Kandy-Kay M Potter, 60, of Hinesburg, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the evening of May 9, 2026, after a long battle with multiple sclerosis in her home, surrounded by her close family.

Kandy-Kay was born on April 10, 1966, in Burlington, Vermont, to Annette and Norman Potter. She left behind her spouse, Ernest Carrier, and her four children, John-Paul Morgan, Melissa-Sue Kinney, Benjamin Morgan, and Sierra Carrier-Potter. She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Kandy-Kay went to Daniel Webster College and graduated with two associate’s degrees, one in business and the second in accounting. She was a known foster parent, and she helped several kids within the system. She was also a part of the Multiple Sclerosis group.

Kandy-Kay was known for having an open house policy and for having a big heart. She made sure that every child was loved and never left out. She was always the life of the party. When she would enter a room, she could light up the room just by her smile.

Kandy-Kay is now no longer in pain but at peace.

Visiting hours for Kandy-Kay will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 3-6 p.m. at St. Jude Parish in Hinesburg. Funeral service will take place Tuesday, May 19, at noon at St. Jude Parish. A reception in her honor will immediately follow the service.

A community service to honor Hinesburg’s veterans will be held at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, at the Veterans Monuments at the corner of Route 116 and Silver Street, next to the former Good Times Café. The public is invited to attend to pay respects to our vets.

Habitat for Humanity Project takes big step

The Mechanicsville Road Habitat for Humanity project has been a hub of activity over the last few weeks – trees cut down, house gutted and then on Monday, May 11, the old house that was on the property was torn down. Habitat Project Manager Chris Lane was at the scene when the crew began to demolish the house and hall the remains away. Lane told The Record that Habitat hoped to get started right away on the foundation for the six-unit development, but they discovered they needed additional permits: state and local building permits. Lane said he hoped that wouldn’t take too long and work on building new housing could begin.

“Dear Champlain Valley School District School Board,

“The Hinesburg Selectboard has heard the concerns of many Hinesburg residents regarding the proposed artificial turf field at CVU, and we share their concerns.

“With very recent interventions to remediate contaminated wells in Hinesburg, and lessons learned from other communities who have spent millions to treat PFA’s in their water supplies, we are especially concerned about the Turf Field’s impact on our village water supply system, and individual residents’ wells.

“We request that you take time to research all the ramifications of the proposed Artificial Turf field and present an analysis of alternative solutions to the problems that currently plague the fields. As part of your research, we request that you contract with a hydrogeologist to study the possibilities of the proposed Turf Field contaminating Hinesburg’s drinking water, and that you share the results with the Hinesburg Selectboard.

“Like you, we are an elected governing board, and we thoroughly understand the obligation to listen to a variety of voices and opinions, and the need to weigh all consequences before making a decision – regardless of funding restrictions or opportunities.

“We are grateful for your consideration to “take care of this place” as you continue to explore all options.”

Merrily Lovell, Selectboard Chair
For the Hinesburg Selectboard

The Challenges of ALS

“I exist in two rooms. Mostly just one. My life is that small. Shockingly small. The rooms are not mine; they were assigned to me and, perhaps, I’m lucky to have two. But after five months of gray, of snow and rain and wind and cold, one of my last slivers of autonomy robbed by impassable roads, it’s hard to feel lucky. I feel imprisoned. …”

So begins our newest column, ‘Life on the Head of a Pin,” by Hinesburg resident, Nate Methot, who will be writing about the journey he is on with ALS. Nate is a remarkably upbeat and active person, and we are sure that his column will prove both fascinating and inspiring. Click here to read his first column – Jailbreak in the Springtime.

Turf Battle

Selectboard votes to send a stern letter to the CVSD board expressing their concerns about the proposed donation of a $5.5 million artificial turf field at CVU, saying the risk of contamination of Hinesburg’s water – and other problems – put the town in a terrible position.

Coaches outline the need for better fields and why an artificial turf field is the answer.

Wendy Frink, Hinesburg Nursery School Director and Teacher, to Retire After 20 Years

After 20 amazing years helping Hinesburg’s young children learn, grow, and play, Wendy Frink has decided to retire from her teacher and director role at Hinesburg Nursery School. A celebration will be held on June 7. Read the full article here.

Obituary: Nancy Ann Berger

Nancy Ann Berger was an active volunteer and member of many town organizations. A Celebration of Life scheduled for July 25. Read the full obituary here.

In case you missed it…

My Story: Rufus Patrick

Hinesburg’s Mr. Music talks about his family heritage of playing in bands and inspired him to start the Hinesburg Community Band in 1996 in this audio story on our website.

Almost Time to Plant Potatoes

Our bi-monthly gardening column offers ideas on how and when and what types of tubers to plant this spring. Did you know that in New England, dandelions can be used as a reasonable gauge to tell if the soil has dried and warmed enough for potatoes to be comfortable? Read more here.

Summer Theater Returns to Williston

Hinesburg couple Connor Kendall and Merrill Cameron star as Will and Viola in Shakespeare in Love, running June 11-20 at the Isham Barn. Read the full story here.

Outdoors: The Most Dangerous Creature in Vermont

Our Outdoors columnist Philip Werner discusses how Lyme disease-carrying ticks remain a major health concern for residents and visitors. Read the full article here.

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

Word of the Week

By Cathy Ryan

This week’s Word of the Week is actually a 3-for-1! Learn about jings, japes, and boffo, all from one amazing book series for youth or adults – the Tiffany Aching series, set in Discworld, by Terry Pratchett. Full article here.

Upcoming

Tuesday, May 12

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee Meeting, 6 p.m. by Zoom only. Agenda and details here.

• Recreation Commission Meeting, 6 p.m. Town Hall, third floor conference room. Agenda here.

• Conservation Commission Meeting, 7 p.m. at Carpenter Carse Library. Agenda here.

Wednesday, May 13

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

• Gone Guys: Community Film Screening and Discussion, 6:30-8 p.m. at Charlotte Central School library. A Vermont-produced documentary exploring the growing disengagement of boys and young men from school, work, and community life. Details here.

Friday, May 15

• Virtual Birding Workshop, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Carpenter Carse Library or from home online. Details here.

Saturday, May 16

• Big Truck Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hinesburg Nursery School. Details here.

This week’s Word of the Week is a 3-for-1. All three words are from a book I’m currently reading, Wintersmith, by Terry Pratchett. I know, I mentioned another of Pratchett’s books, The Hogfather, in a previous Word of the Week, but I just couldn’t resist, because this book series is amazing, and I come across a fun word every few minutes.

Wintersmith is the third book in the five-book Tiffany Aching series, set in Pratchett’s Discworld. He was a prolific writer, with over 41 books set in Discworld. Some of the books (like The Hogfather) can be read out of order, but many are in groups, or subseries, where it’s best to read them in order, and I highly recommend that for this subseries. So, you should start with the first book in the series, The Wee Free Men.

The series is considered “young adult” – appropriate for middle school kids and older, but I didn’t know that when I started reading the books, and I’m thoroughly enjoying them. I think it would be a great series for parents and kids to read at the same time.

This series focuses on Tiffany, who is nine years old in the first book; she turns 13 in the third book. She’s a young witch but doesn’t really know it yet. But other witches in the area are noticing, and start training her. She’s befriended by small, blue-tattooed, six-inch-tall fairy folk called the Nac Mac Feegle. They are as far from “fairy-like” as you can imagine – they curse, steal, drink, lie, fight, and carry on in a hilarious way.

