The Burlington Free Press from Burlington, Vermont • 18

www.burlingtonfreepress.com The Burlington Free Press Thursday, September 25, 2008 FOLIAGE: UVM to study climate's impact Continued from Page 1B cold nights followed by warm, sunny days are what promotes brilliant colors. That's where the experiment is starting. "Do cold nighttime temperatures affect and promote fall coloration? And specifically, we're really looking at anthocyanin synthesis, the red pigments that are created at that time," van den Berg said. The study also will look at whether cold daytime temperatures play a role. In the fall, chlorophyll the green pigment in leaves breaks down in response to decreasing day length, revealing the yellow to orange pigment.

So many other variables go into triggering leaf color that it's unknown how significant a role temperature plays, she said. "It's not only the warmer days and nights in the fall, we have everything that's happendifferent during the growing season back in the summer differences in precipitation, are the warmer temperatures making trees more stressed in the summer? So it's a whole lot of things to consider," van den Berg said. For now, the focus will be on temperature. In preliminary experiments this summer and fall, van den Berg has been subjecting sugar and red maple saplings to a host of temperatures in an outside refrigerated box with a window, in a cooler at night and on the grass outside the laboratory in northern Vermont. Every few days, she presses the leaves with one handheld meter to measure chlorophyll Death Notices and Funerals Held Those wishing may send a contribution in her memory to the Addison County Humane Society, 236 Boardman Middlebury, VT 05753.

Arrangements by ElmwoodMeunier Funeral Home, 97 Elmwood Burlington. RICHARD H. GAMACHE SR. BURLINGTON Richard H. Gamache, 79, of Burlington, died on Wednesday, Sept.

24, 2008 at Fletcher Allen Health Care. He was born in Burlington on Jan. 16, 1929, the son of the late Theodore and Fernande Gamache. Dick was proud of his work as a meat cutter at the store in Essex Junction. In retirement, Dick was never far from his life's work.

He showed a keen mind and used it often by memorizing the weekly specials of the grocery stores, and letting his children (and grandchildren) know the ideal choice of meat to buy and where you could find the best bargains. Never far from his trade, he would cut and package it in the manner you requested; sometimes after going to the store to purchase it himself. On those occasions his wife knew it would be a long shopping trip because he loved to talk with the butcher and anyone else he met along the way. He is survived by his wife Suzanne Gamache of Burlington; their children Richard H. Gamache, Jr.

and wife Susan of Burlington, Michael L. Gamache and wife Mary Liberty of Bridport, George C. Gamache and wife Beth of Burlington, John T. Gamache of Georgia, Denise Shangraw and husband Allen of Milton, and Commander Timothy L. Gamache, USN and wife Carla of Virginia Beach, his grandchildren Christopher Gamache and wife Jennifer of Burlington, Brian Gamache and wife Jessica Davitt of St.

Albans, Shane content, another for anthocyanin content. research lous," she said. It's too early to tell what affect temperature is having but the researchers expect to have results before the three years is up. The principal investigator on the study, UVM plant biologist Tom Vogelmann, said fall colors aren't what they were when he was a child growing up in Vermont, unless his memory's deceiving him. "Whatever changes will happen, we have these wonderfully rolling hills, and if the coloration tends to go more toward yellows and browns, we must really not discriminate against yellows and browns, and learn to appreciate them," Vogelmann said.

In previous years, the University of Vermont research Shangraw and wife Karen of Burlington, Aja Thomas and husband Derryck of Essex and Joshua Shangraw and wife Ilona of Milton; Seth and Ava Shangraw, Samantha Gamache, "and Kate Thomas; three brothers and their spouses James and Theresa Gamache of Burlington, Paul and Marianna Gamache of St. Albans, and Gerard and Mary Jane Gamache of Beebe Plains, VT; two sisters and their spouses Theresa and Gary Payea of Hinesburg, Andrea and Palmer "Skip" Irish of So. Burlington, and by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother Clement Gamache and two sisters Claire Burdick and Reine Aussant. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr.

John Fitzgerald and the staff on Shepardson 4 for their kindness and compassion during Dick's last days. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 2008 at 11 a.m. in St. Mark' Church, North Burlington with interment to follow in New Mt.

