JANUARY 31, 2013

REPORTERT H E E S S E X

Vol. 33, No. 5www.essexreporter.com ECRWSS Car Rt. SortU.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 266

Burlington, VT 05401 Postal Patron­Residential

The Essex S e l e c t b o a r d approved a $10.6 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Monday to be presented to voters at Town Meeting Day, March 4.

The budget i n c l u d e s r o u g h l y $400,000 in a d d i t i o n a l spending over the current fiscal year — an increase of approximately 4 percent. If approved, it would increase the municipal property tax rate by 4.8 percent, according to Essex Finance Director Doug Fisher.

The board shaved about $230,000 from the town administration’s initial request, spreading reductions across several departments in amounts ranging from $800 to $31,000. The administration’s initial budget request amounted to a 6.2 percent spending increase.

“We had to cut into some essential areas but tried to make the minimum impact to services rendered,” board member Max Levy said.

The board approved the creation of an additional employee at the town offices, a network specialist designed to keep the town current with information technology and keep computer systems running smoothly. It’s a function currently split by three town employees, Town Manager Pat Scheidel said. The new position would be phased in over two years (with funding

Town budget proposal: $10.6 million

Spending increase: 4 percent

Tax rate increase: 4.8 percent

Vote March 4

Selectboard sets Town

Meeting Day budget proposal

A little pep in your step ­ The Essex High School Pep Band plays a tune at the boys' hockey game against MMU last Wednesday evening at Essex High School.  Photo by Oliver Parini

– See BUDGET on page 3a

By JASON STARR The Essex Reporter

Not since Deb Billado in 2002 has anyone attempted to sit on both the Essex Selectboard and the Essex Junction Board of Trustees simultaneously. Selectboard chairwoman Linda Myers recalls running against Billado that year for a seat on the selectboard, which Myers won.

The thorny topic is resurrected this year with the

candidacy of Village Trustee Andrew Brown for Essex Selectboard. Brown was one of four candidates to submit petitions to appear on the Town Meeting Day ballot March 5. Six-year incumbents Max Levy and Irene Wrenner are running for re-election. Mike Plageman is challenging for a second straight year.

According to Village Trustee Lori Houghton, her father-in-law Carl Houghton once sat on both boards simultaneously, but only for a month. Carl Houghton could not be reached for comment.

Plageman and Brown lost selectboard bids last year to current board member Brad Luck. A month later, Brown ran successfully for a seat on the village board of trustees. He is seeking to hold a seat on both boards at a

Selectboard candidates (two seats available)

Max Levy (incumbent)Irene Wrenner (incumbent)Andrew BrownMike Plageman

Vote March 5

Service times twoTrustee seeks selectboard

seat as candidate list is finalized

– See SELECT on page 3a

By ELSIE LYNN The Essex Reporter

The Essex Town School District (ETSD) School Board braved the snowy roads on Monday night to hear the third draft of a budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. The revised proposal offered a $60,000 decrease in spending, bringing the ETSD tax rate increase down to 4.92 percent.

The board also discussed adding a second question on the ballot that would secure $75,000 for the Capital Reserve Fund, which was established last year.

The savings found in the third draft stem primarily from the decision to reduce a math coach position to 60 percent full-time equivalent (FTE), and through a re-bidding on a fiber connection contract between buildings.

When School Board Chair Brendan Kinney did a gut check to see where the board stood with the third draft, there was general consensus on the proposal. Vice Chair Member Kim Gleason asked Superintendent Mark Andrews if there was anything else left to cut without losing necessary programing.

“We’re at the point where personnel would need to be released if we go lower,”

answered Andrews.“I’m not going to jeopardize

things just to get the percentage lower,” said board member David Clough.

About an hour into the meeting the conversation turned to the Capital Reserve Fund and an additional $75,000 proposed for the fund. The proposal showed a list of improvements totaling $175,000 for FY14. The improvements include building security, replacing flooring and sidewalks, and commercial appliances.

“This is our first crack at prioritizing the much larger list (which is over $1 million) of improvements,” said Andrews.

The additional $75,000 would bump the ETSD tax rate from 84 cents per $100 to 88 cents per $100 or about $4.13 for a home valued at $100,000 or $8.26 for a home twice that value.

“Four dollars and 13 cents is a good bargain,” said Clough. “When you think about how much that is, it’s not much at all. That’s a beer at the bar, a McDonalds meal… you can barely go out to eat for that.”

The School Board will vote to approve the third draft of the FY14 budget Monday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at Founders Memorial School. The budget will then go up for voter approval on April 9.

ETSD school board hears third proposal for FY14

Third time’s the charmBy KELLY MARCH

The Essex Reporter

The Chittenden Central Supervisory Union (CCSU) school boards have been holding budget work sessions for the upcoming fiscal year for over a month. The U#46 and Westford school boards have now finalized the budgets that will be put to voters, while the Prudential Committee has held only one budget session to date. All three boards will propose increases.

According to CCSU’s Executive Director of Operations and Chief Financial Officer Grant Geisler, budget increases across the district are propelled mainly by the increase of employee health care costs due to health care reform.

“Probably the biggest challenge for any of our budgets is that health insurance rates have risen 14 percent this year,” Geisler said. “After salaries, health benefits are our biggest expense, so when that goes up 14 percent we’re really up against a monumental challenge right off the bat. Our school boards have done the best they can to compensate for the expense.”

Another factor Geisler sees contributing to the increases is the district’s decision to participate in Challenge for Change in FY12.

“In FY12, the legislature issued a ‘Challenge for Change,’ which suggested specific dollar targets for each district to reduce its spending by,” he explained. “All three CCSU school boards met the targets, but the vast majority of the districts out there did not. The school boards made a big effort to scrub the budgets and reduce spending in FY12, so now they have less flexibility than they once did.”

Details of the proposed budgets

from CCSU’s three member districts are as follows:

U#46: On Monday, the U#46 school

board finalized the FY14 budgets for

Essex High School and the Center for Technology, Essex (CTE) that will be presented to voters in April.

The board is proposing a $23,263,166 budget for Essex High School, which represents a $400,495, or 1.8 percent, increase over the current year.

“What we have done on our school board is really try to optimize our increasing costs, particularly with respect to employee health care rates, and manage that with continuing to offer educational excellence and being sensitive to the burden on tax payers,” board chair Jack Behlendorf said after the final budget work session. “This board feels we’ve done a very good job taking those criteria to come up with a budget everyone can support.”

The educational spending increase of $723,000 is needed to maintain the current quality of programming, equipment and staffing, according to the school board.

Additionally, the board has requested that $228,117 of the proposed budget, which is less than 1 percent of the total, be added to the capital fund.

“We’re asking to put money into capital fund to support a host of projects, such as making accessibility improvements in the bathrooms, replacing a vehicle for the maintenance crew … and improving our technology infrastructure – things that are typically funded over many years and need to be done, but would be an undue burden if they were budgeted for one year,” Behlendorf explained.

Voters will need to cast two votes to approve the proposed budget as a result of Act 82, which mandates a two-vote motion if the

CCSU FY14 budgets unfoldSchool board candidate petitions available

Candidate petition forms for the Essex Junction School District Prudential Committee and for the village representative to the Union High School District #46 Board are available at the Chittenden Central Supervisory Union office at 51 Park Street in Essex Junction. The deadline for submitting nominating petitions that must include at least 30 signatures from registered voters in the Village of Essex Junction is no later than Monday, March 5, by 5 p.m.There are two open seats for the Prudential Committee: one two-year term and one three-year term. One open seat is available for the village representative to the Union District #46 Board for a three-year term. Voting for school board candidates will be by Australian ballot at the election on Tuesday, April 9. For more information, call the CCSU office at 879-5583.

– See CCSU on page 3a

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district’s spending per pupil for the previous year was more than the state average and the proposed budget is greater than the previous year’s budget adjusted for inflation. The first vote will be to approve a $23,035,049 general fund budget, while the second will be to approve adding $228,117 to the capital fund.

The proposed increase in spending would cost the owner of a $200,000 home in Essex an additional $51 on their annual property tax bill and the owner of a $200,000 home in Essex Junction an additional $75.60.

The U#46 school board has also proposed an $8,459,355 budget for CTE,

which is an increase of .1 percent over the current year. The budget will have nearly no tax implications for Essex residents as a result of the revenues CTE receives from various federal, state and local sources, as well as tuition from sending schools.

There will be an informational meeting about the budgets in the Essex High School cafeteria on Monday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m. before the final budget is put to a vote on April 9.

Westford:The Westford school

board’s fourth draft of the FY14 budget proposes a $5,038,777 budget, which is a $45,424, or .9 percent, increase over the current budget.

The proposed increase in operational spending would cost the owner of a

$200,000 home in Westford an additional $218 on their annual property tax bill.

According to the school board, this increase is largely driven by a loss of incoming students, in addition to the overarching factors Geisler noted.

“Education spending is not only about spending increases, but also drops in revenue,” Geisler noted. “(Westford) has been losing students in recent years, which factors into the equation.”

There will be an informational meeting about the proposed budget at Westford School on March 4 at 7 p.m. A final budget proposal will be up for public vote on March 5.

Essex Junction:The Prudential

Committee proposed a total budget of $17,102,229 for

Essex Junction’s primary schools during its first budget work session on Thursday. This represents a 3.4 percent increase of $559,516 over the current year. However, this increase is subject to change before the budget is put to voters for approval, as the school board will continue to hold budget work sessions over the coming weeks.

“We are shaving down as much as we feel we can,” said Board Chair Charlee Day. “But in order to offer the same services and programs that we have in the past we will see an increase in our budget.”

