Essex Reporter: April 26, 2018

April 26, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 1

the essex

RepoRteR

Prsrt Std ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 266 Burlington, VT 05401 Postal Patron-Residential

FREE Vol. 17, No. 16 essexreporter.com

{ Thursday, April 26, 2018 }

Liquor department disciplines Essex bar and owner

By MIKE DONOGHUE The Backstage Pub and Restaurant will lose its liquor license for three days next month and must pay a $350 fine to the Vermont Liquor Control Department due to an intoxicated patron and the owner drinking on duty, state records show.

The bar’s owner, Vincent Dober, a former Burlington city councilor, also has agreed to submit to a breath test upon

request by law enforcement, including liquor control investigators, any time he’s on the premises at 60 Pearl St., according to the settlement agreement for a state investigation.

And there may be more trouble for Backstage – and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6689 with which Dober is affiliated – when the Essex Selectboard considers the annual renewal of liquor licenses at a special meeting at 7 p.m.

Wednesday night at the town offices.

Essex Police is recommending “if the license for both bars are approved that the selectboard schedule a hearing to consider denial, suspension or restrictions to the liquor licenses,” Chief Rick Garey said in a memo to municipal manager Evan Teich.

Garey wrote the police department has concerns about Backstage and the VFW Post because of “multiple state li-

cense violations.”

Dober is listed as a director for the VFW at 73 Pearl St. on the club’s license renewal.

The club is located across the street from the single-story shopping center that houses Backstage.

Garey said Backstage has had more than 20 policerelated incidents since its last license renewal. The memo did not outline the type of violations at either establishment.

See LIQUOR, page 2

The Backstage Pub and Restaurant will lose its liquor license for three days next month and must pay a $350 fine to the Vermont Liquor Control Department.

Community outreach team assembled

Selectboard picks how to proceed in firearms process Board hopes to implement any changes by this hunting season

By MICHAELA HALNON

By COLIN FLANDERS The selectboard unanimously voted to forgo creating a taskforce to study a firearms ordinance, instead agreeing to have staff curate a report after engaging with the public.

The decision came after staff presented the board with two options: One would have the board’s facilitator work with staff to perform community outreach before crafting a specific plan, and the other would form a community advisory team charged with creating a “more nuanced” recommendation.

Members unanimously favored the former, which staff said would fast-track any potential changes before this fall’s hunting season.

“This board has escaped by having two incidents of bullets in houses, and I’m not willing to wait for a third,” selectman Michael Plageman said. “The sooner we can get this resolved, the better.”

A timeline included in the board packet shows the board’s facilitator, Jennifer Knauer, will spend the next month organizing a schedule and materials for at least one public forum, an online survey and, if necessary, outreach groups, to cull input from those who might not feel comfortable attending the meetings in person — a selectboard concern stemming from feedback on previous firearms forums.

Those are tentatively planned for sometime in June. Knauer and the staff advisory team will then distill the information for the selectboard and public in July, and the following month, the selectboard will potentially make its decision on whether to enact any changes to the current ordinance and warn a hearing to do so.

That would leave September and October for the board and town staff to publicize whatever changes are made before deer rifle season begins in early November.

PHOTO BY MIKE DONOGHUE

spread and could benefit from the support of “a small school like Westford.” They asked teachers to talk with students beforehand so they understand why the flag is raised, adding they’d be happy to present the topic in classrooms.

The board plans to make its decision at its May 1 meeting.

School board members took the opportunity to ask questions of the trio. Liz Subin asked the students how long they would like to see the flag raised.

“I personally would like to see it stay forever,” Belle said. “But long enough that we can get the message across that we support Black Lives Matter and for people come and see it and be able to witness it.”

“Long enough that it matters and it makes a difference,” Rosie added.

Board member Patrick Murray thinks this would be the first instance of a K-8 school raising the BLM flag in the country.

He referenced the response high schools like Montpelier saw, including death threats from some people around the country, and

Four full-time social workers will take to the streets of six Chittenden County towns by the end of this month, ready to help area police departments and businesses respond to citizens with unmet social service needs.

The new “community outreach specialists” are employed by the Howard Center and will each bring a different skillset to the pilot program, said Brandi Littlefield, assistant director of the center’s First Call for Chittenden County.

Take outreach specialist Rachel Castillo, a former community justice center volunteer and paralegal who was fed up with the lack of legal resources to proactively help people in need.

“At the point I was interacting with them, there was little I could suggest to allow them … to have a different life for themselves,” Castillo said.

And Marlon Fisher, a former military man who was once tasked with disrupting and destroying enemy support networks.

“This job, with my passion for working with people and wanting to help them in positive ways, is kind of the opposite of that,” Fisher said.

Earlier this month, Castillo, Fisher and fellow specialists Jeff Cook and Mike Muery gathered at the Colchester Police Department for another installment of their extensive training regiment.

Their morning lesson included a discussion of implicit bias in policing led by CPD Chief Jennifer Morrison. That afternoon, they changed into sweatpants and T-shirts for a physical self-defense course.

Since their hiring date, the foursome has also attended a host of Howard Center programs available to the public to better grasp what services they’ll be referring people to out in the field.

“Since we got to experience so many different programs … when we’re interfacing with people in different stages of crisis, we can

See BLM, page 3

See OUTREACH, page 3

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

From left, Virginia Cobb, Rosie Whitney and Belle Pitcher present in front of the school board before asking it to raise the Black Lives Matter flag at the Westford Elementary School. The board plans to make its decision Monday.

Westford students ask board to raise Black Lives Matter flag

By COLIN FLANDERS Westford Elementary School could become the third Vermont public school to raise the Black Lives Matter flag after a trio of students approached the school board with a proposal.

Board members have referenced a petition circling Essex High School that calls for a similar proposal, but the April 17 meeting marks the first time an official request has made its way before the board.

The three students — sixth-grader Virginia Cobb and seventh-graders Rosie Whitney and Belle Pitcher — said they want Westford to be a supportive community for those suffering from social and racial injustices.

“By raising the flag, we raise awareness that this important work isn’t finished,” their presentation said.

The students said the movement shouldn’t be viewed as “anti-police,” but rather about helping “dismantle systemic racism in our culture and institutions.”

They said while racism is happening in their own community, the issue is wide-

See FIREARMS, page 2

INDIAN BROOK CLEANUP

FD: Grass fire started by young child with lighter

By COLIN FLANDERS

PHOTO BY KYLE ST. PETER

Volunteers hit Indian Brook last Saturday for the annual spring cleanup.

See more photos from the day on page 4.

The Essex Jct. Fire Department responded to a large grass fire today that fire officials say was accidentally started by a young child playing with a lighter.

The department responded to a residence at Old Colchester Road just before 3 p.m. to find the fire had consumed several pieces of equipment, including a lawn mower, and burned about a quarter-acre.

They closed the road for about an hour as firefighters worked to put out the fire.

The total loss is estimated to be over $50,000, the department says.

There were no reported injuries. Essex Fire and Colchester Fire provided mutual aid.

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

An Essex Jct. firefighter sprays down a lawnmower that caught fire in an Old Colchester Road backyard on Monday afternoon.

2•

LocaL

The Essex Reporter • April 26, 2018

Excelerate Essex to move in with Earthlogic

By COLIN FLANDERS Two Essex Jct. businesses have linked up to create a one-stop-shop for local entrepreneurs looking to grow their business.

Excelerate Essex, the co-working space located on Pearl Street, will jump across the Five Corners next month and shack up with Earthlogic, a web design company that operates out of a former church on Main Street.

The move is an attempt to “ride the wave of change” occurring in Essex, according to Excelerate Essex founder Emir Heco, who said he’s considered it ever since first touring the Earthlogic space (though he admits he hadn’t mentioned it to Earthlogic founder Chris Kesler until recently).

But Kesler said the move comes at a good time for his company, too: For the last few years, Earthlogic has operated as a quasi-co-working space itself — tenants ranging from solar and software developers to video producers and photographers — and he planned to look for new tenants after some current ones moved on.

With Excelerate Essex coming on board, Kesler said the space’s use will be “all over the map,” but he’s looking forward to seeing what “new energy” the members bring.

The collaboration will allow the two companies to offer more services to start-

LIQUOR from page 1 Attempts by The Essex Reporter to reach Garey were unsuccessful on deadline Tuesday.

The third bar seeking a renewal and outside consumption permit is Cody’s Irish Pub and Grille. Garey said police had no concerns about that renewal.

Backstage was scheduled for a state disciplinary hearing in Montpelier on April 11, but Dober and the Vermont Liquor Control Department negotiated the settlement, according to Chief Skyler Genest, VLCD’s director of compliance and enforcement.

State liquor board chairman Martin

FIREARMS from page 1 Both options presented referenced recommendations then-Police Chief Brad LaRose shared back in 2016. He suggested starting with Indian Brook Park and Saxon Hill Forest, two popular walking and biking locations, and said a zonebased approach that limits the discharge of certain guns may be the best compromise to push through any changes.

A handful of hunters in attendance, however, were concerned the first option tied the board’s hands to one of LaRose’s recommendations, and felt the board’s chosen op-

ups, from amenities like a full kitchen, conference spaces and an espresso bar to the array of contacts the two owners have accumulated during their years in business, Heco said.

He and Kesler envision a platform on the Excelerate Essex website that allows a business owner to access any resource they might need, whether it’s forms for zoning and signage or contact information for

trusted accountants or web designers.

Plus, Earthlogic’s open floor plan is a perfect space for a co-working venture, Heco said, since co-working is all about “random interactions and socializing and talking about your troubles.”

Heco notes not of all his current 20-plus members will move to the new space because some prefer a more private workplace that was offered in the Pearl Street building.

They’re now showing off the space to current members.

Heco said he wanted to work with businesses that were positioned for growth when he first opened Excelerate Essex. But since the building still had room and people were willing to rent the space, he opened the criteria. He now hopes to get back to that initial focus of “hardcore entrepreneurship.”

That’s a grind Kesler knows well: He first started part-time on Earthlogic while still employed by an IBM vendor before moving to full-time 20 years ago. He’s also dropped hints for some new potential business interests, including a brewpub that would capitalize off his recent second-place finish at the Make The Cut competition.

Heco’s company, meanwhile, saw itself go from being Essex’s only co-working space to now the third to operate within a short stretch along Main Street.

Greg Morgan, chairman of the Essex Economic Development Commission, said he’s seen this innovative environment already bring out new business owners and creators. He hopes Excelerate Essex’s move further puts the town at the “front and center in the innovation game” and said he’s excited to see what the next six months bring.

“It’s pretty cool,” he said, “the kind of communities that are coming out of this.”

Manahan of St. Albans signed off on the one-page agreement on behalf of the board.

The weekend suspension will run from the start of business on May 4 to the close of business on May 6, Genest said.

Dober was tending bar on the night of February 21 when investigators got an anonymous tip the owner was working and was highly intoxicated, VLC Sgt. Andy Thibault said in his report. A preliminary breath test showed Dober had an alcohol level of .172 percent, VLC investigator Michael Welch wrote in his report.

