Vermont Courier News - June 2024

Vermont

COURIER NEWS

Richard Taylor PUBLISHER/EDITOR

rtaylor@vtcouriernews.com

Doug Young OFFICE MANAGER news@vtcouriernews.com

Leon Thompson REPORTER news@vtcouriernews.com

Brad Sprung GRAPHICS graphics@vtcouriernews.com

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The views and opinions expressed on this and the following page are solely those of the original authors and other contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Vermont Courier News, the Courier News staff, and/or any/all contributors to this publication.

What do you think?

What are your summer plans?

“I can’t say that I’ve got any solid plans yet. I’ll probably go down to Narragansett (RI). I’ve got family down there. And my significant other lives in Canada. So I’ll spend some time up there.”.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

“I’m trying to sign up for some CCV classes (Community College of Vermont). I’m going to work, too, but I also want to hang out with friends and go to the beach — concentrate on that work-life balance more. It’s important!”

“I’m taking some summer classes at CCV. I’m also working, and I’ll definitely hang out with friends. I was scheming to go on a canoeing trip with some friends, but I don’t think that will happen.”

“Lots of gardening. Camping. Fishing. All the cool stuff that comes with summer.”

Help with Jobs, Food Insecurity, Rent, and Utility Costs

In Vermont there are several towns, state and social service agencies ready to help residents with basic needs and more. Help with navigating these sometimes daunting bureaus is also available with an appointment. Following is a partial list of providers, their services and phone numbersand/ or web sites. If you are in need, or know someone who is, please avail yourself of these local groups who exist to help.

Barton Area Senior Services

802-525-1000

Food assistance & more

Cambridge Food Shelf

802-644-8911

Food assistance

Danville ECC Food Shelf

802-684-2515

Food assistance

Darling Inn Senior Meals - Lyndonville

802-626-8700

Food assistance

Hardwick Area Food Pantry

802-472-5940

Food assistance

HOPE - Lyndonville

802-626-3228

Food assistance & more

Island Pond Food Shelf

802-723-5037

Food assistance

Johnson Food Shelf

802-635-9003

Food assistance

Kingdom Community Services - St. Johnsbury

802-751-8581

Food assistance & more

Lamoille Community

Food Share

802-888-6550

Food assistance

Meals On Wheels of Lamoille County

802-888-5011

Food assistance

Montpelier Christ

Church Food Pantry

802-223-3631

Food assistance

Montpelier Senior Meals

802-223-6357

Food assistance

Neighbors in Action/

NEK 802-626-1212

Food assistance & more

Northeast Kingdom

Community - Island Pond

802-723-5276

Food assistance & more

Northeast Kingdom

CommunitySt. Johnsbury

802-748-6040

Food assistance & more

Northeast Kingdom Community - Newport

802-334-7316

Food assistance & more

Salvation Army Barre

802-476-5301

Food assistance & more

The Galley Barre Housing

802-479-9175

Food assistance & more

United Church of Newport

802-334-6033

Food assistance

HireAbility Vermont

802-863-7500

Helping Vermonters living with disabilities achieve employment.

Helpline 1-800-642-5119

Information & Assistance for Aging Vermonters

Vermont Agency of Human Services

802-241-0440

Disability and Aging Supports, Child and Family Services, Economic Assistance, Housing Stability, Risk Reduction and Community Justice Service, Health and Wellness

Get Help Now 2•1•1 211 functions as a Vermont help and services directory. Find the help. you need.

ADVANCED HEARING TECHNOLOGIES OF NE

Mark L. Derby

Sarah C. Newport

Gabriel G. Barton

Lisa H. Albany, VT

Free Fishing Day and Grand Isle Fishing Festival

Leon Thompson Vermont Courier News

Get your rods and reels ready, because June is the month that you can fish for free in Vermont.

Vermont’s annual, statewide Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 8, and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will hold other free fishing derbies for children throughout the rest of this month.

Vermont’s Free Fishing Day allows resident and nonresident anglers to fish in Vermont for a day without a license. June 8 is also opening day of the state’s regular bass fishing season, which

In recent times, the topic of extraterrestrial life has surged to the forefront of public discourse, leaving many to ponder the intriguing theories and questions that have arisen. While some may dismiss these discussions as mere conspiracy theories, it is essential to recognize that there are plausible factors and credible sources contributing to the ongoing conversation about the existence of nonhuman life on Earth.

Military’s Release of Classified Programs

One of the most astonishing developments in this arena is the unexpected revelation of formerly classified military programs that claim to have

starts each year on the second Saturday in June and lasts through November.

This year, Vermont’s Free Fishing Day will include a free family fishing festival at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station (14 Bell Hill Rd.) in Grand Isle from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Designed for young anglers and families, the event will offer basic fishing instruction and a chance for kids and novice anglers to catch big trout in the hatchery pond. No prior fishing experience is necessary.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife will supply fishing rods, reels and bait. For more information call 802372-3171.

“Vermont’s Free Fishing Day gives resident and nonresident anglers the opportunity to go fishing without a license for the day in Vermont lakes and streams,” Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Christopher Herrick said in a press release. “Free Fishing Day is a great opportunity for an experienced angler to be a mentor to friends who have not gone fishing before. A day on the water

EDITORIAL

could lead to a lifetime of great experiences and healthy local food.”

Young anglers who can’t go fishing on June 8 have other opportunities to fish for free in June. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, through its Children’s Fishing Program, will hold a series of free Kids Fishing

Derbies throughout the state — including central Vermont, Lamoille County and the Northeast Kingdom — from June 1 to June 16.

