The Essex Reporter: December 27, 2018 by Essex Reporter

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{ Thursday, December 27, 2018 }

2018 A year in review By COLIN FLANDERS

Inside Our top 10 stories

The Reporter recaps some of the biggest issues from 2018. 2-5

essexreporter.com

What you said

A brief digest of some of the year's most notable quotes. 8

People we met

We look back at some of our favorite interviews. 10-11

EssEx REpoRtER | THURSDAY, DECEMbER 27, 2018

Vol. 17 No. 52

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Top stories from 2018 #MeToo hits home

(In no particular order)

The Reporter’s investigation into what began as undisclosed allegations against a municipal employee led to a steady leak of information over the course of 2018’s first few months, culminating with a public records lawsuit from selectwoman Irene Wrenner, who said she was subjected to sexual harassment from the employee. According to public records, the claims trace back to an October 2017 email in which a complainant told an undisclosed party, since identified as Wrenner, that at least two women were subjected to the town official’s “abusive” behavior. All names were redacted. In January, we learned the town hired a private investigator to look into the claims, and the municipality

would rack up more than $11,000 in legal fees while never mentioning the matter publicly. The investigator eventually shared a report of his findings, but it’s unclear who in town ever saw that report. To date, the only confirmed party to read that report is town attorney Bill Ellis and his colleagues. Ellis ruled the alleged behavior detailed in the report did not rise to a level that violated policy, and therefore warranted no discipline from the town. “Taking all facts you allege as true,” Ellis wrote to Wrenner, “they are insufficient to establish that [redacted] sexually harassed you.” Wrenner told The Reporter in June she believes the alleged conduct defied multiple clauses in the town’s sexual harassment policy. She said she’s seeking the report to understand the investigative process and ensure Burgess accurately captured her testimony. “What we’ve all seen is nothing changes and that people continue to get away with unacceptable behavior because there’s this code of silence,” she said, explaining why she came forward. “I don’t want to be part of the code of silence that allows this to continue.”

Town targets shooting ordinance The town hired a facilitator who hosted a handful of meetings and forums this year as part of a robust public outreach campaign seeking feedback on potential changes to the town’s firearms discharge ordinance. It’s not the first time the selectboard has considered beefing up its shooting ordinance, and the board still has to host several public hearings before it can decide whether to revise the rules. But discussions at recent meetings suggest the board is significantly closer to implementing some revisions. The proposal allows gun owners to discharge firearms at Indian Brook and Saxon Hill parks from November 1 to December 15; nixes a 500-foot buffer around the parks that would have extended onto private property; and leaves the so-called blue zone – a large swath of private land in the northern part of town – untouched, while shooting at the Essex Tree Farm would be banned year-round. The board also decided to lump shooting ranges into its revisions,

pointing to some who say the danger and noise posed by backyard shooting dwarfs that of hunting. At a meeting last month, chairman Max Levy offered a proposal that would require anyone with a backyard shooting range to obtain a permit through the selectboard. The process would give the town at least some control over a practice that, as of now, has virtually no municipal oversight. Under Levy’s proposal, residents would need to offer a sketch of their property, including all buildings within a yet-to-bedetermined distance, and outline expected hours of operation. Requesters would then have to present that information at a selectboard meeting, and town staff would alert all abutting neighbors and business so they have a chance to speak prior to any decision. Reaction at public meetings has varied, though the majority of forum attendees are hunters or shooters who vehemently opposed added regulations. The selectboard agreed to bench the topic until after budget season.

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Busing, busing, busing

Transportation remained a major story in 2018 as part of the Essex Westford School District’s continued struggles to fully service all of its students. The district went to great lengths to entice residents and surrounding community members to apply by increasing starting wages to $20 per hour, adding flexibility for drivers to choose morning or afternoon shifts and offering paid training, sign-on and referral bonuses. But past difficulties hiring bus drivers persisted through the summer, prompting EWSD administrators to announce in August that fewer students than initially planned would receive transportation. To date, only Essex Elementary, Founders Memorial, Essex Middle School and Essex Town students who attend the high school have busing

provided by Mountain Transit, while EHS village students has no busing. Instead, EHS students can access Green Mountain Transit route No. 2 in Essex Jct. and No. 4 in Essex Center for free to travel to and from school and school-related events Monday through Saturday. And the district has continued to fund all existing crossing guard positions to keep pedestrian infrastructure and continue encouraging walking to school. The first day of school drew mixed reviews from parents. Some said their child got to school without a hitch, while others said their children waited at a community stop for more than 30 minutes for a bus that never came. The district manned a call center a call center for the first few days of school to assist with specific questions and concerns. The ongoing driver shortage, meanwhile, prompted the school board this fall to create a new transportation plan that serves as a de-facto contingency plan if the shortage continues. Among the biggest questions: Who should benefit when new

Parents sue district over hazing

In June, The Reporter detailed a still pending lawsuit against the Essex Westford School District filed by parents of a former Essex High School student, who allege the district failed to protect their son from months of bullying, hazing and assault by a hockey teammate. Court documents say the incidents occurred between November 2015 and February 2016 and ranged from verbal put-downs and unfair treatment to physical assaults and sexual harassment. Administrators started an investigation that February after educators from another high school shared concerns about the team. But the complaint alleges the high school knew about the misconduct as early as December 2015 – when the victim spoke to a team captain – and says the district could have foreseen it given the boys hockey team’s history of inappropriate behavior. An internal investigation by high school administrators found the accused student violated school policies on bullying, hazing and harassment. In letters to the victim’s par-

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ents, principal Rob Reardon said he couldn’t discuss any specific disciplinary action, but he assured the school was taking “reasonable steps” to prevent future misconduct and to “remedy its effects” on their son. The victim’s parents requested the school retain an outside investigator to perform an independent review of its handling of the matter, resulting in a 14-page report from attorney Ellen Coogan. Coogan called the high school’s investigation “thorough and careful” and said administrators took reasonable steps to ensure the harassment did not continue. She also commended the high school’s efforts to support the victim. But she empathized with the victim’s situation, stating the investigation caused him “great deal of stress.” “His experience was one that no student should have to endure,” she wrote. “[He] tried to manage the situation. He asked for help from one of the hockey team captains; help was not forthcoming.” The student eventually transferred from EHS.

buses come on board? Under the new draft policy, transportation is instead defined as a “privilege” – not required or mandated for “most students.” It codifies previous decisions, like the creation of walking zones, and permits administrators to establish which students can be served by either public transportation or congregated bus stops. Board members also recently learned the status of their current transportation workforce. According to chief operating officer Brian Donahue, the district has lost and gained five drivers since the start of the fiscal year to hold steady at 18, while six more are working their way through the pipeline. That would bring the district to 24, which Donahue said would allow the district to expand busing into the village. One bus driver is licensed but currently working as bus aides to learn the routes and get to know the district bus system. There are four potential drivers working through the licensing process and about to begin to tentatively bring busing to the Junction by late January/early February, but EWSD administrators note factors like early drop-outs and failed tests that continue to challenge the hiring process.

