collectable, retired, black with pack never on display $100.OBO. 802485-8266 COMPUTER, COMPAQ, DESKTOP, Windows 7. Works great. $75. 802-868-6364 PRINTER, HP, WIFI built-in. Ink, CD, manual included. $75. 802-868-6364

WORD PROCESSOR, BROTHER, with CUISINART MULTIuser guide included. POT, with glass cover. Excellent condition. New in box paid $40 $20. OBO. Call for take $30. 802-485details. 802-5248266 1139 FREEZER, CHEST, PORTABLE EXERHAIER, 2’ 29” wide CISER STEPPER, Moby 2’ 33” deep. Six tion 1000. $50. Call months old, bought for details. 802-524bigger refrigerator. 1139 $125. Call 802-524HUTCH, MICRO7141. WAVE MICROWAVE HAM$100. ILTON BEACH, $35. 802-868-6364 Call 802-933-6840. POSTER BED, VACUUM CLEANER, TWIN size, solid MaKENMORE. Asking ple. Fine quality, very $55. Call 802-933heavy duty. Excellent 6840. condition. $120. 802527-0677 JACKET, MEN’S, NORTH Face dark PRINT, FRAMED, blue, size XXL maPHALAENOPSIS orchine washable, nev- chid, very beautiful, er worn $30. 802professional frame 485-8266 36 x 24 bring Summer into your house JACKET, MENS, $90. OBO DOWN, Lands’ End, navy blue, zip-off hood, size XX Large, 50-52, Excellent condition. $30. Call 802524-5070. FOR SALE

LEVI’S, 2 PAIR, one men’s 505’s and one men’s 550’s. Both 36x30, never been worn, brand new. $20 each or both pairs for $30. 802-8683269 mornings.

802-485-8266 WARDROBE, WICKER, BLONDE, 4 drawers, 6’ high by 3’ wide. Like new condition. $100. Call 802-524-7141. BIRD CAGE STAND, vintage with seed catcher and night covers or stand for a house plant $45. 802485-8266 BLANKETS, TWIN SIZE, a whole tote full. Asking $20. Call 802-933-6840. CREWEL, HAND STITCHED, with flowers, framed 19 x 24 very pretty $60. OBO. 802-485-8266 FRAMED OCEAN FISH print brightly crisp colors professional frame 31.5 x 20.5 $80. OBO .802485-8266 MATTRESS AND PLATFORM, full or double size, white. Non-somoking home. Manufactured in 2015. Excellent condition all throughout. $95. 802-527-0677 MATTRESS COVER, TWIN size. Never been used. Asking $20. Call 802-9336840. PLANT, LARGE LILY of the Nile, purple blossom $50. 802-485-8266 POSTER, LEGEND OF horses King, Leo and Wimpy 18 x 24 $20. 802-485-8266

WHEELS, (2). One is black, $25. One is gray, $20. Call 802933-6840. LEAD SLED PLUS, Caldwell, (new), $150. 802868-7276, leave message. PLASTIC SAP BUCKETS, (12), blue with lids and bucket spouts. $120. for all. 802-868-7276, leave message. SAP HYDROM-

ETER $10., Syrup Hydrometer $15., Short Cup $25., Long Cup $30. 802-8687276 leave message. BLACK LIGHT, 19”. Excellent working condition. $10. 802-524-5070 FURNITURE MOVING BLANKET, protector, quilted, (1), 76”L x 70”W. $10. 802-524-2010 STEAM CLEANER, MCCULLOCH, heavy

The world of news is rapidly changing and The Essex Reporter and Colchester Sun are changing and growing with it. We are looking for smart, creative people who love challenge and change and are passionate about improving the quality of life for our communities. We have an opportunity for a sales consultant who wants to win in the print and digital marketplace and work with energy and passion to provide our clients with excellent results and care. As a sales representative, you will provide clear and concise proposals to customers, providing the product mix that best fits their marketing needs. Ideally, you present a positive, professional sales approach, are persuasive with strong closing skills and articulate and well spoken. Candidates should have prior sales experience with the ability to assess customer needs and make appropriate recommendations in a short timeframe. To be successful at The Essex Reporter and Colchester Sun, you must be a mature, curious and ambitious person who is excited by challenge and the opportunity to make a difference. If you are passionate about making your customers successful and have proven sales experience, we want you on our team.