So let’s get to the words.

Merriam-Webster lists “jing” but in the book it’s “jings” – “Jings! I see you there, ye wee schemies!” It’s a Scottish exclamation of surprise or amazement, similar to “Oh my goodness!” This was spoken by a Nac Mac Feegle. Their dialect in the books is a tiny bit difficult to read and understand, but once you’re a couple books in, you’ll be an expert.

“Jape” can be a verb or a noun – a practical joke, or to perform a practical joke – to be silly. In Wintersmith, one witch got some items from a certain company:

“The Boffo Novelty & Joke Company!
Guffaws, Jokes, Chuckles, Japes Galore!
If it’s a laugh, it’s a BOFFO!”

That advertisement also uses our third word:

Merriam-Webster says that boffo came about in the 1930’s and 1940’s and may have started as a shortening of “box office” – a box office hit is boffo. It can also be used as a noun – something can be “a boffo.” The definition page links to an article called “7 Great Ways to say Great” and boffo is at the top of the list.

In Wintersmith, it refers to the calculated use of props, costumes, and theatrical tricks to enhance a witch’s reputation and power. Witches serve a community, providing minor medical assistance, helping the elderly, settling disputes, etc. But in order for a community to trust a witch, they have to believe she has power. They expect witches to be a certain way, so one witch in particular uses a bit of boffo to be a bit more “witchy.”

“That was the magic of the pointy hat. It was what Miss Treason called ‘Boffo.’”

But serious situations sometimes call for seriousness – no boffo:

“This was witching cut to the bone. No toys, no wands, no boffo, no headology, no tricks. All that mattered was how good you were.”

I truly think this series is boffo, and I hope you check it out, either for a middle-schooler in your life, or for yourself. Tiffany is an amazing, strong, smart, courageous character. That frying pan she’s wielding in the book cover above? Spoiler alert – she knows how to use it, and I don’t mean for cooking.

From the beginning of the first book in the series, The Wee Free Men:

“Another world is colliding with this one,” said the toad. “All the monsters are coming back.”
“Why?” said Tiffany.
“There’s no one to stop them.”
There was silence for a moment.
Then Tiffany said, “There’s me.”

Video of Hinesburg Selectboard meeting courtesy of MediaFactory.

By Geoffrey Gevalt
Hinesburg Record staff

In a meeting packed with concerned Hinesburg residents, the selectboard on May 6 voted unanimously to write to the Champlain Valley School District board to express the town’s concerns about potential contamination of the town’s water supply from a proposed artificial turf field at CVU.

Eli Lesser-Goldsmith is leading the group that is offering to build a $5.5 million artificial turf field – at no upfront cost to the district – with handicapped access, parking, concession stand and bathrooms at Field B behind the school. Lesser-Goldsmith has said repeatedly that the gift is restricted to only the option of an artificial field.

In explaining why she put discussion of the field on the selectboard agenda, board chair Merrily Lovell said the board has received letters from “a lot of people [who] are very upset about it.”

The major concern is runoff from the fields containing what are known as PFAS or compounds used in and resulting from the manufacture of artificial turf fields. These chemicals never break down and, combined with micro- and nano-plastics that become airborne as the field gets older, threaten the town’s water sources that are downhill from the school.

Numerous communities have had problems with runoff from turf fields, including Easton, Massachusetts, where their fields have required $11 million in remediation and filtration to clean up the town’s water supply.

“Actually the only email that we received that was not against the field,” Lovell continued, “was from Lesser-Goldsmith, who asked us not to make a decision until he could present his side of the picture.” Lesser-Goldsmith and the company he is partnering with, FieldTurf, have repeatedly said the field would comply with Vermont’s new law restricting PFAS in artificial turf fields.

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One letter stood out to Lovell: “I was happy to receive one from Barb Galgon who emphasized that we think about community collaboration and shared values and that we strive not to have controversy but come to agreement on this.”

The town, however, has no say at this juncture. The proposal has been made to the Champlain Valley School District and its board will determine whether to accept the gift or not. Its next meeting is May 19 at 6 p.m. at CVU; a vote could come as early as June 16.

Various town officials have told The Record that should the district decide the project should move forward, it would require Act 250 review, hearings with the Agency for Natural Resources as well as approvals from the Hinesburg Development Review Board on several parts of the plan, including storm runoff.

Selectboard member Paul Lamberson was crystal clear in his opposition to the project. “I absolutely want to improve access to playing time and the quality of the fields,” he said. “It is wonderful that the need [for better fields and access] has been identified … but I want to protect Hinesburg’s water sources.

“As we know firsthand in Hinesburg, we are dealing with contamination of some wells neighboring our old landfill. … So as a selectboard member, as a community member, as a human being in 2026, I want to be really careful not to make any mistakes moving forward where five years, 10 years, 50 years [from now] there’s some district trying to clean up the mess we made because we didn’t spot the size of the risk, the severity of the risk.

“I’m not keen on this project. … And I really have taken offense to the strategy of the [donating] group: ‘We’ve got the solution that we’re going to impose on your community. Take it or leave it.’ That doesn’t work for me at all, and I’ll be pushing back on that ultimatum.”

For selectboard member Maggie Gordon, the issue is the town’s water, plain and simple. “Just from what we’ve learned from [the contamination of wells from the old landfill] just the thought of the costs if there were some kind of contamination – the costs of a filtration system, the cost of remediation would be just mind-boggling. It would be many times the amount of our annual budget. Really inconceivable. And who would bear those costs? The town? The school board? Either way, it’s the taxpayers.

“I just feel like there must be other options that haven’t been considered. It seems like there’s this bright, shiny, free thing that some people are really excited about, but when we look at the potential negative effects, the bright, shiny thing kind of loses its luster. So I hope and trust that the school board will take some time to consider all the ramifications.”

Selectman Mike Loner also was concerned.

“A lot of people who know me know sports is an important part of our family. My daughter played at CVU. I would love to see a facility; it’s long overdue and it would be amazing.

“But I just can’t get to a place where I feel comfortable putting down [artificial] turf within our water source area. The school needs a new facility, and they’ve known this for decades … I would love to see a solution that allows for protection of our water source. Whether that’s a natural grass field, whether that’s this fancy stormwater system they’re going to put in that has monitoring on it and somebody else takes responsibility for that, or whatever it might be, I just can’t get to a spot where I’m comfortable with it.”

Board member Dennis Place was not present.

The board then opened up discussion to members of the audience; Merrily asked that the comments be on ‘new’ issues and points given the extensive letters and comments the board has received outlining the issues.

Margaret McNurlan asked, simply, “who pays for the mistake” if one is made? Can there be a stipulation that someone other than the town and district pay for clean up?

On Zoom, Bill Scott urged for full participation between the district, town and donors. “I’m not all that impressed with how the school board is handling this. and if they’re going to tend to defer to the donor and the manufacturer rather than treat this as their own project. To my view, this is a school district project, and it should not be handed over to a donor as a turnkey process just because they’re putting up the money.”

Andrea Morgante noted that given the Act 250 and stormwater reviews, “I think it would be important for the selectboard to prepare itself with legal advice to participate in that process.” She also noted the potential traffic issues should the field be built and tournaments held at the field. “I’m not saying there should not be tournaments, but there’s a lot to consider.”

