By Natacha Liuzzi
Responsible Growth Hinesburg

Responsible Growth Hinesburg is holding its 8th Annual Tiny Art Auction, starting on July 4. Bidding for the auction, which ends on July 11, will be done online here.

Each original piece of art in the auction measures just four inches by four inches. This year’s artists include Mary Azarian, Ashley Wolff, Mary Hill, Gregry Maguire, Andy Newman, Liza Woodruff, Marguerite Jarvis and many others.

This year will also include children’s art with a “buy now” option on the Fourth of July during the parade. This year's proceeds will be split between the Hinesburg Food Shelf and NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont).

By James Gelber
Hinesburg Resident

I am writing to express my strong support for Molly Gray for Lt. Governor. I have known Molly for about two years. I met her when she was the executive director of the Vermont Afghan Alliance, a Vermont nonprofit dedicated to helping Afghan refugees in Vermont. I worked in Afghanistan years ago, was very impressed with many aspects of Afghan culture and was distressed and infuriated with our country’s abandonment of the country and particularly all the Afghans who risked their lives to assist us there. I joined the Alliance board in 2025 and am now the president of the board. (Let me say now that this letter is my opinion and not a statement for the Alliance.)

I was and remain very impressed with Molly’s leadership. She is hardworking, organized and knowledgeable. Equally, she is also incredibly empathetic and inspirational. Not many people combine both sides of leadership to that extent. As for organizational expertise: in the span of a few years Molly managed to grow the Alliance from a small driving education program into a statewide organization that has helped hundreds of new Vermonters access driver’s licenses, jobs, housing, immigration legal services and other essential social services.

As the Alliance’s director, Molly employed Afghans, building community and an office that was culturally and linguistically informed. Molly created an atmosphere of support and compassion, knowing the challenges of a new culture and that so many remain separated from family still in Afghanistan. Molly also cared deeply about protecting, and fighting for, the rights of those who risked everything for our government.

When President Trump tried to defund the Alliance, Molly raised the funds to keep it going. When ICE wrongfully detained an Afghan man, Molly rallied immigration attorneys and prevented his deportation. When Vermont ended SNAP (food assistance) for some Afghans, Molly worked with the legislature, attorneys and our Congressional delegation to get it reinstated and to raise funds for any shortfalls. She did this all while leading the organization, working with community partners, and caring day in and day out for every member of the Afghan community, ensuring they knew she had their back.

I know Molly will have the back of all Vermonters as Lt. Governor. I know she will use every tool at her disposal to help protect Vermonters from unlawful federal action, and she will fight every day for the needs of our communities. I’ve seen it firsthand.

Moreover, Molly’s intelligence, work ethic, acumen and empathetic heart are unparalleled and are exactly what we need in the years ahead.

I encourage all of you to vote for Molly Gray for Lt. Governor in the Democratic primary on Aug. 11, and to support her campaign in any other way available to you.

By Geoffrey Gevalt
Hinesburg Record staff reporter

CVSD got its answer on Thursday: The proposed artificial turf field at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg is unlikely to cause any contamination of Hinesburg’s primary source of water.

In its 91-page draft report released to The Record (and attached below), Waite Heindel Environmental Management said: “There is very little likelihood that the proposed artificial turf (AT) field at Field B at CVU high school will cause detectable levels of PFAS in Hinesburg Well 4, let alone levels that exceed the current state and federal drinking water standards for PFAS.” PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” which are present in plastics.

Its other conclusions:

• “If PFAS is detected in the future in Hinesburg Well 4, it would be unlikely to be able to ascribe its source as an AT field at CVU, given the low permeability of the underlying silt-clay soils, the upward gradient of groundwater from the bedrock aquifer, and the proposed improved stormwater management system.

• “Microplastics are likely to be released by wear-and-tear from an AT field at CVU. The proposed improved stormwater management system is likely to capture some MPs, but the current state of knowledge about MPs means that the degree of capture is not predictable at this time.

• “There are no drinking water standards for MPs, and we do not anticipate federal or state drinking water standards for MPs for one or more decades – so the regulatory impacts on Hinesburg Well 4 from MPs in general are unknown.”

CVSD Superintendent Adam Bunting, in releasing the report to The Record, said the district is making an effort to be “transparent” but declined to provide a specific comment since he had just received the report and wanted to spend time studying it.

Eli Lesser-Goldsmith of Charlotte is leading the group proposing the $6 million, privately-financed, artificial turf field, grandstand, lighting, concession building, bathroom and ADA access. He could not be reached for comment.

The Hinesburg Planning Commission, meanwhile, sent a letter to the CVSD board outlining its concerns with the proposed artificial turf field and noting that the project faces numerous required permits and public hearings should the board vote to accept it. (Letter below.)

Jennifer Decker, a member of the Commission who has recused herself from the discussion because of her opposition to the turf field, said she was looking through the report and would issue a statement later.

Craig Heindel, one of the principals of the Burlington environmental firm hired by the district, will be making a formal presentation of the study at the CVSD board meeting next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the CVU library. Bunting said it was possible that the board could take a vote on Tuesday but there would be time set aside for public comment both before and after the presentation.

The study was begun on May 11 at the request of the CVSD board. The work included CVU site visits; interviews with CVU personnel familiar with the field in question (Field B, which is diagonally behind the oval track and has had a notorious drainage problem); review of studies of Hinesburg’s Water Source Protection report (also attached below); review of scientific literature related to artificial turf fields, PFAS and micro-plastics; interviews with personnel in environmental agencies in Vermont and New Hampshire; and interviews with neighbors of CVU with wells.

The study focused on Hinesburg’s primary water source, Well 4, which is located off Shelburne Falls Road and is approximately 4,000 feet from CVU. It was not clear why Well 6, located at the Haystack Crossing development and due to come online in early winter, was not part of the study. (FYI, Well 5 was taken offline several years ago after contaminants leached into the water from the old gasoline tanks in front of Lantman’s Market that have since been removed.)

However, Hinesburg Town Manager Todd Odit told The Record that Well 6 is not in the source protection area. “The greatest threat identified in the Well 6 source protection area plan is the contamination from Lantman’s.”

Subscribe now

Here are some of the technical findings summarized in the Waite Heindel report:

• Soils at the site are low-permeability silts derived from lake bottom sediments of Glacial Lake Vermont. Soil depths over bedrock at Field B are not precisely known; bedrock outcrops are seen a few hundred feet north and west of the field. However, if the thicknesses of the low-permeability silts under Field B are substantial, they could provide significant protection from potential contaminants from an artificial turf field at Field B.

• Data from nearby well logs and descriptions by CVU personnel indicate the likely presence of an upward gradient in the groundwater beneath Field B. This would impede contaminants from penetrating into the underlying bedrock aquifer, and provide substantial protection to nearby private water wells and to Hinesburg Well 4.

• Studies at various locations in the U.S. and Europe indicate that artificial turf fields could be sources of PFAS and microplastics in the environment, via stormwater discharges.

• Due to the ubiquitous nature of PFAS, their levels identified in artificial turf field materials and related stormwater discharges are generally similar to background levels that exist in the environment.

• Specifically related to the AT field proposed at CVU, our worst-case scenario calculations indicate that it is unlikely that PFAS from the artificial turf materials in the proposed field at CVU will cause the concentrations in Hinesburg Well 4 to increase to a detectable level, let alone reach the current Vermont and federal drinking water standards.

