Seven Days, July 16, 2024 by Seven Days

TOWN TURNAROUND

Moving on from its industrial past, St. Johnsbury is attracting young entrepreneurs and building a vibrant downtown

RACHEL HELLMAN & ANNE WALLACE ALLEN

FIRE BALL

That’s how much National Life’s Do Good Fest concert in Montpelier raised for two charities over the weekend.

COPS on the BALLOT

Burlington residents will vote in November on a proposed charter change that would increase civilian oversight of the city’s police department.

e measure would give the existing police commission additional powers and create a new independent panel to review ofﬁcer misconduct. e Burlington City Council voted unanimously on Monday night to put the item on the November 5 ballot.

“ is proposal does not go as far as I would have liked, but it does increase community oversight in ways I believe our community expects and wants,” said Councilor Gene Bergman (P-Ward 2), who chairs the council’s Charter Change Committee, which reviewed the proposal. “It is fair.”

is is the third effort to enshrine greater police oversight in the city charter since 2020, when Burlington — and the rest of the country — reckoned with making police more accountable. Most recently, in March 2023, voters shot down a measure that would have created a “community control board” with the power to hire, ﬁre and discipline cops, including the chief.

e latest version contains none of those provisions. Instead, it would enhance the role of the seven-member

police commission, which is currently limited to reviewing department policies and ofﬁcer uses of force. e commission can recommend disciplinary action, but only the police chief can carry it out.

e proposed charter change would allow the commission to review citizen complaints and misconduct allegations, including by hiring an independent investigator. In addition to recommending disciplinary action, the commission would be able to refer the matter to an independent panel if the police chief disagrees with its findings. e panel would have the final say on discipline, though officers could still appeal the decision.

While councilors supported the extra layer of oversight, they had a lengthy debate over who should be on it. e council approved an amendment put forward by Councilor Tim Doherty (D-East District) that says the panel would have three to ﬁve members and that a city ordinance would determine who’s eligible to serve.

“ is panel will be making meaningful decisions about discipline of police ofﬁcers,” Doherty said. “I think it’s really essential that we get that balance correct.”

Read Courtney Lamdin’s full story and keep up with developments at sevendaysvt.com.

A section of Route 7 in Ferrisburgh was shut down for hours after a truck carrying compressed natural gas exploded. A similar explosion happened near the same spot last year.

THAR SHE BLOWS

Police say a car that was stolen in Milton was later found abandoned in Lake Champlain o Burlington’s Leddy Beach. All wet.

SHAKE IT OFF

A new UVM study found that Taylor Swift has had a mostly positive impact on fans’ attitudes about body image. The anti-anti-hero.

GETTING HIGH

The state has purchased Wheeler Mountain, a popular peak for rock climbing near Lake Willoughby. Recreation for all.

$110,000

TOPFIVE

FERRISBURGH FIXER

how weird it was. But of course, I wanted to help out.”

Okoro, a traveling nurse working at Green Mountain Surgery Center, was turning 68.

Artist David Holub is used to receiving Instagram messages from people interested in his work. But he was skeptical of one he got earlier this month from a man across the world. Dave Okoro of Aba, Nigeria, wrote to Holub that he wanted to surprise his mother on her birthday. She lives in North Ferrisburgh, but Okoro didn’t know anyone in town. Could Holub help him out?

“He gave me [his mother’s] address, and I realized it was right next door,” Holub said. “I couldn’t help but think

Okoro had messaged approximately 20 social media accounts belonging to people who live in Ferrisburgh. No one but Holub responded.

“I didn’t get a chance to call her on Mother’s Day, so we both felt really bad,” Okoro said. “I decided that I was going to do whatever I could to make her birthday special.”

Okoro found the right person. Holub, who uses the pen name Colossal Sanders, designs cards, and his wife, Fannie, has a ﬂower garden. irty minutes after receiving the message on July 2, Holub delivered a card bouquet next door. Rose

“My son’s always been so kind, but this was just amazing,” Rose said. “And for David to believe him was so thoughtful, because with these online messengers, a lot of them can be scammers.”

Rose and her son haven’t seen each other since last year, though they’ll reunite in December in Nigeria for a wedding. For now, they have a Ferrisburgh artist to thank for reconnecting them across thousands of miles.

“ is is a clear picture that good, kind people still exist,” Dave Okoro said.

IAN DARTLEY

A birthday card for Rose Okoro designed by David Holub

GOING DOWNTOWN.

publisher & editor-in-chief

Paula Routly

deputy publisher Cathy Resmer

AssociAte

publishers Don Eggert, Colby Roberts

NEWS & POLITICS

editor Matthew Roy

deputy editor Sasha Goldstein

consulting editors Ken Ellingwood, Candace Page

stAff writers Derek Brouwer, Colin Flanders, Rachel Hellman, Courtney Lamdin, Kevin McCallum, Alison Novak, Anne Wallace Allen

intern Jack McGuire

ARTS & CULTURE

‘MEMORABLE PLATES’

coeditors Dan Bolles, Carolyn Fox

consulting editors

Chelsea Edgar, Margot Harrison, Pamela Polston

VisuAl Art editor Alice Dodge

Music

editor Chris Farnsworth

writer Emily Hamilton

cAlendAr

stAff writers Jordan Barry, Hannah Feuer, Mary Ann Lickteig, Melissa Pasanen, Ken Picard

proofreAders Alice Dodge, Angela Simpson

AssistAnt proofreAders

Katherine Isaacs, Martie Majoros, Elizabeth M. Seyler

interns Ian Dartley, Leah Krason, Nina Sablan

DIGITAL & VIDEO

digitAl production speciAlist Bryan Parmelee

senior MultiMediA producer Eva Sollberger

MultiMediA journAlist James Buck

Audio/Aloud production Jeff Baron

DESIGN

director Don Eggert

creAtiVe

Art director Rev. Diane Sullivan

production MAnAger John James

designer Jeff Baron

intern Olivia White

SALES & MARKETING

director of sAles Colby Roberts

senior Account executiVe Robyn Birgisson

Account executiVes Michelle Brown, Logan Pintka, Kaitlin Montgomery

eVents, proMotions & ticketing MAnAger

Carolann Whitesell

ADMINISTRATION

business MAnAger Marcy Stabile

director of circulAtion & logistics Matt Weiner

circulAtion deputy Andy Watts

AssistAnt to the publishers Gillian English

good citizen chAllenge intern Ben Conway

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jordan Adams, Justin Boland, Alex Brown, Chelsea Edgar, Erik Esckilsen, Steve Goldstein, Amy Lilly, Rachel Mullis, Bryan Parmelee, Mark Saltveit, Jim Schley, Carolyn Shapiro, Casey Ryan Vock

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Luke Awtry, Daria Bishop, James Buck, Kevin Goddard, Steve Legge, Tim Newcomb, Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

FOUNDERS

Pamela Polston, Paula Routly

CIRCULATION: 35,000

Seven Days is published by Da Capo Publishing Inc. every Wednesday. It is distributed free of charge in greater Burlington, Middlebury, Montpelier, the Northeast Kingdom, Stowe, the Mad River Valley, Rutland, St. Albans, St. Johnsbury, White River Junction and Plattsburgh, N.Y. Seven Days is printed at Quebecor Media Printing in Mirabel, Québec.

DELIVERY TECHNICIANS

Harry Applegate, Joe Bouffard, Pat Bouffard, Colin Clary, Julie Copley, Elana Coppola-Dyer, Becky Gates, Matt Hagen, Russ Hagy, Nat Michael, Frankie Moberg, Liam Mulqueen-Duquette, Dan Nesbitt, Dan Oklan, Ezra Oklan, Matt Perry, Mike VanTassel, Andy Watts, Tracey Young With additional circulation support from PP&D.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

6-Month 1st clAss: $158. 1-yeAr 1st clAss: $250. Please call 802-865-1020, ext. 132 with your credit card, contact circ@sevendaysvt.com or mail your check to: Seven Days, c/o Subscriptions, 255 S. Champlain St., Ste. 5, Burlington, VT 05401

Seven Days shall not be held liable to any advertiser for any loss that results from the incorrect publication of its advertisement. If a mistake is ours, and the advertising purpose has been rendered valueless, Seven Days may cancel the charges for the advertisement, or a portion thereof as deemed reasonable by the publisher. Seven Days reserves the right to refuse any advertising, including inserts, at the discretion of the publishers.

Jordan Barry and Melissa Pasanen’s recent mosaic of short pieces about diners around Vermont is excellent [“Order Up,” July 3]! We need this type of reporting — clear-eyed and sympathetic rather than nostalgic — because it is not easy to run a restaurant, even in the best of times. Each piece tells a unique story and fully integrates the voices of those who labor each day to provide us with those memorable plates, be it a short stack or a cheeseburger with onion rings. And, as the stories accumulate, we can begin to see what it will take for diners to thrive in the future: committed and flexible customers willing to support what really are community restaurants. The reporting eloquently provides the past and present, and we are responsible for the future.

My primary takeaway? Please enjoy a meal at your nearest diner, accept that the hours might be quirky and the prices higher than 10 years ago, and keep these important Vermont venues around for the next generation!

Amy Trubek CORNWALL

LOVE FOR THE DUTCH MILL?

Great article [“Order Up,” July 3], but you sadly didn’t mention the Dutch Mill Diner in Shelburne. It might not be an old train car, but I think it was an old garage

CORRECTION

Last week’s art review, “Comic Consciousness,” misstated where artist David Libens works. He’s employed at the Co-op in White River Junction.

CLARIFICATION

A number of eagle-eyed readers wrote in to suggest we made an error in last week’s story headlined “Grave Mistake: Burial Mix-Up at Burlington’s Lakeview Cemetery Sets Two Grieving Families at Odds.” They noticed the last name carved on the gravestone for Thomas and Timothy Barrett did not match that of their mother. Rebequa Bartlett’s last name was Barrett when she had her children. She has since remarried. The story as written is correct.

and inside looks like an old diner with booths and stools bolted to the floor. That place deserves an article of its own — very interesting local history embedded into the place.

Ginni Stern BURLINGTON

Editor’s note: Read Melissa Pasanen’s March 12, 2024, story titled “Dutch Treat: Approaching Three Decades, Shelburne’s Dutch Mill Diner Gets a Refresh.”

‘I NEVER HEARD THIS STORY’

I want to thank you for this story about Walter Kinkel [“Spectral Force: The ‘Ghost Army’ of WWII,” July 10]. I met him through his wife, Muriel, when they lived in Hinesburg. Our King’s Daughters state committee met at their home frequently. I was an art teacher, too, and interested in Walter’s career, but I never heard this story! I was always impressed with all the beautiful banners he created for the Congregational Church in Hinesburg since I, too, am a banner maker for the United Church of Colchester.

Thank you again for showing me another wonderful side to a talented man who gave not only to his country and students but also to his church. We need more people like him in this world.

Fran Allyn COLCHESTER

WELCH IS NO WISE MAN

Rising from the Democratic circle of selfsatisfaction, U.S. Sen. Peter Welch reaches for his AK-47 and joins the party’s circular firing squad [“Welch Calls for Biden to

mainstream sport where a person of his stature could excel.

Bill Wade BURLINGTON

MESSAGE TO BURLINGTON

[Re “Burlington’s Burden? Queen City Officials Ask Surrounding Towns for Help Confronting the Homelessness Crisis,” June 26]: Burlington officials like City Councilor Gene Bergman (P-Ward 2) are calling for surrounding towns to do more to help with its homelessness problem. He suggests that other towns should help Burlington defray the costs and manpower of this financially and mentally taxing, refractory issue.

Withdraw From Presidential Race,” July 10, online].

He has never shown himself to be a wise man, though he is old enough to remember how the Democrats assisted president Richard Nixon’s election in 1968. History does not repeat itself, but the echoes loudly reverberate.

Perhaps, with Sen. Welch’s advanced years, it is time for him to be replaced.

Stephen A. Jarvis SWANTON

KICK START

I loved [“Green Dream”] and Paula Routly’s “Football Fans” [From the Publisher, June 26]. As a person who spends every October and February in London attending matches (20 this past visit), as well as walking the canals and parks, visiting the museums and pubs, and attending the plays and musicals, I share Tim Ashe’s love of football.

Support of women’s football in Europe has also grown — I was one of the 60,000 at the Emirates Stadium for the Arsenal-Manchester United WSL match in February — to the point where the United States’ zenith as the superpower in women’s football has passed. The Vermont Green FC’s exhibition match highlights how football is leading the charge in elevating women’s sports for spectating in the U.S.

One of the things I love most about football is its equality in the size of the person who plays. Yes, one has to be athletic, but a purportedly five-footfive Ilias Chair can score 34 goals and star for London’s Queens Park Rangers the past five years. Name another

This request is beyond absurd, unless Burlington allows residents of the other towns to vote for members on the city council. Then issues like policing, safe injection sites, and stemming the tide of homeless out-of-staters coming here for perceived better social services and lax drug enforcement, etc., might be subject to less of an echo chamber during debates and voting.

Progressive council members might not appreciate the input. That’s understandable, but don’t try to guilt others to cover for your mistakes when the others have no voice in what they perceive as misguided positions.

So, until things shape up, we’ll be a part of the increasing number who only visit Burlington during daylight hours.

Rob Mann COLCHESTER

GOV WRONG ON EDUCATION

Kudos to Alison Novak for her coverage of the lawsuit filed by two Vermont senators over the appointment of the Vermont secretary of education — and, of course, to the senators themselves [“Vermont Senators File Lawsuit Over State Ed Secretary Appointment,” June 20, online].

SAY SOMETHING!

Seven Days wants to publish your rants and raves. Your feedback must... be 250 words or fewer;

• respond to Seven Days content;

• include your full name, town and a daytime phone number.

Seven Days reserves the right to edit for accuracy, length and readability. Your submission options include: sevendaysvt.com/feedback

• feedback@sevendaysvt.com

• Seven Days, P.O. Box 1164, Burlington, VT 05402-1164

NEWS+POLITICS 14

Final Act

Rita Mannebach traveled from Florida to Vermont to choose how she died

Goddard College Campus Is Back on the Market

Checked Out?

Problems at the Cortina Inn raise questions about the state’s emergency housing program

Higher Ground, Burton Get OK From Supreme Court

Welch Calls for Biden to Withdraw From Presidential Race

Deluge, Part Deux

A severe storm swamps Vermont — again

Sta Union Asks UVM to Reinstate Mental Health Jobs

FEATURES 28

Firm Foundation

State architectural historian Devin Colman steps down

ARTS+CULTURE 44

Border War eater review: Native Gardens, Dorset eatre Festival

Country Queen As Emoji Nightmare, Cambridge resident Justin Marsh brings drag to rural towns

Print Matters

Four artists explore black, white and gray in a Highland Center show

In Stowe, Outdoor Sculpture Show ‘Exposed’ Rewards Exploration

What

Coastal Comfort

In Barre, Morse Block Deli’s Lobster Doughie reimagines an oceanside classic

COLUMNS

From the Publisher

Ask the Reverend SECTIONS

Cambridge resident Justin Marsh performs as drag queen Emoji Nightmare (pictured left), bringing drag to rural towns. Seven Days Eva Sollberger followed Emoji to a drag story hour

then

MAGNIFICENT

MUST SEE, MUST DO THIS WEEK COMPILED BY CAROLYN SHAPIRO

Submit your upcoming events at sevendaysvt.com/postevent

FRIDAY 19 & SATURDAY 20

HOPPINESS AHEAD

Green Mountain beer buffs’ favorite event returns to the Burlington waterfront. is year’s Vermont Brewers Festival highlights 36 homegrown breweries and 10 from out of state — allowing local purveyors time to run their operations. It all adds up to more brews to choose from. Don’t skip the fun in the Fermentation Tent.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 64

OPENS FRIDAY 19

Big ’Dilla

In 1983, when Bill Blachly founded Unadilla eatre in a barn in Marshﬁeld, his ﬁrst production was Uncle Vanya. Now, Blachly is 100 and the company is staging a modern take on the Anton Chekhov classic about a family of landed gentry tearing apart at the seams. Seven Days theater critic Alex Brown directs.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 66

FRIDAY 19

Key Players

As Duo Ondine pianists Juliette Aridon-Kociolek and Clémentine Dubost tickle the ivories with four hands at Next Stage Arts in Putney. Hailing from Switzerland, the pair has played together for a decade, specializing in French and Slavic repertoires and designing concerts around a theme that connects each composition, whether by Debussy or Dvořák, Saint-Saëns or Stravinsky.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 66

SATURDAY 20 & MONDAY 22

Tiny Dancer

A diminutive girl emerges from a ﬂower and is abducted by a toad, sparking a fantastical journey of discovery in Avant Vermont Dance’s ballet umbelina, performed this week at outdoor venues in White River Junction and Springﬁeld. Scrag Mountain Music artistic director Evan Premo wrote the narrative composition, with choreography by Ashley Hensel-Browning.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 63

SUNDAY 21

Pipes Are Callin’

Scottish Celt rockers Albannach go a wee bit raucous and wild when they hit the stage for the Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury Music Series at Dog Mountain. Rhythmic instrumentals driven by bagpipes, drums and the bass tones of a didgeridoo will make listeners want to tap their feet or get up and dance. All ages and dogs are welcome.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 68

FRIDAY 19 & SATURDAY 20 Watch It

Film lovers mingle with awardwinning ﬁlmmakers at screenings and discussions during the Williston Film Festival at Isham Family Farm. Catch a selection of features, such as Vermont director Sierra Urich’s Joonam and Oscar nominee Elaine McMillion Sheldon’s King Coal, and shorts — including a world-premiere music video starring Williston residents.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 64

ONGOING

Looking Back

Sam urston’s wood sculptures of heads and human forms, painted still lifes, and ceramics tie past to present at a solo show at the Front gallery in Montpelier. e 81-year-old completed half the works in the past three years at his farmhouse in Lowell and others in a New York apartment early in his career. Catch an artist talk on ursday, July 18.

SEE GALLERY LISTING AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/ART

Water Power

The confluence of last week’s devastating floods and this week’s cover story about the revitalization of St. Johnsbury is a reminder that the rivers and streams that have powered Vermont through the ages also hold the potential to destroy it.

Before the American Revolution, European settlers put down roots alongside waterways to harness the hydro energy for local fabrication. They built sawmills, gristmills, woolen mills. While many of those industries have died out or moved elsewhere, the human settlements remain — in some cases, precariously close to the liquid life force that first enticed their predecessors.

Anyone who crossed the bridge from Burlington to Winooski last week — over raging rapids and falls — had a clear view of Vermont’s love-hate relationship with water power. Hopefully, too, they took a moment to give thanks for the little city’s elevation. Modern occupants of the old mill buildings perched over the water must have gotten quite a show.

proceeds from ticket sales to build his arts org back in the Northeast Kingdom.

Tirelessly creative, Craven was the main driver of St. Johnsbury’s first renaissance. He gave up running Catamount in 1991 to focus on filmmaking, teaching and other arts presenting, but not before cofounding Circus Smirkus and the GRACE project for older visual artists. I wasn’t surprised to learn he’s also involved in the town’s more recent commercial comeback — specifically, in helping to establish a food co-op. This week’s “Turnaround Town” shows how a new generation of creative entrepreneurs and businesspeople in St. Johnsbury is building on Craven’s work.

IF YOU WERE SPARED LAST WEEK, CHANNEL YOUR FLOOD SURVIVOR’S GUILT INTO LOCAL ECONOMIC ACTION.

The shire town of St. Johnsbury was also built on a hill — over the Passumpsic River — and its boom-andbust history is classic Vermont. Native sons Thaddeus and Erastus Fairbanks invented a platform scale and successfully manufactured it there for more than a century. During that time, the civic-minded Fairbanks family and their employees constructed some of the most stunning private homes and public buildings in the burg, including the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum and the Fairbanks Museum.

Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the Fairbanks family lost control of the company in the mid-20th century, and most of its manufacturing moved to Mississippi; the executive offices went to Kansas City, Mo. Like Springfield, once a bright spot on the manufacturing map, St. Johnsbury slowly faded.

The town was officially down-at-the-heels when I became aware of it in 1983. Eight years earlier, Jay Craven of Barnet had founded Catamount Arts, which presented performing arts events in and around the area. By the early ’80s, he was booking performing artists at the newly opened Flynn, where I worked, and selling out almost every show. He used the

A critical mass of caring, hardworking individuals can change a place for the better. But the rest of us have a role, too: to lift a finger, get off the couch, do our part. While St. Johnsbury survived, Lyndonville is swamped. Montpelier stayed dry this time, but Barre didn’t. All these places, including Burlington, need your business right now. If you were spared last week, channel your flood survivor’s guilt into local economic action. Go see a show, eat at a new restaurant, take an acquisitive stroll down Church Street or buy something on the local Amazon alternative, Myti. People power has potential, too.

Paula Routly

If you like Seven Days and can afford to help pay for it, become a Super Reader! Look for the “Give Now” button at the top of sevendaysvt.com. Or send a check with your address and contact info to:

SEVEN DAYS, C/O SUPER READERS P.O. BOX 1164

BURLINGTON, VT 05402-1164

For more information on making a financial contribution to Seven Days, please contact Gillian English:

VOICEMAIL: 802-865-1020, EXT. 115

EMAIL: SUPERREADERS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Bread and Puppet at Catamount Arts’ reopening

WELCH

BIDEN:

YET ANOTHER FLOOD

Final Act

Rita Mannebach traveled from Florida to Vermont to choose how she died

BY ALISON NOVAK • alison@sevendaysvt.com

Two days before she drank a cocktail of medications that would end her life, Rita Mannebach said she was not afraid.

“I don’t know what happens after we die — if anything,” 84-year-old Mannebach told a Seven Days reporter last week, her small frame tucked into the corner of an oversize couch in a rented house in Burlington. “And I’m not worried about it.”

HEALTH CARE

Mannebach, a Florida resident with terminal lung disease, had no connections to the Green Mountain State. But last week, she chose to die here because Vermont is one of just two states that allow nonresidents to pursue medical aid in dying, an option for patients with fewer than six months to live. A local doctor prescribed the medication that ended Mannebach’s life.

Vermont has had a so-called “death with dignity” law on the books since 2014. Until last year, only a state resident could use it. Lawmakers lifted that requirement in May 2023 after a lawsuit ﬁled by Lynda Bluestein, a Connecticut woman with stage IV cancer who wanted to die in the

state. She ultimately did, in January, using the newly passed Vermont law. About two dozen people from out of state have done the same in the past year, data show.

Mannebach flew from Orlando to Burlington with her husband, brother and sister-in-law about three weeks before her death so that she could meet with doctors, transfer her hospice care

RITA MANNEBACH

from Florida to Vermont and settle into her rental. Before a patient is prescribed the life-ending medication, a doctor must conﬁrm that they are mentally sound and have met all of the law’s requirements. A terminal patient must also make two oral requests to a doctor for the drugs at least 15 days apart and provide a written request they signed in the presence of two or more witnesses.

EDUCATION

Goddard College Campus Is Back on the Market

STORY & PHOTO BY ANNE WALLACE ALLEN anne@sevendaysvt.com

Goddard College is looking for a buyer — again.

e future of the campus has been the subject of intense local interest since the tiny Plainfield school announced in April that it is closing. In May, trustees said the grounds, a former estate, were under contract with a buyer. But last week, Kenneth Macur, the school’s interim chief financial officer, released a letter saying that the campus and its trademark were available once again.

Macur’s letter, which was obtained by Cooperation Vermont, a group that has been trying to buy the campus, listed a price of $3.4 million for about 200 acres, buildings and other property. e letter said the deal must close between August 1 and August 15. e buyer must show they can pay the full purchase price at closing. e college will ofﬁcially shut down at the end of the summer.

Mannebach had done those things by last week, and the time she had chosen was fast approaching.

Mannebach — dressed in a fuschia top and khaki pants, delicate studs in her earlobes and an oxygen cannula in her nose — said she’d come to believe over the years that the body is just a vehicle for energy. Hers was no longer serving her.

“What’s the point of being in a body if the body can’t do anything?” Mannebach said.

A former teacher, school counselor and principal, Mannebach spent the last chapter of her life becoming intimately acquainted with death. For 15 years, she volunteered as a hospice worker and end-of-life doula in Florida, where she retired with her husband, Al, in 2005. She’d witnessed the su ering that patients and their families often experience as they reckon with prolonged, debilitating illness.

“I knew so many people I worked with who said, ‘Couldn’t you just give me something?’” she recalled. “‘Does it have to take this long? Why does it have to be this way?’”

Macur did not respond to requests for more details.

Michelle Eddleman McCormick, a board member of Cooperation Vermont, said her group has been trying to buy the campus for months, but trustees have ignored its offers. Cooperation Vermont wants to use the property for an environmentally sustainable community and has pledged that campus tenants, including Maplehill School and Farm, Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, the WGDR radio station, and the now-closed Goddard Café, would be able to stay.

McCormick expressed frustration with trustees’ lack of responsiveness.

“Had they engaged with us in good faith when we approached them back in early March, we absolutely could have closed this already,” she wrote in a message. “But they kept ignoring us and going with other potential buyers who they thought could close it faster and now here they are ... trying to get someone to close this with a cash offer in 2-4 weeks, which isn’t going to happen with any buyer.”

Goddard was founded in 1938 as an experimental, nontraditional college and offered undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Until a few years ago, it also had campuses in Seattle and Port Townsend, Wash. ➆

Goddard College

Rita Mannebach

Checked Out?

Problems at the Cortina Inn raise questions about the state’s emergency housing program

BY ALISON NOVAK • alison@sevendaysvt.com

The Cortina Inn, one of 76 hotels and motels sheltering homeless people in Vermont, is not complying with provisions of an agreement with the Town of Rutland that are intended to keep residents safe. A hotel staff member is on the sex offender registry, a violation of the November 2023 terms. Exterior doors don’t have alarms and have been left propped open, also violations.

Front office manager Shaun Bryer’s status on the offender registry is broadly known among residents and town officials, some of whom have vouched for his character and helpfulness. State officials, including some at the Department for Children and Families, which oversees the hotel program, also know. A judge has allowed him to work there.

HOUSING

It’s unclear what power the town has to enforce the agreement. Selectboard members said they are pursuing legal advice.

The situation raises questions about oversight of the controversial and costly General Assistance Emergency Housing Program, which expanded during the pandemic. The state is slowly winding down the program for the unhoused, which has cost more than $215 million over the past several years. But state officials and the Cortina’s co-owner, Dhruv Kumar, have acknowledged that the hotel will likely be used to house homeless people for the foreseeable future.

“We’re trying to do what we can to help these folks,” selectboard chair Mary Ashcroft told Seven Days , “and we’re baffled as to why the state authorities aren’t working to protect them.”

The Cortina, located just off Route 7, once served as a popular community gathering spot and conference center. The former Holiday Inn hosted travelers, retirement parties, wedding receptions and rotary club meetings. In recent years, the 150-room hotel has put up hundreds of adults and children with no place else to go.

A recent tour revealed a property that has seen better days. Rundown RVs and cars on cinder blocks sat outside, and kids’ bikes and toys were scattered about. Inside, a security guard with the overdose-reversal medication Narcan

strapped to his belt walked through the building. Wallpaper was peeling, floors and carpets were dirty, and a foul odor pervaded the stairwell. A torn notice hanging on a hallway door said children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and asked pet owners to clean up dog poop.

About 200 people, 54 of them children, live in the Cortina at a nightly rate of $80 per room, according to state data. Of around 1,300 households eligible for the housing program statewide, almost 360 are staying in the Rutland area.

Rep. Eric Maguire (R-Rutland City) works for Rutland Dismas House, which provides transitional housing for people released from prison. He raised concerns about the program during an April floor speech at the Statehouse.

BABIES ARE GROWING UP IN HOTEL ROOMS; CHILDREN ARE BEING EXPOSED TO DRUGS, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND VIOLENCE.

REP. ERIC MAGUIRE

“Babies are growing up in hotel rooms; children are being exposed to drugs, human trafficking and violence. People are dying in these hotel rooms. There are no kitchens; there is no living space,” he said in the speech. “We are concentrating our most vulnerable, impoverished and disabled people in buildings not designed for permanent habitation.”

The impact on the 4,000-person town — which encircles the more populous city of Rutland — has been substantial, officials say. Police calls to the south end of town, where the Cortina is located, increased from around 150 in 2019 to more than 1,400 last year, according to Rutland Town Police Chief Ed Dumas, who has just two other officers. A drug raid at the hotel in February led to the arrest of a woman for selling cocaine, and

Summer’s Not Over! Day Camp Spots Open with the Y.

There’s plenty of summer fun left for kids to enjoy a YMCA camp.

• Camp Abnaki, North Hero

• Y Adventure Day Camp at Rock Point, Burlington

• Camp Koda, Waterbury & Underhill (accepts state subsidy) gbymca.org/summercamp24

Community Partner

BURLINGTON

Higher Ground, Burton Get OK From Supreme Court

BY DEREK BROUWER derek@sevendaysvt.com

A plan to relocate the Higher Ground concert venue to the Burton Snowboards campus in Burlington has survived a hard-fought legal challenge from neighbors who worry about the noise and traffic it will bring to the city’s South End.

The Vermont Supreme Court unanimously rejected a citizen group’s appeal of an earlier trial court ruling that upheld city and state permits for the project. Last Friday’s decision could finally clear the way for Higher Ground to make the move, more than five years after the project was proposed.

The high court’s ruling quashes opponents’ main line of attack against the 1,500-person concert venue on Queen City Park Road, near Red Rocks Park. But Citizens for Responsible Zoning — which raised nearly $15,000 through crowdfunding to fight the permits — will keep looking for ways to combat the project.

Doug Goodman, a spokesperson for the group, said in a statement that Citizens for Responsible Zoning intends to push back when Higher Ground applies for a separate entertainment permit and liquor license through the city.

“We still have grave concerns about noise and traffic from a 1500-seat venue serving alcohol,” he wrote, “whose patrons will pour out into our residential neighborhoods and get into their cars, trucks and motorcycles after midnight and sometimes after 2 am.”

Last year, a judge in the state’s environmental court ruled that a city zoning permit and Act 250 land-use permit for the project had been properly issued. Judge Mary Miles Teachout did, however, issue new requirements that Burton and Higher Ground use sound monitors and more actively manage event parking.

Citizens for Responsible Zoning, in its appeal, objected to Teachout’s conclusions with respect to alcohol consumption, noise and traffic impacts. In a 23-page decision, Supreme Court justices found that Teachout’s analysis was not unreasonable.

Goodman hopes the Burlington City Council will be more persuadable. “Here, the decision maker is the City Council, which by law has broad discretion to address our concerns,” he wrote. ➆

Around three years ago, Mannebach began advocating for the passage of a law in Florida that would allow terminally ill patients to use medical aid to end their lives, working with a nonprofit called Florida Death With Dignity. Tony Ray, president of the organization, said Mannebach was one of the earliest and most steadfast volunteers, giving presentations and asking people to sign petitions of support.

Mannebach said she was driven to join the cause because of her belief that people with terminal illness should have the option to decide that “it’s too much for me. It’s too much for my family. It’s too much.”

“And on the other end, why the heck is anybody legislating when we die?” Mannebach said with a soft chuckle.

A little over a year ago, doctors found a shadow on Mannebach’s lung during a CT scan. They wanted to do a biopsy but Mannebach declined, knowing that she didn’t want to go through chemotherapy if it was, indeed, cancer. Life was fine for about a year, she said. Then, in March, she was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia and things started going downhill, fast. She hoped that she might recover, but when it became clear that she wouldn’t, Mannebach began hospice care and started seriously thinking about using medical aid in dying. Florida has not passed a law allowing the option.

She asked her brother, John Cummins, to research out-of-state options. Only

Vermont and Oregon allow nonresidents to use their laws. Cummins, who lives in Berkeley, Calif., came across the website of Patient Choices Vermont, a 20-year-old nonprofit that works to educate medical professionals, hospice organizations and the public about medical aid in dying. The organization was instrumental in passing the state’s initial death with dignity law in 2014.

After Gov. Phil Scott signed legislation that lifted the residency requirement in May 2023, Patient Choices started getting an influx of inquiries from people outside Vermont, said the organization’s president, Betsy Walkerman. Around six months ago, Patient Choices established

what they call a “Wayfinders Network,” a group of hospice nurses, case managers, end-of-life doulas and social workers who help patients and their families, from Vermont and other states, navigate the complex process of qualifying for medical aid in dying.

Cummins spoke with Meg Tipper, a Wayfinder who recently completed the University of Vermont’s end-of-life doula certification, then connected her to his sister. A series of Zoom meetings followed in which Tipper was able to

Final Act « P.14

Mannebach’s “transformation board” with photos from her life, including a reference to Vermont MAID (medical aid in dying)

Mannebach holding hands with a family member as she dies

determine that Mannebach was a good candidate for using the law. The women talked through Mannebach’s needs and wishes, and Tipper helped her connect with a doctor and hospice care providers in Vermont. She also helped Mannebach find a place to stay in the weeks before her death.

“She has been an amazing client to work with,” Tipper said, citing Mannebach’s “level of self-awareness and thoughtfulness about other people.”

Since she began serving as a Wayfinder in April, Tipper has spoken with 14 people from out of state about Vermont’s medical-aid-in-dying law. She assisted one other client in actually using it.

People with a terminal diagnosis “are really desperate for help and a way forward,” Tipper said. To assist in carrying out someone’s wishes to die in the way they want while minimizing their pain and suffering is a privilege, she added.

On July 9, Mannebach described to a reporter what the last days of her life would look like. Family members were already in town or arriving soon, and 12 of them would sit down for something akin to a “typical holiday dinner” the night before her “day of transformation,” with storytelling and speeches.

“I will die here,” Mannebach said matter-of-factly, motioning to the couch, “but first we’ll have a circle of chairs and do some symbolic kinds of things — we’ll have a few readings and some music and something that symbolizes letting go by hugging — holding on and letting go.”

Less than 48 hours later, Mannebach presided over her own memorial service, surrounded by children, grandchildren, siblings and other relatives. Tipper was there, as were a nurse and a social worker. There were songs — including “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by the Byrds and “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack — and passages that resonated with Mannebach. One of them, written by physicist Lawrence M. Krauss, began with the line, “Every atom in your body came from a star that exploded.”

Mannebach also gave a presentation on why she chose to use medical aid in dying, remaining “true to her role as a teacher to the very end,” Cummins said later.

Then, at 1:05 p.m. on July 11, Mannebach shed the body that was no longer serving her, two hours after consuming the prescription.

It was peaceful and moving, Cummins said. It was just what Rita wanted. ➆

POLITICS

Welch Calls for Biden to Withdraw From Presidential Race

BY MATTHEW ROY matthew@sevendaysvt.com

PRIVATE CLASSES

U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) has called for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race, saying the stakes are too high and Biden has been damaged by his “disastrous” debate with Donald Trump.

Welch made his case in an opinion piece published in the Washington Post on July 10. He became the first — and so far, only — Democratic senator to call for Biden to withdraw.

Welch wrote that he had “great respect” for Biden, calling him “one of the best presidents of our time.” But in a race that could not be more important, he added, “we cannot unsee President Biden’s disastrous debate performance.”

“For the good of the country, I’m calling on President Biden to withdraw from the race,” he wrote.

Days after Welch’s piece ran, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) penned an op-ed of his own that said Biden should stay in the race, doubters be damned.

“Mr. Biden may not be the ideal candidate, but he will be the candidate and should be the candidate,” Sanders wrote in the New York Times. “And with an effective campaign that speaks to the needs of working families, he will not only defeat Mr. Trump but beat him badly. It’s time for Democrats to stop the bickering and nit-picking.”

Both op-eds were published before last Saturday’s assassination attempt on former president Trump. All three members of Vermont’s congressional delegation condemned the political violence.

Biden’s fitness has been publicly discussed since he and Trump debated two weeks ago. The president’s poor performance stunned Democrats who have been talking ever since about whether he should drop out of the race. Some have floated the idea of running Vice President Kamala Harris in the top spot this November.

Welch’s Post piece makes it clear that he does not believe Democrats’ concerns have been effectively addressed.

“States that were once strongholds are now leaning Republican,” he wrote. “Vermont loves Joe Biden,” he added, but residents are worried he can’t win this time — and are “terrified” of another Trump presidency. ➆

DANCING DANCING

SHELBURNE, VT SHELBURNE, VT

JULY 19 - 21, 2024 JULY 19 - 21, 2024

Deluge, Part Deux

A severe storm swamps Vermont — again

BY SEVEN DAYS STAFF

Vermonters got out the shovels, mops and heavy machinery again after several inches of rain drenched the state last week, causing floods that washed out roads, demolished bridges, and swamped homes and businesses. The torrential downpour, which dropped as many as seven inches in a matter of hours, began on July 10, the anniversary of last year’s historic, catastrophic storm.

The breadth of the destruction was less severe this time around, but several towns in the storm’s crosshairs were devastated. Some crops were wiped out, both by flash

flooding and rising rivers that spilled their banks.

As of Tuesday, officials said the storm had claimed two lives: 33-year-old Dylan Kempton of Peacham and 73-year-old John Rice of Concord, both of whom died after their respective vehicles were swept away by floodwaters. Thirteen swiftwater rescue teams, including one from Connecticut and one from New Hampshire, helped rescue 118 people and 15 dogs.

Flood-battered towns include Richmond, Bolton, Hinesburg, Waterbury, Barre, Moretown, Lyndonville,

Williamstown and Plainfield. Downtown Montpelier, which was swamped last year, escaped relatively unscathed.

“I know the damage done to many of the very same communities that were hardest hit, on the very same day as last year, is devastating,” Gov. Phil Scott said at a press conference last Thursday. He noted

that the state was better prepared because of the previous experience.

“We will get through this,” the governor said.

Most of the 50 state roads that were initially closed have been reopened, though 12 routes, including eight bridges and Route 2 east of St. Johnsbury, remained impassable.

A washed-out bridge along Spear Street in Charlotte

The Sterling Market grocery store and U.S. Post Office in Johnson, closed since last summer’s flooding and flooded again by the Lamoille River

ENVIRONMENT

LABOR Staff Union Asks UVM to Reinstate Mental Health Jobs

STORY & PHOTO BY ANNE WALLACE ALLEN anne@sevendaysvt.com

A labor union is asking the University of Vermont to reinstate six staff members who were abruptly terminated on June 17, saying the school is putting students at risk by reducing wellness services while mental health is a major concern on campus.

WE NEED … POLICIES TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY THAT WE’RE LIVING IN.

GRACE OEDEL

Officials encouraged people to report storm damage to their property to Vermont 211 to bolster the state’s request for federal disaster aid. The hotline had received more than 1,500 reports by Tuesday, including more than 100 from businesses and farms.

About 50 homes were left uninhabitable, and nearly a dozen landslides occurred after the heavy rain.

The deluge devastated Plainfield, which was still recovering from last year’s flooding. A swollen and fast-moving creek claimed most of a local apartment building known as the Heartbreak Hotel; fortunately, residents had left the building.

The disaster in Plainfield was worse than last year’s, said Lauren Geiger, whose brick house was surrounded by several feet of sand and mud.

Route 2, which runs through Plainfield, was closed for days on both sides of the village, hindering access to Montpelier and St. Johnsbury. As of Tuesday, the westbound route had yet to reopen due to bridge damage.

Neighbors there knew what to do. Early last Thursday, people who lived outside Plainfield village arrived with water, shovels and wheelbarrows. That night,

The six union members and two others who lost their jobs in the Center for Health & Wellbeing “were frontline staff,” said Kara Williams, co-lead steward of UVM Staff United. They worked in substance abuse recovery, health and sexuality education, and a mindfulness program.

Williams said on Monday that students have gotten in touch with some of those former staffers, asking for continued help. “They are devastated and confused and scared,” Williams said.

The union held a rally on Monday outside UVM’s Waterman Building, home to the office of vice provost for student affairs Erica Caloiero, who announced the job cuts on June 17. Union members said those terminated received no warning before they were told to leave their offices.

“I am disappointed, furious, disheartened, anxious and upset,” Isabella Dunn said. She’s a recent UVM graduate who worked as a sexuality educator intern in the center’s Living Well program. “The staff worked hard to secure ties to community partners to connect students with valuable learning experiences and perspectives. What happens to those?”

When she announced the job cuts on June 20 in a letter to some staff members, Caloiero said they were part of a reorganization that would improve efficiency at the Center for Health & Wellbeing by integrating the education services into the counseling services. She added that UVM officials received feedback from students, faculty and staff about mental health wellness services before the reorganization.

“It also aligns well with best practices across higher education,” she wrote.

Williams, the staff union co-lead steward, said the union considers the job cuts to be wrongful terminations and will ask the school to reinstate the six union positions. ➆

A staff union protest at UVM

The site on Great Brook in Plainfield where a multiunit apartment house was washed away

Flooding on Elm Street in downtown Waterbury

A flooded cornfield in Middlesex

Deluge, Part Deux «

volunteers set up a large potluck dinner on the stone wall of a church. On social media posts, neighbors asked how they could help.

Water and mud infiltrated several houses. Town Clerk Bram Towbin said a few homes outside the village had been destroyed.

Towbin tallied eight town-owned bridges on one road that were damaged or destroyed. Sections of some town roads are simply gone, he added. Plainfield was still awaiting federal reimbursement of about $200,000 for emergency repairs from 2023, Towbin said.

“For a town with a budget of $1.3 million, that is huge,” he said. “And if last year’s flood cost $320,000, this event is a multimillion-dollar event.”

Barre, too, was hard hit again, though the city suffered less damage than in 2023. Still, inches of water turned roadways into rivers, and homes and businesses flooded. A thick layer of muck remained in much of downtown after the waters receded last Thursday morning.

In Hinesburg, where as much as seven inches of rain fell, Denise and John Daly had prepared for the rainfall as they always have, fencing the cattle in on high land. But the animals got out in the dead of night and ended up in the rising water.

“And it’s pitch black, so they ended up very, very far out,” Denise said.

WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS.

GOV. PHIL SCOTT

The morning light revealed the treacherous situation. The biggest cows in the herd could stand, but younger animals were treading water.

The Dalys headed into the flood in kayaks. They led their calves to land one by one, giving the animals life preservers and keeping their nostrils above water.

The Dalys knew they would need help moving the bigger animals. Denise put out a call on Facebook, and about 20 Hinesburg residents responded. Using several canoes and kayaks, the group formed a line and herded the animals to dry ground.

“We only lost a month-old calf. We couldn’t find her this morning, which my daughter is very heartbroken about,” Daly said. “It could have been so much worse, and if we hadn’t had help, we would have lost all the animals.”

At Burlington’s Intervale, where farmers grow crops in the fertile soil of a

Winooski River floodplain, more than 200 volunteers harvested produce as the water rose. While hundreds of pounds of veggies were saved, many farms suffered extreme losses — yet again.

“I’m so grateful for our strong community that keeps us safe in emergencies,” said Grace Oedel, executive director of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont. “But what we need are upstream, durable policies to address the climate emergency that we’re living in. We can’t be pretending like it’s going to go away. We were here last year.” ➆

Anne Wallace Allen, Jack McGuire, Alison Novak, Courtney Lamdin, Kevin McCallum and Rachel Hellman contributed reporting.

A herd of Murray Grey cattle resting after being rescued from deep floodwaters in Hinesburg

Brook Road in Plainfield, swept away by Great Brook floodwaters

Gov. Phil Scott and Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon

Public works crews scooping up the muck in Barre

FEEDback

Gov. Phil Scott and administrative spokespeople have brought the office of the governor down to the level of name-calling and finger-pointing. The governor called lawmakers “a bit arrogant” and accused them of not listening to constituents — this, after flouting the Vermont Constitution and ignoring the informed opinions of 19 senators (elected by constituents), as well as the hundreds, maybe thousands, of Vermonters who wrote or called them to express legitimate concerns about the appointment. I submit that this could be seen as an attempt to divert attention from the true issues, and it is most certainly projecting his own attitude and actions onto others.

Scott has a history of undermining support for our public schools, then making rhetorical claims of their mediocrity and unfairly blaming them for property tax increases — finding fault with the very problem he helped create.

It is time to put an end to the bombast. It is my hope that Scott will pivot from combative to constructive

during forthcoming discussions on how to improve Vermont’s already excellent public education system — the only public service mentioned in our constitution.

Ken Fredette WALLINGFORD

Fredette is a member of Friends of Vermont Public Education.

IDES OF JULY

Our contemporary Ides of July remind us of the Roman Ides of March so celebrated by William Shakespeare [“Welch Calls for Biden to Withdraw From Presidential Race,” July 10, online]. Regicide — whether figuratively contemplated, threatened or consummated — replays itself. It makes for powerful drama. Witness President Joe Biden and his brother Dems.

Jim Hughes BURLINGTON

MYTH OR MCNEIL?