Barbara Forauer, who lives a mile away from CVU, expressed concern over airborne micro- and nano-plastics, noting that the Teflon plant contamination in Bennington found such plastics 20 miles away in the national forest. She also was concerned about the “light pollution” from the lights that would be installed.

Carol Jenkins pointed out that another concern – should the town’s water be contaminated – would be reduced property values. “We would be a dead town. Who would want to move to Hinesburg if we end up with contaminated water?”

Jennifer Decker, who has been voicing her opposition since the proposal first surfaced last fall, urged the town to hire its own hydrogeologist to determine the runoff path from CVU. Decker asked FieldTurf at its presentation last month whether it would provide a sample for independent testing. “Absolutely not,” was the answer. She urged the selectboard to request a sample.

Decker said that she has more than 365 signatures from Hinesburg residents opposing the turf field. And she noted that FieldTurf has been subject to several class-action lawsuits. One of those suits, which was settled in 2024 for more than $50 million, accused the company of false claims and defective products.

Meg Handler challenged the selectboard “to think a little more about exploring how much power you do have in this situation instead of just accepting that because CVU owns the property they can do whatever they want.

“I don’t really think that’s true, and I feel like we live in a time where government has become reluctant to stand up to money; and I’m concerned that we have a tendency to just bow to whomever is putting up the money. I think we need to challenge that and I think that this body controls the town and has more power than perhaps you’re willing to acknowledge right now.”

The board then voted to draft a letter outlining its concerns to the CVSD board.

The Hinesburg Conservation Commission has already sent a letter of opposition to the district board. Even the Charlotte Conservation Commission – of which Lesser-Goldsmith is a member – began discussing the issue at its last meeting. Lesser-Goldsmith appeared on Zoom as a ‘private citizen’ and was subjected to numerous questions. The commission will resume its debate later this month. And on May 19, the district board will resume its discussions of the proposal.

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By Anna Gilmore
Hinesburg Record Intern

The Champlain Valley School District (CVSD) board has vowed to hold off on any authorization to proceed with a proposed artificial turf athletic field until a long list of additional information is gathered, but debate about the project has not paused and continues to be divided.

The privately funded $5.5 million field would replace the grass Field B at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg. Supporters say it’s an overdue upgrade to the often soggy and unplayable grass field; critics worry about environmental impact. The board at its regular April 14 meeting requested an independent hydrogeologic study, environmental comparison between turf and natural grass and other new information.

Charlotte resident Eli Lesser-Goldsmith is the leader of the Community Field Project, which is proposing the turf field; he’s also CEO of Healthy Living. He told The Hinesburg Record last week that he’s not daunted by the request for additional information.

“We are a group who only sees opportunity. We are following the process; we are excited by the process; we’re thrilled that the school board has now taken up the issue and discussed it at that meeting [April 14] and we’ll be discussing it in the future as well,” Lesser-Goldsmith said.

Meanwhile, the topic remains contested.

For all The Record’s coverage of the artificial turf field proposal – including the Hinesburg selectboard’s concerns expressed in a meeting last week – click here.

The often swampy condition of CVU’s fields is not only a hazard in itself, but it’s also forced four teams to practice consistently in the school parking lot, which further puts players’ safety at risk, supporters say. Scheduled home games frequently have to be moved, creating more problems.

So far, CVSD has not been able to come up with figures for how many games and practices are missed in an average year, nor the cost of maintenance and busing students to other locations to practice or play games, nor the extent of injuries caused by less-than-ideal conditions.

“When the weather does cause a game change of site, we also risk students’ safety by putting them on a bus or individual vehicles to drive somewhere else,” said Somer MacKillop, a certified athletic trainer and former student athlete at CVU. “If environmental concerns are a factor, this is even more travel energy going into the air.”

Critics worry about the potential for PFAS – forever chemicals created or used in creating plastics – to run off to local water supplies from the turf. Easton, Massachusetts, is one town that has experienced contamination of its water from artificial turf fields.

“I think it’s really important to have a good field, I think it’s important to have good outside space, but I think weighing the potential for permanent contamination on Hinesburg’s town well is not trivial,” said Meg Handler, a parent of two former CVU varsity athletes.

She also expressed concern about the “coercive nature of a private contribution to a public school.. I’m concerned about the values this conveys to the school. It’s a public school and it needs to be serving the interests of the whole community,” Handler added.

The project was first proposed last fall; a public presentation of the proposal by Lesseer-Goldsmith’s team and FieldTurf, the manufacturer, finally happened in early April. It would include new bleachers, lighting, a larger parking lot, bathroom and a concession stand.

From MacKillop’s perspective, the proposal would be a big improvement to the current dysfunctional state of the fields.

“Fields are essentially unusable from mid-October to May, and sometimes that’s generous,” he said. “The only months the fields are perfect are June, July, August, and September, which 50 percent of the time we are not in school. There’s a reason that over the last twelve years, there have been three attempts at building a turf field, and that’s because it’s necessary.”

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Many questions have been raised over the impact the turf could have on Hinesburg’s drinking water, on student health and safety, and on long-term maintenance costs. Multiple public meetings have already taken place to educate about both respective sides of the proposal. At the Champlain Valley School District board meeting on April 14, parents, local residents, students, and coaches offered a range of opinions.

“The big picture is that we’ve had numerous games postponed, practices moved, and senior games and playoff games hosted by other schools when we’re the home team,” said Tucker Pierson, the girls varsity lacrosse and field hockey head coach and a CVU parent. “While this might seem like merely an inconvenience to some folks, I want to convey the … weekly stressors that the unknowns and changes which are often last minute add to the many families, coaches, and administrators as we’re all hustling to find where we can be at the last minute.”

She emphasized another downside to maintaining a grass field – the strenuous seasonal lining process the facilities crew goes through annually. This is a days-long process, which means the space is made off-limits until all the lines are painted and dried. She stressed how if there was turf, then the lines would be permanent and therefore this would no longer be a concern.

When the fields are not in a playable condition, it often means athletes are sidelined.

“On rainy days where most folks in the area who have access to facilities that would allow them to practice, we sit in a classroom and watch film,” said Owen McCuin, former CVU athlete and current boys varsity lacrosse assistant coach.

“Although this is still incredibly valuable, it’s extremely important for us to bond while also playing the sport that they all love together,” he added. “All of our players were sitting in classrooms throughout the whole day, and they really look forward to going out and playing. That affects the mental wellbeing of a player and I’d love for them to get more time to do the thing that a lot of them love to do most.”

The board also heard from those who hadn’t been convinced.

“We voted this down twice and following democracy is good for our mental health just like real grass is good for our mental health,” commented Jennifer Decker, a Hinesburg resident.

After discussion regarding public comments, the board said they would weigh student benefits, community concerns, and individual responsibilities as a board member when making their decision. They then called for a list of studies to be conducted before any further steps can be taken, including:

• Independent hydrogeological study to assess possible water contamination

• Environmental comparison between artificial turf and natural grass

• Analysis of turf material options

• Product data and guarantees, including potential solutions in case of failure or contamination

• Cost analysis

• Lighting impact review

• Legal and procedural review

Superintendent Adam Bunting and the district’s chief operating officer, Gary Marckres, were assigned the task of answering some of these questions in time for the board’s next meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 19.

Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont internship, for the Hinesburg Record

(Editor’s note: Today we begin a regularly irregular column, “Life on the Head of a Pin.” The author, who was diagnosed with ALS 15 years ago, will be writing about his life and its challenges.)

