Seven Days, March 2, 2022 by Seven Days

VE R MO NT ’S INDE PEN DENT VO IC E MARCH 2-9, 2022 VOL.27 NO.21 SEVENDAYSVT.COM

How Burlington’s Earth Prime Comics helped unite unite Vermont’s comics lovers BY C HRI S FARNSWO RT H, PAGE 28

INSIDE

DYNAMIC DUO The other Laheys

PAGE 34

TOWN MEETING DAY

PAGE 5

Burlington City Council results

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YOUR DONATION BENEF ITS: MARCH 1 – 15 Birds of Vermont Museum’s interpretive trail about birds and conservation. MARCH 16 – 31 Rokeby Museum’s storytelling of the Robinson family’s anti-slavery efforts.

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SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

WEEK IN REVIEW FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 2, 2022 COMPILED BY SASHA GOLDSTEIN

PROGS HOLD STEADY

LUKE AWTRY

Burlington Progressives held on to their six city council seats on Town Meeting Day, cementing the party’s influential voting bloc for another year. The Progs notched wins in Wards 1 and 8 despite hardfought campaigns by Democratic opponents who sought to frame the election as a referendum on postGeorge Floyd cuts to police. Incumbent Progressive Zoraya Hightower earned about 57 percent of the vote to beat political newcomer Rob Gutman in Ward 1 by a tally of 585 to 442, according to unofficial results. In Ward 8, Prog Ali House earned 54 percent of the vote to defeat fellow University of Vermont student Hannah King by a tally of 321 to 278. The party also held on in Ward 3, as incumbent Joe Magee handily bested Republican Christopher-Aaron Felker, 795 to 304. Voters also elected Progressive Gene Bergman, who ran unopposed in Ward 2. The wins maintain the caucus’ plurality on the 12-person council, a strength the Progressives have wielded to pass a slew of left-leaning policies, including measures to ban no-cause evictions and reinstate ranked-choice voting. While Progs can’t pass resolutions without a seventh vote, they can band together to stop proposals they oppose all on their own. That unique power was perhaps most evident in January,

true802 TINY MIRACLE ?? ? ?? ? ??

when all six Progs voted against Democratic Mayor Miro Weinberger’s pick for police chief, Jon Murad. The tie vote sunk Murad’s nomination — but Weinberger later announced that Murad would stay on as acting chief indefinitely. Incumbent Councilor Ali Dieng (I-Ward 7), who supported Murad’s nomination, was reelected with just two more votes than his closest competitor, newcomer Aleczander Stith, a Democrat. Dieng tallied 795 votes to Stith’s 793. Independent candidate Olivia Taylor received 89 votes. In Ward 5, the other three-person race on the ballot, Democrat Ben Traverse easily defeated both challengers. Traverse notched 1,208 votes, whereas Prog-endorsed independent candidate FaRied Munarsyah got 259 and independent Lenora Travis got 72. Traverse will fill the seat being vacated by longtime Dem Chip Mason. Incumbent Democrats Sarah Carpenter and Karen Ali House Paul won uncontested races in Wards 4 and 6, respectively. On ballot questions, Burlington voters rejected a 4-cent tax hike, but they approved the other four: a capital bond, a tax increment financing bond, a charter change about sex work, and the school budget. Read Courtney Lamdin’s full story and more Town Meeting Day coverage at sevendaysvt.com.

TOWN MEETING DAY

emoji that PRESIDENT’S DAY

On the Senate floor on Monday, the chamber’s dean, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), read George Washington’s farewell address. The annual tradition dates back to 1896.

GREAT UNMASKING?

Starting on Monday, Vermont schools can do away with masks if 80 percent of students are vaccinated. Few eligible districts leaped at the opportunity.

SCHOOL’S OUT

Amid the war in Ukraine, Middlebury College is urging its students studying abroad in Russia to leave the country. A scary situation.

MEANWHILE, IN VERMONT…

Gov. Phil Scott ordered state liquor stores to pull Russian-owned booze brands from their shelves. Hittin’ them where it hurts.

$64M That’s how much money Vermont will get from national settlements with three major opioid distributors and drugmaker Johnson & Johnson.

TOPFIVE

Online Now

How Burlington’s Earth Prime Comics helPed helP hel Ped P ed unite unite Vermont’s comics lovers B Y C H R I S FAR N SWO R T H , PAG E 2 8

COVER DESIGN REV. DIANE SULLIVAN • IMAGE RICK VEITCH

NEWS+POLITICS 13

FEATURES 28

ARTS+CULTURE 44

From the Publisher

Singular Service, Double Byline

Irons in the Fire

Temperature Rising

Fuel dealers and environmentalists are fired up over the clean heating bill

Screen Time

Telemedicine is helping hospitals manage psychiatric patients

Tim and Jess Lahey have different professions and a shared commitment to health and well-being

Setting Up Shop

New arrivals restructure 150-year-old Marshfield Village Store as a workerowned cooperative

Name-Dropping

“School branding” bill would ban discriminatory mascots

Burlington resident Liza Smith-Vedder is SUPPORTED BY: stuck in Canada. In 2019, she married a Canadian. The couple split their time between the two countries until the pandemic hit. Smith-Vedder got across the border before it closed in 2020, but because she’s applying for residency, she hasn’t been able to leave.

A 16-year-old Wolcott student forges a career as a blacksmith

Know Your Onion

Winooski centennial celebration

We have

Stuck in Canada

Eva Sollberger crossed the border to capture a story on love and luck

Woman, Interrupted

Find a new job in the classifieds section on page 74 and online at jobs.sevendaysvt.com.

Sarah Trad’s “What Still Remains”

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5 reasons to make Universal School Meals permanent in Vermont: 1

Vermont schools have been serving Universal School Meals since March of 2020– going back

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would require school districts to scramble.

Eating is elementary to education. “All kids deserve free breakfast and lunch. No one should have to apply or qualify. This is so important to their education and well being. It’s a no brainer.” -Tatiana A., Bennington

Families are still struggling with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, families

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COURTESY OF JOSH GOLEMAN

LOOKING FORWARD

EVENTS MAY BE CANCELED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS, AND MASK AND VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS VARY. PLEASE CHECK WITH EVENT ORGANIZERS IN ADVANCE.

MAGNIFICENT

THURSDAY 3-SATURDAY 5

Sigh No More Cofounded by Sir Patrick Stewart in 1975, Actors From the London Stage has been turning the Shakespeare game on its head for almost 50 years. At Middlebury College’s Wright Memorial Theatre, the troupe’s five actors present their utterly unique staging of Much Ado About Nothing, in which they break the form down to its bare essentials with minimal props, multiple roles and bold self-direction.

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

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 61

OPENS ON FRIDAY 4

Cyberpunk Paint Using pseudonyms can allow artists to explore multiple media, styles and subjects. In “Technologia Informatio,” a collection of acrylic-on-panel and mixed-media paintings showing at St. Johnsbury’s Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild Backroom Gallery, Chuck Trotsky (a fictitious name) plays with images from pop culture to surreal, eye-popping effect. SEE GALLERY LISTING ON PAGE 51

SATURDAY 5

Gotta Have That Funk FRIDAY 4

RHAPSODY IN BLUEGRASS Since 2006, Grammy-winning quintet Punch Brothers has been a staple of the bluegrass scene. Songs from the group’s newest album, Hell on Church Street — an experimental, bighearted answer to the great Tony Rice’s landmark record Church Street Blues — get audiences at the Flynn in Burlington dancing, crying and everything in between. SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 61

REA

TI M

High Culture C|D

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 61

SUNDAY 6

If the Snowshoe Fits

MONDAY 7

Costumes are encouraged and fun is unavoidable at the 10th Annual Masquerade Jazz and Funk Winter Music Carnival, presented by BarnArts at Barnard Town Hall. Between hip-shaking performances by Michael Zsoldos and Jason Ennis, Sultans of Saul, and Nation Beat, attendees of all ages dip into the taco bar, make spangly masks at the craft table and get goofy in the photo booth.

The early pandemic sourdough trend may be long over, but the reasons to learn about one of humanity’s oldest baking traditions are endless. Courtesy of City Market, Onion River Co-op, Heike Meyer of Brot Bakehouse kicks off a fourweek virtual series with Sourdough 101, Part 1: Maintaining a Starter. Future classes will cover baking simple biscuits and cookies, bread and cake. SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 64

Submit your upcoming events at sevendaysvt.com/postevent.

In and around the snowy trails at Burlington’s Intervale Center, Wintervale promises a day of wintry, wonderful fun for all ages. Locals take advantage of free ski and snowshoe rentals, hot chocolate samplings with SlowFood Vermont, maple syrup tastings with Runamok Maple, and other local food and drink. Rumor has it that Champ himself may even make an appearance. SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 64

WEDNESDAY 9

Never Forget The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., is in a race against time to preserve memories of the Holocaust before it passes out of living memory. Vermont residents who lived through it or who have family who did are invited to the virtual presentation Preserving Holocaust History: Collecting Artifacts and Researching Fates, where they learn how the museum collects donations and assists in researching the fates of lost relatives. SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 65

THIS IS A SAMPLING OF VERMONT’S IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL EVENTS. BROWSE THE FULL CALENDAR, ART SHOWS, AND MUSIC+NIGHTLIFE LISTINGS AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/EVENTS. SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

Warning Bells

The first snow squall alarm sounded on my cellphone — and my partner’s — around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, warning of an impending whiteout that blew in over Lake Champlain a few minutes later. Fine, I said to myself, as the house was engulfed from every direction, like a snow globe being shaken by an angry child; we weren’t planning to hit the road until 4. Dinner in Braintree had been on the calendar for a while, and I’d rearranged my weekend work to be able to go. The invite was for 5:30. The skies started to clear, and we thought the “emergency” was over, when our phones started buzzing again — in sync. The snow squall warning had been extended until 4:15, which is precisely when we managed to leave the house with a freshly baked cake. The drive south on Interstate 89 began with a debate about the pros and cons of these Wireless Emergency Alerts, a well-meaning but intrusive technology that targets phones in a geographical area. Heretofore, they’d been used sparingly to share flash flood warnings and Amber Alerts about missing children. The alarm is, well, alarming — especially when a roomful of people is receiving it on multiple phones at the same time, or in a small car when two phones start blaring. Raised in snow-fearing Maryland, I see the logic of the texts and suggested that maybe it would have been wise to cancel our dinner plans. My New England-born partner lamented that winter is now a crisis. Plus, the people for whom a snow squall could be life-threatening — drivers — are not supposed to be looking at their phones. Is it worth that risk to be informed of another? Our car was starting to heat up when we hit snow in Richmond, and there we joined a long line of windshield-wiping, red-light-flashing vehicles crawling south in the right-hand lane. Our phones exploded at least two more times between exits 11 and 4 with snow squall alerts, as the danger time got pushed later and later — right up to 5:30. Another text — from the Vermont State Police — warned of a bad accident between exits 5 and 6. By the time we got there, an hour and a half later, all the cars had been cleared away. We were driving in the snow squall. Anxious, unsure whether it would get better or worse, and arguing with my companion about the usefulness of knowing what might lie ahead, I thought: This is just like the pandemic. You think it will never end — until, almost two years later, a cloud lifts. Once in Randolph, the going got easier. We followed detailed directions to find the place and enjoyed a mask-free dinner, at which the plague was but a sidenote — not the center of conversation. It was delightful to meet new, interesting people at the end of a dark road in rural Vermont. The weather cooperated on the return trip, and the fresh snow glowed. Back to black, If you like what we do and can afford to help the ribbon of Vermont highway led us home, pay for it, become a Seven Days Super Reader! to warmth and safety. That’s a comfort worth Look for the “Give Now” buttons at the top of appreciating after a harrowing winter drive sevendaysvt.com. Or send a check with your — and as, halfway around the world, Russian address and contact info to: aggression in Ukraine has turned more than SEVEN DAYS, C/O SUPER READERS P.O. BOX 1164 500,000 of its citizens into refugees. BURLINGTON, VT 05402-1164 On Monday night as I wrote this, it was For more information on making a financial snowing lightly in Kyiv with a temp of 32. The contribution to Seven Days, please contact capital city was bracing for the kind of storm Corey Barrows: that doesn’t lend itself to prediction.

Paula Routly

VOICEMAIL: 802-865-1020, EXT. 136 EMAIL: SUPERREADERS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

news

MORE INSIDE

HEMP RUSH REDUX? PAGE 17

DEVELOPMENT

HISTORIC SUPREME COURT NOMINATION PAGE 18

Developers Sue South Burlington Over New Land Use Regs

MASCOT BILL MOVES ON PAGE 20

Brian Hyde of Energy Co-op of Vermont sealing gaps in a Colchester attic

Temperature Rising

ENVIRONMENT

Fuel dealers and environmentalists are fired up over the clean heating bill S TO RY & PHOT OS BY KE VIN MCCALLU M • kevin@sevendaysvt.com

he late flurry of opposition to the centerpiece of Democrats’ climate agenda had an air of desperation. In the days before a House committee vote last week on creating a “clean heat standard” in Vermont, fossil fuel interests, powerful business groups and Republican lawmakers made last-ditch pleas to derail or delay the effort. The bill — aimed at reducing Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions — would require fuel dealers to decrease the amount of fossil fuel they sell over time, or to offset those sales by selling more biofuels or installing heat pumps and weatherizing homes to cut down on fuel use. The Public Utility Commission would be directed to regulate companies that deliver heating fuels in trucks to people’s homes as intensively as businesses that sell and distribute electricity over power lines. Matt Cota, a lobbyist who serves as executive director of the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, told the House Energy and Technology Committee that he feared half of the 100 companies that sell fuel oil, propane and kerosene might 14

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

not survive a regulatory scheme sure to trigger “chaos” in the heating market. “Some companies will thrive; others will be done,” Cota told lawmakers. Prominent trade groups, including the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Farm Bureau and the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association, followed suit and urged lawmakers to protect them against higher fuel costs from a move to cleaner heat sources. In a letter to legislators, they sought assurances that the PUC, as it designs the regulations to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels, would “address potential social and economic impacts to mitigate and minimize negative consequences” of the bill. Then, just before last Thursday’s vote, the two Republican members of the committee said they couldn’t support a bill whose impacts are so unclear. “We don’t have any idea if it’s going to change the cost of heating fuel in 2024 by $1 or by $10!” said Rep. Sally Achey (R-Middletown Springs), who later penned a letter opposing the bill that was shared widely by the Vermont GOP. Rep.

Heidi Scheuermann (R-Stowe) shared Achey’s unease. “How is it going to be paid for? Who’s going to pay for it? And how much is that?” she asked. The barrage of questions, as well as predictions of industry disruption and fears of higher fuel costs, have so far failed to slow the progress of the clean heat standard bill, which aims to transform a heating fuel sector that accounts for 34 percent of Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions. Cota called the bill “the most consequential government regulation for the distribution of heating fuels ever contemplated in the history of Vermont.” Supporters use equally sweeping language to describe an initiative they view as essential to reducing emissions from the heating of homes, offices, stores and factories. Only transportation produces more climatechanging emissions in Vermont. “Right now, this is the highest-impact, most important policy recommendation that Vermont can move on to meet our TEMPERATURE RISING

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B Y C H EL S EA ED G A R chelsea@sevendaysvt.com Developers Jeff Nick and Jeff Davis have sued the City of South Burlington and three city councilors over new land use regulations, which the developers claim would prevent them from building on roughly one-third of their 112-acre property at 835 Hinesburg Road. The regulations, which passed earlier this month by a 3-2 city council vote after years of contentious negotiations, prohibit development in wildlife corridors, known as “habitat blocks.” The suit, filed last Thursday in federal court through an LLC registered in Davis’ name, alleges that the City of South Burlington relied on outdated satellite imaging to map the habitat blocks at 835 Hinesburg Road without conducting an in-person assessment of the land’s ecology. As a result, the suit claims, the habitat blocks lack scientific rigor, and the moratorium on development in those areas constitutes an unlawful seizure of their property. Councilors Meaghan Emery, Helen Riehle and Tim Barritt, all of whom voted in favor of the new regulations, are named as defendants. The suit seeks monetary damages and an injunction barring the city from enforcing the regulations. The developers’ suit is the first legal challenge to South Burlington’s new land use rules. Proponents, including Emery, Riehle and Barritt, have argued that the regulations protect critical natural resources and promote sustainable development in the face of the climate crisis. Critics, including affordable housing advocates and developers such as Nick and Davis, insist that the regulations will exacerbate Vermont’s housing crisis by restricting growth in the state’s most populous region. According to Nick, whose original plans for 835 Hinesburg Road included commercial space, office buildings and a number of housing units, the planning commission supported his proposal when he first submitted sketches for the project in 2015. Seven years later, he said, the city’s new land use regulations have sent him back to the drawing board. Nick objects, in particular, to the removal of 45 acres of his property — the habitat blocks — from potential development. Emery and Barritt declined to comment; Riehle, the city council chair, and Jessie Baker, the South Burlington city manager, did not respond to interview requests. m

Screen Time

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Telemedicine is helping some Vermont hospitals manage a growing number of psychiatric patients BY COLIN FL ANDE RS • colin@sevendaysvt.com

ast year, a woman in her twenties sought treatment at the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital because acute depression had driven her to consider suicide. The 25-bed St. Johnsbury hospital doesn’t have its own clinical psychiatrist, let alone an entire unit dedicated to treating patients in mental health crisis. Once the woman was admitted to the emergency room, staff members set out to find an open bed at one of Vermont’s few inpatient psych facilities. The same scenario has played out at rural hospitals for years and typically ends one of two ways: The hospital gets lucky and finds an opening immediately. Or, more often, the patient lands on a waiting list and goes days or even weeks without receiving treatment from an expert.

WE’RE HOLDING PATIENTS

FOR LONGER THAN WE EVER HAVE. D R . RYA N SEXT ON

But in this case, there was a third option. Northeastern’s ER staff contacted Dr. Mark McGee, a psychiatrist who runs the Burlington-based telemedicine company Alpine Telehealth, and arranged a virtual visit. After evaluating the woman from 75 miles away, McGee helped physicians on the ground with some “complex” medication management, which included modifying the doses of her existing antidepressants and starting her on a new one, recalled Dr. Ryan Sexton, director of the Northeastern ER. “While we were holding her in the emergency department for a period of days, she had notable improvement in her depression,” Sexton said. The patient eventually was no longer suicidal, did not require inpatient treatment and was discharged. The vast holes in Vermont’s mental health system have turned hospitals into de facto boardinghouses for psychiatric patients — to the detriment of everyone involved. People suffering mental health crises find themselves trapped in a chaotic ER environment that can worsen their condition. And frontline

workers scramble to care for a group of patients they’re not properly trained to treat in-depth. “We are holding patients for longer than we ever have,” Sexton said. As emergency departments look for better ways to get patients the mental health crisis services they desperately need, some are turning to telemedicine. Dartmouth-Hitchcock medical center, which launched a virtual ER psych service five years ago, now contracts with a dozen hospitals, including four in Vermont: Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor, North Country Hospital in Newport, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Two other Vermont hospitals — Northeastern and Gifford Medical Center in Randolph — partner with McGee at Alpine Telehealth. The approach could one day become standard: A recent health care workforce development plan recommended that Vermont consider a statewide telepsych program similar to one in North Carolina. “There’s an increasing awareness that psychiatric care is an important part of overall community health and wellbeing,” McGee said. “Thankfully, health systems are beginning to put some vitally needed resources into some of those supports.” The phenomenon of psychiatric patients stacking up in emergency rooms can be traced to the closure of the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury, which was destroyed by floodwaters during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. Officials sought to rebuild the state’s mental health system with less emphasis on inpatient treatment beds and more on community-based care. But the transition coincided with an increased demand for mental health services, both nationally and in Vermont: The University of Vermont Medical Center’s emergency department, for example, treated 1,300 more mental health patients in 2019 than it did in 2010. And the agencies designated to provide this community-based care say chronic underfunding has made it impossible for them to keep pace with the need.

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news Temperature Rising « P.14 climate responsibilities,” said Jared Duval, a member of the state Climate Council and head of a group that tracks Vermont’s emissions reductions. The transition to a lower-carbon economy is already under way, but the bill aims to accelerate the shift in a way that is “coordinated, sustained and predictable,” according to Rep. Tim Briglin (D-Thetford), chair of the energy and tech committee. Waiting to act will only leave Vermonters with fewer options and more vulnerable to the price volatility that fossil fuels are already experiencing, he said. He noted that fuel oil prices in Vermont are up by 40 percent over last year, and lawmakers have an obligation to protect residents from price swings that are sure to intensify in coming decades, regardless of state regulations. “In 10 years, if we do nothing, we’re going to be faced with [choices] that are more costly, less equitable and more disruptive,” Briglin told Seven Days. The bill passed out of committee on a 7-2 vote. If it is endorsed by the Appropriations Committee as expected, the bill must still be considered by the full House and then by the Senate. Gov. Phil Scott’s office was noncommittal about whether the governor would sign the measure, citing potential costs. “Vermont faces an affordability crisis, and the Governor won’t support measures that make it worse,” spokesperson Jason Maulucci said in a statement. Despite the bill’s apparent momentum, nagging questions remain about precisely how it would help wean Vermonters off fossil fuels without tanking an entire industry or leaving lower-income residents in the lurch. That’s partly because the bill would delegate the job of crafting many of the details to the PUC, which would have until January 1, 2025, to structure and launch the program. Democratic lawmakers say they need to lay out the broad strokes of the transition now and leave the highly technical work — such as the analysis of the carbon intensity of various fuels — to professional utility regulators and energy analysts. Scientists agree that global emissions need to be cut in half by 2030 and reach zero by midcentury to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. A report this week by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change described in the greatest detail yet the scale of the global devastation and human suffering in store for the planet without immediate, dramatic action. Adding to the pressure is that Vermont’s climate goals became legal requirements with the passage of the 2020 Global Warming Solutions Act. The law gives anyone the right to sue the state for failing to take sufficient steps toward cutting emissions by 16

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

Bourne’s Energy biofuel hub in Morrisville

15 percent by 2025, 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050. “If we’re going to meet our Global Warming Solutions Act targets, we have to begin this process,” said Rep. Katherine Sims (D-Craftsbury). “We need to move with urgency and also thoughtfulness.” The bill calls for that work to begin by August 31, 2022. It authorizes regulators to hire consultants to help manage public outreach efforts — at least six public meet-

IN 10 YEARS, IF WE DO NOTHING, WE’RE GOING TO BE FACED WITH [CHOICES] THAT ARE

MORE COSTLY, LESS EQUITABLE AND MORE DISRUPTIVE. R E P. TIM BR IGL IN

ings and two workshops to gather testimony from a wide range of groups directly affected by the law, as well as input from an equity committee. The bill contains $1.2 million to pay for the public outreach and regulatory processes. Following the collapse of a multistate effort to reduce transportation emissions, the clean heat standard now stands as the state’s best chance to reach those goals, said Ben Edgerly Walsh, climate and energy program director at the Vermont Public Interest Research Group. “For the first time ever, this is going to require fossil fuel companies to actually be part of transitioning Vermont to a lowcarbon economy,” Walsh said. Here’s how it would work. Fuel wholesalers and some retailers who import fuel would need to buy or generate an increasing number of “clean heat credits” every year. The credits would need to equal a yet-tobe-determined percentage of the previous year’s fossil fuel sales. For example, a fuel

oil dealer selling 1 million gallons of home heating fuel annually might be required to obtain credits sufficient to offset 5 percent — 50,000 gallons — of fossil fuel sales the following year. The next year, the same dealer might need to come up with credits to offset emissions from burning 100,000 gallons, and so on. The obligations would increase to 400,000 gallons by 2030. Dealers could meet such requirements in several ways. They could just sell less fossil fuel every year, though that’s not viewed as a sustainable business model. They could switch to selling biofuels. Or they might be able to generate credits by reducing demand for their products by weatherizing homes and buildings, installing cold-climate heat pumps, or upgrading customers to modern woodstoves. While some Vermont businesses already deal in biofuels — heating oil and biodiesel generated most often from soybeans or used cooking oil — there would be supply challenges in ramping up to make them a bigger part of the home heating mix. “Do we eat enough French fries and Chinese food in order to fuel our furnaces in Vermont? The answer is no, and we will not,” Cota said. For larger volumes of biodiesel to be sold in Vermont, dealers would have to tap biofuel supplies from large-scale soybean production in the Midwest, something some environmental activists oppose. Stuart Blood of Thetford helped author a letter imploring the committee not to allow biofuels to qualify for credits when they displace fossil fuels. He and others argue that biofuels usually don’t emit less carbon than fossil fuels when their entire life cycle is considered. Nearly 400 people have signed the letter. Similar questions abound about the “renewable natural gas” that Vermont Gas Systems buys from local sources, such as Vanguard Renewables’ massive new digester in Salisbury, a landfill in Québec and a wastewater treatment plant in the Midwest.

It’s unclear how those fuels would be counted under the “clean heat” standard, but the question is expected to get close scrutiny during the PUC process. The House bill requires regulators to carry out a life-cycle analysis of the carbon emissions of various fuels. This should ensure that dealers won’t get credit for feel-good measures that don’t really reduce total emissions, VPIRG’s Walsh said. Vermont Gas president Neale Lunderville said his company would make sure that the renewable gas it buys would qualify for clean heat credits. Some fuel dealers are already diversifying the services they offer. Brian Gray, general manager of Energy Co-op of Vermont, said his Colchester-based organization started out selling fuel oil and kerosene but shifted to clean energy services that now represent 40 percent of sales. The credits the co-op would generate from such work not only would offset fossil fuel sales but also could be sold to other companies that need them, in a type of carbon-trading market. Gray told lawmakers that if the transition away from fossil fuels is structured so that residents can afford the up-front cost of cleaner energy options, they’ll save money in the long run. As written, the bill provides subsidies to help low- and moderate-income families change their heating systems. “For most homeowners who make the switch to biomass or heat pumps, their overall heating costs should be less than they are today with oil and propane,” he said. That’s great for people who can make the switch, but for those who can’t or don’t want to, they face a future of higher heating costs as dealers pass their increases on to their customers, said Cota, the fuel dealers’ lobbyist. “If you look at what the clean heat standard fundamentally does, it raises the cost of fuels for people that do not want to switch from their fossil-based system, and it lowers the cost for those that do,” he said. “That’s the hand of government to change the marketplace.” If the clean heat standard becomes law, companies can earn and bank credits retroactive to January 1, 2022. That should help ease the transition by keeping the cost of compliance modest, Briglin said. Companies that don’t want to do anything differently would have to pay an increasing fee to the state every year. How much that would be, and how many credits companies would earn from various clean heat projects, are all yet to be determined. “The clean heat standard will be disruptive to business models that have been based on just selling as much fossil fuel as you want,” said Duval, the member of the climate council, “regardless of the social and environmental consequences.” m

This is illegal WHY in Vermont. ISN’T THIS?

CANNABEAT

New Industrial Hemp Company Plans Big Footprint in Vermont B Y A NNE WA L L ACE ALLEN • anne@sevendaysvt.com The iconic E.T. & H.K. Ide grain mill buildings in St. Johnsbury have been sold to a company that plans to use them for processing industrial hemp. The two cousins behind Zion Growers, Travis Samuels and Brandon McFarlane, also have their sights set on a 200,000-square-foot industrial building in Proctor that was once home to the Vermont Marble Company. By the fall harvest, the two say, they’ll be ready to process hemp into fiber that will be used to create building materials, animal bedding and cardboard. Hemp — a version of the cannabis plant that won’t get you high — is a sustainable replacement for materials such as plastic and composites, said McFarlane, a real estate attorney in Florida who graduated from Norwich University. McFarlane said processing

Travis Samuels (left) and Brandon McFarlane

hemp into paper, textiles and “hempcrete” — a construction material — is more environmentally friendly than using traditional materials. He expects the market to grow. “We see those as the three main players in the future, where hemp is going to either be heavily involved or completely take over in the next couple of decades,” he said. Zion Growers got its start in the hemp green rush of 2019 after 2018 changes to federal law prompted people around the U.S. to start growing cannabis for cannabinoids such as CBD. The plant components became a popular supplement — thought to have health benefits — that was added to food, drinks and beauty products. The two cousins grew five acres near Samuels’ home in Barnet in 2019. But, like many other growers, they discovered that the supply in the market far outstripped the demand. “All five acres of that is still hanging in a barn somewhere in Barnet, because we weren’t able to sell it,” McFarlane said. CBD prices have since plunged. But the two cousins saw a future in industrial hemp, and they started looking for ways to supply the processing capacity that’s in short supply locally.

The two took their idea for a hemp processing business to LaunchVT last year. There, they got help rewriting their business plan and won the $15,000 grand prize in the annual business competition, which is put on by the Lake Champlain Chamber. Industrial hemp, once a common manufacturing material, is getting a closer look these days. The University of Vermont has been studying the business of industrial hemp for years and will host an undergraduate fellowship on the topic this summer. Samuels and McFarlane worked with officials in St. Johnsbury for about a year before they closed on the sale of the mill in late December. When news broke of the impending sale, the Preservation Trust of Vermont got in touch about the Vermont Marble Company building. For a decade, the trust has owned an 87,000-square-foot portion of the building. The rest is privately owned, though Zion Growers is negotiating to buy it all. “It’s the size of an Amazon warehouse,” McFarlane said, only half joking. They have investors on board to help them pay for the $3 million St. Johnsbury project, as well as $165,000 in tax credits, grants and technical assistance from federal, state and city programs. The purchase is good news in St. Johnsbury, which is undergoing a minor economic revival these days. The centerpiece is a large downtown housing and retail project, New Avenue Apartments, that is nearly complete. Twelve new businesses opened in St. Johnsbury last year, according to Gillian Sewake, the director of the local chamber of commerce. She grew up in Waterford and went to high school at St. Johnsbury Academy in the 1990s. Back then, she never seemed to hear good news about the town. But things started turning around in 2015, Sewake said, after the Vermont Council on Rural Development helped locals come up with a plan for reviving the downtown. The new businesses have filled once-empty storefronts and brought visitors to the area. And the new housing project, the work of the affordable housing organization Evernorth, adds 40 much-needed apartments. The sale of the Ide complex, which occupies just under an acre right off the main drag, Railroad Street, is a particular triumph because the distinctive old buildings are one of the most visible representatives of industry in St. Johnsbury, Sewake said. “It takes a dilapidated industrial building and puts energy and creativity and people into it,” Sewake said. m

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COURTS

Waples Would Be First Woman of Color on Supreme Court B Y D EREK BR OUWE R derek@sevendaysvt.com Gov. Phil Scott has nominated Superior Court Judge Nancy Waples to the Vermont Supreme Court. If confirmed by the Senate, Waples would be the first woman of color to serve on the state’s high court. Waples, of Hinesburg, would fill the seat held by Justice Beth Robinson, whom President Joe Biden nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit last year. Upon confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Robinson became the first openly LGBTQ woman to serve on a federal district court. Waples’ parents were Chinese immigrants who fled the communist revolution and settled in Toronto, Canada, because federal Chinese exclusion laws prevented them from resettling in the U.S. The family later moved to the New York City area, where Waples grew up working in a Chinese restaurant that her parents ran. “My parents traveled halfway around the world with literally nothing more than the clothes on their backs to live in a place that didn’t speak their language, where they didn’t have any friends or family,” Waples said in a statement. “They came here seeking greater opportunities and longed for a life of dignity and decency. They share my pride in receiving this historic appointment.” Waples earned her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law and became a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. She also served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Vermont, working on criminal cases out of the Rutland office. Former governor Peter Shumlin appointed her to the Superior Court in late 2014. “Judge Waples has already served the State with distinction, earning the respect of her colleagues, members of the Bar and those who have come before her,” Scott said in a written statement. “Her story, perspective and skills will make her an exceptional justice, and I’m proud to make this historic appointment.” The governor selected Waples from a list prepared by a judicial nominating commission. If confirmed by state lawmakers, she would serve a six-year term before facing a retention vote by the General Assembly. “I hope my appointment inspires other people of color to reach outside of their comfort zone and climb the same ladder I climbed, and I will be there to lend my hand,” Waples said. m

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

Dr. Mark McGee

Screen Time « P.15 The pandemic has only widened the gaps. Mental health agencies reported an alarming 30 percent turnover among their staff last year, with one in every five positions now vacant. Similar shortages at inpatient facilities have taken dozens of Vermont’s 200 adult psychiatric beds offline the last two years. The Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems tracks the number of patients stuck in emergency departments across the state through twice-weekly surveys. Data from one day earlier this month showed that three dozen people were awaiting beds at inpatient psychiatric facilities, with an average wait time of six days. Dr. Ramsey Herrington, the director of emergency medicine at the UVM Medical Center, testified at a legislative hearing in December that nearly half of the Burlington hospital’s 44 ER beds are filled on any given day with psychiatric patients awaiting inpatient placements. Because of this, Herrington said, “the volume of our patients without access to emergency care has expanded dramatically, and our citizens with acute physical health care crises have seen an exponential rise in their waiting room times.” McGee, of Alpine Telehealth, saw these trends take form during a six-year stint

at the Brattleboro Retreat, a psychiatric hospital in southern Vermont that has doubled in size since the closure of the state hospital. As a staff psychiatrist and, later, chief medical officer at the Retreat, McGee saw firsthand how difficult it was to attract new doctors to Vermont. So he became interested in telemedicine, hoping that it would help the hospital overcome its recruitment struggles. He eventually established a virtual psychiatry program, which allowed him to hire five full-time providers from outside the Brattleboro area in the first months. McGee left the Retreat in 2018 to start Alpine Telehealth with the goal of expanding access to psychiatric care in underserved communities. In addition to his hospital clients, he also works with several developmental service organizations, the mental health agency in Lamoille County and Landmark College in Putney. He has also expanded his work at Northeastern to include the hospital’s adult primary care and pediatric clinics, with the hope of intervening earlier to help patients who need mental health support. McGee initially performed all the clinical work himself, but demand for his services has rapidly increased. He recently hired a part-time psychiatric nurse practitioner and expects to bring on another

two in coming months. He thinks that he may have to expand again within the next year, too, as more organizations seek to use his service. Patients at Vermont’s smaller, critical access hospitals have the most to gain from telepsychiatric services, since, unlike the UVM Medical Center, rural providers typically don’t employ psychiatrists who can make rounds in the ER each day. “Emergency physicians are very good at stabilizing patients,” said Sexton, the ER chief at Northeastern. “But when we have to make complex psychiatric medication changes and treatment for a prolonged period of time, there’s a definite benefit of having a psychiatrist available to us.” Quickly treating patients in mental health crises can have a major impact on both their immediate state of mind and their recoveries, McGee said. The doctor recalled one specific case in which a patient with severe depression waited nearly a week in an emergency room before he could get access to a bed at the Retreat. After just a few days of aggressive treatment, the patient was discharged, McGee said. “If that same treatment were made available to him at the time he initially presented, he may never have needed an inpatient level of care,” McGee said. “He would have been able to return home sooner. He would have returned to work

sooner. And so that whole outcome really could have changed fairly dramatically.” Researchers have found similar benefits from North Carolina’s statewide telepsych program, which began in 2013 and now includes more than 50 hospitals. A 2020 study comparing hospitals in and out of the program found that those with telepsych services managed to send more patients home and transfer fewer patients to psychiatric facilities. Psychiatry isn’t the only area in which Vermont hospitals have been expanding telemedicine. Many doctors performed routine checkups remotely during the pandemic, and some patients — especially those in rural areas who live far from their providers — say they now prefer virtual visits over in-person ones. Some hospitals have even considered turning to telemedicine for emergency situations. The UVM Health Network offers a Tele-ED program that connects doctors at the group’s smaller hospitals with specialists in Burlington to help diagnose and care for patients with medical emergencies. It’s also working to expand a similar program for stroke patients. Hospitals outside the network, meanwhile, have joined an experimental national program

THE VAST HOLES IN VERMONT’S MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM HAVE TURNED HOSPITALS INTO DE FACTO BOARDINGHOUSES FOR PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS —

TO THE DETRIMENT OF EVERYONE INVOLVED.

designed to help rural providers better manage critical cases for longer periods of time. The program — known as the National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network — was launched during the pandemic and is based on a platform the U.S. military uses in war zones. Doctors and nurses can seek guidance from outside specialists using a smartphone app that supports audio and video calls and allows photos and documents to be shared securely. A hospital

in Guam used the service more than 60 times during a massive COVID-19 surge in the fall of 2020, treating a wide range of ailments that included a dozen heart attacks. As the Omicron wave swept across the state last fall, leading the region’s largest medical centers to sharply limit patient transfers, several Vermont hospitals signed up for the free service. “The idea was to provide some help to busy staff so that they had one more resource if conditions called for that extra pair of virtual hands,” said Jeff Tieman, president and CEO of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. Only one Vermont hospital ended up using the service, and only on a single case, Tieman said. And with the sudden drop in COVID-19 cases, most hospitals are back on more solid footing — for now. Still, the application’s uses extend beyond the pandemic, Tieman said, with the program offering help during other disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes. There are, of course, skeptics, including some within Vermont’s medical community. Sexton, the Northeastern emergency room doctor, questions the

usefulness of remote trauma services, since they still require on-the-ground providers who can perform any necessary procedures. And while he has seen telemedicine help some psychiatric patients stuck in his ER, even that can feel akin to treating the symptoms of the problem rather than its root cause. “I’m hesitant to paint it as the panacea, because it’s not,” he said of telepsychiatry. “The emergency department is not a place for [prolonged] psychiatric treatment. We’re forced into that situation right now only because the other resources are lacking.” McGee, of Alpine Telehealth, agrees that long-term fixes to the mental health system will require a far more concentrated effort, from investing in local agencies to bolstering inpatient offerings. But he said telemedicine can still play a “vital role” in getting psychiatric patients the services they need, both now and in the future. “The reality about telemedicine is that it’s infinitely portable, so if somebody needs that level of care, you can deliver it to wherever they are,” he said. “It’s the right care at the right time in the right place at the right amount.” m

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news

Name-Dropping

“School branding” bill would ban discriminatory mascots

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

The Rutland football team practicing last August

EDUCATION THE MASCOT ISSUE IS ONE … THAT JUST TOTALLY CONSUMES A COMMUNITY ...

AND BUILDS SUCH ANIMOSITY ON BOTH SIDES. S E N. GINNY LYO NS

FILE: CAT CUTILLO

hen Judy Dow attended Burlington High School during the late 1960s and early ’70s, its biggest rival was Rice Memorial, the nearby Catholic school. Big games between the Burlington Seahorses and the Rice Little Indians brought out intense displays of school spirit. “People would paint their cars with racist slogans and Indian images, and then they would have parades up and down Church Street and all around the high school making sure you knew that they were there,” said Dow, a member of the Abenaki community who conducts workshops on Indigenous history and culture. “It was really an in-your-face environment with the tomahawk chops … and the war whoops and all of that.” Decades later, Rice ditched the Little Indians name and, in 2005, adopted the Green Knights as its mascot. That same year, Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg changed its moniker from Crusaders to Redhawks after complaints that Crusaders was offensive to groups oppressed by European armies during the Middle Ages. And in 2017, South Burlington High School morphed from the Rebels into the Wolves after students spoke against the former name’s connection to the Confederacy. But some Vermont schools with mascots that reference a specific racial or ethnic group have held on to those names. Proposals for change have sparked bitter debates in some communities between those who hold dear a longtime mascot name and those who argue that it evokes damaging stereotypes. Next week, the Vermont Senate is expected to vote on a bill that would likely prompt schools with divisive mascots to make a change. S.139, endorsed by the Senate Education Committee last week, would require public and independent schools to adopt a policy prohibiting school branding that directly or indirectly references or stereotypes a racial or ethnic group. The measure calls for the Vermont Agency of Education to work with the Vermont School Boards Association and other groups to develop a “model school nondiscriminatory branding” policy by August 1. School branding is defined as “any name, symbol or image used by a school as a mascot, nickname, logo, letterhead, team name, slogan, motto or other identifier.”

FILE: JON OLENDER

B Y A L ISON NOVAK • alison@sevendaysvt.com

Judy Dow

School boards would be required to either adopt the state’s policy or create one of their own that is “at least as comprehensive” by January 1, 2023. Schools with mascots not in compliance with the policy would be given until May 1 of that year to select new branding. Proponents say the measure provides some overarching structure to a process that can overwhelm and divide a community. “This isn’t about the feelings, intentions or prerogatives of people who use other people as mascots,” the bill’s sponsor, Sen.

Dick McCormack (D-Windsor), said in an email. “It’s about the rights of Vermont kids to go to school without being racially insulted.” It’s unclear how the state would enforce the policy. Lawmakers briefly considered banning schools from athletic competitions if they failed to comply but rejected the idea, which would have punished students for decisions made by the school board. Senate Education Committee chair Brian Campion (D-Bennington) said he believes that school boards and officials would “do the right thing given this new guidance.” McCormack agreed. “Any public official is supposed to function within the law, and not only are they supposed to, they do,” he said. “And if there were … a problem someday, then we could deal with it.” This isn’t the first time state government has broached this issue. In 2004, the Vermont Human Rights Commission asked lawmakers to ban Native American mascots. Then-governor Jim Douglas said he believed that mascot monikers should be decided at the local level, according to

a Vermont Public Radio report at the time, and no action was taken. This year’s push comes in the wake of a polarizing debate in Rutland City about the district’s Raiders moniker. In 2020, school commissioners voted to ditch the name after a group of students and alumni presented evidence that the mascot was linked to crude and stereotypical portrayals of Native Americans. But in January, a new group of school board members voted to reinstate the Raiders name, raising the question of whether the state should take a stand on divisive mascots. “The mascot issue is one … that just totally consumes a community ... and builds such animosity on both sides,” Sen. Ginny Lyons (D-Chittenden) told her education committee colleagues earlier this month. Education Secretary Dan French has typically supported local control in educational matters. But, in testimony delivered last month, French came out firmly on the side of state intervention in the debate over mascots, which he linked to broader problems of hate speech and racism. “The state has an interest in ensuring schools are inclusive. And the whole concept of equal opportunity is built on the premise that schools are open to all and should feel welcoming,” French said. “It isn’t a local control issue. [Local school districts] are not empowered to discriminate or create conditions that are adverse to the state’s goal [of ] education.” When decision making about mascots is left to local school boards, Dow said, “that’s when it’s most painful, because then you have these traditions and opinions that just play head-to-head against reality.” The reality, Dow said, is those mascots that stereotype a group of people harm all students. That’s backed up by researcher Laurel Davis-Delano, a professor of sociology at Springfield College in Massachusetts, who has been studying the topic for more than 25 years. Native American mascots not only reduce self-esteem and generate stress among Native American students, DavisDelano said during a presentation to the NAME-DROPPING

» P.22

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Name-Dropping « P.20 education committee, they also perpetuate negative thoughts and stereotypes about Native Americans in non-Native people. State legislatures in Massachusetts, New York and New Hampshire are also considering mascot bills. And in recent years, at least seven states, including Maine, Washington and Colorado, have enacted laws banning Native American mascots. It’s unclear how many Vermont schools still have team names that refer to Native Americans or other racial and ethnic groups, though some do. Twenty Vermont high schools have mascots that represent groups of people, according to an analysis by State Board of Education chair Oliver Olsen. Those names include the Marauders, the Spartans, the Rangers and the Patriots. Like Rutland, U-32 High School in East Montpelier and Stowe High School use the Raiders as their mascot. But, unlike Rutland, those two don’t appear to be historically associated with Native Americans, Olsen said. Another team name that would likely come under scrutiny should the bill pass is the West Rutland Golden Horde. The name refers to Mongolian warriors. A number of Indigenous people, all members of Vermont’s Abenaki communities, testified or provided written statements in support of the bill. Don Stevens, chief of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk-Abenaki Nation, testified that Native American mascots are problematic and do not honor Indigenous people. “White Europeans created the mascots. We didn’t. So they’re the only ones that can take them away,” Stevens said. “We didn’t tell somebody else to use imagery that doesn’t belong to them, that belongs to another culture. They decided to do that on their own … Do we like it? No. Do we think it’s morally right? No.” The Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs has also spoken in favor of the bill. Carol McGranahan, a member of the Abenaki community and the commission’s chair, said in written testimony that she believes “no group of people should ever be used as a mascot. In the cases where mascots depicting Native Americans are used in Vermont, they have historically negative connotations.” One of the names McGranahan mentioned is the Chieftains, the mascot of Green Mountain Union High School in Chester. In October 2021, the local school board voted to “rebrand” the mascot by removing its logo — a profile

of a Native American person wearing a feather headdress — but kept the Chieftains name. Removing the name altogether would amount to “erasing the past,” one board member argued. The Green Mountain Unified School District board may need to revisit the issue if the bill were to pass, chair Joseph Fromberger acknowledged in an email last week. Abraham Gross, one of two Green Mountain school board members who favored eliminating the Chieftains mascot and the name, said the bill FILE: CALEB KENNA

� Call of an appointment with the owner �

news

WHITE EUROPEANS CREATED THE MASCOTS …

SO THEY’RE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN TAKE THEM AWAY. C H I EF D O N S T EV EN S

appears to be written “explicitly to address situations like Green Mountain’s usage of Chieftains, a term which is not inherently derogatory nor exclusively applicable to Indigenous peoples but does come with a long history of association with stereotyping.” “If we have legislation from the state level that this is what we have to do, that sort of takes the debate out of it,” Gross said. Sen. Joshua Terenzini (R-Rutland) was the sole “no” vote in committee last week. Terenzini suggested to his colleagues that removing Rutland’s arrowhead logo — but keeping the Raiders name — would have been “a nice compromise.” But others, such as Gross from the Green Mountain school board, think that there’s no room for negotiations. “You do not vote on justice issues,” he said. When it comes to doing the right thing, he added, “It’s not up to a majority rule … You just do it.” m

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OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

OBITUARIES John D. Sherman Jr.

OCTOBER 22, 1958FEBRUARY 19, 2022 WATERBURY, VT. John D. Sherman Jr. was born on October 22, 1958, to John D. and Jean F. Sherman of Chicago, Ill. The entire family of five children and parents moved to Vermont in the early 1960s, settling in Waitsfield. In 1996 or so, John met his future wife, Natalie Jaubert, of Stowe, Vt. After a long and steady courtship, they were (finally) married on the rooftop of the Hotel Denali on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. Why he waited so long, no one knew. Natalie Jaubert Sherman was the love of his life, and John could not have made it this far without her. He often joked that when they argued like George’s parents on “Seinfeld,” they always snapped right back and knew it was something minor. It was known that love had no bounds, and they would retire each night with a smile and a kiss. He simply adored Natalie and was always grateful for the privilege and honor of calling her his wife. She was his rock — and he, her pebble.

John attended high school in Plymouth, England, in the 1970s. After attending Johnson State College and the University of Vermont, he worked for the largest coinoperated laundry leasing company in the United States and eventually moved back to Vermont in 1994 to begin an entirely new chapter in his life as a financial adviser for Edward Jones Investments. John’s career spanned some 27 years at Edward Jones and was the most exciting and challenging choice he ever made. Zero regrets. His fellow Jones companion Robert J. Slein, his roomie in St. Louis during the first week of the firm’s training, became his storied rock of a personal friend and guiding beacon for almost three decades.