It is unfortunate that, in their letter of June 26, Barry Bernstein and Roger Fox perpetuate the myth that “renewable” equates with environmentally responsible [Feedback: “Utilities Invest in Renewables”]. Implying that because Burlington Electric Department’s electricity is “renewable,” it is somehow clean or environmentally responsible is preposterous. The wood-burning McNeil Generating Station, the primary source of electricity for Burlington Electric, is the biggest point-source air polluter in the state, despite the fact that wood is “renewable.” When will we wake up to the fact that burning wood pollutes our air?

David Ellenbogen CALAIS

‘NO BETTER ADVICE’

I’m afraid the Reverend was too generous in her faith in the cheater’s ability to stop her behavior [Ask the Rev: “My Fiancée Cheated but Wants Me Back,”

January 31]. Yes, someone can make a one-time mistake. If they truly amend their behavior and you both get counseling, perhaps this relationship can be salvaged.

I hope my advice is not too late for this man who was cheated on. He is likely dealing with someone who exhibits poor impulse control, possible narcissism or dark-empathy traits (look it up; it’s on the rise), hyper-sexualized behavior (possibly from sexual trauma), an empathy deficit, unresolved emotional needs, stunted ego states — all the way to full Machiavellianism. There is no better advice than the old saying: “Fooled me once, shame on you; fooled me twice, shame on me.”

When red flags are waving in front of you, heed them. Learn about your own attachment style so you can understand how not to attract this type of person into your life again. You deserve a fully committed life partner and should accept no less. If you settle for less, you will receive far less than you can imagine. Good luck.

Donna Constantineau NEWPORT CITY

Checked Out? « P.15

Dumas said he has responded to multiple drug overdoses at the hotel. The hotel pays the town $23,000 a month for the demands it places on municipal services, including policing.

If the state is going to pay for people to stay at the Cortina, Dumas said, it should also provide intensive social services such as mental health support. The state is “keeping them from freezing to death, and that’s about all they’re doing,” Dumas said.

John Paul Faignant, the town’s health officer, said he’s observed unsafe conditions at the Cortina, including black mold on the walls. A sewer backup last year caused raw sewage to flood two rooms — one occupied by a disabled veteran and the other by a man with a cognitive disability. The conditions are so bad, Faignant said, that the Cortina “needs to be bulldozed.”

But there’s little he can do. Because of a 2022 state policy change, Faignant said, local health officers can no longer enforce regulations at hotels. The state, though, isn’t providing adequate oversight, he said.

The Cortina is better than some of the alternatives, said housing advocate Brenda Siegel, who praised the hotel for supporting its residents. A former Democratic candidate for governor, Siegel instead faults the state for failing to ensure vulnerable people in Vermont are safely sheltered. The Agency of Human Services, for instance, could have required hotels to enter into lease agreements that include strict health and safety standards, Siegel said, but declined to do so.

She believes things have improved in the months since Kumar began running the hotel last summer. When residents tell management that something needs to be fixed, Siegel said, it’s addressed. The Cortina is also compassionate toward people with mental health disabilities, she said, recounting how a staff member regularly reminds a man with schizophrenia that he has a room there.

Yet the hotel isn’t abiding by some key provisions in the contract it signed with the town last fall. At a June 18 selectboard meeting, Faignant, the health inspector, told town officials that he had found all three rear exit doors of the hotel propped open that day. The town worries about unauthorized people getting inside, a problem that’s plagued the hotel.

And, most concerningly to some, the Cortina’s front office manager, Bryer, is on the sex offender registry. A former teacher and Morristown Selectboard chair, Bryer served 10 years in prison after he was convicted in 2011 of sexually abusing three boys who were students at the school where he worked.

“I don’t care how reformed someone is,” said Sharon Russell, a member of the Rutland Town Selectboard. “Someone who is a sex offender does not belong at a place like that.”

One person who was kicked out of the hotel told Seven Days that she thought it was retaliation after she informed other residents that Bryer is a registered sex offender. Bryer said the eviction had nothing to do with that and his status is widely known by residents.

“I’ve discussed it openly with them, as well as with service providers, law enforcement and other hotel staff members,” said Bryer, who has worked at the hotel since 2021. “It is not a secret.”

In his role, Bryer said, he does mostly office work and coordinates other hotel employees’ schedules and has limited interactions with residents. The Cortina’s policy is that at least two staff members must be present when they enter guest rooms, Bryer noted.

He said his parole officer and DCF officials know where he works and Kumar knows of his status as a sex offender.

“I trust and believe that everyone involved in my situation regarding supervision [and] employment is well aware of what my conditions are and there is no concern about me working in this location,” Bryer told Seven Days. Bryer said he works closely with police and DCF workers in his role as a mandated reporter — someone legally required to report child abuse and neglect to the state. Under Vermont law, anyone who is an “employee, contractor [or] grantee of the Agency of Human Services” and has contact with its clients is a mandated reporter.

When he was released from prison in 2021, Bryer’s conditions of parole required the Department of Corrections to approve his place of employment. But in January of this year, Bryer successfully petitioned the court to remove that condition.

At that hearing, Bryer’s attorney told a judge that her client worked at a Rutlandarea hotel but did not specify that it was part of the emergency housing program or that dozens of children lived there, a recording of the hearing shows. Bryer told the judge that he successfully completed communitybased treatment for sex offenders at the Clara Martin Center in Randolph after his release. He also completed a treatment program while incarcerated.

Siegel, the housing advocate, said she has observed Bryer working closely with law enforcement, DCF and other providers across Rutland.

“We have a large number of clients with complex needs at the Cortina,” Siegel said, “and he takes critical steps to meet those needs.”

Police Chief Dumas said it is common knowledge in town that Bryer is on the sex offender registry. Dumas said Bryer is cooperative, competent and comes across as “a nice guy.” However, Dumas said that, as a former investigator of sex crimes, he has

“some worries” about a person with Bryer’s background working at the Cortina.

Haley Sommer, spokesperson for the Department of Corrections, told Seven Days that her agency’s responsibility is to ensure those under supervision are meeting conditions set by the court. Bryer, she said, has been compliant with the terms of his parole. Sommer said DCF had expressed concerns to the DOC about Bryer working at the Cortina last fall because of his status on the registry. Corrections passed along that information to the court, Sommer said.

Ultimately, it’s up to the town to decide whether and how to enforce the terms of its agreement with Kumar, a Cortina co-owner. At a May meeting of the Rutland Town Selectboard, Kumar was asked about his employees.

“Criminal background checks for your staff and nobody on the sex offender registry on your staff?” board chair Ashcroft asked Kumar at the meeting.

“Yes,” Kumar replied. “Everyone has a valid work permit that was issued by the state. So, everyone that does have one is OK at the moment. We did verify with everyone.”

“For both?” Ashcroft asked.

“For both, yes,” Kumar said.

Kumar did not respond to several emails from Seven Days seeking clarification about his comments.

When asked by Seven Days about Bryer’s status on the sex offender registry, Ashcroft expressed frustration but declined to comment directly on whether the selectboard would take up the issue with Kumar.

“We have a contract with the Cortina … and it has provisions … because we thought it was important to put them in for the protection of the children and the vulnerable folks who live there,” Ashcroft said. She said she gave a copy of the agreement to a state official in May.

DCF said in a statement that it has no control over who the hotels hire because they are private businesses. A spokesperson also said DCF does not conduct criminal background checks for any of the participants in the program, meaning that guests could include people on the sex offender registry.

Some say the situation highlights the broader shortcomings of the housing program, which they view as a Band-Aid rather than a solution to homelessness.

Russell, the selectboard member, ran the Open Door Mission, a veterans’ shelter and soup kitchen in Rutland City, for four decades. She wonders why the state didn’t invest in land and tiny homes, rather than “warehousing” people in hotels.

“Make it a village. Make it respectable and give these people something they never had,” Russell said. “It’s not humane, the way these people are being treated.”

A door propped open at the Cortina Inn

Cortina Inn

lifelines

OBITUARIES

Robert James “Bobby” Casavaw

AUGUST 9, 1950-JUNE 10, 2024

BURLINGTON, VT.

Robert James “Bobby” Casavaw, 73, of Burlington, Vt., passed away peacefully on the afternoon of June 10, 2024, in the intensive care unit of the University of Vermont Medical Center. His sister was by his side. Bobby’s simmering medical issues had exacerbated over the past year to a degree his body could not overcome.

Bobby was born on August 9, 1950, and lived happily with his family, Francis J. and Frances E.H. Casavaw and sister Cindy, in Rutland, where he attended school. He was proud of his work at the Bardwell Hotel and Seward’s Dairy. In 2001, Bobby relocated to the Burlington area, where his mom and sister would be closer.

Bobby was a kind and gentle soul. He called himself “slow.” His family thought of him as “exceptional.” His memory of long-ago childhood events and his sense of direction were often called upon, as was his ability on the drums, accompanying his mom on the piano at Hackett family singalongs. He was expert behind the wheel of his bright red car — his license gained when his mom advocated for an oral driving test, an accommodation he needed.

Bobby’s loves were broad and long-lasting. From ﬁshing in Rutland ponds to listening to Elvis and ’60s rock to visiting any diner he came upon to enjoying his special TV westerns, Bob was grateful for the small things in life. Rides on country roads with his father, his mom’s goulash and trips to the ocean were never far

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

from his mind. Bobby loved family holiday celebrations, especially the after-dinner game time and lottery tickets.

Bobby was also a true “dog whisperer.” From his pets Dorni, Rusty and Dinah to his newfound family friend, Buddy, Bob had a special way with anything canine.

Bobby is survived by his sister, Cindy Mackin, of South Burlington, Vt.; nephews, Padraic Mackin of South Burlington and Seamus (Deepa) Bhatt-Mackin of Durham, N.C.; beloved grandnieces, Ellora and Kennedy; and grandnephew, Ishaan. He is also survived by his Mackin in-laws and numerous Hackett relatives.

Bobby left others who will remember him fondly and who showed him kindness and respect. Of special note are his later-life friends and advocates Claire Groleau, Nancy Scagnelli and Chris Davey.

Bobby was predeceased by his parents; his brother-in-law, Tom Mackin, whose friendship was so special over the past many years; and his close aunt, Mary Rose Tweddle, and uncle, Arthur Tweddle.

Bobby’s family wishes to thank the folks at Good Health and the UVM Medical Center, especially the ICU staff and the surgeon who gave him a chance. e nurses and nursing assistants throughout the medical center were the very best.

Visiting hours will be held on July 19, 2024, 4 to 6 p.m., at the Shelburne Chapel of Corbin and Palmer, 209 Falls Rd., Shelburne, Vt. A funeral mass will be held on July 20, 2024, 1:30 p.m., at Christ the King Church, 66 South Main St., Rutland. Burial will follow at Rutland’s Calvary Cemetery in the family plot.

If so inclined, a contribution to remember Bobby would be appreciated by the Chittenden County Humane Society, 142 Kindness Ct., South Burlington, VT 05403 or Special Olympics of Vermont, 16 Gregory Dr., Suite 2, South Burlington, VT 05403. And please remember to reach out to members of the disabled community with a smile, some conversation and understanding of their lives. Pet a dog and enjoy life’s small moments.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home.

Richard Quinlan

DECEMBER 23, 1947-JULY 3, 2024

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT.

Richard “Rich” Quinlan passed away peacefully at the McClure Miller Respite House on July 3, 2024, surrounded by loved ones, after a brave battle with glioblastoma. He was born and raised in Somerville, Mass. Rich was an accomplished multisport athlete in his youth and was known as the “enforcer” on the basketball court. He was an avid Boston sports fan who sold newspapers at the Boston Garden when he was young so he could watch the

Dr. George Kenneth Stoltenberg

OCTOBER 18, 1951-JUNE 4, 2024 BURLINGTON, VT.

Dr. George Kenneth Stoltenberg passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, surrounded by his family and friends.

George was born in Schuyler, Neb., on October 18, 1951, to Kenneth and Betty (Primbnow) Stoltenberg. After a carefree childhood, George became

Celtics and Bruins. He served in the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam and upon his return protested for peace and veterans’ rights. He was an advocate for fair labor, which was highlighted in his role as the vice president for the National Immigration and Naturalization Service Council (later known as AFGE). He retired from the Department of Homeland Security as an immigration examiner after decades of service to the federal government.

Rich had a city attitude with a country heart. In recent years he enjoyed the solitude and beauty of his 1700s rural New York farmhouse, perennial and vegetable gardens, and birds. He was a lifelong reader and music lover and loved to share his joy of music through deejaying, making music mixes and singing in the car with anyone who would listen. He had a creative soul which he expressed in many ways, including photography, beading, writing, gardening and cooking. He was widely known for his unique fashion sense and colorful storytelling. Rich had a playful spirit and loved animals, particularly Saint Bernards. He loved to spend time on the ocean, especially on Cape Cod and Grand Manan, and was a fan of cross-country road trips.

blind at 13. He left home to attend the Nebraska School for the Blind. He then attended Midland Lutheran College, graduated cum laude and received a Danforth Fellowship. He attended Indiana University, graduating with a PhD in clinical psychology. George completed an internship year at Duke University Medical Center and graduated from the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training Program at the Jewish General Hospital in Montréal.

In the early 1980s, George moved to Burlington, Vt., with his family. In Vermont, George practiced at the University of Vermont’s Behavior erapy and Psychotherapy Center, seeing patients and supervising graduate students. He then moved on to a part-time practice and as a part-time consulting psychologist at Howard Center. George was a valued friend, colleague and mentor to many in the area.

He is survived by his longtime partner, ea Knight, of Burlington; daughter, Annie Fain Frost, her husband, Robert Frost, and granddaughter, Eleanor Joan Frost, all of Augusta, Ga.; son, Will Stoltenberg,

Rich never stopped learning and growing with the world around him, which inspired us all throughout his illness. He possessed an impeccable, dry sense of humor and an acerbic wit that stayed with him until the very end. He never lost his legendary memory and mental sharpness and managed to win three consecutive fantasy football titles, two of which he won during the course of his illness.

He is survived by his wife, travel companion and friend of 34 years, Connie Quinlan; children, Courtney Quinlan, Kerri Quinlan and Devin Quinlan and his stepdaughter, Mary-Lynn Whaley; beloved grandchildren, Avery, Jaxon and Jessa; brother George Quinlan and wife Victoria; brother Earl Quinlan and wife Mary; and many enduring friendships.

Rich’s ashes will be interred at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. A celebration of life is planned for September 7, 2024, 1 to 4 p.m., at the Bayside Park Pavilion in Colchester. Donations in memory of Rich may be made to the McClure Miller Respite House (uvmhomehealth.org/donate/ make-an-online-donation).

of Arlington, Mass., and friend Anthony Polukin of Arlington; brother, Dr. Calvin Stoltenberg, and his wife, Peggy, of Norman, Okla.; and sister, Sharan Stoltenberg, and her husband, David Reinecke, of Schuyler, Neb. George also leaves behind friends, including Richard Moss of Burlington, Bill Butler and Ginger MacDonald of Colchester, Vt., and all the staff of Howard Center’s Pine Street Mental Health Center.

George was predeceased by Rev. Dr. Bruce Berggren of St. John Lutheran Church in Nebraska, who was a friend and guiding light in George’s youth and life.

His love for his children, Annie and Will, was evidenced through the years by many trips to the YMCA, summer Lake Monster baseball games, fun birthday parties, fabulous nine-foot Christmas tree celebrations, and many, many books shared together. George will be missed and remembered by the many patients he sadly leaves behind. May he rest in peace in a better place after a life of achievement, independence and courage.

lifelines

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

OBITUARIES

Sylvia Heininger Holden

NOVEMBER 22, 1929JUNE 5, 2024

BURLINGTON, VT.

Sylvia Heininger Holden, a pretty, happy “butterﬂy” of a lady whose kindness was so renowned that National Public Radio reported on it, has died in Vermont, at age 94.

During recent years in her very long life, she was known for ﬂitting about Burlington in a little red car to deliver ﬂowers, chocolate, books, magazines and other small comforts to people she knew and some she did not.

Wherever she lived over the decades, Holden became a pillar of communities, from Montreal’s West Island to the Glebe neighborhood in Ottawa, Canada, where a city park is named in her honor. She was a member of the senior yoga group at Burlington’s Heineberg Club until her death on June 5, 2024.

Sylvia embodied positiveness. When a cataract operation left her eyes sensitive to light, she made vintage and novelty sunglasses part of her look. Uncomfortable pumping gasoline, she found a new friend at the station to help, every time.

She enjoyed giant books, marking choice quotes with slips of paper or reading them aloud to family. Peter Kurth’s Isadora was read back-to-back with dance pioneer Duncan’s own 1927 autobiography. Sylvia clipped newspapers and magazines, with a knack — said her old friend Karl Raab — for sending people what they were interested in.

In recent years, Sylvia accompanied Alfred and son-in-law Michel Laverdiere on expeditions by Subaru to the Charlevoix region of

Québec, Montréal, Ottawa and to Massachusetts and the Adirondacks.

As a mom, Sylvia preferred good manners in feral children who took responsibility.

Sylvia’s late husband, Clem Holden, a Green Mountain Club member who was one of Bolton Mountain’s trailblazing “Old Goat” skiers, died in 2020, at age 97. Like him, Sylvia was blessed with good health to near the end of her life.

Around May 5, she and

her son Alfred, 66, caught COVID-19. While they both got through it, it took a toll on Sylvia’s immune system, enabling undiagnosed cancers, which moved swiftly. She died surrounded by friends at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester. With the assistance of staff from A.W. Rich Funeral Home, Sylvia was spirited away in an honor procession, with family and friends carrying electric candles.

Sylvia Holden was born Sylvia Frida Heininger at Mary Fletcher Hospital in Burlington, Vt., on November 22, 1929. Her family noticed a birthmark in the shape of an airplane, at a time when her father, Alfred Heininger, was deeply involved in efforts to advance the new ﬁeld of aviation in Vermont.

She grew up in a foursquare house in the thenGerman and Jewish district on North Avenue, where family still live. Sylvia walked to Lawrence Barnes School a few blocks away, often late for class because “I liked to talk to people I met on the way.”

Habitual congeniality was a bedrock for Sylvia. In the delicate period following 9/11, accidentally traveling with husband Clem’s passport instead of her own, she sweettalked her way into Canada and home again.

As a young lady, Sylvia took a summer job at a settlement house in Philadelphia. In 1951, upon graduating from the University of Vermont, she was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study sociology at the University of Vienna, setting sail that August on Holland-America’s New Amsterdam with her friend Mary Hurst.

Cold War tension in postwar, Allied-occupied Austria led to scrapes for Sylvia.

Finding herself on a train through the Russian zone without proper papers, she conferred with passengers in her compartment, who called

the conductor, who hid her under a counter in the beverage car.

Another time, after a student event — possibly 1952’s “Ball der technik,” going by a ticket in her scrapbook — Sylvia was called in by American ofﬁcials, who called the party “a communist ball” and issued her a warning.

Sylvia told of hitchhiking all over Europe and motorcycling to Helsinki with a boyfriend, where with her Kodak Retina she recorded images of the 1952 Summer Olympics.

Back in America, Sylvia got a job with Vermont’s Department of Social Work, adopting as her mentor the vaunted Anna Elizabeth MacWilliams Neville (19242022). Needing a car to make her rounds, she bought a new Volkswagen in Montréal, a 1953, which may have been the ﬁrst in Vermont, as there were no dealers yet.

Sylvia was introduced to Clem by North Avenue grocer Albert Kieslich. One day at his store, she asked, “Who knows about ski wax?” Albert pointed to Clem, who was buying a steak on his way back from Stowe.

e couple married at UVM’s Ira Allen Chapel on July 18, 1954, honeymooning at the family camp, Cedar Ledge, on Coates Island in Lake Champlain. ey moved to Montréal, where Clem worked in labor relations for aircraft maker Canadair (later Bombardier, now part of Airbus). Son Jeffrey Holden, born in 1955, accompanied them to live in London, where Clem was sent to recruit aircraft engineers.

After son Alfred arrived in 1958, the Holdens bought a house in the Montréal Island suburb of Pointe Claire, where, among other things, their 1965 home movie, “A Day With the Holdens,” now on YouTube, documented the life of a typical family of that day.

Following the excitement of Expo 67, Clem joined the Canadian government, and the family moved to Ottawa, where Sylvia led numerous public-spirited efforts, notably the creation of new urban parks, for which the City of Ottawa named one in her honor.

Sylvia and Clem retired to Burlington, taking care of her mother, Erna Heininger, until her death in 1991. A lifelong Unitarian, Sylvia did not approve of the Iraq War and demonstrated against it. She supported development in the Old North End that added new life, such as the Scout Coffee shop in Packard Lofts.

She and Clem frequently strolled around their block, Sylvia with her walker, of course stopping to talk to people, dispensing cookies or chocolate Canadian loonies and toonies ($1 and $2 coins).

Sources of late-life happiness for Sylvia were restoration of the Heiningers’ original homestead on Crowley Street by its current residents, Brian Pine and Liz Curry, and renewed activity next door at the old Goethe Lodge (German club).

One day in 2022, a Vermont Public radio reporter spotted Sylvia there, eating potluck in the upstairs dance hall.

“She was the oldest person in the room, but she seemed like the liveliest,” Anna Van Dine writes at Vermont Public’s website, where words and audio are posted. “I wanted to talk to her about how she ﬁlls her days.”

Well, one day, leaving Price Chopper in Colchester, Sylvia spotted a man sitting off the parking lot, crying.

“And I went over to him,” she tells listeners, in Van Dine’s story, now widely heard on NPR. “And I said, ‘What’s wrong?’ And he said, ‘My wife’s in the hospital and my life is in shatters.’ And I said, ‘Just a minute,’ and I reached in and

pulled out some beautiful ﬂowers. He was thrilled.”

After Sylvia’s passing, a neighbor, David Lines, of Burlington’s diner family, wrote online at Front Porch Forum, “Her (mostly) joyful outlook was as infectious as her determination to insist that humanity could always be better than it was. Having lived through some truly challenging eras in America, she was always steadfast in her faith that justice and a kind gesture would overcome the bleak clouds that often darken the outlook of today’s doom scroll.”

Sylvia’s remains were cremated and for now are at home with the family, which includes sons Alfred (spouse Michel) of Toronto and Burlington and Jeffrey (spouse Kaodi Yamada), and their children, Amy and oma, of Federal Way, Wash. Her brother, Oskar Heininger, lives in Framingham, Mass. Sylvia’s sister, Erika Sawyer, of Vancouver, predeceased her; extended family continue. Sylvia called Ann Gotham and Myra Timmins of Burlington “my adopted daughters.” e Raabs of Vancouver, John Quinn of Colchester, David Barber of St. Albans and Gloria Seidler of Burlington were honorary family, with others.

e Holdens are grateful to countless neighbors and friends who provided support at the house for years, staff at UVM Medical Center Hospital, and those who joined Alfred and Jeffrey at McClure Miller at the very end of Sylvia’s life.

Sheila Quinn of Texas sent condolences on a card featuring a butterﬂy, with the note, “I think this butterﬂy symbolizes the natural beauty she displayed, as she continued to blossom.” A family event is planned; a public memorial service for Sylvia will be held on September 21, 2024, at the First Unitarian Church in Burlington.

WEDDING

Roberta D. “Chick” Wood

AUGUST 22, 1944-JULY 11, 2024 CHARLOTTE, VT.

Roberta D. “Chick” Wood passed away peacefully on July 11, 2024, at the McClure Miller Respite House, with her family by her side. Chick was born at her grandmother’s home in Starksboro, Vt., on August 22, 1944. She spent the balance of her years living in Charlotte. Chick attended Charlotte Central School and Burlington High School. Her youth was filled with driving tractors, gardening, and helping to cook for the family and hired hands on the family dairy farm. During her high school years, she was a majorette and had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to help represent the dairy industry with the Vermont Farm Bureau. Chick graduated in 1962 from Burlington High School and continued her education at Mount Ida College in Boston. While in Boston, she fine-tuned her love of fashion, graduating with a degree in fashion merchandising. Always a hard worker, Chick helped put herself through school by working as a live-in nanny while pursuing her studies. She married her first husband, Jack Palmer, in 1965. ey had two children, Christopher and Tyler Palmer. While raising her sons, Chick helped manage Guy Cheng’s women’s clothing store. Her time working at the store brought many happy memories, whether it was traveling to New York City for buying trips or spending time with many of her coworkers who became lifelong friends. Owners Guy and Barbara Cheng introduced Chick to her true soulmate, Charles R. “Bob” Wood, after the dissolution of her first marriage. ey married in 1977, combining their families and allowing Chick to add Kim, Cathy and Bobby Wood to her brood. Chick and Bob made their new homestead on the lake in Converse Bay. From a tangle of poison ivy and black locust

trees, clearing much of property themselves, they were able to build a family home where many have been fortunate to gather. From anksgivings, Easters and Christmases to weddings and dinner parties, Chick loved to entertain at her home. She was always quick to invite those who may not have had a place to go and always made them feel welcome.

Chick could be found gardening right up until her move to the Residence at Quarry Hill last year.

In 1982, Bob asked Chick to join his business, Wood’s CRW, where she served for almost 25 years. She retired from the day-to-day business in 2006, allowing her to spend more time with friends, family and her beloved grandchildren.

She was an active member of the North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church, where she served on the board for many years. Chick loved people and their stories. In her ﬁnal year, she became a ﬁxture in the lobby entrance at the Residence at Quarry Hill. Even though her ability to remember names and speak diminished, she made new friends every day with her smile and wave to all those coming and going.

Chick is survived by her brothers, Ralph and his wife, Kathleen Dike, of Ferrisburgh,

Vt., and Rod and his wife, Kathy Dike, of South Dennis, Mass.; and children Chris and Kathy Palmer of Shelburne, Vt., Bobby and Dawn Wood of Westford, Vt., Cathy Wood of South Burlington, Vt., and Kim Ferguson of Hampton, N.H. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Grace and Owen Palmer; Robert and Benjamin Wood; and Jim, Scotty, Cooper and Trisha Ferguson. Chick was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Beatrice Dike; the love of her life, Bob Wood; son Tyler Palmer; and granddaughter Julian Ferguson.

e family wants to extend special thanks to the caregivers at Quarry Hill, who did an outstanding job of assisting Chick this past year, and her devoted friends at the North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church, who transported her to services each Sunday. In lieu of ﬂowers, please consider donating to the McClure Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Hwy., Colchester, VT 05446, or HOPE (Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects) 282 Boardman St., Middlebury, VT 05753.

A celebration of Chick’s life will be held on Monday, July 22, 2024, 11 a.m., at the United Methodist Church, 227 Old Hollow Rd., North Ferrisburgh, VT, with a reception to follow.

Deborah Henken and Bryan Fantie of Gaithersburg, Md., announce the marriage of their daughter, Samara Rose Fantie, to Carl Elliott “Ott” Lindstrom, son of Jessica and Timothy Lindstrom of Williamsburg, Va. Samara received degrees from Amherst College and American University and is a 2D/3D digital artist and the CCO of a video game development startup. Ott, a graduate of Amherst College and William & Mary Law School, is an attorney and litigation associate. e ceremony was attended by friends and family and took place on May 4, 2024, at the Old Lantern Inn and Barn in Charlotte, Vt. e couple honeymooned in St. Lucia and reside in Burlington, Vt.

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

lines Want to memorialize a loved one?

Share your loved one’s story with the local community in Lifelines. Post your obituary or in memoriam online and in print at sevendaysvt.com/lifelines Or contact us at lifelines@sevendaysvt.com or 865-1020 ext. 121.

Samara Rose Fantie and Carl Elliott “Ott” Lindstrom

lifelines

OBITUARIES

Stephen W. Gould

FEBRUARY 1, 1937JUNE 27, 2024

CHELSEA, VT.

Stephen W. Gould of Chelsea, Vt., passed away on ursday, June 27, 2024, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt.

Steve was born in Portland, Maine, on February 1, 1937, to Eleanor (Webster) and Richard Gould. He grew up in Cape Elizabeth, Maine; Winchester, Mass.; Newport Beach, Calif.; and Colorado Springs, Colo., and graduated from Fountain Valley High School in Colorado Springs. He received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

College in Hanover, N.H. He went on to receive a masters in German language and literature from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vt. and his juris doctorate (JD) from the Vermont Law School in Randolph, Vt. While serving in the U.S. Army, he attended the Defense Language Institute Language Center in Monterey, Calif., and was stationed in Germany. He was ﬂuent in English, German and Polish. After his service, he taught German ﬁrst as an instructor at WillistonNorthampton School in Easthampton, Mass., and then later as an assistant professor at State University College in Oneonta, N.Y. While living in Oneonta, he helped form the Oneonta Legal Rights Guild and was treasurer of the Emergency Bail Project. rough this work, he was motivated to pursue law with a goal to provide meaningful legal support to those who otherwise might not be able to afford the rights and protections provided by the American legal system. After earning his JD, he worked as a public defender. He eventually became an assistant attorney general and attorney for the State of Vermont Department

of Taxes. Steve was known as a generous and caring individual with a sharp wit and sense of humor. He had a deep love of nature and the outdoors, from skiing, cycling and hiking to reading by the brook. roughout his life, he was in active service to his community and dedicated to being a friendly helping hand. Among his endeavors, he was a volunteer ﬁreﬁghter and a member of the school board for the Chelsea Public School. Later, in retirement, he was active in the Central Vermont Farm Workers Coalition, a part of Migrant Justice, and was an active member of other community improvement projects and volunteer efforts.

In the past seven years, he has shown great strength, courage, and, at times, stubbornness and humor in dealing with serious health issues. rough it all, he was supported by his family and a community of friends for which there are no words to express gratitude. Steve is survived by his two children and their families: Dana Gould of Boston, Mass., and Stephanie Sotkin of Salt Lake City, Utah, along with his granddaughter, Hannah Sotkin, also of Salt Lake City.

He is also survived by his siblings and their families: Sally Wilson of Walpole, Mass., Susan Hoffman of Needham, Mass., and his sister-in-law, Sue Gould, of Turner, Mass., and the children of his late brother, John Gould, of Turner. He is also survived by his companion, Judy Peterson, and her children. e family expresses deeply felt gratitude for the support of many friends, including but not limited to Dan and Lynne Cardozo; the caring staff at the Gary Residence, where Steve lived for ﬁve years; as well as Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice and the McClure Miller Respite House. Per Steve’s request, there will not be a funeral. e family plans on a gathering to celebrate his life and honor his memory on Wednesday, July 31, 2 to 4 p.m., at the ree Penny Taproom in Montpelier.

Memorial donations in his name may be made to Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice or Migrant Justice. To continue honoring his memory, his hope was that you would do something special for a friend. Please visit awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.

Patricia Quinn di Stefano

SEPTEMBER 17, 1949MAY 22, 2024 CABOT, VT.

Patricia Quinn di Stefano — better known as Pappy to family and friends — left this world on May 22, 2024, after a long struggle with several illnesses. With her typical upbeat determination and spirit, she lived 3-plus years longer than doctors predicted. She made the very most of those ﬁnal years and inspired all who journeyed with her through this period of her life.

Chris and Joe, who grew up in Cabot. Marc passed away in 1990. ough Chris and Joey both lived in other states for a while, they returned to Vermont and were fortunate to spend many years close to Pappy. In the years prior to retirement, she worked at National Life Group in Montpelier.

Pappy was a woman of many talents: She was a skilled gardener, avid reader, scuba diver, golf and tennis player, knitter, craftswoman, and, especially, an amazing cook. Family and friends will remember many delicious, joyous meals at her table, filled with laughter and love. Pappy loved nothing more than simply spending time with her family — sons; daughter-in-law Wendy; grandchildren Marc, Althea and Nina; and her siblings. She was a devoted and loyal friend to many, quite a few of whom became part of her and her sons’ extended family.

JANUARY 5, 1944-

JANUARY 7, 2024

BURLINGTON, VT.

We regret to announce the passing of our beloved father, Ben Linden, in January 2024, in Burlington, Vt. Born in Los Angeles in 1944, Ben resided in Vermont and Oregon during his 80 years of life. Ben was a man of few and deeply meaningful words, living a life marked by integrity, honesty and a profound sense of character. Ben dedicated decades of his life as a master HVAC technician at the University of Vermont and even started his own business. His expertise and dedication were well respected, and he took great pride in his work, contributing signiﬁcantly to the facilities and operations

in the institutions where he practiced his trade.

Ben’s presence brought comfort and warmth to all who knew or engaged with him. His passions included family, racquetball, biking, golf, music, Chevys and enjoying great food accompanied by a cold adult beverage. He was also committed to various charitable organizations, including the Audubon Society, National Parks, National Wildlife Federation, American Cancer Society, Make-AWish Foundation, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Salvation Army and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

He is survived by his three sons, Randy, Jeff and Devin; brother, Harold Linden;

daughters-in-law; his loving grandchildren; and a wide circle of friends who became family over the years.

We know that each of you has special, funny and unique memories that we would love for you to share. We look forward to welcoming all of his friends to join us for his celebration of life – it’s going to be ﬁlled with love, tears, laughs and remembrance of this incredible man, father, grandfather and friend.

Ben’s celebration will be held on Sunday, August 11, 2024, from 1 p.m. until we conclude, at the St. John’s Club, 9 Central Ave, Burlington, VT. Please RSVP to devinscottlinden@gmail. com or call 303-249-9780.

Born on September 17, 1949, in Tempe, Ariz., to Bill and Margie Quinn, she grew up with her siblings, Pete, Mike, Peggy and Janet. She graduated from Paterson State College in 1971. While in high school, she met the love of her life, Marc di Stefano. ey married in Vermont in 1972 and built a beautiful log home on a hill in Cabot. Pappy worked as a nurse’s assistant and physical education teacher until they created a Christmas tree farm and nursery, which they maintained for many years. She also served on several town committees and was town clerk for a while. Together she and Marc created an active, fulﬁlling life in Vermont and had two beautiful sons,

ough she loved discovering new places to vacation and traveling to Jamaica and Florida, relaxing on their beautiful beaches, she treasured her land, birds and wildlife in Cabot more than any other place. e log house and land will remain with the family.

Pappy’s strong character, wonderful sense of humor, kindness and generosity will carry on in her sons and grandchildren, and she will remain vivid in the hearts of so many who loved her dearly. A celebration of life is planned for August 24, 2024, 2 p.m., at the family home in Cabot. In the meantime, if you are able, plant a tree or make a donation to cancer research in her memory. Please visit awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.

Ben “Benji” Linden

at Roosevelt Park. He was an avid sportsman in his teens.

SEPTEMBER 15, 1936JULY 12, 2024

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT.

Leo A. “Bud” Rouille of South Burlington, Vt., passed away on July 12, 2024, following a long illness.

Bud was born on September 15, 1936, in Burlington, Vt., the son of John Oliver Rouille and Beatrice Evelyn Barber Rouille. He was a graduate of Burlington High School, class of 1955. While at BHS, Bud played basketball on the school’s regional championship team and played in the Gold Medal League at the local Burlington YMCA. Growing up in the Old North End of Burlington, Bud perfected his basketball skills at the Burlington Boys Club and played baseball and softball

Nathalie E. Lovett

JULY 4, 1927-JULY 3, 2024 SHELBURNE, VT.

Nathalie E. Lovett of Shelburne, Vt., was reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Bill, on July 3, 2024, one day shy of her 97th birthday.

Following high school, in 1956, Bud married Sylvia Bourassa and raised their family of four boys and a girl. He entered the family retail grocery business in the Old North End, John O. Rouille & Sons Market, which he managed and grew. During this time, Bud perfected the art of meat cutting, becoming a master butcher. Bud continued his career in the retail grocery business, working in national grocery chains for many years. In 1981, he made a career move to IBM, starting in the cafeteria, after which he went to manufacturing, where he became a supervisor until retirement. Bud was also involved in managing benefit events and activities at St. Joseph’s Parish, as well as coordinating the weekly bingo. Bud married Patricia Perkins in 1996. Together they built a very full and happy life and enjoyed several trips to Hawaii, a treasured place for them, as well as other trips around the country.

During his retirement, Bud volunteered at the Colchester Food Shelf, and for many years he participated and assisted in the Tour de Champlain annual bike tour. Bud will always be remembered for his gentle, kind and generous heart.

Nathalie was predeceased by her husband, William “Bill” Lovett, in March 2022. She is survived by her six children, Madonna Repeta of Bedford, N.H.; Mark Lovett of Jackson, WY; Melissa Grasz of Hull, Mass.; Jude Melen of Shelburne, Vt.; and Pamela Lovett and Valerie Lovett,

Bud is survived by his children: Jeff Rouille and wife Colleen of Burlington, Tim Rouille of Tennessee, Dennis Rouille and wife Kim of South Burlington, and Jennifer Rouille Martin and husband Darren of Burlington.

Bud is also survived by his wife of 28 years, Patty, and her children: Robert Murphy, Shawn Murphy, Kristine Magnant and David Perkins. He is also survived by his siblings Michael Rouille and wife Janice; and Patricia Rouille and fiancé Phil Streeter. Bud leaves behind many grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Bud was predeceased by his parents, John Oliver Rouille and Beatrice Evelyn Rouille; his son Christopher Rouille; his brother Jack Rouille and wife Joyce; sister Nancy Baker and husband Russell “Red” Baker; and Patty’s daughter Nancy Lefebvre.

Calling hours will be on Friday, July 19, 2024, 4 to 6 p.m., at LaVigne Funeral and Cremation Service in Winooski. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 20, noon, at St. Francis Xavier Church in Winooski, with interment to follow in St. Francis Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice in Bud’s name.

both of South Burlington, Vt. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. There will be no calling hours. A Catholic mass celebrating Nathalie’s life and faith will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024, at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Shelburne, Vt., 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association, as in the end this disease is what took our beloved mother from us. For the full obituary please visit gregory cremation.com.

Bruce E. Leachman

FEBRUARY 29, 1956JUNE 29, 2024 VENICE, FLA.

Bruce E. Leachman was born on February 29, 1956, in Burlington, Vt.,

and passed away at the age of 68 in Venice, Fla. He was the owner-operator of Luigi’s Pizzeria in Vergennes, Vt., for 33 years; it was his dream realized. He retired in 2019 and moved to Venice. Bruce graduated from Champlain Valley High School in 1974 and from Champlain College in 1979.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joann, of Venice; daughter, Jessica Leachman, and her spouse, Vincent Piscopo, of Venice; son, Brent Leachman, and his partner, Mayllet Paz, of Lincoln Park, Mich.; and granddaughter, Grace Piscopo, of Venice. He is also survived by four sisters-in-law, Nancy (Rick) McLaughlin of Centerville, Mass.; Catherine Wagner

IN MEMORIAM

William A. Hahn 1929-2004

Loving family man, lifelong Vermonter, professor, Realtor, intellectual, natural food store owner, man of faith, friend to all. Twenty years later, we miss you still. Our memories of you are as bright and clear as if you were here yesterday. Forever in our hearts… Your loving children

of Venice; Carolyn (Kevin) Wheel of North Port, Fla.; and Jennifer (George) Momplaisier of Stamford, Conn.; and brother-in-law David (Brenda) Thibault of Aurora, Colo. He also leaves his in-laws, Jim and Jackie Thibault, of Venice. Bruce was preceded in death by his mother, Crystal (Preston) Isham; aunt, Joyce Sparks; uncle, Merton Preston; and brother-in-law Jim Thibault. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org). Farley Funeral Home in Venice, Fla., is handling the arrangements. To send a memory or condolence, please visit farley funeralhome.com.

Ezra Raymond Pouech

FEBRUARY 2, 1993-DECEMBER 21, 2023

In loving memory of Ezra Raymond Pouech.

Please join us as we gather to remember and celebrate Ezra on July 20, 2024, 1 p.m., at Common Ground Center, 473 Tatro Rd., Starksboro, VT 05487. Read Ezra’s full obituary at sevendaysvt.com/life-lines/ obituary-ezra-raymondpouech-1993-2023-39875062.

Leo A. “Bud” Rouille

Moving on from its industrial past, St. Johnsbury is attracting young entrepreneurs and building a vibrant downtown

TOWN TURNAROUND

BY RACHEL HELLMAN & ANNE WALLACE ALLEN

On a recent summer evening, a group of twentysomethings relaxed and chatted in front of Haven, a curated vintage furniture store in downtown St. Johnsbury. Inside, a New York City-based tattoo artist sold screen prints and scheduled inking appointments among trays of charcuterie and glasses of organic wine.

Next door at St J Spins, a twoyear-old record store, a bearded man spun vinyl as people browsed. The sound of upbeat house music reached the crowd gathering outside at a farm-to-table food truck called O’Crépe.

If it weren’t for the Green Mountains in the distance, the street scene could have been set in Brooklyn or any number of hip American neighborhoods.

St. J Final Fridays

Chanley Leffel, owner of St J Spins

It wasn’t a typical Friday in St. Johnsbury, a Northeast Kingdom town of 7,400 once known more for manufacturing than trendy shops. It was a Final Friday, the street fair held on the last Friday of each summer month. More than 800 people rambled along Railroad Street, the town’s main drag. The block is closed to cars on these special evenings, inviting a crowd of pedestrians to enjoy food, performances and public art.

Matt and Irene Murphy, a young couple pushing a stroller, waited in line in front of a food tent for a dinner of gyros. The Murphys had moved from Alaska a month earlier after considering dozens of Northeast communities. St. Johnsbury stood out.

Matt explained: The town o ers good schools and easy access to nature, as well as institutions of arts and culture including the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium and Catamount Arts. Plus, things seemed to be happening in St. J.

“This was what we were looking for when we moved,” he said, gesturing at the lively scene around him.

The St. Johnsbury that drew the Murphy family is a newly revived community. Just 10 years ago, so many downtown storefronts were empty that a local group ﬁlled the windows with art to make Railroad Street less depressing. Many young people left town as soon as they were grown.

“What I remember was this sense that there was something wrong with St. Johnsbury,” said Gillian Sewake, who grew up in the town. She’s the director of Discover St. Johnsbury, a promotional organization.

Efforts such as Final Fridays have helped the town recover from a slide that commenced decades ago with the decline of local manufacturing. In recent years, the town has succeeded in adding businesses and jobs in the tourist, retail and service economies. The downtown core, once bypassed by shoppers and tourists, has sprouted new stores and restaurants. Outside downtown, manufacturing employment has stabilized at a modest level, and several building projects — including a $14 million senior housing complex — are under way or scheduled to start soon.

St. Johnsbury still grapples with the challenges that face urban communities in Vermont and around the country: dangerous street drugs, rising homelessness and housing costs. The town’s ﬁrst permanent homeless shelter opened recently. Some residents worry revitalization will quickly slip into gentrification, and those who have lived and worked in St. Johnsbury for decades will be priced out. Others say that it’s premature to slap a success sticker

St. Johnsbury now has a Botox clinic. You have to have disposable income in order for that to make sense ...

GILLIAN SEWAKE

on a town where some residents are still struggling and some businesses are closing.

Nevertheless, the revitalization that began a decade ago has given investors conﬁdence to put time and money into St. Johnsbury. Ambitious young entrepreneurs have started businesses such as Haven and St J Spins. While several downtown buildings remain vacant, the streets are busy and town pride is high.

“It’s a huge moment for St. Johnsbury,” said Jody Fried, the director of Catamount Arts, a 49-year-old nonproﬁt that bought three neighboring buildings in May. “There is just so much going on.”

FROM BREAD TO BOTOX

A walk down Railroad Street reveals St. J’s transformation-in-progress.

Since the start of the pandemic, the town has welcomed a net of 34 new businesses, employing more than 110 people, according to Discover St. Johnsbury. Boule, a Frenchstyle bakery, has become a hot spot since opening in 2021. Its owners, Darrell and Katey McLaughlin, just launched Birches, an upscale eatery, in the former home of Kingdom Table. It’s next door to Whirligig Brewing, a “nano-brewery” and taproom owned by Geo rey Sewake, the spouse of Discover St. Johnsbury’s Gillian Sewake.

And just last month Haven’s owner, Maggie Gray, and her partner, Gavin Wynkoop-Fischer, opened the Buttery, an espresso and natural wine bar and market. They share an entry hall with Art & Joy, a whimsical gift store owned by local artist and entrepreneur Alison Bergman.

“St. Johnsbury now has a Botox clinic,” Gillian Sewake said, sounding almost incredulous. “You have to have disposable income in order for that to make sense for you and your lifestyle.”

The businesses form a symbiotic ecosystem: The Buttery stocks bread from Boule; Whirligig has its merchandise printed at Magic Wolf, a local printmaking studio. Rep. Scott Beck (R-St. Johnsbury) and his wife, Joelle, opened their downtown bookstore, Boxcar & Caboose, in 2005. Business was slow at ﬁrst, Beck said, especially after the last downtown restaurant that served dinner closed its doors.

“We were blocked o from the shopand-dine crowd,” he said. Now, he said, you can see eight restaurants from his store.