By Nate Methot
For the Hinesburg Record

I exist in two rooms. Mostly just one. My life is that small. Shockingly small.

The rooms are not mine; they were assigned to me and, perhaps, I’m lucky to have two. But after five months of gray, of snow and rain and wind and cold, one of my last slivers of autonomy robbed by impassable roads, it’s hard to feel lucky. I feel imprisoned.

Seven years. It’s been almost seven years. I can’t believe I’ve been here that long, longer than any place since my childhood home. There were ten of them in the intervening years, each filled with activity – with life. Each packed full by comparison, even those that felt empty. And they often felt empty.

The world has changed around me – 2019, pre-pandemic, is lost and gone, distant, quaint. It marked the end of my independence, of almost fifteen years on my own, out of my parents’ house; of owning and driving a car, and of my walking outside the house. It’d been coming for years – a gentle, gradual decline that should’ve prepared me – but can you ever be ready for the light to turn out; can you ever be ready for life in the dark?

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My parents were in the midst of building a house when I was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (“ALS,” also known as Motor Neuron Disease) in the summer of 2011, a month into my twenty-seventh year. Nearing retirement, they’d designed a single-level home, but now the little red house in the woods would need to accommodate a wheelchair: doorways widened, ramp installed, front and back porch level with its interior. I watched it take shape, visited and saw the foresight of its features, but evaded such foresight myself.

It was a mindset of rebellion. Refusal. Accepting a future of dependence – a complete loss of control – was acquiescing. Capitulating. It was a betrayal of the very core of my identity, of so much of the value I saw in myself. Even before the loss they insisted was coming – the loss of my life – I’d been sentenced to continuous wasting, a shrinking of its scope. I couldn’t accept that. Everything I could do, for as long as I could do it, I would do – had to do.

I’ve advised friends – those new to Vermont; flatlanders – that the key to getting through winter is to get out and do stuff – embrace it. But it’s hard to put that advice into action in my own life. This house was built with my future in mind, but its location was not. The end of a long driveway off a dirt road, miles from a paved surface, is not an ideal location for a wheelchair user who no longer drives. I’m left asking for rides, depending on others. I’m often trapped in two rooms.

Finally, in the last week in April, our driveway and road are – for a few days, at least – free of snow, ice, and mud, and I am free to roam. My 375-pound battery-powered, joystick operated wheelchair is safe to climb and descend hills; safe from hopelessly spinning its wheels and stranding its user, or arriving home, tire treads packed tightly with mud, like boots you can’t leave at the door. Gone five months without, more than the sunshine, these days are desperately welcomed. One taste of freedom that remains.

The first time I rolled out the back of my converted minivan, every eyeball’s glaring judgment – real and imagined – bore holes to my soul. Belted into the back seat, driven by my mother, behemoth wheelchair strapped to the floor, I saw my image clearly. Eerily. So, this is my life. It felt like failure. Grief. Loss. I felt less human than ever before.

This day is different.

Cell phone in my cupholder, I roll down the ramp and out the garage, up the driveway and cautiously onto the road. It’s been recently graded: rocks unearthed and strewn over every inch of its surface. They pound on the chair’s six solid wheels and prevent a long outing. The jostling is hard on my weakening neck, whether pinned to the crashing headrest or absorbing each blow without assistance. Seeking out smooth spots and listening for the stray mid-weekday driver hiding just over the hill or behind, I climb the hill to the cemetery and bump along on its yet-to-be-mowed grass to a spot of my choosing. In sunglasses and a t-shirt in the intermittent sunshine, steady breeze on my face, I sit still and breathe in the peace, admiring the familiar, picturesque ridge lines to the east, broad smile in my mind.

Nate Methot has written a memoir: “A Life Derailed: My Journey with ALS,” published by Onion River Press. It's available at Carpenter-Carse Library or for purchase through Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne. Nate will be writing this column in The Record on a regular basis. In the meantime, you can find more from Nate at natemethot.com.

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If you plan to do any type of digging on your property, you or your contractor must contact Dig Safe™ at 811 at least 72 hours prior to digging.

Dig Safe will notify member utilities, who will locate buried facilities they own and ensure they are clearly marked. If you plan to work within 18 inches of the marked lines, please make sure it is dug by hand.

How to Detect a Gas Leak

Smell: Natural gas is normally odorless. VGS adds an odorant similar to the smell of rotten eggs, so it can be easily recognized.

Sight: You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, or blowing dust. You may also see vegetation that appears to be dead or dying.

Sound: It may result in an unusual noise that replicates the sound of roaring, hissing, or whistling.

If you suspect a leak, move immediately to a safe location. Call VGS at 800-639-8081 or call 911 with the exact location. Do not smoke or operate electrical switches or appliances. These items may produce a spark that might result in a dangerous condition. Do not assume someone else will report the condition.

Be safe

Visit vgsvt.com/be-safe for more safety information.

By Amanda Webb
HNS Board President

After 20 amazing years helping Hinesburg’s young children learn, grow, and play, Wendy Frink has decided to retire from her teacher and director role at Hinesburg Nursery School.

Wendy began her HNS journey as a parent and board member and loved it so much that she became a teacher when her sons moved on. She has shared her sense of humor, imagination, and creativity with so many children over the years, and for this, the Hinesburg Nursery School is so grateful. Many will remember her delicious treats, her traditional gingerbread-making classes, her warm hugs, and her laugh-out-loud storytelling – often making the children characters in the story itself. And we cannot forget her long-time classroom companion, Fang (the snake), who will also be retiring with her.

We are excited for her and her next adventure, though we will certainly miss her kindness and leadership that have made her a pillar of our parent cooperative preschool for so many years. As Wendy finishes her final year at HNS, we will begin the process of finding someone to carry on her important work and continue supporting our students.

Save the date and help us celebrate Wendy on June 7 from 1-3 p.m. at the Hinesburg Community School playground. Feel free to bring a dish, or at the very least, Wendy stories, to share! The invitation can be found here.

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Nancy Ann Berger went peacefully to be with God. She had spent the day surrounded by the warmth and love of her husband, Russell, and their family – just as she would have wanted: together, telling stories, sharing memories, and holding her hand.

Nancy was the first-born child of Alverta Hoppes and Michael Kistler. She and her two brothers, Allen Kistler of Andres, Pennsylvania, and Eugene Kistler (deceased), were born and raised in the Mahoning Valley area of Pennsylvania. It was there that she met her soulmate and husband, Russell George Berger Jr. at a dance. They married in the spring of 1961 and on April 16 of this year they celebrated 65 blessed and beautiful years of marriage.

In 1968, Nancy and Russell moved from Pennsylvania with their young children to Hinesburg, Vermont. The Hinesburg community became Nancy's home. Over the years, she was an active volunteer and member of many town organizations, including Hinesburg Volunteers for Community Service, where she led bingo to fundraise for local causes. Nancy could also be found enjoying time with friends and neighbors at Papa Nick's. In later years, she was a regular at senior meals and bingo. She was a warm, friendly person and was kind and thoughtful to everyone she met.

Across the 80 years we were gifted with her presence, Nancy delighted us with her sense of humor and love of a good joke. She lived with an optimism and positive outlook that never faded and her energy was bright, joyous, and contagious. Nancy lived her life through acts of kindness and compassion; giving to others was one of her greatest gifts. She was truly one of a kind, and countless people were touched by her caring nature. She was our angel on earth.

