Williston Observer

Dec. 24, 2008

Rash of window smashing

On Monday night, police received numerous reports of car windows being “smashed,” according to police reports. Reports came in from Hideaway Lane, Pinecrest Circle, Lamplite Lane, Barrett Lane and O’Brien Court, according to police. In one instance, an iPod was stolen from one of the vehicles. Police were continuing their investigation as of press time.

DUI

• After police received a report of an erratic driver on Dec. 11, a motor vehicle stop was conducted and Darby L. Crum, 41, of Essex was arrested and cited for driving under the influence, according to police reports. His blood alcohol test registered .285 “roadside,” the report notes. The legal limit for driving in Vermont is .08. He was released on a citation to appear in court.

• Following a motor vehicle stop on Interstate 89 northbound, Jennifer Boyer, 22, of Burlington was arrested and cited for driving under the influence on Dec. 16, according to police reports. Her blood alcohol test registered .157, the report notes. The legal limit for driving in Vermont is .08. The vehicle was towed and Boyer was released and cited to appear in court.

Violation of conditions

On Dec. 16, Michael P. Witter, 51, of Colchester was arrested and cited for consuming alcohol in violation of his court ordered conditions of release, after “recording a blood alcohol test of .013,” according to police reports. Witter was issued a citation to appear in court.

Theft

• A man “ran out of Best Buy with a handful of video games,” on Dec. 16, according to police reports. The investigation is ongoing.

• Two men left Friendly’s restaurant without paying for their meals on Dec. 16, according to police reports. Police searched the area but were unable to find the men.

Driving with suspended license

• Robert Scanlon, 48, of Richmond was issued a citation on Dec. 11 to appear in court on a charge of driving with a suspended license, according to police reports. Scanlon also “received numerous motor vehicle violations” and his vehicle was towed, the report notes.

• Following a motor vehicle stop, Jeremy B. Zeno, 25, of Fairfax was arrested and cited for driving with a suspended license on Dec. 18, according to police reports. He was cited to appear in court on Feb. 2, 2009.

• Jason C. Bates, 35, of South Burlington was cited for driving with a suspended license following a routine stop on Dec. 19, according to police reports. Bates’ license was suspended for driving under the influence, the report notes. He was cited to appear in court.

• Wendy M. Cobb, 24, of Colchester was arrested after a motor vehicle stop on Dec. 20, and cited for criminal driving with a suspended license, according to police reports.

Her license had been suspended for driving under the influence in October, the report notes. She was released and cited to appear in court.

Child in car

Police received a report of a juvenile left alone in a vehicle in the parking lot of Linens ‘n’ Things on Dec. 20, according to police reports. Police located the adult who owned the vehicle and gave a verbal warning advising “of the dangers of their actions,” according to the report.

False information to police

Following a motor vehicle stop on Dec. 13, Kathleen Hall, 19, of Shelburne was cited for “providing false information to a police officer,” as well as numerous motor vehicle violations, according to police reports. She was cited to appear in court on the false information charge.

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What I remembered this year

Dec. 24, 2008

By Kim Dannies

There has been an alarming increase in the things I know nothing about. It seems the more I learn about food and cooking the more I realize how little I know. And now that I’ve seen the other side of 50, the little bit I know, I can’t always remember when I need it. I hate my brain.

At least I remembered to keep notes for this column — little tips and techniques that helped to make me a better eater and cook in 2008. I’m sharing these morsels in the hopes that somebody out there will help me to remember them, and treat me someday with a sweet kernel of knowledge.

First, a subject near and dear to my waistline: the ultimate chocolate chip cookie. This past summer The New York Times revealed the critical element to creating truly epic chocolate chips cookies (July 9, 2008). In the interest of sound reporting, I experimented — several times, in fact — and concur with their findings. The dough is markedly more complex and delicious (with a finer crumb) when refrigerated 24 to 36 hours prior to baking.

A burlesque of happiness: perfectly poached eggs smashed over crispy French fries, (Don’t forget the sea salt.)

Shrimp, my favorite food, now gets a sprinkle of sugar before searing in a pan of hot olive oil. Why? The shrimp quickly turn a gorgeous copper color, while remaining plump and succulent. How come? The Maillard reaction, the chemical reaction between a protein and a reducing sugar in heat (it’s the same thing that happens when you make toast).

I fervently wish that it weren’t true, but it’s a fact: as baby boomers age, not only does the memory fade, but so do the taste buds. Yikes! Can pureed prunes be far behind? Don’t panic, the food industry is on the taste case — it’s no coincidence there are so many spicy rubs and salsas on menus today. At home, try using red pepper flakes instead of ground pepper in recipes. I use a 1-to-4 ratio when substituting the hot stuff.