Discover St. Johnsbury has logged an uptick in tourism, with 3,480 out-of-towners visiting its headquarters in 2023, about 1,000 more people than in 2022. This year’s total solar eclipse, and the planetarium’s programming, drew thousands. Since 2019, Fairbanks Museum membership has

Filipino pop-up Maria’s Kusina at Final Fridays

TOWN TURNAROUND

increased from 750 to 1,245 — a two-thirds spike.

Three miles from downtown, Dog Mountain draws 30,000 visitors a year to the late Stephen Huneck’s famous gallery of canine-themed art and his dog chapel, where the walls are plastered with visitors’ handwritten remembrances of lost pets. A summer concert series draws crowds of humans and canines. Dog Mountain visits are up about 30 percent from prepandemic years, according to executive director Ali Ide.

Local institutions such as Catamount Arts and the Fairbanks Museum are taking advantage of the moment. The latter recently completed a 6,000-square-foot annex, the largest expansion since its 1889 founding. Catamount, which closed its offices, theater and performance space for a year after the discovery of environmental contamination, reopened in June with a parade and celebration. The organization plans to use its recently purchased neighboring buildings to house artist studios and businesses.

This fall, construction will likely begin on a 10,500-square-foot food co-op, which already has more than 1,000 members.

“It feels like St. Johnsbury is making an upwards trajectory,” Geoffrey Sewake, the Whirligig owner, said. “Even though we lose some businesses, we gain others.”

WEIGH-BACK MACHINE

The foundation for St. Johnsbury’s downtown renaissance was laid 200 years ago when a local man, Thaddeus Fairbanks, invented a more accurate platform scale that was embraced by 19th-century manufacturers. The company he founded with his brother Erastus became Fairbanks Scales, which, for a time, was the largest scale manufacturer in the world.

At its peak in the 1960s, FairbanksWhitney, as the company was known at that time, employed about 2,600 people. Many of St. Johnsbury’s gracious 19th-century homes were built for the company’s managers.

The family was generous and publicspirited. Erastus’ son, Horace, who served

It’s a huge moment for St. Johnsbury. There is just so much going on.

JODY FRIED

as governor of Vermont, built the 1871 Athenaeum, a striking French Empirestyle building, to serve as St. Johnsbury’s public library. It holds about 100 works of art collected by the family, the largest of which is Albert Bierstadt’s wall-size “The Domes of the Yosemite.” The Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium was the work of Horace’s brother, Franklin. The 1889 red stone museum houses Franklin’s collections of natural history specimens, including an immense stuffed moose. The planetarium was added in the 1960s, and its new $7 million science annex will highlight meteorology and astronomy.

The Fairbanks family also founded St. Johnsbury Academy, in 1842. Today, with more than 900 students, the downtown complex functions as the local high school for 40 nearby towns, and as a boarding school that draws students from around the world.

In the 20th century, ownership of Fairbanks Scales changed a number of times. In 1975, the company moved most of its manufacturing operations to Kentucky

Jody Fried of Catamount Arts

A building purchased by Catamounts Arts that will house art studios and businesses PHOTOS: STEVE

and Mississippi, leaving just a remnant of its operation in St. Johnsbury.

The blow was acute.

“Most of the ’70s and the ’80s was about reimagining the workforce around here,” said Beck, who lived in St. J as a youth but moved around the country because of his father’s career in the U.S. Navy. “I remember as a kid coming back here for summer vacations, and you could see a lot of stress, a lot of unemployment.”

St. Johnsbury once served as the region’s shopping destination. But competition from malls, big-box stores and eventually online shopping outlets hollowed out the retail scene. Hovey’s, an anchor department store that opened in 1939, shut its doors in 1996.

“That was probably the low point,” Beck said. “When they closed up, you had massive amounts of retail space unoccupied. We had no general merchandiser.”

Malaise took hold. A decade ago, 70 percent of the town’s storefronts were empty, according to Steve Isham, chair of the St. Johnsbury Selectboard. He grew up in town but left for a career as a research data analyst. After retiring, he moved back in 2017.

“It was a really great community to grow up in,” Isham said. “The downtown was busy. And then when I would come home to visit my family, I would notice how shops were closing.”

IMAGINE FLAGONS

Isham thinks things started looking up in downtown St. Johnsbury about 10 years ago. That’s when the Vermont Council on Rural Development held a gathering to talk about the town’s future. More than 250 people showed up, former VCRD executive director Paul Costello said.

“Some towns have a hunger to think about their future,” Costello said. “St. Johnsbury was one of them.”

Attendees agreed that St. Johnsbury needed to be more open to change. After a protracted battle over whether to permit the construction of a Walmart — which later went to Littleton, N.H., 20 miles east — and the Hovey’s closing, some in town had started to feel hopeless, Beck said.

“The sentiment was almost a philosophy of retrenchment,” he said. “It was protective: Let’s not do anything because everything was going in the wrong direction.”

The selectboard was so averse to change that Rep. Scott Campbell (D-St. Johnsbury) nicknamed it “the Tea Party.”

In 2015, St. Johnsbury hired a new town manager, Chad Whitehead, and an assistant town manager, Joe Kasprzak. The two started looking for ways to strengthen

the downtown. The selectboard was also changing.

After some bumpy years of rapid turnover and discord, “We started to get selectboard members who also had the foresight to see that we must make investments in order to grow and become a vibrant community,” Isham said.

One of those investments was the revival of the town’s once-grand New Avenue, an 1898 hotel that occupies nearly a full square block at St. Johnsbury’s most prominent downtown corner, Depot Square. Its Massachusetts owner had converted the building to apartments. Its street-level retail spaces had been vacant and boarded up for nearly a decade.

“Walking by, it smelled like mildew,” said Patrick Shattuck, executive director of RuralEdge, the Northeast Kingdom’s affordable housing agency.

At the meetings convened by the VCRD,

“every other comment was, ‘We’ve got to do something about Depot Square,’” said Jamie Murphy, a St. Johnsbury native and lawyer who moved back in 2012 with his wife and children. “You had squatters living there. Nobody wanted to invest in St. Johnsbury when that was the biggest building on the most prominent corner.”

Working with local housing agencies, nonprofit groups and Sen. Jane Kitchel (D-Caledonia) — chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee — town officials secured local, state and federal money to renovate the hotel. The $17 million project created 40 affordable apartments and refurbished retail spaces that are fully leased. The grand, restored façade of the hotel inspired confidence when it was badly needed, Isham said.

“For me, that’s when all of a sudden we started to be positive,” he said.

Another key to the turnaround was

the 2014 opening of Kingdom Taproom. Seventeen acquaintances, some new to town, had been looking for a way to revive downtown — and they also needed a place to get a beer, according to Jamie Murphy, who was part of the group. “There was nothing that really stayed open past 5 o’clock at night,” he said.

The group bought the building next to New Avenue and started serving drinks. “It took a few years, but through some blind luck, it started making money,” Murphy said.

Many people in town credit the opening of the Taproom with inspiring the confidence that other investors needed.

During the pandemic, St. J received $2.1 million in federal recovery funds. Officials decided to distribute that money through small grants for projects that would help revitalize the town. Earlier this year, St. Johnsbury awarded amounts of $2,500 to $200,000 for early-stage work on housing projects and other initiatives.

“We treated the [American Rescue Plan Act] money as investments,” Isham said. “We didn’t treat it as found money and do one-off things.”

Patrick Shattuck said that spirit of cooperation is the reason St. Johnsbury was able to open its first permanent homeless shelter in January. Several groups worked together to buy a large home, previously used as a church and a tae kwon do studio, and convert it quickly to offer 20 beds for adults. It’s located 500 feet from the office of Northeast Kingdom Human Services, Shattuck said, and “serves a dire need.”

The same spirit of cooperation is evident to Shattuck as Kasprzak and others look for ways to build market-rate housing. Through a partnership with the Northern Forest Center and public and private funders, a former rooming house on Railroad Street is being converted into nine apartments and two commercial spaces. The town is helping investors line up financing for two other housing developments. Local employers say finding housing is a major challenge for their workers, many of whom make too much to qualify for subsidized housing.

Before the pandemic, different studies measured the economic impacts of outdoor recreation and the arts in the region. Kingdom Trails in nearby Burke estimated its economic impact at $10 million a year. A 2018 study from the Vermont Arts Council said the creative economy represented 9 percent of the workforce in the Northeast Kingdom.

“That made us pay attention and make sure the creative sector is at the table,” Kasprzak said.

Fairbanks Museum

Dog Mountain’s Dog Chapel

Kingdom Trails

TOWN TURNAROUND

IMAGE MAKEOVER

Leaders say St. Johnsbury had another problem a decade ago: public perception.

“People were telling me, ‘This town is going to hell,’” Gillian Sewake said. “That was the feeling at the time.”

And yet, during the VCRD’s 2015 visit, residents were able to identify a plethora of assets: a hospital, a creative economy, beautiful architecture, a world-class museum and library. Thanks to the Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury had the bones of a thriving town. Now all it needed was for residents to believe that.

Catamount Arts’ Fried and Anna Rubin, director of external relations for the Fairbanks Museum, cochaired a committee charged with promoting a positive town image. With no budget and only volunteer help, the two got to work reimagining St. Johnsbury’s identity. They created a map for tourists and helped the local artisans’ guild become an official state attraction.

As momentum grew, the volunteer group merged with what became Discover St. Johnsbury. In 2020, Sewake became the organization’s director and first full-time staff member.

It was Sewake who came up with the Final Fridays series, inspired by a similar event series in Littleton, N.H. An arts focus emerged after Maggie Gray, the owner of Haven, reminisced about the gallery strolls she once enjoyed in Salt Lake City. Sewake decided to try something similar that everybody could appreciate.

“I wanted to make sure that the people who … might live in subsidized housing can come and enjoy all of the same things that you would find in an arts and culture festival in a major city, which isn’t often the case,” Sewake said.

Sewake has also helped create events that reimagine St. Johnsbury’s Passumpsic River riverfront, an industrial area with a reputation for attracting crime. In 2020, the town opened a 650-square-foot pavilion there, and on a recent Tuesday, families trickled in to attend a food truck pop-up.

One mother-daughter pair, Margrette Domingue and Robin Bassett, slurped their

noodle bowls under a tent. The two moved to St. Johnsbury after their Barre apartment was destroyed during last summer’s catastrophic flooding.

“The reputation of St. J used to be kind

‘A NEW GENERATION’

Maggie Gray moved to St. Johnsbury in 2020, mostly to take advantage of the affordable housing in the area. She didn’t know much about the town. While working as a paraeducator, Gray started selling refurbished midcentury-modern furniture out of her garage.

Sewake, who had just assumed her role as director of Discover St. Johnsbury, took notice. She encouraged Gray to start a brick-and-mortar business and arranged for her to tour a vacant storefront on Eastern Avenue. Gray was hesitant but recognized the opportune timing — the chance to get in early on a good thing.

“I understand the way revitalization slowly becomes gentrification,” Gray said.

Gray opened Haven in 2021, and now she’s attracting clients from New York City and Boston who travel to St. Johnsbury to snag items she posts on Instagram.

“I don’t sell any new vintage inventory online until it’s been in the store for at least a week,” Gray said. “I don’t want to have a cheap storefront. I want to prioritize my community first.”

Haven is doing so well that Gray and her partner, Gavin Wynkoop-Fischer, opened a second enterprise, the Buttery, just a few doors down. They did it by raising $30,000 through a Kickstarter campaign.

At the Buttery’s grand opening last month, flocks of people — couples in their thirties and families with young children — enthusiastically greeted Gray at the door. Gray and Wynkoop-Fischer are among the new residents who have been key to St. Johnsbury’s recent success, some residents say.

“A new generation — a younger, more diverse generation — have stepped forward within the last 10 years to begin the change of the town,” observed Jay Craven, the film director who founded Catamount Arts in 1975. Many of these newcomers moved — or returned — to St. Johnsbury during the pandemic.

One of the biggest draws for budding entrepreneurs is the way town officials are willing to work with business owners, Isham said. In his three years on the selectboard, “No liquor or tobacco or pot license has been refused,” Isham said. (The town has two cannabis stores.) That willingness sends a message.

of down in the dumps, kind of like Barre,” Bassett said with a laugh. “But it’s clearly shifted. There’s things like this, and there’s a really nice farmers market. We love it here.”

Cloe Ashton, a young illustrator, relocated to St. Johnsbury from Oregon in 2022, after a bad season of wildfires. St. Johnsbury stood out for its commitment to the arts, as well as its elevation — safer from flooding. Last week, St. Johnsbury’s downtown was mostly untouched by flooding that inundated surrounding areas. Some businesses and residences on

Gavin Wynkoop-Fischer and Maggie Gray of the Buttery

St. J Final Fridays

Memorial Drive were hit, and Dog Mountain reported damage to trails, roads and a pond where dogs swim. But the downtown stayed dry.

Ashton, 40, and her partner are now homeowners. Ashton has been especially satisfied with the creative community in St. Johnsbury.

“I was interested in being at the ground floor of something,” she said.

She quickly befriended Alison Bergman, owner of Art & Joy, the eccentric gift store. The two, with additional collaborators, plan to start an arts

to the Vermont Housing Finance Agency. Rents are more modest, too — $825 in St. Johnsbury compared to $1,070 statewide. But the town’s median household income lags, VHFA said, at just $43,190 — well under the $67,674 Vermont median.

Some residents wonder whether St. Johnsbury’s downtown growth will make the town less affordable for longtime residents.

“One of the comments that came up when fundraising for the [food] co-op was: Is this going to be elitist? Is this going

I remember as a kid coming back here for summer vacations, and you could see a lot of stress, a lot of unemployment.

REP. SCOTT BECK

collective with rentable studio space, a printmaking studio, a woodshop and a darkroom.

“I’m confident that once we get the studios up and running, we’re going to have more artists than we have capacity for,” Bergman said.

LEFT OUT?

Ashton, the illustrator, has urged friends to relocate to St. Johnsbury from the West Coast. But none could find housing, so they passed.

Like many towns, St. Johnsbury hasn’t had much new home construction over the past several decades. But compared with other parts of Vermont, housing remains cheap.

The median home price in St. Johnsbury is just $195,000, far below the statewide figure of $309,000, according

to price out people?” Craven said. “And that’s a very important question.”

Other residents deny that St. Johnsbury is being revitalized at all. They point to an increase in the number of unhoused people and drug users who loiter downtown, especially around the welcome center. Last month, the selectboard established a public safety task force to address these challenges.

“I’m embarrassed by what visitors see here,” resident Jean Wright said. “The drugs, the homelessness. It’s very frustrating.”

Some grassroots efforts have popped up to help those left behind. Craven and Campbell are starting a nonprofit called Kingdom Community Roots, an offshoot of the co-op, to increase access to food, recreation and the arts.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

* Five screenings each day: 10:10am, 11:30am, 12:50pm, 2:10pm, 3:30pm

* Each screening is preceded by a special “making of the ﬁlm” introduction

* Each screening is followed by a guided tour of Fanny’s Garden & Fanny’s House

* 11am-3pm: Photo corner with Fanny * Complimentary Fanny

Portrait of 11-year-old Fanny Allen, ca. 1771

Image Courtesy of Fort Ticonderoga Museum Collection

TOWN TURNAROUND

BUILDING A FUTURE

With 650 employees, Northern Vermont Regional Hospital is St. Johnsbury’s largest employer. In January the selectboard approved a $100,000 grant to help it build homes on 80 acres the hospital owns near downtown. Hospital CEO Shawn Tester often cites the housing shortage as his primary obstacle to recruiting staff.

Kasprzak suggested a reporter should ask Tester if he ever had imagined being involved in housing and economic development. “It’s a new era,” Kasprzak said.

To attract and keep jobs that pay well, the town is supporting such local housing projects. It gave the St. Johnsbury Development Fund $200,000 to buy and demolish the former Maple Center Motel to use the site for middle-income housing. The town hopes to help a private developer build more such housing on a 7.8-acre former factory site.

RuralEdge, the affordable housing agency, has applied for local permits to build 26 senior apartments downtown where three buildings burned down in 2009. Across the street is a long-vacant armory that the town plans to turn into a police station and regional emergency management training center, using $11 million in state and federal funding.

Local economic development groups have worked hard to reestablish the manufacturing base that St. Johnsbury lost when Fairbanks Scales left town. A few miles north of downtown, about 1,700 people work in a small industrial park and in a cluster of factories such as Lyndon Furniture, Québecbased BHS Composites and German-owned Weidmann Electrical Technology, where a “hiring now” sign stands.

“The rest of the world is sending in a lot of money into this area, and it shows up in wages and benefits,” Beck said on a driving tour of the industrial area.

WHERE IT’S HAPPENING

Those wages fund a dynamic downtown. That is to say: Change is an elemental part of it. The hardware dealer R.K. Miles is preparing to move from downtown to a much larger spot three miles away

One of the comments that came up when fundraising for the co-op was: Is this going to be elitist? Is this going to price out people? And that’s a very important question.

JAY CRAVEN

in the Green Mountain Mall. On July 7, the Taproom, credited with sparking rejuvenation, announced that it’s closing — at least until another operator can be found.

Cofounder Jamie Murphy said it was difficult for the owners, who have day jobs, to focus on their side business.

“Nobody wanted to operate a restaurant,” he said. “At a certain point, we just didn’t have the same energy to put into it. It’s sad, but it’s time, I think, for some new energy to get involved.”

The loss is a significant blow but not a crushing one. In the past, he said, when a business failed, “Everyone threw up their arms and said, ‘That can’t work here.’” Now, he said, the town’s leaders are more comfortable with the idea that businesses will always come and go.

Kasprzak sees huge potential in extending into downtown the 93-mile Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, which runs between Swanton and the outskirts of St. Johnsbury. An area occupied by 19th-century structures that were used to store and ship agricultural products could become a riverside dining and shopping area for cyclists who take the trail into town.

This fall, construction will likely begin on the 12,000-square-foot Caledonia Food Co-op that has been years in the making. The 500 or so members hope it will become a central space to market local produce and hold community events. Last month, they hosted their first — a strawberry festival — in the parking lot. According to Craven, who is on the co-op board, more than a thousand people came.

On a recent weekday, Railroad Street teemed with visitors. Families ran errands as afternoon traffic started to build. A young couple headed inside the Buttery, which was celebrating its first day in business. Evan Carlson, a thirtysomething who moved back to the Northeast Kingdom from New York City a few years ago, sat at the bar, chatting with Gray. Carlson founded a coworking space, Do North, in Lyndonville in 2018.

For years, Carlson dedicated his energy to nearby Lyndonville’s revitalization — investing in businesses and involving himself in politics. But recently, he has found himself pouring that energy and money into St. Johnsbury, where he is buying a downtown building.

As Carlson described it, Lyndonville’s selectboard has been unwilling to consider new ideas. He loves being around changemakers in St. Johnsbury.

As he spoke, Bread and Puppet Theater performers paraded in front of the shop, celebrating the grand reopening of the Catamount Arts Center. Trombones sounded, and colorful flags streaked the sky.

“I feel like this is an ideal time to build on the momentum here,” Carlson said. ➆

Whirligig Brewing

Jay Craven

Coming Together A SUBSTANCE

USE ADDICTION

Friday, July 19, 2024

SUMMIT

There is Hope. I can’t, but WE can.

Over the last few years, we have seen progress on substance use addiction awareness and identifying valuable resources for help and change. We also know that there is a lot of work to do. This event is open to the public. We urge anyone who is interested in knowing where resources are for themselves or someone they love, who is battling addiction, to attend. It is about hope for anyone struggling with substance use, making more resources available statewide and saving lives.

KEY SUMMIT GOALS

• Increase Residential and Recovery Beds: Addressing the urgent need for more residential and recovery residence beds in Vermont.

• Extend Residential Stays: Advocating for longer residential stays and increased Medicaid reimbursements to support these beds.

• Tri-State Treatment Model: Proposing a collaborative treatment/ recovery model for Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

• Longer Recovery Model: Highlighting comprehensive programs like Jenna’s Promise that include workforce development.

• Humanizing Addiction: Emphasizing the distinction between addiction and the individual, recognizing their humanity.

• Support for Law Enforcement: Integrating recovery and mental health workers with law enforcement efforts.

• Political Attention: Drawing more political focus to substance use addiction.

Firm Foundation

State architectural historian Devin Colman steps down — and into a new role

BY AMY LILLY • lilly@sevendaysvt.com

On a recent July afternoon, state architectural historian Devin Colman admired the 1905 Redstone Cottage on North Avenue in Burlington. Parks, Recreation & Waterfront director Cindi Wight and restoration architect Jay White were giving Colman a tour of the newly restored cityowned structure — an adorable cottage and its 1980s addition — now home to Parks & Rec’s conservation team.

“This is beautiful,” Colman commented, observing the rebuilt porches anchored with redstone piers and original interior details such as green glass transom windows and prominent ceiling beams. Six and a half feet tall, Colman had to duck to take the first step upstairs. He compensates for his intimidating height with a midwesterner’s friendly grin — he grew up in Minnesota from the age of 2 — and easygoing humor.

After the tour, the three sat down to review the cottage’s nomination for listing on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places. Listing is required for a Vermont Housing & Conservation Board grant that is part of the cottage’s $1 million restoration budget, and students in the University of Vermont’s graduate historic preservation program wrote up the 40-page document. Colman made a few suggestions for revision. Normally, he’d review and edit the final draft, too, but he won’t be around to see this one. On August 12, he’ll step down from his position.

After 17 years with the state, the last dozen of which he has served as architectural historian, Colman is pivoting to becoming the director of the UVM graduate historic preservation program. The job will bring him full circle: He earned his master’s from the program in 2006 with a thesis on modernist residential structures in Chittenden County.

He’ll be the sole faculty appointment, at the lecturer level, in a program that has been taught for the past 25 years by two faculty members, Tom Visser and retiring director Bob McCullough. (The reduction in faculty was a condition of the administration’s agreement to allow the program to continue after announcing it would be cut in 2021.)

The new gig will allow Colman to turn his thesis into a book and eliminate the commute between his Burlington home and Montpelier. Meanwhile, state rules dictate that the search for Colman’s replacement at the Division for Historic Preservation must wait until his departure.

The move has come as a happy surprise to many in Vermont’s preservation community — a low-profile network of dedicated individuals, all of whom Colman seems to know and confer with regularly.

“You’re the perfect person to take on the challenge of promoting and recruiting another generation of preservationists!”

HE’S GOT 17 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE VISITING WITH VERMONTERS, CRAWLING AROUND THEIR HOUSES.

LAURA TRIESCHMANN

state curator David Schutz wrote in reply to Colman’s Facebook announcement. “I’m only sorry that the Division will miss your prodigious knowledge and skills.”

State Historic Preservation Officer Laura Trieschmann, who has worked with Colman since 2013, echoed the loss: “He’s got 17 years of experience visiting with Vermonters, crawling around their houses, going through their historic buildings’ plans and their archives. That connection with Vermonters and their stories is very much an oral history that we will be missing.”

Over a series of recent interviews, Seven Days took stock of the knowledge, skills and stories that Colman, 48, brought to his state

job and will carry on to his next position. Even as a reporter sat with him at Scout café, down the street from the Redstone Cottage, Colman couldn’t turn off his preservation radar.

“Take that building across the street,” he said. “It’s stucco; it’s got a bungalow form; it has brackets on the eaves; the windows are four over one. No matter where I am, I’m looking.” He added with a laugh, “Sometimes it’s hard to separate — like, Wait, am I working right now or am I on vacation?”

Often, Colman strolls neighborhoods looking for architectural gems. He said he always has his state ID tag in case concerned homeowners confront him.

The state architectural historian wears many hats. Colman determined eligibility and reviewed nominations for national and state historic register listings and maintained a survey of all the state’s structures, historic or not. He was involved in state historic preservation and barn grants and helped towns find funding opportunities for their preservation projects. He also provided support to state-owned historic sites and the team in charge of regulatory reviews.

And the morning after this year’s and last year’s July floods, Colman emailed all 18 of Vermont’s National Historic Landmarks to see if they had sustained any damage.

Colman leaves behind a record of nearly 90 National Register listings. He has heightened preservationists’ awareness of the importance of documenting the modernist

movement and exemplified a particularly Vermont way of using preservation to strengthen communities.

While each state has a different approach to implementing the Park Service’s preservation regulations, according to McCullough, “Vermont’s approach is very good. The state office has set a very high standard for protecting Vermont’s historic resources and the ways those resources benefit communities.” While the past emphasis was on saving buildings, the newer approach rehabs them with a plan for how the buildings will be used by a community. McCullough sees Colman as having “played an important role in that.”

McCullough described Colman’s thesis as “groundbreaking. No one had studied the history of midcentury-modern architecture in Vermont.” Colman’s ongoing specialty is “pulling us in the right direction,” he said, because midcentury buildings and neighborhoods are now historic, or at least 50 years old.

Colman explained in an email that he’s “drawn to the generally positive and progressive outlook of modernism and the belief that thoughtful design can improve our lives. The fact that many people are dismissive of modernism makes me want to advocate for it, because I know that eventually people will come around and appreciate it. We need to make sure there’s something left when that time comes!”

Britta Fenniman Tonn is Vermont director of cultural resources at the South Burlington-based civil engineering firm VHB, where she does historic preservation regulatory review and compliance for federal government projects. She said Colman has also brought midcentury state parks and ski lodges and resorts to the fore: “We’re all now more aware of Vermont’s embracing of modernist aesthetics in the mid-20th century and why that’s important.”

Tonn authored the 400-page National Register nomination for Middlebury Village in 2022 as part of the preservation mitigation for the town’s bridge and rail project. She said she has often queried Colman on thorny questions of historic status.

“There are so many gray areas in preservation; it’s just not cut-and-dry, ever. A building could be historic but so altered — so where’s that line? I’ve contacted him many times when it’s tricky,” Tonn said.

One instance was the midcentury Midtown Motel in downtown Burlington,

Devin Colman in front of Redstone Cottage in Burlington

ARCHITECTURE

which she assessed for the developer ahead of its 2021 demolition. Tonn and Colman decided it was too changed to qualify as historic.

“We both loved the building,” Tonn admitted. “That’s where we had to put aside feelings about how neat and cool it was.”

Colman has often reached out to other preservationists for input. At a project review for the Town of Williston’s Brennan Barn, he realized he’d read a paper by Huntington’s Eliot Lothrop on the barn’s quirky triple mortise-and-tenon joints and contacted the timber-framing expert to learn more.

Lothrop, who is currently leading restoration of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps’ East Monitor Barn in Richmond, said, “It’s been this fun relationship with this guy who’s seeing all the most important projects around the state, then he emails and says, ‘What’s this specific detail, and have you seen it before?’ In other states, the state architectural historian is less involved.”

Colman often went well beyond his job description, giving tours and talks for historical societies, making media appearances, finding homes for the archives of past Vermont architects, sending out notices of historic structures for sale, and nominating restored houses for out-of-state preservation awards — particularly if they were modernist. Those more outward-facing efforts, in a job he described as mostly “behind the scenes,” have brought Vermont positive media attention and armed locals with knowledge.

One of the many boards Colman serves on is the New England chapter of Docomomo, a nonprofit dedicated to

preserving modernist sites around the world.

Colman nominated the 1961 Stockmayer House in Norwich, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright acolyte Allan J. Gelbin, for Docomomo’s 2022 Modernism in America award; it won. He recently discovered the 1958 Peyton House in East Dorset, designed by Ashok Bhavnani, and wrote up its nomination. Awards will be announced in September.

New Yorker Courtia Worth, who owns the Peyton House, marveled at Colman’s enthusiasm for and commitment to a project in which he had “no skin in the game.” Colman learned of the house during renovation, when Worth’s flooring specialist, Mike Frost of Vermont Eco-Floors, sent a photo of it to his wife, Karen Frost, who cocurates the Architecture + Design Film Series in Burlington and Brattleboro. Karen forwarded it to Colman, who had introduced previous films in the series. Colman arrived at the house a day after Worth invited him to visit.

“He had a lot more questions than I could answer,” Worth recalled. “He started taking a personal interest in Bhavnani.” She connected Colman and Bhavnani’s son via Zoom, and when Colman learned that Bhavnani had worked under modernist giant Richard Neutra in California, “He just took it and ran with it,” she said. “He said, ‘How would you feel about my nominating your house?’ He kind of fell out of the sky, and he didn’t have any ulterior motive. And he was charming.”

Lothrop and Tonn, like Colman and many others, graduated from UVM’s historic preservation program and stayed in Vermont to join the preservation effort. Colman’s job will be to restock those ranks, which have shrunk from a dozen in 2002 to between three and five in recent years.

Lothrop, for one, can think of no one better for the job.

“It’s such a big win for the state to have Devin in the historic preservation program,” he said. “He brings that closeknit community. He has such a breadth of experience. He’s got that background but also a passion for the state.” ➆

Job of the Week

Composite Assemblers & Final Assembly Line Technicians

The Scoop on Beta Technolgies

From Maria Panzini, team member

What makes this opportunity unique?

Final Assembly Line Technicians will be hands-on and instrumental in Vermont’s ﬁrst-ever electric aircraft production line. We are the only aircraft manufacturing company based in Vermont. Being a part of a team that builds electric aircraft allows your actions to truly move the needle on climate change. You will make an impact to revolutionize aviation.

What challenges will the technician tackle on the job?

Line Technicians must strive to improve manufacturing processes, incorporate advanced technology with tried and true manufacturing principles, and work to create and maintain a work culture that is uncommon to traditional production operations. is job will demand creativity to boost the efﬁciency and quality of aircraft development. It may be challenging to hit aggressive deadlines and goals that we are working to achieve as an organization.

Peyton House in East Dorset

Stockmayer House in Norwich

Creemee Conﬁdential

What it takes to create Vermont’s treasured summer treat

BY CAROLYN SHAPIRO

Cones of velvety soft ice cream emerged from the window of Vermont Cookie Love into expectant hands. Sarah Richardson and a friend had showed up near closing time for their go-to flavor: a maple-co ee twist.

Richardson lives close to the North Ferrisburgh shop and estimated that the swirled cone in her hand marked her “4,000th creemee” there. “I just think they’re the best,” she said.

FOOD LOVER?

If Vermont has anything on frozen desserts elsewhere, it’s creaminess. Or creemee-ness. The creemee — Vermont’s word for soft-serve — is the state’s iconic (i-cone-ic?) summer treat. While slurping that heap of sweetness, though, most people probably aren’t thinking about what goes into a supremely soft ice cream from one of the state’s 360 or so frozen dessert purveyors.

To untwist the mystery of the creemee, Seven Days visited popular scoop

shops, talked to a state dairy expert and went to the source of one often-used starting mix. We especially wanted to dip into Vermont’s signature confection, the maple creemee.

Vermont Cookie Love’s creemees begin at Kingdom Creamery of Vermont, an East Hardwick dairy farm. Most Vermont creemee shops use base from Kingdom Creamery or Massachusetts’ Hood, according to E.B. Flory, director of food safety and consumer protection and dairy section

chief for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.

Vermont Cookie Love owner Matt Bonoma said Kingdom Creamery “make[s] the best product out there. They’re going from cow to mix, right there, all in one.”

Through a couple of distributors, Bonoma orders three of Kingdom Creamery’s base mixes: chocolate, maple and vanilla, the last of which he uses for Cookie Love’s homemade co ee ﬂavor. Bonoma wouldn’t disclose his recipe for the co ee

Tommie Hamlett serving a maple-coffee twist creemee at Vermont Cookie Love

version, saying only, “We try to not use things that are unnatural in our creemee mix.”

The liquid base ships in 2.5-gallon bags and is poured into buckets at the bottom of the frozen dessert machines, two stainless steel, refrigerator-size contraptions.

IT’S NOT THE FLAVOR. IT’S THE TEXTURE. THE BUTTERFAT IS WHAT COATS YOUR TONGUE AND YOUR MOUTH.

E.B. FLORY

Most weeks, Vermont Cookie Love goes through 80 to 100 gallons of creemee mix; it might use 250 gallons in the busiest weeks, Bonoma said.

Vermont creemee sellers must have a frozen dessert license to operate the machine that freezes the base. Bonoma described the machine as key to an ideal creemee “that doesn’t feel superheavy.”

“The machine is doing two things: It’s pressurizing that mix, so that when you pull the handle, it comes out. It’s also pumping a certain volume of air into the mix that’s been very carefully calculated so that you get the right mouthfeel, you get the right consistency,” Bonoma said.

The mix that flows into the Vermont Cookie Love machines starts with the milk of about 750 Holsteins. Jeremy and Leslie Michaud and their four sons run Kingdom Creamery, the farm Jeremy’s grandparents founded in the 1950s.

Jeremy first got into the frozen dessert business by developing a base for the creamery’s own hard ice cream in 2011 and soon got a request for base mix from another local purveyor. Demand grew from there. Today, 85 percent of Kingdom

Creamery’s sales come from its wholesale ice cream mix, Leslie said.

Ice cream base combines milk with at least 5 percent butterfat content, sugar, stabilizers and emulsifiers. The key to superior creemees, in Flory’s view, is the fat content. “It’s not the flavor. It’s the texture. The butterfat is what coats your tongue and your mouth.”

Kingdom Creamery’s base is 10 percent butterfat for its four creemee flavors, which include a “neutral” that customers can use to blend in their own flavorings. When the creamery separates the milk from the cream, it can adjust the fat content as requested by customers, though Jeremy believes even premium products need no more than 14 percent butterfat to reach the right mouthfeel. For their maple flavor, the Michauds use syrup from about 4,000 trees that they tap on their property.

Manufacturers of creemee base need a milk handler’s license, because turning raw milk into another product requires pasteurization to kill potential pathogens, Flory explained. Instead of the flash-pasteurization system that some commercial manufacturers use, Kingdom Creamery favors a vat pasteurizer, which takes longer and “cooks” the base, Jeremy said: “It caramelizes the sugars. It builds a little more body in the product.”

The only other Vermont producer of creemee base for wholesale to shops, according to Flory, is Miller Farm in Vernon; Brattleboro’s Lilac Ridge Farm used this base in its creemees last year. Plenty of Vermont’s hard ice cream makers use their own base, but few small creemee shops bother to buy the expensive equipment necessary to churn their mix from scratch, Flory said. And those offering only nondairy frozen desserts don’t need a milk handler’s license.

Certain ingredients — such as eggs and cocoa powder — are considered high risks for contamination, Flory said, and must go into the ice cream base before pasteurization.

The Michauds know how crucial it is to avoid contamination. In summer 2022, Kingdom Creamery had to cease production and recall its ice cream products after Listeria monocytogenes was found in its plant. Kingdom Creamery’s business had exploded as the pandemic subsided, and its food safety protocols hadn’t kept pace, Jeremy said. The Michauds shuttered the plant and alerted customers to the recall.

“We changed our procedures,” Jeremy said, adding that the business knew of no

German shepherds Maverick and Captain enjoying a tasty treat

INFO

Full Belly Farm

686 Davis Rd., Monkton, 453-3793, fullbellyfarmvt.com

Kate’s Food Truck

261 Route 15, Jericho, 858-9366, katesfoodtruck.com

Kingdom Creamery of Vermont 3411 Route 16, East Hardwick, 472-6700, kingdomcreameryofvermont.org

Silloway Maple

1303 Boudro Rd., Randolph Center, 272-6249, sillowaymaple.com

Vermont Cookie Love

6915 Route 7, North Ferrisburgh, 425-8181, vermontcookielove.com

The Village Scoop 419 Main St., Colchester, 999-6962, Facebook

Creemee Confidential

« P.39

customers getting sick. “We changed our protocols, revamped everything we did to target this organism so it didn’t become an issue again.”

The product started shipping again in September 2022, and most customers have resumed buying it, Leslie said.

Frozen dessert shops have to follow rules, too, for handling the base mix once it arrives. A shop can add flavoring, including maple or black raspberry syrup, but no ingredients considered high risks for contamination, Flory said.

Monkton’s Full Belly Farm sells strawberry and raspberry creemees made with fresh fruit from its fields. To add those ingredients, creemee makers need the state to approve their processes for harvesting, cleaning and converting the fruit into preserve or sauces so that it brings no pathogens to the dessert, Flory said.

Purveyors of maple creemees also must adhere to state labeling rules that restrict the phrase “maple flavored” to products containing 100 percent pure maple syrup or maple sugar, whether sourced in Vermont or not. A shop cannot call it a “Vermont maple” creemee unless it is made entirely with maple produced in the state. Any artificial maple flavoring in the creemee requires a label of “artificial flavor.”

Bette Lambert, co-owner of Silloway Maple, sells maple creemees from her family’s sugarhouse in Randolph Center. She said she has concerns about shops that bill their creemees as “maple” despite using artificial flavoring. The state agriculture agency enforces the rules but typically intervenes only after hearing that a shop is flouting them, Flory said.

Silloway Maple uses a very dark, end-of-season syrup to give its creemees the strongest maple kick, Lambert said. Still, once blended into the base, the creemee color is more ivory than golden brown.

Kate Villeneuve, co-owner of Kate’s Food Truck in Jericho, pours real maple syrup into a vanilla base from Hood for her maple creemees, she said. Specialty extracts and natural food colorings go into the creemee mix for a rotating array of exotic flavors, including guava and peppermint. In the spring, lavender creemee is “super popular,” Villeneuve said.

“It’s a lavender water extract, and it’s completely clear,” she said. “And then the coloring for that is a purple carrot extract.”

Molly Caswell relies on Hood for the

base mix at the Village Scoop, the Colchester shop that she and her husband took over from her parents. Hood’s 5 percent butterfat content produces a thick consistency that takes longer to melt, she said: “It holds up well with sundaes and dips.”

The Village Scoop uses syrup from Vermont sugarmakers, despite the added expense, Caswell added: “As a consumer of ice cream, I prefer the real stuff.”

Alison Moon said she never skips a Village Scoop stop when she’s in town from California to see her parents in Colchester. “You can’t get maple creemees anywhere but Vermont,” she said. She was polishing off a cup of black raspberry-maple twist at a picnic table with her parents and her four youngest sons — all with creemees in front of them.

They had visited the Village Scoop twice during their two-week visit. The boys, ages 3 to 11, shared their mom’s enthusiasm for the frozen dessert. Six-year-old Hudson Moon, sporting a creemee goatee, contemplated his cup of

vanilla with rainbow sprinkles. “It melts,” he confirmed.

His brother Cooper, 11, had a stronger opinion about his Reese’s Delight sundae. “It’s supergood,” he said. “And, like the name, it’s super creamy.” ➆

A maple creemee from Silloway Maple

From top: Hand-painted sign at Vermont Cookie Love; refilling the creemee mix; topping a dish of creemee with cookie crush

COURTESY

SIDEdishes

SERVING UP FOOD NEWS

Historic Waybury Inn Changes Hands

East Middlebury’s WAYBURY INN is under the new ownership of three town natives: chef ANTONIO PETRI and HALINA and CHAS LYONS. The change of hands occurred in the spring, when JOE and TRACEY SUTTON sold the 200-year-old inn after nearly 25 years of ownership.

Petri has been executive chef at the inn’s casual and fine-dining restaurant for the past two years. Having grown up next door to the inn, he said it was an opportunity “too good not to take a pass at.”

The new team is working to expand the restaurant’s menu and hours, which were pared down during the pandemic. The Lyonses work alongside Petri, managing the inn, the restaurant and its catering service.

In reworking the Waybury Inn’s offerings, Petri said, he strove to retain the spirit he grew up with while pushing the menu in creative directions. Previously, the inn served classic American fare that Petri described as “Vermont tavern” style. While shepherd’s pie ($20) remains a mainstay, the Waybury’s menu now offers a greater range of flavors with a worldly influence.

Creole and Cajun flavors come to the forefront in the chicken and ribs served over coconut rice and topped with pineapple chutney and a citrus relish ($28), a dish that reflects Petri’s time

working in New Orleans. The chef’s ras el hanout eggplant ($28) exemplifies the Mediterranean aspect of the menu: The smoked eggplant is served with stewed tomatoes and apricots and topped with a lemon yogurt sauce and pistachio-citrus honey.

Petri’s experience as a chef in cities such as New York and Philadelphia brings a contemporary feel to the menu. Yet he said he is glad the Waybury “brought him back home” to East Middlebury, where he sources from local farms with which he has formed relationships, such as New Haven’s MISTY KNOLL FARMS, CORNWALL CATTLE and Ripton’s MOUNTAINYARD FARM.

The Waybury Inn is now open for dining Wednesday through Monday from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Leah Krason

Crumbs:

Restaurant Transitions

in Chittenden County and St. Johnsbury

After a 10-year run, St. Johnsbury’s subterranean craft-beer destination, Kingdom Taproom, closed in early July. Its group of owners is “in talks” with potential operators “to have it reopened soon,” either as the Taproom or with

Left: Chas Lyons and Halina Lyons with Antonio Petri Right: Chicken and ribs at the Waybury Inn

Coastal Comfort

In Barre, Morse Block Deli’s Lobster Doughie reimagines an oceanside classic

BY NINA SABLAN • nsablan@sevendaysvt.com

When I ﬁrst heard the words “lobster doughnut,” I immediately thought: sugary seafood cruller. Luckily, this turns out not to be what chef Stefano Coppola is serving his customers at Morse Block Deli & Taps every Wednesday. His Lobster Doughie summer special is an elevated take on a lobster roll, and the unlikely combo makes for peak New England comfort food. Biting into it brought me back to vacations on the beach and memories of salt air and seagulls that are otherwise nowhere to be found in Barre.

It was the week after I’d had my wisdom teeth out, so my jaw was still recovering as I sat down to try the $28 Doughie. e lobster was surprisingly fresh and melted in my mouth. Also unexpected was how well the doughnut worked with the ﬁlling. Not too ﬁshy, the lobster’s ocean notes blended seamlessly with the decadent bun, which had a bready fried-dough taste.

Butter and cheap bread bog down some lobster rolls, but the doughnut’s springy texture, paired with a light aioli, made for an airy feel without sacriﬁcing richness. I was sad there were no chives on the sandwich that week — a temporary glitch, Coppola explained. Even so, the doughnut was an exciting initiation back into the world of chewable foods.

In front of the deli, a handwritten sidewalk sign advertises “Local & Housemade Everything.” According to Coppola, who also co-owns Barre’s Pearl Street Pizza, that local sourcing is the key to his reimagined summer classic. Quality matters for a sandwich with only three ingredients. “Every single one of those ingredients has to be top tier for it to really sing,” he said.

e Lobster Doughie stems from Coppola’s partnership with Nate Doyon and Nina Livellara of Woodbury’s Local Donut. e married couple share Coppola’s passion for eating local, and their sweet and savory doughnuts have been a weekly hit at the deli since 2022. One day, while Doyon was reminiscing about having lobster with Livellara on the Maine coast, he and Coppola started dreaming up their own take on a lobster roll.

ey chose to replace the tasteless hot dog buns most restaurants use with something better — a spice-infused doughnut. “We do the Old Bay infusion on the bun, and when they come out of the oil, we rub them in Old Bay so they’re wicked delicious,” Livellara explained.

en there was the question every lobster roll maker faces: butter or mayo?

Coppola’s creativity, which earned him second place on the Food Network competition “Guy’s Grocery Games” in 2019, kicked in. Instead of choosing between the ﬂavors, he captured the best of both by mixing milk solids from homemade butter into a custom aioli. is coats the Dole & Bailey lobster, which the deli buys fresh from Maine and (usually) tops with chopped chives.

I like to think of the lobster doughnut as the wacky northern relative of chicken and wafﬂes: It sounds strange but makes sense on a plate. Although Coppola admits that some customers take a leap of faith when they order the Doughie, he hasn’t had a single one say they didn’t like it.

Livellara is no exception. “I absolutely love them,” she said. “[ ey’re] a summer tradition around here.” ➆

INFO

Lobster Doughies, available Wednesdays through the end of August at Morse Block Deli & Taps, 260 N. Main St., Barre, 476-2131, morseblockdeli.com. Learn more about Local Donut at localdonutvt.com.

Stefano Coppola with Old Bay-seasoned doughnuts Below: Lobster Doughie from Morse Block Deli & Taps

changes, co-owner JAMIE MURPHY told Seven Days

In February, the owners shuttered their upstairs restaurant, Kingdom Table, just shy of five years in business. That space is now home to BIRCHES, a brunch-through-dinner spot run by the team at nearby BOULE BAKERY

Murphy said the Kingdom Taproom group is working on a plan to honor gift cards — either when the bar reopens under new owners or at neighboring restaurants. (Read about Kingdom Taproom’s role in revitalizing downtown St. Johnsbury in this week’s cover story, page 28.)

In Burlington, Marco’s Pizza appears to have closed after a short run in its new spot at 177 Church Street, the former home of Big Daddy’s Pizza. Marco’s moved from its nearly 30-year home on Williston Road in South Burlington last fall, opening in mid-November.

