Dec. 31, 2015 The Essex Reporter by Essex Reporter

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ESSEX

DECEMBER 31, 2015

Vol. 35, No. 52

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Sandhill/Route 15 slated for upgrade in 2019 The Essex Selectboard had its first look at the new Sandhill Road/ Route 15 intersection — a project that aims to cut down on traffic buildup and increase driver safety — earlier this month. Once the design is finalized, the Vermont Agency of Transportation will hold a hearing where residents can provide feedback on the design. The likely date for this meeting is late winter or early spring, according to Michael LaCroix, a VTrans traffic design and safety engineer. LaCroix presented the design

during the Dec. 7 selectboard meeting. The project is tentatively set to break ground in spring 2019. The current cost estimate is $930,000, although that price is likely to rise before the project's completion, LaCroix said. The construction will be entirely federally funded, explained LaCroix, so “the town is not on the hook for anything.” "The only thing we would approach the town for is a finance and maintenance agreement... which is standard operating procedure for a project like this,” LaCroix told the selectboard. The project is a continuation

of a 2008 study that aimed to address safety and traffic delays at the intersection, specifically on Sandhill Road. The biggest changes to Route 15 will be seen heading east, where a dedicated right-hand turning lane will be created as the road approaches the intersection. A through lane will also be established. Sandhill Road will see a number of changes as well. Currently, drivers approaching the intersection must navigate around two separate islands depending on which direction they're attempting

– See SANDHILL on page 2a

A conceptual design of the Sandhill Road/Route 15 intersection. The project is tentatively set to break ground in spring 2019. COURTESY OF VERMONT AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION

Town budget proposal shows 4.75 percent increase

EPOR TE

Continued on page 1b

Paving and finance merger part of plan

PIC TUR

2015

A YEAR IN PICTURES

By COLIN FLANDERS The Essex Reporter

By JASON STARR The Essex Reporter

Essex Municipal Manager Pat Scheidel presented a budget increase proposal of 4.75 percent over the current fiscal year to the Essex Selectboard last week, initiating the public budgeting process that leads to Town Meeting Day. The board will finalize a proposal in January to present to voters at Town Meeting Day, Feb. 29 at Essex High School. The approximately $600,000 budget increase would raise the property tax for the owner of an averagepriced ($288,000) Essex home by $53 annually, Scheidel estimates. The budget proposal includes a $200,000 transfer of expense from the village of Essex Junction road-paving program to the town highway department – part of the selectboard and Village Trustees – multi-year effort to consolidate duplicated services between the two overlapping municipalities. The paving transfer is part of a consolidation of public works departments. The transfer will result in a reduction in village property taxes of 1.8 cents per every $100 of assessed property value, Scheidel said. The transfer also allows for a 1-cent reduction in highway taxes for Essex residents outside the village. Scheidel said without the $200,000 cost transfer, the town’s budget increase would be about 3.5 percent instead of the proposed 4.75 percent. He also noted that the regional cost-of-living increase is estimated to be less than 2 percent in the coming fiscal year. A majority of the proposed budget increase is the result of salary increases associated with union employment contracts. Salaries are budgeted to increase 3.5 percent, Scheidel said. Salaries as a whole, however, are projected to increase 4.4 percent as a result of a proposal to add a new employee in the Essex Public Works Department. Scheidel also proposes to increase the current part-time senior center coordinator position to full time. The budget assumes the town’s grand list will grow by 1 percent in the coming fiscal year, but Scheidel hopes that

– See BUDGET on page 2a

Trustees look to St. Albans for ideas on revitalizing the village By COLIN FLANDERS The Essex Reporter

4 1. Carnival-goers take a horse-drawn sleigh ride during the Essex Winter Carnival in March.

5 OLIVER PARINI PHOTOGRAPHY

2. Hornet Jenna Puleo leaping off the vault during the Feb. 21 State Championship gymnastics meet at Essex High School. She placed second in the event. PHOTO | PAUL LAMONTAGNE 3. Laurie Montague holds the hand of her husband, Darryl Montague, 48, a firearms instructor and Essex High School graduate, while he was lying in the intensive care unit at University of Vermont Medical Center in a medical-induced coma. He’d been there since June 29, when he was shot three times in front of their Westford home. PHOTO COURTESY | LAURIE MONTAGUE 4. Pamela Champagne of Essex picks up trash in Essex Junction during Green Up day in May.

PHOTO | MONICA DONOVAN

5. Senior Spencer Sochin skies for a spike during the boys’ volleyball state championships Oct. 31. The Hornets won their third-straight state title. PHOTO | BOB LOCICERO

The Essex Village Board of Trustees took a field trip earlier this month to meet with St. Albans officials and learn more about the city’s planning structure and redevelopment efforts. “We had been talking about village center redevelopment and the revitalizing of older downtowns, and we were aware that St. Albans had gone through a significant effort and were very pleased with the results,” said Trustees President George Tyler. The trustees were given a presentation by St. Albans representatives on Dec. 18 that covered the city’s history and downtown redevelopment process, along with a tour of the redevelopment sites, including the city’s streetscape, state office building and Main Street projects. “Since our planning efforts are in transition, we thought it would be a good idea for us to look at look at how other communities have set up their planning, in particular when there aren’t too many communities in Vermont that are trying to revitalize an older urban center,” Tyler said. The trip came during an important time in Essex’s planning landscape: just over a week after the Thoughtful Growth in Action working group announced its recommendation to form a joint planning commission for the town and the village, as well as separate development review boards for each. After the recommendations are presented to the community on Jan. 13 at Essex High School, the selectboard and trustees will review a finalized report of the recommendations — set for a tentative date in midmarch.

– See IDEAS on page 2a

The Essex Reporter • December 31, 2015

Socially responsible businesses unveil legislative agenda By JASON STARR The Essex Reporter The Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility gathered ealier this month in Burlington to preview its lobbying priorities for the upcoming session of the Vermont Legislature. Roughly 130 business leaders whose membership in the nonprofit trade group signals their focus on beyond-financial bottom lines to include social and environmental justice joined about 15 state legislators at the event. The group will put its weight behind legislative efforts to tax carbon emissions; mandate that employers provide paid leave; tax-fund health care and decouple it

from employment; remove criminal history questions on job applications; and favor Vermont businesses for procurement of state government contracts. Problems with state contracting were highlighted in a report released Monday by State Auditor Doug Hoffer. The report criticizes several state agencies and departments for “sole source” contracting – failing to put state contracts out for competitive bidding. “It was a complete surprise, but it confirms the suspicions we have about state procurement practices,” VBSR spokesman and lobbyist Dan Barlow said. “It’s an opening to make some changes.” Speaker of the House Shap Smith

addressed the gathering at the Black Box Theater in Main Street Landing, focusing on the Legislature’s work on two VBSR priorities — health care reform and taxing carbon pollution. He highlighted an emerging effort to expand the state’s subsidized child health care program, Dr. Dynasaur, to cover young adults up to the age of 26. VBSR supported the state’s thwarted attempt at universal, government-run health care, and the group sees the Dr. Dynasaur expansion plan as a move in the right direction. “I think we’ve already shed our tears about the single-payer proposal and now we’re looking for what’s next,” Barlow said. The key to any heath care reform is to

decouple Vermonters’ employment status with their health insurance coverage, he said. The VBSR platform states: “The employersponsored system is not sustainable and is resulting in increasing costs and diminishing results for workers and businesses. There is no level playing field — businesses that do pay for employee health insurance are at a disadvantage when competing against businesses where the workforce either has no insurance or gets state subsidies.” The VBSR group is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Its legislative agenda was developed through meetings of its board of directors and input from a membership of roughly 750 businesses leaders around the state.

Colchester man pleads not guilty to armed robbery charges By COLIN FLANDERS The Essex Reporter A Colchester man has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of assault and robbery with a weapon in connection to three separate incidents — including the October robbery of Finelli's in Colchester. Over a three-week span, Zachary J. Cook, 32, entered three convenient stores with what appeared to be a handgun and demanded money, according to court records submitted by South Burlington Det. Sarah Superneau. The first robbery took place on Sept. 17 at the Champlain Farms in South Burlington, where Cook made off with $190 and two $20

lottery tickets, according to the records. Surveillance footage from the incident showed a man wearing a hoodie with bright green strings and grey sneakers with bright, reddish-orange laces. The video also showed a silver Subaru Forester leaving the scene shortly after the robbery — the same vehicle was spotted at all three crime scenes, court records show. On Sept. 26, Cook robbed the Simon's in South Burlington, making off with $1,000, according to the court records. The third robbery, which occurred at Finelli's on Oct. 5, was interrupted when a customer entered the store while the robbery

POLICE BEAT VSP looking for help on Christmas thefts

Vermont State Police are looking for information regarding a number of thefts from unlocked vehicles in the Foothills Drive Development in Jericho. Police say the thefts occurred overnight between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Among the items stolen were Christmas gifts and loose change. Police are encouraging residents to lock their vehicles, removing or securing valuable items whenever possible. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Vermont State Police at 802-878-7111.

was in progress. The customer, identified in court records as Roger Beauregard, chased Cook from the store. Following that incident, Colchester Police found a sweatshirt and a brown, plastic toy gun in the bushes behind Finelli's in the direction Cook fled, and are awaiting DNA and fingerprint analysis on those items. Cook's girlfriend later told police that he owned a similar sweatshirt. She said he told her it was stolen out of his car the same day as the first robbery, court records state. A day after the first robbery, the South Burlington Police received a call from the Vermont Lottery Commission informing

Based on this evidence, an arrest warrant for Cook was issued on Nov. 9, according to court records. Cook was eventually taken into custody by United States Marshals on Dec. 14. He was then arraigned, and is currently being held at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in Swanton for lack of $125,000 bail. Each of the three counts Cook faces carries up to a 15-year sentence. A status conference is set for Monday at the Chittenden Superior Courthouse, where Cook's lawyer and the prosecutor will discuss the case's next steps.

them that one of the lottery tickets had been cashed at a Burlington Cumberland Farms. With the help of surveillance footage, four separate witnesses later identified that man as Cook. When South Burlington Police asked Cook about the lottery ticket on Oct. 6, he said he wasn't sure where he got it from. He then left Superneau a voicemail the next day claiming he had found the tickets on the ground in Burlington. After executing a search warrant on Cook's residence at 9 Sharrow Circle, police found shoes that matched those seen in the surveillance footage. A silver Subaru Forester was parked outside the residence.

IDEAS

SANDHILL

from page 1a

to turn. These islands will be removed, allowing for dedicated left- and right-hand turning lanes, while a small island will be built between Sandhill Road's incoming and outgoing traffic. Traffic lights will preside over the intersection, connected remotely to the Vermont Agency of Transportation. LaCroix said that while the project's main focus is mending the intersection's capacity issues, there will be positive safety implications as well. He pointed to a recent crash report detailing an accident caused by a driver who was unable to find the correct entrance to Sandhill Road. He said with the current layout, he's surprised more accidents like that don't occur. In response to concerns about the road's availability during the construction process, LaCroix said he doesn't envision the intersection being closed completely, and added that he believes the project can be completed in one construction season.

While St. Albans has a similar planning structure to Essex — a planning commission and a development review board — the city also has a Downtown Board, which advises on development and revitalization efforts, along with overseeing “St. Albans for the Future,” a nonprofit organization which looks to improve quality of life in the downtown area. Tyler noted how closely the city’s town manager, development director and city council worked with the business community to “understand their needs” and find ways the city government could work with businesses to improve their property. He said this was one of the major takeaways from the trip. “These were things we kind of knew, but we wanted to gain their experience. [St. Albans] is a much different city — much larger than Essex Junction — but we wanted to know how they approached it and what their observations were,” Tyler said.