Boards dive in to governance work

The third year of the so-called shared ser vices initiative – the effort between selectboard and trustees to slide village services under the town’s purview to create efficiency– found elected officials in agreement that the future of Essex and Essex Jct. should be a single municipality. And while the last few years have brought about a slew of consolidations or alignments, the governing boards have now set their sights on perhaps the most diffi-

cult task of all: Deciding what that potential new government would look like. That work has been sidelined until after budget season. But the boards did take some steps in 2018 to move the ball downfield. They retained an attorney to serve as a go-to for all governance-related questions and tasked a subcommittee with looking into what options are available. The boards will now need to figure out how to narrow their options – whether on their own or by some form of public engagement – while hashing out one of the biggest sticking points underlining all potential merger efforts: taxes.

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Black Lives Matter flag flies at EWSD

The Black Lives Matter flag flew above several Essex Westford School District campuses this year following a push from members

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of the student body. A trio of Westford students petitioned the school board in April, asking to fly the flag above their school. The students – Rosie Whitney, Belle Pitcher and Virginia Cobb – returned two more times over the next month while administrators and school board members worked to come up with a policy detailing how the district will handle all flag requests. But their perseverance

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paid off, with the school board unanimously approving the request in May to fly the flag for the remainder of the school year. Less than an hour later, the board approved a similar request from Essex High School students, who proffered a petition signed by more than 400 of their peers. The proposals sparked some pushback from the community. A few residents decried the BLM movement on social media and chastised the school board for allowing what they view as a political flag to fly at a public school. Some even questioned whether the students understand what BLM stands for. Those involved with the

proposals brushed off those criticisms. “They learn a college-level chemistry here. They learn Greek philosophy here,” said EHS counselor Andrew Roy, faculty adviser of the diversity club. “So they’re certainly not too young to understand social justice and civil rights issues.” His students wholeheartedly agreed. “We go through a lot of things in school, outside of school,” said sophomore Denetra Reeves, who started the high school’s petition and raised the flag. “We learn fast.” Added diversity club member Dominique Sweat, “Youth have the power to create change.”

Schools grapple with safety in wake of Parkland

On February 14, a 19-yearold gunman walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. and killed 17 students and staff members. Students who survived the attack went on to earn national recognition for their gun control advocacy that sparked protests at high schools around the country. The Reporter spent the month after the shooting interviewing dozens of area students, teachers, administrators and parents, all of whom confirmed that the threat of a school shooting occupies a

permanent space in the education community. Days after Parkland, a dad in Milton purchased a bulletproof backpack for his 10-year-old daughter. A sophomore at Colchester High School made an emergency evacuation plan in her free time. A school board member in Essex mulled over the notion of an anonymous tip box. A protest in March at

Essex High School echoed calls for action amid a vigil for the victims. Students filled snow-covered bleachers outside the school, a few carrying signs, including one that read: “I am not a target.”

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Essex Free Library mourns late director The Essex Free Library staff and the greater community mourned the loss of its beloved director, Ann Paietta, who died in October at age 61. Paietta’s friends and family described her as a brilliant, unassuming and clever woman who created a warm and welcoming environment at the library during her six-year tenure there. To her staff, Paietta’s wit was unmatched. Delivered in the context of her otherwise reserved nature, her quick retorts seemed all the funnier, often leaving the staff in hysterics. “When she looked at me, it would be all over,” said Lorraine Cole-Dolgas, the library’s registrar and circulation clerk. Time spent working for Paietta led youth librarian Caitlin Corless to question a news story that detailed the amount of laughter the average adult has per day. “I remember thinking, ‘I laugh way more than this article says.’ I think it was because I had such a funny boss,” Corless said. She initially couldn’t think of any

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018 | 5

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examples, but then, with a mischievous laugh, she clarified, “Or maybe there’s some I shouldn’t share.” Paietta went out of her way to find a desired book and remembered exactly who wanted what without ever writing it down. She bid each patron the same farewell. “Take care,” she would say. “Take care.” She encouraged staff to “have fun,” especially when they were off to some decidedly not-so-fun obligation. Cross, who generally worked on the floor below the front desk, said Corless often came downstairs to share Paietta’s latest antics, which, on rare occasions, were even known to draw an infamous library shush from patrons. But Paietta took her work seriously, too. She trusted her employees’ judgment. She encouraged them to pursue their own interests, whether that was speaking at a conference or testing out a new program. And she believed in the library’s mission, and the community it called home.

State boards examine doctor and nurse licensure

The Reporter detailed plans among two state licensing boards to require doctors and nurses to undergo criminal background checks before they can practice medicine here in a move to strengthen a system that some say allows unfit candidates to skirt detection. Our investigation found the Vermont Board of Nursing and the Board of Medical Practice now rely on discipline-tracking databases and self-disclosure. Lying on these applications amounts to felony perjury, which carries a punishment of up to 15 years in prison. But discipline records show some take their chances. A New Hampshire woman received her license from the Vt. Board of Nursing in February 2015, eight years after she was convicted of a felony for forging prescriptions and diverting more than 800 Percocet tablets – a crime she omitted on her application. Her N.H. license was later suspended after she again allegedly falsified records and diverted pain medication meant for nursing home patients. In its emergency order, the N.H. nursing board said the woman was searching for a job in Vermont. Doctors aren’t always honest on their applications either. Records show one man lied about being under investigation two weeks after federal agents

Aubuchon bids farewell

Residents were saddened to hear news of Aubuchon Hardware’s closing, sharing memories on social media of trips to the store during its more than 50-year run in Essex Jct. In its place will go Planet Fitness, which plans to bid farewell to its River Rd. gym after more than 10 years there. The hardware store’s departure came after a prolonged period of flagging sales at the location that decades ago was one the chain’s most profitable stores. But proliferation of so-called box stores eventually brought the store to its knees. “We’ve tried remodeling the store. We put some good effort into trying to stay here, but it’s just not working,” said Bernard Aubuchon, the company's executive vice presdent whose grandfather started the

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OPI NI ON LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE ESSEX

Lynn off base with answer to fake news The Perspective article by Emerson Lynn suggests regulation is the answer to fake news. I disagree! The problem as I see it, is that research into controversial issues of our times are not without bias. Our Congress abdicates its responsibility for truthful studies when it writes law saying that it’s the responsibility of original equipment manufacturers themselves to perform safety testing and in some cases gives immunity from liability. Case in point, are studies conducting the safety of vaccines. A single vaccine contains hundreds of ingredients besides the active pathogen itself. When double blind tests are conducted, the off the shelf vaccine is tested against the “placebo” that has the same number of hundreds of ingredients, except the pathogen. When the results come back, both shots caused the same amount of debilitating side effects, which means there is no difference between the two, therefore it’s safe. Problem is, what if one of the other ingredients is the cause. You will never know based on those studies.