Calvary Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Friday, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Ready Funeral Cremation Service North Chapel, 934 North Burlington. To send online condolences to the family please visit www.readyfuneral.com. ROBERT A.

PONTBRIAND WINOOSKI Robert A. Pontbriand, 72, a lifelong resident of Winooski died peacefully at home surrounded by loving family on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008 following a long illness. Robert was born in Winooski on July 28, 1936, the son of Lionel and Florence (Beaudoin) Pontbriand. He was raised in Winooski and served three years for the Vermont Army National Guard.

Freedom Rains Children's Center An Aussie Experience NOW Now enrolling children OPEN ages 6 weeks-12 years 7am to Before after 6pm school care On Union Mem. Malletts Bay bus route NOW OFFERING We offer creative a WEEKLY SPECIALS ON curriculum with an Jumpin' Jacks Dance educational emphasis Gym Classes Extremely qualified staff Future Einsteins Tomorrow DON'T MISS Imagine Classes THE BOAT MATE! Computer WE'RE FILLING Music Classes UP FAST! 553 Roosevelt Highway Colchester 654-7300 (Two hops from Costco and Exit 16) facility found a link between the stress level of sugar maples during the growing season marked by a lower level of nitrogen in leaves and the onset and amount of red in the leaves. "So trees that were experiencing a little more stress tended to start turning color a little earlier and making more red," van den Berg said. Van den Berg said she's noticed that in warmer autumns, brilliance is muted in some places. She tries not to put too much stock in what she sees from place to place.

"It's always great. It can be peak in different places at the same time so you just drive around and you hit all these different pockets of the landscape so it's always fabu- Robert was married at St. Francis Xavier Church on July 28, 1956 to Frances E. (Drolette) Pontbriand. He was employed for 30 years at IBM as an Information Center Librarian Specialist.

He was a member of the Lions Club and the Vermont Association of the Blind. Robert is survived by his wife of 52 years, Frances Pontbriand; five children and their spouses, Kevin and Christina, Daniel and Katherine, Laurie and Robert Deep, David and Catherine, and Steven and Sherry; his grandchildren, Heather, Bryce, Brittany, Michael, Dana, Ryan, Amanda, Megan, Gregory, Kyle, and Kelly; great-grandson, Shawn; his sister, Carol Proia and husband Steve; his brother, Paul Pontbriand and wife Eilleen; his close friend and brotherin-law, Ronald Paquette; and many special friends and relatives. He was predeceased by his parents his sister, Jeannine Paquette. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 at 10 a.m.

at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Winooski. Interment will follow at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Chittenden County Dialysis Unit, 35 Joy Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403.

Visiting hours will be on Friday, September 26 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. a the LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main Winooski. AUGUSTINE "GUS" RANDALL HUDSON, N.H. Augustine "Gus" Randall, 85, of 203 Lowell Rd. in Hudson, N.H.

died peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 at Fairview Nursing Home in Hudson. She was born July 13, 1923 in Burlington, VT, daughter of the late Fredrick and Selina (Pratt) Dubie. Augustine was predeceased by her beloved husband, Wallace Randall, who died on June 17, 1981. She was also predeceased by five sisters; Beatrice Hamilton and Lorraine O'Hara of N.Y., Rita Murray, Helena Bouquet and Eleanor Lavallette of VT.

Mrs. Randall was a former member of Infant Jesus Church in Nashua. She was a former employee for Doehla Greeting Cards as well as Cal-comp. In her later years worked for Meals on Wheels. She was an avid reader and enjoyed plating cards and dining out.

She was a devoted fan of the Red Sox and New England Patriots. She is survived by one son, Robert of Nashua, N.H. four daughters, Jean of Bordentown, N.J., Mary of Harlingen, TX, Dorothy and Faye, both of Nashua; as well as 10 grandchildren and several great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Burial service will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Augustine's loving memory to Meals on Wheels at www.mowaa.org To send an online message of condolence or to send the family flowers or a sympathy meal, please visit www.dumontsullivan.com The Dumont-Sullivan funeral home in Hudson is in charge of arrange- TOBY TALBOT, The Associated Press Researcher Abby van den Berg holds a maple seedling showing signs of fall color at the University of Vermont's Proctor Maple Research Center in Underhill.

