Around Town
compiled by Edd Merritt

to Larry Hamilton, retired Cornell University professor and leading local conservationist as well as Charlotte’s tree warden, who now has received international recognition from IUCN (the World Conservation Union). Larry was named one of 10 “EARTH MOVERS,” people who drive “conservation at all levels from the village to the international policy arena.” Last year at the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona, he was given the “Honorary IUCN Member Award,” the highest honor bestowed upon volunteers.

to Jan and David Blittersdorf, whose company, NRG Systems, Inc., located in Hinesburg, was named one of the “Best Companies to Work for in Vermont” in the small/medium size range (15-149 employees). NRG was one of 10 selected in this category.

to Walter E. Judge, an attorney at Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC, who was elected by members of the Vermont Bar Association to serve a two-year term on the Vermont Judicial Nominating Board. He is one of three attorneys elected by his peers to serve on the eleven-member board. Judge focuses his law practice on business and commercial litigation, intellectual property litigation, product liability disputes, and insurance defense and coverage disputes. He earned his undergraduate degree from Colby College and graduate degrees from Columbia University and Boston College Law School.

to CVU senior Matt Sulva and Community Learning Coordinator Mary Anne Gatos, who were featured in a February 11 article on CVU’s Graduation Challenge program in the Burlington Free Press. To learn German, which is not offered as a course at the school, Matt followed a private 30-hour course designed for adults. In the article he says, “languages are my thing because of the bonds you can make with people.” While abroad last year, he became fluent in Dutch and is now studying French and Spanish as well as German. Gatos helps students connect with members of the community who can assist them in their grad challenge projects.

to Emma Berkowitz, a fifth grade student at Charlotte Central School whose short essay entitled “Anxiety” was selected for publication as part of the Young Writers Project in the February 10 Burlington Free Press. Responding to a prompt to write about fear, Emma told a story of being selected to ride on the shoulders of a circus unicyclist. She describes her initial fear once they start moving but then her “deep joy” as the crowd applauded. The experience, she says, made her “braver than ever.”

to Stephen Mann, a junior at Roger Williams University School of Business in Bristol, Rhode Island, who achieved placement on the Dean’s List for the 2008 fall semester. The son of Channing and Kim Mann of Charlotte, Stephen is studying this spring in Dunedin, New Zealand, at the University of Otago.

to Justin Armell of Charlotte and Abby Hill of Shelburne who announced their engagement to be married. Justin is the son of Cynthia and Kevin Armell. The couple plans a summer 2010 wedding.

to Tara Hetz and Casey O’Brien, students at St. Lawrence University whose academic achievements placed them on the Dean’s List for the 2008 fall semester. A junior majoring in conservation biology, Tara also participates in crew. Casey is a sophomore majoring in global studies.

to the following University of Vermont students from Charlotte whose academic achievements placed them on the Dean’s List for the fall 2009 semester:
James P. Allen, senior, anthropology
Fletcher Bach, senior, anthropology
Stephen Balaban, first year, business
administration
Ethan Bond-Watts, senior, environmental studies
Melissa Fischer, junior, elementary education
Kathryn Holmberg, first year, environmental
studies
Michael Michaud, senior, political science
Sarah Minkler, senior, elementary education
Cody Searles, sophomore, undeclared
Vera Simon-Nobes, senior, sociology
Timothy Snow, senior, biology
Anna Speidel, first year, undeclared
Rachel Trotter, first year, athletic training
education

to Michael Haulenbeek, son of Wendy Bratt of Charlotte, who was named to the Deans List of UVM’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources for the 2008 fall semester.

to Emma Broderick, an 11th grade student at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, whose achievements earned her placement on the school’s honor roll for the 2008 fall term. She is the daughter of Amy Fitzgerald and Andrew Broderick of Charlotte.

to Paul Danyow, a freshman at Champlain Valley Union High School who was named to the Vermont All-State Jazz Band recently. Paul is a trumpet player in the Redhawk Jazz Band and will perform with the state group at the Vermont All-State Musical Festival at Essex High School May 6 through 9. He graduated from Charlotte Central School last June.

to Lynn Waller Camara and Soriba Camara whose son Abraham was born January 16 at Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington.

to Annemie Curlin who was one of 10 artists chosen to receive nearly $250,000 in total commissions under a program entitled “The Art of Action: Shaping Vermont’s Future through Art.” The artists will generate two-dimensional works that address the “critical challenges facing Vermont over the next generation.” The project is coordinated by the Vermont Arts Council and funded by Weston (Vermont) philanthropist, Lyman Orton with his associates Craig Byrne and Janice Izzi. In an interview for the February 4 Seven Days, Annemie said her piece will combine aerial landscape with community-based art, what has been for her a dual track in her work for some years. The February Champlain Business Journal showed another side of Annemie’s life, beekeeping. She was pictured in fully protective clothing at her hives with Todd Hardie of Honey Gardens in Ferrisburgh.

to Charlotte actors Isabelle and Sophia Fenn who, along with their mother, Jyofi Daniere, are in the cast of Lettice and Lovage, a comedy by British playwright Peter Shaffer being presented by the Middlebury Community Players February 19 through 22 at Town Hall Theater. Tickets are available through the box office by calling 382-9222 Monday through Saturday between noon and 5 p.m. or online any time at towhhalltheater.org.

to Tom and Lori Delia whose downtown Burlington café, Trattoria Delia, was featured in the February 11 Burlington Free Press’ food section under Valentine’s Day delights. The recipe for filet of beef “al Barbera” with truffle butter was included as a “romantic Valentine’s dinner for two,” for those, unlike Tom, who have the night off. He was “chefing” through the evening in the restaurant he and Lori have owned for 16 years.

to Jay Vogler, whose art work has been selected to be displayed in the Chittenden Bank branch of the University of Vermont Davis Student Center from February 25 through the end of April

is extended to family and friends of Robert Moody Thompson of Lincoln who passed away February 1 at the age of 88. His surviving family includes his daughter Carol Taggart of Charlotte. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in his memory do so to the Lincoln Historical Society, Lincoln, Vermont 05443.

is extended to family and friends of Nadine Jaques (Denie) of Colchester who passed away February 1 at the age of 78. Her surviving family includes her daughter Denise Mishkit and son-in-law Tim plus their children Kurt and Gordon Mishkit of Charlotte. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Lung Association or the American Cancer society.

is extended to family and friends of Alice Dubois of Essex who passed away February 4 at the age of 97. After marrying her husband Henry, the couple moved to Charlotte where they lived for a year before moving to Shelburne. Her surviving family includes her granddaughter Leslie Lewis and husband Hugh, Jr. plus great grandchildren Matthew and Tyler Lewis all of Charlotte. The family asks that those wishing to make memorial contributions do so to the Green Mountain Nursing Home Activity Fund, 1102 Ethan Allen Avenue, Colchester, Vermont 05446.

is extended to family and friends of Charles L. “Curly” Thibault of Swanton who passed away February 12 at the age of 88. Surviving members of his family include his son John of Charlotte. The family asks that those wishing to make gifts in his memory do so to the American Lung Association of Vermont, 272 Hurricane Lane, Williston, Vermont 05495.