March 31, 2016 The Essex Reporter

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essex

MARCh 31, 2016

Vol. 36, No. 13

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

Village and school budgets up for approval

By COLiN FLANDERS The Essex Reporter Now that Town Meeting Day has come and gone, Essex voters will be faced with another round of decisions, including the village municipal budget, three different school budgets and a handful of unopposed elections.

The village budget will be up for a voice vote at the Annual Village Meeting on April 6, held in the Essex High School auditorium at 7 p.m. The meeting is preceded by a community supper at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria, and child care will be available.

The school budgets and elections, along with village elections, will then be decided via Australian ballot on April 12. Village residents will cast ballots at Essex High School, while town residents will vote at Essex Middle School. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early or absentee ballots for village residents are now available and can be

requested in person, in writing or by calling the Village Clerk’s office at 878-6944 no later than 4:30 p.m. April 11.

Town residents should contact the town clerk at 879-0413 for early voting information.

This year’s school budget votes will carry the added significance of being the districts’ last as separate entities, as next year voters will be deciding on a unified school budget, serving the communities of Essex Town, Essex Junction and Westford.

Here are the budgets at a glance:

Village municipal budget

Village voters will be asked to approve a $3.95 million municipal budget for the upcoming fiscal year — an increase of 4 percent over the current year.

Despite the spending increase, the property tax rate will be decreased by 4.1 percent, from 23.66 cents per $100 of property value to 22.69 — nearly a penny — saving the owner of an average-priced home ($280,000) about $27 on their annual

property tax bill.

That’s because only $2.48 million will need to be raised through property taxes, as approximately $1 million will be transferred from the Essex Town budget — which was approved in March — to fund the village’s street department operating costs and village paving.

The village also expects just over $400,000 in non-tax revenue, making up for the difference.

Additionally, voters will be asked to approve adding a penny to the tax rate in order to establish a fund to be used by the village for “capital-like expenditures for economic and community development,” explained Village President George Tyler in an email.

This fund would differ from the village’s standard capital reserve fund, which is used for street, sidewalk and water maintenance and replacement.

The fund would rather be used to

VILLAGE MUNICIPAL BUDGET ANNUAL MEETING

7 p.m., April 6, Essex High School Elections on April 12. Polls open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

All school votes are on April 12.

Polls open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

ESSEX JUNCTION SCHOOL DISTRICT Informational meeting - 6:30 p.m., April 11, Essex High School ESSEX TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT Informational meeting - 6:30 p.m., April 4, Essex Middle School

UNION #46 SCHOOL DISTRICT Informational meeting - 7:45 p.m., April 11,

– See BUDGETS on page 3

Essex High School

Essex hockey case sent to family court

By COLiN FLANDERS The Essex Reporter The criminal investigation into student misconduct between two Essex High School boys hockey players was referred to family court, according to Chittenden County State’s Attorney T.J. Donovan.

The announcement, emailed to the media, comes a day after EHS confirmed the unspecified allegations were true, according to a statement by Chittenden Central Supervisory Union’s attorney Pietro Lynn.

Lynn’s statement says a student’s conduct violated the school’s policy on harassment, hazing and bullying, but he did not detail specifics.

The incident was initially reported to an assistant principal at the school on February 5, resulting in one player — sophomore Alexander Giummo — being suspended from the team.

According to Lynn’s statement, “the accused student admitted that he engaged in the misconduct supporting the finding,” adding the administration found the accusations were credible.

The school then notified Essex police, who passed on the investigation to the Chittenden Unit for

Hoppy Easter A crowd of kids converged at Maple Street Park at 10 a.m. sharp to collect easter eggs filled with seasonal treats on Saturday, March 26.

Members of the essex high School Red Cross Club and distance Track Team helped distribute the 8,000 eggs for the family event.

PhoToS | ShAWn CIMoneTTI

Essex Junction resident advocates for lung cancer awareness

A local woman joined forces with lung cancer survivors and advocates from all around the country on March 16, traveling to Washington, D.C., for the first ever Lung Force Advocacy Day. Nancy Hale of Essex Jct. was one of many survivors and advocates to push legislators for continued bipartisan efforts aimed at defeating lung cancer.

In December, the U.S. Congress passed a budget bill that included a boost for the National Institutes of Health and funding for cancer research. The NIH estimates that it will invest $362 million in lung cancer research in 2016.

“The Lung Association is calling for an even greater federal investment in cancer research, and has made increasing federal research funding for lung cancer a top priority with a goal of at least $450 million by 2020,” said Harold P. Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association.

Hale made the trip to urge Vermont Sens. Bernie

Sanders and Patrick Leahy, along with Rep. Peter Welch, to support continuing these efforts.

During Advocacy Day, Hale also shared her personal experience with lung cancer, which is the No. 1 cancer killer of men and women, according to the American Lung Association.

Hale’s battle with the disease began in April 2012. While on a skiing trip in Colorado, she thought she had acquired altitude sickness.

Yet when she returned home, her symptoms continued.

Her doctors initially explained away her symptoms as stress-related, she said.

“Had I listened to that diagnosis, I wouldn’t be here now,” Hale said in a press release.

Not until she insisted on being given an X-ray did doctors find an 8 centimeter tumor that had spread to most of the lymph nodes in her chest.

It was then Hale learned she had lung cancer.

“It’s something you think

GMP hosts competition for energy innovators

By COLiN FLANDERS The Essex Reporter

From left, Jeff Seyler, nancy hale and Kate Forbes pose for a photo during the inaugural Lung Force Advocacy day, held in Washington d.C. PhoTo ConTRIBuTed

you’ll never hear,” Hale said in a press release.

Fortunately, after several rounds of chemo and testing, Hale’s doctor was able to find a trial for an immunotherapy drug.

April will mark the fouryear anniversary of Hale’s diagnosis. She said she’s doing “fantastic,” and has now taken it upon herself to help educate others about the disease.

“The lack of awareness is one of the reasons

why so many people die of lung cancer,” Hale said in a press release.

Hale said she was honored to participate in the day of advocacy, and hopes that the efforts will “put a face to lung cancer.”

“Advocacy Day was just one piece of a tremendous fight to defeat lung cancer.

The momentum cannot come to a halt,” Hale said in a press release.

— Staff report

Special Investigations, a countywide taskforce that investigates sexual crimes and child abuse, Sgt. Michael Warren confirmed.

Neither Donovan nor Lynn would comment on the nature of the misconduct.

“The school has taken appropriate disciplinary action against the accused student but cannot specify the nature of the discipline because of federal student privacy laws,” Lynn’s statement reads.

Donovan said a subject’s age is generally the critical factor in determining whether a case will be sent to family court instead of to the county superior court.

He declined to comment if the student in question was charged with a crime.

Last week, the school finalized a report detailing the findings of its internal investigation into the incident. This report will not be made public, said Lynn, who twice denied The Essex Reporter’s public records request for the document.

“There is no way we can produce this report without violating federal privacy,” he said on March 21.

In a follow-up interview the next day, Lynn said his statement was only released after both parties involved consented to its content.

Green Mountain Power’s Colchester headquarters is hosting a competition to find up to five energy innovators to relocate to its new, openconcept workspace for the next year.

Applications will be accepted until May 15, with the winners announced on May 30.

Dorothy Schnure, GMP’s manager of corporate communications, said the company hopes the collaborations will lead to economic benefits for customers.

“We’re really leading the nation in many ways in what we’re doing in Vermont. So we saw this as a chance where we could help support a company that’s doing exciting new things,” Schnure said.

After receiving the applications, the GMP team will contact a handful

of prospective companies to schedule a video conference before choosing up to five companies to relocate to its Colchester offices.

Selected companies will have the opportunity to work alongside the GMP team and other energy leaders, collaborating on new energy technology and clean energy solutions.

GMP will provide free space, coaching and collaboration with its team, and professional support to help the companies succeed.

Schnure said, along with benefitting customers, the competition will provide Vermont — and specifically Colchester — with the economic benefit of having these companies relocate to the area.

“Vermont is recognized the world over as a leader in energy innovation, and this contest is a creative way to support new energy leaders and start-ups

– See GMP on page 3

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The Essex Reporter • March 31, 2016

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The Essex Reporter • March 31, 2016

EHS wins state finance and economics competition

E

ssex High School claimed victory at the eighth annual Vermont Treasury Cup Challenge, held at the Statehouse in Montpelier on March 11.

The double-elimination tournament, directed by the Vermont State Treasurer’s Office, tests student knowledge in personal finance and economics.

Essex’s team was comprised of five students — Elena Doty, Caleb Weis, Ethan Harvey, Omkar Borse and Gita Krishna — who each received a $500 college savings account courtesy of the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation.

Ten schools participated in the tournament, which included 17 head-tohead rounds of quiz-show style competition.

“This is an academically challenging event that promotes educational opportunities in economics and personal finance in Vermont’s high schools,” said State Treasurer Beth Pearce in a press release. “I am always impressed by the commitment teachers and their students make to tackle these subjects to prepare for competition. Having a solid grasp of personal finance and economics will benefit students now and in the future.”

Essex also won the right to display the tournament’s gold trophy at the high school for one year. Individual trophies were awarded to students on the first- through third-place teams.

The tournament is sponsored by the TD Bank Charitable Foundation. The Vermont Jump$tart Coalition supported the tournament with volunteers and provided the buzzer systems for the competition.

BuDGETS from page 1

make infrastructure improvements around the village center, such as greening up a public space or establishing a small loan fund to help business owners make cosmetic property improvements, Tyler said.

