Seven Days, February 7, 2024

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VE RMO NT ’S IN DEPE NDEN T VO IC E FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024 VOL.29 NO.18 SEVENDAYSVT.COM

INSIDE!

Total Eclipse of the Heart LOVE & MARRIAGE ISSUE

DEMON IN THE SHEETS

PAGE 15

Anti-snoring device may save relationships

GOOD GOSSIP?

PAGE 32

Crowdsourcing dating red flags

KEEPING IT CLASSY

PAGE 38

Romance at Michael’s on the Hill

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WEEK IN REVIEW JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 7, 2024 COMPILED BY SASHA GOLDSTEIN & MATTHEW ROY FILE: JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR

TOKING GESTURE

U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) have urged President Joe Biden to “deschedule” cannabis as a dangerous drug. Far out.

18.6 pounds

That’s the weight of a record-setting longnose gar that a bowfisherman caught in Lake Champlain last year.

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MOST POPULAR ITEMS ON SEVENDAYSVT.COM

KNOCK ON WOOD

The Vermont Attorney General’s Office sued a Plainfield logging company for alleged deceptive practices and leaving a mess for landowners.

Timber treachery?

Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center in 2007

STATE EYES SITES FOR JUVIE FACILITY

State officials fought all the way to the Vermont Supreme Court for the right to build a small juvenile treatment facility in Newbury. Despite winning, they are now reconsidering the plan.

Instead, Vermont may build a “state-of-the-art, shortterm, secure crisis stabilization and treatment facility” in South Burlington or Vergennes, according to Department for Children and Families Commissioner Chris Winters.

The 15-bed facility would house youths in the justice system, including those who have shown destructive and assaultive behavior.

“We have to reevaluate what we’re doing in Newbury,” Winters told lawmakers last week.

In 2020, the 30-bed Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center in Essex closed following allegations that staff misused isolation and restraints. Since then, the state has proposed several potential spots, including a six-bed center in rural Newbury that used to be a bed-and-breakfast.

Locals pushed back. The project got the green light from the Vermont Supreme Court on December 21.

The ruling means that the state retains the right to

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RACHEL HELLMAN

Love Letters box

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move forward with a facility of some kind in Newbury. But first, Winters said, officials need to see how it would mesh with other potential treatment locations.

During the years of legal wrangling, Vermont officials sought alternative sites. Those efforts are now beginning to bear fruit, he said.

Officials are considering private land in South Burlington and public land in Vergennes as potential sites for a secure 15-bed facility, Winters told lawmakers. The state has asked three builders for proposals to design and construct a facility that the state would lease with an option to buy.

Proposals are due on Friday, February 9. It would likely take a year to design and permit a facility and another year to build it, making 2026 the earliest possible opening date.

Lawmakers were heartened to hear that the state may be able to repatriate some of the 48 juveniles currently being housed in other states. But they also expressed concern about moving forward without sufficient stakeholder engagement.

Read Kevin McCallum’s full story at sevendaysvt.com.

NO SUN

Just two days in January had more sun than clouds, according to NBC5 meteorologists. It was the cloudiest month since 1951.

1. “Noah’s Arc: Noah Kahan Is Vermont’s Biggest Cultural Export in Years. How the Hell Did That Happen?” by Chris Farnsworth. Stuck in Vermont during the pandemic, Kahan wrote his breakout album, Stick Season. Then he got nominated for a Grammy Award.

2. “Williston-Based Twisted Halo Raises the Bar for Fresh Doughnuts” by Melissa Pasanen.

Our food writer rose early to report how Emma Slater makes these treats.

3. “New Film Documents Mad River Glen’s 75 Years as a Skier’s Paradise” by Ken Picard.

“Mad River Glen: A 75-Year Fellowship of Skiers” captures the co-op’s unique place in downhill skiing. Watch it if you can!

4. “Lawsuit Accuses Burlington Police of Using Excessive Force on Black Teen With Disabilities” by Courtney Lamdin. Officers “needlessly escalated” the situation, the suit says, and city EMTs forcibly sedated the 14-year-old boy with ketamine.

5. “Two More Candidates Join the Race for Burlington Mayor” by Courtney Lamdin.

Independents Chris Haessly and Will Emmons are competing with Democrat Joan Shannon and Progressive Emma Mulvaney-Stanek.

post of the week

BAA BAA

A Glover farmer will be the first in the U.S. to raise Dutch spotted sheep, WCAX-TV reported.

The animals have cow-like markings.

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THAT’S SO VERMONT

DEAR BURLINGTON

It’s no secret that Burlington is in need of some lovin’. Business owners say safety concerns have led to reduced foot traffic on the Church Street Marketplace. The staff at Common Deer, a store selling locally made goods on College Street, are soliciting a timely cure to the Burlington blues: love letters.

Inside the airy boutique — filled with handcrafted mugs, Skida beanies and amber maple syrup — is a writing station where customers can share what they appreciate most about the Queen City. The valentines

are displayed in the windows for passersby to enjoy.

“Burlington is not going to be able to get through this tough time without realizing that this place is important to us and that there are things that we can do,” said Sarah Ramsdell Beal, cofounder of Common Deer.

More than 100 people have written notes since the project started in mid-January. Two came via snail mail, and a few others on social media.

“I love the memories I’ve made here since I was 18, and now new ones, with my wife and kids,” one person wrote. “This place and its people made me feel safe and

at home when I had to leave my Country!” another shared.

Hanging nearby: “I love the friendliness, how strangers hold doors open for each other. People are kind here.”

Employee Amanda McKeever said customers were surprised and excited by the project. “I feel like people really take the time to reflect on what they appreciate,” McKeever said.

Ramsdell Beal hopes visitors and Burlington natives alike find joy in the messages.

“I think that we need to constantly remind people of how cool Burlington is,” Ramsdell Beal said. “That’s what the project is really about.”

RACHEL HELLMAN

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

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Paula Routly

deputy publisher Cathy Resmer AssociAte publishers Don Eggert, Colby Roberts NEWS & POLITICS editor Matthew Roy deputy editor Sasha Goldstein consulting editors Ken Ellingwood, Candace Page stAff writers Derek Brouwer, Colin Flanders,

Rachel Hellman, Courtney Lamdin, Kevin McCallum, Alison Novak, Anne Wallace Allen

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Pamela Polston, Paula Routly C I R C U L AT I O N : 3 5 , 0 0 0 Seven Days is published by Da Capo Publishing Inc. every Wednesday. It is distributed free of charge in greater Burlington, Middlebury, Montpelier, Northeast Kingdom, Stowe, the Mad River Valley, Rutland, St. Albans, St. Johnsbury, White River Junction and Plattsburgh, N.Y. Seven Days is printed at Quebecor Media Printing in Mirabel, Québec.

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‘A MUSIC BUSINESS MIRACLE’

I was surprised to read that some felt Noah Kahan hadn’t paid his dues [“Noah’s Arc,” January 31]. In my experience, his quiet persistence has everything to do with his current success.

I’m the former program director of WNCS-FM the Point. Young Noah participated three times in the singer-songwriter contest we did with Advance Music and multiple live music clubs in Burlington.

Three times he was a finalist and performed at Higher Ground. He got markedly better each year. I didn’t judge these events, but if I had, he’d have won at least once. The winner that time had a cute song about his prostate, so I think his win may have had something to do with the judges’ demographics.

Noah grew up in the Upper Valley area, the other side of the state from Burlington. That’s why he wasn’t a fixture at Burlington clubs. It’s awesome that he figured out how to get his work recorded well and that, through his SoundCloud, he was able to get a label deal.

In 2019, Noah played for 20,000 people when opening for Michael Franti at the Do Good Fest at National Life Group in Montpelier. Also awesome.

But the most awesome thing of all is that he made the folky Vermont album he wanted to make, experienced massive success (a music business miracle!) and then leveraged that success into millions for mental health efforts.

I’d have to say he’s paid his dues and then some. And his success couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

Zeb Norris

MARSHFIELD

Editor’s note: Seven Days is a longtime sponsor of Montpelier’s Do Good Fest.

CORRECTIONS

Due to an editing error, last week’s letter to the editor titled “Better Animal Oversight ” attributed pre-2016 oversight of Vermont’s animal neglect and cruelty cases to the wrong government agency.

It should have been the Vermont Agency of Agriculture.

The January 17 story “Taking Care” misidentified a safety device that was installed in a woman’s home.

It was a carbon monoxide detector.

Rachel Hellman’s piece “Taking Care” [January 17] should be read by all. I live in Bradford, and there are several towns in the area that employ community nurses, a most valuable and cost-saving program.

I wish there were more, and perhaps her article will help make that happen.

Gary W. Moore

BRADFORD

MAD RIVER FACT-CHECK

I really enjoyed Ken Picard’s “See It If You Can” article about Rick Moulton’s new Mad River Glen movie [January 31]. As a resident of Buels Gore, a MRG co-op shareholder and an avid skier, I beg to differ on the history of never allowing snowboarding at MRG. To the contrary of Ken and Rick’s assessment, MRG was one of first ski areas nationally to allow the nascent sport of snowboarding, in 1986. But because the off-loading ramp at the top of the single chair was slightly inclined uphill, it was a problem for some snowboarders, causing strain on the lift.

Betsy Pratt, then MRG’s sole owner, decided to allow snowboards on the more easily off-loadable double chair, but not the single. This worked until about 1991, when local opposition caused her to ban the devices altogether. Then, in 1995, when the co-op was formed, it voted 75 percent (despite my shareholder “yes to snowboarding” vote) to maintain status quo, and the rest is history. Just thought the historians should know the facts.

Happy skiing and snowboarding — and, thanks to climate changes, “Ski It When You Can.” John Crosthwait BUELS GORE

TIMBER TROUBLE

Thank you, Kevin McCallum, for investigating the controversy regarding the state’s plan to harvest timber in the Worcester Range [“Taking a Stand,” January 24]. I attended a public meeting at which state officials summarized the data underlying the Worcester Range Long Range Management Plan and provided few details about the plan to harvest 1,935 acres in the next 20 years.

When I commented to an official that the science was split on the benefits of logging for forest and habitat resiliency, he told me there is a legislative mandate for the state to harvest timber on state lands. After the meeting, I read the relevant statutes and found there is no such mandate. To the contrary, pursuant to 10 V.S.A. 2601(a)(b) and 2603(b), harvesting timber on state lands is discretionary.

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I don’t know how many members of the public were told at that meeting that providing timber products is mandated by state statute. Significantly, Danielle Fitzko, commissioner of the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, told McCallum that “it’s legislatively mandated — that we produce forest products.” Commissioner Fitzko and other officials should know better.

Commissioner Fitzko does know that the majority of the respondents in a 2020 state survey did not support increased logging and that most of the public comments to date are opposed to the logging plans. Nonetheless, she told McCallum that “even if the public comments are overwhelmingly against logging, that doesn’t mean harvests would be scaled back.” Fair process?

Phyllis Rubenstein

MONTPELIER

‘DEEP-FRIED SUNSHINE’

I just wanted to say thanks for your article on fried chicken [“Best of Cluck,” January 24]! My wife was born and raised in Vermont, but I’m from Virginia and have pined over local options for fried chicken.

Finding your article was like a ray of deep-fried sunshine on a cloudy day!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention another local option: Heart n Soul by Mark BBQ in South Burlington. It’s located across from the new library and has a pretty outstanding recipe, along with brisket and some other comfort options. Worth a stop if you’re in the neighborhood!

Dan Eyer

SOUTH BURLINGTON

‘LONG LIVE LISTSERVS!’

Your cover story on Front Porch Forum [“Talk of the Towns,” January 24] pointed out what a great community service a hyperlocal LISTSERV can provide. For your readers in the Upper Valley, on both sides of the river, that service is provided by the Community Discussion Lists operated

by Vital Communities, a White River Junction-based nonprofit. These lists began 20 years ago and came into Vital Communities’ care 10 years ago. They are managed by a fleet of volunteers in addition to a few hours a week of my time. Now, more than 40 towns have their own lists, two of them having started just this past month. We also have topic lists for people who want news on climate action, childcare, BIPOC events and issues, and more.

Check them out at vitalcommunities. org/community-discussion-lists. Long live LISTSERVs!

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contents FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024 VOL.29 NO.18

Total Eclipse of the Heart Holding space for the Love & Marriage Issue

Unless you live under a rock or recently awoke from a yearslong coma, you’re probably aware that Vermont is set to experience a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event in April: a total solar eclipse. What does this rarish alignment of the sun, moon and Earth have to do with Seven Days’ annual Love & Marriage issue? Glad you asked.

Moments before “totality” — when the moon completely obscures the sun and plunges the Green Mountains into darkness — we’ll be treated to a jewel of the cosmos, a bead of light springing from the sun’s corona that astronomers call the “diamond ring.” That phenomenon, visible for only seconds, inspired artist ROB DONNELLY’S COVER ILLUSTRATION. Undoubtedly, someone somewhere in Vermont will pop the question during the eclipse. Should their beloved say yes, the couple would do well to shop for wedding attire at NEEDLEMAN’S BRIDAL & FORMAL (page 26). Now in its 100th year, the store was around for Vermont’s last solar eclipse, in 1932.

Of course, marriage is hard work. It requires patience, willingness to compromise and sometimes the ability to put up with a partner’s snoring. To help with that last one, a Shelburne couple invented ZQUIET, an anti-snoring device that is designed to save relationships (page 15).

If your union requires a deeper fix, you might give DAVID HELFAND a call. The St. Johnsbury psychologist specializes in using neurofeedback to help troubled couples get back on the same wavelength (page 34).

Brain-mapping technology wasn’t available when Charity Bryant and Sylvia Drake made a home together in Weybridge in the 1800s. In a forthcoming graphic novel, Vermont cartoonist laureate Tillie Walden examines the lives of two women who are believed to be one of the EARLIEST DOCUMENTED SAME-SEX COUPLES IN AMERICA (page 30).

Bryant and Drake might have enjoyed DYKE NIGHT at the Wallflower Collective 8

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

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in Burlington. The monthly mixer helps remedy the lack of a dedicated lesbian bar in Vermont (page 36).

The dating game has certainly changed since the 19th century. These days, straight women looking to vet male partners can consult the Vermont enclave of the national Facebook group ARE WE DATING THE SAME GUY?, where women share intel on local men they’ve been involved with. But some say the group is more about doxing than dating (page 32).

14

Should a prospective suitor make it through that gauntlet and earn a date, why not book a dinner at one of the most romantic restaurants in the country: MICHAEL’S ON THE HILL in Waterbury (page 38)?

While you’re there, you might run into Seven Days food writers Melissa Pasanen and Jordan Barry, whose husbands have a lot of thoughts about being MARRIED TO FOOD CRITICS (page 40).

Couples whose love has stood the test of time have their own special needs.

A new University of Vermont Medical Center effort seeks to SUPPORT CAREGIVERS OF DEMENTIA PATIENTS, many of whom are spouses (page 14).

Let your love light shine this Valentine’s Day — just like the sun after that eclipse.

DAN BO LLE S

COLUMNS

SECTIONS

11 Magnificent 7 13 From the Deputy Publisher 39 Side Dishes 50 Movie Review 56 Soundbites 60 Album Reviews 93 Ask the Reverend

22 Life Lines 38 Food + Drink 44 Culture 50 On Screen 52 Art 56 Music + Nightlife 62 Calendar 70 Classes 71 Classifieds + Puzzles 89 Fun Stuff 92 Personals

FOOD+ DRINK 38

Dinner à Deux

Under new ownership, Michael’s on the Hill in Waterbury Center keeps that loving feeling

Plus One

What it’s like to be a Seven Days food writer’s forever dinner date

40

STUCK IN VERMONT

Online Thursday

COVER DESIGN REV. DIANE SULLIVAN • IMAGE ROB DONNELLY

NEWS+POLITICS 14

ARTS+CULTURE 44

Helping the Helpers

Keeping It Reel

Snore No More

In the Details

Midwinter film festivals bring culture in from the cold

A new UVM Medical Center effort seeks to support dementia caregivers A Shelburne couple’s anti-snoring device is designed to save relationships

Helter-Shelters

Vermont scrambles to open five facilities for homeless residents

Book review: The Professor of Forgetting, Greg Delanty

32 Doxing or Dating?

FEATURES 26

In secretive Facebook groups, Vermont women are crowdsourcing men’s red flags

For Better, for Years

Hearts and Minds

Three generations of Needlemans have dressed Vermont bridal parties

Out in the Archives

A forthcoming graphic novel celebrates one of the earliest documented lesbian couples in America

Woven Words

A groundbreaking museum exhibit in Montréal showcases Indigenous artistry — and diplomacy

For the Love & Marriage Issue, we’re featuring SUPPORTED BY: a couple who won’t be celebrating Valentine’s Day with anything pink. Sarah and Jay Vogelsang-Card married in 2009 at a gothicthemed “Hallowedding.” Halloween is their favorite holiday. Since then, the family has posed in an annual Halloween photo wearing creative costumes that share a common theme, such as comic book villains or Star Wars.

Artists at Hexum Gallery Put It Down in Black and White

How neurofeedback can help troubled couples get back on the same wavelength

We have

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Burlington’s Dyke Night fosters queer community

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COURTESY OF

LOOKING FORWARD

MAGNIFICENT

FRIDAY 9

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Beloved bodacious babes Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer host their annual Love Day edition of Untapped, My Chubby Valentine, at the Monkey House in Winooski. This celebration of fat and curvy performers features swoon-worthy numbers from drag and burlesque favorites including Domini’que Anjou, Ruthless Retribution, Luci Furr-Matrix and Noah Phence.

MUST SEE, MUST DO THIS WEEK COMPI L E D BY EM ILY H AM ILTON

SEE CLUB LISTING ON PAGE 61

SUNDAY 11

CELLO, WORLD

FRIDAY 9 & SATURDAY 10

Forest for the Trees

Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph kicks off its 2024 performance season with South Korean duo CelloGayageum. Playing on the two titular instruments — the first of which will be familiar to Western audiences, and the second, a 12-string zither, probably less so — Sol Daniel Kim and Dayoung Yoon fuse classical music with Korean tradition in a stunning Lunar New Year show.

Treewild presents an outdoor movie experience unlike any other: The Muses of Winterdeep, an otherworldly story projected onto a grove of hemlock trees on the grounds of Shelburne Farms.

Bundled-up audiences watch as three children encounter the Muses of Greek mythology and the Norse goddesses of fate, and plumb the depths of their universal wisdom.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 64

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 65

FRIDAY 9-SUNDAY 11

Into the Wilde Oscar Wilde’s vicious social satire of Victorian England, The Importance of Being Earnest, was first performed in London on Valentine’s Day in 1895. Almost 130 years later, it comes to Barnard Town Hall courtesy of BarnArts. Local actors delight in this timelessly gut-busting tale of secret identities, the ridiculousness of love and choosing frivolity in a time of superlative seriousness.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 64

SATURDAY 10

Have an Ice Day Submit your upcoming events at sevendaysvt. com/postevent.

Frigid swimmers of all ages take a dip into Lake Champlain’s icy depths at Special Olympics Vermont’s annual Penguin Plunge at Burlington’s Waterfront Park. Daredevils and their sponsors raise funds for athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state, and audiences cheer on their friends while enjoying music, food and games on land.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 65

ONGOING

OPENS WEDNESDAY 14

Shellack of a Better Name Local artist Rob Hitzig’s solo show at Montpelier’s J. Langdon Antiques and Art opened during Montpelier Art Walk and remains on display for just a few more weeks. Hitzig said of the bright, colorful collection of paint and shellack on wood, “The new work is very stripe heavy because I recently realized stripes have a calming effect on my mind. I hope the effect might be contagious.”

SEE GALLERY LISTING AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/ART

Wine and Dine

“Amidinine” by Rob Hitzig

From Valentine’s Day through the weekend, Shelburne Vineyard transforms into a lovebirds’ paradise for Days of Love. Cozy live music from the likes of Danny & the Parts and Collin Cope and Chris Page of the Tenderbellies creates the perfect ambience in which to enjoy wine, cider, chocolate, macarons and V-Day grazing boards for two.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 68

BROWSE THE FULL CALENDAR, ART SHOWS, AND MUSIC+NIGHTLIFE LISTINGS AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM. SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

11

&

PRESENT

THE MAYORAL MATCHUP

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 6 P.M. FREE BURLINGTON CITY HALL AUDITORIUM

Who Will Be Burlington’s Next Mayor?

Join Seven Days and Town Meeting TV for a free, in-person election forum with Burlington mayoral candidates.

All four candidates — Progressive state Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, City Councilor Joan Shannon, a Democrat, and independents Will Emmons and Chris Haessly — will get specific about their visions for the city. Sasha Goldstein of Seven Days will moderate this live, 90-minute event.

Have questions for the candidates?

Submit them in advance when you RSVP for this event.

GET YOUR FREE TICKETS

sevendaysvt.com/btvmayor24

Can’t make it in person?

Watch live on Town Meeting TV’s cable channels (Comcast 1087 and Burlington Telecom 17 or 217) or stream it online at sevendaysvt.com.

12

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FROM THE DEPUTY PUBLISHER

There Goes the Sun

MIHAI COMAN | DREAMSTIME

The Super Bowl isn’t coming to Vermont anytime soon, eclipse planning meeting in Shelburne (page 16); our but this spring, we might find out what it’s like to host cover illustration riffs on the eclipse, too. In the coming one. months, our news team will continue to report on how A Super Bowl’s worth of visitors could be headed to various entities are preparing for the occasion.

Vermont to see the solar eclipse on April 8. The path of We’re also gathering info on eclipse-related events total darkness — aka the “path of totality” — runs from and watch parties, including the Whiteout at Jay Peak, Mexico to Eastern Canada St. Albans’ Totality in Taylor and passes directly over Park and Burlington’s Spectators looking up at the partial parts of Vermont, including ObscuraBTV festival. Find solar eclipse in New York in 2017 Middlebury, Burlington all of that coverage in our and St. Albans. For three 2024 Vermont Solar Eclipse minutes, starting at about Guide at sevendaysvt.com/ 3:26 p.m., the sun will be eclipse, along with suggested completely blotted out by itineraries of what to see, the moon. do and eat in towns that Total eclipses viewable will go dark. The Vermont from populated areas are Department of Tourism and relatively rare, and people Marketing is underwriting travel to see them. The last our efforts. one visible from the U.S. We’re planning a print happened in 2017. Nearly guide, too, inside the April 200,000 visitors trekked to Wyoming for a glimpse of it; 3 issue of Seven Days. Then, on the day of, our reporters, 300,000 tourists were said to have descended on eastern multimedia producers and photographers will be Idaho. fanning out all over Vermont to capture the moment.

This year’s celestial spectacle is a must-see event, at I first heard about this year’s eclipse in 2021 from my least according to the New York Times. It cousin Ryan, who lives in Raleigh, N.C. She ranked “the path of totality” as its No. 1 asked if she and her husband and daughter travel destination for 2024. could stay with us that weekend. Hers A December article in Forbes was the first request I got, but not the last. estimated that up to 4 million eclipse Most recently, one of Seven Days’ nationally viewers will flock to the path of totality. syndicated cartoonists emailed asking if any It quoted Polly White, cofounder of of us had a couch he could crash on.

GreatAmericanEclipse.com: “It’s like Thinking about renting out your home having 50 Super Bowls happening at the to last-minute eclipse-peepers like him? same time all across the country,” she said.

The Vermont Short-Term Rental Alliance is Many of those spectators will end hosting a webinar on February 12 to help. up in Texas, Indiana and Ohio. But given the demand Of course, the weather forecast is likely the best at local hotels, Vermont should expect an influx of predictor of whether tons of people actually show up. eclipse enthusiasts, too. Anne Wallace Allen reported in It’ll be a lot more exciting to watch the sun disappear on November that the 900-room hotel at Jay Peak, located a day we can see it. in the path of totality, was nearly full, and many shortterm rentals around the state were already booked.

Cathy Resmer “Smaller mom-and-pop operations are seeing a boost in activity, too,” Allen reported. “Wendy If you like Seven Days and can afford Monninger, owner of the 10-room Marshfield Inn & to help pay for it, become a Super Reader!

Motel, got her first room reservation for the eclipse Look for the “Give Now” button at the top of weekend in March 2021.” The guest told Monninger, sevendaysvt.com. Or send a check with your “I want to see an eclipse before I die.” address and contact info to: Indeed, viewing a total eclipse in Vermont is likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The last time the Green Mountain State was in the path of totality was 1932; it won’t happen again until 2106.

Seven Days has already started reporting on the eclipse. Our writers have covered where to see it, why it’s so rare and how to protect your eyes while viewing it. This week’s issue contains a dispatch from correspondent Steve Goldstein, who attended an

SEVEN DAYS, C/O SUPER READERS P.O. BOX 1164 BURLINGTON, VT 05402-1164

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13

TOWNS BRACE FOR ECLIPSE PAGE 16

TOWN MEETING DAY

SEARCH FOR SHELTER LAWMAKERS CONTINUES SCRAMBLE ON TAXES PAGE 18

PAGE 19

Doug Cardin (left) and Fred Silbernagel

Helping the Helpers A new UVM Medical Center effort seeks to support dementia caregivers B Y CO L I N FL A ND ER S • colin@sevendaysvt.com

T

he first few years after the Alzheimer’s diagnosis weren’t all bad, as the knowledge of the inevitable inspired Doug Cardin and Fred Silbernagel to go places and do things they never would have done otherwise. But as his husband’s condition deteriorated, Cardin, thrust suddenly into the role of constant caregiver, found it increasingly difficult to cope.

The Burlington resident lost touch with people he’d known for decades, including some who seemed to vanish without warning. Running errands became a logistical nightmare. He started having panic attacks and insomnia.

“There was a time that I wasn’t sure I was gonna get through this alive,” he said.

Last fall, at the urging of a counselor, Cardin enrolled in a therapy program sponsored by the University of Vermont 14

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

Medical Center for caregivers of people with dementia. He learned how to better engage with Silbernagel, who once had been the CFO of the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C., think tank, but now couldn’t read the newspaper. The therapy reminded Cardin that his own health is just as important as his husband’s.

“If I’m in a better mood, I can do a better job for him,” Cardin said, nodding across the living room toward his spouse.

“Fred’s happy, I’m in a better mood, right?”

Cardin added.

“Oh, yeah,” replied his husband, who was otherwise silent when Seven Days visited.

Some 30,000 people in Vermont provide care to a family member who has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, according to the Vermont Department of Health. Each week many spend 40

hours or more in the role — making their meals, helping them shower, preventing them from falling or wandering off. The burden exacts a heavy toll, research shows, putting these caregivers at increased risk of anxiety, depression and chronic health conditions.

The UVM center seeks to reduce those outcomes by offering peer mentorship, counseling and group therapy for both new and seasoned caregivers.

Known as the Dementia Family Caregiver Center, it’s the brainchild of Lori McKenna, a licensed clinical social worker who said years of working with HELPING THE HELPERS

» P.16

Shannon’s Cash Haul Far Outpaces Mulvaney-Stanak’s B Y C O URTNE Y L A MDI N courtney@sevendaysvt.com

Democratic City Councilor Joan Shannon has raised nearly twice as much money as her Progressive competitor, Vermont Rep. Emma MulvaneyJoan Shannon Stanak, in the race for Burlington mayor.

Shannon has raked in just under $132,124 from 651 contributors since her campaign kickoff in the fall, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office on Sunday.

Her initial fundraising haul is almost equal to what Mayor Miro Weinberger raised during his entire 2021 reelection campaign — $134,638. And there’s still a month to go before the Town Meeting Day election on March 5.

Mulvaney-Stanak, meantime, raised $67,052 from 514 donors, the report shows. The majority of both candidates’ donors gave $100 or less.

Donors to Shannon’s campaign include former attorney general T.J. Donovan ($250), former Vermont governor Howard Dean ($400) and Higher Ground co-owner Alan Newman ($1,000). Former Burlington Police Commission chair Michele Asch gave the max allowed, $1,120.

Former city attorney Eileen Blackwood chipped in $250, and Williston resident Ted Kenney, who unsuccessfully challenged Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George in 2022, donated $150. Vonnie Murad, wife of Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad, gave $200.

Several landlords and developers also donated, including Doug Nedde ($1,100), Ernie Pomerleau ($1,120) and Stephen Unsworth ($1,120).

Mulvaney-Stanak has support from Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark ($250), former Burlington city councilor Vince Brennan ($435) and South End resident Jason Van Driesche ($250), who lost the South District’s Democratic nomination to Shannon in 2022. Ice cream icons Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield each gave MulvaneyStanak the max of $1,120.

Former city councilor Max Tracy, who challenged Weinberger for mayor in 2021, emptied his campaign war chest, adding $189.16 to MulvaneyStanak’s haul. And outgoing Councilor Zoraya Hightower (P-Ward 1) donated $1,100 from her 2020 campaign, plus $1,000 of her own cash.

Shannon has spent nearly $60,000, while Mulvaney-Stanak’s expenditures amount to about $35,000. Two additional campaign finance reports — on February 24 and March 1 — are due before Election Day. ➆

FILE: JAMES BUCK

LUKE AWTRY

news

MORE INSIDE

Snore No More A Shelburne couple’s anti-snoring device is designed to save relationships

BY A NN E WALL ACE ALLEN • anne@sevendaysvt.com

A

s a mom of two little kids, Trina Webster was already struggling for rest when her husband’s lifelong snoring worsened in middle age, shattering the peace of the marital bed.

“It was like sleeping with a broken alarm clock,” Trina said of her spouse, Dan. Once awoken, she’d lie there “wondering when it’s going to happen again.”

Trina decamped to the living room sofa of their Shelburne home, but that didn’t help. Dan’s snoring was so loud that the baby monitor in the kids’ room picked up the din coming through the closed bedroom door.

“There was nowhere to run,” Trina said. Household harmony was on the line.

The grating noise of snoring is often caused by the improper flow of air over tissues in the throat. Dan underwent painful and expensive throat surgery,

80 million people in the U.S. snore. They saw in their own ordeal an opportunity to help other couples stay under the same covers at night.

In 2008, Dan started working with a California dentist who helped create a mouth guard and a designer who could make the device out of plastic.

After creating 18 prototypes, the group came up with ZQuiet, a mouth guard that’s available without having to go to the dentist. It took a year for them to get their product through the regulatory hurdles associated with creating a patented over-the-counter medical device.

The mouth guard went on the market in 2009 and was quickly a hit. By 2011, Dan had left his job in financial services to focus on the growing company, Sleeping Well, which is still based at the family’s compact three-bedroom home on a cul-de-sac.

The Websters, who started out advertising ZQuiet on cable TV, said they’ve since sold millions of the device, which retails for $69. The two, who are the company’s only employees aside from contract workers, declined to provide yearly sales and revenue figures.

The pair are committed to keeping their company in the U.S. The mouth guards are manufactured from medicalgrade rubber in Illinois; the Sleeping Well customer service team answers the phones in Maine. Fulfillment workers ship the devices from a warehouse in Kentucky.

In an Amazon search for “snore reducing aids,” ZQuiet comes up as the No. 2 bestseller, surpassed in sales only by Breathe Right nasal strips.

Sleeping Well now offers a small array of other snore-reduction devices, including nasal strips, and has received thousands of appreciative letters from customers whose relationships were torn asunder — at least at night — by snoring.

Most are from men, and many mention grateful girlfriends. One said his snoring was audible from outside the house.

“It is so great to sleep through the night without getting pushed or poked

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THE WEBSTERS SAW IN THEIR OWN ORDEAL AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP OTHER COUPLES STAY UNDER THE SAME COVERS AT NIGHT.

but his snoring soon returned. Then he started reading clinical papers and discovered that dentists were treating snoring and mild sleep apnea with a mouth guard that moves the jaw slightly forward in a way that opens a sleeper’s airway. The mouth guard wasn’t available over the counter in the U.S., but Dan ordered one online from Canada. Overnight, he said, the problem disappeared.

“I put it in, I went to bed, and when I woke up the next morning, Trina was like, ‘You didn’t make a single sound,’” Dan said.

Dan and Trina, who have been together since 1992 when they were students at Colorado College, did some research and found a report that claimed

SNORE NO MORE

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news Helping the Helpers « P.14

ECLIPSE

Apoc-eclipse Now: Scenes From a Planning Meeting in Shelburne ST ORY & P H O T O BY STE VE GOL DSTE IN

“Adapt and Overcome.”

It’s not exactly “Live Free or Die” as a rallying cry, but the slogan, offered by a Shelburne official, resonated with leaders and business owners of that Chittenden County town who were seeking to get a grip on a happening totally beyond human control: a total solar eclipse.

“We’re 69 days out,” Michael Hibben, the director of Shelburne’s Pierson Library, said on January 30 at an ad hoc meeting devoted to the April eclipse. He had prepared a slideshow titled “Solar Eclipse Countdown: Getting Shelburne Ready for April 8, 2024.”

This community sits smack in the heart of the “path of totality” — prime viewing for sun worshippers. Or, as some Cassandras caution, the town might be trapped on a hellish path of mindboggling traffic jams, with hordes parking willy-nilly, impromptu potty stops and mountains of trash.

Perhaps it will rain, or snow. Or everything will be fine! Remember Y2K? The thing is, nobody knows. How do you plan for an astronomical unicorn?

Municipalities are attempting to prepare for an event that virtually none of the planners has ever experienced. Out-of-state visitor estimates to northern Vermont range from 36,000 to 145,000 and even higher. “I’ve heard predictions as high as 250,000,” Hibben said.

There is no central organizing body — a Celestial Planning Authority, if you will — so it falls to the state’s towns and villages to avoid a mass meltdown.

The eclipse in Shelburne is forecast to begin at 2:14 p.m. and reach totality for three minutes and four seconds starting at 3:26 p.m. It’ll all be over by 4:37 p.m. But that brief span could pose profound problems.

One speaker noted that Vermont is within three-hour driving distance of tens of millions of potential visitors. Jeff Lawson, the tourism vice president of the marketing group Hello Burlington, reported that most local hotel rooms are booked, despite inflated rates and two- or three-night minimum stays.

Parking was an intractable elephant in the room.

Ticketed events at Shelburne Museum, Fiddlehead Brewing and Vermont Teddy Bear will have paying guests. Shelburne Museum director of advancement Leslie Wright expects the facility to sell about 2,500 tickets to its viewing party. But there will only be about 600 parking spots available in the gravel lots; mud season rules out the vast fields used for summer concert parking.

“How about the Shelburne airport?” someone asked, thinking of tarmac runways.

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SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

Michael Hibben

“I didn’t even know there was a Shelburne airport,” Hibben admitted.

“It’s grass!” shouted an audience member. “And it’s privately owned.”

“Prepare for a very long day,” Lawson said, darkly.

Several speakers noted that, typically, eclipse tourists tend to hit the road immediately after the moon shadow disappears.

Crowd and traffic control is challenging enough when summer concerts are staged on the Shelburne Museum grounds, Police Chief Michael Thomas said. What might happen when cars simultaneously pull onto Route 7 from all the viewing parties?

“It could be chaos,” Thomas said.

Burlington will have several main viewing sites, including at Waterfront and Battery parks, with an expected crowd of 35,000, Lawson said. A ticketed event is scheduled at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. Roads leading to viewing areas will be closed, and shuttles provided.

In South Burlington, the Higher Ground nightclub is planning an eclipse after-party concert.

Hibben detailed plans for Shelburne’s own free-to-residents party at the town’s athletic fields and field house, featuring farmers market vendors, free eclipse viewing glasses and a DJ. “We’re going to play Pink Floyd’s seminal album Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety, ending at the moment of totality,” he said gleefully.

What do people at a meeting do when all the issues aren’t resolved — or at least beaten into submission? They agree to hold another meeting. That’s the only thing certain, for now.

Adapt and overcome. ➆ This story is part of our Vermont 2024 Solar Eclipse Guide. Find it online at sevendaysvt.com/eclipse.

dementia patients at the hospital taught her that the profound impact on families is often overlooked. Complex feelings of grief, hopelessness and even anger often compound stress brought on by the unwelcome diagnosis. Financial challenges make it worse.

“Sometimes, people don’t have great relationships with the person they’re caring for and they don’t want to be caregivers,” McKenna said, “but there are no other options.

By next year, the state projects that some 17,000 Vermonters will be living with dementia. The vast majority will reside at home, where family members will look after them. This informal network of caregivers provides about 36 million hours of unpaid care annually, valued at more than $700 million, according to a recent state report.

Many caregivers are spouses who must contend with the role’s physical demands and also the emotional weight of watching the person they fell in love with undergo difficult cognitive changes.

“You’re alone, you’re exhausted, and you don’t know what’s happening,” said Cardin, who met his husband at a bar more than three decades ago. “But the end is not good. You know that.”

Despite their importance, many caregivers feel unsupported by both the health care system and their own families. Help, whether respite care or financial assistance, can be hard to find, and many caregivers end up socially isolated.

“They start to feel like they’re the only ones who’ve ever had this experience,” McKenna said.

The new dementia center seeks to connect caregivers with a wide range of resources, including legal assistance and respite care. It also offers support groups led by trained professionals who can help caregivers better understand how to take care of dementia patients — and themselves. The sessions, which last either four or eight weeks, are typically covered by private insurance, and most are held virtually, allowing people to participate from across the state.

One big area of focus is communication, as dementia erodes not only memory but also the ability to understand and find words. Participants learn strategies for having productive conversations with their family members. “It may be as simple as someone learning, ‘Well, I need to speak softer’ or ‘I need to speak slower and use less words,’” said Joan Marsh-Reed, a psychologist working with the center.

In addition to learning practical skills, participants are encouraged to reflect on their caregiving experiences, a therapeutic

process that can lead to emotional breakthroughs, McKenna said. “A light bulb flicks on” whenever someone realizes they’re not alone, she said, especially when sharing feelings they might be ashamed to have.

“Some people want this to be over,” McKenna said. “They don’t want to be caregivers any longer, and to be able to have the freedom to say that out loud, and to not be judged, is amazing.”

The UVM center also offers a mentorship program that connects new caregivers with experienced ones. Six people completed a pilot last year, and another group will be matched this April. McKenna hopes to help other agencies replicate the program around the state, because the hospital already has a long wait list.

YOU’RE ALONE, YOU’RE EXHAUSTED, AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING. BUT THE END IS NOT GOOD. YOU KNOW THAT. DOUG CARDIN

The center ’s launch has been welcome news to Meg Polyte, public policy director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Vermont, who said her organization hears daily from exhausted caregivers. Over time, Polyte said, she hopes doctors will refer families to the center immediately after a diagnosis, since the sometimes slow-moving nature of the disease can lead families to put off care planning.

“What’s really unique about dementia caregiving is: It’s completely manageable — until it isn’t,” she said. “You can’t really wrap your head around how this is progressive, and how long it goes on, and how it wears on you.”

For Cardin, the Burlington caregiver, one of the program’s more helpful exercises was to write down a list of people he could call on for help. Looking over the seven names, Cardin said, allowed him to take his first deep breath in a while.

Another takeaway: “If there’s something I really need to do, or want to do, there’s a way to do it,” he said.

Perhaps it’s no coincidence, then, that Cardin has come up with a new goal: getting back into his once beloved hobby of making radio-controlled sailboats. After a yearslong hiatus, he recently dusted off his workbench. He hopes to start a new project soon. ➆

ANNE WALLACE ALLEN

to wake up because I’m snoring,” another said. One man described his long journey through doctor’s visits, prescription nose sprays and nose strips — none of which solved the problem.

“It took me 30 years to win the girl of my dreams, and then my snoring nearly banished me to sleeping in another bedroom,” wrote Kevin in Colorado. “I thank you, and my girlfriend really thanks you.”

On Amazon, the device has elicited mixed reviews. There are complaints that the mouth guard isn’t form-fitted and is initially uncomfortable. “Most of them are awful painful, huge, annoying, smelly. This guard is the best option of an unfortunate solution,” one says. “This guard is expensive, for what it does and for the amount of material used. However, it’s a USA product so I can overlook the high cost.”

Snoring is the stuff of cartoons and comic sketches, but it’s no joke for the people who are jolted out of a sound sleep by the noise. In some cases, snoring is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, when the upper airway closes off altogether and breathing lapses. The condition briefly deprives the sleeper of oxygen and is viewed as a risk for serious health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and depression. It’s even linked to strokes and heart attacks.

Snorers are often advised to avoid sleeping on their backs, to lose weight and to avoid alcohol. When those measures don’t work, snoring-related relationship ruptures are next. Along with disturbances caused by small children or pets, snoring is a leading sleep hazard. It can result in what St. Johnsbury marriage counselor

ANNE WALLACE ALLEN

Snore No More « P.15

Dan and Trina Webster

David Helfand calls “a sleep divorce,” with one party heading to the couch or another bedroom.

That separation can be bad news for relationships. Skin-on-skin contact with a partner releases the hormone oxytocin and endorphins that feel good and strengthen emotional bonds, Helfand said.

That’s true beyond sex: Sleeping side by side provides a dose of togetherness that’s critical in busy people’s lives, Helfand said.

“One of the few times that couples get to physically connect is sleeping in bed,” Helfand said. “It’s a sense of intimacy and connection that is hard to re-create.”

Trina and Dan agree. They see their relationship as strong, but it did sustain some damage when Dan was snoring.

“It really started chipping away at us,” Trina said. “I was really frustrated with him. He felt badly about it, but he was sleeping through it.”

These days, the Websters said, harmony prevails. Trina said she reads every review and letter of thanks and responds to as many as she can. If customers are unhappy with the mouth guard, ZQuiet sends them a refund. After 16 years in business, the couple said the success stories are the most fulfilling aspect of their work.

“We save marriages and relationships,” Trina said. ➆

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Helter-Shelters

Vermont scrambles to open five facilities for homeless residents by April 1 B Y K E V I N MCCAL L UM • kevin@sevendaysvt.com

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HOUSING

FILE PHOTOS: GORDON MILLER

C

hris Winters faced a torrent of tough questions last month about a temporary homeless shelter the state hopes to set up in an empty Vermont National Guard armory in Waterbury.

The commissioner of the Department for Children and Families sought to reassure anxious town residents that the proposed shelter, which would accommodate 40 to 50 adults, would be safe and well run. The current plan is to operate it from April 1 to June 30.

“There is no intention to use this as a shelter after the three months,” Winters told the standing-room-only crowd of about 100 during a January 22 meeting at the Waterbury fire station.

The audience — which included another 100 people following online — was skeptical.

“Temporary becomes permanent real easy,” resident Steve Frappier told Winters. He asked: Would Winters pledge not to extend the shelter past June 30 if the undertaking became “an epic failure” and the town wanted it gone?

“I want to be careful because I don’t want to make any promises I can’t keep,” Winters replied.

The administration of Gov. Phil Scott has proposed setting up a network of emergency shelters to serve people lodged in the hotel program that is to end on April 1. Scott has long sought to end the pandemic-era program, which moved people out of homeless shelters and into motel rooms, and is especially adamant now that the federal government is no longer footing the bill.

An estimated 1,600 households with 2,500 people remain in the hotels.

But during a housing crisis, it will take years to construct enough affordable housing units to meet the needs of the motel residents. With no solution in sight for unhoused Vermonters, potential host communities worry that shelters such as this one, proposed for an isolated four-acre site beside Interstate 89 in Waterbury, would become a dead end for those who live there. The reception could signal trouble for the administration’s plans for four other sites, in Brattleboro, Bennington, Burlington and Rutland.

“The state doesn’t have a real good track record when they say something is temporary,” Rep. Theresa Wood (D-Waterbury) told the crowd, adding that the plan “makes zero sense.”

DCF Commissioner Chris Winters addressing Waterbury residents

Residents at the meeting

The administration intends to buy the armory building from the National Guard for an estimated $890,000. The state

would update fire sprinklers, bathrooms and kitchen facilities, and would pay a contractor to operate the shelter.

The plan stirred opposition even from those who say they support more housing for the homeless. Selectboard member Kane Sweeney said he wants the town to build more affordable housing. But the short timeline for getting the converted armory open and operating shows the plan was thrown together in haste, he said.

“Eleventh-hour throwing spaghetti against the wall and seeing if it sticks isn’t really how you should handle a housing crisis,” Sweeney told Seven Days after the meeting.

Some residents reminded their neighbors of the town’s history as home to a former state psychiatric hospital and urged compassion.

“These are our people. These are our brothers and sisters,” Beth Ann Maier said.

Sweeney, a chef at a local restaurant, said he himself has endured periods of couch surfing during employment HELTER-SHELTERS

» P.20

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Local School Budget Votes Might Be Delayed to Reduce Tax Hikes B Y A L I S O N N O VAK • alison@sevendaysvt.com

KEVIN MCCALLUM

Vermont legislators on Tuesday discussed potential ways to head off hefty property tax hikes driven by education spending — including changing a law that they passed in 2022.

No immediate fix was made. But lawmakers discussed steps that would likely mean school districts would have to modify their budgets less than a month before Town Meeting Day. In some cases, towns might have to push school budget votes to a later date.

The House Ways and Means Committee and the Education Committee met jointly to address a projected $250 million statewide increase in education spending this year that could translate to an average property tax increase of more

From left: Reps. Emilie Kornheiser, Carl Demrow and Carol Ode during Tuesday’s discussion

than 20 percent. That increase is being driven by a confluence of factors, including the rising cost of educators’ health insurance and wages; the loss of federal pandemic-era funds; and inflation.

Lawmakers also pointed to a problematic provision in Act 127, which was intended to give historically disadvantaged school districts additional “pupil weight” for instructing students who are more expensive to teach: those who are low-income, rural or in need of English language instruction. The provision would give those districts the ability to offer more services without raising taxes.

The Act 127 provision caps homestead property tax rate increases at 5 percent for the next five years, as long as school districts do not increase per-pupil spending by more than 10 percent year over year. Local school budget writers realized they could use the provision to add millions to their school budgets for muchneeded capital improvements — without directly affecting property tax rates.