“These were things we kind of knew, but we wanted to gain their experience. [St. Albans] is a much different city ... but we wanted to

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observations were.”

proves to be a conservative estimate. The average grand list growth over the past five years has been nearly 1.5 percent. Last year, the grand list grew by 2.1 percent. Any increase in the grand list above the 1 percent estimate will reduce the tax impact of the budget below the predicted $53 average annual increase. The budget would solidify the ongoing consolidation of the town and village finance and administrative functions, making the village finance director, Lauren Morrisseau, the unified finance director, and the town finance director, Doug Fisher, the unified director of administrative services. The consolidation already has led to a unified municipal manager and a single tax collection system. In the upcoming fiscal year, a sharing of accounts payable/ receivable, a shared bank account and shared payroll system are expected. The town and village are also studying a unified planning and zoning setup. The selectboard plans a public work session on the budget proposal during its Jan. 18 meeting.

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Village Trustees President George Tyler

In addition geographical differences, Tyler highlighted St. Albans’ distinction as a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, which allows for municipalities to borrow money from the state education fund and put it toward public infrastructure improvements, with the hope of those improvements raising the property tax, which is then paid back into the education fund. While the trustees have no desire to create a TIF district in Essex — state law currently prohibits the creation of any further TIF districts anyway — Tyler said planning for a hypothetical TIF district could be a “useful exercise” in terms of determining long-range goals. He added that downtown redevelopment inherently poses a “unique set of challenges,” as it requires planning on top of an area that “already has buildings on it.” “We wanted to learn how St. Albans handled those issues. It was an excellent trip and I think we all learned a lot from it,” Tyler said.

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The Essex Reporter • December 31, 2015

Essex Junction Senior Center

By PEGGY PEARSON

Anyone 50 years of age or older is welcome at the Essex Junction Senior Center. Located at the Five Corners between the fire station and the Brownell Library, the Center is open weekdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For information, call 876-5087 or visit essexvtseniors.org. To make a reservation for the Senior Van call 878-6940. To register for any special activity, please contact Lou Ann Pioli, Director, at 876-5087.

appy New Year! We’re happy to ring in new beginnings at the Senior Center. Looking back, I’m excited with the progress we made in the past few years. After lots of hard work, two senior groups joined together to form one stronger organization, the Essex Area Senior Center. We have a willing pool of volunteers, a variety of activities, a skilled director, a healthy treasury, welcoming space, and strong community support. The future looks bright as new leadership takes the helm. Elected to the first board of directors are: AnneMarie Dennis (treasurer), Martha DiMaggio, Randy Forguites (chair), Donna Harnish, Linda Himelstein, Carl Houghton, Connie

Marshall (vice chair), Peggy Pearson (secretary), and Mary Whitten. It’s a great time for new energy to take over and move the Center forward in 2016. One of our recent holiday treats was a visit from Karen Reed, the music teacher from Hiawatha School, and a group of third-graders, who came to entertain us at a meal site luncheon. In addition to teaching the children to sing, Ms. Reed also teaches dances to go with the songs. Hearing their sweet voices and watching their enthusiastic dancing, you can’t help but smile. Our favorite part was at the end, when the children and seniors matched up to do a lively clapping song together. What fun! If you haven’t tried a luncheon at the meal site

on Wednesday yet, why not join us? Most of the time, we meet at Maple Street Park at noon, with a menu of soup, sandwiches, and cake for just $2 per person. Once a month, we have a potluck lunch, with many delicious dishes on the table. If you bring a dish to share, potluck is free. If not, there is a $4 charge. Sometimes, we go out to eat at a local restaurant or to the Center for Technology’s dining room. Tickets for outings are required and on sale only at luncheons. On Jan. 6, Grace Methodist Church and Holy Family host a soup and sandwich luncheon, and lunch on Jan. 13 is at JP’s Restaurant. Don’t forget your 2016 dues! The daily guest fee is $1, but members can come to the Center most days as

often as they like for just $12 a year and get reduced fees for special events, trips, and Jazzercise classes. Make friends and fight the winter blues at the Essex Area Senior Center! On New Year’s Day, the Senior Center hosts a potluck lunch at noon followed by cards, games and conversation. Begin the new year with good food and good friends. If your New Year’s resolution includes getting more exercise, the Center offers several options. Seated yoga, led by Sandi McGowan, is Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at no charge. Jazzercise Lite and strength building classes require purchase of a punch card. Classes are Tuesdays at 8:00 a.m., Wednesdays at 4:15 and 5:30 p.m., and Thursdays at 11 a.m.

Do you have a bright idea for a story? write to us at: news@essexreporter.com

Karen Reed’s third grade music class entertains seniors at Maple Street Park.

The gift of time, imagination By ELLEN DROLETTE As the days are short, cold and darker, many of us are forced inside for periods of time with varied ages of children. This month we explore the advantages of open-ended dramatic play. Open-ended play allows for a variety of ages to be able to share in the same experience, but what they get out of it is completely dependent on their stage of development. Some of my favorite childhood memories are those that were spent playing with non-toys, using my imagination and being allowed to come up with my own ideas and story. Among early childhood educators it is more aptly called “dramatic play.” The best times are those when a child can use grandma’s old silk scarf and Uncle George’s fedora that he no longer needs and a blanket draped over a table that serves as a hideout or the best blanket fort EVER. These are what childhood memories are made of. How will you create them with your wee one? Children need time and space. They need time to expand their story line, create props, and replay a story with different characters and outcomes. Many times children will start a story again where they left off and expand it later in the day or the next day even. They also need space. Children don’t need a lot of space. However, they need space that they can use uninterrupted for a period of time. A fort cannot be built and furnished in 10 minutes and if it is, hopefully it won’t have to be disassembled before dinnertime. Building a blanket fort with your child is a great way to spend time together and teach them a very important trade. Blanket forts building is an art. Children will watch us as we navigate trying to figure out what will hold the blanket up and how we will fasten it to the chair. They will watch as we try to manage the weight of a blanket and then decide a sheet is really the best to use. Once built, children can transform the space into a castle, a fort, a house or a hide out. They can move in their pillows, a few books, some stuffed animals and maybe a flashlight to see. When multiple children are sharing, there may be a need to establish rules. “You must go in through this door.” Or “You must sing a song and knock three times on the floor before coming in.” Think about ways of extending the learning. Having children write the rules down on paper or making signs for their new establishment is a way to tap in to some other vital developmental areas such as language, literacy and fine motor skills. Some tools that I have learned are very helpful in the creation of a good solid fort, if you are actually invited to help your child, are suction cups on windows with hooks attached and large metal clamps sold at hardware stores that are helpful in gripping edges of tables and chairs to material. Provide some flashlights, music or a picnic for some additional fun in the new space. Silk scarves are great for playing dress up. They can be found at second-hand stores and work well to cover the holes in a fort. They also make great superhero capes for very young children and a fabulous pirate bandana. Remember back to your childhood and spend the next free afternoon scheming, building, giggling, pretending and creating memories to last a lifetime. Play on! Ellen Drolette is the project coordinator for Growing Kids Essex.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Obituary

Dana Gordon Kennison

Dana Gordon Kennison of Waitsfield, passed away quietly in his sleep Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. His unexpected loss is deeply mourned by his family, friends and coworkers. Dana was born July 2, 1982 in Burlington to Nancy C. Coombs and Bradley J. Kennison. Many birthdays were celebrated with July 4 fireworks at his mother's parents summer home in Oquossoc, Maine. Born into a ski racing family, Dana demonstrated incredible skiing skills at a very early age, but was fascinated with the freedom of snowboarding. He quickly mastered the board and was the envy of many who watched him sail by as if floating on air. In his teens, driven by the influence of his late and beloved uncle Doug Coombs, he would adventure out for long hikes in summer and winter on the Long Trail. His adventures of overnight winter camping at 30 degrees below zero were memories he cherished. In his youth, Dana played soccer for Essex United and Nordic Soccer Clubs. Dana was a 2000 graduate of Harwood Union High School. Anybody who knew Dana though, knows that his real learning came from trial and error,

and a genuine affinity to understand how things work. If you thought something was broken, Dana could usually fix it or at least make it better. His knowledge of electronics, computers and automobiles was uncanny. It was these skill sets that he brought with him to his career at Sugarbush Ski Resort. Starting out checking lift tickets, then running lifts, he became a lift ops coordinator before becoming a lift mechanic. He hit the books to increase his electrical knowledge and certification for that job. He loved his position and his coworkers at the mountain. Many times Dana would send a picture out on Facebook of an early morning sunrise from the top of Lincoln Peak just to let everyone know he was on the job and it’s going to be a good day to ski or ride. If you knew Dana, you understood his love of cars. Especially his cherished 2004 Subaru WRX that to this day looks brand new. He loved to go to the Detroit auto shows when possible with his father, as well as to more local car shows with his friends. If your car had a problem, Dana might be able to help, and if he couldn’t, he’d give you a ride. He was known for the generosity of his time and trust. If you needed to move a couch… he’d take the heavier load. If you needed to move your whole house, he'd spend his day helping you... as long as there’s a sharing of beer afterwards. He would never let a friend down. Dana is survived by his mother, Nancy Coombs, and husband Jim Hildebrand of Waitsfield; father Bradley Kennison and wife Jill of Essex Center; brother Scott Kennison and wife Lindsay and their son Syzer of Bradford, N.H.; aunt Andrea

Echo and her husband Craig of Burlington, and cousins Stefan and Hannah; uncle Steve Coombs and wife Karen of Londonderry and cousins Whitney Coombs of Crested Butte, Colo., and Brent Coombs and wife Jill of Londonderry; grandmother Anne Kennison of Essex Center; great-aunt Barbara Tripp of Libby, Mont.; aunt Emily Coombs and cousin David Coombs of Jackson, Wyo.; stepbrother Kyle Hildebrand and family of Riverside, Conn., and stepsister Meghan Hildebrand Barnes and family of South Burlington. A memorial service is being planned to honor and remember Dana’s life. Details of time and place are in process. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dana’s name can be made to the Doug Coombs Foundations (dougcoombsfoundation. com), which provides low-income children

Obituary Submission Guidelines

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the opportunity to learn to ski, and the Green Mountain Club (gmc@ greenmountainclub.org). Funeral arrangements are being handled by Perkins and Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury. To send online condolences please visit www.perkinsparker. com and the funeral home Facebook page.◊

Essex Automotive Services STOP HESITATINg If your vehicle’s automatic transmission hesitates when shifting gears, try checking the transmission fluid level. This involves locating the dipstick (easily accessible in the engine compartment), pulling it out, and checking to see if the level on the dipstick is between the “Full” and “Add” marks. The fluid itself should be bright, cherry red, and smell pungent. If it’s black and smells burned, it could spell trouble. It is also worth mentioning that, although many manufacturers’ maintenance schedules recommend that the transmission fluid be replaced every 100,000 miles (or more), many auto technicians suggest that it be replaced every 50,000 miles or so. Transmission fluid deteriorates over time. It is far better to replace the fluid than the entire transmission. Do you check your automatic transmission fluid frequently? At ESSEX AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES, we are dedicated to providing professional customer service and automotive repair. Our goal is to provide our customers with honest, quality service in a timely manner. Located at 141147 Pearl St, Essex Jct., we invite you to consult with us, your local automotive expert. Call 802.879.1966 for more information. We offer sameday service and a free customer shuttle. Ask us for detail We are open for Business!

Open 6:59 AM nO AppOintMent needed Happy New Year. We will be closed on Jan. 1.

CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP Residents of the Town and Village will again have the opportunity to recycle their Christmas trees after the holiday season. Residential Christmas trees will be picked up at the curbside starting at 7:30 AM Monday, January 4th, weather permitting by Village and Town Public Works crews and subcontractors. The Chittenden Solid Waste District will make arrangements to have the trees chipped for use as mulch or wood fuel. There will be no charge for this service. If the weather is inclement, requiring the crews to perform snow removal activities, the pickup will start later in the week. Some guidelines are: (1) All tinsel and other decorations must be taken off the tree or crews will not pick it up. Trees with nails or spikes driven into the trunk will not be picked up. The CSWD will only accept clean trees that will not damage their grinder. (2) Place the tree at the curbside, but not before Monday the 4th of January. If you place the tree out earlier, and the tree is buried in a snow bank, it will not be picked up. (3) Wreaths and other items will not be picked up and recycled because of the mixed product (metal & organic material). (4) Be patient regarding the pickup. It generally takes a number of days to collect all the trees. (5) Please make every attempt to leave trees at the curbside on Monday morning. With ongoing winter storms and the number of trees to be picked up, crews cannot go back in subsequent weeks to accommodate those who have forgotten to place their trees at the curb in a timely manner. (6) The tree pickup is planned to end on Friday, the 8th of January, unless delayed by weather. Each year calls are received because the pickup date is either too early or too late for some individuals. If you miss the curbside pickup, or would like to recycle your tree earlier or later, the Chittenden Solid Waste District will accept the trees at their drop-off facility off Rte. 2A during their normal operating hours. There will not be a charge for the drop-off of up to three Christmas Trees from residential customers, but any additional trees may incur a charge. Trees will not be accepted for drop-off at the Highway Garage or the Wastewater Treatment plant. PLEASE REMEMBER: The alternatives for disposal are curbside pickup starting on the 4th of January and ending on the 8th of January or direct delivery by the individual to the CSWD drop-off facility. It would be wise to alert your hauler to the service being provided by the Town and Village, so that the hauler does not accidentally pick up the tree and charge for its removal.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season Town of Essex and Village of Essex Junction Public Works Departments

The Essex Reporter • December 31, 2015

O PINION

Perspective

Snow white

The state’s outsized spending increases

olchester photographer Lee Cordner has pursued photographs of snowy owls in the waters off Malletts Bay this month. Said Cordner: “In the last three weekends, I have seen four different snowy owls. If I did not have the photos of each, I would not have believed it. The question is, have all four been around since midNovember or do we keep having different individuals fly through? Seeing these four owls has certainly been the high point of my December, a wonderful gift.”

By Tom Pelham

PHOTO BY LEE CORDNER

Excluding federal funds, the state budget passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in 2011 required $2.954 billion in revenues extracted from the Vermont economy through taxes, fees, fines, assessments, settlements, etc. and deposited into various state funds. Such funds include the general fund, transportation fund, education fund, state health care resource fund, and special fund, among others. For the 2016 budget, the current fiscal year, the comparable amount extracted from the Vermont economy is $3.607 billion, an increase of 22.1 percent or $652.6 million. Further, the governor and legislature have yet to resolve a pending $40 million deficit in the 2016 budget. The increase of $652.6 million alone equates to $1,040 for every man, woman and child in Vermont. This 2011-to-2016 spending increase of 22.1 percent compares to state population growth of just three-tenths of one percent, inflation growth totaling 7.7 percent and estimated gross state product growth of 15.4 percent. Thus, we now have a state budget serving about the same number of people as in 2011 but costing Vermont’s economy and taxpayers $652.6 million more. If state spending had grown by even the most robust comparative indicator cited above, gross state product at 15.4 percent, our government would be spending $197.7 million less and Vermont’s families and businesses would have $197.7 million more in their pockets to save for retirement or a child’s education, invest in their homes or businesses, support aging parents, pay bills or simply enjoy the benefits of their own labors. If state spending had simply kept pace with inflation since 2011, a reasonable proposition, rather than grow by 22.1 percent, Vermont’s taxpayers would be paying $425.2 million less this year. That’s a lot of hard-earned dollars. The $652.6 million spending increase is beyond dispute. Yet many advocates, political leaders and some news reporters and editorial writers somehow look past the inconvenient truth of $652.6 million in new spending to declare that state spending has actually been cut, even slashed. While some specific areas have been reduced, a routine occurrence in most every budget cycle, the facts show that state spending has grown by a staggering and unsustainable amount over the past five years. Obviously these increased costs of our state government are not precisely distributed on a per capita basis. Some pay more and some pay less. As examples, Vermont’s income tax is relatively progressive, our sales tax includes exemptions that cushion the tax for some, and others receive income sensitivity benefits that lower their property tax, or earned income tax credits that bolster the rewards of employment. However it’s certain most everyone is paying more today to support state government’s 22.1 percent spending increase. The legislature’s widely respected Blue Ribbon Tax Structure Report in 2011 came to the following conclusion: “The commission’s work indicates that everyone pays taxes. This is most evident if one considers total tax contribution. Total tax contribution is the cumulative amount each taxpayer pays in state taxes considering all types of taxes, including income, sales, and property taxes. Remarkably, Vermont’s taxes are distributed rather evenly across income classes when considering income, sales, and property together.” When examining total tax contributions for 2007, the commission found that across income classes, Vermonters pay between 8 percent and 10 percent of their income in state taxes with middle income taxpayers paying at the higher rate. Given the $652.6 million increase over the past five years, it’s likely most taxpayers are paying more of their income today. Further, in the face of numerous state government failures, from Vermont Health Connect to Act 46 to annual budget gaps, it’s likely most taxpayers would agree that a good portion of the $652. 6 million would have been better managed and used more beneficially if left in taxpayers’ pockets. Tom Pelham is a former state representative, former finance commissioner in the Gov. Howard Dean Administration and tax commissioner in the Gov. Jim Douglas Administration. He is a co-founder of Campaign for Vermont.

Letters to the Editor

Refugee crisis meets affordability crisis

Vermont anticipates another multi-million dollar shortfall for the upcoming 2016-17 budget process. Over 200,000 residents of Vermont are receiving welfare benefits — that is almost one third of the state’s population! We keep hearing about the homeless and hungry in Vermont. Yet, Gov. Shumlin has told President Obama that Vermont will accept more Syrian refugees. What? Have you ever wondered how Vermont, a state that is already struggling financially, will be able to provide additional refugees and their families with housing, food, health care, education, transportation, fuel and more? States cannot continue to rely on monetary aid from Washington, D.C., unless we want the national debt to continue to balloon by a trillion dollars annually. Certainly a federal government that is heading

General Manager Suzanne Lynn

Editor/Co-Publisher Maria Archangelo news@essexreporter.com Office Manager Michael McCaffrey michael@essexreporter.com

There are already more people in Vermont who need services than the generous taxpayers can afford to provide. I don’t know why our governor is willing to welcome more refugees to our state. His position certainly isn’t serving the people of Vermont that he took an oath to protect.

Linda Kirker Georgia

To legalize? Yes, but … In these pages, Vermont Sen. Joe Benning recently explained why he favors legalization of marijuana, notwithstanding his Republican Party affiliation (“A Republican’s view on pot legalization” Dec. 17). For those who sometimes look to Republicans to be the adults in the room, Benning’s position is disappointing. Furthermore, his rationale is embarrassing, amounting to a series of “yes, buts…” Witness: Yes, Benning is a Republican, but he

strangely finds justification for his position in the Vermont Republican Party platform, the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. and Vermont constitutions. Who knew? Yes, there is no testing device for law enforcement to use to determine if a motorist is impaired, but he contends that is no reason to deny the Constitutional rights of marijuana smokers who drive. Yes, he acknowledges that marijuana is much more potent today, but he says prohibition has not worked, so we should concede. Benning saves for his final point the carrot used by all pro-legalization advocates: The tax revenues to be garnered from marijuana sales — to which we can add our own “yes, but…” Yes, the proverbial 20 pieces of silver to be gained can fund a variety of worthwhile causes, but a responsible politician makes the difficult choice, not the easy one.

Jeff Norris Essex Junction

Pricing medical procedures ‘the Utah way’ By Tim Ashe Last month, I spoke to a woman with a movie star name and a rock star performance. Dr. Vivian Lee is the CEO of University of Utah Health Care, and her accomplishments in Utah should serve as a model for Vermont. When Dr. Lee became the CEO of her hospital, she pulled her executive team together and asked a basic question: Do we know what it actually costs to provide services? This simple question, which would be completely unnecessary in any other industry, elicited shrugs and shakes of the head from her staff. The “sticker price” for medical procedures in Utah, like here in Vermont, bore little to no relationship to the actual costs incurred by the hospital to perform them. Dr. Lee articulated a simple directive

to her staff: Determine the true costs of everything we do. Rolling up their sleeves in what she described as “the Utah way,” her staff sifted through the swamp of medical costs and emerged five months later with the true expenditures for every procedure and treatment at the University of Utah medical center. Was it worth it? Boy was it! Armed with the true costs, physicians and departments throughout the hospital were, for the first time, able to see who the high spenders were and why. Actual expenditures were matched up to patient outcomes, reforming the way many physicians treated their patients, improving public health while saving money. Dr. Lee’s work was motivated by pressures just like those we’re

experiencing in Vermont. Limited Medicaid funding, coupled with a move away from “fee-for-service,” required transparent cost data in order to smartly manage her hospital budget. Here in Vermont, we are rightly moving forward with payment reforms that will move us away from fee-forservice. But unless we know the true costs throughout the system, our hospital leaders will be flying blindly as they make decisions on where and how to restrain spending. It is my goal in the coming year to make sure that payment reform and transparent pricing work in tandem to lower costs for Vermonters. Perhaps in just this one instance, as goes Utah, so should go Vermont. Tim Ashe is a Vermont Senator representing Chittenden County.

Reversing the rise of incarceration rates By Gov. Peter Shumlin

For most of the last two decades, Vermont’s prison inmate population has been rising. Between 1997 and 2008, it grew by 86 percent. Projections made in 2007 said that Vermont’s inmate population would grow to 2,619 by November 2015. After years of work to reform Vermont’s criminal justice system, that trend has been reversed, and today Vermont has 1,734 inmates, 885 less than projected. When I first ran for governor, I made reforming the criminal justice system a priority because it is the right thing to do. I also said doing so would save us money and allow us to invest in things like early childhood education, which we know reduces the likelihood that someone will land in jail later in life. The math is simple: It costs a staggering $62,000 per year to lock up an inmate in Vermont. Had the projections from 2007 proved correct, Vermont taxpayers would have been on the hook for another 885 inmates. By reversing the trend on incarceration rates, we are saving Vermont taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Instead of continuing down the path of rising incarceration rates and spending massive amounts of money to lock people up, we are taking a different path. Next year, Vermont will

REPORTER THE

toward a financial train wreck, nearing $19 trillion dollars of debt, will not be able to continue providing grants and incentives to states for any reason, let alone subsidies for more refugees. The government solution is always to increase taxes. Maybe that is why so many Vermont businesses and our bright young people have left the state for greener pastures, taking their skills and tax dollars with them. We need to let our governor know that we cannot afford to provide for more refugees in Vermont. It is already difficult to support the current refugees, fund our schools, repair Vermont’s roads and bridges, and provide social services for 30 percent of Vermont’s population. Please help to bring some sanity to Vermont politics by telling Shumlin that you do not want him to accept more refugees into Vermont. Thirtyone of 50 U.S. governors have told the president not to send Syrian refugees to their states without assurances that there would not be a terrorist risk. Can there be assurances? No!

ESSEX

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become the first state in America to guarantee access to pre-k education to every 3- and 4-year-old. That’s progress and a much better use of taxpayer money. How did we reverse the trend of rising incarceration rates? By taking meaningful steps to create a more rational criminal justice system and working with leaders like Bennington County Sen. Dick Sears, Chittenden County States Attorney TJ Donovan, and many others on the cutting edge of criminal justice reform. Together, we launched a War on Recidivism to help inmates successfully transition back into their communities and reduce recidivism rates. After identifying opiate addiction as one of the most pressing challenges facing our state and the entire country, we’re now offering treatment instead of jail to low-level, non-violent offenders suffering from addiction. To help Vermonters move on with their lives and become productive members of our communities, we also expanded Vermont’s expungement law to help past offenders with good behavior clear their records and eliminated criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The state is also leading by example by “banning the box” on job applications. By removing questions about criminal records from the very first part of job applications for state employees we are helping to prevent applicants from being immediately screened out of a job because of a past criminal conviction. Earlier this year I worked with my Pathways from Poverty Council and Chittenden County States Attorney Donovan on a pilot Driver Restoration Day that helped hundreds of Vermonters get their licenses reinstated so they can drive to work and move forward with their lives. And lastly, under the leadership of former Windsor County State’s Attorney Robert Sand, we’re working with criminal justice professionals throughout the state to develop innovative and effective sentencing practices, including the creation of DUI treatment dockets in Vermont, which increase substance abuse recovery rates, lower recidivism rates, and save on corrections and other costs. Together we’re creating a more rational criminal justice system in Vermont. And the result is a state that spends less money to lock people up and more money to provide a head start for our youngest and most promising citizens. That’s the way it should be. Peter Shumlin is governor of Vermont.