Aiden Colangeli

MAY 22, 2005FEBRUARY 18, 2022 BRISTOL, VT. Aiden Colangeli passed away unexpectedly on February 18, 2022, in his home in Bristol, Vt. He was just 16 years old. Aiden was born in Burlington, Vt., on May 22, 2015. He was an only child. Throughout his life, Aiden had physical and cognitive challenges, which didn’t stop him from being an integral part of his community. He persevered with an unsinkable spirit through many medical challenges. He was nonverbal but communicated in many ways that showed he cared and had a huge heart. He shared his love of life with those who could see him by

lighting up the room upon entry with his positive nature and easy smile. Aiden was a sophomore at Champlain Valley Union High School, where he enjoyed acceptance in the learning community and was supported by a skilled and passionate team of professionals.

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John would later state that it was the greatest challenge in his career to help people get to where they needed to go, and he loved almost every minute of it — though, at times, he really wanted to chuck it all and escape somewhere with his Natalie! His single greatest achievement was to see it through to the end, and that he did. Many knew him as very fiscally conservative but a social liberal and certainly no Republican. John enjoyed media. He very much enjoyed listening to podcasts, Jonathon Goldberg, NPR, Harry Shearer’s “Le Show” and Maureen Dowd, bulldog columnist extraordinaire for the New York Times. John was rarely seen without a Wall Street Journal or Barron’s. He liked autobiographies, recently enjoying Seymour M. Hersh and the great Norman Lear, the creator of “All in the Family,” who is 99 years old. It can now be revealed that he loved “The Circus,” CBS’ “Sunday Morning,” “60 Minutes,” “Law & Order,” Larry David, Edward R. Murrow and Johnny Carson. When John was asked about his biggest passions, it was his work that made

Aiden enjoyed the outdoors and reveled in taking in the beauty of nature. He loved watching clouds drift by on a sunny day, scanning the sky for airplanes, visiting with family and friends, dancing to music, and sharing special gifts. His legacy will be his final gift of organ donation. Aiden is survived by his mother, Corinne Hayes, of Bristol, Vt., and father, Steven Colangeli, of Charlotte, Vt., as well as stepparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and grandparents. In lieu of flowers, donations to Bristol Rescue Squad, Middlebury Regional EMS and Vermont Ambucs bikes would be appreciated. Memorial celebrations will be announced in the future.

him the happiest. But he did have other interests, including music and movies, politics and cool cars, and great designs in just about anything! John recently had been enjoying Jean-Michel Basquiat, an extraordinary artist who sadly died at the too-young age of 27. His one puzzlement was why the world was so hell-bent on war and selfdestruction, and he often thought how fantastic life could have been had all that energy been applied for the good of humanity and all mankind. This is all true, because he believed one should write one’s own obit. Thanks for reading. —John Sherman, veteran of Edward Jones Please visit John’s memorial website (everloved.com/ life-of/john-sherman) to learn more about his exceptional life, to share your experiences and to obtain details (as they develop) on his celebration of life, which will be held in late spring/early summer. Also, a scholarship in John’s name is being formed. Details, as they develop, will be found at the memorial website.

David John Schneider

MAY 5, 1937FEBRUARY 22, 2022 SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT. David was born in Ithaca, N.Y., to Alfred and Louise Schneider. He was the beloved husband of Paula (née Edelberg); father of David Jr. (deceased), Drew and Todd (and Debra); brother of Gary and Richard (and Karen); and uncle of Kristen, Lauren, Lindsey and Leigh. He graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA, completed ROTC and entered the U.S. Army. David served in the Army as a first lieutenant in the artillery from 1960 to 1963 and in the Army Reserve from 1963 to 1968. David was an honorary member of the board of directors for the Green Mountain Valley School ski racing academy in Waitsfield, Vt., after serving on the board of directors there for more than two decades. He was an avid skier and racer. He coached many young skiers who eventually made the U.S. Ski Team and went on to the World Cup and Olympic arenas. He was an award-winning

creator of Medical Direct, a direct-mail agency that he ran as owner and president for more than 30 years. He was an amateur DanceSport competitor for 20 years and coached the SASS University of Vermont Ballroom Dance Team for many years. He also authored a young adult book, The Snowy, which he wrote during his last years. Many thanks to Dr. Paul Unger and staff, University of Vermont Hospice, and the McClure Miller Respite House for their wonderful care. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, there is no planned service at this time. Any donations to cancer research would be appreciated (cancer.org/ research.html).

Carol was a voracious reader, mosaic artist and flower gardener, and she shared these passions with her family. She is survived by her partner, William C. Thompson; daughter Rachel of Essex, husband Jon, and children Courtney, Camber, Dakota and Cassidy; daughter Laura of Colchester, husband Phillip and daughter Melissa; five

great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary and Suzanne, of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews. Carol was predeceased by her parents, brother George and sister Sarah. Visiting hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at the Boucher and Pritchard Funeral Home, 85 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington, VT. A private burial will take place in New Mount Calvary Cemetery in the spring. Our family would like to express our thanks and appreciation to Carol’s oncology team and UVM Home Health & Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UVM Health Network Home Health & Hospice or to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

Carol M. Brouillard

JANUARY 27, 1952FEBRUARY 22, 2022 COLCHESTER, VT. Carol M. Brouillard, 70, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on February 22, 2022, after a long battle with illness. She was born in Burlington on January 27, 1952, the daughter of John Duprat and Juliette Rocheleau. Carol attended Catholic schools in Burlington and was a longtime employee in the finance departments of the University of Vermont, Vermont ETV and Essex Town School District. She loved cooking and enjoyed nothing more than gathering with family for a good meal.

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Leight Maurice Johnson

MARCH 22, 1925FEBRUARY 24, 2022 MIDDLEBURY, VT. Leight Maurice Johnson, of Glen Arm, Md., and Middlebury, Vt., died on February 24, 2022, at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Md. Immediately before his passing at 96, he was surrounded by close family members. He died from complications, including pneumonia. Over the years, Leight created a life of photography and writing, as well as skiing and sailing with his family. With his infectious personality, great humor and bright blue eyes, he raised a large family and built a strong community of friends, both in Maryland and in Vermont. Born in Milford, Conn., on March 22, 1925, he became the salutatorian of his high school class. He then attended Yale University, where he graduated in 1945 with a degree in industrial administration. Leight was part of the U.S. Navy’s V-12 Program. He served in the Pacific theater and was in training to be a frogman as World War II drew to a close. In 1947, Leight met his future wife, Shirley West, on the T-Bar at the Stowe ski resort in Vermont. They married in Westfield, N.J., in October 1949 and went on to have five children together: Sally, Leight Jr., Peter, and twins Tim and Chris. For many years, Leight was a sales engineer for the

Honeywell Corporation, first in Philadelphia and then in Baltimore. He helped design and sell HVAC systems for hospitals and commercial buildings. Shirley and Leight loved skiing and volunteered with their children on the ski patrol at Liberty Mountain in Pennsylvania. After patrol shifts, libations and dancing were legendary at the local watering hole, the Ott House. Leight was always the first on the dance floor. They also built a home in Middlebury, Vt., to ski in the winter and enjoy New England summers. Family ski vacations were a yearly, much anticipated tradition. Sailing was another of Leight’s favorite pastimes, and he spent many days sailing the Chesapeake Bay on his trusty Ensign, the Star of India, named after Sally’s adventures in India. One of his favorite stories was of a near-death experience, when he crewed a sailboat down the Eastern Seaboard and a storm capsized them, inverting the boat, with the mast pointing

straight underwater, known as being “turtled.” The crew had strapped themselves to the deck and waited as the boat eventually righted itself back above the surface. When he retired, Leight turned to his love of photography and started a summer photography school in Middlebury. He also served for many years as a hospice volunteer in Baltimore County, caring for those living with terminal illnesses. Leight and Shirley also liked traveling, including trips to Australia, Singapore, the Canadian Rockies and many European countries, including a favorite trip of theirs down the Danube River. They moved to the Glen Meadows Retirement Community in Glen Arm, Md., in January 2006. Leight loved supporting the community there, including writing and disseminating a monthly newsletter, the Messenger. Leight is predeceased by his wife, Shirley; his daughter, Sally; and his son Leight Jr. His survivors include Peter Johnson of Baltimore, Md.; Timothy and his wife, Niqui Johnson, of Frederick, Md.; and Chris Johnson and his wife, Dr. Maureen Harmon, of Shelburne, Vt. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Leight, Hannah, Sophie, Kristin, Maggie, Alec and Will. Contributions in Leight’s memory may be made to the Glen Meadows Scholarship Fund. Please email or call Nancy Pegues (npegues14@ gmail.com; 410-319-5289).

days. Furious at injustice, Peggy unflinchingly told the truth about women, lesbians, peace and the environment. She was a force locally, nationally and globally. As loving as she was fierce, Peggy cared deeply for the people in her life, whether long-standing or new friends; she was present for

all. She savored good food, design from architecture to clothing, and interesting films. She was equally at home in urban settings and the natural world. Peggy is survived by her son Justin; sisters Anne, Lois and Theresa; soul mate Chris; and countless friends, colleagues and sister activists. We’re thankful to Respite House for giving her peace and comfort during her last days. A more detailed obituary can be found at gregory cremation.com/blog to capture the full extent of her extraordinary life. A memorial service will be announced at a future date. Please go to gofund.me/20e6e795 if you’d like to make a donation.

Peggy Luhrs

APRIL 4, 1945FEBRUARY 22, 2022 BURLINGTON, VT. On February 22, 2022, Peggy Luhrs — fierce, loving mother; brilliant feminist; and warrior for peace and justice — died from pancreatic cancer just before her 77th birthday and one month from her diagnosis. Peggy was born in Los Angeles, Calif., and raised in the Bronx and Saugerties, N.Y., the eldest of three sisters. She moved to Vermont in 1969, became active in feminist causes and came out as a lesbian in 1972. Peggy was at the forefront of efforts to promote women’s rights, health and safety, from the ’70s until her last

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FEED back « P.7

Marc Estrin

BURLINGTON

DOCTOR APPRECIATION

I do not wish to dispute the findings of [“It’s Official: Vermont Patients Wait Too Long, State Report Shows,” February 16, online], but I did want to add an observation. After 40 years, I moved back to Vermont in the middle of the virus and have had better health care than I have had in decades. The Rutland Regional Medical Center staff saw me for a broken wrist and a follow-up pronto. The staff was compassionate — lovely, even. I had emergency surgery for a retinal detachment with Dr. Brian Kim at the University of Vermont Medical Center, and, again, all medical personnel were compassionate and efficient. And I cannot shake the awareness that these people were putting their lives on the line during this virus to help me. From referring physicians Dr. Lisa Graves-Austin and Dr. Praveen Keshava in Rutland to Dr. Kim in Burlington, I simply offer thanks and respect. Joan Connor

BELMONT

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

HOUSE RULES

[Re “Rental Housing Bill to Return as Part of New, Larger Measure,” January 10, online]: True transparency in homeownership is critical to housing equity and requires candid conversations. We bought our first home last spring. After seven years of professional housing advocacy, I don’t make a living wage and I don’t have family resources to manage the gap, so the following resources were essential. 1. A friend sold us the house without listing it, circumventing competition with cash-on-hand buyers. People from families who don’t own their own home, particularly for families systematically barred from homeownership over many generations, might not have adults like this in their family network. This bars not just access to housing opportunities but also access to information around the home-buying process. That is why we need more intentional housing policy, such as H.273, that targets communities harmed by systemic housing discrimination and racist housing policies. 2. Vermont Housing Finance Agency helped us secure a low-interest mortgage and some down payment assistance. 3. My partner’s parents provided financial support. Like many people my age here, we are both graduates of the University of Vermont, one of the most expensive public universities in the country. A large portion of our young adult population comes from families with resources to help subsidize their lifestyles. Owning a home is autonomy of space. It means not only more personal housing stability but also community stability. Everyone should have housing choice. In Chittenden County, only a select few do. Renters who live with housing uncertainty need FILE: S EA N M our support. Advocate for “just ET CA LF cause” eviction and rental housing safety. Corrine Yonce

It’s like students voting for the candidate that offers free soda. There is no free lunch. This change increases landlord costs and will therefore increase rents. It will restrict the supply of housing, because landlords, myself included, will be far more careful whom we rent to. In fact, we may well sell and move to medium-term furnished rental. I’m sure I’m not alone. With this confiscation of owners’ property rights, combined w i t h B u r l i n g t o n ’s ever-increasing tax and regulatory burden, rental property ownership is becoming a losing proposition. Remember, no landlords means no rental apartments, and Burlington is on the path of removing the small property investor from the market. This will hurt everyone and is an extremely misguided proposition. The housing market will get worse because of this. Robert Perry

WARREN

Perry owns rental property in Burlington.

‘SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL’

While reading [“Bove Brothers Plan to Evict Low-Income Refugee Families in Winooski — and Raise Rents,” February 16], I found myself underlining all the parts of it that were completely infuriating, which ended up being most of the article. There is a special place in hell for the Bove brothers. Meghan Brooks

BURLINGTON

WINOOSKI

LANDLORDS HAVE RIGHTS, TOO

The “just cause” eviction charter change is anything but just [“Burlington’s ‘Just Cause’ Eviction Bill Clears House — With Changes,” February 18, online]. Property owners’ rights are being trampled on. Interesting that two-thirds of Burlington residents rent, and two-thirds voted to take rights from their landlords.

MURAD NEEDS OVERSIGHT

I thank the Burlington City Council for voting against making acting Chief Jon Murad our “permanent” police chief [“Burlington Council Votes Down Murad’s Appointment as Police Chief,” February 1, online]. The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont even got involved last summer, writing an open letter that accused both Murad and Mayor Miro Weinberger of waging a “campaign of misinformation” by blaming gunfire incidents on the council’s police-cutting vote. The letter also questioned Murad’s deployment of officers and

pointed to a Seven Days story that revealed the acting chief wasn’t consistently staffing downtown during the weekend overnight hours, even though that area had the highest call volume. Why not have an oversight committee? It has become apparent that no matter FILE: LUKE AWTRY

individual freedom is characterized as “ending at someone else’s nose” — in other words, a set of choices that does not impinge on other people’s sets of choices. Stepping or pushing beyond that barrier, one enters the realm of sovereign freedom — a set of choices that doesn’t care about impinging on others’. Blasting a loud car radio while parked in a sleeping neighborhood declares sovereign freedom, as does the Queen of Hearts’ “Off with their heads!” Treatment of the incarcerated, capitalist intentional scarcities practice largerformat sovereign freedoms. “I am the boss here. You have no choice!” It seems that anti-vaxxers and antimaskers confuse their existential, even constitutional, demand for individual freedom with demand for a freedom that is basically sovereign. “If I want to control my body, or be free of a mask, that’s my business, and my business alone. The effect on you be damned.” Would they want to live under a sovereign? No. But they seem to believe in sovereignty.

Acting Police Chief Jon Murad

what the mayor says, the police need to work on procedure. People are leaving all types of businesses. I do not blame the council at all. Another quote from the story: “Commissioners Stephanie Seguino, Melo Grant and Susan Comerford all said they’ve witnessed Murad become defensive and unprofessional in commission meetings and during executive sessions, particularly toward female commissioners.” Councilors Zoraya Hightower and Karen Paul had a compromise crafted but were turned down flat by the mayor. Can Weinberger negotiate? For many reasons, I trust the council’s decision more than the mayor’s. I think we should have enough police but that they should be responsible to someone who is impartial — someone who never gets “defensive and unprofessional.” Let’s get the police beefed up with people who have good judgment, know how to de-escalate and know the citizens are their real boss. Compromise is key. Charlie Messing

BURLINGTON

SEARCH: ‘MURAD HARVARD’

I’m not a Burlington resident, but what goes on in our state’s largest city affects us all [“Burlington Council Votes Down Murad’s Appointment as Police Chief,” February 1, online]. With that in mind, I ask all Burlington residents, particularly your Progressive city

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councilors, to go to YouTube and key in “Jon Murad - Harvard.” And then I ask the city council Progressives: What the heck were you thinking when you rejected him for police chief? I’m a Progressive, maybe even left of that, but I think that defunding the police is wrongheaded, and when it leads to this kind of outcome, it’s downright destructive. You can make an argument for police reform, but simply cutting budgets and refusing to pay reasonable salaries to get the best people will only result in what you’ve got: low morale, vacancies and long response times. It’s time to reconsider, for the health of a city we all want to be proud of. Richard Butz

BRISTOL

NEXT TIME, ASK FOR EVIDENCE

Kris Fiore

BURLINGTON

In [“Burlington Council Votes Down Murad’s Appointment as Police Chief,” February 1, online], Burlington City Councilor Jane Stromberg (P-Ward 8) is quoted saying: “Character comes before credentials, no matter how many a person has.” To Jane, I offer a hypothetical: A beloved member of the community is in heart failure and requires a heart transplant. Two surgeons are available. One is described by patients as the warmest, most caring and sincere individual they have ever met. The other surgeon is described as rude, abrasive and dismissive of every question asked about the procedure. The success rate of surgeon No. 1 is 50 percent, while the success rate of the mean and nasty surgeon No. 2 is 95 percent. Whom will Jane choose? Society is living through a time when merit and accomplishment are portrayed as evil, instead of viewed as a social and personal good. Gerry Silverstein

MILTON

KEEP MASKS ON

thinker who refuses to accept campaign contributions from corporations. She has exactly the right skills and experience not only to represent us in Washington, D.C., but also to help lead the nation in these perilous times.

SOUTH BURLINGTON

Stephen Dycus

STRAFFORD

GRAY’S WAY

[Re Feedback: “Experience Isn’t Everything,” February 9]: Ideally, Vermont’s next representative in U.S. Congress will be someone who is extremely smart, principled, deeply devoted to public service and an expert in the workings of government. That individual will also have great people skills, will already have worked on Capitol Hill and will have extensive experience in international relations. I am describing Molly Gray, the leading candidate for election to Congress in November. Molly has served as Vermont’s lieutenant governor for the last year. Before that, she was an assistant attorney general for Vermont for two years, after clerking for U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Peter Hall. Earlier, she worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross, leading missions to Eastern Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Earlier still, Molly served as an intern for U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy and worked on U.S. Rep. Peter Welch’s staff in Washington, D.C. Molly Gray is a native Vermonter who grew up on a farm in Newbury, so she knows us well. She is also an independent

the name Karen has become synonymous with intolerance and self-righteousness. Really? My name? While the New York City incident that prompted this negative distinction is clearly racist and disturbing to me, Karen Taylor Mitchell’s verbiage indicating that our society “manufactures hate” seems very accurate — and troubling beyond belief. Come on now. Everything feels hard enough. Karen McFeeters Leary

WORD FROM KAREN

Hello, my name is Karen. Born in 1968, I always liked my name but wished it hadn’t been so popular (there were four Karens in my first-grade class)! I will never forget the beautiful mug my grandmother gave me for my 12th birthday that read “Karen: one who is pure and kind.” As an adult, I value my character traits of kindness and compassion above all else. © JOSIEELIAS | DREAMSTIME.COM

I wanted to point out a nuanced oversight in [WTF: “What’s Driving Burlington’s Recent Wave of Vehicle Thefts?” February 16] and a calculated misdirection by Burlington acting Police Chief Jon Murad. The article reports that police found the former Sears Lane encampment to be a “go-to place” for local law enforcement tracking down stolen vehicles. However, there was no source or evidence provided that any stolen vehicles were ever found there. Despite this, Murad is quoted saying, “There was definitely some vehicle disassembly going on there.” This is post hoc fallacy nonsense, but it manages to effectively assert a connection between the Sears Lane encampment and the recent increase in car theft. If no stolen vehicles were found at Sears Lane, then the takeaway and focus of this paragraph should have been that police suggest a connection between the increase in auto theft and the Sears Lane encampment but that there is no evidence or sources of information to support it. (Or if there is, find it.) To contextualize and correct this misdirection is the work of good journalism. Please, Seven Days, be aware of this tactic and ask follow-up questions. Figure out when a source is drawing you to write the conclusion they want you to, and don’t do it without backing it up with evidence to support it. And, unsurprisingly, shame on you, Chief Murad, for (predictably) shoehorning Sears Lane into an article about an increase in crime.

JANE SAYS…

E: S

My social media consumption is highly restricted by choice, so you can imagine my dumbfounded dismay when I read the Seven Days piece [Last 7: “Karens in the ‘Crossfire,’” February 16] citing how

Two weeks ago brought news of lifting mask requirements in our public schools [“Schools With High Vax Rates Can Lift Mask Requirements Soon,” February 15, online]. I believe this is a premature move that may cause more distress than relief. I have watched our schools struggle this academic year with subjective and little guidance from the state, which insisted that our schools implement processes with no support. Vaccines are effective, but they do not prevent the transmission of the virus. Germs spread pretty quickly in an unmasked school environment. With an 8and a 10-year-old of my own, I can assure you that I have been on the receiving end of a variety of germs. Social anxiety and wanting kids to get back to “normal” is the impetus for the suggestion of removing masks. There is no going back to pre-2020 normal. We need to embrace what is our current normal and what will become our new normal. I would continue to send my children to school in masks, and I worry about bullying or teasing. We preach being kind and respectful, but not every student practices being kind or respectful. It is hard being a kid who is perceived as different, and kids would continue to be anxious. The Agency of Education needs to focus on pupil weighting, legislative redistricting and the change in special education funding, rather than on dropping masks in our schools. When our students return to school with no masks, we will see more transmission in our schools and again will be putting vulnerable populations at risk. Tara Arneson

RICHMOND

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How Burlington’s Earth Prime Comics helped unite unite Vermont’s comics lovers B Y CHR IS FA R N S W O R TH

KRISTEN SCHULL

I was 10 years old, staring at a strange house on Bank Street. It was late summer, and my mother was inside the Burlington Square Mall shopping, so my brother Pat and I were cut loose to investigate the comic book shop across the street. Shadows from the trees in the yard cast the house in a mysterious darkness, making it resemble some Jungian archetype of a cave. Pat and I were no rubes, despite our ages — Pat was 9. We’d been to the comic shops in New York City. We had a growing collection of X-Men and The New Mutants comics inherited from family friends. Hell, we had the Longshot miniseries, something we were rather proud of — and continue to be 30 years later. 28

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Still, the house didn’t look like a comic shop, and we climbed the porch stairs with trepidation. We’d only been Vermonters for a little while, and when you’re the new kids in town, caution is a defense against disappointment. I heard Pat gasp and followed his gaze to a poster taped inside the window. Staring out was the ferocious visage of Wolverine, leaping at us with adamantium claws drawn. Our hero. This was the late 1980s, more than a decade before Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and the rest of the X-Men ushered in the age of superhero films dominating multiplexes. Back then, you wrote letters by hand to the publishers of comic books — and sometimes they answered. Comics fandom in the ’80s was a club, and Pat and I were pledges standing before the clubhouse. Steeling our nerves, we entered the store and breathed in the smell of

newsprint and cardboard, the telltale musk of a good comic shop. Posters on the walls depicted more of our favorite characters, alongside many we had yet to discover. The mystery of these strange heroes and villains filled us with tension, a curiosity that had to be satiated. But the real treat was the comics themselves. Even before we got to see the backissue room, we salivated over the sheer number of books on display. A bearded, longhaired man with a knowing grin looked at the two kids who’d wandered in with wide eyes. “Well,” I remember him saying, almost smugly, “looks like you found your place.” Our place, as the shopkeeper called it, was Earth Prime Comics. One of Vermont’s first comic book shops, Earth Prime has been a center of the state’s comic community since it moved out of original co-owner John Young’s attic and into that Bank Street house-turned-shop

in 1983. The shop has remained a polestar in its current home on the bottom block of the Church Street Marketplace, where it moved in 1989. “Not many places downtown have been around longer,” said Bill Simmon, who managed Earth Prime from 1989 to 1998. “Old Gold, Pure Pop, maybe a few others? You can count them on one hand, I bet. Earth Prime is an institution.” In its 39 years, Earth Prime has fostered generations of local comic fans, helping some of them go on to become comic artists themselves. The store has survived and thrived through the excitement of the underground comics explosion in the ’80s, through the crisis and near collapse of the industry in the ’90s — all the way to the modern epoch when movies and shows based on Marvel and DC Comics monopolize pop culture and, some say, draw interest away from their source material. The little shop on Church Street is driven by the passion of its mysterious proprietor, Christine Farrell, who is rumored to have one of the largest and oldest private collections of comics on the planet. While Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) may be Vermont’s most famous Batman fan, she’s said to have been collecting Bruce Wayne’s exploits from the very beginning. Farrell’s store has been as much a clubhouse for the comic community to celebrate groundbreaking independent creators as a place to pick up the latest issue of Iron Man. It’s no longer the only comic store in Vermont — many have come and gone over the decades, and the state is currently home to Barre’s Wonder Cards and Comics and Rutland’s newly opened Night Legion Comics. But Earth Prime has a special status for veterans of the scene. “I have to give all due respect and honor to Earth Prime,” Stephen Bissette said. The Duxbury native is one of Vermont’s most influential and respected comic artists, having established himself with a seminal run in the early 1980s on Saga of the Swamp Thing with Alan Moore. He has taught for 15 years at the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction. Earth Prime has “outlived every Vermont comic shop I’ve ever been to,” Bissette said. “Long may that continue.”

When Bissette was young, riding his bike from pharmacies to bookstores, hunting the comic racks for new issues, the idea of a comic book shop in Vermont seemed absurd. Born in 1955, Bissette grew up in a society that viewed comic books with suspicion, if not outright contempt and fear. In 1954, German American psychiatrist and author Fredric Wertham published Seduction of the Innocent, in which he suggested that violent imagery, sex and crime in comic books warped young minds and put kids on a path to delinquency. Furor over the book led to U.S. Senate subcommittee hearings, which resulted in the establishment of the Comics Code Authority. The “Comics Code,” as it was called, was created by the Comics Magazine Association of America in 1954 as a means of avoiding governmental regulation. Publishers would submit comics to the CCA for its seal of approval, which attested that they’d followed such rules as “If crime is depicted it shall be as a sordid and unpleasant activity,” “All lurid, unsavory, gruesome illustrations shall be eliminated” and “Females shall be drawn realistically without exaggeration of any physical qualities.” Books that passed received a CCA stamp on their covers. “It was censorship,” Bissette said of the Comics Code, which didn’t fall out of favor until the early 2000s. “That’s when I started getting phone calls from parents asking me to teach their kids to draw,” Bissette recalled. “Why? Because we finally outlived the generation of the 1950s, who had so stigmatized comics.” Less than two hours away from where Bissette grew up, another aspiring artist was blazing a path toward a future in comics. Much like Bissette, Rick Veitch loved pulling comics from the racks of his local haunts — particularly the work of his favorite artists, Jack Kirby (Fantastic Four) and Steve Ditko (The Amazing Spider-Man). “There wasn’t much support to be an artist in Bellows Falls,” Veitch said by phone from his home in West Townshend. “I was always up against some adult waving their finger at me and saying, ‘You’re an artist, but you can’t make a living at it!’” Veitch proved them wrong with a glittering career in comics. He followed Bissette on Moore’s Swamp Thing run, then worked with that British writer — best known for Watchmen — on his seminal Miracleman series. Now 70, Veitch has moved in and out of the mainstream and the underground, leaving his indelible style on a wide variety of books.

LUKE AWTRY

THE SILVER AGE

EARTH PRIME HAS OUTLIVED EVERY VERMONT COMIC SHOP I’VE EVER BEEN TO. STE PH E N BI S S E TTE

Along the way, he and Bissette became close friends, collaborating on books such as the graphic novel adaptation of Steven Spielberg’s 1941 and the 1993 series 1963 with Moore. But, perhaps because there was no hub for comic fans in Vermont at the time, the two knew nothing of each other growing up in the Green Mountains. Veitch and Bissette didn’t meet until they were both students at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art (now the Kubert School) in Dover, N.J. They graduated with the school’s very first class in 1978.

“Part of that is the regionalism of the state, especially back then,” Bissette said, explaining how he and Veitch never crossed paths as kids. “In the ’60s and ’70s, unless you were in sports or band, you weren’t going to meet a kid from another school.” Bissette noted that, at roughly the same time he was in school, future comic legend Frank Miller (Sin City, 300) was attending U-32 High School in East Montpelier. One of Miller’s teachers was political cartoonist and author Jeff Danziger. Veitch said, laughing, “That’s Vermont for you.” Outcast by society and without a place to gather, Bissette, Veitch, Miller and a generation of comic lovers in Vermont pursued their passion largely in isolation. But the times were changing, and help was on the way.

MISFITS ASSEMBLE

Greg Giordano’s mother had agreed to drive him around southern Vermont, though they didn’t really know where they were going. It was the summer of 1978, and they had moved to Burlington from Long Island, N.Y., so much of the state was a mystery to them. Giordano had seen ads in Marvel books promising a treasure trove of comics somewhere in the wilds of Vermont, but all he had was a P.O. Box and a name — Moondance Comics. After hours of driving, they found a dirt road and a cardboard sign marked with

an arrow and a roughly scrawled word: Moondance. When they arrived, Giordano was disappointed to learn that Moondance was not a comic store but a distributor. He had essentially found the warehouse. Though the employees at Moondance were nice enough to let him buy some comics, he couldn’t help feeling like he’d chased a mirage. “I’d never seen a comic book store,” Giordano recalled. “I’d heard about them from ads, but it was more of a rumored thing. As a kid, you felt like you’d never see one.” In those days, fans had one tried-andtrue method for finding comics: scour the newsstands for comic racks. Giordano’s mom stayed vigilant, though. One day she found a tiny classified ad in the Burlington Free Press that promised “new comics for sale” at a Buell Street address. Mother and son drove downtown, found the house and parked. Here they found even less signage than at Moondance. It was just a house — albeit a big one with an attic that its owner had turned into a miniature comic shop. “The door looked like a broom closet door,” Giordano recalled. “You would walk in, and it was coffin size. Plus, it was the middle of summer and hot as all hell.” Giordano squeezed into the narrow attic and found the makings of his first comic shop. There were boxes of back ORIGIN STORY SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

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issues on the floor and two racks of new comics. A woman sat cross-legged in the middle of the floor reading a comic, effectively blocking the way. Unperturbed, Giordano approached the owner of the house, a fellow comic enthusiast named John Young. The older man endeared himself to Giordano immediately. “I’m in sixth grade with no friends yet,” Giordano explained. “I’m fat and fatherless. Here comes this big guy who is friendly, has that favorite-English-teacher vibe and loves comics. “So I was like, You’re my dad now. You’re my uncle,” Giordano continued. “He just immediately became that male figure for me.” The woman sitting on the ground turned out to be Christine Farrell. Several months after Giordano’s first visit, on February 11, 1983, she and Young took the comics out of the attic and opened the first Earth Prime Comics on Bank Street. By then, Giordano was a regular, coming to the shop every day after school. There the formerly friendless new kid in town would meet one of his closest friends — Bill Simmon, who had also just moved to Vermont with his mother. He, too, was on the hunt for a comic store, having picked up The Amazing Spider-Man when he lived in Ithaca, N.Y. “I walked over to the store on a Friday,” Simmon said, recalling his first visit to Earth Prime. “I remember because on Fridays we would all order Bove’s and eat together. I met Greg and John and Christine and Mark Amidon there. I sort of slotted right in with them and became an instant regular.” Now a documentary filmmaker, Simmon would go on to manage the shop for nearly a decade. At that time in his and Giordano’s lives, he said, they needed a place like Earth Prime as a haven — not only to talk about comics but also to meet like-minded people and form social bonds. Mark Amidon was a different story. Born and raised in Burlington, he was older than the kids the store pulled into its orbit, with a college degree and a job as an engineer at IBM. He sought out Earth Prime and reentered the world of comics, which he had stopped reading some years back. Giordano described Amidon as “a total nerd from Planet Nerd,” a tall, longhaired and bearded guy who wore paisley ties and hats covered in buttons. He was also somehow incongruously cool. “He was like one of the characters in Real Genius,” Giordano said, referencing the 1985 Val Kilmer film about a motley crew of nerds. “But he knew his wine; he knew his dope; he had a girlfriend. He just loved comics and the vibe at Earth Prime so much that he would come hang out after he got off work every day.” Amidon left IBM and Vermont in 1988

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and settled in Massachusetts, where he still lives. But for five years, he helped form the core of the initial Earth Prime crew. Hanging out and volunteering at the store “expanded my own comic horizons massively,” Amidon said by phone. “There were so many incredible indie books, British imports, all this cool stuff at the store. I moved away from the mainstream books and sort of became the store expert on the less well-known stuff. John and Christine were working on finances and all that, while I was reading every bloody comic that came in.”

THE COLLECTOR

Amidon, Simmon and Giordano all described a family dynamic at the Bank Street incarnation of Earth Prime — perhaps, in part, because it was in a house. The front parlor was the shop. The back issues were in a guest room, and the office was in the master bedroom. In the fully functioning kitchen, Giordano often cooked the staff French toast before the store opened on Saturdays.

Earth Prime’s arrival changed things for Vermont comic fans almost immediately. No longer did they have to haunt newsstands, pharmacies and bookshops in hopes of finding the books they wanted. And Earth Prime had something those other retailers didn’t: back issues. Both Young and Farrell had massive collections, but they weren’t interested in selling them, according to Amidon. Buying was a different matter. One day, an older man who had been collecting Marvel comic books since the early ’70s showed up with a few thousand, eager to unload them so he could buy himself a new car. “He had everything,” Amidon recalled. “Uncanny X-Men, Iron Man, Fantastic Four … all of those classic Marvel titles. He didn’t read them anymore; he just wanted to buy a car and keep his Conan books, which for some reason he kept pronouncing as ‘Co-han.’” Farrell and Amidon gave it to the man straight: They would offer him 40 percent

of the retail value of the books and sell them for much more. The man wasn’t deterred, according to Amidon. So Amidon, Farrell and Young pulled out the Overstreet Guide to Grading Comics, learned how to assess comics on the spot and bought the man’s massive inventory. Suddenly the store had a new section. One has to wonder how Farrell, herself a passionate collector, felt seeing that seller give up his comics. While her employees, past and present, couldn’t confirm, most of them agreed that Farrell has one of the largest private collections of golden-age DC books in the world. Through current Earth Prime manager Damon Savage, Seven Days arranged to meet Farrell in person for an interview at the now-closed Heroes Kingdom, a collectibles and gaming shop she once owned in St. Albans. But Farrell didn’t show up, nor did she respond to several phone calls, emails and a letter — everything short of the Bat-Signal — to be interviewed for this

“Other than a few crazy-rare, whoknows-if-they-even-exist kind of books,” he said, “my understanding was that Christine had every issue of all the early, golden- and silver-age DC stuff.” Serious collectors would give an eye for an entire run of Batman in Detective Comics, not to mention Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern’s maiden runs.

Muirden finds a copy of Detective Comics from early 1939. “Batman started in No. 27,” Farrell says with a note of pride. “That one is pre-Bat.” Muirden pulls a copy of Flippity and Flop, an adaptation of animated shorts from the late ’40s starring a cat and a canary, out of an old Arrow shirt box. Farrell shrugs almost sheepishly.

EVENTUALLY, WE ALL START FINDING EACH OTHER. IT’S JUST A QUESTION OF WHERE. JOHN ODU M

story. That’s par for the course these days, according to those who know her. “She’s like a ghost to the people in the comics community now,” Giordano said of Farrell. “No one really knows her anymore, but back then, guys always underestimated her commitment as a fan. And it was purely sexist, obviously.” Farrell’s family founded Farrell Distributing in 1933 and incorporated it 30 years later; the company still ships beverages to retailers all over Vermont. Growing up in Burlington, Farrell started buying comics at age 10, she would later tell Derek Muirden of Mountain Lake PBS. Her favorites tended to be female-fronted books such as Lois Lane and the “Supergirl” strip in Action Comics. Perhaps those characters reminded her of herself, advocating for herself in a male-dominated field that’s notoriously unkind to women. Though Giordano has lost contact with Farrell, he recalls hearing about her comic collection.

The value of those comics alone would be staggering, let alone the entire DC canon from 1938 to 1970. Surely Giordano didn’t mean all of them? “All of them,” Giordano said with a wry grin. If Farrell’s collection is shrouded in mystery, that could be because she wants to avoid the fate of Brattleboro collector Jim Wheelock, whose massive collection of rare and vintage comics was stolen in 2015 and never recovered. Still, there is some documentation of her treasures. The acknowledgments in some DC Comics collections indicate that, on occasion, Farrell has let the publisher make copies of her comics for reprints and posterity. (Owned by Warner Bros. since 1969, DC famously kept poor records of its goldenage books.) In the mid-’90s, Farrell allowed author Ernst Gerber to photograph her vast collection of golden- and silver-age comics for The Photo-Journal Guide to Comic Books. The two-volume book is one of the most comprehensive studies of the art form available, documenting more than 20,000 comic covers. In a 1995 episode of a Mountain Lake PBS program called “People Near Here,” host Muirden follows Farrell into her office, where she stored much of her collection at the time. The floor is covered in long white comic boxes, which also line the walls like alabaster library shelves. Original pencil-and-ink art of Superman from an issue of Action Comics is framed on the wall. “This is my childhood, or at least a significant portion of it,” Farrell says, smiling nervously as Muirden picks through some of the comics. Clearly, she was unaccustomed to welcoming visitors into her sanctum sanctorum.

“I buy them because I want to read them. I wanted them so I could look at them,” she says. “But not for resale, not at all. I do not intend to sell the collection. That’s not what I’m in it for.” When Muirden asks how many comics she actually owns, Farrell laughs as if brushing off the question. “It’s been a long, long time since I’ve counted,” she says. “I lost count somewhere around 12,000. And I’m still at it. Can’t give up; it’s an addiction.”

IT CAME FROM THE UNDERGROUND

Earth Prime’s arrival in the ’80s was perfectly timed, as the world of comics was undergoing a revolution on the national stage. Meanwhile, in Vermont, the store united a ragtag crew of comic fans into a community. “I find, with people like us, it’s inevitable, right?” said John Odum, who hosts a podcast about all things geek called “Open World Chat.” “It’s part of being a comic fan. Eventually, we all start finding each other. It’s just a question of where.” Odum is the Montpelier city clerk and a freelance writer for comics sites such as Bleeding Cool. He grew up during the independent comics revolution of the ’80s, when artists like Bissette and Veitch started pushing back against the censorship of their youth, working with writers far removed from the kid-friendly scripts of Stan Lee. Moore’s Watchmen series and Miller’s dark, noir-tinged work on Batman and Daredevil changed the mainstream superhero books. The arrival of titles such as Cerebus and Elfquest marked the rise of the underground. “The 1980s changed comics,” Odum said. Veitch agrees.

“The ’80s for comics were like the ’60s for music,” he said. “For a short time, before the moneymen caught on, the inmates got control of the asylum.” Earth Prime was at the forefront of that movement in Vermont. Its reputation drew fans from all over the state. One such customer was John Rovnak. Much like Giordano, he had a mother who was supportive of his comics passion and drove him the two and a half hours to Earth Prime once a month. Rovnak, who now lives in Essex, recalled his first visit to the store in 1986. “It was the coolest place in the world to me,” he said. “It smelled like newsprint, and all these people were hanging out talking about comics I’d never even heard of.” Rovnak opened his own comic shop in Manchester, Comics Route, in 1992, inspired by those trips to Burlington and a selection more diverse than he had ever encountered. Earth Prime had its Wolverine and Batman posters, pulling in kids like my brother and me. Once inside, though, customers discovered pathways to many other stories. “Let’s give Christine full credit for curating that store,” Amidon said. “She kept track of every book and how it sold, which ones were picking up in popularity and which ones weren’t. Just because any of us thought a book was good didn’t mean it would sell, and she knew that.” Farrell even kept track of when popular artists or writers would be leaving a series, so as to be prepared for lower sales. “She and John listened to us when we found something exciting, too,” Giordano said. “If we saw an underground book we thought would be amazing, they would often carry it.” By 1985, Giordano began hosting comic conventions in Burlington, using the skills and industry connections he had gained working at Earth Prime. A newsprint ad from the Burlington Free Press advertised the second annual Green Mountain Comic Con, held at the Windjammer in Williston. Bissette, who also did some of the first signings at Earth Prime, was a guest, as was Gaijin creator Gabriel Morrisette. The convention also featured two little-known creators whom Giordano was bullish on. “I had seen these two guys at another con, and they had this really cool but sort of raw book they were working on,” Giordano said. “It was black and white, and they told me their uncle had given them a loan to finish it. It was the craziest thing I’d heard of at that point — the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? Like, what the fuck?” Giordano was charmed by the team of martial arts-equipped turtles, who kicked evil ninja ass and listened to Metallica while ORIGIN STORY SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

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they skateboarded. Soon they would be a household name. “I’m not some genius, but I know when something like that is going to be huge,” he said. “I practically ran back and begged John and Christine to buy the book to sell at Earth Prime.” Farrell’s self-described “pack rat” nature pushed her toward indie comics, as well. She had learned long ago that the mainstream superhero books weren’t enough to satiate her collecting desires. “I got into collecting miscellaneous,” she tells Muirden in the PBS interview. “I collect the love comics, the humor stuff, the war stuff … It requires a lot of patience. I guess it was the completist in me that branched out from the superheroes.” The store’s dedication to the alternative press got some pushback. The 1980s saw a rebirth of conservative alarmism about comics with president Ronald Reagan, reverend Jerry Falwell and his so-called Moral Majority. “At the time, there was also this miniboom of sexually explicit comics that I called the ‘smut glut,’” Amidon recalled with a chuckle. “They were usually these black-and-white things, sometimes drawn in the style of Archie comics. Basically, yeah, porn.” Earth Prime staff made an early decision to remove those books from the general stacks, along with more adult fare such as Heavy Metal magazine, and create an adultsonly section in another room of the store. It was a timely move. Soon after, Amidon was working when a trio of older men, all wearing business suits with cross pins on their lapels, came into the shop. He recalled that one had a pin emblazoned with the words “Whatever It Takes.” They told Amidon that they had heard there were comics that were inappropriate for children. Smiling widely, the picture of customer service, Amidon responded, “Yes, there are. We carry them here, as a matter of fact.” The three would-be inquisitors demanded to see the offending comics, their eyes alight with coming indignation. Amidon explained that if they wanted to see the books, they would have to show some ID, as the section was off-limits to minors. “We don’t censor what adults want to read,” Amidon explained. “But we know these books aren’t for kids; we don’t even let them browse the section.” Their fervor dampened by Amidon’s amiability, the crusaders left the store. Each carried a copy of The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, an underground comic about the misadventures of three Texas stoners and their constant quest to score drugs. “Not a bad day’s work, if I do say so myself,” Amidon said.

DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK

As the 1980s wound up, the scene changed at Earth Prime. Amidon left for Massachusetts. Many of the first-generation Earth Prime kids grew up and either moved away, as Pat and I did in 1989, or simply lacked the time they once had to hang out at the shop all day. “The family atmosphere kind of changed,” Simmon said. “It was still fun to be there and talk comics, but look, we weren’t kids anymore. Life tends to get more serious, even at comic shops.” In the spring of 1989, Farrell bought out Young’s half of the business and moved Earth Prime to its current spot at 152 Church Street. Though none of the original gang wanted to go into details, they implied that some sort of schism occurred between the two founders of Earth Prime. Young opened Comics City at the other end of downtown Burlington, before moving eventually to Winooski. Customers were split; many, like Rovnak, switched over to Young’s new store. Within a few years, the entire comics industry was rocked like never before, as its own increasing cultural legitimacy sent it into a boom-and-bust cycle. Collectors

started snapping up “big event” books such as The Death of Superman and Batman: Knightfall, creating a bloat in the speculator market that coincided with a disastrous decision by Marvel to bypass the distributors and form its own distribution wing. When the market crashed, the company was stuck with multiple printings of variant issues that were meant to be “collectible” but are now the exact opposite. Marvel declared bankruptcy in 1997, and an estimated two-thirds of all comic shops shuttered their doors. Rovnak’s shop in Manchester closed in 1998, Young’s Comics City in 1998. Independent publishers like Veitch saw their imprints disappear. “Per usual, the business guys screwed it all up,” Veitch said with a snicker. “They tried to control the distribution system and screw the little guys. Well, it worked, but they screwed themselves, too.” “I heard that Earth Prime ended up bouncing back in the early 2000s,” said Simmon, who rarely visits the store these days. “But in my last few years there, we weren’t really financially solvent anymore.” What kept Earth Prime afloat while all the other boats sank? Farrell herself seems to have been a major factor. Her clear vision of how to create communities of like-minded

fans would serve her well, as one industry faltered and another emerged. In 1989, Farrell opened Quarterstaff Games directly above Earth Prime. With its medieval-tavern vibe, it’s Vermont’s longestlived gaming shop. Like its sister store, Quarterstaff has fostered a long-marginalized community and given them a home — another tribute to Farrell’s dedication. Farrell’s tenacity was rewarded as the century came to a close and the fortunes of comics changed once again. Though superheroes had made their mark on cinema in the past, notably with Tim Burton’s Batman and Richard Donner’s Superman films, the 2000s saw the rise of Marvel as an entertainment business. In 20 years, the company went from barely surviving bankruptcy to being a multibillion-dollar juggernaut that dominates Hollywood. Disney would buy it in 2009. For a 2001 story about Earth Prime, Seven Days interviewed the store’s thencomanagers, Jason Andreasson and John Pepe. They expressed high spirits as the spandex set began its Tinseltown takeover. “Comics are really entering their heyday,” Andreasson said. Time has proved him correct, though perhaps not quite in the way he foresaw. Yes,

SUNSET CHASER superhero stories have become a financial monster, making once-obscure Marvel and DC characters familiar to the masses. But the effect on the comics industry itself is harder to gauge. “Honestly, the superhero stuff doesn’t sell anything like it used to,” said current Earth Prime manager Damon Savage, who has been at the store for more than 13 years. “The correlation between Hollywood success and selling comics isn’t really there like one might think.” That development doesn’t surprise James Sturm, a cartoonist who cofounded Vermont’s Center for Cartoon Studies and the Seattle-based alt-weekly the Stranger. Sturm thinks that the movies have changed what people want out of their comic books. “When I was a kid, if you saw someone in the movies fly or shoot lasers from their eyes, it always looked cheesy,” he said. “But when you would read that in X-Men, it looked awesome; it looked right. Well, now the movies can do that, and so can the video games. Better, even.”

COMICS WENT FROM SOMETHING YOU DO ALONE TO BEING A SOCIAL THING. JO H N RO V N AK

Where does that leave comics? In a place of unfettered potential, according to Kristen Shull, a Burlington-based graduate of CCS who writes a daily diary comic strip and teaches sequential art at Champlain College. “Comics as a medium is so multifaceted,” Shull said. “And something about Vermont seems to encapsulate just about all of [the possibilities]. We’ve got people doing the superhero thing; we’ve got people doing manga, doing memoir and educational stuff…” Citing acclaimed comic artists such as Alison Bechdel of Bolton, she added, “The art form has been legitimized.” Rovnak echoed that sentiment. When he was young, the idea of reading one of his favorite comics on the bus was laughable — or, as he put it, “a quick way to get punched in the face by a jock.” “When I see kids on Church Street reading comics, I think, My God, how are they so brave?” Rovnak wondered with a laugh. “But at this point, we’re all coming out of the shadows and finding our tribes. Comics

went from something you do alone to being a social thing.” For Giordano, that process started at Earth Prime, where the future illustrator would draw all day at a table beside the back issues. “I would never have become an artist if I didn’t have somewhere like Earth Prime,” he said. “People there would see me drawing, whether it was coworkers or customers, and gave me positive feedback. There’s power in that — I started to think, Hey, maybe I’m not a total piece of shit. Maybe I have some value. I owe everything to that experience.”