Then on April 12, the same day the school budgets are up for vote, there will also be village elections for one village trustee, one village moderator and two Brownell Library board trustees.

Current trustee Lori Houghton will run for a three-year term, Steven Eustis will run for a one-year term as village moderator, Nina Curtiss will run for a five-year term as library trustee and Elizabeth Glaspie will run for a one-year term as library trustee.

All four are running unopposed.

Throughout the tournament, students could also win cash prizes donated by the Vermont State Employees Credit Union.

“Competing for the Treasury Cup is an awesome experience for the kids,” said Essex High School coach Charlie Burnett in a press release. “They get to rub elbows with other students studying the same kinds of materials, have fun with each other, and try their best to advance in the tournament. We always learn something new each year we participate.”

New to the tournament this year, Essex also won the right to represent Vermont as a semi-finalist in the National Economics Challenge.

The team will now compete in the Adam Smith Division for schools with an advanced placement economics program. If Essex scores high enough on an online national test in April, it will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the national finals in New York City.

Since the Treasury Cup began in 2009, 27 Vermont high schools have competed in the challenge.

Each match featured three rounds of questions with a mix of multiple choice and open answer. In round one, students were asked questions on personal finance, including how to responsibly use credit, ways to budget money, understanding taxes and signing a lease.

In the second round, students addressed questions on the economy, such as the rate of inflation, what is the gross domestic product, the importance of the unemployment rate, how stock markets work and monetary policy.

Essex School Budget

Village voters will also be faced with a budget of $18.9 million for the Essex Junction School District — an increase of 1.4 percent over the current year.

Salary, benefits, and private preschool cost increases were largely offset by decreases in anticipated special education and technology requirements.

Factoring in an increase of $75,000 for the capital fund, overall education spending is proposed to increase by 1.8 percent.

Property taxes, however, would likely remain about the same, according to the district’s annual report.

The Essex Junction School District also currently oversees the Essex Junction Recreation and Parks Department.

A separate ballot item will ask voters if they wish to use tax revenue to fund $635,600 of the recreation department’s $2.2 million budget, as well as an additional $109,000 for the department’s capital plan.

While the department’s overall budget is increasing by 8.3 percent, the projected tax revenue is the same as the current year’s — offset by higher program revenues.

There will also be elections for four district board positions — two spots on the prudential committee, and two on the U#46 school board.

Michael Smith is running unopposed for a two-year term on the Prudential Committee, while Brian Donahue is running unopposed for a three-year term on the U#46 board.

If neither empty position is filled by a write-in candidate, the Prudential Committee would seek letters of interest for both its own seat and that on the U#46 board, as the open seat is for an Essex Junction resident.

Based on those letters of interest, the Prudential Committee would then appoint a new member to each board.

The essex high School Treasury Cup Challenge team poses with its first-place trophy at the Statehouse in Montpelier on March 11. From left, State Treasurer Beth Pearce, elena doty, Caleb Weis, ethan harvey, omkar Borse and coach Charlie Burnett. not pictured: essex team member Gita Krishna.

PhoTo | SCoTT BAKeR

Questions in the final “lightning round” covered both topics.

“The Treasury Cup was a fun way to meet new people and spend a day immersed in

Essex Town School Budget

The Essex Town School District is proposing a budget of $22.67 million — a 4.3 percent increase over the current fiscal year — for voter approval.

Voters will also decide for the third straight year on whether to approve a $125,000 deposit into the district’s capital reserve fund, bringing the fund’s overall balance to $251,000.

Even though the reserve would push the overall budget increase to 4.9 percent over the current year, voters would still see a tax decrease if the reserve fund is passed — about $13 per $100,000 of assessed land.

Two recent state laws account for this decrease: Act 166, which created a revenue-producing preschool program, and Act 46, which made changes in per pupil spending more relevant to property taxes than overall budget increases.

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both economics and personal finance. I look forward to competing next year,” said Weis, an Essex team member, in a press release.

— Staff report

There will also be three unopposed elections in the town school district.

For the Essex Town School Board, Daniel House and Rachel Preston are running for two- and threeyear terms respectively.

Additionally, Al Bombardier is running for the town’s three-year seat on the U#46 board.

Union #46 School District In addition to their separate school districts, village and town voters will both decide on the Union #46 budget.

Voters will be faced with a $24.6 million budget — a slight decrease from last year — for Essex High School, and a budget of $8.5 million — down about 1.5 percent — for the Center for Technology.

Voters will also be asked to place $250,000 in the district’s capital reserve fund.

Current tax rate estimates for village residents show a $5.90 savings per $100,000 in assessed property, while town residents would see approximately $13 in savings per $100,000 in assessed property.

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The Essex Reporter • March 31, 2016

O pinion Perspective

Letter to the Editor

UVM is following NMC’s example, and that’s good

By EMERSON LYNN The University of Vermont Health Network in 2015 generated $29 million in revenue that was not budgeted, which put it in the position of trying to figure out how best to distribute the excess.

At first blush, the answer would seem simple: Build the $29 million into the next year’s budget in the form of reduced costs.

And that is what happened. In part. The hospital network will use $14 million of the revenue excess to reduce the rates it charges.

The remainder will be spent on things like affordable housing, mental health services, substance abuse initiatives, dental health and pain management programs.

Three million of the overage will be used to push toward an all-payer model system that will reform how we pay for our health care statewide.

This is not a groundbreaking move on the part of our health care system and the Green Mountain Care Board.

The precedent was set last year when Northwestern Medical Center presented its budget to the GMCB. NMC proposed reducing the rate it charges insurance companies by 8 percent. The board asked for a 10 percent reduction.

(NMC historically has had the lowest rate increases of any hospital in the state over the past decade.) NMC countered with a proposal to spend the difference on Rise Vermont, a hospital/community based preventative health initiative.

The board agreed.

That’s exactly what the UVM Health Network and the GMCB are doing with the $15 million – following our example and investing in ways intended to reduce longterm health care costs.

That’s smart. The most successful way to reduce health care costs is to reduce demand, and to reduce demand requires dealing with our health care population early and comprehensively. It means addressing health care needs before they become acute. In the case of Rise Vermont, it means engaging a community in healthy lifestyles. In NMC’s case, the money is being spent on a cause that is as directly related to health as can be imagined.

Vermont’s largest health care system is doing much the same thing, with some of the money focused on outer-ring efforts, like affordable housing, which might seem removed from a health care system’s immediate purpose.

It’s defensible, however. Poor housing are a direct cause of poor health care outcomes at a number of levels. The better the housing, the better we can control some of our more critical health care factors.

But there is a challenge to this process that is vital to acknowledge. It’s akin to waves caused by a rock dropped into the pond’s middle: The further from the center, the less obvious it is that the waves were caused by the rock.

When hospitals reinvest cash into efforts not directly related to their operations, like affordable housing, they must be able to show cause and effect. There are lots of organizations devoted to affordable housing. How, precisely, do they measure the impact of their investment?

The same applies to the hospital’s other initiatives. It’s imperative that results are measured and there is a highly transparent way to gauge success. If this need is ignored, this opportunity to build toward preventative health will be slowed or derailed.

These preventative initiatives being pushed by NMC and the UVM Health Network also require some big picture thinking. If, for example, we continue the push toward the all-payer model, which then leads us toward capitation payments (giving hospitals set budgets, letting them decide how to spend the money) how do we maintain these preventative health measures?

The UVM Health Network is far and away the largest health care operation in the state. If it sees success in these outreach efforts, how does it proceed? Would there be allowances in its budget to fund these groups? Would these groups become de facto supporters of the hospital because they stand to gain? Does some control follow the money? How would that affect the budgets of the state’s other hospitals?

The good news in all this is we’re beginning to realize the fundamental priority in health care is early prevention, early detection. The more successful we are in taking care of problems before they become expensive to treat, the less expensive the system will be.

That’s been NMC’s focus with Rise Vermont. That’s what the GMCB is allowing with the UVM Health Network.

But the discussion needs to be broader and much deeper and more transparent. We’re in the beginning stage of a profoundly different health care delivery system; we need to know more about it, and we need to understand and accept the patience that will be required to get to where we need to be.

Emerson Lynn is co-publisher of the St. Albans Messenger and The Essex Reporter.

Vermonters require a taxpayer bill of rights The Vermont House Ways & Means Committee passed a record-high $48.3 million tax and fee hike package. To put this into perspective, the prior legislature passed a $30 million tax and fee hike package. Also during 2015, Vermont average household income grew by 2.5 percent, inflation grew by 0.7 percent and Vermont’s population grew by 0 percent.

These key indicators reveal Vermonters cannot absorb another tax and fee hike, nor should they, given the mandate expressed in 2014 by voters to lawmakers instructing for a more affordable Vermont.

So why does the Vermont Legislature continue to

General Manager Suzanne Lynn

Executive Editor Courtney Lamdin news@essexreporter.com Associate Editor Abby Ledoux

By Bea Grause

The truth about health care reform is that it’s slow and difficult. Like so many policy areas, such as property tax and education reform, progress is hard. There is no finish line, only checkpoints along the journey. There will always be more to do. New research, technology and innovations will continue to change the way we receive health care, and the way providers deliver it. The latest focus, keeping Vermonters healthy and proactively managing chronic illness, will enhance our quality of life and save money in the long term. It sounds like simple common sense, but in truth, this approach is revolutionary in the United States.