As it currently stands, the proposed budget would cost the owner of a $200,000 home in Essex Junction an additional $138.78 on their annual property tax bill.

The Prudential

Committee is also proposing a $1,627,422 budget for the Essex Junction Parks and Recreation Department, which represents an increase of $67,864, or 4.4 percent. As around 60 percent of the EJRP budget is funded by program revenues; this represents a $610,996 budget from tax revenues. Additionally, the board currently stands to propose adding $75,000 to the EJRP capital fund to be used for various projects such as lighting, fencing and

landscaping improvements. The Prudential

Committee’s next budget work session will be on Thursday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m. at the Park Street School. All budget work sessions are open to the public.

The Prudential Committee will hold an informational meeting about the final proposal in the Essex High School cafeteria on Monday, April 8, at 7:45 p.m. before the final budget is put up for voters on April 9.

Football fan or not, finding food this weekend might be an exercise in patience: food will fly off the shelves and take-out orders will soar as Super Bowl party hosts gather chips, dips, wings, pizzas, beer, sodas and the occasional veggie platter.

Essex Junction Dominos General Manager, Sam Jackson, isn’t worried.

“We’ve got a pretty well oiled and polished team here,” he said. “Our turn around time is quick, and I know we can handle all the calls we’ll get.”

To be safe, the South Burlington resident advised those interested in ordering from the local Dominos should call early in the day and place a “future order time.”

Jackson, originally from Mississippi, moved to Burlington in the mid-1990s and took over the pizzeria in 2005. He earned his undergraduate degree in 2002 after attending classes at The University of Vermont, St. Michael’s College and Champlain College. This August, Jackson enrolled in an online program and plans to earn his Masters degree in education.

Twelve years ago,

Jackson married his wife, and together they have three children. On top of his job at Domino's, Jackson has been a coach at the varsity and junior varsity level for Burlington High School and Memorial High School. These days, he coaches his 9-year-old son’s basketball team.

Employees are teammates too, Jackson said, explaining that he approaches his work and staff with a similar team-mentality. Like any good coach, Jackson is rooting for his team — the 49ers.

When asked how he’s going to find time to watch the game on Sunday, Jackson thanked God for smart phones. “I’ll be able to hide a ‘TV’ somewhere.”

Jackson recently elaborated on his career at Domino's and his expectations for the Super Bowl XLVII.

Q: How did you get involved in making pizza?

A: It was always a personal challenge of mine — I wanted to own and operate a pizza business. That’s why I am here.

Q: Why pizza?A: I was a driver for

Domino's during my college years. I liked the system and liked what Domino's was about. After school I was at a crossroads and the guy who hired me as a driver convinced me to take the management job in Essex Junction. I always had this vision of owning and operating my own business, and this fit.

Q: How have you liked operating the store in Essex Junction so far?

A: It’s been a great ride. Of course we’ve had ups and downs. We really turned the store over. We now have quality employees and are in a good spot. This industry traditionally sees a lot of turnover, but that’s not the case for us. It is very rewarding to work here. I get to meet new customers everyday and I have the greatest staff in the pizza business.

Q: What makes your staff so great?

A: If you want to succeed you have to work together to achieve a common goal. What makes my staff great

is that we can all flex our own personality and still get the job done.

Q: How busy do you expect to be on Super Bowl Sunday?

A: I expect to be at max capacity. We’re probably not going to hit the 1.25 billion wings sold nationally last year, but we’ll certainly have record sales that day. I expect we’ll sell around 10,000-15,000 wings on Sunday. Plus the wings will be bundled with meal deals and combos — that’s what a lot of people look for.

Q: How will you prepare for the crowds?

A: We will prepare by stocking up on supplies and making sure we have every team member working. That’s about 25 people, including those delivering and myself.

Q: Will you have any Super Bowl specials?

A: Be sure to ask about the 49ers special. I am a die-hard 49ers fan. It is nice to see them finally make it. Go 49ers!

— Elsie Lynn

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for six months in the upcoming budget proposal and full funding planned for fiscal year 2015), and it would allow the employees currently performing network functions to focus more on their core duties, said Scheidel.

The selectboard approved the budget proposal unanimously.

Town meeting day will begin with the budget vote in the Essex High School auditorium March 4 and continue the following day with the election of selectboard candidates at the polls (see related story.)

— Jason Starr

BUDGET from page 1a

CCSU from page 1a

With ... Q&A

Sam JacksonGeneral manager

Essex Junction Domino's General manager Sam Jackson at his 

store on Tuesday morning.   Photo by Oliver Parini

time when the two boards are discussing ways to unify their managerial and recreation departments.

Brown said he has spoken to the Vermont League of Cities and Towns’ legal counsel about the possibility of sitting on both boards during unification negotiations. He was told to be vigilant about conflicts of interest and said that, in matters of direct negotiation between the two boards, he would recuse himself from voting with one board and vote only as a member of the other.

Serving on both boards would facilitate the boards’ continued conversations, he said.

“The communication between both boards does not have to be so formal. It can be more of an informal conversation between neighbors. It needs to be much more frequent,” Brown said.

Myers said a consultation with the Vermont Secretary of State would be necessary if Brown wins the selectboard seat.

“I don’t know how it would play out,” she said.

Levy, the board’s vice chairman, feels he is now hitting his stride as a selectboard member after

two full terms. “I feel I still have

something to offer as far as policy and direction for the town,” he said.

Wrenner has made communication between Essex residents and town hall the focus of her service, and she said there would be more communication improvements to be made in a third term.

“That work is never done,” she said. “In whatever ways — high-tech, low-tech — I want to meet people where they’re at … I’m still able and willing to put in the time because I see that it pays huge dividends.”

For Plageman, last year’s run was a first for elected office. An Essex Junction resident for close to 30 years, Plageman currently sits on the town’s Zoning Board of Adjustment and previously served on the Essex Planning Commission and Police Facility Committee. He is also a past president of the Essex Rotary Club and currently chairman of the club’s Local Committee.

He said, with voter approval, he’d like to serve several terms on the board.

“I enjoy serving, and I want to continue my service to Essex,” Plageman said, adding that he hopes to help guide the town through current fiscal challenges and the completion of the new police facility.

SELECT from page 1a

Clarifications:Last week’s Q&A article featuring Steve Saunders

of Saunders Jewelry in Essex Junction reported that Saunders served in Vietnam, when in fact he served in the Mediterranean during the Vietnam War. The article also omitted that in addition to raising two sons, Sanders raised three daughters. The Essex Reporter apologizes for these errors.

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OPINION

From the Statehouse

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By LINDA WAITE-SIMPSON

Happy New Year and welcome to our annual rotation of your Essex legislators’ updates in The Essex Reporter. We are off to a fast and furious pace with over 100 bills submitted for House consideration in the first three weeks of the session. I have been reappointed to the House Judiciary Committee and I’ll keep you updated on our initiatives but will also keep you apprised of the general workings of the House. We are fortunate in Essex to have representation on the following House committees: Appropriations (Martha Heath); Energy and Natural Resources (Tim Jerman); Institutions and Corrections (Linda Myers) and Government Operations (Debbie Evans). My colleagues will provide updates on their committee work in future articles. I hope you find these updates useful. If you have suggestions on improving communications, please let me know!

I anticipate House Judiciary will have a full agenda this year including marijuana decriminalization, genetically modified food labeling, and further work on reducing our incarcerated population while ensuring public safety. I do hope we are also able to consider some version of firearms legislation.

I am introducing a bill along with nine other legislators that is primarily focused on firearms safety. It is a bill that would allow our state and local law enforcement to charge and prosecute federal firearms violations under state law. Did you know that it is NOT currently illegal for a felon to possess a firearm under state law? I didn’t until I took the time to research this issue.

Federal authorities in federal court prosecute almost all firearms offenses in Vermont. My bill also requires background checks on firearms purchases and directs the Vermont Department of Health to be in compliance with reporting to the instant background check database.

We are one of 38 states that do not report persons adjudicated a danger to themselves or others to the database, even though we are required to do so under the federal Brady law passed by Congress nearly two decades ago. It is time for this great state to do a better job making sure that firearms do not get into the hands of people who would do us harm.

The single most controversial part of the bill would limit the size of magazines to 10 rounds. Although many 2nd Amendment advocates would argue that this is an infringement of their constitutional rights, I think it is a legitimate question to ask whether or not the large capacity magazines create a public safety hazard (think of the argument on limits to the 1st Amendment protections – we are guaranteed free speech but are not allowed to create a public hazard by shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theater). We have a Vermont statute that limits hunters to six rounds in the field but no limit on what is considered safe for open carry on our urban and suburban streets. Sen. Patrick Leahy recently stated that he was appalled that we have more protections in place for deer than we do for our kids and I agree. I think we can do better.

My committee has taken

testimony on the high price of gasoline in northern Vermont. Industry analysts are saying that we lack sufficient competition to drive prices down. We have two distributors in the state and two companies own nearly half the retail stations. That said, it doesn’t adequately explain why gas costs $3.35/gallon in southern Vermont and $3.69/gallon in Essex. The good news is that Costco received their Act 250 permit and if they are able to obtain the remainder of the local permits, well, game on for more competition! We will continue to explore this issue and make a determination on whether or not there are additional steps that we can take in Vermont to ensure price fairness.

The House has already passed our budget adjustment bill, which is a mid-year adjustment to the 2013 budget based on unanticipated changes in expenses and revenues. We also heard the governor’s budget proposals last week. Although I am very supportive of better childcare and early education funding, I am not certain that I agree with eliminating the earned income tax credit to pay for it. I will need to better understand the implications before I make a decision and I am hopeful that you, my constituents, will let me know what you think about this proposal.