The business rebranded as Mount’s Pizza Pie in April, then as Andy’s Anytime in May. In early June, a sign on the door read, “It has been a pleasure serving you all. We will return after a brief word from our sponsors…”

The former Marco’s space is now listed for lease with V/T Commercial. The owners could not be reached for comment.

food+drink

week on social media, citing personal health concerns.

Langworthy started the barbecue biz as a mobile food truck in 2018. He and his wife, SARAH, operated a series of brick-and-mortar locations in Essex Junction and Colchester before opening Heart n Soul at 155 Market Street in late 2023.

In the post, Langworthy said general manager CASEY DEGUISE plans to “carry on the same great Texas BBQ” somewhere in the Essex area, targeting a spring 2025 opening.

In the Queen City, Old North End vegan restaurant and event venue DESPACITO BAR AND KITCHEN is for sale, according to a social media announcement last week. Two weeks ago, most of the staff at owner DAVID QUINTANA’s other Burlington business, MANHATTAN PIZZA & PUB, walked out and called for a boycott on social media after a conflict with Quintana. Both businesses remain open. (Read more in On the Beat, page 55.)

Jordan Barry

CONNECT

Pick from 25 fun civics activities — each one you do is another chance to win the grand

Open to K-8 students who want to learn about and improve their communities. The deadline is September 2, but enter often to qualify for weekly drawings. Prizes include $50 gift cards to Phoenix Books and tickets to see the Vermont Lake Monsters!

Heart n Soul by Mark BBQ served its final plates of ribs, brisket and burnt ends in South Burlington on July 13.

Owner DARRELL LANGWORTHY announced the permanent closure earlier in the

Kingdom Taproom

Buffalo cauliflower at Despacito

Darrell Langworthy of Heart n Soul

culture

THEATER

Four people, possessing the best intentions, discover their worst qualities in Karen Zacarías’ popular comedy Native Gardens, a story of next-door neighbors in bitter disagreement. The Dorset Theatre Festival production is light summer entertainment featuring actors who make the laugh lines sparkle. Humor sugarcoats the tricky subject of cultural di erences, and the play skates above any deep political meaning while using a backyard fence to express the silly side of taking sides.

Staunch Republicans Frank and Virginia Butley live in a posh neighborhood in Washington, D.C., and are soon to retire from prestigious jobs: his in government, hers a trailblazing career as an engineer for a defense contractor. Retirement will give Frank even more time for the European-style garden that he meticulously tends and enters in the local horticultural society competition. He’s dead set on winning a blue ribbon after many soul-crushing years of honorable mentions.

The house next door has been neglected for years when the Del Valles, an energetic young couple, move in with plans to fix it up. Pablo is climbing the corporate ladder at a heavyweight law firm, and Tania is defending her doctoral dissertation while in the final weeks of her first pregnancy.

Border War

eater review: Native Gardens, Dorset eatre Festival

BY ALEX BROWN • alex@sevendaysvt.com

They’re progressive Democrats, checking the opposite of every demographic box from the Butleys. Still, both families wave kindly to each other across the fence, hoping to get along.

The Butleys invite the Del Valles over, and if everyone’s smiles are strained, their manners are perfect. Tania wants to plant a native garden in her new backyard featuring only indigenous ﬂora. No pesticides for her, while Frank relies on them to coax out his best blossoms. Still, peace seems possible until the cultural di erences mount up. Zacarías comically demonstrates how prejudice boils down to deﬁning people with clichés.

Pablo is not the disadvantaged Mexican that Frank and Virginia mistake him for. He comes from a wealthy Chilean family and, as we’ll see, has no trouble demanding what he feels entitled to. Frank isn’t a heartless GOP ideologue — he considered voting for Obama — but a man obsessed with ﬁghting o grubs for the glory of his

ﬂowers. Tania isn’t an immigrant but a PhD candidate born in the U.S. who expects to persuade the Butleys that her gardening style is ecologically and morally superior. Virginia isn’t an elderly housewife but a smart, tough engineer who survived decades of being underestimated because she’s a woman.

The play has the solid craftsmanship of a situation comedy, and Zacarías sets up a time-based crisis. The garden society will be judging Frank’s e orts on Sunday, and the Del Valles will entertain Pablo’s coworkers in the backyard on Saturday. Without time for much renovation, the Del Valles propose the fast improvement of tearing down the battered chain-link fence on the property line and replacing it with wood. Frank and Virginia are delighted because they hate the fence, too.

It will be the last thing they all agree on, because the Del Valles consult their mortgage deed and discover that the fence is in

the wrong place. Pablo and Tania own two feet of Frank and Virginia’s yard — the part with the beautiful ﬂowers on it. There’s no solution fair to both sides.

The play premiered in 2016 but was written well before Donald Trump could use the presidency to denigrate immigrants, separate families and make wallbuilding political. In Native Gardens, the humor makes tough subjects comfortable and bad behavior ludicrous, but it also nudges audiences to see people compassionately. Major polarizing points of race, class, gender and age all become funny when the stereotypes used for strangers don’t hold up for the people next door.

The performances are deft, and the actors work well as a comic ensemble. Sally Wingert conveys the hard edge of Virginia’s savvy as well as the soft side of her affection for her husband. Tom Aulino’s nervous Frank is only at ease in the garden or, when tension rises, manifesting irritation by tossing an acorn back over the fence at the Del Valles’ aging oak tree, where it belongs.

Orlando Javier Hernández makes Pablo a smart lawyer with a secret reserve of hotheadedness. He loves his wife but might love winning even more. Maribel Martinez plays Tania with an expansive certainty laced with the giddiness of youth. Outbursts come easily to her, but

From left: Sally Wingert, Tom Aulino and Mirabel Martinez in Native Gardens

THE PLAY SKATES ABOVE ANY DEEP POLITICAL MEANING WHILE USING A BACKYARD FENCE TO EXPRESS THE SILLY SIDE OF TAKING SIDES.

she calls them signs of her “passionate rationality.”

The play’s subject is surviving conflict, a hot topic in a polarized America. Because it begins with the neat visual metaphor of a fence between neighbors, Native Gardens seems to promise a neat answer to keeping the peace between people who differ. The audience spends all 90 minutes of the fast-paced play looking at a divid-

lighting changes. Sound designer Germán Martínez uses bright Latin music to underscore the fierce drive of each character.

Director Tatyana-Marie Carlo is impressively moderate in making each character sympathetic. Viewers can’t take sides because each side is worthy, and fairness itself becomes an elusive goal.

The resolution Zacarías supplies is overly sweet and simple, yet it never hurts to see tolerance embodied. Before tranquility is restored, Zacarías summons a cartoonish confrontation that catapults her earnest characters into zany overreaction. The play represents intolerance with a fence line but renders the consequences as simple foolishness.

Squabbles with neighbors can bring out one’s most primal instincts. The characters in Native Gardens become buffoons, but not before they prove that

ing line that overflows with peonies and hydrangeas. Tender flowers planted by a well-intentioned gardener also happen to be unlawful seizure of property, colonialism in the form of plant life.

With dense details, scenic designer Rodrigo Escalante turns two backyards into characters in their own right. Lighting designer Carolina Ortiz Herrera creates outdoor nights and days, and supports punchy storytelling with bold

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.

— ABRAHAM LINCOLN 16TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

4T-sweeney071724.indd 1

there’s nothing people fight harder for than property and cultural identity. ➆

INFO

Native Gardens, by Karen Zacarías, directed by Tatyana-Marie Carlo, produced by Dorset Theatre Festival. Through July 21: Wednesday through Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m., at Dorset Playhouse. $56-61. dorsettheatrefestival.org

From left: Orlando Javier Hernández, Maribel Martinez, Sally Wingert and Tom Aulino in Native Gardens

With your ﬁnancial support, we’ll keep delivering and making sense of the news.

Country Queen

As Emoji Nightmare, Cambridge resident Justin Marsh brings drag to rural towns

Justin Marsh is a queer fifthgeneration Vermonter who grew up in Cambridge and never left. They started wearing dresses at a young age, wore makeup in high school and came out as gay in 11th grade. In 2015, Marsh, who still lives on the family farm, began performing as the epically colorful drag queen Emoji Nightmare. Emoji travels around the state, making a special e ort to produce drag shows in small towns.

Marsh, 35, cofounded the Vermont chapter of Drag Story Hour in 2017 with Nikki Champagne, also known as state Rep. Taylor Small (P/D-Winooski). For the past few years, Emoji and burlesque performer Katniss Everqueer have been reading children’s books about gender identity and LGBTQ issues to kids and parents at libraries across the state.

orientation and gender identity in schools. In Vermont, drag story hours have been canceled in Chester and Brighton after local protests. A bomb threat interrupted a White River Junction story hour earlier this year; on Saturday, July 20, the town’s Bugbee Senior Center will host Emoji and Katniss for another reading, called “Finish the Book.”

For the latest episode of “Stuck in Vermont,” Seven Days senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger followed Marsh/ Emoji around the state, from a children’s

Why did you make this video?

I was inspired by the HBO show “We’re Here,” which documents drag shows in small towns across the country. It is heartwarming and often very emotional, as well as entertaining! I like to think that this is the low-budget Vermont version of that inspirational show, with a glittery sprinkle of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

When did you meet Marsh?

I met Marsh in 2012, when I was ﬁlming a video in Je ersonville. At the end of that episode, you can see Marsh’s partially ﬁnished ankle tattoo of Cambridge’s town boundaries. Since then, they’ve added Mount Mansfield inside Cambridge’s outline.

Since Marsh began performing as Emoji, our paths have crossed more frequently. In 2017, I featured Emoji and Nikki Champagne when they were making their former cable access show, “The T.”

story time at Phoenix Books in Essex to a Pridefest drag show in Bethel to a Fourth of July parade in Marsh’s hometown. After the parade, she talked with Marsh about their journey and why they choose to be stuck in Vermont.

Despite the popularity of TV shows such as “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” drag has become a ﬂash point in the culture wars. Some Republican-controlled states have attempted to ban drag performances and restrict discussions about sexual

Sollberger spoke with Seven Days about ﬁlming the episode.

Marsh and I went to the same rural high school — 15 years apart — and even had some of the same teachers. As an emo teen who never ﬁt in, I was very impressed by Marsh’s bravery to be themselves in an environment that sometimes felt hostile to me. Marsh has tons of friends and family

719: Emoji’s Queendom

Emoji Nightmare, aka Justin Marsh

in Cambridge and is very connected to the town and the people, working with the local arts council, historical society and conservation commission. Marsh says this strong foundation has helped them live an authentic life.

You really hit the road for this video. Marsh — and Emoji — are hard to keep up with! Their busy schedules are grueling. After filming a high-energy Drag Story Hour in the morning, I went home and took a nap to prepare for my evening drive down to Bethel’s Pridefest.

BEING SEEN AND REPRESENTED POSITIVELY MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO EVERYONE.

Not even a dreary, rainy night could detract from the giant inflated rainbow in front of the White Church and the packed, high-voltage show inside. The crowd went wild for the lip sync performances, and it was amazing to see this space transformed into a fabulous drag venue.

The following week, I headed to Jeffersonville — a village in the town of Cambridge — to march in the Fourth of July parade with Marsh. It was a muggy day, and we drove to Marsh’s house in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood of Cambridge afterward to walk the family’s land. I was a sweaty mess, but Marsh was eloquent and composed. I logged over 200 miles and filmed about three hours of footage making this video. It was worth every minute.

Drag shows are being challenged across America. What did you observe at these events?

I understand that people sometimes feel fear and discomfort when it comes to changing gender norms and the idea of drag queens reading books to children. But if you go to these events and see them for yourself, there is tons of love and joy on display. And just plain silliness, too. Emoji and Katniss are hilarious and have sparkling banter. And for young people who feel alone and perhaps confused about their feelings regarding gender, events like these can save lives. Being seen and represented positively makes a huge difference to everyone. To quote the great RuPaul, “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?” Amen. ➆

on screen

Longlegs

In a February 2020 review, I praised director Oz Perkins as the creator of “the world’s most contemplative satanic possession movie.” That was a reference to one of his earlier ﬁlms, The Blackcoat’s Daughter (see sidebar). The bigger-budget movie I was reviewing, twisted fairy tale Gretel & Hansel, disappeared into the pandemic vortex and did no wonders for Perkins’ career.

But now the son of Anthony Perkins — yes, Norman Bates himself — has scored a hit with Longlegs, an indie horror movie that beneﬁts from viral marketing and the Nicolas Cage factor.

The deal

After a test reveals that Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) has psychic abilities, her boss (Blair Underwood) puts her on a case that has stymied the Bureau. Seemingly straightforward murder-suicides over a 30-year period have a baffling factor in common: A coded message signed “Longlegs” was left at each scene.

An obsessive worker, Lee sets up her evidence board and quickly discovers more patterns connecting the crimes. Thanks to a message from a mysterious intruder, she decodes Longlegs’ cipher — and learns that the next victim could be her own semiestranged mother (Alicia Witt).

Meanwhile, Longlegs (Cage) does craft projects and creeps out everyone he encounters. We know who he is. What we don’t know is how or why he does what he does — or when he’ll strike next.

Will you like it?

Horror may be the last genre where ﬁlmmakers can still proﬁt while indulging their artistic side. As long as they o er something in the way of scares or shock value, fans will accept high levels of weirdness, because everything o -putting is potentially horrifying. For proof, look at audience reaction to Jack Nicholson’s mannered performance in The Shining — or Cage’s fully unhinged one here.

Longlegs opens with a scene that could be a ﬁlm-school short. In 4:3 aspect ratio (think old-time TV), a young girl (Lauren Acala) steps out of her home to ﬁnd a ’70sera woody station wagon in the driveway. The setting is wintry, the colors sparse,

the only soundtrack an ominous bird call.

Then he appears — a dapperly dressed but clearly unwell fellow, babbling about his “long legs.” The framing cuts o half his face, disorienting us further. Is this an intruder? A family friend? The girl’s father? Her expression reveals nothing.

Longlegs is at its best when Perkins knocks us o -kilter with scenes such as this one (which ends abruptly, leaving us none the wiser). When the aspect ratio widens again, we’re in the 1990s, golden age of procedurals such as The Silence of the Lambs, and the plot becomes a serial-killer hunt with clear parallels to its predecessors. The problem is, that story is nowhere near as original or grotesquely compelling as the ﬂashbacks that interrupt it.

When it comes to composition and other formal elements, everything in Longlegs is masterful and purposeful: the landscapes as stark as monotone etchings, the strategically placed shadows, the match cuts and overhead shots, the creepy log cabin home where Lee never feels safe. Even that bird call from the ﬁrst scene reappears at just the right moment.

The ﬁlm’s screenplay, however, doesn’t live up to the promise of its atmosphere. The stilted dialogue could be a deliberate throwback (though ’90s ﬁlm detectives didn’t talk that way), but the underdevelopment of Lee’s character is a deeper

problem. Monroe, so good in It Follows, has worried eyes and a tight, expressive mouth. Before Lee utters a word, we can see she’s hiding things — from us, from her superiors and perhaps even from herself. But she never progresses far beyond these initial clenched, agonized reactions. Even in lighter moments — such as a quasicomic scene in which Lee chats with her boss’ daughter — Lee doesn’t relax. If she has long-term goals or pleasures, we don’t learn about them.

While hopelessness is par for the course in horror, this is a performance and a character without levels, swamped by the film’s doomy occult iconography. Lee is less a person than a device, upstaged by the characters who don’t have to feign a semblance of sanity. Perkins wisely keeps Cage o -screen most of the time, so that each of his jarring appearances can be an event. Witt gives a performance layered with dangerous knowledge and guile, harking back to the start of her career as the preternaturally wise Alia in David Lynch’s Dune. The mother-daughter conflict gives the film some resonance, but its supernatural elements ultimately feel more commercial than committed. While Longlegs o ers the pleasure of watching a talented artist fire on all cylinders, it never plunges into the realms of genuine faith or anguished

skepticism. Like many an occult-themed movie these days, it evokes religious motifs more for their goth aesthetic than anything else — satanic for kicks.

MARGOT HARRISON margot@sevendaysvt.com

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY… THE BLACKCOAT’S DAUGHTER (2015; Cinemax, Kanopy, YouTube Primetime, rentable): Perkins’ lower-budget demonic possession movie has a memorably creepy setting: a boarding school in the dead of winter.

I AM THE PRETTY THING THAT LIVES IN THE HOUSE (2016; rentable): For this claustrophobic, horror-adjacent concoction about a writer’s live-in caregiver whose mental state is fraying, Perkins channeled Shirley Jackson vibes and showcased a riveting performance by Ruth Wilson.

“TRUE DETECTIVE,” season 1 (2014; Max, rentable): In addition to all the ’90s procedurals inspired by omas Harris’ novels, Longlegs recalls the acclaimed ﬁrst season of this anthology show, in which Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson play detectives investigating an occult-linked murder.

Maika Monroe plays an FBI agent hunting a bizarre serial killer in a visually stunning but underwritten horror indie.

NEW IN THEATERS

ROBOT DREAMSHHHHH In 1980s Manhattan, a lonely dog orders himself a robot companion in this wordless, Oscar-nominated animation for all ages, directed by Pablo Berger. Prepare to have your heart-strings tugged. (102 min, NR. Catamount, Savoy; reviewed 3/13)

TWISTERS: In this standalone sequel to the 1996 disaster hit, two competing teams of storm chasers harness their ambitions to Oklahoma’s tornados. Daisy Ridley, Glen Powell and Anthony Ramos star. Lee Isaac Chung (Minari) directed. (117 min, PG-13. Bethel, Big Picture, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Playhouse, Roxy, Star, Sunset, Welden)

CURRENTLY PLAYING

BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIEHH1/2 Will Smith and Martin Lawrence return as maverick Miami police officers in this action-comedy. (115 min, R. Majestic, Sunset)

THE BIKERIDERSHHHH This drama from Jeff Nichols chronicles the lives and loves of a Midwestern motorcycle gang in the 1960s. (116 min, R. Sunset; reviewed 6/26)

DESPICABLE ME 4HH1/2 Gru Jr. joins the lovable villain’s family in the fourth installment of the animated family franchise, with the voice talents of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig and Joey King. (95 min, PG. Bethel, Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Playhouse, Roxy, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden)

THE FALL GUYHHH1/2 Ryan Gosling plays an injured Hollywood stuntman in this action comedy. (126 min, PG-13. Sunset)

FLY ME TO THE MOONHH1/2 In this retro rom-com, Scarlett Johansson plays a marketer assigned to make the Apollo 11 mission look good, to the consternation of moon launch director Channing Tatum. (132 min, PG-13. Big Picture, Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Roxy, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden)

HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA: CHAPTER 1HH1/2

Kevin Costner’s ensemble epic depicts the settlement of the West before and after the Civil War. (181 min, R. Essex, Majestic)

INSIDE OUT 2HHH1/2 The anthropomorphized emotions from Pixar’s animated hit are back. With Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith and Lewis Black. (96 min, PG. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Roxy, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden)

JANET PLANETHHHH Annie Baker’s festival fave drama chronicles the summer of 1991 as it brings changes for an 11-year-old girl (Zoe Ziegler) and her hippie mom (Julianne Nicholson). (113 min, PG-13. Savoy; reviewed 7/3)

KINDS OF KINDNESSHHH The latest dark comedy from Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things) tells three connected stories. Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons and Willem Dafoe star. (164 min, R. Roxy)

KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APESHHH1/2 On an Earth that has been ruled by apes for 300 years, a young chimp goes on a life-changing road trip. (145 min, PG-13. Sunset)

LONGLEGSHHH1/2 An FBI agent (Maika Monroe) chases a serial killer with disturbing connections to her in this horror film from Oz Perkins (The Blackcoat’s Daughter), with Nicolas Cage and Blair Underwood. (101 min, R. Essex, Majestic, Roxy; reviewed 7/17)

LOST NATION: Jay Craven’s latest locally shot film explores the lives of Ethan Allen (Kevin Ryan) and poet Lucy Terry Prince (Eva Ndachi). (90 min, PG-13. Playhouse, Tue only; Savoy, Wed 17 & Thu only)

MAXXXINEHHH1/2 Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) gets her shot at mainstream stardom in 1980s Hollywood in the conclusion of Ti West’s horror trilogy. (104 min, R. Roxy, Stowe; reviewed 7/10)

A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONEHHH1/2 Lupita Nyong’o plays a woman trapped in New York City when soundsensitive aliens invade in this prequel to the horror franchise. (100 min, PG-13. Capitol, Essex, Majestic)

SOUND OF HOPE: THE STORY OF POSSUM TROT: A Texas minister and his wife arrange mass adoptions in this inspirational drama based on a true story. (127 min, PG-13. Bijou)

THELMAHHHH A nonagenarian (June Squibb) seeks vengeance on a phone scammer in this actioncomedy from debut director Josh Margolin. (97 min, PG-13. Savoy)

TOUCHHHH1/2 A widower searches for the lover he lost 50 years ago in this romantic drama from Baltasar Kormákur (Everest). Egill Ólafsson and Kôki star. (121 min, R. Roxy)

OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS

THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE (Catamount, Wed 17 only)

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA (Playhouse, Sat only)

JUST GETTING BY (Catamount, Fri-Sun only)

THE LION KING 30TH ANNIVERSARY (Essex)

MEGAMIND (Catamount, Tue only)

METROPOLITAN OPERA ENCORE: LA BOHÈME (Essex, Wed 24 only)

PRINCESS MONONOKE (Essex, Wed 17 only)

SEVEN SAMURAI (Savoy)

ZOOTOPIA (Catamount, Thu only)

OPEN THEATERS

(* = upcoming schedule not available at press time)

BETHEL DRIVE-IN: 36 Bethel Dr., Bethel, 728-3740, betheldrivein.com

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

*BIJOU CINEPLEX 4: 107 Portland St., Morrisville, 888-3293, bijou4.com

CAPITOL SHOWPLACE: 93 State St., Montpelier, 229-0343, fgbtheaters.com

CATAMOUNT ARTS: 115 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, 748-2600, catamountarts.org

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

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

SAVOY THEATER: 26 Main St., Montpelier, 229-0598, savoytheater.com

STAR THEATRE: 17 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, 748-9511, stjaytheatre.com

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

SUNSET DRIVE-IN: 155 Porters Point Rd., Colchester, 862-1800, sunsetdrivein.com

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

Print Matters

Four artists explore black, white and gray in a Highland Center show

BY PAMELA POLSTON • ppolston@sevendaysvt.com

In a world rife with printed material, why make more? Printmaking may be the least understood art medium, even as it’s arguably the most straightforward. The gulf is wide between what rolls rapidly off an automated printing press — such as this newspaper — and what emerges from designing and inking one sheet at a time. A close observer will see that no two handmade prints using the same plate are exactly alike. Call it slow art with a side of serendipity.

Looking closely is just what Vermont artists Patty Hudak, Carol MacDonald, Susan Smereka and Elise Whittemore invite viewers to do at their exhibit “Unique Similarities: Four Printmakers Expand the Matrix.” Curated by Maureen O’Connor Burgess, it’s on display at Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro.

The ﬁrst part of the title could describe both the slight variations among multiple pressings of an inked plate and the four artists’ singular approaches to their medium.

Visitors to the expansive, light-ﬁlled

gallery will likely notice first what the artworks have in common: ink on paper, a limited palette of (mostly) black and white, a vocabulary of geometric forms. Multiple artists here use the techniques of sewing, folding and collaging. The aesthetic cohesiveness has a calming e ect: It’s oddly liberating to explore an exhibition without being inﬂuenced by color or representational content.

Yet all four women’s artist statements reveal there’s more personal meaning in their works than meets the eye.

MacDonald has previously addressed trauma in her work, using imagery such as repaired garments and knitting to represent recovery. In a 2020 exhibition at the Rokeby Museum, “Mending Fences,” she deployed knotted red cord to literally bind splitrail fences on the grounds. That exhibit “opened the whole question of racism and did I need to do my own work around it?” she said in a phone interview. The murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests cemented her resolve to undergo that personal examination.

She began a series of monotypes in 2021 “as an exploration of my whiteness in the face of racism in America,” she writes in her statement. Like most printmakers, MacDonald had typically worked with black ink on white paper. This time, she reversed the process: white on black. Her prints at the Highland Center are collages of previous work that she ripped up and reassembled. Many of the pieces are joined with a zigzag stitch — a personal kintsugi

With her artist statement in mind, the viewer can’t help but see MacDonald’s black, white and gray-toned works as metaphors.

“Always my work comes from a place in me and my story about it,” she said. “My hope is that it resonates with people on some level, that some energy gets transmitted.”

Smereka’s monotypes also incorporate collage and sewing, as well as repurposed pieces of previous work and other elements. Her work has a bold graphic sensibility and wields repetition as if to drive home a point. One particularly striking motif resembles a knife or shard. A forest of these shapes dominates Smereka’s 22-by-30-inch monotypes “in the end” and “can’t see.” In other pieces, she lops o part of the shape

to create a fragment — an arc, a trapezoid — taming its blade.

Reading her artist statement about blood relatives and chosen connections brings new dimensions to Smereka’s compositions. “Part of our family story is a history you carry — an epigenetic transference from our ancestors that plays out unconsciously,” she writes. “Printmaking is a process that shows an impression of something. The actual surface is not there.” By phone, Smereka explained that making prints enables her to process aspects of an internal life that viewers may

Clockwise from top left: “Shadows” by Patty Hudak; “Wander III” by Elise Whittemore; “in the end” and “can’t see” by Susan Smereka; “Repealed I” by Carol MacDonald

ALWAYS MY WORK COMES FROM A PLACE IN ME AND MY STORY ABOUT IT.

intuit, though they aren’t visible to the eye. “Sometimes it’s personal and sometimes it’s universal,” she said. “Or that’s my hope. Everybody seems to have a story about their family, good and bad.”

Her own story involves the suicide of a sibling nearly a decade ago, Smereka revealed. “I’ve been trying to process that in various ways.”

At another level, she continued, the stitching in her collages harks back to the history of “women’s work.” “What women made with fabric was what they owned,” she said. “They didn’t own their children, their land, money. They owned their tapestries. There’s a lot of pride in that.”

Hudak’s work explores the interconnectedness of the natural world. Unlike the other three printmakers, who primarily make monotypes, she carves woodblocks and creates images with sumi ink using the Japanese technique called mokuhanga. For this exhibit, she made 28-by-114-inch prints from an oversize block. Folding and re-pressing her washi paper, Hudak was able to print on both sides, creating more depth.

At the center of the gallery, an installation of large prints she calls “Shadows” is stacked three high and five wide. Each piece features one or two loose diamond shapes; together they resemble totems, their graphic impact both primitive and modernist.

These shapes have a particular resonance for Hudak. In Japan and in her mother’s ancestral home of Ireland, she has observed sacred spaces marked in the

landscape. “We don’t have any record of that here,” she said by phone. “[During the pandemic], I started to spend more time in nature and to experience it as sacred. It’s this idea of transcending the scientific side of nature and entering the mystical side.”

Several of her prints hang in the gallery’s windows, where light can pass through them à la stained glass. Ghostly botanical elements intersect with diamond shapes, rendering the works mystical indeed.

“I hope that when people view my work, they feel this miracle, this spirit,” Hudak said.

A circle likewise has cosmic associations, as well as a bold presence in black, white and gray on stark white paper. It’s a shape that Whittemore continues to splice and compose in seemingly endless variations. “I’m not done with it yet,” she said by phone. But she begins with a square.

Whittemore said her monotypes are “built using the idea of a quilt block.”

Though she’s not a quilter herself, she remembers watching her mother, who would “lay a square, cut it up, maybe rotate it.” That’s what she does with her squares, from which circles emerge. Imagine the shape cut in halves, quarters, eighths and then rearranged in inventive ways. In “Wander III,” for example, the composition resembles three diagonal black-andgray twists, like ribbon or pastries.

Enamored of the circle’s geometric potential, Whittemore is also driven to subtraction: “In this series I was looking at how minimal [the designs] could get,” she said. “What can I reduce down and still make something?”

Like Smereka, she appreciates the lineage of women’s sewing skills. Though her artist statement for this exhibit is minimal, on her website Whittemore observes “how elements of [quilters’] designs could reflect ideas of home and their environment.”

“Unique Similarities” is rich in personal semaphores and female energy. Though the artists’ only collective agreement was the restricted palette, Whittemore acknowledged that all their works demonstrate “a sense of building up.”

“There’s kind of a somber tone to it, for a summer exhibit in Vermont,” Hudak opined. “There’s an exploration of black and shades of gray. And where does white fit in? I feel we’re expressing something of a lifeline.” ➆

INFO

“Unique Similarities:

A World Away

Four Printmakers Expand the Matrix,” featuring Patty Hudak, Carol MacDonald, Susan Smereka and Elise Whittemore, on view through August 4 at Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro. highlandartsvt.org

CAROL MACDONALD

In Stowe, Outdoor Sculpture Show ‘Exposed’ Rewards

Exploration

BY ALICE DODGE • adodge@sevendaysvt.com

At the Current’s summer opening celebration in Stowe, a few of the youngest visitors enthusiastically climbed and bounced on Hank Willis Thomas’ “Ernest and Ruth,” an 8-footwide orange cartoon thought bubble outlined in steel. It’s one of two “benches” by the Brooklyn artist in “Exposed,” the Current’s annual outdoor sculpture show.

“Ernest and Ruth” is the kind of fun, Instagrammable public art that draws visitors and looks fantastic in a selfie. Many of the other pieces in the show are much more subtle; they don’t demand attention, but they do reward it.

The Current is also presenting an indoor solo exhibition by Chakaia Booker and commissioned a sculpture from her for “Exposed.” The New Jersey artist has worked with discarded tires for much of her four-decade career, including in two sculptures that explode into the gallery.

Booker’s “Filtered Thoughts,” on the Current’s lawn, is in a new format: an 8-and-a-half-foot-high rectangular panel of rubber on steel legs. The artist riveted worn, bronze-colored swatches of burned-out NASCAR tires onto a surface reminiscent of a cedar-shingled coastal New England cottage. An eye-shaped portal breaks the surface, and black rubber whorls cascade down one side like curly hair. These enliven the sculpture and situate it somewhere between a person’s face and a building’s façade.

New York-based Don Porcaro’s “Talisman 18,” on Main Street, also pairs formalist concerns with a nod toward the human. The sculpture is a 5-and-a-half-foot-tall stack of hand-formed stone discs. Each layer is unique, with stone sourced from as far as Brazil and as close as Barre.

During the opening tour, Porcaro detailed each type of marble and granite with love. He described adding feet to his forms, a figurative gesture referencing ancient amphorae. The vaselike silhouette resembles a person, or maybe a sleek, elegant version of the Michelin man.

New York-based Israeli artist Oren Pinhassi’s three sculptures, outside Stowe Town Hall, reflect the body more directly. The artist called them “erotic constructions” — not exactly sexual but a vulnerable blurring of boundaries between bodies, architecture and furniture. In “Reception,” birdlike spindly legs support a facsimile of a bank teller’s window, fashioned from bronze and complete with a little ledge and a round hole cut in the glass. It invites viewers to pass their hands through this “body” and to question the divide between outside and inside.

Massachusetts-based Jonathan Prince’s Cor-Ten steel

“Mother Earth” represents the flow state — a state of mind ideal for creative work. But it could just as well be a slice of the Green Mountains tipped vertically. Three smooth sides set off the front’s geological nooks and crannies, which catch light, shadows and rain.

Stowe sculptor Chris Curtis, who was instrumental in starting the “Exposed” series 33 years ago, contributed a 7-foot granite-and-steel column called “Thought Cage.” A smooth-surfaced portal interrupts the rough stone from four sides. According to Curtis, the sculpture offers hope of sliding out of ideological prisons.

Viewers shouldn’t miss works by two other Vermonters — Brattleboro sculptor Justin Kenney and Burlington artist Clark Derbes — that are sited along the Stowe Recreation Path. Kenney’s 10-by-8-by-8-foot steel-and-concrete “Cacophony Winds” is like a concrete house of cards. Its intersecting vertical slabs, at once delicate and massive, seem terrifyingly in danger of toppling.

Derbes’ carved cedar “Lil’ Family” is a set of three narrow pillars surrounded by the tall greenery next to the bike path. The installation draws on tramp art — a style of carved cigar boxes made popular in the Great Depression. Though tourists might not find it, Derbes’ work is thoughtfully sited; it seems to have grown there and is just waiting for curious passersby. ➆

INFO

“Exposed” is on view through October 19 at the Current and throughout Stowe Village. thecurrentnow.org

Clockwise from top left: “Filtered Thoughts” by Chakaia Booker; ”Lil’ Family” by Clark Derbes; “Mother Earth” by Jonathan Prince; “Talisman 18” by Don Porcaro; “Thought Cage” by Christopher Curtis; “Cacophony Winds” by Justin Kenney

CALLS TO ARTISTS

‘COLOR DANCE’: Submissions are open for the annual end-of-year juried show, maximum five per artist. Edgewater Gallery at the Falls, Middlebury, through October 3. $15-25. Info, 989-7419.

‘CONNECTIONS’: Seeking amateur and professional artists for intergenerational exhibit encouraging community members to make art together. More information online. Chaffee Art Center, Rutland, through July 22. Info, info@chaffeeartcenter.org.

‘ROCK SOLID’: Contact the gallery to discuss your current work(s) or work-in-progress for the annual stone show, upcoming in September. Studio Place Arts, Barre, through August 9. Free. Info, 479-7069.

OPENINGS + RECEPTIONS

RHEA BANKER: “Qilaat,” a show of photographs inspired by Greenland’s landscape and culture. Vermont Center for Photography, Brattleboro, through July 31. Info, 251-6051.

‘WHITE RIVER JUNCTION: A PASTEL PERSPECTIVE’: An exhibition by the Vermont Pastel Society’s Upper Valley Hub. Long River Gallery, White River Junction, through July 31. Info, 295-4567.

ELLEN ROLLI: “Form & Nature: Contemporary Still Life Interpretations,” an introduction to the work of the Massachusetts artist. Edgewater Gallery at the Falls, Middlebury, through August 10. Info, 458-0098.

MIKE SIPE: An exhibition of landscape photographs from the Lake Champlain region. Curated by Burlington City Arts. Mascoma Bank, Pine Street, Burlington, through October 29. Info, 865-7296.

‘WOMEN ON THE EDGE: ALTERNATIVE PROCESSES IN NEW ENGLAND’: An exhibition of femaleidentifying regional artists who use film and historic photo processes, including Lindsey Beal, Megan Bent, Anne Eder, Jeannie Hutchins, Connie Lowell, Rachel Portesi and Dale Rio. Vermont Center for Photography, Brattleboro, through September 1. Info, 251-6051.

LANDA TOWNSEND: An exhibition of mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock) prints that explore dragonfly habitat at the edges of Weatherhead Hollow Pond. Artist talk: Thursday, July 18, 5-6 p.m., with children’s printmaking workshop 2:30-4 p.m. Hartland Public Library, through July 30. Info, landa@landatownsend. com.

‘THE POWER OF PERSPECTIVE’: A community art exhibit that addresses both human and avian perspectives and experiences. Reception: Thursday, July 18, 3-5:30 p.m. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, through October 31. Info, 434-2167.

NORTHERN HUB OF THE VERMONT WATERCOLOR SOCIETY: New works by artists from Montpelier to the Canadian border. Reception: Saturday, July 20, 3-6 p.m. Bryan Fine Art Gallery, Stowe, July 17-September 8. Info, 760-6474.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS: Individual exhibitions in a variety of mediums, genres and styles by Adria Arch, Irene Berkson, Paul Gruhler, Margaret Jacobs, Linda Mirabile, Diana Novetsky, Verne Orlosk, Cathy Osman, Anna Noelle Rockwell, Tim Segar, Stacey Sherman and Robbii Wessen. Reception: Saturday, July 20, 2-4 p.m. Yester House Galleries, Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester, July 20-November 3. Info, 362-1405.

CHRIS GROSCHNER: An exhibition of mixed-media works in relief with surreal themes. Reception: Saturday, July 20, 3-5 p.m. The Tunbridge General Store Gallery, through September 3. Info, 889-3525.

VIRGINIA BEAHAN AND JIM DOW: “American Geography,” an exhibition of photographs from 1967-2024. Reception: Saturday, July 20, 4 p.m. BigTown Gallery, Rochester, through September 15. Info, 767-9670.

AXEL STOHLBERG: “Sculptures and Wall Reliefs,” an exhibit of abstract found and scrap wood constructions referencing the natural world. Reception: Sunday, July 21, 4-7 p.m. White Water Gallery, East Hardwick, July 21-August 25. Info, 472-7660.

ART EVENTS

FLOOD THE STREETS WITH ART: A downtown sidewalk chalk art festival. Community participants register at Christ Church, 64 State Street, then create chalk art in an assigned square. Features live music, dance and drawings by eight professional chalk artists. Various Montpelier locations, Wednesday, July 17, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. Info, apitton@montpelier-vt.org.

ARTIST TALK: HEIDE FASNACHT: The artist discusses her work, which plays with space, scale and time as they relate to how we perceive cataclysmic events. Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Wednesday, July 17, 8-9 p.m. Free. Info, 635-2727.

ARTIST TALK: ‘THE SURPRISING OUTCOMES OF THE PAINTING PROCESS’: Tina Olsen, Mary Wright, Ellen Maddrey, John Loggia, Molly Melloan and Jack Pombriant discuss their practices and techniques. 118 Elliot, Brattleboro, Thursday, July 18, 5-7 p.m. Info, 118elliot@gmail.com.

ARTIST TALK: SAM THURSTON: The Lowell-based sculptor and painter talks about personal and social mythologies in his artwork and career. The Front, Montpelier, Thursday, July 18, 6-7 p.m. Info, info@ thefrontvt.com.

ARTIST TALK: BETH MURPHY: The collage artist shares her practices and techniques for pressing botanicals. Brandon Artists Guild, Friday, July 19, 7-8:30 p.m. Info, 247-4956.

ARTIST TALK: JESSICA STRAUS AND BRENDAN REID: The artist and ecologist discuss art, science and their respective approaches to exploring ocean health, in conjunction with the installation “Stemming the Tide.” Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Sunday, July 21, 2 p.m. Free. Info, 257-0124.

ARTIST TALK: GARRET MACLEAN AND JOHN BELL: A discussion with the photographer and theater historian about their experiences with Bread and Puppet Theater and the exhibition “Apocalypse Road Show.” Space is limited; register online. Middlebury College Museum of Art, Tuesday, July 23, 5-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 443-5007.

BIPOC MAKER NIGHTS: WOODWORKING: Hosted in partnership with the Root Social Justice Center, affinity spaces for anyone who identifies as Black, Indigenous or a person of color to create community around woodworking. Bring a project to repair or make. HatchSpace, Brattleboro, Monday, July 22, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Through August 26. Free. Info, 552-8202.

BTV MARKET: Artworks and crafts from a rotating cadre of local creatives. Burlington City Hall Park, Saturday, July 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Through September 28. Info, 865-7166. ➆

Lyle Johnson of Burlington, age 10, sent in this design for a new “I Voted” sticker — Activity #1 in this summer’s Good Citizen Challenge. “It was harder than I expected,” he said. A panel of judges will choose the best design submitted, and the Vermont Secretary of State’s O ce will make it available at the polls in the winner’s town on Election Day in November.

Photo by A.J. Murray

music+nightlife

S UNDbites

News and views on the local music + nightlife scene

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH

Educated Guess: DIY Indie Rockers Robber Robber Drop Their Debut LP

Sometimes being a music journalist is about keeping a straight face. I hear a lot of cliché statements and bold axioms, such as “This album is going to change things” or “The track reinvents [insert style of music]” or, my favorite, “We transcend genre.”

Don’t get me wrong: I’m here for all those things. It’s just that a lot of times the music doesn’t really back up the talk. I understand, of course, why bands occasionally oversell themselves: In the modern music ecosystem, artists basically have to do everything, including hawk their own work like a used-car salesperson. This is cosmically uncool and spectacularly unfair, but there’s no denying it’s a necessity.

So when ZACK JAMES, drummer and half of the songwriting team behind Burlington indie-rock outﬁt ROBBER ROBBER, recently sco ed at the idea of his band ﬁtting neatly into a genre, the cliché alarm went o in my brain.

“We try so hard to steer clear of genre,” James told me as he sat beside NINA CATES, his longtime collaborator

and the other cofounder of the band.

“We listen to a lot of the new indie rock coming out, and we very speciﬁcally try not to sound like that.”

Yet I had to quickly put aside my jaded cynicism after listening to the nine tracks on Robber Robber’s frankly bonkers debut LP, Wild Guess. From opening song “Intro (Letters From the Other Side of the Operation)” to closing track “Machine Wall,” Robber Robber establish a ﬁercely distinctive sonic identity with equal parts college rockinﬂuenced shoegaze, aggressive postpunk and krautrock-like rhythms.

On songs such as the recent single “Sea or War,” the band juxtaposes a propulsive, hard-charging groove against Cates’ ethereal vocals, creating a mix of grittiness and melody ﬂoating above the squall. There’s a familiarity to the band’s sound, but it dissipates into vapor when you try to pin it down. That’s due to the erudite and gloriously unpredictable songwriting that drives the album.

Bassist and guitarist Cates, 25, and drummer James, 24, have had the better

artists such as LILY SEABIRD, GREG FREEMAN and DEAD SHAKERS.

“It feels like we’re all inspiring each other and pushing each other to go for it,” Cates added. “A lot of small music scenes like Burlington don’t have that beneﬁt, but there’s a real boldness to this scene right now. People here will try things, and that makes all the di erence.”

Wild Guess is a summation of the current scene. The band split up the recording of the album, tracking half of it with BENNY YURCO (GRACE POTTER) at his Little Jamaica studio and the other half with URIAN HACKNEY (IGGY POP, ROUGH FRANCIS) at his Burlington studio the Box. The band already knew Yurco and were champing at the bit to record with the talented guitarist/producer. They met Hackney after a set at the Waking Windows festival in Winooski two years ago.

“Urian came up to us after the show and was like, ‘You guys are loud!’” Cates recalled with a laugh. “He liked what he heard and wanted us to come record at the Box.”

Recording Wild Guess was not a speedy process. James and Cates were ﬁnishing up at UVM, all while playing in their friends’ bands and touring. Even so, “We actually ﬁnished mastering the record about a year ago,” Cates said. “We’re so proud of it and just wanted to have everything in order and for the time to be right to release.”

part of a decade to perfect their method. The two started playing music together in their teens as part of the Brattleboro band the SNAZ. That group split up in 2017, after its members graduated from high school. Cates and James moved to Burlington to attend the University of Vermont and summarily formed the rock band GUY FERRARI, releasing a 2021 EP, Caldera, that gave more than a glimpse of what was to come from the duo.

They changed the name of the band to Robber Robber the following year and added WILL KRULAK on guitar and CARNEY HEMLER on bass. (Cates has since switched to rhythm guitar but still plays some of the bass on Wild Guess.)

“We moved up here in 2018 and in the last few years have really become interconnected with the Burlington scene,” said James, who also fronts his own project, DARI BAY. “It’s such an organic, naturally occurring scene, too. It’s a community of best friends making great music.”

Indeed, Cates and James both play in other Burlington bands, as well, with

Like the majority of Vermont bands, Robber Robber are a true DIY outﬁt. Both Cates and James are visual artists who create much of the artwork, including album covers and music videos, such as the one for the single “Backup Plan,” which dropped on YouTube in May.

“These days, bands have to be [their] own graphic designer, videographer and booking agent,” Cates said.

“Fortunately, we actually like doing that stu ,” James added. “Well, maybe not the booking.”

As much of a pain as it is, Cates said she’s getting better at booking tours for the band, and Robber Robber dream of one day launching an all-Burlington tour featuring themselves, Dari Bay, Lily Seabird, Greg Freeman and one of their local favorites, rock band GREASEFACE

“It’s all so incestuous. It’d be a touring party of, like, eight people,” James said with a laugh.

In the meantime, the band is throwing a Wild Guess release party on Friday, July 26, at Foam Brewers in Burlington, supported by Greaseface. A tour announcement and another video release are also set for late July as Robber Robber gear up for a big year. ➆

Robber Robber

On the Beat

Things got very biblical and flood-y in Vermont again last week. On exactly the one-year anniversary of 2023’s historic flooding, the Green Mountains took another pounding as the remnants of Hurricane Beryl ravaged parts of the state, killing two and causing an estimated $15 million in damage to communities such as Barre, Hardwick and Plainfield.

of ticket sales to ﬂood relief. The singer’s own family farm, located in the Mad River Valley, sustained heavy damage.

“Vermont, you are my home, and my heart is always with you,” Potter said in a video posted to social media last Friday. “I’ll be home soon, and we can join together to rebuild, like we always do.”