Each Kids Fishing Derby starts at 8 a.m. at every location, and every derby is free. No registration is necessary. Each derby is sponsored by a local

organization, and the department provides 8”to-10” stocked trout for kids to test their angling skills.

For more information about dates and locations for the free Kids Fishing Derbies in June, visit https://vtfishandwildlife.com/calendar/list.

Aliens Among Us? Exploring the Mysteries of Non-Human Life on Earth

interacted with unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The United States government, typically known for its secrecy, has taken an unprecedented step by acknowledging the legitimacy of these programs. Such disclosure has sparked debates about the true extent of extraterrestrial encounters and the reasons behind this sudden transparency. Furthermore, the recent testimony of a former Pentagon employee to Congress has raised eyebrows and stirred controversy. This individual claims that the government has been concealing knowledge of non-human life on Earth for well over a century. Although skepticism is prudent, the

gravity of such an assertion compels us to consider the possibility of hidden truths waiting to be unearthed.

The Fermi Paradox

Adding another layer of complexity to this discourse is the Fermi Paradox, which remains an enigma in the field of astrophysics. This paradox raises the question of why, given the vastness of the universe and the potential for numerous extraterrestrial civilizations, we have not encountered any concrete evidence of their existence. While this paradox is not conclusive proof of extraterrestrial life, it does underline the need for a more comprehensive examination of

the subject.

Influx of UFO Sightings and Videos

The proliferation of UFO sightings and videos in recent years has left many perplexed. Some argue that this surge is merely a consequence of the widespread availability of smartphone cameras, enabling individuals to capture and share their encounters more easily. However, the rise of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) has also led to concerns about the authenticity of these vid-eos. The line between reality and deception has become increasingly blurred, making it challenging to distinguish between genuine sightings and cleverly crafted

hoaxes.

In conclusion, the recent surge in discussions about extraterrestrial life cannot be easily dismissed as mere conspiracy theories. The military’s disclosure of classified programs, the testimony of a former Pentagon employee, the Fermi Paradox, and the proliferation of UFO sightings all contribute to the intrigue surrounding this topic. As responsible journalists, we must continue to seek the truth behind these phenomena, leaving some questions unanswered for now. Only time will tell whether these discussions will lead to profound revelations or remain shrouded in mystery.

Bianchi Memorials & Rock Top Designs

Leon Thompson Vermont Courier News

DERBY –– The granite industry is historically solid in Vermont, and Bianchi Memorials & Rock Top Designs is a four-generation part of that rich tradition.

Current owners Sean and Deb Bianchi, both in their early fifties, purchased the Derby business in January 2020 from Sean’s father, Rudy. Three months later, Bianchi Memorials & Rock Top Designs was in a COVID-related lockdown with the rest of the U.S. “It was rough for a while, but we made it through,” Deb said.

Bianchi Memorials & Rock Top Designs provides monuments (from design to installation), countertops, landscaping products, and now custom furniture — “pretty much anything in granite,”

said Deb, a creative spirit with a background in counseling.

Bianchi Memorials & Rock Top Designs also offers custom cabinets, cemetery lettering for final dates on stones and snow removal. The business campus has a cozy showroom with 400 square-feet of countertop display and an 1,800-square foot production shop. “We try to give the customer what they want,” Deb said. “We pride ourselves on that.”

Meticulous and diligent about her work, Deb starts the monument-making process with a client meeting, where they explore cemetery lot size (and what will fit), ideas for the stone, the customer’s budget, and how the ideas align with the budget.

Deb’s background in counseling is beneficial during those initial meetings, when emotions can run high, especially if those sessions are sudden or unexpected. She’s also honest with her customers. “I’ve had to tell people who might not be ready for this process that they might not be ready for it,” she said. “Memorializing is really important to me. That’s why I like to do these stones. They’re symbolic of life. They don’t just represent the end of a person.”

Deb creates every design; she taught herself how to use the related software programs. She also educated herself on how to use a state-of-the-art, automatic sandblaster with manual option and built-in ventilation system to recirculate dust and sand. “I’m innovative,” she said. “If I can make something work, I will.”

Sean schedules foundation digs and performs them himself. He and Deb also make the monuments themselves — countertops are contracted out — and they have a longtime employee, Mike McDonald. Their other be-

loved employee, Scott Green, died of cancer in 2023. Sean has worked at the family business since adolescence, but he and Deb have had other side ventures, including a food service and catering business called Goob’s Brew & BBQ, a nod to Sean’s nickname: “Gomer Pyle.”

Sean Bianchi’s greatgrandfather, Rodolfo, came to America from Useria, Italy, when he was 18. He helped found Union Granite Company in Northfield, Vt., and then Celente and Bianchi

in Barre.

Rodolfo’s son, Ario, reopened what was formerly the Cass Granite Quarry in Derby. Ario’s late wife, Joyce, used to tell Deb Bianchi stories about working in the Barre granite quarries (“the granite sheds”) by truck light late at night.

Ario’s son, Rudy, opened Bianchi Memorials at its current location in the late 1980s. Back then, the business picked blocks from the Barre granite sheds and manufactured head-

stones at Rudy’s other business, North Country Granite in Barre, before hauling them to Derby to sell. Sean and Deb later streamlined the business and added “Rock Top Designs” to its name.

Rudy and his wife, Linda, now spend their summers in Newport and winters in Florida. Sean and Deb have three children: Courtney, 32; Chelsea, 28; and Garrett, 17. They also have five grandchildren.

Sean and Deb are middle school sweethearts. “He put a tack in my chair,” she said, “and I used to do his art projects for him.”

Deb Bianchi prepares to demonstrate a state-of-the-art sandblaster.

Deb Bianchi uses a silica-sand treatment on a headstone.

