A LOT more?
Les tunes
Hinesburg develops policy for local option tax revenue use
Charlotte music program features French poets, composers this month
Page 2
Page 8
September 10, 2026
Town clerk to step down after 30 years
Weekly news coverage for Charlotte and Hinesburg
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MARI HUGLIN STAFF WRITER
A Charlotte public servant for 32 years, town clerk Mary Mead has announced she will not be running for office again. Currently, Mead holds three positions, including town clerk, treasurer and delinquent tax collector. She made her announcement at the Aug. 24 selectboard meeting. She said she will finish out her term and made the announcement early so she could give people plenty of time to come forward. “Hopefully, there is someone good out there who would like to tackle three open positions,” Mead said. The selectboard thanked Mary for her announcement and time in the government. “I hope you’ve heard from people over the post how grateful they are for your years of service to the town,” selectboard chair Natalie Kanner said in reference to the social media post on Front Porch Forum Mead made about stepping down. Mead declined an interview with The Citizen. Mead began working as the clerk and treasurer Charlotte in 1994. She became the tax collector in 2008. In a separate interview, Kanner said she was not shocked but disappointed to hear Mead would not run again since she is such See MEAD on page 3
PHOTO BY DWIGHT MAZUR
CVU’s Alex Jovell gains some yards on a rush in Saturday’s game against Hardford. See story, page 10.
Event gives advice on living in bear country BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER
Hinesburg resident Ray Racine attended a Sept. 2 presentation on living with black bears with a specific bear in mind: the one that’s been wandering around his property
on Shelburne Falls Road. Even if he’s only seen the bear itself once, he notices the tracks all the time, he said. The seats at the Carpenter Carse library in Hinesburg were full of others with similar stories. For the fifth consecutive year, the Depart-
ment of Fish and Wildlife estimated that Vermont is home to well beyond the goal of 3,500 to 5,000 black bears. The department estimates that the state has to 7,500 to 8,900 See BEARS on page 15
Page 2 • September 10, 2026 • The Citizen
Hinesburg develops policy for local option tax BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER
In anticipation of November’s vote whether to adopt a local option tax, Hinesburg is working on a policy to detail to the public how the funds generated by the tax — estimated at $300,000 — will be spent. Public safety and the highway department may be the most likely candidates. “Knowing that the majority of it’s going to be paid by Hinesburgers in Hinesburg on sales tax on online purchases, I’d love that revenue if it could go toward the highway budget because I think that would link to all those delivery trucks every day tearing up our roads,” selectboard member Paul Lamberson said at the board’s meeting on Sept. 2. Board member Denis Place repeated a preference for highway and paving. A local option tax adds a 1% state tax to a combination of sales, meals and rooms and alcohol taxes. As with the general state sales tax, purchases like food, medicine and many items of clothing are exempt. Three-quarters of the funds raised by the tax are returned directly to the municipality where the sale took place. The example policy drafted by town manager Todd Odit outlined guidelines for spending any money generated by the tax on different town expenses, such as capital projects or police, fire and EMS. It didn’t specify
PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK
Shopping carts create shadows outside Lantman’s Market. It should be noted that groceries would not be subject to the extra 1% local option tax, however.
certain amounts or percentages to any given service. The policy itself is still being edited. Lamberson and board chair Merrily Lovell plan to continue
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working on it, and like any policy, it could be adapted by a selectboard vote in the future. This specific policy will also have to wait for adoption until after the town votes on the tax itself. What’s important to Lovell, however, is transparency with residents about how the tax will be spent. As part of the policy, there will be a report generated every year on how the funding was allo-
cated, Lovell said. “It won’t be something that’s not known, and then voters can say, ‘well, why did you spend money on this, and why didn’t you spend it on that,’ and that will be helpful for the selectboard,” she said. Although Odit estimates that between 50-60% of the tax will be generated from online sales, there will likely also be revenue generat-
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MEAD
continued from page 1 an asset to the town. “Mary is very competent and she knows her job really well and she does it really conscientiously,” Kanner said. Since Mead currently holds three elected positions in town, the selectboard may choose to change these positions to appointments. Kanner said the board will be looking into various options while consulting with Mead on what she thinks will be best and waiting to see who comes forward in election season. kanner said replacing Mead will be hard since she has so many
years of knowledge and has run her departments effectively and efficiently with limited support. Mead has been involved with town finances, elections, records, permitting and other administrative roles. “If the town chooses to move to appointed, then it becomes a hiring decision so it just creates a vacancy that is just really hard to fill,” Kanner said. Kanner said Mead has been crucial in multiple transition periods throughout Charlotte’s history especially recently since new town administrator, Bryce Bierman,
was appointed. Kanner explained Mead and her department took “a tremendous load” upon themselves during the two-year transition period after Nate Bareham stepped down. “She has essentially seen the town through multiple transitions through multiple sorts of town hall cultures and community identities,” she said. Kanner is unsure of how involved Mead will remain in municipal government after the spring but expects her to stay involved during her transition period out.