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TO BE CONTINUED

I remembered Giordano’s words as I stared down the front door of Earth Prime a few weeks ago. I hadn’t been inside in years, but knowing that the store was MORE DETAILS AT: there hung on me like a weight, like a gift VACD.ORG/TREESALES I couldn’t dare take for granted. I walked inside, unsurprised by the posters this time. The staff were helping customers or reading comics as hip-hop The Middlebury Snow Bowl 6886 played softly over the speakers. Vermont Rte 125, Hancock, VT I thought of Shady, the black cat who used to guard the boxes of comics with 05748 | middleburysnowbowl.com a lazy swipe of her paw. I thought about how I’ve skipped every school reunion I’ve ever been invited to and how none of them8V-middsnow030222 1 2/28/228V-VACD021622.indd 5:06 PM 1 2/15/22 would have felt as much like an authentic reunion as being inside Earth Prime did at that moment. A man roughly my own age walked in, flanked by several children. One of them, a young girl wearing a white-and-pink SpiderGwen hoodie, had a list in hand. She bounced OFFICES AT OAK HILL on the balls of her feet as she browsed from 54 W. Twin Oaks Terrace, South Burlington shelf to shelf, humming quietly. I looked away, overcome by a rogue wave of emotion. I seemed to see a thread stretching back through time, connecting Bissette, Veitch and Farrell hunting the comics racks to misfits like Giordano and Simmon finding family at a fledgling shop. That thread reached all the way to the girl in the hoodie, humming to herself in her happy place. Earth Prime was hers now more than mine, and I loved that so much that I felt a strange, damp sensation at the corners of my eyes. As I walked away from Earth Prime, I made a mental note to text my brother. I wanted to say something reflective of the strange epiphany I’d had standing in the shop. In the end, though, I decided to keep it simple. “Dropped by Earth Prime,” I texted Pat. Located just off Kennedy Dr. 1,252 SF with 4 offices, “Still the same.” m reception and private bathroom. Newly renovated. ADA accessible

INFO Earth Prime Comics, 154 Church St., 860-0581. Learn more about the Center for Cartoon Studies at cartoonstudies.org.

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SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

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or Christmas, Jess Lahey made her husband, Tim, a collage that showcases bits and pieces of their writing. There are headlines and column inches from articles Jess wrote, poems by Tim, and snippets of his essays and op-eds in the New York Times. The jam-packed collage also features a photo of Jess and their pug, taken by Tim, that appeared in a 2021 People magazine spread, along with pictures of the Charlotte couple and their two sons. An observer could spend considerable time taking in this lively compendium of the Laheys’ written work. What’s with the story from the food section of the Washington Post? How about those poems by Tim, a physician who’s known for writing about ethical issues in medicine? Access to the collage is limited by its location in a bathroom at the Laheys’ home. Still, a quick look reveals tantalizing clues about the couple’s separate professional lives and their shared interests. Though the Laheys have distinct areas of expertise, each researches and communicates with the public about issues related to health and well-being. Tim, 53, is the director of clinical ethics at the University of Vermont Medical Center and a professor of medicine specializing in infectious diseases at UVM’s Larner College of Medicine. Jess, 51, is a journalist and author whose work is informed by her career as a middle school and high school teacher. In 2015, she published the New York Times best seller The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed. Her latest book, The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence, was published last April and praised for its practical and personal approach to the subject. “I think it’s been really important for us to have our own careers and our own interests,” Tim said. In the New York Times, he’s written about hospital “honor walks” in recognition of organ donors and discussed safe injection sites at hospitals for patients with opioid addiction. On health website STAT last October, Tim considered the ethics

HEALTH of getting a third COVID-19 vaccination when billions of people around the world had yet to receive their first. Sometimes, the Laheys share a byline, such as in the August 2020 piece they wrote for the Post, “Back to school in a pandemic: A guide to all the factors keeping parents and educators up at night.” On a recent morning, between his two Zoom meetings and before an afternoon taping of her podcast “#AmWriting,” the Laheys talked with Seven Days about their work, their parallel (and sometimes intersecting) interests, and how they met. Their son Finn, a high school senior, was home for a snow day. He put it to good use making cookies and setting his parents straight on the age of his brother, Ben, a graduate of Middlebury College. He’s 23, Finn said. His parents had debated whether Ben was 21 or 22. Jess and Tim first met in 1990 as students at a summer English program at

Tim and Jess Lahey

Oxford University. She had a crush on him; he had a girlfriend. A few years later, back in the States, Jess had a job in Boston and Tim was a premed student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, taking science courses after earning his undergraduate degree in English from Georgetown University. Hanging out in Harvard Square one evening with a juggler friend, Jess ran into an acquaintance from Oxford. He told her he had just seen Tim and gave her his address. She wrote Tim a letter that kicked off a lengthy correspondence between the two by U.S. Mail. “I’ve always been a writer, and he’s always been a writer,” said Jess, who majored in comparative literature at UMass. She saved their letters. After a year of letter writing, they decided to meet up face-to-face. “I was really into him, and he had no interest in me whatsoever,” she said.

Tim recalled riding the Peter Pan bus in from Northampton, intending to tell Jess he wasn’t interested in a relationship. But on his arrival in Boston, “Jess is in her element,” Tim said. They went to a Celtics game and a John Hiatt concert. “Boom,” Tim said. They fell in love. Before their 1996 marriage at Old North Church in Boston, Jess and Tim moved to Durham, N.C., where he went to medical school at Duke University. She attended the University of North Carolina School of Law; Jess also taught a course on law and democracy to gifted high school students. Though she got her law degree, she had found her passion in teaching. “I like helping kids push their own limits,” she said, “so they can figure out just how strong they are and how smart they are.” After time in Utah and Massachusetts, the Laheys lived for 13 years in New Hampshire, where Tim was a physician

and bioethicist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock medical center and a faculty member at the Geisel School of Medicine. An opportunity came up at UVM that appealed to his interest in teaching and would allow him to focus on medical ethics. In 2018, the Laheys moved from Lyme, N.H., to Charlotte. Tim said he felt particularly lucky to live in Vermont during the pandemic. The state’s “secret sauce,” he said, “is, generally speaking, we try to take care of each other.” When the pandemic thrust infectious disease doctors into the spotlight, Tim, who already wrote for national publications, made himself readily available to local reporters. His plainspoken communications about COVID-19 merged medical and public health expertise with a recognition of the virus’ impact on people: restaurant workers who need a paycheck or families who want to send their kids to school safely. The fast-moving science of COVID-19 was a challenge for him to keep up with, though that’s what he’s trained to do, Tim said. He felt it was important to make complicated issues approachable and explain them to fellow Vermonters “like a neighbor.” When political divisiveness and misinformation influenced people’s behavior around the virus, Tim stressed the importance of “retaining compassion.” He focused on our “commonalities” when talking to the public and interacting with vaccine-hesitant patients. Such an exchange could be as simple as recognizing a shared appreciation for “the fat snowflakes falling today.” “For me, it’s really important to look back on this period and [know] I’ve always been respectful and nice,” Tim said. Physicians can’t let “the world’s divisiveness seep into patient-doctor interactions. We’ve got to keep the exam room a safe place about helping people get better.”

Examples of his ethics work at UVM include crafting abortion policy; helping to foster therapeutic patient-doctor interactions in the face of increased violence toward clinicians; and working to reconcile the views of patients, families and providers who might disagree on treatment options. “My training is to evaluate how different people see different parts of the elephant,” Tim said. “You should take into account all the variables before you try to solve the equation.” At the start of the pandemic, he worked on policies related to crisis care and resource allocation. Though ventilators never had to be rationed in Vermont, for a couple of weeks at the peak of the Omicron surge, the state had fewer COVID-19 treaments available than it had patients who might benefit from them, Tim said.

YOU NEVER WANT TO BE PUNITIVE

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT A CLINICAL DECISION. TIM L AHE Y

Hospital policy is based on saving the most lives possible, he said. That meant reserving scarce treatments for the highest-risk patients, taking into account factors such as age, vaccination and immunocompromised status. “You never want to be punitive when you think about a clinical decision,” Tim said. “You don’t judge people because they smoke or don’t exercise. You just say, ‘How can I help you?’” Helping people is also at the core of Jess’ work as an educator, researcher and writer. For several years, she wrote a parenting column for the New York Times,

“Parent-Teacher Conference,” that covered subjects ranging from parents helping their children (too much) with school projects to holiday gifts for teachers. She taught writing to high school students in a residential rehab program at Valley Vista in Bradford. (That program no longer exists.) Now she contemplates the possibility of starting a high school in Chittenden County for students in recovery. “Helping kids is not a straight line,” Jess said. “It’s a very crooked line.” Her 2021 book The Addiction Inoculation offers practical, evidence-based advice on preventing or minimizing young people’s risk of developing substance-use disorder. The book starts with a compelling chapter about Jess’ own alcoholism. (She didn’t drink during her pregnancies, she notes in the book.) She’s been sober since June 2013, when her father confronted her about her drinking problem. Jess attended her first 12-step meeting that evening, choosing to drive to White River Junction because of its distance from her home in Lyme. “I was scared to death of running into the parents of one of my students,” she said. Jess attended the White River meeting almost every week for five years. She described it as the “coolest mix” of people, including Norwich knitters and bikers in leather gear. She has favorite meetings in places she visits when she travels for work. At home, her family provides support. “Tim looks out for me,” Jess said. “If he wants a beer with dinner, he brings home a single-serving size.” Talking openly and honestly about alcohol and drugs is a guiding principle

for her, one to which she is fiercely committed in her household. “I grew up not being allowed to talk about [drinking],” Jess said. “And I’m still pissed off about it.” Jess wrote about facing alcoholism soon after she attended her first meeting. In her book, she excerpts a piece that was published anonymously on HuffPost. In it, Jess writes about setting an example for her son: “As his mother — particularly his alcoholic mother — the most important gift I can give him is the power of my example to guide him if he ever stumbles upon the treacherous terrain of our family’s well-worn slippery slope.” She offers The Addiction Inoculation to other families so that they, too, can recognize issues related to substance use, communicate openly about it and learn practices for raising healthy kids. The collage in the Laheys’ bathroom is an homage to clear and thoughtful communication, from Tim’s poem, “Tide,” to the Post food article, a story by Jess about nonalcoholic beer. The collage could change, Jess said, as she and Tim work on new projects and communicate their findings to the rest of us. “His job and my job are to help people hear things that may be difficult to hear,” Jess said. m

INFO The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence by Jessica Lahey, Harper, 336 pages. $26.99. Tim Lahey will participate in a town meeting with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Wednesday, March 2, at 5 p.m. Lahey will discuss COVID-19.

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Setting Up Shop

New arrivals restructure 150-year-old Marshfield Village Store as a worker-owned cooperative B Y A NNE WAL L A CE ALLE N • anne@sevendaysvt.com TRISTAN VON DUNTZ

he Marshfield Village Store has been a mainstay in town since it was built in 1868, serving up coffee, sandwiches and conversation. This year, while the menu will stay the same, the store is evolving into a worker-owned cooperative. Its five new owners raised $700,000 from anonymous donors to purchase the building and its inventory on February 7. They have formed a governance group and make all decisions together. Ultimately, any of the dozen or so people who work at the store will be able to become owners, too, and their share of the profits will be linked to how much they work. Kenny and Ciara Phillips, who owned the store for seven years, won’t be involved, but Ciara’s mother, Deborah Olson, runs the deli and will eventually become an owner. The new owners plan to continue serving coffee, prepared foods and grocery staples at the store, which is open daily for 12 hours or more. They’ll also offer local food and crafts. Co-owner Senayit Tomlinson said a primary goal is to keep food affordable and accessible for all. She deplores the gentrification she sees happening in the upper Connecticut River Valley, where she lives. “You can’t find your cans of soup,” she said of country stores in towns such as Woodstock. Tomlinson, an Orford, N.H., resident whose father is from Ethiopia, added that she also has trouble finding other Black, Indigenous and people of color who work in upscale country stores. That lack of BIPOC workers deters BIPOC customers from shopping at such stores, she said. She hopes that visits to the Marshfield store will change some perceptions. “There are three of us out of the five working at the store who are BIPOC,” said Tomlinson, who was a cashier at Chapman’s General in Fairlee for years. “It’s amazing. I don’t think I have ever had a job in this area where I wasn’t the only brown person.” While the worker group doesn’t have a hierarchy, it does have a leader of sorts in general manager Michelle Eddleman McCormick, who has worked in sales and in social justice and community organizing in the South. Eddleman McCormick moved to Marshfield from Naples, Fla., a year ago

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SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

Back row: Jack Whalen, Michelle Eddleman McCormick and Ariel Buckley. Front row: Rachel Stevens Wilson, Avani Pisapati and Yasmine West

with her family, seeking respite from the heat and smog. When she learned that the store was for sale, she contacted the Vermont Employee Ownership Center, a Burlington nonprofit that helps workers with the details of such a reorganization. VEOC gave her technical advice and referred her to Preservation Trust of Vermont, which for years has supplied ailing country stores with technical assistance and grants. That’s when Eddleman McCormick realized that she wasn’t the first to try to save a Vermont country store. “It was like, Oh, OK. So this isn’t, you know, a completely out-of-left-field idea,” Eddleman McCormick said. “It was reassuring to learn that we were part of an actual movement across the state to preserve these general stores for economic and social reasons.” With the purchase completed, the Marshfield store’s owners are forming a nonprofit called Cooperation Vermont, modeled on a Jackson, Miss., social justice

group that Eddleman McCormick has worked with for many years. The Mississippi group, Cooperation Jackson, owns the Marshfield store for now; Eddleman McCormick said it will be transferred to Cooperation Vermont when that group gets its nonprofit status. Both entities are part of a larger nonprofit called the People’s Network for Land and Liberation that seeks to help workers from underrepresented groups create worker-owned co-ops. Many of the original incorporators — none of whom is originally from Vermont — met last year through an Upper Valley organization called Regeneration Corps, which educates high school students about social justice, climate change and agriculture. Keeping the store going is just one of Cooperation Vermont’s projects, though the group hasn’t determined exactly what the others will be. Tomlinson, a musician who teaches anti-racism workshops, plans to use the top floor of the building, a former dance hall, as a meeting place for

people from underrepresented groups. She’s excited to show tourists and locals alike that there’s a place for BIPOC people in rural Vermont, despite its majority whiteness. She said it’s clear that store visitors like to see the diversity. “I have noticed it in some of the BIPOC folks that do come into the store as customers,” she said. “We’re all hanging out.” The idea of cooperative governance goes back a long way in Marshfield. The town of 1,600 is a blend of longtime residents, many whose families farmed in Marshfield for years, and newcomers who started arriving in the ’60s. The cultural gap between locals and newcomers started to narrow when educator Royce Pitkin, who grew up farming in Marshfield, founded Goddard College. Since 1938, the progressive, experimental liberal arts college in Plainfield has drawn artists, intellectuals and back-to-thelanders who, over the years, have made their own mark on the local culture. “As kids in the area, we were always

exposed to people from other places way before, I think, most of Vermont was,” said Michael Stark, 68, who was born in Barre and has worked as a local building contractor for four decades. His mother was from New York City; his father was a Bennington native who attended Goddard. Communes have come and gone regularly in the area for decades. Many fell apart after surviving just one winter. At least one, in Plainfield, is still around. Another, the Neruda Intentional Community in Marshfield, closed last year after a 14-year run. “Marshfield was sort of a hotbed for a lot of this stuff,” said Dan Chodorkoff, a Marshfield resident who cofounded the Institute for Social Ecology, a longrunning utopian experiment, with the late Burlington resident Murray Bookchin. He noted that the 50-year-old Plainfield Co-op grocery store — which is owned by its customers — prompted the creation of Hunger Mountain Co-op in Montpelier. Of course, a worker-owned business such as the Marshfield Village Store is quite a different proposition from a communally owned farm. For one thing, it has a much higher chance of surviving, said Chodorkoff, who moved to Vermont

2h-nancyjenkins030222 1

from New York in the 1960s to live on a That’s why so many rely on help from commune in Woodbury. In February, foundations, local donors and creative Fomite Press published his novel Sugar- structuring. The 170-year-old East Calais ing Down, which is based on that epoch. It General Store, just five miles to the west helps, Chodorkoff noted in of the Marshfield Village an interview, that you can Store, closed because of go home to your own space financial problems in after a shift at your coop2019. It’s due to reopen eratively owned business. this year thanks to $1.3 VEOC executive direcmillion in donations and tor Matt Cropp said he’s the work of a community had more inquiries than trust. usual lately about creating The Marshfield store worker-owned co-ops. shares a parking lot with Those that survive, he a gas station and convesaid, tend to have formal nience store that also power structures and an recently changed hands. elected board of directors It’s not clear yet what that supervises the general kind of competition that manager. will present. MIC H E L L E E D D L E MAN Whatever governance The town retains MC C O R MIC K structure they choose, the some rural quirks that new owners of Marshfield belie the rising prices of Village Store have their work cut out for its homes. The biggest adjustment Eddlethem. Although the community holds plenty man McCormick has faced so far is not the of goodwill toward the store, which has been dirt roads or the weather but the lack of running continuously since 1868, external phone connectivity in the village. forces — such as rising food costs and chang“I had better cellphone service in the ing demographics — make survival difficult mountains of Uganda 20 years ago than I for country stores these days. do in Vermont,” she said.

IT WAS REASSURING TO LEARN THAT WE WERE PART OF AN ACTUAL MOVEMENT ACROSS THE STATE

TO PRESERVE THESE GENERAL STORES.

But the group is starting out unburdened by the monthly mortgage payments that can cripple a business with small profit margins. Eddleman McCormick is working overtime to apply for liquor and other licenses; she has set up a meeting with someone from the state to learn how to use the deer-weighing station out back. Both of Eddleman McCormick’s parents were in the military, and the family moved frequently. She has quickly made Marshfield her home. For years, she was the director of business development for a large international travel company, she noted, and was responsible for more than 1,000 volunteers when doing disaster cleanup work in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. That work, she said, provided her with the foundation for handling the new challenge of running a Vermont village store. “Some of it is a little bit trial by fire,” she said. “But I have done a lot more complicated projects than this in the past.” m

INFO Marshfield Village Store, 1425 Route 2, Marshfield, 426-4321.

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

2/25/22 11:01 AM

food+drink

lcohol sales spiked when the pandemic hit in 2020, garnering publicity from the press and concern from public health officials. While demand for beer, wine and spirits has waned since then, sales of their nonalcoholic counterparts is growing exponentially. In the year that ended on January 29, U.S. alcohol retail sales dropped by 4 percent, but sales of nonalcoholic adult beverages rose by 27 percent, according to data analytics firm NielsenIQ. The gap was even wider in Vermont, where alcohol sales dipped by 6 percent and nonalcohol sales jumped by a whopping 49 percent. Surfing the wave are Justin and Roger Branon Rodriguez, the married team who created Sacré, a maple- and coffee-based nonalcoholic spirit produced at Justin’s family’s sugar farm in Fairfield. Designed to be chilled, shaken and sipped as is, the zingy, earthy, aromatic elixir first released in 2019 defies expectations. It’s maple but not sweet, a zero-proof drink generating a 100-proof buzz. In 2020, celebrity Rachael Ray named Sacré one of four new alcohol-free spirits “shaking up the mocktail world.” In 2021, it won a gold medal in the L.A. Spirits Awards, and the New York Times product review website Wirecutter proclaimed it one of the best nonalcoholic drinks. “We’ve truly never tasted anything like this,” Wirecutter wrote. “Taking a small sip is like throwing back a tequila shot or diving into a freezing pool: It’s a full-body experience, a shock, a thrill, something you want to never do again and yet can’t get enough of.” Reviewers can’t seem to agree on exactly what Sacré is. An aperitif? A digestif? Retailers sometimes ask in what section they should shelve it. “It’s somewhere between an amaro and Kahlúa,” says online site Master of Mocktails, “or between unsweetened iced coffee and balsamic vinegar.” Justin and Roger call it mysterious. Suzan Eraslan, a mixologist of nonalcoholic beverages, took that one step further: “It’s not just mysterious,” she wrote in her e-newsletter 5PM Eternal, “it’s sorcery.” Sacré’s birth story, like its flavor profile, is complex. And, like many a good cocktail, it comes with a twist. Roger had married into the Branon family, a clan of doers and inventors. Their farm, Branon Family Maple Orchards, is

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Holy Sap! Maple- and coffee-based Sacré sets the nonalcoholic beverage world abuzz BY MARY ANN L IC K TE IG

Roger (left) and Justin Branon Rodriguez

a veritable maple makerspace. With the exception of pouring the concrete, the family built their 11,000-square-foot sugarhouse and the shop across the drive. Justin’s mom, Cecile Branon, has developed an entire line of maple products: sauces, sprinkles, rubs, jelly and vinegars. Her youngest son, Evan, invented Precision Tapper, a device that stabilizes a drill so that it creates a perfectly round hole, which allows for a tighter seal around a tap, boosting syrup production. “I was like, Well, I want to make something,” Roger said. He started to experiment with making acerglyn, a mead made with maple syrup and honey. The Branon family owns 4,800 acres, taps 94,000 trees and produces more than 50,000 gallons of organic syrup in an average year. “I thought, Well, you know, we can ruin a couple gallons of syrup and it’s not going to hurt us too badly,” Roger said. He picked up a carboy and got started. “I put in some orange rinds. I put in some cinnamon — you know, all the stuff that would go into a mead — and started to age it. And I posted about it online.” Justin’s cousin Lisa Witzke informed her friend Niki Mohrlant about it because Mohrlant was a consultant for Distill Ventures. The London-based “drinks accelerator” that supports entrepreneurs in creating spirits was running a contest. The company would select five nonalcoholic beverages, work for a year with those makers to refine their products and then award the creators of one drink a monetary prize. In addition to acerglyn, Roger was experimenting with drinks made from the maple vinegar Justin’s mother produces. When she ran out of it, she offered them her bourbon-barrel-aged maple vinegar. When they tried it, Roger said, “We were like, Whoa, this is it. This is going to be the base for our drink.” Canning jars covered the kitchen island in their Bakersfield home as they experimented. They adjusted syrup and vinegar ratios, tried adding different spices and took copious notes. “Nothing really kind of hit,” Roger said. “And then we went to a cousin’s wedding.” (Justin has many cousins. “My family reunions are, like, 500 people,” he said.) His cousin Emily Haddad’s family owns a coffee shop, so her wedding-guest favors included a bag of coffee. HOLY SAP!

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Middlebury’s Iluminar Coffee Buys Bud’s Beans Middlebury’s coffee scene got a jolt of new energy last month when specialty roaster ILUMINAR COFFEE purchased longtime area biz BUD’S BEANS. DANIEL GUTIERREZ, 23, and GRACE FUTRAL, 22, will operate both brands out of the newly renovated Bud’s Beans space at 63 Maple Street, focusing on wholesale and online sales. WILLIAM “BUD” SMITH founded Bud’s Beans in his home in 2000. “He created this really consistent, great-tasting coffee that kind of kept Middlebury fueled,” Gutierrez said. The rooster-adorned bags line shelves at area restaurants and retail shops, including the MIDDLEBURY NATURAL FOODS CO-OP, MIDDLEBURY BAGEL & DELI, and OTTER CREEK BAKERY & DELI. In 2017, LEAH KELLER and BRIAN CARTER bought Bud’s and moved it to Maple Street in the Marble Works district. Gutierrez subleased from Bud’s Beans when he launched Iluminar in February 2020. When Futral joined the business in April 2021 and used her graphic design skills to rebrand it, sales took off. Iluminar filled the hoppers at LOST MONARCH CRAFT COFFEE in the STONE MILL and at the Middlebury College campus café. It also booked guest roaster stints at Burlington’s ONYX TONICS and other local cafés. To meet demand, the owners moved their

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Follow us on Instagram roasting to the larger UNCOMMON COFFEE and Facebook for updates in Essex. When they decided to look for a space of their own, Gutierrez proposed sharing Bud’s Beans’ space, but the duo 8V-poco082521.indd 1 8/18/21 8v-theboardroom022321.indd 12:56 PM decided to buy the business. The two brands serve different markets, Gutierrez said. Bud’s Beans will stay the same for now and will slowly transition to coffees that share Iluminar’s transparent sourcing. The rooster will stick around. “It’s a legacy that needs to be maintained,” Futral said. “Being a younger generation stepping into a legacy business, you have to prove yourself just a little bit more.” THE FILLING

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2/17/22 1:51 PM

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Orb Weaver Creamery Cheesemakers Call It Quits

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KATE TURCOTTE and her husband, ZACK MUNZER, have reluctantly given up

their effort of more than three years to establish ORB WEAVER CREAMERY as the second-generation farmstead cheesemaking operation on Orb Weaver Farm in New Haven. Married couple MARIAN POLLACK and MARJORIE SUSMAN, who own the farm, blazed the trail as the first generation of Orb Weaver cheesemakers. They will continue to live in the farmhouse on the SIDE DISHES

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Crumbs Monarch & the Milkweed shakes up to-go cocktails; Three Penny Taproom celebrates women in beer Better late than never, Burlington’s MONARCH & THE

MILKWEED jumps on the to-go cocktails bandwagon

Melissa Pasanen

Move over, plaid-clad bros; March is for the ladies at Montpelier’s THREE PENNY TAPROOM. This Women’s History Month, the craft beer destination is celebrating women-owned and -operated breweries. During Lady Brew, Three Penny will feature pours or cans from four breweries with “a strong female presence,” marketing and events coordinator CLARA WALSH said: North Hero’s KRAEMER & KIN, Stowe’s the ALCHEMIST, Bristol’s HOGBACK MOUNTAIN BREWING and Austin Street Brewery in Portland, Maine. Only the Alchemist has previously been on tap at Three Penny. Lady Brew will also spotlight women brewers’ stories in the bar and online. When the kegs kick, Three Penny will donate 5 percent of each beer’s sales to a charity of the brewery’s choosing. “The beer industry is still a boys’ club,” Walsh said. “I want to change the public’s perception of what it means to brew beer in Vermont, in New England. It’s not all men with beards and flannel shirts.”

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SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

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this week. Chef-owner ANDREW LESTOURGEON will also add some new food options to meet the requirement for such sales, though his fabled chicken and waffles is not among them. The bottled, singleserving, garnished drinks cost $10 to $12.50. Classics such as a boulevardier join house creations like the Kettlebell, featuring Barr Hill Gin, amaro and Luxardo Maraschino Originale. Monarch & the Milkweed Since Monarch to-go cocktails reopened last September after an almost 18-month closure, its food menu has been AMERICAN FLATBREAD BURLINGTON HEARTH pizza and salad. “Everyone wants us to do food again,” LeStourgeon said. Jokingly described by LeStourgeon as adult “Lunchables,” the offerings ($15 to $60) will feature combinations of cheeses, cured meats, and housemade creations such as chicken liver pâté, maple-sea salt crackers and chocolate pudding. “They’re what people want and reach for when they’re drinking cocktails,” he said. The new spreads will also be available for on-site consumption, along with pizzas. For now, to-go orders must be placed in person, with online ordering to come.

Maria Lara-Bregatta at a Café Mamajuana pop-up in 2019

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101-acre property, as they have for more than 40 years, and run their seasonal vegetable operation there. A neighboring farmer will graze Texas longhorn cattle on the pastures, Susman said by phone. NA In a phone interview, Turcotte conEN BK LE A firmed that Orb Weaver Creamery’s :C LE FI last remaining cow went to a new home the week of February 21. The couple will sell their remaining cheese inventory before closing the business for good. “We had one cow left, and she was just giving us this look, like, Why?” Turcotte said with a rueful chuckle. Turcotte said a combination of factors led to the decision, but the couple’s fruitless, multiyear search for an affordable home close to the farm was a major reason. Turcotte and Munzer had a daughter in June 2021, and the “basically one-room” house they were renting a quarter-mile down the road from Orb Weaver Farm was too small for the growing family. Pandemic-inflated real estate prices only made the young couple’s quest for a home feel more futile. “We

just kind of realized that, with the size business that we were operating, we wouldn’t be able to afford to buy the farm and buy a house, so we had to choose one or the other,” Turcotte said. To qualify for a mortgage, Turcotte said, she and Munzer have been juggling care of their daughter with managing their small dairy herd, running the cheese business and holding down full-time jobs. “We’ve been on a waiting list for daycares with no real end in sight,” she said, noting that she works days and her husband, nights. “Burnout is a big piece of this, as well,” Turcotte said. When Turcotte and Munzer established Orb Weaver Creamery, their goal was to build on the existing Orb Weaver cheese brand created by Pollack and Susman with a new, separate business entity. In 2018, after more than two years of relationship building and business planning, the two couples finalized a three-year lease on the farm and its on-site cheese facility. By the end of the lease, the younger couple hoped to have found a home nearby and to be in a position to buy the conserved farm at its agricultural value. All parties understood that Pollack and Susman would stay in the farmhouse and keep running their vegetable operation. “Marjorie and Marian did everything they could to help set us up for success,” Turcotte said. “All they

food+drink Charles Spock

Melissa Pasanen

James Beard Awards Recognize One Vermont Restaurant and Two Chefs

On February 23, the James Beard Foundation announced its 2022 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists, bringing back the prominent industry awards for the first time since 2019. Three Vermont businesses made the list: Burlington Dominican fusion restaurant and market CAFÉ MAMAJUANA is a semifinalist in the Best New Restaurant category. NISACHON MORGAN of SAAP in Randolph and CHRISTIAN KRUSE of BLACK FLANNEL BREWING in Essex Junction both earned nods for Best Chef: Northeast. “It’s pretty crazy,” Café Mamajuana owner MARIA LARA-BREGATTA said. “We’re just a little shop in the Old North End.” Lara-Bregatta spoke with Seven Days before heading to the restaurant to celebrate with her team, including head chef ERIC HODET, who she said “really held it down” while she was pregnant and on maternity leave during the restaurant’s first year. “I’m going to buy them a fancy bottle of Champagne, and we’re going to pop it off,” she said. Café Mamajuana opened in the cooperatively owned building at 88 Oak Street in November 2020, sharing the space with POPPY CAFÉ & MARKET. “Without the [Oak Street Cooperative], I never would have been able to afford to have a platform to showcase any of these foods that we’re making,” she said. “Reflecting back on how I started and how much I struggled to get in the door, I’m just ecstatic.” The James Beard Foundation paused its annual awards in 2020 and 2021; in August 2020, the foundation announced an audit of the awards’ policies and procedures to “remove systemic bias” and “increase the diversity of the pool of candidates,” among other goals. The Restaurant and Chef Awards finalists will be announced on March 16; the awards ceremony will be held in Chicago on June 13.

Jordan Barry

CONNECT Follow us for the latest food gossip! On Instagram: Seven Days: @7deatsvt; Jordan Barry: @jordankbarry; Melissa Pasanen: @mpasanen.

Freak Folk Bier Opens Taproom in Waterbury

Waterbury’s newest beer destination opened amid a snowstorm last Friday. FREAK FOLK BIER’s modern, 21-seat taproom, retail shop and brewery at 28 Stowe Street is the first brick-andmortar location for owners LILLIAN MACNAMARA and RYAN MILLER. The couple started Freak Folk in 2018 in an extra room at Burlington’s QUEEN CITY BREWERY, where MacNamara was head brewer until September. She and Miller each have a decade of brewing experience. They released Freak Folk’s first mixed-culture, barrel-aged beers in August 2019 and quickly gained a following; the second release sold out in a single night. “We’ve always wanted to have a brewpub-type of thing,” Miller said. “But starting off with the mixedculture stuff was a little more approachable for us. We’re just very patient people.” That patience came in handy as MacNamara and Miller looked for Freak Folk’s permanent home. Their initial application for the space in the Stowe Street building was denied by Waterbury’s zoning administrator and Development Review Board. “We tried to appeal it,” Miller explained. “Ultimately, we had to connect with the selectboard and the planning commission.” After months of meetings, Waterbury adopted interim bylaws that allow brewpubs in the downtown district, among other changes. The bylaws limit Freak Folk’s production to 2,000 barrels per year, “which is plenty,” Miller said. It’s a significant increase from the 200 barrels the brewery averaged annually at Queen City. Miller estimates that they’ll produce 700 barrels this year with their seven-barrel brew system. MacNamara and Miller have already expanded Freak Folk’s portfolio: In addition to the mixed-culture Colour Haze and Staglore, opening night featured two IPAs, a pale ale, a Helles lager and a smoked Baltic porter. “We’re big beer fans, and we love all kinds of styles,” Miller said. Jordan Barry

Freak Folk Bier

LUKE AWTRY

wanted to do was just retire in the house and keep farming their vegetables — and they have every right to do that.” Turcotte has worked as a cheesemaker for 16 years; her husband has held farming jobs for a similar time span. The couple is passionate about small-scale, sustainable agriculture, but it’s more important for them to stay in the area. “Whatever jobs help us do that will probably be what we will do,” Turcotte said. Susman said she and Pollack may rent their cheese room to another cheesemaker, but they will not share the Orb Weaver name again. “They’ll have to come in with their own name,” she said.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Come Into My Parlour Three questions for Richmond chef Charles Spock BY MELISSA PASANEN pasanen@sevendaysvt.com

Charles Spock, chef and co-owner of the Big Spruce and Hatchet Tap and Table, both in Richmond, recently celebrated his 40th birthday. He always thought he’d own a restaurant by that milestone. “And here I am with two. Maybe a little more than I bargained for,” he said with a chuckle. Spock shared some news and behind-the-scenes insights with Seven Days. SEVEN DAYS: You’ve got something new, the Parlour Room, opening this month? CHARLES SPOCK: We have this chunk of space at the back [of the Big Spruce] that we’ve turned into a 30-person event space. It’s a place where you can come and celebrate a special event or where we can do tastings, pairing dinners and fun stuff that doesn’t fit into our two restaurants, like a small-plates menu paired with different mezcals, a ticketed event. We might take a mezcal that’s exceptionally smoky and pair it with a chile sweet potato and smoked short rib and some really bright [salsa] verde to cut through all that. SD: What’s been your biggest challenge over the last two years? CS: Being able to meet expectations with less has been difficult — our staff’s expectations and customers’ expectations. Like, “We only have two servers on tonight. I’m sorry, we don’t have a way to seat you,” and keeping the staff protected from people who are upset by whatever practices we have in place. And you never know when you’re not going to get deliveries of food or paper goods. It’s been pretty chaotic. SD: Has the pandemic forever changed the restaurant industry? CS: It has to change to keep restaurants in business. Prices are changing, and there are going to be QR codes [instead of paper menus], because it’s just easier to manage that with less staff. As far as how staff is treated, I think that is changing. A lot of people left not because they didn’t want to work in restaurants but because they were tired of getting abuse on both ends: [from] customers and owners. You know, it’s not that hard to be nice. m This interview was edited and condensed for clarity and length. SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

Holy Sap! « P.38

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

Cecile Branon with barrels of aging maple vinegar

PHOTOS: GLENN RUSSELL

The Distill Ventures contest deadline was approaching. “We just happened to have this coffee on the counter next to this maple vinegar,” Roger said. “And I thought, Well, what happens if you do this?” — that is, combine them. “And that was the start of Sacré. It was kind of a happy accident.” Here’s the twist. The maple-coffee drink wasn’t the one they intended to submit; they thought that another beverage they’d made was better but threw in the coffee concoction because it was there. The judges “weren’t crazy about my original submission,” Roger said. “But when they tried the coffee one … they said it literally stopped the show. The founder of Distill Ventures stood up, and he held the sample in his hand and said, ‘Who made this?’ And we immediately won the bursary.” Justin and Roger used the $12,000 prize to buy an industrial coffee grinder, a mixing tank, and bottles and labels for their first run. They also spent a large portion of the money shipping samples to London, where consultants helped them refine their drink, remove some of its sweetness and achieve a better balance. The final product contains five ingredients: aged maple vinegar, maple syrup, coffee, and two secret ones — a spice and a botanical. Why name the product Sacré? Because Justin had grown up learning that maple syrup was a “sacred liquid” that helped Native Americans survive harsh winters. Syrup freezes at a lower temperature than water does, he explained, so it provided a vital sugar source. The couple’s company name, Woodnose, is a nod to a fable about the woodpecker teaching people to tap maple trees. With 100 bottles produced, Justin and Roger headed to New York to launch Sacré in 2019. They’d heard that a new nonalcoholic bar called Getaway had opened in Brooklyn, so they dropped off a bottle. Sometime later, Derek Brown walked into the bar and tried it. The founder of former Washington, D.C., cocktail bar the Columbia Room and author of Spirits, Sugar, Water, Bitters: How the Cocktail Conquered the World, Brown started selling Sacré. (The Columbia Room recently closed.) He keeps a bottle at home, too. “I like it on the rocks,” Brown told Seven Days. He also puts it in cocktails, mixing it with lemon and simple syrup. “It can also kind of make a funky espresso martini,” he added. Sacré has a bite, a piquancy, Brown observed, “and that’s what I think works best about it.” But it also has sweetness and bitterness. “These are all characteristics of a good adult, sophisticated beverage.” Brown mentions Sacré in his latest book, Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive

Guide to No- and Low-Alcohol Cocktails, released in January. Neither Justin nor Roger set out to make spirits. Justin, 34, studied fashion merchandise and marketing and lived in Boston and Los Angeles before returning to Vermont. Roger, 51, planned a career in the U.S. Air Force but was forced out under the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. He moved to Lake Placid, N.Y., and studied computer science and graphic design before moving to Burlington in 2000 for a computer programming job.

Kyle Branon tending to an evaporator at Branon Family Maple Orchards in Fairfield

The couple met through a dating app in 2011. They may seem like an unlikely pair. Justin, son of a fifth-generation Vermont farmer, grew up feeding cows, cleaning stalls and riding on the back of a horsedrawn sled into the woods to help collect sap. Roger, son of a 25-year Air Force veteran, grew up on Hickam Air Force Base on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and spent two of his middle school years in South Korea. He helped around the house, sang in the Honolulu Boy Choir and poured Mrs. Butterworth’s on his pancakes.

“And so he took a chance on me, and I took a chance on him,” Roger said. “We had our first date at the Daily Planet. Went there for a glass of wine, and we just really hit it off.” The pair bought a farmhouse on 22 acres in Bakersfield and married in 2015. Justin worked for wine distributor Artisanal Cellars and Roger worked as a UX (user experience) designer. Last August, they sold everything and moved to Hawaii. Roger wanted to show Justin where he grew up. And they’ve begun working on a new drink — a Hawaiian spin on a maple-based beverage. Sacré remains firmly rooted in Vermont; Justin plans to return twice a year to make it. Their next beverage will benefit from all they’ve learned producing the first. “It’s all about hitting all those notes in the mouth: the sweet, the sour, the savory,” Justin said, “and then also the mouthfeel, the roundness, the complexity, the acidity that makes your cheeks perk up and makes you want to take that second sip.” “But also, we want it to be weird,” Roger added. “Yes,” Justin said, “because that’s kind of our thing, you know. We wanted to make maple weird.” m

INFO Learn more at woodnosedrinks.com.

food+drink

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Htun Sein displaying Burmese dishes at Irrawaddy in Essex

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Brilliant Burmese Irrawaddy in Essex Junction expands its Southeast Asian menu B Y M E L I S S A PAS AN EN pasanen@sevendaysvt.com

I first fell for fermented tea leaf salad at a Burmese restaurant 13 years ago. The staple from the Southeast Asian country also known as Myanmar exploded in my mouth with salinity and tang; abundant crunch from roasted legumes and seeds; pungent, crisp garlic shards; and sparks of chile. Everything orbited around the umami-bomb star: earthy, mushroomy fermented tea leaves. That meal was in New Zealand. Although 2018 brought the Burmese eatery Moonwink to Manchester, it would be years before I tasted tea leaf salad again. Happily, as of November 2021, I can satisfy my craving much closer to home. That’s when Nepali Kitchen, at 10 Railroad Avenue in Essex Junction, became Irrawaddy and began supplementing its Nepali offerings with dishes from Burma. Htun Sein, a Burmese native, bought the restaurant in February 2020. When he expanded the menu, he renamed it in honor of his homeland’s largest river. “It is the backbone of the country,” Sein said. Sein, 36, landed in Barre in 2003 as a high school exchange student. He later applied for political asylum to escape Burma’s long civil war, which has recently escalated. Sein worked for a decade as a Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program case manager and interpreter before buying Nepali Kitchen. The timing of his purchase was not ideal, but he has managed with

takeout and plans to bring back seated dining by late spring. The chef-owner called Burmese food “a mix between Thai and Indian,” two of the country’s neighbors. The first of those areas of overlap is represented by Irrawaddy’s coconut milk-based curries, such as a rich, creamy pumpkin curry ($14); the second, by its crisp chicken-and-herb samosas with a slurpable tamarind sauce ($7 for three). The rich chickenand-noodle stew called ohno khauk swei ($14) is similar in its pronunciation and recipe to Thai khao soi. “We use a lot of fresh spices and chiles, almost zero dairy, and a lot of lime juice,” Sein said. “Our food is sweet and sour and hot, with a lot of crunchy stuff.” Tea leaf salad ($9) is among the uniquely Burmese thoke, or salads that are often tossed together from many finely chopped ingredients. More substantial thoke feature noodles, such as kyar zan thoke ($15), made with delightfully toothresistant mung bean glass noodles and a light, garlicky lime dressing. Sein called tea leaf salad “the most authentic home taste you can find. Everyone in Burma eats it any time of day.” Non-natives “either love it or hate it,” he said with a grin. A less polarizing choice is tofu thoke ($9), made with firm but tender batons of housemade chickpea tofu, shredded cabbage, slivered red onion, toasted garlic slices and cilantro, all in a creamy-tart dressing of roasted garlic oil, chickpea flour, chile-tamarind sauce and lime. I’ll take one of each. m

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culture of an old saw blade and overheated them in the forge until they melted. Undeterred, Hardt found another piece of scrap metal, heated it and pounded it with a hammer against a vise. He was so fascinated by the process that, according to Katrina, he built a new forge out of an old wheelbarrow and a shop vacuum that he retrofitted to blow air like a blast furnace.

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Alder Hardt

Irons in the Fire

A 16-year-old Wolcott student forges a career as a blacksmith S TO RY & PHOT OS BY KE N PICARD • ken@sevendaysvt.com

lder Hardt pulled a glowing yellow rod from his forge, laid it on an anvil and hammered a U-shaped bend into one end. When the steel rod was cool, Hardt reheated it, then clamped it in a vise. Working with a hammer and tongs, he wrapped the short leg of the U around the top of the rod, like a serpent coiled on a tree branch. With each twist of the metal, bits of iron oxide flaked off, briefly creating a black and orange pattern resembling a corn snake’s markings. This flaking process, called “scaling,” is an inevitable part of the forging process and reduces the mass of the worked steel by about 1 percent, Hardt said. After repeated cycles of heating, hammering and reshaping, Hardt added finishing touches to the fireplace poker: an S-shaped hook on one end and a decorative leaf on the other. Then he walked outside and plunged the hot steel into the snow

BUSINESS

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

with a sizzle. Back inside, he scrubbed the cool metal with a wire brush to remove the remaining iron oxide, then rubbed it down with preservative vegetable oil. In the time it took Hardt to explain the whole process, the 16-year-old had forged two fireplace pokers, which he sells online at Alder Hardt Ironworks for $60 to $70 apiece. Not bad for 30 minutes of labor during February school break. Hardt took up blacksmithing when he was 12. Since then, he’s earned a reputation in the Northeast Kingdom as an accomplished metalworker with skills well beyond his years. A sophomore at Hazen Union High School in Hardwick, he built the website for his own successful home business. Among the wares he sells online and at the Craftsbury Farmers Market are tools, hooks, hinges, candlestick holders, belt buckles and other handcrafted home accessories. Hardt also repairs broken farm equipment and produces custom metal pieces for homes and businesses.

During his free time, Hardt can invariably be found in the workshop he built himself on his family’s property in Wolcott, where they moved last October. There, he works with a passion that burns as brightly as the carbon steel he molds. “This is basically my life,” he said. “This is what I want to do.” The son of a commercial forester, Hardt started working with tools and machinery early. “I was chopping kindling and sawing boards when I was 5 years old. I used a chain saw when I was 6,” he said during a reporter’s recent visit. Hardt was 8 when he saw his first blacksmithing demonstration at Shelburne Museum. According to his mother, Katrina, the boy was so engrossed that the blacksmith made him an iron leaf key chain to take home. When Hardt was 12, during a year of homeschooling, he built himself a crude forge in the ground using a pipe, bricks and a pile of coal. He made a pair of knives out

At 13, after a few lessons and instructional YouTube videos, Hardt landed a one-year apprenticeship with Hardwick blacksmith Lucian Avery, funded by the Vermont Folklife Center’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program. At the time, Hardt didn’t even own an anvil; he used a small section of railroad track. Yet the teen arrived at the apprenticeship knowing many of the basics of blacksmithing, Avery recalled. Hardt just needed to broaden his experience and learn advanced skills. “Alder was just super inspired to do it,” Avery added. “He’d already had his hands dirty and jumped right into it.” Soon Hardt was doing what traditional blacksmiths have done for centuries: forging his own tools, including a pair of blocky, rough-hewn, Thor-esque hammers, which he still uses. He also crafted chisels, center punches, axes and tongs. “You can buy a pair of tongs online for, like, 50 bucks,” he said. “Or you can make them yourself in less than an hour.” That DIY ethos drives Hardt. Last summer, he built himself a blacksmithing shop — his second — that cost him practically nothing but sweat equity. For the structural beams, he cut and skidded logs on his family’s property. For the walls and roof, he used salvaged sheet metal he found through Front Porch Forum. He did his own electrical wiring, his mother noted, and documented the process for a school project.