The governor is also proposing to have K-12 funding follow the student to allow more opportunities for dual enrollment (senior year of high school = first year of college); welfare to work reforms (five-year maximum on benefits); and increased funding for thermal efficiency, low income heating assistance and the clean energy development fund. My colleagues will report on these proposals in more detail in the coming weeks. They will be considering these issues in their respective committees (the actual report to the General Assembly lacked almost all detail.)

If you are interested in any of the specific proposals that the Legislature considers, I would encourage you to take a look at our report page: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/reports/allreports.cfm. You will find most of the information that is submitted to committees for consideration including the health care proposals (finance proposals for the Green Mountain Care Plan), proposed energy plans and myriad other information that we will consider over the next few months.

I have my reading list and work cut out for me, but I do hope you will take the time to share your concerns and thoughts with me. You can reach me at home on weekends and Mondays, 872-0499, and by cell phone Tuesdays through Fridays, 881-8528. You are also welcome to send an email to me at linda.simpson7@comcast.net or lwaitesimpson@leg.state.vt.us.

From the Statehouse is a weekly look into the workings of the Vermont Legislature from the perspective of Essex’s five representatives. Linda Waite-Simpson represents Essex Junction in the House of Representatives.

8,/+,90:$;/&,$90$,"#$<*1&#$.1=9>9/+2$Committee

Linda Waite-

Simpson

I would love to see this property include affordable retail space for local businesses (my wish list would start with a coffee shop). My dream would be to have a community space as part of the new development — could be a community room, or a hub for small business owners to work in a common space. This model exists in many cities: http://thehubhalifax.ca/work/ for example.

This is such a prominent place in Essex Junction. Make it a development that enhances the Five Corners and draws in commuters and others passing through the village, so they will want to park their cars and walk around to explore, shop, eat, etc.

Gabrielle SmithEssex Junction

I would like to see it converted into a museum and historical building for both the village and town. It may certainly draw more visitors/travelers into the village and bring more revenue into the village for all the local merchants.

Gary CookEssex

Whatever goes there, space should be included for the Five Corners Winter Farmers’ Market.

Seamus WalshEssex Junction

The question is this: Are we limited in our thinking to

just the acreage that is on the bank site? When I was a Village Trustee several years ago we heard from a developer who wanted to expand from that corner on Park Street all the way to the Dominos building. They were looking at a four- to five-floor hotel with adjoining smaller businesses attached for that site. What we do not need is yet another bank, drug store or Chinese take out restaurant within the Five Corners area.

Peter GustafsonEssex Junction

How about the proposed usage but in a re-creation of the old Robinson building as was done in Montpelier with the Pavilion Hotel.

Carl StrobelRockland, Mass.

Art Museum! Or Railroad Museum ... or a community center!

Damaris DrummondEssex Junction

Maybe a Vermont products store with a year round farmers’ market — outside in the summer and inside for the winter.

Kris GleasonEssex Junction

Each week we ask readers of our e-mail newsletter to share their thoughts on a topic making headlines in The Essex Reporter. A

sampling of responses to this week’s question follow. Go to www.essexreporter.com to sign

up for the newsletter.

Q: The former People’s United Bank building at Five Corners is under contract for sale to a Williston-based development company. What would you like to see this

prominent village site be redeveloped into?

Starbucks! Mark Norman

Anything BUT apartments! Susan Mohan

Kaminski A locally-owned coffee shop/

performance meeting space surrounded by green space where people could sit outside.

Kat Redniss

Locally owned coffee shop like the one that was in the parking lot of Essex

Automotive, primary care physicians, green space with seating to enjoy

coffee and conversations away from road, small business incubator space possibly in collaboration with Vermont Tech or other college to encourage Vermont college students to start and grow their own business.

Andrew Brown

Community indoor pool. Local coffee shop in front. Homemade soups and sandwiches. Small playground nearby. Windows to Five Corners. Free wifi throughout all. Community bulletin board.

Annie Cooper

We also asked this question on The Essex Reporter Facebook page (www.facebook.com/essexreporter), and received the following responses, among others.

The Headlines First

Find us on Facebook at:

www.facebook.com/essexreporter

 Good Knights

Leo Rich, of Essex Junction, gets a plate of food at the Knights of Columbus Annual Game Supper held Saturday Jan. 19, at 

St. Pius X Church in Essex Center. The supper was relocated to St. Pius after the traditional venue, the Holy Family parish hall, 

burned down due to a lightning strike in July 2011. Fundraising efforts are underway to help pay for a new building. For more 

information, contact the parish at 878­5331.   Photo contributed by Susan Winter

5a!"#$%&&#'$(#)*+,#+$$-$$./01/+2$345$6743

By KELLY MARCH The Essex Reporter

Costco’s push to install gas pumps at its Colchester location received a green light last Thursday. The District Environmental Commission in Vermont granted the wholesaler a state land use permit to move forward with the proposal.

The project would bring the Mountain View Drive store into line with newer Costco outlets by enabling the construction of a three-island filling station with 12 fueling pumps in the parking lot northwest of the store. The project would also include construction of a 75 square-foot controller building and three underground fuel tanks.

This is the second time the company has sought approval for this project. In the original application filed in 2007, the company sought to enlarge the 125,000 square-foot outlet by about 15,000 square feet in addition to installing gas pumps. The town approved

a permit for the expansion in 2009, but Costco decided to withdraw its effort to add gas pumps amid opposition from competing businesses who sited traffic and environmental concerns, as well as concern for the welfare of local businesses.

Last July, Joe Portera, Costco’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in the Eastern and Canadian divisions, attributed these

ongoing appeals to fear of competition.

“We can discern no legitimate reason for these appeals, and believe that they are really an attempt to use the land use process to stifle competition for gas sales,” he wrote in a letter to Sen. Bernie Sanders in response to the results of a study conducted by a leading fuel price research firm publicized on July 13, which revealed that local gasoline

profit margins in June were double the national average.

In the letter, Portera revealed that Costco’s analysis of gasoline prices in the Colchester area for the previous two years found that Costco would have offered regular gasoline at an average of $0.19 per gallon cheaper than the local average, and suggested that this could have driven down competing prices.

For this reason, Sanders

has been a vocal supporter of the project.

In response to the news that Costco has received a state land use permit, Sanders issued the following statement:

“I have long been concerned about why gasoline in northwestern Vermont costs so much more than in other regions of the state. In my view, the lack of vigorous competition is a major reason why prices in the Burlington area are so high. Nationally, when companies like Costco sell lower-price gas the prices tend to go down at other stations in the surrounding area. If Costco’s application to sell gas at its store in Colchester is finally approved, I hope and expect that prices throughout the region will go down and save families a substantial amount in what they pay at the pump.”

As indicated by Saunders’ conditional statement, the land use permit is a step forward for Costco, but it is not a final approval.

The proposal is currently

being considered by the Environmental Division of the Vermont Superior Court as a result of pending litigation involving the adequacy of the retailer’s stormwater system and local development review approvals. Opponents have a 30-day window to add the land use permit to the list of appeals that will go before court.

Litigation aside, the Act 250 land use permit comes with conditions of its own. Most notably, Costco would be required to pay part of the $5.1 million it is estimated to cost to improve traffic conditions surrounding the site prior to opening the filling station.

By JASON STARR The Essex Reporter

Three House of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s committees followed up a day of gas price hearings in the Statehouse last Tuesday by soliciting public comments on the issue at Colchester High School later that day.

It was a solid showing by the lawmakers: 18 members of the transportation, commerce and judiciary committees sat side by side in the high school auditorium, outnumbering approximately one dozen citizens who attended to log their thoughts on the issue. Turnout was likely muted by single-digit temperatures.

The two-hour hearing produced strong testimony then evolved into more of a group conversation. It was hosted by Rep. Pat Brennan of Colchester, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

The price of gasoline in Chittenden County has

come up as an issue partly through the work of Sen. Bernie Sanders, who last summer investigated the consistent price difference between gas in Chittenden County and other areas of the state. The difference ranges from 10 to 30 cents per gallon, both citizens and lawmakers agreed.

Sanders testified via phone earlier in the day. The committees also heard from Chittenden County gas retailers and distributers (often the same company, which was identified as a contributor to the pricing situation) as well as Attorney General Bill Sorrell and independent oil price indexers, who noted that retail gas profit margins in northwestern Vermont are consistently among the top 15 out of 400 metropolitan markets monitored nationally.

“It’s as if the entire county is just an off-ramp on Interstate 89 and so it’s okay to charge 20 cents a gallon more than down

the road in Middlebury,” said Alex Weinhagen, a commuter from Westford. “I have heard no rational explanation from any of our retailers as to why that difference is there. Without that explanation there’s nothing consumers can do other than just get mad.

“That additional premium is simply going into the pockets of these retailers,” he continued. “It’s a ridiculous situation. I’m really glad you’re looking into it and I hope you are able to come up with some answers.”

Brennan reported that during Tuesday’s Statehouse hearing in Montpelier, the leading retailers in Chittenden and Franklin counties blamed the price difference in northwestern Vermont on a higher cost of labor, higher general overhead, geography and the other “unique aspects of what they see as the pressures on Vermont prices.”

“They made acceptable arguments I guess, but we have to take a real close look at those,” said Brennan. “We’ve got work to do … We have drawn no conclusions, but we laid the groundwork for

understanding how the gas pricing in this part of Vermont works.”

John Lomas, a resident of Hinesburg, pressured lawmakers to pursue evidence of collusion, accusing the leading gas retailers of acting as a cartel.

“How do you prove they are in cahoots,” he asked. “That’s the issue.”