But that money isn’t “free.” In recent weeks, as more final school budget proposals emerged, it became clear that the cumulative spending increase statewide would lead to widespread tax increases. Once the numbers came into

focus, administrators began sounding the alarm to legislators.

Lawmakers resolved to make changes.

“We want to acknowledge the mistake that we made in this particular piece of Act 127,” Rep. Emilie Kornheiser (D-Brattleboro), who is chair of Ways and Means, said during a House Democratic caucus on Tuesday. “Act 127 was designed to increase tax equity, and this mechanism keeps us from having the kind of tax equity we were looking for.”

Legislators say it is necessary to scrap the tax-cap provision in Act 127 and instead use a transition mechanism called a “cents discount.” It would give districts that lose money over the tweaked pupil weights formula a discounted tax rate.

This provision is expected to cost approximately $30 million from the education fund in fiscal year 2025, according to the Joint Fiscal Office, and could be scaled down over a five-year period.

Kornheiser said legislation is being drafted to allow districts to delay budget votes in order to redraft their spending proposals and notify the public. Under state statute, towns have to warn voters of their budgets before a vote. The legislature is also working with the Secretary of State’s Office to ensure that, should towns delay voting, the state’s general fund would cover the costs of a new election, Kornheiser said.

At the caucus, Kornheiser and Peter Conlon (D-Cornwall), the Education Committee chair, made clear that altering Act 127 would be just the first step in tackling Vermont’s complex and cumbersome education funding system this legislative session.

The legislature will have to figure out other ways to mitigate the tax impact for voters, including exploring new revenue sources for the education fund, Kornheiser said. More “transformational change” to education funding may be needed, she added.

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth (D/P-Chittenden-Central) said the fact that the House is digging into possible solutions first doesn’t mean the Senate is doing nothing. “We are having discussions all over the building, every day, nonstop about this problem,” he said. ➆

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A federal program that helps lowincome Vermonters pay for internet connectivity is running out of funding, endangering the state’s efforts to bring high-speed internet to all.

The Affordable Connectivity Program will no longer accept new enrollments starting this week.

While the program enjoys bipartisan support, Congress has yet to agree to extend it. The initiative currently assists 25,000 Vermonters.

Money is expected to run out by the end of April. If Congress fails to appropriate additional funding, the nearly 23 million households nationwide that rely on it for high-speed internet will lose all access.

“We were all hopeful that Congress would re-up the program,” said Christine Hallquist, executive director of the Vermont Community Broadband Board. “Because they know that the economic divide is the digital divide.”

The Affordable Connectivity Program has been crucial in building out broadband. Increasing the number of Vermonters who can afford it has reduced the cost of infrastructure in some towns. Hallquist worries that even a temporary funding lapse would harm the state’s network.

“To get 25,000 families in Vermont connected was quite a challenge,” Hallquist said. “Losing the program is going to create distrust.

Will we ever get them back? I don’t know.”

A bipartisan group of senators and representatives — including U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) — introduced the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act in January, which, if adopted, would provide an additional $7 billion for the ACP. The stakes are high, and time is running out. Vermont households are already getting notices saying their subsidy will end soon.

“What use is a [broadband] line going by someone’s house if they can’t afford it?” asked Rob Fish, deputy director of the Vermont Community Broadband Board. “We have to figure this out.” ➆

struggles over the years and supports expanding the shelter system. But he said he was struck by how Winters justified the shelter plan by characterizing the motels as places no one should have to live. “So your alternative is a congregate shelter in a military gymnasium?” he said.

Many residents were appalled to hear that the town doesn’t have much say in the matter. Municipal manager Tom Leitz told Seven Days that because the footprint and exterior of the building wouldn’t be altered, the only issues the local Development Review Board could address are traffic, parking, noise and landscaping.

“If their goal is to get this up and running by April 1, it doesn’t strike me as an impossible hurdle to clear,” he said.

The armory proposal came together quickly after an effort to establish a new shelter in Montpelier recently fell through, Winters acknowledged.

His staff had been working with Good Samaritan Haven, a Barre-based nonprofit, to lease the Econo Lodge and was optimistic that the organization could run it as an emergency shelter.

Rick DeAngelis, the group’s co-executive director, said the state asked Good Samaritan to run a 40-room shelter for six months for the most vulnerable residents who are scheduled to leave motels.

The organization’s board worried about Good Samaritan’s ability to staff the facility, as well as what would happen to residents after six months, DeAngelis said. The board decided on January 18 not to pursue the state’s invitation.

That’s when the Scott administration shifted its focus to the Waterbury armory. A week later, Winters pitched the idea to the Senate Appropriations Committee — the first public airing of the proposal, though the Waterbury Selectboard had gotten a sneak peek at the plan three days earlier.

The National Guard needs to sell the building so that it can move forward on a new armory in Franklin County. Sen. Jane Kitchel (D-Caledonia) called the opportunity to help the Guard unload its old building while expanding the state’s limited shelter capacity “a nice convergence.”

“The dilemma here is to bring on more capacity until we get more permanent housing developed,” Kitchel said Sen. Bobby Starr (D - Orleans) seemed dubious. The cost of buying and upgrading the building and running it as a shelter likely would exceed what the state was paying per night for the motels, he noted.

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Of the five communities under consideration, Brattleboro has the most momentum, Winters told Seven Days this week.

The state is close to signing a 12-month deal with the nonprofit Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development to add beds for approximately 20 families at the former campus of the Austine School for the Deaf. That’s estimated to cost $940,000.

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It’s also negotiating with other service providers and is considering establishing sites with movable housing units similar to the pods used at the shelter in Burlington’s Old North End, managed by Champlain Housing Trust.

One idea is to pay a provider to set up trailers and staff up to three sites. Leasing trailers for up to 46 people would cost more than $1 million per site for three months, Winters said. Another option is for the state to buy the units outright, he said.

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Homeless housing providers privately expressed skepticism that the state would be able to create more than a few dozen additional beds by April 1, which would put people at risk of having nowhere to go when the motels evict them.

Vermont has struggled to balance the needs of its unhoused residents with the costs of putting them up. The state is paying an average of $132 per night, or $48,000 annually, for each motel room, though it has recently begun informing motels of plans to pay lower rates.

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OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

OBITUARIES Jana Avram

eventually transitioning to personal training.

While in college, Jana met Briant Hamrell, whom she married in 1996. Their marriage resulted in the two greatest joys of her life, her twin sons Max and Dillon, who were born in 1999. Their quick, bright smiles and friendly nature are her lasting legacy, and she was incredibly proud of them.

With her growing young boys as canvases, Jana was able to express her love of Halloween with frequent face painting and costume changes. Her face painting talent didn’t go unnoticed, and it was suggested that she consider starting a face painting business. In 2007 she did just that, under the name Trading Faces. She met Sean Avram, her second

husband, at a face-painting convention, and the couple fell in love. Together, they were a celebrated couple in the industry and went on to do many events, including trade shows and television. Jana even appeared as a model on the cover of Illusion magazine.

In Vermont, they rebranded Trading Faces into the new entity Hyperfocus Art. Jana and Sean painted Vermont faces for a decade, prepandemic, in locations such as the Champlain Valley Fair, Maple Tree Place, the July Fourth celebration at Burlington’s waterfront, and countless birthday parties and events.

Jana converted her personal training business to an in-home, internet-based format during the pandemic, and her clients loved it. They collaboratively decided to continue training online, which meant Jana could spend her days overlooking the mountains and beautiful Lake Iroquois from their home in Hinesburg. Jana had just recently become a cancer exercise specialist, after beating breast cancer herself in 2021, and she was planning on launching a training website that would help many others in their recovery.

Jana was predeceased by her father, F. Dillon Baldwin, in 2004. She is survived by her mother, Martha Baldwin; her sons, Max and Dillon Hamrell; her husband, Sean Avram; her stepchildren, Anya, Hayden and Kendall; and her siblings, Patrick (Christine) Baldwin, Paul (Stephanie) Baldwin, Brian Baldwin and Megan (Andy) Rubman. She is also survived by her niece and nephews Morgan (Jacob), Nicholas, Samuel (Montoya), Cody, Jesse, Christopher, Cooper, Carson, Jake, Noah and Isaac.

She is additionally survived

by Briant Hamrell and her special aunt, Anne Baldwin.

All who knew her will miss her bright smile and loving nature.

A scholarship at MUHS in Jana’s memory is currently being established, and more information will be shared with the Middlebury community once it is finalized.

A celebration of life will be held at LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main St., Winooski, VT, on Wednesday, February 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. Viewing will take place from 4 to 7 p.m., with a memorial service at 7 p.m., which will be live streamed. If time allows, the family will be happy to take additional visitors until 8 p.m.

small ski town they called home.

Changa is survived by his father, Ronald Foster, and Ronald’s wife, Hazel, who provided unwavering support

throughout his journey. He is also survived by his two brothers Mkali Foster and Dakota Burr and his wife, Cailyne, along with his niece, Aliyah Burr, and nephews, Xzavier, Jeremy, Zion and Ason. He also leaves behind his two children’s mothers, Jody and Lana, as well as their extended families.

Changa’s love and devotion extended to his children.

He is survived by his son, Malik Foster, and his fiancée, Perrine; his daughter, Kailey Foster, and her husband, Robert, as well as their children, Damon Foster and Bella Foster. He adored his two grandchildren, Declan and Olivia Barnard, and cherished the time he spent with them.

Changa had an infectious laugh that could brighten even the darkest of days. It traveled miles, bringing joy to all those fortunate enough to hear it.

Changa leaves behind a wide circle of family and friends, both near and far, who will forever cherish the memories they shared with him.

A celebration of Changa’s life will be held on June 1, 1 p.m., at Bragg Hill Cemetery, with a small gathering to follow, with details available at a later date. Friends, family and all those whose lives were touched by Changa are invited to join in honoring his memory.

JANUARY 4, 1970JANUARY 30, 2024 HINESBURG, VT.

Jana Baldwin Avram was taken from us suddenly and unexpectedly on January 30, as the result of a medical event.

Born on January 4, 1970, she was the third child of Dillon and Martha Baldwin of Middlebury, Vt., and also their first daughter (and daddy’s little girl) after older brothers Patrick and Paul. Her brother Brian and sister Megan followed after her.

Jana, always social, athletic and a good student, was elected class president of Middlebury Union High School’s tightly knit class of 1988 — the same group with which she celebrated a 35th reunion last year. Jana played lacrosse in the early days of lacrosse at MUHS and was an incredible field hockey goalie. When she went to the University of Vermont, she hung up her field hockey cleats and played a season of women’s club ice hockey, where she was roped into playing goalie, yet again. Jana graduated from UVM with an athletic training degree. She worked in school systems, orthopedic practices and medical clinics,

Changa Foster JULY 15, 1973NOVEMBER 3, 2023 WAITSFIELD, VT.

Changa Howard John Foster, a vibrant soul who marched to his own beat in life, passed away on November 3, 2023, after a courageous three-year battle with a rare cancer. He was 50 years old.

Changa was born in California and moved to Vermont at a young age, where he grew up with his mother, Bess Bates, and his three brothers, Mkali Foster, Solomon Foster and Dakota Burr. Together, they made lasting memories and left an indelible mark on the

22

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

Jean McDonald DECEMBER 6, 1925JANUARY 16, 2024 BURLINGTON, VT.

Jean Ackley McDonald, age 98, left us on January 16, 2024, in Burlington, Vt. Jean is survived by daughters Susan Barden and husband Tom of Hinesburg, Melanie Gay and partner Tom Hamell of Williston, and daughterin-law Priscilla McDonald of St. Albans; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grands.

Jean was predeceased by her parents; sister Barbara Hildebrandt of Chicago; husband, Verne; son, Daniel H. McDonald; and grandson Justin McDonald of Colorado.

Our beloved Jean Shirley was born on December 6, 1925, in Houlton, Maine, to Minerva and Gordon Ackley. She grew up in Smyrna Mills and would always treasure her rural roots in “the County.”

Jean made many happy memories there. She and her husband-to-be, Verne “Billy” McDonald, graduated from Merrill High. Billy served in the Marine Corps in World War II. Jean and Billy earned degrees at the University of Maine, where Jean majored in psychology. They were married in 1948.

Billy’s teaching career brought them to Vermont, where they raised three children in Montpelier and South Burlington. Jean was a devoted wife, mom and homemaker who found countless ways to love and nurture her family.

She shared her love of the outdoors and knowledge of nature. She was playful and provided hours of fun for her kids and grandkids, whom she cherished. She gave hugs freely, and her lap was always open to little ones. Jean loved music and played the piano. She made every holiday special with her decorating and culinary talents. Some of Jean’s favorite things were Maine, walking on the beach, ice cream, picnics, travel, animals, puzzles, yard sales,

and sitting in the sun with friends and family.

Church was important to Jean, and she was active in Methodist churches wherever she lived. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Red Cross Blood Bank and worked at the UMC’s Thrift Shop for 26 years.

Jean was a devoted daughter and helped her parents in their senior years while on visits to Florida. She enjoyed Florida, but Down East Maine was the place that dwelled in her heart. She loved the landscape and “salt-ofthe-earth” folks in Addison, Maine, where they spent many happy summers at a cottage, not far from Cutler where her ancestors settled.

After Verne’s death, Jean happily stayed in her Vermont home for 21 years. In later years, family members and Sheena Cota’s presence there made it possible for her to be home as dementia developed. We extend our deep gratitude to all helpers. During Jean’s last four years, she resided at Birchwood Terrace, following a hip fracture. We thank all the staff who cared for Jean, including Bayada Hospice, as well as those who visited during her stay.

We were blessed to have Jean with us for so long but will miss her dearly. A celebration of her life will take place during warmer months. Donations may be made to the Ark Animal Shelter, Cherryfield, Maine.

A more detailed story of Jean’s life may be found at vtfuneralhomes.com.

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John “Jack” Lamer

JUNE 26, 1950JANUARY 25, 2024 MONTGOMERY, VT. John “Jack” Lamer passed on Thursday, January 25, 2024, after a yearslong fight with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Camilla Lamer; and his daughters and their spouses, Sharyn Lamer and Matthias Siebler of Somerville, Mass., and Lulu McClendon and Zak McClendon of San Francisco, Calif. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren, Pete Siebler, Anna Siebler, Hazel McClendon and Eithne McClendon.

Jack also leaves his siblings James Lamer (Mary), Christopher Lamer, Mary Lou Wentworth (Jim) and Anastasia Lamer (Bob Coleman). He is predeceased by his parents, Louis and Betty Lamer, and his brother Louis Lamer.

Jack was born in Los Angeles on June 26, 1950.

He lived in California for only a year, after which the family moved to Marietta, Ga., for his father’s work. He graduated from Marietta High School in 1968 and furthered his education at Kennesaw Junior College and the University of Georgia, graduating with a bachelor of science in pharmacy in 1973.

On September 2, 1972, Jack and Camilla were married at St. James Episcopal Church in Marietta. After his graduation, they moved to western Massachusetts to work at a summer camp. On his days off, he searched for a pharmacy internship. Striking out in Massachusetts, on his last day in New England, he searched in Vermont from Bennington to Burlington. He ended up in Burlington, driving down Main Street in the late afternoon to the spectacular view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. He ended his search at Terminal Pharmacy, shortly before closing. When he announced that he was looking for a pharmacy internship, the owner, Melvin “Pug” Maurice, came bounding out of the dispensary and said, “Where the hell have you been? I’ve been looking for an intern all summer.” Thus, Jack and Camilla moved to Vermont.

After 14 months in retail pharmacy, Jack found the dream job he didn’t know he dreamed of. Al Buckpitt took a chance and hired “a hippie” to work in process research

Jonathan Margolis SEPTEMBER 25, 1940JANUARY 29, 2024 SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT.

and development at Ayerst Laboratories in Rouses Point, N.Y. Jack retired in 2010 as associate director of technical services, leaving a job that he had loved for 34 years.

Throughout his life, Jack was a water baby, whether in the backyard pool, swim team, rivers or oceans.

Bodysurfing was his favorite.

He could catch waves all day, riding them to the shore.

He enjoyed climbing rocks up streams and jumping off high places into cold water.

This activity once led to a law enforcement interaction for obstruction of navigation for jumping off a 70-foot railroad trestle into Lake Allatoona in Georgia.

In retirement, Jack and Camilla enjoyed traveling.

Their final trip, a three-week adventure in Mexico, was their most adventurous: driving round-trip from Mexico City to Oaxaca City and to Puerto Escondido on the Pacific coast, spending enough time in each place to come to love it and swearing to come back.

Unfortunately, Jack developed bile duct cancer in 2020.

He endured surgery, rounds of chemo and Y90 treatments.

Jack told his oncologist during his last hospital stay, “When we started this, you said you had a bag of tricks. I think that there’s nothing left in the bag but a stale Chiclet.”

The doctor agreed. He passed 10 days later.

The family wishes to thank Hope Lodge in Burlington and the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either of these, both of which serve cancer patients and their caregivers admirably.

Goss-Spear Life Celebration Home provided arrangements.

The family will have a celebration of Jack’s life in the summer. Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through gossfs.com.

Jon Margolis, veteran national political reporter for the Chicago Tribune, died on January 29, 2024, at the age of 83, at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, Vt. Born in Trenton, N.J., in 1940 to William and Mars Margolis, he attended Rutgers Preparatory School in New Brunswick and went on to study history at Oberlin College, graduating in 1962. A passionate newspaper reader from childhood and a self-declared “politics junkie,” Jon began a career in the news business as a reporter for the Bergen Record in Hackensack, N.J., then with the Miami Herald, the Concord Monitor in New Hampshire and Newsday of

Linda Mae Burbo

JULY 15, 1946-JANUARY 28, 2024 MILTON, VT. Linda Mae Burbo, 77, of Milton, Vt., passed away peacefully on January 28, 2024, at the McClure Miller Respite House.

Linda was born on July 15, 1946, to Norman and Nellie Thibault in Swanton, Vt. After graduating from St. Anne’s Academy in 1965, she worked at several different jobs, including at the Tower Restaurant and TD Bank.

Linda was married to the love of her life, Douglas Burbo, of Burlington, Vt. They were married on February 18, 1978, and have one son, Glendon Burbo, of

Long Island, where his coverage of the Attica prison riots established his national reputation.

He served as Newsday’s Albany bureau chief before leaving in 1973 to become a Washington national political correspondent for the Chicago Tribune. During his 23 years with the Tribune, he covered four presidential elections and was on the panel of the October 5, 1988, vice presidential debate between Lloyd Bentsen and Dan Quayle. In 1989, Margolis moved to Chicago to work for the Tribune as a sports columnist, correspondent-at-large and general columnist. He was renowned for his clever ledes and for his cogent interviews with rankand-file voters, just two reasons his political work is featured in journalism schools across America.

After leaving the Tribune, Margolis taught classes as an adjunct at various

Vermont-based colleges. For a decade, ending in November 2020, he wrote regularly for VTDigger.org, an online news source.

Margolis is the author of one work of popular history, The Last Innocent Year: America in 1964 (1999), and of The Quotable Bob Dole: Witty, Wise and Otherwise (1996) and How to Fool Fish With Feathers (1992), a lighthearted beginner’s guide to fly-fishing illustrated by cartoonist Jeff MacNelly.

Margolis was a devoted fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Mets, an avid reader, and an ardent fly fisherman. He had been to 49 of 50 states and studied Yiddish and French throughout his life. He thoroughly enjoyed dogs, opera and a great cup of coffee.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sally; children Katey and Michael; daughter-in-law Amy; granddaughter Shally; and sister Susanna.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the South Burlington Public Library, 180 Market St., South Burlington, VT 05403 or the Barton Public Library, PO Box 549, Barton, VT 05822.

Burlington. Linda was also stepmom to Doug’s first two kids, Douglas Burbo II of Westwood, Mass., and Shelley Burbo of North Hollywood, Calif.

Linda enjoyed quilting, scrapbooking and decorating her home with her collection of Department 56 Christmas villages. She especially enjoyed playing cards and shopping with her granddaughter Elizabeth. We will dearly miss her.

She is survived by her son, Glendon Burbo, his wife, Holly, and their daughter, Elizabeth; her stepson, Douglas Burbo II, his wife, Kirsten, and their daughters, Emily and Sarah; her stepdaughter, Shelley Burbo, and her son, Treyvon Gomes; and three brothers, James, Rodney and Ricky Thibault.

Linda was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, Douglas Burbo; her parents, Norman and Nellie Thibault; and her brother Larry Thibault.

A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, February 23, 11 a.m., at St. John Vianney Church, 160 Hinesburg Rd., South Burlington, VT. The burial will take place immediately following in Resurrection Park Cemetery.

The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the McClure Miller Respite House staff and volunteers.

Your support and depth of care will not be forgotten.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may please be made to the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services, South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington, VT. To send online condolences to the family, please visit readyfuneral.com.

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SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

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lifelines

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

OBITUARIES Curtis Echo Jr. SEPTEMBER 14, 1937JANUARY 22, 2024 WILLISTON, VT.

Curtis Rogers Echo Jr., 86, died peacefully on January 22, 2024, at the McClure Miller Respite house with his children and grandchildren by his side.

Curt was born on September 14, 1937, in Burlington, Vt., to Curt and Thelma Echo. He attended Nazareth School and Burlington High School. He lived his life with a love for sports. As a child growing up in the Old North End, he spent his days playing baseball, basketball and ice skating at Roosevelt Park. At Burlington High School, he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. Curt always took pride in his appearance and was voted best dressed in his class.

As a senior in high school, Curt enlisted in the Vermont Air National Guard, attended Champlain College and met the love of his life, Carol. Curt and Carol were married on February 7, 1959, and embarked on their 64-plus-year journey. In the next nine years, they had four children, Curtis III, Candace, Caren and Christopher. Curt served for 34 years with the Air National Guard, including 30 years full time in the personnel office. He held a multitude of positions within the office and understood all aspects of military personnel. His position upon retirement was the personnel systems manager.

While he was lucky to have Carol keeping the home front running smoothly, Curt continued with his love of sports and outdoor activities. He played softball as a catcher with several local teams, primarily Berard’s Construction. The family enjoyed following the team to the many tournaments around New England. He was an excellent bowler and participated in bowling leagues until his mid-seventies. The kids fondly remember his time as “King of the Hill” at Champlain Lanes. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. His most beloved activity

was golf. Curt lived for golf. He was a member of Rocky Ridge Golf Club and Williston and Cedar Knoll country clubs. He was an accomplished golfer and great competitor who was invited to play in numerous member-guest tournaments around the state. Over the years, Curt gained many close, long-term friends through his participation in sports.

Curtis is survived by his children, Curtis Echo III (Lisa), Candace McCarthy (Peter), Caren Foard (Herb) and Christopher Echo (Heidi). He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Kate, Mallory and Curtis Echo IV, Samuel and Caroline McCarthy, Alex Foard, and Hannah, and Chloe and Molly Echo; as well as two step-grandchildren, Angela Kiser and Laura Mercadante.

He leaves his siblings Gail Spencer (Malcolm) and Susan Howard (Tom); his brothers- and sisters- inlaw, Dean West (Aggie), Robert West (Monica), Julie Godfrey (Mark), Jackie Bailey (Art) and Laurie McLean (Barney); and several special nieces and nephews. Curt was predeceased by his wife, Carol; his parents, Curtis and Thelma Echo; his brother Lance; his in-laws, Raoul and Lucille West; and his daughter-in-law Lisa Echo.

Curt’s family would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Sarah Gillett, Dr. Jesse Moore, and the nurses and support staff in the University of Vermont Medical Center Oncology Department for the excellent care they provided to Curt. We want to express a heartfelt thank-you to Dr. Long and the nursing staff at the McClure Miller Respite House. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Curtis be made to the UVM Medical Center Oncology Department, 111 Colchester Ave., Burlington, VT 05401-1473, or to the McClure Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Hwy., Colchester, VT 05446.

A remembrance service will take place at St. John Vianney Church, 160 Hinesburg Rd., South Burlington, VT, on Friday, February 16, 2024, 11 a.m.

Elaine Beal JULY 29, 1940DECEMBER 19, 2023 WATERBURY, VT.

On December 19, 2023, our beloved mother, Elaine Marie Early Beal, a traveler at heart, left this world for the final adventure after a yearlong battle with stomach cancer.

She was 83 years young.

Mom was born to Robert Edward and Catherine Huyett Early in Washington, D.C. She had an older sister, Margaret Early Hall. She graduated from Madison College (now James Madison University) and married Army Lt. William Ross Beal Jr. of Brewster, N.Y., in 1964. Having lived in France and Germany during their first three years of marriage, she remained home during his tours in Vietnam, after which they proceeded to travel to the United States at the behest of the Army until Dad retired (Lt. Col.) in 1979.

In 1981, the family settled on a hillside in Waterbury Center, Vt. Moving to Vermont was Dad’s wish, but soon Mom fell in love also, and she came to develop a special fondness for Waterbury. After nearly half a lifetime of moving around, central Vermont became their permanent home.

Mom was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, friend, wife, mother and grandmother. She found great pleasure in keeping a robust network and was often the nexus keeping groups of friends and relatives in contact. Her children inherited their parents’ wandering ways, and Elaine enjoyed meeting the friends her children developed in their own travels.

Elaine’s accomplishments, service, contributions and dedication are known by those whose lives she touched.

Since 2012, her biggest source of joy was her grandson, Willem Emanuel Skye Lundberg-Beal. She traveled to Sweden, often twice a year, to spend time with her Swedish family: Ross (her son), Helene and Willem, as well as Helene’s parents, brother and family.

In addition to Sweden, Mom traveled regularly, both with others and alone, and even up to her final year she thought nothing of driving up and down the Eastern Seaboard in her trusty Toyota, visiting friends and family.

In recent years she created incredible memories, traveling even more of the world together with her daughter Cate (Sheryl).

Over the last year, Mom’s comfort and joy was her grandson, with whom she never appeared to tire of playing cornhole, croquet and endless repetitive board games. Though the times apart were difficult, they kept up a regular text and Skype exchange that was deeply meaningful to both.

Her granddog — Cate’s

dog Oliver — assumed a place on her lap during Willem’s absences and throughout her illness.

Never much of a dog lover, she nonetheless soon learned to love Oliver’s constant companionship during the yearlong battle. During this time, Cate, Oliver and Elaine enjoyed many early morning cuddles together.

Mom was beyond proud of the incredible father her son Ross (III) had become and the life he and Helene are building with Willem in Sweden.

Feeling equal pride and gratitude, Mom was escorted through her final year with us by her daughter Cate. An ever-present friend, advocate and caregiver, as Mom had been for so many others, Cate became the rock that Elaine and the family relied on.

Elaine loved the home that she and her husband, Ross Jr., had steadily renovated over the years and took great pride in the gardens that had evolved and in being a good neighbor. And it was there she passed away in comfort, after having her final conversation with her son and grandson and with Cate, as always, holding her hand.

Mom, Mommy, Far-mor (Swedish for grandmother), Elaine ... You never knew, but now surely do, the depth of our love for you.

Services will be held in late June/early July. Another announcement will be made, and details will be provided closer to that time.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Waterbury Food Shelf, ReVitalizing Waterbury or the Wounded Warrior Project.

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SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

Want to memorialize a loved one?

Katherine “Kat” Seaton SEPTEMBER 29, 1981JANUARY 1, 2024 ESSEX JUNCTION, VT.

David W. Leitner Dr. David W. Leitner died on February 2, 2024. His devoted wife, Linda, was at his side throughout the seven-year journey with Alzheimer’s.

Dave brought such joy to those who knew him.

A celebration of life will be held later this year. A full obituary will be published at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral and Cremation Services. To send online condolences, please visit readyfuneral.com.

IN MEMORIAM

Laurie Jones

1952-2022 In loving memory of Laurie Jones, February 27, 1952-February 8, 2022.

It doesn’t seem possible that you have been gone for two years. There is not a day that goes by that we don’t think of you a thousand times. We miss you and love you, Laurie.

Katherine “Kat” Seaton, loving daughter, sister, niece, aunt and friend, died on Monday, January 1, 2024, at the age of 42. Kat lived a life filled with love. She struggled with mental health and, to the devastation of her family and friends, took her own life.

Kat was born in Brussels, Belgium, then moved with her family to Cairo, Egypt, as a 2-year-old. She attended Cairo American College, a K-12 international school, and graduated with her twin brother in front of the Giza Pyramids. Back in the States, Kat earned her bachelor’s degree in government from Connecticut College in New London, Conn.

In high school, Kat was a stellar athlete and earned outstanding athletic awards in soccer and softball. As an adult, Kat was enthusiastic about every endeavor, whether it was skiing with her dad at Sugarbush, traveling and exploring new places with her mom, hiking trails in the Green Mountains with her hiking group, keeping pace with running buddies, or playing hide-and-goseek with her nieces and friends’ children. She would join any exercise class, scramble up any trail and jump up to help anyone in need. Kat enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen, reading widely, following sports, sharing movie recommendations, and laughing with friends and family. She will always be remembered for her warm and generous smile.

After graduating from college, Kat worked for several years at the Systems Plus computer store in Lebanon, N.H., then moved to Burlington, Vt., and joined the state accreditation team at the Vermont Department of Health.

For the past six years, she

worked on the MotherBaby Unit at the University of Vermont Medical Center.

Kat’s recent celebration of life at the hospital drew a large number of staff, representing environmental and dining personnel, nurses, doctors, and a diversity of languages and nationalities.

Outside of work, she was in a book club and a wine club, on a trivia night team, and enjoyed running with several groups. She loved learning about things and meeting people, and she was well loved in return.

She is survived by her parents, Max and Carolyn Seaton of Essex Junction, Vt.; sister Lindsay McQueen and her spouse, Jamie, of South Burlington, Vt.; and brother Max Seaton, his spouse, Anna, and children Avery and Grace of Spokane, Wash. She is also survived by aunts, uncles, and cousins; by her longtime friends in Burlington and Buffalo, N.Y.; and by her many friends and colleagues at the UVM Medical Center.

We are thankful for every day we had with Kat. We honor her by trying new recipes, sharing books we’ve read, getting in some cardio, eating excellent chocolate, clinking glasses across the table, and taking big breaths of air among the mountains and trees.

Kat loved the outdoors.

Should friends desire, contributions can be made to the Green Mountain Club of Vermont or any organization of their choice.

We’re here to help. Our obituary and in memoriam services are affordable, accessible and handled with personal care.

Share your loved one’s story with the local community in Life Lines.

lifelines

Post your obituary or in memoriam online and in print at sevendaysvt.com/lifelines.

Or contact us at lifelines@sevendaysvt.com or 865-1020 ext. 121.

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

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LUKE AWTRY

For Better, for Years Three generations of Needlemans have dressed Vermont bridal parties

B Y M ARY ANN L ICKTE IG • maryann@sevendaysvt.com

A

ll eyes were on Averie Brown as she stepped onto the circular platform in front of the large, gold-framed mirror. She wore a strapless bridal gown, the fourth dress she’d tried on.

Before anyone in her entourage said a word, her future mother-in-law, who had been dabbing tears since the second dress, gushed a sigh of approval.

“What do you think, Ave?” the bride’s mother asked.

“I like it,” Averie said. Vining appliqué covered the bodice and spilled down the skirt onto the train.

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MARY ANN LICKTEIG

LUKE AWTRY

Averie Brown trying on a dress

Heather Needleman

“Will you turn a little bit?” someone asked.

Close-set, satin-covered buttons lined the back. “Oh, my gosh,” the mother-inlaw-to-be said. “I love that.” She reached for more tissues.

On a January Saturday — with seven assorted relatives and a friend in tow — 21-year-old Brown, an East Montpelier native, was shopping for her wedding dress at Needleman’s Bridal & Formal in South Burlington. Racks of wedding gowns separated the party from the bustle at the front of the store, where bridesmaids shopped, high school girls tried on prom

dresses, and men and boys got measured for suits and tuxedos.

The family-owned business, now in its 100th year, may be the oldest bridal boutique in the country to be continually owned and managed by one family, said Peter Grimes, publisher of the magazine Vows: The Business of Bridal.

The business started in Newport, where it has operated continuously since 1925, and now has two locations.

A strong work ethic, integrity and topnotch customer service are the pillars that Mark Needleman cites for sustaining the company through three generations.

Mark, 54, and his wife, Heather, 51, are the current owners. Like his parents and grandparents before them, he and Heather run the business together. They work in the South Burlington store. “There’s an owner here all the time,” Mark said. A pair of best friends runs the Newport store.

One has been with Needleman’s for 22 years, the other for 11.

Dressing men and women for formal occasions is Needleman’s niche. The aptly named family has surfed the waves of silk, satin and taffeta as bridal gown trends have come and gone. Sleeves, long and short, disappeared to make way for sleeveless and strapless dresses. Ball gowns with full skirts slimmed to body-skimming styles — some with lace panels and slits to the thigh — as Cinderella dresses ceded to sleek and sexy.

When matching the color of bridesmaids’ shoes to their dresses was the thing, Mark’s parents, Marvin and Carol Needleman, sat on the floor on weekends, dying pumps. If a bride wanted her shoes embellished like her dress, Carol stitched on beads. When After Six’s “Miami Vice” line of tuxedos hit the runways, in the mid-’80s, Needleman’s snagged them so Vermont grooms and their coteries could walk down the aisle in the pastel palette favored by the TV detectives.

Ten years ago, when the internet flexed its brick-and-mortar-crushing muscle to become — and remain — the store’s biggest competitor, Needleman’s continued to do what the dot-coms cannot: professionally fit a tuxedo, calm an anxious bride, outfit a crying teen when the prom dress she ordered online fails to arrive on time.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Mark and Heather shut their doors and waited. When allowed to reopen, they admitted one bride at a time and steamed every dress she tried on.

Demographics have presented another challenge. The country’s marriage rate has largely declined over the past four decades. The average bridal store has been in business between 25 and 31 years, a Vows subscriber survey shows. Needleman’s survival, publisher Grimes said, “is quite extraordinary.”

Over time, the business has moved, added and closed locations. For six years, it was in Newport, St. Albans, Barre and South Burlington simultaneously.

Needleman’s started with Mark’s greatuncle Louis Needleman, the oldest of 10 children reared in Brooklyn, who traveled around New England selling boots and other merchandise out of a station wagon in the 1920s, Marvin Needleman said. “And when my uncle was driving through northern Vermont, he came across this town

Marvin, Carol, Martha and Ed Needleman flanking Newport mayor Melvin Carter (center) at the grand opening of a Needleman’s store in 1965

American Clothing in Newport, the Needleman family’s first store

THE APTLY NAMED FAMILY HAS SURFED THE WAVES OF SILK, SATIN AND TAFFETA

AS BRIDAL GOWN TRENDS HAVE COME AND GONE. on a gorgeous 33-mile lake, most of it in Canada, which is Lake Memphremagog.”

Newport, eight miles from the border and the last railroad stop before Canada, bustled with travelers from Boston. “It was just a beautiful spot,” Marvin said.

“My uncle fell in love with it.” He bought a department store “and decided to get out of his Ford station wagon.”

The store, American Clothing, sold men’s and women’s wear on Main Street.

Louis recruited his youngest brother, a longshoreman, to help in 1925. Ed Needleman, Marvin’s father and Mark’s grandfather, soon became Louis’ partner.

In 1936, the year Ed married, he and his wife, Martha, started a women’s clothing store, also on Main Street. “The day they opened, they sold every dress in the store,” Marvin said. Twenty-seven years later, in 1963, Marvin joined the business.

He married Carol the next year, and she joined, too.

A number of moves — all within Newport — and the addition of a store called Jeans All followed. Needleman’s began focusing on formal wear in the early ’70s, when fraternal organization Order of the Eastern Star selected the store to supply gowns for its formal events statewide. The shop dressed women “from one end of Vermont to the other,” Marvin said, and Carol “put her heart and soul” into formal wear. Customers came from Canada, St. Albans, Burlington and Morrisville. “So

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it grew, and it grew by word of mouth,” Marvin explained. At one point, the store mailed a gown to Bangladesh.

The Needlemans’ third or fourth move landed them in a two-story space in Newport, and they made the lower level a bridal shop. They installed red carpet and a chandelier. On Saturdays, eight to 10 brides shopped at the same time.

By the time Mark entered the business, Needleman’s sold exclusively formal wear.

He graduated from Saint Michael’s College in 1993 and started the Traveling Tuxedo Team, delivering tuxedos from the Newport store to homes and hotels in Chittenden County. He brought along a seamstress, who made alterations on the spot.

In 1994, he opened his own store in St. Albans and persuaded Heather, then his girlfriend, to work there. In 2005, when Mark heard that chain stores David’s Bridal and Men’s Wearhouse planned to open in Chittenden County, he got there first, opening a store on Shelburne Road.

He viewed the big guys less as competitors than business boosters. They would attract customers who would check out his store as well, he reasoned, saying, “Then it just becomes who has better customer service.” David’s Bridal closed last year.

Men’s Wearhouse operates in Williston.

Needleman’s has moved to Dorset Street.

The store sells and rents suits for funerals, but mostly, it’s in the happy-occasion business. Traffic was steady on the Saturday Averie Brown tried on wedding dresses. Heather had a full slate of bridal FOR BETTER, FOR YEARS

Relax

For individual attention, appointments are recommended.

Walk-ins are always welcome. Open Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30 4t-Blodgett020724.indd 1

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I love Vermont because of her hills and valleys, her scenery and invigorating climate, but most of all, because of her indomitable people...

If the spirit of liberty should vanish in other parts of the union and support of our institutions should languish, it could all be replenished from the generous store held by the people of this brave little state of Vermont.

— PRESIDENT CALVIN COOLIDGE AT A SPEECH IN BENNINGTON, VERMONT SEPT 21, 1928

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PHOTOS: LUKE AWTRY

Cora Thomas trying on a prom dress

For Better, for Years « P.27

appointments under the chandelier in the back of the store.

Up front, fueled by a protein bar and a Dr. Pepper, Mark fitted men for suits. He greeted members of Brown’s party as they arrived. Just behind them, he spotted three teen girls in the parking lot, one wearing a North Country Union High School sweatshirt, heading for the store.

At schools with fancy proms — North Country, BFA-St. Albans and Colchester — the word is out: Needleman’s gets its first shipment of prom dresses in January. And the store records which dress has been purchased for which prom, so as not to sell duplicates.

But Needleman’s, which has seen too many $400 dresses abandoned on dressing room floors, requires girls shopping for prom to be accompanied by an adult, and the three girls approaching the store were alone.

Mark, himself a North Country grad, knew they had driven two hours from Newport for the South Burlington’s store’s larger selection. Even before they got inside, he knew he would bend his rule. “Take your shoes off,” he told them. (The store has a no-shoes policy to help keep formal wear clean.)

“We’re going to help you out.”

He welcomed them into the dress lovers’ dream closet, where Bellows Free AcademySt. Albans senior Cora Thomas, accompanied by her mom, stood before a mirror and repeatedly ran her hands over the smooth red satin dress she was considering. “I can always tell when a girl likes a dress, because she pets it,” manager Kate Maxson said.

Needleman’s sold 500 prom dresses last year, he said. Women’s formal wear accounts for roughly one-third of the store’s annual sales. Bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses account for another third; menswear makes up the rest.

Both stores require appointments for bridal dress shopping, a pandemic practice

Mark Needleman

the owners decided to keep to provide better customer attention, Mark said.

For an hour, Brown was center stage on the dais under the parasols dangling from the ceiling while Heather helped her narrow her choices. Brown will marry 22-year-old Kirt Menzi of Horseheads, N.Y., on his family’s dairy farm on August 17. Her mother, grandmother, future mother-in-law, sisters, aunts and a friend sat in the upholstered chairs ringing the viewing area. They offered opinions on each dress she tried, both verbally and with the little handheld signs the store provides, which bear messages such as, “Ooh! La La,” “Love it!” and “Next please!”

Kim Brown, the bride’s mother, was chastised for liking everything — “Mom, you can’t put up ‘It’s gorgeous’ for every one!”

Averie’s older sister, Macenzie Brown, said — while the bride’s younger sister, 13-yearold Emarie, was accused of liking nothing.

“No!” Emarie protested. “I liked the one before the last one.”

Averie had arrived with no particular style in mind, she said. Keeping track of everything she tried on — the dress with the lines, the one with more sparkle, the summery chiffon one — was hard enough.

And the feedback she got was, at times, confusing. A dress Averie declared her current favorite garnered these reactions: “It’s really, really sweet on top.”

“No, I’m still back at the third one.”

“I like the one before the last one.”

“No, the third one back is her second now.”

Brides typically shop at four to six stores before selecting a dress, Vows publisher Grimes said. Needleman’s was Averie’s first stop and, roughly an hour after she started looking, Averie had found “the one.” She picked a dress with floral appliqués and shimmering crystals and pearls. It was the dress that had made her cry. ➆

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When we meet people’s basic needs—housing, health care, education—everyone can thrive.

Ensuring that everyone has access to housing will make our communities stronger and more vibrant—criminalizing unhoused people will not.

Harm reduction approaches to address the overdose crisis will save lives and make our communities safer—further criminalizing drug use will not.

Stronger oversight will make police more accountable to the people they serve, including people of color, people with lower incomes, and people with disabilities—more police and prisons will not.

Our communities are struggling. We all know it and we can all feel it. That’s why we need leadership that prioritizes justice, equity, and compassion.

Town Meeting Day is March 5. Find out which policies your candidates support. Then, vote your values.

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Out in the Archives

Tillie Walden’s sketch of Charity Bryant and Sylvia Drake

A forthcoming graphic novel celebrates one of the earliest documented lesbian couples in America

BY C H E L S E A E D GAR • chelsea@sevendaysvt.com

M

ore than two centuries before the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, at a time when women couldn’t vote or own property, Charity Bryant and Sylvia Drake made a home together in Weybridge. From their first meeting in the early 1800s until Bryant’s death in 1851, they were partners in love and work, the proprietors of a successful tailoring business and, in every sense but the official one, a married couple.

Their relationship was no secret. In 1897, a Ripton man named Hiram Harvey Hurlburt Jr. wrote in his diary that he often heard “it mentioned that Miss Bryant and Miss Drake were married to each other.” Local families sent their daughters to Bryant and Drake to learn the art of seamstressing, and friends and family often came to stay with them in their one-room cottage — including Bryant’s nephew, the poet and journalist William Cullen Bryant.

He penned these words about the couple for the New-York Evening Post in 1843: “I would tell you how, in their youthful days, they took each other as companions for life, and how this union, no less sacred to them than the tie of marriage, has subsisted, in uninterrupted harmony, for forty years.”

Bryant and Drake are buried under one headstone at Weybridge Hill Cemetery — a privilege usually reserved for wedded couples that serves as a lasting monument to their standing in the community.

What we know about their relationship, regarded as one of the earliest on-record queer unions in America, comes from more than 900 pages of letters, poems and journal entries, stored in four boxes at the Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History in Middlebury. This trove of documents will provide the source material for a new graphic novel by Vermont cartoonist laureate Tillie Walden. She will begin

LOVE

& Marriage

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SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

research for the book this summer as part of a yearlong residency with Vermont Humanities, which commissioned the project with the help of a $50,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For Walden, 27, who lives in Norwich with her wife and their 4-month-old baby, the story of Bryant and Drake feels intimately connected to her own. “It’s sort of surreal to be a lesbian right now, living in the woods of Vermont with my wife, and these are two women who lived not far from where we are, doing the same thing,” she said.

Walden’s book won’t be the first about Bryant and Drake; in 2014, University of Victoria professor and historian Rachel Hope Cleves published Charity and Sylvia: A Same-Sex Marriage in Early America, which she researched and wrote after stumbling across William Cullen Bryant’s 1843 ode to the two women. Christopher Kaufman Ilstrup, the executive director of Vermont Humanities, first learned about the Weybridge couple from Cleves’ book.

Then the senior philanthropic adviser of the Vermont Community Foundation, he awarded a grant to the Sheldon Museum to sponsor an exhibition of the BryantDrake archive and a lecture by Cleves at Middlebury College.

Around that time, Kaufman Ilstrup saw the possibility of rendering Bryant and Drake’s relationship in a graphic novel. He thought the story of the two 19th-century women, who lived openly as a married couple before the vocabulary existed to describe their relationship, deserved a wider audience. When Walden, who teaches at the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, became the state’s cartoonist laureate last year, “it was like a bolt of lightning for me, frankly,” Kaufman Ilstrup said.

He emailed Walden and asked if he could pitch her an idea. They met at King Arthur Baking and sat outside in the rain.

“I said, ‘So there were these two lesbians in the early part of the 19th century…’ and she was like, ‘You got me,’” Kaufman Ilstrup recalled.

FILE: ROB STRONG

The graphic novel is the centerpiece of the $50,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, which awarded a total of $2.8 million last year to humanities councils across the country for projects that, according to the NEH website, “counter the destructive effects of hate-fueled violence on our democracy and public safety.” Vermont Humanities is allocating $20,000 for the project, Kaufman Ilstrup said. That sum includes a $15,000 stipend for Walden, who will also give talks around the state on cartooning and queer representation in comics as part of her Vermont Humanities residency; the balance will go to the Sheldon Museum.

Originally, Kaufman Ilstrup had modest expectations for this endeavor. “I would have been happy with a 32-page comic book that we’d printed ourselves down the street,” he said. But Walden, the author of five graphic novels — including Spinning, a memoir about her youth as a competitive ice skater, which won a prestigious Eisner Award in 2018 — had bigger ambitions.

“Tillie has totally elevated our thinking,” Kaufman Ilstrup said. “She’s envisioning a real book that’s going to be distributed nationally.”

Starting this summer, Walden will spend lots of time poring over the reams of yellowed pages in the Sheldon Museum’s Bryant-Drake collection, most of which are written in Drake’s spidery hand.

According to archivist Eva Garcelon-Hart, Bryant, who had what one today might call “game,” insisted that all of her diaries and letters be destroyed upon her death — though by pure luck, a few of her acrostic poems to Drake, along with some letters from her other paramours, have survived.