The Essex Reporter • December 31, 2015 L I S T I N G S

For your wellbeing!

Spirit

DANCE CLASS FOR GIRLS. Fit, Fun, Fierce. HammerFit Gym in Essex presents dance instructor Candice Allembert for a six-week session for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade girls that will focus on endurance, fitness with proper form, gymnastics and dance choreography. HammerFit Gym, Essex, Tuesdays 4-5 p.m., Jan. 26-March 8 (skip 2/23). Registration for this class is through Essex Parks & Rec. $60 resident / $65 non-resident. Information: 878-0444.

CHAMPLAIN VALLEY PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP. Second Tuesdays. 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Hope Lodge, 237 East Ave., Burlington.

JAZZERCIZE LITE AT THE SENIOR CENTER. For all levels of fitness, Jazzercise Lite combines dance, yoga, Pilates, and strength training for an hour of laughter and health. Tuesdays from 8 to 9 a.m. and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon with instructor Kit Sayers. Tenvisit punch pass is $30 for center members and $35 for nonmembers. Call or visit the center to register.

REDUCE EAR PAIN IN CHILDREN WHILE FLYING

How to maintain

Dr. LEWIS FIRST Parents recently have been flying up to me asking me if there’s anything I can to do to reduce their child’s ear discomfort when they are on an airplane. Let me take off on that topic and provide some information. When a plane flies into the air, air pressure inside the plane’s passenger cabin decreases, and when a plane descends, air pressure increases. Although airline cabins are designed to not have passengers feel significant pressure changes in their ears, sometimes they can and still do occur. This pressure can be equalized or reduced between the outside and inside of the ear by opening the tube between the ear drum and the back of the nose. That popping sensation you sometimes hear or feel in your ears as the plane is landing often means that the tube has opened and pressure that has built up is relieved or normalized. So how do you open that tube between the ear and the nose to reduce the pain of built up air pressure on the ears? Here are some suggestions:

MENTAL FOCUS

• Have your child drink lots of fluids during the flight. Swallowing keeps the tube between the ear and the nose open and equalizes pressures constantly so they don’t build up.

he technological advancements made in the 21st century have undoubtedly made life easier in many ways, but this golden age of gadgets has not come without some negative side effects. Thanks to the near-constant availability of the Internet and devices like smartphones and tablets, many men and women find it difficult to maintain their focus throughout the day. But while such distractions are never too far away, there are some ways to stay focused and productive. • Get more exercise. Studies have shown that exercise and improved mental focus are linked. In a 2013 analysis of 19 studies involving more than 500 children, teenagers and young adults, researchers found that exercise sessions between 10 and 40 minutes immediately boosted concentration and mental focus. That improvement might be a result of exercise increasing blood flow to the brain. Men and women who find themselves struggling to focus at work after lunchtime may benefit from incorporating some exercise, whether it’s a brief walk or a more strenuous workout, into their midday routines. • Perform breathing exercises. Nervousness is an oft-overlooked cause of loss of focus. When nervous, breath can become shallow and restricted, which can have a negative impact on the flow of oxygen to your brain, making it more difficult to concentrate. Professional athletes have long espoused to the virtues of breathing exercises as a means to calming their nerves, and professionals can follow suit.

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Some simple breathing exercises can help busy professionals multitask more effectively by helping them concentrate on the tasks at hand and overcome the distraction of having so much to do at one time. • Stay hydrated. A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that dehydration caused loss of focus and a sense of fatigue among women. While the loss of focus was considered insubstantial and the study only examined women, remaining hydrated throughout the day may make it easier to focus on work and other tasks throughout the day. • Get adequate sleep. One of the best ways to improve focus during the day is to make sure you’re getting enough sleep at night. Sleep deprivation produces a host of negative consequences, not the least of which is its impact on cognitive functioning. Research has shown that sleep deprivation compromises alertness and concentration, making it more difficult to focus at work and tackle tasks that require deep analysis and thought. In addition, a survey from the National Sleep Foundation found that sleep-deprived men and women are less likely to exercise and eat healthy diets, each of which can boost mental acuity. Focusing in today’s atmosphere of constant distractions can be difficult, but men and women can overcome diversions by employing a handful of successful strategies aimed at improving concentration.

Happy

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•

If your child is an infant, breast or bottle feed your infant if they wake up while the plane is going up or coming down (although many infants never show signs of discomfort going up or down in a plane).

•

Acetaminophen taken before the flight can also help reduce the sensation of pain your child or infant may experience with pressure changes.

• If your child is over 4 years old, chewing gum keeps the muscles in those tubes open similar to swallowing repeatedly. Use of earplugs or ear buds will also prevent the outside increased pressure in the cabin from pushing against your ear drum if your children are willing to keep ear plugs or buds in their ears. •

Another idea is to try to have your child yawn frequently if he or she is able to. Often watching someone else yawn will make your child yawn too.

If the ear pain after a flight is not better within a few hours, it is worthwhile to check with your child’s doctor to make sure that there is not something else like an ear infection occurring. Your child’s doctor can also prescribe other medicines that may help. Hopefully tips like this will make your concerns about flying and ear pain “ear today and gone tomorrow” the next time you and your children plan to take a flight. Lewis First, M.D., is chief of Pediatrics at Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Vermont College of Medicine.

The Essex Reporter • December 31, 2015

Essex Area Religious Directory

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

JAN. 9

and all gender identities gather for a casual discussion on a wide variety of topics ranging from inequality to language, media and food. Wellness Co-op, Burlington, 2-3 p.m. Free. Information: 370-5369.

New Years Eve Concert. The Vermont Youth

Orchestra Association will be hosting a New Years Eve concert. The concert will feature VYO senior soloist Elliot Lowe performing Pakhmutova’s Trumpet Concerto. Other works include Gershwin’s all-time favorite “An American in Paris” suite and Strauss’ beloved “Blue Danube Waltz.” The VYO Chorus will join the orchestra for other favorites. The concert will be followed immediately by a pie social. Elley-Long Music Center, Colchester, 3 p.m. Free. Information: http://www.vyo.org/ nyeconcert2015/

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH- (Fundamental-independent.) 61 Main St., Essex Junction, 878-8341. Pastor James Gangwer. Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Sunday evening worship 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening youth groups; Awana, Pro-Teens and Prayer meeting 7 p.m. CHRIST MEMORIAL CHURCH- Route 2A, Williston, just north of Industrial Ave. Wes Pastor, Senior Minister, 8787107, Proclaiming Christ and Him crucified Sundays at 9:30 a.m. www.cmcvermont.org.

Horse Traders New Year’s Eve Dance. The Town Hall Theater invites revelers to say goodbye to 2015 as Middlebury’s upbeat rock/ pop band The Horse Traders take the stage. The Horse Traders are a Weybridge-based band that cover a wide range of music from modern pop and oldies to classic rock, soul and country. The event will feature a cash bar as well as a free champagne toast at midnight. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $15. Information: http://www.townhalltheater.org/calendar-and-tickets/

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 73 Essex Way, Essex Junction - All Welcome! Sacrament Meeting - Sundays at 10 a.m. Come learn about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s awesome! Family History Center - Sundays 1 - 3 p.m., Thursday 7 - 9 p.m. Come find your ancestry! The FHC has website resources (such as www. familysearch.org), including free access to ancestry.com, microfiche and microfilm readers, and a staff of capable genealogists. For more info, call 802-879-9142, email essexwardvt@gmail.com, or check out www.mormon.org. DAYBREAK COMMUNITY CHURCH - 67 Creek Farm Plaza, Colchester VT. 05446 802-338-9118 www. daybreakvermont.org or brentdaybreak@gmail.com Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m. Lead Pastor, Brent Devenney. ESSEX ALLIANCE CHURCH - 37 Old Stage Road in Essex Junction. Sunday Services: 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Phone: 878-8213. www.essexalliance.org. ESSEX CENTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Please join us for worship that combines the best of traditional and contemporary music and spirituality. We are a safe and welcoming space for all people to celebrate, worship, ask questions, and put down spiritual roots. Adult Bible Study at 8:30 a.m. Service at 10:00 a.m. with Sunday School and childcare provided. We offer a variety of small groups for prayer, Bible study, hands-on ministry, and studying contemporary faith issues. 119 Center Rd (Route 15) Essex Center. Rev. Mitchell Hay, pastor. 878-8304. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ESSEX JUNCTION, UCC, an Open and Affirming Congregation, embracing diversity and affirming the dignity and worth of every person, because we are all created by a loving God. 1 Church Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Telephone (802) 878-5745; Website: www.fccej.org ; Email: welcome@ fccej.org Senior Pastor, Rev. Mark Mendes. Associate Pastor, Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer. Sunday Worship Services: 8:30 and 10:15 a.m. Communion: first Sunday of every month. Sunday School meets weekly at 10:15 a.m. Jr. High Youth Group, Sundays 11:30 -1 p.m. Sr. High Youth Group, Sundays 5 - 7 p.m. 5th/6th Grade Youth Group, 1st Sunday of the month 11:30 - 1 p.m. Heavenly Food Pantry – fourth Thursday of the month, 2 - 6 p.m., except for Nov & Dec when it is the third Thursday. Essex Eats Out Community Dinner – 1st Friday of the month, 5:30 - 7 p.m. Music includes Senior Choir, Praise Band, Junior Choir, Cherub Choir, Handbell Choir, Men’s Acapella and Ladies’ Acapella groups. GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 130 Maple Street, Essex Junction. 878-8071. 1 mile south of the Five Corners on Maple Street / VT. Route 117. Worship Sundays at 9:30 a.m. with concurrent Church School Pre-K to High School. Handicapped-accessible facility. Adult Study Group Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Adult Choir / Praise Band / Women’s Fellowship / Missionally active. Korean U.M.C. Worship Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Come explore what God might be offering you! HOLY FAMILY - ST. LAWRENCE PARISH - Essex Junction, - Mass Schedule, Saturday Vigil: 4:00pm - St. Lawrence, Sunday Morning: 8:00am - St. Lawrence, 11:00am - Holy Family, 7:30pm - Holy Family. For more information visit our web page http://www.hfslvt.org. LIVING HOPE CHRISTIAN CHURCH - 1037 South Brownell Road, Williston ,VT 05495. A Living Hope.... a Loving God. 862-2108 | Livinghope@aol.com | www.livinghopevt.org 9:00 a.m. Children and Adult Sunday School. 10:00 a.m. Worship and Service.

Eats Out seeks to build community connections by providing healthy, free meals in a warm, safe and inclusive atmosphere. The menu will include scrambled eggs, French toast, sausage, cookies, milk and coffee. Grace United Methodist Church, Essex Junction, 5:30-7 p.m. Transportation is available. Call Dawn Thursday by 9 a.m. to schedule Friday transit: 878-7622. Information: essexeatsout@gmail.com or www.essexeatsout.org.

ST. PIUS X CHURCH - 20 Jericho Road, Essex, 878-5997 - Administrator: Rev. Charles Ranges. Masses: Saturday 4:30 pm and Sunday 9:30 am. Confessions: Saturday 3:30pm - 4:00 pm or please call 878-5331 for an appointment. ST. THOMAS CATHOLIC CHURCH - 6 Green St., Underhill Center. Father Charles R. Danielson, Parish Priest. Weekend Masses: Saturday-4:30 p.m., Sunday-8:30. Daily Masses: Check with www.stthomasvt.com or call 899-4632.

cording to the tenets of Dewey’s version of pragmatism: fallibilism, naturalism, and pluralism. Fletcher Free Library’s Fletcher Room, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free. Information: 865-7211.

Movies at Main Street Landing: “One, Two, Three.” The Movies at Main Street

Landing series presents the Billy Wilderdirected, 1961 iconic movie, “One, Two, Three,” starring film icons James Cagney, Horst Buchholz and Pamela Tiffin. Main Street Landing Film House, Burlington, 7 p.m. Donations benefit a local charity. Contact: 540-3018 or www. mainstreetlanding.com/movies.

