By Meghan Metzler
CVSD Board Chair

I write today to share the CVSD board’s perspective on the process that led to our June 30 vote to enter into a Gift Agreement for a new field at CVU. The decision was not made lightly or quickly. It followed months of community input and deliberation, along with a sincere effort to balance student safety and opportunity, environmental responsibility, community concerns, and the evidence available to us – a process we should have better explained to the public on June 30.

Since the Community Field Project first approached CVSD with an offer to fundraise for a new field at CVU, the board has wrestled with both the potential benefits of the gift and its possible unintended consequences. We understood from the beginning that our first responsibility was to the safety of our students and broader community and that any decision would also have implications for the trust we have worked to build with our communities over many years.

We did not fully see just how polarizing this proposal would become. But it did.

The board began exploring the proposed gift last fall. The proposal grew out of long-standing concerns about CVU’s fields. During the process we heard about injuries and lost opportunities for students, as well as the possibility that a more reliable field could expand access to athletics, student activities, school events, and community use.

At the same time, significant concerns emerged about PFAS, groundwater and drinking water, long-term environmental impacts, and the proximity of the proposed field to the Hinesburg water supply.

Those concerns shaped the board’s process.

In April, two separate community meetings presented differing perspectives on the proposal. On April 8, the Community Field Project explained its proposal and responded to questions. On April 10, Responsible Growth Hinesburg hosted an event focused on environmental and public health concerns associated with artificial turf. Board members attended when they could and watched recordings of the events to hear the presentations, research, questions, and concerns directly.

Importantly, the board did not begin substantive deliberation until both community meetings had taken place. Board members wanted to hear the arguments on both sides before moving more deeply into discussion.

Following the board’s first discussion in April, members charged the Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer with answering 12 specific questions raised by the community about safety, cost, and practical use. In May, the board reviewed those answers during that month’s board meeting and commissioned an independent environmental study to examine the community’s most significant concern: the potential impacts on surface water, groundwater, and public drinking water. The board was clear that it would only proceed once satisfied the project would not pose an unacceptable risk to drinking water.

When the study was completed, its findings did not identify an unacceptable risk to surface water, groundwater, or public drinking water from the proposed field under the conditions studied. The study did not answer every conceivable question or eliminate all uncertainty. No decision involving emerging science or environmental risk can honestly make that claim. It did, however, provide independent evidence directly addressing one of the most significant concerns raised throughout the process.

Ultimately, a majority of the board voted to move forward with entering into a Gift Agreement because, after months of public input, exposure to differing perspectives, answers to specific questions, independent analysis, and thorough review of the available evidence, a majority of members concluded that the benefits of the proposed field outweighed risks.

That decision should not be interpreted as a dismissal of those who remain concerned. Reasonable people can review the same information and reach different conclusions about what level of uncertainty is acceptable. We also know that the health of a community is measured not only by whether we agree, but by whether we can remain in a constructive and respectful relationship when we do not. We remain focused on being in relationship with our community even in the face of disagreement.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to write, speak, ask questions, share expertise, attend meetings, watch presentations, and participate in this process.

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The Record Staff report

The Chittenden Valley School District signed an agreement with a group led by Eli Lesser-Goldsmith to move forward with a privately-financed artificial turf field, grandstands, lighting, scoreboard, access and parking at CVU.

The agreement was signed and made public on July 15. The agreement is a tangle of legalese, but places the District in control, assigns donors as paying for the project’s cost and gives them latitude regarding naming rights of the project’s various parts. The agreement applies a little time pressure as well.

The document also outlines that an informal agreement was made in August of 2025 between the two parties, that outlined goals and expectations in exploring a collaboration.

Lesser-Goldsmith’s group pledges to raise an estimated $6 million to fund the entire project including permitting, engineering, construction, purchase of materials for the field and all the other pieces of the project. Any money left over will be given back to the district for replacement costs. In the past, Lesser-Goldsmith has said The Community Field Project has substantial support.

Returning a call The Record had made, Lesser-Goldsmith declined to comment when asked about timetable or questions about financing or the reason he has been such an enthusiastic champion of the field and complex.

(Updated) Some 1,000 people have signed petitions against the artificial turf field and a representative of the two groups leading the opposition – Responsible Growth Hinesburg and the Campaign to Keep Grass Fields at CVU – issued a statement (click here to read in full) stating: “We believe that the public has been seriously misled about the Board’s review process from the very beginning, and that we have been denied the right to review and comment on critical and substantive terms of this agreement before the actual agreement was signed.”

Adam Bunting, superintendent of CVSD, answered several questions via email in order to pull in Gary Marckres, the district’s chief operating officer (who was away), for several of the answers. Marckres will be the chief point person for the project on behalf of the district, Bunting said. (The Q&A exchange with the district is under the next section which highlights aspects of the agreement.)

Some of the more important parts of the gift agreement:

• “The District will be the applicant or co-applicant for required local or state permits, as appropriate, and will review, approve, and execute design submittals, permit applications, procurement recommendations, construction contracts that require District approval, and other documents within commercially reasonable timeframes.”

• “The District shall have final approval authority over all phases of Project design, permit submittals, contract awards, construction scheduling, construction safety protocol development, issuance of change orders, and notices of substantial and final completion.”

• “Following acceptance of the Gift, the District will assume responsibility for use and maintenance of the Project.”

• Any funds raised that are left over at completion of the project will be given to the District for maintenance and/or replacement costs.

• The donors, for the moment, will be using Friends of CVU as its nonprofit fiscal agent with the possibility of The Community Field Project forming its own nonprofit organization at which time it could transfer fiscal responsibility to that entity.

• The District grants the donors the ability to grant naming rights – permanent or for a period of time - for parts of the project, including the field, stands, seats, lighting, concession stand, etc.

• The District retains the right to remove the names in the event the named person is convicted of a felony or exhibits behavior contrary to the values of the district.

• All public announcements and outreach materials will be released jointly and with both parties’ approval.

• The agreement can be ended through mutual consent or in the event of one party being in violation of the agreement.

• “On August 13, 2025, CVSD and the Donor executed a non-binding Term Sheet that set forth principal terms for a restricted gift in support of the Project (the “Term Sheet”) which provided that the Parties would negotiate in good faith and execute a definitive agreement memorializing such terms.”

