Top Story – The Vermont Standard

By Gareth Henderson, Standard Staff
Wherever Woodstock Union High School senior Chance Smith ends up, you can bet on one thing: his guitar will be right there with him.
Smith, from Reading, brings his guitar with him to school each morning. He’s part of a local Bob Dylan tribute band, which he formed with his English teacher Tom Reid. The group had two concerts on consecutive evenings in late winter.
“It’s still going,” he said of the band, in an interview last Friday. “I just jammed for two hours today.”
Smith, who also plays the trumpet, has been in jazz band since seventh grade. Outside of that, he’s also written many instrumental pieces on the guitar.
“I play the guitar every single day,” he said. “I’m just really, really into music.”
He started on the trumpet in third grade, and later picked up the guitar and learned that on his own – thanks to the classical training he already had on the trumpet.
Smith said his six years in jazz band played a huge role in his improvement as a musician.
“I feel like I’ve become a much better musician,” he said. “From the very first day I started in seventh grade, I’ve just been progressing every day to now.”
As for plans after graduation, Smith is busy choosing between college in Vermont and an opportunity to work on his music out west. He was offered an internship in Los Angeles, playing music.
“I’d be able to do a lot more live concerts and play with different people, and gain just more experience overall,” he said.
Smith said he’s got a couple options in Vermont he hasn’t decided on yet. He might study culinary arts or a trade, such as carpentry. However, he won’t study music.
“I would rather have it be my own thing, not connected to assignments or anything like that,” Smith said of the music. “I don’t want to turn it into something I don’t enjoy.”
Whatever happens, Smith still feels a strong draw to Vermont.
“I definitely want to go out a little further than Woodstock, but I love Vermont,” he said, in part because of his love for nature. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else really.”
Meanwhile, the Bob Dylan tribute band has been picking up some gigs. They’ll be playing one of Pentangle’s Brown Bag concerts in July.

This article first appeared in the May 18, 2017 edition of the Vermont Standard. For more featured senior profiles, pick up a copy of the Vermont Standard from March 18-June 2. The annual graduation special supplement with be published on June 8.

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By Gareth Henderson, Standard Staff
The Woodstock Union High School student who has sung the National Anthem at sport events since her sophomore year is about to graduate.
Loretta Blakeney, from Barnard, who’s a three-sport athlete, also sang at the WUHS lacrosse championship game two years ago and at the basketball championship game last year.
“I value the meaning of that song, what it means to be an American,” Blakeney said, recalling when she was first asked to sing the National Anthem about two years ago. “It’s just really humbling. I’m honored people asked me to sing.”
Blakeney has also taken her vocal talents other places in the community. She and her dad, Jerry, recently sang some old country music tunes at the Thompson Senior Center during an event, she remembered, “Just to volunteer and give the people some entertainment.”
As for college, Blakeney is headed to Castleton University this fall, where she might study criminal justice. Her brother, Ryan, who is also a WUHS grad, is a police officer in Maine, and she’s thought about a career in the criminal justice field for some time.
“I’ve always been interested in the law and how it works, and getting justice for people,” she said.
Talking about her decision to attend college close by, Blakeney said she’s “definitely more of a home body” and said she liked the idea of a small school in a small town. She was also impressed with the wide range of majors available at Castleton.
She also plans to continue her athletic career there. Blakeney started playing sports in elementary school and has played field hockey, basketball and softball for all four years of high school.
“I’ll be playing field hockey there, and hopefully softball,” Blakeney said of Castleton. She’s also very familiar with the college – she’s played in away games and sports camps there for years.
Speaking about what’s kept her in sports this long, she said, “I like being part of a team; I like being a leader on a team.”
She said being a multiple-sport athlete also helps build a strong focus on academics and other skills as well.
“I think it builds social skills, leadership skills, all of that,” she said.

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Two bicyclists were airlifted to the hospital earlier today by the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Advanced Response Team (DHART) after two separate crashes in the Killington Stage Race, according to the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff’s Department Captain Claude Weyant said he believed the two separate crashes occurred along 100A in Plymouth. In each case, he said, the racer was transported to a nearby location in Bridgewater where the DHART helicopter responded.

Weyant said the Bridgewater Fast Squad, Bridgewater Fire Department, Plymouth Rescue and Woodstock Ambulance responded.

No further information was available on the two bicyclists as of Saturday evening.

This most will be updated as more information becomes available.