Deb Bianchi co-owns Bianchi Memorials and Rock Top Designs in Derby.

Oklahoma City National Memorial

At 620 N Harvey Ave just off the I-40 in Oklahom sits a memorial museum at the site of the tragic Oklahoma City Bombing.

For two years after the bombing, the only memorals to the victims were plush toys, crucifixes, letters, and other personal items left by thousands of people at a security fence surrounding the site of the building.

Many suggestions for suitable memorials were sent to Oklahoma City, but an official merial planning committee was not set up until early 1996, when the Murrah Federal Building Me-

morial Task Force, composed of 350 members, was set up to formulate plans for a memorial to commemorate the victims of the bombing.

On July 1, 1997, the winning design was chosen unanimously by a 15-member panel from 624 submissions.

The memorial was designed at a cost of $29 million, which was raised by the public and private funds.

This is part of the National Park System as an affiliated area and was designed by Oklahoma City architects Hans and Torrey Butzer and Sven Berg.

It was dedicated by President Clinton on April 19, 2000, exactly five years after the bombing. Within the first year, it had 700,000 visitors.

The memorial includes a reflecting pool flanked by two large gates, one inscribed with the time 9:01, the other with 9:03, the pool representing the moment of the blast.

On the south end of the memorial is a field of symbolic bronze and stone chairs – one for each person lost, arranged according to what floor of the building they were on. The chairs represent the empty chairs at the dinner tables of

GREEN MOUNTAIN SPORTING GOODS

the victims’ families. The seats of the children killed are smaller than those of the adults lost.

On the opposite side is the “survivor tree”, part of the building’s original landscaping that survived the blast and fires that followed it.

The memorial left part of the foundation of the building intact, allowing visitors to see the scale of the destruction. Part of the chain link fence put in place around the site of the blast, which had attracted over 800,000 personal items of commemoration later collected by the Oklahoma City Memorial Foundation, is now on the western edge of the

memorial. North of the memorial is the Journal Record Building, which now houses the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum, an affiliate of the National Park Service. The building also contains the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, a law enforcement training center.

The Field of Empty Chairs fills the foreground, with the Reflecting Pool and Mermorial Museum beyond

Timothy McVeigh’s Car

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Tips when hiring a contractor

Contractors perform important work for millions of homeowners every day. Home improvement projects are complicated undertakings, and the experience of skilled contractors can ensure jobs are completed on time and within homeowners’ budgets.

• Identify which professional you need. Some contractors are of the jack-of-all-trades variety, but many specialize in a particular line of work. It’s important that homeowners identify which type of contractor they should work with prior to starting a project. This requires homeowners to define the goal of the project (i.e., new wood floor installation), which can serve as a springboard into finding the right type of contractor.

• Prioritize building safety. Safety should be the utmost priority for homeowners and contractors

Homeowners have undoubtedly heard horror stories from neighbors about projects that have gone awry. Projects can go sideways for a number of reasons, but a skilled contractor can help homeowners navigate such situations successfully. That underscores how important it can be to find the right professional for the job. The following are some tips homeowners can consider as they look to hire a contractor.

alike. Prior to hiring a contractor, homeowners should identify any safety restrictions that might be enforced by local governments and take note of all the permits necessary to get a job done. Homeowners can then discuss those restrictions and permits as they interview contractors. Projects that do not adhere to code are illegal and can compromise homeowners’ ability to sell their homes in the future. So it’s vital to work with contractors who are familiar with local codes and aware of which permits are necessary to ensure a project can go forward.

• Insist on written estimates. Handshake agreements offer no protec-

tion to homeowners or contractors, so estimates indicating what will be done and how much the project will cost should be provided. Homeowners should insist on receiving written estimates and interpret an unwillingness to provide one as a significant red flag.

• Know your rights. Laws vary by region, but in general homeowners have a right to a written contract and contractors are obligated to provide a copy of that contract signed by both parties.

That contract must be provided prior to the start of the project. The contract should provide a detailed account of the work that will be

done, as well as a timeline indicating important dates that components of the project will begin and be completed. The contract also should detail materials and who is providing them. Details regarding payments, guarantees and warranties also should be cited.

• Do not pay in cash. Some contractors may suggest that the project will cost less if they’re paid in cash. Howev-

er, home improvements should never be cash transactions. Cash does not indicate proof of payment, which can be problematic if a dispute arises.

Contractors help homeowners turn dream projects into reality. Homeowners can employ various strategies to ensure they find the right professional for their home improvement project.

HOLIDAY IDEAS

Father’s Day gift ideas for all types of dads

This Father’s Day, families will gather to thank dads for all they do. Gifts often are part of Father’s Day celebrations, and here’s a list of gift ideas for dads with various interests.

Gaming Dad

The draw of popular video games doesn’t abate for some men as they get older. If your dad is at home with game controller in hand, then gifts that feed his hobby can be ideal. Virtual reality has made great strides. Devices that enable VR game play and other entertainment may appeal to Dad. There are a few

options on the market, like the Oculus, Pico Neo, HTC Vive, and Valve Index.

Another option is to gift the Nintendo Switch Console, which enables your dad to play at home connected to the television or on the go with the handheld controller and screen combination so he never misses a chance to engage in game play.

Sports Dad

Tap into your father’s love of sports with gifts tailored to his passion. Baseball and soccer are played during warm months, so tickets to a game is something

dads and their children can do together. You also can cheer his team on in front of a new big-screen television he gets for being such a great dad.

Outdoorsman Dad

If your dad is most at home with a fishing pole and tackle box, kayaking a nearby body of water, or hiding in a tree stand during hunting season, then gifts that cater to his love of the great outdoors are perfect. Insulated thermoses, waterproof bags for storing phones or wallets, multitools, backpacks, and hiking boots make great gifts.