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Page 4 • September 10, 2026 • The Citizen
Hinesburg Police Blotter: Aug. 31-Sept. 4
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Total reported incidents: 60 Traffic stop: 33 Directed patrol: 5 Special overtime: 2 Agency assist: 2 Crash: 2 Citizen assist: 1 Sexual assault: 1 Citizen dispute: 1 Family fight/domestic: 1 Lockout: 1 Fingerprints: 1 Lost property: 1 Fall: 1 Motor-vehicle complaint: 1 Animal problem: 1 Abandoned vehicle: 1 Welfare/suicide check: 1
Medical emergency: 1 Theft: 1 Property damage: 1 Selected incidents: Aug. 31 at 8:56 a.m., an officer investigated a two-car crash on Pond Road. Aug. 31 at 11:27 a.m., police helped people with a civil issue on Route 116. Aug. 31 at 2:10 p.m., police investigated reported stolen property from a business on Commerce Street. Aug. 31 at 2:26 p.m., an officer assisted with a medical emergency on Hawk Lane.
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Aug. 31 at 2:31 p.m., police investigated a reported abandoned vehicle on Hayden Hill. Aug. 31 at 5:35 p.m., an officer investigated an animal complaint on Commerce Street. Sept. 1 at 7:54 a.m., police investigated a motor vehicle complaint on Commerce Street. Sept. 1 at 3:30 p.m., officers responded to a medical emergency at Champlain Valley Union. Sept. 1 at 5:25 p.m., police conducted a welfare check on Hawk Lane. Sept. 2 at 8:17 a.m., an officer assisted with a medical emergency at CVU. Sept. 2 at 8:37 a.m., officers responded to a two-car crash on Shelburne Falls Road. Sept. 2 at 2:20 p.m., someone reported lost property to the police. Sept. 3 at 2:05 p.m., an officer investigated a late-reported sexual assault. Sept. 3 at 3:48 p.m., officers responded to a dispute at a residence on Route 116. Sept. 3 at 6:35 p.m., police helped someone with a civil issue. Sept. 4 at 2:37 p.m., an officer investigated reported threatening and harassment on Route 116. Sept. 4 at 4:45 p.m., officers responded to a medical emergency on Hollow Road. Sept. 4 at 5:12 p.m., police helped someone with a lockout Sept. 4 at 10:47 p.m., officers responded to a domestic dispute on Green Street. One of the individuals fled the scene prior to arrival. This incident is still under investigation. Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney Office and can be amended or dropped.
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The Citizen • September 10, 2026 • Page 5
Rising healthcare costs are squeezing Vermonters. Here’s how everyone can make more affordable choices. Vermont has some of the highest healthcare costs in America. This hurts everyone in our community and the well-being of our state. So, it’s the perfect time to learn ways to make care more affordable. Consider these costs comparisons for common procedures: Sleep Study*
Breast Biopsy
Cataract Surgery
CT Chest Scan
Gallbladder Removal
Hip Replacement
Laparoscopic MRI Hernia Repair of Spine
Upper GI Endoscopy
Vaginal Delivery
$7,900
$16,054
$9,785
$3,495
$35,057
$51,432
$30,361
$4,438
$7,768
$28,912
Southwestern VT Medical Center
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
Winsdor Hospital
Dartmouth Hitchcock
Northeastern VT Regional Hospital
Northeastern VT Regional Hospital
Dartmouth Hitchcock
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
North Country Hospital
University of VT Medical Center
$5,331
$8,262
$4,806
$1,396
$16,262
$24,642
$17,569
$2,560
$3,626
$18,248
Rutland Regional Medical Center
University of VT Medical Center
University of VT Medical Center
Vermont Open Imaging
Springfield Hospital
Dartmouth Hitchcock
Rutland Regional Medical Center
Northeastern VT Regional Hospital
Central Vermont Medical Center
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
$2,016
$4,853
$2,712
$1,222
$13,293
$23,558
$10,761
$1,410
$1,928
$10,135
Northwestern Medical Center
Rutland Regional Medical Center
VT Eye Surgery and Laser Center
Vermont Diagnostic Imaging
Central VT Medical Center
Central VT Medical Center
Central VT Medical Center
Vermont Open Imaging
Green Mountain Surgery Center
Northwestern Medical Center
(with Imaging)
Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Axis Cost Transparency Data Averages, April 2026. Costs include facility and provider costs. *Sleep study includes with or without CPAP.
There are many reasons for this affordability crisis and no one entity or individual can fix it. That’s why our organizations continue working together to be part of the solution. We invite you to join us, take action, and explore these tips to save on your care.
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• Costs for procedures can vary widely between hospitals, outpatient facilities, surgery and imaging centers. Knowing your options can help you save hundreds or thousands of dollars.
