There are many ways that Shelburne News readers may already know long-time Shelburne resident Beth Alpert. Some will recognize her from her days as an afterschool program and substitute teacher; some from her family; gardens; others will know her from her non-medical eldercare business, Help at Hand; yet others through Pandora, her black standard poodle and therapy dog; and hungry readers will know her from her yummy Red Maple Granola at the farmers market and Shelburne Supermarket. Here is a mini synopsis of Beth's life as a native Vermonter and of her one short foray out of state and back.

Shelburne's very crafty town resident, Maedean Birmingham, is often first noticed for her home's abundant and changing display of exterior holiday decorations: scarecrows in autumn, Christmas lights and lawn ornaments in winter, and of course, her summer flowers in steady bloom. Inside, Maedean's creativity never stops. She knits, hooks rugs, makes quilts, cooks, and makes her own wine. A Shelburne resident since the 1940s, we thought readers would like to learn a little bit more about her.

It's a busy time of year, and high on the list of people with particularly demanding holiday season schedules are members of the clergy. Nonetheless, Shelburne News was able to gently pry Father Michael De Forge of Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church away from his hectic schedule for an interview.

Three years ago, Peter Gilmore moved from Baltimore, Md. to Shelburne to become the Head of Vermont Commons School (VCS).

Kim DuBrul was a Springfield High School track star and still holds the school's record for the high jump. She also was a cheerleader and part of a team that were Division I champs. Although her high jumps and cheers are of a different nature now, the will to leap over obstacles to succeed, as well as to cheer others on to win, remains integral to describing who she was and is today.

Wind Ridge Publishing's newest young sales account executive is likely a familiar name and face to all CVU hockey fans: Chelsea Hopper, sister of CVU boys hockey coach Matt Hopper and daughter of the team's previous coach, dad Doug Hopper.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Shelburne News thought readers would like to know more about Shelburne resident Dr. David Krag, the S.D. Ireland Foundation professor of surgery and breast cancer clinical research scientist for the Vermont Cancer Center.

This week's profile is of Tim Thomas, one of Shelburne's native sons. In the process of interviewing him for this article, Tim shared some of his childhood memories of our town when it was still primarily a farming community (there were 30-plus farms in Shelburne in the 1950s), and prior, when there were still gristmills and sawmills along the Shelburne Falls Road.

Last week Governor Peter Shumlin appointed Shelburne resident Al Gobeille to the state's Green Mountain Care Board. The board is responsible for creating the first single payer health care system in the country.

Family background Kate Lalley was born in Washington D.C. Her parents met at Georgetown University when her father was a graduate student and her mother was an undergraduate.

Jack was born at home on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. His mother and father moved to Hawaii in the 1960s.

In his 29 years as a member of the Shelburne Police Force, Frank Thornton dealt with a variety of incidents, but none was as memorable or as bizarre as being called out on a Halloween night to round up a herd of buffalo that had escaped from a Charlotte farm!

John Zicconi was recently named as Shelburne's representative to the newly merged Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Louise Ransom and her husband Robert were members of the founding committee for Wake Robin, and she has now been a resident there for the last 10 years. In fact, she served as one of the editors for "Our Great War: Memoirs of World War II from the Wake Robin Community," a book that includes recollections from sixty-five residents - some who served as soldiers and others who stayed on the home front.

Kris Engstrom, the owner of the In Full Bloom florist shop on Route 7 across from the Shelburne Museum, became the new president of the Charlotte-Shelburne Rotary on June 30.

Pat Kingsland is a lifelong Shelburne resident, and has lived on Northern Heights Drive for more than 40 years - only the second home she's ever lived in!

Longtime residents of Shelburne may remember "Mrs. Bennett" from their days at the Shelburne Village School: she taught various classes there, from kindergarten through 5th grade, for 38 years before her retirement.

Hansen & Son piano has been in business in Shelburne for nearly 30 years, and Gudny Rivers is one of its founders. Born in Northern Denmark, Gudny lived through five years of deprivation under German occupation during World War II and still cites May 4, 1945 - the day the Germans withdrew from Denmark - as one of the most memorable days of her life.

Dan Burks in the newest member of the Shelburne Planning Commission, but community service is part of the family tradition: his wife Jean served on the Shelburne Selectboard for a number of years. He was motivated to apply for the Planning Commission because of his concern for, and interest in, enhancing the attractiveness of Shelburne. "I don't want Shelburne to lose its special character," Dan said.

