Williston Observer

By Karen Wyman

For the first time in years, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Grammys this year. Perhaps it was the black tie dress code, or the fact that actual bands comprised of artists playing their own instruments are finally making a comeback (nothing beats listening to a live rhythm section), or maybe it was the sound of authentic human vocals without any hint of auto tune that piqued my interest. Whatever it was, it reaffirmed how strong my love of music is and how powerful its effect can be. How many of you can hear a song and actually have it “take you back” to a time and place? How many of you crank up your favorite beats when you need to be motivated, cheered up or inspired?

I realize that my personal love of music started in the womb. Music was a huge part of my childhood, and if a movie was ever made of my life the soundtrack would be awesome. Thanks to my Mom and Dad, I learned to appreciate music very early, especially rock and roll. To this day, hearing the guitar riff to the Rolling Stones’ “Honky-Tonk Woman” or to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” or to any Creedence Clearwater Revival song puts an instant smile on my face.

I was also lucky to be introduced to the wonderful sounds of Motown and to the girl supergroups of the fifties and sixties. I can’t remember a family car ride, vacation or gathering where music wasn’t involved. Like many other children of the seventies and eighties, I remember watching with my family in complete amazement as Michael Jackson did the moonwalk for the first time on television. A few years later, I also remember getting to stay up late to watch the world premiere of Michael’s “Thriller” video. Music was always the one thing we could all agree on, and it always brought us together.

In turn, I am trying to expose my girls to an eclectic variety of music as well, and it fills me with excitement when I see them dancing and singing along to a classic hit. They may not be able to recite the “Pledge of Allegiance” yet, but they can sing every word to Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” and to Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.”

As I think back to music and my daughters’ childhoods thus far, I can see that Williston has been a great venue for helping to instill the love of music in them. My husband and I used to wheel them in their wagon every Thursday night during the summer to the Groovin’ on the Green concerts at Maple Tree Place. They would bounce and clap to rock, country and even Irish music. As long as there was a beat, they were happy.

The library was also a huge contributor to this love with Miss Ellie’s Preschool parties and Music with Raphael. Some of their first steps were made toward Miss Ellie’s acoustic guitar! Seeing how strong their love of music was and their fascination with instruments, I also registered them in the CVU Access Program’s early music classes.

My husband and I will never forget the first time we brought them to the Fourth of July celebration at Allen Brook School. As soon as the DJ started spinning tunes, they took off to the dance floor and never wanted to leave. I love to see these events and more are still going strong today, including Music with Mr. Chris at Buttered Noodles and of course, the Brick Church Music series.

As I stood recently with my girls and husband at the sold out Boston Garden for a Justin Bieber concert, I couldn’t help but smile as I recalled my own parents taking me to see Poison at a young age. Everyone thought my parents were so cool! Hopefully my girls will think the same of me one day. For now, I am just thrilled to be able to enjoy and share all types of music with them.

One of my girlfriends sent me an e-card that definitely rings true: “Successful parenting is finding 80s hair band music on your kid’s iPod.” Finally the confirmation I needed—it is OK that when asked what their favorite band is, my girls say Poison and Def Leppard!

Thank you Williston for offering up so many ways to expose us all to different types of music. And to the powers that be who book the Groovin’ on the Green acts: just an FYI that many 80s hairbands are looking for gigs these days…

Karen Wyman has been a Williston resident for seven years, and lives with her husband and twin 5-year-old daughters.

By Bill Skiff

A whimsical and historically inaccurate look back at Town Meeting—coming soon

On Jan. 1 this year, Williston began it’s 250^th year as a Vermont town.

Research done by Jim Heltz in Williston’s town records tells us “On June 7th 1773 Benning Wentworth, Governor of the province of New Hampshire, signed a charter to grant 23,040 acres of land to Samuel Wills and 64 other land proprietors. These acres comprised the Township of Williston.”

Where were Williston’s first town meetings held? You guessed it: down country. The first Town Meeting held in Williston was not until 1786.

This January, a committee of Williston residents, under the direction of Deb Beckett, began to plan events for the towns’ 250^th anniversary.

A town-wide celebration will be held on Monday, March 4, prior to the scheduled Annual Town Meeting. A potluck supper, starting at 6 p.m in the Williston Central School’s cafeteria, will feature foods from old Town Meetings. Bring your family as well as an old-time dish. Check out Ginger Isham’s column for some ideas or bring your own version of scalloped potatoes or red beet hash.

At 6:30 p.m., a group of citizens will perform an old-time Town Meeting play, featuring controversial topics debated in years past—including actual dialogue from town records. Come learn whether the west boundary of Abell’s farm was by the old crooked tree or by the large red rock. Help us elect a road commissioner and see if we can get the muddy, cruddy “ruds” fixed by spring. At the top of the agenda is whether Williston should be wet or dry. Challenging times are ahead for the town. We need your help.