“That’s twice the legal limit,” Dober responded when told the test result, Welch reported.

Thibault said Dober indicated he had two drinks earlier that day at the VFW.

A kitchen worker at Backstage reported another bartender had left work earlier that evening because she said the owner was too drunk to work with, Thibault wrote in his report.

Thibault and Welch each noted Dober had tried to ignore both of them when they arrived for the surprise inspection.

Thibault was able to get the kitchen worker to phone another bartender to respond to Backstage to take control.

While Dober delayed talking with investigators, Welch watched the crowd and noticed one patron “showing serious signs of intoxication,” Thibault wrote.

A third charge against the bar for allowing gambling on the premises was not pursued, records show. Welch said he spot-

ted charity break open tickets on the bar but couldn’t find any record of Backstage registered with VLCD for supporting a non-profit with the tickets.

Genest said Dober has since come into compliance about break open tickets.

Dober, a Republican, served on the Burlington City Council from 2009-2013 and sat on various council panels, including the ordinance committee, and was chairman of the license committee.

He tried to rejoin the council in a special election last summer but lost to Democrat Ali Dieng, 610-302. Democrat Tom Ayres had stepped down representing the New North End and moved to Randolph.

Dober declined comment when reached

by The Reporter at the bar Monday night.

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Excelerate Essex founder Emir Heco, left, poses for a photo with Chris Kesler, founder and president of Earthlogic, a web deisgn company based out of a former church on Main Street.

tion rushed a decision that should be carefully considered over a longer timeframe.

“I don’t think we’ve done our homework,” resident Ken Arms said. “I really think this needs to be looked at closer. It’s a serious subject to a lot of us.”

Chairman Max Levy said public input is important, noting the board initially planned to push through changes without more public engagement but decided not to.

“We haven’t made any decisions about what changes we would do,” he said. “We’re going to wait to hear back from you all in this process, and maybe it comes up and it says there’s no change.”

Levy added if the public doesn’t prefer any of LaRose’s

recommendations, then the board is back where it started.

On the other hand, members could approve the changes that are clear and spend more time on the less favorable ones.

The possibility of further delay didn’t sit well with Plageman: “I am concerned that it will get bumped to the bottom of the list and it will be another five- or six-year period before we pick it up to talk about it again,” he said.

Last week’s meeting came nine years after a citizen taskforce recommended about 20 individual changes to the firearms ordinance after the 2008 death of John Reiss, who was killed by a stray bullet from a neighboring gun range.

But the selectboard never

acted on those changes, and the firearms issue remained dormant until a 2015 incident in which a Deer Crossing Ln. resident found a rifle bullet lodged in his wall.

“We know that it’s been kicked down the road for a while,” Levy said. “But I think anything that’s not clear, we don’t want to just make a decision. We want to be able to figure out what to do to get a better handle on what might need to be done.

“I don’t see us waiting another five to six years,” he continued, “but that’s up for the board to decide.”

Plageman understood, but offered a warning, too: “I’m going to be obnoxious if we don’t get far enough.”

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

EXPERIENCED POLITICAL

Resident Ben Broe asks the selectboard to choose the slower option and allow a resident task force to preside over the firearms process.

CONSULTING TEAM Over 10 years of experience in local, county and statewide races in Vermont

We’ll handle your political campaign needs!

GET A HEAD START WITH YOUR LOCAL CAMPAIGN EXPERTS. COMBINED EXPERIENCE WORKING ON THE FOLLOWING RACES:

John Kelley

Casey Toof

Vermont Governor Lt. Governor Attorney General State Senate State Representative City Council Selectboard

What value do you place on success?

Your personality, behaviors, and beliefs are what make you, you - but they can also play a role in holding you back. We’ve helped millions of people make their mark on the world by changing the way they interact with it. Our approach has changed with the times, but our goal remains the same - ensuring that individuals become the people they want to be.

It’s your future – Invest in your success!

SCHEDULE A NEEDS ASSESSMENT TODAY!

Dale Carnegie Skills for Success Program

John Kelley (802) 524-9771 x 105 John.Kelley@samessenger.com

May 1, 2018 (8 weeks) 3:00 - 6:30 PM Courtyard by Marriott, Williston

Casey Toof (802) 524-9771 x 125 Casey.Toof@samessenger.com

Tuition: $1,775 (multiple enrollment discounts available)

MessengerMarketingVT.com

vermont.dalecarnegie.com 802.879.7219 • vts@dalecarnegie.com

Palm Cards, Direct Mail, Door Hangers, Lawn Signs, and More!

Copyright © 2017 Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. DCC_Ad_031218_vermont

April 26, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 3

LocaL BLM from page 1 wondered whether students were prepared to handle such backlash.

“I have been called rude and prude names because of who I am,” said Belle, who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community. “It might get to us in the beginning, but I do think that we will overcome it and realize their opinion doesn’t matter. It’s the opinion of people who support us. As long as we believe in ourselves, we can stay strong.”

Board member Andre Roy asked students how the board should handle future requests to raise another flag.

“I feel like if they had a strong argument I’d consider doing it, but I feel we have a strong argument, too,” Rosie said.

“My question to you,” Belle added, “is why can’t we fly both of them?”

No one spoke for or against the proposal at the April 17 meeting, but several parents have weighed when the topic came up at previous meetings.

On February 20, Hiawatha parent Derek Cote urged the board to resist following the trend set by Montpelier and Burlington.

“It’s a highly charged, racially motivated idea, and I want to make sure it doesn’t happen in my son’s school,” he said, latter adding, “All

it does is it calls a certain group of people based on race and basically gives everybody else the finger.”

Two weeks later, Essex Town resident Rey Garofano asked the board to consider raising the flag at all EWSD schools and “set us apart as a community that knows that this is important.”

“It’s something that we need all of our children and our whole community to talk and think about to move that conversation forward,” she said.

Flagpoles on school grounds are under the control of the districts, and therefore, the board has the right to decide what flags fly, according to chairwoman Martha Heath.

The three students felt their presentation was well received and commended the board’s questions of what sixth-grader Virginia called “legitimate concerns.”

“I’m very happy they didn’t treat us like little kids and they didn’t baby us,” Belle said.

The students also earned the approval of superintendent Beth Cobb, who put out a statement earlier this year that emphasized the importance of freedom of expression in schools, as long as it doesn’t disrupt the learning environment.

“You make me very proud for coming to the school board with a strong argument and also standing up for what you believe in,” she told the students. “You are the reasons why I am a superintendent.”

PHOTO BY MICHAELA HALNON

L to R: Brandi Littlefield, Jeff Cook, Rachel Castillo, Marlon Fisher and Mike Muery pose for a photo at the Colchester Police Department earlier this month. The crew makes up the newly assembled community outreach team and will be working in six Chittenden County communities.

OUTREACH from page 1 feel what that need is,” Fisher explained.

The varied training exercises represent well the long list of tasks in their job descriptions, Littlefield said.

That includes spending time with individuals and focusing on relationship building, freeing up emergency service personnel and allowing them to respond to emergent needs and criminal behavior.

In an interview last summer, Morrison said CPD was partnering with South Burlington PD to secure funding for a single, shared embedded social worker to “ride shotgun” in the cruiser with their officers as needed.

That effort came amid a sharp increase in suicide attempts and mental health calls in Colchester. During just the first half of 2017, CPD had responded to 40 suicide attempts and 136 calls where mental health was a factor, according to Morrison.

But the departments’ plan quickly ballooned when town managers and police chiefs from four additional towns — Essex, Shelburne, Winooski and Williston — asked to jump on board.

The officials eventually developed a funding model relying on contributions from each town, along with state and collective impact grants through the University of Vermont Medical Center’s health investment fund.

The program is modeled after Burlington’s suc-

Essex Police investigating home invasion on River Road

By COLIN FLANDERS Essex police say they are investigating a home invasion on River Road that resulted in an undisclosed injury.

Police say they were dispatched to a reported robbery on April 13 and were initially informed someone had been shot.

The suspects fled the scene before police arrived, a news release said.

When officers arrived, they found someone had been injured

but no one had been shot. Police say they were provided “only limited information” about the suspects and the case remains under investigation.

“It is believed that this was a target specific robbery and that there is minimal threat to the general public,” wrote Lt. Ken Beaulieu in a press release.

Police are withholding the names of the victims for now and ask anyone with information about the incident to call 878-8331.

cessful street outreach program, but the outreach specialists said their tasks would certainly not be identical since the communities they’ll cover don’t all have a clear “downtown” gathering spot.

This group will also work with populations across the age spectrum (including in schools) and with refugee populations. As with the Burlington outreach team, the specialists will not wear or carry any safety devices out on duty.

“I don’t think it’s going to take very long to prove to how exceptional this resource can be to a community,” Littlefield said.

At first, the team will likely have to rely on the police officers or other officials to identify folks in need, she said. Eventually, though, they hope to respond proactively to scenarios independently, learning the key players and places in the six communities.

“We’re not showing up in a uniform with a badge, which changes the dynamic in how people might interact with us or respond to us,” Castillo added. “[They] may feel more free to talk and let down their guard.”

The group acknowledged they’re bound to interact with people in crisis, an experience that can be traumatic for the responding party. As with many jobs in the social services, the specialists said self-care is key.

“We need to make sure that we take care of ourselves as we navigate the crisis world on a daily basis,” Fisher said. “We’re pioneers, but we have so many people supporting us.”

BRING THIS COUPON IN COME ENJOY OUR

Weekly Specials!

Good for

$

12-20 lb bag of Pet Food. or

MONDAY

Kids Eat Free WEDNESDAY

$5 Margaritas THURSDAY

1/2 price Nachos

2.00 off any Good for

$

3.00 off any 21-50 lb bag of Pet Food.

RECEIVE UP TO

$1,000

BACK

We carry • Zignature • Wellness • Taste of The Wild • Eagle Pak • Healthwise • Blue Seal • Pro Nature • And More!

We also have access to many other varieties - just ask!

L.D. Oliver Seed Company, Inc. Green Mountain Fertilizer Co. authentic mexican cuisine

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH & DINNER

26 Sunset Ave., Milton, VT • 802 893-4628 www.ldoliverseed.com

Mon-Fri 7:30 -5:30, Sat 8:00-4:00, Closed Sun.

HURRY IN SALE ENDS JUNE 4, 2018

4 Park Street • Essex • 802.662.4334 169 Church St. • Burlington 802.540.3095 • www.ElGatoCantina.com

NOW IS THE TIME TO SAVE ON NOW IS THE TIME TO SAVEKARASTAN. ON GORGEOUS GORGEOUS CARPET FROM STORE NAME

ADDRESS | PHONE NUMBER | WEBSITE

Y OWN LL

19

il

y

Op

nc erated Si

e

Fa m

85

ED

LOC A

CARPET FROM KARASTAN.

