Welcome to the Rotary Club of Williston-Richmond, VT!
Williston-Richmond

Service Above Self

We meet In Person & Online
Thursdays at 7:15 AM
Via Zoom and in person
Williston Federated Church
44 North Williston Road
Williston, VT 05495
United States of America
Be our guest! Club meetings feature interesting speakers, club business, shared inspiration and social networking. For a Zoom link, email us at rotaryclubofwillistonvt@gmail.com. Or join us in person at the Williston Federated Church Fellowship Hall.
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News
Annual charity drive in full swing!
 
When a local family receives help with home heating, a child gets to choose a book of their own to take home, a promising high school student builds confidence at a Rotary youth leadership weekend, and a senior citizen enjoys a delicious holiday lunch it is because of contributions made by generous area businesses and individuals. 
 
Each year our club raises funds to support our service work and charitable grants through events and an annual charity drive that runs from March through June. This year our goal is to top $22,000 and we are more than a third of the way there! 
 
We hope you will consider supporting our work in the community. To read more about the causes the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club's charity fund supports, and to donate online, visit our Donate page.  
 
If you have questions, please feel free to email us at RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail.com. We'd love to connect with you!
Advocacy under the Golden Dome
On April 18 club member Jeanne Kennedy spoke to us about her long and interesting career as a lobbyist at Vermont's State House. After serving for a time in the state legislature, Jeanne embarked on a multi-decade career as a one-person lobbying firm, advocating for her clients' interests with legislators, administration officials, agencies and boards. As a lobbyist, she worked to make sure her clients' voices were heard in order to influence legislation, administrative rules and actions. By being a resource, providing accurate information and always following through on commitments, a lobbyist can be effective for clients and respected by those with whom they interact in government. We learned a great deal from her talk!
 
Link to the Rotary YouTube video with Jeanne Kennedy:  https://youtu.be/Ks0e8jeM3Jo
 
A day of celebration for Addi and Nicole
 
On a beautiful Monday, April 15th, the Big Beautiful Life provided  Partners in Adventure the Extreme Motus Adventure chair adorn with a Cardinal and Butterfly to honor Addi Carroll and Nicole Noonan. 
 
30-40 supporters gathered at the Williston Federated Church to watch a few presentations from speakers Tammy Carroll (BBL), Laura Noonan (BBL), sponsor Karrie Nelson (North Country Credit Union), sponsor Vince Conte (Williston-Richmond Rotary), and Joan Martin (Partners in Adventure), utilize the Adventure Chair for a walk in the Williston Central School Park, and food and refreshments after the event.  It was a positive and emotional time for both speakers and attendees. 
 
"It was perfect!" wrote Tammy Carroll after the event. "Laura and I wanted to express our sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your contributions and support. We know April is a busy month for everyone, so your dedication means even more.  The positive energy in the room and the walk in the sunshine made April 15th a truly memorable day – a real bucket filler for sure!"  
 
Joan Martin proclaimed, "I think everyone in the room was moved by such positive, passionate and loving vibes…we should be so lucky to have these experiences…. It’s all part of the magic we enable in our missions to create a better lives for the people we touch ♥️ In awe…"
 
Links to the Big Beautiful Life, Partners in Adventure, and the Extreme Motus Chair can be found on the Williston-Richmond Rotary website in the News article "Adventure Chair donation given providing rough terrain access"       :   https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1453/
 
Dilly-iscious fun talk
Williston Village Farm
 
Pickling is Carter's passion, and he shared his wonderful journey and his gardens with us through photos on April 11th. 
 
Carter Smith is the owner and operator of Williston Village Farm. He farms on an acre of land behind the 1838 farmhouse -- on 2A in the village of Williston. The parcel includes a barn, a greenhouse and 20 raised beds where he grows vegetables for pickling. Williston Village Farms is also a mainstay at the Isham farmer's markets in the summer and fall, and those who have met him there know he if famous for his Dilly Beans, but he does so much more including beets, salsa verde, corn relish, and sweet and dill pickles. 
 