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Route #1. Lamoille, East, Park Ave, Arlington, Waverly, Pleasant. Route #4. Park St, Silver Bow, Stanton, River, Mill. Route #5. Sherwood Square Condos, Village Glen Condos, Brickyard Condos, Brookside Condos, Sugartree Ln, Brickyard Rd. Route #14. Pearl, School, Park Terrace. Route #16. South Hill, Southview, Redwood, Greenwood, Cascade Ct. Route #23. Drury, Upland, Maple, Colonial Park Condos. Route #25. Mansfield, Mansfield Ext, Birch, Whipple, Maplewood, Mapleton Apartments, Lilla, Shawn. Route #27. Main St. Route #28. Countryside (even), Beech, Tamarack, Spruce, Locust, Hubbells Falls. Route #29. Countryside (odd), Beech, Aspen, Walnut, Vale, Chestnut.

Call 878-5282 or email michael@ essexreporter.com

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ESSEX

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Champlain Community Services is a progressive, intimate, developmental services provider agency with a strong emphasis on self-determination values and individual & family relationships. Shared Living Provider: Provide residential supports to an individual in your home or theirs. A generous stipend, paid time off (respite) and comprehensive training & T provided. he essex supports are • Live with an intelligent man in Burlington who enjoys his job, being a part of his community and is a great conversationalist. • Provide a part time home for a humorous gentleman with autism who enjoys walking, crunching numbers, drawing and bowling. • Provide a home for an older gentleman with increasing medical needs who enjoys watching the hustle and bustle of an active household. • Live with a laid back gentleman in his Winooski home who enjoys relaxing, going to baseball games, running errands and mall walking. For more information contact Jennifer Wolcott, jwolcott@ccs-vt.org or 655-0511 ext. 118

RepoRteR

The Town of Essex Public Works Department is receiving applications from civil or environmental engineering students entering their sophomore, junior or senior year of college this fall for summer student intern positions. Contact the Town of Essex Public Works Department for information and application requirements at 878-1344. The Town of Essex is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Community Inclusion Facilitators: Provide one on one inclusion supports to an individual with an intellectual disability or autism. Help folks lead fulfilling lives, reach their goals and be productive members of their community. We currently have several positions with comprehensive benefit packages. Send your resume and cover letter to staff@ccs-vt.org These are great opportunities to join a distinctive developmental service provider during a time of growth

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Must be willing to work flexible hours. Please send letter of application and resume to: Poulin Grain Inc. ATTN: John Robillard 24 Depot Street Swanton, VT 05488 Or apply in person at: 24 Depot Street, Swanton Poulin Grain is an Equal Opportunity Employer

YATES FAMILY FARM MAPLE SYRUP New from 2016! Golden with Delicate Taste, Amber with Rich Taste & Dark with Robust Taste. $44 - Gallon $24 - Half Gallon $15 - Quart, $10 - pint Garry’s Barber Shop. 878-4010

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The Essex Reporter • February 11, 2016

Friday at 5 p.m. for display ads

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802-878-5282 802-651-9635 classifieds@essexreporter.com The Essex Reporter 42 Severance Greene, Unit #108 Colchester VT 05446

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Feb. 1-7, 2016 Monday 0720 Accident on Sand Hill Rd 0730 Directed Patrol on Main St 0748 Accident on River St 0931 Citizens Assist on Countryside Dr 1014 Citizens Assist on Pearl St 1025 Juvenile Problem on Founders Rd 1049 Accident on Park St 1109 Accident on Pearl St 1145 Littering on I289 1210 Alarm on Essex Way 1258 Agency Assist on Autumn Pond Way 1332 Threatening on West St 1422 Suspicious Circumstance on Pearl St 1503 Accident on Jericho Rd 1508 Missing Person (located) on Joshua Way

1751 Theft on Gero Ct 2104 Traffic Offense on I 289 Tuesday 0006 Directed Patrol on Weed Rd 0110 Traffic Offense on Pearl St 0726 Directed Patrol on Main St 0732 Directed Patrol on Summit St 0740 Passing Stopped School Bus on Educational Dr 0844 Citizens Assist on West St 0904 Suspicious Vehicle on Iroquois Ave 0925 Theft on Center Rd 1015 Welfare Check on West St 1045 Alarm on Old Stage Rd 1058 Citizens Assist on Pinecrest Dr 1100 Juvenile Problem on Craftsbury Ct 1108 VIN Verification on Colchester Rd