• Regarding microplastics, the current assessment of the rates, fate, transport – and importance – of potential releases of microplastics is limited. Microplastics levels released from artificial turf fields depend on variable factors, such as physical stress/wear placed on the field and environmental impact to the field.

• Specifically related to the artificial field proposed at CVU, the current stormwater management system is likely to capture some of the microplastics released from the artificial turf field, and the proposed stormwater collection and treatment system for the field will likely treat stormwater to a greater degree than the existing system. It would also likely require that the current stormwater management system (and its state permit) be updated.

• There are no drinking water standards for MPs, and we do not anticipate federal or state drinking water standards for MPs for one or more decades – so the regulatory impacts on Hinesburg Well 4 from microplastics in general are unknown.

In making its general conclusion that it would be unlikely the proposed field could contaminate Hinesburg’s water, the Burlington firm wrote this about a worst-case scenario:

“In order for PFOS [the most common PFAS compound] in Hinesburg Well 4 to exceed its drinking water standard, approximately four percent of the entire mass of PFOS in all of the grass blades would need to leach from the field and reach Hinesburg Well 4 in a single day – AND that this leaching would continue for approximately 26 more days. After this 27-day period, all of the PFOS would be leached out from the grass blades (1.4 mg/day of released PFOS, times 27 days of release, equals 37.7 mg of PFOS available from the proposed artificial field). From that time going forward, the PFOS concentration in Hinesburg Well 4 would decline back to its current non-detected level.”

The firm added that currently Hinesburg’s water has no detectable PFAS in the water.

Cvu Hydrology Study

7.86MB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

Planning Commission Letter

162KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

Hinesburg Source Protection Plan Update September, 2025

27.8MB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

Six new homes in two separate buildings will soon be built by Habitat for Humanity on Mechanicsville Road. Read about options to purchase one of the homes, and about volunteer opportunities, in the full article by the Affordable Housing Committee.

Selectboard Pushes Back on Town Common

At their June 17 meeting, the selectboard and Assistant Town Manager Joy Grossman expressed concerns about the proposed playground, costs and maintenance responsibilities. The Town Common Committee sought approval from the selectboard to order the playground equipment. The selectboard requested a formal budget spreadsheet and physical maintenance plan to be presented before approving the plan. Read the full article, including other selectboard meeting items, here.

Forest Management in the Hinesburg Town Forest

The Economou Road parking area will be temporarily closed to parking, and the Enchanted Forest Trail will soon be temporarily closed, due to logging operations. Check out all the details in the full article by the Town Forest Committee.

CVU News

Letter to the Editor

Hinesburg resident Geri Knortz wrote to us regarding the proposed turf field. They believe estimates of income from proposed artificial turf field fail to consider the costs associated with putting on events. Read her letter here.

Obituary: David Claude Rondeau

David Claude Rondeau, beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on June 7, 2025, at the UVM Medical Center in Burlington. Read the full obituary here.

Obituary: Dennis Willmott

Accomplished blues guitarist Dennis Willmott was known far and wide for his skill, friendship and mentoring. The longtime Hinesburg resident died Sunday, June 14, surrounded by friends and family. Read the full obituary, and view a video of his “last gig” with friends, here.

If you support our advertisers, you are supporting The Record.

Word of the Week – Nonce

This interesting word was used in a Stephen King book I read recently, but I also found it in an 1864 short story by Scottish author, poet and Congregational minister George MacDonald. He is considered the founding father of modern fantasy writing and was a mentor to Lewis Carroll. Read all about nonce, MacDonald, and a warning about an alternative meaning for nonce here.

In case you missed it…

Recreation News and 4th of July Schedule

It’s just around the corner – the Fourth of July! Although there won’t be fireworks, there will be a parade and other activities. See details, and read other Recreation Dept. news here.

Hinesburg Record Editor Receives Award

Burlington City Arts announced Saturday, June 13, that Geoffrey Gevalt is this year’s recipient of the Herb Lockwood Prize for lifetime achievement in the arts. Read the full article here.

Upcoming

Tuesday, June 23

• Energy & Climate Action Committee Meeting, 7:30-9 p.m. Town Hall, lower-level conference room and via Zoom.

Wednesday, June 24

• Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Town Hall, lower-level conference room and via Zoom. Agenda and details here.

• The Power of Singing. Hinesburg Resists will be hosting “The Power of Singing” 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the United Church of Hinesburg’s Parish Hall. Local musician Rik Palieri will be joined by members of the Central Vermont Solidarity Singers. Details here.

• The Underwater Archaeology of the American Revolution on Lake Champlain, a Vermont Humanities program hosted by Carpenter-Carse Library. 7-8 p.m. Details here.

Thursday, June 25

• Shelburne Museum’s Summer Nights, 5-7:30 p.m. Admission is free. On select summer nights, the museum extends their hours so you can visit galleries, listen to live music, savor fantastic food truck bites, enjoy a picnic, and stroll through the gardens. Live music from The Tenderbellies. Details here.

By Claire MacDonald
Hinesburg Record Staff Reporter

The selectboard and representatives from the Town Common Committee discussed and debated decisions about the future of the newly constructed common – namely, about the planned playground structure and maintenance of the space – in the selectboard’s only meeting this month on June 17.

Town Common Committee Secretary Rachel Kring and committee member Maggie Gordon sought selectboard approval for beginning the installation of a playground at the common. They noted the substantial amount of time ordering the equipment takes – typically between 10-12 weeks, Kring said – and their desire to start this process by the fall, so that the structure would be usable before winter.

However, Chairperson Merrily Lovell, Assistant Town Manager Joy Grossman, and selectboard member Mike Loner were apprehensive about allowing the Town Common Committee to move forward with this process.

“I am concerned about the financial picture, the total cost of the pavilion, and maintenance,” Lovell said.

Lovell, Grossman, and Loner questioned how the playground – and the pavilion as a whole – are intended to be maintained, and what department or group this task would belong to.

“Could there be a weekly maintenance plan? What is going to happen to keep that area looking attractive?” Grossman asked.

Loner asked if there would be weekly checks on the playground structure to ensure its safety.

Kring noted that Hinesburg is unique in that it has a recreation department, but no parks and recreation department. Thus, it is uncertain what body is responsible for caretaking of the common.

She added that the Town Common Committee has discussed different iterations of what this could look like – whether the committee itself would take on a more managerial role of the space, whether there could be a volunteer-based maintenance service, or whether there could be the creation of a “friends of the common” committee, for example.

Loner and Grossman also raised concerns about the drainage of the site and its tendency to collect water.

“There is no getting around the fact that it is [built on] compacted clay,” Gordon said.

Kring said the Town Common Committee has a plan to add rain-garden plants, to help mitigate the poor drainage in the area.

The selectboard requested a formal budget spreadsheet and physical maintenance plan to be presented before approving the plan for the Town Common Committee to move forward with the playground installation. They determined an extra selectboard meeting will be held when this becomes available – most likely next week via Zoom.

The selectboard additionally reviewed and approved:

• the delinquent dog list;

• proposed personnel policy changes as of July 1: changing the term CTO (Combined Time Off) to PTO (Paid Time Off); this only affects non-union employees;

• a public hearing on July 1 (the next selectboard meeting date) regarding the water and wastewater budget; and

• a motion to have an executive session, closed to the public, for the evaluation of a public employee.

Grossman shared the Town Manager report:

• Bids for the Hollow Road Bridge were expected by Friday, June 19. The town hopes this bridge work will be done next summer.