Friday

Essex Eats Out Community Meals. Essex

Wednesday

Snowﬂake Suncatchers. The Dorothy Alling

Memorial Library invites little ones to make a sparkling window decoration. Kindergarten and up. Pre-register. Free. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 3:30 p.m. Information: 878-4918 or www.williston.lib.vt.us

Saturday

chess players help players discover new moves. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Kids 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Chess sets Funded by the Friends of Brownell Library. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4 p.m. Free. Information: 878-6955.

Sunday

First Wednesdays: Middlebury Professor Looks at Shakespeare’s 400-Year Career. Middlebury College professor

Timothy Billings will examine the craft and enduring inﬂuence of William Shakespeare in a talk at Brownell Library. Part of the Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays lecture series and is free and open to the public. This talk replaces the previously scheduled First Wednesdays talk, “Shakespeare at the Cusp of Old and New” with UVM professor Helen Scott. Brownell Public Library, Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Information: http://www. vermonthumanities.org/

vorites such as eggs anyway, omelets and pancakes. VFW Post 6689, Essex Junction, 9-11 a.m. $7. Information: 878-0700.

Community Breakfast. Menu consists of eggs

Sunday Coffee Mix and Mingle. Members

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

Monday

Shape and share life stories. Prompts trig-

ger real-life experience stories, which are crafted into engaging narrative and shared with the group. Free and open to all adults. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Free. Contact: 878-4918.

Trivia Night. Trivia buffs gather for a meeting

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

Tuesday

Vermont Philosophical Society. Inspired by

the artist Frank Gonzalez, Nick Ruderman has formed a philosophy group in Burlington, Gonzalez’s summer home. Similar to a university seminar, a guest lecturer will speak on a subject of philosophy followed by some discussion. Forthcoming speakers may discuss ecology, Buddhism, Islamic philosophy, economics, jurisprudence, and history. Discussion shall be directed ac-

Ongoing Essex Art League Meetings. Meetings hap-

pen on the ﬁrst Thursday of the month. The meeting agenda includes a business and social time, and features a guest artist presentation. Essex Junction Congregational Church, Essex Junction, 9-11 a.m. Information: www.essexartleague.com. Church community as women gather for a time of crafts and fellowship. Twice a month, Wednesday evenings. Essex Alliance Church, Essex. Contact Deb: 2382291.

Essex Eats Out Community Meals. Essex

Eats Out seeks to build community connections by providing healthy, free meals in a warm, safe and inclusive atmosphere. Meals will be served: ﬁrst Friday at First Congregational Church; second Friday at Holy Family/St. Lawrence Parish Center; third Friday at St. James Church; fourth Friday at Essex United Methodist Church; and ﬁfth Friday when applicable at St. Pius X Church. 5:30-7 p.m. each week. Transportation is available. Call Dawn Thursday by 9 a.m. to schedule Friday transit: 878-7622. Information: essexeatsout@gmail.com or www.essexeatsout. org.

Champlain Valley Prostate Cancer Support Group. Mary L. Guyette RN, MS, ACNS-

Breakfast. The VFW Post 6689 Auxiliary will be hosting a community breakfast. The menu will include breakfast fa-

to order, breakfast meats, pancakes, toast, home fries, toast, coffee and orange juice. American Legion Post 91, Colchester, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. $8. Information: 8727622.

lunch. Car-pooling is available from many areas. Contact number 372-4255 or email at: gmc.vt.ega@gmail.com

Craft Connection. Come to the Essex Alliance

Chess Club. The Brownell Library will host its regular chess club gathering. Teen

MT. MANSFIELD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP - Visit www.mmuuf.org. Services are held at 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month from September through June. 195 Vermont Route 15, Jericho (the red barn across from Packard Road). 899-2558. ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH - 4 St. James Place (off Rt. 2A at the Fairgrounds Gate F) 802-878-4014 www. stjamesvt.org The Rev. Ken Hitch v office@stjamesvt.org 8:15am Holy Eucharist Rite II (no music) 10:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II (with music) 9:20am Adult Ed: Bible Study 10:15 am Godly Play.

ANNUAL TWELFTH NIGHT CELEBRATION. The Essex Children’s Choir presents the annual Twelfth Night Celebration at the Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel. Twelfth Night Celebration brings to close the traditional celebration of Christmas in song, dance, instruments, and prose. A collaboration of Vermont artistry joins the choir: Heidi Soons, harp; Wayne Hobbs, tenor; Full Circle Consort; Wheeler Trombone Quartet; and the Adirondack Ballet Ensemble from Plattsburgh. The program is sponsored by an IBM Community Grant and the Fine Arts Department at Saint Michael’s College. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held on Jan. 10 at 4:30 p.m. Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel, St. Michael’s College, Colchester. 6:30 p.m. Suggested donation: $10. Information: www.essexchildrenschoirofvermont.org or 863-9161.

BC will answer questions about prostate cancer surgical procedures. Plus, general discussion and sharing among survivors and those beginning or rejoining the battle. Second Tuesday of each month. Hope Lodge, 237 East Ave, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Contact: 274-4990.

Interstitial Cystitis Support Group. Intersti-

tial cystitis (IC) is recurring pelvic pain, pressure or discomfort in the bladder and pelvic region, and urinary frequency/ urgency. This is often misdiagnosed and mistreated as a chronic bladder infection. If you have been diagnosed or have these symptoms, you are not alone. We are building a Vermont-based support group and welcome you to email bladderpainvt@gmail.com or call (802) 899-4151 for more information.

Creative Tuesdays. Artists exercise their

Thursday

Mandarin Chinese Class. The Agape Com-

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

Looking ahead Contra Dance. Queen City Contras will

hold its regular dance on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 at 8 p.m. at Shelburne Town Hall, 5376 Shelburne Road, Shelburne. Music will be provided by Pete’s Posse (Pete Sutherland, Tristan Henderson and Oliver Scanlon). Luke Donforth will be the caller. All are welcome, all dances taught, no partner or experience necessary. Beginners’ session at 7:45. Admission is $9 adults. Under 12 free. Please bring clean, soft-soled shoes for dancing. Dance Info: 802-371-9492 or 802-343-7166 Website: www.queencitycontras.org

The Green Mountain Chapter of the Em-

broiderers’ Guild of America will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 9:30 a.m. in the Living Room/Dinning Room at The Pines, 5 Aspen Drive, South Burlington. All abilities welcome. We will be having an open sew so bring a project to work on. First meeting is complimentary. Bring a bag

imaginations with recycled crafts. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3:15-5 p.m. Contact: 865-7216.

Burlington Writers Workshop. A free writing

workshop for all Vermonters. Meets every Wednesday in downtown Burlington. Free and open to the public. Participants must register at meetup.com. More info: www. burlingtonwritersworkshop.com.

Cell Phones For Soldiers. Local residents

can support these collection drives by donating their old cell phones at A. W. Rich Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Essex Junction, or at the American Legion, 3650 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester. Collections accepted 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact: 849-6261.

Champlain Echoes. A women’s four-part

harmony chorus group seeks additional women to sing in their holiday performances. Meetings are Monday nights. The Pines, Aspen Drive, South Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Contact: 655-2174.

Community Wellness Day. Practitioners offer Reiki, Shiatsu, aromatherapy, acupressure, energy work and more to those looking to experience alternative healing. 2 Wolves Holistic Center in Vergennes, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. most Fridays. Sliding-scale donations; preregister the Tuesday prior. Contact: 2wolvescenter@gmail.com or 870-0361.

English As A Second Language Classes. Improve your English conversation skills and meet new people. Wednesdays. Administrative Conference Room: intermediate/advanced. Pickering Room, 2nd Floor: beginners. Fletcher Free Library, Burling-

The Essex Reporter • December 31, 2015

C ALENDAR Italian Conversation Group. Open to all

interested in learning/hearing the Italian language. Room 101, St. Edmunds Hall, St. Michael’s College, Colchester. Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-9 p.m. Contact: 654-2536.

Toy Library Playgroup. Fridays. Ages birth

through 5 years. Memorial Hall, Essex, 9:30-11 a.m. Contact Essex Parks and Rec: 878-1342.

VCAM Access Orientation. Free. Vermont

Community Access Media, 208 Flynn Ave. 2-G, Burlington. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact: 651-9692 or www.vermontcam.org.

Colchester-Milton Rotary meeting. Thursdays. Serving the communities of Colchester, Milton and the Champlain Islands. Hampton Inn, Colchester, 12 p.m.

Essex Rotary Meeting. Essex Rotary Meetings

are held on Wednesdays at 12:10 p.m. at The Essex. Serving the communities of Essex, Essex Junction, Jericho and Underhill.

Duplicate Bridge. Wednesdays. Essex Junction Senior Center, Essex, 1 p.m. Information: 876-5087.

Celebrate Recovery. Thursdays. This conﬁden-

tial 12-step recovery program puts faith in Jesus Christ at the heart of healing. We offer multiple support groups for both men and women, such as chemical dependency,

Mah Jongg. Join other Mah Jongg enthusiasts

ages 50 and over at the Essex Junction Senior Center at 10 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays. New players are always welcome. Free to members of EJSC, others pay $1 per day. Membership at EJSC is open to anyone 50 years of age and older and is $12 per year. Contact: 876-5087 or Lpioli@essex.org.

Movie Matinees. Colchester Parks and Recre-

ation offers movie matinees on the second and fourth Fridays of each month. Popcorn and coffee will be provided. Movies begin at 1 p.m. Free. 781 Blakely Road, Colchester. Information: 264-5640.

Senior Strength. HammerFit Gym in Essex

offers a 50-minute guided exercise class for anyone over the age of 50. The session begins with a warm up, stretching exercises, then strength training using Hammer Strength equipment with guidance. The class ends with a relaxing stretch and cool down, and participants are welcome to use the cardio machines before or after if they wish. HammerFit Gym, Essex, Mondays and Thursdays 9:30 a.m. $5. Information: 878-0444.

Essex Community Justice Center’s Citizen Advisory Board Meetings. Meetings

take place on the second Wednesday of all even-numbered months. The Community Justice Center provides restorative responses to crime and conﬂict in the greater Essex

FRIDAY, JAN. 1 Library Closed for New Year’s Day

SATURDAY, JAN. 2 Chess Club. Teen chess players help you discover new moves. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Kids 8 & under must be accompanied by an adult. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4 p.m.

MONDAY, JAN. 4 Vermont Astronomical Society: Star Atlases. Learn about the different types of star atlases and charts Members will bring in their star atlases and spend a few minutes describing them including cost, scale, dimmest stars charted, how many deep sky objects it shows, etc. A brief overview will also be given of the various star chart/planetarium programs. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 7:309:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 6 Red Clover Group for Homeschooled Students. Each month, students in Grades K-3 read two titles and do activities with one of this year’s Red Clover Award Nominees. Voting takes place in April. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m. DCF Group for Homeschooled Students. Each month, students in Grades 4-8 hear book talks from this year’s DCF list. Students keep a log and vote for their favorite to win the DCF Book Award in April. Group discussion is encouraged. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m. GMBA Book Discussion for Homeschooled Students. High School GMBA Book Discussion for homeschoolers: Complete book trailer for “Bandette Volume 1: Presto!” Share your favorite GMBA book. Voting in May. For Grades 9-12. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m. 1st Wednesdays: Middlebury Professor Looks at Shakespeare’s 400-Year Career. Middlebury College professor Timothy Billings will examine the craft and enduring influence of William Shakespeare in a talk at Brownell Library. Part of the Vermont Humanities

Events at your

Bagpipe and Drum Lessons. The St. Andrew’s Pipeband of Vermont offers instruction for bagpiping and drumming as an encouragement and incentive for attracting new members. The instructional program is designed to integrate and transition a piper or drummer into the “parade” band at a level of basic competency. St. James Episcopal Church, Essex Junction, Wednesday evenings. Free. Contact Beth: 343-4738.

favorites are back! “If I can make it, I will cook it for you!” says Chef Loretta DeVito

Call 598-9752 with 24 hour notice then pick up your meal at 5 South Street, Essex Jct. - just around the corner from her old location From salad to cannoli, all your old favorites are here. Special requests invited too. Check Facebook for our weekly specials. Gift Certificates make great gifts! Open New Years Eve ’til 8pm.