By the time Bryant arrived in Weybridge from Massachusetts, in the early 1800s, she had already broken more than a few hearts. “Women were very attracted to her,” Garcelon-Hart said. “She had to relocate a few times, because tongues were wagging.”

Tillie Walden

EVERY PAGE, EVERY IMAGE, IS GOING TO HAVE TO

HAVE A BASIS IN THEIR REALITY. TIL L IE WAL D E N

Drake, by contrast, was more reserved, a deeply pious woman from a less prosperous family who also grew up in Massachusetts, in the town bordering Bryant’s.

Drake moved to Weybridge following her brother, Asaph, who came to Vermont to seek his fortune. Bryant, likely fleeing the fallout of her amorous activities, came to Weybridge in 1807 to visit her friend Polly, who happened to be Drake’s older sister.

No account exists of Bryant and Drake’s first meeting, but we know from the historical record that they were rarely apart after that. (In fact, letters from one of Bryant’s ex-lovers in Massachusetts, Lydia Richards, suggest that Richards was expecting Bryant to come back to her after

her Weybridge sojourn, but the sojourn simply never ended.)

In the subsequent four decades, Bryant and Drake rarely left Addison County. (“They did take some trips — walking back to Massachusetts, for example,” GarcelonHart said. “Can you imagine? Walking to Massachusetts?”) They lived in a 12-by-12foot cabin on the property of Sarah Hagar, a local woman who, happily for Bryant and Drake, was a widow in charge of her husband’s estate; had Hagar’s husband been alive, Garcelon-Hart explained, he might not have allowed two unwed women to build a home on his land.

When Walden first visited the Sheldon Museum archive last May, she was moved by the understated tenderness of Bryant and Drake’s acrostic poetry. “I was like, ‘Oh, my God, these are real people,’” Walden said.

“They’re just like me, just like everyone else.”

On one scrap of notebook paper, the words “Bryant Sylvia” appear over and over again, the idle marginalia of a person in love.

For all the telling artifacts in the museum’s collection, there are also some poignant omissions. Drake’s journals — those that have survived, anyway — do not explicitly mention sex, although references to a nameless guilt appear

throughout her writings. “Arrive before 5 at the boarding place of Dear C., where we received marked attention from each member of the family. Troubles ever I have,” reads an entry dated June 30, 1838.

And the only extant image of the couple is a framed silhouette of the two women in profile on a mat of thick paper, bordered by thin braids of their interwoven hair.

At first glance, they look like twins — both are wearing identical buns at the crowns of their heads, with the same tendrils of curly hair sprung loose at the forehead and nape of the neck. But there are subtle differences: The woman on the left, generally assumed to be Drake, is slightly shorter, with a longer forehead; the one on the right, assumed to be Bryant, sports the beginnings of a double chin.

From this shadowy likeness, Walden will have to invent their faces.

“As I go through the archive, every time I can kind of glean a little bit of personality, I’ll take that and try to apply that to the drawings,” she said. “It’s a very dreamy quest to be on.”

Making a graphic novel about real people in a particular historical period poses a unique set of challenges, Walden explained.

“I don’t have to check with anyone about how a zombie looks. I can pretty much do that on my own,” she said, referring to her Clementine trilogy, set in the world of “The Walking Dead.” “But for this book, every page, every image, is going to have to have a basis in their reality. Like — tables! Socks! Did they have a wooden floor? Did they have a dirt floor?

“I have to genuinely think about what was going on on their ceiling, because I need it to be right,” Walden continued. “I want to understand what they saw when they laid in bed at night and looked up.” ➆

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LORI DUFF

Doxing or Dating?

In secretive Facebook groups, Vermont women are crowdsourcing men’s red flags B Y H ANNA H FEUER • hfeuer@sevendaysvt.com

I

magine Yelp for dating. Instead of restaurants, this platform revolves around men. The reviews? Mostly not so great, ranging from serious allegations of abuse to quibbles about slow texting. And, just as a lousy meal review on Yelp can repel other diners, one bad date can permanently tarnish a guy’s reputation.

This isn’t a “Black Mirror” episode.

Are We Dating the Same Guy? is a network of more than 200 private Facebook groups in metropolitan areas around the world where women obtain crowdsourced information on potential male love interests.

Founder Paola Sanchez, a New Yorker, runs all of the network’s pages. They include a group that draws from Burlington, Essex and Rutland, created in October 2022, with nearly 4,000 members.

A smaller, locally run spin-off, Are We Dating the Same Man in Central Vermont?, has about 600 members.

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SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

While the groups’ names suggest a focus on identifying men who are currently dating multiple women, they can suss out a lot more. Posts usually include screenshots of a man’s dating profile, the first letter of his name, the town where he lives, and a caption asking for tea (read: inside intel or juicy gossip) or red flags, expressed through the appropriate emojis. Posters then leave comments sharing what they know about the man, whether through word of mouth or firsthand experience.

“Don’t waste your time he’s a player,” a woman in the central Vermont group commented on a photo of a man holding up a fish like a trophy.

“Basically just wants to sleep around,” another member added.

The intent is to warn women about men who are “liars, cheaters, abusers” or who exhibit “toxic or dangerous behavior,” according to the description of the Burlington-Essex-Rutland group.

That mission is a natural response to the way apps have shaped modern dating, said Kate Mays, an assistant professor of public communication at the University of Vermont who teaches a class on social media theory. Dating apps have given people a wider pool of potential matches to pick from, she explained, and meeting a stranger online lacks the built-in vetting mechanisms of connecting in person or getting set up by a friend.

In practice, though, Mays said groups intended to keep women safe have downsides: They can become hotbeds for gossip and devolve into a “toxic mess.” On social media, the punishment often doesn’t match the crime. Rude behavior and mismatched expectations are more common than “fabulous con men who have wives in multiple states,” she said.

Yet the group puts men “on blast in front

of thousands of people” for perceived missteps great and small, causing an “outsized amount of shaming and impact.”

Commenters may even risk legal trouble. A Chicago man is in the process of suing Meta, which owns Facebook, and 27 women for “false and defamatory statements” after posts in his local Are We Dating the Same Guy? group alleged that he was “very clingy,” “psycho” and ghosted a woman after sleeping with her, according to court documents.

To protect members, moderators allow anonymous posting and keep the pages low-profile.

Men aren’t allowed in the group or even supposed to know about its existence. (If you’re a man, you didn’t hear it from me!)

Whether the group will admit nonbinary people isn’t specified. Rule No. 1 of the Burlington-Essex-Rutland Facebook group states that anyone who mentions

LOVE

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V E RY ACT I V E LY P U RC H A S I N G “the existence of groups like this on social media, on a podcast, on the radio, to the media, anywhere in public, or to any male friends” will be permanently banned.

That isn’t a bluff. Although I was initially allowed into the BurlingtonEssex-Rutland group, once word got around that I was reaching out to people as a reporter, admins banned me. And the members I’d engaged with wouldn’t let me use their real names.

“The first rule of fight club is don’t talk about fight club,” one woman messaged back.

MEN AREN’T GOING TO TELL YOU THEIR BAD QUALITIES WHEN YOU START DATING THEM. FA I R FA X W OMAN

“Those girls seem pretty cutthroat …

I’d probably be beheaded,” another wrote.

A 30-year-old Fairfax resident spoke with me on the condition of anonymity. A member of the Burlington-Essex-Rutland group, she said she’s found it to be a valuable resource. A few times, she’s caught friends’ boyfriends getting called out in posts for seeing multiple people at once.

She sent screenshots of the evidence to her friends. Once, she thought her friend’s boyfriend was being “shady” and posted a picture of him herself.

“Men aren’t going to tell you their bad qualities when you start dating them,” she said. “If there’s more than one female commenting about the same issue, then it’s more than likely true.”

The group probably works better in Vermont than in larger metropolitan areas, she added, given that people in a smaller community are more likely to know the men being posted.

Other members aren’t so enthusiastic.

A 41-year-old South Burlington resident, who also asked to remain anonymous, said she has mixed feelings about the Burlington-area group. She’s used it to vet guys she’s seeing, but she takes the comments “with a grain of salt.”

“This group is just very one-sided,” she said. “It’s the nature of people to go on to complain about things and not to praise.”

In response to the nationwide phenomenon of such groups, some of the people who’ve been featured in posts have formed a Facebook group

of their own: Victims of Are We Dating the Same Person (Guy/Girl), which has almost 25,000 members. All genders are welcome, including women who may have been featured in offshoot groups called Are We Dating the Same Girl?

Moderator Matt Napier, an Ohio resident, said the page is a support group where people can share their side of the story.

For Napier, that mission is personal.

In the group chat of Cleveland, Akron and Canton’s Are We Dating the Same Guy?, someone posted the phone number of his employer’s human resources director and told people to call and try to get him fired.

“I 100 percent believe in women being safe,” he said in an interview.

“But I think there has to be a way of doing that with also respecting people’s privacy.”

A man who posted in the victims’ group that he was “roasted in the Burlington page” declined to comment to Seven Days. “No thank you,” he wrote.

“I want nothing to do with that story or that page.”

Crowdsourcing info on men isn’t inherently negative. Sanchez is the creator of another set of groups called Vouched Dating - Verified Guys & Group Matchmaking, where women can post referrals for men of good character. In the Burlington group, a woman recommends her brother as “a partner to enjoy life with. He works hard, has a great personality and is goofy.”

But that page has only 280 members and 12 posts — one of which reads, “Not a lot of guys on here. Guess we are doomed.”

The creator of the central Vermont group, who declined to be named, said she works hard to ensure that her page doesn’t amplify false allegations.

She started it last July, she said, after being banned from the BurlingtonEssex-Rutland group, where she had commented that she believed some women were posting pictures of their exes. She wanted a similar resource to Sanchez’s network with her own set of rules, such as stricter content moderation.

True to her group’s name, its sole purpose is for women to see if they’re dating the same guy — not to insult men. For example, a post calling a man a narcissist would not be allowed.

The creator said her page has exposed multiple instances of cheating. “If men are not doing shady things, they have nothing to worry about being posted in my group,” she said. “My intention of making it was for women to look out for other women.” ➆

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Hearts and Minds How neurofeedback can help troubled couples get back on the same wavelength B Y K E N PI CA RD • ken@sevendaysvt.com

W

hen a 10-year romantic relationship ended last spring for “Joshua,” a young man living in the Boston area, he decided he needed professional help. He suspected there was a connection between the breakup and his powerful and at times crippling social anxiety.

“I’d freeze up and stutter, or glaze over and lose track of the conversation,” he explained in an email interview with Seven Days. “Over many years, I began to just avoid people, which affected my ability to make friends and personal connections.”

But Joshua, who described himself as “an extremely logical and methodical person who places great value on science, data and evidence-based practices,” remembered a book he’d discovered years ago in his grandfather’s library. Titled Biofeedback: Theory and Research and edited by Gary E. Schwartz and Jackson Beatty, it recounted how patients, hooked up to a heart monitor and lights, learned to modulate their heart rhythm using only their thoughts. So when Joshua’s psychologist, David Helfand of St. Johnsbury, suggested he try a similar technique — neurofeedback — to address his social anxiety and relationship woes, Joshua approached it with an open mind.

Neurofeedback gives a patient a selfawareness of their brain’s electrical activity, presented to them as visual, auditory or tactile feedback or cues. The patient then learns techniques to adjust certain brain waves associated with specific moods, emotions or psychological states.

Neurofeedback, which originated in the 1960s, has been used for years to treat chronic pain, headaches, seizures, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other conditions. It’s now being applied in couples therapy to help romantic partners communicate more effectively and reduce the stress, friction and psychological triggers that often trip up marriages and committed relationships.

Research on the effectiveness of neurofeedback in couples counseling is limited.

Nevertheless, many who’ve used it have found it helpful, especially in cases where other forms of therapy haven’t worked, or when one or both partners have unresolved traumas in their past.

“Neurofeedback is like physical therapy for your brain,” said Helfand, 37, who’s been practicing neurofeedback in clinical 34

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

Dr. David Helfand (left) with a patient.

The cap contains 19 electrodes that measure the brain’s electrical activity.

settings since 2012 and using it in couples counseling since 2017.

Helfand explained how it works: If someone asks you to flex your bicep, you know immediately whether you’re doing it correctly because you can see and feel the muscle flex.

“But if I tell you to increase your posterior alpha [activity] to soothe your nervous system, you have no idea what that feels like,” he said.

NEUROFEEDBACK IS LIKE

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR YOUR BRAIN. DR . D AVID H E L FAND

However, if Helfand applies electrodes to a patient’s scalp and measures their brain’s electrical activity with an electroencephalogram, or EEG, the patient can see those brain waves represented in real time as a bar graph on a computer screen.

(Other forms of neurofeedback use sounds or vibrations.) Helfand then teaches the patients techniques such as meditation, visualization and breathing exercises to

dial those brain waves up or down into a more desirable range.

Over time, as patients practice the techniques at home using their own software and headsets, they learn to recognize the feeling of being in a specific mental state, eventually replicating it without the use of equipment.

Helfand begins his couples counseling by creating a brain map of each partner. He uses a cap containing 19 electrodes that measure different brain waves in hertz, or cycles per second. The painless and noninvasive procedure, which costs $750, takes about an hour of the patient’s time and several weeks for Helfand to analyze and formulate a treatment plan.

How does measuring brain waves enable partners to get back to a healthy and loving headspace?

Helfand often tells couples that his job is to help them release more endorphins and oxytocin — what he calls the “happy hormones.” When relationships are falling apart, partners typically experience too many stress hormones — notably, cortisol and adrenaline. But often, the source of the problem isn’t what the partners are saying

to each other but how they’re saying it — and receiving it.

Consider one couple Helfand treated recently. After mapping each partner’s brain, he identified a potential bottleneck: One partner had what he called a very rapid “posterior dominant rhythm,” which enables that partner to process information very quickly. Helfand likened their brain to “a high-end Porsche really zipping along,” a trait he commonly sees among high-performing entrepreneurs and CEOs. Meanwhile, the other partner’s brain map revealed an auditory processing deficit, which slows their brain’s ability to absorb verbal information.

“So, if I’m providing more information than you can process and consume, my judgment of you is probably, ‘You don’t care. You’re not listening!”’ Helfand said.

“But in reality, the party receiving the info is just deluged with too much data and they can’t process it.”

In this case, Helfand recommended a low-tech solution: that the couple write each other letters. Doing so enabled the “Porsche brain” to voice emotions as quickly as they wanted, enabling the other partner to read and process those thoughts at their own pace.

Generally speaking, there are no absolute good or bad values when it comes to individual brain waves, Helfand said. Rather, he considers the ratios of certain brain waves to others. That said, certain electrical activity in the brain highly correlates with specific types of experiences, such as traumatic brain injuries and childhood abuse, which can reveal themselves through a brain map. Helfand likened it to a giant redwood that survives a forest fire and records it as a blemish in its rings.

“The same is true in our brains,” Helfand said. “Your nervous system’s only function is to keep you alive. It doesn’t care about your relationships.”

Barbara Colombo, a behavioral neuroscientist and professor of psychology at Champlain College, researches the use of neurofeedback in regulating emotions, reducing stress and increasing wellness.

Though she hasn’t studied its effectiveness in couples therapy, she said she “can see how you can use neurofeedback to retrain emotional responses during specific

LOVE

& Marriage

situations,” such as when one partner is more apt to get angry or shut down.

So if a husband does something that reminds his wife of her abusive uncle, she may go into a fight, flight or freeze mode during their interactions. Or she may show signs of hypervigilance or difficulty relaxing.

In that case, Helfand can use neurofeedback to retrain both partners’ emotional responses. The husband may need help in anger management. The wife may need to learn how to feel safe, resilient and strong

“He had an encephalopathy. His brain looked like he was an NFL linebacker,” Helfand recalled. Eventually, they discovered its cause: undiagnosed Lyme disease.

Once he got treatment, Helfand said, “The marriage changed, because now he was joyful and positive and engaged.”

As a patient once told Helfand, psychology is the only health care profession that doesn’t routinely examine the affected organ. If a patient complains of chest pains, a doctor will listen to their heart. If a patient

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when she’s not facing an actual threat but is being triggered by past traumas.

To be clear, brain mapping and neurofeedback aren’t mind reading. Helfand cannot spot inherent incompatibilities in personalities, such as when one partner wants children and the other doesn’t.

What brain mapping can reveal, and neurofeedback can address, he said, is a mismatch of individual skills.

Brain mapping can uncover all sorts of issues. Helfand can tell if a person is schizophrenic and having a dissociative episode, or if they’re struggling with an undisclosed substance-abuse issue. As he told one patient during a session, “You look like you took a bong hit before you started this session.” Flabbergasted, the patient asked how Helfand knew he was high.

“It’s a very easy [brain] pattern to see,” he replied.

Brain mapping can also reveal other physical ailments, such as undiagnosed TBIs and seizure conditions. In such cases, Helfand would refer the patient to a neurologist.

Helfand treated one couple in which the wife perceived her husband as depressed, lethargic and completely checked out of their marriage. They had trouble communicating, and their sex life was terrible. Then a brain map of the husband revealed the culprit.

has trouble breathing, the doctor will measure their lung functions and perhaps order a chest X-ray.

“But in the field of psychology, we don’t look at the organic function of the brain that often,” Helfand said. “[Neurofeedback] really gives people a window into that.”

In Joshua’s case, Helfand used neurofeedback to help him dial down the brain waves associated with social anxiety.

After undergoing two 15-minute sessions, Joshua said, he attended an event he’d been nervous about and found himself chatting with people he’d never met, telling stories, exchanging contact info “and generally fluttering about as the social butterfly I’d never been before.”

On his way home, a friend remarked to Joshua how amazing it was to see him come out of his shell. Today, he describes himself as more in touch with his emotions. He’s learned to stop overthinking things and feels better equipped to manage his anxiety.

“Any tool that allows us to pull back the curtain and peek behind the scenes of the brain ... and alter how we think on a subconscious level,” he added, “truly has the power to change the world.” ➆

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Sapphic Soirée D

Burlington’s Dyke Night fosters queer community BY R AC H E L H E L L MAN • rhellman@sevendaysvt.com

espite being home to the seventhhighest percentage of LGBTQ+ people in the country, according to UCLA’s Williams Institute, Vermont has just one gay bar — Fox Market and Bar in East Montpelier — and not a single lesbian bar.

Enter Dyke Night, a monthly pop-up event for sapphics. Since its inception in 2022, Dyke Night has become an institution among Burlington’s queer community, filling a lesbian bar-size hole.

The DIY-style mixers, usually held on the second Monday of the month at Wallflower Collective, sometimes draw such long lines that staff have to turn people away at the door. Back in October, a special Halloween pop-up hosted by Dyke Night organizers booked up online in a matter of minutes.

A Valentine’s Day-themed Dyke Night this Monday, February 12, is likely to draw a similar crowd.

“The reason I know that we’ve embedded ourselves into the community is the fact that we have so many regulars,” said Joules Garcia, one of the organizers.

Dyke Night is the brainchild of Zoo Holmström, who worked as a bartender in Burlington and saw an unmet need for queer-friendly establishments. The need is not unique to Burlington: Back in the 1980s and ’90s, there were upwards of 200 bars that catered to lesbians across the United States. Now, due to factors such as increased social acceptance of queer couples, there are fewer than two dozen, according to research by Boston University.

Holmström — who kept a blog about visiting all the remaining lesbian bars in the country on a road trip last winter — pitched their idea for a pop-up lesbian bar to the owners of Wallflower Collective, a downtown bar just east of City Market, Onion River Co-op. Lauren McKenzie, co-owner of Wallflower, decided to give it a shot.

The two set a night in July 2022 and lightly advertised the event. The turnout amazed them both.

“It was a wild success,” McKenzie remembered. Event-goers waited in line for hours before getting into Wallflower, which has a 120-person capacity in the summer. Some traveled from outside Chittenden County — including Montpelier and Randolph — to attend. “It was way busier than anybody could have imagined,” McKenzie added.

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SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

Holmström moved to Los Angeles in fall Instagram page, posts advertise: “open 2022 but first passed the baton to Garcia to dykes of all genders and experience.” and Teppi Zuppo, two Burlington-based Transgender women, transgender men, Dyke Night regulars. After a few experi- lesbians, nonbinary and bisexual people, and mental evenings at Burlington Beer, a larger anyone else who might identify as a dyke are venue located on Flynn Avenue, organizers welcome. decided to keep the event at Wallflower, Organizers have implemented a colorwhere McKenzie, unlike Burlington Beer, coded sticker system to allow attendees offers her space free of to signal their interests. A charge. The arrangement green sticker means: “Flirt is mutually beneficial: The away!” Yellow signals: “Just pop-up attracts customers looking for friends.” And to Wallflower on otherwise participants who don’t slow Monday evenings, and identify as a dyke or are just Dyke Night retains a reliable hanging out for the vibes home base. wear red.

Garcia and Zuppo also On a typical Dyke Night, kept the original name of Wallflower is packed to the the event series, which is gills with customers, some intentionally provocative. dressed to impress and “It’s part of slur reclaothers in Vermont-casual mation,” Garcia explained, (aka flannel). referring to the process of At the bar, green marginalized groups wreststicker-wearing attendees ing back power over pejoraflirt over cocktails. Clustives once used against them. ters of people lounge by J O UL E S GAR C IA But organizers keep the the pool table or on vintage definition of “dyke” vague — couches at the center of on purpose. On the event’s the room. The cacophony

EVERY SINGLE LEAF OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY DESERVES

THEIR OWN PLACE TO BE CENTERED.

of laughter and chatter make it sometimes hard to hear what the person next to you is saying.

“The regulars always come at around 8:30 p.m.,” Garcia said with a laugh. “You know someone is new if they show up right at 7 p.m.”

While organizers have kept the event inclusive, they recognize the importance of defining the space as specifically for sapphic people. “Every single leaf of the LGBTQ+ community deserves their own place to be centered,” Garcia said.

Dyke Night regular Isa DeMarco, who lives in Burlington, appreciates that intention. “I feel like the demographic of people who identify as dykes kind of get the scraps of queer spaces, historically,” they said. “It’s nice to know that you’re in a space with somebody who identifies with a label that you also identify with.”

The disappearance of lesbian-oriented gathering places is a well-documented phenomenon, fueled by gender-based discrimination and complicated by the sometimes purposeful exclusion of trans women and nonbinary people from femmeoriented spaces. The bars available to gay men far exceed those aimed at queer women. For example, in New York City, there are over 48 gay bars, according to a 2023 report by WNYC. But only three of them cater to lesbians.

In the future, Zuppo and Garcia hope to offer Burlington’s queer community a greater variety of mixers, including picnics, night markets and other events that cater to nondrinkers. But Garcia wants to keep Dyke Night’s scrappy feel.

“We’re a very DIY event,” they explained.

“We operate on almost nothing.”

The biggest challenge Dyke Night faces: becoming too popular. “Our capacity is lower than the amount of people who show up,” McKenzie explained.

McKenzie hopes that the response to Dyke Night inspires the creation of a permanent queer bar in Burlington.

“Clearly, there’s a demand in this town to do things like this,” she said. ➆

INFO From left: Dyke Night organizers Joules Garcia, Zoo Holmström and Teppi Zuppo

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food+drink

Dinner à Deux

Under new ownership, Michael’s on the Hill in Waterbury Center keeps that loving feeling B Y M E L I SSA PASANEN • pasanen@sevendaysvt.com

Fans can rest easy that the crab cake and pork shank aren’t going anywhere, nor are the graciously professional service and the elegant yet welcoming ambience for which Michael’s is known. A recent Saturday evening meal demonstrated that the restaurant remains a destination for thoughtfully composed plates showcasing classic European technique in an intimate setting. A soundtrack featuring the likes of Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday underscored the classy, timeless experience.

My husband, Mark, and I were seated at one of the linen-draped tables lining the four-season porch. Around us, couples of varied ages and sartorial choices, from gold sequins to ski sweaters, murmured companionably as they clinked glasses of wine and shared forkfuls of truffled mushroom gnocchi ($34) or mulled winepoached pear with chestnut cream ($13).

As Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong crooned, “It’s very clear our love is here to stay,” it was also clear how Michael’s has landed on several national lists of most romantic restaurants. A $100 Valentine’s Day tasting menu, which might start with DINNER À DEUX

PHOTOS: JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR

B

uying an established restaurant bears some similarities to becoming a second spouse. It can be “tricky,” conceded Andrew Kohn, who, with his (first and only) husband, Don Jones, purchased the 22-year-old Michael’s on the Hill in Waterbury Center for $1.2 million in September. “You obviously live with the reputation of those who came before you.”

In the case of Michael’s — founded in 2002 by Swiss chef Michael Kloeti and his wife, Laura, who served as general manager — Kohn and Jones stepped into the long-standing relationship between the European-accented farmhouse restaurant and its devoted clientele, as well as its staff.

Not unlike longtime friends and family members affected by a marital transition, each group had reactions to the change.

A business sale is not nearly as serious as the dissolution of a marriage, but people can get pretty passionate about their favorite restaurant. Heaven forbid, for example, that Michael’s crisp-crusted and bountifully crabby Maine crab cake appetizer ($18) or the caveman-huge pork shank nestled in a rich puddle of polenta with vinegary braised greens ($44) should vanish from the menu.

» P.42

Michael’s on the Hill

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SIDEdishes SERVING UP FOOD NEWS

Richmond’s Big Spruce Shifts Menu, Adds Breakfast and Lunch

CO UR TE SY

OF SH EM ROO SE

Since the BIG SPRUCE opened in Richmond in November 2020, it has focused on Mexicanaccented dinner, including tacos, enchiladas and sopes. Last week, the restaurant at 39 Bridge Street launched a fresh menu that retains a few of those favorites while adding breakfast and lunch service and new dinner items. Customers can now start the day at Big Spruce with biscuits and green gravy or country-fried chicken, then order an Italian Biscuits and green gravy beef sandwich for lunch or pot roast for dinner.

Big Spruce owner GABRIEL FIRMAN, HASKELL, 37, most recently chef de cui50, who also owns HATCHET across the street, described the revised approach sine at STARRY NIGHT CAFÉ in Ferrisburgh, as “modern diner.” In a challenging eco- took over as executive chef. To build nomic environment that has restaurant the morning menu, the Big Spruce owners constantly reevaluating, Firman team worked with consultant MAURA said “it’s the biggest pivot we’ve made.”

O’SULLIVAN, former kitchen manager at The restaurateur said the communiPenny Cluse Café and partner in the ty’s interest in breakfast played a large MAJESTIC restaurant, coming this spring role in driving the changes. New lunch to Burlington. and dinner items will include a roster Penny Cluse fans may recognize of what Firman called “the greatest Big Spruce’s green gravy served with sandwiches ever invented,” such as biscuits as a close relative of the herb a BLT, a meatball sub, a Philly-style gravy at the shuttered Penny Cluse. hoagie and the New York City bodega O’Sullivan herself highly recommends classic known as chopped cheese. the chocolate babka, a recipe from The kitchen has been under new Firman’s mother-in-law. leadership since October, when DAVID Melissa Pasanen

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Cappadocia Café to Serve Turkish Food in White River Junction The co-owners of two Turkish restaurants in Vermont plan to open CAPPADOCIA CAFÉ, a counter-service bakery and café, at 5 South Main Street in White River Junction this spring.

Brothers VURAL and HASAN OKTAY and Vural’s wife, JACKIE, own ISTANBUL KEBAB HOUSE in Burlington and TUCKERBOX in White River Junction. Vural and Jackie also own LITTLE ISTANBUL, a White River Junction retail shop selling imported spices and other goods from the brothers’ native Turkey.

The new café will be next door to

Tuckerbox in a space the Oktays are currently renovating. They hope to open it by April 1, depending on the immigration process for the restaurant’s two Turkish chefs, Jackie said. The location was occupied by Piecemeal Pies from 2016 to May 2023, when that restaurant closed abruptly.

Jackie, 37, said the centerpiece of Cappadocia Café will be a custom-tiled, wood-fired oven in which chefs will bake thin flatbreads called lahmajun SIDE DISHES

» P.41

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Plus One

What it’s like to be a Seven Days food writer’s forever dinner date B Y J O R D AN BAR RY • jbarry@sevendaysvt.com

I

f you got in your car and the steering wheel was sticky, would you immediately know why?

For Mark Pasanen, husband of Seven Days food writer Melissa Pasanen, a recent sticky situation was easily explained: Korean chicken wings, which Melissa ate in the Donwoori parking lot.

“She wanted to eat them while they were hot,” Mark said with a knowing smile.

“That’s the only way.”

Sticky wheels are just one of the occupational hazards of being married to a food writer.

My husband of six and a half years, Kevin, is the food-scrapsin-the-car culprit more often than I am. But he has a different pet peeve about my job: being noticed.

While I’ve always envied the elaborate disguises employed by restaurant critics in big cities — especially Gael Greene’s hat collection — Seven Days food writers don’t dress up to hide our identities. Sometimes we get recognized, and good service quickly becomes suspiciously great, over-the-top service.

“I hate it,” Kevin said.

Restaurant coverage makes up the bulk of the food section, and that means meals out several times a month.

Even if I don’t call him out by name, Kevin is most often my anonymous “dining companion.” After almost five years of dinners on the company dime (Seven Days pays for all our meals and those of a plus-one), he’s got some opinions. Mark has been dragged around the state even longer; he and Melissa have been married 30 years, and she’s been writing about food since 2000.

Somehow, they both still enjoy tagging along.

“As long as it’s going fine,” Mark said, with Kevin nodding in agreement. Apparently, we food writers can get a little cranky when a restaurant doesn’t live up to our expectations.

Our spouses share a willingness to try whatever we tell them to order, which Melissa called “a very useful quality in a plus-one.” Over the years, Mark has gamely chowed down on fertilized chicken eggs and fried silkworm pupae. Kevin, as much as he dislikes mayo, has eaten a heck of a lot of aioli.

They’re useful in other ways, too. Kevin helps edit my photos so I look like I know what I’m doing behind the camera, and one of Melissa’s most-read stories — about an 40

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

MA TT

IT’S A LOT OF

BURGERS AND PEPPERONI PIZZA. K E VIN BAR RY

increase in reported poisonings from a ramp look-alike in spring 2020 — started with a tip from Mark.

For the Love & Marriage Issue, we all sat down on a recent Saturday afternoon over Caesar salad, cookies and glasses of Maine Beer’s Lunch at Vergennes Laundry. I grilled our plus-ones about what it’s like to be married to a food writer — the good, the bad and the very, very full.

How is dining with us different when we’re at a restaurant we’re planning to write about?

Kevin Barry: I’m constantly worried about the range of what we’re getting on the menu. So I’ll just sit back. I prefer it that way, honestly. People ask you, “Oh, isn’t being a food writer so fun?” I’ve got the fun part. I don’t have to do any of the narrative building. Then when the food comes, I stare at it for five minutes while you take 500 photos before digging in.

Mark Pasanen: We’re incredibly well trained. When we go out with friends, I’ll be like, “Hey! Wait! Melissa hasn’t taken a picture of that yet.”

MI G

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I do the photo thing off the clock, too, to be fair. I never know when I’ll need a pic of a random burger.

When we tell you what to order, we make you eat all kinds of stuff — and sometimes lots of it. Have you always been a good eater?

MP: I was well suited to the role. Even before Melissa was a food writer, I would make sure to eat everything so as not to insult [the staff ]. I’m wired like that, even when it’s not that good. And it can be a lot of food.

I grew up eating meatloaf, not global food or really any adventuresome eating. So that’s been a huge perk, because I like trying everything. She still referred to me as “a meat and potatoes guy” one time, which I’m not really.

But I needed to be for the story. Now I’ll be her “vegan husband” if it helps.

KB: I play the “everyman” role pretty frequently. It’s a lot of burgers and pepperoni pizza. They’re both a good base note. You can tell a lot about a restaurant by its burger.

Do you order differently if we’re just eating for fun?

MP: I don’t think so. I usually order what I want, because Melissa always orders last. It’s more a question of volume.

We might not get dessert. But there’s always a chance something will turn into a story, even when it’s not planned. It’s never just fried chicken. ➆ This interview was edited and condensed for clarity and length.

food+drink

SERVING UP FOOD NEWS

FILE: SARAH PRIESTAP

SIDEdishes « P.39

and canoe-shaped pizzas called pide.

The former are often topped with ground lamb, finely chopped fresh vegetables, parsley and sumac-marinated onions, then rolled to eat.

The café will also offer borek pastries, made with housemade phyllo and filled with potato, spinach and cheese or slow-cooked beef; and pogača, a popular Turkish street food of bread dough filled with white cheese, parsley and spices.

Cappadocia Café is named for a volcanic valley in central Turkey known for its distinctive natural landscape and ancient structures dating back to the Bronze Age.

Jackie and Vural Oktay in 2018

Jackie described it as “a magical place” and a favorite travel destination for the family.

M.P.

Outer Spice Café Revives Plainfield’s Maple Valley Café Space The longtime home of Maple Valley Café in Plainfield is buzzing once again. On December 7, OUTER SPICE CAFÉ opened with breakfast and lunch at 8195 Route 2.

A restaurant since the 1920s, the

Outer Spice Café

building was both a café and a gift shop during its time as Maple Valley, from the 1980s to 2018. DAN DOLAN purchased the space in November 2019 and spent the past three-plus years renovating it.

Relax.

Rejuvenate.

Renew.

Outer Spice serves an all-day menu of “large-portion comfort food,” Dolan said, which includes egg sandwiches, waffles, housemade lox, soups, sandwiches, grilled tofu plates, coffee, beer and wine.

Most ingredients are organic and locally sourced, and three bakers whip up everything from pignoli cookies to coffee cake to gluten-free treats.

“You can get soup in the morning if you

want, or a hamburger,” Dolan said. “But so far, it’s a lot of omelettes. We did the math, and I’ve cooked 6,700 eggs in less than two months.”

In a matter of weeks, the café will start dinner service with dishes such as pho, pulled-pork sandwiches, housemade pasta and to-go items to draw in commuters from Route 2, said Dolan, who has worked in restaurants since the 1980s, including briefly at Maple Valley in the 1990s.

Having his own place was a long-standing dream. His wife, REBECCA ARMELL, shares a restaurant background and is “the brains behind all the numbers that are actually running the space,” he said. Friend MAX MILLER is Dolan’s sous chef.

The renovation features expanded seating throughout and bright skies painted on several walls.

“There’s not a lot of blue sky in Vermont, but there is at the Outer Spice Café,” Dolan said with a laugh.

Jordan Barry

CONNECT Follow us for the latest food gossip!

On Instagram: Jordan Barry: @jordankbarry; Melissa Pasanen: @mpasanen.

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Dinner à Deux « P.38 fennel and oyster bisque and conclude with chocolate truffle torte and espresso ice cream, quickly sold out.

One couple that will not be dining at Michael’s on February 14 are the restaurant owners.

Kohn, 44, is the hands-on restaurateur while Jones, 51, takes the lead on running the Brass Lantern Inn in Stowe, which they bought shortly after moving to Vermont from Columbus, Ohio, in summer 2022 with their two children, now ages 8 and 10.

Kohn also works at Stowe’s Mt. Mansfield Academy as director of marketing and communications.

The pair have been together for 17 years and were married as soon as they were legally able to, in 2015.

“We used to do things on Valentine’s Day,” Kohn said, noting that having two kids and two businesses requires juggling priorities. Though, when it comes to romantic gestures, he quipped, “My husband is as straight as a gay man can be.

I have to remind him to send flowers.”

The family will likely order in sushi and celebrate in a low-key way. Valentine’s Day, Kohn said, is “just a good reminder to tell the people around you that you appreciate them. It’s more about spending time with somebody … about stopping for a second to kind of breathe.”

Time to breathe has become scarce since Kohn took on the restaurant. The Vermont Law School graduate had not previously worked in the field, so he enrolled in a Cornell University online restaurant management course. Kohn credited Michael’s veteran industry professionals, including executive chef Jeff Thibeault, general manager Eric Griffin, and sommelier and front-ofhouse manager Elizabeth Cahill, for

Maple-glazed pork shank

easing the transition. Griffin will leave this month, and Bruce Ronty will join the team from Portland, Maine, bringing 30 years of food and beverage management experience.

Cahill greeted and seated my husband and me on our recent visit. If I’d known her wine background, which includes 14 years as a sommelier at the Michelin-starred Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley, I’d have asked for her counsel, although our server proved more than capable of advising us on glasses to pair with our main courses.

We started with cocktails from the bar, located in the heart of the restaurant. It had been closed for seating since the pandemic, but Kohn recently reopened it and repainted the walls in a milky coffee shade that Benjamin Moore calls maple

syrup. (It’s unclear if anyone at the paint company has ever seen maple syrup.)

There was just the right touch of the golden elixir in my Barr Hill Tom Cat gin maple sour ($18), which was pleasantly more sour than sweet. My husband slowly sipped his bourbon-forward black cherry old-fashioned ($18).

Michael’s currently offers two prix fixe options featuring a few paired choices of appetizers and mains from the à la carte menu and the diner’s pick of dessert.

Distracted by my cocktail, I didn’t do the math and chose the $84 platinum prix fixe because it included two dishes I was leaning toward. Be forewarned that the prix fixe does not deliver a price break over ordering the same individual dishes.

(Kohn said a new spring prix fixe menu

will likely feature specials not available à la carte.)

There is, however, a delicious amusebouche — or, as the menu calls it, a “chef’s taste of the evening” — for all guests sharing the table with any diner who orders prix fixe. The evening we dined, it was a compellingly crunchy, molten-centered smoked cheddar fritter served on a harissa aioli that just barely prickled with heat.

For my appetizer course, the famous crab cake lived up to its reputation with a substantial cylinder of golden-crusted pure crab complemented by bitter endive and pink grapefruit. My husband’s watercress salad ($16) was studded liberally with Jasper Hill Farm’s Bayley Hazen Blue cheese and Marcona almonds and crowned with a rosette of fried pancetta. The quince

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food+drink tomatoes; crisp, thin slices of fennel; and a swoop of creamy, saffron-imbued rouille sauce.

To go with Mark’s choice of maple-glazed pork shank, the server suggested Giovanni Rosso Langhe Nebbiolo 2020 Piedmont ($16/glass), which stood up nicely to the meaty main. The shank boasted a crusty, sweet exterior and fell Server Mike Ponte taking a drink order at Michael’s on the Hill from its bones in tender hunks; it could easily have fed two. But for me, the stars of that dish were the creamy polenta enriched with mellow garlic confit and the red wine- and red vinegar-braised kale.

I could have eaten a bowlful of just that combination.

By contrast, we found that the desserts were not on par with the rest of the meal.

I almost catapulted a spoonful of too-firm and a touch too-cinnamony panna cotta ($13) at Mark while trying to extract it from its little pot. The simple dessert is one of my favorites, but it must be executed flawlessly to achieve the right consistency.

My sweet tooth tends more toward desserts kissed with salty or tart notes, so I was intrigued by the cheddar and apple crostata ($13) with honey cream and apple cider reduction. The flavors dressing could have used a touch more played well together, but the unexpectedly acid, but overall it was a delightful tumble abundant, soft, puffy dough was unlike any of sharp, crunchy, salty and sweet in each crostata I’d ever eaten. The dish exuded mouthful. less “restaurant elegance” and more The prix fixe menu suggests wine “Grandma’s kitchen.” pairings for each dish — new since Kohn acknowledged that polishing Kohn and Jones bought the restaurant. the dessert menu is on the to-do list, With my butter-braised lobster, the along with building a recently launched recommendation was a Ramey Wine membership wine club that will leverage Cellars 2021 Russian River Valley Cahill’s skill set and bring hard-to-find chardonnay ($19/glass). I mentioned to our wines to the state. He and the team will server that I’m a little leery of California continue to make incremental changes, chardonnays, which can be more oaky and he said, while working to stay true to the buttery than I prefer. He offered a taste of essence of Michael’s. the Ramey or, alternatively, the unoaked Asked if his relationship with the Chateau Vitallis Chardonnay 2021 Mâcon- restaurant was still in its honeymoon Fuissé ($15/glass). I selected the latter, period, Kohn considered for a moment. but he also brought me the taste of the “We’re at that period where you’re thinkCalifornia wine, which, it turned out, I ing about maybe moving in together, like could have happily quaffed. you’re committed and you still see the I did find the crisp and more citrusy great stuff, but reality is there as well,” he French wine a good balance with the very said. “It’s like, OK, let’s really do this.” ➆ rich and buttery lobster ($53). The tail was perfectly cooked and served in the shell, INFO topped with two plump, shell-free claws Michael’s on the Hill, 4182 Route of crustacean meat. The deconstructed 100, Waterbury Center, 244-7476, bouillabaisse featured sweet stewed michaelsonthehill.com

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culture

INFO

COURTESY OF NEON

GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL, February 8 to 11, at the Film House and Screening Room at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington. $36-45 festival pass; $5-12 per film. vtiff.org WHITE RIVER INDIE FILM FESTIVAL,

February 15 to 18, at Briggs Opera House and Junction Arts & Media in White River Junction. $40-150 festival pass; prices vary for stand-alone tickets; some events are free. uvjam.org/wrif-2024 GREEN MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL,

March 14 to 17, at various locations in downtown Montpelier. $25-150 festival pass; $10-12 per film. gmffestival.org

FILM

Robot Dreams

Keeping It Reel Midwinter film festivals bring culture in from the cold B Y E R IK ESCKIL SEN

N

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SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

Four Daughters

COURTESY OF MAXWELL WOLKIN/KINO LORBER

ews that Barbie director Greta Gerwig and lead actress Margot Robbie had been passed over for Academy Award nominations set the mainstream movie world ablaze with claims of persistent industry sexism — and counterclaims about the quality of the year’s best box-office performer. That debate may rage right through the Oscars ceremony on March 10. In the meantime, three upcoming film festivals in Vermont offer a reprieve from Hollywood drama with a deep focus on global cinema — especially the work of women auteurs.

The Global Roots Film Festival, presented by the Vermont International Film Foundation, runs from February 8 to 11 in the Film House and a new venue (see sidebar on page 48) in Burlington’s Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center.

The festival spotlights a dozen films submitted for Best International Feature Film consideration, offering moviegoers a chance to see Oscar contenders from regions worlds away from Barbie Land.

Seven selections are by women directors — four of them feature debuts, according to VTIFF executive director Steve MacQueen.

The White River Indie Film Festival, which runs from February 15 to 18 at the Briggs Opera House and Junction

Arts & Media in White River Junction, showcases international and local films, including several directed by women.

Among them is Vermont filmmaker Sierra Urich’s acclaimed documentary Joonam, in the midst of its globe-spanning festival tour.

Finally, Montpelier’s Green Mountain Film Festival, last held in 2019, will return from its pandemic- and flood-induced hiatus and run from March 14 to 17; its film lineup will be revealed on February 12.

Ready for popcorn and compelling

cinema? Read on for highlights of each festival.

SISTER ACTS

One buzzworthy film screening at both Global Roots and WRIF is the boldly innovative documentary Four Daughters, from director Kaouther Ben Hania. This nominee for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar focuses on the trauma and tribulations of Tunisian matriarch Olfa Hamrouni and daughters Eya, Tayssir, Rahma and Ghofrane

Chikhaoui — the latter two of whom have been swept away from the family into the ISIS radical religious movement.

While the film is a documentary, with Olfa, Eya and Tayssir appearing in it, Olfa is also portrayed in some scenes by actress Hend Sabri. The absent Rahma and Ghofrane are played by Nour Karoui and Ichraq Matar, respectively.

“It’s the kind of documentary that would’ve been laughed out of the category back in the ’80s and ’90s,” MacQueen said.

“It’s creative, almost docudrama. It’s really clever and revealing.”

Four Daughters will open the Global Roots festival on February 8 and screen again on February 17 at WRIF, accompanied by the Emerging Filmmakers selection “dear mom,” an experimental documentary short from University of Vermont student Mae Nagusky that explores challenging questions about her mother. Filmmaker Laura Plasencia will lead a post-screening discussion.

Another highly anticipated Global Roots film with strong themes of women’s communal experiences is Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, which earned Estonian director Anna Hints the Directing Award in the World Cinema documentary category at the Sundance Film Festival, among other accolades. The film chronicles an important cultural ritual: women gathering in a sauna to connect and share closely held secrets.

Intimate women’s storytelling also energizes Joonam, a WRIF highlight that screens on February 18. Director Urich conceived the documentary while working in the film industry and developing her own projects outside Vermont. Joonam — a Persian term of endearment — explores how her identity is shaped by her Iranian heritage, which remained in the background of her Addison County youth.

Urich’s mother, Mitra, emigrated from Iran to the U.S. in 1979, and her grandmother, Behjat, followed more than a

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WINTER IS A DRAG BALL

decade later. For the director, the ancestral homeland carried a sense of “mysticism,” she told Seven Days; Iran was “this lost land of Atlantis for me, so tantalizing but a bit out of reach.” Urich felt “a very simple, kind of naïve calling … of just wanting to hear these stories from my grandmother.”

Since its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, Joonam has captivated audiences by illuminating the power of family stories to promote deeper self-understanding. On the film’s global journey, Urich has met audience members whose responses to the story went beyond the particulars of nationality and ethnicity.

“There’s something about legacy and wanting to feel connected to something bigger than yourself that many people can relate to,” Urich said.

XXIX

ALL ABOUT THE BASE

COURTESY OF THE FILM COLLABORATIVE

WRIF’s Joonam screening and Urich’s post-screening talk-back enhance a festival program packed with extracinematic events. Opening night, on February 15, will reprise the popular Pitch Fest, where aspiring moviemakers share ideas and might even land a deal. In 2023, Loren David Howard walked away from Pitch Fest with $1,000 toward his first feature film, Custodian, which will screen this year following Pitch Fest 2.0.

WRIF will also offer master classes on myriad aspects of the craft, led by Jay Craven (A Stranger in the Kingdom), Nora Jacobson (Ruth Stone’s Vast Library of the Female Mind), producer Bill Stetson and other players who have powered Vermont filmmaking.