“The market may not be as free when the distributors are the retailers,” acknowledged Hinesburg Rep. William Lippert.

Colchester resident Joey Purvis encouraged the possibility of competition from Costco, which has been fighting existing gas station owners near its Exit 16 location in Colchester for the right to install discounted gas pumps (see related story). Costco’s Act 250 development review process for the project has been the venue for environmental and traffic challenges from R.L. Vallee Inc., which owns an Exit 16-area gas station. Purvis said he’s been following the process closely.

“Costco has been fighting Act 250 in this

town for seven years to get gas pumps,” he said. “It’s some about the environment and some about traffic, but it’s more about competition.

“Would prices come down if Costco sold gas,” asked Purvis. “Naturally the answer is yes. Part of the solution is making Act 250 a much easier process … It’s not working and it’s costing middle class and lower class Vermonters a lot of money in gas right now.”

Weinhagen wondered why one of the stations doesn’t keep prices lower to attract a higher volume of sales: “If the gas company’s haven’t explained that to you yet, make them,” he said.

“We didn’t expect to walk out of here with an answer to the problem,” Brennan said, “but we hear you. We’re not going to walk away and forget this. We’ll see where we go from here, but there are no quick-fix answers to this.”

5a

Essex Automotive ServicesGETTING UP TO FUEL-CONSERVING SPEEDHave you ever wondered why 55

mph has long been considered to be the optimum highway speed for attaining maximum fuel economy? While the number 55 may seem somewhat arbitrary, it was primarily selected with wind resistance in mind. Wind/air resistance increases in proportion with the square of the speed. For instance, the wind resistance at 60 mph is not just double what it is as 30 mph, but four times as great. When wind resistance is charted, it can be seen that the curve begins to rise nearly vertically beginning at 55 mph. On top of that, for a relatively short trip of 20 miles, driving at 55 mph only takes three minutes more (17%) than driving 65 mph. We all need a capable, trustworthy automotive technician to help us keep our cars well- maintained and to advise you in times of vehicular trouble. At ESSEX AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES, our technicians have the expertise to handle your questions and the candor to send you away when a repair is unnecessary. Here at 141-147 Pearl St, Essex Jct., we are proud of our outstanding reputation serving the community, and their automotive needs. You can trust us with your vehicle; we always stress safety in every service we provide. Call 802.879.1966 with any questions. We offer same day service, and free customer shuttle. Ask us for details. We open at 6:59am, with no appointment needed. We feature A.S.E. Technicians including Master Techs. “Service You Can Trust” “We do it all!” We are open for Business!!!

OPEN 6:59 AM

NO APPT. NEEDED

HINT: For most automobiles, the fuel economy penalty for driving at 75 mph instead of 55 mph is between 25 and 35 percent.

Congratulations to Mary Brooks, of Essex, for finding all 12 snowflakes in the

Jan. 3, edition of The Essex Reporter. Brooks is this month’s winner of a new

Essex Reporter t-shirt!

Look for the next Get In The Hunt contest on Thursday, Feb. 7.

The “Get In The Hunt” contest publishes on the first Thursday of the month. All entries receive a free

online subscription, and a drawn winner receives an Essex Reporter t-shirt printed by Humble Screen

Printing in Colchester.Submit online at www.essexreporter.com/contest, or

call 802-878-5282.

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8/9:/;#+&$*)#0$</&$)+=>#$=0?#&,=</,=*0

House members host hearings

in Montpelier and Colchester

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File photo

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Thursday31CIRC Alternatives Task Force meeting. All

are welcome and encouraged to attend. All meetings are fully accessible. Williston Town Hall, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Detailed infor-mation is available at http://www.circ-taskforce.org/. For additional information contact CCRPC Assistant/MPO Director, Michele Boomhower: 802-846-4490 x15 or mboomhower@ccrpcvt.org.

Vermont Farm Show. Vendors, commercial exhibits, animals and more. Free admis-sion and parking. Nonperishable food donations accepted. Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Film. “Bag It.” A documentary by Susan Be-raza follows Jeb Berrier — who makes it a point to stop using plastic bags. Ages 12 and up. Free and open to the public. Community Room, Milton Municipal Build-ing, Milton, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Theater production. Through Feb. 17. “Time Stands Still” is a drama by Donald Mar-gulies about the effect wartime can have on, not just our veterans, but the civilian journalists, as well. The Feb. 6, 10 and 16 shows include a post-show discus-sion with the cast, military personnel and veterans, as about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. FlynnSpace, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Weekend matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets: !"#$!%$&'())*+,*---./011234.+,5.*617+8*802-862-1497.

FebruaryFriday1

Colchester Winter Carnival. Through Feb. 3. A 3-day celebration with an “African Sa-fari” theme. Includes the Colchester’s Got Talent competition, a 5K run, the Colches-ter Rotary Club auction and lots of food, music and performances. Admission: $5-6. Additional pricing for certain events. Col-chester High School, Colchester, various times. Visit: colchestervt.gov/recreation/wintercarnival

!"#$%&!#"'()&*$+&,#)-&Baked or fried haddock 91:*9;;*2<=*>4315?.*@+?28*AB"*C=,*C=,?+1.*Open to the public. VFW Post 6689, 73 Pearl Street, Essex Junction, 6-7 p.m. Con-tact: 878-0700

First Friday art walk. Over 40 galleries and art venues stay open late to welcome walkers and share the art scene. Check out www.artmapburlington.com to see a list of participating venues. Citywide, Bur-lington, 5-8 p.m. Contact: 802-264-4839 or info@artmapburlington.com.

Kid’s Knight Out. Members of the St. Mi-chael’s College softball team host an eve-ning of games, sports, swimming, movies and more. Cost: $10-15. Grades K-5. Ross Sports Center, St. Michael’s College, Colchester, 5:30-9 p.m.

Saturday2Symphony Ball. The annual winter gala host-

ed by The Vermont Symphony Orchestra and the Champlain Valley Friends of the DEF.*G;;*C,+H==:?*D=,I+12J?*-3;;*K=1=>2*VSO educational and musical programs throughout the state. Features a silent auction, complimentary ballroom lesson tickets, cocktail reception, live swing music and dinner. Tickets: $175-325. Tables for 10 are available. Grand Maple Ballroom of the Dudley Davis Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, 6 p.m. Contact: 800-VSO-9293 x25 or at marissa@vso.org

French Canadian supper. Menu: Pea soup, meat pie, mashed potatoes, dessert and beverages. Free will donation to ben-=>2*2<=*H<9,323=?*+7*L+?9,0*@+M1H3;*+7*2<=*Knights of Columbus 4684. Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church Hall, Richmond, 5 p.m. Contact: 876-7713(evenings) or 434-2521(daytime)

Auditions. Essex Community Players is hold-ing auditions for Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.” Memorial Hall, Essex Center, 1 p.m.

Beginning Genealogy. Bring as much infor-mation as possible about your grandpar-=12?*91:*E<=3;9*N+,,3?*-3;;*<=;C*0+M*>1:*out more about them. Class: $5. Vermont Genealogy Library, Hegeman Avenue, Fort Ethan Allen, Colchester, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Contact: 802-238-5934.

Nordic Sit-Ski clinic and race. The Northeast Disabled Athletic Association hosts this event for participants to learn the basics of adaptive cross-country skiing. A 1 km sprint race will follow the clinic. Cost: $25 includes lessons, trail passes and equip-ment. Pre-registration required. Cata-mount Outdoor Family Center, Williston, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Contact: 802-862-NDAA.

./0"1#& 2#10& 3+4,& 54#610%& 71684%"%"10-&Teams of students compete in the kitchen using local, seasonal ingredients. Admis-sion: $3-5. Champlain Valley Exposition,

Essex Junction, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Penguin Plunge. A fundraiser for the Vermont Special Olympics. More than 1,000 par-ticipants will dive into Lake Champlain. Waterfront Park, Burlington, 11 a.m.

9"$%#"7%& 222&6/$"7& ,4$%":(;-& Featuring chorus, string and band performances by select students representing all of the Champlain Valley’s middle school music programs. Es-sex Middle School, 2 p.m. Tickets: http://vtdistrict3music.org/. Info: friendsofcol-chestermusic@gmail.com

Concert. The Vermont Philharmonic Orches-tra and Chorus under the direction of Lou Kosma present “From the Romantics to the Present.” Tickets: $15 adults, $12 seniors, $5 students. Available at the door or on-line. Elley-Long Music Center, St. Michael’s College, Colchester, 7:30 p.m. Info and tickets: www.vermontphilharmonic.org

Sunday33166/0"%)& <#4(=,($%-& Cost: $6 adults, $3

children. Open to the public. Sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. VFW Post 6689, 73 Pearl Street, Essex Junction, 9-11 a.m. Contact: 878-0700

Auditions. Essex Community Players is hold-ing auditions for Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.” Memorial Hall, Essex Center, 6 p.m.

Monday4Presentation. “Long Gone,” a performance

by accomplished dancers Ellen Smith G<=,1* 91:* '3:9* O31>=;:* =4C;+,315* 2<=*memories of those who have passed on. A discussion to follow. Free and open to the public. McCarthy Arts Center, St. Mi-chael’s College, Colchester, 7 p.m.

Talk. “Iran: Sanctions, War and the Middle East: Teach-In.” Middle Eastern history professor Katharina Ivanyi joins antiwar activists Ashley Smith, Peggy Luhrs and Mark Hage to explore various aspects of the topic. Free and open to the public. Room 207, Lafayette Hall, UVM, Burling-ton, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday5Final public meeting. The Chittenden County

Regional Planning Commission will pres-=12* 2<=* >1:315?* +7* 2<=* O3;;3?2+1$P??=4*Network Transportation Study and pre-liminary recommendations on how best to move forward. Refreshments will be served. Williston Town Hall, 7:30-9 p.m. Visit: http://www.ccrpcvt.org/corridors/williston-essex-network-transportation-study/

Colchester School Board meeting. Library, Colchester High School, Colchester, 7-10 p.m.