Q & A with District:

The Record (R) and the District (D)

R: How is the district going to be protected should the turf group fail to raise enough money to finish the project?

D: The parties’ intent is to raise all, or substantially all, of the necessary funds before construction begins. The District is also protected through the Agreement’s “Submittals” process. Under that process, the District must review and approve each major stage of the project, including the project budget, construction schedule, design materials, contracts, and notice to proceed. In practical terms, the donor group cannot simply begin construction and leave the District with an unfinished project.

R: Is there a provision whereby the district would require a certain amount of money to be raised and in hand BEFORE the project begins?

D: See above

R: What District funds are set aside for the District to hire a lawyer (as a permit applicant, for instance) or in the event the District is sued in court?

D: The Gift Agreement does not provide a separate fund for the District’s legal expenses. As written, each party is responsible for its own costs and expenses unless the Agreement specifically states otherwise. The District maintains a general legal-services budget for matters that arise during the year. It is also important to distinguish between ordinary legal expenses and costs arising from the donor group’s actions. The Agreement contains indemnification and insurance provisions intended to protect the District in certain circumstances, although the scope of those protections would depend on the specific facts.

R: What was the agreement made on August 13, 2025, and why was that not made public? (or was it?) May The Record get a copy?

D: The document’s purpose was to establish a general framework for continued negotiations, including the potential scope of the gift, the responsibilities of the parties and the process for developing a definitive agreement. We are happy to share, but likely won’t have access until next week.

R: I am totally confused by the wording of this (legalese, I realize, but...)

“14.1 Term. This Agreement is effective as of the Effective Date and continues until the later of Final Completion under Section 9.3 or two (2) years from the Effective Date, whichever occurs first, unless earlier terminated as provided below. Sections that by their nature should survive termination or expiration shall survive, including Sections 5, 10-12, 13, 16-21.”

D: The intent is that the Agreement will remain in effect until the project reaches final completion, but that the donor group also has a limited period in which to demonstrate meaningful progress. If sufficient progress has not been made toward fundraising, permitting, and construction within two years, the Agreement may terminate.

R: Who is going to actually manage the project at District level and at Donor level?

At the District level, project oversight would be Chief Operating Officer and facilities staff. The board would retain any approval authority assigned to it by law, policy, or the Gift Agreement. At the donor level, Friends of CVU and the Community Field Project would need to identify an authorized project representative responsible for fundraising, coordinating consultants and contractors, preparing required submissions, and communicating with the District. The names and specific responsibilities of the project managers should be documented before the project advances.

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From CSWD Press Release

Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) and the United States Attorney’s Office District of Vermont have announced that more than $2.27 million in funds stolen in a January 2026 cyber‑enabled fraud scheme will be returned to the district. The Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont obtained a civil forfeiture judgment, and the U.S. Marshal’s Service will transfer the recovered funds back to CSWD.

What happened:

• In late January 2026 CSWD received an email that redirected payments for the construction of a new $38 million Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). Acting on those instructions, CSWD sent two payments – totaling more than $3 million – to a Citibank account that, it soon became clear, was part of a sophisticated fraud scheme.

• CSWD immediately reported this incident to the district’s bank and to law enforcement. Federal authorities, including the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, initiated a process to seize the stolen funds in the Citibank account.

• A federal judge signed the order of forfeiture and judgment on July 2, 2026, for $2,270,202.39. Per the settlement, those funds will be returned to CSWD by the U.S. Marshal’s Service.

“We are relieved and grateful that law enforcement’s swift work has returned these funds to CSWD. We also want this incident to serve as an educational moment for other organizations to be vigilant, strengthen controls, and report suspected fraud immediately,” said Sarah Reeves, Executive Director of CSWD. “The recovered funds will be returned to the district and used as originally intended, which is to help fund the construction of our new, state-of-the-art Materials Recycling Facility, scheduled to open in early spring.”

For more on the new MRF, visit CSWD.net.

From VT Secretary of State Press Release

In advance of the statewide primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas is reminding voters about their voting options and resources available from her office. The primary election determines which major party candidates will be on the ballot for the November general election.

“Every election is a valuable opportunity to make your voice heard,” said Secretary Copeland Hanzas. “Yet, we tend to see lower turnout in primary elections. It’s crucial that Vermonters know how important their vote is, and how many options they have for casting their ballot.”

Unlike the general election in November, ballots for the statewide primary election are not mailed automatically. To receive a mailed ballot, voters need to request one from their clerk’s office or in the online Vermont Voter Portal. Voters also need to choose which major party primary – Republican, Democratic, or Progressive – they wish to vote in. Absentee ballots are available now.

Voters can mail their absentee ballot back to their clerk; the Secretary of State’s office recommends doing so by July 28 to ensure the ballot returns to the clerk by Election Day. Voters can also hand-deliver their ballot to their clerk during open hours or put it in an official ballot drop box. Another option is to go to the clerk’s office during open hours and vote early in-person.

Secretary Copeland Hanzas emphasized the usefulness of her office’s online Vermont Voter Portal, vote.vermont.gov. Every registered voter has an existing account and can “log in” to view information about their clerk’s office and polling place, request an absentee ballot, and view their Voter Guide. The Voter Guide has information about the elected positions and statements from the candidates on their ballot.

“Vermont works to remove barriers between eligible voters and their right to vote, and I wanted to make information about who is on your ballot just as accessible,” said Secretary Copeland Hanzas. “Sometimes I hear that folks don’t participate in our elections because they don’t feel informed enough about the choices. I hope that this standard, non-partisan guide gives Vermonters a convenient opportunity to get the information they need to cast their vote.”

From Lake Iroquois Association Press Release

Eric Hanson, a biologist with the VT Loon Conservation Project will speak at the Lake Iroquois Association (LIA) Annual Meeting on July 23, 2026, at Isham Family Farm, 3515 Oak Hill Road, Williston. The meeting time is 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Vermont Loon Conservation Project is a joint effort between the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

The meeting will also include updates from LIA about ongoing lake stewardship initiatives including water quality monitoring results, aquatic invasive prevention efforts, and other projects that support the health of Lake Iroquois and its watershed.