As I look back on more than a decade of health care reform work in Vermont, I take pride in what we have accomplished in providing the highest quality care possible, increasing access so that nearly every Vermonter has coverage, and keeping hospital budgets down. At the same time, I share my neighbors’ and colleagues’ frustration at the slow pace of change. We all want to do more, and do it faster.

For too many who are watching the efforts of Vermont’s health care stakeholders, it’s easy to say, “It’s not enough.” And I agree that it’s not enough, which is why we must keep going. Payment reform is not the silver bullet. But it is another step on Vermont’s health care reform journey, on which we cannot afford to fail.

There are also truths we have to face about the state of our state, the

backdrop for our efforts. Our economy has suffered over the last several years, and economic growth is slow.

We are an aging state, and as we age, our health care needs increase and costs continue to rise. One in three Vermonters is currently served

by Medicaid and receives some type of assistance — paid for in part by Vermonters who are commercially insured and by tax revenue.

These are all challenges, but they are also the reasons why we must continue this important work. Our health and the health of our economy depend on it.

It is realistic to admit that there is no easy and immediate way to truly bring down health care costs in the short term. But admitting that fact does not excuse us from doing the work now to bend the cost curve and lower costs for Vermonters over time.

Vermont’s network of hospitals is leading this important transformation to make health care better for our patients. They are leveraging their expertise and their central role in our communities to change the way they care for Vermonters.

Each program, each pilot and policy debate, is one more step on a very long road. There will be more successes and many more challenges. It’s healthy and necessary to ask ourselves important questions along the way. Is this the direction we should be going? Could we be doing more? And most importantly, will these reforms maintain quality of care, preserve access to care and ultimately bring down the cost of care for Vermonters?

spending is a form of misappropriation.

Since the legislature lacks the political will to correct the affordability issue, I propose the passing of a Vermont Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) so Vermonters may adequately protect themselves from unsustainable spending and debt, tax and fee hikes.

Under a form of TABOR that suits Vermont, the legislature will require voter consent to raise taxes and increase spending beyond growth rates realized in population, household income and price inflation.

John Cisar Essex

It is realistic to admit that there is no easy and immediate way to truly bring down health care costs in the short term. But admitting that fact does not excuse us from doing the work now to bend the cost curve and lower costs for Vermonters over time.

As I say goodbye to Vermont, for now, I want to thank the good people who continue this vital work. You must keep moving forward, even when it’s exhausting and thankless. And I encourage others to get involved.

Keep asking the tough questions and challenging the status quo — but recognize that it’s not enough to criticize and complain, it’s up to all of us to keep Vermont moving forward on our health care reform journey.

Bea Grause is moving on from being president and CEO of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems to take the helm of the Healthcare Association of New York State.

From the Statehouse This week at the State House was consumed with Paul the most important work of the year: passing a budget.

Dame All of the current tax polices gave us $33 million more in revenue than last year, due to normal inflation and economic growth. But that wasn’t enough, and so the budget that passed required an additional $48 million in new taxes and fees to be raised to pay largely for current programs. This happens because our general fund spending grows at nearly 4 percent while the revenues grow at roughly 2.2 percent. It has happened every year for the last six years, and mark my words, it will happen again next year. Our spending continues to grow faster than the Vermont economy, and nothing was done this week to change that pattern. Until there is new leadership and a new majority, the focus will remain on continuing the current status quo on spending and raising taxes to make up the difference.

When – not if – we have another recession, these tax hikes will just get higher. If we continued spending at the same rate, and instead this year had seen a modest 2.2 percent decline in revenue from a contracting economy, we would have needed to come up with $114 million in new taxes and or fees.

One problem is the process used to create the budget.

Essex

News Editor Jason Starr jason@essexreporter.com

Advertising Manager Wendy Ewing ewing@essexreporter.com

Sports Editor Colin Flanders sports@essexreporter.com

Advertising Sales Michael Snook snook@essexreporter.com

Office Manager Michael McCaffrey michael@essexreporter.com

growth?

Affordability will be a top issue in the upcoming 2016 state election cycle.

Yet it becomes ever more apparent many members of our delegation to the state legislature lack the political will to make Vermont more affordable for Vermont households. The $48 million tax and fee hike includes a $24 million fee hike. A massive fee hike required to regulate what?

Let me remind the legislature the purpose of a fee is to fund the operating costs of regulation, not to fund general spending unconnected with costs of regulation. Any use of regulatory fees by the legislature to fund general

We can’t afford to fail

Reporter The

grow its rate of spending by double and triple the rate of growth being realized

by Vermont household incomes, state population and price inflation?

I thank Essex Reps.

Paul Dame and Linda Myers for their recent goodfaith efforts to address the Vermont affordability problem by voting to oppose the record-high $48.3 million tax and fee hike. I ask Essex Reps. Debbie Evans and Timothy Jerman, who voted in favor of passing the tax and fee hike package, to justify how raising taxes and fees helps correct the affordability problem, a problem behind Vermont’s stagnant population growth and meager quality job

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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.

The Appropriations Committee starts by asking each committee for a list of priorities that often spend more than even Gov. Peter Shumlin recommended. When the clock runs out, they send it to the Ways & Means Committee to fill the gap between available income and desired spending by creating new taxes. This is backward from how my financial services clients – and most Vermonters – plan their household spending. Imagine if you started with a list of all the things you’d like to spend on then billed your neighbors – you wouldn’t have a sustainable budget that would stay within your means. But that is exactly what happens in Montpelier.

Instead we need to start with a recommendation from Ways & Means on what tax policy the state needs to have to encourage economic growth and how much it will cost.

Then we need to ask committees to prioritize spending in those constraints. We can decentralize these decisions and put them closer to committees with deeper understanding of the impact.

My colleagues in the minority have a few ideas to close this gap without reaching in taxpayers’ pockets. One idea I presented last and this year is to evaluate buying Medicare supplement polices for eligible Medicaid beneficiaries. We already pay their Medicare premiums, and a supplemental policy would provide substantial savings to ensure the same benefit package Medicaid patients already enjoy, and would give hospitals and physicians a slightly higher reimbursement rate. The problem is it takes less time to figure out a new tax or fee to cover the spending.

As you file your income taxes before April 15, ask yourself who can make better use of that money – you, or Montpelier? Who spends it more carefully? Who will be quicker to identify waste and make changes? Again, I have more faith in the average Vermonter.

My Human Services Committee spent three hours last week taking testimony on increasing the smoking age from 18 to 21. Regardless of which side you fall on, if there was a Republican majority and I was chairman, we would have more likely spent time evaluating the 1,260 grants issued by the Agency of Human Services that, until this year, had gone almost completely unevaluated. Some entities are receiving millions of dollars from multiple grants. I am very uncomfortable with the idea of asking taxpayers for $48 million in new money without knowing the answer to that question.

Paul Dame represents Essex Junction in the Vermont

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The Essex Reporter • March 31, 2016

Essex Area Senior Center

By Gloria Deeley

Anyone 50 years of age or older is welcome at the Essex Area 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, contact Lou Ann Pioli, Director, at 876-5087.

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pril 1, April Fools’ Day: Sometimes it is called All Fools’ Day, a light-hearted day for sure. The origins of the foolish day are uncertain, but some see it as a celebration of the turn of the seasons, and others believe it stems from the adoption of a new calendar. The Romans, Hindus and other ancient cultures celebrated New Year’s Day on or around April 1. The actual origin of April Fools’ Day is based purely on conjecture. In 1983, a professor at Boston University explained told the Associated Press that during Constantine’s reign, a group of jesters and fools told the Roman emperor

they could do a better job running the empire. The emperor was amused and allowed one of the jesters to be king for one day. So the jester passed an edict for that day, and it became an annual event. Jesters were to put things in order with a flare of humor!

But the story was made up, and the AP was victim of an April Fools’ Day joke! It’s the day for playing practical jokes and spreading hoaxes on TV stations, newspapers and websites, so beware, my friends. Remember the practical jokes and hoaxes are all done (should be) with a humorous touch. Laughter is the best medicine just ask me!

Upcoming events: 4/6: Grand Buffet. Tickets required.

4/13: Soup and sandwich, Maple Street. The Hiawatha Chorus will perform. Host: St. Pius.

4/20: Board hosts, St. Pius Hall Please note change in location due to school vacation.

4/29: Potluck Friday. Please note change in day this week only.

Includes Survivorship NOW presentation. EASC.

Early voting available for annual elections Early or absentee ballots are now available for the April 12 village and school annual elections.

Request your absentee ballot in person, by telephone at 878-6944 or in writing from the Village Clerk’s office no later than 4:30 p.m., April 11, the day before the election.

A voter or family member may apply all three ways above; other authorized people may only apply in person or in writing.

How to vote: Pick up your absentee ballot at the Village Clerk’s

office (2 Lincoln St.) and return it there or to the polling place before 7 p.m. on election day (April 12); Request a ballot be mailed to you, and return it as above; If you are sick or disabled, request that two justices of the peace bring a ballot to you on any of the

eight days preceding the day of the election or the day of election.

Residents of the town of Essex outside the village of Essex Junction should contact the town clerk at 8790413 for early voting information.

GMP

from page 1

The Green Mountain Power Inspire Space will house up to five energy innovation companies, which it will choose from a competitive application process. The space located at GMP's Colchester headquarters on Acorn Lane.

Photo | colin Flanders

Obituaries George Roland Boucher

George Roland Boucher, age 79, passed away at the Respite House in Williston, on March 27, 2016 after suffering a stroke.

