Firefighter Danielle Morse

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ADDISON COUNTY INDEPENDENT Vol. 75 No. 23 Middlebury, Vermont ◆ Thursday, June 10, 2021 ◆ 52 Pages $1.50

Meet Miss Vt.: Firefi ghter Danielle Morse Consolidation plans Whiting woman also would close Mt. Abe serves as a nurse But elementary schools would stay By CHRISTOPHER ROSS By CHRISTOPHER ROSS repairs and renovations in recent WHITING — Danielle BRISTOL — If the community- years, at a cost of millions of Morse is about to be the most authored facilities proposals dollars. photographed person in the submitted to the Mount Abraham Since 2014 the district has three state. Unifi ed School District board times tried to persuade 5-Town It comes with the territory. last month are any indication, residents to support multimillion- Late last month, just days after the writing is on the wall for the dollar renovation bonds, but the earning her bachelor’s degree district’s high school in Bristol. community rejected its overtures. from Castleton University’s Mount Abraham Union High Now, some residents are nursing program, Morse, 22, School currently educates calling for the school to be was chosen as Miss Vermont students in grades 9-12 from the decommissioned altogether. 2021. district’s fi ve towns of Bristol, In all four of the community- Over the next year, while Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven authored proposals that outline working as a surgical nurse at and Starksboro. The 52-year-old school attendance at the elementary, Porter Medical Center, she’ll building had required numerous (See Mount Abe, Page 14A) be traveling around the state, raising money for University of Vermont Children’s Hospital (formerly known as Fletcher Allen Children’s Hospital), inspiring young women as the ambassador for the Miss Vermont Scholarship Program, and posing for photographs at civic functions and other special events. In December she’ll travel to Mohegan Sun in Connecticut to compete for the title of Miss America. For Morse, who grew up in New Haven and now lives in Whiting, this is relatively new. There are no photo albums to commemorate childhood or teenage pageants. But her Miss Vermont story does have a sort of origin photograph. It’s unusual MALT PROGRAMS COORDINATOR Caleb Basa (in truck) and in this context, and she has MALT board member Chris Anderson deliver gravel to a wet section of the Trail Around Middlebury. A recent $100,000 donation will referred to it as “embarrassing.” ensure perpetual stewardship of the popular trail. It depicts a 13-year-old Photo courtesy of MALT girl recovering from surgery in a low-lit room at Fletcher Allen Children’s Hospital. Her arm pokes out from under the $100,000 gift to fund blanket just far enough to give a thumbs-up. The photo is grainy and the child looks somewhat TAM upkeep forever weary, but she is obviously By JOHN FLOWERS year anniversary as administrative Danielle Morse. Just look at the MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury leader of the nonprofi t conservation smile. Area Land Trust Executive Director organization that will soon release a GRATITUDE Jamie Brookside is more likely to be new strategic plan mapping out its In October 2012, in the found on cloud nine these days than priorities through 2025. middle of the night, Morse was NEW HAVEN NATIVE Danielle Morse was chosen Miss Vermont 2021 last month at the Vergennes on any of her organization’s 4,700 And the cherry on top of the transferred from Porter Hospital Opera House. The 22-year-old, who now lives in Whiting, will spend the year promoting the Miss acres of conserved lands. sundae: A $100,000 donation from Vermont Scholarship Organization and the UVM Children’s Hospital, to which she feels a very special to Fletcher Allen Children’s connection. In December she will compete for the title Miss America. That’s because she and her MALT a local couple that will ensure (See Miss Vermont, Page 13A) Independent photo/Christopher Ross colleagues have a lot to celebrate. long-term maintenance of MALT’s One, she’s marking her four- (See TAM gift, Page 16A)

She happily did it her way at Agway Midd cop By the way Bearor retires after who served 50 years at the store While there will be no the longest July 4 parade in Bristol for a By JOHN FLOWERS second summer in a row due MIDDLEBURY — Fran Bearor is retiring to an abundance of COVID-19 has rubbed shoulders with an precaution, there WILL be untold number of people during Sgt. Christopher fi reworks. The fi reworks will her half-century as the bookkeeper, be held on Friday evening, July manager and jack of all trades at mentored many 2, with a rain date of Monday, the Agway Farm & Garden store July 5. The fi reworks will be set in Middlebury. So talking to people By JOHN FLOWERS off in the same place as usual tends to come naturally. MIDDLEBURY — — the Mount Abraham Union Except last Thursday — and Middlebury Police Department High School sports fi eld — by that’s only because the person in Sgt. Mike Christopher has had Northstar Fireworks. Parking question was a reporter asking varied assignments during his will be provided by the Masons, her to say good stuff about herself lengthy career, ranging from and there will be several food as she prepared to exit a business minor traffi c stops to facing (See By the way, Page 16A) to which she has given her entire down armed suspects. adult life. But one of his biggest But Bearor, 70, did what she’s challenges was making a fi nal done for Agway since 1971 — she exit from the Middlebury Index rose to the occasion and got the job police headquarters on May 28, after a 35-year career that Obituaries ...... 6A-7A done. She’s always had a mind for made him the longest serving Classifi eds ...... 9B-10B offi cer in the department’s Service Directory ...... 