Link to the Rotary YouTube video with Carter Smith:  https://youtu.be/AdY26kNlf0Y
 
2024 Easter Parade & Egg Hunt spectacular!
 
Could be our biggest turn out yet for the annual Bill Mikell Easter Egg Parade and Egg Hunt! It was a chilly morning but we had no rain so lots of families, plus the Williston Fire and Police departments, joined the fun. Thanks to Andy Mikell for doing a wonderful job organizing and providing treats -- and to all who contributed baskets and/or their time to make the event a big success.  
 
Enjoy the many smiles in our photo album. 
 
Green Mountain Habitat builds homes with families
Whenever a new Habitat for Humanity house is built, it's about building capital as well as stability for the family who will end up calling it home. Homeownership remains one of the most effective ways for Americans to build wealth, explained David Mullin, CEO of Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, when he spoke to our club on March 21. Some of that potential equity comes from the "sweat equity" contributed by the recipient families themselves, who each help build the homes they will occupy.
 
The organization is currently managing to build 5-6 energy efficient homes per year and aims to increase that to 10 per year. Retail sales through their three Habitat ReStore locations provides much of the needed funding. The Williston store alone raises enough to support the construction of two houses per year. 
 
Williston-Richmond Rotary Club members Charlie Magill and Dave Ericson currently serve on the board of the GMHH. David Mullin is a past president of the club.
 
Link to the Rotary YouTube video with David Mullins:   https://youtu.be/F6NKXgBroYE
 
Easter for the Kiddos
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Join the fun at the 24th annual Bill Mikell Easter Parade and Egg Hunt at Williston Central School on Saturday, March 30 for children 12 years old and younger. The parade begins promptly at 9 a.m., so please arrive early. The event will take place regardless of the weather, so children should be dressed appropriately.

Easter baskets with prizes will be awarded to children who find specially marked Easter eggs. Other prizes will be awarded to children wearing Easter costumes. Children are encouraged to bring their own Easter baskets. 

For more information, contact Andy Mikell at (802) 343-2704 or email AndrewDMikell@gmail.com

 

A visit to the library
 
On March 14 we held our weekly breakfast meeting in the beautiful community room at the Richmond Free Library. Hosting us was Youth Director Wendy de Forest, who shared the history of the library and the building, once a church and then part of a school, that it has inhabited since 1991. She explained how the library's collections have evolved over time as various technologies have waxed and waned -- and recently as the restrictions of the COVID pandemic prompted the adoption of new ways to engage and support the community. Wendy shared specific children's resources that our club's recent monetary donation, arranged by Barb LeWinter, have helped fund. These include VOX books with built-in audio to accompany the printed picture book pages. We also learned about Play Away books, STEAM kits, Launch Pads, and Storytime Bags -- all wonderful resources that augment the collection of books featured in two youth-focused rooms on the second floor of the library.
 
Link to the Rotary meeting YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/GMffcUoTXdI
 
Adventure Chair donation given providing rough terrain access
Photo
 
The Grants and Donation Committee received a compelling request to provide $500 funding to the Big Beautiful Life Adventure Chair Program. Big Beautiful Life's Adventure Chair Program makes hiking a trail, getting down to the water’s edge on a sandy beach (and then floating in the water) possible. BBL will donate a $4400 Adventure Chair to  Partners in Adventure, which will heavily utilize it in its existing programs and create a lending program to our community members who are significantly physically disabled. In February, Williston-Richmond Rotary approved the $500 donation.
 
Partners In Adventure provides camps and year-round social and recreation programs partnering disabled teens with non-disabled peers in northern Vermont. PIA offer individuals opportunities to be included as participants in their communities, to enjoy enriching experiences adapted to their specific needs and to learn about tolerance and diversity. Partners in Adventure is an Essex non-profit, and operates out of the Williston Federated Church. 
 
Link to the Big Beautiful Life Adventure Program:  https://givebutter.com/KVoNAZ
 
Link to Partners in Adventure:  https://www.partnersinadventure.org/about/
 
Link to the Extreme Motus Chair:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjbYjZePACE&t=1s
 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) engaging discussion
 
Dr. Steven Shepard is the founder of the Shepard Communications Group in Williston, Vermont. A professional author, photographer, audio producer and educator with more than 40 years of experience in the technology industry, he has written books and articles on a wide variety of topics.
 