George loved his country and was an avid outdoorsman. He loved gardening, hunting, fishing and was affectionately known as the raspberry man.

George was predeceased by his wife, Catherine, in 2012; by his four brothers David, Leo, Raymond and Roger and his sister Nancy Boucher West.

George was born July 5, 1936 in Lewiston, Maine and graduated from Edward Little High School. In 1955, he joined the U.S. George Roland Boucher Air Force and eventually was stationed in Vermont. On April 23, 1960, he married Cathy Martin at St. Anthony’s Parish in Burlington. Cathy and George raised three children in Essex Jct. George was very active in the community and volunteered his time on many local government issues.

He served the Village of Essex Jct. in many ways including board memberships on the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization, Chittenden Solid Waste District, chairman of the Tri-Community Waste Water Treatment Plant and as a village trustee for many years.

George, also known as Boo and Papa, was very handy and loved to tinker and fix things. He enjoyed many visits back to his home state of Maine and loved fishing with his brothers and extended family there. He also loved to watch college football and was very proud of his football career at Edward Little High School and being named to the all-state team.

George worked for the military most of his life and was a skilled aircraft mechanic and crew chief. After leaving active duty he joined the Vermont Air National Guard and was very proud to be a Green Mountain Boy. He traveled all over the world during his military service and loved his planes. He retired from the guard in 1992.

George is survived by his son Michael Boucher of Burlington; by his son Joseph and daughter-in-law Peggy Boucher of Milton; and by his daughter Tina and son-inlaw Joseph Bissonette of Underhill. He also leaves behind four granddaughters Chelsea and Samantha Bissonette, Amelia and Teah Boucher and a very special great niece, Chelsea Martin. George also leaves behind his brother-inlaw Wayne Newport of Winooski; nephew Aaron Martin and his wife, Emily, of Essex Jct.; his niece Tara Devoid and her husband, Matt; and by his special friend and companion, Barbara Mallow.

George will be missed by his sister-in-law Sue Lafountaine, his sister-in-law Delphine, his beloved nieces and nephews, Sue Rae and Brian Craig, Libby Bamford and Jan and Mary Boucher, all of Bowdoin, Maine and Dwayne Boucher and his wife Pam from Ohio. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law Nancy Boucher of Lisbon Falls, Maine and his niece Ina Rae along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held Thursday March 31, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Mountain View Chapel, 68 Pinecrest Dr., Essex Jct. A church service will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, April 1 at Calvary Baptist Church, 61 Main St. in Essex Jct. In lieu of flowers, please honor George’s memory by considering a donation to the Vermont Respite House at 99 Allen Brook Road, Williston, VT 05495.

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while also encouraging businesses to locate or stay in Vermont,” said Gov. Peter Shumlin in a press release.

Qualifying companies must be in the electrical energy sector and focused specifically on new energy technology or clean energy solutions.

“How does your company contribute to an innovative and clean energy future?” reads one of the five questions on the application, which can be filled out online.

All winning applicants must relocate their business to the 1,500-square-foot GMP Inspire Space for a minimum of one year. Schnure said this is an effort to spur collaboration via a co-working environment between both

the relocating companies and GMP’s current employees.

“Starting and growing a new business is one of the most exciting and frankly terrifying things a person can do, so having spaces like this where businesses can collaborate with each other, share ideas and enjoy camaraderie is so important,” said Marguerite Dibble, founder of GameTheory, a gaming company located at the VCET co-working space in downtown Burlington.

For more information, including where to apply, visit www.gmpinspire.com.

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6

The Essex Reporter • March 31, 2016

Essex Area Religious Directory

C ALEndAR 31 Thursday M.A.G.I.C.: Masculinity and Gender Identity Conversation. Participants of any

“QUILT AS DESIRED?” The Champlain Valley Quilt Guild presents quilter Ann Petersen. Ann Petersen is nationally known for her handling of large quilts on a domestic sewing machine and her Craftsy classes. She will discuss how to know what you desire on a quilt and her thought process for quilting. She will present a workshop on handling large quilts on April 6.

Essex Alliance Church, Essex, 7-9 p.m.

Free for Quilt Guild Members, $10 for guests. Information: www.cvqgvt.org

APR. 5

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.

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Friday

Elder Education Enrichment Lecture. The

Elder Education Enrichment group will be offering the next installment of their spring lecture series with Rain Banbury, Parallel Justice Specialist from the Burlington Community Justice Center. Banbury will present a lecture titled, “Burlington’s Parallel Justice Program: An Award-Winning Innovation in Victim Services.” Parking and handicap access available. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington, 2 p.m. $5 at the door. Information: 864-3516.

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH (Fundamental-independent.) 61 Main St., Essex Junction, (802) 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, (802) 878-7107, 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. (802) 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 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Communion: first Sunday of every month.

Sunday School meets weekly at 10:15 a.m. 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, 2-6 p.m., except for Nov & Dec when it is the third Thursday. Essex Eats Out Community Dinner – 1st Friday of the month, 5:30 – 7 p.m. 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. (802) 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: 4:00 p.m - St. Lawrence, Sunday Morning: 8:00 a.m. - St. Lawrence, 11:00 a.m. - Holy Family, 7:30 p.m. - Holy Family. For more information visit our web page www.hfslvt.org.

LIVING HOPE CHRISTIAN CHURCH - 1037 South Brownell Road, Williston ,VT 05495. A Living Hope.... a Loving God. (802) 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). (802) 899-2558.

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH - 4 St. James Place (off Rt. 2A at the Fairgrounds Gate F) (802) 8784014 www.stjamesvt.org The Rev. Ken Hitch v office@ stjamesvt.org 8:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II (no music) 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II (with music) 9:20 a.m.

Adult Ed: Bible Study 10:15 a.m. Godly Play.

ST. PIUS X CHURCH - 20 Jericho Road, Essex, (802) 878-5997 - Administrator: Rev. Charles Ranges.

Masses: Saturday 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 9:30 a.m.

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Post 6689 will be sponsoring a community breakfast. The menu will include a variety of breakfast staples. VFW Post 6689, Essex Junction, 9-11 a.m. $8 for adults, $4 for children. Information: 878-0700.

Sunday Coffee Mix and Mingle. Members

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.

Library will be hosting a class titled “DNA Tests: Finding Cousins with Autosomal DNA, Part 1.” Autosomal DNA (atDNA) tests are now the most popular genetic test among family historians. These tests compare specific locations on your DNA to test results from genealogists around the globe. The basic science will have been covered in our class on February 13, so this talk goes on to compare different offerings, costs and features, as well as interpreting results and utilizing the tools available. Vermont Genealogy Library, Colchester, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. $5. Information: www.vtgenlib.org/ or 310-9285.

Easier line and circle dances are taught the first hour, followed by intermediate dances, reviews and open request dancing.

Beginners are welcome and no partner required. Wear informal, comfortable clothing. Plenty of parking. Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, Burlington, 4-7 p.m. $6 recommended donation and a snack to share at break. Contact Louise: 540-1020 or dance@together.net.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31 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. read to Mckenzie the dog.

McKenzie is a certified reading and therapy dog.

Sign up for a 15-minute session to read her your “just right book.” For ages 5-10. Registration is required. Essex Free Library, Essex Center, 3:15-4:15 p.m.

the John Hughes-directed 1986 comedy, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” starring Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck and Mia Sara. Main Street Landing Film House, Burlington, 7 p.m. Donations benefit a local charity. Contact: 540-3018 or www. mainstreetlanding.com/movies.

Monday

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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, 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 William Jenney, regional site administrator for the Calvin Coolidge Historic Site. Jenney will present a lecture titled “Calvin Coolidge: The President from Plymouth Notch.” Parking and handicap access available. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington, 2 p.m. $5 at the door. Information: 864-3516.

Trivia Night. Trivia buffs gather for a meeting

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

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Tuesday

Community Medical School Lecture Series.

The Community Medical School is a public lecture series featuring relevant topics presented by University of Vermont College of Medicine/University of Vermont

adult evening Book discussion. Join us as we discuss “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot. Copies of the book are available at the main desk. Essex Free Library, Essex Center, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, APRIL 1 songs and stories with Matthew. Matthew Witten performs songs about our world and tells adventurous tales.

For all ages. Funded by the Friends of Brownell Library. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m.

Magic: the gathering.

Whether you know the game or are curious to find out more, come have tons of gaming fun. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8 p.m.

Events at your Local Libraries

Wednesday

Open Studio Collage Workshop. Whirled

Tree Arts Studio invites 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

Shape and share life stories. Prompts trig-

Expanded Cancer Care: Exploring Choices in Complementary Integrative Medicine. This day-long free event was created to educate all affected by cancer about the benefits of complementary integrative medicine (CIM) and to introduce them to the variety of CIM services available in Vermont. Participants will include cancer survivors, their family members and caregivers, and medical practitioners.

Amy Littlefield, ND, MSOM, FABNO, a naturopathic oncologist with Vermont Wellness Medicine and Integrative Oncology, will be the keynote speaker. In addition to the exhibits, a variety of workshops and hands-on demonstrations will be offered by physicians, acupuncturists, herbalists and many more. Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Movies at Main Street Landing: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” This series presents

Balkan Folk Dancing. Taught by Louise Brill.