• Town offices were closed on June 19 for Juneteenth Day and will be closed July 3 for the Fourth of July.

Town Manager Todd Odit and board member Paul Lamberson were not in attendance.

Subscribe now

By Cathy Ryan

I’m an avid Wordle player, so I’m always happy to learn a new five-letter word. This week’s Word of the Week is nonce. I read it in Stephen King’s Black House:

“And here we are, in the speaking circle,” Parkus says. His smiles have been put away for the nonce.

In its noun form, it means the present occasion. “For the nonce” is similar to “for the time being.”

In its adjective form, it describes something made or invented for just one certain occasion. For example, linguistic researchers will often make up a word – which is then called a “nonce word” – for testing children’s understanding of a language. They might hand an item to a child and say, “This is a wug. if you had three of them, you would have three…” and if the child answers “wugs,” they know the child applied a language rule to a new situation. They know the child didn’t simply memorize “wugs” from hearing it before, because they’ve never heard it before – it’s a nonce word.

Unfortunately, I can’t really recommend King’s Black House unless you are a die-hard Stephen King fan, and have read the first book in the series, The Talisman – in which case, go for it! The third and final book in the series is coming out this fall. There is quite a bit of graphic violence in Black House.

So, I searched my Kindle to see if nonce appears in any other books I have – one that I can more enthusiastically recommend. It does! It’s in The Shadows, a short story by George MacDonald (1824-1905).

George MacDonald’s writing is all in the public domain, and you can read his stories online or download ebook files at standardebooks.org. The story Shadows is in a collection of short fiction found here. “Nonce” appears in this paragraph:

When they came in sight of the mountain-lake, the king saw that it was crowded over its whole surface with a changeful intermingling of Shadows. They were all talking and listening alternately, in pairs, trios, and groups of every size. Here and there large companies were absorbed in attention to one elevated above the rest, not in a pulpit, or on a platform, but on the stilts of his own legs, elongated for the nonce. The aurora, right overhead, lighted up the lake and the sides of the mountains, by sending down from the zenith, nearly to the surface of the lake, great folded vapours, luminous with all the colours of a faint rainbow.

I actually haven’t read this book yet, or anything else by George MacDonald, but now I want to! George MacDonald was a Scottish author, poet and Congregational minister. He is considered the founding father of modern fantasy writing and was a mentor to Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland).

Similar to how A. A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh) described his own writing, MacDonald said, “I write, not for children, but for the child-like, whether they be of five, or fifty, or seventy-five.” MacDonald’s books The Princess and the Goblin and At the Back of the North Wind are popular books for children. But not all of his stories are for children. The above quoted paragraph is pretty complex. One of his more well-known novels, Lilith, concerns the nature of life, death, salvation, and divine punishment. Like C. S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia), some of MacDonald’s stories have a religious theme.

C. S. Lewis described how he picked up MacDonald’s Phantastes: A faerie Romance for Men and Women at a train station book stall, and “the book baptized my imagination.” Lewis would later call MacDonald his “master.”

Madeleine L'Engle (A Wrinkle in Time) considered MacDonald an important literary and spiritual mentor. She declared that he was “the grandfather of us all – all of us who struggle to come to terms with truth through fantasy.”

The video below gives an interesting description of MacDonald, his writing, and its impact on Lewis and other writers.

Caution: Another Definition of Nonce…

While googling the word nonce, I did discover that British English gives a much different definition of the word. We all know of some interesting differences between American and British English – chips meaning potato chips or corn chips in American English, but meaning french fries in British English. Pants meaning trousers in American English, but underwear in British English. Well, in British English, nonce is a slang word, often used as a terrible insult, because it means a person who commits a crime involving sex, especially sex with a child – a pedophile. Oh dear. I do like learning new words that can be used as insults, but I think I’ll steer clear of this one…

You can read the previous Word of the Week (tittle) here.

By The Town Forest Committee

Forest management activities will begin again in the very near future at the Economou Road parking area of the Hinesburg Town Forest. The parking area will be closed to vehicle parking. Those who wish to access the HTF from the end of Economou Road in Huntington will need to park their vehicle at the cul-de-sac at the end of Economou Road or along the side of Economou Road. Please be considerate of the residents of Economou Road. Don’t block driveways. Park off the shoulder. Do not block access.

Access to the HTF from the end of Economou Road will remain open for hikers, bikers, and runners.

Be careful to avoid logging operations and logging vehicles. Only the Enchanted Forest Trail will be closed for logging. The Eagle’s Trail and all trails accessed from beyond the gate in the parking area will be open as usual.

NOTE: Alger’s Place Trail is still closed due to muddy conditions from this past winter’s logging operations. Please check Trailforks.com for updated trail condition reports.

Please anticipate timber harvest operations to last through the summer and plan accordingly for your visit to the HTF.

If you prefer to avoid the area, parking is available at the access points to the HTF at the ends of Hayden Hill Road East, Hayden Hill Road West, and along Lincoln Hill Road.

By Rocky Martin
Hinesburg Affordable Housing Committee

If you have driven recently on Mechanicsville Road near the so-called CVU four corners, you’ve undoubtedly seen the giant excavator and bulldozer sitting where a house once stood. (My two-year-old grandson loves this.) This is the site of a Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity (GMHFH) upcoming project; six new homes in two separate buildings.

The project has been in the works for almost two years with help from Hinesburg residents Rolf (Truex Cullins) and Rem Kielman (Wagner Hodgson) providing architectural and landscape design respectively, and Bryan Currier (O’Leary Burke) providing engineering services. The new GMHFH CEO is Brett Johnson, born and raised in Hinesburg, also a current Hinesburg resident.

Each townhome-style unit will feature three bedrooms with two baths. Once all permits are in place, construction is expected to begin next month in July. All six units will be under construction at the same time and are expected to be completed in 2027. These homes will be built by GMHFH and then sold by Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) through their Shared Equity Program with income limits and resale restrictions. Buyers will be required to qualify for both programs. Final sale price will be determined as soon as foundations are complete.

These six homes are not all spoken for yet, so apply soon if interested. Here’s a brief overview of how these programs work. Prospective buyers start by submitting an application with CHT. To be eligible you must 1) be able to qualify for a conventional mortgage, 2) be able to pay for closing costs and 3) meet income limits (for example – maximum of $79,800 for family of two, $89,800 for family of three). The Shared Equity Program refers to future sales of the property whereby the owner receives a share of the increased value; the rest stays with the property to allow it to be perpetually affordable. If eligible through the CHT program, then submit an application with GMHFH.

To qualify through their program, you must 1) demonstrate a need for affordable housing such as current expenses for housing over 30 percent of income, 2) have the ability to pay off a mortgage with above income limits, and 3) be willing to partner with Habitat by providing at least 200 hours of sweat equity labor on site or at a Habitat ReStore (friends and family members can volunteer for 100 of the hours) in the building of your home. For more information about qualifying for or purchasing a home, visit Green Mountain Habitat For Humanity’s website where you can fill out a Home Interest Form. Or call GMHFH at 802-872-8726. For more information about qualifying for CHT programs, email buyahome@getahome.org or call 802-861-7373. CHT has a handy checklist for both programs on their website.

This project couldn’t be done without the help of volunteers – lots and lots of them. No experience is needed to help on a Habitat build site. They provide all tools, equipment and hard hats; all you need to do is show a willingness to get dirty, work hard safely and smile. An experienced builder acts as project manager or team leader on the build site to direct volunteers. Volunteers will be needed on this build from the start of foundations all the way through to finish trim. Businesses or organizations can volunteer to come as a team. And experienced tradespeople or businesses are especially welcome to volunteer. For more information on volunteering see the GMHFH website.