As was the case last year, the local music community is ready to help support fellow Vermonters. There will likely be more announcements in the coming weeks, but so far, artists GRACE POTTER and ZACH NUGENT have already stepped up.

Nugent announced on social media that his July 12 show at ArtsRiot in Burlington doubled as a beneﬁt, with portions of the ticket sales going to ﬂood relief.

And Potter revealed that her Grand Point North festival, scheduled for July 25 through 28 at Waterfront Park in Burlington, will now donate 100 percent

The 32nd annual Jig in the Valley is returning to the village green in East Fairfield on Sunday, July 28. The one-day, eight-hour music fest kicks o at noon with a loaded lineup of music including the NOBBY REED PROJECT, RYAN SWEEZEY & THE MIDNIGHT WALKERS, the DALE & DARCY BAND, and RUSTY BUCKET. A community block party as much as a music fest, the Jig also features the BLACK CREEK ADVENTURE CAMP parade, a flea market, ra es and food tents. The Jig is organized by the Fairfield Community Center, whose programs and events manager, ELEANOR WIRTZ, described the fest as “the center’s most important fundraiser of the year, a vital part of the mix that helps us deliver our valuable programs — everything from kids’ camps

to the weekly community meals and the food shelf.”

This year’s Jig is dedicated to saxophonist JOE MOORE, a legendary ﬁgure in the local music scene who died in March.

“Joe lived in East Fairﬁeld soon after he arrived in Vermont many decades ago, and was greatly loved in this community,” wrote TYRONE SHAW, a member of the organizing team. “He missed only one Jig, which he hated to do. For sure we’ll miss his joyous, generous presence and, of course, the musical magic he brought to every performance.”

For tickets and more information, check out fairﬁeldcommunitycenter.org.

Burlington’s nightlife scene took a hit last week when Despacito Bar and Kitchen announced it was up for sale. Since it opened in January 2023, the Old North End vegan restaurant had become one of the go-to spots for live music, particularly punk and metal. Clubs such as the Monkey House, Nectar’s and Radio Bean have largely transitioned away from heavier shows these days. You can thank insurance companies, but more on that in the weeks to come.

Last week’s live music highlights from photographer Luke Awtry

SUNRAY PEACE VILLAGE, LINCOLN, SATURDAY, JULY 13: Flood-related road closures couldn’t keep free spirits from descending upon Lincoln’s Sunray Peace Village, though they did make my drive more than twice as long as usual. I missed the first two sets — by singer-songwriter GRACE PALMER and inimitable hip-hop artist OMEGA JADE — but there was still plenty of music, including by DANNY & THE PARTS, ANDRIANA & THE BANANAS and MAL MAÏZ. As the drum circles finished and the fields cleared, DJ BOOTS&CATS took to the turntables in the Star Moss Tent, where a full-on dance party commenced to a four-on-thefloor “Long Train Runnin’” mash-up with live harmonica. ere’s nothing quite like Peace.Fest. e only downside I’ve seen is that the musicians are so blissed out by the end of the day that a record amount of gear is left behind. at’s OK, though. Gear can be recovered, but days like Saturday cannot.

Last Thursday, club owner DAVID QUINTANA posted on the business’ social media that Despacito was for sale. “We had a good run!” he wrote. “All shows are still scheduled as planned and happening. Hopefully, it stays a venue giving bands more opportunities to have a place to play.” ➆

Listening In

(Spotify mix of local jams)

MULE” by KeruBo

4. “ODD JOBS” by Xander Naylor

5. “FLY” by Mavstar, Womabaticus Rex

6. “POST UP” by Ruminations

7. “HEART ATTACK” by

Scan to listen sevendaysvt. com/playlist

“DIAL TONE” by Robber Robber

“20TH CENTURY EXILE” by Dave Kleh

“FORTY ACRES AND A

Locate S,1

PEACE.FEST,

Mal Maïz

Grace Potter

music+nightlife

CLUB DATES

live music

WED.17

Adirondack Jazz Orchestra (jazz) at Olive Ridley’s, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 7 p.m. Free.

BBQ and Bluegrass (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Bugcatcher, georgie, Rockin’ Worms, Vehicle (indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10. Clark (indie) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5. Cooie’s Friends (blues, R&B) at North Hero House Inn & Restaurant, 5:30 p.m. Free. Jazz Sessions (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Kowalski Brothers (acoustic) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

Live Jazz (jazz) at Leunig’s Bistro & Café, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Live Music Wednesdays & Tacos (weekly music series) at the Tillerman, Bristol, 5 p.m. Free.

Luis Betancourt (acoustic) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

The Rumble at Retro Live (funk) at Retro Live, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 7 p.m. $25. Info, 518-578-8085.

Sam Grisman Project (bluegrass) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 6 p.m. $30.

Willverine (electronic) at the Wallflower Collective, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

THU.18

Avery Cooper Trio (jazz) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Blue Fox Trio (blues) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Bret Hughes (country) at Filling Station, Middlesex, 6 p.m. Free.

The Champlain Shoregasm (folk) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Charlie Limousine (Americana) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 6 p.m. Free.

CombustOmatics (rock) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Cooie’s Trio (blues, jazz) at Blue Paddle Bistro, South Hero, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Frankie & the Fuse (rock) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Jerborn (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 6 p.m. Free.

FRI.19

Alex Raine (singer-songwriter) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 10 p.m. $10.

Barbacoa (surf rock) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Bella & Bob (jazz) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

Bent Nails House Band (blues, rock) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Rare Air

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.

University of Vermont alumnus CAM GILMOUR has carved out a place in the Queen City’s vital jazz scene as one of the top tenor saxophonists around — not to mention an ace vocalist, guitarist and songwriter. Marrying jazz with indie rock, Gilmour collaborates with other Burlington bebop specialists like trumpet player Sam Atallah, plus rock musicians such as Greg Freeman, who contributed guitar to Gilmour’s 2020 LP, Sunburst. With a brand-new album titled Of Air, Gilmour is throwing a release party on Saturday, July 20, at Radio Bean in Burlington. Chicago folk act HEMLOCK open the show.

Snack Break (indie) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Theta Waves (reggae) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Travis Cry (folk) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free. TURNing10! Music Festival (festival) at the Phoenix, Waterbury, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 355-5440.

Twin Princess, Fullscreen, Mad, Andrina Chobot (synth pop, indie) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7:30 p.m. $10.

Victory Seeds (folk) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Zack Riot & the Ultra Violet, Kennedy Park, Assorted Fruit (indie rock, punk) at Despacito, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $10.

SAT.20

Astrocat, the Mountain Says No, Swillbillie (rock) at Despacito, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $5.

Audrey Pearl, Leddy Moss, Julia Randall (folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

Breanna Elaine (singersongwriter) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

Cam Gilmour, hemlock (jazz) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9:30 p.m. $10.

Charlie Limousine (rock) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

Clean Fill (rock) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Dan Blakeslee, Holy Heart (folk) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 9:30 p.m. $10.

Dan Parks (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

The Fabulous Wrecks (rock, blues) at von Trapp Brewing Bierhall, Stowe, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Jack Hanson (jazz) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

Jeff & Gina (jazz) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

The Returnables (rock) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. Sanctuary (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

TURNing10! Music Festival (festival) at the Phoenix, Waterbury, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 355-5440.

Unruly Allies (folk) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free.

SUN.21

Back to the Garden 1969: The Woodstock Experience (tribute) at Double E Performance Center’s T-Rex Theater, Essex, 7 p.m. $18-$30.

Bluegrass Brunch (bluegrass) at the Skinny Pancake, Burlington, noon. Free.

Bluegrass Brunch (bluegrass) at Madbush Falls, Waitsfield, noon. Free.

Chicken Fat Injection (jazz, funk) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 3 p.m. Free.

Colin Cope & Friends (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 3 p.m. Free.

Donna Thunder (acoustic) at Blue Paddle Bistro, South Hero, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Haze & Dacey (indie folk) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

Robin Gottfried Solo Project (blues) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free. St. Vith (indie rock) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. Sunday Brunch Tunes (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m.

MON.22

Dimmer Triplets (blues) at North Hero House Inn & Restaurant, 5:30 p.m. Free.

TUE.23

Bettenroo (folk) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 5 p.m. Free.

Christie Woods-Lucas (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free.

CombustOmatics (rock) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

COOP (jazz) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10. The Crane Wives, Yasmin Williams (folk) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $25/$30.

Dave Mitchell’s Blues Revue (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 2 p.m. Free.

Dead to the Core (Grateful Dead tribute) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

Dipped in Moonlight (rock) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

Doom Service, Little Low, Happy Just to See You (punk, emo, indie rock) at the Underground, Randolph, 7:30 p.m. $14-17.

FYSPOT (covers) at the Old Post, South Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

George Nostrand (acoustic) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

Get Up With It, Brzowski (funk, hip-hop) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 6 p.m. Free.

Guillermo Klein Quintet (jazz) at the Mill ADK, Westport, N.Y., 7:30 p.m. $33.85.

IncaHoots (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

Ira Friedman (jazz) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Jim Branca Trio (blues) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free.

Kiel Love (acoustic) at Olive Ridley’s, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 6 p.m. Free.

Lunch, Ava Burka (indie) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

The Maplegrove Band (rock) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Rap Night Burlington (hip-hop) at Drink, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5. Ray’s Used Cars (Americana) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Ruminations, Magnolia (rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $10.

The Rustics (folk, blues) at von Trapp Brewing Bierhall, Stowe, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Shane McGrath (acoustic) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6 p.m. Free.

Last Pages, Magic User (rock, punk) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

Left Eye Jump (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 2 p.m. Free.

Live Music Saturdays (live music series) at Dumb Luck Pub & Grill, Hinesburg, 7 p.m. Free.

Meg Bohne, Addie Herbert, Rachel Lindsay (singersongwriter) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

Monachino, Matthews & Jarrett (jazz) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Mondayze, NFA, Dog Water (rock) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

Otter Creek (bluegrass) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free.

Big Dixie Swingers, Flint & Steale (bluegrass) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free. Bluegrass Jam (bluegrass) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

Grateful Tuesdays (Grateful Dead tribute) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10/$20.

Honky Tonk Tuesday with Wild Leek River (country) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10. Jay Southgate (vibraphone) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 5 p.m. Free.

Mondayze (rock) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free. Zach Nugent (Grateful Dead tribute) at Madbush Falls, Waitsfield, 7 p.m. $10 suggested donation.

SAT.20 // CAM GILMOUR [JAZZ]

music+nightlife

live music

WED.24

BBQ and Bluegrass (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Bent Nails House Band (blues, rock) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Briar Rats (Celtic) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

David Karl Roberts (singer-songwriter) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Jazz Sessions (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Live Jazz (jazz) at Leunig’s Bistro & Café, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Live Music Wednesdays & Tacos (weekly music series) at the Tillerman, Bristol, 5 p.m. Free.

Marcie Hernandez (folk) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

She Was Right (folk) at North Hero House Inn & Restaurant, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Willverine (electronic) at the Wallﬂower Collective, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

djs

WED.17

DJ CRE8 (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Local Dork (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Salsa Night with DJ Chalango, DJ Tarzana (DJ) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.18

All Ears (DJ) at the Big Spruce, Richmond, 6 p.m. Free.

DJ Chaston (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 11 p.m. Free.

DJ Two Sev (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 11 p.m. Free.

Open Decks (DJ open mic) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Vinyl Night with Ken (DJ) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

FRI.19

DJ Craig Mitchell (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ Dakota (DJ) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ EM_G (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

DJ Kata (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ Skippy (DJ) at Olive Ridley’s, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 9 p.m. Free.

DJ Taka (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10/$15.

DJ Two Rivers (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

SAT.20

Crypt Goth Night (DJ) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Laughing Matter

Comedian KYLE KINANE has a fascinating mix of hilarious traits. The keenly intelligent standup is capable of making startling observations about the human condition with an often dark note of self-deprecation. Kinane is the kind of comic who bobs and weaves with his audience, pivoting from jokes about processed food to ancient queer couples going foraging for rare spices. He has become something of a comedian’s comedian over the course of his career, releasing multiple critically acclaimed standup specials — most recently, “Dirt Nap.” From Thursday, July 18, to Saturday, July 20, he headlines Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington. Don’t dawdle — three shows are already sold out.

DJ A-Ra$ (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, midnight. Free.

DJ JamStar (DJ) at Olive Ridley’s, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 9 p.m. Free.

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

DJ Two Rivers (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

Matt Payne (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Molly Mood (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free. Nastee (DJ) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free. No Fun in Disco, GAYBAR, Left Cat (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 11:30 p.m. $10.

SUN.21

Mi Yard Reggae Night with DJ Big Dog (reggae, dancehall) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

TUE.23

e Vanguard — Jazz on Vinyl (DJ) at Paradiso Hi-Fi, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.24

DJ CRE8 (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Local Dork (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

open mics & jams

WED.17

Irish Sessions (Celtic, open mic) at Burlington St. John’s Club, 6:30 p.m. Free.

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

Open Mic with Danny Lang (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.18

Open Mic (open mic) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

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

SUN.21

Olde Time Jam Session (open jam) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, noon. Free.

MON.22

Open Mic (open mic) at Despacito, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

TUE.23

Open Mic Night (open mic) at Drink, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Open Mic Night with David Karl Roberts (open mic) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Kyle Kinane (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $35.

Live Laugh Lava: A Comedy Showcase (comedy) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $5-$10.

Live Standup Comedy (comedy) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

FRI.19

Clayton Smith: Guns for Jesus (comedy) at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10. Info, 928-750-0258.

Kyle Kinane (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. $35.

SAT.20

Chicken Sketchatore (comedy) at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $10. Info, 818-917-3125.

Good Clean Fun (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 5 p.m. $10.

Kyle Kinane (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. $35.

TUE.23

Hot Lunch Tuesdays (comedy) at Arts Riot, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.24

$5 Improv Night (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5.

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

trivia, karaoke, etc.

Venetian Soda Open Mic (open mic) 7 p.m. Free.

WED.24

Irish Sessions (Celtic, open mic) at Burlington St. John’s Club, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Lit Club (poetry open mic) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

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

Open Mic with Danny Lang (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

comedy

WED.17

$5 Improv Night (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5.

Laugh Local VT Comedy Open Mic (comedy open mic) at the Den, Williamstown, 7 p.m. Free. Standup Comedy Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m.

THU.18

Improv Royale (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at McGillicuddy’s Five Corners, Essex Junction, 6:30 p.m. Free.

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

Trivia ursday (trivia) at Spanked Puppy Pub, Colchester, 7 p.m. Free.

FRI.19

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

SUN.21

Sunday Funday (games) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, noon. Free.

Venetian Karaoke (karaoke) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

MON.22

Trivia Monday with Top Hat Entertainment (trivia) at McKee’s Pub & Grill, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia with Brain (trivia) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Trivia with Craig Mitchell (trivia) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

TUE.23

Godfather Karaoke (karaoke) at the Other Half, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Karaoke Tuesdays (karaoke) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with DJ Party Bear (karaoke) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9:30 p.m. Free.

Music Bingo (music bingo) at Stone Corral, Richmond, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.17

Karaoke Night (karaoke) at Drink, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Musical Bingo (music bingo) at the Depot, St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free.

Musical Bingo (trivia) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Stone Corral, Richmond, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Rí Rá Irish Pub, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Venetian Trivia Night (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Wednesday Team Trivia (trivia) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

THU.18

Karaoke Night (karaoke) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with Matt Mero (karaoke) at Olive Ridley’s, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 8 p.m. Free.

Radio Bean Karaoke (karaoke) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Summer Trivia with Katy (trivia) at Highland Lodge, Greensboro, 7 p.m. Free.

Taproom Trivia (trivia) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at the Depot, St. Albans, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Tuesday (trivia) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Free.

Tuesday Trivia (trivia) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.24

Karaoke Night (karaoke) at Drink, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Musical Bingo (music bingo) at the Depot, St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free. Musical Bingo (trivia) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Stone Corral, Richmond, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Rí Rá Irish Pub Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Venetian Trivia Night (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Wednesday Team Trivia (trivia) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free. ➆

THU.18-SAT.20 // KYLE KINANE [COMEDY]

Whiskey Priest, Whiskey Priest

(SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL)

When a teacher, a poet, a builder and a painter walk into a bar in southern Vermont, a priest walks out. In this case, the teacher is Chandler Poling, a music educator who shares the joy of playing guitar and ukulele with his students. The poet, Mike Snide, works alongside his brother, Paul Snide, at their family construction business. And the painter, Bob Wiegers, crafts inky canvases with acrylics and augmented reality. But when the day is over, the four friends swap their work tools for guitars, banjos, harmonicas and mandolins to form Whiskey Priest, an old-timey string band.

Their self-titled March debut delivers what the band calls “good times with a twist.” It’s an eclectic blend of folk with a bit of blues, a little gospel and a lot of heart. The name Whiskey Priest comes from a literary archetype the group

Aleda Bliss, Every Song On This Playlist Is For You

(SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL)

Nothing says “I love you” like a curated selection of tunes. Words can’t match the magic power of a mixtape to sum up everything you want to say.

While writing and recording the material for her debut album, Every Song On This Playlist Is For You, Andover singer-songwriter and producer Aleda Bliss “kept ﬁnding mix CDs my teenage crushes gave me,” she told the Vermont Journal in June. Working within a playlist framework, in which she imagines her songs as chronologically ordered scenes, she delivers an astounding ﬁrst outing, coproduced with Burlington composer Christopher Hawthorn.

Largely an electronic-pop album, Every Song On This Playlist Is For You assesses modern love with relatable language and invigorating production.

jokingly relates to: a man of the church who has good intentions, despite his vices. Live footage on YouTube shows the band clad in classic New England fashion — work boots and ﬂannel — performing songs that range from a 1940s tune about a meatball to a timeless lamentation about whiskey. The group’s southern style is an ode to a bygone era, reminiscent of the rustic score of the 2000 Coen brothers comedy O Brother Where Art Thou?

Since recording the songs at Old Mill Road Recording in Arlington, Whiskey Priest have been gigging at markets and bars in the Bennington area and across the border in New York. According to the band’s Facebook page, Wiegers played his last show with the group in June; Whiskey Priest now continues on with three members.

The album starts o with Josh White’s 1944 comedy classic “One Meatball,” setting a tone of musicianship that, despite being traditional, doesn’t take itself too seriously. Poling’s voice breaks into startling high notes in this ominous story of a man who can only a ord one meatball — not too much of a stretch in today’s world.

Contrasting the upbeat choruses of earlier songs, “Sitting on Top of the World” slows things down midway through the record with a rocking-chair groove. Crooning lyrics tell the story of moving on from a lover who left, complete with a heartfelt harmonica feature.

Then the mood switches again.

Bliss’ songs are vital, teeming with energy.

Synths pulsate like blood pumping through arteries. Beats contract, shiver and convulse, turning the songs inside out as they grow from verse to chorus. Bliss summons ethereal harmonies in humming swarms and dripping arpeggios. At times, they support her leading melodies; at others, they counter them. The interplay of the elements is

marvelous, and Bliss never misses an opportunity to embellish.

Primordially powerful opener “Any Way” leads into the sweeping, cinematic majesty of “Driving To The Coast,” whose title perfectly captures Bliss’ soaring vocals amid a patchwork of synths and beats.

“Honey (Be)” propels a single moment into a fevered banger. “Hey / How long will we lay here / Falling apart, dear / Like I did before,” she sings. A four-on-theﬂoor throb sweeps the track into a driving groove centering on that last word. Choral harmonies envelop Bliss as she grapples with “before.” It’s as if she’s willing herself back through time, reversing her entropy by retreating to a glittery cocoon.

“No View But You” is a standout cut. “View” is such a loaded term in the social media-dominated world. It conjures themes of attention, importance, success and self-worth. For artists, views are everything. For consumers, not seeing as much as possible means they risk falling out of the zeitgeist.

So when Bliss pledges to obscure

Comedy makes a comeback in “My Give a Damn Is Busted,” whose title phrase — perhaps the laid-back, country translation of IDGAF — came from Poling’s friend during a sermon. (It’s also the title of 2005 Jo Dee Messina song.) The homegrown chorus is relatable to anyone whose “getup-and-go got up and went.”

A few songs later, “Whiskey” is a fitting final track. While Whiskey Priest comprises a versatile mix of slow and fast tunes, the Tejon Street Corner Thieves cover keeps a driving pace, ending the album cold turkey on a final strum. Although good-humored, the debut is a little rough around the edges. There are places where the beat catches or notes bend in search of the right pitch beyond what might be considered stylistic choices. Still, the songs have an undeniable plucky charm. Unexpected laughs and lively harmonica solos are high points in the spirited folk band’s first studio recording.

Whiskey Priest is available on all major streaming platforms.

NINA SABLAN

everything but the person at the center of her universe, she deﬁes both ends of the spectrum. She sings, “I will take o my makeup for you … Uncover love that has no view / but you / but you,” her words dropping in o -time thuds over spinetingling synths.

Wiping o the sweat from the album’s ﬁrst act, slow jams “Sweet Boy” and “Open Air Interlude” surround “Quiet Feeling,” on which the artist calls her listeners together for a snowball social. Presumably swaying under a motorized mirror ball, she recalls the unshakable self-assurance she felt with a past lover.

Culminating with the surging inquiry “Tell Me How You’re Sleeping,” Every Song On This Playlist Is For You is a record full of massive songs that probe and ponder love and the people with whom we’ve shared it. Bliss is an exceptionally talented and exciting new voice in Vermont’s music community. Press play. Now.

Every Song On This Playlist Is For You is available on major streaming services.

JORDAN ADAMS

Constellation Stories & Science

WED., JUL 17 & WED., JUL 24

THE PLANETARIUM LADY, WILLISTON

FOTW Trail Clinic Night

WED., JUL 17

HAYDEN HILL WEST TRAILHEAD - HINESBURG TOWN FOREST

e Rumble at Retro Live

WED., JUL 17

RETRO LIVE, PLATTSBURGH, NY

Reception for “ e Power of Perspective”

Art Show

THU., JUL 18

BIRDS OF VERMONT MUSEUM, HUNTINGTON

Making Mavericks: Myth-busting with Kevin Chu

THU., JUL 18

GENERATOR MAKER SPACE, BURLINGTON

Vermont Brewers Festival 2024

FRI., JUL 19 & SAT., JUL 20

WATERFRONT PARK, BURLINGTON

Williston Film Festival

FRI., JUL 19 & SAT., JUL 20

ISHAM FAMILY FARM, WILLISTON

Doom Service w/ Little Low & Happy

Just to See You

FRI., JUL 19

THE UNDERGROUND, RANDOLPH

TURNing10! Music Festival

FRI., JUL 19

THE PHOENIX, WATERBURY VILLAGE

Clayton Smith: Guns for Jesus

FRI., JUL 19

OFF CENTER FOR THE DRAMATIC ARTS, BURLINGTON

SAT., JUL 20

WAYSIDE FARM, RANDOLPH CENTER

Chetfest Presents Jaded Ravins with Jimmy Ryan and Friends

e Junction Dance Festival 2024

SAT., JUL 20 & SUN., JUL 21

THE BRIGGS OPERA HOUSE, WHITE RIVER JUNCTION

Chicken Sketchatore @ Off Center

SAT., JUL 20

OFF CENTER FOR THE DRAMATIC ARTS, BURLINGTON

Gardens of Waterbury: A Self-Guided Garden Tour

SUN., JUL 21

WESLEY UMC METHODIST CHURCH, WATERBURY VILLAGE

Vermont Fresh Network’s 26th Annual Forum Dinner

SUN., JUL 21

SHELBURNE FARMS COACH BARN, SHELBURNE

Christmas in July Cookie Decorating Class

THU., JUL 25

RED POPPY CAKERY, WATERBURY VILLAGE

2024 - Montpelier High School Alumni Roundup

FRI., JUL 26 & SAT., JUL 27

LANGDON STREET TAVERN & MONTPELIER RECREATION FIELDS

Live in the Gardens Music Series with Lawless Rock n Roll & a SlamT1D Fundraiser

FRI., JUL 26

SNAPS AND SUNFLOWERS, CAMBRIDGE

Luminous Crush w/ Rick Redington & Tuff Luv

FRI., JUL 26

THE UNDERGROUND - LISTENING ROOM, RANDOLPH

July Bird Monitoring Walk

SAT., JUL 27

BIRDS OF VERMONT MUSEUM, HUNTINGTON

calendar

JULY 17-24, 2024

WED.17

business

QUEEN CITY BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL GROUP: Savvy businesspeople make crucial contacts at a weekly chapter meeting. Burlington City Arts, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 829-5066.

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: Townsfolk put on their detective caps, grab a map at the library and search Stowe for stickers. Prizes include hotel stays and goods from local merchants. Stowe Free Library, Free. Info, 253-6145.

crafts

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: A drop-in meetup welcomes knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers and beyond. BYO snacks and drinks. Must Love Yarn, Shelburne, 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 448-3780. etc.

CHAMP MASTERS TOASTMASTERS OF GREATER BURLINGTON: Those looking to strengthen their speaking and leadership skills gain new tools at a regular meeting. 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 338-2305.

film

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

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: Andy Serkis narrates the journey of a lifetime into the realm of the world’s largest mammals and the scientists who study them. 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, $16.50-20; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: Sparkling graphics take viewers on a journey into the weird, wide world of mushrooms, which we are only just beginning to understand. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater:

A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $16.50-20; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: Scientists dive into the planet’s least-explored habitat, from its sunny shallows to its alien depths. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater:

These community event listings are sponsored by the WaterWheel Foundation, a project of the Vermont band Phish.

LIST YOUR UPCOMING EVENT HERE FOR FREE!

All submissions must be received by Thursday at noon for consideration in the following Wednesday’s newspaper. Find our convenient form and guidelines at sevendaysvt.com/postevent

Listings and spotlights are written by Emily Hamilton Seven Days edits for space and style. Depending on cost and other factors, classes and workshops may be listed in either the calendar or the classes section. Class organizers may be asked to purchase a class listing.

Whitney leads at-home participants in gentle stretches supported by seats. 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, noon, 2 & 4 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $16.50-20; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: Through the power of special cameras, audiences are transported into the world of the teeniest animals on Earth. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 & 3:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $16.50-20; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

food & drink

DANVILLE FARMERS MARKET: Villagers shop local from various vendors handing out fruits, veggies and prepared foods. Danville Village Green, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, cfmamanager@gmail.com.

PIZZA SOCIAL: A family-run bakery offers wood-fired pizza and a tour of its gristmill and microfarm. Naga Bakehouse, Middletown Springs, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $15-30; free for BIPOC; preregister; space limited. Info, 434-4122.

WEDNESDAY’S GRILL & CHILL: Live music soundtracks a big community picnic. Essex Experience, 5-8 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4200.

WHAT’S THAT WINE

WEDNESDAYS: Aspiring sommeliers blind-taste four wines from Vermont and beyond. Shelburne Vineyard, noon-6 p.m. $15. Info, 985-8222.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA: Waterbury Public Library instructor Diana

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.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11. = ONLINE EVENT

MINDFUL MOVEMENT YOGA ON THE LAWN: Attendees soothe their sore swimming, hiking and gardening muscles with mindful stretching. BYO mat. Waterbury Public Library, noon. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7036.

language

BEGINNER IRISH LANGUAGE CLASS: Celtic-curious students learn to speak an Ghaeilge in a supportive group. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

ELL CLASSES: ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS AND 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.

INTERMEDIATE IRISH

LANGUAGE CONVERSATION AND MUSIC: Speakers with some experience increase their fluency through conversation and song. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 863-3403.

SPANISH CONVERSATION: Fluent and beginner speakers brush up on their español with a discussion led by a Spanish teacher. Presented by Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 5-6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@damlvt.org.

music

BLUES JAM: Musicians singin’ the blues take over the Tavern on the Tee patio for a monthly series featuring local and regional acts. Anyone with an instrument is welcome to join the jam. Ralph Myhre Golf Course, Middlebury, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 443-5125.

CLASSICAL ENCOUNTERS: CHAMBER MUSIC FELLOWS’ RECITAL: Student musicians play string selections for a series that brings classical music into community spaces. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1:152:15 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

CRAFTSBURY CHAMBER PLAYERS: Craftsbury Chamber Players begins its 58th season performing classical music by an array of composers from various eras. Elley-Long Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 7:30-9 p.m. $10-25 single admission; season passes $90-140; free for kids 12 and under. Info, 586-0616.

JAZZ CAFÉ: Veteran saxophonist Steve MacLauchlan selects some of his favorite jams for a special appearance with the New Kanon Jazz Trio. BYOB. Stone Valley Arts, Poultney, 7 p.m. $10 suggested donation. Info, stonevalleyartscenter@gmail.com.

MILTON BUSKER & THE GRIM

WORK: The Vermont band introduces audiences to “suitfolk” — that is, songs of the people if they got dressed up for

a night out. La Chapina serves Guatemalan grub. Shelburne Vineyard, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 985-8222.

MUSIC ON THE BRICKS:

JENNI JOHNSON & THE JAZZ

JUNKETEERS: The songstress soothes the soul with smooth vocals and a synthesis of swing, funk and blues. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 863-1648.

MUSIC ON THE GREEN: Familyfriendly shows entertain on the lawn overlooking Lake Champlain. Kraemer & Kin, Alburgh, 6-8 p.m. and July 24, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 796-3586.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES:

QUADRA: Local rockers play tight harmonies on the lawn while listeners picnic and kids enjoy the animals. No pets allowed. Sam Mazza’s Farm Market, Bakery & Greenhouses, Colchester, 6-8 p.m. Free; food available for purchase. Info, 655-3440.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES:

MATT HAGEN: The guitarist and singer fuses bossa nova, classical and a hint of the sounds of 1960s spaghetti westerns in his all-original compositions. Burlington City Hall Park, 12:301:30 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE

TENNIS CLUB: Ping-Pong players swing their paddles in singles and doubles matches. Rutland Area Christian School, 7-9 p.m. Free for first two sessions; $30 annual membership. Info, 247-5913.

talks

WILL GUSAKOV: A Vermont timber framer recounts his experience rebuilding the nave framework of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Worthen Library, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 372-6209.

theater

‘PILLOWS ALL THE WAY DOWN’:

Touring theater troupe the Vermont Suitcase Company presents a humorous portrait of a miserly man who might be persuaded to part with his riches by a scheming servant. Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free. Info, vermontsuitcase company@gmail.com.

words

TIM JENNINGS: The folklorist and storyteller entertains all ages with colorful tales of New England and beyond. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

THU.18

business

HIRING2DAYVT VIRTUAL

JOB FAIR: Job seekers get a chance to meet with employers from around the state, thanks to the Vermont Department of Labor. 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 828-4000.

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.17.

crafts

KNIT FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR: All ages and abilities are invited to knit or crochet hats and scarves for the South Burlington Food Shelf. All materials are provided. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 2-5 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

KNITTING GROUP: Knitters of all experience levels get together to spin yarns. Latham Library, Thetford, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

dance

THE JUNCTION DANCE FESTIVAL

2024: The annual weeklong fest showcases a spectrum of styles, including Scottish, ballet, Indian, flamenco and contemporary, through workshops, films and performances. Briggs Opera House, White River Junction, 10 & 11 a.m. $10-20; Free for kids under 12. Info, 439-9117.

fairs & festivals

SUMMERVALE: Locavores fête farms and farmers at a weekly festival centered on food, music, community and conservation. Intervale Center, Burlington, 5:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 660-0440. film

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

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.17.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.17.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17. food & drink

CRAWFISH BOIL AT STOWE CIDER: Ragin’ Cajuns crack open some live crawfish with all the fixin’s while enjoying live music

THU.18 » P.64

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

FAMI LY FU N

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.

WED.17

burlington

IMAGINATION STATION: Giant Jenga, blocks and tic-tac-toe entertain shoppers of all ages in between stops. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 863-1648.

LEGO TIME AT THE NNE: Kids ages 4 through 11 construct their very own creations. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 863-3403.

TODDLER TIME: Librarians bring out books, rhymes and songs specially selected for young ones 12 through 24 months. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

VR NATIONAL PARKS: Teens take virtual tours of the Grand Canyon, Hawaii’s volcanoes, Death Valley and other locales. Ages 11 through 18. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1-2 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

ADVENTURES IN PLAY: Toddlers play with giant blocks, hoops, chalk, bubbles and water. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

CONSTELLATION STORIES & SCIENCE: Stargazers locate constellations while the Planetarium Lady shares multicultural myths and legends — and plenty of solid facts — about the cosmos. The Planetarium Lady Planetarium, Williston, 4-5, 5:30-6:30 & 7-8 p.m. $2040. Info, 871-5709.

SUMMER BABYTIME: Infants gather for a gentle, slow story time. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 9:15-9:45 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

SUMMER CRAFTYTOWN: From painting and printmaking to collage and sculpture, creative kids explore different projects and mediums. Ages 8 and up, or ages 6 and up with an adult helper. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

barre/montpelier

MAGIC TRICKS WORKSHOP: Beginners learn a few basic magic tricks so they can surprise and impress friends and family. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 1-2 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 223-3338.

TIM JENNINGS: Storyteller Tim Jennings spins yarns and folktales with a sprinkle of concertina music and old-time vaudeville in a fun show for the whole family. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581, jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail. com.

JUL. 20 | FAMILY FUN

Water World

Author and educator Sandy Murphy figures the best way to reach kids’ minds is through their laughter. In her interactive puppet show, whimsical aquatic characters explain concerns about cyanobacteria in Lake Champlain and the need to control runoff. An audience of all ages gathers on the beach at Grand Isle State Park to learn about the role humans can play in protecting the fragile watershed. Murphy, who lives in Underhill, also signs copies of the illustrated children’s book she cowrote, Our Scrumptious Lake PHYTOTASTIC!

INTERACTIVE PUPPET SHOW

Saturday, July 20, 11 a.m.-noon, at Grand Isle State Park. Regular park day use fee, $2-5; free for children under 4. Info, 999-2464, fpr.vermont.gov.

mad river valley/ waterbury

TEEN HANGOUT: Middle and high schoolers make friends at a no-pressure meetup. Waterbury Public Library, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

upper valley

FOREST DISCOVERY CENTER: Interactive learning stations, demonstrations and crafts give kids hands-on nature experiences. Ages 8 and under Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Woodstock, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 457-3368.

THU.18 burlington

BABYTIME: Pre-walking little ones experience a story time catered to their infant interests. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

BABYTIME: The littlest library patrons enjoy books, rhymes and songs. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

GROW PRESCHOOL YOGA: Colleen from Grow Prenatal and Family Yoga leads little ones ages 2 through 5 in songs, movement and other fun activities. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

BABYTIME: Caregivers and infants from birth through age 1 gather to explore board books and toys. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

PRESCHOOL MUSIC WITH LINDA

BASSICK: The singer and storyteller extraordinaire leads little ones in indoor music and movement. Birth through age 5. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

PRESCHOOL PLAYTIME: Pre-K patrons play and socialize after music time. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

STORY TIME: Little ones from birth through age 5 learn from songs, crafts and picture books. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

stowe/smuggs

WEE ONES PLAY TIME: Caregivers bring kiddos 3 and younger to a new sensory learning experience each week. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

mad river valley/ waterbury

PRESCHOOL PLAY & READ STORYTIME: Games, activities, stories and songs engage 3- through 5-year-olds. Waterbury

STORY TIME: Preschoolers take part in tales, tunes and playtime. Latham Library, Thetford, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

SAT.20

burlington

HOME & HEARTH REENACTMENT: Experienced reenactors cook over an open fire and work on artisan crafts to illustrate domestic life in 1780s Vermont. Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, Burlington, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $7-15; free for kids under 5. Info, 865-4556.

LITTLEST GUPPIES: Kids grow their fins with water activities including dock play, sailboat exploration, paddleboarding and on-land science games. Community Sailing Center, Burlington, 9-10 & 11 a.m.noon. $10 per class. Info, 864-2499.

SPLASH DANCE: Kids soak up some summer fun in the fountain while DJs spin family-friendly tracks. Burlington City Hall Park, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

STORIES WITH GEOFF: Little patrons of the library’s new location enjoy a morning of stories and songs. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

barre/montpelier

WEST AFRICAN DANCE PARTY: Cultural education organization Shidaa Projects gets everyone moving and shaking on the School Street lawn, or in the Hayes Room if it rains. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 223-3338.

middlebury area

Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

northeast kingdom

STORY TIME: Kids 5 and under play, sing, hear stories and color. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:15-10:45 a.m. and 2-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 745-1391.

FRI.19

burlington

IMAGINATION STATION: See WED.17.

chittenden county

LEGO BUILDERS: Each week, children ages 8 and older build, explore, create and participate in challenges. Children ages 6 to 8 are welcome with an adult. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

barre/montpelier

STORY TIME & PLAYGROUP: Participants ages 5 and under enjoy science, art and nature-themed activities. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

upper valley

ART IN THE PARK: National park artists-in-residence lead nature-inspired activities for all ages. Marsh-BillingsRockefeller National Historical Park, Woodstock, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 457-3368.

TEEN SAILING CLASS: Teens spend the day learning the basics of sailing on a small vessel, the proper way to right a capsized boat, and how to get out on the water and navigate. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 10 a.m.4:30 p.m. $125; or pay what you can. Info, 475-2022.

champlain islands/ northwest

INTERACTIVE PUPPET SHOW: Whimsical puppets call attention to the woes of water runoff and Lake Champlain’s fragile aquatic ecosystem. See calendar spotlight. Grand Isle State Park, 11 a.m.-noon. Regular park day use fee, $2-5; free for children under 4. Info, 999-2464.

upper valley

‘THUMBELINA’: The children’s fairy tale unfolds as a ballet by Avant Vermont Dance in an outdoor performance. Bring a blanket or chair. Lyman Point Park, White River Junction, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 263-5253. FOREST DISCOVERY CENTER: See WED.17.

MON.22 burlington

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Bookworms ages 2 through 5 enjoy fun-filled reading time. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

and sipping cider. Stowe Cider, 5-8 p.m. $30; advanced tickets recommended. Info, 253-2065.

FREE WINE TASTING: Themed wine tastings take oenophiles on an adventure through a region, grape variety, style of wine or producer’s offerings. Dedalus Wine Shop, Market & Wine Bar, Burlington, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 865-2368.

games

DUPLICATE BRIDGE: A lively group plays a classic, tricky game with an extra wrinkle. Waterbury Public Library, 12:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7223.

WEEKLY CHESS FOR FUN:

Players of all ability levels face off and learn new strategies. United Community Church, St. Johnsbury, 5:30-9 p.m. Donations. Info, lafferty1949@ gmail.com.

health & fitness

AARP VT SOCIAL BIKE RIDE:

Bikers age 50-plus convene for a one-hour ride on the Burlington bike path and wrap up with social time at a local bar. Oakledge Park, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 951-1397.

language

ITALIAN CONVERSATION GROUP:

Semi-fluent speakers practice their skills during a conversazione with others. Best for those who can speak at least basic sentences. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

music

FEAST & FIELD MUSIC SERIES:

Farm-fresh foods and live tunes are on the menu at a weekly pastoral party out in the orchard. Fable Farm, Barnard, 5:30-8:30 p.m. $5-25; $120-1,250 for season passes. Info, 234-1645.

MARK ERELLI: The New England songwriter replaces his usual band with a string quintet to back his vocals and guitar. Bellows Falls Opera House, 7:30 p.m. $26.50-47.50. Info, 387-0102.

PIZZA BY THE POND: A woodfired oven delivers all-youcan-eat pies made of local ingredients while musicians regale diners. Blueberry Hill Inn, Goshen, 5-8 p.m. $23-43; free for kids 7 and under. Info, info@ blueberryhillinn.com.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: THE HOUSE BAND: Toes tap to rock, soul, funk, country, jazz and Motown during a community supper. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

politics

VOTING AND CIVICS IN THE DISINFORMATION AGE: Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas addresses the challenges facing the election process, from AI and disinformation, and suggests ways to

fight them. Old Labor Hall, Barre, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 485-4554.

sports

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: Spectators buy some peanuts and Cracker Jack to watch the Green Mountain State’s own Futures Collegiate Baseball League team face off against new opponents each night. Centennial Field, Burlington, 6:35 p.m. $6-17; $125-418 for season passes. Info, 655-4200.

talks

KEVIN CHU: The executive director of the nonprofit Vermont Futures Project dispels falsehoods about Vermont’s economy, environment and equity in the latest installment of the “Maverick MythBusters!” series. Generator, Burlington, 5:30-8 p.m. $10. Info, 540-0761.

KATHRINNE DUFFY: A Burlington historian shares her experience cocurating an exhibition of the discarded natural history holdings of the Jenks Museum at Brown University in a talk titled “A Visit to the Lost Museum.” Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, Middlebury, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 388-2117.

tech

IPHONE BASICS II: iPhone users learn more ways to make technology do deeds they need done. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-3403.

theater

‘CINDERELLA’: A would-be princess sees her rags turn to riches in the Rogers & Hammerstein musical version of the classic fairy tale. QuarryWorks Theater, Adamant, 7:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted; reservations required. Info, 229-6978.

‘EVERY BRILLIANT THING’: A young boy tries to lure his mother out of depression by creating a list of all the things worth living for in this coming-of-age play. Depot Theatre, Westport N.Y., 5 p.m. $28 for Thursday preview; $37-43 all other performances. Info, 518-962-4449.

‘THE PROM’: In this popular stage comedy, a group of eccentric Broadway performers rally behind the cause of a high schooler who’s banned from attending prom with her girlfriend. Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall, 7:30 p.m. $15-35. Info, 229-0492.

words

DON HALL: The author of The Regeneration Handbook: Transform Yourself to Transform the World presents his view of restoration of self, community and Earth and signs his book. The Eloquent Page, St. Albans, 6:307:30 p.m. Free. Info, 527-7243.

LISA KUSEL AND LIZ ALTERMAN: Two authors discuss the writing process and mark the release of Kusel’s debut thriller, The Widow on Dwyer, while fans snack on hors d’oeuvres and dessert.

JUL. 20 | MUSIC

Getting the Blues

Bluegrass and blueberries marry at Knoll Farm in Fayston with the kickoff of its summer concerts and blueberry picking season. Head to the farm early to pick your own berries for $5 per pint or $9 per quart, then stay to picnic in the picturesque pasture overlooking the Mad River Valley. Americana band the Wormdogs set the tone for a rain-or-shine series of performers, many of whom lean into the blues, bluegrass, country and alt-rock.

THE WORMDOGS

Saturday, July 20, blueberry picking, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; picnicking, 5:30 p.m.; and concert, 6:30 p.m., at Knoll Farm in Fayston. $25 concert tickets; picnic baskets available for purchase. Info, 496-5686, knollfarm.org.

Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 448-3350.

MEETINGHOUSE READINGS:

ELLEN BRYANT VOIGT AND PAUL HARDING: The poet and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, respectively, read from their works. Meetinghouse, Canaan, N.H., 7 p.m. Free. Info, 603-523-9650.

MELISSA B. JACOBY: The author and University of North Carolina law professor discusses Unjust Debts, her new book about the flaws of the U.S. bankruptcy system. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-1970.

STORY JAM: Community members share an unrehearsed five-minute true story from their lives. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 295-6688.

FRI.19 community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.17.

film

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

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.17.

‘JUST GETTING BY’: Bess O’Brien newest documentary chronicles the lives of Vermonters who struggle with hunger and homelessness. Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury, 7 p.m. $15. Info, 748-2600.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.17.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17.

WILLISTON FILM FESTIVAL: Two days of screenings and Q&As showcase the filmmakers behind a slate of award-winning works, as well as Waterbury director and actor George Woodward and other Vermonters. Isham Family Farm, Williston, 5:30-9:30 p.m. $20 per day; $35 both days. Info, 989-4112.

‘YOU HURT MY FEELINGS’: A writer played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus faces a personal and professional crisis when she overhears her husband criticizing her new book in this 2023 comic drama. Discussion follows. Stone Valley Arts, Poultney, 7 p.m. Free.

food & drink

RICHMOND FARMERS MARKET: Vendors present a diverse selection of locally produced foods and crafts as picnickers enjoy live music. Volunteers Green,

Richmond, 3-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, rfmmanager@gmail.com.

SOUTH END GET DOWN: Food trucks dish out mouthwatering meals and libations. Live DJs and outdoor entertainment add to the fun. 377 Pine St., Burlington, 5-9 p.m. Free. Info, orleanseventsvt@ gmail.com.

VERMONT BREWERS FESTIVAL: The annual beer-drinkers bash on Lake Champlain brings 36 Vermont breweries and 10 out-of-state producers to offer tastes and tips, along with food trucks and live music. Waterfront Park, Burlington, 5:30-9:30 p.m. $15-65; preregister. Info, admin@ vermontbrewers.com.

games

MAH-JONGG: Tile traders of all experience levels gather for a game. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

health & fitness

COMING TOGETHER, A SUBSTANCE USE ADDICTION

SUMMIT: Guest speakers, vendors and Vermont Health Department experts cover a variety of topics on recovery. Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, melinda@ tpfcvt.org.