The DHART helicopter is seen leaving the Bridgewater area on Saturday. (Christine Henderson Photo)

By David Miles, Sports Correspondent

The WUHS softball team brought out the big bats for its Senior Game with Hartford on Saturday. Woodstock belted three home runs, including a pair of back-to-back four-baggers in a big fourth inning. Combine that hitting with solid defense and strong pitching and Woodstock defeated Hartford by a 14-4 score.
(The softball team is scheduled to start the playoffs at home Tuesday against Lake Region Union High School at 430 p.m.)
Woodstock finished the regular season with a 10-5 record and could possibly meet up with the Hurricanes again in the playoffs. Regardless of what happens in post-season play, these Wasps equaled last year’s victory total, which was the most since the 1984 squad finished with 11 victories.
“Everyone brought their A Game for our Senior Game,” said Maddie Moore, one of the seven seniors honored before their final regular season home contest. “This was a crucial game for play-off positioning too.” The Wasps needed to win to increase their chances of hosting a first-round play-off game.
Hartford touched up Moore for three hits and a pair of runs in the top of the first, but Woodstock struck right back in the bottom of the frame. Sadie Kuhn was hit by a pitch to open the inning and Maddie Schulz walked. Moore than belted a double, driving in both runs and scored herself after heading for third on the throw to the plate. She then came round to score when the return throw from the catcher sailed past third.
That opportunistic base running was a hallmark of the home team’s play all day. The Wasps stole six stole six bases and continually took the extra base when the opportunity was there, forcing the tired visitors into several fielding miscues. The game was the second of the day for the Hartford girls; they had lost to Otter Valley in a morning contest.
WUHS added to its lead in the second inning when Kuhn blasted a long drive to right center field and easily beat the throw to the plate.
Then in the third, Woodstock blew the game open with a big seven-run frame. Two walks got the inning started, Lizzy Peck reached on an error and then Kuhn, Schulz, and Moore followed with consecutive singles. Loretta Blakeney walked to load the bases again and Heather Blanchard followed with a high line drive that just grazed the top of the leaping shortstop’s glove, bringing in two more. Emma Walker greeted relief pitcher Brooke Hurd with a single to drive home Blakeney and the Wasps had a big crooked number on the board and a ten-run lead.
Peck singled to lead off the fourth and came home on Schulz’ home run.
“We tried to be aggressive at the plate today and I think we were,” said Schulz. “I usually take the first pitch, but I was swinging at it today. They were good pitches to hit too. The home run swing came on a pitch on the outside edge of the plate where I could drive it.”
Moore followed with another long drive for the third home run of the game on a pitch she said may “have been just a little high.” Blakeney drove another ball very deep, but had to settle for a triple when the Hartford defense got the ball back in quickly. She did score on a passed ball for the Wasps’ final run of the day.
The Hurricanes did tally two more runs in the fifth inning, but never threatened the big Woodstock lead. Moore finished the day allowing four runs while scattering nine hits and only walking one batter.
The Wasps fielded well all day with only a couple of communication miscues leading to errors. And to put the icing on the cake, they ended the game with a 5-4-3 double play.
“That’s the first time we’ve done that,” said an excited Schulz who was in the middle of the twin killing. “We’ve been working on it, but never did it in a game before.”
Coach Jane Hoisington agreed.
“That was a great exclamation point to end the game,” said Hoisington. “We played solid defense all day. Emma had a really good game at third base, but, really, everybody played well.
“We hit solidly too, our baserunning was heads-up and we really put everything together today. I’m proud of them. It was an awesome way to end the regular season.”

By Curt Peterson, Standard Correspondent
A Woodstock-area mountain biking group recently received a local economic development grant in support of a trail improvement project on the Woodstock Aqueduct Company’s 358-acre wooded parcel on Cox District Road.
Seth Westbrook and Matt Stout, co-founders of the Woodstock Area Mountain Bike Association (WAMBA), and Eric Wegner, president of the Woodstock Aqueduct Company, signed a 10-year property access agreement covering the tract.
WAMBA applied to the Woodstock Economic Development Commission for a $5,500 grant to partially fund their $15,000 trail improvement project. The Select Board unanimously approved the grant at their March 21 regular meeting.
The balance of the $15,000 project is comprised of private donations, additional grants and in-kind donations of volunteer time, Westbrook said. The EDC, chaired by Tom Weschler and Barry Milstone, is funded by a 1 percent options tax charged on rooms, meals and alcohol. They have three funding periods for grants each year, allowing a maximum total individual amount of $50,000. Weschler says most of their grants tend to be smaller amounts.
“We try to stay away from big, ‘blue sky’ projects,” he said. “We’ve approved about half the applications we’ve considered since 2015 when the options tax was voted in.”
Projects must relate to EDC goals – encouraging new businesses, helping Woodstock be more livable and welcoming, improving and making best use of resources, and promoting a sustainable economy. In short, applicants need to show their grant will increase visitor numbers, hoping they will connect with Woodstock and contribute to its growth.
Weschler also points out that that winning projects must demonstrate they will “generate reasonable return of commerce relative to the grant amount” and help Woodstock’s population diversify. The grant funds, which represent 21 percent of EDC revenue, reimburse grantees for invoices submitted after payment. The remaining 79 percent is invested in public relations and other activities designed to attract business and younger families, Weschler says.
The EDC is also building a “Big Bets” loan fund to finance new and expanding businesses in town at affordable rates.
According to Weschler, the EDC’s focus on diversity means attracting younger residents with school-age kids and with business ideas and ambition. The commerce generation from WAMBA’s development of the trails will enhance Woodstock’s attractiveness to younger families.
WAMBA’s $5,500 request includes $3,000 for bridges and boardwalks to protect and accommodate wet areas and build a trailhead information kiosk, $1,500 for signage on the trail system, and $1,000 to create and produce trail maps that will be sold at area businesses.
According to Weschler, the WAMBA trail improvements will provide long-term economic return on EDC’s investment.
“If just one family comes to Woodstock to enjoy these trails and decides to stay, our grant has paid off,” he said.
The Woodstock lifestyle will benefit, WAMBA’s grant application says, from “economic activity driven by growth in tourism, and the addition of new residents who are attracted to the area because of the expansive outdoor recreational opportunities.” It also cites the success of trail networks in Warren and Waitsfield in boosting economic activity in those areas.
Some of the Aqueduct property’s trails have existed for about 25 years. Stout and Westbrook say there are about 4 miles in the system now, and they hope to add about 3 additional miles over the summer as part of their long-range project.
“We’d like to continue to improve the shared-used trail opportunities on the property so that it becomes a real community asset for all those who value health and recreation,” Westbrook said.
Stout explained that the trails are designed so that people using them – such as mountain bikers and hikers, for example – can see each other coming for some distance.
In response to some questions from the Standard, the WAMBA Board said, “Our trails are safe for multiple uses. We consider sight lines as we are laying out trail corridors so that users are not able to surprise one another. Shared use trail systems are a proven concept around the world, and are easily achieved with some good planning and user awareness. The map and kiosk we plan to make with the EDC funds will include user information about trail etiquette.”
The Board continued, “The trails are accessible free of charge for all human powered activities. We welcome any and all who value experiencing nature and incorporating activity into their lifestyle. Free and open trails provide an avenue for everyone to recreate in the outdoors. A portion of the EDC Grant will help us build a kiosk and map so that all users understand, and can navigate the trail system.”
The WAMBA Board also said in their responses, “We take great care to make our trails durable and to minimize erosion, using accepted best practices in trail building and design.”
They added, “We also communicate with our users to relay trail conditions so that people stay off in times of wet weather.”
WAMBA is one of 28 Vermont Mountain Bike Association chapters, and has obtained financial support from VMBA for this project as well.