Stephen spoke to Williston-Richmond Rotary on the benefits and concerns about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Social Media, involved the club with thought-provoking scenarios, and entertained the club immensely. Unfortunately, the Internet of Things did not let us record the event, but I've posted a previous Dr. Shepard YouTube video and his webpage. So interesting - check him out!! 
 
Link to 2016 YouTube Internet-of-Things video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xKfzc1CYR8
 
Link to Dr. Shepard's webpage:  https://steven-shepard.com/
 
Nancy Stone, artist and author. Indigo Hours: Healing Haiku
On her husband Ken’s 82nd birthday, Nancy joined us to read poetry and share pictures from her recently published illustrated book of poetry. "Indigo Hours: Healing Haiku" is a lyrical, profound, and playful book of haiku poems with original scratchboard drawings from an artist thrust into the role of care partner after her husband’s diagnosis of “likely Alzheimer’s.”
 
Nancy's haikus and artwork are a touching, original and meaningful description of the twists, turns, peaks and valleys experienced when riding the rollercoaster called dementia. Descriptions include gratitude, courage and resilience for moving forward with love in your heart during challenging times. In light of the fact that there are more than 6.5 million people living with dementia in our country, including more than 13,000 in Vermont with another 30,000 Vermonters who care for them, this book serves as a comforting hug, a source of inspiration, laughter, tears and provides a unique understanding of a world that is growing exponentially. "Indigo Hours: Healing Haiku," will make a wonderful addition to the library of a caregiver you know and to your own library as a beautiful description of a path in life that too many are traveling, often feeling very alone and not understood. Books may be purchased though Nancy's website: nancystone.weebly.com, Phoenix Books and Amazon.
 
Link to the Rotary meeting YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/ZoNvpQsGBzw
 
Bill Skiff Story Slam fundraising success
 
Well over $2000 was raised to support home heating assistance at the club's first-ever Bill Skiff Story Slam, an open mic storytelling event held on Saturday, Feb. 10. Named in honor of club founder and first president Bill Skiff, the event attracted a full house who enjoyed stories on the night's theme of hope, along with many fond and funny remembrances of good times with Bill. Members of Bill's family were in attendance and, since he was unable to join us, daughter Nan shared one of his stories with the crowd.
 
Judges Sara Byers, Sarah Hibbeler and Bill Schubart chose Paula Cope as 1st place winner, Chris Stewart as 2nd place and Charlie Magill as 3rd place winner for sharing their moving personal stories of hope. 
 
Representing home heating fuel assistance nonprofit Split the Ticket, Matt Cota shared the inspiring story of its founding and how gifts of fuel have touched the lives of Vermonters going through hard times. The Williston-Richmond Rotary club was instrumental in getting the program off the ground in 2007 and has contributed to it every year since. 
 
Check out our photo album to see all the fun we had preparing for and enjoying the event.
 
Link to the Bill Skiff Story Slam YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/4SZFZ5CKa-M
 
2024 Town Budget Clarity and Discussion
 
Williston Town Manager and Rotarian Erik Wells spoke with Rotary about the proposed Town budget and ballot items that are up for a vote on Town Meeting Day, March 5.
 
Link to the Rotary meeting YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/itHcMKMHG-E
 
The Making and Meaning of an American Proverb of Democracy
 
Wolfgang Mieder, Emeritus Professor of German and Folklore at the University of Vermont and longtime Chairperson of the Department of German and Russian, has special expertise in the areas of German and international folklore, the history of the German language, the Middle Ages, and especially the study of proverbs.
 
Wolfgang provided current and historic perspective on The Making and Meaning of an American Proverb of Democracy.
 
Link to the Rotary meeting YouTube video: https://youtu.be/uzxd1a8ojsM
 
Thank you to our supporters!
 