7B-8B math, a yen for the business world, and a desire to be with other people. history. Entertainment ..... Arts + Leisure “It was kind of tough Community Calendar ...... 6B So she tailored her education accordingly while at Vergennes FRAN BEAROR WILL retire from Middlebury’s Agway Farm & Garden store this month after 50 years walking out the door for the Arts Calendar ..... Arts + Leisure at the same job. last time,” Christopher, 64, Sports ...... 1B-5B Union High School, from which Independent photo/Steve James she graduated in 1969. said during an interview on “I took offi ce courses — typing, actually at the old Kerr-McGee that burned in 2018. Kerr-McGee “It’s a terrible story, but the Monday. shorthand, running different fertilizer plant off Meigs Road in needed a short-term bookkeeper, manager there was cutting a drum, His introduction to the machines,” she said. the Little City, at the site of the and Bearor fi t the bill, starting in it exploded, and he died,” Bearor world of law enforcement (See Christopher, Page 12A) Her fi rst job upon graduating was former Feed Commodities barn April of 1970. (See Fran Bearor, Page 15A) PAGE 16A — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 10, 2021 By the way (Continued from Page 1A) edges to dig nests and lay their eggs. and other vendors at the Bristol This will continue for the next month Recreation Department fi eld. At and it provides the easiest time to this time, the number and variety fi nd and document them. Watch out of vendors as well as the presence for them on the roads. You can help of music is uncertain, according to them by moving them across the road organizers. in the direction they were heading — but always check for traffi c fi rst. There’s a new gallery in town, If the turtle is colorful with red and and you are the artist. It’s the “Free yellow stripes, it is a painted turtle Little Art Gallery,” and it’s located and you can move it safely. If the in the garden of Middlebury’s turtle has no red, yellow, or orange Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont colors, it is probably a snapping History at 1 Park St. Anyone can turtle. Snapping turtles are nervous participate by creating a mini work on land and will defend themselves. of art in any medium. Bring your Keep in mind that their necks can art to the Sheldon and place it in the reach just about as far as the length Free Little Art Gallery. If you see a of their shells, so keep your hands work you like, you are welcome to out of that area to avoid a serious take it home with you. The Sheldon bite. Small to medium-size snappers curators may select pieces from time can be safely lifted by the back of to time to display in a future mini their shells (head pointed away from exhibit. For reference, the scale of you). It is best not to lift a snapper the gallery is 1:12 (1 inch equals by its tail, as you can do damage to 1 foot). Keep that in mind as you their spine. However, you can slide create your work. Spread the word, a large snapper along the ground by tell your friends and family. Stop by grabbing the tail and a hind leg. LONGTIME MALT VOLUNTEER John Derick has maintained TAM boardwalks and mowing for 33 years. The recent gift will help ensure his often to see what new artwork has legacy of caring for the trail is upheld for decades to come. arrived. The “Lunch ‘N Learn” series Photos courtesy of MALT of Homeward Bound (the Vermont Legal Aid is hosting a Humane Society of Addison virtual legal advice clinic by phone County) continues with “Raising for free civil legal assistance to Guide Dog Puppies” on June 17 TAM Vermont seniors, age 60 and up, at noon. This one-hour Zoom (Continued from Page 1A) focus on the TAM. Whoever holds to answer legal questions about session will be led by Candy Fox, crown jewel: the 19-mile Trail the job will be given such tasks as COVID-19 related assistance, who has fostered three guide Around Middlebury (TAM). clearing the trail of debris, cutting federal and state benefi ts, housing, dog puppies now happily placed The donation came in April, just back growth and erecting better unemployment, or other civil with their people. She will share as MALT offi cials were putting the wayfi nding signs. legal issues. The clinic is slated for the rewarding, fun, challenging, fi nal touches on the strategic plan. The new position will fi nally Thursday, June 24, from 9-11:30 and heartbreaking aspects of her The gift was pure serendipity, allow John Derick, an all-star MALT a.m. Book your free 20-minute experience. This is free and open according to Brookside. volunteer who’s spent more than appointment by calling 1-802-318- to the public, but pre-registration “The donors came to us with the three decades tending tirelessly 4169. Leave a message with your is required. To sign up, email offer; we didn’t solicit it — which to the TAM, to pull back from his name and number, and the best Hannah Manley at hmanley@ is the Mecca of all holidays for duties. time to return your call. You can homewardboundanimals.org. nonprofi ts,” Brookside said with a “It’s another pivotal step in MALT also book an appointment online hearty laugh. internalizing the functions of its at vtlawhelp.org/seniors. Meals on Wheels provides so “I cried, I laughed and I yelled,” trails and the TAM, and being able much more than a meal to seniors she added, candidly. to honor all that John has given to the As we drive Vermont’s roads, and shut-ins. The moment you knock Rather than trumpet the news TAM, and to be able to continue that we’ve grown accustomed to keeping on that door, you make a connection. impersonally through a group legacy,” Brookside said. an eye out for deer that might cross The friendly visits, safety checks email, Brookside proceeded to When she joined MALT in 2017, in our path at any given moment. and nutritious meals are a lifeline share the good tidings personally Brookside’s TAM supporting cast Well, local environmentalists remind to many. Now the nonprofi t