598-9752 • 5 South Street, Essex Junction

Drop-In Pottery Wheel Class. Spend Friday

nights with our pottery instructors learning the basics of wheel working. Try the wheel and have some fun with other beginner potters. Through demonstrations and individual instruction, students will learn the basics of preparing and centering the clay and making cups, mugs and bowls. Price includes one fired and glazed piece per participant. Additional fired and glazed pieces are $5 each. No registration necessary but space is limited. First come, first served. BCA Print and Wheel Studio, Burlington, Fridays 8-10 p.m. $12. Contact: 865-7166.

Equine & Pet Supplies!

Open New Year’s Eve 10-2 Closed Fri-Mon Opening Sept 8th Winter hours: Tues-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-4 Hrs:Rd., Tues-Sat 4 Kellogg Essex Jct. 10-6pm 802-876-4444 TonysTack.com 4 Kellogg Rd #1, Essex Jct, VT 802-876-4444 * Tonystack.com

Drop-In Life Drawing Class. This drop-in life

drawing class is open to all levels and facilitated by local painter Glynnis Fawkes. Spend the evening with other artists drawing one of our experienced models. Bring drawing materials and paper. No registration necessary. Ages 16 and up. BCA Center, Burlington, Mondays 6:30-8:30 p.m. $8. Contact: 865-7166.

Council’s First Wednesdays lecture series and is free and open to the public. This talk replaces the previously scheduled First Wednesdays talk, “Shakespeare at the Cusp of Old and New” with UVM professor Helen Scott. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 7-8:30 p.m.

Something to Celebrate? onors hs, H t r i .. s, B ns. o i id ng at du a r s, G

Tell us!

news@essexreporter.com

ONGOING Read to Daisy and Archie, Therapy Dogs. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Daisy and Archie love to listen to kids read. They are certified by Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Daisy’s owner is Maddie Nash, retired school counselor. For all ages. Archie’s owner is Christine Packard, Chair of Brownell Library Trustees. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:304:30 p.m.

Dr. Anna Bolanis and her staff wish you Health & Happiness for 2016

Story Time for Babies and Toddlers. Tuesdays. Picture books, songs, rhymes and puppets for babies and toddlers with an adult. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9:10-9:30 a.m. Story Time for 3-5 Year Olds. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Picture books, songs, rhymes, puppets, flannel stories, and early math activities for preschoolers. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Tech Help with Clif. Offering one on one technology help. Bring in your new electronic devices and Clif will sit with you to help you learn more about them. Please call to make an appointment. Brownell Library, Mondays and Wednesdays, 12-1 p.m. Drop-in Story Time. Mondays. Reading, rhyming and crafts each week. All ages welcome. No registration required. Essex Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Lego Club. Mondays. We have thousands of Legos for you to build awesome creations. Essex Free Library, 3:30-5 p.m. Drop-in Knitting Group. Connect with other knitters and tackle new knitting projects. Both beginner and advanced knitters are welcome. Essex Free Library, Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Creative Writing Club. First Wednesday of each month, for ages 9 and older. Let your imagination soar as you write your own stories and poems using prompts, games and other writing exercises. Essex Free Library, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Musical Story Time. Fridays. Rock out and read with books, songs and instruments. All ages. Essex Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Drop-in Story Time for Kids of All Ages. Twice a month on Fridays. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers are welcome to come listen to picture book stories and have fun with finger plays and action rhymes. No registration required. Brownell Library, 10-10:45 a.m.

Local Libraries BROWNELL 6 Lincoln Street LIBRARY Essex Junction 878-6956

Loretta is now cooking to order for true Italian Family Style Takeout.

and mo re

holds support group meetings for family members of youth going through the process of coming out. One Sunday evening and one Wednesday morning each month at Outright Vermont. Contact: 865-9677.

area. The Citizens Advisory Board advises the Community Justice Center on policy, direction and programming in an ongoing capacity. Community Justice Center, Essex Junction, 5:30 p.m. Contact Kate: 6620001 or at kate@essexcjc.org.

Prom oti on

Family Support Group. Outright Vermont

co-dependency, sexual addiction and pornography, food issues and overcoming abuse. All those 18 and older are welcome. Sorry, no childcare. Essex Alliance Church, Essex. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., sessions begin at 7 p.m. Information: recovery@essexalliance.org or 310-9062.

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The Essex Reporter • December 31, 2015

JANNUARY COLUMN-INCH COLLECTION ARTIST

Michael McCaffrey AND HIS 2015 “DAILY DOODLE” CHALLENGE

ichael McCaffrey is a 32-year-old Essex resident and graduate of St. Michael’s College with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. McCaffrey works in pen and ink, markers, colored pencil and acrylic paint. In addition to being an artist, McCaffrey wears many hats as the office manager at The Colchester Sun and The Essex Reporter. For 2015, McCaffrey decided to challenge himself to do a “Daily Doodle,” drawing something every day and posting it on his “My Daily Doodle” Facebook page. We feature 12 of McCaffrey’s works here as part of our celebration of 2015. wasn’t utilizing my creativity like I once did. A combination of new commitments and changes in life were taking up the ample free time I used to have when I was younger and used to fill with endless drawing. The primary goal of the “Daily Doodle” was to challenge myself to be creative each day of the year. I didn’t need to create a masterpiece each day, but I had to do something.

WAS IT FUN? HARD TO DO EVERY DAY?

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ART? My art is definitely strongly influenced by illustration and graphic. I am heavily influenced by artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THE “DAILY DOODLE” CHALLENGE? I decided to challenge myself with my “Daily Doodle” project because in 2014, I was feeling like I was becoming rusty and

It has been a lot of fun but also challenging to find time to create something each day. I have admittedly only missed two or three days out of the entire year. When I went away in April for vacation in the Caribbean, I created doodles for each day and scheduled them to post while I was away! I am excited to see the conclusion and all the fruits of my labor.

WHY DO YOU CREATE ART? I create art because I feel it’s an integral part of my being day to day. I am a very visual person! I always say I see the world through a different lens, being inspired by everything around me. I am always snapping pictures of things with my phone in an effort to capture the composition or visual I see in my eyes.

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WHAT MAKES BEING AN ARTIST IN THE ESSEX/COLCHESTER AREA SPECIAL? I think creating art in Vermont — especially the immediate Burlington area — is a really special thing. The community locally is very art focused and supportive. Although I haven’t shared my art in the community yet, I hope to do so now with this body of work in 2016.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD? Check out all of my doodles at: https://www.facebook.com/ MyDailyDoodle2015/ or stop by the Column Inch Collection at the offices of The Essex Reporter and The Colchester Sun from Jan. 11 through March 11, 2016 to check out a collection of my doodles in person.

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B Section

• Sports

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all sorts 2015 was filled local news, of photogenic honored to and we were pages. From capture it in our ampions to state hockey ch s, we hope hometown heroe of our most you enjoy some s from the favorite picture r New Year’s year. What’s ou Essex’s No. resolution? To be d your must1 news source an d in print. read online an r from the Happy New Yea Reporter. staff of The Essex

• Legal Notices

ESSEX

PIC TUR

REPORTER THE

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The Essex Reporter December 31, 2015

R EX

ALSO IN THIS SECTION:

1. The Middlebury College Rugby Club wades back to shore during the Epilepsy Foundation of Vermont’s 8th Annual Big Chill Be A Hero For Epilepsy event in April at Bayside Park in Colchester.

OLIVER PARINI PHOTOGRAPHY

2. On March 3, the Essex girls’ hockey team skated around the rink at Gutterson Fieldhouse to celebrate their second consecutive state championship win. The Hornets beat Middlebury, 5-1.

PHOTO | PAUL LAMONTAGNE | VERMONTSPORTSIMAGES.COM

3. Caden Bushey comes up with the ball for an out at first base for the Essex Town All-Stars in their opening game of the 9- and 10-year-old Little League Baseball District 3 Tournament in St. PHOTO | JOSH KAUFMANN Albans on June 24. 4. Hornet player Alex Guimmo speaks with the media following his game-winning goal during the 2015 state championship game at

Gutterson on March 9. Essex beat South Burlington 3-2.

theme was “30 Years of Remembrance.”

5. Doug Simms Sr., left, and his son Douger are carrying on a 60year tradition in the way they run Quality Bake Shop in the Essex Junction Shopping Center. The shop celebrated its anniversary on PHOTO | ROY MERCON July 8.

9. Malawi flood victims receive Shelterboxes from Rotary clubs around the world, including the Essex Rotary.

PHOTO | PAUL LAMONTAGNE

6. Zoe Papaseraphim proudly displays a prize frog that she caught during an Essex Elementary School field trip in June.

PHOTO | KAREN ROTACH

7. Charlotte Georgina Ouellette is hugged by clarinet player Sarah Lumm after receiving her diploma at the Essex High PHOTO CONTRIBUTED School graduation ceremony June 13. 8. Colchester’s American Legion Post 91 marches in the 2015 Essex Memorial Day Parade in Essex Junction. This year’s

OLIVER PARINI PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOS | SHELTERBOX USA

10. Essex High school runners Daniel Perry, left, and Liam Kinney dress as dads reading The Essex Reporter for the costumed Fairfax Relays in October. While we don’t recommend running while reading, we salute their choice of local media.

PHOTO | JOSH KAUFMANN

11. Kori Chambers embraces Essex Police Officer Stephen Dunning, who helped save her life during an April 12 apartment fire. The hug came during an emotional night in July honoring police, fire and rescue personnel who responded to the blaze.

PHOTO | ROY MERCON

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The Essex Reporter • December 31, 2015

S PORTS

ESSEX WINS NEW YORK HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

he boys’ hockey team had a busy, yet productive holiday weekend, posting a pair of 4-1 victories to win the Mohawk Holiday Tournament at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. Essex kicked off its tournament against Niskayuna-Schenectady on Saturday. Henry Adams led the Hornets with a goal and an assist, while Sean Vanzo, Jonah Janaro and Alex Giummo each added a goal. Adams, who was named the tournament MVP, would find the back of the net again on Sunday against La Salle Institute. Maverick King and Janaro also tallied goals, and Giummo added a goal and an assist. The Hornets moved to 3-2 on the season. They faced Champlain Valley Union on Wednesday in a game that concluded after The Essex Reporter went to print, and will host Rutland on Saturday at 5 p.m. Top: Essex's Nicholas McGovern slides around a BFA-St. Albans defender on Dec. 23 at Essex High School. The Hornets lost 3-2. Left: Essex players celebrate after a goal against BFA-St. Albans on Dec. 23 at Essex High School. The Hornets lost 3-2. PHOTOS | BOB LOCICERO

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Pair of first-place finishers for Essex Warriors T he Essex Warriors wrestling team traveled to Fitchburg, Mass. on Dec. 20 for its second tournament of the season, boasting a handful of top-finishing wrestlers. The Warriors finished with 19 wins and 17 losses, amassing 11 pins and 39 takedowns. Jaymeson Arpey and Eli Bonning led the way, each notching a first-place finish. Connor Kirby, William Einhorn, Wyatt Lamell, James Danis and Calvin Leo recorded second-place finishes, while Luke Williams added a thirdplace finish. Up next for the Warriors is the Big Red Northeast Wrestling Championships in Lowell, Mass. on Saturday.

James Danis prepares to take down an opponent in Fitchburg, Mass. on Dec. 20. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

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The Essex Reporter • December 31, 2015

SERVICES A burst of color can do wonders for your home this winter. The professionals at Lafayette Painting have been transforming the homes and businesses of Chittenden County since 1977. Call 8635397 and visit LafayettePaintingInc.com BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURS WANTED! Property and Casualty Insurance Agency for Sale. Affiliated with major national carrier. Great business opportunity!

Please Text or Call Maureen Wholey (603) 566-3827 FOR SALE

BIKES, GIRLS, TOURING, (2) ten speed, Shimano derailleurs, excellent condition. $25. each. Call 802868-7067.