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• For routine procedures, there is usually ample time to explore care options, understand costs, and look for savings. • Ask for a written estimate before your procedure, so you have a clear picture of the costs beforehand. Afterward, review your itemized bill to understand the charges and confirm they are accurate.
• This Open Enrollment season is a great time to revisit your health plan’s benefits, premiums, deductibles, and copays to determine what makes sense for your health needs and budget. • When planning your care, check for “in-network” providers, which are more affordable and can help avoid unexpected expenses.
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Page 6 • September 10, 2026 • The Citizen
OPINION Twenty-five years later, 9/11 is still with us Guest Perspective Tom Kearney September 11, 2001, was a Tuesday. As usual, The Keene Sentinel news staff got an early start; all stories and photos for that day had to be sent to the production department by 11 a.m. Then, at 8:46, the first plane hit the World Trade Center. The Associated Press sent us a bulletin, and we turned on the newsroom TV. It was horrible. Smoke and flame were billowing out of the New York City skyscraper — and then the second plane hit. All 25 or so people on the news staff were in shock. People were crying. Everyone was thinking about friends or relatives who live in New York. Everyone was aghast that this could happen. But for us, it was also a news story, and we needed to regain focus. First job: Help people to stop crying, and start thinking. I was executive editor of The Sentinel then, and I asked everyone — reporters, editors, photographers, news clerks — to cram into our tiny news library, where we could close the door and not hear the TV news. I said this was a huge news story, maybe the biggest in our lifetimes, and we had to cover the impact on our community. I asked everyone who was not doing something crucial — news, sports, features, photos — to leave the building at 60 West St. and go find how this tragedy was being perceived in Keene. People watching TV sets in store windows, people in grocery stores, people at City Hall and the police department, people they knew who had connections
to New York City. They had one hour to get something, anything, and race back to the office so we could figure out what our local story would be. Everyone who wasn’t doing something vital right at that moment raced out into the streets. On the fly, they were trading ideas about where to go, who to see. I took charge of editing The Associated Press story we would use as our lead story. When a story breaks, AP sends out what it knows right off the bat, then adds nuggets as its reporters learn more. By the time I started working on the AP story, it was on its 28th version — incorporating all the updates it was getting from its staffers and the news organizations that were members of the cooperative. By the time I had to turn the story loose for publication, it was on its 72nd version. The editors on our news desk were collecting photos and related news reports, and trading ideas about the best way to show our readers the horror of that morning. As our reporters and photographers trickled back into the newsroom, our local editors worked together to shape a narrative that showed how many people in our community had strong connections to New York City, and what those folks had been able to learn about their friends and family members. By 11 a.m., our deadline, we had moved everything to production, and were waiting for the presses to start at 11:30 a.m. But the follow-up planning started immediately. Our local reporting for Sept. 12 would be much more in depth, as people in our region — like those in the rest
of the country — reacted to the tragedy. There were prayer meetings, gatherings, mourning — and anger and shock and questioning. We found a person whose
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sister had been leaving for work, but found it a bit chilly outside her building, and went back for a sweater. That saved her life. We found a woman who had
walked 17 miles to get to safety outside the city. We found local See KEARNEY on page 7
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The Citizen • September 10, 2026 • Page 7
Letters to the Editor Open questions remain about the CVU turf field To the Editor: I would like to thank all those who have been following and publicly commenting on the proposal to accept a privately funded gift for a new artificial turf field at Champlain Valley Union Field B, along with other improvements, including accessibility. The discussion has generated many thoughtful and impassioned comments and important questions. This is the kind of public discourse that should occur when a decision of this magnitude is being considered. At the Aug. 18 school board meeting, which was well attended, residents again offered respectful comments and asked questions. One might reasonably expect each school board member to explain to CVSD taxpayers why they voted as they did. That did not happen. Only the two Hinesburg representatives spoke. The board had voted 8-3, with one abstention, to accept the yet-to-be-raised $5.5-6 million gift from the proposal’s proponents. The board’s discussion and debate occurred in executive session. An open discussion would have allowed taxpayers to
better understand the reasoning behind this decision. Why did the board take this approach? Did other members simply not feel the need to speak, or was it a board decision to limit individual discussion? I understand that the board ultimately must act as a group. But shouldn’t taxpayers be able to hear the reasoning behind such a significant decision? Is this really an issue concerning only Hinesburg? I don’t believe it is. Residents throughout the district have a legitimate interest in the environmental and financial implications. One important unanswered question is the field’s long-term cost. Artificial turf has a finite life, commonly estimated at 8-10 years. What will it cost to remove and dispose of an estimated 40,000-5,000 pounds of worn turf fiber and infill, and what will it cost to replace the field? A meaningful life-cycle cost analysis should include removal, transportation, recycling or disposal and replacement of the turf. The fact that the initial field is offered as a gift does not eliminate these future costs. The word “credible” was See LETTERS on page 15