The Lake Iroquois Association is a nonprofit organization of volunteers established to protect the quality of the lake for environmental and recreational purposes.

The event is free and open to the public. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.

Eric Hanson, a biologist with the VT Loon Conservation Project, will speak at the Lake Iroquois Association (LIA) Annual Meeting on July 23 at Isham Family Farm, 3515 Oak Hill Road, Williston. The meeting time is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Read the full article here.

Letter: When did school boards stop answering to the public?

Hinesburg resident Rebecca Foster calls CVSD into question for failing to answer questions about the turf field project and then approving moving forward with it without explanation. Read her commentary here.

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Hinesburg Police Department Invites Community to National Night Out on August 4

The Hinesburg Police Department invites residents of all ages to join neighbors and local first responders for National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5-7 p.m. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to help make our neighborhoods safer, stronger, and more caring places to live.

Vermont Secretary of State Shares Voting Information and Resources Ahead of Primary Election

In advance of the statewide primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 11, Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas is reminding voters about their voting options and resources available from her office. At the Online Voter Portal you can view sample ballots, read candidate statements, and request an absentee ballot. Read the full article here.

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Funds Stolen in Sophisticated Phishing Scam to be Returned to CSWD

Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) and the United States Attorney’s Office District of Vermont have announced that more than $2.27 million in funds stolen in a January 2026 cyber‑enabled fraud scheme will be returned to the district. Read the full article here.

Word of the Week – Imbroglio and Embroil

These two words have the same origin – embrouiller from Middle French (mid-14th to the early 17th centuries). Read all about these words, some smelly tofu, and the sheep that seem to keep getting embroiled in imbroglios, here.

In case you missed it …

CVSD Agrees to Accept Turf Field Gift

In a sometimes-contentious meeting, the district school board voted to accept the gift of a $6 million artificial turf field and athletic complex at CVU. To the opposition – which included nearly 1,000 Hinesburg residents who’d signed petitions against the proposal – it was a huge disappointment. For the many in support, it was the culmination of 15 years of trying. Link to our website for story and video of meeting. Also: Selectboard urged to take action after CVSD decision – Full story here.

My Story: Man falls in Love with the harmonica

Bristol man tells his story, playing his instrument for punctuation. A wonderful audio story with a nice written piece filling in the gaps. Read/listen to Claire MacDonald’s story of Mark Lavoie.

Upcoming

Monday, July 13

• Music in East Monkton: Jody Albright and John Penoyar, 7 p.m. John (guitar, vocals) and Jody (vocals) have been performing together since the 1980s, many songs from the Beatles to Hank Williams, Motown, blues, and 1970s pop. More info here.

Tuesday, July 14

• DEIB Committee Meeting, 6-7:30 p.m. Town Hall.

• Hinesburg Conservation Commission Meeting, 7 p.m. Carpenter-Carse Library. Details here.

Wednesday, July 15

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

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

Thursday, July 16

• Town Common Committee Meeting, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Hinesburg Town Hall. Agenda and details here.

Saturday, July 18

• Community Car Care Workshop, 11 a.m.-noon. Carpenter-Carse Library. Registration is required. More info here.

We’ve got another twofer for you, with this week’s words of the week: imbroglio and embroil. Tip: the “g” in imbroglio is silent. These words have the same way-back origin.

I came across imbroglio while I was reading this article in the New York Times about a wild problem, a hilarious debacle, an imbroglio, regarding 20 tons of spilled tofu in Missouri that really started to stink because it was left there for three weeks. Imbroglio is one of those words that I felt I kind of knew, but suspected I didn’t know the full story. I was thinking it was a bit of a dust up – a disagreement. But it’s more of a scandalous, embarrassing, or confused situation. This stinky tofu situation, where no one would clean it up until the insurance company promised they’d pay for the work, qualifies as an imbroglio.

While researching imbroglio (don’t forget the “g” is silent, like in tagliatelle and famiglia – the Italian are consistent), I learned that imbroglio and embroil have the same origin. They both come from the Middle French word embrouiller, which meant to jumble, or to confuse. Via French, embrouiller became the English word embroil, whereas the Italians turned embrouiller into inbrogliare and then imbroglio, which was adopted into English:

When I’m researching a word, I’m always curious if it appears in any books that I have on my Kindle. Both embroil and imbroglio appear in the biography Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, which I haven’t read yet.

Embroil also appears in Big Bad Wool by Leonie Swann. This is the sequel to Three Bags Full, the book that the recent movie “Sheep Detectives” is based on. I have read Three Bags Full, but have not yet read Big Bad Wool. I do recommend Three Bags Full, although, (and this will sound a bit unbelievable), the sheep do sometimes wax philosophic at times, in a way that I found a bit boring. But most of the time they’re romping around in a hilarious way, trying to solve a murder mystery. I recommend the movie as well, though it is a simplified version of the book (as is often the case). Those sheep have a knack for getting embroiled in imbroglios!

You can read about previous Words of the Week here.

By Rebecca Foster

For an hour at the Champlain Valley School District board meeting on June 30, district residents took the microphone, one after another, to deliver reasoned, well-researched arguments against the contentious artificial turf proposal for Champlain Valley Union High School. In aggregate, it was a damning financial, legal, environmental, ethical and health verdict.

After public comments, the school board heard a presentation from the hydrogeology consulting firm it retained. The public, including public health and PFAS experts, came prepared with sharp questions for the hydrogeologist, but the school board forbade all questions and critiques from the public.

Instead, the board chair moved to disappear into executive session for an hour and a half while the public waited. Upon its return, the board heard another 40 minutes of public comments, after which it voted to proceed with a memorandum of understanding with the group pushing artificial turf. Just like that. No explanations, no justifications. The merits of the proposal had been discussed by board members literally behind closed doors. It hid its reasoning, and it hid the document it approved.

The contempt for the public was jaw-dropping. After almost 1,000 people in the district signed petitions and hundreds took time and effort to send in comments, the board did not answer one question. Here’s a simple one: Why do you support artificial turf when athletes at the highest levels are rejecting it in favor of natural grass? I honestly want to know why my district is rushing to embrace obsolete technology.