Paid Notices DONNA M. (BETTIS) EMERTON Elmwood Burlington. DONNA M. (BETTIS) EMERTON BURLINGTON Donna Emerton, 41, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Sept. 19, 2008.

She was born on Jan. 15, 1967, in Burlington; the daughter of Joseph R. and Joan C. (Dupaw) Bettis. A fashion model for nearly 20 years Donna believed in the sanctity of all life.

She put all others before herself, especially her "fur kids." She will be missed by them and her beloved husband, Todd Emerton; along with her family, friends and all of Mother Nature's living creatures. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 1 p.m., in St. Rose of Lima Church, South Hero, with interment following in South Hero Cemetery. BURLINGTON Donna Emerton, 41, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Sept. 19, 2008.

She was born on Jan. 15, 1967, in Burlington; the daughter of Joseph R. and Joan C. (Dupaw) Bettis. She graduated from Mt.

Abraham Union High School, Class of 1984. A fashion model for nearly 20 years Donna believed in the sanctity of all life. She put all others before herself, especially her "fur On Oct. 24, 1999, she married Todd Emerton in New Haven. Along with him, she leaves behind her parents, Joseph and Joan Bettis of Monkton; two sisters, Debra and husband, Richard Andersen of Stowe, and Diane.

Bettis of Moscow; her grandmother and step-grandfather, Connie and Robert Howard of Burlington; her uncles. aunts, Charlie and Monica Bettis of St. Albans and Richard and Caran Dupaw of Winooski; a very special cousin, Robbie Dupaw of Colchester; many nieces and nephews and numerous other cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 1 p.m., in St. Rose of Lima Church, South Hero, with interment following in South Hero Cemetery.

Those wishing may send a contribution in her memory to the Addison County Humane Society, 236 Boardman Middlebury, VT 05753. Arrangements by ElmwoodMeunier Funeral Home, 97 Elmwood Burlington. baccalaureate degree in 1958 from the University of Notre Dame, where he was the 1956 middle-weight boxing champion. He received his PhD. from the University of Wisconsin in 1969.

John was a highly respected professor of both English and American Literature for 34 years at Saint Michael's, earning the college teaching award in 1998. John was a devout Catholic and was devoted to his family. He leaves his loving wife and best friend, Sheila (Finst) Reiss, and was the beloved father of seven children and their families: Joan and Steven Wry and their daughters Heather, Rachel, and Erin of Underhill; Virginia Reiss and Phil Woolever and their daughter Valentine of Tucson, AZ; Connie and Will Esmay and their daughters Sylvia and Ava of Underhill; 'Christina Reiss and Kevin Hastings and their daughters Mia and Lily Schulz and Tess Hastings of Essex; John Peter Reiss IV of Burlington; James Reiss and his daughter Kendall and son Kyle of Chicago; and Katherine and Paul Brunelle and their sons Jay and Max of Milford, CT. John also leaves three sisters and one brother: Mary Klauck of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Peter Reiss, Ruth Kosednar and Catherine McDonagh, all of Scottsdale, AZ, and many nieces and nephews. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Sept.

26 at 3 p.m. in St. Pius Roman Catholic Church, Essex Center. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. There will be no visiting hours.

For those who wish, donations in John's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1818, Memphis, TN 38101. Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral and Cremation Service, Mountain View Chapel, 68 Pinecrest Drive, Essex Jct. To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.readyfuneral.com JOHN PETER REISS ESSEX John Peter Reiss, 73, long-time Saint Michael's College English Professor, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008.

He died in his wife, Sheila's arms. He was born on May 12, 1935 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, son of John Peter Reiss II and Ruth (Wheeler) Reiss. He attended Stanford University, where he played on the freshman football team and competed on the alpine ski team, and received his A Loved One Lost Will Never Be Honor Their Memory With A Memorial In The Burlington Free Press. Call 802-660-1824 Hours: Sunday Friday 2:00 7:00 Saturday 2:00 6:00 JOYCE LAFERRIERE STOWE The family of Laferriere will hold a Riverbank Cemetery in graveside, service at the Stowe on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow from 3 to 5 p.m., at Gracie's Restaurant, Route 108, Stowe.

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