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NOVeMBeR 19, 2015
Vol. 35, No. 46
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Herd on the street
Cows take a stroll around Five Corners
Six cows on their way from a farm in Essex Junction took a detour into a Maple Street backyard last Wednesday when they spilled out of a broken trailer. Residents called police, who helped corral the cows and guide them back into the trailer, which was repaired for the remainder of the trip to Williston. Traffic was slowed, but no one was injured. Each of the cows, however, received road rash, according to Cpl. Chris Ashley of the Essex Police Department. Ashley said the vehicle was travelling slowly having just come through the Five Corners intersection. “I’ve seen loose cows before but not near the Five Corners and certainly not falling out of a moving trailer,” Ashley said. She identified the animals as belonging to the Whitcomb family, owners of Essex Junction’s only active farm off South
Street as well as agricultural operations in Williston. Carol Bristol was travelling toward Five Corners on Maple Street when she saw the trailer break open. “… The cows started spilling out of the truck,” she wrote in an email to The Essex Reporter. “The first one fell onto her front ‘knees’ with the others jumping around her. She was able to get up, but limped away. Initially they were very close to my car, one walking inches from my driver window. “… The cows were dazed and wandering in and out of the road …” she added. The cows were eventually contained in a backyard, Ashley said, grazing and blocked by homes and fences. They were then herded back into the trailer, which was repaired for the remainder of the trip. – Jason Starr
Carol Bristol took this photo from her car at 10:45 a.m. on Nov. 11. as she turned out of the dentist's parking lot at 66 Maple st., cows started spilling out of a truck going the other way. “Luckily no car accidents, but a few surprised drivers, good brakes and some dazed cows,” Bristol reported.
Essex High School explores American working life in song
VNA to open adult day center in Essex
“Working: The Musical” takes the stage this weekend
By JESS WISlOSKI For The Essex Reporter
Essex theater students sing “Just a Housewife” during a dress rehearsal of “Working: the Musical” on Friday afternoon at Essex High school. From left, Emily Boisvert, Faith Cantrell, Lauren Johnson, audrey Wilbur, Hannah Baker and Gina Russin. OLiVER PaRiNi PHOtOGRaPHY
By COlIN FlANDERS
The Essex Reporter Essex High School’s annual fall musical may not be a traditional pick – a fact its director hopes will ignite the community’s curiosity when students take the stage Thursday night for “Working: The Musical.” Based on a 1974 book by Studs Terkel that explored the American working class through various firsthand interviews, the musical is written by Steven Schwartz — a well-known composer whose list of works include a handful of Broadway hits, such as “Godspell,” “Pippin” and “Wicked.” Performing a slightly altered version of the show’s modernized 2012 revival, the musical can be seen as a diversion from last year’s more upbeat rendition of “Bye Bye Birdie.” Susan Palmer, who is in her seventh show as the director of
the high school’s theater program, said she chose this show in part due to the contrast. “This is an educational environment, and I want these students to see what a musical can be,” Palmer said, asserting they don’t always have to be “silly and light.” “They can actually dive into some really meaningful material. I think this show does that,” Palmer said. She noted there are still a lot of funny moments, however. Some of the more meaningful explorations in the show include the under-appreciation of a hardworking housewife — played by junior Lauren Johnson — or the existential musings of a mason, played by sophomore Tommy Bergeron. Although Palmer has added in a central character to help the guide the show — the musical usually lacks
a true lead role — both Johnson and Bergeron feel the breadth of character development lends itself to a deeper audience connection. “I think people are going to leave really touched, because there are so many roles in this show that people can connect with. They go more than just the surface level,” Bergeron said. Palmer said this was also a motivation for her choice, for the storyline allows students to take on larger roles. “This [show] felt like it could feature a lot of kids and give some who are strong actors but maybe not strong singers a chance to shine,” Palmer said. Each year, it’s about “thinking who you have” when choosing a show, she said. The show will mark the debut for three newcomers to the high school
– See MUSICAL on page 2a
