Around Town
compiled by Edd Merritt

Congratulations
to Jenny and Nate Ayer of Hinesburg, whose daughter, Thea Anjali Ayer, was born October 21 at Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington. Nate is the son of Bonnie and Russ Ayer of Charlotte.
to Amy Menard and Steve Dombrowski of Anchorage, Alaska who were married October 10 in Brandon, Vermont. Amy, the daughter of Ron and Nancy Menard of Charlotte, graduated from Northeastern Law School and is a partner in the law firm of Doherty and Menard in Anchorage. Her husband is manager of engineering services for Wilder Construction Company of Alaska.
to Jordan Cannon and Emma Slater, whose written works were featured in the Burlington Free Press Young Writers’ Project. Appearing in the October 14 issue, Jordan’s piece describes the psychological impact on members of her family when a daughter tumbles off her bike into a swirling river. Emma’s piece that appeared a week later is a poem about her friend. One is led to think it is her horse, although she never says that directly. “How many times will we ride the hunt again my friend?”
to the Cohen family and the Jordan family, who were among winners in the Fresh Air Fund’s 2009 Photo Contest. The Cohens photo gained the overall-runner-up award featuring their fresh air visitor, eight-year-old Imani with her new friends Ella Bohmann and Isabel Cohen. The Jordan family photo was awarded third place in the “Summer Brothers” category. It shows 13-year visitor Jason with his newfound brothers Brooks and Colby.
to Andrea Rogers, retiring Flynn Performing Arts Center Executive Director, who received the YWCA’s Thrive Award for 2009. The award recognizes the value that successful women and girls bring to their communities, their workplaces and to the world. Initially instrumental in raising funds needed to reopen the Flynn in 1981, Andrea became its capital fund director and later executive director. In that capacity she co-founded the Discover Jazz Festival. Sara Blum, chair of the award committee for the YWCA, said that Andrea rose to the top of the nominees “based on the impact her work has made on the three criteria for the award.”
to Dana Farley, planning director for the town of Essex, who was named the “2009 Outstanding Planner of the Year” by the Vermont Planners Association (VPA) at its annual meeting October 16. She was recognized for her achievements in a career that has spanned more than two decades. Dana co-authored a book entitled Site Plan and Development Review: A Guide for Northern New England (2004). Along with John Ewing and Elizabeth Humstone; she was instrumental in founding Vermont Forum on Sprawl where she served as both associate director and vice president.
to Chris Hurd, a member of Akin Associates, who was awarded the Green Designation by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). He is only one of nine realtors statewide and the first in Chittenden County to achieve this distinction. NAR’s green designation is for residential, commercial and property managers who wish to incorporate green design in their businesses.
to Peter Post of Post Investment Management in Charlotte, who was accepted for membership in the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). This allows him to use the designation “NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor.” NAPFA applicants undergo peer review, and members are required to meet continuing education requirements that exceed those of other financial advisors.
to Fritz Mitchell, a Charlotte-based documentary filmmaker whose latest work, The Legend of Jimmy the Greek, was reviewed by another Charlotte product, Dan Bolles, in the October 21 issue of Seven Days. Mitchell’s movie was premiered at the Flynn Space on October 26 and will debut on ESPN November 10.
to Howard Pierce, CEO of Problem Knowledge Couplers (PKC), a Burlington-based maker of medical software, whose company was also featured in the October 21 Seven Days as one of a number of small Vermont firms doing business with the U.S. military. According to Pierce and company founder Dr. Lawrence Weed, couplers are more dependable than relying on human brains to enter patients’ symptoms into computer programs that match them with a universe of known conditions to draw up the realm of possible causes. The military is PKC’s largest customer.
to David and Jan Blittersdorf, CEOs of Earth Turbines (David) and NRG Systems (Jan) in Hinesburg, whose array of 36 solar panels was featured in the October 25 Burlington Free Press’ section on Vermont’s “greenness.” According to the article, the panels contribute 140 kilowatts to the grid, the largest amount in the state to date. The panels provide the majority of the electricity for the two companies.

Sympathy
is extended to family and friends of Bradley Miller of Charlotte who passed away November 1 at his home at the age of 58. Brad was co-owner and operator of the Shelburne Market for 35 years and a familiar face to customers. He helped make the supermarket “the unofficial social center of Shelburne.” A member and active participant in Alcoholics Anonymous, he served multiple terms on the board of directors of Maple Leaf Farm and helped a number of local small businesses get started. The family asks that donations in his memory be made to Maple Leaf Farm, 10 Maple Leaf Road, Underhill, Vermont 05489; or Caringbridge.org at caringbridge.org/donate; or Visiting Nurse Association Hospice Program, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, Vermont 05446; or to Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, Vermont 05495.
is extended to family and friends of George Hadwen of Fort Meyers, Florida, who passed away October 12 at the age of 84. Hadwen was a seventh generation Vermonter who summered many years on Cedar Beach in Charlotte. His surviving family includes his daughter and son-in-law Wendy and Bill Schroeder, formerly of Charlotte, now of South Burlington, and their children John and Susan. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in his memory do so to Hope Hospice.
is extended to family and friends of Arlene Yankowski of South Burlington, who passed away October 14 at the age of 74. Her surviving family includes her daughter Karen Yankowski and Karen’s fiancé Dunavin of Charlotte. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to an organization of the donor’s choice.
is extended to family and friends of Leo Dusablon of Colchester who passed away October 14 at the age of 61. His surviving family includes his brother-in-law Craig Palmer of Charlotte. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory be made to the American Cancer Society, 55 Day Lane, Williston, Vermont 05495 or to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, Vermont 05403.
is extended to family and friends of Peter J. Holm, M.D. of Cornwall, Vermont, who passed away October 14 at the age of 68. His surviving family includes his son, Anders Holm, Anders’ wife, Andrea Fossati, and their children, Sara and Jacob, of Charlotte. Gifts in his memory may be addressed to Porter Hospital or to the Addison County Humane Society.
is extended to family and friends of Marjorie Lombard of Charlotte, who passed away October 19 at the age 82. The family asks that cards and notes or requests for more information be sent to Rosemarie Cartularo, 520 Dakin Road, Ferrisburgh, Vermont 05456.
is extended to family and friends of Robert G. and Marilyn M. Shearer of Burlington, who passed away within six days of each other, he on October 22 at the age of 83, she on October 28 at the age of 82. They had been married for 61 years. Their surviving family includes Marilyn’s brother Allen Martin and Allen’s wife, Nancy, of Charlotte. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in Robert’s name be made to Burlington Community Sailing Center, P.O. Box 64818, Burlington, Vermont 05406 or to Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, P.O. Box 139, Killington, Vermont 05751. Marilyn asked that her donations go to either Home Share Vermont, 412 Farell Street, Suite 300, South Burlington, Vermont 05403-4466 or to Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports.
is extended to family and friends of Clement Baker of Charlotte, who passed away October 23 at the age of 76. As a boy, he and his family were summer residents of Thompson’s Point, where the Bakers still maintain property. Clem farmed in Charlotte for 17 years before turning to contracting as a partner in Philo Construction. After spending four years abroad, he returned to Charlotte to form CEBCO, Inc., another construction firm. He was a volunteer fire fighter in Charlotte for many years. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to the Charlotte Congregational Church Sanctuary Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 12, Charlotte, Vermont 05445.
is extended to family and friends of Mary Brewster Manning Foster of Burlington who passed away October 26 at the age of 90. Her surviving family includes her son, Will Foster IV, and Will’s wife ,Frances, of Charlotte as well as their children, Willett Foster V and Caroline.