Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

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PHOTO: KEITH MORRILL

MAPLE TREE PLACE, WILLISTON THURSDAY, 6 P.M.

Maple Tree Place in Williston finally began to earn its name Thursday evening with the acquisition of its very first maple. The tree was planted on the 53,000-square-foot green in front of the Majestic 10 movie theater as part of a ceremony marking a big transition for the shopping center and its formerly grass-only green space.

I showed up just before 6, joining a few dozen others already gathered before a makeshift stage. The ceremony began with introductory speeches by a few officials and dignitaries, who outlined their vision for Maple Tree Place. They aim for the big-box haven to become an environmentally friendly shopping destination as well as a community gathering place, with the Green as the focal point. When improvements are completed, officials promise, the space will boast more maples, pedestrian walkways, a court area and a bandshell — that is, a modern bandstand. Everything should be finished in time for the 2008 “Groovin’ on the Green” Concert Series.

The ceremony continued with the first official shovelful of dirt for the pioneering maple, and the unveiling of artist Martin Smith’s new sculpture, titled “Obelisk Earth.” The piece was constructed from recycled computer keyboards and topped with a hollow sphere made of barbed wire and filled with old toys scavenged from McDonald’s Happy Meals.

The grand finale was a performance from local musician Don “The Junkman” Knaack. Dressed like a construction worker in bright-blue hardhat and work boots, the Junkman took to the stage and wailed on a drum kit made entirely from recycled materials, including plastic buckets, hubcaps and metal oil drums. He performed a few of his own songs, with titles such as “Styrofoam Never Dies” and “SUVs SUCK Gasoline,” before inviting the audience to participate in a junk jam. Participants chose from a vast trove of handmade percussion instruments and followed the Junkman’s beat.

Unswayed by his assertion that anyone could make music, I thought it best not to subject the crowd to my arrhythmic playing. Instead I took advantage of Maple Tree Place for what it was originally intended: shopping, dinner and a movie.

scene@ Ishmael beah address (published exhibit 08.29.07)
scene@ Model Rocket Launch (published exhibit 08.22.07)
scene@ South Hero Bike Ferry (published exhibit 08.15.07)
scene@ ’Divine Reality Comedy Circus’ (published exhibit 08.08.07)
scene@ Miami Vice Cruise (published exhibit (08.01.07)