Wednesday6First Wednesdays lecture. “Words, Creativ-

ity and Spirituality.” Dartmouth professor Nancy Jay Crumbine will examine the in-terconnection between creativity and spir-ituality, focusing on the work of poets Em-ily Dickinson and Annie Dillard. Free and open to the public. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Contact: 802-878-6955.

Book discussion group. “Writers As Read-ers.” Examining how Laura Ingalls Wilder captured the imagination of writer, Wen-dy McClure. Free and open to the public. Fletcher Free Library, 235 College Street, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Contact Barbara: 865-7211.

20,1#6(%"10(;& $4$$"10-& Find out about the Teacher Apprenticeship Program. If you have a Bachelor’s degree, enjoy work-ing with young people, and have strong content knowledge you may be interested in this fast-track program toward teacher H=,23>H923+1.* P??=4* Q35<* EH<++;* '3K,9,0R*6:30-7:30 p.m. Contact Scott Mosher: 802-238-9637.

Book discussion. “Farmer Boy” by Laura In-

galls Wilder. This is Laura Ingalls Wild-er’s beloved story of how her husband Al-manzo grew up as a farmer boy far from the little house where Laura lived. Discus-sion led by Peter Burns. Free and open to the public. Fletcher Room, Fletcher Free Library, 235 College Street, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Contact Barbara: 865-7211

Local meeting. The Winooski Coalition for a Safe and Peaceful Community will host a public discussion with neighbors and lo-cal businesses. Topics will include public health and civic-engagement initiatives. Free. O’Brien Community Center, Win-ooski, 6-7 p.m.

Thursday7Vermont Entrepreneurship Day. Join entre-

preneurs, policymakers, students and busi-ness technical assistance service providers in celebrating Vermont’s entrepreneurial spirit. Lunch and roundtables with suc-cessful entrepreneurs. Open to the pub-lic. Capital Plaza Hotel, Montpelier, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Contact: http://vermon-tentrepreneur.org/entrepreneur-week-events

Laker Learning Connections. Cafeteria, Col-chester High School, Colchester, 4-7 p.m.

Friday8Great Ice. Two weekends of family fun on the

ice in North Hero Village. Feb. 8-10 and Feb. 16-17. Most events free and open to the public. North Hero, Champlain Islands, various times. Visit: www.champlainis-lands.com.

>",4?$"@4&3(0');(0'&A(64-&Up to 4 players per game and each game takes approx. 8 minutes to play. A $3 suggested dona-tion per child to the Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care is appreciated. Also, Feb. 9: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. University Mall, South Burlington, 4-7 p.m. Contact: 802-863-1066 x11.

Contra dance. Music will be provided by At-lantic Crossing. All are welcome, all dances taught, no partner or experience necessary. Beginners’ session at 7:45 p.m. Please bring clean, soft-soled shoes for dancing. Admission: $8 adults, children under 12 free. Edmunds School Gymna-sium, 299 Main Street, Burlington, 8 p.m. Dance Info: 802-371-9492 or 802-343-7165.

Spaghetti soiree and silent auction. The Colchester High School music program is hosting a night of dinner and music pro-vided by CHS musicians. Silent auction will feature dozens of items donated by area merchants. Tickets: $10 adults, $6 chil-dren under 12. Two seatings. Cafeteria, Colchester High School, Colchester, 5 and 7 p.m. Contact: 802-264-5742 or pel-tiere@csdvt.org or towlem@csdvt.org.

20,1#6(%"10(;&644%"0A-&Meet with the com-munity to learn about Vermont Work-ers’ Center including the Healthcare is a Human Right campaign, Put People First campaign, and Planet Movement. Open to the public. Essex High School, 6-8 p.m. Contact: 802-373-0133

Saturday9Snowshoe tracking walk. Enjoy a snowshoe

walk through the woods while looking for tracks and signs of wildlife activities with the Winooski Valley Park Districts envi-ronmental educator. The WVPD will pro-vide snowshoes for the excursion to those that need them, along with binoculars 91:* 2,9HS* 3:=123>H923+1* I92=,39;?.* &,==*and open to the public. Pre-registration required. Woodside Park, Essex, 1 p.m. Register: 802-863-5744 or americorps@wvpd.org.

Classical concert. “A Night at the Pops,” pre-sented by The Burlington Civic Symphony. Music Director Daniel Bruce will lead the BCSO in a program of light classical and pops favorites. Admission: $5-15. Elley-Long Music Center, St. Michael’s College, Colchester, 8 p.m. Tickets: 802-86-FLYNN +,*/011234.+,5.*617+8*!"#$!TU$U"%V.

Opera concert. The Burlington Ensemble and the Oriana Singers will perform Henry Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas.” Part of Burl-ington Ensemble's "90/10 Series" to ben-=>2*?34*;+H9;*1+1$C,+>2*+,5913W923+1?.*EM5-gested donation at the door: $10. College Street Congregational Church, Burlington, 3 p.m. Contact: 802-598-9520 or burl-ington.ensemble@gmail.com.

Concert. “Vermont’s Own” 40th Army Band will perform. Also featuring the Castleton State College Wind Ensemble. Fine Arts Center, Castleton State College campus, 4 p.m. Free and open to the public. Contact 2<=*@+;H<=?2=,*+7>H=8*TT!$TX!".

Cabin Fever Winter Dance. Hosted by Ber-nie and Jane Sanders with music by disc jockey Joel Najman. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments and cash bar.

CALENDAR

!"#$%"&'%( )*+,$-!%( #,*-#,, 95 Allen Road, South Burlington will begin winter worship hours on Sunday, September 9. The Holy Communion service will begin at 10:00 a.m. There will be one service only. On the first Sunday of each month there is a contemporary worship service with Holy Communion. Sunday school is at 9:00 a.m. Ascension Lutheran Church, 95 Allen Road, South Burlington, VT 05403, (802) 862­8866, church.office@alcvt.org, www.alcvt.org

#!).!-/( 0!1+&"+( #,*-#,2 (Fundamental­independent.) 61 Main St., Essex Junction, 878­8341. Pastor James Gangwer. Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Sunday evening worship 6:30. Wednesday evening youth groups; Awana, Pro­Teens and Prayer meeting 7 p.m.

#,-&"+( 3$3'-&!)( #,*-#,2 Route 2A, Williston, just north of Industrial Ave. Wes Pastor, Senior Minister, 878­7107, Proclaiming Christ and Him crucified Sundays at 8:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. www.cmcvermont.org

+,$(#,*-#,('4(5$"*"(#,-&"+('4()!++$-26!/("!&%+"(2( Sacrament Meeting each Sunday at 10am 73 Essex Way, Essex Junction, VT 05452, 802­879­9142, essexwardvt@gmail.com. All visitors welcome to attend church services each Sunday at 10am. We learn about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and how we can follow Him. We believe in strengthening families and serving one another. Learn more about members and the church at www.mormon.org.

6!/0-$!7( #'33*%&+/( #,*-#, 67 Creek Farm Plaza, Colchester VT. 05446 802­338­9118 www.daybreakvermont.org or brentdaybreak@gmail.com Sunday Service at 10:30am Lead Pastor, Brent Devenney

$""$8(!))&!%#$(#,*-#,2 37 Old Stage Road in Essex Junction. Sunday Services: 7:45 am, 9 am, 10:15 am and 11:30 am. Phone: 878­8213. www.essexalliance.org

$""$8( #$%+$-( *%&+$6( 3$+,'6&"+( #,*-#,2( 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. Sunday worship at 8:15 & 10:00 am. Sunday School & nursery at the 10am service. We offer a variety of small groups for prayer, Bible study, hands­on ministry, and studying contemporary faith issues. 119 Center Rd (Route 15) Essex Center. Rev. Mitchell Hay, pastor. 879­8304.

4&-"+(#'%9-$9!+&'%!)(#,*-#,('4($""$82 39 Main Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Telephone (802) 878­5745, Fax: (802) 872­8236; Email: welcome@fccej.org Rev. Mark Mendes, Senior Pastor, Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer, Associate Pastor. 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. Junior High Youth Group meets regularly Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Senior High Youth Group meets regularly Sunday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. Adult Choir, Junior Choir, Cherub Choir, Handbell Choir, Men’s Choir, Ladies Choir.

9''6(",$1,$-6()*+,$-!%(#,*-#,2 (ELCA)­ 273 VT. Rte. 15 – Between Jericho and Underhill – 899­3932. Sunday Worship ­ 9:00 a.m./Sunday School for all ages ­ 10:30 a.m.. gslcvt@myfairpoint.net All are welcome. Rev. Phillip Roushey. Email: pastor_phil@goodshepherdjericho.org.

9-!#$(*%&+$6(3$+,'6&"+(#,*-#,2 130 Maple Street, Essex Junction. 878­8071. 1 mile south of the Five Corners on Maple Street / VT. Route 117. Worship Sundays at 9:30 a.m. with concurrent Church School Pre­K to High School. Handicapped­accessible 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!

,')/(4!3&)/2("+:()!;-$%#$(1!-&",2(Pastor: Reverend Charles H. Ranges, S.S.E. Rectory Address: 4 Prospect Street. Phone: 878­5331. Holy Family Mass Schedule: 28 Lincoln Street. Sundays, 8 a.m., 11 a.m. & 7:30p.m.. St. Lawrence Mass Schedule: 158 West Street. Saturdays, 4 p.m. and Sundays, 9:30a.m.. Sacrament of Reconciliation: St. Lawrence, Saturdays, 3:15­3:45p.m. and by appointment. Daily Mass, 8:30a.m.@Holy Family Church.