Saturday

Genealogy Class. The Vermont Genealogy

Sunday

VFW Community Breakfast. The Auxiliary of

Presentation. The Jericho Energy Task Force

has invited Green Mountain Power to give a presentation titled “Energy Transformation.” The presentation will describe the eHome initiative, a holistic energy home renovation program which can include heat pumps, weatherization, LED lighting and home automation controls. GMP representatives will also talk about the new Tesla home battery. The presentation will also cover topics like net metering and electric cars. Light refreshments will be served but this is a waste-free event so please bring your own bowls and mugs. Deborah Rawson Memorial Library, Jericho, 7 p.m.

Contact Larry: lblamb@hotmail.com or 899-4863.

Medical Center faculty, who is experienced in delivering scientific information in an engaging, easy-to-understand manner.

The series will present a lecture titled “Global Health: A View from Uganda,” presented by Robert Kalyesubula and Rainer Arnhold. Hear from Kalyesubula and Arnhold about their experiences providing healthcare to the population in Nakaseke, their commitment to teaching the next generation and their pledge to give back to a community. The lecture includes a question and answer session. Carpenter Auditorium, UVM Campus, Burlington.

6-7:30 p.m. Free. Information: www.uvm. edu/medicine/?Page=community_medical_school.html.

Free. Information: www.facebook.com/ events/225265657804876

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Thursday

Community Soup and Bread Supper. The

Covenant Community Church will be hosting its monthly soup and bread supper.

Eat-in or take-out options available, so stay to eat with family and friends or pick up to take home. There will be a variety of soups, breads and a sweet dessert.

Covenant Community Church, Essex/ Jericho line, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Donations accepted. Contact Steve: 879-4313.

Mandarin Chinese Class. The Agape Com-

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

MONDAY, APRIL 4

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6

vermont astronomical society: Mars 2016 apparition. The planet Mars is going to come close to Earth from April 17 to July 21 for its best showing in more than a decade. Advanced visual amateur astronomer and longtime Mars observer, Gary Nowak, will look at the types of telescopes that are best for observing Mars and discuss optical filters and observing techniques, including a technical trick which will help the observer to better see the visual features of Mars. A survey of those features will be covered, from Martian volcanoes to dust storms, clouds and polar ice caps. There will also be a sprinkling of interesting historical information that will reveal why Mars has always been fascinating to humans. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 7:30-9 p.m.

red Clover group for Homeschooled students.

Each month, students in Grades K-3 read two titles and do activities with one of this year’s Red Clover Award Nominees. Voting today. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m. dCF group for Homeschooled students.

Each month, students in Grades 4-8 hear book talks from this year’s DCF list.

Students keep a log and vote today for their favorite to win the DCF Book Award. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m. gMBa Book discussion for Homeschooled students.

High School GMBA Book Discussion for homeschoolers: Book Talk your favorite GMBA book on video. Voting for your favorite at the meeting.

For Grades 9-12. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m.

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

ESSEX FREE 2 Jericho Road BROWNELL 6 Lincoln Street LIBRARY Essex LIBRARY Essex Junction 879-0313 878-6956 essexfreelibrary@essex.org.

7

The Essex Reporter • March 31, 2016

S CHOOLS EES

EMS

Shedding coats: Spring is on!

It’s hard to keep a coat on a kindergartener when it starts to get warm out, but the children in Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Day’s classrooms at Essex Elementary are finding out that even seeds can’t resist a little early spring warmth.

In both classes at Essex Elementary, we lead our young explorers who are learning about natural wonders outdoors to make observations and bring their findings back to the classroom.

Their favorite project so far has been growing beans. The students wrap the seeds in damp paper towels, watching as roots and leaves slowly break through their coats and embrace the sunshine.

Mrs. Day and I were talking about our bean experiment. I said, “One of my students just came up and said, ‘My bean seed just took off its coat!’”

The students agreed it would probably be OK as long as it doesn’t snow in the classroom.

Natural events that adults take for granted are pure magic to kids. Watching a seed grow or a bird nest captivates their imaginations while they learn about science. Every day they can’t wait to check their bean plants to see how they’ve grown.

It’s similar to the excitement Mrs. Day and I share about watching our students grow.

The vermont Kids Against Tobacco Group at essex Middle School includes Allison Weston, Jessica LeBeau, Makayla Payne-Fisher, Riley Lucia, Zoey Goff and adviser Melissa Gallup.

PhoTo | KevIn BRIGGS

Kindergarten students Aidan nourse, Maddie Cole and Isabella Savoni make observations about a bean that is beginning to grow.

PhoTo | SonIA CLARK

ADL Agenda Many congratulations go to three ADL seventhgraders for their academic achievements in the Scripps State National Spelling Bee, Math Counts and Geo Bee competitions. Tatum Jewell was ADL’s champion in the state level of the Scripps Spelling Bee, finishing sixth out of 32 spellers. In Math Counts, Eric Lu scored in the top 12 middle school students in the individual section of the statewide competition. Finally, Ella Hughes was crowed the champ of the ADL National Geographic Geo Bee. She will travel next week to Castleton to take on 100 other school winners from around the state. We are very proud of both the number and quality of extracurricular offerings for our ADL students and that our students excel not only in athletics, but in performing and academic competitions as well. Thank you to the many coaches and advisers who share their time outside school to give students a rich experience and array of choices in which to pursue their interests.

– Laurie Singer, Principal Spring Musical - Annie: ADL will perform “Annie” on April 7-9 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria. The play follows Annie from her days in the orphanage with Miss Hannigan to her being accepted and loved by Daddy Warbucks. Tickets: $6/ adults and $4/ students and seniors 60+, ADL main office, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily. Get your tickets early, as we often sell out.

ETSD News The Essex Town School Board encourages residents to attend the annual budget information meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 4 in the Essex Middle School cafeteria. The presentation will highlight important features of next year’s budget and provide opportunities for members of the audience to ask questions. Please remember to vote on Tuesday, April 12!

Essex Middle School’s Vermont Kids Against Tobacco group has been busy this year, recruiting new members to spread the word about the dangers of smoking and doing drugs. VKAT has five members who are working hard! During Red Ribbon Week in October, the group gathered over 100 drug-free pledges from their schoolmates. In November, the team attended a youth leadership retreat at St. Michael’s College with youth from all around Chittenden County and

learned how to involve the media in their efforts to combat Big Tobacco.

Most recently, the group tabled for Kick Butts Day in the cafeteria, taking photos of their classmates showing they are not replacement smokers.

VKAT is currently planning an activity for the #InsteadOfTobacco Project Day in May. Finally, at the end of the year, VKAT travel to Essex CHIPS to spend a day and share stories with the VKAT group from ADL.

ETSD Perspective

Vision, courage and skill to lead

By MARK S. ANDREWS Superintendent, ETSD

The role of principal continues to become more complex and challenging.

Traditional leaders may have considered their jobs to be solely the managers of schools, ensuring important things like bathrooms, boilers and buses run smoothly. But the current social and educational context – which combines accountability with expectations of supporting social, physical and emotional needs of children – demands all principals demonstrate the vision, courage and skill to lead and advocate for effective learning communities in which all students reach their full potential.

Every day, in all of our schools in Essex Town, Essex Junction and Westford, principals are thinking about how they can best lead and manage multiple systems that together can bring effective practices to scale so that all kids and all adults achieve better results.

At the core of this work is a laser focus on student learning. Every member of each district’s professional

learning community must continuously learn if we insist all students meet high standards. The principal’s primary role is keeping all of his or her colleagues on a shared professional journey that makes student learning and effective teaching the core purpose of everyone’s work. Whether focused on instruction, system development or family engagement, effective leaders align every decision to support that shared purpose. Supporting and managing personnel is by far the most important responsibility of the principal, who must determine the best assignment of teachers and staff and how to support their work as individual professionals as well as teaching teams to achieve student learning goals.

Principals who center their work on a common vision for kids’ high achievement are clear about their own standards of practice as school leaders. Like teachers and support staff, principals are expected to create a three to five year professional growth plan that has goals and strategies that directly correlate with student achievement. Principal growth plans are comprehensive and involve a

multitude of learning activities that demand thoughtful study, collaboration with peers and a commitment to practicing perfect every day! This isn’t a simple undertaking considering an effective principal must translate abundant amounts of data into useful knowledge, create partnerships with parents and community to enhance instructional programs, cultivate awareness and commitment to serve the whole child and prepare students for a rapidly changing world that will look different by the time today’s sixthgraders graduate from high school.

Superintendents who work with highly effective principals know better than most just how important principal leadership is when it comes to supporting a professional learning community among district educators and support staff; a community of professionals that is relentless in meeting the learning needs of all children. I am very fortunate to work with a high performing team of principals in Essex Town School District which I expect will become even stronger when principals from Essex Junction and Westford join the team.

Enjoy fresh Krispy Kreme donuts and help Essex Varsity Cheerleading visit NCA summer camp in Maine!

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8

The Essex Reporter • March 31, 2016

S CHOOLS EHS EHS Coffee House: Join us for a cup of coffee or tea while listening to incredible performances from our best solo musicians at our coffee house on April 1 at 7 p.m. in the EHS library. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated with all proceeds going to the Humane Society of Chittenden County.

Poster Competition Success: Two Essex High School students will be honored at the State House this month for participating in an art financial literacy poster competition. The Fine Arts Department is proud to announce Jordan Appenzeller (11th grade) won second place, and Alexis Donna (ninth grade) received an honorable mention for their posters depicting this year’s theme “I Am a Money Maker!”

The goal of the Be Money Wi$e annual poster contest is to help students think about personal finance and provide them with a creative outlet to demonstrate their knowledge. The awards ceremony will take place April 7 at noon in the Pavilion Auditorium in Montpelier. Posters will be displayed that day.