Techy Dad

Does the idea of the latest “smart” offering get your father all revved up? Then purchase gifts that cater to his love of gadgets. Maybe he can use a new tablet or laptop that bridges the gap between home and office. Could it be time to upgrade his smartphone? A doorbell camera or home security kit can help Dad keep an eye on the comings and goings around the house when he’s away. Or help him create surround lighting effects that can react to content on the screen or music being played with LED smart lighting strips.

Practical Dad

Some fathers don’t want flashy gifts, instead preferring ones that can be used everyday. Think about a new paper shredder or identity block roller stamp to keep sensitive information safe. If Dad takes long road trips, then he might be able to use a car visor extender or a smartphone holder. Shelving, racks or storage straps for the garage also may put a smile on Dad’s face.

This year, make Father’s Day a smash hit with gifts that cater to Dad’s interests.

COMMUNITY NEWS Drug crime in VT: Then and now

Leon Thompson Vermont Courier News

Vermont State Police (VSP) Lt. Casey Daniell is no newbie at fighting drug crime, but the spate of drug-related crime in Vermont certainly feels new to him.

Daniell is 47 — a Danville native — and he heads the Vermont Drug Task Force, a narcotics investigations unit (NUI) that includes a multi-jurisdictional group of local, county and federal law enforcement officers.

For 22 of his 25 years

with the VSP, Daniell has worked in narcotics, and he can summarize the current state of drug-related crime in a single sentence: “It’s the worst that I’ve ever seen.”

Drug-related shootings are frequent in 2024 Vermont, and murders are more regular. Burglaries, robberies and outrageous rashes of retail theft in all four corners of the state — mostly all tied to drugs — are in the media (traditional and social) practically every…single…day.

For the purposes of public education and awareness, Daniell graciously granted Vermont Courier News an interview about drug-related crime in Vermont — how it’s changed in the last 40 years, how drug dealers operate here, and whether the public can help. (Good news: The answer is “yes.”)

Daniell cannot tell if drug-related crime has hit its peak in Vermont, but he is sure about one aspect of it. “The violence is really what has spiked in the last five years,” he said.

“This is real.”

Historically, Vermont’s “violent criminal landscape has been dominated by domestic violence,” the Vermont Intelligence Center (VIC) said in a 2023 report that Daniell used in testimony to Vermont lawmakers last fall. “However, over the past few years, the number of homicides related to domestic violence has decreased drastically, while the number of homicides related to drugs has significantly increased. The use and sale of drugs are etiologically and systematically linked to violence through the normally aggressive structure of narcotics trafficking.”

VIC data shows that drug-related homicides in Vermont increased by 450 percent between 2020 and 2023 — from 2 to 11 — and nearly 41 percent of 2023 homicides were directly tied to drugs.

The percentage of drug-related homicides involving a gun jumped from 50 to 100 percent between 2020 to 2022 and then dipped down to 75 percent in 2023. Violent crime among youth is trending upward, too.

The VSP does not have a written definition of a “drug-related crime,” but the term is generally associated with cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and “painkillers.” Police are also dealing with Xylazine, an animal tranquilizer-turned-street drug that is not intended for use in people. A lion’s share of the burglaries, thefts and shootings occurring now are “driven by the drug scene,” Daniell said.

In 2020, a reduction in law enforcement during the COVID lockdown led to an increase in illegal drug activity Vermont, so a significant portion of drug-related crime in post-pandemic Vermont is a result of that increased activity from 2020, Daniell explained. Forty years ago,

though, a “drug-related crime” in Vermont typically meant a marijuana bust — of any size — and if cocaine was involved, jaws dropped. The word “heroin” rarely made a headline, and a drug-related killing could stay on the public’s radar for weeks or months — because it was the only one that happened.

Then, in the 1990s, urban drug dealers saw an untapped market for painkillers in rural America, and Vermont was among the targets. By 2003 — “the Oxycontin era,” Daniell calls it — pill addicts were doctor shopping up and down both U.S. coasts and everywhere in between. Drug-related crime started morphing in Vermont, and home invasions — random and targeted, with perps sometimes steal-

Vermont State Police Lt. Casey Daniell.

ing nothing but cash and all the contents of a medicine cabinet — started appearing in news reports.

“Dealers set up in Vermont for money,” Daniell said. “It’s as simple as that. Things just escalated and snowballed from there.”

A decrease in cannabis regulation in Vermont has not led to an increase in marijuana-related crime in Vermont, according to Daniell, and major, marijuana-related crimes in the state have practically gone the way of the dinosaur. “You don’t see those types of crimes,” he said. “You don’t see people stealing to go buy some weed.”

Urban narcotics dealers come to small Vermont towns and make connections with locals, Daniell said. In some cases, dealers squat in people’s apartments and homes and use those residences as

their business centers. In exchange, the tenant or homeowner gets free drugs.

Drug dealers who come to Vermont typically work on their own, with a supplier elsewhere, Daniell said. The scene is not as Hollywood as one might think, with a big boss or kingpin outside the state, sitting at a table, surrounded by cash and drugs, waiting for his minions to return with lots of money and promises of new customers.

“Dealers seem to work much more independently now,” Daniell said, noting that there’s more money to be made that way.

Daniell also subscribes to the strong link between drug-related crime and dopamine, the neurotransmitter and hormone responsible for pleasure. Daniell heard about dopamine and its affect

on an addict’s brain during a conference last fall, from Dr. Stephen Lloyd, of the Cedar Treatment Facility in Tennessee. Lloyd is a recovering opioid user and was the inspiration for Michael Keaton’s character in the recent streaming TV series, “Dopesick.”