with as many MALT colleagues as was pretty much Derick and a us that this is the time of year when organization Age Well needs Meals possible. summer intern. we’re likely to see a much smaller on Wheels volunteers in Bridport It was like chewing a stick of gum This summer, she has four staff and slower animal risk it’s life and other Addison County towns. that never loses its fl avor. and myriad volunteers to help getting from one side of the road Time commitment is based on your MALT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jamie Brookside moves gravel to “At least 50% of the people I told out. And next year, thanks to the the Jackson Trail. She says that at MALT everyone pitches in toward to then other: turtles. According to availability: Deliver once a week or were brought to tears,” she said. $100,000 contribution, will bring the a common goal of connecting people with the lands we protect. folks with the Vermont Reptile and once a month. Delivery is typically “This kind of gift is unprecedented newly hired TAM-tender. Amphibian Atlas Project, female from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more (for the Trail Around Middlebury).” “We’re really making progress,” a more solid foundation for future build and build and build, and not snapping and painted turtles are now information, contact Laura Need, at The donors want to remain Brookside said. “This (donation) is growth, according to Brookside. have the foundation underneath it.” moving overland in search of open, [email protected] or 802-662- anonymous. But Brookside is able pivotal.” “We want to focus on making sure MALT’s strategic plan relates to sunny, lawns, gardens, and road 5279. to say they are a couple residing TAM WISH LIST the trails we have are well taken care what Brookside described as the in Addison County, practically As one might imagine, the TAM of, that we have all the resources and group’s “four core areas of work” on the TAM. They’re making the is a big part of the Land Trust’s new people we need to do that,” she said. — land conservation, stewardship of gift in memory of their respective strategic plan. The plan recommends At the same time, MALT that conserved land, planning for and Need Party Supplies to moms — both of whom were that MALT strengthen its current offi cials continue to network with maintaining its trail and recreation avid outdoorspeople, according to assets into 2025 in order to build landowners about potential future network, and offering educational Brookside. trail extensions. programming. Celebrate your Graduate? “The couple wanted to give to For example, one of the It was Brookside who put We have balloons for all occasions an organization that could make organization’s long-term aspirations MALT’s educational programming a signifi cant impact, and looked is to see the TAM connect with East on the map when she signed on for a smaller one that had an Middlebury. Around one mile of that four years ago. And it’s proven to CONGRATS GRAD environmentally focused mission,” trail is currently in place — from be a very successful decision. The Balloons she said. East Middlebury village to the Oak organization now offers a variety Since the donors and their dog Ridge Trail (leading into the Green of youth programming, including Gradution Cards regularly walk the TAM, it seemed Mountain National Forest). It’s part afterschool, vacation camps, Huge Selection MIDDLEBURY’S fi tting to them that they write their of MALT’s ongoing relationship homeschool programs and summer VARIETY STORE check to MALT. with the North Country Trail camps. of Party Supplies Brookside said the $100,000 Association. “It’s grown exponentially and Help Wanted will be added to MALT’s $275,000 “The (trail) wish list is long,” been so well received,” Brookside Brookside said with a smile. “But I said. “It’s been a new way to engage endowment fund, and will yield TRAIL FAIRIES LEAVE notes 198 Court St., Middlebury VT 05753 • (802) 388-7145 enough interest to permanently of encouragement for the MALT feel strongly as leader of MALT that with the community and bring MONDAY-SATURDAY 9AM-6PM • SUNDAY 10AM-5PM bankroll a full-time, seasonal, staff who maintain nearly 30 we need to take care of what we have people to our lands and trails. In trails-maintenance position that will miles of trail in Addison County. fi rst. It’s not a sustainable model to these next four years, we want to start thinking strategically about who we’re engaging, how we’re engaging them, and what are the most valuable uses of our resources and time that we have as a staff here at MALT.” Another MALT priority for the coming years: establishing a community science program for land stewardship, through which volunteers would “adopt” various MALT conserved properties, monitor them, and recommend stewardship techniques. “It’s hard for one person to cover 4,700 acres of conserved land,” Brookside said of the current challenge. Monica Pryzperhart is a relatively new member of the MALT board. LOOKING FOR A JOB? She’s pleased to join the organization at such an exciting time. She’s thrilled with the $100,000 donation. GO JUMP IN “We’re so excited this makes our investments in the TAM so much more secure,” she said. “I think we’re both excited about the possibilities, THE LAKE. but I also see this as a testament to how important the TAM is to so Immediate Seasonal Openings (Thru Oct): many people in our community — Line Cooks • Bartenders • Servers particularly during the past year, On-Call Event Staff • Retail Associates with COVID. So many of us have realized what an important resource this is in our community.” Apply at basinharbor.com/jobs or call 802-475-2311. The strategic plan, according to Pryzperhart, will help MALT understand how its capacity and the community’s needs can match up. It’s shaping up as an interesting four years. “I’m excited to see where this takes us,” Brookside said.