Watch for future Front Porch Forum posts on the timing of construction start and volunteer opportunities.

Other Habitat possibilities will be upcoming with two homes as part of the Flying Tractor development just down the road as well as eight homes as part of the Windy Ridge development adjacent to NRG.

Our beloved David Claude Rondeau, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on June 7, 2025, at the UVM Medical Center in Burlington. We want to thank the staff at UVM for their outpouring dedication while David was in their care.

David was born June 28, 1947, in Burlington, Vermont.

David spent his youth working on his uncle’s farm, where he acquired many of his fix-it skills that followed him throughout his life. If it was broken, he could fix it. After graduating from Burlington High School in 1966, David joined the U.S. Navy and served during the Vietnam War as a Radar Electrical Technician on the U.S.S. Hornet and U.S.S. Enterprise. David went to California and worked on stereo repair for a time. After returning home he worked on his uncle’s farm once again while also studying to be an electrician. Soon after, he found the love of his life, Monica Bruce. On Dec. 22, 1979, they were joined in marriage. In 1981 they were blessed with a son, Joshua David Rondeau. They built their family home in Hinesburg. David worked at RSG Electric, and in his senior years Vermont Railway.

David was always one to be there when something needed to be fixed. He was very diligent, determined, and spoke with conviction. David was a handyman for many; his excellent work ethic was appreciated by all. He also enjoyed family time.

David was predeceased by his mother Simone Curtis, father Claude Rondeau, stepmother Patricia, and brother Lawrence Rondeau. He was also predeceased by extended family Debbie and Mark.

David is survived by his siblings, Sylvia Arnold, Ronald Rondeau, Helene Rondeau, Louise Curtis and Laurie Curtis; his extended family, Stephen, Brenda, Joey, and Scott; as well as his son Joshua Rondeau and daughter-in-law Beth of Georgia, Vermont; and David’s Ggrandson Wyatt Rondeau of Georgia whom he adored.

There was a graveside service on June 13, 2025, at Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington.

Dennis Willmott, 80, an accomplished blues guitarist and a longtime Hinesburg resident, died Sunday, June 14, surrounded by friends and family.

He was born in Woodstock, NY to artistic parents, Cyril and Mary Garrity Willmott and grew up in Cambridge, MA. He was deeply inspired by Flamenco and blues music, and got to frequent and play in the local music venues around Cambridge with his close friend Shantu and younger brother, Robbie.

In 1968 he married Marian Howard and settled down in Vermont. He worked as a builder and then started a Design/Build Company with Michael Abate. He left the business to work as a designer for the architect Turner Brooks and later with the architectural firm, TruexCullins. He has tremendous gratitude for this opportunity and experience.

His life was enriched by his 58-year marriage to Marian and three amazing children, Milo, Leala and Brady, their spouses, Tyler Enfield, Kelly Willmott and Jada Barton and three grandchildren, Lucas, Anika and Indigo. He was fortunate to find land in Hinesburg with spectacular views in 1973 where he built a house and spent the rest of his years. Skiing (a special thank you to Cochran’s racing program), windsurfing and walking in the woods along with a number of cats, dogs and horses throughout the years added to the riches. He lived a life fueled by passion and humor.

Music was his love from the time he was young. In 1997 he established the blues band Left Eye Jump with his close friend, Dan Whalen. The band played in venues throughout the state and for many years played every Saturday afternoon at the Red Square in Burlington. He felt tremendous gratitude for the fantastic musicians he got to play with – particularly his band mates Jeff Salisbury, Kenny Bleckly, Tom Buckley, Bill Darrow, Joe Moore, Bill Mullins, Dwight Ritcher and Greg Izor along with many others, too numerous to name here. He also had the honor of playing with Big Joe Burrell.

He was passionate about keeping traditional blues alive and was active in the blues community, helping to revive the Vermont Blues Society and hosting many blues jams with his band, encouraging both seasoned and young players to perform. As one musician put it, “He lifts everyone up.”

Perhaps his biggest legacy is his natural love and connection to the people he interacted with, whether a waitress, a co-worker, a fan or a chance encounter. Nathaniel, who managed the sound at The Red Square for the band, expressed it well.

“You’ve always exuded kindness and radiated positivity, you bring out the best qualities in people and give them the confidence to be the best versions of themselves,” Marian wrote to The Record. “I think that’s a big part of what made Saturdays so special for all these years. We all got to share your light.”
There will be a celebration of life later in the summer.

One of Dennis’ last gigs with friends at his bedside (video courtesy of Marian Willmott):

Dennis co-founded the Vermont Blues Society with Marian, Charlie Frazier and Sandy Combs in 2018.

The group expressed its sadness on a Facebook post shortly after his passing:

• “Today the State of Vermont mourns the passing of a man who dedicated his life to the music he loved. Dennis was instrumental in helping and encouraging so many great Vermont musicians to pursue their passion and love for the Blues. Dennis worked to keep the Blues alive in Vermont for decades. He always encouraged younger players to step right up and join in one of the hundreds of Blues Jam Sessions he organized.
  
  ”There is an irreplaceable hole left in the heart of the Vermont Blues scene and we will all miss him.”

More than 100 people responded with remembrances and condolences. Here are a few:

• “I had a chance to meet Dennis when he came out to the Enosburg Opera House jam a couple months back. It was freezing night, but he was still on fire on stage, a perfect example of that extra touch that makes a performer great. He had an awesome energy, he was just about dancing while he was playing. I wish I got to see more of his music.” (Richard Durazo) 

• “His blues jams were a gift to all who attended, and especially to the people he encouraged to get up and play. And a good soul, to boot. Rest in rhythm.” (Joe Tymecki)

• “Dennis was the driving force for me to once again appreciate and love the blues. Dennis kept honing his craft and improving with age. We have lost such a great man.”(Ken Grillo)

• “This is such a loss. Dennis was a one-of-a-kind musician and human being. Firm, but kind and a wicked sense of humor. No one picked a guitar and sang like this man. No one. He was the guitarist in my first band. We did a lot of “Ski for Heat“ shows. He was a real pleasure to work with. R.I.P. my friend.” (Bob Stannard)

• “Man, I am just crushed by this. Dennis was a pro on the truest sense of the word. He was always a true pleasure to work with and the man KNEW how to play. I loved working with him. Much love and peace to his family and friends. The world is a sadder place without him.” (Thomas Carvey)

• “So sad to hear. I met him in person (at a rest stop) last year when he sold me his 339. We spent about an hour trading war stories until his wife called and saved us from our own shaggy dog telling. RIP and condolences to all closer to him!” (Chris Stovall Brown)

• “Dennis was the most heartfelt musicians I have ever seen! Proud to call him a friend! I believe every time I saw him play I learned something! What a loss to the music scene!! Praying for his family! Peace and Love, Big Al.” (Alan Lemery)

• “So very sorry to hear this … One of a kind for sure. I will never forget his smile and the way he would light up when we walked into a gig. Made our wedding day extra special by singing Call on Me by Bobby Bland for ‘our song.’” (Jennifer Lynne)

• “Oh my heavens - one of the most beautiful souls I know has left us. Dennis - your star will shine more brightly than most - and we will always hold you and your music in our hearts. Love you.” (Melinda Moulton)

I have written to the CVU school board to request that an accurate budget estimate for revenue and costs related to the turf field project be presented to CVU district residents. I am concerned that the information presented to date has been very incomplete and presents an inaccurate picture for taxpayers.