KEARNEY
continued from page 6 people who had frantically tried to connect with a friend or relative in the city, and eventually did, to their profound relief. Others hadn’t been able to connect, and were terrified that their loved ones had been caught up in the smoke and fire and falling debris. Our own challenge was to publish a Wednesday newspaper that reported all of that, but also reflected the strength and resilience of the American people. Paul Miller, then our managing editor, found a photo of NYC firefighters, their faces smudged with smoke, holding up a damaged American flag. It seemed to express the feeling that was spreading across the nation: We’ve taken a terrible punch, but America is strong. The national news stories we could select seemed to lack that feeling. So, I wrote an essay about how the attack felt — like a comic book turned actual, a scary movie that somehow came true. But I also wrote about the resilience and faith of Americans, how the tragedy would not define us, how the strength of our nation and our citizens would carry us through. The photo and the essay consumed the entire front page. It
seemed to resonate with our readers, so we made posters of that page, and sold them for $1 apiece to anyone who wanted one. More stories followed in the ensuing days, as we all absorbed the shock, the loss, the anger at the attacks on civilians and a great city. There was a feeling that things would never return to normal, that 2001 had changed everything. Eventually, that faded, but it took several years. I was so proud of our news staff — how everyone had pulled themselves together, understood the mission, raced out to capture the news of the moment, to tell the stories of our citizens, and then did it all over again the next day. And the day after that. And after that. It was hard to move on. Certainly a lot has happened in the last 25 years, and 9-11 doesn’t have the razor-sharp edge it had on that Sept. 11 morning. Turns out, it didn’t actually change everything. But it will always, always be with us. Tom Kearney is former executive editor of The Keene Sentinel and of the Vermont Community Newspaper Group.
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Page 8 • September 10, 2026 • The Citizen
COMMUNITY Community Notes Charlotte music program features French composers A musical program entitled “L’automne” will feature music and lyrics by French composers and poets Sunday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. at the Charlotte Congregational Church. Musicians will be Annemieke McLane, an award winning pianist and Cameron Brownell, tenor, director of the Aurora Singers, chorus teacher at Champlain Valley Union and music director at Charlotte Congregational Church. The program features music by Hahn, Debussy, Satie, Fauré and more. Donations will benefit Malayaka House a forever home for abandoned children in Uganda. Suggested donation: $20.
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Celebrate the start of the school year at Charlotte Children’s Center’s third-annual Family Fun Day. With food from Shelburne Tap House, ice cream from the Scoop, a petting zoo, bouncy houses, face painting, yard games and more, this gathering is a chance for current families, alumni families and the broader community to come together. At Charlotte Congregational Church, 403 Church Hill Rd, Charlotte on Sept. 12 at 11 a.m.
The Charlotte Grange hosts events at 2858 Spear St. • Poetry at the Grange, Thursday, Sept. 10, 6:30-8 p.m. All poetry lovers and those interested in poetry are invited to “Poetry at the Grange!” Our September gathering will be a poetry open mic. Attendees will have time to recite a few of their own poems or those of their favorite poets. Prizes are awarded for memorized recitals. Come just to enjoy as well. No featured poet. • Charlotte Walks, Friday, Sept. 18, 8:30 a.m., Town Link Trail, 4702 Ethan Allen Highway. We’ll meet at the ball field parking lot by Sweet Roots farm and walk a portion of the Town Link Trail. (We hear Sweet Roots has some berry delicious creemees if you need a refreshment after the walk) This time we’ll head east towards Mount Philo. • Thursday Night Live, Music Open Mic, Thursday, Sept. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. There is now a monthly rhythm of open mics at the Grange. Bring your instrument and your inspiration, and join the community of joyful noises. Hosted by Abby Killey, Nick Carter and Dave Vallett, the music will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will stop at 8:30 p.m. or when the last singer sings their song. • Charlotte Walks, Saturday, Sept. 26, 8:30 a.m., Raven Ridge, 1279 Rotax Road. In addition to our regular hike on the third Friday of the month, we’ll be gathering on Saturday for a wonderful hike that we expect to take about 2.5 hours to complete. The Raven Ridge Natural Area
is on the border of Charlotte and Monkton and has been preserved through efforts of several conservation groups and individuals due to its exceptional wildlife habitat and location within a wildlife corridor. • Coffee and Muffins Happy Hour, Sunday, Sept. 27, 9-10:30 a.m., Charlotte Grange Hall, 2858 Spear St. Join neighbors and members of the Charlotte Grange for free coffee, tea and homemade muffins at the Grange Hall. Coffee is our happy hour — stop by and stay for a moment or an hour. Thank you to Pardiso Coffee for your long-time support of these events. This is a wonderful opportunity meet neighbors and make community connections, to see the inside of the Charlotte Grange Hall, or chat with Charlotte Grange Members about our organization.