800 Marshall Ave., Williston • 862-5757 Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. • Sat.10 a.m.-3 p.m. or by appointment

FlooringAmerica-VT.com

Follow our reporters on twitter! @CFlandersVt | @MHalnonVt

4•

The Essex Reporter • April 26, 2018

LOCAL

Scott commends The Edge on preventative care program

By COLIN FLANDERS Gov. Phil Scott joined local fitness professionals in Essex earlier this month to mark the success of its preventative care program.

The Edge, which has locations in Essex, South Burlington and Williston, was celebrating its program called Genavix 90 Day Commit to Get Fit that focuses on fitness, nutrition, stress management and behavior modification.

Participants receive a membership to The Edge for the 90-day program that offers a custom exercise program with a personal trainer, weekly group sessions with a wellness coach and a slew of management and goal strategies.

“As an organization that's dedicated to improving lives, I knew we needed

a better way of reaching those that really needed us the most,” said Michael Feitelberg, president of the Sports & Fitness Edge Inc., during a press conference on April 12.

The program has been in place since 2016 and seen more than 2,000 clients who have lost an average of 15 pounds and seen an 11-point drop in blood pressure, according to The Edge.

Scott commended the fitness center on its success in addressing what he calls his three guiding principles: “Growing the economy, making Vermont more affordable and protecting the most vulnerable.”

"I would say you have touched every single one of those," he said.

He also spoke on the program’s impact to healthcare costs, saying many Ver-

monters tell him they are too high in the state. Scott said Vermont’s aging demographics mean healthcare usage is only going rise.

“If we want to reduce the cost of healthcare, we’ve got to utilize prevention,” he said, whether dealing with opioids or personal health.

He then talked about his own relationship to fitness, showing off his steptracking device and sharing an anecdote about how he became an avid biker.

Colchester resident Brian Lloyd-Newberry, 44, also spoke at the press conference. He detailed his path to the program after two decades of struggling with his weight, blood pressure and depression.

“This time last year,” he said, “I was at an incredibly dark point in my life.”

Seven months after joining the program, he dropped 65 pounds and shed eight inches off his waistline. “This program literally put me on a path to save my life,” he said.

Lloyd-Newberry, who works at Dealer.com, said the data-driven program allowed him to track his progress and understand what the numbers mean.

His doctor says he can soon get off his blood pressure medicine, and he plans to continue on with what he learned in the program.

“It's a lifestyle. It's nothing something that's ever going to go away; it's not something that's ever going to stop,” he said.

“You don’t know it yet,” Scott told Lloyd-Newberry after his speech, “but you’re going to inspire so many more.”

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Gov. Phil Scott attended a celebratory launch of The Edge's preventative care program on April 12. The program aims to people help manage fitness, nutrition and stress.

SATURDAY, APRIL 28 70

It shouldn't cost a fortune to sell your home!

VT Dwellings Listing Commission is

4.5%

NOT

6%

and ONLY when it sells.

68 Randall St, South Burlington, VT 05403 donald@vtdwellings.com My Mobile: 802.238.7634 Office Phone: 802.654.8500 • www.VtDwellings.com

Volunteers spruce up Indian Brook PHOTOS BY KYLE ST. PETER

Dozens of volunteers gathered at Indian Brook Park last Saturday for the annual spring cleanup. ABOVE: Nick Meyer cuts down broken tree limbs.

RIGHT: Young volunteers check on a fallen branch.

Does someone with special needs depend on you?

Will you be able to be there for them?

Let me help you navigate Special Needs Planning, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Probate Matters

Holly K. Lemieux, Esq., PLLC CHITTENDEN

S o l i d Was te D i s tr i c t

Attorney at Law 802-871-5410 21 Carmichael St., Ste. 201 Essex Jct., VT Holly@Lemieux-Law.com www.plantogetherlaw.com

You're our most valuable asset.

Email news tips to our editor: news@ essexreporter.com

opinion & community MESSAGES FROM MONTPELIER

EASC NEWS

ChittEndEn 8-1

ChittEndEn 8-2

ChittEndEn 8-3

lindakmyers@comcast.net 878-3514

Rep. LINDA mYeRS (R)

Rep. BeTSY DUNN (D) betsydunn@comcast.net 878-6628

Rep. DYLAN GIAmBATISTA (D)

Rep. BOB BANCROFT (R)

dylan@vtdylan.com 734-8841

bancroft.vt@gmail.com 879-7386

Rep. LORI HOUGHTON (D)

CHITTeNDeN COUNTY SeNATORS

houghton.lori@gmail.com 373-0599

reP. Linda MYerS As you read this issue of The Reporter, the legislature will be in the 16th week of the 2018 legislative session. We anticipate two more weeks of work in the Statehouse until the gavel falls closing the 2017-2018 biennium. While just 12 bills were passed last week, legislation is moving between the House and Senate at a relatively fast pace while committees are spending hours trying to get final bills ready for floor action.

My committee, House Commerce and Economic Development, often has bills dealing with insurance, business issues and workforce development that do not engender a great deal of interest to most residents of the state. But what we do can affect individuals and families and make life a little better for each of you.

Last week we successfully presented H.482 to the House which passed with a unanimous voice vote. H.482 deals with credit card debt and will allow those who are in default on unsecured consumer credit card debt to appeal in court to suspend or reduce the accrual of interest on the debt. This bill will enable those without sufficient financial resources to seek a way to pay their credit card debt without continually accruing interest.

We introduced S.85 this past Tuesday which is an act relating to simplifying government for small businesses. This bill will be a one-stop, easily navigable portal for business-

tiM AShE (d/p) | phil bAruth (d) dEbbiE inGrAM (d) | Ginny lyonS (d) ChriS pEArSon (d/p) | MiChAEl SirotKin (d)

es, entrepreneurs, and citizens to access information about starting and opening a business in Vermont, with an emphasis on small business.

Other bills we are working on with the hopes of getting action before the end of the session include S.180, the Vermont Fair Repair Act and H.143 which establishes insurance requirements, driver requirements and background checks for Transportation Network Companies, including Uber and Lyft. We are also striving to finish a bill, S.269, which deals with blockchain, cryptocurrency and financial technology.

Blockchain is a concept that uses cryptography to make data ultra-secure for specific uses. If our work on this bill is successful, Vermont will be one of the first states in the U.S. to embrace and regulate this technology.

Last Wednesday, April 18, I had the pleasure of welcoming the Essex High School state champion boys hockey team to the Statehouse. A resolution by the Legislature honoring the team for its 15th state championship was read and the team was introduced to the House of Representatives.

Congratulations to Coach Chris Line and the members of the team for an outstanding season. I also want to congratulate the EHS Scholars’ Bowl team on winning their second straight state championship. I will be visiting the high school in a few weeks to present a resolution to the team members honoring their success.

PERSPECTIVE

Increased minimum wage will hurt those it's meant to help By erin SiGriSt Each year, Vermont’s grocers and retailers hire hundreds of high school and college students for their first jobs.

They train them to use a cash register, to show up for work on time and in clean clothes, to interact with customers in a polite and professional manner, to problem solve when a customer requests something that’s out of stock.

Some of these employees stay for years, but most move on to other jobs, where their future employers get the benefit of a mature and responsible employee.

As businesses that rely heavily on young employees without previous job training, minimum wage increases hit Vermont’s retailers and grocers particularly hard. Most store owners already work seven days a week, alongside their employees, and carefully manage costs to remain sustainable. The proposed $15.00 wage currently in front of the Vermont Legislature would increase their labor costs by more than 50% over the next six years—on top of the 20% increase they have weathered the last four years from the 2014 increases.

But the difficulty placed on small businesses isn’t the only problem—or even the biggest one. Significant increases in the minimum wage simply don’t help the people that most need assistance.

What small businesses in Vermont say over and over again bears out in national research. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that minimum wage increases actually harm those workers earning closest

to the minimum wage. Why? Because although their wages increase, their hours and employment decline, leaving them with a lower overall income.

In fact, a study by the University of Washington showed that the City of Seattle’s minimum wage increase from $11 to $13 in 2015 actually decreased low-wage employees’ (those earning less than $19 per hour) earnings by $125 per month.

Increasing the minimum wage sounds like a good plan: if people aren’t making enough money, simply mandate that they get paid more. But that thinking ignores the realities of a small economy, as well as the uncertainty that comes from a proposed wage hike of this magnitude. No studies have been done to understand the effects of an increase this large, which would impact more than 25% of Vermont’s workforce.

A legislator recently compared Vermont’s economy to a group of buckets filled with water. Whenever we add new programs or increase costs on one group, we’re simply moving water from this bucket to that. There’s no new water coming in.

It’s an appropriate metaphor. Our small businesses—especially our grocers and retailers—can’t sustain constant increases. Eventually, there is simply no more water in their bucket.

Faced with a mandate to increase wages while still having to make payroll, they have no choice but to cut costs elsewhere, either by laying off employees, reducing hours, or removing benefits. Some may be forced to shut their

doors. The result isn’t good for anyone.

Four years ago, legislators, business leaders, and employee advocates agreed on a minimum wage increase.

The resulting bill included annual growth until 2018, at which point the minimum wage would be tied to the Consumer Price Index, a measurement provided by the U.S. Department of Labor that indicates changes in the pricing of goods and services. Those initial increases were a challenge for some companies, but its current tie to the CPI now provides a level of certainty for Vermont’s small businesses.

Changing the minimum wage this year would negate the hard work that was done to find a solution that would not only serve Vermont into the future but also allow state government to spend its resources identifying effective ways to help those who most need assistance.

We need solutions that provide vulnerable populations with the things that will actually move them forward— things like better training, affordable childcare, and a way through the benefits cliff. Solving these problems will require our Legislators to see Vermont’s small businesses as critical partners in a mission to raise up our whole state— because retailers and grocers aren’t just providing jobs to young Vermonters. They’re laying the foundation for the next generation of Vermont’s workforce.

Erin Sigrist is president of the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association.

OBITUARIES & IN MEMORIAM

GeraLd L. nadeaU ESSEX JCT. – Gerald (Jerry) Lee Nadeau, 89, died peacefully on April 18, 2018 with his loving wife nearby.

Gerald was born in Bridport on April 10, 1929 son of the late Gordon and Blanche (Tatro) Nadeau.

Sixty-six years ago, on Valentine’s Day 1952, Jerry

married the love of his life (and fellow motorcyclist), June (Dyer) Nadeau. Together they raised their two adopted sons Jay and Jeffrey. Jerry was devoted to his family. Gerald was a long-time employee of the New England Telephone Company (Ma Bell), retiring in 1984. After retiring he was able to pursue his bucket list of jobs including working in a hardware store stocking shelves and delivering flowers, especially on Valentine’s Day when he said everyone was happy to see him. He returned to Ma Bell to work as a contract engineer before completely retiring to spend more time with the next generations of their family. Jerry enjoyed family first, motorcycling and spending time at camp.

He was proud of his military service after being drafted and would often talk

about his time in the Army’s Airborne Division as a paratrooper. Over the years he never lost contact with the many men he worked alongside at Fort Benning.