EHS students also claimed the top two places in the Donate Life Vermont poster competition. Maya Boyer (11th grade) won first place, while Alexis finished second for their posters depicting positive and educational messages about organ and tissue donation.

The contest is a creative and fun way to increase awareness about donation and to get conversations started among Vermont teens. The awards ceremony is to be announced.

EHS Music Department Hosts True North: The EHS music department hosted the 40th Army Band ensemble True North for a daytime rehearsal and concert with students from the music department on March 14.

The concert kicked off with the Essex Jazz Orchestra

and select choir students playing “Uptown Funk” with the True North musicians.

There was also an evening concert that day featuring the entire 40th Army Band led by retiring band conductor David Meyers.

Memory Project: AP art students participated in the Memory Project, painting portraits for orphans in Madagascar. Click on http:// bit.ly/1SfzH0P to see a video of the local children. It begins with an introduction and shows many children receiving their portraits from the different organizations involved.

The Memory Project made a donation of $4,100 to help support the kids’ education, thanks to the participation fees contributed.

EHS to Hold Collaborative Concert: On Thursday, March 31, EHS will host a collaborative concert with Suitland High School, which will visit from Washington, D.C. Suitland is a metropolitan school with a visual and performing arts academy, similar to our school’s Arts Academy.

Students will spend the day at EHS with our choral and jazz band students.

They will listen to a guest artist lecture with a local musician and prepare for the evening performance. This is an exciting and unique collaborative opportunity for students to connect with music students from cultures beyond Vermont.

The performance is at 7 p.m. in the EHS auditorium. All are welcome to attend this free event.

Theater Class to Perform for Local Students: The Theater 2 class will perform their “Word of Mouth” speak chorus on self-love and selfacceptance to EMS students on April 5 and at Brownell Library on May 2 at 3:30 p.m. Theater students wrote and composed this powerful piece, which explores issues around self-esteem and self-worth and why it is important to cultivate this.

Top and left: The essex high School music department hosted the 40th Army Band ensemble True north for a daytime rehearsal and concert with students from the ehS music department on March 14. There was also an evening concert the same day that featured the entire 40th Army Band led by retiring band conductor david Meyers.

Below: Children in Madagascar wave after receiving portraits from essex AP art students.

The Memory Project made a donation of $4,100 to help support the kids’ education.

PhoToS ConTRIBuTed

Hiawatha Highlights The Green Mountain Sing: On March 10, the Hiawatha school community held a Green Mountain Sing, during which children sang songs they wrote with school counselor Scott Evans, who has made it a goal to create songs on themes such as friendship, love, kindness and peace. The kindergarteners’ song was about happiness: When my family gives me hugs, it makes me happy I’m glad when I play games with my friends Happiness is sliding down a rainbow Singing this song to you makes me happy And puppies and kittens and ice cream and school and birthdays Happiness is sliding down a rainbow I’m happiest when you’re my friend Playing with friends and family makes me smile And swimming in the pool for a while Happiness is sliding down a rainbow I’m happiest when you’re my friend Congratulations to the children for expressing themselves and teaching those special messages of kindness through music.

Save the date: 5/25: Kindergarten screening, noon-3 p.m.

Registration will start soon.

4/8: Dance party. More information will be sent home soon.

4/26: PTO meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Kindergarteners participate at the Green Mountain Sing at hiawatha School on March 10.

PhoTo ConTRIBuTed

FMS

A kind of time travel

Imagine going back in history to 1492 and witnessing the encounter of Columbus and his crew with the Taino people. It was the beginning of the meeting of two old worlds, of highly developed native and European cultures.

Fifth grade students in the Miyamoto classroom at Founders Memorial School have immersed themselves learning about these two cultures and their worldchanging encounter. Taking on the role of historians, students examined copies

of primary source documents and learned from many secondary sources including non-fiction and fiction books and movies.

Each student received an assigned point of view about Columbus, mined documents for evidence to support that point of view, shared this in small groups and came to a consensus opinion.

Through this unit, students learned about the role of historians and learned to think critically about what they read by examining viewpoint and evidence.

9

The Essex Reporter • March 31, 2016

HIRING EXPERIENCED GLAZIER AND HELPER NEEDED Must be available MondayFriday, 7:30am-4pm, with possibility for overtime. Must be able to lift over 50lbs, valid driver’s license, read a tape measure, have basic hand tools, positive attitude. Looking for someone with common sense and knowledge of the commercial glazing field. The position of Helper does not require any glazing experience; but does need to have basic carpentry skills. We offer 401K, profit sharing, vacation, sick time and paid holidays.

Apply in person only at Glass Connection 793 Route 7 South, Milton, VT 05468 EXCAVATOR & LOADER OPERATORS Main line pipe experience necessary.

Benefits offered.

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EHM, PO Box 785 Williston, VT 802-862-4537 AUCTION PUBLIC AUTO AUCTION! Saturday, April 2 @ 10AM Auto Parts & Pool Tables @ 8AM 298 J Brown Dr., Williston, VT THCAuction.com 802-878-9200 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 infor-

mation visit www. therightwaydrivingschool.com or call 372-4791 SERVICES Buying or selling a home? LAFAYETTE PAINTING can make your property stand out with a beautiful, fresh paint job.

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Reasonably priced, Free estimates and fully insured, call Ross any time at 802-3630693.

SEEKING COLLECTOR WILL PAY CASH for old wood bird carvings, goose, duck and shorebird decoys. 802-238-1465 FOR SALE CRYSTAL DISH, ROUND, beautiful antique with designs.

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Handle in center. $50. 802-658-1636 BATHROBE, NEW, LADIES’ heavy bathrobe with belt. 100% cotton, size M. Black with white designs. $20. 802-658-1636 GOLF CAPS, (15), excellent condition, can be seen. $2. each.

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FIELD SERVICE TECH Small beverage distributor is currently looking for a personable field service tech in or around the Randolph, Middlebury or Vergennes, VT area to cover the entire State with some exposure to Eastern side of NY. Duties will include the installation and service of various juice, coffee, espresso and hot chocolate dispensers.

Candidate needs to possess good mechanical /electrical skills, knowledge of a VOM and basic understanding of refrigeration and plumbing concepts. Good customer service skills as well as computer skills and clean driving record are a must.

We offer a great working environment, competitive pay, 401K, medical/ dental, paid vacation time. Vehicle package is also included. Great opportunity to join a 40 year old company for the right candidate.

Contact Tom Hapenney tom.hapenney@ dispenserservices.com phone: 978-849-6100x1610

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802-868-6364 LAP TOP, TOSHIBA, Windows 7. Works great. $150. 802-868-6364 LAPTOP, ACER, WINDOWS 7, works excellent. $125. 802868-6364 BABY SWING, UNIVERSAL. Can rock front to back and side to side. $45. 802528-6973 can text also.

BASSINET, BEAUTIFUL WOODEN Mahogany. Turns into a toy box when done with use as bassinet. $45. 802-528-6973, can text also.

VILLAGE OF ESSEX JUNCTION PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING APRIL 7, 2016 6:00 P.M. Work Session for Land Development Code Updates ________________________________

This meeting will be held in the conference room of the Essex Junction municipal building at 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct., VT. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request to the Village, to assure that Village meetings are accessible to all individuals regardless of disability.

Legal ad for 03/31/16, Essex Reporter Any questions re: above please call Robin or Terry Hass – 878-6950

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YATES FAMILY FARM MAPLE SYRUP New from 2016!

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TOWN OF ESSEX PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA April 28, 2016 - 6:30 P.M. POLICE COMMUNITY ROOM, 145 MAPLE ST., ESSEX JCT., VT 1. Public Comments.

2. Other Business: John and Donna Kunkel, discussion regarding future subdivision located at 87 Saw Mill Road.

3. Preliminary Plan - Public Hearing: Parker Living Trust - Hayward Design Build: Proposed 6 - lot residential subdivision located at 10 Old Stage Road in the Mixed Planned Unit Development - Residential (MXD-PUD) (R2) District & Business Design Control (B-DC) Overlay District. Tax Map 10, Parcel 4.

4. Sketch Plan - Public Hearing: Tom Chase d/b/a Jericho Road Associates: Proposal for a 28 Planned Unit Development - Residential (PUD-R), including foot print lots, located at 73 Jericho Road in the Medium Density Residential (R2) Zone. Tax Map 51, Parcel 14.

5. Final Plan - Public Hearing: Al Senecal d/b/a Allen Brook Development Inc.: Creation of a 4 lot subdivision on property known as 31 Allen Martin Drive in the Resource Preservation District - Industrial (RPD-I), to satisfy a Settlement Agreement regarding the sand extraction court appeal. Lot A consists of 8.23 acres and Lot B consists of 162.76 acres, both of which will be retained by Allen Brook for industrial development. Lot C consists of 35.31 acres and Lot D consists of 195.05 acres. Lots C and D will be conveyed to the town and will remain as Conservation - Recreation land. Tax Map 72 Tax Parcel 8.

6. Minutes (April 14, 2016)

Note: Proposed agendas, site plans, staff reports and draft & approved minutes can be viewed online at www.essex.org or stop into our temporary office located at 42 Allen Martin Drive between 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. to view application materials. Staff is available to discuss development proposals.

Members of the public are encouraged to speak during the public to be heard agenda item, during a public hearing, or, when recognized by the chair, during consideration of a specific agenda item. The public will not be permitted to participate when a motion is being discussed, except when specifically requested by the chair. (24 VSA Section 4464(a) (1) (c))

10

The Essex Reporter • March 31, 2016

C LASSiFiEd & J OBSEEKERS Deliver the Essex Reporter!