Tobacco companies of the past conducted “professional” studies saying that cigarettes showed NO correlation between smoking and lung cancer. What if that science was held as definitively resolved? Butter and eggs were demonized as a cause of heart attacks before those findings were reversed? Anything that is to the contrary, would be censored as fake news perpetuating more suffering at the hands of profits. Censorship or labeling of any kind is the beginning of a declining society. Putting a “score” to one’s social media posts is akin to forcing Jews to sow the star of David onto their clothes so they can be targeted for ridicule and economic poverty. It’s happening in our elementary schools all the way through our colleges. It’s happening in our politics. And it’s resulting in banishing truly independent organizations into a digital ghetto, taking away their ability to make a living. What ever happened to discussion around the dinner table? What ever happened to tolerance? What ever happened to the ability to make up your own mind? Where are the truly independent thinkers

of today. It begs the question; “Does a falling tree make a sound if there’s no one to hear it”. The silence is defining! Ron Coppola Essex Thank you to Farmers’ Market Although I was saddened to learn of the end of the Five Corners Farmers’ Market, I am grateful for the years of joyful community gathering and connection to local vendors that was created through the diligence of many committed community members. Big thanks to market director Julie Miller-Johnson and to everyone who served as a board member, volunteer, and vendor. Wish I could name everyone by name but would surely miss many! Five Corners is indeed in a different state than it was at the start of the market. Thanks for helping build the foundation and helping light a spark. My family and I are grateful for many fond summer and autumn memories. Kelly Adams Essex Jct.

By LOU ANN PIOLI It is with a heavy heart that I’ll be bidding farewell to a most amazing and wonderful group of people who have, in

Sarah ElizabEth Ku Sarah Elizabeth Ku, age 37, of Essex Junction, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 15, 2018 from complications of diabetes. She was the wife of Andy Ku of Essex Junction.. Sarah was born on November 7, 1981 at Springfield Hospital in Springfield, to Cheryl (Spaulding) Thibeault of Newbury. She grew up in Essex Junction, and graduated from Essex High School in 2001. She attended the University of Vermont in Burlington, where

281 North Main St. St. Albans, Vt. 05468 EDITORIAL: 893-2028 ADVERTISING: 524-9771 news@essexreporter.com www.essexreporter.com facebook.com/essexreporter twitter: @essexreporter

EDITORIAL EXECUTIVE EDITOR Courtney A. Lamdin courtney@essexreporter.com SPORTS EDITOR Josh Kaufmann josh@samessenger.com REPORTERS Colin Flanders colin@essexreporter.com Madeline Clark madeline@essexreporter.com

SENIOR CENTER

Swan Song

REPORTER

Amanda Brooks amanda@essexreporter.com

four years, become my second family. December 31 will be my final day in my role at the helm of the Essex Area Senior Center, a role I have embraced with passion, heart, joy and enthusiasm, and one that I will never forget. I’ve been blessed with the absolute best volunteers a person could wish for, who willingly and tirelessly worked alongside me to keep the Center and the

she met and went on to marry Andy Ku. They spent several years in San Diego, California, a short time in Johns Creek, Georgia, before returning to Essex Junction to be near family and raise their two sons, Calvin and Desmond. Besides her husband and children, Sarah leaves behind her two dads, James Earl Duncan or “Daddy Doodles,” as she called him when she was a little girl and his wife, Michelle Duncan of New Haven and Cheryl’s husband, Mark Thibeault, of Newbury, whom the grandsons affectionally called Papa. She was also survived by her sisters, Jennifer Marie Duncan of Essex Junction, Amber Thibeault of Essex Junction, Amanda Rounds of Milton, Stephanie Barrett of Huntington, and Justin Butler of Duxbury, Bonnie Duncan Colman and Heather Duncan of Union Bridge, Md., Scott Duncan of Fort Myers, Fl., James Michael Duncan of Colchester, her mother-in-law, Gentry Chien Ku, of San Di-

Senior Vans running smoothly. I had the enviable fortune of caring, supportive co-workers in the Village office who welcomed me from day one and treated me as one of their own. I’ve been honored to work among the most selfless, caring senior van drivers imaginable. I was gifted with many new friendships which

ego, Ca., her Aunt Nancy and Uncle Raymond of Acworth, Nh, Uncle Roger Spaulding of Windsor, and Aunt ElaineAmsden of Zephyr Hills, Fl., Uncle Tom Duncan of Buffalo, Ny. and Uncle Paul Duncan of Greensboro, Nc, and Aunt Bonnie Apthorpe of Haines City, Fl. as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins.She also leaves behind her best friend, Kristine (Slattery) Baker of Linwood, Nc. Among other relatives and friends waiting to greet her on the other side is her maternal grandmother and grandfather, Florence Beatrice and Robert Boyce Spaulding and her beloved pets, Wilbur the cat and Wu-Dog Nike. All who knew Sarah (deemed Sweet Sarah by friends and family) knew her devotion to her young family. Sarah had many interests, but her sons meant more than anything else. She was proud of each accomplishment and strived to assure happiness and preparation for life’s chal-

See FAREWELL, page 9

lenges. She was cherished by her many friends and will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by her co-workers at Condo Guy Team at Re/Max North Professionals. Sadly, Sarah was a Type 1 diabetic, challenging her lifestyle in so many ways. She faced this without complaint and often left us unaware of her struggles and pain. Her family knew her disease meant a shortened life expectancy, but no one was prepared for her sudden death. Her beauty, patience, and love for her little family will never be forgotten. Visiting hours were held at A. W. Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel. Funeral services were held on Sunday, December 23 at The First Congregational Church of Essex. Memorial donations may be made to https://www.gofundme.com/sarah-ku-memorialfund. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www. awrfh.com.

NEWS & SPORTS CLERK AND CALENDAR Ben Chiappinelli ben@essexreporter.com

BUSINESS OFFICE CO-PUBLISHERS Emerson & Suzanne Lynn emerson@samessenger.com GENERAL MANAGER Suzanne Lynn suzanne@samessenger.com ADVERTISING John Kelley john.kelley@samessenger.com CLASSIFIEDS & LEGALS Gail Wells gail@samessenger.com Ben Letourneau ben.letourneau@samessenger.com

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.