&")!3&#("'#&$+/('4(.$-3'%+2 182 Hegeman Ave, Suite 1, Colchester, VT 05446. Join Imam Islam Hassan (imam@isvt.org) for the five daily prayers. Timings at ISVT homepage www.isvt.org The call for Friday Jumah prayers is exactly at 1:00PM followed by Khutbah and prayer. Additional Friday night lectures between Magrib and Isha prayers. Weekend Islamic classes on Sundays 9:45AM­1:30PM for all children 4 years and older during the school year. Interested non­members always welcome. (802) 655­6711 or salam@isvt.org or Facebook.

3+:( 3!%"4&$)6( *%&+!-&!%( *%&.$-"!)&"+(4$))';",&12 Visit www.mmuuf.org. Services are held at 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month from Setpember through June. 195 Vermont Route 15, Jericho (the red barn across from Packard Road). 899­2558

"+(5!3$"($1&"#'1!)(#,*-#,2(4 St. James Place (Gate F to the Fairgrounds) Essex Junction 878­4014 http://www.stjamesvt.org. Services: 8:15 am Holy Eucharist Rite II without music. 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II with music. Coffee hour to follow. Adult education at 9:30 and Godly Play for PK­3rd graders at 10:15

"+:( 1&*"( +,$( +$%+,( #,*-#,2 20 Jericho Road, Essex, 878­5997. Pastor: Rev. Richard W. Tinney. Masses: Mon.­Thurs. 8:30 a.m.; Saturday 4:30 p.m., Sunday 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Confessions Sat. 3:30 p.m. 4 p.m. www.together.net/~stpius

"+:(+,'3!"(#,*-#,2 6 Green St., Underhill Center. Father Charles R. Danielson, Parish Priest. Weekend Masses: Saturday­4:30 p.m., Sunday­8:30. Daily Masses: Check with wwwlstthomasvt.com or call 899­4632

Essex Area Religious Directory

FEB. 1First Friday piano concert.

“Romantic Jazz Piano” by Mark Railey — Music Director at the Essex Junction First Congregational Church — offers piano jazz. Bring your Valentine!Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Contact: 878-6956.See Local Libraries for more library events!

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THE LOCAL NEWS AND SPORTS YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR.

Family Owned and Operatedwww.Essex Reporter.com

802.878.5282

CALENDARRSVPs are appreciated, but not required. Memorial Auditorium Annex, 250 Main Street, Burlington, 7:30-11 p.m. Contact: 802-862-1505.

Dance auditions. Bryce Dance Company is looking for six movers to join this contem-porary company for a new evening length work with performances in late spring and early summer. Pre-registration is re-quired. South End Studio, 699 Pine Street, Burlington, 2:30-4 p.m. Sign up: bryce-dance@gmail.com

Sunday10Reception. “Color Story.” A juried exhibit that

crosses subject, theme and genre and fo-cuses on choice of color. Free and open to the public. Refreshments will b served. Exhibit runs through Mar. 3. Darkroom Gallery, 12 Main Street, Essex Junction, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Camel’s Hump Challenge. A demanding 26 km backcountry ski around Camel’s Hump. A fundraiser supporting education and family support programs for the Al-zheimer’s Association, Vermont Chapter. Camel’s Hump Nordic Skiers’ Association center, Huntington, 7:30 a.m. For registra-tion and details, visit: http://www.cam-elshumpchallenge.com/.

OngoingBingo. Sponsored by the Whitcomb Woods

Residents Association. Whitcomb Woods, 128 West Street, Essex Junction. Mondays at 6 p.m. Contact: 879-1829.

Cell phones for soldiers. Local residents can support these collection drives by donat-ing their old cell phones at A. W. Rich Fu-neral Home, 57 Main Street, Essex Junc-tion. Collections accepted 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact: 849-6261.

Charity campaign. Teen for Jeans is collect-ing gently worn jeans in any, size, brand or style to donate a local charity. Collec-tion through Feb. 10. Collection spots: First Congregational Church, Essex Junction; Aeropostale in the University Mall, South Burlington. Visit: www.teensforjeans.com.

English as a second language classes. Im-prove your English conversation skills and meet new people. Wednesdays. Pickering Room, Second Floor: Intermediate/Ad-vanced. Administrative Conference Room: Beginners. Fletcher Free Library, Burling-ton, 7-9 p.m. Contact Elena Carter, FFL Outreach Department: 865-7211.

Essex Art League. !""#$%#&"%'($#%)&*($+,-%./%the month. The meeting agenda includes a business and social time, and features a guest artist presentation. Essex Junction Congregational Church on Main Street, Essex Junction, 9-11 a.m. Visit: www.es-sexartleague.com

Essex Junction Block Party Committee. Want to help plan the block party on July 20? Use your talents to put together a family-friendly community event in the heart of a historic downtown. Meetings are the 4th Monday of every month. Essex 0*12#3.1%!*13234,5%./'2"$6%7%8312.51%9#(""#6%Essex Junction, 4 p.m. Contact Patty: 878-6944 or patty@essexjunction.org.

Essex Rotary meeting. Essex Rotary Meet-ings are held on Wednesdays at 12:10 p.m. at The Essex. Serving the communi-ties of Essex, Essex Junction, Jericho and Underhill.

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

Genealogy. 8"#% #&"%":4"(#$%'1+% #&,#%;3$$31<%ancestor. Resources available for New England and New York. Vermont Geneal-ogy Library, Hegeman Avenue, Fort Ethan Allen, Colchester, Tues: 3-9:30 p.m. and Sat: 10 a.m.-4p.m. Contact: 802-238-5934 or http://www.vt-fcgs.org.

Infant and toddler programs. Join us for a rhythmic morning of play, song, puppet-ry and community for families with tod-dlers. Come once a week: every Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Infant classes offered Fridays. Lake Champlain Wal-dorf School, Shelburne, 9-11 a.m. Con-tact: 985-2827

Italian conversation group. Open to all in-terested in learning/hearing the Italian language. Room 101, St. Edmunds Hall, 9#=% !32&,"5�$% >.55"<"6% >.52&"$#"(=% ?@-ery second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-9 p.m.

Lupus support group. Third Saturday of the month. Brownell Library, Kolvoord Com-munity Room, Essex Junction, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Contact: vtlupusgroup@yahoo.com.

!"#$%& !'$()*+,& (-'+*& .",*+*/(0& Infor-mal gathering of model enthusiasts. All skill levels welcome. Third Thursday of each month. Kolvoord Community Room, Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Contact: 878-0765.

Open gym. Ages 4 and under. Free. Every Saturday through March 2. Balls, bas-ketball, balance beam, trampoline, rid-ing toys, and fun activities toddlers. Essex Junction Parks and Recreation, Maple Street, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Con-tact: 878-6715 or LMBruneau@aol.com.

Preschool playgroup. Tuesdays and Thurs-+,-$=% A.(% ,<"$% B3(#&% #&(.*<&% '@"% -",($=%Essex Junction Recreation and Parks De-partment, Maple Street, 9:30-11 a.m. Follows school calendar. Contact Sarami-chelle: 872-9580

Reading with Frosty and friends. Tuesdays. All dogs registered with Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Bring a book and read to a dog. All ages. Pre-register for 10-minute indi-vidual sessions. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, 21 Library Lane, Williston, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Contact: 878-4918

Toy library playgroup. Fridays. Ages birth

#&(.*<&%'@"%-",($=%!";.(3,5%C,556%?$$":6%9:30-11 a.m. Contact Lauren: 878-6715.

Welcome Baby Playgroup. Wednesdays. Ages birth to two years. MoveYou Fitness Studio, Essex, 9:30-11 a.m. Follows school calendar. Contact Lauren: 878-6715.

VCAM access orientation. Free. Vermont Community Access Media, 208 Flynn Av-enue 2-G, Burlington. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.- 10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Contact: 802-651-9692 or www.vermontcam.org.

Women’s craft group. Inventive females work on artful projects. Thursdays. Free. Essex Alliance Church, Essex, 7-9 p.m. Contact: 802-238-2291.

Women’s pick-up soccer. 18+. $3 each. Rob-ert Miller Recreation Center, 130 Gosse Court, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Contact: 802-864-0123 or http://www.meetup.com/Womens-Soccer-Vermont/

Feb. 1First Friday piano concert.

“Romantic Jazz Piano” by Mark Railey — Music Director at the Essex Junction First Congregational Church — offers piano jazz. Bring your Valentine! Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Contact: 878-6956.

Drop-in story time for kids of all ages. 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, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Contact: 878-6956.

Dungeons and Dragons. Embark upon imaginary adventures. A Dungeon Master serves as the game’s referee and storyteller. Gr. 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8 p.m. Contact: 878-6956.

Feb. 2Laura Ingalls Wilder birthday

party. Celebrate the birthday of the author of the Little House books. Come dressed as a pioneer, listen to a Little House story, create a craft, and share an authentic pioneer snack. Preregistration required. Essex Free Library, 2 Jericho Road, Essex, 10:30 a.m. Contact: 802-879-0313 or essexfreelibrary@essex.org

Feb. 4 Teen Advisory Board. For

teens, by teens. Plan programs, suggest books and DVDs for the collection, have fun, bring friends. Snacks provided. New members always welcome. Gr. 9-12. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Contact: 878-6956.