Private Sale of Storage Unit Contents

Ryan Durkin, last known address of 86 Cayuga Court, Burlington, VT 05408 has a past due balance of $248.00 owed to Champlain Valley Self Storage, LLC since January 31, 2016. To cover this debt, per our lease dated 01/01/16, the contents of unit #023 will be sold at public silent auction on April 16, 2016.

Auction pre-registration required. Call 802-871-5787 for auction information.

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Private Sale of Storage Unit Contents Henry Scott, last known address of 43 Shelburne Road, Burlington, VT 05401 has a past due balance of $370.00 owed to Champlain Valley Self Storage, LLC since January 31, 2016. To cover this debt, per our lease dated 6/27/14, the contents of unit #311 will be sold at public silent auction on April 16, 2016.

Auction pre-registration required. Call 802-871-5787 for auction information.

Call 878-5282 or email michael@essexreporter.com

BOUNCEY, FISHER PRICE, great condition. $20. 802-5286973 can text also.

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for a free quote or to place an ad PHONE: FAX: EMAIL:

868-7613

Friday at 5 p.m. for ads to run in the following Thursday paper

802-878-5282 802-651-9635 classifieds@essexreporter.com

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The Essex Reporter • March 31, 2016

Sports

Sands named to national rugby player pool

11

SPORTS SHORTS Joe Gonillo

S

pring is in the air, along with Easter, men’s and women’s March Madness, anticipation for Major League Baseball, final parent/teacher conferences, track & field clinics and spring sports. I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend. My family’s gathering was fun-filled, relaxing and delicious. I loved chasing my granddaughter around and playing hide-and-seek with her. She picked up a new hobby – rifling little plastic balls at her cousins, her uncle and me. For a 2 year old, Gianna has quite the arm! College basketball final four will take place this weekend.

Frankie Sands runs toward a defender during a game in August.

F

rankie Sands, the former Essex High School rugby standout, is one step closer to making the Women’s U.S. World Cup Rugby Team after being named one of the 49 players in the 2016 Women’s Eagles pool.

Sands, who finished her second season on the Norwich University women’s rugby team this past fall, competed at the national all-star camp in Florida in January.

The camp brought together some of the best players in the country to compete in a weeklong competition. The structure allows for players who play well to be promoted to the level above.

Sands played well enough to move beyond the senior competition and be placed into the Eagle pool.

Pete Steinberg, head coach of the Women’s Eagles, cited Sands as a great example of how the path to making the national

Photo contributed

team should work.

“She showed that she was superior in the college game, moved up to the seniors and demonstrated that she could play well there. She earned her spot by her play, which is how it should work,” Steinberg said in a press release.

The Women’s Eagles pool is relatively inexperienced, with only seven players that represented the team at the World Cup in France in 2014.

It does, however, include nine players who were capped for the first time at the 2015 Women’s Rugby Super Series and 21 total players who have previously represented the Eagles.

The next event for the pool will be a national all-star camp in June, which will lead to the 2016 Women’s Rugby Super Series with matches against England, Canada and France.

The Essex Town Men’s Recreational Basketball League champions pose for a photo. From left, Julian Levy, Erik Jeffries, Marc Reyome, Derek Martisus, Chris Baker, John Quong, Cory Hewitt and Shawn Tardiff. Not pictured: Nick Papaseraphim.

Photo contributed

Essex players receive postseason honors The Vermont Girls’ Ice Hockey Coaches Association has released its list of 2016 all-star selections, with three Essex players making the cut.

Avery MacGillivray (first team), Vika Simons (first team) and Amanda Sinkewicz (second team) — the team’s three captains — all received honors.

Those three also were named to the list of academic all-stars, which honor seniors who post a minimum grade point average of 3.5. Additionally, Essex’s Victoria Bean, Bailey Gaskill and Sarah Tobey received honors.

Vermont trout fishing season set to open

With Vermont’s traditional trout fishing season set to open on April 9, officials from Vermont Fish & Wildlife say the mild winter could be a boon for early season trout action across the state.

“Snow is either already gone or disappearing from the riverbanks quickly,” said Eric Palmer, fisheries director with Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

“Anglers should have good access to rivers and streams throughout the state, and water temperatures may warm up enough to get the trout moving and feeding early this year.”

Vermont’s spring trout season, which is wellknown among resident and non-resident anglers alike, can often provide an angler the greatest opportunity to catch trout in rivers and streams.

“Some of the biggest trout caught in Vermont rivers each year are taken during the spring season,” Palmer said. “And, given the current conditions, you may see some really nice trout taken starting on April 9.”

Vermont is known for its fishing opportunities for wild trout, as well as for stocked trout — including large, 2-year old “trophy” trout that will be stocked statewide later in the spring. Early spring fishing is generally supported by wild trout, while much of the stocking in streams and rivers gets underway in early May. Nearly 20,000 large “trophy” trout will be stocked throughout Vermont in 2016, and anglers will be able to fish over 18 miles of rivers and 25 lakes and ponds that are designated as trophy water.

“Vermont’s strong trout populations are supported by quality, diverse habitats ranging from small mountain brooks to larger rivers and even cold-water ponds that hold numbers of trout,” said Palmer. “Ultimately, this makes for great fishing opportunities and a really enjoyable outdoor activity for everyone from the avid angler to families and friends looking to enjoy Vermont’s great outdoors. And, fresh-cooked Vermont trout is truly delicious if you choose to keep your catch.”

Anglers who like to fish and release their catch don’t need to wait for opening day.

There are year-round catch-and-release fishing opportunities for trout and bass in Vermont.

For those looking to plan a fishing trip, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has a 2016 Vermont Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Laws and Guide that includes maps showing lakes and streams as well as fishing access areas and public lands.

The guide also lists the fish species found in each body of water and includes the state’s fishing regulations. Copies are available where fishing licenses are sold, or by calling the department at (802) 828-1000.

You can also download sections of the publication from www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

Additionally, anglers can visit www. vtfishandwildlife.com to purchase a fishing license, view department trout stocking schedules, and learn more about fishing in Vermont.

Sports schedules Boys’ lacrosse

Girls’ lacrosse

Girls’ tennis

Boys’ tennis

4/5 EHS vs. Woodstock – 4 p.m.

4/4 EHS @ Spaulding – 4:30 p.m.

4/6 EHS @ Rutland – 4:30 p.m.

4/4 EHS vs. CVU – 3:30 p.m.

4/4 EHS vs. CVU (@ Shelburne) – 3:30 p.m.

The annual “Meet the Coaches Night” will take place on the evening of Wednesday, March 30 starting at 6:30 p.m. The presence of athletes and at least one parent is requested and expected. Picture day will occur next week on Friday, April 8. Please bring your completed order forms.

Episode No. 8 of EHSPN is out. This comprehensive winter sports playoff and championship show can be found on www.ehspn.com. Check it out.

Results from the 2016 Essex Bowling Tournament are finally out. The team consists of Stacey Anthony, Mike Gilbert, Justin Norris and Tom Preska.

The latter two head the Essex High School bowling team, which scored a 1,400, out-bowling Leon, Art, Bruce and Tony’s 1,116. The high game was turned in by Dave Mitchell, who landed an impressive 236. Sixteen four-person teams competed and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. The last place team had a ball of fun and begged me not to print their names. Thanks again to Kevin Greenwood for organizing this event.

From the world of fifth-grade girls Amateur Athletic Union basketball, the Essex Sting played its first tournament last weekend in Berlin. Team members include Breya Montague, Ingrid Gilliam, Maisie Baker, Emily Stevens, Kayla McIntyre, Madi Jordan, Gabby Spagnuolo-Chawla, Jaime Adams, Alex Noyes, Lily Boutin and Hannah Gilbert.

In game one against the Vermont Sting (Middlesex/Montpelier), Essex rode hot shooting and solid defense to a 3424 win. In game two versus the Hoop Divas, Essex prevailed in a tight game that ended with a score of 17-15. Essex Sting is back in action this weekend in the Burlington-area April Fool’s Blast Tournament.

Congratulations to Rowan MacArdle for her second place finish in Saturday’s Figure Skating Challenge Cup at Leddy Park Arena. I watched her near-perfect routine on video. With her dark hair, she could be a Dorothy Hamill or Peggy Fleming clone. Nice job!

Jeff Goodrich and long-time baseball coach Jim Carter will be coaching a youth baseball team in Cuba next month. The Cuban American Friendship Society organized the trip for 11- and 12-yearold players. Tom Simon, a local author and baseball historian, will also travel with the team. They are scheduled to play five games versus various Cuban teams during April break. The group is bringing baseball uniforms and equipment for the Cubans as well. In addition, they are looking for donations to help cover the travel expenses. If you’d like more information, please visit www.youcaring.com/vermont-littleleague-cuba-trip-538368.

Happy birthday wishes, belated and otherwise, go out this week to nephew Derek Hathaway of Middlebury and UVM, Castleton Corners’ Wyatt Stark, Burton’s Andrew Lucia, former track star (pole vault, mile relay, and 4x100m relay) Erin Diminck McGaughnea and Colchester’s Galen “Luke Skywalker” MacArdle.