Here are a few of other questions they did not answer:

• Hundreds of people in the district requested an analysis of natural grass fields, which they prefer. Why have you eliminated consideration of natural grass?

• Why have you not presented a long-range financial accounting of this proposal, including all aspects — installation, removal, replacement, maintenance, utilities and the costs incurred by rentals — to demonstrate there will be no additional tax burden?

• Why do you welcome working with a proposed vendor, FieldTurf, that has a long record of litigation from angry customers?

Nobody disputes that artificial turf contains microplastics and toxins; there’s only a question of which ones. Why won’t you require an independent lab test of the proposed artificial turf product so everyone knows the facts? If the company had nothing to fear, it would celebrate proper testing.

When studies consistently show player injury and safety is worse with artificial turf than grass — FIFA’s reason for requiring natural grass for World Cup matches — and parents are telling you they won’t let their kids play on it, why do you still support it?

Why are you willingly exposing the town of Hinesburg and the school district to litigation?

What do you say to the respected state and local organizations that have opposed this proposal, including the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, Sierra Club Vermont, Hinesburg Conservation Commission, Hinesburg Planning Commission, Hinesburg Selectboard, Hinesburg Energy and Climate Action Committee, Charlotte Energy and Climate Action Committee, Charlotte Grange, Charlotte Conservation Commission and Sustainable Charlotte?

Do you understand that by answering none of these questions from the public, it looks as if you only engage with people who promise you money?

The school board has heard all of these questions and more. Its response has been to ignore them.

Campaigners for real grass have questions. They will continue to fight for answers, for transparency and to defeat this proposal.

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The Hinesburg Police Department invites residents of all ages to join neighbors and local first responders for National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5-7 p.m.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to help make our neighborhoods safer, stronger, and more caring places to live. This year, approximately 38 million neighbors in more than 17,000 communities across the nation will participate in the event.

The Hinesburg celebration will feature tours of a police cruiser, firetruck, and ambulance. Community members will have the opportunity to meet and socialize with members of the Hinesburg Police Department, Hinesburg Fire Department, Richmond Rescue, Vermont Emergency Management, and other local community partners. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions, learn more about the services these organizations provide, and build positive relationships with the people who serve the community every day.

Coordinated by local law enforcement agencies, National Night Out brings police and neighbors together under positive circumstances while reinforcing the message that communities are strongest when neighbors work together to keep one another safe.

There will be something for everyone to enjoy, making this a fun and engaging event for families, children, and residents of all ages.

The Hinesburg Police Department encourages everyone to come out, meet their neighbors, connect with local public safety personnel, and celebrate the spirit of community.

For more information about National Night Out, visit natw.org.

July 1:

2:52 p.m. Officers responded to a single-car motor vehicle crash on Silver Street.

6:23 p.m. An officer responded to Bear Lane for the report of an attempted break-in in progress.

8:08 p.m. An officer investigated the report of a stolen car that had been seen in the area.

July 2:

8:43 a.m. Suspicious activity at a residence on Route 116 was investigated.

7:53 p.m. An officer responded to Hillview Terrace for the report of an individual trespassing.

8 p.m. An officer responded to Bear Lane for the report of an individual trespassing.

8:27 p.m. Officers assisted Hinesburg Fire with a fire investigation on Sunset Lane.

July 3:

10:13 a.m. A citizen was assisted with a VIN verification.

11:20 a.m. A motor vehicle complaint on Route 116 was investigated.

July 6:

6:35 p.m. Officers assisted with a medical emergency on Walt’s Way.

July 7:

8:23 a.m. A welfare check was conducted on Village Heights Road.

11:24 a.m. A traffic stop for speed was attempted on Route 116. The vehicle fled the stop, and pursuit was cancelled due to public safety concerns.

11:30 a.m. A citizen was assisted with a civil issue.

1:11 p.m. An officer responded into Richmond to assist Richmond PD with an emergency.

4:03 p.m. A citizen was assisted with a lockout.

4:26 p.m. An officer responded to a citizen dispute on Hillview Terrace.

7:20 p.m. Officers assisted with a medical emergency on Birchwood Drive.

7:50 p.m. A welfare check was conducted on Richmond Road.

8:26 p.m. Officers assisted Williston PD with attempting to locate an individual.

July 8:

12:50 p.m. A fraud was reported and investigated.

1:10 p.m. Court paperwork was served on Hillview Terrace.

3:10 p.m. A motor vehicle complaint on Jourdan Street was investigated.

July 9:

9:05 a.m. A motor vehicle complaint on Silver Street was investigated.

1:00 p.m. An officer assisted a citizen with a civil issue.

4:17 p.m. Officers assisted Hinesburg Fire Department with a car fire on Pond Road.

July 10:

9:58 a.m. A welfare check was conducted on Wile Street.

2:34 p.m. Suspicious activity on Patricia’s Place was investigated.

6:38 p.m. Officers assisted with a medical emergency on Kelley’s Field Road.

7:10 p.m. A motorist was assisted with a disabled vehicle on Buck Hill Road East.

10:25 p.m. Officers responded to an individual experiencing a mental health crisis on Wood Run Road.

(Editor’s note: This feature is intended to provide readers with an audio story; we encourage you to play the audio above, edited excerpts of Mark’s while he talks and plays his harmonica.)

By Claire MacDonald
Hinesburg Record Staff Reporter

I met harmonica player Mark Lavoie at his Bristol home on a perfect Vermont summer afternoon – barely any clouds, the sky washed clear from the rain the day before, a slight breeze stirring the air. He walked me through the screened front porch, where several taxidermy deer heads – shot by his father, he informed me – gazed down at us, through the kitchen adorned with landscape scenes painted by his mother, and out into the backyard. Birds trilled from the trees enclosing the rolling, grassy lawn.

Lavoie has been playing harmonica for more than 50 years, ever since he began teaching himself at 21. He’s done shows with Fingers Taylor, produced an album with blues musician Bill Sims Jr., and been featured on B.B. King’s Bluesville. In the summer of 1976, he was harmonica-world legend Sonny Terry’s driver. He’s designed two unique types of harmonica and taught lessons at Middlebury College. What drives him to play, though, is something much less business-oriented.

“You’ve got to have representation, and the business of music, I’m just not good at it,” he said. “I’m a free soul.”