8 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018

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Chief Operating Officer at EWSD, speaking on changes to the district’s start and stop times

Every one of our officers gives us 110 percent. Where we’re running into problems is we’re not asking for 150 and 160. It’s getting to the point where things are starting to break.

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“We are not going to stop until we get what we want. We will be the change we want to see.”

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EHS student organizer r speaking at the walkout a e month after the Parkland Y shooting D

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018 | 9

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MENTOR Vermont announces recipients of the 2018-2019 mentoring grants Submitted by MENTOR Vermont Burlington—This fall, through the 2018-2019 Vermont Mentoring Grants, MENTOR Vermont (formerly known as Mobius) has awarded 29 grants, totaling $310,300 to support adult-to-youth mentoring programs throughout the state. This funding will support more than 100 new and existing program sites, and nearly 1,800 adult-to-youth mentor pairs in communities across Vermont.

MENTOR Vermont awarded a grant of $6,400 to Essex CHIPS to support the FriendCHIPS mentoring program. FriendCHIPS is a school-based mentoring program that matches adult volunteer mentors with students from the Essex Westford School District. The program plans to support 20 mentor matches this school year. “FriendCHIPS Youth Mentoring will use funds from the Vermont Mentoring Grant from MENTOR Vermont to increase our number of

matches,” said Eliza Kuchuck, director of youth engagement at Essex CHIPS. “There is always a waiting list of youth in need of mentors, and our hope is to expand the program to serve a greater number of youth through recruiting more mentors.” The Vermont Mentoring Grants are made possible each year through funding support from the A.D. Henderson Foundation, the Vermont Department for Children and Families, and the Permanent Fund for Vermont’s Children.

11:30. We’ll also celebrate December birthdays and bid farewell to those who are leaving. Admission is a dish to share. The Center will be closed on January 1 and 21, so please remember to reserve the senior van on December 31 for January 2, and on January 18 for January 22. The next senior luncheon will be an outing at JP’s on Wednesday, January 9. Tickets are required. New January programs include a “Paint and Sip” (non-alcohol-

ic) on January 16, and a 4-session Weaving Workshop. We still have some seats available for our spring trip to Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady, NY to see “Phantom of the Opera”. Please visit our website at www.essexvtseniors.org for details on these and other events and activities. Essex Area Senior Center is located at 2 Lincoln Street, the white annex to the Village municipal offices. Call 876-5087 for information.

You know what would look great here? Your ad! John Kelley, 524-9771 ext. 105 john.kelley@samessenger.com

2019

FAREWELL from page 7

undoubtedly will last the rest of our lives. I was privileged with countless opportunities to meet and network with other Center directors and workers from so many agencies, government entities, schools, and businesses all committed to helping and supporting seniors. This position has never been a “job” to me. It was my vocation. Leaving is undeniably bittersweet. The philosopher Heraclitus maintained that “The only thing that is constant is change-”, and those of us who have lived long enough certainly know the truth in those words. And, in some instances, it takes a change to make a change. I’ll be ushered into the new year as a retiree on a new adventure, which will allow me more time with my nearly99-year-old Dad and the rest of my family. My many friends at the Senior Center will still see me on occasion as a fellow enjoying a meal or ymember special event. I’m looking fors ward to the continued laughter s and hugs! I cannot adequately express my gratitude to all those who have enriched my life and filled my heart during my tenure at EASC. Please continue to nurture the warm, welcoming environment we created together that has made our Center so remarkable and successful. And, of course, a few reminders about upcoming events: Members Only New Year’s Potluck will be Monday, December 31 beginning at

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10 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018

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THIS YEAR IN PHOTOS

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The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018 | 11

DEC 27

12 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018

Essex Area Religious Directory 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.; Fundamental-Independent. 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. 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 DAYBREAk COMMUNITY CHURCH - 67 Creek Farm Plaza, Colchester. 338-9118. Jesse Mark, lead pastor. Sunday service: 10:30 a.m., www.daybreakvermont.org; brentdaybreak@gmail.com ESSEX ALLIANCE CHURCH - 37 Old Stage Road, Essex Jct. 8788213. 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 am 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 - UCC, an Open and Affirming Congregation, embracing diversity and affirming the dignity and worth of every person, because we are all created by a loving God. 1 Church Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Telephone (802) 878-5745; Website: www.fccej.org Email: welcome@fccej.org Senior Pastor, Rev. Mark Mendes, Assoc. Pastor, Rev. Josh Simon. Sunday Worship Services: 8:30 and 10:15 am. Communion: first Sunday of every month. Faith Formation meets weekly at 10:15 am. Jr. & High School Youth Groups on Sundays. Heavenly Food Pantry – second Monday, 5:30-7:30pm; fourth Thursday, 2-6pm, except for Nov & Dec when it is the third Thursday. Essex Eats Out Community Dinner – 1st Friday of the month, 5:30 – 7pm. Music includes Sanctuary Choir, Finally @ First Band, Joyful Noise, Cherub Music, Handbell Choir, Men’s Acapella and Ladies’ Acapella groups. gRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 130 Maple Street, Essex Jct., 1 mile south of the Five Corners on Maple Street / Route 117. 8788071. 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. 878-4014. Rev. Kim Hardy. 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.

27 thursday Vacation camps

Community Vacation camps

7:30 a.m.- 6p.m. Hiawatha School 34 Hiawatha Ave, Essex Jct., Camp staff incorporates sports, games, enrichment, and arts & crafts with lots of fun to keep your child happily occupied during school vacation breaks. Campers will also go on field trips each day. Snacks are provided.

aunt dot’s place

music With raph

9-11 a.m., 51 Center Road, Essex Jct., a resource for neighbors in need. Aunt Dot’s Place is happy to serve the communities of Essex, Westford, Jericho and Underhill.

seated yoga

10 - 10:30 a.m., Essex Area Senior Center. Want to try a new form of exercise? How about trying Seated Yoga? Led by dedicated member and volunteer, Sandi McGowan, this exercise class is open to all seniors. Seated yoga is a gentle form of exercise, designed to increase flexibility and balance and help reduce stress. Class is free for EASC members, $2/session for non-members. Please call 867-5087 to register.