An avid woodworker, his biggest carpentry accomplishment was building “camp” on Lake Champlain.

Camp was the place of many weekend family gatherings that included boating, fishing, bonfires and water skiing. Camp later became a summer home away from home after he retired.

Gerald was a member of the Bell Atlantic Telephone Pioneers, Men at First men’s choir at the First Congregational Church, and the Free Masons Ethan Allen Lodge No. 72.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife, June; his son Jay and wife, Kathy, of Milton; his brother Loren “Dicky” Nadeau and

wife, Julia, of Bridport; his sister-in-law Jean Baehr of California, his three grandchildren Jeffrey, Jenna and Paige; his two great-grandchildren Emery and Ellie and by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his son Jeffrey Gordon Nadeau, his brother Harold Nadeau and sister Arlene Nadeau.

Funeral services were held Tuesday April 24, 2018 at First Congregational Church, Essex Junction.

A joint burial service with son Jeff, who predeceased him last year, will be will be held this summer. Memorial contributions in Gerald’s memory may be made to the Heavenly Pantry at First Congregational Church, Essex Junction. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.

Patricia Greenwood

for 61 years. William predeceased her on March 3, 2010.

Pat worked for the Country Store in Winooski and later for Kmart.

Pat is survived by her loving family: her five sons Steve and his wife, Jackie; Greg, Brian and his wife, Debbie; Kevin, Bradley and his fiancé, Paula Lavery; by nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be

on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a prayer service at 11 a.m. at Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant St., Essex Jct. with burial to follow at Holy Family Cemetery in Essex Jct. Our special thanks to Donna, Doris and Sarah and family friends Steve Latulippe and Dan Hill.

COLCHESTER – Patricia “Pat” Greenwood, a longtime resident of Colchester, passed away on April 16, 2018. The daughter of Kenneth and Gertrude (Barrows) Lafayette, Pat grew up in Burlington, graduating from Burlington High School. Pat married William J. Greenwood on May 15, 1949; they were married

April 26, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 5

Protecting yourself from fraud and scams

By LoU ann PioLi Coordinator, Essex Area Senior Center

T

his month’s Thursday Topics featured a panel of special guests from the State of Vermont’s Department of Financial Regulation, who presented an informative and dynamic session on current frauds and scams, especially those targeting seniors.

Each spoke from their areas of expertise: William Carrigan represented the Securities Division, and Brenda Clark and Pat Murray, the Insurance Division. Attendees learned scammer lingo and tactics to beware and aware of, and heard some personal and relevant examples of how otherwise intelligent, savvy people became unwilling targets. The panel provided several resources to us, including a must-have “Consumer Action Handbook” which is loaded with contact information and tips. There’s even a special section for seniors with information about agencies, hotlines and other resources that are focused on protecting and empowering seniors.

A few key points to remember: Always read the fine print before you sign when purchasing anything, including insurances. You may think you are getting a better deal on the same product, only to later discover that deductibles and/ or exclusions exist that you were not aware of.

The IRS Imposter Scam: “The IRS does not call to demand immediate payment about taxes without first sending you a notification by mail, does not ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone, and does not threaten to bring in local police or other law enforcement to arrest you for nonpayment.” If you receive a call such as these, beware! It is an IRS imposter scam.

How many of us have received a call where someone asks, “Am I speaking with (your name), and we automatically respond, “yes”? Who would have thought that a simple “yes” could result in being the victim of a scam?

Criminals record your voice saying “yes” and then use it out of context to “prove” that you agreed to purchase something. If you don’t recognize the caller right away, better to ask, “What did you say your name was again?” or “What company are you from?” instead of answering any question from an unknown source.

I recently received an urgent call from someone stating they were from an IT department in Ohio and my laptop was flagged as having been infected with a virus. The caller told me to get in front of my laptop and he would instruct me on the next steps. I requested his name, company, and supervisor’s name and his response was a just repetition of what he had originally said. I hung up immediately. I know of others who have also received this same warning call from scammers, so be on the lookout. You could be next!

For more information on these and other scams, or if you have questions about a recent transaction you’ve experienced, or a number of other topics, please contact the Department of Financial Regulation at 828-3301, or visit their website at www.dfr.vermont.gov. Representatives are there to help.

Our next Thursday Topics, free and open to the public, will be on May 24 at 10 a.m., and will feature Civil War enthusiast Liam McKone, who authored “Vermont’s Irish Rebel,” a biography of Cpt. John Lonergan.

Please join us! Reservations are appreciated, but not required. Refreshments will be served.

Some EASC notes: The Mah Jongg Tournament previously scheduled for April 15 has been rescheduled for April 29. Please call to register. All are welcome. Don’t forget potluck and our member-only RADA cutlery sale on April 27.

Who would have thought that a simple "yes" could result in being the victim of a scam?

Call 876-5087 or visit essexvtseniors.org for more on these and other programs the senior center offers. EASC is located at 2 Lincoln St. at the Five Corners in Essex Jct.

THE ESSEX

REPORTER EXECUTIVE EDITOR Courtney A. Lamdin

CO-PUBLISHERS Emerson & Suzanne Lynn

REPORTERS Colin Flanders Michaela Halnon

GENERAL MANAGER Suzanne Lynn ADVERTISING Casey Toof John Kelley

NEWS & SPORTS CLERK Ben Chiappinelli CLASSIFIEDS Gail Wells 69 Main Street P.O. Box 163 Milton, VT 05468

893-2028 news@essexreporter.com www.essexreporter.com

BUSINESS OFFICE St. Albans Messenger 281 North Main Street St. Albans, VT 05478 524-9771 (office), 527-1948 (fax)

Deadlines: Fridays at 5 p.m. | Published Thursdays Circulation: 8,800 The Essex Reporter is owned by Vermont Publishing Corp Inc. and is a member of the Champlain Valley News Group

6•

The Essex Reporter • April 26, 2018

calendar

EssEx ArEA

Religious Directory

May 4

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH - 61 Main St., Essex Jct., 878-8341. James Gangwer, pastor. Sunday School: 10 a.m., Worship Service: 11 a.m., Sunday evening worship: 6 p.m., Wednesday evening youth groups, Adult Bible study and prayer: 7 p.m.; FundamentalIndependent.

CHRIST MEMORIAL CHURCH - Route 2A, Williston, just north of Industrial Ave. 878-7107. Wes Pastor, lead pastor, proclaiming Christ and Him crucified, Sundays: 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., www.cmcvermont.org.

arChIvE PhoTo By BEn ChIaPPInEllI

COVENANT COMMUNITY CHURCH - 1 Whitcomb Meadows Lane, Essex Jct. 879-4313. Rev. Jeannette Conver, pastor. Adult bible class: 9 a.m., Sunday service: 10 a.m. with fellowship following. Infant through pre-K childcare provided, cccpastorjeannette@gmail.com; Facebook page: bit.ly/2rDz4NE

"May the Fourth be with you!" This Thursday is Star Wars Day, and there are celebrations locally at the Brownell Library and Phoenix Book in Essex Jct. Dress up in costume, sharpen your Star Wars trivia knowledge and meet cosplayers dressed as characters at each event. See the listings for Thursday, May 4.

DAYBREAk COMMUNITY CHURCH - 67 Creek Farm Plaza, Colchester. 338-9118. Brent Devenney, lead pastor. Sunday service: 10:30 a.m., AWANA: Thursdays twice a month, www.daybreakvermont.org; brentdaybreak@gmail.com

11:15 a.m., Deborah Rawson Memorial Library 8 River Rd., Jericho. A special music program for children and their families, Peter Alsen has been performing for children and families throughout Vermont for many years.

You can find more about Peter at www.pukamusic.com. No registration required.

ESSEX ALLIANCE CHURCH - 37 Old Stage Road, Essex Jct. 878-8213. Sunday services: 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. & 11:30 a.m., www.essexalliance.org.

ESSEX CENTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 119 Center Rd (Route 15), Essex. 878-8304. Rev. Mitchell Hay, pastor. Service 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. 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 plant spiritual roots.

FIRST CONgREgATIONAL CHURCH OF ESSEX JUNCTION - 1 Church Street, Essex Jct. 878-5745. Rev. Mark Mendes, senior pastor. Rev. Josh Simon, associate pastor. Sunday Worship Services: 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Communion: first Sunday of every month. Faith formation: weekly at 10:15 a.m. Jr. & Sr. high youth groups: every Sunday. Heavenly Food Pantry: second Monday of the month, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and fourth Thursday, 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 Sanctuary Choir, Finally @ First Band, Joyful Noise, Cherub Music, Handbell Choir, Men’s Acapella & Ladies’ Acapella groups. 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. www.fccej.org; welcome@fccej. org gRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 130 Maple Street, Essex Jct., 1 mile south of the Five Corners on Maple Street / Route 117. 878-8071. Worship Sundays: 9:30 a.m., with concurrent church school pre-K to grade 6. Handicapped-accessible facility. Adult choir, praise band, women’s fellowship, missionally active. Korean U.M.C. worship Sundays: 12 p.m., come explore what God might be offering you!

HOLY FAMILY - ST. LAwRENCE PARISH - St. Lawrence: 158 West St., Essex Jct. 878.5331. Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m.; Sunday Morning: 8:00 a.m. Holy Family: 36 Lincoln St., Essex Jct., Sundays: 11 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. For more information visit www.hfslvt.org.

MT. MANSFIELD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOwSHIP - 195 Vermont Route 15, Jericho, the red barn across from Packard Road. 899-2558. Services are held 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month from September through June. Visit www.mmuuf. org.

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH - 4 St. James Place, Essex Jct., off Rt. 2A at the Fairgrounds Gate F. 8784014. Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Ely, Bishop of Vermont. Holy Eucharist, Sundays: 10 a.m. Visit www.stjamesvt.org; office@stjamesvt.com.

ST. PIUS X CHURCH - 20 Jericho Road, Essex.

878-5997. Rev. Charles Ranges, pastor. Masses: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. & Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Confessions: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. or please call 878-5331 for an appointment.

26 Thursday MusIC WITh PETEr

PoETry rEadIng

7 p.m., Phoenix Books Burlington, 191 Bank St., Burlington. Celebrate National Poetry Month and join poet Greg Delanty for a reading from his new book, "Selected Delanty." Greg Delanty was born in Cork City, Ireland, in 1958 and lived in Cork until 1986.

He now lives most of the year in Burlington, and he is the Poet in Residence at St. Michael’s College.Delanty has either written or edited seventeen books and has received numerous awards for his poetry including The Patrick Kavanagh Award. $3, includes $5 coupon of the featured book.

27 FrIday nEW EvangElIzaTIon suMMIT

Holy Cross Church, 416 Church Rd., Colchester.

This two-day conference (Fri. and Sat.) will bring together speakers who are leaders in the New Evangelization to provide inspiration, encouragement, training, practical wisdom, and resources on how Catholics can effectively evangelize. The annual NES will be held in Ottawa and streamed to 38 host-sites. The day includes local speakers and lunch. $40; call 658-6110 for more information.