“I want it to be a good festival for people who like watching films, but there’s also the added goal in there of inspiring people to make their own stuff,” festival coordinator Cedar O’Dowd said.

The emphasis on supporting filmmakers aligns with WRIF’s effort to expand its audience. Like Global Roots and GMFF, WRIF screens films that offer

[IT’S] AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THE BARBIE MOVIE,

BUT FOR FREAKS. C E D AR O ’ D O W D

viewers perspectives not readily available at multiplexes or through popular streaming services — or, as WRIF programming director Travis Weedon put it, a chance to “experience a kind of cinematic language that they’re not used to.”

In recent years, WRIF has worked to balance “social-commentary documentaries and adventurous art-house films” with “more appealing cinema,” Weedon said.

The goal is “to earn people’s trust that they can come to us for a good time, too, and not just be challenged,” he added.

The opening-night gala sets that tone with a catered social event before Tran Anh Hung’s acclaimed gourmet-themed KEEPING IT REEL

» P.48

Joonam

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culture

COURTESY OF JOHN MINIHAN

In the Details

Book review: The Professor of Forgetting, Greg Delanty

BY J IM SCHLE Y • schley@sevendaysvt.com

A

poem called “Diagnoses” in Greg Delanty’s newest book begins, “Our world’s under general anaesthetic.” Yet on page after page, the Burlington poet’s flair for provocative, arousing lyricism asks a reader to wake up. Here are the next lines of that poem, the title of which refers to a mother’s cancer: The doctor cuts the first nick.

Takes out the covert platoon, cauterises bleeding cells, and not a fraction too soon.

Are those knelling bells?

Lay them out in a bloody row.

Suture with simple catgut. Sew and pray they don’t regrow.

Cancer is terrifying, an all-out invasion from within, yet the poem depicts a surgical procedure whimsically, daring to be flirtatious with its metaphors and rhymes and upbeat in rhythm.

Delanty was born in 1958 in Ireland and lived in Cork until 1986, when he came to the U.S. Now a citizen of both nations, he lives most of the time in Burlington and returns to County Kerry for summers.

Since 1987, Delanty has taught literature at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, where he serves as poet-in-residence.

The author has 15 previous books of poems to his name. Compared with some of his hefty earlier volumes, such as Collected Poems: 1986-2006 (252 pages) and the 2018 Vermont Book Award finalist Selected Delanty (244 pages), The Professor of Forgetting is a diminutive offering.

Which isn’t to say trifling. Not only is the book modest in scale, but more to the point, these new poems are often expressions — and investigations — of modesty itself. As the title effectively conveys, Delanty has found valiant ways of looking at (and even

celebrating) the confounding experience of aging, both his elders’ and his own. He is aghast and fascinated by how youthful confidence diminishes as the accumulating years fray the memory and sap determination.

Who, having lived at least a few decades, hasn’t learned that it can be humbling just to survive? And aren’t the humble among us often the most enjoyable to spend time with?

On his Saint Michael’s College English Department faculty page, Delanty says, “In the end, all learning is humility … We can’t overestimate the interconnectedness of things. Literature shows us how to see our own uniqueness, to take off the mundane goggles, to see that no matter how small we are, we’re important.”

Delanty’s poems have a sound that is certainly not self-effacing. He is charmed by words and charming on the page, carousing in the leaps and bounds language can make.

At the same time, he suggests that small things can be a better occasion for the poet’s care than the infinite universe, the description or invocation of which might require abstractions and generalities. Why not be a bard of the almost unnoticed?

What vistas might be implied by a handful of dirt?

For instance, “The Dust Gatherers” (see sidebar) begins with a mundane remembrance from childhood, a mother’s rather fanatical dusting:

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SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

“Where does all the dust come from?” my mother would ask, sweeping the house away, vacuuming the vacuum, dusting the duster.

Over the course of five stanzas, the poem moves sinuously to an adult perspective, arriving at a realization that much

BOOKS

Greg Delanty

THE DUST GATHERERS “Where does all the dust come from?” my mother would ask, sweeping the house away, vacuuming the vacuum, dusting the duster.

War was declared on the dust dayin, dust-out. Back then it was a mystery.

She would frantically polish a sun ray, highlighting undercover motes in our dust-free home; banning books, condemned dust-gatherers.

We had no notion it was our own skin mostly and that of Catherine, John Bray, our grandmothers, Liam Cunningham, Ethel Barry, Aunty Clare, Moses the milkman, the metre man, the grandfathers I never met. The dust drifts alive in the air.

The living and dead settle together everywhere.

of that dust consisted of particles of skin flaked off by the speaker’s predecessors in the house. We’re living in a world of our ancestors’ minuscule remains.

In “For the Record,” the poet plays on the idea of “space travel,” now reduced to crossing a room to change the LP on a phonograph: “as you travel on board the vinyl / time-machine that zooms at warp speed, back and / forth. Which period and place shall we visit tonight?”

An immigrant who maintains an intimate connection with his nation of origin, Delanty considers — back and forth, with “Tricks of time and place,” as he says in the poem “Birthdays” — how difficult it is to be truly part of more than one community. “To Those Who Stayed” expresses a strained fellow-feeling for those who remained in Ireland while others, including the poet, emigrated:

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But where’s that shop, that bar?

No one greets you any more; so many are dead, or, like us, gone.

Perhaps we were shrewder, wiser, more cunning.

Perhaps not. What’s certain is that more and more your city is abandoning you, forgetting you, as if the city itself is crossing to another shore…

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There’s an abiding tension here between choosing to go or be left behind, an estrangement among compatriots that the poem makes intimate and insurmountable.

Some of the book’s shortest pieces demonstrate the power of brevity, as Delanty shows how sufficient a smaller lyric can be. What might have been one stanza in another writer’s longer, baggier poem can be brief and complete, as with “‘One Is for Sorrow’”:

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A sole magpie flaps across our path.

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The book’s longest poem, by contrast, is also its most substantial, encompassing the love a middle-aged child feels for a dying parent and an acute awareness of our shared and inescapable predicament.

The aforementioned “Diagnoses” is a contemplative sequence of observations during a mother’s final hours, with her son holding vigil beside the hospital bed: Then the suspense, the meaning of hope, the not-a-word-time, the learning-to-cope, the thinking-the-best, the worst forgotten in these testing times, each test showing up okay, negative is the word they say.

How negative can positive be?

How positive can negative be?

The Professor of Forgetting is an homage to lost socks, lost teeth, lost quotations from beloved books, lost hours. “Here we are in the years” (as Neil Young sang in a now long-ago song), and Delanty’s poems continually attest that we’re better off here than gone. ➆

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culture Keeping It Reel « P.45

TURNING THE TIDE

Although the GMFF lineup was not yet released at press time, advisory board chair Christopher Wiersema offered the rough outlines of a venerable festival that is reemerging from a leadership shake-up, the COVID-19 shutdown and last summer’s devastating flood.

The revived fest will spread throughout downtown Montpelier, with screenings and events at the Savoy Theater, Capitol Showplace, City Hall Arts Center, KelloggHubbard Library and Crumb Factory artist collective space. Main Street’s RabbleRouser Chocolate & Craft will serve as “an unprogrammed mingling space,” Wiersema said. “Almost every space that we’ll be in was affected by the flood and has since recovered.

“We were already excited to come back after a long hiatus,” he added, but the

The organizers of this season’s in-person film events count on patrons’ willingness to step away from small screens and sit shoulder to shoulder in front of big ones.

“I think we’re coming out of something, but we’re redefining,” Vermont International Film Foundation executive director Steve MacQueen said, referring to at-home viewing habits during the pandemic. “The communal experience of going to see things has power, and I think people understand that.”

With its 2024 Global Roots Film Festival this month, VTIFF will expand opportunities for movie buffs to commune by opening a new screening room adjacent to its offices at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington. The space will accommodate roughly 35 audience members with seats in three tiered rows. Walls are painted a deep red, and there’s “Dolby 7.1 Surround sound — top of the line,” MacQueen said. “It’s a very good environment in which to watch a film.”

MacQueen credits his predecessor, Orly Yadin, with the vision for the screening room — and for guiding VTIFF to new heights, with offerings ranging from monthly screenings to Global Roots to the springtime Made Here Film Festival. VTIFF’s attendance has risen over the past year, according to MacQueen, and the 2023 flagship festival broke records.

The new screening room is “not meant

post-flood resurgence feels “even more important.”

The opening-night party at City Hall Arts Center will combine film and music, as Evan Premo of Scrag Mountain Music premieres a composition to score a new short film by Vermont art photographer and filmmaker Andreas John. The Montpelier Chamber Orchestra will perform original pieces to accompany two other

ERIK ESCKILSEN

period film The Taste of Things, starring Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel.

O’Dowd singled out director Pablo Berger’s animated Robot Dreams, an Oscar contender for Best Animated Feature, as a film that audiences of all ages might find touching — with special appeal to the thriving animation community in the hometown of the Center for Cartoon Studies.

For horror movie fans, WRIF has Ariane Louis-Seize’s Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person — with a Vampire Dance Party to follow. O’Dowd billed that intersection of moviegoing and socializing as “an experience like the Barbie movie, but for freaks.”

VTIFF OPENS A NEW SCREENING ROOM IN BURLINGTON

Steve MacQueen in VTIFF’s new screening room

to be a huge moneymaker,” MacQueen said, noting that the foundation hopes to keep screenings affordable. “We want to just start showing films and engaging and creating a film culture.”

He’s excited about the “free-form” programming possibilities of the room and the opportunities it provides “to get outside of what we’ve been doing, even as we expand what we’re doing.” For instance, he’d like to involve new curators in the programming process.

“I want to make it a resource for filmmakers, cineastes … a room for the

entire community to use,” MacQueen said.

“Everybody has a movie that is connected with them that they want to share with other people.”

He joked about having shown a personal favorite, Swedish director Ingmar Bergman’s intense drama Cries and Whispers, to a dozen or so people. “Two or three have liked it,” he said.

All kidding aside, MacQueen believes people will keep showing up for the collective experience of seeing a movie in a dark room.

“I think that just doing things alone has a shelf life,” he said.

shorts: “Chamberpeace” by Natalie Jones and “The Green Mountain Project” by Tori Lawrence.

On the programming side, Wiersema credits festival programmer Sam Kann, also the organizer of Burlington’s multidisciplinary Plex Arts Festival, with “centering younger voices, diverse voices” in the renewed GMFF. As it did in years past, the festival will hold a three-day Film Slam, a

sprint to make a short film based on a genre prompt and a set of parameters.

Wiersema, who’s also the director of the Vermont Youth Documentary Lab, is already seeing the slam generate interest among youth groups. “That’s going to be a lot of fun,” he said, noting that such outreach will bring “a lot more exciting perspectives than the conventional lens.” ➆

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on screen The Zone of Interest ★★★★★

REVIEW

COURTESY OF A24

T

he first teaser I saw for Jonathan Glazer’s Holocaust drama The Zone of Interest was on TikTok, of all places. It was presented in landscape format, usually a recipe for failure in a vertical video medium. Unlike most everything else on the platform, it had no quick cuts or obvious hook.

But I couldn’t scroll away from the long shot of a sunny garden with an ominous soundscape rising very, very subtly in the background.

Since then, The Zone of Interest has received five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best International Feature Film. See it at Merrill’s Roxy Cinemas in Burlington or Essex Cinemas.

The deal

Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) lives with his wife, Hedwig (Sandra Hüller), and their five children in a lovely home.

He is the commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp, which is visible on the other side of the wall from the backyard garden that is Hedwig’s pride and joy.

As children frolic in the yard, screams, gunshots and chugging trains can be heard in the background, along with a pervasive industrial rumble. At night, bedroom windows glow red from the nearby crematorium — a sight that makes Hedwig’s mother (Imogen Kogge) cut short her visit.

Hedwig herself is unbothered, being more concerned that her husband’s promotion will force the family to vacate the home she has groomed to perfection. She has achieved her lifestyle goals and has no regrets.

Will you like it?

In recent years, I’ve often seen the argument that depicting Nazis on film runs the risk of “humanizing” them. But what if their humanity does nothing to make their story less horrifying or cautionary — just the opposite?

Granted, it takes formidable technical skill and research to do what Glazer has done in The Zone of Interest, which is to present the Hösses as believable people without once tempting us to sympathize with them. The director took an anthropological approach that he has compared, in an interview with the Guardian, to the reality show “Big Brother.” Shooting in a house adjacent to the real Auschwitz site, he hid the cameras and allowed the actors 50

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

The banal becomes horrific and vice versa in Jonathan Glazer’s Oscarnominated depiction of the daily life of an Auschwitz commandant.

to improvise, keeping them at a clinical distance.

The resulting film encompasses both naturalism and extreme stylization. It opens with two minutes of a black screen and Mica Levi’s haunting score, framing the narrative like a theatrical overture. After that, most of The Zone of Interest unfolds in lengthy, stationary wide shots like the one that mesmerized me in that teaser.

Though the images have a surface beauty, the on-screen action is banal and rarely compelling.

We quickly understand why: What matters is what we don’t see. Except for a few shots of Rudolf in his office, the camp interior and the prisoners are never shown.

The horror remains off-screen, embedded in Johnnie Burn’s meticulous sound design.

(Burn and Levi also worked on Glazer’s previous film Under the Skin.) We seem to be watching a family sip tea and read bedtime stories on the verge of hell. And the dissonance of the foreground idyll and the background carnage works strangely on our senses.

These days, cinema often aims to overwhelm us with sensations. But film also has the less heralded power to train us to be more alert, on an almost subliminal level,

to anything amiss in our environment. The trick is a strategic alternation of stimuli and their absence. Just as Paranormal Activity conditions viewers to hear the slightest footfall in a dark room, The Zone of Interest sensitizes us to all the ambient noises we would normally tune out. It leaves us exquisitely conscious of rumbling traffic and distant sirens — and yes, there is a point to that honing of our awareness.

This is a movie about the Hösses and their garden and their chillingly blithe indifference to human suffering. It’s about the monstrous yet familiar cruelty of Hedwig’s mother, who relishes the thought of a wealthy woman whose home she used to clean ending up in Auschwitz. (Her breezy schadenfreude would fit right in on social media.) But The Zone of Interest is also a movie about us, because we share these people’s amazing human capacity not to see and hear whatever they choose to place in the background. Their compartmentalization is willful and irredeemable. Is ours?

“For me,” Glazer told the Guardian, “this is not a film about the past. It’s trying to be about now, and about us and our similarity to the perpetrators.”

What are we placing in the background, exactly, that we should be paying more

attention to? What are we scrolling past?

The film leaves that for us to consider.

MARGO T HARRI S O N margot@sevendaysvt.com

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY...

SHOAH (1985; AMC+, IFC Films Unlimited,

rentable): Claude Lanzmann’s monumental nine-and-a-half-hour documentary consists of interviews with survivors and perpetrators of the Holocaust, as well as bystanders. Unlike Night and Fog (1955; Kanopy, Max, rentable), it includes no archival footage from inside the camps, but the testimonies are horrifying enough.

THE ACT OF KILLING (2012; Freevee,

Kanopy, Peacock, PLEX, Pluto TV, rentable): Like The Zone of Interest, Joshua Oppenheimer’s acclaimed doc focuses on the architects of a mass killing — in this case, people who are still in power and unrepentant. It’s a skin-crawling dissection that in no way excuses them.

UNDER THE SKIN (2013; Kanopy, Max, rent-

able): Glazer’s previous film was also a study in alienation. Based on Michel Faber’s novel of the same name, it’s more elliptical than its source but still deeply disturbing.

COURTESY OF CLAIRE FOLDER/ORION PICTURES

ORIGINHHHH Ava DuVernay directed this drama about writer Isabel Wilkerson (Aujanue Ellis-Taylor) and how her experiences shaped her influential book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.

(141 min, PG-13. Big Picture, Roxy) POOR THINGSHHHH1/2 In this Golden Globe winner, Emma Stone plays a clumsily resurrected Victorian woman who embarks on an odyssey of self-discovery. With Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe.

Yorgos Lanthimos directed. (141 min, R. Capitol, Majestic, Marquis [ends Sat], Playhouse, Roxy, Stowe; reviewed 1/10)

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NEW IN THEATERS LISA FRANKENSTEIN: A teenage goth (Kathryn Newton) hopes to make an exhumed corpse into her dream boy in this horror-comedy scripted by Diablo Cody and directed by Zelda Williams. (101 min, PG-13. Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Roxy, Star)

CURRENTLY PLAYING ALL OF US STRANGERSHHHH1/2 As he embarks on a new romance, a screenwriter (Andrew Scott) finds his long-dead parents still inhabiting his childhood home in this Golden Globe-nominated drama from Andrew Haigh. With Paul Mescal and Claire Foy. (105 min, R. Roxy; reviewed 1/24) AMERICAN FICTIONHHHH Jeffrey Wright plays a novelist who tries a daring hoax after his publisher tells him his books aren’t “Black enough” in this comedy-drama from Cord Jefferson, also starring Tracee Ellis Ross and John Ortiz. (117 min, R. Big Picture, Essex, Majestic, Roxy, Savoy; reviewed 1/17) ANYONE BUT YOUHH1/2 A fancy wedding gives two exes (Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell) an incentive to fake-date in this rom-com from Will Gluck (Easy A). (103 min, R. Essex, Majestic, Paramount, Welden) ARGYLLEHH A mild-mannered novelist (Bryce Dallas Howard) is swept up in a spy plot when life mirrors her fiction in this action thriller from Matthew Vaughn, also starring Henry Cavill, Sofia Boutella and Dua Lipa. (139 min, PG-13; Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Star, Stowe, Welden) THE BEEKEEPERHH1/2 Jason Statham plays a former clandestine operative who goes on a vengeful rampage in this action thriller from David Ayer (Training Day). With Emmy Raver-Lampman and Josh Hutcherson. (105 min, R. Majestic, Star, Welden) THE BOY AND THE HERONHHHH1/2 Renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki brings us a fantasy with autobiographical elements about a boy seeking his mom in the otherworld. (124 min, PG-13. Roxy) THE BOYS IN THE BOATHH1/2 Director George Clooney follows the University of Washington rowing team on its unlikely path to Olympic gold during the Great Depression. (124 min, PG-13. Capitol, Majestic, Stowe) DRIVING MADELEINEHHH An elderly woman (Line Renaud) and a taxi driver (Dany Boon) reveal their inner selves as he drives her across Paris in this French drama from Christian Carion. (91 min, NR. Roxy) THE JUNGLE BUNCH: OPERATION MELTDOWN: Wild animals sail the world to find an antidote to the toxic foam invading their home in this family animation, with the voices of Wyatt Bowen and Holly Gauthier-Frankel. (89 min, PG. Bijou, Essex, Majestic, Welden) MEAN GIRLSHHH The Broadway musical based on the 2004 comedy film about a high schooler’s struggle with the popular clique comes to the screen, starring Angourie Rice and Renée Rapp. (112 min, PG-13. Essex, Majestic, Roxy) MIGRATIONHHH A duck family meets many mishaps on its first-ever trip south in this animated family comedy with the voices of Isabela Merced and Elizabeth Banks. (92 min, PG. Essex, Majestic, Paramount, Star, Welden)

WONKAHHH1/2 Timothée Chalamet plays the young Willy Wonka in this musical fantasy, directed

by Paul King (Paddington). (116 min, PG. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Star) THE ZONE OF INTERESTHHHHH Nominated for five Oscars, this drama from Jonathan Glazer (Under the Skin) chronicles the daily life of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) and his wife (Sandra Hüller). (105 min, PG-13; Essex, Roxy; reviewed 2/7)

OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS AXCN PAPRIKA (Essex, Wed 7, Thu & Sun only) THE CHOSEN: SEASON 4: EPISODES 1-3 (Essex, Thu-Sun only) DUNE: PART ONE (Paramount) THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING — EXTENDED EDITION (Essex, Thu & Sat & Sun only) THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING — EXTENDED EDITION (Essex, Sat-Mon only)

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THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS — EXTENDED EDITION (Essex, Fri-Sun only) OPPENHEIMER (Capitol) TURNING RED (Essex) UNDERDOG (Savoy, Fri only, sold out)

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art Woven Words A groundbreaking museum exhibit in Montréal showcases Indigenous artistry — and diplomacy B Y K A REN G A RD INER COURTESY OF ROGER AZIZ “Wampum: Beads of Diplomacy” installation view

W

hen four Huron-Wendat leaders from the Québec City area traveled to England in 1824 to assert their land rights to British monarch King George IV, they carried with them a souvenir of past alliances between the two peoples. In their luggage was a beaded belt, or wampum, known as the Great War Belt. Its beads depicted a war hatchet, a symbol of the Huron-Wendat nation’s earlier military support for the British as they contended with French forces. It was a pointed reminder: You owe us.

Today, that belt is in the permanent collection at Montréal’s McCord Stewart Museum and is currently on display in the exhibition “Wampum: Beads of Diplomacy.”

Developed in collaboration with the Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac in Paris, the exhibition features objects held in public and private collections across Canada and Europe. This is an unprecedented chance to see them at once.

“To my knowledge, [there have never been] 40 belts displayed for the public all together,” said Huron-Wendat curator Jonathan Lainey, who has researched wampums for 20 years.

Wampum are tubular beads made from white and purple quahog shells, which were used and traded across northeastern 52

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

GUIDE This article is part of a travel series on Québec. The province’s destination marketing organization, Bonjour Québec, is a financial underwriter of the project but has no influence over story selection or content.

Find the complete series plus travel tips at sevendaysvt.com/quebec.

North America from the early 17th through the 19th centuries. The beads were woven into belts that served to cement treaties and seal agreements. Words were considered sincere only when accompanied by a wampum.

At the museum, the Great War Belt is displayed next to an 1825 lithograph depicting the Huron grand chief Nicolas Vincent Tsawenhohi during the trip to England.

He’s holding the wampum aloft and pointing at it, as if to ensure that his audience understands its significance.

The pairing illustrates wampums’ power, and the exhibition is an invitation to consider their fundamental role in relationships between Indigenous and European nations, as well as their continued resonance today.

A wall display provides a code to reading

Wampum belts, Eastern Woodlands, 18th century. Gift of David Ross McCord.

the symbols woven into the belts: Red pigments symbolize war, for example. A diamond represents a nation, people or council fire.

“When you see three human figures linked by a chain, you know it’s an alliance between three groups,” Lainey said, pointing to an 18th-century belt of unknown provenance. “But who are [they]? That’s the part we don’t know.”

The exact meaning of many belts has been lost. “In the old days, people were bringing these belts [out] publicly … and explaining them for hours, for days, so that everyone could recognize them visually and remember the message,” Lainey explained.

“But since wampums [have been] in museums for 100 years or more, this message was not repeated.”

He added that transmitting the belts’ meanings was rarely of interest to collectors, who saw them as “an example of these ‘vanishing races.’”

Moving from one room to the next, a viewer follows the evolution of the belts, from those commemorating early, nationto-nation diplomacy to versions sent to European religious institutions adorned with Latin script. The belts vary in size — the largest, the Two Dog Wampum, is more than 6.5 feet long and 27 rows wide — but each is intricately patterned. Alternating purple and white beads depict luminous geometric designs or figures that look modern, in spite of their sometimes ageworn edges.

Future visitors have unfortunately missed one of the exhibition’s most notable pieces. A wampum belt presented by Christians from the Mohawk community of Kanesatake to Pope Gregory XVI, held by the Vatican since 1831, was on display for just five weeks. Securing the brief loan from the Vatican, Lainey said, was complicated.

For some Kanesatake community members, though, it was a once-in-a-lifetime

ART SHOWS

IT’S OUR HOPE THAT THIS EXHIBITION WILL BE

A SPRINGBOARD FOR DISCUSSION. JONAT HA N L AIN E Y

opportunity to see the belt held and displayed by the Vatican. It also provided an opportunity for them to approach the Vatican’s representative and start a discussion about possibly returning the belt to its place of origin.

That question of repatriation lingers: Should these wampum belts be held in museums at all? Exhibition notes remark that, as Indigenous people were forcibly assimilated, wampum belts stopped being used. And some impoverished community members sold them to collectors — perhaps without the authorization to do so. However, Lainey argued that repatriation is not quite so simple as “giving them back.”

Referring to about two-thirds of the 40 wampum belts, he said, “we don’t know where they’re from, why they were sold and by whom. We are open to repatriating objects, but … we want to make sure we give [them] to the appropriate people.

“It’s our hope that this exhibition will be a springboard for discussion,” Lainey continued. “If people recognize their objects, they can say, ‘Hey, this is my community’s, my nation’s, my greatgreat-grandfather’s.’ Let’s spark these discussions.”

The exhibition’s penultimate room gathers wampum-inspired artworks by contemporary Indigenous artists.

Huron-Wendat artist Teharihulen Michel Savard’s “Reciprocity” (2009) is a haunting expression of the breakdown of CanadianIndigenous diplomacy. The mixed-media sculpture shows a copy of the Indian Act, created in 1876 to assimilate First Nations, which the artist took into the forest and shot with a gun. Out of the bullet hole spill

acrylic wampum beads, which, the panel explains, “helped record the alliances and treaties violated by the Canadian government.”

In her 2022 piece “Wampum Presented by xox to the Queen (nail polish version),” Mohawk multimedia artist Skawennati seems to gesture to the Tsawenhohi lithograph shown elsewhere in the exhibition. With hot-pink nail polishpainted wampum beads woven into a belt, Skawennati imagines a meeting between her digital avatar, named xox, and Queen Elizabeth II. In the artwork, xox presents the monarch with the famed Two Row Wampum, a common wampum belt design of two parallel lines that was, as a panel notes, “created to remind Europeans that we had agreed to live together … without interfering in each other’s governance.”

“As we know, this agreement was broken,” Skawennati wrote in an email. “xox intended to tell the queen that she needed to make reparations for the problems they caused when they limited our freedom of movement, outlawed our ceremonies and languages, replaced our traditional governments and took our children. Unfortunately, the queen died before xox could give her the message.”

Skawennati, who is best known for her virtual artworks, said xox plans to meet King Charles III in cyberspace this year. (“Charles once gave a speech as a hologram, so I know he has an avatar,” she noted.)

This pairing of contemporary artworks with centuries-old objects suggests that long-quieted wampums still have something to say. Those late 19th-century collectors believed they were gathering vestiges of disappearing cultures; the exhibition makes the case that the heirlooms, like the cultures that crafted them, are not relics belonging to the past. Wampums are not just artifacts; they are living reminders of alliances that far predate the founding of either Canada or the United States.

We often talk of land treaties, Lainey said, but first came treaties of peace, friendship, alliance. “If these treaties never existed, then the country as we know it would have been different. Or nonexistent,” he said.

Wampum belts are still relevant, wrote Skawennati, reminding us of “the agreements we make between individuals, groups and nations.” ➆

INFO “Wampum: Beads of Diplomacy” through March 10 at the McCord Stewart Museum in Montréal. CA$15-20; free for ages 17 and under.

A public symposium devoted to wampum is on February 22 and 23, at the museum and on Zoom. musee-mccord-stewart.ca/en 2V-middcollart020724 1

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art FEB. 7-14 EXHIBITION

Artists at Hexum Gallery Put It Down in Black and White B Y PAM EL A PO LS TO N • ppolston@sevendaysvt.com

In “Righty Tighty, Black & Whitey,” an exhibition at Hexum Gallery in Montpelier, “black” is the most pertinent word in that amusing title.

The half dozen artists wield only graphite or charcoal in the creation of their remarkable drawings. The range of tones, from lustrous ebony to a whisper of gray, redefines the term “penciled in.”

Hexum owner and curator John Zaso has indulged his penchant for graphite artworks in previous group exhibits. “Righty Tighty” is a showcase for the humble yet exacting medium, in which the artist’s steady hand is inescapably evident.

Edward Givis’ drawings of tools are both simple and painstakingly precise. In his 11-by-15-inch “Screw,” the outsize subject dominates the gray-shaded field, angled like a jet taking off. With an exquisite rendering of light and shadow, Givis makes his screwhead shine with the can-do optimism of the Industrial Revolution. The drawing also projects, none too subtly, sexuality. As for Givis’ “Double Shovel,” let’s just say viewers will forevermore see their gardening implement in a new way.

Velvet Other World — aka Josh Allen and Katrina Pisetti — assert sublime control over the messy medium of charcoal. According to Zaso, the two work together simultaneously on the drawings they refer to as “bimbos.” Theatrical and archetypal, their saucy, stylized compositions typically present voluptuousness, costumery and gems. The artists’ application of charcoal on paper is luxuriant and sensual.

Francesco Igory Deiana executes, with graphite on illustration board, alien designs that defy categorization. In the 16-by-12-inch “Untitled 2,” neatly bulbous shapes are contained in Rorschachian symmetry. In the much larger “Untitled 1,” Deiana pairs a columnar shape on the right with curving, vaguely botanical forms on the left.

In this artist’s hands, graphite resembles gently undulating satin.

With charcoal, pastel and gouache on paper, Elliot Purse renders an excessively muscled male torso in the 52-by-42-inch “Bust III.” It’s one of a series of drawings inspired by the artist’s fascination with professional wrestling, Zaso explained. Separated from the rest of its owner, the torso might be a remnant of classical sculpture. Yet the anatomical drawing looks astonishingly lifelike, with charcoal for skin.

Ryan Travis Christian provides comic relief in “Righty Tighty” with three illustrations in graphite on paper. With confident line and delicate sfumato, the artist marries old-school cartoons and contemporary controversies. The hilarious small drawing “Nashville (Welcome)” skewers pearl-clutching about drag queens. It’s not clear what taboo Christian is addressing in “Book Bird,” but for sure the plucked chicken staring wide-eyed at a levitating Bible looks alarmed. ➆

INFO “Righty Tighty, Black & Whitey,” on view through March 15 at Hexum Gallery in Montpelier. hexumgallery.com

Counterclockwise from top: "Bimbo Summit" by Velvet Other World; ”Untitled 2” by Francesco Igory Deiana; ”Screw” by Edward Givis; ”Book Bird” by Ryan Travis Christian; ”Bust III” by Elliot Purse

CALL TO ARTISTS HELP REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS: Central Vermont Refugee Action Network invites artists, writers, musicians and other creatives to join the fourth annual March Arts Marathon, a fundraiser to help with housing, legal fees and other expenses of asylum seekers and Afghan refugees in central Vermont. Visit cvran.org to sign up. Online, through February 29. Free. Info, nicolamorris@mac.com.

VERMONT ART PRIZE: Vermont artists can apply for the $5,000 prize, which includes an online showcase, presented by BCA Center, Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, the Current, and Hall Art Foundation. Details and application at vermontprize.org.

Deadline: March 31. Online.

ART EVENTS ‘THE GIFT OF ART’: An off-season exhibition of works from previous shows, as well as the gift shop and long-term collections. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, through April 21. Info, 434-2167.

ARTIST TALK: HANNAH MORRIS: The Vermont artist discusses her mixed-media collage works, including the large-scale installations in the museum’s front windows. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Thursday, February 8, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 257-0124.

TEACHERS’ NIGHT OUT: A social hour for local art educators and their families, along with a sneak peek at two new exhibitions. BCA Center, Burlington, Friday, February 9, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

MAKER DATE: A silent-auction fundraiser in which participants bid on “dates” with local craftspeople, along with other activities and experiences.

CraftStudies Studio & School, White River Junction, Saturday, February 10, 6-8 p.m. $25. Info, 281-6804.

SATURDAY MORNING MUSIC, BRUNCH & FINE ART: An event featuring Tra La La, a classical guitar and vocal duo with Liz Le Beau and Ken Pasciak, and introducing new gallery artist Julia Jensen. Edgewater Gallery on the Green, Middlebury, Saturday, February 10, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 989-7419.

FESTIVE FEBRUARY: An open art studio with artists Tonya Whitney, Jenn Roberts, Brad Lutz and Aleyna Feinberg, as well as local crafters and food. The Art Loft Collective studio, Burlington, Sunday, February 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, info@tonyawhitney.com.

PRINT & SIP: Visual artist jen berger of At the Root shares the basics of carving and printing with linoleum. Participants will leave with six or more handmade Valentine cards. All materials supplied.

Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, Sunday, February 11, 2-4 p.m. $45. Info, attherootvt@gmail.com.

OPENINGS + RECEPTIONS ‘BLOSSOMS IN A BLIZZARD: A STUDY OF ADVERSITY, GRIEF & RESILIENCE’: Paintings, photographs and collages by 18 rising artists that represent their relationships with life’s obstacles and difficulties. Reception: Friday, February 9, 6-9 p.m. The Other Half, Burlington, February 9-March 30. Info, dama.astuta.designs@gmail.com.

CHARLES EMERS: “Of Corks, Peels and Wagon Wheels,” paintings and mixed-media works incorporating found items, Third Floor Gallery.

Hardwick Inn, through March 31. Info, 472-3621.

GET YOUR ART SHOW LISTED HERE AND ONLINE!

PROMOTING AN ART EXHIBIT? SUBMIT THE INFO AND IMAGES BY FRIDAY AT NOON AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT OR ART@SEVENDAYSVT.COM.

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SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

VISUAL ART IN SEVEN DAYS:

ART LISTINGS ARE WRITTEN BY PAMELA POLSTON. LISTINGS ARE RESTRICTED TO ART SHOWS IN TRULY PUBLIC PLACES.

= ONLINE EVENT OR EXHIBIT

FIND ALL ART SHOWS + EVENTS AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/ART

‘EVOKING VERMONT’S LANDSCAPE’: Original interpretations of the state’s diverse scenery

by Ken Rush, David Pound, Steve Clark, Kate Follett, James Rauchman and Mathew Pardue.

Reception: Saturday, February 10, 1-4 p.m. Bryan Fine Art Gallery, Stowe, February 7-July 14. Info, 760-6474.

GEORGIA O’KEEFFE & HENRY MOORE: An exhibition of works by the two iconic 20th-century artists, along with re-creations of their studios and other artifacts, organized by the San Diego Museum of Art. Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, February 10-June 2. Info, 514-285-2000.

HANNAH MORRIS: “Moveable Objects,” banner-size mixed-media collage works that convey human narratives. Artist talk: Thursday, February 8, 7 p.m.

Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, through April 30. Info, 257-0124.

‘HERE NOW: ART AND MIGRATION’: A group exhibition of regional and international artists whose work addresses concepts of borders, movement and migration across urban centers and global geographies. Reception: Friday, February 9, 5-7 p.m. BCA Center, Burlington, February 9-May 11.

Info, 865-7166.

JOEL TAPLIN & MCKENZIE TAPLIN: Wood sculpture and photography, respectively, by the Warren-based married artists. Reception: Saturday, February 10, 3-6 p.m. BigTown Gallery, Rochester, February 10-18. Info, 767-9670.

KELLEY HERSEY: “Reflections: Destruction, Regeneration,” a solo exhibition of photographs.

Artist talk: Friday, February 9, 5:30 p.m. AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon N.H., through February 24. Info, 603-448-3117.

‘LAND MARKS’: Paintings of human-altered landscapes, focused on portrayals of Vermont and New England from about 1800 to the late 1900s.

Spring opening reception: Wednesday, February 7, 5-7 p.m. Fleming Museum of Art, University of Vermont, Burlington, through May 18. Info, 656-0750.

MAGGIE NEALE: “Rediscovery in Paint,” oil paintings by the cofounder of Studio Place Arts.

Curated by SPA. AR Market, Barre, through April 20. Info, 479-7069.

MARGARET JACOBS: “Kinship,” steel sculptures and hand-crafted jewelry by the Akwesasne Mohawk artist. Reception: Friday, February 9, 5-7 p.m. BCA Center, Burlington, February 9-May 11.

Info, 865-7166.

MARTHA ELMES: “10 years of Papercuts and Prints,” new and older artworks by the scissor artist and gallery director. Reception: Friday, February 9, 4-8 p.m., with refreshments from caterer Wandering Vine. The Satellite Gallery, Lyndonville, February 9-29. Info, 229-8317.

MEAGAN GALLO: “Grown & Gathered,” a capstone project of drawings influenced by contemporary botanical art by the SMC senior student.

Reception: Friday, February 9, 7 p.m. McCarthy Art Gallery, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, through February 10. Info, bcollier@smcvt.edu.

‘NEVER SPOKEN AGAIN: ROGUE STORIES OF SCIENCE AND COLLECTIONS’: A touring exhibition of artworks curated by David Ayala-Alfonso that invite dialogue on the erasures, violence and fortuity in the history of modern collections and museums. Spring opening reception: Wednesday, February 7, 5-7 p.m. Fleming Museum of Art, University of Vermont, Burlington, through May 18.

Info, 656-0750.

SARA KATZ: New large-scale abstract paintings on panel by the Vermont artist. Edgewater Gallery at the Falls, Middlebury, February 10-March 30. Info, 458-0098.

“SURFACE DEPTH”: A collaborative light and sound installation by artist Chris Jeffrey, student Graham Sullivan and faculty member John Levee.

Reception: Friday, February 9, 5-7 p.m. Champlain College Art Gallery, Burlington, February 9-29. Info, gallery@champlain.edu.

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‘WHICH WAY UP? FOUR PERSPECTIVES ON FINDING THE WAY’: Landscape paintings by Gretchen Alexander, Natasha Bogar and Alexandra Haselton, and kiln-formed glass by Christy Witters.

Reception: Sunday, February 18, 1-3 p.m. Emile A. Gruppe Gallery, Jericho, through March 17. Info, 899-3211. ➆

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5/12/21 2:51 PM

music+nightlife Jer Coons

S UNDbites News and views on the local music + nightlife scene

LUKE AWTRY

B Y CHRI S FARNSWO RT H

Back to the Future: Jer Coons Returns to His Pop Roots Nostalgia is a strange beast. It can lead to all sorts of trouble: You revisit a movie you swore was a comedy classic, only to find out it’s a problematic, unfunny mess.

You hear a song that triggers a memory, and suddenly you’re thinking about the ex you listened to that song with. Hell, you might even buy tickets to see WEEZER because when you were 13 they fucking ruled, although RIVERS CUOMO hasn’t written a good song since BILL CLINTON was president.

Or, if you’re JER COONS, you might meet up with a stranger in a gas station parking lot to buy a vintage Furby.

Risking an encounter with a Craigslist killer over a frankly off-putting ’90s relic isn’t on anyone’s bucket list, but Coons just had to have that toy.

“Everything in our society is a constant nostalgia cycle,” Coons told me by phone from his home in Jericho.

“I’m very aware of how capitalism uses nostalgia to manipulate our core memories. But I don’t know — it’s a delicate balance, because I’m not trying to be the old man shaking his fist at the sky.”

Coons managed to procure the Furby, which graces the cover of his new single, 56

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

“90s.” The song dropped on streaming services on February 2, marking the first solo release in 15 years from the singersongwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer.

Its predecessor, 2009’s Speak, and its single “Legs” were the work of a young songwriter actively courting pop stardom. As then-music editor Dan Bolles noted in his review of Speak, Coons’ debut “will elicit comparisons to any and all of the following dudesmiths: Jason Mraz, Howie Day, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, etc.”

The Jer Coons of 2024 is a far different proposition.

“It’s not like I stopped writing music after Speak,” Coons said. “I just didn’t want to be the focal point of what I was doing — still don’t, really.”

Coons said the evolution from his “beaver-haired pop days” to more mature genres happened after he met singersongwriter CAROLINE ROSE while touring at Massachusetts’ Wellesley College, where she was a student.

“Caroline’s music and voice blew me away; her shit was just awesome, and I wanted to be a part of that,” Coons explained. “That led me to being this kind of sideman that I’ve been in a lot of other instances over the years, like MADAILA.” Coons became a sonic jack-of-alltrades, engineering and performing

on Americana, punk, hip-hop and psych-rock records for other artists and “spreading my wings into any genre I could,” as he described it. He was also a founding member of Burlington recording studio Future Fields before going his own way.

Even as he worked on other people’s music, Coons recalled, he was waiting for the right moment to put out his own material again. After he and his girlfriend moved into an old farmhouse in Jericho in 2020, Coons wasted no time in converting the garage into a fully functioning professional recording studio.

“Suddenly I have my workspace right outside of my door, and it just became so easy to create,” Coons said. “I’ve got my childhood upright piano in there, a drum kit, amps … everything I need to make whatever record I feel like, whenever I want. It’s the dream, really.”

Meanwhile, Coons observed some familiar trends seeping back into youth culture.

“First I noticed that there were guitars in pop songs again,” he said.

“Thank you, OLIVIA RODRIGO. Then I was at the University Mall and saw kids wearing NIRVANA and TUPAC T-shirts with giant, baggy jeans, and I realized that whole aesthetic is back in full force.”

So, like a good musical anthropologist, Coons wrote a banging

indie-pop song about watching his youth resurface.

“Everything reminds me of the ’90s / Try my best to put my past behind me,” he sings on the new track, lamenting how “nothing is as good as we remember.”

“I didn’t want to make some kind of listicle type of song,” he said of the tune, “or just some sort of an angry rant. It’s about the illusion of simplicity in youth and how that spills into our adulthood.”

“90s” is also a catchy-as-hell pop song, a genre Coons strayed from after his debut but has learned to love as he ages.

“I was really reluctant for a long time to embrace how much I love pop songs,” Coons admitted. “Of course, there is so much more horrible pop music than good pop music, but there’s such a clever way to be subversive with a three-minute earworm kind of song. I mean, look, I still love all that MAX MARTIN, NSYNC stuff.”

Writing in that mold allowed Coons to get even more creative as a producer on “90s.” While the song itself is the definition of a straightforward pop tune — it doesn’t even have a bridge — the production offers hidden gems, Easter eggs that Coons added to tweak the nostalgia button that much harder.

The song opens with the sound effect of a 56K dial-up modem, setting the stage for peak member berries right off the bat.

The second verse features the ejection of a VHS tape, and Coons layers video game noises into the chorus. The whole thing adds up to a subconscious assault on Gen X and millennial nostalgia triggers.

“I really wanted to use the old AOL Messenger door-slam sound effect, but the fucker was copyrighted,” Coons revealed. “Definitely not worth the lawsuit.”

The new song is no one-off comeback; Coons plans to drop a string of singles in early 2024, leading to the release of a full-length LP in the fall. With years of material in his backlog, Coons said he’s whittled it down to 13 songs that will make up an album he plans to call Songs I Wish You Heard.

“The title applies to people that aren’t around who I wish I got to play these songs for,” he explained. “But it’s also for people that are still here. I’ve been holding on to the music for a while, and I always wished I could play them for people.”

He’ll have his chance as he releases music throughout the year, continuing a very long comeback. As for whether he’s done with random callbacks to the days of his youth … well, his mother recently mailed Coons two boxes of the Beanie Babies he collected as a kid. Looks like he’ll have to grapple with a little more nostalgia.

GOT MUSIC NEWS? MUSIC@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

On the Beat

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In case you somehow didn’t get enough NOAH KAHAN in these pages last week, here’s a Grammy update. The Strafford native, who was nominated for Best New Artist, lost out to New York City pop and R&B singer VICTORIA MONÉT at the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday in Los Angeles.

While Kahan didn’t take home a statue, Jericho native ERIN BENTLAGE did snag a Grammy for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals, along with her bandmates in the vocal group SÄJE. They won for “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning,” their collaboration with jazz vocalist JACOB COLLIER. Big congrats to Erin!

Bentlage was the only Vermonter to claim victory on Sunday night, as Sen. BERNIE SANDERS (I-Vt.) lost out (again!) to former first S lady MICHELLE OBAMA for EN the Best Audio Book Grammy. Obama’s The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Matt Hall Uncertain Times won over Sanders’ It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism.

There are some new hip-hop happenings across the lake in

Erin Bentlage

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Plattsburgh, N.Y. Scene stalwart MATT HALL announced that Lake City producers ANTWON LEVEE and DUST have joined forces with local hip-hop coalition the JOINT COMMISSION, whose latest release, “Hitmen,” dropped a few weeks ago, featuring rapper BENN RYMON and DJ HOTEP.

11/1/23 11/2/20 12:23 3:07 PM

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“We’ve been releasing a new song roughly every other week since October,” Hall wrote. “It looks like we’ll be keeping that schedule for the rest of the year.”

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Eye on the Scene Photographer Luke Awtry surveys local nightlife

JEFF TAYLOR, HIGHER GROUND BALLROOM, SOUTH BURLINGTON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 30: If

you consider yourself a performer at all, you’ve had the dream. You know the one. It’s you up on that big stage, and you’re nailing it; the crowd goes on for miles, and they’re loving it. It’s your perfect moment. Last Tuesday at Higher Ground, Jeff Taylor warmed up the sold-out Ballroom for the band Lucius and told the crowd, “The last time I was here, I was all the way in the back watching a show with my hands in my pockets, just like, How do I get up there? We just keep going,” he continued. “That’s all there is. Trust me.” Sure, that’s some weird musician logic right there, but he’s not wrong. Throw in bits of authenticity, originality, raw talent, good timing, a charming personality and maybe some powerful connections, and then, just like Jeff, work your ass off for a long time. And that’s all there is. Trust me.

FRI 2.9

The Zajac Brothers Band

Listening In (Spotify mix of local jams)

SAT 2.10

A Band of Killers

SAT 2.24

1. “JIGSAW PEOPLE”

by Kitbash

Waiting On Mongo & Moondogs

2. “FUTURE IS METAL”

by Burial Woods

Midnight North

3. “MADELINE FOR THE WIN”

by Justin Levinson

REPRISE: Phish Tribute

THUR 2.29

FRI 3.1 + SAT 3.2

4. “DESERT SONG” by säje

Each night, a show from Phish’s history will be played in its entirety.