On February 8 we ran a full-page ad in the Williston Observer to thank our generous donors and sponsors. Their monetary and in-kind donations make our service and charitable work possible.  THANK YOU!
 
Join the Bill Skiff Story Slam!
Warm your heart with stories and warm your neighbors at the same time!
 
Don't miss your chance to take part in our first-ever storytelling event!  
 
Listen to short stories from community members and/or share your own in this friendly, competitive story slam. Our theme is hope and stories can be inspiring, funny, moving or sad — they just must be true and personal. 
 
Our gathering honors Bill Skiff, the founder and first president of our club, an accomplished storyteller who has delighted our community with his tales for many years. 
 
Proceeds from this fundraising event will go toward a favorite cause of our club: home heating fuel assistance. For years the Split the Ticket program has brought hope to Vermonters in need, helping them keep warm during our cold winters. Our club was instrumental in bringing this program to life and we've made it a charitable donation priority ever since.
 
Visit this page for more details about the event and to purchase tickets: Bill Skiff Story Slam.
 
Curious about Rotary? 
 
New members welcome!
 
Are you looking for a way to connect with members of your community? Do you enjoy hearing from speakers on topics of local and global interest? Would you like to find ways to be of service? 
 
Members of the Williston-Richmond Rotary find both fun and meaning as part of a friendly group of active, curious, caring people. We enjoy each other's differences as well as our shared commitment to making our community and our world a better place. 
 
We welcome guests at our Thursday morning breakfast meetings, in person or by Zoom. To come check us out or to find out more, email us at RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail.com.
 
Exciting times for Speech and Debate teams in VT
 

Kathryn Kernoff coaches the speech and debate team at CVU, and organized the statewide Vermont Debate and Forensics League (VDFL). Previously, Kathryn worked as the Assistant Director of Debate at Dartmouth College. As a competitor, she received second place at the national collegiate championship three years in a row.

Kathryn discussed the current state of speech and debate in Vermont, the benefits for student participants, and the challenges of growing the activity in a small state. Her impact and dedication to the skill is changing the lives of school children across Vermont.
 
Link to the Rotary meeting YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/vT9ZLaUK2Ok
 
Making positive change from Afghanistan to the US 
 
Hedayat grew up in eastern Afghanistan, and after completing a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, worked in Afghanistan for rural development, nonprofits, and social enterprise. Hedayat held positions in different capacities, such as Area Manager, Research Coordinator and Civil Engineer, constructing school buildings for marginalized girls in hard-to-reach areas of the Afghan countryside.
 
Hedayat was evacuated from Afghanistan on August 27, 2021 when the democratic government of Afghanistan collapsed and chaos ensued. However, his wife and three children were unable to leave the country. Hedayat arrived in Vermont in November 2021, and now resides in South Burlington, where he works in the construction industry.
 
Hear about his journey and the efforts to bring education models to both Afghanistan and the US. 
 
Link to the Rotary meeting YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/gMRi9c0ODIs
 
4 Rotary members provide Classification talks
 
Each new Rotary member or transferee is asked to give a "classification talk" after they have been in our Club for 1 - 6 months. You were assigned a classification when you joined relating to your business and position. This is your chance to tell members about yourself and your business.
 
In these 2 videos, three long term and one new Rotary member are given an opportunity to share their classification talk with members who joined after them, and want to know them better. The journeys of these 4 are so fun, fascinating, and inspiring. So glad to call these club members friends!!!! 
 
Link to the Andy Mikell & Dan Clark classification talks / YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/unnpHKfN1c0
 
Link to the Gary Howard & Sally Stockwell-Metro classification talks / YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/imqvbVVkJvM
 
Martin Luther King Day 2024 Observances
 
Next Monday, January 15 is Martin Luther King Day, a holiday set aside to encourage community service and to commemorate the contributions of Dr. King to the advancement of civil rights in our country. This year there is not a designated observance in Williston, but the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club values this holiday greatly and would like to encourage folks in town to find other ways to observe this important day. 
 
Some options include: 
 
Best wishes for a meaningful MLK Day!
 