Interested in how to homeschool? On Friday, Sept. 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the Marabella KidSpace at South Burlington Public Library, long-time homeschooler Rebecca Rupp will talk about the many approaches to homeschooling, ways of creating a homeschool program, some great educational resources and some homeschool pros and cons. She will have copies of the brand new edition of her book, “Home Learning Year by Year; How to Design a Creative and Comprehensive Homeschool Curriculum” available. RSVP by emailing nliuzzi@southburlingtonvt. org.
Learn about bird migration and adaptation Chip Darmstadt brings ecological insight, extensive birding field experience and a welcome sense of humor to his presentation “The World of Birds: Nature Finds A Way” at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset St., South Burlington. His work reflects a shared love of teaching and the belief that the more curious birders there are, the better. In 2024, Chip launched FlyAway Birding with his son, Sam, and together they lead international birding trips while continuing to build a legacy in bird education and conservation. Chip will share a visual tour of how birds adapt to the challenges of migration and offer practical ways you can help feathered friends in your own backyard.
O’Brien’s ‘Every Day’ doc screening in Vermont A new documentary by Vermont filmmaker Bess O’Brien, “Every Day: Big and Small,” will screen in Burlington Sept. 25, Williston Sept. 26 and Middlebury Sept. See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 11
The Citizen • September 10, 2026 • Page 9
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Page 10 • September 10, 2026 • The Citizen
SPORTS CVU fall varsity teams kick off the new school year LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT
The Champlain Valley Union High School fall varsity teams are back in action. Team coaches shared their outlook on the season ahead.
Girls’ cross country Coach: David Baird Last season: Division I state champions. Key returnees: Maddie Deyo, junior; Livi Neilson, junior; Justyna Amblo, senior; Eden Leckey, sophomore; Rachel Williams, sophomore. Key newcomers: Ella BayerPacht, first year. Outlook: The girls’ cross-country team finds itself in unfamiliar territory, in a bit of a rebuild. The Redhawks will have to replace multiple top runners from a squad that qualified for national competition last year. The team will look to senior Justyna Amblo but will also rely on newcomers to the team to replace the talent lost to graduation. “I feel like we have a young
team that’s going to get really good over time and we won’t lose much,” CVU coach David Baird said.
Boys’ cross country Last season: Division I state champions. Key returnees: Ben Holoch, senior; Treson McEnany, senior; Cole Hart, senior; Jack Snyder, senior. Key newcomers: Royal Ricklefs, first year. Outlook: The boys find themselves in a position very familiar to the girls’ team, as a favorite coming into the year. The defending D-I champs will look to repeat with most of last year’s team returning, including individual state champ Ben Holoch. In addition, they add a talented first in Ricklefs to the squad. After winning the title last year, CVU will look for another trophy and set their sights on New Englands. “Every one of them all really took it on,” Baird said. “Training over the summer, they really took See FALL PREVIEW on page 12
PHOTO BY DWIGHT MAZUR
C’Marcus Riggs avoids a defender from Hartford in a Sept. 5 game CVU won 24-13.
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The Citizen • September 10, 2026 • Page 11
Season starts with two kinds of football wins LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT
Football Champlain Valley 24, Hartford 13: The Champlain Valley football team opened the season with a win over Hartford at home on Saturday. Demarcus Riggs, making his debut at quarterback for CVU, threw for a touchdown and rushed for another in the win. Finn Wilson ran for a 25-yard touchdown and Carter Matthews nabbed a 29-yard TD catch. Carter Murphy added a field goal to round out the scoring. CVU added an interception and two fumble recoveries on the defensive side of the ball. The Redhawks (1-0) will face defending Division I champs Middlebury on Saturday.
Girls’ soccer Champlain Valley 2, South Burlington 1: Champlain Valley scored early in the second half to break a scoreless tie and the Redhawks went on to beat South Burlington, 2-1, in high school girls’ soccer on Saturday.
Melina Kanarick scored for CVU (2-1), while Sierra Rainey was given credit for a South Burlington own goal. Mireille Howatt-Walker and Eisley Devitt combined to make five saves in goal. CVU took on Rice Tuesday after press deadline before traveling to St. Johnsbury for a game next Wednesday.
Field hockey Rice 7, Champlain Valley 0: Champlain Valley fell to Rice in a rematch of last year’s Division I state championship on Saturday. Cici Kenney made six saves in goal for the Redhawks, who fall to 2-1 with the loss. They will take on South Burlington at home on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Evenings with a book or a friend Enjoy wine & beer, light bites, shareable boards, baked brie and more
Boys’ soccer Champlain Valley 1, South Burlington 1: Champlain Valley gave up a late goal and settled for a tie with South Burlington on Friday in high school boys’ soccer. Lincoln Ricketts had the goal for the Redhawks (1-0-1), while Theo Skapof stopped two shots in goal. CVU took on Colchester on the road on Wednesday after press deadline before heading to St. Johnsbury next Monday.