Winter stories With linda costello

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct., Come hear a collection of winter folk tales from story teller Linda Costello!

age Well senior meal

11a.m.-1:30p.m., Pizza Hut, 1 David Dr, Essex Jct., The meals program is held at over 70 different locations. Programs vary from small rural gatherings, to senior centers, to an ever-growing array of restaurants.

modern Western style square dance 7:30-9p.m.,

Maple Street Park, 75 Maple St, Essex Jct., Join us every Thursday (except holidays) throughout the school year. You don’t need to know how to dance - “If you can walk to music you can learn to square dance.”

28 Friday

9:30-10 a.m., Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St., Essex Jct., Come sing & play with Raph. All ages.

musical storytime 10:30-11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library, 1 Browns River Rd, Essex Jct., Rock out and read every Friday morning with books, songs, and instruments. All ages.

Knitting & crocheting

1-3 p.m., Essex Area Senior Center, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct., Join us for knitting & crocheting at the Senior Center.

public sKate

1-3 p.m., Essex Skating Facility, 2 Educational Drive, Essex Jct., Public Skate. Rentals and Sharpening Available.

magic the gathering

4-6 p.m., Turner Toys, 21 Essex Way, Essex Jct., All ages welcome. Players determine format. No charge.

essex eats out

5:30-7p.m., Essex Center United Methodist Church, 119 Center Road, Essex Jct., Free community dinners for all!

dungeons & dragons

6:30-9 p.m., Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln Street, Essex Jct., Embark upon imaginary adventures. Our Dungeon Master serves as the game’s referee & storyteller. Gr. 6 and up.

29 saturday aunt dot’s place

9-11 a.m., 51 Center Road, Essex Jct., (see Dec. 27 for details).

WeeKend

storytime

10:30-11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library, 1 Browns River Rd, Essex Jct., Start your weekend with books, rhymes, and songs!

puppy playgroup

1-2 p.m., Vermont Dog Club, 36 Park St. Essex Jct., Playgroup just for puppies sixteen weeks and under.

30 sunday hog breaKFast

9-10 a.m., JP’s Diner & Deli, 39 River Rd, Essex, Join your local Champlain Valley Harley Owner Group for a hot breakfast at the best breakfast places in the region.

Kids’ gloW sWim pizza party

6-8 p.m., The Essex, 70 Essex Way, Essex Jct., Join Spa at The Essex team for a fun glow swim and pizza! Event is open to all children; glow sticks, snacks, and pizza will be provided. Please note adult supervision is required.

31 monday broWnell library closing at 5p.m. For the holiday Vacation camps 7:30 a.m.- 6p.m. Hiawatha School 34 Hiawatha Ave, Essex Jct.,(see Dec. 27 for details).

storytime With deb

10:30-11:30 Essex Free Library, 1 Browns River Rd, Essex Jct., Drop in for stories, songs, and a craft.

public sKate

2-4:30, Essex Skating Facility @ 2 Educational Drive, Essex Junction, Public Skate. Rentals and Sharpening Available.

1 tuesday bingo

12:30-3:30, Essex Area Senior Center, 2 Lincoln St, Essex Jct., Come play Penny Bingo Tuesdays from 12:30-3:30. Every card costs a penny, so if you play 10 cards, each game costs a dime. obody goes broke and nobody gets rich, but everyone has a good time.

S C a 4-6 p.m., Turner Toys, 21 O Essex Way, Essex Jct., (see a C Dec. 28 for details). R a yoga & meditation With i Jonah e w 5:30-7:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, i O 1 Church St, Essex Jct., Yoga@First – New to yoga? Returning? a 9 aunt dot’s place R 6-7:30 p.m., 51 Center c Road, Essex Jct., a n community resource for D neighbors in need. Aunt s Dot’s Place is happy to E serve the communities of a Essex, Westford, Jericho and Underhill. p

magic the gathering

2 Wednesday

9 S tech time 7 10- 11a.m., Essex Free J Library, 1 Browns River Rd, o Essex Jct., VT c a selectboard a meeting-budget w WorK session t 6-8 p.m., Essex Town Offices, 81 Main St., Essex s Jct., The Town of Essex has 1 a five member selectboard A who are elected by the W voters and, appoint all o other members of the t Town’s boards/committees. b The Selectboard meetings a are held on the first and M third Mondays of every c month beginning at 7 p.m. S in the conference room at f 81 Main Street. t b high school s basKetball E league f 6:15-9 p.m., Fleming c School, 21 Prospect St, Essex Jct., Open for all b EHS students. The league 1 features exciting games 2 each week. T c 3 thursday d n essex art league c 9-11 a.m., First s Congregational Church, 1 o Church Street, Essex Jct., s The goal of the Essex Art n League is to support the T appreciation and creation o of art among artists and A within Chittenden county. Members meet monthly p to share ideas and 5 information, create and E implement programs, and C participate in show venues. p Programs and events have included Artist’s z Workshops, Group visits to a

Calendar deadline every Friday at 5 p.m.

yCalendar Shelburne Museum, Lake Champlain Celebration at the Phoenix Bookstore, Open Studio Group Show at the Essex Junction Community Center, Old Red Mill Show in Jericho, and the Harvest Market in Jericho. Members are encouraged to exhibit their work at several locations, including Essex Town Offices and local libraries.

Aunt Dot’s PlAce 9-11 a.m., 51 Center Road, Essex Jct., a community resource for neighbors in need. Aunt Dot’s Place is happy to serve the communities of Essex, Westford, Jericho and Underhill.

Preschool PlAygrouP

9:30-11 a.m., Maple Street Recreation Center, 75 Maple Street, Essex Jct., You’re invited to join other caregivers and children for play time. We ask that you bring a drink and indoor shoes. There will be craft, sensory, story time, and songs.

seated yoga

BlooD Drive

6-8p.m., Essex Town Offices, 81 Main St, Essex Jct., The Zoning Board of Adjustment is composed of five members who are appointed by the Selectboard for three year terms. The purpose of the Zoning Board of Adjustment is to provide a degree of flexibility to an otherwise rigid system of regulation, to safeguard the rights of property owners and to alleviate the need for minor amendments to the ordinance through the exercise of a degree of administrative discretion as specifically authorized by state statutes.

BAsketBAll leAgue

6:15-9:30 p.m., Fleming School, 21 Prospect St, Essex Jct., Join us for some fun, exercise, and competition! This recreational league plays Thursday evenings in the fall and winter.

lA leche leAgue

6:30-8 p.m., Essex Free Library, 1 Browns River Road, Essex Jct., Come connect with other nursing mothers, share your stories and questions, and find breastfeeding support. Networking with other nursing mothers can help you meet your breastfeeding goals. A La Leche League Leader will be on hand to answer questions or for a private conversation. Join them whether you are pregnant, nursing your first tiny baby or weaning your last toddler. They meet downstairs in the children’s area.