5. “LEAVING THE HOUSE”

by Amelia Devoid

No Showers On Vacation

6. “THROWBACKS”

by Phoenix Ashby, Abullet

Eggy

THUR 3.7, 3.21, 3.28

THUR 3.14 + FRI 3.15

7. “BACKROADS”

by Anaïs Mitchell

Scan to listen sevendaysvt. com/playlist

THUR 2.8 FULL MELT THURSDAYS Wraz, Mantra Sounds, Togeki, Mvlleus FRI 2.9

Vermont Mandolin Trio ft Jamie Masefield FRI 2.16

After Hours w/ Malachi SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024 8v-nectars020724 1

57 2/6/24 4:13 PM

Friday, February 9, 7:30 pm UVM Recital Hall $45 A D U LT | $6.50 ST U D E N T

Kat Edmonson S P O N S O R E D

B Y :

OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT

Michael Brittenback in memory of William Meezan ’67

and thanks to our anonymous donors

WITH GRANT SUPPORT FROM: Vermont Community Foundation | Vermont Humanities | Vermont Council on the Arts

2024 SPRING SESSIONS TICKETS

802.656.4455 4T-SPPAC020724 1

58

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

2h-ChandlerCenter(VTPublic)020724 1

1/18/24 4:08 PM

4t-uvmlaneseries020724 1

OR

| ARTIST INFO | BROCHURE:

UVM.EDU/LANESERIES 1/31/24 2:39 PM

2/2/24 4:46 PM

music+nightlife

CLUB DATES

Find the most up-to-date info on live music, DJs, comedy and more at sevendaysvt.com/music. If you’re a talent booker or artist planning live entertainment at a bar, nightclub, café, restaurant, brewery or coffee shop, send event details to music@sevendaysvt.com or submit the info using our form at sevendaysvt.com/postevent.

live music

Satan’s Dogs (Phish tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $15.

WED.7

Scott Forest (pop, jazz) at Blue Cat Bistro, Castleton, 6 p.m. Free.

Ali McGuirk, Jess & Brendan (soul, blues) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $8/$10.

Sibling Reverie (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Bent Nails House Band (blues, rock) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

The Sugarsnaps (jazz) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Bluegrass & BBQ (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.

SAT.10

Anachronist, Luppo Citta, zoie party (indie rock) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7:30 p.m. $5/$10.

Jazz Night with Ray Vega (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

The Barbelles (blues, folk) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 9 p.m.

Free.

Jazz Sessions (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Jerborn (acoustic) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Big Lazy (Americana) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Bob Dylan Tribute (tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $10/$15.

Live Jazz (jazz) at Leunig’s Bistro & Café, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Skunk Sessions (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $10.

Foy Vance, Bonnie Bishop (folk) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $30/$35.

Willverine (electronic) at the Wallflower Collective, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Girls, Girls, Girls: Grind Night (fundraiser) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 8 p.m. $6.90.

Workingman’s Army, Rangus, the Thunder Lillies, DJ Tarnsplant (rock) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.8

The Balconiers (jazz) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Jeff and Gina (jazz) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Joe’s Big Band Winter Burner (jazz) at Burlington St. John’s Club, 7 p.m. $10.

FRI.9 // RANDY RAINBOW [COMEDY]

CombustOmatics (rock) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Hail to the Chief Comedian, musical satirist and viral content creator

Frankie and the Fuse (indie rock) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m.

Free.

notoriety for his politically charged song parodies. Taking tunes from famous musicals like

GRG Trio (jam) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

Jeff Salisbury Band (R&B) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 6 p.m. Free.

John Lackard Blues Duo (blues) at American Flatbread, Stowe, 6 p.m. Free.

Justin Levinson (indie pop) at Filling Station, Middlesex, 6 p.m.

Free.

Nikki and the Barn Boys (jam) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8:30 p.m. $5/$10.

Rabbit Foot, Neato, Fossil Record (indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10.

The Radiance (indie) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

Thea Wren (soul, indie pop) at Stone’s Throw, Waterbury, 6 p.m.

Free.

Timothy Quigley & Friends (jazz) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m.

Free.

FRI.9

Acoustik Ruckus (jam) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

B-Town (rock, blues) at the Old Post, South Burlington, 8 p.m.

Free.

RANDY RAINBOW got his start staging fake celebrity phone calls in 2010 before gaining wider

The Sound of Music and Fiddler on the Roof and turning them into songs such as “Ya Got Trump Trouble!” and “Putin and the Ritz,” Rainbow uses his musical chops and humor to skewer right-wing politicians. The multiple Grammy and Emmy Award nominee is taking it up a notch and (maybe?) running in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Backed

by Broadway musicians, the comedian brings his Randy Rainbow for President tour to the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington this Friday, February 9.

Bad Horsey (rock, country) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

Dave Mitchell’s Blues Revue (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 2 p.m. Free.

Joshua Glass (singer-songwriter) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Barbacoa (surf rock) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

The Gallison Hill Band (jam) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m.

Free.

The Lloyd Tyler Band (Americana) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m.

Free.

Grace Palmer (singer-songwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free.

A Night of Tom Waits Music with Bob Gagnon and Andy Smith (tribute) at the Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

Breanna Elaine (singersongwriter) at Stone’s Throw, Richmond, 6 p.m. Free.

Bumpin Uglies, Organically Good Trio (jam) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $18/$22.

Chris Powers (acoustic) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6 p.m. Free.

Coane, Rowell & Schabner (country, rock) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Cows on the Moon, Soap (indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $10.

Coyote Island (singer-songwriter) at Stowe Cider, 8 p.m. $10.

Jack Hanson Jazz Duo (jazz) at the Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. $5.

Jaded Ravins, Bow Thayer (Americana) at the Double E: T10 Listening Room, Essex Junction, 7:30 p.m. $14.

No Showers on Vacation, Cedar (indie rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 10 p.m. $10/$15.

Rap Night Burlington (hip-hop) at Drink, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.

Jaded Ravins, Bow Thayer (Americana) at the Underground, Randolph, 7:30 p.m. $14.

Running in Circles (jam) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 9 p.m.

Free.

John Lackard Blues Band (blues) at Moogs Place, Morrisville, 8 p.m.

Free.

Sarah Bell (singer-songwriter) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

Kyle Stevens (acoustic) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Left Eye Jump (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 2 p.m. Free.

Les Dead Ringers (jazz) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free.

Live Music Saturdays (live music series) at Dumb Luck Pub & Grill, Hinesburg, 7 p.m. Free.

Nighthawk (covers) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free.

Pardyalone, John Wilde, Malcolm Miller (hip-hop) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $15/$18.

SUN.11

Bluegrass Brunch (bluegrass) at the Skinny Pancake, Burlington, noon. Free.

Dale and Darcy (folk) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

Sunday Brunch Tunes (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m.

VSO Jukebox: Hammer & Glass (classical) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 5 p.m. $15/$25/$35.

TUE.13

Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Bluegrass Jam (bluegrass) at Taps Tavern, Poultney, 7 p.m. Free.

Dobbs’ Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10/$20.

Honky Tonk Tuesday with the Hogtones (country) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

Kahil El’Zabar’s Legendary Ethnic Heritage Ensemble (jazz) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 7 p.m. $20/$25.

WED.14

Ali McGuirk, Giovanina Bucci, Andriana Chobot (singersongwriter) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $8/$10.

Baby Fearn and the Plants, Frankie & the Fuse, GAYBAR (pop, rock) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Bent Nails House Band (blues, rock) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Bluegrass & BBQ (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Evan Alsop (singer-songwriter) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Go Ahead and Die, Bodybox, Half Heard, Voices, Split in Half (metal) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 6 p.m. $25/$28.

Pitt Crew (rock) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

Jazz Night with Ray Vega (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Rick Rude, LACES, H3adgear, Blueberry Betty (indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10.

Jazz Sessions (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

The Rough Suspects (rock, blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m.

Free.

The Rustics (folk) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Something Reckless (rock) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

Staircase 24 (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m.

Free.

Unruly Allies (folk rock) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free.

Weird Phishes (covers) at Stowe Cider, 8 p.m. $10.

Live Jazz (jazz) at Leunig’s Bistro & Café, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Spencer Lewis (folk) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free.

Wednesday Night Dead (Grateful Dead covers) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $5.

Willverine (electronic) at the Wallflower Collective, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

djs WED.7

Local Dork (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

DJS SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

» P.61 59

music+nightlife

REVIEW this Phoenix Ashby, Tutto Passa (SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL)

The Burlington hip-hop and EDM scenes are packed with young talent these days, thanks in large part to the Digital Media Lab. The multimedia program founded by lead instructor Jason Raymond at the Burlington Technical Center provides a training area for high school students to learn photography, audio production and all manner of digital production. Having a fully functional studio and audio lab available to young would-be producers has injected new

Starvation Wages, Marketplace Fear (STARVATION RECORDS, DIGITAL, VINYL)

Former Seattle musician Jason Dean, now based in Burlington, created his new project, Starvation Wages, with an ethos in mind: “Either explicitly or implicitly, all techno and industrial music is protest music,” Dean wrote in the press release for the project’s debut EP, Marketplace Fear.

An album full of politically charged samples, throbbing industrial beats and rage to spare, Marketplace Fear is Dean’s chronicle of the destruction wrought by late-stage capitalism. An agoraphobic, Dean has amassed all of his frustrated and fearful responses to what he calls a “cutthroat dystopian free market” and pared them down into five tracks of hard-hitting techno music.

A former indie rocker with the Seattle band Mutiny Mutiny, Dean went all in on synths and samples, channeling acts such as Throbbing Gristle and Ministry to create a gritty, ultra-aggressive

blood into the Vermont music scene. (It’s not rocket science, people. Give kids the means to create, and you’ll eventually get gold.)

Founded in 2015, the lab has already launched its share of talent, including producer Caleb Lodish, whose album I Expect Nothing in Return was one of 2023’s strongest local releases.

The program’s latest product is musician and producer Phoenix Ashby.

The Burlington High School student released a string of singles in 2022 and 2023, notably a killer collaboration with rapper Hakim XOXO, “Dior on Me.” But his EP Tutto Passa is a new high-water mark in a young career.

The record kicks off with the space-

disco funk of “Throwbacks.” Slapping synth bass and Ashby’s heavily processed voice give the song a candy coating, a metallic sheen that in no way detracts from how hard the track hits. When fellow 802 rapper Abullet swaggers in for the first of several cameos on Tutto Passa, the table is well set for him to feast. Which he does with gusto, his staccato flow locking in with Ashby’s propulsive beat.

The production gets stripped back on “Fast,” as Ashby uses his range and crafts an almost minimalist backing track with a tittering beat and soft, dreamlike synths. The sparse approach leaves room for him to explore as a vocalist, his rhythmic, auto-tuned voice intoning the word “fast” over and over before special guest Ranch God drops his verse. The Burlington-based rapper comes in with a splash, as per usual, tossing out lines such as “Kinda freaky as she drop it like

and paradoxically danceable brand of electronic music.

Beat poet Allen Ginsberg helps kick off the lead single, “Anatomized.” A sample of his oft-quoted lines “America when will we end the human war? / Go fuck yourself with your atom bomb” becomes the bedrock of a ferocious club banger. As the beat builds over a vamping synth, Dean adds layer after layer to the mix until the song is a cacophonous blast of frenetic energy.

“Occupy-Revolt” follows with a massive, club-ready beat, almost shading into the territory of British rave kings the Chemical Brothers. The song sounds like a digital file being corrupted in real time, the notes and blips from the samples derezzing around the kind of beat that could cause a seizure. It’s a post-punk take on techno, a collection of pristine, head-nod-inducing tracks all scarred by Dean’s fury at the collapse of American society.

“Dystopia or Utopia, we’ll decide,” Dean wrote in the liner notes for Marketplace Fear. “In the meantime, the longtime Anarchist slogan provides constant inspiration: Another world is possible!”

Jason Dean

GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED: 60

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

Such glimpses of hope are few and far between on the record, however.

“Surveillance Capitalism” opens with a sample of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg testifying before Congress.

As Dean builds the tension with breakbeats and a looping circle of fifths, the synth arpeggios flying by like a digital readout of a countdown, the track gets progressively more doom-laden.

Even though the record is a first-time effort, its production is pristine. Produced

by Dean, Marketplace Fear was mixed and mastered by Brandon Busch at Sound

an accident / But the way she pick it up, she clearly passionate.”

Ashby leans into the slow burn on “NFL,” crafting a moody, R&B-flavored track. Abullet returns with a string of monotone, right-on-the-beat bars before Ashby shows off his own flow, displaying another of his in-studio talents. For a producer still in his teens, he has an impressive toolbox. With the exception of the guest verses, every sound on Tutto Passa comes from Ashby, who also mixed and mastered the EP. The record ends with “Trance,” a jazzy, darkly atmospheric song that lets Ashby and Abullet trade verses over a stop-start beat. The song closes what amounts to an introduction to Ashby as songwriter, producer and musician. The gloves are off, and Tutto Passa represents the arrival of a new talent on the scene.

The EP is available now on Spotify.

CHRIS FARNSWORTH

Media Productions in Seattle. Dean and Busch keep their hands steady on the tiller of this explosive work full of massive beats and distorted synths, crafting a sonically adventurous record that never flags as the dynamics of the music shift.

Maybe everything is falling apart and the world is going straight to shit — who am I to say? But if the soundtrack to the Great American Collapse is a killer EDM record that goes this hard, I’m cool with it.

Marketplace Fear is streaming at starvationwages.bandcamp.com.

CHRIS FARNSWORTH

ARE YOU A VT ARTIST OR BAND? SEND US YOUR MUSIC! DIGITAL: MUSIC@SEVENDAYSVT.COM; SNAIL MAIL: MUSIC C/O SEVEN DAYS, 255 S. CHAMPLAIN ST., SUITE 5, BURLINGTON, VT 05401

djs

FRI.9

Karaoke (karaoke) at McKee’s Pub & Grill, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

CONTINUED FROM P.59

Karoke with DJ Big T (karaoke) at McKee’s Pub & Grill, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

THU.8

My Chubby Valentine with Katniss Everqueer and Emoji Nightmare (drag) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8 p.m. $20.

DJ Chaston (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 11 p.m.

Free.

DJ JP Black (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

SAT.10

DJ Two Sev (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 11 p.m.

Rabble-Rouser Trivia Night! (trivia) at Rabble-Rouser Chocolate & Craft, Montpelier, 7 p.m. $5.

Vinyl Night with Ken (DJ) at Taps Tavern, Poultney, 6 p.m. Free.

Tits and Bits Present: Still Single (drag) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 10:30 p.m. $20.

FRI.9

DJ Craig Mitchell (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

SUN.11

Sunday Funday (games) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, noon.

Free.

DJ Kata (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ Taka (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10/$15.

John’s Jukebox (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

Sekhmet, Kanganade, Oddpaco, Spinston (drum and bass) at Despacito, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

SAT.10

Blanchface (DJ) at Manhattan Pizza & Pub, Burlington, 10 p.m.

Free.

Venetian Karaoke (karaoke) at the Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

SAT.10 // FOY VANCE [FOLK]

MON.12

Keeping Hope Alive Northern Ireland folk singer

FOY VANCE rose to prominence after his 2006 single

“Gabriel and the Vagabond” was featured on an episode of the TV drama “Grey’s Anatomy.” Critically hailed albums and tours with the likes of Ed Sheeran and Elton John followed as Vance garnered more attention, eventually signing to

DJ A-Ra$ (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, midnight. Free.

Sheeran’s label, Gingerbread Man Records. Vance’s most recent record, 2021’s Signs of Life, further cemented his reputation

DJ Raul (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

as a clever and uplifting songwriter. Celebrating the 15-year anniversary of his debut album, Hope, Vance swings through

No Fun Intended Presents Function 005: Fading Star Release Party (house) at the Cellar, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

HCF’s Palentine Gala (DJ) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $15.

Kate Kush (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 9:30 p.m. $10.

Matt Payne (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m.

Free.

Molly Mood (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Roost.world (DJ set) (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10/$15.

SUN.11

Mi Yard Reggae Night with DJ Big Dog (reggae, dancehall) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

WED.7

Bluegrass Jam (bluegrass open jam) at Stone’s Throw, Richmond, 6 p.m. Free.

Irish Sessions (Celtic, open mic) at Burlington St. John’s Club, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Open Mic (open mic) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

Open Mic with Danny Lang (open mic) at Taps Tavern, Poultney, 7 p.m. Free.

The Ribbit Review Open-Mic & Jam (open mic) at Lily’s Pad, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.8

TUE.13

Karaoke and Open Mic Night (karaoke, open mic) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6:30 p.m.

Free.

Galentine’s Day with DJ Love Doctor (DJ) at Paradiso Hi-Fi, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.14

Old Time Jam (acoustic open jam) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

The Mid Week Hump with DJs Fattie B and Craig Mitchell (DJ) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

Open Stage Night (open mic) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Local Dork (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

MON.12

Open Mic (open mic) at Despacito, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

J

trivia, karaoke, etc.

TUE.13

Open Mic Night (open mic) at Drink, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Randy Rainbow (comedy) at the Flynn, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $42.50-177.50.

WED.14

SAT.10

Irish Sessions (Celtic, open mic) at Burlington St. John’s Club, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Good Clean Fun (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 4:45 p.m. $5/$10.

Open Mic (open mic) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

Josh Johnson (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 & 9 p.m. $25.

4Qs Trivia Night (trivia) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6 p.m. Free.

Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre Presents: Just... Wing It! (comedy) at Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7 p.m. $10.

Karaoke Night (karaoke) at Drink, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Open Mic with Danny Lang (open mic) at Taps Tavern, Poultney, 7 p.m. Free.

comedy WED.7

Standup Comedy Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m.

THU.8

Kingdom Kids Present: Home Planet (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $5.

Teacher’s Pet (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.

FRI.9

Josh Johnson (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 & 9 p.m. $25.

SUN.11

Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre Presents: Just... Wing It! (comedy) at Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 2 p.m. $10.

TUE.13

Free Stuff! (comedy) at Lincolns, Burlington, 9:30 p.m. Free.

WED.14

Missy Sassy: My Sassy Valentine (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $10.

Standup Comedy Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m.

Say you saw it in...

Trivia with Craig Mitchell (trivia) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

TUE.13

Karaoke with Motorcade (karaoke) at Manhattan Pizza & Pub, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Karaoke Tuesdays (karaoke) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

the Higher Ground Ballroom in South Burlington this Saturday, February 10.

open mics & jams

Trivia (trivia) at McKee’s Pub & Grill, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with DJ Party Bear (karaoke) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9:30 p.m.

Free.

My Psychic Valentine (tarot) at Three Needs Taproom & Pizza Cube, Burlington, 7 p.m. $32.50.

WED.7

Rock and Roll Bingo (bingo) at McKee’s Pub & Grill, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Stone Corral, Richmond, 7 p.m. Free.

Venetian Trivia Night (trivia) at the Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

THU.8

Karaoke Night (karaoke) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m.

Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Highland Lodge, Greensboro, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at McGillicuddy’s Five Corners, Essex Junction, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Thursday (trivia) at Spanked Puppy Pub, Colchester, 7 p.m. Free.

Taproom Trivia (trivia) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at the Depot, St. Albans, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Tuesday (trivia) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 7 p.m.

Free.

Tuesday Trivia (trivia) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m.

Free.

WED.14

4Qs Trivia Night (trivia) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6 p.m. Free.

Karaoke Night (karaoke) at Drink, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Rock and Roll Bingo (bingo) at McKee’s Pub & Grill, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Stone Corral, Richmond, 7 p.m. Free.

Venetian Trivia Night (trivia) at the Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free. ➆

sevendaysvt.com SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

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calendar F E B R U A R Y

WED.7

Free Library, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

activism

LOH@100 HOUSEWARMING PARTY: After five months of renovations, the Upper Valley institution kicks off its centennial celebration with an open house, refreshments and a dance party. Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 4:30-7 p.m.

Free; preregister; cash bar. Info, 603-448-0400.

DISABLED ACCESS & ADVOCACY OF THE RUTLAND AREA (DAARA) MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING: Community members gather online to advocate for accessibility and other disability rights measures.

11:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 779-9021.

business

crafts

QUEEN CITY BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL GROUP: Savvy businesspeople make crucial contacts at a weekly chapter meeting.

Burlington City Arts, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 829-5066.

WHAT’S YOUR WORTH? WITH MARKEY READ: A business coach teaches female entrepreneurs how to set prices that reflect their work’s true value. Presented by Women Business Owners Network Vermont. 8:30-10 a.m.

Free; preregister. Info, 503-0219.

community

COMMUNITY PARTNERS DESK: VETERANS OUTREACH PROGRAM: Representatives post up in the main reading room to answer questions and provide resources. Fletcher

7 - 1 4 ,

JEWELRY MAKING WITH CASEY: Crafty folks string beads together to create teardrop earrings. Ages 7 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: A drop-in meetup welcomes knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers and beyond. BYO snacks and drinks. Must Love Yarn, Shelburne, 5-7 p.m. Free.

Info, 448-3780.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘CARMEN’: Aigul Akhmetshina sings the title role in this screening of a timely new Metropolitan Opera production of Georges Bizet’s classic work.

Star Theatre of St. Johnsbury, 11 a.m. $16-25. Info, 748-2600.

These community event listings are sponsored by the WaterWheel Foundation, a project of the Vermont band Phish.

LIST YOUR UPCOMING EVENT HERE FOR FREE! All submissions must be received by Thursday at noon for consideration in the following Wednesday’s newspaper.

Find our convenient form and guidelines at sevendaysvt.com/postevent.

Listings and spotlights are written by Emily Hamilton. Seven Days edits for space and style. Depending on cost and other factors, classes and workshops may be listed in either the calendar or the classes section. Class organizers may be asked to purchase a class listing.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

62

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

2 0 2 4

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: Sparkling graphics take viewers on a journey into the weird, wide world of mushrooms, which we are only just beginning to understand.

Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $14.50-18; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘GREAT WHITE SHARK 3D’: Viewers learn the true story behind one of our most iconic — and misunderstood — predators. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, noon, 2 & 4 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $14.50-18; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: Scientists dive into the planet’s least-explored habitat, from its sunny shallows to its alien depths. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 & 3:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $14.50-18; admission free for members and kids 2 and under.

Info, 864-1848.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: Through the power of special cameras, audiences are transported into the world of the teeniest animals on Earth. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $14.50-18; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

FIND MORE LOCAL EVENTS IN THIS ISSUE AND ONLINE: art Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/music.

= ONLINE EVENT

food & drink

WHAT’S THAT WINE WEDNESDAYS: Aspiring sommeliers blind-taste four wines from Vermont and beyond. Shelburne Vineyard, noon-6 p.m. $15. Info, 985-8222.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA: Waterbury Public Library instructor Diana Whitney leads at-home participants in gentle stretches supported by seats. 10 a.m. Free.

Info, 244-7036.

language

BEGINNER IRISH LANGUAGE CLASS: Celtic-curious students learn to speak an Ghaeilge in a supportive group. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-1 p.m.

Free. Info, 863-3403.

ELL CLASSES: ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS & INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS: Learners of all abilities practice written and spoken English with trained instructors. Presented by Fletcher Free Library. 6:30-8 p.m.

Free; preregister. Info, bshatara@ burlingtonvt.gov.

SPANISH CONVERSATION: Fluent and beginner speakers brush up on their español with a discussion led by a Spanish teacher. Presented by Dorothy Alling Memorial Library.

5-6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@damlvt.org.

music

SOFIA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: The national orchestra of Bulgaria, including award-winning violin soloist Liya Petrova, astounds audiences with virtuosic renditions of Mozart.

Lyndon Institute, Lyndon Center, 7 p.m. $26-58; free for students.

Info, 748-2600.

‘THIS IS AMERICA: PART II’: Violinist Johnny Gandelsman performs works commissioned by the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College. Next Stage Arts Project, Putney, 7 p.m. $1020. Info, 387-0102.

outdoors

an ice palace with stunning views brighten up the cold Canadian winter. Various Québec locations. $30; free for kids under 12. Info, 418-626-3716.

seminars

VERMONT EDUCATION ENERGY PROGRAM: Locals learn how to cut down their heating bill through a few hands-on lessons.

Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 6-8 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 878-4918.

sports

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.7.

PEDAL PARABLES: Cyclists share tales from the trail at a bikethemed open mic. Old Spokes Home, Burlington, 6:30-8 p.m. $10-25 suggested donation; preregister. Info, jon@oldspokeshome. com.

‘GREAT WHITE SHARK 3D’: See WED.7.

theater

ARE YOU THIRSTY, NEIGHBOR?: A special discount cocktail menu sparks conversations and connections over cribbage and cards.

Wild Hart Distillery and Tasting Room, Shelburne, 3-8 p.m. Free.

Info, info@wildhartdistillery.com.

‘CONSTELLATIONS’: Northern Stage actors sparkle in this cosmic romance about a beekeeper, a scientist and the infinite universe of possible futures their love creates. Barrette Center for the Arts, White River Junction, 7:30-9 p.m. $19-69. Info, 296-7000.

words

FARMERS NIGHT: KEKLA MAGOON: The National Book Award finalist discusses her acclaimed book, Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People. House Chamber, Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 828-0749.

GENNAROSE NETHERCOTT: The acclaimed Vermont author behind Thistlefoot celebrates the publication of her short story collection Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 7 p.m. $3; preregister.

Info, 448-3350.

politics

crafts

QUÉBEC WINTER CARNIVAL: Snowy nighttime parades, ice canoe races, a snow sculpture garden, live entertainment and

DRAGONFRAME: STOP-MOTION ANIMATION LAB: An introductory class teaches prospective filmmakers how to use cameras, software and lighting to bring whimsical worlds to life. The Media Factory, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 651-9692.

‘THE GOLD RUSH’: Vermont-based composer Bob Merrill provides live musical accompaniment for the 1925 silent film starring Charlie Chaplin. Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7 p.m. $7-12. Info, 603-448-0400.

THU.8

québec

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE TENNIS CLUB: Ping-Pong players swing their paddles in singles and doubles matches. Rutland Area Christian School, 7-9 p.m. Free for first two sessions; $30 annual membership. Info, 247-5913.

WORKING WOODLANDS: THE INS AND OUTS OF TRAIL CAMS: Kyle Burton of the National Park Service explains how to use cameras to get a glimpse of secretive and skittish creatures.

Noon-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, savannah_spannaus@partner.nps. gov.

BURLINGTON MAYORAL MATCHUP 2024: Progressive Emma Mulvaney-Stanak and Democrat Joan Shannon dig into their visions for the Queen City.

Moderated by Sasha Goldstein of Seven Days. Virtual options available. Burlington City Hall Auditorium, 6-9 p.m. Free. Info, katie@sevendaysvt.com.

film

business

BURLINGTON BIZ BUZZ: Local female business owners meet and chat over coffee. Zero Gravity Beer Hall, Burlington, 10-11 a.m. Free.

Info, info@vtwomenprepeurs.com.

KNIT FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR: All ages and abilities are invited to knit or crochet hats and scarves for the South Burlington Food Shelf. All materials are provided.

South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 2-5 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

KNITTING GROUP: Knitters of all experience levels get together to spin yarns. Latham Library, Thetford, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.7.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.7.

food & drink

FREE WINE TASTING: Themed wine tastings take oenophiles on an adventure through a region, grape variety, style of wine or producer’s offerings. Dedalus Wine Shop, Market & Wine Bar, Burlington, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 865-2368.

OLD NORTH END COMMUNITY DINNER: A vegetarian meal precedes the Neighborhood Planning Assembly meeting. O.N.E. Community Center, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 598-3139.

TIPSY TROUT GUEST CHEF DINNER SERIES: Kwasi Kwaa, hailing from Comfort Kitchen in Boston, serves up a glamorous take on scallop ceviche, whole trout, plantain chips and chocolate tart, all paired with South African wines. Spruce Peak at Stowe, 6-9:30 p.m. $145; preregister; limited space. Info, 760-4735.

VON TRAPP BREWING REBRAND LAUNCH PARTY: Beer lovers celebrate the redesigned line of cans at a joyful shindig. Tickets include the first drink, food and live entertainment. Ages 21 and up. von Trapp Brewing Bierhall, Stowe, 6-9 p.m. $39; preregister; limited space. Info, 253-5750.

games

DUPLICATE BRIDGE: A lively group plays a classic, tricky game with an extra wrinkle. Waterbury Public Library, 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Free. Info, 244-7223.

WEEKLY CHESS FOR FUN: Players of all ability levels face off and learn new strategies.

United Community Church, St. Johnsbury, 5:30-9 p.m.

Donations. Info, lafferty1949@ gmail.com.

THU.8

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LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

FAMILY FUN

Cider Lab offers tastings for parents. The Essex Resort & Spa, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 764-1428.

FEB. 11 | FAMILY FUN

Check out these family-friendly events for parents, caregivers and kids of all ages.

• Plan ahead at sevendaysvt.com/family-fun.

• Post your event at sevendaysvt.com/postevent.

FRENCH STORY TIME: Kids of all ages listen and learn to native speaker Romain Feuillette raconte une histoire.

Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

RUG CONCERT: Vermont Youth Orchestra enthralls its youngest concertgoers with an interactive hour of music and meet and greets. Elley-Long Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 11 a.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 655-5030.

WED.7

burlington

COURTESY OF ARIELLE THOMAS

FAM JAM!: Vermont Folklife hosts a tuneful get-together for musicians of all ages and skill levels. BYO instruments.

Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6:307:30 p.m. Free. Info, 388-4964.

STEAM SPACE: Kids explore science, technology, engineering, art and math activities. Kindergarten through fifth grade. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

TODDLER TIME: Librarians bring out books, rhymes and songs specially selected for young ones 12 through 24 months. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

BABY SOCIAL TIME: Caregivers and infants from birth through age 1 gather in the Wiggle Room to explore board books and toys. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Free.

Info, 846-4140.

BABY TIME: Parents and caregivers bond with their pre-walking babes during this gentle playtime. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:3011 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

PLAY TIME: Little ones build with blocks and read together. Ages 1 through 4.

Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 1010:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

mad river valley/ waterbury

QUEER READS: LGBTQIA+ and allied youth get together each month to read and discuss ideas around gender, sexuality and identity. Waterbury Public Library, 6-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7036.

TEEN HANGOUT: Middle and high schoolers make friends at a no-pressure meetup. Waterbury Public Library, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

THU.8

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN: Chefs in training and their caretakers make fun meals with a trained dietitian.

Grades 1 through 5. Presented by Dorothy Alling Memorial Library and Brownell Library. 4-5 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 878-4918.

chittenden county

CHINESE LANGUAGE STORY TIME: Preschoolers learn Chinese words through stories and songs for the Lunar New Year. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MAKERS: COOKING: Students in grades 5 through 8 make

delicious homemade dishes. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 4-5:30 p.m. Free.

Info, 846-4140.

PRESCHOOL MUSIC WITH LINDA BASSICK: The singer and storyteller extraordinaire leads little ones in indoor music and movement. Birth through age 5. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

PRESCHOOL PLAYTIME: Pre-K patrons play and socialize after music time.

Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

STORY TIME: Little ones from birth through age 5 learn from songs, crafts and picture books. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

TEEN COZY CAFE: Kids ages 13 through 18 settle in for snacks, warm drinks and crafts. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Free. Info, 846-4140.

barre/montpelier

ROBIN’S NEST NATURE PLAYGROUP: Outdoor pursuits through fields and forests captivate little ones up to age 5 and their parents. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; donations accepted. Info, 229-6206.

stowe/smuggs

WEE ONES PLAY TIME: Caregivers bring kiddos 3 and younger to a new sensory learning experience each week. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

mad river valley/ waterbury

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Games, activities, stories and songs engage 3through 5-year-olds. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

FRI.9

chittenden county

KIDS MOVIE IN THE AUDITORIUM: Little film buffs congregate in the auditorium

Music to My Ears The talented teens of the Vermont Youth Orchestra warm hearts with their midwinter concert, packed with stirringly emotional pieces. The program kicks off with a literal bang thanks to “Parallax for Percussion Quartet” by James Romig, while selections from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s The Song of Hiawatha bring all the drama of a night at the ballet to the Flynn Main Stage. Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony might just move audiences to tears, and senior soloist Maaike Dam astounds on the violin during Tchaikovsky’s “Meditation” from Souvenir d’un lieu cher.

‘TURNING POINTE’ Sunday, February 11, 3 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington. $22-25.

Info, 863-5966, flynnvt.org. for a screening of a family-friendly film.

See southburlingtonlibrary.org for each week’s title. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

LEGO BUILDERS: Each week, children ages 8 and older build, explore, create and participate in challenges. Children ages 6 to 8 are welcome with an adult.

South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

barre/montpelier

CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL & PARADE: Kids enjoy food, games and stories and make a dragon mask to wear in a parade around the library. KelloggHubbard Library, Montpelier, 4-5 p.m.

Free. Info, 223-3338.

upper valley

STORY TIME: Preschoolers take part in tales, tunes and playtime. Latham Library, Thetford, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

northeast kingdom

HAZEN PARIS 2024 SPAGHETTI DINNER: Meals of pasta and garlic bread, as well as a raffle for a Victoria Hill Physical Therapy gift card, fund upcoming international study programs.

Hazen Union School, Hardwick, 4-6 p.m.

$15; preregister. Info, hmartinobrien@ ossu.org.

SAT.10

burlington

FAMILY PLAYSHOP: Kids from birth through age 5 learn and play at this school readiness program. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10-11:30 a.m. Free.

Info, 863-3403.

FLYNNZONE KIDS HOUR: MATT HAGEN: A poetic singer-songerwriter leads audience members ages 3 through 5 in song. The Flynn, Burlington, 10 a.m. Free.

Info, 863-5966.

chittenden county

BIRDING FOR KIDS: Avian enthusiasts ages 5 through 11 learn about owls via hands-on activities. Winooski Memorial Library, 10-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 434-3068.

DIY VALENTINES: Families drop by to craft handmade cards for friends and crushes. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 2-3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

FREE KIDS VALENTINE’S DAY ART CLASS!: Local artist and teacher Pete Boardman helps little ones make suncatchers and bracelets. Vermont

SATURDAY STORIES: Kiddos start the weekend off right with stories and songs. Ages 3 through 7. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m.

Free. Info, 878-6956.

barre/montpelier

YOGA STORIES: Little ones and their caretakers learn about healing movement through stories and demonstrations. Ages 4 through 8. Wear comfy clothes. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

northeast kingdom

SNOW DAYS: Hot chocolate and healthy snacks fuel showshoers and cross-country skiers. Lyndon Outing Club, Lyndonville, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

Info, 371-3205.

WEEE!! DANCE PARTY: Little ones and their caregivers express themselves through movement at this free-wheeling DJ bash. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, 2-3 p.m. $5 suggested donation; preregister. Info, 533-2000.

brattleboro/okemo valley

WINTER SUNSHINE SERIES: One-ofa-kind family puppet shows let the sunshine in at each of these weekly performances. Sandglass Theater, Putney, 11 a.m.-noon & 2-3 p.m. $8-12.

Info, 387-4051.

SUN.11 GENDER CREATIVE KIDS: Trans and gender-nonconforming kiddos under 13 and their families build community and make new friends at this joyful monthly gathering. Locations vary; contact organizer for info. Various locations statewide, 2-4 p.m. Free; preregister.

Info, 865-9677.

burlington

‘TURNING POINTE’: Vermont Youth Orchestra virtuosos astound on Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony, among other works. See calendar spotlight. The Flynn, Burlington, 3 p.m. $22-25. Info, 863-5966.

DINO LOVE VALENTINE’S EVENT!: A pop-up artist market, DIY cards, hot chocolate and coffee make for a dino-mite family outing. 12-22 North Street, Burlington, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

Info, info@honeybeeheather.com.

SENSORY-FRIENDLY SUNDAY: Folks of all ages with sensory processing differences have the museum to themselves, with adjusted lights and sounds and trusty SUN.11 SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

» P.68

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calendar « P.62

language

ITALIAN CONVERSATION GROUP: Semi-fluent speakers practice their skills during a conversazione with others. Best for those who can speak at least basic sentences.

Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

outdoors

FOREST MANAGEMENT IN HER WOODS: Female landowners and foresters talk about their work. Presented by Women and Our Woods Vermont.

Noon-1 p.m. Free; preregister.

Info, caitlin@vlt.org.

GREG MILLER: A ski patrol veteran discusses his experience leading backcountry search and rescues with his avalanche dog, OC. Presented by Green Mountain Club. 7-8 p.m.

Free; preregister. Info, 244-7037.

québec

QUÉBEC WINTER CARNIVAL: See WED.7.

seminars

ECOGATHERINGS: Sterling College hosts online learning sessions digging into big ideas such as joy, rage, climate change, mutual aid, food and art.

See ce.sterlingcollege.edu for upcoming topics. 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, ecogather@ sterlingcollege.edu.

theater

‘CONSTELLATIONS’: See WED.7.

words

KYLE SINGH: A poet and theoretical physicist journeys deep into the space-time continuum and the mysteries of life in That Which Is Everlasting. Norwich Bookstore, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 649-1114.

MORNING BOOK GROUP: Readers start the day off right with a lively discussion of Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast.

ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:3011:30 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

FRI.9

Enter the Dragon Addison County BIPOC+ throws its first annual Lunar New Year party, and it’s a doozy. Families and friends usher in the Year of the Dragon with a packed afternoon of fun featuring ancestral activities from different Asian traditions.

Attendees learn tae kwon do and Chinese calligraphy; watch masterful Korean drumming and Chinese dancing; enjoy dragon-themed crafts and a family-friendly story time; and buy food from local vendors such as Stone Leaf Teahouse and Sabai Sabai. Closing out the evening is a riveting conversation with New Yorker writer E. Tammy Kim.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.7.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.7.

food & drink

ADVENTURE DINNER STEAKHOUSE POP-UP: Foodies dig into a stampede of nostalgic dishes, including steak tartare, oysters Rockefeller and the dirtiest martinis in town. Peg & Ter’s, Shelburne, 5-9 p.m. Cost of food and drink. Info, 248-224-7539.

PIES & PINTS NIGHT: Handheld pastries from Pie Empire pair perfectly with the brews on tap.

Simple Roots Brewing, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free. Info, 399-2658.

health & fitness

FIBER ARTS FRIDAY: Knitters, crocheters, weavers and felters chat over their projects of the day at this weekly meetup. Waterbury Public Library, noon-2 p.m. Free.

Info, 244-7036.

film

holidays

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.7.

‘GREAT WHITE SHARK 3D’: See WED.7.

‘THE MUSES OF WINTERDEEP’: A film about goddesses and the secrets of the universe is projected onto a grove of hemlock trees for bundled-up viewers. Proceeds benefit the Treewild Scholarship

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health & fitness

FEB. 11 | HOLIDAYS

VALENTINE’S DANCE: A DJ dance party in the barn provides a foot-stomping good time.

Artistree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, 7-9:30 p.m. $15; cash bar. Info, 457-3500.

lgbtq

RPG NIGHT: Members of the LGBTQ community gather weekly to play games such as Dungeons & Dragons and Everway. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

music

FRIDAY NIGHT PIANO: A performance of piano rolls from the from the 1900s through the present — and from ABBA to Led Zeppelin — entertains as audiences eat snacks around the firepit.

Main Street Museum, White River Junction, 5-10 p.m. Free. Info, info@mainstreetmuseum.org.

JONTAVIOUS WILLIS & PAUL ASBELL: Two veteran bluesmen serenade concertgoers with their steel-string strains.

Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $25. Info, 482-3131.

FOMO? Find even more local events in this newspaper and online:

art Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

= ONLINE EVENT

CAPITAL CITY WINTER FARMERS MARKET: Root veggies, honey, maple syrup and more change hands at an off-season celebration of locally grown food. Barr Hill, Montpelier, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, nicole.zarrillo@caledoniaspirits. com.

SURREALIST PARTY GAMES: Roger Clark Miller of the postpunk band Mission of Burma hosts an evening of unique piano playing and mind-bending group games. Epsilon Spires, Brattleboro, 7-9:30 p.m. $15; preregister; limited space. Info, info@ epsilonspires.org.

E. Tammy Kim

Barre, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

ADVENTURE DINNER STEAKHOUSE POP-UP: See FRI.9.

CHESS CLUB: Players of all ages and abilities face off and learn new strategies. ADA accessible.

South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

Sunday, February 11, 12:30-6:30 p.m., at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. Free; preregister for the talk, which has limited space. Info, 382-9222, townhalltheater.org.

Fund and Shelburne Farms’ children’s programs. Shelburne Farms, 6 & 7:30 p.m. $10-20; preregister. Info, treewild.inc@ gmail.com.

food & drink

games

CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR

GUIDED MEDITATION ONLINE: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library invites attendees to relax on their lunch breaks and reconnect with their bodies. Noon-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@ damlvt.org.

crafts

COURTESY OF SARAH SHATZ

THU.8

UVM LANE SERIES: KAT EDMONSON: A charming performer imbues a classic jazz sound with humor and freshness.

University of Vermont Recital Hall, Burlington, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $6.50-45. Info, 656-4455.

outdoors

OWL PROWL: Hikers snowshoe through the forest searching for nocturnal neighbors. BYO flashlights or headlamps. Ages 13 and up. Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, 5:30-7 p.m. $17.50-20; preregister; limited space. Info, 359-5000.

québec

QUÉBEC WINTER CARNIVAL: See WED.7.

seminars

JOURNALISM COURSE: Veteran freelance reporter Carolyn Shapiro teaches attendees about media literacy and how the local news industry works. Presented by AARP Vermont. 10-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 866-227-7451.

theater

‘CONSTELLATIONS’: See WED.7.

‘THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST’: Oscar Wilde’s vicious social satire of Victorian England comes to life courtesy of BarnArts. Barnard Town Hall, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $15-20. Info, 234-1645.

words

FRIENDS OF THE RUTLAND FREE LIBRARY BOOK SALE: A broad selection of used, rare and antique books goes on sale to benefit the

COMMUNITY YOGA CLASS: An all-levels session offers a weekly opportunity to relax the mind and rejuvenate the body. Wise Pines, Woodstock, 10-11 a.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 432-3126.

holidays library. Rutland Free Library, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 773-1860.

SAT.10 dance

THE JUNCTION DANCE FESTIVAL ‘SHAKE THE CABIN FEVER’ FUNDRAISER: Performances by artists including Ellen Smith Ahern, Calvin Walker and Elizabeth Kurylo fund one of Vermont’s only independent dance festivals. Briggs Opera House, White River Junction, 7-8:30 p.m. $25-30; free for kids under 12. Info, 439-9117.

SWING DANCE: All-star DJs back a night of dancing with big-band bops. Bring clean shoes.

Champlain Club, Burlington, beginners’ lesson, 7:30 p.m.; dance, 8 p.m. $5. Info, 864-8382.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BE OUR CHOCOLATE AND ROSES VALENTINE’: A concert of lovely tunes from musicals and operas benefits the Mad River Chorale.

Warren United Church of Christ, 7 p.m. Donations. Info, info.madriver chorale.org@gmail.com.

FREE WINE & CHOCOLATE TASTING: Foodies bring their sweethearts to savor curated wines and European-style treats.

NU Chocolat, Burlington, 1-3 p.m.

Free. Info, 540-8378.

VALENTINE’S DANCE: Locals with and without partners dance the night away to live music by the Crowe Hill Band at this fundraiser for the museum. Ages 21 and up.

Bring cash. Saint Albans Museum, 6-10 p.m. $20; cash bar. Info, museum@stamuseum.org.

VALENTINE’S MUSIC CONCERT: Love is in the air thanks to classical music for voice, piano and flute. First Congregational Church of Berlin, 2-3:30 p.m. Donations.

Info, 522-7649.

‘GREAT WHITE SHARK 3D’: See WED.7.

VALENWINES MARKET: Sips from the newly opened wine bar fuel shoppers searching for jewelry, crafts and other gifts for their loved ones. Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, noon-5 p.m. Free. Info, scaredycatarts@gmail.com.

‘THE MUSES OF WINTERDEEP’: See FRI.9.

language

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.7.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.7.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.7.

VOICES FROM UKRAINE FILM SERIES: ‘MR. JONES’: A Welsh journalist breaks the story of a famine in 1930s Ukraine in this 2019 drama based on a true story.

ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, noon-3 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

CROISSANTS ET CONVERSATION: Novice French speakers meet up over refreshments and games.

Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain Region, Burlington, 1011:30 p.m. Free. Info, info@aflcr.org.

FRENCH CONVERSATION FOR ALL: Native French speaker Romain Feuillette guides an informal discussion group. All ages and abilities welcome. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston,

A Night of Vivacious Variety

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

10:30-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 878-4918.

$65; preregister; limited space.

Info, 229-6206.

lgbtq

WINTER FOREST BATHING: Folks unplug, slow down and experience nature through a guided mindfulness practice.

Audubon Vermont Sugarhouse, Huntington, 9 a.m.-noon. $35; preregister. Info, 434-3068.

HOT BUTTER: For one night only, the Flynn’s black box theater transforms into the Queen City’s hottest LGBTQ disco, emceed by DJ Craig Mitchell. Flynn Space, Burlington, 8 p.m. $5. Info, 863-5966.

music

‘AFTERNOON ENCHANTMENT’: Flutist Laurel Ann Maurer and pianist Michael Sitton play ethereal selections by Debussy, Donizetti and others. Waterbury Congregational Church, 3 p.m. $20-25. Info, 244-8354.

GENTICORUM: World music melds with traditional Québécois, folk and Celtic sounds. Live stream available. Next Stage Arts Project, Putney, 7:30 p.m. $10-25.

Info, 387-0102.

WORKING WOODLANDS: TRAIL CAM PLACEMENT TRICKS AND TIPS: Kyle Burton of the National Park Service explains how to use cameras to get a glimpse of secretive and skittish creatures.

Dress for winter hiking. MarshBillings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, savannah_spannaus@ partner.nps.gov.

québec

QUÉBEC WINTER CARNIVAL: See WED.7.

GOOD GRAVY: A Burlington bluegrass trio pays homage to Tony Rice, Norman Blake and other greats. Shelburne Vineyard, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 985-8222.

theater

‘HAMMER AND GLASS’: The string stylings of Brooke QuigginsSaulnier and John Dunlop meet the whirlwind rhythms of percussionists D. Thomas Toner and Nicola Cannizzaro in the newest VSO Jukebox Quartet concert. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7-8:30 p.m. $15-35. Info, 864-5741.

words

LC JAZZ WINTER THAW: Audience members dust off their dancing shoes for a performance from the local big band. Donations benefit the ensemble’s scholarship fund for Vermont high schoolers.