Movie. “The Moon: A Video From Astronomy Magazine’s Infinite Cosmos.” Travel to the Earth’s only natural satellite, the Moon. Learn the Moon's origin and the future. All ages welcome. Sponsored by the Vt. Astronomical Society. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 7:30 p.m. Contact: 878-6955.

Feb. 6DCF book talks for

homeschoolers. Each month, students in Gr. 4-8 participate in book talks from this year’s DCF list. Students keep a log & vote for their favorite to win the DCF Book Award in the spring. Group discussion is encouraged. Programs continue the first Wednesday of each month. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m. Contact: 878-6956.

Red Clover picture books for homeschoolers. Each month, students in Gr. K-3 read two titles on the list for this year’s Red Clover Award. Voting takes place in the spring. Programs continue the first Wednesday of each month. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m. Contact: 878-6955.

First Wednesdays lecture. “Words, Creativity and Spirituality.” Dartmouth professor Nancy Jay Crumbine will examine the interconnection between creativity and spirituality, focusing on the work of poets Emily Dickinson and Annie Dillard. Free and open to the public. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Contact: 802-878-6955.

Feb. 7Book discussion. Adults join to

discuss “The Paris Wife” by Paula McLain. Essex Free Library, 2 Jericho Road, Essex, 12 p.m. Contact: 802-879-0313 or essexfreelibrary@essex.org

Tax help for taxpayers. Free for low and middle incomes or those 60+. Volunteer AARP foundation certified expert tax preparers Tak and Dorothy Ng will help through Apr. 11. Reserve your place for tax-

prep: 878-6955. Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction, 9:15, 10, 10:45 and 11:30 a.m. time slots available.

Knitting and handwork huddle. Ann Wadsworth invites all to bring knitting, crochet or other handwork to the Library’s Kolvoord Room for company in doing crafts. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 7-9 p.m. Contact: 878-6955.Feb. 8

Songs and Stories. Matthew Witten performs songs about our world and tells adventurous tales. For all ages. No registration. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Contact: 878-6956.

High school book lust club. Chat with Kat about books you lust after and books you loathe. All high school students welcome. Snacks provided. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Contact: 878-6956.

Magic: The Gathering. Whether you know the game or are curious about finding out more, join us for Magic night. Gr. 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8 p.m. Contact: 878-6956.

Teen movie. “The Amazing Spider-Man” follows Peter Parker, who finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father’s former partner. Free popcorn and soda. Rated PG-13. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6:30-8:45 p.m. Contact: 878-6956.Ongoing events

Drop-In Storytime with Bridget. Mondays. Reading, rhyming, and crafts each week. All ages welcome. No registration required. Essex Free Library, 2 Jericho Road, Essex, 10:30 a.m. Contact: 802-879-0313 or essexfreelibrary@essex.org

“Musical Thirds” Story time. Every third Friday of the month. Rock out and read with Caitlin. All ages. No registration required. Essex Free Library, 2 Jericho Road, Essex, 10:30 a.m. Contact: 802-879-0313 or essexfreelibrary@essex.org

Story time for babies and toddlers. Tuesdays. Picture books, songs rhymes and puppets. Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction, 9:10-9:30 a.m. Contact: 878-6956.

Story time for 3-5-year-olds. Tuesdays. Picture books, songs, rhymes, puppets & flannel stories for preschoolers. Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction, 9:10-9:30 a.m. Register: 878-6956.

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Visit Colchester’s Burnham Library any Wednesday afternoon and you’ll find kids singing and dancing to the beat.

“I aim to engage the audience and encour-age participation," expressed Raphael Groten, the talent behind "Music with Raphael" – a weekly program for children of all ages that encourages an appreciation of music.

Groten starts any session by warming up the voices of his young crowd. From there, he takes them on a musical voyage.

“We sing familiar songs, counting songs, new songs, silly songs, dancing songs, original songs," – Groten recounted, – and I always take requests,” he added.

Groten’s huge repertoire is a result of a deep-rooted family tradition.

“I sang with my family in the folk tradi-tion growing up,” recalled Groten, who has two children of his own. “Some of the songs I share now are from the family gatherings I attended each year.”

With more than 20 cousins, three guitars and multiple generations of family present, Groten remembers singing “Down By the Bay” — a traditional children’s song popular-ized by Raffi — amidst laughter and dancing.

Since picking up the guitar at age 13, mu-sic has remained centralized in Groten’s life. He has learned to play many instruments, including “tres” — which is a Cuban guitar, ukulele, piano and Native American style flute. In 1996, he earned a BA in Philosophy with a Minor in Music from the University of Vermont.

Based on his education and experiences,

Groten has developed his own philosophy about music.

“Music is a universal language that speaks directly to the soul,” he stated. “Simply put, music brings us together and makes us feel better.”

Aside from “Music With Raphael,” Groten offers music instruction in theory and com-position for all ages. He also keeps himself busy writing and performing original music with a number of local musicians.

And Groten has taken his philosophy to a new level on his current musical project. “Out of Mind Experience — Real Deal” is Groten’s latest album set to debut this spring.

“My producer, Michael Michael, and I have dubbed a genre we call World Soul Electronica. We compose mu-sic that is danceable and has a positive message,” explained Groten.

You can preview all 16 tracks of “Out of Mind Experi-ence — Real Deal” on his website www.omegalaxy.com.

To listen to more of Gro-ten’s original music, visit www.reverbnation.com/rapha-elgroten.

Want to watch your child sing, dance and clap their hands with Raphael? Check out his program schedule below.

BY SUSAN BONDARYK !e Essex Reporter

SeptemberCurrent Exhibits

Essex Community Players to hold auditions for “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf ”

Upcoming Events

Auditions for the Essex Players May production of Edward Al-bee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” will be held Saturday, Feb. 2 at 1 p.m. and Monday at 6 p.m. in Essex Memorial Hall.

The classic drama is about George and Martha who love and hate each other to equal degrees. They often spend evenings playing scathing verbal and physical games that invariably get out of hand. When they bring another, younger couple into their depraved spi-der's web, there are no holds barred as they attempt to tear apart the young couple's relationship — and, subsequently, their very own.

We are seeking two men and two women to play the following roles:

Martha (stage age 45-55) is witty, charismatic, manipulative and narcissistic. Sidney believes he is smart enough to charm his way through life getting whatever he wants.

George (stage age 45-55) is Sidney’s faithful and dutiful wife of

11 years. She is optimistic and supportive in spite of Sidney’s long string of failures. She is shocked and not quite ready to believe Sid-ney could actually murder for fame and fortune.

Honey (stage age 25-30) is attractive, intelligent and energetic. He hopes and dreams of becoming a successful playwright.

Nick (stage age 25-35) is a successful old world attorney with aspirations of fame. He enjoys the notoriety of friendship with a Broadway playwright.

Rehearsals will begin Mar. 4 and take place Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. A copy of the audi-tion sides can be found on the Essex Community Players website, www.essexplayers.com, for actors to preview before auditions.

For additional information contact Frank Weston at frank-weston99@yahoo.com or visit www.essexplayers.com.

1/31 ! “BAG IT.” A documentary by Susan Beraza. Ages 12 and up. Free and open to the public. Community Room, Milton Mu-nicipal Building, Milton, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

1/31 ! THEATER PRODUCTION. Through Feb. 17. “Time Stands Still” is a drama by Donald Margulies about the effect of wartime. FlynnSpace, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Weekend matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets: 802-86-FLYNN or www.flynntix.org. Info: 802-862-1497.

2/1 !"FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK. City-wide, Burlington, 5-8 p.m. Contact: 802-264-4839 or info@artmapburlington.com.

2/2 ! SYMPHONY BALL. TICKETS: $175-325. Grand Maple Ballroom of the Dudley Davis Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, 6 p.m. Contact: 800-VSO-9293 x25 or at marissa@vso.org

2/2 ! DISTRICT III MUSIC FESTIVAL. Essex Middle School, 2 p.m. Tickets: http://vtdistrict3music.org/. Info: friendsofcol-chestermusic@gmail.com

2/2/ ! CONCERT. THE VERMONT PHIL#HARMONIC ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS. Tickets: $15 adults, $12 seniors, $5 students. Available at the door or online. Elley-Long Music Center, St. Michael’s College, Colchester, 7:30 p.m. Info and tickets: www.vermontphilharmonic.org

“BOUNTY.” Sculpture installation by Vermont artist Gregg Blasdel. Runs through Apr. 6. Art Lab, Fourth Floor, The BCA Cen-ter, Burlington. Contact: 802-865-7166.“Color Story.” A juried exhibit that crosses subject, theme and genre and focuses on choice of color. Runs Feb. 7-Mar. 3. Darkroom Gallery, 12 Main Street, Essex Junction. COLCHESTER MIDDLE SCHOOL ART. A variety of projects from grades 6-8 which demonstrate some unique lessons in color, line and perspective. Students included: Nicole Corriveau, Kelsi Wallace, Hannah Miller, Mariah Lavallee, John Shail, Grace McConnell, Svea Phelps and Abby Handy. Runs through mid-Feb. Colchester Town Of-fice, Colchester. “STRENGTH IN NUMBERS.” Feb-March 2. Work by a group of 11 Vermont art teach-ers who come together twice a month to support each other in their art. Free and open to the public. Pickering and Fletcher Rooms, Fletcher Free Library, 235 College Street, Burlington. Contact Barbara: 865-7211“IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.” Pastel works by Anne Unangst, Cindy Griffith, and Marcia Hill based on the same series of landscapes. Explores artistic interpretation and point of view. Runs through March 31. A photo ID is required for admittance. Gov-ernor’s Gallery, 5th Floor, Pavilion Building, Montpelier. “THE EYE OF SENATOR LEAHY.” A per-sonally selected collection of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy’s unique photography images while serving Vermont for the past 38 years. Through Feb. 28. Vermont Supreme Court, Montpelier, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Susan’s Pick:

Check out Raphael Groten’s

guitar chops on his original tune,

“La Proxima” at

www.reverbnation.com/

raphaelgroten

Spotlight on Raphael Groten

MUSIC WITH RAPHAEL WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

Mondays: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:45-11:15 a.m.