This article first appeared in the May 25, 2017 edition of the Vermont Standard.

Joe Swanson and Jessica Ryan-LeBlanc of the Woodstock Police Department on Wednesday ran Woodstock’s portion of the four-day Law Enforcement Torch Run, where torches are carried from the four corners of the state to the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Vermont Summer Games at the University of Vermont on June 3.
Gareth Henderson Photo

By Jennifer Falvey, Standard Correspondent
If knowing what you want out of life is the key to success then Woodstock Union High School senior, Ezra Astbury, is fast on his way to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
Astbury, from Bridgewater, plans on starting his business as soon as school ends this year. He will spend his summer landscaping in order to “develop a reputation for myself,” he said in an interview Sunday. After graduating from Vermont Technical College he will expand his business from landscaping alone to landscaping, logging and forestry.
In the fall he will attend VTC to attain a degree in Forestry. Astbury developed his goals at Hartford Area Career and Technology Center, which he attends with 14 other students from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. He first visited the HACTC in eighth grade and knew right away that the opportunity to work outdoors was for him.
“I got experience doing what I liked and was able to narrow down what I wanted to do with my life.” At HACTC, “We each get access to a chainsaw, a bulldozer, a tractor and an excavator. We are taught how to use them through community service projects,” Asbury said.
“One time an elderly man who was on dialysis had a truck load of logs delivered to his house. It took all of us three days to cut, split and stack the wood for him but he wouldn’t have been able to do it alone. We felt good about helping him.”
Astbury played both lacrosse and football for WUHS and was a captain of the football team this year. His favorite part of playing sports was the camaraderie he enjoyed with his teammates and the life lessons he learned by watching his coaches inspire boys to become a team. His coaches taught him, “everyone on the team does their part to make something happen, and that will help me run a business because I’ve learned how to see strengths and weaknesses.”
Astbury plans to set his roots right here in Woodstock when he finishes college and begin his career as a Forester.
“I want to stay right here where people know my reputation and know they can depend on me,” he said.
The forestry degree from VTC will take two years of intense study and then he will be ready to expand his already-established local business.

This article first appeared in the May 25, 2017 edition of the Vermont Standard. For more featured senior profiles, pick up a copy of the Vermont Standard from March 18-June 2. The annual graduation special supplement with be published on June 8. (Newsstand Locations)

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There is a severe thunderstorm watch in effect for Windsor County from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. today, Wednesday, May 31.
Scattered thunderstorms are expected in our area with large hail and damaging wind gusts. Dangerous “cloud to ground” lightning is also expected.

Read these stories and more on the eEdition, new edition available Wednesday nights, pick it up a copy on the newsstands Thursdays or subscribe.