MusIC WITh raPh 10 - 10:30 a.m., Brownell Library. Come sing and play with Raph. All ages.

MusICal sTory TIME

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library.

Rock ‘n’ read together on Friday mornings with books, songs, and instruments. All ages.

WII Fun

1 - 2 p.m., Brownell Library. Play Wii games together, like Mario Cart and Wii Sports.

larP

3 - 5 p.m., Brownell Library. Live Action Role Play is open to all middle and high school students who want to have adventures in a mythical land.

dungEons & dragons

6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library.

Embark upon imaginary adventures. Dungeon Master serves as this role playing game’s referee and storyteller.

For grades 6 and up.

28 saTurday IndEPEndEnT BooksTorE day

All day, Phoenix Books Essex, 2 Carmichael St., Essex Jct. Join us for merriment and giveaways (while supplies last), as we celebrate with Independent Bookstores nationwide!

Independent Bookstore Day is a celebration of books, readers and indie bookselling that started in California in 2014 and was first celebrated nationally in 2015. IBD has become a nationwide party as big and varied as the country itself.

nEW EvangElIzaTIon suMMIT

Holy Cross Church, 416 Church Rd., Colchester.

(See Friday, April 27 for complete details.)

WEEkEnd sTory TIME

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library.

Start off your weekend with books, rhymes and songs!

sTory TIME: MEET ElEPhanT and PIggIE

11 a.m., Phoenix Books Essex, 2 Carmichael St., Essex Jct. Join us for an Elephant and Piggie story time and activities!

Best of all, Elephant and Piggie themselves will be visiting to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day and to kick off Children's Book Week.

Free; all ages.

PrEsChool oPEn gyM

3 - 4:30 p.m., Building Bright Futures of Essex, 75 Maple St., Essex Jct. Come run around at our open gym, sponsored by the Essex Rotary. Free.

lIBrary TrIvIa nIghT

7 p.m., Deborah Rawson Memorial Library 8 River Rd., Jericho. Love

trivia? Come and try your luck at Deborah Rawson Memorial Library’s Trivia Night.

We'll be challenging the crowd with questions covering a broad range of topics. Come for the prizes, come for bragging rights, come for lots of fun! Light refreshments.

29 sunday grIEF sharE suPPorT grouP

10 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Rd., Essex Jct. If you have lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you are invited to attend.

Weekly through May 13. For registration and information, contact Ron Caldwell; ron_caldwell@comcast. net.

vErMonT Choral unIon sPrIng ConCErT

3 p.m, St. Michael's College, One Winooski Park, Colchester. A cappella music that is old and new, sacred and secular, ranging from the Renaissance to the present. The Choral Union bids farewell to Music Director, Jeff Rehbach.

Presented by the Fine Arts Department at St. Michael's College and the Vermont Community Foundation.

Tickets are$20 adults, $15 seniors/students, $40 family and are available at the door or in advance at www. vtchoralunion.org.

WEsTFord MusIC sErIEs

4 -5 p.m., UCW White Church, Village Common, Westford. Two well-known Vermont artists will perform a variety of music. Carol Ann Jones will offer a wonderful mix of vocals and strings performing both original and popular favorites in “American Style.” She is being joined by Will Patton the multi-talented composer, instrumentalist who for past 30 years has been in demand as a jazz bass player and mandolinist. Free; donations accepted.

Call 879-4028 for more information.

30 Monday sTory TIME

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Enjoy reading, rhyming and crafts each week! All ages.

TECh hElP WITh

ClIF

Noon and 1 p.m., Brownell Library. Offering one-on-one technology help. Reservation required. Please call 878-6955 at least 24 hours in advance.

lEgo CluB

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Essex Free Library. Build awesome creations using our collection of Legos!

Board gaME nIghT

5 - 9 p.m., Brownell Library. Join for a night of board games. Bring your favorites from home or play some of ours.

1 TuEsday sTory TIME For BaBIEs

9:10 - 9:30 a.m., Brownell Library. Picture books, sign language, songs, rhymes and puppets for babies & toddlers with an adult.

PrEsChool sTory TIME 10 - 10:45 a.m., Brownell Library. Come listen to picture book stories and have fun with finger plays and action rhymes. Ages 6 and under; no registration required.

lEEP

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Library Elementary Event Planners meet to celebrate May Day, review the year and try the PEEP Challenge. DIY snack preparation as well.

droP-In knITTIng CluB 6:30 - 8 p.m., Essex Free Library. Bring in your current knitting project or start a new one in the company of fellow knitters!

2 WEdnEsday PrEsChool sTory TIME 10 - 10:45 a.m., Brownell Library. Come listen to picture book stories and have fun with finger plays and action rhymes. Ages 6 and under; no registration required.

BaBy PlaygrouP

10 - 11:30 a.m., Sunset Studio, 71 Center Rd., Essex Jct. Free.

TECh TIME WITh TraCI

10 - 11 a.m., Essex Free Library. Need some tech help? Drop in with your device and your

April 26, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 7

calendar local meetiNgS thurSday, april 26

6:30 p.m., town planning commission, Town offices, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.

tueSday, may 1

6:30 p.m., School Board, Essex High School Library, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct.

thurSday, may 3

6 p.m., town Zoning Board, Town offices, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.

questions.

Story time

11 a.m., Phoenix Books Essex, 2 Carmichael St., Essex Jct. Enjoy timeless tales and new adventures with your little ones. Each week, we'll choose a new picture book, a classic or a staff favorite to read aloud together. See you there!

Free; all ages.

tech help with clif

Noon and 1 p.m., Brownell Library. Offering one-on-one technology help. Reservation required. Please call 878-6955 at least 24 hours in advance.

read to daiSy, therapy dog

3:30 - 4:30 p.m, Brownell Library. Daisy loves to listen to kids read. She is Certified

by Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Daisy's owner is Maddie Nash, retired school counselor. For all ages.

firSt wedNeSdayS "love aNd marriage iN the 21St ceNtury"

7 - 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Dr. Polly YoungEisendrath looks at the transformation of marriage over the past century from a traditional contract to one that celebrates idealization in the form of "true love," and suggests why that change matters.

3 thurSday BrowNell liBrary cloSed from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. for Staff iN -Sevice read to archie

3:15 - 4:15 p.m., Brownell Library. Archie loves to listen to kids read. He is certified

by Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Archie's owner is Christine Packard, chair of Brownell Library Trustees.

commuNity Soup aNd Bread Supper

4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Covenant Community Church, 1 Meadows Ln. Essex Jct. Choose from a variety of hearty soups and breads, plus a sweet dessert. Stay at the church to eat with friends and family or pick up to take home.

For more information, call Pastor Jeannette Conver at 879-4313.

Donations are welcome, but not expected.

r.a.d. womeN'S Self-defeNSe courSe

6 - 9 p.m., Essex Police Department, 145 Maple St., Essex Jct. This course is intended for females who wish to learn survival techniques and instincts. It will teach participants what they need to do physically and mentally to make it

through an attack by an aggressor. Female only; females under the age of 18 may attend with parent permission. $10 resident; $15 nonresident.

eSSex playerS: "the maN who came to diNNer"

7:30 p.m. Essex Memorial Hall, Towers Rd., Essex Jct. A pompous celebrity, famous for his acerbic wit, largerthan-life appetites, and hoards of Hollywood friends, slips on the ice and unexpectedly becomes an imperious long-term houseguest of a small-town Ohio family just before Christmas.

What could possibly go wrong? Directed by Adam Cunningham, a large cast and impressive set make this play an ambitious theatre romp that harkens back to a time when theatre was spectacle—a special event—larger than life! Tickets and information can be found at essexplayers. com.

evening of all things Star Wars. We'll have the latest Star Wars books (for everyone from kids to adults), Star Wars-themed crafts and more. Costumes encouraged. Free; all ages.

KNit Night

6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Adult knitters and crocheters are invited to settle in front of the fireplace in the Main Reading Room to knit, share projects and patterns and engage in conversation.

eSSex playerS: "the maN who came to diNNer"

7:30 p.m. Essex Memorial Hall, Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Thursday, May 3 for details.)

colcheSter commuNity choruS SpriNg coNcert

7:30 p.m., Colchester High School, 131 Laker Ln., Colchester. Come hear the community chorus sing an "Homage to Friendship" at their spring concert. The chorus is comprised of over 45 people from Colchester, Milton, Essex, South Burlington, Williston and Grand Isle and over a 36-year span have given over 100 concerts, including a five concert tour in England. The concerts always include a wide repertoire of music that appeals to both young and old. Free; donations gratefully accepted.

4 friday

5 Saturday

rummage Sale

rummage Sale

9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church, 130 Maple St., Essex Jct. Take what you need and pay what you can!

Call 878-4078 for more information.

9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church, 130 Maple St., Essex Jct. Take what you need and pay what you can! Call 878-4078 for more information.

preSchool fuN

vNa reSpite houSe 5K walK aNd ruN

10 - 10:30 a.m., Brownell Library. Come sing songs, hear stories and play with the parachute. Ages 2 and up.

muSical Story time

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Rock ‘n’ read together on Friday mornings with books, songs, and instruments.

All ages.

Star warS day

2:30 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library. May the fourth be with you!

A fun filled afternoon at the library where you can meet a stormtrooper, undergo Jedi training, shoot the Death Star and try the land a lightsaber challenge.With special visitors including a stormtrooper, Darth Nihilis, and a member of the jedi.

magic: the gatheriNg

6 - 8 p.m., Brownell Library. Come play the role of planeswalker: a powerful wizard who fights others for glory, knowledge and conquest. Your deck of cards represents weapons in your arsenal, spells you know and creatures you can summon to fight for you.

Grades six and up.

may the fourth celeBratioN

6 p.m., Phoenix Books, 2 Carmichael St., Essex Jct. May the fourth be with you! Join us for an

8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. start, Malletts Bay School, 609 Blakely Rd., Colchester. The Fun Run, formerly the Jiggety Jog, is the Respite House’s signature fundraising event.

Come walk, run, play lawn games and ride a smoothie bike! $20; more details can be found at vnacares.org/ run.

greeN-up day

9 a.m. - noon, townwide. The purpose of the day is cleaning roadsides, drainage swales and park/common areas - not personal yard or business site clean-up. The Town of Essex will pick up rubbish from the following identified drop-off sites, those sites specifically assigned by the Recreation Department, and wherever the specially marked Green-Up Day bags are placed along the road edge: Town Common - across from the Essex Free Library, Indian Brook Reservoir, Highway Garage/Fire Station - Sand Hill Road and the Northeast corner of the Susie Wilson Rd./Blair Rd. intersection. As a thank-you to volunteers, hot dogs, chips, and even some healthy snacks will be available at the Town of Essex Public Works yard on Sand Hill Road from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. while they last.

weeKeNd Story time

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library.

Start off your weekend with books, rhymes and songs!