Vergennes Opera House, 7:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted; cash bar. Info, 877-6737.

MARSH LIGHTS: Former Bluegrass Gospel Project singer-songwriter Colby Crehan performs with her new folk-grass band. Burnham Hall, Lincoln, 7:30-10 p.m. $15-25.

Info, 349-3364.

RECYCLED PERCUSSION: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure when the America’s Got Talent finalists rock out on blenders, barrels and beyond.

Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 3 & 7:30 p.m. $37.50-47.50. Info, 603-448-0400.

outdoors

CONSERVATION COMMUNITY HIKE: An all-ages moderate trek takes participants out and back along snowy trails. Farm & Wilderness, Plymouth, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 422-3761.

PENGUIN PLUNGE: Daredevils take a dip in Lake Champlain’s icy depths to raise funds for Special Olympics Vermont. Waterfront Park, Burlington, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Free. Info, 863-5222.

WINTER BIRDING IN THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM: Fans of feathered fliers hop in a van to the Nulhegan Basin, where they keep their eyes peeled for unique woodpeckers, grouses and chickadees. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

‘CONSTELLATIONS’: See WED.7.

‘THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST’: See FRI.9.

BILL SKIFF STORY SLAM: A storytelling open mic centered on hope raises funds for WillistonRichmond Rotary Club charities in honor of its founder. Williston Federated Church, 5-7:30 p.m. $20. Info, rotaryclubofwillistonvt@ gmail.com.

FRIENDS OF THE RUTLAND FREE LIBRARY BOOK SALE: See FRI.9.

SUN.11 crafts

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.7, 1-3 p.m.

dance

THE JUNCTION DANCE FESTIVAL ‘SHAKE THE CABIN FEVER’ FUNDRAISER: See SAT.10, 3-4:30 p.m.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.7.

‘GREAT WHITE SHARK 3D’: See WED.7.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.7.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.7.

health & fitness

KARUNA COMMUNITY MEDITATION: A YEAR TO LIVE (FULLY): Participants practice keeping joy, generosity and gratitude at the forefront of their minds. Jenna’s House, Johnson, 10-11:15 a.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, mollyzapp@live. com.

holidays

2024 LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: The Vermont Chinese School ushers in the Year of the Dragon with its 30th annual shindig featuring lunch and traditional performances.

featuring

Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School, South Burlington, noon-3:30 p.m. $10-20; free for kids under 3; preregister. Info, 307-6332.

CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR: Chinese dancing, Korean drumming, a tae kwon do demonstration and a keynote by New Yorker writer E. Tammy Kim mark the start of the Year of the Dragon. See calendar spotlight.

Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 12:30-6:30 p.m. Free; preregister for the talk, which has limited space. Info, 382-9222.

lgbtq

BOARD GAME DAY: LGBTQ tabletop fans bring their own favorite games to the party. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 1-6 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

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music

CELLOGAYAGEUM: A South Korean duo combines classical music and Korean tradition in their original compositions.

Chandler Center for the Arts, Randolph, 4 p.m. $10-45. Info, 728-9878.

outdoors

WILDLIFE TRACKING CLUB: Naturalists teach trackers of all ages how to distinguish the snowy paw prints of coyotes, foxes, minks and more.

North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 10-11:30 a.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 229-6206.

québec

QUÉBEC WINTER CARNIVAL: See WED.7.

theater

‘CONSTELLATIONS’: See WED.7.

‘THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST’: See FRI.9, 2-4 p.m.

words

OPEN MIC POETRY: Resident poet Bianca Amira Zanella welcomes writers and listeners of all stripes to an artful afternoon of readings. Phoenix Books, Rutland, 2 p.m. Free. Info, 855-8078.

MON.12 crafts

CRAFT CIRCLE: Makers of all stripes bring their current project to a monthly meetup.

Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 5-6 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.7.

MON.12

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‘GREAT WHITE SHARK 3D’: See WED.7.

MONDAY MOVIE MYSTERY CLUB: Audiences don’t know which cult classic they’re about to watch at this monthly screening series.

Spiral House Art Collective, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. $5 suggested donation. Info, colleengoodhue@ gmail.com.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.7.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.7.

games

MONDAY NIGHT GAMES: Discounted wine by the glass fuels an evening of friendly competition featuring new and classic board games, card games and cribbage. Shelburne Vineyard, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 985-8222.

holidays

COMMUNITY CRAFTERNOON: VALENTINE CARD MAKING: Expert card crafter Colleen Beamish leads a lesson on decorating beautiful missives for loved ones. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 6-7:30 p.m.

Free; preregister. Info, msinger@ kellogghubbard.org.

LOVE POTION LOUNGE: James Beard Award-nominated chef Micah Tavelli curates an evening of signature cocktails and tasty bites, supplemented by tantric communication lessons, flash tattoos and sexy gifts. Dedalus Wine Shop, Market & Wine Bar, Burlington, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Cost of food and drink. Info, 865-2368.

language

ENGLISH CONVERSATION CIRCLE: Locals learning English as a second language gather in the Digital Lab to build vocabulary and make friends. ADA accessible.

South Burlington Public Library

& City Hall, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING CLUB: Adult speakers of all levels practice their conversation skills in a relaxed setting. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 11-11:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

lgbtq

CROWN CARE: Trans and queer people of color receive free, gender-affirming haircuts at a Blackowned salon. Kut Masterz Barber Shop, Burlington, 3-5:30 p.m.

Free; preregister. Info, 800-1951.

words

KATHERINE ARDEN: The best-selling Vermont author launches her newest novel, a speculative World War I tale titled The Warm Hands of Ghosts.

See calendar spotlight. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 7 p.m. $3; preregister. Info, 448-3350.

business

MAKING MAVERICK’S: FRANCESCA D’ELIA: After a mingling session, the founder of Homegrown Jewelry discusses her inspiration and path to entrepreneurship. Q&A follows. Vermont Cider Lab, Essex, 6-8 p.m. $10. Info, info@localmaverickus.com.

NATURALIST JOURNEYS 2024: GUS GOODWIN: The senior conservation planner at the Nature Conservancy in Vermont discusses how to preserve our state’s biodiversity. Live stream available. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 6:30-8 p.m.

Free; preregister. Info, 229-6206.

community

CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION GROUP:

‘GREAT WHITE SHARK 3D’: See WED.7.

crafts

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.7.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.7.

dance

‘UNDERDOG’: SOLD OUT. A Vermont dairy farmer risks everything to pursue his dogsledding dreams in Alaska in this new, locally made documentary. Savoy Theater, Montpelier, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 540-6882.

film

‘X: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MALCOLM X’: Filmed live at the Metropolitan Opera, this groundbreaking work by American composer Anthony Davis dramatizes the life of the Civil Rights Movement leader. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 1 p.m. $20. Info, 775-0903.

LEARN TO CROCHET AND KNIT: Novices of all ages pick up a new skill. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 5-6 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

SWING DANCING: Local Lindy hoppers and jitterbuggers convene at Vermont Swings’ weekly boogie-down. Bring clean shoes.

Champlain Club, Burlington, beginner lessons, 6:30 p.m.; dance, 7:30-9 p.m. $5. Info, 864-8382.

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.7.

in bulk at pay-what-you-can prices. O.N.E. Community Center, Burlington, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 660-0440, ext. 101.

in the carnival season. Proceeds benefit the Tom Sustic Fund.

Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 7-10 p.m. $15. Info, 855-650-0080.

LOVE YOUR LIBRARY BAKE SALE: Sales of sweets — just in time for Valentine’s Day — help support library programs. Cobleigh Public Library, Lyndonville, noon-5 p.m.

Free. Info, 626-5475.

language

holidays

2024 MARDI GRAS PARTY: Live music from Yankee Chank and Mango Jam rings

PAUSE-CAFÉ FRENCH CONVERSATION: Francophones and French-language learners meet pour parler la belle langue.

Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 343-5493.

SOCIAL HOUR: The Alliance Française of the TUE.13

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food & drink

ARLO MARKET: Locals buy potatoes, beans and beyond

Ghost Story

TUE.13

climate crisis

Brownell Library holds a virtual roundtable for neighbors to pause and reflect on the news cycle.

10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

Beloved and best-selling Vermont author Katherine Arden throws a publication party for The Warm Hands of Ghosts, her first adult novel since her acclaimed Winternight trilogy, at Burlington’s Phoenix Books. Set in and around the hellish trenches of World War I, the historical fantasy follows a soldier who survives the battlefield only to fall in with a mysterious hotelier who promises blissful oblivion. The soldier’s sister, a former field nurse, comes looking for him and finds the trenches more haunted than she ever could have imagined. Ticket holders get $3 off an exclusive signed copy.

KATHERINE ARDEN Monday, February 12, 7 p.m., at Phoenix Books in Burlington. $3; preregister. Info, 448-3350, phoenixbooks.biz.

Katherine Arden

FEB. 12 | WORDS

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words

music

BURLINGTON LITERATURE GROUP: TONI MORRISON: Readers analyze two novels, Song of Solomon and Jazz, over seven weeks. 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister.

Info, info@nereadersandwriters. com.

seminars

THE MOTH STORYSLAM: Local tellers of tales recount true stories in an open mic format. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $17.50; preregister. Info, susanne@ themoth.org.

Lake Champlain Region hosts a rendez-vous over Zoom.

5:30-6:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

Info, ellen.sholk@gmail.com.

FLOW SINGING: Students explore singing for joy and healing, not technical perfection or performance. Heineberg Senior Center, Burlington, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Free; preregister. Info, 448-0181.

ECOGATHERINGS: See THU.8.

tech

DROP-IN TECH HELP: Experts answer questions about phones, laptops, e-readers and more in one-on-one sessions. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 5-6:30 p.m.

Free. Info, 846-4140.

theater

‘ZEPHYR’: Death-defying feats of flight abound in this acrobatic extravaganza from Cirque Mechanics. The Flynn, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $20-45. Info, 863-5966.

POETRY GROUP: A supportive drop-in group welcomes those who would like to share and listen to poetry. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 846-4140.

community

CURRENT EVENTS: Neighbors have an informal discussion about what’s in the news. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 878-4918.

crafts

GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAPTER OF THE EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD OF AMERICA: Anyone with an interest in the needle arts is welcome to bring a project to this monthly meeting. Holy Family Parish Hall, Essex Junction, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Free. Info, gmc.vt.ega@gmail.com.

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.7.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.7.

WED.14

‘GREAT WHITE SHARK 3D’: See WED.7.

business

QUEEN CITY BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL GROUP: See WED.7.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.7.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.7.

food & drink

LOVE YOUR LIBRARY BAKE SALE: See TUE.13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

WHAT’S THAT WINE WEDNESDAYS: See WED.7.

games

BOARD GAME NIGHT: Lovers of tabletop fun play classic games and new designer offerings.

Waterbury Public Library, 6-8 p.m.

Free. Info, 244-7036.

health & fitness CHAIR YOGA: See WED.7.

holidays

‘BITTER//SWEET’: Grimm Noir hosts and Golden Mystique headlines at this Valentine’s Day extravaganza of comedy, burlesque and art. Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 5:30-9:30 p.m. $10-35. Info, grimmsdodmainvt@gmail.com.

DAYS OF LOVE: Wine, chocolate, macarons and special grazing boards for two, plus live music, make for a consummate date night. Shelburne Vineyard, noon6 p.m. Cost of food and drink; preregister. Info, 985-8222.

FARMERS NIGHT: VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: A

FAMILY FUN

SUN.11

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sensory backpacks. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 9-10 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, kvonderlinn@ echovermont.org.

barre/montpelier

DANCE, SING AND JUMP AROUND: Movers and shakers of all ages learn line dances and singing games set to joyful live music. Capital City Grange, Berlin, 3-4:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation; free for kids. Info, 223-1509.

MON.12

burlington

STORIES WITH SHANNON: Bookworms ages 2 through 5 enjoy fun-filled reading time. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

upper valley

STORY TIME WITH BETH: A bookseller and librarian extraordinaire reads two picture books on a different theme each week. Norwich Bookstore, 10 a.m. Free.

Info, 649-1114.

TUE.13

burlington

SING-ALONG WITH LINDA BASSICK: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers sing, dance and wiggle along with Linda.

Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

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chittenden county

CRAFTYTOWN!: From painting and printmaking to collage and sculpture, creative kids explore different projects and mediums. Ages 8 and up, or ages 6 and up with an adult helper. ADA accessible.

South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Little ones enjoy a cozy session of reading, rhyming and singing. Birth through age 5. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

TODDLER STAY AND PLAY: Unstructured play time delights little ones ages 1 to 3 and their adult caregivers. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

barre/montpelier

SPANISH STORY TIME: Preschoolers sing and listen to stories with Edisa.

Imagine gathering with family and friends at a picture-perfect Vermont wedding to celebrate your most special occasion.Whether you envision a wedding reception that’s traditional, formal, intimate or grand, the historic Middlebury Inn has set the stage for your ceremony, rehearsal dinner, morning brunch or special event.

Valentine’s Day jubilee features the works of Bach and Haydn and the world premiere performance of a new student composition.

House Chamber, Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 7:30-8:45 p.m. Free. Info, 864-5741.

VALENTINE’S PRIX-FIXE: Oysters, chocolate lava cakes and paired wines available for purchase make a scrumptious date-night dinner. Dedalus Wine Shop, Market & Wine Bar, Burlington, 5-10 p.m. $80; preregister; limited space. Info, 865-2368.

VISSI D’ARTE DINNER — AN OPERATIC VALENTINE’S DAY: Diners dig into Venetian-style small plates, mingle with the cast of Opera Vermont’s Tosca and sit in on a rehearsal. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, 6-7 p.m. $80; preregister. Info, 533-2000.

language

BEGINNER IRISH LANGUAGE CLASS: See WED.7.

ELL CLASSES: ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS & INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS: See WED.7.

lgbtq

QUEER WRITER’S GROUP: LGBTQ authors meet monthly to discuss their work, write from prompts,

Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

mad river valley/ waterbury

HOMESCHOOL COMPUTER CLUB: Home students learn everything from basic tech techniques to graphic design in this monthly class. Waterbury Public Library, 11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

WED.14

burlington

LEGO TIME AT THE NNE BRANCH: Kids ages 4 through 11 build blocky creations at the library’s new location. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 863-3403.

STEAM SPACE: See WED.7.

TODDLER TIME: See WED.7.

and give each other advice and feedback. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

politics

TOM LITTLE: The former chair of the Vermont Legislative Apportionment Board reflects on the state’s redistricting process.

Live stream available. KelloggHubbard Library, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE TENNIS CLUB: See WED.7.

words

LADEE HUBBARD: The award-winning author of The Last Suspicious Holdout and The Talented Ribkins reads from her work. Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, 8-9 p.m. Free. Info, 635-2727.

LIFE STORIES WE LOVE TO TELL: Prompts from group leader Maryellen Crangle inspire true tales, told either off the cuff or read from prewritten scripts.

Presented by Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 2-3:30 p.m.

Free; preregister; limited space.

Info, 878-4918. ➆

chittenden county

BABY SOCIAL TIME: See WED.7.

MOVIE MATINEE: Film lovers have a family-friendly afternoon at this screening of an animated favorite. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

PLAY TIME: See WED.7.

READ TO A DOG!: Kids of all ages sign up for a 10-minute time slot to tell stories to Emma the therapy pup. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

mad river valley/ waterbury

LEGO CHALLENGE CLUB: Kids engage in a fun-filled hour of building, then leave their creations on display in the library all month long. Ages 6 through 8.

Waterbury Public Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7036. K

obsessed?

Find, fix and feather with Nest Notes — an e-newsletter filled with home design, Vermont real estate tips and DIY decorating inspirations.

Sign up today at sevendaysvt.com/enews.

14 COURT STREET, MIDDLEBURY 802-388-4961 | middleburyinn.com 68

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

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affection. gratitude. admiration.

This Valentine’s Day, express your love — or whatever’s in your heart — to someone special in the pages of this fine newspaper.

Surprise your partner, pal, parent or pet with a personalized and public Valentine’s post printed in Seven Days on February 14.

All messages from simple props to marriage proposals are encouraged.

Order your Cardy-o-grams ($14/message) by noon on Friday, February 9, at:

sevendaysvt.com/heart

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

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HOW’S THE RIDE FEELIN’?

Let us keep the wheels rolling along with your mojo!

Call for an appointment today!

• diagnostics • alignments • tire repair • brake service • oil changes • exhaust systems • inspections

classes THE FOLLOWING CLASS LISTINGS ARE PAID ADVERTISEMENTS. ANNOUNCE YOUR CLASS FOR AS LITTLE AS $16.75/WEEK (INCLUDES SIX PHOTOS AND UNLIMITED DESCRIPTION ONLINE). SUBMIT YOUR CLASS AD AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTCLASS.

QUALITY CAR CARE, DELIVERED WITH RESPECT.

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art

660-0055 girlingtongarage.com

10/27/23 3:38 PM

FIGURE DRAWING AT SOAPBOX ARTS: Please join us for Figure Drawing hosted by Ana Koehler of Devotion. A live nude model will be in short and long poses.

Bring your own drawing supplies. Please no wet supplies like inks or paints.

All drawing levels are welcome. Ages 18-plus. First come, first served. Mon., Feb. 12, 6 p.m.

Cost: $20. Location: Soapbox Arts at the Soda Plant, 266 Pine St., Ste. 119, Burlington. Info: devotion.vt@gmail.com, sevendays tickets.com.

culinary THE BASICS OF CAKE DECORATING: Learn the basics of filling, crumb-coating, getting nice smooth edges and some rosette piping. You’ll take home great new techniques plus a six-inch cake that serves 12. You can select your flavor! Gluten-free, vegan or both are available. Please disclose allergies when registering.

Thu., Feb. 15, 6 p.m. Cost: $85.

Location: Red Poppy Cakery, 1 Elm St., Waterbury Village Historic District. Info: 203-400-0700, sevendaystickets.com.

VT residents $35/day adults $25/day youth (3-17) Children under 3 are FREE with a paying adult!

smuggs.com 800.523.2754 Aqua Fitness * Daytime Tubing at North Hill * Evening Entertainment Family Activities * Ozone at FunZone 2.0 * Guided Winter Walking Cross Country & Snowshoe Trails * Nighttime Tubing at Sir Henry's Hill Bonfire Warm-Up * Indoor Pool * Outdoor Ice Skating 70

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

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VALENTINE’S SUGAR COOKIE DECORATING: Have you ever wanted to learn how to decorate cookies? This class is the perfect introduction to decorating cookies with royal icing! No experience necessary. You will learn how to decorate, outline and flood cookies; get the icing consistency right; and add dimensions to your cookies.

Tue., Feb. 13, 6 p.m. Cost: $65.

Location: Red Poppy Cakery, 1 Elm St., Waterbury Village Historic District. Info: 203-4000700, sevendaystickets.com.

JAPANESE LANGUAGE CLASSES: Interested in Japanese culture or traveling to Japan? Love learning new languages? The Japan America Society of Vermont will offer interactive, online Japanese language classes starting in February. Please join us for an introduction to speaking, listening, reading and writing Japanese, with emphasis on conversational patterns used in everyday life. Weekly, 7-8:30 p.m., starting the week of Feb. 19. Level 1: Wed. Level 2: Mon. Level 3: Tue. Cost: $200 for 1.5 hour class weekly for 10 weeks.

Location: Online. Info: 802-8659985, jasv.org/v2/language.

martial arts

business MAKING MAVERICK’S FEATURING HOMEGROWN JEWELRY: Making Maverick’s features Francesca, the founder of Homegrown Jewelry, in a speaker series highlighting the stories of Vermont entrepreneurs, artists and creators! Join us on-site at Vermont Cider Lab to hear Francesca. You will also be able to enjoy delicious local cider and snacks made by Vermont Cider Lab! Tue., Feb. 13, 6 p.m. Cost: $10. Location: Vermont Cider Lab, 25 Essex Way, Ste. 214, Essex. Info: info@ localmaverickus.com, sevendaystickets.com.

language

kids CACHE IT IF YOU CAN: Which birds and mammals store food for the winter? What do they eat? Where do they hide it? We’ll all try a little caching ourselves!

For ages 6 to 10; takes place outdoors. Price includes museum admission. Wed., Feb. 21, 10 a.m.

Cost: $15-35. Location: Birds of Vermont Museum, 900 Sherman Hollow Rd., Huntington. Info: 802-434-2167, sevendaystickets. com.

AIKIDO: THE WAY OF HARMONY: Cultivate core power, aerobic fitness and resiliency. The dynamic, circular movements emphasize throws, joint locks and the development of internal energy. Inclusive training and a safe space for all. Visitors welcome!

Beginner’s classes 4 days a week. Membership rates incl. unlimited classes. Contact us for info about membership rates for adults, youths & families.

Location: Aikido of Champlain Valley, 257 Pine St., Burlington.

Info: Benjamin Pincus, 802-9518900, bpincus@burlingtonaikido .org, burlingtonaikido.org.

music TAIKO & DJEMBE CLASSES: Taiko, Tue. & Thu.; Djembe, Wed., starting Feb. 6. Dropins welcome. Kids & Parents Taiko, Tue. & Thu., 4-5:30 p.m.

Adult Intro Taiko, 5:30-7 p.m.

Accelerated Taiko, 7-8:30 p.m.

Drums provided. 4-week classes.

World Drumming on Wed.: Kids & Parents, 4-5:30 p.m. Adult Djembe, 5:30-7 p.m. Conga Beginners, 7-8:30 p.m. Drums provided. Location: Taiko Studio, 208 Flynn Ave., Burlington. Info: Stuart, 802-999-4255, classes@ burlingtontaiko.org.

well-being LIVING WITH LOSS: A GATHERING FOR THE GRIEVING: During Living with Loss: A Gathering for the Grieving, we will explore how ritual, connection and community help us through times of loss. This gathering is an opportunity for those who have experienced loss to find connection through meditation, ritual and community sharing. Wed., Feb. 7, 4 p.m. Cost: $5-25. Location: Online. Info: 802-825-8141, sevendaystickets. com.

CLASS PHOTOS + MORE INFO ONLINE SEVENDAYSVT.COM/CLASSES

COURTESY OF KELLY SCHULZE/MOUNTAIN DOG PHOTOGRAPHY

housing »

APARTMENTS, CONDOS & HOMES

on the road »

CARS, TRUCKS, MOTORCYCLES

pro services »

CHILDCARE, HEALTH/ WELLNESS, PAINTING

buy this stuff »

Humane

Society of Chittenden County

Ribsy AGE/SEX: 2-year-old male ARRIVAL DATE: January 5, 2024 SUMMARY: Ribsy is a single piggie looking for his next family!

He is a social pig who will make sure to remind you when it’s dinner time. Ribsy has lived with other pigs in the past and does well; however, he prefers to be the leader of the pack! If you have a confident pig at home who is looking for a buddy, come meet Ribsy at HSCC!

APPLIANCES, KID STUFF, ELECTRONICS, FURNITURE

DOGS/CATS/KIDS: Ribsy has no known experience with dogs or

INSTRUCTION, CASTING, INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE

Visit the Humane Society of Chittenden County at 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Call 862-0135 or visit hsccvt.org for more info.

music » jobs »

DID YOU KNOW?

Guinea pigs are active animals that enjoy playing with toys for enrichment! Different types of enrichment (think toys, activities and a variety of different kinds of spaces within their enclosure) allow guinea pigs to satisfy their natural physical and cognitive needs.

Sponsored by:

cats. Ribsy has lived with children and done well with them.

NO SCAMS, ALL LOCAL, POSTINGS DAILY

NEW STUFF ONLINE EVERY DAY! PLACE YOUR ADS 24-7 AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM. SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

71

CLASSIFIEDS housing

HOUSEMATES NNE DOG-LOVING HOMESHARE Homeshare in Burlington’s New North End w/ professional woman in her 60s.

Enjoys music, animal rights, travel, social justice. $550/mo., utils. & Wi-Fi incl. Seeking housemate to walk delightful, well-behaved small dog 3 times/ week. Private BA. W/D. Off-street parking. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application.

Interview, refs. & background checks required. EHO.

LAND BUILDING LOT IN N.Y. FOR SALE Large building lot for sale, 128’ x 233.46’.

This lot could be the location of your dream home. Public water & sewer are avail. Gas & power are there, too. It’s 0.69 acres, located in Champlain, N.Y. Asking $19,900 firm. Call or text 802-355-4099 w/ questions.

OFFICE/ COMMERCIAL OFFICE FOR RENT Bright, spacious office for rent in the Richardson Building, on Church St. in Burlington, Vt. Perfect for private practice. Seeking psychotherapists.

Shared waiting room w/ 4 other independent practitioners. Please call Michael Schaal at 802-658-9590, ext. 2.

OFFICE/RETAIL SPACE AT MAIN STREET LANDING on Burlington’s waterfront. Beautiful, healthy, affordable spaces for your business. Visit mainstreetlanding.com & click on space avail.

Melinda, 864-7999.

CLASSIFIEDS KEY appt. appointment apt. apartment BA bathroom BR bedroom DR dining room DW dishwasher HDWD hardwood HW hot water LR living room NS no smoking OBO or best offer refs. references sec. dep. security deposit W/D washer & dryer

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and similar Vermont statutes which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitations, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, handicap, presence of minor children in the family or receipt of public assistance, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or a discrimination. The newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate, which is in violation of the law. Our

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housing ads: $25 (25 words) legals: 52¢/word buy this stuff: free online

services

BIZ OPPS RFP FOR ARCHITECT SERVICES Champlain Housing Trust & Evernorth are seeking a pair of proposals from architectural firms for the development & new construction of 40 units of affordable rental housing & 30 units of condominium flats in 2 connected buildings in the Cambrian Rise neighborhood of Burlington, Vt. Qualified applicants will have comparable experience as well as knowledge of affordable housing, multifamily & condominium construction, publicly funded projects, & federal regulations. To obtain a copy of the RFP, including submission requirements & specific project information, please contact Jess Neubelt at Evernorth at jneubelt@evernorthus. org. Proposals incl. all attachments must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. Minority-owned, women-owned, Section 3 businesses & locally owned businesses are encouraged to apply.

COMPUTER WEB DESIGN WORK TRADE Need help designing WordPress domain.

Seeking work trade. I can offer child/animal care & household help (cleaning, organization, errands, meal prep).

Suggestions welcome.

Call 802-461-5238

readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. Any home seeker who feels he or she has encountered discrimination should contact: HUD Office of Fair Housing 10 Causeway St., Boston, MA 02222-1092 (617) 565-5309 — OR — Vermont Human Rights Commission 14-16 Baldwin St. Montpelier, VT 05633-0633 1-800-416-2010 hrc@vermont.gov

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

services: $12 (25 words) fsbos: $45 (2 weeks, 30 words, photo) jobs: michelle@sevendaysvt.com, 865-1020 x121

print deadline: Mondays at 3:30 p.m. post ads online 24/7 at: sevendaysvt.com/classifieds questions? classifieds@sevendaysvt.com 865-1020 x115

FINANCIAL/LEGAL

Manchester VT Home

$10K+ IN DEBT? Be debt-free in 24-48 mos. Pay a fraction of your debt. Call National Debt Relief at 844-9773935. (AAN CAN)

Thursday, Feb. 15 @ 11:00AM Register & Inspect from 10AM

50 Ways Lane, Manchester, VT

DISABILITY BENEFITS You may qualify for disability benefi ts if you are between 52-63 years old & under a doctor’s care for a health condition that prevents you from working for a year or more. Call now!

1-877-247-6750. (AAN CAN)

HEALTH/ WELLNESS

PLACE AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LEGAL-NOTICES OR CALL 802-865-1020, EXT. 121.

WARNING POLICY ADOPTION CHAMPLAIN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

HOME/GARDEN AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind its work.

Fast, free estimate.

Financing avail. Call 1-888-292-8225. Have the zip code of the property ready when calling! (AAN CAN) LOCKSMITH 24/7 We are there when you need us for home & car lockouts. We’ll get you back up & running quickly! Also, key reproductions, lock installs & repairs, vehicle fobs. Call us for your home, commercial & auto locksmith needs!

1-833-237-1233. (AAN CAN) NEED NEW WINDOWS? Drafty rooms? Chipped or damaged frames?

Need outside noise reduction? New, energyefficient windows may be the answer! Call for a consultation & free quote today. 1-877248-9944. You will be asked for the zip code of the property when connecting. (AAN CAN)

The Board of School Directors gives public notice of its intent to adopt local district policies dealing with the following at its meeting scheduled on February 20, 2024: love, laughter, music, D13 - Employee Unlawful Harassment chocolates, flowers, 2/2/24 4:54 PM Copies of the above policies may be obtained a 4-course romantic for public review at the Office of the Human dinner & a delightful Resources Dept. in Shelburne, VT. trolley ride. Book tickets

THCAuction.com • 800-634-7653

PEST CONTROL 16T-Hirchak020724 REMOTE REIKI & Protect your1home from ORACLE pests safely & afford$50 remote Reiki healably. Roaches, bedbugs, ing & intuitive oracle rodents, termites, sessions done by Reiki spiders & other pests. master Erica. Receive Locally owned & link to private YouTube affordable. Call for audio of session. Visit service or an inspection belllasemporium.etsy. today! 1-833-237-1199. com to book.

(AAN CAN) PSYCHIC COUNSELING Psychic counseling, channeling w/ Bernice Kelman, Underhill. 40+ years’ experience. Also energy healing, chakra balancing, Reiki, rebirthing, other lives, classes & more. 802-899-3542, kelman.b@juno.com.

Legal Notices

WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP & RESTORATION A small amount of water can lead to major damage & mold growth in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family & your home’s value! Call 24-7: 1-888-290-2264.

Have zip code of service location ready when you call! (AAN CAN)

at burlingtontrolley. com.

WANT TO BUY TOP CASH FOR OLD GUITARS 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’A ngelico & Stromberg + Gibson mandolins & banjos.

Call 877-589-0747. (AAN CAN)

music buy this stuff

ANTIQUES/ COLLECTIBLES ANTIQUES MARKET Sun., Feb. 11, 8 a.m-1 p.m, at the Canadian Club, 414 E. Montpelier Rd., Rte. 14, Barre, Vt. Early buyers $5 (8 a.m.), general $2 (9 a.m.). Vendors offering antique, midcentury & vintage items in a flea market atmosphere.

Info: Don Willis Antiques, 802-751-6138, montpelierantiques market.com.

ENTERTAINMENT/ TICKETS VALENTINE’S LOVE TROLLEY Don’t miss a romantic evening filled w/

BANDS/ MUSICIANS BLACK CROWES TRIBUTE BAND! Join Vermont’s top Black Crowes tribute band, Sting Me! Seeking musicians: guitar, keys, drums, vocals, horns.

Commitment & rock spirit essential! Visit stingmevt.com for info.

INSTRUCTION GUITAR INSTRUCTION Berklee graduate w/ 30 years’ teaching experience offers lessons in guitar, music theory, music technology, ear training. Individualized, step-by-step approach.

All ages, styles, levels.

Rick Belford, 864-7195, rickbelford.com.

INVITATION TO BID FOR A 2025 SINGLE AXLE DUMP TRUCK (LOW PROFILE) WITH FRONT PLOW, PLOW WING, AND TAILGATE SPREADER, 26,000 GVW, OR LESS. The City of Essex Junction, Vermont, is accepting sealed bids for a 2025 Single Axle Dump Truck (Low Profile), With Front Plow, Wing Plow, and Tailgate Spreader 26,000 lbs. GVW or less.

The City will be trading in a 2012 International Truck 4300M7 with Front Plow, Wing Plow, and Tailgate Sander AS IS with 39,368 miles as of 1/8/24. Bids shall be received at the City Office, 2 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452, until 1 PM on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

Information for bidders and bid forms may be obtained, without charge, on the City’s website www.essexjunction.org/news/invitation-to-bid, at the City Office or by calling (802) 878-6944.

The City of Essex Junction, through its Authorized Representative, reserves the right to waive any information in or reject any and all bids, in whole or in part, or to accept any bid deemed to be in the best interest of the City of Essex Junction.

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 23-PR-06420 In re ESTATE of James M.Holmes NOTICE TO CREDITORS To the creditors of: James M. Holmes, late of Colchester, Vermont I have been appointed to administer this estate.

All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of this publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: January 26, 2024 Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Brenda L. Holmes Executor/Administrator: Brenda L. Holmes c/o Harry C. Parker Esq., Bauer Gravel Farnham, LLP, 38 Community Lane, South Hero, VT 05486 phone: 802-372-6904 email: hparker@vtlawoffices.com Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 02/07/2024

LEGALS »

SEVENDAYSVT.COM/CLASSIFIEDS

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Post & browse ads at your convenience.

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View and post up to 6 photos per ad online.

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There’s no limit to ad length online.

WANT MORE PUZZLES? Try these online news games from Seven Days at sevendaysvt.com/games.

NEW ON FRIDAYS:

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BY JOSH REYNOLDS

Put your knowledge of Vermont news to the test.

See how fast you can solve this weekly 10-word puzzle.

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: ★★★

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: ★★★

Fill the grid using the numbers 1-6, only once in each row and column. The numbers in each heavily outlined “cage” must combine to produce the target number in the top corner, using the mathematical operation indicated. A one-box cage should be filled in with the target number in the top corner. A number can be repeated within a cage as long as it is not the same row or column.

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers one to nine. The same numbers cannot be repeated in a row or column.

NEW EVERY DAY:

ANSWERS ON P.74 ★ = MODERATE ★★ = CHALLENGING ★★★ = HOO, BOY!

Guess today’s 5-letter word.

Hint: It’s in the news!

crossword

STORYBOOK SENTIMENT ANSWERS ON P.74

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SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

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Legal Notices [CONTINUED] Name of Probate Court: State of Vermont Chittenden Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street , Burlington, VT 05401 TOWN OF ESSEX ANNUAL TOWN MEETING OFFICIAL WARNING MARCH 5, 2024 The Legal Voters of the Town of Essex in the County of Chittenden are hereby notified and warned to meet at Essex Middle School, 60 Founders Road, Essex, Vermont on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 to transact the following business by Australian Ballot. The polls for said ballot shall be open from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm at which time they shall be closed.

Article I. Shall the Town adopt a budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 as recommended by the Selectboard in the amount of $16,106,421?

Article II. Shall the Town of Essex adopt the proposed 2024 Town Plan?

Article III. Shall the voters require the Town Annual Report to list the location of commercial properties that received a municipal tax stabilization benefit within the report fiscal year, the amount of that benefit and property owners? (Advisory) Article IV. Shall the voters require the Town Annual Report to list the names, position titles, salaries and benefits of all town employees within the annual report fiscal year? (Advisory) Article V. Election of the following: Moderator, 1 vacancy (1-year term) Selectboard, 1 vacancy (3-year term) The legal voters of the Town of Essex are further notified that voter qualification, registration and absentee voting relative to said annual meeting shall be in accordance with the Vermont Statutes Annotated.

PLACE AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LEGAL-NOTICES OR CALL 802-865-1020, EXT. 121. of the proposed site elevations, removal of the stormwater treatment practices, reduction of the Control Building floor plan area, elimination of the sludge storage tank, removal of the loop road, and addition of a temporary stockpile area. The project is located at 290 Lagoon Rd, Hinesburg, VT 05461 in Hinesburg, Vermont. This application can be viewed online by visiting the Act 250 Database: (https://anrweb.vt.gov/ANR/Act250/Details. aspx?Num=4C1336-1A).

Dated at Essex, Vermont, the 29th day of January 2024 by the Essex Town Selectboard.

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.:​24-PR-00065 In re ESTATE of Keith Bates NOTICE TO CREDITORS To the creditors of: Keith Bates, late of Burlington.

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: January 30, 2024 Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Todd C. Bates Executor/Administrator: Todd C. Bates c/o Drislane Law Office, PO Box 1080, Williston, VT 05495 phone: 802-860-7266 email: michelle@drislanelaw.com Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 02/07/2024 Name of Probate Court: State of Vermont Chittenden Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street , Burlington, VT 05401 ACT 250 NOTICE MINOR APPLICATION 4C1336-1A 10 V.S.A. §§ 6001 - 6111 Application 4C1336-1A from Town of Hinesburg was received on December 15, 2023 and deemed complete on January 26, 2024. The project is generally described as changes to Phase II upgrades planned for the Hinesburg Wastewater Treatment Facility, which were approved in Land Use Permit Amendment 4C1336-1. The changes to the WWTF upgrade include lowering

No hearing will be held, and a permit will be issued unless, on or before February 21, 2024, a party notifies the District 4 Commission in writing of an issue requiring a hearing, or the Commission sets the matter for a hearing on its own motion. Any person as defined in 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1) may request a hearing. Any hearing request must be in writing, must state the criteria or sub-criteria at issue, why a hearing is required, and what additional evidence will be presented at the hearing. Any hearing request by an adjoining property owner or other person eligible for party status under 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1)(E) must include a petition for party status under the Act 250 Rules. To request party status and a hearing, fill out the Party Status Petition Form on the Board’s website: https://nrb. vermont.gov/documents/party-status petitionform, and email it to the District 4 Office at: NRB. Act250Essex@vermont.gov. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law may not be prepared unless the Commission holds a public hearing.

For more information contact Kaitlin Hayes at the address or telephone number below.

Dated this January 31, 2024.

By: /s/ Kaitlin Hayes Kaitlin Hayes District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 (802) 622-4084 kaitlin.hayes@vermont.gov CITY OF BURLINGTON ORDINANCE 7.27 Sponsor: Councilor Traverse Rules suspended and placed in all stages of passage: 01/29/24

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SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

It is hereby Ordained by the City Council of the City of Burlington as follows: That Chapter 2, Administration, Section 2-9, Implementation of Ranked Choice Voting in City Council Elections, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington be and hereby is amended to include the Mayor, School Commissioners, and Ward Election Officers to read as follows: 2-9 Implementation of Ranked Choice Voting in City Council Elections for the Mayor, City Council, School Commissioners, and Ward Election Officers. (a) Purpose and authority. The purpose of this section is to implement ranked choice voting for the election of the Mayor, city councilors, school commissioners, and ward election officers. This section is adopted pursuant to the Charter of the City of Burlington, Section 5, Acts of 1949, No. 298, Vermont General Assembly, as amended. (b) Definitions. As written. (c) Instant runoff retabulation. In the election of the Mayor, city councilors, school commissioners, and ward election officers, if no candidate receives a majority of first preference, an instant runoff retabulation shall be conducted in rounds. In each round, each voter’s ballot shall count as a single vote for which ever active candidate the voter has ranked highest. The candidate with the fewest votes after each round shall be eliminated until only two (2) candidates remain, with the candidate then receiving the greatest number of votes being elected. If there are two (2) or more candidates tied with the lowest vote totals, the tied candidates will be eliminated in a round so long as the vote total sum for all the tied candidates is less than the vote total for the next active candidate with the fewest votes and the number of active candidates is at least one (1) more than the remaining number of positions to elect. (d) - (f) As written. * Material stricken out deleted. ** Material underlined added. kk/KS/Ordinances 2024/BCO Section 2-9/ Elections-Implementation of RCV January 24, 2024 CITY OF ESSEX JUNCTION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED FY25 BUDGET FEBRUARY 28, 2024, 6:30 P.M.

PUZZLE ANSWERS FROM P.73

74

An Ordinance in Relation to ELECTIONS—Rank Choice Voting Implementation BCO Sec. 2-9

A public hearing on the FY25 General Fund and Capital Program Budgets for the City of Essex Junction will be held in person at 2 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction, VT, and online via Zoom on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 6:30 pm. The agenda is available at www.essexjunction.org/ boards/city-council. The agenda also contains a link to join the meeting electronically and call-in information to join by phone.

The public is invited to offer comments regarding the proposed FY25 General Fund and Capital Program Budgets. Budget details can be found at www.essexjunction.org/departments/clerk/voterinformation/annual-meeting/budget-process.

For more information, contact Regina Mahony, City Manager, at 802-878-6944 or rmahony@ essexjunction.org BURLINGTON, VT WARNING & NOTICE 2024 ANNUAL CITY MEETING The legal voters of the City of Burlington, Vermont are hereby warned and notified to come and vote at the Annual City Meeting on Tuesday, the 5th day of March, 2024 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in their respective wards, at the voting places herein after named and designated as polling places: Ward One/East District: Mater Christi School, 50 Mansfield Ave. Ward Two/Central District: Integrated Arts Academy, 6 Archibald St. Ward Three/Central District: Sustainability Academy, 123 North St. Ward Four/North District: Saint Mark’s Youth Center, 1271 North Ave. Ward Five/South District: Burlington Electric Department, 585 Pine St.

Ward Six/South District: Edmunds Middle School, 275 Main St. Ward Seven/North District: Robert Miller Community & Rec. Center, 130 Gosse Ct. Ward Eight/East District: Fletcher Free Library, 235 College St. The polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of electing certain city officers as follows: MAYOR – Three-year term beginning April 1, 2024 WARD ONE/EAST DISTRICT – one Ward One City Councilor for two-year term; one Ward One School Commissioner for two-year term; one Ward One Inspector of Election for three-year term; all terms beginning April 1, 2024 WARD TWO/CENTRAL DISTRICT – one Ward Two City Councilor for two-year term; one Ward Two School Commissioner for two-year term; one Ward Two Inspector of Election for three-year term; one Ward Two Inspector of Election for two-year-term; all terms beginning April 1, 2024 WARD THREE/CENTRAL DISTRICT – one Ward Three City Councilor for two-year term; one Ward Three School Commissioner for two-year term; one Ward Three Ward Clerk for one-year term; one Ward Three Inspector of Election for three-year term; one Ward Three Inspector of Election for one-year-term; all terms beginning April 1, 2024 WARD FOUR/NORTH DISTRICT – one Ward Four City Councilor for two-year term; one Ward Four School Commissioner for two-year term; one Ward Four Inspector of Election for three-year term; one Ward Four Inspector of Election for one-year term; all terms beginning April 1, 2024 WARD FIVE/SOUTH DISTRICT – one Ward Five City Councilor for two-year term; one Ward Five School Commissioner for two-year term; one Ward Five Inspector of Election for three-year term; all terms beginning April 1, 2024 WARD SIX/SOUTH DISTRICT – one Ward Six City Councilor for two-year term; one Ward Six School Commissioner for two-year term; one Ward Six Inspector of Election for three-year term; all terms beginning April 1, 2024 WARD SEVEN/NORTH DISTRICT – one Ward Seven City Councilor for two-year term; one Ward Seven School Commissioner for two-year term; one Ward Seven Inspector of Election for three-year term; all terms beginning April 1, 2024 WARD EIGHT/EAST DISTRICT – one Ward Eight City Councilor for two-year term; one Ward Eight School Commissioner for two-year term; one Ward Eight Ward Clerk for one-year term; one Ward Eight Inspector of Election for three-year term; one Ward Eight Inspector of Election for two-year term; one Ward Eight Inspector of Election for one-year term; all terms beginning April 1, 2024 The legal voters shall also vote upon two special articles being placed on the ballot by request of the City Council by Resolutions duly adopted and approved and one special article being placed on the ballot by request of the Board of School Commissioners by action of the Commissioners duly approved, with all said special articles being as follows: 1. APPROVAL OF SCHOOL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 “Shall the voters of the Burlington School District approve the school board to expend $119,604,584, which is the amount the school board has deemed necessary for the support of the school system for the ensuing fiscal year?”

2. INCREASE IN PUBLIC SAFETY TAX RATE FOR FIRE AND POLICE PURPOSES “Pursuant to Section 102a of the City Charter, shall the police and fire tax rate be increased by three cents ($0.03) for public safety purposes, so that the police and fire tax rate (one component of the overall city tax rate) for FY25 is increased from $0.0785 to $0.1085, an approximate four percent (4%) increase from the FY24 overall city tax rate?”

3. CHARTER CHANGE RE: ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT “Shall the Charter of the City of Burlington, Acts of 1949, No. 298, as amended, in Title III, Article 24, Bonding the City, Section 62(a), be further amended as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided, the credit of the city, except by temporary loans not exceeding during any quarter of any fiscal year twenty-five (25) percent of the taxes assessed upon the entire grand list for such fiscal year, and except by emergency loans as hereinafter provided, shall not be pledged by the city council, or by any officer of said city, unless by vote of the legal voters of said city, at a meeting thereof duly called for that purpose; provided, however, that the chief administrative officer, when authorized and directed by resolution of the city council, may pledge the credit of the city by a temporary loan in anticipation of the receipt of revenue from the airport department, or the traffic division or the wastewater or water divisions of the public works department for their ordinary running expenses during times in any fiscal year when there are not sufficient funds on hand to the credit of the airport department or the abovementioned divisions for the payment of such bills and accounts, or sufficient unappropriated funds in the city treasury from which such accounts may be paid pending the receipt of revenues of the division sufficient to pay such bills and accounts; and provided further, that the chief administrative officer, when authorized by the city council, may pledge the credit of the city by temporary borrowing in anticipation of the receipt of revenue from the electric department not to exceed **five ** *ten* million dollars outstanding at any time to provide working capital and liquidity for the electric department *, with the electric department to repay such borrowing from available revenues*.