Research shows that when people use cocaine or crack cocaine, their dopamine levels jump from about 80 (normal) to 1,200. After regular use, the brain wants to stay at its elevated new normal, and the addict needs — not just wants — to keep it there. (Also, it can take up to 18 months for dopamine levels to drop to normal after an addict gets treatment.)

“It’s a survival technique,” Daniell said. “If supermarkets closed, and we needed to eat to survive — because we’ll die if we don’t eat or drink

water — to what limits, once you get to the point where you’re starving, are you going to go to survive? They need this to survive. It drives them to do heinous crimes and not care about the consequences.”

The scale to which drug-related crimes are happening in Vermont has alarmed Daniell. In February, the body of Kayla Wright, 29, was found floating in a container on the Missisquoi River in Troy after she went missing. She was fatally shot. As of the end of May, no one had been formally charged with her murder, but three people have all been arrested on federal drug charges in relation to the case.

Also in February, 15-year-old Mohamed Said of Springfield, Mass., allegedly murdered 38-year-old Christina Chatlo, of Barre, during a reported drug-related confrontation in St. Johnsbury. Said allegedly shot and killed Chatlo in her vehicle. He awaits trial at a Massachusetts juvenile detention facility.

Drug dealers are coming to Vermont mainly from Springfield, Mass., and Hartford, Conn. — not New York City, as in the past — and their survival tactics are

different than those in rural areas, Daniell said. While some drug-related crimes in Vermont might appear gang-related on their surface, explicit drug-related gang wars are probably not happening nor directly contributing to current drug crimes in Vermont, he said.

So how can the public help the police? First, be aware of suspicious activity — not necessarily personal appearances — especially if there is an area of high traffic in a neighborhood where no one is selling Tupperware.

Daniell encourages the public to use the VSP’s online tip form on the state police Web site. Additionally, anyone can submit tips anonymously by texting keyword VTIPS to 274637 (CRIMES).

The VSP considers all tips, Daniell said, even if they don’t respond to every tipster.

Daniell is a “huge

proponent of treatment.” However, he said, there must be more accountability for people who commit repeated, drug-related crimes in Vermont. The state made progress with new laws during the 2024 legislative session, but Daniell would like to see all stakeholders in the matter — from police and lawmakers to treatment providers and attorneys — “get on the same page” and reach the understanding that combating drug-related crime in Vermont must ultimately transcend politics.

Drug-related crime is burdening several facets of Vermont, Daniell said, including the VSP — financially and, yes, even emotionally. “We’re never going to arrest our way out of this,” he said. “It’s never going to happen.”

Look for more about this issue’s impact on Vermont in future editions of Vermont Courier News.

Kayla Wright Christina Chatlos

HEALTH/MEDICAL

How routine physical activity affects mental health

The physical changes people experience after committing to routine physical activity are visible to the naked eye.

After making such a commitment, particularly if one is accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle, people may shed a noticeable amount of weight, move more quickly and even appear younger, a change that is perhaps related to the positive effects exercise has on sleep.

Less noticeable but no less advantageous are the mental health benefits associated with routine exercise.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, physical activity releases chemicals in the brain that positively affect mood, thus making exercise a tool anyone can utilize to improve their mental health. As individuals ponder the benefits of physical activity, they can keep the following ways exercise affects mental health in mind.

• Exercise and stress reduction:

A 2022 Gallup poll found that 40 percent

of adults worldwide experienced a lot of stress. The poll asked adults in 142 countries and areas, which underscores the significance of stress as a legitimate global health concern. The MHF notes that the most common physical signs of stress include difficulty sleeping, sweating and loss of appetite, symptoms that are triggered by a flood of the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline released in the body. Those hormones increase blood pressure and heart rate. Exercise can help to alleviate stress, and the MHF notes that adults who are highly active have been found to have lower rates of stress than those who live more sedentary lifestyles.

• Exercise and selfesteem:

A 2022 study published in The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness compared 352 participants between the ages of 20 and 40 who regularly exercised at least two days per week for the previous six months with 350 similarly aged sedentary individuals. The

study assessed various characteristics of each group and researchers ultimately concluded that those who exercised had higher levels of self-esteem than those who did not. As a result, the authors behind the study recommended exercise as a preferred method

to increase self-esteem.

• Exercise and depres sion:

A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized control trials found that exercise is an effective treatment for depression. That review and analysis, published in

the peer-reviewed medical journal The BMJ in 2024, reviewed 218 unique studies involving more than 14,000 participants. Walking, jogging, yoga, and strength training were found to be especially effective at treating depression, which the World Health Orga-

nization estimates affects about 280 million people worldwide. The physical benefits of routine physical activity may be most noticeable. However, regular exercise also has a profound effect on individuals’ mental health.

RESTAURANT

Jay Village Inn & Restaurant

Leon Thompson Vermont Courier News

JAY –– Vernon “J.R.” Hamel calls himself “The Old Man Of The Mountain — so to speak.”

Hamel is a 63-year-old Newport, Vt., native. He started working in the restaurant business when he was 15, and since 2008, he’s owned the Jay Village Inn & Restaurant on Route 242.

Located just 3 miles from Jay Peak Resort, and surrounded by all the glorious natural beauty that every postcard of Vermont promises, The Jay Peak Village Inn & Restaurant has earned its 5-star rating on Yahoo Traveler and Hotel Guide, as well as its glowing comments on Yelp.