1213 Phone Problem on Indian Brook Rd 1245 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Susie Wilson Rd 1553 Passing Stopped School Bus on Maple St 1800 Accident on I 289 1839 Theft on Oliver Wight Dr 2113 Lost Property on Essex Way Wednesday 0558 Burglary on Winterlane Cir 0728 Directed Patrol on Main St 1000 VIN Verification on Chapin Rd 1010 Agency Assist on Brickyard Rd 1425 Citizens Assist on Spruce Ln 1439 Suspicious Circumstance on Colchester Rd 1542 Alarm on Butternut Ct 1618 Susp Circumstance on Sand Hill Rd

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1632 Animal Problem on Cindy Ln 1745 Accident on Old Stage Rd 1814 Suspicious on Park St 1819 Noise Complaint on Central St 1952 Intoxicated Person on Central St 2016 Motor Vehicle Complaint on I 289 2050 Citizens Assist on Old Colchester Rd 2152 Family Fight on Central St Thursday 0237 Alarm on Susie Wilson Rd 0242 Suspicious Circumstance on Gero Ct 0304 Intoxicated Person on Central St 0412 Accident on River Rd 0732 Directed Patrol on Main St 1004 Citizens Assist on Maple St 1019 Animal Problem on Rustic Dr 1129 Found Property on Upper Main St 1515 Theft on Upper Main St 1554 Assisted Rescue on Algonquin 1602 Agency Assist on South St 2006 Juvenile Problem on Jackson St 2059 Susp Circumstance on Central St 2149 Citizens Assist on Center Rd 2319 Alarm on Educational Dr 2329 Family Fight on Franklin St

Friday 0006 Agency Assist in Jericho 0108 Alarm on Susie Wilson Rd 0218 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Pearl St 0450 Citizens Dispute on Carmichael St 0800 Medical on Old Stage Rd 0955 911 Hang-up on Central St 1130 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Brigham Hill Rd 1200 Accident on Center Rd 1216 Citizens Assist on Old Stage Rd 1344 Citizens Assist on Ira Allen Dr 1409 Suspicious Circumstance on Park St 1500 Agency Assist on Central St 1528 Found Property on Jericho Rd 1532 911 Hang-up on Carmichael St 1655 Juvenile Problem on Educational Dr 1855 Traffic Offense on Pearl St 1857 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Cherokee Ave 1909 Animal Problem on West St 2038 Citizens Dispute on River Rd 2336 Juvenile Problem on Gardenside Ln Saturday 0922 Agency Assist on South St

1112 Juvenile Problem on Sand Hill Rd 1124 Citizens Assist on Main St 1141 DUI on Central St 1425 Alarm on Susie Wilson Rd 2043 Accident on Susie Wilson Rd 2328 Citizens Assist on Sleepy Hollow Rd Sunday 0046 Alarm on Main St 1158 Motor Veh Complaint on Lincoln St 1238 Threatening on Park St 1305 Motor Veh Complaint on Kellogg Rd 1352 Accident on Autumn Pond Way 1656 Citizens Assist on Pearl St 1714 Theft on South St 1906 Arrest for Simple Assault on Jericho Rd 1955 Alarm on Pearl St 2351 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Fort Parkway tickets Issued: 32 Warnings Issued: 103 Fire/ems calls dispatched: 43

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The Essex Reporter • February 11, 2016

S CHOOLS EES exploring nonfiction in first grade First-graders in Karen Rotach’s class are learning about nonfiction text features. We have been reading a lot of nonfiction books, and we are learning to use different features to locate important information in the text. Here are some of the nonfiction text features we have discovered so far: — Table of Contents – helps the reader locate key topics in the text — Photographs – helps the reader understand essex elementary school exactly what something looks students learn about parts of a book to help them identify the like — Headings – tells the meanings of the pictures, ideas reader the main idea of what and key topics. Photo | KAReN RotACh they are reading — Labels – helps the reader identify a picture/ photograph and its parts — Captions – helps the reader understand a picture or photograph — Types of Print – helps the reader by signaling, “Look at me! I’m important!” Each child created their own “nonfiction notebook” with examples of the different text features. We are now learning to use these features to locate important information for our All About Books, which we will be writing in Writing Workshop. After creating a class book, we will be choosing our own topics for research. We are having so much fun exploring nonfiction texts and learning about different topics together, and we love reading nonfiction!