Temporary notes issued hereunder in anticipation of the receipt of the revenue from the electric department shall mature within two years from the date of issue, and may be renewed or refunded by the issue of other notes maturing within a similar period whenever such action is deemed expedient. Except as above provided, all temporary loans, except loans for the payment of bills and accounts of the water division of the public works department and the electric department and except emergency loans, shall be paid by the chief administrative officer from and out of the receipts from the collection of the installment of property taxes or other taxes next falling due after the making of the loan, and all moneys received from such temporary loans, other than for the water division of the public works department and the electric department and other than from emergency loans, shall be used to pay the current and ordinary expenses of the city, pending the collection of taxes. All such temporary loans made to pay the accounts and bills of the water division of the public works department pending the receipt of revenue shall be paid during said fiscal year from the revenues received by that division. Temporary loans under this paragraph for the water division and electric departments shall be general obligations of the city notwithstanding that they are primarily payable from the revenues or receipts of the respective division and departments.” * Material underlined added ** Material struck out deleted __________________________________ Miro Weinberger, Mayor Dated this 31st day of January, 2024 STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.:​23-PR-07536 In re ESTATE of Joshua B. Stedman NOTICE TO CREDITORS To the creditors of: Joshua B. Stedman, late of Burlington, Vermont I have been appointed to administer this estate.

All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of this publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: February 1, 2024 Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Harry C. Parker Executor/Administrator: Harry C. Parker, Esq, Bauer Gravel Farnham, LLP, 38 Community Lane, South Hero, VT 05486 email: hparker@vtlawoffices.com Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 02/07/2024

Name of Probate Court: State of Vermont Chittenden Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street , Burlington, VT 05401 NOTICE TO VOTERS FOR MARCH 5, 2024 ELECTION BURLINGTON, VT BEFORE ELECTION DAY: CHECKLIST POSTED at Clerk’s Office by Sunday, February 4, 2024. If your name is not on the checklist, then you must register to vote. You may also check your voter registration status at https:// mvp.vermont.gov. SAMPLE BALLOTS will beposted

by Saturday, February 24, 2024.

HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE: There is no deadline to register to vote. You will be able to register to vote on the day of the election. You can register prior by visiting the City Clerk’s office or going online to olvr. vermont.gov.

EARLY or ABSENTEE BALLOTS: All registered Burlington voters will be automatically mailed absentee ballots for this election. The latest you can request ballots to be mailed for the March 5, 2024 Election is by the close of the City Clerk’s office at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2024. Ballots can be requested in-person at the City Clerk’s office until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2024.

WAYS TO VOTE YOUR EARLY BALLOT: Mail or deliver the ballot mailed to you back to the City Clerk’s Office before Election Day, drop off at one of the City’s five Drop Boxes, or return it to your polling place before 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office if you have not received your ballot in the mai l by February 21, 2024.

If you are sick or disabled before Election Day, ask the City Clerk to have two Justices of the Peace bring a ballot to you at your home. (Ballots can be delivered on any of the eight days preceding the day of the election or on the day of the election.)

ON ELECTION DAY: If your name was dropped from the checklist in error, or has not been added even though you submitted a timely application for addition to the checklist, you can fill out a new registration form.

If the Clerk or Board for Registration of Voters does not add your name, you can appeal the decision to a Superior Court Judge, who will settle the matter on Election Day. Call the Secretary of State’s Office at 1-800-439-VOTE (439-8683) for more information.

If you are a first time voter who submitted your application to the checklist individually by mail and did not submit the required document, you must provide a current and valid photo identification, OR a bank statement, utility bill, or government document that contains your name/current address.

If you have physical disabilities, are visually impaired or can’t read, you may have assistance from any person of your choice. If any voters you know have disabilities, let them know they can have assistance from any person of their choice. You may also use the accessible voting system to mark your ballot. If you want to use the accessible voting system tell the entrance check list official. An election official will take you to the accessible ballot marking device, enter a security code, and then leave you to mark and print your ballot privately. More details about our accessible ballot marking device are available at https://sos. vermont.gov/elections/voters/accessible-voting/ If you know voters who cannot get from the car into the polling place let them know that ballot(s) may be brought to their car by two election officials.

If you have any questions or need assistance while voting, ask your City Clerk or any election official for help.

NO PERSON SHALL: Vote more than once per election, either in the same town or in different towns.

Mislead the Board for Registration of Voters about your own or another person’s true residency or other eligibility to vote.

Hinder or impede a voter going into or from the polling place.

Socialize in a manner that could disturb other voters in the polling place.

Offer, bribe, threaten or exercise undue influence to dictate or control the vote of another person.

FOR HELP OR INFORMATION: Call the Secretary of State’s Office at 1-800-439-VOTE (439-8683).

(Accessible by TDD) If you believe that any of your voting rights have been violated, you may file an Administrative Complaint with the Secretary of State’s Office, 128 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633.

If you believe you have witnessed efforts to commit any kind of fraud or corruption in the voting process, you may report this to your local United States Attorney’s Office.

If you have witnessed actual or attempted acts of discrimination or intimidation in the voting process, you may report this to the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice at (800) 253-3931.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR VOTERS using Vote Tabulator Ballots CHECK-IN AND RECEIVE BALLOTS: Go to the entrance checklist table.

Give name and, if asked, street address to the election official in a loud voice.

Wait until your name is repeated and checked off by the official.

An election official will give you a ballot.

Enter within the guardrail and go to a vacant voting booth.

MARK YOUR BALLOT: For each office listed on the ballot, you will see instructions to “Vote for not more than one, or Vote for not more than two, etc.”

To vote for a candidate, fill in the oval to the right of the name of the candidate you want to vote for.

WRITE-IN candidate(s). To vote for someone whose name is not printed on the ballot, use the blank “write-in” lines on the ballot and either write in the name or paste on sticker, then fill in the oval.

CAST YOUR VOTE by depositing your voted ballot into the vote tabulating machine.

LEAVE the voting area immediately by passing outside the guardrail.

NOTICE CITY OF BURLINGTON FULL BOARD OF ABATEMENT OF TAXES The Full Board of Abatement of Taxes of the City of Burlington will meet in Contois Auditorium and via ZOOM: https://zoom.us/j/92973478288 on Monday, February 12, 2024* to hear and act upon the request for abatement of taxes and/or penalties from: GoldenJunk LLC 310-320 North Winooski Avenue 040-2-140-000 New Northgate Housing LLC 275 Northgate Road 023-3-049-000 *The City Council Meeting usually begins at 7:00 p.m. The Full Board of Abatement of Taxes Meeting is part of this agenda, no set start time.

NORTHSTAR SELF STORAGE WILL BE HAVING A PUBLIC AND ONLINE SALE/AUCTION FOR THE FOLLOWING STORAGE UNITS ON FEBRUARY 22, 2024, AT 9:00 AM Northstar Self Storage will be having a public and online sale/auction on February 22, 2024 at 9am EST at 130 Taconic Business Park, Manchester Center, VT 05255 (Unit M203), 681 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, VT 05151 (Units R19, R55, R67), 205 VT-4A West, Castleton VT 05735 (3-10, 3-32, 3-37) and 1124 Charlestown Road, Springfield, VT 05156 (Units S56, S72, S108, S131) and online at www.storagetreasures.com at 9:00 am in accordance with VT Title 9 Commerce and Trade Chapter 098: Storage Units 3905. Enforcement of Lien Unit # Name Contents 1 M203 Corey Hazelton Household Goods 2 R19 Laura Lockerby Household Goods 3 R55 Mitchell Pike Household Goods 4 R67 Melinda Bussino Household Goods 5 3-37 Thomas Amerio Household Goods 7 3-10 James Burch Household Goods 8 3-32 Beverly Burch Household Goods 9 S56 Helena Bundy Household Goods 10 S72 Desiray Bemis Household Goods 11 S108 Bobbie Bennet Household Goods 12 S131 Amy Dacharme Household Goods THE CONTENTS OF STORAGE UNIT 01-4409, LOCATED AT 28 ADAMS DRIVE WILLISTON, VT, 05495 Will be sold on or about the 22nd of February 2024 to satisfy the debt of Georgia Bessette. Any person claiming a right to the goods may pay the amount claimed due and reasonable expenses before the sale, in which case the sale may not occur.

THE CONTENTS OF STORAGE UNIT 02-00115, 020228, 02-00313,02-00316, 02-00320 LOCATED AT 48 INDUSTRIAL AVE, WILLISTON, VT, 05495 Will be sold on or about the 22nd of February 2024 to satisfy the debt of aaaron 24-hour locksmith .

Any person claiming a right to the goods may pay the amount claimed due and reasonable expenses

LEGALS » SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

75

Legal Notices

In your heart forever.

[CONTINUED] before the sale, in which case the sale may not occur.

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD ZOOM MEETING* APPLICATIONS UNDER REVIEW FOR FEBRUARY 27, 2024 – 7PM The Huntington Development Review Board (DRB) will meet via Zoom to conduct the following business, pursuant to the Huntington Zoning and Subdivision Regulations: Conditional Use Review Sarah and Albert Dickerson seek approval for a non-dwelling structure on a 231.1 acre lot. Project is located in the Conservation District (25-acre zoning) on Fielder Road. Tax Map ID# 09-019.100.

Reopened hearing.

Appeal of Administrative Officer Decision Daniel Paradiso is appealing a permit denial for structures in a chicken garden on a 1.13 acre lot.

Project is located in the Neighborhood District (1acre zoning) on Main Road. Tax Map ID# 11-007.100.

Waiver sought.

The project information is available on the town website www.huntingtonvt.org.Participation in a hearing is required to appeal a decision of the DRB. Application materials may be viewed the week before meeting.

-Yves Gonnet, DRB Staff, February 5, 2024 *Zoom:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82853092094 ?pwd=K2pFMU9MMkpQcDQrMVVSakF xWXUzUT09 Meeting ID: 828 5309 2094 Passcode: 328992 / Questions: 802-434-3557.

TOWN OF JERICHO PUBLIC HEARING BUDGET & CAPITAL BUDGET On Monday, February 26th at 6:00 pm, the Selectboard will hold a public hearing to solicit comments on the proposed FY25 Budget & Capital Budget. The public is invited to attend and offer comments on the proposed budget. Copies may be viewed on the Towns website at www.jerichovt.org.

Join via zoom meeting online: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/86345523828?pwd=Z1hWT2twQ08wW mIxZHJVdFcrQkQ4QT09 Join by Phone: +1 929 205 6099 Meeting ID: 863 4552 3828 Password: 798650 CITY OF ESSEX JUNCTION DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD PUBLIC MEETING FEBRUARY 15, 2024 6:30 P.M.

Share the story of your special friend.

Your beloved pet was a part of the family.

Explain how and why in a Seven Days pet memorial. Share your Seven Days Pet Memorials animal’s photo and SPONSORED BY a written remembrance in the Paws Fur-ever Loved section of the at Home newspaper and online. It’s an Mobile Veterinary Hospice & affordable way to acknowledge End of Life Care and celebrate the nonhuman companions in our lives.

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please visit sevendaysvt.com/ petmemorials or scan the QR code.

76

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

This meeting will be held in person at 2 Lincoln Street in the conference room and remotely. The meeting will be live-streamed on Town Meeting TV. • JOIN ONLINE: Visit www.essexjunction.org for meeting connection information.

• JOIN CALLING: Join via conference call (audio only): Dial 1(888) 788-0099 (toll free) Meeting ID: 839 2599 0985 Passcode: 940993 PUBLIC MEETING Design review for exterior site work and the proposed new vestibule of Lincoln Hall at 2 Lincoln Street in the VC District for Design Review and Historic Preservation, by Scott & Partners, Inc. Architects, agent for City of Essex Junction, owners. This DRAFT agenda may be amended.

Any questions re: above please call Terry Hass – 802-878-6950 PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE BURLINGTON COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE Pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §4442 and §4444, notice is hereby given of a public hearing by the Burlington City Council to hear comments on the following proposed amendments to the City of Burlington’s Comprehensive Development Ordinance (CDO): ZA-24-02 Neighborhood Code The public hearing will take place on Monday,

February 26, 2024 during the Regular City Council Meeting which begins at 6:00 pm in Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall, 149 Church Street, Burlington, VT or you may access the hearing/ meeting as follows: On-line: https://zoom.us/j/99756965793 By telephone: +1 929 205 6099 Webinar ID: 997 5696 5793 Pursuant to the requirements of 24 V.S.A. §4444(b): Statement of purpose: The purpose of the proposed amendment is as follows: • This amendment creates a new framework for the city’s residential zoning districts that enables a range of housing types, including single-family, ADUs, duplex through four-unit developments, as well as townhouses and small multi-unit buildings in some locations. These amendments enable greater flexibility for existing homes as well as a range of housing options within neighborhoods, create new zoning standards along transportation corridors identified in planBTV, and comply with Act 47 of 2023 of the VT Legislature.

Geographic areas affected: These amendments apply to the following areas of the city: • All current residential zoning districts (RL, RL-W, RM, RM-W, and RH) within the city with additional changes to expand the residential districts into the following adjacent parcels: ◦ 60 Austin Drive (057-2-112-000) ◦ 2076 North Avenue (021-2-052-000) List of section headings affected: The proposed amendments modify the following sections of the Burlington Comprehensive Development Ordinance: • Sec. 4.3.1 Base Districts Established, Map 4.3.1-1 Base Zoning Districts; • Sec. 4.3.2 Overlay Districts Established; • Sec. 4.4.3, Enterprise Districts, including Table 4.4.3-1, Map 4.4.3-1 Enterprise Districts; • Sec. 4.4.5 Residential Districts; Map 4.4.5-1 Residential Zoning Districts; Tables 4.4.5-1, Minimum Lot Size and Frontage: RL, RL-W, RM and RM-W; Table 4.4.5-2, Base Residential Density; 4.4.5-3, Residential District Dimensional Standards; 4.4.5-5, Senior Housing Bonus; 4.4.5-7, Residential Conversion Bonus; 4.4.5-8, Maximum Density, Lot Coverage and Building Heights with Bonuses; • Map 4.4.6-1, Recreation, Conservation and Open Space Districts; • Sec. 4.5.1, Design Review Overlay District; Map 4.5.1-1; Design Review Overlay; • Sec. 4.5.3, RH Density Bonus Overlay District and Map 4.5.3-1: RH Density Bonus Overlay • Sec. 4.5.4, Natural Resource Protection Overlay (NR) District; Map 4.5.4-1 Natural Resource Overlay District; • Sec. 4.5.5, RL Larger Lot Overlay District and Map 4.5.5-1, RL Larger Lot Overlay; • Sec. 4.5.6, Mouth of the River Overlay District and Map 4.5.6-1, Mouth of River Overlay; • Sec. 4.5.7, Centennial Woods Overlay District and Map 4.5.7-1, Centennial Woods Overlay; • Sec. 4.5.8, South End Innovation District Overlay, including Tables 4.5.8-1, 2 & 3, and Maps 4.5.8-1 and 4.5.8-2.

• Sec. 5.2.1, Existing Small Lots; • Sec. 5.2.4 (a) Buildable Area Calculation; • Sec. 5.2.5 (b), Exceptions to Yard Setbacks Requirements; • Sec. 5.3.4, Nonconforming Uses; • Sec. 5.4.8, Historic Buildings and Sites; • Sec 5.4.12, Mobile Home Parks; • 6.2.2 (h) Design Review- Building Location and Orientation; • Sec. 6.3.2 (a), Relate development to its environment, and 6.3.2(a) 1. Architectural Review- Massing, Height and Scale; • Sec. 11.1.3 (PUD) General Requirements and Applicability and 11.1.4 (PUD) Modification of Requirements.; • Article 13- Definitions; • Appendix A- Use Table The full text of the Burlington Comprehensive Development Ordinance is available online at www.burlingtonvt.gov/DPI/CDO. Upon request, a hard copy of the proposed amendments can be viewed at the Clerk’s Office located on the second floor of City Hall, 149 Church Street, Burlington, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or online at https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/DPI/CDO/ Amendments.

77 FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

ATTENTION RECRUITERS: POST YOUR JOBS AT: PRINT DEADLINE: FOR RATES & INFO:

JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POST-A-JOB NOON ON MONDAYS (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS) MICHELLE BROWN, 802-865-1020 X121, MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

YOUR TRUSTED LOCAL SOURCE. JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM Cemetery Sexton Job description: morristownvt.gov Please submit letter of interest and/ or resume: Human Resource Dept.

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Email: HR@morristownvt.gov.

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Explore opportunities like: Case Administrator/ Intake Clerk U.S. District Court The United States District Court is seeking a qualified individual with excellent analytical, clerical, operational and computer skills capable of functioning in a dynamic, team-oriented environment. The duty station is Burlington, Vermont. Full federal benefits apply.

Complete job description and formal application requirements are found in the official Position Announcement available from court locations in Burlington and Rutland and the court’s website: vtd.uscourts.gov E.O.E.

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Join our non-profit senior living community leadership team to chart medium- and long-term plans for EastView’s strategic growth.

EastView at Middlebury (Middlebury, VT) is seeking an experienced project development professional to support EastView in advancing its solid financial and cultural foundations through a series of smart growth priorities.

This Full-time Leadership position will initially focus on 3 areas: • Profit & Loss management – developing market-based revenue growth initiatives and identifying operational cost efficiencies • Collaborative affiliations or partnerships – leading an exploration of win/win relationships • Expansion – advancing smart-growth options to expand both the capacity of the community and services provided.

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YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR ATTENTION RECRUITERS: POST CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

78 FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

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PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGER The Lamoille County Planning Commission (LCPC) seeks a highly skilled, self-motivated, Finance Manager to join our team of dedicated professionals in a public service organization.

Working directly with the Executive Director, responsibilities include management of LCPC’s financial accounts, development of indirect cost rate proposals, financial reporting to the Executive Director and Board, budget tracking, state and federal grant and contract management, financial aspects of grant reporting, management of payroll and staff benefits, annual audit preparation, and general oversight of office financial operations.

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2v-LakeChamplainWaldorfSchool1220&122723 12/18/23 1 9:40 AM

Town Manager Morristown, Vermont (pop. 5,500) has recently adopted the Manager Form of Government. With unanimous support from the Selectboard, and voter approval by a two to one margin, the community is eager for professional municipal management. To this end, the Town seeks an experienced Manager with a collaborative, engaging style, deep knowledge of local government, and the ability to build consensus across the community.

Morristown is a regional center of commerce for Lamoille County – one of Vermont’s fastest growing regions. The Town is anchored by Morrisville, a vibrant village focused on commerce, food, the arts, and community. Ideally located between the Green and Worcester mountain ranges, and surrounded by hiking, biking, snowmobiling, and skiing, Morristown’s population and housing growth is on a strong upward trend.

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The Manager will serve as the Chief Administrative Officer and oversee daily operations of the Town, while leading an accomplished team of department heads. With broad responsibility for all Town functions, the Manager is ultimately responsible for the following core areas: personnel management; financial management; project management; and communications. The Town has combined budgets of $9.2 million across multiple funds and 50 full time employees. Employees are represented by three unions (police, highway, and general / EMS).

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The anticipated starting salary is between $120,000 and $135,000, depending on qualifications and experience. A recruitment brochure and job description are available at morristownvt.gov under Latest News. Dominic Cloud is the recruiter and he can be reached at (802) 309 – 1775 or dcloud@vlct.org. To apply, please email cover letter & resume to Mr. Cloud. Resume review begins on February 19, 2024.

Morristown is an Equal Opportunity Provider & Employer

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• First Grade Teacher • Fourth Grade Teacher

www.lakechamplainwaldorfschool.org

Morristown, Vermont

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Open Positions:

Full descriptions and to apply: bit.ly/NDIfall2022

LCPC is the regional planning commission for the ten towns and five villages in Lamoille County. Our mission is to assist municipalities and to work collaboratively with them to address regional issues, including housing, transportation, land use, energy, disaster recovery, water quality and health. The position is based at the office in Morrisville with a hybrid schedule that includes remote work.

Please email a letter of interest, resume, and salary requirements to Tasha Wallis, Executive Director at tasha@lcpcvt.org.

This position will remain open until filled. LCPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Join us at Lake Champlain Waldorf School to deliver a holistic and developmental approach to education.

Summer Art Camp INSTRUCTOR Are you an energetic and motivated individual eager to join Davis Studio's team of Summer Art Camp Instructors? We provide week-long camp programming for students in grades 1 – 9, with a focus on art and creativity through different themes. We are seeking someone who is available to instruct 3 to 5 weeks of summer camps (8am-3pm, M-F). Our ideal candidate is organized, has strong communication and classroom management skills, along with a commitment to providing campers with an excellent experience.

Requirements: CPR/First Aid Certification, Experienced Art Teacher, Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media Skills Salary: $20.00 - $23.00/hour Experience: At least 1 year of teaching experience (Required).

Send resumes to: mdickerson@ davisstudiovt.com.

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79 FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

NEK Delivery Driver Wanted JOIN OUR TEAM! Join Our CBMVT Family!

Join CBMVT a leading janitorial and maintenance company. Perform critical cleaning responsibilities for our clients, with emphasis on stellar customer service. Experience career growth, benefits, paid training, PTO and Employer matched 401K! Full time site supervisor position overseeing cleaning staff at multiple residential living facilities. Ideal candidates enjoy collaborative projects and can demonstrate attention to details.

Must pass background check.

Call 802-951-1102 today!

Want to be a hero every Wednesday? Need some cash?

Get paid to drive through beautiful Vermont scenery while delivering Vermont’s most beloved newspaper! We are looking for a driver to deliver Seven Days weekly in the Orleans County (NEK) area.

Only requirements are a clean driving record (no major violations), availability on Wednesdays, a reliable vehicle (preferably station wagon style or larger), ability to lift 15 pounds and a positive attitude. If you can check all these boxes, then we want you to join the Seven Days Circulation team. Familiarity with the region is a plus. We pay hourly plus mileage reimbursement. Papers can be picked up locally. Regular trips to Burlington not required.

Email circ@sevendaysvt.com. No phone calls, please Seven Days is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Assistant Cook VERMONT PUBLIC IS HIRING! We are Vermont’s unified public media organization (formerly VPR and Vermont PBS), serving the community with trusted journalism, quality entertainment, and diverse educational programming.

• SVP People & Culture • Newsroom Intern

Bugbee Senior Center is seeking someone to join our kitchen crew to help prepare the 30,000 lunches and Meals on Wheels that many Upper Valley seniors rely upon each year. This could be you if you care about the wellness of older adults, and if you love cooking. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of experience.

This is an on-site position in White River Junction, regularly scheduled Monday to Friday from 7am – 1pm. Compensation starts at $16 and includes paid time off, paid holidays, and a matching retirement contribution. Bugbee is an equal opportunity, friendly, and welcoming organization.

Visit bugbeecenter.org/employment to start the application process. Please do not send a cover letter or resume. All applications should be submitted through our website.

• Producer Reporter Engagement Journalism • Chief Engineer Studio We believe a strong organization includes employees from a range of backgrounds with different skills, experience & passions.

Shared Living Provider For a 24-year-old young woman Seeking in home support for a 24-year-old young woman in her first apartment in the Old North End of Burlington. She needs support with cooking, cleaning, household tasks and attending appointments. This individual does not have supervision needs but staying in her apartment nightly is required. This individual has a great sense of humor, is very outgoing and enjoys socializing. An ideal candidate would have excellent inter-personal skills and a willingness to learn on the job. Rent and annual stipend included.

If interested, please call or text (802) 782-1588 with a summary of your experience.

howardcenter.org • 802-488-6500

Operations Manager The Preservation Trust of Vermont (PTV) builds community through the preservation of historic buildings and the revitalization of Vermont’s villages and downtowns. Last year, PTV worked on 356 preservation and revitalization projects in 152 Vermont communities.

PTV is seeking a highly organized and collaborative team member who will help PTV achieve its mission by managing our physical office and administrative functions. The ideal candidate will be excited to serve Vermont communities, have exceptional attention to detail, and have experience managing an office and organizational resources. This position is a hybrid in-office/work-at-home position, based in Montpelier.

See ptvermont.org/seeking-operations-manager-for-thepreservation-trust-of-vermont for description, salary & benefits.

Send resume and cover letter to Ben Doyle, President, at ben@ptvermont.org. Application deadline: February 23, 2024.

Energy Navigator Program Manager Goddard College, a leader in non-traditional education, has the following full-time, benefit eligible and part-time position openings:

ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORT COORDINATOR

To see more openings & apply: vermontpublic.org/ careers.

REGISTRAR

Must be able to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Vermont Public is a proud equal opportunity employer.

To view position descriptions and application instructions, please visit our website: goddard.edu/about-goddard/employment-opportunities/

Help your neighbors implement climate and energy solutions.

The nonprofit Climate Economy Action Center of Addison County (CEAC) needs you as Program Manager for its new Residential Energy Navigator Program. The Program Manager will play a vital role in providing an independent, trusted, and local resource connecting Addison County people to the opportunities available to bring electric heat pumps and other weatherization and energy efficiency improvements into their homes to create a low carbon future.

Immediate opening. Please submit applications by email to energynavigator.ceac@gmail.com. Applications should include a cover letter, resume, three references, and several work samples. More details are available at: tinyurl.com/2uwank6n.

YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR ATTENTION RECRUITERS: POST CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

80 FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

Are you passionate about making a difference? Wake Robin is seeking enthusiastic individuals in all departments to join our vibrant community!

We are currently HIRING:

Health Services: Staff Nurse (RN, LPN), Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNA) Dining Services: General Manager, Floor Managers, Healthcare Hospitality Assistants, Servers, Dining Operations Coordinator, Cooks, Sous Chefs & Dishwashers

Executive Assistant

Vermont Compost Co. in Montpelier is hiring!

We are seeking a Fulfillment Crew Member to join our team.

A leading compost & potting soil producer for over 30 years, we provide a fun and dynamic environment. Staff enjoy competitive wages and a generous benefits package.

Visit our website for more information: VermontCompost.com/Careers

Environmental Services: Housekeepers & Security

Seeking Executive Assistant. Fulfills the mission of Norwich University by managing administrative functions within the Office of the Provost to include support of the Provost and Associate Provosts.

Apply online:

bit.ly/NorwichExecAsst2024

At Wake Robin, we are committed to your professional development and career growth, making your experience with us not only rewarding but also a significant step in your career. Wake Robin offers competitive benefits & believes in supporting a livable wage for all Vermonters.

Visit wakerobin.com/contact-us/employment and apply today to join a team & caring community where your work truly makes a difference in the lives of others!

You’re in good hands with...

Principal The Kingdom East School District is seeking three dynamic and caring instructional leaders to fill principal positions at Burke Town School (PreK-8), Lunenburg School (K-5), and Lyndon Town School (PreK-8) that have experience cultivating a vibrant, professional and effective learning environment. The Principal will oversee students and staff who are dedicated to providing an outstanding educational experience for all students. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, collaborative leadership skills, curriculum development experience, and the ability to balance financial, operational and program needs. Position will start July 1, 2024.

Current Vermont Teaching License (or eligibility) with proper administrative/principal endorsement (3-91) is required.

Competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience and skills.

Only completed, on-line applications at schoolspring. com will be accepted. On-line application must include: profile, letter, resume, and questions, if asked. Hard copies of Vermont Certification with appropriate endorsements, three written letters of reference and transcripts will be required for verification at the interview level. Visit our website kingdomeast.org for information about our schools.

Minority applicants are encouraged to apply. E.O.E. M/F

T H E University of Vermont M E D I C A L C E N T E R

H EUniversity EE NN TE Vermont M Universityofof Vermont T HT E MEEDDI ICCAAL LCC TR ER Phlebotomy Apprenticeship Training Program PhlebotomyApprenticeship Apprenticeship Training Phlebotomy TrainingProgram Program You can invest in your career! Our training program is a paid, You can invest in your career! Our training program is a paid, paid

You can invest in yourcareer! career!Our Our training training program isisa a paid Youopportunity can invest your paid, toinbecome a phlebotomist withprogram no experience necessary, a opportunity to become a phlebotomist with no experience necessary, necessary. a opportunity todiploma becomeoraGED phlebotomist no experience a high school is required. with Selected students willnecessary, be high school diploma oror GED is is required.

Selected students will bebe A high school diploma GED required.

Selected students will provided textbooks, receive mentoring from program staff, high schoolwith diploma or GED is required.

Selected students will and be provided with textbooks, receive mentoring from program staff, and prepared to textbooks, take the Phlebotomy Certification Exam!

The application provided with receive mentoring from program staff, and prepare tototake prepared takethe thePhlebotomy PhlebotomyCertification CertificationExam!

Exam!The Theapplication application deadline for the Spring 2024 program is Wednesday, February 28th. prepared tofor take Phlebotomy Certification Exam!

The application deadline thethe Spring 2024 program is Wednesday, February 28th. deadline for theemployment Spring 2024on program Guaranteed day oneisofWednesday, the training February 28th.

Guaranteed employment on day one of the training Great pay and full benefits

Guaranteed employment on day one of the training Great pay and full benefits A $2,000 sign on bonus

Great pay and benefits A $2,000 signfull on bonus sign-on bonus

External candidates are eligible for a one-time sign on bonus paid over 3 installments. Amounts reflect External candidates are eligible a one-time sign on bonus over 33 installments. sign-on bonus paid paid overby installments.

Amounts reflect gross pay, prior to applicable taxfor withholdings and deductions require law. CurrentAmounts Universityreflect of Vermont gross pay, applicable tax withholdings and deductions deductions require by Current prior to applicable tax withholdings and required bylaw. law.apply.

CurrentUniversity Universityof ofVermont Health Network employees are excluded and additional terms and conditions External candidates are eligible for a one-time sign on bonus paid over 3 installments.

Amounts reflect Health Network are excluded and additional terms andterms conditions apply. apply.

Vermont Healthemployees Network employees are excluded and additional and conditions

A $2,000 sign on bonus

gross pay, prior to applicable tax withholdings and deductions require by law. Current University of Vermont Health Network employees are excluded and additional terms and conditions apply.

Apply now at www.iaahitec.org/phlebotomy Apply now at www.iaahitec.org/phlebotomy

“Seven Days sales rep Michelle Brown is amazing! She’s extremely responsive, and I always feel so taken care of. I can only imagine how many job connections she has facilitated for local companies in the 20 years she has been doing this.”

CAROLYN ZELLER Intervale Center, Burlington

Apply now at www.iaahitec.org/phlebotomy

The UVM Medical Center will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices The UVM CenterRELIGION, will not discriminate applicants or apprentices based onMedical RACE, COLOR, NATIONALagainst ORIGIN,apprenticeship SEX (INCLUDING PREGNANCY AND GENDER based on RACE, COLOR, RELIGION,GENETIC NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX OR (INCLUDING GENDER IDENTITY), SEXUAL ORIENTATION, INFORMATION, BECAUSEPREGNANCY THEY ARE ANAND INDIVIDUAL SEXUAL OR ORIENTATION, GENETIC IDENTITY), WITH A DISABILITY A PERSON 40 YEARS INFORMATION, OLD OR OLDER.OR BECAUSE THEY ARE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY OR A PERSON 40 YEARS OLD OR OLDER. The THe UVMUVM Medical Center willwill not discriminate applicants apprentices Medical Center take affirmative against action toapprenticeship provide equal opportunity in or apprenticeship based RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX (INCLUDING AND GENDER THe UVM Medical Center will take take affirmative affirmative action to provide provide equal opportunity in of apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program action as required under Title 29 of PREGNANCY the Code Federal Theon UVM Medical Center will to equal opportunity in apprenticeship IDENTITY), GENETIC INFORMATION, OR BECAUSE THEY ARE INDIVIDUAL and willSEXUAL operate the program as required under Title 29 of the Code ofAN Federal Regulations, partORIENTATION, 30.apprenticeship Regulations, partOR 30.A PERSON 40 YEARS OLD OR OLDER. WITH A DISABILITY

Get a quote when posting online. Contact Michelle Brown at 865-1020, ext. 121, michelle@sevendaysvt.com.

JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

THe UVM Medical Center will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30.

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81 FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

JOIN OUR TEAM! AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL BASED IN MIDDLEBURY, VERMONT

SEEKING A SUMMER CAMP DIRECTOR Bridge School is seeking a responsible summer camp director who can develop and manage a robust 2024 Bridge School summer program.

The director will lead operations for the entire summer; hire, train and supervise summer counselors; develop, implement and adhere to staff and program policies following Vermont Childcare Program Regulations; manage a high-quality educational program for campers and serve as an ambassador of the Bridge School’s mission.

Please email Jen@bridgeschoolvermont.org with your cover letter and resumé to apply!

Shared Living Provider 69-year-old woman Seeking a gentle/thoughtful Shared Living Provider willing to provide complete personal care and special care procedures for a 69-year-old woman. An accessible home will best meet her needs and we are willing to help with this. She enjoys watching her favorite shows, music, and the companionship of people.

Compensation: Annual stipend of $37,724 plus room and board.

Call (802)989-1075 or e-mail avernon@howardcenter.org with interest.

howardcenter.org • 802-488-6500

ALSO SEEKING SUMMER CAMP COUNSELORS Bridge School Summer Camp is seeking creative, responsible, and dynamic individuals. As part of an educator team, you will create and implement a high-quality summer camp experience for local elementary school children.

Please email Jen@bridgeschoolvermont.org with your cover letter and resumé to apply!

BRIDGESCHOOLVERMONT.ORG

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Community Bankers BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS®

Craftsbury Community Care Center EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/PAYROLL CLERK – (30 + hrs. a week).

Responsible for the successful operation of payroll, accounts payable, employee orientation and benefits. Responsible for tasks that assist in successful operations of the administrative office. Looking for someone that is detail oriented, a team player with strong communication and positive interaction skills.

We offer flexible scheduling, paid time off, 403b retirement plan, a collaborative working environment and medical benefits.

Contact Kim at 802-586-2415 with any questions or e-mail your resume: kroberge@craftsburycarecenter.org.

Education Programs Manager The Flynn is looking for an Education Programs Manager to join our team and support our arts education and community engagement programs. Excellent communication skills, experience in arts education, and enthusiasm for the arts required.

For the full description please visit our website: flynnvt.org/About-Us/Employment-andInternship-Opportunities.

Email materials to: HResources@flynnvt.org.

No phone calls, please. E.O.E.

There is no better time to join NSB’s team!

1/22/24 8:43 AM Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/ PAYROLL CLERK

Join the Flynn and be part of a team striving to make the community better through the arts.

All backgrounds encouraged to apply.

LOCAL BANK in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all. Consider joining our team as a Community Banker at our Waitsfield, Taft Corners, or Richmond location!

Relevant Skills: • Customer Service, Cash Handling (we’ll train you!)

• Even better… if you have prior banking experience, we encourage you to apply!

• If you are 18 or older and have a high school diploma, general education (GED) degree, or equivalent, consider joining NSB! Opportunity for Growth NSB has training opportunities to engage employees and assist with professional development within our company. The average years of service for an NSB employee is 9! If you’re looking for a career in an environment that promotes growth, join our team!

What NSB Can Offer You: • Competitive compensation based on experience.

• Well-rounded benefits package, Profit-Sharing opportunity.

• Excellent 401(k) matching retirement program.

• Commitment to professional development.

• Opportunities to volunteer and support our communities.

Work-Life balance!

Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com.

E.O.E. / Member FDIC

Rhino’s hiring is hot right now! Get on board in time for their busy season.

Check out our website for all job listings, which include:

Production 1st shift $18.00/hr, Sign-on Bonus: $1,500

Production: 3rd shift $18.00/hr + $1.50 shift differential.

Sign-on Bonus: $2,000

Sanitation: 2nd Shift $18.00/hr + $1.00 shift differential. Sign-on Bonus: $1,500

Earn some “Dough” at Rhino Foods! rhinofoods.com/about-rhino-foods/jobs-and-careers

Check out these openings and others on our career page:

*Rhino Foods runs sex offender checks on all employees

YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR ATTENTION RECRUITERS: POST CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

82 FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

Common Ground Center is a nonprofit, multi-age arts, education, and outdoor recreation center in Starksboro, VT. We are dedicated to environmental sustainability and strengthening diverse families and communities.

Summer Camp Kitchen Coordinator:

The Kitchen Coordinator will be responsible for oversight of the CGC kitchen during camp programs. This includes food and ordering, kitchen management, and upholding safety standards for vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian camps. Compensation: $1000/week. Potential for housing.

Meals included.

Lead Site Caretaker:

Common Ground Center hosts camps, weddings, conferences & retreats year-round. Our Lead Site Caretaker plays an integral role and provides general maintenance of our 700-acre site, including various buildings and equipment. This position requires good communication, leadership skills, physical strength, stamina, and a great work ethic. Pay Range: $23-25 per hour, based on experience.

Housekeeping Staff:

CGC Housekeepers are at the heart of the success of our programs and rentals.

This position requires physical strength, stamina, an eye for detail, and a great work ethic. CGC Housekeepers clean during programs and flip spaces in between events. Hours vary seasonally with the bulk of events taking place from February - October. We strive to use eco-friendly cleaning products in all of our facilities. Starting rate: $17-19 per hour, based on experience.

For full job descriptions and to apply: cgcvt.org/about-us/employment.

Restorative Approaches Coordinator and Coach LRC is hiring a 32-40 hr/wk Restorative Approaches Coordinator and Coach (RACC) to actively promote restorative practices at LRC and within the wider community. This effort will be guided by a school-wide restorative model, incorporating principles of applied educational neuroscience and adult education theory. The RACC is part of LRC’s Youth Team and will work collaboratively with other LRC programs in the promotion of restorative practices.

This position is ideal for someone with an understanding of restorative work in schools, excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills, and those who are interested in a workplace that promotes employee well-being and is known for its inclusive and collaborative work environment. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.

The hourly pay rate is between $21.97 and $26.55. A generous benefits policy provides $12,000 annually for each employee to pay for the benefits they need, such as: medical, dental, vision, supplemental insurance and retirement. Additional benefits include 27 paid days off and 17 paid holidays, pre-tax dependent care deductions, paid family medical leave, an annual training stipend, and life insurance.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to: info@lrcvt.org.

LRC is an equal opportunity employer and invites applications from professionals with lived experience. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

We are a leader in the organic, non-GMO seed, farming and food community who cares deeply about the need to grow nutrient rich, healthy food for the world and each other.

Case Manager (Multiple Positions Available)

Accounting Manager Key Responsibilities: • Oversee all bookkeeping

State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Coordinator

• Manage cash flow

Work at an organization that cares as much about you as the clients it serves! Our employees appreciate their health benefits, employer paid retirement plan contributions, flexibility, professional development opportunities and positive work environment.

Marketing Content Specialist

We seek new team members who can empathize with others, are comfortable with computers, are strong communicators and are enthusiastic about growing as professionals.

• Administer social media channels

For more information, visit: cvcoa.org/employment.html.

• Prepare & analyze financial reports • Administer Payroll & Benefits

Love working with youth, we have open positions that pay up to 25.00 per hour!

Scan the QR code to view job descriptions & apply.

THE GRIND GOT YOU DOWN?

Perk up!

Trusted, local employers are hiring in Seven Days newspaper and online.

Browse 100+ new job postings each week.

Key Responsibilities: • Plan, write and create brand-aligned content for digital and print channels, including our website, email campaigns and annual catalog • Collaborate across departments & participate in strategic planning Email your resume, cover letter, link to portfolio or samples, and references to jobs@highmowingseeds.com. Please put the job title in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

Follow @SevenDaysJobs on Twitter for the latest job opportunities

See who’s hiring at jobs.sevendaysvt.com 4v-CoffeCampaign.indd 1

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NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY!

Program Coordinator | Director of Membership & Development

FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

The Laboratory at Copley is Hiring!

The Lake Champlain Chamber is dedicated to creating economic opportunities in our region. We are looking to add two members to our team who can help us do that.

For the following positions: Phlebotomists Medical lab scientist Lab supervisor

Director of Membership & Development: You’ll work closely with a dynamic team serving our business community, developing and executing fundraising strategies, and playing a role in the organization’s strategic leadership. Your work will directly benefit programs like Leadership Champlain, Burlington Young Professionals, and LaunchVT and grow our ability to create economic opportunities for Vermonters. Learn more and apply here: lccvermont.org/job/ director-of-membership-development.

Benefits include:

On-the-job training Enhanced shift differential Sign-on bonus for select shifts/positions

Program Coordinator: This role works closely with other team members, assisting with programs and initiatives such as Leadership Champlain, Burlington Young Professionals, Hello Burlington and more. Learn more and apply here: lccvermont.org/job/program-coordinator-2.

LCC offers competitive salaries and benefits; a collaborative and supportive work environment, opportunities for professional development and growth, and the opportunity to make a significant impact on our community. The Lake Champlain Chamber is an E.O.E. that welcomes diversity in the workplace. We strongly encourage all qualified persons to apply.

GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. 2 LLC is seeking a SMTS Device Engineering, in Essex Junction, VT to Suppt dev and qualif of 200mm SiGe BiCMOS and RF CMOS tech. PhD electl and comp eng, elec eng, solid st phys, math, or rel field and 2 yrs exp in eng or rltd occup.

Must have exp with: Semiconductor device physics; Semiconductor Fabrication Process; Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor (HBT) device design and fabrication process; GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) device design and fabrication; Designing device layout, mask levels and process flow; Performing physical and electrical device characterization; Measurement and Analysis of DC, s-parameter and AC device data; Load-pull characterization of HEMTs; Design of Process Experiments to optimize device performance, planning and managing hardware to meet program schedules, documenting process flows; Advanced CMOS fabrication and process technology; SRAM and product Yield Analysis; Data Analysis using JMP software tools; JMP scripting. Exp may be gained through grad-level coursework, research, internship, or teaching. Salary Range: $139,466 – $187,900. Apply at http://www.gf.com/careers/ # JR-2303056, no calls, principals only.

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JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Information and to apply visit copleyvt.org/careers or call J.T. Vize, Recruiter, at 802-888-8329

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Clara MartinCenter Center Clara Martin PeopleHelping Helping People People People

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ClaraMartin Martin Center is hiring for exciting Clara Center is hiring for exciting roles roles at our Bradford and Randolph, VT offices! at our Bradford and Randolph, VT offices!

Our Child a Family Team has full Our Child a Family Team has full time time positions ready to dive positions ready for for YOUYOU to dive in to! in to!

Child && Family TeamPsychotherapist Psychotherapist Child FamilyServices Services Team ClaraClara Martin Center is is seeking Masterlevel level Psychotherapists to provide Martin Center seekingfull fulltime time Master Psychotherapists to provide assessments, diagnosis, treatment planning, group / individual/ family therapy, assessments, diagnosis, treatment planning, group/ individual/ family therapy, andand case management childrenand and adolescents. case management to to children adolescents.

We offer a wonderful team-based environment with case managers provide We offer a wonderful team-based environment with case managers whowho provide community-based work stafftotoassist assist with crisis situations. community-based workand andemergency emergency staff with crisis situations.

We provide regular group supervision to clinical all clinical We provide regular groupand andindividual individual supervision to all staff,staff, including supervision licensure,and and robust training including supervisiontowards towards licensure, robust training & continuing opportunities. & continuingeducation education opportunities.

Qualifications forthis thisposition: position: Qualifications for Master's degree in in Counseling, Psychology, related required.

Master's degree Counseling,Social Social Work, Work, Psychology, or or related fieldfield required. censure strongly strongly pref erred.

LiLi censure pref erred. years of experiencein incommunity-based community-based programming preferred.

3-53-5 years of experience programming preferred.

Salary: $56k-$64K Salary: $56k-$64K Full Time Benefits: Full Time Benefits: Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Paid Holidays and Vacation Time Paid Holidays and Vacation Time Time, STD and LTD Paid Paid SickSick Time, STD and LTD Retirement Match 403b403b Retirement Match

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YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR ATTENTION RECRUITERS: POST CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

84 FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

New GRAD RN program helps ensure success!

Kick-start your nursing career at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) with our innovative Nurse Residency Program. Designed for passionate new grads, the program offers wrap-a-round support for long-term career excellence. Beginning in summer 2024, full-time positions will be available in departments such as Med Surg, Emergency and more. Applicants need a Vermont or multi-state RN licenses, BLS certification, and to be a graduate of an accredited nursing program. Program pillars include Leadership, Patient Outcomes, and Professional Roles. New grads are provided daily support and collaborative guidance. Join NVRH for competitive compensation, benefits, and a supportive environment where patients, community and employees thrive.

St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

Apply now at www.nvrh.org/careers.

Program Manager Minifactory (cafe & grocery) homes V Smiley Preserves (jam company) in downtown Bristol, Vermont. This hybrid restaurant, grocery & production model hums with daily activity. 16 Main St (our location) has operated continuously as a bakery/cafe for over 4 decades.

We serve coffee, manufacture and sell our preserves in house while serving an all-day-style menu. Biscuits w/ Ham & Peach Tomato Jam, 24 Hour Yogurt w/ Braised Greens and Crispy Lentils, Radicchio w/ Honey Creme Fraiche & Lemon, Chickpea Pancakes w/ Herby Urfa Biber Chicken.

Currently hiring with pay $20-28/hr, DOE:

• EXPERIENCED SERVER • AN OUTGOING BARISTA

Responsible for managing the full life cycle of our art & craft education programs. Send email and cover letter to Program Director, Jess Wilkinson jess@ whiterivercraftcenter.org.

LOOKING FOR A COOLER OPPORTUNITY?

• LEAD JAM MAKER (TO TRAIN)

ACCOUNTING MANAGER The Accounting Manager will fill a key, full-time role in our rapidly expanding Finance team. The Accounting Manager must be adept at managing the accounting and payables systems, and assisting with administrative tasks related to our company financial operations and audit. The position will report to the Financial Controller and the successful candidate will manage the responsibilities outlined below to support the firm's practice: • Handle all aspects of accounts payable for a growing organization providing community-scale renewable energy services • Process invoices and manage payables system • Review mailed and emailed invoices • Manage invoice entry via Bill.com • Communicate with team members on invoice approval • Gain familiarity with long-term projects, project phases, and project locations • Work with a complex chart of accounts • Generate monthly cash expenditure reports • Assist Financial Controller with administration of audit process

Bristol, Vermont is located in Addison County. The area is agricultural and adjacent to the mountain communities of Lincoln and Starksboro. We are a 40 minute drive to Burlington, 25 minutes to Middlebury.

V Smiley Preserves and Minifactory are queer owned/run. Full descriptions & application details: vsmileypreserves.com/jobs.