It is disingenuous to state that the estimated annual revenue from field rental will fund the turf field replacement in 10 years, as well as to omit annual costs related to turf field installation and maintenance. The incomplete current financial presentation appeals to taxpayers as a “revenue generator” and “net neutral” tax impact. Prior to any vote to install an artificial turf field it is incumbent on all board members to require an accurate budget be presented to them and to the CVU town residents.

Regarding the estimated revenue for field rentals, there are several questions. Estimates from the sponsoring group range from $50,000 to $100,000 annually. How is that estimate determined, is it accurate, and….is that gross or net? Have the expenses related to hosting an event (especially a VPA event) been part of the calculations? As the former Athletics Director at Saint Michael’s College (1997-2015), I have significant experience hosting VPA events on campus. There are major expenses that must be budgeted for when hosting these events including: personnel costs related to ticket sales, parking, ticket-taking and gate security (bag search for alcohol and other substances), scoreboard operation, police coverage, EMS coverage, event management (including dealing with spectators under the influence), and custodial cleanup, as well as potential costs related to utilities for lights and turf maintenance. Have all of these items been included in the budget to attain the true projected revenue?

Next, the 10-year, end-of-life replacement costs need to be considered. The current presented figure of $500,000 replacement cost does not account for inflationary costs, nor does it include the hazardous waste removal/disposal of the old turf cost estimate of $350,000. Taking both into consideration, the replacement costs could well exceed $1M. Certainly, the projected 10-year net field rental revenue falls far short of funding the true replacement costs. Will taxpayers be expected to take on the burden of these costs? Will they also be responsible for remediation costs should they be necessary to clean up any contamination?

Finally, it is unclear that the presented budget analysis of annual turf maintenance includes all necessary and required aspects. The maintenance costs for artificial turf sports fields can approach $20,000 per year, and that cost is not clearly delineated in the current $15,000 budget presented.

• For the 10-year warranty to remain valid, typically installation companies minimally require semi-annual visits from individuals on their list of certified maintenance contractors. These costly but necessary visits address issues related to infill replacement, seam repair, Clegg Compaction Test, and sanitizing and general turf grooming. What is the cost of the annual maintenance contract with certified technicians and is it included in the current projected budget?

• Is there anticipated snow removal for the turf field? Is the cost of plowing included in the annual budget (equipment and labor)? Is there special equipment that is needed specific to snow removal on the turf field? Will plowing the field void or exclude any warranty aspects?

• Does the warranty contract have stipulations on the annual number of hours of use and/or number of permitted events? Will this limit the outside use/rental income?

• Is there a line-item cost allocation for annual water filtration expenses?

• Does the contract include an irrigation system, and what is the annual cost for that? While optional, irrigation is highly desirable in order to control heat and crumb rubber infill suppression.

• What is the annual increased utility budget for use of turf lights?

In summary, in order to produce an accurate budget presentation, net revenue, 10-year replacement costs, and complete annual use/maintenance costs must be included.

I appeal to the board to require an accurate and inclusive budget be presented to you and be available for public consumption and comment prior to any vote on the turf field.

My main concern, and that of many others, has been and continues to be the potential impact of PFAs to the health and well-being of our community members. That continues to be of grave concern.

As a former collegiate athletics director, I am well aware of the appeal of an artificial turf field and its perceived and real benefits. Certainly, when the turf field was installed at Saint Michael’s College during my tenure, I was “all in.” However, increased and on-going analysis, research and scrutiny of the PFA, microplastic, and other chemical compound contents of turf has caused substantial and legitimate concern. This has resulted in a pause in current installation projects in several states as they evaluate contaminants, and it may well prohibit installation in the future. I appeal to the board to increase the timeline for consideration of artificial turf at CVU. When we know more, we need to do better.

This decision warrants complete and thorough testing of the product that claims to be 100 percent PFA-free. This issue is not about building community. The critical issue, the health and safety of all 4,500-plus Hinesburg residents, is at stake, and is currently in the hands of the 12 sitting CVU school board members.

Subscribe now

It’s just around the corner – the Fourth of July! Although there won’t be fireworks, there will be a parade and other activities. See details, and read other Recreation Dept. news here.

Hinesburg Record Editor Receives Award

Burlington City Arts announced Saturday, June 13, that Geoffrey Gevalt is this year’s recipient of the Herb Lockwood Prize for lifetime achievement in the arts. The prize honors arts leadership in Vermont, recognizing artists producing significant work ranging from the visual arts to writing, drama, dance, film and fine woodworking and those who are active in encouraging other artists. Read the full article here.

Congratulations to HCS 8th Graders

It was standing-room-only at CVU auditorium as parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, grandparents and friends crowded in to applaud and cheer their Hinesburg Community School eighth-grade graduates. See the full list of graduates, lots of photos, and hear about the fire alarm, in the full article here.

New Venue for Comedy Open Mic Night

Moondog Tavern was packed on Wednesday, June 10, as people from Hinesburg and beyond found respite from the rainy night to watch returners and newcomers try their hand at stand-up comedy. Jokes were made about topics ranging from the Real Housewives of New York City to the Epstein files. One performer read a poem about meat; another played harmonica. Read the full article here.

CVU News

The Class of 2026 Graduates

Parents, family, friends, teachers, administrators crammed into Patrick Gym on Saturday to honor this year’s CVU graduating class. A photo story, click here.

A Trio of Champions

Three spring teams – girls track, boys lacrosse and the #2 ultimate frisbee team – won their respective championships last week. Full video, slideshow click here.

The Case for Artificial Turf

Eli Lesser-Goldsmith and the coalition of organizations and financial supporters make the case for the $6 million gift to CVU of an artificial turf field, bleachers, concession building, lighting, ADA access. Read their Letter to the Editor here.

Obituary: Harriett Schaffer Brainard

Harriett Schaffer Brainard, 102, of Hinesburg, Vermont, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026, one day after celebrating her 102nd birthday. A celebration of life will be held on Aug. 1. Read the full obituary here.

Obituary: Gill B. Coates

Gill Beryl Coates, a life-long Hinesburg resident, peacefully passed away in his sleep from complications of Alzheimer’s disease on the morning of June 5, 2026, in his family home on Texas Hill in Hinesburg. Read the full obituary here.

If you support our advertisers, you are supporting The Record.

Word of the Week – Tittle (nope, not Title)

They’re everywhere! They’re all over this newsletter! It’s like an infestation! Read about this word that I learned about when I accidentally typed it into an online word game. Plus, don’t you hate it when you look up a word, and the definition uses other words you don’t know? Well, we’ve got some bonus words for you this week, from this dictionary chain reaction.

In case you missed it…

My Story: Throwing an Axe at My Wedding

We have another episode in our ongoing ‘My Story’ series. In this story, Denise Bouchard talks about the photo below – how it came to be and how for many years she competed in a variety of lumberjack sports. Listen to the story here.

Upcoming

Tuesday, June 16

• DEIB Committee Meeting, 6-7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Agenda and details here.

• Development Review Board Meeting, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Town Hall, lower-level conference room and via Zoom. Agenda and details here.

• All Ages Comedy Open Mic Night, 6:30-8 p.m. at Carpenter-Carse Library. Tell a joke. Make faces. Sing a silly song (acoustic only). More details here.