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COMMUNITY
continued from page 8 27, with additional screenings around Vermont through Oct. 11. The film uses the 2023 and 2024 floods as a backdrop for stories about Vermonters building community, resilience and connection. Featured stories include a teen center, a farm focused on Black solidarity and joy, an elder sharing her home with an immigrant, a dance class for people with Parkinson’s disease, young women involved in farming and a 13-year-old who runs a military museum in his backyard. Tickets are $15 and are available at catamountarts.org or at the door.
Richmond farmers market continues The Richmond Farmers’ Market is held every Friday from 3-6 p.m. through Oct. 9 at Volunteers Green on Bridge Street in Richmond. The market features produce, berries, baked goods, prepared food, live music, crafts, ice cream, cotton candy, bread, honey and more.
Try on ‘HairPeace’ in music performance HairPeace will perform Sunday, Sept. 27, at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, 39 Main St. The brother-and-sister duo of Chrystine and Ray combines vocal harmonies with music from the 1960s and ’70s, original material and occasional modern tunes. They will be joined by Kenny Z on upright bass.
Tickets are a $20 suggested donation and are free for children 12 and younger. A portion of the 2026 concert proceeds will support Age Well. Tickets are available through Seven Days Tickets or by calling the church office at 802-878-5745.
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The Green Mountain Returned Peace Corps Volunteers will hold its 27th annual Pedals for Progress bike and sewing machine collection Saturday, Sept. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ross Sports Center at St. Michael’s College, 1 Winooski Park, Colchester. Donated bicycles become transportation for students, farmers, workers and entrepreneurs, while sewing machines provide opportunities for livelihoods. A $20 donation is requested with each item to help offset international shipping costs. Volunteers are also needed. Those interested can email p4p.vermont@gmail. com by Sept. 13. For more information, call Paul Demers at 802-793-0888.
Howard Center presents ‘Create, Community, Hope’ Featuring more than 40 artists from the Howard Center’s Arts Collective, an exhibition will be on view at the South End Art Hop. An opening reception will be held Thursday, Sept. 10, from 4:30-6 p.m., at Flynndog Gallery, 208 Flynn Ave.
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Page 12 • September 10, 2026 • The Citizen
FALL PREVIEW
continued from page 10 it on themselves to get in shape and have made a jump.”
Field hockey Coach: Tucker Pierson Last season: 12-2, lost in the Division I state championship. This season: 2-1 Key returnees: Emery Thompson, senior, midfield; Penny Webster, senior, defense; Kendall Fagnant, junior, midfield; Stella Soucy, senior, forward. Key newcomers: Maddy Bessette, junior, defense. Outlook: After advancing to the division I state finals last season, the Champlain Valley field hockey team faces a rebuilding year with a young team. The Redhawks return just three starters from last year’s squad, and some returning players will step into new roles. The team is athletic and skilled, so coach Tucker Pierson will work to get the roster the varsity experience needed to compete as the season progresses. “We want to compete at the highest level possible,” Pierson said. “This team is inexperienced and very coachable. They want to learn, and we want to teach.”
Football Coach: Frank Parisi Last season: 2-6, lost in the Division I quarterfinals This season: 1-0 Key returnees: Alex Jovell, senior, wide receiver/defensive back/kicker; Damarcus Riggs, senior, quarterback/linebacker; Ethan Plante, senior, center/defensive line; Kofi Spencer, junior, offensive line/defensive line. Key newcomers: Ethan Mazur, sophomore, running back/ linebacker; Luke Blucher, sophomore, wide receiver/defensive back; David Yodishembo, first year, offensive/defensive line. Outlook: The Champlain Valley football team comes into this season young but talented. After a tough year, the Redhawks are looking to rebound this go around and take a step back toward competitiveness. CVU will turn to Demarcus Riggs to lead the offense at the quarterback position, a change for the senior who played at tight end. “The kids have grown and developed mentally and physically since last year,” said CVU coach Frank Parisi. “Team cohesion is good and this group understands what’s ahead of them and is up for the challenge.” Up next: Saturday, September 12, vs. Middlebury.
Boys’ soccer Coach: Shane Bufano Last season: 8-5-1, lost in the Division I state championship. This season: 1-0-1 Key returnees: Stefan Arso-
PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK
SBHS’s Ian Henderson (left) and CVU’s Stefan Arsovski both have their eyes on the ball during Sept. 4’s tied game.
vski, junior, midfield; Lincoln Ricketts, senior, midfield; Boden Russell, senior, midfield; Wyatt Decker, junior, midfield, Grayson Edelbaum, senior, defense; Sawyer Lake, senior, defense; Sawyer Jennings, junior, defense. Key newcomers: Waydon Cherington, junior, midfield; Dash Bufano, sophomore, midfield; Ezra Ziter, junior, midfield; Creston Lea-Simons, junior, midfield. Outlook: The Champlain Valley boys’ soccer team faces a tough Metro Division as they look to advance back to the Division I final. While the Redhawks return many players from last year’s team, they only bring back two starters this season. CVU will need to gain some experience early in the season if they want to compete in a very deep boys soccer landscape. “There’s probably about six or seven teams that could win D1 this year,” CVU coach Shane Bufano said. “We have to continue to be strong mentally. We’ve talked about trying to keep things one game at a time.”