FE B R UA RY 18 —J U N E 5 , 2 02 2

“He’s been able to integrate his school snowmobile he’d built from a rider assignments with his passion for black blackmower and a pair of skis. smithing,” Katrina said. Since then, Fortmann has Inside, the dirt-floor shop is airy, hired Hardt four or five times with a large American flag hanging in to repair broken farm machinone corner and tools, belts, grinding ery, including an old rotary rake. wheels and safety gear on the walls. A Replacing it would have cost gap between the walls and roof vents $20,000 or more. heat and exhaust. “It’s good to have someone In the past, Hardt said, he used coal who can do metal repair quickly, Fortto fire his forge. But, besides leaving him especially in the summer,” Fort covered in soot, the coal heated unevenly mann said. “He’s a good example and had to be raked constantly during for other kids of what you can do at a young age … instead of [playing] forging. So last year, Hardt built himself a video games.” propane forge. Though the gas costs Hardt has improved the effi effimore than coal, it heats up faster, burns ciency of other local businesses, cleaner and distributes heat better, allowtoo. Nina Livellara, who cofounded ing him to work with larger steel pieces. Local Donut in Woodbury with The homemade forge can hit 3,200 her husband, Nate Doyon, discov discovdegrees Fahrenheit, he said, more than ered Hardt’s work at the farmers hot enough to melt carbon steel. Withmarket. She ordered several items out a thermometer, Hardt gauges the for her home. Hardt mentioned temperature by the color of the flames. his interest in doing larger custom His blower is an old hair dryer. orders, piquing the doughnut makers’ “I’ve always used a hair dryer in curiosity. my forges,” he explained. “It’s kind “Nate had been daydreaming of funny, but they work really well. I about getting a large frying vessel don’t see a need to go buy a $50 forge for our bakery for two years,” Livel Livelblower.” lara said. “Alder, being young and an Beside the forge stands Hardt’s entrepreneur and very dedicated to anvil, mounted on a large tree stump. the craft, was up for the challenge.” Behind it in one corner sits a contrapThe couple could have purchased tion that looks like something rusty an industrial fryer online for less and pulled from a scrap heap. In fact, gotten it sooner, Livellara noted. But it’s a power hammer — faster, more their business plan involves working powerful and more accurate than its with local food producers, artists and manual counterpart. A new power craftspeople to “keep the dollars in the hammer costs $2,500 to $15,000, Vermont economy.” but Hardt cobbled this one together Though Hardt had never built a last summer out of salvaged parts, doughnut fryer, he delivered the order including some abandoned railroad a few weeks ago. Already, it has doubled track he dug up near his school. the bakers’ output. His more ambitious projects “It’s awesome … We’re really include a 4-by-12-foot wrought-iron happy with his work,” Livellara barn ladder that he built for Steve said. Fortmann, co-owner of Ghost As of later this month, Hardt will Dog Dairy in Hardwick, who finally be able to deliver his products was Hardt’s soccer coach to his customers himself — assuming in middle school. At several Fireplace poker he passes his driver’s test and gets a hundred pounds, it was license. Hardt’s largest and most “architectural” Though he takes clear pride in his piece, he said. work, he hasn’t let the attention or accoFortmann was so pleased with the lades go to his head. work, he commissioned Hardt to build “Most of the stuff I make, you could wrought-iron railings, too — with a nauti- go on Amazon and get for, like, a 10th of cal theme, because he and his wife, Kathy, the price,” he said, “but it’s not going to are Navy veterans. be nearly as cool.” m Fortmann said he never doubted the teen’s abilities. Once, he recalled, Hardt INFO showed up at his house on a homemade Learn more at alderhardtironworks.com.

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Sarah Trad: What Still Remains is sponsored in part by The Maslow Family Foundation and Gravel & Shea PC. Hospitality sponsor, Lake Champlain Chocolates. Burlington City Arts is supported in part by the New England Foundation for the Arts through the New England Arts Resilience Fund, part of the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund, an initiative of the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with major funding from the federal CARES Act from the National Endowment for The Arts, and by the Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something. — John Lewis, Activist & Us RepResentAtive fRom GeoRGiA Speaking about truth, justice, and equality, during the impeachment trial for US President Donald Trump

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culture

Know Your Onion

Winooski kicks off its centennial celebration with events and exhibits B Y J O R D AN A D AMS • jordan@sevendaysvt.com

‘Mill to Mall: Historic Space Reimagined’ Opening Sunday, March 6, noon, at the Heritage Winooski Mill Museum

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

Winooski Dome farmers market concept sketch, 1980

exhibit includes crowdsourced artifacts and memorabilia from the mall era and a historical timeline of the mill. It documents the building as it transformed from a manufacturing facility to a mall to a tech hub in the early 2010s. As a mall, the Champlain Mill housed several shops that were precursors to other prominent Vermont businesses. They include the Book Rack and Children’s Pages, whose owners, Renee Reiner and Michael DeSanto, later opened Phoenix Books; and Anne and Ted Castle’s Chessy’s Frozen Custard, the birthplace of Rhino Foods. The mill was also home to Green Mountain Coffee Roasters’ first expansion from its original site in Waitsfield. The exhibit extends the mission of the Mill Museum, which opened in the mill in 1998. “When the Mill Museum first opened, a lot of people contributed their memories … about when they worked in the mill,” said Miriam Block, the museum’s executive director, by phone. Since then, fewer and fewer people remain with direct ties to the mill’s heyday, Block said. The new exhibit explores the

HISTORY

The Paper Peddler in the Champlain Mill, fall 1981

COURTESY OF SANDY MILENS/CITY OF WINOOSKI

Longtime Chittenden County residents likely remember when the Champlain Mill was a boutique shopping mall. Opened in 1981, the experimental venture was the brainchild of developer Ray Pecor Jr., then owner of Lake Champlain Transportation. “Everyone talks about how wonderful [Pecor] was as a landlord,” historian and educator Erica Donnis said on a call with Seven Days. “[He] really looked out for the small business owners and was really interested in mentoring folks who were just starting out.” The Heritage Winooski Mill Museum brought in Donnis, who works as the special collections director at Champlain College, to help research and curate “Mill to Mall: Historic Space Reimagined.” The

COURTESY OF JOHN ANDERSON/CITY OF WINOOSKI

ew England is full of former mill towns. While the towns themselves have mostly survived, many of the mills have become decrepit remnants of a bygone industrial age. During periods of urban renewal in the 20th century, cities around the U.S. saw the value in preserving such historic buildings, repurposing the massive structures as retail and residential hubs. Winooski’s Champlain Mill, a former textile producer, was slated for demolition in the early 1970s — but it still stands today as an anchor of the city’s revitalization efforts. The mill features prominently in the Onion City’s centennial celebration, which commemorates Winooski’s incorporation in 1922. Organized by the Centennial Celebration Committee, the Heritage Winooski Mill Museum, the Winooski Historical Society and others, the string of events and exhibits kicks off on Sunday, March 6, and continues with activities into the summer. They include a self-guided historic walking tour, Winooski-themed documentaries airing on Vermont PBS, historical exhibits, a portrait gallery, community parties and a panel discussion centered on a particularly unusual slice of Winooski’s history. Read on for a preview of a few of this week’s events, including a retrospective of the Champlain Mill mall, a citywide photo exhibit and the true story of the infamous Winooski dome.

building’s next generation of shopkeepers and patrons. The exhibit also ties in to the greater issue of historic preservation. “How do we maintain our historic fabric in a way that’s going to be sustainable over time?” Donnis pondered.

‘100+ Faces of Winooski’ On display at the Heritage Winooski Mill Museum and at various locations around Winooski, beginning on Sunday, March 6

spreading through communities, she said, but also makes the work truly accessible. “You don’t have to go into a gallery with specific hours,” Block continued. “You can see them at your leisure.”

‘Winooski Dome: Uncovering the Real Story’ Monday, March 7, 6:30 p.m., legacy.winooskivt.gov/dome

COURTESY OF SANDY MILENS/CITY OF WINOOSKI

Winooski is one of the most diverse places in Vermont. Though the city itself is predominantly white, it has the only majority-minority school district in the state. To showcase the city’s heterogeneous populace, the Centennial Celebration Committee and the Mill Museum commissioned a series of portraits of residents to be displayed at businesses around the city, as well as the Mill Museum and online. “The city’s theme for this whole campaign is welcoming and opportunity,” Block said. “Sometimes, people … get stuck in their own little community. [The series] represents that we all have a voice within the community.” Block explained that the project was inspired by the Inside Out Project, a public

art nonprofit created by French artist JR. The Inside Out Project has displayed large-scale, black-and-white portraits in public spaces in more than 100 countries. For “100+ Faces of Winooski,” Winooski photographer Daniel Schechner created full-color images in the fall of 2021. They will be mounted in the windows of shops and municipal buildings downtown. Block noted that the images will be visible from the street. This cuts down on indoor traffic while COVID-19 is still

Champlain Mill before construction, April 1981

During the energy crisis of the late 1970s, the City of Winooski proposed an idea that seemed like something out of a sci-fi novel: a giant dome covering the city that would, somehow, help its residents save on energy costs. Though controversial, the concept gained considerable traction. In 1980, Saint Michael’s College hosted the International Dome Symposium with keynote speaker R. Buckminster Fuller, the famed futurist who patented the geodesic dome structure in architecture and designed Montréal’s Biosphère. But how, exactly, would this have worked? Would residents have had to pass through some kind of air lock? Would cars have been allowed inside? Would wildlife have been trapped under glass? To dispel some myths about the dome,

the Winooski Memorial Library and the Heritage Winooski Mill Museum teamed up to present “Winooski Dome: Uncovering the Real Story.” The virtual panel discussion features Mark Tigan and Brendan Keleher, members of the Winooski Community Development Corporation at the time of the dome proposal, as well as architect John Anderson, who created illustrations of the proposed dome. Anderson’s colorful renderings envision the city as a futuristic utopia. “I think it was a unique time in our country in terms of rising energy costs and thinking about novel ways to address those,” Winooski Memorial Library director Nate Eddy said by phone. Aside from being a fascinating proposition, the failed proposal provides a window into the way people thought and what they were open to only a couple of generations ago. “It’s really bizarre,” Eddy continued. “While the novelty, I think, was a blip of that time period, I don’t think it was out of bounds to at least look at the potentials of creating this physical dome structure over a city.” m

INFO Learn more at legacy.winooskivt.gov.

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SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

2/17/22 5:26 PM

culture

Stuck in Canada

Eva Sollberger crossed the border to capture a story on love and luck

EVA SOLLBERGER

he pandemic has caused seismic shifts in many Liza Smith-Vedder lives, like that of Liza Smith-Vedder. After living in Burlington for almost two decades, Liza married Canadian Josée Lamoureux in June 2019. The couple split their time between Vermont and Canada, and Liza planned to apply for permanent residency. When the border between their countries was about to close, Liza had 45 minutes to decide what to pack. She took a few bags and the couple’s dog, Benson, and made it to Canada on March 13, 2020. She expected to stay for about three months. Two years later, Liza was using a tourist visa to remain in Canada, and all her possessions were still in her condo in Burlington. Because Liza was applying for Canadian residency, she was unable to cross the border to return to Vermont. While she’s been lucky to work remotely, she said, her tourist status precluded her from buying a cellphone, using her health insurance or opening a bank account. Liza doesn’t speak French, which makes reading road signs and navigating daily life difficult. Still, she stresses how lucky she is. Liza and her wife live in SD: How long have you been trying result. I had a quick chat with the friendly, unmasked Magog, a small town in Québec border agent who thought she recognized me from a visit to connect with Liza? Vermonter Liza Smith-Vedder that shares Lake MemphremaES: We started talking around two weeks ago. “Really? You recognize me in a mask? Oh Has Been Stuck in Canada gog with Vermont and is Thanksgiving and set up a Zoom no, I haven’t been here in two years!” for Two Years [Episode 659] quite similar to Burlington. interview for early February. Liza So I have a doppelgänger in Magog. Eva talked to Liza via Zoom initially said that I couldn’t visit about what the past two years Magog because they were not allowed SD: It must have been fun to be in Canada again. of being stuck in Canada have to have visitors in their homes. She has How was it shooting there? been like. Eva also visited Liza’s an apartment in Burlington full of her ES: Magog is a charming Québec town that shares a lake former office in Colchester to stuff, but I wasn’t able to schedule a with Vermont. It feels like a cross between Stowe and view some of Liza’s belongings, visit with her roommate. So instead, Burlington. The first thing we did was eat lots of poutine EVA SOLLBE R GE R which she has not seen in two I visited Liza’s former office in — so Canadian! — and then we walked by the lake, where years. Six months ago, Liza Colchester. there is a skating path that locals frequent. stopped working for that business, but her pens and She hasn’t been there in person for two years, but all Bringing a big camera across the border can be diffihockey puck remain. her stuff remains. Her pal David Zacharis of the Smittens cult, so I shot with my iPhone and GoPro. I use these When the COVID-19 travel restrictions in Magog is a mutual friend of ours; he gave me the tour. Her minilittle cameras more and more these days. It was so cold were relaxed, Eva visited the couple to learn about their fridge is still full of food, a lunch half eaten, awaiting her. that the iPhone kept restarting itself. lives in Canada. After the “Stuck in Vermont” episode about their plight aired, Liza learned that she had been SD: How was it crossing into Canada? SD: Did you have any trouble getting back to granted Canadian residency. She won’t be able to travel ES: When the restrictions were lifted to travel to Québec, Vermont? back to Vermont for another three or four months, but I began planning a trip to Magog. I haven’t been to ES: The drive home was rough, with high winds and it’s still cause for celebration. Canada in two years, and it is hard to make sense out snow blowing across the road. I also got searched at of the rules, but a local friend who has visited Montréal the American border — they seemed to think I may be Unstuck: Episode Extras With Eva smuggling large amounts of cash! But it was worth it to gave me the scoop. I went to Magog via the Highgate [Springs] border see Liza, Josée and Benson the labradoodle in their new SEVEN DAYS: Since you’ve been stuck in Vermont crossing. I had already filled out the ArriveCAN info on home and get a sense of what their lives together were for two years yourself, how did you find out about my phone and printed out my negative COVID-19 test really like. Zoom just doesn’t cut it. Liza Smith-Vedder being stuck in Canada? EVA SOLLBERGER: I found Liza’s story on Facebook, Seven Days senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger has been making her award-winning where we have many mutual friends — social media has video series, “Stuck in Vermont,” since 2007. New episodes appear on the Seven Days website been a great place to source stories during the pandemic. every other Thursday and air the following night on the WCAX evening news. Sign up at Liza posted an article from the Post-Star, a newspaper in sevendaysvt.com to receive an email alert each time a new one drops. And check these Glen Falls, N.Y., about being stuck in Canada, and I had pages every other week for insights on the episodes. to hear more of that story.

I GOT SEARCHED

AT THE AMERICAN BORDER.

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

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2/25/22 11:04 1:50 AM PM 2/28/22

art

REVIEW

Still from “How I Met My Grandfather”

Woman, Interrupted In Sarah Trad’s “What Still Remains,” the foreign becomes familiar S TO RY & PHOT OS BY PAME L A POLSTON • ppolston@sevendaysvt.com

very culture is a tribe, a pack, and within it are repressive factions that discourage, legislate against and punish individuals who stray in behavior or belief. Visitors to the BCA Center in Burlington might keep this in mind when viewing Sarah Trad’s exhibition, “What Still Remains.” Images that may seem foreign — Arabic language, Middle Eastern music and film — nonetheless convey relatable themes: self-discovery, acceptance or rejection, generational divides, objectification, grief. Trad pursues her inquiries through video and felted textiles — a fusion that BCA curator and director of exhibitions Heather Ferrell said in a phone call is “unique to my 30 years of experience.” The mediums offer stunning visuals to the viewer, and the contrast in materiality is unexpectedly pleasing. Born in 1989 and now based in Philadelphia, Trad describes herself as a queer, femme Lebanese American and Arab American; “What Still Remains” is largely an examination of this prismatic identity. But she also investigates the representation of identities in media. For her, in this country, that’s almost nonexistent — even as her own video work has been screened widely and garnered awards. “It can feel isolating trying to find media that reflects one’s own personal 50

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

experience,” Trad writes in an artist statement. “I created a body of work around what I thought new narratives might look like, creating various moving-image selfportraits that better reflect myself.” Trad appropriates and manipulates scenes from movies, music videos and television shows that are popular in Arab culture, creating those new narratives as single- and multiple-channel videos. With the found footage as a base, she uses glitch and other eye-boggling digital effects to create hypnotic and sometimes explosive visual content. Viewers might pick up on thematic threads such as depression, inherited trauma and loss, or Trad’s personal confrontation with a complicated racial lineage. Or they can just take a bench in the gallery and let her optical wizardry wash over them. Opposite the second-floor gallery’s entrance, a screen filling most of the wall shows “How I Met My Grandfather” on a loop five minutes and 32 seconds long. It’s a scene from “Where Do We Go Now?” a 2011 Lebanese film directed by Nadine Labaki, in which a crowd of female mourners — Christian and Muslim — walks in choreographed unison toward a cemetery. Trad’s manipulation shows us the crowd from behind and then the front, makes

the women larger and smaller, eclipses them into kaleidoscopic polygons, and disappears them altogether. Over and over again. This work is painstaking, Ferrell explains in a gallery label: “Using post-production processes such as rotoscoping, Trad cuts and collages each frame from the film’s introductory scene to visually express the sense of loss she felt following the death of her paternal grandfather — who had served as the artist’s connection with Arabic language and culture.” Mournful singing and, at one point, a man’s voice provide a muffled soundtrack — it seems to come from underwater or behind a closed door, or from a dream. On an adjacent and much smaller monitor, a 16-minute single-channel video titled “Abir, Forever” features a woman dancing, clad in a diaphanous white sheath, a beaded face covering and dark hair that falls to her knees. While she moves sinuously, occasionally staring assertively at the viewer, several individuals sit motionless in a parked car next to her. The desert lies beyond. This footage is appropriated from a music video by Moroccan American vocalist Abir. Trad uses it to challenge the West’s sexualized and objectified views of “exotic” Middle Eastern women. By turns, the image pixelates, freezes and

then bursts into an abstraction of fiery colors. The piece is utterly transfixing. Trad calls it a “dreamy hellscape” in which the dancer is both alluring and demonic. Two felted rectangles accompany a vertically oriented monitor showing a manipulated clip from Circumstance, a 2011 Iranian American film directed by Maryam Keshavarz. In the full-length film, Iranian teens party and experiment with sex, booze and drugs. Zeroing in on a taboo lesbian relationship, Trad’s “Spiral” shows two clearly upset young women lying side by side, shot from overhead. One gets up and leaves, perhaps signaling the impossibility of their relationship. Trad again uses mesmerizing repetition and glitch, underscoring this wrenching breakup. Next to this assemblage, director Maysaloun Hamoud’s 2016 film In Between appears, manipulated, in a tiny monitor just a few inches wide. This film, too, explores youth culture, this time in Tel Aviv, as well as the defiance of traditional expectations for women. If Trad’s videos address “hard” realities, her textile pieces are literally soft and pretty, their presence an inherent homage to a feminine craft. Nuno felting does not belong to her ethnic lineage; it’s credited to an Australian woman. But, as

ART SHOWS

Nuno felted textile in “Untitled”

NEW THIS WEEK

galleryandtattoo@gmail.com. Black Meadow Gallery and Tattoo in Randolph.

chittenden county

outside vermont

‘100+ FACES OF WINOOSKI’: Daniel Schechner of Wishbone Collective photographed more than 150 residents in conjunction with the Winooski Centennial Celebration. The collection can also be viewed online. Info, legacy@winooskivt. gov. f ‘MILL TO MALL: HISTORIC SPACE REIMAGINED’: An exhibition that tells the story of the public-private partnership that enabled the preservation and rebirth of a formerly derelict industrial building into a shopping center. Visitors are encouraged to add personal memories of the space to the community recollections. Reception: Sunday, March 6, noon-4 p.m., launching Winooski’s Centennial Celebration. March 6-July 29. Free. Info, 355-9937. Heritage Winooski Mill Museum.

barre/montpelier

CYNTHIA CAGLE: “The Light of Truth Upon Them,” a painting that addresses the multiracial struggle for equal access to the ballot box from the 19th century to the present; commissioned by the Vermont Suffrage Centennial Alliance, a project of the League of Women Voters. March 8-31. Info, cynthia.cagle@uvm.edu. Card Room, Vermont Statehouse, in Montpelier.

f ERICA CUMMINGS: “Touch and Response,” abstract sculptures by the late artist and Front member. Reception: Friday, March 4, 4-7 p.m. March 4-27. Info, info@ thefrontvt.com. The Front in Montpelier. with the appropriated and manipulated films, Trad makes these felts her own, sometimes incorporating Middle Eastern motifs. “The fiber installations in this body of work are intended to immerse the gallery space further into a playful and colorful feeling of adolescent girl fandom,” S A R A H T RAD she writes in her artist statement. “I felted designs from Turkish ceramics and Moroccan rugs that mirrored doodles I might have found in my pre-teen diaries.” Trad leaves the felts’ silk backings as frilly borders and adds fringe to their bottoms. These decorative gestures further emphasize the exhibition’s femme ferocity. Ferrell, who met Trad during her 2019 residency at 77Art in Rutland, noted that she got involved with Nuno felting during the pandemic. Trad only recently decided to include some of these pieces with her video installation at BCA, Ferrell said. As it turned out, the unconventional pairing of mediums works. The textiles add warm blocks of color, organic textures and a respite from the videos’ drama. Trad seems to have created, even if inadvertently, a sort of visual security blanket, a refuge from her stated struggles with anxiety, depression and residual trauma. She has disrupted her own original narrative, and it feels a lot like comfort. m

I CREATED A BODY OF WORK AROUND

WHAT I THOUGHT NEW NARRATIVES MIGHT LOOK LIKE.

INFO Sarah Trad, “What Still Remains,” is on view through June 5 at the BCA Center in Burlington. A virtual artist talk is on March 16 at 6 p.m. Free. Register at burlingtoncityarts.org.

stowe/smuggs

2022 LEGACY COLLECTION: An exhibit of works by 16 distinguished New England landscape artists plus a selection of works by Alden Bryan and Mary Bryan. March 3-December 24. Info, 644-5100. Bryan Memorial Gallery in Jeffersonville.

f KATHRYN SHRIVER: “I Spent Some Time

at Home,” older and newer mixed-media works incorporating painting, sculpture, drawing, video, writing and fiber arts by the Savannah, Ga.-based artist. Reception and artist talk: Wednesday, March 23, 7-8 p.m. March 2-30. Info, 373-1810. Red Mill Gallery, Vermont Studio Center, in Johnson.

rutland/killington

f ANNUAL STUDENT EXHIBIT: “Art Connects Us,” works by young artists from Vermont schools and homeschoolers in grades pre-K-12. Masks required. Reception: Saturday, March 5, 1-3 p.m. March 5-April 8. Info, 775-0356. Chaffee Art Center in Rutland.

northeast kingdom

f CHUCK TROTSKY: “Technologia Informatio,” acrylic-on-panel paintings that play with images from popular culture, along with smaller mixed-media paintings using hand-cut stencils. The “imaginary” artist is the alter ego of St. Johnsbury artist Ben Barnes. Meet the Artist: Saturday, March 12, 1-3 p.m. March 4-April 16. Info, 748-0158. Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild Backroom Gallery in St. Johnsbury. f SOPHIA BETTMANN-KERSON: “Being pushed by angels,” watercolor pencil drawings. Reception: March 4, 4-7 p.m. March 4-April 30. Info, 522-5280. Hardwick Inn.

randolph/royalton

‘THE BLUE SHOW’: A collaborative art exhibit featuring female and nonbinary artists who incorporate a shade of blue into their work. March 3-26. Info, blackmeadow

f ‘WHY CAN’T ONE GIRL CHANGE IT?’: A group exhibition honoring Women’s History Month and inspired by Malala Yousafzai, the world’s youngest Nobel Prize laureate. Artworks address fear and courage, women’s issues, feminism or women in history. Reception: Friday, March 11, 5-7 p.m. March 4-April 8. Info, 603-448-3117. AVA Gallery and Art Center in Lebanon, N.H.

ART EVENTS ARTIST TALK: KATIE RUNDE: Middlebury’s Edgewater Gallery presents the artist in “Painting Alexander Twilight,” about the portrait that will hang in the Vermont Statehouse. Register for the Winter Lecture Series event at info@edgewatergallery-vt. com and call the restaurant to make dinner reservations at 496-6350. Proof of vaccination and masks required. The Pitcher Inn, Warren, Thursday, March 3, 5:30-7 p.m. ‘MRS. WEBB’S MODEL MUSEUM: A SMALL PLAN FOR A BIG IDEA’: Shelburne Museum presents a special 75th anniversary webinar with senior curator of American art Kory Rogers that explores the important role small-scale models played in the creation of the museum. Register at shelburne museum.org. Online, Wednesday, March 9, 6 p.m. Free. ‘PANDEMIC PASSAGES’: A monthly online workshop presented by the Passing Project using art to open the unexpected gifts that the pandemic life has given us. Participants can explore their experiences through writing, drawing, dancing or other means. Details at passingproject.org. Sunday, March 6, 4-5:30 p.m. Sliding-scale donations, $10-25. Info, infopassingproject@gmail.com. ‘SEX AND GENDER IN THE ARCHIVES’: The Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History presents historian Rachel Hope Cleves discussing her experiences unearthing the histories of sex and gender in archives large and small, and how she turns those discoveries into articles and books. Part of “The Elephant in the Room: Exploring the Future of Museums” series. Register for Zoom event at henrysheldonmuseum.org. Online, Wednesday, March 9, 7 p.m. Free. SINGLE CHANNEL VT 2022 VIDEO FESTIVAL: The second annual festival with 35-minute, COVID-19-regulated live screenings features the work of international filmmakers and artists in response to the theme “broken compass – land ho.” Masks, vaccination cards and RSVP required. Details, screening schedule and registration at singlechannelvt.com. Single Channel VT, Burlington, Friday, March 4, 5:30-8 p.m.; Saturday, March 5, 1-8 p.m.; and Sunday, March 6, 1-1:30 p.m. Free. Info, singlechannelvt@gmail.com. ‘STORYTELLING, RELIGION AND RESETTLEMENT’: In conjunction with the current exhibit “UNPACKED: Refugee Baggage,” Somali community members lead a discussion about the role storytelling and religion plays in their lives. Come meet your neighbors and learn how you can help new immigrants to Vermont. Face masks required. Fleming Museum of Art, University of Vermont, Burlington, Wednesday, March 2, 5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 656-0750. TALK: KEVIN BROWNLOW: The Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College presents the inaugural John Kobal Lecture featuring the Academy Award-winning filmmaker and film historian, in conjunction with the current exhibition “Photographs

From Hollywood’s Golden Era.” Brownlow explains how the collection began and evolved. Register for Zoom webinar at hoodmuseum.dartmouth.edu. Online, Thursday, March 3, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Free. VISITING ARTIST TALK: JESSE HARROD: The multimedia artist discusses her work, which builds on herstories of 1970s feminist art to offer queer imaginations of the body, from the abject and grotesque to the humorous. Limited seating, masks required. Red Mill Gallery at Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Thursday, March 3, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 635-2727.

ONGOING SHOWS burlington

‘ALL THE FEELS’: More than 100 works that exude emotion, featuring 60 artists from Vermont and New Hampshire. Through March 26. Info, spacegalleryvt@gmail.com. The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Burlington. ARTWORKS AT UVMMC: Oil paintings and watercolors by Susan Bull Riley (Main Street Connector, ACC 3); acrylic and ink paintings by Mike Strauss (Main Street Connector, BCC and Patient Garden); acrylic paintings by Brecca Loh (McClure 4); and acrylic paintings by Michelle Turbide (Pathology hallway, ACC 2). Curated by Burlington City Arts. Through May 31. Info, 865-7296. University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.

f ATHENA PETRA TASIOPOULOS: “Inner Spaces,” a solo exhibition of mixed-media encaustic collages by the Barre artist that explore themes of interconnectedness, isolation and the delicate nature of equilibrium. Reception and Soapbox Arts’ third anniversary: Thursday, March 10, 6 p.m. Through April 2. Info, 324-0014. Soapbox Arts in Burlington. ‘DARK GODDESS: AN EXPLORATION OF THE SACRED FEMININE’: An exhibition of photographs by Brattleboro-based Shanta Lee Gander that employs ethnography and cultural anthropology to consider the meaning of the male gaze and the ways society confines females. ‘UNPACKED: REFUGEE BAGGAGE’: A multimedia installation by Syrian-born, Connecticutbased artist and architect Mohamad Hafez and Iraqi-born writer and speaker Ahmed Badr. The miniature sculptures of homes, buildings and landscapes ravaged by war are embedded with the voices and stories of real people. Through May 6. Info, 656-0750. Fleming Museum of Art, University of Vermont, in Burlington. DOUGLAS BIKLEN: Abstract fine-art photographs by the Vermont-based artist and author, in the Lorraine B. Good Room. Through June 15. ERIC AHO: “Headwater,” monumental paintings that capture the Vermont artist’s sensory experience of nature reconstructed through memory and invention. Through June 5. SARAH TRAD: “What Still Remains,” an exploration of personal and cultural identity using single-channel video, multi-channel moving images and textile installations by the Philadelphia-based Lebanese American artist. Through June 5. Info, 865-7166. BCA Center in Burlington. JACKSON TUPPER: “Mayo,” a solo exhibition of paintings by the Vermont artist made in response to domestic isolation during pandemic lockdown. Through March 9. Info, 233-2943. Safe and Sound Gallery in Burlington. MALTEX ARTISTS: Paintings by Dierdre Michelle, Judy Hawkins, Nancy Chapman and Jean Cherouny, as well as photographs BURLINGTON SHOWS SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

» P.52 51

art BURLINGTON SHOWS

« P.51

by Caleb Kenna and Michael Couture in the building’s hallways. Curated by Burlington City Arts. Through March 31. Info, 865-7296. Maltex Building in Burlington.

‘Photographs From Hollywood’s Golden Era: The John Kobal Foundation Collection’

Since the advent of cellphone cameras, selfies and social media, most of us are bombarded with images whether we “like” them or not.

SHANNON O’CONNELL: Botanical paintings with phosphorescent and UV-sensitive pigments mixed into the paint, allowing secondary paintings to be revealed. Through March 2. Info, 865-7296. Burlington City Hall.

And whose Instagram feed is not sprinkled with Hollywood hotties? (Oh, hi again, Tom Holland!)

STEPHEN SHARON: A solo exhibition of vibrant, multilayered abstract paintings by the Burlington artist. Curated by SEABA. Through March 4. Info, 859-9222. Speeder & Earl’s Coffee in Burlington.

celebs. Because these photos were used to market new films,

chittenden county

ERIKA LAWLOR SCHMIDT: Relief monotypes, Skyway. Curated by Burlington City Arts. MAREVA MILLARC: Acrylic paintings, Gates 1-8. Curated by Burlington City Arts. Through March 31. Info, 865-7296. Burlington International Airport in South Burlington. ‘EYESIGHT & INSIGHT: LENS ON AMERICAN ART’: A virtual exhibition of artworks that illuminates creative responses to perceptions of vision; four sections explore themes ranging from 18th-century optical technologies to the social and historical connotations of eyeglasses in portraiture from the 19th century to the present. Through October 16. ‘IN PLAIN SIGHT: REDISCOVERING CHARLES SUMNER BUNN’S DECOYS’: An online exhibition of shorebird decoys carved by the member of the ShinnecockMontauk Tribes, based on extensive research and resolving historic controversy. Through October 5. ‘OUR COLLECTION: ELECTRA HAVEMEYER WEBB, EDITH HALPERT AND FOLK ART’: A virtual exhibition that celebrates the friendship between the museum founder and her longtime art dealer, featuring archival photographs and ephemera, a voice recording from Halpert, and quotations pulled from the women’s extensive correspondences. Through February 9, 2023. Info, 985-3346. Shelburne Museum. ‘THE GIFT OF ART’: An off-season exhibition featuring a changing collection of artworks. Open by appointment or during special events. Through April 30. Info, 434-2167. Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington. LINDA FINKELSTEIN: Eco art, mixed-media and archival prints. Through April 2. Info, 425-6345. Charlotte Senior Center. LISA BALFOUR & KELLY O’NEAL: Acrylic paintings (Merrill Community Room) and photographs exploring place (Pierson Room), respectively. Curated by Burlington City Arts. Through June 15. Info, 865-7296. Pierson Library in Shelburne.

barre/montpelier

AMY BURNS & KEILANI LIME: An exhibition of illustration, cartoons and large-format mixed-media paintings; also, the artists’ collaborative comic about living with chronic illness. Through March 30. Info, 479-0896. Espresso Bueno in Barre. ‘CALL AND RESPONSE’: To motivate creativity during the long months of social isolation, the Photographers Workroom began a visual exchange of imagery to maintain much-needed connection. Eight Vermont photographers participated: Nancy Banks, Christie Carter, Rosalind Daniels, Lisa Dimondstein, Marcie Scudder, Kent Shaw, Peggy Smith and Shapleigh Smith. ‘FACE IT’: A group exhibition of portraits. NED RICHARDSON: “What the Machines Told Me,” images generated by Generational Adversarial Network, a deep learning system, that began with the artist perceiving a connection between the living forest networks around his home and the digital and technological networks that surround us all. Through March 5. Info, 479-7069. Studio Place Arts in Barre.

= ONLINE EVENT OR EXHIBIT 52

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

But long before the Spider-Man franchise was a thing, the black-and-white glossy was de rigueur for actors and other studios paid professional photographers to style and shoot them. The images also served to establish in American entertainment history what the golden age of movie stars looked like. From Buster Keaton to Marlon Brando, Lillian Gish to Audrey Hepburn, they were a glamorous lot. The Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College acquired a massive collection of portrait and movie-scene shots — some 6,000 prints — from the London-based John Kobal Foundation. Kobal, who died in 1991, was an avid collector of these images, as well as a film historian and author. According to a July 2021 article in the Dartmouth, the foundation is changing its direction. This enabled former Hood board member Robert Dance, who is now on the foundation’s board, to help bring the photos to his alma mater. The Hood describes the collection as “the full range of Hollywood studio photographs taken from the 1920s through the 1960s.” While integrating the images into the museum’s archives is an ongoing project, according to Hood director John Stomberg, a recently mounted exhibition shares a selection of them with the viewing public. “Photographs From Hollywood’s Golden Era” is on view through May 21. Pictured: Marlon Brando for A Streetcar Named Desire by John Engstead. CAROLE NAQUIN: “Roaming the Rivers, Roads and Hills,” oil and pastel paintings. Through April 8. Info, moetown128@gmail.com. Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin.

PRIA CAMBIO: “Warmth for You, Right Now,” paintings, drawings and collage. Sales benefit Studio Place Arts programs. Through April 30. Info, 479-7069. Morse Block Deli & Taps in Barre.

‘THE CATAMOUNT IN VERMONT’: An exhibition that explores the feline symbol of Vermont through the lenses of art, science and culture. Through May 31. Info, 479-8500. Vermont History Museum in Montpelier.

SABRINA FADIAL & GAYLEEN AIKEN: “Corporeal Discretion,” sculptural work that addresses female fertility by the contemporary Vermont artist, Nuquist Gallery; and “A Life of Art,” paintings by the late folk artist, Contemporary Hall. Through March 18. Info, 262-6035. T.W. Wood Gallery in Montpelier.

DJ BARRY: The Vermont artist shows pieces from his World Cow series, as well as past work. Through March 5. Info, 225-6232. Filling Station in Middlesex. JASON GALLIGAN-BALDWIN: “Safety Procedures,” works incorporating acrylics, antique text, childhood books, film stills, and other materials to explore American culture or lack thereof. Curated by Studio Place Arts. Through March 19. Info, 479-7069. AR Market in Barre. ‘LET’S COLLAGE ABOUT IT!’: A community exhibition of contemporary collage art featuring Kristin Bierfelt, Liz Buchanan, Katherine Coons, Anne Cummings, Elizabeth Dow, Ren Haley, Holly Hauser, Lily Hinrichsen, Jean Kelly, Jess Quinn, Rachel Marie Rodi, Cariah Rosberg, Anne Sarcka, Peggy Watson and Olivia White. Curated by Quinn. Through April 15. Info, jess@cal-vt.org. Center for Arts and Learning in Montpelier.

VISUAL ART IN SEVEN DAYS:

f STAFF ART SHOW: An exhibition that shows how eight NBNC employees connect with nature through photography, painting, woodcarving, wire sculpting and more. Reception: Thursday, March 3, 5-7 p.m. Through March 31. Info, 229-6206. North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier. SUSAN CALZA: “A Vacant Chair,” a mixed-media, multisensory installation that reflects on concepts of home and homelessness. Through March 13. Info, 224-6827. The Susan Calza Gallery in Montpelier.

stowe/smuggs

‘ABSTRACTION DISTRACTION’: Acrylic paintings by Maryellen Sullivan and black-and-white photographs by Robert Fahey. Through March 31. Info, info@ RiverArtsVt.org. Morrisville Post Office.

ART LISTINGS AND SPOTLIGHTS ARE WRITTEN BY PAMELA POLSTON. LISTINGS ARE RESTRICTED TO ART SHOWS IN TRULY PUBLIC PLACES.

‘THE ART OF THE GRAPHIC’: Eight displays of snowboards that let viewers see the design process from initial conception to final product; featuring artists Scott Lenhardt, Mark Gonzalez, Mikey Welsh, Mishel Schwartz and more. Through October 31. Info, 253-9911. Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum in Stowe. CATHERINE OPIE: Photographs of rural and urban American scenes that investigate the parallels between natural and political landscapes and their connections to a sense of identity and community. Through April 9. Info, 253-8358. The Current in Stowe. ‘LISTENING OUTSIDE THE LINES’: A multimedia group exhibition exploring what it means to be a Person of the Global Majority (Black, Indigenous or other person of color) in Vermont, featuring oral history, visual art and poetry by Sarah Audsley, Alexa Herrera Condry, Harlan Mack, Crystal Stokes, Isadora Snapp and Madeleine Ziminsky. A Lamoille Art & Justice project. KATHY BLACK: “Women and Girls,” paintings that explore the experience the changing perspectives of females over time and the connections that run between women at different points in life. Through April 9. Info, 888-1261. River Arts in Morrisville.

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PROMOTING AN ART EXHIBIT? SUBMIT THE INFO AND IMAGES BY FRIDAY AT NOON AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT OR ART@SEVENDAYSVT.COM.

ART SHOWS

‘MASKED’: Visual artwork by 22 Vermont artists with disabilities; each piece is the artist’s creative expression of the title, which arose early in the pandemic. Presented by Inclusive Arts Vermont. On view by appointment. Through April 14. Info, 760-4634. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe Mountain Resort. ROSE PEARLMAN: “Counter-Space,” abstract wall hangings created by punch-needle rug hooking. Through March 5. Minema Gallery in Johnson.

f TARA THACKER: New works in ceramic sculpture. Reception and artist talk: March 3, 3-5 p.m. Through April 1. Info, 635-1469. Julian Scott Memorial Gallery, Northern Vermont University, in Johnson.

mad river valley/waterbury

PAUL HAVERSTICK: “Nature’s Images Reimagined,” photographs digitally manipulated into color and shape fields. Through March 5. Info, 244-7801. Axel’s Frame Shop & Gallery in Waterbury. ‘TEXTURES AND PATTERNS’: Textural paintings by Sandy Grant, hooked rugs by Judy Dodds and ceramic mosaics by Bette Ann Libby. Through March 5. Info, 496-6682. The Gallery at Mad River Valley Arts in Waitsfield.

middlebury area

ALEXIS SERIO: Abstracted landscape paintings that explore perceptions of time and memory. Through March 31. Info, 458-0098. Edgewater Gallery at Middlebury Falls. ‘ITTY BITTY: TINY TEXTS IN SPECIAL COLLECTIONS’: Books from the 17th to 21st centuries that measure between 1.8 and 10 centimeters, from religious manuscripts to cookbooks, children’s books to Shakespeare. Visitors are not currently allowed in the library but may view the works

online at go.middlebury.edu/tinybooks. Through May 31. Davis Family Library, Middlebury College. ‘OF A NATURALE NATURE’: A live snow-season sculptural exhibition that explores curious contrasts and connections of human with nature as shaped by a sixtysomething female artistic observer. Leashed dogs welcome; weather dependent. Text ahead. Through April 18. Free. Info, 377-3376. Robert Frost Interpretive Trail in Ripton. ‘PRIDE 1983’: Through interviews with organizers, photographs and scanned images of historic documents, the exhibit, curated by Meg Tamulonis of the Vermont Queer Archives, explores the origins and lasting legacies of Vermont’s first Pride March on June 25, 1983, in Burlington. It can also be viewed online at vtfolklife.org. Through March 25. Info, 388-4964. Vermont Folklife Center in Middlebury.

champlain islands/northwest

‘JANUARY: COLOR AND LIGHT’: Painted, CNC-cut wood panels by Scott Brown and illuminated sculptural lanterns by Kristian Brevik. Through March 20. Info, 355-2150. GreenTARA Space in North Hero.

upper valley

KATHY FISKE: “Potpourri,” paintings, drawings and prints by the local artist. Through April 30. Info, 4572295. Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock.

f ‘MATHEMATICIANS MADE VISIBLE’: A series of block-print portraits of contemporary mathematicians, promoting a more diverse population in the field of math. Learn more about the educational mission at kitchentableprinter.com. Reception: Friday, April 1, 5-7:30 p.m. Through June 1. Info, 295-4567. Long River Gallery in White River Junction.‘PICTURING WOMEN INVENTORS’: A poster exhibition that explores the inventions of 19

highly accomplished American women: astronauts, computer pioneers, business leaders, athletes, engineers and even teenagers. Presented by the Smithsonian Museum and the United States Patent and Trademark Office in conjunction with Women’s History Month. Through March 31. Info, 674-5781. American Precision Museum in Windsor.

northeast kingdom

ARTS CONNECT AT CATAMOUNT ARTS JURIED SHOW: The sixth annual juried show features works by 74 member artists. Slideshow of art can be viewed online. Through April 10. Info, 748-2600. Catamount Arts Center, in St. Johnsbury. BEN BARNES: Recent paintings of northern Vermont: small-town street scenes, landscapes, and retired cars and tractors. Through March 25. Info, 525-3366. The Parker Pie Company in West Glover. ‘A LIFE IN LISTS AND NOTES’: An exhibition that celebrates the poetic, mnemonic, narrative, and enumerative qualities of lists and notes. The objects on display span myriad creative, professional, bureaucratic, domestic and personal uses of lists through the ages. Through May 31. Info, 626-4409. The Museum of Everyday Life in Glover. ‘THE MAGIC OF LIGHT’: A group exhibit of 22 artists whose works in photography, sculpture, collage and lanterns use light in myriad ways. Through March 3. Info, 229-8317. The Satellite Gallery in Lyndonville. OPEN AIR GALLERY: SKI & SNOWSHOE TRAIL: Outdoor sculptures by 20 artists can be seen along a two-mile trail through the center’s grounds and neighboring fields. Reserve free tickets at highland artsvt.org. Through March 27. Info, 533-2000. Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro.

brattleboro/okemo valley

DELITA MARTIN: “Between Worlds,” a yearlong installation in the museum’s front windows that reimagines the identities and roles of Black women in the context of Black culture and African history. Through May 31. MICHAEL ABRAMS: “Arcadia Rediscovered,” a luminous, misty painting installation that invites viewers to be mindfully in the world. Through March 5. f SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS EXHIBITION: Award-winning artwork and writing by 97 Vermont youth. Awards ceremony: Saturday, March 5, noon; keynote speaker is local poet, writer and photographer Shanta Lee Gander. Event is in person and livestreamed; register at brattleboromuseum.org. Through March 5. VERMONT GLASS GUILD: “Inspired by the Past,” contemporary works in glass exhibited alongside historical counterparts from the museum’s collection. Through March 5. WILLIAM RANSOM: “Keep Up/Hold Up,” mixed-media installations that speak to the current state of social tension in the U.S., the reckoning with a history of white supremacy, and the potential for flare-up or collapse. Through March 5. Info, 257-0124. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. JULIA ZANES: “Household Objects,” new paintings inspired by the first publication of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Through May 9. Info, 387-0102. Next Stage Arts Project in Putney.

manchester/bennington

‘THE WORLD BETWEEN THE BLOCK AND THE PAPER’: An international group exhibition of ecologically sound, sensitively produced mokuhanga prints, organized in collaboration with print collective Mokuhanga Sisters. Through March 27. Info, 367-1311. Yester House Galleries, Southern Vermont Arts Center, in Manchester.

randolph/royalton

MICHAEL SACCA: “In the Surf,” photographs of water in motion by the Vermont artist. Through March 19. Info, 889-9404. Tunbridge Public Library.

CALL TO ARTISTS 2023 SOLO EXHIBITIONS: AVA features three or four Main Gallery opportunities featuring exhibitions that range from thematic group shows to single/solo artist shows. Deadline: March 31. Find the link for applications at avagallery.org. AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon, N.H. Info, 603-448-3117.

‘FINE FEATHERS’: The museum is seeking artworks about birds or feathers for its 2022 juried exhibition. Almost any medium accepted, except feathers from actual birds. Up to three entries per person, submitted electronically. Use online form or email museum@birdsofvermont.org. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington. Through March 21.

‘VOICES OF HOME’: An exhibition that explores the experiences of Vermonters living in affordable housing through audio recordings and painted portraits. Through March 19. Info, 728-9878. Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph.

‘ABLUTIONS’: The museum is seeking items for its 2022 exhibition featuring the act of bathing or washing the body and the implements and tools associated with it. All manner of contributions will be considered, from vessels and bathing implements to narratives about purification rituals. Contact Clare Dolan about donations or volunteer installation workdays in May through museumofeverydaylife.org. The Museum of Everyday Life, Glover. Through May 1.

GREEN MOUNTAIN WATERCOLOR EXHIBITION: Mad River Valley Arts seeks entries for the 10th edition of this annual show in the Red Barn Galleries at Lareau Farm in Waitsfield, held June 19 to July 23. Submission form at onlinejuriedshows.com (scroll down). Deadline: April 22. Online. Free. Info, 583-2224.

outside vermont

BCA COMMUNITY FUND: The Burlington City Arts Community Fund provides grants of up to $3,000 for Burlington-based practicing artists, creative professionals or small arts organizations to create or advance projects that engage and benefit Burlington’s community. Find details and application portal at burlingtoncityarts.org. Deadline: April 25. Online. CREATION GRANTS AVAILABLE: Intended to support the creation of new work by Vermont artists, creation grants can fund time, materials, some equipment costs, and space rental for artists and artist groups. An independent panel of practicing artists and arts professionals reviews applications. Both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply for this $4,000 award. More info and application at vermontartscouncil. org. Vermont Arts Council, Montpelier. Through April 4. Info, 402-4614. DIANE GABRIEL VISUAL ARTIST AWARD: Established in 2021 by the family of the late Burlington artist, the award for a Vermont-based emerging artist provides $1,500 cash and $1,000 value toward the use of any BCA Studio facilities. Info and application at burlingtoncityarts.org. Deadline: March 31. BCA Center, Burlington. Info, cstorrs@burlingtoncityarts.org. DIGITAL CAPACITY GRANT PROGRAM: The VAC has launched a new grant program to address the digital divide, thanks to $1.15 million in funding approved by the Vermont Legislature last year to help build the virtual capacity of Vermont cultural organizations. The council is now accepting applications for organization grants and collaborative grants, which aim to support Vermont’s arts and culture communities by providing skills, equipment and expertise to serve their audiences and community. Apply at vermontartscouncil.org. Deadline: April 20. Vermont Arts Council, Montpelier.