1-6 p.m., Essex Cinema, 21 Essex Way, Essex Jct., The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. Thank you for supporting our community and the American Red Cross!

moDern Western style squAre DAnce

Pokemon leAgue

musicAl storytime

5-8 p.m., Turner Toys, 21 Essex Way, Essex Jct., Come, trade, and learn to play Pokemon!

Zoning Board of Adjustment

7:30-9 p.m., Maple Street Park, 75 Maple St, Essex Jct., Join us every Thursday (except holidays) throughout the school year. You don’t need to know how to dance - “If you can walk to music you can learn to square dance.”

4 FriDAy 10:30-11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library, 1 Browns River Rd, Essex Jct., Rock out and read every Friday morning with books, songs, and instruments. All ages.

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018 | 13

Jan 6

knitting & crocheting

1-3 p.m., Essex Area Senior Center, 2 Lincoln Street, Essex Jct., Join us for knitting & crocheting at the Senior Center.

mAgic the gAthering

4-6 p.m., Turner Toys, 21 Essex Way, Essex Jct., All ages welcome. Players determine format. No charge.

essex eAts out

5:30-7p.m., First Congregational Church, 1 Church Street, Essex Jct., Free community dinners for all!

5 sAturDAy Aunt Dot’s PlAce 9-11 a.m., 9-11 a.m., 51 Center Road, Essex Jct., a community resource for neighbors in need. Aunt Dot’s Place is happy to serve the communities of Essex, Westford, Jericho and Underhill.

stArt smArt BAsketBAll

9-9:45 a.m., Essex Middle School, 60 Founders Road, Essex Jct., Parents work together with their children to learn all the basic skills: dribbling, passing, catching, and shooting. Each participant will receive a mini basketball to keep.

PeeWee BAsketBAll 9:30-10:20 a.m., ADL Middle School, 104 Maple St, Essex Jct., A great start for developing your basketball skills early. Everyone plays and learns together through skills and basic ball movement exercises. For grade K. Parent volunteers are needed.

WeekenD storytime

10:30-11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library, 1 Browns River Rd, Essex Jct., Start your weekend with books, rhymes, and songs!

Preschool oPen gym

3-4:30 p.m., Maple Street Recreation Center, 75 Maple Street, Essex Jct., Come run around inside during the cold winter months. There will be a bouncy house, balls, trikes, a play hut, a mini-slide and push toys for ages

birth through five years

6 sunDAy PuBlic skAte

2-4:30 p.m., Essex Skating Facility, 2 Educational Drive, Essex Jct., Public Skate. Rentals and Sharpening Available.

Pete’s Posse

4-5 p.m., UCW White Church, Westford. The talented trio, Pete’s Posse, known as the Vermont band that embodies all the beauty of American roots music will be the featured artists for the January Westford Music Series in collaboration with Young Tradition Vermont.

BAlkAn Folk DAncing

Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 N. Prospect St, Burlington. 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. Taught by Louise Brill, and others. Easier line and circle dances are taught the first hour, then intermediate dances, reviews and open request dancing. Beginners are welcome and no partner is needed. $6 donation + snacks for the break, if you can. Free the first time. Wear informal, comfortable clothing. Lots of parking, come in the back door. For more information, please call 802 540-1020, or email dance@together.net

FAith-BAseD grieF shAre suPPort grouP

9:30-11 am, Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Rd., Essex Jct., VT in Room 102. If you have lost a loved one you are invited to attend. For more info and to register for the class contact Ron Caldwell, ron_ caldwell@comcast.net.

single ADults’ volleyBAll gAme/ Potluck Dinner 6 pm, Essex Alliance Church Community Center, 37 Old Stage Rd., Essex Jct., VT. For more information contact Sue: 999-5291.

Send event listings to calendar@essexreporter.com

Whether you’re considering clear aligners, retainers or today’s braces, an orthodontist is the smart choice. Orthodontists are specialists in straightening teeth and aligning your bite. They have two to three years of education beyond dental school. So they’re experts at helping you get a great smile – that feels great, too.

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Pets of the Week SNOWBALL ~ 3 years old ~

Breed: Mixed breed Reason here: Transfer from the Humane Society of Marlboro County in South Carolina Arrival Date: 06/09/18 Energy Level: high! Size/Weight: Large 68 lbs. Snowball is well-loved at HSCC, but he’s soooo ready to make the move to a new family! He’s got a few different nicknames that he likes to go by: Snowman, Snowbaby, Snowy, Jon Snow (please say this with the correct Game of Thrones accent if you’re a fan!), and he’s got quite the ridiculously cute face. Snowball is originally from South Carolina where he spent the first part of life on a chain, but he’s heard that Vermont is THE Place for dogs, (kind of like visiting a resort!) so he’s looking forward to hikes and attending the many dog friendly events in the area. So, pick up this Snowball for yourself this winter, he’s the only one you’ll find that’ll stick around and won’t melt! Dogs: Snowball has met dogs at the shelter and has done well Cats: His history with cats is unknown Children: He lived with an older child and did well

Humane Society of Chittenden County 802-862-0135

14 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018

j o e’s Chr i stm a s Wi sh Li st pa rt 2

SPORT SHORTS By JOE GONILLO Frank Martel – new breed of VSOA refs next fall; Don Fillion – a fishing trip to Wyoming; Annah and Dr. Chris Sullivan – a return to coaching and private practice; Tiffany Gilbert – middle school TF/hurdle job; Joe O’Brien – time on the links; Dennis Fillion – less hours on the job and more soccer games to ref; Bill Hennessey – CEO job in your future; Joe and Julie Hennessey – long walks in VT/FLA during retirement; Libby Smith – wonderful golfing opportunities @ BCC; Kate and Gael Shungu – an addition to the family in the near future; Meghan and Zach Smith – more Red Sox tickets; Toria Lajoie – a highly successful athletic training career; Jason and Amy Stannard – college grants; Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte – a front office reunion in Miami; Mariano Rivera – a first ballot Hall of Famer; Bernie Williams – #51 retired; Josh Becker – U of Arizona football tickets; Greg Walsh – huge EAC parking lot; Mike Wells – another successful winter on the bench; Noel Boutin – most efficient Zamboni in the state; Joe and Sandy Moore – great draft pick for Eagles

and a Carson Wentz visit to your church; Levi and Leah Smith – tons of kid time; The James family – happiness out west; Ron and Nancy Myers – vacation time with grandkids; Ally Vile, Adrianne Martin, Nicole Mone-St. Marthe; Betsy Hoffmeister – Town of Essex Recreation Department continues excellence programs offerings to our residents; Charlie Burnett – a return to the football coaching ranks somewhere; Randy Burnett – following your brother’s lead back to coaching; Mark Ginsburg – continued success at MMU on the gridiron; Kerry LeClair – good draft pick for Eagles in April; Ryan McLaren – a return to EHS in some capacity; Dr. Ramsay – the cure for cancer; Brad Smith – a full slate of softball games on the Cape; Nicole Dvorak – success in business; Mark Barry – clean and safe CT Rec beaches; Adam Peterson – VSOA soccer referee certification; Kenny Burnett – well-oiled equipment at Essex Rec; Dave Foster – college hockey tickets; Our VT National Guard - a huge thank you for your service and always safe returns home; Jerome Monachino – awesome voices in SMC choir and yearly fishing trip; Amy Phillippo – Boston Marathon qualifying; Kathy Cinder – grandkids; Cecilia Golnazarian – a happy

August SpagnuoloChawla, right, races in the first Nordic compedtition of the season, Dec. 15 at Rikert Touring Center in Ripton.