Send event listings to calendar@essexreporter.com

Story time

11 a.m., Phoenix Books Essex, 2 Carmichael St., Essex Jct. Enjoy timeless tales and new adventures with your little ones. Each week, we'll choose a new picture book, a classic or a staff favorite to read aloud together. See you there!

Free; all ages.

"chaSiNg coral" film preSeNtatioN

2 - 3:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Coral reefs around the world are vanishing at an unprecedented rate. A team of divers, photographers and scientists set out on a thrilling ocean adventure to discover why and to reveal the underwater mystery to the world.

This elusive story may be out of sight and out of mind, but the solutions exist all around us. This film launches an impact campaign to ensure the loss of our reefs does not go unnoticed.

eSSex playerS: "the maN who came to diNNer"

7:30 p.m. Essex Memorial Hall, Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Thursday, May 3 for details.)

CALL EARLY FOR RESERVATIONS!

Bus Day Trip to

AKWESASNE MOHAWK CASINO Hogansburg, New York

[

MONDAY, JUNE 4

$35 PER PERSON

FREE extras include: $30 Free Slot Play Coffee

Donuts

Bottled Water

Free Buffet

Movies Aboard

[

Meet at Milton Park & Ride Off I89 Exit 17 between 6:35am-6:55am Bus Departs: 7:00am Depart the Casino: 4:30pm

Call BARBARA at 802.829.7403

Pets of the Week ROSALIE 9 years old Spayed female Arrival Date: 2/13/2018 Breed: Domestic short hair - white Reason here: My owner could no longer care for me Special Considerations: I am on a prescription diet

An absolute vision in white. Rosalie is a senior gal whose looks certainly did not fade with age! Rosalie is described by her previous owner as an independent and gentle lady. In addition, she was listed as being reserved and shy, but since her arrival here, we regularly find her at the front of her living quarters asking for pets from the public. Are you looking for a mature cat with plenty of meows and love to share? This might just be the cat for you!

Cats & dogs: No thank you! I need a home without any other animals

Humane Society of Chittenden County 802-862-0135

6 SuNday miltoN fuN ruN iN color

10 - 1 p.m., Bombardier Park West. Run a one mile, two miles or a full 5k all while getting a rainbow of colors thrown at you! There will also be music, dancing, bouncy house, face painting, concessions and more. Registration and fun begins at 10 a.m.; start time is 11 a.m. For info and to register, visit miltonptavt. org/fun-run. All profits benefit field trips for Milton Elementary and Middle School. All ages; raise $10 to run, $15 to qualify for a T-shirt while supplies last.

eSSex playerS: "the maN who came to diNNer"

2 p.m. Essex Memorial Hall, Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Thursday, May 3 for details.)

vyo SpriNg coNcert

3 p.m. Flynn Ctr. for the Performing Arts, 153 Main St., Burlington. The VYO performs Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s "Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64" in its entirety concluding their yearlong exploration of this work and the Tchaikovsky in Vermont project. The Vermont Youth Orchestra Association’s Percussion Ensemble performs "Fanfare for Tambourines" by John Alfieri.

Camille Saint-Saëns’s "Danse Macabre" and the first movement of "Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor" performed by senior soloist, Greta Hardy-Mittell complete the program. $17 adults; $12 students.

Call 863-5966 or visit flynntix.org for more information.

Lumber

Superior Quality Great Prices

Mill Direct

Kiln Dried 6-8%

As projects move indoors....

HARDWOOD FLOORING 3/4” finished thickness. Random length 4’ - 12’ (some longer)tongue and groove, recessed back (not end matched). MAPLE, CHERRY, OAK, BIRCH Price & availability can vary. Call ahead to confirm.

HARDWOODS ROUGH Hard & Soft MAPLE, CHERRY, Red & White OAK, ASH, BASSWOOD MAHOGANY, WALNUT & YELLOW POPLAR. No quantity too small.

ALMOST WHOLESALE 500’ BF pkgs of lumber - Hard Maple, Yellow Birch, Cherry & Red Oak. Select & better. Ask Ken for details.

E N PI

BEADED SHIPLAP FLOORING V-JOINT PIPWICK DRESSED 4 SIDE

Cash & Volume Discounts Great Specials • Friendly Service

The A . Johnson C o.

WHOLES ALE • RETAIL

L U M B E R

All Pine is Kiln Dried Pitch set @ 170°

995 South 116 RD Bristol, VT 05443 802-453-4884 7am - 4pm Mon-Fri

8•

The Essex Reporter • April 26, 2018

classifieds & jobseekers

EMPLOYMENT

PAINTING SERVICES

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

Got a news tip you want to share?

Email our editor at news@ essexreporter. com

F

facebook.com/essexreporter

updated daily!

leGals

FOLLOW US! @essexreporter Do you have an event that you like to see in our calendar?

Deadline: Friday at 5 p.m.

Send listings to calendar@essexreporter.com ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS

HERE

April 26, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 9

business directory & police log caRpEntRy H.S.

High Standards, LLC

Dan MenarD

Cleanup & Hauling Services

Carpentry

Remodeling, Rot Repair, Decks, Windows and Doors

concREtE

clEaning SERvicES

Concrete Construction, Inc.

We Clean Out:

Estates Attics Garages Basements

Drywall, Siding, Finish Work, Pressure Washing

24/7 ON CALL • Free Estimates • Fully Insured (802) 355-8193 Matt Levee • highstandards802@gmail.com

“Where Quality Comes First”

Poured Foundations • Poured Floors & slabs residential • Commercial • agricultural Fully InsureD - now HIrIng

For The Best Price On Your Next Concrete Construction Project...

Call 802-868-3876

Call Kevin 343-6144

dEntiSt

EStatE planning

guitaR lESSonS

Wills–Trusts–Estate Planning–Medicaid–Elder Law–Probate Cedric C Pecor D.D.S

Serving the community for over 33 years with the best dental care.

Bethany K. Fitzgerald D.D.S

Edward R. Klingebiel D.D.S

Schedule a dental check-up today to maintain that beautiful smile!

Most insurance plans accepted. Accepting new patients. miltonfamilydentistryvermont.com 157 River St., Milton • 893-4734

Peace of mind for your family & loved ones 26 Railroad Ave. / Essex Jct., VT (802) 879-7133 / unsworthlaplante.com

landScaping

painting

lEgal HEHIR LAW OFFICE, PLLC Brian Hehir, Attorney

FULL INTERIOR & EXTERIOR Residential & Commercial

Serving the area for 22 years.

Real Estate, including: • Sales and Purchases • Landlord/Tenant • Boundary Disputes • Zoning • Subdivision.

Also: Wills, Probate, Injury and Business Matters.

• Custom Trim • Custom Carpentry/ Crown Moulding

• Cathedral Entries • Sheetrock/Taping • FULLY INSURED

239 South Union St., Burlington 802-862-2006 • www.hehirlaw.com

Living & Working in Essex Junction for over 40 years.

Call TJ for your FREE ESTIMATE 802-355-0392 $100 off any job of $1000.00 or more, $250 off of any job $2000.00 or more. EXCLUDES MATERIALS

plumbing

REal EStatE

painting

Adam’s Plumbing S E R V I C E 878 - 1002 The Reliable Local Pro! For all your residential plumbing repairs and installations

REStauRant

tREE SERvicES

Roofing

Authentic Mexican Cuisine IN THE HEART OF ESSEX JUNCTION

• Tree Removals • Tree Trimming • Ornamental/ fruit tree pruning Cabling • Cabling

Your professional Roofing Contractor

862-1500

www.BlueSkyRoofingvt.com

4 Park Street, Essex 802.662.4334 www.ElGatoCantina.com

Ask about our FREE upgrade

tREE SERvicES

Asphalt Roofs Asphalt Roofs Standing SeamMetal Metal Standing Seam Slate Guards Slate & & Snow Snow Guards Low Roofs Low Slope Slope Roofs Skylights & Sun Tunnels Gutters NOW- Seamless

Maxwell Curtiss Certified Arborist

maxheartwd@myfairpoint.net / Fully Insured

DEADLINE:

for a free quote or to place an ad

ProPerty Maintenance Tree Services including stump grinding, chipping, trimming and complete tree removal • Property Cleanups • Foreclosure and Rental Cleanups • Landscaping

802-752-5850

Free Estimates • Fully Insured

(802) 879-4425

Heartwood Landscape and Tree Services LLC

CONTACT US

Living Curiously

• Stump Grinding • Wood Chip Mulch • Shrub and Hedge Pruning • Tree Planting

802-524-9771

casey.toof@samessenger.com

Friday at 5 p.m. for the following Thursday's paper

Military, First Responders and Seniors receive a 10% discount Accepting all major credit cards

ESSEX POLICE REPORTS

April 16 - 22

2:55 p.m., Property Damage on Corduroy Rd.

Monday, apr. 16

Wednesday, apr. 18

6:44 a.m., Larceny on Tyler Dr. 7:30 a.m., Larceny on Tyler Dr. 2:26 p.m., LSA on Pearl St. 3:07 p.m., Suspicious on Maple St. 3:19 p.m., Stalking on Frederick Rd. 3:47 p.m., Public Nuance on Old Stage Rd. 4:19 p.m., Accident on Lincoln St. 4:22 p.m., Littering on Central St. 4:34 p.m., Littering on Pearl St. 5:14 p.m., Accident on Pearl St. 6:58 p.m., Lost/Found Property on Prospect St.

Tuesday, apr. 17

1:13 a.m., Suspicious on Central St. 1:18 p.m., Animal Problem on Drury Dr. 1:38 p.m., Larceny on South St.

7:19 a.m., Family Disturbance on South St. 7:34 a.m., Citizen Assist on Pinecrest Dr. 7:48 a.m., Passing School Bus on Susie Wilson Rd. 12:01 p.m., Citizen Assist on Rosewood Ln. 1:56 p.m., Larceny on Center Rd. 3:42 p.m., LSA on Carmichael St. 4:22 p.m., Citizen Assist on Carmichael St. 5:11 p.m., Medical Assist on Jones Ave. 5:18 p.m., Suspicious on Hiawatha Ave. 6:06 p.m., Larceny on Park St. 9:43 p.m., Accident on Maple St..

Thursday, apr. 19

9:20 a.m., Citizen Assist on Colbert St.

Emergency: 911 • Non-emergency: 878-8331 • 145 Maple St., Essex Jct., VT 05452 • www.epdvt.org

9:57 a.m., Larceny on Center Rd. 10:27 a.m., Citizen Assist on Joshua Way 1:06 p.m., Citizen Assist on Grove St. 3:02 p.m., Traffic Hazard on Pearl St. 4:27 p.m., MV Disturbance on Old Colchester Rd. 5:12 p.m., Communications Offense on Butternut Ct. 6:35 p.m., Suspicious on Central St. 7:26 p.m., Citizen Assist on Villa Dr. 11:52 p.m., Suspicious on Edgewood Dr.