An adult day center offering a range of daytime activities and health care services will be opening the doors to a new facility in Essex Junction on Nov. 30. The Visiting Nurses Association of Grand Isle and Chittenden Counties, which currently operates three of the weekday, multi-service adult centers that are geared toward helping seniors and disabled adults maintain their independent lifestyles, also will operate the center at 25 Pinecrest Drive, and is hosting an open house on Dec. 2, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Leaders at the VNA said the move to open a new space in the community came after the demand for services at their day program at Falcon Manor in Williston, off Blair Park Drive, outgrew that space. The center will have special accommodations for people suffering from memory impairments, according to spokeswoman Nicole Haley. “We’ve seen more of a need, and that need is going to be expanding as Vermonters age,” said Haley. “Knowing what the projections are for people who are dealing with that and their families [we have] a great program for families to get some respite and bring them to this active, vibrant place,” she said. Haley said the day center programs, which range from physical activities to music, art, and baking or cooking groups, are designed to give families a way to make sure their elderly relatives are cared for while they are at work. “It’s a safe, homelike, fun environment for people, and their families feel like if they didn’t have this, these people might not be able to stay at home. So it’s about socialization and health; taking care of daily care stuff, staff can help them with that,” she said. Medication management, physical health, meals and ongoing basic needs, such as assisted showering, are all provided for participants at the day centers, the program’s director Diane Olechna, R.N., said. Olechna runs all three of the county’s adult day
– See VNA on page 2a
the VNa’s new adult day center at 25 Pinecrest Drive in Essex will open its doors on Nov. 30. an open house is set for Dec. 2 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. PHOtO | JEss WisLOsKi
Revision hires Dubie to head R&D
It didn’t take long for Lt. Gen. Michael Dubie, former head of the Vermont National Guard, to find a second career after his October retirement from the United States Armed Forces. Dubie took a job this month with Revision Military, a soldier protection company headquartered in Dubie’s hometown of Essex. Dubie takes over as the company’s president of Revision Military Technologies, a research and development subsidiary that Revision Military founded two years ago. “I’m extremely excited to join the Revision team,” he said in a press release. “I have great respect for the protection that Revision equipment has provided the men Michael Dubie
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and women serving our country, and I look forward to being a part of Revision’s future, not only through my work with Revision Military but also in providing leadership around Revision’s community affairs here in Vermont. My wife Amy and I are excited to make Vermont home again.” Dubie was the Vermont National Guard Adjutant General from 2006 to 2012 and most recently served as deputy commander of the United States Northern Command in Colorado Springs. He retired after a 36year career in the military. Revision specializes in eyewear, helmets and exoskeletons for soldiers in the United States and allied European countries. It is also expanding into law enforcement, fire protection and adventure markets. Revision Military Technologies accommodates the
company’s need for handling sensitive military projects, according to the press release. It is involved in ongoing research and development programs with the U.S. Army and Air Force military research laboratories and is developing proprietary technologies that could be commercialized. Dubie will be leading business development efforts at Revision Military Technologies. “I am extremely pleased to announce that we have hired (Dubie) as the new president of Revision Military Technologies,” said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO of Revision. “Throughout his distinguished career, Mike has been an ardent supporter of providing the U.S. and allied militaries with the very best equipment available. That commitment was exemplified throughout his time as Adjutant General of the State of Vermont. It is truly an honor to welcome Mike to the Revision team.” — Jason Starr
Food shelf is critically low on donations
The Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf is in urgent need of turkeys, food and monetary donations. It served hundreds of people on Nov. 16 for meals, groceries and turkeys. This is more than the Food Shelf has ever served in a single day. The supplies needed to provide over 5,000 food insecure families with a Thanksgiving meal are critically low and there are no turkeys onsite. The Food Shelf is asking the community to make a monetary donation or drop off a food donation today. A donation of only $10 can provide a family with a turkey and a donation of $20 can provide a turkey and all the fixings. Donors can make donations online at feedingchittenden.org or drop off donations at 228 N.Winooski Ave. They are also asking our community members to donate
– See NEWS on page 5a