Vermont’s first governor, Thomas Chittenden, will also be in attendance. Bring your camera to have your picture taken with the governor—a once–in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Come and help Williston embark on it’s 250th celebration in style. Bring your spirits, your food and your family to Williston’s Town Meeting dinner theater.

Monday, March 4, 6 p.m. at Williston Central School’s Cafeteria

BE THERE OR BE TAXED.

Bill Skiff grew up on a farm between Cambridge and Jeffersonville. After a career in education, he now lives in Williston, where he is a justice of the peace and Fourth of July frog-jumping official. In “Places I’ve Played,” he shares his experiences of growing up in Vermont. Comments are welcome at [email protected]

Observer staff report

A St. George landscaping company took home one of the top prizes in Green Works/Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association’s annual achievement awards. Green Works—a nonprofit organization representing Vermont’s garden centers, landscapers, horticulturalists and plant professionals—presented the awards at the 2013 Green Works Winter Meeting & Trade Show held earlier this month.

Brian Vaughan, who owns St. George-based Vaughan Landscaping Co., won the New England Nursery Association Young Nursery Professional of the Year award.

The award honors someone in the horticultural industry under 40 years old who “has shown involvement in his or her state and/or regional nurserymen’s association, has contributed to the growth and success of their company of employment and has portrayed an image to the public of what our products and services can do for them,” according to a Green Works press release.

Vaughan, originally from Thetford, studied Urban Forestry and Landscape Horticulture with a minor in Applied Design at UVM. While there, he founded the University’s Horticultural Club, which still exists today.

Vaughan launched his landscaping company in 2002, specializing in landscape design, stonework and installation.

In 2007, Vaughan was nominated to serve on the board of directors for the Friends of the Horticulture Farm, eventually becoming curator of the perennial gardens.

In 2011, Vaughan was nominated to the Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association Board and is currently serving as a director. He has been a VNLA member and Vermont certified horticulturist since 2000.

The event also honored several other Vermonters.

Don and Lela Avery, who own Cady’s Falls Nursery in Morrisville, won the Horticultural Achievement Award.

Chris Conant, of Colchester-based Claussen’s Florist, Greenhouse and Perennial Farm, won the Environmental Awareness Award.

Julie Rubaud, who owns Red Wagon Plants in Hinesburg, took home the Retailer of the Year Award.

The UVM Student Merit Award went to Ferrisburgh native John R. Bruce, a senior studying sustainable landscape horticulture.

Players learn lacrosse skills at last year’s free lacrosse clinic, hosted by Curtis Lacrosse. This year, the company is adding a free clinic for Williston players ages 5 to 12. (Observer courtesy photo)

A Williston lacrosse company is hosting two free clinics for local youth players.

Curtis Lacrosse is set to hold a clinic for Williston players on May 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at Allen Brook School, offered in conjunction with the Williston Recreation Department. The co-ed clinic is for beginner to intermediate players ages 5 to 12.

Williston resident Kelly Curtis—who owns Curtis Lacrosse with her husband, Ryan Curtis—said the goal of the clinics is to get young players excited about lacrosse.

“We teach them the terminology and to throw and catch, all the basics, and then we get them excited about the sport by playing fun games with them, using all their new skills,” she said.

She noted that Williston already has a “great” program for older players.

“We’d love to start something for the little guys,” she said.

A second free clinic, for boys ages 8 through 18, is set for April 14, from 9 a.m. to noon at UVM’s Virtue Field. Kelly Curtis said registration is currently full, but encouraged players to join the waiting list, as the Curtises might expand the clinic size.

Ryan Curtis is the University of Vermont’s men’s head lacrosse coach, and has played professional lacrosse. Kelly Curtis runs the Northeast Classic, a local nonprofit college lacrosse tournament.

Ryan Curtis’ fellow UVM coaches, along with many players on the UVM team, have signed on to help run the clinics. Players who sign up for the April clinic also get a free ticket to the April 13 UVM game, giving clinic attendees a chance to see their coaches in action.

“It is a great opportunity for local lacrosse players to get three full hours of instruction from some of the best lacrosse coaches in the area,” Kelly Curtis said.

To register for either clinic, visit www.curtislacrosse.com.

—Stephanie Choate, Observer staff

Education must improve

On Feb. 12, 2013 President Obama addressed the public about the current issues and policies in America in his State of the Union address. One of the main issues he addressed was the importance of increasing the quality of education both for early childhood and secondary education. I would like to say that I agree with the president about the need for improvement. As a special education major at Salve Regina University, I’m quite concerned about the current and new policies being created for education.

As a recent graduate of public education, I agree that the quality of education varies greatly between schools and communities, and that where you live shouldn’t determine the quality of education you receive. It is my belief that I received an amazing education from public school, but when I compare my education to those of my peers at college, I see a wide range of competency. At times, I feel that I’m at an unfair advantage because I was exposed to a better education in high school than others. It’s not fair to have students spend 12-plus years in school and still not be prepared for college or a successful job. We must make the time invested count. I intend to do my part in increasing the quality in education in America; I just hope that our government can keep up its promise.

Breanna Willard

Williston