GUIDED MEDITATION ONLINE: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library invites

•

• Choose from 25 activities, including designing a new “I Voted” sticker, keeping up with local news and working together with someone from a diﬀerent background to make a diﬀerence in your community.

• Prizes include $50 Phoenix Books gift cards, 2025 Vermont State Parks vehicle pass and a trip to Washington, D.C.

• Deadline for submissions: September 2.

attendees to relax on their lunch breaks and reconnect with their bodies. Noon-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@ damlvt.org.

lgbtq

RPG NIGHT: Members of the LGBTQ community gather weekly to play games such as Dungeons & Dragons and Everway. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

music

DUO ONDINE: A French Italian four-hands piano pairing astounds with a virtuoso performance. Live stream available. Next Stage Arts Project, Putney, 7:30 p.m. $10-25. Info, 451-0053.

GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER

MUSIC FESTIVAL: ARTIST

FACULTY SERIES: Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival students, faculty, fellows and artists perform. Elley-Long Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 6:45-8:15 p.m. $35; free for students. Info, 503-1220.

PIZZA BY THE POND: See THU.18, 5-8 p.m.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES:

OLIVER SCANLON & TRISTAN

HENDERSON: Two musicians fuse fiddle, guitar, mandolin and jaw harp with soaring harmonies. Burlington City Hall Park, 12:301:30 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

UNPLUGGED ON THE

MARKETPLACE: A rotating slate of musicians pops up to play acoustic tunes at the top of the block. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 863-1648.

UNPLUGGED: FRANKIE WHITE: The pianist, guitarist and singer-songwriter invokes the 1990s alt-rock influences of Weezer, Marcy Playground and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 863-1648.

outdoors

MOUNT MANSFIELD HIKE: The Green Mountain Club leads a challenging 6-mile hike to the Mount Mansfield Ridge. Call for meeting location. Free; preregister; space is limited. Info, 356-9863.

sports

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See THU.18, 6:35 p.m.

tech

MORNING TECH HELP: Experts answer questions about phones, laptops, e-readers and more in one-on-one sessions. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 846-4140.

theater

‘CINDERELLA’: See THU.18

‘EVERY BRILLIANT THING’: See THU.18.

‘THE PROM’: See THU.18, 7:30 p.m.

‘PIPPIN’: Full Circle Theater Collaborative revives the 1972 musical by award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz about a young man’s quest for an extraordinary life. Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10-15. Info, amy@fullcircletheater.com.

‘PILLOWS ALL THE WAY DOWN’: See WED.17. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, 7 p.m.

‘UNCLE VANYA’: The barn-based theater ensemble stages a modern take on the Anton Chekhov classic about a family of landed gentry tearing apart at the seams, directed by Alex Brown. Unadilla Theater, Marshfield, 7:30 p.m. $15-30. Info, 229-0492.

SAT.20 bazaars

ARNOLD’S RESCUE CENTER

COMMUNITY MARKET: Visitors peruse a variety of food, crafts and other items to benefit rescue animals. Arnold’s Rescue Center, Brownington, 9 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 239-872-7333.

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.17.

dance

CHIMERA ART CO-LAB: NEW WORKS: Artists unveil works in progress, followed by a discussion with the audience. Phantom Theater, Edgcomb Barn, Warren, 8-9 p.m. $20. Info, tracy@madriver.com.

THE JUNCTION DANCE FESTIVAL 2024: See THU.18, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. etc.

GEM, MINERAL AND FOSSIL SHOW: Lovers of lapidary descend on Vermont’s largest show of its kind to see, buy and learn about natural specimens and jewelry. Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $3-4; free for kids under 16 with a paying adult. Info, vtbgmc@ gmail.com.

film

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

‘THE CAMERAMAN’: Buster Keaton’s classic 1928 silent comedy screens with live musical accompaniment as a lovesick man tries but fails to impress the girl of his dreams. Brandon Town Hall, 7 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, brandontownhallfriends@ gmail.com.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.17.

‘JUST GETTING BY’: See FRI.19, 7 p.m.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.17.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17.

WILLISTON FILM FESTIVAL: See FRI.19, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Rainbow Junction

JUL. 20-27 | LGBTQ

Pride happens in July in White River Junction with a weeklong series of events, starting with a Saturday dance party fueled by DJ Dagon spinning gay anthems at the Main Street Museum and closing with a parade and festival at Veterans Park. Drag Story Hour queens Katniss Everqueer and Emoji Nightmare host a book reading and drag trivia, while Big Gay Movie Night promises high camp and low raunch. Don’t miss Queeraoke, a Pride hike and the keynote speech by “Dykes to Watch Out For” cartoonist Alison Bechdel.

WRJ PRIDE

Saturday, July 20, through Saturday, July 27, at various times and locations in downtown White River Junction. Free. Info, 356-2776, mainstreetmuseum.org.

food & drink

BURLINGTON FARMERS MARKET:

Dozens of stands overflow with seasonal produce, flowers, artisanal wares and prepared foods. 345 Pine St., Burlington, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 560-5904.

CAPITAL CITY FARMERS MARKET: Meats and cheeses join farmfresh produce, baked goods, locally made arts and crafts, and live music. 133 State St., Montpelier, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 272-6249.

ADVENTURE DINNER: HEIRLOOM

BOTANICAL: SOLD OUT. Diners enjoy cocktails or mocktails infused with herbs from the farm plus four chef-prepared courses in a gorgeous pastoral setting. Wilson Farm, Greensboro, 6-8:30 p.m. $175. Info, 248-224-7539.

ST. JOHNSBURY FARMERS

MARKET: Growers and crafters gather weekly at booths centered on local eats. Pearl St. & Eastern

Ave., St. Johnsbury, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, cfmamanager@gmail. com.

VERMONT BREWERS FESTIVAL:

See FRI.19, noon-4 & 5:30-9:30 p.m.

games

BEGINNER DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Waterbury Public Library game master Evan Hoffman gathers novices and veterans for an afternoon of adventuring. Virtual option available. Waterbury Public Library, noon-4 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

BOARD GAME BRUNCH: The Friendly Tabletop Gamers of Essex and Beyond host a morning game-play session for anyone 18 and up. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

CHESS CLUB: Players of all ages and abilities face off and learn

new strategies. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

lgbtq

WRJ PRIDE: A week of rainbow revelry includes a dance party, a gay movie night, a hike, a parade, a talk by cartoonist Alison Bechdel, and queer trivia hosted by Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer. See calendar spotlight. Main Street Museum, White River Junction, 1-2, 7 & 9 p.m. Free. Info, 356-2776.

music

BANDWAGON SUMMER

SERIES: PAHUA AND MERIDIAN BROTHERS: The Mexican electronic-folk singer and the experimental Latin-tropical band offer up psychedelic tunes. Cooper Field, Putney, 6 p.m.

$20-15; free for children under 12. Info, 387-0102.

BRAHMS AND BEETHOVEN: ROMANI AND SCOTTISH SONGS: Three Vermont classical musicians join local professional chamber choir Counterpoint for a concert that also includes works by Fanny Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann and Béla Bartók. Salisbury Congregational Church, 7:30 p.m. $5-15; free for kids under 10. Info, 802-540-1784.

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

BTV MARKET MUSIC: MARY

ESTHER CARTER: A soul singer

digs deep and channels the influences of Ella Fitzgerald, Cat Power and Tom Waits in a playlist of folk, blues and hip-hop. Burlington City Hall Park, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

CHETFEST PRESENTS JADED

RAVINS WITH JIMMY RYAN AND FRIENDS: Music lovers enjoy a blend of soulful Americana, classic rock and bluegrass. Wayside Farm, Brookfield, 5-10 p.m. $25. Info, cdabbot@gmail.com.

COOLER IN THE MOUNTAINS

CONCERT SERIES: JERRY DUTY: A nationally touring Grateful Dead tribute act thrills with a high-energy performance and free-flowing improvisation. Killington Resort, 3-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 236-6796.

FAIR SPARROW: Central Vermont musicians Patti Casey, Ally Tarwater and Susannah Blachly blend their melodious voices with flute, ukulele, fiddle and guitar. The Old Meeting House, East Montpelier, 5-6:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 249-0404. JANE BOXALL: The adventurous percussionist introduces audiences to the versatility of the solo marimba. Frank Suchomel Memorial Arts Center, Adamant, 7:30-9 p.m. Free. Info, 229-6978.

MARLBORO MUSIC FESTIVAL: Pianists Mitsuko Uchida and Jonathan Biss oversee a series of classical concerts over five weekends. Persons Auditorium, Potash Hill campus, Marlboro, 8-9:30 p.m. $20-40. Info, 254-2394.

MUSIC IN THE PARK WITH QUADRA: The veteran Vermont

rockers jam out for an annual community gathering. Bring a chair or blanket. Isle La Motte Recreation Field, 5-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, bethilmco37-ilmco@yahoo. com.

SUPER STASH BROTHERS: Locals raise a glass to the weekend at the South End beer garden while the Killington band regales with an eclectic mix of tunes. The Pinery, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free. Info, info@thepineryvt.com.

THE WORMDOGS: A bluegrass band plays among the blueberries as picking season begins. See calendar spotlight. Knoll Farm, Fayston, 6:30-9 p.m. $25. Info, 496-5685.

ZOE & CLOYD: Fiddler and vocalist Natalya Zoe Weinstein and multi-instrumentalist and singer John Cloyd Miller pay homage to

their klezmer and bluegrass roots. Seven Stars Arts Center, Sharon, 7-9 p.m. $22.07 in advance; $25 day of show. Info, 763-2334.

outdoors

FLY FISHING WORKSHOP: Outdoorsman Bill Whitehair teaches a class on the basics of fly fishing, including equipment, fly selection and casts. Bring gear if available; limited rod and reel combos provided. Duxbury Land Trust, North Duxbury, 5-7 p.m. Free; cost of fishing license for ages 15 and older. Info, 651-788-2868.

STERLING POND HIKE: Hikers join the Green Mountain Club for a relaxed-to-moderate 2.3-mile trek and discussion of the unique geology of the area, with a swim in the pond to follow. Smugglers’

Notch Resort, Jeffersonville. Call for start time and meeting location. Free; preregister; space is limited. Info, 558-9177.

québec

AMERICAN-CANADIAN TOUR

CAN-AM 200: Stock car action revs up with $10,000 on the line in an international showdown. Autodrome Montmagny Speedway, 5-6 p.m. Info, 244-6963.

sports

ROUND CHURCH WOMEN’S RUN: Runners who identify as women or are nonbinary hit the road for an out-and-back 5K or 10K to benefit Girls on the Run. Round Church, Richmond, 7:30 a.m. $30; preregister. Info, info@gmaa.run.

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See THU.18, 6:05 p.m.

tech

BASICS FOR BEGINNERS: ONLINE SAFETY AND SECURITY: Web users boost their internet safety savvy in this class to build confidence while online. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon1:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 865-7217.

theater

‘THE BEGINNING AFTER THE END OF HUMANITY CIRCUS AND GAZA GREY LADY CANTATA’: Bread and Puppet’s summer show incorporates puppetry, dancing and acrobatics to explore themes of grief, death, genocide and — ultimately — hope. Bread and SAT.20 » P.68

Puppet Theater, Glover, 3 p.m. $10; by donations for kids under 6; preregister. Info, 525-3031.

‘CINDERELLA’: See THU.18, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

‘EVERY BRILLIANT THING’: See THU.18, 5 p.m.

‘PIPPIN’: See FRI.19, 7 p.m.

‘PILLOWS ALL THE WAY DOWN’: See WED.17. Parker Pie, West Glover, 4 & 7 p.m.

‘THE PROM’: See THU.18, 7:30 p.m.

‘UNCLE VANYA’: See FRI.19.

words

WRITERS’ WERTFREI: Authors both fledgling and published gather to share their work in a judgment-free environment. Virtual option available. Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m.noon. Free; preregister. Info, judi@ waterburypubliclibrary.com.

SUN.21

agriculture

GARDENS OF WATERBURY: A

SELF-GUIDED GARDEN TOUR:

An annual stroll showcases six gardens in and around Waterbury, Waterbury Center and Duxbury. Wesley United Methodist Church, Waterbury, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $22; free for kids under 12. Info, hoogenboom.ruth@gmail.com.

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.17.

COMMUNITY CARE DAY: Volunteers hand out food, clothing and other necessities to community members in need. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

HUMAN CONNECTION CIRCLE: Neighbors share stories from their lives and forge deep connections. Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info,

humanconnectioncircle@gmail. com.

crafts

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.17.

dance

THE JUNCTION DANCE FESTIVAL

2024: See THU.18, 2 & 5 p.m.

SUNDAY SERVICE: Local DJs bring their own unique styles to a biweekly outdoor dance party. Rotary Park, Winooski, 2-7 p.m. Free. Info, info@downtownwinooski.org.

etc.

GEM, MINERAL AND FOSSIL SHOW: See SAT.20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. film

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

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.17.

‘JUST GETTING BY’: See FRI.19, 1:30 p.m.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.17.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17.

food & drink

STOWE FARMERS MARKET: An appetizing assortment of fresh veggies, meats, milk, berries, herbs, beverages and crafts tempts shoppers. Stowe Farmers Market, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, stowefarmersmarket@gmail. com.

VERMONT FRESH NETWORK’S 26TH ANNUAL FORUM DINNER: Farmers, chefs, and specialty food and beverage artisans from across the state prepare a sensational meal for fine-food enthusiasts. Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms, 5-8 p.m. $150. Info, 434-2000.

VERSHIRE ARTISAN & FARMERS MARKET: Foodies, farmers and their friends buy and sell freshgrown produce and handmade treasures. Vershire Town Center,

FAMI LY FU N

mad river valley/ waterbury

TINY TOTS STORY TIME: Little tykes have fun, hear stories and meet new friends with Ms. Cynthia. Ages 3 and under. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

upper valley

ART IN THE PARK: See FRI.19.

STORY TIME WITH BETH: A bookseller and librarian extraordinaire reads two picture books on a different theme each

12:30-3:30 p.m. Free. Info, vershiremarket@gmail.com.

WINOOSKI FARMERS MARKET: Families shop for fresh produce, honey, meats, coffee and prepared foods from a gathering of seasonal vendors at an outdoor marketplace. Winooski Falls Way, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 655-6410.

health &

fitness

KARUNA COMMUNITY

MEDITATION: A YEAR TO LIVE

(FULLY): Participants practice keeping joy, generosity and gratitude at the forefront of their minds. Jenna’s House, Johnson, 10-11:15 a.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, mollyzapp@live.com. lgbtq

WRJ PRIDE: See SAT.20, 9 a.m. & 6 p.m.

music

LEVITT AMP ST. JOHNSBURY MUSIC SERIES: ALBANNACH: Scottish Celtic musicians rock the hillside with drums, pipes and a didgeridoo. Dogs welcome. Dog Mountain, St. Johnsbury, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2600.

BACK TO THE GARDEN 1969: THE WOODSTOCK EXPERIENCE: Versatile musicians pay tribute to the sound and spirit of the legendary event by re-creating performances from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin and others. Essex Experience, 7-10 p.m. $18-40. Info, 878-4200.

BURLINGTON CONCERT BAND: Whitney Lussier directs free concerts weekly in the band’s 173rd season. Battery Park, Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, l.solt@ burlingtontelecom.net.

HALCYON CHORALE: The Northeast Kingdom ensemble combines works by Renaissance and contemporary composers in a program of ethereal and meditative music. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, 7 p.m. $20 suggested donation. Info, 748-2372.

week. Norwich Bookstore, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 649-1114.

northeast kingdom

STORY TIME: See THU.18, 2-2:30 p.m.

brattleboro/okemo valley

‘THUMBELINA’: See SAT.20. Riverside Park, Springfield, 6 p.m.

TUE.23

burlington

INTRO TO IMPROV WITH VERMONT COMEDY CLUB’S RACHAEL SHERMAN: Teen and tween jokesters learn how to “yes, and” each other to create short comedic scenes. Fletcher Free

MARLBORO MUSIC FESTIVAL: See SAT.20, 2:30-4 p.m.

PLAY EVERY TOWN #61: Pianist David Feurzeig continues his project playing free concerts across Vermont to raise awareness about climate change, performing with composer and bassist Kyle Saulnier. East Monkton Church, Bristol, 4-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 434-3819.

ROCHESTER CHAMBER MUSIC

SOCIETY: Three violinist and a cellist delight with a program that includes “The Lark Ascending” by Ralph Vaughn Williams. Federated Church of Rochester, 4-6 p.m. Free; donation. Info, 767-9234.

SUNDAY SESSIONS: The patio at Tavern on the Tee restaurant hosts tunes from a variety of musicians. Open to the public. Ralph Myhre Golf Course, Middlebury, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 443-5125.

sports

VERMONT SUN BRANBURY

CLASSIC: Triathletes tackle a 1.5-mile paddle, 14-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run on a spectacular course at the foot of Rattlesnake Point. Branbury State Park, Salisbury, 8:30 a.m. $110-155. Info, 388-6888.

talks

JESSICA STRAUS AND BRENDAN

REID: The artist and conservation ecologist, respectively, talk about the pressures on the North Atlantic cod population, particularly the fishery that Straus explores in her current BMAC multimedia installation, “Stemming the Tide.” Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, 2 p.m. Free; registration recommended. Info, 257-0124, ext. 101.

GARY SHATTUCK: The historian, author and former federal prosecutor discusses “Substance Abuse and Abortion: Surviving Health Challenges in 19th Century Vermont.” Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, Burlington, 2-3 p.m. Free. Info, 865-4556.

Library, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

SING-ALONG WITH LINDA BASSICK: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers sing, dance and wiggle along with Linda. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1111:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

FAMILY STORY TIME: Lively little ones gather for short stories, familiar songs, rhymes and fingerplays. Ages 5 and under. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

GAME CHANGERS: New board games and old favorites delight players in grades 4 and up. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

OUTDOOR STORY TIME: Youngsters enjoy a sunny session of reading,

theater

‘THE BEGINNING AFTER THE END OF HUMANITY CIRCUS AND GAZA GREY LADY CANTATA’: See SAT.20.

‘CINDERELLA’: See THU.18, 2 p.m.

‘EVERY BRILLIANT THING’: See THU.18, 3 p.m.

‘PIPPIN’: See FRI.19, 2 p.m.

‘PILLOWS ALL THE WAY DOWN’: See WED.17. Bread and Puppet Theater, Glover, 5 p.m.

‘THE PROM’: See THU.18, 2 p.m.

‘RIGOLETTO’: Giuseppe Verdi’s popular opera follows a court jester who becomes embroiled in a tangle of passion, jealousy and vengeance. Projected English subtitles accompany the Italian songs. Opera North, Lebanon N.H., 5 p.m. $30-67.50. Info, 603-448-0400.

‘UNCLE VANYA’: See FRI.19, 2 p.m. words

BACK ROADS READINGS:

‘REMEMBERING GALWAY’: Poets read the work of Galway Kinnell on the 10th anniversary of his death. Reception and book signing follows. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 633-4956.

PHOENIX FABLES BOOK CLUB: Fantasy book lovers discuss Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher. Phoenix Books, Rutland, 2 p.m. Free. Info, 855-8078

WORDS IN THE WOODS: ALISON

PRINE: The Vermont poet reads from her latest collection, Loss and its Antonym, winner of the 2023 Sappho’s Prize in Poetry.

Mount Philo State Park, Charlotte, 11 a.m. Free; preregister; park entry fee covered by Vermont Humanities. Info, 262-2626.

MON.22

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.17.

rhyming and singing with Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. Birth through age 5. Williston Town Green, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

northeast kingdom

LAPSIT STORY TIME: Babies 18 months and younger learn to love reading, singing and playing with their caregivers. Siblings welcome. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 745-1391.

WED.24

burlington

IMAGINATION STATION: See WED.17.

TODDLER TIME: See WED.17.

film

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

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.17.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.17.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17. games

MONDAY NIGHT GAMES: Discounted wine by the glass fuels an evening of friendly competition featuring new and classic board games, card games, and cribbage. Shelburne Vineyard, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 985-8222.

health & fitness

FARM & FOREST YOGA FLOW: Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park ranger and yoga teacher Jen Jackson leads a balanced asana practice. Billings

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

chittenden county

ADVENTURES IN PLAY: See WED.17, 10-10:45 a.m.

CONSTELLATION STORIES & SCIENCE: See WED.17, 4-5, 5:30-6:30 & 7-8 p.m.

SUMMER BABYTIME: See WED.17.

SUMMER CRAFTYTOWN: See WED.17.

barre/montpelier

HERBAL SOAPMAKING: A hands-on workshop for ages 4 and up uses herbs to craft soap that makers can take home. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581, jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail. com.

upper valley

FOREST DISCOVERY CENTER: See WED.17. K

offer Vermont’s only advanced, documented* non-surgical alternatives that use your body’s own cells to help repair damage to joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves. If physical therapy, medication, cortisone injections or surgery haven’t been effective, a Regenexx procedure may be the right option for you.

Our advanced procedures are more concentrated and purer than the platelet rich plasma created by automated machines used at most clinics. This increases it‘s ability to stimulate the body‘s natural healing response. All procedures are performed with high-level imaging guidance to ensure the most accurate placement of cells Into the desired areas. All evaluations and procedures are performed by physicians who are board-certiﬁed super-specialists educated in interventional orthobiologics (Dr. Jonathan Fenton and Dr. Kelsey Albert). Initial evaluations include a hands-on physical exam and diagnostic ultrasound to determine if you are a candidate for orthobiologic procedures.

Jonathan Fenton, DO, FAAPM&R Kelsey Albert, DO, FAAPM&R 321 Main St, Winooski • (802) 859-0000

VermontRegenerativeMedicine.com

4t-VTregenerativemedicine061924.indd

fix and feather with Nest Notes — an e-newsletter filled with home design, Vermont real estate tips and DIY decorating inspirations.

Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 5:15-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 457-3368.

language

ENGLISH CONVERSATION

CIRCLE: Locals learning English as a second language gather in the Digital Lab to build vocabulary and make friends. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

ITALIAN BOOK CLUB: An intermediate-level Italian language book club discusses La Città del Sorriso by Alessandro Corallo and Gianluca Somaschi. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

lgbtq

WRJ PRIDE: See SAT.20, 7 p.m.

music

SAMBATUCADA OPEN

REHEARSAL: Burlington’s own samba street percussion band welcomes new members. No experience or instruments required. 8 Space Studio Collective, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 862-5017.

ST. JOHNSBURY BAND: The nation’s third-oldest community band regales locals during a weekly ice cream social. Caledonia County Courthouse, St. Johnsbury, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, manager@stjohnsburyband.org.

VERGENNES CITY BAND

SUMMER CONCERTS: An all-volunteer community ensemble makes music on the green all summer long. Vergennes City Park, 7-8 p.m. Free. Info, sodaniel27@gmail.com.

TUE.23

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.17.

CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION GROUP: Brownell Library holds a virtual roundtable for neighbors to pause and reflect on the news cycle. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

dance

SWING DANCING: Local Lindy hoppers and jitterbuggers convene at Vermont Swings’ weekly boogie-down. Bring clean shoes. North Star Community Hall, Burlington, beginner lessons, 6:30 p.m.; dance, 7:30-9 p.m. $5. Info, 864-8382.

film

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

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.17.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.17.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17.

food & drink

FOOD TRUCK POP-UP: A diverse selection of cuisines rolls up as foodies enjoy live music. Three Rivers Path Trailhead Pavilion, Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, St. Johnsbury, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 748-8575.

health & fitness

QI GONG FOR VITALITY & PEACE: Librarian Judi Byron leads students in this ancient Chinese practice of mindful movement and breath. Waterbury Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com.

TRANQUIL MUSIC MEDITATION: Tibetan bowls and gongs reverberate in a calming sonic backdrop for meditation. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140. language

PAUSE-CAFÉ FRENCH

CONVERSATION: Francophones and French-language learners meet pour parler la belle langue Burlington Bay Market & Café, 5-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 343-5493. lgbtq

STI & VACCINE CLINIC: LGBTQ+ folks access free screenings and vaccines, including shots for flu, tetanus, HPV, hepatitis A and B, shingles, and diphtheria. Pride Center of Vermont, Burlington, 5:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 860-7812.

WRJ PRIDE: See SAT.20, 7:30 p.m.

music

FAIRLEE SUMMER CONCERT

SERIES: Outdoor audience members take in a show from a new band each week. Fairlee Town Common, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, contact@fairleearts.org.

TUESDAY NIGHT LIVE: THE

STEPPES: A five-piece rock band from central Vermont creates musical fusion with originals and eclectic covers. Legion Field, Johnson, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 730-2943.

talks

VERMONT CONVERSATIONS:

Experts compare notes on challenges and opportunities related to housing, climate change, technology and entrepreneurship in Vermont. Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester, 5:30-7 p.m. $22. Info, 867-0111.

tech

ESSENTIALS OF CAMERA OPERATION: Participants improve their photography and

videography skills with exposure, shutter speed, depth of field and more. The Media Factory, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 651-9692.

theater

‘PILLOWS ALL THE WAY DOWN’: See WED.17. Historic ParkMcCullough, North Bennington, 6 p.m.

words

SUMMER ENVIRONMENTAL

BOOK CLUB: Climate-concerned readers discuss Cary J. Griffith’s Gunflint Falling: Blowdown in the Boundary Waters, the true story of a devastating 1999 storm in the Midwest. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-3403.

BURLINGTON

LITERATURE GROUP: Readers analyze two novels by Iris Murdoch, Under the Net and The Black Prince over 10 weeks. 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, info@nereadersandwriters.com.

POETRY GROUP: A supportive drop-in group welcomes those who would like to share and listen to poetry. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 846-4140.

WED.24

business

QUEEN CITY BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL GROUP: See WED.17.

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.17.

CURRENT EVENTS: Neighbors have an informal discussion about what’s in the news. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 878-4918.

crafts

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.17, 5-7 p.m.

film

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

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.17.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.17.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.17.

food & drink

DANVILLE FARMERS MARKET: See WED.17.

PIZZA SOCIAL: Farm-fresh slices are on the menu at a family-run certified-organic farm. Golden Russet Farm & Greenhouses, Shoreham, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $15-30; free for BIPOC; preregister; space limited. Info, 434-4122.

WEDNESDAY’S GRILL & CHILL: See WED.17.

WHAT’S THAT WINE

WEDNESDAYS: See WED.17.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA: See WED.17.

language

BEGINNER IRISH LANGUAGE CLASS: See WED.17.

ELL CLASSES: ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS AND INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS: See WED.17.

INTERMEDIATE IRISH LANGUAGE CONVERSATION AND MUSIC: See WED.17.

music

CRAFTSBURY CHAMBER PLAYERS: See WED.17.

JAMIE LEE THURSTON: Vermont’s own honky-tonk superstar showcases his powerful singing and punchy picking. Sam Mazza’s Farm Market, Bakery &

Greenhouses, Colchester, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, smazzafarm@gmail. com.

MILTON BUSKER & THE GRIM WORK: See WED.17.

MUSIC ON THE BRICKS: THE SO ‘N SOS: The musical collaboration between former Burlington band Be-er and solo artist Lil Sickles rocks downtown with high energy and whiskey-soaked ballads. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 863-1648.

MUSIC ON THE GREEN: See WED.17, 6-8 p.m.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE

TENNIS CLUB: See WED.17.

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See THU.18, 6:35 p.m.

talks

SARAH ALLARD AND AVREE

KELLY CLARK: A museum trustee and author, respectively, mark the 150th anniversary of the murder of local schoolteacher Marietta Ball with a presentation, reading and Q&A. Live stream available. Saint Albans Museum, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 527-7933.

tech

CELLPHONE SUPPORT: Locals receive one-on-one mobile device help from a library volunteer. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

theater

‘RIGOLETTO’: See SUN.21, 7 p.m. PIPPIN: Weston Theater Company tells the story of Pippin, a young prince who longs for an extraordinary life. Walker Farm, Weston, 7:30-10 p.m. $59-79. Info, 824-5288.

‘PILLOWS ALL THE WAY DOWN’: See WED.17. Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, Burlington, 7 p.m. ➆

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.

culinary

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

COOKIE DECORATING

CLASS: Join this Christmas-in-Julythemed class and learn how to decorate cookies like a pro! Leave with knowledge of making royal icing and techniques behind using it. u., Jul. 25, 6-8 p.m. Cost: $65.

Location: Red Poppy Cakery, 1 Elm Street, Waterbury Village. Info, sevendaystickets.com.

kids

SUMMER DAY CAMPS AT CAMP MEADE: Supervised after-camp activities are available until 5 p.m. Visit campmeade.today for more details! Exploriments Camp: Jul. 22-26. Crafty experiments and messy projects at the intersection of science and art. Outer Space Art Camp: Jul. 29-Aug. 2. Children create their outer-space art using clay, painting, drawing and collage. Pop Star Camp: Jul. 29-Aug. 2. Songwriting and stage performance for aspiring musical icons! Rise-Up Rock Camp:

Aug. 12-16. Campers collaborate as a band and sharpen their music skills. Glassmaking Camp: Aug. 1923. Practice the mesmerizing art of glassmaking! Cost: $295-375 for 5-day, half-day camp tuition. Location: Camp Meade, 961 Rte. 2, Middlesex. Info: Jarret Dury-Agri, 802-828-7121, hello@planetary artinstitute.org, campmeade.today/ art-and-music-programs.

martial arts

AIKIDO: THE WAY OF HARMONY: Cultivate core power, aerobic ﬁtness and resiliency. e dynamic, circular movements emphasize throws, joint locks and the development of internal energy. Not your average “mojo dojo casa house.” Inclusive training and a safe space for all. Scholarships and intensive program are available for serious students. Visitors are always welcome! Basic classes 5 days/ week. Membership rates incl. unlimited classes. Contact us for info about membership rates for adults, youths & families. Location: Aikido of Champlain Valley, 257 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 802-951-8900, bpincus@burlingtonaikido.org, burlingtonaikido.org.

massage

ABHYANGA MASSAGE

TRAINING: Learn our signature one-therapist treatment, which is a set of rhythmic strokes applied in a beautiful, loving and nourishing way with the intent to open the channels of the body and release stagnant prana. You will learn the beneﬁts of oil massage, marma points and a full body routine. Fri., Aug. 9, 5-7 p.m. (incl. kitchari dinner); Sat. & Sun., Aug. 10 & 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $495. Location: e Ayurvedic Center of Vermont, 34 Oak Hill Rd., Williston. Info: Allison Morse, 802-872-8898, info@ayurvedavermont.com, ayurvedavermont.com.

shamanism

APPRENTICESHIP IN

SHAMANISM: Rare opportunity to apprentice locally in a shamanic tradition. Five weekends over a year; the ﬁrst one is Sep. 20-22. Location: St. Albans. Info: thomas.mock1444@gmail. com or text 802-369-4331, heartofthehealer.org.

housing » APARTMENTS, CONDOS & HOMES on the road » CARS, TRUCKS, MOTORCYCLES pro services » CHILDCARE, HEALTH/ WELLNESS, PAINTING buy this stuff » APPLIANCES, KID STUFF, ELECTRONICS, FURNITURE music »

INSTRUCTION, CASTING, INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE jobs »

NO SCAMS, ALL LOCAL, POSTINGS DAILY

Birdie Humane Society of

AGE/SEX: 10-year-old spayed female

ARRIVAL DATE: June 24, 2024

SUMMARY: Birdie is a sensitive senior sweetheart who’s ready for a fresh start! Your heart will absolutely melt when she puts her head in your lap and gazes up at you with her big, beautiful eyes. is girl has a gentle demeanor and, despite her age, she is a spry and active lady! Birdie loves to explore the outdoors and enjoys donning her favorite outﬁts for the occasion, and she’s always up for snuggling and a nice afternoon nap. Searching for a special canine companion who deserves a second chance? Come meet Birdie and see if she could be your new best friend!

DOGS/CATS/KIDS: Birdie is tolerant of other dogs but would prefer to be the only dog in her home. She lived with dog-savvy cats in a previous home and tolerated them well. Birdie is generally tolerant of children but may be most successful with teens and adults.

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.

DID YOU KNOW?

July is National Pet Hydration Awareness Month! As the summer heats up, keep your pets cool and hydrated with lots of fresh water, and be sure to educate yourself about the early warning signs of pet dehydration.

by:

Chittenden County

Sponsored

CLASSIFIEDS

housing

HOUSEMATES

GREAT BARRE

OPPORTUNITY

Enjoy separate unit on beautiful Barre property w/ independent senior man & his dog. Some help w/ light cleaning & companionship welcomed. $650, negotiable. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.

ROOMY SHELBURNE CONDO

Share roomy condo in Shelburne w/ retired educator who enjoys mah-jongg & community activities. She’d love to share an occasional meal or outing! Private BA. $650, all incl. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont.

org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.

on the road AUTO

DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY

Running or not! Fast, free pickup. Maximum tax deduction. Support Patriotic Hearts. Your car donation helps veterans! 1-866-5599123. (AAN CAN)

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

services: $12 (25 words) fsbos: $45 (2 weeks, 30 words, photo) jobs: michelle@sevendaysvt.com, 865-1020 x121

FSBO $505,000 6 rooms, 1.5 baths, porch, deck with wooded view. 1903 Brand Farm Drive, South Burlington, VT. 802-985-9743 for sale by owner FSBO 2-BEDROOM TOWNHOUSE

fsbo-Urie052224.indd

for a health condition that prevents you from working for a year or more. Call now! 1-877247-6750. (AAN CAN)

FREE AUTO INSURANCE QUOTES

For uninsured & insured drivers. Let us show you how much you can save! Call 855-569-1909. (AAN CAN)

FINANCIAL/LEGAL

DISABILITY BENEFITS

You may qualify for disability beneﬁ ts if you are between 52-63 y/o & under a doctor’s care

CLASSIFIEDS KEY

HEALTH/ WELLNESS

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE BY MD

Treating leaky gut, food sensitivities, eczema, acne & more. Dr. Maria Azizian MD, IFM certiﬁ ed, offers personalized functional medicine care. Self-schedule televisit at ilabmd.com or call 508-444-6989.

STRENGTH FOR WOMEN I empower women through embodied strength training, fostering independence & vitality for years to come. Let’s start today! Free consultation at itsbod.com. Email esme. goldﬁ nger@gmail.com.

HOME/GARDEN

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 1-866-370-2939. (AAN CAN)

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

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

print deadline: Mondays at 3:30 p.m. post ads online 24/7 at: sevendaysvt.com/classiﬁeds questions?

GARAGE/ESTATE SALES

ESTATE SALE

Antiques, household, midcentury modern, quality lighting, furniture, old tools, vehicles & more. rough Jul. 24. Online at estate salesofvermont. com or estatesales.net.

MOVING SALE/OPEN HOUSE

42 Plattsburg Ave., Burlington. Sat., Jul. 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Many items avail.: Furniture, entertainment, kitchen items, books, children’s yard structures & many others.

CONSIGNMENTS WANTED

Firearms, Edged Weapons and Armor, Vintage Military Vehicles and Collectibles, Antique Fishing Tackle, Vintage and Antique Ammunition Boxes, Decoys, Firearms Parts & Accessory Items AUCTION STARTS CLOSING: TUESDAY, JULY 23 @ 10AM ONLINE ONLY AUCTION: (1603) Automotive & Machine Shop with

PEST CONTROL

Protect your home from pests safely & affordably. Roaches, bedbugs, rodents, termites, spiders & other pests. Locally owned & affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-237-1199. (AAN CAN)

WATER DAMAGE

CLEANUP & RESTORATION

A small amount of water can lead to major damage & mold growth in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family & your home’s value! Call

Find, fix and feather with Nest Notes — an e-newsletter filled with home design, Vermont real estate tips and DIY decorating inspirations. Sign up today at sevendaysvt.com/enews.

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

BED FOR SALE

Amish-made queen walnut bookcase, no tools needed. Bunkie Board queen foundation. Sealy Stearns Foster Estate Soft 530088 queen mattress. $2,100. Contact hopefulvt78@gmail.com or 802-495-1954.

PETS

CUTE CORGIPOO PUPPIES

Hypoallergenic, friendly, loving, happy puppies. Shots & health guarantee. $650. E. Hardwick, Vt. Contact: 802-595-5345.

8v-NestNotes-filler-21.indd 1 4/13/21 4:39 PM

WANT TO BUY

MEN’S WATCHES WANTED

Men’s sport watches wanted. Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Here, Daytona, GMT, Submariner & Speedmaster. Paying cash for qualiﬁed watches. Call 888-3201052. (AAN CAN)

PORSCHE WANTED

24-7: 1-888-290-2264. Have zip code of service location ready when you call! (AAN CAN)

MOVING/HAULING

DEREKCO EXCAVATING

ELECTRONICS

ACOUSTIC RESEARCH SPEAKERS AR-3a speakers. Certainly not pristine but appear to be matching, w/ consecutive serial numbers. More

Excavation, light land clearing/leveling, stonework/retaining walls, sonotubes, drainage/ditch work, demo, storm cleanup, brush hogging, driveway grading, hauling/ light trucking, gravel, stone, mulch & much more! Fully insured. We accept all major credit cards, Venmo & checks. Call 802-310-4090 or email:derek@ derekcoexcavating.com. buy this stuff

photos avail. $799/OBO. Cash only. No shipping/ delivery. As-is. Info, monkeysticky@gmail. com

FENDER

STRATOCASTER

Fender Stratocaster w/ case. Serial no. DZ1148004. $3,000. Known artist. Contact hopefulvt78@gmail.com or 802-495-1954.

FURNITURE

ENTERTAINMENT

CENTER

Like new. 2 shelves & glass doors. 44”x28”x25”. $250. Call 802-660-9843.

Old & rusty OK! Don’t ship to Germany; keep in Vermont! I’ll buy anything & restore. Parts, panels, engines, cars. Any year, 1950-1998. Contact 802-391-0882.

TOP CASH FOR OLD GUITARS

1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico & Stromberg + Gibson mandolins & banjos. Call 877-589-0747. (AAN CAN)

CALCOKU BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: ★★★

SUDOKU BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: ★★★

Fill the grid using the numbers 1-6, only once in each row and column. e numbers in each heavily outlined “cage” must combine to produce the target number in the top corner, using the mathematical operation indicated. A one-box cage should be ﬁlled in with the target number in the top corner. A number can be repeated within a cage as long as it is not the same row or column. ANSWERS ON P.76

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. e same numbers cannot be repeated in a row or column.

WANT MORE PUZZLES?

Try these online news games from Seven Days at sevendaysvt.com/games.

Put your knowledge of Vermont news to the test.

See how fast you can solve this weekly 10-word puzzle.

Legal Notices

PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF VERMONT

e Vermont General Assembly is proposing voters amend the Constitution of the State of Vermont as follows:

Proposal 3: is proposal would amend the Constitution of the State of Vermont to provide that the citizens of the State have a right to collectively bargain.

Article 2* of Chapter I of the Vermont Constitution is added to read:

Article 2*. [Right to collectively bargain] at employees have a right to organize or join a labor organization for the purpose of collectively bargaining with their employer through an exclusive representative of their choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours, and working conditions and to protect their economic welfare and safety in the workplace. erefore, no law shall be adopted that interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to collectively bargain with respect to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment and workplace safety, or that prohibits the application or execution of an agreement between an employer and a labor organization representing the employer’s employees that requires membership in the labor organization as a condition of employment.

Proposal 4: is proposal would amend the Constitution of the State of Vermont to specify that the government must not deny equal treatment and respect under the law on account of a person’s race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin.

Article 2* of Chapter I of the Vermont Constitution is added to read:

Article 2*. [Equality of rights] at the people are guaranteed equal protection under the law. e State shall not deny equal treatment under the law on account of a person’s

race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin. Nothing in this Article shall be interpreted or applied to prevent the adoption or implementation of measures intended to provide equality of treatment and opportunity for members of groups that have historically been subject to discrimination.

ACT 250 NOTICE

MINOR APPLICATION 4C1200-2

10 V.S.A. §§ 6001 - 6111

Application 4C1200-2 from New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC, c/o DRM PLLC, 199 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05402-0190 and Nancy Jenkins, LLC, 140 Kennedy Drive #102, South Burlington, VT 05403 was received on June 24, 2024 and deemed complete on July 8, 2024. e project is generally described as modiﬁ cations to an existing telecommunications project including construction of a new 4 foot x 10 foot concrete pad with a generator, installation of electrical conduits, and associated grounding. All proposed excavation and construction work will take place within 30 feet of the existing AT&T Shelter Area. e project is located at 271 Leavensworth Road in Hinesburg, Vermont. e application may be viewed on the Natural Resources Board’s website (http://nrb.vermont.gov) by clicking “Act 250 Database” and entering the project number “4C1200-2.”

No hearing will be held and a permit will be issued unless, on or before July 30, 2024, a party notifi es the District 4 Commission in writing of an issue requiring a hearing, or the Commission sets the matter for a hearing on its own motion. Any person as defi ned in 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1) may request a hearing. Any hearing request must be in writing, must state the criteria or subcriteria at issue, why a hearing is required, and what additional evidence will be presented at the hearing. Any hearing request by an adjoining property owner or other person eligible for party status under 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1)(E) must include a petition for party status under the Act 250 Rules. To request party status and a hearing, fi ll out the Party Status Petition Form on the Board’s website: https://nrb.vermont.gov/documents/

party-status-petition-form, and email it to the District 4 Ofﬁ ce at: NRB.Act250Essex@vermont. gov. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law may not be prepared unless the Commission holds a public hearing.

For more information contact Stephanie H. Monaghan at the address or telephone number below.

Dated this July 9, 2024.

By: Stephanie H. Monaghan

District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452

802-261-1944

stephanie.monaghan@vermont.gov

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 24-PR-03861

In re ESTATE of Ellen Osborne Coolidge NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Ellen Osborne Coolidge, late of Shelburne, Vermont.

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the ﬁ rst publication of this notice. e claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. e claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: 07/09/2024

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Matthew Coolidge

Executor/Administrator: Matthew Coolidge, c/o David E. Peterson, Gravel & Shea PC, PO Box 369, Burlington, VT 05402 phone: 802-658-0220

email: dpeterson@gravelshea.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 07/17/2024

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

ACT 250 NOTICE

MINOR APPLICATION 300007-17

10 V.S.A. §§ 6001 - 6111

Application 300007-17 from RMH Management, LP and Mochi Investments, LLC, Royal Group, was received on May 28, 2024 and deemed complete on July 3, 2024. is permit speciﬁ cally provides after-the-fact authorization for the construction of a 10,800 square foot warehouse building and supporting infrastructure on a 1.4 -acre parcel within the Griswold Industrial Park. is permit also approves modiﬁ cations to the grade on the east side of the building, the installation of three 12x12 foot overhead doors, and the installation of new, compliant site lighting. e project is located at 151 Avenue C in Williston, Vermont. e application may be viewed on the Natural Resources Board’s website (http://nrb.vermont. gov) by clicking “Act 250 Database” and entering the project number “300007-17.”

No hearing will be held and a permit will be issued unless, on or before July 30, 2024, a party notifi es the District 4 Commission in writing of an issue requiring a hearing, or the Commission sets the matter for a hearing on its own motion. Any person as defi ned in 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c) (1) may request a hearing. Any hearing request must be in writing, must state the criteria or subcriteria at issue, why a hearing is required, and what additional evidence will be presented at the hearing. Any hearing request by an adjoining property owner or other person eligible for party status under 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1)(E) must include a petition for party status under the Act 250 Rules. To request party status and a hearing, fi ll out the Party Status Petition Form on the Board’s website: https://nrb.vermont.gov/documents/ party-status-petition-form, and email it to the District 4 Offi ce at: NRB.Act250Essex@vermont. gov. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law may not be prepared unless the Commission holds a public hearing.

For more information contact Kaitlin Hayes at the address or telephone number below. Dated this July 9, 2024.