MICRO-GRANTS FOR ARTISTS: The Montpelier Public Arts Commission is offering a micro-grant program for Vermont-based artists for up to $1,500 for permanent or temporary art installations throughout the city. The request for proposals is open for an indefinite period; artists may submit at anytime during the year. The commission will review and award grants twice yearly; the next deadline is March 30. For more info and to review the RFP, visit montpelier-vt.org. Info, 522-0150. MURAL CREATION FOR TAP ROOM: We are looking for an artist to enhance our tap room space by creating an indoor naturalist-themed mural that would be in line with our current aesthetic. Get a sense of our vibe at kraemerandkin.com. If interested, contact christie@kraemerandkin.com. Kraemer & Kin Brewery, Alburgh. Through March 15. Info, 777-0153. ‘SEPARATIONS AND MIGRATIONS’: Seeking ready-to-hang artworks for a summer exhibition to bring awareness to political and climate migration and the resulting affects on lives of refugees, migrants and asylees. Email director@cal-vt.org for more info and the submission link. Deadline: March 15. Center for Arts and Learning, Montpelier. THE VERMONT PRIZE: Four art institutions, Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Burlington City Arts, the Current and Hall Art Foundation, are collaborating on a new annual award for an artist who is producing “the best visual art” in the state. The winner will receive $5,000 and an online showcase. Find details and application at vermontprize.org. Deadline: March 31. Online. VERMONT’S GREENEST BUILDINGS AWARD: The 10th annual statewide competition recognizes exemplary residential and commercial buildings that excel in green building strategies and meet the highest standard of demonstrated energy performance. Details and submission form at vtgreenbuildingnetwork.org. Deadline: March 4 at 5 p.m. Online. Info, 735-2192.

FORENSIC ARCHITECTURE WITH LAURA POITRAS: “Terror Contagion,” an immersive, activist exhibition by the London-based research collective in collaboration with the journalist-filmmaker. Narration by Edward Snowden, data sonification by Brian Eno. Through April 18. Info, 514-847-6226. Montréal Museum of Contemporary Art. ‘IN THE MOMENT: RECENT WORK BY LOUISE HAMLIN’: Paintings and works on paper by the former Dartmouth College studio art professor and printmaker. Through September 3. ‘PHOTOGRAPHS FROM HOLLYWOOD’S GOLDEN ERA’: Recently acquired from the John Kobal Foundation, the images include studio portraiture, publicity shots and film stills from the 1920s to ’50s. Through May 21. ‘THIS LAND: AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD’: Drawn from the permanent collection, the museum’s first major installation of traditional and contemporary Native American art set alongside early-to-contemporary art by African American, Asian American, Euro-American and Latin American artists, representing a broader perspective on “American” art. Through July 23. ‘UNBROKEN: NATIVE AMERICAN CERAMICS, SCULPTURE, AND DESIGN’: Items drawn from the museum’s permanent collections to create dialogue between historical and contemporary works by Indigenous North American artists. Through April 30. Info, 603-646-2808. Hood Museum, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. NICOLAS PARTY: “L’heure mauve” (“Mauve Twilight”), a dreamlike exhibition of paintings, sculptures and installation in the Swiss-born artist’s signature saturated colors. Online reservations required. Through October 16. Montréal Museum of Fine Arts. m SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

music+nightlife

S UNDbites

News and views on the local music + nightlife scene B Y CHR I S FA R N S WO R TH

Back in the Club While watching my beloved Liverpool Football Club win the League Cup the other day, my friend Matt reminded me of something I’d well and truly forgotten. “Hey, remember, we’ve got ROGER WATERS tickets in June,” he said as he stared at the television. Engrossed in the match, I only partially registered his words. As I watched Mohamed Salah, the best soccer player in the world — don’t you dare come at me with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo crap, people; we’re talking soccer players, not fossils — I mumbled something like “OK, cool” to Matt and kept watching. A few seconds later, it hit me. “Wait, what?” I demanded, wrenching my eyes from the screen. Matt laughed. “Forgot all about it, didn’t you? Me, too,” he said. “Waters in Montréal in June, though, dude.” It all came back to me. Right before the pandemic hit, we bought tickets to see the former PINK FLOYD bassist and singer play in Canada. The show was postponed, of course, multiple times. I guess at some point I just assumed it was canceled, like so many of the other tickets I’ve bought over the last two years. I may be the music editor at a major Vermont publication, but Matt keeps the closest eye on shows of anyone I know. “So, we’re going to see Roger Waters?” I put the pieces together. “We’re going to see Roger Waters,” he 54

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

answered, nodding as if explaining to a child how calendars work. I don’t think I’m alone in adjusting slowly to the return of live shows. Venues across the country are reporting rising ticket sales, but many of the people buying tickets aren’t actually attending the events. In December, the Wall Street Journal estimated that most major music acts were reporting up to 20 percent no-shows among ticket buyers. Similarly inconsistent numbers are plaguing the entertainment industry, from Broadway to your local Cineplex. Perhaps that’s to be expected, as we (hopefully) creep toward some form of normalcy in live North Ave Jax entertainment. Still, to be reminded that a 2020 show that I bought a ticket for in 2019 was finally about to happen gave me a needed boost of optimism. So, too, does the return of expats the FEVER DOLLS. One of the more beloved local bands of recent years, the group rose from the ashes of Middlebury College act IRON EYES CODY. Co-front person EVAN ALLIS has since moved to Los Angeles, but the band has endured. It popped back east last summer to play the Higher Ground Backside 405 series in Burlington. Fever

Evan Allis of Fever Dolls

Dolls make another homecoming this Saturday, March 5, at the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge in South Burlington, with support from local rockers FATHER FIGUER and GUY FERRARI. I rang up Allis to talk about the show, what’s in store for Fever Dolls and the state of touring right now. Last time we spoke, the band was wrapping up recording a new record, but it’s been all quiet on that front since. So I asked Allis: What gives? Where’s the album? “Well, we decided not to put it out,” Allis replied with a laugh. “Not yet, at least.” He explained that only about half the album recorded came across like a “Fever Dolls-sounding record.” The other half was full of more mellow, folkleaning songs, which he thinks will end up being a solo project for co-front person RENN MULLOY. “It was honestly kind of liberating,” he said of the delayed record. “Our release strategy for the last couple of years hasn’t been that thought out: Whatever we finished, we put out. “But we’re really leaning in to this bombastic, fun sound with the new music,” he went on, “and the quiet stuff just doesn’t feel very applicable to us.”

With the record on hold, Allis continued to work as a songwriter and producer in LA. That helped him reset from the incomplete Fever Dolls album, he said, and “fall in love with music in a different way.” Now recharged, Allis and the band aren’t coming to Burlington just to play a killer show but also to finish what they started in 2020. The Fever Dolls plan to record a new second half of the album, working with local producer CHRIS HAWTHORN, who will likely mix the record. Allis said the band plans to book more dates in the summer. But for now, the only chance to catch it is at Higher Ground — a show Allis is excited to play. “It’s kind of unbelievable being back in clubs again,” he said. “Playing outdoors is great, but nothing really compares to packing a club and that kind of energy you get from a show like that,” Allis asserted. “We came up as a band in Burlington, so I associate the best shows I’ve ever seen, and the best shows I’ve ever played, with Higher Ground. I honestly can’t wait.” Indeed, Allis has more than a passing fondness for his old scene. Even on the opposite coast of the country, he’s kept tabs on what’s coming out of Vermont. “There’s so much talent in Burlington alone,” he said. “I love what’s going on with the scene these days. It would be among the top talent in New York or LA, but a lot of the artists in Vermont want to be there. I think it’s more conducive to their creative process to be in more rural surroundings, without all the noise of the cities.” I asked Allis if he ever feels similarly to those Vermont musicians while he’s working on projects out in LA. “It’s funny, I find living and working in these big cities has been really rewarding for me,” he said. “But I’ve definitely thought to myself on occasion, Damn, I could just go back to Vermont and work with my friends, and the result would be at least as good, if not better.” Good thing he’s hedging his bets and finishing the new record in Vermont, then.

New School The story of Burlington rapper NORTH AVE JAX, aka JACKSON SEVAKIAN, is starting to get out. The 19-year-old former Burlington High School basketball standout launched his rap career with “Trust Nobody,” a searing track featuring Jax’s idiosyncratic flow and a video

GOT MUSIC NEWS? MUSIC@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

had a connection, whether it’s KISS putting their own blood into the ink for their Marvel Comics book or MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE’s GERARD WAY creating the Dark Horse comic The Umbrella Academy. I’m not sure there’s been a stranger pairing than ALICE COOPER’s The Last Temptation, however. Cooper first appeared in comics form in 1979 in issue No. 50 of Marvel Premiere, and he returned to the medium in 1994 to promote his new record, The Last Temptation. The comic book was printed through a short-lived Marvel imprint called Marvel Music and ran for three issues. The story features a well-known character in Cooper’s music: that of 7-year-old Steven, who appears on

directed by KELLY BUTTS-SPIRITO under the moniker LOVE, KELLY. At some point, an acquaintance played North Ave Jax’s music to TUNDE BALOGUN, cofounder of the Interscope Records imprint LVRN — short for Love Renaissance. The label specializes in snatching up rising stars. Balogun liked what he heard enough to fly Jax down to the label headquarters in Atlanta and sign the young rapper on the spot. Jax has released his second single and video, a head-nod banger called “Play Dumb.” Also directed by ButtsSpirito, the video finds Jax rapping in front of a ski lodge, decked out in full snowboard gear. As new to the game as he is, Jax shows impressive presence

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and bravado, as well as a burning desire to be the rapper who puts Burlington hip-hop on the map. “But I’ve been patient / To be the first one where I came from / I know you heard some / Wonder what they made of / The smartest thing I ever did was play dumb,” Jax raps. Last November, Butts-Spirito hosted a “Love, Kelly” event at ArtsRiot in Burlington featuring Atlanta’s ZAIA, Philadelphia rapper KBFR, North Ave Jax and a host of local rap talent. In an email to Seven Days, Butts-Spirito said he’s hosting another similar hip-hop and R&B showcase soon. Stay tuned for more details on that in the next week. In the meantime, check out “Play Dumb” on YouTube.

Oh, It’s Real To coincide with this issue’s cover story about Earth Prime Comics (see page 28), here’s a comic-themed “Oh, It’s Real.” Comic books and music have long

albums such as 1975’s Welcome to My Nightmare and 1991’s Hey Stoopid. In The Last Temptation, Steven meets a demonic type of character named the Showman — who, of course, looks exactly like Cooper’s stage persona — and joins his horror-themed traveling show. Where things get wild is that Cooper tapped comics legend NEIL GAIMAN (Sandman, American Gods) to write the book. Gaiman takes Cooper’s character — an obvious avatar for the aging rocker’s teenage fans in his heyday — and creates a strange, gothic-tinged tale about the dangers of growing up. Reading between the lines, the message essentially boils down to: You can rock, but at some point the rock might stop and life will get boring, and you will die horribly. It’s grim as all hell, but what else would you expect from a writer of Gaiman’s reputation and the musician known for staging his own decapitation in concert? m

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3/1/22 12:07 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

Events may be canceled due to the coronavirus. Please check with event organizers in advance.

WED.2

Al’s Pals Acoustic Trio (folk) at Mad River Barn, Waitsfield, 5:30 p.m. Free. Danny & the Parts (Americana) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

TUE.8

Lit Club (poetry open mic) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

David Wax Museum (indie) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $15/$18.

WED.9

Jazz Night (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Open Mic Night (open mic) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

Jazz Sessions with Randal Pierce (jazz open mic) at the 126, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

comedy

Wednesday Night Dead (Grateful Dead covers) at Zenbarn, Waterbury, 7 p.m. $5.

WED.2

THU.3

Alex Stewart Quartet (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free. Alicia Clara with Ivamae (indie soul) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8 p.m. $5. American Roots Night at Zenbarn, Waterbury, 7 p.m. Free. Grace Palmer and Friends (blues rock) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free. Hayley Reardon (singersongwriter) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6 p.m. $5.

FILE: LUKE AWTRY

Willverine (electronic) at the Wallflower Collective, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

SAT.5 // COMMUNITY GARDEN [INDIE ROCK]

The Next Wave

sound full of delayed, chiming guitars and angular rhythms. Community Garden’s most recent release was a Christmas song

FRI.4

bona fides. The band plays Radio Bean in Burlington this Saturday, March 5, with indie rockers LITTLE SLUGGER.

Jocelyn & Chris (rock) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 8 p.m.

Sputoola (jam rock) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.

Left Eye Jump (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 3 p.m. Free.

Blac Rabbit (psychedelic rock) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free. Community Garden and Little Slugger (indie rock) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free. Dave Mitchell’s Blues Revue (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 3 p.m. Free. Femme Forward Night with Lily Seabird, Bobby Coe & the Hive, Rangus, Clover Koval (indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $5. Josh Glass (singer-songwriter) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free. Lost in Paris (cover band) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 9 p.m. Free.

are a band with a distinctive feel. The three-piece,

titled “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” and it still sounded like a New Order song, which speaks to their new-wave

Irish Sessions (celtic) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

FRI.4

THU.3

consisting of twin brothers Alex and Evan Raine and childhood friend Remi Russin, has honed a love of new wave into a

COMMUNITY GARDEN

Jenny Porter and Jamie’s Junk Show (singer-songwriter) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 4 p.m. Free.

Patrick Markley, Xander Naylor and Ethan Snyder (jazz) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 10 p.m. $5.

Standup Comedy Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free. Improv Classes & Jam (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Burlington’s

The Regrettes with Kississippi (power pop) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $22/$25.

Open Mic Open Jam Night (open mic) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Standup Class Performance (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

SAT.5

Al’s Pal’s (jam) at Emily’s Bar & Bistro, Waitsfield, 7 p.m. Free. The Blue Rock Boys (rock, bluegrass) at 14th Star Brewing Co., St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free. The Blue Rock Boys (rock) at 14th Star Brewing Co., St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free. Bonobo with Jordan Rakei (electronic) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $30/$35. Community Garden and Little Slugger (indie rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5. Dark Star Project (Grateful Dead tribute) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8:30 p.m. $5. Fever Dolls with Father Figuer, Guy Ferrari (indie rock) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $15/$18.

Steve Blair (jazz) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free. Trade (rock) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

SUN.6

The Milkhouse Heaters (rock) at Stage 33 Live, Bellows Falls, 6 p.m. $5.

TUE.8

Dead Set (Grateful Dead tribute) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10. Marcus King with Hannah Wicklund (rock) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $29.50/$32.50. Rockstars for Racial Justice feat. Speech and Manas Itene (benefit show, drum workshop) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $10/$15.

WED.9

Grippo Funk Band (funk) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 8 p.m. $12.

Al’s Pals Acoustic Trio (folk) at Mad River Barn, Waitsfield, 5:30 p.m. Free.

The High Breaks (surf rock) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Jazz Night (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free. Jazz Sessions with Randal Pierce (jazz open mic) at the 126, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

NYC/VT Comedy Throw Down (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10. VT is Phenomenal (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $20.

Wednesday Night Dead (Grateful Dead covers) at Zenbarn, Waterbury, 7 p.m. $5.

What? (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

djs

DJ A-Ra$ (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

VT is Phenomenal (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $20.

DJ Raul (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

TUE.8

WED.2

Wooly Wednesdays with DJ Steal Wool (eclectic) 6 p.m. Free.

THU.3

DJ Baron (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free. DJ CRE8 (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free. Memery (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free. Mi Yard Reggae Night with DJ Big Dog (reggae and dancehall) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9:30 p.m. Free.

FRI.4

ATAK (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 11 p.m. Free. DJ Craig Mitchell (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free. DJ CRE8 (DJ) at Monkey House, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

SAT.5

No Scrubs: ’90s Hip-Hop (DJ) at Club Metronome, Burlington, 10 p.m. $5. Reign One (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

WED.9

Comedy Open Mic (comedy) at the 126, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.9

Standup Comedy Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

trivia, open mics & karaoke, etc. jams Wooly Wednesdays with DJ Steal Wool (eclectic) 6 p.m. Free.

WED.2

Open Mic Night (open mic) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

THU.3

DJ Taka (DJ) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 p.m. $5.

Line Dancing with Dancin’ Dean (line dancing) at the Depot, St. Albans, 6 p.m. $7.

Memery (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

MON.7

Smash the Dance with Aquatic Underground (DJ) at Club Metronome, Burlington, 10 p.m. $5.

SAT.5

Musical Theater Monday (showtunes) at Happy Place Café, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.3

Trivia Night (trivia) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

TUE.8

Karaoke with DJ Party Bear (karaoke) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9:30 p.m. Free. Trivia Night (trivia) at the Depot, St. Albans, 7 p.m. Free. Tuesday Night Trivia (trivia) at Happy Place Café, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free. m

GOT MUSIC NEWS? MUSIC@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

REVIEW this Bonobo, Fragments (NINJA TUNE, VINYL, CD, DIGITAL)

Bonobo’s new album, Fragments, pulls listeners in two directions: the dance floor and the nearby lounge area. That’s kind of his modus operandi, which he’s honed since his debut at the turn of the century. The Los Angeles-based, British-born electronic musician’s hypnotic grooves could inspire a throng of churning, sweaty bodies to congregate under strobes and lasers. Just as likely, infusions of trip-hop, jazz and exotica found in his work make it easy to kick back and melt into a velvet chaise. In the 20-plus years that Simon Green has made music under the simian moniker, he’s tapped similarly chill artists to serve up vocals atop his undulating compositions. Numerous guests have teamed up with Bonobo, including alt-R&B queen Erykah Badu and neo-soul singer-songwriter Andreya Triana, whose debut, Lost Where I Belong, Green produced. If one thing connects the

Spencer Lewis, Ruins and Foundations (SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL, CD)

Spencer Lewis has duality on his mind on his latest record, Ruins and Foundations — light and dark; major and minor keys; destruction and rebuilding. The album honors impermanence in life and hails change, even while casting a glance at the wreckage of what we leave behind. Lewis, who describes his music as “ambient Americana,” is a level beyond prolific. Ruins and Foundations makes a cool 29 records for the Vermont folk artist — 19 of which are instrumental, including this newest offering. Yet the Randolph-based composer and guitarist never seems short on ideas or inspiration throughout his vast catalog. He mines swaths of traditional folk music and interweaves his own style to make an evocative brand of music.

singers, it’s that they all land in a similar midpoint between serene and amped-up. Fragments is a pandemic-era record that Green began when life went to hell in early 2020. Despite its name, the record is cohesive and flows on rivers of strings, synths and club beats. It pulls in a new crop of guest stars, including New Zealand smooth talker Jordan Rakei (currently opening for Bonobo on tour) and artist-activist Jamila Woods. Beyond the marquee collaborators, other tracks include samples of Triana, singersongwriter Maxwell and Bulgarian choir 100 KabaGaidi. On opener “Polyghost,” harpist Lara Somogyi’s plucked strings and composer Miguel Atwood-Ferguson’s orchestral arrangements impart a slow revelation, like a beaded curtain gradually drawn to reveal a luxurious sanctuary. The song’s final trill is a held breath that exhales as beats and bass emerge on the Rakeiassisted “Shadows.” The tracks on Fragments exist under

a haze, each arriving and evaporating with such gentleness that they blur into an impressionistic cloudscape. But they occasionally crackle with jagged, MONDAYS metallic beats. With skittering rhythms, “Otomo” and “Age of Phase” both employ disorienting vocal samples that have a similarly punctuated quality. “From You,” featuring chameleonic, Japanese-born R&B artist Joji, is a standout cut. Slow and syrupy, Joji’s vocals ride a fuzzy bass line and wobbly synths 16t-vcamWEEKLY.indd 16t-vcam-weekly.indd 1 1 that underscore the song’s themes of uncertainty. As he repeats, Joji is “falling from you” not falling for you. Where he’ll land is unknown. With seven full-length records, dozens of EPs and singles, plus remix albums and other compilations, such as his 2013 addition to the Late Night Tales series, Green has solidified himself as a stalwart of the chill-out genre. Fragments is a satisfying listen from start to finish, whether you’re tuning in or zoning out. Fragments is available at bonobomusic. bandcamp.com and all major streaming platforms. Bonobo performs on Saturday, March 5, at the Higher Ground Ballroom in South Burlington. Jordan Rakei opens.

Lewis creates a sound that seems to emanate from moss-covered rocks, deep forests and sunlight on snow. The title track starts with a gently plucked acoustic guitar figure, which spills over Jeff Berlin’s ticking clocklike drumbeat. Lewis layers in viola and mandolin to add color. The song moves from a contemplative, minor-key progression to an uplifting majorkey, highlighting where the songwriter’s ruins give way to foundations. Gleaning meaning from instrumental music takes a little more introspection than poring over a songwriter’s lyrics. The timbre of a guitar or a subtle cymbal splash can signify a mood change or a shift in the narrative. For instance, “Waiting for a Leaf to Fall” sounds exactly how it should. Lewis picks a gorgeously slow guitar piece, with all the patience of a droplet of rain easing off the foliage. The viola appears, adding just a hint of tension. Lewis plays the viola himself, a V. Richelieu he rented from Vermont Violins. “A Candle for Vera Miles” comes in

two parts. Keeping with the theme of duality, the first movement is uplifting and reflective, with mandolin lines like tittering laughter; the second is a lowkey, melancholy number. Both tunes are a tribute to American actress Vera Miles, who starred in the classic films Psycho and Screenings, 2-night overnight The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. hospital stay, daily oral medication, When not composing chamber-folk music that, as he puts it, “paints the rural a dose visit, 24 follow-up visits landscape,” Lewis is a stonemason, which and 15 telephone visits may help explain the album’s title — and his sturdy approach to songcraft. He records at his home studio, Woodstone Mountain Studios, which sits on 45 country acres. In a press photo for the release, Lewis sits next to the mouth of Contact the Vaccine Testing Center a cave-like opening between two stone at 656-0013 for more info. walls, guitar in hand, like some figure out of a folktale. It might all seem staged if the Or email UVMVTC@UVM.EDU authenticity weren’t so acute in his music. or visit UVMVTC.ORG Ruins and Foundations is the work of a skilled craftsman in long and nuanced reflection, and is as impressive as it is expressive. Lewis’ latest record is available at spencerlewismusic.com. He performs this Friday, March 4, at the Chandler Center for the Arts Main Stage in Randolph. Say you saw it1 in... 1/14/22 6v-UVMVaccine(Dengue22)011922.indd

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11/24/09 1:32:18 PM

on screen For the Love of Rutland ★★★★

The deal

For the Love of Rutland tells two parallel stories, one playing out in public and the other in private. The lively protagonist of the public story is Louras, a mayor who states baldly that people see his town as a “crap hole.” With a declining population and rising opioid use, Rutland is in trouble, he tells Taylor’s camera. An immigrant population could be exactly the infusion of energy it needs. But some other Rutlanders saw danger in the potential newcomers. Racist and xenophobic rhetoric flew as the city debated the issue. Many decried Louras’ lack of transparency about his plan — including David Allaire, who eventually unseated him as mayor. By then, Donald Trump’s Muslim travel ban had thrown the whole resettlement effort into disarray. That’s the story Vermonters already know. But Taylor also tells a second, more intimate story. Rutlander Stacie Griffin speaks candidly about her struggles to pay monthly bills and feed her kids, about her history with opioids, and about her initial reluctance to welcome Syrians to her town. As the controversy evolves, so does Griffin, from suspicion to interest to acceptance.

MOVIE REVIEW

Will you like it?

Rutland’s refugee debate captured national media attention, seeming as it did to encapsulate the choices facing rural, blue-collar, majority-white America. As the city split into proponents and opponents of Louras’ plan, the U.S. grew increasingly polarized, too. In such an atmosphere, it’s impossible not to take sides. 58

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

ennifer Maytorena Taylor is a filmmaker and faculty member at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her family has roots in Los Angeles and Mexico, but when she was a child, her parents moved to the Rutland, Vt., area. “It was a really big culture shock for all of us,” Taylor said in a 2020 interview. Though her Rutland days are now far behind her, the experience left her “want[ing] to tell a story about small-town life from the perspective of someone who’s felt pushed aside.” In 2016, Chris Louras, Rutland’s then-mayor, announced that the city would welcome 100 refugees from war-torn Syria. Controversy erupted, and Taylor returned to document it. She shot For the Love of Rutland over three years; it premiered in 2020 at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. After making the festival rounds — and winning White River Indie Films’ inaugural Nora Jacobson Award last year — Taylor’s bittersweet portrait of Rutland begins streaming on Thursday as part of the series “America ReFramed” (which copresents it with Vermont PBS). Find the documentary at worldchannel.org, WORLD Channel’s YouTube channel, pbs.org and PBS Video.

MAD IN MARBLE CITY Mayor Chris Louras (right) watches a packed debate over refugee resettlement in Taylor’s absorbing documentary.

Taylor’s approach is not neutral, but it’s also not preachy. This is a classic vérité documentary: Rather than bring on experts to explain what we’re seeing, Taylor allows us to interpret it for ourselves. And there’s plenty of rich material. While Louras and Griffin serve as co-protagonists, the film paints vivid portraits of many other community figures. Lisa Ryan talks about growing up Black in Vermont; later in the film, we see her win her election for Rutland alderwoman. Local pastor Hannah Rogers, who started a ministry for the unhoused, relates her personal experience of homelessness. Taylor also gives ample time to former state legislator and Rutland First organizer Don Chioffi. Proud of his own immigrant heritage, he nonetheless insists that America should be “for Americans.” Griffin is the film’s most dynamic figure — down-toearth, outspoken and amenable to change. Early on, we watch as her foster-mother tries to convince her that racism underlies the opposition to the refugees. Raised in poverty, Griffin angrily resists the notion of white privilege, seeing it as just another preconception that the world imposes on her. The problem, she insists, is not the refugees themselves but the fact that community members like her have no say in the process. Many folks in the documentary make similar complaints, but Griffin does something about hers. She becomes civically engaged, helping organize community efforts to fight the opioid epidemic. That engagement gradually leads her to a place where the newcomers to Rutland no longer seem like impositions but like fellow humans who have been through hard times.

For the Love of Rutland is no love letter to the city. Taylor doesn’t shy away from showing us dilapidated buildings or nasty graffiti. But the film is, in its muted way, a celebration of what can happen when citizens make a concerted effort to pull together and solve their problems with empathy instead of anger. Despite Louras’ efforts, only three Syrian families ended up in Rutland. But, with new waves of refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine seeking shelter, Taylor’s story feels as urgent and relevant now as it ever has. MARGO T HARRI S O N margot@sevendaysvt.com

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY... DIVIDED BY DIVERSITY (2016; YouTube): Local musician

Duane Carleton’s documentary chronicles the racism that five students from the Bronx faced when they came to Rutland’s Mount St. Joseph Academy to play on its basketball team. THE PRICE OF SAFETY (2021; more info at thepriceof

safetyfilm.com): A Vergennes couple made this documentary about the conflict that erupted in Vermont’s smallest city over racially biased policing. Check the website for info on hosting a screening. NEW MUSLIM COOL (2009; Tubi): Featured on PBS’

“POV” series, this earlier doc from Taylor profiles a Puerto Rican American rapper and convert to Islam as he negotiates the post-9/11 culture wars.

NEW IN THEATERS THE BATMAN: Robert Pattinson plays yet another version of the Caped Crusader in this adventure that establishes a new Gotham City continuity, with Paul Dano as the murderous Riddler and Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman. Matt Reeves (Let Me In) directed. (175 min, PG-13. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Roxy, Star, Stowe, Welden) LUNANA: A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM: In this Oscarnominated family drama from Bhutan, an aspiring singer (Sherab Dorji) is sent to teach the children of a hardscrabble Himalayan village. Pawo Choyning Dorji wrote and directed. (110 min, NR. Savoy)

CURRENTLY PLAYING 2022 OSCAR SHORTS: See the short films nominated this year in the Animated, Live Action or Documentary categories. Each category is a separate program; check with theaters for more info. (Run time varies, NR. Majestic, Marquis, Roxy, Savoy) BELLEHHHH A shy high schooler (voiced by Kaho Nakamura) escapes into a virtual world where she is a star in this animated adventure from writerdirector Mamoru Hosoda (Mirai). (121 min, PG. Savoy [Sat only]) BLACKLIGHTH1/2 Liam Neeson plays a U.S. operative who discovers a sinister plot in this spy thriller from director Mark Williams (Honest Thief). (108 min, PG-13. Majestic) CYRANOHHH1/2 Peter Dinklage stars in a musical version of Edmond Rostand’s classic play about a courtship by proxy, directed by Joe Wright. (124 min, PG-13. Capitol, Playhouse, Roxy)

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DEATH ON THE NILEHH1/2 Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh, who also directed) must find an heiress’ killer while on a sumptuous vacation in this new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s whodunit, also starring Annette Bening and Gal Gadot. (127 min, PG-13. Big Picture, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Playhouse, Stowe) DOGHHH Channing Tatum plays an Army Ranger whose road trip to the funeral of a fellow soldier is interrupted by the shenanigans of his canine companion in this comedy. (90 min, PG-13. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Roxy, Star, Stowe, Welden) HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 4: TRANSFORMANIAHH1/2 Monsters and humans switch places in the latest installment of the animated series, directed by Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska. With the voices of Andy Samberg and Selena Gomez. (87 min, PG. Essex, Majestic, Star) JACKASS FOREVERHHH1/2 Johnny Knoxville and cast members from his erstwhile MTV show return with a fresh set of wacky and hazardous pranks and stunts. Jeff Tremaine directed. (96 min, R. Essex, Majestic, Roxy) MARRY MEHH1/2 Betrayed by her celebrity fiancé, a pop diva (Jennifer Lopez) makes a split-second decision to propose to a random guy (Owen Wilson) in this rom-com directed by Kat Coiro. (112 min, PG-13. Majestic) SING 2HH1/2 Show biz-loving critters return in this sequel to the animated hit, featuring the voices of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon and Bono. Garth Jennings directed. (112 min, PG. Majestic) SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOMEHHH1/2 Peter Parker (Tom Holland) seeks the help of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) in the latest installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Jon Watts returns as director. (148 min, PG-13. Essex, Majestic)

STRAWBERRY MANSIONHHHH The government can tax people for their dreams in this quirky drama directed by and starring Kentucker Audley and Albert Birney. (91 min, NR. Savoy)

OPEN THEATERS

STUDIO 666HH1/2 Members of the grunge band Foo Fighters star in this horror flick about a recording session in a haunted mansion. BJ McDonnell directed. (106 min, R. Essex, Majestic)

BIG PICTURE THEATER: 48 Carroll Rd., Waitsfield, 496-8994, bigpicturetheater.info

UNCHARTEDHH1/2 Mismatched treasure hunters (Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg) seek Ferdinand Magellan’s fortune in this action adventure. (116 min, PG-13. Big Picture, Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Paramount, Roxy, Star, Stowe, Welden) THE VELVET QUEENHHHH In this documentary, a photographer and a novelist explore the Tibetan Plateau in search of the elusive snow leopard. Marie Amiguet and Vincent Munier directed. (92 min, NR. Savoy) WHO WE ARE: A CHRONICLE OF RACISM IN AMERICAHHHH1/2 Jeffery Robinson of the ACLU presents the evidence for a tradition of anti-Black racism that continues today in this documentary directed by Emily and Sarah Kunstler. (117 min, PG-13. Savoy)

(* = UPCOMING SCHEDULE FOR THEATER WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT PRESS TIME)

BIJOU CINEPLEX 4: 107 Portland St., Morrisville, 888-3293, bijou4.com CAPITOL SHOWPLACE: 93 State St., Montpelier, 229-0343, fgbtheaters.com ESSEX CINEMAS & T-REX THEATER: 21 Essex Way, Suite 300, Essex, 879-6543, essexcinemas.com *MAJESTIC 10: 190 Boxwood St., Williston, 878-2010, majestic10.com MARQUIS THEATER: 65 Main St., Middlebury, 388-4841, middleburymarquis.com *MERRILL’S ROXY CINEMAS: 222 College St., Burlington, 864-3456, merrilltheatres.net PARAMOUNT TWIN CINEMA: 241 N. Main St., Barre, 479-9621, fgbtheaters.com

THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLDHHHH Two Oscar nominations went to this brisk Norwegian comedy-drama about a thirtysomething (Renate Reinsve) who’s still trying to figure out who she is. Joachim Trier (Thelma) directed. (128 min, R. Roxy, Savoy; reviewed 10/13)

PLAYHOUSE MOVIE THEATRE: 11 S. Main St., Randolph, 728-4012, playhouseflicks.com

OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS

*STOWE CINEMA 3PLEX: 454 Mountain Rd., Stowe, 253-4678, stowecinema.com

THE CURSED (Majestic)

SAVOY THEATER: 26 Main St., Montpelier, 229-0598, savoytheater.com STAR THEATRE: 17 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, 748-9511, stjaytheatre.com

WELDEN THEATRE: 104 North Main St., St. Albans, 527-7888, weldentheatre.com

GLOBAL ROOTS MINI FEST (Savoy, Sun only; find schedule online)

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

1/13/22 4:32 PM

EVENTS MAY BE CANCELED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS, AND MASK AND VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS VARY. PLEASE CHECK WITH EVENT ORGANIZERS IN ADVANCE.

calendar M A R C H

WED.2

agriculture

2022 NOFA-VT WINTER CONFERENCE: DREAM INTO BEING: Featured speakers, in-person socials, and more than 40 workshops, panels and other events give food and farm enthusiasts three weeks of fabulous fun. See nofavt.org for full schedule. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. $30-150; sliding scale; free for BIPOC. Info, 434-4122.

community

VERMONT WOMEN’S MENTORING PROGRAM: Mercy Connections trains new volunteers who want to help support women healing from prison and other encounters with the criminal justice system. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 846-7164.

crafts

FIRESIDE KNITTING GROUP: Needle jockeys gather to chat and work on their latest projects. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section. ‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: Cameras positioned in nests, underwater and along the forest floor capture a year’s worth of critters coming and going. 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,

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$14.50-18; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848. ‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: Moviegoers join scientists on a journey through a surreal world of bug-eyed giants and egg-laying mammals. 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. ‘INTERMISSION’: Love, heartbreak and petty crime intertwine in this 2003 black comedy set in Dublin, Ireland. Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2600. ‘MEERKATS 3D’: A tenacious mammalian matriarch fights to protect her family in a desolate environment. 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, $11.50-14.50; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848. ‘RUTH STONE’S VAST LIBRARY OF THE FEMALE MIND’: A Q&A with director Nora Jacobson follows a screening of this intimate portrait of a Vermont poet’s life and work. Presented by St. Johnsbury Athenaeum and Vermont Humanities. 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 748-8291. ‘SPACE: UNRAVELING THE COSMOS’: Sparkling graphics take viewers on a mind-bending journey

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.

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SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

from the beginning of time through the mysteries of the universe. 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.

food & drink

BBCO PRESENTS: CAFÉ LUMIÈRE: Burlington Beer serves up its first-ever sixcourse dinner, featuring live jazz from Rio Gusto and a journey through the history of the brewery’s building. Burlington Beer Company, 6-8:30 p.m. $152.70. Info, 863-2337.

health & fitness

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION EXERCISE PROGRAM: Those in need of an easy-on-the-joints workout gather for an hour of calming, low-impact movement. United Community Church, St. Johnsbury, 1:302:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 751-0431. 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

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.

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

music

ADULT UKULELE CLASS: Musicians with little to no experience learn basic skills and songs in a fun, laid-back setting. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 5-6 p.m. Free. Info, 888-3853. LUNCHTIME PIPE ORGAN SERIES: ALASTAIR STOUT: The awardwinning Scottish composer goes hard on the historic Estey organ. Epsilon Spires, Brattleboro, noon1 p.m. Free. Info, info@epsilon spires.org. WILD WOODS SONG CIRCLE: Singers and acoustic instrumentalists gather for an evening of music making. Zoom option available. Godnick Adult Center, Rutland, 7:15-9:15 p.m. Free. Info, 775-1182.

seminars

DEVELOPING SELF: Participants reflect on their experiences and reconnect with their values in order to address life’s challenges. Presented by Mercy Connections. 10 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 846-7063. FAMILY-TO-FAMILY CLASS: An eight-week class for family members of folks with mental illnesses kicks off. Presented by National Alliance on Mental Illness Vermont. 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 876-7949. U.S. CITIZENSHIP TEST PREPARATION: Adult learners study English, history, government and geography with personal tutors. Virtual options available. Mercy Connections, Burlington, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-7063.

talks

AARON GOLDBERG & JEFF POTASH: Two archivists illuminate the Lost Mural Project’s efforts to restore a forgotten relic of Jewish Burlington. Presented by Vermont Humanities and Norwich Public Library. 7-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 649-1184. CAROL BERKIN: The author of Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for American Independence dives in to the roles women played in the American Revolution. Presented by Vermont Humanities and Ilsley Public Library. 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 388-4095. JAY WAHL: The executive director of the Flynn considers the importance of public spaces. Presented by Brownell Library and Vermont Humanities. 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6955. JOHN R. KILLACKY: The artist and legislator discusses how his temporary paralysis shifted his perspective on disability politics and art. Presented by Kellogg-Hubbard Library and Vermont Humanities. 7-8:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 223-3338. KEMI FUENTES-GEORGE: The Middlebury College

professor digs into the convergent histories of Afro Caribbean music and Pan-African political theory. Presented by Vermont Humanities and Manchester Community Library. 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, cworkman@ mclvt.org.

tech

DUDE, WHERE’S MY PASSWORD? TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PASSWORD MANAGEMENT: South Burlington Public Library patrons learn multiple methods for safely storing and reliably recalling pass codes. 6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, sbplprograms@southburlington vt.gov.

theater

‘HEISENBERG’: An elderly Irish butcher and a middle-aged New Jersey woman experience an unexpected connection in this Northern Stage production. Byrne Theater, Barrette Center for the Arts, White River Junction, 7:30 p.m. $19-59; preregister for socially distanced shows. Info, 296-7000.

words

MARCIA DOUGLAS: The author of The Marvellous Equations of the Dread, Madam Fate and Notes From a Writer’s Book of Cures and Spells reads from her work. Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, 7-8 p.m. Free. Info, 373-1810.

THU.3 activism

DAVID DENNIS JR. & DAVID DENNIS SR.: One of the Civil Rights movement’s original freedom riders and his son discuss intergenerational activism and their forthcoming book The Movement Made Us: A Father, a Son, and the Legacy of a Freedom Ride. Livestream available. McCarthy Arts Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 654-2665.

agriculture

2022 NOFA-VT WINTER CONFERENCE: DREAM INTO BEING: See WED.2.

business

HIRING2DAYVT VIRTUAL JOB FAIR: The Vermont Department of Labor gives job seekers a chance to meet with employers from around the state. 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 828-4000.

community

VERMONT COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TRAINING: Mercy Connections teaches community-building skills to anyone looking to effect change in the lives of the people around them. 1:30-4 p.m. Free. Info, 846-7063.

crafts

THURSDAY ZOOM KNITTERS: The Norman

Williams Public Library fiber arts club meets virtually for conversation and crafting. 2-3 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@normanwilliams.org.

etc.

NIGHT OWL CLUB: Astronomers and space exploration experts discuss the latest in extraterrestrial news with curious attendees. Presented by Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium. 7 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2372.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section. ‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See WED.2. ‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See WED.2. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: The Vermont Abenaki Artists Association partners with Vermont International Film Foundation to present virtual screenings of Indigenous films, from N’dakinna to New Zealand and beyond. See vtiff.org for full schedule. See calendar spotlight. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘ANOTHER COUNTRY’: The great Australian Aboriginal actor David Gulpilil speaks with humor and pathos about the chaos caused by colonialism in this 2015 documentary. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 5:15-6:30 p.m. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘ATANARJUAT: THE FAST RUNNER’: Romantic tensions in a remote village lead to tragedy in this landmark 2001 film, the first shot in the Inuktitut language and with an Inuk cast and crew. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 3:15-6:15 p.m. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: SHORTS PROGRAM: A panel discussion and reception with Vera Longtoe Sheehan, Melody Mackin, Chief Don Stevens and Frederick M. Wiseman follows a screening of four award-winning shorts by Indigenous filmmakers. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 2-4 p.m. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘SMOKE SIGNALS’: In this groundbreaking 1998 film, the first with an entirely Indigenous cast and crew, two young men forge an unexpected connection while on a morbid road trip. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7:15-8:45 p.m. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600. ‘MEERKATS 3D’: See WED.2. ‘SPACE: UNRAVELING THE COSMOS’: See WED.2.

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

food & drink

SUP CON GUSTO TAKEOUT SUPPER SERIES: Philly transplants Randy Camacho and Gina Cocchiaro serve up three-course and à la carte menus shaped by seasonal Vermont ingredients. See supcongustovt.com to preorder. Richmond Community Kitchen, 5-8 p.m. Various prices. Info, gustogastronomics@gmail.com.

theater

MAR. 3-9 | FILM

ACTORS FROM THE LONDON STAGE: ‘MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING’: See THU.3. ‘BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS’: In a Brooklyn walk-up in 1937, teenager Eugene attempts to cope with the struggles of his workingclass Jewish family. Presented by the students of Dartmouth’s Department of Theater. Warner Bentley Theater, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 603-646-2422.

games

WHIST CARD GAME CLUB: Players of all experience levels congregate for some friendly competition. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 12:30-3 p.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

‘BROADWAY’S NEXT HIT MUSICAL’: Whose Line Is It Anyway? meets the Tony Awards as actors cobble together a fullblown improvised musical based on audience suggestions. Flynn Space, Burlington, 8 p.m. $35. Info, 863-5966.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA WITH LINDA: Every week is a new adventure in movement and mindfulness at this Morristown Centennial Library virtual class. 10:15-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

music

DARTMOUTH IDOL CELEBRATION: The college singing competition celebrates its 15th anniversary with a trivia quiz and a clips show sure to take audiences on a trip down memory lane. Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 7:30 p.m. $7-12. Info, 603-646-2422.

outdoors

JEFF MORRIS, BOB STEINERT & JANET STEINERT: The trail-trotting trio reminisces about its adventures through 11 national parks. Presented by the Green Mountain Club. 7-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, gmc@ greenmountainclub.org.

seminars

PHOTOGRAPHY Q&A: Photographer Thom Williams answers questions about lenses, DSLRs, software and more. Presented by Southern Vermont Arts Center. 4-5:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 367-1306. U.S. CITIZENSHIP TEST PREPARATION: See WED.2.

theater

ACTORS FROM THE LONDON STAGE: ‘MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING’: Using minimal props and only five actors, a storied theater troupe breaks down the bard’s beloved comedy into a blueprint for performance and poetry. Wright Memorial Theatre, Middlebury College, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $10-25. Info, 433-6433. ‘HEISENBERG’: See WED.2, 2 & 7:30 p.m. ‘LOVE/SICK’: A cycle of nine short plays about nine different couples tells a larger story about love and loss. Presented by the University Players, UVM’s student-run theater group. Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. $5-10. Info, 376-5522.

‘CINDERELLA’: The Very Merry Theatre teens present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical adaptation of the beloved fairy tale. Very Merry Theatre, Burlington, 7 p.m. Donations. Info, 355-1461.

Native Born Every year, the Vermont International Film Foundation takes a deep dive into films from a particular culture. This year, in partnership with the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association, the Global Roots Film Festival presents a slate of films by Indigenous teams from around the world. Offerings span genres, continents and decades, from Smoke Signals, the first feature film ever made with an entirely Native American cast and crew, to Vai (pictured), a formally inventive character study made by nine female Pacific Islander filmmakers. Screenings are held at the Film House at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center and ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, and many films are also available for online viewing.

GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022 Friday, March 3, through Wednesday, March 9, online and at various Burlington locations. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600, vtiff.org.

words

ELIZABETH WILCOX & SUSAN CONLEY: The authors of The Long Tail of Trauma: A Memoir and Landslide, respectively, discuss how stories can help heal old wounds. Presented by the Vermont Book Shop. 7-8:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, becky@ vermontbookshop.com.

FRI.4

activism

KARAOKE PARTY PRACTICE: Singers rehearse their numbers for the virtual fundraiser on March 12. Presented by sexual violence survivor advocacy group Mosaic Vermont. 6-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 476-1388.

agriculture

2022 NOFA-VT WINTER CONFERENCE: DREAM INTO BEING: See WED.2.

business

USING THE ROSEN METHOD FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH: Bodywork

practitioner Katherine Soule helps female business owners unpack their stressors and ease their bodies and minds. Presented by Women Business Owners Network Vermont. 8:30-10 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 503-0219.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section. ‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See WED.2. ‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See WED.2. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: See THU.3. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘END OF THE LINE: THE WOMEN OF STANDING ROCK’: A new documentary displays the risks that Indigenous women took to stop the Dakota Access pipeline construction. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 4:15-5:45 p.m. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘DRUNKTOWN’S FINEST’: Three young Native Americans — a Christian adoptee, a rebellious father-to-be and a trans woman — strive to escape the hardships of

life on the reservation in this 2014 documentary. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7:15-8:45 p.m. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘SAMI BLOOD’: Swedish Sami filmmaker Amanda Kernell tells the story of a girl caught between her roots and the dominant culture. Presented by Vermont Abenaki Artists Association and Vermont International Film Foundation. 8 a.m.-11:59 p.m. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600. LUNAFEST: Vermont Works for Women screens a series of award-winning short films by and about women to kick off Women’s History Month. 6 p.m. $20-40. Info, 655-8900. ‘MEERKATS 3D’: See WED.2. ‘SPACE: UNRAVELING THE COSMOS’: See WED.2.

health & fitness

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION EXERCISE PROGRAM: See WED.2. ONLINE GUIDED MEDITATION: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library invites attendees to chill out on their lunch breaks and reconnect with

their bodies. Noon-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@ damlvt.org. QIGONG WITH GERRY SANDWEISS: Beginners learn this ancient Chinese practice of meditative movement. Presented by Norman Williams Public Library. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@ normanwilliams.org.

lgbtq

NEW QUEERS EVE: RESCHEDULED. Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne host the (belated) annual ball-dropping bash, featuring drag, burlesque and dancing. Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 9 p.m. $20-30. Info, 652-0777.

music

IMANI WINDS & CATALYST QUARTET: The two ensembles join forces for a night of works by Black composers telling stories of the Great Migration. Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 7:30 p.m. $15-45. Info, 603-646-2422. ‘NATIVE REALM’: A string quintet celebrates the distinct musical culture of Poland with pieces by Telemann, Górecki and Schmelzer. Brattleboro Music Center, 7:30-9 p.m. $20. Info, 257-4523. PUNCH BROTHERS: The Grammywinning bluegrass quintet displays its dazzling boundarypushing style, including songs from its new, pandemic-recorded album Hell on Church Street. The Flynn, Burlington, 8 p.m. $39.75191. Info, 863-5966.

talks

‘DRINKING HABITS II: CAUGHT IN THE ACT’: The Sisters of Perpetual Sewing return tipsily to the stage in this rollicking Essex Community Players sequel. Essex Memorial Hall, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $18. Info, tickets@essexplayers.com. ‘HEISENBERG’: See WED.2. ‘LOVE/SICK’: See THU.3.

SAT.5

agriculture

2022 NOFA-VT WINTER CONFERENCE: DREAM INTO BEING: See WED.2, noon-4 p.m.

education

COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS: Representatives from colleges and training programs across the state educate students and families about their post-highschool options. Presented by Vermont Student Assistance Corporation. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 877-961-4369.

fairs & festivals

10TH ANNUAL MASQUERADE JAZZ & FUNK WINTER MUSIC CARNIVAL: Costumes are encouraged and fun is required at BarnArts’ celebration of all things funky, featuring the musical stylings of Michael Zsoldos & Jason Ennis, Sultans of Saul, and Nation Beat. BYOB. Barnard Town Hall, 6-10 p.m. $10-20; free for kids under 6. Info, 234-1645.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See WED.2. EEE LECTURES: TRACY DOLAN: The director of the ‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: Vermont State Refugee Office See WED.2. explains how her department GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL welcomes new Vermonters. 2022: See THU.3. Presented by Education & Enrichment for Everyone. 2-3 p.m. $45 for season pass. Info, SAT.5 P.63 343-5177. SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022 61

calendar FAMILY FUN

of this movement session for tots ages 5 and under. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3853. READ TO FIGMENT: The Therapy Dogs of Vermont emissary is super excited to hear kids of all ages, including teens, practice their reading. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 11 a.m.noon. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 888-3853.