Lavoie grew up in this house, with his family of nine. He went to a one-room schoolhouse in East Monkton, where he remembers he had his first experience with music – his teacher, Mrs. Pierce, played the piano and would put on school shows where the kids would sing and perform.

However, it wasn’t until 1971 that he picked up the harmonica.

“We closed down this bar on Main Street,” he said. “Jeremy pulls out this harmonica and plays this two-draw … it was echoing off the walls, and I got snake-bit. I went down to the Midway shop in Middlebury … and I bought four harmonicas that day.”

Harmonica is a notoriously hard instrument to learn, he said. The sound captivated him, and he stuck with it.

In 1993, he met Bill Sims Jr. at Amigos Cantina in Middlebury.

“It was magic,” he said. “You know when you have a connection with somebody, you can’t explain it. There’s just something that’s there.”

They did a few shows together, and then met back up about a decade later to create their album, “American Blues Roots Duo.” They recorded the album’s 13 songs at Lavoie’s friend’s studio in Starksboro – back-to-back, in one take.

As we spoke, Lavoie sat with a box of at least 30 harmonicas open in front of him. He’d pull out different ones, demonstrating chords and riffing tunes.

“This is a piano in a box right here,” he said.

Lavoie is known for his big, resonant tone. He couldn’t find exactly what he was seeking on the market, leading him to design two types of harmonicas: the Lavoie Vermont maplewood harmonica comb and the Lavoie titanium harmonica comb.

He worked with Michael Rainville of Maple Landmark Woodcraft in Middlebury to design the maplewood harmonica comb. When he brought his titanium comb to the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of Harmonica Convention in 2007, Jerry Portnoy of Muddy Waters’ band bought one.

Though he didn’t make money off of his creations, Lavoie said he got what he wanted as an artist – harmonicas with lower octaves and bigger chambers, allowing him to create that sound he was searching for.

His style is something he’s honed over the years, something that he said has come naturally to him.

“There’s a certain blues progression, which I don’t think about,” he said. “I don’t read music. They put charts in front of me, I say, ‘Just get that out of here.’ I hear it, and it comes to me.”

Even with this unconventional, free-form approach to playing, Lavoie taught harmonica lessons at Middlebury College for 11 years.

“It was a prestigious role for me,” he said. “I’m teaching at Middlebury College; the guy who’s a self-taught harmonica player, who’s never had any schooling other than graduating high school.”

To Lavoie, the harmonica is an essential part of his life.

“The first thing I do when I get up in the morning is open my box up and do a little riff.”

Every now and then, between speaking, Lavoie would pick up a harmonica and deftly play an improvised tune with the ease and fluency that only comes from a true lover of their craft.

“This is my spiritual guide,” he said. “For me, when I’m playing, I feel like there’s a presence. There’s something going on.”

Claire MacDonald is this year’s recipient of the Hinesburg Record Journalism Fellowship. In June she graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in political science.

In a sometimes contentious meeting, the district school board voted to accept the gift of a $6 million artificial turf field and athletic complex at CVU. To the opposition – which included nearly 1,000 Hinesburg residents who’d signed petitions against the proposal – it was a huge disappointment. For the many in support, it was the culmination of 15 years of trying. Link to our website for story and video of meeting. For all past coverage of the issue, click here.

• Selectboard urged to take action after CVSD decision. Full story, here.

Fourth of July coverage: You Can’t Rain on Our Parade!

Hot weather on Friday couldn’t discourage young and older runners in the Hilly Hobble Race Friday, nor could rain discourage Hinesburg from holding a spectacular parade. We have photos and results for you on our website, hinesburgrecord.org.

• Hilly Hobble slideshow (and race results), click here.

• Parade slideshow (and float judging results) click here.

• Roger Kohn chosen as Grand Marshal. click here.

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My Story: Man falls in Love with the harmonica

Bristol man tells his story playing his instrument for punctuation. A wonderful audio story with a nice written piece filling in the gaps. Read/listen to Claire MacDonald’s story of Mark Lavoie.

“Life on the Head of a Pin” – Authenticity

In this month’s “Life on the Head of a Pin” column, Nate Methot, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) nearly 15 years ago, writes about how he kept his illness secret from many of his friends. In this article, he discusses the challenges of revealing his diagnosis to friends, family, and strangers.

New look, but same wonderful store! Support The Record’s advertisers and you support us.

Obituary: Lyle Bissonette

Lyle Bissonette, a lifelong resident of Hinesburg, was born on Dec. 3, 1939, and passed away peacefully on June 29, 2026. Read the full obituary including services details here.

Obituary: Bernard Roy Sr.

Bernard Joseph Roy Sr. of Hinesburg died on June 26, 2026. He was 83 years old. Read the full obituary here.

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Word of the Week – Bellwether

Sure, you may feel like you have a sense of the word bellwether, but do you know about the 15th century origin and definition of the word? And what the heck is a wether? Hint: 🔔🐑. Find out, and read about what else was found in a 1988 issue of The Hinesburg Record here.

In case you missed it …

The First Amendment – and local news organizations – protect you.

Editor Geoffrey Gevalt makes a case for the First Amendment being the ultimate protection to our democracy but while the Constitution guarantees a free press, it doesn’t assure a healthy one. Right now the news business is in crisis. You can help by supporting community journalism. Read us. Spread the word. Thanks. Commentary can be read – or listen to – here on our website.

Library Unveils Community-Created Mural

The Carpenter-Carse Library revealed its new mural – a community-created piece made up of more than 100 mosaic tiles, titled “Who We Are,” in a celebratory evening accompanied by a potluck, sprinklers for the kids, and free ice cream. The mosaic mural, funded by a 250th Anniversary grant from the Vermont Arts Council, celebrates the community’s values and the individuals that compose it. Read the full article here. Responsible Growth Hinesburg’s 8th Annual Tiny Art Auction Continues through Saturday

Art Auction

Responsible Growth Hinesburg’s Annual Tiny Art Auction, started on July 4. Online bidding ends on July 11. Proceeds will be split between the Hinesburg Food Shelf and NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont). Click here for more info, including a link to the bidding website.