Nancy's love and legacy live on through her daughters, Lori Hennessey (Michael), Michelle Rushford (Michael), and Gretchen Stallings (Timothy). She is reunited in Heaven with her daughter Theresa and her son Russell, where they are surely watching over us all and perhaps even plotting a little mischief.

Nancy was a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her memory is cherished by 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; all of whom were blessed to hug her, laugh with her, and be deeply loved by their "Granny." She lit up whenever she spoke about her beautiful family.

While Nancy has left us for now, the lessons she taught us remain and will continue to guide us. She never met a stranger and always had a place at her table for a new friend.

The family will be holding a joyful celebration of Nancy's life on July 25, honoring the love, laughter, and light she brought into the world. Time and place to be announced.

We'll all remember the sound of her voice as she would say goodbye: "love ya baby."

Mr. Music of Hinesburg talks about his family heritage of playing in bands that led him to start the Hinesburg Community Band in 1996 in this audio story on our website. A 30th Anniversary concert is upcoming May 10 at 4 p.m. at CVU.

Almost Time to Plant Potatoes

Our bi-monthly gardening column offers ideas on how and when and what types of tubers to plant this spring. Did you know that in New England, dandelions can be used as a reasonable gauge to tell if the soil has dried and warmed enough for potatoes to be comfortable? Read more here.

Promoted Content: Pleasant Mount Farm Opens! Check out the flyer about this Huntington greenhouse. Coupons, too!)

Thanks to Lantman’s for their support.

May News and Events at the Library

Check out the latest news and events at Hinesburg’s Carpenter Carse Library, including some new reading displays.

Summer Theater Returns to Williston

Hinesburg couple Connor Kendall and Merrill Cameron star as Will and Viola in Shakespeare in Love, running June 11-20 at the Isham Barn. Read the full story here.

If you support our advertisers, you are supporting The Record. Click Trillium’s banner ad to find out more about signing up for their CSA and growing season.

The Most Dangerous Creature in Vermont

Our Outdoors Columnist Philip Werner discusses how Lyme disease-carrying ticks remain a major health concern for residents and visitors. Read the full article here.

in case you missed it…

Special Mother’s Day of Music

The Hinesburg Artist Series (HAS) will celebrate spring and Mother’s Day with a concert full of beautiful music on Sunday, May 10, at 4 p.m. in the CVU auditorium. Read the full article here.

Monkton Historical Society: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things

Check out this article about Monkton Historical Society’s new museum, which opened last July. Full article here.

Word of the Week

By Cathy Ryan

This week’s Word of the Week is “ell.” Because I was quite wordy discussing the 1895 book in which I read this word, we’re trying something new – putting the WotW in a separate article which you can read here.

Upcoming

Wednesday, May 6

• Selectboard Meeting, 6 p.m. at Town Hall and by Zoom. Agenda and Zoom details here.

• Korean Lotus Flower Lantern Workshop, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Carpenter Carse Library. Join us to create your own lotus lantern, symbols of purity and resilience in Korea. We'll also watch a short cultural film about Korea. More info here.

Thursday, May 7

• Homespun Comedy Open Mic Nite, at Frost Beer Works. Sign-up at 7 p.m., show 7:30-9:30 p.m. More info here.

• Deadline is May 7 for registering for the May 12 Age Well Senior Meal at St. Catherine of Siena Parish Hall, 72 Church St. in Shelburne. Check-in time is 11:30 a.m. and the meal will be served at noon. More info here.

Saturday, May 9

• Toy and Book Swap, 10-11 a.m. at Carpenter Carse Library. Claim a spot and start setting up at 9:30 a.m. Any items not swapped must be taken away by the original owner. No donations needed to “shop.” For more info, email Alex at Koncewicz@hinesburgresource.org

• Shelburne Museum Community Day, a free celebration of opening day at the museum. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info here.

This week’s Word of the Week is “ell.” I read this word in Frances E. Willard’s 1895 book, A Wheel within a Wheel: How I Learned to Ride the Bicycle. An ell is an old English unit of measure, of about 45 inches (see more in the Merriam Webster definition). The sentence in the book is, “We all know the old saying, Fire is a good servant, but a bad master. This is equally true of the bicycle: if you give it an inch—nay, a hair—it will take an ell—nay, an evolution—and you a contusion, or, like enough, a perforated kneecap.”

This book is in the public domain, and you can read it online at Project Gutenberg.

Willard’s book is about more than just how she learned to ride a bicycle. It is about motivation and trepidation — the excitement of learning something new and the thrill of success, and the fears of ridicule, failure, and personal injury.

Frances Elizabeth Caroline Willard was born in 1839 in Churchville, New York, and spent most of her childhood in Janesville, Wisconsin. She was an educator, a temperance reformer, and women’s suffragist. Her work was instrumental in the passing of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution (Prohibition and women’s right to vote), raising the age of consent in many states, and instituting an eight-hour workday. Willard’s many professions included: a public school teacher, President of Evanston College for Ladies, Dean of Women at Northwestern University, a newspaper editor, a public speaker, an author, and President of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). The WCTU had a three-prong mission of abolition, suffrage, and temperance.

Although Willard was briefly engaged, her primary loyalties and relationships were with women, including her longtime companion Anna Adams Gordon. Her fight for temperance focused on “home protection” — protection from the devastation caused by intoxicated men, both in and outside of the home. She argued that if women could vote, they could vote in prohibition.

Willard was a feminist, but also became a socialist and fought for a wide variety of social reform: federal aid for education and school lunches, unions and worker protections including an eight-hour workday, sanitation, public transportation, anti-rape laws, protections against child abuse, prison reform, and world peace.

Willard’s interest in the independence, health, and well-being of women naturally led her to embrace the bicycle. Bicycles allowed women to travel farther distances, without a chaperone, and gave many women their first sweet taste of freedom. Bike-riding women pushed for clothing reform, so that they could wear clothes more suitable for bike riding. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton are credited with declaring that “woman is riding to suffrage on the bicycle,” a line that was printed frequently in newspapers around the turn of the century.

To men, the bicycle in the beginning was merely a new toy, another machine added to the long list of devices they knew in their work and play. To women, it was a steed upon which they rode into a new world.

—Munsey’s Magazine, 1896

Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel.

—Susan B. Anthony, 1896

Of course, learning a new athletic pursuit in one’s fifties is not always a simple task, as this book attests to (especially when wearing the standard women’s clothing of the day). But (spoiler alert), she does successfully learn to ride, and ends the book with the encouragement, “Moral: Go thou and do likewise!”

From Press Release

This June, Vermont Repertory Theatre’s annual sold-out summer tradition continues as the Isham Barn is transformed into an Elizabethan Playhouse for ten performances of Shakespeare in Love, running June 11-20.

A faithful adaptation of Tom Stoppard’s Academy Award-winning film by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot), the play follows a young William Shakespeare struggling with writer’s block.

When he meets the spirited noblewoman Viola de Lesseps, their forbidden romance transforms a failing comedy: Romeo and Ethel the Pirate’s Daughter, into the greatest love story ever told.

Production Highlights:

Authentic Romance: Real-life couple Connor Kendall and Merrill Cameron of Hinesburg star as Will and Viola, bringing genuine warmth and romance to the production.

Immersive Setting: The beautiful setting of the Isham Barn, coupled with a huge set of raw timbers and a working Elizabethan tavern, plus more than 54 handmade costumes all combine to make this a fully immersive summer Shakespeare experience.