The paradox of globalization: I went halfway around the world to eat authentic Lebanese food this summer, and discovered that my childhood auntie, Sandy O’Brien, cooks it better. Remember to seek out ethnic flavors right in your own town. There are great cooks just waiting to share their taste treasures with your adventurous palate.

Menu Tongue Twisters: galangal plant (or Blue Ginger) is a root used in Pan-Asian cuisine. It resembles ginger, but it is more hot and peppery in taste. Sriracha, a common condiment in Asian restaurants, is the generic name for Thai-style hot sauce. The sauce is made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar and salt. It makes a mean dipping sauce when mixed with mayo — go for it, Boomers!

Kim Dannies is a graduate of La Varenne Cooking School in France. She lives in Williston with her husband, Jeff; they have three college-aged daughters. For archived Everyday Gourmet columns go to kimdannies.com.

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Religion is history

Dec. 24, 2008

By Kayla Purvis

Buddha, Gandhi, Abraham and Jesus. They may be controversial, but they’re still a part of world history. Buddha inspired Buddhism, Gandhi is associated with Hinduism, and Abraham plays significant roles in early Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Jesus’ role in Christianity is perhaps what makes Christianity the most controversial of the five major religions.

Jesus’ claims of being the long-awaited Messiah are what keep him out of public schools today. His religious teachings are extremely contentious and many people don’t want their children to learn about them. But not all of Jesus’ teachings were religious. The Golden Rule, for example, comes from the Bible and is encouraged in most schools. The idea of equality and not judging others also comes from the Bible and teachings of Jesus. The WORD program at Champlain Valley Union High School, which stands for Working on Respecting Differences, supports the latter value.

It has been proven that Jesus was in fact a real person. So were Buddha, Gandhi and Abraham. All of them led groups of people in our history and impacted today’s world. Religious beliefs aside, all of them offered deep values that we could all benefit from, regardless of our beliefs. Buddha encouraged reflecting on oneself and being conscious of one’s inner self. Jesus promoted kindness and forgiveness of others.

I don’t think that religious figures should be kept out of school simply because of their beliefs or teachings. Obviously, they did something important if their names are still remembered and used now, and students should be able to learn about them. I’m not, however, saying that any certain religion should be taught in schools. Major players in the five major religions should be recognized in school, and anyone opposed to the idea should remember that religious beliefs are set aside in school. No teacher is going to tell your child what he or she needs to believe in.

It’s not fair to exclude beliefs pertaining to some sort of deity just because they’re controversial. Evolution is heavily pushed in schools, and if we’re going to play it this way, then that belief should also be removed from our school systems. My point is that every form of belief is the same in one way: they’re a belief. Some will agree with it and some will disagree. But is it really fair to exclude the beliefs of some students and not others? Many parents don’t want religion pushed on their children, but what about those that don’t want evolution pushed on theirs?

History is important and oftentimes exciting and interesting. Buddha, Gandhi, Abraham and yes, Jesus, all played interesting roles in the history of our world. That can’t be ignored or denied. History is taught in school but how effective or beneficial is it to us students if major parts are left out or skipped over?

I don’t think that religion itself should be taught in schools because it is a personal choice as to what one believes. But I do think that religious figures’ personal beliefs should be set aside so that students can learn about their impact on the world.

Williston resident Kayla Purvis is a sophomore at Champlain Valley Union High School.

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The greatest gift

Dec. 24, 2008

By Katherine Bielawa Stamper

Every December, along with twinkly lights, ornaments steeped in sentimentality and assorted angels, we awaken our stash of holiday books from their off-season slumber. Charles Dickens, Clement C. Moore, Ruth Robbins, Peter Collington, Leo Buscaglia, Langston Hughes and Dr. Seuss eagerly vie for attention beneath our Christmas tree. Reading stories aloud is a holiday tradition.

One of my favorite tales is O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi.” For folks who may be unfamiliar, it’s a story about a young, poor couple — Della and Jim — living in an $8 dollar a week walk-up who lack money to buy each other Christmas gifts. Della opts to sell her finest possession — her bounteous, flowing, chestnut hair — to purchase a chain for her husband’s prized pocket watch, one he inherited from his father and grandfather. Jim, unbeknownst to Della, pawns his watch to buy tortoise-shell hair combs Della admired though a store window for months. Imagine the surprise — and tears — when each offers up his and her gift to the other.

I thought of O. Henry’s story when reading this year’s Christmas letter from my husband’s uncle and aunt in Ohio. Art and Eula, married over 50 years, are in their early 80s. They’re retired federal employees who, through prudent living and healthy pensions, have realized a long, comfortable retirement. They never had children. I remember them travelling to Massachusetts to attend our wedding. My husband’s parents were deceased so it was especially appreciated when aunts and uncles made the effort to come.