Upcoming

Tuesday, July 7

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

Wednesday, July 8

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

• Hinesburg Summer Concerts in the Park: Rodney Putnam will be performing at the pavilion behind Hinesburg Community School from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free.

Thursday, July 9

• Town Forest Committee meeting, 7-9 p.m. Town Hall.

By Cathy Ryan

Sure, you may feel like you have a sense of the word bellwether, but do you know what the original bellwether is (the origin of the word) or what a wether is?

Currently, the word is used to describe something that is an indicator of future trends, such as one state being a bellwether for how the whole country might vote. It’s also often used in finance, when some people feel that how a certain stock performs is an indication of how others will perform. It can also be used in the fashion industry, and law.

I read this word while scanning and reading the November 1988 edition of The Hinesburg Record, which you can read here. Other past issues can be found at hinesburgrecord.org/archives or by using the “Archives” link at the top of the home page.

The front page of the November 1988 issue discusses the recent election and says, “Although the final results did not exactly place Hinesburg in its usual position of being a bellwether town …”

Since bellwether has to do with predictions, you might think it’s related to weather – or perhaps you’ve accidentally spelled it “bellweather.” But the word’s origin is not related to weather; it’s related to sheep. Sheep tend to flock together and follow others. But who do they follow? Shepherds would select a sheep, typically a castrated male, to be the leader. A male sheep, particularly one that has been castrated, is called a wether. Some spell-checkers will mark wether as a misspelled word, but it’s in Merriam-Webster Dictionary and the Scrabble dictionary, so that’s good enough for me.

The shepherd would pick a sheep that was confident, calm, and made safe choices about where to wander. They’d put a bell around its neck. A BELL… on a WETHER! A BELLWETHER! Other sheep would learn to follow the sound of the bell.

I’m not sure why the author of that article in the Record thought that Hinesburg tended to be a bellwether town, but I see why they said it wasn’t this time – Hinesburg voted for Dukakis over Bush. I love reading these way back issues of The Record. There is always something that surprises or interests me. Here are some tidbits from this November 1988 issue that I found interesting:

• Elections: Although Hinesburg voted for Bernie Sanders for U.S. Representative, he lost the election to Republican Peter Smith. Sanders ran again two years later, and won.

• Growth and Traffic: This is a recurring theme; residents being worried about growth and traffic in town. On page 3, Jerry Wetzel voiced concern that “Downtown Hinesburg” would become the next Route 7 and said it was challenging to try and get across 116.

• Emergency Services: On page 4, there’s an article about “Iroquois First Response,” an emergency first aid response organization that provided service to Hinesburg, St. George, Williston, and parts of the interstate. Members were based out of their homes and responded in their own vehicles, with equipment.

• CVU Sports: The girls’ soccer team won the state championship, the girls’ cross-country team won the state championship, the boys’ soccer team finished runner-up, and the boys’ cross-country team was third. Lots of players are mentioned by name!

• Cheap Eats: Fortin’s Valley House Restaurant advertised all-you-can-eat Tuesday Taco nights for just $3.95 including one glass of wine!

• Lynn Gardner and Clifford Lumber: There’s an ad for Clifford Lumber, with Lynn Gardner’s name. We’ve got an audio “My Story” by Lynn that we recorded last year, where he discusses a fire that destroyed the mill, which you can listen to here.

• The Town Gunpowder Stash: A Hinesburg Historical Society article on page 18 discusses the history of the town’s churches. It mentions a church being built in 1811 at the intersection of Route 166 and Silver Street – the site of the current Hinesburg Nursery School and former Masonic Lodge. The article continues, “Underneath was a closet which was used to store the gunpowder belonging to the town. Perhaps this was a reason why there was no heat in the building.”

I encourage you to read these back issues and discover bellwether topics, such as traffic concerns and CVU’s sports domination, that keep popping up decades later.

You can read about the previous Word of the Week, otiose, here.

By Geoffrey Gevalt
The Record Staff Writer

Many thanks to all the people who made the parade so much fun. Kudos to Jen McCuin, the town rec director. Many thanks to Mary Jo Brace of The Record who took most of the pictures in the slide show; also Mary Pellegrino and me. Thanks, me.

Now admit it. Wasn’t the best part – the most memorable part – of this year’s parade – the rain?

For the marchers: a pleasant cooling, almost welcome. For the viewers, an exercise in persistence: umbrellas, press against the wall under the eaves, ‘where’s the tarp, hon?’ Always believing it would pass. ‘Yep. It’ll pass. What’s a little rain?’

We at The Record thank everyone for all the effort and laughter and reverence and work put into this year’s festivities. Wasn’t it nice to hear music at the new Town Common Pavillion? (Note: Maybe more for food trucks next year?)

And here are the Judge’s Decisions on the rolling thunder of Red, White and Blue that we witnessed:

Best business float – Lantman’s Market
Best of parade – Pine Shore Association
Best Float - Celebrity Roots– Hinesburg Resists
Best Theme -Buck Ridge Farm
Best Classic Vehicle - VW Beetle
Best Tractor - Community Alliance Church
Best costume – Lantman’s Cake riders
Best horse and rider - Livery Stables
Best decorated bike – Leo Pasteris with Kelsey of Vermont
Best pet/livestock – Libby, in the dog costume

Now, as a special reward for all of you who made it this far, a special surprise – fireworks. From afar, a field in Bristol. Awesome.

But before you watch, a thought: We want to Bring Back the Fourth: You know: big parade (where are the cows?), book sale, silly races, flea market, music-music-music in the pavillion, and … what else? What else? How about a chicken barbecue at the Fire House at 6? Fireworks at 9:30? What do you think? Email me (geoff gevalt).

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By Claire MacDonald
Hinesburg Record Staff Reporter

In the selectboard meeting on July 1, the highly contentious issue of the artificial turf field installation at CVU – approved in an 8-3 motion by the school board the previous night – presented itself once again.

Public comments from Jennifer Decker, Andrea Morgante, and Carl Bohlen expressed great concern about the school board’s decision.

Decker, who said she had sent a letter to the selectboard earlier in the week addressing her concerns about the field, urged the board to consult a lawyer as to whether the town would be able to protect itself in the hypothetical case of future contamination.