Crowd Flocks to Presentation of Rare Rifle

by Rick Russell, Standard Correspondent

Darrell Thompson holds the sharpshooter Sharps rifle that he donated to the Bridgewater Historical Society. (Rick Russell Photo)

Top Stories

Counterfeit Spree Ends in Woodstock
by Eric Francis, Standard Correspondent

On Revote, Reading Approves Act 46 Plan
by Curt Peterson, Standard Correspondent

Plan Unveiled for New Adult Day Car Facility at Scotland by the Yard Location
by Virginia Dean, Standard Correspondent

Two Share ‘Teacher of the Year’ Honors
by George Calver, Standard Correspondent

Quechee Man Facing Charges After I-89 Incident
by Eric Francis, Standard Correspondent

Woman Faces Multiple Identity Fraud Charges
by Eric Francis, Standard Correspondent

Senior Profile: Politics, Economy Are Key Interests for Senior
by Jennifer Falvey, Standard Correspondent

Senior Profile: Environmental Focus Drives Senior’s Plans
by Jennifer Falvey, Standard Correspondent

Barnard Board Reviews Two Agreements
by Curt Peterson, Standard Correspondent

Two-day Veto Session Looms for Marijuana Bill
by Curt Peterson, Standard Correspondent

Jordan Engel Joins Bookstock Team as New Coordinator
by Mary Lee Camp, Business Bits

Syrian Art Exhibit Offers Many New Insights
by Sharon Groblicki, Standard Correspondent

Pomfret Strawberry Supper is on June 24
by Vivian Moore, Sharon News

Barnard Academy Survey Draws 94 Respondents
by Chloe Powell, Barnard News

SPORTS

Bill Wood Sets Statewide Track Record
by George Calver, Standard Correspondent

Boys’ Lacrosse Rolls Past Colchester 16-3
by George Calver, Standard Correspondent

Woodstock’s Baseball Advances to Second Round
by David Miles, Sport Correspondent

Softball Team’s Season Comes to a Close
by David Miles, Sport Correspondent

OBITUARIES
Anne Adams
Committals – Yvonne Rogers, Marie Aldrich, Elizabeth Clay
George Lyons
Helen Aulis
Jean Buckman
Juliet Grant-Suttie
Lowell Gray
May Drorbaugh
Phyllis Remick
Raymond Mathieu
Yolanda Crosby
Barbara Luff

PHOTO GALLERIES – all photo galleries
Woodstock Memorial Day Events, 2017
The annual parade and ceremony was held on Saturday, May 27 for Memorial Day to honor those who served.

VINS Chang Memorial Fly Fishing Event
The Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee and Trout Unlimited hosted the annual David Chang Memorial Fly Fishing Event.
WUHS Teacher of the Year, 2017
Woodstock Union High School announced its Teacher of the Year at an assembly.

Woodstock Garden Club Plant Sale, 2017
The annual plant sale held by the Woodstock Garden Club on the lawn of the Norman Williams Public Library raises funds for the club and for local scholarships and charities.

Paws for the Cause, Lucy Mackenzie 2017
The annual fundraising auction and dinner held at the Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm is a fundraiser to the Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society in West Windsor.

Howard Coffin Talk, Sharpshooter
Historian Howard Coffin talks about Vermont’s role in the Civil War at a Bridgewater Historical Society discussion. A rare sharpshooter rifle was donated to the historical society by Darrell Thompson and on hand to talk about the rifle and its history.

By Eric Francis, Standard Correspondent

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION – Two brothers from the Bronx who were allegedly making their way across the region passing off counterfeit hundred dollar bills had their crime spree brought to a sudden halt on Wednesday afternoon with their arrest in Woodstock.

Jeffrey and Steven Medina, 24 and 23 respectively, were each ordered held for lack of $25,000 bail on Thursday at court in White River Junction after they entered innocent pleas to multiple counts of counterfeiting. Their alleged passing of fake hundred dollar bills now ranges from Hanover, New Hampshire, to Springfield, Vermont, police said.

Mac’s Market, Woodstock Home and Hardware, Maplefields, and Woodstock Hops and Barley were all merchants where the brothers either cashed or attempted to cash fake hundreds, Woodstock Police said Wednesday night. Hartford Police are also investigating possible passing of counterfeit bills by the Medina brothers in their area as well.

Woodstock Police said late Wednesday the pair had been positively identified by victimized merchants as the duo who had been going into businesses along Route 4 and making small purchases, claiming they only had a $100 bill with them, and receiving substantial amounts of real currency as change for the large bill.

After receiving a complaint mid-afternoon, dispatchers put out a “be on the lookout” description of a “dark skinned Hispanic male” and the vehicle the pair were reportedly driving and moments later Woodstock Police Corporal James Otranto spotted it pulling out of the Mac’s Market parking lot and stopped it near Woodstock Sunoco.

Sgt. Joe Swanson said a subsequent search of the car turned up over $3,000 in small bills “consistent with change being made” along with several receipts for transactions from stores which indicated that hundred dollar bills had been repeatedly tendered for purchases throughout the day.

Police in Bellows Falls and Lebanon, New Hampshire, had joined the investigation by Wednesday afternoon and were looking into reports that the pair may have passed counterfeit bills to businesses in their towns as well.

The men were lodged at the Springfield jail.

Woodstock Police are asking any other merchants who think they might have been targeted by the suspects, whether they actually accepted the fraudulent bills or not, to call Woodstock Police Sgt. Swanson at 802-457-1420.