Friday, apr. 20

1:42 a.m., DUI on Pearl St. 7:19 a.m., Welfare Check on Old Stage Rd. 8:34 a.m., Accident on Ethan Allen Ave. 9:04 a.m., Accident on Pearl St. 12:11 p.m., Welfare Check on Baker St. 12:45 p.m., MV Disturbance on Essex Way 1:42 p.m., Animal Problem on Tyler Dr. 7:54 p.m., Welfare Check on Doubleday

Ln. 9:04 p.m., Forgery on Susie Wilson Rd.

St. 10:46 p.m., MV Complaint on Jericho Rd.

saTurday, apr. 21

sunday, apr. 22

1:09 a.m., Suspicious on Colchester Rd. 2:23 a.m., Disorderly on Center Rd. 2:47 a.m., Suspicious on Essex Way 5:52 a.m., Arrest Warrant on West St. 9:08 a.m., Burglary on Maple St. 9:59 a.m., Parking Problem on River Rd. 10:35 a.m., Animal Problem on Pearl St. 11:14 a.m., Animal Problem on Rustic Dr. 12:30 p.m., Unlawful Burning on Athens Dr. 4:04 p.m., Traffic Hazard on Susie Wilson Rd. 4:13 p.m., Suspicious on Susie Wilson Rd. 5:06 p.m., Lost/Found Property on West St. 5:46 p.m., Medical Assist on Central St. 6:53 p.m., Family Disturbance on Maple

12:55 a.m., Suspicious on Essex Way 1:40 a.m., Simple Assault on Park St. 4:40 a.m., Suspicious on Whitcomb Meadows Ln. 10:44 a.m., DLS on Main St. 11:43 a.m., Suspicious on Center Rd. 3:31 p.m., Suspicious on Pearl St. 3:55 p.m., Simple Assault on West St. 5:45 p.m., Animal Problem on Pearl St. 5:49 p.m., Animal Problem on Rustic Dr.

TickeTs issued: 21 Warnings issued: 37 Fire/eMs calls: 40

This log represents a sample of incidents in the date range. See more online at essexreporter.com or call the police non-emergency number: 878-8331

10 •

The Essex Reporter • April 26, 2018

sports

Hornets back to .500 with win over Mt. Mansfield PHOTOS BY JOSH KAUFMANN

Essex dropped io South Burlington 14-7 on April 18. Andrew Cooledge scored twice, Grady Corkum and Chris Labonte also scored and Aidan Haggerty made eight saves. They then faced off against Mt. Mansfield on Monday and picked up a 16-8 win.

Goal scorers included Cam Frankenhoff (4), Chris Labonte (2) and Corkum (2) and Jordan Hines (1). Haggerty finished with 12 saves.

Essex Hockey represents Vt. in National Championship

The 2018 Tier 2 under-14 Vermont State champs from Essex went to Ameherst, N.Y. to compete in the 2018 National Hockey Championship on April 5-9. The Essex team played very well against the competition from Florida, Alaska and North Dakota.

SPORT SHORTS

By JOE GONILLO

April vacation is a welcomed break for all. No school, sleeping a bit later, homework – if teachers are still allowed to assign it – when it fits into the schedule (because you have all week), practices and games highlight the week. Every day except Wednesday looks to be in the high 50s up into the 60s and sunny. Grab a chair or blanket and get to a high school sporting event. Enjoy! The NFL Draft from Dallas kicks off Thursday night. Red Sox were no hit?

The boys’ lacrosse team went 0-1 last week losing to South Burlington 17-4. Andrew Cooledge scored twice, Grady Corkum and Chris Labonte also scored and Aidan Haggerty made eight saves.

The JV's dropped an 11-6 contest to the Wolves and are 1-1 this spring. Goal scores include Jason Smith, Max Line, Hazen Pierce and Keane Mahoney. MMU away on Monday, CVU home on Wednesday, and BFA away this coming Saturday in a busy 3-game vacation week schedule.

The girls’ lacrosse team notched their first win of the Grace O’Neil era drubbing Burlington 8-4. Frosh Sophie

TRACK AND FIELD RESULTS: Tuesday, April 17 at Burlington High School (Top-10 finishers) ESSEX BOYS 100 Meters 1 Ryan Guerino 11.95 2 James Boldosser 12.37 6 Sam Phillippo 12.72 7 Wyatt Lamell 12.85 9 Nick Rancourt 13.02 200 Meters 7 Aidan Mejia 28.17 9 William Danis 28.36 400 Meters 1 Spencer Towle 54.25 2 James Boldosser 54.98 4 Sam Feehan 58.23 6 Michael Baker 59.81 9 Aidan Mejia1:03.80 10 Demetrius Reeves 1:05.69 800 Meters 3 Justin Poulin 2:11.42 4 Zach Preston 2:11.92 5 Liam Mack 2:13.40 7 Charles Martell 2:22.70 9 Elias Jones 2:46.52

10

Samuel Evans 2:47.87

1500 Meters 2 Henry Farrington 4:19.53 5 Jake Wagner 4:35.36 6 Brady Martisus 4:37.66 7 Connor Goodrich 4:44.18 8 Charles Martell 4:49.68 3000 Meters 2 Peter Alden 9:30.31 4 Val Laverty 9:54.00 5 Ethan Boutin 9:54.21 110m Hurdles 2 Jamaal Hankey 17.07 6 William Couture21.72 7 Redwan Nsame 22.88 300m Hurdles 1 Jamaal Hankey 41.63 4 Adam Friedman 48.77 8 Nate Croft 59.86 4x400 Relay 2 Essex 3:59.18 Farrington, Martisus, Poulin, Feehan

Forcier’s hat trick led the offense, while Maya Boyers added two goals and an assist, Jenna Puleo had two goals and Bailey Tetrault a goal in the win. Goalkeppers Madi Larson and Ella Frisbie split time in net and shared six saves. Their Middlebury game was postponed.

The JV's are 2-1 after a 5-4 win over BHS. They have no games over break.

The baseball team is holding steady at 2-0 with their Rutland game snowed out. The JV's are 1-2 after a 10-7 loss to the Raiders last week. Games at St. Johnsbury and Rice will be played Thursday and Saturday.

The softball team is 3-0 after a huge offensive perform last week, when the Hornets destroyed Rutland 26-5. Sarah Knickerbocker, Emily Harvey and Jamie Morin sparked the offense. Knickerbocker, who is looking like the best hitter in D-I (if not all of VT.), had three hits, crushing two HR’s and four RBIs. Harvey banged out four hits including a double and two RBIs. Morin went 3-for-5 smashing an HR and drove in three runs. Caitlin Toth was the WP. The JV's are 2-0 after a 21-0 white-washing of MMU. It’s St. J and Rice away this week and home vs SB 5/1.

The track teams were back at BHS last week and performed well in chilly weather once again. Highlights include first place performances by Ryan Guerino 100m; Spencer Towle 400m; Jamaal Hankey 300m IH; Henry Farrington 1500m; Peter Alden 3000m; Zac Preston 300mIH; boys’ 4x8 relay; Jacob Rigoli shot; Breyer Sinor discus; Jackson Baker HJ and LJ, Michael Baker PV, Lizzie Martell 400m; girls’

4x100m relay, mile relay, 4x8 relay; Maria Campo shot; Lily Bulger discus; and Ceira Manrique. The annual vacational was moved to Tuesday, April 24, and the team is back in action Wednesday, May 2.

The boys’ tennis team beat Colchester 5-2 last week and is 2-0 early in the spring. The girls are 1-2 after also beating the Lakers 5-2. Match winners for EHS include Destina Suren, Anna Ursiny, Maya Asher, Emilee Friedman and Tilly Krishna. Both teams are off this week.

Tune into the NFL Draft on Thursday for the first round, Friday for the second and more on Saturday.

Prayers to White Sox relief pitcher Danny Farquhar who suffered a brain hemorrhage Friday night after his appearance. Last I heard he was in critical, yet stable, condition. A’s lefty Sean Manaea no-hit the mighty Red Sox late Saturday night DST. Who stayed up to watch? Philly fans still want to fire Gabe Kapler? After their 1-4 start, they have gone 12-3.

The first round series are still going on in the NBA and the NHL. Happy Birthday to my nephew Hudson Stark, nieces Sydney and Madison Peet, former Hornets Jessica Steel, Erika Senn, Julie Berardo, Cindy Godin, TJ Champion Elaina Coutrayer, EHS throws coach Adam Lacross, Debbie Melkonian and golf semi-pro Leo Reynolds. Spent a few days in Conn. last week helping with my granddaughter as she had had her tonsils out. She’s recuperating nicely as I barely got by her bowling Sunday 101-96.

3 Essex 4:08.02 Preston, Mack, Moran, Martell

Long Jump 1 Jackson Baker 18-7.25 5 Wyatt Lamell 16-9.00

4x800 Relay 1 Essex 11:44.59 Boutin, Preston, Marcotte, Goodrich 11:44.59

TEAM SCORES: 1. Essex 150; 2. Burlington 115; 3. Mt. Abraham 50; 4. Randolph 12.

4 Natalie Preston 2:42.99 5 Morgan Marckres 2:53.11 6 Emma Chadwick 2:53.91 8 Abigail Monahan 3:04.72 10 Alessandra Michaelides 3:06.59

Shot Put 1 Jacob Rigoli 46-9.0 2 Breyer Sinor 39-2.0 5 Jack Hamilton 35-3.5 11 Robin Norstrom 22-2.0 Discus 1 Breyer Sinor 130-8 2 Jacob Rigoli 119-7 4 Wyatt Lamell 109-4 7 Peyton Stephenson 901.5 10 Jack Hamilton 80-6 Javelin 5 Jackson Baker 94-8 6 Peyton Stephenson 92-8 7 Ryan Guerino 92-5.5 9 Robin Norstrom 52-3 High Jump 1 Jackson Baker 5-2 2 Nick Rancourt 5-2 Pole Vault 1 Michael Baker 10-0 3 Nick Rancourt 8-0

ESSEX GiRLS 100 Meters 2 Morgan Whitney 14.01 3 Arianna Moffatt 14.11 4 Ella Larson 14.25 5 Kathryn Morin 14.27 7 Liberty Page 14.56 8 Erin Noel 14.59 9 Hannah Poquette 14.66 200 Meters 2 Lizzie Martell 28.41 3 Morgan Whitney 28.79 4 Arianna Moffatt 29.29 7 Ella Larson 30.48 8 Kathryn Morin 30.80 9 Nejla Hadzic 30.90 10 Emily Singer 32.10 400 Meters 1 Lizzie Martell 1:01.72 4 Emily Singer 1:17.17 800 Meters 3 Giulia Eddy 2:41.92

FIVE CORNERS ANTIQUES 11 Maple St. Essex Jct., VT 05452 802-878-6167 Open Mon - Sat 10 - 5 Sunday 11 - 4 www. FiveCornersAntiques.com