“We could be up against a multinational corporation with a very large legal budget if we find ourselves in a bad predicament with PFAS,” she said. “I would really like to see the board take proactive action on this, and not wait and see if something bad happens later before deciding what to do.”

Morgante and Bohlen both thanked the selectboard for their transparency and reflected upon their frustrations with the structure of the school board’s meeting.

“I don’t always agree with your positions, but you are willing to state them and why you state them,” Morgante said. “I was appalled that through all the meetings … [the school board] sits there, and we never know what they’re thinking. Their agenda is written in such a way that they don’t ever reference the topic and give a little background for people who might want to be engaged.”

Bohlen suggested the selectboard invite one of the school board’s Hinesburg representatives to a meeting, to talk about the board’s decision regarding the field.

The selectboard also discussed and approved the FY2027 water and wastewater budgets. The water budget will increase by almost 17 percent, mostly due to bond payments for Well 6; the wastewater budget will increase by 14 percent, mostly due to expected bond payments regarding sludge removal.

Town Manager Todd Odit suggested moving to a three-tier rate structure in the next year. This would mean that rates would remain the same for those using 4,000 cubic feet or less per year – the vast majority of users – while rates would be higher for those using between 4,000 and 10,000 and over 10,000 cubic feet per year.

Odit said that accounts using 4,000 cubic feet or less annually would see no annual increase in their water and sewer bill. Accounts using 6,000 cubic feet annually would see a $50 increase in that bill.

“The idea is to try to get more parity with the higher users of the system versus the lower users. That’s going to take some time to even out,” he said.

Decker asked if there was any way to increase charges to CVU, to create a fund that would allow the town to protect itself in the event of possible contamination. The board said they were unsure if this is possible.

Additionally, the selectboard:

• Accepted Victoria Gelbert’s application to serve on the Affordable Housing Committee, for a term that will end on April 1, 2029;

• Approved the Resolution of Authorization brought forth by Fire Chief Prescott Nadeau, which will give the fire chief or the town manager permission to sign agreements with homeowners donating their houses to the fire department for training purposes;

• Approved the request to use the town roads for the Tour de Frost, a gravel bike-riding event, on July 26;

• Approved the proposal for replacement improvements to the Lincoln Hill culverts from local company Mitchell Excavating in the amount of $226,511;

• And went through the Town Manager’s report, where they:

  • accepted a line of credit proposal from Northfield Savings Bank in the amount of $1.2 million at a rate of 4.75 percent for a one-year term; and

  • noted the near-completion of the project at the Lantman’s crosswalk.

Claire MacDonald is this year’s recipient of the Hinesburg Record Journalism Fellowship. In June she graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in political science.

By Tom Giroux
Hinesburg Record Staff Reporter

The Hinesburg Recreation Commission selected Roger Kohn for the honor of Grand Marshall at this year’s Fourth of July parade. He was accompanied on the parade route by his wife Miriam, and granddaughter Mira.

Roger was born and raised in New Jersey and earned his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He was then selected to the very prestigious courtship position for the Federal Court in Burlington. He served under Judge Leddy, whom Leddy Park in Burlington is named after.

Kohn moved to Hinesburg in 1971 and never left. He next served as a legal aide, before opening his practice in 1973. He worked out of a room in the Town Hall for several years and, in 1979, opened an office on Main Street, where they still are today.

Kohn was chosen for the Grand Marshal position because he served on the Planning Commission for 25 years and has been the organizer for the Fourth of July balloon sales for 46 years. That’s not a typo, for 46 years. This not only brings smiles to all the children, and even adults, throughout the parade, it also raised money in the past for the fireworks show and this year for Hinesburg Community Resources.

He has had some dedicated support through the years for his balloon fundraising from his wife, Miriam; daughter, Nina; and Gene Giroux. Other faithful volunteers include Jean Isham and Bill Lippert. Roger wants to make a big shout out and thank you to all his fellow balloon sellers – too numerous to list – throughout the decades.

Kohn says the favorite things he and his family enjoy about living in Hinesburg are the people and the number of residents who volunteer. While on the Hinesburg Planning Commission, he noticed that Hinesburg residents tend to just get along and are civil even in disagreement. He also enjoys the diversity of the population in Hinesburg; working right in town; and the fact his office is just 1.5 miles from his home. As a side note, his grandson, Oren Milder, from Ithica, N.Y., is now a Hinesburg fan after winning the 5K Hilly Hobble run on July 3.

A big thank you goes out to Roger Kohn for all he’s given back to the Town of Hinesburg.

Many thanks to the runners and all who made it possible. Photos by Mary Jo Brace and Jen McCuin.

Here are the winning results of the 2026 Hilly Hobble:

2K (12 and under) Boys, Timothy Miller with a time of 6:54

2K Girls, Mariana Dominguez Kellog, 7:50

5K Female 13-18, Danika Moller, 30:47

5K Male 13-18, Oren Miller, 22:38

5K Male 19-35, Justin Lapointe, 25:30

5K Female 36-50, Bekah Gordon, 29:39

5K Male 36-50, Jonathan Slason, 25:37

10K Male 19-35, Zach Marshall, 44:45

10K Female 36-50, Kendra Geeslin, 51:10

10K Male 36-50, Joe Pasteris, 50:36

10K Male 51-plus, J.T. Henley, 63:01

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Lyle Bissonette, a lifelong resident of Hinesburg, was born on Dec. 3, 1939, and passed away peacefully on June 29, 2026. Lyle was born in Hinesburg, son of Mary and Duane Bissonette. He attended and graduated from Hinesburg High School. He then met the love of his life, Joyce (Peet), and they married in 1961. They resided in Hinesburg and raised three wonderful children, Mary Lou, Philip and John.

Lyle will be remembered as a devoted husband of 65 years to his beloved wife, Joyce ‘Lovey,’ an amazing dad, and the best papa ever! Lyle was known for his easygoing nature, warm smile, friendliness and a gift for giving nicknames to everyone he met. He brought humor, kindness, love and strength into the lives of all who knew him. He worked for the Town of Hinesburg with his brother Charlie, Shelburne Museum, Pizzagalli Construction, Wright Morrissey (19 years) and Engelberth Construction (21 years). Lyle also served in the Vermont National Guard. He was respected for his strong work ethic and dedication.

