Around Town
Compiled by Edd Merritt

to Tara Hetz, a junior at St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York, who was selected for membership in her school’s chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the national biology honorary society. Membership is based on academic achievement in at least four biology courses in which the student maintains a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.00 scale, as well as a 3.25 overall average.

to Kendall Frost who achieved placement on the Dean’s Honor List at the University of Colorado for the fall 2008 semester. Kendall, the daughter of Karen and Michael Frost of Charlotte, is a student in the College of Architecture and Planning.

to Ashley Williamson and Morgan Newcomb who were married on Boca Grande in Florida on March 7. Ashley is the daughter of Bruce and Linda Williamson of Charlotte.

to Jeffrey Hollender, owner of Seventh Generation (or as he refers to himself, the “Chief Inspired Protagonist”), the nation’s leader in environmentally sound household products. Hollender is featured in the current Green Living Magazine, which publishes as a “practical journal for friends of the environment.” The article discusses the history of the business, which took its name from the “Great Law of the Iroquois,” that says, “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” Along with his partner at the time, Alan Newman (later founder of Magic Hat Brewery), the two began with a mail-order catalogue of energy-conservation products they called Renew America that later morphed into Seventh Generation. According to the article, Jeffrey says that his business is a “challenger brand,” often taking a “negative position against the established order, but always trying to do so in a positive way.” He describes a number of lessons he has learned along the way and is moving into cyberspace with a blog at inspiredprotagonist.com. Copies of the journal are available free for the taking in the entryway to The Charlotte Library.

to Shyla Nelson, a Charlotte-based musician and teacher who will appear this summer in productions of the Green Mountain Mahler and Mozart festivals and who was featured in the March 4 issue of Seven Days. In the article Nelson describes her chosen technique for expressing ourselves in the world. It is a procedure that trains students to center themselves physically and mentally, which she has found frees up the voice by engaging people at the center of their bodies. It is a core training that musicians such as Phish’s Mike Gordon have adopted. Nelson also trains approximately 200 students globally through tele-seminars and says she is preparing a book on the subject.

to Tom Manchester, M.D. and Kathy Svboda, M.D. of Denver, Colorado who have announced their engagement. Tom is the son of Kathy and Jim Manchester of Charlotte. His fiancé, Kathy, is from Iliff, Colorado. Both are completing their residencies in Denver and plan to be married in the spring of 2010.

to Sammi Bottom-Tanzer, principal second violin in the Vermont Youth Orchestra, who has been selected as one of six members to perform in the Brick Church Music Series in the Old Brick Church in Williston March 20. Sammi and her colleagues will play classical violin pieces; they will also fiddle, perform duets for violin and harp, perhaps even some jazz, beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door or may be purchased at the Williston Town Hall.

to the following Charlotte residents who received gallon pins from the American Red Cross Blood Services, New England Region:
Marilyn Johnson, 2 gallons
David Cray, 14 gallons
William Gardner, 37 gallons
Bruce Hasse, 60 gallons

to Baxter Barber, a student at the Vermont Commons School, who with teammates from Williston and Milton placed third in the “Edible Car Design” contest sponsored by UVM’s College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. Another Commons School team placed first in the event held at the Vermont Air National Guard in Colchester.

to Megan Kehoe of Charlotte who was one of only two winners of TD Banknorth’s NFL Sweepstakes promotion. Megan won a VIP trip for two to the recent Super Bowl in Tampa followed by a second trip to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii and an NFL Saturday Night Party. She and her husband, Dr. Cameron Wesson, mingled with several football stars, including Wes Walker of the Patriots and Matt Hasselbeck of the Seattle Seahawks.

to Jan Blittersdorf, CEO of NRG Systems, who was named vice chair of the newly formed American Wind Wildlife Institute. The institute forms a collaboration of experts in wildlife study and wind power proponents. Blittersdorf’s work will focus on ways to limit the impact of large turbines on wildlife and their habitat.

to the Kelly Brush Foundation and its new executive director, Betsy Cabrera. The three-year-old foundation successfully grew to a point, according to its president Charlie Brush, where it needed to add a person to oversee its operations.

to Charlotte resident and Burlington restaurateur, Tim Halvorson, who will be honored by the Burlington Business Association (BBA) for his eight years of service on the BBA Board. Tim will be recognized at the annual dinner April 9 at the Hilton Burlington. Guests include Governor Jim Douglas and Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss.

to Rhino Foods owners Anne and Ted Castle who were among several family owners of businesses featured in the ”Business Monday” section of the March 16 Burlington Free Press. The Castles began Rhino Foods as an ice cream novelty business. Ted was the wholesale guru; Anne handled retail. The company has grown to employ 120 people.
is extended to family and friends of Lawrence Lavalette of Charlotte who passed away March 3 at the age of 66. Born in Charlotte, he was the son of Mitchell and Lucille Lavalette. He served on the town’s volunteer fire and rescue department for several years and established and ran the Charlotte Flea Market for 35 years. His surviving family includes his companion, Karen, and his brother George and George’s wife, Patricia, all of Charlotte. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center, Attn: Elizabeth Acheson, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, Vermont 05009.

is extended to family and friends of Everett Harris of Charlotte who passed away March 3 at the age of 74. Born in Lamoille County, he grew up on the family’s farm in Wolcott before attending UVM where he earned a degree in agricultural education. A founder of Lamoille County Field Days, he taught high school and later college, beginning in West Virginia before returning to the University of Vermont’s School of Agriculture, at which time he and his family settled in Charlotte. After retiring from the University in 2000, he was awarded the Sinclair Cup for “distinguished service and exemplary leadership.” He and his wife, Kathleen McKinley Harris, raised their two daughters Susannah and Elizabeth here. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in his memory do so to foundations that will help youth. They suggest the FFA Foundation, c/o Alan Curler, 2900 North Street, New Haven, Vermont 05472, or the Green Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 557, Waterbury, Vermont 05676, or the University of Vermont College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, c/o Howard Lincoln, Development Officer, 440 Main Street, Burlington, Vermont 05405.

is extended to family and friends of Diane Mary St. Onge of Vergennes who passed away March 15 at the age of 52. She attended Charlotte Elementary School and graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School in 1974. Surviving family includes her parents Richard and Marion Porter and her brother Richard, Jr., all of Charlotte. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in her memory do so to Make A Wish Foundation, 100 Dorset Street, South Burlington, Vermont 05403.