Mondays: Kid’s City, 10 Farrell Street, South Burlington, 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Wednesdays: Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 12:30-1 p.m.

Thursdays: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m.

3rd Saturday of the month: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11-11:30 a.m.

“Music with Raphael” is a program of PUKAmusic, a grassroots child, family and senior oriented music service company. To learn more, visit www.pukamusic.com

Raphael Groten

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By TRACEY MEDEIROS For The Essex Reporter

Paul Palmer has been a maple syrup enthusiast since he was very young. He grew up in Essex Junction, where, in the spring, he would spend time working at the Allen’s Sugarhouse, located on Route 15. There he learned the art of syrup making from the owners, Fred and Nora Allen.

In 1991, Paul started his own sugaring operation in Jeffersonville, where he still makes maple syrup to this day. Not content to just make one product, Paul and his wife, Colleen, decided to expand their business to a shop located in Jericho, which offers maple sugar candy and other maple confections.

Colleen recently shared some information about the business.

Q: How many years has Paul been in the maple business?

A: Paul has been in the maple business for most of his life, which is a great deal longer than 20 years.

Q: Do you have a signature candy,

confection or other specialty product?

A: Our signature product is a pure maple sugar candy, which is shaped like the State of Vermont. It is ours exclusively.

Q: What seasonal ingredients do you like to incorporate into your candies and confections?

A: Maple has its own unique flavor, and is a seasonal product in itself because it is only made in the spring, with Mother Nature’s blessing. Our pure maple candy is offered in many seasonal shapes. Currently, we have hearts for Valentine’s Day and rabbits for the Easter holiday.

Q: What is your most popular candy?

A: Our pure maple sugar candy is our most popular item. People love the variety of shapes that we offer — there is something for everyone. The second most popular product is our maple jellybeans. We literally sell tons of them!

Q: How much candy do you make each week?

A: We make our candy

to order, so that the product is fresh when the consumer purchases it. I will make an average of 200 pounds of candy per week, and as much as 500 pounds weekly during our busy season.

Q: Where do you get your flavor inspirations?

A: Maple is our only inspiration and true passion. Paul comes from a long line of sugarmakers. It is in his blood.

Q: How would you describe your store?

A: Our store is located on Route 15, right next to Snowflake Chocolates. We are in a farmhouse that was built in the1840’s. It has a lot of charm. The store has wooden shelves to showcase all of the maple products, and an antique display case that we use as our checkout counter. A jelly cupboard, which was found in the barn, received a new coat of paint and now houses a variety of our maple products.

Q: Why did you decide to locate your business in

Jericho? A: Location is everything.

We thought Jericho would be a great place for a retail store because it was not too far from our production facility and sugarhouse, which are in Jeffersonville.

Q: How would you describe a typical day at the shop?

A: A typical day consists of meeting and greeting customers, both local residents and the tourists that are visiting our beautiful state. We love to answer questions and educate folks on all aspects of maple. Usually, we can be found making maple cotton

candy, doing interviews with some of the local students, or looking for ways to create more new and innovative products that contain maple. This summer, we will be offering maple creemees.

Tracey Medeiros, of Essex, is a freelance food writer, food stylist, recipe developer and tester. Medeiros is the author of Dishing Up Vermont (Storey Publishing, 2008). Countryman Press will be publishing her second book, The Vermont Farm Table in the spring of 2013. Reach Tracey at: www.traceymedeiros.com or via e-mail at: traceymedeiros@comcast.net.

Palmer Lane MapleCo-owners: Paul and Colleen Palmer

Meet Your Local Merchant

TOP: Maple confections  line  the walls of Palmer Lane Maple  in 

Jericho.

BOTTOM: Colleen Palmer makes maple candies at Palmer Lane 

Maple in Jericho. 

Photos by Tracey Medeiros

Palmer Lane Maple’s sign hangs on Route 15 in Jericho.

Maple Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Recipe from Paul and Colleen Palmer

Ingredients:1/3 cup maple syrup1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar1 tsp ground mustard1/2 tsp Lawry’s seasoning salt (or a combination of salt and paprika)

Method of preparation:Place all the ingredients into a 1-pint mason jar.

Secure the lid on the jar, and shake until all ingredients are well incorporated.

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Many heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who donated their time and energy to maintain the Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. CHIPS volunteers Nicole Mitchell, Matt Whalen and Lester Nutting painted most of the trim and Brooke Conger lent her able talents with wallpapering. Thanks also go to Bill Pearson for assistance throughout the project, and to Mary Kay Cotte, who donated six hours to clean the Center.

Seniors get free help with income taxes beginning Friday, Feb. 8 and continuing every Wednesday and Friday through April 15 from 9:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. A qualified volunteer meets with seniors at the Center to help them file their income tax forms. For information on scheduling an appointment, call 878-6940.

At the meeting on Jan. 14, the following mission statement was adopted:

“It is the mission of the Essex Junction Senior Center to be a friendly gathering place for people 55 years of age or older. Programs are provided to promote physical, intellectual and social well-

being and enhance dignity, self-worth and independence. Programs include exercise, games, activities and volunteer opportunities.”

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, people enjoy bridge, cribbage and Skipbo from 1-4 p.m. Penny Bingo is Tuesdays from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Seated Yoga meets Wednesday at 10 a.m. Books, magazines, jigsaw puzzles, a Mah Jongg set and a Wii game are available.

Due to popular demand, Mah Jongg lessons are back. On Tuesdays and Thursdays for three weeks beginning Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. 12 p.m. people can learn to play this ancient Chinese game. Call 871-5791 to register.

Calling all cribbage players. A cribbage tournament is scheduled Sunday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. The cost is $5. Cash prizes go for high score, second place

and high hand. Questions? Call 871-5791.

How many times do bridge players ever bid and make seven no trump? It happened at the Senior Center Jan. 21 when Donna Powell and Sandi McGowan bid and made a grand slam. Donna opened with one no trump and Sandi had 17 points. Through experienced bidding, Sandi determined that they had all four aces and kings. She bid seven no trump and Donna triumphantly played the hand. Congratulations!

January 14 was a big day for slams. Bill Pearson and Donna Powell bid six hearts

and made seven. In one successful round of play that same day, Barbara Couture and Loretta Masi made two small slams, first with a bid of six spades, and then with a bid of six diamonds.

On Feb. 6, the Essex Senior Citizens luncheon is

sponsored by Essex Alliance Church and St. James Episcopal Church at the Maple Street Recreation and Parks building. The following week the luncheon takes place at Essex High School.

Save the date! February 22 is the Senior Sweetheart’s

Ball at Essex High School featuring pasta dinner, a DJ and a lively time for all. More information will be available soon.

To reserve a ride on the Senior Van, call 878-6940 the previous business day between 9 and 11:45 a.m.

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Essex Junction Senior Center

Volunteers help maintain the Essex Junction Senior Center  last Monday during a day of service 

honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  From left, Brooke Conger and CHIPS volunteers Nicole Mitchell, 

Matt Whalen and Lester Nutting.    Photo contributed

Everyone 55 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 878-6940.

Peggy Pearson

Essex JunctionSenior Center

Dartmouth professor Nancy Jay Crumbine will examine the interconnection between creativity and spirituality, focusing on the work of poets Emily Dickinson and Annie Dillard, in a talk at Brownell Library in Essex Junction on Feb. 6. Her talk, “Words, Creativity and Spirituality,” is part of the Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays lecture series and takes place at 7 p.m.

Crumbine is a poet and Associate Visiting

Professor of English at Dartmouth College. She holds a PhD in philosophy and Masters degrees in philosophy and religion. She is the author of “Humility, Anger, and Grace: Meditations Toward a Life that Matters.”

The Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays series is held on the first Wednesday of every month from October through May, featuring speakers of national and regional renown. Talks in Essex Junction are held at Brownell Library unless

otherwise noted. All First Wednesdays talks are free and open to the public.

Upcoming talks in Essex Junction include “Truth or Dare: Writing Historical Fiction” with author Jay Parini on March 6; “Lake Champlain in Under an Hour” with author Jan Albers on Tuesday, April 2; and “Building Books” with award-winning author and illustrator David Macaulay on May 1.

The Vermont Department of Libraries is the statewide underwriter of

First Wednesdays. Brownell Library is sponsored by Brownell Library Foundation, The Friends of the Brownell Library, IBM and Kolvoord, Overton, & Wilson, P.C.

“Words, Creativity, and Spirituality” is sponsored by Pomerleau Real Estate.

For more information, contact Brownell Library at 802.878.6955 or contact the Vermont Humanities Council at 802.262.2626 or info@vermonthumanities.org, or visit www.vermonthumanities.org.

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The Town of Essex is calling on local artists of all ages and skill levels — kindergarteners and professionals alike — to submit their ideas for a logo celebrating the community’s 250th.

The logo will be used throughout the year to mark and commemorate the first 250 years of Essex. The content of the logo is left largely to the discretion of the artist, though it must include

“Essex” and “1763.” All logos entered

in the contest will be on display at Town Meeting on March 4, where the winner will be selected by Town Meeting attendees. A one-act play celebrating the Town’s history and commemorating the first Town Meeting will also be a part of the evening’s activities.

Contest details can be found at www.essex.org.

Logos needed to celebrate town’s 250th