1500 Meters 2 Morgan Marckres 5:43.38 4 Mollyanne Fay 5:53.96 5 Alessandra Michaelides 6:03.91 6 Ary Wilson 6:05.06 8 Lily Davis 6:08.82 9 Emma Chadwick 6:18.11 10 Abigail Monahan 6:21.93 3000 Meters 3 Hannah Brisson 12:15.84 100m Hurdles 2 Nejla Hadzic 21.11 3 Adaline Sumner 21.19 4x100 Relay 1 Essex 54.12 Morin, Whitney, Moffatt, Larson 4x400 Relay 1 Essex 4:43.67 Martell, Eddy, Marckres, Preston 3 Essex 5:02.57 Chadwick, Wilson, Davis, Beckage 4x800 Relay 1 Essex 11:44.76 Brisson, Preston, Fay, Beckage

Shot Put 1 Maria Campo 32-5.00 3 Aubrey McKenna 268.00 4 Emily Gonyeau 26-7.50 5 Lily Bulger 25-9.50 7 Denetra Reeves 21-2.50 8 Jane Suryanata 20-7.00 Discus 1 Lily Bulger 81-7.50 2 Aubrey McKenna 79-3 3 Maria Campo 75-2 4 Erin Wieland 70-7.5 7 Eva Bosley 62-1 10 Jane Suryanata 46-9.5 Javelin 1 Ciera Manrique 74-9.5 2 Simran Saini 62-9 4 Erin Wieland 54-8 5 Eva Bosley 49-2 7 Denetra Reeves 46-9 9 Emily Gonyeau 32-1 High Jump 3 Greta Alexandra-Parker 4-4 4 Yasmine Nsame 4-0 Pole Vault 4 Greta Alexandra-Parker 6-0 9 Erin Noel 5-6 Long Jump 3 Yasmine Nsame 13-2.75 4 Ella Larson 13-2.75 5 Erin Noel 13-2.00 8 Liberty Page 11-8.75 Triple Jump 2 Hannah Poquette 28-7 TEAM SCORES: 1. Essex 159.5; 2. Burlington 90; 3.

Mt. Abraham 54.5; 4. Randolph 34.

April 26, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 11

proudly supports athletics in our community

WiLL #15 DEziEL Lacrosse: Sophomore

D

eziel helped lead a strong defensive effort by the Hornets to open the season with back-to-back wins, over Middlebury and Mt. Mansfield, both at Essex H.S. The sophomore, a steady, reliable presence in front of the Hornet goal, and his fellow defenders held the Tigers and Cougars to six goals each in the 13-6 win over Middlebury on April 9 and thre 12-6 victory against MMU two days later.

Fit 2 Excel Specializing In:

• Team Training • Personal Training

• Sports Psychology • Sports Medicine Rehab

Visit us online: www.Fit2ExcelVT.com 70 Upper Main Street, Essex, VT 05452 or call: 802-871-5423

WILLS–TRUSTS–ESTATE PLANNING–MEDICAID–ELDER LAW–PROBATE

Peace of mind for your family & loved ones Register for one of our free seminars at www.unsworthlaplante.com

26 Railroad Ave./ Essex Jct., VT (802) 879-7133 / unsworthlaplante.com

Enjoy local sports?

Got a camera?

JEnnA PULEO Lacrosse: Senior

P

#3

uleo's third multiple-goal game in as many matches this spring helped the Hornets earn their first win, 8-4 over Burlington H.S. on April 19. Puleo and Maya Boyers scored 2 goals each to back up Sophie Forcier's hat trick at Buck Hard Field. Puleo notched 9 goals in Essex's first 3 games, scoring 4 in a 1-goal opening loss to Mt. Mansfield and 3 at Rutland.

sponsored by

vermontfederal.org

Submit your photos to Ben@essexreporter.com

12 •

Community HealtH

The Essex Reporter • April 26, 2018

4

Building strong bones for life May is Osteoperosis Awareness and Prevention Month, but it’s always a good time to think about strengthening our bones.

W

It’s easy to assume that weakening bones are a natural part of aging. However, people of all ages can take steps to maintain and even build their bone health. Osteoporosis literally means “porous bones.” It’s a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. Osteoporotic bones have lost density or mass. As bones become less dense, they weaken and are more likely to break.

Unfortunately, osteoporosis is quite common. About 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for fracture. Studies suggest that 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men age 50 or older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

Aside from being very painful, bone fractures can be quite serious, particularly in older people. Osteoporotic bone fractures are most likely to occur in the hip, spine or wrist, but other bones can break too.

Bone fractures of the spine can lead to height loss and a stooped or hunched posture. Also, fractures may limit mobility and independence, which often leads to feelings of isolation or depression. Up to 20 percent of seniors who break a hip die within one year. Many patients require long-term nursing care.

Osteoporosis risk and screening It’s important to identify who is at risk long before a fracture happens.

Osteoporosis does not have any symptoms until someone has a fracture, which makes it very important to discover it early.

The older we get, the more our chances for having osteoporosis increase. Screening is recommended for all women over 60 and all men over 70, using a bone-density test. A DXA test measures bone density at different parts of the body, usually the spine and hips. This test is safe and painless and provides important information about bone health.

People over age 50 who have other risk factors for bone loss should also be screened. These risk factors could include certain medical conditions or medication use that can cause bone loss.

Post-menopausal women are most at risk, but they are not the only group who suffers from bone disease. While symptoms are difficult to pinpoint, if you or someone you know have lost more than 2 inches in height since you were younger, that could suggest small fractures in the spine, which could be due to osteoporosis.

While older people are most at risk, people of all ages can help prevent osteoporosis by building and maintaining their bone health. One way to do this is by taking in adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D daily. The recommended amount is 1,200 mg of calcium, and 1,200 units of vitamin D. Calcium is slightly easier to take in from diet. Dairy products such as milk and cheese are good sources, as are many green vegetables and fortified foods such as orange juice. Vitamin D can be difficult to take in adequately through diet, so many clinicians recommend a supplement.

Regular weight-bearing activity is also helpful. Yoga, pilates, Tai Chi and simply walking can all improve core posture and balance. Fall prevention is paramount – look around your home for unsecured throw rugs, cords running across rooms, slippery outdoor areas, and proper railings on stairs. People of all ages are also encouraged to avoid smoking, as well as excessive caffeine and alcohol use.

For people who have osteoporosis or are at high risk, there are medications that can help to decrease fracture risk and increase bone density. Talk to your doctor about medication to help prevent a potentially serious fracture, and take small steps to improve your bone health.

Local Health Events & Classes April 26 - May 24 Monday, April 30 – Yoga for Patients with Chronic Conditions

Monday, May 7 – Yoga for Patients with Chronic Conditions

Monday, April 30 – Older Adult Housing Options: It’s Not One Size Fits All

Wednesday, May 9 – Every Minute Counts! Surviving a Stroke

Wednesday, May 2 – All-Levels Yoga Flow Spring 2018

Thursday, May 10 – Diabetes Management Workshop

Thursday, May 3 – Diabetes Management Workshop

Monday, May 14 – Yoga for Patients with Chronic Conditions

Thursday, May 3 – Nurse Internship Open House

Thursday, May 24 – Get your S.A.S. (Stress & Anxiety Solutions)

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp: Fresh fare on the dessert table

The UVM Medical Center offers free educational programs, healthy lifestyle classes and workshops.

Pre-registration is required and is free for most classes.

For more information, visit www.UVMHealth.org/ MedCenterClasses Phone numbers and registration information are listed on the website.

ith warmer weather approaching, many of us are looking forward to spending more time outside. More daylight and safer, less icy sidewalks offer renewed opportunities to get moving.

It’s fitting that May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, because one of the best ways to prevent osteoporosis, no matter our age, is by regularly getting exercise that builds our bones and muscles - and we can do that by simply going for a walk.

As Vermont’s health care community explores the best ways to improve the health of our state as a whole, it is impossible to ignore the fact that our population is aging rapidly. With aging comes increased risk for many diseases, including osteoporosis, fall risk, potential for chronic pain issues, struggles with dementia including Alzheimer’s, and so many more concerns.

Preventing and managing the chronic health problems that can get worse over time is becoming a top priority here in Vermont and across the country. In fact, in our most recent Community Health Needs Assessment - a report the UVM Medical Center publishes every three years identifying issues that need special focus in the community - healthy aging made the top 10. What can we do today to develop healthy habits that will last, and help us avoid diseases like osteoporosis?

As individuals, we can recognize that small, day-to-day decisions can often have a big impact on our future health - whether we’re looking 5 months into the future, 5 years, or further. Start walking 1 mile once a week, and you might be walking 3 miles 3 times a week by the end of the year. Try out a yoga or Tai Chi class, and you may have found a new passion.

On a wider scale, health care providers will need to coordinate better to help each of us get care in the right place, at the right time. This will be an ongoing challenge, but there is so much potential for cooperation among health care providers and community partners.

As each of us continues down our own path toward better wellness, it’s important to check in with a primary care provider regularly. They can help identify ways to get and stay active that align with our health care goals for the near future, as well as for the long term.

Late April and early May are such a great time of year to finally get back outdoors, exercise in the fresh spring air, and build healthy habits that will bring benefits for years to come. I know I’m looking forward to some nice weather for walking my dog before work!

If you have a question or comment, I’d love to hear from you. Contact me at AskEileen@UVMHealth.org.

––– Eileen Whalen, MHA, RN, is a former trauma nurse who now leads The University of Vermont Medical Center.

She currently serves as co-chair of the RiseVT board, and co-chair of the Chittenden County Opioid Alliance board.

Follow UVM Medical Center on Social Media!

Nurses Week is May 6-12. Follow along as we celebrate our nurses, their amazing work, and their commitment to our patients and families.

Facebook.com/TheUniversityofVermontMedicalCenter/

Rhubarb is best known for its beautiful red stalk and dark green leaves, and is one of the earliest vegetables ready for springtime picking in Vermont. Note that the leaves should be avoided because they contain high amounts of a toxic compound called oaxalic acid. Rhubarb stalks, however, are safe and delicious to eat - and are a great source of vitamin K, B vitamins and fiber. The stalks are frequently used in sweet desserts, such as rhubarb pie, muffins or this classic strawberry rhubarb crisp.

For the crumble: • 1 cup flour • 1 cup brown sugar • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg • 1/2 cup melted butter

with

President and Chief Operating Officer

Build healthy bones now, stay strong in the future

For the filling: • 4 cups rhubarb pieces • 2 cups sliced strawberries • 1/4 cup sugar • 1/3 cup flour • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

A conversation

Eileen Whalen

In partnership with UVM Medical Center

Ingredients:

Essex Reporter, Thursday, April 26, 2018

@UVMMedCenter

Instructions: • In a large bowl, combine rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, 1/3 cup of the flour, and cinnamon.

• Transfer to a greased 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish.

• In another bowl, combine remaining 1 cup of flour with brown sugar, oats and nutmeg.

Add melted butter and blend well to create the topping.

• Sprinkle topping over rhubarb mixture and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

The University of Vermont Medical Center is the community hospital for residents of Chittenden County and part of The University of Vermont Health Network, which serves patients throughout Vermont and Northern New York. To learn more about what we offer, please visit www.UVMHealth.org/MedCenter.