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.

SUN.6

WED.2

ONLINE PRENATAL YOGA: See WED.2, 10:15-11:15 a.m.

ADVOCACY 101: BASIC TRAINING ON EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY FOR CHANGE: Adult family members of children with special needs learn how to encourage legislators to make the world a better place for their kids and others. Presented by Vermont Family Network. 1-2:15 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 876-5315.

burlington

‘BLIPPI THE MUSICAL’: The beloved star of popular educational YouTube videos takes to the stage to teach kids 2 through 7 about the world around them. The Flynn, Burlington, 2 & 6 p.m. $32.5074.50. Info, 863-5966. © TANSHY | DREAMSTIME

ONLINE PRENATAL YOGA: Mothers-to-be build strength, stamina and a stronger connection to their baby. 5:45-6:45 p.m. $5-15. Info, 899-0339.

burlington

CRAFTERNOON: Weaving, knitting, embroidery and paper crafting supplies take over the Teen Space. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403. ITTY BITTY PUBLIC SKATE: Coaches are on hand to help the rink’s tiniest skaters stay on their feet. Gordon H. Paquette Ice Arena, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $8. Info, 865-7558. STEAM SPACE: Kids explore science, technology, engineering, art and math activities. Ages 5 through 11. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

LEEP: MAFIA & BOARD GAMES: Middle schoolers kick back and play games together in honor of World Teen Mental Wellness Day. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6956. LEGO BUILDERS: Elementary-age imagineers explore, create and participate in challenges after school. Ages 8 and up, or ages 6 and up with an adult helper. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140. STORY TIME: Little ones from birth through age 5 learn from songs, sign language lessons, math activities and picture books. Masks required. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

stowe/smuggs

TEEN ADVISORY BOARD MEETING: Teenagers snack on free food and take an active role in their local library. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, youthservices@centenniallibrary.org. WEDNESDAY CRAFTERNOON: A new project is on the docket each week, from puppets to knitting to decoupage. Ages 7 and up. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, youthservices@centennial library.org.

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

mad river valley/ waterbury

COLOR!: Little scientists learn about how our brains interpret light as the colors all around us. Waterbury Public Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, cynthia@waterburypubliclibrary.com.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING: Students ages 10 through 12 kick off the library’s new participatory program for preteens. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 3 p.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

QUEER READS: LGTBQIA+ 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.

MYSTICAL CREATURES & ANIMALS CLUB: A local elementary student leads a group for imaginative kids to write stories, study myths and legends, and share their ideas about fantastical creatures. Ages 9 through 12. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 3:304:30 p.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

THU.3

mad river valley/ waterbury

ONLINE PRENATAL YOGA: See WED.2, 12:30-1:30 p.m. PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Energetic youngsters join Miss Meliss for stories, songs and lots of silliness. Presented by Kellogg-Hubbard Library. 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

burlington

BABYTIME: Librarians bring out books, rhymes and songs specially selected for young ones. Ages 18 months and younger. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 9:30-10 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403. DIY TERRARIUMS: Green-thumbed gardeners ages 10 and up make miniature greenhouses full of succulents and moss. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

STORY TIME: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers take part in reading, singing and dancing. Winooski Memorial Library, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 655-6424.

stowe/smuggs

BABY & TODDLER MEETUP: Tiny tots and their caregivers come together for playtime, puzzles and picture books. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Readers ages 3 and older hear a new tall tale every week. Younger siblings welcome. Waterbury Public Library, 11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

upper valley

TODDLER STORY TIME: Toddling tykes 20 months through 3.5 years hear a few stories related to the theme of the week. Norman Williams Public Library, Woodstock, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295.

FRI.4

ONLINE PRENATAL YOGA: See WED.2, 12:30-1:15 p.m.

chittenden county

OUTDOOR PLAYTIME: Energetic youngsters ages 2 through 5 don warm layers to play with hoops and parachutes out in the snow. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 11:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 878-6956. PAJAMA STORY TIME: Puppets and picture books enhance a special pre-bedtime story hour for kids in their PJs. Birth through age 5. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 5:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

barre/montpelier

WINTER STORY TIME & PLAYGROUP: Participants ages 6 and under hear stories, sing songs, and have hot tea and oatmeal around the fire. Dress warmly. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

stowe/smuggs

MON.7

ONLINE PRENATAL YOGA: See WED.2.

burlington

ITTY BITTY PUBLIC SKATE: See WED.2. STORIES WITH MEGAN: Bookworms ages 2 through 5 enjoy fun-filled reading time. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

TUE.8

ONLINE PRENATAL YOGA: See WED.2, 12:30-1:30 p.m. PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: See THU.3.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Players ages 9 through 13 go on a fantasy adventure with dungeon master Andy. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 888-3853.

burlington

SAT.5

VR TUESDAYS: Teens experience new worlds or the wonders right here on Earth through the library’s virtual reality headsets. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 863-3403.

burlington

FAMILY PLAYSHOP: Kids from birth through age 5 learn and play at this school readiness program. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:15-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403. KIDS VT CAMP & SCHOOL FAIR: Parents and caregivers discover dozens of regional summer camps and schools and connect with representatives who can answer all their questions. Hilton Burlington, 10 a.m. & noon. Free; preregister. Info, 864-5684.

chittenden county

KARMA KIDZ YOGA OPEN STUDIO SATURDAYS: Young yogis of all ages and their caregivers drop in for some fun breathing and movement activities. Kamalika-K, Essex Junction, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Donations. Info, 871-5085. LEGO FUN: Wee builders of all ages construct creations to be displayed in the library. Children under 8 must bring a caregiver. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 878-6956.

stowe/smuggs

LITTLE ONES’ YOGA: Be a dog! Smell a flower! Stretch like a kitty! It’s all part

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.

chittenden county

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME ON THE GREEN: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library leads half an hour of stories, rhymes and songs. Williston Town Green, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

stowe/smuggs

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Kiddos 5 and younger share in stories, crafts and rhymes. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3853. STEAM AFTERSCHOOL: Kids learn art, science and math through games and crafts, including paper airplane races, Lego competitions and origami. Ages 6 and up. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 888-3853. TEEN SONGWRITING: Budding lyricists learn the basics of song structure in this monthlong workshop. Ages 13 through 18. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

SAT.5

« P.61

GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘DAUGHTER OF A LOST BIRD’: This 2021 documentary follows an adult Lummi adoptee as she reconnects with her birth family. A thematically related short, “Lost Moccasin,” precedes the film. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 1:30-2:45 p.m. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘NOTHING BUT THE SUN (APENAS EL SOL)’: A new documentary tracks the efforts of Mateo Sobode Chiqueno to preserve the stories and songs of his people, one of the last tribes to be colonized in Paraguay. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 1-2:30 p.m. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘SAMI BLOOD’: See FRI.4.

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

GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘VAI’: Female Pacific Islander filmmakers come together to tell one story across nine vignettes, nine actors, seven islands and one character. Virtual option available. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600.

health & fitness

‘MEERKATS 3D’: See WED.2.

KEITH MURPHY & YANN FALQUET: Two masters of contemporary Celtic guitar weave a compelling tapestry of textures, harmonies and rhythms. Livestream option available. Burnham Hall, Lincoln, 7:30 p.m. $15-25. Info, 388-9782.

‘SPACE: UNRAVELING THE COSMOS’: See WED.2. WOODSTOCK VERMONT FILM SERIES: ‘THE RESCUE’: The newest documentary from the Academy Award-winning directors of Free Solo chronicles the dramatic 2018 rescue of 12 Thai boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 3 & 5:30 p.m. $12-15; $115-130 for season pass. Info, 457-2355.

food & drink

FRIENDS OF THE NPL SOUP SALE: Neighbors serve up hot nosh to go. Proceeds benefit the Norwich Public Library. Norwich Public Library, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Price of food. Info, 649-1184. MIDDLEBURY FARMERS MARKET: Produce, prepared foods and local products are available for purchase at this year-round bazaar. Middlebury VFW Hall, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, middleburyfarmers mkt@yahoo.com.

games

BEGINNER DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Waterbury Public Library game master Evan Hoffman gathers novices and veterans alike for an afternoon of virtual adventuring. Teens and adults welcome. Noon-4 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036. GAME ARENA: Board game expert Vinni Yasi leads an epic drop-in day of strategy and fun. Games include Catan and Betrayal at the House on the Hill. Teens and adults welcome. Waterbury Public Library, 11 a.m.3 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

mad river valley/waterbury

ART CLUB!: Artists ages 6 and up learn a new technique, style or craft every week. Waterbury Public Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, cynthia@waterburypubliclibrary.com.

upper valley

BABY STORY TIME: Librarians and fingerpuppet friends introduce babies 20 months and younger to the joy of reading. Norman Williams Public Library, Woodstock, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295.

WED.9

ONLINE PRENATAL YOGA: See WED.2.

burlington

CRAFTERNOON: See WED.2.

SUN-STYLE TAI CHI FOR FALL PREVENTION: Seniors boost their strength and balance through gentle, flowing movements. Father Lively Center, St. Johnsbury, 10-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 751-0431.

Teddy Thompson & Jenni Muldaur

, 7:30

music

‘QUEENS OF THE BLUES’: Gina Coleman and Misty Blues celebrate the legendary music of Bessie Smith, Big Mama Thornton, Ruth Brown and Koko Taylor. Vergennes Opera House, 7:30 p.m. $20; cash bar. Info, 877-6737.

theater

ACTORS FROM THE LONDON STAGE: ‘MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING’: See THU.3.

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2/24/22 1:40 PM

What’s next for your career? Work it out with Seven Days Jobs. Find 100+ new job postings weekly from trusted, local employers in Seven Days newspaper and online. See who’s hiring at jobs.sevendaysvt.com.

‘BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS’: See FRI.4. ‘BROADWAY’S NEXT HIT MUSICAL’: See FRI.4, 3 & 8 p.m. ‘CINDERELLA’: See FRI.4, 2 & 7 p.m. CIRCUS SPECTACULAR!: Aerialists and acrobats from around the world fly high to raise funds for the New England Center for Circus Arts. Livestream option available. Latchis Hotel & Theater, Brattleboro, 7:30 p.m. $15-50. Info, 254-9780. ‘DANCE AGAIN’: Soldiers from opposing sides of a war seek refuge in the same house in this staged reading of the 2021 Valley Players Playwright Awardwinning drama. Valley Players Theater, Waitsfield, 7:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 583-1674. SAT.5

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AnimatioNation A month long celebration of art that moves featuring

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song. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:45 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403. STEAM SPACE: See WED.2.

Ryan Miller

FRIDAY

Duncan Hatch

SATURDAY

MARCH 4th 6pm

chittenden county

COMICS CLUB!: Graphic novel and manga fans in third through sixth grades meet to discuss current reads and do fun activities together. Hosted by Brownell Library. Essex Teen Center, Essex Junction, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956. LEGO BUILDERS: See WED.2. STORY TIME: See WED.2.

stowe/smuggs

MARCH 12 6pm

SUNDAY WORKSHOP 1pm

Simple Creature

FRIDAY

Jon Portman

FRIDAY

TEEN KARAOKE: Singers ages 12 through 18 croon, belt or scream along to their favorite jams. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

MARCH 18th 6pm MARCH 25th 6pm

In collaboration with

Kind support from

WEDNESDAY CRAFTERNOON: See WED.2. K

ITTY BITTY PUBLIC SKATE: See WED.2. SPANISH MUSICAL KIDS: Vengan a cantar y aprender! Kids ages 1 through 5 learn Spanish through

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‘DRINKING HABITS II: CAUGHT IN THE ACT’: See FRI.4. ‘HEISENBERG’: See WED.2, 2 & 7:30 p.m. ‘LOVE/SICK’: See THU.3, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m.

words

BIGGER & BETTER BOOK SALE!: Friends of Fletcher Free Library raise money for programming by selling off gorgeous coffee table books, buzzy contemporary novels, collectible rarities and more. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Various prices. Info, 863-3403.

SUN.6

community

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR: The Winooski Historical Society and the Heritage Winooski Mill Museum offer a self-guided adventure through 100 years of town history. See calendar spotlight. Various Winooski locations. Free. Info, legacy@winooskivt.gov.

dance

DARTMOUTH DANCE ENSEMBLE: Student, faculty and community dancers share new works in progress. Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 1 & 2 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 603-646-2422.

fairs & festivals

WINTERVALE: Locals — including Champ the lake monster — take part in wintry delights, from snowshoe adventures to maple syrup tastings. Intervale Center, Burlington, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, morgan@intervale.org.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section. ‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See WED.2. ‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See WED.2. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: See THU.3. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘RUN WOMAN RUN’: The ghost of legendary Onondaga marathon runner Tom Longboat convinces a single mom to reclaim her dreams in this magical dramedy. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 4:15-5:45 p.m. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘SAMI BLOOD’: See FRI.4. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: SHORTS PROGRAM: See THU.3. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 1:30-3:30 p.m. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘WHALE RIDER’: A young Māori girl must find the strength and will to lead her people in

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See WED.2.

this beloved 2002 New Zealand film. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. $6-12; $25-50 for festival pass. Info, 660-2600.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See WED.2.

MAR. 6-11 | COMMUNITY

‘MEERKATS 3D’: See WED.2.

GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: See THU.3. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘SAMI BLOOD’: See FRI.4.

‘SPACE: UNRAVELING THE COSMOS’: See WED.2.

‘MEERKATS 3D’: See WED.2.

‘SWAN LAKE’: The Bolshoi Ballet broadcasts its rendition of the tragedy of Odette, Odile and Siegfried. Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury, 12:55 p.m. $6-18. Info, 748-2600.

‘SPACE: UNRAVELING THE COSMOS’: See WED.2.

food & drink

SOURDOUGH 101, PART 1: MAINTAINING A STARTER: In the first of four workshops, Heike Meyer of Brot Bakehouse teaches home bakers how to keep their yeasts happy. Presented by City Market, Onion River Co-op. 5:30-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, info@citymarket.coop.

food & drink

WOOD-FIRED PIZZA: Skiers and snowshoers are greeted by fresh ’za when they come in from the trails. BYOB. Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center, Goshen, noon-2 p.m. Pay what you can; preregister. Info, blueberryhilltrails@ blueberryhillinn.com.

health & fitness

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION EXERCISE PROGRAM: See WED.2.

health & fitness

WEEKLY CHAIR YOGA: Those with mobility challenges or who are new to yoga practice balance and build strength through gentle, supported movements. Twin Valley Senior Center, East Montpelier, 3 p.m. Free; preregister; donations accepted. Info, 223-6954.

COMMUNITY MINDFULNESS PRACTICE: New and experienced meditators are always welcome to join this weekly class, virtually or in person. Evolution Physical Therapy & Yoga, Burlington, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Donations. Info, newleafsangha@gmail.com. SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION: Mindful folks experience sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Shambhala Meditation Center, Burlington, 9 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, lungta108@gmail.com.

lgbtq

DRAG BRUNCH: Bethadone Clinique, Amy Leigh Celestial, Rhedd Rhumm and others bring the bawdy fun amid mimosas and pancakes. Strangefellows Pub, Rutland, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $30. Info, 772-7032.

music

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE GLEE CLUB: Student choral singers draw on their ever-expanding repertory for an uplifting performance. Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 3 p.m. $5-12. Info, 603-646-2422. YOUNG TRADITION YOUTH COMMISSION: An ensemble of talented teenage multiinstrumentalists plays a program of original compositions. Livestream available. Deborah Rawson Memorial Library, Jericho, 2-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 899-4962.

talks

DAVID HOLMES: The author unveils his case study of a single Charlotte farm that grew apples and bred Morgan horses for 101 years. Presented by the Chittenden County Historical Society. 1 p.m. Free. Info, cchsvt@gmail.com.

theater

CIRCUS SPECTACULAR!: See SAT.5, 1 p.m. ‘CINDERELLA’: See FRI.4, 4 p.m.

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

seminars

U.S. CITIZENSHIP TEST PREPARATION: See WED.2, noon1:30 & 3:30-4:45 p.m.

COURTESY OF VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

SAT.5

words

TOMÁS Q. MORÍN: The author reads from his recent memoir about obsessivecompulsive disorder, Let Me Count the Ways. Q&A follows. Presented by Kellogg-Hubbard Library. 7-8:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 223-3338.

Onions Have Layers Happy 100th birthday, Winooski! As part of the Onion City’s Centennial Celebration, locals and visitors peel back the decades and take a self-guided walking tour featuring 18 historical landmarks. After picking up a brochure at one of six locations, participants visit the falls, Champlain Mill, city hall and more. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about Winooski’s storied past, from the Indigenous settlement of Winoskik to the rise and fall of industry in the town to the area’s working-class and immigrant history.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR Sunday, March 6, through Friday, March 11, at various Winooski locations. Free. Info, legacy@winooskivt.gov, legacy.winooskivt.gov. ‘DRINKING HABITS II: CAUGHT IN THE ACT’: See FRI.4, 2-4 p.m. ‘HEISENBERG’: See WED.2, 5 p.m.

words

BIGGER & BETTER BOOK SALE!: See SAT.5, noon-5 p.m. DOLLY PARTON & JAMES PATTERSON: Two superstars debut their new cowritten thriller, Run Rose Run. Presented by Phoenix Books and Hachette Book Group. 7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 448-3350.

MON.7

community

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR: See SUN.6. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: WINOOSKI CITY COUNCIL PROCLAMATION: Councilors make a special proclamation to celebrate a century of the Onion City. Livestream available. Winooski City Hall, 6 p.m. Free. Info, legacy@winooskivt.gov.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: WINOOSKI DOME: UNCOVERING THE REAL STORY: An oral history of an infamous proposal emerges at this panel featuring the city planners who first pitched the idea. Presented by Winooski Memorial Library and Heritage Winooski Mill Museum. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, legacy@ winooskivt.gov.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

TUE.8 business

VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Job seekers drop in for tips on résumé writing, applying for jobs, and training. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 888-3853.

community

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR: See SUN.6. CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION GROUP: Brownell Library hosts a virtual roundtable for neighbors to pause and reflect on the news cycle. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

environment

SPECIAL RECYCLING: BULBS, BATTERIES & BUILDING SUPPLIES: Recycle Rhonda of Chittenden Solid Waste District teaches community members about the stuff that can’t go in the regular bins.

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

6-6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, rmace@cswd.net.

Woodstock, 10:15-11:45 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295.

KEVIN TOLAN: The biologist explains how vernal pools, seasonal woodland ponds that support crucial ecosystems, are endangered and what’s being done to help. Presented by Norwich Public Library and the Norwich Conservation Commission. 7-8 p.m. Free. Info, 649-1184.

WINTER 2022 BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP: The Rokeby Museum presents a special International Women’s Day book club discussion of The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 877-3406.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section. ‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See WED.2. ‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See WED.2. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: See THU.3.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Members of this writing group motivate each other to put pen to paper for at least an hour, then debrief together. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

WED.9 activism

GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: ‘SAMI BLOOD’: See FRI.4.

KARAOKE PARTY PRACTICE: See FRI.4.

‘MEERKATS 3D’: See WED.2.

SPEECH: The activist and member of Grammy Awardwinning hip-hop group Arrested Development discusses racial equity and raises funds for Lamoille North Supervisory Union’s new BIPOC affinity space. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe Mountain Resort, 7 p.m. $10; free for BIPOC. Info, 760-4634.

‘SPACE: UNRAVELING THE COSMOS’: See WED.2.

language

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING & ACADEMIC TUTORING: Students improve their reading, writing, math or ELL skills through one-on-one time with experienced tutors. Mercy Connections, Burlington, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-7063.

politics

THE EVOLVING ROLE OF WOMEN ON THE GLOBAL STAGE: On International Women’s Day, the Vermont Council on World Affairs hosts a day of online and in-person talks focusing on women’s role in global politics. University of Vermont Alumni House, Burlington, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. $40-100; free for executive members. Info, 557-0018.

seminars

MAP!: MAKE AN ACTION PLAN: Guest speakers and the Mercy Connections team help students plan how to live their best post-pandemic lives. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 846-7063.

talks

DONALD S. LOPEZ JR.: The University of Michigan professor of Buddhist and Tibetan studies gives a presentation on “A Jesuit Missionary in Tibet.” McCarthy Arts Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 655-2000.

words

RECITE!: Poets of all levels, from fledgling to professional, celebrate the spoken word at this virtual reading. 7-9 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs @normanwilliams.org. WHAT’S ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND? THE NOT-A-BOOK-CLUB BOOK CLUB: Rebel readers discuss anything from book jacket design to the ebook revolution at this nonconformist meeting. Norman Williams Public Library,

climate crisis

DOUG TALLAMY: The ecologist and best-selling author explains the declining biodiversity of our planet and what we can all do to help. Presented by Vermont Institute of Natural Science. 5:30-7 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 359-5000.

community

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR: See SUN.6. PRESERVING HOLOCAUST HISTORY: COLLECTING ARTIFACTS AND RESEARCHING FATES: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum invites

Vermont’s Holocaust survivors and their families to learn about the process of submitting interviews and artifacts to the historical record. Noon-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, northeastoutreach@ushmm.org.

Local family owned & 40 years! BEST SELECTION OF TOP RATEDoperated WINTERfor TIRES

VERMONT

Discoverer True North

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

Discoverer M+S

VERMONT WOMEN’S MENTORING PROGRAM: See WED.2.

crafts

FIRESIDE KNITTING GROUP: See WED.2.

Great tires take you to your best winter Hakkapeliitta 9

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section. ‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See WED.2. BURLINGTON IRISH HERITAGE FESTIVAL: ‘SONG OF GRANITE’: A 2017 lyrical biopic chronicles the life of Joe Heaney, one of Ireland’s most revered singers. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6-7:46 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403. ‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See WED.2. GLOBAL ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022: See THU.3.

Nordman 7

Altimax Artic 12

OBSERVE G3-ICE

Evolution Winter - Plows Through Snow - Studdable For Extreme Ice Traction - Made In The USA

VERMONT

Inspection due?SEASON LOWEST PRICES OF THE I S D UNOW E BUY AND INSTALL LATER Walk-ins welcome!

Suspension Brake Engine Repair Diagnostics Repair Montpelier

‘MEERKATS 3D’: See WED.2.

South Burlington

‘SPACE: UNRAVELING THE COSMOS’: See WED.2.

1877 Williston Rd.

90 River St.

658-1333 1800-639-1901

229-4941 1800-639-1900

‘THREE TIMES’: Two actors play three pairs of lovers in 1911, 1966 and 2005 in this acclaimed Taiwanese drama. Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2600.

games

DROP-IN MAGIC: THE GATHERING: Adults and teens ages 12 and up are invited to get together and play a beloved tabletop card game. BYO deck or use one of the library’s. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

health & fitness

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION EXERCISE PROGRAM: See WED.2. CHAIR YOGA: See WED.2.

ELL CLASSES: ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS & INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS: See WED.2.

seminars

U.S. CITIZENSHIP TEST PREPARATION: See WED.2.

words

FFL BOOK CLUB: ‘THE OVERSTORY’: Folktale meets The Hidden Life of Trees in Richard Powers’ 2019 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Hosted by Fletcher Free Library. 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, bshatara@ burlingtonvt.gov. SO YOU HAVE A MANUSCRIPT, NOW WHAT?: DOREEN LYON: A published author explains the publication process to cookbook writers who are ready to get their recipes out there. Presented by St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. 7-8:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 748-8291. m

Mon.- Fri. 7:30am-5pm Sat. 8am-4pm Not responsible for typographical errors

4T-VtTire022622 1

1/25/22 8:56 AM

HAVE YOU

NOTICED OUR LEGAL ADS?

language

FOMO?

Evolution Winter

Tire & Service

Turn to the Classifieds section or go to sevendaysvt.com/legals for a list of legal notices including: • Act 250 Permit applications • Foreclosures • Notices to creditors • Storage auctions • Planning and zoning changes

4t-legals.indd 1

Contact Katie for a quote at legals@sevendaysvt.com; 865-1020 x110. SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

7/14/21 4:28 PM

CLASS PHOTOS + MORE INFO ONLINE SEVENDAYSVT.COM/CLASSES

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.

art CREATIVE HEART LIFE DRAWING: Find and foster your creative voice while drawing a live human model. This is a class for all people and all skill levels. We’ll emphasize creative expression over pure technique, as we build an intentionally playful space to connect with self and community. All basic supplies provided. Mon. & Fri., 7 p.m. Cost: $25. Location: Creative HeART, 19 Church St., Suite. 8, Burlington. Info: Margaret, mlzschultz@gmail.com, therisinsuns.com. DAVIS STUDIO ART CLASSES: Discover your happy place in one of our weekly classes. Making art boosts emotional well-being and brings joy to your life, especially when you connect with other art enthusiasts. Select the ongoing program that’s right for you.

Now enrolling youth and adults for classes in drawing, painting and fused glass. Location: Davis Studio, 916 Shelburne Rd., South Burlington. Info: 425-2700, davisstudiovt.com.

gardening ARTFUL KITCHEN GARDEN DESIGN WITH ELLEN ECKER OGDEN: A true kitchen garden opens your senses in new ways and is more than a place to grow food. In this lecture, join gardener and author Ellen Ecker Ogden to discover how to grow an edible garden with an eye toward beauty, productivity and sanctuary. Scholarships available. Mar. 12, 10-11:30 a.m. Cost: $15. Location: Red Wagon Plants, Zoom. Info: Sarah McIlvennie, 482-4060, sarah.m@redwagonplants.com, redwagonplants.com.

language

martial arts

music

yoga

ADULT LIVE SPANISH E-CLASSES: Join us for adult Spanish classes this spring, using Zoom videoconferencing. Our 16th year. Learn from a native speaker via small group classes and individual instruction. You’ll always be participating and speaking. Five different levels. Note: Classes fill up fast. See our website or contact us for details. Cost: $270/10 classes, 90+ min. each, 1/wk. Location: Spanish in Waterbury Center, online. Info: 5851025, spanishparavos@gmail.com, spanishwaterburycenter.com.

VERMONT BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU: This school was developed to communicate the importance of proper, legitimate and complete Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction. We cover fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a realistic approach to self-defense training skills in a friendly, safe and positive environment. All are welcome; no experience required. Develop confidence, strength and endurance. Julio Cesar “Foca” Fernandez Nunes was born and raised on the shores of Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Earning his black belt and representing the Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Team, Julio “Foca” went on to become a five-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu National Champion, three-time Rio de Janeiro State Champion and two-time IBJJF World JiuJitsu Champion! Julio “Foca” is the only CBJJP, USBJJF and IBJJF-certified seventh-degree coral belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense instructor under late grand master Carlson Gracie Sr. currently teaching in the USA. Accept no Iimitations! Location: Vermont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 55 Leroy Rd., Williston. Info: 598-2839, julio@bjjusa.com, vermontbjj.com.

DJEMBE & TAIKO DRUMMING: JOIN US!: New classes (outdoor mask optional/masks indoors). Taiko Tue., Wed.; Djembe Wed.; Kids & Parents Tue., Wed. Conga classes by request! Schedule/ register online. Location: Taiko Space, 208 Flynn Ave., Suite 3G, Burlington. Info: 999-4255, spaton55@gmail.com, burlingtontaiko.org.

INSPIRED YOGA TEACHER TRAINING: Looking to deepen your practice and become a 200-hr. Yoga-Alliance certified/ qualified teacher? Inspired Yoga’s teacher training weekend sessions begin on Friday, March 18th, 2022. Students will study asana, anatomy, pranayama, subtle body, teaching methodology, philosophy and ethics, with an emphasis on creating classes for all ages, abilities and circumstances. Only 8 spots remain. VSAC grant eligible. Monthly. 200-hr. Location: Inspired Yoga, 137 Main St., Suite 101, Newport. Info: Inspired Yoga, Casey Baraw, 323-7911, inspiredyogavt@gmail. com, inspiredyogavt.com.

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE SPRING 2022: Join us for online and possible in-person French classes this spring. This 12-week session starts on March 14 and offers classes for participants at all levels. Children’s classes are also offered on Saturdays. Please visit aflcr.org and read about our offerings on our class page. 12 wks. beginning on Mar. 14. Location: Alliance Française, Burlington. Info: Micheline Tremblay, education@aflcr.org, aflcr.org.

well-being AYURVEDA PP DOULA TRAINING: VSAC grants are available to Vermont residents, and NAMA PACE credits will be available. Serve the women and families in your community during a time of huge transition and growth by becoming an Ayurveda postpartum doula. Graduates will be able to offer postpartum support services, including in-home Abhyanga massage, meals and meal planning as a business or as a gift, safely within the Ayurvedic lens. Apr. 11-15, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Cost: $995/paid in full or $1,195 w/ payment plan. Location: Ayurvedic Center of Vermont, 34 Oak Hill Rd., Williston. Info: The Ayurvedic Center of Vermont, Allison Morse, 872-8898, info@ ayurvedavermont.com.

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SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

2h-sundaybest-dog.indd 1

3/2/21 6:38 PM

COURTESY OF KELLY SCHULZE/MOUNTAIN DOG PHOTOGRAPHY

Humane

Society of Chittenden County

housing »

Charlie SEX: 8-year-old neutered male REASON HERE: He was not a good fit for his previous home. ARRIVAL DATE: February 16, 2022 SUMMARY: Tall, dark and handsome — that’s Charlie! He’s a distinguished senior gentleman looking for a new home to call his own. Charlie may come across as super serious, but once you get to know him, you’ll see that he’s got a silly, playful side, too! Squeaky toys are his favorite and are sure to keep him occupied for hours. He’s also a big fan of snacks, naps and exploring the great outdoors. He prefers the company of people he knows and trusts, so if you’ve got a quiet home with room for an extra-large canine companion, Charlie would love to meet you!

APARTMENTS, CONDOS & HOMES

DID YOU KNOW?

Charlie is this month’s Pronature Pal! His adoption fee is sponsored by the kind people at Pronature Canada, plus he will go home with six months of free dog food and a $50 gift card from our pals at Pet Food Warehouse to help him get settled!

on the road »

CARS, TRUCKS, MOTORCYCLES

pro services »

CHILDCARE, HEALTH/ WELLNESS, PAINTING

buy this stuff »

APPLIANCES, KID STUFF, ELECTRONICS, FURNITURE Sponsored by:

DOGS/CATS/KIDS: Charlie has lived with another dog and children in the past. He has also lived with cats but might be most successful in a home without feline family members. 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.

NEW STUFF ONLINE EVERY DAY! PLACE YOUR ADS 24-7 AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM.

music »

INSTRUCTION, CASTING, INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE

jobs »

NO SCAMS, ALL LOCAL, POSTINGS DAILY

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

CLASSIFIEDS doesn’t matter. Get free towing & same-day cash. Newer models, too. Call 1-866-5359689. (AAN CAN)

on the road

BOATS QUALITY OUTBOARD ENGINES Used & new, quality outboard engines. Contact for purchase: sales manager Holmes. Visit: huntandautosale.com; email: chongaholmes@ gmail.com.

We Pick Up & Pay For Junk Automobiles!

Route 15, Hardwick

802-472-5100

3842 Dorset Ln., Williston

802-793-9133

work in months. Call 866-243-5931. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (AAN CAN)

MOTORCYCLES WANTED: OLD MOTORCYCLES Top dollar paid! Buying any condition as is: 1950s, 1960s & 1970s Harley, Kawasaki, Honda, Norton, Triumph, Indian, etc. Get cash offer: 800-220-9683, wantedoldmotorcycles. com.

MASSAGE THERAPY Roaming Remedy massage therapy is located at 431 Pine St., Burlington, Vt. Connect w/ us to schedule a treatment at roamingremedy.com; email roamingremedy. massage@gmail.com, call/text 802-751-5409.

housing

OFFICE/ COMMERCIAL OFFICE/RETAIL SPACE AT MAIN STREET LANDING on Burlington’s waterfront. Beautiful, healthy, affordable spaces for

CLASSIFIEDS KEY

sm-allmetals060811.indd 7/20/15 1 5:02 PM

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

your business. Visit mainstreetlanding.com & click on space avail. Melinda, 864-7999.

display service ads: $25/$45 homeworks: $45 (40 words, photos, logo) fsbos: $45 (2 weeks, 30 words, photo) jobs: michelle@sevendaysvt.com, 865-1020 x121

HEALTH/ WELLNESS

CARS/TRUCKS CASH FOR CARS! We buy all cars! Junk, high-end, totaled: It

housing ads: $25 (25 words) legals: 52¢/word buy this stuff: free online services: $12 (25 words)

services

AUTO SAVE MONEY ON AUTO REPAIRS Our vehicle service program can save you up to 60% off dealer prices & provide you excellent coverage! Call Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (PST) for a free quote: 866-915-2263. TOOLCRAFT TRUCK RENTALS Box Trucks up to 24 ft. 144 Granger St., Rutland, Vt. 802-775-1808

BIZ OPPS BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR! We edit, print & distribute your work internationally. We do the work; you reap the rewards! Call for a free Author’s Submission Kit: 844-511-1836. (AAN CAN)

COMPUTER

MASSAGE FOR MEN BY SERGIO The cold is here, & it’s time for a massage. Give me a call to make an appt. 802-324-7539, sacllunas@gmail.com. Thank you! MENTAL HEALTH PEER SUPPORT Pathways Vermont’s Community Center is offering free, flexible, scheduled, 1-on-1 & in-person mental health peer support. Connect w/ someone today! Contact chrisn@ pathwaysvermont.org to learn more. PSYCHIC COUNSELING Psychic counseling, channeling w/ Bernice Kelman, Underhill. 30+ years’ experience. Also energy healing, chakra balancing, Reiki, rebirthing, other lives, classes & more. 802-899-3542, kelman.b@juno.com.

COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train online to get the skills to become a computer & help desk professional now. Grants & scholarships avail. for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! 1-855-554-4616. (AAN CAN)

STOWE MOUNTAIN BIKE ACADEMY Stowe Mountain Bike Academy (SMBA) is a rider development program dedicated to inspiring mountain bikers through skills, camaraderie & adventure. For more info, visit stowemtb.com.

EDUCATION

HOME/GARDEN

TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a medical office professional online at CTI! Get trained, certified & ready to

DOUBLE DIAMOND PAINT Need a fresh coat of paint or a new color? Free estimates. Check out Double Diamond Paint: doublediamond paint.com.

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

LEO’S ROOFING Slate, shingle & metal repair & replacement. Snow removal & more! Free estimate: 802-503-6064. 30 years’ experience. Good refs. & fully insured. Chittenden County NEVER PAY FOR COVERED HOME REPAIRS AGAIN! Complete Care Home Warranty covers all major systems &

appliances. 30-day risk-free. $200 off + 2 free mos.! Mon.-Thu. & Sun., 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri., 9:30 a.m.-noon. (All times EST.) 1-877-6730511. (AAN CAN) WATER DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME? Call for a quote for professional cleanup & maintain the value of your home! Set an appt. today! Call 833-6641530. (AAN CAN)

motorcycles & RVs, too! Fast, free pickup. Running or not. 24-hr. response. Max. tax donation. Call 877-2660681. (AAN CAN)

hildegardstringquartet. com to schedule us for your next event.

DIRECTV SATELLITE TV Service starting at $74.99/mo.! Free install! 160+ channels avail. Call now to get the most sports & entertainment on TV! 877-310-2472. (AAN CAN)

GUITAR INSTRUCTION Berklee graduate w/ 30 years’ teaching experience offers lessons in guitar, music theory,

HUGHESNET SATELLITE INTERNET Finally, no hard data limits! Call today for speeds up to 25mbps as low as $59.99/mo.! $75 gift card, terms apply. 1-844-416-7147. (AAN CAN)

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MISCELLANEOUS ATTENTION, VIAGRA & CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50-pill special: $99 + free shipping! 100% guaranteed. Call now: 888-531-1192. (AAN CAN) BATH & SHOWER UPDATES In as little as 1 day! Affordable prices. No payments for 18 mos.! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts avail. Call 1-877-649-5043. (AAN CAN)

THU. NIGHT AUCTIONS Weekly live auctions on Thu. nights. Preview: 5 p.m.; start: 6 p.m. 2 S. Main St., Randolph, Vt. T&C 18% buyer premium. Cash, check or cc. All items as is.

music

INSTRUCTION

music technology, ear training. Individualized, step-by-step approach. All ages, styles, levels. Rick Belford, 864-7195, rickb@rickbelford.com.

LEGALS »

CLEAN & SPACIOUS DUPLEX BARRE TOWN | 11 WASHINGTON ROAD | MLS #4898834

2 units - each with a welcoming entryway, large living room, eatin kitchen and 3 bedrooms. 2-bay detached garage/barn. Enjoy the sound of the running brook out back. Central location close to Barre Town schools, the rec path, town forest, and playground. Easy commute to 1-89. $225,500

BANDS/ MUSICIANS STRING QUARTET FOR EVENTS Book the Hildegard String Quartet to perform at your occasion! Visit hildegardstringquartet. com & contact info@

DONATE YOUR CAR TO KIDS Your donation helps fund the search for missing children. Accepting trucks,

Krista Lacroix 802-846-9551 Krista802RealEstate.com

Homeshares BURLINGTON

Artistic, community-minded professional w/ Old North End home to share. Private BA. $650/mo. plus sharing snow removal. Must be dog-friendly!

NORTH HERO Lake views! Engaging senior woman who enjoys socializing & Hallmark movies. Rentfree housing (just $200/mo. utils) in exchange for cooking 4 meals/week & light housekeeping. Private BA.

SWANTON Share a home w/ mother & daughter, offering furnished bedroom & private BA. $400/ mo. Must be cat friendly.

Finding you just the right housemate for 40 years! Call 863-5625 or visit HomeShareVermont.org for an application. Interview, refs, bg check req. EHO

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SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

print deadline: Mondays at 4:30 p.m. post ads online 24/7 at: sevendaysvt.com/classifieds questions? classifieds@sevendaysvt.com 865-1020 x110

2/21/22 11:57 AM

SEVENDAYSVT.COM/CLASSIFIEDS 3÷

11+

Show and tell.

3+ 2-

Extra! Extra! There’s no limit to ad length online.

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CALCOKU

Post & browse ads at your convenience.

215+

Open 24/7/365.

View and post up to 6 photos per ad online.

BY JOSH REYNOLDS

SUDOKU

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Spread the word in the Seven Days Classifieds.

3 1 BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HH

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 onebox 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.

crossword

Hosting virtual or in-person classes?

ANSWERS ON P.70 H = MODERATE HH = CHALLENGING HHH = HOO, BOY!

CONTACT KATIE FOR A QUOTE AT 865-1020 x110 katie@sevendaysvt.com

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R YOU AT THE W? ANSWERS ON P.70

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

C7 Board Commitment to Non-Discrimination F18 Weapons Policy

Copies of the above policies may be obtained for public review at the Office of the Human Resources Dept. in Shelburne, VT.

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SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

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top news stories

days a week

convenient email

VEGGIE SUPPORT GROUP Want to feel supported on your vegetarian/ vegan journey? Want more info on healthy veggie diets? Want to share & socialize at veggie potlucks & more in the greater Burlington area? This is your opportunity to join w/ other like-minded folks. veggy4life@ gmail.com, 658-4991. WOMEN’S CANCER SUPPORT GROUP FAHC. Led by Deb Clark, RN. Every 1st & 3rd Tue., 5-6:30 p.m. Call Kathy McBeth, 847-5715.

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mon tue wed thu fri SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

11/25/20 10:19 AM

74 MARCH 2-9, 2022

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 Development Coordinator DENTAL ASSISTANT Middlebury Pediatric Dentistry is looking for a dental assistant to join our friendly, close-knit team. Help us take care of Vermont kids’ oral health! Full time. Health insurance. Paid vacation. Please contact us by email and include your resume:

frontdesk@middleburypediatricdentistry.com 2h-MiddleburyPediatricDentistry101420.indd 1

Development Director

The Kellogg-Hubbard Library seeks an enthusiastic, community-oriented Development Coordinator to build relationships, foster connections to the library and encourage giving. See our website for more details and to apply to join our great team! Visit: kellogghubbard.org/employment

10/12/20 11:19 AM

The Intervale Center is an E.O.E. that values diversity of experience, background, and perspective to enrich our work. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. Full job description & to apply, please visit our website: intervale.org/getinvolved#employment-banner

We have an opening for an individual to join our firm as Operations Administrator. This position presents an opportunity to be an integral part of an investment team and work with our advisors to deliver excellent customer service to our client families. Salary is commensurate with experience, and we will train the right person to fulfill the requirements for this position. In addition, there are opportunities for advancement into more prominent roles within the organization. For full description go to: https://bit.ly/3HfxV0k

generatorvt.com/jobs 3/1/22 12:04 PM

DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

We are looking for an accounting professional who

Operations Administrator

Details and to apply:

1t-Generator030222.indd 1

Are numbers your thing? Do you want to work for an organization with

The Intervale Center seeks a strategic, creative Development Accounting Specialist will be an important Director to lead a supportive, successful team creating member of our growing Finance team and responsible impactful fund development and for accounts payable processing, gift processing, and communications efforts that managing prepaid expenses, as well as assisting with help strengthen the community budget preparation and entry and monthly, quarterly, food system! The Director is accountable for the overall development, fundraising, marketing, and engagement strategies that help deepen vermontcf.org/careers for complete job description relationships with existing and instructions for applying. donors, attract new donors, and further enhance awareness of our statewide impact among 4t-VTCommunityFoundationAcctSpec021622.indd 1 2/14/22 donors and other stakeholders. An ideal candidate will have a passion for cultivating and engaging with donors; excellent communication; a collaborative and results-based approach; and InTrack Investment Management, Inc. of South Burlington is a the ability to leverage marketing fast-growing investment management firm. We are dedicated to and communications strategies in support of brand synergy, helping our clients achieve their financial goals with individually fundraising capacity & sales tailored investment and financial plans that reflect their values. initiatives.

LEAD INSTRUCTOR & CURRICULUM SPECIALIST

Do you want to make a difference in your community? Are you organized, detail-oriented and a self-starter? UVM Health Network - Home Health & Hospice is seeking a Development Coordinator to join our 4-member development team. The Coordinator serves as a project manager, event coordinator and fundraiser idea generator. This role is an ideal fit for someone looking to work independently and as part of a close-knit team, who brings a strong attention to detail and process building. If this sounds like a perfect job for you, visit uvmhealth.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/HHH for complete job description and instructions for applying.

9:43 AM

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Supervisors & Workers Sign-on bonuses up to $5,000 for qualified candidates! The University of Vermont Medical Center is seeking EVS Supervisors & Workers to join their team. High School diploma or equivalent education is preferred. Learn More & Apply: https://bit.ly/3v3qLcV

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY! JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

75 MARCH 2-9, 2022

Bike Tech & Sales Associates F/P Time We are looking for both full and part-time bike techs and sales associates. We offer the ability to learn about the latest trends in the industry and the opportunity for certification. Most important is great customer service. Our customer base is diverse; we rely on good communication and flexibility. North Star Sports offers competitive wages and benefits. Apply in person or online: northstarsportsvt.com

Executive Assistant

MULTIPLE POSITIONS OPEN AT SOUTH BURLINGTON!

This individual will serve as the primary support for the Chief Executive Officer to help achieve their performance goals and fulfill the company’s vision of success.

Are you our next Assistant General Manager? Meat Supervisor?

Cleaning Crew (P/T positions)

$22/HOUR (AFTER 90 DAYS OF EMPLOYMENT)

Scan to see all open positions!

Join our team and help us keep our brewery and taproom looking their best. Evening and weekend shifts. Experience preferred.

NO PAY RATES BELOW $15/HR!

Apply here: lawsonsfinest.com/about-us/careers

Apply online at healthylivingmarket.com/careers 4t-HealthyLiving020922 1

NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL has exciting opportunities!

Gleaning Coordinator

NVRH is looking for dedicated and compassionate RNs, LPNs and LNAs to join our team and provide high quality care to the communities we serve. NVRH provides a fair and compassionate workplace where all persons are valued by the organization and each other, providing ongoing growth opportunities.

The Intervale Center seeks a passionate Gleaning Coordinator to join the Gleaning & Food Access team. For over 30 years, the Intervale Center has led a community food FT and PT employees are eligible for excellent benefits revolution that sustains farms, including student loan repayment, generous paid time land, and people. The Gleaning Coordinator will provide support off, health/dental/vision, 401k with company match and in all aspects of programming much more! including gleaning, volunteer management, food distribution, APPLY TODAY AT NVRH.ORG/CAREERS. supporting charitable food production spaces, developing food access programming, 9/24/21 and more! An ideal candidate4t-NVRH092921.indd 1 will have experience in gardening, landscaping, Join Collaborative Solutions Corporation’s (CSC) dynamic farming, or horticulture; strong community in its mission to create an organizational culture organization, communication, of compassion, hope, and health. and time management skills; Our next Clinical Director will be an individual with great experience coordinating leadership and listening skills who demonstrates the ability volunteers and working with to successfully lead the implementation of organization-wide diverse populations.

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

The Intervale Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity of experience, background, and perspective to enrich our work. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. For full job description and instructions to apply, please visit our website: intervale.org/getinvolved#employment-banner

initiatives, capacity for strategic thinking, an interest in working with stakeholders outside the organization, and a high level of expertise in providing research-informed treatment for individuals with serious mental health diagnoses. CSC's programs offer exceptionally high-quality, research-informed clinical care to adults with psychiatric illnesses. Our care team includes psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, case managers, and a music therapist, as well as recovery and peer specialists. As an alternative to hospitalization, we provide a place for patients to heal and grow in beautiful Vermont country inn settings. CSC is committed to recovery-based care which is trauma-informed and culturally competent. Qualifications: Masters or Ph.D. in psychology, social work, or related fields. Clinical license required. Sufficient years of experience in the field to have demonstrated aptitude and competence for the job.

Contact Marianne at HR@cscorp.org or call 802-249-3189 for more information.

2/2/22 4:58 PM

HEALTH INFORMATICS SYSTEMS AUDITOR

38 words. Establish and maintain a therapeutic and stable permanent residential housing environment for adults with mental health/substance use challenges. This is a part time position, 27.5 hours per week. Lorunt laccuscimus et porrum sequis ma adit audic te sit.

Looking for a tech savvy clinician who has an interest in <job title here> compliance and auditing to help Howard Center ensure 50 words. Support individual and small group instruction at the Baird School. The Teaching will also be and responsible for classcomply coverage when Classroom ourInterventionist documentation systems withthefederal Teachers are absent. The Baird School provides an alternative educational environment for and state laws,K-8). industry best practices, children ages 5-14 (grades Est antur recaborent occus alitatiaaccreditation del moloris ellorum. requirements, and corporate compliance guidelines. This <job title here> 47 words. Garvin Intensive Program is seeking motivated staff that are passionate about is a full time position with a generous benefits package. embracing each student’s individuality and strengths, while supporting their academic success in a friendly, therapeutic, and supportive environment. Poriandam, sed mil iliquam eume vellautFictorem qui duscitiorpor as pelit ande eaqui volorep roruptiis ellauta evelib.