PHOTO BY DWIGHT MAZUR
Girls’ soccer
Alex Schad tackles a player from Hartford in Saturday’s game that CVU won 24-13.
Coach: Kelly Knudsen Last season: Division I state champions. This season: 2-1 Key returnees: Sierra Rainey, senior, defender; Myrah Ngu, senior defender; Elliana Antonucci, junior, defender; Melina Kanarick, senior, defender; Flynn
Sexton, junior, midfield; Charlotte Clark, junior, forward; Allie Barrett, junior, forward. Key newcomers: Clover Rehbein, junior, midfield; Sam Heins, first year, defender. Outlook: Champlain Valley will look make it three in a row this
season after winning the division I state championship last year. They face an uphill battle to start the season with the loss of Elsa Klein to injury. The Redhawks will have to replace her offense, a tough task after she won Gatorade Player of the Year. However, the team will
be strong defensively this season which will help as they take the early season to find their stride. “We have a strong mix of veterans returning and will be strong defensively — although we do have two new goalkeepers to the squad,” Knudsen said.
The Citizen • September 10, 2026 • Page 13
Horoscope September 10, 2026
ANSWERS FROM THIS ISSUE
Weekly Puzzles
Champl 4
RABIES BAIT
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saliva. If left untreated, rabies is almost alcontinued from page 2 ways fatal in humans and animals. However, Page 14 • September 10, 2026 • The Citizen treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly The week-long bait drop is a coopera- 100 percent effective when given soon after SHELBURNE DAY tive effort between Vermont and the U.S. a person is bitten by a rabid animal. continued from page 4 Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont to stop the spread of the potentially fatal have tested positive for rabies, and 14 of Shelburne Historical Society will have a disease. those have been raccoons. display and president Dorothea Penar will Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the According to wildlife officials, rabid brain that infects mammals. It is most often animals often show a change in their nor- lead a cemetery tour at 1 p.m. Food venseen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, mal behavior, but you cannot tell whether dors round out the event with everything but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also an animal has rabies simply by looking at from coffee and lemonade to burgers and get rabies. The virus is spread through the it. People should not touch or pick up wild creemees. Kids will enjoy meeting animals from Shelburne Farms, craft projects, and bite of an infected animal or contactemail with itsadvertising@thecitizenvt.com animals or strays – even baby animals. or call 802-238-4980 To advertise
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The Citizen • September 10, 2026 • Page 15
BEARS
continued from page 1 bears, and human-bear conflicts up human-created sources of food. are on the rise. She suggested that people contact As the state untangles hunting their trash pick-up services to ask and conservation measures aimed whether they could use bear-safe at managing the growing number trash bins. When composting, of bears — including a proposal Cusack told participants, they to extend the hunting season — a might want to consider measures volunteer education program seeks like electric fences or using ammoto address the lifestyle changes nia to mitigate the smell alongside people can make to live among tightly sealed containers. them. Bears are intelligent animals, “(Vermont Coverts) and Fish she said. If they find an easy food and Wildlife provide us with train- source like a birdfeeder, they’ll ing and then we come back. go out into our Food plays “We go out into communities to an important have conversarole in bear our communities to tions with everyreproduction. body about how Cusack said have conversations we can coexist that bears expewith our wild rience delayed with everybody neighbors,” Caitimplantation — lin Cusack, an fertilized eggs about how we can ambassador with won’t implant the program, said coexist with our wild on the inside as she presented. of a female FILE PHOTO The program is bear’s uterus for neighbors.” a collaboration months, usual- Bird feeders, compost, unsecured garbage and other food sources left out during the warm months when bears have emerged from their dens are a serious source of risk to bears, potentially encouraging them to spend time in human dominated landscapes. between Fish — Caitlin Cusack ly in the fall. and Wildlife and Whether or not Vermont Coverts, eggs implant is eye towards managing the popua largely peer-to-peer wildlife dependent on how well that bear lation. LETTERS Last week, the comment period education organization, and the has been able to source food, she continued from page 7 ended for proposed changes that event was sponsored by the Hines- said. burg conservation commission. The state is one year into a would extend the bear