“We have been here several times now, and we love the atmosphere, especially when it’s chilly and the fireplace

is blazing,” California resident Ruth B. posted in February. “We loved the big platter of meats, which was enough for lunch the next day, even after my husband and I ate our fill! The cocktails were delicious and pretty, and so was the poutine. I always like trying new things there too. A wonderful place to go!”

Rick J., of Braintree, Mass., said, “Love the ambience. It’s so casual without trying. Like having dinner in your cousin’s basement. But way better.”

Hamel employs 20 people at the restaurant and inn, which has 12 rooms.

RECIPE Of THE MONTH

Asian Fusion Casserole

This Asian Fusion Casserole draws from quite a few traditions, but the ultimate result? So scrumptious! A bed of tender eggplant supports savory, homemade pork meatballs in a thick, sticky, umami-packed teriyaki sauce, topped with scallions and crunchy peanuts... so, so good! It’s like the freshest, most delicious takeout without the need to unpack any of those white boxes! Asian Fusion Casserole is a sensational flavor performance your taste buds will love!

Time: 1 hour / Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter

2 pounds eggplant, preferably Japanese, cut into 1-inch chunks

4 tablespoons peanut oil, divided

1/4 cup reduced-sodium tamari

1/4 cup rice wine or dry sherry

2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons water

1 1/2 pounds lean ground pork tap here

The restaurant seats up to 115 people (about 150 with outdoor dining). Breakfast, lunch and dinner are on the menu, so are weekly specials, and there’s a full bar stocked with Vermont brews that Hamel has expanded under his ownership.

Each Fourth of July, The Jay Village Inn & Restaurant holds a free fireworks show with live music, which has “turned into a huge affair,” Hamel said. “It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the community that’s been good to us.”

The Jay Village Inn & Restaurant has had several handlers in its 30-

Directions

plus years of operation, Hamel said. He managed the establishment from 2006 to 2007 and assumed ownership in 2008.

The business is open year-round, so it stays busy during all four seasons. Hamel and his staff “make hay in winter,” he said, because of ski season.

Tourists account for a good portion of business at The Jay Village Inn & Restaurant, but it

Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

attracts a strong base of local customers, including some from Enosburgh and Montgomery that Hamel befriended during his past lives at other local restaurants.

“For me this is a way of life,” he said.

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced

1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper salt, to taste

1/4 cup cornstarch

4 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup lightly salted peanuts, chopped

1 small red chile or sweet red pepper, seeded, minced

Step 2 -In a 9x13-inch baking dish, add the chunks of eggplant and 2 tablespoons of the peanut oil, tossing to thoroughly coat the eggplant pieces.

Step 3 -Bake until the eggplant begins to turn brown, about 30 minutes.

Step 4 -In a small bowl, add the tamari, the rice wine, the brown sugar, the rice vinegar, and the water and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Step 5 -In a medium bowl, add the pork, the garlic, the ginger, the white pepper, and the salt and mix it together gently but thoroughly.

Step 6 -Form the pork mixture into about 18 meatballs, using about 3 tablespoons of the meat mixture for each.

Step 7 -In a shallow dish, add the cornstarch.

Step 8 -Roll the meatballs in the cornstarch until they are well-coated. Discard any remaining cornstarch after all of the meatballs are coated.

Step 9 -In a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add the remaining oil.

Step 10 -Add the meatballs to the hot oil and cook, while turning occasionally, until golden, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 11 -Add the reserved sauce to the meatballs and cook, turning the meatballs to coat, until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 12 -Add the meatballs, the sauce, and the scallions to the baking dish with the eggplant.

Step 13 -Bake the casserole until the eggplant is very tender and the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 15 minutes.

Step 14 -In a small bowl, add the cilantro, the peanuts, and the red pepper and stir or toss to combine.

Step 15 -Sprinkle the peanut mixture over the casserole.

Step 16 -Serve.

Vernon “J.R.” Hamel

SENIOR LIVING

Great part-time jobs for retirees

Many adults nearing retirement age count down the days until they can bid adieu to the daily tasks of commuting and working so they can enjoy much more time for recreation, travel or whatever is they aspire to do.

As enticing as unending free time may seem, some retirees find it is not ideal to be entirely free from the responsibility of working. As current seniors can attest, inflation can drive up the costs of living, meaning that seniors who were once able to afford a certain retirement lifstyle may no longer enjoy that hard-earned luxury.

Others may miss the daily opportunities to socialize that working provides, or the way problem-solving on the job stimulates the brain. But even retirees who miss working may not be ready to return to the workforce full-time. That can make part-time employment an ideal fit for mature workers.

Here’s a look at some part-time positions that could be a good fit for older adults reentering the work-

force.

Retail sales associate

Working in retail opens seniors up to a wide array of responsibilities and scenarios. Jobs may include greeting customers, making sales, putting out inventory, and helping customers select merchandise. Being personable and having good customer service skills are necessary traits to have when working in retail. Many stores offer part-time employees flexible hours so schedules can be customized.

Consultant Retirees who loved their job but wanted to spend less time doing it can return as consultants. According to The Balance: Money, individuals often find they earn more per hour working as consultants than they did as fulltime staff members.

Consulting is a way to share expertise and experience without making a full-time commitment. Customer service representative

A customer service representative is tasked with helping customers solve

problems and ensuring customer satisfaction. He or she may work ain a traditional office or store location, or answer calls and resolve issues from home.

School positions

Retirees may want to consider jobs working in schools or in related capacities. Driving a

school bus is an option if people are willing to undergo the proper training and licensing to operate this type of vehicle. Seniors also may consider working as lunchroom aides or lunch service providers, crossing guards, substitute teachers, and paraprofessionals. School employees will only work a few hours during the day.

They’ll also enjoy many holidays off as well as summer vacations.