By: /s/ Kaitlin Hayes Kaitlin Hayes District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 (802) 622-4084 kaitlin.hayes@vermont.gov

NORTHSTAR SELF STORAGE WILL BE HAVING A PUBLIC AND ONLINE SALE/AUCTION FOR THE FOLLOWING STORAGE UNITS ON JULY 25, 2024 AT 9:00 AM

Northstar Self Storage will be having a public and online sale/auction on July 25, 2024 at 9am EST at 205 Route 4A West, Castleton, VT 05735 (C92, C94), 1124 Charlestown Road, Springﬁ eld, VT 05156 (Units CC28, S23, S56, S58, S95, S108, S125), 681 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, VT 05151 (R19, R67, R83), 615 Route 7, Danby VT 05739 (D02) and online at www.storagetreasures.com at 9:00 am in accordance with VT Title 9 Commerce and Trade Chapter 098: Storage Units 3905. Enforcement of Lien

CC28 Jessica Fiore Household Goods

S23 Marie Heard Household Goods

S56 Helena Bundy Household Goods

S58 Kayla Malcolm Household Goods

S95 Shawna Smith Household Goods

S108 Bobbie Bennett Household Goods

S125 Arden Sanborn Household Goods

R19 Laura Lockerby Household Goods

R67 Melinda Bussino Household Goods

R83 Tera Murray Household Goods

C92 Katelyn Myers Household Goods

C94 Ruth Varney Household Goods

D02 Kimberlie Clark Household Goods

INVITATION TO BID

Greenprint Partners, acting as Project Manager, seeks qualified contractors for a Vermont Schools Green Infrastructure Stormwater Improvements for the location listed below. Federal Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE), Women-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Minority-Owned contractors and suppliers, and Small Businesses are strongly encouraged to submit a bid proposal.

Project Description: The project consists of stormwater improvements at various schools to meet the Vermont Stormwater Rules.

Locations of the work are as follows:

Poultney Elementary School, 96 School Circle, Poultney, VT 05764

QuestCDN Project Number 9217412

Schedule: Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2024 and be substantially completed by October 31, 2024.

The construction work involves the installation of various stormwater improvements including, but not limited to: disconnection areas, and dry wells.

These projects are subject to Davis Bacon wage rates compliance and with Build America Buy America provisions.

Any interested subcontractors and suppliers should visit the following website for information on obtaining bidding documents: www.QuestCDN. com. For additional information please send an email to the construction project manager: Howard@greenprintpartners.com

BURLINGTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2024, 5:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

Hybrid & In Person (at 645 Pine Street) Meeting Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83225696227 ?pwd=SGQ0bTdnS000Wkc3c2J4WWw1dzMxUT09

Webinar ID: 832 2569 6227

Passcode: 969186

Telephone: US +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799

1. ZAP-24-5; 151 Ledge Road (RL, Ward 6) J. Kathleen Tracy Appeal of administrative denial, ZP-24-176, to replace existing wooden clapboard siding with vinyl siding.

Plans may be viewed upon request by contacting the Department of Permitting & Inspections between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Participation in the DRB proceeding is a prerequisite to the right to take any subsequent appeal. Please note that ANYTHING submitted to the Zoning office is considered public and cannot be kept confidential. This may not be the final order in which items will be heard. Please view final Agenda, at www.burlingtonvt.gov/dpi/ drb/agendas or the office notice board, one week before the hearing for the order in which items will be heard.

The City of Burlington will not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information. The City is also committed to providing proper access to services, facilities, and employment opportunities. For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at (802) 540-2505.

ACT 250 NOTICE

MINOR APPLICATION 4C1353-1

10 V.S.A. §§ 6001 - 6111

Application 4C1353-1 from Handy’s Hotels and Rentals, LLC, Attn: Gabriel Handy, 197 Pearl Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452 was received on June 26, 2024 and deemed complete on July 10, 2024. The project is generally described as revisions to the previously approved Sunderland

Apartments project (LUP 4C1353) consisting of changing the placement of the building on the parcel and increasing the number of units from 34 to 39. The project is located at 227-229 Pearl Street in the City of Essex Junction, Vermont. The application may be viewed on the Natural Resources Board’s website (http://nrb.vermont. gov) by clicking “Act 250 Database” and entering the project number “4C1353-1.”

No hearing will be held and a permit will be issued unless, on or before August 2, 2024, a party notifies the District 4 Commission in writing of an issue requiring a hearing, or the Commission sets the matter for a hearing on its own motion. Any person as defined in 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c) (1) may request a hearing. Any hearing request must be in writing, must state the criteria or subcriteria at issue, why a hearing is required, and what additional evidence will be presented at the hearing. Any hearing request by an adjoining property owner or other person eligible for party status under 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1)(E) must include a petition for party status under the Act 250 Rules. To request party status and a hearing, fill out the Party Status Petition Form on the Board’s website: https://nrb.vermont.gov/documents/ party-status-petition-form, and email it to the District 4 Office at: NRB.Act250Essex@vermont. gov. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law may not be prepared unless the Commission holds a public hearing.

For more information contact Stephanie H. Monaghan at the address or telephone number below.

Dated this July 12, 2024. By: Stephanie H. Monaghan

District 4 Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 802-261-1944

stephanie.monaghan@vermont.gov

ACT 250 NOTICE MINOR APPLICATION 4C1042-3

10 V.S.A. §§ 6001 - 6111

Application 4C1042-3 from East Engineering, PLC, 13 Jolina Court, Second Floor, Richmond, VT 05477 and Eden Sand & Gravel Company, Inc., 1159 Foote Brook Road, Johnson, VT 05656 was received on July 1, 2024 and deemed complete on July 8, 2024. The project is generally described as subdivision of a 39.6 +/- acre parcel into Lot 1 of 38.1 +/- acres, which will continue to be operated as a sand and gravel pit as authorized in Land Use Permit Amendment 4C1042-2, and Lot 2 of 1.54 +/- acres, which will be improved with a 1,500 +/- square-foot commercial office/shop structure, a 600 +/- square-foot one-bedroom accessory dwelling unit, and associated driveway, parking, wastewater disposal, and water supply improvements. The project is located off Kenyon Road, approximately one half of a mile south of the I-89 overpass, in Richmond, Vermont. The application may be viewed on the Natural Resources Board’s website (http://nrb.vermont.gov) by clicking “Act 250 Database” and entering the project number “4C1042-3.”

For more information contact Kevin Anderson at the address or telephone number below. Dated this July 12, 2024.

By: /s/ Kevin Anderson

Kevin Anderson

District Coordinator 10 Baldwin Street Montpelier, VT 05633 802-522-6074 Kevin.Anderson@vermont.gov

WARNING & NOTICE SPECIAL WARD 3 ELECTION

The legal Ward 3 voters of the City of Burlington, Vermont are hereby warned and notified to come and vote at a Special Ward 3 Meeting on Tuesday, the 13th of August, 2024 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the voting place hereinafter named and designated as polling place: Ward Three: Sustainability Academy, 123 North St.

The polls are open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of electing a city officer as follows:

WARD THREE – one Ward Three School Commissioner, Term Ending April 6th, 2026.

Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Mayor Dated this 5 day of July, 2024.

NOTICE TO VOTERS FOR AUGUST 13TH SPECIAL WARD 3 ELECTION BURLINGTON, VT

BEFORE ELECTION DAY:

CHECKLIST POSTED at Clerk’s Office by Sunday, July 14, 2024. If your name is not on the checklist, then you must register to vote. You may also check your voter registration status at https:// mvp.vermont.gov. SAMPLE BALLOTS will be posted by Saturday, August 3rd, 2024.

HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE: There is no deadline to register to vote. You will be able to register to vote on the day of the election. You can register prior by visiting the City Clerk’s office or going online to olvr.vermont.gov.

EARLY or ABSENTEE BALLOTS: All registered Burlington voters in Ward 3 will be automatically mailed absentee ballots for this election. The latest you can request ballots to be mailed for the August 13th, 2024 Special Ward Election is by the close of the City Clerk’s office at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 9th, 2024. Ballots can be requested in-person at the City Clerk’s office until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, August 12th, 2024.

WAYS TO VOTE YOUR EARLY BALLOT:

• Mail or deliver the ballot mailed to you back to the City Clerk’s Office before Election Day, drop off at one of the City’s five Drop Boxes, or return it to your polling place before 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.

• Please contact the City Clerk’s Office if you have not received your ballot in the mail by July 5th.

• If you are sick or disabled before Election Day, ask the City Clerk to have two Justices of the Peace bring a ballot to you at your home. (Ballots can be delivered on any of the eight days preceding the day of the election or on the day of the election.)

ON ELECTION DAY:

If your name was dropped from the checklist in error, or has not been added even though you submitted a timely application for addition to the checklist, you can fill out a new registration form.

• If the Clerk or Board for Registration of Voters does not add your name, you can appeal the decision to a Superior Court Judge, who will settle the matter on Election Day. Call the Secretary of State’s Office at 1-800-439-VOTE (439-8683) for more information.

If you are a first time voter who submitted your application to the checklist individually by mail and did not submit the required document, you must provide a current and valid photo identification, OR a bank statement, utility bill, or government document that contains your name/ current address.

If you have physical disabilities, are visually impaired or can’t read, you may have assistance from any person of your choice. If any voters you know have disabilities, let them know they can have assistance from any person of their choice. You may also use the accessible voting system to mark your ballot. If you want to use the accessible voting system tell the entrance checklist official. An election official will take you to the accessible ballot marking device, enter a security code, and then leave you to mark and print your ballot privately. More details about our accessible ballot marking device are available at https://sos. vermont.gov/elections/voters/accessible-voting/

If you know voters who cannot get from the car into the polling place let them know that ballot(s) may be brought to their car by two election officials.

If you have any questions or need assistance while voting, ask your City Clerk or any election official for help.

NO PERSON SHALL:

• Vote more than once per election, either in the same town or in different towns.

• Mislead the Board for Registration of Voters about your own or another person’s true residency or other eligibility to vote.

• Hinder or impede a voter going into or from the polling place.

• Socialize in a manner that could disturb other voters in the polling place.

• Offer, bribe, threaten or exercise undue influence to dictate or control the vote of another person.

FOR HELP OR INFORMATION: Call the Secretary of State’s Office at 1-800-439-VOTE (439-8683). (Accessible by TDD)

If you believe that any of your voting rights have been violated, you may file an Administrative Complaint with the Secretary of State’s Office, 128 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633.

If you believe you have witnessed efforts to commit any kind of fraud or corruption in the voting process, you may report this to your local United States Attorney’s Office.

If you have witnessed actual or attempted acts of discrimination or intimidation in the voting process, you may report this to the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice at (800) 253-3931.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR VOTERS using Vote Tabulator Ballots

CHECK-IN AND RECEIVE BALLOTS:

• Go to the entrance checklist table.

• Give name and, if asked, street address to the election official in a loud voice.

• Wait until your name is repeated and checked off by the official.

• An election official will give you a ballot.

• Enter within the guardrail and go to a vacant voting booth.

MARK YOUR BALLOT: For each office listed on the ballot, you will see instructions to “Vote for not more than one, or Vote for not more than two, etc.”

• To vote for a candidate, fill in the oval to the right of the name of the candidate you want to vote for.

• WRITE-IN candidate(s). To vote for someone whose name is not printed on the ballot, use the blank “write-in” lines on the ballot and either write in the name or paste on sticker, then fill in the oval.

CAST YOUR VOTE by depositing your voted ballot into the vote tabulating machine.

LEAVE the voting area immediately by passing outside the guardrail.

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT

PROBATE DIVISION GRAND ISLE UNIT

DOCKET NO.: 24-PR-03939

In re ESTATE of Beatrice Mary Rourke

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Legal Notices

To the creditors of: Beatrice Mary Rourke, late of Isle La Motte, Vermont

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: July 12, 2024

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Paul R. Morwood, Esq.

PLACE AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LEGAL-NOTICES OR CALL 802-865-1020, EXT. 142.

Executor/Administrator: Paul R. Morwood, Esq., 333 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT 05403 phone: 802-862-2135 email: morwood.paul@gmail.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 07/17/2024

Name of Probate Court: State of Vermont – Grand Isle Probate Unit Address of Probate Court: PO Box 7, North Hero, VT 05474

PURSUANT TO THE VERMONT SELF-STORAGE FACILITY ACT SEC. 2.9 V.S.A CHAPTER 98 UNITS WILL SOLD BY SEALED BID.

Viewing by appointment. Call us At 802-891-9374 to schedule.

Support Groups

A CIRCLE OF PARENTS FOR MOTHERS OF COLOR

Please join our parent-led online support group designed to share our questions, concerns & struggles, as well as our resources & successes! Contribute to our discussion of the unique but shared experience of parenting. We will be meeting weekly on Wed., 10-11 a.m. For more info or to register, please contact Heather at hniquette@pcavt.org, 802-498-0607, pcavt. org/family-supportprograms.

A CIRCLE OF PARENTS FOR SINGLE MOTHERS

Please join our parent-led online support group designed to share our questions, concerns & struggles, as well as our resources & successes! Contribute to our discussion of the unique but shared experience of parenting. We will be meeting weekly on Fri., 10-11 a.m. For more info or to register, please contact Heather at hniquette@pcavt.org, 802-498-0607, pcavt. org/family-supportprograms.

A CIRCLE OF PARENTS W/ LGBTQ+ CHILDREN

Please join our parent-led online support group designed to share our questions, concerns & struggles, as well as our resources & successes! Contribute to our discussion of the unique but shared experience of parenting. We will be meeting weekly on Mon., 10-11 a.m. For more info or to register, please contact Heather at hniquette@pcavt.org, 802-498-0607, pcavt.

org/family-supportprograms.

AL-ANON

For families & friends of alcoholics. Phone meetings, electronic meetings (Zoom), & an Al-Anon blog are avail. online at the Al-Anon website. For meeting info, go to vermont alanonalateen.org or call 866-972-5266.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Do you have a drinking problem? AA meeting sites are now open, & online meetings are also available. Call our hotline at 802 864-1212 or check for in-person or online meetings at burlingtonaa.org.

ALL ARTISTS SUPPORT GROUP

Are you a frustrated artist? Have you longed for a space to “play” and work? Let’s get together and see what we can do about this! Text anytime or call 802-777-6100.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS

Support groups meet to provide assistance & info on Alzheimer’s disease & related dementias. They emphasize shared experiences, emotional support & coping techniques in care for a person living w/ Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Meetings are free & open to the public. Families, caregivers & friends may attend. Please call in advance to confirm date & time. 4 options: 1st Mon. of every mo., 2-3 p.m., at the Residence at Shelburne Bay, 185 Pine Haven Shores, Shelburne; 4th Tue. of every mo., 10-11

Appts for viewing and sealed bidding will be 8/1 9:00 AM-4:30 PM

Bid will be opened on 8/1 at 4:45 PM. Winning bidder will be notified by phone.

5x10 – Ashleigh Tillson & Chad Limoge

10x10 – Richard Kendall, Kayla Davis, Sherry Wilford & Justin Hall-Stasiuk

10x20 – James LaChance, Bill Dailey (2) & John Buckley

Storage unit will be sold as one lot.

All winning bidders will be required to pay a

CONTACT CLASSIFIEDS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM OR 802-865-1020 EXT. 115 TO UPDATE YOUR SUPPORT GROUP

$100.00 deposit which will be refunded once unit is left empty and broom swept clean.

The winning bid must remove all contents from the facility by the end of the weekend corresponding with date of bid acceptance at no cost to ez access self storage. We reserve the right to reject any bid lower than the amount owed by the occupant. We reserve the right to remove any unit from the auction should current tenant bring his or her account current with full payment prior to the start of the auction.

Storage Unit Address: 387 Route 7 South, Milton, Vermont

a.m., at the Residence at Quarry Hill, 465 Quarry Hill Rd., South Burlington; 2nd Tue. of every mo., 5-6:30 p.m., at the Alzheimer’s Association Main Office, 300 Cornerstone Dr., Suite 130, Williston; 2nd Mon. of every mo., 6-7:30 p.m., at Milton Public Library, 39 Bombardier Rd., Milton. For questions or additional support group listings, call 800-272-3900.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION TELEPHONE SUPPORT GROUP

2nd Tue. monthly, 4-5:30 p.m.

Preregistration is req. (to receive dial-in codes for toll-free call). Please dial the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24-7 Helpline, 800-2723900, for more info.

BABY BUMPS SUPPORT GROUP FOR MOTHERS & PREGNANT WOMEN

Pregnancy can be a wonderful time of your life. But it can also be a time of stress often compounded by hormonal swings. If you are a pregnant woman, or have recently given birth & feel you need some help w/ managing emotional bumps in the road that can come w/ motherhood, please come to this free support group led by an experienced pediatric registered nurse. Held on the 2nd & 4th Tue. of every mo., 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Birthing Center, Northwestern Medical Center, St. Albans. Info: Rhonda Desrochers, Franklin County Home Health Agency, 527-7531.

BETTER BREATHERS CLUB

American Lung Association support

group for people w/ breathing issues, their loved ones or caregivers. Meets on the 1st Mon. of every mo., 11 a.m.-noon at the Godnick Center, 1 Deer St., Rutland. For more info call 802-776-5508.

BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP Vermont Center for Independent Living offers virtual monthly meetings, held on the 3rd Wed. of every mo., 1-2:30 p.m. The support group will offer valuable resources & info about brain injury. It will be a place to share experiences in a safe, secure & confidential environment. To join, email Linda Meleady at lindam@vcil.org & ask to be put on the TBI mailing list. Info: 800-639-1522.

BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF VERMONT Montpelier daytime support group meets on the 3rd Thu. of every mo., at the Unitarian Church ramp entrance, 1:30-2:30 p.m. St. Johnsbury support group meets on the 3rd Wed. of every mo., at the Grace United Methodist Church, 36 Central St., 1-2:30 p.m. Colchester evening support group meets on the 1st Wed. of every mo., at the Fanny Allen Hospital in the Board Room Conference Room, 5:30-7:30 p.m. White River Jct. meets on the 2nd Fri. of every mo., at Bugbee Sr. Ctr. from 3-4:30 p.m. Call our helpline at 877-856-1772.

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

The Champlain Valley Prostate Cancer Support Group will be

held every 2nd Tue. of the mo., 6-7:45 p.m. via conference call. Newly diagnosed? Prostate cancer reoccurrence? General discussion & sharing among survivors & those beginning or rejoining the battle. Info, Mary L. Guyette RN, MS, ACNS-BC, 274-4990, vmary@aol.com.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

Overcome any hurt, habit or hang-up in your life w/ this confidential 12-step, Christ-centered recovery program. We offer multiple support groups for both men & women, such as chemical dependency, codependency, sexual addiction & pornography, food issues, & overcoming abuse. All 18+ are welcome; sorry, no childcare. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; we begin at 7 p.m. Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Rd., Essex Junction. Info: recovery@essex alliance.org, 878-8213.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

Celebrate Recovery meetings are for anyone struggling w/ hurt, habits & hangups, which include everyone in some way. We welcome everyone at Cornerstone Church in Milton, which meets every Fri. from 7-9 p.m. We’d love to have you join us & discover how your life can start to change. Info: 893-0530, julie@ mccartycreations.com.

CENTRAL VERMONT CELIAC SUPPORT GROUP

Last Thu. of every mo., 7:30 p.m. in Montpelier. Please contact Lisa Mase for location: lisa@

harmonizecookery. com.

CEREBRAL PALSY GUIDANCE

Cerebral Palsy

Guidance is a very comprehensive informational website broadly covering the topic of cerebral palsy & associated medical conditions. Its mission is to provide the best possible info to parents of children living w/ the complex condition of cerebral palsy. Info, cerebral palsyguidance.com/ cerebral-palsy.

CODEPENDENTS

ANONYMOUS

CoDA is a 12-step fellowship for people whose common purpose is to develop healthy & fulfilling relationships. By actively working the program of Codependents Anonymous, we can realize a new joy, acceptance & serenity in our lives. Meets Sun. at noon at the Turning Point Center, 179 S. Winooski Ave., Suite 301, Burlington. Tom, 238-3587, coda.org.

DECLUTTERERS’ SUPPORT GROUP

Are you ready to make improvements but find it overwhelming? Maybe 2 or 3 of us can get together to help each other simplify. 989-3234, 425-3612.

DISCOVER THE POWER OF CHOICE!

SMART Recovery welcomes anyone, including family & friends, affected by any kind of substance or activity addiction. It is a science-based program that encourages abstinence. Specially trained volunteer facilitators provide

leadership. Sun. at 5 p.m. The meeting has moved to Zoom: smartrecovery.zoom. us/j/92925275515. Volunteer facilitator: Bert, 399-8754. You can learn more at smartrecovery.org.

DIVORCE CARE SUPPORT GROUP

Divorce is a tough road. Feelings of separation, betrayal, confusion, anger & self-doubt are common. But there is life after divorce. Led by people who have already walked down that road, we’d like to share w/ you a safe place & a process that can help make the journey easier. This free 13-week group for men & women will be offered on Sun., 5:30-7:30 p.m., Sep. 8-Dec. 1, at the North Avenue Alliance Church, 901 North Ave., Burlington. Register for class at essexalliance. churchcenter.com. For more info, call Sandy 802-425-7053.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT

Steps to End Domestic Violence offers a weekly drop-in support group for female-identified survivors of intimate partner violence, including individuals who are experiencing or have been affected by domestic violence. The support group offers a safe, confidential place for survivors to connect w/ others, to heal & to recover. In support group, participants talk through their experiences & hear stories from others who have experienced abuse in their relationships. Support group is also a resource for those who are unsure of their next step, even if it involves remaining in their

current relationship. Tue., 6:30-8 p.m. Childcare is provided. Info: 658-1996.

EMPLOYMENTSEEKERS SUPPORT GROUP

Frustrated w/ the job search or w/ your job?

You are not alone. Come check out this supportive circle. Wed. at 3 p.m., Pathways Vermont Community Center, 279 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington. Info: Abby Levinsohn, 777-8602.

FAMILY & FRIENDS OF THOSE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

This support group is a dedicated meeting for family, friends & community members who are supporting a loved one through a mental health crisis. Mental health crisis might include extreme states, psychosis, depression, anxiety & other types of distress. The group is a confidential space where family & friends can discuss shared experiences & receive support in an environment free of judgment & stigma w/ a trained facilitator. Wed., 7-8:30 p.m. Downtown Burlington. Info: Jess Horner, LICSW, 866-218-8586.

FAMILY RESTORED: SUPPORT GROUP FOR FRIENDS & FAMILIES OF ADDICTS & ALCOHOLICS

Wed., 6:30-8 p.m., Holy Family/St. Lawrence Parish, 4 Prospect St., Essex Junction. For further info, please visit thefamilyrestored. org or contact Lindsay Duford at 781-960-3965 or 12lindsaymarie@ gmail.com.

YOUR TRUSTED LOCAL SOURCE.

Aids & Appliances Clerk

VERMONT PUBLIC IS HIRING!

We are Vermont’s unified public media organization (formerly VPR and Vermont PBS), serving the community with trusted journalism, quality entertainment, and diverse educational programming.

• Social Media Specialist

• Managing Editor and Senior Producer, Vermont Edition

• Broadcast EngineerStudio

We believe a strong organization includes employees from a range of backgrounds with different skills, experience & passions.

To see more openings & apply: vermontpublic.org/ careers.

Must be able to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Vermont Public is a proud equal opportunity employer.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

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

Aids and Appliance Clerk needed for the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in our South Burlington office. Duties include ordering, shipping and receiving, inventory and recordkeeping for the Agency's materials and equipment. Applicant should be skilled in Microsoft Office and OneNote; possess excellent telephone and people skills; be able to multi-task and be detail-oriented; database experience is desirable but will train. 30 hours per week, starting at the end of August. Excellent benefits package. EOE. E-mail resume to mfox@vabvi.org

Craft Beer Delivery Driver

The Craft Beer Delivery Driver is responsible for ensuring the timely delivery of goods to predetermined customers on specific routes, reviewing orders prior to delivery, loading and unloading trucks, and providing exceptional customer service to The Beer Guy’s customer base. Apply: apply.workable.com/lawsons-finest-liquids/j/FD3CA989A1

Leasing Consultant/ Administrative Assistant

Property Management Company looking for an articulate, energetic people-person to join their team full-time (30 hours). Some tasks included in position are conducting property tours, communicating with prospective renters, processing applications, providing extraordinary customer service, scheduling appointments, taking the lead on the marketing efforts and community outreach, planning resident events and administrative tasks. Must be able to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Strong sales aptitude and computer proficiency is required.

The work schedule is Monday – Friday 10:30-5. Candidate must be flexible and willing to work as needed. If interested, e-mail resume to dfinnigan@hallkeen.com

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

KAS, Inc. is seeking an energetic person to join our team located in Williston, Vermont providing high quality environmental consulting services in the northeastern United States.

Senior Project Manager: Senior level project manager with 5+ years of environmental consulting experience to lead in remedial system design/implementation, geological and brownfields investigations, environmental site assessments, technical writing and more. Geology or Engineering degree is preferred.

KAS, Inc. is a dynamic company with great growth potential. Competitive salary and benefits. Submit a letter of interest and resume to:

KAS, Inc. · P.O. Box 787 · Williston, Vermont 05495 info@kas-consulting.com

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

We’re Hiring!

Employees enjoy competitive pay and benefits, including 13 paid holidays and generous paid time off.

Administrative Assistant

Assistant Safety & Security Manager

Learn more at lundvt.org/employment

Our mission: Lund helps children thrive by empowering families to break cycles of poverty, addiction and abuse. Lund offers hope and opportunity to families through

education, treatment, family support and adoption.

4t-Lund071724 1

Join Our Team as a Photographer at Merrill’s Auctions! •

Are you passionate about capturing the essence and value of unique items through photography? Merrill's Auctions is seeking a talented and dedicated Product Photographer to join our dynamic team.

Benefits: Competitive Pay commensurate with experience, 401(k), Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time).

As a Product Photographer at Merrill's Auctions, you will play a crucial role in showcasing our diverse range of auction items through high-quality photography.

Opportunity to grow and develop your career in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Please submit your resume, cover letter outlining your interest in the position, and a few examples of recent product photography to info@merrillsauction.com

Duties include:

City Market, Onion River Co-op is seeking an Assistant Safety & Security Manager who is responsible for supporting the Safety & Security team and various storewide aspects of City Market operations. This position provides a high degree of safety and support for shoppers, employees, and guests of the Co-op with an emphasis on customer service. Follow link to apply: bit.ly/45CnaCS

Town of Middlebury TOWN MANAGER

The Town of Middlebury is seeking an experienced leader to serve as its next Town Manager. As the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer, this position is responsible for working with the Selectboard to develop consensus on a clear vision for the Town and implement policies to achieve that vision. The Manager supervises department heads and works with them to establish short and long-range goals. The ideal candidate must be a strategic thinker skilled at developing and balancing budgets and seeking innovative financing options & revenue sources to maximize the Town’s success.

Submit a letter of interest including a statement identifying major achievements and résumé to: Middlebury Selectboard, c/o Crystal Grant, Executive Assistant to the Town Manager, cgrant@townofmiddlebury.org, Town Offices, 77 Main Street, Middlebury, Vermont 05753.

Resumes will be reviewed as they are received with the initial position closing on July 31, 2024. For more info, visit townofmiddlebury.org

Shipping & Receiving

WowToyz, in Vergennes, is seeking motivated individuals to join our warehouse team full-time, Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:00pm.

• Picking and packing orders

• Unloading trucks and receiving merchandise

• Shipping orders via UPS and over the road

• Ideal candidates are organized, dependable, enjoy physical work and are proactive self-starters. This is an opportunity to be part of a dynamic, growing company with room for advancement.

We recognize people as our most valuable asset. Our competitive salary and benefits package includes 401K with company match, dental insurance, medical insurance, prescription drug coverage, life insurance, paid sick time, paid holidays and paid vacations.

We o er competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience.

and resume to: resumes@wowtoyz.com

Vermont Tent Company is currently accepting applications for the following positions for immediate employment and future summer/fall employment starting in May. Full time, part time, after school and weekend hours available for each position.

Pay rates vary by position with minimum starting wage ranging from $19-$23/hour depending on job skills and experience. We also offer retention and referral bonuses. • Tent Maintenance

Tent Installation

Drivers/Delivery • Load Crew Team

Interested candidates submit application online: vttent.com/ employment

No phone calls, please.

4t-TownofMiddlebury071724.indd 1 7/16/24 1:27 PM

Financial Analyst

Vermont Bond Bank (the “Bond Bank”) is seeking a highly qualified individual to serve as Financial Analyst for the organization. The Financial Analyst is primarily responsible for data analysis, loan closing management, borrower loan repayment administration, and ongoing compliance monitoring. To guide this work, the Bond Bank has recently created a cloud-based Portfolio Management System to manage data and files associated with its portfolio of lending. The Financial Analyst will be the key point of contact for all updating and analysis within the System.

Unique to the Bond Bank is an active engagement with the compliance responsibilities associated with being an issuer of federally tax-exempt bonds. Learn more at: vtbondbank.org

Brand Ambassador /Promoter

Stone Fence is looking to grow our promotions team! We are looking for RELIABLE, outgoing, and enthusiastic representatives to sample and advocate for our spirits. Our Brand Ambassadors promote brand awareness and drive sales through live featured product demos/tastings.

Tastings are typically Thursday-Sunday for 2 hours. We are looking for someone that would be available a minimum of 1 day a week.

**Must be at least 21 years of age to apply.**

Please send us a copy of your resume to michelle@ stonefencebev.com.

Home Health & Hospice

When you care this much ... make it your career

The UVM Health Network Home Health & Hospice is hiring for the following roles:

Registered Nurses – $20,000 Sign on Bonus

Licensed Practical Nurses – $15,000 Sign on Bonus

Physical Therapists – $20,000 Sign on Bonus

By joining our team, your care will make a difference for patients and families. You will also have the opportunity to build your clinical skills through ongoing mentorship and professional development. Apply: homehealth.uvmhealthnetworkcareers.org

UVM Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

4t-UVMMedCenterNurses071724

TECHNICAL TRADES SUPERVISOR

(Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing)

3v-StoneFenceBeverage071724.indd 1 7/16/24 1:47 PM

Publication: Size: Notes:

Marketing and Partnerships Manager

Do you have a passion for Vermont, the mountains and skiing/snowboarding? Ski Vermont (the Vermont Ski Areas Association) seeks an energetic, outgoing, collaborative, and organized marketing person to join our team.

Mechanical: Proofreader: Seven Days color mbb, mbb, mbb 3.83” x 3.46” 98436 98436-98436

SPRUCE PEAK ARTS EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Spruce Peak Arts Center Foundation is seeking individuals with experience in office administration to aid Executive Director and provide admin support in a busy performing arts venue and not for profit organization. Ideal candidate is organized, selfmotivated, solution oriented and adaptable. College degree preferred but life/work experience can be offered in lieu of.

Schedule is built around show times with bulk of hours being standard business hours. Pay range starting at $40,000$45,000 plus medical & dental insurance depending on experience.

Please email resume to lhunter@sprucepeakarts.org

The Facilities Department at Saint Michael’s College is inviting applications for a full-time Technical Trades Supervisor. This position oversees all MEP systems and personnel to maintain a comfortable, safe, and efficient environment by providing timely responses to issues and ensuring all campus systems are fully operational. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, inspecting, maintaining, repairing, replacing, and testing all HVAC, fire protection, and plumbing systems and components throughout campus with internal personnel and/ or contractors; overseeing the functionality of commercial kitchen equipment and appliances, athletic pool, elevators, geothermal systems, building management systems, science lab hoods, etc.; overseeing and supporting the electrical department; assigning and/or addressing daily work orders; and participating in an on-call rotation for 1-week every 4-5 weeks.

Job# IO#: Screen:

For a complete job description, benefits information, and to apply online, please visit: bit.ly/SMCTTS

4t-StMichaelsCollege071724.indd 1

The marketing and partnerships manager promotes the top ski state in the East in collaboration with our member areas and partners. Responsibilities include advertising, promotions, email, and social media, securing and managing marketing partnerships, website content and associate membership sales and management. A minimum of two years’ marketing and social media experience, competency with MS Office products and Adobe Illustrator is required. Experience or familiarization with the ski and travel industry and Vermont is preferred. This position is located out of our office in Montpelier, VT, and requires some travel, weekend/evening schedule flexibility and a minimum of advanced intermediate skiing or snowboarding ability.

For benefits and info: skivermont.com/marketing-and-partnerships-manager To apply, please send a resume and cover letter detailing how your knowledge and experience matches the job description to info@skivermont.com

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community while showcasing your ﬁnancial expertise?

If this sounds like a good ﬁt for you, visit VERMONTCF.ORG/CAREERS for a complete job description and instructions for applying. SEEKING A CONTROLLER TO JOIN THE FINANCE TEAM

We are looking for a CPA with public accounting experience to oversee our financial health, ensure compliance, support our impactful initiatives, and provide leadership and financial expertise alongside the VP for Finance. Experience in nonprofit and/or fund accounting a plus.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

Now Hiring!

Join our Caring Team and Advance Your Career in Senior Living

WESTVIEW MEADOWS

• Medication Techs & Resident Services Assistants (evening & weekend shifts available)

• Dining Room Manager (varied weekdays & every other weekend)

THE GARY RESIDENCE

• Director of Nursing - RN (full time)

• Resident Care Director Assistant - LPN (full time)

• Medication Techs & Resident Services Assistants (all shifts available)

• Cook (full time)

Both facilities offer excellent work environments along with competitive pay and benefits.

5v-WestviewMeadows071024

MORE & APPLY westviewmeadows.com HR@westviewmeadows.com thegaryresidence.com

HR@thegaryresidence.com

SHARED LIVING PROVIDER

Join the Green Mountain Support Services team as a shared living provider for the opportunity to help a person in their 70’s live their best life. The ideal candidate will live in the Lamoille county or surrounding counties. You would be the lead caregiver, with access to respite. You must rent or own a handicapped accessible house or apartment where you and the participant will reside. The individual uses a power wheelchair and uses a Hoyer for transfers. The position requires someone who is comfortable providing full personal care including bathing, food preparation and feeding, and all other daily living activities. Training will be provided for all care and special care procedures. A handicap van for all transportation would be a perk but not a necessity. This individual also has two registered support parrots that must be welcome in the home.

At GMSS we use Person Centered Thinking Practices to help individuals have positive control and choice about the services they receive and the settings in which they live. The SLP will be supported with a tax-free Diﬃculty of Care stipend, training, and a respite budget. A negotiated Room & Board payment is also paid by the participant. Clean background checks and a home safety inspection are required prior to contracting. A clean driving record, a valid Vermont driver’s license, as well as homeowner or renter’s liability insurance are required. EOE.

If interested or for more information, please contact: Call 802-8887602 ext. 265. Visit gmssvt.org for more Information about Green Mountain Support Services. Annual Compensation $65,000-$75,000.

CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

HOPE Works, Vermont’s oldest and largest 501c3 nonprofit serving survivors of sexual violence in Chittenden County, VT, is seeking a Clinical Supervisor/ Therapist to develop and implement all aspects of the clinical programs of HOPE Works.

The Clinical Supervisor is responsible for therapeutic and clinical services and related administrative tasks. The ideal candidate must have experience with providing trauma-informed, survivor/client empowerment clinical interventions with victims of multiple abuse experiences, including child sexual abuse, teen sexual assault, and sex trafficking victimization. Experience working with trafficking survivors, professionals, and graduatelevel social work interns is strongly preferred. A license in Social Work or equivalent is required. Please see our website hopeworksvt.org for the full job description.

This position is a 32 hr/wk salaried exempt position. Starting salary range is $65k-67k annual salary with full health, dental, and vision insurance. HOPE Works offers generous paid time off, flexible hybrid work environment, as well as paid respite leave and professional development opportunities. Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to HOPE Works at admin@hopeworksvt.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

People with diverse lived experiences encouraged to apply. H.O.P.E. Works is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

5v-HopeWorks071024.indd 1

PAINTER

Looking for an experienced painter. $25/hour plus travel pay to start.

7/8/24

robinperreault65 @gmail.com

up!

Trusted, local employers are hiring in Seven Days newspaper and online. Browse 100+ new job postings each week.

Follow @SevenDaysJobs on Twitter for the latest job opportunities

DOWN? See who’s hiring at jobs.sevendaysvt.com

Case Administrator/

Case Administrator

We’re Hiring!

We offer competitive wages & a full benefits package for full time employees.

GENERAL MANAGER (AUTO) (Williston, Vermont)

This position is for the overall management of our Auto Auction Responsible for leading, directing and overseeing all activities of the auto auction business.

Salary + Performance Bonuses

Email: info@thcauction.com

AUTO AUCTION TECHNICIAN (Williston, Vermont)

Looking for a responsible, motivated, self-starter for busy Williston auto auction facility. Position works with the general manager and the office manager completing tasks both inside outdoors. Rate is $17-$20/Hour Email: info@thcauction.com

Thomas Hirchak Company is an at will employer. See more jobs at: THCAuction.com

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

duty station is Burlington, Vermont. Full federal beneﬁts apply. Complete job description and formal application requirements are found in the oﬃcial Position Announcement available from court locations in Burlington and Rutland and the court’s

individual with excellent and computer skills capable web site:

dynamic, teamoriewnted environment. The duty station is Burlington, Vermont. Full federal beneﬁts apply. Complete job description and formal application requirements are found in the oﬃcial Position Announcement available from court locations in Burlington and Rutland and the court’s web site: WWW.VTD.USCOURTS.GOV

Audiologist

Hearing and communication is vital to connection with family and friends, work and community - and YOU have the ability to shape the lives of those in need. Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) seeks a full-time Audiologist for our ENT & Audiology practice. Work with a team of committed professionals in a mixed specialty practice offering ENT, Audiology, Allergy, Speech-Language Pathology, and Palliative Care to perform diagnostic testing for all ages. Collaborate with ENT providers and Hearing Instrument Specialist, as well as manage hearing aid services, including assessments, fittings, and repairs. Located in Vermont’s beautiful Northeast Kingdom, NVRH offers competitive wages, student loan repayment, generous paid time off, and a comprehensive benefits package. Join us in providing exceptional patient-centered care that really makes a difference!

Apply now at www.nvrh.org/careers.

Evernorth’s vision is people in every community have an affordable place to live and opportunities to thrive. Our mission is to work with partners to connect underserved communities in the northern New England region with capital and expertise to advance projects & policies that create more inclusive places to live.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is part of the Executive and Senior Leadership Team that directs the finance team of Evernorth, its subsidiaries and is responsibility for all Finance, Tax, Audit and Capital Management functions. This position is responsible for the Evernorth real estate-owned loan portfolio, Treasury, investor reporting, maintains investor relationships and oversees the formation and operations of Evernorth’s multi-investor and proprietary funds. To be successful in this position, a candidate will have 10 or more years of executive leadership, a master’s degree in business or finance, experience in syndication, real estate development or affordable housing. Excellent communication skills are required with the ability to maintain positive and collaborative partnerships with senior staff and the Board of Directors.

To view the full job description and to apply, go to evernorthus.org/careers.

Evernorth is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

4t-NVRH052924.indd 1 5/24/24 1:41

DIRECTOR of

Land Protection

Stowe Land Trust seeks a full-time Director of Land Protection to lead our efforts in conserving the lands and waters of the Stowe area. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role oversees all land protection projects, strategic planning, and partnerships, ensuring the advancement of our conservation mission. Working closely with the Stewardship and Development teams, the Director of Land Protection plays a pivotal role in community engagement, fundraising, and conservation efforts. The ideal candidate possesses a minimum of 5 years' experience in land and water conservation, strong relationship-building skills, and proficiency in conservation easements and real estate transactions. GIS experience is a plus. Salary ranges from $6575k, depending on experience, with benefits including medical insurance, retirement plans & career development opportunities. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume by July 29 via our application page: tinyurl.com/amswfp9e

4t-StoweLandTrust071724.indd

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

MENTOR Vermont is a statewide non-profit organization that provides funding, resources, and support to the youth mentoring field in Vermont to strengthen the quality and broaden the reach of mentoring relationships in our communities.

Join us! Visit mentorvt.org to view the full job listing.

Senior System Installation Engineer, Beta Air LLC, South Burlington, VT. Prepare concepts & 3D CAD models of structures to support aircraft systems. Req. Bach. in Mech. or Aerospace Eng’g. + 7 yr. exp. w/Orig. Equip. Manufacturer (OEM) for either rotorcraft or fixed wing fuselage structures; 5 yr. exp. designing machine, sheet metal & composite parts using 3D CAD software (CATIA); 3 yr. exp. in Sys. Installation in Aerospace industry; & 3 yr. exp. in Aircraft Integration. 20% int’l travel. To apply, email resume to careers@beta.team.

WHERE YOU AND YOUR WORK MATTER

When you work for the State of Vermont, you and your work matter. A career with the State puts you on a rich and rewarding professional path. You’ll find jobs in dozens of fields – not to mention an outstanding total compensation package.

PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONIST III - BARRE

The Vermont Department of Health has a dynamic opportunity for an enthusiastic and experienced public health professional who wants to make a difference in the health of communities in beautiful central Vermont. We are seeking a well-organized and energetic Nutritionist with great communication and supervision skills to complete our public health team in the Barre District Office. For more information, contact Joan Marie Misek at joanmarie.misek@vermont.gov. Department: Health. Location: Barre. Status: Full Time. Job ID #48651 Application Deadline: July 23, 2024.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST IIMONTPELIER

The Economic Development Specialist position will assist the Department of Economic Development program managers in delivering the Department’s various programs. It will report administratively to the Deputy Commissioner of Economic Development. Additionally, the incumbent will provide consultative, administrative, and technical work at a professional level involving the development, management, and monitoring of various state grant programs administered by the Department. For more information, contact Brett Long at brett.long@ vermont.gov. Department: Economic Development. Location: Montpelier. Status: Full Time. Job ID #50487. Application Deadline: July 18, 2024.

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE I/II – BARRE

The Vermont Department of Health has a dynamic opportunity for an enthusiastic nurse who wants to make a difference in the health of communities in beautiful central Vermont. Seeking a well-organized and energetic Public Health Nurse with great communication to complete our team. This is not a patient care position. Starting rate may be negotiable based on experience and qualifications. For more information, contact Joan Marie Misek at joanmarie.misek@vermont.gov. Department: Health. Location: Barre. Status: Full Time, Limited Service. Job ID #50466 for level I and Job ID #50523 for Level II. Application Deadline: July 24, 2024.

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.

Library Support Senior - Interlibrary Loan - #S5175PO - The University Libraries is seeking an Interlibrary Loan staff member (Library Support Senior) to join our team. The position will coordinate processes and application of departmental procedures, use judgment in prioritization of work tasks, and perform operational functions of the Document Delivery & Interlibrary Loan (DD/ILL) Unit. Borrow research materials on behalf of University staff, students and faculty, and University of Vermont Medical Center employees. Lend research materials to reciprocating libraries and institutions. Provide scanned copies of research materials to university staff, students and faculty, and UVM MC employees. Participate in the development and implementation of library policy and procedure for interlibrary loan and document delivery. Manage records, data and files associated with the lending and borrowing aspects of DD/ILL.

Desirable Qualifications: Preferred library experience with ILL practices, ILL software, library catalogs and databases. Advanced search skills are highly desirable.

Candidates are required to submit a cover letter, résumé and contact information for three references. The search will remain open until the position is filled. For best consideration, complete applications should be received no later than August 2, 2024.

Library Support Senior - Howe Library - #S5176PO - The Howe Library is seeking an Evening Circulation staff member (Library Support Senior) to join our team. This position provides supervision of student employees and oversees security and safety during evening and weekend hours. Responsibilities include overseeing public service points, assist library users with problems and access issues, enforce library policy, oversee stacks maintenance, and coordinate projects with other library and university staff. This is a 9-month (August 16th - May 15th), 37.5 hour a week full-time position with a Sunday through Thursday schedule when classes are in session.

Candidates are required to submit a cover letter, résumé, and contact information for three references. The search will remain open until the position is filled. For best consideration, complete applications should be received no later than August 2, 2024.

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.

Seven Days Issue: 7/17

Due: 7/15 by 11am

Size: 3.83” x 7”

Cost: $570.35 (with 1 week online)

Open positions around the state serving with non-profit orgnizations.

For 11 months of service, you’ll

Service Term: September 9, 2024 through August 8, 2025 vhcb.org/americorps

Residential

Direct Support Professional

Why not have a job you love?

Benefit package includes 29 paid days off in the first year, comprehensive health insurance plan with premium as low as $13 per month, up to $6,400 to go towards medical deductibles and copays, retirement match, generous sign on bonus and so much more. And that’s on top of working at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” for five years running.

JOB HIGHLIGHT – RESIDENTIAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL:

Provide supports to an individual in their home and in the community in 24h shifts including asleep overnights in a private, furnished bedroom. You can work two days, receive full benefits and have five days off each week! Other flexible schedules available, starting wage is $21/hr.

Check out our website for other positions and work at an award-winning agency serving Vermonters with intellectual disabilities: ccs-vt.org/current-openings

Make a career making a difference and apply today!