By George Calver, Standard Correspondent

Bill Wood broke the oldest track and field record in Vermont Saturday at the Essex Invitational, a record that goes back to 1968. Wood’s final long jump of 22-09.50 surpassed a 48- year mark of 22-06.25. The Wasps’ multi-sport athlete plans to focus on the long jump at the New England Championships on June 10 in Norwell, Massachusetts. “Bill is always exciting to watch when the level of competition is high. When he knows that there are other athletes who could possibly win, he gets on another level. We’ve seen on the football field and on the track that he has a unique ability to speed up and be very explosive and very, very, quick,” his coach Greg Somerville said. The coach continued, “He has steadily improved in the long jump over the last four years, and is really putting all the pieces together right now. Three weeks ago in South Burlington he made a jump of 22-04.5, so we knew he had some big jumps in him.”

Fans of Wood are keeping their fingers crossed that more “big jumps” are in him at the upcoming New Englands. Stay tuned.

WUHS Goalie Gabe Marsicovetere make a save. (Bruce Longley Photo)

By George Calver, Standard Correspondent
The adage “timing is everything” certainly applied to the Woodstock Boys’ Lacrosse team as they steamrolled over Colchester Monday afternoon at McLaughlin Field in the first round of the State Division l playoffs. Three Wasps got hat-tricks and Dan Robinson scored four times in a 16-3 spanking of the Champs.
With that win, Woodstock will move on to the quarter-finals, playing Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans Friday afternoon at 4 p.m.
The Wasps started the season sporadically, with a loss here, a win there, but came into the playoffs with an 8-6 record, and riding a wave of everimproving play – beating Colchester on the road, 12-6 over a week ago, and outplaying Rutland 14-9 Saturday. What better time to gets all the parts moving like a well-oiled machine.
“We carried forward the momentum from the Rutland game and we are getting scoring from different groups,” said co-captain Dan Robinson who, in addition to his four markers, played a physical defensive game. A highlight was a perfectly positioned legal push at mid-field that turned the ball over to the white- and- green.
Both teams appeared to be evenly matched for a good part of the first quarter, but when the Wasps started to find
the back of the net, the goals came in bunches. As the first stanza came to an end Woodstock was up 5-0 and playing as well, perhaps better, than at any time this year. When Colchester penetrated the defense, sophomore goalie Gabriel Marsicovetere stopped everything that came his way. Sure, the Wasps had a good deal of ball possession during the match, but Marsicovetere still made 9 saves. A handful came in the first stanza at a time when a couple of goals by the Champs might have made a win more problematic.
Colchester hit pay-dirt with its first goal at 8:13 of the second, and got a second two minutes later. With just over five minutes left in the first half, Marsicovetere got called for a 2-minute “locked-in” unnecessary roughness call when he collided head-first with an attacking Champ. From the sideline, it appeared to be totally accidental, but the Woodstock goalie is big, and his size advantage had a serious impact. This might have been Colchester’s chance to get back into the game, but Andrew Buchan-Groff put on the goalie gear and filed in for the full two minutes, and kept Colchester off the scoreboard. His teammates also did their best to keep the visitors far from his crease.
With Marsicovetere back between the pipes, and Buchan-Groff’s return to the mid-field, the Wasps went back to scoring, leading 10-2 at the half.
Early Woodstock goals in the third stanza all but sealed Colchester’s fate. The visitors shot the ball past Marsicovetere with just over six minutes left in that period, but it was called back due to interference with the goaltender. One could almost feel the air going out of the visitors’ balloon.
Up 14-3 going into the final 12 minutes of play, it was evident that a comeback was not in the cards.
“It was an OK game,” Coach Brandon Little deadpanned. He then became more exuberant.
“Our offense looked good, and our unselfish play is what makes our offense work—when we move the ball among ourselves no one can beat Woodstock.”
Asked about Luc Issa’s outstanding 14 groundballs, mostly within Woodstock’s “box,” Coach Little said, “speed kills”.
“I tried to go low like coach has asked me, and then scoop up the balls,” Issa said of his technique. And to the Champs’ chagrin, it worked very well indeed.
Dan Robinson said, “Getting the ball around has been working for us lately-we’ve outscored Rutland and Colchester 34-11, and it’s very special that several guys can score.”
Six different Wasps scored Monday: Robinson led with 4, Patrick Potter, Lucas Piconi, and Caleb White had 3 apiece, and Jack Arthur notched 2 goals and 3 helpers. Jonas Katola
picked up a goal and an assist.
Patrick Potter and Andrew Buchan-Groff shared most of the face-off duties, and with good assistance from the middies coming in from the wings, Woodstock won 13 of 20 face-offs.
Bellows Free Academy, with a 11-3-0 record will be a lot more of a challenge than 2-11 Colchester, but if the Wasps can keep on doing what they have been doing over the last three games, an upset may be in the cards.

This article first appeared in the June 2, 2017 edition of the Vermont Standard.

Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan recently joined with Vermont power companies, businesses, and residents to launch a new campaign to protect Vermonters from being scammed by people pretending to be a utility.
These scammers call residents and businesses demanding immediate payment for electricity with a credit card, pre-paid card or money order. Utilities report these scams are increasing and scammers are becoming more sophisticated and tech savvy in their scams. To raise awareness and protect Vermonters, the Attorney General’s office started the “Scam Buster” campaign, reminding people to stop, ask, and confirm before they make any payment to avoid being scammed.
“Protecting Vermonters is the number one focus of our office,” said Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan. “Our team is working with local businesses and utilities to raise awareness. If any Vermonter is not sure about who is on the other end of the phone, they should not make a payment and call the AG office or their local utility.”
Felicia Charland works at the Holiday Inn in Shelburne and received one of those scam calls.
“The tone and tactics of the person on the other end didn’t sound like my local utility. They were pressuring me for immediate payment. I started asking questions and then hung up, called my local power company Green Mountain Power and the attorney general. I am so glad this campaign is raising awareness, helping prevent anyone from losing money to a scammer,” Charland said.
Businesses including Walmart and CVS will put up posters and make sure employees are on alert for people who come in needing to buy a pre-paid card to pay a utility bill.
“Walmart is happy to assist the Attorney General in creating awareness in order to protect Vermont consumers. We are working to train our associates to notice the warning signs of these scams,” said Jason Klipa, director of public affairs for Walmart.
The Vermont Attorney General was joined by representatives from Burlington Electric Department, Washington Electric Co-op, Vermont Electric Co-op and Green Mountain Power.
“As we focus every day on delivering exceptional customer care to members of the Burlington community, the new Scam Buster campaign provides another important
tool for our effort,” said Andi Higbee, Burlington Electric’s Director of Customer Care. “We must remain vigilant in staying two steps ahead of the misguided people who try to take advantage of our customers. We appreciate the collaboration with the AG’s office and our utility colleagues that led to creating this new program.”
“We are pleased to join in this effort to protect hardworking Vermonters from phone scammers and swindlers. We will stand together to fight the bad actors that trick people, many of whom are our most vulnerable Members,” said Sue Bernier, VEC’s manager of member services. “Please verify when money is demanded of you. Hang up and call your local utility to have them check your account before you release funds. Thank you, Attorney General Donovan, for helping to raise awareness about this important issue and for helping to ensure that cheaters don’t win.”
“Anyone can fall prey to scams and unfortunately more of these incidents are occurring across Vermont”, said Patty Richards, Washington Electric Coop’s general manager. Getting the word out and reminding Vermonters to be wary of calls asking for immediate payment are one step to stop thieves. “This is a terrible thing scammers are doing; they not only steal money but they leave the victim feeling violated and embarrassed.” If you receive a call asking for payment from your utility be sure it is really your power company. When in doubt take action, and hang up. You can always place a call directly to your electric utility and verify if you owe money.
“This is an important awareness campaign that will protect the customers we serve, and Green Mountain Power is appreciative of the Attorney General leading this effort as we all work together to make sure these scammers don’t succeed,” said Mary Morris, who leads the customer care team at Green Mountain Power. “These scammers are using technology, becoming more manipulative, even having numbers that look official as if the call is coming from the utility. This proactive effort will help tremendously, and raise awareness that customers should stop, ask and confirm before they feel pressured to make a payment.”

The Attorney General advises Vermonters who may be targets of scamming activity to report it to the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) at 1-800-649-2424, or go to the CAP webpage for more information at uvm.edu.

By Jennifer Falvey, Standard Correspondent
Woodstock Union High School senior Holly Weglarz, of Hartland, will be leaving for the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio, this fall but she will not be going alone. Weglarz’s sevenyear- old Appaloosa mare will be attending college with her. Weglarz took time out from her busy senior prom preparations for an interview Saturday afternoon and explained why she chose the University of Findlay.
“I just knew I wanted to be around horses for the rest of my life,” she said, “the University of Findlay is one of the top-ranked schools for Equestrian Studies and Equestrian business management.”
“I will be double majoring in Western Equine Training and Equine Business Management. My horse will be part of my classes and will live in a barn on campus,” Weglarz said, “so not only will I be getting an education, she will be getting trained.”
Currently, Weglarz enjoys Western Showmanship, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship and Trails. She studied business administration and equine training at the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center, in addition to her classes at Woodstock Union High School. “I visited the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center in my sophomore year and began classes there in my junior year,” Weglarz said. “I think my experience there will help me in college.” “I have played on the varsity ice hockey team all four years of high school, I played softball two years but then there was not enough time for softball as I was becoming more involved with my love for horses,” she said. “My main activity has been riding horses and the Vermont 4-H program. The Vermont 4-H program has made me who I am today and has taught me so much, even though sometimes I had to learn the hard way.” Earning a bachelor’s degree in Equine Business Management can lead to several career options, such as auction or show manager, equine insurance agent, breed association official, and equine tax specialist, to name a few.
The chance to study at a top-ranked school may be enough to lure Weglarz away from us for four years, but it is not enough to keep her. She plans on returning to Woodstock as soon as she graduates. “I plan to come back to Vermont after college, I am a homebody, I love it here, and I never want to be anywhere else; this is my home, and it always will be,” she said.

This vehicle was involved in a crash this afternoon by the entrance of Woodstock Union High School in Woodstock, Vermont. (Christine Henderson Photo)

Woodstock Police responded to a one-car accident in which the driver of a red vehicle went off the road by the entrance to Woodstock Union High School earlier this afternoon. A woman, from Canada, was taken to the hospital with very minor injuries, according to police.