CNC Machinist / Operator

Requirements: • Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in accounting-related work, with preference for work experience incorporating project development and construction • Organizational skills needed to independently manage tasks, projects and/or deliverables from assignment to completion • Strong proficiency in Excel. Experience with Sage Intacct or similar systems and Bill.com is preferred • Self-motivated and well organized with proven ability to perform at a high level with limited direct oversight and management • Experience working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment • A high degree of emotional intelligence • Team player - willingness to pitch in across the organization More information: encorerenewableenergy.com/contact/careers

1st & 2nd shift Launch a rewarding career in complex machining for the aviation, space, military, and biomedical industries. We will train you!

A great working environment and generous benefits, including: Medical and dental insurance • Life insurance • 401K + match • Profit sharing • Generous PTO & paid holidays • Small tool purchase plan

Learn more & apply > Williston, Vermont | Mineville, New York

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Find 100+ new job postings from trusted, local employers in Seven Days newspaper and online.

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Concrete Cutter

Vermont Concrete Cutting & Concrete Solutions is hiring.

Full-time position/year round.

Mechanically inclined individuals are encouraged to apply. We are willing to train the right person.

This is a great opportunity to learn a new trade. Valid Vermont Drivers license is a must.

Apply in person at 8 Mill Street, Barre, Vermont.

Pay based on experience plus bonuses.

Join a dynamic financial planning practice in Colchester, VT. If you’re highly detailed and enjoy creating a strong client service experience, this is the role for you!

Full-time Client Relationship Manager handling trades, money movement, new account, and transfer paperwork. FINRA Series 7 and 66 preferred or willing to obtain within six months. Fun and supportive culture with great benefits.

Resume and cover letter to Jilene.x.guttenfelder@ampf.com.

Media Technician Travel & Payments Coordinator Visit jobs.plattsburgh. edu & select “View Current Openings” SUNY Plattsburgh is an AA/EEO/ADA/VEVRAA employer committed to excellence through diversity and supporting an inclusive environment for all.

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY!

WEC was founded in 1939 to bring electricity to rural Vermont communities and to provide our members with a voice in their energy future. WEC continues today with that same spirit as our pioneering founders with a commitment to our environment, communities and our memberowners.

We are a not for profit cooperative utility serving our member/owners in 41 towns in central Vermont’s rural landscape.

Stockkeeper Class A or B UNION POSITION OPENING General Summary of Job Responsibilities: The Stockkeeper position is responsible for purchasing, receiving, storing, and issuing utility equipment, materials, supplies and tools to operation personnel for their daily work schedules as well as during outage restoration efforts. This position will also be involved in annual inventory counts and reconciliation to maintain good inventory control and stock levels. This position also assists in our rubber glove testing program, and in the operation and maintenance of WEC’s hydroelectric station, including being scheduled for after hour “On-Call” duties. This position also assists in the maintenance of WEC buildings and grounds and restoration of electric service during storm-related and other power outages.

Qualified applicants must be able to operate a forklift and vehicles ranging from a car to a one-ton line truck. Applicants must also, at a minimum, be proficient with computers, have knowledge of inventory control and basic electricity, and work effectively with others with minimal supervision, or alone as required.

All applicants must possess & maintain a Vermont driver’s license.

Mechanic Class A or B UNION POSITION OPENING WEC is seeking an individual to fill a union opening in the Operations Department. This position is an integral part of our operations team as it is responsible for maintaining and managing the fleet and equipment our line and engineering departments utilize daily in maintaining and improving over 1,300 miles of distribution/transmission lines to assure reliable service for nearly 11,500 Cooperative members. General Summary of Job Responsibilities: Under the general direction of the Director of Operations & Engineering, the mechanic will be responsible for servicing and maintaining all Cooperative vehicles and equipment. Qualified applicants must at a minimum be proficient with diesel and gas engines, hydraulics, tire changes, electrical wiring, welding, fabrication, off road equipment and all mechanical work. All applicants must possess or have the ability to acquire a Vermont commercial class A driver’s license within one year from date of hire.

Both positions require courtesy in dealing with members, co-workers and others, adaptability, and willingness to acquire new skills. Professional attitude and interest in work, and attention to general work rules and safety procedures are essential characteristics of the ideal candidate Submit letter of interest to WEC’s Human Resources Dept., c/o Teia Greenslit, Director of Finance & Administration, PO Box 8, East Montpelier, VT 05651 or Teia.Greenslit@wec.coop.

WEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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85 FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Shared Living Provider 50-year-old Woman Seeking a gentle/thoughtful Shared Living Provider willing to provide complete personal care and special care procedures for a woman over 50 years of age. An accessible home will best meet her needs and we are willing to help with this.

She enjoys watching her favorite shows, music, and the companionship of people.

Compensation: Annual stipend of $37,724 plus room & board.

Call (802)989-1075 or e-mail avernon@howardcenter.org with interest.

howardcenter.org • 802-488-6500

Vermont Housing &

Conservation Board

Join our innovative and award-winning team to help bring more affordable housing to Vermont!

Associate Director of Resource Development & Resiliency The successful candidate will oversee VHCB’s federal grant navigation to assist with securing public funding sources to meet our programmatic needs and mission as well as resource and program development related to climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience, smart growth, and other opportunities to support the resiliency of conservation and affordable housing programs.

This position is open until February 21st.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. We offer a comprehensive benefit package and an inclusive, supportive work environment.

For full job description, salary information, and application instructions please visit vhcb.org/about-us/jobs

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86 FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

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Shared Living Provider

MOVING PROFESSIONALS

18-year-old man Seeking a Shared Living Provider(s) for a caring, outgoing 18-year-old man who enjoys playing video games, listening to music, and sports.

The right provider(s) will be understanding role model(s), providing clear communication, structure, and routine within a supportive environment. This individual uses the bus system to get around and enjoys being around people. Provider(s) with dogs are a plus! Two providers, or one provider with abundant availability, is preferred.

Compensation: $60,000 tax-free annual stipend plus room & board.

Local moving company looking for movers! Previous experience is not required. We will train the right candidates! Applicants must have a valid driver’s license, have the highest level of customer service and work well in a team atmosphere.

Competitive wages!

Interested candidates contact Sara at shanlon@howardcenter.org.

Please call 802-655-6683 for more information or email resume to:

howardcenter.org • 802-488-6500

Jennifer@vtmoving.com.

WHERE YOU AND 2v-VTMovingCo050119.indd 1 YOUR WORK MATTER...

When you work for the State of Vermont, you and your work matter. A career with the State puts you on a rich and rewarding professional path. You’ll find jobs in dozens of fields – not to mention an outstanding total compensation package.

P U B L I C H E A LT H I N S P E C T O R I / I I / I I I - S P R I N G F I E L D

The Vermont Department of Health has an exciting opportunity to be on the front lines of protecting public health in Vermont, conducting inspections for food safety and environmental health conditions at regulated facilities to ensure compliance with Vermont’s food and lodging establishment regulations. The inspection area is southeastern Vermont with a duty station in Springfield or Brattleboro. For more information, contact Elisabeth Wirsing - elisabeth.wirsing@vermont.gov. Department: Vermont Department of Health, Job ID: 48481, 48447, 48480. Application Deadline: 2/21/24.

VDOL ORGANIZATIONAL & TRAINING MANAGER - MONTPELIER

Join us! We’re on the lookout for a Organizational Development and Training Manager to lead the charge in shaping our future.

As a key player in the Analytics & Evaluation Team, you’ll enhance employee capabilities, foster a culture of growth, and drive organizational effectiveness. Your impact will be pivotal as you assist managers in crafting learning plans, collaborate on innovative training programs, and measure performance outcomes.

Be the driving force in our workforce development journey. For more information, contact Jay Ramsey - jay.ramsey@vermont.gov . Department: Labor. Status: Full time. Job ID: 49107. Application Deadline: 2/11/24.

WORKFORCE EXPANSION PROGRAM MANAGER - LIMITED SERVICE - MONTPELIER

Unlock your potential with the Vermont Department of Labor!

We’re seeking a dynamic leader as the Workforce Expansion Program Manager. Design and lead three regional projects to bridge gaps between schools, service programs, and employers.

Committed to workforce diversity, we aim to make it accessible to all. Join us to expand participation, address development system gaps, and make a lasting impact in Vermont. Lead a dedicated team across three regions, shaping the future of our workforce.

For more information, contact Jay Ramsey - jay.ramsey@vermont. gov . Department: Labor. Status: Full time. Job ID: 49161. Application Deadline: 2/11/24.

Learn more at :

careers.vermont.gov 6t-VTDeptHumanResources020724 1

The State of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity Employer

2/5/24 1:27 PM

Executive Director HatchSpace is a vibrant community woodworking shop in Brattleboro, Vermont that is growing quickly and experiencing an exciting time of transition. The organization seeks a highly energetic executive to lead us through our next phase of growth. In early 2024 our current executive director will transition into a new role within the organization and the board of directors seeks to fill the position with their successor.

Could that be you? Salary range is $95-110k. Find out more details and how to apply at: hatchspace.org/news/ hatchspace-seeks-next-leader.

New, local, scamfree jobs posted every day!

4/26/19 12:20 PM

JOB TRAINING. WELL DONE. Join the Community Kitchen Academy!

Community Kitchen Academy (CKA) is a 9-week job training program featuring: Hands on learning, national ServSafe certification, job placement support and meaningful connections to community. Plus... the tuition is FREE and weekly stipends are provided for income eligible students!

At CKA you’ll learn from professional chefs in modern commercial kitchens and graduate with the skills and knowledge to build a career in food service, food systems and other related fields. Throughout the 9-week course, you’ll develop and apply new skills by preparing food that would otherwise be wasted. The food you cook is then distributed through food shelves and meal sites throughout the community. CKA is a program of the Vermont Foodbank, operated in partnership with Capstone Community Action in Barre and Feeding Chittenden in Burlington. Next session starts February 26th in Barre.

APPLY ONLINE: vtfoodbank.org/cka.

Experienced Residential Carpenter Silver Maple Construction is seeking a fulltime, benefits-eligible Carpenter focused on high-level customer service & the execution of exceptional quality work.Here at Silver Maple, we want everyone to feel valued and do the work that inspires you while maintaining a work-life balance better than many others in this field.

• Competitive Weekly Pay (based on experience) • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans • Paid Parental Leave • 15 days Paid Time Off

• 7 Paid Holidays • 401k Retirement Plan + Company Match • Commuter + Mileage Reimbursement • Life, Disability And Accident Insurance & MORE!

To learn more, please visit silvermapleconstruction.com, email hr@silvermapleconstruction.com, or call our office at (802) 989-7677.

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87 FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

Vice President Asia Pacific (Job ID# VPA1023) sought by Stratton Aviation LLC in Winooski, Vermont: Dvlp customer networks & business relationships w/ maintenance, repair, & operations (MRO), original eqpmt manufacturers Enjoy your job and be a part of one (OEM), & airlines to esof the Best Places to Work in Vermont! tablish inventory & buying opportunities w/ a main Great jobs in management and focus on the Asia Pacific Events are a big part of what we do at Burlington-based direct support serving Vermonters region; Provide sales Seven Days. The mission of our employee-owned company with intellectual disabilities. goals, targets, monthly is to inform and engage Vermonters with reliable reporting reports, & projections on local news and culture. We are seeking a creative, Visit ccs-vt.org/current-openings based on mkt conditions; enthusiastic and organized planner to manage our and apply today.

Establish strategies to Seven Days Tickets box office, as well as our own support the business dynamic slate of events and promotions. targets & goal; Research Digital fluency is key to success in this job, but it’s just mkt availability to analyze 4t-ChamplainCommServices1220&122723.indd 1 12/18/23 3:08 PM the tip of the iceberg. Applicants should feel comfortable the airframe & engine running the registration desk at the Vermont Tech components; Source Jam, schmoozing at a cocktail reception or creating an material for replenishment, Instagram story for Burger Week. Organization and time sales, & brokering w/in the management are also crucial — rolling deadlines for print approved budget; Review publications and digital products drive an aggressive the purchasing process promotional cycle across our multiple media channels. To periodically & revise it to join our team, you must be an excellent communicator, improve efficiency & admeticulous about details, a creative problem solver and dress complex aviation ina master multitasker who appreciates the value of local • Program Clinicians journalism. It helps if you also like to have fun! dustry issues; Collaborate w/ the QC Dept to ensure Responsibilities for this full-time position include: • Residential Counselors & administrative compliance, Mental Health Workers • Planning, promoting and executing events large and small, & provide support to the such as: Vermont Tech Jam, the Seven Daysies Party, the Logistics Dept & Shipping/ Spectacular Spectacular youth talent show and more • Awake Overnight Counselors Receiving Dept for the Asia Pacific region; Attend • Conceptualizing strategic marketing plans for • Clinical & Therapeutic Case Managers Seven Days events, promotions and ticketing domestic & int'l aviation trade shows & workshops • Recruiting local event promoters to use our free box • Teachers and Special Educators in the Asia Pacific region. office software, walking them through the process of Reqmt: Master's deg in selling tickets on the platform, coaching and providing • Classroom Counselors & Aviation Mgmt, Aerobasic tech support One to One Staff nautical Engg, Aviation • Communicating with our audience and beyond using all Technology, or a related the marketer’s tools, including social media, newsletters, • Family Engagement Specialists field; 24 months of exp in radio, TV, print and IRL conversations mgmt role in an aviation • Identifying strategic community partnerships to related environment, inNFI VT is a private, nonprofit, specialized service agency enhance our events and promotions; this includes volving prgm/asset mgmt within the Vermont statewide mental health system. We are working on events related to reader revenue and & engagement w/ outside a healing organization, grounded in trauma-informed care. promoting local journalism sales; Proficient in QuanWe are hiring for Full-Time, Part-Time and Relief positions.

• Working primarily out of our Burlington office tum; This position allows Regular positions of 30+ hours per week are eligible for our telecommuting in the U.S.; If you are passionate about Vermont and inspired by generous benefits package, which includes competitive Travel every 2 months to the opportunity to help connect local businesses, event salary and tuition reimbursement. Please apply online at: China, Singapore, South promoters and Seven Days readers, we want to hear nfivermont.org/careers.

Korea, Japan, etc. for from you! Send a cover letter and résumé to eventsjob@ customer visits, business NFI VT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and, as such, sevendaysvt.com by February 18. For consideration, dvlpmt, & project negotiprohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant applicants should have at least two years of experience ation. Apply, mail CV w/ planning events for 100-plus guests. Please describe your based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender Job#: VPA1023 to Robbin current employment situation and provide three professional identity, national origin, age, ethnic background, disability, references. Preference given to individuals who’ve worked in Leclerc, 1 Tigan St, Ste or other non-work-related personal trait or characteristic to local media. No phone calls, please. Seven Days is an E.O.E. 103, Winooski, VT 05404. the extent protected by law.

WHY NOT HAVE A JOB YOU LOVE?

EVENTS, PROMOTIONS & TICKETING MANAGER

WE’RE HIRING!

Point your kids' compass toward FUN next summer!

Let Kids VT lead the way. save the date:

Saturday, February 10, 2024 10 A.M.-2 P.M. BURLINGTON HILTON

FREE ADMISSION! REGISTER AT: CAMPFINDERVT.COM PRESENTED BY:

OUR 27th year!

The Fair is a great opportunity to:

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Discover dozens of great regional summer camps and schools.

Connect with representatives and get your questions answered.

Get all your research and planning done in one day and have fun, too.

Scan the code to visit the Vermont camp and School Finder!

Do you run a camp or class?

Contact Kaitlin Montgomery for more info about exhibiting at the fair and getting listed on campfindervt.com:

kaitlin@kidsvt.com 802-985-5482, ext. 142

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fun stuff HARRY BLISS

“With proper, updated insulation, your energy costs will shrink, but it will require lots of money.”

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY BY ROB BREZSNY REAL FEBRUARY 8-14 will seize the sexiest joy we can conjure. We will turn each other into boisterous deities in quest of liberation from all unnecessary limitations. We will tenderly shock each other with mysterious epiphanies and rivers of bliss.

‘Wild’ will be too mild a word for the awakenings we provoke in each other’s futures.”

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18)

Reading through the annals of famous authors’ quotes about love, I’m horrified by the relentlessness of their sour assessments. “Love is merely a madness,” wrote Shakespeare. “Whoever is not jealous is not in love,” St. Augustine said. “General incivility is the very essence of love,” declared Jane Austen. “It is impossible to love and be wise,” moaned Francis Bacon. “Real love always has something hidden — some loss or boredom or tiny hate,” Andrew Sean Greer says. I am allergic to all that dour noise! Personally, I have been entangled in a lot of romantic love during my time on Earth, and most of it has been interesting, educational and therapeutic. I am deeply grateful for all of it, even the heartbreaks.

Any wisdom I have developed owes a great debt to my lovers. What about you, Aquarius? Where do you stand on these issues? I suspect the coming months will provide you with ample reasons to embrace my attitudes.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): In honor of the

Valentine season and in accordance with astrological omens, I offer you a love letter from an unpublished novel by an Aries friend.

Consider saying something similar to a person who would be thrilled to hear it. Here it is: “We

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): “The greater the fool, the better the dancer.” Composer Theodore Hook said that. Poet Edwin Denby agreed. He said, “There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good.” Choreographer Martha Graham added, “Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.” I bring these thoughts to your attention because the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to get freer, more sensuous and more unconstrained. Dancing your inhibitions into oblivion will be an excellent way to pursue these goals. So will doing everything with a dancer’s abandon, including lovemaking.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun. 20): Years ago, Salon

asked various critics to name the most preposterous sex scene to appear in a recently published novel. I was honored that one of the vignettes selected was from my book The Televisionary Oracle. As I read the critic’s review of my wild, funny and crazy erotic story, I realized he was a pedantic macho prude who thought sex isn’t sex unless it’s dead serious and joylessly intense. The characters of mine he regarded as preposterous were in fact playing, laughing and having goofy fun. In the spirit of my novel’s kooky lovers and in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to pursue uproarious amusement while enjoying the arts of intimacy — both in and out of bed. (PS: Playwright Rose Franken said, “Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly.”)

CANCER (Jun. 21-Jul. 22): A psychic told me that in one of my past lives, I was Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome. It’s an intriguing theory that could help explain why my horoscopes are popular in Italy. What about you, my fellow Cancerian? Is there an aspect of your reincarnational history that aids your current destiny? Or are there past events in your current life that are becoming more influential? The coming weeks will be a good time

to meditate on these possibilities. While you ruminate on your history, check in with the spirits of your ancestors and departed allies to see if they have any inspirational messages for you.

LEO (Jul. 23-Aug. 22): Kevin Kelly wrote the book Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier. There he observes, “Listening well is a superpower. While listening to someone you love, keep asking them ‘Is there more?’ until there is no more.” Dear Leo, this is excellent advice for you in the coming weeks. I urge you to specialize in gathering the deep revelations of those you care for.

Opening yourself to them in unprecedented ways will boost your soul power and enrich your wisdom.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): Imagine you are walking on a hill at night. You are headed to meet a person you adore, who awaits you with Champagne and chocolate. The weather is balmy. The moon is full. You are singing songs you both love, announcing your arrival. The songs tell stories about how much you two love to yearn for each other and how much you love quenching your yearning. When you arrive, dear Virgo, what will you tell your beloved to make them feel supremely understood and appreciated?

LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): Has your approach to togetherness become infused with habit or numbness? When was the last time you got extravagant for the sake of love? Has it been a while since you tried a daring romantic move or two? I bring these questions to your attention, Libra, because now is an excellent time to rev up your imagination as you upgrade intimacy, companionship and collaboration. I hope you will authorize your fantasy life to be lush, unruly and experimental. Spur yourself to dream up departures from routine that intrigue your close allies.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Author W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) testified, “My own belief is that there is hardly anyone whose sexual life, if it were broadcast, would not fill the world with surprise and horror.” Is that true about you, Scorpio? Even if it is, I’m guessing the horrifying aspects will be nonexistent

in the coming weeks. There may be surprises, yes. There may be entertaining interludes. But from what I can tell, everything will at least be educational and colorful. What are your most exotic erotic fantasies? Now is a good time to ask a willing partner to explore them with grace and good humor.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The

Valentine season is looming, and many of us are receptive to advice about togetherness. I’ll offer some principles that I believe are essential to you Sagittarians as you nourish all your close relationships, including your romantic bonds. They are from novelist Graham Joyce.

He wrote, “Two people in love don’t make a hive mind. Neither should they want to be a hive mind, to think the same, to know the same. It’s about being separate and still loving each other, being distinct from each other.

One is the violin string, one is the bow.”

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Lately, I have been intoxicated a lot. Not because I’ve ingested drugs and alcohol. Not because I have been doing three-hour meditations or studying sacred texts. I’ve felt so wildly free and euphoric because life has been dismantling some of my fears. Once it happened when my psychotherapist spoke just the right curative words at a pivotal moment in our session. Another time, I came upon a very large hare while strolling in the woods and had an epiphany about how to heal a painful trauma in my past. On another occasion, I dreamed of a priestess doing a banishing ritual to exorcize my abandonment fears. There were three other similar events, as well. I bring this to your attention because I suspect you may soon also get intoxicated through the loss of fears.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20): Have you discovered all there is to know about your sexual feelings and proclivities? Have you come to a complete understanding of what turns you on and how you might express it? I hope your answer to those questions is no, Pisces. In my view, all of us should keep evolving our relationship with eros. There is always more to discover and explore about the mysteries of our desires. Always more to learn about what excites and inspires us. The coming days will be an excellent time for you to enjoy this research.

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W = Women M = Men TW = Trans women TM = Trans men Q = Genderqueer people NBP = Nonbinary people NC = Gender nonconformists Cp = Couples Gp = Groups

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CREATIVE, KIND, OUTDOORSY AND BEAUTIFUL Seeking a fellow nature extremist. I want an active, compatible partner who wants to hike mountains, tent out, build bonfires, river walk or watch the stars.

To enjoy all that the outside world has to offer. Someone who is all into me and can love me back as much as I love them.

I want an us. Sprite, 56, seeking: M, l PRACTICAL, OPEN-MINDED, ROMANTIC THINKER I’m 61, so been there/done that. However, I am age-agnostic and enjoy young people because they have unique perspective. I need people in my life who provide thoughtful, interesting viewpoints; can discuss topics without prejudice; crave physical pleasure; and make me smile. Love to travel and be outside. I am quiet but never a wallflower.

MysticMuse, 61, seeking: M, l NO-DRAMA RIVER LOVER Seeking conversations, hikes and walks, sharing a meal. Compatibility with where we each are in life. Hanging out with friends, watching a movie, just talking. Love learning about science, metaphysics, new music but also appreciate dad jokes to send to my grandkids, watching podcasts and reading mystery books. What are you serious about, and what makes you laugh? greentara, 65, seeking: M, l LOYAL, DEPENDABLE, DIFFERENT, LOVING I am a mature single woman of color who is open-minded, real and comfortable in my uniqueness. I am looking for white mature man for companionship and friendship. I value peace, joy and am not interested in any drama. Mami8, 40, seeking: M OLD FIDDLES MAKE SWEET TUNES Independent and creative. Looking for someone to hang out with on the weekend. More of a temperate weather person — considering a move in a few years where it’s warm in the winter. If we ever get some snow, would love to find a good sledding hill. summerchild, 63, seeking: M, l COFFEE ’N’ CUDDLES I’m laid-back. Love my family, friends and dogs. Have become a homebody but looking for someone to change that or who does not mind staying in sometimes. I enjoy dining out and going to Cape Cod whenever possible. I’m no supermodel; if that’s what you need, I’m not it. If you would like to know more, just ask. jenjen33, 50, seeking: M, l SOUND MIND AND SOUND BODY This international type prioritizes friendship because it’s more easily achieved than romance, and because some of the most rewarding romances emerge unexpectedly when people get to know each other in a relaxed manner, over time. I’m drawn to cerebral, ethical people with a sense of humor who want to share athletics, a love of nature, culture and/or thoughtful, spirited debate. Mireya, 63, seeking: M, l

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

INDEPENDENT, HONEST, OUTDOORSY, FUNNY, CREATIVE I am an active person who values honesty, integrity and positivity and enjoys all that life has to offer. I enjoy music of all types, especially live music. I am looking for a positive, drama-free gent who enjoys and appreciates life and is interested in travel, arts and culture and is kind to the environment, people and animals. Bella2024, 66, seeking: M, l CLASSY, WARM, INTELLIGENT, NICE-LOOKING LADY Seeking a warm, intelligent, active, health-conscious, reasonably attractive man (70 to 80) with whom to share my beautiful home on the lake. Of course, dating relationship and love must come first! AnnieL, 75, seeking: M, l KIND, GARDENER, CURIOUS, CREATIVE, ACTIVE I love the Vermont outdoors. Spend my time with family and friends, gardening, creating, cross-country skiing, swimming, kayaking, walking my dogs, playing tennis and molding clay. I live intentionally and have a healthy, active lifestyle. I am hoping to share experiences with new friends and have good conversations.

Lovesdogs, 66, seeking: M, l UPBEAT, CARING, KIND Raised on a farm, I’ve lived in Germany, Scotland and New York City. I’m an artist, life coach with a PhD and love to learn.

I enjoy hiking, walking, being in nature and dancing to anything with a groove.

Friends say I’m thoughtful, kind, calm (I don’t always feel that way!). I care for myself physically, psychologically and spirituality and spend time volunteering. Psyche, 75, seeking: M, l SINCERE, ACTIVE AND EASYGOING I lead a healthy lifestyle and enjoy staying fit. Exercise, being in nature, dancing, meditation and cooking all bring me joy. My friends say I’m thoughtful, a good listener and very expressive. I appreciate a sense of humor and a good laugh. I believe that open communication is key to a successful relationship. Ontheroad, 65, seeking: M

MEN seeking...

GREENONE Hello! GreenOne, 45, seeking: W, Cp NEW IN VERMONT New here. Want to meet someone fun who likes to have a good time. I’m very easygoing and love adventures.

Let’s have a good conversation!

Latemanus, 36, seeking: W, l LIVING AND LOVING THIS MIRACLE Living in paradise. Hiking or walking in the woods year-round. Active with woodworking, making furniture.

Paddleboarding/kayaking. Physically and emotionally healthy, active and playful. I’m seeking a long-term relationship with someone who is also physically and emotionally healthy.

Hanbleceya, 62, seeking: W, l

NO CELLPHONES, SPORTS OR BEER Widower, 66. Advanced degree, college instructor, psychotherapist. Published author: novels, nonfiction. Drinks, no drugs, “conservatarian” politics. Interests: antiques, history, literature, art and photography. Blind since mid-’90s, think/act like a sighted person. Seek attractive woman, well read, intelligent, articulate, sense of humor. Ideally, great conversation and companionship will lead to someone I can pamper and spoil. 121nyv, 66, seeking: W, l EMPATHETIC, CARING, DRIVEN NERD Looking to make some friends with benefits. Open to a relationship. ios, 45, seeking: W, l LAID-BACK Looking for just a fun time, no strings attached. Blacktuner802, 31, seeking: W, l EASYGOING, SINCERE NATURE LOVER OK, here goes: I’m a fit hard worker who likes to be out in the fresh air and sunshine doing most activities.

Responsible and loyal, I’m a realist. Life is fun but can be difficult alone. I would love to have a best friend to come home to every night. Thanks for your time.

Drafthorse_50, 50, seeking: W, l FINDING PEACE IN VERMONT This is a challenge. I feel like I’m on a dating TV show. A good day includes friends, family and exercise. Hiking and bicycling are so good for you, both body and soul. The shortness of motorcycle season angers me, but at least winter hikes are mosquito-free.

Vermont is stunning. Want to explore?

Seeking_Vermont, 60, seeking: W, l SENSUAL, RESPECTFUL, EXPLORER, LOVING, PRAGMATIC I am a reasonably intelligent, sane, mellow man, an “average Joe” type who enjoys connecting with others who appreciate sensuality, respect, excitement, and the exploration of what the human soul and body have to offer. Sharing interests, be they in the garden or the bedroom, is always an adventure of new things to smell, taste, caress, plant and explore. —E. Elidrill, 61, seeking: M, W, Cp, l SERIOUSLY SEARCHING FOR SUCCESSFUL SERENDIPITY Searching for the Katia to my Maurice.

Traveled all around the world. Visited 48 states and really spent time getting to know them and their people. Been all over Europe, backpacked through the Balkans, lived in Italy, hiked across Britain. Been to New Zealand as well and plan to trek across Asia someday.

Musician, chef, philosopher, the oldest of souls. RobMarch, 33, seeking: W, l HARDWORKING, HONEST, KIND VERMONTER Middle-aged, hardworking native Vermonter looking for an honest, kind and fun woman to spend time with. Let’s go out to dinner, watch the sunset, and have a real conversation about who we are and what we’re hoping for out of life. I’m drama-free and would like to form a friendship first and hope it turns into something more. Working76, 65, seeking: W, l HONEST, OPEN PERFECTIONIST Easygoing, open-minded, quick to help. Young at heart. Looking for a significant other who makes me whole. Lots of acquaintances, but best friends are a breed apart and special to me. Prefer rural versus urban. Try to learn something new each day. Skier10, 81, seeking: W, l

LOOKING FOR MY DISCREET LOVER I’m an honest married man looking for another married man for a discreet relationship. I’d prefer a dominant top and a guy who loves to be pleasured on a regular basis. borpsalm69, 48, seeking: M ADVENTUROUS AND FUN I am a 56-y/o, very open-minded male looking for an honest, open, fun relationship, especially with a couple or an individual. I do not have any preconceived ideas of what this looks like, just that it be enjoyable, adventurous, fun and open.

UrsaMinor37, 57, seeking: W, l MATURE LADIES WELCOME I am down-to-earth, honest, loyal.

I’m interested in mature ladies, white, sexy and honest. Let’s go meet up for coffee, soup and chitchat.

Kapital78, 46, seeking: W, l HARDWORKING, FUN-LOVING GUY Hi. I’m retired, looking for a more serious relationship. I’m financially independent and a good-natured human being. Father of three wonderful daughters. I enjoy laughing and making others laugh.

Cheers. Julio21, 65, seeking: W, l

TRANS WOMEN seeking...

RECENTLY RELOCATED, ADVENTUROUS, FREE SPIRIT I’m a gorgeous, white, 100 percent passable trans lady who is 57 and could pass as 30 — yes, 30! I long for love, laughter and romance, along with loving nature. I want a man who’s all man, rugged, handsome, well built but prefers a woman like myself. It’s as simple as that. We meet, fall in love and live happily ever after. Sammijo, 58, seeking: M, l

GENDER NONCONFORMISTS

seeking...

PLAYMATE WANTED, CROSS-DRESSER I love to dress, and I am looking for someone who can accept that side of me. I love the outdoors and fish and hunt. Love cars. paula69269, 74, seeking: W, TW, Q, NC, NBP, Cp, Gp

COUPLES seeking...

LAID-BACK, DRAMA-FREE Hi. We are looking for a single lady FWB — someone we can talk to and go out with. Someone who is respectful and kind. No drama, please. We would like to get to know you first through some texting or messaging before we meet. Streeter3845, 42, seeking: W LOVERS OF LIFE We are a 40s couple, M/F, looking for adventurous encounters with openminded, respectful M/F or couples.

Looking to enjoy sexy encounters, FWBs, short term or long term. sunshines, 43, seeking: M, W, Q, Cp EXPLORING THREESOMES AND FOURSOMES We are an older and wiser couple discovering that our sexuality is amazingly hot! Our interest is another male for threesomes or a couple. We’d like to go slowly, massage you with a happy ending. She’d love to be massaged with a happy ending or a dozen. Would you be interested in exploring sexuality with a hot older couple? DandNformen, 67, seeking: M, TM, NC, Cp, l

i SPY

If you’ve been spied, go online to contact your admirer!

dating.sevendaysvt.com

NICE GUY AT ECLECTIC VT I enjoyed our brief encounter at checkout. That Texas/Vermont connection is real. Wish I could have met your senior dog. They are the best. Maybe next time.

When: Saturday, February 3, 2024.

Where: Eclectic VT, Church St. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915945 SHAW’S, VERGENNES, ROASTED CHICKEN Attractive blonde at checkout. We discussed the convenience of buying a roasted chicken. The teller chimed in with a soup suggestion. Let’s make soup together. When: Saturday, February 3, 2024. Where: Shaw’s, Vergennes.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #915944 HAPPY BORN DAY! The happiest born day to my love. I look at you and see all the possibilities of our future together. The laughs and inside jokes. The way you look at my stupid face with so much love and compassion.

So grab your flannel panties and let’s explore this journey called life together.

In my heart and thoughts always. When: Saturday, February 10, 2024. Where: Calais. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915943 FRIENDLY KENNEDY DRIVE INTERACTION WAVE You and I were waiting at a traffic light at the intersection of Kennedy Drive and Route 116 around 3. You were in a silver GMC pickup truck, and I was in a white SUV Acura. You gave me a friendly wave, and it made my day. Reach out if you would like to meet for a coffee/drink!

When: Saturday, February 3, 2024.

Where: Kennedy Dr., South Burlington.

You: Man. Me: Woman. #915942

BLACK FLANNEL BAR, SATURDAY 2/3 6 to 7ish. I was at the corner of the bar with a friend. You were directly across from me wearing a black knit hat. Caught your eye a few times; something about you caught my interest. Care to chat? When: Saturday, February 3, 2024. Where: Black Flannel. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915941 CRYING AT COMEDY WOLF You were onstage at Comedy Wolf this week talking about crying in public. I’m the one who guessed your sign after the show, then forgot to leave you my number before running away into the night. Funny, pretty and a water sign?

What a dream! Get in touch if you want to cry in public together sometime. When: Thursday, February 1, 2024. Where: Radio Bean. You: Nonbinary person.

Me: Nonbinary person. #915940

SUSHI AND SOMERSAULTS To the elegant woman in stripes having sushi with a friend: I couldn’t help but overhear you tell the story of your gymnastic reawakening, and it reminded me of a septuagenarian gymnast I knew who designed her home around a set of rings, upon which she could be found swinging every night. So, you go, girl! When: Tuesday, January 30, 2024. Where: Sakura Sushi & Kitchen.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #915937 CITY MARKET I was at a cooler in a tan jacket.

You walked by toward the wine section, maybe on your phone.

Didn’t see much except your eyes.

When: Monday, January 29, 2024.

Where: City Market, Flynn Ave. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915936 45 YEARS AGO At the mall with my sisters. You with your girlfriend. After what seemed like forever, you yelled “ED.” I believe I yelled back. You were a distance away at this point. Though we did not meet, I have had the privilege of hearing you call out my name. I responded, and dreams of you through years keep me going. TY. When: Monday, July 1, 2019. Where: at the mall. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915935

DEB, LONG AGO, DAVID, 1999 I miss you, Deb. This is David from 25 years ago. We had many nice times but fell apart, and now we are older.

Wiser? Love to see you again. I lived in Berkshire, and you in Montpelier. Shall we share some words? Perhaps even a kiss? When: Saturday, February 2, 2019. Where: Montpelier and Berkshire.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #915939

PEOPLE EVERYWHERE Please give ear to my words. If you love someone deeply, don’t let petty or juvenile things come between you both.

Be gentle, kind and brave. Listen well. Be supportive and nurturing. Be strong and vulnerable and fight for one another. True love is too rare and valuable to treat as though it’s disposable. Broken hearts are not easily mended. When: Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Where: everywhere I go. You: Group. Me: Woman. #915933

YOU ALWAYS MAKE MY DAY To the dark- aired customer service associate whose kindness always makes my day better: You smiled so warmly when you told me how you appreciated what I said; dare I hope that may have been more than courtesy? I’m respectful enough to accept whatever you wish, and you’re intriguing enough that I’m fine with whatever that is. When: Thursday, February 1, 2024. Where: City Market.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #915938

ADAM, MY ONE TRUE LOVE Once upon a time, you were Charming.

You had a smile so fantastic it could have ended wars. I loved how you moved and felt. Life has destroyed me, but I’ll hold love in my heart for you until there are no more days. Your son told me he wanted me to be his mom. Nothing would’ve made me happier. When: Thursday, March 12, 2020 (guessing at the date). Where: S. Union St., Burlington.

You: Man. Me: Woman. #915932

Ask REVEREND 

Irreverent counsel on life’s conundrums

Dear Reverend,

I’m still in love with my husband but have been unhappy in the relationship for a very long time.

He has no sex drive or desire and spends his spare time viewing porn. I haven’t had sex for 10-plus years. We don’t sleep in the same bed, and I feel slighted and have lost hope. Thirty-seven years of work to end up lonely and isolated at age 70.

I would love a companion to talk to and confide in outside of my inner circle. I’m very proud and private, so I don’t easily reveal my deepest thoughts. My husband is good for about 10 sentences a day, then zones off into the electronic abyss. Is it possible to find other lonely souls out there feeling undesired but stuck?

Unhappily Ever

(WOMAN, 70)

Dear Unhappily Ever,

MATURE BLOND EMPLOYEE, LOWE’S, ESSEX You’re a mature blonde, wear a blue Lowe’s vest, usually have your hair in a ponytail. Have seen you multiple times during my visits to Lowe’s. I get the impression you’d be interested in meeting. Let me know! When: Friday, January 26, 2024. Where: Lowe’s, Essex.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #915934 BAREFOOT ADAM Remember when we held hands at that coffee shop and you spoke about the love you had for me? I was so happy yet confused; my brain had shut off. I drove to you in a great time of need, and you yelled at me. What gives? Do you ever check your adam...@gmail? Please say to me, “As you wish.” When: Monday, March 16, 2020 (guessing at the date). Where: Burlington, Williston and Colchester.

You: Man. Me: Woman. #915931 HOMETOWN HOTTIE AT THE CO-OP To the hottie in the buffalo plaid jacket and wide-brimmed hat: Thank you for flashing a glimpse of your winning smile.

The co-op didn’t have what I needed, but seeing you made my day. When: Monday, January 15, 2024. Where: co-op. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915930 DOLLAR TREE, ST. J You were in line. I was after you. Wow, you were gorgeous. You kept turning around. I was getting to wonder, She might be interested. Wow, she has it all. 5’6, dark hair and curvy. Sure would like to get to know you better.

When: Friday, January 12, 2024.

Where: Dollar Tree, St. Johnsbury.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #915929 GLOUCESTER GAL IN GORGEOUS GETUP While visiting Montpelier, you perused the racks at the Getup and tried on a delightful secondhand coat — several times. “This one’s too tight, though,” you said, but I thought you looked smashing. Coat or no coat, I was smitten with your style, and I hope that our paths cross again someday, because pondering your form was anything but ponderous. When: Sunday, January 14, 2024. Where: Montpelier.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #915928

If your husband is spending his spare time viewing porn, it seems that he must still have some interest in sex, but it’s being misdirected. There’s a lot to unpack there, but this is about you and how you’re feeling.

A sexless marriage isn’t necessarily the worst thing in the world — as long as you’re getting satisfaction from other aspects of the relationship. But it sounds like you aren’t getting any kind of love from your husband, and that’s just not OK. Since this problem has been going on for so long, I’m assuming that you have tried to talk to him about these issues, but it hasn’t really gotten you anywhere. That’s gotta change.

I would hope that you have a close friend or family member with whom you could broach this subject, but I understand where you’re coming from. I’m not a big fan of discussing personal topics either. I like to blame it on being raised as an Irish Catholic. However, it doesn’t do anybody any good to let problems fester.

We all need help sometimes, and there’s no shame in reaching out to get some.

SEEKING PROJECT MANAGER We were in line. You were talking to your friend and another lady you met about how you are a project manager.

I didn’t want to interrupt, but I wanted to speak with you more about your job, how you got into it, the systems you use, etc. Drop a line if you would like to chat. TY! When: Sunday, December 17, 2023. Where: Marshalls, Williston.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #915927 NORTH END YOGA FLAME We ended up next to each other that Friday night. A chance encounter I’ve dreamt of ever since. Your smile lit up the room; your red sweater said the rest. We may not have spoken, but your glances said it all. I wish I’d said hello. Tell me I’m not dreaming and we’ll shavasana together again, for real this time. When: Friday, January 5, 2024. Where: Sangha, North End. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915926 YOU LOVE TO FISH You work at Idletyme in Stowe. You love to fish. You have an amazing smile. If you are single, I would love to exchange fishing stories. When: Monday, September 11, 2023.

Where: at a restaurant in Stowe.

You: Man. Me: Woman. #915925 POUTINE AND GUINNESS AT CORNERSTONE I recommended the Gunner’s Daughter.

You tried it and chose the Guinness.

You were alone on one side of the bar, and I was having a drink with my ex on the other. You seemed to tolerate my playful banter. Any interest in getting together where I can introduce you to some other dark beers you’re sure to dislike? When: Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Where: Cornerstone, Barre.

You: Man. Me: Woman. #915924 NYE HIGHER GROUND AFTER MIDNIGHT We were talking about our 13y/o daughters when I was rudely interrupted by my friend. I would like to talk more! When: Monday, January 1, 2024. Where: Higher Ground.

You: Man. Me: Woman. #915923

You need to find a place where you can feel safe talking openly about your relationship. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, search online for support groups for people in unhappy marriages. To be honest, I think you would really benefit from some professional counseling. These days you can find a therapist whom you never even have to meet face-to-face. Take a look at sites like mdlive.com, talkspace.com or betterhelp.com to get started.

Let’s face it: You’re not getting any younger. Do you want to spend your remaining years unhappy? You say you still love your husband, but do you really? Perhaps you’ve just become accustomed to your situation. You need to get unstuck — and if your husband won’t come along for the ride, then it might be time to think about starting a new chapter without him.

Good luck and God bless,

The Reverend

What’s your problem?

Send it to asktherev@sevendaysvt.com.

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

93

I’m a lifelong good-looking senior Vermonter. BA at Saint Michael’s College. Had a 750 Honda for 10 years to explore Arizona and Vermont. Live with my cat.

Regular gardening indoor and out. Seeking a companion who is caring and honest for love and sexual experiences. #L1725

I’m a 62-y/o female who wants a male companion to have fun with, maybe go for some drinks or smoke a bowl. Young in spirit, but I’m not into the romantic part of relationships anymore.

Simply looking for a goofy friend to take me out on the town. #L1730 I am a 25-y/o male forager, tinkerer and dumpster diver seeking like-minded empathetic woman of a similar age. #L1729 I’m a man, 34, seeking a woman, 20s to 30s. Make something out of me. I am full of potential.

I work and was born in Vermont.

Looking for a partner in life. #L1724

I’m 47, seeking a male. I’m 5’6, 206 pounds, looking for someone to marry me and who is very wealthy. Please respond ASAP. #L1728 56-y/o single, sincere gentleman looking for one female partner for fun/ experiences in St. J. Healthy, fit, humorous, not bad looking.

Honest, tolerant, respectful.

Open mind/heart. Just a tad lonely, and that is a good thing for us. #L1727 Kind, loving and sincere 72y/o woman looking for a male companion/friend to spend time with and get to know. #L1726

HOW TO REPLY TO THESE LOVE LETTERS: Seal your reply — including your preferred contact info — inside an envelope. Write your pen pal’s box number on the outside of that envelope and place it inside another envelope with payment. Responses for Love Letters must begin with the #L box number.

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94

SEVEN DAYS FEBRUARY 7-14, 2024

Internet-Free Dating!

Reply to these messages with real, honest-to-goodness letters. DETAILS BELOW.

I am a 25-y/o female looking for a sugar-daddy male (50 to 70). Not for a sexual relationship; more of a companionship. #L1723

I’m a 72-y/o male who would love to sensually experience a mature woman in her 70s or 80s. Phone number, please. #L1719

SWF, mid-60s, slender. Loves: wildlife safety, non-predator pets, honest ones, kept-real dynamics and excellence with style. Hates: Psychos and phonies, tech-obsesseds and scams. ISO of well-established guy, 60s to 70s — rather saintly.

Also, hates old buildings — I like new! #L1722

I’m a 79-y/o woman seeking a man who is in his 70s. Want friendship and companionship.

Also like fishing as well and crafts such as knitting, crocheting and sewing. #L1718

I’m a 73-y/o woman seeking a male age 68 to 78. Would like to spend my birthday with a friend. I am trying to pare down my things. Lots of antiques and family treasures. And I’m still working — need a break — midFebruary. I like sports — football, etc. Reading and movies. Please write me with your thoughts and phone number. #L1720 I am a 35-y/o M, thirsty for love.

I am looking for a good-hearted woman who will accept that I am her ADAM. I promise to give you my best. You will never be disappointed. #L1721

I’m a single female, 47, 5’6, red hair, blue eyes, 206 pounds, looking for the one who will marry me and is very well off financially wealthy to fulfill my dreams with. #L1716 I’m a 65-y/o male seeking a 55- to 65-y/o female. I am a hardworking man, loving and kind. I enjoy gardening (vegetables and flowers), snuggling by a campfire/ camping, cooking, hunting and fishing. Seeking a woman who is honest and caring. Someone to spend time with and see where it goes. #L1717 I’m a GWM looking for some manto-man interaction in Rutland County. Age/race not important; just be you. Call/text. #L1712

For 55-y/o M wannabe geek: I’m your huckleberry. Intense discussions and companionship are my game. Say when. My fave character. Demure, not exactly; yes, down to earth. You said intense — I’m your girl! I’m 55 also. Hope to hear back. #L1715 I’m a male, early 60s, seeking a female, 21 to 50ish. Married in nonsexual relationship. Seeking sex — safe, discreet, disease-free.

I’m told I’m good-looking and don’t look my age. Passionate about performing oral. Looking for goomah in Chittenden County. No computer. I have never strayed before. #L1714 I’m a male “man” seeking a female. I am a 68-y/o man seeking a woman for friendship and companionship. Age appropriate. Would like to play and spend time together. #L1713 I’m a 72-y/o man seeking a woman for friendship and companionship. Age not important. Looking for a woman who is satisfied with one special man in her life and young at heart. #L1710

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