Hanni Huber insists she's lived a very ordinary life, but her personal history suggests otherwise. Born in Erfurt, Germany in 1929, Huber lived through the Allied bombing raids during World War II, severe food shortages, the word that her father was MIA after the destruction of his base in the Crimea, a flood of refugees from Poland and the Baltic countries, and the Russian occupation at war's end.

Robin Hayden is a nurse practitioner in the Surgical Oncology Department and Breast Care Center at FAHC. She follows patients who have a history of cancer and also people with an elevated risk of developing cancer.

What would Lisa say? A Shelburne resident for five years and a Vermont native, Lisa Rizzio has tapped into her natural gift of communication and motivation as a tool to help people from all walks of life channel their energy in a way most efficient for their businesses, relationships, and life.

Longtime Shelburne business owner and resident Marian Feldman leads an active and connected life - indoors and out. She discussed her career, her passion for traveling, and little known facts about her very interesting life.

In honor of Pet Health Month we introduce longtime Shelburne resident and See Spot Run business owner Nancy Gerwig. She discussed her career choices, interests, and little known facts about her very interesting life.

Shelburne resident and CVU sophomore Emma Hamilton is a bone fide artist. Her recent t-shirt design will grace runners during the 21st Annual Champlain Classic, a popular foot race in Town this Sunday, May 1. Emma discussed her artistic endeavors and other little known facts about her interesting young life.

Meet longtime Shelburne resident Wendy Saville. With her typical witty repartee, Wendy shared her interests, past career moves, and other aspects of her very interesting life.

The second of three sons born in Binghamton, N.Y. to Helen and Thomas Lynch, Mike was raised in nearby Hamilton. Mike attended Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y. graduating with a degree in civil engineering in 1965. After a one-year position with Westinghouse, Mike returned to Clarkson to attain his master's degree.

This week we are featuring a couple as the "person" of Shelburne. Longtime Shelburne residents Fran and Dave Grimason discussed their recent volunteer efforts with Hands to Honduras, their hobbies, and little known facts about their very interesting lives.

Transplanted from the south, resident Marinell Newton Chapell has lived in Shelburne for over 20 years. A medical social worker and Church Street Wine Cellars business owner, Marinell recently discussed her family, career, and other little known facts about her very interesting life.

Recent Shelburne resident Mohamed Basha is also the successful business owner of TLC Nursing Associates. He discussed his education, business, and little known facts about his very interesting life.

Shelburne native, Julia Howe has been employed by Wind Ridge Publishing (WRP) as a freelance writer since the fall. She shares stories about her career, hobbies, and other little known facts about her very interesting life.

In honor of National American Red Cross month, the Shelburne News introduces Doug Roszman. A current blood platelet donor and longtime Shelburne resident, Doug discussed his career, hobbies, and other little known facts about his life.

Good News Garage Director Michael Muzzy recently moved back to his childhood home: Shelburne. He discussed his career, his interests, and other little known facts about his very interesting life.

Shelburne News introduces the recent guest speaker at the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" luncheon and four-year Shelburne resident, Michelle Johnston. She discussed her career, interests, and current life list with us.

Meet Shelburne resident and Fleet Feet Sports business owner Tim Carter. He discusses his career, interests, and his latest endeavor: an introductory running class offered through Shelburne Parks and Recreation Department.

In honor of the cause to help the homeless, the Shelburne News introduces longtime Shelburne resident David Conard.

A relative newcomer to Shelburne, Jim Noble is the professional voice of the Air National Guard as well as the creative consultant for Air National Guard Creative. He discusses his career, interests, and little known facts about his very interesting life.

Longtime Shelburne resident and Rags and Riches business owner Jon Rosenberg discusses his career, hobbies, and other little known facts about his life, family, and more.

Twenty-somethings Luke Ramos, Eric Brown, and Sam Merker recently moved to Shelburne for a planned reunion with childhood friend and Swiftshire band mate Miles Mills. The trio discusses their day jobs, musical inclinations, and other little known facts about their lives.

In honor of Mental Wellness Month the Shelburne News introduces longtime Shelburne resident Ed Vizvarie. A 19-year employee of the HowardCenter, Ed discussed his career, hobbies, and more.