Apply at www.howardcenter.org.

Full-time, Part-time, and Substitute Positions Available • Flexible Schedules • Competitive Compensation • Great Benefits, including 36 days of paid time off • Inclusive Work Culture

howardcenter.org • 802-488-6946 Howard Center is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. The agency’s culture and service delivery is strengthened by the diversity of its workforce. Minorities, people of color and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. EOE/TTY. Visit “About Us” on our website at www.howardcenter.org to review Howard Center’s EOE policy.

2:47 PM

Delivery Drivers Wanted Want to be a hero every Wednesday? Need some cash? We are looking for drivers to deliver Vermont’s most beloved newspaper in the Burlington area and beyond! The only requirements are a clean driving record (no major violations), availability on Wednesdays, a reliable vehicle (at least full-size sedan or larger), ability to lift 15 pounds and a positive attitude. If you can check all these boxes, we want you to join the Seven Days circulation team. We pay hourly plus mileage reimbursement. Email circ@sevendaysvt.com. No phone calls, please. Seven Days is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

MARCH 2-9, 2022

FIELD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE The Preservation Trust of Vermont (PTV) builds community through the preservation of historic buildings and the revitalization of Vermont’s villages and downtowns. PTV is seeking a Field Service Representative to help achieve this mission by working closely with Vermonters on a wide range of historic preservation and community development projects. The Field Service Representative provides field-based technical assistance on historic preservation best practices; supports community-led efforts by providing advice, education, encouragement, and connections to other resource providers; and promotes and administers PTV grant programs.

Resume & cover letter to Ben Doyle: ben@ptvermont.org. Application Deadline: March 15, 2022. More information: ptvermont.org/fieldservicerep.

AFTER SCHOOL DIRECTOR 10:30 - 5:45 // $19.50 per hour Schedule: Work day begins at 10:30 am in support of breaks of our early ed program (10:30am-1:00pm). Planning time (for the After School Program) will be available from 1:00 pm-2:30 pm. Job Duties: Direct daily After School Program from 2:30 pm-5:30 pm and hire support staff, set daily activities, and maintain a healthy and active program. Also direct the After School Program during the summer (5 days a week).

AFTER SCHOOL CUSTODIAN Hours: Flexible, 3 nights a week at 4 hours per night Pay rate: $15-16 The applicant must be hard-working, and self-motivated. The applicant must be willing to complete a nightly cleaning log. The applicant will have a valid driver’s license. The applicant must pass a background check and complete VIRTUS training.

DRILLER'S HELPER WATER WELL PUMP TECHNICIAN

1/24/22 12:13 PM

Cheese: Order Fulfillment Coordinator

Washington County Mental Health Services is seeking an innovative, passionate, and values driven person to lead our Intellectual/ Developmental Services Division in central Vermont. Must have strong communication, budgeting, and organizational management skills and have worked at an upper management level. This leadership role provides direction to a creative management team that implements supportive services through case management, employment, housing, education, crisis response and other activities. Participates on statewide director groups to advance preferred policies and initiatives that enhance the Division’s strong community based system of care. Master’s Degree and knowledge of the Vermont System of Care for Developmental Disabilities preferred. Ability to cite experience in direct service work within the applicant’s career is also preferred. Competitive salary and great benefits.

Full-time position from $45,000, plus benefits located in Burlington, VT. Send resumes to: kmartin@neddere.com.

THE GRIND GOT YOU DOWN?

WOOD & WOOD SIGN SYSTEMS MARKETING & SALES MANAGER

We are looking for a self motivated person with a "clean" DMV record and reliable transportation, who takes pride in being on time and is willing to work 40+ hours a week. Position requires driving company vehicles. Must pass pre-employment drug test. Strong mechanical and technical abilities and a basic understanding of electrical wiring and plumbing, Must be able to lift and move 100 lbs; ability to work outdoors in all types of weather. Applicants will be able to with training pass the required certifications within 2 years of hire as a condition of employment. All training will be provided including safety training. Competitive wages and benefits offered (health insurance, life insurance, vacation and more). Please submit resume in person or email to our office: Spafford and Sons, 11 North Main St., Jericho Vt. Monday - Friday between 7:00 am and 4:00 pm. Starts immediately. info@spaffordwaterwells.com

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•

Visit wcmhs.org/careers/ for more details and to apply.

Send resumes to: chill@sfxvt.org 2 POSITIONS OPEN:

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

Join our Team! Seasonal & year-round positions in:

Nedde Real Estate, a full-service real estate firm specializing in • Education: Farm & Forest Based Educator acquisitions, development and Summer Camp Educators • Children’s Farmyard brokerage, has an immediate Educator opening for an experienced, motivated and detail-oriented • The Inn: Housekeepers • Dining & Beverage accounting professional to join Manager • Chef de Cuisine • Guest Services our team! The ideal candidate Swing Manager • Breakfast Chef will be thorough, attentive to details, deadline focused and able • Buildings & Grounds: Seasonal Assistants to work both independently as well as with a team. Key Areas Visit: shelburnefarms.org/jobs of Responsibility include A/P, A/R, and account reconciliations. 2+ years of accounting experience with Associate/Bachelor’s degree 2022.02.28 Seven 4t-ShelburneFarms030222 Days Job Ad 4T.indd 1 1 2/28/2022 2/28/22 11:11:03 11:58 AM AM Director of Community in accounting or related field plus Developmental Services proficiency with QuickBooks, Programs including multi company applications, Excel, and Outlook. (CDS Director)

The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in historic preservation principles and construction, good understanding of community and economic development, the ability to work independently and as part of a team, and solid administrative skills.

4t-SaintFrancisXavier012622.indd 1

SHELBURNE FARMS

3/30/21 1:30 PM

WOOD & WOOD SIGN SYSTEMS is seeking a marketing & sales manager to join our creative team of designers and fabricators. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a genuine interest in design and ability to research, connect, track and generate new business. Required skills include strong organizational and multi-tasking abilities and a proficiency in Microsoft Office. This Waitsfield Company has serviced a national client base for 50 years and provides a light hearted work atmosphere with flexible schedule and benefit package. Position is 20-30 hours per week and hourly wage compensatory with work experience. Open to working part time in the office and remotely. Start Date: Immediate. Send resume w/three references: info@woodandwoodsigns.com.

Perk up!

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8/26/21 5:17 PM

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION • Production Crew Lead • Processing Area Lead • Full Season Production Crew • Summer Production Crew • Morning Production Crew GREENHOUSE & CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION • Annual/Perennial Greenhouse & Cut Flower Garden Crew Member FARMSTAND & HELLO CAFÉ • Farmstand & Hello Café Lead • Full-Season Farmstand Crew • Summer Farmstand Crew KITCHEN • Full-Season Kitchen Staff • Full Season Lead Baker • Part-Time Kitchen Helper EDUCATION CENTER • Summer Camp Educators • Summer Camp Support Staff OPERATIONS • Landscaper/Groundskeeper • Sales Manager Full descriptions and to apply: cedarcirclefarm.org/about/ employment

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3/1/22

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY!

SEASONAL POSITIONS Work in the beautiful Vermont outdoors with some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Happy customers continuously tell us that our staff are the best around. Our staff tell us that working for the parks is some of the most rewarding and meaningful work they’ve ever done. If you have an excellent work ethic, customer service and/or management experience, and great attitude, we’d love for you to apply.

careers.rtx.com

VITA TAX VOLUNTEERS

MARINE OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR

NEEDED

Do you love spending time on the water? Would you like to work with a team as passionate about the outdoors as you are? Vermont State Parks is seeking a diversely qualified and dynamic person to fill a year-round, fast-paced position directly overseeing the operations and supervision of four state park locations in northwestern Vermont, the 100-slip Burton Island Marina, and the Island 9:57 AM Runner Passenger Ferry.

• Materials Associates

All positions pay at least $19.50 hourly and include a $2500 sign on bonus.

OFFICE MANAGER

Full descriptions & to apply: communitysailingcenter.org/about/jobs

Apply online: https://bit.ly/34Pcu9b

Each of these roles requires a HS diploma, GED or 2 years of experience.

The Program Manager oversees the adult programs, assists with both the youth programs and all sailing programs throughout the year. The Program Manager is involved with the hiring process and management of seasonal staff. Time Commitment: Full-time, Year-Round. Salary: $40,000 - $45,000 Starting annual salary depending on experience.

Apply online: https://vtstateparks.com/jobs

• Electrical Assemblers

• Inspection Technicians

PROGRAM MANAGER

The Office Manager (OM) is responsible for the coordination of customer service staff, the overall functionality of the front desk, administrative offices, and transactional functions. The Office Manager is also responsible for the facility rental program, which includes the promotion, operation, staffing, and administration of deck/room rentals in the building. Pay: $37,000 to $40,000 annually.

• Mechanical Assemblers

• Calibration Technicians

77 MARCH 2-9, 2022

We are currently recruiting park managers, assistant managers, park interpreters, attendants, workcampers, deckhands for our Burton Island Ferry Boat and more, see listings below. Part-time and full-time positions are available statewide.

This position requires possession of a USCG 50-ton inland master license or greater, or the ability to obtain licensure within 180 days of hire. Vermont State Parks strives to be the employer of choice in Vermont’s recreation industry and works to create and maintain a welcoming safe and inclusive workplace for all. Application deadline is 03/08/22.

• Production Associates

JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR Starting $52K plus excellent state benefits. A full-time permanent opening exists for an executive assistant to the Chief Administrative Judge in Montpelier, VT. This Position will provide administrative and program leadership at a professional level for several functions within the administrative offices of the Vermont Judiciary. BA degree and 3 years’ experience at a professional level as a program administrator required. Work experience may be substituted for education on six months for one semester basis. Go to vermontjudiciary.exacthire.com/ job/87507 for further details and how to apply. The Vermont Judiciary is an E.O.E.

VOLUNTEER TODAY !

HOW DOES VITA TAX VOLUNTEERING WORK?

• BASIC RETURNS We assist with the basic tax return preparation.

How does this program work? As a commited tax volunteer, you will be assigned to work with a sponsoring organization. First, you receive training and then begin volunteering in your local community. Training is offered online and the hours to volunteer are flexible. You will be certified through Link & Learn to do taxes preparation.

• VERMONT STATE TAX RETURN Our tax preparation program automatically generates the Vt State tax return. • RENTERS CREDIT Formerly Renters rebate and now called Vt Renters Credit. ****All volunteers must adhere to NEKCA policies and undergo a background check, and proof of Covid vaccination is required.***.

At Northeast Kingdom Community Action, we have two site locations: St Johnbury and Newport Vermont. It’s so easy and rewarding to give back to our local community. If you are interested in volunteering please call 802-323-7448 or email awheeler@nekcavt.org

115 LINCOLN STREET ST JOHNSBURY, VT 05819

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www.nekcavt.org

2/18/22 2:32 PM

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

MARCH 2-9, 2022

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

LEGAL ASSISTANT

Are you interested in supporting life-long connections to Vermont’s farms, forests, and natural areas?

Monaghan Safar Ducham PLLC, a downtown Burlington law firm, has an immediate opening for a full-time legal assistant position, in a fastpaced, exciting environment.

We seek a proven Operations Leader who can advance our mission by strengthening the human, financial, and technological resources within our growing non-profit, helping to ensure that each staff person has the tools to do their best work. Core Areas of Responsibility: • Providing operational leadership across core support functions • Leading organizational change efforts • Improving systems, collaboration, and teamwork • Championing principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion

Responsibilities include supporting the firm’s litigation attorneys in producing legal filings and correspondence, proofing documents, and general office assistance.

Qualifications include: 10 years of relevant operational leadership experience, including strong subject matter understanding of IT, Finance, and People and Culture. Ideal candidates will have expertise in systems-thinking, process and change management, and organization-wide communication.

Competitive salary (pay range of $18-$22/hour) and benefits including health insurance, dental, vision & 401(k).

View the full job description and/or apply here: bit.ly/VLT_VPofOperations The Vermont Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage people of all backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Visit: vlt.org

The ideal candidate has excellent computer, organizational and interpersonal skills. Interested persons please email a cover letter and resume to mcain@msdvt.com.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST OPENING The Vermont Center for Anxiety Care, a private psychotherapy practice on the Burlington waterfront, has an opening for a licensed psychotherapist (M.A., LICSW, Ph.D, Psy.D., LCMHC) or postmaster’s degree intern. Adult therapy experience required with child therapy experience an asset. Collaborative group with holistic approach and multiple specialties. Clinical supervision towards licensure provided as needed. Visit website: vtcenterforanxietycare.com. Send resume and cover letter describing professional interests and goals to: Paul Foxman, Ph.D., 86 Lake St., Burlington, VT 05401 or email: paulfoxman@aol.com

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Vermont Humanities is searching for a talented and experienced digital storyteller to engage with our growing audiences through web content, social media posts, print and email campaigns, podcasts and video productions. This full-time position will deliver content to Vermont’s cultural landscape and be a voice for our organization. We actively evaluate our work for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and are looking for someone who is also driven by these goals. Salary, benefits & full job description online at vermonthumanities.org/jobs.

OPERATIONS ASSISTANT (#21038)

VERMONT STATE COURTS The Vermont Judiciary in now hiring approximately 2 full-time, limited-service positions offering full benefits including healthcare, sick leave, holidays and paid time off. Positions to coordinate the use of audio/video technology to deliver court hearings over online meeting tools such as WebEx, Zoom and YouTube livestreaming. Working in the Planning and Court Services unit, this position exercises independent judgment and quick thinking. Extensive interaction with members of the legal community, judicial officers, court staff and the public. Remote work possible. High school and 4 years’ experience (will substitute 4-year degree for experience) with office systems required. Starting rate is $24.20 per hour. Go to vermontjudiciary.exacthire. com/job/87873 for more details and to complete application. Open until filled. Equal Opportunity Employer

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

GROUNDSMEN & TREE CLIMBERS

The Executive Director manages all aspects of Mansfield Hall’s program at a specific Mansfield Hall site. As a member of the Leadership Team, the Executive Director is expected to embody the mission, values, philosophy, and approach of the organization, and to incorporate them into every aspect of the Mansfield Hall community.

Our busy season is approaching and we are seeking groundsmen and tree climbers. Experience a plus but not necessary. Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to show up consistently and work hard.

Burlington

Qualifications: • A graduate degree in the social or behavioral sciences. • 3-5 years of leadership experience as a school principal, head of a department, Executive or Associate Director, or similar position • Extensive experience with coaching individuals, supervising employees, and project management • Specific knowledge of and experience with some of the following topics and evidence-based practices: Neurodiversity, Autism, Executive Functioning Challenges, Anxiety and Stress Management, Young Adult Development, Collaborative Problem Solving, Motivational Interviewing, Social Thinking, Universal Design & Restorative Practices For full job description and to apply: mansfieldhall.org/employment Mansfield Hall is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workplace. People from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, women, and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

Our family owned business has been operating in the Upper Valley for over 40 years. We offer opportunities for employees to learn a new trade and grow within the industry. We will help dedicated employees earn credentials to become ISA Certified tree care professionals. Competitive pay and excellent career opportunities. Email resumes to: alyssa@timbertender.com

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY! JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

79 MARCH 2-9, 2022

CAREGIVERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Assistant Director of Information Systems The UVM Foundation is looking for a curious, self-motivated team member to join our team. The Assistant Director of Information Systems is responsible for providing first-line hardware and software technical assistance. Must have a genuine customer service orientation to help colleagues utilize technology to meet our business goals. The Assistant Director reports to the UVM Foundation Vice President and Chief Information Officer. The UVM Foundation is committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities. Applications should be directed as indicated below and must describe applicant’s demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

WomenSafe is seeking a full time Executive Director to guide and support our staff, services, and programs. We are looking for a dynamic and impactful leader who is strategic and visionary, and is committed to racial, gender, economic and social equity.

1/3/22 12:26 PM

ENERGY ENGINEER Evernorth currently has an opening in Energy Services for an Energy Engineer. The Energy Engineer has the primary responsibility of commissioning new projects at substantial completion, evaluation of building performance via the Parsons Platform data collection system, and reporting findings to stakeholders and Director of Energy Services. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, engineering technology, or related field, 3-5 years’ experience in energy management, energy efficiency, HVAC/ mechanical systems design or operation, experience in BMS/ DDC systems and with statistics, data sets, functional testing, commissioning protocols and be skilled in negotiations, financial analysis, and construction management. Knowledge of python, Grafana, powerBI, or SQL is a plus. We believe in equal access to affordable housing and economic opportunities; the power of partnerships based on integrity, respect, and teamwork; and a collaborative workplace with professional, skilled, and dedicated staff. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Charlie Willner, HR@evernorthus.org by March 16, 2022. Evernorth is an equal opportunity employer.

Converse Home is an Assisted Living Community located in downtown Burlington. If you are looking for a rewarding position as a caregiver, working with wonderful residents and staff, please consider applying. Long term care is one of the fast-growing industries in Vermont and the world. The Converse Home is looking for seasoned caregivers or good humans new to the healthcare industry. New care staff do on-site training with our Nurse Educator to make sure you feel confident in your new skills. IF YOU ARE A SEASONED CAREGIVER OR WANT TO BECOME A CAREGIVER, INQUIRE WITH US!

JOB FAIR JOB FAIR JOB FAIR

To apply please visit the WomenSafe website at: womensafe.net.

For a detailed description of the position and our application process, visit UVMFoundation.org/Careers.

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• Part-Time and Per-Diem Caregivers for day shift weekends, evening shifts week days, both Traditional Assisted Living and Memory Care.

Please apply online & learn more about us: conversehome.com. Or email Kristen@conversehome.com with your resume.

Hiring Event MARCH 19 Hiring Event MARCH 19 MarchFAIR 19 Hiring Event MARCH 19 JOB March 19 10 a.m19 - 2 p.m. 10am-2pm March 10 a.m - 2 p.m. 10am-2pm 10 a.mEvent - 2 p.m. 10am-2pm Hiring MARCH 19 10am-2pm O’Brien Community Center Hiring Event March 19 10 a.m - 2 p.m.

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March 19 Community Center O’Brien Community Center O’Brien Community Center,Ave., 32 Malletts Bay Ave., Winooski 32O’Brien Malletts Bay Winooski 10 a.m - 2 p.m. 32 Malletts Bay Ave., Winooski

32 Malletts Bay Ave., Winooski Dhacdada Shaqaalaysiinta Dhacdada Shaqaalaysiinta Maarso 19 Dhacdada Shaqaalaysiinta Maarso 10 subaxnimo - 2 19 galabnimo Maarso 19 Hiring-Event 10 subaxnimo 2 galabnimo Hiring-Event 10 subaxnimo 2 galabnimo

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 Arabic  Vietnamese  Arabic  Somali  Arabic Vietnamese  Swahili  Vietnamese Somali  Burmese  Somali Swahili  French  Swahili Burmese  Nepali Arabic  Burmese French Vietnamese  Pashto Somali Arabic  French Nepali Swahili Vietnamese Burmese  Nepali Pashto French Somali  Pashto Nepali Pashto Swahili Burmese French Nepali Pashto

NEPALI

Tukio la kuajiri भर्ती कार्यक्रम Tukio la kuajiri मार्य 19 Machi 19 NEPALI Tukio la kuajiri 10 AM - 2 PM Machi 19 Arabic 10Machi AM - 19 2 PM NEPALI Vietnamese Arabic 10 AM - 2 PM NEPALI Arabic Somali भर्ती 10 कार्यAM क्रम- 2 PM Vietnamese Vietnamese Swahili Somali भर्ती कार्य क्र म मार्यकार्य 19 क्रम Somali Burmese भर्ती Swahili NEPALI Swahili French मार्य 19 - 2 PM Burmese 10 AM मार्य 19 Arabic Burmese Nepali French 10 AM - 2 PM Vietnamese French Pashto Nepali 10 AM - 2 PM Somali Nepali भर्ती कार्य क्रम

Hiring Event March 19 10 a.m - 2 p.m.

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Hiring Event March 19 March 19 March 10 a.m -192 p.m. Événement d’embauche 10 a.m --Event 22 p.m. Événement d’embauche 19a.m mars 10Hiring p.m. Événement d’embauche 19 mars 10h - 14h March 19 19 mars 10h - 14h 10h 14h 10 a.m - 2 p.m.

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Burmese French Nepali Pashto

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Arabic Vietnamese Somali Swahili Burmese French Nepali Pashto

VIETNAMESE

NEPALI

मार्य 19 10 AM - 2 PM VIETNAMESE

VIETNAMESE VIETNAMESE VIETNAMESE

Sự kiện tuyển dụng Sự kiện tuyển dụng 19 kiện tháng 3 dụng Sự tuyển VIETNAMESE 19 tháng 3 10 tháng giờ sáng 19 3 - 2 giờ chiều 10 giờ giờ sáng sáng -- 22 giờ giờ chiều chiều 10

Sự kiện tuyển dụng 19 tháng 3 10 giờ sáng - 2 giờ chiều

NEPALI NEPALI NEPALI

भर्ती कार्यक्रम भर्ती कार्य भर्ती19 कार्यक्र क्रम म मार्य मार्य 19 मार्य 19- 2 PM 10 AM 10 10 AM AM -- 22 PM PM

NEPALI

Rewarding Work • Flexible Schedules • • Great Great Benefits Benefits Rewarding Schedules VIETNAMESE Schedules Rewarding Work Work • • Flexible Flexible • Great Benefits VIETNAMESE VIETNAMESE 802-488-6946 802-488-6946 Sự kiện tuyển dụng VIETNAMESE 802-488-6946 Sự kiện tuyển dụng Sựtháng kiện tuyển dụng howardcenter.org 19 3 802-488-6946 howardcenter.org 19 33 802-488-6946 howardcenter.org 19 tháng tháng 802-488-6946 10Sự giờkiện sáng - 2 giờ chiều tuyển dụng howardcentercareers.org 10 giờ sáng howardcentercareers.org 1019 giờ sáng3-- 22 giờ giờ chiều chiều howardcentercareers.org tháng 10 giờ sáng - 2 giờ chiều

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ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

MARCH 2-9, 2022

OFFICE COORDINATOR

Winooski Housing Authority has a new position available for an office coordinator who can keep us organized and help us serve our customers. The position is responsible for the administrative WINOOSKI functions of our office including coordinating the HOUSING AUTHORITY activities of our customer service function and keeping our HR, Payroll, and Office Systems running smoothly. The ideal candidate will have three to five years of office management and customer service experience. Competitive pay and great benefits. If you are up to the task of helping our housing professionals stay up to date and you love to keep documents organized, please apply.

DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR The Opportunity: We are seeking a Development Coordinator to join our fundraising team. The role is composed of 3 main functions: • Data Operations: Farm & Wilderness will have accurate and robust data systems and processes that ensure donors are excellently served and financial systems and audits are accurate

CUSTODIAN/HOUSEKEEPER

We need a full time custodian to keep our common areas neat and clean, making sure our tenants can enjoy a well-kept safe place to visit. Duties will include occasional assistance with cleaning vacant apartments. We know the importance of a professional who knows the tricks of the trade. We are looking for an experienced professional to work from 8:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday with an hour for lunch, competitive pay and excellent benefits. Please apply stating which position you are interested in to: Debbie Hergenrother Winooski Housing Authority dch@winooskihousing.org

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IT DIRECTOR

We’re hiring! If you are an educator who deeply believes in honoring student voice, learning through play, and empowering children to be engaged, thoughtful, and creative community members, you might be just who we’re looking for!

Software Engineer II Digital Success Specialist Digital Content Strategist

• Reporting & Analysis: continue to optimize our fundraising efforts and results through regular and on demand reports and analysis of donors, giving, campaigns, etc.

Project Manager

• Supporting Relationship Management and Prospect Research: ensure the board and team relationship managers (fundraising solicitors) are armed with data and information to optimize their ability to cultivate and close donations.

Freelance Content Writer

Full Description: bit.ly/FWDevCoord

EDUCATOR

Union Street Media is a web development and digital marketing company located in Burlington, VT. We have the following opening positions:

Go to: bellwetherschool. org/careers for more information.

Web Developer Technical Support Specialist Freelance SEO Specialist For more information visit: unionstreetmedia.com/careers. To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to: jobs@unionstreetmedia.com.

You’re in good hands with...

3/1/22 9:14 AM

NON-PROFIT Population Media Center (PMC) is looking for an experienced IT Director to professionalize our in-house management of information technology and to elevate technology as an indispensable component of our program delivery. Reporting to the VP of Finance, the Director of IT will lead and have oversight of all IT decisions for the organization. You will evaluate PMC’s current IT infrastructure and work closely with Executive Leadership to clearly outline a plan and define goals to ensure that our organization’s IT strategy is contributing to its mission. PMC’s current IT environment includes cloud-based identity management and file storage, Office 365 productivity suite including SharePoint intranet, accounting, customer relationship management, electronic payment, and research data warehouse systems. PMC works with a third-party IT management service provider. You: You have knowledge of and experience with current IT technology and best practices. You are experienced in creating and implementing IT policies and systems to meet current and emerging business objectives. You can read, analyze, and interpret complex documents and respond effectively to both routine and sensitive inquiries. You have demonstrated ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. You can write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Submit cover letter & resume to taylor@tuckconsultinggroup.com. Review of applications and interviewing to begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled. See full description at populationmedia.org/about-us.

WORKSITE WELLNESS & CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS MANAGER We are a clinical and wellness non-profit agency supporting workplaces and employees with counseling, wellness services, mental health and life resources, and more. We have an exciting opportunity for the right high-level professional to work with our client relations team as we deliver these innovative occupational wellness and engagement programs. As we explore creative ways to make the most impact, the right candidate will be able to: • Maintain and grow our client relationships with employers across Vermont and beyond • Develop and implement advanced employee wellness and educational programs • Work with our multi-disciplinary team on many deliverables and deadlines • Lead client engagement and partnerships • Assist leadership team in the day-to-day-operations of the program. Experience working with membership-based organizations a plus. If you thrive in working cooperatively with people at all levels with respect, then we want to talk with you. Submit cover letter and resume, specifying your interested position, to Marc Adams at marca@investeap.org by March 15, 2022. We are an E.O.E. committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

“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

Get a quote when posting online. Contact Michelle Brown at 865-1020, ext. 121, michelle@sevendaysvt.com.

JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

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8/20/21 1:41 PM

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY! JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Landscaper/Gardener Residential garden help. Work with a great team!

Town Treasurer & Delinquent Tax Collector The Town of Calais is seeking an organized and motivated individual to serve as our Town Treasurer and Delinquent Tax Collector. This is a full-time position; pay is commensurate with knowledge and experience; generous benefit package. Town residency is not required.

Send resumes to:

Galipeau2@gmavt.net

SAME DAY DELIVERIES (802) 862-7662

MEDICAL COURIERS AND DELIVERY DRIVERS Currently, we are seeking drivers to join our growing team. We are hiring for several full time and part time positions, as well as different shifts.

The Town Treasurer is responsible for the management of all the town's financial activities: receipt, investment, and disbursement of funds; keeping a record of taxes voted, billed, and collected; collecting other funds receivable by the town; and paying orders drawn on town accounts and human resources administration. The treasurer acts as the town's collector of current taxes. The Delinquent Tax Collector sends monthly invoices and notices of delinquency to taxpayers, creates a payment plan for each delinquent taxpayer, works with the tax attorney on tax sales and other duties. A bachelor's degree in accounting, public administration, or similarly applicable experience is preferred, as well as at least 7spot.indd three years' experience in the area of municipal, public, or private accounting including experience managing payroll, employee benefits, and accounts payable and receivable.

81 MARCH 2-9, 2022

Feel free to stop in to our office at 54 Echo Place, Suite# 1, Williston, VT 05495 and fill out an application. Or fill out an application via our website at shipvds.com or email Tim a copy of your resume at timothy@shipvds.com.

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8/24/21 2:18 PM

Please submit a cover letter, resume detailing work history, names and contact information of three professional references to: 3120 Pekin Brook Rd., E. Calais, VT 05650. Position is open until filled. For more information contact calais.townclerk@gmail.com. Calais is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

TOWN TREASURER/BUSINESS MANAGER Town of East Montpelier, VT The Treasurer/Business Manager for the Town of East Montpelier is retiring! We are looking for someone with accounting and payroll experience. The Treasurer/Business Manager plays a key role in budget development, day-to-day accounting tasks, and general support to the Selectboard and collaborates with town employees on financial matters and HR activities. The Treasurer/ Business Manager maintains full and accurate accounting records for General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Cash Receipts, Tax Administration and Payroll. We hope to hire a person with excellent accounting skills, who is a strategic thinker, and who possesses great customer service skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, and a desire to serve the public in a professional manner. Fund accounting experience preferred; NEMRC experience a plus, but we are willing to train the right candidate. This is a full-time opportunity (30-35 hours per week) with some flexible hours and a competitive wage and benefit package. Follow this link for more information, including a job description: eastmontpeliervt.org/town-treasurer-job-opening/ To apply, please submit your letter of interest and resume by March 11, 2022 to: manager@eastmontpeliervt.org Equal Opportunity Employer.

SENIOR FINANCE & ACCOUNTING ANALYST Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), located in Burlington VT, is recruiting for a Senior Finance and Accounting Analyst. Formed in 1974, VHFA’s mission is to finance and promote affordable, safe, and decent housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income Vermonters. As one of Vermont’s leading non-profits in the affordable housing sector, the Agency needs a bright, innovative individual to work closely with colleagues at the Agency and external partners with the many initiatives and programs the Agency has been tasked to administer. Working closely with each member of the Finance and Accounting Department and our external partners, this position will be involved in activities that include data analytics, bond and debt issuance and associated compliance and reporting, and a wide range of Agency accounting and budget functions. Ideally, this position will evolve and over time gain a comprehensive overview of the expertise and functionality the department is required to field. This position comes with growth potential within the Agency and is tailored for an individual who has an interest in pursuing a career as a senior public finance professional. Three years’ experience in affordable housing, real estate and/or other public sector accounting, finance and analytics, and a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a quantitative field, is preferred. A keen interest in the complex mechanisms for providing affordable housing, a general working knowledge of accounting and finance concepts and software systems, and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, is required. A proficiency for databases and the ability to query databases for reporting and analysis, is desirable. Strong math and problem-solving abilities, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Excel, is essential. Consistently named one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont,” the Agency offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. The salary range for this position is $60,000-$75,000. For a detailed job description and benefits overview, please see the Careers section of VHFA.org. To apply, send cover letter (required; otherwise your application will not be considered), resume, and references to the Human Resources Department at HR@vhfa.org. Please consider including in your cover letter a description of how your unique background and experiences would contribute to the diversity and cultural vitality of VHFA. Position will be open until filled. VHFA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workplace. We highly encourage women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ candidates, and people from diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds to apply.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

MARCH 2-9, 2022

Conservation Specialist

NOW HIRING!!

WNRCD seeks an innovator and community-connector with a strong understanding of water quality to manage our clean water education, outreach, and project implementation initiatives. This position will be based out of Williston, Vermont and will be responsible for District programs such as Rethink Runoff Stream Team, Storm Smart, and Trees For Streams.

*Commercial Roofers - Experience in Epdm, TPO, PVC, Standing Seam & Slate *Laborers * CDL Class A Driver *Certified Crane Operator *Warehouse Manager - Full-time, year-round employment - Medical/Dental/Vision Benefits - Annual Bonus - Above Average Wages - 401K EOE/M/F/VET/Disability Employer

252 Avenue C, Williston, VT 05495

802-862-6473

KITCHEN GENERALISTS

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Visit bit.ly/WNRCD2022 for a full job description and information on how to apply!

LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS

We currently are hiring for all positions from Team Leader to Team Members. Experience is a plus but not required.

JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM WHERE YOU AND 1/14/20 YOUR WORK MATTER...

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3/1/22 12:08 PM

FOURNIER LANDSCAPING in North Ferrisburgh is hiring! Fournier Landscaping has been in business for 38 years. We are a well-established company, which does all aspects of Landscape Maintenance, Landscape Construction, and Light Excavation.

YOUR TRUSTED LOCAL SOURCE.

• Construction crew • Mowing crew • Gardening

12:30 PM

A good positive attitude is key. Competitive wages, PTO, Paid Holidays, IRA with match.

• Full and Part Time $17.00/hour, more depending on experience. Converse Home is an Assisted Living Community located in downtown Burlington. If you are looking for a rewarding position, working with wonderful residents and staff, please consider applying. We are looking for part-time and full-time kitchen generalists. Our Kitchen Generalists will be involved with food prep, in support of our line cooks, and work independently, with tasks including baking, salads, and soups. They will also support meal service and dishwashing at times. All team members work collectively on kitchen cleanliness. The most important attribute of the Kitchen Generalist is the ability to work positively as part of a team providing outstanding food to residents and employees. If you have kitchen experience & are looking for a new opportunity, please apply! You can learn more about Converse Home at conversehome.com and apply under career opportunities or send your resume to Kristen@conversehome.com If you are looking for a rewarding position come work with us!

COMMUNITY SUPPORT Begin a career; don’t start a job. Spend your time doing work that makes a real difference. We need great people who want to help great people. Are you compassionate, kind, resilient, and adaptable? Specialized Community Care is seeking unique individuals who will act as mentors, coaches, and friends to provide support for adults in Addison, Rutland, Franklin, and Chittenden counties with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. This is a fun and rewarding career spent “Off the Couch.” We provide extensive training, support, professional growth and advancement opportunities in a family work environment. We offer pay increases after a probationary period and further advancement and pay for self-paced skill building. We want to hire your values and train the skills that will help make you successful. Let’s talk!

Please contact us at 802-388-6388 Web: www.sccvt.org Email: humanresources@sccvt.org

Send resumes to: fournierlandscaping@gmail.com

P U B L I C H E A LT H C O M M U N I C A T I O N O F F I C E R / S O C I A L MEDIA – BURLINGTON

6895 US-7, Ferrisburgh, VT 05473 802-425-5296

Do you live for likes, shares, and stories? Passionate about audience engagement? The Health Department is looking for an experienced social media specialist to plan, create, and manage content across our platforms. As a member of the communications team, you’ll work collaboratively to develop social media products and graphics that are accurate, engaging and easy to understand, that meet communication objectives, audience needs and maintain our voice and credibility. Join our public health team! For more information, contact Nancy Erickson at nancy. erickson@vermont.gov. Department: Health. Status: Full Time. Location: Burlington. Job Id #26472. Application Deadline: March 10, 2021.

S TAFF ATTORNEY INVES TIG ATOR – MONTPELIER

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is seeking a highly qualified candidate for a Staff Attorney Investigator (Level I or II). A staff attorney investigator primarily develops and executes investigations into allegations of discrimination while engaging in conciliation efforts between parties, drafting legally enforceable settlement agreements, & monitoring compliance with conciliated agreements. Lastly, the staff attorney investigator may develop and deliver training to a variety of agencies, non-profits, and individuals. For more information, contact John McKelvie at human.rights@vermont.gov. Department: Human Rights Commission. Status: Full Time. Location: Montpelier. Job Id #29423. Application Deadline: March 11, 2022.

S E N I O R P O L I C Y & I M P L E M E N T A T I O N A N A LY S T – WATERBURY

Are you passionate about working collaboratively towards solutions to difficult problems and interested in corrections? Are you skilled at policy analysis, written communication, navigating difficult conversations, working in groups, and project management? If so, consider joining the VT Department of Corrections Policy Development Unit! We’re looking for someone who has experience working with policies or legislation, the ability to balance competing demands, and strong communication skills to join our team. For more information, contact Christine Cowart at Christine.Cowart@vermont.gov. Department: Corrections. Status: Full Time. Location: Waterbury. Job Id #29147. Application Deadline: March 9, 2022.

NURSE CASE MAN AGER/UTILIZATION REVIEW NURSE II – WATERBURY

Department of Vermont Health Access’s Clinical Unit is seeking a registered nurse to join our dynamic team. This is a professional role that will utilize clinical skills to navigate the healthcare system by reviewing clinical documentation to determine medical necessity, recommend service authorizations, and conduct utilization reviews to help improve health outcomes. Qualifications: Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Vermont AND five (5) years or more of nursing experience. For more information contact Kristin Allard 802-241-9301 Kristin.Allard@Vermont.gov Reference Job ID #29462 Location: Waterbury. Status: Permanent, Full Time. Application Deadline: March 14, 2022

Learn more at :

careers.vermont.gov 6t-VTDeptHumanResources030222

LEGAL ASSISTANT Sheehey Furlong & Behm P.C.

Burlington, VT

Sheehey Furlong & Behm, an established, growing law firm located near the Burlington waterfront, is accepting applications for a legal assistant. The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, possess strong written and verbal skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency in MS Office applications is required. 1-3 years of legal experience is preferred. Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package.

The State of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity Employer

2/25/22 4:21 PM

Please forward cover letter and resume to hiring@sheeheyvt.com, subject “Legal Assistant.”

The Harwood Unified Union School District in Waitsfield, VT is seeking a highly qualified

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor’s degree required in Human Resources or a related field • Relevant Human Resources or related management experience • Solid understanding of state & federal employment & education laws • Proficiency with a variety of computer applications such as PowerSchool, all Google applications and Excel • Experience handling sensitive and confidential information and maintaining a high level of confidentiality and discretion. The Director of Human Resources plans, coordinates and oversees personnel services for the district under the direction of the Superintendent.The Director of Human Resources provides leadership in the areas of position descriptions, recruitment strategies, applicant screening, as well as hiring procedures and protocols.The Director of Human Resources also maintains an inclusive and effective onboarding and orientation process.This position evaluates current personnel policies, procedures and operational practices while balancing organizational interests and employee needs. For more information about this job go to huusd.org/jobs or search SchoolSpring.com for Job # 3784855.

FACILITIES SUPPORT True North Wilderness Program is seeking a full time Facilities Support team member. True North offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, accident insurance, retirement savings plan, wellness fund, and education assistance program. Primary job duties include facilities and grounds maintenance, landscaping and hardscaping, chainsaw operation and lawn mowing, light construction and carpentry, and vehicle maintenance. Additional responsibilities include supporting clients directly with enrollment, transportation, crisis response and logistical tasks. The ideal candidate is an adaptable team player with a positive attitude who is willing to work both indoors and outdoors and is able to work weekends/occasional evenings. A clean, valid driver's license is required. All True North employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have received the booster dose of the vaccine if eligible. True North is a nationally recognized wilderness therapy program located in the beautiful Green Mountains of Central Vermont. As a small, independently owned program, True North provides personalized therapeutic interventions and transition support for 14-17 year old adolescents and 18-25 year old young adults with an emphasis on assessment and family participation. This is an excellent opportunity to work for a therapeutic wilderness program (licensed residential treatment center in Vermont), be part of a dynamic, supportive team and live and work in a fantastic community. Please visit our website to apply: truenorthwilderness.com/careers

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY! JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

83 MARCH 2-9, 2022

If you love details, details, details - this is the job for you! We need a half-time person to organize our grants, projects and office, in support of our work in building a community-based fiber network and bringing high speed symmetrical broadband servce to our commuities. We’re looking for excellent organization and communication skills, experience in grants administration and, ideally, three years of clerical or office experience. Nonprofit or government experience also a plus. Flexible schedule & retirement benfits are included. Join us! Complete job description at lamoillefiber.net. To apply, send cover letter and resume to director@lamoillefiber.net. No phone calls, please.

www.cvabe.org

Executive Director

Seeking Executive Director - Starting July 1, 2022 Central Vermont Adult Basic Education (CVABE) is a vibrant, well-established, fiscally healthy, community-based nonprofit organization serving Washington, Lamoille, and Orange Counties. The Executive Director leads the organization and ensures the necessary personnel and financial resources to provide students with the education and skills needed to live more successfully as community members. The overall goal is for students to receive the education needed to participate successfully in Vermont’s workforce and citizenry. The Executive Director is committed to CVABE’s mission of providing educational opportunities for adults and out-of-school young adults, and involving the larger community in the encouragement of their efforts and progress. The Executive Director guides the ongoing progress of CVABE under the oversight and leadership of the Board of Directors, while coordinating and overseeing all of aspects of the program. Specific qualifications include: • Master’s Degree in Education or a related field • Strong leadership skills • Experience in nonprofit management, budgeting, community relations, and fundraising • Knowledge of and commitment to Adult Education and Literacy (AEL), which encompasses: literacy, math, computer skills and finances, English Language Learning, preparation for US Citizenship, requirements for earning High School Diploma or GED, and career and college readiness For full job description, please visit CVABE.org. Starting Salary and Benefits: $85,000 - $90,000 based on experience. 100% individual health, dental, and short-term disability insurance, employer 403(b) contributions and six weeks of paid vacation.

Please submit cover letter, resume, and list of three references by March 30, 2022 to: CVABE Board of Directors board@CVABE.org 9t-CentralVTAdultBasicEd030222 1

2/28/22 12:05 PM

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

MARCH 2-9, 2022

LUNCH COOK Mon – Fri, 22-25 hours/week Must be knowledgeable about food safety, handling and storing. Experience with commercial kitchen equipment such as fryolators, flat top grills, gas stoves and ovens. Must be creative in menu planning that would include preparing soups and lunch specials along with regular menu. Hourly pay negotiable according to experience. Email resume to: vtalpost91@gmail.com.

Bodyworker/ Massage Therapist Wanted to work in our busy clinic. We will refer clients to you while you build your own practice. Our patients are seeking in-house massage therapy sessions and we'd like to provide them. If interested please email or give us a call. sharon@ burlingtonacupuncture.com (802) 230-0909

CREW MEMBER

SHELTER COORDINATOR

Do you like to climb, be outside and go to new places?

JOIN THE JOHN GRAHAM SHELTER TEAM!

The Crew Member position will assist with all services provided (gutter cleaning, house/roof washing, dry vent cleaning, etc).

John Graham Housing & Services

John Graham Housing & Services, a nonprofit organization providing affordable housing and emergency shelter in Addison County, is seeking a Shelter Coordinator. The Shelter Coordinator oversees shelter operations and provides support for JGHS Shelter guests and walk-in clients in the evenings and on weekends. WORKING CONDITIONS: • The Shelter Coordinator works part-time at the Main Street office on weekdays 4:00 pm-8 pm; and/or weekends 8:30 am-8:00 pm. (On weekends, there is the option of working a six-hour shift, 8:30 am2:30 pm or 2:30 pm-8:00 pm, or the full 12-hour shift). APPLY TODAY: Email your cover letter and resume to info@johngrahamshelter.org. JGHS provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

$18 per hour to start with increases related to performance. Must be able to carry 70 pounds. Must be safe and confident on a ladder. Please text "apply" to 802-7773210 to start the conversation.

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2/18/22 2:32 PM

LOOKING FOR A COOLER OPPORTUNITY?

JOIN THE TEAM AT GARDENER’S SUPPLY! Through gardening, our customers control their access to safe and affordable food, and grow food to share with their neighbors. At Gardener’s Supply, we are committed to doing everything we can to help our customers keep gardening, but we need your help. We’re hiring for SEASONAL POSITIONS AT ALL LOCATIONS: • Pick/Pack customer orders at our DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN MILTON • Provide exceptional customer service in our CALL CENTER - Remote options available • Help customers with their gardening needs at our WILLISTON & BURLINGTON, VT GARDEN CENTERS We are 100% employee-owned and a Certified B Corporation. We offer strong cultural values, competitive wages and outstanding benefits (including a tremendous discount!). Please go to our careers page at www.gardeners.com/careers and apply online!

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TRIALS FARM MANAGER High Mowing is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented person to manage the High Mowing Trials Farm. The Trials Farm is 8.5 acres located in Hyde Park, Vermont where the Trials Farm Manager will grow field trials to evaluate varieties for inclusion in our product assortment. This position will be responsible for managing trials of between 900 and 1,000 individual varieties annually. The Trials Farm Manager will execute the trials plan developed by Product Development by growing the variety trials in a farm setting and ensuring that accurate, interpretable, and meaningful data is collected to enable informed decisionmaking. The High Mowing Trials Farm’s ultimate goal is data, rather than produce. As such, the ideal candidate is organized and precise; they are extremely thorough, accurate, detailoriented and able to operate effectively while managing competing priorities. A complete job description can be found here. Please email your resume, cover letter, and references to jobs@highmowingseeds.com. Please put the job title in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. No phone calls please.

2/28/22 11:03 AM

Find 100+ new job postings from trusted, local employers in Seven Days newspaper and online. Follow @SevenDaysJobs on Twitter

See who’s hiring at jobs.sevendaysvt.com 4v-WaterCooler.indd 1

8/20/21 1:47 PM

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY!

JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

ORTHODONTIC ASSISTANT

Full-Time Legal Assistant/Paralegal

FULL TIME

Music Director The First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, UCC, is seeking a part-time Music Director with a salary range of $28-32k. Candidate should play both organ and piano and have choir directorial experience. For a complete job description and additional desired skills, please visit our website at fccej.org. If interested, please submit resume and cover letter to welcome@fccej.org or mail to: FCCEJ, One Church Street, Essex Junction VT 05452.

85 MARCH 2-9, 2022

Come join our team at Central Vermont Orthodontics! We are looking for a fulltime orthodontic assistant to join our practice that has helped create beautiful smiles for generations of Vermonters. Our focus is using modern technology and treatments and connecting with the community. Daily responsibilities will involve assisting and interacting with patients, along with office duties such as sterilization and x-rays. Prior experience not required but a plus.

Caffry Law, a special needs and estate planning law firm in Waterbury, is seeking a detail-oriented full-time legal assistant or paralegal (depending on experience) who will enhance office efficiency and quality of service provided to clients. Must have strong drafting, organizational, communication, and timemanagement skills. Prior experience either with disability services or in a law office is a plus.

BENEFITS INCLUDE: • Competitive pay (based on experience), 4-5 days/week • Health Insurance (individual or family) • 401(k) Retirement Plan with matching • Dental and Health Reimbursements • Paid time off, office parties and retreats • Training and education opportunities

Job tasks include professional email and phone conversations with clients and prospective clients, providing relevant special needs information and resources and/or scheduling client meetings; preparing and maintaining confidential client files; drafting client planning documents and documents for filing with courts; and organizing and preparing final documents for distribution either to clients, public benefits agencies, courts, or other appropriate parties. Long-term, full-time position with flexible schedule. Hourly wage based on experience. Please send resume, cover letter, and three references to Kaitlyn Keating at kaitlyn@caffrylaw.com.

Give us a call to learn more! (802) 476-6373

Education and Training Resources (ETR) has immediate openings in the following:

NORTHLANDS JOB CORPS

VOCATIONAL CASE MANAGER The Vocational Case Manager provides vocational rehabilitation services to Injured Workers through coordination with the employee, referral source, physician, employer, attorney, State partners and others with the ultimate goal being the client’s timely return to gainful employment. The Vocational Case Manager interviews and evaluates the client to determine vocational services eligibility based on Transferrable Skills, Labor Market Research, Suitable Wage and Work Capacity. This position identifies suitable job goals consistent with the clients’ interests, aptitudes and physical abilities; supporting the RTW goals of the Vermont Department of Labor jurisdictional rules, in collaboration with all parties. This is a home office position, with regular travel up to 70% of the time throughout Vermont & may include travel to surrounding states. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

FOOD SERVICES Cook (2 Full Time positions available, starting at $18.00/hr) - High School diploma required along with 2 years’ related work in food services. Cook Assistant (2 Full time positions available, starting at $16.00/hr) – High School diploma required. Cook Assistant (On-Call) – High School Diploma required.