6X, excellent condition. $5. 802-8916140. DRESSES, GIRLS, HOLIDAY,-Sizes 10 thru 16. Velvet, excellent condition $10. each. Call 802891-6140.

MINI REFRIGERATOR, OFFICIAL Coors BOOTS, WOMEN’S, CAROLINA, size 8. Lite NFL. $60. 802868-9795 New, $129. Asking $75. OBRO. Call 802- LAPTOP, TOSHIBA, SAP BUCKETS 849-2218. WINDOWS 7, web AND covers (25), cam, CD Burner. for your holiday DRESS, HOLIDAY, decorating, or use for VINTAGE, ladies size Asking $100. sugaring. $4.50 each. 10, red long sleeved Call 802-752-9143. Call 802-933-6840. with white lace col- CAR SEATS, (2), infants to toddlers. lar and cuffs. Fitted SCENT, WHITE $25. each. 802-782waist, tea length, SHOULDERS, 4.5 5000 worn only once. ounce. New, $35. 802-891-6140. CHRISTMAS TREE, $40. Asking $15. Call 802-849-2218. ARTIFICIAL, 6.5’ DRESS,HOLIDAY, high. Used twice, LITTLE girls. Black BICYCLE, BOYS, velvet, long sleeved, like new. $50. 80218 speed, 24». Ex848-3336 white lace collar. cellent condition. Rosebuds and white HAND HELD RA$30. or best offer. 802-868-5606 lace on hem. Size DIO set, 2-way,

Midland, 32 channels, 30 mile range. Several accessories. New, never used. $15. 802-524-5070 TV, FLAT SCREEN, 32”, with remote, works excellent, $125. Call 802-7529143.

SONED, ALL hardwood, cut, split, delivered. Highgate, Swanton. $250./ cord, 2.5 cord loads. Call for price in other areas. Wood lots wanted. 802868-9225

CHAIR, OVEREXERCISE MACHINE, STUFFED, GREEN, $15. BUNN Roller. Very Call 802-524-2714. good condition. $75. 802-527-7891 DESK, BRAND NEW, doors on botSMALL STEP EXERtom, shelves on top. CISER. Very good condition. $20. 802- $85. Call 802-8684471. 527-7891 FIREWOOD, HARD, DRY, $325./ cord. Can deliver. Call: 802-3937728 or 802-3930272 FIREWOOD, SEA-

ROCKER, GREEN, FREE. Call 802-5242714. ROCKING CHAIR AND ottoman, flowered. $25 total for both. Call 802-524-

2714. ROCKING CHAIRS, (2), with cushions. $20. each. 802-5240788 SOFA, TAN, OPENS to a double bed. Good condition. $150. Call 802-524-2714. CLOTHES RACK, WOODEN, large, in very good shape. Asking $25. Call 802-933-6840. TREES, ARTIFICIAL, (2), one is 6’ high, in basket, dark green leaves. The other is 6’ and has green and white leaves. For home or office. Both for $25. Call 802-848-3336. PALM TREE,

LIGHTED, 6 1/2 foot. Brand new, just in time for the holidays. Asking $35. OBO. Call 802-9336840. MULCH HAY, 40 bales, $3. per bale. 802-782-5000

They would make a nice holiday gift. 802-782-4125 SNOWBLOWER, 20” FOR sidewalks. $65. Call 802-868-4471. DRILL AND 6” saw, DeWalt, 18 bolt, 2 batteries, charger in hard case. $125. or best offer. 802-5241329

WINE BOTTLES, CLEAN, for home brewing and 2 racks for storage. $60. 802-849-2424

UPRIGHT VACUUM, EUREKA, Boss. $25. 802-849-2424

BIRD SET-UP, WHOLE, includes two baby finches. Cage has bottom sliding tray. Must sell immediately. $60. complete. Call 802-582-6973.

VACUUM, KIRBY, SELF-PROPELLED, with all attachments. Good working condition. Great buy. $150. 802-868-2003.

TONGUE PICKLES, HOMEMADE, (24), pints, $6. per pint.

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HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Impress guests with restaurant-quality appetizer Hosts who want to wow their guests with a restaurant-worthy appetizer can consider the following recipe for “Salt Crust Scallops With Thai Lime Dipping Sauce” courtesy of Mark Bitterman’s “Salt Block Cooking” (Andrews McMeel).

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Makes 4 servings Ingredients 1 9- to 10-inch square salt block 1⁄4 cup fresh lime juice 1⁄4 cup Thai fish sauce 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 1 garlic clove, minced Salt Crust Scallops With Thai Lime Dipping Sauce 1 hot chile pepper, such as bird chile, habanero, cayenne or Scotch bonnet, stem and seeds removed, minced 1⁄4 cup finely shredded carrot 11⁄4 pounds large wild-caught sea scallops (about 16) 1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Directions Place the salt block over low heat on a gas grill or stovetop for 10 minutes. Turn the heat to medium and heat for 10 more minutes. Raise the heat to medium-high and heat the block to about 600 F, about 20 more minutes. To make the dipping sauce, mix the lime juice, fish sauce, 1⁄4 cup water, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, chile pepper, and carrot; set aside. Pat the scallops dry and pull off their white gristly tendons if not already removed. Season the scallops with the black pepper and let stand at room

temperature until the salt block is hot. When the salt block is very hot (you should only be able to hold your hand above it for just a few seconds), place the scallops on the hot block and sear until browned and springy to the touch but still a little soft in the center, about 3 minutes per side. Work in batches if your salt block cannot comfortably fit all the scallops at once. Transfer to a platter or plates and serve with the dipping sauce.

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Marketing/Sales Representative (Essex/Colchester)

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

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The Essex Reporter • December 31, 2015

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Dec. 21 –27, 2015 Monday 0701 Suspicious Vehicle on Carmichael St 0717 Trespass Notice Req on Central St 0723 Alarm on Pearl St 0738 Susp Circumstance on Sand Hill Rd 0820 Welfare Check on Browns River Rd 0820 Alarm on Susie Wilson Rd 0950 Juvenile Problem on Educational Dr 1006 VIN Verification on Center Rd 1036 Accident on Discovery Rd 1052 Accident on Pearl St 1102 Suspicious Circumstance on River St 1335 911 Hang-up on Jackson St 1415 Citizens Assist on Susie Wilson Rd 1622 Wanted Person on Railroad

Ave 1627 Burglary on River Rd 1720 Juvenile Problem on Lincoln St 1735 Citizens Assist on West St 1750 Family Fight on Central St 1801 Suspicious Circumstance on Founders Rd 1831 Citizens Assist on Pearl St 2028 Welfare Check on Sienna Ln Tuesday 0021 Noise Complaint on Colchester Rd 0439 Assisted Rescue on Linden Ln 0455 Alarm on Market Pl 0530 Motor Vehi Complaint on Jericho Rd 0730 Motor Veh Complaint on Upper Main St 0732 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Colchester Rd 0812 Alarm on Old Stage Rd

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0711 Family Fight on Baker St 0737 Trespass Notice Request on Maplelawn Dr 0738 Alarm on Carmichael St 0900 Agency Assist on Central St 1004 Agency Assist on Seneca Ave 1019 Citizens Dispute on Pearl St 1054 Accident on River St 1308 Suspicious on Pearl St 1450 Agency Assist on Jericho Rd 1534 Disabled Vehicle on Upper Main St 1547 Accident on Center Rd 1653 Motor Veh Complaint on Jericho Rd 1706 Found Property on South St 1903 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Pearl St 1929 Property Damage on Jericho Rd 2112 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Susie Wilson Rd 2127 Citizens Assist on Jericho Rd 2216 Suspicious Vehicle on Jericho Rd Thursday 1021 Citizens Assist on Maplewood Ln 1206 Agency Assist on Maple St 1336 Untimely on Greenfield Rd 1508 Untimely on Foster Rd 1937 Noise Complaint on Brigham Hill Rd

2130 Suspicious Vehicle on Market Pl 2227 Lost Property on Lang Dr Friday 0058 Noise Complaint on River Rd 0129 Assisted Rescue on Center Rd 0433 Assisted Rescue on Damon Dr 0545 Alarm on Old Stage Rd 1411 Susp Circumstance on Sand Hill Rd 1735 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Sand Hill Rd 1744 Motor Vehicle Complaint on West St 1849 Citizen Assist on Essex Way 1918 Burglary on Upper Main St 1920 Alarm on Educational Dr 2031 Domestic Assault, Violation of Conditions of Release & Resisting Arrest on Cascade St Saturday 0014 Intoxicated Person on Central St 0508 Property Damage on Lincoln St 0918 Citizens Assist on Pine Ct 1110 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Railroad Ave 1117 Accident on Browns River Rd 1234 Suspicious Circumstance on Repa Rd 1255 Citizens Assist on Susie

Wilson Rd 1406 Accident on Brickyard Rd 1611 Suspicious Circumstance on Pine Ct 1618 Theft on Pearl St 1925 Citizens Dispute on Pine Ct 2235 Alarm on Pearl St Sunday 0634 Found Property on Park St 0739 Citizens Assist on Brickyard Rd 1056 Found Property on South St 1059 Theft on Bluestem Rd 1137 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Fort Parkway 1217 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Old Colchester Rd 1239 Citizens Assist on South St 1252 Accident on Jericho Rd 1740 Found Property on Claire Dr 1948 Suspicious on Kiln Rd 2213 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Old Stage Rd 2236 Citizens Assist on Glenwood Dr 2244 Motor Vehicle Complaint on Upper Main St Tickets Issued: 4 Warnings Issued: 25 Fire/EMS Calls Dispatched: 50

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The Essex Reporter • December 31, 2015

(IEV 6IEHIVW

for more reasons than just getting paper and pencils. I hope you now think twice before cutting down a tree, also remember everything has as much of a right to live as you! By Mackenzie Dustin

very year third-graders at Summit Street School finish their Plants on the Grow unit on trees in science with a project. Students were given the choice to teach the community about trees via a letter to the editor or by making a poster to hang in the school. These letters are intended to showcase what third-graders learned during their unit of study and to raise awareness of how and why the community should take care of trees. Dear Essex Reporter, My name is Faith. I am in 3rd grade at Summit Street School. When I grow up I want to be the President. I will rule this kingdom. We have been learning about trees. I am writing about the importance of the roots. I want to explain to you how the roots help the trees live. I think that they help the tree stay in the ground. The roots help the tree make food and water. When a tornado hits it might stay in the ground. And did you know a tree grows a ring every year. So if you can count the rings and if there are 7 rings that tree lived 7 years. This tree lived for 8 years. I hope you learned that they grow rings and that the roots help them live. Bye, Essex Reporter! From Faith

Dear Essex Reporter, Hi my name is Shyam and I go to Summit Street School. Hi my name is Adam Moehle and I also go to Summit Street School. We are going to tell you about what we know about trees. We know that how many roots they have is the same amount of branches and that the leaves soak in the sun to help it grow. We also know it has a cycle where it starts out as a tiny seed then changes into a giant tree and it makes more seeds to help it spread across the world. Sincerely, Shyam Meyette and Adam Moehle Dear Essex Reporter, We are in 3rd grade and we go to Summit Street School. We want to teach you how the characteristics of a tree help them survive. The roots help anchor the tree in the ground. They also help the tree by sucking up water and minerals from the ground up to the leaves. The leaves help make food by mixing together water, air, and minerals to make a gooey white mixture that is the food. This cycle is called photosynthesis. When it makes the food it releases an air called oxygen (the air we need to breath.) We breathe out the air trees need which is called carbon dioxide. The food travels through the stem to feed the tree. We hope you learned a little about the characteristics of a tree. From, Chiara and Anjelita Dear Essex Reporter, My name is Lily and I am in 3rd grade at Summit Street School. We’ve been learning about trees. I am writing this letter to tell you how important trees are to us and the planet. Why are trees so important to us? If there were no trees, plants, or grass we wouldn’t be able to breathe. Trees take in carbon dioxide which we breath out. They let out oxygen. Trees also give us wood. No trees, no wood, no fire. Trees help us stay warm in the winter and also give animals shelter, food, and shade. Lots of animals live in or near trees and some find food there. I hope you have learned that trees are very important to everyone. Sincerely, Lily S. Dear Essex Reporter, My name is Logan and I am in 3rd grade at Summit Street School. We have been learning about trees. I am writing this letter to tell you about trees. I want to explain to you water goes through xylem tubes. I think you learned a lot and when I grow up I’m going to be a police officer. Water helps it grow like a tree. Sincerely, Logan

Dear Essex Reporter, My name is Aaron and I am in the 3rd grade at Summit Street School. We have been learning about trees. I am writing to you to tell you about well…trees. I want to explain to you that trees can live to 100 years old, their roots are like anchors, and that the bark is like armor. I think I’ve covered all the cool stuff I know about trees. I hope you’ve learned that trees are SUPER great. Sincerely, Aaron Dear Essex Reporter, My name is Nathan and I am in 3rd grade at Summit Street School. We have been learning about how you can tell what kind of tree it is. I am writing this letter to tell you about the roots of a tree. The roots of the tree help the tree suck up water and send it to the other parts of the tree by the xylem tubes. Sincerely, Nathan

The leaves help make food by mixing together water, air, and minerals...