We trade holiday letters with Art and Eula every Christmas. I always look forward to the notes, penned by Art, tucked into their cards. Art is a huge reader and, not surprisingly, someone who enjoys writing. Art’s letters document their lives in Ohio, travels to Florida and comment, just a little, on the politics of the day. (I think he’s a Republican.)

This year’s letter is different. Eula’s health took a turn in the spring and she is now bedridden.

“I’ve elected myself as her caregiver since I know she’ll get better attention than some nursing home,” Art writes. “Must be doing a good job since she doesn’t complain or get depressed especially since she’s confined to one room. The condo has been decorated for Christmas and the cards have all been sent. Now is time to relax — I’ve got a library of books to keep myself entertained thru the winter.”

Art’s letter brought me right back to O. Henry’s story of Della and Jim. The greatest gift we can give to our loved ones at Christmas — and throughout the year — is unselfish, unconditional love. Art is doing this for Eula in his quiet, uncomplaining sort of way. Art’s letter serves as a gentle reminder in this season of mixed messages to stay focused on what really matters.

My husband and I opted to follow up our holiday letter to Art and Eula with a small Christmas parcel. Eula is clearly not well enough to bake this holiday season. Art doesn’t appear to be the baking type. He’s also occupied with Eula’s care. We mixed and measured flour, eggs, ginger, cinnamon and cloves for homemade gingerbread, which to me evokes the aromas of the season. We added samplings of homemade caramel corn and chocolate-dipped pretzels. Finally, we tucked in a copy of O. Henry’s story, “The Gift of the Magi,” with a note about how we read the story aloud as a family each Christmas. It’s a small gesture that sends our love and greetings from faraway Vermont. Art and Eula’s story is one I hope to carry in my heart for a long time.

O. Henry ends his tale with the following observation about Della and Jim:

“… And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.”

Katherine Bielawa Stamper lives in Williston. Reader comments are welcome at [email protected] or [email protected]

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Dec. 24, 2008

Fire Department recruiting

Greetings from the Williston Fire Department! Thanks to the recent recruitment efforts we were able to fill the remaining call staff spots on our roster (a member of the local community that typically responds from their home or work). These people are typical individuals like you and I and they are an integral part of the department.

One of the benefits of being on the department is the quality of training the members are able to receive. Individuals that respond to fire calls (car accidents, fires, etc.) go through a course called Fire Fighter 1. This approximately 200-hour course gives individuals the basic skills they will need to become a firefighter, including being able to safely enter a burning building and extinguish a fire.

On the EMS side, members go through a similar type of training oriented towards taking care of a patient. In the EMT-Basic course, lasting approximately 120 hours, the individual learns skills such as making sure a scene is safe to be at, taking a patient’s blood pressure, pulse, etc., as well as how to treat traumatic injuries. Emergencies can range from a patient who has a small cut on their finger, to a person who has been in a car accident and needs to be put on a backboard, to someone in cardiac arrest needing CPR. Once we stabilize the patient, we await the arrival of an ambulance to transport him or her to the hospital.

The Williston Fire Department is very thankful for the continued support the town and its residents have provided over the years. Without the support of the town the department wouldn’t be able to provide the level of services currently offered as safely and effectively.

We hope you have a happy and safe holiday season.

The Williston Fire Department

Dining to defeat polio

The Williston Richmond Rotary would like to thank the Texas Roadhouse for an act of great generosity. Prior to their grand opening, they opened their restaurant to members of the community for a fundraising event for Polio Plus. The restaurant fed invited guests a great dinner and all proceeds for drinks and all tips were donated to Polio Plus via our Rotary Club.

All Rotary clubs around the world have a commitment to donate $1,000 a year for three years to raise $100 million in a matching grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The resulting $200 million will directly support immunization campaigns in developing countries, where polio continues to infect and paralyze children, robbing them of their futures and compounding the hardships faced by their families.

Thanks to the generosity of John Strout and the Texas Roadhouse, we met our three-year goal. They inspire us to continue our local club’s goal of going beyond our commitment to Rotary International.

Polio Plus is an international Rotary campaign to eradicate polio worldwide. Anyone who is interested in learning more about this important campaign, or about the other great things Rotary does around the world and here at home, is welcome to visit our club. We meet at the Williston Federated Church on Thursday mornings at 7:15. Breakfast is on us!

Dave Ericson and Dave Mullin

Co-chairmen of the Williston Richmond Rotary Polio Plus Committee

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