ADL Agenda Dear Families, Eighth-grade transition has begun in earnest. This week students have been studying the Essex High School course guide and selecting their classes for next year. They are meeting with their teachers to be sure they are signed up for just the right classes and have a well-rounded selection. All registration sheets were to be initialed by teachers no later than Feb. 8, and students entered their courses during their language arts classes electronically on Feb. 10. Our goal is to have the entire process completed prior to winter vacation. Additionally, talks are underway to schedule an orientation visit to the high school in May that will hopefully be completed with Essex Middle School and Westford students in attendance as well. Students will hear about programming, have a tour and be able to pose questions. Finally, our eighth-grade band students traveled to EHS on Feb. 3 to meet and play with the high school band students and teacher. It was a positive experience for the group and made immediate connections to many of the students with whom the eighth-graders will interact next year. Stay tuned for more upcoming transition activities. — Laurie Singer, Principal adl basketball tournament: The 46th annual Albert D. Lawton (ADL) Invitational Basketball Tournament will take place Feb. 17 through Feb. 20 at ADL in Essex Junction. The tournament is the oldest middle school basketball tournament in Vermont and one of the oldest in the nation. Many of the top college players in the area received their start dribbling for glory at the ADL Tournament. This year there will be six Chittenden County middle school teams competing for the title in both the boys’ and girls’ categories. Invited teams competing at this years’ ADL Tournament include teams from Essex Middle School, Camel’s Hump Middle School, Edmunds Middle School, Colchester Middle School, Tuttle Middle School, and ADL. Defending their 2015 titles will be the ADL girls and the Edmunds boys. entertaining the audience at this year’s tournament will be the Lawton Jazz Band led by Adam Sawyer (Feb. 18), and the youngsters from the EJRP basketball program (Feb. 19). There will be three games each day starting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The public is invited to all games. The entry fees for daily tournament games are just $2, with children fourthgrade and under admitted free when accompanied by an adult. There will be refreshments available in the cafeteria during all games. adl band concert: The ADL bands, under the direction of Adam Sawyer, will present their annual Winter Band Concert on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. Students in the band, jazz band, and wind ensemble will present several selections, each followed by a reception in the cafeteria. We invite you to stop by and enjoy the music of these fine performing groups.

EMS

CTE

It is an exciting time of year for Essex Middle School eighth-graders as they are now selecting Essex High School ninth-grade courses for the 2016-17 school year. Guidance counselor Jeff Smith met with all eighth-graders this week to discuss high school registration and the course selection process. Students received a hard copy of the 2016-17 Essex High School Program of Studies and a “pink” student registration form and course selection worksheet. Students also received a letter introducing them to PowerSchool, EHS’s online academic system, along with their username and password. Students should discuss ninth-grade course options with their parents and current middle school teachers. Students will need eighth-grade teacher signatures for English, math, science and world language courses. By Feb. 12, students should submit their courses in PowerSchool and give Mr. Smith their completed “pink” forms.

essex Middle school eighth-graders — from left tyler Ray, Xera lesperance and Rachel bartholf of the Nova team — prepare for the ehs ninth-grade course selection and high school registration process. Photo | lINDsAy FAlby

Center for TechnologyEssex students from Jennifer Liguori’s applied science class provided an engineering challenge for kindergarten students from Karen Seaman’s class at Hiawatha. For the challenge, students made blimps out of heliumfilled balloons to explore Newton's laws, force, air pressure and buoyancy. Student teams designed and built blimps that traveled in a straight path across the room. Students first made the helium-filled blimps neutrally buoyant by adding mass so they could hover and then move around the room by varying air pressure. Teams then added a jet-propulsion system (an open balloon) so their blimp flew under its own power. Both groups of students were very engaged in this fun learning activity.

Fleming Flyer Fleming dance-off: The annual Fleming DanceOff was held last Friday. Students at Fleming prepared all month long for the dance-off, and worked hard to learn their routines and use their cooperation skills to make their dances as great as possible. On Friday, students took to the gym to show off their dance moves and compete against their classmates. Each class prepared a dance routine, and a panel of three “Fleming celebrity judges” rated each team on their performance. Fleming faculty and staff also performed a dance routine for the school. Thank you to the community members who came out to support our students. Visit our website for the final results of the competition and to view some great dance photos. This fun and energizing activity has become a much-anticipated and celebrated school tradition. Fleming Falcon accolades: This week we began a new school-wide incentive plan. Students who exhibit a commendable level of kindness, respect or responsibility may be awarded a Fleming Falcon Accolade Card from a teacher or staff member. Current-term Student Council representatives will collect cards from their classmates weekly and bring them to the office to be added to the school’s overall count. Once 243 cards have been awarded to students, Fleming School will have an incentive achievement celebration day.