NORDIC RESULTS Saturday at Rikert Varsity Boys 4) Charles Martell - 14:21.0 47) Nathan Wu- 17:31.0 52) Ethan Boutin - 18:03.0 59) Samson Schultz- 19:17.0 61) Walker Stapleton - 19:25.0 66) Nolan Boerger - 20:47.0 70) Caleb Brott - 23:48.0

and relaxing life; Bob and Mary Anne Chaffee – fun, fun, fun on the Cape; Sandy Willey – relaxation in retirement; Bob Willey – ditto; John Willey – inching closer to retirement and a dead-eye jumper; Chris MacFarlane – new training shoes; Ace Ali – Flynn season tickets; EWSD IT Crew – high tech, top-of-the-line computers, less glitches, and of course our endless thanks; Alex Abrami – sports column for the New York Times covering the Yankees this season; Matt Crawford – new fishing pole; Linnea Willey – coaching high schoolers; Doc Maddalena – continued EHS GHOC success; Jerry Frank – massive amounts of relaxation on the lake; Deb Maddalena Connor – happiness in life; Shaun MacArdle – coaching your daughter in XC at CHS; Molly Edwards – fun with family, summer trips, and enjoyable vacations; the MacArdle kids – a return to Disney; Duncan Harvey – great pizza and food at Rocky’s; Diane and Russ Auger – weekly tee times in sunny weather and good luck with the new FLA home; Emily Scott White – congrats on the wedding; Teresa Fleming – grandkids; Natalie Fleming – congrats on the wedding; Mac and Stick McAllister – a full-time sports’ contract at NBC Sports; Tim Stratford – running shoes; Steve Hennessey – front office job in MLB; Kara Bissonnette – Manny Machado; Ashley and Ryan Neary – free babysitting; Eric and Leslie Langevin – easily, so much more family

time; Sports and Fitness Edge – parking lot expansion; David Coggio – more golf in VT and thriving business in ME and CA; the EHS, Brownell, and Essex Free Libraries – Lee Child, Michael Connolly, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Vince Flynn, Sue Grafton novels; Spencer Noble and Jeff Taft – brand new tiki bar in Fort Myers Beach…… Mario and Sherri Ross – blessings and many more wonderful years together; John and Shelly Summerville – grandkids constantly running throughout your home; Deb and Steve Schonberg – extra time on Sanibel Island; Natalie LeClair, Elaina Coutrayer, Troy Coutrayer, Kara McNamara, Leah Murdock, Shannon and Bridget Hennessey, Ashley Wilson, Kathryn Kearns, Kristin Kowalski, Erin Oliver, Khanh Nguyen, Erica Boyce, Katherine Ramsey, Alexis Purdy, Sam O’Sullivan, Lauren Goodnow, Jamie Kida, Scott Cayea, Beau Cameron, Mary Krug, Kimmy Dirmaier Brandon Keift, Kristin McNamara, Charlie Kline, Anna Guthrie, Leah Conchieri, Lexie O’Sullivan, Sarah Sherman, Katie Polakowski, Lindsey Judge, Julie and Katie Conlon, Casey Dubie, Bailey Farrell, Antonia Armstrong-Laird, Shannon Heath, Angela Henry, Hillary Keithcart, Officer David Bowers, Simone Mendes, Lindsay Norris, Kyla Ward, Mike and Olivia Dimambro, Sarah Flaherty, Melissa, Josh, Olivia, and Ben Fontaine, Claire Murphy, Paige Wood,

Kim and Tom Dvorak, Chinelo and Chike Asanya, Rosy Gallo, Lucy Lincoln, Isey Esposito, Nikki Braceras, Alexa Pius, Rachael Pinto, Paige Hathaway, Emma Sopchak, Isabelle and Nate Federico, Bobby and Abigail Evans, Kevin Conchieri, Tom Carton, Mariah Neverett, Katherine Furland, Kira and Kevin Hancock, Ashley Douglas, Courtney Gleason, Tim Yandow, Jack Mechler, Erik, Sean, Eric, and Katie James, Amanda Sinkewicz, Kyle Baker, Madison Stephenson, Mychaela Harton, Sydney Duncan, Sade Hankey, and others thank you so very much for the fond TF memories including countless state championships…may you all enjoy the successes in life; Emily Goodrich – Dean’s List at UVM; Sand Hill Pool lifeguards and staff – a ton of sun, calm camp kids, and windows for the back room; Saint Ambroise (Azzie) Azagoh-Kouadio – complete recovery – prayers your way; Thomas Dvorak - success in business; LJ Harris – success in life after college; Nate Bradbury – full-time teaching and coaching job; Emily Zelko – a great life-after-college job; the EHS maintenance and grounds staff – green grass to cut, and less dirt and garbage around; Emily Danis – more grants for college-aged and med school daughters; Dave Barra – time on the bench in Chittenden County; Editor’s note: See the remainder of Joe’s massive wish list column on our website at essexreporter.com.

STEpHEN ASToR Basketball: Senior

T PHOTO BY JOHN MCCRIGHT

Varsity Girls 34) Emma Chadwick - 19:20.0 52) Riley Fitzgerald - 21:07.0 54) Abigail Monahan - 21:08.0 56) Emma Brott - 21:11.0 68) August Spagnuolo-Chawla - 21:51.0 82) Regan Parent - 24:20.0 83) Iza Logan - 24:53.0

he Hornet seniors’ bid for their first winning season got off to a solid start behind Astor’s 35 points in the North/ South Classic, where Essex played a solid opener against two-time defending champion Rutland (losing 61-53) and then beat Mt. Anthony 71-56. The Red Raiders’ 20 wins in each of the past two winters matched Essex’s combined 3-year total. Astor was one of three Hornets in double figures with 11 points while RHS won its 41st in a row, but in the second tourney game Dec. 15, Astor led Essex to a 15-point win with 24, starting off the night with 11 in the opening period.