Receptionist

Receptionists greet patients or customers in office settings. According to AARP, they are the welcoming faces of organizations.

Answering phones and light clerical work

also may be required of receptionists. Those who want to work offpeak hours can think about working nights and weekends in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities.

Seniors have many different options if they decide they want to return to the workforce in a part-time capacity.

REAL ESTATE

Jim Campbell Real Estate

NEWPORT –– Ryan

Pronto could be the youngest owner of a real estate agency in Vermont, and in his 17 years at Jim Campbell Real Estate, every year has been better than the last.

“One of the main reasons is that we have a great team,” said Pronto, 39, who has owned Jim Campbell Real Estate since spring 2023. “Everyone is team-focused here. It’s not about the individual agent.”

Teamwork matters to the seven agents at Jim Campbell Real Estate in Newport, and the other two agents in the Jay office who focus on condo sales, but several other factors

contribute to the agency’s success, including location, which is “still everything in real estate,” Pronto said.

Jim Campbell Real Estate sells residential, lakefront and commercial properties. The Northeast Kingdom has 14 lakes all within a half-hour drive. So campers, boaters, skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts have traditionally relocated to the Northeast Kingdom for recreational purposes, which has kept demand high for lakefront homes.

Currently, though, lakeshore property in the Northeast Kingdom is in high demand

with little inventory, Pronto said. PostCOVID, people from urban areas have reevaluated their lives and sought simpler, quieter lifestyles in rural settings.

Also, deep-pocketed people from Massachusetts, Connecticut and southern New Hampshire are moving to lakefront homes in the Northeast Kingdom because the properties are cheaper than in their home states’ markets.

“We still have more affordable properties here than in other parts of the state,” Pronto said. “Pre-COVID, the Number One question that we’d hear is, ‘How much are the

real estate taxes?’ Now it’s, ‘What Internet source is on this property?’”

High home prices and interest rates are still affecting the real estate industry, but the good news for Vermont, especially the Northeast Kingdom, is that it’s a recreational destination, Pronto said. So real estate is still in demand.

Also, second homes in Vermont are being scooped up by America’s wealthiest generation to date — Baby Boomers — because, in many instances, they can pay with cash. On the other hand, high interest rates and home prices are making the process more difficult for first-time buyers, as well as people who are downsizing or upsizing.

Pronto advises all buyers and sellers to consider timing, and to be prepared with a professional team that includes a real estate agent, lender, attorney, and home inspector.

“Choose people that you want to work with, and be ready,” Pronto said. “Properties come and go so quickly now, so you have to have everything prepared in advance. That way, you can jump when something comes on the market.”

A Northeast Kingdom native, Pronto created his own real estate internship at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI, where he graduated with a B.S. in Business Management and minors in marketing and real estate.

After his internship, the school started offering a minor in real estate.

Pronto began his career at a national real estate firm in Rhode Island, but he didn’t jibe with the corporate mentality. In 2007, he obtained his Vermont real estate sales license

and joined Jim Campbell Real Estate. Five years later, he became a broker and business partner with Campbell.

When he’s not busy with clients, Pronto spends time with his fiancee, Holly, and their blended family: Jordan, 21; Cade, 9; and Leah, 5.

Jim Campbell still works part-time at the business he started at the current Subway location in downtown Newport more than 40 years ago. He moved the business to its current location, a former doctor’s office, in 1999.

“He goes to Florida for the winter, and he’s in Vermont selling homes during the spring and summer,” Pronto said of Campbell. “And when he is here, he runs full-steam ahead.”

Leon Thompson Vermont Courier News

Jim Campbell Ryan Pronto

The Birchwood Opens June 7-13

MONTGOMERY CENTER,

Vt.—

The Birchwood, Vermont’s newest public garden, opens Friday through Thursday, June 7 through 13, when almost 700 of its more than 1,200 rhododendrons will be in bloom.

Named for its hundreds of white birches, the naturalistic seven-acre garden also offers stunning close views of the northernmost Green Mountains.

Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, the Birchwood will be described by interpretive signs along a half-mile of paths.

The Birchwood was created by the landscape designer Robert Gillmore, who donated it to the non-profit Evergreen Foundation two years ago.

Gillmore is the author of The Woodland Garden and Beauty All Around You: How to Create Large Private Low-Maintenance Gardens, Even on Small Lots and Small Budgets.

His first large woodland garden was Evergreen, in Goffstown, N.H., which Gillmore also donated to the Evergreen Foundation. It opens to the public every year on the first weekend in June, when its 220 Catawba rhododendrons are flowering.

The Birchwood’s opening benefits the non-profit Friends of the Montgomery Town Library. Admission is $7 per person; children 12 and under will be admitted without charge.

Because plants along its paths can be easily damaged, dogs or other pets cannot be admitted.The garden is not wheelchair accessible but its paths are gently graded.

The Birchwood is on the Hazen’s Notch Road (Route 58), 3.2 miles from Montgomery Center.

Detailed information about both the Birchwood and Evergreen—plus beautiful photographs of the gardens—are on the Evergreen Foundation’s extensive website, evergreenfoundationnh.org/Birchwood Woodland Garden/ Evergreen Woodland Garden. You can also email the Foundation at evergreenfoundationnh@gmail.com or call 603-497-8020

WORSHIP Did you know?

Celebrations of Easter Sunday Mass are known for their joyous nature regardless of where Christians happen to be. But few, if any, celebrations of Mass can match the scope of the celebration in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the public celebration to be canceled in 2020 and 2021, but it returned in 2022. A sizable number of celebrants returned along with it, as estimates suggested around 50,000

people were on hand to celebrate Easter Sunday Mass on the plaza directly in front of St. Peter’s Basilica on April 17, 2022. Pope Francis led the Mass, which was concelebrated with 280 priests, 25 bishops and 23 cardinals. But the crowd attending Mass was

just the beginning, as Pope Francis later delivered his Urbi et Orbi benediction, a papal address and apostolic blessing the pope delivers on solemn occasions, from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica before an estimated crowd of 100,000.