WELLNESS SERVICES Substance Abuse Counselor (TEAP, 1 Full time) – Certified by the State of Vermont to practice. 2 years’ experience in work related area.

• Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or related field is required. • CRC preferred • Vermont Certification or eligible for certification post 6 month internship. • Knowledge of Managed Care or Workers’ Compensation preferred.

Licensed practical Nurse (LPN) 2 Full Time Available- $28/hr) - State Certification required.

A comprehensive benefits package is available for full-time regular employees and includes Medical (HDHP) w/Pharmacy, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account Options, Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Pre-paid Legal Insurance, Parking and Transit FSA accounts, 401K, ROTH 401K, and paid time off. In addition, Medical Case Managers are eligible for bonus and will be provided stateof-the-art technological devices to ensure ready access to CorVel’s proprietary Case Management application, enabling staff to retrieve documents on the go and log activities as they occur.

OA + CTS

Registered Nurse (1 Full Time Available – starting at $73,000/year) – State Certification required

Career Transition Services Specialist – Associate degree required

Driver (4 On Call slots available!) – High School diploma required, CDL preferred. Campus Monitor (4 Full time Available starting at $15/hr, On Call Options Available too!) – High School diploma required. Facility Maintenance Custodial Assistant (1 Full time) – High School diploma Required. **Custodial Assistant (On Call) – High School diploma Required.

RECREATION **Recreation Aide (On-Call - $16/hr) – High School diploma required.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

APPLY TODAY Please submit all applications to our applicant portal at www.etrky.com for all roles in Vergennes, VT. Employment will be at a Federal Department of Labor facility. All applicants will be subject to drug testing and a full background check.

Independent Living Advisor (starting at $18.00) – High School diploma required. Independent Living Advisor (On Call - starting $19/hr) - High School diploma required .

BENEFIT FOR FULL TIME ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES: Competitive pay!

2 weeks’ vacation within first year!

401K and matching!

Employer sponsored benefits!

Send resumes to: Donna_Curtin@corvel.com CorVel is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

SECURITY, SAFETY & TRANSPORTATION

**Critical needs positions!

100A MacDonough Dr. • Vergennes, VT 05491 • 802-877-0159

ETR/NORTHLANDS JOB CORPS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER OF FEMALES AND MINORITIES

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

MARCH 2-9, 2022

FLORAL MERCHANDISER

New, local, scamfree jobs posted every day!

Burlington

PT, 3 mornings per week, approximately 15-20 hours. Fun and flexible job perfect for a creative person who likes to work independently.

Community Resource Center Housing Advocate

Please email resume to cindy@gmavt.com or jeannettely920@protonmail.com.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

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7/12/21 6:20 PM

POST YOUR JOBS AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTMYJOB PRINT DEADLINE: NOON ON MONDAYS (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS) FOR RATES & INFO: MICHELLE BROWN, 802-865-1020 X121, MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

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7/6/21 3:47 PM

We are ADDING POSITIONS to support our growing teams!

Do you want to work for an Agency that positively impacts the lives of over 20,000 individuals? CVOEO has an exciting opportunity to help individuals who are most in need at our Community Resource Center (CRC) at a location in Burlington. We are looking for compassionate advocates to help individuals who are experiencing homelessness and who have low income to find or maintain suitable housing, employment and other social and health supports, and connect clients with local social service agencies organizations, landlords, and funding sources. This is a part time position with Saturday and Sunday hours from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Successful applicants will have a Bachelor degree in an appropriate discipline plus two years of community service experience or a combination of education and experience from which comparable skills and knowledge are acquired; the ability to work with diverse populations; and excellent verbal and communication skills, bilingual abilities are a plus. Pay starts at $27.50/hour. If you want to work for social justice and be part of the most energetic and committed teams in the state of Vermont, please visit www.cvoeo.org/careers to learn more and to submit your cover letter and resume. The review of applications begins immediately and will continue until qualified candidates are found. CVOEO is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest banking institution headquartered in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all. NSB is growing! We are looking for professionals to join our Risk Management, Commercial Credit, and Information Technology departments.

RISK MANAGEMENT OFFICER – Chittenden County or Central Vermont NSB Office The successful candidate will have experience with evaluating, identifying, mitigating, and monitoring risk. A bachelor’s degree or three to five years of experience in a related field is required. CREDIT ANALYST – Chittenden County or Central Vermont NSB Office The Credit Analyst evaluates the financial condition of commercial borrowers applying for credit at the bank. A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or accounting, or two years credit analysis experience in a banking environment is required.

HELPDESK ANALYST – Berlin Operations Center The Helpdesk Analyst will be responsible for monitoring and responding quickly to resolve IT Support Requests via phone, email, and IT Helpdesk Ticketing system. A high school diploma, general education degree (GED) or equivalent plus two years of experience in an IT support environment is required. Opportunity for Growth: NSB encourages career development and has a variety of training platforms available. The average years of service for an NSB employee is 9! If you’re looking to start or continue your career in the banking industry, this is a great place to start! What NSB Can Offer You: Competitive compensation based on experience. Well-rounded benefits package. Profit-Sharing opportunity. 401(k) matching retirement program. Professional development. Positive work environment supported by a team culture. Work/Life Balance! Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com, or Northfield Savings Bank, E.O.E. Human Resources, PO Box 7180, Barre, VT 05641

Mental Health Initiative Administrative & Communications Coordinator Join one of the Best Places to Work in Vermont. United Way of Northwest Vermont is looking to expand administrative and communications support for its new Mental Health Initiative. This critical program is bringing together stakeholders across our region to improve Vermonters’ timely access to appropriate mental health services. The primary focus of this new role is the coordination of all routine program operations and the support of stakeholder outreach & communication. In this role, you will: • Provide day–to–day coordination of program operations. • Maintain program database. • Draft and maintain a communications schedule targeting various audiences. • Create print collateral, one-pagers, and slide decks. United Way of Northwest Vermont employees enjoy a range of excellent benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, a generous paid vacation policy, 11 paid holidays, 403(b) contributions, a robust wellness program, and much more. Interested candidates may visit unitedwaynwvt.org for the full job description. To apply, candidates should send via e-mail a resume and cover letter by 03/18/2022 to: hiring@ unitedwaynwvt.org.

jobs.sevendaysvt.com

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NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY! JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

87 MARCH 2-9, 2022

Community Relationship Manager

Front Desk/ Personal Trainer Vermont Sun Fitness is looking for a front desk / Certified Personal Trainer. Candidates must have excellent people, computer, and sales skills. Other duties include cleaning, pool testing, and answering phones.Two or more years of customer service is preferred.Varying weekly hours up to full time if desired.

NEK Broadband is hiring a Community Relationship Manager. This person will develop relationships within the 50 Northeast Kingdom towns we serve. Our mission is to ensure every electric utility served resident has access to high-speed internet. The Community Relationship Manager will work with the executive director, our active volunteer board, and partners communicating to board members, potential and existing NEK Broadband customers, media organizations, and town and state government; writing updates for regular postings to the website, Front Porch Forum, and newsletter; responding to correspondence from the public; and contributing copy for grant applications.

Must be flexible, evenings a must, and weekend shifts on occasion. Free membership, hourly rate plus commissions.

This position will have a public facing presence and work remotely, Full-time with flexible hours. Reliable transportation and internet are required for frequent trips to towns and meetings throughout the Northeast Kingdom. Competitive pay will be negotiated based on the skill set and experience of the successful applicant.

Send a resume or stop into our Middlebury location to fill out an application.

Salary will range from $40,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience.

info@vermontsun.com

Full job description is available at: nekbroadband.org. Send a resume, cover letter & writing sample to Clerk@nekbroadband.org by 2/28/2022.

SALES TEAM Pinnacle Search Professionals, LLC., is expanding its Burlington office. We need sales oriented and motivated individuals to join our team. If you have a strong drive and are looking for an above average income, please email your resume to: Kristie@ pinnaclesearchpros.com and then call 802.662.4541.

Conservation Stewardship Director VHCB seeks a highly capable, self-motivated individual with strong communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to work as part of a team to join our conservation staff. Primary responsibilities include managing VHCB’s conservation stewardship program, GIS mapping, digital document and database management. The Stewardship Coordinator will also support project underwriting, measuring and conveying program impact, public outreach and policy development. Prior experience and training in agriculture, natural resources, and/or land conservation, and a commitment to the mission of VHCB required. A working knowledge of stewardship on conserved lands and proficiency with GPS and GIS is a must. Experience with Word, Excel and ArcGIS is required. Experience and proficiency with program tracking and database and document management systems is strongly preferred. This position requires some travel and field monitoring so a valid driver’s license and ability to work outdoors are necessary.

Agricultural Program Coordinator

JOIN OUR TEAM! Sunbelt Rentals--the fastest growing rental business in North America--is Now Hiring in Essex Junction, VT & Berlin, VT for FT & PT Career Opportunities including; Internship, Shop Mechanic, Road Mechanic, Driver, Inside Sales Representative, & Service Manager. *$1,000.00 Sign on Bonus Offered Visit sunbeltrentals.com/careers to learn more about our company, search openings and apply online.

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Join our team, evaluating farmland conservation grant applications and Viability Program Assistant assisting with the administration of the VHCB Agricultural Conservation Program to protect important agricultural land. The Program Coordinator works closely with the Program Director, providing administrative support for the Agricultural Conservation Grant Program, coordinating federal grant funding, undertaking data management and reporting, and developing policy. Qualifications include broad-based knowledge of agriculture and conservation tools, experience working with conservation transactions preferred. Experience with state and federal grant management is desired. Top candidates will be very organized, with a keen attention to detail, highly driven and self-motivated, technologically savvy, and able to juggle multiple projects simultaneously. Full-time positions with competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Read the job descriptions: vhcb.org/about-us/jobs. EOE. Please reply by March 28 with cover letter and résumé to: jobs@vhcb.org

6t-VHCB030222 1 2/18/22 2:38 PM

JOIN NPI, VERMONT’S PREMIER TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT FIRM HR Coordinator - Never a dull moment! You will attract and onboard top-tier new staff members using social media and a modern applicant tracking system, research and administer benefits, create and edit policies, develop supportive relationships with staff and alumni, enhance company culture, and help NPI continue to grow. Related degree preferred. Salary $40,000 $50,000. Visit: tinyurl.com/NPI-HR2-SD

Canopy IT Support Technician Have fun & delight clients! As a member of our top-flight Canopy℠ team, you will be a go-to for products and applications that clients rely on every day. The team handles support requests, monitors network components, configures workstations and users, automates service delivery, reports on system health, resolves issues, and visits client sites. 1 year+ full-time IT experience or degree required. Salary $45,000 - $65,000. Visit: tinyurl.com/NPI-Canopy4-SD NPI appreciates its staff, and offers a pet-friendly office, generous time off, matching 401k, family health coverage (including HSA option), Flexible Spending Accounts, open-book management, profit-sharing, work-from-home opportunities, and a COVID-aware environment (vaccination required).

Sound interesting? Apply online today!

Maintenance Technician Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) in Burlington, VT seeks a full time (40 hours per week) Maintenance Technician to join our dedicated team. This position performs general maintenance work in BHA owned and managed properties, including building exteriors, common areas, apartments, building systems, fixtures, and grounds. Our Maintenance Techs are required to participate in the on-call rotation, which covers night and weekend emergencies. Qualified candidates should have a minimum of two years of work in general building maintenance or building trades. The ideal candidate would have a demonstrated proficiency in building trades including carpentry, electrical, painting, plumbing, grounds keeping, and snow removal. Must be detail oriented, efficient, be able to work within time sensitive parameters, and able to work independently as well as part of a team. Candidates must have strong interpersonal skills and be sensitive to the needs of the elderly, disabled, and very low-income households. BHA serves a diverse population of tenants and partners with a variety of community agencies. To most effectively carry out our vision of delivering safe and affordable housing to all, we are committed to cultivating a staff that reflects varied lived experiences, viewpoints, and educational histories. Therefore, we strongly encourage candidates from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and women to apply. Multilingualism is a plus! BHA offers a competitive salary, commensurate with qualifications and experience, as well as an excellent benefits package. If you are interested in this career opportunity, please submit a resume and cover letter to humanresources@burlingtonhousing.org. Human Resources - 65 Main Street, Suite 101 Burlington, VT 05401-8408 E.O.E. burlingtonhousing.org

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3/1/22 9:21 AM

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

MARCH 2-9, 2022

Engaging minds that change the world

Seeking a position with a quality employer? Consider The University of Vermont, a stimulating and diverse workplace. We offer a comprehensive benefit package including tuition remission for on-going, full-time positions. Program Administrator and Interdisciplinary Lead - Graduate College - #S3213PO - Coordinate, create and provide operational services for and represent the Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences (CMB) Program. Full-time position. Assist the leadership of the CMB Program and participate in programmatic decisions. Oversee operational budget and financial processes and perform financial transactions. Provide assistance to students related to their academic progression and career direction. Coordinate and oversee events to include recruitment, orientation, and annual retreat. Coordinate functions of the interdisciplinary office and graduate students with the Larner College of Medicine (LCOM) including, but not limited to, coordination with LCOM offices and personnel that provide building and room access, access to IT services, budget administration and facilities oversight. Responsible for prioritizing responsibilities and maintenance of confidentiality. Candidates are required to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references. Please describe in your cover letter how you would incorporate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the position. The search will remain open until the position is filled. Horticulture Research & Education Center Operations Coordinator - Department of Plant and Animal Biological Facilities (UVM Farms) - #S3399PO - The UVM Department of Plant and Animal Biological Facilities (UVM Farms) is seeking applicants for a full-time, knowledgeable, experienced, and creative individual to coordinate operations at the Horticulture Research and Education Center (HREC) and support activities at Miller Research and Education Center (MREC) in support of our research, extension, and teaching functions. You will lead and supervise farm staff and maintain facilities infrastructure and equipment, including tractors, implements, irrigation systems, and high tunnel facilities. These facilities have a variety of uses that support researchers, educators, and Extension personnel from UVM College of Agriculture and life science and the University of Vermont as a whole. They support the research, outreach, and teaching activities of 15+ faculty and professional staff and their associated undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. These activities are conducted in the areas of ecology, entomology, agroforestry, plant pathology, forages, field crops, soils, sustainable agriculture, orchards, vineyards, vegetables, weed ecology and control, and woody and herbaceous ornamentals. Bachelor’s degree and three years’ farm-related experience required. Minimum educational qualification may be decreased in the case of significant and related work experience. Thorough knowledge of mechanical concepts to operate and oversee maintenance of farm equipment required. Frequent lifting and carrying of 50 lbs. and occasional lifting up to 100 lbs. Government Certified Pesticide Applicator’s license from the state of Vermont or the ability to obtain prior to commencement of growing season required. Valid driver’s license and driver’s check required. Applications must include a resume, cover letter, and references. Community Health Nurse - UVM Extension’s Migrant Health Program - #S3197PO - UVM Extension’s Migrant Health Program seeks a Community Health Nurse to promote, protect and preserve the health of migrant workers. Primary roles include leading public health initiatives focused on prevention, education, and outbreak response and developing care plans. This position will assist with illness and injury triage as well as health promotion training and support for outreach staff and volunteers. Applicants must hold an active Registered Nursing License in Vermont. Skills necessary include the ability to plan, organize, and coordinate access to health services with migrant households and through places of employment effectively and independently. Proficient computer skills are essential. Willingness travel across the state and work a flexible schedule, which at times will include evenings and weekends. Strong understanding of rural farm/agricultural and migrant families because of prior work, relationship in/to the community and/or other life experience desired. Ideal candidate lives in a rural Vermont county with a substantial presence of migrant workers. Spanish language skills desirable. The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the institution. Applicants are encouraged to include in their cover letter information about how they will further this goal.

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For further information on these positions and others currently available, or to apply online, please visit www.uvmjobs.com. Applicants must apply for positions electronically. Paper resumes are not accepted. Open positions are updated daily. Please call 802-656-3150 or email employment@uvm.edu for technical support with the online application. The University of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity/Afﬁrmative Action Employer. 12-jobsgohire-snowboarder20.indd 1 9v-Graystone030222 1

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Have a deep, dark fear of your own? Submit it to cartoonist Fran Krause at deep-dark-fears.tumblr.com, and you may see your neurosis illustrated in these pages.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY BY ROB BREZSNY REAL MARCH 3-9 all in favor of cultural diversity, neurodiversity, spiritual diversity and physical diversity. Are you? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to celebrate the bounties and blessings that come your way because of the holy gift of endless variety. The immediate future will also be a perfect phase to be extra appreciative that your companions and allies are not the same as you. I encourage you to tell them why you love how different they are. Now here’s poet Anna Akhmatova to weave it together: “I breathe the moonlight, and you breathe the sunlight, but we live together in the same love.”

PISCES

GEMINI (May 21-Jun. 20): Gemini singer-

(FEB. 19-MAR. 20)

Pastor and activist Charles Henry Parkhurst (1842-1933) said, “All great discoveries are made by people whose feelings run ahead of their thinking.” The approach worked well for him. In 1892, he discovered and exposed monumental corruption in the New York City government. His actions led to significant reforms of the local police and political organizations. In my astrological opinion, you should incorporate his view as you craft the next chapter of your life story. You may not yet have been able to fully conceive of your future prospects and labors of love, but your feelings can lead you to them.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): “I not only bow to the inevitable,” wrote Aries author Thornton Wilder. “I am fortified by it.” Wow. That was a brazen declaration. Did he sincerely mean it? He declared that he grew stronger through surrender, that he derived energy by willingly giving in to the epic trends of his destiny. I don’t think that’s always true for everyone. But I suspect it will be a useful perspective for you in the coming weeks, Aries. TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): Vive la différence! Hooray for how we are not alike! I am

songwriter Bob Dylan said, “I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.” I think that will be a key theme for you in the coming weeks. Dylan described the type of hero I hope you aspire to be. Be alert! You are on the cusp of an invigorating liberation. To ensure that you proceed with maximum grace, take on the increased responsibility that justifies and fortifies your additional freedom.

CANCER (Jun. 21-Jul. 22): “I’d rather be seduced than comforted,” wrote author Judith Rossner. What about you, Cancerian? Do you prefer being enticed, invited, drawn out of your shell and led into interesting temptation? Or are you more inclined to thrive when you’re nurtured, soothed, supported, and encouraged to relax and cultivate peace? I’m not saying one is better than the other, but I urge you to favor the first in the coming weeks: being enticed, invited, drawn out of your shell and led into interesting temptation. LEO (Jul. 23-Aug. 22): A woman from Cornwall, UK, named Karen Harris was adopted as a little girl. At age 18, she began trying to track down her biological parents. Thirty-four years later, she was finally reunited with her father. The turning point: He appeared on the “Suggested Friends” feature on her Facebook page. I propose that we make Karen Harris your inspirational role model. Now is a favorable time to find what you lost a while ago; to relink with a good resource that disappeared from your life; to reclaim a connection that could be meaningful to you again.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): Buddhist teacher Chögyam Trungpa told us, “Meditation is not a matter of trying to achieve ecstasy, spiritual bliss, or tranquility.” Instead, he said meditation is how we “expose and undo our neurotic games, our self-deceptions, our hidden fears and hopes.” Excuse me, Mr. Trungpa, but I don’t allow anyone, not even a holy guy like you, to dictate what meditation is and isn’t. Many other spiritual mentors I’ve enjoyed learning from say meditation can also be a discipline to achieve ecstasy, spiritual bliss and tranquility. And I suspect that’s what Virgo meditators should emphasize in the coming weeks. You people are in a phase when you can cultivate extraordinary encounters with all that fun stuff. If you’re not a meditator, now would be a good time to try it out. I recommend the books Meditation for Beginners by Jack Kornfield and How to Meditate by Pema Chödrön. LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): Comedian Fred Allen observed, “It is probably not love that makes the world go around, but rather those mutually supportive alliances through which partners recognize their dependence on each other for the achievement of shared and private goals.” That’s an unromantic thing to say, isn’t it? Or maybe it isn’t. Maybe it’s very romantic, even enchanting, to exult in how our allies help us make our dreams come true — and how we help them make their dreams come true. In my astrological opinion, the coming weeks will be an excellent time to focus on the synergies and symbioses that empower you. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “It’s never too late to have a happy childhood!” declare many self-help gurus. “It’s never too early to start channeling the wise elder who is already forming within you,” declare I. Oddly enough, both of these guiding principles will be useful for you to meditate on during the coming weeks. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you’re in an unusually good position to resurrect childlike wonder and curiosity. You’re also poised to draw stellar advice from the Future You who has learned many secrets that the Current You doesn’t know yet. Bonus: Your Inner Child and your Inner Elder could collaborate to create a marvelous breakthrough or two.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “A myr-

iad of modest delights constitute happiness,” wrote poet Charles Baudelaire. That will be a reliable formula for you in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. You may not harvest any glorious outbreaks of bliss, but you will be regularly visited by small enchantments, generous details and useful tweaks. I hope you won’t miss or ignore some of these nurturing blessings because you’re fixated on the hope of making big leaps. Be grateful for modest delights.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I found out some fun facts about renowned Capricorn poet Robert Duncan (1919-1988), who was a bohemian socialist and trailblazing gay activist. He was adopted by Theosophical parents who chose him because of his astrological makeup. They interpreted Robert’s dreams when he was a child. Later in life, he had an affair with actor Robert De Niro’s father, also named Robert, who was a famous abstract expressionist painter. Anyway, Capricorn, this is the kind of quirky and fascinating information I hope you’ll be on the lookout for. It’s time to seek high entertainment as you expedite your learning; to change your fate for the better as you gather interesting clues; to be voraciously curious as you attract stimulating influences that inspire you to be innovative. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “I always

strive, when I can, to spread sweetness and light,” said P. G. Wodehouse. “There have been several complaints about it.” I know what he means. During my own crusade to express crafty, discerning forms of optimism I have enraged many people. They don’t like to be reminded that thousands of things go right every day. They would rather stew in their disgruntlement and cynicism, delusionally imagining that a dire perspective is the most intelligent and realistic stance. If you’re one of those types, Aquarius, I have bad news for you: The coming weeks will bring you invitations and opportunities to cultivate a more positive outlook. I don’t mean that you should ignore problems or stop trying to fix what needs correction. Simply notice everything that’s working well and providing you with what you need. For inspiration, read my essay: tinyurl.com/HighestGlory.

CHECK OUT ROB BREZSNY’S EXPANDED WEEKLY AUDIO HOROSCOPES & DAILY TEXT MESSAGE HOROSCOPES: REALASTROLOGY.COM OR 1-877-873-4888

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SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

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Respond to these people online: dating.sevendaysvt.com WOMEN seeking... SURPRISE ME! I am smart and cute. Self-reflection and personal growth are key. I work hard, play hard, love hard. I care deeply about humans. I am very independent and love attention. I can be socially inept but mean no harm. Processing through miscommunications is a must. Keep the sweeping under the rug or ‘round Robin’s barn to a minimum. foryouilook1, 61, seeking: W, Cp HAPPY, EASYGOING OPTIMIST Would love to spend time with a man who is kind to his core. contentedandpeaceful, 70, seeking: M STILL BELIEVE IN THE LOVE Believe in love at first sight and second sight and third sight. Love those blue-eyed blondes, though. Hopeless romantic. Always tell my truth and expect the same in return. Life’s a beautiful thing. Sharing it peacefully is divine. Heart2heart, 75, seeking: M ACTIVE, OUTDOORSY I like to be outside in almost any kind of weather, hiking, skiing, kayaking, riding my bike or my horse. I enjoy off-the-beaten-path traveling but am content right outside my front door. I am looking for someone to share activities with and to share life’s highs and lows. I am college educated, financially independent. Have grown children. NEK026, 60, seeking: M, l

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SEVEN DAYS MARCH 2-9, 2022

REAL TIME I love to laugh and be silly. Love music, movies, nature. I’m compassionate and empathetic. Love to have good conversations about life, music, film, most anything. Trying to live in the moment and be my best self. Phee18, 40, seeking: W MUSIC FOR EARS AND HEART When out and about at an open mic night or your favorite pub, they know my name. I am that gregarious. I treat everyone with kindness and respect. I am educated, talented in songwriting. I’m easygoing, have a great sense of humor, love to dance or cuddle. I am looking for a steady, long-term relationship. Nancyd, 74, seeking: M, l ATTRACTIVE BUT CAN’T COOK WELL A smart, happy, attractive, fit, youngerlooking 49-y/o divorced woman with a great, laid-back personality/sense of humor who can’t cook well (but can bake and make a mean salad). Ready to find a guy to ride bikes, walk/hike, go for car rides/day trips, vacations, explore nature, lunch/dinners/coffee, go to yard sales/flea markets and car shows. Love dogs. IslandGirl72, 49, seeking: M HOPE Charismatic female, well traveled, educated, professional. Intuitive, creative, kind, thoughtful. Recently moved to Vermont to seek solace, peace, start a small business. I seek simplicity in my life. My philosophy: In a world where you can be anything, simply be kind! I love the mountains, streams, lakes, walking in the woods, swimming. I enjoy cooking, music, movies at home. Hopeful22, 62, seeking: M, l HUGS ARE NICE I do the yogas and the breathing. I walk on my feet out of buildings into the woods. I am not fond of technology. I like messy art, dancing, singing, making music of any imaginable kind. Hugs are nice. I like to help things grow. I like beauty. Science is fun. Learning is necessary. Love is the highest form of truth/magic. LadyVermont, 44, seeking: M, W, Q, NC, l

DISCREET FUN AND FRIEND WITH BENEFITS I am in my early 40s, married to a wonderful man who doesn’t know I enjoy the company of a woman occasionally. Looking to find another female who would like to be a friend with benefits. Discretion is a must. If we decide, then maybe meet for dinner/drinks and get a room for the night. Send me a message. DiscreetFun, 42, seeking: W SEEKING ELUSIVE CHEMISTRY Genuine nice gal — low maintenance, avoider of negative energy. Aim for peaceful coexistence in a beautiful setting. Love nature: big view, mountains, lake and sky; birds and animals; swimming in streams, lakes and waterfalls. Seek similar male who is tall, educated, kind and upbeat. Emotionally stable. Well read. Bonus points if you like cooking garden-to-table, and yard projects. swimwstars, 65, seeking: M, l LOVING AND KIND I am a very nice person who is open to love at any time. When I say “love,” I mean sharing ideas, spending time. I live a very quiet life and do not like the limelight. I love military men. I also love intelligent conversation. Some looks are necessary, but taking care of oneself is important. AnLuv, 50, seeking: M, l HOPING FOR COMPANIONSHIP Don’t need a fancy trip to France. Would enjoy the company of someone for more realistic adventures — things like breakfast. I love getting breakfast out, playing board games, day trips here and there. bluemonarch, 55, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, Cp, l EDUCATED, KIND, FUNNY, AUTHENTIC I’m a mom of two, teacher, kind, liberal lady looking for a man who is kind and has a great sense of humor. I like true crime podcasts, public radio, relaxing, vegan food, comedy shows and great conversation. Not looking for someone to complete me, just looking for someone to enjoy time with. No hookups. INFP. Be well! Starryskies, 40, seeking: M, l

MEN seeking...

JUST LOOKING FOR FUN! Fun for me is having companions to share good times. Being outdoors is essential, and I enjoy sharing my addiction to golf and skiing. My quiet side demands time too, especially for reading and cooking. People who turn me on know themselves and are honest. So good conversation, personal warmth and strong values go far with me. Welloverpar, 66, seeking: M, l

BLISSFUL, LOOKING FOR LUST I’m a 30-y/o cis man with abs and lots of hair. People tell me I’m hot when explaining why they don’t want to sleep with me. Married to the love of my life. We’re nonmonogamous, and our agreements are that I have sexual or romantic relations outside our close community. That’s why I’m here. samnotcops, 30, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, Cp, Gp, l

WARM BBW FOR CUDDLY T-BEAR Warm BBW seeks cuddly teddy bear (or two) who’s silly, soulful, spiritual and sensual, as I am. Enjoy being near water, eating out or cooking together, drives to nowhere, plays, movies, live music. I’m polyamorous and hope you are, too; I believe it’s possible to have more than one loving relationship at once. Also please be intelligent, reflective and fun! Myzeffy, 63, seeking: M, l

HOPELESS BOHEMIAN SEEKS HOPE Compulsively literate, melodious young man whom you will laugh with and at. Going for a pleasant shade of weird — I blast VPR Classical with the windows down. Given up on dating apps but have unflappable faith in independent publishing and Vermont, so here we are. Looking for someone equally silly/serious to own chickens with someday. fidelio, 25, seeking: W, l

EMOTIONAL, INTIMATE YOUNG LOVER Greetings! I’m looking for some fun inside or outside the bedroom, as kinky or vanilla as you’d like. I love listening to people’s stories and experiences, so if you take me by the hand, I’ll follow you on any journey. Let’s meet up and talk, possibly take things back to your place and see how things heat up from there. chappie7815, 21, seeking: M, Cp, l

ENJOYING LIFE I’m easygoing and love the outdoors. I enjoy the mountains and the ocean but also love to visit cities for the culture, not to mention their great food, museums and galleries. I walk every day and hike when I have time. I love to cook, read and create art. Life is good but would be better shared with someone special. BlueNight22, 69, seeking: W, l

HOMEY, OUTDOORS, OLD SCHOOL Hi. Looking for the elusive couple who seeks a man for encounters. At home or away. She will love you afterward. wilbur902, 62, seeking: Cp

RAVEN LOOKING FOR FRIENDS Ravens love to play. They are happy being alone but also will congregate and have fun. Ravens make jokes (the tricksters) but are empathetic to others. They are intelligent. I’m a happily married man in an open relationship (she’d be happy to meet you!). Looking for female companionship. Someone I can chat with, flirt with and spend time with. VT_Raven, 56, seeking: W, l

SEEKING VEGETARIAN MARIJUANA SMOKER Super hot and healthy vegetarian weed smoker wanted. I’m looking to befriend a beautiful woman and smoke and chill. I practice abstinence and sex magic, so we could just be platonic or maybe cuddle if it feels right. I’m into yoga, I meditate all the time, and I’m vegetarian. Send a note and let me know what you are thinking. Highguy, 31, seeking: W FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING So here I am online, hoping to make a connection. I am considered outgoing, not that I don’t enjoy relaxing. I could list all the things I do and don’t like, but I would rather save that for a conversation. So I guess what I’m saying is, if we both see something we both like, let’s go from there. jagster, 59, seeking: W, l LOOKING TO EXPLORE KINKS I am easygoing, lighthearted and kind. Being pleasing to others. I am a caretaker by nature. I am bi and submissive. VtDanD, 61, seeking: M, W, TW, Q, NC, Cp NEED A GOOD MAN Clean, regular guy, professional, retired, seeking discreet, casual, nonserious relationship for sex and fun. Versatile, like all positions, can host, but discreetly. Enjoy afternoon delights, evenings and overnights. Here in Vermont at second home for winter ski season and need a good man to keep me warm and naked. Let’s meet and go from there. manneeded, 66, seeking: M HELP ME OUT I’m a 60ish man looking for some excitement. To be honest, it has been a while. I would consider myself kind of sexy, looking for a one- or two-night shindig. I’m open to anything. Just let me know. fundaddy243, 59, seeking: W, Cp, Gp READY TO MAKE FUN MISTAKES 35-y/o M looking for a short- to long-term partner. Been in a whirlwind and need to relax. Looking for someone to goof off, explore the mountains and cuddle with. Let’s start off with a coffee and see if it’s worth having a beer. If we get along, I’ll show you my secret powder stashes. Hoppyhiker, 35, seeking: W, l ADRENALINE AND NATURE LOVER New to Vermont and a bit lonely. I love being outside and going fast. I am very laid-back otherwise. I have a bearded dragon that must like you. Let’s go on an adventure. LizzardLover, 26, seeking: W, l PRIVATE, OLD-SCHOOL, LOYAL, DISCREET Looking for someone who shares at least some of the same values. Common sense, loyalty, honest conversation and sex, only if mutually wanted. Like to satisfy, as well as be satisfied. Nothing like a partner who likes touching and being touched. Don’t believe in roughness, but sexually hot and mostly a person who really wants me. Has to be genuine. whynotme, 71, seeking: M, W

HOPE YOUR HANDS ARE WARM! I am looking for someone to enjoy some straightforward, no-mask time with. I’m vaxxed to the maxx, GGG and looking for regular contact. I’m science-minded, well read, cook very well and can carry on a conversation on a variety of topics. I am currently working from home and domesticating a dog rescue from North Carolina. LoneScottishBoy, 56, seeking: W, l WARM, SEXY, PLAYFUL I am retired from the military, looking for that fun person to make my life happy. thumper63, 59, seeking: W, Cp, Gp, l

TRANS WOMEN seeking... T GIRL LIVE IN VT I’m a feminine trans woman with a good sense of humor. I want a special someone. I like dinner and a movie or a baseball game, ride the bike path and see shows at Higher Ground. I love my record collection and taking care of my house. I’m looking for some companionship and love, building a good relationship. Luv2BaGurl, 62, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, l

GENDER NONCONFORMISTS

seeking...

SINGLE FATHER LOOKING FOR PARTNER I’m a happy-go-lucky-type male, and I have a beautiful boy I’m raising with his mother. We are not in a relationship, but I would like to be in one with someone. Life is short but sweet, and I would love to meet a lady who agrees. In summation, my son is a saint and I’m not too shabby. foxygena, 29, seeking: W, l

COUPLES seeking... LOOKING FOR FUN We are looking for a man to have sex with my wife as I watch or join in. I want no interaction with the man. Just fun. No STDs, but bareback. Can be more than one man with my wife. tracker17, 66, seeking: M, l FUN FOR THREE Attractive, fun, practical couple. FM couple into having sexual encounters with the right lady. We love the outdoors, wet sports and sunshine. We are city kids who love Vermont and playing house in the woods. How about you? unsureinVT, 51, seeking: W, Cp, l SPICING IT UP I’m a cancer survivor happily married to my husband. We’re seeking a couple or single woman to help me find my sensuality. We’ve done this before, but it’s been many years now. Anyone interested in helping out? Lookingforfun116, 53, seeking: W, Cp

i SPY

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CUTIE WALKING BY KRU You met my eyes through both the windows of Kru Coffee and the dirty, scratched lenses of my janky wire-frame glasses. The Sunday morning scene at Church and Pearl had distracted me from my boring book when your red knit hat and curly hair caught my attention. I looked twice, and so did you. I wouldn’t mind meeting eyes again. When: Sunday, February 27, 2022. Where: Kru Coffee. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915525

OLD NAVY, WILLISTON I first saw you a few years ago at the register. I thought you were such a beautiful man. It was an immediate crush; I got so nervous and flushed! You’re tall with blondish hair, blue eyes and an amazing smile. I simply want you to know that I think you’re beautiful and handsome. I hope it makes you smile! When: Sunday, February 20, 2022. Where: Old Navy, Williston. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915521

TRYING IS STILL WORTH SOMETHING I’m going to still try, for myself. The dust has settled, and it is over. When you visit me in dreams, they turn into chaotic and confusing nightmares. I wish I didn’t think about you anymore. I wish we’d never met. I’m going to try to move on. It’s all I can try to do now. When: Monday, November 22, 2021. Where: Burlington. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915524

RED ROCKS BEAUTY I saw you numerous times walking at Red Rocks Park from 2012 to 2013. You were walking once while reading a book, and I smiled at you. You had an angelic big white dog who was so peaceful. You were out-of-this-world beautiful. Are you still in the area? I would love to meet for tea. When: Sunday, January 1, 2017. Where: Red Rocks Park, South Burlington. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915520

ANGEL OF BARRE You work at a gym in Barre. I bring my son in occasionally and wish you were his mother. You are kind, beautiful and sexy. My 5-year-old is so stoked to see you. I will continue to suffer under the reign of she who owns us both until you give us a chance. Cheers. When: Thursday, February 3, 2022. Where: GMCF. You: Man. Me: Gender nonconformist. #915523

NO PITY FOR THE PIT A bald, tats sneak-dawg thinking he can bury his bone at his old hunting ground. Thought you fixed him?! Tighten the leash on his straying ass. If you’re a “happy couple,” why’s he here? When: Monday, January 31, 2022. Where: astray in Vermont. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915519

PORTER NURSE You were one of the nurses for my endoscopy. I said you were handsome, and you said you don’t hear that a lot. Would you be up for meeting at Two Brothers Tavern for dinner sometime? When: Thursday, February 17, 2022. Where: Porter Medical Center, Middlebury. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915522

PETUNIA HARDSCRABBLE, WE MISS YOU! Petunia! We miss you so much around here. We know you’re off doing very important work, though, and we want you to take all the time it needs. There will always be a star on the dressing room door with your name, regardless how the work goes. Sending you all our love and kindness, meditation and strength! —Huckleberry Lorraine. When: Tuesday, February 1, 2022. Where: Burlington. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #915518

Ask REVEREND the

Irreverent counsel on life’s conundrums

Dear Reverend,

I recently got a cat. I’m a consistent weed smoker, and it just dawned on me that maybe the secondhand smoke could be bad for him. Could it be getting him high? Is it bad for his lungs?

Kat A. Tonic

(FEMALE, 25)

CAROLINE FROM WATERBURY The full moon was rising and the owls were hooting during the glow of sunset as we chatted about great hiking trails near the lake. I was walking my dog, and you had yellow pants and tall green boots. While enjoying your company, I suggested Rock Point to check out. You have beautiful eyes and a captivating smile. Coffee sometime? When: Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Where: Shelburne. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915517 GUILIA IN ROSSO You: Guilia in Rosso on Route. Me: Guilia in Lipari Gray. I giggled the entire time. Shall we do it again? When: Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Where: car. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915516 SHAMWOW Happy Birthday! Scoots! When: Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Where: in my dreams. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915515 SENDING YOU FORGET-ME-NOTS Remembering our sweet summertime days riding bikes and reading the paper together. Our short time together was lovely, and I’m sorry for messing it up. I miss you, dear Vivian! When: Saturday, February 12, 2022. Where: Burlington. You: Man. Me: Man. #915514 KELLY IN FERRISBURGH Saw your profile online. Get in touch with me here, please. When: Sunday, February 13, 2022. Where: online. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915513 WILLISTON WHISTLER 2005-06 Maybe you didn’t think it was you in my original ad, since the date was wrong. I didn’t realize I could put the date in the headline! I would love to see your eyes, your smile and to hear you whistle again! Thinking of you every single day since! Where are you now? When: Thursday, May 11, 2017. Where: in the stairway to heaven MTP. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915512 THE REAL AMANDA ON MATCH The person who said she was Amanda from D.C. actually wasn’t. The real one is back on Match, and I would love to connect. Her son went to Kenyon (or wore a sweatshirt from there). Doesn’t anyone know her who can show her this? Match asked for three things, and she listed six. That’s the kind of mind I like. When: Thursday, February 10, 2022. Where: Match. com. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915511

Dear Kat A. Tonic,

Inhaling smoke of any kind isn’t good for creatures with lungs. Being a human, you can make an informed decision to take that health risk, but your cat can’t, so it’s great that you’re being mindful of him. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has established that cannabis is toxic for cats (and other pets), and it is not safe for them to consume in any form. Marijuana plants, dried flowers, edibles and whatever else you may have in your stash should always be kept secure and out of reach of your fuzzy buddies. Although rare, marijuana intoxication can cause seizures,

WHITE LEOPARD AT STAPLES We were both looking for printer cartridges and chatted. You wore a long white leopard-print coat and riding boots. Let’s have coffee. When: Wednesday, February 9, 2022. Where: Staples. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915510 DREAM OR REAL LIFE? I recently met a girl at a bar. We went back to my place and ... you know. She was hot and probably about 22 years old. I woke up the next morning, and she was gone. There was no evidence that anyone even stayed the night. I hope I didn’t just have a really awesome sex dream. Call me, hot blonde. xoxo Albert. When: Sunday, January 9, 2022. Where: in my bed. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915509

MAN GRIPPING THE BAGUETTE I’m looking for my shawty. We were in the bakery section when we made eye contact. You were wearing your white Doc Martens and a blue denim-like puffer jacket. I was firmly holding a baguette and a bottle of wine, desperately hoping we could share them together sometime. When: Monday, February 7, 2022. Where: Shaw’s. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915501

HOT THROW-UP GIRL At a party, you threw up all over me. It was kind of hot. I only saw your face for a few seconds, but you were gorgeous. You might have had a green dress. But something I know is that your puke was red. (You might wanna get that checked out.) Write me back, please. You. Are. Hot. When: Wednesday, February 2, 2022. Where: Sean’s house party. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915508 YELLOW BIKES AND YOU If you crashed into a neon yellow bike on the bike path, I think you might be the one. You wouldn’t recognize me in the light of day, because I was also dressed in all yellow (it’s this role-playing thing I do). You were short, around four feet, reddishorange eyes, bald, curvy. If this is you, write back. I felt a spark. When: Thursday, February 10, 2022. Where: on the bike path. You: Man. Me: Man. #915507 BARGAIN-SHOPPING BABY BOY To the cute but sleepy young man who came into my store today: Your sawdust scent and faint squint roused something in me that I haven’t felt since I first saw John Travolta twisting that sweet sugar plum in the fall of 1979. I’d love to see what’s under that union suit, but I’d settle for one more adorable yawn. When: Thursday, February 3, 2022. Where: Williston. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915504 I LIKE TOES HMU if you have cute toes. When: Thursday, February 10, 2022. Where: in my bed. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915502

RE: WINE & CHEESE TRADERS Gem: Such a brief moment, really, but nice to know that kindness hasn’t gone out of style. There may have been more; my memory fails me. Perhaps we could practice an act of kindness together. Be well. When: Wednesday, December 22, 2021. Where: Wine & Cheese Traders. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915505

ANYONE KNOW IBRAHIM? He was this tall, bearded Middle Eastern guy who used to wander around and always seemed to be at whatever coffee shop I’d go into, who was somehow best friends with every barista. And suddenly he was gone. Does anyone know what happened to him or how I can find or contact him? When: Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Where: every coffee shop and at Dobrà Tea. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915500 YOU LECTURED ME You were going over French Hill on Route 2. Suddenly, you saw me swerving out of control right toward your VW Westfalia. I slid off the road and into a ditch. I was OK, just shaken up. You lectured me on the importance of having winter tires. I only wish I had caught your name! When: Monday, January 10, 2022. Where: driving into Williston. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915497 COCHRAN’S MEET-CUTE We rode the T-bar together at Friday Night Lights. You: tall, handsome, with kind eyes. Me: wearing a red hat and very interested in your job as a sugarer. You and your job seemed really sweet. Thought you should know. When: Friday, January 7, 2022. Where: Cochran’s. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915496 HI AMANDA I sent a reply message to your profile here. When: Monday, January 24, 2022. Where: Seven Days iSpy. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915494

coma and death in pets. More likely symptoms include vomiting, lack of coordination, low blood pressure, and agitation or anxiety. If your cat demonstrates any of these symptoms, contact a veterinarian immediately. And be absolutely honest about the cat’s exposure. Vets don’t give a crap whether you smoke weed; they just want to help the animal. All this being said, my late husband was an avid marijuana smoker. We used to live in a tiny apartment with a lot of cats, and none of them ever had a problem. So, while you definitely shouldn’t clambake in a closet with your cat, if you’re smoking in a well-ventilated room, your purring pal should be just peachy. Good luck and God bless,

The Reverend

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I’m a 58-y/o trans woman seeking a trans woman about 58 or less to be friends with. I am still in the closet dying to come out. Can anyone help me? #L1558 I’m a 62-y/o WSM seeking a SW female 45 or up. No games. Looking to find a woman to make me a better man. Am seeking a mature person. No head games. Will send phone number if you respond. #L1556 I am a 20-y/o male college student studying chemistry to become an astronaut. I have free time on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday. On most days, I can give you two hours to value. I am seeking a female. #L1552 Mid-60s SWF. Resourceful, giddy, playful, pragmatic. Curious, adventurous, visionary. Live outside, naturalist. Spiritual, non-dogmatic, emotional intelligence. Woodworker, intuitively smart, passionate feelings. Open-minded consideration, isolated from culture, no TV. Animal whisperer, wood sprite plant daeva. Seeking SM, from friend to monogamous soul mate. Age appropriate. Must have common sense, please. #L1561 I’m a SWM. Love big women. I will worship your beautiful body. I’m warm, don’t smoke or drink. Big girls turn me on. Phone. Nice guy. #L1559

Bi SWM, 56 y/o, 5’11, 185 pounds, seeks generally fit guy or couple for exploration/fun times. Open-minded, friendly, clean, vaccinated, discreet and looking for same. Prefer slow start; maybe meet at a bar/restaurant for a drink or two. Phone number, please. #L1560 I’m a 65-y/o woman. Looking for any gender or age entertained by carrying on an old-fashioned correspondence. I’m a news junkie with degrees in history, literature and law. I can appreciate a candid sense of humor. I stay home a lot and try to minimize my exposure. #L1557

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I’m a 62-y/o woman in search of a man under 70. Is there a curious, happy, sexy, nonjudgmental, funny, kind soul who craves adventure and is not afraid to try new things? I love to laugh, dance and get out in nature for hikes, photography and gardening. BMI 19. Left-leaning. #L1554 Seeking fit country woman, 50 to 60. Hiking in fall and winter. Quiet life. Also enjoy snowmobile and motorcycles. Working side by side as a team on land and homestead. Willing to relocate. I have lots to share. Email, please! #L1550

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Reply to these messages with real, honest-to-goodness letters. DETAILS BELOW. 75-y/o lady would like to meet a man 70 to 80 for companionship and possible relationship in the Essex area. #L1553 60-y/o woman seeking 60y/o man. I am pandemic-weary. Looking for new friendships outside of work and my two cats. I do like dogs, but my work schedule is not conducive for having a dog. #L1551 I’m a male seeking a 50plus female. I like flowers, houseplants, reading, the beach, long walks and conversation, Scrabble, horseshoes, sports, and cuddles. University of Vermont. #L1548 I’m a late 50s SWM seeking age 50s to 60s female. Searching for a well-grounded farm girl. Love of gardening, cooking and movies a plus. I have a strong desire to travel cross-country to Alaska and return. I’m financially secure and love to be home. #L1547 GM near Rutland seeking other gay or bi males for NSA fun. Like everything. Very discreet. Phone only, please. #L1549

GWM, 39. I am looking for a kind, caring man my age. Plattsburgh, N.Y. I want that best friend for life. Mature for mature. Local preferred. I want to meet you. Caring, intelligent, educated, homebody. #L1546 Outdoorsy 63-y/o WM looking for someone special for companionship and affection, a good movie, long walks — even bike riding and dinner with the families. Loves animals, bowling and am open-minded. If you’re between 50 and 60, give me a call. #L1544 Woman, 56. Need a simple life in the country with a gentle, caring man sharing similar values to keep the relationship healthy. Desire to engage in deep conversation, be active in nature and support good health. Must love coffee, good food and the art of cooking. Phone number, please. #L1543 SWM bi top seeks sub bottom. Enjoy fem heels, stockings, panties, painted toenails. No drugs. Clean. Vaccinated. Steady lover. Phone. #L1542

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