Editor’s note: Last week’s Athlete of the Week mispelled Stephen’s name. We regret the error.

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018 | 15

JoNAH JANAro

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Season's Greetings

Senior: Hockey

he Essex co-captain needed less than 15 minutes of action to notch a hat trick, scoring three times in the second period of an 8-1 season-opening rout of Stowe on Dec. 15. The four-year varsity stalwart leads the 15time state champion program with fellow captains Willem Barwin, Gordon Schmalz, and Grady Cram.

From Jon's Darkroom

We want to thank everyone for a great 2018!

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SoPHIA ForCIEr Sophomore: Hockey

orcier stopped all 32 shots she saw in two games, helping Essex earn its first Chrsti Corrigan Comet Blitz title since 2012. The sophomore goalie opened the season Dec. 14 with 18 saves, 15 of which came in the first two periods, against Massena, N.Y. Back at the Collins-Perley Sports Center in St. Albans the next morning, Forcier handled all 14 shots from Hingham, Mass., in a 2-0 victory. The Hornets, whose defensive effort against Hingham included a one-shot second period. The defense racked up a third consecutive shutout to start the season when it dropped defending D-II champion Stowe, 3-0.

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16 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018

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The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018 | 17

cla ssi f i e ds

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sawzall, skill saw, sander, grinder, and jigsaw. Asking $100 for KEYBOARD WITH STAND, like set. Call 802-868-6231 new, 100 rhythms, 100 timbers, Wanted to Buy in time for Christmas! $85. Call 802-285-6204 BUYING ANTIQUES Complete households, most Movies/CDs/Tapes/Etc. anything old/of good quality. 45+ DVDS, TOTE FULL of different years buying! Fair prices paid! Call Ed Lambert genres. $85 takes all. Call 802802-528-5651 or 868-6231 802-782-1223 Produce/Turkeys/HomemadeSt. Albans Food FREON R12 WANTED: CERTIHOMEMADE TONGUE PICKLES and pickled beats. Great FIED BUYER will PAY CA$H for holiday gifts! $6 per pint. Call R12 cylinders or cases of cans. (312) 291-9169; 802-782-4125 www.refrigerant finders.com Tools/Accessories Musical Items

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18 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018

LOCA L

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From left, Virginia Cobb, Rosie Whitney and Belle Pitcher present in front of the school board before asking members to raise the Black Lives Matter flag at the Westford Elementary School. The middle school trio earned the school board’s approval this spring to raise the flag for the remainder of the school year. “By raising the flag, we raise awareness that this important work isn’t finished,” their presentation said. Board members asked a handful of questions, including whether they were prepared to handle the backlash that may come from their request. “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.” Sarah Salatino, who owns a perennial nursery out off Brigham Hill Road, became a vocal supporter of tightened restrictions on backyard shooting ranges, of which she knows at least seven within a few miles of her home. She worried she might come across as anti-hunting, or worse, anti-gun, but was adamant she’s never had an issue with hunting or hunters, and believes people have a right to shoot their guns, but she wonders if there’s a compromise, one that considers shooters’ right to bear arms and her right to safety and serenity. “I hope I can be gray instead of black and white,” she said. Founders Memorial fourthgrader Julian Ercole received a life-saving award in April from Essex’s emergency departments for his role to help save a 5-year-old boy from drowning in Hartford, Conn. on January 27. After a group of Vermonters, there for a gymnastics meet, saw a young boy unresponsive in the pool, Julian dove to the bottom and brought the boy to the surface. He was happy and proud to know he helped saved a life, and said he would take home a lesson, too. “I learned that anybody can be a hero if they put their mind to it and look out for anything that is bad that is happening,” he said. “Stand up to it. Stand up to the challenge.”

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018 | 19

lOCA l

things we learned

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Sarah Hall, left, and Mason Bauer make up the duo beind M.A.P.S., a dog walking service in their neighborhood that helps them raise money to donate to non-kill shelters. M.A.P.S. fills a void for dog owners who struggle to find time to give their pets the exercise they need. For owners and dogs, the benefits are obvious. But the two business gurus receive something in return for their efforts, too. Mason said he values helping dogs get exercise. “It’s just fun,” he said. His reason for loving dogs is as equally simple: “They’re cute, and they sometimes have a lot of energy.” For Sarah, the charitable operation is just her latest. She donated a little over $200 to the Humane Society of Chittenden County for her fifth birthday, asking for money in lieu of gifts. “I’ve loved dogs my whole life,” she said. “I always wanted to be a vet or dog trainer … if I’m ever nervous or anything, dogs have always just been like a comfort. They have no opinion,” she continued. “They’re just really great friends.” They even offered one intrepid reporter a couple tips in case the whole journalism thing doesn’t work out. “Always have treats,” Sarah said. “And Band-Aids,” Mason mused. Sarah, who admits she’s fallen on dog walks a few times, agreed.

George Murtie plays a song off his new album, “My Next Last Chance,” during a performance at the Black Box Theatre in Burlington on May 30. Murtie, a retired Essex cop, is pursuing his dream to be a musician alongside his wife of 43 years, Linda. The two traveled down to Nashville this summer so George could hit the open mic circuit. Murtie never considered making money off his dream. Even now, he doesn’t seem to have much interest in fame. He defers praise and said he’s surprised at the feedback he’s received. He likes performing because he believes music is a universal language. He thought his album sounded “pretty good,” and he’s heading to Nashville to “see what happens.” “I’m having a ball,” he said. “As long as we stay healthy, things are looking up.” Linda, meanwhile, offered her own take on his chances to make some waves. “How can anyone not fall in love with him?” she asked. “I have no idea.”

Protect her future. Always.

We met Bill Busier, a longtime Essex resident, this spring at a surprise party for his 100th birthday, and the World War II veteran remained stoic for much of the event as speakers commended his longevity and showered him with resolutions and gifts, including a flag flown over the U.S. capitol in honor of his birthday. But eventually, the hour-long ceremony revealed a prize worthy of Busier’s 100 years of life. “I never believed as a young man down in Shelburne that I would accrue so many dearest friends,” Busier said, wiping a few tears from his face. “I really appreciate everybody here, and God bless you.”

our year

2018 in review

unilateral injuries 45% 55%

50% 50%

left right

shoulder

hip

53% 47%

left right

knee

7 new team members 219,996 blocked spam emails Use It to Lose It 120 class participants williston • colchester • barre www.rehabgym.com

20 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018

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