Observer photos by Shane Bufano

CVU track and field teams took sixth place in the prestigious event, drawing more than 30 teams, with a combined score of 86.14 points.

By Ginger Isham

It’s always fun to try something new in the kitchen. These recipes are from magazines found near the checkout in the supermarket. They are simple and don’t take a lot of time to prepare.

Mexican Pasta and Cheese (new version of Lasagna)

1 pound hamburger or sausage (I use Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage)

1 small onion, chopped

16-ounce jar of salsa (I like medium and find that Paul Newman ‘s has less salt)

8 ounces egg noodles or your choice

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (I use only 1 1/2 cups)

Pan fry the onion and sausage and drain. Stir in the salsa. Cook noodles as directed. In an 8×8-inch baking dish, make layers of salsa sauce, noodles and cheese, ending with cheese on top. Bake in a 375-degree oven for 30 minutes. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Mini Turkey Meatballs

1 egg

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup shredded sweet potato or carrot

1/4 cup chopped onion or green onions

dash of salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 pound ground turkey

1/2 cup soft whole wheat bread crumbs

Mix together egg, applesauce, sweet potato, onions, salt and pepper. Combine turkey and bread crumbs. Fold in egg mix. Mix well and chill in refrigerator for 2 to 24 hours. This allows the bread to absorb moisture. Shape into 3/4 to 1 inch meatballs. Put on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 450 degrees for 8 -10 minutes. Serve with favorite spaghetti sauce or cut in half as topping for pizza.

At the request of several friends here is a quick, make-ahead maple dessert.

Maple Custard

2 1/2 cups scalded milk and a pinch of salt

1/2 cup maple syrup (I use 1/3 cup), 3 eggs, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Put milk in microwave and heat until just before boiling. Whip together eggs, salt and maple syrup. Slowly add the hot milk and continue to whip. Add vanilla. Pour this into six 6-ounce custard cups. Place cups in a water bath. I use a 9×13-inch baking pan and add hot water. Bake in a 325-degree oven for about 40 minutes. Custard will be light and delicate. You can eat warm or cool and add whipped cream and/or fruit as a topping.

By Luke Baynes

Observer staff

Artistic Director Andrea Cronan designed the logo for the production’s posters.

Andrea Cronan, the artistic director for the Williston Central School Drama Club, had two main reasons for choosing “Honk!” as the school’s spring musical.

The first reason was practical.

“On average, we have at least 65-plus kids that audition for us each year,” Cronan said. “To try to find a show where you can have that many kids in your cast is really difficult.”

The second reason was didactic.

“It’s basically a story about being different, and being accepted for being different, which is a great theme for middle school, because they go through that in general,” she said.

“Honk!” is a 1993 musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s 1843 story “The Ugly Duckling.” In 2000, “Honk!” beat out “The Lion King” and “Mamma Mia!” for the Olivier Award for Best New Musical (the British equivalent of a Tony Award on Broadway).

For those who never read the Andersen fairy tale or never caught Walt Disney’s “Silly Symphony” version on television as a child, the story concerns an odd-looking duckling that wanders away from his flock after being mercilessly made fun of by the other farmyard fowl. After many trials and tribulations—including nearly freezing to death—he is reunited with his mother and is welcomed home as a handsome swan.

While the plot of “Honk!” differs slightly from the Andersen story, Cronan said the message is consistent and helps reinforce WCS’ bullying prevention lessons.

“I think it’s a great message for middle schoolers,” said Cronan. “It’s acceptance, I think, more than anything. Accepting people for who they are, and not how they look or what they believe.”

Cathy Rylant, the WCS technical director, said she expects the play will be enjoyed by both kids and parents.

“It’s a cute play. It’s very funny. It’s a lot of fun,” Rylant said. “The kids will like it because it’s a fun, kid-type thing, but there’s a lot of adult humor in there that the adults will really like.”

The WCS production boasts a cast of 67 students, plus an additional 30 crew members who worked on the set and will be behind the scenes during the show.