Wednesday, June 17

• Selectboard Meeting, 6-8 p.m. Town Hall, lower-level conference room.

• Trails Committee meeting, 7-9 p.m. Town Hall, third floor conference room.

Friday, June 19

• Fungi Walk, 6-8 p.m. Join the Hinesburg Conservation Commission and author Meg Madden to learn more about the lives of these fascinating organisms. More details here.

Subscribe now

By Cathy Ryan

While playing an online word game recently, I accidentally entered “tittle.” To my surprise, it was accepted! So of course, I then had to go look it up. One definition I found said:

A tittle is a small distinguishing mark or sign in writing or printing. Most commonly, it refers to the dot placed over the lowercase letters i and j. It functions as a diacritic.

Don’t you hate it when a definition uses another word you don’t know? Now I have to look up diacritic.

A diacritic is a mark near or through an orthographic or phonetic character or combination of characters indicating a phonetic value different from that given the unmarked or otherwise marked element.

Dang it, now I have to look up orthographic:

Orthographic:

1. of, relating to, being, or prepared by orthographic projection.

2. a. of or relating to orthography.
   b. correct in spelling

Well, that was less than helpful…

Orthography:

1. a. the art of writing words with the proper letters according to standard usage
   b. the representation of the sounds of a language by written or printed symbols

2. a part of language study that deals with letters and spelling

OK, so let’s get back to tittles and diacritics. A tittle can mean a tiny thing, but most often it refers to the dot above the letters i and j. A tittle is a type of diacritic, which means a mark above, near, or through a letter or letters – often to help people know how to pronounce it.

English doesn’t use many diacritics. I think that’s because whoever invented English thought it would be a hoot if everyone was constantly confused about how to spell and pronounce words. Why does lose rhyme with choose and not chose? Why doesn’t come rhyme with home? It makes no sense – it’s anarchy! The few times diacritics are used in English, such as with café, it’s because the word was borrowed from another language.

Other languages are much more consistent. In Italian, “ce” is always pronounced “ch” such as in cello. So if you see it in another word, like cena or dolce, you know how to pronounce it. People whose first language is not English are often confused about the concept of a spelling bee. Isn’t it obvious how spell and pronounce words? Not in English! Here’s a New York Times article that discusses this (and it has the word orthographic in the second sentence!).

Many languages then use diacritics to indicate if letters should be pronounced differently than normal, which is very helpful. For instance the Spanish word niños has both a regular n and an n with a tilde. They are pronounced differently; the one with the tilde is pronounced a bit like “ny”. I think to myself “Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!” to get it right.

If you haven’t had your fill of new words, here are the names of some interesting diacritics. None of these words are creative insults (my favorite type of new word to learn), but if you call someone an umlaut or accuse them of being circumflex, you might at least confuse them.

You can read the previous Word of the Week article here.

By Mary Jo Brace
Hinesburg Record Staff

*Girls Track and Field were the first to be crowned state champions on Saturday, June 6. The girls racked up 105 points over second place MMU with 82. Several of the points were earned by CVU’s famed team of distance runners: Zoey McNabb, Charlotte Crum and Lydia Donahue. McNabb won both the 1500-meter and 3000-meter races with her teammates right behind, finishing 3rd and 4th in the 1500 and 2nd, 3rd, and 6th in the 3000. CVU came in fourth in all three relay events and placed at least one athlete in the top six in 13 of the 18 events.

The Boys Track and Field squad finished in third with 101.6 points behind first-place Essex 125.6 and second-place St. Johnsbury with 109.6 points. Quintin Fortier was the champion in both the 100- and 200-meter dash. Hinesburg’s Cole Hart finished fourth in the 1500 and second in the 3000, behind CVU winner Benjamin Holoch.

*Boys Lacrosse won the state championship on Saturday with a 9-6 victory over top-ranked Burr & Burton. Jameson Wilhite-Keene had three goals, Henry Bruneau and Luke Buehler had two each and Ethan Whitcomb and Tobin Stumpff each had one goal. Shamus Phelan had eight saves.

The team pulled out a close semi-final game against So. Burlington with a score of 12-11 with an overtime goal by senior Ian Kenelly to punch their ticket to the championship game to be held on Saturday.

*#2 Boys Ultimate Frisbee squad defeated #9 Milton to win the school’s first championship in Boys Ultimate. They were determined not to let the rain or thunder-delayed game deny them the win after losing in the finals the last three years. They won 14-13 in a sudden death thriller in the pouring rain on a goal by Julian Olin. The fourth time was the charm as they came back from a first half deficit trailing 6-3. The Redhawks battled back, scoring five straight goals, two of those by Ethan Revoir.

#1 Girls ultimate frisbee lost to #2 Milton in the finals by a score of 13-9, snapping CVU’s 27-game winning streak.

The #5-seeded Girls Tennis team lost an exciting close finals match to #5 Essex on Wednesday 4-3. The two teams were tied at three going into the last doubles match. They would need a third-set matchbreaker, first team to 10 points, to determine the winner; Essex came out on top 10-7.

The baseball season came to an end in a tight semi-final game against Mt. Anthony last Tuesday by a score of 2-1. CVU started the first inning strong by striking out the first two batters, then scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second. Unfortunately, that is all they were able to get across the plate.

The 7th-seed Girls Lacrosse team lost their semi-final bid to #3 Burr and Burton by a score of 17-6.

CVU Softball team seeded in the eighth spot, lost their quarter-final game to #1 BFA by a score of 12-1.

Boys Tennis also lost in quarter finals to #1 seed Burr and Burton.

Congratulations to all the teams for their hard work, dedication and successful season.

Moondog Tavern was packed on Wednesday, June 10, as people from Hinesburg and beyond found respite from the rainy night to watch newcomers and returnees try their hand at stand-up comedy. Jokes were made about topics ranging from the Real Housewives of New York City to the Epstein files. One performer read a poem about meat; another played harmonica.

Comedy Open Mic Night, organized by Wayne Maceyka, began in January at Parkside Cafe. The event usually takes place every other week, generally alternating between Parkside Cafe and Frost Beer Works. Wednesday night was the first time it took place at Moondog Tavern.

Maceyka said he wants to support local businesses by hosting the event at different venues.

“I’ve been trying to figure out a way to bring people together, and I figured comedy was the way to do it,” he said. “I’m always the guy in the back of a seminar that’s making snarky remarks, so I said to myself, why don’t I just go with that?”

Maceyka encouraged audience participation throughout the night, drawing written responses to questions out of a sparkly hat and reading them aloud. Participants wrote anonymous answers to questions such as: what would your last words be?

Peggy Dippen said this was her sixth time performing at open mic night. She started doing stand-up at Vermont Comedy Club a couple years ago.

“I was getting overwhelmed with life, and I was like, ‘I can’t let this take me down anymore. I need to spin it around, I need to make it lighter,’” she said.

Shea Newton was also a returning performer. He said he plans to continue, and that it’s fun to start recognizing the same people on these nights.

“I saw the Front Porch Forum for the first one and thought, ‘Oh that would be fun…’ and the crowd was just so alive and friendly, and I wanted to keep going,” he said. “A local open mic feels kind of like karaoke. Why not just get up there and try something?”

At the end of the night, various prizes were awarded to the performers.

To those nervous about trying out stand-up, Macekya noted that it’s a low-risk situation.