Classic Comedy: Audiences can expect the wit and backstage chaos of the original film, featuring Queen Elizabeth I, sword fights, an Elizabethan choir and of course, “a bit with a dog.”

Performance Schedule (evenings):

• Thursday, June 11; Friday, June 12; and Saturday, June 13, at 7:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, June 17; Thursday, June 18; Friday, June 19; and Saturday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m.

Performance Schedule (Matinees):

• Saturdays, June 13 and 20, at 2 p.m.

• Sunday, June 14, at 2 p.m.

Tickets and Information

Tickets are available now at https://theaterengine.com/productions/3016 and vermontrep.com.

About Vermont Repertory Theatre: A nonprofit organization based in Williston, Vermont, Vermont Rep produces professional-caliber, community-rooted theater every summer at the Isham Barn.

Show Sponsor: Wild Meadows Books & Cafe

2026 Season Sponsor: Union Bank

By Kat Consler
For The Record

It’s true: When the dandelions are blooming in your neighborhood, it is time to plant potatoes. In New England, dandelions can be used as a reasonable gauge to tell if the soil has dried and warmed enough for potatoes to be comfortable. All potatoes like well-draining soil, but some of the varieties we carry are well-suited for heavier soils.

Choosing the planting site

Potatoes grow best in fertile, well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. Potatoes require full sun. If your soil is very heavy and waterlogged, grow them in raised beds or containers. Well-tilled, rock-free soil will produce the most uniform crop. Work in some well-matured compost before planting, to add organic matter.

Preparing and planting

Potatoes are best planted in May or mid-June, when dandelions are blooming in your location. Cut seed potatoes in half. Don’t cut small potatoes or fingerlings. Let cut potatoes dry overnight or up to three days in a closed paper bag at room temperature. Healing the cuts in this way will prevent the potatoes from rotting in the ground.

Plant potatoes 12 inches apart in a four-inch-deep trench, cover with soil. Space rows two to three feet apart. When foliage has grown a few inches above ground, begin hilling (piling soil on top of the plants). Hill your potatoes at least twice a season. This will increase the space your potatoes have to grow and protect the tubers from sunlight.

Instead of hilling with soil, you may cover the plants with layers of seed-free straw. Keep potato plants well watered throughout the season.

Fertilization

Some compost may be mixed into the soil before planting. Too much nitrogen will result in lots of foliage and few tubers.

Weed Control

Keep your potato plants weed free.

Diseases and Pests

Colorado potato beetles are a common pest to potato plants. Best practice is to remove them by hand and kill them by dropping them in a jar with soapy water. Well-timed use of row cover can be another option.

The chance of getting early or late blight can be lowered by allowing enough space for good air circulation and keeping weeds at bay. Watering in the morning allows foliage to dry throughout the day and reduces the spread of diseases. Only use certified seed to prevent the spread of viral diseases and scab.

Harvest

Potatoes are ready to be harvested after the plants have flowered and the stems turn brown. Don’t allow potatoes to freeze in the ground. Use a fork and dig from the sides of your rows to avoid damaging tubers. Store potatoes in a cool (40-50F), dark place.

Varieties

If you’re working in clay soil, give Dark Red Norland a try. This is an early season potato with high yields and great flavor, firm white flesh and red skin.

If you’re at the other end of the spectrum – working in sandy drought-prone soil – All Blue is a great performer; blue skin, blue flesh and blue flowers make this one extra special.

If you’re growing in containers or grow bags, varieties with small tubers are your best choice. Banana is a buttery yellow fingerling variety with good storage qualities. Upstate Abundance boasts very early, golf-ball-sized potatoes with white flesh and a creamy texture.

Our overall favorite is called German Butterball. Its delicious flavor and texture lends itself to many culinary uses and never disappoints. If you’re looking for an earlier season variety with similar flavor qualities, Carola is a great choice as well. Both have yellow flesh and skin.

Kat Consler works at Red Wagon Plants in Hinesburg.

I’m Rufus Patrick. I taught for many years, and now I’m basically doing the same thing with big people. I’m conducting the Hinesburg town band, or now it’s the Hinesburg Community Band. The South County Chorus, the United Church of Hinesburg choir, and I also do the Wake Robin Chorus. Which is a lot of fun too with the seniors. I always thought that. You know, musicians are also artists, and we called it the Artist Series because we would have a guest artist. It started in 1997, I think. I didn’t know it would progress to where we are now. Because the Hinesburg Artist Series encompasses the band and the chorus. We’re now 501(c)(3) and we have a board. I used to do all that stuff myself. I used to do the programs and put the ads in. And now I just have to wave my arms.

My grandmother’s neighbors, she played the organ and he played the violin, and they were here one day when I was a young kid. And I said to my mom, ‘I want to learn the violin,’ so she got me lessons. I started teaching at Lamoille Union High School and then I went to Burlington where I graduated from high school anyway.

In 1996, somebody said to me, ‘We need more music in the Fourth of July parade.’ And so I just started making phone calls, and I got a bunch of people together, and we rode the flatbed in the parade. And then people started saying they wanted to play more, and so we did. We did a concert in the park every year, and early on we had some supporters like the Wainer family – and it’s called Wainer Community Park, down behind the school, and they gave us some, you know, sponsorship.

I have people coming from St. Albans to play in this band, and they all have fun. They’re very talented. And I used to just recruit, I still recruit, constantly, but now I have some of my own band members who will play a gig and they say, ‘Hey, I just played this with the Philharmonic and this horn player subbed for somebody and she’s really good. You should give her a call.’ It’s been a really nice transition, and it’s a rocking group right now.

This first picture is from 1907 and you know, there’s a lot of you know, Hinesburger names in here, like the Murrays and the Patricks and the Dows and the Meads and the Pages; they’re all Hinesburg families. And it was a big deal for them to go to play on the Ticonderoga on the water. Imagine 1907.

And that picture is one of the reasons we staged this picture with the flagpole behind us like this when we got to play in 1998 [on the front of the Ticonderoga now part of Shelburne Museum]. It was really fun. And it was only a couple years after we had started playing in the parades.

This photo was found somewhere in town. In the files somewhere. Don’t know what year it was from. When we commissioned a piece for the band, we made [the photo] a big deal [and put it in the program]. The Hinesburg March, the Spirit of Hinesburg March. I commissioned a friend of mine who’s a composer. He wrote a little bit about the band. About my grandfather, my namesake, playing the bass drum and the concert for that year. This was the picture that was on the front of the program.

We’re doing a Mother’s Day concert on May 10th at CVU, 4 o’clock. The South County Chorus is my other group, and we’re doing a really fun program with them. And the band is again playing some stuff. We’re trying to lock into the 30th year of the band since I started it; the 250th anniversary [of the U.S.] and I guess this is Vermont’s 235th.

I’ve got two high school students whose aunt plays in the band, so we have people that are 80 and people that are 18. That’s what music’s all about. It’s good for all ages.

I did sort of peel through one of the old books [of music] that we found [in the attic]. It was in pretty tough shape, but it had a lot of the classics and some of them, of course, were written by people like [John Philip] Sousa. He wrote so many marches that we’ve never played. And we’re doing one this year . . . the Invincible Eagle – we’ve never done it before. And it’s a great march.