Trees give you paper so if you have a piece of paper use both sides.

Bark protects the under layer of the tree.

Dear Essex Reporter, My name is Brady and I am in 3rd grade at Summit Street School. We have been learning about trees. I am writing this letter to tell you about how leaves help the trees grow and this is how the leaves collect the sun light and the air but the leaves need a little help by the roots so the roots collect the rain when it rains and then the water goes up to the leaves makes food for the tree. I hope you learned how leaves help trees grow. Sincerely, Brady. Dear Essex Reporter, My name is Nishal Tiwari and I am in 3rd grade at Summit Street School. We have been learning about trees. I am writing this letter to tell you about trees. I want to explain to you trees are living things and trees give us air. Maple trees and conifers have different leaves and trees are green and they give us food. Thank you, Nishal Dear Essex Reporter, My name is Taylore Dall and I am 8 years old. I am in 3rd grade and I have been learning about trees and their amazing features. I learned that mangrove trees basically sweat out salt from the water. All trees have a process that they make food in (just like plants) the xylem carries water from the root to the leaves where the cooking begins. Next, little holes at the bottom of the lead breath in carbon dioxide the veins on tops of the leaf soak in sunlight then the leaf mixes the ingredients together to make food. Trees are also home to other plants and animals. I hope you learned a lot. Sincerely, Taylore Dall Dear Essex Report, My name is Thomas and I am in 3rd grade at Summit Street School. We have been learning about trees and they are super important to Essex Junction and Essex because they give you oxygen and breathe in carbon dioxide. For example without trees we would not be able to survive and other leaves get theirs from microscopic things on the leaves called chloroplasts animals. So please don’t chop down trees there are so much different trees in the world. There are Conifers deciduous the deciduous tree seeds are apple seeds and acorns and Conifer seeds are pinecones. And it would destroy animal’s habitats. The tree has a trunk, roots, twigs, branches, and leaves.

The roots are like highways for the water.

ILLUSTRATIONS | KATYA ANDRIEVSKAIA

To make a tree and other plants you need soil (dirt) sun and water (rain and you watering it.) The important coloring part is done by chlorophyll (klor-a-fill) the green coloring in the leaves. The roots are like highways for the water. Sincerely, Thomas

world. These are things you need to climb redwood trees: bow and arrow, rope, helmet, and harness. Those are all the things you need to climb a redwood tree. Did you know that you can even drive through a redwood trees? Sincerely, Brooke and Morgan

Dear Essex Reporter, Our names are Brooke and Morgan. We are in 3rd grade at Summit Street School. We have been learning about trees. We are writing this letter to tell you about trees. We want to explain to you why to not cut down trees. We hope you learn about why you should not cut down trees. Trees are important because trees can give enough oxygen to live. Don’t cut down trees because you would be destroying animal homes. Trees give you paper so if you have a piece of paper use both sides. Now we want to tell you about redwood trees. Redwood trees are evergreens. The redwood forest in California has the tallest trees in the

Dear Essex Reporter, I am concerned about the tree population and how much it’s gone down. Think of this, when a tree is ALIVE they use sun, carbon dioxide, chlorophyll, and water to make food, how does that have anything to do with having to save trees toy may ask? Well when they make food they let out oxygen that we use to breathe in, without trees we won’t have oxygen you know how much work trees have to do for ALL OF EARTH uses to breathe? A lot more work than we do! Not convinced you should help trees? Well do you like apples? Oranges? Bananas? Well guess what, all of that yummy stuff comes from trees! We need trees

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Dear Essex Reporter, My name is Elizabeth A. Moino. I am in 3rd grade. When I grow up I want to be a farmers animal rehabitater, under cover spy, or a teacher. Anyway here are all the things I know about trees. There are coniferous and deciduous trees. Coniferous trees are trees that have leaves that don’t change color and don’t fall. Deciduous trees are trees that have leaves that change color and fall. Xylem tubes are teeny tubes that are connected to the roots of the trees so when it rains the roots of the tree sucks up the water and brings it to the xylem tubes and the xylem tubes take the water to the leaves to make food. When it rains the rain is absorbed by the soil soon after that some of the water that was absorbed travels down to the roots of the trees and the roots take the water to the xylem tubes which takes them to the leaves to make food for the tree. Leaves get shifted to the sun by the branches moving. This happening helps the leaves collect sun to mix with the water that they get from the xylem tubes to make food for the trees. The trunk is the beginning of the tree. The trunk helps all the trees in the world. The xylem tubes run through the trunk to get to the leaves to make food for the trees so it also helps with that. Seeds are the beginning of a new tree take acorns. They are the seeds for the oak tree and when they fall down over time they get covered and rained on and then they grow. Bark protects the under layer of the tree. Sometimes bugs get under the bark and over rime the tree just dies. Sap travels to the ground when pinecones fall because sap is in the pinecones. Sap is what we use to make maple syrup. But don’t eat sap plain its going to taste really watery that’s why people boil the water out. – Elizabeth A. Moino

only child but I have guinea pigs. Their names are caramel and oreo. But that’s enough about me! I’m really writing this letter to tell you about trees. I want you to know that trees are not just important to us because they give us fruit and flowers. They also give us homes, tables, furniture and food but most importantly they us oxygen to breathe. I know I know it’s hard to believe that. I would not be writing this and you would not be reading this if not for trees. But it’s true. Trees are also very interesting. Did you know that you can tell how old a trees age is by looking at it’s stump and counting the rings?! If there are 700 rings then the tree is 700 years old. Or did you know that seeds from the trees travel by flying through the air? I sure hope you learned a lot about trees and that you try to find out the age of a tree or save a tree. They are very important to us. Save a tree! – Samantha Donohey

Dear Essex Reporter, My name is Hannah and I am in third grade at Summit Street School. I want to work with animals when I grow up. My class has been learning about trees and leaves and how they grow. I am writing this letter because I am strong and want people to know about how they change in different seasons. I am also hoping you learn about trees. Because in a lot of places they have trees and if you don’t know about trees and you have a lot around you then you don’t know that you shouldn’t cut them down so I hope you learn about trees bark and leaves and how the trees grow. I think this letter will help you if you don’t have a lot of experience with trees. Trees change color in fall because there is not as much sun so the leaves don’t get enough sun to make sugar and oxygen so they change color and fall off. Trees also grow because they drink the water from the rain and send it to the whole tree and then the leaves make sugar and oxygen from the sun and sent it to the tree. This Dear Essex Reporter, is the way that trees grow. My name is Samantha S. The bark helps the tree Donohey and I am in third because it protects it from grade at Summit Street School in Essex Vermont. people hitting it and kicking In my future I would like it. So the bark protects it so to protect trees and nature. it won’t get all chipped and In my spare time I help out get holes in it. I hope you at the humane society of learned a lot about trees and they have and Chittenden County. I love the things lampRecycle-Vermont-PrintAD-b&w-3.38x7.ai 1 9/8/2014 2:19:35 PM cats, dogs, horses and being what they do. Sincerely, out in nature. I also do 4-h Hannah based on horses. I am an

Did you know you can recycle your used compact fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes? Not only is it a good idea, it’s the law. In addition to helping keep our environment clean, you’re saving energy too. Because fluorescent bulbs use less—and we think that’s a very bright idea. To find the recycling location near you, go to lamprecycle.org/vermont

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The Essex Reporter • December 31, 2015

F OOD

Include good fats and carbs in a healthy eating plan Come the end of the holiday season, many people resolve to rest, recharge and get back to healthy eating habits. Time magazine reports that losing weight and getting fit are the most popular New Year’s resolutions, but also the ones that people are most likely to abandon after a short time. That may be because New Year’s dieters are too often choosing diets that are impractical and not conducive to long-term success. Some may stop eating certain foods or ingredients entirely, while others look to diets that require a level of commitment beyond busy adults’ capabilities. Many fad diets target fat and carbohydrates, but dieters may not know that fat and carbs are necessary for a healthy metabolism. According to Dr. Walter Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health, low-fat diets don’t work for many people. In fact, dozens of studies have found that low-fat diets are no more healthy than moderate- or

high-fat diets and may, in fact, be worse. Foods that are low in fat may be full of ingredients that can be detrimental when eaten in high amounts. Processed low-fat foods can be made to taste better with copious amounts of salt or sugar. Some low-fat foods are actually high in simple carbohydrates, which can cause spikes in blood sugar and increase bad fats called triglycerides in the blood. Simple carbohydrates are generally those that break down fast and do not provide much value beyond the initial energy burst. Although some simple carbs, such as fructose and lactose, can be beneficial and are generally found in healthy foods, it’s best to avoid simple carbs. Eating healthy doesn’t mean avoiding carbohydrates and fats altogether. The key is to find good fats and carbs that provide a host of benefits. Good fats, such as monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and omega-3 fatty acids, help to

manage mood, maintain mental acuity, fight fatigue, and control weight. Good fats are largely found in olives, nuts, legumes, soy, and fatty fish. Keep total fat intake to 20 to 30 percent of your calories. Good carbs are complex carbohydrates. They’re starches that take a longer time to

metabolize in your digestive system. Good carbs will raise blood sugar, but they will keep it at a stable level for an extended period of time. Complex carbs usually contain a lot of fiber, which can help keep a person feeling full for long periods of time. Plus, they help keep digestion moving smoothly to help you avoid constipation.

Fibrous vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans are high in fiber and are good carbohydrate choices. Some foods contain both good carbs and good fats. Eating healthy means finding a balance that includes the right fats and carbohydrates. — MetroCreative

Bayside Bakery up for sale By JASON STARR The Essex Reporter

The Morrill family – from left, Jim, Stacey, Elma and Jim Jr. – are selling the Bayside Bakery after 31 years in business on Lakeshore Drive in Colchester. FILE PHOTO

Elma and Jim Morrill are selling Bayside Bakery, the business they started in 1984. The Lakeshore Drive mainstay was founded as a bakery, then expanded to serve breakfast and lunch. The Morrills recruited their two children, Stacey Noel and Jim Morrill, to help out at the restaurant over the past four years. But the second generation is uninterested in running the restaurant, instead returning to careers outside the food service industry. “When we came back, we were just here to help Mom and Dad through to the end,” said Noel, who lives in St. Albans. “It requires dedication. My parents are here 80 hours a week … My brother, he likes to work outside. This is not his thing.” The couple hopes to have a buyer by springtime, when they plan to retire. Elma’s 70th birthday is Christmas Eve. Jim is 72. “We will miss the people. We’ve grown to be friends with a good share of our customers,” Elma said. The business’ success has exceeded the Morrill’s expectations. “It has grown and supported our family over all these years,” Elma said. “It has thrived.” The restaurant anchors a shopping plaza across the street from Dick Mazza’s General Store. Morrill is a Colchester native and cousin of Mazza, who owns the plaza. A new buyer would be wise to continue what works about the restaurant while adding some youthful energy and ideas, Elma said. “For someone ambitious, they could make a good living,” she said.

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