By David Miles, Sports Correspondent
The girls’ tennis team is the last WUHS team still alive in post-season play. The Wasps passed a semifinal test against a good Harwood team Wednesday, dispatching the Highlanders 6-1 to move into the championship round against Montpelier.
Woodstock opened by winning the first three singles matches in straight sets. Momo Biele topped Abby Barker 6-2, 6-1, Grace Frazier defeated Anna Forter 6-2, 6-2, and Sarah Findeisen outlasted Emma McGeorge 6-3, 6-4. It was a streaky second set with Findeisen bolting to a 4-1 lead, only to have McGeorge win three games in a row to square it at 4-4. Findeisen regained momentum and took the last two games to close it out.
Meanwhile the first doubles team of Katey MacMaster and Emily Haynes lost a close contest 6-4, 6-4, leaving the Wasps needing just one point in the second round of matches to move on. And they got it quickly when the freshmen phenom duo of Olivia Marsicovetere and Lydia Howe romped 6-0, 6-1.
With the team victory already in hand, the best two matches of the day ensued. Kenzie Beile lost the first set 6-3, but then “moved into her comfort zone,” as Coach Tom Hopewell put it, winning the second set 6-2 and the supertiebreak 10-7.
On the adjacent court Chloe Noble and Claire McGeorge were doing battle. Noble took the first set 6-2, but McGeorge knotted the match by taking the second set 6-3.
“It seemed like every game in that set went to deuce,” commented Hopewell. “And Chloe played as well as she’s ever played.” Noble was in control in the tiebreak, winning it by a 10-5 score.
Overall Hopewell was satisfied with his team’s effort, especially after essentially a two-week lay-off.
“We gave a little away in a couple of those matches and made them closer,” said the coach. “Hopefully we will give away less tomorrow.”
Montpelier will come to the Woodstock Athletic Club today for the 3 p.m. title tilt.

From left with the D-II trophy are: Chloe Noble, Rose O’Brien, Tierney Dugan, Olivia Marsicovetere, Sarah Findeisen, Lydia Howe, Momo Biele, Grace Frazier, Katie MacMaster, Kenzie Biele and Emily Haynes. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

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For the first time in 17 years, the Girls’ Tennis Team brought the Division II Championship trophy back to Woodstock Union High School, with a 4-3 victory over Montpelier on Thursday. The Wasps got wins at No. 1 , 2 and 4 singles – from Momo Biele, Grace Frazier and Kenzie Biele, respectively – and from the No. 2 doubles team of Lydia Howe and Olivia Marsicovetere.

The team celebrates its championship win. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The team smiles for the camera with its trophy, with Head Coach Tom Hopewell (left, in back) and Assistant Coach Kimbel Biele (left, at end of row).
(Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont State Police Trooper Stacia Geno puts Mason Thompson’s car into an impound garage at the Hartford Police Station shortly after midnight on Friday morning. (Eric Francis Photo)

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By Eric Francis, Standard Correspondent

QUECHEE – Hartford Police say a teenager from Woodstock violently resisted arrest late Thursday evening, in an incident that reportedly sent two Hartford police officers to the hospital with head injuries after the teen was pulled over for alleged speeding along Route 4 in Quechee.

Mason Thompson, 19, a WUHS graduate who attends Castleton University, is due to be arraigned Friday afternoon at the courthouse in downtown White River Junction on charges related to the alleged Thursday incident.

Late Thursday evening Hartford Police Officers Eric Clifford and Fred Peyton were both taken by Hartford Ambulance to the emergency room at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where they were treated for head injuries and then released around 3 a.m., Hartford Police Major Brad Vail confirmed during the early hours of the morning.

Hartford Police Chief Phil Kasten said the incident, which he described as the most serious injuries to a Hartford officer allegedly inflicted by a suspect in recent memory, began shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday when Officer Clifford spotted Thompson’s silver Subaru Forester driving erratically on Route 4 near the intersection of Center of Town Road and pulled it over.

Officer Peyton arrived a short time later as backup and the men were putting Thompson through a series of “field sobriety exercises” when he suddenly “assaulted, struck and pushed” the officers, Chief Kasten said from the hospital.

In the ensuing struggle, Officer Clifford was pushed to the ground and struck his head on the pavement, causing him to loose consciousness at one point during the fight, the chief said.

Hartford Police Sgt. Connie Kelley arrived on the scene and together the three officers managed to get Thompson into handcuffs and place him in the back of a cruiser before an ambulance was called to transport the injured pair to the hospital, police said.

Vermont State Police troopers and a Norwich Police officer also responded to help at the scene and Thompson’s car was seized and impounded at the Hartford Police Station.

By Jennifer Falvey, Standard Correspondent

Jonas Kantola from West Windsor is Woodstock Union High School’s valedictorian for the graduating class of 2017.

In the fall, Kantola will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he hopes to study biological engineering or aerospace engineering.