PET OF THE MONTH

This handsome young guy came to CVHS as a stray, and even though his family was found a couple months later, they were not able to take him back, so he has stayed with us while waiting for the loving home he is dreaming about.

When Ruger first joined us, he was very hesitant about meeting new people, and even going into a new room would make him nervous. Our staff and Ruger have put in the hard work, building his confidence, and he is doing amazing now meeting new people and in new situations! He recently went to a home for a little break from shelter life, and he happily settled in, checking out the place with great confidence. When he first came to us it was clear he felt safer with women than he did with men, but with consistently positive experiences he has learned that men are also ok. When this little guy trusts you, he wants LOTS of affection, he really loves getting pets!

Ruger does not really like other dogs, and should live in a dog-free home, without any expectation that he make dog friends. We have given him opportunities to work on his dog-to-dog skills, and he consistently shows that he does not play nicely, no matter who the other dog is.

Ruger loves hanging out in our yards, and playing with staff. He knows the cue “get a toy”, and loves to entertain himself, running in circles around the yard, or pouncing on toys. He walks nicely with the aid of a harness, and is making great progress on his leash manners, with continued Positive Reinforcement training. He is very food motivated, and loves to learn. We are not sure how Ruger feels about cats, and we do not feel he’d be a good fit for a family with small children. If you are an experienced dog owner looking for a loyal pup to be your best friend, Ruger could be the one for you!

A 5-week Good Manners training course is included in Ruger’s $350.00 adoption fee. Please call the Adoption Center at 802-476-3811, or email info@centralvermonthumane.org, to schedule a time to talk to an

AUTOMOTIVE • MARKET PLACE

Part

CLUES ACROSS

1. Native American people

5. Very long periods of time (Brit.)

10. Schoolboard accessory

12. Rods

14. One who renews

16. Sculpted body part

18. Chatter incessantly

19. __ King Cole, musician

20. Plates on a turtle’s shell

22. University of Utah athlete

23. The world of the dead

25. Singer Redding

26. Former Yankee great Mattingly

27. Prefix indicating wrongly

28. Unhappy

30. Anger

31. Dark brown or black

33. Restaurants have a lot of them

35. Made a mistake

37. Damp

38. Type of gasoline

40. Actor LeBlanc

41. Perform in a play

42. One’s mother

44. Prohibit

45. Swiss river

48. Part of a banana

50. Indian hand clash cymbals

52. Relative biological effectiveness (abbr.)

53. Agave

55. Noted journalist Tarbell

56. Computer firm

57. Type of record

58. Bacterium that can cause infection

63. Sheaths enclosing the spinal cord

65. A narrow opening (as in a rock wall)

66. Pattern

67. Very eager to see something

CLUES DOWN

1. Witch

2. Utilize

3. Writing utensil

4. Places to perform

5. Subsides

6. Consume

7. Athleisure clothing brand

8. California town

9. Atomic #50

10. The Muse of lyric and love poetry

11. Creates anew

13. Humorous commentaries

15. Cool!

17. Most ignoble

18. Soggy dirt

21. Designed to be useful

23. Hebrew unit of liquid capacity

24. High schoolers’ test

27. One-time internet accessory

29. City in India

32. Furniture

34. You have likely chatted with one

35. Pass or go by

36. Proof of purchase

39. A digital tape recording of sound

40. More (Spanish)

43. Disfigured

44. White (Spanish)

46. Building occupied by monks

47. Georgia rock band

49. Device that generates intense beam of light

51. State of agitation

54. Make by braiding

59. Local area network

60. Unit of work or energy

61. Indigenous person of Thailand

62. Liquefied natural gas

64. Distance to top Answers to Crossword Puzzle On Page 7

PUZZLE PAGE

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Aries, you may have to shuffle your schedule a bit this week to accommodate some interesting ideas that you have come up with on the fly. It’s a good thing you’re adaptable.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, think about where you want to go in the upcoming weeks, because you have some pretty influential supporters who can help propel you in that very direction.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, you may be involved in a few different projects right now, but often you start things and do not finish them, which can be frustrating to others. Do not take on any additional tasks.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

You have some high hopes regarding something that has been taking up your time for quite a while, Cancer. Although you’re getting good feedback, don’t count your chickens just yet.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, if you haven’t been doing so already, it is important to set aside some savings so that you’ll have a safety net in the future. It’s essential that you are not just living for today.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, get together with your significant other or another partner and figure out how to divide the workload that has been bogging you down. It’s alright to admit that you need help.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, if you think about it, you have been procrastinating a bit more than usual. It might be because your tasks are not interesting you much. That could mean finding new hobbies.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, get essential tasks out of the way early this week, because it’s likely you will not be enthusiastic about mundane jobs later on. Save plenty of time for fun and entertaining.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Emotions are roiling right now, Sagittarius. Perhaps it is not the best time to reach out to an estranged friend or family member. Instead, wait things out a little longer.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

It is time to disconnect from all of the gadgets and feeds that are constantly drawing your attention, Capricorn. Enjoy a technological detox and reconnect with friends.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, you are a major force to reckon with when you pair your creative visions with solid, grounded plans. Things will start falling into place soon enough.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

This week you get a free pass to put yourself first and foremost for a change, Pisces. Go to the head of the line, because it’s all about you for the next few days.