“When you really think about it, it’s not that dangerous,” he said. “If you play through the scenarios in your head about what’s going to happen, for the most part, [it’s] not much. It’s going to be your own embarrassment. I don’t think anybody’s [been] heckled. You get a quiet room, which sucks, but you get out of your comfort zone and see what happens.”

The next Comedy Open Mic Night will be at 6 p.m. on June 16, at the Carpenter-Carse Library. It will be family friendly and open to all ages.

Congratulations to the CVU Class of 2026, who celebrated their graduation last week in Patrick Gymnasium at UVM. Many thanks to Tyler Cohen who took these photos of the event.

Subscribe now

June 1:

7:25 a.m. Officers investigated suspicious activity on Ballard’s Corner Road.

8:53 a.m. A citizen was assisted with a civil issue.

9:18 a.m. Found property was turned into the Hinesburg police.

11:31 a.m. An officer responded to a two-car motor vehicle crash on Pond Road.

4:32 p.m. An officer assisted a motorist with changing a tire on Route 116.

5:25 p.m. A fraud was reported and investigated.

10:40 p.m. Officers assisted first responders with a medical emergency on Wile Street.

June 2:

11:08 a.m. An officer responded to a two-car motor vehicle crash on Route 116.

5:36 p.m. A traffic stop was conducted on Richmond Road. James Abbey, 43, of Hinesburg was arrested on an in-state warrant.

8:25 p.m. A noise complaint on Windswept Way was investigated.

June 3:

10:20 a.m. An officer assisted a motorist with a disabled vehicle on Lewis Creek Road.

2:52 p.m. An officer responded into Shelburne to assist Shelburne PD with an incident.

June 4:

6:10 p.m. Officers assisted first responders with a medical emergency on Bissonette Lane.

June 5:

10:15 a.m. An officer assisted Hinesburg Fire Department with an incident on Commerce Street.

9:25 p.m. An officer attempted a traffic stop on Charlotte Road. The vehicle attempted to elude the stop and subsequently crashed on Baldwin Road. The operator, a juvenile, was cited with gross negligent operation.

June 8:

9 a.m. A custodial dispute that was reported on June 7 was investigated. Keriann O’Leary, 39, of Williston was cited for domestic assault.

2:49 p.m. A traffic stop was conducted on Route 116. Corey Marshall, 26, of Hinesburg was arrested on an in-state warrant.

5:11 p.m. Suspicious activity involving trespassing was investigated at a residence on Route 116.

June 9:

11:10 a.m. Harassment by electronic communication was reported and investigated. Cameron Locarno, 20, of Barre was cited for disorderly conduct by phone or electronic communication and hate-motivated crime.

1:25 p.m. An officer assisted staff at the Hinesburg Community School with a juvenile problem.

3:53 p.m. An officer assisted first responders with a medical emergency on Birchwood Drive.

June 10:

4:38 p.m. A traffic stop was conducted on Route 116. David Little, 50, of Hinesburg was arrested on an in-state warrant, and for driving with a criminally suspended driver’s license.

7:20 p.m. A relief from abuse order was served at the request of the Chittenden County Courts.

7:30 p.m. A welfare check was conducted at Kelley’s Field.

June 11:

6:52 p.m. An officer assisted first responders with a medical emergency on Richmond Road.

10:44 p.m. A welfare check was conducted on Hawk Lane.

June 15:

9:21 a.m. An animal problem on Jourdan Street was investigated.

9:57 a.m. A late-reported crash on Mechanicsville Road was investigated.

10:24 a.m. Officers assisted DCF with attempting to locate a missing person.

12:24 p.m. A citizen was assisted with a lockout.

1:46 p.m. A citizen was assisted with fingerprinting for employment purposes.

4:05 p.m. A citizen was assisted with fingerprinting for employment purposes.

4:51 p.m. An officer attempted to locate a wanted individual on Richmond Road.

5:13 p.m. Officers responded to a three-car motor vehicle crash on Route 116.

June 16:

11:45 a.m. Officers investigated suspicious activity on Route 116.

12:17 p.m. A traffic stop was conducted on Silver Street. Jodi Palmer, 48, of Hinesburg was arrested for possession of cocaine and methamphetamine, and driving with a criminally suspended license.

12:50 p.m. A late-reported crash was investigated.

8:55 p.m. Officers assisted Hinesburg Fire Department and Green Mountain Power with a traffic hazard on Silver Street.

June 17:

7:41 a.m. An officer responded to a vehicle off the roadway on Route 116.

11:30 a.m. Corey Marshall, 26, of Hinesburg was arrested on an in-state warrant.

1:45 p.m. A report of harassment on Richmond Road was investigated.

June 18:

9:40 a.m. A fraud was reported and investigated.

2:15 p.m. A citizen was assisted with fingerprinting for employment purposes.

10:03 p.m. An officer investigated a noise complaint on Dynamite Hill.

June 19:

12:19 p.m. Officers arrested Katelynne Cannon, 30, of Hinesburg on an in-state warrant.

It was standing room only at CVU auditorium as parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, grandparents and friends crowded in to applaud and cheer their Hinesburg Community School 8th-grade graduates.

Toward the end of the ceremonies, as a movie screen was lowered and the crowd got to ooh and ahh, and giggle at and applaud the photos of some of the graduates when they were much younger, the screen went dark. HCS Principal Tim Trevithick scrambled to see what was wrong, the crowd began muttering to themselves and then came the announcement: Fire alarm in the building, everyone had to leave the building. CVSD Superintendent Adam Bunting emerged to clarify: You must leave the building.

The crowd filed out into the 81-degree heat, finding solace in the few trees outside, laughing, shrugging, saying, “This will be a graduation we’ll never forget.” And after a while they were allowed back in, to a packed room for cake and refreshments; but many stayed outside, took photos and then headed home.

The Hinesburg Record salutes the 8th graders and wishes them the best of luck next year as they begin at CVU.

Special to The Hinesburg Record

Burlington City Arts announced Saturday, June 13, that Geoffrey Gevalt is this year’s recipient of the Herb Lockwood Prize for lifetime achievement in the arts.

The prize honors arts leadership in Vermont, recognizing artists producing significant work ranging from the visual arts to writing, drama, dance, film and fine woodworking and those who are active in encouraging other artists.

Gevalt, a resident of Hinesburg since 1998, is a veteran journalist, writer and photographer. He is currently the volunteer editor of The Record and his recently completed novel, Hiram Falls, an outgrowth of stories he has written for Vermont Stage, is in his agent’s hands.

Gevalt received the award – along with a generous check – at a reception at Burlington City Arts. He was cited in particular for his work founding and running Young Writers Project, a nonprofit dedicated to helping young people write better. His writing has appeared in numerous publications and has been presented on stage; many of his stories can be found here.

This marks the thirteenth time the Herb Lockwood Prize has been awarded since its founding in 2014. Past winners have included the late author Howard Frank Mosher and Claire Van Vliet, an illustrator and 1989 recipient of a MacArthur genius grant.

“I am humbled,” Gevalt said. “I was, frankly, shocked to receive the award given that my projects have always involved so many, many people who have helped me, taught me, encouraged me. Without them, much of what I’ve done would not have happened.

”This prize is for them as much as me and for the countless young (and not-so-young) writers I’ve had the privilege to work with over the years.”

Leading this year’s ceremony were Vermont author Stephen Kiernan and media producer Fran Stoddard. Present also were 2025 Herb Lockwood awardee Will Kasso Condry and many others from the Vermont arts community.

