Congratulations & Sympathy
Compiled by Edd Merritt
March 25, 2010, page 23

CONGRATULATIONS

to Zachary Nola, a corporal in the U.S. Marines stationed in Afghanistan, whose reporting of the war in that sector of the world received a 2009 First Place Division of Public Affairs Merit Award for “Combat Reporting.” Zach’s recent piece was on the Marine’s securing of the Buji Bhast Pass in Farah Province of southern Afghanistan. The pass had been a Taliban stronghold with he said, “forced obedience, coupled with a high number of Taliban fighters lurking in nearby mountains” which produced an “area hazard to both coalition forces and local Afghans alike.” Nola reported that the Marines “listened to local concerns about security, shared food with those in need, briefed local farmers and businessmen about new Afghan laws pertaining to agricultural fertilizer use, and dispensed hand-cranked radios.” The radios played music and a call to prayer but also helped to “keep Afghans in the Buji Bhast area better informed about their role in safeguarding it.” Zach is the son of Tom and Gini Nola of Charlotte.

to Erica and Jason Galipeau on the birth of their daughter Kaiyah on February 28 at Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington.

to Abigail Postlewaite, a student at Charlotte Central School who claimed third place in the sixth annual Vermont Spelling Bee at St. Michael’s College. Abigail made it through 13 rounds of obscure words only to run afoul of “cornice.” She was one of 46 students from across the state to compete for the opportunity to represent Vermont in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The winner was Mael Le Scouezec of Craftsbury Academy.

to William Curtis, a sophomore business administration major at Castleton State College, Castleton, Vermont, who earned placement on the Dean’s List for the fall semester 2009.

to Samantha Bottom-Tanzer, a freshman at CVU who recently auditioned and was selected as concertmaster of the Vermont All-State Musical Festival orchestra. Sammi won the Solo/Scholarship contest, and she will perform her piece, the first movement of Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1, at the scholarship concert May 6 in Rutland. In addition, Bottom-Tanzer has been accepted into the Eastman School of Music’s summer Music Horizon’s Program in July, and she is a member of the Vermont Youth Orchestra for the second year.
to Chris Morse, above right, who was honored for his years of dedication to Troop 615 at the Cub Scouts’ Blue and Gold dinner. Seth Zimmerman, left, presented the award.

to Adrianna Bradley and Michael LaClair, Jr. on the announcement of their engagement. Adrianna is the daughter of Rex and Cindy Bradley of Charlotte, and Michael is the son of Mike and Cecile LaClair also of Charlotte and Catherine and Frederick Janci of Wachapreague, Virginia.

to Giselle Sholler, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at the Vermont Cancer Center at the University of Vermont, who was awarded a $75,000 grant from the Lillie’s Friends Foundation to fund neuroblastoma research. Neuroblastoma is an often-fatal cancer that affects very young children. Sholler’s research focuses on new therapies for neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma, neuronal tumors that continue to be therapeutic challenges in pediatrics.

to Abby and Jim Sheldon Dean of the band Abby’s Agenda who were invited to play at the FlynnSpace of the Flynn Theater along with solo bass player, Michael Manring.

to Edward Fisher, a sophomore at Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut, who was selected to be assistant lead electrician and light board operator for the Rocky Horror Picture Show presented by the college theater March 4 through 7.

to Catherine and Ian Merritt of Chicago, Illinois, on the birth of their son Theodore on March 22. Ian is the son of Beth and Edd Merritt of Charlotte.

SYMPATHY

is extended to family and friends of Rosemary Patrice Murphy of South Burlington who passed away March 9. Her surviving family includes her daughter Katherine and Katherine’s husband, Terry Rabinowitz, of Charlotte. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in her memory do so to the Alzheimer’s Association, 31 Arsenal Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472.

is extended to family and friends of Mary Katherine Dennis Paris who passed away March 12 at the age of 91. Her surviving family includes her granddaughter Maria Katrina Paris and her former daughter-in-law Marion Paris, both of Charlotte. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in her memory do so to the Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, Vermont 05495.

is extended to family and friends of Glenn R. French of Fredericksburg, Virginia, who passed away March 15 at the age of 86. He was born in Charlotte in 1923, the son of Ruth and Robert French. He grew up on his grandfather’s farm here, and after serving in the Army, he returned to Charlotte to farm his mother’s land on Converse Bay Road. In 1949 he received the Vermont Extension Service’s award for Superior Achievement. He lived in Essex for a number of years before moving back, once again, to Charlotte. His surviving family includes his sister Susan Horsford.

is extended to family and friends of Mary Ellen Salisbury Kelton of Montpelier who passed away March 14 at the age of 83. Her surviving family includes her daughter Anne Kelton and Anne’s husband, Tom Cosinuke, of Charlotte. The family asks that those planning an expression of sympathy consider a donation to the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden County, 110 Prim Road, Colchester, Vermont 05446.