hunting used several times in discuss- has raised questions that Cusack, who lives in Bristol, study of black bear reproduction season to the end of deer hunting in ing information relied upon remain unanswered. Those said that she’s seen stories of bear and how their food sources — December, requiring the purchase by the board. Credible does questions will not go away sightings and conflicts blowing beechnuts, acorns and human-cre- of a bear tag, allowing for a second not mean proven or unquessimply because the board has up on social media all summer ated buffets — impact outcomes bear tag and prohibiting the intentionably true. A credible voted. — a statement that elicited nods like litter size, cub survival rates tional killing of a sow with cubs. claim can still be incomplete, In Hinesburg, the discussion of agreement around the room. and the interval between litters. uncertain or open to legitiStephen Barnard also turned to population manageParticipants spoke of bears rolling Results are expected in 2031. mate challenge. The public Hinesburg backyard compost bins, breaking A previous study by the U.S. ment and the proposed rule changinto bee hives, lumbering up onto Forest Service in Maine found that es. Echoing concerns attendporches and sharing in a crop of bear litters in certain areas tended ees voiced at public hearings in CHARLOTTE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD crab apples. to line up with an overabundance August, participants expressed Will hold a public hearing at Town Hall, 159 Ferry Rd., Charlotte, suspicions that the extended According to information from of beech nuts every other year. VT on the following application during its regular meeting of the state, almost half of all human- Where the bears had more consis- season might lead to hunting bears Wednesday, October 14, 2026. bear conflicts and incidents — a tent reproduction year-to-year, the that have already entered their 7:05 PM DRB-26-102-SPA/SDA Maquire–-Subdivision bear encounter that takes place beech nuts were a less-important dens for the winter. Amendment and Site Plan Amendment to change access at 2760 “The problem is there’s no near people or involves real or fall food source. Spear Street. law against it,” Barabara Felitperceived danger — are related While the ambassador program 4/29/2019 7:30 PM DRB-26-103- AZA Beal/Kenyon – Appeal of the Zoning to access to trash. Birdfeeders, is largely focused on reducing ti, a Huntington resident, said. Administrator Decision regarding the Old Brick Store at 290 Ferry compost and chickens also tend to human-bear conflict, the Depart- While she believes most hunters Road.& The Citizen 3.5 x 2 AD for Shelburne News are responsible, it should still be draw bears into humans’ orbits. ment of Fish and Wildlife is simulFor more information, contact the Planning & Zoning Office A large portion of Cusack’s taneously pursuing changes to something the law protects against, at 802.425.3533 ext.both 207, or by email at: zoningadmin@ she said. Weeks $18.00/week for papers $432.00 presentation focused on tightening bear hunting regulations with24 an Consecutive townofcharlotte.com.
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Page 16 • September 10, 2026 • The Citizen
HONORING OUR
VETERANS
On Nov. 5, The Citizen will be honored to publish photos of the men and women who have unselfishly served our country. Page 14 • November 10, 2022 • Shelburne News
HONORING The Veterans Among Us
If you have a veteran who you would like us to honor, please mail or email your photo and the following information by
ROBERT F. WHITEMAN, SR. U.S. Air Force E6 1959-1979
LORENZO P. BUSHWAY, SR. April 28, 1960 Active Duty: Feb. 1953-Feb. 1955
ROBERT S. BORKOWSKI Sergeant (SFC) Medic VT Army National Guard 1982-2005
PVT. HENRI DE MARNE & PVT. CLAUDE DE MARNE Henri de Marne and his brother Claude, Patton’s 3rd army, WW2, 1944 following French resistance before liberation.
PETER PAUL ZUK U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant Served 1955-57 Japan and Korea
DAVID F. LELAND United States Navy Lieutenant WWII 1944-1955
ROLAND W. WILBUR United States Army T/4, 14th Armored Division WW II 1942-46
PERRY D. MELVIN U.S. Navy, HM 3 3rd Marine Regiment Vietnam War
BRUCE NUNZIATA 1st Infantry Vietnam 1967-68
THOMAS C. GIBSON Royal Air Force Squadron Leader 1947-1952, Malaya
MICHAEL W. LYNCH U.S. Navy, Lt.J.G. Civil Engineer Corp 1967-1975 VT Air Guard 1976-1979
PETER GADUE US Army and VTARNG 1970-2009
SHANNON B. BLAKE U.S. Army, Major 1986-2006 Afghanistan War Veteran
DAVID WINER Corporal, Marine Corps March 1944-July 1946 Peleliu Campaign
WILLIAM A. READ JR. U.S. Navy Commander Gunnery Instructor Patrol Squadron 101 Southwest Pacific
THURSDAY, OCT. 29 Please include: • Name of veteran • Branch of service • Rank • Years of service • Town of residence
EMAIL PHOTOS AND TEXT TO: stephanie@shelburnenews.com OR MAIL TO: The Citizen, P.O. Box 489, Stowe, VT 05672 If you have submitted a photo in a previous year, you do not need to resubmit.