The theme of our first celebration event is presently under consideration and will be announced prior to reaching our targeted goal of 243 cards. Most homerooms already have classroom incentive systems in place with their own incentive criteria and currency. The Fleming Falcon Accolade project is not intended to replace or conflict with current class systems. Instead, this new school-wide system is structured to promote positive acts of behavior in our hallways and in our greater school community, and to provide acknowledgement of school climate improvement efforts by our students. lantern Parade updates and volunteer meetings: — Please visit www.ccsuvt.org for updated information regarding the parade. — Students DO NOT need a permission slip to attend, but children must be accompanied by an adult. — We will provide lights and poles for the lanterns when you arrive at EHS and all Fleming and Summit families will assemble in the auditorium. If you are a parent or volunteer, please attend the informational meeting on Feb. 10 in the EHS auditorium at 7 p.m., and on parade day (Feb. 12). Please arrive at 3:30 p.m. for a meeting with artist Gowri Savoor. E-mail Lisa Foley at lfoley@ccsuvt.org with any questions. Wills–TrusT–EsTaTE Planning–MEdicaid–EldEr laW–ProbaTE

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The Essex Reporter • February 11, 2016

Summit Scoop

FMS Since this school year began, Justin Marriott’s fifth-grade class has been working and learning with Jenn Button’s third-grade class as “buddy classrooms.” The two classrooms have been meeting at various times throughout the year, at least one meeting per week. Each fifth-grader was paired up with a third-grader, and they have become buddies. They have really learned a lot about each other and shared about their buddies in our whole group meetings. Each buddy partnership even

came up with their own unique handshake. They both learn from each other in many different ways. Students have been participating in games, team-building activities, arts and crafts, technology activities and reading activities with their buddies. It has been a fun and rewarding partnership for everyone involved. Both classes really do enjoy spending time together and look forward to each new adventure that awaits them with their buddies.

Founders third- and fifth-grade students are paired together and have become “buddies,” learning a lot about each other, but mostly just having fun! Photo | JustIN MARRIott

EHS We the People: Congratulations to our We The People team for qualifying for the national competition to be held in Washington, D.C., this spring. The team accomplished this with its impressive win on Feb. 1 at the Statehouse in Montpelier. The advisor for the team, Tim Root, was especially proud of the 1,822 points in victory, explaining that it is one of the top scores in recent years. team members include: Chris Bird, Peter Feehan, Grace Murphy, Jonathan Compo, Noah Ferris, Cameron Quinn, Madison Corkum, Madeleine Garza, Kyle Riester, Matt Davis, Ethan Harvey, Ariel Salmon, Elena Doty, and Chloe LemmelHay. Please offer your congratulations if you have the opportunity to do so. student appointments: In response to the many parents who have asked for clarification on notifying the high school when their student needs to be excused from school for appointments during the school day, the following should be helpful. If a student will be coming in late, call our attendance line at 879-5507 and notify us of the expected arrival time. This will prevent the student as being marked unverified and having an ‘alert’ phone call or email being generated. If leaving for an appointment during the

International Potluck dinner: This evening has shown us once again that all cultures can come together and engage in a good time, conversation and great food. We have to thank those of you who provided all the tasty food, and Summit’s outstanding PTO for providing us with the pizza. Soon, the flag of Cuba will be the newest addition to hang on the gym wall reflecting the heritage of students who attend Summit. The next time you come into the gym, take a look at the diversity of cultures reflected by these flags. It’s rather remarkable for such a small state. We also have to thank the McFadden Academy of Irish Dance and St. Andrews Pipeband of Vermont for the evening’s lively entertainment. school bus reminder: Recently there have been a number of drivers passing a school bus while in front of Summit Street School when the bus lights are flashing red indicating a student is getting off the bus. By Vermont Statue, (Title 23: Motor Vehicles, Chapter 013: Operation of Vehicles, Subchapter 007: Special Stops Required) you can receive a fine in the amount of $249 plus five points on your license if caught. Essex Police were notified of these occurrences and have been in front of Summit handing out warnings. A portion of the Vermont Statue is below: 1075. Passing school bus (a) The operator of a motor vehicle, including authorized emergency vehicles under section 1015 of this title, upon meeting or overtaking a vehicle marked and equipped as provided in section 1283 of this title which has stopped on the highway for the purpose of receiving or discharging public or private schoolchildren, shall stop his or her vehicle immediately and shall keep it stationary