Kantola’s passion for biology began when he was a high school freshman. “I took AP biology as an independent study in my freshman year. I was able to go as in-depth as I wanted to and I really enjoyed it. I especially liked microbiology because it is the foundation of how our body operates. Proteins were also very interesting as they regulate almost all of our bodily functions,” he said.

“I’m interested in aerospace because I love the idea of exploring space. Innovative companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are pushing the possibilities of space travel, and I believe that humans will become interplanetary during this century. It would be an incredible experience to be on the forefront of such a momentous change,” he said.

Biology and aerospace engineering are not Kantola’s only interests though. Woodstock Union High School has provided a variety of sports opportunities for him. “I have been involved in soccer, Nordic skiing, alpine skiing, and lacrosse.”

In addition to sports, Kantola has been involved in band during high school, “I play alto and soprano saxophone for the jazz band. My favorite piece to play is Red Clay by Freddie Hubbard. I would like to continue playing music in college in a small combo band,” he said “My favorite activity besides jazz band was Change the World Kids,” Kantola said. “I don’t plan on playing a sport in college, but I do plan on joining the Outing Club and maybe a chess club.”

This summer he will be gainfully employed behind the deli counter at the Woodstock Farmer’s market and doing yard work for neighbors.

Kantola has plans for college, immediately after college, and beyond. After graduating from MIT, Kantola plans on working for a biotech company or NASA. Beyond that, he would love to share his passion for learning and research by teaching at a university. “I would love to teach at a university and continue to do research,” he said.

Like many Woodstock Union High School students, Kantola will go wherever his future career takes him. “As of now, I don’t see myself coming back to Vermont for awhile, even though I love this state very much,” he said.

Thoughts of returning to Woodstock merge with future plans for raising a family. “I can see myself moving back here to raise a family,” he said.

This article first appeared in the June 8, 2017 edition of the Vermont Standard.

By Jennifer Falvey, Standard Correspondent
Like many Vermont students, Woodstock Union High School’s salutatorian, Spruce Bohen has an affirmed passion for the environment. The difference is that Bohen will be leaving the East Coast for a whole new perspective on the environment on the west coast. In the fall, she will study Environmental Policy and Justice at Occidental College in Los Angeles.
Bohen has some lofty goals. “If we want to slow down climate change we must ensure that developing countries are not developing to an unsustainable place,” she said.
Occidental College may be just the right place for a young American with big dreams. The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama counts himself as one of Oxy’s alumni.
Occidental College places a strong emphasis on community service, but that comes naturally to Woodstock’s Spruce Bohen. Since the seventh grade, she has committed over 500 hours of service to the community through Save the World Kids. “Change the World Kids is a teen-run nonprofit in town focused on environmental and humanitarian efforts.” “When I go to Occidental College, I hope to introduce the Change the World Kid’s food justice mission of bringing fresh produce to local food shelves. This is why Community service is so valuable… successes in a tiny community like Woodstock can travel all the way to Los Angeles.”
“I have also been actively involved in Earth Beat, the environmental club at the high school, and this year I was Vice President this year of National Honor Society,” she said.
With all of that community service, it seems impossible that Bohen had time for anything else, but she also enjoyed Woodstock Union High School’s sports programs. “Through the years I was a part of soccer, cross country (serving as captain, senior year), Nordic skiing, hockey, and lacrosse,” she said.
But it was the team spirit of Lacrosse that she will remember most fondly. “My favorite sport was lacrosse because I loved being with the team. It’s a really awesome group of girls. And although I only started my freshman year, the team carried me through and helped me improve,” she said, adding, “I might do club lacrosse in college.”
After college, Bohen plans on seeing the world. “I want to go out and explore all that the world has to offer,” she said. After seeing the world, she looks forward to returning to Woodstock. “I can see myself living here again at some point when I’m older,” she said.
According to its website, Occidental College’s mission “is anchored by four cornerstones: excellence, equity, community and service which serve the College’s commitment to providing responsible leaders and citizens for our democratic society.”

Senior Profile: For This Senior, It’s All About the Music

Senior Profile: Three-Sport Athlete Mulls Criminal Justice Studies

Two Bicyclists Airlifted by DHART

Softball Team to Start Playoffs at Home

Group Gets EDC Grant to Boost Trail Network

Carrying the Torch

Senior Profile: Ezra Astbury Plans to Start His Own Business

Severe Thunderstorm Watch, Hail and Wind Gusts

This Week’s Headlines, June 2, 2017

Crowd Flocks to Presentation of Rare Rifle

Duo in Counterfeit Spree Held on $25K Bail

Bill Wood Sets Statewide Track Record

WUHS Boys’ Lacrosse Rolls Past Colchester 16-3, Advances

Vt. Attorney General Launches State ‘Scam Buster’ Campaign

Senior Profile: Holly Weglarz, Equine Studies Await This Senior in Ohio

One-Car Accident Near Woodstock School Tuesday Afternoon

Girls’ Tennis Defeats Harwood; Plays for Championship Today

Girls’ Tennis Wins D-II Championship

Two Cops Hospitalized After Quechee Incident

Senior Profile: Valedictorian Jonas Kantola Pursues Passion for Biology

Senior Profile: Environment, Service Are Key for WUHS Salutatorian Spruce Bohen