Happy Holidays 2023
Top 20 Non Christmas Winter Decorations [2023] - Grace In My Space
 
Best wishes to everyone for a happy and safe holiday season, and thank you for being a part of our Club. Together, we Create Hope in the World and our Community. 
 
Williston's Community Justice Center and Restorative Justice

 

Cristalee McSweeney serves as the Executive Director and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Anti-Racism Lead for the Williston Community Justice Center (WCJC) as well as the Director of the Williston Racial Equity Partnership. She spoke about the crucial work being done by the WCJC to utilize community/social justice treatment versus criminal justice treatment to replace shame and blame and replace it with accountability and responsibility when working with individuals who have committed crimes. The WCJC employs one full time and 3 "very part time," staff in addition to 65 community volunteers to meet the demands of the 300 cases they serve per year. The WCJC serves the towns of Williston, Richmond, St. George, Hinesburg, Huntington, Bolton, Shelburne, Charlotte, Jericho and Underhill and are funded by the town of Williston and with a grant from the Vermont Department of Corrections.

Responsible parties (previously termed criminals) are referred by local and state law enforcement agencies and provided the opportunity to work to make amends or repair to impacted parties (previously termed victims) by way of a contract developed in conjunction with WCJC staff, input from impacted parties and community volunteers. Each contract is individualized and requires the responsible party to tell the story of the infraction, why and how it happened, how they could minimize or prevent this occurence in the future and to explore the impact their actions have had on others. Unmet needs (housing, finances, food, transportation, education, health care) are identified and addressed through resource education and assistance with access to help insure that these will no longer be barriers to success as a member of their community. For example, if lack of reliable transportation interferes with work or legal commitments, this needs to be addressed. Financial education and resources are provided so that 

WCJC works WITH responsible parties NOT FOR them to achieve their goals and provides education and support at every level.

Cristalee challenged members to identify what we have in common with responsible parties, to understand that no one is disposable and to better understand the work of the WCJC. There are many ways to be involved in this important work. For more information go to: https://willistonjustice.org

Link to the Rotary meeting YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/LpxpD2Q-76k

Senior holiday luncheon tradition lives on
     
   
 
 
Our annual Jonathan Milne Senior Holiday Luncheon, held on Dec. 13, attracted over 70 area seniors for a festive, joyful gathering. The delicious, hot turkey dinner was matched by the warmth of smiles and friendly chatter. Marty LeWinter provided holiday tunes with singing led by Charlie Magill. Santa Gary Howard brought cheer to every table. A dozen or so lucky guests took home beautiful poinsettias.
 
Many thanks to Sally Metro for her coordination of the event and to the many club members who volunteered to set up, serve our guests, and clean up. Thanks also to Nancy Milne who once again joined us in hosting the event which honors her husband.
 
Enjoy more photos of the event in our photo album.
 
Speakers
Karen Peterson, Seacology
Apr 25, 2024 7:30 AM
Why Islands Matter
Gretchen Owens, Executive Director
May 09, 2024 7:30 AM
EDD Adaptive Sports in Vermont
Ben Kinnaman, Founder & CEO
May 16, 2024 7:30 AM
Greensea IQ
Ali Dieng, Regional Manager
May 23, 2024 7:30 AM
Building Bright Futures
Chris Donnelly, Director of Community Relations
May 30, 2024 7:30 AM
Champlain Housing Trust
View entire list...
Are you interested in a way to give back to your community?  We're welcoming volunteers to join our many local service projects.  Whether you have just a few hours or time for a weekly commitment, Williston-Richmond Rotary invites you to join us in activities to help others and support our community. 
 
Do you know of a need in our community?  We want to hear from you about how we can help.  
 
Contact us! To find out about volunteer opportunities and to share your ideas for how we can serve, email us at RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail.com.
 
IN THE NEWS
Photo Albums
Club Officers
President
Susan Cote
President Elect
Elizabeth Davidson
Vice President
Vince Conte
Secretary
Philip Stevens
Treasurer
Jeanne Albertson
Past President
Sally Stockwell-Metro
Sergeant-at-Arms
Marty LeWinter
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