Lyle loved spending time at the family’s camp on Lake Carmi with Joyce, his family and friends, where many cherished memories were made. He especially enjoyed fishing off his pontoon boat, participating in and holding fishing derbies, and gathering with family for many celebrations and time together at the lake. He was a devoted fan of Willie Nelson, enjoyed watching NASCAR, and rarely missed an opportunity to attend his grandchildren’s and family members’ sporting events and activities. He especially looked forward to the LCI Father’s Day Fishing Derby and his annual visit to the family deer camp to play pitch. Above all, he made sure to call his children almost daily, simply to check in and hear how their day was going.

He is lovingly survived by his wife of 65 years, Joyce Bissonette; his children, Mary Lou and Jay Carroll of Alburgh, Philip Bissonette of Hinesburg, and John and Melissa Bissonette of St. George. He is also survived by his siblings, Stanley Bissonette; Charles and Corrine Bissonette; Larry and Jane Bissonette; Ruthie Ayer; Mark Bissonette and Mandy. He was predeceased by his parents; brother-in-law Raymond Ayer; and sister-in-law Patricia Bissonette. Lyle was a proud grandfather to Taylor Carroll and Meagan; Jenna and Max Valentine; Scott Bissonette and JoJo; Brad Bissonette; Samara and Jake McDonald; and Spencer Bissonette. He was also a proud great-grandfather to Liam, Silas, and Evelyn. He cherished his many nieces and nephews, along with the many friends he made and stayed in touch with over the years.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the team at Birchwood Rehab and to all those who assisted Lyle with care and support when he needed it most. His legacy is one of kindness, hard work, laughter, and unwavering devotion to his family and friends. Lyle is at peace in Heaven, reunited with the loved ones who passed before him. He will be missed very much by all. He loved all greatly and was loved greatly by all who knew him. The family also extends their sincere gratitude to all for the kindness, prayers, and support shown during this difficult time.

Visiting hours will be held Thursday, July 9, at St. Jude Catholic Church, 10759 Route 116, Hinesburg, from 5-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 10, at 11 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Bissonette Cemetery, Gilman Road in Hinesburg. Reception following burial at St. Jude’s Parish Hall. Arrangements are in care of Gifford Funeral Home, Richmond.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Lyle’s memory to Richmond Rescue, 216 Railroad St., Richmond, VT 05477 or Hinesburg Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 12, Hinesburg, VT 05461.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” - Matthew 5:4

Ryan S. Orvis, 47, of Hinesburg was taken into custody by detectives from the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit, the Williston Police Department Detective Division, and the Hinesburg Police Department following an investigation into multiple crimes throughout Chittenden County.

Orvis was charged with burglary, grand larceny, receiving stolen property and retail theft, according to a statement released by the county sheriff’s office.

Investigators allege that Orvis is connected to multiple criminal incidents that have occurred in Hinesburg and throughout the county. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed as investigators continue to review evidence.

Orvis was held at the Northwest Correctional Center on $2,500 bail.

The sheriff’s department has asked that anyone with information related to these incidents to please contact their office at 802-863-4341.

(Editor’s note: The audio above is an edited recording of a conversation with the glass artist Terry Zigmund. Click the arrow to listen.)

The Carpenter-Carse Library revealed its new mural – a community-created piece made up of more than 100 mosaic tiles, titled “Who We Are” – on July 1, in a celebratory evening accompanied by a potluck, sprinklers for the kids, and free ice cream.

The mural, funded by a $4,800 grant from the Vermont Arts Council, was a collaborative effort between the library, Hinesburg residents, and Burlington-based glass artist Terry Zigmund to construct a piece of art associated with the country’s 250th anniversary and ask questions such as: what are our values? Who are we? What does it mean to be an American?

Library Director Jill Andersen said she had been wanting the library to have a mural, similar to a previous one that had deteriorated, for a while. In the fall of 2025, when Vermont Humanities announced its collaboration with the Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission and Vermont Arts Council to award over $62,000 in grants to different communities around the state for arts and culture projects commemorating the country’s age, she applied for the opportunity.

“I think it’s really difficult for many people in our society to even celebrate or mark a lot of our country’s anniversaries, because there’s so much complicated and negative history surrounding how this country has been created,” Andersen said. “I wanted to come up with a way to visualize some of the people who make up this nation. I wanted it to be colorful; I wanted it to bring joy and be a happy and positive experience.”

She emphasized her desire to have as many Hinesburg individuals contribute to the piece as possible.

“I thought a collective piece … would potentially have more meaning to the community and be a lasting experience [rather than] having somebody come and talk about some event in America’s history that we don’t have any connection to,” Andersen said.

The library put out a call to artists in the area to help guide the project. Zigmund proposed the idea of a color-coded mosaic.

Each mosaic tile, made by residents over the course of six free workshops that started in April, incorporates colors representing different values of the community: purple for citizenship; blue for history; green for belonging; yellow for ecology; orange for culture; and red for society.

“The way that Terry simplified it with the color-coding [made] it very accessible,” Andersen said. “It wasn’t overly complicated … it gives people something to talk about and think about as they look at it.”

She added that accessibility was a main focus of the project; children as young as two and three made tiles. Whether or not the person wanted to choose their colors based on the coding, as well, was up to individual choice.

Judy Curtis said she enjoyed the freedom of the color selection.

“I chose yellow because I wanted to make a bee, kind of as a symbol for my children,” she said.

Zigmund added how much she enjoyed seeing the tight-knit nature of Hinesburg while hosting these workshops.

“The experience of working with those folks has been great, to see how much social cohesion there [already] is,” she said. “To see all these adults who haven’t touched an art material in forever having such a good time, spending an hour to make something that’s four inches by four inches…that’s so cool.”

The workshops were advertised via the library’s website, their monthly newsletter, and Front Porch Forum. Andersen said they were largely well-attended.

“By the time we got to the last one, we were popping popcorn and playing music and everyone was sitting at the same table,” she said. “That part of the experience, I think, is just as meaningful as whatever you want to glean from the color coding … a collective effort to create something beautiful.”

Claire MacDonald is this year’s recipient of the Hinesburg Record Journalism Fellowship. In June she graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in political science.

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