Send resume to staff@ccs-vt.org 5h-ChamplainCommunityServices070324.indd

Furniture Installers

Office Environments is seeking experienced Lead Installers, Installers and Laborers interested in pursuing a career in contract furniture and architectural wall installation. Qualified Candidates will be working in a fast paced environment that requires attention to detail, a focus on quality and teamwork. A valid Driver's License and the ability to work a flexible schedule including overtime is essential. Send resumes to: kkelley@oei-vt.com

GLOBALFOUNDRIES

U.S., INC seeks Director IT & Cybersecurity Internal Audit, in Essex Junction, VT to eval & design solutions to IT infrastructure. Bachelor’s or foreign equiv in Business Mgmt, Info Tech, or related, plus 5 yrs exp. Salary Range: $195,175-$263k. Position requires up to 40% travel, domestic and international. Apply online at www.gf.com/ careers/# JR-2401763

CHIROPRACTIC FRONT DESK RECEPTIONIST

We are a holistic family wellness chiropractic practice seeking an individual with exceptional customer service and organizational skills.

Truck Body Paint Technician & Paint/Prep Workers (Hinesburg)

HIRING IMMEDIATELY! Manufacturer of custom truck bodies is looking for a Paint Technician & prep worker to add to our team. Looking for career minded individuals to grow with the company.

Compensation: Excellent starting wages

Employment type: full-time

Duties include:

•PREP WORKER: prepping truck bodies for painting; Sandblasting in our contained booth and sanding is part of the prep work. Experience preferred but will train the right candidate.

• PAINT TECHNICIAN: lead painter, for flawless finish & touch ups. Paint booth equipped shop. Auto body paint technician experience a big plus.

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am-3:30pm. 40hrs. Some O/T may be required.

Company Benefits Include:

•Health Insurance w/company contribution

•401k w/company match to 5%

•Paid Vacation. Paid Holidays

•Paid Life Insurance/ AD&D, STD, LTD

•Paid Sick Leave

Forward resume & cover letter to:

The ideal candidate is easily able to work independently and multi-task while simultaneously creating a fun, nurturing and inviting atmosphere for adults and children. They would have experience with front desk management, including maintaining the appointment schedule, collecting and documenting payments, verifying insurance coverage, insurance billing, patient correspondence by phone, email and text message and proficiency with learning new software program. 20-25 hrs per week M-TH. Join us in creating a warm and welcoming environment as we help people on their journey to greater health and well-being!

Salary: -$18-$22, commensurate with experience

Send Resumes to: info@familyfirstchiro.com

Interested in joining a team where your administrative skills and experiences can help advance Vermont’s natural resource conservation and climate resiliency efforts on its farms and forests?

The Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD) seeks qualified applicants for a full-time CONSERVATION PROGRAM ASSISTANT position. This position supports the work of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by providing administrative and organizational support to NRCS staff in facilitating and advancing conservation assistance programs offered by USDA to Vermont’s farm and forest landowners. This position will be located at Middlebury, VT NRCS Field Office. The Program Assistant (PA) will work in conjunction with NRCS’ Central Zone Field Office staff to support the implementation of USDA Farm Bill conservation programs and will be responsible for accurate documentation and

tracking of applications, contracts, and financial records utilizing customized software as well as communications with customers.

Excellent verbal, written, computer, and customer service skills are required. Ideal candidate will have demonstrated administrative skills and experience supporting business operations and will be well organized and able to work independently with accurate attention to detail. An Associate’s Degree is required. A Bachelor’s degree with an interest in conservation is preferred. Starting salary is $21.53 per hour and includes yearly salary advances, health benefits, an employer contribution 401K plan and a generous sick, holiday and vacation leave package.

Visit vacd.org for detailed job description. Send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references by July 24th to: Amanda Harris at amanda.harris@vacd.org or to VACD, PO Box 889, Montpelier, VT 05601.

VACD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

4t-FamilyFirstChiropractic071724

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

NOW HIRING SECURITY PROFESSIONALS

We are looking for experienced SECURITY PROFESSIONALS with an interest in making an impact on the safety of our community. Join our team!

• Ideal candidates would also be certified EMTs or have an interest in gaining certification.

• Variety of shifts are available across days, nights, and weekends.

For more information visit copleyvt.org/careers or contact Kaitlyn Shannon, Recruiter, at 802-888-8144 or kshannon@chsi.org.

Join Our Team

Red Clover Treatment Center in Middlesex, VT

NOW HIRING FOR ALL POSITIONS INCLUDING:

Academic

Educational Coordinator

Special Education Teachers

Academic Case Managers

Certified Classroom

Teachers

Residential

Community Leaders

Youth Counselors

Awake Overnight Counselors

Transporters

Cleaning Staff

Maintenance Staff

Leadership

Assistant Program Director

Mental Health Clinicians

HR Coordinator

Nurse

Our Trauma-informed program offers supportive living environments designed to change the lives of youths and families struggling with significant mental and behavioral health issues.

The academic staff will employ innovative strategies to help non-traditional students

Town

of Colchester

Communications Coordinator

$50k - $55k. Excellent Beneﬁts

Seeking a strong writer with creative storytelling and graphical abilities to enhance the consistency and delivery of public information across internal and external stakeholders. Develop and publish a weekly newsletter and informational social media content.

Prepare public reports on town activities; Compile packet for Selectboard meetings and publish on website; Summarize and post Selectboard agenda in physical and digital locations; Prepare annual Town Report and multi-media materials for public meetings; Draft responses to media requests; Maintain Town website; Maintain high level of awareness of town services and activities; Support the o ce of the Town Manager and Selectboard related to public meetings, events, appointments and some administrative responsibilities.

Excellent writing skills, bachelor’s degree 2+ years of relevant exp. or equivalent education and exp. in communications. Skilled at establishing and maintaining e ective working relationships with diverse groups and working collaboratively in a team environment. High proﬁciency in MS Word, Excel PowerPoint, Adobe InDesign Creative Suite and/or Canva, website and content mgt., social media.

To learn more and apply: colchestervt.gov/321/Human-Resources. Open until

Data Manager

learn while being supported by trained mental health professionals. We offer academic support services for individualized learning and our students will have access to the general education curriculum, as outlined by the Vermont Agency of Education.

In-person interviews

Thursday, July 25, 10am-5pm

Friday, July 26, 9am-2pm at Trapp Family Lodge, 700 Trapp Hill Rd., Stowe, VT 05672

For more information please contact Tina Robinson at 603-960-4487 or email: tr.humanresources@ MPA.US Sentinel Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Are you a data enthusiast with a passion for making a difference in your community? The City of South Burlington is looking for a dynamic and innovative Data Manager to lead our data management team and drive impactful decisions for our city’s future. If you’re ready to turn data into actionable insights and shape the growth of South Burlington, this is the opportunity for you!

As the Data Manager, you will be at the forefront of our city’s decision making, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and accessibility of our data. You will report directly to the City Manager and will be a member of the Leadership team. You will work closely with various city departments to streamline data processes, enhance data-driven decision-making, and foster a culture of data excellence. Help us harness the full potential of our data resources.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Management, Data Science, Computer Science, Public Policy or a related field, and at least three years of equivalent professional work experience demonstrating required skills, equivalency considered.

• Strong proficiency in data analysis tools, database management systems, and data visualization software required. This could include R, SPSS, Microsoft Access, and/or PowerBI.

• At least two years of management or supervisory experience required.

• Familiarity with municipal government or general governance structures is preferred.

• Possesses a valid Driver’s License required.

SALARY RANGE: $74,817-$79,414 annually

APPLY NOW: Review of on-line applications will begin August 5, 2024. To apply, learn more about the position and see a complete job description please visit governmentjobs.com/careers/southburlington

You’re in good hands with...

“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

LOOKING FOR A COOLER OPPORTUNITY?

DIRECTOR OF WEATHERIZATION & CLIMATE IMPACT

Capstone Community Action is seeking a leader who is mission driven and dynamic to bring our energy programs into an equitable energy future. The Director is a key member of the Capstone Leadership Team and will oversee our Weatherization Assistance, 3E Thermal, and MileageSmart energy programs.

Our ideal candidate will bring vision and strategy to our programs; proven ability to collaborate, build partnerships and represent Capstone in the public arena; have demonstrated experience managing programs with public funding and overseeing budgets; experience working with legislators and funding entities; experience with grant writing and non-pro t management (preferred); A deep understanding of weatherization programs, strong working knowledge of building science and demonstrated commitment to building, and supporting inclusive and diverse teams is critical for success.

For more information about this full-time position, including more quali cations, compensation and bene ts, please visit CapstoneVT.org/Careers

Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume to:

Capstone Community Action, Inc. Human Resources

20 Gable Place, Barre, VT 05641

Or e-mail to: jobs@capstonevt.org

Capstone Community Action, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider. Applications from women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged.

Burlington Housing Authority (BHA)

Are you interested in a job that helps your community and makes a difference in people’s lives every day? Consider joining Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) in Burlington, VT to continue BHA’s success in promoting innovative solutions that address housing instability challenges facing our diverse population of low-income families and individuals.

We are currently hiring for the following positions:

Assistant Property Manager:

Serves as a critical member of our property management team. This position is responsible for assisting the team of Property Managers in the day to day operations of BHA’s property portfolio. This position assists with leasing apartments, move in and move outs, maintaining accurate tenant files and assist with tenant complaints, collection of rents, lease violations, property inspections, vacant unit checks, delivery of resident notices and certifications, and other duties related to property management.

Building Operations Technician:

Performs general maintenance work in BHA owned and managed properties. This includes building exteriors, common areas, apartments, building systems, fixtures, and grounds. Our Building Operations Techs are required to participate in the on-call rotation, which covers night and weekend emergencies.

Housing Retention Services – Site

Based: Responsible for supporting those who have mental health and substance use challenges and/or who have moved from homelessness to Bobbin Mill, Wharf Lane, and other BHA properties. The position works closely with property management and other site-based staff to identify challenges and respond with appropriate direct service and coordination of community services, with a goal of eviction prevention and facilitating a healthy tenancy.

Property Manager: Serves as a critical member of our Property Management team. This position will provide oversight of day-to-day operations of BHA’s Elderly RAD developments to ensure longterm viability of the properties within the property portfolio. This position requires independent judgment, timely management of deadlines as well as discretion in carrying out responsibilities.

For more info about these career opportunities: burlingtonhousing.org

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!

Our robust benefit package includes premium medical insurance with a health reimbursement account, dental, vision, short and long term disability, 10% employer funded retirement plan, 457 retirement plan, accident insurance, life insurance, cancer & critical illness insurance.

We provide a generous time off policy including 12 days of paid time off and 12 days of sick time in the first year. In addition to the paid time off, BHA recognizes 13 (paid) holidays and 2 (paid) floating cultural holidays. Plus, a sign on bonus!

Interested in this opportunity? Send cover letter/resume to: humanresources@ burlingtonhousing.org

Human Resources

Burlington Housing Authority 65 Main Street, Suite 101 Burlington, VT 05401

BHA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

“We booked a multimedia advertising package with Seven Days Jobs to help more young people discover the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. We got great results – there are only a handful of spots left for 2024. VYCC is excited to start working with our 39th cohort of corps members and leaders. More than 150 young people are joining us this spring, summer and fall for paid, outdoor work in conservation and farming.

Michelle Brown is great to work with. She is responsive and helped us put nearly two dozen opportunities online at a time! We intend to advertise with Seven Days again next year.”

NAOMI GALIMIDI Director of Community Engagement Vermont Youth Conservation Corps

fun stuff

“Squirrels are essentially fat mice with ﬂu y tails. Besides, it’s not that high.”

JEN SORENSEN

HARRY BLISS

RACHEL LINDSAY

CANCER

(JUN. 21-JUL. 22)

In 1986, Cancerian singer-songwriter George Michael released his song “A Different Corner.” It was a big hit. Never before in British pop music had an artist done what Michael accomplished: wrote, sang, arranged and produced the tune and played all the instruments. I foresee the possibility of a similar proficiency in your near future, Cancerian — if you want it. Maybe you would prefer to collaborate with others in your big projects, but if you choose to, you could perform minor miracles all by yourself.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): Have you ever been given a Starbucks gift card but then neglected to use it? Many people fail to cash in such freebies. Believe it or not, there are also folks who buy lottery tickets that turn out to have the winning number — but they never actually claim their rewards. Don’t be like them in the coming weeks, Aries. Be aggressive about cashing in on the offers you receive, even subtle and shy offers. Don’t let invitations and opportunities go to waste. Be alert for good luck and seize it.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): The coming weeks will be a favorable time to enhance your relationship with food. In every way you can

imagine, be smart and discerning as you plan and eat your meals. Here are ideas to ponder: 1) Do you know exactly which foods are best for your unique body? 2) Are you sufficiently relaxed and emotionally present when you eat? 3) Could you upgrade your willpower to ensure you joyfully gravitate toward what’s healthiest? 4) Do you have any bad habits you could outgrow? 5) Is your approach to eating affected by problematic emotions that you could heal? 6) Are you willing to try improving things incrementally without insisting on being perfect?

GEMINI (May 21-Jun. 20): Hybridization could be a fun theme for you in the coming weeks. You’re likely to align yourself with cosmic rhythms if you explore the joys and challenges of creating amalgamations, medleys and mash-ups. Your spirit creatures will be the liger, which is a cross between a lion and a tiger, and a mule, a cross between a horse and a donkey. But please note that your spirit creatures will not be impossible hybrids like a giroose (a cross between a giraffe and a moose) or a coyadger (a cross between a coyote and a badger). It’s good to be experimental and audacious in your mixing and matching but not lunatic delusional.

LEO (Jul. 23-Aug. 22): In the Biblical allegory of Noah and the Ark, God warns Noah about an impending flood and commands him to build a giant lifeboat to save living things from extinction. Noah obeys. When the heavy rains come, he, his family and many creatures board the boat to weather the storm. After 40 days and nights of inundation, they are all safe but stranded in a newly created sea. Hoping for a sign of where they might seek sanctuary, Noah sends out a dove to reconnoiter for dry land. But it returns with no clues. A week later, Noah dispatches a second dove. It returns with an olive leaf, showing that the Earth is drying out and land is nearby. Dear Leo, your adventure isn’t as dire and dramatic as Noah’s, but I’m happy to tell you it’s time for you to do the equivalent of sending two doves out to explore.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): According to an ancient Chinese proverb, “An ant on the move

does more than a dozing ox.” I will add a corollary: An ant may be able to accomplish feats an ox can’t. For instance, I have observed an ant carrying a potato chip back to its nest, and I doubt that an ox could tote a potato chip without mangling it. Anyway, Virgo, this is my way of telling you that if you must choose between your inspiration being an ant or an ox in the coming days, choose the ant. Be meticulous, persistent and industrious rather than big, strong and rugged.

LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): “If it sounds too good to be true, it always is,” stage magician Ricky Jay said. I only partially agree with him. While I think it’s usually wise to use his formula as a fundamental principle, I suspect it won’t entirely apply to you in the coming weeks. At least one thing and possibly as many as three may sound too good to be true — but will, in fact, be true. So if you’re tempted to be hyper-skeptical, tamp down that attitude a bit. Open yourself to the possibilities of amazing grace and minor miracles.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): What is the largest thing ever sold in human history? It was a 530-million-acre chunk of land in North America. In 1803, the French government sold it to the American government for $15 million. It stretched from what’s now Louisiana to Montana. Here’s the twist to the story: The land peddled by France and acquired by the U.S. actually belonged to the Indigenous people who had lived there for many generations. The two nations pretended they had the right to make the transaction. I bring this to your attention, Scorpio, because the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to make a big, important purchase or sale — as long as you have the authentic rights to do so. Make sure there are no hidden agendas or strings attached. Be thorough in your vetting.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): An antiques dealer named Laura Young bought a marble bust of a distinguished man at a thrift store in Austin, Texas. Later she discovered that it was over 2,000 years old and worth far more than the $35 she had paid for it. It depicted a Roman military leader named Drusus the Elder. I foresee similar themes unfolding

in your life, Sagittarius. Possible variations: 1) You come into possession of something that’s more valuable than it initially appears. 2) You connect with an influence that’s weightier than it initially appears. 3) A lucky accident unfolds, bringing unexpected goodies. 4) A seemingly ordinary thing turns out to be an interesting thing in disguise.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): My childhood friend Jeanine used to say, “The best proof of friendship is when someone gives you half their candy bar. The best proof of fantastic friendship is when they give you even more than half.” And then she would hand me more than half of her Snickers bar, Milky Way or Butterfinger. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to give away at least half of your candy to those you care for in the coming days. It’s a phase of your astrological cycle when you will benefit from offering extra special affection and rewards to the allies who provide you with so much love and support.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you’re a teacher, it’s a favorable time to enjoy a stint as a student — and vice versa. If you’re a health care worker trained in Western medicine, it’s an excellent phase to explore alternative healing practices. If you’re a scientist, I suggest you read some holy and outrageous poetry, and if you’re a sensitive, introverted mystic, get better informed about messy political issues. In other words, dear Aquarius, open a channel to parts of reality you normally ignore or neglect. Fill in the gaps in your education. Seek out surprise and awakening.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20): Jane Brunette, a writer I admire, uses the made-up work “plurk” to refer to her favorite activity: a blend of play and work. I have always aspired to make that my core approach, too. I play at my work and work at my play. As much as possible, I have fun while I’m doing the labor-intensive tasks that earn me a living and fulfill my creative urges. And I invoke a disciplined, diligent attitude as I pursue the tasks and projects that bring me pleasure and amusement. I highly recommend you expand and refine your own ability as a plurker in the coming weeks, Pisces. (Jane Brunette is here: flamingseed.com.)

Cambridge resident Justin Marsh performs as drag queen Emoji Nightmare (pictured left), bringing drag to rural towns. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger followed Emoji to a drag story hour at Phoenix Books in Essex and a drag show at Bethel Pridefest, then met up with Marsh at their hometown Fourth of July parade and family farm.

Respond to these people online: dating.sevendaysvt.com

WOMEN seeking...

EXPLORING THE 802 AND BEYOND

I am an attractive, feminine, monogamous woman looking for a companion/LTR. I enjoy road trips, especially throughout beautiful Vermont, discovering wondrous hidden treasures. Member of the 251 Club of Vermont. I would love to have a compatible traveling companion to explore the world with me! I’m retired from a major airline. Come fly with me! VermontRoadTrip, 73 seeking: M, l

CURIOUS, COMPASSIONATE AND ADVENTUROUS

I think I’m pretty delightful. I care deeply about music, art, my home and the environment. I want a partner I can trust who will trust me. I sing - not so well, but don’t try to stop me! I’m curious about new things and never want to stop learning. ProfTripp, 64 seeking: M, l

LIFE IS HERE. NOW.

I’m an active biker, hiker, gardener, musician who has adapted well to retirement (there had to be something positive about COVID-19!) but is ready to explore life with a companion, maybe a partner, again. Many things are better with a partner, including dining out, travel, bike rides, hikes, laughing, sharing — so I’m putting my toes back in the water! maplesong 69 seeking: M, l

WANT TO RESPOND?

You read Seven Days, these people read Seven Days — you already have at least one thing in common!

All the action is online. Create an account or login to browse hundreds of singles with profiles including photos, habits, desires, views and more. It’s free to place your own profile online.

l See photos of this person online.

W = Women

M = Men

TW = Trans women

TM = Trans men

Q = Genderqueer people

NBP = Nonbinary people

NC = Gender nonconformists

Cp = Couples

Gp = Groups

ROMANTICIZING MY LIFE

New to the area and looking for camping buddies, dinner party cohosts and romantic connections if it feels right. I love reading the local news, jumping in lakes and looking for the weirdest object in an antique store. Always trying to laugh more, dance more. Help me find the best coffee in the NEK? citymouse, 25, seeking: M, TM, Q, NC, NBP, l

FANTASY FULFILLMENT

61-y/o WW and 53-y/o WM looking for a woman to fulfill a fantasy. I’m a full-figured woman who has lost over 100 lbs. He is a large man. Could turn into something regular. Fantasy2024, 61, seeking: W

HONEST, CONFIDENT AND CARING

52-y/o female who enjoys bonfires, BBQs, hiking trails on a cool evening or morning, walks on the beach, listening to live bands and so much more. VTHonest1, 52, seeking: M

DRAMA-FREE, NATURE/ANIMAL LOVER

Looking for someone who shares my likes and enthusiasm for things. Big on communication and humor. I love to create, and I follow craft fairs and flea markets to sell. G59VT, 64, seeking: M, l

CARMEN SEEKS WALDO

Kind, loyal, funny, loves classic rock and jam bands. Am a single mom so liking kids is a must, but I have the basics taken care of on my own.

JennyP42112 41 seeking: M, l

LONELY 420 SEEKER

I am a 70 y/o but 50 at heart. I am looking for a man who is 420 friendly and won’t shy from a game of bingo. Looking for a good friend and eventually more. Affectionate, caring, truthful, no game playing and honest. Like to laugh and walk, and just want similar interests. Angel420 70 seeking: M

EASY-GOING CURMUDGEON

Looking for someone to hang out with, go to the movies and have dinner after to talk. If we like each other and want to get jiggy, bonus. 420 friendly, don’t really care for alcohol, and I do not suffer fools. I am fun and funny. No racists, antisemites, or folks who don’t get why women pick the bear. ho_hum 55, seeking: M, l

SINGING, SPRINGTIME AND GREAT CONVERSATIONS

I am real seeking real. If you are seriously seeking a relationship, we might be a fit. Please read on! Warm, thoughtful, intelligent, aware, intuitive, witty, gracious, musical and romantic woman seeks man who wants the fun, delight, challenges, mystery, awe and rewards of a long-term, committed relationship. VermontContent 63, seeking: M, l

THIS COULD BE GREAT, RIGHT?

Calm, peaceful woman hoping to connect with a kind, smart, liberal, dog-loving guy. I work in a medical practice and also have a small business and live in northern New York. I am a widow but so ready for a great second chapter! Julie2085 66, seeking: M, l

GENUINELY HAPPY, SEEKING SAME

Easygoing, life-loving sixtysomething in search of a man comfortable in his own skin who loves deep conversations. All the usuals apply: Must love dogs. It’s the way to my heart, for sure. Must also love the outdoors, and not in a fanatic way. Enjoy being in nature. And finally, for now anyway, must love a good belly laugh. Joyful 64, seeking: M, l

GENUINE, THOUGHTFUL, PASSIONATE

Solo tiny-farming in the hills is sublime, but this unscripted homesteading comedy could use more characters: a partner in permaculture, a paddling companion, a cross-country/backcountry ski buddy, a Scrabble challenger. Some other favored pastimes: sailing, reading, Champlain Islands camping in fall, vegetarian cookery, making you laugh. Life is good. Just missing someone special to share the journey. nordicbette242, 53, seeking: M, l

BIODYNAMIC ARTISTIC POLYMATH

Desire meaningful conversation, spiritual companionship, laughter and love. I am family- and communityminded with philanthropic tendencies; broadly studied in history, art, science and religion; well traveled and influenced by world cultures. I lead a conscientious, healthy lifestyle and keep a clean home, body and heart. Retired, actively pursuing my passions and enjoying my grandchildren. Are you similarly inclined? Eruditee 61 seeking: M, l

INTROVERTED EXTROVERT TO DANCE

Are you a grown-up and still curious, playful, inquisitive, ever learning? I thrive outdoors in every season and relish reflective company, solitude and togetherness, sharing ideas and inspiration, and desires to love in a way that we feel free. I see that many of us here wonder how to describe ourselves. Aren’t we all more than we can say? esmeflying 60, seeking: M, l

KIND, GARDENER, CURIOUS, CREATIVE, ACTIVE

I love the Vermont outdoors. Spend my time with family and friends, gardening, creating, cross-country skiing, swimming, kayaking, walking my dogs, playing tennis and molding clay. I live intentionally and have a healthy, active lifestyle. I am hoping to share experiences with new friends and have good conversations. Lovesdogs 67 seeking: M, l

MEN seeking...

VIP SERVICE FOR YOU

Searching for a frustrated guy who wants to receive intense, no-reciprocation service. Let’s focus completely on your pleasure. Clean, laid-back, private and fun. I’m open to a one-time experiment or giving you regular attention at my place near UVM. Please reach out if you’re curious or want to explore. SecretService, 49, seeking: M

HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT!?

Retired SWM, 69, progressive, prosperous, outdoorsy. Worried about the future of the planet and what’s in the refrigerator. Maleman, 69, seeking: W

HONEST, CARING, RELIABLE, COMPASSIONATE, HUMBLE I would like a lady who likes to go out dancing, as I love music, going for walks, staying home and enjoying each other’s company. I love TLC and someone who is warm and caring. Work on projects together, go on vacation to Florida, Maine, etc.! I know how to “wash dishes”. WestMil2024 73 seeking: W

SINGLE GUY LOOKING FOR COUPLE

I’m fit and open-minded. I’ve had the fantasy for a long time to join a couple for experimentation and fun times. If you think we’ll be a good fit, send me a message and we’ll find out! ChaRIZZma, 41 seeking: Cp

LOOKING FOR FUN AND EXCITEMENT

Easygoing, fit and bearded. Love Vt. in spring, summer and fall. The winters are getting a bit old. Looking for new relationships to explore and have fun. Would love to spend time with a wonderful woman. Love the outdoors and being active. Vegetarian. LuckyGuy 50, seeking: W

EX-FARM BOY IN THE CITY

I’m a 42-y/o man. Looking for a woman 32 to 42 with similar interests. I enjoy old cars, trucks and tractors, and pretty much anything with a motor. I enjoy movies, video games, car shows. I also enjoy yard sales, antiques and antiquing, but not so much anymore. I do enjoy day trips. Willdog81, 42, seeking: W, l

OLD-SCHOOL, LAID-BACK

I’m an honest, loving, caring, loyal person who loves to ride motorcycles, get tattoos and have a good time. I’m looking for a woman who wants friends with benefits for now and maybe something a little bit more later. Harley2010 58, seeking: W, l

SEASONALLY

I own a 20-acre private nature sanctuary in Gainesville, Fla., north of Paynes Prairie preserve. I live off-grid on 30 acres in Orange county, Vt. Looking for someone to share living space with plenty of room. 382tim 68, seeking: W, l

FUNNY, RELAXED, RETIRED, KIND GENTLEMAN

Fresh to the market, I’m a little grey and thin on top, rounding in the middle with a great smile. I enjoy classic cars and learning to play the guitar. I’m retired with time to give someone my full attention. Not looking for a maid or a cook, just a nice lady to add to my life. I’m nice. classiccarguy64 64, seeking: W, l

POSITIVE, GENTLE, FUN-LOVING DUDE

I am looking to enjoy life after a long time spent cooped up. I find and celebrate the best in people. I am positive-minded, and will treat you with respect, care, and honesty. Looking for femme-bodied people (mostly) to hike, sing, ski, garden, sketch, dance, play and share joy with. GreenMan1 55, seeking: W, Q, NC, NBP, Cp, Gp, l

YOUNG, FIT EXPLORER

Tall nerdy man looking for some fun. I bike, ski, hike, but when I’m not doing that I’m home with my feet up. RyVermont 27, seeking: W, Cp

SENSUALIST

I am hoping to find someone for sensual get-togethers. I love laughter, touch, intimacy. Blackriver, 68, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Cp, Gp, l

JO BUDDY FOR MALE BONDING

Friendly chill guy with a naughty mind looking for a friends-only buddy to share fantasies, compare techniques and maybe watch straight porn. Open-minded, respectful, discreet. I’m athletic, late forties, 420 friendly, can host in BTV. Let’s take it slow and enjoy our favorite hobby with a bro! JOBuddy, 48, seeking: M, Cp

CREATIVE, COMPASSIONATE, GRATEFUL, OPEN-HEARTED ADVENTURER

I am creative, sensuous and playful and love exploring. I am a Pisces and love all things water. I love farmers markets, photography, finding swimming spots, dancing, yoga, cooking, skiing, art, mushroom hunting. I am looking for a woman who is warm, curious, compassionate, grounded, creative, adventurous and fun, who knows and likes herself and likes to discuss ideas. WhirlingDancer, 75, seeking: W, l

LAID-BACK, ADVENTUROUS, NATURE LOVER

I’m a laid-back native Vermonter who lives in and loves the woods. I’m passionate, adventurous and open minded. I enjoy hiking, paddling, camping, mountain biking, swimming and exploring nature. I’m looking for a woman who enjoys similar activities, who is comfortable in her own skin, has the ability to laugh, common sense, loves nature and is interested in friendship first. DiverDude, 58, seeking: W, l

TRANS WOMEN seeking...

COMMUNITY-MINDED AND INDEFENSIBLY JOYFUL

I love writing, dancing, making music and meaningful action. My favorite conversations are about people’s passions. I like hiking, biking and paddling, but I spend a lot of time happily indoors being social or creative or productive. I’m interested in people of all genders and am seeking a connection that generates joy every day for us both. Sylph 55, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, l

GENDERQUEER PEOPLE seeking...

INTROVERTED NATURE AND MUSIC LOVER

I work in nature and love to have spontaneous dance parties at home. I’m looking for left-leaning folks for hiking and exploring, spending time with dogs and the occasional game of Scrabble. I love house music, but also enjoy jazz and soundtracks. Twin Peaks, 90210, and Alien franchises. I’d love to get some friends together for an Alien: Romulus party at the drive-in this summer. TwilogirlVT 53, seeking: M, Q, NC, NBP, l

COUPLES seeking...

LOOKING FOR FUN PEEPS

Fun, open-minded couple seeking playmates. Shoot us a note if interested so we can share details and desires. Jackrabbits, 60, seeking: W, Cp

FUN COUPLE LOOKING FOR EXPLORATION

We are a secure couple who enjoy the outdoors, good wine, great food, playing with each other, exploring our boundaries and trying new things. We are 47 and 50, looking for a fun couple or bi man to play and explore with us. We are easygoing, and we’d love to meet you and see where our mutual adventures take us. vthappycouple, 51, seeking: M, Cp, Gp

RETRO JORDAN 1S

Me: Tan brunette who asked to take a picture of your amazing olive green canvas double-strap retro Jordan 1s on a Saturday afternoon. You: Handsome, dazzling blue eyes, conﬁdent, cool. No idea if you are local or available, but would love to connect if you’re curious! When: Saturday, July 13, 2024. Where: Leunig’s. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916053

ROOTS MARKET

Is the girl with brown hair and brown eyes who was working at Roots Market in Middlesex on Saturday single? It’d make someone’s day if the answer is yes. When: Saturday, July 13, 2024. Where: Middlesex. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916052

GINGER POWER SCREAM

Hello future bestie. You were the super cool redhead driving a red car, and I was the redhead driving the colorful van. We were exiting the Winooski circle when you yelled “sick van” through the window. Your energy was lit. I replied, “ ank you!” en you screamed “GINGER POWERRRR” as you peeled away. I was mesmerized. Please be my friend. When: ursday, July 11, 2024. Where: e Winooski Circle Bridge. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916051

“RED GRAPES” GUY

Me: Wearing green dress. You: Staring at grapes. Wearing black band hoodie with MCR vibe/baggy jeans. Indistinctly long black hair. I asked what you were looking for. You said, “red grapes.” I pointed at red grapes. You said, “those are purple grapes.” When I left, you were still looking intently at the four bags of grapes. You are very attractive. When: Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Where: Shelburne Road Hannaford. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916048

ENLIGHTEN ME

If you’ve been spied, go online to contact your admirer!

You: Shrouded in darkness, breathing. Me: Eyes open, gazing into the dark side of blackness. e Moon: A rumored beauty. e Air: Still, silent, 20% oxygen. Want to get a sandwich at the co-op? When: Friday, July 12, 2024. Where: e forest: not sure it was a person, but I got the clear sense that they like sandwiches. You: Gender nonconformist. Me: Man. #916050

MONTPELIER BROWN GODDESS HOUSEKEEPER

I can’t stop thinking about you since you left. I can’t wait a week, I want you back sooner. is may sound strange but I think I am in love. Please, my beautiful friend, come back. You are wifey material. I am sorry I did not do what you asked. I will make it up to you. I promise I will give you anything. When: Monday, July 8, 2024. Where: My house. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916049

MY BUTTER BELL(A)?

From afar your smile drew me like moth to flame - appropriate for an event about pollinators. Your vibe was warm from the start, but I really melted when I saw you were wearing a “Stick of Butter Dad Hat” (confirmed official product name). I too do butter “all damn day.”

Want to meet up to talk soft landings & saturated fats? When: Saturday, June 22, 2024. Where: UVM Horticulture Farm. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916047

TO BE A FRIEND

You were wearing a white cardigan, red plaid skirt, and black stockings. You told some very funny jokes, a bit of a comedian. I asked if you wanted to go for a walk sometime. We ate some amazing food together. When: ursday, November 25, 2021. Where: anksgiving. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916044

I like to think I’m a generally happy person, but my friends tell me that I have resting bitch face. I don’t care all that much, but is there anything I can do to change it? If another old guy tells me to smile, I’m going to ﬂip out.

GIRL AT WORK MADE MY DAY

You were cashing me out and you said something that made my day and brought ﬂutters to my tummy: “You look really good today.” We’ve never met before, and that’s a shame. Someone as sweet as you deserves everything she wants with a ribbon on it! If you noticed me too, message back. You have my attention, gorgeous girl with the cat eyes! When: Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Where: Champlain Farms - Colchester on Roosevelt Ave. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916045

“IN VERMONT”

I noticed you sitting solo, then the comments you shared (one funny, one not: the barn!) made me want to start a conversation. Had to run with a family member so didn’t get to say hi, but if you happen to have time and space for new conversations, please be in touch! When: Monday, June 24, 2024. Where: e Savoy. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916043

HANNAH AT GUSTER SHOW

I saw you before the show started and saw how you seemed to know everyone. I waited around after the show and we spoke brieﬂy about how we both seemed familiar, but couldn’t ﬁgure out where we had crossed paths. I wish I had asked for your contact info. Seemed like we had a spark, even in the rain. Contact me? When: Saturday, June 29, 2024. Where: Guster concert. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916042

GUCCI SNEAKERS GIRL

Super cute girl with white Gucci sneakers and gorgeous brown eyes. We locked eyes for a while (several times), but we both were with someone. I owe you an apology: you know why. Please reply if you see this, this is my last recourse. When: Friday, June 28, 2024. Where: Red Square. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916041

HUNK AT BURLINGTON

FOOD TRUCKS

We crossed paths Friday night. You got a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone and then smiled back at me and said, “it’s the best ﬂavor, gotta try it.” I think you’re quite the catch in your gray Vans. Let’s ride around in your white Tacoma sometime. When: Friday, June 28, 2024. Where: Burlington food trucks. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916038

SOCCER GAME AT HAZEN

You had dark hair and jean shorts. I think you got out of a vehicle with Virginia plates. We exchanged smiles. Just wanted to say you made my day, seeing your beautiful smile. When: Friday, June 28, 2024. Where: Hardwick. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916039

SMILING STRANGER

I saw you running on the path near Texaco Beach. We glanced at each other. Your smile brightened my entire day. en you continued your run, gracefully heading down the dirt road beside the grafﬁti-covered containers on the railroad tracks. Would be so lovely to know your name and share another smile. When: Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Where: Burlington bike path. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916037

IN THE CAFÉ AT VERMONT COMEDY CLUB

You were making coffee for your tubby friend on Saturday. You were making him laugh, but weirdly me too. You’re very funny, and good at coffee. Latte art was ﬁre. At least that’s what it looked like. Wanted to ask for your name, but asked for sugar instead because I was nervous. I’m diabetic! Drop me a message if that’s your thing. When: Saturday, June 22, 2024. Where: In a café. You: Man. Me: Man. #916036

GROOVY GAL

When I was almost invisible, I was already under your spell. My actions are not contrived. “I can’t help myself,” and I have tried. I always leave your house on Penny Lane, unfulﬁlled and wanting more time with you. When I am free next month, how about a hike? Perhaps an email address, a hike, or a cup of coffee. When: Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Where: Her house. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916035

IN THE ELEVATOR AT CASAVANT

We met this morning while I was taking the trash out. You’re John, I’m Sarah. We talked brieﬂy about how sometimes we feel like our life isn’t our own and that we’re only along for the ride. Remember though, we are the masters of our destiny. You seemed really sad. I’m around if you need a friend. When: Friday, June 21, 2024. Where: In the elevator at Casavant. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916034

SEPTUM RINGS AND SMILES

I forgot to grab a basket at the front and made my way around the right side of the store past the breads. en I saw you and forgot everything that I had come into the store to get to begin with. With a smirky smile you looked at me again and smiled with your eyes. When: Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Where: Shelburne market. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916033

JUNETEENTH

Saw you and thought you were so cute! So hot! en saw you again strolling around town. We passed each other. I had a beard and cutoffs. I really wanted to say hi. Give me a chance over a cup of coffee? When: Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Where: Scout in Winooski. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916032

HOTTIE AT PRIDE

You: Gorgeous smile, dancing in the rain with your rainbow umbrella during the drag show. Your van full of friends didn’t want to brave the rain but you made the best of it. Me: Woman who nervously asked if you wanted to paint our community canvas. Would love to show you how the canvas turned out. When: Saturday, June 8, 2024. Where: Saint Albans Pride. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916031

DOG WALK DATE DILEMMA

Caught completely off guard and wishing I was your dog walk date at Five Tree Hill. Random pretty woman introducing herself and dog in middle of the road doesn’t happen often. ere’s not a playbook for that one and I should’ve played along longer. If that date didn’t go well, let’s try that introduction again. When: Monday, June 10, 2024. Where: Williston. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916030

LOVELY BLOND DANCER AT BDJF

De Not ious RBF,

“Resting bitch face,” a term that gained popularity a while back, is used to describe someone whose default facial expression can seem less than pleased. I’ve never cared for the phrase due to its rather sexist connotation, but it can describe people of any gender — Kanye West being a great example. I prefer the old-fashioned term “sourpuss,” but I digress.

ere are many reasons your face might look grumpy even when you’re not. Genetics is a big factor. You may have simply inherited a mouth or eyes that turn downward. Lifestyle habits and emotional stress can also be contributors. If you regularly aren’t getting enough sleep or are dehydrated, it can show on your face and make you look tired, sad or even angry.

Beautiful curly blonde dancing in the crowd at BDJF. You were with your two girlfriends and I was solo curly saltand-pepper guy. We ended up near each other for set two and the dance party continued. You waved twice as you left before the end of the night. Can we see if the glass slipper ﬁts? When: Saturday, June 8, 2024. Where: Burlington waterfront at Discover Jazz Fest. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916029 ready.

If you really want to change the way your resting face looks, there are less drastic solutions out there than plastic surgery. Everyone knows yoga is great for the body, but it can also do wonders for the face. If you go online and search for face yoga, you can ﬁnd all sorts of exercises to try. Research suggests that smiling can actually boost your mood. Even though it may have beneﬁts, the next time some doofus tells you to smile, have a withering response at the ready. I’m superstitious and would never lie about someone dying, but you could reply with, “I lost a friend.” It’s vague enough not to jinx anybody and might make the person feel so bad that they’ll think twice before saying that again.

Good luck and God bless,

I’m a male, early 40s, single, straight. However, my life’s journey has led me to the point of becoming curious about exploring subconscious desires. Seeking cute, passable, thin-toaverage 24-25-y/o TF or TF/F couple for safe, respectable, discreet conversation or meet up. #L1776

I’m an 80-y/o woman seeking a man, late sixties and up. I want friendship and companionship. Love the outdoors. Barbecue or grill sometimes in the summer. Wish I could travel to places I have never been. #L1775

I’m a male seeking a woman to pleasure. #L1777

65-y/o local, active female seeking intelligent male companion 58-70ish for hiking/ bike packing trips. Love good cooking, maps, thoughtful conversations, board games, early mornings and mutual kindness. Cleanliness required. I value someone polite, caring, gentle and authentic. No: drugs, smoking, heavy drinking. Yes: fun, laughs, good health, fresh air. #L1772

I am a GWM seeking a gay couple who would like to add spice into their sex life with a third. I’m in my sixties, 5’7”, 150 lbs. and live in Burlington. Very clean, open and I am a bottom. If interested, send contact info. #L1774

HOW TO REPLY TO THESE LOVE LE ERS:

Seal your reply — including your preferred contact info — inside an envelope. Write your pen pal’s box number on the outside of that envelope and place it inside another envelope with payment. Responses for Love Letters must begin with the #L box number.

MAIL TO: Seven Days Love Letters PO Box 1164, Burlington, VT 05402

PAYMENT: $5/response. Include cash or check (made out to “Seven Days”) in the outer envelope. To send unlimited replies for only $15/month, call us at 802-865-1020, ext. 161 for a membership (credit accepted).

YOUR MESSAGE ON THIS PAGE!

1 Submit your FREE message at sevendaysvt.com/loveletters or use the handy form at right.

I’m a 67-y/o SWM, 6’, 190 lbs., seeking a mid-60s bi couple for occasional get-together. I am honest and respectful and expect the same. Fairly new to this, so slow at ﬁrst. No devices, only landline. #L1771

Nice guy, 5’10, 195 pounds. 74 y/o but I look younger and am new to the market. I’m seeking a good woman/partner 55 to 75 y/o to love. Very attentive and affectionate, likes to have fun and travel. 420 friendly. #L1773

I would like to meet someone between 60 and 75 who is 5’6” or under and is a slim nondrinker/smoker. Asian heritage preferable. I’m 5’8” and drink/ smoke free. I’m a good cook. An Asian who doesn’t speak good English is acceptable. #L1770

SWM calling all guys. Seeking gay, bi, trans — I want all. Any age and race. Black men are my favorite. I’m clean, don’t smoke, drink or do drugs. I love sex. Kinky OK. I’m a nudist. Love a partner. Phone number. #L1769

SWM (61 y/o), seeking LT companionship, adventures, intimacy with SF (50-65 y/o). Would like to meet kind, respectful, creative woman. Outdoorsy interests, both serious and silly, with life experiences to carry insightful conversations. I’m attracted to intellect, kindheartedness, curiosity, compassion and wisdom. #L1767

Int net-Free Dating!

Strong, attractive guy looking for an artistic woman who likes both a soft and rough hand. #L1768

GM looking for sex, not for a husband or boyfriend, just fun. Skilled and talented with a wide range of interests. Race and age not important, just enthusiasm for fun and exploration. #L1762

47-y/o female looking for friendships only. Not willing to travel — I have no car. Interest in womenfolk who don’t drink or drug, vape only. Crafting and creativity a must. No liars or thieves. In search of honest and dependable friends. #L1766

I’m a 76-y/o M, seeking a F. Burlington resident, Luddite, gardener, ﬁsherman. Into Bach, Mozart, Blake, raspberries. Catholic. You: Old, pretty, smart, conversational for dinners, possible friendship. Call. #L1764

I’m a male 73 y/o seeking a female 68 and up. Active bike riding and kayaking, love an outdoor hike! Seeking similar. Also Catholic and go to church! #L1761

Describe yourself and who you’re looking for in 40 words below: (OR, ATTACH A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER.)

I’m a

AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL) seeking a

I’m a tall, 70-y/o woman in NEK seeking a male who’s intelligent, sensible, and compatible in age. Heart-centered nonreligious Buddhist. I live in a private, clothing-optional off-grid cabin in the woods. Prefer quiet places in nature, and friendly to animals. Organic foods; gardener, artist. Emotionally open and sensitive. Differ from cultural norms. Only with the right mate could I thrive on giving and receiving pleasures from a place of love. Friendships also welcome. #L1765

Excuse me! Coming through! On your left! Please make way for this ﬁt, gentle, articulate, gracious soul seeking a SWF (5568) with similar attributes. I revel in words, dogs, gardens, hikes, moonlight and creativity. #L1760

Sensual older couple who enjoy travel — international and domestic — are outdoorsy: camping (love the Islands), gardening, live music and more. Looking to meet preferably another couple open to the possibilities of exploring gentle consensual sensual activities. Meet for a chat-up? #L1757

AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL) Required conﬁdential info:

(MORE)

HELP: 802-865-1020, EXT. 161, LOVELETTERS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

THIS FORM IS FOR LOVE LETTERS ONLY. Messages for the Personals and I-Spy sections must be submitted online at dating.sevendaysvt.com.

Readers help pay for the production of this award-winning weekly newspaper. Thousands have made one-time or recurring donations to sustain Seven Days. Their support — along with advertisers’ — allows us to keep delivering breaking news and thoughtful long-form journalism to Vermonters.

Support local journalism — make a contribution today!

If you like what we do and can a ord to help pay for it, please become a Seven Days Super Reader. Your donation will help to keep our community informed and connected.

Join the Super Readers at sevendaysvt.com/super-readers.

Or send a note (and a check) to: Seven Days c/o Super Readers PO Box 1164 Burlington, VT 05402 Contact Gillian English at 865-1020, ext. 115 or superreaders@sevendaysvt.com.

Seven Days on the press in Mirabel, Québec

Start College for Free at CCV!

Attend CCV for a day. Take mock classes, learn about programs, and meet faculty & staff!

Take two free courses in your junior or senior year. Get a feel for college AND earn credits.

After Early College, stay at CCV to complete a FREE associate degree!

Take this free class to improve skills, set goals, and plan for the future.

Spend your senior year at CCV and meet your HS graduation requirements while also completing a free year of college.