while the flashing red signal lights are in operation. lantern Parade: Don’t forget that the Lantern Parade is this Friday (Feb. 12). This evening is certain to be illuminating and a great event for all residents in Essex Junction, Essex Town and Westford to attend. There will be parking at Gate F of the Champlain Valley Exposition (the gate next to St. James Church on RT 2A) with shuttles bringing families back and forth. Bus shuttle service will be from 4:30-7 p.m. Please consider carpooling or walking. Restrooms are in the Essex High School lobby. For full details on the parade, please visit: http://www.ccsuvt.org/across-theuniverse-stream-of-lights. big change roundup: The children in Eve Trombley’s class are almost halfway to their goal of raising $1,000 for the Big Change Roundup. With the help of other Summit students and staff members, they have raised $429. This is a very ambitious goal, but with your help this can happen. We have a change jar in the office for donations if you would like to contribute. Thank you so much. Thank you to Summit’s PTO for your overwhelming support for the students and staff in our school. We appreciate all that you do for us!! upcoming events: Feb. 12: Lantern Parade, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 16: Great Barrier Reef video conference for all second-grade students from 6-7 p.m. Feb. 22 – March 1: Winter Break, no school for students. April 2: PTO Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction.

ETSD

school day, please send a note in or call the attendance line with the information. In either case, the student should come to the main office at the beginning of the day for a dismissal slip to show the teacher whose class they’ll be leaving early. If returning, they should check in at the main office so they are marked accordingly. When parents either arrive at school or call when on the way to pick up their student, it necessitates the main office interrupting an entire class with a phone ringing in the classroom. In other cases, the student could be in a physical education class on a field, or the class may have gone to the library for research, so early notification is much appreciated. Of course, we understand unplanned dismissals are bound to happen and we are always more than happy to help out in those instances. We hope this helps taking the guesswork out. career center: Pam Hemingway, our career coordinator, reminds students to visit the career center, located adjacent to the library, for job postings, information on internship programs, and searches for career information. She is also always interested in discussing unpaid internships, mentoring programs and speaking engagements with business leaders in the community about mutually beneficial student assignments.

Check us out before your February vacation!

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Employee wellness programs — a smart investment

Wellness programs in schools and businesses are linked to happy employees, improved employee effectiveness, less absenteeism, and a reduction of long-term health care costs. Essex Town School District has figured this out! Workplace wellness aims to improve the health of employees and their families while reducing health-related costs as an employer. Many organizations implement comprehensive wellness programs that focus on preventive health and lifestyle modification. This means encouraging employees to focus on key health behaviors such as increasing physical activity, improving eating habits, reducing stress and ceasing the use of toxic substances like tobacco. The rationale behind wellness programs is that encouraging healthy habits now can prevent or lower the risk of serious health conditions later. Similarly, adopting these same habits can help those with an existing health condition manage it. The teaching profession is exciting and rewarding, but educating children can be exhausting given how deeply teachers and support staff care about kids. Employee driven wellness programs in schools can help to minimize compassion fatigue thereby making every day a great day for kids and employees! The Essex Town School District’s Wellness Team — comprised of support staff and teachers — has done an outstanding job over the last several years, advocating, leading, creating and participating in year-

round district wellness activities. In fact, the district and its wellness team recently received the 2015 Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Award! These awards highlight worksites around the state and their efforts to promote the health and wellness of employees. This is quite an achievement, and a round of applause for the Wellness Team is very deserving! The main tenants of a workplace wellness program are awareness, education and lifestyle change. The Essex Town School District is committed to the health of its employees through which kids and families are better served and the faculty as a whole can maintain an active and productive lifestyle. Listed below is a small sampling of what the Wellness Team, thanks to a wellness program grant, offers. — Preventive care — Flu vaccinations — Exercise encouragement — After school programs in weightlifting, Zumba, yoga, bicycling and walking — Discounts to join health clubs — Guest speakers on good nutrition, stress management, laughter in the workplace, time management, alternative health-care options, exercise and financial planning — Employee organized pot-lucks — Fresh salad bars in the cafeteria — Healthy faculty meeting snacks — Filtered water systems in schools