My summer programs. I totally change them because it’s more fun to play new stuff. The only thing, we always end with the Stars and Stripes Forever, because it’s one of the Sousa marches that everybody knows and likes. And it’s a really fun way to kick the concert in the butt, finish it off. Other than that. I pretty much program a new concert for every summer program.

And that’s cool. I feel like I’m hanging out in my correct place with all my ancestors.

If you have a memorable photo with a story behind it, get in touch with us. We’ll come and record your telling of it and publish your story and the photo here.

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Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Location:

69 Ballard’s Corner Road, Hinesburg, Vermont

Contact Info:

www.carpentercarse.org
library@carpentercarse.org
802-482-2878

May News

Here at the library, community is at the center of everything we do. Whether it is choosing a new book to bring to the library shelves, planning an after-school program for youth, or improving the library’s accessibility, our goal is always to meet our community’s needs. The high-quality, free programming that we offer is meant to inform, entertain, enlighten, and engage. The wide variety of materials we provide allows our patrons to follow their curiosity and encounter new ideas. If you haven’t visited in a while, May is an ideal month to stop by. There is something for everyone on our program calendar, and our Children’s Reading Garden has plenty of comfy seats and sunny spots to welcome you!

Speaking of community, we have had a fantastic turnout at the tile-making workshops for our Community Art Project! 51 community members have contributed so far and we are hoping for an additional 61 participants. Drop in during one of the remaining workshops listed below and add your special touch to this unique and meaningful project:

• Saturday, May 2nd, 1-2 p.m.

• Tuesday, June 2nd, 6-7 p.m.

• Thursday, June 11th, 6-7 p.m.

Thanks to a generous donation from a patron and the hard work of our amazing volunteer, David, we have 4 new book displays in our youth areas. We love how much these enhance the look of the library and give us even more space to showcase interesting books. We are very grateful.

Please note the following upcoming closures:

• CCL will be closing at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, for building maintenance.

• Closed Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

• Closed Monday, June 1, so staff may attend the Vermont Library Conference.

Youth Happenings at Carpenter-Carse Library

For more information about any of these programs contact jen@carpentercarse.org.

Weekly Storytime

Join the fun and learning on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. for picture books, songs, movement, and rhymes that are designed to promote early language, fine motor, and pre-literacy skills in a friendly environment! Each week we will finish up Storytime with snacks, coffee for the adults, a simple craft or sensory activity, and book browsing. Storytime is designed for babies, toddlers, and preschool/kindergarten aged children and their caregivers, and no registration is required.

Music and Movement Storytime - Fridays at 9:30am

CCL is offering an interactive early childhood program featuring instrument exploration, songs, fingerplays, dance and movement, and stories! Babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers can join us every Friday morning for moving, grooving, and fun! Like all library programs, this program is free and open to everyone. No registration required.

Saturday Family Playtime - Saturdays, 10-11 a.m. (no meeting on May 30)

Young children and their caregivers are invited to join us in the library community room every Saturday morning for play time, pop-up stories, and socializing. Coffee and tea will be provided for adults, and families can browse for books afterwards. Library staff will provide a rotating selection of activities and play themes.

D&D Club - Thursdays, 3 - 4:30 p.m.

Each week library volunteers work with students in grades 4-8 in learning the basics of Dungeons and Dragons, including character creation, understanding game mechanics, and how to work together to create and play in their own campaigns. If your child is interested in participating in our Winter session of D&D, parents can email Jen to reserve a spot.

After-school Puppy Party - Friday, May 1, 3-4:15 p.m.

Sign up to hear a story about pet adoption, have a puppy-themed snack, and choose your own puppy stuffy to take home. Every participant can also make a new collar for their puppy and decorate a pet carrier! This program is designed as a drop-off event for kids in Kindergarten to 4th grade. This is also a great program to join if you are going into Kindergarten next year and want to test out after-school programs with a parent! Please email Jen to sign up.

Read to a Dog - Tuesdays, May 5 and May 19, 3-4 p.m.

If you’d like to practice your reading skills, drop in at the library every other Tuesday after school to read to Ivy the Basset Hound, a certified therapy dog. There’s no need to sign up, just head to the children’s area of the library and pick out a favorite book to share with Ivy!

After-school Garden Crafts - Wednesdays, May 6-27, 2 - 3:15 p.m.

Join us for our May after-school programming where we will create fun and functional art for your garden, backyard, or any outdoor space! Projects include making sun catchers, bug hotels, and more! Please contact Jen to sign up.

Springtime Craft: Painting Pots and Planting Seeds - Saturday, May 9, 12 p.m.

Join us for an afternoon of gardening and crafting! In this program, we will paint flower pots and plant some seeds. Kids of all ages are welcome to this program, however we ask that anyone younger than 2nd grade be accompanied by an adult. Please email Jen or visit the circulation desk to sign up.

Middle School Book Club - Thursday, May 21, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Middle school students who are interested in reading and discussing all kinds of books that are generally geared toward students in grades 6 - 8 are invited to join this club. Students will receive each month’s book from the library then meet on the third Thursday of the month to engage in a fun discussion, eat snacks, hang out with friends, and decide what to read next! Email Jen to reserve your spot.

Adult Programs

For more information about any of these programs contact alex@carpentercarse.org.

Hands and Needles - Mondays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Bring whatever project you’re working on (quilting, knitting, embroidery, etc.) to this weekly adult program for a morning of creativity and conversation.

Senior Meet-Up - Mondays, 1-2:30 p.m.

Do you remember rotary phones? Bike riding without helmets? Then this meet-up is for you. Come gather and talk, schmooze and kvetch, share and laugh with other seniors. Coffee and tea will be provided. No registration required.

Korean Lotus Flower Lantern Workshop - Wednesday, May 6, 6:30-8 p.m.

Join us to create your own lotus lantern, symbols of purity and resilience in Korea. We’ll also watch a short cultural film about Korea. Presented by the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project. Registration required. Email Alex or stop by the circulation desk to register.

Folk Jam - Thursday, May 7, 6-8 p.m.

Do you play an acoustic instrument or just love to sing along to old time, blues, country, and folk music? Come join the SongFarmers during their monthly gathering and participate in this wonderful live music offering. Listeners are also welcome. Free and open to the public in the library’s community room, or outdoors as weather allows.

Mystery Book Group - Wednesday, May 13, 12:30-1:30pm

Meet with other readers at the library to discuss a mystery book—ranging from cozy to gritty. Please email Alex to receive a copy of the book and to let us know you will attend.

Reminisce & Connect: A Community Series for Creative Reflection - Wednesdays, May 13 - June 3, 6:30-8 p.m.

This 4-part workshop for adults 60+ offers a welcoming space to pause, connect, and celebrate the richness of our lives. Presented by local community doula and author, Francesca Arnoldy. Together, we’ll take time to reflect on the memorable moments, people, places, and sources of joy that have shaped who we are—through gentle conversation, thoughtful writing, and creative activities. While the themes we cover may be heartfelt, the atmosphere will be supportive and enjoyable!

There is no fee but spots are limited. Email Alex or stop by the circulation desk to register.

These workshops are made possible by a generous grant from the Vermont Arts Council.

Virtual Birding Workshop - Friday, May 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Join Audubon Vermont and your local library for a workshop all about your local birds. Learn tips for identifying birds, explore birding-related tools, get suggestions for local places to look for birds, and ask all of your bird questions. This program is free to participate in. You can access the workshop through participating libraries or from home by registering here.