While Cronan admitted that it is sometimes stressful to oversee 97 students, she said it’s worth the effort.

“I really enjoy this age group because they truly do love being part of a production, and for some of these kids it’s the last opportunity they’ll have,” said Cronan. “They’ll go on to high school and they have to choose either a sport or theater, and I think it’s such a great opportunity for kids to get up there and express themselves on stage.”

The WCS Drama Club’s production of “Honk!” will feature three shows: Friday, May 11 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 12 at 1 p.m.; and Saturday, May 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8. For more information, call 879-5836 or email Julie Longchamp at jlongchamp@cssu.org.

Katherine P. Hill

Katherine P. Hill, 94, a resident of Williston for 49 years, died April 30, 2012 at Fletcher Allen Hospital, following a brief illness. She was born in 1917 in North Danville, Vt., to Clarence and Josephine Barrett, one of 15 children. Her early years were spent in St. Johnsbury, Vt., where she attended school and worked at Maple Grove. She married Charles T. Hill in 1946 and enjoyed all of their 66 years together. Her family was most important to her, and she always put their needs before hers. Besides living in St. Johnsbury, they lived in North Haverhill, N.H., and North Perry, Ohio before returning with their three children to Williston in 1963. She was a member of the Federated Church in Williston.

Survivors include: her husband, Charles Hill of Williston; daughter Kathy Root of Orleans, Neb.; son Rodney Hill and his wife, Priscilla, of Shelburne; daughter Deborah Hill of Williston; granddaughter Abby Armell, her husband, Justin, and their son, Liam, of Shelburne; and granddaughter Emily Hill of Shelburne. She is also survived by three brothers and one sister, a sister-in-law and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, two brothers and eight sisters. A graveside funeral was held on May 5, 2012 at the Grove Cemetery in East St. Johnsbury with the Rev. Jay Sprout officiating.

Donations made in her memory may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, Vermont Chapter, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 128, Williston, VT 05495.

Youth News

Music with Raphael

Mondays, 10:45 a.m. and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Come sing, dance and clap your hands with Raphael and his guitar. Traditional and original folk music for children up to age 5 with a caregiver. No pre-registration. Limit: one session per week per family.

After School Movie

Friday, May 18, 3 p.m. The Easter Bunny turns out to be the world’s worst houseguest in this family comedy. Rated PG. 95 minutes. Grades 1 and up. Children ages 8 and younger must be accompanied by an adult while in the library.

Babytime Playgroup

Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. -12 p.m. (except for the first Wednesday of each month). For infants and toddlers. Sponsored by Building Bright Futures of Williston. Call Marjorie Von Ohlsen for more information at 658-3659

Adult Programs 

Story Crafters Series

Sandy Baird—Finding the Path Forward. Monday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. Baird, Professor of Legal and Justice Studies at Burlington College and founder of The Caroline Baird Crichfield Fund for Women in Need, shares her story of how she overcame childhood adversities.

Story Crafters Series

Stephen Kiernan — The Pleasures of Story Hunting. Wednesday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. Journalist Stephen Kiernan will discuss his experiences with the pleasures of hunting for stories and the gratifications from sharing the best ones.

New Fiction

“An Unexpected Visitor,” by debut novelist Anne Korkeavivi, is the tale of a day-in-the-life of a British diplomat’s wife, a chance encounter and the suspense that ensues.

Rosamund Lupton, author of the bestselling “Sister,” weaves another riveting story of loss and love in the psychological thriller “Afterwards.”

New Non-Fiction

Special Agent Clint Hill reveals his story, from his humble beginnings at a North Dakota orphanage to the protective detail of his secret service assignment, in “Mrs. Kennedy and Me.”

Anna Quindlen reflects on the past, present and future and the ever-changing interests of women in “Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake: A Memoir.”

The Dorothy Alling Memorial Library is located at 21 Library Lane in Williston, and can be reached at 878-4918. www.williston.lib.vt.us