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The Essex Reporter • March 31, 2016

Upcoming Events A CONVERSATION WITH ROBERTO LUGO. On April 2, Burlington City Arts invites you to the BCA Center for a conversation with artist Roberto Lugo about his work in the “Dysfunction” exhibit and his approach to ceramics as a platform for social change. BCA Center, Burlington, 11 a.m. Free. Information: www.burlingtoncityarts.org/ Event/conversation-roberto-lugo.

INTERMEDIATE WATERCOLOR FLORAL WORKSHOP. On April 9, Artists’ Mediums will host a watercolor class with artist Kathleen Berry Bergeron. This class will allow participants to dive deeper into watercolors and experience the wonder of making a beautiful floral come to life as you paint petal to petal. Berry Bergeron will demonstrate the techniques you will need to create soft and glowing beauty.

Sign-up deadline is April 1. A half hour lunch break will be provided.

Artists’ Mediums, Williston, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. $85. Information: www. vtmakeart.com/2015/11/24/intermediate-watercolor-floral-workshop.

April is National Poetry Month

BALANCE WITH CLAY PLAY: CREATIVE SELF DISCOVERY INTENSIVE. Are you feeling stressed or stuck? Are life’s demands squeezing out your ability to feel at peace? Art making can help.

Expressive Arts Burlington invites participants to learn how to develop a daily creative practice to calm their mind and lift their spirit. Use expressive arts including visual art, authentic movement, improvisation, touch drawing, poetry, drumming and group support to relax and revitalize. On April 9, the group will focus on balancing the structures of our daily lives with our relationships to self and community. All materials included. No previous art experience necessary. Pre-registration is required. Expressive Arts Burlington, Burlington, $95. Information: 862-5302 or 343-8172.

Current Exhibits POP ART PRINTS. Pop Art emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s, offering a stark contrast to Abstract Expressionism, then the dominant movement in American art. An enthusiastic audience eagerly embraced pop art. They favored commercial techniques such as screen-printing and lithography with which they could produce bright colors and impersonal, flat surfaces. This exhibit presents a selection of 37 prints from the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s permanent collection. The installation includes works primarily from the 1960s by Allan D’Arcangelo, Jim Dine, Robert Indiana, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Mel Ramos, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Andy Warhol and Tom Wesselmann. On display through May 22. Fleming Museum, UVM Campus, Burlington. Gallery Hours: Mondays, closed; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Information: www.uvm.edu/~fleming/ “A BODY IN FUKUSHIMA.” “A Body in Fukushima” features photographs of Eiko Otake, documenting a visit she and William Johnston, photographer and Wesleyan University Professor of Japanese history, made in 2014 to the irradiated communities evacuated after reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plants suffered massive damage in the wake of an earthquake and tsunami. Many train stations were destroyed or contaminated by radiation; by walking into each station and placing her body within, Eiko sought to remember the people and day-to-day lives that passed through the stations and towns before the disaster. On display through May 28. Amy Tarrant Gallery, Burlington.

Gallery Hours: Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: www.flynncenter. org/performances-events/amy-e-tarrant-gallery.html.

Poet david huddle reads at The vermont Bookshop in Middlebury.

Vermont’s leading poets get the spotlight on Vermont PBS

Vermont PBS welcomes spring – and April’s National Poetry Month – with a celebration of Vermont poetry in its new series, “Poets and Their Craft.” The 10-part series, launching both on-air and online, puts a spotlight on some of the state’s leading poets as they give intimate readings and reflect on the creative process.

The programs were recorded during the 2015 “Poets and Their Craft” readings and discussions held in small bookstores across the state, organized

For more listings visit: www.essexreporter.com/arts-and-entertainment

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by poets Mary Jane Dickerson and Tamra Higgins. Each half-hour episode in the series combines highlights from those community readings with interview segments in which poets discuss their craft and sources of inspiration. Online content will include extended interview segments with each poet.

“Poets and Their Craft” premiered Thursday, March 24 on all platforms, airing back-to-back episodes on Thursdays at 7 and 7:30 p.m. for

five consecutive weeks.

Online viewing is available anytime, anywhere at www.vermontpbs.org/ poets.

Readings by 11 Vermont poets are featured: David Huddle in Middlebury, Pamela Harrison in Waterbury, Diana Whitney in Wilmington, Jay Parini in Manchester Center, Sydney Lea in Norwich, David Budbill in Hardwick, Neil Sherpard in Johnson, Major Jackson in Montpelier, Baron Wormser in Chester and Mary Jane Dickerson

Phoenix Books hosts PoetryFest at Burlington store

oetry fans and local lit aficionados rejoice: Phoenix Books celebrates National Poetry Month with PoetryFest, a series of readings and Q&As with local poets beginning on April 7.

The schedule is on the right.

All events are ticketed, except for the Poetry Society of Vermont reading, which is free and open to the public. Ticketed events are $3 per person, and each ticket comes with a coupon for $5 off a book by

and Tamra Higgins in Burlington. “‘Poets and Their Craft’ allows us to share with all Vermonters the richness of our creative community in an intimate and visual experience,” Vermont PBS president Holly Groschner said. “We are inspired by the poets in our midst, and delighted with this partnership of Vermont PBS and independentlyowned bookstores across the state.”

7 p.m., Thursday, April 7:

Vermont Poet Laureate Chard deNiord 4 p.m., Saturday, April 9:

Alison Prine, Kerrin McCadden and Karin Gottshall

the featured author(s). Coupons expire at the closing of each event.

Seating is limited.

7 p.m., Thursday, April 14:

Phoenix Books Burlington is located at 191 Bank St. in Burlington, Vt. Copies of titles by the featured authors will be available for attendees to purchase and have signed. For more information, call 448-3350 or visit www.phoenixbooks.biz.

2 – 4 p.m., Saturday, April 23:

WE’RE ON

Julia Shipley and Andrew Merton Poetry Society of Vermont 7 p.m., Thursday, April 28:

Leland Kinsey and Daniel Lusk

Show us how you see Essex @essexreporter

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Now Thru April 11th!

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The Essex Reporter • March 31, 2016

F ood Made-over Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bites This month marked AICR’s 600th healthy recipe, so we decided to celebrate with something sweet and simple to make. This recipe combines fiber-rich whole rolled oats, creamy nut butter and heart healthy omega-3 fatty acid rich flaxseeds. A delicious hybrid between a cookie and a bar, these bites will satisfy your sweet tooth and your mid-afternoon hunger.

Vermont Maple Open House Weekend April 2 – 3

Local participating sugarhouses See more at www.vermontmaple.org

Ingredients 2 c. gluten-free certified old-fashioned oats

Bixby Hill Sugarhouse

52 Bixby Hill Rd., Essex Jct. 343-0259

1 c. almond flour ¾ c. ground flaxseed ½ tsp. salt

Backyard Boilers

2 tsp. baking powder

1861 Mallet’s Bay Ave., Colchester 655-9088

½ c. vegan mini chocolate chips

Hillis’ Sugarbush Farm & Vineyard

2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 c. pure maple syrup ½ c. natural almond butter

206 Sugarbush Farm Rd., Colchester 893-2928

Directions

Georgia Mountain Maples

•

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

•

Combine all dry ingredients in large bowl. In another bowl, mix wet ingredients (vanilla extract through maple syrup). Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir to combine.

345 North Rd., Milton 893-2807

End-O-Road Maple

89 Fields Ln., Jericho 899-4126

Davis Family Maple

PHOTO | metro Creative

•

Drop the dough into 24 even mounds on a parchment paper/silicon mat-lined or greased baking sheet, or pour into a greased 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan.

•

Lightly press down to flatten (cookies will not flatten much during cooking).

•

Bake 12-15 minutes until cookies are just set in the center.

From the American Institute for Cancer Research – Recipe developed by Sonja Goedkoop

189 Upper English Settlement Rd., Underhill 825-8294

Moose Mountain Maple

38 Butler Ln., Underhill 734-5678

Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits

64 VT Rt. 104, Cambridge 644-8151

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april estate planning seminars

Tuesday, April 5th Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Location: Unsworth Law PLC 26 Railroad Avenue; Essex Jct. Tuesday, April 12th Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Location: Unsworth Law PLC 26 Railroad Avenue; Essex Jct. Tuesday, April 14th Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Location: Fairfield Inn 102 Ballardvale Drive, White River Jct.

To reserve your seat, call 879-7133 or register online at unsworthlaw.net

26 Railroad Ave. / Essex Jct., VT (802) 879-7133 / unsworthlaw.net

Wonton

9 year old Spayed Female Reason Here: I was not a good fit for my previous household SUMMARY: Meet Wonton! Her name says it all: plump and good looking on the outside, savory and full of awesomeness on the inside. This quirky feline is sure to surprise you if you take the time to get to know her. She is sometimes shy and nervous of new people and situations, but as soon as you pass the background check she’ll show you her loving and confident side and be your best friend. At nine years young, Wonton is no old lady and still very active! Some of her favorite activities include: indulging in cat nip, exploring, finding that Red Dot, lounging around, chowing down, and convincing you to scratch her head ‘til her heart’s content. Step into her office and let her charm and silly personality win you over.

My thoughts on: Dogs: I’m terrified of dogs I’ve seen Cats: I got along fine with another cat in my previous home but may be happier as the only feline.

Children: I will likely do better in a home without young children.

Humane Society of Chittenden County 802-862-0135

Those chocolate bunnies were great on your lips

But now they’ve settled firmly on your hips.

Get ready for summer and swimsuit style Center your meals on our produce aisle.

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21A Essex Way, Essex Jct. 802-878-0274 www.Hannafords.com

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The Essex Reporter • March 31, 2016