CCL will be hosting a screening at the library in the Community Room. No registration required but email Alex with questions.

Korean Traditional Knot Workshop - Tuesday, May 19, 6:30-8 p.m.

Join us to make a bracelet or key ring using traditional Korean knotting techniques. We’ll also learn how traditional Korean decorative knots are used in clothing, accessories, and daily life in Korea. Presented by the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project. Registration required. Email Alex or stop by the circulation desk to register.

When the Trees Came Back with Author Robert Mello - Tuesday, May 26, 7-8 p.m.

Although long recognized as the “Green Mountain State,” Vermont’s hillsides were once nearly completely bare. By the 1880s, unsustainable logging and farming practices had decimated its once-dense forests, with enormous environmental consequences. Local author Robert Mello’s new book, When the Trees Came Back: The Great Battle to Save Vermont’s Forests, tells the story of how a group of dedicated advocates, citizens, and lawmakers turned the tide at the dawn of the 20th century. Join us as he explains how their efforts contributed to the remarkable recovery of Vermont’s forests and provides lessons for protecting our forests in an uncertain future. No registration required. Contact Alex with any questions.

By Philip Werner
The Record Outdoors Columnist

Spring in Vermont brings warm weather, blooming flowers, and an urge to spend more time outdoors. However, it also signals the return of ticks, which can carry diseases like Lyme disease, a serious health concern in the region. Protecting yourself from ticks is essential to enjoying the outdoors safely. Here are practical steps to help you stay tick-free during the spring months in Vermont.

1. Understand Tick Habits and Habitats

Ticks thrive in wooded areas, tall grasses, and leaf litter – common environments in Vermont’s forests and parks. During spring, ticks become active as temperatures rise above 40°F. The most common tick in Vermont is the black-legged tick (deer tick), known for spreading Lyme disease. Knowing where ticks live helps you avoid high-risk areas.

2. Dress Appropriately

Wearing the right clothing can significantly reduce your chances of tick bites:

• Wear long sleeves and long pants to cover your skin.

• Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks before they attach.

• Tuck pants into socks or boots to prevent ticks from crawling under your clothes.

• Choose closed-toe shoes instead of sandals.

3. Use Tick Repellents

Applying insect repellents that contain DEET or picaridin is an effective deterrent:

• Use permethrin-treated (also called Insect Shield) clothing or treat your clothes yourself before heading outdoors (permethrin kills ticks on contact).

• Apply EPA-registered insect repellents on exposed skin according to the product instructions.

• Be sure to reapply repellents as needed, especially if you sweat or get wet.

4. Stay on Clear Trails

When hiking or walking in the woods, stick to the center of trails and avoid brushing against vegetation:

• Avoid walking through tall grass, weeds, and leaf piles where ticks are commonly found.

• Keep your pets on a leash and away from thick vegetation to prevent them from bringing ticks home.

5. Perform Tick Checks

After spending time outdoors, check yourself, your children, and your pets thoroughly for ticks:

• Examine all body parts carefully, including behind the ears, under the arms, around the waist, and behind the knees.

• Use a mirror or ask someone for help to check hard-to-see areas.

• Showering within two hours of coming indoors can wash away unattached ticks.

6. Remove Ticks Properly

If you find a tick attached to your skin:

• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.

• Pull upward with steady, even pressure without twisting or jerking.

• Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

• Save the tick in a sealed container for identification if you develop symptoms later.

7. Maintain Your Yard

Ticks can also be found around your home. Take steps to reduce their presence:

• Keep grass short and remove leaf litter and brush.

• Create a barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas.

• Stack firewood neatly in dry areas away from your home.

8. Monitor Your Health

After spending time outdoors, watch for symptoms such as rash, fever, fatigue, or joint pain, which may indicate a tick-borne illness. Consult a healthcare provider promptly if you experience any symptoms.

Philip Werner is the founder of SectionHiker.com, a website about hiking and backpacking, now in its 19th year. He’s hiked and backpacked over 10,000 miles in the U.S. and U.K. and is on the board of directors of the Green Mountain Club. He recently moved to Hinesburg and can’t believe his good fortune to be so close to so many great outdoor recreational opportunities. His column appears monthly (and sometimes more often) in The Hinesburg Record.

Check out this article about Monkton Historical Society’s new museum, which opened last July. Full article here.

Save the Date: Special Mother’s Day of Music

The Hinesburg Artist Series (HAS) will celebrate spring and Mother’s Day with a concert full of beautiful music on Sunday, May 10, at 4 p.m. in the CVU auditorium. Read the full article here.

Click the banner ad to get to Lantman’s website.

Green Mountain Conservation Camp Still Has Openings for Sessions This Summer

Tuition is just $300 for the week, including food, lodging, and equipment. Financial aid is available to all who inquire. Open to ages 12-14. Read the full article here.

If you support our advertisers, you are supporting The Record. Click Trillium’s banner ad to find out more about signing up for their CSA and growing season.

Obituary: Craig Steuart Lyman

Craig Steuart Lyman of Hinesburg passed away on April 21, 2026, after a difficult and courageous battle with cancer. He was 64 years old. Read the full obituary here.

Obituary: Ellen E. Phelps

Ellen Elaine Phelps, born May 27, 1937, in Hinesburg passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of family, dedication, and enduring friendships. Read the full obituary here.

Obituary: Paullette “Paully” Russell

On Dec. 16, 2025, the world lost a master gardener, a peacock tamer, and a woman who was never afraid to speak her mind. There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, May 24. Read the full obituary here.

in case you missed it…

Commentary: Philanthropy or Science?

A discussion of the motivations behind donations, particularly the potential donation of an artificial turf field for CVU, by Hinesburg resident and writer Bill Schubart. Read the full commentary here.

New Classes from Access CVU

Check out the classes offered by Access CVU, including a three-week weaving course with fiber artist Molly Hall, starting May 5.

Word of the Week

By Cathy Ryan

This week’s Word of the Week is “battledore.” That sounds amazing, right? Like some violent game tournament. Partially correct – it is a game, but not overly violent. It is the precursor to badminton. I read this word in the novel Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips. I decided to read a Pulitzer-Prize-Winning novel, and this was the winner for 2024. It is set during, and in the aftermath of, the Civil War, much of it taking place at a real location, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum located in Weston, West Virginia. In the mid-1800s, the idea came about that perhaps states (or at least regions) should have humane treatment facilities for the mentally ill. I really enjoyed the book and recommend it. Last we checked, Carpenter Carse Library has it on the shelf (waiting list for ebook).

Upcoming

Tuesday, April 28

• Fighting Food Waste, 7-8 p.m. at Carpenter Carse Library. Join Kat Moody from CSWD for an eye-opening look into reducing food waste. More info here.

• Conservation Commission Meeting, 7 p.m. Town Hall, main hall. Agenda and more info here.

Wednesday, April 29

• Exhibition Preview – Norman Rockwell: At Home in Vermont, 6-7 p.m. via Zoom (in-person event is full). Presented by the Shelburne Museum. Registration required. More info here.

Thursday, April 30

• Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity Info Session, 6-7 p.m. at Carpenter Carse Library. Construction begins this spring on homes in Hinesburg. Learn more about volunteering or applying for a home at this session. More info here.

Saturday, May 2

• Green Up Day, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Town Hall. Green-up bags are available now at either the Town Hall or the Carpenter Carse Library. Lunch is from noon to 1 p.m. More info here.