In introducing Gevalt, Kiernan recounted some of the varied contributions Gevalt has made to the Vermont community. Acknowledging that Gevalt had been, for a time, his editor at the Burlington Free Press, he also noted how, to the amusement of the newsroom, the pair would engage in a sometimes heated discussion.

“Everyone could hear us bellowing,” he said. “We differed at top volume about whatever project was in the works, while pacing and making dramatic arm motions. This had the newsroom ringing with the laughter of reporters, photographers and city editors.”

The struggles, though, were always over producing the best story possible. But after a while, both left the newspaper.

“I think Geoff and I were both frustrated by the newspaper industry’s decay, and especially its loss of nerve. We needed to find some other occupation that had meaning for us.

“Geoff went on to create something entirely new – the Young Writers Project – which over the past 20 years has enriched the lives of more than 100,000 children and teachers, benefitting the minds of uncountable adults, too.

“His radical idea was that young people possess vast resources of creativity that are interesting, insightful and instructive. He believed that young writers would learn more about self-expression and mutual support if they were writing for an audience of peers, rather than merely to satisfy a teacher’s red pen.

“The Vermont Business Roundtable, led back then by Lisa Ventriss, believed in the idea enough to fully fund the project for two years. That meant Geoff needed to leave his long career in news – illustrious and award-bedecked as it had been – in Maine, Massachusetts, Ohio and Vermont. And he had to create a new business, and find a path to financial stability inside of 24 months.”

“Financial strength came via foundations, parents and donors, in part because of the real genius of this editor in gathering community support.

“The Young Writers Project bloomed. Teachers learned that students were skipping homework … to write. The editor built a program for classrooms to have their own private online writers’ project. Working with St. Michael’s College, he created a graduate school level class that taught teachers how to teach writing online, using the workshop model. The numbers of writers soared. So did Vermont kids’ performance on standardized tests.

“In all venues, his ethics were the same: mutual respect, gentle criticism, strong support. In his conduct, he exemplified how young writers might behave, too.

“He is still at it. … It appears the man is not capable of stopping.

“The Herb Lockwood Prize has two fundamental measurements: performing an art form at a higher level and building a community in that art form. With the Young Writers Project, Geoff created a new art form. The foundation he built continues to teach kids a way to express themselves, to find their voice and discover how empowering it is to have an interested and respectful audience.”

For thirty-three years, Geoffrey Gevalt was an award-winning journalist for the Associated Press, The Akron Beacon Journal, the Boston Business Journal, the Burlington Free Press, Institutional Investor Magazine, and the Quincy Patriot Ledger. He founded Young Writers Project in 2006 and left it in 2018, passing the reins to Susan Reid, the current executive director. His writing can be found at https://geoffreygevalt.org.

The purpose of the Herb Lockwood Prize is fourfold: to validate the work of the recipient, to energize that artist’s future, to encourage other artists to work ambitiously, and to honor Herb Lockwood’s memory by continuing his inspirational influence.

Gevalt said he will use the proceeds from the proceeds to further his writing of fiction and to help other arts and news organizations.

Prior recipients include: (2014) actor and theater director Steve Small; (2015) Van Vliet; (2016); filmmaker Nora Jacobson; (2017) Mosher; (2018); puppeteer and artist Peter Schumann; (2019) musician and public radio host Robert Resnik; (2020) dancer and choreographer Hannah Dennison; (2021) Latin Jazz musician and teacher Ray Vega; (2022) poet Kerrin McCadden; (2023) film director Jay Craven; (2024) musician Michael Chorney; and (2025) Condry.

Herb Lockwood was an inspirational musician and woodworker in the Burlington arts and music scene in the 1980s. His impact on the region’s arts and artists has proved to be enduring and profound. Lockwood died in a Burlington workplace accident in 1987 at age 27. For more: www.HerbLockwoodPrize.org. The Herb Lockwood Prize is an important part of Burlington City Arts, celebrating more than 40 years of supporting the arts.

Geoff’s acceptance speech:

Gevalt Speech

82.4KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

Subscribe now

By Jen McCuin

Happy spring from the Hinesburg Recreation Department (HRD). As we shift gears to warmer temperatures and more daylight, we’re also winding down some of our programs. On Wednesday, May 20, we celebrated HRD’s after-school piano lessons with Evan Allen, Rachel Lohia, and Brian Dykstra at the United Church of Hinesburg with an annual piano recital. Twenty piano students treated us to their favorite pieces, enjoying support from families, friends and community members who filled the sanctuary. The evening ended with much applause, flowers, pictures, and a reception with snacks and beverages. Congratulations to the performers for their commitment and effort: Addie Edling, Tula Edling, Zazoo Aunchman, Nell Goldstein, Thea Perry, Jack McClure, Scarlet Martin, Romeo Brown, Max Collier, Alex Collier, Hazel Kinlund, Leland Everitt, Hannah Powers, Quinn Zavadil, Cormac O’Neill, Ezra Beagley, Sienna Parent, Sully Wellman, and Ezra Mott. Best wishes to our eighth graders Alex and Max Collier, as they graduate and head to CVU.

Also finishing up this season is our K-1-2 lacrosse program, which held their final practice on Sunday, May 31. Thanks to the coaching efforts from many of the CVU lacrosse players, our youngest players learned basics like passing, catching, cradling, ground balls, and shooting with Red Light, Green Light, Sharks and Minnows, Hungry, Hungry Hippo, and a version of musical chairs (thanks, Coach Ty). It was hard to decide who had more fun at these practices…the youngest or the oldest players. We are grateful for all the energy and attention that our teen coaches provided for the season and wish them the best for the playoffs – go Redhawks!

Be sure to check out all the HRD offerings on our website. There’s still time to register for youth track and field, horse camps at Livery Stables, an Ultimate Frisbee camp, and golf camps this summer. Hinesburg Concerts in the Park start in mid-July.

Fourth of July Schedule:

Friday, July 3 – Hilly Hobble Foot Race

NEW this year, sign up beforehand at hinesburgrec.com

6 p.m. Hilly Hobble Foot Race check-in begins at Hinesburg Community School

6:30 p.m. 10K Race begins at bottom of Buck Hill Road West and Route 116

7 p.m. 5K Foot Race begins at bottom of Buck Hill Road West and Route 116

7:10 p.m. Kids’ 2K begins at Veteran’s Park, next to the former Good Times Cafe

Saturday, July 4 – July 4th Celebration

10 a.m. Parade assembly begins at bottom of Buck Hill Road West (Route 116 will close at 10:45 a.m.). Register your float online to participate in the parade.

10:30 a.m. Judging begins

11 a.m. Parade starts at intersection of Route 116 and Buck Hill Road West, travels north through town, turns onto Mechanicsville Road, and ends at the Post Office

11 a.m. Lighthouse Baptist Church distributes water at 90 Mechanicsville Road and in front of Lantman’s during the parade

1 p.m. Ice Cream Social sponsored by the Community Alliance Church (in front of Hinesburg Nursery School on Route 116)

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Hinesburgh Public House lawn party and full-service restaurant

Noon-2 p.m. Rough Suspects band with Sean Greenwood will perform at the Town Common

Food vendors: Las Hermosas Tacos and Josh Leggett’s III B’s Ice Cream and treats

Additional Details

Grand Marshal: Roger Kohn

Theme: Red, White, Blue & 250th America!

There will not be a fireworks display behind HCS. A soaring price increase forced this unfortunate decision. Nonetheless, we will celebrate our nation’s 250^th birthday in Hinesburg with much fanfare!